#i couldn't figure out how to insert a line so “later that day” will have to serve that purpose

[snezario]

Catch Me I'm Falling (Part 2); Vo/x

as i was writing this part i realized that this is the first fic i've ever written that has an actual plot, with snz just woven in (because i said so!). i have most of it plotted out but who knows if i'll actually commit to the bit...

also i said it was slow burn but it's probably going to be more like a medium burn because i didn't want to drag out illness to force it to be a slow burn but it's also to encourage me to finish

part 1

“Mr. Vox?”

Vox mumbled incoherently as he slowly opened his eyes to see Charlie crouching in front of him, her eyebrows knitted with concern. He blinked blearily before remembering that he spent the night in the lobby and immediately scrambled off the lounge seat. The swift action made his head spin and he swayed on his feet.

“Woah, take it easy,” she reached out and placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, “Did you sleep down here?”

“I– uh,” Vox averted his gaze, trying to stammer out an excuse. In the midst of his blubbering, his screen let out a high-pitched buzz and began to display various error codes. He had to stop speaking as well because the malfunction garbled his speech.

Great. What better way to start off the day than with more technical difficulties?

“Oh! Your uh, screen is, looking a little–” Charlie made a wavy motion with her hand.

“Yeah, yeah I know,” Vox sighed and hit the side of his screen with the palm of his hand a few times before his face flickered back on the display. Jesus, it had been a while since he had to do that. The action was not without consequence however–the resolution was fuzzy and rainbow lines were streaked across the display. Looking in an adjacent mirror, he carefully ran a finger along the dried glue that filled the crack and saw fissures criss-crossed over half his screen, beyond what he had seen yesterday.

He dropped his hand as his stomach churned. As Charlie stared at him, her expression soft but uncertain, Vox fidgeted, why was this so difficult? It was one thing to act suave and professional for the public but the princess’s genuine kindness was so unorthodox he didn’t really know how to navigate the situation.

“Thanks for allowing me to stay the night but I’ll be going now to get my screen fixed.” As he turned to leave, Vox looked down to find Charlie grasping his wrist. Before he could say anything more, she spoke.

“Look, I know you and Alastor don’t exactly get along,” Vox let out a disdainful laugh, which Charlie ignored, pressing on, “But like I said last night, you’re free to stay at the hotel… actually, here–”

While she was talking, her face suddenly brightened and before she could finish her sentence she pulled him up the stairs. Walking briskly, she escorted them down the corridor stopping in front of the last door. Spinning around to face Vox, Charlie began to unload what sparked the sudden shift.

“I know you probably don’t believe in redemption, which fine, I get it, most of you don’t (yet). Buuuut I’d like to think that the hotel can be more than just that. Like right now, you need a place to figure things out and I think we could be that for you!” She beamed at him, an expression that Vox didn’t return.

“Look… Princess, I appreciate what you’re trying to do but I don’t think–”

“You don’t have to decide now but if you want to freshen up, the room is unlocked, unoccupied, and equipped with everything you might need,” Charlie interjected while finally letting go of his wrist, “I have to go now, but just think about it. Please?”

Not giving Vox a moment to respond, she spun on her heel and left him staring after her. He stood in front of the door before placing his hand on the doorknob and slipping inside the room.

As the door closed behind him, Vox felt prickling along his neck, like he was being watched. He spun around to see that the room was still empty, aside from himself. After a beat he decided he was being paranoid and began to look around the room. Just as Charlie had said, it was fully equipped with what was to be expected for hotel guests. He picked up a glass bauble on the nightstand, dropping it when he saw movement in the corner of his vision.

“Whatthefuck?!” Vox sprang back, poised to discharge the electricity crackling from fingertips at the intruder. That is until he realized the “intruder” was Alastor’s shadow. In the past, he wondered if it only did Alastor’s bidding or if it was actually sentient.

“Oh, it’s yohh—” Vox’s voice hitched when he felt a tingling at the back of his head. His chest expanded as the sensation progressed into a more urgent need until he snapped forward with a particularly harsh double.

“hh…hih’KSHHHhuue! ’IZZSHH!”

Lights danced in his vision and Vox had to steady himself against the wall. He gave a staticky cough and glared at the shadow, which seemed to be laughing at his plight.

“What! What do you want? Can’t you just leave me alone?” Vox moaned into his hands before slumping against the wall. He felt worse than yesterday, which he didn’t think was possible. And now he was feeling silly for speaking to a fucking shadow. It slithered to the door and stared pointedly at him then back to the door.

“You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?” Vox asked it, although it was mostly a rhetorical question. He continued to lean against the wall for another half a minute before sighing and begrudgingly pulling himself up onto his feet.

“Let’s get this over with,” Vox grumbled. The sooner he could find out what Alastor wanted, the faster he could get his screen fixed and be out the door. His expression clouded. Although, he wasn’t sure what lay in store for him outside the hotel. 

The door to Alastor’s room was closed. Guess he had to knock. Although the last time he bothered to knock on Alastor’s door, he was nearly choked out. With a half-shrug, he rapped lightly.

“Come,” Alastor’s voice resonated from the other side of the door.

“Oh dear,” Alastor clucked as he took notice of Vox’s screen. He was sitting in the bayou-side of his room, soft jazz music played in the background as he nibbled at an animal carcass splayed on the table. Eugh. Vox’s mouth twisted into a grimace. How could he forget Alastor’s unusual tastes?

Vox would have continued to wallow in self-pity if the radio demon’s shadow hadn’t been pestering him the rest of the morning. So here he was again, standing awkwardly in Alastor’s creepy-ass room.

“I was on my way to the repair shop but your fucking shadow wouldn’t stop bothering me. What do you want, Alastor?” Vox snapped and folded his arms across his chest.

“Oh! In that case, I will accompany you,” Alastor said brightly.

“Yeah right,” Vox rolled his eyes, pausing when he realized Alastor was serious. “Oh for fuck’s –dare I ask why?”

“Mmm best not to,” Alastor hummed. Vox shrugged. Always an enigma. Of course he wouldn’t have changed in the last 7 years. The radio demon–perpetually stuck in the past.

“Fine whatever,” Vox relented, pressing a hand to his temple. This guy was starting to give him a headache. “Just don’t get in the way.”

“Splendid, I’ll meet you in the lobby once I finish breakfast!” Alastor said nonplussed, returning to his meal. Taking that as his cue to leave, Vox backed out of Alastor’s room down to the lobby.

He stared apathetically at the ceiling as he waited for Alastor. Normally he’d have been scrolling aimlessly on his phone but that wasn’t exactly an option at the moment. Since last night, his phone had been buzzing non-stop with messages and alerts, all of which he had ignored. Up until an hour ago wherein he finally decided he had enough and turned it off. Actually, he nearly shorted out the device altogether but thought better of it.

“Vox, dear, ready to head out?” Alastor’s disembodied voice perplexed him at first until he saw a shadow glide along the hotel floor. The radio demon materialized from the shadow and he stood by the front door, looking at Vox expectantly.

“Technically I was the one waiting for you,” Vox groused before dragging himself off the couch and trudging out the door after him.

Vox told Alastor the address but kept a step behind him, he was surprised that the radio demon was risking being seen in public with him. Not just because of their well-known rivalry, but the sheer number of billboards and posters they’ve already passed by, framing him as an embezzler, a fraud, and a coward were enough to make him want to run back to the hotel.

Vox would have preferred to traverse the city through the power lines but he found himself struggling to muster up the energy to do so. Surely Alastor could have traveled through the shadows but he seemed to enjoy the walk.

He tried to keep his head low but with his stupid television screen for a head, he was easily recognizable. If he had cheeks he’d be sure they would be burning right now. With his mind preoccupied, he nearly crashed into a sinner on his phone.

“Hey, watch it!” the sinner complained, looking up angrily before recognition dawned on his face. His expression transformed into pure disgust, “Oh look who it is. I’m surprised you’re showing your flat-face around these parts after what you did.”

Say something damn it! Vox’s throat closed up, his eyes widening as he scrambled to say something, anything. “I, uh…”

“Ha! I guess the radio demon was right, you’re really powerless without the other Vees,” he sneered, taking a step towards Vox.

“Perhaps, but I don’t think you want to test that theory right now,” Alastor stepped in between them, a menacing grin on his face. The sinner, having not seen Alastor, squeaked when he was addressed. His eyes narrowed and he gave one last glare at Vox before slinking into an alleyway.

“I’d stay on your side of the street if I were you,” Alastor’s voice, ladened with radio static as he warned the passersby that had been attracted by the commotion. They quickly scattered as his shadow loomed over them.

Fuck. He felt utterly pathetic. Alastor didn’t exactly come to his defense, but it was close enough. How far he’d fallen that he was nearly cowering behind his rival. He opened his mouth and thanks was on the tip of his tongue but nothing came out and he trained his eyes back on the walkway. Luckily for Vox, the rest of the trip was uneventful. 

Both Vox and Alastor had to duck under the door frame as they entered the repair shop. It was smaller than the one that Vox usually went to but it was across the street from the Vees’ tower. Conveniently located before, but now the idea of being close to the tower made his stomach churn. There was an array of electronics on the shelves and on display tables, most of which he was certain eluded Alastor’s knowledge.

“What can I help you–” The incubus slowly looked up from his phone, fumbling with it as he realized whom he was speaking to. Sitting up straight, he stammered, “Mr. Radio Demon sir, and Mr. Vox, I apologize for my rudeness! W-what can I do for you?”

Vox flashed him his businessman smile–which normally was second nature to him but presently felt like a monumental task.

“As you can probably see, I need some technical assistance,” Vox said, gesturing to the cracks spider webbing across his display.

“Right, I can get that replaced right now! I’ll just measure the dimensions so I know what size to cut the glass,” he squeaked, pulling out a measuring tape. After writing down the numbers he headed to the back of the store.

“This’ll just take a minute,” the incubus called out over his shoulder.

“Efficient,” Alastor remarked with an arched brow.

“Just one of the many upsides of modern technology,” Vox replied pointedly. The radio demon sneered, opening his mouth to respond only for the incubus to trot out with the replacement screen.

Having his screen handled and his circuitry fiddled with was apparently not the best idea at the moment. Not this shit again, he cursed as a delicate skittering along his internal circuitry steals his attention. Another one of those times that he really despised having a television screen for a head–try as he might, he could never manage to hold back a reflex that he believed himself relieved from when he first spawned in Hell.

“Would you mind hh! hurrying it hh–up?” Vox hissed, unable to suppress the audible hitching that bled into his speech.

“Oh! Sorry, almost done… and there!”

The glass clicked into place within the plastic frame, which seemed to be the last straw–Vox tore away from the incubus as the tingling reached its tipping point.

“hihh'ZZTSHHH’uh! ihhDSHH! hh!... Fuhhucck.. ehh’Z̴̠̮͛̓̃̾͂D̴̞̳̕Ṱ̵̬̭͉̒̾C̸̘̠̥̝͓͌̊̎͝͝C̷͖̫͚̫̩̈́Ḣ̸̥̮͝Ȟ̴̡͇͚̟̈̓̂͝hiew!���

The incubus and Alastor looked around the store in bewilderment as all of the intact devices flickered on briefly or gave off sparks. Vox groaned and he let out an exhausted, wet sniffle.

“Gesundheit,” the incubus offered, while Alastor tilted his head and gazed at him suspiciously.

“A bit dusty in here I take it?” Vox said, trying to play it off. This did not bode well but he would be damned if he was going to admit to anyone that he was feeling a little more out of sorts beyond the cracked screen. Especially Alastor.

The incubus piped up again, “I thought you should know but I did a malware scan and it detected a–”

“I’m fine. Your scanning software is not sophisticated enough to conduct a comprehensive exam,” Vox cut him off sharply, his eye swirling threateningly. The incubus’s mouth snapped shut and he nodded vigorously, scampering to the back of the shop.

“I guess we’re done here,” Vox said and headed for the door with Alastor trailing behind. As they stepped out of the store, Vox shielded his screen as the afternoon sun threatened to blind him. Swiveling his head to address Alastor, he found himself about to speak to nothing–the radio demon wasn’t next to him anymore.

He turned around to see Alastor lingering in front of the door. Now what?

“I suppose it wouldn’t be completely terrible if you temporarily stayed at the hotel.”

Vox blinked. Did Alastor just–

“Not that it matters to me whatsoever,” Alastor followed up hastily, “Charlie seems to have taken a liking to you. I for one could care less what you do!”

With that, he breezed past Vox towards the hotel. Vox stared after him. He didn’t just imagine it, did he? He could have sworn that Alastor hesitated for a fraction longer than he normally would have. Right? 

Giving his head a brief shake, he jogged behind the radio demon not wanting to get left behind.

Later that day...

Why did Alastor accompany him to the repair shop? It’s not like anything special happened. Vox drummed his fingers along the counter, ruminating on the day with Alastor. He had been sulking at the bar for the past hour and thankfully only Husk was around. Seeing that he was feeling like shit, he really did not want to see or talk to anyone at the moment.

“You gonna drink that?” Husk drawled, pointing at the shot he poured out for Vox several minutes ago.

“I was getting around to it,” Vox grumbled as Husk let out a hmph and turned back to polishing the glass he had been working on. Staring at the glass, he threw his head back and downed the shot of vodka, the liquor burning his throat as it went down. Guh. Maybe it would help soothe his aching throat.

Placing the shot glass down, he jumped as the front door burst open. There went his peace and quiet. 

“Hiya, Husk. How’s things been?” Vox recognized the New York accent of his former partner’s favorite pornstar. He had heard it often enough, between Val bitching about Angel on a near daily basis and whenever he dropped by the studio during the middle of a shoot. Turning his head, he watched as the pink and white spider demon situated himself on a stool in front of the bartender, who immediately slid a cocktail towards him. 

“Oh you know the usual, Val working you hard today?” Husk responded easily, his tone more gentle and friendly than when he had been speaking to Vox.

