#its terrible for the soul

[calumfmu]

omfg i desperately need part two of steve stealing eddie’s girl 😭

Here it is!! Part two of Steve stealing Eddie's girl! 2.1k+ words cw: allusions to sex, angst (what's new), swearing, cheating (so serious, don't do it)

It was hard--pretending, but failing so miserably at being so into Eddie, while he was head over heels in love with you. The thing was there was nothing wrong with him, there was nothing wrong with your relationship. The only thing was that you were in it with the wrong person.

"What's wrong with you?" Eddie's voice was careful, pulling you out of your thoughts. The spoon sat in your mouth, cold against the warmth of your tongue, absently caught there as you reflected on the events that occurred last weekend.

"Hmm?"

You looked towards him, blinking the memories away. Steve sat on the forefront of your mind. His toothy smile, lopsided as he hovered above you, wetness across his plump lips, sweat beading down his chest, trailing further, further down until it dripped onto your own bare b-

"You're not even listening to me," your boyfriend huffed, throwing his own items down on the table. He stood up, pushing his chair back from the small table that sat in the space of his trailer.

Looking down at your own setting, you felt that familiar sting of guilt creeping up, warming your chest, coloring the skin there.

"You know I hate to say it, but there's been something seriously wrong with you lately," he began, slamming cabinets as he put away things from your shared dinner. "You've just been so... in your mind, and you never want to spend time with me anymore, it's so frustrating, hon."

Your eyebrow crinkled at the nickname, your heartstrings pulled when you realized that this situation was only getting so much harder.

"I just want to know," he slammed another drawer shut, rattling the mismatched cutlery inside. He grabbed your bowl from you, ignoring your whine of protest as you weren't finished eating yet. "Is it me? Did... did I do something? Spent too much time on my campaign or forgot something?" He thought for a moment, a hand coming up to brush over his mouth. "Oh God, what day is it... was it our anniversary?"

You shrugged, not finding the words to say. He leaned against a counter, arms crossed over the ratty sleep shirt on his body. From the blinds over his shoulder, you saw the twilight hours of the evening creeping in. A warmness settled in the pit of your stomach, you felt like you were going to be sick.

"Eds," You whispered, shaking your head. A few voices from the lot surrounding his trailer began to pour through the thin walls, murmurings that you couldn't make out. "It's not that. No, you didn't forget anything, didn't do anything."

He nodded sincerely, eyes becoming wide as he crossed the short distance of the floor to sit himself again. He grabbed your hand between his, pressing a light kiss to the back.

"Tell me then," He matched your low tone, leaning in closer to you. "You can tell me anything."

Swallowing deeply, you raised your eyebrows, a shaky deep breath leaving your mouth. He was patient as you stumbled over words to begin your confession. It was now or never.

"I don't know how to say, but it's..." your voice was even shakier than before, words getting caught in your throat. He was nodding, intent on hearing you out, being there for you, like he'd always been. "It's-"

A small crash sounded out from outside the trailer, trash bins being knocked over. Eddie rolled his eyes, muttering an apology before crossing the floor, parting the blinds with two fingers to peer out.

Standing up, you moved to follow him, curious as well as to what would be that loud in this normally quiet lot. You were grateful for the distraction, another moment granted to give you more time to think.

"The fuck is he doing here?" You heard Eddie mutter, eyes squinting as he looked out. Your brow crinkled in confusion, squeezing your head next to his to fit your eye line.

Time stopped momentarily, that familiar high hair style, striped shirt leaning against a BMW making snappy gestures to a couple of young kids. The four of them seemed to be arguing, Steve growing more and more frustrated as the three young teenagers gave him attitude back.

Eddie stepped away, shaking his head in disbelief at the scene.

"Leave it to Harrington," he mumbled, placing a hand on your shoulder. You were glued to the window, eyes wide as you took in your secret lover.

Eddie continued his speech, droning on about how he was to make it up to you, spend time that will take away from any wrong doing that he had done to you in the past. "I don't want to upset you or have you think of me differently, I just don't want things to change between us."

It was in one ear and out of the next, not fully processing as you still remained at the window, gaze focused on the man outside. The teenagers he spoke to, you didn't recognize.

