#not in the least bc one of the mc's is a black man

[unlimitedhearts]

RIP Tumblr you would have loved Psych 😭

[d3stinyist1red]

ʏᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇ ᴄʜᴏʟᴏ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

(cholo basically means a hispanic boy who dresses with baggy clothing(search up cholo outfit), and like has a diff speech pattern, btw imma js make him kinda like an edger bc why not they fine asfff)

(his name gon be miguel bc yes)

yan cholo who is ur hb, who you met freshman year in homeroom.

You were busy on your phone before getting your leg kicked by someone beside you. You looked at whoever did that with narrowed eyes, why did this beta js kick a sigma like you..???

He had an fluffed up edger cut, with a slit eyebrow. He had some baggy clothing, proclub grey sweatpants with a black T-shirt with a silver necklace. He was attractive to say the least.

"Put your phone away, chica! (girl or chick)"He said playfully, nodding his head to the teacher making you look, he was helping to you to not get your phone taken by that old ass dusty teacher

you quickly put your phone in your pocket and thanked him. "No problem, hermosa. (beautiful)" He smirked at you, you could hear his accent very well. You tilted your head at him before looking away, not really understanding what was the last word he said (UNLESS U DO, IF U DO PRETEND HE SAID IT UNDER HIS BREATH OR SUM SO U COULDNT HEAR))

yan cholo who began talking to you the whole homeroom after that, and soon you realized he switched his classes to be matched up with yours.

yan cholo who is now ur besty westy hb, who u tell to put u on to someone

ʏ/ɴɴɴʟᴜᴠsᴋɪᴛᴛʏs

miguelllll

put me onto on of ur friendssssss

ᴛʜᴇʏғᴡᴍɪɢᴜᴇʟ

ma, dont start with this bullshit

none of those assholes deserve you, alr mami?

yan cholo who buys you cutesy shit even tho he never did that with any of his ex gfs, only you. But he isnt even dating you too!

"hey ma, got you a lil sum" He said as he wrapped his arm around you, interrupting a convo you were having with one of your friends who js stared at him with heart eyes. He gave u a kuromi plushie that had some pocky taped to her hand. You quickly thanked him making him rub his neck sheepishly,before tapping his cheek .

"cmon baby, give me a peck for it, yeah?"

yan cholo who tells you all of the drama and whenever theres gonna be a fight, grabbing your hand and leading you to someone getting pressed if u want to see a fight. But if you dont like ppl fighting, he'll drag you away from it, and distract you with something else

yan cholo who is possesive of you, always following you around in parties, arm either around your shoulder or waist.

There was this one time, he wasnt on your tail or following you since he was grabbing snacks for the both of you guys and some fool from another neighborhood took this as a chance to started talking to you at a party. The guy was laughing, leaning in too close.

For you, it was someone actually wanting you and u were mad excited bc miguel greedy ass wouldn't even put u on to his friends, but to miguel? It was a threat. His fists clenched, his blood boiling as he was walking to you, noticing the guy talking to you.

He stormed over, stepping between them with a cold stare. “You got somethin’ to say to her, you say it to me, homie.”

The guy backed off instantly, giving miguel a dirty look before mumbling something under his breath and walking away. You raised an eyebrow, "Boy, are you fr? I was gonna finally bag someone bruh"

"Ma, you have me. You don't need anyone else."

yan cholo who talks about you to his homies, absolutely gushing over you like u were a celebrity. And his homies were mad confused bc the man has NEVER been obsessed with any girl, not even his past gfs. He would barely even mention his gfs!

yan cholo who whenever you guys hung out, whether it was grabbing a bite at mc donalds or cruising through the streets with the windows down, he treated you like a queen. He’d make sure you had everything you wanted, always checking if you was comfortable, if you needed anything. He'd make sure to pay for everything, not letting you even touch your wallet, He'd open doors for you, give you flowers, on valentines day he'd give you hello kitty bouquets with money, and hot chips

yan cholo who was jealous of any man who got into a 500 mile radius of you

“Yeah, I ran into Alex today at the store, yk that guy that fought with eric? Yeah, he saw me and said hi” You said offhandedly as miguel drove

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. He tried to keep his voice calm. “Oh yeah? Did you say hi back? Don't talk to him, princesa(princess). Hes no good for you. ” he finally said, his voice low, like a warning.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, catching the change in his tone. “Relax, it’s not like that. He’s just a friend.” Miguel furrowed his eyebrows and kissed his teeth, not bothering to respond knowing he'll start raging.

yan cholo who every morning, he’d be at your locker, waiting for the moment you'll walk down the hall. His eyes would lock onto yours the second you appeared, his heart pounding harder than it ever did during a fight. You didn't notice the way he would glare at anyone near you to back off, and leave the two of you alone.

When you finally made your way over, you dapped him up, and opened your locker. “Hey, you got the notes from yesterday’s class?” You asked him, finally looking up at him.

He’d play it cool, nodding and pulling out his notebook without a word. Inside, though, he was a mess. Every time you spoke to him, he wanted to say something—tell you how he couldn’t stop thinking about you, how you was the only thing that mattered to him, how he couldn't even sleep thinking about you and your gorgeous face. But he couldn’t, instead, he handed you the notes. “Yeah, here. Whatever you need, mami.” He said smirking down at you.

yan cholo who whenver you gave him a casual wave goodbye, he had to fight the urge to pull her into his arms and tell her she was his amor (his love) and no one else’s.

yan cholo who plays soccer only to impress you, every kick, every pass, was an excuse to show off for you. He could hear his teammates calling for the ball, but all he cared about was making sure Y/N was watching when he scored. And when he did—blasting the ball into the net with a perfect shot—he didn't bother to cheer. His eyes darting back to Y/N instead, seeing if she was impressed with his goal

yan cholo who daydreams about you before games, His teammates often tease him about his crush on you. They notice how he lights up whenever your brought up in conversations or whenever your around and how he tends to play better when he knows she’s watching

yan cholo who is a lil too obsessed with his hg y/n <333

yan cholo who is ur hb who hates seeing u with men <33

MORE COMING OUT

BTW I DID THIS ONE FIRST BC I ACTUALLY LOVE THIS IDEA SO MCUH HELLOO??

IM MEXICAN BTW SO I THINK ITS OK TO POST THIS IDK

GUYS IS THIS GOOD???? IDKK

HELP I NEED A CHOLO EDGER IN MY BED RN LIKE COME HERE PAPI

HELP I HAD TOOOO MUCH FUN WITH THIS

[crowfish-brainrot]

Mistakes Were Made Part 3

Adrenaline can make people lusty, and that's what inspired this fic. Also, if I was MC, my sexy self would be fuckin' all five of these men until I got into a relationship bc I am weak and they are too hot to not. Soooo, this might get kinda messy, but it'll end in a good (poly?) place.

CONTENT NOTES FOR ALL PARTS: 18+ MDNI. LaDs men x MC (you), Casual Sex, Pre-relationship, Complicated Feelings All Around. Smut & Angst. Smut with Feelings. No use of Y/N. Possibly ooc bc I'm still getting back into fanfic. Oral f&m receiving, p in v, unprotected sex bc its fiction, creampies, softdom!Xavier, brattamer!Zayne, brattyswitch!Rafayel, switch!Sylus, dom!Caleb brattyswitch!MC, but it's all fluid imo. light bond*ge, sp*nking, size difference, overstimulation, improper use of evol, semi-public sex. Nicknames used in all parts: canon nicknames as well as bunny, princess, love, & darling. F reader. MC is described as being curvy and strong with some fuller titties bc I love titties. Possibly MMF if I get to a part 6 Unedited. You get this raw (just like our Lads!)

Xavier | Zayne | Rafayel (this part) | Sylus | Caleb

It was meant to be a simple gallery event. No wanderers and minimal drama. You expected the worst part of the evening to be pulling Rafayel out of the house by his ear. How wrong you were.

The only lights faced the paintings themselves, each one stunning and beautiful in a way that surpassed any words you had. Rafayel literally turned his nose up at the endless praise people gave him. He wasn't interested in talking to anyone but you, much to poor Thomas' displeasure.

He dressed in a stunning black suit with fine rose gold embroidery. It fit his lean frame like a glove, and the blush pink button down he wore underneath his jacket brought out the warm pink tones in his eyes. Rafayel was a beautiful man, anyone with eyes could see that, but tonight he looked like some sort of ancient god given form, and it took a significant amount of focus to keep your eyes off him.