“Like you wouldn’t believe! But it’s nothin’ I can’t handle,” Angel ran a hand through his hair as he relayed the details of his day to Husk.

Huh, something was definitely going on there—no way things between those two were strictly platonic. Vox noticed the way that the bartender’s pupils dilated while Angel spoke and the comfort with which the pornstar held himself in his presence. It was surprising to see. Actors always put up a front, especially those in the porn industry, even more so for those that were contracted with Valentino. Angel was no different and on the handful of times Vox had interacted with him, he was flirty but emotionally closed off. Good for them, he mused.

“Sooo, it seems like you’ve decided to stay?” Charlie sidled up to Vox, plopping into the bar stool next to him.

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess,” Vox dragged his gaze from Husk and Angel to the Princess of Hell. She seemed particularly chipper at the moment, although he wouldn’t be entirely surprised if this was normal behavior for her. Before he could excuse himself, she launched into a monologue, her voice climbing with excitement as she prattled on.

“How are things between you and Alastor? I saw you both leave the hotel earlier today! That seems promising! From what I’ve heard, you two have a complicated history. But that doesn’t have to be forever! I was thinking that maybe, while you’re here you could work on some things together? We do trust-building exercises, sing songs, and–”

Vox’s temper flared, his hypnotic eye swirling rapidly at the suggestion. How dare she! He wasn’t about to become one of the hotel’s redemption targets.

“I am not one of your fucking charity cases! I don’t need your pity!” he snarled, sparks of electrical discharge coursed along his frame as he snapped around and roughly grabbed Charlie by her collar.

“Hey Flatscreen, lay off Charlie will ya?” At Angel’s interjection, Vox froze and released her, stepping back sheepishly. Before he could apologize his throat seized up and he curled into himself with a harsh coughing fit.

“Mr. Vox, you don’t sound so good,” Charlie said, taking a tentative step towards him as he attempted to get the coughing under control. He weakly waved his hand to indicate that he was fine, which everyone ignored.

“Husk, can ya get the guy a water?” Angel called back towards the bar. After Husk slid a glass towards him, Angel sauntered over and placed the water beside him. “You don’t look so hot either.”

Vox only managed to nod his gratitude, gratefully accepting the water and taking a generous gulp.

“I-I’m fine,” Vox panted as the tickle in his throat subsided. While his breathing leveled out he realized that everyone was crowded around him. A flush of embarrassment crept up his screen, “Sorry Princess, I didn’t mean to–”

“No need to apologize Mr. Vox, you’ve been through a lot lately. Just get some rest and maybe, think about it?” Charlie smiled hopefully at him. There was that phrase again, think about it.

“Very well, but don’t count on it,” Vox said warningly. The princess’s eyes lit up and she proceeded to sob happily in Vaggie’s arms, who he hadn’t realized had probably seen everything. Jesus, was he getting soft? This was the second time he considered Charlie’s suggestion.

Her insistence on having him stay was kind of touching. Charlie had been the first one to show an ounce of compassion to him—the minute he stepped foot in the hotel.

Vaggie gently held Charlie, her wings encompassing both of them protectively. Between Husk and Angel and Vaggie and Charlie, it was a nice change of pace to see healthy relationships. Something he never thought would never be possible in Hell. The thought was merely a pipe dream and made his heart ache, along with the rest of his body.

“Anyways, uh thanks for everything Princess and again I’m–”

“You don’t have to call me that, Charlie works just fine!” Charlie said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

“Noted,” Vox cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve had a long day so I’m going to head to bed.”

“Callin’ it quits already?” Angel taunted, “Val always said you were a lightweight. Guess that applies to more than just your alcohol tolerance now.”

Vox paused halfway up the stairs, his hand resting on the rail. Normally he’d let a little barb like that slide off his back, but the constant jeering and insinuations that he was weak had knocked him down more than a peg or two. Plus, the mention of Val didn’t help. He turned to snipe back only for a familiar and unfortunate flickering in his head to derail his train of thought. Rather than embarrass himself again and have them all witness another outburst, the television demon continued to his destination, albeit more urgently than before.

As soon as the door shut behind him, he gasped as the irritation refused to be kept in check any longer. Vox barely managed to shove his arm in front of his face to hopefully muffle the sound as the sneezes barrelled out of him.

“hh’DTCHhieew! ehh’ZTTSHH!”

Vox moaned, dragging a face down his screen. When his sneezes started turning into doubles, triples, and more he knew it was only a matter of time. Why were they always so vicious too? Just as long as he didn’t start bursting light bulbs and shorting out electrical sockets, it would be fine, he would be fine.

He flopped face down onto the bed and passed out.

[beelmons]

Luxury Reading Nights | SR

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader

cw: fingering, free use, don quixote lines

Summary: Spencer calls you to provide some of your now rather popular services.

A/N: i missed spencer and i love free use!!

The most amazing part of the lifestyle you had chosen to lead was always the vast variety of men's sexual desires.

Some enjoyed getting a little rough, some dressing you in questionable outfits, some even were as far as to use you to serve them, all previously established, all with consent.

It was the wonder of 'free use', you were, at the end of the day, nothing but a tool. That's what made it so exciting.

But with Spencer, oh, Spencer, he was surely an odd one.

"Stop moving, I can't read" he ordered, his voice firm, but he was still polite about it.

He had you bent over his lap while he sat on the couch, your body was stripped naked the second you had entered the apartment. Your back was used as a book rest as he read.

His hand was the reason you were squirming so uncomfortably. You had been overstimulated for the past five minutes or so, and he kept torturing you, over and over.

It started with a call. He had a rough case and needed to unwind, which he often did with a good book. Soon, you were on his lap, kissing his lips and feeling his clothed groin against your wetness, and that's when it turned torturous.

No, he wasn't rough. Au contraire, he was extremely gentle. Annoyingly so. He began to massage your buttocks once you were across his lap, not once touching you where you were aching to have him inside.

"Ooh, I love this line" he suddenly blurted out "Too much sanity may be madness — and maddest of all: to see life as it is, and not as it should be." tilting his head, he tried to catch a glimpse of your face, womdering if you were as impressed by it as he was.

Little time did he give you, because his thumb began to run over your slit. It was slow and careful, like a caress.

You moaned in complaint. You needed more, so much more.

"You look beautiful like that." he praised, and it only heightened your arousal.

He went back to his book and his thumb kept up its pace, and it wasn't only when he reached half the book that, without warning, slid one of his fingers inside of you, while his thumb part-timed on your clit.

"I always thought Cervantes was a bit insane himself," he began to explain his theory "Takes a madman to write a madman." and without any further word, continued the assault on your cunt.

You couldn't speak from how delightful it felt. Despite reading a complex book, he was definitely paying attention to every movement of his hand, every crease of your insides, he was trying to find the one spot.

Minutes later he was kind enough to add another finger, this knuckles curling inside of you. But he was still going slow and that's when you figured: he was using your pussy as a stress ball. Not to your enjoyment but his, nonethless this was even more arousing.

His pace began to quicken as he turned on the pages, and you could tell he was reaching the end of the book, and you were reaching your limit. But it was on your terms and conditions that you only came when he said a certain word.

"...are even now tottering..." he had begun to recite near your ear what you assumed was the end of the book, but you weren't paying attention at all. You wanted to hear it. The word you needed the most as his fingers sped up their insertion. "...doubtless, doomed to fall forever." he continued.

There was something enchanting and sweet about his voice, as if he were telling you a lullaby.

"Farewell." he finally said.

Like thunder through the sky, a long moan resonated as you came. Knowing what he had done, his free hand quickly removed the book from your back. Old edition, he was not going to risk it getting soaked in your juices the same way his hand now was.

He continued to thrust, helping you get rid of the wave. "You okay?" he asked concernedly, leaning down to press a quick kiss to your naked back. "Sorry, I really wanted to finish the book." he apologized as he removed his fingers from inside of you.

You were still panting and flushed from the overstimulation, but you gave him a gentle nod "Are you feeling better?" you asked. You had noticed his tension since you arrived but decided to keep it quiet.

"I'm on cloud nine." he simply said with a handsome, gentle grin.

[starlightbooklove]

Omg You guys tysssm for the support to My last post, it means the world to me.

Hello again, I started writing this post last night, I'm going to try to keep the timeline of how the events happened so that everything makes sense Because I couldn't finish writing it at the time, because of how everything ended. I have 2 and a half hours of sleep, it has been a complete emotional roller coaster of the worst kind for us as a country.

So, yesterday, July 28, 2024...

This day has been fucking Legendary in our story, By midday there were already 9 million votes in the voting centers with a majority in the polls in "La Unidad" (the opposition party)

Voting is still happening and it is currently 7:54 pm

People were in lines since last night, at 6 AM the centers were supposed to open. There was a part of these that did not open their doors at the scheduled time due to people from the Chavista party, acting as if they had some power to deny them the exercise of their right to vote, which led to the hilarious uprising of several voters in several states, coming to fucking knock down Gates to enter schools (the usual voting centers)

It also happened that they did not let the voters in but they did activate the machines and began to insert an unreal amount of identity cards to collect false votes for the government, WHEN THE CENTERS DIDN'T EVEN OPEN, CÑLM Which resulted in cases of violence in several states of the country, people went to exercise their right and did not allow themselves to be intimidated by anyone, to the point that CEBIM officials (a military body of the country) had to interfere with the anti-riot squads to remove the government sympathizers who started the problem by not opening and now they were getting their asses kicked by the voters who didn't sit still. The people were so firm that they didn't care that a military official was trying to protect the troublemakers at the voting centers, yet they insulted them and tried to beat them, Wich, ngl was heckin hilarous.

This was only at one of the voting centers

At seven, as i mentioned people were still voting, But many voting centers had already closed tables and were already counting votes, so theoretically the elections would close no later than 9 p.m. The broadcast of the national electoral council (CNE) had already started, never a broadcast was so damn long (the last time we had an opposition candidate this close, The results came out at 1:30 AM..., so that in the end they took away his victory with fraud, so you see, it's a pattern).

They told the story of ALL the presidents who have governed the country, since the country was literally unified and even when they reached the end they said that the results would be known shortly

Outside, in the voting centers, the results were being recorded by the same citizens, they all had the majority of votes for Edmundo González by A LOT, and in almost all the states.

Here things only went from bad to worse. When voting, there is a tradition called taking care of the boxes. The boxes are those that have all the votes from the voting center to which they belong, the votes are counted in the centers in front of witnesses from the people, the results are stated and then those results are sent in minutes to the national electoral council. María Corina urged people to take care of their votes, to stay in the centers so that they could see clearly what they were doing with the boxes once the voting closed. Around 8, 9 pm the vast majority of the states had reported Edmundo as the winner, several went out to celebrate in the streets and the voters continued to wait patiently and calmly outside the voting centers.

One of the biggest political figures in our country and the biggest spoiled son of a bitch here started talking on TV From where his people were celebrating, as in all votes, their Victory without even finishing giving out the results.

And I think I knew what hate is that corrupts, burns and boils in the blood, because while that man was speaking, in one of the states where they were celebrating, the "collectives" arrived. The collectives are another military branch which is at the same time independent of the country's own militia, and that is known to be led by said political figure, they are known for committing crimes And not suffer the consequences, so when they get to a place, it doesn't mean anything good.

They killed a man, and began to attack the people who were there, and this began to happen in several states, they took the militia out into the streets, they began to fight with the people, armed soldiers against young and old women, against people who were just celebrating damn it, while the fucking son of a bitch said on television that it was a night to celebrate in peace the absolute victory of the political party

[i-used-to-wear-the-fedora]

IWTV, The Follow Up Interview

Hell. Daniel Molloy was almost 100% sure that this was his personal hell. Of course, it was his luck that he would just barely escape the two narcissistic eternal queens known as Armand and Louis just to be kidnapped by who was largely the subject of the entire interview he'd been conducting. The vampire, Lestat. It was convoluted, really. What were the odds of the Uber driver he ordered being the fucking vampire that Louis couldn't stop talking about? ...well, actually, considering everything he heard and remembered in the past few days, he supposed he shouldn't have been too surprised.

Looking down at the chair he was tied to, Daniel pulled at the ropes that bound his arms to those of the chair. Pulling did nothing to help. Not surprising. Maybe he would've been able to wriggle out of his bonds if it didn't hurt to move his wrists. The chair was sturdy. Some fancy plush dining chair stationed in the middle of what looked like some kind of study. Shelves full of books surrounded the room, each covered in a thick layer of dust. From what he'd heard of the man so far, Lestat seemed more like the type of man to show off the rare books he collected rather than actually read the things. Posters for Broadway shows were immaculately framed on the walls. Aida, Billy Elliot, The Lion King. Lestat was an Elton John fan, apparently. Daniel did his best not to roll his eyes.

Instead, he was focused on the large desk in the center of the room he'd been pushed up against. It was completely empty, save the tape recorder set in the middle of it. A blank tape was already inserted. Ready to record. Daniel had a sinking feeling he knew where this was going.

"Hey!" Daniel called out as he attempted to crane his head to look behind him. "Frenchie, I know you can probably fucking hear me and I want you to know that I'm not interested." Trying to move his legs revealed they were tied to the chair as well. "I've already had to listen to your boyfriends make asses of each other and you for long enough. The last thing I want is to deal with more of your weird love triangle bullshit."

"You make it sound like you have a choice." A hand on the chair followed the voice, and Daniel yelped from surprise.

"Jesus fucking Christ!" Daniel cried as he watched a man circle around him. He was tall. Maybe mid thirties with long blonde hair. He wore skin-tight leather pants with an even tighter see-through shirt. Combined with the air of arrogance the man carried along with his smug grin, it didn't take a genius to figure out the man was Lestat. Just as dramatic as foretold.

