#just got this and its so good. i tried getting my own footage but the quality was so shit

[bassgif]

mortal sin gameplay: source

[i-like-forcefem]

PURELY hypothetically speaking, how EXACTLY would you go about forcefemming a guy who’s sooo masc, like he thinks he’s the ALPHA SHIT, he thinks he pulls all the ladies and is the most manly man to ever man… and turning “him” into an adorable little girly princess :3c asking for a friend

For a hard boiled egg like this it’s very important to get her alone in an isolated location for an extended period of time! It always takes a little longer then they’ve got pride, but honestly that makes it so so much more fun when they crack

It’s a bit of a staple, but I think I’ll use my Basement, yes it’s generic, but it’s tried and true, and a girl like this isn’t a time to experiment

Getting her to the basement is usually easy enough, just invite her over for tea or something and apply a little posion of your choice that will have her immobilised, sleepy pills work, but I personally prefer it when you can see the fear in her eyes when they get fully paralysed

I always have my basement prepared for new arrivals, this means a firm lock, and plenty of hand cuffs around the walls and girly furniture for if I want to move her around

The first time she wakes up is always so important and so so fun, so I’ll pick out a good spot to tie her up, I think the plushy couch would be good for this cutie, and make sure to pick a good outfit

For a girl like this I think it’d be best to start with her in just a pair of pink panties, just being handcuffed in a hugging position with a plushy against her skin should be enough embarrassment for the wake up, I’ll also be sure to use my princess gag just to make her first impressions extra cute as she makes muffled screeches

Then I’ll wait till she wakes up, I usually monitor a camera from outside the room and wait to enter, I want her to get a feel for the room and her situation before she sees me, 2 minutes is usually enough for her to glance around the overly girly room, notice she’s tied up, and to start her muffled screams

Then I’ll calmly enter and tell her how she’s my doll now, she’ll have objections of course, being a big bugle “man”, but it’s pretty hard to do anything about your situation when tied up like that

And then I’ll play it slow

I think I can have her docile by the end of the day, dress her up in her first dress (the basement can get very cold so if she doesn’t want to wear her dress that’s fine by me, but she’ll give in by the end of the second day, and to survive that long I’ll probably get some adorable footage of her willingly snuggling up with her many many plushies, hard to think a “man” would do that)

Any food I give her will obviously have hrt inserted into it, but in this case in particular I want to try something new, next to her (estrogen filled) meals I’ll also give her some placebo pills I’ll tell her are actually hrt, and if she’s a Good Girl and takes her pills she’ll be rewarded

Obviously she’ll refuse at first, willingly taking pills is one of the hardest milestones for a girl to pass

But always giving her the option always gives me to opportunity to punish her, and to tell her just how easy it’d be if she just submitted, became my pretty little girl

Now some of the girls have a surprising amount of determination to not become happy, so this might take a while, which is why I’ll give her her hrt anyway

Since it will be so so fun to tease her for it, I could maybe even gaslight her into thinking she might be taking the pills anyway, or her body wants to become a girl so so bad that’s it’s making estrogen all on its own

You’d be surprised how much gaslighting you can get away with if you’re a persons only outside contact

So… I’ve got some plans to say the least!!! I’ve got a whole laundry list of activities we could try every week to keep it fresh (from shock collars to vibrators to bondage, to “toy” pink weightlifting products that are 10 times the weight it says on the box, I will have so much fun breaking her :3)

Now do you have any idea where this hypothetical person is? And do they prefer tea or coffee?

[bonny-kookoo]

Oh please please please please can we have a Drabble of off duty kook watching the body cam to learn what happened to OC!?

A/N: you wanted this. Obviously Warnings for angst, injury, medical emergency, gun violence.

The bodycam footage is a little shaky, but very good quality- and Jungkook kind of wishes it wasn't. Because the resulting details are just that much harder to cope with than if he couldn't quite make out properly what was happening.

"Put the gun down!" An officer he knows as George barks out on the laptop screen, holding out his own weapon. He repeats this command time after time,but the guy doesn't cooperate, your body on top of his, strangling his legs so he can't escape.

You're suddenly fighting with the man again, gaining the upper hand now as you kick the gun from his hands, successfully somewhat holding him hostage.

It's when the officer gets closer to you, others putting the violent man in cuffs, that Jungkook has to swallow hard.

"Medical is on the way. Good job there." George tells you, who's breathing deep and fast, swallowing often, looking around frantically. Jungkook knows what you're probably trying to prevent from happening- all of these things telltale signs of you being nauseous. "You still with me?" The officer asks, and you nod, eyes looking around. "No no no hey, stay here, yeah? Come on, you can do it-" George urges as you attempt to get up now, skin having lost its color as you struggle to stay composed, pain probably catching up to you.

There's blood on your hands, on your neck, and chin, darkened stains on your uniform. It's not clear where your wounds are, until George attempts to figure it out as well, finding multiple in the process. "Shh hey, hey puppy it's alright, it's okay. We're gonna get you help alright?" He calms you as you begin to panic more and more, eyes tearing up. "What's wrong? Talk to me?" He worries, as you look at the officer in front of you, having now somewhat laid down.

"I can't feel them-" You whimper, and George doesn't understand.

"Feel what?" He wants to know, keeps you up and alert for as long as needed.

"My- my legs, my tail, my-" you begin to whine, struggling to stay coherent, voice slurring. It's now that the officer removes your bulletproof vest and harness to search for something.

"Where'd you get shot darling?" The older man wants to know, and you whimper something out he can't quite understand. And even at the second attempt, your words stop making sense.

His hands find an entrance and exit wound in your thigh thats not bleeding much. Another shot has clearly landed in your lower back, another one right next to it. There's no exit wound to those two.

"Fuck- where's medical?!" He barks out towards some officers, who call something back that's not picked up by the camera on his vest. "Well tell them to hurry, she's bleeding out!" He urges angrily, before he moves to reassure you again as you start to become more and more panicked. The sound of your distressed crying makes Jungkook bite the inside of his cheek.

He hates the sound of it.

"Jungkook?" You slur out, a few times, and his heart breaks.

"Jungkook is okay, focus on yourself right now." The officer tells you instead.

"They're almost there." A young officer tells George.

"I sure hope so, I don't know how long she can keep fighting." He worries softly, watching you. "Hey- hey, no no, keep those eyes open!" He suddenly demands as you become awfully quiet, no longer crying anymore. George calls your name- but only your ears move a little towards him at the familiar sound, eyes becoming glossy and distant.

Jungkook can't stand the sight.

"You did a real good job, alright?" George tries to soothe you, keep your attention on him. "See? There's help- over here!" He calls out, as the medical personnel finally arrives to tend to you.

"And that's about it." Seokjin sighs. "That's.. well. That's what we got for now."

"Did she lose the leg?" Jungkook asks, and Seokjin shakes his head.

"No. The wound there wasn't actually that bad- the bullet had missed any larger arteries." Jin informs his coworker. "The issue where the other one's."

"Spinal injuries." Jungkook sighs.

"No." Seokjin denies, catching Jungkook's attention. "One bullet fractured her pelvis. the other ones damaged nerves, according to the doctors at the hospital. She's had her pelvis fixed during surgery-" the older police officer sighs. "But she'll probably have to receive one or several mods to fix the severed nerves."

"And that'll take months to heal." Jungkook mumbles. "Not even taking into account how long it'll take her to get used to everything." He hums to himself. "Fuck.."

"She'll most likely be let go." Seokjin states, and Jungkook nods.

"I know." Of course Jungkook knows. He's stuck in the same position after all.

And he really wished he could switch places with you, take all the hurt and give you the easier spot in this tough battle. But he can't.

All he can do, is try and be there for you for whatever time you've got left as partners.

[hannah-shipper-banana]

I, personally, will NOT tolerate any Ally Dawson slander. That’s my bby girl.

How can you say Austin cared more about her than she did for him? Girlie was most definitely in love.

Just for that, here are some things Ally did for him…

Season 1

. She forgave him for stealing her song.

.She literally forgave him for humiliating her on live TV AND agreed to be his songwriter even though they were literally like 14 years old.

. She fricking WROTE most of his songs for him despite the fact that she had a JOB and school and a life! She also went through a lot writing said songs.

. Everyone (especially Austin) was being a massive dick to her for not having a song despite that fact that she had a life of her own and a store to run and whatnot. That got me so mad. Poor girl was literally getting pressured by everyone.

. She encouraged Austin to do good things so that Tilly couldn’t get any bad footage of him.

.She attempted to perform,despite the fact that she had stage fright, so that Tilly would stop posing embarrassing footage of him. Even when he told her she didn’t have to go through with it, she still tried. (He eventually did it for her but its the thought that counts)

.Ally gave him Dougie the dolphin.

. She defended him and told him to hide when everyone thought Austin was the Mall thief. Home girl fully stood up to a whole mob by herself.

. She helped him overcome his fear of umbrellas.

. She forgave him for ‘accidentally’ playing her song on the radio and went through with his plan of Trish pretending to be her.

. She helped him get with Cassidy by writing him a song. (Yh the first one was bad but that’s literally what he told her to write. Heartbeat was a banger tho)

. SHE FRICKING GAVE UP THE CHANCE TO GO TO AN ELITE MUSIC SCHOOL (WITH A FULL SCHOLARSHIP) SO THAT SHE COULD CONTINUE TO WRITE SONGS FOR HIM! AND HE WASN’T EVEN THAT BIG YET!

Season 2

. She performed with him (despite the fact that she had stage fright) by pretending to be Taylor Swift.

. She bungee jumped off a bridge with him (yh it was to cover up her lie but…) so that he could make a good impression with the magazine editor.

. Ally was fully ready to accept her punishment from her dad so that Trish and Dez could buy Austin more time so he can run home before his parents get home (yh he still got in trouble but that was only because the fan page alerted his parents, he would’ve gotten away with it) Yes I know Austin was selfless this whole episode but Im trying to prove a point here ok? Also can I just say it was so obvious they liked each other from this episode

.She helped him plan a date FOR ANOTHER GIRL despite the fact that she started having feelings for him. And she pulled out all the stops too because she knew he liked Kira

. She could’ve outed him then and there to Kira that they kissed but she literally just walked away.

. Ally wasn’t petty or mad when she thought he chose Kira over her. She was accepting.

. Ally still wrote a song about him even though she was a little mad at him. (He then serenades her and wins her back with said song)

.Ally still offered to write him a song (the only time she could was 4am) despite having her own career to focus on, and he declined. And at the last minute offered to give him one of hers but he though they were too girly.

. Home girl was ready to give up her song (the most personal one she’s ever written) to Kira, so that Kira could consider asking Jimmy to sign Austin again. (Kira is a literal sweetheart and let Ally sing it herself but…) Also Austin was fully ready to let Ally take his place at Starr Records but Ally wasn’t having that either.

. Ally gave him his own songbook to write his music in.

. Ally wanted him to enjoy his youth, so convinced him to stay on the basketball team despite what Jimmy said.

. She helped him makeover his idol Jackson Lowe and get him back into stardom

. She forgave him for meeting with another songwriter despite the fact that he was being a drama queen and she had more of a right to be mad at him.

. She was ready to give up making her debut album just so that she could go on tour with him but Trish had to convince her not to.

