#if you think I wouldn't subject them to The Horrors even after they eventually get their Happily Ever After you're wrong

[justawrites]

Reflections (WIP)

if you notice this is messy (well, messier than usual) it's because it's two different images stitched together because my page was too small and everything looks weird bc of it but issues will be fixed when I eventually go to (digitally) paint it o7

Anyway when your peaceful happy picnic is interrupted by the ghosts of the past, only the ghosts are you

[zigrethsnotebook]

HBU a Bill Cipher x reader about a reader who really likes being possessed by Bill Cipher so frequently is possessed by him

Inside you

Bill x Reader

words: 1,381

tags: sfw, whatever Bill has going on

a/n: didn’t know if you wanted this to be cute or not, might make a nsfw version one day if i feel like it

You were Ford's assistant, working with him and Fiddleford on the interdimensional portal. Even after the incident occurred and Fiddleford left the project, you and Ford pressed on.

Although, you weren't really in it for the portal or the science or whatever. You were way more interested in this muse of his. Bill Cipher. A triangle shaped entity, who had the ability to enter someone's mind if they agreed to it. Who could also haunt your dreams if you didn’t.

He didn’t have to haunt your dreams though, he was already a part of them. Even though seeing Ford with yellow eyes and no self-preservation instincts was a little scary, you couldn't help but imagine how nice it must feel to have Bill in your mind.

Just for once you wanted to lean back and let someone else do the work for you. The work being moving your body from room to room and so on.

One day, when he was in control of Ford's body, you breached the subject to him. "Ford doesn't like you running around in his body, you know that, right?" Bill just laughed in a garbled version of Ford's voice.

"Of course I know! That's part of the fun." You hummed. "But wouldn't it be more fun to actually share a body? With someone who won't resist? And if it's tormenting Ford you're after, think of what it would do to him to see someone else under your control."

Bill narrowed Ford's eyes at you, stepping closer. He was intrigued. "What are you suggesting?" You smirked at him. "A deal. You get to take my body for a spin... whenever. The only condition is that I don't want you to break my bones or leave me with an open wound or something."

He turned Ford's head, suspicion on their face. "And what exactly are you getting out of this?" You smiled and sighed dramatically. "To relax! I get to take some time off from having to work this meat prison." Bill laughed loudly.

"You're either crazy or the sanest human I've ever met. Either way, you got yourself a deal." Bill held Ford's hand out to you, a small blue flame surrounding it. You gladly took it and suddenly felt like you were falling, even though you didn’t move from your spot on the ground at all.

You were still holding Ford's hand as he sank in on himself, raising his other hand to his head. Meanwhile, you felt something change. A new presence in your own mind. "Let's see if I can make you regret this."

Ford's eyes raised up to your hands and then up to your face, terror spreading on his face. "Bill. What have you-" You interrupted him. "He hasn't done anything yet. So don't worry about it. Let's get back to work."

Ford eyed you suspiciously. It was your voice, your eyes weren't yellow... there was no sign of Bill being in control of your body. But he was gone from his own mind and that unsettled Ford greatly.

While Ford and you continued to work away at the portal, Bill was making himself comfortable in your mind, snooping around your memories and getting a picture of who you are as a person.

When he came across the section of your mind that held your dreams and he found himself in there, making you laugh or holding your hand gently... well, if he was human then he surely would have blushed at that. But he wasn't. And he certainly didn’t care about human emotions. Gross.

Eventually, you and Ford decided that you were done for the day (it was long past midnight) and started to pack up. Bill pulled you from the steering wheel, taking over your body. "Sixer." Ford looked up at him in horror.

"So you are inside them!" Bill waved him off. "Yeahyeahyeah, big surprise. Whatever. Where did you find this person? Their mind is... so clean and orderly. But their dreams..." His/Your voice trailed off, not actually wanting to tell Ford about your dreams. "We went to university together. Same as with Fiddleford." Bill nodded absentmindedly.

While Bill was hanging out with Ford, you laid back, enjoying your break. You quickly tuned their conversation out and instead took a stroll through your mind. It was a funny way of perceiving your own thoughts. Basically being able to walk in on them like they were little rooms scattered around your mind.

You got lost in your own mind but eventually were pulled back into reality as Bill took a step back. You found yourself in your bed, in your pyjamas. You didn’t even feel hungry.

The only thing that was a little off was the dull pain in your shoulder and knee. It felt like you had fallen down a flight of stairs. Bill had probably decided it was faster than to walk them. You ignored the pain and went to sleep.

The following days were much of the same: Working on the portal with Ford, occasionally letting Bill take charge to correct Ford on some equations or whatever. On your way out of the lab Bill would usually take over, taking your body for a spin.

Usually, you watched him do it, just see what he was up to. You saw him fling your body off of whatever ledge he could find that wouldn't harm your body too seriously. The deal you made clearly stated that he wasn't allowed to break your bones.

But it didn’t forbid him to get you a tattoo. It was simple enough. A heart with an arrow through it that just read "Bill", effectively claiming you as his. You didn’t mind though. Something about this triangle made you want his attention.

The fact that he went out of his way to brand you as his made you feel kind of special. Who else could say that about themselves? Well, Ford could, but you didn’t know that and Ford had no intention of telling you about it.

After a couple weeks of this, Bill got a little irritated with you. Inside your head, he sparked up a conversation. "Why doesn't this bother you? I actively harm you, your relationship with Ford and everyone around you. I branded you. What more will it take to get you upset?"

You laughed at him. "Shouldn’t you know? I thought you could read minds - what's stopping you?" Bill frowned, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Nothing! I looked! As far as I can tell you have never thought one single bad thing about me. That's nuts!"

You waved at him dismissively. "It's not. If you truly knew what it was like to be human you'd get it." Bill shook his head and floated closer to you, locking eyes. "Nuh-uh. Ford doesn't get it either. He's human, too!" You clicked your tongue. "Yeah, but he's also a giant baby."

Bill stared at you, not believing what he's hearing. He sighed and rubbed his eyebrow. Or his equivalent to an eyebrow anyway.

"There is something interesting I did find in your mind though." You just raised an eyebrow at him. "Why are you dreaming about you and me doing... coupley things together? From what Ford explained to me about human relationships, that's just gross."

You blushed at being called out like that but stood your ground. "Don't knock it 'til you've tried it." A beat of silence passed. Then Bill floated closer to you, his stare intense. "Kiss me then." You stared at him, shock written all over your face.

The problem was, you hadn't quite figured that part out yet. What, with him having no mouth and all. However, as he said that, something happened. Without your doing, a few doors to different thoughts flew open and things that looked like pieces of film tape floated out of them, surrounding you both.

They showed different ways you had fantasized about kissing that stupid triangle. As you realized what you saw you blushed even more, hiding your face in your hands.

Bill looked around you both and then back to you. Now this was something. This was amusing. Finally, he had found something to torment you with. Your own attraction to the triangle. Now the fun could begin.

[hexy-lynesdein]

The Traveler & her Path Behind

“Wounds suffered, lessons learned.”

I think the most prominent part about episode 4 other than it being Alice's trial— wherein she was able to ended her generational curse for once and for all; changing something that she thinks “wasn't real”, is that you get to see how it affecting her.

How Alice realizes that she was angry at her mom who was only trying to save her. Lorna did everything in her power to protect Alice in any way she could. So that even if she was no longer present on Alice's life— her protection through the song, in which she pours all of her love for her daughter into, would persist. Thanks to the people who sang that song with as much passion as how Lorna is writing it for Alice.

And I love how she learned all of this from a journey with a broken coven, each filled with covenless witches who had their own issues. But even though they are hardly a “true” coven— they were there for Alice. They sat there with her on that campfire, talking about each scars that they had, so that she wouldn't feel so bad about hers. And for once, she felt that hole in her heart was slowly filled with warmth. That similar type of warmth that she's been missing for ages.

Alice has always been angry all her life. It's easier for her to get angry and blame something instead of grieving it. Because being angry is relatively easier than grieving because you feel like you are in control of your life, you get this power to push through from that fire burning in you. But unlike anger, grief is far from that. It's that feeling of hollow and emptiness— that you acknowledge something was no longer yours. It's gone and you have to accept that. You will eventually move on and there might be something else that will replace it. You will learn to live side by side with this pit that sits with you and it will left you in a vulnerable state, and that's not alright. It's hard to said it'll be alright when it clearly didn't. But eventually, you'd move on. People always do. That's just how life is always been.

And for once, when the cause of Alice's angers was no longer there— and that she was finally free from it after a long time of suffering, she felt nothing but sadness.

This is a simple phrase if it were to be said by anyone. However, it held much bigger weight when it was Lilia who said that.

Lilia being the oldest witch from the coven. Lilia who's been alive for 400+ years. Lilia who made it this far in life, seeing all the horrors, and the tragedies that humanity experienced— the malice that lurked in their hearts. She's seen it all. She saw their path and “destination”; but mostly their destination because of her gift. That's almost all the thing she ever saw throughout her life up until now. Not to mention the flow of time that seems to be never standing with her.

It makes her angry. Because she saw it all. Lilia has seen their death. The causes and what's about to happen. But there is nothing she could do about it. She warns them. She tells them. And it didn't change anything. There's nothing she could do about the outcome. Because her task as a seer isn't supposed to change. She's there to observe — to see. And that alone upsets her. She turned away from her gift. Unwilling to use something that is a part of herself. For years. Decades. Probably centuries. Because why would she be? Death is all she'd seen. Why would she want to subject herself into something that would hurt her? Something that would only make her sad? And that's why, in the end, she resorted into being a con artist. Masking herself behind something that was not Lilia Calderu the chased-out-of-every-village-for-accurately-predicting-tragedies; running away from her true self.

Lilia already lost count on how many days and nights that she yearns for a change. To be able to do something for once. Flashes upon flashes would appear on the peripheral of her vision. About her coven. Her family. Her sister in the craft. And often times she wondered if a miracle would happened again in her life.

And it finally did.

When Agatha Harkness recruited Lilia to joined her coven, she almost wanted to spat. No one with a sane mind would willingly joined her coven. But fate always has its own ways with Lilia as her future self went back into that fateful day, where she write down the name of her new coven. Assigning herself to embark into a treacherous journey with a group of people that she, somehow, has quite a lot in common.

From there, she learns again what it feels to have a coven and be in a coven. Each trials they faced with death and their worst nightmare following in their step. But at least they are together this time. Lilia is not alone and maybe she could actually count on these people. Perhaps the walk down on this road with the infamous Agatha Harkness is going to change her. Maybe she still couldn't prevent deaths but at least she could piece up something that she has been missing. A part of herself that she was trying so hard to ignore— a part of herself that yearns for some form of connections through sisterhood.

And she finally got it again. She saw Jennifer who's capable of saving a life while being bound. Changing the outcome of Teen's life. She saw Alice fighting, oh ever so bravely, and full of fire. Ending her family's generational curse for once and for all — changing something that she thought she couldn't. She's seen all the struggles and how it impacts them.

And there they sat in that campfire, after the fire-trial. Sharing their own scars as an attempt to make Alice felt better about herself. Lilia saw the sadness that lingered on the once fierce and full of fire woman. She's seen it and she acknowledge it, she knows that feeling all too well. Lilia feels like she saw a piece of herself on her new coven members yet again, and she felt the urge to give Alice one last words of comfort, “Sad is better than angry”. And maybe that words is not enough to fully filled the hole in Alice's heart on its own, but as long as it means that Lilia could have a chance to do something for her sisters in the craft instead of running away again or being indifferent like how she always do— then that's fine. It's okay. She will take those chances.

And Alice? Alice is grateful to hear that from Lilia— who lives longer than her, who suffers worse things than her, and who knows so much more than her. Because to be loved, is to be seen and heard. And now Alice is surrounded with love.

[houseofoddballs]

You know... I don't think that any piece of literature or any video or game will ever be able to encapsulate the true horror of utter darkness. Being surrounded by nothing but blackness and a little illuminated screen that's the only thing you can see in a room right after the light turns off and you become far too aware of how big and open the space is.

You know what's in there, you were just looking at it.

And there are two types of tricks that your eyes play, in my experience. There are the little sprites that dance at the corners of your vision, little phaux spots of illumination as if through a crack somewhere. But when you look they're gone.