"Hon..." he drawled out, close behind you. "Hon... Honey!"

You jumped back, messing up the blinds so they landed in a tangled heap, swinging back and forth so they banged against the window. From the small separation, you saw the group of teens looking towards the noise, confusion on their faces. You ducked down, hidden from their view as you crouched, knees close to your chest.

Eddie nodded slowly, licking his lips as he saw you, red faced and nervous, chewing at your thumb nail.

"What's up?" He slowly questioned, ignoring the way he could see Steve staring through the slightly parted blinds.

"Oh, it's nothing," you muttered, shaking your head at him. You remained on your perch, heart beating fast behind your chest.

"Nothing?" He responded, crinkling his eyes at you. Taking a step towards you, he peered through the disheveled blinds, taking a look at Steve who abandoned his car, a few feet closer to you as he squinted. "Then get up."

You looked at him, wide eyed, your mouth parted in a small 'o'. "Oh, I can't do that."

The long haired man was silent, gaze dancing back and forth between the two of you. The emotion on his face was indiscernible, a cold stare as he watched Steve come up the small flight of steps from the window, hovering his hand as he questioned whether or not to knock. You slowly stood up, peering over the sill to see whether or not Steve was still looking at you two, unaware that he stood at the front step of the door, questioning if he even saw you.

Relieved, you sighed, not seeing him in sight. The younger teens were still there, arguing amongst themselves, hands flying in all directions.

Eddie's eyes lingered on you, his lips pressed into a thin line. It was scary seeing him like this, an emotion that you'd never seen him with in the time you had been together. He'd always been happy-go-lucky, a joy to be around.

A knock sounded on the door, your heart falling once more.

"Honey?" Steve's voice carried through the thin door, echoing off of the walls. That sick feeling bubbled up, air trapped in your throat at the nickname.

"Honey?" Eddie repeated to himself, nodding as it seemed he was finally placing the pieces together. He crossed the distance to the door, swinging it open to reveal the Harrington boy, standing there proud, cockiness sitting on his face.

"What are you doing here?" He threw, dragging his eyes over Eddie's frame. He tried to peek his head in, only for Eddie to step into his view, blocking any sight of anything behind him, any sight of you.

"I could ask you the same thing," Eddie matched his tone, teetering on bitter as Steve stood in the door frame, lips pouted out. You leaned against the wall where the window was, out of sight of him, but just enough in line where you could see the full interaction.

"I thought I saw--" Steve started, shaking his head as he cut himself off. "Never mind, she wouldn't even be here."

Eddie choose that moment to look at you, hurt on his face as everything finally clicked. You made eye contact, your own nerves catching up to you as Steve's words left his mouth. Last weekend you had made a decision, had decided which boy to choose and it wasn't Eddie. You told Steve that you were leaving him, was going to tell him that Monday you had found someone new. But when that day came, with Eddie rushing to you to tell you his exciting news about his campaign, his plan with you for when he was finally done, you didn't have the heart.

Steve descended two steps, stopping at the last one before he turned back to Eddie. He opened his mouth to say something, closing it before he could start.

"Just go," Eddie spoke out loud, quirking up an eyebrow as he widened the door. Steve cocked his head, anger crossing his features as he looked up at him.

"I am, asshole."

"Not you, dumb ass," Eddie rolled his eyes, turning his body to look at you. Time stood still, moving in slow motion as you processed what was happening. "Hon." The tone was bitter. "Just go with him."

"E-Eddie, what?" You took a step towards him, speaking up for the first time since the door opened. You heard Steve's footsteps once more, his head peeping around the door frame as he looked at you, surprise on his features.

"I thought you told him," Steve shook his head, a sarcastic smile on his face. It wasn't genuine, something that screamed he was in disbelief at this moment.

Eddie looked between the two of you, how mousy you appeared, scared of your own shadow, Steve looking like a kid who had just won a prize, but lost it all in the same day.

"She didn't," Eddie said, stepping out of the way as you appeared at the door. The temperature outside was cold, in a weird way, welcoming compared to the warmth inside of the trailer. You were tempted to run out into it, feeling it embrace you with this strange boy by your side. "She didn't have to tell me anything. Just... keep her safe, yeah?"