Season 3

. Ally fully came just to see them (mainly him) despite that she was working on her own music. Even if she saw him for 3 days she was ready to drop everything to see him.

. She decided to stay on tour with him because she missed him too much and didn’t want to miss his first tour. He begged her to stay and she did.

.She distracted the tour guide and the press on numerous occasions so that he can escape with the silver shoes and not get in trouble.

. Ally fully adopted an ALIAS and risked losing her record deal, just so she could continue to write songs for him. Even when she had second thoughts, Austin convinced her to go through with it and she did.

.She then stood up to her FUCKING BOSS and risked losing her record deal because she refused to stop writing songs for him. She was not going down without a fight.

. She helped him with his Physics project and even made the paper plane for him. (He didn’t end up using it but he would’ve gotten an A if he did)

. Ally was the one who helped Austin overcome his stage fright and basically the one who pulled him out of his funk.

.Ally was such a supportive wifey that episode. Firstly she tried to hide the magazines with the bad review on Austin so he wouldn’t be hurt. Then she always convinced him to look at it positively. Then she became Swag Master Ally to pull him out of his funk.

.Then she gave him the ultimate pep talk which convinced him to perform in front of the critic.

.And of course she was his safety net when he was performing so he wouldn’t get nervous. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

.She knew something was off about Dwayne and started to investigate which led her to seeing that he was obsessed with Austin. She then came up with the plan to distract the butler so they all could escape.

. Ally helps him convince Dwayne Wade he wrote the song so he could stop being obsessed with him.

.She convinced him to go to prom and enjoy himself with Piper even though she still had feelings for him and she knew Austin was hesitant to leave her alone.

. Ally (and Trish and Dez) helped him escape Brooke.

. She (with everyone else, but especially her) didn’t want her dad to sell Sonic Boom because its where they had the most memories (its also where she grew up) and hatched a plan to convince her dad not to go through with the sale. (This is more everyone’s doing but still)

. Ally broke up with him (she really didn’t want to) because she didn’t want Austin to lose his record deal. And we all know how that turned out.

Season 4

. Ally gave up going on her tour so that she could stay in Miami with him for senior year because she knew she was gonna miss him.

.She (with Trish and Dez) begged him not to go to military school.

. She was the one who came up with the Music Factory idea so Austin wouldn’t have to work at his parents’ store forever, and he could get to do what he loves.

. She pushed him to do better in his exam so he could graduate with them

.She still made the giant pancake for him even tho he lost the bet, because she loves him and wanted to give him something for believing in her (🥹)

. Ally stayed up all night baking the 6 tier wedding cake he wanted but she really didn’t need to because everything was already done. She felt guilty that she didn’t help out more and wanted to make it up to him. (She even got cake all over her trying to get it to school)

. This isnt a point really but can I just say Ally was the only one who figured out that Flermy was Austin right away. Home girl knows her man when she sees him.

.Ally forgave him (and Trish) for not believing that she could pull off the performance at the awards show.

. Ally convinces him not to get in his head too much about his first performance since the break. She kept telling him not to listen to the fortune teller so that he wont get anxious.

.She tried to get him to think positively no matter how many things were going wrong. She even tried to lie when something the the fortune teller came true, so that he wouldn’t think what the teller told him would be true too. (That was a mouthful). Girlie was stressed for him this entire episode.

.She was the main one convincing him not to believe the negative prediction from the fortune teller.

.She tries to help him get out of the glass box.

. Ally lets the Austin impersonator stay in the music factory as Austin is coaching him. (Despite him making mess and making noise)

. Ally forgives him for losing her library book and lying about it (it almost didn’t allow her to graduate but she fixed that)

. ALLY GIVES AUSTIN HER SONGBOOK AS A GOODBYE PRESENT. Everyone knows her songbook is her firstborn child (sorry Ava). The songbook was basically her personal diary and contained all their memories she would’ve written down.

. Not to mention that the songbook had pre written songs in it so his career could continue while she was at school.

. Ally admits that she continued to write songs about him even though they were broken up.

. They sing a song she wrote about him, and that’s the performance that gets them back together.

. She agrees to officially become a musical duo with him. (Im now realizing this is yet another parallel to the pilot)

Just because Austin was more open with his love (and more dramatic) it doesn’t mean that Ally loved him any less.

Anyone with eyes can see that they’re both just as in love (and obsessed) with the other.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[bi-bard]

I Think It's Time You Marry Me - Evan "Buck" Buckley Imagine (9-1-1)

Title: I Think It's Time You Marry Me

Pairing: Evan "Buck" Buckley X Reader

Word Count: 1,103 words

Warning(s): mention of disaster/potential injury

Summary: [Inspired by "Marry Me" by Olly Murs] After a disastrous call, (Y/n) finds themself sitting by the phone and the TV with no word from or about Buck. When the man of the hour finally makes it home, he seems surprised about how much (Y/n) had truly worried about him.

Author's Note: Olly Murs released a new album, and this happened.

Also, y'all remember when I called Buck a himbo and seemed to get a chunk of this fandom to agree with me? Those were fun times.

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

It was easily the longest day of my life.

It had all started so... normal. Maybe that's why the whole day was so mind-boggling. There were no signs of what was going to happen. No sign that anything was going to go horribly wrong.

Buck had woken up before me. He kissed my forehead and mumbled for me to go back to bed before he ran off to get ready for the day.

I sat in my half-awake state, watching him move around the room, quietly thanking whatever entity allowed us to find this little place that could be completely ours. A place where we could both move so naturally.

I curled on my side as he walked back over and kissed me again. He muttered about how he hoped that I had a good day. And then, he left.

I didn't stay in bed for long after that. I got up, made my coffee, and tried to have a relaxing morning. Working from home had some benefits.

I had been clicking away at my keyboard. I had long since forgotten what words I had been writing. The news had been on in the background in the hopes of becoming an interruption to the silence that made me feel gross and sluggish.

And then, the news broke.

It looked like the world was ending. It's so easy for our minds to become apocalyptic when we don't have answers.

My heart dropped. My hands stopped moving and my head snapped over to the TV screen, watching the scene unfold. It almost felt wrong. For my home to be so peaceful and in order while watching everything in the world go wrong around me.

I turned around in my seat, watching the footage with wide eyes.

I jumped for my phone. I knew that if Buck was at the scene, then he wouldn't answer me for a while, but that didn't stop me when I fumbled to dial his number. I left a message for him.

"Hey- Hey, I... I'm watching the news and I know you're busy and I... Just... Just call me or text me or something when you get a chance. I need to know that you're okay. Please. I love you."

Every minute felt like hours. Every hour felt like days. It was terrible and drawn out. I wanted to find a way to run from it all, but I couldn't. I was stuck there in that time. In that period of unknowing and fear.

The news was still on, but it felt like nothing had processed in my mind. Nothing.

I had spent the day pacing. I did laps around the living room and the kitchen. I didn't eat. I tried to drink some water, but I knew it wasn't enough. It was hard to focus on my own needs when there was so much going wrong just outside my door.

I left countless messages. Texts and voicemails for Buck. I felt guilty but it was all just panic and anxiety looking for some kind of answer. I even called Eddie a few times. Nothing.

I checked my phone every few minutes, hoping to see something.

I never did.

It was already dark when I heard the front door open.

I froze where I was, watching as Buck walked back inside. He looked so tired.

He didn't look back at me until the door closed.

It was almost like time suddenly started going back to its normal pace. Like everything returned to how it was supposed to be.

"Buck."

I got over to him as quickly as I could. My arms wrapped around him and my eyes closed, relaxing for the first time in hours. Not fully, but just enough.

I leaned back, my hands moving to the sides of his face. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? I called and left messages and I knew you probably weren't going to have time to answer, but I needed to try. The news was no help. I didn't know what to do. I just- God, are you okay-"

Buck leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. I froze for a moment before slowly kissing him back. My arms fell naturally around his neck as his hands touched my sides.

I pulled away a bit. I looked at him as his forehead rested on mine.

"I should've called you back," he muttered.

"No, no," I replied. "It's okay. I just... God, I'm so happy that you're okay. And you're home and okay. And that's what matters to me."

"I'm still sorry-"

"Stop it," I mumbled. "Please. Don't apologize. You couldn't control what happened today. I'm not upset with you. At all."

He closed his eyes again.

"I just... I love you so much, Buck. So much. I was scared, yes, but I'm not angry or upset. I'm just relieved. Because you're home and you're okay and I'm actually able to say that to you. Just... God, I love you."

He leaned in and kissed me again. I sighed into the kiss, allowing whatever remaining weight there had been to fall away like I was throwing off a jacket.

I leaned back, grinning at him.

His next words seemed to slip out like he couldn't have physically stopped them, "Marry me."

I stared at him with wide eyes after I took a step back. "What?"

"What?"

"Was... Was that a genuine proposal," I asked.

"I... Well... I don't... I didn't mean for that to come out like that," he replied. I couldn't remember the last time I had seen Buck stumble over his words like that. "I mean... I've thought about it. I've been thinking about it for a while now. But I don't have like a ring or anything. We can just ignore this happened-"

"We are definitely not ignoring it."

He froze, just staring at me.

"Do you want to marry me?"

"Yeah," he let out a sigh as he spoke, a smile breaking out on his face.

I leaned in and pecked his lips. "I want to marry you too."

He looked away, seemingly trying to hide his face.

"We should do it," I said. "We both want to. We've both been thinking about it. We should do it."

"You're sure?"

I nodded. "Surer than I've been about anything in a while."

"Okay," he replied. "Let's do it."

I cupped the sides of his face again, running my thumbs along his cheekbones.

"God, I love you," I muttered.

"I love you too," he mumbled back before pulling me into yet another kiss.

And how perfect a kiss it was.

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[belle--ofthebrawl]

Mushy May 2024 days 4 & 5: First Aid and Animals.

No animals are hurt, there is a therapy dog!

Not what I had in mind as the first installment of the Hell on Wheels Au, but I suppose it would be appropriate to call it an introductory crash course. Basically it's a human au where they're all into bikes and cars and rollerblades, with a little bit of mystery sprinkled in regarding the Emeritus family and the role they play in a predominantly Catholic town, led by the good (?) Father Defroque.

Rating: General with a blink and you'll miss it hanky code reference.

Word Count: 2.5k

Characters: Aurora, Aeon, Sunny, Aether, Dewdrop.

As always, thanks to @forlorn-crows for putting the event together and @askingforthesun for being interested in this au that I once thought would never make it out of my head. The worst injury I've ever suffered required a mere six stitches so if any description of the fracture and sprain and mild head injury is unrealistic, I apologize and blame it on the ghouls still being extraordinarily resilient even as humans.

“Rory!” Aeon yells as soon as she goes down, nearly crashing his own bike as he tries to stop in time. She's on the ground in a heap, all he can hear is the sick crack of her helmet when she fell. He shoves his bike to the side and off the trail as he rushes to her, heart pounding and palms sweaty under his fingerless gloves.

“God, fuck, Rory-” She's not moving. Is she unconscious or just unable to? His hands are shaking as he pats her over, takes her pulse, checks to see if the sprawl of her limbs is unnatural, if there's a bend where there shouldn't be. 

