#leave corky alone

[orcinus-veterinarius]

Please, please tell me there are reasonable people in this world who realize that Corky’s situation is nothing like Tokitae’s. Please tell me they aren’t serious about wanting to recreate the trauma she endured as a youngster by taking her away from her family a second time.

And please, tell me SeaWorld will protect her.

Don’t let them take her.

[virtualcarrot]

I just played a league of legends ARAM game that was so full of unadulterated incompetence that I was shrieking with hysterical and disbelieving laughter by the end of it

teammates tried to surrender and I went 'oh hell no if we [YOU] are gonna play this bad we're doing it to the very end'

[nerdy-novelist017]

Little Bunny (Benny Cross x Shy!Reader)

First time writing fanfic in years but what can I say? I see Austin Butler smoking a cigarette and giving Bedroom Eyes™️ and I'm suddenly a poet. Enjoy!

Part 2 here

Word Count- 2.7k+

Summary- Being surrounded by loud motorcycles, drunk bikers and hungry eyes was not something you'd ever experienced before. Neither was the intense blue gaze of a certain blonde biker.

*****

You didn’t belong here. That much was obvious. You in your white dress blowing softly around your thighs from the summer’s evening breeze. You in your kitten heels sinking into the mud beneath you. You . . . holding your Tupperware filled with homemade cookies. You felt the eyes of just about every person there burning into you as you walked across the grassy field, trailing slightly behind your friend as she made her way to the picnic benches in the center of what looked to be a makeshift race track. 

This is not at all what you pictured when Kathy had told you last night about a cookout and race she was going to. She had said that it was hosted by one of her friends in a club and that you should come to. You were just going to gently shoot her proposition down, but with one of your New Year's Resolutions being to push yourself to be more outgoing and attempt to break the shy vice that often gripped you tight, you reluctantly agreed. In a pathetic attempt to get the nerves to go away, you were up all night baking, something you found to be therapeutic as it gave your hands a task other than nervously tapping on something. Kathy didn’t specify what kind of club she was in, but she was always friendly and outgoing so you really had no idea what to expect, going in blind. When she made a comment about your choice of heels for the environment, you raised a brow, offering to run back inside to change. 

“Don’t worry about it,” she had said as she grinned at you from behind the wheel. “I think the club is goin’ ta love you.”

Standing here now . . . you would have never guessed this was the kind of club she was a part of. Sure, you noticed how her clothing changed some and she smoked a lot more, but seeing her interact with these bikers was shocking. She was like a different person. No, not different. She was still the same Kathy you had been friends with since 8th grade. She was just more confident now.

“Hey, who’s your new friend, Kathy?” someone called from your left. You glanced over at the many sets of hungry eyes that raked over your body as if they were a pack of wild dogs and you were a small rabbit. Your eyes widened as you looked to your other side to find a crowd gathered there too. “Introduce me to your little friend.”

“Fuck off, Richie,” Kathy called out nonchalantly, not even sparing them a look. You quickened your pace to be right on her heels, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the possibility of being left alone to these people.

“Kathy, I–I don’t think I should be here,” you whispered but if she heard your words, she ignored them. “When you said club, I was expecting a–a book club or something. . .”

“Don’t be silly.” She glanced at you over her shoulder, a smirk capturing her features. “I didn’t think I belonged neither, but look at me now. ’Sides, this club is way more fun than books, trust me.”

Before you could protest anymore, she led you to a table and you nearly collided into her when she stopped abruptly, your eyes still jumping around to the leather jackets and grime covered faces. You move to stand beside her, attempting to grab her arm and signal that you wanted to leave but she didn’t meet your gaze. Instead, she pointed a finger at the man sitting in the middle, legs spread leisurely, cigarette hanging from his mouth. 

“This is Johnny, he runs this club,” she introduced, moving along down the line. “That’s Brucie and his wife Gail. This big dumb idiot is Cockroach.” He throws a beer cap at her but she ducks out of the way. “That’s Cal and Corky behind them. . .”

With each member she introduced, you felt your courage sinking further and further into the ground. They each (including the woman) had an air of intimidation that screamed don’t fuck with me. Their leather jackets and ripped jeans hardened their appearances and you felt extremely out of place with your perfectly curled hair and manicured nails. They looked like people your parents had warned you to stay away from your entire youth. Growing up with difficulty making friends has left you somewhat naive and you’d never been around a crowd like this.  Yet suddenly, here you were, a helpless gazelle tossed directly into the lion’s den. Your heart pounded in your chest and you’re sure every person here can hear it echoing off the metal bikes surrounding you. 

“. . . and that’s Benny,” she finished and nodded in the direction of the person on the furthest left. Your eyes travelled up his long legs which are stretched out over the seat, up to where he’s sitting on the table. Your gaze lingered for a moment over the cigarette smoke pluming from between his lips before finally locking with his, and it took your breath away. It was like all the boys you had ever known in life, the ones you had been out on boring dates with, were just that – boys. This was a man. That was evident in his furrowed brow, his dark and unreadable expression, the way his piercing gaze moved from your face down to your toes and back up again. Trouble, his aura screamed, run far away from me. And you desperately want to grab Kathy’s arm and beg her to take you home, but she’s already moved away, making her way over to a cooler of beers, leaving you standing before them like an offering. You think maybe she had asked you if you wanted one before she left, but it’s hard to hear anything over the pounding of your heart in your ears, and even harder to focus on anything besides not breaking the intense eye contact the blonde in front of you was maintaining. 

“Whatcha got there?” someone from the table in front of you asked and you blinked, snapping back into the present. 

Benny had never seen anything like you. He watched from his seat atop the table as you blinked down at your pink Tupperware bowl. You looked like a doll freshly plucked straight from the box, every hair perfectly in place and not a speck on your pretty dress. The thought of running his hand up your thigh and dipping beneath the hem of that pristine dress, leaving a smudged trail of grease along your clean skin corrupted his mind, setting his teeth on edge with desire. The sun was just beginning to set over your left shoulder casted you in a warm glow that seemed almost ethereal, a picture of innocence and unspoiled charm. Your eyes, almost comically wide, glanced back up to him only for a second before moving to the others to find the owner of that previous question.

“Cookies,” you said so softly that Benny could barely hear you from where he was. And he knew then and there that he was a goner. 

The familiar pop of a motorcycle backfiring echoed through the air and you practically jumped out of your skin at the sound. You were just a little bunny, he mused, a smirk pulling at his lips. In one smooth motion, he pushed himself off the table, flicking the rest of his cigarette butt to the ground and stood to his full height. Driven by a fervor burning deep in his belly, it only took him a few strides before he stood in front of you, close enough to smell the sweet perfume you were wearing, close enough to see the blush tinting your face, close enough to touch you.

“What kind of cookies?” he asked in a low voice, hoping not to scare away this little bunny.

You glanced over your shoulder towards the parked cars and, for a moment, Benny thought you might try to book it, but then you moved your chin back and suddenly you were gracing him with your beautiful gaze again. He noticed the slight tremble of your slim fingers as they removed the lid and held the bowl out in an offer. In that moment, the air seemed to crackle with an unspoken connection, a promise of worlds colliding. No, he’d never seen anything like you.

“They’re chocolate chip,” you replied, eyes fluttering to the middle of his chest to avoid eye-contact. 

He lifted a hand slowly, dipping his head in an attempt to catch your eyes once more. He waited patiently until your gaze fluttered back up to meet his before he raised a brow in question. You gave just the slightest nod, and he dipped his hand into the bowl, retrieving one of your cookies.

You were locked into place, knees weak and head swimming as you watched him bring your cookie up to his lips. You wanted to look away, hell, you wanted to run away. But you couldn’t. You were drowning in his ocean eyes, unable to breathe as he bit into the cookie. Your gaze dropped briefly to his mouth as he swiped at it with the back on his hand, the muscles of his forearm flexing beneath tanned skin.

“Take her for a ride, Benny!” someone shouted from behind him and you suddenly remembered the rest of the group.

“Show her how to ride, Benny!” More egging. You took a hesitant step back, holding the bowl to your chest as if it would somehow deflect their teasing. You peeked around Benny trying to get Kathy’s attention, but she’s already sat down at another table, conversing with a small group of women. The women looked just as mean and tough as the men and you swallowed the lump forming in your throat. You take another step backwards. This was a mistake. You should have never come here. You needed to go home. These people – these animals – would eat you alive. The idea of just walking home crossed your mind briefly. But you were miles from your house, and you weren’t exactly sure where you even were – some farmhouse out on the other side of town. You needed to get Kathy aside to ask her to drive you home. 

“You ever been on a motorcycle before, Little Bunny?” Benny asked you, his voice hushed and almost drowned out by the razzing from behind him.

Your brow furrowed at the nickname. Was he making fun of you? Daring to look into his ruggedly handsome face again, you attempted to read his expression for any signs of malice. Surprised to find something kind swirling in his eyes, your lips parted to say something, but the words were stuck in your throat. “Mm-mm,”

He flashed a glimpse of his white teeth with a secretive smile as he took a step closer. “Can I be your first?”

“What?” Suddenly your mouth felt as though it were filled with cotton. 

He nodded over at the lineup of motorcycles to your left and waited for his question to fully sink in. You tilted your head, wondering if the double inuendo was intentional or if everything that came out of his mouth dripped with an underlying sensuality.

Trouble, trouble, trouble. That word rang out in your head like a siren, attempting to warn you and that’s when you realized that there wasn’t an ocean in his eyes. It was a blazing fire. There was a fire in his eyes and it threatened to burn every complacently comfortable thing inside you, threatened to burn every perfectly built wall surrounding your heart. 

You shook your head. “No, thank you. I don’t like going fast and I know that’s what you . . . bikers do.”

Was that a polite response? You weren’t sure because the smile on his face grew despite the fact that you just declined his offer. Any time you’ve ever rejected a man’s offer, they’d frown, grumble under their breath and walk away. But this man — Benny— just stood there, sliding his hands in the pockets of his jean jacket, tilting his head slightly as he stared down at you with a smile. He was confusing!

“Excuse me,” you muttered as you sidestepped him, quickly approaching the picnic bench Kathy had migrated to. Your cheeks burned as a few members of the crowd whistled. You set the Tupperware bowl on the table and several hands dipped in to retrieve the goods as you planted yourself next to Kathy. 

“Is this a gang?” You whispered to your friend and she laughed into her beer bottle. Since when did she drink beer?

“Gee, that Benny sure is a hunk, huh?” She deflected your question as she raised an eyebrow at you suggestively. 

Feeling his gaze still burning into you, you didn’t risk a glance back at him. “I don’t feel comfortable here, Kathy.”

“Do you want a beer?” She asked as she placed a cold one in front of you. 

“No,” you replied quietly. “Can we go now?”

She sighed. “Alright, fine. Can I finish my beer at least?”

You nodded but your relief was short lived when another biker woman sat down from across Kathy and began talking with her. Agonizing minutes ticked by. You drummed your fingers on the worn wooden table top, watching as Kathy sipped leisurely from her beer. Someone shouted as the racing bikes fired up, startling you. That’s it. 

“I’ll wait for you in the car,” you told Kathy and ignored the disappointment on her face as you stood and spun. You halted in your tracks when you find Benny still standing where you left him, still watching you. You kept your head down as you walked past him quickly making your way to the car. 

Weaving in between other cars and motorcycles parked in the far field, you breathed a sigh of relief when you made it to Kathy’s car. Once sitting inside the passenger seat of her pickup truck, you slammed the door shut behind you. Embarrassment burned your core and you groaned as you brought your hands up to cover your face. They probably thought you were some niave girl who was afraid of her own shadow. And you probably were but you clung to the slight relief that you would never have to see any of these people ever again. 

You jumped at the knock on your window. A tall figure stood outside your door and your heart jumped into your throat as you scrambled to roll down the manual window. Benny stooped over and held up your pink Tupperware bowl. 

“You left this.” One side of his mouth quirked up. “I’d say they were a hit.”

You glanced down at the empty bowl in shock. You had baked two dozen cookies and they were gone within minutes of leaving it on the table. A smile tugged at your lips at the thought of someone appreciating your hard work. “Thank you.”

