#i used to get this light bronze-ish color now i just turn red and THEN i tan

[totheecore]

sunscreen stick my beloved HOWEVER. do you happen to have the spf50 version because the spf30 one won't do anything for me 🥺

[twelfth-harbinger]

A/n: Enjoy ^^

Mentions: Zhongli convinced you that breaking a contract has its consequences.

Warnings: Nfsw!! 18+ Use of Shibari, Teasing/Denial, Oral, Edging, Mild Exhibition — Semi Soft Dom Punishments etc. don’t read if that’s not your jive lmao.

The Broken Contract Pt. 2

Soaking inside of the mildly luxurious in-ground bath remedied any and all feelings of stress, doubt and anxiety. It may have been the very perfumes and essential oils you’ve dowsed into the hot water. The most potent and fragrant of them all was that of ‘Fate’s Yearning’. The aroma lingered on your body even as you climbed out of the now lukewarm bath. The temperature had cooled beyond your liking.

Below you, the front door opened. It was an action you did not hear as you sat upstairs in front of your vanity. You now wore a robe, brown silk woven and lustrous in color. It was lined with a rich yellow gold with imprinted obsidian scales as a design around the edges and middle of the silky attire. It was clearly printed and produced by the finest seamstress one could find in Liyue. ‘Twas also made in the honor of Rex Lapis — how could you not purchase it with every intention of luring the said archon to your bedside? You couldn’t, which is why it blessed your very skin as you braided your thick hair back into a French Braid; or at least you tried your very best to. It wasn’t until you heard footsteps and the door to your bedroom sliding open did your gaze shift in the mirror to see Zhongli standing with a bag in his hand. He let it rest on the ground by the door a faint smile crossing his features as he laid eyes on you. The sun set quite some time ago, he was expected to be home around this time. This man was nothing but punctual. He met your gaze in the mirror as he strolled over to you, placing a kiss atop your head. You weren’t smiling albeit you were glad to see him. He glanced up at you in the mirror whilst he leaned down to kiss your head. Eyes glinting a bit playfully, which was simply odd coming from him; especially since he’s so stoic.

“What?” He spoke with a light smile, standing upright to remove his jacket. Still facing the mirror, your eyes narrowed a bit and they shift down to the bag only to stare back up at him. “That? Well, my dear it’s a bag.” He reached out to complete the middle of the braid for you, his hands may have been gloved yet despite that you could feel how gentle and delicate his fingers were moving. Unbeknownst to you, he was admiring your entrancing beauty. Something he hadn’t seen this close in well over a few millennia.

“Is it another book on the meaning of life?” You replied with light banter, standing up to face him with a cross of your arms as he lowered them from your hair. His eyes drifted down your figure quickly before he met your eyes. He noticed the robe but you couldn’t tell if he liked it. It was nearly impossible to get an accurate read on this man. You were kind of dreading your impending punishment. You honestly didn’t think you had it in you to sit down and read for 12 hours straight again. He chuckled, his arms crossing along with yours.

“Of course not, that was a different punishment in its own right. It wouldn’t be just if I repeated the same one.” He made a fair-ish point, alas it only made you wonder what he was going to do. He stepped forward, shortening the gap between you both. “Did you eat anything?” He asked, changing the subject. He completely dodged your comment on the contents of the bag. There was no telling what was inside and getting past him to look inside would not be easy. Looking back, whenever you sparred with him he always found a way to knock you back onto your ass; although, you’ve one upped him a few times which surprised him. He wasn’t holding back either...though, that’s a story for another time.

“Yes, I had Jade Parcels before I took a bath.” Your eyes dart to your left, touching down on the bag. It was from ‘Wanyou Boutique’, you could tell by the decorative floral design on the base corners of the bag. Zhongli’s eyes never left your face as you glanced past him, adoring your natural curiosity. He stepped around you and over to the doorway that lead to the bathroom.

“Good. I’ll be in the bath if you need me but please,” he paused before he turned his back. “Don’t look in the bag. It’ll ruin the surprise.” He vanished behind the closed door of the bath. You stood there, arms hugging your sides in a rather uncomfortable silence. What was he talking about, weren’t you supposed to endure a punishment? Did he have a change of heart somewhere during the midst of his day? No, highly unlikely — you broke a contract. Upon hearing the sound of water rushing and clothes dropping to the floor your head turned in the direction of the bag that sat by the door. Would he notice if you took a quick glance inside? Biting down on your bottom lip you quietly tip toed to the door, crouching down as your hand moved to pull the handle of the bag to the side. “Patience, my dear.” You heard, it was his deep voice that pulled you away from the bag. Zhongli’s arms crossed over his bare chest, a bronze towel clung low around his hips. Your cheeks flushed out of the embarrassment of being caught and seeing your lover nearly nude. He held out a hand, pointing to the bag before he turned his hand upright. As you rose you grabbed the bag, you didn’t dare peek inside to see it’s contents. Zhongli took it from you when you made your way over to him. He did not appear to be upset, in fact he was calm and wore a serene yet clearly blanketed expression on his face. Your brow furrowed as you voiced your confusion.

“Aren’t you mad at me?” You asked, for the first time since his arrival Zhongli’s expression softened even if it were only for a split second. He kept his stern demeanor as he shook his head in reply.

“I can never grow truly livid towards you, that doesn’t mean you don’t upset me or make me irritable. They say the ones you love bring you the most discord.” When his eyes fixed themselves on your face his pupils dilated, he loved you. He reached up, his hand resting on your round cheek. He admitted to loving you without directly saying it, could this man be evermore clever with his wording? You leaned into his touch, destitute for his affection. Again, without commenting on the bag he leaned down to place a kiss atop your head once more. Before you could question him, he disappeared behind the sliding doors of the bathroom. Your cheeks puffed out, you found yourself on the bed on the far side of the room. The large ceiling to floor windows by the bed spanned above the beautiful night view of Liyue Harbor to the left. To the right was the vast open ocean, the docks and market place. The view was breathtaking to say at the very least. You sprawled out onto the bed topped with gold and red fine silk linen. He took his time in the bath, you nearly fell asleep waiting for his return. The door slid open to the bath area and he stepped out with the bag in hand.

As Zhongli stood there, he peered down at you. His eyes were soft and hinted at his intentions quite smugly but you couldn’t seem to understand what he was trying to get at. He was glistening having just exited the bath, the bag he had now sat by the edge of the bed. You stared back at him, your eyes glimmering with desire as you crawled to the edge. You reached out for him and he obliged, stepping forward. Without any hesitation you pulled him down into a kiss, if he couldn’t tell by just looking at you, he could feel how much of an effect he had on you by just being there. Kissing you sent electricity through to the core of his very being. Your lips were plump and intoxicating, your skin smelled simply ethereal. A soft but lingering scent, akin to a mist that captures the last light of dusk. Or at least that what Zhongli believed; as well as what Ying’er told you. If he could kiss you and hold you in his arms for eternity he would. Your hands tangled in his dark hair and your grip idly tightened as you pulled him forward. The light moan that left his lips gave you goosebumps. He hasn’t been this close to you in so long, you almost forgot what his touch even felt like. Your hands slipped down his chest as you proceeded to reach for the towel. Your eyes may have been closed but you felt him smirk against your lips as he stopped your hands. He took hold of your wrists and uttered a simple and light. “No.”

You opened your eyes to see him staring back into yours with a hint of mischief. Which, might I add, it’s been throwing you off since the moment he avoided telling you what your consequences were for breaking the contract. Your brow creased and you moved to kiss him again, this time he pulled away leaving you like a lost puppy. He caught your needy gaze and physically fought the blush that might’ve risen to his cheeks. He crossed his arms over his chest and his brow creased a little as if he caved in to his own desires.

“W-Wha?” You mumbled out, sounding a little hurt for a moment. Zhongli let out a deep breath through his nose to regain his composure. He almost negated an important contract for lust. Although it wouldn’t have been his first and certainly not his last but he vowed to see this through when you so boldly stated you didn’t do anything wrong. Now he was going to make you see that you surely did. Your life meant everything to him, throwing it away so carelessly didn’t sit well with him.

“Don’t you want to see what’s inside of the bag?” He asked, piquing your interest completely. Your eyes drifted down as he bent over to place the bag on the bed. You pulled the sleeve of your robe over your shoulder, Zhongli’s bright eyes noticed your subtle movement. Your curiosity was so beautiful and caused your body language to change even if you didn’t take any heed. You scooted over to the edge of the bed and reached out to touch the bag. Zhongli placed a hand over your own. Grabbing your attention and a slight frown he found quite amusing. “Before you look inside, if you aren’t interested please let me know. I will never do anything that will make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.” His words only made you want to look inside the bag more but what was the most endearing part of his statement was his concerning gaze and how much love it held within. You swatted his hand away, wanting to see what the contents were. Your eyes widened and you looked up at him genuinely appalled. Your eyes darted to the side as you contemplated for a second. — Were those hand-woven red silk ropes? You looked at Zhongli who waited in slight anticipation for your answer. He was ready for acceptance, denial, judgment you name it. He had lived for three thousand years. There was nothing he hadn’t seen. Or so he thought, you pulled out the rope to check how sturdy it was.

“So...old man Bolai makes things like these? That shady bastard, I knew he wasn’t just sellin-“ Zhongli chuckled his smile always seemed to crack his stone exterior. You glanced over at him as you toyed with the rope between your slim fingers.

“I had them made for your, punishment. That is if you’re willing to go through with it.” your brows raised evermore in curiosity. What was he talking about? It didn’t take very long for it to suddenly click, your cheeks warmed and you stared at him.

“Oh! ...oooh.” You mumbled completely tongue tied. You looked at Zhongli who remained calm. “How did you have them made on such short notice?” You asked, out of everything you could’ve asked him it was that. He stared at you in a bit of awe, unsure of how he could go about answering.

“I erm-“

“Wait! No, Zhongli what punishment? I’m not reading the Laws of Life Vol. 132?” He didn’t laugh, only because he knew you were seriously asking. A faint smile did cross his face through as he reached for the rope. In one swift movement be wrapped it partially around his palm and knuckles then shook his head.

“Of course not, I was thinking of shibari-“ you scoffed, your lips quirking up into a passive smile. Zhongli wasn’t really one to be trifled with but your worries melted away when he said he’d let you off the hook and fuck you instead... That is what he said right? No lol.

“That’s hardly a punishment Zhongli, I accept.” Your abrasive gaze and the challenge turned him on, he shifted a bit on the edge of the bed as a light smile began to surface onto his face.

“Are you sure?” He asked, needing your confirmation.

“Are these good for suspension- hm? Yes Zhongli I am okay with this. Feel free to...” you paused looking him over, your eyes burned his skin like heated rocks in a sauna. He utterly adored the way you looked at him. “To punish me as you see fit.” Your words were all he needed to hear. All he wanted to hear in that moment apart from the whimpers you were soon to make.

“Good.” He moved fully onto the bed crawling over to you like a dragon claiming his loot, the bed shifted under his weight as he cornered you. His hand moved up to the string of your robe. “I don’t think Rex Lapis would mind if I removed this, you wore it well. It’s unneeded now, I think your body should be on display in its stead. I’m positive he would much prefer that.” A light grin spread across his lips as he tugged the string loose, the robe slipped off from hanging onto your shoulders and pooled around you. Zhongli leaned down, his lips grazing your shin as he drank in your very essence. His touch made you shudder, you both reveled in the feeling of his lips moving up to your knee and thigh; your skin was so soft and warm. He kissed in between them before he moved up to your navel. Purposely ignoring your needy core. You writhed upon him stopping over your hardened nipples. Your chest perky as you arched your back into his skilled touch. His lips and nose buried in your neck before he met your eyes again. Your breathing hitched in your throat as he smiled down at you he was so beautiful.

“How shall I showcase you tonight? Hogtied? No...no I’ve more sophistication than that.” His eyes drifted over your nude body and his brows knitted together, like he was really trying to figure it out. He kissed your cheek, and then your lips. You didn’t care in all honesty, as long as he kept close and fed into your touched starved needs. His lips curled into a cheeky smile, something unusual for him but it oddly complimented his features. “I know.” He said sitting back, taking the soft rope in hand as well as one of your legs. His fingers gazed your skin as he bent your leg back against the underside of your thigh. “Frogtie, and then the Box-Tie for your arms. I want you exposed yet restricted; order is needed if your punishment is to be done...just.” He spoke the last word in a bit of a taunt, his eyes glinting playfully once again. Your own widened, you were still going to get punished? Damn. With careful skill and consideration, Zhongli began to wrap the soft rope around your thigh and upper shin as well as your ankles and upper thigh. You watched him whilst laying on your back he caught your gaze on him and smiled your way, it was radiant. Your cheeks felt warm again as he spread your legs and repeated his actions to your other leg.

“I didn’t know you knew how to knot properly much less be into Shibari.” He held out his hand to help you up into a kneeling position on the bed. Your words made him smile as he maneuvered off of the bed to stand, he picked up more rope from the bag as he began to secure your hands behind your back folding them gently before he began the tying and knotting process once more.

“In recent years, it’s been popular in and around all of Liyue. First used to restrain thieves and bandits, it soon rooted itself into sexual culture. It’s even found in some parts of Monstadt.” His voice soothed you, it was soft and inviting and coated in silver. “I read about it in a book and went to an...art gallery.” He went where? To a private showing of Shibari? You turned your head to look at him. Your eyes searching his face for an explanation. “Models volunteered to display themselves in light of making Shibari a renowned art form for those it may interest.” You smiled, your eyes narrowing slightly. Before you could open your mouth to speak he pulled on the rope to tighten it around your upper arm and wrists. A smirk spread across his face as he leaned over your shoulder. “Too tight?” He asked, you shook your head and as you did he pressed a sweet kiss onto your temple. “Good.”