Those are the good ones. Just vestiges of false hope at regaining a sliver of sanity. The other ones are the ones that really scare me.

The shadows. The room is already so dark that you can't see anything at all, but then they take form. Seeping from the darkness in pools of something that can only be described as a void of all light and hope. Despair in a shape hopefully conjured by your own mind. A lot of the time, I see them as corpses, suspended in silhouettes of gruesome scenes, just sitting there. And you would think that just sitting there would make them easy to ignore, but they're not. Because when you look away and look back, they're still the same shape. But if you go back another night, they'll be gone.

But, occasionally, one of these voids could attach itself to you. I first saw mine when I was really young, maybe 7. Before the concept of death even invaded my small mind. My mother tucked me in all nice and snug, she even tucked the covers nice and tight around me because I loved that as a child. And then she turned the lights off.

It was just darkness for a moment as I lay there in my bed, enjoying the compression of the covers tucked around me. Then he came, materialized from the darkness of the very room that I felt safest in. It was a man, hanging by the neck from my ceiling, dangling right above me, so close that I remember pressing myself into the bed so his shoes wouldn't touch me.

I remember staring up at him with wide eyes, hoping that if I opened my eyes wider, then I would be able to see better in the darkness quicker. It didn't help. I remember his head being at such an awkward angle, one that couldn't be normal, now I know that his neck was probably snapped, and he was just swinging gently above me for what felt like forever. And because the covers had been tucked so tight, I couldn't move. If I tried to roll over to free myself, I would have hit his feet and he might have noticed me. That's at least what I told myself.

After that, I kept sleeping with a night light, or at least with the blinds open. I never subjected myself to pitch blackness alone again. And, eventually, I forgot.

I don't know how I know it's the same one when they alwaystake different horrifying shapes. Maybe because he's the one to always get closest to me. Maybe I can just feel it. But I know it's always him. Sometimes, there are others, but he's always there.

I'm all the way in college now, and it felt pretty silly to still be afraid of the dark at my age. Besides, I didn't know how to explain needing a night light to my roommate, especially since I couldn't remember why I really needed it anyway.

I ended up remembering really quick.

It's utterly horrifying, you know? To lay ramrod straight on an all too firm mattress in pitch blackness, trying desperately to see the rest of the room so you can stop seeing the embodiment of insanity peeking it's inky head up from the foot of your bed and slowly crawling over your body, making it's way up to your head. You can't feel anything, so you know it's just your mind playing tricks on you. But that doesn't make it any less terrifying when you're still laying there with your eyes as wide as they will possibly go so you can just TRY to convince yourself that this THING this horrifying giant embodiment of darkness and atrophy perched on your chest isn't really and it's all your imagination!

And yet, it's morning when you come to. Does that sum up how my first night of college went for you? I've done the searching, and they aren't sleep paralysis demons. I have every opportunity to move, I've wiggled my fingers and moved my feet before. They aren't tricks of the light either. It's not just a pile of laundry. Because I've seen them manifest in front of blank walls and other shapes alike. The room is always so dark that those two types of shadows are the only things I can see.

And I know by now you probably think this is a poorly written work of fantasy or fiction, but it's not. I need to know if I'm the only one to see these things that have been driving me mad. I need to know if I'm the only adult who still has to clench my eyes shut when the lights go out just so they don't torment me. This is real for me, even if it isn't for you, and I need to know. Please.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!

[ahmedmootaz]

[SPOILERS FOR THE ENDINGS OF LIBRARY OF RUINA]

Read your answer to the question of "What if Angela and X raised the Bookhunter?", and I raise you some more questions on what if the consequences wasn't as fluffy or cracky as an AIP version.

If Ayin and X ended up showing up in Angela's Bad Ending instead of the Good Ending of Library of Ruina, what would have happened?

How would the three of them react to each other if the Angela bad ending came to pass?

Angela never moved past her grudge Ayin and also booked the Librarians plus took over the Southern portion of the City and kept the light for herself to turn human. Ayin probably has to deal with losing everyone again and has to deal with Angela being angry enough to kill him and powerful enough to kill him over and over again if she wanted. X's attempt to make Ayin and Angela fix their relationships like in AIP probably won't work here, and he probably feels conflicted over what to do.

All in all, it's kind of a mess.

So again I ask, what do you think would happen? Or at least what do you think is the most interesting that could happen in this scenario?

Dear Anonymous,

Whoo, you certainly put forward an interesting proposition, don't you? Such a scenario is very, very interesting precisely due to how unfluffy and uncracky it is...

Honestly, it all really depends on when the meeting takes place, since Angela immediately after achieving her goals would be at her weakest, emotionally speaking, and so she would immediately lash out at Ayin and X and book them like she did with the Librarians if not outright kill them in order to justify her misdeeds and journey; a physical victory over Ayin would convince her that all of the horrors, all of the injustice, all of the deaths were worth it. In such a scenario, Ayin and X would simply be subjected to a slow and painful death for Angela to feel vindicated.

Although, as you mention Angela's Bad Ending, I do believe you're implying what would happen if Ayin showed up before Angela hired to book hunters and eventually feels disillusioned with life as a whole, and the answer, I think, is much more tragic: Nothing.

Now, allow me to explain, but if we're basing this scenario on AiP, then Ayin would've been in the Library to see Angela fall down the path of self-destruction she undertakes in the Bad Ending from the start until she finally stumbles upon him and X. Now, keep in mind that Ayin is already a shattered man who hasn't even smelled the faintest hint of hope in around ten years by the time LoR begins. Now, thirteen years after the Bad End, he's been forced to watch the daughter he abandoned go down a road that was somehow even worse than the one he took, his beloved Carmen become a monster no different to the ones she hated in the past, and his friends and pseudo-family (in Tiphy) all get killed and booked for thirteen long years. That's twenty-six years without respite, around a quarter of a century of misery and depression. Perhaps without X's presence he would've been more than tempted to end it all, and although X would likely wish to believe that he's giving Ayin hope, I think a more realistic answer knowing what type of man Ayin is would be that he wouldn't kill himself purely out of a desire to punish himself for being a leading cause for Angela's devolution into a Star of the City.

So what happens when Angela stumbles upon him all of a sudden? She doesn't know. Neither does he. Ironically, during those 13 years, I would assume she repressed the human emotions she strived so desperately to obtain in the first place, if her attitude during her ending is anything to go by, so I assume that she won't be as hot-headed as she would be directly after killing Roland, but instead I think part of what she will feel, besides the anger and hatred, is hope, funnily enough.

Hope that she will finally feel something after so long. That there's something she can feel, someone she can harm or main or hate or feel anything towards. I doubt she would've had much of that after killing the Patron Librarians and Roland.

And, tragically, I don't think Ayin has that in him anymore. He's been tormented for twenty-six long years, I think he'd have long gone through the stages of grief and pain, only able to feel a muted, dull stinging in his heart. No longer could he passionately cry out in rage or despair, he'd just be...muffled. A true husk of a the husk he had already been.

X would still be fighting; he hasn't had too many hopes and dreams for them to crush him under their weight. He just wants of be out of his imprisonment and free. I think, seeing the state Ayin was in, he might've used the Light (or made Ayin use the Light) to repair his cloning degradation to make sure Ayin wasn't alone at least, since if that happened...well, it was almost certain he wasn't going to survive for too long... So X, when Angela stumbled upon him as well, would definitely be more lively, but I don't think he'd evoke emotions in her that are as strong as the ones Ayin does, if any; love is a complex and fickle subject. If you are unable to feel sadness, anger, and rage which are much more primal, how will you recognise love?

To that extent, I think Angela would at first mock and gloat over Ayin before realising the extent to which she broke him, and then she would snap. All of her hard work, all of her suffering, all of the suffering she inflicted, and in the end, he doesn't even care. He doesn't have any more tears to shed. He doesn't have any passion left to yell at her or feel upset with her decisions. The only remaining energy he has is spent on quietly hating himself for everything he caused and praying for an end to the torment.

Maybe she'd resort of physically assaulting him to provoke a response, or mock his and Carmen's dream, or remind him of the failures his hopes and dreams amounted to, or the fate of his friends, hoping to extract even a sliver of anger from him, and in the end...I think she'd cry. She'd be so overwhelmed with emotions and sentiments that she suppressed to maintain her Librarian of Death image that she wouldn't know what to do with herself after realising that the single man she dedicated her life to destroying couldn't feel anything about anything she did anymore.

Maybe she'd even cling to him as she cries, hoping he'd muster the energy to push her off or yell at her, only crying more when he doesn't even sigh in dismay. In the end, Angela's actions were simply trying to get Ayin's attention in a way, and now that she has his attention, she doesn't know what to do anymore now that she's not just blindly seeking his torment. Maybe she wants his love, or his rage, or his despair, just anything, anything other than the husk in front of her. She just wants someone who makes her feel anything again.

Beyond that, well...It's difficult to say. Either she kills him in a fit of despair and takes her own life as well, realising how futile her actions were, or...perhaps we can see a tale of redemption of epic proportions; after all, X is still there, and while he definitely can't ask for reconciliation like in the AiP-verse, he can distinctly see that both of them need the other as motivation to stay alive, and although that's a very low bar to set, keeping the two around each other to prevent them from taking their own lives will definitely lead to some form of understanding. A true redemption from the darkest cavern...if you'd like to explore the idea, that is.

But this was a super, super fun idea! Thank you for the great thought exercise, Anon, and until next time, be well, take care, and see ya'!

[esta-elavaris]

Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro

Spoiler-y rant ahead because I loved this book and I never want to read it again.

So, for those who don't know, the premise of this book is that there are people who are clones (presumably of whose "originals" were in a difficult financial position, who sell their genetics/permission for this to happen), who are created and raised from infancy for the sole purpose of becoming organ donors when they reach adulthood. They survive three or four donations, one after the other, with just enough time to recover between them, and then they die - or "complete", as the book puts it. It's also hinted that as they're dying following the fourth, the doctors basically harvest whatever else they can - y'know, the really vital ones that wouldn't allow for recovery between if they did it earlier.

The book begins by describing the childhood of these clones, but you don't know they're clones. At first (if you haven't seen the movie, like I had), you think they're just kids in an orphanage or boarding school. Then it's all drip-fed to you, very matter of factly, as you follow them growing up and coming to grips with what's going to happen, and when it eventually does happen

And I have this habit, right, of when I love a book (and this was a five star read for me) where I go onto goodreads and read the one star reviews - just from a writing standpoint, to remind myself of how subjective it all is. But god, these reviews got to me. There was so much complaining about how the organ donation thing wasn't some big plot twist moment, or how there wasn't enough emphasis on the horror of it - there wasn't a Stephen King moment where a character pokes at their wounds and contemplates that their kidney was just taken or anything like that.

And to me, that just makes it so much more real?

In the book, the narrator - Kathy - mentions a theory that another "clone" at her school had, that they were given little bits and pieces of information about who they were and what their purpose was when they were just too young to understand it, so when they DID grow old enough to make sense of each new piece of information a year or so later, there's no rebellion. There's no outcry. Because by that point, the concept has become normal to them before they're even properly old enough to understand what it means. How can you not see the meaning in that? It can apply to so much. Admittedly, Kathy doesn't agree with that theory, but I did when I read the book.

It's presented as so normal and matter-of-fact because that's what it is to those characters, and that's what makes it feel so real! How many of us deal with horrible things in our day to day lives, or see them play out on the news, and just...get on with it? And if we were told in an abstract sense "tomorrow you'll see a child get blown up in a video" we'd be horrified, but then so many people turn on the news and see that very thing reported and the context and the way it's presented means it's just another Tuesday. Further still, how many completely normal things in our daily lives would seem horrific if we stopped and framed them another way?

There are moments where the horror seeps in, they're not robots, they don't feel nothing over the fate that they know is looming, and where they try to tentatively find ways to get out of it. So much of the book revolves around different theories they have, different rumours that if they do X, Y, and Z, they'll get postponements for their donations, but it's not done in an insanely melodramatic way - where the clock's ticking down and they're sweating trying to diffuse a bomb. They're numb and they're even weirdly reluctant to try because they're reluctant to hope, and it just feels so true to life.

There's so much more that goes on in the book - the donations themselves and people being raised solely to be organ donors, and the way the world treats them, there are so many different readings of that alone, nevermind what happens as the book develops, I could write a dissertation on it, but it's just wild to me that anybody could read it and give it one star for the very thing that makes it good.