Your dress matched his suit, and he insisted you wear it. Made of sleek black silk, the dress hugged every curve of your body. Rose-gold embroidery dipped down the sides until it met your hip. The blush elements came in the makeup on your face, and the pale pink pearls that made up your necklace.

Your guns were holstered under your dress, hidden around the curve of your inner thigh. The dress left little room for hiding weapons, but you never went out without your trusty guns. For good reason.

One minute, Rafayel was pouting beside you because you told him you both had to stay for at least one full hour before vanishing. The next, he was gone. As if he vanished. He loved to slip away. Hide and seek seemed to be a favorite game of his, so you didn't immediately worry. At least not until you found a trail of blood leading toward the back of the exhibition hall.

Twenty minutes later, you held onto a woozy Rafayel while authorities led the two assailants out the back door of the gallery. The blood was theirs. Rafayel was safe and uninjured. However, being unable to find him, seeing the blood, and the fight all sent your adrenaline sky-rocketing. He made it worse when he told you they stabbed him with some sort of injection, but he refused to go to the hospital.

"Don't worry, cutie. This isn't the first time this has happened. I'll be fine in a bit."

You didn't ask how he knew that, or when this happened to him before. You doubted your nerves would like the answer. Your time with Rafayel at the Nest proved to you he wasn't all sassy remarks and dazzling smiles, and you were content to leave that mess alone. For now. You were almost certain Rafayel and Sylus knew one another somehow, and you weren't quite sure if you wanted to open that can of worms. So, you held Rafayel upright as you waited for your taxi to arrive.

"You can't take your eyes off me, Miss Bodyguard. They almost got me." Rafayel rested his head on your shoulder. His bottom lip jutted out in a soft pout. "I could've died, you know?"

"I know," you said, your voice flat. "I take my eyes off you for one second, and you disappear."

"It's that bounty. You really should be more alert."

You rolled your eyes, but you didn't disagree with him. "Next time we go out, we should have earpieces. Maybe something with a tracker."

"You don't need a tracker to find me, do you, cutie?" He batted his long lashes at you. Gods. He was so fucking gorgeous. And annoying. Sort of like Sylus in that way. They both irritated the shit out of you sometimes, but somehow their irritating behavior also made you wet. You sighed. You were in fact a hunter. You obviously liked a challenge.

You didn't respond. The cab showed up and you helped Rafayel in before sliding in beside him. The driver headed toward Rafayel's studio, and your eccentric employer-turned friend slumped against you. "You're gonna take me inside, right? I'm still dizzy."

You bit your lower lip as you thought about what to do. The battle and almost losing Rafayel had your heart thrumming and with that came the slick wetness between your thighs. You needed to take care of yourself before you made another mistake. You already had Xavier as your regular fuck buddy, and you stopped by Zayne's place some nights to work extra energy out of your system.

You had two sexy men you could visit, either one would be happy to take care of you, if they were available. You did not need to add a third to your roster. This would probably be the worst yet, because you worked for Rafayel. Sure, you already fucked your co-worker and your doctor, but the Lemurian you were hired to protect? Yeah, that was a step too far, even for you. Also, with his fame, there was a chance things could go public and you didn't want that kind of attention.

Still, when he looked up at you with those big, sapphire-rose eyes, you couldn't deny him. He did need you, and he was only inebriated because you didn't do your job right. You just had to keep it together long enough to see him to bed. Then you could leave Rafayel alone to recover, get laid, and check on him in the morning.

"Yeah, I'll help you get inside and settled."

That seemed to please him. Rafayel kept his head on your shoulder the entire drive back, sometimes whimpering softly and mumbling about being dizzy. You did your best to soothe him with gentle words and rubbing his head, both of which he seemed to like. He nuzzled against your shoulder, and his nose brushed against a sensitive spot on your neck. You almost moaned, but you caught yourself before it happened. His hot breath brushed over your neck, seemingly content to stay put.

Each breath and soft, contented sigh against your neck brought goosebumps to the surface of your skin. His lips were so close. If he kissed you there? You would be done for. You tried to keep your mind from wandering down that path, but you couldn't stop the thoughts, and you grew even wetter on the too-long drive back to the studio.

Once you got back, you helped Rafayel inside. He seemed more out of it than he was when you got in the car. He clung to you like he needed you to be able to stand, and that sent your worry spiking up.

"Are you sure you shouldn't go to the hospital?" you asked.

"I'm sure. Help me get to bed. I'll sleep it off."

You led him inside and helped him through his house to his massive bedroom. Sketchbooks, drying canvases, and countless candles dotted the floor. You carefully dodged every obstacle and pulled back the sheets, setting him down in bed. Moonlight poured in from the glass ceiling above, settling over the bed and haloing his lithe form.

"I can't fall asleep in my suit. Won't you help me get these buttons undone, cutie? I'm too dizzy, I can't see them." Rafayel pouted.

You didn't believe him at first, but it did take him a solid thirty seconds to kick off his shoes. The gods were truly testing your self control. It was time to be brave. You could do this. He was obviously not sober, you wouldn't touch him right now if he begged. No matter how beautiful the flush of his face would be when you -- nope. You cut that thought off before it could finish, refusing to go down that rabbit hole. You undid the buttons of his jacket, released his tie, then unbuttoned his shirt. He lifted his arms, and you peeled the clothing off his body.

His bare chest came into view. Rafayel's body was as much of a work of art as the rest of him. You knew he was a Lemurian and lived part of his life in the sea, but damn. Built but lean, his shape was made to cut through the waves. His waist made your mouth water, but you restrained yourself from sinking too far into your depraved mind.

He leaned back on his arms and looked down his torso at you. "I need help with the belt, too." You hesitated, for just a moment, and his brows drew together. A moment later, his lip curled up into a smile. "Miss Bodyguard."

He caught where your mind wandered off to, and you narrowed your eyes at him. "What?"

"Someone is having dirty thoughts when I'm weakened. That's bold, even for you."

Your mouth opened. Then it closed again. You had nothing to say for yourself, and your cheeks heated.

Rafayel grinned. "I promise, I'm being a good, honest boy. I really do need help."

You took a deep, steadying breath and your fingers made quick work of his belt. One handed, you slipped it off his waist. "You have to do the rest yourself. I'm going to get you some water."

"Don't be gone long, I might need you again," he said.

Your body buzzed as you all but ran out of his bedroom. You took your time going to the kitchen, grabbing a glass, and filling it with ice water. Rafayel loved to play games. It was in his nature to tease and needle you, to make flirtatious jokes then pretend he didn't mean them like that. You accepted it for what it was. A Pisces man being a Pisces man, some fun banter, and a slight headache. He didn't talk to a lot of people, and you were easy to get a rise out of. That's why he teased you so much. It didn't mean anything. It couldn't mean anything. You would not add a third man to your roster. Especially not this man. Is his dick like a human's? Nope. Stop thinking about his dick!

To calm yourself down, you splashed cold water on your face. It didn't matter how much you two bantered. It had to stay banter.

You wouldn't put it past him to fake something like this, but who were you to question him? He was drugged because you failed to do your job right. How much of it was an act, and how much was real suffering? Only he knew.

You slowly made your way back to his bedroom. He was right where you left him, leaning on his arms, looking at the sky, only now his pants were on the floor, leaving him only in thin underwear that hid nothing.

"I was starting to worry you forgot about me," he said. "Again."

You hated how hard it was to not look at his crotch. As calmly as you could, you handed him the glass. "Drink."

"So bossy." His tone was teasing, but he did as you bid. He drank fast, and a drop of water seeped out around the glass, dripped down his plush lower lip, his chin, then lower. You pulled your eyes toward the ceiling before you followed that drip all the way down his abs.

"Thank you, cutie." He handed the glass back to you and you placed it on a coaster on his bedside table.

"Is there anything else you need before I go?" you asked.

"You're leaving me?" He looked up at you, his beautiful eyes wide and brows drawn.

You looked down at your dress and the room around you. "I was going to head home."

"But what if I die? Thomas won't find me for days."

"If you're so ill you think you might die, then I should call an ambulance." You pulled your phone out of the clutch around your wrist to dial for medical services, but he stopped you.

"I'm not," he confessed. "I'm...nervous. There was an attempt on my life less than an hour ago, you know?"

"And those who tried to carry it out were arrested. You're safe here."

"What if I don't want to be alone?" he asked, his voice low.