Zhongli sat in front of you, his legs and arms crossed. You, were completely exposed for him to see. Your cheeks warmed in embarrassment as he sat there admiring your form as well as his handy work. He had only seen it preformed it was his first time attempting to knot. “Zhongli a-are you just going to sit there?” Your words pulled him away from his thoughts, your voice was small and shy. It made his brow twitch a bit.

“I could.” He replied, a hand moving under his chin in thought. “After all if I were to touch you, you’d learn nothing.” He shifted on the bed and knelt in front of you. His fingers brushing against your round cheek, the other hand slipped around your waist to pull him into his chest. Your eyes were doughy and vulnerable, Zhongli wanted nothing more than to give you what you wanted. “Tell me, sitting here have you thought about the contact at all and your actions?” He leaned down to your ear and kissed you gently, then moved down to trail warm kisses down along your neck. He moved forward to place you onto your back. Your moans were fueling the fire that began to build up inside of him.

“W-what are you talking about?” You mumbled, he halted his movements and you frowned along with him. As he moved back to look into your eyes your entire body tensed, he didn’t look happy. With everything that was happening in this moment it was quite difficult to focus on anything else. Zhongli leaned over to place a kiss on your forehead, your eye closed and you stared up at him.

“What am I going to do with you hm?” He maneuvered behind you, placing you in his lap now. He was already hard, you couldn’t help but want him to remove the towel that was wrapped snug around his hips. The feeling of you writhing in his grasp was enticing enough for Zhongli to move his hand down to your crotch. You were wet, he barely touched you and you were so fucking wet. He slipped his fingers into your heat and your lips parted to let out a moan. His free hand moved up to pinch your nipple, squeezing it between his fingers and tugging lightly. Lips grazed the skin of your neck as he toyed with your body, all you could do was whimper and writhe in his hold; was teasing you relentlessly. His fingers were magic and the slight pain from your stimulated nipples drove you crazy. You lost count at how many time you’ve cried out his name. You could feel tears forming in the corners of your eyes, being played with was overwhelming because he did very little to give you release. He chuckled, you heard it despite being absorbed in your own pleasure.

“You broke our contract and yet all I wish to do is please you. So much that you’ll beg me to stop but...” He removed his fingers from your heat, they were coated with your sweet glacé. Without any hesitation he pushed them past your lips and into your mouth. Your moan muffled as you sucked on his fingers, he watched your tongue dance around them as he pulled you further back into his chest; his free hand snaked up from your chest to wrap around your neck- he did not squeeze. You were now sitting directly on his bulge. Saying he was as hard as a rock is an understatement and a pun he probably wouldn’t find too amusing given his status as an ex-archon. “First, you’re going to sit here and think.” You turned your head as much as you could to look back him, confusion written all over your face once again. He chuckled and lowered his hands from your body he gripped the ropes that were securing your arms. Then pushed you forward and face down into the soft mattress of the bed.

“Zhongli, please...I’m sorry.” You whimpered out, already at your limit there was no way you were going be thinking straight like this. He didn’t do anything yet and you were giving in? He smiled, it was soft and held the patience of a saint.

“Are you now?” He knelt behind you, his hands on your upper waist now. He leaned over to pepper kisses along your lower back and ass before he dug his face inside. His tongue slipped down to your aching hole teasing you before he pushed past your soaking folds. You cried into the mattress upon the feeling of his hot mouth on your core. Your body began to tremble as he had his way with you, he teased you relentlessly sucking on your bundle of nerves as he plunged his thumb inside your aching core. You were so close to coming undone with just that, he pulled away slowly. Albeit only to flip you over onto your back. Your breathing had run ragged your chest squeezing together from the ropes and your eyes half lidded. You were a beautiful sight to behold when you were in heat. Zhongli’s hands moved up your waist and stomach before his right hand wrapped around your neck again, he pulled you down onto his clothed and hardened member with a smile. He liked having you sit there; still, unmoving and obedient. You were in order and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Do you want it?” He asked, his deep voice made your entire body jolt in ecstasy such simple words coming from this former god of a man. You nodded and his brow raised indicating he wanted you to use your voice.

“Yes.” You nod again, and squirm a bit underneath him. His gaze was so gentle, his touch was too it left your body starving. For even such a subtle brush of his fingers shot flames through your entire being. He didn’t budge which ushered a light whimper and a “Please..” To run past your sweet lips his own lips curled into a smile.

“You do not deserve it.” He stated, his smile faltering slightly to a more serious expression. “Do you know why?” He asked, his eyes narrowed a bit as he studied your pained face and your lips. Your body was crying out to his, he could feel it. He was unsure of how much longer he could hold on to his sanity.

“I..I thought I could do it.” You mumbled, Zhongli’s eyes shifted up to meet your gaze, upon noticing the tears forming he removed his hand and let it rest on your waist. He was a bit worried that he went too far. “I was so adamant on completing the commission and fighting those thieves that I didn’t consider anything. Not you, not the contract, my life...will you forgive me. Please.” Zhongli made an audible noise of defeat, he folded quicker than you did. His arms shifted up to wrap around you, you nestled your head into his chest as he hugged you.

“I’ve already forgiven you, you needn’t worry about that. Don’t cry.” He mumbled into your hair and closed his eyes as he rested his chin and nose atop your head. You were the only thing that could cause him any real harm emotionally, he worried about you so much that he lost sleep. If you could wrap your arms around him you would even so, as you moved back to look up at him with a smile he smiled with you. “Do you still wish to continue?” He asked, your comfort was his comfort in all honesty. You did your best to seal your lips with his, he helped and leaned down to kiss you. Pulling you closer than you thought possible. His hands rested in your braided hair as you tilted you head to deepen the kiss. He sat you back onto the bed he pulled back, his hand resting on your cheek. “I lov-“

“Are you going to keep teasing me?” You asked, cutting him off, a soft pout forming on your lips; Zhongli glanced down at them and then up to meet your eyes. He chuckled and let his hands lower to slip around your waist.

“I may, I enjoy the way you writhe in need underneath me. Your whimpers and the way my name sits upon on your tongue is a symphony I do not wish to end.” He pecked your cheek quickly and your face flushed. “At least not so soon, so please. Allow me to enjoy it a little longer.” He quite literally pushed you back onto the bed, with your legs spread automatically from the frog-tie he simply lowered himself in between your thighs. He wasted no time in licking the entrance to your heat, the surprised squeal you let run past your lips urged him to loop his arms around your thighs. He wanted to completely lose himself in your body. A muffled groan rattled through his chest, if you were sitting upright you’d be sitting on his face. He pushed his tongue past your sugar coated folds and curled upwards. Your back arched off the bed and you whimpered out, you were close again, this time closer than ever before.

“Z-Zhongli I-“ You began with labored breathing, you paused upon seeing Zhongli’s eyes peering up at you from below. They glowed ominously, his eyes ensnared you the moment you looked into them; they made your body heat up and tingle. You bit down on your bottom lip as Zhongli’s hands slid along the length of your thighs. His eyes closed patiently upon him doing so, you exhaled and melted into the plush mattress beneath you. Your moan made him twitch, the way you tried to squeeze your legs together at the height of your release but to no avail inevitably made him pull back. You were finally ready for him.

“My darling.” Zhongli pulled you against his chest once again. His stiff member imprinted on the bronze towel he wore whilst it continued slipping further and further down his hips. “How shall I take you tonight?” Your cheeks and body burned as he nestled his face in the crook of your neck and his hands moved up to squeeze your sides as he awaited your answer. He toyed with your body as you caught your breath. His eyes opened to see the window that sat adjacent to the right side of the bed. He trailed kisses up to your ear and whispered low. “My love, shall I put you on display for all of Liyue Harbor to see?” You didn’t answer him in time so, he took it upon himself to figure it out. You could feel this teeth tugging at the lobe to your ear, it made you shiver. Your eyes drifted to the left to half see his face before they drifted over to the window. They instantly widened as he slipped his arm around your waist only to push you up against the window where the side of the bed sat up against. Your chest and nipples pressed against the cold glass and your gasped out. Your body was hot, the sudden chill of the window made you ache with a newfound need for pleasure and release.

“Zhongli- people will see! I-I...” Your eyes fluttered and your lips parted into a moan, the head of his thick member prodded your entrance the moment you began speaking. Teasing you with the feeling of being full. Your hips bucked against the window and his member and he chuckled.

“A fitting punishment then.” You didn’t protest, not that you could as he slipped himself inside; past your slick folds and into the deepest depths of your aching core. He stretched you out in a way that sent fire coursing through your veins and directly to your heat. Your moan was loud, it echoed through the room and rang through his ears. With his arm wrapped around your waist he pulled back to let it rest on the curve of your hip. He smiled happily as he kissed the back of your neck. “Good, you take me well.” He said, as he got comfortable, pushing his hips forward. In doing that, it only made your body press further up against the glass and your insides contract against him.

“Z-Zhongli..” You whimpered out, your cheek smushed on the glass as you watched people walk by. It may have been a bit late in the evening but Liyue Harbor was still bustling even past sundown. Zhongli squeezed your hips and leaned forward to look over your shoulder, only his eyes could be seen in your peripheral. He kissed your shoulder gently and remained still. Despite the way your ass rocked back against him, you knew he wasn’t going to move without your asking. “P-please, please don’t tease me anymore.. I can’t take it.” Your pleas were cute but he was still unmoving.

“I told you earlier you do not deserve it. I may have forgiven you but, that doesn’t mean I’m not upset. Now, if you want pleasure seek it out yourself.” The last sentence made your cheeks warm up again, and a strained groan move past your lips. You thought he’d be the one wrapped around your finger tonight. Yet here you were on a showcase for Liyue Harbor to see, your arms and legs comfortably bound to one another as you sat on his hard cock. Feeling him throb inside of you as you tightened around him. All of these sensations were overwhelming but still you ached for a climax and did not care who witnessed.

You squirmed on him as you began rocking your hips faster, he held you in place as you tried your best to get off on just a full feeling alone. Trying to stimulate your inner spots the best you could in your position. Zhongli watched your body work and you slip into a pool of pleasure and lust as you rode his member; using the window to support yourself as well as leaning into his strong hands. Your moans were exquisite and your closed eye expression made his eyes grow a bit wide. You were so beautiful, he may have been having fun ordering you around but he wanted your face twisted in pleasure as he fucked you raw against that window. Before he proceeded to give in to his urges you started to shudder and a soft moan moved past your lips. You were coming undone in a low voltage release. Still pleasurable but not enough to satiate you. Zhongli let out a light and silent half pleased groan and pressed his head onto your shoulder. Your whimpers and pants were enough for him to give in.

With Zhongli’s other hand — the one that wasn’t resting on your hip, snaked it’s way up your neck and to your lips, his fingers slipping back into your mouth. Finally, he pulled back his hips so just the tip poked at your entrance. It left you feeling empty, you whined in need and before you could beg him he slammed himself back inside with a deep groan stemming from his chest. You moaned out and pressed your forehead against the glass. You knew someone was watching from down below. The excitement of being seen skyrocketed your pleasure and you came down onto him in a slight bounce as soon as he thrusted up. His fingers moved from your mouth and to your hair, running through your locks from the back of your head to the side as he tilted your head back so his lips pressed against your ear.

“I adore the way your body submits to mine, I will treasure it for this night and all to come.” A deep chuckle echoed in your ear, “As will those men and women down there.” He pulled back and let go, both of his hands holding onto your waist now for a steady hold. Your eyes drifted along the streets of Liyue Harbor to see what he was talking about. In the corner by the docks, a group of men caught wind of the show and a short ways away from them by several food stands was a group of women and a few more men who did as well. Your eyes closed as your body jerked upwards against the glass. The rhythm he had accustomed to was that of power and pure skill. He angled you in a way he found your body reacted well to his thrusts. Your vision had become hazy and you slipped away into lust. Being rutted into the way that he did and at the pace and force of what you expect only someone who was once godly would be able to do — albeit in your mind he was still a god. Your body began to heat up again, just like a furnace that was to blow.

“D-Damn it, I’m gonna— I’ll cu-“ Zhongli slowed before you could cum. Which caused your body to relax and tense at the same time. The disappointed whine that left your lips was short lived. He pulled you away from the window only to lay you flat onto the bed and onto your back. He looked down at your body and then to your flushed face.

“I believe I’ve let you climax a few times without my observation gaze upon your face. This last one will be something that I see in full.” He pulled you down onto his thick shaft, bottoming out completely. If that wasn’t enough to make your body burn again he picked up his pace this time with deep and elongated strokes that simply drove you up the fucking wall. The build up was a bit slow in attempts to drag out your orgasm and tire you out. It was working, you wasn’t sure when it began but it did. Zhongli groaned as you constricted around him tighter than ever before. The continuous intense contractions were blinding and your breathless moans filled the entire atmosphere of the room. In the midst of your orgasm you felt a deep warmth pool into and fill the depths of your core. He groaned in your ear knowing how much you loved to hear his voice. Be it deep and melodic that it was his groans and moans were like none other you’ve heard before and it heightened every aspect of the experience climaxing together. He pressed his forehead against yours, the tip of his nose poking at yours. He looked into your eyes and you pouted at him, your ven as he reached down to tug on the rope around your legs and thighs. It loosened with a few pulls before your legs were free. He moved off of you, laying back on the bed at your straddled home freely. With one more pull the ropes around your arms were undone and you were free to move again.

“Are you still upset with me?” You asked curiously, Zhongli’s gaze pulled away from between your thighs the sight of his seed gliding down your inner thighs was a bit distracting and arousing. He met your eyes though, and a light smile spread across his lips.

