#i applaud my genius sometimes

[doodlezheathen]

those flash html 2010s kissing games but its just you and your f/o

[amayaonly1]

Verses Unwritten: A Rap Odyssey

Eminem x Rapper!OC

Verse 6

About: Eminem steps back into the spotlight after years away, bringing raw honesty and unmatched charisma to the stage of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Through candid banter, a dive into the making of his album Relapse, and teasing a potential collaboration with Genji, the rap icon reveals the layers of his artistry and resilience.

"Verses Unwritten: A Rap Odyssey" Chapter List: Verse 1 | Verse 2 | Verse 3 | Verse 4 | Verse 5 | Verse 6 | Verse 7 | Verse 8 | Verse 9 | Verse 10 | Verse 11 | Verse 12 | Verse 13 | Verse 14 | Verse 15 | Verse 16 | Verse 17 | Verse 18 | Verse 19 | Verse 20 | Verse 21 | Verse 22 | Verse 23 | Verse 24 | Verse 25 | Verse 26 | Verse 27

Disclaimer: This work is a work of fiction, and any involvement of the character Genji is purely fictional and not representative of any real person.

The studio lights dimmed momentarily, casting a soft glow as the band wrapped up their smooth, jazzy rendition of "Crack a Bottle". The audience buzzed in anticipation. Craig Ferguson strode to his desk with his usual infectious energy, ready to introduce his next guest.

"Alright, folks," he began, his signature Scottish brogue rolling off his tongue. "My next guest hardly needs an introduction, but I'm gonna give him one anyway. He's the best-selling rapper of all time, a lyrical genius with a knack for controversy, and a man who's made a career out of turning pain into platinum hits. After a five-year hiatus, he's back and rawer than ever with his new album Relapse. Please welcome the one, the only… Eminem!"

The entire crowd were instantly on their feet and applauded loudly, some even screaming in excitement. Eminem emerged from backstage, cool and collected in his sleek black hoodie and jeans. His neutral expression made it clear he was still the enigmatic figure his fans adored. He gave the crowd a brief nod before approaching the desk. Craig stood to greet him, offering a firm handshake and a knowing smile.

"Welcome, welcome" Craig said warmly, gesturing toward the couch. "Have a seat. Should I call you Eminem or Slim Shady? Or Marshall? You've got more aliases than a Bond villain!"

Eminem looked at the audience, who was still buzzing, before taking his seat on the couch with a casual ease. His posture was slightly hunched, his arms resting loosely on his knees. He shot Craig a look and replied, "You can call me whatever you want, man. I mean, they're all just different sides of the same guy, right? But, Eminem works just fine for now."

"Alright, Eminem it is, then," the talk show host said, settling back into his chair with a grin. "Can't have too many names flying around, or we'll need a name tag." The audience laughed, and Craig waited for the room to settle before continuing. "So, let's start with the obvious question: How does it feel to be back? I mean, it's been five years! And now you're back with a new album."

"It feels good, man," he replied, his tone calm and measured. "Real good. It's been a minute, but sometimes you gotta step back, clear your head, and get right before you come back. I had a lot I needed to get out, so it feels like the right time."

Craig nodded thoughtfully, clearly appreciating the weight of those words. "Well, it sounds like you've been doing some serious soul-searching, huh? I like the 'getting right before you come back' approach. You're like a superhero who went off to recharge his powers, and now you're back to save the world — or, y'know, just make awesome music." The crowd laughed and applauded.

Eminem smirked, his eyes glinting slightly. "Yeah, well, if I'm a superhero, I'd be the kind who's got way too much baggage and a knack for making things messier than they should be. But, y'know, it is what it is. Gotta clear your head and let the dust settle before you go save the day."

Craig leaned forward, his expression softening. "It's no secret you've been through a lot: addiction, recovery, loss. But this album — it's raw. Like, unapologetically raw. Was that intentional? You didn't exactly hold back, did you?"

The rapper's gaze dropped for a moment, as if contemplating the weight of his own words. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet but resolute. "Yeah, it was intentional. When I was making Relapse, I didn't wanna sugarcoat anything. I went through a lot, and I had to face it all. The album's pretty much me being as honest as I could be, even if it's uncomfortable. It wasn't about trying to make something 'radio-friendly'. It's just… what came out when I was in that headspace."

Craig studied him for a moment, the usual cheeky humour fading as he recognised the depth of what Eminem was saying. "And does it help? Putting it all into music?"

The latter nodded slightly, his eyes distant for a moment. "Yeah, it helps. It's like therapy. When I put it in a song, it doesn't feel like it's weighing me down anymore. Once it's out there, it's not sitting inside my head, y'know I'm saying? It doesn't fix everything, but it helps."

Craig sat back in his chair, the moment heavy with understanding. After a pause, he broke the silence with a change of pace. "Let's talk about one of your singles — 'We Made You'. It's catchy, funny, and sharp... classic Eminem, right? But it's also got this funky, almost theatrical vibe to it. Like you're having a lot of fun with it. Was that your intention? I mean, you're poking fun at pop culture, but there's this whole… vibe going on, y'know?"

Eminem allowed a small smile, just a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Yeah, that was the point. I wanted to make something catchy, something people would have fun with. But it's still me poking fun at the craziness of the industry and pop culture. I can get pretty serious in my music, but sometimes I just wanna mess around a bit, make people laugh, and keep it light."

The talk show host raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the banter. "You know, I was jamming to it the other day, and I noticed something… there's this little touch, like a layer of mischief in the background. Almost… Genji-like?" His playful grin widened as he glanced at the audience, raising the stakes with his speculative tone. The crowd caught on immediately, and the room erupted in laughter as they caught the reference.

Eminem's lips twitched into a faint smile, though his eyes remained ever so composed. "Yeah, she worked on that track."

Craig sat up, a delighted glint in his eye. "I knew it!" The audience laughed along, and he continued, practically bouncing in his seat. "I could tell from that twist in the bridge. She's got that unique touch, right? I've been a fan of hers since her collab with De La Soul. Mind-blowing stuff. Ever listened to any of her songs?"

"Yeah, I've heard some of her stuff. She's dope, for sure. She's got this way of blending different sounds, real unique vibe."

"I'm curious, what's it like working with her She's like a musical wizard, right? I mean, she's got this almost otherworldly ability to shape sound. It's incredible."

Eminem nodded, his expression more relaxed now. "Working with her's cool. She knows what she's doing, no doubt. She gets it, man. She hears things in music that most people don't, and she pushes you to do things you might not have thought of. And yeah, it's dope that she's still killing it. Not a lot of people can do that."

The talk show host grinned, eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "Ah, I love that. She's got that magical touch, huh? Like a musical wizard with a PhD in sound. It’s like she's got a magic formula for keeping things fresh. You know, I've always wondered… does she have a secret lair somewhere? Maybe hidden under a mountain, with a keyboard and a cat wearing glasses? Because it sounds like she might!"

Eminem chuckled, the rare smile stretching slightly wider. "Yeah, something like that. Maybe a secret underground studio with a bunch of cats running around, plotting the next big hit."

The room erupted with laughter, and Craig leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the banter. "So, does that mean we could hear more of this collaboration in the future? A Genji and Eminem album? Imagine — a vault of secret tracks released only after a big mystery tour. Maybe even involving some dragons or a moonlit mountain."

"Yeah, man, maybe… as long as the dragons are kept to a minimum. I don't know if the world's ready for that, though. Could be epic, or it could be a disaster. Who knows? We'll see. We're both busy, but you never know.'"

The crowd's excitement spiked, with shouts of "Yes!" and "Do it!" echoing from the audience. Craig smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, that's not a no, folks! Mark it down — Eminem just left the door wide open. You heard it here first!" He then leaned in with his usual charm. "So, what's next for you? More music? More surprises?"

"Yeah, more music, I guess. Whatever comes, it comes. You'll hear it when I'm ready."

Craig grinned widely, his tone warm and genuine. "Well, whatever it is, we'll be watching and listening. Give it up for Eminem, everybody!"

The audience leapt to their feet, erupting into applause. Eminem stood, offering a small nod of appreciation before making his way offstage, the cheers continuing for a while as the crowd showed their admiration.

Eminem Drops Candid Insights on Music, Life, and Future Collaborations on "The Late Late Show" The rap icon opens up to Craig Ferguson about his raw new album, working with Genji, and the possibility of a future collab that fans are already calling "legendary".

ShadyNation99 🔥🔥 Eminem AND Genji?? A collab album would break the internet! Make it happen, Slim! 🙌 #Relapse #TheLateLateShow FanofFireSpits Genji and Eminem as a duo? Someone check on Kanye. He's gonna feel that earthquake. 🌍🔥 #CollabOfTheCentury GenjiFanatic Can we take a moment to appreciate how Genji's magic keeps inspiring legends like Eminem? 🙌 Future collab? Yes, PLEASE! #MusicalWizardry LateShowFanGirl Craig Ferguson hyping up a Genji x Eminem collab has me believing in unicorns. 😂✨ Make it happen, universe! #TheLateLateShow

Eminem: Yo, saw the Late Late Show? Craig put you on blast. Secret lair with cats, huh? Should I bring tuna if I visit?

Genji: Haha, he's got quite the imagination. But no cats, just a keyboard and maybe some midnight ramen.

Eminem: Midnight ramen sounds more my vibe. You cook, too? Or is it the instant kind?

Genji: Instant, but I jazz it up. Soy eggs, scallions, some spice. Good enough to make you forget it's instant.

Eminem: Sounds like you're tryna flex on my frozen pizza dinners.

Genji: Maybe a little. But I'm sure your microwave skills are top-tier.

Eminem: I'm a pro. Even my microwave be asking me for pointers.

Genji: Haha, impressive. So, are you hinting I should teach you how to cook real food?

Eminem: Maybe. Or maybe I'm saying you should cook for me next time we're in the studio. Call it inspiration fuel.

Genji: Oh, so you're trading bars for bites now? Interesting currency.

Eminem: Gotta keep it creative, right? But seriously, that track we're working on... still can't get over your verse. I mean, I know shit about writing verses in Japanese. But how'd you even come up with that switch-up in the middle?

Genji: Just felt like it needed something unexpected. Gotta keep the energy alive.

Eminem: Yeah, well, mission accomplished. You had me rewriting my lines just to keep up.

Genji: Pretty sure you're exaggerating... But I'll take the compliment.

Eminem: Not exaggerating. I don't hand out compliments for free, y'know. But if I did, you'd still owe me for how much I've been hyping you up.

Genji: Guess I'll have to return the favor next time you drop a verse.

Eminem: Next time? Sounds like you're already planning another collab.

Genji: Only if you're ready to trade more pizza for ramen.

Eminem: Deal. But only if you bring those soy eggs.

[edgeray]

Hello Again, Ray! 🐴 Anon here once more. If you're OK with writing it, could I please request a sequel to "How to (Horse)Ride Into Your Heart".

This time, the plot involves Reader helping Arlecchino & Nyx (her Friesian mare) practice Dressage. Arlecchino is already getting good at performing Dressage techniques thanks to Reader's teaching skills. Arle cuddles with Nyx and gives the Friesian sugar cubes as treats for doing so well. Arle also taught the Friesian Nyx to rear up on her hind legs, much to Reader's surprise and delight. Nyx is rather irritated at being made to rear up on her hind legs, but Arlecchino soothes the Friesian down by giving her a cuddly hug.

A little while later, Arlecchino decides to enter a dressage competition with Reader's support. Soon enough, Reader happily helps her Friesian Nyx & her girlfriend Arle train & practice for the Dressage competition. Nyx gets her mane braided by Arle too.

Naturally, Arlecchino & Nyx easily win the dressage competition, especially thanks to Nyx being taught by Arle to rear up. Reader congrats both Nyx & Arlecchino for winning. Arlecchino wants to enter more dressage competitions and she asks Nyx if she is alright with that. Nyx happily nickers in agreement as Arlecchino laughs & cuddles with the Friesian horse.

I am more than happy to provide any assistance if you need any help with writing this. Thank you again, Ray!

