#my saviors <3

[shuacore]

barcelona nights

reader (afab) x lsm — 6.9K summary:  "The music is all but static in the background, and for a moment it’s just the two of you again, drinking in the airless summer night and the sounds of other couples enjoying each other’s company. You run your thumb across Seokmin’s bottom lip, completely enraptured. His eyes are dangerously dark." —a/n: a fun little birthday present for my bffl ang &lt;3 tags: swearing, smut (18+), probably too much plot n not enough smut, not completely proofread i’m so sorry, mentions of alcohol??, emotional and physical intimacy are my kryptonite, additional warnings under the cut

additional warnings: unprotected sex (always be safe pls!!), oral (f receiving),  pet names (princess, baby, angel, etc), not very adventurous but i would do anything with him tbh

playlist 4 the vibes!!! wyoming — elijah fox a quick getaway — stephen rennicks spring 1 — max richter, antonio vivaldi puerto claridad — amparanoia bamboleo — gypsy kings since i don’t have you — the skyliners the sun is in your eyes — jacob collier tell me — groove theory

Sweat drips down the bridge of your nose as the precarious stack of books in your hands threatens to wobble. Please, for the love of God, don’t fall. The summer heat is brutal—hot and humid—and it sucks all of the energy out of you as you shuffle to the library. It had been a difficult week of research and you were finally returning your books, ready to throw them and the stress from working so hard away. A bead of sweat lingers on your brow, slipping onto your eyelid and you blink furiously, praying it stays there until you can set your burden down. 

In your fervor, you walk a bit too close to the curb, your toes slipping off the edge—you feel the stack slip dangerously, and you curse out loud as you realize you’re falling, desperately clutching your books to your chest, the pavement below approaching a bit too fast when—

A hand clamps around your wrist, hauling you out of the street just as a car zooms past, ruffling your hair. 

“Careful!” a male voice says, breathless. And when you get a good look at your savior, it feels like you’ve been rocketed into one of the dramas you and your roommates obsessed over. 

His name is Lee Seokmin, he’s 25, an anthropology major, and he is the most handsome and charming man you have ever seen. He picks you up off the street, flashes you the most blinding smile, and then your mind goes blank. The rest is history.

So it’s no surprise to you after three years when he still asks questions like, “Do you remember when we met?” You resist the urge to scoff fondly. Always so sentimental.  

It’s a warm summer evening as you sit on the plaza, observing the night life of a quiet coastal Spanish town you had come across during the day. You pause the furious digging in your purse—for something which you had forgotten some time ago—to look at your partner, whose eyes are glazed over in dreamy contentment. 

“Really?” you ask, tampering down the amused look of disbelief that fights its way across your face. Seokmin hates being teased unless he initiates, even if it’s all in good fun. 

“No, I’m serious,” he says, in unwavering sincerity, head lolling against the back of the bistro chair as he watches you unabashedly. Even after so many years, Seokmin’s eyes still set your skin on fire, and he looks so picturesque like this, just a little bit undone from the day’s toils and a few glasses of wine down the line. The collar of his shirt is open a few buttons down, exposing a swatch of buttery smooth skin that—after the drinks you’ve had—makes your mouth water. He looks like the last burst of fading sunlight before nightfall. 

You shake your head with a small smile. “You’re ridiculous. Of course I do.”

Seokmin opens his mouth to say something else when his nostalgic reverie is interrupted by the waiter, who asks quietly if the two of you would like anything else. Your fiancé orders two more glasses of wine for the both of you, and thanks the waiter again as he finally takes the menus from your table. 

It’s quieter now. The night is beginning to dwindle down, your bellies full of good food and wine, and in the distance the ocean waves wash across the rocky shores, pulling pebbles out to sea with quiet shushing sounds. The air is salty on your tongue, and you know you probably look a mess, especially after the long day of heat and humidity, but Seokmin watches you with shining eyes like you’re still the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. You blush sheepishly, fingers finally finding your lipstick in the bottom of your bag. 

“What?” you hiss without malice as Seokmin studies you. His cheeks are flushed, eyes shining even against the slowly dimming night light, and if you could commit an image to memory, if would be right here, right now, sitting at this table with him. Your stomach twists and you’re not sure if it’s a twinge of pain or an all-engulfing rush of affection, so instead you offer him another shy smile and replace your bag on the ground. 

He shakes his head, more to himself, and says, “You’ll make fun of me.” 

“Sure.”

“You’re just so radiant. All the time.” 

You suck in a breath, cheeks burning and laugh nervously. Seokmin was an all-or-nothing kind of guy, which meant you got all of his affection, all the time. It was overwhelming in the beginning, seeing how devoted he could be to one person, but you had grown accustomed to the quiet deference in which he did everything for you. Compliments were near holy to him. Nothing was more intimate than your name. His actions always spoke louder than words. For a while you had been resistant to it—like you would never quite deserve all the love he had to give—but Seokmin had a way of worming his way into your heart and lodging there until his smile was the only thing you could think of when you woke up. 

The waiter appears with two glasses in hand, asks once more if you need anything, before floating away again. You lift the glass—it’s a deep crimson and smells faintly sweet—and swirl the stem around in your fingers, watching the wine coat the sides of the glass with mesmerizing smoothness. 

Seokmin lifts his glass and murmurs a toast. You say it back, and the glasses hit each other with a soft ding! His eyes glint at you over the rim as he takes a sip. The wine is velvet on your tongue, rich and full-bodied, and it sends a flurry of warmth down your throat. 

You hum in appreciation and set the glass down on the table. Above, the stars blink into existence, mimicking the lights flickering to life around the plaza. They wash the patio in a lovely yellow glow, throwing Seokmin into soft relief. He looks a little out of it, pretty lips parted in hazy awe of the scenery around him. It’s still humid, but not too warm—just cool enough that it’s hard to tell where your body ends and the rest of the world begins. A moped passes by, its headlights bouncing off the stone walls of the buildings around you. The chatter from other cafe-goers could be white noise in the trees. In the background the sounds of sultry guitar float through the air, soaking into your skin and you sigh deeply, stretching your arms high into the air above you. It lulls you into a serene sense of calm and you close your eyes—just for a moment. 

Then—“Hey, dance with me,” you hear, whispered by lips pressed to your ear, and you open your eyes slowly to see Seokmin crouched next to your chair, his hand extended in offering. He looks so lovely here, so unguarded and pleased, the same overwhelming feeling of adoration—so strong it overflows into your throat—is difficult to choke back down. You take another hearty swig of wine, feeling it sink into your stomach and turn your legs to jelly. It activates the fuzzy feeling sitting dormant in your body, lifting you out of your chair and into the plaza center with other couples swaying slowly to the music emanating across the square. It all feels so horribly cinematic you’re having difficulty believing any of it’s real. 

You inhale sharply as Seokmin pulls you close to him, your bodies snapping together like magnets. His skin is sticky and warm from the summer heat as his hands brush over your ribcage and come to rest on your waist, coaxing you into a sensual rhythm of swaying hips and chests rising and falling in tandem. His strong arms wrap around you, pulling you tight to his body. The wine keeps you limber—which is nice because otherwise you’d be two left feet with out it. 

Seokmin tips his head to rest his sticky forehead against yours, eyes dancing with mirth in the evening light. His fingers press into the small of your back, searing through the gauzy fabric of your blouse, igniting a slow burn that sweeps through your whole body. You sigh deeply as your eyes flutter closed, taking in the sounds of soft timbales and claves bouncing off the stone under your feet, the heat from Seokmin’s body on yours, and his lips pressed against your skin, murmuring sweet nothings into your ear.

It’s sexy, to say the least. The laughter and conversations around you vanish until all you know is the sound of Seokmin’s breath ragged in your ear and hot on your cheek. He smells like rosemary and mint and the soap from the hostel. His lips dip dangerously low on your cheek until they brush over the skin under your jaw, sending a chill down your spine despite the heat. Seokmin smiles against your temple as your fingers toy with the hem of his shirt, skirting low over the smooth expanse of his stomach. He hums into your ear—a warning—as your fingertips trail just a little higher. But you’re still in public, so you pull back just enough to smile coyly at him and smooth the hem of his shirt back down.

The music is intoxicating, the melody swelling and swaddling you in a heady daydream of nothing but Seokmin. You tuck your nose into his shoulder, inhaling deeply as his fingers dance up your spine and land lightly on the back of your neck.

“God, I love you,” he confesses, and his laughter is swallowed by your lips suddenly on his, giddy and girlish. It’s just supposed to be an innocent peck—just a quick one you could share in public—but with the wine having gone completely to your head, the music reverberating in your chest, and Seokmin’s tongue in your mouth, it’s difficult to concentrate. Seokmin tastes like the Albariño you ordered, like lemon and nectarine, and so, so sweet your knees turn to liquid. He hums in content as a soft sigh escapes your mouth, unprompted. His hands are firm on your hips, fingers lacing through the belt loops of your skirt to pull you closer. You tangle your own in the damp strands at the nape of his neck, relishing the own sounds you can persuade from your partner’s throat. 

Someone catcalls in the background and you come to with a start. Seokmin’s face is rosy—from the wine or from you, it’s hard to tell—but he’s well past the point of having the grace to look embarrassed. His eyes are glued to you, drinking you in completely. You grin, hiding your face in his chest. The music is all but static in the background, and for a moment it’s just the two of you again, drinking in the airless summer night and the sounds of other couples enjoying each other’s company. You run your thumb across Seokmin’s bottom lip, completely enraptured. His eyes are dangerously dark.

“Go back to the hotel?” you whisper, mouth hovering mere centimeters away from his. 

Seokmin’s next kiss is indication enough. Grabbing your purse, he throws a few bills onto the bistro table before tugging you away from the plaza. Street signs bleed into flights of rickety stairs and cobblestone alleyways into flowered medians and quiet side roads. The ocean roars in greeting as you run unsteadily back to your hotel. Street lamps blaze into life amid loud shouts of laughter from nearby pedestrians, and the fluttery feeling in your stomach only grows. The only thing that stays constant is the feeling of Seokmin’s hand in yours, firm and reassuring. 

Then, unprompted, Seokmin tugs you into a hidden alcove off the street, and presses you hard against the brick wall, tilting your jaw up with his thumbs to pull you into a searing kiss. He draws in a sharp breath, groaning softly into your mouth as you sag into his touch. You feel like a teenager again, sneaking off the beaten path so you can put your hands all over each other. Seokmin is impatient—his hands dig into your hips, his mouth is on your jaw, and his body is so hot it’s any wonder he hasn’t yet burst into flames. 

“Seokmin,” you gasp, nails digging into his chest, breaking away. His excitement is palpable. He groans, irritated, and tips his forehead against your cheek, still holding you tight to him like you might still slip through his fingers. You extract yourself from his grasp, a little dizzy from the lack of oxygen and pull him away from the wall amidst protests. The privacy of your hotel room can’t arrive fast enough and it feels like eons before you’re pushing Seokmin against the back of the door yourself—so hard the air is knocked from his lungs—but he grins breathlessly as he draws you close, hip to hip, chest to chest, mouth to mouth.

You breath him in, smelling the lingering traces of cigarette smoke and lavender from the night markets on his clothes. Seokmin is all teeth and all tongue, hands traveling up and down the curve of your waist, over your ass, up your forearms and shoulders. His thumb tugs on your bottom lip, coaxing your mouth open as he slips his tongue in once more. You dissolve in his hands like water—you’ve always been so pliant with him, so eager to please it goes straight to his head.  

“Tell me what you want,” he mumbles, hand holding your jaw in place. His eyes are asking for a challenge. 

But you feel needy and slightly hysterical that it’s all you can do to say weakly, “You.” 

Seokmin’s breath is hot in your mouth and you have no choice but to ride the wave. This is Seokmin’s all-or-nothing, as he drags your thin linen blouse off your shoulders, popping the top button clean off amid breathless laughter so he can press more open-mouthed kisses along your shoulder and collarbone. You sigh deeply, winding your fingers into the hair at the back of his head again, chasing his lips with potent desperation. Seokmin grins, canines glinting wolfishly in the moonlight. It’s difficult to see in the burgeoning darkness—nothing but vague shadows dancing on the walls—so you kick off your shoes haphazardly, stumbling until your knees eventually strike the edge of the bed. You hit the mattress with a huff!, Seokmin in tow. His hand is hot against your bare skin, palm pressed flat to your chest where your heart races.

“This is your fault, by the way,” you tease, and Seokmin feigns sympathy, except his fingers are little too far up your thigh for the sympathy to land. You suck in a breath, eyes burning as Seokmin gazes at you with undisguised want, eyes flicking around your face in a dizzying pattern—eyes, lips, cheeks, forehead, nose, eyes, lips—like it was the first time he’d ever seen you. The air grows thicker like mud, sticking in your nose and throat and you struggle to swallow, pushing yourself off the bed. 

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Seokmin asks, voice laced with worry. His figure is clothed in deep blue shadow in the imminent darkness. Air is sparse, and anxiety flares in your stomach, unexpected, and you press a hand to your racing heart, willing it to slow. Your pulse is erratic and you realize you’re nervous.

“Woah, talk to me,” Seokmin pleads again, sitting up. His fingers around your wrist are soft, like all of him, and it eases the sudden ache in your chest, even if just a little. You place your other hand on top of his, stroking your thumb over his knuckles. 

Your voice is hoarse. “Just nervous. I don’t know why—it’s so silly.” 

And then Seokmin is there, tucking you into his arms and his nose in your hair, swaying as he holds you for a moment. 

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want. You know that.” 

You frown, pushing away from his chest. “No–no, I want this. Just–had a moment, but I’m ok.” You lean your forehead on his shoulder again. “I’m always ok when I’m with you.” The quiet presses in on your ears. The incessant buzzing in your fingertips fades to the background, slowing to the steady rhythm of Seokmin’s heartbeat in his chest—reliable as always, a constant you had come to memorize like the spots on his face. 

“I’m right here, baby,” he whispers against your temple. “Whatever you want.”

The soft glow from the street lamps outside illuminate his features in a tranquil yellow hue. He looks angelic, always so gentle and willing, that it sucks the remaining air out of your lungs. 

He settles back on the edge of bed, hands resting on your hips as he gazes up at you with adoration so tangible it makes your heart ache. You run your fingers gently through his hair, pushing the dark strands off his forehead and trace the shape of his profile with your pointer finger, down his forehead and the bridge of his nose, pausing over his waiting lips, down his chin until you grasp it in between your thumb and forefinger. 

“You’re beautiful, too, you know?” you say, voice soft. And Seokmin smiles, pleased, and it lights up his whole face, sending a bolt of warmth down your throat like lightning. The crashing waves of the ocean are muffled under the sound of your heart in your ears. Seokmin is quiet, arms tight around your waist. Had it not been for the pulsing rhythm in your body, this might have been a tender moment—but the heat is still there, prodding in your stomach, building, smoldering, aching. 

You want him. Bad.

With a noise of impatience, you pull his face back towards yours, curving your body to pull him in, kissing him longingly, hoping he’ll sense the desperation growing in your stomach, understand the way you need to feel him under and over and inside you. Seokmin reads you like the back of his hand—senses the tension in your shoulders—and knows that if he uses his mouth just right your last remaining shred of self-control will snap.

He pulls at the rest of the buttons on your blouse with agonizing restraint, kissing every inch of skin revealed with painstaking deference. His mouth trails down your sternum, pausing as he listens to the quiet exhales that leave your mouth. The skin on your stomach is sensitive to his touch, and you bite back a few nervous giggles as Seokmin ghosts his lips just down to where the waistband of your skirt rests on your hips. His thumbs dig into the skin there, and he peers up at you, eyes sparkling mischievously. Asking for permission. You nod, breath shallow in your throat.

“Should be on my knees for a princess,” your fiancé murmurs lowly, dropping to his knees in front of you. What had been a steady flame in your gut erupts into a hunger so strong it might consume you from the inside out. Your mouth goes dry as he gentle pulls you down to the mattress, urging you to sit. 