"Eds, what's going on?" You rushed out, taking a step towards him, wincing at the way he took a step back, his head dropping towards the floor.

He refused eye contact, taking a deep breath as he focused on something behind you, wetness welling up at the corners of his eyes. "Just go, it's fine."

"Eddie--"

"It's fine." It was more urgent, his push of the two words. You knew it wasn't. Nothing would ever make this moment 'fine'. It wasn't fair what you had done to him, it wasn't fair that it had to be Steve, the man who Eddie felt like he was always in subtle competition with, even though they live on opposite sides of the train tracks.

You took a step out of the trailer, chill air hitting your skin. Steve's hand brushed your arm as he slipped his jacket off, trying to offer it. You crossed your arms over your chest, refusing it as Eddie looked between the two of you.

Steve made a few steps towards his car, unsure in his own movements--something that you definitely weren't used to. He was supposed to be the confident one in this scenario, guide you through the unknown. The soft shut of the trailer door had you turning your head, focusing on the young teenagers who had turned their own attention on the scenario.

The crunch of your shoes on the gravel stung with every step, chapters of a storybook flying by to a full end. Your mind raced, you didn't know what to do, how to feel. Everything felt so wrong, yet so... confusing.

"Who's that?" One of the kids asked, his lisp through the words. You bit your lip, turning your head away from them.

"Dustin, not now," Steve sighed, opening the car door for you. You stood there for a moment, turning your head once more to get one last look at Eddie's trailer, yards away. A shadow passed by a window, the silhouette of his body exiting out of sight. You looked at Steve, chewing your lip raw as he was solemn, eyes flitting towards the car, gesturing for you to get in.

As you took a seat in the car, you felt the end of the story completely. This decision felt final, but you weren't sure if you made the right choice. Everything still felt wrong, even with the 'right' one.

a/n: working on an angsty part three, even more than this one. just to summarize it all up. let me know if y'all want it or if I should retire it. anyways love y'all. thank you for being patient with me. Also I am so sorry, I think my weird mood rn is being translated to this text.

Masterlist. Inbox and requests are open!

[tenderjock]

and it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe it'll never do somehow

[onejellyfishplease]

I wanted to do something for mermay, so here are my designs for some merturtles!

Leo is a Leafy seadragon,

Donnie is a Vampire squid

Mikey is a Epaulette shark

And Raph is a Scorpionfish!

Also heres a bonus drawing of a young April holding her little aquatic friends (dont worry they can breathe air just fine)

[eastbluecrewed]

outfit swaps bc i think about straw hat laundry day all the time

[starry-bi-sky]

DPXDC Idea: Mother of Monsters Dan(yal)

Specifically Fem!Dan because I made this in mind with my Fem Danyal Au bUT. The best part about Dan is that I get to play dress up with her, and Fem Dark Dany is gonna go by Layal (pronounced lae-el) because it means "the nights" and it sounds similar to Danyal, and I think she'd choose that name to mock Dany. ANYWAYS

Mother of Monsters Danyal. She may be evil but she's an Al Ghul at her core (even with vlad's soul merged with hers - however, considering that Layal looks and sounds like Dany, she considers that soul to be the more dominant one.) and loves animals. And she might be heartless, but she adores the monsters of the infinite realms.

Mother of Monsters Layal who hates everyone but utterly dotes and adores on every manner of beast she comes across. Stealing the eggs and infant young beasts of the Infinite Realms to raise as her own because she wanted them. Her own island full of monsters, a monstrous menagerie of her own. She steals most often from poachers or exotic pet keepers and other menageries -- the full grown beasties can keep their young.

And with every monster she raises, she can shapeshift their features onto herself, allowing her to change her shape from humanish to any matter of monster or hybrid creature. She calls herself their mother, and them her children. Her precious little babies, capable of incredible mass destruction and mayhem.

From little griffins the size of kittens, to stymphalian vulture chicks, and leviathan young hatching from eggs the size of her pinkie, to creatures native of the ghost zone that didn't even have names in the living realm. There really wasn't a limit to what or who she would take in and she didn't limit herself to any form of mythology. If they were beasts and they were unwanted, she wanted them. And as such, amassed her own mini army of "children" willing to listen to her any command.

Earth doesn't know what hit it when she attacks them.