How to (Horse)Ride Into Your Heart Part 2

(Arlecchino x Fem! Reader)

A/N - Part 1 link here Hi 🐴 Anon! Nice to see you again. Whoo… part 2, alright. I had to consult my horse-girl friend again for help ^^. She provided me with a lot of stuff that I probably won't be using for my own comprehension sake but it's the thought that counts <3. I tried my best to write this! Thanks for spelling out the whole plot! It makes it a lot easier. Otherwise, I would not know how to write this haha. 🫶 hope you enjoy thisI am so sorry this took so long to post out… forgive me if I get any terminology wrong or this is inaccurate.  Content warnings / info - author pretends to know what dressage is or how to write horses, arle is ooc, reader is fem!, 1.1k words

“That was a nice job!” You applaud as you clap, a bright smile on your face as your Friesian horse, Nyx, trots towards you, with your girlfriend riding her. “Really nice. I told you that you're a genius.” 

Your girlfriend slightly grins, and as she approaches closer you can see a faint flush on her cheeks. She slides off of Nyx, before petting her mane. Nyx nuzzles against her in response. 

“I'm nothing of that sort,” she dismisses the comment with a wave of her hand. “You're just a good teacher and Nyx is well… Nyx.” 

Nyx knickers, and sometimes you swear that she can understand the two of you. You wouldn't be surprised, Nyx is a magical beast of her own, you suspect. You nod your head in response, understanding completely with Arlecchino's sentiment. The Friesian struts towards you, nudging you with her muzzle. 

“You want treats, Nyx?” Arlecchino offers and the horse lets out an affirmative neigh. You let out an amused huff and reach into the pouch that's attached to your belt, opening it to reach for the sugar cubes–Nyx's favorite. You offer a few to Arlecchino. 

Your girlfriend gently strokes the horse's withers with one hand as she holds out her other hand for the horse to eat from. 

“How were my techniques?” Arlecchino asks as the horse chews away. 

“It’s getting pretty good. A few more hours of practice and you'll have them nailed down like I do. I'm honestly surprised you were able to get her to rear her legs.”

She bobs her head as a gesture of acknowledgement. “Good surprise?”

“Yeah. It's impressive. Nyx doesn't like doing it a whole lot.”

“Consider the sugar cubes as a bribe,” Arlecchino states with a playful glint in her eyes. She turns to the black horse again. “All done, Nyx?” 

The horse exhales through her nostrils as a sign of ‘yes.’ Arlecchino slowly wraps her arms around the Friesian's neck gently, embracing her. 

“You did great today. Good job,” Arlecchino softly praises Nyx, to which your heart melts at the sight and you wordlessly coo at the adorable scene. Nyx and Arlecchino have gotten along so well in the almost-year that they knew each other. Contentment fills you with the knowledge that your girlfriend adores your horse so much, giving her the attention that Nyx deserves.

You join the embrace with the other two, and the three of you remain like that before you eventually pull away, and you glance at the skyline. Seems like it was approaching dawn. Best call it a day. Arlecchino notices as well as she says “Should we lead Nyx back to her stable?”

“Yeah.” Grasping Nyx’s reins, you guide Nyx back with Arlecchino by your side. Once Nyx is secured and comfy in her stable, the two of you give her your final cuddles for the day (and Arlecchino sneaks in one more sugar cube) before the two of you head to your house, a quaint yet snug establishment connected to the horse pasture. Arlecchino moved in a month or two ago, so now the two of you share the space.

“Feel like making dinner?” Arlecchino asks you as she clasps your hand in hers while you two walk.

You shake your head. “Not up to it. You okay with yesterday's leftovers?” 

“Mhm. I'm glad we didn't burn down the kitchen making pasta.” 

“We didn't burn down the kitchen…” you giggle sheepishly. “We… just lit some stuff on fire.” 

Arlecchino hums and pecks you on the cheek. “Sure. Let's go with that story, dear.” 

Even with the hundreds, if not thousands of kisses you've shared with her, you still can't help but flush. You two finally enter the house; you prepare the silverware and utensils while Arlecchino takes out the leftovers from the fridge and reheats them in the microwave. 

“Say, I was thinking about something,” Arlecchino starts as she waits for the microwave. 

“Yeah?”

“You know when you first took me to your Dressage tournament?”

“Mhm. What's up with it?”

“Well… I asked you to teach me how to dressage because I thought I'd want to enter those tournaments myself.”

You cock your head but a grin spreads across your face. “Really? That's great Arlecchino. I'm sure Nyx would love it.”

“You wouldn't mind that I'll be doing it with Nyx?”

“Of course not. Nyx loves you as much as she loves me. We practically share custody over her,” you joke but the message is stated clearly. “I'd love to help you guys train for it.” 

“I think it's more me that needs training,” Arlecchino comments with a light chuckle. “Do you know when the next nearby Dressage competition starts?” 

“I think in a few months. Guess we better start training as much as possible.” 

“Nyx won't enjoy that too much,” your girlfriend jests. 

“She gets her sugar cubes, she'll be fine.” 

— 

Competition day comes rather quickly. Arlecchino polished up her technique with Nyx where the Friesian horse rears up on her own hind legs, along with some other techniques that you taught Arlecchino how to do; Nyx already knows how to do these ones considering these were the ones you taught Nyx when you previously competed. 

It felt bizarre and out of place to be the spectator this time. You've always been used to being down here, leading Nyx and showing her off, but you aren’t competing this time. Though with this strange feeling, there’s this undeniable pride inside of you, for your girlfriend. You’ve personally trained the two of them, you know that they're both going to do well regardless of where she places. 

Seeing Arlecchino step out with Nyx down here, you couldn't help but cheer, even over the sports commentator. Arlecchino turns her head towards the direction of your voice and gives you a handsome smile, one that makes you want to scream that she's your girlfriend to the whole world. Seeing her down there, you couldn't believe that this was her first time from the sheer confidence she exudes–unlike your first time when you competed. That's just like her. Able to overcome anything, just like how you know she'll win this competition easily.

And she does. Each technique is flawless and the audience's cheers are deafening when she performs the one she personally taught Nyx– the rearing. That's why it comes to no surprise to you when Arlecchino wins. 

“I can't believe you won your first competition ever,” you laugh as you launch yourself at the competition winner, squeezing her in a tight hug, before gently wrapping your arms around Nyx’s neck, stroking her mane. “Still hungry for the taste of victory?” 

“Hm… I was considering doing another competition. What do you say, Nyx?” Arlecchino smiles as she turns to the Friesian, stroking her withers. Nyx nickers happily, nuzzling in between the two of you's faces. You and Arlecchino laugh, enjoying one another's company and glory. 

[sassenashsworld]

Hancock at Goodneighbor

(his counterpart)

The List

Vic's body is swinging at the end of his rope, and Hancock's gaze is fixed on him. Then he glances down, but there isn't the same crowd there to applaud him as he remembers.

The faces turned upright to look back at him are those distorted by hatred of all the people who stood in his way.

No, not the people who got in his path.

These are the people on whose path Hancock stood. He stood up to oppressors and thugs who dared to target the weakest.

And they are now looking deep into Hancock's soul, yelling and cursing in wrath.

And one sentence slams Hancock repeatedly.

“Like us! You're like us!”

Hancock grits his teeth and tries to ignore it, but the voices infiltrate his thoughts and create a dreadful echo that repeats incessantly.

The ghoul sits up straight abruptly, short of breath, and takes a time to recover. He looks around. He isn't at Goodneighbor.

In fact, he is. He's at Goodneighbor. But he's not in the Old State House. He's in a dingy room at the Hotel Rexford.

What was he doing there?

He rubs his temples. He must have been drunk out of his ass again to forget how to go home.

This is not new.

Hancock stands up, little dazed at first but quickly regaining his bearings. He looks around the room. It is obviously one of the hotel rooms. It smells of smoke and cheap beer, and the bed looks to be kind of worn out.

He looks down at himself and realizes he didn't even bother to take off his clothes before passing out.

“Damn it,” he murmurs, attempting to recall the night before.

Trying is often pointless. Even for a ghoul, his abuse is enough to permanently disable the brain cells that could have held the information. Thus, he simply exits the room and, as usual, faces Fahrenheit waiting outside.

“All the caravans handed over their caps, KL-e-o agreed to the price hike, Irma—

Hancock lifts his hand to interrupt her.

“Hold on. We have yet to reach my office. We're still in the motel hallway, damn it.”

“The latest mandates that require your backing are currently pending your review in your office.”

“And shit, shit even more than yesterday.”

“Less than tomorrow?” his daughter jokes, not smiling.

Hancock sighs.

He scrubs his face with both hands, his head still pounding from last night's booze binge.

“Great, just what we required. More trash to approve and sign.” He gazes at Fahrenheit, his vision still hazy. “What specifically is waiting for me? Is there anyone new?”

“This infamous troublemaker, the Sole Survivor. I caught him with Bobbi-no-nose in our stash.”

The mayor gives the young woman a shocked stare.

“Well, he didn't seem like the kind of person to put his hands where they shouldn't.”

“He gave off the vibe of someone who'd go to great lengths for a few caps. That was the reason he agreed to the grim offer concerning the Pickman gallery.”

A harsh laugh spills out of Hancock. He shakes his head angrily.

“Well, ain't that just a stroke of genius? If he got himself tangled up with Bobbi, he's truly not the sharpest tool in the shed. Now that's just adding fuel to the fire.” He can't help but laugh again at the idea of the man. “The infamous Sole Survivor, huh? More like the infamous Moron. And they say we’ve got issues with drifters.”

“In truth, Bobbi deceived this Sole. When they realized where they were going, they flipped the scrips. They stuffed it down Bobbi's throat, I'd say. She likely won't get back for a time.”

Hancock makes a sour face.

“What’s the message you’re trying to send my way?”

“That's how I perceived the character. They could have thrown a wrench into our plans, making everything a lot more difficult. Yet, they chose a different path. I instructed them to come and show their respects anyway, so if I'm correct, you should be hearing from them soon.”

The ghoul lowers his head, pondering. As they've arrives at the State House, he sighs.

“Sometimes I wonder...”

The tall redhead looks at him intently.

“What?”

“Am I not turning like them?”

The gaze, deep and dark, pierces into the young woman’s eyes.

“Who are you talking about?”

“Like all those bastards whose portrait I've swept under the pretext of standing up for the weak.”

Fahrenheit seems somewhat uneasy about the topic and unsure of how to answer.

“You're not turning into one of them,” she remarks after a brief hesitation. “You continue to defend the vulnerable. All the folks in Goodneighbor look up to you, Hancock. You are the beacon that lights our way.”

Hancock grumbles, not quite convinced. He's been having these types of doubts since a while, and they're becoming more intense with each passing day.

“Seems more to me that not everyone holds your truly in high regard.”

Following that, they begin their nasty ritual. He signs paperwork, questions some people thoroughly, gives a speech to uplift his town, and just as he is about to head for the Third Rail, someone walks into his office.

He almost forgot about the newbie. It's tough to forget someone who strolled like a target while wearing a blue and yellow jacket over his back, though.

He leans back into his chemistry workbench, where he was gathering his entertainment for the evening, and greets them.

“Well, if it ain't Bobbi's little patsy.” He tosses the other a good purse of caps. “Here, for protecting my stash. Wise decision to put Bobbi down like that.”

His interlocutor seizes the purse in the air. Good reflexes.

“I'm sorry. For everything.”

Hancock takes a brief peek at his opposite. They own something. It's not false humility. They seems to be in genuine sorrow. Would Fahrenheit be right? It hurts him to accept it, but it gives him an idea. And this person is perhaps exactly what he needs.

Hancock takes another close look at that other, examining them from head to toe. They certainly know how to make an impression, with that iconic jacket and all. But Hancock senses that there's more to that facade than just a dumb merc.

“Don't worry about it,” he replies, taking a drag of jet. “You did the right thing. If anything, I’m the one who should be thanking you. You got me rid of an annoying problem.” He takes a deep breathe. “Lemme tell ya. This classy little tricorner hat of mine is getting heavy. Am I turning into the man? Some kind of tyrant? I spend all my time putting down the people I would've been proud to scheme with just a few years ago. I need to take a walk again. Get a grip on what really matters: Living free.”

Taking a seat on the couch, the Sole Survivor in turn studies him from head to toe.

“If you're heading out, why not come with me?”

Hancock raises an eyebrow, intrigued.

“You want me to tag along, huh? Now there’s an offer I wasn’t expecting.”

He takes another shot of jet and contemplates the proposition for a few moments, his gaze still fixated on the young person.

“Yes, I like it. You might just be the right kind of trouble.”

