#i love X character with so much of my heart that its kinda weird to see Y actor and have to know that's not them!!

[w0rmm1lk]

I saw that you were receiving requests and I was wondering if you could write a Bakugou x male reader angst (both adults and married if possible, but it doesn't necessarily have to be.) where they There's an argument and the reader leaves the house at night and comes back just a week later (because Bakugou said some bad things. I don't think he would do that but I love angst where the character almost literally has to kneel down and ask the reader for forgiveness 😭😭😭) I'm sorry if it's too detailed and forgive my English, I'm Brazilian and I'm using Google Translate ☠️... (oh! and with a happy ending please🥺)

Yayyy first request hehe

Summary: reader and bakugo got into a small argument about bakugo not being home enough due to his hero work, bakugo being himself the argument escalated into something worse.

reader: Male

other details: Hero!Bakugo, Readers job not mentioned (can be read as hero reader or other). It is mentioned that reader has a sibling but details about them are not specified.

warnings: angst-(fluff at end), swearing(its bakugo what did you expect) implied married reader and bakugo but not mentioned. Kinda ooc but I tried my best 🥲

You and bakugo had been together for quite some time. You first started the relationship when he was in his second year at UA, but you had known eachother since middle school. So of course you knew eachother very well, and were very close. Or well, as close as you can be with bakugo.

when you first got together he had been quite distant, but you understood. He wasn’t use to this kind of thing, yet it didn’t take him long to adjust. Long story short after he graduated you both ended up moving in together.

you had quickly gotten use to how much bakugo worked. He was so desperate to be the No.1 hero, and of course as his boyfriend/husband you supported him in that. Yet, sometimes you felt that he was more focused on that than you. He was rarely ever home leaving you to do most of the house work, including the laundry, dishes, buying groceries, ect. at first it wasn’t anything to worry about, you were mostly okay with it since you got to stay home most of the time, but sometimes it would get lonley. It was weird… you had been in a relationship for so long and even lived with him yet the house felt so empty and devoid of life. You thought that it was maybe a good idea to bring this up with bakugo. He would understand…right?

You ended up needing to stay up quite late that night waiting for him to return. He always worked overtime just to get his rank higher. He was already in the top ten… why did he worry so much…?

you felt a small jolt of surprise when you heard the front door unlock, sitting up you looked over to see bakugo. Despite being right there he didn’t seem to notice you.

“Katsuki..? Can we talk real quick?” You spoke, trying to seem calm. Despite this your heart was beating like crazy, it felt like some part of you was screaming to not bring up the issues. “Hm? Oh, you’re still awake.” He replied.. yet it seemed quite delayed.

“ah- yeah… but we need to talk.” He looked over with an annoyed expression. “Not right now.” His reply… shocked you to say the least. “Katsuki. It’s important. It’ll be quick I just need to—“ he cut you off with an annoyed sigh. “I said not right now Y/N.”

“This can’t really wait for later—“ he glared. “Do you not get what *not right now* means?” He raised his voice slightly as he spoke, his eyes piercing into your softer gaze. “It’ll be quick—! I swear.” You spoke, hoping that he would take a moment to sit down and hear you out.

he rolled his eyes tilting his head back letting out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.” I felt a bit of relief as he accepted. I waited a moment as he sat down on the couch beside me. “The hell do you want? It’s so goddamn late.” Despite him agreeing to speak it was clear how much he didn’t want to.

“i… I was thinking, could you maybe… try spending a bit more time at home…? I know how important your hero work is to you- and I don’t want to stop you from reaching your goal but… we haven’t really spent much time together in the last few months, and— I guess I’ve been kinda lonley…?”

he stared at you, his gaze not breaking for even a second as he spoke. You looked back as you finished, expecting him to understand, but instead you were met with a rather… interesting, expression.

his expression gave off the kinda mood of *are you being serious?*

“that’s what this was about? This is what was so fucking important you just had to talk about it right now?”

what he said… it almost hurt slightly. “What…? What do you mean? I think this is something that’s pretty important.” He rolled his eyes at your response. “Tch, I get how needy you are but I can’t just throw away all my work just for you.”

“what-? I- that’s not what I’m saying-! You’re only ever home at night after I’m asleep and you’re gone once I wake up! I’m not being needy! And asking to see you at least once everyday while living in the same house is not being needy!”

his expression made it clear he was pissed off. “Do you not realise how important my work is? How important it is for me to become no.1? Or does it all not matter to you?!” You stare at him in slight shock, it was weird how much he was misunderstanding the situation.

“that’s not what I mean! I just want to spend more time with you-! If I’m going to be stuck at home all day I at least want to see someone-! Especially you!”

“I can’t just throw away my work to spend my whole day with you! My life doesn’t revolve around you!” He stood up looking down at you.

“Katsuki! That’s not what I mean-! You—“ He cut you off. “If you think I can put everything aside just for you then— you’re mistaken.” There was an awkward silence in the room for just a moment. “You should just go.” You stared at him, your eyes locked onto eachother. “What…?” “Tch— I said you should go-!”

“Katsuki— what are you talking about?!”

“…. You know damn well what I mean.”

the silence started again lasting for a good twenty seconds. You could feel the tears building up yet not spilling. “Fine.” You stood up grabbing your phone and keys walking out the door. You didn’t know what to do but just listen.

you looked at your phone for just a moment before texting your sibling, you didn’t really have anywhere to stay so you hoped they would let you crash at their place for a bit. You stare at the small screen… it was late so you could only hope they were still awake to reply. The amount of relief you felt when your screen lit up and a small notification read

..”sure.”

the next few days passed by so painfully slow. You stared at your phone most the time just hoping to see a notification from Bakugo, some sort of apology, or just a check up. nothing.

it didn’t help that he was quite a popular hero, you couldn’t even watch the news without seeing him.

after a full week past without anything from him, you realise that this was most likley an end to your relationship. All these years thrown away simply because you couldn’t handle not being near him.

you picked up your phone hesitating before sending bakugo a simple message.

“im coming over to grab my stuff. Be there in 20.”

you looked as the message sent, of course he left you on read.

despite it only being a 20 minutes drive, it felt like hours. Your mind was racing, you were nervous, scared to see him. As you walked to the front door you hesitated standing there for a good 30 seconds before finally knocking.

your heart was beating fast as the front door opened. “…come in.” He spoke. He looked more tired than ever, if anything it was a surprise he was even home. You simply nodded, stepping inside. The house looked like shit. You weren’t thinking that to be rude, it genuine looked like bakugo wasn’t doing anything to take care of it.

“y/n i—“ he was cut off staring at you, as you gave him the same glare he sent you a week ago. He averted his eyes like he was holding back tears. “Please— let’s… let’s talk about this….?”

“…what is there to talk about. You made it clear how you feel.”

“i— I had some time to think… a… a lot of time and— i- im… Tch— im fucking sorry okay?!”

you continued to stare at him, though the apology was genuine, you were scared to accept. You didn’t want things to just go back to how they were before.

“please y/n i— I didn’t realise how much I need you.. you’re so god damn important to me… i… took you for granted.”

you stayed silent staring at him. It’s not that you were being rude, you simply didn’t know what to say. You could see the desperation in his eyes but didn’t expect him to start tearing up.

“Y/n… please don’t leave me-! I.. I need you… please…” you watched as he grasped your hands tears pouring down his face as he struggled to even breath.

“im sorry for everything I said I— I had so much time to think and… I didn’t have my priorities straight! So please let’s just… let’s talk over this okay…?”

without a word you lifted a hand up wiping the tears from bakugos eyes before resting a hand on his cheek. “You’ll do better this time right…? It won’t just go back to how it was before…?”

you could see a spark in his eyes now that you finally answered. “I promise-! I— it won’t happen again just— please— don’t leave me…”

you let out a soft sigh. “I won’t leave you. And… I forgive you.” You heald onto his hands gently for just a moment before he pulled you in holding you close.

“i… don’t know how I ever took a man like you for granted.”

(end)

[killuakiru]

Hiii hru? I was wondering if I could request gon and killua (seperate) with a fem reader that is very girly? And I know it’s kinds weird but she kinda has pretty privilege and will literally get whatever she wants by winning at some other teenager. Shes very kind and sweet though so she doesn’t take advantage of it. Sorry if that’s kind of odd and if you don’t want to write it it’s ok🫶 love you!

HI ANON !! It's completely alright 🫡 I find this request rly cute as my other post was the exact opposite ! Thank you for making this request 🫰 Apologies if its ooc ( out of character ), but I had soo much fun writing this !

⊹₊⋆ IT Girl !ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

⊹₊⋆ Girly!Reader x Killua Zoldyck, Gon Freecss ( Separate ! )ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

༉‧₊˚. Let's Start !༉‧₊˚.

༉‧₊˚. Killua Zoldyck !ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

• Now let's all be honest ! The first time Killua met you, he probably felt so annoyed and kept grumbling how they were teams with a "girl." As the stereotypical boy he is.

• But despite Killua's comments, you were so unbothered and even excused his actions?! He was stunned! Because if that was him, he'd internally judge them!

• But honestly, Killua underestimated you. In Killua's eyes, you looked so.. fragile? Yet your performance in combat impressed him! You were pretty agile, and you had a smart mind— not to mention, you were pretty, too! Not like he would say that out loud.

• During the final examination, yk the time where he killed an applicant? He could see you from his peripheral vision, and he saw genuine worry and concern for him. HIM. He found that so odd that a girl like you would worry for him.

• When you rescued him, that look in your eyes just SCREAMED affection, and that just hit Killua in the gut, y'know? Who wouldn't fumble in their words when such a pretty and sweet girl like [Name] comes running to them with an expression like that.

• See now— in Killua's case, he's never been with a caring or sweet female since almost everyone is his household is literally fucked up. So you were a new case for him.

• Nonetheless, he was pretty honored and glad you came for him out of everyone.

• And so, he slowly warmed up to you, even growing comfortable to the point he'd randomly touch your hair, arms, fingers, just any where he thinks that looks odd or pretty.

• Yes ! He sometimes stares at your features and finds himself admiring them. Well who wouldn't?! The way you bat your eyelashes so innocently, the way your lip gloss reflects the sun in a positive elegant way when you smile, complimenting your teeth, the way your blush makes your cheeks so much more squishy he just wants to—

• "Killua? You okay? You're zoning out again." [Name] says in amusement with Gon just looked at the boy who was staring, Killua blinked twice and hummed in a nonchalant manner, placing his hands behind his back and shrugged. "I'm perfectly fine. Better than ever. Let's get going again."

• There was one time where there's this one kid around their age who was gatekeeping Killua's the store's choco robots and you came to Killua's rescue, using your very cutesy face card to convince the kid to at least have 3!

• After that, Killua looked at you like you're some kind of GODDESS. He's been trying to convince that kid and you did it so effortlessly?! Even snagging him an extra one?! Oh you're his favorite now.

༉‧₊˚. Gon Freecss !ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

• He found you SUUUPER cute and charismatic ! Like the whole time you two were talking, he'd always sneak in a compliment ! His words flattered you a bunch, too !

• He's like a natural smooth talker 'cause WHAT?! Every compliment / comment he makes about you leaves your heart beating!

• Instead of you making him flustered, you ALWAYS find yourself stammering over your words. Was it you who fell in love first or was it him?!

• Honestly with how smooth he is you're starting to think he treats every girl like this.. ( Spoiler, he doesn't )

• During the Heaven's Arena training, he was genuinely worried since you'd often wear skirts, but turns out you were already prepared! Introducing the.. skort! While it looks like an ordinary skirt, there were already built in shorts inside to prevent the creeps from looking!

• Similarly to Killua, he finds himself staring but is shamelessly doing it. When you stare back, he smiles. SMILES so charmingly, making YOU look away and he laughs.

• He loves the fact you get along with anyone you see or talk to !! It's probably because of your looks and personality, but nonetheless he supports you !!

• okay but I js know he's really vocal with your favorite features !! He probably loves your hair since it looks so silky, smooth, and soft to the touch! He also probably loves your nails too ! Almost having new and different styles monthly and he loves making guesses and predictions on what the design / style it'll be !!

• oh and, he absolutely LOVES how you do a wardrobe change almost everyday, you and Killua do a bunch of fashion shows together and Gon rates them :3

• His favorite fits are probably the ones with the very long skirts that reach the ankles with a comfy top, just anything that reminds him of Mito !

• He loves all the girls in his life equally :3 a lot of things reminds him of you and Mito ! So when he brought you and Killua to Whale Island to meet Mito, he was really happy that you got along well with his mother <3

• This was honestly his go signal to just shoot his shot, what could he lose? His mama loves you so much ! And he does too !! And so does Killua !! Everyone approves of you !!

༉‧₊˚. End !༉‧₊˚.

Thank you for reading ! This strictly belongs to me / killuakiru and I do not give permission for you to repost on other platforms, thank you !

[the-fiction-witch]

Baby Making P2

Media The Maze Runner

Character Newt

Couple Newt X Reader

Rating Smut

Requested: this was a request I know many people where asking for it but I seem to have lost the requests I had for it

I had to admit I was rather excited and so utterly full of love at the idea that newt and I were to make a baby together but I could pretty much tell he was beyond excited as he approached my little cave I had tried into a house using half a tent, as he approached he basically bounced and skipped with excitement with a smile so wide you'd think he was a kid should just been shown the worlds largest bar of chocolate. Probably not helped by the fact I had pushed my bra up and purposely had a long shower, both of which he immediately noticed but by the look of things he'd had a good shower too.

"Uhhh hi," he nervously smiled, 

"Hi newt," I giggled, 

"So uhhh," he began acting like it was our first date or something,

"Shall we?" I smiled and offered my hand,

"Okay," he nodded excitedly and took my hand, so I tugged him inside with me.