“Rory!” He repeats, heart pounding in his ears. Her helmet is still in one piece, no sign of cracking or damage so that means she's got to be okay, right? Why isn't she answering him? 

His first instinct is to lift her up under the arms, get her off the trail in case someone else came along but he freezes. Wasn't there something about not moving people after a bad fall? Something with their spine…what if he made it worse? What if his best friend was paralyzed because he tried to help her? And what if she was paralyzed already anyway? Dammit, why had he told her his first aid knowledge was good enough? There was a lot in her pack but the most he could do was clean up the scrapes and bandage them. Why isn't she waking up?

She groans quietly and he could cry with relief. 

“I'm calling for help.” He says, “Rory, I’m right here.” 

Her hand is moving feebly on the ground; he grabs it and squeezes it to let her know he won't leave. A futile gesture when he pulls out his phone and thumbs the pattern only to see the little exclamation mark that tells him there's no service. They're too deep in the trail.

“Oh fuck.” He mutters.

Aurora groans again, struggles out of Aeon's grip to pry her helmet off. Her dark hair is stuck to her flushed skin in sweaty clumps but there's no blood that he can see.

“Ow…” she hisses, touching her head gingerly. Aeon, a flash of an old first aid class coming back to him, turns on his flashlight, checks her pupils. They both react to the light, a good sign. She's looking around, brow furrowed. He can't tell if that's a good or bad sign.

“My bike…?” She asks, in typical Aurora fashion.

“Looks fine.” Aeon says after he checks over his shoulder for it. “What year is it?”

“I dunno, I’ve had it since I was little.” She answers and he frowns. “Oh, you mean this year. Right, concussion check.” She tells him, then says. “That's going on the channel.” She mumbles. “You got that footage, right?”

Her GoPro. It's still filming from its secure place, strapped around his neck. He could laugh. He could scream. After taking an awful fall like that, all she's thinking about is her vlogging channel?

“Can you stand up?” He asks, but she’s already trying, slowly working her way up to a sitting position.

“Feels great.” She wheezes, flopping back down with a wince. “Just gonna…take five.”

She reaches for her shoulder now, revealing a large and ugly scrape on her forearm, blood already coagulating into a filthy mixture with the dirt. That he can help with, as soon as he fetches the black cylinder strapped to the frame of Aurora's bike. Inside is anything he might need for this exact situation if he had the brains to use it but self deprecation isn't going to help Aurora. The wipes, the little ibuprofen packs and the gauze is what's going to help her right now. Any idiot could figure it out, he tells himself. 

Aurora grits her teeth at the sting of the wipes on her raw skin but bears it with patience as Aeon clumsily wraps her up. He tucks the ibuprofen under her tongue at her insistence; apparently it enters the bloodstream faster that way. He guesses it makes sense. Not like he hurts himself this regularly to know anything about the fine usages of painkillers. Still, he makes her swallow down some water so her mouth isn't too dry.

And then there isn't any more he can do. She can't even sit up without crying out in pain, clutching her side and even though she isn't saying anything, he's pretty sure there's something wrong with her ankle too. He saw the way she’d gotten tangled in the bike when she went down, an awful replay he can't shut off. He manages to coax her off the main trail, dragging under her arms while she kicks with her left foot to help. Props her up against a tree, gives her his snacks.

“Go.” Aurora says. “I promise I won't pass out.”

“If I meet up with anyone, I’ll have them get help and come straight back.” He promises. 

She tries to laugh and it hurts to see it. The sound of her coughing follows him as he picks up his bike and starts trekking back to the start. It takes him longer on foot but after seeing Rory crash like that, he's a bit wary of his own bike at the moment, his own skills too new to be tested and risk hurting himself. Only when he clears the jumping areas and sets down on the flat starting section of the trail does he get back on and peddle. From there it's easy and it isn't much longer until he's dismounting again, pulling off his helmet and checking his phone for service. The single bar he gets is almost taunting him. 

He's about to dial when a dog barks, then another. A cheerful voice cries out in return and from around the corner on the road comes the strangest sight he’s ever seen; a woman on rollerblades dressed like it's the 80’s being skated over the asphalt by a team of half a dozen mismatched dogs.

“Excuse me?!” Aeon calls out, abandoning his bike to break out in a jog. “Miss? Ma’am? Hello?”

“Stop!” The woman bellows joyously and somehow, each and every dog comes to a halt. Some sit, while others lay down and others still stand and guard the woman that serenely rollerblades through them like a sea of fur and slobber.

“Hey, honey.” She says with a bright grin. “What can Sunny do for you?”

“My friend, she's on the bike trail-” he starts. “Something went wrong on a jump and she crashed, she can't move, and I-”

“Breathe.” The woman says at the same time a cold, wet nose touches his overheated hand. He looks down into the friendly eyes of a golden retriever, who licks at his fingers. 

“Breathe,” the woman says again. Sunny. She introduced herself as Sunny. The golden retriever nudges his palm and he grabs hold of its fur. “You got someone who needs help, I can help.”

“I gotta get back to her.” He blurts out. “Please, an ambulance.”

“I know sweetie, I know.” All the exuberance from her expression is gone, but there's no worry in her eyes. Just determination and Aron trusts her immediately. She unclips a lead from her belt and passes to him.

“Let me take this crew back to my car while you take Sweetness there and get back to Aurora; she's an ex-therapy dog and knows her way around someone in pain.”

He thanks Sunny, watches her take off the way she came with her odd little crew and looks down at the dopey, panting grin of Sweetness the golden retriever staring back up at him.

“I didn't tell her who my friend was.” He says, befuddled. Sweetness just blinks and tries to check his pockets for treats.

______

She's coughing again when he gets back to her, setting his bike down and untying Sweetness' leash from it. For a dog going grey around the muzzle, the golden had kept up surprisingly well and it's with a tail waving like a flag that she beelines to Aurora, nudging her way under her arm and licks the dried tears off her face.

“Cinnamon?” Aurora asks, sounding confused. “How did you-”

“I met a woman on skates with a lot of dogs.” Aeon says, sitting down on her other side. “Do you two know each other?”

“Oh yeah.” Aurora says, kissing the dog’s head. “This is Little Miss Cinnamon Pooh Sweetness the 3rd. Her full name by the way, but everyone calls her Sweetness for short.”

“No.” Aeon says patiently. “The dog walker.”

“Oh, probably Sunshine. One of Mountain's friends. Good!” The exclamation sends her into another coughing fit that she tries to swallow down with water. “She's gonna get Aether, he volunteers at the free clinic.  Oh he's hot, you're gonna love him.”

“You have several debilitating injuries and all you can talk about is your damn influencer career and how hot some rando is.” He carefully ruffles her hair, avoiding the tender spot she touched earlier.  “One of these days, you’ll fall and get some sense knocked into you.”

“Til then, there's you.” She says, poking her tongue out with a wink. Aeon sighs loudly and scrubs at his face, staring up at the sky.

“Yeah.” He says. “I guess I can be your common sense.”

____

Aurora is right though. Aether is hot when he stumbles up on them, jogging at a neat pace with a whole-ass red paneled wagon stocked with supplies and Aeon isn't sure if laughing is appropriate. The way Sweetness bwoofs and wiggles away to try and herd Aether closer to Aurora doesn't help at all. He just scratches her absently, even feeds her a treat from his pocket. Good with dogs and good looking? 

Woof.

“Aurora.” He says sternly, looking down at the both of them. Aeon thinks that if the guy wasn't trying to be professional, he’d probably say something like “not this shit again”.

“My knight in khaki armor.” She says dreamily.  “I think I cracked my rib again. And there's something with my ankle.”

“Again?!” Aeon says in disbelief. 

“Again.” Aether confirms, mouth in a firm line as he squints. Aurora dimples up at him, lifting her arms as gently as she can, making grabby hands.

“Uppies?” she asks sweetly. “C’mon, show off those muscles to my buddy here, Aeth.” 

Aether looks at Aeon, who sweats under the stony gaze. 

“Can you help?” He asks. “I’d like to get her in the wagon without too much jostling.”

He might not be a beefcake like this guy, but Aeon still considers himself decently strong. Plus, Rory weighs like, a buck fifteen soaking wet. It's clumsy but they manage, with Rory hissing and cussing the whole time but it just makes Aether smile, shockingly.  He surveys his grumpy passenger and nods.

“I would be more worried if she wasn't cursing us to hell and back.” Aether says, picking up the handle of the wagon. “This isn't going to be a smooth ride, but it's definitely not the worst situation you’ve been in.”

“We hoped she would grow out of it,” Aeon confides. Sweetness is carrying her own lead, leaving Aeon free to haul the two bikes. If Aether can pull Aurora, he can carry them bikes without complaining. Out loud, anyway. “But as you can probably see, her sense of self preservation is about as stunted as her height.”

“Boo, cheap shot!” Aurora says, sticking her tongue out at him. Aether chuckles, directing the wagon away from a stone jutting out of the ground.

“Learned that pretty quick after she moved in.” He says. “She sprained her wrist her first day in town at the skatepark.”

“Yeah, she sent me a picture of it.” 

“Not having fun until I draw blood.” Aurora sings, then quietly mutters ouch.

“Hang on, princess.” Aether says with a smile that makes Aeon's heart skip a beat. There's a flash of metal from a silver tooth. God, could he get any hotter? “We’ll getcha taken care of.”

______

Aether's ride isn't what Aeon is expecting. It's a bright red mini-van, handicap accessible that easily takes Aurora in her wagon. Aether fusses over her, making sure she's strapped in as best he can manage, directs Aeon to the passenger seat after loading the bikes in and doesn't even put the key in the ignition until everyone's seatbelt has clicked. Sweetness makes a space for herself under the wagon, thumping her tail when Aurora coos her name.

“Can you believe this guy won the demolition derby at the county fair last year?” Aurora teases from the back as they set off, just a hair over the speed limit.

“That was outside of working hours.” Aether says primly.

“Real mean at bumper cars too.”  Aurora says. “I mean, brutal.”

“I reiterate.” Aether says, clicking his blinker on a full six seconds before he switches lanes. “Outside work hours.”

They don't go to the hospital. Aether makes a face when Aeon questions him and chews his lip before answering.

“It's…” he starts, then sighs.

“I'm not fucking going there.” Aurora interjects. “Not after the horror stories I’ve heard from the others.”

“Horror stories?” Aeon asks. His mind immediately goes to ghosts walking the halls at night, doctors killing people for their organs, corpses rising from the morgue in the basement but the explanation as Aether puts it is rather boring.

“It's a Catholic based hospital.” He says. “Very Catholic.”

“Your suffering is a test from God type of Catholic.” Aurora scoffs. “Sure, the doctors are good but there's crucifixes and crosses everywhere, the nurses are nuns who were too mean for the parochial school and saying you don't want to be prayed over gets you marked as non-compliant in your file.”

“They can't do that.” Aeon says incredulously. 

“Privatized healthcare.” Aether mutters. “Thankfully, there's an anonymous donor who sponsored the opening of a free clinic in town. Not to brag, but we have just as good a team and equipment as the other guys.”

“If you say the hospital’s name you have to spit.” Aurora stage-whispers. 

“Gross.” Aeon replies, fascinated.