“Should I be? Did you not learn anything tonight? If you take anything away from this. It is that I love you and will make it known to others if the need arise.” Your eyes rolled a bit, you made a mental note not to show your face around that part of Liyue Harbor for a while. Your arms folded over your chest and you glared down at him playfully.

“I did, I’ll be more careful next time.” He knew he couldn’t stop your form adventuring, as long as you remained aware of how much your life meant to him he would have peace of mind. He reached up to cup your cheek with his hand, you leaned into his palm and laid on top of him with closed eyes. “I love you Zhongli, I...won’t scare you like that again.” You mumbled into his neck, drifting off into a well deserved sleep. Zhongli laid with you in his arms as he pondered about many things, you being the subject of every one of them.

Bonus

A day or so went by, you were on a nightly stroll with Zhongli on your arm. Seeing as you were dragging him around all of Liyue for food, you found yourself under the docks and strolling past Bolai! You turned your head to look out at the water, Zhongli looked down at you with an amused smile.

“My dear is there something out on the water?” He teased lightly, you pouted your lips and turned your head again.

“Shh!” You hushed him trying to walk by without being seen. If only it had worked, Bolai closed a deal with another customer before he caught sight of you two. He waved you over with a welcoming smile. Given you couldn’t control Zhongli’s stride you were dragged over.

“Ah, Mr.Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I didn’t get a chance to get a review from you since our last transaction. I hope that all was well with your order...” Bolai trailed off when he noticed you glaring at him from halfway behind Zhongli. The said Archon smiled and nodded.

“It served its purpose quite well and will continue to do for some time. I thank you for taking the request on such short notice. I will be sure to have something issued with more leeway if the need ever arise.” Zhongli and Bolai talked business like it was something casual that he wanted arranged. Bolai waved passively and smiled at him.

“No no, it was no trouble at all. In fact I will have something ready for you within the next day if you ask. We have a wide array of colors for your choosing.” You perked up at the sound of that, Zhongli looked down at you and arched a brow. Your cheeks puffed out and you looked away from him and Bolai in silence trying to act like it didn’t interest you in the slightest. He chuckled and turned to look over him.

“I will be sure to discuss it with my partner, thanks again.” With a nod of his head Zhongli took his leave with you trailing behind him. You looked at Bolai with narrowed eyes before waking off completely.

“I knew you were a shady bastard.” Bolai chuckled as customers came up to him he placed his hands together and greeted them like you weren’t standing there.

“I’ve no idea what you mean now scram — Ah! Welcome, is there anything I can do for you this fine evening!” You were pulled away by Zhongli before you could ruin his business transactions, he wore a smile on his face as he walked up the incline with you to the streets of Liyue harbor. 

“I must say, you looked intrigued by the assortment of colors. Do tell if you have any in mind, though you’d look breathtaking in anything.” He smiled your way and your cheeks burned with a mild embarrassment. It would seem Shibari would be incorporated in your sex lives often and in a plethora of colors at that. You couldn’t wait to see what the future of love, lust and pleasure held with Zhongli at your side.

[many-gay-magpies]

{The Red Wall}

---

In my house, there is a red wall.

It was there when we moved in— a stark contrast against all the other walls in the house, all monochrome shades of beiges, taupes, and greys, achingly plain compared to the blood red wall separating the kitchen and dining room.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with plain— plain was good, my mother said. Like a blank canvas. Nothing much clashed with beige. There was quite a lot, however, that could clash with red.

My mother always talked about painting over the wall; Making it something teal or blue-ish and all the surrounding walls a warmer shade of beige. She talked about it often, every night after work, but she never did.

One day, one of my mother's friends came over, one who worked in magic; The kind of magic that still exists in the smallest ways yet no one believes that it does, too stuck on it being fantasy. He came to visit; Said there was some negative energy in the house— something leftover, like the remnants of something which didn't cause harm any longer. And as he spoke, I couldn't help but glance at the red wall.

There was something jarring about it. It felt like more than just it's blood red-ness stark against the muted greige of the room, more than just the way my mother would always highlight it, when talking about what in the house she would paint, when she wasn't so tired from work anymore.

Sometimes my parents would go on errands, and I would be alone in the house— I was old enough, they trust me and I trust myself. If it's in the mornings (or any time when I'm hungry, really), I'll heat up something from the fridge or freezer, leftovers or one of those bland meals the school gives us which I shower too much in salt or pepper.

One of those nights, when I was alone, I found myself stopping beside the wall, looking up at it silently for a few minutes. Something slightly enthralling about it.

"Hello," I said to the wall; Then felt incredibly stupid about it right after and longed to bash my head into it out of shame.

It's okay, I rationalized with myself— No one is home. No one saw you say 'hello' to a completely inanimate wall. Just pretend you were joking around and you'll be fine.

That night, I dreamt of a voice, whispering a 'hello' into my ears as sweet as honey.

The wall began to grow on my mother after a time. Me, too; My father, who was colorblind and not too focussed on such things as wall color anyway, never gave it much thought. My mother and I agreed that the deep bloody burgundy was a sort of nice color, and it went well with all the various ornaments we had stacked against it, the golden-stained buffet and the bronze-edged mirror and the little teal candle holder made of abalone.

Although any time I mentioned liking the wall, becoming accustomed to it, she would simply say, "No, I do want to paint it, soon. We should paint it, soon." But there was less force in her voice each time.

Another time I looked at the wall and said 'hi', quietly, in my mind— No one could hear me, then. Just myself; And even then I could play it off as another one of those stray, silly little thoughts I liked having.

That night I slept better than I had the whole month. Perhaps red walls like to be talked to.

On another one of those alone nights, I was sitting at the dining room table, eating, when I noticed a change in the wall. It was smooth— smooth all over. It shined, not like paint, not like it had, because dry paint wasn't supposed to shine, to shimmer like that.

The wall was rippling; Like a sideways lake someone had dipped a finger in, like a sheer veil over a bride's face, like deep red silk in the wind. And then just as it had resembles water, out from the water came a hand, then a face and then long, silky red hair the same as the color of the wall and then a whole person after that.

I wasn't as surprised as I probably should have been, by the woman of blood and porcelain and ebony black eyes that had just emerged from the red wall.

"Hello," I said, again, and she smiled; a melancholic sort of thing, on lips more rosy pink than bloody red. There were little red teardrops beneath her eyes; Like teardrops painted onto a clown's face with face paint.

"Hello." Honey-sweet, like in my dream.

"Why are you here?"

"To protect," she said simply.

"What from?"

She shook her head. "In time," She said. So I nodded. In time. It made sense.

I said nothing more and neither did she. She stayed, leaning out of the wall, for a while, before slipping away; The red slowly turning from a rippling mirror texture back into solid paint, back into nothing much surprising or unordinary, aside from the starkness of blood-coloring against boring beige.

Curiosity of the red woman plagued me for more than a week, so one night in the middle of the night I crept downstairs in my pajamas, pulled up one of the dining chairs to the red wall and sat in it with my knees up to my chest. I drew little things into the dark red paint, little hearts and swirls and doodles of eyes I could see with nothing but my fingertips.

Again the wall changed from paint to ripples, and again she came from it, pushing through the red like silk curtains.

It was hard to see her, in the dark— I hadn't turned on any lights. But still her skin illuminated under the palest bit of moonlight coming in from the outside window.

"What do you protect from?" I asked, leaning the side of my head against the wall.

"Nothing," she said quietly. "Nothing, now."

I nodded; Understanding in some way I wasn't entirely sure of, but didn't protest.

"Is whatever it was you protected from... gone?"

I thought I saw her nod in the dark. I may have. Nonetheless she spoke no more. I wondered if she had a limit, on what words she could speak per night; Or if she simply got tired after saying a few.

I didn't mind the silence that followed, though. Words could be tiring.

The woman came down to sit atop the gold-stained buffet. Her knees were pressed to her chest, like mine, her arms wrapped around them. I thought she looked smaller, in the dark. Less powerful, more childlike.

That in itself felt like a powerful thing.

"Goodbye," I found myself whispering, when she slipped back beneath her watery curtains again. Then I went up and slipped drowsily between my own.

"My mom is going to paint this wall," I said to her, the next time I saw her.

The woman rested dangling above the doorway between the kitchen and dining room that night— sitting atop the doorframe as if it, in it's white-painted glory, didn't have the same rippling effects as the blood red wall she had emerged from. It probably didn't; acting more like a chair of sorts, from which her porcelain legs swung to and fro beneath her, little drips of red falling from her dress and disappearing the second they hit the floor.

"Oh," she said, and I thought she looked sort of sad.

"Will you go away, when she does?" I asked her.

A nod. I found myself a bit sad about it too, somehow; about this being who was looking more and more like a young girl and yes like a woman as the nights passed by, or perhaps that was just my changing perception of her.

"Oh," I answered, quiet, because I still wasn't entirely sure what to say to a girl that had come out of a wall. "Well," I was again sitting in one of the kitchen chairs with my knees to my chest, but still at the table, this time, and facing the white doorway she dangled from. "She probably won't do it for a while. She's tired. From work. So, you'll... stay here a little longer."

A soft smile came to her rosy lips, "That's good."

I learned more things, in time. I learned that the people who owned the house before us had been trying to protect themselves from something, and created her for the purpose; I learned that when they moved, they had just left her there, like a family leaving a puppy behind in an alleyway when they no longer wanted to care for it.

Of course, I knew things were much more complicated than that. A red-clothed protector spirit was quite a bit different from an abandoned puppy. Sometimes, though— sometimes I looked into her eyes and I wasn't as convinced.

The next week, she told me she didn't want to leave.

I tried to think of ways to get my mother not to paint over the red wall, or ways to delay it, at least; although her work exhaustion did that pretty well on it's own. But when it came down to it, the wall would be painted, one way or another, and I, a person vastly avoidant of any form of confrontation, had no way of stopping it.

"It's okay," she said in a whisper one night, like all the others, us both sitting in the dining room together, me in my pajamas and her sitting on the doorframe in her red gown. "It's okay, I can go. I'm not needed here anymore." I'm useless.

Some days, when I had presentations for class, or when would lay awake at night, anxiety pulsing in my veins about every possible situation, I would be overcome with this feeling of warmth; of red.

Weeks passed. The red wall became a staple of comfort, like a deep burgundy blanket draping over me and snuffing out all the little candleflames of doubt, not really a medication for the anxiety but something that made the weight a little lighter, the thoughts a little more bearable when they would get so bad I couldn't breath. I would sit, and I would talk, with this protector in the wall who didn't have a name, who was like a lost puppy, a newborn child thrust into the world for a purpose that was so quickly pulled out from under her.

She started appearing less; not coming out of the wall to sit with me as much as she had, although sometimes I still saw a ripple, a faint sheen that was more than paint. I would still sit and talk, be it aloud or in my head, to the red wall; maybe hoping for something to respond again.

I began to wonder if I was a little crazy. Maybe I had imagined it all. Maybe I only dreamt the softer voice that told me 'thank you' and 'goodnight' after I closed my eyes. Maybe I was, indeed, mad.

Although I began to think that maybe that was her exact motivation, when summer came and my mother painted over the red with pastel-y teal and I wasn't as sad about it as I could have been.

---

In my room, there is a red wall.

It was painted a month ago— covering the wall behind the head of my bed, a stark contrast against the creamy beige surrounding although it is nice, somehow, too. It feels like a blanket; snuffing out the light from the windows in front of and behind me when it gets to bright, holding me in warmth when the winter gets frigid and we don't bother to direct the heater up onto my floor of the house because I've always preferred to sleep in the cold.

My mother was curious, at first, about my request to paint a wall red, as red had never been one of my favorite colors, but she didn't protest— and so now, in my room, there is a red wall.

[luv4fandoms]

Earth Angel (GabrielXOFC)

(Part 1)

So this doesn't fully follow the Supernatural timeline, somethings have been changed (like Gabriel's death in the au world cause it was stupid and I refuse to accept it lol) so just a heads up. This is also inspired by @askpsychocas 's Angel Courting Ritual post (which I use in my story. Askpsychocas if you want me to take those parts out let me know and I will). This story also has a Scott Pilgram vibe lol.

(Also if anyone knows how to do the "Keep Reading" thing on the mobile app can you let me know? Cause I can't figure it out)

If you would like to be added to a taglist for this story let me know.

Pairing: Gabriel x OFC

Warning: Cussing, killing, slight mention of torture.

Word count: 5,668

https://ko-fi.com/luv4fandoms

(From @askpsychocas 's angel courting ritual)

Step One: Recognize your intended.

Angels are warriors, no matter what rank. Most are attracted to strength of will and faith in their cause. Bright plumage is often utilized. Angels either grow in brighter feathers or they naturally change colour in order to lure in intended mates. Large, well-groomed wings is a sign of vitality.

Obviously, this is a step both modern and traditional courting rituals use.

"Earth angel, earth angel, will you be mine?

My darling dear, love you all the time

I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you"

I sang along as I drove down the road, my latest case bringing me back to my childhood state of Florida. There had been at least three people turn up dead recently, all with their hearts missing, so originally I thought it would be a werewolf, but there have been more and more people talking about the recent "Dogman" sightings...So...Skinwalker maybe? Either way, off I drove from the case I just finished up in Alabama, back home. My stomach growling loudly was the only other noise beside the radio and the car, and it was my indication that it was time to stop in at my favorite diner.