I zipped up the tent behind us and we sat down on my bed beside one another, for a moment there was nothing but silence, 

"So?" I giggled,

"So... I uhh I'll be honest love I uhh I didn't think I'd get this far,"

"That's sweet Newt, but this shouldn't be too hard I mean we spent all that time in the glade trying to make sure babies didn't happen, I suppose now, we just sort of need to do the opposite,"

"Yeah just kinda break all the rules we had,"

"Exactly,"

"All our rules?"

"I think so,"

"So I can actually... go inside now."

"Well, how else are you gonna put the baby in me Newtie?"

"Sorry I just uhhh you know, spent a long time being told no and now I'm suddenly told yes it's a big jarring,"

"Well, yes you can go inside."

"I can? finally?"

"Yes, newt."

"Yes! You have no idea how long I've waited! so long of fingers and kisses and.. all I've ever wanted was to... well uhh you know."

"It's okay I know you're excited." I giggled, "Just relax and do what you wanna do," I told him,

He quickly moved and captured my lips in a sweet kiss I happily kissed him back and rested my hand on his shirt, I felt his heart beating quickly and his breath sharp with excitement. We kissed slowly and gently but with a fire burning behind him for a good while before finally his hands took action and where did they go? Immediately his hands cupped my breasts in my push-up bra resting his hands on each and stroking his thumbs across the soft padding. Becuase it's newt and I told him he could do what he wanted of course the first thing he does is grab my boobs. He pulled back and spoke up, "I uhh I have a weird request."

"Other than you putting a baby in me?"

"Yeah..."

"Go on,"

"Can uhh... can you keep the bra on."

"...why?" I giggled, 

"I mean I do... really, really love your boobs. But I always get to play with them its the other part of you I'm more excited about tonight" He blushed, "Plus... this bra makes them look bloody fantastic." he said not even talking to my face talking to my boobs,

"Alright if that's what you want," I smiled, I lifted my shirt and threw it to the floor,

"God I love you," he groaned throwing his jacket off before his hands grabbed my breasts again kissing me again, I happily kissed him back stroking his sweet shirt as our kisses got deeper and deeper, He pushed me down softly until my back laid on my bed "Are uhh are you ready?"

"I am." I smiled, "Let's make a baby newtie."

"Let's make a baby" he cooed he happily kissed me again his hands working on getting his shirt off, he tossed it to the side and quickly worked on getting my shorts off. He tugged them off as we kissed until he tugged them off completely. He smirked as he pulled away, "Can I?"

"You can." I cooed,

He smirked and tugged off my panties, "I love you so much," He growled and kissed down my stomach pushing my thighs apart I giggled as he eagerly kissed down until he began kissing my clit, 

"Ohh Newt!" I cooed stroking his hair as he kissed and licked, 

"You're already so excited" he cooed slipping his fingers inside me for a few thrusts but soon he pulled back

"Newt..." I whined,

"I know, I know, we usually do so much more but... I can't wait any longer." he smirked, undoing his pants, "You won't miss my fingers too bad, now I get to use this?" he smirked as he stroked his stiff erection, 

"Umm I have been looking forward too it" I giggled, opening my legs a little wider,

"Ohh I bet you have love." he cooed kissing down my neck a little before he slowly and carefully pushed inside "Oh my god.Oh my god.Oh my god."

"You okay?" I gasped feeling him inside me, it was so much better than his fingers ever were, 

"I think my brain is melting..."

"Really?"

"Oh my god. You feel so good... it's amazing. you're amazing!"

"you haven't even moved yet..." I giggled,

"I know, I'll go slow I promise" he nodded gently moving his hips slowly and gently "Oh my god. Bloody hell! Love! I am really really sorry this isn't gonna last very long! You have no clue how amazing this is! after all this time,"

I was already struggling too feeling his gentle movements "I know, after all this time was it worth the wait?"

"So so much love!"

"Yeah, I think so too," I smirked grabbing his hand and moving it to my clit, he smirked and happily began to speed up causing me to have to muffle my screams but so did he as he got faster and faster rubbing on my clit as much as he could he was biting his lip squeezing his eyes shut trying desperately not to cum already I was doing my best too but it suddenly hit me like a tone of bricks and I squealed tightening around him as I hit my toe curling orgasm it felt so much better with him inside me "Ughhhhh Newt!" I knew he was struggling just to hold on feeling me cum around him but he kept going as I gasped I stroked his lower stomach trying to help him relax and after only a few short thrusts he buried himself as deep as he could and I felt him cum inside me. 

"Ughh.... love...I uhhh ughh..."

"It's okay," I cooed 

He pulled out and collapsed beside me on my bed, "Bloody hell... that felt amazing."

"Umm mhm..." I cooed cuddling up to him, 

"Awww you happy love?"

"Very very happy newt,"

"Good,"

"It's kinda weird" I spoke up after a while,

"Ohh what me ... you know."

"yeah, it's an odd sensation I feel... weirdly sticky."

"sorry."

"It's fine such is the way of babymaking."

"Ummm baby making. You think we made a baby?"

"I don't know we'll have to wait and see." I cooed, "But... I don't mind trying again."

"Me either." he smirked pulling me closer and into a kiss, "I do hope we get a little baby soon."

"me too, any ideas for a name?"

"Humm... ughhh for a boy? ohh god uhhhh..."

"I'm not naming him Tommy."

"No that's fair."

"Or Minho, they'd both get big heads about it."

"Good point."

"Alby?"

"Ehh,"

"George?"

"Mehh."

"Ben?"

"No, I'm still mad at him,"

"Fair enough, chuckie?"

"umm... maybe," I shrug "Feels weird naming it after someone we know."

"Fair enough, any ideas?"

"Newt jr?" I giggled

"No don't curse the poor kid." 

"What about Warner?"

"Warner? didn't you see that on like a building in the scorch?"

"Yeah, it's a good name I like it." 

"Little warner, I like it too." he cooed kissing my head,

"What about for a girl?"

"... Lizzy."

"why?"

"I don't know... I just really like the name Lizzy, not sure why."

"I like it too little Lizzy,"

"well, no matter what you know I'll love you and our little baby. I just hope I can stay around long enough to watch your belly grow and meet our little one."

"I'm sure you will Newt we just need to do some more tests and things and then I'm sure you'll be good as new and you and I can watch little Lizzy or little warner grow up in the safe haven like a happy little child without the worries and fears we faced."

"I hope so." 

[watchtowerindistress]

the empath and the eldritch horror (5/5) - sparrow!ben x empath!reader

Summary: Ben and Eight have breakfast together. Diego is being weird-er than usual. Two manipulators (more or less) have a heart to heart. Ben and Eight have the best and the worst day together.

Word count: 5.6k

Warning: language, mention of smut, angst (kinda?)

Author's note: Yes, this ends on a cliffhanger note, but that's only because the finale episode will be used as a recap in the new series, so you'll be picked up for the next ride. The Ben/Eight scene during the one hour reprieve can be read as a deleted scene since I couldn't just leave that out.

Just so you know, if you're interested in the sequel series for S4, you can already enter the taglist. Just access the series masterlist, the rest is gravy. 😘 I'm going to take a break after this since I'm getting mentally tired - maybe I depleted all there was for this character for now.

Dear me, thank you for 1.8k. Remember guys, reblogging and writing a small comment is love. Let me know if you even liked this.

Series masterlist

There was just so much to choose from, you realized, when you were standing in front of the buffet, admiring the breakfast collection. Your stomach emitted a rumbling noise to signal its craving for food. You just started filling your breakfast tray when Ben joined your side.

“Here, have some vitamins,” you said, popping a pineapple cube into his mouth.

A grunt left Ben’s mouth. He paused awkwardly before he slowly munched on the fruit. Ben wiped his mouth. “You’re lucky I—you’re alright. You do remember me punching your brother for wanting a hug, right?”

It felt surreal to have him not being his snarky self. Without him hissing at every turn. Ben’s behavior in the elevator should’ve been indicative enough of how the morning after was treating him.

“Is this the hangover talking or are you losing your touch? Because I remember you being way more hostile when you want to be.”

Ben groaned loudly at being caught unawares. “Just give me a few minutes with a cup of coffee, alright? Then I’m back to insulting your whole family.” The corners of his mouth tensed until he managed a smirk.

Your eyes widened comically, clutching your throat. “I was getting worried for a second there,” you retorted before taking a sip from your cup of tea. Feeling satisfied with your yogurt and selection of fruits and cereals, you playfully brushed your shoulder against his and strolled to the dining area.

You chuckled quietly to yourself when you felt him inquisitively turn his head towards you.

Okay, fine. You were kinda flirting with Ben.

But sometimes it was just fun to tease him and to ruffle his feathers a bit since that guy was all about control.

You pulled out the chair at a long banquet table which was covered by a white tablecloth and took a seat with a small sigh. The sweet taste of a juicy strawberry was barely in your mouth before you were reintroduced to Ben’s company who seated himself next to you. He dropped his chin on the palm of his hand, suffering in silence. Which didn’t actually sound like the Ben you knew.

Maybe this was Ben’s idea of a small pity party. Not needing another convincing of him, you touched his forehead without averting your eyes from your food.

Ben groaned while closing his eyes. Bit by bit, he managed to regain his energy. “Oh damn, that’s nice.”

“It was starting to distract me,” you calmly let him know. As soon as you felt him slowly being himself again, you dropped your hand next to your cutlery.

Ben stared intently at you. “Oh, my mistake. How could I dare for having a hangover, right?” He smirked sardonically before he drank from his coffee. “And here I thought you were being all altruistic. Maybe you’re just like me after all.” He inclined his head, like he knew something you didn’t.

The moment when you stirred your cereals into the fruit yogurt, something else crossed your mind. Ever since this morning his mind was preoccupied with morose thoughts. Something must have gotten to him in the wee hours.

You exhaled unevenly. “What’s wrong?”

“Why would there be something wrong?” Ben settled his arms on the table, turning his head towards you with a small smile on his face. Despite the energy surge, Ben’s eyes looked tired.

“Well, if it’s not your emotions revealing themselves, it’s certainly that look in your eyes,” you said softly.

Ben grunted low in his throat. There was something he hadn’t been able to forget, as much as he tried to bury it to the back of his head.

“Ah, classic defense mechanism. Pushing away the people who care about you the most. Just like Dad.”

Ben inhaled deeply and spoke almost absentmindedly. “Klaus said something.”

Remembering one of the first words he uttered while in the elevator, you nodded. Wondering what it was that Klaus said that would make Ben feel so uneasy.

“It really must have gotten to you, huh?”

“Enough to make me want to punch him in the face.” Ben smirked faintly.

“But you didn’t. That has to count for something.” The semblance of pride remained in your voice at the minimum of self-control.

~ Diego POV ~

From afar, Diego and Lila observed Ben and you having breakfast together. Almost in slow motion, Diego’s eyes followed your hand movements when you reached forward to cover Ben’s forehead, swiping his hair to the side while doing it. Barely even noticing the golden shimmer under her palm.

The serene and blissed-out expression on his face made Diego frown. “What the fuck?” Diego muttered under his breath, stalking towards the two of you.

He felt Lila’s fingers clench around his bicep. “Easy there, tiger. Your sister doesn’t have time for your testosterone bullshit,” she calmly whispered into his ear, trying to be some sort of voice of reason. A deed which didn’t sound right in his head. Lila wasn’t exactly known for being reasonable or calm.

“It’s not bullshit if mean Ben just wants to get his tentacles into my sister.” Diego waved towards the little shit. He felt the twitching in his fingers, as they reached for one of his knives in the holster around his ribs.

Lila leaned her arms around Diego’s shoulders, muttering quietly. “Overprotective Diego is kind of a turn-on,” Her voice turned normal again. “Come on, just let your sister have a wee bit of fun for once. I mean, are you behaving like such a controlling, big brother that you don’t even want your sister having a good shag?”

Despite Lila’s flirting or intimate gestures, Diego felt far too tense—not to mention, he was way too in his head—to react accordingly to his girlfriend’s needs. He whipped his head around, feeling slightly nauseated at the mere thought. “What did you say? You think they’re having sex?”

“I’m saying I don’t know. Why?” Lila pulled her head back, slightly befuddled. “What did you mean?”

“I meant that he’s still Dad’s kid. A damn Sparrow. Strategic power move, you know? Keep your enemies closer and whatever. I mean, since when are those two so chummy?”

“Diego, calm your tits.” Lila implored him with a soothing tone, widening her eyes. She enunciated her next words with a deep voice. “We don’t know what’s going on. Is it that surprising that your sweetheart of a sister makes friends with literally everyone? I thought everything was cool.”

Diego’s hard glare met Lila. “That was before, Lila.” Squaring his shoulders, he stalked briskly towards you. Something flashed in his eyes. “Let’s find out.”

She whisper-hissed, “What do you mean let’s find out? Diego!”

“I’m proud of you,” you added with a tad of mischief and gentleness shining in your eyes.

Out of nowhere, the chair opposite of you was pulled out by Diego, rendering you both silent. With a loud grunt, he sat down, bracing his arms on the table. “Hey, what’s up with you two?” Diego’s gaze alternated between Ben and you, it was almost the scrutinizing kind.

You paused from eating your yogurt, feeling stumped by the nature of the question. “Having breakfast?” You arched your eyebrows, speaking slowly. “What are you guys doing?” The question was uttered more out of courtesy, getting the feeling that Lila didn’t intend to take up more of your time. Despite that you watched her tentatively take a seat next to Diego. You didn’t think it was possible for Lila doing anything tentatively.

“Same as you,” Diego said, taking a sip from his cup of joe while keeping his gaze set on the two of you.

“Someone’s being serious,” you muttered before leaning towards Lila, needing something to lift the mood. “I heard the two of you were being some horndogs.” You wiggled your eyebrows.

“Oh, Y/N, you know, a lady never does kiss and tell.”