In the same tender manner, Seokmin lifts the sole of your foot to his lips, eyes darkening as your breath quickens yet. His breath fans across your bare skin, up your ankles and your shin, before he pauses to press a hot kiss to the inside of your knee, teeth digging into the soft skin there. The static in your ears increases tenfold as his other hand pushes the hem of your skirt up to your waist. Seokmin’s mouth continues upward, stopping on the supple skin of the inside of your thighs. Hunger gnaws at your insides by now, and you tense your stomach in anticipation. Seokmin’s pupils are blown wide—impossibly dark as he takes you in—forcing you backwards, his mouth hovering just over the fabric in between you and complete bareness. Your breath quickens—waiting, waiting, waiting—as Seokmin’s tongue trails from the inside of your knee right to where your thigh pools at your hip. 

And then, with a dazed smirk, he sets your foot down—not on the floor—but gently over the bulge in his pants. Seokmin leans forward ever so slightly, eyes daring. Already he’s so hard, even under his trousers and it’s all you can do to stop yourself from falling apart right there.

“See what you do to me?” he rasps, breath hitching as you press your foot down—just a little—to feel him so vulnerable under you. Your panties are soaked by now—it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. Seeing Seokmin like this, shirt unbuttoned to his stomach, hair still styled so nicely, lips parted with desire; you want him like this, now, all the time. 

“Seokmin–fuck–” you choke, the words ripped from your mouth as you feel his tongue, wet and hot over your panties. Seokmin tosses one of your feet over his shoulder as he wraps his fingers in the waistband, pulling your panties taut. The ability to control yourself is lost. You curve into his touch as Seokmin gently pulls your panties aside, and presses one last reverent kiss to the inside of your hip.  

“So beautiful,” he murmurs, breath fanning across your skin, “always so beautiful for me.” Then his mouth is on you, open-mouthed and scorching on your cunt, the tip of his tongue circling around your clit, tasting every part of you. You clench your fists into the sheets, gasping for air as he wraps his strong arms around your thighs to pin you down. Even still, you squirm away from his mouth, hands pushing at his head as he sends you to cloud nine. His eyes are searing even behind closed eyelids as he drinks your pleasure, watching in rapture. 

Seokmin’s voice is almost inaudible over the thrum of your heart in your ears. “You like the way I worship you, baby?”

“Yes, please, yes, oh my god, Seokmin, please,” you plead, lurching upwards to curl around his head as a particularly powerful bolt of pleasure rushes through your body. He’s ruthless, nails biting into your thighs as you writhe in pleasure, nose bumping against your clit, mouth planted firmly on your pussy as your cries become higher and more desperate. It builds and builds and builds, a rope in your gut stretching and pulling until you feel like you might snap in half. The pleasure mounts as Seokmin crudely licks his tongue up your cunt, pressed flat against your skin and you release a strangled groan, fingers knotting in his hair.

“S–Seokmin, I’m—” you gasp, body tensed in anticipation.

And then he leans back, and your release fades as quickly as it appeared. Your body aches uncomfortably. The mattress sinks down on either side of you as he braces his hands by your head. Seokmin grins, tucking a few pieces of hair gently behind your ear, dragging your mouth open with his thumb once more to push his tongue past your lips. He tastes like you and he moans as you pull him in by the back of his neck, kissing him fiercely.

“You’re a dick,” you protest, shoving his shoulder. Seokmin’s smile is tender, his cheeks flushed despite his actions just moments ago. 

“Hey,” he says in between kisses to your collarbone that stifle the feeble protests spewing from your mouth, “I don’t wanna go too fast.” 

You groan weakly, as he shifts his knee in between your thighs. He wraps his fingers around one of your ankles, lifting it up onto his hip. 

“But I wanna feel you,” you complain, looping your arms around his neck as if to urge him on. But Seokmin just shakes his head, grinning. His leg shifts again, pressing against the ache in between your thighs and you instinctively roll your hips, mouth dropping open at the touch. He places a large hand on your pelvis, pinning you to the bed.

“I’m taking my time with you,” he says against your mouth, smiling as you sag onto the bed. 

He wanted to fuck slow.

And he does, touching you with feather-light pressure, building your frustration and anticipation until you’re a sweating, panting, desperate disaster in his hands—and only then does Seokmin let you feverishly remove the rest of his clothes. The desire to feel him, see him, taste him has grown so vicious you might cry. He perches on the edge of the bed again, and with shaking hands you jerk the rest of his shirt off his broad shoulders, scraping your nails down his chest to the belt at his waist. You’ve always loved Seokmin’s body—its strong, lithe build, all toned and smooth. Seokmin curses under his breath, tossing his head back in pleasure as you kiss along his jaw and down his torso. The muscles in his stomach tense under your touch, pulled taut as your lips reach his hips again. Slowly, you undo the button on his trousers, all the while keeping burning eye contact. You want Seokmin to see how much you need him. 

“Let me touch you,” you whisper against his abdomen, waiting for the desperate nod, before your fingers slip under the waistband of his briefs to finally take him in your hand. Seokmin moans low and you moan with him, imagining when he would finally let you take him, how he would stretch you out, and you’d finally feel all of him. 

You pull your hand back to spit, making sure to keep your eyes on him as you do, before wrapping your fingers around his length again. Seokmin’s voice is choked in his throat as you run your hand up and down his entire shaft, taking care to twist your fist around the base of his cock, delicately trailing up and around the head, soaking up every breathy sound of satisfaction that leaves Seokmin’s lips. 

With palpable restlessness, you yank the rest of Seokmin’s clothes off, straddling him on the edge of the bed again. He feels the damp fabric of your panties against his thigh and groans, his fingers knitting into your hair to kiss you again, feverish and wanting. You grind down, feeling his cock hard against your pussy and laugh weakly—except it sticks in your throat as Seokmin’s nails dig into your hip, dragging your cunt down his length again. 

“You want me so bad, don’t you?” Seokmin goads, hand holding the back of your head as you roll your hips up and down his length with increasing desperation. Your nails dig into his chest. He pulls your panties to the side, eyes fluttering closed as your arousal slides over his skin. The heat of the room muddles your brain, heightening every sensation. You’re already so wet, needy and willing to do anything to make the tightness in your stomach go away. “Want me to fuck you, baby?”

“Please–” you beg, “need you. Seokmin–”

His lips are crushing, destroying any semblance of thought you might have had. 

“Go ahead, princess,” Seokmin groans, as you pull your panties to the side, sliding two fingers into yourself and using your arousal to lubricate his cock again. The weight of Seokmin’s cock in your hand, the sound of your fingers sliding down the length is enough to have you weak in the knees. Seokmin’s hands splay across your back, propping you up as you line up his cock with your entrance. 

Your fiancé has always been a romantic, and this time is no different as Seokmin kisses you, open mouth waiting to breathe in your needy moans as you slowly sink down onto his cock. In your agitation, it’s still tight, extracting a few hisses of discomfort out of you. But Seokmin is there, soothing you with quiet shushes against your lips, thumbs stroking your cheeks as you take him all the way. He stretches you out, nice and slow, drawing the air from your lungs. 

There you go, that’s my girl. You’re doing so well, baby.

His praise rolls over you like late afternoon sunlight, settling in your chest until you feel lightheaded—the love in your chest is too much to take. It feels more intimate than usual, being nose to nose with Seokmin like this, seeing every emotion flicker in his eyes, feeling his breath fan over your face as he pants. You comb your fingers through his hair and cup his face in your hands, as the fluttery, panicky desperation for a hold on reality reappears in your chest again. You gasp as Seokmin shifts farther onto the bed, nails biting into his scalp as he pulls you closer.

He can surely feel the supersonic pace of your heart against his chest and he shushes you gently, pressing his lips against your sternum.

“I–I just need you to relax, sweetheart,” you hear him murmur in your daze, hands running up and down your spine. “Just a little more.” 

You nod, eyes squeezes shut as you try to swallow the trepidation in your stomach. Seokmin takes it all with grace; his voice is like honey in your ear, sticky and sweet, whispering soft reassurances. Seokmin’s love can be so strong—even after all this time—that it overwhelms you, leaving you vulnerable and defenseless. You’re not used to the devotion that even now, it sometimes takes a little to get used to, so you tuck your nose in the crook of his neck. The smell of sunshine still sticks to his skin, like a moth to a flame. 

“Baby, are you still with me?” Seokmin asks, forefinger petting your cheek. “Hm?”

You nod wordlessly, breathing deeply while Seokmin watches, attentive, until you’ve finally taken all of him. Seokmin bottoms out with a strangled groan, and presses a chaste kiss to your lips, chest stuttering as you roll your hips with impatience. Even then, it’s still too much right away and you freeze, gasping for breath. 

“Hey,” Seokmin says, holding your face in his hands, “we have all night. Take it slow.”

“I know I just—ah–” you whine, stubborn, as you roll your hips again—ignoring the vague hesitancy in your stomach—this time relishing in the dull ache in between your legs, feeling the stretch and pull as Seokmin coaxes your hips into a lazy rhythm. He watches closely, mapping out your body with his hands, leaving you out of breath and hazy in the head. You throw your head back as he kisses your exposed throat, mouth hot over your skin. 

Seokmin rests his hand at the base of your throat—not quite squeezing—and leaves it there. The possessive glint in his eyes is enough to say you are mine. Mine. The thought alone is enough to have you falling into his touch. 

Mine.

Mine.

He slips the other hand lower, using his thumb to rub circles around your clit, persuading languorous moans from your mouth, watching you with sordid fascination as you respond to his every touch. You brace your hand on his knee, brow furrowing as the pleasure in your core molds into shape. It’s hot and heavy, radiating so strongly it makes your arm shake.

“Just like–that,” you whine, nails digging into Seokmin’s thigh as he fucks into you slow, gripping your ass so hard you know it’ll leave marks. He curses as you clench around his cock, urging him to go faster. But Seokmin is, and always has been, more patient than you, and he grins slowly, even through heavy-lidded eyes clouded with lust, gripping your hips tight enough to still your movement. 

“What did I say?” he challenges, lips hovering millimeters over yours. You frown, protests falling on deaf ears, as he leans in closer. His lips brush yours as he whispers, “Go. Slow.”

So you try, rolling your hips, grinding down on his cock until you think you might die, until your restlessness is as tangible as the arousal dripping onto Seokmin’s thighs. He fluctuates between playing with your clit–just until you’re on the verge of release—and waiting, just long enough to keep the buzz in your body at bay. Your knees ache as you hold yourself up, feeling Seokmin’s cock slide and and out, his hands in your hair and on your ass. He edges you, daring you to come first each time you whimper you’re close, waiting until the shaking in your fingers stops just for him to continue. 

You’ve never been a crier, but after twenty minutes of this, you’re certain that even a slight breeze would cause you to come undone. Seokmin’s cock rests deep inside to the hilt, his mouth is on your skin, and you know that if he moves, you’ll come harder than you ever have before. 

“Baby, please,” you beg, hips jerking at every slight movement, “please–”

Seokmin smiles, and even just the sight of his pretty teeth have the tears you’ve been holding back, rolling down your cheeks like two big fat admissions of defeat. You suck in a breath as Seokmin lifts you off his cock, dropping you onto your back on the mattress. He places one of your ankles over his shoulder, pressing you down by the back of your thigh as you toss the other around his waist. 

The sounds coming from your mouth are less than human as Seokmin runs his fingers through your arousal again, placating your whines with his lips. You feel like you’re about to snap. 

“Seokmin, fuck me.” It sounds so ridiculous coming from your mouth you think you might cry again, but the thought is shoved away as Seokmin slaps his cock against your needy cunt a few times, pulling more animalistic cries from your throat. 

“Soon, pet,” he grins, and then his cock is pushing into you again, his fingers on your clit, his eyes dark and earnest as your whole body tenses in his arms. 

Your nails claw into his skin and he hisses, brow furrowed, as you drag them down his back with uncharacteristic force, but the thought of his beautiful back marked by your torment only feeds the fire in your belly. You arch your spine, pressing into him as Seokmin draws his cock back out, still much slower than you would like. He’s just winding you up at this point, seeing just how far you’re breaking point is.

Seokmin tuts, simpering as you pant deliriously under him. He leans down, brushing his lips over your cheekbone to rest his forehead against yours. You groan impatiently. 

“Patience, lamb,” Seokmin urges, pressing a chaste kiss to your lips, and you frown like a petulant child. Your protests are quickly silenced as he moves, pushing into you with little urgency, pulling back out with agonizing slowness, relishing in the tiny sounds escaping your tightly clamped lips. His strokes are languid as he holds you close to his body. Sometimes it feels like a challenge, to see how long you can go without indulging Seokmin, but today every sensation is amplified tenfold—the smell of his hair, the feeling of his skin, his fingers on your body, his tongue in your mouth, his cock deep inside. He holds your head in between his hands, petting your hair when you tense, whispering sweet words against your skin. 

“Look at me, baby,” Seokmin murmurs, brushing the hair off your forehead. Your pry your eyes open, resisting every impulse to squeeze them shut again as Seokmin pushes into you again, this time with more heat, feeling the burn in his own body increase as you brace yourself against his shoulders. His strokes are long and deep, barely a second apart before he drives back into you to the hilt, swimming in the crude sounds of skin against skin. A chorus of moans fills the room as Seokmin finally fucks you into subspace, your head going foggy with pleasure. The sounds leaving your mouth are barely coherent—just a messy jumble of garbled syllables. Seokmin is unrelenting. His stomach is tense with the effort it takes to keep up his pace. You’ve all but given up on keeping your eyes open, instead falling openly into the pleasure that builds in your gut again. 

Good girl. Just a little more, I promise. Look at you, so beautiful like this. Just like that.

Good girl. 

My girl.

You want to hold on. You want to hold on as long as possible. But Seokmin’s praise washes over you like the tide, saccharine and familiar, so you come again and again, feeling insurmountable pleasure pulse through your body—white-hot and blinding—so intense it leaves you breathless and weak, as Seokmin’s voice continues to flit in and out of focus. 

“God!” you plead, as an orgasm so powerful it rips your voice from your throat tears through you. Your nails bite crescents into your fiancé’s shoulders, and you jolt upward to kiss Seokmin feverishly, fingers carding desperately through his hair as he fucks you through your high. 

“Where–” Seokmin stutters, jaw clenched.

So you breathe, “In me,” and Seokmin groans long and low, as he comes undone, his release hot inside you, fingers searching for yours as he heaves. His hand is clammy and you smooth your other over his cheek, thumb skating over his cheekbone. Seokmin looks ragged, hair fucked and messy, lip bleeding from where you bit him in a fit of passion. He kisses you again, hungry and desperate as if the last forty minutes hadn’t been enough of you for him. Then he pulls out slowly, frowning apologetically as you wince in discomfort. He sets your foot back on the bed, before pressing one last, sweet kiss to your pelvis. You feel fucked raw, sensitive from all that the two of you had done.

Seokmin always ravishes you like it’s the first time he gets to hold you, taking his time until the bedsheets are tangled around your limbs and you’re both utterly spent. He loves you deep into the night, until the sun threatens to peek over the horizon. The dreamy cerulean color of the sky tells you it’s far too late for you to be awake. The street noise below has become all but mute, as the townspeople slumber peacefully in their homes. It’s the birdsong that pulls you from your reverie, still bleary-eyed and a little limp, so sudden you place your palms flat on Seokmin’s chest and stare at him in disbelief. He hums in acknowledgment, stirring from his place at your side. 

“What time is it?” you rasp, voice hoarse from use. 

Seokmin groans, reaching for his phone and murmurs, “Almost 4:30.” 

Your eyes open a few more centimeters. “It’s been—it’s been all night.” 

Your fiancé flashes his usual heartbreaking smile. “I know,” he says, and groans as he turns onto his side to look at you, “but I just wanted to be with you.” He tucks his arm under his head, reaching out a hand to run his thumb over your bottom lip. You kiss the pad of his thumb, leaning into his touch. “I love you.”

It always feels like a promise coming from his lips.

You flop back onto the bed, wincing at the twinge in your ass and roll over onto your stomach, tucking your chin over your folded hands. The Spanish coast is quiet, and for a while it’s just you and the ocean and the intimate sounds of Seokmin’s even breathing as he falls back asleep.