"So you must be Daniel." Lestat's smile reminded Daniel of the costumed actors that tried to stop you for pictures in Times Square. Fake and just slightly intimidating, ready to shank you if you didn't pay for the pictures you were forced to take together. "Wow. I've learned so much about you." The blonde hoisted himself into the desk in front of Daniel, eyes staring down at him like a predator eyeing its dinner.

"I could say the same about you." Daniel shifted, wondering how Lestat knew about him. An issue he could worry about later.

"Oh, I'm sure Louis and Armand have told you all about me." Yeah, he was practically all they talked about. "And. You see, they have their side of the story, but it just didn't seem fair that you only got to interview them." Lestat leaned forward and perched his chin in his hands. "So I've decided that you will have the honor of capturing my story in my own words."

"And what if I don't cooperate?" Daniel asked with a raised eyebrow. In response, the younger (technically older, much older) man reached into his pocket. Daniel noticed the bulge, and for a moment, he wondered if he'd be the next in what was likely a long line of men to see Lestat's cock. Instead, he pulled out a pill bottle.

"Your Sinemet. Helps with the pain, right?" Lestat asked as he noticed the discomfort in Daniel's small movements. "You know it's a real shame that I didn't get to meet you back then, too. I wonder if you were beautiful. Before the age and sickness set in."

"Louis seemed to think so." Daniel's verbal jab made Lestat pause. Just for a moment, but it was long enough to notice as the vampire set the pill bottle aside with a sigh.

"I suppose I deserved that." Lestat reached over and grabbed a letter opener that Daniel hadn't seen before. He brought it to Daniel's wrists, and the man flinched away, expecting pain. Instead, his wrists were cut free. Daniel watched as Lestat got up and grabbed a laptop (his laptop) off of a nearby end table and handed it to the reporter. Walking back to the desk, Lestat leaned over and pressed play on the waiting tape recorder. "Just, humor me."

"Well, considering I don't exactly have a choice here." Daniel rubbed his rope burned wrists. "I guess we should start from the beginning."

[gardenvarietycrafts]

WIP Wednesday

One sock is done, and I couldn't be happier with that gradient! It's really making me excited to finish the second sock so I can actually wear these (though It's getting a bit warm here for wool socks). I feel like I've really gotten used to using the 9" circulars, so now I'm really flying through the start of the second sock.

No pattern, they're just vanilla socks with pinned short row toes and heels.

Yarn is Willow Duo Sox in color 3 Aegean. I originally got it for 2aat (since it comes with 2 balls of yarn to make matching socks) but I think I like my 9" circulars better.

The leafs have multiplied! I've been doing one or two a day to keep myself from getting tired of knitting leaves, while still making progress. I also looked up different ways for how to make leaf garland, and I think I'm going to connect these with a crochet chain (inserting the hook through the bottom of a leaf when I want to attach one, then making the next chain by pulling the yarn through both the leaf and the chain) and then slip stitch along the chain to make it sturdier.

Pattern I'm using is below the cut, and I'd love to see if anyone else makes some leaves or a leaf garland from them!

The Leafy Leaf cowl was frogged and put in time out. I dropped the center stitch in between a line of yarn overs and ended up losing stitches and couldn't figure out how to get them back without making that leaf's lace a lot more open, so I decided to restart it later. Or not! I wasn't in love with how it was working up, so if I find a better use for that yarn I'll use it there instead.

This does mean that I'm back down to one project with the ace hat having been finished as well. Which means I'm all clear to (re)start the burgundy cardigan! I'm using a different pattern than last time I started it, and looking at it, I think the sleeves will end up too big if I follow the decreases as written, so I am probably going to wing that section and just take super careful notes so I can repeat it for the second sleeve. We're aiming for an end product I love here, that's why I've restarted this one so much.

Leaf pattern:

CO 6 stitches using Judy's magic CO or your favorite cast on for knitting from the center out. Divide the stitches so you have 3 on each needle, then knit a round.

1. *k1, yo, k1, yo, k1* ×2 (5st/needle, 10st total)

2 (and all even rounds) knit around

3. *k2, yo, k1, yo, k2* ×2 (7st/needle)

5. *k3, yo, k1, yo, k3* ×2 (9st/needle)

6. *k4, yo, k1, yo, k4* ×2 (11st/needle)

7. *ssk, k7, k2tog* ×2 (9st/needle)

9. *ssk, k5, k2tog* ×2 (7st/needle)

11. *ssk, k3, k2tog* ×2 (5st/needle)

13. *ssk, k1, k2tog* ×2 (3st/needle)

15. cdd ×2, break yarn and pull through remaining 2 loops twice, then hide tail inside the leaf

[anangelwhodidntfall]

hiii! I love how you write for Tarsem and was wondering if I could request something.....could I request something with Tarsem along the lines of 'talkative gf, listening bf' where reader is talkative and Tarsem just listens to her and giving his input but then maybe one of the clan members yells at her for talking so much and she kind shuts down for two days thinking that Tarsem finds her annoying and when Tarsem find out and after finding out who said that he assures her that he doesn't find her annoying and in fact enjoys hearing her thoughts

Talkative Gf, Listening Bf: Tarsem

Tarsem didn't understand why you just stop talking recently, you just came home the other day, and were quiet and when he asked about it, you just said you were tried. But now it had been nearly two days later and you only spoke in few words and it was worrying him because he loved to hear you talk about whatever was on your mind and for you to shut down like this worried him. 

"Ma y/n, can we talk?" He asked you. 

"Of course, is everything okay ma Tarsem?" You asked him as you took a seat across from him. 

"I don't know. Ma y/n, why won't you talk to me anymore? The last few days you've been so quiet and closed off with me and I can't figure out if it's something I did." He said making you sigh as you tried to fight off the tears that were threatening to spill. 

"It's not you Tarsem, I promise it's not you. It's just that...." You started to say as he squeezed your hand in comfort. 

"It's just that the other day I was talking with (insert name here) and Askua got so angry with me and yelled at me in front of everyone saying how annoying I am with how much I talk and that he didn't understand how you could stand to be mated to someone as annoying as me and that you probably found me and my constant talking annoying. So I stopped talking so much because I didn't want to annoy you."  You said as the tears streamed down your face. 

Tarsem felt his blood boil at your words because how dare Askua say those hurtful and untrue words to you? How dare he even talk to you his mate like that? So many emotions were running through his body seeing you upset and hurt as he held you in his arms trying to comfort you.

"My love, you know that isn't true right?" He asked you. 

"I know but I couldn't help but wonder if it is...I don't want to annoy you or lose you." You said quietly. 

"Look at me y/n, I love hearing you talk about whatever is on your mind, you never have and never will annoy me for how much talking you do, your voice is one of my favorite things to hear and you don't know how hard it is has been for me these last few days to not to hear your voice." He said looking into your eyes. 

"You mean that?" You asked him quietly. 

"Every word. I love you so much y/n." He said placing a kiss on your lips. 

"I love you Tarsem, and I'm sorry for shutting you out." You said looking at him as he dried the last of your tears. 

"It's alright ma y/n, just next time please come and talk to me so I can help you." He said as you nodded your head in agreement. 

You two made your way over to your bed where you rested in his arms tired from all the crying you did and once he was you were asleep, he carefully and quietly went to find Askua. He found him walking into the village. 

"Tarsem hi brother." He said. 

Tarsem pushed him up against the nearest tree and hissed at him trying to resist the urge to beat the shit out of him. 

"If I ever find out you raised your voice or disrespect my mate again, I promise you will not like me." He said growling at Askua before letting him go. 

He quietly made his way back home to you and climbed into bed next to you trying not to disturb you. 

"Thank you." You said quietly adjusting in his arms. 

"No need to thank me ma y/n, no one disrespect you and gets away with it." He said placing a kiss on your forehead. 

[jellymellydraws]

Masterlist ~ Next Chapter >>

Astarion x Dark Urge Chapter 01 Rating: E Tags: Angst, Fluff, hurt/comfort, slow burn, two guarded people fall in love so hard it makes them stupid

Chapter Summary:

It's perfectly normal to feel disoriented after falling head first onto a beach-- and somehow not dying. But disoriented was putting Rose's condition mildly. She hardly remembered anything, whether it were her name, where she lived, or what she had for breakfast. She could spend all day trying to figure those things out! Unfortunately, the tadpole in her head takes priority. Current assignment: find survivors, build a team, then figure out how to get this damned thing out of her head.

A dull thumping and spinning sensation in her head greeted her as she awoke on the beach. The smell of sand, saltwater, and smoke slowly reminded her of where she had been a moment ago. Though the memories were still hazy, she clung to anything that flitted in her mind’s eye, even for a moment. Something clear. Something she knew. Something -- anything to ground her.

'Rose...My name is Rose-- right?'

She shook her head. 

'Bad example.'

Even in her foggy state, she knew her past was foggier still. But what she had just been through? Those memories were slowly coming back, with more clarity.

A githyanki warrior, Lae’zel, who knew a thing or two about the tadpoles inserted into their heads, a brunette half-elf, Shadowheart, whom she freed from a pod, and the mysterious item she kept on her person.  

The fog began to lift. 

Fleshy walls of the Nautiloid, Lae’zel’s clear direction to the control room, a fight with infernals and aberrations alike. Sprinting to the control panel amidst the chaos.  

Her brows furrowed as she recalled the nautiloid losing control and diving towards the ground. She remembered the shoreline rapidly approaching her, then nothing. She couldn't make sense of it.

'I should’ve died from the fall...but maybe if I survived, the others could have too...somehow'

She stood up and began her trek along the coastline, grabbing any herbs and foragable goods she could find along the way. She wasn’t sure how she knew which were safe to eat, or which were good for other concoctions. Lingering on why memories of her life were gone but others remained turned the dull thump in her head to a solid thudding. 

On the beach, she found Shadowheart alive, well, and relieved to see a familiar face. They took a few minutes to assess their surroundings and loot anything useful off the corpses that littered the beach. They already knew how large the nautiloid was, with pods lining most of the interior. To make the best of their daylight hours, the two split ways to search for other survivors. 

In a quick squabble with intellect devourers, Rose realized that she was quick with a blade. Something in her shifted when she needed to fight, as if she had a switch she could turn on and off. It was an instinct she would need to examine later, but she had a feeling it would involve whoever she was before today. A path led up a small hill, where she could see footprints leading away from the crash site. She followed the tracks to a white-haired elf, who eyed something in the bushes. He glanced back, catching her in his sights.

“Hurry, I’ve got one of those brain things cornered.” He spoke in a hushed tone, “you can kill it, can’t you? Like the others?”

“Easily.” Rose pulled the dagger from her belt as she approached the grass, scanning it for movement. A squealing creature sprinted out-- just a dumb boar. She sighed with relief until the flash of a dagger caught her eye. Quickly turning around, she found the elf now held a blade of his own, eyeing her carefully. Immediately she brought hers up, ready to attack.

“One more step and I’ll make you eat that knife,” she threatened. For a moment, the image of the dagger’s hilt sticking out from his mouth sent goosebumps to her flesh. How beautiful he would look, with his own blood dyeing that perfectly snow-white hair of his. Rose's grip tightened, trying to keep the thought at bay. 

“You can try, but first you’ll tell me what you know.” The elf’s response was the only thing that kept her present in the moment.

“I’ve got bad news for you,” she smirked, “I can hardly remember anything.”

“You’re lying. I saw you prancing around that ship. You’re in league with them, aren’t you? Those tentacled - argh!”

The both of them doubled over, hands clasping their heads. Rose’s mind twisted as more images faded into view-- different from the blood-lustful ones. These did not send goosebumps up her arms, nor did they feel like her own. Through someone else's eyes, she saw busy streets, a shadow prowling through the darkness. Busy taverns filled with the sound of a violin as pale fingers bowed the taught strings into perfect harmony. As she tried to hold onto the memory, the tadpole wriggled behind her eye. Then, there was a flash of light, fear, and then it was gone.

“What the hell was that?!” he hissed.

“Honestly, I have no idea.” she rubbed her eye with her free hand, “But it has something to do with the tadpoles they gave us.”

“Right. They took you too, I saw it just now when-- whatever that was.” slowly, he lowered his blade. Rose continued to watch him carefully, not fully trusting his movements. “And to think, I was ready to decorate the ground with your innards. Apologies.”

There was silence between them as she contemplated his tone. When she decided his light sarcasm was good enough, she also lowered her weapon.

“My name’s Astarion.” He introduced himself with a hand on his chest in a dramatic fashion. He made a display to properly sheathe the dagger now that the tension seemed to plateau, “I was in Baldur’s Gate when those beasts snatched me.”

“Rose,” she paused, “I think.”

“You think ?”

“I'm having some issues remembering things.” Rose clarified, as if that was a good enough explanation, “I've been wondering if it were the tadpoles. I don’t know much about them, but I met someone from that ship who does. Stick with me and you might be able to get some answers of your own.”

She didn’t wait for his response, instead she continued up the trail. If she followed the perimeter of the crash site, it would lead her towards Shadowheart's half of the search area. As far as priorities were concerned, gathering the people she already fought alongside with was much higher than seeking approval from a stranger whose first instinct was to draw a blade to her. It was the footsteps following behind that notified her of the new addition to her would-be group. His infatuation with the sound of his own voice certainly didn't hurt.

“You know, I was ready to go this alone, but maybe sticking with the herd isn’t a bad idea,” Astarion commented as he caught up with her pace, “Safety in numbers after all. Um, how many others did you say there were?”

"I didn't,” she smirked.

As he walked beside her, visions flooded her mind of his perfect pretty corpse. She wondered how beautifully the camp would look after she was done with him. Quickly, she blinked them away.

'Get a hold of yourself.'

Rose wasn't the only one who picked up a stray survivor. Shadowheart pulled a wizard from a magical portal: Gale of Waterdeep, he eagerly introduced himself as. The cleric also heard a commotion further North, which their growing party investigated. Turns out, Lae'zel was captured by a pair of tieflings, who were discussing what to do with her before they realized they had an audience. Rose convinced them to let her group handle the mad gith. In exchange, the tieflings gave her a map with a location circled on it-- some druids were providing sanctuary to other tiefling refugees, and they were invited to seek shelter if needed. Rose thanked them for the tip as they walked off. Once the tieflings were out of earshot, she turned to the caged Lae’zel with a wide smirk. She got a scowl in return.