You smiled, provocatively tilting your head. “And what would you call yourself then?”

Gasping mockingly, Lila guffawed with laughter.

“Care to tell what you guys did once the party was over?” Like a bucket of ice-cold water drenching the atmosphere, Diego interjected.

Before you could react, Ben answered for you. “What do you care?” He braced his arm around his chair.

Diego smirked sarcastically, trying to get under his skin. “And here I thought we were becoming best buds.”

You tilted your head. If anything, Ben got to Diego before you could’ve said your piece. “No, I’m kinda with Ben here. Why are you in detective mode?” Widening your eyes, you inquired with both parts levity and earnest fascination. “Wait, did someone actually die?” You kept weaving that hypothetical scenario in your head.

“Nobody died, I think,” Lila threw in. After throwing a secondary glance at Diego, she affirmed stronger. “Nobody died. Don’t mind Diego,” Lila replied, soothingly stroking his shoulder. “He didn’t get much sleep last night. Didn’t you, love?” Lila articulated with a firm tone, intending to jog his memory.

“I told you, babe, this is important,” Diego retorted forcefully.

“And I’m telling you, you’re behaving like the weirdest guy ever. Now is not the time. Now, come on, let’s get moving before I change my mind.” She shook Diego’s shoulders from behind when he didn’t move a muscle. “Diego, I’m serious. Move your cute bum.”

With great reluctance, Diego finally relented. But not before sending you two a meaningful glance.

“What was that all about?” Ben asked almost boredly once the both of them walked away. Or more like Lila dragged your brother away. Ben sank his teeth into a cucumber with relish, emitting a delicious crunch as he stared after them.

“That’s Diego in detective mode for you. My theory with a whodunit still stands, you know?”

Ben hummed. “And what a tragedy it would be if someone didn’t wind up dead,” he said with a sardonic smirk.

You merely threw him a dry expression at Ben’s idea of a good time.

“So, you heard about that family meeting dad called in?” Ben inquired and continued speaking when he heard you sigh wearily. “You going to show up?”

There was something about Reginald calling in a meeting that felt like more of an emotional chore to pull through. Your eyes looked into the distance. “He probably has some sort of devil’s advocate favor to ask.”

Ben arched an intrigued brow. “So, you’d rather he influenced the rest of your family instead? Klaus doesn’t seem that opposed to gaining his favor.”

With your eyes narrowing, you saw right through him. “Don’t manipulate me.”

He shrugged without a care. “It’s not manipulation when you know it’s a manipulation.”

You tilted your head in consideration. “I don’t think that’s how it goes.”

“Just saying, you don’t think there are a few other people who would join his side if given the chance?” Ben probed even further, “Maybe Allison or maybe even the dynamic duo we just had over?”

A gleam was shining in your eyes when you pursed your lips. “You do realize I was going to show up either way before you decided to confront me with your sales pitch, right?”

Ben lost all the fight in his body when he leaned back in his chair with a huffing exhale. “Why do I even bother with you?”

Five was the last to join the family meeting when Reginald and him entered the lobby. The younger Hargreeves was confronted with boisterous applause when he went across the carpet to sit on the armchair by the wall, sending you back to drunk Five during the wedding.

Klaus clapped his hands. “Woo! Five! Yeah!”

A sarcastic Diego agreed by mentioning, “That speech last night! Wow!”

Lila joined the spectacle. “Brought me to tears, you big softy.”

You sat between Ben and Klaus on the round mustard-colored sitting area when Ben impatiently covered his forehead at everyone’s antics.

Five waved a hand. “Okay. Enough. It was the booze talking. In the light of day, you’re all still deplorable.”

“And your day’s about to get worse,” Reginald added ominously. Your inquisitive eyes met him anchoring a thickly bound journal to his chest. “As a boy, I heard the legend of the eight bells. All these stories are the same. The village is under threat by flood, by fire, by a night that never ends. A shaman brings his disciples to a sacred cave.”

Lila laid with her head in Diego’s lap. There was something in her eyes which told you she didn’t fully believe the tale yet.

“He tells them if they can ring the magic bells, the village will be saved and all will be restored just as it was. None of you can deny what’s going on around us. All of existence will be gone by the end of the day, but whoever or whatever wove together space and time, they left a way to put things back together if the universe ever faced total annihilation. There is a portal in the universe. I built this hotel around it, and on the other side is the answer.”

Luther voiced your inner thoughts. “And… we’re supposed to, what? Just stroll in there, ring some bells, and fix this shit?” Sloane leaned against him, seeking comfort while her hand slung around his arm.

“Sarcasm aside, you are mostly right. Except for the guardian.”

Viktor filled the tense silence. “What kind of guardian?”

With a calm voice, Diego explained, “Kinda guardian that does this. He had a sword.” He held up a hand which had two fingers missing.

Eyeing the missing appendages, you spoke dryly, “Sounds like the stakes are pretty low then. Not to mention very convenient.”

“It is a force to be reckoned with,” Reginald assured fervently.

Still, Viktor remained cautious by this reveal. “Why would the builders of this ‘back door’ need to have a guardian?”

Sloane raised a hand, speaking all too eagerly, “Ah! To protect it from people who want to use it for nefarious means.”

There was something about Reginald’s agenda which irked you to no end. Especially with some sort of guardian protecting this reset device. “Guess we’re gonna be the ones who will use it for nefarious means,” you retorted sarcastically.

If there was one thing you could trust about Reginald, it was that he couldn’t be trusted. So, you wondered what he wasn’t telling everyone since this whole story seemed way too convenient for already offering a way out of this mess.

It was obvious where Allison stood with all of this. “So it’s gonna take all of us to defeat the thing protecting the bells.”

Like he already made up his mind when he came to this gathering, Ben stood up and positioned himself next to Reginald. Despite the unwavering loyalty being drilled into him at a young and impressionable age, uncertainty still simmered under the surface. “I’m in.”

Diego followed. “Me too.” Lila winced when he left her side abruptly, making her jolt her head on the sofa.

Your eyes scrutinized Ben’s unhesitating willingness, especially with Diego joining the mix—all too willing to go all Batman again.

“Well, I say we vote,” Viktor offered diplomatically.

Ben glared at him. “This isn’t a democracy. Dad’s calling the shots.”

“I’m with Viktor,” Five agreed. “We vote.”

“The world is ending, and you want to count hands?” Reginald exclaimed in incredulity. With Ben silently agreeing with him who wanted this to get done as quickly as possible.

“You’re asking us to risk our lives,” Luther—ever the mediator among the family—threw in. “I think it’s only fair you give us time to discuss it. Privately.” After hearing Reginald make an indignant huff, he continued, “Why don’t we meet back here in an hour?”

After a tired sigh, Reginald brushed his hand against Ben’s shoulder as he passed him by.

“Agreed,” Five added.

You didn’t need the extra hour to make up your mind. You tasted the cold dessert in your mouth while your back leaned against the balcony on the roof top.

“So, it’s a portal, right?��

Ben sighed, digging with his spoon into the tub of ice cream between you. “Yes, it’s a portal from where I can summon eldritch monsters.”

“Then, if you had the choice what other monsters would you pull through your body?”

Ben groaned loudly at that. “You know, I didn’t have that in mind when you said we’d have some fun.”

“Come on, this is fun.” You giggled, waving your hand towards the sky. “These are some front row seats to the apocalypse. I’m trying to get to know you with these questions. Ergo, a fun time.” You pursed your lips. “I’m thinking probably a creature who has the skin of a snake, lots of eyes. Maybe some sort of Medusa, you know?”

Ben nodded indulgently. “Definitely.”

“It’s your turn.”

Ben exhaled. “Do we have to turn this into a game?”

“It’s called a two-way street. Otherwise, I would just be the one talking which I don’t mind—to a certain degree.”

“Of course.”

“This way you could divulge what interests you in return.”

“What is that called?”

“An interaction, you dork.” You chuckled, brushing your shoulder against his. “Can be anything. Favorite foods, cereal first or milk, favorite sibling.”

“How do you see the auras?”

You turned your head. “That’s your first question? You want to talk about powers?”

Ben shrugged his shoulders in justification, exclaiming, “You were the one who did this first. Besides, I already know who your favorite sibling is.”

“Wait, what?”

“So, let’s get back to power talk.” Ben continued when he heard you grumbling, “How do you see them? You keep mentioning clouds.”

You finally sighed, making up your mind. “Every person has some sort of smoky cloud following behind in a specific color. All those colors just have a different meaning.”

“What’s mine?”

“What do you think yours is?”

“Let me guess, anger?” Ben smirked, having speculated from all your conversations.

“And green.” You looked at him with a serene expression.

“What’s that?” He arched an eyebrow, smirking mockingly. “Hope?”

“It’s willpower.”

Ben averted his gaze before he hid his smile. “Oh wow, you really know how to build a guy up.” His dark eyes met yours again. “Have you seen yours?”

You could remember the handful of times you saw the familiar colors while passing reflections. “Yellow and violet. Fear and love.”

“Fear and love—” Ben quietly repeated to himself. “What’s that like?”

“Haven’t you ever loved something so much you were afraid you were going to lose it?”

There was hesitation in his eyes. “… Can’t say I have.”

You felt your mind wandering elsewhere as you leaned with your arms against the railing overseeing the lobby. The others had withdrawn for some peace and quiet to make their choices. It was barely half an hour left before the rest would have to reconvene.

Tensing your shoulders, you reared your head. Needing a moment for you to breathe mindfully again.

“Are you here for some peace and quiet?”

If there was one voice you didn’t expect to hear, it was Allison’s.

You didn’t bother turning your head, hoping that Allison could read your disposition that you weren’t good for company. At last, you murmured, “I thought some solitude might do the trick, but I guess that’s out of the window now.”

Her long suffering sigh could’ve bridged the distance. Allison was torn between staying or going before she seemed to make up her mind. She exhaled deeply and took her time in joining you at the banister. “Here we are … another day, another apocalypse. Who’d have thought we’d be here again, huh?”

You had already gone tired from any affectation. “Why are you here, Allison?”

A reminiscent smile tugged at her lips. “You know, there was never any bullshitting with you. No pretending. I kinda loved and hated that about you at the same time. That day at the Sparrow Academy, you saw me. For what I really was. When everything was out in the open, when the others saw what I did, I was … afraid that you would try to influence my emotions and then I was almost anticipating you to when you didn’t.”

Something akin to disappointment rose in you at this recurring notion.

“That’s not who I am. I won’t be subjected to being a painkiller you can just take when you can’t deal with something.” As soon as you said it, you remembered who you were talking to and that there was a 50/50 chance that she would misunderstand and think you meant the reset of her daughter and not anything in general.

Before you could clarify, Allison beat you to it. “I know that now.”

There was hesitance in your eyes when you chose your words carefully. “Why is it exactly you’re wanting to talk to me?”

“You’re probably one of the only people in this family who doesn’t want to kill me … yet.”

It still came out of left field that Allison said that out loud. Despite that you raised your eyebrows at the astute observation of your siblings. “Yet. With some exceptions.” With an exhale, you averted your gaze. “As much as I understand and feel what you’re going through, I can’t cross the line into your darkness.”

“I don’t want you to.”

“Then tell me you’ll be satisfied—happy when all of this is said and done,” you implored.

“I don’t know. I hope so. This rage … it’s all I have left. I’m scared I would fall apart if I just let myself feel things.” With her eyes shining wistfully, Allison continued, “What do you see when you look at me? The truth, please.”

You didn’t need to look at the wisps of smoke to discern the black and red colors surrounding her like an ominous beacon. “Pain,” you inhaled, feeling your chest tightening. “… and rage.”

Allison’s laughter echoed with a choked voice. “True.” She sent you a cursory glance. “Isn’t it strange that with our powers being so similar, our paths still deviated?”

“Well, our powers don’t shape us. We are the ones who choose how we use them.”

“That’s a very black and white perception to have.”

“Only when you’re telling yourself it’s the power making you do bad stuff, instead of the other way around.”

Allison shook her head. Perhaps a part of her felt rattled that you didn’t take the bait and rather painted her in such a light that it was her own doing for becoming a cunning person for misusing her powers like that. “I just don’t get it. How you could remain untainted by all of this. You have no idea what it’s like having someone like you grow up beside us.”

“It’s not like you ever gave me a shot, did you?” You replied monotonously. “Found someone else to blame other than the obvious culprit?”

If it was possible, Allison’s huffing breath elevated her level of frustration even more. “I get it, I’ve been a shitty sister.” Her gaze wandered around in thought. “The thing is, we don’t have a lot of time. You always struck me as this sensible and sorta neutral person, so I guess, I wondered on which side you fell on?”

“The unsurprising one. You’ll find out like the others, don’t worry.”

Not satisfied by that answer, Allison clenched her jaw and licked her lips before she accepted your words with a small nod. Your gut was telling you that she intended to mentally join her side. Her back was already turned to yours when you threw one last shot.

“To answer your question, I never wanted to hurt people with my power. That’s the difference between us. So, either tell me, you know what you’re doing and that you’ll draw the consequences from your actions or promise you’ll find a way back to us.”

There was an added layer with the tension in her body when Allison stopped in her tracks.

“I promise.”

It was unsurprising how fast an hour could pass when time was of the essence. The moment of truth called as soon as the question was uttered whether the other side should be crossed. You sat between Viktor and the just married twosome of Luther and Sloane on the stairs, calmly waiting for Allison to finish her take.

“-which way I’ll be voting. We’ve all been through a lot. We’ve all lost people.” She sent an awkward glance towards Five who leaned against the illuminated pillar. “Mannequins… But their deaths have to mean something. Which is why I’ll be voting to go with Dad.”

Lila’s quiet muttering to Diego, “What she said,” wasn’t as muted as she wanted to believe when your eyes met the two over your shoulder. She hollered, pumping her fist while following Allison’s example when she sauntered to Reginald’s side. “Let’s go save the bloody universe!”