A few more miles and I was pulling into the parking lot of "Sally's diner" a small little place off the beaten track, one you wouldn't find unless you knew about it or were taking the scenic route, but it was a diner that hadn't been touched by time since it opened back in the 50's, and it was a place I visited often when near. Once I parked I noticed a very familiar vehicle a few spaces down, and I couldn't help the smile that formed. Quickly stepping into the diner I was greeted with the smell of fresh brewed coffee and cooked onions...Ah...Home.  Looking around I spotted who you knew would be here, the owners of that familiar car, Sam and Dean Winchester, but what really caught my eye was the person sitting with them,or rather the giant pair of gold wings that sat with them. I looked around, but no one seemed to notice them.

'How does no one notice them?! Ok...maybe only hunters can see them? Maybe he makes them only visible to us...yeah it has to be something like that, just shrug it off Liz'

I mean, Sam and Dean seemed to be getting along with whoever it was...somewhat well...Ok they looked kinda annoyed, Dean more than Sam. So the...Being couldn't be that bad,right?

Heels clicked across checkerboard floors as I made my way over to their booth, the stranger's voice reaching me as I drew closer.

"Come on Dean-o, you love me and you know it" 

"I swear Sam I'm going to kill him" Dean muttered while Sam just shook his head.

"I thought I recognized that beauty out front,and I don't mean my car" I smiled, finally reaching the booth and catching the attention of all three men. The boy's smiles matched my own as they quickly stood from the booth.

"Long time no see" Dean smiled, hugging me tightly before releasing me to Sam who was quick to get a hug in as well.

"How have you been?" He asked.

"Good, just came off a job, though I'm guessing we're here for the same reason" I laughed.

"And who is this beauty?" The new voice spoke again, this time when I turned I could fully see the owner, and well...I was not disappointed. Golden brown hair swept back over a face that couldn't have been much older than the boys, whiskey colored eyes filled with mirth, and...something else, and a smile that was both inviting and also showed mischievousness. To say that the man...Being...was gorgeous would be an understatement, and the golden wings really suited him, both in appearance and, what you suspected to be a very flashy, playful personality.

"Well hey there sweetie, they call me Liz, nice to meet you" I smiled, holding out my hand for him.

"Nice to meet you too" he smirked while taking my hand and kissing the back on it, his eyes never leaving mine before he gave me a wink.

"Ok ok that's enough Gabriel" Dean spoke, causing Gabriel to let go of my hand and me to laugh.

"So, what's a beautiful classy lady like you doing hanging out with these two lumberjacks?" Gabriel asked, scooting over and patting the seat beside him, I sat down before Sam or Dean could protest, but made sure to watch out for his wings, it was bad enough the poor guy was tucking them as much as he could, I didn't wanna sit on them by accident.

"They helped me out on a case a few years ago, we've just kept in touch ever since" I shrugged

"They help when I need it and I help when they need it," I added with a  smile.

"Wait...You're a hunter?" Gabriel asked, looking honestly shocked.

"What? Women can't be hunters?" I teased, he opened his mouth to speak before someone chimed in.

"Here are your drinks, your food will be out soo- Liz! It's good to see you!" The young waitress smiled, Maddie and I were good friends since I started coming to the diner, after I politely publicly embarrassed and pretty much shamed a dude who was grossly hitting on and harassing her.

"It's good to see you too sweetie" I smiled, leaning up to hug her when she leaned down.

"Just passing through again?"

"I may be staying a couple of days this time" 

"Well we are always open for you" she winked before asking

"Your usual?"

"You know me so well Mads" I smiled, she smiled back and with a nod turned to leave.

"You must come here often" Sam laughed

"As often as I can when I'm near" I smiled.

"So, back to the fact that your friend here doesn't think girls can be hunters" I smirked.

"Now I never said that" Gabriel defended himself which caused Sam and Dean to crack a smile.

"I just mean...You don't...there seems to be a uniform with this type of work"

"Flannel?" I asked with a laugh.

"Exactly! And you...Well" he gestured to my figure, my blue polka dotted 50's style top, black cigarette pants, and small heels. my makeup light except a winged liner and bright red lips...it was true...I didn't look like a hunter.

"Sorry, I left my plaid dress in my bag" I smiled.

"I'll take it as a compliment though," I added, giving him a wink.

"So you're saying Liz is too pretty to be a hunter?" Sam asked

"Oh don't worry Sam, you're pretty too" I smiled causing him to chuckle.

"Isn't he though? I keep telling him that" Gabriel teased and I couldn't help but laugh at it, especially when Sam just rolled his eyes.

"Ok now that we have established that Liz and Sam are both pretty" Dean started, earning a glare from his brother.

"I'm guessing you're here for this case too," he added.

"Yeah,though I'm a bit stumped" 

"What's there to be stumped about, classic werewolf" Dean stated.

"See that's what I thought too, until I noticed all of the Dogman sightings being reported recently." I started, leaning onto the table to lower my voice.

"Wait Dogman, really?" Dean asked mockingly.

"Mock all you want to, but I know a hoax from real and Dean, we don't have another moon landing on our hands here"

"Skinwalker?"Sam suggested

"Possibly, but I've never seen one like this, legit looked like the classic wolf on two legs deal" I stated, leaning back in the seat when I heard footsteps approaching. 

"Here you are! One bacon deluxe burger, one complete breakfast combo, and two mega waffle plates. And here is your coffee Liz" Maddie smiled.

"Thank you" Sam and I smiled, Dean already eating, Maddie nodded and left again, I turned to pour syrup onto my waffles when I noticed eyes on me, turning my head I was met with wide eyes and a smile.

"Yes Gabe?" I asked before returning to my syrup task.

"Nothing just...Where have you been all my life?" He asked, causing me to laugh while cutting into my waffles.

"Mostly in Florida" I shrugged

"Until later on, then...well...then I guess it was just catch me if you can" I winked, popping a piece of the sugary goodness in my mouth and giving a small moan at the flavor.

"Still the best waffles ever" 

"So we are thinking what? New monster? A-a skinwolf? Werewalker?" Dean asked.

"Possibly?" I answered

"A werewolf and skinwalker danced the lambda?"Gabriel asked, I simply shrugged.

"Love is love, who are we to judge what two different species do" 

"Yeah expect when that offspring starts killing people"

"Well one good thing, silver kills them both" Sam replied

"There we go, Sam always coming in with the silver lining" I spoke.

"Pun intended?"Gabriel asked before taking another bite.

"Happy accident" I smiled.

As I ate I noticed that neither of the boys mentioned Gabriel's wings, even as they twitched and ruffled from being constrained for so long, poor guy, I hoped it didn't hurt. But the fact that no one had brought it up made me wonder if it was rude to mention them? Or was this such a common occurrence that they were simply used to them? Either way I watched them spread a bit wider while Gabriel stretched once the four of us were outside the diner, I could see now that the color wasn't simply gold, but an array of gold-ish shades, going from a dark gold almost bronze at the base of each feather, up to an almost honey color at each tip. They did shine a bit in the sun but they weren't the glittering gold I had originally thought they were. Though, even in their half stretched state I could tell that they were massive, and if unfurled fully would be very intimidating.

"So, until we know what we are dealing with, why don't you let us handle it" Dean started, but I quickly cut him off.

"Uh no. We ain't doing this damsel in distress thing, I can hold my own just as well as you two can and you know it. And besides, you know this town? These people really well?" After a moment of silence I continued.

"Exactly, so I'm part of this case like it or not" I finished, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You tell em sweetcheeks!" Gabriel spoke, walking up beside me. I noticed now that we weren't sitting, due to my heels I was a few inches taller than him.

"So where is the scooby gang off to first?" He asked.

"Ok fine!" Dean sighed.

"Dean why don't you and Gabriel go to the morgue and Liz and I-" Sam started before Dean and Gabriel both interrupted.

"No I am not getting stuck with him" came from Dean while

"Hey hey how come you get Liz?" Came from Gabriel.

"Hey, the only reason you're even here is because Cas suggested that we take you along" Dean pointed at Gabriel who simply rolled his eyes and looked away from Dean.

"Ok Sam and Dean you two go talk to the families, you're better at that, Gabriel and I will go check out the stiffs" I smiled before turning and making my way to my car before they could say anything. I looked back at Gabriel but found him right beside me.

"I love a woman who can take charge" he winked, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Hunting with those two, you have to, otherwise they steal all the action" I smiled while climbing in the driver seat, I noticed that Gabriel hesitated to climb in, and for a moment I wondered if he was afraid of my driving, but upon leaning over to tease him about it I noticed him looking at my car. I knew she was a beauty, a white 1958 Chevy Impala with gold accents, our cars were the first thing Dean and I bonded over. But what really seemed to be holding his attention was the gold pinstriped wings and name of my car...Angel.

"See something you like?" I giggled, catching his attention as he looked through the window at me, a smile forming before he opened the door and hopped in.

"And soft seats" he said while moving around.

"You really know how to spoil a guy"

"What can I say? I like to treat my men well" I chuckled while backing out of the diner and making my way to the morgue.

"So what was that about someone suggesting that the boys take you along for a ride?" I asked after a moment.

"Ugh, my little brother Cas decided that it would be a grand ole time if I tagged along with Scully and Mulder, said it would be a good bonding experience" he explained. 

"And is it? Do you feel bonded?" I giggled.

"I wouldn't mind bonding with you" he smirked, wiggling his brows and earning another laugh from me. 

"Sorry sweetie, I ain't that type of gal" I replied while pulling up into the parking lot. 

"So is this where we get to pull out our fake badges and pretend to be the FBI?" He asked, raising his hand like he was about to snap his fingers.

"Nope,this is the part where the sheriff knows that I'm a hunter and anything weird that comes in I get a call about" I smiled while stepping out.

"Aww, I wanted to play criminal minds" he pouted, and I had to admit, he could rival Sam in adorableness. 

"Sorry sweetie, maybe some other time" I patted his shoulder before leading the way. Just as I had said, the sheriff let us look at the bodies right away, and yeah...All signs pointed to either werewolf or skinwalker. 

"Well it looks like I'll have to get my silver bullets ready" I sighed while pulling the sheet back on the third vic, Gabriel walked around the room, looking at random things, and for a moment I watched his wings easily avoid everything they might hit before I turned my attention back to the body.

"You really don't have a problem with any of this do you?" Gabriel asked from across the body.

"An innocent person dead? Yeah I got a lot of problems with it"

"No not that, this" he gestured to the body

"Looking at dead bodies, hunting monsters, most women I've met wouldn't go near this kind of stuff"

"Sweetie no offence but it sounds like you've been hanging out with little girls then, not women" I smirked while meeting his eyes, his wings ruffled behind him in almost a shiver motion, jerking slightly open for a split second before hiding behind him again. 

"You know...Maybe you're right" he spoke, his voice quiet, almost as if he were speaking to himself instead of me. I tore my eyes away from his to look back at the body, a young girl, no older than nineteen, heart gone and a lot of her guts too.

"Wait" I tilted my head trying to get a better look at what was attached to where her intestines used to be. 

"Hand me those tweezers please" I asked Gabriel, motioning towards the table behind him. He quickly handed them to me and I plucked the strange fibers off of the body.

"Well agent, any ideas?" Gabriel asked.

"That my lovely partner...Is wolf fur" I stated before adding

"So skinwalker"

"Or Dean-o was right and we are dealing with a skinwolf" Gabriel replied.

"Let's stick with werewalker" I spoke, pushing the body back into its freezer and tossing the gloves off on my way to the door.

"Skinwolf sounds like some really weird porno you'd find on the wrong side of the internet at like one in the morning" I laughed 

"You sound like you're speaking from experience, something you'd like to share with the class?" 

"Trust me, no, I'll leave all the weird stuff to my family" I told him before calling Dean to tell him what we had found, he explained that all three of the vics had gone hiking out at the major state park where their bodies were found. So I agreed to head there and we'd all check it out.

"So you're family, they hunters too?" Gabriel asked when I pulled back out onto the road.

"I'll tell you about mine if you tell me about yours" I smiled, watching him from the corner of your eye. I was hoping maybe some info on his family would help me figure out what he was because honestly the wings were throwing me. My first thought of course was an angel but...I had never met one before...I suppose there could be angels out there, perhaps in hiding or fallen, but if he was hiding why did he show his wings to every hunter? So maybe he was something else? His wings were sure majestic enough to be angelic that was for sure, I had noticed it when you left the police station, the way his wings seemed...brighter almost. They were lighter in color, the base of each feather now a burnt gold instead of bronze, to a lighter honey color at the tips, but what caught my eye was how much more they shined than they did at the diner.

'Maybe the color is attached to his mood?'

"Not much for me to say sweetcheeks, brothers are douches, love em to death but, and dad...dad left a while ago"  he stated, his voice lowering at the last part.

"Yeah my dad left a while ago too" I nodded.

"Is that the reason you started hunting?" He asked.

"Partially, after he left my mom got back together with her first husband..he's a hunter so..didn't take long for all us kids to get into it"

"How many siblings you got?"he asked

"Six counting step siblings. Got one half brother, two blood brothers, a step brother and step sister" Gabriel let out a low whistle that made me laugh.

"Yeah I know, the kicker, I'm the youngest out of them all" 

"Yeah me too, but, that just means that we are the final perfect outcome, all the others were just prototypes" he said with a wave of his hand. I couldn't stop the laugh even if I wanted to, and the look on his face almost made me wonder if his whole goal was to do just that.

"I am so using that at the next family gathering" I told him once I had finally caught my breath.

"So…"Gabriel started after a moment of silence.

"Have you ever wanted to do anything other than hunting?" He asked

"Don't really know" I shrugged

"I've been doing this since I was nine so" I stated.

"So? You've got your whole life ahead of you! Come on, ever wanted to travel?" He asked

"I do travel" I smirked, causing him to roll his eyes.