God, I need to read more by this author.

[superfuxkinghungry]

**PART 2 OF RANT**

So sorry for the late ass post, I procrastinated again *face palm* even though nobody really views my shit anywayz, to all those ppl who do tysm, I'm trying to tell y'all the real, horrible things that happen to the animals that are supposedly "humanely" slaughtered for our selfish consumption, and get my point across. The more we breed these animals, the more pain-feeling and sentient lives we put through fear, depression, sadness, torture, and suffering. Nothing about physically and mentally torturing and abusing, taking animal's children from them right after birth for the consumer's selfish demand, and depriving an animal of their needs is humane AT ALL!! We as individuals may not make a big difference of course, but together we can make a change in the demand for products from brands that use animal testing, meat, dairy, and poultry, lessening the amount of products made, if we all stood up for the innocent lives put into a world of cruelty and suffering before their eventual MURDER. So in order to help stop this, we can protest publically or online, stop buying from brands that use animal testing, (animal testing is also a terrible procedure done on animals in order to expirement the goodness of a product.) stop buying from domestic pet breeders, from the poultry, meat or dairy industry of course, and talk to our friends, family, or other people, or show them real videos depicting terrible instances that animals in slaughterhouses that can easily be found on youtube, articles, and google. not all people are convinced easily, we can always try to slowly help them understand the horrors of which billions of animals each year are subject to in the cosmetics industry, medical industry, and the dairy, meat, and poultry industries. I understand not all are easily convinced and we can always start at the pace that will help us transition fully, its just the best to keep in mind that we are doing this not for us, not for our needs, but for the animals that are constantly abused in slaughterhouses and not able to see their children, raped to be impregnated to produce even more meat to be consumed. Male cows are taken from their mothers and used as veal because they are unable to produce milk. It is so sad. Pigs are raped to give birth, confined in metal cages so claustrophobic that they are unable to even cuddle or hold their young near (Only big enough to let their babies drink their milk) and slaughtered by throat slitting and boiling (they can be conscious during) after suffering cruelty their whole life at the hands of the people who buy their products and the people who murder and torture them for consumption. Does that sound humane to you? It is EVIL and needs to be stopped. If we were in the animal's place, we wouldn't be able to stand one day in a slaughterhouse, so why should we treat these sentient beings like they are below us? They feel the pain we do, they feel anxiety, fear, sadness, affection, and depression. There is no excuse to contribute to the suffering of these lives subject to inhumane and disgusting ways of cruelty just so we can have something to eat. I also do NOT in any way support the breeding of domestic pets as I am an antinatalist that believes putting any life in a world full of suffering, depression, hate, sadness, and risking giving my child a mental or physical disability (I have a mental disability, it sucks ass!!!) is super weird and nasty and will never consider having a child. Anyone who thinks their genes are SOOOOO special to pass them down to an offspring is so disgusting. The world is very overpopulated first of all, secondly there's so many children and teens in need of adoption and a loving family that are constantly ignored because people want their own mini them or whatever, its weird af!! And if you want a pet, then get as many as you want at an animal shelter or pound!! It makes no sense to put a new life in danger of suffering the raising prices and economical ruin of today, instead of tend to ALREADY EXISTING life!! We could all make a change, if we TRIED.

[lost-technology]

Heh, heh, I want to analyze this. I picked Legato because of how people are here about words and policing their own communities, but now I'm thinking of scenarios... Elendira - I'd say she'd get some mileage, but she probably wouldn't stick around long enough to cause a Cat. 5 catastrophe. Tumblr staff would nuke her. Maybe she gets off a very grisly fictional story about the very detailed murder of J.K. Rowling first, though. It is applauded by the horror fans of the site. Arguments arise about violence and whether or not this user is actually planning something in real life. However it it gets the attention of Staff, some of which may harass her on other sites she goes to... Livio and Razlo, both ways: I am not very familiar with Systems and the unique challenges that they face. There would be an uproar (similar to the political fallout in the U.S. concerning Christi Noem) when Razlo talks about killing a puppy. No one can figure out whether or not this is a real account or a troll account. Legato - Blue hair does not a member or an ally make, and even if it does, well, what he used wasn't just the old timey common language that is now slur-territory that is forgiveable because that *was* the language back then and everyone is reminded to respect historical queer culture. Oh, no, he uses modern-terminology, fully aware. People see him as religious, in a cult and just aren't standing for his bigoted shit. Vash - I've actually seen this on the site and blocked the person harping on it because I found them annoying in my precious Trigun tag. I assume that this is about his flirting and harassment in the '98 anime and BLR. He may try to weasel out of it by telling you, quite humbly, that he used to drink a LOT back then. He's also a changed man (as of Stampede). Knives - No one thinks he's for real. Everyone interprets his calls to exterminate mankind for the good of the universe as some kind of over the top fake-environmentalist skit, like the "Captain Planet!" sketch on Robot Chicken. Wolfwood - He encourages children to smoke! Possibly gets into religious arguments, too, depending upon the incarnation. Likes to Bible-fight with religionblr for the hell of it, but misquotes Scripture all the time. Used to like picking fights with fedora-atheists on other forums back in the 2000s for fun. A little obnoxious, but not a threat. Most tumblrites think he's pretty cool, actually. Bernardelli Insurance Blog - One word: Capitalism. Rem - starts out as one of the interesting science-interest bloggers around here. She's like bogleech, revretch or headspace-hotel or any of the number of veterinarians on this site. She runs the sideblog "is-the-plant-video-cute" to answer people's questions on viral videos and pictures regarding whether or not the Plants in them are having a good time or are being abused. She also is well-loved as someone who teaches hacking and piracy. However, things blow up for her when she tries to whistleblow SEEDS on the Tesla-incident. Agents within the company try to shut her down or propagandazie a twisting of her words. Regular tumblr users have questions about the extent of her own involvement in the project and it becomes a whole thing. She manages to upload photographs of the Subject in a last ditch to get the information out there. After that, she mysteriously disappears, her blogs going silent. The Nebraskas - pick fights and cause problems for people on purpose. Eventually they are blocked by most users until they have only each other as mutuals. They have their own discord. No Cat. 5 as no one sees or talks to them anymore.

Inspired by this clusterfuck:

[thebluelemontree]

In your opinion, will Sigorn make a capable feudal lord south of the Wall, and will his and Alys Karstark’s Thenns blend in seamlessly with the Northern community? As an aside, I personally believe Harrion will keep Karhold, while the Dreadfort will go to the Magnar and Alys, once House Bolton is extinct and everything is settled post-War for the Dawn. What are your thoughts?

I don't see why he wouldn't make a capable lord south of the Wall but still well within the North, especially with Alys by his side. I do love a power couple, and I think that's precisely what they are being set up to become. "Seamlessly" might be too strong a word. There are bound to be some bumps in the road early on with so much accumulated bad blood over the centuries. The difference is will cooler heads prevail to prevent and contain any violent outbreaks. Even as mortal enemies, the North is the best place to make peace with the Free Folk work. From a southron perspective, northerners are already a bunch of tree-worshipping country bumpkins. In the north North, you get even more hillbilly with the mountain clans, who are ruled by little more than petty lords that constantly quarrel amongst themselves. The Magnar is actually more closely aligned with most northern nobles than with those mountain clan chiefs or your typical wildling warlord. And the Thenns are written to be a natural and needed bridge between the Free Folk and the kneelers.

Thenn society is structured very similarly to life south of the Wall. The kneelers consider them more "sophisticated" because they have a system of lords and laws, with the Magnar as god-king. Because they abide by a hierarchy, they have the discipline to organize themselves more effectively than most other Free Folk. They are used to having permanent settlements, which allows for the mining of copper and tin, and subsequently the development of metallurgy to make bronze armor and weapons. They can decently outfit their own army instead of relying on stealing old random crap from fallen enemies. And the habit of not stealing things tends to go over well south of the Wall.

On the flip side, they primarily speak the Old Tongue, and "for thousands of years they've had more truck with the giants than with other men. It made them different." So among the Free Folk, Thenns are highly regarded as salt-of-the-earth First Men, probably even a little revered for their exceptionally close relationship with giants. They have established credibility with many Free Folk, so their influence can go a long way in convincing the latter that it's in their best interest to keep the king's peace as they resettle into their new way of life -- and that they can do so without giving up all of their cultural identity. The establishment of House Thenn says their people and history will continue on, even if they will never return to their valley of origin. In exchange, the slate will be wiped clean of any past raiding and thieving, and only future crimes will be subject to lawful consequences. Compromise on both sides will be key to successful integration. As for Sigorn himself, he already demonstrates that he can be both proud and flexible when it comes to his people's welfare. His father, Styr, made war on the Wall, died beneath it, and failed to bring his people through with brute force. Sigorn is open to doing things differently. It is significant that Sigorn is the first of the wildling leaders to bend the knee to Stannis, to agree to fight with the Night's Watch and hold the Wall against the Others, and to support Stannis's claim, in exchange for mass pardons, shelter, food, and eventual resettlement. Also, as a show of good faith, Sigorn will be recognized as a lord and granted a castle. And my god, the wedding of Alys and Sigorn is easily among the top 10 best scenes of the series. What a ray of hope it is after all the dirty dealing, bigotry, zealotry, and mutiny that's already happened, plus the horror of what's to come. Alys's father, Lord Rickard, met a bad end, too. He was executed by Robb for killing Lannister hostages. Both Alys and Sigorn could choose to hold on to their anger and make an enemy of any crow, kneeler, or Stark, respectively. That anger is there as we initially see them hurl it at Jon; however, they decide to let those grievances be buried with the dead as they turn toward making a better possible future instead. That's the strength, wisdom, and mercy you want in the people who will rebuild the world. Maybe make it a bit more just than before.

Speaking of Alys, I would say she probably will deserve a lot of credit for establishing strong, capable leadership in House Thenn. Sigorn barely speaks the Common Tongue but can take one look at Alys and know he's more than met his match. She is fierce and brave as fuck. At fifteen, she fled Karhold and made for the Wall alone with only a horse, meager sustenance, and the clothes on her back rather than submit to marrying a usurping cousin. The fact that Sigorn is so smitten with her already bodes well that he will look to her as a co-ruler and trust her counsel in areas he is lacking. When it comes to gender, the Free Folk tend to be a lot more egalitarian than the rest of Westeros.

Alys does first and foremost want Harrion to live as the rightful claimant to Karhold, and I hope he does. As a prisoner at Maidenpool, he's as safe-ish as he can be for now. The crown is a little too distracted at the moment to move up any threat of execution from the backburner. With Alys already married and (minor TWOW spoiler) Arnolf and Cregan's plan to betray Stannis also exposed, that whole plotline seems to have gone thoroughly tits up. So Harrion may make it through to the end. I'm not sure what the Lannisters would hope to gain by his death at this point anyway. Personally, I kinda hope the Dreadfort is razed to the ground by a dragon or the Others. No amount of sunshine and redecorating could erase the centuries of sadism, murder, pain, and misery contained within its walls. Even recently, Ramsay Bolton was hunting and butchering people there for fun. It's John Wayne Gacy's house of horrors, the demolition of which was welcomed as none too soon, and the property's address was changed to help erase it from existence. Fuck the Dreadfort and places like it. Who would honestly want to call that home? Even if you don't believe in curses, it's cursed. Cursed! I tell you.

[merakiui]

What do you think of the concept of yan!xiao, childe venti trapping their darling in a teapot?

I feel like they would be less restrictive since the darling wouldn't necessarily be able to escape most likely, so they wouldn't worry about restraint much. Esp in Ventis case...he is the God of freedom so while his darling isn't exactly 'free' they're still kinda free in a way that they have their own world to be free in?

Xiao would probably be somewhat restricted, but only just keep them in the house because he probably wouldn't trust them to be by themselves yet--he figures they may try to run off and hide from him or something

Childe would probably let them try to "escape" on purpose and would be absolutely amused when his darling finds out they wouldn't be able to leave

(cw: yandere, captivity, unhealthy behaviors/relationship, mention of children and implied stockholm syndrome for childe’s part)

Venti doesn't exactly lie to you, but he does trick you. He's aware that it's not the nicest thing to do and that it's not exactly captivity if you're living in a world that resembles the one outside. Only this pocket-sized world is nicer and happier and there aren't any people to get in the way. He tells you about it when you're vulnerable. Maybe you're drunk or you're crying your eyes out because something horrible happened. Either way, you're not in the right state of mind when you make the comment: "I wish I could live in my own ideal world for just one day." And this is great news for Venti because it makes relocation so much easier.