"Well, someone knows how to find themselves in trouble," Rose teased.

"Chk. You're wasting time. Hurry up and cut me down!" Lae'zel snarled.

"Say please." Rose's smirk grew wider. Behind her, Astarion and Shadowheart stifled their laughs.

“Maybe you should leave her there,” Shadowheart chimed in, now hardly containing her chuckle, “serves her right for trying to abandon me in that pod.”

While no 'please' was offered, Rose decided the amusement of Lae'zel's un amused expression was enough payment to set her free. She knew the gith would make a good ally with her knowledge of their current predicament.

"You want to make jokes when these tadpoles are feasting away on our minds?!" Lae'zel growled as she dusted off stray debris from the now destroyed trap, "turning to ghaik is your business, but I'm going to find a creche and cure myself from this thing."

"Is that a sort of healer?" Rose asked, "can they help the rest of us?"

"It is a place where my people train and hone their skills to fight ghaik. Once we find it, they will rid all of us of the parasite. The horned ones spoke of a Zorru who encountered my kin. We must seek him out and see what else he knows."

After the kind of day they had, Rose was uncertain if a long trek through the woods was the right choice. Still, she rolled out her map on the ground to humor Lae'zel, and placed a pebble on their approximate location. Everyone crouched around the map, some focused on the parchment and others looking between the two women discussing the next course of action.

"Further North, perfect," Lae'zel began to rise to her feet, "let us go."

"Hold it," Rose held her hand up, signaling for Lae'zel to stop. She took a moment and checked their surroundings, making note of the lengthy shadows that clung to the trees. Their daylight hours were limited, and the sanctuary was not that close. "We'd have to travel partway through the night before we'd arrive. That's assuming nothing else interrupts our travel. Even if the druids let us into their grove, we'd have to spend much of tomorrow regaining our strength."

Lae'zel's face curled into another scowl, but didn't protest...yet. Rose looked to the other members of their group.

"How is everyone else feeling? Are we good on rations? Weapons? Any injuries that need time to heal?" She questioned.

"I'd rather not travel through the night if we can help it," Astarion answered, grimacing at the thought.

"I agree with our friend here," nodded Gale, "It wouldn't be wise to exhaust ourselves-- who knows what we need to be prepared for in the days to come."

"And there's also the fact that the three of us," Shadowheart added while gesturing to herself, Rose, and Lae'zel, "already had to fight through the ship once."

"Then fight again while searching for survivors..." Rose said quietly, more so thinking out loud. She nodded to herself, "It's settled." She circled an area on her map with a finger, "We'll spend the rest of today salvaging any supplies from the crash and surrounding areas." As she explained, she picked up a small leaf and placed it on another part of her map, "Shadowheart and I found doors to an abandoned temple, there should be another way inside. Let's find it and see what it has to offer. Worst case, it can offer decent shelter for the night."

Rose shifted her focus to each member of the party to gauge their reaction. More precisely, she watched Lae'zel, who listened with her full attention. The scowl lessened into something more akin to...respect? Neutrality?-- whatever it was, Rose took it as a good sign.

"At first light: we find this sanctuary, and go from there," she concluded, looking directly at Lae'zel. Though spoken like a statement, Rose's stare silently asked if this plan was agreeable.

The gith held her stare. When the silence started to close around the group with uncomfortable tension, she breathed out slowly and nodded.

"Agreed."

Next Chapter >>

[ideas-on-paper]

Legion - An anniversary of love

It's amazing how fast a single year can be over, and it’s almost incredible to think that on this very day one year ago, I had the honor of meeting Legion - my favorite character from Mass Effect, my fictional robot partner and soulmate - for the very first time.

After an eternity of longing and waiting over 80 hours to finally meet them in Mass Effect 2, I was beyond myself with happiness when I finally did.

Despite Legion having such a marginal playtime compared to other characters, I did everything I could to make the most out of it, and I can rightfully say that thanks to Legion, my first Mass Effect playthrough was one of the best experiences of my lifetime. It might have brought me a lot of pain as well (especially in Mass Effect 3), but still, I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

I’m sure many people out there would call me crazy for being “in a relationship” with a fictional character, but since this is our anniversary, I want to share a bit of our history - which actually goes back way longer than me meeting Legion in-game.

Just so you’re prepared, though: It’s going to be very gushy, quite lovey-dovey, and anything but normal. xD

The "welcoming party"

My first encounter with Legion was back when I was still doing my "screening" for Mass Effect. I am probably what you would call a very picky person when it comes to choosing my games, especially when I'm interested in larger titles that require a considerable investment of time and money. Usually, I spend a lot of time watching footage to see if the game is the right one for me. As such, it happened that I came across some clips of Legion - and I was immediately absolutely enamored by them.

I usually call it "resonance" when I'm particularly attracted to a certain character (basically, it’s my way of saying I identify with them). It might be because I'm very sensitive to hearing, and it's also the primary sense that my emotional experiences are connected to. Anyway, when I heard Legion talking for the first time, it was like listening to a heavenly choir. From just the few lines that I heard back then, I immediately felt drawn to them - and thus, Legion became the main reason for my ultimate decision to buy the trilogy. xD

However, when I bought ME, I couldn't really find the time or right state of mind to actually play it. When I started with Mass Effect, I wanted to be able to properly appreciate it, so I put it on the back burner for the time being.

That didn't curb my yearning for Legion in any way, though. In the meantime, I had been looking if there was any merchandise for them, and I quickly came to realize that the few pieces of merch there were for Legion were pretty much all exclusive rarities. There was this beautiful figure by Threezero, but that one had been sold out for a long time, and the only way to get one was on eBay, usually costing an arm and a leg - all the more if you have to deal with astronomical sums from custom dues.

I didn't give up, however, and just before Christmas, I finally found one in Europe - which, honestly, was the best gift I could wish for. It still cost me a shitton of money, but I didn't care - if this was the only thing I would be able to afford until my birthday, I would be totally fine with it.

Legion didn't arrive at my place at Christmas, though, but about two weeks later, on January 6th - you know, the date of Epiphany when the true gifts arrive.

I was completely over the moon when I finally was able to hold Legion in my hands. This may sound weird, but I always wanted to know what Legion's "synthetic tissue" feels like (the texture looks very fascinating to me), and knowing that this was probably the closest I'd ever get to it, I considered myself absolutely blessed. In general, I can attest that the Threezero figure is very well made - they put a lot of effort into the details, and the fact that you can insert a battery to make Legion's head light up is the icing on the cake. (You can technically exchange the hands and move the limbs, too, though I never dared to do that; since it's old, the soft material already has cracks in a few places, so I was too afraid to damage it.)

I also introduced Legion to the rest of my family - granted, I got some surprised and slightly baffled reactions, but they were all happy for me. My mom probably took it the best - she was a huge Star Wars fan back when she was a teen, with a particular love for C-3PO, so she could relate to my joy quite well. xD

The only residents of my house that seemed less than enthused about Legion's arrival were, ironically enough, my electronic devices. My old radio-controlled alarm clock went nuts when I brought Legion into my room. It had a habit of doing that whenever the batteries were low; it's just funny it happened at this moment. (I ended up ascribing it to disturbances from Legion's comm antenna. xD)

Also, to top things off, just after I had put Legion on my desk, one of the light bulbs of my ceiling lamp broke. It wasn't just any bulb, I might add - it was the one directly facing in the direction of Legion. (You might say that this lamp saw the competition it was up against, got super jealous, and finally decided to quit its job. xD)

Anyway, to celebrate the occasion, I decided to do a little "housewarming party" for Legion. I still had some sparkling wine left over from New Year's Eve, so I thought "Why the hell not?" and raised a toast to Legion.

*The light of the figure's optic isn't normally tinted this blue. It's actually a side effect of the light emitted by the TV (you can see a bit of that on the bottle). However, I thought it was amazing because it looks so fitting. xD

Back when I shared this picture on Twitter in 2022, I wrote a brief comment along the lines of "Shame that they can't enjoy it. Though they would probably just say something like "We do not understand why mutual intoxication is considered a ritual of greeting among organics."" (As may be able to tell, the line in Omega about alcohol was one of the first I saw. It’s still one of my favorites. xD)

It's funny because I'm normally what you'd consider the opposite of an alcoholic - I only drink very rarely for festive occasions, and when I do, I usually choose the least strong drink. So, it's a little ironic I felt a desire to do it for the one character who probably neither would've expected nor demanded it from me. Still, Legion is special to me, and I wanted to express this in some way - all things considered, it was probably a more lavish greeting than anything they ever could've projected. xD

The meeting

I would take over one year, however, until I finally met Legion in-game. When the day came, I was screaming with joy when I saw their introduction cutscene. I hate the Derelict Reaper mission with a passion, but the thought that I would finally be able to meet the character I had longed to see for so long spurred me onwards. And once I was back on the Normandy, Legion safely retrieved, I took my figure of them into my arms, a tear streaming down my face, and kissed them on the head - at last, we would be united.

Since the fuss I was making was pretty impossible to miss, I told my family members in the next room what was up, and a few of them curiously came over after I had woken Legion in the AI core. All of them reacted very warm-heartedly to seeing Legion "in person", and I could tell they were immensely happy for me. (Meanwhile, Legion was probably wondering what they did to earn such a warm welcome from organics. xD)

In fact, I was so excited that I almost fainted the next night. To put it matter-of-factly, my body had lost a lot of fluid the day before, and my body obviously didn't take it too well. xD (I think Legion would've been quite alarmed and concerned that I almost had what they would call a "total system failure" due to their presence, and I would have to spend an extra half-an hour explaining "It's fine - I was just really happy." ^^)

From then on, whenever I was playing the game, I would always have Legion's figure standing next to me. It's usually standing to my right, on my desk, but whenever I played ME2, I would take them out of their packaging (which I kept to protect them from dust) and place them so they would be able to watch. My thought was that it would be really sweet if Legion was able to watch their own playtime, and since their mere presence meant that they had a permanent free pass for one of the spots in my squad, that pretty much comprised the entire rest of the game. (It led to a funny “conflict” between Legion and my desk lamp, though; I don't have that much space on my desk, so I always had to move my lamp out of the way to make room for Legion. We eventually came to an arrangement, though. ^^)

With Legion being so close to me, I came to notice that the figure itself has a peculiar scent. At first, I thought it was plasticizer, but it wasn't quite like that, and not nearly as unpleasant - rather, it's kind of reminiscent of the smell of a pencil when you write on paper. (I quite like the smell of pencil writing, so perhaps that's why it triggered such a positive reaction in me.) I noticed the smell seems to come from the hard parts, possibly from the paint. I don't know if the black paint of Legion's plating would smell anything like this in real life, but if it did, I wouldn't be displeased about it. :-)

Despite ME2 having probably the most boring side missions of the saga (if Legion was in ME1, it would easily be one of my favorite games of all time), I cherished every second I had with them - to me, just being at their side was pure bliss. Still, although I did my best to extend the time you have with Legion as much as I could without mods, I ultimately had to say goodbye to them - nevertheless, I decided I wouldn't leave them without a proper farewell party. So, I got myself a bottle of wine, went to every hub world in ME2 where you can buy yourself some booze, and took a shot in each bar I went to with Shepard, with my mom as a special guest. It was honestly one of the most fun gaming experiences I've ever had, and the little misadventure I had in Omega even inspired me to write a fanfic about it.

After my little dance night with Legion (because as far as I was concerned, that's what it was), the time to say farewell had finally come - but not without one last dance. :-)

The "marriage"

The only thing that was missing, really, was that Legion couldn't come to my cabin. If you romance any of the other squadmates in ME2, you can invite them to your cabin after the Suicide Mission. However, since Legion isn't romanceable, that's impossible to do with them. Though, in all honesty, I wouldn't have a single problem moving my cabin to the AI core. (I always liked the ambience of that room, and if I could, I totally would’ve laid down on the bench behind Legion to sleep. Can you imagine Legion standing guard over me, shushing anyone who potentially enters the room so as not to disturb my "rest cycle"? xD)

Besides, what is "romance" to a Geth, anyway? I doubt the conventional human definition of romance would mean anything to them, much less sexual interaction. Anything they'd do in such a relationship, they would be doing purely to satisfy my own organic desires, and such a one-sided relationship is not something I personally want.

To be honest, I didn't even want anything from Legion on a sexual or romantic level - if that was the case, I would have chosen an organic as my partner. Nevertheless, what I felt for Legion was still the most intense thing I've ever felt in my entire life. (A huge part of the credit for my realization that I'm acespec also goes to Legion.) My love for Legion is more on a spiritual than on a bodily level (though I do find their shell very aesthetic), and though I frequently said that I wanted to "marry" Legion, what I had in mind with "marriage" was more akin to what Motoko and the Puppet Master do in Ghost in the Shell - that is, a fusion of spirits. (The Ghost in the Shell main theme is actually a Bulgarian wedding song, which was chosen by the makers of the movie because it's meant to get rid of all evil influences and ensure luck for what's to come - essentially, it was meant to bless the unification of Motoko and the Puppet Master. For some reason, I thought that sounded very alluring.)

The best thing about this is that Legion would probably not only be able to understand what I mean by that, but also be very amenable to the concept. As a Gestalt intellect, the interlinking of programs and exchange of information is a core part of their existence, and I think they would be charmed - if a Geth can be charmed in any way - that I wish to "join their Consensus".

However, even with the parameters of our relationship figured out, that still didn't change the fact that I couldn't enter one with them in-game. So, I had to get a little creative - I thought to myself "If the exchange of runtimes/technology is comparable to "marriage" in Geth terms, would it count if I was using the same equipment and skills as Legion?" So, I got myself the Geth Shield Boost in ME2 (which was a godsend for me on a gameplay level as well, since I had been missing my shield boost from ME1), and since I was playing a soldier, I chose the M-98 Widow rifle as an upgrade on the Collector ship.