It doesn't take long to organize everything. The paperwork puts in order, his instructions to his people given, and another brief speech for the gallery. Though Fahrenheit appears less at ease, he is confident that she will manage quite fine.

“And for how long, precisely?” She questions him bluntly.

“Precisely? So, you think you can bend the breeze to your whims?”

And that is how he ends up on the road with that odd individual. It doesn't take long to learn to appreciate them. He was right. Just the good kind of trouble he needed.

Time is passing rapidly. The new companion is not exactly lazy. This unexpected detail caught Hancock completely off guard.

He is a ghoul, thus he doesn't need as much sleep as a human, but what about the other? The others, when they depart on the road, leave without measuring a day.

They journey across the Commonwealth from top to bottom, east to west, one settlement to the next, assisting those in need while punishing those who merited it.

It was refreshing and exhilarating.

The trip of a lifetime.

He hadn't felt so alive in years. His travels with the Sole Survivor was unlike anything he'd done since leaving Diamond City. Hancock felt liberated, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. For once, he could simply be himself.

When Sole eventually chooses to call it a night, Hancock jumps in to do the same. Even him is starting to feel fatigued.

However, while in the sleeping area, he examines the bed with mistrust.

He knows what's going to happen.

He knows that as soon as he closes his eyes, he will be assaulted by his usual nightmares.

With a sigh, he sits down on the bed. His friend stares up at him from the other cot.

“What's going on?”

Hancock hesitates for a long time, although he has been shockingly open to this individual on multiple occasions.

“My conscience tends to visit me at night when I close my eyes.”

“Yeah, not good. Hey, know that I'm here. If it's that bad, remember that I don't sleep that deeply.”

The ghoul, taken aback by the offer, cocks his head, chuckles, and declines it with a jest.

“Nah, I'm a grow-up, I don't need to be bunked.”

Sole rolls his eyes.

“Oh, shut up, you stubborn old fool,” he replies with a playful tone. “I wasn't offering to hold your hand through the night, but waking up for a small talk is far better than waking up to your constant screaming and kicking in the middle of the night.”

Hancock gives a resigned sigh, knowing that the other is most likely right.

“Alright, you got me. But don’t go thinking that makes me weak. And don’t go thinkin’ I’m gonna spill my guts and get all mushy about it. I ain't some helpless soul waiting for a knight in gleaming armor, you catch my drift?”

Sole rolls his eyes again.

“Yes, I heard it loud and clear. You are the toughest ghoul in all of Boston. We're all terrified of your power and colossal ego.”

Hancock huffs and pretends to be offended.

“You oughta trust it, my friend. I'm on the brink of becoming a legend. Even the fiercest Deathclaws shudder at the sound of my name.”

Sole chuckles.

“Right, right. I will make sure to let everyone know. 'Here lies the mighty Hancock, terror of the wasteland'.”

Hancock smiles, enjoying the small quip.

“That's the spirit,” he states, falling into the bed. “Just keep those lips sealed and avoid any loud snoozing, alright? If you dare, I'll send you crashing to the ground.”

A smile remains etched on Hancock's lips as Sole spreads in turn.

“With the holes in your face,” they reply, “I'm sure you're the snorer of the place.”

Hancock pretends to be offended again.

“Mind your words, pal. A face like mine tells tales of survival and the lessons learned in the wasteland. And let me tell ya, the ladies can't get enough of it.”

He winks jokingly at Sole.

“Yeah, they all want a piece of you,” answers back Sole. “It looks like a literal problem.”

This time, the mayor can't stop laughing, and his companion joins in. When they finally calm down, Sole turns off the light, leaving them in full darkness.

The moment of truth.

But the moment of truth comes and goes. Surprisingly, Hancock wakes up with the sun, looking as fresh as a daisy.

No dreadful dream has ever come to haunt his mind throughout the night.

Hancock sits up and blinks in amazement. He cannot believe it. No nightmares, cold sweats, or waking up in the middle of the night screaming like a stuck pig.

He looks across at his friend and gives a quiet giggle.

“Well, look at that. Seems like I've got myself a shiny new good luck charm, huh?”

[a-forbidden-detective]

When I first read new chapter, I was glad that Toto's character has a development and now not afraid to look at corpses like Ron. Plus I thought he become smarter.

However, once I re-read the chapter, I realized something. Toto hasn't grown at all as a character.

His observation skills for important details have really improved, no doubt about it. But the ability to solve riddles and deduction haven't improved at all. Toto couldn’t do it and still can’t do it. After running around with Ron for over a year, I expected to see at least some kind of thought process.

And that's Toto's problem as a character in the story. He's just... boring.

No matter how much I love Toto, (he is the best in my heart) as a character he is NOT interesting to watch. He is not growing, he is as he was in the beginning “for everything good and fluffy. I value every human life” he remained that way. And it's not a bad thing i think, but compared to others it's boring.

Maybe I'm wrong but tell me how Toto has changed throughout history? And no, there’s no mention of self-confidence here because he still has self-destructive tendencies.

Now let's take others.Ron has obviously changed a lot and that's a good thing. Kawasemi changed and stopped being so strict. Chiori stopped being so a rabid fan of detective. Even Spitz and Amamiya changed somehow. I can't say anything about Toto.

No matter how paradoxical it may sound, the only thing that makes Toto stand out from the rest is his lack of personality and mysteries around him. He literally feels like a piece of cardboard but not as living person.

Most of his actions are literally told but not shown. It's like Toto himself was left out of the picture.

So yea , I think Toto is the character who suffers most at the hands of the author in manga

Heya! Thank you for waiting.

I thought about this long and hard. Like you, I love Toto, seeing that I am a Watsonian first of all. And at times, biased.

It is not easy to give you answers, bc I might change my opinion in the coming days. But for now, I can say that your concerns are valid, that Toto as a character remains somehow stagnant. On the other hand, if you change him, just a little bit, like he has reached Ron’s level in deduction we would lose him as a stand-in for the audience. Seeing that the titular character isn’t Toto, his role is more like Jiminy Cricket. He gives advices, scolds Ron, he can’t arse finding out the solution bc he isn’t the genius character. This is Ron’s place.

Once Akira changes him to something like equal to Ron then in the grand scheme of her storytelling, his role as the receiver of wonderful deduction would be gone.

And in all honesty, it is a bit mind-boggling how will Akira direct Toto’s characterisation in a new direction without involving him as someone who is part of the antagonists or giving us hints of his familial background, if she considers him as a deuteragonist of the story. Bc so far, like any Watson-esque character, he’s become a character in the background, it is the downside of having a genius and eccentric friend.

True, it is frustrating sometimes, and he’s maybe boring bc of it. In truth we applaud him when he shows signs of improvement. But I don’t think he’ll reach Kawasemi’s excellence nor Ron’s genius bc he’s none of these things. Kawasemi changed emotionally and has become a disciple of Toto.

And yet, and yet, Akira seems to be content in status quo.

He is changing but gradually. Maybe, the moment Ron will receive his license is the moment we’ll see Toto can hold his own. Cross my fingers.

PS: that’s why i am counting on the anime crew hoping that they can remedy some issues on Toto’s characterisation, which they did during the first season.

[carmenized-onions]

HEY LOVELY!!!! Now this, THIS, was worth every day i waited. IT WAS FUCKING AMAZING. Everything i dreamed it to be and more.

Tony and Mikey scenes? HEARTBREAKING. Every moment they have together, no matter sad or happy, is slowly chipping away at my soul.

Carmen getting a therapist? Genius. Don't know why the writers haven't given him one, boy does he need it.

Syd and Richie making sure Tony is taken care of by sorting Carmen out before he see's her again? Everything. I need them as friends, right now. NOW.

(still pissed at Carmen, though.)

The way you write characters reactions to grief is, like, stunning. STUNNING.

ALSO, as someone with a brother who struggles with drugs, seeing Mikey being portrayed as a nice person with loving friendships is really amazing to see. (the fact i have another brother called Mikey too, freaky? probably not. BUT IM A DRAMATIC PERSON OKAY?)

Anyway, i am genuinely in love with this series. You should be so incredibly proud of your self. Would i be able to get onto the tag list?

He congratulates you.

the absolutely shattered render quality of this image really fucking makes it. packing update: I've just got the desk and closet left! and also my billion plants.... i really don't want to think about the plants...

SO GLAD it was worth the wait, I hope chapter 14 also is. I'm not the most happy with the ending scenes right now... Happier than I was yesterday... but maybe I just need to stop looking at it, honestly. I'm transforming into S3 Carmen changing that menu every 5 fucking minutes AH.

CHIPPING away you say? not funny. I'd had these scenes in my head for a minute, but I was so worried about being off-base with Mikey's character because all I had to go off of was Fishes, so thank you God for Napkins I would've been so fucked.

SPEAKING OF S3, I know,,, it makes sense that he doesn't have one I mean he hesitated so much to just go to al-anon but even fucking al-anon in S3 he's reverted to just not fuckin' talking which SUCKS !! DON'T SUBTRACT !! PLEASE STOP SUBTRACTING IM BEGGIN YOU!!

I love Syd and Richie and the way they combine forces when it comes to their Shared Work Wife. I think what's so fun about it is that without this being for Chip, Syd wouldn't be so direct, and Richie would be so much fucking meaner, but because it's for her, they actually make an effort to sort Carmen the fuck out. And also beat his ass. two things can be true.

And THANK YOU I write a fuck ton of grief poetry and I think I just went to like. a lot of funerals as a kid. an unexpected consequence of having a kid a lot later than everyone else. It's in my bones. but like in a fun way.

Also, when I read this for the first time, I remember being SO confused because I was like. "There was another option?" And forgot that people fucking suck and see people struggling or in recovery as something that is other. Fucking ew. I never had any intention of portraying Mikey other than the really fucking good brother he is, who also just so happens to be struggling. Don't applaud a fish for swimming! People are people and they should be written as fuckin' people!!!! But I am glad my portrayal was appreciated none the less. YOU'RE NOT DRAMATIC!!

Of COURSE you can be added!! Though I will say, sometimes it doesn't always work when I tag people. So I am. sorry. I think it's something in tumblr settings? Gotta set your shit public or taggable or something? regardless. i'll fuckin put your name in there for sure!! thank you for your thoughts m'love!!

back to packing.... desk or closet desk or closet.... flipped a coin i got desk mannnn... wish me luck!! do i have anything from chapter 14 i can give you?

is this spoilery? c'est la vie, take it. kisses kisses see you in ideally less than an hour when i finish desk packing.

[katrinafaire]

You know, the age vs experience thing is wild.

I'm closer to forty than thirty, for the record. And still, still, I was practicing some basics for art and I caught myself thinking "I should be better than this."

You ever say that? "I should be better" at whatever, you know in your heart what it is. (I applaud you if you haven't actually thought this; you have better perspective than I.)

But you know, I was in a good headspace, and I thought about it and like... acquiring skills is like playing an rpg.

I have been writing for most of my life at this point. We're talking something somewhere over three decades. Am I published? Not for profit, though I've posted things in the past. I'm not a best seller, I'm not a household name, there are no networks courting me for a movie.

But,

I am good. I know I haven't had much of anything to post here because my novel is in its first draft. I don't expect anyone to argue genius on my behalf -- I don't claim genius. But this gal has leveled up a lot over the years. I've done the grind, okay, I know this game and I play it well.

Art? Guys I'm back to Level 1. And that's the thing. I just... haven't put in the time, not like I have with writing. Whenever you pick up a new skill, you're just a Level 1 grunt. It didn't matter that I was nearly 40 the fact is I don't have the knowledge let alone muscle memory to be "good" at art.

And that's okay. It's okay not to be good because I'm learning. If you heard someone tell a baby "you can't walk yet? kid what are you waiting for, you've got legs, use them!"

How stupid is that? How ridiculous, how demanding, how presumptuous is it to ask someone to do something they haven't been taught? That they haven't practiced?

Sometimes we're that kid. I mean yeah we're all older than that but we have that gap in experience despite our age. And you know what? That's okay. You'll get there. Crawl before you walk, walk before you run, as they say. But don't expect things out of yourself that you have no means of giving, k?

I'm working on it.