“The staff are better looking too.” Aurora says in a normal voice, making goo-goo eyes at the rearview mirror. “Delta still single?”

“And not looking to settle.” Aether says with a smile.

“Neither am I.” Aurora says with an equally crooked grin. Aeon fiddles with the window button and wonders if he’ll ever have a normal day in this new place. The rest of the drive is silent save for the classics station Aether flips on. At one point, they pull up at a four-way stop and get revved at by a motorcyclist who Aeon is pretty sure has the right of way.

“Thanks, Dew.” Aether calls as they drive past the biker. “See you tonight?”

The biker pulls a red and black striped handkerchief from their back pocket and waves, which is enough of an answer to make Aether laugh.

“I love how he just has that ready.” Aurora says. “Also, you should be ashamed of yourself, cruising for booty with an injured lady in your backseat.”

“You're no lady.” Aeon and Aether say at the same time.

“Owe me a coke.” Aeon says quickly and the way Aether chuckles  makes his heart do flippy things. Even if it's offset by Aurora gagging in the background.

_____

Aurora's taken in by the aforementioned Delta, who doesn't react to her flirting save for a crinkling of their eyes behind the mask they wear.

"They have the technology." Aurora calls as she's wheeled through a set of swinging doors. "They can rebuild me!"

"She's something else." Aether says with a shake of his head. "I'm gonna call Sunny and let her know it's taken care of. Then I can get you signed up for a first aid course, if you're willing."

"Absolutely." Aeon says. He doesn't ever want to feel helpless again, doesn't want something worse to happen and not be ready to handle it. Aether slips behind Delta's desk and spends a few minutes typing.

"I can schedule you for a check-up as well, get you in the system. Why don't you take a seat in the waiting room over there? We got new magazines."

"That's really nice of you." Aeon says earnestly. "Thanks."

"My pleasure." Aether says sincerely. "It's what I do." Aeon takes a seat on a comfy pleather chair, Sweetness laying down beside him. He looks over the magazines, spends a few minutes reading an article about exotic trail reviews then gets too fidgety and turns on the television. It opens to a local news station, a pretty, immaculately made up reporter talking about local crime.

"-any information regarding the theft, please reach out to the sheriff or Father Defroque." She's saying. "Back to you, Brad."

"Robbery?" He asks Aether, who shrugs.

"Not like the money was going towards anything important." He says dismissively. "Don't trust the church, kid. Not in this town."

"Never have." Aeon says, gut squirming in suspicion at the way the priest currently being interviewed smiles. Something about him seems...too friendly. Too kind. Artificial. In comparison to Aether, the man is almost slimy. "Never will."

"Atta boy." Aether says and the tone of his voice almost makes Aeon blush.

[mack-attack420]

Judd Birch x Charlie Jones (OC)

Chapter 1: Savior

Well, it started out as a nice day. I woke up early, cleaned my apartment, and finished a project that’s been annoying since I started; the footage just wouldn’t flow together correctly, and it pissed me off. I even decided to go for a walk. But it started to rain as I was walking back. 

“Stupid rain. Always coming at the worst possible time.” I continued to curse the rain as I walked along the sidewalk.

I finally arrived at my apartment building. It wasn’t in the best neighbourhood but it was home. When I unlocked my door, I could hear my rats, Nicodemus and Jareth, chattering from their cage. 

“You guys want to run around? Yeah, I bet you do.” I unlocked their cage and they crawled up my arms. They usually like curling up in my hair but since it's wet they stay on my arms. 

“I know, I’m all wet.” Nicodemus crawls down my body and Jareth follows. They start to chase each other around on the floor.

I laugh and go get a towel and dry my hair. Now that my hair isn’t as wet, Nicodemus comes back and sits on my shoulder. 

I owned his mother before him, so I've been in his life the whole time. I have always kept one of the rat pups when my rats had pups. The first rat I ever owned was Nicodemus’s great-great-great-great-great grandmother. I usually kept one of the girls but I bonded with Nicodemus. He has a salt and pepper coat. Jareth has a light golden blonde coat. The Rats of NIMH and Labyrinth are two of my favourite movies, and when I get two boys they both look like characters from those movies is just a happy coincidence.

 I like having rats because of how intelligent and caring they are; they remember who someone is just like crows. That is if they are properly socialised. Before I got Jareth, I would take Nicodemus with me everywhere. He loved to sit on my shoulder when I skateboard. Jareth isn’t as active and adventurous as Niccy. He just likes to curl up in my bra when I’m doing work or watching TV. When I bought him home from the store he crawled into my bra as soon as I let him out of the box he came in. God, that makes him sound like a toy you get from Walmart. 

Jareth decided that he wasn’t getting enough attention, so he crawled up into my shirt and into my bra, like always. 

“You boys hungry? Let's have a snack.” I go towards the cupboards and look for something to eat. “Peanut butter toast sounds good? Yeah, it does.” I get out the peanut butter and bread. As the bread toasts, I put some peanut butter on my finger and hold it up to Nicodemus, “gentle, no biting,” I tell him. He licks all the peanut butter off and Jareth pops his head out of my shirt for some. 

“Yes, you too.” He tries to pull my finger into my shirt so he doesn't have to stretch. “You are a little goofball, you know that right?”

After I finished my toast, I decided to have an after snack, snack. Weed. Such a lovely plant. I love that I can legally buy it now, instead of going through someone else who rises the price for underaged people. 

“You two need to go back into your cage,” I walk over to the boys’ cage, “You know I don’t like you out when I’m not in the apartment.” I pull Jareth out of my shirt and place him in a hammock. Nicodemus crawls down my arm, following his brother. They curl up and start to fall asleep. 

“You two are so cute,” I close the cage door and lock it. I don’t like the idea of them out when I can’t watch them because my dad once let his hamster out of its cage when he was younger and they never found him again until the house started to smell and the hamster was cooking over the boiler. Talk about the rodent owner's worst nightmare. 

This time I put on a sweatshirt to go outside. It's still raining. I don’t like smoking inside because rats can get respiratory infections easily and I don’t want to cause my rats to get sick and suffer. 

I’m about halfway through my blunt when I see two kids walking down the street with no jackets. One of them looks familiar. I think it's Judd's little brother. I’ve seen pictures of him from time to time. Judd may not tell anyone but he has pictures of his family on his phone.

“This is bad. We have no idea where we are.” The other one said.

“It’s getting so late,” Possibly-Nick said. It was getting late, “Our parents are probably freaking out right now.”

Did they sneak into the city? Damn, from the stories I've heard, he’s kinda a wimp.

“I would’ve done so many things differently. I would’ve wiped better.” Ok, now I’m stepping in.

“Hey, Kids!” I yell at them. I put up my hood so I don’t get any more wet. They look so freaked out.

“We didn’t do anything! I swear!” They back away.

“I’m not going to hurt you. You’re Judd Birch’s little brother aren’t you?” I ask Possibly-Nick.

“Yeah, I am. You know my brother?” Nick perks up.

“Unfortunately, I do. You guys want to come inside my place to dry off?” I ask them.

“I’m, you aren’t like a murderer, are you?” Nick asks.

“No, I’m not,” I laugh, “your brother is a good friend of mine. Look,” I pull out my phone, “ I Have a picture of him.” I show them a picture of Judd mauling a sandwich. 

“Yeah, that’s my brother. Ok, we would really like someplace to dry off.”

They follow me up to my apartment.

“You boys want some hot chocolate or something to warm up?” I ask them as I hand the towels to dry off with.

“Yes, please.” They both answer. After I make them some hot chocolate and add some coffee to mine, I sit them down on my couch.

“What are you guys doing in the city without an adult? You guys are like, what, 10?”

“We’re not 10-“

“Nick dragged me into the city to make out with a girl, she went to the Rocks house, and we said we would meet her there because I this inner ear thing,  so I obviously can’t fly, we lost my cool jazz hat, followed the ghost of Duke Ellington around the city, saw someone crapping on a sidewalk, saw my hat on a woman’s head and the women kissed our friend's mom who’s married, got mugged, and then we got lost and I want to go home!” Nick’s friend said in one breath. I thought I could talk fast but damn, that kids something else.

“Andrew!” Nick yelled angrily at him. 

Nick’s scolding Andrew was caught off by me laughing at them. “This is too good, I mean from the stories I've heard from Judd you're a little wimp, but you going all the way to the city to make out with a girl,” I almost fell over, “I mean, how did you even get here? There’s no way you could have walked along the highway here.”

“We took the train here,” Nick told me.

“And now you have no money to get back, right?” I leaned back in my chair.

“Yeah,” Andrew answered.

“And how do you expect to get back to Bridgeton?” 

Nick and Andrew looked at each other, plotting.

“We were hoping, now that we’ve met you, you could drive us back, or,” Nick spoke up, “at least give us the money to get a train back.” He tried to give me a ‘charming’ smile, but it wasn’t working on me, or, in my opinion, anyone.

I thought about it for a moment. Either drive these boys back to Bridgeton, which was a three-hour drive away, see them get in trouble with their parents, possibly convince Judd to spend the night with me, which I know he will say yes to because I’m awesome, or give them the money and have no fun what so ever tonight. Yeah, there was an obvious winner.

“Ok, I will drive you back,” The boys were excited, “On one condition.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Nick says, finishing his hot chocolate.

“Tell me something that Judd would never tell anyone else,” I smirked. This was going to be good.

“Um…He doesn’t really tell me anything. He likes his secrets.” Nick squirmed around on the couch.

“Oh, come on. You have to have something, don’t you? You’re his brother for fuck’s sake!” 

“Well, when he was like four he make mom Valentine's card asking her to be his Valentine.”

Well, at least that's something. “I guess that’ll do,” I stand up and stretch. I handed Nick my phone, “Call your mother and tell her where you are. It’s getting late and I don’t want to be charged with kidnapping.” 

As Nick dialed his mother, I walked into my room where I had the rat's cage.

“Hey, babies.” I unlock the cage, take out their food dish, and refill it, “I’m gonna be gone for a little while. Be nice to each other and don’t get hurt.” I relock the cage and change my pants from jeans to sweatpants. If I was going to be in a car for a little while I was going to be comfy.

“Hey Tweedle-dee, Tweedle-dumbass,” I walk out of my room and grab my car keys and purse, “Time to go.”