You reached for the bowl, fingers brushing softly against his. A jolt of electricity traveled up your arm, through your chest before settling hotly in your lower belly. You pulled your bottom lip between your teeth as he lowered himself to lean against your door, arms resting over the window frame. His eyes roamed over your face as if he were trying to memorize every detail. Your mind struggled to find something to say to him to get him to go away but all thoughts were halted in their tracks as his eyes found yours again. Instinctively, you felt yourself leaning in a little closer to him, your faces only inches apart. 

“Can I at least give you a ride home?” His gravely voice broke through the thick silence. 

“Kathy is—” you started as you glanced over his shoulder to the direction of where you left your friend. Your words died on your tongue as you noticed her surrounded by a small group now, a fresh beer in her hand. 

Your gaze returned to him and you felt heat creep up your neck. “I—I’m wearing a dress though. . .”

“I’ll be sitting in front of you. Nobody will be able to see anything.” 

You fixed him with an incredulous expression before looking away. Silence settled between you again and you waited for him to walk away. Only, he never did. He just . . . waited.

"Are you just going to keep asking?" you griped as you turned to look back at him.

"I like to think of it as more of an offer." There was a teasing undertone laced in his words and you narrowed your eyes at him to keep from smiling.

“I won’t drive fast,” he said softly and your heart fluttered at the gentle promise. 

Trouble. Your head still reminded you even as you found yourself getting hypnotized by the intense blue of his eyes, so close to yours. Despite the sincerity in his eyes, there was still that darkness, that fire that burned through. That burning fire, threatening to cover a dark past. And you could see it, there was a dangerous undertone in that fire. Trouble, and yet you couldn’t hide the smile as your fingers reached to open the door. 

This fire you needed to touch — at least once, just to see how hot it truly burned. 

[superstarcherrycolagirl]

taken care of

benny cross x fem!reader/ 1k words

idea: your leaving work, but you’re being bothered. luckily you have company

tw: harassment, swearing, threats

notes: ok so this has been an idea of mine for A WHILE so i tried writing it out. think of that scene from the bikeriders after benny ended up in the hospital after literally getting clocked and the whole squad pulled up to the bar after that, it’s basically that but way more chill!! that scene was so hot ngl so i wanted to write about it:)) here it is

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

being benny’s girl doesn’t only mean gaining the mutual respect of the club and its members, but shown the same amount of care and protection as the bikers themselves.

you were just trying to leave work and go home, the 9-5 work shift literally left you exhausted, but this college boy would not leave you alone!

“can i take you for a ride sweetheart? i can take you back to mine to really get to know you” his obnoxious masculinity oozing out of him. he waited for a whole hour your shift to end, literally eye-fucking you the entire time as he kept shifting in his pants. what an animal you thought, you wanted to yell at him and humiliate him in front of other library goers so he can learn some manners. but you kept calm, you didn’t need to be scared.

“oh no thank you i’m alright! my ride’s just outside” you declined politely, which took a lot of strength for you to.

you’re walking out the door, ponytail swaying back and forth. “aw c’mon lil lady don’t be so shy! i can show you a real good ti-“ the boy couldn’t even finish his stupid sentence before stopping abruptly. the loud roar of rumbling engines sounding filled up the silent library. you’ve never seen anyone get so pale in the face.

you walk outside the door, the boy to follow, to see the fear-striking pack of bikers waiting outside the library doors.. waiting for you. you could spot wahoo, corky, and cockroach near each other, snacking on some gum and cigarettes. funny sonny was saying some shit to zipco and cal, whatever it was made them all send death glares to the shaking boy right next to you. johnny and bruice were checking out this boy, wondering if he would even stand a punch if he tried to lay a hand on you. and benny, bike stand kicked up and leaning back with a cigarette in hand, looked up right at you with nothing but love in his eyes.. and the slightest want to kill this filthy pig beside you on site.

you walk down to the club calmly, your flowy white blouse moving against your deep blue jeans, smiling sweetly at your family as you walked up to benny to peak him on the mouth. that poor boy knew he was screwed just by witnessing how all the bikeriders demeanors shifted to your presence. he was on the verge of vomiting once they looked back at him.

as you were getting on benny’s bike you took a glance up at the terrified boy, wondering why the hell he was still here. you were gonna say something to him, until you were interrupted.

“you wanna ride pretty boy? s’that what you wanted to ask?” benny said in a cocky tone, but you could hear the faint growl rumbling in his chest.

“n-no sir.. i just wanted to talk to this nice lady over her-“ that’s when you popped in quickly, but it did much more damage.

“oh so that’s why you wanted to to jump my bones a’few moments ago hm? to say somethin’ nice t’me?” you said it in your sweet tone of voice, but the adrenaline rising inside of you drenched your words in sarcasm. that caught everyone’s attention so fast, and in an instant everything became so loud.

“s’that so pretty boy?” johnny chimed in first “well you might need some help from us.. to learn how to treat a lady with real manners” his knuckle punching rings tightening tightening into a fist. “we’ll take care of ya’”

“yeah i’ll take care a’him by knocking his fuckin’ teeth down his throat!” cal yelled out, you could steam a teapot on his head from how riled up he was, he almost jumped that poor boy if it weren’t for zipco holding him back by the arm.

funny sonny loudly sounded his engine to make this boy shriek, which led some others to join in with cackles. “c’mon pinko! show us what you got, don’t be shy!” zipco chirped with a guttural laugh, increasing the blush and sweat on the embarrassed college boys’ face. that boy looked so frightened that you though he was gonna cry. ashamed. humiliated.

you could feel benny’s muscles tensing up against your chest, how he was just moments away from seconding cals’ idea. but he stayed right where you were, right where he was needed to keep you safe. everyone was there to keep you safe.

“get the fuck outta here you scum-fuck!” “don’t shit yourself on the way out pretty face!” wahoo and corky vulgarly gleamed, and that left the boy with one more glance at you, trying to send you a smile. not before benny sounded his engine roughly, a back the fuck off kind of signal that almost knocked they boy off his feet. and with that he ran down the block and turned the corner, knowing you wouldn’t see his face again anytime soon.

as everyone was gearing up while laughing, benny softly spoke to you. “you alright baby?” “i’m alright benny..thank you honey” he didn’t even need to say anything, giving the side your right thigh a good squeeze before kicking up his stick. you smiled against his back, that’s gonna need a good wash.

“you’re okay sweetheart, we’ll take care of ya’” that was johnny’s voice that rang. you and benny turned to him, relieved looks on both of your faces. “i mean it doll, always” he was firm with his, and you could only smile back at him.

and with that, you and the dozens of bikes beside you took off down the road.

what a way to call it a day.

[iridescentprose]

Danny x reader insert—The Bikeriders

summary; in which your perception about Danny begins to change.

warning(s); none just fluff

author's note: thanks for voting in my last poll! expect more fics to come!

The first punch was thrown about an hour after the picnic started.

Of course a little blood and a couple of loose teeth on the ground didn't bother you when you were watching the Vandals from a distance alongside their wives.

Unfortunately, you were a little too close for comfort this time when the first punch was thrown and Kathy, Gail, and Betty were nowhere in sight.

Scrambling from the wooden picnic table, you sidestepped two drunken bikers tussling with Johnny on the ground. The two assailants wore colors you didn't recognize.

"You dumb pieces of—"

A breeze of nicotine rushed past you, making you stumble. His slew of insults got lost in the sound of violent grunts that took place behind you.

You opened your mouth to tell Benny to watch it, but you quickly shut up, knowing that your words would get lost in the wind as he headed straight for Johnny's rescue.

You couldn't have been more grateful for leaving your secluded spot at the picnic table just in time for Benny to tackle one of the bikers on top of Johnny, and throw him onto the wooden surface. Thankfully, you turned your head just in time to hear Benny's knuckles crack against the man's nose.

"Y/N!"

You lifted your head upwards, narrowly missing Wahoo and Corky as they drunkenly ran past you to help Benny—who was most likely getting himself killed because of his recklessness. You shielded your eyes from the sun and sprinted towards the voice that called out your name.

By the time you reached the pickup truck, Danny had his hand extended towards you. You took it, and he carefully pulled you up onto the bed of the truck, sweat sprinkling his forehead. Once he was sure you caught your footing, he released your hand and you took a seat on the blanket that was sprawled beneath you.

"I didn't know you liked seeing 'em fight up close," Danny joked, readjusting the strap of his camera around his neck. He pointed the silver lens at the mob that was now forming around the area where you were once sitting.

"I don't," you said, eyes going to the side of his face and then to the commotion from afar. You brushed the dirt and loose pieces of grass from your palms before sitting on the side of your knees folded under you.

Although you didn't care much for any of those Vandals, you only stuck around because the Wives were the only friends you truly had. The only thing setting you apart from them was the fact that you weren't married to one of those brutes in a matching leather jacket. (You weren't married at all, to be frank.) But this fact didn't bother you. In fact, you had no intention of ever wanting to marry a Vandal for the sake of them either getting killed on their bike or cut by somebody's knife. You simply enjoyed their company because it was must better than being alone.

But your dislike for some of the Vandals didn't outweigh your distrust for Danny.

Perhaps it was his probing questions towards you and your friends, or that invasive rectangular box with a lens that hung around his neck. Regardless, you didn't trust him fully. Either that, or he intrigued you and you didn't want to admit it entirely to yourself.

"How come you're not out there helpin' them?" You asked in between the clicks of his camera. "Don't know how to fight?"

You knew the answer to this, but you just wanted to shake off the embarrassment of nearly getting in the middle of a breakout fight.

"I'm not much of a fighter," he said with a chuckle, a look of amusement passing over his features. "I prefer to be behind the camera instead of in front of it."

"Well, I prefer there not be a camera in the first place."

"Is that why you won't let me take a picture of you, Y/N?"

You turned to look at him, your cheeks getting warmer than the sun beating down on you both. He was looking straight ahead, seemingly satisfied with the pictures of sweaty, bloody men rolling around in the dirt. He grinned when he finally looked at you. "You're camera shy. Is that why you won't let me take your picture?"

"I'm not shy. I just don't like my picture taken, that's all," you said, defensively.

"Well, do you like taking the pictures?" He got off his knees and sat next to you, removing the camera from around his neck.

You shuffled, putting a bit of distance between you. "I've never tried." You shrugged carelessly, finding this conversation to be pointless and ridiculous.

"Maybe you'll like being behind the camera, then."

Before you could respond, Danny placed his camera in your lap. "You look through that little square there," he said, pointing to the back of the camera, "and make sure it aligns just right. Then you pull this lever back and press that button at the top to take the picture."

You looked down at the camera in your hands before looking at Danny with a lifted brow.

He chuckled softly. "Come on, try it." He took the strap of the camera and carefully draped it around your neck, his fingers lightly brushing the little hairs there. Quietly, he demonstrated on how to hold it up to your face and you reluctantly mimicked his movements. "Now, just find something interesting."

You took a breath and let your eyes sweep over the picnic. The fight had settled down and the boys were separating to their own corners. Some went to wrap their arms around their wives as if they had won the battle. The beers were flying left and right and the bikes were roaring in the distance. Perceptively, you panned the camera all the way around until you landed on the photographer himself. He was busy tinkering with his portable microphone.

At the sound of the click, he looked up as if surprised to be the subject of your aperture.

"How does it feel to be the one in front of the camera?" You grinned, playfully.

"Still nothing compared to being behind it," He smiled back before hopping off the bed of the truck. "But since you took my picture, you know what that means, right?"

He offered his hand to help you down. He slid off the truck with his ease and released his hand before smoothing out your shirt.

"What?" you asked, removing the camera from around your neck and handing it to him.

"That I get to take a picture of you" he insisted, kindly. "Just one, I promise. If that's okay."

You crossed your arms as if to mull it over before rolling your eyes. "Fine. Just one. But I don't know how to pose or anything."

"Just be you," he said, setting down his portable microphone. He put the camera around his neck and lifted it up to his face, waiting to take your picture.

You sighed and hoisted yourself on the tail-end of the bed of the truck. You crossed your legs and set your hands in your lap. Just as you were about to look directly at the camera, Betty had called your name from afar, waving you over. The camera clicked as you looked over Danny's shoulder as the group migrated to a small bonfire.

"Perfect," Danny said, looking down at his camera. He glanced behind him as the group formed before looking back at you. "You look great."

You hopped off the truck. "But I wasn't ready," you said with a slight laugh, knowing he had caught you off guard just as you had done him. "I wasn't even looking."

"The most beautiful pictures are the candid ones, Y/N." His smile lingered before he bent down and picked up his equipment. Slowly he turned to join the rest of the group surrounding a small fire.