Your eyes fell to his face and you knew it was a mistake. The puppy eyes did you in every. single. time. He could murder someone in front of you, give you those eyes, tell you he didn't do it, and you'd find a way to believe him. Those big, beautiful eyes of his were dangerous things, and he used them as well as his dagger.

"I can't exactly sleep in this," you said.

"Raid my closet, then. I'm sure you'll find something," he said.

You did as he suggested. You found the brown hoodie he wore on more casual days. It covered your ass and hit low enough you were fairly confident you wouldn't accidentally flash the scrap of fabric that barely covered your lower lips at him. You hung your dress up beside his suit, then wandered to his bathroom to wash the makeup off your face. Clean and ready for bed, you stepped back into his bedroom. "I'm going to sleep on the couch downstairs."

"Nope. Too far. What if an assassin gets to me before you?" he crossed his arms. "You need to stay here."

"Whatever gods can hear me right now, please grant me the mental strength needed to not hop on Rafayel's cock tonight." You sent the prayer out into the aether, hoping that someone was listening, and that you would find that strength. When you looked back to Rafayel, the grin on his face signaled danger. "What?"

"Nothing, cutie." He patted the side of the mattress. "Come here."

Setting your guns and clutch on the nightstand, you peeled back the covers and got into his bed. The cool sheets caressed your skin, and the down-filled pillows were plush and soft. His bed might've been the most comfortable you'd ever laid in. Your eyes fluttered closed, and you hummed a low, pleased sound.

"Comfy?" Rafayel asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice.

You opened your eyes and gasped. He hovered a breath away from your face. Any sign of inebriation or dizziness vanished from his expression. Only the playful glint in his eyes remained, and his lip curled in a devastating smirk.

"Yeah," you said, breathless. "Very comfy. Goodnight."

His gaze burned into your skin, and you tried to ignore him. You rolled to your other side, away from him, but his gaze never faltered. Your heart raced. Loud in your ears, it eclipsed all other sounds. Slick arousal soaked through your thin panties, and you squeezed your legs together for some sort of relief. You found none.

"Having trouble sleeping?" he asked, his voice light. "I can practically hear you thinking over there."

"You're staring at me," you deadpanned. "Kind of hard to sleep when I'm being watched."

"My artistic eye is always drawn to beautiful things," he said. "It's in my nature. I can't help it."

You looked over your shoulder at him. Dressed in his hoodie, your hair tossed in a messy bun, with no make up on you didn't exactly feel stunning. You scoffed. "I would've believed you if you told me that when I had that dress on."

"You looked gorgeous tonight, but you're the most breathtaking like this. It's your natural beauty, ya know? Stunning simply because you exist. Like the moon, or the sea."

"What the fuck did they inject you with?" You flipped over to face him. "You sound like a lovesick poet."

"The injection is wearing off. I feel fine, I'm just telling you the truth." Rafayel rested his head on his hand, propped up slightly on his pillow. His sapphire-rose eyes were soft. Honest.

Your stomach flipped. Butterflies took flight and your heart thrummed faster than hummingbird wings. You swallowed past the lump in your throat. "Um. Thank you. Goodnight."

Your squeezed your eyes closed, and you heard him chuckle beside you. The sound soft, full of mirth and something like contentment. Butterflies swarmed in your stomach, and your pussy fluttered in time. Gods, his laugh. His eyes. His fucking everything.

Why did every man in your inner circle have to be so damn hot, charming, and downright perfect in every single way? Oh no, you had a mysterious knight-in-shining armor type with a fat cock, a handsome renowned doctor who made you scream and beg at the curl of his fingers, and now you were in bed with a sexy, famous artist merman who spoke poetry about you. Truly, you were suffering.

"If you're having trouble sleeping, you can always ask me for help," Rafayel said. "I'll do whatever you want, even if it means using my body."

His voice dropped into something low and hot. It filled the space between you with the warmth of a sinful promise. Your pussy clenched hard around nothing, and gods, it hit you just how empty you were.

He laid flat on his back and patted his bare chest. "Come here, cutie. Let me help you fall asleep."

You knew it was a trap. The way his eyes burned with heat. The low, heady siren song of his voice. He laid back with an arm behind his head, stretching those stunning muscles of his taut. Your throat dried. It was a trap, and yet, you willingly slipped into it. Your head settled on his pecs, and your arm naturally draped across his body and rested over his heart. His arm wrapped around you and cradled you against his chest.

He smelled like the sea breeze, something fresh and calming to your senses. You breathed him in, a soft sigh escaping your lips as you did so. Rafayel always ran a little cooler than humans, and the difference in temperature was a balm over your heated skin. Yet, despite your comfort in his arms, your clit throbbed. Needy and aching, it brushed against your too-slick panties and you had to stifle a whimper.

"You seem uncomfortable. What's wrong?" Rafayel stroked your spine in gentle, lazy patterns that did nothing to help the ache between your thighs.

Damn it. You couldn't hide this for much longer. Rafayel had a sensitive nose. As a Lemurian, he picked up on every subtle change in perfume, body wash, or detergent you used. For some reason, thinking that he knew how wet you were only made it worse.

"I get like this after hard battles, or nerve-wracking situations," you said, keeping your voice matter-of-fact. "I was worried about you, and now I'm having a hard time relaxing. My body is tense. That's all."

Rafayel hummed. "I can help you relax, you know. If it will help you sleep, I'm happy to use my body in any way you need."

"Raf," you warned.

"What? I'm serious. You can use me however you like, cutie. My face is an excellent seat."

"What?" you squeaked, sitting up slightly.

"Have you considered that you might not be the only one who gets tense after high-stress situations?" Rafayel pulled you back against him, and threw the blanket off. His cock strained against the fabric of his boxers, a wet spot at the head. Holy fucking gods. You didn't expect Rafayel to be packing a fucking sea monster in his well-tailored pants. Were all Lemurians so well endowed, or was he just blessed?

"Won't you help me, princess?" Rafayel looked down at you, his eyes dark and wide. Your hand absentmindedly traced down his stomach, and he whimpered.

That fucking sound did you in. You swallowed hard. “I’ll help you.”

Rafayel closed the distance and captured your mouth in a heated kiss. He devoured your lips like he was starved and desperate, like he needed only you and nothing else. Your head spun, dizzy with the pure need that passed between you. His large hands settled on your hips and he effortlessly lifted you on top of him. You straddled him, your lips still connected with something that caught like gasoline. Deft fingers gripped the hem of his hoodie and lifted it off your body, parting from your lips just long enough to toss it to the side.

He took in your body. Strong from all your training, but soft and yielding to his firm grip. Your heavy tits heaved with your panted breaths, and your nipples hardened in the cool air of the bedroom. “Beautiful. You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmured.

Coming from him, the artist, the one who knew beauty and how to pull it from nothing but pigments and brush strokes, the words carried a weight. They resonated through you and you found yourself unable to breathe. His fingers toyed with the thin scrap of lace around your hips.

“Can I rip these off?”

“Yes,” you said.

They were gone, torn off your body an instant later. He held them off to the side, and his eyes trailed between the soaked scrap of lace and your now bare pussy.

“Fuck. You need to come bad, don’t you princess?”

“Maybe,” you huffed.

He chuckled and tossed the pillows behind him to the side and scooted down the bed. “Sit on my face. Use me to make yourself come.”

“Are you sure?” You asked.

“Yes. Sit on my face. I need to taste you, please.”

You nodded and you settled over him, one leg on either side of his head. Strong arms locked over your thighs and he pulled you down to his face. You let your full weight settle on him, and he groaned into your soaking cunt.

You gripped the headboard for leverage and ground into Rafayel’s face. You looked down your body, meeting his heated gaze from between your thighs. Hair mused and face flushed, he was a devastating sight. So gorgeous it punched the air out of your lungs.

His nose rocked against your clit as his tongue slipped inside you. You were so wet, so needy, the simplest brush of his tongue sent a shock of pleasure dancing down your spine. He barely touched you, and you were already on the brink.

You ground into his face, chasing the coiling spark of pleasure building in your core. His eyes never strayed from your face, and you couldn't look away. The intensity of his gaze and the skilled roll of his tongue forced broken gasps out of you. Your thighs trembled, but he held you steady, nuzzling into your cunt like he belonged there.

His talented tongue curled just right, and you were lost. Your back bowed and your knuckles went white on the headboard in an attempt to steady yourself. You cried out his name as you came. His answering moan as he drank you in only extended the wave of intense pleasure. You tried to lift your hips away, but his arms locked around you, keeping you in place as the overstimulation hit. You whimpered and leaned forward, still trying to lift your hips.