[linnetagain]

List of random Season/skating/Bloodweave thoughts that I don’t know justify their own asks but that I thought you might like to hear anyway:

Chapter 1, Karlach asking Astarion about pay: “Vroomvroom: so you’ll suddenly do a really shit job in week 5 then? :P” YOU CHEEKY LITTLE BUGGER, YOU (I love it, A+ foreshadowing)

I stumbled across Ryan Dunk’s “Freddy Mercury on Ice” skate, and his butt was weirdly distracting. I’m very aspec, is this what the allosexuals mean when they say a pair of jeans makes their butt look good? Why do I keep looking at his butt, shut up and let me watch the skate

The “middle finger” skate Astarion did while Gale was in the hospital was to Looking at Me by Sabrina Carpenter, right? I’m basing this on its order in my mega playlist, I can never remember what chapter things happen in and I do not have TIME to reread the whole thing again, no matter how enjoyable it would be. Anyway. I finally listened to Looking at Me yesterday, and then listened to it another 37 times. Holy cha-cha music, I was not expecting the mariachi trumpet sound. So sassy, I love it. (I did ballroom for about a year and half in high school, back in yonder years of 2011-2012. I was on the standard team, but sometimes I still get beat over the head with the urge to Do Something Latin by certain pop songs). But, more to the point, I LOVE the lyrics for this story moment. For all Amy’s strategizing about song choice and how they need to handle the narrative with Gale’s hospitalization, I think Astarion freaking nailed it—you think they’re looking at (Gale)? They’re looking at me. Media tries to make a big deal about Gale’s collapse, or Astarion’s response, or the fact that he’s showing up to Hessie’s school, or any potential leaked footage of the Mystra Kerfuffle backstage, or anything Cazador tries, or ANYTHING—Astarion draws their gaze instead, whether they want it or not (just look for the broken necks). I can’t remember the exact names of the maneuvers you can pick when you level up a fighter in-game, but there’s one that will force nearby enemies to attack you instead of your allies. That’s what this reminds me of.

Cool factoid about me: I got to go on a field trip in 1st grade to a nearby ice rink during the lead up to the 2002 Olympics, and we got to watch a skating pair rehearse their routines. After some research, I THINK it was the French ice dancing team, Gwendol Peizerat and Marina Anissina, who won gold in one of their events. The routine I got to watch was probably one of these! Honestly, the thing I remember most is the dude’s luxurious hair XD

Heads up: I am going to attempt to draw Gale & Astarion in contrasting skating costumes, drawing from male/female costumes, but making both of them gender non-conforming/androgynous. Gonna try and give Gale his long skirt. I’ll report back.

Imagine, if you will, all of Gale’s official music videos going forward incorporating dance/skating choreography from Astarion. I remember a gazillion years ago, when Lindsey Stirling was on a “dancing with the stars” type webshow where all the stars were YouTubers, her music videos going forward all credited her pro dance partner as the paid choreographer. Ice skate music videos. Piano on the ice rink. Gale singing (lip-syncing?) while skating. Outdoor skating on location. Maybe Gale skates with him, maybe it’s just Astarion, maybe it’s just Gale! Who knows. Ice skate music videos.

I have had this vivid image for… weeks, honestly, I can’t remember which chapter of my first read-through triggered this, of their final skate being some kind of dope mashup of Golden and Always You, with Astarion’s back and arms and Gale’s chest exposed, with gold body paint highlighting each of their scars. Because kintsugi. I figure Astarion would be the one to design and make/customize the costumes, cuz I do not trust Volo even in the slightest with something like that. Maybe it would pair with Cazador being publicly denounced and/or arrested, like a “do these look like they came from a fall to you??” I don’t know. Maybe there’d be a secret third song that Gale has yet to write that the other two would morph into, something triumphant to resolve the story of the skate/the songs, where Golden is kind of hindsight bittersweet and Always You is a pining song.

Ugh. I wish I had filk powers and could make Gale’s songs real. YO, FAN COMPOSERS/FILK MUSICIANS, I HAVE A PROJECT FOR YOU GIFT-WRAPPED AND READY TO GO—

By any chance, do you have video examples of the particular moves that the boys use in their skates? Both Astarion’s TikToks and their competition pieces. For reasons. No, shush, no guessing.

I found some really cool skating vids to share, but my YouTube is being a BUTT so perhaps that shall be a separate ask. Welp.

HEHEHEHE

Ice skater's glutes are INSANE. I know in canon Astarion has a itty bitty tush, but in season that man is CAKED.

Yes it was Looking at Me!! I have so much fun choosing the songs

Gale is absolutely still working on that song he's been writing about Astarion and it's about to get a whole new angle (so, less sad and pine-y) and I love to imagine Astarion in the music video or choreographing it, haha!

I do have examples of specific moves but depressingly few of them have names - would you be interested in me linking the YouTube videos with the timestamps? Would that be useful?

I'm sorry I haven't responded to the rest of your points but it was either YES, GOOD, YES or I CAN'T ANSWER THAT WITHOUT SPOILERS so I hope you'll forgive me. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm it's so appreciated ily 💕💕

[radio-navlee]

Buddy Noah!

There’s not enough total drama tlk content.. so I caved in and made my own🤘🏻I loved Noah’s and Owen friendship! It’s so cute, especially in TDRR dude that melted my heart😖

Lee: Noah

Ler: Owen

Sure Total Drama was a reality show, but its not completely reality. See, the Total Drama producers had a schedule. Just so everything ran smoothly, they would film challenges on Tuesday, on Wednesday they would film extra stuff for filler, Thursday through Friday they would go through and edit the footage, and Saturday to Monday, the campers would have the days off. 3 days off just to cool down, that's it.

Noah sat on the bottom bunk, knees curled up to his chest as he flipped through the pages of the book he held Infront of him.

"Buddy Noah, are you just gonna read the whole time? You gotta learn to have fun!!" Owen joked nudging him as he walked by.

"If having fun means making a fool of myself on nationals television? Then no thanks I'm good." Noah groaned not taking his eyes off the pages.

"Aw c'mon buddy-" Owen whined, making Noah's eye twitch at the word 'Buddy' "-loosen up a bit!"

"Unlike you, I have a life outside of this show, so no I am not going to 'loosen up'" Noah said, extending his legs and using air quotations around 'loosen up' with his fingers.

“You gotta laugh a little! Be happy! People are gonna think you’re just a sarcastic..and no offense when I say this… a-hole!” Owen said taking Noah’s book and setting it to the side

“Hey! I was reading that!” Noah growled

“Noah, I can see right through you bud!”

“Yeah, no really it’s fine! Just take my book out of my hands why don’t you! I didn’t even see what page I was on!” Noah still annoyed at Owen previous action

“What I see, is a lovable, soft, teddy bear of a man underneath your cold outside persona.” Owen said smiling putting a hand on his shoulder

“..You couldn’t be more wrong.” Noah said looking up at him, shrugging his shoulder to try to get Owen off

“Cmon show me a smile!” Owen teased

“I think I see a smile!” Owen said is a voice making Noah cringe a bit

“We’re in a cabin, not an elementary schools picture day!” Noah rolled his eyes

“Smile for me Noah!” Owen said now poking at him

“Hey! Stop THat!” Noah jumped trying to push Owens hands away

“I see a smile~ I see a smile!” Owen sang now poking faster

“Dohont touch meHa!” Noah covered his month in order to stop anymore giggles from escaping

“Aw is my little buddy Noah ticklish?” Owen laughed, he stoped poking to see if Noah would give his an answer

“Gehet! Away frohom me!” Noah tried to sound angry but his body wouldn’t let him,

“Yeah yeah! You don’t sound like you mean it,” Owen said

“I- I did mean it!” Noah recovered fixing his voice to sound more like himself

“Sure” Owen smirked digging his fingers into Noah’s sides and scribbling over his stomach

“GAH- EAHAhahahHa!” Noah’s laugh was so unlike him, it was low but high pitched, it was loud but quiet at the same time

“Dohohont tihihihahickle mehehehe!!” Noah squirmed

“Now you’re smiling!” Owen said moving up to his armpits

“OWENOWENOWENOWEN!! PLEHEHEASE!!” Noah begged, laughing and screaming like he was being murdered, kicking his legs agents the bed

“alright alright” Owen let up, removing his hands from Noah

“Nehever! Doho that eveher again!” Noah threatened catching his breath

“Ah, but you enjoyed it!” Owen teased. Noah glared at him for a while, he then broke up into short giggles and snorts.

“Noah?” Owen asked confused, Noah realized what was happening and fixed himself up real quick.

You know when you just told a stupid joke and you look at a friend to see if they got it, but you both just stare at each other for a while until you start laughing? That’s what was going on. Something in Noah’s brain kinda went wonky after being tickled. It flipped a silly switch in his brain making him un-sarcastic, more friendly.

“Ach-em, Sorry.” Noah apologized, now feeling awkward as ever, he grabbed his book Owen put aside and started flipping through the pages to see where he felt off

“Sorry? Buddy you don’t have to be sorry!” Owen chuckled, making Noah feel more embarrassed

“Whatever, just, don’t talk about this to anyone? Alright! I don’t need people thinking I’m some sort of push over! You take this secret to your deathbed!” Noah said, back to his sarcastic tone

“Alright buddy! Whatever you say!” Owen smiled

( AA its kinda short and confusing, whateves! Alr luv yall!🩷)

[patheticpaprika]

Just found this completely written in my drafts from January cause I got incredibly annoyed at it and abandoned it, but feck it posting it anyways, why not. So you know how in wwdits when the credits hit in the cult episode (s3 ep8) this song comes on to punch you in the gut after everything you've just watched?

"Have you ever considered for one moment that I might be happy for the first time in decades?! DECADES!"

Nandor hates being a vampire. He sees it as constant sameness that weighs down on him and washes away any purpose or belonging. But Guillermo brings him back. To him, vampirism is nothing but a gift and a reason for respect.

Now imagine a future episode, after Guillermo has been turned by Dereck. He's returned to the house and refuses to play the familiar anymore. He refuses to be their inferior. He's determined to change the sameness. Yet Nandor is too busy being upset that he wasn't the one to turn him and fully expecting him to finally leave for good causing him to be extra prickly and dismissive. The others just treat him like he was still human. How can anything truly change if they refuse to acknowledge anything has?

"Nothing ever changes in this house. Nothing is ever going to change. Unless I change it."

He had already become stronger than them. He had already demanded respect before. He had grown confidence and strength in himself. He'd done this all before. Vampirism solved nothing because he wasn't the one that refused to change.

He'll never be enough for Nandor, will he? He was never inadequate, Guillermo had long since grown past that. He just had always believed he was.

He is finally done. He says his goodbyes and leaves to be his very cool vampirey self without them. He's left, and this time he has no reason to come back. Nandor believes Guillermo only stayed to be turned into a vampire. Nandor's worst fears have finally been "confirmed," although only caused by his own manifestation.

Guillermo was his catalyst. Without him, the sameness of forever bores down on him. Guillermo makes him happy. For so long he'd been searching for someone that would make him like eternity but he'd been there all along. Yet all he had been doing was expecting he'd leave. He craves change but is terrified of its uncertainty. He desperately seeks closeness but is too scared to believe he can ever have it. No one could ever see him in his entirety and ever want to stay. This was simply further proof. He loved and was loved back but he refused to accept the possibility and hid behind his wall of indifference.

Mr. Emotional-Inteligence-of-A-Brick finally does a little self-reflection and realizes he needs Guillermo there. He makes him happy. He tries to get Guillermo to come back, but it's too little too late.

"Have you ever considered my happiness, Nandor?! You say you need me there and then act like you don't care about me. I'm done being not enough for you. I'm far better than that." "I am sorry Guillermo... I did not realize I made you so unhappy." "Yes because you never realize! Why do you even try to act like you care?" "I do care!" "Oh you do? Then tell me why." "...I" "Goodbye Nandor."