He shows you the teapot and explains it briefly, leaving out certain details. It's better if you don't know everything about how the teapot works. After all, ignorance is bliss. Venti tells you how to get in, but he doesn't tell you how to get out. And the way he describes it makes it sound so tempting—as if living inside this teapot for a bit will cure whatever's bothering you. You decide it wouldn't hurt to spend a day or two inside the teapot to see the little world Venti holds in the palms of his hands.

It's a lot of fun at first. You and Venti glide from the top of the mountains in Emerald Peak, he sings melodious ballads as you look up at the sky, and the two of you play hide-and-seek inside of the house, playfully popping out of rooms and laughing when you’re caught. Eventually the charm wears off and you start to yearn for the outside world. It’s not the same in the teapot. As pretty and peaceful as it may be, it still feels so empty. And when you bring it up to Venti he finds small ways to change the subject. It probably plays out like this:

“Venti, I’d like to go home now.”

“But we were just about to play another round of hide-and-seek! Come on! Don’t be a spoilsport! One more round? Then we’ll leave.”

Or he’ll tell you that you’re already home. There’s always a big smile on his face when he says stuff like that. He’s happy that he gets to spend so much time with you and no one can interfere. But it does get annoying when you start to beg for the old world. Your pleas to leave will fall upon his deaf ears. Venti does feel a little bad when you start to sulk, but his sympathy is short-lived. Let’s not forget that you were the one who wanted this. You wanted to live in your ‘ideal world.’ And isn’t this ideal?

As an adeptus, Xiao is aware of Sub-Space Creation and the effort it takes to construct a presentable teapot. He’s been working hard on his ever since you came into his life. Before he knew you he didn’t have a reason to put effort into it because he stays at Wangshu Inn, but after he met you he started working a lot harder. He tries to make the teapot as comfortable as possible. You mentioned you like dogs or cats in passing? You can find a few in the teapot. You said you like berry bushes and flower fields? There’s a bunch in his teapot. He probably has a nearly perfect model of your room in there as well. Before he brings you into the teapot, he’ll often sit in that room and make sure everything replicates the original, down to the bed frame and the fabric used for the pillow case.

He’ll put some of your things in it just so it feels more personal. Xiao knows he’s stealing from you whenever he does this, but it’s not like you ever noticed anything was missing. Besides, it’s all going in the teapot anyways. You won’t even need your real room or mortal possessions anymore. Xiao is actually quite proud of the teapot and manages to fool himself into thinking you’ll like it, too. And you do (for the first few days, that is). He’s very forward with his question of whether or not you’d like to see his teapot. And you eagerly nod because the two of you are friends and Xiao wants to show you something he made and he looks a little…excited? There’s definitely light in his eyes when he gets your agreement to view the inside of his teapot.

Once you’re inside, you’re genuinely surprised. It’s far more beautiful than you could have ever imagined. The Floating Abode is a really gorgeous landscape. You’re so caught up in looking at the sunset and the flowers and the animals that roam the teapot that you aren’t aware of the horrors that lie just beyond. You’ll find the room that resembles yours in no time and it’s really creepy. As much as you try to tell yourself that Xiao means well and wouldn’t actually do something like this on purpose, it’s hard to ignore the fact that everything is practically identical to your room. It’s so, so strange. You want to ignore it, but you just can’t. It’s so obvious.

It’s definitely creepy, but you don’t have the heart to tell him.

You hold your tongue because you don’t want to hurt his feelings. You’re really the only close friend he has, so you’d feel bad if you insulted his interior decorating skills. Xiao’s pleased to hear that you like it so much. Praise falls from your lips like a waterfall and it gives him a sense of relief. He’s so happy that you like it and since you’re okay with it it’ll be fine if you live here. When he tells you that, your brain freezes and you’re not sure how to respond.

“Live here? Like…permanently?”

And to your shock he nods.

Xiao is far less lenient than Venti. With Venti everything feels like eternal, childish fun with the idea of freedom sprinkled in. But with Xiao it’s definitely a harsher form of captivity. You aren’t allowed outside because he’s worried you might fall off of the bridges that connect the floating islands or you might try to find your way out of the teapot. So you’re confined to the mansion. It’s got everything you could ever need and the interior design matches that of your home perfectly. Just treat it like it’s your own home and it won’t be so bad. You definitely try to see the good in this situation because you care about Xiao, but it’s so hard when he’s keeping you here like you’re just another addition to his teapot.

It’s miserable, but at least you can count on him to visit you every single day.

Childe is very receptive to the idea of owning his own little world in a small teapot. Maybe he was holding you captive before he came upon the teapot and while you’re sleeping he relocates you. You don’t expect to wake up in a new location, but you assume you’re still somewhere in Liyue. Childe finds it cute that you’re so startled, clearly confused with the change in scenery. And when you glance at the surroundings on the Cool Isle, it feels like you might have a chance. Childe seems to think so because he waves you off, telling you with the sincerest voice that you’re ‘free to go.’

You don’t need to be told twice and so you run because you’re invigorated. You can leave and he’s not coming after you. Childe doesn’t even raise his bow in warning. You’re actually leaving him and he’s letting you! But it feels too good to be true. A day passes and you learn that there’s no one else to help you. So you find an empty shack on the shoreline and you hide in it because survival is the only thing you know right now. And the day goes by, the night comes, and morning makes its arrival. You’re still safe. He hasn’t found you.

And it really feels like you can make it out of this. Even if there’s no one around, you can still find something to help you. You’d take anything at this point. By the end of the week, you’re losing sight of your goal and you really just want to head back to the mansion and nap on a comfortable bed. You’ve been catching the crabs and the fish and doing what you can to start a long-lasting fire. When Childe finds you, you’re so exhausted from running and hiding that you collapse into his arms. And he smiles so sweetly while he tells you something that shatters your entire world.

“You did well, comrade, but this isn’t Liyue. You have no need to run.”

It’s not even Teyvat. It’s another world entirely—one existing solely within a teapot. And everything comes crashing down when you realize just how impossible that makes any escape attempts. No human contact. No energy or life that comes from meeting with friends and seeing family. It truly does feel like you and he are the only people in this world.

Childe knows that you’ll adjust to this new world whether you like it or not. It was fun to toy with you in the beginning (and it still is) when you didn’t realize this was the world inside the teapot. But now he just wants to settle into a comfortable life. He takes every chance he has to visit you and eventually you’ll find yourself succumbing to the relaxing pleasures of domestic life. You learn how to cook delicious meals with Childe’s help, you collect seashells on the shore to cure your boredom, and you’ll take care of any chores or housework. It warms Childe’s heart to see you accepting this life.

Maybe the two of you can start a family. Maybe he should get a few pets to liven up the house. It’s not like you can get away from him while inside the teapot, so it’s a recipe for anything to happen. And you’ve come to learn that what happens in the teapot stays in the teapot.

[rosiesung]

7 Days || Y.JW

for @geminirules "Just Friends" collab

⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼

Pairing: Jungwon x Fem!Reader

Genre: Fluff, Slight Angst, Friends to Lovers AU

Words: 3.63k

Warnings: Reader calls Jungwon a dick.

Synopsis: You are dared to pretend to be in a relationship with your best friend Jungwon. Initially, you go through with the childish challenge, knowing it will be insignificant to your friendship. But as the days pass, you begin to realise your true feelings for him. Will your revelations ruin your friendship? Or will something beautiful blossom because of them?

⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼

"I dare you to pretend like you're dating Jungwon for a whole week."

You looked at your best friend with wide eyes, a similar expression of surprise on his face. There was no way you were going to do that. It would be way too awkward.

"Come on y/n. Don't be a party pooper. It's not like you guys are going to fall in love."

Of course things wouldn't turn out that way. No matter what, nothing would change the way you saw Jungwon. He would always remain your best friend and nothing more.

Jungwon looked too embarrassed to say anything. Both of you knew it was just a dare. What was the worst that could happen?

"Fine. Starting tomorrow Jungwon's my unofficial-official boyfriend," you announced, linking your arm with his. Jungwon hid his face in his hands as everyone around you screamed and cheered. This was going to be one interesting week.

~

☀︎ DAY 1 ☀︎

Since you only had to put on a show in front of your friends, you figured the best thing to do would be to hang out with Jungwon in solitude. He didn't have a problem with your plan. You both had been having playdates together ever since you were three. He was comfortable being alone with you.

Both of you met at your secret spot. A small grove behind the schoolyard. It was a place the two of you had found while skipping classes one day. Ever since then, this was where you spent time together whenever you needed some peace and quiet.

"I can't believe you actually agreed to this," Jungwon said, mindlessly plucking the grass he laid on. You sighed, staring at the row of trees beyond. "A dare's a dare. Besides, we have nothing to worry about because we don't have feelings for each other."

Jungwon sat up. "You know that we can't avoid all of them for the entire week right? They're literally planning to hang out at the cafe just so they can see us in the act." He sounded worried. There was no need to be.

"Of course I know that. So what? We'll let them see what they want to. It's not like they're going to make us kiss or something. The most we'll do is feed each other and hold hands."

Unlike Jungwon, you had already thought everything out. You knew how far to go while respecting the boundaries of your friendship. All Jungwon had to do was trust you.

He cringed in disgust at your words. "You're going to pay for landing me in this mess. We've barely even started and I already feel so miserable."

You patted his shoulder, flashing him an assuring smile. "You're not alone in your miser mister. After this is over, I'll do all your homework for you."

Jungwon laughed. "Learn how to do your own first. Then you can come and ruin mine."

~

☀︎ DAY 2 ☀︎

As Jungwon had predicted, your friends called you out to the cafe. Both of you were supposed to show up together. Jungwon met you a block away from the cafe, looking incredibly reluctant. "Are you sure you want to do this," he asked, just about ready to turn back around.

There was a determined look in your eyes. "Remember when he had to play Hansel and Gretel's parents for that play we did in preschool?" Jungwon nodded. He could never forget that day. "If we managed to get through that, we can get through this without a problem."

That made sense. Appreciative of your pep talk, Jungwon took your hand and whisked you away to the cafe.

By the time you reached your destination, both your hands were sweaty. Jungwon was just as nervous as you were. Not only because you had to pretend like you were dating, but also because your friends weren't going to miss the opportunity to tease you.

Seeing you two enter hand in hand, everyone began hooting and cheering. Jungwon's cheeks flushed almost immediately. You had to drag him towards the table you were supposed to sit at. "It's nice to see you two arriving together," one of your friends said, making space for you.

Taking a seat, you watched in horror as they placed a glass of juice with two straws in front of you both. No one had to explain what its purpose was. You glanced at Jungwon whose eyes were fixated on the glass hesitantly.

"If we get this over with now we'll be at peace," you whispered, leaning forward to place one of the straws between your lips. You looked away when Jungwon did the same, feeling the heat in his face on your cheek. You were certain you had never downed a drink so fast in your life. It didn't take long for you to finish the contents of the glass, quickly sitting back up to catch your breath. Your friends couldn't seem to get enough of the event, laughing and clapping avidly.

"You guys are so cute," some said. "Both of you would make such a nice couple in reality," said others.

Sitting there amongst your terribly evil friends, you wondered how you were going to get through the next five days with Jungwon.

~

☀︎ DAY 3 ☀︎

Your friends had invited you to another escapade at the park. You couldn't tell what they had in plan this time but you were sure it wasn't going to be enjoyable. At least this time, you and Jungwon didn't have to show up hand in hand.

When you reached the park, Jungwon was already there. Your friends beckoned you over, making you stand next to him.

"Now that our subjects have arrived, here's your to-do list. First, remain holding hands the entire time we are here. Second, Jungwon, give y/n your jacket if she starts feeling cold. Third, walk her back home and make sure you give her a nice, sweet little kiss before she goes inside."

Jungwon let out a noise of surprise. He wanted to run as far as he could and never come back. Holding your hand was fine. He had gotten used to it because of the previous day. He didn't mind giving you his jacket, but you were already wearing one so he didn't see why he would find the need to. Jungwon could do many things. But kissing you was not one of them. It didn't matter if it was on your cheek, your forehead, or the back of your hand, because there was no way on earth that he would bring his lips anywhere near yours.