"Where do you think you're going, cutie? I wasn't finished with my meal." Rafayel nipped the sensitive skin of your inner thigh. "Do you really want me to stop?"

Your head spun. His voice, husky and playful did dangerous things to your insides. Your stomach flipped. You were sensitive, sure, but his tongue was heaven.

"No," you said, breathless. "Keep going."

He pulled you back down, fully on his face the second the words were out of your mouth. You whined at the sharp edge of overstimulation wearing on your nerves, but gods, his face made the perfect seat. He ate your pussy the same way he kissed you earlier. Starved, full of need. Like you and your pleasure were the only things that mattered.

You rode his face, rolling your hips to chase the burning pleasure he stoked within you. His moans matched yours in desperation and intensity, as if tasting you, pleasuring you, did the same to him. As if he got off on being used by you. Your hips rolled back, and his lips wrapped around your clit. He sucked, and you gasped.

"Right there, fuck! Raf you feel so fucking good," you praised, your voice high and breathless.

He shuddered under your praise, and he sucked harder. Between the steady suction of his lips and the steady roll of his tongue over your clit, your second orgasms came crashing down far faster than you expected. You tried to hold back, for just a moment longer, but his talented tongue wouldn't let you.

Rafayel shoved you over the edge of your second release with a firm suck that stole your breath. You gushed over his face, the release hitting you so hard you could only scream his name. He worked you through it, his sucks softening as the wave ebbed. You slumped against the headboard, too worn out to hold yourself upright.

You lifted your hips, and this time he let you go. You pushed yourself up on trembling thighs, and blinked around the stars in your vision as you looked down at him. Fuck. His pupils were blown wide with lust, cheeks flushed, and face coated in your come. Wet skin reflected the pale moonlight, showing just how much a mess you made. His smirk sent aftershocks of pleasure skittering up your spine. He planted soft kisses to your inner thighs, and you shuddered.

"Oh gods," you sighed, your body so senitive that even the softest touch bordered on too much.

"Gods?" Rafayel chuckled, the sound dark and teasing. "No. I'm the only one here with you, princess." He flipped you over so fast you were dizzy. One moment you clutched to the headboard for dear life, and the next you were pinned beneath him, his lean, muscular frame looming over yours. One hand held both your wrists and pinned them over your head. He leaned down, stealing all the air from your lungs. His eyes flashed a vibrant blue as he spoke. "If you're going to call out to anyone, you call out to me, and me alone."

Your pussy fluttered, empty and needy. "Yes, Rafayel."

"Good girl," he cooed. The teasing, playful note in his praise only made the husky tone of his words all the more tantalizing. You shivered, suddenly hyper-aware of him. The heat between your bodies, the weight of his eyes, and the sensation of his hard, hot length pressed into your core shattered all thoughts outside of him.

He released your wrists and captured your lips in another kiss. This one was more consuming, more dominating than you expected from the man who told you to use him not twenty minutes ago. Yet, you surrendered to it, and to him, all the same. Your dynamic with Rafayel was fluid, all teasing and banter, always changing who came out on top. It seemed your dynamic in bed would follow a similar pattern, and you couldn't help but moan into the kiss.

Rafayel pulled back, just enough to meet your eyes. "Can I fuck you, princess?"

The way he said it, his voice husky and dripping with the same amount of need you felt nearly made you come. You both needed this, needed each other, so you said the only thing that mattered. "Yes, please!"

His lips met yours again, and in one fluid roll of his hips, he was bare above you. The hot length of him dripped his need all over your stomach. He pressed wet, open-mouthed kisses into your neck. "Let me hear you, cutie. Don't hold back."

You nodded, unable to form words. With one last kiss on your neck, he reached between your bodies and lined himself up with your entrance. Not quite as long as Zayne, but somehow thicker Xavier, your head spun just looking at it. That thing was a monster, and you weren't sure it was going to fit.

"Don't worry, cutie. It'll fit just fine." Rafayel notched the head at your entrance and hummed. "Now, if I was in my true form? Then you'd have something to worry about."

Your mind reeled from that bit of information and while you were distracted, he pressed forward. The stretch of his cock stole your breath. It burned slightly, not painful, just heat, as he pushed deeper inside you. He cursed as your fluttering cunt squeezed around him, but he didn't move any faster. He slipped in slowly, giving you his cock inch by inch until your hips were flush.

Your legs wrapped around his hips and your hands clutched his forearms to steady yourself. He rested his forehead against yours, a low moan falling from his mouth. You struggled to breathe. Buried inside you as far as he could go, the tip of his cock brushed your cervix. Stretched around him so wide, there was no room for anything but sensation. You moaned, high and breathy, as you adjusted to him.

"Fuck, Rafayel, yes!"

"Do you feel how deep I am, cutie?" Rafayel rocked his hips forward, forcing a loud moan out of your mouth. One hand traced down your side, then to your clit. He rubbed it in a small, tight circle, and your back arched off the bed with a sharp moan. "Look how well you fit around me. My princess."

The slight edge of possession in his voice made your eyes roll back into your head. You rocked your hips, seeking more friction, but he held you still.

"You want me to move? Beg." Rafayel's command came with a weight that forced your eyes open. His eyes held the same playful mischief as normal, but his tone was serious. Sharp. "Tell me how much you want this. Let me hear you. Otherwise, I'll stay right here all night."

You blinked. His brow raised. You swallowed hard, unsure. His hips pressed forward, applying more pressure on your cervix while his fingers abandoned your clit. Your resolve broke.

"Fuck, Raf, please!" you whined. "Please fuck me. I need you to move. I need you to pound into me, to make me come all over your cock, please. Fuck. I'll fuck myself on your cock if you don't want to move. Please, please, just fuck me. I need it. I need you!"

"Fuck yourself on my cock, huh? Is that how you want to use me, princess?" he asked.

"Yes!"

"Maybe I'll let you next time. Right now, I think I'll use you."

"Please, Rafayel! Please use me!"

"Fuck. If you insist." His devilish little smirk made your heart flip, and then he moved. The drag of his fat cock along your walls hit just right, stealing your breath. Your vision blurred, and you made a low, desperate sound as he fucked into you.

On his knees, he held your hips in his strong hands, keeping you in place as he pounded into you. His eyes drifted from your face, to you heavy, bouncing tits, to the place where you joined. You struggled to keep your eyes open, the pleasure too intense, but you also couldn't look away from him. Strands of amethyst hair clung to the thin layer of sweat on his forehead. His muscles rippled with every thrust, and the veins in his hands strained under his tight grip. His beautiful face contorted in pleasure with each deep stroke.

One hand reached up to grip your bouncing tits. He kneaded the soft flesh in his hands, then rolled your nipple between his deft fingers. You cried out, the added sensation nearing too much for your already overstimulated body.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he moaned. "A stunning work of art. A Goddess given flesh. Look at you, my beautiful br--princess."

"Raf-ay-el!" you screamed his name when he slammed in hard, forcing the very air out of your lungs.

"That's the sound I'm looking for. Again."

He thrust in hard a second time, and you gave him the same cry of his name. High, breathless, loud. Edged with a hint of desperation.

"Fuck yes. Keep singing for me, cutie. Just like that."

You did as he commanded. You couldn't help yourself. Not when he fucked you so thoroughly. He moved his hips in smooth, fluid motions, pulling back and slamming in over and over at the exact right angle. The wet sounds of your fucking filled the space between your screams, both getting louder the closer you got to your third peak.

"Are you going to come for me, my princess?" he asked.

"Yes, Raf, please!" you moaned. "Keep fucking me just like this. Please, I'm so close. You feel so good!"

"Come for me. Let me feel you."

You broke. Shattered. Came apart as you gushed around his fat cock. White hot pleasure burned through your blood, and stars filled your vision. You screamed his name so loud your throat burned, and yet, he didn't stop fucking you. Each roll of his hips only extended your release, and by the time the wave ebbed, another already beckoned. Overstimulation burned at your senses, but you didn't want him to stop.

"Where do you want my come, cutie?" he asked.

Your brain screamed only one answer. Probably the dumbest answer you could give him, but logic went out the door awhile ago. Plus, you weren't technically the same species, so it was fine. "Inside me. Come inside me, Rafayel. Please."