Yet with all his sulking and frustrated (not to mention terrible) attempts from his housemates to talk to him and cheer him up, Mr. Emotional-Inteligence-of-A-Brick finally does some reflection. He finally asks himself (maybe with some prompting from someone else) why Guillermo leaving was his worst fear in the first place. Why does he even care? Cue:

B-roll footage of Nandor drifting around the house before cutting back to him just standing there staring at the floor with a 1000 micro-expressions fliting on his face. But before the chorus kicks in. The music stops just long enough for Nandor to look up to the camera, absolutely terrified. (He cares for him. He needs him. He loves him. But it's too late, isn't it?) The credits hit and the song continues. So, when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? S.O.S The love you gave me, nothing else can save me, S.O.S

[whumpy-bi]

I Got Him, Part 2

Words: 766

Warnings: blood, injury, medical attention, captivity, mentions of slavery, human trafficking, general implications of violence and torture

Tags: @whumperofworlds @whumpacabra @whumpberry-cookie

Senator Fisher was beginning to grow tired, now.

He had been beating Owen Jones for hours, now, even persisting long after the little shit had stopped talking. He’d taken his time rotating between methods…first he used his hands, then an old golf club he’d had lying around. He’d gotten a few good hits in with a stone paperweight, but Jones was beginning to go limp on him. His eyes were distant and fluttering closed, and his weight was now fully hanging on the metal cuffs locked around the pipe over his head.

Fisher turned to his assistant, watching as they gripped the camera with both hands.

“That’s good, that’ll do. I’ll take the camera, I can handle the footage myself.”

The small servant was immediately rushing over, frantically handing him the camera and returning to attention.

He nodded to Owen’s almost-unconscious form. “Patch him up a little, will you? Make sure he doesn’t die on us.”

Owen drifted back into consciousness, slowly. He felt hands on him—pulling his shirt up. He flinched harshly as something cold made contact and solid, sharp ice spreading across his skin.

A voice was coming from…somewhere, fast and frantic.

“Don’t move, please don’t move. Please don’t wake up. I have to get the swelling down…”

Owen’s eyes fluttered open of their own accord. He tried to move his hips away from the cold, his exposed torso feeling the full impact of the ice pack and the cold basement air. He stared up through his eyelashes at…whoever this was.

The person was young and frail-looking, pale blonde hair neatly tied back with alarmingly dark circles under their eyes. They were entirely focused on Owen’s abdomen, attempting to secure the ice to his body. He felt…cleaner than he had before, which lined up with this person’s hand being stained with blood. Fuck, it was his.

Still out of it, Owen didn’t offer much in the way of protest as the small stranger began applying bandages. He settled into an…uneasy, if livable, silence as he watched, trying to discern what he’d missed.

Things seemed to change very suddenly. The stranger opened a box, and Owen made an attempt to open his mouth and argue.

“Is that a fucking syringe? No—no way, get that thing away from me—“

The stranger mumbled, tensely injecting Owen’s arm even in its awkward position. “It’s just a painkiller.”

He huffed, watching as they disposed of their supplies. “Listen—who are you? You—you work for Fisher, right?”

No answer. They hadn’t even looked at him again, carefully putting everything back in its place.

“Whatever he’s paying you can’t be worth this. We can work something out, right? You—“

“He’s not paying me.” Their voice was…painfully flat, their monotone feeling forced. “Do you want water?”

He stared in silence for a long moment. “I guess—sure, but—“ He squirmed again as they began digging around for a package of water bottles. “What do you mean, he’s not paying you?”

They didn’t answer again, opting for more silence as they held the bottle to Owen’s lips.

He took a few rushed sips, swallowing hard. “What do you—“

“Please, stop talking. He’ll punish me for it.”

All at once, the realization came crashing down on Owen like a hammer pounding a nail into place.

Fucking hell, they belong to him.

His mouth opened and closed a few times, his mind working slowly to try to find the right words. “Look…look. I don’t know you, I don’t know what these people did to you. But I want to stop them, you know? I want to put them away so they can’t do this to anyone else. That’s my job, to help people just like you.”

They hadn’t looked back at him as they continued cleaning up, but it was clear they were listening as they hesitated over the doorknob.

“I just need a little help from you, you understand? Then I can get us both out of here. You can get your life back—whatever it was they took from you. I promise.” He shut his eyes for a moment, feeling his muscles forcibly relaxing from the painkillers. “Please, you—“

“Alex. I’m Alex.”

“Okay…Alex, I need you to trust me and help me. Then I can help you. You can let me die down here, but—I might be your only way out. And you’re my only way. Why don’t we help each other?”

Alex gripped the doorknob for an agonizingly long time, before making the smallest, softest hum in reply.

Owen felt himself relax as they walked back up the stairs. That sounded like an agreement.

[dykedragonrider]

(voice of someone who puts off reviewing things for days at a time) finished Inscryption and while I'm not into ARG stuff much so despite having looked into it I won't comment on that, I will comment on the fact that the substance of the game is. Really fucking good actually. I played MTG as a child with my friends and this game hits good because of that, to a degree.

First off. Love the metagame elements with interacting with the exterior world in acts 1/3. That's fucking great. Picking up little items to use along the way as you progress the story, or directly progressing it with them (I popped the fuck off about the eye thing tbh, that was sick). The presentation with the tabletops is also just like. There'll be a recurring thing here that I bring up, that it's exactly what you wish you had when you were playing tabletops sometimes, a whole space devoted to it, and it's all just beautiful.

The roguelike deck building is fun, I'm a slay the spire enjoyer (even if I'm not a Pro gamer:tm: at it), so it was pretty straightforward to make broken and fun decks, and the game knows this, I think the volatility of the cards plus the fact that bosses have bullshit stuff they can do makes this feel like, really earned? You get ideas based on that to break the game further and it's encouraging innovation in such a smart way? Act 2 and 3 do this better (shoutouts to the instakill turrets that respond to something being in front of them, i made one and it was soooo nice), and I really liked act 2 because Grimora's deck had some really cool like, pseudo-infinites it could enter with how it interacted with sacrificing, so experimenting with that felt rewarding as shit. I do wish we got to spend more time with her though, bc I liked her style.

And that's kind of like, exactly what I adored about this game? There's some cool metafictiony stuff and I like the found footage presentation, but the main core of Inscryption I think is done so well through Leshy, the sheer love of the game and playing a character and *making an experience out of it*. It's broken. And that's OK. I like that that even gets lampshaded with Kaycee's mod, tbh. But the ending is what elevates this from like, a solid cult classic to something that has stuck with me in terms of pure sentimentality? When the deletion starts, Leshy takes you for one more spin, purely for the joy of the game. I handily defeated him instantly (trifurcated strike card with 4 power) but he just. "we don't need score" and you play a few rounds, and when you can't go farther, you shake his hand.

Grimora comes next. It's something wholly new! I adored her segment, the presentation the style, I wish I coulda had a shot with this! I'd probably really like this! I did like what was there! But it's over. She's going. And you shake her hand.

Magnificus finishes, and his is this whole spectacle (with its own tongue in cheek reference that, despite not playing that card game, i got). It corrupts itself as data is lost, and he tries to go and shake your hand, but doesn't get the chance. I found myself rather struck by that? It was poignant, I wasn't too fond of the guy with what I had seen, but that doesn't mean that it didn't like. There's a great tragedy here.

And that's what stuck out to me about this, going into personal experience here (not that discussing art isn't invariably talking about yourself imo, but the pretense is being dropped here fully) was as a kid I was a bit of a joyless ass when playing MtG, I liked winning, hated losing, and tried to build decks that could cheese wins from my friends (but was limited by my lack of spending money on them) for easy wins. And as an adult I look back on that with both shame and adoration, I had something I cared about a lot that made me think laterally, it was nice, but it was also... I was going about it the wrong way. It's fine to be motivated by stuff like that, but the love of the game I had early that drove me got lost along the way, and this game captures that *feeling* of the love of the game so well.

[jetstarred]

what i listened to in march 2024!

total: 8 albums top 3 albums: preacher's daughter (ethel cain), call me if you get lost (tyler, the creator), the michigan left (queef jerky) click read more to see full reviews ^-^

preacher's daughter - ethel cain (2022) - fav song: gibson girl - this is a very beautiful and haunting concept album. i really love the story that's explored here of a girl with religious trauma running away from her family and falling in love with a man she meets, only to be murdered and cannibalized by him. the songs shift through the same group of emotions; longing, fear, regret, hope, and pensiveness. there's some moments that really pull deep at my bones and make me cry. this is more of a country/folk album than i'm typically used to but the rock elements that are included and the grand production are familiar enough for me to enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone. i'm very excited to see the next part in the supposed trilogy of this story. - rating: 9/10

deathmetal - panchiko (2000) - fav song: cut - this is a pretty good shoegaze-y album full of a lot of typical teenage angst. it benefits from the poor mixing and diy garage sound, which makes it feel like a group of friends just got together to make music about their problems. what really elevates this album is the story behind it. this album being so underground and essentially "lost media" that was eventually found and led to the band having a huge resurgence in the past few years is so cool. the rot versions of some of the songs also add a very unique found footage-esque vibe to the whole album that almost makes it feel as if it was part of an arg. overall i think while the content of the album is alright, the fact its so widespread now is a testament to the dedication of music lovers. - rating: 7/10

laisser vivre les squelettes - daïtro (2005) - fav song: laisser vivre les squelettes - i was surprised by this being french (for some reason) but honestly i really liked the sound of it. while i don't love music where the vocals are mainly screaming, this was still pleasant to listen to for me. the music was enjoyable, especially the guitar and the drums. the only complaint i really have was the long spans of just music, which became a little grating at times. the ending of the last song was nice though i liked how it faded out. while i probably won't reach for this album again, it was still very nice to listen to more skrams music and get a feel for what it is. - rating: 5/10

isn't it wonderful - sugar cherry (2023) - fav song: october sky - this a really nice shoegaze-y indie bedroom pop album. its very short and sweet, with the album carrying a lot of feelings of nostalgia and not quite angst. its more so like yearning. as the side project of rozey (someone who hasn't release a lot of music but i like a lot) it was really nice discovering this and the album going in the more lo-fi noisy direction that rozey's been going in with his newer songs. admittedly a lot of the songs sound very similar because of the lo-fi atmosphere but there's enough distinctive elements in each song that can make them stand out after repeated listens. overall i really enjoyed this album! - rating: 7/10

call me if you get lost - tyler, the creator (2021) - fav song: lemonhead - i really like the loose concept with this album. the visuals are very strong so i wish the concept was tighter, but i get that this is tyler's "i made it" album. which i can give him a pass for bragging so much in this album. i think he deserves it. the music in this album is very similar to what's in flower boy and igor, with it very clear this is the style tyler's adapted and evolved as his own. there's much more rapping in this album than in igor, which causes this to be a nice mix of the two previous albums and even cherry bomb. overall i think this album is a very solid follow up to the massive hit that was igor and i am excited to see what tyler does next and if he tries to pivot to doing something new and different. - rating: 8/10

the michigan left - queef jerky (2023) - fav song: farward - as every queef jerky project, this is full of bangers. nick and dev have perfected making good comedy rap that has experimental elements. some of the bars included were really clever while others just made me laugh really hard. the production choices are reminiscent of jpegmafia but in a direction that makes the music have a sort of "contained chaos" atmosphere to it. and some sections really reminded me of breakcore which is a genre i've been listening to more recently. i dig it a lot and i'm soooo excited to hear what they release next. (i'm also legally obligated to disclose i fuck with this album more than any of their other stuff bc of the inclusion of riley from hivemind on every song. sorry america) - rating: 8/10

scaring the hoes - jpegmafia & danny brown (2023) - fav song: shut yo bitchass up / muddy waters - i don't know that much about rap so take what i say with a grain of salt. this album sounds very much like a throwback to older rap but updated with new styles especially that of breakcore and the general experimental hip hop peggy and danny brown are known for. i really enjoyed the production on this and honestly i think the two rappers work really well together. i was already familiar with peggy's music prior to listening to this but i haven't listened to much danny brown. this album def convinced me to go give some of his stuff a listen. the production on this album is really good and i fuck with it a ton! - rating: 8/10

once, but never again - supercollider (2023) - fav song: anyday - this album is very much inspired by shoegaze, taking elements from that and other genres like garage rock, post-hardcore, and post-grunge. its very much a diy album, with not great mixing and vocals that are very poorly recorded. all of this adds to the noisy atmosphere that gives way to the angtsy vibe of the songs. while i didn't love every song on this album, i liked the overall vibe and what they were going for. i see real potential in this band and i'm very interested in listening to their newest album. (after looking at the playlist for the album inspo, i'm not surprised at the presence of mbv, slowdive, deftones, and have a nice life) - rating: 6/10

