#i think it resembles his likeness very well

[unintentionalseductress]

Let Me Take Care Of It

Warnings: MDNI, pseudocest, inexperienced adult reader, mild corruption kink, reader calls Caleb gege A/n: ok ok...tbh idk how this would even work irl, where reader is a grown woman and doesn't know about her clit or being horny etc...point is IDC, this is like PWMP - p**n with mild plot, but honestly, I just needed a reason to write some filthy pseudocest so here we fucking are. Written with very little thought and not proofread. Part 2 maybe if this does well.

It started out as a strange feeling; blushing whenever Caleb patted your head, or when he held your hand while crossing the street. It hadn't affected you before, but now it was all you could think about.

It was a very odd sensation: flushed face, rapid heartbeat, a soft ache in your nipples, and most curious of all, a persistent throbbing between your legs. It went away with time, but everything seemed to reignite when Caleb was back in proximity to you.

Then he left for college. That was the longest you'd gone without feeling those peculiar tingles and uncomfortable jolts in your stomach. Then he'd visit and it all came crashing down again. It was more manageable after you started living in the dorm. Separated for longer periods meant you could live much more freely, and you prepared yourself for any visits to Grandma's place. You'd successfully avoided Caleb up until now.

So imagine your surprise when you open the front door and are greeted with an enthusiastic, "Hey pipsqueak!"

Your heart skips a beat, then a high-pitched squeal leaves your lips as you're lifted off the ground. Caleb envelops you in a tight hug as he picks you up and spins you around, just like when you were kids. The familiar scent of his skin fills your nostrils, and on cue, that throbbing between your legs starts again.

"Oh, it feels like I haven't seen you in forever!" He carefully sets you down and ruffles your hair, worsening the rising heat in your cheeks. "You've been so busy the last few vacations that I haven't seen you all year pipsqueak!"

Caleb casually slinks his arm around your shoulder, his hand just shy of brushing your breast and you feel your nipple hardening almost painfully against the fabric of your bra, feeling like it might chafe against the undergarment. You clear your throat and nod, hoping none of your symptoms were showing on your face.

"Yeah it's good to see you too..." you try to sound nonchalant as you push Caleb off you, pretending to be playful, and he grins, automatically leaning back against you like a game, annoyingly yet adorably resembling a puppy that wanted pets.

"No hug for me?" His purple eyes were pleading. "No I miss you? You've really become miss independent after leaving for college. Bet you don't want my homemade dumplings or brasied chicken wings anymore either huh?"

You instantly pout, the mention of food temporarily making you forget your embarrassing reaction to his presence. "I never said that! I always want your food!"

Caleb grins. "Oh I see. You only think of me when you're hungry. What a selfish little pipsqueak."

The sight of him smiling was making your stomach tie itself into knots. "I'm gonna put my stuff away. Freshen up." You quickly grab your suitcase.

"Are you ok?" Without warning, Caleb reaches out to cup your cheek between both his hands and your breath catches, the heat welling up inside to a point that you felt like you might burst into flames.

"You're awfully warm and red. You're not sick right?" Caleb's endearing method of checking for a fever, which used to make you feel secure and safe, was now making you squirmy and awkward.

Jerking your face out of his hands, you mutter an "I'm fine," before running as fast as you can to your room. Once inside, you sink down on the bed, trying to calm down, trying to think of anything to stop that uncomfortable little pulse of heat in between your most intimate folds. You let out a growl of frustration, then startle as someone knocks on your door. You scramble into a sitting position.

"Yeah?"

Caleb wanders in, looking concerned, and you feel like a trapped animal, fighting for space.

"I'm sorry, but I don't buy that you're ok." He sits down on the edge of your bed and you look away, blushing furiously.

"You've never avoided me like this our whole lives pipsqueak. Didn't we agree no secrets? That you can always talk to me no matter what?"

His words twist guilt into your being but you can't bring yourself to look at him. An awkward silence fills the room and Caleb scoots closer, and you're sure he's trying to give you a heart attack.

"What is it? Are you on your period?"

You know he means well, but you shrink from him, and your heart clenches as you see the disappointment in his face as you withdraw; you'd never rejected his touch before.

Caleb sighs deeply, then rubs the back of his neck. "Ok. I'm sorry. I'll give you some room."

He gets up to go but you instinctively grab his hand, eyes wide and pleading. "No, don't go." you swallow, trying to form the words.

"I don't want space from you."

"Then why are you being weird?" He allows himself to be pulled back onto the bed and draws you against him, and you feel like all your senses are focusing on reliving one thing and one thing only; the pulsating warmth of your sex.

"I'm not trying to be, but I don't feel good. But I don't think I'm sick." You try to explain as Caleb holds you. "I feel...all hot. And my body keeps getting these tingles, and I feel...like my heart's beating too fast."

"Since when?" Caleb gently pats the back of your head. "You should have told me. I would've taken you to the doctor."

"There's something else. And it's kind of...embarrassing."

"Embarrassing how?"

You swallow, feeling your face burn as you admit your problem. "I feel a weird kind of throbbing sensation."

"Is it painful? Where?"

"It's...down there." You finally admit.

A ringing silence falls around you and for a second you worry you've said too much, before Caleb asks, "Like...down down there? In your...?" he fumbles. "Your pussy?"

You let out a shriek of mortification and push him, hiding your face in your hands. "Don't call it that!"

"That's what it's called!" Caleb says earnestly, trying not to laugh. "And I think I know what's happening." He tugs on your wrist to pull you back to his side.

"You do?" Hopeful you peek at him, feeling shy as his eyes start to darken at the edges.

"I think I do. You're horny." he says it matter-of-factly, and you glance away.

"Horny? That's what this is?"

"Yup. I can check if you want."

Your heart skips a beat. "Check?"

"Yeah. Do you trust me?"

Nodding, you allow him to lay you back on the bed, resisting the urge to snap your legs closed as he settles between them. He carefully hikes up your skirt, trying to ignore the shudder that passes through him as he sees the drenched gusset of your cute little panties.

"Let gege take care of you," he murmurs hotly, and despite yourself, you nod.

"Gege knows what wrong with me?" you ask with wide eyed innocence that makes him want to rip off your clothes and take you then and there. Caleb settles for a nod.

"Yes pipsqueak. I do." He pulls off the soaked panties, dragging them down your legs and bringing them up to his nose to smell, the musky aroma making his cock harden painfully.

You're as red as an apple as you watch. "Gege why...?"

"Scent is an important part of making sure you're horny. Judging by these-" he dangles the drenched undergarment in the air before putting it into his pocket, "I'd say you've been this way for a while."

Your knees tremble but Caleb puts his hands on them, keeping them apart. "Be gege's good girl hmm? Keep your legs wide open for me."

You obey, then let out a tiny gasp as you feel his fingers on your cunt, prising them apart and stroking a calloused fingertip through the moist, swollen membranes. As he brushes closer to the apex, you moan and buck your hips, a sudden feeling of pleasure floating through you at his touch.

"Oh pipsqueak. Your clit is all swollen and pink. Are you a naughty little pipsqueak, getting wet when gege is near?" His question is a husky murmur, asked with a smirk that has you hiding your face in your hands again.

"I don't know." you whimper as the throbbing increases after the temporary respite of him touching it.

"Let gege help you. Just relax." You let out a helpless, breathy noise as he pets that little bud at the tip of your apex again, drawing smooth circles over it, your moans music to his ears. He inserts a finger into your tight virgin hole, hissing as he feels how smoothly it glides in, and when he pulls out, the digit is coated with a slick layer of your arousal.