"Outside of the country, France, Italy, places like that"

"Oh, yeah I guess I always wanted to visit like England. But work keeps me pretty busy, and it's not like hunting really pays the bills" I laughed while pulling up into the park's entrance near Dean's car. You heard Gabriel mumble something as I got out, but it was too low for me to understand, and Dean started talking as soon as I got out. 

"So what did you find out?"

"That you may actually be right" I replied as I made your way over to them.

"That doesn't happen often" Sam joked, earning a glare from Dean.

"The vics were all missing hearts sure, but I found fur on one of them as well"

"Could just be an animal that left that" Sam added

"Wolf fur? Gray wolf fur? Not here in Florida" I replied

"How do you know it was wolf fur?" Dean asked

"My stepdad hunts, more than just monsters, I know my fur" I laughed. 

"Ok well, everyone have their silver?" Sam asked, to which I showed my two loaded pistols and knife. He and Dean nodded before leading the way, leaving Gabriel and I to trail behind.

"You always carry those around?" He asked, nodding towards my weapons.

"Always best to be prepared" I winked, watching as a smile spread on his lips and his wings ruffle behind him. I found myself once again curious about them, were they attached to his emotions? Could he move them like an actual bird? Or did they just kinda do their own thing? They were the same colors as in the car but now with the bright sunlight peeking through the trees, they shimmered much more when you weren't looking right at them, like only if you caught them out of your peripheral did they look like metal. The hike was fairly quiet, the sounds of our collective footfalls and the creatures of the forest the only things meeting my ears, nothing seemed out of place-until we all reached the middle of the park. I knew that there was an old ranger station out this far, had been since the park was zoned, but a while ago they decided to make a new ranger station closer to the trailhead and exit, figuring it would be better than in the middle if someone were to get lost out here. The sounds of a branch snapping behind us had both Gabriel and I turning to look, but not being able to see anything. 

"Gabriel?" Sam asked quietly while surveying our surroundings. 

"There's something there," he replied, eyes darting around the treeline. 

"Just one?" I asked, slowly reaching for my gun.

"No, there's four of them," he stated.

"Four?" Dean asked just before something lunged at him, knocking him over and causing him to let out a grunt.

"Dean!" Sam shouted, turning and shooting the beast as it pinned Dean, jaws snapping at his face while he pushed back. One clip in and finally the thing fell over, motionless beside Dean who quickly got up.

"What the hell is that?!" Dean shouted, wiping the things blood from his face.

"Werewalker" I replied, looking over at the beast who did in fact resemble the beast from every werewolf movie I had seen. The body not quite human but not quite wolf, shaggy gray fur covering the stretched skin, hands and feet now clawed appendages, and the face having a long snout filled with long sharp teeth. 

"Ok that...That isn't natural" Dean spoke, finally regaining his breath.

"Well one good thing, your gunshots and girlish screams chased the other three off" Gabriel stated, still looking around.

"I did not scream" Dean quickly defended, to which Gabriel simply smirked, man he really loved messing with them, and honestly it was quite comical how easily he could do it. 

"We need to find the others" Sam quickly spoke, getting everyone back on task.

"There is an old ranger station not far, that might be their hideout" I told them, already stepping ahead, we needed to get this done, and we needed to do it quickly, if these things got out of state it could lead to a trail of bloody bodies and fast. Gabriel quickly caught up, flanking my right but also slightly in front, the boys on my left. Man if a girl ever wanted to feel protected this was the group to hunt with. About fifteen more minutes of hiking and we could see the collapsing roof of the old station. The building had long since started to decay, broken windows from rowdy teens, and holes in the walls and roof from most likely the same cause. 

"Anything?" I asked, glancing over at Gabriel who's eyes were focused on the building.

"Two inside" 

"Werewalker or?" I inquired further, watching as he focused.

"One's just a skinwalker...The other" he started, trailing off as his eyes widened before he muttered "shit" just as something could be heard running through the trees to our right. Quickly pushing Gabriel aside I unloaded my clip into the beast as it leapt from the brush, dodging it as it's limp body fell to the ground where I had been standing. I was about to ask if he was ok when we heard more noise from our left, Sam and Dean were only able to get a few shots off before they found themselves thrown, Gabriel ran over, an odd silver blade in hand as he began to fight one of the beasts. I reached for my other gun, about to go help when I found myself face first on the ground, a weight holding me down as a growl echoed behind me.

"You stupid hunter bitch!" She yelled, before her weight left my back and I felt her gripping my collar, I reached back to grab her hand but soon I was sent flying. My body collided with the tree before I even felt it, a grunt slipping past my lips as I hit the ground. 

"Liz!" I could hear Dean yell while I tried to fight off the dizziness. 

"You three will not interfere!" She shouted, before letting out a whistle, which was soon followed by the growls and heavy footfalls of more beasts. Who the hell was this woman? Finding my balance I rose to my feet, gun in hand and pointed towards her before she turned to look at me again, a smile on her face revealing sharp teeth. She wasn't the same as them...she was just a werewolf.

"That's cute" she spoke, turning fully towards me now.

"So what did he tell you huh? Or did he just give you a fun night and you were hooked?" She asked, slowly advancing towards me.

"What?" My face showed true confusion at her words, what the hell was she talking about?

"Gabriel" she stated, as if that would explain everything.

"He won't stay, he'll just up and leave one day, no goodbye, no anything" she added...oh...oh she thinks.

"And you'll look everywhere for him, cause he was the only one that ever made you feel alive"

"Listen lady, I don't know what you think, but he and I just met today," I explained.

"Doesn't matter, you're an obstacle, and I'll be damned if I lose him again"she spoke, bolting forward and grabbing my gun before I could get off any shots, her other hand grabbing my wrist and slinging me into a nearby tree. I could hear more gunfire, everyone else still struggling with the werewalkers as I tried to grab my knife.

"Oh no you don't!" She yelled, punching me in the stomach before throwing me back towards the station. I gasped for the air I had lost upon impact, when her face came into view again, her body pinning mine down as her mouth stretched into a smile. I glanced around, Gabriel, was helping Sam finish off one beast while Dean quickly killed another, but what caught my eye was the silver knife nearby, within arms reach, it looked just like the one Gabriel held but he still had his, so this must have fallen off one of the boys? At that moment I didn't care, looking back at the woman as she hovered closer.

"You know, I would turn you, make you one of my pack, but you see...You'd still be in the way..so I think I'll just kill you instead, easier that way" she spoke, mouth opening and starting to lunge forward when her body halted, mouth slowly closing while her eyes widened and she leaned back, examining the blade that now protruded from her ribcage.

"You're right killing is easier" I told her, watching as she slowly fell to the side, her body still as I yanked the blade out of her heart. I pushed her body fully off of me and stood, looking over at the boys who looked just as disheveled. I turned back to the station, remembering Gabriel had said there was a skinwalker in there as well, but the sight I was met with wasn't what I was expecting. A young boy, no older than eighteen was chained to the wall, the lower half of his body already changing to that of one of the beasts. 

"What the hell?" I heard Dean's rough voice ask beside me, we all looked at the kid, barely breathing and too weak to even open his eyes, but somehow found his voice.

"Please" he begged, his pitiful noise causing my eyes to tear up.

"Don't let me become like them" he added, we all looked at him for a moment, this poor kid, life barely begun and he was already a skinwalker...Now he was becoming...Something even worse. I looked away as Dean lifted his gun, seeming to be the only one that had the will to give into the kids request. The sharp sound of the shot rang out and my body jumped a bit, before feeling a hand rest on my shoulder, I looked up to be met with a comforting honey gaze and I nodded at his unspoken message 'it was for the best'.

 Night had fallen by the time we had dug a hole big enough to put all the bodies in and we stood for a moment after Dean threw the match.

"So..I have a question" I started.

"I have a lot- Like who the hell was that?" Dean added as we all looked at Gabriel, who never took his eyes off the fire.

"Her name was Sophia, we met...a while ago"he started

"We had a fling for a bit and then it ended, I'm all for getting crazy, but she was an animal in bed" he added, trying to lighten the mood, but if the resting bitch faces Sam and Dean were giving him were anything to go by, it wasn't working.

"So you mean I almost got killed by your crazy ex girlfriend?" I asked, arms crossed.

"One, I didn't think I would ever see her again, and two, your handled yourself beautifully sugarplum, even against an alpha, you two boneheads need to take notes from this one" Gabriel spoke, gesturing towards me, but his last quip wasn't what caught the boys ears, or mine.

"Alpha?!" I asked, looking down at the now burnt body.

"That was an Alpha?" Sam asked, eyes never leaving Gabriel's form while Dean looked upset.

"Liz just went toe to toe with a fucking alpha?" 

"And she won! She's a lot tougher than she looks." He smiled, walking up behind me and placing his hands on my shoulders. 

"You son of a-" Dean started but I cut off his no doubt, bloody rant about killing Gabe.

"That's how she was turning them so easily, the Skinwalkers" 

"Seems like it, Sophia always said she would do anything to make her pack strong again"Gabriel confirmed.

"I wonder if the bunker has anything about alphas doing stuff like this in the past" Sam spoke, by his quiet tone I knew he was speaking more to himself than anyone else but his words made my ears perk up.

"Bunker?" I asked.

"Yeah it's…" he started but seemed unsure on how to proceed.

"Our home" Dean provided, looking over at Sam.

"Home" I nodded, sure I had a family, but home wasn't something I had for a while. We kinda jumped from safe house to safe house making sure everyone was ok. As if sensing my declining mood, Gabriel draped his arm around my shoulder, the body heat seeping through my cardigan and warming the skin I hadn't even realized was cold. But what really caught my attention was the golden wing that also came to wrap around me as well, the fire causing a more orange glow to overtake the gold, but they still shimmered in the flickering light, and they almost seemed...Fuller. 

"How about we go grab some food, I know I could eat, how about you sweets?" He asked, his face inches from mine as I watched the light of the fire dance across his honey gaze, almost causing them to become the same color as his wings. 

"Yeah, I could eat" I nodded.

"Alright, let's head out"Dean spoke, turning to leave. 

"And uh, if you don't have any more cases...You can come back to the bunker with us, there's plenty of room" Sam suggested, Dean looking back as they both waited for my answer, I thought for a moment, all I really did was travel from case to case, it would be nice to rest for a bit. 

"I'd like that" I smiled, Sam's grin mirroring mine while Dean gave a small smirk. We all began to walk towards the trailhead but I noticed that Gabriel hadn't followed, looking back I noticed he was still by the fire, staring at the now pile of ashes.

'He must be remembering the times he had with her' I thought, and for some reason that thought made my stomach feel uneasy, confused I pushed those feelings aside, they didn't make sense anyways, instead my gaze landed again on Gabriel before I called out.

"You comin' sweetie?" My voice seemingly knocking him out of whatever trance he was in because his head soon lifted so that our eyes locked once more, but this time there was something different in his stare and I watched as his wings rose high above him, stretching out to their full size. The thick mass of feathers glinting in an unearthly way in the flickering light, and for a moment it didn't seem like I was looking at a human form, instead I could almost make out a golden light, something that both held form and didn't, something that seemed ancient and unknown. My breath caught in my throat and I wondered for what felt like the hundredth time today just what he was. Our stare never broke, and I realized what I was seeing lingering in his stare...Determination.

I hope everyone enjoyed part 1! Let me know what you think! Please stay tuned for part 2 and if you would like to be added to a tag list for this story let me know!

[xellychan040]

Light The Candle (Xellina)

Fandom: Slayers Characters: Lina Inverse/Xelloss Word Count: 1514 Warnings: xelloss, unbeta’d, vague allusions to Lina being Lon’s host, mazoku flirting

Summary: Her eyes slide closed and she laughs wryly, leaning imperceptively into his touch. "What a pain, I don't want to be a monster magnet."

Notes: for the Slayers Secret Santa 2019 hosted by @slayersweek. This goes out to you @glittercanblog! I’m sorry it’s late-ish and kinda short, but I hope I managed to get your prompts well enough! I feel like I’m slowly building an out of order xellina verse dsjhsdjsdhj. I didn’t lift the title from it, but this fic was written to Carino by The Marias.

i.

"You're alone," Xelloss says, dark eyes sliding open slightly, a glimmer in the gloom of the forest. Lina's fearless gaze catches his, unintimidated by the predatory appearance his split pupils give his carefully pleasant smile. He stretches out on his seat high up a towering tree, lounging across a thick branch. Making a show of looking around, searching for Gourry and the others; he tilts his head and makes a curious noise low in his throat when they fail to appear, "How unusual."

Lina's mouth purses into an unimpressed frown. "Yeah, well sometimes a girl needs her alone time for treasure hunting."

Laughing softly, Xelloss drops from his perch and wanders into her space, circling her slow and wolf-like. He puts his hands up in mock innocence when Lina snaps him a smoldering glare. "Now, now, Ms. Lina, no need for ugly looks." He rounds her left side, catching the edge of her cloak and tugging it playfully. "It's just refreshing to see you after so long."

Lina arches an eyebrow but besides the low zest of irritation, Xelloss feels no fear or trepidation from her. She crosses her arms over her lithe chest, hip jutting out and foot-tapping as she keeps him in her line of sight, "Just what do you have planned now, fruitcake?"

Xelloss smiles. "Thwarting boredom." His main body unravels in the astral plane, a thin piece of himself sliding from his physical shadow, a tendril of formless black. It threads itself with her hair, braiding into the red strands and tugging playfully.

Lina jumps with a short, startled yelp, her hands flying to her hair. Instinctively spinning around to see what it was, she turned her back to Xelloss, losing sight of him. Cutting the connection with his shadow before she can catch sight of its source, he moves in like a predator taking its chance. Curling around her right shoulder while tapping her left, making her spin in another circle, growling as she does. Wrapping his arms around her, he cups her cheek, ruffling his gloved hands through her hair, he chuckles. "It seems you've got something stuck behind your ear, Ms. Lina."