[pleb-the-original]

Day 30: Create Your Own Cryptid

(so, this one I knew right from the start who would star. I've had an idea for a long time now about this little cryptid named bloodlust who actually went onto forums discussing him and using their belief to game the system and grant him new abilities. this is the moment where he finally lets them in on his little secret) lookout> anyone gotten anything recently? I’ve heard he’s been in the west coast area tracker> you talking about the new sequoia footage? lookout> yep. tracker> nothing yet on my end User San has joined! lookout> oh hey. newbie. San> Hello. A friend told me you guys specialized in cryptids? lookout> just the one. we ain’t exactly bigfoot hunters here. tracker> remember that one guy who tried to send in that photoshop of bloodlust with bigfoot? lookout> oh yeah that guy. literally made an account just to show off his art and claimed it was real. San> What happened to him? lookout> ban. San> Yikes. Anyways, what did you guys call him? lookout> bloodlust. tracker> yeah it sounds stupid, but that’s what he wants to call himself San> And you guys are okay with that name? lookout> sure. better than being called the Holloway monster or something like that. San> I guess that makes sense. Anyways, I came here because I was told that you guys could help out with identifying this thing I saw? tracker> better not be another photoshop. San> Don’t worry, it's some footage from my doorbell cam. San> september21.mp4 lookout> well, that’s tracker> he cleared out a whole raccoon den? San> The weird thing however is that when I went out to check when I woke up, the bodies were gone. There were traces of blood everywhere but it was just scraps. lookout> man tracker> good footage. clear angles and everything San> Thank you. lookout> it’ll take a bit to be verified. but I think this is front page material. tracker> better than the sequoia footage. San> Really?

lookout> yeah. almost made us think it was an actual amateur sighting San> What does that mean? tracker> wait, you really think? lookout> yep. I mean come on, this footage is perfect, too perfect. its at a perfect angle with every body in frame and of course the main attraction himself placed dead set in the middle. San> What are you getting at here? lookout> i’ve been modding this place for a long time. do you know how often we seem to get new members popping in and out of the forums leaving behind tiny pieces of evidence? tracker> oh great, he’s going off about his theory again San> Theory? tracker> his stupid idea that every new person that joins the forum is actually bloodlust himself in disguise using stolen phones. conspiracy much? besides, he’s a cryptid. i get that they’re smarter than normal animals but not that smart. lookout> But it just doesn’t make sense! tracker> give it up already. you’re gonna scare the newbie away. lookout> his name is literally San. as in SANGUINE tracker> touch grass. that isn’t even a real word tracker> look kid, I don’t know what he’s on about but trust me. everyone else isn’t like that San> Well that’s a shame. tracker> what? why San> he’s been the only one out of all of you to actually figure me out tracker> no lookout> wait, is that actually San> He even got the name reference right. I thought after finding that word that using it would be too obvious. But this has been a fun game nevertheless. lookout> HOLY SHIT tracker> no, it’s gotta be a bit. it has too San> Are you sure? lookout> Ok ok, if that is really you, then find me. I’ll send you my address in dms rq. tracker> dude, this is how you get scammed. San> Alright. tracker> come on guys, this is insane tracker> guys tracker> well don’t say I didn’t warn you lookout> he’s outside. tracker> what lookout> he is waving from outside my backyard tracker> no, you live in the midwest, he couldn’t have lookout> I dunno man, heard he has connection with demons tracker> ok, then send some real proof lookout> 478669856875.png tracker> did tracker> did you just take a selfie with the cryptid we’ve been tracking lookout> I have a name you know. tracker> bloodlust? lookout> In the scales. Glad to finally be able to meet one of my fans in real life. I’ve been following this place for a long time. Now that someone has finally pulled the curtain out, how about I do you all a favor. Lookout here will set up a Q&A for me later. A grand prize. tracker> wow. lookout> And honestly tracker, I’ve gotta thank you personally. It was your deductive skills that granted me my wings. tracker> wait, how? lookout> Save it for later. It’s a good story. Now then, lookout here says he’s got a spare cat bed I could use. I bid you all adieu until tomorrow. User lookout has logged off

[ollieofthebeholder]

to find promise of peace (and the solace of rest): a TMA fanfic

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] || Also on AO3.

Chapter 10: March 2011

“Found one!” The kitchen door slams into the wall behind it as Melanie bursts in, holding a book aloft over her head and smirking.

Martin drops the knife he’s holding; it skitters across the counter from him. Gerard almost reaches out to catch it, then stops himself—he’s still got a scar from the last time he tried that. Instead, he turns to Melanie. “What’ve you got there, Neens?”

Melanie pushes the door shut and throws the bolt, then drops the book triumphantly onto the table. “Haunted bookstore. The ghost threw every book in the section onto the floor except this one, so I took a look at it while the others weren’t paying attention.”

Now that it’s stopped moving, Gerard takes the knife by the handle and prods the book lightly with the tip. Thankfully, it neither starts bleeding nor attacks him back. “Does it have a label?”

“No, so I don’t think it was one of his, but the ghost wouldn’t touch it. And when I asked the owners, they’d never seen it before.”

“Yeah, all right, that tracks.” Gerard picks up the book and turns it over. It’s pretty typical of the sorts of books they deal with all the time—well-worn but not battered, slight foxing at the bottom right corners of both covers, a few loose threads dangling from the spine. The edges of the pages are tinted; probably at one time they were a vivid red, but it’s faded over the years to a sort of maroonish-rose. He definitely can feel the power emanating from it, but he can’t tell what power. Carefully, he opens the cover—they all know not to read past the title page if they can help it—but the title doesn’t mean anything to him. “The Transvaal From Within?”

“That’ll be a Slaughter one, then,” Martin murmurs. He hasn’t looked in the book’s direction, focusing instead on packing up the beginnings of the meal he was working on before Melanie’s unexpected entrance.

Melanie hitches herself up to sit next to him. “How do you know?”

“Get your ass off the counter,” Martin says automatically. Melanie, in the true manner of baby sisters since time immemorial despite their age gap only being a matter of weeks, crosses her arms over her chest and sticks her tongue out at him. “Uh, that one’s about the Boer War, I think. War’s usually the Slaughter.”

Gerard closes the book and runs a finger over the cover, instantly regretting it. “Oh, ugh. It’s bound in human skin.”

Melanie makes a face. “Great. Just great. I hope it’s not the ghost’s skin. Oh, maybe that’s why it couldn’t touch it—or wouldn’t. Because it didn’t want to damage its own body?”

“Melanie, if you were dealing with a ghost that’s bound to something like this—” Gerard waves the book in Melanie’s direction, scowling to try and hide the unease and genuine fear twisting in his gut.

“I’m kidding, Gerry. Jeez. Anyway, I got some good footage from this thing, so…doubt it.” Melanie snatches the book from Gerard’s gesticulating hand and holds it out to Martin. “Here, is it the Slaughter?”

Martin sighs heavily and slides his glasses off his face. His eyes go unfocused, and Gerard feels every single one of his joints ache—a neat little side effect of the protective charms etched onto his skin that he’s conveniently failed to mention to the others—as he draws on the Eye’s power. It fades quickly enough, though, and Martin swears in Polish as he puts his glasses back on. At least, Gerard assumes he’s swearing. It sounds profane, but since he’s never picked up any phrases in Polish beyond how much is that book and don’t mind my brother, he’s just lonely, Martin could be saying anything.

“What is it?” he asks, reaching for the book again.

“Slaughter.” Martin pulls it out of Gerard’s reach and tosses it onto the table. “And the Flesh.”

Gerard blinks. “Fuck.”

“It’s a twofer?” Melanie whistles and actually slides off the counter. “Shit. Lucky thing I didn’t read it. Guess that explains how I could feel it, though.”

“You underestimate yourself.” Martin nudges her gently, then reaches into the cupboard over the stove and pulls out what’s ostensibly a stockpot, which he sets on the table next to the book. “Anyway. We should be able to handle it the usual way.”

Gerard reaches for his coat, which he’s casually tossed over the back of one of the kitchen chairs, and fishes out the brass lighter with the eye design Melanie gave him for his birthday a few years back. Presenting it to her, he says, “I believe the honor of starting goes to you, Ms. King.”

“Hmm.” Melanie takes the lighter and flicks it a couple times, making sure it’s filled, Gerard guesses. She looks at the book, then back and forth from Martin to Gerard. Finally, she starts singing “The Golden Vanity”—not one of their usual, but it’ll work. Gerard and Martin join in when she reaches the chorus, and Melanie smoothly hands the lighter off to Martin.

Martin sings the second verse, then passes the lighter to Gerard for the third. As they all sing the last line of the third verse, he gives the lighter back to Melanie, who’s ready with The Transvaal From Within; she flicks the lighter on again and touches it to the corner. The book catches easily, and Melanie holds it over the pot as she continues singing.

It’s an odd ritual, but it works, so none of them question it; the only times Gerard has ever been hurt burning a Leitner has been when he does it on his own and doesn’t give himself the time to at least do part of it properly. It’s best when it’s all of them, of course, but he can do it on his own in a pinch. They each take turns singing a verse of a shanty or some other song of the sea—it works best when it’s something with a chorus they can all sing at the end, but as long as they all join with the last line of each verse it’s usually all right—and set the book on fire after the last one of them has sung. Strangely, no matter how long or short the shanty is, the books always seem to burn exactly as long it lasts, then finally crumble to ash when they hit the last note (they experimented once with a book, little more than a chapbook really, that belonged to the Lonely, and a rousing rendition of “Drunken Sailor”; despite the fact that they got progressively sillier with potential fates for the eponymous sailor, they managed to keep it going for half an hour and the book burnt the entire time).

Gerard doesn’t understand how it works, or why, but it’s kept them safe this long.

They hit the final note, and Melanie opens her fingers to allow the last corner of the book to drop towards the stockpot. It crumbles into ash as it falls, and then there’s nothing but silence.