In turn, Diego moved away from the pillar and decisively walked towards the stairs with the rest of us. “All right, well, since she said yes, I vote stay. How’s that for nice?” Diego stared with defiance at Lila, offering a shallow smile.

“I am with Father.” Klaus spoke with a low dramatic voice. He waved his hand at the aforementioned man, with a flower in his palm.

Ben offered Reginald an indiscernible nod at Klaus’ reaction, making you frown.

Sighing at Allison’s gaze, Viktor spoke softly. “Look, I want to believe, okay? I really do.” He waved his hands. “I just can’t shake the feeling we don’t know what we’re getting ourselves into.”

The thunderclap echoing in the distance was a dire warning that time was a rare currency you didn’t have.

Allison crossed her arms, stubbornly refusing to accept his stance. “No, but we know what we’ve got if we don’t. We have to go into this together.” Her imploring stare switched over to the rest still sitting on the stairs. “Viktor.” She smiled softly. “A family.”

Viktor’s body language turned weary and incredulous. “You can’t just keep throwing the word ‘family’ around. It isn’t enough. I vote stay.”

Hugging Sloane from behind, Luther’s hands brushed against her shoulders, gazing at her from above. “Um… Sloane and I talked, and-”

Offering her silent support, Sloane covered his hand comfortingly.

“Well, we’re out,” Luther continued, “Look, we wanna spend whatever time we have left together, and not fighting some guy with a sword and ringing bells and stuff. So…”

“Four in, four out,” Viktor summarized.

“I saw the future, and it told me to sit this one out. I vote stay.” Five arched an eyebrow at Reginald. “It’s time we accept our fate.” Slowly, his head swiveled around until his green eyes met yours. “The moment of truth,” he mumbled as encouragement.

Absentmindedly, you licked your lips in consideration. “We jump from one apocalypse to the next. Maybe I’m tired of jumping into the next one.” You shrugged your shoulders. “Maybe this is supposed to happen, who knows? I’d rather we choose to live or die on our own terms than face something we aren’t prepared for. So, I’d rather stay.”

“This is insane,” Ben exclaimed, waving a hand. “So, you’d rather give up than to even try fighting?”

“Sounds like a great idea—confronting an enemy we know nothing about except it can chop off digits. Sounds like someone to be reasoned with.”

Ben shook his head with a grimace. “You didn’t strike me as a little scaredy-cat. There’s something called strength in numbers, you know?”

His adamancy in trying to change your mind made you frown. “You actually expected me to go pro-Reginald? In what world?”

“Maybe I expected more from you,” Ben hissed in a whisper.

The others revealed a mildly astonished expression at Ben’s reaction to your line in the sand, throwing each other furtive glances.

Diego crossed his arms, wasting no time in standing close to you. “Dude, she said no.”

Ben pointed at Diego as his shoulders tensed from the protective gesture, itching to go toe-to-toe with him. “Don’t call me ‘dude’.”

“I reckon this is final then.” This time it was Reginald who spoke up ever since you offered your perspective.

Once the word final was uttered, Allison scoffed. “You’re all pathetic,” she said, strutting away.

“Why can’t we go in there, just the four of us?” Ben pressed quietly on the subject.

“That would mean certain failure. There must be eight.” Reginald answered. He faced the others in one last speech. “Children, I can’t say I’m happy with this. But I see now the blame falls on me. I failed you when you were young, and I have failed you now. And in doing so, I have doomed the entire universe. If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the courtyard… awaiting the end.” With that, it was almost with a pitiful air in which he walked away.

Ben’s hard glare haunted you when he followed his father’s example. “Idiots.”

“Was that a real apology?” Viktor inquired in uncertainty.

Luther remained steadfast, no matter what. “The man’s never apologized for anything in his life.”

With his arms laced together over his abdomen, Diego admitted quietly, “I actually feel bad for him.”

Hearing him offer sympathy compelled you to send him an admonishing, but weary glance. “Don’t.”

Five reinforced the notion. “Don’t worry. It’ll pass.”

The elevator let out an ominous ding with its arrival from your side while you were unlocking your room when something else caught your attention.

“Oh, great work out there.”

Enormous dread made your body freeze, as much as those words of utter sarcasm were to be anticipated. Ben wasn’t the type to just take it without complaining the whole way through. Dropping your head with a sigh, you already let yourself in. Expecting him to barge in anyways.

Not bothering to close the door, Ben started with his rant. “I especially liked the part when you admitted to just accept fate and-” He dramatically spreads his hands in a final gesture, “just give up. Very moving stuff.”

You exhaled heavily, turning around until you were facing him. “What do you want from me, Ben?”

“I want you to give a shit. We had this one shot to come together and face whatever there was on the other side.” Choosing to dip the knife deeper, Ben smirked darkly. “But instead, you decided to blow it.”

“Wait.” You tilted your head when you brought to mind the last few hours. Allison doing her little shtick was one thing but… “You actually—A part of you expected me to go a different route. That’s what you were trying to do before. By going for an Allison maneuver?”

“First, thanks for the compliment. Being compared to the schemer of your family? Not exactly the insult you think it is. Second, I just can’t believe you’d willingly waste the rest of your given time before the apocalypse. Truth be told, I thought you’d pick the smarter choice. Guess I pegged you wrong.”

Your skin started to heat up. The first petals started to fall from the flowers in the vase on the windowsill. A few breaths in and out later, you shook your head.

“Because I don’t see it like you? Because I don’t trust your father? Because I don’t want anyone to die just for his whims?”

Ben’s eyes were blazing with fervor. “He’s been training us for this our whole lives. It has to mean something. This didn’t just fall into my lap. I was chosen for this. To be a Sparrow.”

You chose to confess what was on your mind, as much as it pained you. “You’re breaking my heart. To willingly offer your loyalty to someone who will always have conditions bound to that. You want Reginald to see you?”

You shook your head. “He won’t. As much as it takes me no pleasure to say this, but … he won’t accept you as his equal. No one could ever measure up. Your Dad sees himself far too superior for everyone else. That man follows his own agenda.”

“You think you’re so damn smart, don’t you?” Ben harbored a narcissistic expression. His arrogance and destructive second nature felt like a familiar sting. “Your family is the reason we’re in this mess in the first place. You think I’m just going to accept it when all of you are just wreaking havoc regardless of the consequences? At least our father is actually trying to fix this.”

“I’m just saying, you need to take a step back and listen to your gut instinct.” Your hands hovered in front of you, almost close to touching him. “Reginald does not deserve your undying loyalty when it’s not even warranted. In every universe so far, he doesn’t care about anything other than achieving his own goals. Do you think he would actually lay down his life for you or for Sloane? You deserve more than this. I care about you, Ben. Your sister cares about what happens to you. That has to mean something.”

With his eyes softening, it felt like Ben would step closer. For a few seconds you thought you got to him. Until he clenched his jaw.

“You’re so pathetic,” Ben hissed, shaking his head in derision. “For thinking your opinion matters to me.” His face hardened. “You’re the damn replacement. You probably wouldn’t have been even able to save your Ben, if you had the chance. So why don’t you lie down like a good little corpse and wait for the Kugelblitz to take you. See if I care.”

Tagging: @cherryinsalemverse @mellowstatesmanhandsempath @ravenmoore14 @blackmagicwoman @lelaamela @kit-k4t @callsignwidow @gordorio @rinaarii @mencantaleer @lumpyspaceprincess05

[skyfallslayer]

Should We Stay or Should We Go? || Prologue

-A ST Rewrite Feat. Steve Harrington x Henderson!OFC-

Main Masterlist || Series Masterlist

🎲Summary: On the night of November 6th, 1983, Stephanie Henderson decided to walk her little brother’s friend, Will, back home. However… they never arrive. Now, Dustin, Mike and Lucas, and soon the exception of the girl’s ex-best friend, Steve, must band together to find out what happened. Meanwhile, Steph and Will must fight for their survival in this nightmarish version of Hawkins, Indiana.

🎲Chapter Summary: When they interlocked their pinkies none of them ever expected the weirdness that follows the years after. None of them ever expected to start growing apart. None of them ever expected the red string to stay attached. And none of them ever expected that they would be out saving the world with a baseball bat and wings. Yeah... you can’t make this stuff up.

🎲Pairings: Will x Platonic!OFC; Dustin x Sister!OC; Slow burn! Steve x Henderson!OFC (Ex-bestfriends to Lovers); Slow burn! Byler

🎲Rating: Teen-Mature

🎲Word Count: 921 (Small Introduction)

🎲Date: 3/6/24

🎲Warnings: Angst; Swearing; Implied Broken Friendship

🎲A/N: Extremely small chapter, hence why it's just the prologue. I just wanted to show my readers what the big picture is of this story, which is the Steve x OC relationship. However, just like above, this will contained the loving sibling relationship of Dustin, and even Will, between OC. This story also contains Jopper (a personal fav), Jancy, Mileven and the slow burn of Byler (I got to give this boy some love and if you think Will has been a background character for the last few seasons like I have then don't you worry! I'm giving Will a time for him to shine throughout this fic). Anyway, don't want this paragraph to be longer than the actual chapter. Lol. Enjoy!

Pinky Promise.

It’s a bond between two people, a vow that’s taken so it shall not be broken. Childish, you know, but to a small kid it means everything. When they locked their pinkies together, muttering their promises to one another, they both had barely turned five, barely ready to take on the world head first. 

But a promise was a promise— Yet a pinky promise was so much more. It holds so much more weight than crossing your heart or giving a handshake. 

At least it was to these two very best friends…

.

.

.

“Wow.” The blue eyed girl said, genuinely surprised (She can’t even believe their conversation is so calming in a situation like this). “That explains so much. And… you never mentioned that to me before?”

“Well, can you blame me?” He asked, with a small smile and laugh. “I think it kinda does. I think, like, right out of the gate, like, I’m super confident. But I’m also, like, an idiot. Which is just…” He shrugs. “I mean, it’s a brutal combination. But, I mean, the good news is, I get a big enough thump on my head, I can change, you know? I can learn. I can crawl forward.”

She noticed his pace was slowing, and his brown eyes of his were becoming distant. “Steve?”

“Listen–” He stops them both, face looking like a lost puppy now. “I guess what I’m trying to say in a really stupid, roundabout way is, um… is thank you.”

She tilts her head, confused. “Thank you?” She watches him nod, adding fuel to her emotion. “For...?”

His face softens. “For giving my head the biggest thump of its life two years ago.” He chuckles. “Nancy, you know, she gave me the push, but you, Stephanie, gave me the thump I needed. It’s changed my life. And now I’m crawling forward in a way I never thought I could achieve. Slowly.”

And now he’s frowning, looking down at himself, engulfing himself in the glum. “I just wonder sometimes... you know, if... if I had just opened my eyes before I met Nancy, would things have been different? Like… part of me thinks we would’ve made it without our relationship falling apart.”

“Steve–” She croaks, teary eyed and shocked.

“And… you know what the craziest… most messed up part of the story is?”

“What?”

His lips curled up just a bit. “Remember the dream I told you about? About the Winnebago? Seeing the country with my six lil’ nuggets? It’s all true. Every last word. But… the mess up part?” He swallows, also getting emotional. “The mess up part is when I first thought of that dream… is that… you’re there. You’ve always been there.”

“Steve–”

“And that…” He smiles. “That’s my pinky promise to you, Miss Stephanie Henderson.”

.

.

.

The creature shrieked above, its claws waving around frantically –trying to get a nick out of him– as he held it back with some piping. He watched the pupils go all ‘cat-like’, fangs coming out that he swears were growing with each scream. 

He was struggling, he knows this, and he knows he has to buy the kid some time to get a radio signal out to his girlfriend, but he was slipping, fuck it. However, he knows deep in his heart he can’t back down from this.

His jaw clenched and his eyes flash with determination. “I don’t care what you’ve become! I ain’t leaving you, Henderson!” He shouted, hoping his words would get through to her. “That’s a pinky promise.”

.

.

.

“I’m helping you and Dustin out.” He insisted, knowing damn well that she didn’t even want him near her brother, let alone near herself.

She sends him a look, skeptical, on edge. “Why?”

“Look, I know you don’t want to talk–”

“Damn, right.”

“Steph.” He says, stepping in front of her way to get her attention. “We’ll just put this on the backburner. Right now, and I mean it, I just want to help you and Dustin, keep you guys safe. Pinky Promise.”

.

.

.

“Steve–”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He says, while playing with his hands, nervously, worriedly. “Not until I know you’re okay.”

She frowns apologetically. “You know that might be a while.” 

“I know.”

“I have Dustin and my mom, you don’t have to stay here.”

“I know.” He breaks eye contact. “But what if I want to?”

That made her chuckle. “Well… if you want to.” She says, making them both smile. “Fine sleeping in a chair?”

He nods. “If that’s what I’ll have to do.” He replies, making her hum.

She raises an eyebrow. “Is that a pinky promise?”

“Yeah.” His expression grows. “Pinky promise.”

.

.

.

But what if you break it? The promise? What if you don’t follow through? That is the unfortunate part of this story. The promise was to stay together forever, to make their friendship last a lifetime. For them, they were two peas in a pod, polar opposites that still attached themselves to one another… until they couldn’t.

When the boy decided to become a King, the girl became a peasant. The boy was showered with love and affection, and the girl was on a quest of loneliness that became bitter.

This was a story about Steve Harrington and Stephanie Henderson.

A story, where no matter what happens, the red string still stays attached to their pinkies despite their attempts to take it off.

This was story where the two of them decided to save the world–

Their families–

Their friends–

.

.

.

And their friendship.

(TBC)

A/N: I was so surprised when everyone was asking to be added in just a few short days. Makes me really happy :D

.