There are many monstrous forms she could take on, the first one I've thought of is a combination of various serpentine/reptilian features. The body of a naga -- her lower half long and serpentine, her upper still human -- with spiked fins connecting from the bottom of her arms to her sides, ever seen Sinbad where Eris goes "you might have seen my likeness on the temple walls" and her arms do that fin thingy? Same concept. Her hands are webbed and taloned, perfect for slicing through the skin of the living, and her teeth are needle-sharp and shark like. Her hair can either be spiny and feathery-like like the spines of a lionfish, or frilled like a frilled-neck lizard. It's perfect for dealing and doting on her reptilian and amphibian-inclined darlings.

I'm more of a fan of aus where Dan is a sibling of Danny's rather than their kid, so Layal's redemption(..?? probation?) proceeds with her legally becoming Danyal's "twin" sister, who had been lost to the foster system before the Fentons adopted Dany, and was only recently reunited with her. The two of them look so alike that the lie is easy to take root and spread.

Layal is very indignant to the fact that she's now ten years in the past and has to restart her menagerie all over again. Do you know how much blood and sweat went into raising those children? How dare you separate them from their mummy. Although she'll admit she does miss their juvenile years, so she won't mind (too much) needing to raising them again. Dany is helping her retrieve all of them though, dammit.

long story short: epic the musical's "Scylla" has a CHOKEHOLD on me and this is the result of it

Unlike her Dan counterpart, Layal's voice is dancing and sirenic. It's purposely alluring and motherly, in order to lure people into a false sense of security until she feeds them to her "children." Echidna doesn't have shit on her. She almost seems friendly and reasonable, until you get too close and realize it was all an act and she drops it to metaphorically swallow you whole. She's like an anglerfish that way. She and Dany both sound like Scylla from Epic.

[pratchettquotes]

The Luggage might be magical. It might be terrible. But in its enigmatic soul it was kin to every other piece of luggage throughout the multiverse, and preferred to spend its winters hibernating on top of a wardrobe.

Terry Pratchett, Sourcery

[sluckythewizard]

I LOVE QUEEN SOO MUCH I THINK THEYRE JUST SO SO NEAT AND SILLY... the best thing about a cute character is that u get to draw them all scared and bloody and crying and shaking and upset and you can also put a spider on them

[deer-with-a-stick]

How did the Abbot fuck up the forging process so badly

Multiple night creatures are outright retaining their original souls and personalities

I'm cackling he's so bad at this

[nova-they-exist-yup]

Keep smiling through, just like you always do

[gentlegiantdreamer]

i enjoy that you have a similar amount of illness for martyn as i do for the other hermits

why do the minecraft people have us in such a chokehold

SHAKING YOUR HAND BUDDY

Honestlyyy i think its like i get into a character and am like oh this ones super cool i love them It'd be cool if they were giant-

que me falling down 50 flights of stairs

[tenderjock]

"They're giving them souls, Giles."

She's not sure how the Initiative has figured out how to do it, with military machines and experimental scientific equipment in place of a dusty Romani curse. She thinks they're not entirely sure how they've done it either, that it's a lot of trial and error - Dr. Walsh basically admitted to that, when she told Buffy about their vampiric "re-consciencing" program.

"Dr. Walsh says it only worked for vampires," Buffy tells her Watcher. "She says other demons, they got zilch. Just nothing happens at all."

He finishes polishing his glasses, turns them over and starts polishing them again. "That makes some amount of sense, I suppose," Giles says. "Most demons have souls or - something that functions closely enough as a soul as to be called one, anyway. Vampires are the only demonic entity that are known for lacking a soul - or rather, that their evil comes from their lack of a soul rather than simply innate bloodlust or longstanding cultural practices or something of the sort."

"Whatever." Buffy resumes her pacing. "I'm supposed to do this tour of the Initiative tonight, so maybe I'll learn more about their re-consciencing department. It's giving me the wiggins, Giles."

"I know."

In preparation for going into potential enemy territory, Buffy puts on her cutest, most favorite halter top that doesn't come untied even when she does cartwheels and back flips, and a pair of sensible square-heeled boots. She puts her hair in a pair of neat French braids. She stows away two stakes, a small knife, and a scarf that could double as a garrote or a sling. Finally, she laces a cord choker around her neck, with a big cross pendant hanging on her collarbone, and surveys herself in the mirror. As ready as she's gonna get.