Thus, I had pieces of Legion, and Legion had a piece of me - if you want to consider the N7 armor as such (I actually interpret Legion picking up the armor as a "proposal/expression of desire for convergence", to put it simply). Since it was an identical piece that we both owned, I used to call the Widow our “wedding ring" (if you wanted, you could say that name carries a cruel irony given what happens in ME3). So, by Geth standards and as far as I was concerned, we were married - the game engine simply failed to recognize it.

Another thing you get in ME if you romance someone is a photo of them in your cabin. Once again, due to our union not being officially recognized, this is something I was lacking. However, just after finishing ME2, I got the spontaneous idea to check eBay for Legion merch again, and as it happens, I managed to get a hold of one of the limited canvas prints BioWare released in 2021. It’s a spectacular piece of art, and I can confirm it looks absolutely stunning in real life as well - Legion's headlight literally seems to "glow" when light falls onto the picture.

Pictures of the canvas print back when I received it in 2023.

So, while Shepard may get a picture of their love interest in their cabin, I got a picture of Legion in my actual cabin - in max size format. ;-)

The "holy trinity"

The portrait was also what completed my “holy trinity of Legion artifacts”. I’ve got three images of Legion in my room: the portrait, the figure, and the figure’s box (the art on the box looks so pretty that I just had to keep it in my room; besides, it belongs to Legion’s figure, so I would never discard it).

All of them are placed in a way that no matter where I am in my room, I can always look at them: The portrait hangs on the wall right opposite of my bed, so Legion is the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning. Whenever I’m sitting on my bed and look slightly to the right, I’m greeted with the sight of Legion’s box. When sitting at my desk, I just have to take a glance to the right to admire their figure.

What makes this even better is that my Legion items are actually arranged in a way that forms a triangle (quite fitting since the symbol of the Geth Consensus - or at least the Geth Armory - is also a triangle). Technically, this is more a coincidence than anything else, since I just put them wherever there was space in my room. xD However, I like to view it in the same way as Legion perfectly blending in with the dark blue and black shades of my room (my comfort colors): It was meant to be.

And that’s how I met Legion - granted, my relationship with them has many more facets, but if I was supposed to write down all of that, I could fill an entire book.

With fictosexuality being recognized as a thing, people have become somewhat more open to the idea that you can legitimately fall in love with a fictional character. Nevertheless, I'm perfectly aware that many people probably consider my relationship with Legion impossible on multiple levels.

"You can't love a fictional character - that's not real love."

"You can't love a robot - it can't reciprocate your love."

"You can't romance Legion in Mass Effect 2 - that's not possible."

However, I somehow found a way to overcome all of these various tiers of impossible, and the result was an experience that was so sweet, so intimate, and so special that it’s beyond any description.

I will openly admit there are some things that are, and will most likely forever remain, practically and realistically impossible - like, I’m not going to stand here and claim that I would ever be able to physically meet Legion, in our reality. However, with just enough creativity and imagination, many things can be made possible - and even if Legion is not real, my feelings for them are.

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

speed reading or skipping paragraphs is a thing both me and my mom

(amazing person) (had me so late i only knew her as cool old lady) (the only reason me and my half siblings and technically not related at all but fuck that siblings got to grow up as family bc she fought tooth and nail with her exes for it) (and by fought i mean gritted her teeth and was polite to the vindictive assholes bc her exs had money and legal status and connections and an education that translated properly so they could have white color jobs while she was being a single mom below the poverty line working part time jobs still somehow making her kids feel like they lived in a magical wonderland and she was the dragon who'd eat anyone that tried hurting us)

had in common

(she died almost a year ago the first anniversary is coming up this is fine)

she grew up also poor af in her home country but her parents sent her to a RICH GIRLS PRIVATE SCHOOL bc her grades were good and this nuclear scientist Doctor Doctor -insert name here- who couldn't do the most simple everyday things (her husband was the same) and was in actual awe of my grandma (who cleaned for them) 's ability to figure out how to hang a picture straight or fix the plumbing

(grandma led her catatonic older sister across an active war zone as a teen and also told stories to my mom about mice who came out at night to read scraps of newspaper she left on the floor for them, she was legally blind and still walking a mile to the local store when i knew her, didn't care a fuck that i didn't know her language and i actually learned several family stories from her somehow)

the Doctor Doctor was convinced my mom would be stifled in a normal school, hence the Everybody Else Here Own A Pony And A Summer House Meanwhile We're Living On The Shack By The House My Dad Is Building For Someone Else situation with mom in rich girls school because of her scores

But

the thing is, my mom was kinda shit at school

(she almost failed one class bc the professor got pissed she wouldn't treat him like a god as a good student should so she refused to do anything in his class except fight with him and he DID fail her, but the other teachers and principle had her do a test and whoops turns out she'd learned his class better on her own than most of his students hehheheh fifty years later she was still gloating about it)

and this has to do with speed reading and skipping because, in one class, you were supposed to take turns reading out of a book and then later pick a topic to write a paper on

well my mom's turn would come, and bc she was like me, she wouldn't actually read the words. She'd see the shape of the sentence, scan the first letter of every line down the page, add that to the topic at hand, and kinda just FEEEL what the section was about

you'd think someone would notice she wasn't reading it right but she was So Confident and Casual about it i guess everyone just went "well i must be reading it wrong her version sounds right"

this worked for her!

until the paper came due, and she was asked to read hers in front of the class

well she hadn't written anything, turns out.

So my mom (who outside of school drifted between wearing boys clothes to scare off her friends exes or leather mini skirts with fishnet stockings and no undies depending on her mood) she picked up a BLANK piece of paper, stood up, and read out the Best, Most Well Thought Out And Insightful Paper her professor had heard all day

good, right? easy peasy pass grade. cheato completo

unfortunately the professor liked it Too much

and they asked. for a copy

So my poor mom had to admit that not only was her brilliant little paper an imaginary thing that didn't exist, she ALSO had to cop to all the OTHER times she hadn't been reading from the book, just to prove to her teacher that her paper WAS fake

(my mom had a real strong if weird sense of integrity. she'd bend the rules into a pretzel, but she hated the idea of being thought of as a Liar, when it was just for personal selfish reasons)

(lying to help someone else was another thing zero fucking hesitation there only gleeful dramatics)

now im not anywhere near my mom in coolness levels, but i also have the thing of skipping around when reading and going by shape and recreating what it might say based on other clues instead of just, seeing each word individually

a lot of the times it works!

it's also why I Can't Get A Driver's License

Reading Manuals Doesn't Work For Me And There's No School Or Instructor Place In Reach So My Can't Drive I'm Gay Credential Is Permanent! It's enforced! I've been assigned pedestrian by whatever the hell seemingly inheritable trait it is that made me and my mom find books in the library via size, color, geographic location and anything OTHER than the gods-damned TITLE!!

(thnx mom) (had to hold the instructions for instant mac and cheese physically in front of my face the entire time it cooked) (you'd have laughed) (i laughed instead tho don't worry) (miss you <3)

[strawberriesnsage]

pairing : jake x gn!reader

tags : fluff

warnings : none!

lately, jake has been busy with work, so you haven't been having a lot of time together. one day, he decides to do something to make up for it.

you let out a soft sigh as you approach the door to your apartment, fishing your phone out of your pocket to scroll through your notifications quickly.

today had been yet another day you hadn't gotten to talk to your boyfriend very much. recently, the two of you had only managed to talk through sporadic texts throughout the day when either of you could get a spare moment on your phone.

as you reach up to insert the code for your door, you can't help but think about how easy it used to be to work around his schedule. as much as you loved listening to enhypen's new music as soon as it came out, you occasionally dreaded the start of a new comeback since it meant jake was that much busier for a while.

you quickly shake the thought from your mind as you enter your dark apartment, instead thinking about how you'll ask jake later if the two of you can call before you to go to sleep.

after sliding off your shoes at the door, you make your way through your apartment towards the kitchen, letting out a soft yawn as you search around for a quick, easy meal, not in the mood to properly cook something.

"not even a hello?" you hear come from behind you, and you freeze. you know that voice.

you whip around quickly, a huge smile taking over your face. as your eyes land on his figure, all the thoughts from just outside your door rush out of your mind and happiness takes you over. "jake?" you question, though you know the answer.

he smiles brightly at you, and you rush over to him, wrapping your arms around his torso tightly. "what are you doing here? don't you have things to do for your comeback?"

he cups your cheeks happily before responding. "yeah, i just skipped~" he sees your face immediately contort in worry, and he laughs before exposing his joke. "i'm kidding! the staff said we've been working hard lately and deserve a break. and we haven't gotten to see each other, so of course i came to see you."

you smile at him again, mostly glad you wouldn't have to scold him for ditching practice for you again like he occasionally would mid-comeback. "you should've told me, we could have gone out on a date."

"we will. it'll just be here." he leans forward to press a kiss on your forehead. "i thought here might be better than the dorm."

you nod in agreement, standing close to him for a moment longer. you then step away to go back to the kitchen, looking around for things to make a meal, suddenly energized by having your beautiful boyfriend standing there. "what do you want to eat?"

"whatever you want to make."

and though the line was slightly annoying and not the least helpful, you couldn't be mad at him. and throughout the rest of the night, even things he did to try to annoy you only ended with you smiling sweetly at him and placing a soft kiss on his lips. because even through the meal you had together, the movie marathon you only half payed attention to, and the cuddles that would last the whole night, finally spending time with him made up for everything.

[gbgamebun]

Road to Cream 64 v1 Part 5: The Many Noises of Cream T. Rabbit

Man this has been a crazy month but finally found free time to get back to this project. Sure, changing models and stuff does add to it but really the sweet spot to a lot of people are the sounds that compliment it.

The benefits of the decomp is that all the sounds are easily accessible as .aiff files. With binary hacks, at least the method I'm familiar with, you have to use a tool called N64SoundTool to insert new sounds. And even then, you have to set your audio a certain way so it doesn't mess up the other audio tracks in-game.

Anyway, Mario's sounds are actually in two folders: one dedicated just for him and another that's shared with Peach's. We're just looking at the solo one here. In older builds of the decomp, their sounds were never labeled like shown in the first pic. Can make figuring out how to edit them trickier down the line.

Later builds, or refreshes, do have this issued addressed, as shown with the second pic, but you know what I mean. Still, you play enough SM64 and you just know instantly where each sound goes.

Along with Mario and Peach's, there was also changing Bowser's. So overall I needed a bunch of Cream and Eggman clips and to get someone to record brand new clips for Vanilla.

For Cream, it was a matter of figuring out which game had the most I can use. Not like I had a lot of options so Heroes it was. Turns out I would eventually remember that Free Riders exists and actually has a decent amount but I had to go with the former for reasons. So slowly but surely, I'm combing through the voice lines trying to find what I can and can't use. By the end of it all I'm left with half the clips filled. So then, what to do for the rest.

So the clips I'm obviously missing are the ones that sound the closest to Mario, so stuff like WAHOO or HOO or WAH. Ya know, the bing bing wahoos. For a lot of stuff I've done at the time, I've usually just asked my closest friends and god bless them for helping me. In this case, @magicalpoptarts was the one who helped me get these last few Cream voice clips. Sure, it destroyed her throat but damn she did a good job that even to this day, people think those are official clips.

Generally speaking, I personally have grown to enjoy the newer Cream voice used in the games, as sparce as those have been lately. But given how Michelle Ruff does the voices, my friend here can't exactly get that close to a pitch to replicate it. Not really a problem in the long run since what we have works just as fine.

For Eggman, I had a bit of an easier time. For the specific clips I wanted, I just stuck to Sonic Unleashed. Bowser only has a handful of clips to really replace and for him I couldn't just swap them in since they're pitch shifted from the same clip as the boo. Just a bit more work but he was done in no time.

Eventually I would figure out I can avoid the second part all together thanks to editing some code in the sound_player in the decomp, but for now, I'm at the mercy at whatever the game's presets are.

Vanilla's a special case. She would be one of the first things the player hears and one of the last things. Course, there's only one official voice and that was from Sonic X. And for that, 4kids decided to give her kind of an old lady voice and I'm like naaaaaaaah. Thankfully, poptarts told me about her friend, NicoStephN, and she gave me a pretty good, and what I consider appropriate, Nilly voice.

She also had a bit of extra work since I was rewriting Peach's dialog to suit the little story I put together for this hack. The way the dialog goes by in the ending made sure I had to keep what she said almost the same length as Peach's original text, so that it didn't overlap one another. Still, she did a great job and I couldn't be happier with the final result.

Did take a little while to get all the custom voice lines, which lead to something else in the wait, but I'm really happy with everyone's performance here. Few years later and I know other people who can do the lines, but it would just feel weird now to swap them out.

For the sake of keeping things organized, I've gone ahead and move the soundtrack talk to its own part. Cause man, there's a lot of video I need to embed.

[beladusnotsosecertdiary]

Hello !!! I wanted to say that i loved what you did with Saint Seiya ! This anime is so underrated ! KEEP GOING ! ❤ i was wondering , is it possible to make a request ? Female reader . How Albafica , Shion , El Cid and Asmita react when their daughter [ reader ] died in front of them ?

Even stars can die

Fandom: Saint Seiya Lost Canvas

Characters: Albafica, Shion, El Cid, Asmita

Type: Scenario

Theme: 🟦

Reader Insert: Female

Blog Rules - Please read before making a request

SS Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Synopsis: If there one lesson that is constantly taught to people like the saints is that death doesn't discriminate. It takes what it wants without warning. But why did it have to be you? Why did it have to take his little star away from him?

Albafica

While like your father you have immunity to the poisonous roses of Pisces. However, that doesn't mean you are immune to aliments. Thus, brings you to your current situation.