What neither of you realized was that your friends were willing to go to the farthest lengths to make sure you went through with their tasks. They made you two walk in front of them so that they could see your hands intertwined. When the sun went down and the air started getting colder, they made you take your jacket off so that Jungwon would be left with no choice but to give you his. Just when it seemed like your night of torture would come to an end, they even made you share a single cone of ice cream. When it was finally time to go home, two of your friends followed behind you to make sure that Jungwon did his bidding. It was awkward enough walking through your neighborhood hand in hand. Those who knew you cast looks of confusion and surprise upon you two. Eventually, you reached your doorstep. Jungwon let go of your hand, standing in front of you. He looked everywhere but at you, avoiding your gaze. You glanced behind your shoulder, rolling your eyes when you saw your two friends filming you from behind your neighbor's car. They weren't even attempting to be discrete.

"Hurry up and kiss me already. This is too embarrassing," you urged, slapping Jungwon's arm. He sucked in a breath, pressing his lips in a thin line. "Do you think it's not for me? I mean, I'm the one who has to kiss you for heaven's sake."

"Stop pitying yourself and just get on with it. The longer we stand here the more reason they'll have to punish us tomorrow."

Jungwon stared at you long and hard. He squeezed his eyes shut and leaned forward, pressing his lips onto yours without a second thought. You froze, eyes going so wide they might have popped out of your head. Even though it was probably only for two seconds, it felt like an eternity. Time froze as you stood in the foreign feeling of his lips on yours. He pulled away almost immediately, skipping down your driveway as fast as he could with a short wave and 'good night'. Still stunned, you entered your home, breaking into a smile when you closed the door.

~

☀︎ DAY 4 ☀︎

The next day, Jungwon asked you to meet him at your secret spot. So far, your friends hadn't made any plans to get you together. You saw Jungwon sitting in the middle of the grove, laying down on the damp grass as he usually did. Walking over, you sat down beside him, flicking his forehead so that he would open his eyes.

He grinned on seeing you, sitting up with a soft groan. "So, how was your night?"

You furrowed your brows at the question. It wasn't like him to ask you things like that. But you decided to overlook it. Maybe he was still feeling a bit awkward after the kiss you both hard shared the previous night.

You shrugged. "It was fine. How was yours?"

"I couldn't sleep," he revealed. It sounded like he'd been dying to tell you. "Why's that," you asked, believing that you had an idea of the reason.

"Last night scarred me," Jungwon shared, pretending to gag. You didn't know why, but hearing him say that made your heart sink. Suddenly, you felt horrible. "Was it really that bad," you asked, genuinely curious to know what he thought of it. Jungwon nodded, making you feel even worse. "It was worse than I thought it would be," he added. Your eyes started stinging. A lump formed in your throat and the longer you held it back, the more it hurt. You knew you hadn't been eager to kiss him, but you would argue about how 'bad' it was. But bringing that up right now would just be stupid. Jungwon would misunderstand where you were coming for and that would just lead to another disaster entirely. You had told yourself that you weren't going to let this dare get to you, but four days in you were already slipping. The longer you sat there, listening to Jungwon whine and complain about everything he'd had to do with you so far, the harder it became to control your emotion. Not able to take it anymore, you got up abruptly and ran away, leaving Jungwon sitting there extremely puzzled.

~

☀︎ DAY 5 ☀︎

You didn't respond to any of Jungwon's calls or texts. You didn't have it in you to face him. He would be disappointed if he found out the real reason behind your sappy mood. So you were gonna wait till you got over it before facing him.

You still couldn't believe that you had been so affected by Jungwon saying that he hated the kiss. Despite telling yourself that you disliked it too, you couldn't help but think otherwise. There was something so magical about it. You had never felt that way because of a kiss before. Whenever you thought back to it, an exciting warmth rippled through your mind. Your heart danced in glee and a wide smile formed on your lips.

But you weren't supposed to feel that way. Jungwon was your best friend. Besides, he hadn't kissed you willingly. You didn't understand why it felt so special to you when it clearly meant nothing to him. You knew you couldn't blame him for that. His mind was wired to see you as nothing more than a friend. You found it hilarious. Here you were, realizing that you probably liked your best friend after having continuously assured yourself and him that something like that would never happen. The sad part was that Jungwon would never reciprocate your feelings. You were all alone in this.

A knock sounded at your window, startling you. Slipping out of your reverie, you glanced towards it, eyes widening in surprise when you saw Jungwon crouched before it. You didn't think twice before letting him in. He entered your room and stood in front of you, crossing his arms over his chest. "You wanna explain what happened yesterday?"

You frowned and turned away shoulders slouching disinterestedly. "Is that what you came here for," you asked, regretting letting him in?

"Well did I have a choice? You've been blatantly ignoring me while all I've been trying to do is make sure you're alright," he said, stepping closer to you.

"I'm fine. If that's all you needed to hear, you can leave now," you replied. You didn't need him prying and prodding at you right now.

Jungwon stood his ground, clearly not satisfied with your answer. "No, you're not y/n. You aren't fine. Tell me what's bothering you."

You sighed and faced him. "Trust me, you wouldn't want to know."

Jungwon furrowed his brows. He didn't know what that meant. "I think I'll be the judge of that."

"It's you. You're bothering me," you spoke, narrowing your eyes at him. Jungwon hadn't been expecting that. But he didn't let the surprise show on his face. "What did I do?"

"You made me feel so worthless and undesirable. But that's not your fault. I can't blame you because you're right to think that way about me. I'm just pitying myself here and there's nothing you can do about it so please, just leave me alone." The tears were coming back again. You didn't want to break down in front of Jungwon. His face fell. He didn't know what to say to that. He thought you knew he was just being overdramatic. He seriously hadn't meant to hurt you. Before he could apologize, you turned to him. "I don't think I'll be good at keeping this a secret, so let me just tell you that I'm starting to catch feelings for you. If that makes you uncomfortable then you can leave. If you have something to say, just say it and go. But don't ask me why I feel the way I do because that's something I'm yet to figure out."

Jungwon was at a loss for words. He stood there, gaping at you like an open-mouthed fish before turning on his heel and exiting through your bedroom door. You heard your mother yelp on seeing him, probably wondering where he had shown up from. A part of you wished that he hadn't left, but the other was glad that he was gone. You felt like a fool for letting all of this happen. You should have never agreed to this dare. Who would have thought it would lead to something like this? There was nothing you could do now. There was no way you could change the way you felt. Because at the end of the day, it was as clear as ever, that you were undeniably in love with your best friend Yang Jungwon.

~

☀︎ DAY 6 ☀︎

Jungwon couldn't stop thinking about everything you had told him yesterday. He would never have imagined that you would catch feelings, especially through such a childish dare. Your friends had called you out to the park again today, but Jungwon wasn't going to go. He knew you wouldn't be there so there was no point. He wished he could tell you that he hadn't meant half the things he'd said about the kiss at the grove that day. He was just trying to show you that the kiss hadn't made him feel some type of way. Not just that, but he was also attempting to persuade himself that he indeed had loathed it. Maybe he should have been truthful instead of lying about it.

This was exactly what he'd been afraid of. Jungwon was always fond of you. He cared for you and he wouldn't lie when he said that he loved you. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that maybe he felt that way because he thought of you as more than a friend. Jungwon didn't want to convince himself that he liked you just because you had confessed to him. He wanted to understand the way he truly felt about you.

He knew every little thing about you. No one knew you as well as he did. Jungwon cherished your friendship and the time he spent with you. Whenever anything bugged him, he always came to you, knowing that you were the only person who could make things better. He relied on you more than anyone else. He couldn't go a day without speaking to you. After yesterday, he realized how important you were to him. The fear of losing you ate at him the longer he stayed away from you.

Jungwon hated knowing that you were sad. It hurt more to know that he was the reason behind it. He wanted nothing more than to hug you and apologize for making you feel bad. He felt guilty for everything he had done. It had only been a couple hours since he had last spoken to you, but it felt longer. He missed you so much.

So he left you a text, asking you to meet him at your secret spot. He kept his phone close, waiting till you replied. But you didn't. You probably wanted nothing to do with him. Nonetheless, he still hoped and prayed that you would give him one last chance to make things right again. He couldn't afford to lose someone as special as you. There was nothing for him if he didn't have you.

~

☀︎ DAY 7 ☀︎

Jungwon laid in the grass, staring at the dull sky above. It was filled with clouds, hiding the sun. The grove felt so big and endless when he was alone. When he was with you, it was much more cozy and bright, even if the atmosphere was gloomy.

He had been waiting for you for quite a long time now. You hadn't replied to his message last night, but he knew you had seen it. Just before he was about to lose hope, he heard the grass crunch a few feet away from him. Jungwon didn't have to look to know it was you. No one else knew the path to get here.

"What do you want," you asked, voice small but laced with malice. You were cross with him. Jungwon wished to change that today. He patted the space next to him. "Let's not pretend like we hate each other. You could do the worst thing to me but I'd still admire you."

You didn't argue and sat down beside him. Other than the tension in the air, everything felt normal. There was a scowl on your face. It must have taken a lot of convincing for you to come here. Jungwon needed to get to the point.

"I'm sorry about everything I said. I didn't even mean half of those things."

You scoffed. "Oh really? They sounded pretty heartfelt to me."

Jungwon sat up. "I was just trying to enforce the idea that I wasn't into you, on myself," he revealed, hoping that you would forgive him. "And being a dick was the only way you could do that? Jungwon, you weren't the only one who was attempting to suppress their feelings," you refuted.

"I know y/n. And it's my fault for not realizing sooner," he admitted, hanging his head. You sighed and shook your head. "This is so immature. I can't believe we're letting a stupid dare get in the middle of our friendship."

Jungwon chuckled darkly. "Maybe it's a sign that our friendship has run its course."

You turned to him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Jungwon smiled. "I gave it some thought yesterday. We're both attempting to be in denial of our feelings. Obviously, that isn't working out. If it wasn't for this dare, they would've remained buried deep down somewhere. But I guess you could say everything happens for a reason." He took your hand in his, intertwining your fingers. "I never realized how much I loved this feeling until I had to go a whole two days without it."

You couldn't even hide your smile. "Where is this going Jungwon?"

"Maybe we should give this a chance. Give us a chance. Who knows? It could turn out the be the best thing that's ever happened to us," he said, meeting your eyes.

"And what if it doesn't? We would be throwing so many years of friendship away."

Jungwon shook his head. "How long are we supposed to contradict how we truly feel about each other? That would take a heavier toll on us."

You laughed, squeezing his hand. "It doesn't hurt to try I guess."

Jungwon beamed. "That's the spirit!" It felt nice to see you smiling at him again. He was grateful for that. It was funny how a large part of his mood depended on you. If you were happy, he was happy. If you were sad, he was sad. His entire world revolved around you, and Jungwon knew the best thing to do was strengthen that bond.

"So, will you be my girlfriend," he asked, smiling cheekily. You bit your lip, looking at him through your lashes. "Of course I will."

⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼

A/N: I hope you enjoyed reading this fic. Please let me know how you found it! Thank you so much!

[nostalgia-tblr]

HULK SMASH is a great bit, yeah! I think it's that the whole film we've been presented Loki as a plotting, subtle, clever villain, oh no however shall our heroes out-think such a man... and then okay well let's just have the big green guy beat the shit out of him and see if that works XD

Had Phil been in that TV show thing yet or was that after this? Otherwise I have no idea why everyone was so fond of him, it was like they were reacting to the death of someone they knew was an important character, not the death of someone they knew as himself. V odd.

I want to like Natasha because she's the only woman in this team and I know someone online who adores her but I wasn't really that sold (though I must also admit that Scarlett Johansson's acting style annoys me for some reason, she always seems both annoyed and extremely bored, and I admit that's probably a me-problem as other people like her plenty). DID YOU SEE that tumblr post about Sylvie's outfit sexualising her? Because Natasha's absolutely does and it's discomforting because she's the only woman on the team and thus she becomes more significant as a representative of Women Generally than she would be otherwise.

I think TDW is the next film in my MCU Journey, and I confess I am a bit hestitant as people generally seem to not like it much?