[hamlet-online]

[id/ five screenshots of black text on white background, posted under r/AmITheAsshole on reddit. they're all under the username Important_Cookie_958

screenshot 1: AITA for not making board game nights kn my store child-free? I (35M) own a gamestore and hold boardgame/DnD nights three times a week. I have a few tables set up in the back so people can come in and play games, along with a small 'kitchen' (really just a fridge, microwave, sink and cupboard) so people can have some snacks and drinks while playing.One of the regular groups have been playing DnD in my store on a weekly basis for the past three years (and I've sometimes joined them as a guest player), and it's always been great fun. About a year ago they had to find a new DM because their usual DM didn't have the time to dedicate to preparing campaigns anymore. While they were looking they still came in weekly, but just played regular boardgames instead.Now a few months ago this 10-year old girl (let's just call her Emma for convenience) showed up with her mother at one of the game nights. According to her mother, Emma had been spending months making all kinds of materials for playing DnD, but didn't know anyone who would play with her. So her mother wondered if it was okay for her to ask at my store if anyone would be willing to play.

screenshot 2: The regular group was more than happy to join in for a session, and it ended up going so well they asked Emma to DM for them regularly if she wanted to. Fast forward to now and Emma is DMing two days a week, one time for the regular group and one time for one- off sessions for other people to jump in if they want. I swear this girl is a genius, she has memorised the entire player's handbook and monster guide, and made a fully homebrew campaign that's genuinely fun and exciting (though sometimes also surprisingly dark).Now for the problem. A few other people have started complaining about there being a child on game nights, saying the reason they're playing here is because they have children at home. Now that Emma is also coming to the game nights, they feel like they can't play games as they usually do because they keep having to think about whether their language or jokes are inappropriate for the presence of a child.I told them that I never said anything about providing a childfree space, so I won't be banning Emma from coming, so I'm sorry if they don't like it. But they're welcome to plan their nights on days where Emma isn't there, or find a different place to play. I did tell Emma's mother that Emma is only allowed to be here as long as one of her parents is also present (not going to take any risk).AITA for not banning children from game nights and telling people to basically suck it up?

screenshot 3: It was honestly a surprise to see how good she actually is. She's better than probably 90% of DMs I've seen, and that's saying a lot. I kind of expected her campaigns to be relatively child- like and innocent (because, well, she's 10), but they turned out to be full of political intrigue, betrayals, plot twists and genuine heartwarming moments.I have to applaud her mother for letting Emma invest herself in her hobby. Even though Emma's mother doesn't understand the game, she can see it's doing a lot of good for Emma's creative and social development.

screenshot 4: It's been great fun having her around. The regular group has even started pitching in so Emma can buy miniatures and map-props to create battle maps and arenas for their games.

screenshot 5: One instance I personally got really interested in was when it was revealed that the guy the group had been helping in the city had actually been killed and replaced by a doppelganger three sessions in.None of the group ended up passing the checks to discover it, so after many sessions it turned out that instead of them helping the city get into a better position, they instead unknowingly helped the doppelganger set up his takeover of the city. They had taken out political figures, nobility, guard captains etc. that the doppelganger had claimed were corrupt, when instead those were the ones that were innocent.I believe they're still dealing with the aftermath from that. /end id]

Some D&D party is out there playing the coolest campaign ever.

[365sylviaplath]

Week of 8/12-8/18

astrology forecast + collective tarot card for the week

Card for this week: 4 of Swords - time to CHILL OUT this week. frustrations and anxieties surrounding the slowdowns and malfunctions of late may be mounting. your next steps will require lots of energy and you're running on reserves right now. if you are pushing your way through, you will likely be slowed down this week if you don't take the opportunity to stop on your own. you have my full authorization to cancel a plan or two and rest...... meditate if you wish...... just find a way to be still at some point.

Transits/Astro forecast: i don't know about y'all. but i'm certainly feeling the retrogrades. i've been reading some tweets from other astrologers implying that the retrogrades will really be intensifying this week. myriad reasons, but i will simply be saying - strap in! back up your files, leave a few extra minutes earlier, and break out the journals. as we know- current rxs are mercury, chiron, saturn, neptune, pluto, themes of summer 2023, spring 2024, and now we've incorporated a bit of late spring/summer 2022! How fun. might as well remember everything once more!

as for specifics-

mars will be conjunct jupiter (after the last few weeks of mars revving up uranus and causing big shakeups) in the morning on wed. the 14th: your actions are given an extra power boost, for better or for worse. such is the nature of amplification, keep in mind that consequences will be stronger BUT there will be higher rewards for choices made in your best interest.

mercury retrogrades back into leo late on wed. the 14th: one more time to applaud yourself publicly (even though things are a disaster). it's like the waiter is bringing out your birthday dessert and everyone is singing happy birthday and the power goes out. But you're led by the candlelight and the show goes on.

mars squares saturn very late on thursday the 15th: i have been having this transit natally (as saturn transits through pisces) and let me just say. nobody can tamp a bitch down like saturn. saturn begs you to reassess, reconfigure, restrategize, learn lessons..... when mars just wants you to blow up and act on your impulses. but the thing this mars square saturn transit has taught me is that sometimes a failure or a road blockage is protecting you from something you should not be getting into. accept the roadblocks as part of your journey and trust you will end up where you need to go.

venus sailing through virgo throughout this week asks us to critically interrogate our relationship patterns and desires. venus is in fall in virgo - so it's not the most comfortable easy energy, but it teaches us a lot. before venus can enter libra (domicile!) at the end of august, we have to think realistically and logistically about love, beauty, pleasure and so on.

lastly, sunday the 18th is pretty bumping- mercury squaring uranus, mercury also joining with the sun (cazimi!) and venus squaring jupiter very late in the evening. lots of competing energies here - you will be getting a LOT of incoming stimuli (especially drama filled info coming your way) and you have to keep yourself afloat. as mentioned in the weekly card, you will need recovery time to move the way you'll need to in the coming weeks. big things will be happening and it'll be easy to be overwhelmed this week into next week. write down your genius ideas, write down your loudest feelings that you want to express but don't need anyone to know about, set the stage for your new era(s) to occur. just remember to unplug and rest, too.

overall: lots of squares and amplified challenging energies this week merging with retrograde chaos. conditions designed in a lab to be overwhelming, potentially infuriating, and fatiguing. please remember to rest and comfort yourself this week, there will probably be many prickly things emerging.

[breezyreads]

Happy Place by Emily Henry Book Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely adore how this story creates such a vivid slice of life experience. It beautifully captures vulnerability, intimacy, and the ordinary moments of life, presenting them in a way that feels incredibly authentic and relatable. One of the signs that I’m reading something truly remarkable is when I find myself pausing, taking a moment to sit with the story, and allowing it to resonate with my own life experiences.

I must applaud the author for their brilliant decision to divide this book into two different timelines. This structural choice adds a layer of complexity and depth to the narrative that is truly genius. The chapters set in the ‘Happy Place’ timeline have this incredible ability to transport the reader to a place of pure joy and safety. They depict the characters’ happiest moments, where everything seems just right in the world. On the other hand, the ‘Real Life’ timeline captures the essence of actual life – sometimes not enough, sometimes bleak, where one can find themselves drowning without even realizing it. It’s a journey of self-discovery, with moments of happiness sprinkled throughout, just enough to keep pushing forward. By exploring both timelines, we are granted a profound understanding of the characters. We witness their best and worst moments, and we get to know them on a deep, intimate level.

This story has evoked such a multitude of emotions within me that it’s challenging to put them into words. There’s an almost palpable sense of desperation that permeates the pages. The two main characters are on a quest, searching for something within themselves – a sense of worth, love, belonging, and the desire to be seen and accepted for who they truly are. Emily Henry skilfully dissects and captures these raw and uncomfortable emotions, bringing them to life in such a compelling manner.

To be honest, there isn’t a single aspect of this story that I would change. The connection between Wyn and Harry is simply magical. Every moment spent with them feels like a meeting of souls. It’s an absolute delight to witness their journey as they fall in love all over again.

The theme of found family in this story resonates deeply. It represents the profound longing we all share for acceptance and a sense of belonging. It’s about finding those individuals who truly understand us and accept us at our core.

If you found yourself doubting the possibility of a happily ever after, fear not. I was filled with both anticipation and anxiety as Emily Henry skilfully manipulated my emotions. The ending, though emotionally challenging, made the entire journey all the more worthwhile. At its core, this is a romance, and it delivers one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve encountered.

[starglitterz]

♡ LOVE'S A MYSTERY ! — aka although heizou might be the best detective, he's the worst when it comes to figuring out his feelings.

warning(s) ; lowk suggestive in the beginning but pure fluff after wc ; 732 a/n ; wahhh heizou <3 his outfit is kinda meh but i like his hair and face !! also the concept of 5wirl is sooooo ♡_♡ LOL anyways this is written pre-release! normally i don't write for unreleased characters (besides scara) but this idea was zapped into my head so i had no choice but to write it LMAOO i hope u all enjoy it !!

please reblog + leave comments ! it helps a lot :)

everybody who lives in inazuma knows that shikanoin heizou is a detective infamous for his rebellious streak and unruly behaviour. you just didn’t expect this would extend to his methods of acquiring information, which this time appears to be kissing you.

your soft gasp of surprise is swallowed by his lips pressing against yours, as his arm wraps around your waist to pull you impossibly closer. holy archons, you can barely believe this is real. heizou, inazuma’s number one detective, is kissing you, his number one informant. you’ve never even dared to dream that all the flirting the two of you exchanged every time you met up to share clues would actually amount to something. his lips are surprisingly soft, you absently note, and he tastes like sweet sunsettias. tangling your hands through his messy reddish hair, you twirl the strands around your fingers, tugging when he bites gently on your lower lip. 

“heizou-” you start when he pulls away, only for him to silence you with a finger on your lips as he crows proudly, “i’ve solved it!” you tilt your head in confusion, doing your best to ignore how the feeling of his hand against your mouth is making your mind travel to all sorts of places that they definitely shouldn’t be, “solved what?” “the only mystery ever that i, shikanoin heizou, have ever struggled with!” he replies, placing his hands on his hips and posing exaggeratedly. you sigh; sometimes you forget just how annoying he can be.

“which is…?” heizou moves closer to you, olive green eyes sparkling with glee as he intertwines his fingers with yours, “love! i’m officially in love with you!” “what?!” you yelp, almost darting away from him with embarrassment; how can he say something like that with no shame? “let me explain,” he begins, and although you try to cut him off with a, “no, you really don’t have to-”, heizou completely disregards you and starts talking. 

“so, recently i’ve been noticing a lot of symptoms associated with love when i’m around you. y’know, clammy hands, quickening heartbeat, inability to string together coherent sentences - things like that,” he looks at you as if to gauge your reaction before continuing, “but i wasn’t 100% certain if i was in love. therefore, i figured that the best way to solve it would be with a kiss!” you blink slowly at him, unsure of what you’re even supposed to say in a situation like this. “ta-da!” he strikes another dramatic pose, “you can applaud now.” 

"and what, oh genius detective, did you predict would happen after?" you query, pretending not to hear his request for praise. upon hearing this, heizou's cheeks flush bright red, and you get to see him flustered for the first time, "well… i was hoping to find out if you love me too." "hmm, love is a pretty strong word," you flick his forehead, hiding your smile as he pouts, "but, doushin shikanoin, i do believe i am head over heels for you too." 

"really?!" heizou leaps up like a firecracker, grabbing your hands and pulling you along with him. then he seems to remember who he is, and a smug smirk curves his lips, "i mean, of course! the tenryou commission's number one detective would never make a mistake!" “yeah, yeah, i’m sure he wouldn’t,” you shake your head, but you can’t help the smile twitching at the corner of your lips. for all his obnoxiousness, heizou can be really cute when he wants to be.

“you know,” he looks at you, face darkening with a cherry blush, “i might have to check again.” “check what again?” you lift an eyebrow, wondering what tricks he’s going to pull next. “whether i’m actually in love with you or not.” “heizou!” you swat his shoulder, “you don’t tell people you’re supposedly in love with that you need to confirm the fact!” “sorry, sorry!” he raises both hands in surrender, shielding himself from your playful attacks, “i meant…” “what?” you fix him with a death stare, fighting the urge to giggle at how awkwardly he squirms under your gaze. “ijustwantedtokissyouagain!” he yells, suddenly standing up ramrod straight like a soldier under inspection. bursting into laughter, you pull the mustard yellow tassel hanging at his right shoulder so he meets your lips once more. 

“you can kiss me as many times as you want, detective heizou.”