It took you a moment as the butterflies in your stomach began to flutter about. The smile on your face stuck like glue and all of sudden you were unsure of what to do with your hands.

That Danny...he sure was somethin'.

[ivycjl]

Epiphany - Part Four

Hello!! Fourth and final part! I've had so much fun writing this; thank you all for reading! My requests are open! I would love to get them if you're all interested. I'll shut up now:

The next few days are hell. Benny doesn't try to talk to you, and you don't try to talk to him. Every time you accidentally run into each other at home makes you cringe.

You can tell you've made him upset, but what are you supposed to do? Finally, Friday comes.

He speaks to you for the first time since Sunday, avoiding your gaze and asking if you want to go to the meeting.

Your reply is a quiet ‘yeah’. The ride over is awkward as hell, and when you get to the bar, you both jump off the bike and walk away as quickly as possible.

Corky and Zipco notice and bring it up to Benny when he walks over. “What was that?” Corky laughs.

“What?” Benny glares. Corky and Zipco share a look before Zip says, “You and the Mrs. It was like watching 13 year olds-”

“None of your god dammed business, that's what,” Benny snaps before entering the bar alone.

That was a mistake. As soon as he walks in, he's greeted with the sight of you laughing and smiling like nothing is wrong. Fuck that shit, because why don't you look at him like that anymore? Like you still love him. Like you want him. Maybe you found someone new. Benny buys a beer and sits in the corner alone, stewing in his thoughts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hours later, Benny sits in the same spot, drinking, watching. He can't take it anymore. You don't smile at him, kiss him, touch him, laugh with him for weeks, and as soon as you get to this fuckin’ meeting you act like your regular old self. This is the first time he's seen you act remotely happy to be alive in God knows how long, and when it's time to go home you'll just go right back into your shell. Benny’s done. He takes a final sip of his beer and storms out of the bar, slamming the door on his way out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Johnny’s been noticing something goin’ on between you two. It started out pretty mild, but now you're full blown ignoring Benny. Won't even look at him. Didn't notice when his gaze finally tore away from the back of your head and he stormed out the bar. So Johnny goes over to you. You're sittin’ with Betty, laughing with a Coke in your hand.

“Hey!” You greet him with a smile.

“Hey…did you just see Benny leave?” At the mention of Benny, your face falls, but as quick as it changed the first time, you switch your expression to apathetic. “No,” you shrug.

Johnny’s confused. You've never been so short with him before. “Ain't he your ride?” At the mention of this, you turn to Betty.

“Betty, you came in your car, right?”

His wife nods uneasily.

“Do you mind taking me home?”

Betty and Johnny exchange a glance. “Uh, sure hon.”

You turn back to Johnny and shrug. I don't care.

Hm.

Later that night as Johnny’s laying in bed with his wife, he decides to bring up the incident from today.

“Ay, Betty, you notice anything about Benny and Y/N?”

She scoffs. “Jeez, ‘have I noticed anything’, yeah, apparently I notice a lot more than you do.”

Johnny shakes his head. “Like what?”

“Oh God, I don't know. I haven't seen ‘em sit next to each other, let alone talk. And God forbid Benny make eye contact with Y/N or else her whole night is ruined,” Betty rolls her eyes.

Johnny mulls over this for a moment. “Why’d’a think that is?”

Betty sighs. “She's probably sick of all his shit. I don't know. They might’a fought and she just decided she didn't want to deal with him anymore. Who knows. Or cares. Just make it end.”

Johnny nods. “Get the light, will ya?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Benny, surprisingly, finds himself at home. After driving to another bar, getting shitfaced, and beating the hell out of some guy, he's just there, sitting on his living room couch.

For the first time in his life, aimlessly roaming the world on his bike didn't make him feel better. So he just sits on the couch and waits for you to come home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You silently open your front door and enter your house. It was about 12:30 before Betty decided to go home, which was the perfect time for you to return home and count on Benny to be out or in bed. It hurt to be so far away from your husband, but you would rather deal with this than constant fighting or his cruel dismissal. At least, this way, there was nothing to hurt you but yourself. You start to hang up your jacket when his voice stops you.

“Hey, baby.” Baby. Fuck you. You can't show me affection until you don't get any?

“Oh. Hi.”

You hear him suck in a breath. “How’d you get home? Betty?”

You hang up your jacket and nod. “Yeah.”

You brush past him to set your purse down on the counter, and when you turn around, he pulls your bodies together by your waist. You gasp. He hasn't been this close to you in 2 months. Benny moves one hand to your face, tilting it up to look at him.

You had almost forgotten how pretty he was, you realize as he smiles down at you. You sober up quick as soon as Benny tries to rest his forehead on your own. You sharply pull away to see his hurt face. Oh God. He must be plastered.

Benny starts shaking his head like a child. “No. No, no, no.” He takes heavy breaths. “What the fuck is going on with you? Why don't you want me anymore? Why?”

As soon as he says it, he wants to take it back. He can see your face contorting in pain, feel you breaking out of his hold and taking a step back. “Um,” your voice trembles. Benny instinctively steps closer to you, wanting to comfort, but you just walk backwards faster and faster until you hit the stairs. “Goodnight, Benny.”

“No.”

You swallow. “What?”

“No, I said no. We're not doin’ this again. You can't keep leavin’ me alone.”

You laugh. “Me, leave you alone?”

The alcohol was not letting you hold back. You feel a fight coming on, so you turn around to start walking up the stairs. But Benny grabs you again, pulling you back towards him by the wrist.

“And what is that supposed to mean? You've been avoiding me for 2 months.”

“Oh, that must really suck when you want to talk to me or spend time with me and I barely engage with you! I'm so sorry you have to beg me for attention!”

Your hand flies to your mouth. That was definitely something you were not supposed to say.

“Is that…is that why you've been doin’ all this? Giving me the silent treatment?”

You nervously nod your head, glaring at the floor. “Because you felt like I wasn't spending enough time with you?”

God, he makes you feel stupid. “No! Because you're treating me like some shitty roommate and not your wife that you're supposed to love. Because every day you spend so much time out of this house it makes me wonder if there's someone else you’d rather be married to instead!”

He pauses before responding in a low tone.

“I would never do that.”

“Do what?”

“Cheat.”

You take a deep breath. Good to know he's got some integrity left. “Hm.”

“I'm sorry.”

“That’s not even close to fixing this, Benny.”

He nods his head. “I know.”

You look back up at his eyes. “But I am.”

All you want to do is sink into his chest and burst into tears. Let him hold you. You only let the tears part happen.

“Why don't you want to be around me?” you sob. You sound so pathetic.

“I do. I do. I'm sorry,” Benny says as he pulls you into his chest. You don't try to fight him.

He wraps his arms around your waist, dropping his lips to your head. You both allow yourselves to take a deep breath. Calm.

“I do love you.”

“You mean it?” you sniff.

He nods as he presses a kiss to your head. “Yeah.”

“I'm sorry I didn't show it.”

You sigh. “I'm sorry for doing what I did. I'm just so tired of fighting all the time. I just thought, y’know, I would do anything to not fight with him again, and-I don't know. I'm stupid.”

He shook his head. “You're not stupid.”

This is exactly what you hate and love about Benny. He could be God awful and rude and difficult, but then in that exact moment you need him to be, he's perfect. Whether he knows it or not.

“You…didn't find nobody else either, did you?”

“What? Oh, no. God no.”

Benny breathes out, relieved. “I guess we're in tune with each other somehow,” you say.

He shakes his head. “I guess.”

There's a nice moment of silence before you say, “Why don't we go up to bed?”

“Together?”

You take his hand. “Together.”

You unfold yourself from his hold, leading him up the stairs. Once in the room, you slip into a pajama set and crawl into bed. Benny had already stripped off his shirt, and for a second he just stands there looking at you.

“You gonna come here?”

Benny says nothing; just gets under the covers and pulls you into him again. And for the first time in 2 months you think that maybe it's going to be okay.

Thank you for reading! Requests are open! Also sorry I missed some of your requests to tag 😭 Here are all the ones I've seen:

@imusicaddict

@wallacewillow0773638

@behindmygreyeyes

[frnchgirls]

warnings: 18+, nsfw, exhibitionism, lots of dirty talk, implied finishing inside :]

after pining for you for so long, danny finally gets you alone with him in a vacant bedroom at a vandals house party. he's far too focused on staying quiet and on the way you're taking him that he doesn't even notice when cockroach barges in, mistaking the room for a bathroom.

he had every intention of keeping what he saw to himself, really. but what's he supposed to do when he returns to the living room, blushing like a kid who just stumbled upon his father's playboy collection? "you was gone for half a second." corky taunts, puffing smoke from the corner of his mouth, "don't tell me ya got lost again."

cockroach just dumbly stands in front of the guys, stammering and growing redder by the minute. "no fuckin' way, i know that look. you walked in on someone, didn't ya?" wahoo chimes in, unable to hide his shit eating grin as he points an accusatory finger. him and corky exchange knowing glances.

johnny huffs, standing from the couch with outstretched hands in an attempt to intervene, "no, no. leave the poor bastard alone. just cause you two ain't gettin' laid doesn't mean ya gotta ruin it for everyone else." but he of all people should know that together, wahoo and corky are an unstoppable force.

wahoo rises to his feet, pointedly flicking a bottle cap in johnny's direction. "show me what room they're in or i'm takin' ya outside and you'll be pissin' in the fire pit." he threatens, and cockroach really doesn't want that. so, he complies, whimpering like a kicked dog as he walks over to the aforementioned room with the two knuckleheads in tow. corky practically breaks down the door. "i'm sorry, they made me do it. 'm so sorry-" cockroach cries out, and wahoo shoves him to the side before he can blabber on any longer.

the intrusion has danny turning his head as he shields your body from view with his own. once he realizes who the culprits are, he lets out an irritated groan. wahoo cheers, "holy shit, danny boy actually fuckin' did it." and claps corky on the back. danny pulls out of you, reaching for his discarded button-up to cover you with, and the boys' hurrahs are quickly replaced by sounds of discontent. "hey, we didn't tell ya to stop. you was puttin' on a good fuckin' show." corky whines, palming himself through his jeans.

danny moves to put on his briefs, quipping, "in your dreams, tweedle dee and tweedle dum." but you wrap a hand around his wrist to stop him. what's the harm in letting them watch? neither of you got to cum and you're aching for it, and you trust wahoo and corky and you'd be lying if you said they didn't make up for in looks what they lack in brains. " 's okay. i don't mind... if you don't." you confess, rubbing soothing circles into danny's skin.

he looks between the three of you, blinking, "are ya sure?" and you're quick to respond, "yeah, long as they keep their hands to themselves." wahoo and corky think they must've died and gone to heaven. "yes, yes. we'll be so good." "won't even know we was here." "scout's honor!" they blurt, talking over each other, and you chuckle before giving danny the go-ahead.

he begrudgingly throws your legs over his shoulders as you toss his shirt back onto the floor. wahoo and corky buzz with anticipation, whispering to each other while unbuttoning their pants. danny spits on his hand, smearing the sticky substance on his shaft before sliding into you once more. the room fills with your collective moans, sourced mostly from wahoo and corky touching their cocks to the sight of danny pounding into your cunt.

"shit, look at her tits bounce when he fucks her." wahoo grunts, nudging corky with his elbow while he speeds up the flick of his wrist. corky sighs in acknowledgement. wahoo's words spur you on, digging your nails into the pale flesh of danny's back as you meet his thrusts with your hips. his words seem to spur danny on too, when he leans in and tauntingly sucks one of your nipples into his mouth, making direct eye contact with wahoo. he lets out a strangled moan, like the sound was ripped right out of his throat.

"oh- oh my god, 's so fuckin' hot." wahoo mewls, biting down on his lower lip hard enough to break the skin. corky tightens his grip on his dick, teasing the tip with the pad of his thumb. "i'd kill someone if it meant i got a chance to taste that." he hums, "how tight is she? i- i gotta know." being talked about so lewdly as if you aren't even there has you clenching around danny. he smirks before replying, "so tight it feels like she's chokin' me, gonna milk the cum right outta my fuckin' balls."

the words practically have wahoo and corky groaning in unison, mouths agape as they clutch desperately at each other's clothes. " 's good, bet it feels so goddamn good." " 'm gettin' close." "yeah, me too." their words overlap once again, speech akin to ragged pants. now danny knows all of you are almost there, based on the way your walls are fluttering around him, which prompts him to say; "you two gonna cum to the thought of fuckin' my girl? yeah, go on, cum f' her. spurt all over your hand and make a mess of yourselves. it's all you're ever gonna get."

the filth that falls from his lips pushes the four of you over the edge simultaneously, strings of curses tying knots that connect you to each other.

despite what danny said, wahoo and corky still don't know if they're gonna get to do this again. there's a glint in your eyes that seems pretty promising. but what wahoo and corky do know, is that they are so not shutting up about this.

that's not gonna give the other vandals any ideas, right?