Serval days ago, you came down with a fever. At first it seemed like the usual yearly fever that happens. But then it got worse. You have been bedridden ever since.

Your father had called for a doctor who told him that there was nothing that could be done. Even Pefko and the herbalists who live on the Island of Healing couldn't do anything for you.

"It's okay dad." You say your voice almost gone. "I'll be okay."

"Of course, you will be." He says.

"I don't want to leave." You say suddenly. "B-But I don't think the gods will let me. I'm sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry for my little star." He tells you quickly trying to keep his composer.

"Do you think I'll see grandfather Rugonis?" You ask.

Just like that the Pisces Saint has been broke into tiny pieces that won't be put back together anytime soon. He is so stunned that he can't answer you. But that's okay. You don't mind.

"I hope I do. From what you said, he sounded like a nice person."

"He was." Albafica finally speaks. "He'll love you. ... But I'm selfish and want to keep you all to myself."

"Hold me? Like you used to?"

"O-Of course." Now the tears are finally falling.

Carefully he takes you into his arms. You rest his head on his chest feeling warm and safe as his arms encase you. There is no way of telling how long you two sit like this. But you know it has been a while as you feel very tired suddenly.

"I love you." You say with a smile as tears slide down your cheeks.

"I love you too my little star." He says feeling your cosmo extinguish.

Manigoldo who had been outside the room feels it too. All the gold saints who you viewed as your uncles sense it as well. Manigoldo bites back his tears listening to the cries of agony from your father. There is nothing he or the others can do or say that would comfort Albafica now or later.

Shion

With his line of work, he knows that this was bound to happen. He just believed that you would be a little older when it did. Even so that wouldn't make it any less tragic.

"Please little star hold on." Shion says holding you in his arms as he runs through the forest.

You had gotten attacked by a specter who must have been watching him for a long time to figure out who you were. After all you had been one of his best kept secrets. Not even Dohko his best friend or his Master knew about you. All with the intention of keeping you safe.

But that specter found out. Even had the guts to strike you right in front of him. Now he runs with you in his arms, heading for the nearest village so that you can be saved.

"F-Father..." You speak softly, "put me down. Please put me down."

"I can't! You'll!"

"Please father. It hurts."

He stops running. He carefully lowers you to the ground holding your hand in his. He is trying not to cry but you can see his eyes watering. You give him a sad smile.

"I'm sorry. I don't want to leave you. B-But I am happy. Happy to have been your daughter."

"[Y/n]..." Shion trembles.

"If there is a next life, I want to be your daughter again. I love you, fa..." Your eyes close and your body goes limp.

"[Y/n]? [Y/N]!!!" He screams as cries of agony rip from his throat.

El Cid

It was DeJa'Vu for him honestly. You had always been sick born with an uncurable illness. Just like Mine was. But unlike hers, yours had a treatment. Even with the treatment however, your lifespan was still going to be short.

And now after thirteen years, the gods have deemed it your time to go. El Cid had told the servants to attended to the Capricon Hose that he did not want to eb disturbed. Rusk, Lacaille, and Tsubaki are the only others in the room with me and you.

Rusk, Lacaille, and Tsubaki had become your brothers. They loved you just like your father did. And thus, your father wasn't the only one losing you. The three stand a few feet behind your father giving him space as they hold back your tears.

"Please don't be sad. You'll me sad too." You tell him.

"I am afraid that I can't help it." He says his voice trembling.

You give your father a smile and go, "Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, Lavender's green,"

His heart stops at the familiar lyrics. That is the lullaby of which he would sing you to sleep with.

"W-When I am king, you shall be queen." He continues.

You both sing the lullaby with Rusk, Lacaille, and Tsubaki listening silently. When the song ends your breath your last and your eyes close with a content smile on your face. The four feel your cosmo fade away.

"Sleep well my little star." El Cid whispers.

A/N: I know you requested Asmita was well, but he is a very difficult character for me to write. Also, I am not all that familiar with his character. So, I apologize. But I hope you enjoyed the other three. Thank you for the request.

[gregorygerwitz]

Meta about mouse.exe crashing pls

good evening, nonny! I have no idea how articulate and coherent this will be because I've been awake for like 17 hours and I'm tired, but! I'm gonna try!

because I've been thinking a lot about my sad backstory for Mouse the last few days/weeks, mostly about his mommy issues? and, in particular this week, his relationship with Platt, re:those mommy issues. and, in all of those thoughts, I end up coming back to 2x16 quite a bit.

I think I've sent this gif to friends with the caption "tell me you have mommy issues without telling me you have mommy issues" at least a dozen times

there's something about him reaching out and then pulling back so fast after breaking eye contact that just gets me every time

but, essentially, I think more importantly than seeing the Intelligence Unit as family and his home, later on, Mouse really ended up seeing Platt as a motherly figure, over the course of the show, and that plays off my backstory for him in awful painful fun ways

this scene in particular, their first scene together, this interaction where Mouse is interviewing to basically be part of the 21st District Family™ is so fun to dissect and look at and yell about in the full context of Mouse's various traumas and where he needs to emotionally heal

he's openly anxious, he's fidgeting, he reaches over and straightens the stapler so it lines up with the tape dispenser (insert "controlling what I can when things feel out of control" joke here) , he freezes up and trails off when he's asked about his time in the army, and he's so, so scared that he's not going to get hired for the job - but that's kind of whatever, in the grand scheme of things? he knew, going in, that Jay couldn't guarantee the job for him, that he would have to prove he's capable and competent, he'd have to win approval from Jay's bosses to get the position.

(in order to get Voight's okay, Mouse hacks into his phone - kind of funnily, that mirrors my headcanon that he hacked into the DoD to prove a point to his dad. that fatherly figure is right there, easy to please or at least appease with that skill, and that's the easy step, because dad's are eh but they're easier for him to navigate)

when it comes to appealing to Platt, he's completely at a loss. he's nervous because this is someone around his mother's age, that kind of figure that he doesn't actually know how to please or get genuine approval from (I had a whole crisis at work yesterday over the idea of Mouse coming to the sudden realization that his mother's love was never really given to him, just the version of himself he put forward to gain parental approval and praise, so that was fun)

and then she says something that completely catches him off guard

-- "Mouse. We're good."

and that's why he crashes. that's why he's so stunned. a maternal figure? giving him approval and welcoming him into a (future) family environment for the first time in *checks math* four years? fake. there's a glitch in the simulation somewhere. this can't possibly be happening. he freezes up here to process that because he can't.

and then it hits him, and you can see the moment of relief and realization, that he's welcome here, that everyone is welcoming him into this dynamic and this environment, even if it's going to be slow going at first, and it just.

it makes me feel things

[yeong]

WAKE UP, JAKE!

Warnings: Jake's secret, For convenience, MC is referred to as he, crossroads of choice, Mentally mild hurt

Pairing: MC(m!MC) x Jake

MC's name: Luke

Genre: Gen(a little kiss scene)

Summary: Even if Jake falls asleep, he wakes up to a small sound. Jake had a dream, MC appeared in his room. Two monitors were turned on.

A life of escape from the world completely changed a person. Eliminate anything that might leave a trace. Hair, clothes, receipts, fingerprints. I had to erase myself and move on. I couldn't eat or sleep at first. I couldn't even turn on the phone for fear of seeing a dim light. Not now.

When I entered the room, I used to cover the window, installed devices, turned on the TV news, and overheard the communication line with my earphones. What used to take half a day was completed in 30 minutes. And then I was able to sit on the bed leaning against the wall. I could buy some food the supermarket later. I desperately needed a break. I closed my eyes slowly.

"Hello, Jake." It was Luke's voice. He was sitting on the couch. His face, which I had seen through the screen, came alive in front of me.

'It's a dream. He and I are under the same sky, but we cannot meet. I know it well.' I closed my eyes tightly and opened them again. Luke was still there. "I've never had a dream before, so why now?" Dreams are a reflection of my subconscious. "Why are you here now, Luke?" I went near him and met his eyes. If I had actually met him, I wouldn't have been able to do.

He has warm brown eyes. The cheekbones are slightly inserted and the nose is thin. Slightly thick lips drew arcs. "How do you feel when you see my face?" "You... look just like you." "What's that!" Luke burst out laughing. "Well, yes. I wanted to see you. It would have been better if I could actually see you." I quietly listened to him.

"I'm in Duskwood" Luke glanced at me. "Who said not to go?" "I'm sorry. But I thought I had to go." Luke sighed, "Yeah, Lilly's still in Duskwood." and held my hands. "So I came to your dream."

The TV and laptop turned on at the same time. "You have to make a choice." "Luke?" "I want you to decide for you." The screen started showing something.

The news still aired the disappearance of Hannah and the murder of Amy Belle Lewis. Everyone said that the culprit of the case 10 years ago had reappeared. "Hannah hit Jennifer with her car and but it was decided that the culprit wasn't from Duskwood. Whether Hannah is dead or alive, the truth will be revealed. Our friends will agree on this too." I took a hard breath, "We can't go back to the way we were. They'll be scattered, Lilly's going to have a hard time. Nevertheless we have to do it."

"But I'm gonna change this flow here." Luke let go of my hands.

The laptop showed me the mail. 'The mail Hannah sent to me. If I had noticed earlier then, Hannah could have been saved.' Luke looked at me and said. "To prevent the incident. If you tell Lilly, the sweet and brave Lilly will protect her sister. Maybe Hannah will tell the secret she's been hiding. No one dies. Their love and friendship will grow stronger. And you will disappear again as if nothing happened." I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. "It's okay. That's the most ideal."

"Jake... Then 'I' would not exist." Luke's figure faded. "Now, let's make a decision."

"What? This is a dream," I had a bad feeling about this. "We can't really meet. I fell asleep, and you're in another country. It's just, it's just my bullshit,"

"Jake!" Luke shook my shoulders hard. "Dream? Yeah, dream. If you were given a chance to make this choice, what would you choose? Either let everyone know the truth or save Hannah. You can protect your sisters, your family. It's time to wake up from the dream, Jake."

I was out of breath. I didn't realize I was breathing, but it was so hard to breathe. I bit my lips. I felt blood running down my chin. "Remember this." Luke kissed my lips and licked the blood. "I wish your happiness no matter what choice you make." He breathed a warm breath, "Don't think about 'me' or 'Hannah' or anything else. Just for you."

I could feel Luke comforting me but I couldn't calm myself down. Raising my trembling arm, I could barely point to the screen.

"Jake, my hackerman, my hero, my love." Luke gently stroked my cheek. Tears welled up in his eyes, but they didn't flow. "May your world be,"

I woke up.

[dadsbongos]

shallow

Insert Coin - Chapter 2.b / Series Masterlist

His hair is sprawled out below him and his lips are pulled into a fragile smile when she enters, the smile only widens once he notices her, “(Y/n), what a pleasant surprise!”

Taking in the boy’s predicament, she fully studied how Nagito was tied up - chains tightly binding his arms and legs and attaching him to a heating pole in the back of the room.

“And you’ve brought food - you really are the best, just as expected from an Ultimate,” he noted as (Y/n) sat beside him, “My sincerest apologies for burdening you with this task, if you wish, you could let me starve.”

“No, you need food, Nagito,” the peacekeeper refuted, setting down the plate and bringing a hand to the boy’s face, lifting his head and resting it upon her lap so he wouldn’t choke when he tried to swallow, “Besides, I volunteered to be here.”

“How lucky for me,” Nagito grinned, eyes closed and tone light, as if he didn’t know why he was tied up in the first place, “I get to be with the Ultimate Peacekeeper. I’m not sure how trash like me could ever be of assistance in that, but I’ll do anything I can.”

“Just eat, for now,” she mumbled, gathering some eggs on toast and folding it in half before holding the bread to Nagito’s lips, “I’m sorry for how awkward this is, but please bear with me. You get that I can’t undo your restraints at the moment, right?”

“Of course, anything you Ultimates need, I’m of service,” he didn’t resist any bites and was oddly cooperative for a man held down against his will. Even doing his best to keep his lips from accidentally brushing (Y/n)’s hand as they reached their final bits of food.

It was once they were down to his bottle of milk that Nagito spoke up again,

“I just hope you don’t catch anything from having to feed me.”

(Y/n)’s brows shot up as she opened the bottle, “Do you have any bugs or diseases?”

Suddenly, the expression on Nagito’s face soured, brows furrowing and lips tugging down into a soft frown before he shook it off, “Nothing contagious.”

“Then we’re good, yeah?” she waited for his nod of agreement before carefully, carefully, carefully lifting the lip of the bottle to his mouth, “Keep your head still, okay? I’ll go slowly.”

He nodded, but the easy-going, calmed look was gone once again. Instead, he seemed as though he were a caged animal. A kenneled dog, sad eyes and pouting lips. Even as he drank, he looked so dismal. And after he was done, the look didn’t wash away.

“I’m sorry we acted so quickly, really I am, but in the panic there must’ve been the feeling this is all that could be done,” (Y/n) ran her fingers through Nagito’s hair, hoping to relax the poor boy, “Do you want to move?”

“No,” he sighed, “besides, I understand. If everyone desires to feel safe, who am I to get in their way? I’m barely even worthy of being their stepping stone let alone part of their discussions.”

“Of course, you’re worthy, you’re a breathing, thinking, living human being - you always have a say in what happens to you.”

Despite her words, she still couldn't forget. He was the reason Byakuya was dead. He was the reason Teruteru would never escape.

(Y/n) looked down at the boy, who’d shifted to lay on his side with his head still in her lap, “I’ll be around a lot, so I hope you don’t mind my presence.”

“I never could,” Nagito weakly responded, eyes locked on the wall across from them, “You shouldn’t have to stay with me. You can leave now and I’ll tell the others you were here.”

“No,” she wanted him to know how badly what he’d done hurt her - hurt all of them, but she was sure there was something behind it. Nagito didn’t wake up that day and decide he’d be the reason two people died, there has to be something else, “I want to stay here. With you.”