© starglitterz 2022. do not repost or modify in any way – reblog / follow if you enjoyed !

[horrorphase]

🪽ㅤㅤ   *ㅤㅤ   ﹙ 🪞  ﹚ ﹕  𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀  𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮  𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱  𝘀𝗵𝗲  𝘄𝗮𝘀  𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆  𝘁𝗵𝗲  𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻  𝗵𝗲𝗿  𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿  𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁  𝗵𝗲𝗿  𝘁𝗼  𝗯𝗲⸻   wished  she  really  was  someone  so  perpetually  unshakable,  someone  undeniably  reliable,  someone  who  could  part  the  seas  just  to  find  a  way  forward.  she  wished  she  deserved  her  sister's  belief.  but  she  knew  better.  but  as  much  as  she  wished  she  couldn't  recognize  herself  anymore  beyond  all  the  smokes  and  mirrors,  beneath  all  the  masks  and  veils,  henrietta  still  knew  herself.  𝗮𝗻𝗱  𝘀𝗵𝗲  𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁  𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲  𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁  𝘀𝗵𝗲  𝘀𝗮𝘄.  a  porcelain  doll  marred  with  cracks,  a  mosaic  held  together  by  pure  fucking  will  and  necessity.  would  maeve  still  look  at  her  the  same  if  she  knew  why  she  had  gone  home  ?  if  she  knew  how  henrietta  ██████  a  man's  ████  and  █████  ███  to  ██████  ███████  himself  ?  she  wasn't  only  here  for  a  longing  to  be  back  home  or  to  step  into  that  proverbial  nivans duty,  but  because  she  needed  to  reconcile  with  the  blood  on  her  hands. everything needed to be perfect from now on ﹕ that was the only way to wash off these crimson stains.  though, sometimes henrietta  wished  she  could  still be  little  oh  henry,  that  little  girl  who  could  tell  her  big sister  everything  without  shame. ❝      except  for  bronte  in  daniela's  case  ?  i  don't  think  sheriff  kelly  has  any  leads  yet.      ❞      and  even  that  lead  wasn't  really  a  lead,  otherwise  there  would  have  been  more  buzz,  more  pitchforks  and  torches,  if  they  really  considered  her  a  person  of  interest.  all  that  loose  thread  really  did  was  unravel  the  register's  credibility  for  breaking  the  story  that  way.  but  maybe  ricardo  garcia  was  puppeteered  into  making  that  exact  decision⸻  𝘁𝗵𝗲  𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿,  𝘁𝗵𝗲  𝗽𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲  𝗼𝗳  𝗼𝘂𝗿  𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆  !  and  if  you  couldn't  trust  that  heartbeat  ﹕  then  just  who  exactly  could  you  trust  ?  and  henrietta  almost  wanted  to  applaud  the  genius  of  it.  but  if  this  violence  was  senseless,  without  purpose  that  served  her  vision,  then  she'd  rather  just  get  rid  of  whoever  was  beneath  that  boogeyman  mask  as  quickly  as  possible.     ❝      but  weren't  alaina  and  thierry  dating  ?  maybe  he'd  have  more  insight  on  who  could  have  killed  her.  have  you  talked  to  him  about  it  ?      ❞      unless  thierry  was  involved  in  that  slaughter,  𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀  𝗼𝗳  𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻  𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗹𝘆  𝗮  𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹  𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮.  but  of  course,  henrietta  wasn't  just  going  to  ask  maeve  if  she  thought  one  of  her  best  friends  was  a  murderer.  instead,  she  placed  a  hand  over  maeve's on her shoulder,  smiling  softly.     ❝      we  don't  have  to  talk  about  any  of  that,  though.  you  can  just  tell  me  what  i've  missed  with  your  life  ...  then  maybe  i  can  tell  you  about  my  very  dashing  fiancé,  who  may  or  may  not  have  just  secured�� ownership  of  whitepine.      ❞ 

✦ ⋰ the weight on her chest dissipates as she registers the presence in front of her. ❝ henry, ❞ she sighs out, palpable relief in her voice. henrietta nivans— many people would consider her a force to be reckoned with. a  lot of them would be referencing a henry that seems impossibly far away now ; the one enjoying her years before feeling the call of the family names. another group would know her as she is now, a trailblazer who secured an impressive job out of college but made the bigger choice to return to her home. to their shared calling. back to maeve. in her eyes, this is simply  her baby sister,  come home to pick up the family crown. ❝ it’ll be okay, ❞ she echoes her words as she gazes at the house ahead of them one more time. utters it like a promise. she directs her attention entirely to henry then. hand moves from it’s protective placement over her heart to the other’s  shoulder, as endearing as it is intended to be comforting. ❝ they should consider themselves lucky that a nivans isn’t in charge, eh ? ❞ they. she treats the suspect as something inhuman ; spoken like an omnipotent figure, rather than a ruthless killer. it’s somehow easier than thinking that someone in red creek would be capable of that horrific crime. that someone in their town would send the people through this viscous grieving process again. ❝ of course i believe that everyone wants this solved just as badly as the next person, but i worry about… the available resources. ❞ ( and red creek’s historical track record. ) ❝ it seems unreal that some people never find the person responsible. i don't suppose you're here to tell me that there's buzz of a lead ? ❞

[austinrrylover]

hey!! here’s a one-shot i wrote about austin butler bc im obsessed lol

I didn’t expect this. Sure I knew this movie was going to be a hit, but a ‘twelve minutes standing ovation at Cannes’ hit? Never in a million years.

I looked around, everybody smiling and clapping while the big screen was focusing on the cast of the best film of the night, Elvis. I couldn’t wait to get home, write down everything I thought, felt and saw in the previous two and a half hours.

Baz Luhrmann is possibly a genius. It was great to see all of the cast getting emotional and proudly accepting the loud applauds that filled the room. There were big cinema legends here and all of them were clapping for this one boy, man, I couldn’t take my eyes off.

How could I though? His performance was captivating, beautiful, sexy, accurate and overall award-worthy. Now he is standing two seat rows in front of me and I catch a little glimpse of his rosy cheeks when he looks at someone next to him. He is so different from here then he looks on the screen.

As I get more and more mesmerized by his beauty and talent the crowd starts to quiet down. Some people sit back to their seats and some take the exits, just as the star of the movie does. So I follow.

It’s fine I just want to ask him some questions, how cool would it be to have some exclusive interview with him next to my review of the movie. It most likely won’t happen but it’s worth a try.

It was worth a try, but it’s impossible. As soon as he is out the door he is surrended by interviewers, big actors congratulating him and some people most likely from his family. So I take some steps back and give up on this idea of mine, and walk back to the theatre, to watch the next movie coming up.

Hours pass, the movie ends. Cannes really knows how to get together a perfect selection of movies, because I’m actually really impressed by everything they are doing here.

Oh no.

I look to my right and notice a pair of familiar brown eyes.

It’s Jeffrey. Jeffrey Anderson. A really wealthy and famous producer who may or may not have a crush on me and doesn’t ever leave me alone. But he is coming up to me right now so, I gotta do what I gotta a do.

‘Hey Jeff.’ I say with a fake smile. Honestly, Jeff is a nice guy, knows how to do his job, but sometimes he’s a little much. And often doesn’t get the hint.

‘Stacy! Good to see you here, babe.’ He smiles and pulls me into a hug, which I don’t return, I just need to get out of this conversation, fast.

‘Yeah, same…’ I say. We small talk and somehow I’m able to get out of there with a little lie, even if this means I cannot watch the next movie coming up.

I take out my phone and open my notes app. I start writing words down, things I really, really have to use in my review, because suddenly I’m back to thinking about Elvis, the brilliance of this art that this movie is, it is hard to describe it with words. I make my way to the bar with my phone in my hand, fingers typing furiously, it’s like motivation suddenly corrupted my brain. I write phrases like ‘mesmerizing, magical, never been done before, beautiful—‘ and before I know it someone is bumping into me, spilling their drink all over my dress.

‘Oh my god, I’m so sorry!’ Says the gentle voice, and I look down on my dress. It’s completly drenched. Fuck. ‘Let me get some paper towels for you!’ Says the person who just spilled their champagne over me, and as I look up you recognize it is Olivia, the actress who played Priscilla in the movie.

And suddenly I’m not even mad about the dress anymore.

‘It’s okay.’ I smile. She smiles gently and goes over to the bartender, getting a couple of napkins.

‘Still, do you have anything you can change into? I have a blazer over there at my seat if you want to wear it.’ She apologizes while trying to soak up some champagne.

‘No, it really is fine! I have a jumper in my car.’ I lied. ‘I loved you in the movie by the way!’ I take my chance, now or never.

‘Thank you so much, I promise I’m not always this clumsy in real life.’ She chuckles.

‘I’m Anastasia,’ I reach for her hand. ‘But everyone calls me Stacy.’

‘Olivia, nice to meet you.’ She says. ‘Can I buy you a drink? I feel so terrible about this whole situation.’

A drink? And maybe talk? That would be perfect.

‘Only if you have time, it’s fine, really.’ I try to be polite but my heart is beating out of my chest.

‘No, I insist.’ She smiles and the two of us make our way to a bartender. We talk a little and I reveal myself to be a journalist, and Olivia offers me some of her insights on the film and how she got into the role while still talking about basic stuff and about the whole Cannes event. She is really good to talk to.

‘Hey, would you like to come and say hi to the rest of the crew? I think they are done with the big interviews.’ She smiles and I take a deep breath.

This would be such a big opportunity, and Olivia is so nice, she wouldn’t let me get uncomfortable.

‘Okay.’ I smile. This is the perfect opportunity. ‘Get yourself together,’ if I ask the right questions and talk to the right people I could get into circles I have always wanted to.

As I follow Olivia through the giant crowd I look down on myself. My dress looks so bad and I’m going to meet the big names of Hollywood in this. Great.

Olivia holds my hand and leads me into a room which was divided by a purple curtain, and as we walk through I see we are in a private room. Some bar-chairs all over the place and some gentle music is playing in the background, suddenly, I am nervous.

‘Baz!’ Olivia calls out. ‘This is Stacy,’ She tugs on my arm and I’m in front of the brilliant director of the movie.

‘Nice to meet you, Stacy. Did you like the film?’ Baz asks.

‘I loved it, you did a super great job!’ I smile and he chuckles, being proud of himself, as he should be.

‘It was Austin who did most of it, but thank you.’ He smiles and I suddenly feel a presence behind me.

‘That is not true.’ The voice says and I look behind me, and it is him.

Elvis— Austin.

‘Yeah it is, all that clapping was for you, darling.’ Baz says but I can’t even pay attention because I am so blinded by his aura and energy.

Suddenly Austin’s gaze leaves Baz, and he is looking in my eyes.

‘I don’t believe we met.’ He says in a really soothing, calm voice.

‘I don’t believe we have.’ I say, trying my hardest not to blush.

‘Austin Butler.’ He says and reaches for my hand.

‘Anastasia Dane.’ I say and I give him my hand, which is clearly shaking.

‘Nice to meet you, Anastasia.’ He smiles.

‘Stacy’s fine.’ I say.

‘Anastasia is beautiful.’ He says in a quiet voice.

Olivia suddenly appears with a glass of wine in her hand, giving it to me.

‘I spilled my drink all over her.’ She says to Austin who looks at me, his eyes going all the way up and down. ‘I can see that.’ He says and I blush, God this is embarrassing.

‘You didn’t even offer her something to cover up with?’ He turns to Olivia.

‘She did, but I’m fine.’ I smile reassuringly and he tilts his head slightly. He takes two steps forward before taking off his tux, leaving him only in a white shirt, the first button unbuttoned and the sleeves of it are rolled up to his elbows.

He is so close, draping the tux over my shoulders. ‘I don’t doubt that,’ Austin whispers.

Is he flirting with me?

‘So I hear you liked the film,’ he says, stepping away from me.

‘I did yes, it was amazing, can’t wait to rewatch it.’ I smile and he keeps eyeing me up and down.

‘I’m glad you liked it.’ He says and looks away, noticing a few people coming in from behind the curtain that we just walked across. ‘Be right back.’ He says with a smirk and leaves me there.

I take the opportunity to talk to Baz, and honestly he’s so intellectual but at the same time casual to talk to, he makes sure everybody in the conversation feels included. I get some stuff for my review and then I just stand there and listen to his captivating stories.