"Wha- Xelloss-" she growls, stiffening in the cage of his arms. Lovely embarrassment and annoyance blossoms up from her skin like warmth from the hearth. It tastes smooth and sweet, like a confection. He chuckles again, willing the shadow into shape and pulling it free from red strands.

Holding a dark petaled flower in front of her nose, he unravels from around her and presents the flower properly with a flourishing bow. "For you, Ms. Lina," He says, winking cheekily at her. The flower is a terrible thing, its stem dark and withered like a dead tree branch, the bloom itself the color of a fresh bruise, red veins running through each petal. At its center protruded a small cluster of white filaments, the peeking anthers like tiny fangs, giving the flower the appearance of a tiny fanged maw. 

Lina twitches, her expression flattening. "That's horrible," she says, flicking careless fingers at the flower still being held up to her. 

Not bothering to feign a pout, Xelloss smiles wider. "I think it's rather lovely."

She shakes her head, surprising him. "The flower's fine," Lina snorts, snatching it away from him and pinning it recklessly back behind her ear. A thrill goes through him, feeling a piece of himself being handled so roughly. Being kept so close. Her prideful, unwavering gaze finds his once more, pinning him in place like the flower. "It was that two-bit birthday party sorcerer's trick you pulled." A disgusted scoff leaves her, a vehement sound from such a little body. "Something behind my ear? Ugh, that's bad, even for you."

Stomping closer, chin held high and looking down her nose at him, Lina pokes him roughly in the chest, digging in her finger. "That's why I'm demanding emotional compensation."

ii.

"I'm surprised you're helping me," Lina says, her eyes intent on the faded runes embossing the spines of the two tomes in her hands. "Or rather, I'm surprised you're helping without giving me the runaround, this time."

Xelloss taps a finger to his chin, smiling vaguely. "Well, of course, Ms. Lina. We're comrades, aren't we?" After a moment, his smile widens, pleasantly grating at the corners as he slides another tome between her line of sight. "And you did ask, didn't you, Ms. Lina?"

Shoulders hunching up to her ears, Lina snatches the book away from with a snort. Her thin hip checks into his, irritation flowing over his pallet refreshingly, a little tart when surprised pleasure lances through the annoyance as she reads the rune titles. 

Like the strawberry lemonade he had once in the outerworld. 

How fitting.  

Bright eyes slide his way, something not quite like a grin quirks at the corners of her mouth. "I did ask, yeah," she begins, clever fingers flicking through the pages. The tome's ancient spine complains as she lays it across her forearm, flipped open to a diagram. 

Power whispers from the page. 

iii.

"You're always watching me," Lina says. There's no anger or accusal, just calm fact and maybe a little exasperated amusement. "I don't get it. What's the gain here? Your lord can't possibly care about one bandit killer that much," She points out, stretching out without a care, her chin propped on her palm. Her fingers and cheek are covered in smeared ink. In the low lantern light, the ink catches the flickering light, dark and glimmering. 

If Xelloss had a human's penchant for wishful thinking, he might have imaged the ink to be ichor, the burning blood of the gods and their servants. "Modesty doesn't fit you, Ms. Lina," he chides. "You know you're much more than that to the monster race."

Lina traces her fingers over the symbols, the shape of a name older than creation. Her eyes shutter, lashes fanning over her cheekbones, bronze over ivory. The silence dreams between them and Xelloss thinks of ashes and gold. He reaches out and touches her cheek, his thumb sliding over the corner of her mouth, tracing the bow of her bottom lip.

"How did you know?" Lina asks, not pulling away. Her question could be for a hundred things, from the significance of the tome, to knowing what she truly is beneath that mortal shell of hers.

The answer is all the same. She is Lina Inverse, and she has touched the golden nothingness behind creation. That's all that matters.

Xelloss smiles. "That's a secret."

Her eyes slide closed and she laughs wryly, leaning imperceptively into his touch. "What a pain, I don't want to be a monster magnet."

iv.

"Ms. Lina," Xelloss says, dark eyes burning. 

"Don't talk," she scolds, head buried in the pillow of her arms. Red hair falling sprawling atop the desk and books, framing her like a halo of flames. Her bare, pale, lithe spine curves into a fascinating arch and Xelloss traces his gloved fingers down the length of it, stopping at the waistband of her tights. The wings of her shoulder blades tense, sliding beneath her skin as he drags the ink brush from her nape to the dip in the small of her back.

"Ms. Lina," He tries again, leaning forwards, pinning her down with a steady, deceptively strong hand. Nudging his mouth against her ear, tucking back the fall of thick waves, he makes a soft, tutting sound. "I can't finish the seal if you keep squirming."

Shifting on her knees, the chair creaks beneath her, a shudder running through her tiny body. Her shoulders hunch, and she turns just enough to glare at him, red-cheeked and scowling through the veil of her hair. "Oh just get on with it, I know you're almost done." Her eyes avert, sliding to the grain of the wooden desk. Her embarrassment perfumes the room, but a sigh passes through her, and she relaxed. 

A soft hum leaves her as Xelloss swirls the brush, taking care to write the runes. A stopgap, a very small one, against the inevitable. Even Lina, as fascinating and bold as she was, couldn't fight creation, couldn't fight the void. "This is what you wanted," he reminds her, slowly, deliberately using his index finger to wipe away a stray line on the small of her back, causing her to twitch and arch under his touch. "Nothing would have stopped you from taking the manuscript and having one of your friends do this," he points out, chuckling when she hisses, tucking her hands beneath her chin, not arguing for once. 

"You know why I chose you," She says, finally. 

In a fit of what would be vanity in any other being, Xelloss signs his work with a small, toothy flower above her hip. Touching the drying ink, willing power through it, letting it sink into all that pale skin like a brand, like a claim.

Like a promise.

"Because even when you're all alone, I'll be here," Xelloss answers. 

Like a threat. Like a claim. Like an oath.

[districtattorneydent]

POST-ACID HEADCANONS (gore/mental illness tw):

ACIDIC BURNS TO THE FACE. He suffered Grade 3 burns, causing the melted flesh, half-a-face look. Over time, these wounds eventually become scar tissue. Looking less like an open wound, and more like that pinkish disfigured/scarred skin. The pain also stays for years. The nerves ARE damaged, but it heals like the worst and slowest sunburn ever. 

ACIDIC BURNS TO THE HAND. When the acid was splashed on his face, Harvey covered it with his left hand. Because of course, when something happens, you’re first reaction is to touch it. The damage isn’t nearly as bad as it is on his face, but it does stain it with a sunburnt-colored red.

PARTIAL BLINDNESS. The acid did get in his eye, and this so hard for me to write. Ew. Anyways, it does make Harvey go partially blind. It changes the color of his eyes to a bronze-ish? Not like Twilight, but pretty gross, tbh. And, if you look at it in the right light, it looks like it’s covered in a chemical film. However, in the reformed verses, he does get contacts to help correct his vision– BUT it doesn’t entirely fix the problem. In the TF verses, he just learns to aim with one eye.

PARTIAL DEAFNESS. The incident DID take a chunk of his ear entirely off. The acid also slipped into his ear drum, permanently damaging it. He can’t really hear out of it much, if at all, unless he’s wearing a hearing implant.

PARTIAL ANOSMIA. Okay I found this term on Wikipedia, so don’t quote me if it’s not the right term. But Harvey’s sinuses also get screwed over. It melts away a part of his nose, and seeps into his sinuses, melting away all the cartilage and tissue in there. He can still smell things very faintly. however he can still smell burning flesh every now and then.

DAMAGED NERVES. Harvey won’t be able to feel anything on the left side of his face ever again. Sure, if Batman knocks him into next week, he’s going to feel it. But as far as general touch goes? It’s all deadened. It’s a blessing and a curse. 

BURNED VOCAL CHORDS. Some of the acid happened to seep into his vocal chords. Because of this, it’s far more easier to switch to the rough, lower voice of Two-Face, rather than stay at Harvey’s normal tone. Even that sound lowers slightly-- but not enough where it’s a very APPARENT change.

FULL BLOWN MPD. Though I headcanon that he has this condition BEFORE the acid, it’s blown COMPLETELY out of proportion post-acid. Pre-acid, he actively seeks therapy every week, AND he’s on medication to help with his symptoms. Big Bad Harv might not be anything more than a whisper, or a VERY temporary switch in personality ( which we see with him and Dick Lovecraft )-- until Harvey can get himself back in control. Post-acid, everything resorts back to square one. Two-Face comes and goes as he pleases-- having control more often than not, because AT this point, Harvey’s weak ; mentally AND physically.

PSYCHOSOMATIC PAIN/HALLUCINATIONS. In all the verses post-acid, Harvey will TRULY believe his face is melting off again. Sometimes it wakes him up in the middle of the night, sometimes it hits in the middle of the day. Sometimes it lasts for hours on end, but usually after seeing his face and REALIZING that it’s not happening again makes the pain cease. Jim is actually a huge help with this. Being as Harvey can hardly trust himself at this point, Jim is the only one he can trust. So as long as Jim isn’t worried about it, neither should Harv be. 

DEPRESSION/ANXIETY/PARANOIA. Harvey becomes paranoid of EVERYTHING after the acid. Intentions, people, objects, it doesn’t matter. Dent will MOST LIKELY question it’s integrity towards him. The only SOLID thing he has to rely on is his relationship with Jim. Again, Jim can pull him out of this... borderline hallucinatory state and remind him of the truth. He’s had depression and anxiety before the accident, but like all of his other mental problems, they blow up after the accident. In my regular TF verse, he stops taking medication for them, and instead turns to booze to ease the pain. In the reformed!verses, he gets a higher dosage and begins taking them RELIGIOUSLY. 

PTSD/PHOBIA. After the accident, he NEVER steps foot in *insert building where the accident will happen here-- I hope it’s something like Ace Chemicals* again. If it’s in a court room, he’ll never go there on his free will. His PTSD is shown in nightmares, insomnia, occasional flashbacks-- but those are really rare. He also develops this... phobia of a sort for acid. He’ll use it to punish his victims, but Harvey is VERY VERY careful with how he uses it-- and when he IS punishing, it’s usually TF in control. Otherwise, Harvey will not touch that shit with a 90 foot pole.

[obsidianarchives]