“You’re too sweet, much too sweet. I don’t deserve this.”

“You deserve at least the minimum, and I’m sorry that’s all I can provide right now.”

There was a knock at the door, Hajime peeking in a few seconds later, his eyes immediately landed on the position between Nagito and (Y/n). He rose a brow in question but didn’t bother vocalizing it, instead, he entered further, “Can I speak with you,” other than a fleeting glance, he didn’t bother acknowledging Nagito, “alone?”

(Y/n) nodded, gently maneuvering Nagito off her thighs and back onto the ground, she gave the boy a smile, “I’ll be back, okay?” at his nod, she left to the hall with Hajime.

“You okay? He hasn’t… tried anything, has he?” Hajime whispered the last part. Worry etched into each of the lines drawn within his face.

(Y/n) shook her head, placing her hands on each of the boy’s shoulders and enforcing eye contact between them, “I’m fine, Hajime, I can handle things.”

“If you’re sure,” he relented before going back to his original thought - the reason he was there, “Anyway, a new island opened up,” leaning in, he murmured, presumably so Monokuma didn’t hear, “Monomi destroyed the Monobeast blocking one off - apparently. I investigated it a bit already, it doesn’t appear particularly dangerous but I’m still wary. You should check it out too, maybe take a break from… him.”

“No, I’ll stay here,” (Y/n) denied, feeling her heart drag despair against her ribcage with every new pump, “I have to watch Nagito.”

Nobody else would.

Nobody else wanted to.

“It’s sort of my responsibility anyway, you know?” it’s her fault she couldn’t keep the peace, her one talent. The one thing she’s good at, “I need to make sure he doesn’t hurt anyone. And that nobody tries anything with him. Besides, you’re all doing fine now, right? You don’t need me.”

Who needed a worm who couldn’t perform in their own niche properly?

“It’d be nice to have you, to know you’re safe,” Hajime looked down at his shoes, pursing his lips, “If you really want to stay, I won’t stop you. But if anything, anything at all, happens, I’m here.”

It’s what she’d said to him that fateful day.

She smiled and nodded - empty and hollow - before reaching for the door handle to the room, “I will, Hajime. Don’t worry about me.”

As the boy turned to leave, (Y/n) watched his figure grow smaller against the walls before calling out once again,

“Keep them safe, please?”

He paused mid-stride, turning to the Ultimate Peacekeeper. His heart tore at her expression. Deep sorrow. Deep pain. Deep despair. He wasn’t stupid - she must’ve been blaming herself at least somewhat. All Hajime could do was nod and smile - empty and hollow - before continuing down the hall and out of the old building.

Returning to the room, (Y/n) was quiet, watching as Nagito hummed to himself, facing away from the door.

A particularly off-key hum brought her from her trance, the boy sighing to himself and shaking his head, “Of course…” before starting again.

(Y/n) swallowed down the lump in her throat before walking over to Nagito, gently settling him over her lap once again. It brought him minor comfort to know someone cared - even if he was unworthy.

“How do you feel about exploring the island tonight?”

“Hm? I thought you couldn’t untie me.”

“I can’t, not now, but at night - everyone’ll be asleep anyway, they won’t even know... but I’ll have to tie you back up.”

“Okay,” Nagito smiled slightly at the woman as she brushed hair out of his face, “I’ll be quiet.”

“Good,” she returned the gesture, “Then once we’re sure they’re all asleep, we’ll go.”

[that-crazy-five-foot-two-chick]

I've been so excited to write for the Mystic Messenger Reverse Big Bang 2021 (go check out other amazing fics and art in the collection at @mysme-rbb), and it's the first fanfic/art event I've participated in! @madiebelleadventures and I teamed up to brainstorm this beast, so her art is at the very end (because I ain't spoilin nothin)!

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Rating: T

Word Count: 5.1k

Summary: One day after the end of a work week, Vanderwood surprises MC with some husband-wife baking time—with a twist. Inspired by his agent training, he suggests that they bake as a team but have MC blindfolded. In order to make a cake that's actually edible, she must follow his directions to the letter. All that's left after that is chaos, banter, and spouse-flustering. And figuring out how to actually make a cake.

A/N: Fyi MC is definitely more of her own character than a reader-insert on this one. Also as per usual with me, I headcanon Vanderwood as British, so I tried heavily to align his phrasing accordingly, despite being an American myself. Enjoy seeing exactly how much fluff I can possibly cram into 5k words!

MC sighed happily at the feeling of the wind in her hair as she drove home from work one Friday evening. Windows down, jacket off, music blasting—the air itself felt like freedom. She had nothing against her job—in fact, she enjoyed it for the most part. She prided herself in a job well done, she liked being able to manage a team of her own, and the paycheck and benefits were good. Nothing extravagant, of course, but enough to comfortably support a couple newlyweds.

And that was the real reason MC nearly jumped out the door every day when everything wrapped up at the office. Who wouldn't, with a husband as unfairly hot as Vanderwood? Completely unfair how he could make leopard print and what was practically a mullet actually look attractive. Thank goodness his fashion sense had mellowed out over time, if only a little bit. With Vanderwood's past being what it was, they had mutually come to the conclusion that it would be best for their well-being if he stayed at their apartment during the day to keep the household running. He was very particular about how he cooked, cleaned, and did the laundry, and he handled their finances conscientiously and precisely. Admittedly, she did have to occasionally remind him that as sleek as that new top-of-the-line taser was, there was no real need for it, but that was just part of her husband's charm.

And boy, was he charming.

She truly couldn't wait to get home, past this rush hour traffic. She'd get home and be pulled in for a deep kiss moments after walking in the door. Maybe he'd slip a gentle but insistent hand into her hair. Maybe they'd take it a little further. Or a lot further.

"HOLY FUDGE NUGGETS ON BACON ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME???"

MC swerved to avoid a collision and waited for her heartbeat to settle down again. There was no freaking way she was going to die in some stupid car wreck before their date tonight. A surprise, he'd said. No matter how hard she'd tried to weasel more out of him, he wouldn’t bend. Darn agent training. Good thing it wouldn't be a surprise for much longer. Within minutes, the streets got smaller and quieter as she neared her apartment building. Another minute, and she flung open the apartment door and leapt on her husband.

MC's fantasies were soon replaced by an even better reality when Vanderwood's lips landed on hers. Kissing back enthusiastically, MC wrapped her arms around his middle so tight that a less sturdy man would be coughing for air. Vanderwood snatched her keys and purse and hung them by the doorway, never breaking his focus for a second. His kisses grew slower, but no less fervent, as he smoothed her wind-strewn hair. Eventually, their lips reluctantly parted, and MC broke the silence.

"How did I manage to snag the best kisser on earth on top of marrying the most insanely attractive man on earth?"

Vanderwood smirked. "Good taste, I guess." He kissed her once more soundly for good measure.

"Maybe. Will my insanely attractive husband tell me what our surprise date is now?"

"Perhaps."

"No perhapses! I've been dying waiting!"

"Very well. Start by changing your clothes, because I am not scrubbing stains out of your good work clothes."

"Do I otherwise have to wear anything in particular? That's not a lot to go off of."

"Doesn't matter to me. Now go change before I do the job myself."

"I wouldn't complain."

"This is not that kind of date! Go!"

"Fine, Sir Panties-in-a-bunch."

MC went to the bedroom and took stock of her clothing options. She had to choose something practical that could be easily washed, but she still wanted to look a little cute. After all, it was a date. It was a tough balance to strike. Eh, she could always stick an apron or an old shirt over it. She grabbed her oversized paint shirt just in case before snagging a light pink shirt. Now for the bottoms. She debated on a simple skirt, but decided to go for it. After all, if it didn't fit with Vanderwood's plans, he would tell her. MC changed quickly and weaved her hair into a side braid, slipping a tendril out on each side to frame her face. Mirror-MC nodded in approval. Time to see what on earth her husband had been planning.

She cracked open the door and peeked through before skipping over to Vanderwood, who had made himself comfortable on the couch. His amber eyes widened in interest.

"You have no business looking this pretty for a baking date."

MC grinned. "Ha! I did get it out of you! A baking date sounds cute. What made you think of that? Are you just really getting into the whole house husband gig?"

"It was my agent training, actually." Seeing the puzzled look on his wife's face, Vanderwood continued, "There's a bit of a twist to it, you see. I will hardly be doing any of the actual baking. You, my dear, on the other hand, will be completely blindfolded. You will have to follow my instructions explicitly, or else the result will be completely inedible."

"I still fail to see how the setup doesn't sound like 'that kind of date', but it sounds like fun! What does this have to do with your agent training, though?"

"Various exercises used similar techniques. Many times in the field, we had to follow orders to the letter with no questions asked if we wanted to make it out in one piece. We also did training to be able to operate blindly or in the dark if our vision was compromised. But none of it was as enjoyable as watching a beautiful woman bake a cake by pure trust."

"You're such a flatterer. Keep it coming," MC smirked.

"At least get into the kitchen first," Vanderwood said, handing her a blindfold that looked suspiciously like his nap mask.

"Okay, but if you don't want me in the kitchen until I'm blindfolded, you're gonna have to get my apron yourself."

"I thought I was the one giving out orders tonight?"

"A girl's gotta get her kicks somewhere."

"Such a docile wife I have. Never difficult, never demanding."

"You think it's sexy. Don't even try to deny it."

"I would have filed for immediate divorce if the description 'docile' actually fit you." He stepped into the kitchen and emerged a moment later with the apron. MC slipped it on and, after ducking briefly into the bathroom to wash her hands, covered her eyes with the blindfold.

"I'm at your mercy now. Don't abuse that privilege."

He materialized behind her, winding his arms around her waist. "I wouldn't dream of it," he murmured into her ear before attacking her stomach. MC burst into uncontrollable giggles.

"I swear—!" she giggled "—I swear I'm going to punch the living daylights out of you!"

"You're certainly welcome to try. You know I wouldn't even feel it."

"But I could try. How am I supposed to trust you to give me decent directions to bake whatever the heck we're making if I can't even trust you not to tickle me?"

"You don't. That's the thrill of it."

"You'd better have me make something actually edible for all our trouble."

"That all depends on how well you follow my instructions."

"And how decent your instructions are. Let's not forget that tiny detail," she reminded.

"Hmm, we'll see," The smile was evident in his voice. "Now if we're going to start, we need to go ahead and do it."

"Probably."

He guided MC by her upper arms into the narrow kitchen.

"Fortunately," he said, halting and holding her in place, "we're only baking a cake and not an entire meal, so it won't take an eternity."

"I sure hope not! It's pizza night and I'm already a little hungry!"

He wound his hands around his wife's waist, lightly patting her stomach. "Well, the faster we start, the faster we can eat. I've already laid everything out for you as best I can, so you just have to follow my directions, all right, love?"

"Got it."

"All right, can you feel the worktop?" A nod. "Raise your right hand just a bit...and over…now grab the box with the cake mix, because heaven knows neither of us knows or cares enough to make it from scratch. Got it? Now open it up. The mixing bowl is straight to the left. Go ahead and pour it in."

"Just so you know, if I spill anything, you're the one taking responsibility."

"And why is that, darling?" Vanderwood asked, feigning shock.

"Because you're the one who had this idea in the first place! Not to mention if I make a mess it’s because of your faulty directions."

Unfortunately, MC failed to prove her point, pouring the mix into the bowl and barely spilling a few crumbs.

"Looks like we may not have to worry about that," Vanderwood smirked.

"You have met me, right? You know something's going to get spilled, right?"

Ignoring her, he moved the empty box toward the back and continued, "The milk should be right around where the cake mix was, if you can remember where you just were. The measuring jug is right next to it. Do you think you can pour it in correctly?"

"We'll see, now won't we?"

"There you go. Just try to take it slowly, just in case, and stop when I say so."

MC obeyed, gradually tilting the milk jug until a thin stream hit the center of the measuring cup.

"Brilliant! Now careful, careful, slightly to the left...that's it! Now slow down...almost done...stop!" He kissed her cheek. "That was amazing. Now pour it into the bowl."

MC felt around for the mixing bowl again. She managed to find it and poured in the milk. "Where's the cap for the milk jug?"

"Hm...where did it go? Oh, there it is. Right by the sink."

She batted at the air around her right side to find the inside of the sink. Instead, her hand bumped the side of the milk jug. Vanderwood's hand shot out to catch it, but a small puddle had already sloshed onto the counter. MC's hand shot up to take off the blindfold, but Vanderwood caught her wrist first. She sighed.

"Vandy, give it to me straight. How bad is it?"

"Not bad at all. I caught it before much got out. Stay put for a moment while I wipe it up so it doesn't start to smell or dry up."

"Not to say I told you, but I definitely told you."

Her husband stuck out his tongue at her—one of the few ways he had begun to let himself be childish lately. Then the obvious dawned on him. "I'm sticking out my tongue. I thought you ought to know that."

"Crucial information. Are you done yet?"

"Yep. You ready to get your hands a little dirty?"

"Isn't that expected in all this?"

"That's probably a large part of why you demanded an apron first, yes."

"You would be right about that, also yes. And you're so dramatic. I did not demand."

"Up to interpretation. Reach up to the left of the mixing bowl and just grab it off the plate and toss it in."

As instructed, MC reached over and let out a tiny shriek when her hand came into contact with the soft butter. Vanderwood guffawed.

"I was waiting for that."

MC gasped. "You did this on purpose!" She flung the butter into the bowl with an extra dash of vindictiveness.

"Maybe so. I like hearing your reactions," he purred.

"Don't try to be all smooth when you're being a twit. It doesn't suit you," MC sniffed, then muttered under her breath, "actually it totally works for you but it doesn't make me less ticked at you."

"By the way, don't bother trying to wash your hands just yet. The next part is probably going to be the messiest. I'll go get the bin so it'll be close by for you."

"Appreciated. What's the next part?"

"Eggs."