"My little one...you're so pent up. You haven't touched yourself at all? Not even once?" he smears the fluid onto your clit, lewd squelxhing noises filling the air as he strokes you steadily.

The tenderly movements only aid in your growng arousal, hips automatically rocking in a primal rhythm to his fingers. "No..." you manage to whimper. "I didn't know this was what the problem was."

"Ssh..." Caleb silences you with a kiss on your forehead. "It's ok. Now you know. And gege is here to show you. Don't worry my little doll." Testing your limits, he reinserts his finger, followed by a second one, marveling at the stretch. "How does this feel?"

You nod your head. "It...it feels good gege..." your walls clamp around the invading digits and Caleb curls them up, running them along the upper walls of your channel until he finds a spongy little patch deep within. He strokes it with care as his thumb continues it movements on your clit, and your eyes squeeze closed, pops of color forming behind your closed eyelids.

"That's it...focus on feeling good. Can you do that for me pipsqueak?"

You nod tightly, feeling light, your whole body turning into a melting mess of pleasure as you mewl, your body responding so perfectly to his actions. Caleb can see your nipples poking through the thin fabric of your shirt and he curbs his impulses to rip the shirt off and suckle the little knots of flesh greedily, not when he knew you were so close to having a satisfying orgasm on his fingers.

The tension builds, a slippery coil of want tightening in your belly as your voice keens. You feel pressure building within, like your body was contracting and relaxing at the same time, almost like it was trying to expel something.

"Gege...I feel like...there's pressure..." You struggle to explain.

"That's normal pipsqueak. Focus on that. Trust me."

So you listen to him, tuning into the feeling and then, the world suddenly grows bright. The buidling pressure snaps, releasing an insane synergy of rapid delight, growing in your belly and radiating everywhere. Your clit and pussy flutter in tandem as you ride the wave of ecstasy, breath tearing from your throat as it ripples through you, filling you with gratification.

Caleb's fingers never cease through this event but his touch becomes softer, and once he feels your pussy start to relax, he removes his drenched fingers from your hole, licking them clean, much to your chagrin.

"That was so beautiful pipsqueak. How do you feel?" He gather you close, giving reassuring kisses to your cheeks and forehead.

"I feel...good. Like really good. And the throbbing is gone."

Caleb chuckles. "You'll let me know if it comes back? I'll always help you my little one."

Glowing at the relief, you snuggle into him. "Yes gege."

"That's my girl." He presses a final kiss to your forehead, moving away to give himself some room to gether himself, to take his painfully hard cock away from your pretty, half-naked body."

"Wash up pipsqueak. Dinner will be ready soon."

With one last look at your sated face, Caleb leaves in satisfaction. He can wait. He has all week.

© unintentionalseductress original work | no copying, plagiarizing or translating

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[shxuga]

Bloody Bites | Twisted Wonderland

Vampire!Malleus Draconia x Female!Reader | Priest!Rollo Flamme x Female!Reader | VampireHunter!Leona Kingscholar x Female!Reader | Vampire AU | TW: Blood, descriptions of violence, manipulation, abuse, dead dove: do not eat.

A C T I

It was going to be a harsh winter.

She knew it from the first snowfall when there was barely a hint of frost on the trees. Day after day, the temperature dropped alarmingly, and in a matter of hours, the entire forest had been painted white. A white so pure it was almost uncomfortable to look at.

“You should stay in the village this season.”

Yuu blinked, losing track of what Father Rollo was solemnly reciting that Sunday morning. She turned toward the voice, facing a pair of brown eyes that, to any stranger, would seem cold and indifferent. But to her, they held an almost imperceptible warmth.

“What…?”

“You can stay at my house. During the winter, there won’t be any smell of blood or anything that bothers you.”

He continued, unfazed, completely ignoring the constant "shhh" from the other villagers around them. Yuu blinked again, stunned.

“They rarely manage to hunt anything this season.”

“Are… are you crazy?” She lowered her voice behind a fist, trying to draw less attention than her companion. “Do you have any idea what they’d say about a man and a woman living under the same roof without being married…?”

“You know I don’t give a shi—”

“Adel!”

It was a fact—now everyone in the church knew about their conversation. Even Father Rollo paused his sermon and observed them for a brief, cutting moment before resuming his reading with a grunt, an act of mercy.

It was incredible how, with a face that almost resembled a woman’s, his pretty brown eyes, the deep dark blue—almost black—of his hair, and his rosy skin, Adel could curse so shamelessly inside a church.

“You know Father Rollo…”

“I don’t understand why you revere that idiot so much.”

“Adel…” she pleaded, pulling at her hair in exasperation.

“If he cared about you as much as you think, he never would’ve exiled you to live alone in the forest.”

He added with disdain, declaring his victory as Yuu fell silent.

Not long after, the service ended. Yuu wasn’t even surprised when, from a distance, Father Rollo gestured for her to come over while everyone else left the sanctuary. She quickly bid Adel farewell before hurrying in his direction.

“F-Father Rollo, we didn’t mean to…”

“That butcher… are you two close?”

Rollo Flamme cut off her murmuring mercilessly, earning a confused look from the younger woman.

Yuu swallowed dryly, staring into the pair of cold, dark eyes that always seemed to judge her.

Rollo Flamme was young, very young. But that didn’t disqualify him from his position. The deep dark circles under his eyes were the greatest proof of his devotion and commitment to the clergy. With his nearly six-foot height, severe yet attractive face, he radiated an imposing aura that drew villagers like flies to honey—or, in Yuu’s case, made her shrink into herself.

“Well, yes…”

“Has he asked for your hand in marriage?”

He cut her off again, impatient.

Yuu stared at him blankly, making the wrinkle between Rollo’s brows deepen.

“Has he?”

“No! No, no, no…” She fidgeted with her fingers, suppressing the urge to bite her nails in an attempt to escape his icy gaze. “Adel and I are just friends…”

“Oh, please.”

Rollo scoffed, a condescending smile curling his lips as he looked at Yuu with false sympathy.

“Don’t tell me you seriously believe that a man and a single woman can just be friends?”

Suddenly, the smile vanished, leaving only the tight press of his lips in distaste.

“If you keep thinking that way, you’ll only follow in the disgraceful footsteps of your mother.”

“Remember, Yuu, there isn’t a single man in the world who doesn’t see you for what you are…”

“The daughter of a prostitute…”

She murmured, eyes cast downward in shame.

Yes, that’s what she was.

Exile was the price of atoning for her late mother’s sins. Carrying that shame had long been her way of life.

“Oh, come now, don’t make that face.”

Rollo’s fingers took her chin with a gentleness that starkly contrasted with the severe, accusatory tone he had just used to reprimand her.

“I only want what’s best for you, and if I speak to you this way, it’s because I care. You understand, don’t you?”

“Yes… Thank you, Father.”

“Wonderful.”

Rollo hummed in satisfaction, sliding a hand over Yuu’s hair in what could be considered a reward.

“Now, go home. Remember not to talk to strangers, especially if they’re men.”

“…Alright.”

She stepped back with a reverence, ready to begin the long journey back to her cabin in the forest.

“Oh, Yuu…”

“…Yes?”

“Don’t forget that I love you.”

• • •

By the time she reached her humble dwelling, the sky was completely dark, and the snow reached up to her knees. She took refuge by the fireplace, seeking to rid herself of the oppressive cold that seemed to cling to her very blood. She knew it was risky to go back and forth between the church and her cabin, but what else could she do? Father Rollo had always been so kind to her that missing a service felt like an unforgivable act of ingratitude.