Buffy had been kind of worried that she'd have to hint and lead towards the whole soul-giving deal, but Dr. Walsh is more than happy to show off the program. She's bragging about it as soon as they're in the facility, which is giving off major evil-mad-scientist vibes.

"It took several trial runs to get the process stable for successful result," Walsh is saying. Buffy peers around, marking the exits in her mind, trying not to notice the way she's being deliberately flanked by Riley and Graham. "And then, after we succeeded in stabilizing the procedure, we had two subjects terminate."

Buffy looks at her, blinking. "Terminate?" she asks.

"Killed themselves," Riley says. "The subject we're studying currently, we've had to restrain so it doesn't do the same."

"You have one vampire right now?" Buffy asks. She'd thought that this soul-giving process was, like, a larger scale than one vamp. She'd assumed they'd be shoving souls up in dozens of the undead, as distasteful as she finds the idea. "How many - uh - 'subjects' have you done this with?"

Dr. Walsh gestures the three of them over to a cordoned-off lab set up, where Buffy sees a bunch of stuff, clothing and boots and stuff, laid out. It gives her an uncomfortable feeling - like that vamp girl that killed freshmen and stole their shit. How is this any different?

There's a familiar coat, a big black leather coat. Buffy stares at it for a second. She misses the first part of what Dr. Walsh says.

"- successfully managed to keep it restrained. Hostile 17 has proven very useful to our studies since it was re-conscienced."

"Hostile 17?" Buffy says, mouth dry.

Walsh pushes aside the sliding screen to show the rest of the room. There, naked, gagged, and tied to the operating table, is Spike.

He looks like shit. He's thin and kind of gray, the way a lot of vampires get when they're underfed, and he's got about a quarter inch of mousey brown roots. There are red marks around his wrists and ankles where it looks like he's pulled at the restraints until he's broken the skin, and he's got fresh, clinical-looking bruises on his left forearm and the left side of his abdomen.

Spike's looking at her. He's looking directly at her, and his eyes are wide and wild and agonized.

Buffy breathes in slow. Then she looks at Dr. Walsh.

"Do you keep the re-consciencing machinery here?" she asks. She knows damn well they don't. "Or is that in a different room?"

Dr. Walsh smiles, pleased by Buffy's interest. "We'll show you. It's fascinating, how it all works. This process could really change how we fight demons."

"Yes," Buffy agrees. She fumbles with her purse as they're leaving, spills makeup and tampons across the floor. Riley bends down to help her pick her stuff up. "Shit! Oh, no, I got it."

Spike's watching her still. He looks less upset, now. There's a little wrinkle in his brow.

Dr. Walsh and Graham have gone ahead; Riley is waiting for Buffy, but he's waiting at the open door, turned half away from her, giving her space to organize her feminine products.

She glances up at Spike, meeting his gaze. Swallows. And murmurs, under her breath so Riley can't hear, "I'm gonna get you out of here. Okay? Hold on. I'm gonna get you out."

Riley's still not looking, so she creeps a bit closer. Spike's leaning against his restraints like he's trying to get closer to her.

Quickly, Buffy touches Spike's bare shoulder. He goes tense and still, and closes his eyes. He's freezing, like he hasn't eaten warm blood in days. She nods, mostly to herself.

Then Buffy turns and leaves, without looking back.

[thewandererh]

I think I have a type 😳

@calamarispider (ran no have @ :[)

(behold, the beginning of a however-long-spanning jashling gift bomb. this one is of a few specific round headed jashling fellows i adore with all my heart 😭. you can see where Dyadracide’s inspiration came from <33)

[thenexusofsouls]

Stark, about Zhaan (Farscape, S03E05 "Different Destinations," 2001) Wanda, about Vision (WandaVision, S01E08 "Previously On," 2021)

[prismbearer]

Idk why there's disbelief over Mark S/Helly in terms of motivation. Helly is just as capable of cruelty and selfishness as Helena. They are at the core of it, the same person with different memories/experiences. They can be two perspectives worthy of indulging their own dreams and desires and also be the same person. Narratively here especially, this isn't about morality, it's about human nature.