Whatever threads of control he had snapped in that instant. He fucked you hard, loud, needy moans falling from his lips. He lifted you into his arms, holding you tight against him as he buried his face into your neck. He came a moment later, and as the first slightly cool spurt filled you, his teeth bit into your neck. Your back bowed and you came with him, the sensation too much for your overstimulated body.

Rafayel stilled only as long as it took him to come. His still-hard cock rocked in and out of you, just enough to hit your sweet spot before fucking back inside until he hit your cervix. Deep, firm strokes that sent your mind melting out of your ears.

"Raf, I can't...'s too much!"

"Yes you can. Come on, cutie, give me just one more. Then we'll take a break."

The fleeting conscious thoughts you had stalled. A break? He planned to keep fucking you after he came a second time? You were too fucked-out to think too hard about it, so you moaned. You were so sensitive, too sensitive, but the drag of his cock, the way his body enveloped you, how he held you against his chest, you didn't want it to stop, either.

"One...more," you agreed.

"Good girl," he praised. "I know you can do it. Come one more time. Just for me."

His pace, his gentle praise, and the way he clutched you like you were something precious added to the overwhelming wave of pleasure that built within you once again. Your orgasm hit with all the warning of a lightning strike, and burned twice as hot. You screamed his name once again as you convulsed around him, the pleasure rising out of your very bones.

"That's it, princess. Good girl. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I'm gonna fill you up again."

"Please," you whined.

Rafayel groaned and held himself all the way inside you. His lips found the other side of your neck and he bit down there, too. He filled you a second time, somehow with more come than the first. Each spurt extended your release. Finally, the pleasure stopped. Your ears rung. You panted your breaths. Sweat slicked very inch of your skin, and your thighs were sticky with your combined release.

Rafayel set you down on the bed gently, and he kissed your forehead. "Such a good girl. Do you feel better now, princess?"

You nodded, words too hard for you to manage. He stayed inside you for a few minutes as you both caught your breath. He pulled out of you slowly, and to your surprise, he was still half-hard.

He promised to be right back, and all you could do was lay there. Fucked out, full of come, and realizing that mistakes were made yet again. You really needed to stop getting into situations like this, though, you wouldn't say you were upset to be here. You were so fucked out you felt like you were high, and you had a sneaking suspicion that if you asked him to, Rafayel would fuck you 'till you passed out and keep going until you woke back up.

You had two nights of marathon sex with Xavier, each time after he came back from a secret mission he couldn't bring you on. Still, even he tired after round three. Rafayel looked like he could go for six more. Probably because he was Lemurian, or something.

He came back with a warm cloth and cleaned you up, his touch gentle and words soft. Soothing in a quiet tone as he tended to you. Once you were both clean, he settled back into bed and pulled you onto his chest. Your head rested over his heart, and it beat steady and strong in your ears. You nuzzled into him as he pulled the blankets over you. Ignoring the call of sleep was a hopeless task wrapped up in him, so you gave in and fell into a deep slumber full of dreams of a world beneath the waves.

Your phone alarm blared at far-too-fucking-early-for-this o'clock. You blinked at the blinding sunlight that poured in from the glass ceiling above. Rafayel groaned under you and hid his face in a pillow.

"Turn it off! It's too early."

"It's my work alarm," you mumbled. You rolled off of him, and he made a pouty noise in protest as you scrambled to find your phone. You turned off the alarm, then sent a quick text to Jenna, telling her that you aided in an arrest last night and would be late coming in.

You still needed to get home, shower, eat something, get dressed, and get to work. Hopefully, Xavier would already be gone by the time you got back to your apartment. He was jealous normally. If he knew you spent the night with someone who wasn't him?

Yeah. He'd throw a fit, despite the fact that you weren't exclusive. Which is why, you usually went to see Zayne when Xavier was off on missions.

"I gotta get going," you said.

"You should call out." Rafayel propped his head up on his arm as he looked over at you. "You came down with something. You're sick. Only I can take care of you, so you have to stay here. With me. All weekend."

"I can't call out, Raf. We've had this conversation before. Don't give me that look!" you whined. "That's not fair!"

"What's not fair is having my cuddle time interrupted because someone has to clock in somewhere," he huffed.

"Yeah, well, not all of us can be millionaire artists." You rolled your eyes as you tried to gather yourself. You couldn't not talk about what happened last night. You couldn't have him thinking this meant anything more than it was. Silence stretched between you, and you could practically feel him sulking from across the bed. You turned to face him. "Listen, about last night..."

"What about it?" he said, his voice cool and detached.

"I'm really busy. I don't exactly have time for a relationship. You're busy too. And I technically work for you, which makes this kind of complicated." You caught yourself rambling so you took a deep breath, then continued. "I just want to be sure you know this is casual. Probably not an all the time thing. It was great, really fucking great, but I don't want to overcomplicate things between us, you know? We're friends, and if you really need me like that, I'm happy to help but it can't be more than that."

Rafayel looked at you, his face too neutral to be good. You knew his expressions well enough by now, and that one never meant anything positive.

"Alright. If that's what you want. We'll keep it casual. But, you should know something important, Miss Bodyguard."

"Yes?"

"I've been stroking my cock to thoughts of you for months, and now that I've had a taste of you? My hand isn't going to be enough anymore. If you're worried about the ethics, we can work that out later, but casual or not, I will need you like that again, and again."

Your stomach flipped and your sore cunt clenched. Damn it. "I'm fine with that. We'll need to talk about this more, but I really do need to get going."

"Take the hoodie," he said. "A designer sent over some matching couple sets. In the back of my closet there should be some pants that fit you. Want me to drive you home?"

You thought of how Xavier turned off the streetlights on your block that one time you spoke to a co-worker that wasn't him outside of your apartment for ten minutes too long. "You don't have to. I can call a cab. I know it's early for you."

"You sure? If you're already running late, waiting for a cab will only make you later."

He had a point. Fuck. "Alright, but I live close to the Association building. Walking in will give me time to eat."

Rafayel smiled like he won, and your stomach flipped again. You prayed to whatever gods were listening that Xavier would not be anywhere near your apartment when you showed up.

A/N: Our fishie is tied for my #1 with Sylus, so obviously I love him & had so much fun with this part! I want to do one of these with each LI before we start getting into overlap territory, and if we get there or not really depends on how much y'all want that. So, lmk! Either way, the next part of this series is going to be all about our favorite Dragon. I hope y'all are ready bc I'm already melting!

Masterlist | Next Part

[darlingkaveh]

synopsis: a short story, based on my take on Caleb’s childhood & the mysteries involving it

tw: death, major violence.

other: in third person, and mc has a name and is described as “pale” once or twice (ain’t my name or looks tho, this is not self-indulgent of me haha 🙅 i still consider it x reader bc it’s lads’s mc but i kind of had to give her a name for story purposes, sorry 😞)

( caleb x f!reader , both children. 21 pages )

————————

CALEB loved his family. Each and every one of them, from his mom to his dad, to the little black lab that he had found in a park as a boy. His family was small. Condensed, like four atoms bonded together. He had always wanted a sibling, but his parents were always oh so busy — they were researchers, see; scientists, to be exact. So they left him home with the pup, or, sometimes, if he got lucky, Grandma Josephine, until the sun sank below the horizon, and they trudged home in their rumpled white coats.

Today was no different. He had been playing with his newest science kit, sticking red and blue bulbs onto the ends of black sticks to construct a double helix, when his parents stumbled inside. He could hear their frantic footsteps all the way from the kitchen, and could imagine them scurrying about, like a pair of bespectacled mice, squeaking to do this and that, put this here and tidy that there. Oh, and not to forget to push Caleb (a smaller mouse, kept in a different cage) a little bit of cheese now and then, so he’d shut his squeaking while they chatter away. He was no brilliant mind, no quantum physicist or astronautics expert, not like his parents.

“Sometimes I’m glad I’m no genius.” Caleb popped a grape into his mouth. “Mom and dad are always so busy. Seems like a lot of work, huh, Snoopy?” He looked at the black lab sitting on his bed, who was quite a bit bigger now — the mattress sunk more under his weight than Caleb’s — and he barked in response. Caleb grinned.

“Well, at least I do more than you.” He plucked a cucumber from his fruit salad and tossed it Snoopy’s way. It was gone in an instant. “Hah,” he muttered. “All you do is eat, sleep and play. Though, I guess that’s all I do, too.”

The lab set his head down on his paws, and looked up at him with sad, wet eyes. Caleb scrunched up his nose. “Okay, you’re cute, I’ll give you that.” He sacrificed another cucumber.