She looked out the window, finding nothing but utter and absolute darkness. On nights as cold as this, she missed her mother’s presence... She stepped away from the window, pushing away thoughts of the past, causing the wooden frame to creak under her touch. A creeping sensation stirred within her—that something, deep in the forest, was watching her. She added more firewood to the flames and wrapped herself in a pile of furs that, despite being old and worn, did their job: keeping her warm.

The next morning, the sky was overcast, and the cold was hardly any different from the night before. Yuu began her daily chores early, stepping outside only to clear the frost that had built up on her door and roof. On days like these, wolves and other creatures lurked in the shadows, so the less time spent outside, the better.

That’s why she didn’t know how it happened.

She didn’t know at what moment, in the midst of her cold and lonely winter, she ended up like this—dragging a bloodied young man she had found on an equally gray afternoon while gathering firewood. She knew her world was inhabited by all sorts of malevolent creatures, but she simply couldn’t ignore the dying, unmistakably human figure of the boy lying in the snow, disturbing the pristine white with blood... too much blood.

She knew Father Rollo would reprimand her for not heeding his advice, but she would regret it for the rest of her life if she left him there to die.

There was something sinister about this young man. Something terribly sinister in how pale and beautiful he was. Beautiful—yes, there was no better word to describe his angelic features, which clashed with the ragged state of his bedding. His hair was black, deep, like the glossy plumage of a raven gleaming under the flickering firelight. Even someone as uneducated and illiterate as Yuu could tell that the refined attributes of his face would put many artists and poets—who prided themselves on knowing true beauty—to shame.

She was so mesmerized by his appearance that, throughout the entire process of cleaning his body, she failed to notice that there wasn’t a single wound on his pale, ice-cold skin.

The stranger remained motionless for days, making her question whether she had brought home a man or a statue.

Either way, since his arrival, her small hut no longer felt so lonely. And somehow, since she brought him in, the constant sense of danger emanating from the forest seemed to have lessened.

Yuu basked in the newfound calm, oblivious to the fact that she had invited the most dangerous predator to her doorstep.

Months passed, and winter began to fade. It seemed like any other day when she left to gather firewood, leaving her silent guest alone, as she had done in the weeks prior. Excited to see how spring was gradually making its presence known with small touches of green here and there, she lost track of time and found herself returning home as the sunset painted the sky in shades of red and orange. It was beautiful; she rarely had the opportunity to admire the sky like this.

The tranquility of the forest was soothing—the distant hum of insects and the fluttering of birds signaled that spring was just around the corner. She gazed at the faint silhouette of the moon in the sky, feeling strangely happy.

Soon, I’ll be able to return to the village and see Adel and Father Rollo!

“Good afternoon.”

Her blood turned to ice.

Slowly, she turned to face the group of hunters who, at some point along her path, had drawn uncomfortably close. She vaguely recognized their faces—they were likely from the village, though she couldn’t put names to them. It was strange. Why were they approaching her like this?

“Good afternoon,” she replied, her voice steady and composed as she clutched the firewood against her chest, an awful sense of dread swirling in the pit of her stomach.

If there was one reason Yuu had survived alone in the forest for so long, it was her instinctive fear of strangers. Even she was surprised that she had invited one into her home.

“It’s been a harsh winter, hasn’t it?”

He kept talking. Why was he still talking? It was odd—normally, everyone, except for Adel, avoided her like the plague.

“Yes, it has.”

She slowly stepped backward, uneasy at how they all seemed to notice her growing desperation to end the conversation. The dogs growled in response, making her even more anxious.

“We had a good hunt,” the eldest of the hunters mused, gesturing toward the large stag they were dragging back to the village. “If you want, we can give you something... in exchange for your services.”

“My... services?”

The men exchanged glances.

“Come on, we all know you’re following in your mother’s footsteps—that’s why that priest cast you out of the village,” another man interjected, far less patient. “So spare us the false modesty.”

She didn’t even get the chance to scream.

Yuu fought with all her might, but they were too many—too strong and too fast. Within seconds, her face was pressed against the snow, sharp stones and twigs scraping her skin.

“N-no...!”

She kicked wildly, screaming in terror as she felt a hand slipping beneath her skirt. Somehow, she managed to snatch a small hunting knife and swung it blindly, forcing them to back away. She took advantage of their surprise and ran, abandoning the firewood in her frantic escape. But she didn’t get far.

One of the dogs sank its teeth into her leg and dragged her back. Her screams echoed through the endless forest. It hurt. It felt like massive needles were tearing through her flesh. Someone struck her across the face, and suddenly, everything went dark.

Yet she refused to stop fighting.

Then came the worst of it.

“Shit! Which one of you idiots stabbed her?!”

“W-what was I supposed to do?! She wouldn’t stop struggling!”

“What do we do now...? Her guts are about to spill out any second now...”

She held her stomach, feeling a great, damp warmth spreading through her arms. Cold, it was so cold. Her eyes could only make out blurry shapes, and her lips trembled with unintelligible mutterings.

It hurt, it hurt so much.

Yuu wanted to scream, but her body was becoming less and less hers; there was a disconnect that manifested as a tingling, numbing her extremities.

So… I’m really going to die like this.

On her deathbed, she thought of Adel, of how she should have listened to him and thanked him for being one of the few who genuinely cared about her. She also thought of Father Rollo and how sad he would feel to know she had died in such a miserable way, all because she hadn’t followed his advice.

And she also thought of him, her nameless guest. Her greatest regret in that moment was that she would never be able to find out what his voice would have sounded like. It was foolish. Why was she thinking about something so trivial? Had her life really been so insignificant from beginning to end?

«Crunch, crunch, crunch»

In the middle of the small battle she was fighting with her eyelids to keep them from closing, she thought she heard unfamiliar screams and growls. Something splattered against her face, just as hot as the blood seeping through her fingers.

«Slurp, slurp, slupr»

What was that sound?

"Ah~, it's been a while since I last had a bite… This time, he really almost killed me."

A single voice echoes in the now silent forest. Yuu weakly lifts her eyes toward the direction where, just moments ago, her tormentors had been looking at her. She almost doesn't recognize the angelic, pale face covered in blood. The vital liquid dripped excessively from his lips, covering everything with the horrible metallic scent that it was known for.

"A bit bitter for my taste, but it'll be enough for now."

It was him.

No, impossible. She had to be hallucinating—a cruel and bleak trick her mind was playing on her before her permanent dismissal from life. It was unthinkable, especially because her guest didn’t have those strikingly prominent horns atop his head, nor did he have the physique to tear apart five seasoned hunters. And he certainly didn’t look like a vampire.

For starters, since when were those demonic entities so beautiful? Father Rollo had always described them as horrendous creatures—monstrous beings you’d recognize at first glance! Yes… ugly, dangerous, and… red-eyed.

But him… he was none of that. His eyes weren’t even red; they gleamed with the intensity of an emerald fully bathed in the midday sun.

"Look at you… And here I was, thinking I’d return your kindness by killing you painlessly."

He spoke, and Yuu’s ears caught his tone like a gentle caress, even in the midst of his condescension. There was no expression on his face, or at least none Yuu could make out when more than half of her bodily fluids had already painted the ground crimson. Besides, the sun had long since vanished, and the moonlight barely allowed her to make out faint shapes.