"Yikes, okay. That's why I needed the trash can, then. And where are the eggs?"

"To your left. You're going to need four of them. I read somewhere that adding an extra egg makes it better, hypothetically."

"You're the one giving the instructions."

"Alright, the bin is to your left, whenever you're ready."

"I could hear the thunk when you set it down, but thank you," MC said wryly.

"I live to serve."

There was silence for a moment as MC cracked the first egg into the bowl, and a soft smile rose on her face like the dawn. "Not anymore, you don't. I thank God every day that you and Saeyoung were able to free yourselves from the agency. I never could have forgotten you even if you hadn't, but I never would have known the immense joy I've gotten to have by being your wife." She sniffed, then laughed. "Sorry for being so sentimental all of a sudden, I don't know what got into me. It's just that knowing how many things could have gotten between us makes me that much more grateful for what we have."

"Ah!" Vanderwood shot a hand out to correct the second egg's trajectory into the mixing bowl.

"Oops, thank you."

"No problem, love. We're a team." He settled against her back, rubbing her arms lightly and placing a tender kiss on her cheek. "And never feel sorry for your so-called sentimentality. In fact, I really think you hold back sometimes. You shouldn't. I know that I used to scoff at these things, but locking out your emotions for job after job really takes a toll on a man. The agency had no room for love of any sort, and I've long come to the realization that every person is hardwired to desire love of one kind or another. I know I'm still unlearning all of my coping mechanisms, and I know I'm still sharp with some people, but with you?" He smoothed a hair back from her face. "I'll take whatever love you can give me."

She cracked the third egg into the bowl and threw out the shell. "I always knew you could be a softie, very deep down. I'm just glad that I get to be the one to see it."

After the fourth egg was in the bowl, Vanderwood directed, "Okay, time to wash up. The next thing is mixing for two minutes. While I love you, I do not trust you to use an electric mixer while blindfolded, so you're going to use a whisk for that job."

"I suppose that's fair. Can you put away the trash can while I wash my hands?"

"Already on it."

"Where's the whisk, again?"

"I kind of put it toward the back, so either be careful or wait for me to move a few things."

"Oh, I've got it. Don't worry," MC waved a hand in dismissal and groped around for the whisk, but her arm was a bit too low, and she dipped her clothed elbow in the plate where the butter had been. She sighed. "What did I just decorate my elbow with?"

"Butter. Try it. It might be tasty," he teased.

"Come on, Vandy, this is not the time. Help me get it off before it soaks in too much."

"Alright, alright, I just had to pick on you a little bit for not listening to me." He carefully scooped off the top layer of the butter with a paper towel before trying to absorb the rest. "I'm going to roll up your sleeves a bit more so that this hopefully won't happen again."

"Well, not until I slosh half the cake out of this bowl trying and failing to mix it."

"You'll be fine. Just stick to mixing the center and bringing the outside of it toward the center so everything gets mixed. But mix it well and mix it fast. The timer starts...now!"

MC held the bowl against her stomach to steady it while she mixed the batter vigorously. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one trying to mix furiously while keeping it all in the bowl on top of being blindfolded!"

"Calm down, you're doing great. A couple drips, maybe, but it's staying in."

"So far, anyway. But that's good, I guess."

"No guessing. It's quite good." Vanderwood leaned against the counter. "We've got a minute and a half to kill. Should I spend it telling you how you look right now?"

"Oh gosh, do I even want to know?"

He shook his head in near disbelief, smiling. "Magnetic. Adorable. More delicious than the cake we're making."

MC cackled. "You cannot be serious. I've got to be a mess right now."

"You act as if that's a contradiction. It's the mess that makes you more beautiful. Is every single hair of yours in place? No. But they fall around your face in the most delicately beautiful way. Even the places where the ingredients got smudged on you somehow add to your charm." He leaned in so that his lips touched her ear, his voice lowering to a gravelly timbre. "Did you know that your cheeks are all rosy from the effort you're putting into stirring? It's unbelievably attractive. And the way your lips press together when you're concentrating? It makes me want to kiss them apart. In fact—"

"Vanderwood, how much time is left?" MC interrupted, suppressing a vivid blush and a shiver.

"Our entire lives," he said, happily ignoring the real question.

"The timer, Vanderwood. How much is left on the timer?"

The sound of the timer going off answered the question for him. "None," he grinned. "I'll go spray the cake pan while you rest for a moment. You've earned it."

She exhaled, set the mixing bowl aside, and stretched. Then a thought made her panic. "Vandy, we forgot to preheat the oven."

He held her face in his hands. "MC. Darling. Breathe. I set the oven when I grabbed the apron."

Her breathing gradually slowed. "Sorry, love. I'm just really hungry and kind of tired and I think not being able to see is doing weird things to my brain and you kind of flustered me a minute ago with what you were saying and I'm sorry, I—" her voice cracked, but Vanderwood cut her off and held her close.

"Hey...hey...you're alright. There's nothing to be sorry about. I kept you going after a long day of work without feeding you first. I should have known better." He smoothed her hair and tucked it into her braid. "I'll tell you what. How about we get this cake in the oven and then order some pizza and watch another episode of Cucumber Fish?"

MC sniffled and hummed in agreement. Vanderwood loosened his hold around her and gently brought her hands to the bowl again before grabbing the cake pan. "Okay, all you've got to do now is pour it into the pan that I've put just to the left of the bowl. Just take it nice and easy. There you go. Perfect. You're almost done. Now let me get a spatula to scoop the last of it out." After he finished, he slid the cake pan into the oven and started the timer. "There. All done." He slipped the mask off her eyes and gave her a peck on the lips as she blinked to adjust to the light. "I'll clean all this up, alright? Go ahead and relax on the sofa. You can order the pizza and get Cucumber Fish queued up while I finish up in here."

"Okay," she murmured. Another peck, and she curled up on the couch. She pulled out her phone to order the pizza and smiled at the notifications she'd gotten from the RFA chatroom. They were up to their normal antics again. Hopefully, Saeyoung wouldn't exasperate Saeran too much with his crazy propositions. But there was nothing she could do about that, and she was starving and in desperate need of pizza. Once it was ordered, she turned on the TV and selected the episode, making sure to let it run past the ads before pausing it.

After Vanderwood joined her on the couch, the next forty-five minutes was filled with lots of cuddling and pizza devouring, more kissing than watching the show, a few glances at the cake's progress, an agreement to actually watch the episode while they ate the cake, and several minutes of cooling time after the cake was removed from the oven. Vanderwood emerged from the kitchen after a few minutes of setting up to decorate.

"Are you sure you want to put on the mask again?" he asked. "I don't want it to mess with your head like it did last time."

"I'll be fine, babe. I'm pretty sure it was like that last time just because I was starving."

"Are you positive?"

"Yes."

"If you say so. Go ahead and get them on, then," he said, handing MC the apron and mask.

"Just make sure to lead me into the kitchen again."

"Hmm, we'll see."

"We'll see?" she repeated, but shrieked soon after when she no longer felt the ground beneath her feet. Vanderwood had scooped her up to carry her into the kitchen bridal-style and sank his lips against hers with intentionality. He bumped into the counter but managed to avoid any damage to his wife. He deposited one last kiss on her lips before setting her down.

"What have you done to me, woman? Years and years of agent skills, undone in a moment. If it were anything or anyone else, I never would have bumped into that worktop. But when it's you kissing me, you're the only thing that exists." He grinned. "It's a shame, really. I thought my dexterity was an impressive skill, but I don't even have that anymore, it seems."

"Shame indeed," MC parroted, trying to steal another kiss from his lips and stealing one from his nostrils instead. She made a face, causing Vanderwood to laugh.

"Well, at least I still have the ability to order you around." MC smacked him in response, and he continued, "Alright, alright, let's get to it then. This is where it'll get really interesting, since decorating requires more precision. Which, no offense, is a skill you don't have, since you're not exactly used to being blind."

"Now wait just a—okay, I can't argue that," MC sighed. He placed a spatula in one hand and a jar of frosting in her other.

"Turn around. Can you find where the cake is?"

"Ye—wait, Vandy! I thought you said you cleaned up!"

"I did…sort of." Before she could protest, he interjected, "I wiped the worktop! I just pushed all the dishes to one side so we could put all of it in the dishwasher at once when we were done!" He added with a mumble, "I just wanted to get back to you."

"You think you can charm your way out of anything," MC responded airily. "Well, you're right." She squared up as best she could with a frosting jar in hand. "I found the cake. I'll try to do my best."

"Well, in this part, I won't let you go completely solo. I can rotate the cake for you as you go, if you want."

"Please."

MC scooped a large helping of frosting from the jar and started spreading around the perimeter. Her spatula made a slight detour for a moment to donate some frosting to the top of the cake, and Vanderwood halted and reversed his rotation slightly to avoid confusion. A few seconds later, she went for another, slightly smaller, scoop to finish frosting the circumference of the cake. Another scoop, added to the deposit from the first, finished off the top.

"Is there a big corner around the top edge? Or any dry spots?" she asked.

"Just a slight corner. Grab a little bit more frosting to round it off a bit and thicken the top."

She did as directed while he helped rotate, and stepped back. "Better?"

"Much better. Maybe we can add a little artistic touch by making some...what do you call them? Swoops? Around the sides from the top?"

"Sounds great. You're definitely going to have to help me, though."

"Alright, I'll rotate again and stop you when you're done. Then you can smooth off the top edge again quick."

Six slightly lopsided arcs later, he stepped back for a moment, observing. "This is certainly not the prettiest cake I've seen, but it all adds to the fun, yeah?"

"I guess," she laughed.

"Now here's the part that'll really get a laugh when you take off the blindfold. I've got a bowl over here with some frosting for smaller decorating, and you get to pick the food coloring that goes in it."

"Oh no."

"Oh yes," he snickered while guiding her over to a trio of colored bottles that she couldn't discern. "Take your pick," he said cheerily. MC gingerly selected one, and he suppressed a snort poorly. "Excellent choice!"

MC groaned. "I'm going to regret all my life choices, aren't I?"

"Of course not! Only your decision to marry me."

"Hey." She squeezed his wrist. "I could never regret that."

"You might reevaluate that statement when you take off the blindfold and see the cake. Or at least my ugly mug."

"Vanderwood. Don't you even start with me. You're so hot that if we were working with chocolate instead of a cake, we wouldn't need the microwave to melt it."

"You're so hot that the beach would need sunblock instead of you."

"You're so hot that the sun goes to you when it needs to warm up."

They collapsed against each other, gasping for air. Vanderwood caught his breath first. "Let's get this food coloring in the bowl, shall we? The spoon and frosting are already in it. All you have to do is put a few drops in and stir until I say so. The bowl's on your left."

"As you wish," she said as she did so.

After a few moments, he spoke. "That's enough. Let me get you back over to the cake, and I'll get the frosting in the decorating bag. Which is really just an ordinary plastic bag, but I did pick up some cheap decorating tips when I got the ingredients."

"Splendid. How am I going to decorate, though? Even if I could see, I don't know the first thing about cake decorating. Oh yeah, and I can't see."

"Don't get your 'panties in a bunch,' as you like to tell me so often. I'll do it with you this time."

"But you don't know how to decorate cakes, either!"

"Ah-ah-ah!” he chided. “Do you trust me or not?"

"Not particularly."

"Hey!"

"But! We should just go ahead and do it anyway, because even though neither of us knows what we're doing, we're the only ones in this apartment who can. And the frosting smells too good not to eat soon."

"That's my girl." Vanderwood curled around her. He molded one hand around hers and slid the other over her stomach. As they formed a few swirls on the top, he murmured, "We did this whole thing together. How impressive is that? Was it as fun for you as it was for me?"

MC smiled. "Of course it was. I know I got a little hangry for a bit there, but I know how much thought you put into this. None of my old deadbeat ex-boyfriends ever would have cared so much, let alone shown it. These are the things that make me love you that much more."

"I never experienced any permanent love until you showed it to me. And it's been so...world-altering—that I've been trying to wrap my head around it ever since. I still can't. But I swear I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to give you the same love you've given me. I certainly don't deserve it, after the things I've done. But you do. You deserve all the happiness a person can have."

MC paused and blushed slightly. "Vandy…" She exhaled. "We've gone over this whole 'not deserving it' thing. Whether you deserve it or not doesn't matter. To me, what matters is your heart. You have such a beautiful heart, Vandy. I love the kind of man you've become. I've seen you strive every day to be better than you were the day before, and that is so inspiring."

"Well, whether or not I deserve happiness, I would choose to be happy every day if my being happy made you happy." He squeezed her hip affectionately and pulled her in for a tender kiss.

"It would." She kissed him back. They added one last swirl and a border before they set down the bag of frosting. He uncurled her fingers and fiddled with her wedding ring.

"Are you ready to see it?"

"Sure."

He slipped off the blindfold, and she gasped.

"What have we done?" she exclaimed as her laughing grew louder by the second.

"Whatever do you mean, dear?" Vanderwood asked, feigning ignorance.

"The cake is bright flaming orange, Vandy!" She let out a snort, then covered her face. "Hey, wait! All the food coloring was the same color too, you little twit!"

He shrugged innocently. MC sputtered. "Nuh-uh. Don't you shrug at me, mister. Saeyoung has rubbed off on you way too much."

"Has not."

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, maybe the tiniest bit."

"Uh huh, that's what I thought. Now are you as ready as I am to eat this cake and watch Cucumber Fish?"

"Let me take a picture first. And another one with you in it? You look so lovely, I can't not have one with you in it."

She tried desperately to keep a frown on her face as he snapped a picture but couldn't quite hold back the quirk at the corner of her mouth. He cut a slice for each of them and handed one to her. He curled the paper plate around his slice, and she did likewise. They looked each other in the eyes, both knowing exactly what would come next. Vanderwood solidified his stance. "Ready...steady...GO!" The couple raced to the living room and took a running jump onto the couch, ready for the wonderful night ahead.