[joleneghoul]

This is going to be less of an essay and more of a disorganized infodump where I just ramble about my favorite character Rip has a relationship with and that's Jeff Smith.

I actually find Jeff to be more important to Rip's entire story and character background than Booster. There will also be some mentions of Bonnie because the Rip, Jeff & Bonnie dynamic is pretty important.

Though partially that is because the erasure of Jeff is what has made Rip such a boring character to read within post 90s Booster Gold stuff.

Jeff Smith is probably one of my favorite characters nobody really knows about and comics forgot about (until recently, but I'll get to that).

To sum it up quickly, Jeff is Rip Hunter's partner in the broad sense of the term. He was Rip's mechanic, his best friend, his scientific other half, and even once a cowboy (howdy).

More under the cut because this info-dump got long!

Jeff was Rip's partner from Rip's first ever appearance in showcase #20 and stuck with him onward to the 90s. While the stories had Rip's name on them, Rip and Jeff were postured as more of a duo than otherwise.

Bonnie and her brother Corky were along for the story but not as front and center as Jeff and Rip, hell even the story starts with Rip telling them to stay home while him and Jeff test their time machine by going on a jaunt to the prehistoric together.

The time sphere was first and foremost a creation of Jeff and Rip's scientific and mechanical prowess put together. I find it more interesting this way than if Rip were some sort of solo genius.

Later within the Rip Hunter series from the 60s-70s Jeff Still plays the role of Rip's partner, even saving Rip's life multiple times over. A characteristic that is strengthened as time goes on with Jeff is that he is the more calculated and thoughtful one of the pair. This remains the case in the Time Masters 1991 series.

Jeff, much like everyone gets a redesign for this series and a bit more heft to his character motives/personality. This is a series (while not good) that follows a linear story line instead of a collection of adventures so it was needed. I honestly only reread issues of this series for Jeff because I like the way him and Rip's relationship is handled here, as it strengthens the fact that pushing others away can only hurt everyone involved and being alone can be worse than your fears.

He is introduced not only as Rip's partner but his best friend. According to Rip, Jeff is one of his only close friends on account of his obsessive personality. A lot of Rip's own characterization in my opinion mirrors someone who has OCD. His obsession becoming stopping what he saw the future became while in Booster Gold vol 1. Hell...Will Magnus tells him he's paranoid.

Specifically I think the relationship Rip has to his paranoia and fears vs the relationships he has with others is really interesting. This, while comes up with Rip's relationship to Bonnie, is shown mostly with his connection to Jeff.

Jeff throughout the series is the one to break through to Rip even as he pushes others away at everyone's expense. This is shown in the start when Jeff breaks Rip out of spiraling overthinking, bringing him back with his logical thinking. Then all the way to the end when Jeff comes up with the idea of how to fix the time sphere, while Rip was caught up in his own paranoia and had at that point pushed everyone else away or caused them to leave him.

ALSO Jeff has to tell Rip to trust BOOSTER, who in retrospect is Rip's father. I just find that interesting.

Now, I'm going to be talking about subtext which is just how I interpreted things not saying they were intentional but it's just what I picked up on. Also I have a lot to say about how Bonnie is treated I really hate it because she's so disrespected when shes supposed to be equals to Rip but- a rant for another time ig.

The relationship between Jeff, Bonnie, and Rip (and Cave but not really tbh) are at the forefront of the interpersonal drama. It's worth mentioning that every scene Bonnie has romantically with a man (like Jeff or Cave) is mirrored immediately with Jeff and Rip. Specifically usually when Bonnie struggling with her own relationships vs when Jeff and Rip are coming together.

There is when Jeff shows up to Rip's office in a green trench coat (not pictured in this panel bc he took it off) and sits on Rip's desk to tell him he'll be his partner. Then within the same issue Bonnie in her green trench coat trying to seduce Cave (who is HER scientific partner) by getting on his desk- but then getting rejected.

Then again when Jeff chooses to leave Bonnie (in bed) to go be with Rip VS the end of that issue when Rip solemnly makes the choice to leave Jeff (in bed) to go chase his own hubris. (later we see Bonnie make the choice to steal the time sphere and go live in the future and make her own life teaching people post nuclear war, thank god she didn't end up with any of these men after all that)

Also side note- When Jeff and Rip go to ancient Atlantis together that's practically the first time in issues we see either of them really happy since like, issue 2. The only thing that tips Rip off is once again when someone brings up his paranoia. Also they get these gay earrings.

Anyways at the end because Rip ends up alone, without Jeff who was his only close friend, Rip realizes that time changes everything and to not be so worried about the literal end of the world- and that hopefully in time even he can change and be a better person to others.

....WHICH I feel is totally ignored and thrown away later on when Rip returns as Boosters son and Jeff was erased from the picture entirely (Bonnie still managed some appearances in other media but Jeff did not- not even in lot so I've heard..which is odd because that was inspired BY time masters). Rip became characterized as the lone mysterious savant who always has a plan (or can easily figure one out).

Despite the reader knowing his secret that he is Booster's son, we do not tend to get to see much of their family relationship since Rip is more shown as a mentor than anything else. Otherwise Rip is used as a narrative device for stories to bring in a little time travel spice if Booster or that one treadmill isn't available.

I actually find the more interesting Booster and Rip interactions being the ones where Rip is shown to be overwhelmed, in the wrong, or confused instead of the "guy who knows everything". Sadly we don't get to see this often.

Jeff after over 30 years has come back to comics but not in a way I really like, he just doesn't feel like himself at all but neither does any of the time masters. We haven't seen him much yet but I'm just not excited because the reason we have this "loner" characterization of Rip still is because of the same writer who's bringing them back- and yet again its a case of "Rip is running around alone" "ah that's just Rip". Like I thought we went over why that's bad for him LOL.

Anyways I guess the moral of this infodump/rant is this:

FUN FACT TIME:

Jeff and Rip met at MIT where they were both top of their classes!

He is as smart as Rip who is classified officially as a super-genius.

Jeff according to the DC ttrpg books is as wealthy as Ted Kord was when he was still apart of Kord industries.

He also apparently has connections to the Metal Men and Magnus still while Rip does not.

[learnplants]

Today's magnificent plant is a bonafide superhero! It is the one and only... Acer Campestre, or commonly called the field maple! This tree grows about 20 metres tall and lives for about 350 years! It develops a corky bark when it matured but starts out flaky and brown!

The leafs of the field maple are small, dark green, and shiny, with 5 lobes and "rounded teeth"! It fades to a rich golden yellow colour in the autumn before browning and dropping off for the winter!

The flowers are rather strange looking! They grow in small yellow-green clusters and are cup-shaped! They're also "hermaphroditic" which means both the male and female parts of a plants reproductive system are in one flower!

When the flowers of the field maple are fertilised, they develop into very pretty and large green winged fruits! But the tips are a very rich magenta colour, which is very striking against the green and brown of the tree! They desperate by wind, taking flight when they detatch!

This may sound fairly familiar to some of you clever lot! It's almost the same as the sycamore! But the surefire way to tell the difference is with the leafs! Sycamore are more pointy, whereas field maple is more rounded!

The field maple is the only native maple tree in the UK, and can be found growing in woods, scrub and hedgerows! It's also planted in parks and cities a lot as well, due to one of its super powers!

Acer Campestre has indeed got super powers! The first being that they attract lots and lots of aphids, which means they leave your other plants alone, but with the aphids, comes their predators, like ladybirds! Another super power is it's awesome ability to absorb air pollution! The field maple can take in the bad air and trap any heavy metals in its roots, where it doesn't harm the tree all that much! It's final superpower is it's flowers! They are absolutely choked full of nectar, making it a favourite of pollinators as well as birds, and the fruits are eaten by small mammals as well! Also, since it is an Acer, or a maple, you can produce maple syrup with them! Talk about a super tree, it does it all!

In terms of use, it's incredible as well! Field maples produce the most dense lumber of all European maples! It's commonly used for carving and making harps, which is rather neat!

Field maples are rather hardy and only really suffer from sycamore gall mites and wilt, which is caused by a soil-borne fungus!

To finalise, Acer Campestre, or the field maple, is an incredible tree and amazing addition to our collection of knowledge! Superpowers in a tree! How cool! Anyways, without further delay, here it is!

[georgiapeach30513]

On the topic of ghosted and all that it makes me think of how Ana was not a good fit for that role. The simple fact that she had a white girl name while still keeping her accent drove me crazy! Couldn’t they change her name to fit the character better? By the way I am Hispanic and it was just so not realistic for me. I’m just going to come out and say it and I might sound like an ass but Ana isn’t that good of an actress. Yes she hustles and gets booked but as an actress she isn’t that good. She is average in acting and I have seen more talented people than her that don’t get that much hype or jobs as she does. She is honestly better off as an entrepreneur influencer or something. I have seen her in so many movies and in roles she has with a love interest she lacks major chemistry with those costars not just with Chris. Even the movie she did with Ben Affleck a man she ended up dating she still lacked chemistry on screen. No hate towards her as a person she is funny and a corky and corny and pretty but acting just doesn’t seem it for her.

I was just talking about Ana with someone the other day. I don’t much care for her acting. But she does work. She promotes herself and her work. But to me she’s a bit dry. She’s absolutely stunning but…that’s where that ends.

As far as dating Ben….I’ll leave that alone. It got her a lot of exposure.

[fellshot]

Wow, what do I say about S3E6 of the Mandolorian?

Side quest? Honestly, it was boring. It doesn’t really say anything new about the main characters. The side characters were interesting but not really developed. Nice costume design though. I want the Duchess’s dress. Grogu is back to being a purse pet again, boo.

I’m also left thinking how the hell did Satine Kryze manage to have tense peace for 5 minutes much less for 15 years. I really want Din and Bo Katan to find to Mandolorians who just go “LOL nope, go away and leave us alone.” I suppose Din did make a decision but it didn’t seem like a hard one.

Still hoping for Ewan McGregor as Corkie Kryze. If only to watch the fandom meltdown.

[the-firebird69]

You're a piece of s*** Paul though that's you're a f****** moron Garth the idiot. You didn't live in my house you God damn idiot you're so stupid you know this says that they're out there with them but they're petrified or something no we're supposedly they're supposedly blaming them and it says what it says and you're stupid

Mac daddy

And we can all sit around and read it and it's really easy and your stupid you're saying to go after them and they just say that the pseudo empire you mean both but you're really trying to say it's them and we f****** can't stand you so dumb don't put it out there for everyone unless you're getting your ass handed to you why would you do that

Tommy f

Without show people what we're talking about for Christ's sake we're sitting on all this stuff now these cities are stashes and cashes too this a****** Trump is saying all sorts of s*** it makes it worse and he's saying it too and he's a stupid s*** that guy won't leave it alone for a minute and he has a chip on his shoulder is making it worse we have trouble already. What this is they don't care about your problems and they'll use them and we say it's true we're exposed and we should stop it and we're trying to.