-Taglist is Open-

@ladygrey03 @poppet05 @tooearlyforthis @lovesfics @lordzzz

[nachofuck3r]

ᴊᴏʜɴɴʏ ᴄᴀɢᴇ x ɢɴ!ᴘʟᴀʏᴇʀ/ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇᴀᴅᴄᴀɴᴏɴꜱ

After a high I flood of demand we are gonna have some of Johnny Cage x Player headcanons!! Because everyone is loved by him, shut up! He loves the player?!!!

CW: meantions of you having a dick (it could also be a strap), lotta dirty talk, mentions of breeding, daddykink, slight degradation. the nsfw section is devided into 4 different categories, Johnny being dom/sub Bottom/Top, so everyone is provided for.

SFW:

First of all I do really hope you are looking for needy, because in game Johnny is so very needy and desperate for you and your attention. He'll do absolutely anything to grab it and impress you. He's already an attention whore when he's not trying to rizz you up. But with you he doubles down, tries legit everything from sweet to sultry.

No touching, means double the verbal affection, so so much flirting. There is not one taunt he doesn't do for you.

"I'm packing more than a punch, baby" "How do I look from behind?'' "Your smile, is my fatality" "What if, next time, you finish me?"

At first you are freaked out and taken aback, when it comes to your attention, that Johnny shouldn't be doing marriage proposals, in the middle of a match. You're game must be bugged in some very weird and fanservice providing way.

If you indulge his advances, by flirting back or taunting him. He's freak! There is no way the sexy person controlling him is also flirting with him?! Over the moon, that's him right then.

But if you don't or actively reject his flirting, he will suspect you are playing hard to get. So he'll most likely double down and get more risque with his propositions.

"You're like, super tiny, man" "I'm not tiny, I'm in a game, but I can, 100% guaranteed, still rock your world"

Banter becomes a regular occurrence, with you all the while, improving your gaming skills and him mostly just longingly staring at you and trying to impress you with taunts, brutalities and special attacks.

"Why didn't you do the fatality?!" "Because you already performed one this round" "what- "On my heart"

Groan

If you get easily flustered and don't like the flirting, DONT change this mans skin/clothes. The teasing will be endless.

"You like dressing me up, baby?" "Stop calling me that I'm a grown person..." "You're right I should be calling you my spouse"

"Are you looking at my ass?" "No, I'm just checking- uhh" "Just admit you want me, it'll make everything so much easier."

Also don't stop maining him. He'll survive if you play other characters but if you do it long term and the come back to him, he'll be twice as needy, a little pissy and a lot more desperate.

"Is it something I did?" "No, I just wanted to play someone else" "So it was something I did?" "What does that farm boy have that I don't?" "A hat" "Not if you dress me up as Illinois"

At first his very obvious, overly flirty self annoyed you incredibly.

Yes he's sexy and he's also technically single.

But he's also in a game so?? What is a guy gonna do.

This is what a guy is gonna do.

NSFW:

Subby Top:

If you like your men whiny but also want them to wreck you, talk about convenient. Johnny is 100% the provider for your needs. Will not stop whimpering and whining outside of sex but when it gets heated. He cannot stop.

"Please, I need to be inside you so bad" "Fuck I just wanna breed you, want to see you so full, please" "I wish you could ride my face, I need you so badly"

Since he's kinda well INGAME, you two find other ways to be intimate, if its just masturbating, you playing with toys mostly.

SUCK HIM OFF! Or well pretend to, seeing you suck on a toy. Boom man is combusted and on the floor. There is nothing he would love more than paint your face with his fuck-juice.

Seeing you ride a dildo will absolutely kill this man, he'll be a needy mess through out every other match he has the same day.

"Sorry, I couldn't stop thinking about you riding my dic-" "Johnny I swear to every god available"

Subby Bottom:

If the thought, of Johnny being inside you isn't your speed, that's fine! He's a flexible and very versatile man. Plus let's be real, he does this stuff anyway. No way, this man hasn't fucked his own ass.

Subspace Johnny is a fucking mess, just picture him endlessly fingering his own hole, very sloppily.

"If only these fingers were your dick!" "I wish you could spurt inside me, I need you so much baby" "Gods, I need that cock in me or else I'll die"

Dramatic as fuck, but these sentences are just scares throughout the fingering. He'll mostly just be a whimpering mess. So it's very likely you'll have to provide the teasing and dirty talk this time around.

The sound of your voice, taunting him, while fucking his own ass, will make him squirt. Makes a mess of his own mansion floor.

"We should do this before every match!" "Be real- ugh as real as can be, you wouldn't win a single match after something like this..."

Dom Bottom:

This is essentielly the cocky and less whiny version of sub bottom.

You can expect so much taunting from this man, especially when he's pounding his own hole. Will not stop god damned talking.

"If there's a way for me to get out of here, the first thing I'll do if ride your fat dick." "Just thinking about your dick makes me cum" "That's a good boy/girl, stroke that dick thinking about my tight ass"

My guy prays every night, that he can become real and actually just absolutely destroy himself on your dick.

"Are you okay? That's the second match you lost today?" "Sorry, I did not get much rest"

Dom Top:

This is kinda the end boss of Johnny Cages sex life, this is just a part of him. This'll happen eventually, of course only if you want to. But being a dominant top is probably something he'll have to do every once in a while.

"I'm gonna fill this tight litte hole with my seed" "You're such a needy whore for me, for your Daddy" "I'm gonna paint your insides so fucking white, flooding you full of me" "You look so good sucking my dick baby, it's like this is what you were made to do"

Of course it's all pretend, it's just you needily fucking yourself in front of a screen. But both you and a man can dream that he is absolutely destroying your hole with his fat dick.

If you have a pussy he'll ask you to slap it, 100% wants to slap your cunt to get it sensitive. It's also like his favorite thing if you can squirt, he wants that all over him, making you squirt is like his main goal (if it's possible). So he'll often have you fingering yourself into an absolute mess.

"One more baby I feel like this is the one"

If you have a dick, he'll want it super sensitive. Will make you fuck your own fist for hours on end, even if you're spent. Bro wants to see you massage your own balls. He gets so excited thinking about you spurting all over your own stomach. Looking so needy and desperate for him.

"Come on, baby. Make a mess of yourself for daddy"

Little plus here for my T-Dick people.

He adores your dick. He'll ask you to show it to him every time you two get intimate. Wants to see you stroke it and finger yourself (only if you're comfortable), he loves how stiff it can get. Wants to get his mouth on it so bad.

"I want to suck you off so bad. Wish I could frot our dicks together, baby"

[1eos]

please share some of these bls!! its crazy because i dont even like them but the ones i get from you are so fun. like the best friend who turns into a girl one i made my friend read with me and it was a good time!!

alright this will be my definitive bl rec list as of today september 15th 2024. its a LOT of reccs here so i will separate them into subsets i guess

my faves: (bls i love w all my heart and will recc constantly)

amber paradox/ameiro paradox by natsume isaku. one of my first bl 🥺they're 'straight' coworkers with beef -> decide the other isn't as bad as they first thought -> jealousy when other ppl hit on them -> realizing they have feelings for each other. i can't even say its enemies to lovers done right bc one guy didn't know they were beefing and they stay arguing w/ each other but in a cute way 😭😭😭 VERY tsundere x tsundere

konokoi wa unmeijanai by yamada yugi. this bl saved me. gay boy has a bad break up, moves, and goes to a print house (hes a graphic designer) where he meets a pretty boy who used to be a delinquent thats like 'ohhhhh so you know my friend? you're gay aren't you?' and he doesnt want to get a crush on him but the ex-delinquent is soooo charmingly stupid and crass (i love him too) and they develop a friendship and then more...?

elektel delusion by nekota yonezou. sadly the characters are in high school 😔 but the characters are very very charming. pair of besties that are childhood friends are always together. one is gay, out, and has a crush on the other and the 'straight' one keeps getting dumped by girls bc he prioritizes his bestie. gay boy (he's so scorpio coded) gets a 'boyfriend' to make other bestie jealous and straight gay boy begins to lose his mind and realize some things. this one is a classic...TO ME

konya mo nemurenai (another sleepless night) by yamamoto kotetsuko. a fave of mine. gay boy accidentally summons a demon that will not leave and keeps eating all his food. the demon is a freeloader. the gay boys wants a boyfriend. they learn to coexist and something blossoms <3

liquor & cigarette by zaria ranmaru. the art on this one is sooooooo gorg. love this one. childhood friends. one friend is openly bi and this leads to the other's bicurious moment. bi friend is like finallyyyyyyy you're considering men pleaseeeeeee pick me pleaseee date me i love u so much i've loved u for so long i want you soooo bad. and so they explore sexuality while practicing for a drinking contest in town. and the top explicitly waits for the other to figure out how he feels ouuu its so good

hashi no xl saizu by omoimi. faveeeeeeeeee. all time faveeeee. its simple, cute, no violence, nothing weird. and the plot? a college guy has a dick so big he can't date or have sex and he meets someone at a club event whos like what? no i'll teach you that there's no dick too big for someone's hole. surprisingly wholesome despite that being the lede

FUCK BUDDY BY HINAKO. i love this one. tsundere dark haired main character. bi4bi. and needless drama bc both characters are kinda toxic. tres bien. soooo these two friends are both sluts that do threesomes w women all the time bc what else do u do when u can't admit you want each other? well after one of them gets a dick injury (dont ask) they take the women out of the occasion and things progress from there

kabukichou bad trip by eiji nagisa. i loved this one so much i would suck the author off for another 4 volumes. so theres this guyyyyy he can read minds and he uses it to make bank as a host and he has a crush on a model and randomly meets said model and reads his mind on accident and the model wants to do s&m with him and the mind reader starts considering some things. the art is sooooo good btw like wow

fucked by my best friend by yupopo orishima.........this one was a staple on the blog. two besties who are sluts....are they are. one gets his gender transed by a spurned ex-lover and his friend is like 'oh finally i can fuck u' and he's like WAIT WHAT DID YOU SAY? and they fuck a lot. slut 1 transes his gender back and forth a lot and they keep fucking and gender becomes merely a trifle. an afterthought. so good

ookami-sama no koiwazurai by tobi washio. and i would KILL for a sequel to this one. its a world where some ppl have animal ears/traits and live peacefully w humans. sooo wolf guy gets into accidental beef w a human and wolf guy is like 'i was after your friend first but your autistic boy swag has seduced me....' and starts courting him and the other guy is like 'damn ive never been moved to express my emotions all too much but this sexy wolf man wants me so bad maybe i'm feeling desire for the first time?' its very funny

baby, sugar, succubus by tojo sakana. idk why i love this one so much???? it might be the art style but basically a guy runs a restaurant his dick is just too damn big and then he runs into a boy succubus that's like >.< let me in coach. but the boy succubus is very cute and has no idea how anal works glkagaklgkagkalk. anyways they make an oddly sweet couple

wholesome reads (as the kids say......gives u fluffy feelings):

totsugimasen kara by sunako. ohhhh this one is so wholesome. its omegaverse (sorry) but not in a weird way. basically the omega is sent to the alpha's family's estate to prove that he'd make a good wife and he's like naurrrr not into this. and the alpha is like naurrrrr not into all these ppl in my damn house so they butt heads. but the omega starts to have fun bonding w other omegas and fighting w the alpha and yeah <3 nothing weird is depicted in this one but warning. there is a stalker. and someone is set up to be hurt but nothing happens. just beef havers becoming sorta kinda besties to awkward as hell boyfriends

mad cinderella by yamamoto kotetsuko - comedy. slice of life. poor kid and rich kid grew up together. rich kid had to move away to bum fuck america one day and asked poor kid to promise him marriage and poor kid did thinking it was a joke. rich kid was NOT joking and when he comes back poor kid begins his gay awakening. the main conflict is that rich kid wants to hit BAD and everything keeps getting in the way 😭

wootan to fumi by saida nika. a guy is buff w big tits and an even bigger ass but once a month he grows bunny ears and a tail. so he's basically heaven for all the bunny boy enthusiasts (me) anyways his best friend wants him bad but they keep it casual and then move in together and you know! p wholesome tbh its just that wootan just be bussing out his clothes....too much bawdy