We talk for what seems like hours, and suddenly just like earlier I feel presence behind me, this time it’s closer, followed by a hand on the small of my back.

I turn my head, even though I knew fully well whose hand I have gently laying on me, and I see Austin locking eyes with Baz and listening to him talking with the same amazment as me.

‘No, I didn’t think that!’ He suddenly joins in on the conversation, making everybody chuckle. His hand never leaving my back and the way he is closer every second I can’t even focus on what everyone’s saying.

‘Stacy, did you notice that in that scene?’ Olivia smiles and I have no idea what they are talking about.

My face goes red and I keep avoiding eye contact, ‘Uhm… No, I-I guess I should’ve paid attention more.’ I stutter and Olivia smiles, continuing her story and I feel the hand leaving the small of my back to grip into my waist, and pull me just a little closer.

‘Guess you should’ve.’ Austin whispers, smirking a little and I blush once again.

He is flirting with me.

More and more people keep coming in from behind the curtain, and this family-type feeling is gone, suddenly everyone’s talking to different people and I’m left alone on a barchair.

‘Stacy!’ I hear from behind me.

Jeff.

‘Stacy! Hey!’ He says, and I can recongnize the alcohol in his voice.

‘Hi Jeff.’ I say with a little smile.

‘How’s my favourite girl?’ He says and stands right next to me. I feel uncomfortable with how he is standing so close and I just want this to be over.

‘I’m okay. Just finishing this.’ I smile and take a hold of my drink.

‘What happened to your dress?’ He asks, looking down on the huge stain.

‘It’s fine, someone spilled champagne over me.’ I tell him while trying to think of something that will save me from this misery.

‘You know,’ He leans closer. ‘I could take it off of you.’ He says and I lean away.

God this is embarrassing.

‘I—‘ I say when I suddenly feel somebody from the other side of me.

‘Hey, beautiful.’ I know that voice. ‘Everything alright?’ Austin.

‘Yeah uhm… Everything alright.’ I say, still leaning away from Jeff and leaning closer to Austin.

‘Hey, I’m Jeff, and old friend of Stacy here.’ Jeff says and extends his hand, while the other one squeezes my shoulder for a second. Austin catches the movement and extends his hand back.

‘Austin. Now if you will excuse us, I need to talk to Anastasia.’ Austin says and the hand on my back is back, him leading me away from Jeff.

We go to a small hallway and he lets go of me.

‘Thank you so much.’ I say with a sigh of relief.

‘For what?’ He asks with a smirk.

‘For saving me from this awkward situation.’ I say and he walks a little closer.

‘It’s nothing.’ He says and we stand there in silence. The hallway is dark and I can barely see his face with how close he is standing and how nothing’s lighting up his face, his handsome, pretty face.

He lifts his hand and gently puts his thumb on my forearm, carassing a little skin there.

‘I didn’t like him being so close to you.’ He says and woah. Woah.

What is happening?

‘Me neither.’ I manage to get words out.

‘I didn’t,’ He backs me up into the wall. ‘I didn’t like him touching you.’ He says and takes both of his hands to cage me into the wall, both of those hands on each side of my head.

‘Me neither.’ I say with a little smile, trying to play along, trying not to sound completly gone, trying to hide that I’m already so aroused by just this, and he didn’t even touch me yet.

‘Do you like, me touching you?’ He whispers and one of his hand leaves the wall, gently guiding his fingertips over my jawline.

His hands are so soft.

‘Yes.’ I say breathlessly, thank god he can’t see my red face in the dark.

‘Hm.’ He hums and softly moves his hand, touching my cheek, then my jawline once again, my neck, my collarbone and everything’s too much, I feel too hot, I raise my hands and get out of his tux that I’m wearing.

He smirks and leans closer and suddenly his lips are on my neck. My breathing quickens as soon as I feel his soft lips on my skin, I’m sure he can feel how my heart paced up.

He plants gentle kisses on my neck, then my jawline. I don’t know what to do with my hands and a sudden rush of bravery washes over me, grabbing his face in my hand and kissing him with force.

He takes one hand and puts it on my neck, while the other takes a hold of my hip, and with that we move into each other. While the kiss evolves into something more passionate Austin grabs me the side of my thigh, holding it up so our groins directly touch. His hand is under my dress, and I feel him moving his bulge into me. I moan at the contact, louder than I intended.

‘Fuck, should we get out of here?’ He says, pulling away from me.

‘Yes, please.’ I say and he takes a hold of my hand.

He leads me out of the hallway, and drops my hand when we get into the room. He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me out of the crowded place, waving to Olivia and disappearing through the purple curtain.

He takes a left and we are suddenly at some kind of a backdoor, where there are cars waiting for people, Austin looks at one, then looks at me and goes to open the door to let me get in.

He tells the address of his hotel to the driver and throughout the journey his hand never leaves my thigh.

‘Can’t wait to get you alone.’ He leans closer and whispers in my ear.

I sigh breathlessly, trying to keep it together but it’s so hard to do so, so hard when he is so close, his breath on my neck, his shoulder touching mine while his hand creeps up my thigh.

‘Baby…’ He whispers and bites my earlobe and I quietly moan which makes him smirk.

The driver slows down and I know we are at the hotel. Austin gets out and extends his hand for me to take.

His hand is on the small of my back, this becomes like a routine for us, while he guides me to the elevator. Some other people get in, making us step back and standing directly in front of the back of the elevator.

I feel Austin’s hand going lower just a little, settling on my ass, not squeezing or groping, he just leaves it there.

The elevator stops on every level, and now I’m getting impatient, I need to get my hands on him, and I need him to get his hands on me. So out of desperation I lean closer to him, my head barely touching his chest. I feel his hand leaving my ass as he thightly grabs me by my waist.

And suddenly we are on our level. We excuse ourselves and get out before Austin is basically running towards the door. He gets out his keycard and looks at me, motioning me to come in.

He locks the door behind us and I look through the beautiful room, with the most beautiful view. As I look at the direction of the window Austin comes up from behind me, wrapping his strong arms around me.

‘You like?’ He asks, breath hitting my neck, chuckling.

‘I do.’ I smile and turn, finding myself pressed against his chest. I grab his shoulders and I press a gentle kiss on his inviting lips. He kisses back and I feel butterflies in my stomach because of how tender and sensual he is, it makes me want to never stop touching him.

The gentleness in long gone now, he holds me by my hip, backs me up into the kitchen counter, and starts to unbutton his shirt. I try to help him but I’m too preoccupied with the kisses and how when I open my eyes I see more and more of his skin on his chest so I pull away and start kissing him as more of his skin is revealed.

He chuckles and I unbutton the last two buttons on the shirt before kissing and licking his chest and stomach all over. He puts his hand into my hair to guide my head and I gently pull away from the counter I was pressed into so I can lower myself and get on my knees.

‘Fuck, Ana…’ He says and looking up at him, totally out of breath, shirtless, his hair messed up. It was definitely a sight to see.

I guide my finger on the line of his V-line and I reach the waistband of his pants and start to unbuckle his belt.

‘Fuck, you are so- so pretty, baby.’ Austin says as I struggle to open his belt, he reaches for my hair and holds it up for me.

Finally I successfully remove his pants and he steps out of them, standing there in only underwear. I put my lips on his bulge and I can feel him slightly moving his hips, he is eager. So I don’t waste any time, I need him so bad, I free his hardness.

I audibly swallow when I see it, right in front of my face, and I once again waste no time spitting in my hand and guide it up and down on him.

He groans and I take this as a sign to finally get my mouth on him. I kiss the tip and lick it from the base to the top all the way. He pulls on my hair at the sudden contact and I take him in my mouth as deep as I can, while he tugs on my hair a little harder. Not that I mind. I look up to him and I see him struggling to keep looking at me, his eyes rolling back, even throwing his head back. I continue to bob my head up and down before I feel him pulling my hair slightly upwards, making me pull off of him.

‘Stand up.’ He says and I feel heat all over mg body hearing him order me like that, so I do as he says. As soon as I’m up on my feet, he gently bends down and reaches for the bottom of my dress to pull it over my head. I’m now left in my dark red bra and panties, while Austin throws the stained dress aside. He picks me up and puts his hands firmly on my asscheeks and carries me to a room which, I suppose, is his bedroom.

He basically throws me onto the bed and I smile when he is crawling over me.

‘You are so beautiful.’ He says and looks at me up and down.

‘You too.’ I say and he smirks before lowering himself and coming in direct contact with my breasts which are still covered by the red lace. He kisses one gently.

‘So pretty. I wanna get my mouth on them so badly, can I, baby?’ He says and wouldn’t I be the biggest fool on Earth to say no to that.

‘Yes, please.’ He smirks and reaches under me to unhook my bra, freeing my boobs, my nipples already hard because of him.

‘I like it when you say that, darling.’ He says and I moan loudly when he attaches his lips, those perfect lips, on my goosebumps filled skin there.

‘You like that?’ He asks and sucks on my skin. I nod with my mouth gaping open, not being able to think because of the intense pleasure I’m receiving.

‘Answer me, sweetheart.’ He asks and looks up at me, stopping everything he was doing, I arch my back because of the lack of touch.

‘Yes, yes. Please.’ I say and I can tell by his smirk this is turning him on so much, but still fights the urge to keep kissing me.

‘Please, what? What do you want, tell me baby.’ He asks and his eyes are burning a hole into my forehead, his gaze is so strong and powerful and full of undivided attention, his gaze is something everyone who wants to feel loved and wanted should experience in their life.

‘I want you, Austin. I want you to fuck me.’ I say and his smirk falls before kissing me passionately on the lips.

‘Bold choice baby.’ He says and I smile as he kisses down my body, his hands wandering everywhere he can reach, squeezing my boobs then coming back up to put his hand around my throat.

‘I’m gonna fuck you so well, princess. Nobody has ever fucked you like this and nobody ever will.’ He stares into my soul and I can’t help but moan just at his words. Everything he does is arousing to me. ‘I love it when you are loud like that. Makes me want to never hear anything else again.’ I know I boosted his ego with the moans and the eagerness so I smile at his cocky behaviour change. He winks at me and I chuckle when he reaches down to slightly rub me through my red lace panties.

‘You are so wet, can’t wait to be inside you baby.’ He says and lowers himself on my body to tug down my panties. He does so and throws them away.

I take a sharp breath as he starts to kiss down my abdomen and uses one finger to rub the side of my thigh, to slightly hold me down. His kisses slow down the lower he gets and he is finally planting a kiss directly on my pussy. He takes his other hand and guides one finger down my folds before diving into me, his head between my thighs, licking up everything he can get. Pure ecstasy takes me over and as soon as he inserts even the tip of his finger into my hole, I grab a hold of his hair and I feel heat in my lower stomach.

‘Fuck, Austin.. I- I’m close.’ I say, which comes out as a whisper because my moans are too loud in comparison.

Austin doesn’t stop, he keeps lapping his tongue on my heat, his finger now fully in me, his other hand leaving my thigh and just gently rubbing my clit a little.

And that does the job for me. I grab his hair forcefully and I feel myself reaching my release while he still eats me throughout the course of my orgasm.

He comes up from in between my thighs. ‘What a sight to see, baby, all flushed and wet, just for me. For me.’ He says and comes up to kiss me, giving me just a little taste of what he has been devouring for the last few minutes.

‘Please fuck me.’ I say and I don’t have to ask him twice.

‘Who got you this turned on?’ He asks with a smile while reaching for the bedside table to get out a condom.

‘You, you Austin.’ I say as he slides the condom on himself and crawls back on top of me.

‘So pretty.’ He says and suddenly pushes into me and I scream. He throws his head back and starts to move in and out of me as I moan. He paces up and takes me by my knees to get a better angle, which feels so good, I’m not even sure that I’m thinking clearly anymore.

‘Fuck.’ He groans and I take his face in my hands to kiss him, which is so messy because of our rapid and rhythmless breathing and moans but it doesn’t matter.

I can feel him getting closer and closer and as he keeps hitting that spot in me, I feel closer too.

He suddenly grabs me by the waist and flips us over, pulling out in the process but settling me on his lap.

‘Sit on it baby.’ He says and just like that I do so, because he is back to his ordering self.

He moans and I start to move, the same pace he was fucking me just a minute ago. I bounce up and down and stop just a few times to grind into him. His hand stays on my thighs, sometimes goes behind to grope my ass, or slap it a little.