A cork

This is the actual statue or statuette really and we're willing to bet that sideshow.com is making one now they should make a full size one so corky and stuff can get the scale in it of it and feel espresso afraid of Giants and he's still get the wrong idea it's really what happens she's standing in about 19 ft tall cuz that deers 8 ft almost there's a little bit higher and she's over twice the heights it's just a crazy tall girl it's not really like built but at that height they're just naturally strong and she's in shape she's more like the messenger that's what it says.we put up with them for a while in their damn dangerous and they're Dave's kids and Carol's kids. I said is going to be that height but a lot bigger so a lot of people might say that it's Hera and they're going to make the statue. And it's not going to be the burning man statue not this year they say and they've got the idea and sideshow.com so we might make the full size one but out of plaster of Paris no it's like a cement mix they say it comes out really hard any polish it and they sell it and people put in their yards or in front of libraries it would be an interesting thing it's part of History and it would be an accurate part and people feel bad for them because they didn't fit in that well and they were ostracized and then they will think of what it really means is the ships are made out of very hard Stone and it could be theirs and they could be alive so people are getting going and making these so it will remind them of the times and he's more like needed the warlocks needed they're a little dumb

Thor Freya

So we need a full size one of you jackass he says I don't have one you know you don't have one and you're not my girlfriend you better watch out she knows it's small but she's still after that thing. Oh that's good news. So we don't want to situate we want a full size one and we're going after it I'm going to make it out of the clay when you fire that clay up if you come so damn hard it'll take like a year to carve it so we know how to expand it at least we think we do but he says is is really that a great way to do that what we say is we're sort of agree with you

A cork

There's a way to do it it's kind of saying it but you you make a mold and you get a big one and you'd increase the size using pins but really you can't really do it that way and so he's right oh this is a stupid idea he just had it that a****** the a****** morlock is trying to say that he had the idea when it's my grand nephew said you take the thing and you carve it using what he said it really is a robotic arm and it senses it and carves it and you carve it out of clay which is somewhat hard and it will harden and and time not too much time it takes a few days she makes this big clay block and you carve it from the top down and it gets hard as you're doing it and with the machine it doesn't take long and the scale will be correct and it doesn't mechanical way to do this with the computer and what is your car it hardens out of clay then you make a mold it's not too hard and we know that more likes to it by hand and they know how to do this by hand it's just does not work that good but they may do it and sideshow.com the method would work and you'd have a new mold and they want me to make it I say no I don't think so

Mac daddy

So we got to do it ourselves and we're going to make a lot of them and we get that

A cork

Olympus this is our stuff and this is incredible and the idea is good and they'll probably make it out of the great clay. And it's going to be very solid and that's why you would do it when you take the clay out there and you mold something they're like an hour but you take a big block you cut off the block and it gives you a few hours but it's not much time then it hardens very very hard people need more time to carve it so you make a mold I mean it's just going to be incredible and you will have to be quite industrious to make them old the mold is going to be tough to make it's complicated this particular type you have pieces that come off all over it that are separate are you almost have to make a new mold every time I really won't work unless you do it that way so you can you have to make a whole bunch of them cuz you have to make what's called a soft mold so you can pull it off cuz it's actually a casting

[corky-the-gluttony-demon]

DMC: An Absurd Comedy (A Devil May Cry Fanfiction) - Haunted by Dreams Arc - Chapter 4

Location: Elysium Lounge, Snowfield

January 6th, 3:25 PM

The Elysium Lounge loomed ahead of them. Snow swirled lazily around the dark, ornate building, as if even the storm had been caught in the demon’s thrall. Felix and Corky stood at the entrance, their breath visible in the cold air as they surveyed the place.

“Great. Another demon-infested shithole,” Felix muttered, adjusting his jacket. “You’d think these bastards would pick a place with better vibes.”

Corky snorted, rolling her shoulders as she tightened her grip on Gladius and Imbokodo. “Yeah, well, I’ve never known demons to have good taste. Let’s just get in, smash whatever needs smashing, and get out. I’m starving.”

Before they could push the heavy doors open, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows, leaning on a gnarled staff. It was Phineas, the blind demon they had once helped back in Limbo City. His sightless eyes seemed to glow faintly in the dim light, and a knowing smile curved his lips as he approached.

“Well, well. If it isn’t my old friends,” Phineas said. “Fate has a curious way of bringing us together again, doesn’t it?”

Felix raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “Phineas? Didn’t expect to see you here. Thought you’d moved on to better things.”

Phineas chuckled softly, tapping his staff on the ground as he stopped in front of them. “Indeed, I had hoped to leave these dark days behind. But it seems I still have a debt to repay. And what better way than to offer my assistance in a time of need?”

Corky tilted her head. “What are you doing here, old man? This place doesn’t exactly scream ‘retirement home.’”

Phineas’s smile faded slightly, his expression turning serious. “I am here because of Belphegor. His presence has poisoned this land, and it will only grow stronger if left unchecked. I’ve come to offer you vital information—information that may very well save your lives.”

Felix crossed his arms,. “Alright, let’s hear it. But make it quick—Nico’s gonna be back soon, and we’ve got a demon to take down.”

Phineas nodded, his tone grave. “Belphegor is unlike the other demons you’ve faced. You cannot rely on brute force alone to defeat him. His power grows not from physical strength, but from the weakening of the will. He thrives on the complacency and hopelessness of those who cross his path.”

Corky’s grip tightened on her weapons, her expression darkening. “So, what are you saying? We’re gonna have to fight him in our heads?”

“In a sense,” Phineas replied, his sightless gaze seeming to bore into them. “To defeat Belphegor, you must confront not just the demon, but the parts of yourselves you fear the most.”

Felix’s jaw tightened, his usual bravado tempered by the weight of Phineas’s words. “Great. So, not only do we have to kill a demon, we’ve got to do some soul-searching too? Just what I needed.”

Corky glanced at Felix. “You probably need it the most, Felix.”

“Fuck you…”

Phineas placed a hand on Felix’s shoulder, his touch surprisingly warm despite the cold. “Remember, the true battle is within. Stay strong, stay focused, and you will overcome. Now, go. Belphegor’s influence grows with every passing moment.”

Felix gave a curt nod, his usual cockiness subdued by the gravity of the situation. “Thanks, Phineas.”

Phineas smiled faintly, stepping back as they moved toward the entrance. “Consider my debt repaid. May fortune favor you, my friends.”

As he left, Corky scoffed, “’Thanks, Phineas?’ He just gave us a bunch of nothing.”

With that, Felix and Corky pushed open the doors of the Elysium Lounge, the heavy wood groaning as it gave way. The interior was shrouded in a thick haze. Soft, seductive music played from an unseen source, and the shadows seemed to dance in time with the rhythm, their movements languid and hypnotic.

The lounge was filled with the remnants of luxury—velvet drapes, gilded furniture, and crystal chandeliers that had long since lost their luster. Patrons, or what was left of them, lounged in various states of stupor, their eyes half-lidded, their bodies slack as they inhaled the intoxicating fumes.

Felix wrinkled his nose in disgust. “This place is a nightmare. How the hell are we supposed to find an artifact in all this?”

Corky’s gaze swept the room, her eyes narrowing as she spotted a large, ornate hookah at the center of the lounge, its base engraved with demonic symbols. The smoke that wafted from it was thick and dark, swirling in unnatural patterns. “I’d bet my last meal it’s got something to do with that.”

Felix followed her gaze, his expression hardening. “You might be right. Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

They moved through the lounge, carefully avoiding the patrons who seemed more like living corpses than actual people. The closer they got to the hookah, the thicker the air became, as if the very atmosphere was trying to drag them down into the same state of lethargy that had claimed the others.

Felix shook his head, trying to clear the fog that was slowly creeping into his mind. “Damn it, I can feel this place getting to me already. We need to destroy that thing before it turns us into zombies.”

Corky nodded, though she too was beginning to feel the effects.

They reached the hookah, the dark smoke curling around them like tendrils, tugging at their willpower, trying to lull them into a false sense of peace.

Felix gritted his teeth, raising Eryx as he prepared to smash the cursed object. “Time to put this thing out of its misery.”

But before he could bring the gauntlets down on the ornate hookah, the thick, dark smoke that had been lazily curling from the hookah suddenly surged upwards, coalescing into a massive, grotesque figure that filled the room with its presence.

The creature was a nightmarish amalgamation of human and insect—its body was that of an impossibly bloated man, with multiple pairs of spindly, insect-like legs jutting out from its sides.

“Holy shit, what is that?” Corky shouted, backing away as the creature let out a wheezing laugh that rattled the walls.

“Looks like we’ve got ourselves a big, fat problem,” Felix muttered, his eyes narrowing as he took in the monstrosity before them.

The creature—Belphegor’s twisted enforcer, the Smoke Fiend—reached out with one of its long, spindly arms, its clawed fingers dripping with tar-like ichor. The air around it shimmered with a heat haze, and the smoke it exhaled seemed to warp reality itself, creating hallucinations that flickered at the edges of Felix and Corky’s vision.

As if the Smoke Fiend wasn’t bad enough, the opium den’s patrons began to stir, their glazed eyes flickering with unnatural light. They rose from their reclining positions, their movements jerky and unnatural as if they were marionettes controlled by unseen strings. These once-humans had been transformed into Sloth Thralls—mindless, shuffling creatures whose only purpose was to serve their master’s will.

The Thralls stumbled forward, their hands outstretched as they muttered incoherently under their breath, their voices a chorus of despair and apathy.

“Great, just great,” Corky grumbled, readying Gladius and Imbokodo. “As if fighting that big bastard wasn’t enough, now we’ve got zombie junkies to deal with.”

Felix cracked his neck, his trademark grin slipping back into place. “Hey, more targets, more fun, right? Let’s clear these guys out before they bore us to death.”

She swung Gladius in a wide arc, slicing through the first wave of Thralls with ease. The creatures barely put up a fight, their sluggish movements making them easy targets, but their sheer numbers made them a persistent nuisance. Each time Corky cut one down, another seemed to take its place, stumbling forward.

Meanwhile, Felix focused on the Smoke Fiend, his gauntlets crackling with energy as he closed the distance between them. The creature’s laughter echoed through the room, its grin widening as it exhaled another thick cloud of smoke that engulfed Felix. For a moment, his vision swam, the room around him warping and distorting as the smoke played tricks on his mind.

He could see his reflection in a cracked mirror across the room, but it wasn’t his usual cocky self staring back. Instead, it was a twisted version of him—sweaty and gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes and a look of utter defeat. The reflection sneered at him, mouthing the words “You’re not strong enough.”

Felix growled, shaking his head to clear the hallucination. “Nice try, asshole, but I’m not falling for that.”

He launched himself at the Smoke Fiend, slamming Eryx into its bloated chest with a powerful uppercut. The impact sent a shockwave through the creature’s body, causing it to recoil with a wheezing gasp. Tar-like blood oozed from the wound, but the Fiend’s grin never faltered. Instead, it retaliated with a swipe of its clawed hand, knocking Felix off balance and sending him crashing into a pile of broken furniture.

“Felix!” Corky shouted, cutting down another Thrall before turning her attention to the Fiend. “Hang on!”

She charged at the creature, Imbokodo swinging with deadly force. The heavy axe connected with one of the Fiend’s insectoid legs, severing it cleanly. The creature screeched in pain, but before Corky could deliver another blow, a wave of smoke washed over her, causing her vision to blur.

For a moment, Corky wasn’t in the opium den anymore. She was back in her childhood home, the walls closing in on her, the stifling weight of her father’s expectations bearing down on her like a physical force. She could hear his voice, telling her she’d never amount to anything, that she was nothing but a failure.

Corky’s grip tightened on her weapons, her teeth gritting against the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. “Not this time,” she muttered, pushing through the illusion with sheer force of will.

The den came back into focus just in time for Corky to see the Smoke Fiend looming over Felix, its claws raised for another strike. With a fierce battle cry, she hurled Gladius like a spear, the blade embedding itself in the Fiend’s side, causing it to howl in agony.

Felix seized the opportunity, springing back to his feet and delivering a punishing series of blows with Eryx. The gauntlets crackled with energy as he pummeled the creature, each hit sending waves of force rippling through its bloated form.

“Corky, now!” Felix shouted, dodging another swipe from the Fiend.

Corky retrieved Gladius and charged forward, her movements fluid and precise. She and Felix attacked in tandem, their strikes perfectly timed as they whittled down the Fiend’s defenses. The creature’s laughter turned into a pained wheeze, its strength waning with each blow.

Finally, with a coordinated attack, Felix delivered a crushing uppercut with Eryx that sent the Fiend staggering backward, while Corky brought Imbokodo down in a mighty swing that cleaved the creature’s head clean off. The Fiend’s body convulsed before collapsing in a heap, the thick smoke dissipating into the air.

The remaining Thralls crumpled to the ground, their bodies lifeless now that the Fiend’s influence had been severed. The heavy, oppressive atmosphere lifted, replaced by an almost eerie calm.

Felix and Corky stood amidst the wreckage, breathing heavily as they surveyed the destruction. The hookah lay in ruins, the source of Belphegor’s power in the Lounge destroyed.

“Damn,” Corky panted, wiping sweat from her brow. “That was one hell of a fight. I’m starting to think these demons are getting more creative.”