“Caleb!” His mother hollered his name. “Come on out! We want you to meet someone!”

Caleb frowned. “Oh, man, don’t tell me…” he set his bowl aside, cramming the last few grapes into his mouth before stepping out, Snoopy hot on his heels. “Yes, mom?”

“Oh, there you are, sweetie, we were starting to think you had fallen asleep.” His mother raced past him even as she spoke, checking her purse, clipboard, coat, and maybe a hundred other places. 

“Mom, your glasses are on your head,” said Caleb.

”Oh! Yes, yes.” Her hands instantly started to pat down her face, and she fixed her glasses. “Thank you, dear. Thank goodness. What might I do without you?“

“Certainly nothing at all!”

His father burst through the front door, glasses askew, though with how much he was beaming, Caleb doubted he could see much, anyway. “He’s our little genius, isn’t he, Amelia? Quite the bright boy, he is.” His father laughed and went about his usual ramblings; the effect of the humidity on his hair, the neighbor’s cat digging through the trash cans again. Caleb noticed a little girl standing in the doorway. He didn’t mean to stare, but she was most odd. She had skinny, knobby knees, and the thinnest hair he’s ever seen.

A feeling of dread crept over him like a cloud. He knew what was coming.

“Are you listening, boy?” His father ruffled up his hair. “Guess not, hm?”

“Is anyone surprised?” His mother gave her husband a pointed look. “You talk too much for your own good.”

“Dreadfully true, dear, though I’m afraid you knew that when you married me, didn’t you?”

Caleb crossed his arms and didn’t say anything, hoping that’d somehow catch their attention. It didn’t.

“Mom?” He said irritably. “Dad?”

They both looked at him.

“Who’s that?” He pointed at the little girl. She raised her head at that, and took a couple steps closer. She walked like she did not quite know how to walk, knees knocking together and toes pointed in.

“Toes out, Leslie,” his father scolded. “No walking pigeon-toed, that’s bad for you.” Leslie fixed her toes, but Caleb wasn’t sure if it really helped. “There you go.”

“Brilliant, darling.” Amelia took Leslie’s hand and smiled as she kneeled to her level. “Well done. Now, Leslie, I’d like you to meet someone.” She gestured at Caleb. “Leslie, this is your new brother, Caleb. Caleb, this is your new sister.”

Caleb’s mouth dropped open.

“Sister?” He spluttered. “Sister? She’s the third one this year, mom! You can’t be serious!”

“It’s just for the time being, dear, we’re fostering her.” His mother hushed him as she stood. “You’ve always wanted a sibling, so here we are. Be polite, won’t you? We raised you better than that.”

“Where is she going to sleep?!”

“In your room, dear, your father will set it all up, it’ll be quite nice, really.”

“Mom! You can’t—“ 

“Caleb, I advise you to be careful with your next words.” 

He fell silent, feeling the tips of his ears heat up.

“Don’t fret, chap, it isn’t so bad.” His father tried to pat his shoulder, but he dodged. “Oh, don’t be like that, now.

“I don’t want to talk to any of you!” Caleb ran back into his room, slamming the door behind him. He stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, before looking at Snoopy, who had stuck his head into the bowl of fruit.

“…Oh, Snoopy.” Caleb sighed, half-heartedly petting the lab. “Get your nose out of there.“

Snoopy licked his hand a few times and whined as Caleb sat down next to him. A slice of cucumber sat on his snout.

“Gross.” Caleb plucked it off, and Snoopy ate it in one fell swoop. “You’re like a trash compactor.”

He flopped onto his back, staring up at the ceiling — his ceiling — decorated with paper planes and planets, twirling around on strings. His mother had bought the craft, and his father had helped him hang them up. He had spent a good few hours playing with the hole puncher alone. Now, he had to share it, with an odd, pigeon-toed girl with skin too pale and funny brown eyes. She was like an opossum.

He had plenty of brothers and sisters before her, sure — it had started a few years back, when his mother and father suddenly seemed to take interest in fostering — but he was different now than then. He knew how this went, how it was going to go. His new sibling would stay for a little while, but they still left in the end. It had happened to the one before, the one after, and it’d happen to this one, too. His siblings had all been odd, yes, but odd on its own was fine; one might argue he was odd, his parents were odd, his family was odd, and he’d hardly care. But family who left was hardly family at all.

Caleb shut his eyes. There was whispering outside his door. He couldn’t stand it. Eventually, it stopped. Ten minutes later, his door crept open. Leslie stood there. Her hair was wet and stuck to her face, and she was in new clothes and shoes. She blinked owlishly at him.

“Hi.” Her voice was raspy. “My name’s…Leslie.”

Caleb rolled over and pressed his face into the pillow.

“You’re…Caleb, right?” He could hear her shuffle closer, with her odd legs and steps and walk. Snoopy barked. “You have a dog?” She brightened. “She’s cute.”

“…He’s a guy.” He sat up and heaved Snoopy into his arms. “His name’s Snoopy.”

“Snoopy?”

Caleb grumbled. “That’s what I said.”

The dog wriggled in his arms, and he eventually released him. Snoopy made his way over to Leslie and sniffed her hand.

“Snoopy’s a cute name. A cute name for a cute dog.” Leslie rubbed Snoopy’s neck. His tail thumped against the floor. 

“…It’s ‘cause I found him in a bush.” He looked away. “A blackberry bush,” he continued, slowly, “in a park nearby. He got all pricked by the thorns, so me and my parents took him home and helped him.”

“Your parents…like to pick up strays?”

“No,” he said. She stared at him. “Well…” Caleb thought about it. “I guess. They’re kind of strays themselves. But the good kind. They’re scientists.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

“Yeah.”

Curiosity pricked at him. Eventually, he caved. “How?”

Leslie nearly poked Snoopy’s eye out trying to pet him. Caleb stood up.

“Don’t pet him like that. Use your palm, not your fingers.” 

“Like this?” She tried again.

“Yeah.” He smiled a little. “Good job.“

She looked surprised, but soon smiled back. “Thanks.” She looked around. “I like your room.” His walls were decorated in a variety of posters. His favorite one was of the solar system. Sometimes he’d go up on the roof with his father and watch the sky.

“Thanks. My parents helped me decorate it. What stuff do you like?”

“Hm?”

“Stuff. What stuff do you like?” He repeated.

“Like…my clothes?” She picked up the edges of her yellow skirt and did an awkward spin that wasn’t really a spin, but Caleb clapped for her anyway. “I do like these clothes, they’re certainly nicer than my older ones. I wore those nearly every day.”

“Um…not really, but that works, I guess. My clothes are ok, I guess.” He tried to think of something better to ask. “Hey, wait, you didn’t tell me how you know.”

“Know what?”

“What you said before. That my parents are strays. Or, scientists, or whatever.”

“Oh.”

“You can sit down, by the way.” He patted the space next to him. Leslie’s smile grew, and she obliged.

“Well,” she said, “I just thought they look like scientists.” She flicked one of the paper planes hanging from the ceiling. “You know. White coat, glasses, always carrying a clipboard and pen.”

“That does sound like them.” He pushed one of the planes, too, laughing when it swung through the air and bumped into the one Leslie had nudged. 

“Time for bed!” The door opened, and his mother stuck her head inside. She smiled when she saw them sitting together. “I’m glad you two are getting along. You can play more tomorrow.”

“Okay. Good night, mom,” he said. 

“Good night, miss,” said Leslie.

“Good night, kids.” She set up a mattress for Leslie on the floor before she shut the lights, guided Snoopy out, and closed the door.

Moonlight filtered in through the blinds, illuminating strips of the room.

“Isn’t that mattress uncomfortable?” He said.

“Not really. The bed’s too soft. I feel like I’m sinking.” He could just barely make out the outline of her body, curled up by the foot of his bed.

“Are…you sure?”

“Yep. This is the type of thing I’d sleep on back home.”

He shifted. “Home?”

“Where I met your mom and dad.”

“Oh.” He figured she must be talking about the orphanage. “How is it, there?”

“Cold, mostly. But fine. The people are nice.”

“Nice?”

“Yeah. Most of the time they do things I don’t like. But that’s just how it is in the world.” She pulled her blanket snug around her. “They’re my family. They…they have my best interests at heart, you know?”

“Yeah.”

“…Do you think we could be family?”

Caleb looked at her smiling face. “Maybe.” He propped himself up with his elbows. “If you can promise me something.”

“What is it?”