Helly was never cruel, sure, of course. Helly felt like she was the same as the other people in MDR. But Helly has something right now that she never even achieved as Helena. Someone who loves her. Someone who is choosing her. Helly is Winning over Helena here.

Jame Eagen wanders down just to be a freak and reinforces the reality of it. Helly is "More" than Helena, hasn't been worn down by the weight of experience and the world (and their cult and corporate bullshit). She still has, in some way, the innocence of youth and lack of experience with the world. She doesn't have the same fears and burdens or triggers as Helena in her conscious experience. She still has the ability to express her passions and outrage and defend herself. And to love and not feel sorry for it.

Severance gave Helena a chance to exist without the learned perspectives and burdens of the Eagens and she is able to be free with herself and her passions and desires-- whereas Helena was likely drained of any dreams for potential beyond a strictly guided future decades ago.

Of course Helly is feeling a rush of joy and satisfaction over Mark loving her. Mark choosing her. She tried to do the "right thing" by being logical with Mark. "I'm her." Even outside of Lumon, if they bring it all down, there's no hope for an Eagen and an ex-severed employee in reality. In the Real World they will never be together. Mark couldn't love Helena, how could anyone love an Eagen? (Poor Helly really with like, the enemy is within etc, but that's kinda the situation framed by Lumon for everyone by setting the stage with your Innie isn't human kinda rhetoric.) (This was also reinforced by Helena trying to get close to Mark to see if he still had feelings or chemistry with her and finding out they were not going to work outside Lumon.)

What if the equator is a building that could be a continent? Can be their whole world? They're choosing to live Now. Together in the present despite knowing that with their half lives, they could be brought to an end at any moment. It's very willful young love of them. And why wouldn't it be? This is their First Love. They haven't even been "alive" that long or have any memory of romance beyond their current infatuation. They don't know the world or it's places, and maybe that's okay, maybe they can exist in this space so long as they have love and the others.

It's completely human for Helly to accept Mark choosing her. To run to him just to see him for maybe the last time. It's human for Mark S to run to Helly. It's human for poor Gemma, who doesn't even know her fucking husband is severed, to be pounding on the door.

But this is their Final Day to Mark and Helly. Maybe the very end of their world. It's Judgement Day. Of course they'd have them holding hands and running back to the unknown to face the end together. To die together.

There is also zero fucking chance Mark Scout would risk his life and brain continuing reintegration once his wife is back. Mark Scout is going to choose his wife. Mark is choosing Love on both sides here.

All of it is reasonable.

[nytgaih]

i have watched/rewatched almost every single work of ju jihoon within 2-3 months. im impressed with myself actually

[spotsupstuff]

Honestly with my understanding of how your cycles work it would be funny to see an interaction between a human and an ancient where they are like "Woe is us we are trapped in a cycle blah... blah (basically longwinded explenation of how it works)" and the person is just like "I don't see the issiue here that's cool as fuck"

yes, well... part of why the rebirth cycle (Small Cycle) became so despised *is* because of propaganda. originally the thing was seen as a gift worth worshipping and praising, but as most things usually do, it has some downsides that certain group of people latched on to to demonize it

most of those being the aftermath of waking from death. such as still feeling the pain of the injury that killed the individual. it's relatively fine if one gets a fast death like a Noot stabbing, but if it's death like bleeding out from dismemberment? waking up feeling the pain of it, the phatom body part aspect even though it's Right There and not being able to treat it until it fades on its own isn't so fun

then the mental scarring of going through something like that...

the raincarnation cycle (Great Cycle) became despised because of something like a spirit's depression/nearly chronic frustration. low karma Ancients (under karma level 7) experience those kind of feelings seemingly out of nowhere, detached from the situation happening in the physicality

one can be eating their most favorite food ever and suddenly Bam, feelings of anger, sadness and frustration all at themselves. this happens because the spirit is aware it isn't moving forwards in cultivation/towards natural Ascension as it is supposed to and that upsets it

and judging by the existence of Those -points at Iterators- not many people actually work on bettering themselves because Why would they? They have the Iterators to get them the reward for becoming a good person without them having to change anything

so the nearly chronic spirit frustration/depression is common