I feel his grab on my ass getting harder and harder and I know he is close.

‘You close, darling?’ He says and I nod as he takes one hand to grab one of my breasts before sitting up and once again being so close to each other. I put my head in the crook of his neck and he thrusts his hips up once and that is enough to send me over the edge.

‘Come for me, Ana.’ He whispers and I scream when I do so. He looks at me with his sexiest bedroom eyes and just like that he is throwing his head back and coming with me, joining me in this ecstasy.

He pulls out of me and sets me down on the bed. He wraps the condom and goes to which I assume is the bathroom, appearing with a shirt and a towel in his hand. He cleans me up and gives me a kiss on my lips.

‘I’m gonna go pee.’ I murmur with the shirt clutched in my hand and he nods while he searches for pants himself.

When I’m back, the curtains are down, just a little night lamp is brightening the room with mostly just dark brown furnitures. Austin is already half asleep in the bed and I’m not sure if he wants me to stay or not. Should I just go? I don’t have a pair of pants.

‘Stop staring.’ He murmurs in a really low voice and I chuckle.

‘Are you going to stand there or— did I not tire you out enough?’ He says and props himself up on his elbow while patting the blanket next to him.

I start to walk towards the bed and I sit down on it before laying down next to him.

‘You okay?’ He asks.

‘Of course. More than okay.’ I smile and turn towards him. He extends his hand and just touches my cheek lightly.

‘Good night, Ana.’ He says, reaching for the bedside lamp to turn it off.

‘Good night, Austin.’ I smile and he pulls me closer. I can’t help myself but to kiss him gently again.

‘Sleep baby, we will continue this in the morning.’ He whispers.

Well, I didn’t expect this.

[juria9090]

Danny Phantom but make it murder mystery + supernatural/horror elements

Basically an idea of an au of which Danny Phantom fuses with Detective Conan. Throw both in a pot. Let it simmer for a while. Add some mysteries to the mix, a pinch of family and comfort, a couple of case solvings, a big bowl full off horror and supernatural elements. Mix them together and let it boil for over to dry a bit before adding a whole gallon of angst.

Boy i just got this idea today and i wanna throw it up here because i do not want it to live free rent here in my head.

Alright, let's get this over with.

There will be a lot of changes like the settings and all.

Alright. Here we go. Jack and Maddie Fenton are still scientists BUT! Both of them are morally dubious and sometimes can be a little bit darker than the sunshine vibe and image that they give off. They do not work for anyone and work only for themselves. They are a renown scientists and people's opinions on them diverge from time to time. Some people are wary and afraid of them while others applauded their works as scientists and look up to them.

Their children are geniuses. The public prefers the eldest daughter to look up to but they adore the youngest son. The children are famous in their own field. Jazz is on her way to be the youngest kid in history to ever enter a prestigious university and making a name for it in the psychology course.

Danny is still a fan of the space. Technically, he gain more benefits from his inventors parents because to appease him and not have him bothered them back in the younger days, they created all sort of inventions that can help Danny understand the space. They give him everything that they could with their money and genius brain. However, they are not a good parents. They still love their children but sometimes they forgot their responsibilities and often ignored them in favor of their own job. They put too much pressure on the children it nearly drove them apart.

Jazz have a love hate relationship with her parents. She is the oldest and the toughest daughter. Yes she is hurt by her parents and their decisions to deal with them but she always could brush it off. But when it comes to her baby brother she will literally explode and rage. Danny is miserable. He was happy when his parents give him gifts like books and inventions related to space. He even have his own small ship. But after the presents, his parents would dismissed him and get lost in their own world ignoring everthing in favour of study and science. Danny is Maddie's favourite child but he is often at the end of her dissapointment and rage. Jack always divert it from Danny whenever he is there. Maddie did not cross the line. However, she nearly cross it when she slapped Danny so hard it bruises when he was 10 years old. That day forever scar in Danny's brain. It happened because of an incident with a precious research paper.

Maddie felt guilty and tried to apologize by giving him more gifts. Jazz doesn't trust her mother around Danny anymore. Jack, ... He ignored everything and decided that nothing ever happened.

Jazz is five years older than Danny. She was 19 years old when her brother Danny, 14 years old goes missing. Her parents went into hiding a week before his dissappearance. She thought that it might be connected. The moment their parents dissappeared, they could not even contact them at all. They were left with money and other things for them to survive.

Her brother was missing for six months with no trace after both of them went to a science expo. Then he suddenly showed all bloody and bruised. He looks haunted. She found him shivering near the Fenton Family main house.

But one major change is that he is now a child. A 5 years old child. She recognized her brother as that child. Of course she would know him. She is his sister. She was the one that mainly raised him in the Fenton Family.

He lied about himself. She thinks that Danny was just trying to protect her. She studied the psychology of humans. Her main subject. She knows the child she dubbed as her Danny did not in fact act much like how a child will. Not even a child that is wise beyond their years.

Danny is oblivious though but she will keep her mouth shut right now. She will wait until he is ready to tell her.

Jazz was afraid for Danny so she let Danny's file be written as a dead file. Cast away to be forgotten for an unknown period. He is officially dead in papers and media. No one knows of the real predicament.

Danny only introduces himself as Niel which is kind of stupid of him even though he was supposed to be a genius child. Really Danny? The name derived from your own real name?

One thing for sure that everything that she knows as something unbelievable and never existed are now flipped over.

Supernatural things are true.

And Danny is the proof of it.

Danny looks so afraid. Those... creatures always goes after her brother and nearly took him away from her. She was afraid for him. The creatures seems enchanted with his presence and will always find a way to whisk him away from her grasp.

She can't see the creatures. But she knows that they are there. Too much evidence in front of her eyes shows that in fact the supernatural exists.

She once saw one of those creatures. It was when Danny was being carried by her. It's kind of weird. Usually when she was carrying him around, she did not see them. But she only sees it for a brief moment.

So she studied more about the supernatural things. She needs to have all of the subjects about the the supernatural and the other side of reality covered because it is important.

Important to protect her brother against the unknown.

Danny, to simply say it, could contact the dead and have the ability that is ... supernatural. Like a medium or liminal. And it effects him greatly. It not only effects his health but his lifestyle. His life. She tried to keep him safe.

Then she met these teenagers who seems taken with Danny. Well, not really teenagers. Only 13 years old boy and girl. It seems Danny have them in his tiny grasps..good. He needs friends and all the supports he could get.

Tucker Foley and Sam Manson are average teenagers at best. They are not in fact, friends. Just acquaintance at best. They always clash with each other. Sam and Tucker's fight rivals the fight between Paulina and Sam.

They always argue with each other and only in an agreement rarely. Danny acts like some sort of glue. Sam wants to see who the child that was adopted by the famous Fenton daughter. She dragged Tucker because he knows the place and has seen the kid.

Niel (Danny) takes her interest because he is something different. A concept she can't grasp. Bonus is that he is involved in something supernatural. Tucker did not like how she is around Niel. He loves Niel but goodness he will be around often with Niel when Sam is around. She will drag the poor child into something dangerous if she keeps that kind of behaviour and thinking.

Jack Fenton came back from hiding but Maddie Fenton is still missing. Jack looks somber and sad. Almost depressed. He said that he needs time away from his wife. He said both of them need time away from each other.

Almost like both of them are thinking about divorce.

Jack believes Danny's and Jazz's lies and is even more sad to know that his son is missing and possibly dead. Having Niel around causing him grief and heartache but he is never the one to lash out. Jack is still a scientist at heart but he will never repeat his mistakes. He has a chance now.

It does not mean that Jack is not going to stop looking for his son.

Danny's first murder case was when Sam dragged him with her and her parents to a party. Jack and Jazz are invited too. They are famous and the rich people there want famous people.

There they met the Gray duo. They met Damon Gray and Valerie Gray. Valerie is in the same class as Sam and Tucker. Sam and Valerie do not get along at all. Even more so than Sam and Tucker. Tucker and Sam agree that Valerie cannot be anywhere near Danny.

Tucker does like Valerie but as in girls in particular. Tucker does have a standard. Damon Gray is in the Police Force. He is in the investigation team. The detective is Mr Weston. Wes's father. Wes is actually one of the junior detectives learning under his father's teaching. Wes is usually seen hanging around Tucker and sometimes Valerie.

Crime happened and there was a lot of blood. Danny was at the scene having witnessed the murder happened. He can't see the face of the culprit but he knows other things like the culprit voice, height, and body shape.

He is under witness protection. Danny wants to tell them that something is going to happen to the killer. That something is angry. And that more people will end up dead if they did not find the killer quick.

Danny helps Wes and his father find the killer. Wes is suspicious of the Niel kid but oh well. Wes is 13 years old. Wes does know that Niel is hiding something and he will uncover it but he did not want to face the wrath of one Jasmine Elena Fenton.

A spirit is involved in the story between the murderer and the victims. That is the first step Danny is involved in the world of crimes and supernatural mixed in.

[wandaromanova]

Little Sister

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader

Warnings: one cuss word, minor BW spoilers

A/N: hello! i’d like to note that this takes place sometime before the events in the Black Widow movie! if you haven’t seen the movie yet, please skip over this story and come back later if you’d like! happy reading <3

anon requested: hiii i have a fluff request after seeing bw haha: could you do nat x fem reader where they're laying in bed snuggling, and r asks her about her family and nat tells her and r notices how cute she looks when she's talking about yelena and it's so soft and ahhhh

Summary: Natasha tells her girlfriend about a piece of her past that she never talks about; her sister.

Word Count: 2K

| masterlist | request rules/guidelines | wips |

please do not repost or try and take ownership of my work. reblogs, likes, and comments are always welcome. <3

Natasha Romanoff has lived a lot of lives. She has been through more than most.

Nat had been taken as an infant by an organization that trained little girls to become lethal assassins.

She was psychologically conditioned to become a killer, having taken more lives than she could count.

Eventually, Natasha had managed to break free from the cage she was forced into and was recruited as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent; it was a new start for her, an opportunity to compensate for the red in her ledger.

So, Natasha took her job seriously, saving as many people as she could, even more so when she became an Avenger; one of earth’s mightiest heroes.

Natasha found something in the team that she never really had before; a family. She found a home within the dysfunctional team she had been recruited into.

Not only did Natasha find a family within the Avengers; she also found the love of her life.

Natasha hadn’t even considered the possibility of ever finding love.

For starters, the Red Room had instilled the concept that love was nothing but a distraction; a liability.

She had been taught that love was for children and it was nothing but a weakness that needed to be avoided at all costs.

She was quite literally programmed to be emotionally closed off and to always have her guard up. Letting someone into her heart was a risk she didn’t want to take.

When Natasha gained her independence from the organization, she had to do a lot of self-discovering. She had never been able to be her own person, but now that she could, she quickly learned that she didn’t even know herself.

However, it was Natasha’s insecurities that truly turned her off from the entire idea of love.

How could any ever possibly love her? She thought she was a monster for the things she’d done. She has done the unspeakable since ever she was a child.

What if she wasn’t enough? What if her baggage was too much for someone else to carry? She didn’t want to be a burden. She didn’t want to have to protect someone, just to fail them like she had failed so many others.

Natasha was positive that no one would ever be crazy enough to love her.

Little did she know, she would end up finding someone crazy enough to do so; you.

•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

When the Avengers were formed, you were extremely nervous about it.

All of the files that you’ve read on your new teammates were unbelievable; they were all phenomenal in their own rights. A super-soldier, a god, a genius, a trained-spy.

You were a spy yourself, so you knew exactly who Natasha Romanoff was. She was a S.H.I.E.L.D legend, the best of the best.

You were more nervous about meeting her than anyone else. What if she judged you? What if she didn’t think you were good enough to be an agent, let alone an Avenger?

Not only was she your superior, but she was also your crush. Yeah, you’d never even met the woman before, but you were crushing on her hard.

She was drop-dead gorgeous, but also quite literally a deadly force. Natasha could easily take down anyone she wanted to, and honestly, you wanted to be one of those lucky people.

When you met Natasha for the first time, you were a flustered mess. The redhead found it amusing, how your cheeks turned a bright shade of red and you stumbled over your words as you praised her work.

Natasha never told you this, but she was immediately smitten the moment she laid eyes on you.

There was a kindness and positivity that just radiated off of you and it was extremely contagious.

You were this beaming ball of light that lit up the darkest parts of her soul.