The Chang-Yang Family - Part 1

INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - AISLE - AFTERNOON                  STUDENTS fill the corridor. They're talking, laughing,                  kissing, holding hands, watching videos on their mobile                  devices, being casual, being carefree.                      INT. HOGWARTS EXPRESS - COMPARTMENT - DUSK                  MICHELLE CHANG-YANG, 15, Black, sits in a compartment                  with her friends. 15 year old AISHA GOLDSMAN, a girl with                  rich brown skin and long, deep red braids, is reading                  BLACK MAGIC, a hair & beauty magazine and laughing at:                  JAMES POTTER, also 15, a tall, brown haired boy, whose                  makeup keeps being altered by LYRIC SCAMANADER, 16.                  Lyric's light brown skin and bright, red afro glow as she                  debates with James over the softer pallet she prefers on                  his skin rather than the dark and bold color scheme he                  usually wears.                  Michelle holds a book that she doesn't read and sits                  still, her attention caught by whatever is on her mind.                    The train zooms by the moors of SCOTLAND, beautiful and                  bone-chilling, but she doesn't seem to notice. Her                  friends laugh raucously and still, nothing draws her gaze                  from her hands.                  EXT. PLATFORM 9 3/4 - NIGHT                  CHO CHANG, 49, Chinese, stands on the train platform and                  doesn't interact with any of the waiting families. She is                  dressed to kill in a bright, color blocked pants-suit,                  hair and nails perfectly manicured. In front of her face,                  a screen floats. Cho uses her wand to scroll down and                  read the next few paragraphs of the report displayed.                  SMALL AND LARGE GROUPS OF FAMILIES have clustered in                  their winter gear, making mindless chatter about their                  yule plans and stealing glances at Cho who doesn't even                  wear a coat.                    In moments, the HOGWARTS EXPRESS, in all of its crimson                  and black glory, roars into the station and the air fills                  with anticipation. Cho waves her wand to disappear the                  screen. Suddenly she is excited and scans the crowd of                  students eagerly. The too-cool-for-school business woman                  of 2 minutes ago completely disappears when Cho spots the                  person she's looking for.                                         CHO                            Bones! Bones! Shelly Bones!                  Cho's waving and calling out isn't helping. She rushes                  past the crowd in front of her and catches up to                  Michelle, who is moving quickly towards a column to exit.                                         CHO                            Bones!                  Michelle turns around, surprise evident on her face.                                         MICHELLE                            Mama?!                  Cho embraces her daughter tightly. Michelle is still                  surprised but returns the hug.                                         CHO                            Where are your friends? I told                            Harry and Ginny we'd bring James                            home.                                         MICHELLE                            He's going to the movies with Ish                            and Lyric. So, what's up? What are                            you doing here??                                         CHO                            Baby, it's your 16th birthday. I                            know you didn't think I would let                            someone else be here.                                         MICHELLE                                 (rolling her eyes)                            My birthday is NEXT Saturday.                                         CHO                            Your birthday is the month of                            December. And nobody is picking up                            my baby from the train for her                            16th birthday visit-but me. I                            forced all of the UK to                            accommodate my schedule only for                            my daughter to be unimpressed by                            my appearance.                                 (She lets out a                                  dramatic sigh)                             Ready to go?                  Cho takes Michelle's hand and begins walking towards the                  column.                  There is a short line of people waiting to go through but                  she goes to the front and steps in front of the family                  beginning to push themselves into the brick column.                                         CHO                            Hi, sorry, just got word. Big                            emergency. Happy Christmas to you.                  Cho steps through the column, leaving Platform 9 3/4                  behind. Michelle glances at the stunned family,                  embarrassed. She mumbles something unintelligible and                  follows her mother through the column.                  INT. CHANG GRANDPARENTS DINING ROOM - NIGHT                  Michelle and Cho sit on opposite sides of a small dining                  room table. At the head of the table is GRANDPA CHANG,                  60s, kind with a bright twinkle of humor in his eyes, and                  GRANDMA CHANG, 60s, the resident bearer of truth in the                  family, sits across from him.                      All dialogue in italics is in Mandarin                                         MICHELLE                            The only class I'm worried about                            is Defense Against the Dark Arts.                                         GRANDMA CHANG                            Do you need an OWL in that?                                         CHO                            She wants an OWL in all her                            courses Mama.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            Of course she does.                                         MICHELLE                                 (staring at her                                  plate)                            It's because I don't know what                            career I want.                                         CHO                            Right now, she wants to work in                            Magical Law as much as she wants                            to be a Healer.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                                 (proud)                            And last month, you thought it                            would be fun to be an author.                                         GRANDMA CHANG                            You have so many interests little                            one.                                         CHO                            It's that curious mind you have.                                         MICHELLE                            Yeah.                  The adults look at one another questioningly. Michelle is                  pushing the food around on her plate but has hardly eaten                  anything.                                         CHO                            Your father said you're doing                            really well in Transfiguration.                                         MICHELLE                                 (Michelle's head                                  snaps up at this)                            ...yeah.                  They all look at her expectantly.                                         MICHELLE                            It helps that he teaches it? I'm                            not afraid to try anything in that                            class.                  Michelle gives them a small smile and takes a bite of                  food before another question can be asked. Everyone is                  quiet for a moment.                                         CHO                            You alright honey?                                         MICHELLE                            Yes Mama, I'm fine.                  Grandma Chang pats her daughter on the hand                  understandingly. Teenage girls, what are you gonna do?                  They carry on the conversation and leave Michelle to her                  thoughts.                  INT. CHANG GRANDPARENTS LIVING ROOM - NIGHT                  Michelle and Grandpa sit on the floor, an elaborately                  Chinese styled game of Wizards Chess between them.                  Grandpa is the clear winner at this point.                  Several of Michelle's bronze pieces lie destroyed on the                  floor in front of him while his red pieces stand tall                  across the board.                                         GRANDMA CHANG                            You know, little one, I haven't                            beat you this bad since last year.                  Michelle barely laughs.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            Let's call the game a draw, hm?                            And talk about you.                                         MICHELLE                            I never draw.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            Then let's talk about what's on                            your mind then finish playing. I                            don't like playing against a                            zombie. It's not a good game.                  Michelle doesn't speak right away. Her eyes stay on the                  Chess board, and the piece she's holding. Grandpa sits                  patiently.                                         MICHELLE                                 (so low it's almost a                                  whisper)                            I've made a big decision but I                            don't know how to tell Mama.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            Your Mama is a strong girl. Tell                            her whatever it is.                                         MICHELLE                            What did you think when she                            brought me home the first time?                  This time it's Grandpa Chang who doesn't speak right                  away. After a moment, he looks Michelle in her eye and                  doesn't look away while he responds.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            I thought my daughter had went                            crazy.                  Michelle absorbs this, still holding his gaze even though                  she doesn't want to.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            32 years old, no husband, no                            boyfriend. Busy job. A 2 year old                            child she found in a building.                            Black girl. I think 'ah, she                            finally fall apart from the school                            boyfriend's death.'                                         MICHELLE                            It was an orphanage, Grandpa. And                            she's told me about him. He sounds                            really nice. Do you think they                            would've gotten married and had                            their own family.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            Own family?                                         MICHELLE                            Their own children.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            Who's child are you then?                                         MICHELLE                            I know I'm Mama's child. I just                            wonder if she would've had her own                            children if she could.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            She can. She chose you. She said                            you were born to belong to each                            other.                  Grandpa Chang takes the piece from Michelle's hands and                  moves it on the board. He begins playing against himself.                                         GRANDPA CHANG                            Talk to your Mama, little one. She                            will help you. You belong to all                            of us and we belong to you.                  INT. CHANG HALLWAY - NIGHT                  Cho and Michelle side along apparate into the front                  hallway of their home.                                         CHO                            Pretty soon, I'm going to miss                            that. You're growing up so fast, I                            lose a little bit of you every                            day.                    She places a kiss on her daughter's forehead and lets her                  go.                                         MICHELLE                            Mama...Mama, I need to be Chinese.                  Michelle looks at her mother expectantly but Cho can't                  pretend like she understands. She can't even follow where                  this conversation is going.                                         CHO                            Can you give me a little more?                                         MICHELLE                            I've been working on a spell.                            Since last year. It'll...make me                            Chinese.                                         CHO                            Baby, I don't understand.                                         MICHELLE                            I want to look like my family. I                            need to look like my family.                  Cho finally registers what's going on just stares. She                  can't believe this.                                         MICHELLE                            The spell is permanent.                  Cho cries out but Michelle, unable to stop now that she's                  begun, continues.                                         MICHELLE                            I've chosen my birthday as the                            transformation date so I need to                            get back to Hogwarts next week.                            Dad's going to be there to help me                            and make sure nothing goes wrong.                                         CHO                            Okay, just. Wait.                  Cho puts her hands up, gesturing for Michelle to stop.                  They stand there, looking at one another, each needing to                  express more. More thoughts, more questions, more                  beliefs, more viewpoints. But they can't. So they stand.                  INT. HOGWARTS HEADMISTRESS OFFICE - DAY                  Cho is no longer standing. She's pacing. Furiously. She                  is a ball of tightly wound energy and when MICHAEL YANG,                  38, Chinese, the consummate academic, enters the room,                  she unleashes it all on him. The door to the Headmistress                  of HOGWARTS' office hasn't closed before Michael has been                  disarmed and pinned to the wall in a burst of incensed                  magic by Cho.                  HERMIONE GRANGER, 49, Headmistress, is alarmed but                  instantly aware that she will have to be the voice of                  reason. She quietly calls out to Cho from her desk.                                         HERMIONE                            Cho. Can you please let my                            professor down from the wall?                                         CHO                                 (she only has                                  attention for                                  Michael)                            How. Dare. You.                                         MICHAEL                            Let me down. Now!                  Cho doesn't budge. She is all fire and fury. Hermione                  disarms her, releases Michael and has them both pinned to                  the seats in front of her desk in a matter of moments.                  Cho watches as Hermione draws another spell with her wand                  and encloses them in a large, clear cube. A thin,                  transparent wall stands between her & Michael's chairs                  from floor to ceiling. Cho leaps from her chair, her rage                  temporarily directed to Hermione but the air outside the                  cube seems to be peaceful & undisturbed.                                         HERMIONE                            The cube is soundproof. I assume                            this...conversation is about your                            daughter so I can't hear a word                            you're saying. Yell, scream, do                            whatever you need. My office was                            chosen for a reason so just let me                            know when you're done and ready to                            explain what my role is supposed                            to be.                    Hermione turns her back on them.                                         CHO                            I hate that bitch!                                         MICHAEL                            Cho.                                         CHO                            Don't say my name! Don't you dare                            say my name! How could you                            Michael?!                                         MICHAEL                            She asked me.                                         CHO                            And the answer is no! You don't                            get to help my daughter feel like                            she's not good enough!                                         MICHAEL                            You need to listen to OUR daughter                            about what she wants. We don't                            have the right to tell her no.                                           CHO                            Yes we do Michael! We're her                            parents. It's what the fuck we do!                            She's young, she wants to make a                            decision that will affect her for                            the rest of her life and WE TELL                            HER NO!                                         MICHAEL                            Have you even talked to her about                            it? She came to me because she                            knew you wouldn't listen-                                         CHO                            AND YOU, YOU WORTHLESS ASSHOLE,                            YOU SHOULD'VE COME TO ME                            IMMEDIATELY!                                         MICHAEL                            My name is Michael. And you're not                            the only one that cares about-                                         CHO                                 (disbelieving)                            If you care about her, act like                            it!                  Cho walks to the edge of the cube and bangs on it to get                  Hermione's attention.                                         HERMIONE                                 (as though on a loud                                  speaker)                            Is everything alright?                                         CHO                            Let us out of here.                  She gestures, remembering Hermione's instructions that                  they can't be heard.                                         HERMIONE                            Are you done? I can't have you                            throwing Professors all over my                            office Cho.                  Every portrait hanging in the office voices their support                  of Hermione and their outrage at Cho's behavior.                                         CHO                            Just let us out.                  Hermione vanishes the walls surrounding Michael and Cho.                  They don't take their seats again but they stay on                  opposite sides of the room.                                         HERMIONE                            So...why are we here?                                         CHO                            Professor Yang, please.                                 (she gestures                                  invitingly)                            Why don't you continue the                            conversation I'm sure you've been                            having with Professor Granger.                            Certainly you and my daughter                            haven't set these grand plans to                            take place on school grounds next                            week and not shared them the                            Headmistress.                                         HERMIONE                            Professor Yang?                                         MICHAEL                            Michelle came to me at the                            beginning of the school year and                            informed me of an advanced                            transfiguration spell she's been                            working on-                                         CHO                            You knew about this in September?!                                         MICHAEL                            -to permanently alter her                            appearance.                  Cho makes a noise of frustration. The Headmasters hanging                  on the wall are shocked but Hermione urges Michael to                  continue.                                         MICHAEL                            Her entire family is Chinese and                            she wants to...look like the rest                            of us.                                         HERMIONE                            Am I to understand that Michelle                            is planning to perform a spell                            that will permanently make her                            appear Chinese?                                         CHO                            I'm being quiet because if I say                            anything, I'll scream.                                         HERMIONE                            Certainly, Professor Yang, you                            wouldn't allow a student to                            perform that kind of experimental,                            and likely illegal, magic on the                            premises.                                         MICHAEL                            She's done the research, there are                            no laws on record outlawing the                            magic.                                         HERMIONE                            Currently.                                         MICHAEL                            The spell combines 3 forms of                            interchangeable magic in a way                            I've never seen before. It's a                            transfiguration spell supported by                            a charm and a potion, both of                            which she also created. It's quite                            remarkable Professor Granger.                                         CHO                            That doesn't make it right,                            Michael!                                         HERMIONE                            As impressive as the magic sounds                            Professor Yang-                                         MICHAEL                            -It's a personal project and would                            take place when students aren't in                            term! Michelle is not a student                            next week, she's my child visiting                            me at my home.                                         HERMIONE                            Which is my school.                                         CHO                            My daughter is Black, she is                            beautiful and she's going to be                            both of those things forever.                                         MICHAEL                            Our daughter is brave and                            brilliant and determined to do                            this!                                         HERMIONE                            That may be the case but she can't                            do it here at Hogwarts. If                            Michelle wants to return to school                            with a new...face, that's a family                            matter, that I would expect the                            ministry to weigh in on, but I                            cannot allow you to carry on this                            experiment here. And I'm very                            disappointed in you Professor                            Yang, that you would abuse your                            position in this way.                                         CHO                            Michael Yang, you listen to me.                                 (she's crying now)                            You cannot do this. Don't do this.                                           MICHAEL                            At 14 years old, Michelle created                            a spell that most hundred year old                            witches and wizards can't fathom.                            And she is very clear about her                            reasons for doing so. You don't                            get to tell her who to be Cho. You                            think that's your job as her                            parent but it isn't.                            I'm telling you in no uncertain                            terms that she has my full support                            and will have my full assistance                            however SHE chooses to see this                            through.                                 (to Hermione)                            Professor Granger, I apologize.                  Michael wordlessly calls his wand to him and storms down                  the stairs.                                                         TO BE CONTINUED...

Sunshine Moxie Entertainment exists to put Black women of all ethnicities, nationalities and walks of life at the center of their own stories. We use creativity in the forms of cinema, television, music videos, live productions, audiobooks and other forms of new or emerging media to build a worldwide community of Black women. As part of our commitment to making sure the world has unparalleled access to a wide berth of perspectives, Sunshine Moxie Entertainment seeks to find, develop, educate and empower talent in front of and behind the camera.

Eliyannah Amirah Yisrael, Ravenclaw and founder of Sunshine Moxie Entertainment, is a Black girl from Chicago who was supposed to stay inside her box. Instead, she decided to dream big, live bigger and change the world through visual storytelling. Since 2010, she has written and directed across mediums to tell stories about the objects of her obsession: women of color.

[smoothshift]

Fuck this car in its metaphorical ass: Automotive horror from a horrible idiot. via /r/cars

Fuck this car in its metaphorical ass: Automotive horror from a horrible idiot.

Good evening /r/cars! I hope this post finds you well, and that you’ll excuse me for venting a little bit. I’m certain after this I’ll be deserving of something more mechanically simple – probably a Little Tykes Cozy Coupe for 1) being a total infant, and 2) Being a complete asshole owner of somewhat of an automotive unicorn.

According to my post history, I’ve been the… uh, well, usually people say “proud owner” here, but right now that doesn’t gel with my mood. I’ve been the owner of this car for two years and two months now. When I got it I was ecstatic – the sky was the limit with what I could do with it. Hearing the little turbo spool, feeling the rear wheels dig in and scoot off, the sound of the exhaust was incredible. Until one day it wasn’t!

What follows is a timeline – with lots of approximations, I’ve slept at least once a day – of my ownership of this damn fucking peiceaJKLIO:J:POI:PIOJIOJ:adfalk;mwefawef

Ahem.