THE HITLER THING, OH MY GODDD. Other dictators are available, guys! And many of them were put in place and/or supported by the United States (and often her allies)! One thing with Hitler specifically is that there's a lot of hindsight at work in that with the full horrors now known the rest of the world pretends it had nothing in common with Nazi Germany but - as a for instance - the eugenics movement was popular and pretty mainstream pre-WW2 in many of those countries. It's not at all a mere detail that the line in the sand was colonising parts of Europe rather than the many other fucked up things that happened between 1933 and 1939. Also, while we're on the subject, fascist dictators generally don't start with "I'm gonna take your freedom LOL," they start with something more along the lines of "Do you think those people really deserve freedom? They're such a problem/threat/burden on the state! We should put a stop to their awful activities, shouldn't we? Then you would have more stuff and more freedom. Maybe right now, while I'm still solving all these problems of ours, you'll have to follow all these extra rules, but trust me, everything's going to be so much better in a few years..."

That's part of why I wondered what was going on with Steve Rogers and his possibly-half-edited-out doubts about being Captain America. But then he turns up in Germany and reminds us of that time the US (and her allies) were anti-fascist so that's all sorted now I guess??? Tony Stark is meanwhile absolutely a character that neither travels nor ages well, being an asshole billionaire (former) arms-dealer. (What did he do with the arms money, do we know? Because even if he gave that part of his business away/closed it, it's presumably a large part of how he got where he is and that can't be undone. And Tony has a lot on his mind I'm sure but I'd feel happier if I knew he was putting in some substantial effort to fix what he unleashed there, like idk can't he build an amazing robot minesweeper or whatever? Has he re-built any homes? Has he beaten any swords into ploughshares recently?)

Also as someone who lives in a (constitutional) monarchy, my own geopolitical bias is that I can never quite forget that both Thor and Loki have what they have by hereditary right (adoption notwithstanding) and that whichever one of them gets that damn throne nobody else is going to have any real say in the matter. We're all assured that Thor would be a fair and benevolent king but regardless of the previous film attempting to humble him a bit (as if!) he'd eventually be king anyway, wouldn't he? This is a Fantasy Monarchy where only good people get to be king and the bad people are behind the good people in the line of succession and indeed one of the reasons we know the bad people are bad is that they evilly don't just accept their lesser fate. I enjoy watching these dudes but my pleasure is a somewhat guilty one, a bit unsettling to my own self.

BUT APART FROM ALL THAT there were some entertaining moments and it could have been worse. It was good to discover that Thor has indeed found out WTF happened in his own film while he wasn't there for the big reveals, though now that I think about it there isn't much time spent on the fall-out from that movie and Thor and Loki could have done with a bit more time alone together. But I suppose they have TDW still to come, and we didn't want to waste time that was surely better spent watching stuff explode than exploring the characters and their feelings.

I finished watching that Avengers film (Avengers Assemble, as it may or may not still be titled in this region)!

First up, I must warn anyone new to the MCU via the same route as myself that THERE IS NOT A SINGLE ALLIGATOR IN THIS MOVIE. Furthermore, Loki is played by A MAN for the entire ten hours that this film runs. Though actually this isn't as disappointing as it sounds, he's probably the most entertaining character in it and if nothing else the endless fucking fight scenes usually pause for a moment or two while one of the heroes confronts him verbally. (And then the fight starts again, but it was a nice respite anyway.)

I don't know how I feel about this film because there's certainly the basis of an entertaining action-film-with-jokes in here but that film is, alas, about an hour shorter than the actual movie. I generally have a low tolerance for fight scenes and this film could be not unfairly described as one interminable fight/action scene (with occasional Loki Interludes). I hadn't even seen that much of this film via tumblr gifs already, which makes me think it's not that beloved? Many scenes were just too long, like when the Avengers were all bitching at each other (I get it already, they're fighting!) and the bit where Thor and Iron Man and then Captain Steve level a forest together went on long past the point where I was thinking "if Loki HASN'T just fucked off while they were fighting then I'm gonna assume getting captured is his actual plan" (it was!). Because srsly he must have sat there patiently waiting for them to finish, perhaps dreaming of a better life in which he was an alligator.

Anyway, they were on a flying aircraft-carrier (NOT the Valiant from Dr Who just exactly like it), and then it crashed except no it didn't, and then we were in New York and they were going to nuke the city except no they didn't. To be honest I'm not sure what the plot actually was beyond "everyone wants the MacGuffin Tesseract for some reason." I don't know why we were in Germany other than so that one German guy could spot Obvious Fascist Rantings in a movie about *checks notes* the United States assembling a force of almost unkillable fighters who act on their own authority and can do as they like because we know they're good people who will always act in the interests of America the world. (In fairness I think this alarming set-up is the plot of a later - or possibly earlier? - Captain America film that I know I've seen but remember nothing from.)

Speaking of, did they cut a bunch of stuff out about Steve America having a crisis about America and the fucked up shit it's got up to? He seemed to be having a sad about that but then he didn't any more, though I admit I could have missed him having an important epiphany of some sort during the endless, endless, endless violence. SO MUCH VIOLENCE. And I am genuinely not sure who caused more damage in the final fight hour sequence between the Bad Aliens and the Avengers. I suppose that's why they keep mentioning that battle in every following Marvel work?

AND OH YEAH PHIL DIED. Phil, who was besties with all the Avengers, even the ones he met five minutes before he died. Everyone was VERY broken up about Phil dying, and he (and some carefully-bloodied trading cards) was the spark that ignited the Avengers by dying. See, Loki's mistake was killing Phil! Killing all those other people was fine though. They didn't even have names, let alone trading cards (bloody or otherwise)!

Have I mentioned that this was quite a long film? I am trying to repeat myself a lot in this 'review' so as to evoke a feeling in the reader akin to the experience of watching people hit each other and things blow up over and over and over again. Because I am an artiste, an auteur, a very tired audience. But Steve was quite good, whether or not he had an arc, and Thor's always entertaining. Tony Stark I strongly dislike for a number of reasons. The Hulk is at least green (and Bruce's angst was weirdly relatable given that his problem is turning green on occasion). Arrows Hawkeye and the Black Widow are (I think) the Canonical M/F Pairing, having bonded together in the unspecified backstory and then further brought together by being the Avengers with the least exciting powers. (Projectile weaponry? Groundbreaking!) And somehow her outfit has a tit-window despite not having a tit-window. But don't worry, she also got called a cunt so this is THE MOST feminist film you can possibly imagine! No wonder it took everyone so long to see through Joss Whedon's bullshit!

Then it ended. At last. I did actually have a break in the New York hour of the fight scene because all the camera movements and close-up violence were making me dizzy. That wasn't fun. But I'd watch and enjoy an hour-long edit of this film, probably. The sad thing is that the interesting parts, where the camera more or less stays still for an entire shot, are likely the bits that were most cut down by the studio to allow the fight scenes room to breathe.

Also, in finishing, I would like to draw attention to this dude at the Posh People Gathering in Germany, whose collar and tie combo is APPALLING and DREADFUL and I think Loki should have murdered him for that alone.

[essayofthoughts]

6 for the wip ask, BUT as per the generally accepted definition of fluff and not the EssayOfThoughts "this totally counts as fluff because people have one (1) happy feeling in this" definition.

I am being attacked, I am being personally attacked, how DARE-

6- Last sentence on a fluff wip

But FINE, if you shall be so crass and mean to me, my dearest friend (how could you, how could you), you are lucky in that I DO have a fluffy WIP and I have even written a little for it lately! Shock horror, I know.

This is for the No Briarwoods (Yet) AU, which is 90% fluff & pining, 5% people mocking them and teasing them for the pining, 4% smut and 1% horrible horrible angst. Because the angst has to go somewhere. I don't do mindless fluff with no angst - you cannot live on candyfloss alone, you need savoury food too!

By "last sentence" I'm taking this to mean the last thing I wrote for it and not the last thing chronologically which is a good thing because I almost never write chronologically (writing out of order is FUN okay, I write scenes as they come to me and in-order only to make sure that all the parts are there).

So what I last wrote is actually a series of exchanges that lead into the AU because I first had the idea of this AU as being Vex and Percy trying to figure out how their lives might have gone without the Briarwoods. So some of the chapters will start with them, outside of the story, in their post-campaign happily ever after, theorising the non-angsty version of their lives.

"What're you thinking, Percy?"

"Hm?"

"You're frowning. What're you thinking, darling?"

"Oh. Just that- well. I don't think I want to imagine a world in which we didn't meet."

"You only left because of the Briarwoods-"

"I don't think the Briarwoods not attacking wouldn't mean we couldn't meet. It's just- figuring out how we might instead."

"Oh. Hm."

There is a little stretch of silence. It appears that both of our subjects are now consumed by this idea. In the background a warm fire crackles; in the quiet a soft repetitive sound can be heard, as though the hand of one might be stroking through the hair of the other.

"The last head of the Grey Hunt was Anders'... what, uncle?"

"Something like."

"So he'd get old. Eventually retire. What'd you do then?"

"Well- we'd put out the call. Rangers, hunters, adherents to Pelor. Take up the challenge of the Trial-"

"And we know I've twice earned Pelor's favour-"

"In this world-"

"Twice means something, I'd hope-"

"He'd still let others have their fair chance, I rather think-"

"Oh certainly." A hint of a smile can be heard. "But it'd give me long enough to arrive, wouldn't it? Me and Trinket striding into the receiving hall and asking for a chance to attempt the Trial."

And THAT my dears, is how the No Briarwoods (Yet) AU will start. With Percy and Vex being sickeningly in love and figuring out a world where they could be sickeningly in love and happy and MUCH LESS TRAUMATISED than in canon.

Pick a Number. Send an Ask.

[bruhstories]

Dazed and Confused

Summary: You and Connie have been friends for ten years, crushing on each other like a bunch of idiots who can't confess their feelings for one another. Until you go on a trip with your friends. Pairing: Connie Springer x Fem!Reader Warnings & Content: 18+, language, oral sex (female & male receiving), unprotected sex, weed smoking, alcohol consumption, f l u f f Word Count: 4.2 k

A/N: I got so pissed at that last anon that I finished this oneshot quicker lol. @fiaficsxo here it is!

You loved parties. Not the loud music and thick smoke, not the booze and smell of vomit, but your friends. Every time they gathered at someone's place, your heart fluttered, filled with happiness and content and long-lasting memories.

Connie had the brilliant idea of spending a week in the mountains during your spring break, and you wasted an entire night searching for the perfect cottage to rent. Luckily everyone was down with his suggestion, the only problem was how you'd sleep. Historia obviously wanted to share a room with Ymir. Mikasa and Eren were an item now, so they'd have to sleep together. Armin wanted to try his luck with Annie, so no one objected to that. Jean declared that he wanted to bunk with Connie, like the two eligible bachelors they were, and that left you and Sasha to share a room together. You didn't mind it, in all honesty you loved Sasha with all your heart — but you secretly hoped someone would pick up on your feelings for Connie and let you sleep with him. You weren't that lucky.

You packed your bag the night before the trip, obsessively ticking everything on your list and double checking every item and pocket. It was ready, with one item missing — the white lace babydoll smoothed on your dorm bed. You chewed the pen cap, debating whether to bring it with you or not. You bought it for special occasions, but you haven't had a dick appointment in a long time, and you doubted you'd have one this week. With a shrug, you decided to bring it — you never know what might happen. Nighttime passed quickly and you soon found yourself all dolled up, albeit still sleepy from all the tossing and turning, excited to make more memories with your friends.

The train station was packed with people, especially students who went back to their hometowns for the break, and you were relieved to find Armin and Mikasa there. You three were always punctual, followed by Jean and Annie. Eren, Sasha and Connie were always late, which is why you told them the train leaves at 7 am instead of 7:30. It was a dirty strategy, but no one wanted to miss such a fun opportunity because of those lazy fuckers. And lo and behold, they decided to appear at 7:15.

"That was some good thinking." Jean shook his head, hand sympathetically placed on your shoulder.

"I'm only glad you guys rolled with it." You laughed without noticing the way Connie stared at you, and even he didn't understand exactly what he felt. Was he grumpy because he hated morning, or was it Jean's hand on you that irked him?

"It's not polite to stare." Sasha pulled Connie out of his thoughts.