The next thing you feel are his lips on the base of your spine, and the early afternoon sun in your eyes. You blink groggily, shielding your eyes from the sun with your hand as Seokmin kisses up your back. Goosebumps erupt on your skin and you wrap yourself in the top sheet, smiling sweetly as Seokmin leans down to press a gentle kiss to your lips. 

“Good morning,” he murmurs, and rolls off the bed—still naked—over to the small kitchenette. “Coffee?”

You lift your arms high over your head, stretching until your muscles feel sore and limber, sighing deeply. “Mm, please.” Seokmin nods and grabs two espresso cups from the cupboard. 

From your spot on the bed, you settle back, admiring the view of your beautifully sculpted fiancé preparing morning coffee. He’s started working out again, and you see the smooth muscles across his back flex as he stretches. Your eyes trace the graceful curve of his spine to his narrow hips and you flush, stifling a nervous giggle. Even making coffee while butt-naked, Seokmin exudes an easy confidence that sets you at peace, the slope of his shoulders relaxed as he waits for the espresso to finish brewing. The aroma of coffee curls into the air and you smile to yourself, tucking your chin into the palm of your hand. How did you get to be so lucky? 

Seokmin catches you staring and breaks you from your trance by kissing your temple, holding a small espresso in his hand. 

“Yeah?” he asks, eyes glinting with amusement. You tilt your head and just nod, scooting so he can join you on the bed again and press a kiss to his bare shoulder. Seokmin still smells like his sunscreen. He squeezes your thigh again, gazing wordlessly over the balcony at the coastline. It’s picturesque—nothing exists beyond this hotel room except for you and him. 

The espresso is warm in your hands, but Seokmin’s body is warmer. 

You’ll never be cold again. 

--

check out my other stuff! :)

[faerieroyal]

Could i request luke skywalker with a gn! Kid that he rescues. The kid starts to see him as a parental figure? All platonic of course. The kid could be around like 12 or 13. I’d like if the reader/kid could be a togruta but I don’t mind if you don’t do that!

-🧛

ahhhh, thank you so much for making the first official request on my newly revamped blog !! luke is my absolute beloved, so this was a great request to get &lt;3 i really hope you like these headcanons !!

✩⡱ headcanons: luke skywalker x gn!child!togruta!reader !

— you are one of the first young force users luke manages to recruit for his new jedi order after the empire's defeat - even if he doesn't actually mean to find you.

— during his quest to find children blessed with the force around the galaxy, the togruta's home planet of shili is one of his first stops, and it's there he finds you. you're an orphan with nowhere to go and no one to take you in, stealing what you can to be able to afford food and making your home in an abandoned warehouse in the city, all the while trying to hide the odd ability to move things with your mind you've always had - the ability your parents, when they were alive, always told you you had to hide for fear of the empire coming after you.

— but your parents are gone now, and the warnings they gave you when you were younger aren't enough to stop you from trying to steal luke's lightsaber as he walks down the street by levitating away from him. of course, it doesn't quite work, as luke can sense your use of the force, and the lightsaber doesn't even make it all the way out of its holster before luke is grabbing it out of the air and turning to lock eyes with you, somehow knowing exactly where you are despite the fact that you've hidden yourself in the shadows of an alley.

— you're absolutely terrified you're about to be beaten or hauled off to prison, but to your surprise, all this strange man asks you is how long you've been able to do things like that, and if you're able to do other things, like sensing a particular air around people or being able to influence people's minds to be more agreeable with what you want.

— when he tells you that he understands, that he can do that as well, and that if you would like to learn how to develop these abilities, you can come with him and be a part of the new jedi order, you finally realize who he is: luke skywalker, the man who saved the galaxy from the empire's rule and, though he's clearly not the last remaining force user, the last remaining jedi.

— you're completely shocked that the savior of the galaxy is even interacting with you, a togruta orphan thief, much less that he's saying you have special powers and offering to train you as a jedi. but what can you do but accept? this may be your only chance to get off the streets of shili, your only chance to actually make something of yourself.

— by the end of the day, you and luke have boarded his ship and are flying away from the only home you've ever known, the place where you were born and where you lost your parents to sickness, where you had to scrounge in the back alleys and steal and fight for scraps to survive.

— shili will always hold a lot of memories for you, both good and painful, but you find that you're happy to be leaving it behind, to start embracing your purpose as a force user and becoming one of the galaxy's new jedi saviors.

— it isn't long before the two of you have been to illum to get your kyber crystal, and before you know it, you have your very own lightsaber and are ready to officially begin your jedi training.

— it isn't the easiest process - much like luke's father, you've started your training much later than the younglings of old, but thankfully your species are one of the galaxy's strongest in the force, so it isn't long before your control and fighting skills have greatly improved.

— but even better than these newfound skills and control is the bond you start to develop with your master.

— luke isn't always the most patient teacher - unbeknownst to him, a skywalker trait - but he is understanding of your feelings and struggles, and completely dedicated to helping you become the best jedi you can be. even as the two of you continue to travel around looking for more students for his jedi school, luke's primary focus remains training you, the first padawan he's ever had.

— of course, luke has little idea of the jedi's former pattern of masters and padawans forming familial-like bonds, having only been trained for a short while by both obi-wan and yoda, so when he finds himself starting to see you as something of his child, to want to protect you and make sure you were always safe and happy, it comes as a pretty big shock... but not an unwelcome one.

— and over time, you start to see luke as a parental figure as well.

— he always does his best to take care of you and make you feel good about yourself, he always takes the time to talk to you and provide comfort if you need it, and though your situations aren't quite the same, he does understand being a child without parents, and he'll always stay up at night with you to talk if you're missing your parents more than usual.

— after you lost your parents, you'd given up hope of ever having a father again, but as time goes on, you start to feel like luke might be the closest thing you'll have to getting another one.

— but neither of you are quite ready to voice these feelings for a while - not until one night almost two years into your training, when the two of you are taking advantage of a quiet night on ossus to sit on the roof of the new jedi academy and watch the star-filled sky.

— the whole thing is incredibly calming, and you've already had a bit of a long day, so eventually, you lean against luke's side and rest your head on his shoulder, your lekku dangling over his shoulder, and with your filter crumbled into dust by the pull of sleep, you finally mumble the words you've been thinking for months now.

— "thank you, luke. for saving me, and for being my mentor, and for being my... my father."

— you drift off into the comforting darkness of sleep almost immediately after speaking, so you miss the shocked look luke gives you that eventually spreads into a soft, loving smile, and you especially miss the small kiss luke plants on top of your head, and the whispered words that, though he'll make sure to repeat them to you tomorrow morning, he feels he needs to say now.

— "you're welcome, padawan. and thank you for being my child."

star wars taglist: @chaosgod4life !

general taglist: @maddipoof, @thatmagickjuju, @talkingturnedtoscreamss, @malafvma, @auxiliarydetective, @heliads, @oneirataxia-girl !

( send me an ask if you want to be added to a taglist !! )

[desires-of-chain]

Sleepy and Divine

Finally back with the promised chronic pain/fatigue smut with Warriors! This has been my favourite to write so far - it turned out a lot softer and more tender than I had originally planned, and I'm super happy with it. Also very heavy on the worship kink which I will NOT apologise for. Who's gonna say no to receiving devoted love and attention from a handsome captain? Not me! I will slightly apologise for my blatant favouritism of the petname 'darling', which I only realised was a common thread through all of my fics about three quarters of the way through this one. It's just.... so good.

As with the other chronic pain fic, small psa for those not in the know: reader is aware of their own limits and both them and Warriors know how to handle anything changing - the sexytimes is informed. You do what you can with what you've been given, and sometimes that means having fun then sleeping the entire next day away lmao. Again, this is mentioned in its own way in the fic but I wanted to clarify. I also wrote this reader to be afab, but only the genitalia is described with any sort of gendered language, chest and pronouns left neutral.

With that all out of the way, onto the tender love making &lt;;3

Content: AFAB reader, eating out, fingering, vaginal sex, Warriors' raging worship kink. Reader has chronic pain in their knees, chronic fatigue, and uses a cane.

Word count: 2776

----

The bright lights are starting to get too much. The ball has been at full swing all night, dancing and joyous conversation in celebration of a recent military victory that your group had a hand in. Drinks are aplenty, food abundant, everyone in finery to honour the heroes of the land. But after hours of polite conversation, congratulations, and quite a bit of dancing with Warriors, you're approaching the end of your rope.

You try to follow along with the conversation you're currently having despite the fogginess coming over your brain. The women had approached you a few minutes ago to congratulate, praising your ability to keep up with the famed Heroes of Hyrule all on your lonesome, raving about your rumoured unique form of magic never before seen, and generally cooing over your relationship with the Captain. They’re quite lovely, all things considered, eager to know your talents and happy that you make the Link of this time happy - who in their eyes is a savior that deserves everything good in the world.

Speaking of…

Warriors sidles up beside you with a gentle hand against your lower back and a charming “Sorry to interrupt, everyone.” He’s wearing a gorgeous military jacket in his signature green, cropped at the waist and paired with tight cream trousers. His scarf is around his shoulders like always, but it’s been cleaned and repaired with the utmost care - you wouldn’t be able to tell it was the same one he's worn into battle countless times. He's also wearing eyeliner.

You make eye contact, and his brilliant smile momentarily wipes all exhaustion away. The ladies coo again.

“The man of the hour, so wonderful of you to join us! Your darling here has been great company, telling us about all the things you've seen on your travels together. Lake Hylia sounds like a great date spot, if you ever return, I'd say.”

“That sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately though, as much as I'd like to stay and chat, I came here to steal my darling away for a spell, if you don't mind?” He hits the ladies with his award winning smile, the one you can tell is slightly fake but very convincing, and it works immediately. They shoo you off together with a teasing “Have fun, lovebirds!” and just like that, you're being led away from the crowds and into the surrounding corridors of the ballroom.

Finally out of the sight of everyone, you deflate, leaning more heavily on your cane and closing your eyes. Warriors pulls you into his side, arm wrapping properly around your waist to comfort instead of guide. When you look back up, Warriors is already looking at you.

“Let's find someplace more comfortable, yeah?”

With a nod, a gloved hand intertwines with your own, and Warriors leads you down the halls. You assume you're headed in the direction of the room you were both given, but you don't pay that much attention to the twists and turns. You let yourself drift, losing all focus on everything but the feeling of Warriors’ hand in yours. You trust him to lead you.

You do, actually, arrive at the bedroom you were given as esteemed guests of the Queen, and you leave your cane by the door to head for the bed immediately. Oh, ever since you saw it this morning, you'd been longingly thinking to it all day, unable to wait to sink into the clean sheets and soft pillows and sleep for twenty hours. You flop face first onto the bed, doing the littlest hop to ensure you get the most of your body onto the high mattress. Warriors laughs at you from the doorway. You ignore him in favour of sinking further in. The sheets smell so good…

There's a dip in the bed where Warriors takes a seat by your thighs dangling off the bed. You twist just enough to peer up at him and meet a look of contemplation.

“Y’know, the plan was to steal you away from the party so we could have a different type of fun, but you look rather exhausted.” He tucks a stray hair behind your ear. “We can just cuddle and go to sleep if that's more your speed right now. I'm happy either way.”

You think about it. You are very very tired, but it's been weeks since you and Warriors have had the opportunity to be intimate. And he'll inevitably be dragged off early tomorrow for a meeting or some other bullshit, even if you're allowed a lay in. You wiggle a bit, take stock of your body, roll onto your back. You're already passed your limit - the extra half hour of sleep you'd get now isn’t going to be the cure to your fatigue tomorrow.

“You’ll have to do all the work.” You mumble, watching his face light up like a puppy being given a treat. He leans over and cups your cheek, his face inches from yours.

“I don't mind that at all. You sure you're up for it?”

You nod.

Lips meet tenderly. He's slow, gentle and caring, taking his time. You've done this song and dance before, of Warriors slowly building you up, taking the lead, and it always begins with being kissed like you're the most sacred thing in the world. Hands soon find their way into your hair, gloves soft against your scalp and thumbs at your temple soothing. If it weren’t for the heat against your mouth and the gradual stirring in your lower stomach, you'd be convinced he's trying to coax you to sleep instead.

You reach up and tug his scarf, urging him to hurry up at least slightly, lest you actually fall asleep, and he pulls away from your lips hesitantly.

“What do you need?” He asks, tone almost reverent. You whine. “Relax, darling, I’m right here. What do you need?”

“If I relax any more I will start snoring.” You grumble, and he chuckles.

“Message received, loud and clear. Let's get you out of this stunning outfit.”

He urges you to sit up by the shoulders, and gets to work undressing you immediately. The horniness ramps up three levels when, after fumbling one too many times with a fastening, he decides to pull his gloves off with his teeth to get them out of the way. You stare dumbly as he pulls your garment off your shoulders, watching him take in the details of your bare chest.

“I'm gonna worship you tonight, I think.” He runs his fingers down the length of your torso, the first skin to skin contact all night, just to make you shiver. With the gentlest push to fall onto your back again, Warriors leans over you, and with that same reverence as earlier, “I want to place my touch on every inch of your body, either with my hands or my mouth - alight every part of you with my love. Will you let me?”

You stare up at him wide eyed. You're speechless, fogginess stealing every thought away, only the feeling of awe and love spreading throughout your entire body. Your shoulders involuntarily scrunch up to your ears. You manage a nod.

Warriors leans down and nuzzles his nose against yours. “You're so cute when you're sleepy.” His lips meet yours again, just as gentle as before, but his hands whisper against your arms and chest this time, tracing invisible shapes and cataloguing every angle, every curve. You can't help but shiver again. When his mouth moves down to your neck, you gasp and close your eyes.

Drifting in the bliss of it all is incredibly easy with your eyes closed. You feel like you're on a cloud, each point of contact sending you further and further into it. All focus goes to breathing while your senses are overwhelmed with how Warriors navigates your body, kissing from your shoulders down each arm, holding and massaging your palms before placing a kiss on those too. The whispered compliments against your chest a series of prayers, gentle and profound and so sincere.

He eventually arrives at your hips, other half of your clothes still yet to be taken off. He kneels on the ground and gets to work taking those off you too, nudging you to lift your hips, and soon enough you are completely bare in front of him.

He gives your legs the same treatment as your arms, slowly and tenderly moving up with his lips. When he gets to your knees, he takes even more care, ever so carefully holding each leg to relieve the most pressure and pain, murmuring against them something your ears can’t catch, but you feel all the same. Your thighs sufficiently caressed, Warriors finally arrives at where you need him the most.

You're already wet, and when he parts your folds with his fingers you squirm at his hot breath hitting your cunt. Warriors simply stares for a moment…

And with a whispered “thank you…” places his mouth on you.

The whole night had been building up to this - Warriors’ tongue swirling your clit, gently lapping up your slick as he continues caressing your thighs with his spare hand. You can't think at all, completely lost in the pleasure of his touch, moaning openly as his tongue pokes your entrance. His movements are maddeningly attentive, slow and gentle and pushing you higher and higher. He continues to mouth thanks and prayers into your cunt, like your orgasm will be a divine blessing upon him, and gods, it feels divine. You're close. When his free hand moves to push into you and open you up with deft fingers, you're closer.

You know once you orgasm now you’ll be done for the night, though, so you weave your hand into his hair and try to pull him away from you. He simply moans against your clit instead, vibrations shocking another wave of pleasure through you, bringing you dangerously close to the edge. You try again.

Warriors looks up at you with hooded eyes and a love drunk smile on his face. You can't help but cup his cheek, thumbing some of your own wetness off his bottom lip. You have his full undivided attention, kneeled on the floor at your feet, and it drives you mad with lust. You have no clue what to say, but the realisation that he's somehow still fully dressed sinks in, so instead of speaking, you unwrap his scarf from his shoulders and drape it over your own like a blanket. Then, your hands move to pull his jacket off, and he chuckles and begins helping.