Gerard peers into the pot at the fine layer of powder at the bottom. “Have you ever considered straining that and making soap out of it?”

“Looked into it. It’s got to be hardwood ash.” Martin gives him an exasperated look. “And do you want to scrub the dishes with the remains of the Flesh?”

“Well, when you put it that way.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Melanie says flippantly. “Gerry’s never washed a dish in his life.”

“I’ll get you for that,” Gerard promises.

Martin rolls his eyes and puts the stockpot in the sink, then sets the water running. Over his shoulder, he says, “Go wash your hands. I’ll have food ready in a bit.”

Melanie and Gerard both know what that really means, but Melanie waits until they’re in the bathroom to say quietly, “Is it just me, or is he getting bad again?”

“It’s not just you,” Gerard replies in an undertone. “Think you can spend the night?”

“Was already planning to figure out how to convince him it’s his idea for me to stick around so I don’t do something stupid like go back and see if there are more books of power in other sections of the bookstore. Not that I would, but if I can make him believe I might and he thinks it’s too dangerous for me to be alone, maybe I can at least con him into a manicure. You?”

“Like I have so many other options.” Gerard cuts off the water and reaches for the towel. “Come on. Let’s go take care of our brother.”

[sleepy-achilles]

A while ago, you made something called “Leon’s Nightmare”, would you be willing to make a part 2 to that? I’m really interested to see what would happen next with Leon, Taker, and Ministry Taker

It was so long ago I wrote it. I remember starting another part and I couldn't tell you what happened to it just that I never completed it and wasn't happy with it. But I can give a part 2 a good old shot.

The Family of Destruction- Leon Nightmares Part 2

Creative name, right? Same tw as last time, violence, dead peeps. Yk the drill.

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

Leon was scared. He was still in his body but he wasn't incharge. He couldn't control himself. He couldn't move. He was terrified.

He can only watch as he walks towards a sleeping drew. His finger tips burnt black. Of course, Leon human or demon wouldn't need a weapon. He is the weapon.

"No" Leon whispers. "NO!" He yells. Nothing comes out. Drew stays peacefully asleep. Leon fights, but it's useless.

"I told you I'd snap their necks" he suddenly speaks as he wraps a hand around drews neck. "NO!"

"NO!"

"Leon? Leon! It's okay!" Drew is quick to sit up as Leon thrashes next to him. "Lee? Leon! Wake up its just a nightmare" drew tries as he places a hand on Leon's arm. Wrong move. Drew finds himself pinned to the bed with Leon's hand around his throat. Leon's eyes a deep purple. "L-leon" Drew chokes. Leon's eyes turn normal and wided. "Drew" he gasps suddenly jerking back. "What have I done? Drew I'm sorr-" "Leon-Lee I'm fine. See? You didnt put any pressure on me. I'm okay" drew states. Leon scans him. No marks on his neck. "I do wish you'd let me put cream on your neck though." Drew sighs sitting up and looking at Leon's bruised neck. "How'd it even happen? You only had a match again orton." Drew asks.

Leon sighs and rubs his neck, refusing to look at drew. "Im going to shower." Leon mutters. "Want me to make you breakfast? Or shall we just grab something on the way?" Drew asks as his lover stands. He knows better than to push Leon when he's like this. "Im not hungry. We can grab you breakfast on the way though" Leon mutters before moving into the bathroom.

Drew reaches over and grabs his phone, opening takers messages. The man never responds to him, but his actions show Drew taker is looking. 'Just a quick warning. Something is wrong with Lee.'

Meanwhile, Leon is staring through himself in the bathroom mirror. A small nagging feeling tugging on the back of his head. "You could of killed him...and it had nothing to do with me" Leon's eyes shift from his own towards his father's younger face, the cruel laugh echoing in his ears. Leon can't fight the way his breathing picks up, this thing, has become more physical. Atleast it could touch him. Leon did not like that one bit.

"You gonna watch me shower, perv?" Leon growls. Ministry just chuckles before disappear. Leon let's out a shakey breathe before turning towards the shower.

It was going to be a long sad life.

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"Did you see anything?" Shawn asks, his eyes locked with the security footage. "No. That's the issue." Taker mutters as he watches his sons back hit the wall before he starts choking on nothing. "I didnt even sense anything. Neither did kane." Taker adds. Shawn looks at him. "What does that mean?" Shawn asks. "This is bigger than me and kane, that's what" Taker mutters looking down at his phone. "And looks like it's just got worse" he adds holding his phone up to show Shawn Drews text. "My poor boy" Shawn sighs. "Cmon let's get to the arena. Need to talk to him" Taker yawns as he stands.

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"You know, I didn't mean to hurt you" ministry hums. Leon keeps his gaze low and forward. "Honestly Lee...you just really know how to push me the wrong way" "Me?!" Leon suddenly snaps, looking back at the demon. A rookie mistake as everyone stops around him. Drew looks up from his phone confused. He looks at Leon first, takes note at the rage on Leon's face and in his body, then looks at where Leon is to see...nothing.

"Lee? Are you sure you're okay?" Drew asks lowering his phone. Leon's eyes widen. "Oh baby...they can't see me. Your father can't even sense me." Ministry smirks. "Its just me and you until you give in" he adds.

"No" Leon whispers. Both drew and ministry look at him shocked. "Im not okay and my dad's in a lot of danger." Leon whispers. "What do you mean?" Drew asks. Leon looks at him with sadest eyes he's ever seen. "I wish I could...but I can't tell you..I.. I need to find my dad and whatever happens, just know I love you" Leon states. Drew doesn't reply as Leon kisses him and rushes off. "I love you too." Drew whispers as a tear rolls down his cheek. He knows this is goodbye.

-----

It doesn't take Leon long to find his father, not that it matters, he knows he doesn't have long left. "Dad" Leon huffs. Taker looks at him. "I've been looking for you, me and pa need-" "no. I need to talk to you. Alone." Leon states. "Okay. The floors yours" Taker nods. "I've been haunted by a younger version of you since day one and well he's the one who choked me and he really wants his vessel back and he's getting stronger because he's feeding off me. He's gone from a ghost to a actual physical being that can touch me" Leon rambles.

"Oh leon" ministry sighs from behind him. "What?" Taker asks confused. "Dad please! Just listen to me. I'm going to do something really stupid and well..I need you to look after drew for me." Leon tells him. "...what?" Taker asks again. "Dad if he takes your body he will either kill you or pa. I know what he wants to do. I've seen it. He's shown me it. But if I go far, far away and give him my body...I can control it." Leon explains. Takers eyes widen. "Leon are you crazy? If this demon is as evil as I remember you will not be able to survive that" Taker snaps. "I know. That's why I want you to look after drew for me." Leon smiles.

Takers heart breaks. It's his fault this is happening. It's his fault his son is suffering. "I need you to trust me and I need you to make sure no one comes looking for me." Leon whispers. "You and drew are tag team champs, Leon you have a big-" "I know. And it'll open more doors for drew to be solo. I wasn't asking your permission Dad. I've being planning this day since I was 16. I just didn't think I'd have this long. I'll see you again" Leon smiles before walking out.

Taker catches a glimpse of ministry in the mirror as Leon walks out and his heart shatters. It's all his fault.

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Shawn watches as drew stands alone in the ring. "Wheres my boy taker?" Shawn asks quietly. "Hes going away for awhile. If you ask me, your boys been gone for a lot longer than we think." Taker mutters putting his hat on. Shawn looks at him. "Hes been possessed? For how long?" Shawn asks. "I don't know. All I know is it became a issue recently. Its best he goes away, I just hope he comes back one day" Taker mutters.

It didn't take Taker long to figure it out. Ministry has obviously been working on possessing Leon after finding out he wasn't an easy target anymore. All he needed was for Leon to lower his guard for a second to be in and clearly whatever happened this week made Leon see that. Made Leon see the trap.

"Hit my music" Taker orders. "What are you doing?" Shawn asks. "That boy needs a tag team partner, so he's gonna get one" Taker grunts before walking out. Shawn can't help but smile sadly. He knows Taker blames himself. He knows that.

It's takers own demon that has clung to his son like a rat to cheese. It's a demon Taker himself couldn't face and now his son must.

Shawns heart aches. "Wherever you are...keep safe." Shawn whispers.

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Leon finishes the last hex on the door before closing it. He lets out a deep breathe as he takes in the cabin. No way for him or ministry to leave. "What have you done?" Ministry asks. "Whats best for my family." Leon hums moving towards the kitchen. "You want us to play roomates?! For what! The rest of time?!" Ministry barks. "Or until you try to complete the possession." Leon comments glancing back at the pissed off demon. "You honestly thought I wouldn't know what you were doing? You make me laugh!" Leon huffs. "You gave yourself away with last night's nightmare." Leon comments. "I didnt give you a nightmare." Ministry mutters as he touches the hex.

Leon freezes, ignoring the way his palm begins to burn as does Ministry's. Damn, Ministry really was close to getting control fully.

He thinks back.

Leon was scared. He was still in his body but he wasn't incharge. He couldn't control himself. He couldn't move. He was terrified.

He can only watch as he walks towards a sleeping drew. His finger tips burnt black. Of course, Leon human or demon wouldn't need a weapon. He is the weapon.

He forces himself to glance at the corner of the room. Athena, his grandmother stands in the corner, a hopeful look on her face.

Leon can't help but smile. "Of course she did" he whispers. "So close I was so close!" Ministry barks. Leon glances at him. "Yeah. You were." Leon whispers. "She knew that too" he adds. Ministry looks at him. "I will get out of here and when I do, I'll use your hands to kill your papa, John, cassie, kane and drew and force your father to watch before I leave him to suffer alone on this world" Ministry growls. "I'd like to see you try you son of a bitch" Leon growls back.

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--three tasty years later--

Drew sighs as he places the towel around his neck. "You did great tonight kid. You may of lost the match but to your people? You won." Taker states. "Thats because I did. If solo didn't turn up I'd have that belt!" Drew snaps.

Taker doesn't respond. Drew looks at him confused. "What? What is it?" Drew asks. "Something is off.." Taker whispers. "Sorry about that old man" a familiar voice chuckles. "Been awhile"

Both men turn to see the familiar figure stood in the doorway wearing his signature smirk and a sudden beard.

"Leon?!"

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Notes

This isnt as deep as the first one. I know that. I've been struggling on it all day. It's been a rough day aswell.

But, I'm trying to justify why Leon wasn't around for Romans return and how he suddenly reappeared one-day with no explanation and well, in my original part two to this it does end with Leon just leaving, all possessed and angry. I wanted to keep that. Keep in mind I had no plans for Leon to suddenly disappear back then, taker was supposed to come along and save Leon from ministry but that felt too easy.

So I get a reason for Leon leaving and more on ministry from this.

This isnt the end of ministry by the way but I do what to clarify that Leon is possessed at the end of part 1 and continues to be possessed through the story until the time skip. He's not possessed when he steps foot into the clash at the castle arena. (The place and time I've always planned Leon to make his return, the details of whether it's during or after the show never been decided. It's just yk that show meant a lot to me. I was there)

I have a fic about Leon returning and both the bloodline and the judgement day trying to recruit him. I could make that part 3, a more unofficial part three, but I might add ministry into it.