"I have lived through countless eras, and yet, not once have I fully understood humans. Weak, pathetic, selfish… I have never met one without these three traits. But you, foolish little human… you are, without a doubt, the stupidest one I have ever encountered."

Silence.

That seemed to be the conclusion he had reached as he wandered around her slowly cooling body, splattered with the remains of several people.

"H-Help… me…"

She didn’t even know if he was still there, much less if he would offer her anything after so openly insulting both her and her entire species in her final moments. But what else could she do? In the end, he was right. She was nothing more than a selfish creature who, no matter how miserable her life had been, refused to leave without clinging on and fighting just a little.

There was no response, but that didn’t surprise her either. She hadn’t taken him into her cabin expecting anything in return. Just having someone there for all those months—someone she used to warm herself during the nights when the ice nearly froze her bones, someone to talk to when the silence became unbearable… someone who, in his taciturn way, reminded her of what another person’s face looked like.

How pathetic. She had even shared her most personal thoughts with him when the solitude threatened to shatter what little sanity she had left. She expected nothing from him because, even in all that silence, she felt like she had already received too much.

Yes… in the end… she would die settling for scraps.

Just like her mother.

"Aren’t you just a pathetic little thing~?"

He cooed, his voice light, laughing shamelessly at her plea. But Yuu was already too weak to hear him.

She had the faint sensation of something sinking into her neck, but by then, her nerves had already stopped being of any use.

Her last memory as a human was how beautiful the moon looked at the turn of the season.

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[cheshireliam]

Victor Main Story: Chapter 2

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Read this before interacting

Liam: Alright, that should be all.

Alfons: This was a very troublesome mission. 

Kate: Good work, everyone. 

Liam: You too, Kate. 

A few days after I started helping Victor with his work, I went on a mission with Liam and Alfons. 

Liam: I can’t believe candy this pretty contains drugs. 

Liam closely studied the pink candy resembling a gemstone he held up between his thumb and index finger. 

Alfons: I never imagined we’d be expected to retrieve the ones already in circulation. 

Alfons: Jude and the others who were tasked to destroy the factory might’ve had the better end of the stick. 

Alfons let out a deep sigh. 

[ Flashback ]

Even just a lick of the beautiful pink gem-like candy could make all of a person’s worries and anxiety disappear. 

Rumours of this mysterious candy started spreading from Soho, a pleasure district. 

By the time it reached Her Majesty's ears, it was already confirmed to contain illegal drugs. 

Therefore, Crown was assigned to handle the matter. 

Victor: The factory producing these candies is operated by a nobleman who funds a pharmaceutical company. 

Victor: On top of manufacturing illegal candy, he also forced employees to work under unlawful labour contracts. 

Jude: Tch. 

Jude clicked his tongue, looking irritated. 

Victor: Jude and Ellis will go to the factory. Liam, Alfons, and Kate will track down the candies that have already been distributed. 

Alfons: Oh, I expected Liam and I to be assigned this task. But Miss Kate as well? 

Ellis: I think that’s because it’ll be safer for her to be with you than with us: 

Jude: Like hell. Ain’t it more dangerous bein’ with that walk-in' violation of public morals? 

Alfons: Such flattery won’t get you anything from me.

Jude: That ain’t no damn compliment. 

[ Flashback End ]

(I didn’t think we’d end up going all over Soho collecting candy…) 

I had never been to Soho at night before, nor had I ever stepped foot into such shady establishments. 

(The mission went smoothly all thanks to Alfons who walked around like he knew the place very well.) 

Wherever we went, Alfons seemed to know someone. 

Using his curse’s ability, he skillfully collected the candies while getting information from people. 

And then, based on the information collected, Liam would use his ability to hide himself and head to locations where deals were being made to steal the candies. 

We repeated the same process over and over, and ended up with a bag filled to the brim with confiscated candies.

(Alfon’s ability allows him to make others see illusions by touching the nape of their necks.)

(Liam’s ability allows him to become invisible.) 

We heaved a sigh of relief at the results of their flawless teamwork—

Liam: We managed to collect quite a lot of candies, I wonder how things are going on the other side. 

Alfons: Considering it's Jude, I imagine he’s already bought out the entire factory and turned the whole situation into a profitable business for himself. 

Liam: Haha. That does sound like him. 

Listening to their lighthearted conversation and perfect chemistry, I shifted my gaze from the candies to them.

Kate: You two get along very well.

Alfons: Of course, we’re playmates.

Alfons: Liam and I often come to Soho together to have fun. 

Liam laughed a little awkwardly at that.

Liam: Victor probably had that in mind when he chose us for this mission. 

Alfons: That person's choice of personnel for missions is eerily accurate at times. 

Kate: Eerily…? 

Alfons dramatically spread out his arms with an exaggerated sigh.

Alfons: I mean, we don't tell him where we go to have fun, and yet he always knows.

Alfons: Just a little while back, he somehow knew we were out drinking at some random rundown pub. 

Alfons: We didn't tell anyone at all, and we’ve only been there twice! 

He hugged himself, pretending to look frightened. 

Liam: I had that happen to me too.

Kate: Really? 

Liam: One time, I went out for a walk at dawn when everyone was asleep and returned quietly. 

Liam: The next morning, I ran into Victor and he asked if I enjoyed my walk. 

Liam: No one was awake at that time, so he must've seen me somehow. 

Alfons: What about you, Miss Kate? Have you had any similar experiences? 

(Have I…?)

I tried recalling if I’d experienced anything similar, but—

Kate: I can’t think of any instances in particular… or maybe I haven’t noticed yet. 

Alfons: That’s absolutely what’s happening, or it also could be that he’s just choosing not to say anything. 

Alfons: It probably takes little to no effort for the Queen’s Aide to keep track of Crown’s personal lives, but I can’t say it feels pleasant knowing he can see right through us.

Alfons picked up one of the candies and narrowed his eyes. 

Alfons: It’s one thing if he only knows what we’re up to after joining Crown.

Alfons: But it wouldn't surprise me if he knows things from our pasts even we ourselves have already forgotten. 

Alfons: That’s the kind of person he is. 

Liam: I don’t mind it, though. I figured he’d do a background check before recruiting us into Crown. 

Liam: I assumed we’d only be accepted after he’s conducted a thorough investigation. 

Liam: But it’s not a bad thing. It’d be a serious problem if suspicious people were part of an organisation under direct orders from Her Majesty. 

Kate: That’s true. 

Liam’s face suddenly lit up.

Liam: By the way, Kate. You’ve been helping Victor with his work recently, right? 

Kate: Yes, but it’s only with some simple tasks. 

Liam: What kind of tasks?

Kate: What kind, huh… 

I thought back to the past few days. 

[ Flashback ]

Victor: Kate, could you organise Crown’s reports next?

Kate: Got it!

Kate: I’m done. What's next…?

Victor: Thank you. Let’s have tea time, then. 

And the next day,—

Victor: Today, I need you to enter the expenses for Crown’s activities. 

Kate: Please leave it to me… is this all? 

Victor: Indeed. Let’s have tea once that’s completed. 

[ Flashback End ]

Kate: I mostly just have tea time with him…

Victor would assign Crown-related tasks to me, but they were always simple, few in number, and he’d insist on having tea time every time I finished my tasks. 

Alfons: Sounds to me he’s abusing his authority to have time with a young lady. 

Kate: I don’t think that’s the case. 

Alfons stuck out his tongue, making a face like he had eaten something unpleasant. 

Liam: But that's a lot of time Victor spends a lot of time in his office.