'no i actually read bls for the plot' (bls i reread mainly for the plot....winners of bl pulitzers....to me)

kohitsuji project by takenaka sei - supernatural comedy. human boy flops so bad in school he ends up going to a boarding school for vampires and everyone wants to eat him. nepo baby vampire with no socialization skills becomes infatuated with him and things go from there. just one volume wish there was more tbh

dog style by motoni moduru. a classic in the kendra blverse. this one is retro so the style is super nice and late 90s/early 00s. another highschool setting one :( soooooo punk 1's best friend is the brother of punk 2's best friend so they know of each other. punk 1 is a good fighter and punk 2 is a good runner (and gay). bc theyre both being ditched by the brothers (who they have crushes on) they spend more time together and accept their crushes fucking suck and grow closer. and they fight a lot

escape journey by ogeretsu tanaka. love this artist's style. um. exes run into each other and have to pretend they still don't wanna suck and fuck until they suck and fuck again and it's messy and funny 😭😭😭😭a sorta fave bc i love it when ppl break up and get back together sorryyyyyyyyyy

saiyaku wa boku o suki sugiru by ninomiya etsumi. now this one? is a fucking STORY. so bc of their ancestors fucking around one member of a family after a birthday will have to go thru these disasters. basically the world is trying to kill them but the kicker is any injury they get is TRANSFERRED to the person in another family. so basically they have to work together to both not die. its like 7 volumes long and i got bored of the 'gods' talking in riddles abt the disasters but the two main characters make it worth it

kami-sama no uroko by hinohara meguru. i actually don't remember shit abt this one other than how PRETTY the art is and the cool concept. so a writer returns to his hometown that has a legend abt a dragon that used to fuck abt and then he meets the dragon that looks human but swears he's a dragon. the writer is super skeptic and u know....things happen. theres a dog in this one and i love the way he's drawn 🥺

honto yajuu by yamamoto kotetsuko - comedy. mostly slice of life some drama some smut. the bl goat. the granddaddy of bl. it will be on everyone's list. a young member of the yakuza is so supple so toppable it turns a well meaning cop bisexual 😭 bl so good it makes you forget for just one second that all cops are going to hell

sick by kurahashi tomo. slice of life w a bit of comedy. blonde man has a weird desire to bully his upperclassman and turns out its sexual fascination. despite getting off on a bad foot the two of them learn more about each other and grow to fit together. the upperclassman has 3 siblings and theyre the best part of the manga tbh like seeing how the little sister starts off hating the top for taking her brother to loving him is so 🥺

furimuite tsukamaete by yoriko. i will not kill myself bc i am waiting for the ending of this one. guy has a crush on another guy who's getting married so he's like ok i have to get over this and then crush's younger brother busts in to live w him and cheers him up and that's weird? younger brother keeps getting mad when gay boy mentions the brother????? and younger brother wants to share the one bed???? and cuddle????? hmmmmmm

pretty n fun (just turn your brain off and enjoy how fun the characters are and how pretty the art is):

datte maou-sama wa kare ga kirai by yamada nichoume - UNFINISHED. supernatural...kinda? comedy. demon king and hero reincarnates? kinda. every generation and fight. this generations demon king just wants to fly under the rather but this generations hero wants to fall in love fight and fight using his 🐓the concept is kinda out there but its surprisingly wholesome

love nest by minaduki yuu. another one that's super pretty but i don't remember most of what happens. i do know that this gay guy is sick of the loud ass kids that live above him so his friend hooks him up w a new place but doesnt tell him theres another man living there 😭😭😭😭😭 (nasty af of them btw) they hate living together at first but get closer....and then they fight over who's gonna top. but its grown man yaoi so bonus points for that

30 sai kara no coming out by saike natsuhara. love this one <3 its grown man yaoi. 30 year old moves out of the country to the city so he can lose his virginity. he meets up w a guy on a dating app and they have a great time but then they reconnect bc the guy cannot get over the 30 year old's big ol' tiddies. very straightforward and sweet

natsume-san wa hirakaretai by mamita. this one is okay but the art makes it a stand out. a guy isnt that good at sex so he sets out to learn how to be a sex kitten or whatever and hires an escort/sex trainer????? girl idk and they develop his bottoming skills 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

ii ko ni dekitara hometekure by kuroi yodaka. the setting of this one is kinda stupid but its hot.......its in a world where some ppl have a secondary gender of dom or sub 😭😭😭😭 and they have to do subdom play or they'll be on lexepro (its soooo dumb) anyways a teacher got dumped bc his fiancee found out he's a sub and didnt tell her so he wants to meet someone to relieve himself but an ex student (but is now an adult) shows up and he's like naurrrrr but the student is a dom and they click and the teacher hates that he's into it and they find out their sub/dom styles fit each other. *sigh* but the born sub plot point is sooo dumb

kocchi muite glare by yareya umako. ANOTHER 'you're born dom/sub' story 😭 its such a dumb ass idea but the art on this one is soooo good. anyways a guy is isekaied into a world where everyone has animal ears + tails + you're either a dom or a sub. and he's like chill. until he starts getting subby with everything the dom that found him says and theres some shit abt the dom being Too Strong of a Dom but the isekaied sub has no problem w it and yadda yadda ok i didn't read this one for the plot the art is nice and the main couple is cute together SUE ME

netsujou drawing by sakura hitsuji. college student meants a man soooo hot sooooo sexy he's like can i PLEASE draw you i will die if i don't. sexy guy agrees and then the college student is like 'ykw? you're so sexy not only will i keep drawing you, i'm bisexual now. let's date idc if we just met...look at your sexy ass omg' and they go from there lol

one side in room by mitsuko. shy guy with crazy rbf meets another guy that's good at speaking his mind and becomes infatuated. other guy thinks rbf guy is cute underneath the rbf so they fall into dating without actually talking abt dating and shy guy is confused and fucks shit up by being so shy and the drama's a bit annoying but theyre cute <4

itsuka no true end by nakamura makino. sweet and simple setup. theres a couple and they fuck a lot and u go back to get their back story and it turns out one is a literal demon king and the other the hero who was isekaied to kill the demon king but was like um can i not be a murderer? so they got married instead and u see how they went from awkward to mutually lovey dovey

cock n balls (the ones that are mostly 🐓 but i love them not despite but BECAUSE of it)

stay goodboy by dotsuco. this one is basically just porn but im obsessed w this artist's style and how they draw boobs and i need everyone to see it. so there's this sexy dark haired tsundere <3 and he has a boyfrienddddd and they don't meet up for a month and then they do andddd boobs

the dreaming trainer's ideal master by rai yaezaki. if u like big boobs.....this is the one. big tiddied softie works training subs and secretly wants to be one but is scared he's just too breastful but a rich man is like 'i saw u jolting thiccly and fell in love...' and then in the 2nd story a depressed man is saved by a.....street fighter? idk. and the street fighter gives him pussy so good the depressed man turns his whole life around. me and leo if he let me hit omg who said that?

the handsome salesman at work is an ideal master by atarayo aka nocori. my best friend nocoriiiiiiiiiiiii. this one is mostly porn but its got good art and the couple is funny as hell together. gay boy 1 is a severe introvert and gay boy 2 is an extreme extrovert and they have amazingggggg chemistry so introvert gay boy overcomes his fear of extroverts to hook up again and they match each other's freak and its saur good

[seeminglydark]

1. would caro and john be into the tv show, the x-files? would they buy tapes of the episodes and talk about their own conspiracies and guess about the outcomes of the episodes.

2. also your comic has help peak my interest for the supernatural and conspiracy theories. what are some stories or theories that you’ve learned about that you have found the most interesting? and were you a believer before starting your comics or has your interest grown as you’ve continued with your comics.

3.lastly, i’m trying to buy more secondhand items and become the diy punk that i’ve aspired to be since high school (too afraid since i was a closeted trans man and living with an unaccepting family), any tips?

i, like john, try to stay away from modern tech as much as i can. i’m able to stay off my phone for the most part and rarely use my computer but i’ve been looking around and audiobooks on cassette are kinda expensive around me so i like to narrate book as i read them in paperback. i was wondering if canonically john uses resources such as the library and what his favorite books and movies are. i love horror and am just now getting into sci-fi and i love watching movies on my vcr + tv combo and i sometimes use a blu-ray player for more rare or expensive (at least in vhs format) movies.

sorry for the long winded paragraph, i’m unfortunately unable to escape my strict household (despite being an adult) until i find a job and am able to save every cent. i also tend to isolate myself so i have no friends to help me out. sorry to vent to you about this but i just wanted to end this by saying your comic and characters inspire me and give me hope that i’ll be okay once i’m free.

YES. John is obsessed with x-files. every once in a while you can see he has the iconic 'i want to believe' poster in his younger years on his walls. He still has it as an adult. both caro and john like watching those together, they also enjoy the twilight zone, charmed, Buffy (they they agree the corny movie from '92 is the best) and those old Bruce Campbell shows noones heard of, re: Brisco County Jr. I think as kids they theorize, and as adults they talk about everything everyone gets wrong, now that they know how these things really work. John can always guess WhoDunnit.

Ive always been interested in the idea of the supernatural. im a big skeptic though, ill be honest there, even though ive had many 'experiences' myself. i kinda like the idea of the unbelievable. definitely making the comics has peaked my interest in things i wasn't too keenly aware of before, like cryptids. im fascinated by the concept of Missing 411, and missing people who reappear somewhere else, but Liminal Spaces hold my heart specifically. ive always been keenly aware of the off feeling in those places before i even knew what that meant. i love scouring the internet for images of things like abandoned hotels that give me a weird kind of uneasy, most of the things people tag as Liminal aren't really that, so its a scavenger hunt to find something that fits my idea of it. coming up with the lore of my stories has been an adventure. my interest has definitely grown, more in places and phenomenon than in ghosts specifically.

there are so mnay things you can do to diy punk stuff, in my opinion thats the best and most rewarding way. it sounds to me that you need to start small and slow for your safety, so let me reassure you right here anon, that punk is a set of ideals, and not just fashion. youre still punk no matter what youre wearing. a jacket or vest is always a good place to start, you can literally buy ANYTHING at the thift store that strikes your fancy. this is a canvas you will be adding too for as long as its yours. once you have your canvas, its time to create, and there is literally no wrong way to do this. you can use paint markers, embroidery, bleach, ect. dont have money for spikes and studs? you can use soda can tabs and bend them, metal lighter caps, hell even staples and safety pins always look cool. you can make your own badges by bending metal soda or beer caps around a soda tab with a safety pin through it and then paint whatever you want on the cap. dental floss is what you usually see when punks have the white stitching on their pants and jackets, its durable and doesn't break, since crust and gutter punks need tough clothes that last. if you're worried about your family, i would personalize it first in small secret ways that are just for you, such as a message beneath your collar as seen here on my friends jacket. and here, and here! he hides patches on the inside as well! Im including a pic of john hiding a patch on caros varsity jacket as well. i will post my jackets one day, my camera is broken but i figured id share his since he hides things more than i do!

John absolutely uses the library, its a fantastic resource for SO many things, depending on where you're located. He would also probably use a digital reader later, because many of them you can get library cards on and borrow books that way. he is not a strong reader so he mostly reads books that may be under his age level, like goosebumps, but who cares, do what you enjoy. movie wise hes very obsessed with cosmic horror (hence the UFO tattoo) his favorites are Alien, The Thing, Killer Klowns from Outer Space and the Blob from the 80s. both he and Caro love the original Evil Dead franchise, horror comedy like American Werewolf in London, lost boys, etc.

Thank you, Anon, for the long winded paragraph. You asked some really fun questions for me to answer, i love nothing more than to talk about my characters, it was a really nice little break from editing a new podcast episode. I am so so sorry about your situation, and i am sending you all the best and all the love and strength that you can come out of this free and on the other side and live as yourself. If my comics and characters stories can provide a tiny bit of hope that its going to be ok, than ive succeeded at what i set out to do. wishing you all the best. and look into your library, they may have resources to help you with this as well.

[sehtoast]

That anon was rude and stupid . I saw your tags and I hope its okay to ask (you can ignore this ifyou want), but whats got you turned off of reader fics? Is it just temporary?

Ahhh, bit of a long answer.  I’m gonna go with a strong yes as far as it being temporary.  It’s likely I’ll get a lightning bolt somewhere down the line and get the motivation, but probably not for a little bit.  As far as being turned off from reader fics, it’s kind of a weird answer and idk how to put it in a way that’s succinct but also covers the details?  The short version is I don’t feel represented much at all in this fandom’s x reader community as a trans man.  

Those stories aren’t for me or others like me 99.9% of the time, and that’s fine because we’re not entitled to it, but it also makes it very hard to engage with it or feel that I have a place in it, if that makes sense.  The vast majority of the content that’s out there induces dysphoria unless I’m constantly rewording entire sentences and scenes in my head, and I don’t think it’s fair to make myself do that.  Stories for trans people are exceptionally rare and go borderline entirely ignored or the requests are turned down because the authors aren’t comfortable (again, we’re not entitled to this, but it still feels bad yk?). 

Even gender neutral stuff gets less love, and it’s honestly very disheartening because, like it or not, validation is the only way we get to know if we did a good job as writers.  And it does matter even if we try to act like it doesn’t.  It's hard to see the inclusive things I put out sputter while fem reader fics take off like a mf. So a lack of representation and a lack of appreciation when I try to write in a way that’s inclusive just has me very bummed out with the whole concept.  If the only way I can receive validation is by churning out things that exclude me and therefore lack my heart, then I don’t think I should write it at all.  

My oc stuff feels safe even if it brings significantly less validation. Idk how that makes sense, but it just kinda does? I guess it's because oc stuff doesn't exclude anyone because it's just about some made up character

I also want to say that this isn’t me saying I won’t be writing the x reader requests in my inbox. I actually just put in an application to take the fall term off school so I can have time to handle things in my life, and that includes my requests. I’ve just been very busy and what little brain power remains for writing usually goes to stories I daydream about in class (so oc stuff) before I pass out at night, and I will eventually get around to them.

Thank you for asking anon <3

[haethyre]

X-Men 97 Thoughts

My personal opinions

Okay. So I grew up with X-men The Animated Series. It was one of my fave shows. It always came on late at night on Toon Disney (at times i shouldnt have been awake LMAO) so it has a special place in my heart. I was very surprised that of all things they decided to "continue" it. So, when I heard about it, I did a full rewatch (even that ungodly last season where quality took a nosedive OOF) Anywhoo! Started and finished 97. Those who know me best know at heart I am a big OG fan of my fandoms and am trepidacious of reboots/even continuation reboots, bc lets be honest most of them are all about stomping on the source material, SO I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Xmen 97.