Felix smirked, though he was clearly exhausted. “Yeah, but creative or not, they’re still just demons. And we’re still better.”

Corky nodded in agreement, her grin fading slightly as she surveyed the wreckage of the opium den.

They moved deeper into the Lounge, stepping over the unconscious bodies of the patrons who had been freed from the demon’s thrall.

“Okay, this place is definitely on the ‘do not revisit’ list,” Felix muttered, his grip tightening on Eryx. “It’s like someone crossed a funhouse with a fever dream.”

Corky chuckled, though it was tinged with unease. “You’re telling me. I feel like we’re about to walk into a Salvador Dali painting.”

As they ventured further into the Lounge, the corridors narrowed, the walls closing in around them.

“Seriously, what kind of freak designed this place?” Felix grumbled as they pushed through another set of heavy, ornate doors.

The doors led them into a large, circular chamber that had clearly once been the centerpiece of the Lounge. A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals caked with dust and grime, casting a sickly yellow light over the room. The walls were lined with mirrors, all cracked and fogged over, reflecting twisted, distorted images of Felix and Corky as they entered.

In the center of the room was a large, ornate fountain, but instead of water, it spewed a thick, oily substance that pooled on the marble floor, filling the room with a nauseating stench.

“Now this is some next-level creepy shit,” Corky muttered, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the room. “Whatever’s causing this, it’s gotta be close.”

Felix didn’t reply, his attention drawn to the fountain. There was something about it that set his nerves on edge, something that felt fundamentally wrong. As he stepped closer, he could see that the oily substance was swirling in the fountain’s basin, forming strange, almost hypnotic patterns that drew his gaze.

“Felix, don’t—” Corky started, but it was too late.

As Felix stared into the swirling liquid, the patterns suddenly shifted, and his reflection in the oily surface morphed into something grotesque—a twisted, monstrous version of himself, with hollow eyes and a grin that stretched far too wide. The reflection reached out from the surface of the liquid, its clawed hand grasping at Felix’s throat.

Felix gasped, stumbling back as the oily hand gripped him, pulling him towards the fountain. The liquid began to bubble and froth, and the reflections in the mirrors around the room twisted and writhed, each one showing a different version of Felix—each more nightmarish than the last.

“Felix!” Corky shouted, rushing to his side. She slashed at the oily hand with Gladius, but the blade passed through it as if it were nothing but smoke.

“Gotta—get—free!” Felix choked out, struggling against the grip of the reflection. He could feel the liquid pulling him down, trying to drag him into the fountain itself, into whatever nightmare lay beyond.

Corky gritted her teeth, thinking fast. “Hold on, I’ve got an idea!”

She grabbed Felix’s arm, her demonic strength straining against the pull of the fountain. With her other hand, she plunged Imbokodo into the oily substance, the heavy axe disrupting the swirling patterns in the fountain’s basin. The moment the blade touched the liquid, there was a violent reaction—the oily substance hissed and recoiled, the hand releasing Felix and retreating back into the depths of the fountain.

Felix stumbled back, gasping for breath as he clutched his throat. “That… was way too close.”

Corky helped him steady himself, her expression serious. “You okay? That thing almost pulled you under.”

Felix nodded, though he was visibly shaken. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… caught me off guard.”

Corky eyed the fountain warily, keeping her weapons at the ready. “This place is screwing with our heads, Felix.”

Felix straightened up, forcing a grin despite the lingering unease. “No worries. Just a little liquid nightmare. Nothing I can’t handle.”

But as they turned away from the fountain, the walls around them began to shift again, the mirrors reflecting not just their own twisted images, but the images of others—people they had known, people they had lost, all staring back at them with empty eyes and hollow expressions.

“What the hell is this?” Felix muttered, his voice low.

Corky’s gaze flicked to the mirrors, her jaw tightening. “It’s another trick. Don’t let it get to you.”

But even as she said it, the reflections in the mirrors began to move, stepping out of the glass as if crossing a threshold from one reality to another. The room filled with shadowy figures—Echoes of their past, brought to life by Belphegor’s power.

Each Echo was a distorted version of someone they had known—a twisted parody of a memory meant to sap their resolve and break their spirit. Corky’s parents, Felix’s old comrades, all of them were there, their faces contorted with mockery and pain.

“You were never good enough,” one of the Echos hissed, its voice a warped version of Felix’s own. “You’ll never be strong enough.”

“Why do you keep fighting?” another Echo whispered, this one taking the form of Corky’s mother, her voice dripping with venom. “It’s all pointless. Just give in.”

Felix and Corky stood back to back, their weapons ready as the Echoes closed in. “These bastards don’t know when to quit,” Felix growled.

Corky’s grip tightened on her weapons, her eyes blazing with determination. “Let’s show them we’re not the same people we used to be.”

The Echoes lunged at them, but Felix and Corky were ready.

As they fought, the room seemed to shift and twist around them, the mirrors cracking and shattering as the Echoes were destroyed one by one. The oily liquid in the fountain began to bubble violently, the entire chamber trembling as the power of Belphegor’s influence was challenged.

Finally, with a final, powerful swing of Eryx and Imbokodo, Felix and Corky struck down the last of the Echoes. The room shuddered, the oppressive atmosphere lifting as the mirrors shattered completely, leaving the chamber in ruins.

Felix panted heavily, lowering his gauntlets as he surveyed the destruction. “Well… that was a trip.”

Corky was about to respond when the unmistakable sound of fighting echoed down the twisted corridors of the Lounge. The clang of metal against metal, the guttural snarls of demons, and the revving of a very familiar engine.

Corky’s eyes widened in recognition. “Is that… Red Queen?” She glanced at Felix, who was already scowling, his frustration plain as day.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Felix muttered, his voice dripping with irritation. He clenched his fists, the lingering adrenaline from the fight now mixed with a healthy dose of annoyance. “What the hell is he doing here?”

Before Corky could respond, the source of the commotion came barreling through one of the side doors. Nero, looking as confident as ever, Red Queen in hand, its blade still humming from the recent use. He took a quick glance around the ruined chamber, nodding in approval at the wreckage Felix and Corky had left behind.

“Well, well, looks like you two have been busy,” Nero said with a smirk, though his eyes were already scanning the room for any remaining threats. “I got done with the Institute a little earlier than expected. Figured you might need a hand.”

Corky blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Nero? What the hell are you doing here?”

Nero shrugged, the easy confidence never leaving his tone. “Thought I’d drop in, see how you two were holding up. Looks like I missed most of the fun, though.”

Felix’s jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck tightening as he tried—and failed—to keep his frustration in check. “You came all the way here to play hero, huh? Thought we couldn’t handle it?”

Nero raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “Didn’t say that. Just thought you might appreciate some backup. Can’t have you two getting all the glory, now can I?”

Felix’s eyes narrowed. “We had it under control.”

“Yeah, sure you did,” Nero shot back, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Just like I had the Institute under control—solo. But hey, I get it, not everyone can work that fast.”

Felix bristled, his fists clenching at his sides. “Oh, you wanna talk about speed? How about we talk about how you needed a babysitter in the van earlier, huh? If I hadn’t chucked that artifact, you’d still be drooling on the floor.”

Nero’s eyes flashed with irritation. “You do one thing and you swear you are the shit. Need I remind you that you were the one drowning in trouble back in Limbo City, and who did you call for backup?”

“I called Corky, dip-shit.”

“Yeah but then who did she get to help her?”

“She originally went to get Dante but settled for you. You only feel you have something to prove now because he’s out the picture.”

Ouch.

Felix stepped closer, his posture aggressive. “You really want to do this, Nero? You think you’re better because you’re Dante’s nephew? That doesn’t mean shit out here. It’s about results, and I get them just fine without you hovering over my shoulder.”

“You’re right, Felix. It’s about results. And the way I see it, I’ve been pulling more than my weight, while you’ve been too busy stroking your ego.”

Corky, who had been watching this exchange with growing frustration, finally had enough. What started as mildly amusing banter had spiraled into a full-blown pissing contest, and it was clear these two were more interested in measuring dicks than focusing on the real threat.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing as she sensed a shift in the atmosphere. There was a new presence in the air—heavy, intoxicating, and undeniably powerful. A sloth demon, and not just any sloth demon. It had to be Belphegor. The sheer weight of its presence made the air thick, almost suffocating.

Corky tried to get the boys’ attention, but they were still too wrapped up in their argument to notice. She clenched her teeth in frustration and, without warning, clapped her hands over both their mouths and yanked them down behind a pile of plush pillows, silencing them before they could blow their cover.

“Mmmph!” Felix and Nero protested in unison, their voices muffled by Corky’s hands. She shot them both a fierce glare, her eyes wide with urgency, before slowly pulling her hands away.

“Shut up,” she hissed in a low whisper. “Unless you want to get us all killed, keep it down. Look.”

The two men turned their attention to where Corky was pointing, their expressions quickly shifting from irritation to cautious curiosity.

Corky’s eyes widened as she spotted a figure entering the room from a hidden passage behind a velvet curtain. The woman who stepped into the chamber was striking—tall, with curves in all the right places, and a face that could have launched a thousand ships. She moved with a languid grace, her long, dark hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her skin was flawless, her lips full and inviting, and her eyes—deep, dark pools that promised pleasure and danger in equal measure.

But Corky knew better. This was no ordinary woman. This was Lamia, the Madame of the Opium Den, a powerful demoness who thrived on the vices of others. Her human disguise was flawless, but beneath the surface, she was a predator, draining the life from her victims as they indulged in their darkest desires.

Lamia moved through the room with a slow, seductive grace, her every movement calculated to draw attention and admiration. She approached one of the unconscious patrons—a middle-aged man slumped in a velvet armchair—and gently traced her fingers along his cheek. The man stirred, his eyelids fluttering as he let out a soft sigh, his body responding to her touch even in his drugged stupor.

“She’s hot,” Felix whispered, his voice barely audible. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Lamia, his earlier frustration with Nero momentarily forgotten.

Corky rolled her eyes, exasperated. “She’s a demon, Felix. And not the fun kind. Keep it in your pants.”

Nero, despite himself, couldn’t help but watch as well. Lamia was mesmerizing, her beauty almost otherworldly, but there was something deeply unsettling about the way she moved, the way she seemed to siphon the man’s life force with just a touch.

“She’s draining him,” Nero murmured, his voice tinged with disgust. “That’s how she feeds.”

Lamia leaned in close to the man, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered something too soft to hear. The man’s breathing grew shallow, his body trembling as if caught in the throes of an intense dream. Lamia’s eyes fluttered closed, and for a moment, she looked almost blissful, as if she were the one experiencing the pleasure.

Meanwhile, behind the pillows, Felix, Nero, and Corky were trying to stay as still and silent as possible, but Corky felt something—a light, almost tentative touch on her leg. She stiffened, her eyes widening in alarm as she slowly turned her head toward Felix and Nero, who were both intensely focused on Lamia.

“Felix,” Corky hissed under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper, “if that’s you, I swear to God—”

Felix glanced at her, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about? I’m right here.”

Corky’s eyes narrowed as she turned to Nero, who was still watching Lamia with laser focus. “Nero? Are you touching my leg?”

“What?” Nero whispered back. “I’m not touching you, Corky.”

Corky’s heart skipped a beat, a cold wave of realization washing over her. If it wasn’t Felix, and it wasn’t Nero… then what the hell was—

Before she could finish the thought, the pillows behind her shifted, and something enormous moved underneath them. Corky froze, her mind racing as she tried to process what was happening. Slowly, she craned her neck to look down, her breath catching in her throat as she saw a massive, clawed hand resting on her leg.

“Guys…” Corky’s voice was strained, barely holding back a yelp. “There’s something under the pillows.”

Felix’s eyes widened, his gaze snapping to the pillows behind them. “You’re kidding, right?”

Lamia, completely oblivious to the trio’s hiding spot and the commotion just inches away, gracefully rose from her seat. With a final, satisfied sigh, she glanced around the room, her eyes half-lidded with contentment. Then, without a word, she turned and glided out of the chamber, her silhouette disappearing behind a velvet curtain.

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the only sound the faint rustling of pillows and the occasional groan from the massive sloth demon now fully emerging from its cushioned hiding place. The demon was enormous, with a hulking, doughy body that looked like it had been stuffed into too-tight pajamas. Its skin was a sickly shade of gray, stretched taut over layers of fat and muscle, and its eyes were barely visible beneath heavy, drooping lids.