"I wasn't staring, I was looking." Connie rolled his eyes, gripping the handle of his suitcase a bit too tightly.

"I just don't get it why you don't tell her you like her." The girl popped a bubblegum baloon, proceeding to chew it very loudly.

"Are you kidding me? She obviously likes Jean. Look how she's laughing!"

Sasha placed an arm on his shoulder, a sheepish smile on her face. "You, my friend, are a dumbass."

"Takes one to know one."

To say that your friends were loud during the train ride was an understatement. They didn't really care about the nasty glares other passengers shot at them, opting to talk, sing, eat and practically embarrass themselves. But two hours later you arrived, and the fresh, crisp air of the mountains was a blessing. You didn't regret coming, all of you deserved a break after all the exams, studying and all-nighters you guys pulled.

"We could visit the military museum!" Armin suggested, but Connie scrunched his nose.

"We came here to get high, drink and spend time together, why the fuck would we visit some old ass building?"

"I'd like to go to the museum." You awkwardly smiled, earning a 'see?' from the blond. Mikasa, Eren and Annie backed you up, and since it was a democracy, you ended up leaving your bags at the cottage and touring the small town to find the military museum. The building wasn't massive, and inside it was dark, with crimson carpets and dim lights. It was actually quite a romantic atmosphere, had it not been for the weapons and armours displayed in glass cases. Connie watched you intently, taking in every movement, every flinch, every hair tucking, every scrunch of your cute nose. You absorbed the information, hungry for knowledge. This was something you and Connie didn't share — yes, you were down to drinking and smoking, but you were also eager to learn and study, while he always preached how 'you can always retake an exam but you can't relive a party.' He wasn't stupid by any means, but unlike you, Jean, Armin and Mikasa — who alwaysstudied and never skipped lectures — Connie would wing it and somehow end up getting better grades. His strategy didn't always work, and sometimes, when you were in college, he'd ask you to tutor him. Now you were second year undergraduates, and while you were studying different subjects, you still made time for each other.

"That's a nice, uhh..." Connie squinted, "...shotgun."

"It's a musket." You chuckled, your fingers accidentally brushing his as you turned around to face him.

"Shotgun, musket, same thing."

"Actually, muskets are muzzle-loaded and fire a single bullet, but shotguns pack multiple pellets in one shell." You explained. "I'm sorry, you're probably not interested in my ramblings."

"No, no, it's... interesting. I just wasn't expecting you to know so much about guns." He rubbed his nape and smiled at you.

"Well, I do study history, in case you forgot."

"How could I forget that?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" You awkwardly elbowed Connie. Why was it so hard for you to just tell him your feelings? Oh, right, because you've been friends for ten years and if he didn't like you back, it would only ruin a great friendship.

"It means you brag about it so much it's kind of hard to forget." He told you, quickly realising just how insulting that sounded.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that's how you felt..." You sighed, eyes darting back to the weapons.

"No, I didn't- forget it." Connie shook his head. Well played.

Back at the cottage, with enough food and booze to last the group a month, you decided to stay in your room for the rest of the day. It wasn't the first time you had embarrassing moments with Connie, but this particular one made you anxious to be around him. Did he really dislike you that much, or was it just friendly banter? If you were to ask him, you could find out, but every scenario in your head had a bad outcome, so avoiding him for now was the smartest choice. Sasha pleaded with you to spend the evening in the living room with everyone else, but you brushed her off, telling her you weren't feeling quite well.

"Text me if you need anything." She told you before leaving. It was immature to act this way, you knew that all too well, but it wasn't like Connie cared, right? You eventually decided to go downstairs after finishing a long episode of your favourite tv show, your stomach begging for nourishment. As silently as possible, you tiptoed behind the couch. The hallway was dim, the sun had already set, and the only lights were the ones from the wide TV screen in the living room where your friends were watching some corny horror movie. You could cut the suspense and tension with a knife, and when you dropped a teaspoon, everyone jumped.

"Sorry, sorry! It's just me!"

"Jesus Christ, Y/N, you almost gave me a heart attack." Jean got up from the floor and walked behind the couch. "How are you feeling? Sasha said you're ill."

"I'm fine, don't worry." You picked the spoon up and threw it in the sink. "It's just a headache, I'll sleep it off."

"Good, we need you here." The man wrapped an arm around you. "You're missing how Connie's crapping his pants at this shitty movie."

From the outside it would seem like you and Jean were a couple, but the truth was far from it. You two grew up together, his family was friends with your family, and what you had was nothing more than a brother-sister relationship. Jean's little remark earned a disgruntled look from Connie, you quickly picked up on that, and so you playfully jabbed him in the stomach.

"Connie's crapping his pants? You're the one who almost had a heart attack." You grinned.

"Oi, that was only because you dropped your stupid spoon. I was invested in the movie."

"Mhm, sure you were."

"Hey, you sure you don't want to join us?" Mikasa waved at you from the living room. You pondered over her question. Perhaps it wouldn't be too awkward to sit with them.

"Alright, sure, why not?"

"Come, sit next to me." Sasha shuffled to the side, but what she really meant by that was 'sit next to Connie', because she shuffled to the otherside.

The following two nights were surprisingly quiet, all you did was play board games, watch movies and walk around the town taking pictures. The tension between Connie and you seemed to dissipate, and you both forgot the unpleasant interaction you had on the first day. But on the fourth night, that's when shit hit the fan. Annie and Armin left for a date, and Eren and Mikasa wanted to spend the night alone in their room, leaving you, Sasha, Jean and Connie unsupervised, bored and tipsy. There was absolutely nothing good to watch on the TV, and you almost wanted to scream when your friends wanted to play truth or dare. It was one of those games you despised, because the whole point of it was to put the players in uncomfortable situations. And you didn't like being uncomfortable, unlike your friends.

"Jean, truth or dare?" Sasha beamed.

"Dare, duh."

"Alright, I dare you to switch roommates for the rest of the week." She sipped her blackberry cider.

"Okay? So, I'll stay with Y/N, then."

Good lord, if looks could kill, Connie's would annihilate Jean and Sasha off the face of the Earth.

"No, no, you'll stay with me. Y/N will stay with Connie."

"Eh? Why does your dare involve us?" You asked, confused and curious of your friend's proposal.

"Because." She shrugged. "Don't pussy out."

"I'm not pussying out. A dare's a dare." Jean scoffed. "I'm gonna go take my shit in your room and shower."

"Y-yeah, I'll go bring mine, too." You got up, using this time to hyperventilate alone. What the fuck was Sasha even thinking? Was this some stupid joke? But your friends wouldn't harm you, so why would she suggest such a stupid thing?

You took a quick shower before curling up in the bed, blankets covering you from neck to toe. Connie wasn't back yet, and you didn't want to go after him, that would just be odd. You were hoping you'd fall asleep before he returned, to avoid any unnecessary fuss, but just as you closed your eyes, the door opened. Maybe you could pretend you were asleep? He struggled to find his pyjamas in the dark, stumbling over furniture and knocking things down, and you turned the bedside lamp on to ease his search.

"Did I wake you up?" Connie bit his lower lip, and through the dim light you watched the way his grey eyes glistened, the way his short brown hair was ruffled, and how the sage green t-shirt hugged his toned abdomen.

"No, no, 's alright. I wasn't sleeping. I can't exactly fall asleep." You clutched the blanket at your chest as you shook the intrusive thoughts away. Connie was your friend, damn it, there was no room for romance between you.

"I can sleep on the floor if you want."

"Oh, God, no, it's... stiff."

"Um, yeah, it kinda is. Alright then, I'll jump in the shower real quick before going to bed." He stumbled into the bathroom and you really wanted to fall asleep now.

But you couldn't. Every time you closed your eyes, Connie's face popped in your head. So much for resting. You tossed and turned on the mattress, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in, but nothing helped. It didn't take long for him to finish his shower, and you mentally chastised yourself for not falling asleep when you felt him shuffle under the same blanket that was covering you. For a minute, you didn't utter a word, you barely breathed, afraid to disturb the silence in the room.

"Are you asleep?"

"Nope." You heard the click of Connie's phone and turned around. You couldn't see him, but you could hear him.

"Do you wanna talk about something? Until we fall asleep, I mean." You suggested.

"Hmm, sure." He turned on his side and you felt his breath fanning over your cheeks. You were too close to him. "Actually, d'you wanna smoke?"

"Aren't the others gonna be mad if we smoke without them?"

"They don't have to know. Besides, you and I never smoked together." Connie was already up, rummaging through his backpack with the flashlight of his phone. "And then we can talk as much as you want."

"Alright, I'm down."

You laid on the floor, your head next to Connie's as you looked at the ceiling, smoke leaving your lips. He took the joint from you, fingers touching yours and you blushed, the haze of the weed melting your worries away.

"Do you want me to skip the song?" Connie asked, and for a moment you forgot there was a song playing.

"No, I like it." You confessed. "I didn't know you liked Led Zeppelin."

"There's lots of things you don't know about me, Y/N." He passed you the joint.

"Okay, tell me something else I don't know."

"I like it when you randomly say historical or scientific facts."

"Didn't you say I brag too much about it?" You took one final drag before you stubbed the joint out in a makeshift ashtray filled with a bit of water. By this point you were high as a kite, every trace of rationality gone.

"That doesn't mean I don't like it." Connie smiled and you could feel it in his voice. "Now you tell me something I don't know about you."

"I can't sleep with open doors. It freaks me out." You sat up, a breeze blowing through the window sending shivers down your spine. "It's a bit cold, do you mind if I close the window?"

"Go ahead."

You got up and picked the ashtray up but before you could close the window, you stumbled over a chest of drawers, the ashes mixed with water spilling over your t-shirt.

"You okay?" He quickly crawled to you, concern written all over his face.

"Yeah, I'm just clumsy." You laughed it off and waved your free hand. "I'll go get changed, I should have a spare shirt."

But you didn't have a spare shirt. All you had was that stupid white babydoll, and anxiety seeped through your veins. You couldn't exactly show up in that in front of your crush. And you didn't want to ask him for a shirt either. Fuck it, what else could you do?

You peeked out the bathroom door and saw Connie back in bed, lazily scrolling through his phone. God, this was embarrassing.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." He laughed, but when your facial expression didn't change, he frowned. "Y/N?"

"Um, so, I didn't have a spare shirt and- Jesus, this is awkward." You opened the door and his eyes widened. "Is it alright if I sleep in this?"

"Oh, I get it now." Connie scoffed.

"Get what?"

"You were hoping you'd share a room with Jean, right?" He sounded almost disgusted.

"Excuse you? Where did you even get that idea?" You slammed the bathroom door shut, arms folded across your chest.

"I'm not stupid, Y/N. I've seen the way you two act. Do yourselves a favour and just fuck already."

You were speechless. Completely reactionless. The weed amplified your anger, but his words brought tears to your eyes.

"You... you fucking asshole! You think I brought this for Jean? I brought it for you!"

"Eh? M-me?" Connie was confused, and you were pissed.

"Yes, you. Jean's like a brother to me, oh my God! Ew!"

"Wait, so you and Jean are not in love with each other?"

"In love?? Connie, how high are you exactly?" You walked closer to the bed, arms still crossed.

"But- Fuck, I am stupid." He shook his head, the memories of you flirting with him flashing before his eyes. "I fucked up, didn't I?"

"A bit..." Your muscles relaxed and you sat on the mattress. "Really, Connie, I... I like you. A lot. But you're always giving me mixed signals."

"That's because I always thought you liked Jean!" He threw his hands in the air in exasperation.

"No, you're the only one."

"Huh, guess I've really been dazed and confused."

Calloused fingertips ran across your hips leaving goosebumps in their trail. Your hands roamed his back and the way Connie kissed you was better than any high you've ever experienced. He was touch-starved, and you were just as needy. His knee found its place between your thighs and you moaned when it barely brushed your cunt.

"I've been dreaming for this moment for as long as I can remember." Connie breathed into your neck, the hot breath tickling your skin.

"Me too, you blind bat." You laughed and he turned you over, hovering over you.

"'M sorry I didn't notice quicker." He kissed you again. One hand travelled lower, pushing your underwear to the side before he pushed two fingers between your folds. "Fuck, you're so wet."

"Well, at least now I don't have to finger myself thinking about you." You whimpered with a grin.