You could really see how much they tried to capture the feel of the old show and the characters. The voice replacements were surprisingly well done. (i mean, Wolverine is a little off, but i'll give the guy a break its been like...28 yrs XD ) The animation looks amazing. Even if i'm taking some points off for the hair hfgjhdf haha

Now the storyline.... The elephant in the room. We all know the one. I have been a Romy fan since I was a kid and yes, when I was a young girl in Borders, I did come across the comic that showed the RoguexMagneto storyline. I hated it then and I hate it now. Its just...weird. (Again, my opinions. If you like it, power to you. Enjoy, but its not for me and this post isn't for you) but its even weirder in the show, and ill tell you why. As a Marvel comic reader, I'm well acquainted with the fact that everyone gets with everyone. That is just a trope of Marvel comics. All ships of imaginable and unimaginable proportions happen. BUT I think when doing this, they really should have thought it through a bit more in context of the show's universe alone . Bc I'll be real, if you're coming in from TAS, this kinda hits you out of nowhere. She had no form of connection with Magneto in the past show. Like....they had a makeshift funeral for him and she didn't even care. She was just worried about Gambit being stuck in space. So, their "secret" just seems so random and out of place. I do like that it was used for her to understand fully her feelings for Gambit, but man was it frustrating to see him just killed off when he was one of the best characters.(even if it was really well done and the animation, again, was amazing)

There's talk of him coming back as "Death" which is a storyline I'm not familiar with but I also heard talk of the original showrunner idealizing a timeline where Rogue and Magneto have kids....so... IDK It all just left me a bit frustrated and disheartened bc Romy was like one of my earliest ships before i knew ships were a thing. To see what happened to it made me sad, even if it could be part of a long game to get them to their HEA. (and thats always an if bc we don't know, even if the original guy isn't in charge anymore)

Other things that bugged me a little but not too much. Gonna bring up Morph. I love Morph. They were always a fave and they went through so much to finally be back on the team again. I really don't understand why they changed their character design tho? I read it was to make Morph look more like the character changeling from the comics but this is again something that doesnt make sense coming out of TAS bc Morph always had that other appearance throughout the entire show. I mean...it could have at least been explained... Also, as far as the feelings for Wolverine, i kinda found it funny XD bc in TAS, it always seemed like it was the other way around jkhfgjkdfh Wolverine was so attached to Morph and wouldn't let 'em go. That being said, I kinda wish they didn't go this route if its only meant to be unrequited and sad. AGAIN. I know. Marvel is all about unrequited drama jfhdkjfdh but hasn't Morph been through enough??? That being said, I love the ship even though I know its doomed. Wolverine is the worst person to be down bad for tho. Mans falls in love at the drop of a hat fhghdfjhsd

Other than these couple things, I really loved the show. Some people said "why are they shoving so much story into such a short amount of time" XD The storyteller in me would like to agree but i will be honest, there is nothing more like Xmen TAS than smooshed storylines jkdfhfkjds with random one-off eps in between. XD So, I was fine with it.

I liked the conclusion with Scott and Jean, as messy as it was. The family fun time was a pleasure to watch.

Xavier and Magneto. They really highlighted their messy, but still devoted relationship from the original series, so that was nice to see. I was glad to see him back in the red suit LMAO bc the one he was wearing all season was weird for me.

I loved Jubilee's journey, and it was cool that they brought Alyson Court back for that one episode.

I was very pleased overall that they didn't tone things down and since censors are different these days, they could show more stuff they couldn't in the 90s. So, I am looking forward to more seasons (and pleeeeease for the love of god give Romy back to me i am begging)

[thechaoticghostscientist]

The Queen and Her Subject

Woooo boy am I excited to be writing this. Finally a fic I'm actually putting time into

Word count: 1,298 words TWs: Lovely-dovey gooey mushy stuff, kinda self-shipping ig? Also kinda OC x canon

And here’s what I imagine these characters would look like

But also the bendy in this would look like This (credit to the creator of this, it’s SO cute)

----------------------------------------

I HIGHLY suggest listening to this before you read on, because one of the main characters and the main story of this prologue is VERY MUCH based off of this video. All credits I mentioned go to this creator on YouTube ⌄⌄

Now since that's out of the way, ENJOY THE SHOW!

----------------------------------------

“M-My Queen? Are you all right?” A nervous wimpy voiced asked

“!!!” 

Jumping out of her skin, she is jolted awake. Already with adrenaline pumping through her body. Though as quick as a blink, poor Caz already has her hands up ready for any and all danger.

“W-Who are you? Where am I? What i-is this place?” She sputter with a twisted fear in her voice

“My Queen! I-It’s alright! You’re alright! Really, you’re ok.” 

Stopping dead in her tracks as if regaining her senses. She notices a few things off about this mysterious person helping her. 

1) He (or whatever it may be) called her a “Queen.” Why in the hell would it do that? 

2) The voice seems to be coming from…a bendy shaped figure? She notices stitches. Is it one of those many bendy dolls with a crooked smile? 

“W-Where…where am…where are we?” She questioned in low shaky breath

“...S-See for yourself” The wimpy bendy figure suggested. 

Doing as she was told, Caz begrudgingly gets off of the ground to soak in the atmosphere. At first, she notices they are on what appears to be an island with a door behind them. Surrounded by this…weird black stuff. The ink? 

With a tapping on her shoulder, the weird awkward alive bendy plush points another thing out. “Look…look at that” it asks with fear in its voice.

Caz then turns around, not knowing what to expect. What she sees makes her more confused than anything. A giant blocky machine with tubes and wires poking all around it. 

“Woah…what even is this place? Who are you?” Caz sternly asks the bendy doll. 

Without even giving it time to respond, Caz already starts to spew even more questions. Something about this small living bendy plush is weirding her out. And yet something about it seems familiar.

“What’swrongwithme?WhereamI?Whoareyou?Howareyoualive?Howdidthishappen?What’shappeningtome?”

With the freaked out tone and with her having a sudden panic attack, the nervous bendy doll tries to consult the paranoid newbie again.

“It’s alright! It’s alright! Your highness, please! It’s me.”

Who? How the hell is she meant to know who this stranger is if she can’t even remember how Caz herself got here. 

“You? I don’t know you! I don’t know anything that’s going on!” She vents out in feared rage. “I don’t even know how I got here…” the new freak-show murmured solemnly.

“Why, d-don’t you recognize me? I-It’s your loyal drone servant, Billy Bee. Well, I w-was a bee” He says as he looks back at his upside-down heart tipped tail as it whips around. Then it all clicks. Caz knew what this black stuff was and how she got here, “Oh, weren’t you that one-off character I one-off voiced in that one-off episode about bendy tryna steal honey? I was the….queen bee, right? Is that why you keep calling me royal names? You still must think I’m her. I really am not.”

Puzzled, Billy asks “Not h-her? Even if you…you aren’t, you’re still incredibly beautiful l-like her.” Finishing off with a giggle and his cheeks getting lighter. Or darker? Flushed or embarrassed.

“But how did…How are…How can I know you’re telling the truth.” 

“W-Well, I could never hurt you. Honestly, I w-would even dream of hurting you. Y-You my queen! I’ll never do that e-even if I wanted to.” He exclaimed passionately and happily.

“You seem…oddly cheerful despite the situation we’re in.”

Now with that pointed out, the color of the sides of his crooked smile deepen more in color. 

“B-Because I’m with you, m-my queen. Oh, your presence always…always calms me down.” Billy happily whimpered. 

With a huff, the supposed “queen” dusts herself off, ready to move forward. But just as she was about to look back at the moving bendy doll, she noticed yet another thing. Her arms. Then her torse. Then her clothes. 

Sharp dark golden bones seem to be protruding from her elbows out of the flesh of her forearms. Spider-like. Almost widow-like. It’s not causing her physical harm. But emotionally, her view on herself is almost completely shattered. 

“I’m…I’m…How did this happen?”

Then, the awkward bendy plush gently wraps its lanky tail around Caz’s ankle. Tugging away from the surrounding ink. With him being paranoid about something lurking in there.

“I really t-think we should…we should go, my queen”

“Wha- huh?!” Caz exclaims, almost like snapping out of a trace of anxiety. 

Billy couldn’t help but to be drop dead worried about his “queen’s” mindset. Question after question. Worry after worry. Almost as if she can’t let go.

“Wha- what are you talking about, Bills?! Don’t you see? I’m an inky monster! You’re an inky monster. We’re trapped down here!” She snapped. “I don’t know how to explain it but we’re trapped, what are we able to do?!” Caz couldn’t help but to yell. All of this, is getting to her head so quickly. There doesn’t seem to be any luck for them. The gods Joey was babbling about before this happened mustn't be on their side for now.

“I know, my queen. B-But…sometimes there’s only one thing to do. Press on”

.

.

.

With simply a defeated sigh. Caz has nothing left to do but to agree with the small “Billy” plush. Reluctantly though. Not too keen on exploring this horrible and disturbing place. Especially with the likelihood of easily getting lost with not knowing where to go. 

“...I guess we could try.”

Billy giggles happily. Glad his queen agreed with him after some persuasion. Adding a hop and a skip to his step, Billy the living bendy plush begins to flow the “queen” he so lovingly adores. But whilst turning to face the doorway, he caught something just out of the corner of his eye. 

“M-My queen…do you see that.”

Caz then snaps her head back, as quick as an owl. But she notices nothing out of the ordinary. Well, for this world at least. 

“No? What are you on about?”

“That.”

Caz tries to figure out where the nervous little Billy guy is alluding to. He seems to be worried about something about the giant machine almost a hundred feet away from the both of them. Everything is fine. But…the doorway in front of the large machine. On top it reads “GENT” Gent? Something about that word is scaringly familiar to her. Was it a union? A group? No it was a-

.

.

.

A cooperation

Gent cooperation

Shaking her head. Even just that word. Gent. Brings her chills. But it doesn’t go unnoticed. Though very tiny, Billy sees the fear form in Caz’s expression. But like clock work, almost instinctual. Billy scampers up Caz’s leg then arm up to her shoulder. Like a cat when its owner has a bag full of cat-nip. 

He kissed her cheek with a "Mwah" by pressing his tiny plush open mouth grin to her face. Similar to another person with yellow-ish felt. Despite the ink dripping from her eye and it getting onto Billy’s felt-like teeth, he doesn’t seem to mind. Only minding Caz’s state of mind. But not giving a word to the fact that her cheeks also darkened to a blush. Like a towel soaking up water. Getting darker.

“P-Please…don’t be afraid, my queen. I know it’s…it’s scary being h-here right now but, despite my new size I’ll try m-my best to protect you. I can…”

Billy then looks around, scanning the area to think of anything to cheer her up. Then he and his skinny tail spring up when he gets an idea. “I can be y-your second pair of eyes. I’ll stay r-right up here on your shoulder.”

His idea works out. Caz finally cracks out a smile because of him. She’s finally seen something, or someone, who’s willing to help her here. A feeling she’s been longing for all her life. 

“Th-Thanks, Billy. I haven't heard someone say that to me so genuinely in a long long time”

[wetcatspellcaster]

The way I GASPED when I saw the notification of a new chapter ❤️❤️❤️

They are so sweet, so awkward, I love them 😭

I loved the subtle smut, that focused more on emotions, making sure everyone is safe, and just oh. It felt so intimate, so gentle, it made me tear up, I was so happy their first sex scene was like that. Hot, but tender. You did such a great job balancing everything. In a work like this, I find sudden burst in very detailed smut a big dissonance, but here it looked perfect. The push and pull, the humor, the fears, all that persisted throughout the whole fic, is still there.

It had been years for them, and a decade of different kind of torture, and they are still... Them. It warmed my heart.

I had never expected a chapter with sex, because you mentioned you were not comfortable writing it, but when I read it. When I read it, let me tell you, it was pure perfection.

I can imagine how nervous it must have been posting this chapter. And it was gorgeous. It was so good. You opened the characters further (he he), you made it feel so domestic after that initial awkwardness between them, and oof.

Also, Rose. I'm ten years younger than her, but oh how I feel her 😂 thank you for showcasing those fears and self-consciousness and those PAINS. I love her so much. I'm so sad that there is only one chapter left, but I'm so glad I got to read this story at all.

Thank you again. I'll go cry over how beautiful those two disasters are.

thank you, beloved anon, I'm glad that you enjoyed it 💖

I said in a previous ask that I don't want to claim the chapter as smut, but I'm pleased it read that way! I didn't expect to write a chapter with sex either, but it just felt like the right call for the story, for the reasons I talk about here. I guess that might be why there's no dissonance, it was just a thing I figured would be in-character and then I wrote it as in-character as I could.

And yeah, I know it's kinda cringe to have to cast mobility spells or change things when they feel weird and not immediately have the best fucking orgasm of your life in this moment that you've built up into this massive deal in your head bc you're nervous and feeling a lot of emotions but... the more I thought about it, the more I realised that the mindblowing sex is like, three rounds in. The first time there's too much pressure.

Anyway, it's less smut and more a scene where we get to see what Rose would be like in a safe space. When the Ascendent tried to label her praise kink, or called her old, she brushed it off bc she didn't allow herself any vulnerability around him. When she nearly fucked him on a throne, she wasn't in her real body with its real weaknesses. All of the things she rejects in the chapter are reminiscent of non-consensual encounters, but that means there's an admission of the parts she enjoyed as well.

I'm was nervous bc it felt more like a character study and um... that's not what I'm reading smut for, I'll be candid. But unfortunately for me my first foray into none fade-to-black happened in the saddest fucking fic I've ever fucking written, so this is what we get lads. There's much hotter porn elsewhere but this is the ending to this particular story.

I'm glad that you enjoyed it, and felt like it fit the tone of the work! I felt like it fit as well. I wouldn't have posted it if I didn't, and I wouldn't have written it just to put some sex in there bc honestly? There are people that can do that job 10,000 x better than me lmfao.

Thank you for messaging ! x

[vacantgodling]

headcanon asks for Tagetes? and/or any of the sins lol

thank you for asking!! i can do a lil of both so i'll to tagetes annnnnnnnd maybe hubris!

TAGETES

Sexuality: god this is such a good question LMAO because for tagetes, sex isn't really about pleasure its about power and so what they enjoy is having power over others. they're a dom so they're into bdsm (VERY into bdsm-between themself and reginae they actually have a conjoined harem of about 50 paramours). however, they don't really like people to... touch them. so like. adjacent to the realm of "stone butch" because you're NOT touching their genitals; they aren't even getting naked and any touch that they give you with their hand is usually pain or tying you up. god this is a mess. they don't have a gender preference either so like tbh. their sexuality is just "dom" LMAOOOO. they'll top anyone and they better be into some kinky shit and power play.

romantically, they are aromantic. so bare min aroallo ig lol.