Felix, Nero, and Corky exchanged quick, panicked glances as they tried to stay as still as possible, hoping the demon would simply go back to sleep. But instead, the giant yawned loudly, its breath reeking of something far worse than just old, stale air.

“Okay, that’s disgusting,” Felix muttered under his breath, doing his best to keep his voice low as the giant sloth demon yawned, its foul breath wafting over them. But before any of them could react, the massive demon let out a satisfied grunt and, with surprising speed for such a lethargic creature, reached out and pulled Corky against its doughy body like she was nothing more than a teddy bear.

Corky’s eyes went wide, her body going rigid as she found herself trapped against the demon’s chest, its massive arm wrapped around her in a disturbingly affectionate embrace. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she hissed, her voice filled with equal parts disgust and disbelief.

Felix, who had been doing his best to stay quiet and composed, immediately lost it. He clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh, but the sound still came out as a strangled snort. “Oh man, that’s just… I can’t—” He broke off, laughing silently as he watched Corky’s predicament.

Corky, her patience already worn thin by the events of the day, glared daggers at Felix. “You wanna trade places, genius? I’d love to see you deal with this.”

Felix held up his hands in mock surrender, still grinning. “Nah, I’m good. But thanks for the offer.”

Nero rolled his eyes, stepping forward to help Corky out of her predicament.

He carefully approached the sloth demon, mindful of its slow, deep breaths that rumbled through its massive frame. The demon’s grip on Corky was surprisingly tight, but Nero could tell it was more out of a subconscious desire for comfort than anything else. He reached out, gently prying the demon’s thick fingers away from Corky’s body.

“Hang in there, Corky,” Nero whispered, his tone focused. “Just gotta get you loose.”

Corky let out a quiet huff, doing her best to stay still as Nero worked. “Take your time. It’s not like I’m suffocating in here or anything.”

Felix, still clearly enjoying the situation a bit too much, leaned against a nearby pillar, watching with amusement. “You should enjoy it while it lasts, Corky. This is probably the most action you’ll ever get.”

Corky shot him another glare, but it was hard to be too menacing when she was pinned against a demon’s chest like a plush toy. “Fuck you, Felix.”

Nero finally managed to loosen the demon’s grip, carefully easing Corky out of its grasp. As soon as she was free, she scrambled back, rubbing her arms as if trying to rid herself of the demon’s lingering touch.

The giant sloth demon, however, seemed entirely uninterested in attacking them. Instead, it scratched its massive belly with one clawed hand, letting out a low, rumbling sigh. Then, to their utter disbelief, it spoke, its voice slow and lethargic, as if each word was a monumental effort.

“What… do you… want?”

Corky blinked, caught completely off guard by the demon’s question. She looked at Felix and Nero, who were equally stunned. They had been expecting a fight, not… whatever this was.

“Uh… what do we want?” Felix echoed, clearly at a loss.

The demon yawned again, blinking its heavy eyes as if even keeping them open was a challenge. “Why… are you… here?”

Nero, always quick to adapt, took a slow, cautious step forward. “We’re here to take down Belphegor. You know, the demon who’s been messing with this place.”

The giant sloth demon seemed to consider this for a moment, its sluggish brain processing the information at a snail’s pace. Finally, it let out another long, rumbling sigh. “Belphegor… too much work… not worth it…”

Corky raised an eyebrow, her earlier panic giving way to curiosity. “So… you’re not going to stop us?”

The demon shrugged—or at least, it attempted to. The movement was so slow and half-hearted that it was more like a ripple across its massive body. “Don’t care… too tired…”

Felix couldn’t help but snicker. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. This guy’s too lazy to even care that we’re here.”

Nero, though still cautious, couldn’t hide his amusement either. “Guess that’s why he’s a sloth demon.”

The giant demon scratched its belly again, the motion almost hypnotic in its lethargy. “Just… want to… sleep…”

Corky, sensing an opportunity, exchanged a look with the others. “Alright, big guy. How about this: you go back to sleep, and we’ll take care of Belphegor for you. No more noise, no more fighting. You get to nap, and we get to do our job.”

The sloth demon’s eyes slowly—very slowly—shifted from one to the other, as if weighing the proposition. Finally, it nodded, a small, slow bob of its massive head. “Deal… just… keep it down…”

With that, the giant demon shuffled back into the pile of pillows, nestling itself comfortably among them. It let out one last deep, rumbling sigh before its eyes closed completely, and within moments, it was snoring loudly, its massive body rising and falling with each breath.

Felix, Nero, and Corky stood there in stunned silence for a few moments.

“Well… that was easier than expected,” Nero said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Felix chuckled, finally letting himself relax. “I’ll take it. Honestly, I was expecting more lazy demons in this place.”

Corky rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t suppress a grin. “Yeah, yeah, let’s not push our luck. We’ve still got a job to do.”

Nero led the way, his senses on high alert as they followed the path Lamia had taken.

The sound of distant, haunting music echoed through the hallways, a twisted melody that seemed to beckon them forward.

Felix let out a low whistle as they passed a series of rooms, each one filled with patrons who were either unconscious or in various states of delirium, their eyes glazed over as they lay sprawled on plush couches. “Man, this place is like a funhouse from hell. These people look like they’ve been here forever.”

Corky grimaced, her grip tightening on her weapons. “That’s probably because they have been. Belphegor’s power doesn’t just keep them here—it traps them in their own minds.”

Nero nodded, his expression serious as they approached a set of heavy, ornate double doors at the end of the corridor. “This is it. She went through here.”

Felix reached for the door handle but paused, his usual cocky demeanor slipping for a moment as he glanced at the others. “You think she knows we’re coming?”

Corky smirked, though there was an edge to it. “Probably. But that’s never stopped us before.”

With a quick nod, Felix pushed the doors open, revealing a massive, dimly lit chamber that was a far cry from the rest of the Lounge. The room was cavernous, with towering pillars that rose to a ceiling lost in shadow. In the center of the room was a raised platform draped in dark, luxurious fabrics, and atop it stood Lamia, her human disguise now gone.

Her true form was both beautiful and terrifying—a serpentine figure with a long, sinuous body that glistened with scales as dark as night. Her eyes, once alluring, now glowed with an otherworldly light, and her fangs were bared in a cruel, knowing smile. Around her neck and arms, intricate gold jewelry shimmered, catching the dim light and adding to her ethereal presence.

“Well, well,” Lamia hissed, “You’ve made it this far. I’m almost impressed.”

Felix couldn’t resist a smirk. “Almost? Guess we’ll have to try harder.”

Nero stepped forward, Red Queen at the ready. “This ends now, Lamia. We’re shutting this place down and taking Belphegor with it.”

Lamia let out a soft, mocking laugh, her eyes narrowing as she studied them. “You really think you can defeat me? Belphegor has given me power beyond your comprehension. And you—” she gestured with a clawed hand, “you are mere mortals, bound by the limitations of your flesh.”

Corky rolled her eyes, her earlier grin returning despite the danger. “Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard it all before. Can we just skip to the part where we kick your ass?”

Lamia’s smirk widened, her eyes glinting with malicious amusement. “Oh, you’re welcome to try,” she purred, her voice dripping with dark allure. “But first, let me set the mood.”

Without warning, the hookah at the center of the room began to bubble and hiss, the dark, oily liquid inside boiling over as thick, aromatic smoke poured from its ornate spouts. The room was instantly filled with the intoxicating, cloying scent—an overwhelming blend of sweetness and spice that wormed its way into their senses.

The smoke was heavy as it curled through the air, it wrapped around them like a soft, warm blanket. Nero, Felix, and Corky immediately felt its effects. Their limbs grew heavy, their minds foggy, and the room began to blur at the edges. It was like sinking into a warm bath after a long, exhausting day—inviting, comforting, and so, so hard to resist.

“Not… again…” Nero muttered, his voice thick and sluggish as he fought to stay awake. He could feel the pull of the smoke, a deep, insistent tug at the back of his mind, urging him to just close his eyes and let go. But he couldn’t—he had to stay focused, had to fight through it.

Corky blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the encroaching drowsiness. “This… is bad…” she mumbled, her words slurring as her eyelids grew impossibly heavy. Her body swayed, her grip on Gladius loosening as the smoke worked its way deeper into her system.

Felix gritted his teeth, his fists clenching in a futile attempt to resist. “We… can’t… let her win…” he ground out, though the fight was quickly leaving him. His vision swam, the world around him tilting as the overwhelming urge to sleep took hold.

Lamia watched with satisfaction as the trio struggled against the inevitable, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “Poor little hunters,” she cooed, her voice echoing through the haze. “So brave, so foolish. But you can’t fight what’s already in your mind, what’s already in your blood. Just sleep… let it all fade away…”

Nero’s grip on Red Queen tightened, his knuckles white as he tried to resist the pull of the smoke. But it was no use—his limbs felt like lead, his thoughts sluggish and incoherent. He could feel himself slipping, his consciousness drifting further and further away.

“I won’t… let you…” he murmured, but even as the words left his lips, his vision darkened. The last thing he saw before everything faded to black was Lamia’s smug, victorious smile.

Felix and Corky didn’t fare any better. Corky tried to raise her weapon, but her arm wouldn’t cooperate, her muscles refusing to obey her commands. The room spun around her, the colors blending together in a surreal, dreamlike swirl. “This is… so messed up…” she managed to say before her knees buckled, sending her crumpling to the floor.

Felix let out a low growl of frustration, his body swaying as he fought against the sleep that was rapidly claiming him. “I’m… not… done…” he rasped, but his eyes were already closing, his resistance crumbling away. A moment later, he too collapsed, his body falling limp as darkness claimed him.

The room fell silent, save for the soft, rhythmic bubbling of the hookah and the gentle snoring of the three hunters, now sprawled across the floor in deep, dreamless slumber. Lamia’s laughter echoed through the chamber, soft and sinister, as she watched her enemies succumb to her power.

“Sweet dreams,” she whispered, her voice filled with malice. “When you wake, you’ll belong to Belphegor.”

But even as the darkness closed in, a small spark of resistance remained in each of them, buried deep within their subconscious. The fight wasn’t over—not yet. But for now, all they could do was sleep, trapped in the grip of Lamia’s insidious power, as the battle continued in the world of dreams.

[nerdy-novelist017]

Omg yay!! Ok obviously feel free to decline this since the subject matter could be rough for some people but, canon Benny’s reaction to what happened to Kathy was definitely my least fav part of the film and I need it to be rectified through fic🙏🏽. So could you write something about the aftermath of something like that happening to reader when her and Benny have been dating for a while? Im starved for caring and protective Benny unfortunately

Starve no more, anon ;) I have more protective Benny fics in the works! I made this one as a one shot to my Benny x Bunny series, hope that's okay! (This ISN'T the next part to Little Bunny! It's just a little one shot for after they're together ;) I'm working on getting the next part posted tonight!)

Word Count- 1.1k

Summary- Benny couldn't possibly want you after what almost happened, right?

TW- SA, 18+

*Please don't read if you are uncomfortable with the content!

Life Raft (Benny Cross x Shy!Reader)

Benny was going to be so upset with you.

Your hands shook from the adrenaline still coursing through your veins. You blinked and the tears burning your eyes threatened to spill over. Kathy’s hand rubbed the spot between your shoulder blades soothingly as she sat on the edge of the bed with you. Downstairs, you could hear the party wrapping up, Johnny and Funny Sonny trying to get everybody to leave. The party was over, too many bad things had happened for everyone to just pretend they didn’t see it, pretend they didn’t hear it.

You swallowed roughly, the events of the last hour still looping in your mind. The way his cold eyes raked over your body, the way he smiled sinisterly as you backed away. The course palm of his hand that wrapped around your throat, pinning you against the wall. His hot breath fanning across your mouth as his tongue invaded. His other hand going up your skirt, grazing the line of your panties. 

You squeezed your eyes shut at that part. You had screamed, but Benny wasn’t there. Kathy wasn’t there. Zipco wasn’t there. Brucie wasn’t there. You were alone with this man, prey to this predator. And who even was this man? You hadn’t seen him before, even though he wore the colors you had been so used to seeing almost every day. More chapters were popping up everywhere and with it, came new faces to the parties, meetings and picnics. Strangers, dangerously prowling through the club now, waiting for opportunities of solitude to attack.