“Sorry, I got so caught up in your body I forgot you probably want to see mine, too.” Heavy fabric slides off Warriors’ shoulders as he stands to take off his boots and trousers, all garments being discarded to the floor without a care. You keep your eyes trained on every revealed inch of skin, admiring each scar and line and curve. Especially the slope of his waist, which you pull him towards you via when he's finally as bare as you are.

Scooting back up the bed so he can properly kneel on it and truly cage you in, you pull him on top of you and into another kiss. The scarf pools around your body, bathing you in royal blue that feels like a hug, and when Warriors reaches down to push his fingers back into your hole, you clench at it with your fists desperately.

“You're so beautiful…” Warriors gazes down at you with nothing but adoration. You look up at him and think the exact same thing. Words are not working for you right now, but you vow to say everything back to him tenfold as soon as you can. For now, you run your hands across his chest and hope he understands.

Three fingers full and getting close once more, you squirm and buck your hips into Warriors’ hand. When he pulls them out and leans over to fetch something from the bedside table, you whine.

“Just a few more moments, darling, then I'll give you what you need.”

He returns with a jar of lube, and begins prepping himself. He's been untouched this entire time, head red and dripping precum, and when he finally touches himself his face scrunches up in pleasure. The shaky exhale of his breath lights fireworks in your brain.

Sufficiently prepped, Warriors lines his cock up with your entrance. Your legs gently encircle his hips and you look up at him with pleading, desperate eyes.

He pushes in, and you see stars.

He's just as tender and gentle as he has been this entire time, curling around you and pushing slowly in, filling you up with his cock like he's afraid to hurt you. One hand is on your knee - the one that tends to give you the most trouble - and is holding it against his waist gently to make sure it isn't jostled. Compliment after compliment is falling out of his lips, praise like a prayer, a keen for your happiness. Gorgeous, stunning, beautiful, light of my life, they coat you in a blanket of love, simultaneously spreading from his lips, and where your bodies connect.

When he's finally filled you to the brim, his forehead meets the sheets next to your head. He groans as you clench around him.

“My god, I love you.” Warriors murmurs into your ear, and your brain cannot tell if it was simply an expression of gratitude and feeling, or if he was calling you his god.

“I love you too…” you whisper back, awestruck.

Warriors picks himself back up to make eye contact when he starts moving. The thrusts are slow, deep, intent on making you feel every drag and sensation inside you. His forearms bracket your head, hands weaved through your hair while you clench his scarf and tremble as waves of ecstasy spread through your body. The contact is overwhelming, the attentiveness of his hands and hips and mouth as he kisses your lips and jaw - you're so close.

He reaches down and rubs your clit.

“Cum for me, my love. Bless me with it. I want to feel you.”

What feels like divine heat and pleasure shock through your entire body as you orgasm. Warriors speeds up his thrusts slightly, caught up in you clenching around him and losing himself to it too, before pushing all the way in and truly filling you up. You twitch and fidget beneath him, trying to extend the feeling as long as possible. Pure love through your veins.

His head comes back down to rest next to yours, panting heavy in your ear as you come down from the high. You shakily bring your arms up - hands still gripped in the scarf - and encircle him in a hug.

In the wake of the high, fatigue returns. As does the ache of your body. With Warriors’ comforting weight on top of you, drifting into sleep is tantilisingly easy. Even when he picks himself up, knocking your arms to the bed, and begins cleaning you both up, that fog remains, pulling you down to dreamland.