Gender: troibemme or nonbinary in our world. they exclusively go by they/them.

A ship I have with said character: I REALLY WISH THAT THEY WEREN'T SUCH A DICK BC THEM AND REGINAE ARE ACTUALLY SUCH A CUTE SHIP. like they totally enable one another and are they good people? absolutely not. but like, au where tagetes helps reginae kill off his brothers and they become ruling reagents and are absolutely obsessed with one another WHEN. tbh, i think in many ways, tagetes actually likes reginae, as a person. because tbh if they wanted to really get into a seat of power they wouldn't have chosen the fifth son of the reagent to weasel their way into a relationship with. but i think that they were somewhat... taken by reginae not trying to dampen their ambitions but encouraging them. reginae is VERY doting and in a weird way tagetes can be themself around them - which is yknow. an absolute piece of work, power hungry bastard, but reginae loves it and loves them. i wouldn't say that tagetes loves reginae; they are aromantic, however, they like reginae more than anyone else they have to spend time around so like. so fucking annoyed that they care about their ambition more than regi lmaooo.

A BROTP I have with said character: if you think tagetes has friends that's absolutely hilarious.

A NOTP I have with said character: true notp is tagetes x power LMAO.

A random headcanon: they smoke using a church warden pipe and its a very heavy nicotine laden blend. i gotta name it lol but its much harsher than the blend that amon and hya like to smoke. its a habit that they picked up from their father and they don't like to examine it too closely.

General Opinion over said character: tagetes is such an interesting character because i personally don't tend to get SO invested into my villainous characters (evondra in tcol and viktor in vdtrt are exceptions, however i like to call them the "not really evil, they are just ruled by their circumstances types where they are the way they are because of the hand that life has given them), to the point that i'm planning on writing a whole story centered around their terrible, horrible misdeeds, but like its fascinating getting to write a character so unapologetically horrible lol. like they suck! and its really a lot of fun to write how much they suck! i'm kinda obsessed with them lolol.

HUBRIS - the SIN of pride

Sexuality: he's on the mspec spectrum and probably the most romantically inclined of the sins aside from sion :3c he doesn't tend to stay in relationships for a long time tho and kind of flits to and from relationship to relationship depending on his mood. he has broken a LOT of hearts and usually has 4-6 flings going on at any given time lol

Gender: gnc masc but he uses he and sometimes they pronouns.

A ship I have with said character: i don't have a ship with him actually! i think he just kind of prefers not to be held down so i can't really imagine shipping him with one particular person, plus i haven't fully developed side characters for god eater quite yet; so perhaps in the future i'll have names for some of his flings lol

A BROTP I have with said character: he and ire are actually attached at the hip and even though she likes to deny how close they are they're super close and know each other like the back of each other's hands. he's dramatic and she's a hothead; its very jesse and james energy with the two of them lol.

A NOTP I have with said character: n/a really lol.

A random headcanon: he wears a lot of make up that's very extravagant and out there and usually spends a LOT of time on it. the one thing that never changes is that he has 3 small dots he always draws under each eye- no look for him is complete without them.

General Opinion over said character: hubris is such a fun guy he's literally the most dramatic and flamboyant darling ever. his bredth of emotion is all over the place; he can go from kind, to suave, to emotionally absent, to wailing in the span of like 5 minutes. he really lives life to the fullest and is one of the pieces of glue that holds the rest of the SINS together because he is absolutely planning to annoy all of them for eternity LMAO.

[blamemma]

Not sure if you answered this before but based on your latest bookish asks, what are your top book recommendations? 😌

i have definitely answered this before but cannot find it anywhere in my books tag oops so i dont think i ever tagged it correctly but oH NO a chance for me to talk about my favourite books what a shame???!!!!! anyway book recs under the cut x

ok so i'll try and do this succinctly cause i can talk about good books for hours and hours and what made me so enamoured with them so ok lets go.

bewilderment by richard powers - go into this knowing nothing apart from it centers around a single dad and his son who is concerned about animals and the climate crisis. do not google more about it, do not look for spoilers, just let powers take you on this slow journey of a father and son and all that comes with that....thrust it into the arms of my flatmate with these same words and he kept on asking me questions because he couldn't work out some things in the book and then one night at about 12:30am i get a knock on my bedroom door cause he finished it and we talked for hourssss about it.....just please....read it

at swim, two boys by jamie o'neill - no one is surprised to see this here, maybe look up some of the trigger warnings if there are things you avoid in books for this one, but yeah, two boys, dublin, in love with each other but not acting on their feelings, learning how to swim and forging a bond so strong :)) still thinking about it still aching

the seas by samantha hunt - i think she's under 200 pages?? if not only slightly over.....quick fast paced weird read about a fucked up girl who believes deep in her heart she's a mermaid, flew through this one, really weird concept that was explored thoroughly well

the idiot by elif batuman - i often forget about this one because i read it during the hazy depressed days of first year uni but i know it shaped me, i know it clawed at me, and i know i really want to re-read it soon....a good book if ur lost in ur twenties i think xx

drive your plow over the bones of the dead by olga tokarczuk - much like bewilderment, dont google this one for more than the synopsis and let urself wade through the first 50 pages cause god from there....chefs kiss....a feminist murder mystery fuck YES (and thats a really simple description of what it is)

crossroads by jonathan franzen - aight so you take a heavy religious family with a pastor for a father but ooft the father is cheating on his wife and the son is addicted to drugs and the daughters had enough of her family and is in love with someone she shouldn't be and the mothers done some questionable shit in her past......yeah thats MY kinda family saga....each chapter follows a different member of the family and through these lil snippets u really start to see the inevitable breakdown of a family that on the outside looks perfect

babel by r.f. kuang - look, i gotta give it to the tiktok girlies here......they're onto something here......devoured this beast of a book like there was no tomorrow and went through a full array of emotions with all the characters.....superb book, truly deserves all the hype its been given

(lol reading back through all these and i think what we can comfortably say is i LOVE a sad book keep ur happy emotions away from me)

HONORABLE MENTIONS GO TO: mayflies by andrew o'hagan; the death of vivek oji by akwaeke emezi; shuggie bain by douglas stuart; my brilliant friend by elena ferrante (can not yet recommend the full quartet because i've only read the first two....but yeah.....good shit)

[loosesodamarble]

Hello senpai it's 🖤 anon. For oto-may

Can you answer 2, 24 and for 25- what otome games will you recommend me to play? (Seeing your pages makes me want to play them)

Welcome back 🖤 anon~! Always lovely to see you around!

Thank you for the questions. And thanks for waiting for the answers! I uh... kinda went off so I'll be putting the lengthy answers under the cut!

2) Otome I would like to play

Right off the top of my head, I'd love to dive into Collar x Malice Unlimited, Piofiore: Episodio 1926, Virche Evemore: Epic Lycoris, and Radiant Tale Fanfare!

However, seeing as those are fandisc/sequels and I still need to finish the original games, I kinda can't. Not without running into massive spoilers and being left totally confused at least.

And actually, Epic Lycoris and Fanfare have yet to release in English so even if I did already play through Virche and RT, I wouldn't be able to play them right away...

Okay okay! But for a title that isn't a fandisc, the only otome that is currently catching my eye is Cupid Parasite.

Which is weird because literally none of the love interests in that game have long, luscious hair which is my usual weakness. But the art looks good and the concept of the literal Greek Cupid working as a matchmaker for the most un-matchable men ever seems funny.

And I have a feeling that there would be more going on than just cringefail men making out with a Greek deity.

24) Favorite otome

I've mentioned Cinderella Phenomenon as a fave of mine before. So another one of my favorite otomes would be Code Realize: Guardian of Rebirth, as well as the two fandiscs Future Blessings and Wintertide Miracles.

I just... KJAHGIOAUEHTIAEHKJBELIGHEAKLJAEIUTHALEKTHA!

I really love the series! It did take me a while to really warm up to it but once I let myself get absorbed in the world and the characters, I got really attached. And with each entry into the series I played, the more I loved all of it. Cardia is such a sweet but strong-willed heroine. Several love interests stole my heart with their tragic stories. And for the ones that didn't leave me in tears, they were decent enough and good for getting a laugh out of me.

The side characters are pretty interesting too. Delly and Finis are like my baby brothers. Queen Victoria kinda talks down to Cardia and the boys at times but we can forgive her because she's kinda cool in how she's like "the kingdom and its people are my children, and a mother protects her children." Watson. Just Watson. He's a treasure.

The artwork of the game is beautiful too! UDAHGAEUHIAHR! All of them are winners in my opinion. ESPECIALLY HERLOCK! He may have needed to wait for the fandisc to get his route but it was made up for by all his cgs being LITERALLY THE BEST!

And the thing is, I love Code Realize so much that as I came close to completing the third game... All I needed was to read the epilogues of Wintertide Miracles and then I'd have the full stories and all the cgs... I was close to completing it and I paused and went "wait, I don't want the story to end yet. I want to keep falling in love with this game and the characters."

So I decided to delete my save data for all three games and buy other otomes to play so I could delay seeing the end of Code Realize's story. If I saw the ending, then the story would be concluded and I didn't want to imagine closing the book on Code Realize! AAAAAHHHHHHH!

I'm gonna replay Code Realize and actually see the epilogues of Wintertide Miracles one day. But not for a long time!

I just want the series to stay alive in my head with the ending just out of reach for as long as possible... That's how much I love it.

25) Free question: what otome games will you recommend me to play?

If you're looking to play an otome game, I'd suggest Cinderella Phenomenon.

It's free to play and available either through Steam or itch.io. The basic premise centers on a princess breaking a curse placed on her by a witch and along the way, she falls in love with a handsome young man, also under a curse. But even that base idea has a few twists to it.

Cinderella Phenomenon (or Cin Phen for short) is a straightforward, choice-based dating sim. And even light on how many choices you make. Not counting the Common Route (which is the section of an otome before you're locked for a single guy), you only make 21 choices total, three per chapter with a guy, excluding the final chapter which is either the Good or Bad Ending. Cin Phen is also nice in that you are allowed to have a guide, the Right Choice Indicator, to clue you in on when you've made a choice leading you to the Good Ending. It can be delayed for some choices and you can even turn it off if you want to play blind.

While I... disagree with a trope used in one route, all of the main characters and a good majority of the supporting cast are good, likeable people who each deserve a happy ending. No one is perfect and a couple show difficult sides of themselves at times but it makes the characters rounded and entertaining.

There are also dark themes like political corruption, emotional manipulation/abuse, and death. Though I'd still say Cin Phen is a pretty safe starting point when it comes to dating sim.

[ashe-delta]

I am now reading this green tea bitch manhwa because it looked cute, last lesbian romance manhwa I read was Ring My Bell and I loved that shit.

This is like a half live reaction half thought out post so forgive how messy this post will be. I figured I’d try something different. It will also be long. The number in front shows what chapter the thought is on. TL;DR: It’s good and very sweet and cute. Ends a bit too early

[3] this girl is a FREAK I love her so much

[4] Oh yikes that backstory is rough I don’t know about that one chief

[5] god it’s so refreshing to just see people say “gay” after all the weird beating around the bush manga does half the time.

[6] this is an EXCELLENT reaction image I’m gonna have to use this all the time

[6] why do I have a feeling half of this is just me going “they like me fr” over and over again

[6.X] the author’s non canon bonus panels are really cute to be honest I love that they aren’t even trying to act like they won’t get together

[8] TRUE

[9] hey swinging a bit too close to home there that one hurt. yowch [9] oh they’re lesbians they’re gay oh my poor heart

[10] jesus FUCK she’s gay. Holy fuck you’re such a lesbian oh my god girl

[11] I think I just have a thing for stories about a seemingly straight person figuring out they’re gay because like Ring My Bell I find this turbo sweet

[12] Oh god. I am not immune to lesbians. holy shit. oh my god

[13] oh she’s absolutely not straight she’s fruity as fuck actually. my heart

[14] Token gay best friends in straight media are out. Gay best friends in gay mediums are my new friend

[14] THE EGGS BEEN CRACKED HOLY FUCK SHES SO HOMOSEXUAL ITS CRAZY

[15] I love her so much holy shit lol

[16] I’m going to be a puddle on the floor when this is over it’s literally over for me I can’t handle romance it’s so fucking cute

[17] oh wow she went straight to her mom that’s pretty brave. Although I guess not out of character for her. And she seems pretty cool about it too that’s fun good to see there to be no drama there.

[19] Hopeless supportive mom honestly goes so hard as an archetype

[20] oh my god. Oh my gfucking god. Hoyj god fuck shit

[22] im not okay im not okay im not okay

[23] oh my god I can’t it’s so cute

[24] this is devolving into me just squealing like a school girl every chapter over how cute it is

[25] I could just read about them being mushy for 200 chapters and I still wouldn’t get bored

[27] love that she starts as the straight person and ends up gayer than the protag

[28] I’ve had a permanent grin on my face for a while now this is so fucking cute

[29] Wait the grin is gone why does she have to have such bad parents

[30] I don’t like her mom very much

[31] I unironically hope her mom dies of a mysterious illness I can’t believe she caught the homophobia bug fuck you mom

[32] Supportive moms rule man

[34] That has got to be the most depressing time skip I’ve seen come on man

[37] The ending is kinda brutal how they had to not see each other for a whole year but I’m glad they get to finally live together in college it’s so sweet holy shit

This was very sweet and worth reading if you watch fluffy romance, I just wish the ending was a bit better because it was kinda out of tone compared to the rest of the manga (I honestly expected her to move in with her girlfriend since they seem financially well enough for it, it would make sense for the tone of the series). Regardless I fucking love lesbian romance