You had only left the bonfire for a moment, telling Benny that you were going inside to grab a soda from the fridge. They only ever had beer coolers outside by the fire. You would only be gone for a moment. But a moment was all this animal needed as he stalked into the kitchen after you.

You were alone and that realization sent ice through your veins. This animal could do whatever he wanted, and you were powerless to stop it.

And then suddenly Johnny was there, grabbing this man and throwing him away from you. You were stuck against the wall, frozen in fear as you watched Wahoo and Corky jump into the fight as well. The two dragged the man out of the room, heading for the back door.

“Hey, kid, you okay?” Johnny asked, trying to make eye contact with your frantic gaze. He reached out slowly and pulled the hem of your dress back down to cover your trembling legs. “C’mon, let Kathy get you upstairs.”

You hadn’t even realized Kathy was there too now. She wrapped her arms around you, guiding you to the stairs. 

“B—Benny?” You tried to ask and Johnny nodded. 

“I’ll get him for ya,” he said, eyes empathetic.

That seemed to be hours ago. Or maybe it was only a few minutes. You weren’t sure; everything felt a little hazy. However long it was, Kathy never left your side, having planted herself next to you. You tried to say something to her, to thank her, but your throat was too dry and your mind too incoherent. You felt dirty and scared and you just wanted to go home. 

Benny was going to be so upset with you. 

Footsteps climbed the stairs and you stiffened at the sound. Benny appeared in the doorway and you wanted to sob. The man you wanted to run to, the man you wanted to hold you tight and carry you back to safety stood there, a dark expression on his face. With one look at Kathy, he dismissed her. She squeezed your arm gently. 

“I’ll be right downstairs if ya need me,” she promised softly and then she was gone. Benny closed the door behind her and a heavy silence filled the bedroom.

Your heart raced as he moved to stand at the dresser across from you. You could see the tension radiating from him and you swallowed back any kind of hope for him to love you still. 

“What happened?” he asked finally, his voice wavering with barely-controlled anger.

“I-I just wanted a pop. I just came in-inside and he—he . . . I couldn’t—couldn’t get away—” The words tumbled out of your mouth incoherently. 

“Which one?” 

You looked up at him through your tear-soaked lashes. “I—I don’t . . . Did Johnny not—”

“Johnny didn’t tell me who. Just told me . . .” His words died as he looked at the purple marks forming on your neck. His jaw clenched hard and he looked away from you. Your heart sunk at the action. He couldn’t even look at you anymore. He was so disgusted that he couldn’t even look at you. You could feel him slipping through your fingers and total desperation hit you like a wave. The ocean, you thought, that's what it felt like. You were lost in the middle of the ocean and a storm broke a nasty hole in your tiny ship. You were sinking, drowning in that vast, dark water.

The tears broke free from their dam and rolled down your cheeks as a sob caught in your throat. “I’m—I’m so sorry, B—Benny. Please forgive me.”

“Forgive you?” He looked back at you but you couldn’t face his hard gaze. 

Looking down at your lap, you cried. “Please don’t be upset with m—me. I’m sorry.”

He crossed the distance between you, lowering himself to his knees before you. You squeezed your eyes shut to avoid his gaze, heart shattering in your chest.

His warm hands enveloped yours tightly. “Bunny.”

Please don’t leave me here to pick myself up, you wanted to say. Please don’t abandon me to this darkness, I'm already drowning. I'm still me. I'm still your girl.

“Bunny, look at me.” His voice was so soft, just barely above a whisper. 

You obeyed his gentle command. His face was inches below yours, eyes examining. Slowly, he lifted his hand and his fingertips ghosted over the bruises forming on your throat. His brows pinched together but his eyes were soft as they returned to yours. His fingers traveled over the curve of your jaw and up to swipe the heavy flow of tears from beneath your eyes.

“I could never be upset with you, Bunny," he whispered. “I could never.” 

Your hands came up to grip his wrists as if he were a life raft holding you afloat. His hands, you realized, were shaking slightly and you held even tighter, anchoring him to you. 

“I’m not angry with you. I’m angry with myself. Angry that I wasn’t there to protect you.” His voice wavered, tears rimming his beautiful blue eyes. “I promised to always protect you and I wasn’t there. I’m so sorry, Bunny. I’m so, so sorry.”

Words failed you, but you never needed them for Benny. You threw your arms around his neck, burying yourself into his chest. He reacted immediately, pulling you impossibly close as he moved to sit on the bed beside you. You cried, and he let you.

And when Johnny came to check on you, that’s how he found you: curled into your Benny's chest, his arms a protective shield from the rest of the world as he whispered into your ear, hands running gently through your hair. And Johnny knew that you’d be okay, because you had Benny. And Benny would be okay because Johnny and his boys had already taken care of the ex-Vandal who dared to lay a hand on their little bunny.

*Tag List *

@Imusicaddict @elizabeth916 @jaiuneamesolitaiire @dudii4love @ironmooncat @beebeechaos @astrogrande @pearlparty @themorriganisamonster @sillylittlethrowaway @ughdontbeboring @penwieldingdreamer

[dogthorcesschet]

05.22.2023

I used to be so hopeless romantic.

likable.

Energetic and enthusiastic.

Nowadays I just want to be alone.

Be with less people.

Less interactions.

Seeing less people over all… Mostly, it’s probably because I don’t like myself very much anymore.

Rather than confidence, it’s more avoidance.

And I know I don’t really wanna be alone. Because I feel so lonely all the time.. And there’s this void that I don’t know how to fill. I just don’t have the appetite to show any other expression rather than this blunt blank face. Faceless rather, you may say.

And if I were to even try, I wouldn’t know where to begin.

So here I am.. Communicating my deepest feelings. No hope of it being read by anyone other than myself. I just feel comfort in knowing, I have my own secret hiding space that I can talk about anything I please and no one can judge me or give me any advice I haven’t already told myself a billion times. And after all, there’s no one else I can trust to give me the right answer but myself.

My story isn’t meant to be a sad one.

I know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

But right now, all I see is darkness.

Yet, I breathe.

And keep on taking a step forward.

Forward to the unknown.

Where ever that may lead me, I know God is watching over me.

I know this to be true, because he’s been revealing plenty of things to be true. Showing me every kindness from the most random people. Giving me hope through spontaneous events and making them memorable.

I envy people who can call other’s their family.

People who talk to them on the daily and ask about their days and make each other laugh about jokes no matter how corny and corky.

Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one trying to make something out of nothing with the people around me, I guess you can call them my family. But their definition of family is different from mine. We’re related by blood, but that doesn’t make us family. I mean, I confess, we once were a family. Now we’re all just strangers to each other. Knowing only our names about each other. Secrets kept from each other. Lives lived away from one another. Distance slowly separating us. Creating new families with friends who’s never met each other. Slowly deteriorating what once was abundant in love, care, shared laughters and moments. Things we now can’t get back. It saddens me to think about how all this was stripped away ever since my Tito Rigo passed. Frankly, ever since Mark came into my life. Actually, even way before that. It has been ever since I finally got to see my Poppa in Canada after all those 9 years we’ve spent so far apart. Surely, I’m not saying I’m ungrateful for being able to see him on my 18th birthday along with reuniting with his side of the family out in the west coast. All I’m simply saying, is that ever since I came back from that trip, I’ve never been the same. I came from this really bright, astonishing chandelier, to this exhausting, dull light bulb that lies on a lamp no one dares pick up from being too afraid to touch because of the curse I might leave them with. Highly likely because it’s located in an abandoned house, haunted by simultaneously traumatic events, each one comes worst after the other.

So, how do I deal with it? Well, just as any cursed thing, I deceit them into thinking I’m alright. That life’s nothing but a dark humor I’ve managed to take an account for myself over those years of piled scars, mentally and emotionally. Somehow, telling them these pitiful jokes about myself has left me, only to laugh right back with them. Though, I’m not sure whether we’re laughing about the same things. They might laugh at my pain, but I laugh at the sound of their cheer and to think I’ve given them something to be happy about.

But see, I’m not asking for pity or comfort. I think I’m way past that safe zone. Consider me a lost lone wolf, who went too far astray from its pack. Announced dead perhaps. Long forgotten.

[hannya-writes]

Offspring 

Title: Offspring

Serie: Melting Waltz

Fandom: Star Wars

Pairing: Obi Wan Kenobi x Reader

Other characters:Anakin Skywalker

Category: romance,mystery (?), Angst?

Warnings: implied smut, nakedness, I wrote this on my phone 😅

Author's note: This can be read as a stand alone story, but it is part of a serie called "Melting Waltz". Btw, it took me way too long to write this chapter because my work fries my brain and I forget how to write in English.

• • •

At first he felt it. The lost connection was back in his mind but he didn't noticed it. He thought it was the war what got him annoyed, tired and with a profound and insane desire to go to sleep, to go back to his dreams with Y/n.

— No Anakin, that is enough — he snapped at his college who blinked surprised by the amount of anger that flowed on his former master.

—you should told me you were this close with Corki — he offered worried, thinking maybe this mission was too close to Obi Wan's heart. He knew about Obi Wan history with the duchess and Mandalore, but it was getting out of hand. — if you are not feeling well, maybe you should sit this one out —

— I'm sorry, I- is not that... I guess I need some sleep — he admitted, holding back the need to yell the words "He's my child, I don't want to sit this one out!" as an answer, even when that wasn't true. Anakin patted his shoulder and he decided to do as he was told and take a nap.

Obi Wan could not understand his feeling. They felt overwhelming and he didn't recognized the second hand worry or sadness. He thought there was something wrong with him, maybe it was time for him to leave the order since he couldn't get a hold of his feelings.

— Obi wan — the soft voice of Y/n reminded him that his worry had seep through his dream world and he didn't like that. He wanted to be free of his mundane worry when being with his secret lover.

Y/n was using his chest as a pillow as she hugged him and she nuzzled against him listening to his heart. That relaxed him, feeling her by side made him forget everything.

— yes, darling? — he answered her, wondering why she was acting with such sadness and uneasiness. He let his fingers dance over the soft skin on her back comforting her.

—Children — she said rolling over him, her naked and warm body over his own nakedness made him feel she was the embodiment of comfort. His hand caressed her hair, bringing back the rebellious strands of hair. She looked beautiful, so beautiful he got confused by the only word she had said. — children, do you like them? — she seemed embarrassed and a bit reluctant. He found it cute.

— I have little experience with children, I'm not sure what you want to hear my love— he confessed and Y/n laughed, her hand had started to peacefully draw patterns over his chest.

— what I mean... What I'm try to...— he laughed at her nervousness and incapability to say whatever she wanted to tell him or ask him. — Ben! Don't laugh! — she scolded him annoyed but he couldn't stop laughing which made her flop her head in his abs in a little tantrum.

— oh, I'm terribly sorry little one — he combed her hair while she looked away from him, maybe that way she would be able to ask the question that was burning in her chest.

— have you ever think about having offspring — there was a second of silence before she ended the question — with me? —  Obi Wan looked down at her, she was still looking away, too embarrassed by her own question.

Offspring. Children, little living proofs that he had slept with his best friend. The product of his love for her. Children with her y/h/c hair and his eyes. No, her eyes, his hair. Maybe they'll have a laugh like the one Y/n had or they'll have that little tic she had, the one where she cracked her knuckles. They'll be fragile but grow strong, kind and thoughtful.

— I get that the reason we as Jedi are allowed to have intercourse is with that goal in mind, for you men it's easy you basically have to go around throwing your semen into women but for us Jedi women, we have to chose — she mumbled and Obi Wan was hit by her words 

— my, my, am I hearing right? Did you implied I'm the chosen one for you?— he asked mockingly making her turn towards his face, completely blushed, embarrassed by the idea.

— What? No, of course not! — she tried to stand up as she heard Obi Wan laugh, however before she got far away the strong hands of Obi Wan caught her and threw her back to bed, trapping her below him and against the mattress.

— If you gave birth to my offspring... — he was back to being sweet — we will have to leave the order because, I'll be completely compromised with my family instead of the order — she looked at him and laughed.

— I'll give birth to your children, then — she said laughing. Like every time, he felt happy at the sight but for a second he could have sworn he had seen Y/n crying not laughing.

He hovered above her and kissed her. Y/n kissed him back and he knew everything was fine, perfectly fine. So, why was he so worried about her? And why did he keep thinking he had to find his children?

• • •

If you want to read more of this series go to my masterlist