March 2014 – Buy the vehicle, cold hard hot sexy cash. Posted about it on Reddit.

April or May 2014 – Car won’t start. What the hell? Jump it a few times and it’s okay. After a bit it won’t jump at all. Okay. Replace the starter! Still doesn’t start. Replace the starter again! Still nothing. Replace the alternator! Still nothing. Also slam the door so hard I break the handle. Go to the junkyard and get a dark grey replacement. Also have the brilliant idea to go get the battery tested. And wouldn’t you know it, it’s fucked and has been the problem all along. My brother worked for O’Reilly’s at the time, so I got an Optima Red Top on his discount. Problem solved.

June or July or some summer month 2014 – Road Trip! Head from Houston to Albuquerque. While there, curb check an island on a left turn and tear a gash in the P-Zero Nero sidewall on the rear driver’s side. Replace with a cheap Firestone equivalent. This was before I learned I needed to replace them in pairs, and before I learned that Pirelli’s are fucking glass. Also on the way home, I hit a small animal on the highway. The front bumper like… unbuckles itself? So I have to pop it back in. The front air dam, however, is fucked, and it’s angled more aggressively towards the ground. Lacking any zip ties, I tie it with an iPod cable.

Fall-ish 2014 – It rains really hard. My front air dam, now zip tied in place, gives in the flooded streets. I drag it home from the little one’s day care. When it dries up, I take off the bumper for the first time and remove the whole damn air dam assembly. Dammit.

December 2014 – Take the kids to see their Grandparents for Christmas. On the way home, the rear passenger side tire blows up – the entire inner sidewall tears open, freeing its fluid innards to the cool night air. While parked on some not-so-solid ground, the kids jump around excitedly in the back seat (because it’s Christmas!) until the jack gives. A kind Samaritan drives by with a floor jack and helps me get the donut on.

January 2015 – Finally replace the blown tire.

Spring 2015 – Decide it’s time to make it fancy as fuck. Paint the calipers red, and the wheels a coppery bronze color (with a coat of PlastiDip underneath). Oh yeah, the rear differential’s been clanging around – what’s that about? Pop under and find out it’s missing a bolt. No worries! I’ll just snug that up real good.

June 2015 – A “crisp” downshift to “pass” leads to the shifter cable disconnecting from the stick. I flip out and nurse it home in third and then discover it would have taken 5 minutes to repair.

As part of a pre-road trip maintenance routine, I change the oil. And overtighten the oil cap (if you don’t know, the MS6 comes off the line using cartridge-style oil filters instead of the usual spin-on filters). Overtighten it so much it cracks. Go on road trip anyway. I’m still in Texas before the CEL pops on. I look for dealers on the way, but it’s Saturday/Sunday so nobody’s fucking open, so I just keep dumping Rotella T6 in there. When I get to my destination, Indiana, I get a replacement.

June/July 2015 – Spirited driving leads to the last bolt my differential’s dangling from to shear off. It makes the most amazing cacophony of “You’re a moron and that Civic Si driver is laughing at you” you’ll ever hear. While on the lift at the dealer, there’s also some kind of problem with the driveshaft and they want like $1300 to replace it. Fuck that. Also the right rear shock is blown, as well as the bottom motor mount. I replaced it with a JBR one.

August/September 2015 – Finally get the rear shocks replaced. Also that tire is totally fucked. So those get replaced too – this time I believe all four. No more Pirelli’s though. Yokohama somekinda something. It’s also around this time that I replace three of four window motors.

October 2015 – Did I mention the previous owner didn’t sell this car with the undertray? Some puddle water splashes the serpentine belt and it slips off. And then once more, maybe a week later? That thing’s too loose, I guess. I also get several wild hairs – since I’m replacing the belt, I might as well put on some lightweight pulleys and replace the water pump too! Hur hur. I don’t though – just the tensioner pulley, and the new belt. It’s too hard!

November 2015 – I can’t remember what the hell I was doing, but I was working near the bypass valve and one of the valve stems snapped. Replaced it with an aftermarket one that sounded pretty cool when it was new, but now I don’t notice it at all. Or maybe I parked it so long (like a week) that I just forgot what it sounded like at all.

December/January 2016 – It snows in the Midwest! I doof around the parking lot with DSC off.

February/March 2016 – The brakes aren’t in great condition. I throw some snazzy slotted rotors on and some new pads.

March 2016 – I return to Texas from Indiana. Elated to see my GPS showing only five minutes remaining after a 15 hour drive, I spiritedly launch from light to light. When stopped and waiting at the very last one, I notice a good deal of smoke coming from the hood, accompanied by the most wonderful smell. The next day when I pop the hood to look at it, the belt is snapped. After further inspection, the AC compressor clutch has completely failed. I get a new one and battle a cramped engine bay to put it back in. This time I also change my water pump and throw on all the fancy pulleys I have left. I return from a test drive and the front passenger’s side door handle also falls off.

April/May 2016 – Oh yeah, the fuckin’ driver’s side window motor is failing. I go to the junkyard for parts and their shit’s fucked up too. And they want $150 for the passenger door handle, because “the doors in really good condition and we don’t want to part it out.”

I order the wrong one online. Pressed for time, (trying to go on vacation with a fully-functional car), I decide I’ll go back and buy it. And they strip everything off the fucking door except the handle. I disassemble it in the parking lot like an animal and then give them back the door.

The AC’s a little warm so I recharge it. After running it for a few minutes it fucking stinks. In the middle of driving to our vacation spot, we stop at a light and the damn thing is smoking from the vents and from the hood. AC off, crack the windows, limp it to vacation.

I bring it back home one night and it won’t start period. There’s not much coolant or oil in it, so I address those a few days later and it starts again, though that probably doesn’t explain why it didn’t in the first place, but I do hear the most alluring clang coming from the engine. Upon inspection, the AC pulley – the very same one I replaced two months ago – is death wobbling like a god damn Jeep. I barely remove it from the block before ball bearings start pouring out.

And so there it sits currently – bumper off, headlights out so I can change the bulbs/sand off the haze, one tire off, half the block flapping in the wind.

Fuck this car.

[itsworn]

Ultra-Traditional 1928 Ford Model A Roadster with a Cragar OHV Makes a Statement at the Grand National Roadster Show

Statement.

Bill Grant graduated from Pomona High School in 1952, so he experienced the postwar hot rodding boom firsthand. He had his first car, a Model T, when he was 12 and a ’36 three-window coupe when he was 14. He remembers, “My mom kept hiding the keys because I was sneaking around, driving her crazy.” In high school, he had a ’40 coupe “that was pretty quick. Chick Wilson built the engine. It was all glitzed up.”

He’d go up to the dry lakes with his buddy Tom Morris. Tom’s V8-powered ’29 roadster is still around, its timing tags testament to 110 mph or better on the lakes and at Bonneville. Bill also remembers going out to the drags on Rivergrade Road, which is now the 605 Freeway, and cruising the Townhouse Drive-In and Stan’s Drive-In in nearby El Monte.

“We didn’t just talk about it, we did it,” he says proudly.

About five years ago, before Tom passed away, the two friends had a conversation about hot rods while they thumbed through a book about Harry Miller’s race cars. “Tom virtually built a car from memory,” Bill says. “‘I’d do this with the body, that with the frame.’ Tom and I went through a whole litany of things.”

That conversation, a collection of parts, and the desire to keep alive the memory of early hot rodding resulted in this ’28 Model A, which Bill dubbed the Muroc Roadster.

The roadster looks a little nicer, a little bit better turned out, than your typical prewar hot rod build. That’s because during the translation from idea to reality, Bill and the father-and-son team of Terry and David Stoker at Stoker’s Hot Rod Factory decided to enter it in the Grand National Roadster Show and compete for the show’s top honor, the 9-foot-tall America’s Most Beautiful Roadster trophy.

“I knew we wouldn’t win,” Bill says. “But that wasn’t the point. It wasn’t about spending money. It was about making a statement and reaching people. We figured people would either get it, or not. And you can’t believe the number of conversations I had at the show and since. People got it, and they’re passing it on. Passing the torch. That’s what hot rods used to look like. If you went to the lakes in 1936, you would have seen this car. Maybe it wouldn’t have been this nice—it might have been in primer and not had painted rails—but it would have been this kind of car.

“We did make a statement, for what it’s worth. We made a dent.” And while he may not have his name engraved on the big AMBR trophy, he and the Stokers did bring home a trophy for the Best Detail among the AMBR contenders.

The starting point for the build was a low-mileage Model A phaeton that Bill bought some 30 years ago. Back then, Terry Stoker took the body off and used the shell to build a hot rod on a TCI frame. “Terry built that bathtub with an Iron Duke engine. God, it was fun,” Bill says.

The gennie Model A frame, transmission, and running gear went into a Fontana barn. “It’s just one of those things,” Bill admits. “I don’t get rid of much.”

One exception was a ’29 pickup powered by a banger with a Cragar OHV conversion that he sold about five years ago, a decision he’s been “agonizing about” ever since. So when he heard from a friend that the friend’s uncle “had a Cragar or a Miller or something in his garage in Redding, California, and it was for sale, I told him, ‘Go up there and buy it.’”

Good move on Bill’s part. The engine turned out to be a Model B four-cylinder that had been hopped up in 1954—Cragar OHV, insert bearings, C crank—but never fired. Soon after getting the engine, Bill and the Stokers realized that putting it in the long-dormant Model A chassis would be the perfect foundation for a very traditional prewar hot rod. Then came the conversation about entering the GNRS, something Bill and the Stokers did in 2014 with a gorgeous, pale blue, full-fendered Deuce roadster. When Bill had his epiphany about making a statement at this year’s Roadster Show to keep the flame of ultra-traditional rodding alive, the Stokers got their marching orders.

“We did it because nobody else does,” is how David Stoker explains why he, his father Terry Stoker, and car owner Bill Grant decided to turn this prewar banger roadster project into an AMBR contender. “Usually this kind of car is like one you’d see at TROG, or it’s beater-ish. We love those cars, too, but we wanted to do this because nobody does it to this extreme.”

Though there are reproduction parts on the car, “we made a point to use as much original stuff as possible, cool mechanical stuff that just doesn’t exist anymore,” David says. Their goal was to build a prewar lakes car, using only the kinds of parts that could be found in 1937 or earlier.

The level of finish on the frame, axle, and suspension components speaks to the quality required for AMBR contention. That frame is stock, but it was ground smooth and then painted by Albert De Alba, who also painted the other chassis components and the Brookville body in single-stage Centari. Plating, done by AB Polishing, is nickel, not chrome, in keeping with the period.

“We kept the mechanical brakes, since that’s what you had back in 1936,” Bill says. When you had to stop the car, you planned ahead and prayed a lot.” David says the brake rods baffled many GNRS attendees who had never seen them before, a testament to just how many hot rods are upfitted with juice brakes. “One guy asked if the brake fluid ran through them.”

The engine is a Model B four-cylinder that had been hot rodded in the 1950s but never fired. It has insert bearings, a Model C crankshaft, and an original Cragar OHV cylinder head topped by a finned aluminum Miller cover.

The intake is an original Zephyr manifold topped by two new Stromberg 97s that were nickel plated at the carb factory. Ignition is routed via an early Mallory distributor.

Terry fashioned the headers. The choice to wrap them was partially aesthetic. “The color looked good with the engine block,” David says—but also functional. It keeps exhaust heat away from the carbs and protects the header’s finish. “No one ceramic coated headers back then. We didn’t want the paint to pop and peel when we fired the motor.”

Another example of AMBR-level finish work: Most prewar rod builders wouldn’t go to the trouble of grinding the engine block and head smooth and painting them, but Jay Ligtenberg, who works with David and Terry at Stoker’s Hot Rod Factory, did just that, to dramatic effect. Color is Antique Bronze from Hot Rod Flatz.

Terry Stoker wired the roadster, making these plug wires himself from rolls of cloth wire. At this point, the Model A still uses a six-volt electrical system, but once it transitions from show car to driver, a 12-volt upgrade will be made.

There are all kinds of brass and copper details on the engine, which are not only incredibly well made and very cool, but combine with the nickel plate and engine paint to bring a warm tone to the roadster’s front end.

Axles front and rear are stock Model A with unsplit wishbones. David took leaves out of the packs to lower the car a bit. The headlight buckets and rings are original, and those lenses are ’28 model year only. David fashioned the light mounts by cutting up a Model A lightbar.

The roadster’s cockpit is a fascinating mix of old and new components. The Brookville windshield stanchions were chopped 3 inches and laid back; and though it’s hard to see from this angle, the windshield top is curved, not straight across, a nice detail touch.

The dashboard and gauges are stock Model A, while the steering wheel is out of a Deuce. The Stokers mounted it to a handmade column that’s shortened 2 to 3 inches.

We never would have guessed the origin of the upholstery inserts: ’15 Ford Focus. Elegance Auto Interior gets credit for making the contemporary seat covers look great mated with brown leather on the seats and door panels.

The trunk area is upholstered to match the cockpit. Behind the panel with the brass cabinet pull is the battery. The Stokers added quite a few brass touches to the roadster’s interior to tie in with all the brass work in and around the engine.

Unlike many AMBR contenders, the Muroc Roadster is a driver. Or will be soon, once it’s off the show circuit. “I drive everything,” Bill says. “In fact, we joked about going to The Race of Gentlemen in Pismo next year, and it’s not completely out of the question.” Of course, there needs to be another West Coast TROG to do that, but you get the idea.

The post Ultra-Traditional 1928 Ford Model A Roadster with a Cragar OHV Makes a Statement at the Grand National Roadster Show appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ultra-traditional-1928-ford-model-roadster-cragar-ohv-makes-statement-grand-national-roadster-show/ via IFTTT