Don’t leave. The words were heavy on his tongue. He swallowed them.

“Actually, nevermind.”

Promises meant nothing.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. It’s silly, anyway. We can be friends.“

“Huh.” Her breathing slowed. “Friends. That’s good, too. I don’t have any friends. Didn’t, I mean.”

“Well, I’m happy to be your first friend.”

“Thanks. Do you have a lot of friends?”

“I guess. I don’t know them very well, but yeah.”

“That must be nice.”

He rolled around, facing the window. “Something like that.”

He could hear the last of the lights in the house being shut, and the last of the doors being closed.

“…I’m sorry. For earlier.”

He laid there, listening to the sound of his own breathing. Waiting. A response never came.

She had fallen asleep.

——

There was a room in the house that Caleb had never seen. It was an ugly thing, grey and withered, tucked away in a little nook that never saw the sun. Its wooden door hung on rusty hinges; Caleb could hear it squeal from his bedroom every time his father went in. Though he had never seen what laid inside, he could guess: failed prototypes, spare parts, and dusty textbooks from his parents’ school days.

“I bet there’s a monster in there,” said Leslie. She sat cross-legged on his bed, flipping through an old science magazine as Caleb peered into the hallway, staring at the grey room.

“Maybe,” he mumbled. “I wish they’d just tell me. I tried to open the door once, too, but it was locked, and my dad got mad.” He shut the door when his mom rounded the corner.

“So, either a monster, or some top secret work things.” She grinned. “What do your parents do, anyway?”

“They work for some bigshot company called Ever. They’ve been a big deal since the Deepspace Tunnel appeared.” He leaned over, closing her magazine. On the cover page was a swirling, blue-purple mass, inhaling the sky and stars.

Her eyes went wide. “Oh, I’ve seen that somewhere! What’s it called? A w…”

“Wormhole?”

“Yes!” She beamed. “That.”

“Yeah, Ever does research on it and stuff. Most of my classmates think it’s scary,” he said. “Since a lot of people think it made Wanderers — do you know what Wanderers are? — appear.”

“Nope, never heard of that.”

“Well, they’re these really weird looking monsters. Some of them look kind of cool, but most just look…I don’t know, mutated? Abnormal. They don’t look like animals or anything.“

“Do your parents study them?”

He thought about this. “Not Wanderers. Just wormholes, I think. I’ll ask. Anyway, a lot of my classmates think the wormhole is scary, but I don’t think so. I think it’s really pretty, actually.”

“Like space?”

He smiled a little. “Yeah. Maybe space is just pretty to me.”

Leslie looked at the wormhole again. “It’s nice,” she agreed. “I think I’d still be a little scared of it, though. I mean, there’s nothing we could do if it suddenly decided to suck us all up.“

“I don’t think wormholes do that…”

“Still!”

“Okay, okay, yeah, that’s true.” He leaned back, staring up at his ceiling. “So what could we even do?”

“Build a secret shelter?” She suggested. “An underground bunker?”

Caleb hummed in response, thinking. Leslie set the magazine aside and reached out and pushed a dangling paper plane, knocking it into the moon.

“Well, I’m going to be a pilot, anyway,” he huffed. “So I’ll just fly us far away!”

“That’s silly.” She giggled. “You’re not gonna have your own plane!”

“I will if I’m important! I’m not gonna fly an airplane. Something cool, like a jet.“

Leslie made a face. “What if you crash-land and die?”

“What? I’m not gonna die!”

“I’m just saying!”

“Well, it’s not gonna happen.” He crossed his arms and huffed. “You’ll see.”

“I guess I will…”

“Don’t look at me like that!”

She dodged his attempt to hit her, laughing.

“Okay, I’m sorry!”

He pouted. “Look!” He reached under his bed and pulled out a large white box. Inside was a colorful assortment of origami cranes. “If I fold a thousand of these, I get one wish. If I wish to be a pilot, it’ll be sure to come true.”

“Whoa, really? How do you fold them?”

“I can teach you!”

By now, Caleb had forgotten all about the grey room, and whatever mysterious things that laid within.

——

“Look, Leslie! Watch what I can do!”

Caleb took out a piece of orange paper, and made it into an airplane with a few clean folds. Then, he set it in his palm, and it began to hover. He guided it through the air, swishing up, down, left, right, until it perched atop her head, making her laugh. She was stretched out, sunbathing under an oak tree. She looked better under the sun, more full and happy and sated. It made her face less gaunt and her smile more clear.

“Wow, Caleb! That’s amazing.” She cradled the plane in her hands. “Is that your Evol?”

“Yeah! I awakened just yesterday.” His smile faded slightly. “While you were at the doctor’s.”

 She made a face and prodded his foot with one of her crutches. “Caleb, don’t get all soppy on me now. I’m okay.“

“Right.” She had never been as fast or strong as him, sure, but he hadn’t thought there was anything wrong with her. His shoulders squared. “Okay.”

“It’s not your fault.” She sighed. “Maybe they’ll get these things off me some day.”

“Maybe,” he agreed sadly. He didn’t like seeing her like this.

She patted his shoulder. “So, what is your Evol? Telekinesis?”

“Gravity, actually,” he said. “That’s what mom said, anyway. Apparently there’s a difference.”

“Gravity sounds a lot cooler.”

“I don’t know, telekinesis makes me sound like a superhero. Gravity is whatever.”

She laughed. “If you say so.” She leaned back, looking up at the cloudless sky, and Caleb followed her gaze.

“…Think you’ll get an Evol, too?” He glanced at her. 

“Who knows?” She shrugged. “It’d be nice, but I don’t need it. Like you.” She grinned. “Your Evol is nice, but you don’t need it to be Caleb.”

“Huh.” He smiled. “Guess that’s true. But, it is part of me now.” He kicked a pebble. “Caleb prefers the version of him with cool powers.”

“Yeah, of course he does,” she snorted. 

A collective groan from the other side of the school yard drew their attention. A group of boys and girls were huddled around a tree, pointing up at a kite stuck in its foliage.

Leslie nudged him with her crutches again. “Looks like it’s your turn to shine.”

He pouted. “But I don’t wanna! Gym’s almost over. I wanna talk to you.”

“Oh, it won’t take long. Go and help them.”

He whined, but her expression didn’t change.

“Fine…”

He ran over to join his classmates, who were making a half-hearted attempt at climbing the tree. Others had left to get the teacher.

“Hey, guys,” he said. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, Caleb!” One of the boys, Timothy, waved. “My kite got stuck in the tree.”

Caleb craned his head back, up at the kite, which had twisted itself into the tree’s foliage. “I’ve got this.” He raised his hands up and started to untangle the kite, willing gravity to tug and pull it around until it broke out of the tree. He made it soar above the school courtyard, swishing through the air with a few loop-de-loops, before it fluttered to the ground, landing in Timothy’s hands.

“Whoa!” Timothy held his kite up, beaming. “Wow, Caleb! Your parents work for Ever, and you’ve got an awesome Evol. How cool is that?”

“It was nothing.” Caleb smiled. “I can do it anytime, if you want.”

“Really? Thanks!” Timothy rushed off, kite back in the air. A few kids lingered, asking Caleb if he wanted to play basketball or could help them with their science homework.

“I can’t play right now, but maybe later,” he said. “And if you need help, I tutor after school. Two to three.” He patted their shoulders as they groaned in unison.

“But Caleb! You’re our best player!”

“Ah, you’ll be alright without me,” he waved his hand. “I’ll be at practice tomorrow, anyway. Get some sleep in before then, don’t overwork yourself.” 

They reluctantly accepted that answer and dispersed, returning to the court. Caleb looked back at where Leslie was, and waved at her as the teacher blew a whistle, calling the end of the period. She waved back.

“Did you see it?” Caleb grinned as he rushed over to her. “I got it out really quickly!”

“I know, I saw,” she laughed as she stood, leaning onto her crutches. “Good job.”

His smile widened. “Thanks.”

——

It was spring when Leslie’s birthday came around. His father had gone out to buy the cake, while his mother showed him how to stick two beady black eyes into the opossum plush they had crocheted. Caleb hadn’t ended up being very good at crocheting — the yarn got everywhere, and he’d much rather assemble one of his science kits — but the stuffed animal had turned out quite nicely.

Leslie herself, meanwhile, was at the doctor’s.

“Will Leslie be back soon, mom?” Caleb pressed the black eyes into the grey yarn. Push too hard and they’d sink into its face, but don’t push enough and they’d bulge. “What’s wrong with her legs?”