You move at Warriors’ prompting just enough to crawl into bed with him properly, then you're out like a light in his arms.

~~~

You wake to an empty bed and shuffling. Groggily opening your eyes, you see the slightest peek of early morning light through the gap in the curtains, as well as Warriors getting dressed in his usual tunic. You can tell it’s early, too early, and just like you predicted your love is being stolen away by duty. When he spots you awake, he smiles and sits on the edge of the bed next to you.

“Morning, sunshine. How are you feeling?”

You take a moment to assess. Still just as tired as last night, a bit achy and stiff all over. So, not the best.

“Bad.” You mumble. Warriors cards his fingers through your hair sympathetically.

“I have to go do boring work, but you can sleep all you want. I’ll get you some food sent up?”

“That sounds nice. Thank you.”

“Of course.”

Warriors leans down and kisses you on the forehead, before finishing up with getting ready. You watch him from the bed, slowly stretching yourself out and getting comfortable for a great pre-breakfast nap. Just as he reaches the door, you call out to him.

“Link?”

He turns to look back at you.

“Please let me return the favour for last night sometime soon. You deserve all that you gave me, tenfold.”

“There’s no favour owed, but I would love that. For now though, just rest. Dream of me?” Warriors winks playfully. You laugh.

“Always.”

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

*bangs on a pot with a spoon* COME GET Y'ALL'S MEAL

🧙 anon strikes once more!

[alohastyles-x]

Nightfall - Druig

A dark mob/gang AU Eternals fic 

Paring: AFAB reader x mob!Druig | Mob!EternalsAU 

*I am kind of using mob and gang interchangeably here

Note: hi. I’ve crept out of my hibernation hole to repost this fic after some edits. This is the only fic I’m motivated to finish at the moment. I will also be turning it into a fantasy gang type book with OC’s on my Wattpad that are inspired by the Eternals gang. If you're interested for that version to be posted here too, let me know! :) 

warnings: 18+ | Language, violence, descriptions of gore, mentions of SA and physical assault, drugging. This is a dark fic, so dark topics will be mentioned and discussed.

Dividers by @firefly-graphics &lt;3

Druig Masterlist | Marvel Masterlist | Main Masterlist | Wattpad

The Rosaris. The most popular and elite club in the city ran by Genesis Rose- who was arguably the scariest gang leader in the state… and also happened to be your boss. He was a filthy man with one hell of a rap sheet. Murder, money laundering, prostitution, trafficking, you name it, he’s done it- or made someone else do it for him.

At surface level the Rosaris was a fancy and elegant club. One you had to be on the list to get into. No exceptions. Underneath, however, the Rosaris was a scary and torturous place, filled with drugs, sex, and booze. Only the elite of the elites got access to the Underground; they were vetted and initiated through a series of challenges. If they could handle it all, rather, if they made it out alive, they were granted access. Genesis only hired the best of the best strippers, prostitutes and bartenders- all women, all sexy and desirous- as a reward for the initiation process.

You were one of them… no, you were more than that. You were Genesis’ favorite, his go-to when he had too much whiskey or when he closed a huge deal, dragging another filthy elite into the club’s inner ring.

Thalia was his other favorite. She quickly became your best friend, taking you under her wing when Genesis declared you the best of the rest.

“Just do what they say honey bunny, there’s no use in fightin’ back. Don’t let your status fool you into gettin’ cocky- you’re still nothin’ more than a piece of ass to them.” She warned you, her southern accent present while she swiped bright red lipstick on her bottom lip. You looked down, scared of what was to become of you.

Genesis had found you on the streets. You had been kicked out of your apartment, and your ex left you battered and bruised on the sidewalk when Genesis had knelt above you. The streetlights illuminated around him, making him appear angelic; you thought he was your savior. What a stupid idea. His sinister smile was mistaken for kindness, something you would come to beat yourself up over for a long time.

He had you drugged, before Kingston- his right hand man- grabbed your limp body and threw you in the car that transported you to The Rosaris Underground- where Genesis’ office resided.

You had awoken with duct tape on your mouth, your wrists and ankles bound together, your clothes stripped off and torn. That’s when Thalia came in. She had a pitiful look on her face as she untied you.

“I’m so sorry honey,” she had whispered, trying to delicately rip the tape off of your mouth. She draped a blanket around you, and then led you to the girls’ changing room that Genesis was nice enough to give the girls.

Thalia helped you get dressed into the outfit Genesis had picked out for you. It was all red and all lace, exposing almost everything. Small strips of fabric covered your nipples and cunt, but it didn’t do much good. As you had looked around the room, you realized you were the only one in red. You thought it was just an initiation thing, to let everyone know you were the new girl. Instead, it was just because Genesis thought you would look sexy in it- and he was right. You were easily the sexiest one there, trumping all the girls below you. In any other circumstance- in any normal circumstance- you would have felt elevated, confident. Instead, it just terrified you more.  You were highly requested by the elites in the club, which made Genesis very jealous.

That’s how you became his favorite. You spent most of your nights with Thalia up in his office with his men, servicing them how they pleased. This was how you met him.

Druig- the city’s drug dealer. He had his own empire, the Aeternus. He wasn’t the leader, but he was a fundamental part of their success- he was where the money was at. Everyone wanted drugs- not just the elites. His business went farther than the others, bringing in the most money. He worked closely with Genesis, bringing him only the best of the best.

You had been working for Genesis for a year before you finally, officially, met Druig. His dark black hair was a stark contrast against his pale face and gray eyes. He always wore a leather jacket with black jeans and a pair of black combat boots. You had seen him pass through the office multiple times, but tonight… Tonight was different.

“Druig, my boy!” Genesis chuckled, grabbing Druigs cheeks in between his two hands. “What did ya bring me?”

“You don’t even want to know, Genesis.” Druig smirked, dropping off two duffel bags that were filled to the brim with various antidotes.

“I want to introduce you to my newer favorite girl, as a thank you,” Genesis said, motioning for you to come over. You got off of the lap you were sitting on- Daniel, one of the famous politicians- and walked over to Genesis. He wrapped an arm around your shoulder, pulling you in tightly.

“This is Y/N. She’s been up here for about a year now, and hasn’t had any complaints yet. Go ‘head, try her out,'' Genesis gave you a little push in Druig’s direction.

“Ah, Genesis, you know I can’t.”

“I insist.” His tone was demanding, and Druig knew he wasn’t going to let this go. He placed his hands on your waist, drawing you near him.

“I know you like to do your business privately, you can use the room,” Genesis said, pointing to a door off in the distance.

Druig thanked him, before leading you down the hallway, his hand on the small of your back.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered once he knew you both were out of earshot. “We’re just going to go in for a few minutes and come back out. I’ll leave you a glowing review,” he smirked, as he pushed you gently into the room. He flicked the lights on, illuminating the cramped space you both stood in. You made your way to the bed and sat down, while he sat in the chair across from you.

You sighed as you fell on the bed, your whole body aching from exhaustion. Druig watched you closely as you closed your eyes.

“Feels good to just rest,” you whispered. Something in Druig’s chest burned as he heard your voice, an ache awakening deep inside of him.

“You must work a lot since you’re one of Genesis’ favorites,” he said.

“Yeah, the only pro of that is you’re less likely to be assaulted- well anymore then usual that is,” you muttered, rubbing your face with your hands, careful not to mess with your eye makeup. Druig stiffened in his chair as your words hit him.

“What did you just say?” He asked, standing up. You snapped your eyes open, fearing you said too much.

“Fuck, I’m so stupid. Please don’t say anything, please, I’m begging you.” You shot up, kneeling in front of him. God why did you have to speak! If Genesis knew you spilled about the filth that had gone on down here, if you had actually confirmed it, the repercussions would be insurmountable. 

“I’m not going to hurt you… or let you get hurt. I just want to know what you said.” He placed a hand on the side of your cheek. You resisted the urge to lean into him. The last time you mistook someone's kindness, you ended up here.

But something inside of you urged you to tell him the truth. To tell him that by the end of the night you were sexually assaulted at least once, physically assaulted at least four times. That you, for some god forsaken reason, were treated ten times worse than Thalia- probably because she could hold her own, unlike you.

You fought the urge and instead of speaking you just undid the red lace corset you wore, letting it fall to the floor. Your chest was bare before him, but you didn’t care. Somehow, deep in your mind, you knew you could trust him. His eyes trailed over your skin, over the bruises, scars, and blood stains from earlier tonight. You had a deep scar across your lower belly, where it looked like you had been cut open before.

Druig’s hand had begun to shake with rage as you slowly turned, exposing your back to him. Red scars all over, the result of being whipped repeatedly, mostly for pleasure… some for punishment.

He snapped.

“Who did this to you?” He asked, his voice so low and deep you barely heard him.

“I�� I can’t even tell you. It’s been so many people,” you broke, the tears began to flow. He knelt down, drawing you to him, petting your head as he had calmed you down. You weren’t sure why you just confided in him. It was as if some supernatural pull had calmed you, told you it was okay. That he was okay. 

“Put this back on,” he whispered, handing you the red corset. You nodded and did as he said. He turned to face the door, prepared to knock it down and beat the shit out of Genesis and his men.

“Follow me,” he reached for your hand, helping you up. He led you out the door, back into the room.

“How did you like her?” Genesis asked, a smirk on his face.

“Too well,” Druig smirked, trying to play coy. “Think I could take her home with me?”

“Ah, now you know the rules my boy. She stays here,” Genesis clasped a firm hand on Druig’s shoulder.

“Alright, how much?” Genesis laughed. The idea of being paid for made you tremendously uncomfortable. You attempted to let go of Drugs' hand; he just squeezed it harder.

“Not for sale.” The tension was rising, and Druig looked around the room. The various men were now standing, facing Druig, their hands positioned questionably on their hips. Druig wasn’t dumb, he knew they were all holding on to some sort of weapon. He counted them, there were five total. Five against one? He could manage that.

“I’m going to give you one last opportunity,” Druig muttered, giving Genesis a psychotic smile, “or I will kill everyone in here.”

“I’d like to see you try,” Genesis laughed. His laugh was cut short, however, as Druig threw a punch in his direction, hitting his face just right. His cheekbone was easily shattered, causing him to grunt in pain.

The four men in the room charged at Druig, some drawing guns, others drawing knives. You shrunk back into the corner, watching in amazement as Druig took them out one by one. Blood covered the windows and the walls. Shouts were heard in the distance, and you knew that someone had saw. You raced to the door, shoving the heavy dead bolt through the lock just in time. The guards pounded on the other side, each thud making you flinch slightly as you backed away.

The grunts behind you came to a stop, as Druig knocked out the last of the men. It was Daniel. Taking his knife to Daniel's neck, he sliced it open in one quick movement, blood splattered the carpet, and Druig’s already stained clothes, as he let Daniel fall to the ground. You covered your mouth in horror at the carnage before you: bloodied bodies everywhere, brain matter and other bodily gore painting the walls, the carpet. 

A low grunt caused you to turn around. It was Genesis. Druig hadn’t killed him, and he wasn’t going to.

“Let this be a lesson. I get what I want, when I want it. No one can tell me otherwise. You got it?” Druig asked, kneeling over Genesis, knife in hand.

“You bitch,” Genesis whispered, spitting in Druig’s face. Druig laughed psychotically. There was no stopping him as he stabbed his knife in Genesis’s cheek, dragging it down before pulling it out. He wiped the blood on Genesis’ shirt, before turning to you.

You were shaking, your mouth hanging open, hand poised in the air just under it. You could not believe the horror in front of you; there was so much blood.

“You’re safe now,” Druig said, shoving his knife back into the waistband of his black jeans. He had blood splattered all over his hands and his face. You slowly backed away from him, now utterly terrified at the only man who has ever killed for you.

“I promise I will never hurt you. I will, however, hurt anyone who ever touches you again.” He said slowly, as he made his way towards you. Your back hit the wall, Druig’s body towering in front of you.

He lifted a finger, trailing it along your hairline, before pushing hair out of your face. You were trembling, tears filling your eyes as you turned your head away from him.

“There’s no need to be afraid,” he whispered. “You have to trust me.”

The same feeling from before washed over you, as you turned to face him. His gray eyes now had golden specks in them, as he caressed your cheek.

“I trust you,” you whispered, unaware you were even speaking until you heard your voice, disembodied in the air.

“Good, because that door is about to break down. We have to get out of here.” He pointed to the door you had locked. At some point, you had managed to drown out the sound of the guards pounding away at it. You saw the lock bending with each bang.

“There’s a back door over here, it leads to the loading docks.” You whispered, pointing to one of the doors on the northern wall. Druig nodded, following your lead as you climbed the stairs that led to your safety.

Shouts begin to fill the stairwell as the door to Genesis’ office broke down. Panic set in, causing you to attempt go up the stairs faster. You tripped, your heels betraying you and breaking. Druig caught you by your hips, steadying you as you took your heels off, throwing them down.

Suddenly, a bullet flew past your ear ricocheting off the railing. You screamed and Druig’s grip on your waist tightened.

“Go,” he yelled, pushing you up. You continued going as fast as you could, thinking he was behind you. When you reached the door at the top you threw it open.

“Just through here… Druig?”  He was nowhere to be seen. Looking down the empty stairwell instilled a fear deep in your bones. You began to hyperventilate, panic setting in once again as you realized the stairwell was eerily silent. Tears fell over the brim of your eyes as you sank down against the wall. Fuck, when Genesis finds you it's all over. He’d probably torture you in more ways than you could count, holding you up in the dark room you had spent too many nights in, where you lost your sanity more than once.  

You heard heavy footsteps climbing up the stair, and your sobs got harder, messier, as your fate was about to be set in motion. Your body shook uncontrollably, as you covered your face with your arm, trying to control the sobs.

“Shhh, y/n, it’s okay, it’s just me,” Druig whispered, rushing to your side. The relief you felt was almost euphoric as he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you tightly against him.

“Shh, it’s okay, but we have to go now,” he said sternly, trying to help you stand up. By this point, your legs were like jello, unable to move.

“Come on y/n, we have to go, we don’t have time for this.” He was more stern now, trying to reign in his annoyance at you not moving.

“I-I can’t Druig.” You sobbed, gripping tightly onto his arm.

“For fucks sake,” he muttered, snaking his arm around the back of your legs, lifting you up. “You have to tell me where to go though babe. I have no idea.”

“Turn right,” you said weakly. Druig did as you said, carrying your traumatized body through the dimly lit corridors.

“Left.”

“Another Left.”

“Through those doors,” you directed him, trying to keep your eyes open long enough to guide him. When he finally reached the loading dock doors, he threw them open stepping out into the night.

A blacked out SUV sat outside, the backdoor already open. Druig carefully helped you in, before sliding in next to you. You settled in, laying down on the seat, your head on his lap. You were too terrified to move. You had no idea who this man was, or what he belonged to. If he was doing business with Genesis, it probably wasn’t good. Had you just replaced one hell with another? 

“Took you long enough- WHY are you covered in blood?” A feminine voice yelled, causing you to flinch.

“Lighten up Sersi, it’s not my blood.”

 A short girl sat in the driver seat, speeding off.

“Who’s the girl?” She signed, turning to briefly look in the backseat at you.

“Y/N. She’ll be joining us.” Druig said, resting an arm on your body.

“Is she okay?” Sersi whispered, turning in the seat to face you.

“I think so. Just shaken up. It was a bloodbath,” Druig muttered, shaking his head.

“Did you kill him?” Makkari signed.

“No, but I left him somethin’ to remember me by.”

“Druig you didn’t…”

Druig smiled proudly, thinking of the deep gash he left in Genesis’ face.

“Shit, Druig! That was not a part of the plan.” The girl in the passenger seat- Sersi- yelled.

“Neither was rescuing her, so looks like it’s improv night. Hey, did Gilgamesh cook dinner?” Druig asked, quickly changing the subject as he felt your body tremble under his arm.

“No.”

“What the fuck.Thats like his only job. Can we stop and get some food then? I’m starving. How about you, y/n? Are ya hungry?” You merely nodded your head, too scared to speak.

“Druig we can’t stop anywhere with you looking like that.” Sersi said.

“Just go through the drive through.”

Sersi rolled her eyes as Makkari smiled, already pulling into a McDonald's parking lot.

***

You woke hours later, a thick black comforter wrapped tightly around your body. It was soft, something you weren’t used to. Every joint in your body ached from the night before. Memories before began to flash in your mind, You groaned, rolling over in the bed to bury your face in the pillow.

“How are you feeling?” A voice suddenly spoke beside you, startling you. It was the girl from the car. She had long black hair, half of it tied back while the other half fell over her shoulder.

“Like shit,” you muttered, moving to sit up in bed. You noticed her right arm was covered in intricate tattoos- at least the part you could see under her three quarter length sleeve.

“Do you want me to get you something for the pain?” She asked, moving over so you had room to sit.

“That would be great, thank you…” you paused, realizing that you couldn’t remember her name.

“Sersi,” she smiled, getting up and walking to the adjacent bathroom.

She grabbed a bottle from the medicine cabinet, pulling two tablets out before putting the bottle back.

“Here, it’s just Advil but it should help,” she said, handing you the two little white pills. There was a glass of water on the nightstand next to you that you grabbed to wash the pills down with. “We have stronger stuff if you need it, but I figure this is a good start.” 

“Thank you,” you whispered, analyzing her kindness. She hadn’t offered you actual drugs... a stark contrast to the copious amounts of narcotics handed out daily at the Roasaris. 

There was a soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” Sersi yelled. You winced, your head still splitting. She gave you an apologetic look as the door opened. It was Druig. He stepped in, his eyes darting right to you. You were a mess- your hair was all over the place, your makeup smeared down your face. His face softened as he took your appearance in.

“Sersi, why don’t you help her shower.” He said, looking at her.

“I was about to ask her if I could help her before you knocked.”

You tensed up, suddenly aware that you must look ridiculous. You blushed, looking down. The awkward tension was somehow even worse than the previous events of last night. You heard the door open before shutting again.

“Let me go grab some towels and a fresh change of clothes, then I’ll help you get in the shower- if you’re okay with that,” she said gently. You nodded, bringing your knees to your chest while you waited on Sersi.

A single tear fell from your eye as you finished reflecting on the previous night. You felt a mixture of gratefulness and fear as you curled up in the bed waiting for your much needed shower. What if Genesis found you again…? You didn’t even want to think about what he would do to you.

“You ready?” Sersi asked, bringing you out of your thoughts. You nodded, before carefully getting up and following her to the shower.

[wallpaper-inside-my-heart]

💛Smoshblr December Asks Day 21💙

Top 3 tropes in media/fanfic

So in terms of general concepts/tropes I enjoy in all media, there def any iteration of (Enemies/Rivals to) Friends to Lovers; then Found Family <3 and hurt/comfort -> especially in combo with one of the other two tropes!

When in comes to which types of fanfics I specifically seek out most of the time:

(putting these answers and the fanfic recs under the cut, cause this is once again getting way longer than I intended)

I know this is super unpopular, but I love well done miscommunication in fanfics! Hate it in most movies tho!!