•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

You got to know Natasha extremely well while being on the team. From observing her closely and paying very close attention to her actions, you had managed to pick up on little things.

She didn’t put any creamer or sugar in her sugar; opting for strong, black coffee.

She was kind of a clean freak. If she saw something out of place, she would be quick to put it in the correct place or position.

When she was happy, she would let a small smirk cross her features. When she was annoyed, she would raise her eyebrows.

When she was stressed out or angry, three little creases would appear on her forehead as her eyebrows would knit together tightly; a subtle frown on her face.

Of course, when you began dating the redhead, you didn’t really have to survey her so closely anymore because she’d tell you things herself.

No matter the circumstances, Natasha would always come to you and rant about it. Whether it was about how shitty a mission went or how she beat Clint’s ass during training; you were the only person she wanted to tell.

Natasha had opened up to you, something she never did with anyone. She told you all about her past.

•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

You had some knowledge of Natasha’s previous life, considering it was in her files, but you didn’t realize just how horrible her childhood truly was.

The Red Room, the heavy weight of guilt that rests on her shoulders, the nightmares that forced her to relive the murders she committed, her time as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent, and becoming an Avenger.

She’d go on and on about her road to redemption or ‘clearing the red out of her ledger.’

Natasha was terrified when she told you about her demons. She figured you were going to leave her the second she finished talking, waiting for you to get up and walk out the door, but you didn’t.

So, you completely caught her off guard when you pulled her into a bone-crushing hug, placing a soft kiss onto her temple, the redhead relaxing in your embrace.

“You’re the strongest person I know. It’s not your fault, you were forced and conditioned to do the things you did.”

Natasha focused on the sound of your voice and took in your words as you softly caressed her red locks with one hand.

“Baby, the amount of respect I have for you is immeasurable. I applaud you for turning your life around for the better. I’m so fucking proud of you.”

Your words had brought tears to Natasha’s eyes, which was a rare occurrence.

She was expecting you to run for the hills, but you chose to pull her closer instead.

In that moment, Natasha knew she never had to be afraid of love again.

You were the most understanding and accepting person she’d ever met.

You would never judge her for her worst mistakes; Natasha had found the one for her and she wasn’t ever going to let go.

•❅──────────────── ‎⧗ ────────────────❅•

Now, a few months later and a year into your relationship with the Russian, you were both lying in bed and cuddling.

You were both watching a movie when a particular scene came on. It was of a family gathering around a Christmas tree, children excitedly opening up presents with gleeful smiles across their faces.

“You know, my sister and I got to take pictures with a Christmas tree once.” Natasha spoke, her eyes fixated on the screen.

You looked up at her in shock. You didn’t know that Natasha had a sister. She told you that she didn’t even so much as know her parent’s names.

Natasha looked down and noticed your confused expression. She reached for the remote on the bedside table and paused the movie before returning her gaze to you.

“There was a mission I was assigned to in Ohio, as a kid. I was assigned to play the daughter of two other Russian spies, Alexei and Melina. It wasn’t just me though, there was a little girl who was assigned as my younger sister. Her name is Yelena.”

Natasha had a reminiscent, happy smile on her face as she recalled the brief period time of her childhood. She looked absolutely adorable as she rambled on about this part of her childhood.

“We took photoshoots of various holidays to make our family look more realistic. My favorite one was Christmas. Even though I knew they were just empty boxes, I wanted to rip open every single one.”

Natasha let out a small giggle at the thought. Even though she had a smile on her face, you could feel and hear the underlying tone of sadness in her voice.

“Yelena and I would spend hours outside, just playing together. Swinging on the swing-sets, looking up at the stars, bending over backward, and getting into a ridiculous competition to see who could hold the position the longest… I always let her win.”

You could see the fondness in her eyes, the longing. It warmed your heart that there was a small glimmer of light in Natasha’s past. There was at least a sliver of hope that she clung tightly onto throughout her time in the Red Room.

“After 3 years, the mission ended. Yelena and I were sent back to the Red Room and were torn apart from one another.

Natasha’s breathing grew heavier as she recalled the unfaithful day. The sight of her sister being taken, and not being able to do anything to help her; still haunted the redhead to this day.

“There were so many men with guns and armor, they literally ripped us away from each other. I was eleven and she was only six.”

Your heart sunk at your girlfriend’s words as her smile dropped. She tore her eyes away from yours as she blinked rapidly, fighting back tears, but failed. You reached your hand up to her cheek and wiped away the fallen droplets.

“I haven’t seen her since. I’d like to think that she found a way out and got a life of her own; a nice, happy life.”

Natasha placed her hand on top of yours before looking down at you once more. You sent her a soft smile when she let out a shaky breath.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I knew that the it was all fake, but it was still the best part of my childhood. It was real to me.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

You nodded your head at her words. She took a brief pause, trying to regain her composure, before continuing.

“Even if we have no true relation to one another, and even if I haven’t seen her in years, she is still my little sister.”

Natasha finished off with a big gasp as sobs wracked her body. You sat up from her embrace and pulled her into your arms, just like you had many times before.

You rubbed her back soothingly as she cried into your shoulder, her tears hitting the exposed skin.

“She sounds amazing, baby. I’m really happy that you had some sort of happiness back then and I hope one day you get to see her again.”

You whispered and Natasha pulled away from the hug, still in your arms as her emerald eyes surrounded by a sea of red, a result of her crying.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I doubt she’d even want to see me. I didn’t even try to find her. I’m a horrible sister! I-“

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

You immediately pressed your lips against hers, effectively getting the Russian to calm down. You broke the kiss when her breathing slowed.

“Honey, of course, she’d want to see you again. Like you said, you guys are sisters. I’m positive that it was just as real to her as it was to you.”

You reassured your girlfriend, her eyes a pool of worry and guilt. You rubbed your thumb against her waist, the material of your her hoodie beneath your touch.

“From what you’ve told me about the Red Room, it would’ve been impossible to find her. Stop beating yourself up over it. You’re the best, and I’m totally not biased or anything.”

Natasha let out a small chuckle at that and you smiled at her, wiping away the last of her tears. She collapsed into your hold further, shoving her face into the crook of your neck.

“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I love you so much.”

Natasha’s words came out muffled as her face pressed further into your skin.

“You never need to thank me for anything. I’ll always be here for you, Natty.”

You hugged her as tight as you possibly could, her cold skin meeting your warmth. Natasha let out a small sigh at the feeling.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Wherever you go, I go.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

───────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──────────

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[mylordshesacactus]

Really enjoyed the Tali/Shepard fics. It makes me curious, what's your go to Shepard origin and psych profile and why?

LET ME TELL YOU MY SHEPARD BUILD OPINIONS.

So, the thing is, right out the gate I have to acknowledge: I DEEPLY appreciate the earthborn!Shep origin for a lot of reasons, chief among them that I actually have very little patience for protagonists who start out anything BUT genuinely normal by the standards of their universe, succeeding through hard work and skill.

That being said the colonist background was, in @alexkablob's words, designed in a lab specifically to murder me.

(A lot of it is "I Remember Me". I've done a partial Earthborn playthrough and the long and short of it is, I just...it's not the same. I LOVE the Earthborn-specific questline, I genuinely do! One of the NPCs I'm softest for is the random turian C-Sec officer, a stranger, to whom Shepard means absolutely nothing, who completely no-sells the attempt to blackmail her. "The Commander overcame a difficult childhood to have a distinguished military career. Most turians will applaud her for that." is one of the first examples of firm, instinctive, unquestioning kindness between species that we get in the series from anyone who isn't Shepard.)

(There are other reasons--the deep hatred between humans and batarians is one, and all the little moments in the game where Shepard stops, and turns around, and shows kindness and compassion...it's not that those moments mean less if you're Earthborn, it's just that Colonist!Shep who lost everyone she'd ever known to batarian slavers still choosing to say "no, we're people, we're all just people" means so much. It hits so hard.)

(And god, it's just not the same if you don't get Talitha.)

I COMPLETELY respect and support people who are deeply attached to Earthborn!Shep. But it's almost always gonna be Colonist, for me.

Now, as for background, this is where I have VERY firm opinions.

(I mean first off nobody, like, ACTUALLY does Ruthless, right? Like, except if you're doing some kind of Mirror Universe renegade run or something? We all agree that's the most boring hashtag edgelord gamer bro bullshit in existence, correct? cool moving on.)

Anyway so: My preferred background for Shepard changes based on class. I also very firmly prefer to play Infiltrator but I acknowledge that Vanguard is cool both narratively and mechanically, and diehard Vanguard purists are valid. I'm planning to do a Vanguard playthrough sometime soon.

(I'm not shittalking anyone's preferences. The much-maligned Engineer deserves the love the devs gave them and players who genuinely prefer to play Engineer and defend that choice in gamer spaces are wrong but also braver than any fucking US Marine.

I also personally find any biotic Shepard less narratively satisfying because it's important to me that Shepard is--Shepard is Frodo. There is nothing inherently special about her. She has no awesome powers, no space magic, she's not a hyper-specialized genius whiz kid. It didn't have to be her--except it did. It's important to me that, in her own words, her spirit and personality are what make her great. It's important to me that the only thing that makes her special is that she chooses to step forward and offer a hand, every time.

I will take the ring to Mordor, though I do not know the way.

Soldier doesn't appeal to me because it's just SO GENERIC but I'd be a hypocrite to say that can't be compelling given my opinions on everything else!)

Infiltrator: War Hero

This one tracks well with either origin honestly--for a colony kid who already survived one slaver attack, the Blitz being yet another unstoppable wave of cruelty but this time she can do something about it is phenomenal. For an earthborn Shepard who grew up running with street gangs, she's now taking all of those urban survival and navigation skills and using them to fuck with an army of slavers like the little feral gremlin she is.

The thing is, I ONLY really like the War Hero background for an Infiltrator. For a Vanguard Shepard it just....ugh, I don't know. It just feels like way too much. A Memetic Badass situation. Yeah, whatever, we get it, she's sooooo cool and soooo powerful that she just can wade into combat and personally fight off One Thousand Bad Guys hoorah chestpound etc.

For an Infiltrator!Shep, though?

Infiltrator Shepard as the Hero of the Skyllian Blitz is believable. For anyone who HASN'T read it already, I dig into this a lot in this fic. She's not Just That Badass--She's not biotic-charging into melee with Ten Thousand Guys; she's just good, and smart. A good position with a good line of sight and a steady hand and solid hacking abilities to back her up--getting through sealed doors and locking them behind her, tapping into batarian comms, shorting out surveillance,overriding elevators.

She's the sniper who held Elysium.

Vanguard: Sole Survivor

And Sole Survivor works best for a Vanguard for the exact opposite reason.

It still hits equally hard regardless of background. Earthborn!Shepard, this is her first real family; she had to rip herself away from the people she thought were Her People for a long time in order to be the person she wanted to be, and this was her squad, the people she could actually depend on, and they were ripped away for no reason. And for Colonist!Shep, oh god. They're NOT her first real family. And she's already experienced senseless, devastating loss before, and here it is again, and god, could anyone blame her for getting a Kiss Of Death complex at that point?

She's lost so much, over and over, and she just keeps being kind. Keeps choosing to let herself be vulnerable. Keeps reaching out a hand and telling others that it's worth it to let people in. A Colonist Sole Survivor Paragon Shepard is arguably the bravest human being in the galaxy.

The thing is, in a lot of ways it doesn't work well for an Infiltrator, not with Shepard's personality, really. You could tell an excellent story about a woman who went through one too many devastating losses and withdrew both emotionally and physically and clings to the classic "emotionless sniper" archetype but that's....not how Shepard plays, at all, even a little.

And frankly, being helpless against a thresher-maw attack is something that's...uh, normal, for an Infiltrator. Like, trust me, this is basically Every Single Playthrough for me. A dedicated hacker-sniper is not likely to blame herself for being helpless against a close-up attack where she's trapped on the ground with no cover against a bigass worm. That is obviously not a situation where she could reasonably expect to be useful for anything except hauling ass.

Not saying you couldn't do anything compelling with that! Not at all! Fascinating conversation to have about it!

But oh man.

"Close-up combat on the ground with minimal cover and little to no warning" is basically the entire reason Vanguards exist.

A Vanguard sole survivor is the best possible avenue for a My Greatest Failure complex and devastating survivor's guilt and a raw gulf of vulnerability like no other.