"Oh?" Connie arched a brow. "Is that what you've been doing?" He curled up his fingers and you threw your head back with a moan. "I thought you were a prude."

"T-there's lots of things you d-don't know about m-me!" You replied back between oh’sand ah’s, imitating his words from an hour ago. That only earned a sneer from Connie, his head dipping between your thighs. "Wait, what are you do- ooh fuck!"

His tongue lapped at your cunt, fingers pumping in and out of you, and you completely sunk into the mattress, moaning his name over and over again. You gripped the sheets, flexing the muscles in your legs as you squirmed and thrashed. Connie stopped and you almost crushed his skull with your thighs at the empty feeling. He pulled your underwear down and shoved the cotton panties in your mouth.

"Don't wake everyone up, Y/N. You don't want them knowing what a little slut you are, do you?"

You shook your head and Connie went back to circling your clit with his tongue, adrenaline rushing through your entire body with each lick, each suck. Tears of pleasure pooled at your eyes, nose and cheeks red from the thrill of your incoming orgasm. The way he was sloppily eating your pussy and moaning while doing it drove you insane, and within seconds you came undone, thighs trembling with delight. In fact, you were so sore you had to push his head back, begging him to stop so you could return the favour.

"You taste so sweet." Connie licked his lips. You don't know what possessed you to pull him into a kiss after you removed the makeshift gag, but he was right, you were sweet.

"Can I...?" Your eyes drifted down to his twitching cock, your voice soft and quiet.

"You wanna suck it?"

"Yes."

"Later. Right now, I wanna fuck you."

Connie gave you no time to protest, his elbow pushed one of your things to the side, the blushing tip of his cock grazing over your overstimulated clit, up and down your slit. Inch by inch it disappeared into your cunt and he let out a satisfied sigh. You bucked your hips, manicured nails digging into his shoulders with each thrust.

"Shit, you're so fucking tight!" Connie growled, head lowering to kiss you. You could still taste yourself on his lips and that only made you clench your spongy walls around his cock. That seemed to please him, because he rocked his hips harder and faster. "You like it?"

"Oh, God, yes!" You gasped, beads of sweat forming on your forehead as you clawed his back.

"Fuck, I want you to ride me." He gripped your hips tighter and turned you over. You tried your best to get in the new position without letting his cock slip out of you, and when you finally adjusted yourself, it was a whole new challenge. Gravity pulled you down, and his tip brushed your cervix, your eyes squinting at the slight pain. "If it hurts, stop-"

"No!" You cried out, your hands resting on his chest. You bounced up and down, the uncomfortable feeling slowly replaced with pleasure. Connie's hands traced your thighs as you rode him, another wave of heat flushing through your core. His palm met your cunt, thumb circling over your clit. "I can't c-come again!"

"Yes, you can. And you will cream on my cock."

The disgust words worked like magic and you flexed your thighs, bouncing faster, head thrown back, hair cascading down your back. "You're so beautiful, Y/N."

"Connie, I-" The words stopped in your throat, the pressure too much for you to handle.

"You what?"

"I'm- oh, God!"

"Atta girl!" He praised you when he felt your silken walls relaxing and your thighs quaking. The second orgasm was so intense you let yourself fall over his chest, dizzy and tired. You thought he'd give you a break, but Connie wrapped an arm around your back, holding you in place before giving your oversensitive cunt a few more thrusts. "Now you can return the favour."

You mustered up some strength to get up and kneel in front of the bed, between his legs.

"Please don't come in my mouth." You asked him before wrapping your pretty lips around his cock.

"Gotchaah-" Connie choked on his words when he felt himself in your hot mouth. You bobbed your head up and down, cheeks hollowed and eyes on him. You didn't break eye contact when you pulled away and spat on the tip, hand pumping his cock to smear the spit. "Hot." He mumbled before you went back to sucking. You felt the throbbing, tightening your lips around him and picking up the pace. "Y/N-"

It all happened in a flash — Connie yanked your hair and pulled your head back, thick ropes of milky white cum shooting all over your face and neck.

"Eew!" You scrunched your nose, hand under your chin to stop it from dripping down the floor.

"What do you mean ew? That's, like, a billion kids!"

"Actually, a fertile man produces around-"

"Don't start. Do not." He pressed his index finger over your lips. "Let's get you cleaned up."

You woke up sore, especially between your thighs, but damn, was it worth it. Connie wrapped an arm around your waist, mumbling something about how pretty you are, but you assumed he was still sleeping — or still high. The sun shone through the blinds and you squinted, annoyed by the brightness, and so you turned around, watching the way your crush snored peacefully.

"Cute." You smiled and planted a kiss on his forehead, waking him up. "Oh, I'm sorry!"

"Why?" Connie rubbed his eyes. "Waking up to you is a blessing."

You couldn't hide the tinting of your cheeks and the grin on your lips. "I didn't think you were the romantic type."

"There's lots of things-"

"I don't know about you. But I'd like to know those things. If you let me, of course." You bit your lower lip, eyes filled with hope.

"Can I be your boyfriend?" He sat up, his eyes serious.

"I thought you'd never ask."

Okay, so maybe Sasha knew a thing or two when she dared Jean to switch roommates.

You walked into the kitchen after getting ready for the day, with Connie following behind you. Everyone was eating their breakfast, and Jean instantly dashed to you.

"Connie, bro, take me back. Sasha's leaving crumbs all over the bed! I can't sleep like that!"

"I can't, man, I wanna spend the rest of the week with my girlfriend." He sneered and you elbowed him.

"I forgot to mention Jean's overprotecti-"

"Your what? Hands off my sister from another mister, you creep!"

"Creep? You're the one who was sexting someone's sister last night." Sasha chimed in, mouth full of cereal.

"Thanks, Sash." Jean rolled his eyes. "For real, how did this happen?"

"You see, mate, when a man and a woman love each other-"

"Nope. I will not hear this."

[bondsmagii]

I wish people understood that when I say I'm anti-censorship, I don't mean "except for the stuff I find personally icky." I mean always. Censorship is ALWAYS a slippery slope that goes after 'acceptable' subjects first. The dark stuff, the weird kinks, porn, horror, transgressive and weird art. People don't fucking understand that they won't stop there, they never do. And all of those things are HUGELY important emotional and artistic outlets and deserve to exist even if you find them gross.

god, same. like. there's stuff out there that I don't like. there's stuff out there that disgusts me. there's stuff out there that I genuinely fail to see any point in, and that I find so gross and despicable that yeah, I would like it gone. in an ideal world, that shit wouldn't exist. and it pains me to have to include it when I say I'm anti-censorship, because I hate that shit and I hate having to defend it by default.

but I'm aware of what we have to lose if we get easy with censorship. the thing is, when you have strong morals or a strong ideology, you're going to find yourself defending people and things you don't necessarily like. this sucks, but part of being politically mature is understanding that it's inevitable. if you're pro-choice, you have to accept that if your partner wants to get rid of a baby she's carrying but you don't want her to, you have to support her. if you're anti-death penalty, you have to accept that you're going to come across crimes so reprehensible that your first instinct is to wish the perpetrator dead, and wonder about exceptions to your rule, but you can't do that. if you're pro-immigration, you need to understand that yes, some of these people coming in are going to be criminals, because that's statistics, but you have to learn to arm yourself with other statistics in support of immigration rather than shut down every single statistic you don't like with cries of racism. you're going to be protecting people and situations you'd perhaps prefer not to protect, but it's totally possible to still be against them. that's why I described that AO3 post not as pro anything, but rather anti-censorship.

censorship is a slippery slope, especially when waved under the flag of protecting children. if these people honestly think it'll all stop at straightforwardly dodgy content (like inappropriate material about real-life minors) they're naïve at best and totally delusional at worst. "think of the children!" has been used time and time again to demonise the LGBT community, and if they really think they can censor some mature content without it eventually branching out to cover all dark content and all sexual content that isn't a man and a woman who are married and doing it for the purposes of procreation, they're wrong. in fact, shit might go so far that all writing of that nature is banned -- look at Tumblr. that's what blanket bans on harmful content can look like. the context was different (wanting to be friendlier to advertisers) but this is what will happen. everybody saw how LGBT tags were censored during that time period. that's because a large chunk of people with influence feel that LGBT content is inherently harmful for minors to be around, and if we hand them censorship under the "think of the children!" cause, they will crack down hard. this shit has happened before, and in recent history too. there's a reason AO3 exists. it's because before it did, this shit was the norm. who knows how many works have been destroyed because of this shit in the past. it's an irretrievable loss. these people might think that they'll just be banning stuff that's bad, and that they don't like... but then their fics about their favourite ships vanish because it's explicit and between two guys, and then their fics about their favourite ship just having a cute time in a coffee shop AU is banned because it's same-sex and that's not family friendly, and so on and so on. any censorship sets a dangerous precedent.

censorship is always a slippery slope, as you said. it's always going to be abused. and it is never your friend. it is never something that will protect you in the long run. it's like fire -- you might light it, and at first it might burn only what you wish it to, but once it starts to spread there's fuck all you can do about it, and it will no longer differentiate between the things you want gone and the things that mean a lot to you. I really, really wish people would do their research on this topic. censorship always has been and always will be a tool of oppression.

(and for the record, because "lol gross person just wants to read their nasty fics" is a comment I get way too much on my discussions of this post: I don't read fanfic. I'm not involved in fandom. I'm just fucking anti-censorship.)

[hurricanek8art]

Wow, I wasn't expecting an answer so fast, thank you! And I don't know how she turned out so pretty, I was just randomizing stuff until I found a look I liked, but I'm not complaining. I love her so much, despite, y'know, subjecting her to the horrors of eventually being my Outlander.🤣

I thought I remembered reading about the pop-up warning somewhere, but I wasn't sure if it would kick in after Ilum or Makeb or if it wouldn't really take effect until KotFE (I'm a shameless skip-ahead person, I know everything that happens because I like planning ahead 🤣🤣🤣) I was thinking maybe it wouldn't be so bad going back and doing the storylines separately from the main—it usually takes me two days to get through an entire planet and I breezed through Chapter 2 and 3 so fast doing just main story, I was shocked. I really feel weird completing the class story without having done them alongside it, even if they aren't connected. My brain likes chronological order :P I think I'll take it slow and do it a little at a time, while I'm in the headspace for figuring out what choices Aja will make at this point in time. I left off at the Maelstrom Prison flashpoint because I kept getting my butt kicked and I couldn't figure out why, so I guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow!

I was so nervous posting all of this, I tend to ramble and I was worried I sounded really oblivious. This really helped me out! I love this game but I have no idea how any of it works, I just push the buttons and enjoy the story. Thank you so much for the advice and the welcome!

Okay, so, um... Hi? So, I've been a lurker on Tumblr for a while, including the SWTOR tag, because I've got major social anxiety. Recently, I think I've finally worked up the courage to interact, which is great! Especially now, because I think I need advice about the game and don't really know where else to ask! Other social media sites scare me and I'm not currently a subscriber, so I can't access the SWTOR forums. :P

I've just finished Corellia on my Jedi Knight. She's technically my main, even though I already finished the class storylines for Consular and Smuggler. I got burnout on doing the planetary missions and side quests around Balmorra (I'm a huge goody-two-shoes, so I was doing almost every quest I came across) so I figured, hey, I'll just focus on the story for a while and come back to it another time! Except now I feel kinda bad for skipping them because my Knight's leveled at 53, when my other two finished their class stories around 60/65. I know over-leveling's pointless, but at the speed I take getting through stuff, they'll have to have raised the level cap again by the time I catch up. 🤣

Should I go back and do them before finishing the class story? I know it's pretty harmless to skip them but I dunno, I want to do as much as I can with my Knight so I haven't missed out on anything. My brother plays too, we share an account, but his philosophy is skip absolutely everything that's not important unless he's underleveled, so obviously we have differing opinions on the subject. 🤣🤣🤣 Can some more experienced players give me some advice? I'm paralyzed with indecision, help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, etc., etc., you get the gist.

Unnecessarily adding pictures of my Knight because she is awesome and I love her to pieces and I only really get to talk about her with my brother. I'm a writer/artist and I've got loads of stuff I've created about her and my other legacy characters but. y'know. extreme social anxiety says no sharing yet. You guys make such cool stuff and I'm a huge chicken, but I'm working on getting over that, so maybe someday I can actually tell their stories!