-> also what I think constitutes “good” miscommunication basically boils down to “ is the miscommunication plot or character motivated?” cause in a lot of media the miscommunication feels forced and only meant to prolong or escalate the story

-> but if the miscommunication happens bc the characters are, for example, insecure about sharing certain info/feelings it is way more captivating and relatable (to me)

-> so this is ofc directly related to (Mutual) Pining <3 (plus also connected to another fave of mine: Memory Loss/Amnesia & also secret identity)

2. Forced proximity!!

-> I’m counting both sharing a bed and stuff like fake relationship under this umbrella

-> I just love when characters are forced to interact with each other in a different and typically more intimate way than they usually do! (and what it reveals about themselves and their relationship to eachother!)

3. Fix-it fanfics

-> I actually love original stories that have tragic endings! But there are many ways a story can end in a disappointing way and make me immeditaly turn to what all the wonderful fanfic authors have come up with in order to clean up the mess!

I have way too many favourite fanfics tbh... SO I'm actually gonna do both general and smosh ones I enjoyed a lot recently!

Multifandom (I am a huge podfic girlie, so I'm gonna give them a shoutout here!)

Harry Hart and the Honey Pot: An Indiana Jones Adventure - reena_jenkins, samanthahirr - Kingsman (Movies) [Archive of Our Own] -> I love me a good movie based AU from time to time and the kingsman fandom has so many great writers!

2. [podfic] tomorrow will always and forever now be today (tomorrow is our always and forever) - Matriaya - 9-1-1 (TV) [Archive of Our Own] -> this fic changed me as a person istg; like it is such an incredibly well done take on the timeloop trope, I'm-

3. Be My Savior - Chapter 1 - jessebee - Supernatural [Archive of Our Own] -> this is me coming out as lowkey more of a Sabriel than Destiel fan 🙈 Like ofc Destiel have the better canon story, and I do love them very much; However Sabriel fanfics captured my heart when I was a teenager and are still hanging on by a thread! (also I can still make myself cry instantly via a headcanon I created for them ages ago and that's gotta count for smth 😹)

Smosh Fanfics &lt;3

In general of course any and all fics by Katie @jovenshires 🩷🩵 (love you and your writing to death istg🫶) but having to choose one for this, I'm gonna go with right where you left me - jovenshires (imdeansgirl) - Smosh [Archive of Our Own]

2. doing something like this right on the first try - halfwheeze - Smosh [Archive of Our Own] my most recent bookmark and 100% my fave fic I've read these past few weeks! But Mer 🖤💜@tommybowefuneralattendee has so many banger fanfics, it was super hard to choose! <3 But this fic made me truly ship nintendogs, so it deserves this mention

3. I abstained from choosing any of the amazing spommy fics by the lovely ppl I mentioned above, bc I might have spommy brainworms 24/7, but I cannot lose my multishipper rep! 😹🙈 But here is one of my other fave spommy fics from a different author! maybe my animals live in your zoo - creepysounds - Smosh [Archive of Our Own] edit: by the lovely @tommybones 🫶

[inafieldofdaisies]

2 in 1 uquizzes (choose one or both, idk) | Tagging @socially-awkward-skeleton @direwombat @fourlittleseedlings @g0dspeeed @trench-rot @nightbloodbix @aceghosts @strafethesesinners @poisonedtruth @adelaidedrubman @purplehairsecretlair @josephslittledeputy @jinfromyarikawa @euryalex @madparadoxum @detectivelokis @josephseedismyfather and anyone that would like to do the uquizzes <3

What kind of complex does your OC/ship have? | uquiz

Sabrina:

Savior Complex

.... oh man. Go take a nap, buddy. they're not your responsibility.

she needs a nap, for sure. and good luck convincing her people aren't her responsibility. This sounds like John talking, ain't gonna lie.

John:

god complex

holy shit... you just seriously wanna control everything and make all the choices... it never was a choice between God and Satan, for you, it was always a choice between God and Self.

i mean... what do i say to this. ironie in french? *in my best nicholas hoult voice*

martyr complex

no comment. stop dying on every hill.

calahan be breaking my heart at times &lt;3

Why do people love your OC? | uquiz

Sabrina:

because you love them

people are drawn to you because you loved them first. they love the feeling of being adored, and you show it wholeheartedly. you've been taken advantage of in the past, but you haven't let it break you. it's an amazing thing to have been hurt like that and still love so loudly.

*coughs* why is this so on point.

John:

because you keep them guessing

you're a mysterious type. people can't quite figure you out, and they're drawn to you because they desperately want to. they can never tell if you're pulling them in or pushing them away. the games get tiring after a while, though. have you ever had someone stay? do you want them to?

THE GAMES. *laughs in accurate*

because they can depend on you

you aren't the warm fuzzy type who says "i love you" all the time, but you take care of the people you love by always being there. they know they can always rely on you, from making dinner reservations on time to changing their oil when they're due. you can't stand to see your loved ones struggling. don't forget that you're allowed to accept help in return; it's not a one-way street.

Calahan. My dude. :(((( stooop

[hailmaryfullofmaggots]

"Scraped knees, Back of heads"

...Arriving to the confessional, he only need slam the door behind him, crouch in the dark of the booth, find strange solitude. It knocking around him, throaty, as ships trapped in ice do. Him knowing the phrases writ by angels upon his hands and from His tongue spilt blood:

We pray to tired gods

that we'll be saved

because the son of

the one nailed above

left a long time ago.

Son above, son below

bruises on knees

it's why we're here,

begging.

To serve not he who preaches,

but humble sexton and the dirt

beneath his nail beds,

scraping at insides like fruit, like

scooping seeds,

God is fingers

pushed between baby teeth.

Made for it, He says,

pressed into necks,

fingers wrapped collars.

Not breathing back.

God is when bled,

red, wine-dark, stains on pavement

gray-white bathroom tile.

Sacrifice, Abraham's,

Sacrifice, His,

Little Savior, born of the Lamb,

smiling face stretched above

haloed, hallowed

Light.

Angels feared by men,

children loved by angels.

Quiet like soil, Quiet

like fucking church pews,

fucking

in

crushed velvet

and stained glass.

Tiny bodies hollowed out,

empty,

little coffins at the gold altar

on maple, on hickory

it was never going to be real.

Please

God.

Tell me it

wasn't real. Tell me

Bodies rot,

You're rotting

you can't stop that

you can't stop leaving.

The stranger hijacking your body

that's not your fault,

you're dying.

✟✟✟

"To serve not he who preaches,

but humble sexton and the dirt

beneath his nail beds,

scraping at insides like fruit, like

scooping seeds,

God is fingers

pushed between baby teeth."

Thank you for sharing, dear &lt;3

i love the imagery i get of the Sexton digging at dirt with his hands —assuming we’re talking about the groundskeeper of a church and graveyard — and the twisted reverence that comes with it. a humility in tending to the earth and the dead, both in a sense the opposite of what a holy man preaches. in the world, not on the world; eternal life, safety from death, resurrection…

then the fruits. i can picture bodies, laying in these shallow graves, rib cages butterflied open. the groundskeeper with his dirt-covered hands wrist deep in the gore. there’s a sort of violation that comes with it. My mind goes to maggots and eggs as the seeds, breeding and planting and growing.

“bruises on knees

it’s why we’re here,

begging.

to serve not he who preaches…”

bringing in this, the idea of possibly begging the Sexton like you would a priest or God. serving him, even as a corpse, for whatever purpose. or the Sexton as the one serving or worshipping into the ground, in opposition to praising with arms raised toward Heaven.

and bruises on knees, ahh i love the variety of ways to use this. bruises implying the frequency or force by which one is kneeling. there is the sexual connotation to it, pleasuring someone, a sort of worship and submission — like God asks of his followers. wash his feet with tears and Know him.

my personal interpretation of course, but thank you so much for submitting your work in Confession <3

My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:26

[crqstalite]

I posted 421 times in 2022

74 posts created (18%)

347 posts reblogged (82%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@zenyeetaa

@thomas-the-goat-of-satan

@alenkokaidans

@inquisitorlavcllan

@york-morgans

I tagged 226 of my posts in 2022

Only 46% of my posts had no tags

#mass effect - 21 posts

#original character - 9 posts

#oc - 9 posts

#kim's art &lt;3 - 6 posts

#swtor - 6 posts

#dragon age - 5 posts

#my art - 5 posts

#citlali velasquez - 5 posts

#brione petrakis - 4 posts

#marvel - 4 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#edit bc i kept thinking: i understand that its *probably* a loose examination of what the adultification of children (especially teen girls

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

and the finished product. a redraw of this piece from three years ago.

-

"It seems introductions are in order." Lana states, stepping out of the metaphorical and literal shadows with their red-jacketed savior a few steps behind. Zanya shifts her weight back to her uninjured foot, taking stock of her surroundings. Beniko had lead her into a trap, whether knowingly or unknowingly and now there's a Republic spy with her. Considering the rest of her company, she wonders how long she had her working in tandem with the opposite faction. She catches the gaze of the cerulean eyed Jedi to her right, long enough to get a sense of her Force Signature.

Closed off, yet hiding something that simmers just below the surface. Pulsating, as if daring for her to seek it out. Reaching out does little, but Zanya can't help but feel like she's felt her somewhere before. Somewhere deep in the recesses of her mind she recognizes the feeling, just barely.

Fascinating.

The Jedi knows she's staring. Feels her, maybe. She averts her eyes, just as she turns her head to look at her.

"Master Qelu, glad you're back in one piece."

13 notes - Posted December 3, 2022

#4

Shards of Glass

Intended to post this when I eventually finished and published the Citadel arc of Redamancy, but wrote it instead of actually working on aforementioned arc.

The Citadel Coup's aftermath from the perspective of one Priana T'Lara, and how she spends the night with a certain Mason Shepard.

General warnings for mentions of injury, blood, and a minor panic attack at the end from the protagonist.

-

"Thirsty?"

Priana glances up over her shoulder from where she sits on the balcony, surprised to see her partner with two cups in hand emerging from the dim light of his apartment, along with a medical kit in the other. Unlike her, he'd dressed out of his uniform, hair tied back from his face and donning a t-shirt and sweats. He's barefoot, unafraid of the possible glass spray on his floor -- or maybe too tired to care. She nods wordlessly, taking one of them from him while rolling her sleeves up.

There's still smoke billowing out from levels beneath them, hours after the invasion had ended. Fires probably, still burning. The Presidium's a wreck. The Wards are a wreck. People are dead. Co-workers are dead. Her friends are dead. Her apartment is shot to hell, and nothing is working right. Nothing quite feels real, and she sips down the glass of water faster than she should. She has sixty billion questions fumbling around in her mind, but she can't muster up the strength to rationalize it all. Likely they'll get the botched report within the next few days, with as many redactions as she has years on her.

She wonders who the hell got paid off to make all this happen.

Her eyes are drawn to her partner as he sits down next to her, Mason's got a nasty gash down the length of his exposed arm, and she winces when she sees the bloodied bandage around his forearm. It's carefully wrapped up in gauze by now, but it'd still been ugly when one of the C-Sec meds had to do it for him before rushing off to the next officer who'd been hurt during the invasion.

One of the many mistakes she'd made today, and the one she regrets the most.

"How're you holding up?" He asks, unlatching the clips on the kit. She shrugs. As well as she could be doing. She feels like an elcor is sitting on her chest and she may as well be drowning in the Presidium pools with how heavy her head feels.

The painkillers the apologetic asari had given to her earlier hadn't worked nearly as well as she thought they would.

Still, she gives a half sarcastic smile to the human beside her. He has bigger problems right now, and one of them shouldn't be her passive aggressive nature. Shouldn't be her guilt weighing on his conscience.

Asari were presumably naturally unemotional once they got older. So many years meant they saw people die. Meant they understood that life was fleeting for other races. Meant they grew desensitized over the years that events like this rarely affected them unless it directly hurt their own.

Her's hadn't gotten the memo, because no matter how much she tries to distance herself from the incident, she can't help but get angry all over again. With herself, with citadel security, with Cerberus...it feels like she's about to burst. It didn't matter that there were humans who weren't going home tonight, it didn't matter more that there were turians who were unlikely to check in alongside her tomorrow. All of it felt like death, tearing away at her and leaving her raw.

She'd never been through something like this. Never seen all this destruction and death up close.

It hurts.

It's not supposed to hurt.

"We don't have to be back on duty until later afternoon tomorrow. Injuries and all." He pulls out the rubbing alcohol, tentatively reaching over to her own knuckles. At first she wants to pull away, she's not a child, she can clean her own wounds, but she figures it's equally childish not to let the man do his own job. She gestures for him to take it, and he does, "Bailey's scrambling to get enough officers on duty to flush any remaining Cerberus agents out, but he's brought in outside help where he can. The worst of it's over for now."

She bites her lip, the alcohol burning at her half healed skin. It fuzzes up, turning white as Mason gently dabs at each tear. From stray gunshots, torn right through her gloves before she could toss the offending enemies away. They weren't deep enough to scar for too many years, likely they wouldn't even be there by her tricentennial.

At least her blood had stopped oozing out of it. It'd stained her uniform in multiple places, and made her dizzy with how much she's pretty sure she lost in the fights down in the Wards. Her worse injuries were wrapped at the remains of Huerta, and she'd been sent off with antibiotics and enough painkillers to probably kill a Quarian.

Mason looks worse for wear. Humans always did, so injury prone, so delicate and fleshy. Most were a map of scars in her line of work, and he was no exception. A cut above his eye, one underneath the other. Likely her shields had protected him from anything potentially fatal, but her heart still seizes up at the gauze.

His gaze follows her's, and he sighs, pulling out his own roll to wrap around her hand, "You know T'Lara, humans are sturdier than you think."

"I know." She answers quietly. Scarily so. Almost every organ in their body could be replaced, and they bounced back extremely fast. Broken bones were no problem for them, skin could grow back faster than she thought possible and they did it all within a handful of years.

Usually she wouldn't fret. She'd had human companions before, but Mason is the anomaly.

She feels like she failed him, and it's eating at her.

She hates feeling weak. Exposed. Vulnerable. Hates feeling like this.

"That wasn't your fault." He says, uncapping the ointment and carefully applying it before rolling the fabric out, almost as if he's read her mind, "It'll heal."

Two minutes too long. She'd been stripped of her shields, her own blood dribbling down her chin from her nose and a rolled ankle making it difficult to gain any ground.

See the full post

14 notes - Posted January 23, 2022

#3

Starting off the year right with Citlali again! This time likely catching her breath after a night in the Wards with a friend, or two.

15 notes - Posted January 1, 2022

#2

Happy Year In Review 2021!!

I've certainly lived in interesting times and here's my eventual result of that. (Can't believe it's already been a year -- 2020)

WORD COUNT:

This year I wrote a total of 127,820 words (92,789 published, 35,031 unpublished). Honestly I'm a little disappointed, I thought I did more than that. Given, it's 2021, the year of crises left and right, but...yeesh. That's less than I did back in 2019. In like, two or three months.

Most of the year was out of my control though, and I'm still standing. I count it as a win.

The Breakdown:

My Mass Effect works took up about 3/4s of the actual word count, at 112,020 words written (and 22,934 unpublished, along with most of what I haven't released for Redamancy yet). My goal this year was to finish Redamancy but it had other ideas, so I'm maybe halfway through actually finishing it? That could be another year.

My Arcane works (what a surprise), are all still unpublished with posting dates being sometime in early 2021. However, they're 12,097 words by themselves so far, so it's okay. I didn't expect to end up writing for League anytime soon, but here we are.

My singular Dragon Age work this year was Bones, which was 1,879 words. Not surprised I didn't have more, it's Dragon Age. That and I lost all of the games when my account was hacked earlier in the year. Not a lot of motivation to write for this fandom.

My singular Mind Blind work this year was "Do It For Them", which was 1,824 words. It's been a while since I've really interacted with the IF fandom, so that's pretty unsurprising.

New Things I Tried:

Not much I don't think? Redamancy has actually been beta'd, every single chapter currently published has had a second pair of eyes over it (which is such a big help, you'd never notice how many misspellings you miss yourself), but beyond that I didn't really have the time or mental energy to do much else. EXCEPT for starting to write for Arcane. Never thought I'd do anything relating to League.

(God I hate the culture around League so much.)

Favorite Thing I Wrote This Year:

Probably Letters Home? Not super sure why but it is one of the few times I've genuinely liked something I wrote mainly in a non-OC's perspective. It's a working point for Joker and Citlali, which are two characters I hesitate to write together for whatever reason.

(That and it's criminal how Tiptree and Joker's feelings related to it are just swept under the rug -- it's criminal!)

Favorite Fic I Read This Year:

@ljandersen's Sideways. Easily one of my favorites (even if I'm still behind a handful of chapters -- and mentioned it last year), just for the characterization alone. I absolutely love how their Kaidan(s) and Shepard(s) interact with each other, and the little details that turn out to be bigger than anyone would've guessed. I absolutely adore the ever-growing future that they've weaved into the story, as well as how they expanded the Mass Effect universe into something all their own. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the rest of the story goes.

@shockdowndefiance's A Momentary Lapse In Judgement. Though I really loved just about every work in their library (Allison Shepard my beloved) this one really stuck with me because it really examined the coup for what it was logically and what Bioware couldn't quite do, especially for a Kaidanmancing Shepard. Allison's universe extends Mass Effect something emotionally compelling, and this fic is probably one of the best examples of that. I still absolutely love how they resolved it, as well as how Allison's character really shines through here, both as Commander Shepard as well as -- well, a regular human being. It's painful at times, but also terribly comforting.

@swaps55's Sonata. I'm such a sucker for in-between moment Mass Effect stories, especially Shenko centered ones. Sam Shepard is such a compelling character, and his relationship with Kaidan is certainly one that makes you so very mushy on the inside. Swaps' writing style is something that'll suck you in and never quite let you go, and their attention to detail is something to be admired. (Which is why I was up until the middle of the night finishing it -- definitely worth the read!)

& (last but definitely not least)

@lyrishadow's Between Times. I still read it time to time just because it makes me happy and amuses me greatly. It was a birthday gift from them to me and it still makes me really happy. I really love how they weaved both of our Shepards together to write something so nice, and how they took the time out of their life to do it.

Writing Goals For 2022

Be less on myself about writing. I was genuinely feeling so guilty and completely paralyzed out of having any fun the entire months of October, November and December just because I hadn't gotten any substantial writing done. Which shouldn't be how I feel, writing is a hobby of mine. Just because I was more likely to reach for my stylus or even one of my games than I was my bookmark for my longfic doesn't mean I'm a failure, even if I would've liked to see more progress. I mean, hell I'm a high school student who's about to graduate in a couple months -- you'd think I'd be able to afford myself the same grace I give my peers.

(It's the validation. I live off of it. I shouldn't, but I do.)

Word Of Thanks

Thanking the lovely Lock + Key writers because you guys are lovely people, (@delinquest , @glyndwrwrites , @lnewmanwrites , @tayareum , @thesupremepuff + @colonelpknight [can't tag you]) thank you for going on such a wild ride with me this year, its been so freaking fun working with you all!