Liam blinked in surprise. 

Kate: What do you mean? 

Liam: As the Queen’s Aide, I thought he’d spend most of his time by Her Majesty's side. 

Liam: But from what you've told us, doesn't it sound like he’s always in his office? 

Kate: That might actually be right. 

From the moment I entered his office until I left, he never stepped away from his desk.

Liam: See?  It’s like you can never tell what Victor’s usually up to. 

Liam: He’s that unpredictable and no one even knows when he goes to sleep. 

(Even people who've known Victor longer than I have don’t know.)

(Of course he’s busy as the Crown’s boss and the Queen’s Aide, but…) 

Liam: Maybe he just wants to spend time with you. 

Liam’s words made me suddenly think of something.

(By any chance, am I being a nuisance?) 

The possibility that my presence might be what was keeping Victor stuck in his office crossed my mind. 

Alfons grinned mischievously.

Alfons: My, my, what’s with that look?

Kate: I thought I was helping him, but maybe all I’ve actually been doing is being a distraction. 

Liam: That’s not true. I think you're just doing your best.

Kate: But he only ever assigns simple tasks to me. 

Alfons: There could be highly confidential matters he has to handle personally, so it can’t be helped. 

Kate: I wouldn’t mind if he sent me on errands or something…

Alfons: Are you saying you want to be the Queen’s Aide’s pet dog?

Liam: I can’t imagine Victor treating Kate like that, though. 

Liam lifted the bag of candies and clapped his hands.

Liam: Anyway, the mission’s complete. Let's head back. 

…

The next morning, I was making my way to Victor’s office as usual.

(If I’m really being a nuisance, I need to ask him about it directly.)

With that thought in mind, I reached out to knock on his door, but just then—

???: — don’t you think?

I heard a voice coming from inside the office, and stopped my hand mid-motion. 

Through a small gap, I caught a glimpse of William’s back. 

William: So, how’s it been going with the little robin’s help?

Victor: She’s quick with her work and that’s a great help. Besides, having her around brightens up the mood here. 

William: From what I’ve heard, you’re assigning her simple tasks, then spending the rest of the time having tea with her.

(He must’ve heard that from Liam.)

Victor chuckled. 

Victor: So I’ve been found out.

Wlliam: Skipping work for tea time is rather sinful, isn't it?

Victor: Kate created that free time for me by helping out, and I’m simply using it meaningfully. 

(So that's how it is… I’m glad I’m not bothering him.)

I was happy to hear my help had freed up some time for Victor, but… 

(If that's the case, he could use that time for other things instead.)

Even to an ordinary person like me, it was clear Victor had more than enough work on his plate.

The time he used to have tea could be allocated to completing his other tasks. 

I leaned in and listened more closely to their conversation. 

Victor: You may think I should be working instead of having tea, but I enjoy that time.

Victor: Kate might think the tasks I assign to her are simple, but I can’t assign Crown-related work to anyone else. 

Victor: Whether it's organising documents or managing their expenses, I can't express how grateful I am to have her helping to take care of those tasks. 

William: Is that why you repay her with tea time?

Victor: While I do want to spoil her for her hard work, half of it is for my own sake.

Victor: Tea time with her is a source of comfort for me. 

(So that’s how he feels.) 

I thought I was just being pampered with simple tasks, but that wasn't the case at all. 

There was no such thing as “easy” work. 

Realising that I was truly being of help to him made a warm feeling spread in my chest.

William: I see, it's true that people need breaks to get through life.

William: Especially you. 

With a knowing smile, William reached for the door handle.

William: Eavesdropping, are you? Looks like you've become rather villainous yourself, Kate. 

Kate: Ah… 

Our eyes met as the door swung open.

Victor: You’re here, Kate. 

Seeing his gentle smile made me feel all the more guilty, and I quickly bowed my head in apology. 

Kate: I’m sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. 

William: And yet you were listening to us quite intently.

Kate: … When did you notice?

William: Around the time I asked about your help.

Kate: Since the start!? 

As my cheeks grew hot with a mix of guilt and embarrassment, I tried to hide my face with my hands.

But the sound of laughter from two people rained down on me.

Victor: Look. Adorable, isn’t she? 

William: Yeah, I’d like to “borrow” her some time. 

Victor: You can't do that, she’s my aide. 

I saw the two of them chuckling through the gaps between my fingers. 

Unlike William’s amusement, Victor’s expression was gentle, warm, and filled with affection. 

Victor: Don’t worry, I’m not angry. If anything, I think you’re adorable for eavesdropping. 

Kate: Please don’t call me adorable too much, it makes me even more embarrassed… 

Even if, to Victor, it was the same thing as doting on a child or pet, it was natural for me to feel embarrassed when being called adorable by a grown man. 

Victor: That’s a shame, but I don’t like being unable to see your face, so I should stop. 

I slowly lowered my hands from my face and directly met Victor’s gaze. 

Victor: You must’ve heard me say this earlier, but it’s thanks to you that I now have time for tea. 

Victor: I’d love it if you would continue helping me, so I can continue having such luxury. 

Kate: Of course! I’ll help as much as you need. 

Satisfied with my response, Victor was all smiles as he gathered the documents. 

Victor: Well then, what treats shall we have today? 

I couldn’t help but smile too when I heard that. I answered while receiving the documents, 

Kate: Scones with lots of cream! 

[humanundead]

Special interview with Ryoji Morimoto to celebrate the release of "Kamen Rider Blade CREATURE GADGET ARCHIVES Undead Buckle" (November 2016)

To commemorate the release of the “Undead Buckle,” we conducted a special photoshoot and interview with Mr. Ryoji Morimoto, who played Hajime Aikawa/Joker/Human Undead/Ryo Mikami.

We heard him discuss his thoughts on Blade and his impressions of the product.

(translation under cut)

Thank you for your hard work on the photoshoot. Now that the “Undead Buckle” has finally been released, we’d like to ask your honest thoughts on it.

Ryoji Morimoto: Well, I’m just happy. I was surprised when I heard about it, so I’m glad it’s actually happening.

We had a roundtable discussion with you and everyone else from Blade for the release of the “Rouse Card Archives” in 2012.

Morimoto: Among the Blade team, there’s an ever-present feeling that it’s not over yet, so the “Rouse Card Archives” discussion was the first opportunity we’ve had in a while to get together. We were surprised at how high quality the cards were.

For the “Rouse Card Archives 10th Anniversary Edition” in 2014, we gathered nine Blade cast members.

Morimoto: The Blade team is close, so I didn’t feel nostalgic. They haven’t really changed from how I remember them back then. Everyone still looks good as well. I think they might be Undead (laughs).

(While looking at the booklet from back then) Ah, I had long hair then! That’s right, I’m pretty sure Amano-kun also got long hair after this. Tsubaki-kun also had long hair before this, or maybe after. Amane-chan’s appearance has changed the most. She’s really grown up.

In 2015, you voice acted in “Kamen Rider Blade Drama CD: The Joker’s Path” and “Super Hero Taisen GP: Kamen Rider 3.” How did you feel about playing Hajime Aikawa again for the first time in 10 years?

Morimoto: Even as an actor, I think playing the same role again after 10 years is a very difficult experience. Even so, for some reason, it wasn’t hard. Hajime Aikawa has been living inside me this whole time, so I’m immediately able to be possessed by his spirit.

In the main story of “Kamen Rider Blade,” you played the multiple roles of Hajime Aikawa, Joker, Ryo Mikami, and Human Undead. How did you differentiate between the roles?