The lovely @mallaidhsomo for their contributions to Redamancy and all of the useful advice they've provided me with. Along with the rest of the Bioware Fanfiction server, I might not interact much but its a very comforting place to be. <3

@that-wasnt-so-bad + @kaidans-alenkos + @mariaalenkoshepard + @actualanxiousswampwitch + @oakstar519 for being the people I always love seeing in my notifs and inbox, and the people who always have the best headcanons for the canon characters and their own.

@sheyshen + @greencrusader13 + @anchanted-one + @naaklasolus for always being there to listen to my rambly nonsense in our development channel. And responding with your own OCs because I love them very much.

See the full post

27 notes - Posted December 31, 2021

My #1 post of 2022

"There is nothing stronger than a woman who rebuilt herself." - Hannah Gadsby.

-

Surprise! I'm your secret santa!! 🥳

My gift to @findingblissinignorance of their Ardelia Shepard!! I loved working on her because of her unique character and look, as well as the many tattoos you included on her pinterest board. Thank you for allowing me to draw her this year!

Happy Holidays! <3

45 notes - Posted January 15, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[metalwarrior22]

early morning commute

Read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/YdRxMts by geliebtemangos Asami hummed in thought, her voice turning contemplative. “Can you imagine if we had met here, just like them?” “What,” Korra sputtered, laughing at the concept. “Here, at the train station?” Asami shrugged, quick and casual. “Sure, or just, I don’t know. Meeting each other doing something mundane like this, instead of through Mako, or pro-bending, or however else it could have gone down.” She sighed, eyebrows furrowed as she considered the alternatives. “What if we had met as just Asami, and Korra, instead of the Avatar and the daughter of Hiroshi Sato?” -- asami and korra roleplay a meet-cute - once they finally get some time to themselves Words: 10069, Chapters: 1/2, Language: English Fandoms: Avatar: Legend of Korra Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/F Characters: Korra (Avatar), Asami Sato, a bunch of characters i just made up Relationships: Korra/Asami Sato, also there's a cute couple that they see in the station &lt;3 Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Established Relationship, you guys. they are like. so established, Trains, korrasami being bougie spenders bc of course, ginseng tea, meeting a fan, asami & korra being the best role models bc of course, Eavesdropping, First Meetings, Meet-Cute, ngl this other couple is kinda soulmates, but so are our girls (OBVIOUSLY), hypotheticals, asami & korra calling each other hottest woman alive mhm iktrrrrrr, travel delays (sigh), my new nickname for korrasami:, Republic City's Saviors, korra being The Avatar, piggy-back ride, welding, locomotive anatomy, asami being an engineering genius, flammable gases (stay safe kids), eepy korra (she's TIREDT okay), Teasing, Flirting, Slice of Life, (I guess?) - Freeform Read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/YdRxMts

[alohajun]

♡ MY SAVIOR — HAMADA ASAHI

asahi x reader | wc : 1k words | content : possible grammar and spelling mistakes, lowercase intended, reader goes through (slight) panic attack, mentions of (possible) animal death, crying | loki's lines : please drive safely when it’s raining &lt;3

“how does it feel to be an independent person and not have to ask your friends for a ride anymore?”

asahi inquired through the phone, proudly smiling even though you couldn’t see him.

“sahi …” you trailed off, chuckling lightly. “it’s almost seven months since i got my license. you can stop saying all that every time i say i’m driving.” you smiled to yourself, giddy at how your boyfriend hyped you up as if it was your first time driving every time you mentioned the fact.

“i’m never gonna stop,” he retorted, feeling childish. “now, how long is it going to take you to come here? a movie and cuddles awaits.”

“i’m coming, jeez! hang up, you are distracting me,” you grumbled, frustrated as the sky was getting darker and it was hazy to see with the heavy mist. “gosh, it’s like someone turned on a fog machine in here.”

asahi let out a breath, taking a seat on his bed as he made himself comfortable. “i’ll stay on the line until you come. i won't say anything, you can pretend i’m not there.” his words earned a laugh from you, finding his deals impossible. “be careful and drive safe, my love.”

his term of endearment brought the blood to your cheeks, making you bite the insides of your cheeks in an attempt to calm yourself. like your boyfriend asked, you were as careful as you could get, slowing your speed as you drove through the shortcut lanes to avoid traffic.

asahi looked up from his book as he heard you quietly sing to yourself, something about the rain. he turned his head to the window in his dorm, straining his ears to hear the pitter patter of the rain get louder as the rainfall increased. going back to read his book, asahi held back the urge to tell you to hurry because now that he knew you were coming, he was missing you a lot more.

you were in the same state as asahi, trying to drive as quickly as you could to the dorms because your dearest boyfriend was waiting for you. but alas, the rain was doing no good. not to misunderstand, you liked the rain — in fact; you loved it at times — but only when you were in the comfort of your home; the actual home and asahi’s arms.

it was late in the evening, and you relaxed in your seat, trying to enjoy the rain as you sped up your car more on the empty road. suddenly, within the split-second you took to glance at your phone, a cat jumped to the road, startling you as you quickly hit the brakes to not hit the animal.

a strangled scream escaped your lips, scaring asahi, who was listening at the other end of the line. fearing you had hit the kitten, you froze in your seat, shaking as the rain outside fell at a faster rate, making the roads hard to see through your windshield — and your tear-filled eyes weren’t doing you good either.

“y/n? y/n! what happened?” asahi was slightly panicked, unable to figure if it was something minor or not. “hey, hey. it’s alright, just tell me. what’s wrong?” he stood from his place, grabbing his phone as soon as he heard quiet sobs come from you.

“it was too foggy and i couldn’t see, and i was so stupid because i wanted to come to the dorms as quickly as i could. and then it started raining, and i still didn’t slow down like an idiot,” you rambled, stammering terribly as you were scared. “this kitten jumped out of nowhere, and i swear, i hit the brakes, but i didn’t see it go anywhere and i’m just so scared. asahi, i hit a cat. i swear, i didn’t mean to, i was just–”

asahi was already grabbing his coat and putting on his shoes, ready to run to wherever you were. “can you tell me exactly where you are?” you could barely get the words out, too scared to see if you had hit the kitten.

as you tried to calm yourself down, tears kept streaming down your face as you were reminded of the possible corpse of the feline outside your car. “the alley behind the convenience store, right?” you were pulled out of your thoughts as you heard your boyfriend from your phone, realising he hadn't ended the call.

“yeah. don’t worry, though. just give me a minute and–”

“i see your car.” asahi sighed in relief, completely drenched in rain as he jogged towards your car, a bright smile on his face. “i see you … and also your friend.” he ended the call before you could ask what he meant.

you watched asahi stand in front of your car, crouching for a little before making his way to the passenger seat. he seemed hesitant to enter, considering he was completely soaked from the rain, but complied when you gestured him to enter.

“look.” your boyfriend held out the surprise in his hands, showing the supposed cat you had killed. “it’s very much alive. just scared. like you.” asahi smiled to himself when you let out a whispered scream, immediately reaching out for the kitten and holding it close to you.

“oh, gosh. i’m so sorry. i thought i killed you. you aren’t dead, that’s good. gosh, i hate you so much,” you grumbled, turning on the heater in your car since your boyfriend and kitten-friend were shivering. “you gave me a near heart attack. you and i could’ve died tonight because of your actions, you know?” you nagged, not knowing whether to strangle the kitten or cuddle with it.

you looked at the kitten falling asleep in your arms before shifting your gaze to asahi. he was looking at you with a fond smile on his face, reaching out with his hand to wipe away the remaining tears on your face.

“you okay now?” he softly asked, making you nod in reply. “you had me worried when you were crying, you know?” asahi chuckled as you pouted, knowing he was going to tease you for weeks.

“thank you for coming, sahi,” you spoke, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. “i really mean it.”

“it was no problem, angel.” asahi smiled, placing a kiss on your forehead as his thumb caressed your cheek. “i’m always here for you whenever you need me.”

“you are my savior, asahi. i don’t know what i’d have done without you.”

taglist — @ravenori @jensrose @hotgirlsunoo @nanasdream @twntycm @roseky21 @heejojo @jaesvelvet @fightmegirl @koishua @silent-potato @lovethyfandoms2 @kpoprhia @woooooooosh8 @milkybonya @enhacolor @yunho-leeknow @yoshiikore @f4ery @candililac @willdieforbeidou @luvbrie @jun-bug @mui890mew @yogurteume (to be added, please send an ask or dm!)

TREASURE MASTERLIST

© 2022 ALOHAJUN | PLEASE REFRAIN FROM COPYING OR REPOSTING MY WORK WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THIS SITE

[strxnged]

Do you have any good hq blog recs

no 😤 BUT I do have some FANTASTIC recs!! this ended up as me yelling about my moots for about two hours but it's okay. I tried to include a fic rec with each person because they're all WOW. but it was so hard picking just one in many instances pls (in alphabetical order bc there are many)

@bokubonk - I LITERALLY BINGED A TON OF MAI'S STUFF AT ONE POINT BECAUSE I PHYSICALLY COULD NOT STOP . i have so many recommendations but i have to settle for "your name" with tanaka because h h hhhh she he him tanaka HE WOW CHARACTERIZATION

@/cafemiya - (I'M LITERALLY TOO INTIMIDATED BY HER TO ACTUALLY TAG HER LOL FDSJDKFLSKJ) i swear this WOMAN 😭😭😭 i am in love with her blog and her writing? there's really nothing to say except for WOW🌸 and please go read Romancing because it is one of my favourite fics on the planet &lt;3

@daddyjackfrost - WJOW HANA IS UNMATCHED WHEN IT COMES TO VIVID WRITING VNWENOIFN plus she is very funny and definitely someone i want to just, like, be stuck with for a few hours KJDLFSJLK okay it was hard to pick one but i really liked her claustrophobic s/o drabble and also um. this atsumu fic. but warning there is angst. like a lot of angst. hana defn be queen of angst tho

@fail-big - jenny is so interesting to talk to and her writing reflects what a deep thinker she is. the angst BURNS but it is so well written that it's addicting hhhhhh pls the iwaizumi trilogy "savior of stains" AND OMG fdskjLJLKSFD "goose" WAS ACTUALLY A MASTERPIECE I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW how am i supposed to only pick a few just go read them all guys wow

@floralkawa - okay first off the colours and aesthetic are VERY nice and your tsukishima fic "i love(d) you" brought me spain without the s I LOVE YOUR WRITING YOU ARE SO TALENTED AND LITERALLY THE SWEETEST okey &lt;3

@gummimint - LOVELY RAIN okay yet another insanely aesthetic blog and i am SO EXCITED TO READ "Made With Love" LIKE??!? PRINCE!KAGEYAMA >>>> I AM HERE FOR IT kdfSKJJKFLSD ily

@hajkyyuu - WHOWH AI they are MINDBLOWING i still think about the iwaizumi/ushijima hurt/comfort scenarios a lot ,,, they wrote them so well pls ;_;

@/iwaizoom - (i am yet again too intimidated to tag sdkjflak) jade was one of the first blogs i followed when i got tumblr and i have yet to unfollow her, so that has to say enough about how much i adore her. her fic only one was very nice and made me think a little too much about atsumu. ahhhh >,> (UM SHE JUST POSTED THIS TODAY BUT I'M . I KNOW I'M GOING TO READ THIS SEVERAL TIMES SO AHHH 11:53AM) **please be aware there is some nsfw content

@iwasumi - k if there's one person i have a crush on on this app it's vale SDJKLFKLSD ily and i also might have read 4am more than once because making out with iwaizumi >>>> also you're the funniest human being and it gives me life that you know how sexy u are AND YOUR ART DOn'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON YOUR ART

@kailleiobrien - MY WIFE MY WIFE SHE IS THE REASON I STARTED WRITING FANFICTION AND STILL DO WITHOUT HER IDK WHERE I WOULD BE PLS I <333 okay gonna link "everything is perfect" because everyone deserves a little tanaka fluff

@kei7ime - man chloe's blog's aesthetic >>> okay but top of the castle just. wow. her writing makes me want to cry because it's just NSNDFKKND like i admire her so much how does she </3 how <3

@kirishimas-manly-eyeliner - ellie writes for mha AND hq like another multifandom QUEEN ugh she has the cutest headcanons and i loved her hugs hcs with hinata, bo, + kenma like OW my heart but in a good way (ILY ELLIE YOU BRING ME SO MUCH JOY)

@kutokawa - (HI SORRY FOR TAGGING U ILY NFSDN) okay besides the fact that i am obsessed with how aesthetic her theme is - ALYSSA IS WONDERFUL AND SUCH A TALENTED WRITER AHHH (and Brew-tiful made me malFUNCTION like wow there's oikawa and then there's this oikawa) also koulyssa supremacy, yeah nuff said

@dearkousei - ISAAAAAAAA okay no bc her apocalypse!au with tanaka and even more importantly her comfort scenarios with an s/o with acne... i can't express how much i love her writing and how important it is that y'all go follow her. (edit: she moved accounts)

@lucyheartfilias-wife - MOMO <3 she writes for hq, bnha, AND ft like i admire the ability to be so present in 3 fandoms holy guac and of cOURSE I AM OBSESSED WITH "THE SETTER'S HELP" jklsdKJLFD in all momo's writing is just so vivid and full and wonderful to consume bABY <333 (bye i had to put akaashi's first kiss here too)

@nadisabug - <3 nadia is actually the sweetest human and . there is no fic that compares to her hurt/comfort with tanaka, Hey Stupid, ILY (yes i requested it BUT i was not disappointed yall i have reblogged it at least twice)

@nepenthendline - CHLOE <3 she is also incredibly hard working and definitely someone i look up to a lot like ahhh hfasdlkh she has so many adorable headcanons but of course i have to reccommend the tanaka relationship headcanons because i . might like tanaka a little or something. but there are sO many things. she has written so many things. AHHHHhh ** please be aware there is some nsfw content

@pxnk-velvet - ANGIE ANGIE ANGIE i love her blog the purple and her masterlists and the fanart header 😩😩 my fav has to be her comfort hcs with the karasuno 2nd years like i'm. i have never simped for ennoshita like that bro (AND OF COURSE TANAKA AS ALWAYS). ** please be aware there is some nsfw content

@tsumussweetheart - LEAFY 😩😩 one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and her blogs colours are to die for PLUS EVERY TIME I SEE FUTAKUCHI I THINK OF "Figure 8" I NEVER USED TO SIMP FOR HIM AND NOW -- AHHHH i want to hold his hand

@snoozless - elle is the epitome of the word "kind" like WHO IS SHE THO akdsKLJADS she is so talented at so many things INCLUDING ART AND WRITING GUAC GO READ "BEYOND WORDS" AND "OUT OF ORBIT" WITH AKAASHI THEY'RE BOTH WOW

@theuntamedmulti - NO BC SHE IS SUCH AN INTERESTING PERSON and she simps for aone AND kyoutani WOW she is a queen and. her ukai fic. her UKAI FIC. vivian i love you and please continue to shine &lt;3

that took awhile lol! but I admire every one of these writers so much so I hope you check some out! thank u for this ask hajsjsh sorry I answered sorta late

@ everyone on this list + everyone reading this:

[amiedala]

SOMETHING DEEPER MASTERLIST

— MAIN MASTERLIST

— AO3

SUMMARY:

“Hi,” Nova whispers, holding the weight of the world in that one, desperate confession.

“Hi,” Din echoes, and everything else fades out.

This, right here? This is something deeper. This is the best kind of karma. This is coming home.

— Mand'alor. Jedi. Rebellion. Still a love story across the stars, but the stakes are higher. Something more, something deeper.

Something Deeper is COMPLETED! I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you enjoy this one. My magnum opus, my white whale. SD is so special to me, and i hope it becomes even a fraction of that special to you. &lt;3

CHAPTER 1: There's Always Three Things

CHAPTER 2: We Have a Problem

CHAPTER 3: Without Armor

CHAPTER 4: An Open Wound

CHAPTER 5: It's Everything

CHAPTER 6: (Not With) Cruel Intentions

CHAPTER 7: No Cowards, No Hiding

CHAPTER 8: Rebecoming Novalise

CHAPTER 9: Fire on Fire

CHAPTER 10: An Echo Chamber

CHAPTER 11: Devour Me

CHAPTER 12: Fight, Flight, or Freeze

CHAPTER 13: In the Absence of Miracles

CHAPTER 14: A Kind of Resurrection

CHAPTER 15: Savior Complex

CHAPTER 16: Andromeda

CHAPTER 17: Reinforcement

CHAPTER 18: Aglow

CHAPTER 19: Nova and the Nothingness

CHAPTER 20: Everybody Needs a Martyr

CHAPTER 21: Don't Throw It Away

CHAPTER 22: Homecoming

CHAPTER 23: We Survive

CHAPTER 24: In All the Blueness

CHAPTER 25: An Unshakable Thing

CHAPTER 26: Ru(i)n

CHAPTER 27: Something Deeper

[twdmusicboxmystery]

TWB 2x07: Blood and Lies

I’m gonna start by saying that TWB has been a lot more exciting than Fear lately. Don't get me wrong, I love Fear, but the plot isn't moving forward terribly quickly. We get a lot more reveals and exciting stuff in TWB, but I suppose that's to be expected given that they only have 3 episodes left. I would expect the series to go out with a bang, and we don't have any date on the horizon for Fear ending, so they can take their episodes a little more slowly.

***As always, spoilers abound below for TWB ep 7. Don’t read until you’ve watched!!!***

We start with Lila overseeing Barca’s death. It seemed in the previous episode that they were trying to humanize Lila and that Leo might be feeling partial to her, despite knowing that she's part of the corruption. Any thoughts we had about that are dispelled pretty quickly at the beginning of this episode. Lila literally watches Barca choke to death on poisonous gas. So, no matter what her reasons, her actions are still pretty despicable.

First, Lila says that will begin at dawn. (New Dawn theory.) Barca says that they're all going to hell. He includes himself in that. And he says, "what we do now matters." That's very close to what Beth said at Grady when she told Dawn, "this is it. This is who you are until the end." It's a theme about how you can't do things for the greater good, and you can't say that the ends justify the means. The choices you make in any given moment show your true character. And clearly, people like Lila and the Lt. Col. aren’t good people.

Barca is 24 years old. His Test Subject number is A481. This is trial 6.0. We could read to all those numbers very easily, and I'm sure they were purposely picked. I’m not going to do a deep dive into them today, though. Just wanted to point them out.

As Barca is dying, Leo is testing the substance in the frozen test tube that Felix took. He concludes that it's chlorine gas. He says it makes sense because chlorine gas is easy to manufacture and can be used to kill many people at a time. They realize that it was this chlorine gas that was used to take out Omaha. Everyone was gassed, and then the CRM sent in the walkers to cover everything up.

For the record, chlorine gas is colorless, but we see it as bright green here. Hope asks Leo why that is, and he says he doesn't know. He's wondering that too. Something must have been added to it. They haven’t said what yet.

So, this is one of two things. 1) They may be leading us toward something important. Whatever was added to the gas to make it green is very important. Or, 2) it could just be them explaining why the gas is green in the show. This makes me chuckle because on the one hand, it looks much better on screen if the gas has color in it. It's really hard for the audience to see a colorless gas. So, this really might just be a practical thing for filming. And they’re explaining it so that they don't have fans going, "hey, gas is colorless. That's unrealistic."

The thing is, they would have purposely chosen a color for the gas to be in the show, and they chose GREEN. When I watched the opening sequence with Lila and Barca, my first thought was of the green/weed room that Abraham went into when they stormed the Savior's satellite compound in 6x12. Yeah, it's that bright green. So, it really stood out to me.

We finally see Silas in this episode. He was taken prisoner by Jadis's people and she comes in and kind of needles him about his feet. The funny thing is, she almost seems obsessed with his feet. She keeps mentioning them and looking down at them. He is barefoot at the time. Apparently, they took his boot so he "couldn't run away."

My first thought here was for the missing foot/shoe symbolism. There's something about this that's linked to that, but I wasn't sure what.

@galadrieljones​ also pointed out, however, that Jadis used to be obsessed with Rick’s boots. Remember when she took him prisoner in S8, she took all his clothes, down to his skivvies, but then she was seen walking around wearing his boots. We also saw his boots in a very obvious shot when he was injured on the bridge. In the trailer, people were worried he would die because we saw his blood dripping onto his boots. And then, Michonne found his boots in the boat, which made her realize he might be alive. You could even argue that at Grady, they took Beth’s boots, replacing them with the canvas shoes with the black and white shoelaces. When Rick and Daryl came to get her and Carol in Coda, she put her boots back on. So, either Jadis has a foot fetish or there’s a major theme going on here. ;D We’re sure all this is related, but it’s hard to articulate exactly how/why yet.

I also noticed that when Jadis first walked in, she said to Silas, "You’re not where you're supposed to be." It's very similar to what the whisperer said to Jesus before just before they killed him. I think the wording was a little bit different in that case. "You are where you're not supposed to be," if I remember correctly. But that's still very similar. I don't know if we should consider that a death knell for Silas, or if it's more of a foreshadow. Jesus's death had heavy shades of Coda in it and lots of parallels to Beth and Daryl. So again, this is just something on taking note of, but I'm not sure how to interpret it yet.

In the end, Jadis let's Silas off with a warning and releases him to Dennis's custody.

Next, Hope hides the test tube in a speaker in the room beneath the lab where her and Mason and all the other kids hung out. Mason sort of catches her, but she covers well and he doesn't realize what she's doing. She tells him she wants to hang out with him later in the evening. She really doesn't. It’s just cover for why she was there, but they set up a time to meet.

In his rooms, Leo is researching chemical warfare. In other words, he’s studying the effects of chlorine gas. Lila knocks on the door. She tells him she knows he and his group took the vial and that the CRM knows and is coming to question him. She begs him to give it to her and she’ll cover for him. She says she told Jadis she misplaced it during the blackout. She tells him to report that she was an hour late for dinner so she has an alibi for misplacing the vial. Then she hides and the CRM soldiers come to get him for questioning.

Iris and Percy talk and see the guards taking Leo away. Felix tries to go with him and is taken prisoner himself. Iris goes to find Hope and Percy goes to find Huck. Everyone just trying to figure out what's going on. When Iris finds Hope, Lila is already there. Lila offers to tell them everything about who she is and what she's doing as long as they tell her where the vial is.

Meanwhile, Jadis asks Huck to help her investigate. Huck is still playing the loyal soldier to Jadis, but she's really spying for Leo’s group.

Lila takes Hope and Iris to her secret lab. She explains that they're experimenting on the dead and studying reanimation to try and stop or at least slow it down. She says they don't kill people regularly. Most of their subjects are found already bitten in the wild. She then shows them a video of a walker chasing a rat around. She says the rat will tire eventually, but the dead won't. The thinking is that the dead will always win because the dead never get tired.

 And not that it's a bad thing to research how to slow down or stop the reanimation. Obviously, that would be great. But I'm not sure it's the most logical conclusion either, given that the dead can be killed by the living, and once they’re stabbed in the brain, they don't get up again. It's almost like Lila is suggesting the dead will always win over the living, but clearly that's not true. It's a flawed conclusion they’re basing the morality for the research on. And obviously that sort of thing never ends well.

What they find out is that while Lila didn't necessarily approve of what happened to Omaha, she was told about it and accepted it. Basically, the CRM told the scientists that killing everyone in Omaha had to be done for the good of the many. And that they would get a crop of new, freshly dead test subjects to study. The scientists agreed. She also said that the CR (civilians of the republic) don't know what the CRM (military branch) are doing. We figured that, but it was interesting to have it confirmed. She also said Abbott (the scientist who is in the picture with her, but who is now a test subject) was killed because he was going to tell people about Omaha. So obviously CRM isn't above killing to cover its own dark deeds.

Lila also says that what she's doing will save Leo. If they tell her where the test tube is, she will take it back to Jadis and say she simply found it after having misplaced it. This will take all the suspicion off their dad.

Without consulting Iris, Hope tells Lila where she hid the test tube and Lila goes to get it. Iris is not happy with Hope, and the two of them argue. Soldiers soon come into Lila’s lab, probably searching for her. Hope and Iris are forced to hide.

Meanwhile, Huck and Jadis interrogate Leo. He tells them what Lila told them told him to about her being late for dinner, and answers their questions. Despite that, Huck and Jadis put it together.

While Huck is more or less in on it, she doesn't know what Lila told Leo right before the interrogation. Even so, she pretends to be loyal to Jadis and helps her put the truth together, which is that both Leo and Lila are lying and Lila is covering for him.

Before they can do anything about it, Lila comes in with the vial. Despite what she told Iris and Hope, she throws Leo onto the bus. She says he took the vial and she recovered it. She's very confident that Jadis can't hurt Leo because he is the foremost research analyst, and they need his mind to figure out the research project.

She gives the project a name. She tells him it's Project Votus. We did a little research on that word and it more or less seems to be made up, at least in English. In Latin, it means a vow or promise. When I type it into Google, it keeps coming up with the word “virus,” so it may be derived from the same root. Either way, it makes sense as a name for this research project.

Jadis doesn't like that Lila tells Leo everything, but Lila also tells her that her current test subject (Barca) is going on eight hours without reanimation. Jadis is only kind of impressed. She says that it's not unheard of, but it's uncommon. Basically, if they can go more than eight hours with reanimation, it will be a big deal, but they haven't hit that threshold, yet. Jadis also agrees to let Leo and his family live and be part of the CR if Leo dedicates his life to doing the research. He, of course, agrees.

We then see Lila, Jadis, and Huck go to see Barca. Jadis wants to see him and is excited about Lila's breakthrough in research. As they arrive, Jadis says something very interesting that me and my fellow theorists spent a lot of time discussing. I'm going to basically just give you our conversation tomorrow, but what Jadis says is that Lieut. Col. Col. Kubik and Maj. Gen. Beale founded the Votus project 8 years ago.

The 8 years really caught my ear. It's been roughly 8 years since Coda, guys. And there was that huge 8 right next to Beth in 5x09. For a long time, we hoped that meant Beth would show up in S8, but that was not to be. Now we’re 8 years post-Coda, or perhaps slightly more than that. Because there's been a turn of the seasons in TWD, we’re probably going on close to 9 years. But the project in the TWB timeline was founded eight years ago, and while TWB is probably a little bit behind TWD, it's not very far behind. So the point is, this project was founded right around the time Coda happened, or at least shortly thereafter. That's kind huge in its implications. But I’ll go more into that tomorrow because this is already long.

Barca has, unfortunately, reanimated, so he didn't actually break the eight hour mark. That's disappointing to Jadis. And basically, she has Huck help her kill Lila. They don't kill her directly, but rather put her in the room with Barca who is now a walker and wait until he bites her. Jadis lists the reason as simply that she lost the test tube, even though that wasn't truly her fault. She also covered for Leo, so Jadis sees it as her being careless with the project and also supporting rebels. Lila dies at the end of this episode. 

I want to point out that we it's a pattern we’ve seen before. I’ve said several times that they made Lila very Dawn-like. Not so much in her personality or role in the show, but in that she's more or less an evil character. She started out that way because we knew right away that she was spying on Leo. Then they tried to humanize her by telling her back story, and trying to make us feel sympathy for her. We come to realize that even if we can feel some sympathy for what she's gone through, her decisions are still terrible. And no matter how justified she feels in making them, she still making them. And then those decisions end up being her downfall and she's killed. All very similar to Dawn.

Jadis says Huck's loyalty is no longer in doubt. So, Huck is fully in as a CRM soldier. They have no idea that she’s spying for Leo's group.

The ending is where things really get interesting. When Huck returns to her rooms, Percy is waiting there for her, presumably to kill her. He still wants her dead for killing his uncle. She tells him he doesn't even have the first idea what's going on. She says there's something he ought to know.

What she tells him, and Percy hurries back to tell the others, is that the CRM not only took out Omaha, but they plan to take out Portland as well. This answers the question about whether Portland was in on Omaha or not. The weren’t. The CRM is taking out their allies so they can stand alone. The group must now decide what they want to do. They won't have time to escape and warn Portland before it happens.

Hope says they need to not only escape themselves, but take all the research and scientists with them. They can continue elsewhere and keep the research going, because it is good research, but obviously they don't want it in CRM's hands, since the CRM has shown themselves to be killers.

I noticed that when Percy is talking to her, Huck invites him to shoot her. Again, that just gave me major Carol vibes. Huck is pretending to be something she isn't, and kind of going undercover with the enemy, as we’ve seen Carol do before and I think she will do again with the CRM, but remember that at the end of S6, Carol kept asking Morgan to kill her, and he refused. So, kind of a small thing, but just more shades of Carol in Huck.

Huck goes to see Dennis. She basically tells him everything. They hug, and this was the part I mentioned in an Ask last week. This gave me major Carzekiel vibes. And again, probably mostly because I think of Huck so much as a mirror of Carol, and this is obviously a true love couple. But you could easily interpret it as Bethyl vibes as well.

Hope actually does go to meet Mason and learns something pretty big about him. It's revealed that he's Maj. Gen. Beale's son. Maj. Gen. Beale is the Lieut. Col.'s superior and basically he's in charge of the entire CRM. That's kind of a big deal. It will end up being important in next week's episode.

Silas sees Huck leaving Dennis and kissing him. So Silas now knows that Dennis and Huck are together. She walks out and sees him, and says, "guess we got some ship to talk about."

So again, this is a pretty big episode. We learn a lot about what the CRM is doing, or planning on doing, and our characters need to get away from them, but also want to preserve the research. This is super interesting because this can go a lot of different ways that will line up with TWD. We talked about how T. Brooks Ellis is one of the leading scientists here. If they can get him out, along with his research, there's actually a very good chance that he will end up meeting Eugene at some point. I think that would be such a cool tie to TWD S5 and will show how they were setting things up even way back then, when Grady was going on.

The other thing we’ve all been discussing is that there are only three episodes left in the season and it doesn't at all seem to be winding down. As I said earlier, that could just be because they want to go out with a bang, but I do wonder how it's going to end.

It occurred to me that it could end up being some massive tragedy. That all the characters will die trying to do this and then the audience will just know the history of the CRM but nothing will really have changed as our characters in TWD finally come into contact with them. That would be super sad, but I can see them doing that.

On the other hand, maybe one or two will survive and pop up in one of the other series to tell the story of what happened. It would give our TWD characters a lot of insight into the CRM, even though they haven't experienced this firsthand.

The third possibility is that the entire group, or at least most of them (let's face it, it's TWDU so there will probably be at least a few deaths) actually manage to get out and take all the research with them. Then they simply leave. If that's the case, they’ll still probably pop up somewhere else in the franchise.

Either way, it's very intriguing and I'm excited to see what they do with it, and how the series ends. Remember, they very much wanted us to see the end of the series before TWD returns in February. That's why they’re smashing them all together.

Overall, I really liked the episode and I can tell you that with next week's episode, things are gonna continue to ramp up.

What did you all think of TWB, ep 7?

[kanadabiscuits]

ihearthemcallingforyou replied to your post: Hello, coming to you live from my brand new...

thank you for not unfollowing me while you had no tumblr savior! welcome back to the land of laptops. <3

NEVER. Follow forever, honey. <3

[douxreviews]

Star Trek: Discovery - ‘New Eden’ Review

Pike: "If you're telling me that this ship can skip across the universe on a highway made of mushrooms, I kind of have to take it on faith."

By nature I love brevity: Though the improvements to Discovery as a whole continue to do their work, this episode is bogged down by its attempt at religious themes when it lacks a clear understanding of religion.

'New Eden' starts out with the same log that closed out last week's 'Brother.' The opening scene with Burnham and Pike is a good example of the new status quo aboard the Disco. The friendlier, more team-oriented leadership of Captain Pike combined with the more relaxed, less anxious tone of the series as a whole make the scenes on the Disco herself work well. The character interactions were good, particularly between Saru and Tilly. I also thought the final solution looked really cool, even if there are numerous science gripes one could take. It was fairly obvious that Tilly's friend wasn't real, and once we found out it was a friend from her childhood, I guessed that she was dead. Still, that didn't make their interactions any less fun to watch, and the moment Tilly figures out that May is dead was sufficiently creepy. I think it's Mary Wiseman's expression that really sells it.

My chief gripe with the episode lies in the scenes set on the planet. To explain fully why I don't like these sequences, I'll have to get pretty in depth with philosophy. If you're not interested in reading all that, the TL;DR is that the episode fails to understand religion or religious people enough to portray them realistically, and that its attempts to stay above religious disagreements and not take sides lead it to unintentionally choose a different side entirely. There's a lot more to unpack than just that, though, and that's really the bulk of what I have to say about this episode, so continue on if you are interested in engaging your philosophical side.

There's an old story about five blind wise men wandering through the desert. After a time, they come across an elephant, and unable to see it, they reach out to touch the creature. The first grabs hold of the leg and declares, 'The elephant is like a tree.' The second grabs hold of the trunk and says, 'No, the elephant is like a snake.' The third grabs hold of the tail and corrects both, 'No, the elephant is like a rope.' The fourth grabs hold of the ear and informs them, 'The elephant is actually like a heavy piece of leather.' And the final one grabs hold of the elephant's side and says, 'It's clear the elephant is like a wall.' The five blind wise men go on their way, arguing about who is right and really knows what the elephant is like.

Anyone who's ever sat through a philosophy class will tell you the purpose of the story and its moral: the five blind wise men cannot agree on what the elephant is like because none of them has the full picture. Each has a piece of the puzzle, but none of them can see the totality of the elephant. This is then used as an analogy for God. No one religion can have the whole picture because we are all blind wise men who have only a part of it right. From the ideological basis that this story illustrates have come a multitude of pluralistic movements and systems of thought. Someone who has a 'Coexist' bumper sticker on their car or who describes themself as 'Generally spiritual, but not confined to any religion' probably derives their worldview from this basic concept. Though I happen to disagree with this idea of God, I won't argue this here. The problem comes when this is touted as a religious awakening that all religious people should agree with and get behind.

Let me ask you this: how do you know that the five blind wise men all have only a part of the puzzle? How do you know that the whole elephant isn't really like a rope, or a tree? The answer, of course, is because you know what the elephant is really like. It's because you can see. So someone who takes this analogy from the story of the five blind wise men and the elephant makes the following claim: Of all the many people on Earth who have searched for the truth, I alone can see. This is, of course, the central claim of anyone who believes they know what God is like. So the 'Coexist' spirituality is itself a religion, with its own view of God, though perhaps a view that's not definitively established. And because it is a separate religion in and of itself, it contradicts the other religions that it often claims to incorporate into its beliefs.

A monotheistic religion, like Christianity or Judaism or Islam, explicitly requires that its deity be the only true deity, and the only correct view of that deity. No one who truly believes in the Biblical God or Yahweh or Allah would ever decide that, just because everyone in their group believes something different, their true savior must be a part of all of those beliefs. The expectation that this will occur assumes both that all religions are essentially compatible with each other and that the amalgamation of these religions is a true cooperation of all of them rather than a separate religion itself. Both assumptions are false.

The resulting misconception of religion makes 'New Eden' somewhat hard to watch for a religious person like myself. Going the route of a combination of every religion is a clear attempt to not have to choose a side, but in the very attempt it chooses a side all its own. And making it so much about sides creates the friction between belief systems we see nowadays. Instead of pretending we all believe essentially the same thing, let's recognize where we disagree and be human beings together apart from that. Of course you should try to convince people if you truly believe you are right - it's an important question - but if you can't live with someone who makes a different choice about where they put their faith, you're in for a difficult life. This, along with the whole science vs. faith theme - a trope that needs to die - make all of the sequences on the planet fall flat and far short of where they could be.

The execution of this episode was perfectly fine, I just didn't like the writing choices they made on the planet. Jonathan Frakes continues to serve as a competent and proficient director, and all the acting was good. Sonequa Martin-Green seems to have settled into the role of Burnham much more this season, which I appreciate, and all our main characters continue to do well.

Strange New Worlds:

The planet was called Terralysium by its inhabitants. What we saw of it seemed like a fairly run-of-the-mill small country town.

New Life and New Civilizations:

The Red Angel continues to overshadow the season. It's also possible that the being who looks like May is actually some other creature. As far as civilizations go, the New Edeners fell flat.

Pensees:

-Spock is in a psych ward at Starbase 5. Huh.

-Pike has already redecorated his ready room so it has seats.

-I liked Stamets' fears that he'll see Culber in the network and won't be able to leave. Since Wilson Cruz is a regular this season, expect more of that.

-So, after all that pluralistic vague religion, mushrooms are the source of eternal life? Okay then.

-We heard a bit about WWIII, an event well-documented in Trek history.

-Lt. Owosekun grew up in a Luddite community, huh? I bet her parents weren't too thrilled with her decision to join the high-tech Starfleet.

-If the asteroid material weighs so much, how was Burnham able to hold a chunk of it last episode?

-It was great to see Saru acting as a mentor to Tilly. More, please; those are my two favorite characters!

-Stamets knew exactly what was going on on the bridge before he even entered. Hmmm...

-So, it's quite the coincidence that the Red Angel happened to grab a group of soldiers that contained at least one Christian, one Jew, one Muslim, one Buddhist, one Hindu, one Shintoist, and one Wiccan. Seems unlikely that you'd find that sort of cross-section of religions in any group of soldiers. Also, every one of them had a copy of their scripture on them at the time?

-I love Detmer's reaction to Tilly's plan. Actually, I just love Detmer in general.

-The one bit of religious theme/imagery I really appreciated was at the end when Jacob plugs the power source into the church and the lights turn on. They'd said that the reason pilgrimages had stopped was because the lights were off, and here science solved that problem. Science fueled faith, which is a cooperation of the two that you don't often see in television.

-I'm surprised they so easily used the spore drive. I thought after the end of last season it would take a whole lot for them to use it again.

Quotes:

Saru: "Before we can care for others, we must care for ourselves."

Tilly: "No, I think your orders are probably good. I need to go pass out now."

Pike: "Don't make me laugh." Burnham: "Fortunately for you, I was raised on Vulcan. We don't do funny." Pike: *laughs*

Burnham: "Sir, I learned the hard way what not following orders can lead to."

3 out of 6 fungi of eternal life.

CoramDeo got tired of sitting around and picking blackberries.

[archadespirate-a-blog]

rcsetorn replied to your post: Putting him in his place were my words-...

“Precisely why I gave you my sword. I shan’t kill him. I fully intend to…dominate and humiliate.” <3

“And what if he kills you, Beatrix? I might be fast and I might be strong, but I have no idea who this man is nor his skills- I cannot say for certain if I can be your savior in this play.”