Morimoto: In the case of Hajime Aikawa, at the time we started filming, I hadn’t seen the whole script, so I was building him up as filming progressed. There wasn’t a process of preparing for the role in the beginning. I’d heard that he wasn’t human, so I was conscious of things like not blinking and not feeling pain. Hajime is a handsome guy, so I wanted him to be cool, but when I was Joker I was just groaning, like “wuuuuuh.”

Everyone says Ryo Mikami is the most similar to me, but in reality, I’m moody (laughs), so we’re a little different. I might be a goofball, but when I need to get down to business, I can, so I wanted to show that gap with my performance.

Human Undead… that’s right. I think I was going for something like Adam from Adam and Eve. Like a godly feeling…Well, it’s hard to talk about Human Undead. I don’t remember playing him that well.

He only appears about two times in the show, doesn’t he. When taking the first photo, your face completely became Hajime Aikawa’s. It was my fault for unintentionally handing you the rouse card as a prop.

Morimoto: Ah, I definitely went for Hajime’s pose! It was a great photoshoot featuring the Human Undead. (looking at the rouse card) Ah, look, isn’t the hair permed and almost nuanced? It looks nice, doesn’t it.

According to the person in charge of the rouse card illustrations, they drew them before the cast had been confirmed, and they didn’t even know what your face looked like. But somehow, it resembles you quite a bit.

Morimoto: (taking the same pose as the card) You’re right! It might look like me. It’s fate.

Now, regarding the “Undead Buckle” product, not only have we paid a lot of attention to the design, it also has an opening and closing gimmick.

Morimoto: It really opened! Also, the texture of the belt part is interesting.

It is, isn’t it. We call it a belt out of convenience, but the details of the Human Undead’s waist only happens to look like a belt. We actually think it’s biological tissue, so we tried to recreate the biological texture with silicone.

By the way, how do you think the Human Undead won the original Battle Fight?

Morimoto: If he didn’t have any physical strength, or any sort of special attack… as a human, he must have been intelligent, right? Making his fellow Undead fight each other… how crafty!

What do you think the original effect of “Spirit” was? Kamen Rider Chalice used it when he turned back into Hajime, but that ability isn’t useful in battle, is it. Fans have also been speculating about the original Battle Fight in all sorts of ways. It isn’t really discussed much in the show either, but it’s a very interesting topic.

Morimoto: This has been a good opportunity to think about the Human Undead.

The Undead discussion never ends. Earlier, we were taking some Human Undead-style photos, and looking at them again, you seem to be more toned than you were in those days.

Morimoto: I went to the gym in preparation. Because I’m an Undead.

What’s your secret to staying youthful?

Morimoto: I guess it’s not being controlled by other people. I think it’s having the determination to keep doing what I want to do.

Heroes also align with this way of thinking.

Morimoto: I want to be a hero, I want to be a hero. The desire to be a hero is always at the root of everything, I think. I want to keep bringing excitement to Kamen Rider Blade, like Tsubaki-kun, who has been fighting brightly and positively without being defeated, despite facing difficult circumstances.

Lastly, please give us a message for the customers who will buy the product.

Morimoto: It’s really cool, so I would definitely be happy if it becomes popular. I hope it’s treasured not just as a belt, but as a part of the Undead’s body. With this, you too can become the ancestor of all humans!

-November 2016, Tokyo

[muiitoloko]

The Zumba Incident

Summary: When your retired, slightly unhinged ex-general husband crashes a community Zumba class with his equally inebriated war buddies, the result is chaos, sore hips, and one unforgettable performance.

Pairing: Frank Benson × Fem! Reader & Oc

Warnings: Funny

Author's Notes: A little continuation of "Operation Dog Flap". You don’t have to read it if you don’t want to, but it’s good for context. 😅 Am I making Frank too comedic?

Also read on Ao3

Three days had passed since Frank’s legendary dog-flap incident, and life had mostly returned to normal—or as normal as it could get when your husband was a retired Lieutenant General with the emotional maturity of a cranky badger and the self-preservation instincts of a lemming on a cliff.

That morning, Frank had wandered into the kitchen with his usual heavy-footed shuffle, white hair sticking up in several directions, his reading glasses perched low on his hooked nose.

“Going out,” he’d grunted around a mouthful of toast.

You glanced up from your coffee. “Oh?”

He nodded, vaguely. “Reggie, Clive, maybe Tony. Lunch. Catching up. I won’t be long.”

You arched a brow. “Lunch as in ‘lunch,’ or lunch as in you’ll be drunk before three and fall asleep on the couch covered in crisps and shame?”

Frank gave you his most affronted look—the one he always wore when you were absolutely correct. “It’s just lunch,” he said, hazel eyes blinking with poorly concealed innocence. “We’re old men. We get full after a pint and a sandwich.”

You rolled your eyes but said nothing. He had been good lately. He deserved a break. And frankly, you needed some quiet time with Thomas that didn’t involve cleaning olive oil off the floor or explaining to your son why Daddy had turned into a stuck sausage roll.

So, you kissed Frank goodbye, sent him off with his coat, wallet, and a warning—“Please, for the love of God, don’t get arrested”—and went about your day.

It was peaceful for a while.

Until your phone rang.

You glanced at the caller ID and frowned.

Frank Benson.

You answered with a smile, expecting your husband’s baritone and a half-sarcastic, half-sincere “I miss you already.”

Instead, a strange female voice greeted you.

“Hi! Uh, hello? Is this… Mrs. Benson?”

Your brow furrowed. “Yes?”

“Oh, great. Hi! I work at the community center on Rosehill Street and, um… we have your husband here. And his friends.”

You froze. “…Sorry?”

“They, uh… well, they’ve joined our Zumba class. Uninvited. And we just… thought you might want to come get them.”

You stared at your phone in silence for a beat.

“I’m sorry,” you said slowly, “did you just say Zumba?”

“Yes. Very enthusiastically.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose. “Is he drunk?”

“I’d guess… very.”

Of course he was.

You sighed and rubbed your temple. “Right. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

Twenty minutes later, you were standing in the entryway of the Rosehill Community Center, Thomas at your side, clutching his dinosaur backpack, eyes wide with curiosity.

You could hear the music before you even entered the main hall—Latin beats thumping through the walls, something absurdly upbeat about hips and rhythm and joy.

And then, through the windowed door, you saw them.

Frank. Your husband. White hair disheveled, cheeks red, moving in a way that could only be described as possessed by a rhythm demon with no sense of timing. His shirt was half-untucked, his stomach jiggled with every movement, and he looked like a retired garden gnome on a sugar high. His hazel eyes were glazed but… weirdly focused. Determined, even.

He was trying.

Reggie was beside him, shirtless for some godforsaken reason, twirling like a drunken ballerina. Clive was flapping his arms with all the coordination of a headless chicken, and Tony—sweet, poor Tony—was doing something vaguely resembling a twerk, and you never wanted to think about that again.

Thomas gasped beside you. “Mummy. Daddy’s dancing!”

“Not… exactly, sweetheart.”

“But he’s moving like Peppa’s grandpa when he sneezed.”

“That sounds about right.”

The instructor, a tired-looking woman in her mid-thirties, spotted you through the window and gave you a desperate thumbs-up.

You took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The music blasted into your ears. The moment Frank caught sight of you, he froze mid-thrust, his arms outstretched, one knee bent in what might have once been a squat.

“…Darling,” he said, far too brightly. “You came!”

You stared at him in dead silence.

Frank blinked. Then tried to spin.

It did not go well.

He stumbled, caught Reggie’s elbow, and the two of them tumbled to the floor in a heap of laughter and flailing limbs.

Thomas clapped delightedly. “Again, Daddy! Do the spin again!”

Frank groaned from the floor, one hand reaching toward the ceiling. “I was ambushed,” he slurred. “They promised me pub lunch and a pint. And then there was music. And shouting. And a woman named Gloria said my hips were ‘full of promise.’”

You looked to the instructor. “How long has this been going on?”

She rubbed her forehead. “They got here at 2:40. It’s… 3:15.”

You stared at your husband. “You’ve been drunk dancing for thirty-five minutes?”

Frank beamed up at you from the floor. “Best workout I’ve had in years.”

You closed your eyes. “I’m going to bury you in the garden.”

“Preferably face down,” Reggie muttered, groaning as he sat up. “That way if I reanimate, I can’t climb out.”

Thomas waved his arms. “Can I do Zumba too?!”

You groaned. “Absolutely not. Everyone into the car.”

“But—”

“Now!”

Frank struggled to his feet, his arms wobbling. “Darling, I was quite good actually. You should’ve seen my hip circle.”

You took one long, slow breath. “Frank Benson. You are a decorated military officer. You commanded drone strikes. You negotiated ceasefires. You were once knighted by the Queen herself.”

He grinned, eyes drooping. “And now I Zumba.”

You turned to the instructor, digging into your bag. “Do you accept bribes to delete footage?”

That night, Frank lay spread-eagled on the couch, groaning.

“Everything hurts,” he mumbled.

“Good.”

“You’re not going to forgive me, are you?”

“Not even a little.”

“I think I may have sprained my arse.”

You didn’t answer. Just placed a glass of water on his chest and a bag of frozen peas on his thigh.

Thomas ran into the room with a piece of paper. “Look, Daddy! I drew you doing Zumba!”

Frank stared at the drawing. He was a stick figure with wild hair and a big, wobbling belly.

“…I’m magnificent,” he whispered.

You sighed, collapsing beside him, one hand brushing through his white hair.

“You are something, alright.”

And he smiled. Stupid. Pained. Drunk with life.

Yours.

[steamingstewchunks]

I feel like Bumblebee would get babu Sari a little bee onesie

So they could match

Oh yes he does, he so so does it, makes sure the others can see how she makes the little grabby hands for it.

It's a competition to see which one of their colors/themes she likes the best when they all go out together so she has "interact with the outside world" time.

Each and every time, they hit up a clothing store, never to get anything for themselves no, they can just make any outfit they want with their holoforms, it's all for SARI, and DOMINANCE within their group.

Who is the favorite? whos colors does she love the most? Who gets her the best stuff?

It's as one does when a baby chooses something uniquely you, I know me and my family flaunt the superiority when the baby chooses one of us over the other (lesser) choice, ((the not me choice)), so within the store, Bumblebee is the most obvious. I mean, he's already got the yellow, she already loves yellow, so automatically he's got majority points! She just needs the stripes!

Queue a very young looking boy(teen? Man? Eh, the cashier doesn't care) slamming his hands down on the counter talking about "every bumblebee or bee related piece of clothing you got", staring at them like they don't get paid fifteen dollars an hour.

Meanwhile prowls trying looking at the golden bracelets, and maybe that tacky little onesie that says "mamas gurl" in gold letters on the back, but it's main color is... Pink. Pink and gold. Even in his holoform he doesn't think he can pull that off without looking like Patricia. She rocked the pink and gold jewelry like it made her queen of the world. He put the onesie back, no way was she going to have Sari resemble Patricia of all people. Maybe they can get matching bows, Sari likes to mess with the one on her collar when walking around.

She picks out a little black bow and ties it to one of her pigtails. Prowl will take it off when they need to pay for it. It matches with the glasses they share.

Bulkhead is just as obvious as Bee, but less so with the competition part. He goes, surprisingly enough, with what she already has in her closet. Hes trying to make complete outfits, he likes to match his own with Saris, little green shoes with a yellow dress and green jacket? He's wearing a yellow undershirt and shorts, a green letterman Jacket, and a pair of sneakers cuz they are comfy and basic and versatile. No, Bee, he won't wear Crocs, fundamentally, they're not as versatile as he needs sports mode be damned

Ratchet is really good at it, necessities like bibs and socks, they have his colors. I haven't really noticed but on non gendered stuff for babies, red and white are actually very common colors. So long as the red is an accent and not a main color. (And not Elmo.) He doesn't brag about how much she really really loves the doctor toy set he got her a few weeks ago, he does grin smugly at Optimus when his thing is set aside for a few moments to play doctor with grandpa Ratchet though.

The prime, well, Optimus doesn't know how to go about it. The one thing they've got in the whole "favorite" category would have to be the red little truck that she loves to carry around everywhere. He made it, actually. The kid in their favorite store, Miko, was making something at the counter one day, needles thread, little beads and stuffing, the whole shebang.

He would have asked about it if Sari wasn't cranky-- nap time was something nobody tried to put off when it came to it So instead, he set her down with Ratchet a block or two away, asked if he could watch her while he.... Investigated something.

"sure kid, I'm not doing much here anyways, might take the stasis nap with her."

Holoform active, Optimus speeds back to the shop, worried that maybe she wasn't there or he missed it or-

"What are you doing back here? Need something else, Ori?" It takes him an embarrassingly long time (and a bit of money(little sweets are going to be in the candy jar for MONTHS)) for him to muster up the courage to ask about it.

He comes back to a snoozing Ratchet and Sleepy Sari, just sitting near them as he fiddles with the soft, hopefully well made plush in his hands. It wasn't good, not by a long shot, his holoforms digits had plenty of holes in them from how much he'd accidentally poked himself, luckily covered by bright neon and patterned bandages. Hesitantly, he placed the plushie next to Sari, just nervous and worried, in a way, that she just wouldn't like it.

Nothing can compare to how relieved he felt when her little eyes opened, tiny slivers of red and white seeing what he made, and latching on immediately, holding onto it the same way she would hold him while being carried.

Each and every time he saw her with the toy truck, which lasted way, wayy longer than most others, his spark sang with joy.

The fact that it looked like his alt-mode was simply a plus, to her loving something he made so soso much, and he kept on learning to sew. For when it might finally tear, or break.

[zimnezelki]

a quick sketch of john paul the second i did a few months ago

[puppppppppy]

i like him

[p1ctur3]

@octdl-lee

Random captive TDL au lore dump and some behind the scenes stuff since you asked so nicely :]

Dark in captivity

victim did use dark as a way to train and get the mercs and him used to the box

victim and agent (i would probably explore their dynamic in this au also, mitsi would haunt this narrative because yes)

some behind the scenes things

additional art

[bagels-and-cream-cheese333]

Fanon Leo gives off a certain Vibe and I don’t like it.

[gncrezan]

mind blind 2025 comeback and the first person i thought about was you

JUST AS I FELT COMPELLED TO BAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES TOO. NICK WISEMAN WE'VE NEVER BEEN SO BACK

[kingofdinosaurs]

i think a lot about how mohg and morgott's great runes are found together...

[infizero]

i dont think i made this clear in the prev post but WHAT I WAS GETTING AT WAS i think toby specifically wants players to get attached to ralsei and make choices playing into that so that the inevitable reveal of our distinction from kris and their own opinions and feelings and everything hits even harder by sort of slapping you in the face and being like HEY BUDDY. THEY DONT WANT THIS. and also a slap in the face to ralsei too who i again would like to say is parasocial asf with us and needs to go to video game therapy :heart:

[sukunasweetheart]

Boyfriend kuna who has the pleasure of meeting your giant domesticated cat that looks exactly like him (but no one actually sees the resemblance except you..)

"That fucker is big. You sure it's not some wild feral cat?"

"Don't call him a fucker! And he's not feral... not anymore, at least."

Kittykuna seems indifferent to your cooing and doting as he remains in a loaf position, and something about the scene feels strangely familiar...

Kittykuna makes eye contact with sukuna - and then hisses.

"... i can see that he's certainly friendly."

"Oh, dont be like that. It took me ages to get close to him as well."

Kittykuna seems very protective of you. Whenever you're lounging about in the living room, he will curl up on your lap or in your arms, and make biscuits on your plush body while making eye contact with sukuna, purring. It mildly pisses him off, but he can't make it known that he's even remotely jealous of a cat.

They clash a lot, you often hear sukuna cursing under his breath and verbally chastising your cat, but their harmless beef and the way he will sometimes return with little scratches or bite marks on his arms make you laugh so hard. It takes a few weeks for them to warm up to each other.

It's very entertaining to watch kittykuna obscure sukuna's vision with his tail when he's lying down to watch tv. He takes his revenge later on by pretending to give him treats, only to hover it away from him. You have to intervene in the end, to scold him for teasing your cat too much.

Sukuna then comes up with a brilliant idea of getting a second cat.

"Don't you think it's a bit boring for him being alone in the house all the time?"

"Really? I don't know... he can be a bit territorial, I'm worried he won't get along with a new cat well."

"Never know 'til we try it."

And then, well, sukuna ends up bringing another cat home. Of course, you don't notice it, but she resembles you.

It takes time to properly and slowly introduce the new cat to your home and to kittykuna. They're both very cautious of each other at first. But you soon see the ice melting, with them gradually becoming comfortable enough to be in the same room, to sharing toys, eating meals together, and then finally beginning to groom each other.

In fact, you find that they soon become inseparable. You've never seen kittykuna become so clingy before. It's like every other day that you see him licking the other cat's fur in his arms, while it purrs contently with her eyes closed.

Sukuna seems proud of himself.

"What did i tell you? He was lonely."

"You didn't say lonely. You said bored," you correct him, crossing your arms.

"Whatever you say, princess."

Watching the cats be all lovey dovey makes him feel like doing the same...

Months later, it soon comes to your attention, that the newer kitty has gained a bit of weight. When you and sukuna take her to the vet (to kittykuna's displeasure) you find out that she is pregnant.

The gasp you let out is dramatic, and sukuna can only laugh as he shakes his head.

"The two of you have been up to naughty things while we weren't watching..." you tell the cats with your hands on your hips. You should've seen it coming, from the way kittykuna always seemed to mount the new cat possessively.

Though you are really excited to see the newborn kittens soon...

"Leave them be. In fact, don't you think they're good role models for us...?" Sukuna recites in your ear teasingly, deeply chuckling.

"I don't know what you mean..."

I suppose you're about to find out exactly what he means tonight...

[puppppppppy]

the heaven and earth siblings

[bats-and-the-birds]

The Batkids on being mistaken as Bruce's biological children.

Look, the Batkids have all been forced into various social gatherings, and enough of them share vague features with Bruce that some of the older members among Gotham's old money, or the younger ones that are out of the loop, sometimes mix up the facts.

Dick gets it from the very beginning. Old women pinch his cheeks, still tan from a life outside of Gotham's gloom, and tell him, Such a sweet little boy, and just like your father at your age. His hair used to stick up just like yours. Dick didn't like it at all. He bit the first person that told him he had Bruce's eyes, and stomped on the foot of an old politician that told him, With your father's height, I thought you'd be taller by now.

He laughs it off as an adult, but sometimes, it still eats at him. People still tell him that they thought he'd eventually be as tall as Bruce, or that he should be thankful for his inherited jaw line. It's not the comparison to Bruce that bothers him anymore, or even being mistaken as his son, but rather, the fact that he sometimes struggles to remember exactly where his features actually came from; parental faces turning fuzzy in his distant memory.

Jason thinks it's funny, the first time it happens. Mostly because it's his nose of all things. Your nose is bent, grumbled the old man sitting across from him at the gala, Just like your father's. Tough luck on the genetics. The man didn't realize the bent noses were because they'd both been broken in the past. Jason spent days after studying Bruce's face, trying to figure out if their noses really bent in the same way, and eventually came to the conclusion that, yeah, they really did. From that point on, each time either of them broke their nose, Jason would distantly think, Ah, damn, there goes the family resemblance.

As an adult, Jason takes care to make sure people don't often seen his face. The hood does a pretty good job of that. Besides, he doesn't move in circles where the mistake could be made anymore. Still, sometimes he looks in the mirror at the bump in his nose and thinks, Family resemblance. Yeah, right.

It happens less with Tim. Anyone that made the mistake with Jason and Dick also remembered Jack and Janet Drake. It's not until he's almost an adult that a new hire at Wayne Industries, some kid from out of town, sees him and Bruce in the office together and remarks, Oh, you two furrow your eyebrows in the same way when you think. My mom says that my dad and I do that too. We inherited it from my grandpa. Tim feels unsettled all day and makes a conscious effort to not to furrow his eyebrows anymore.

There's no mistake to make with Damian. At least, not the same one that can be made with the others. He's the blood son, and he's a perfect mix between Bruce and Talia. Of course, there's the well-meaning, if confused, adults that assume he's adopted like the others. He corrects them, swiftly, and sometimes aggressively.

There is one incident. It happens while Bruce is gone, after he's been staying with Grayson for a few months. He knew, of course, that people thought that Grayson looked like Bruce. He could even see the similarities. Superficially, of course. However, he never considered that Grayson looking like his father also meant that Grayson looked like him. Not until an old woman leaned over to him at a gala and said, You look just like your father when Mister Wayne first brought him out to these things. The hair, that disgruntled little frown. He hated these parties too. Couldn't ever sit still. Gosh, I really can't believe it's been long enough that he has a child of his own. It took Damian a while to realize what happened, and even then, he couldn't bring himself to tell her that he wasn't actually Grayson's son, or that he and Grayson weren't actually that far apart in age. He felt strangely guilty the rest of the night, and he never dared to tell Grayson about it.

It happened to Steph exactly once. Really, she doesn't look like Bruce at all. It was a man with exceptionally thick glasses, who actually told her that she reminded him of Martha Wayne. She's pretty sure he was just trying to be nice. She tries to forget about it. She never tells Bruce.

You have his eyes, is what Duke gets. Which confuses him, because, uh, no, he doesn't. Not even close like Dick's. He says as much to the woman that said it to him, and she squints her eyes at him and responds, No, you definitely do. Not in the shape or the color, but you look at things the same way he does. Duke thinks about that sometimes, and he swings back and forth between being annoyed and weirdly proud that he apparently looked at the world like Batman did.

People tell Cass that she has his smile. She beams with pride at that. After all, she learned it from him. She studied, closely, the way his mouth ticked up at the corners, both while he stretched the dazzling, fake smile across his face for the public, and the genuine, gentle smiles that he gave her while he helped tie her hair back or slip on her mask, and now she could replicate them both perfectly. She didn't like the fake one, but she knew it was necessary.