“Your father’s picking her up now, honey,” she said. “The doctor said the muscles in her legs have been deteriorating at a faster rate than before. Your father knows more about it than I do, but she should be alright.” She took the opossum once he was done. “Nicely done.”

“I still think we should’ve made the tail thicker. It looks like a rat.”

“I don’t think Leslie will mind, dear. And, opossums aren’t so different from rats.”

“Dad says opossums are marsupials.”

She laughed. “He’s probably right.” She set the plushie in a gift box, wrapped it, and set a neat yellow bow on top. “There we are.”

Caleb picked up the box and admired it. “Thanks, mom.”

The jangle of keys made him jump up. “Dad’s home!” He raced to the front door. The man behind it, however, looked scarcely like his father.

“…Dad?” 

His father, who had worn many expressions but never one quite so grim, looked rather pale this evening. He held a crumpled white box. He stood there, staring blankly, as if in a daze, before he at last blinked and sight returned to his foggy eyes.

“Caleb.” He set a hand down on Caleb’s head, but it was hardly a touch at all; he might as well have been a ghost and passed through him. “Is your mother home?“

“Yeah?” Caleb stepped back. “She’s in the living room. I’ll go get her.” He turned. “But…where’s Leslie?”

 He was met with a resounding silence.

He looked up at his father.

“She…needs to stay at the hospital for a while.” His father looked over the top of his head, peering inside. “So, we won’t get to celebrate her birthday.”

“Oh.” Caleb deflated. “But — but she’ll be back soon, right?”

“Well, it depends. But, hopefully.“

“Samael? Where’s Leslie?”

Caleb went back inside as his mother came up behind him. He took the yellow box and passed the grey room. It was shut, as always, and probably locked, too.

He gave the knob a jiggle.

Yep, definitely locked.

He walked straight to his room after that.

His bedroom walls had had some additions since Leslie’s arrival. A few robot posters were hung to the left side, where Leslie’s bed sat. It hadn’t taken her long to prefer a bed over a ratty mattress on the floor. He had less space, now, but he didn’t mind it as much anymore.

Caleb took out his origami paper folder, and chose the darkest color he had — a deep purple. He folded it into a little paper man, and set him on the paper moon.

He laid back and stared up at his ceiling, at the tiny universe that existed in his room. The darkening sky lulled him to sleep, and in his dreams, he saw Leslie, holding his hand in a garden of apple trees.

——

Leslie had visited Caleb, once or twice, since she started to get physical therapy for her legs. She couldn’t get very far without help, so his father always accompanied her to and from the hospital. But she was alive, and she was recovering.

And for a long while, he was alone again. His parents were more obsessed with work than ever before. Forget having dinner together, he hardly ever saw them at all. Most days, he was with Grandma Josephine. He slept in her guest bedroom. It had no stars on the walls, no planets hung from the ceiling, and no planes anywhere in sight.

When he was back home, it hardly felt like home at all. The grey room had grown teeth, and seemed to snap at his heels if he walked too close. He could make out two slit eyes on the door, gnarled knobs coming out of the wood. On their off days, his father would hurry in there, his mother close behind, and they’d stay in there and mutter to themselves until the sun sank below the horizon and painted his room gold. The little man on the paper moon had started to wrinkle from constant poking.

It wasn’t until one late autumn night did things begin to stir; his father burst through the front door as per usual, though this time with a small red wheelbarrow, muttering something about this and that, this and that, nearly knocking Caleb down as he bulldozed through the house. Snoopy was barking incessantly, pawing at his coat.

“Down, boy!” His father snapped. “Down!”

Snoopy whimpered, his tail stilling as he slinked into a corner.

“Dad—“

“Ah, hell.” His father cursed under his breath as he started to wipe some dog drool off his coat, but stopped when the wheelbarrow nearly tipped over. “Son!” He held his arm out expectantly.

Caleb quickly took his father’s coat and hung it on a rack. The ends were torn, like they had caught on something and ripped. He would’ve pointed this out, had the wheelbarrow his father was pushing around not have a bigger mystery: sitting in it was an odd lump, covered with a large sheet. It was driven through the kitchen, around a corner, and, to his horror, into the grey rooml

Just what was in there?

He brewed some tea for his mother; she was sure to arrive shortly. The buzz of the pot was comforting.

When his mother at last stumbled inside, she was panting, and her hair stuck up in curious directions. She kicked off her flats, breathlessly gesturing for him to step aside, so he did. 

“Mom, what’s dad moving?”

His mother glanced at him and smiled. It was an odd thing, that smile, not unlike the lump sitting in that wheelbarrow. “Nothing of importance, dear!” She hurried to pat her hair down. “Simply something work-related. It’s rather boring, quite frankly, you’d find no interest in it.”

Now that was interesting.

“No interest?” said Caleb, as he handed her some tea. “But you always think work is interesting.”

“Interesting to me and your father, yes. And thank you, darling.” She sipped at the drink. “But to you? Not so much, sweetie. It’s a lot of…” she waved her hand around, like that was somehow helping her explain, “well, a lot of nonsense, really. Also,” she let out a pleased hum, “lemon, is it? The tea.”

He glanced at her cup. “Yes. Grandma Josephine gave it to me.”

“Ah.” Her eyes grew misty. Snoopy curled around her legs. “Josephine. Nice lady, isn’t she? I’d let her babysit you more, if she didn’t live so far away. Shame, really. Wonderful woman. She was a family friend, on — on your dad’s side. Was always like a mother to me, though.”

Caleb pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down wordlessly.

“My own mother passed away,” she added softly. “Years ago. Decades, even.”

The steam was starting to fog up her glasses, so he took them off and wiped them clean with a handkerchief. Her smile was starting to fray.

“…I know.” He glanced up at her as he handed back her glasses, her fingers barely registering his touch. “You’ve told me this before. Never how she died, though.”

“Huh.” She laughed a bit. “Is that so? Perhaps it’s silly of me to not.”

“I don’t mind,” he said. “You can tell me when you’re ready.” 

Her eyes moved to him, and some of that mist cleared. “My darling boy…” she reached out and kissed the top of his head. “You’ll do amazing things. Brilliant. I just know it.” She put her glasses back on, and blinked some. Her eyes were blue again. She reached out and gave him a hug. She smelled like apples and cinnamon. He blinked away tears of his own.

”Thanks, mom.”

Amelia laughed some more. “I should be the thankful one, dear. Or, better yet, both of us. How about it?” She took his hand, small in hers, and squeezed. “Thank you, Lord, for letting me be with my son.”

”And husband!” Samael piped in. He had returned from the grey room. Caleb assessed him. “Your very charming, lovely husband, who—“ he pinched their cheeks, making them both grumble, “positively adores his family. Maybe even more than his exhilarating job, eh?“

“Honey!” She swatted at her husband. “I was just telling Caleb here about how dull our work as been as of late. Miserable, honestly.”

“Ah, codswallop. Listen here, son,” he ruffled up Caleb’s hair, “life is all about adventure. And, since you and I are both clever individuals, with enough brain in our heads to not go sideways,” he rapped his knuckles against his temple, grinning, “find the little adventures in your everyday life, and make them the greatest, most exhilarating things you’ve ever gone through. Even if it means you’re tricking yourself into enjoying filing data reports. Everything can be something enjoyable, as long as you don’t spoil it with your attitude, first.”

“Your father’s a hopeless romantic,” Amelia whispered. “Always going on about his idealistic ramblings. Don’t listen to a word he—“

Samael covered her mouth with his hand, hushing her. Caleb snorted.

“Oh, please, darling, I’m giving a speech, and you know how excited I get about those.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, now…”

There was a sort of swell in his chest as he listened to his parents bicker. How long had it been, since they last sat together? Saw each other?

He wrapped his arms around them, and squeezed. His parents stopped.

“Oh, Caleb…” they put their arms around him like they had when he was young, when their arms were loose and big and he barely reached their torso. 

He hoped they’d never let go.

Eventually, they drew back, his father patting his head.

“We have to go out again, but we’ll be back soon, son.”

Caleb recoiled as if he had been slapped. “What? When? Now? Why?”

“It’s okay, honey. We’ll be back.” His mother kissed the top of his head. “We just need to grab some things.“

No! He wanted to scream the word, but only watched as his parents gathered their things, and stepped out the door. It all felt too fast. Too much like a show, a sequence he’d see on tv, where all the actors were clay dolls moved around with strings. He felt like he was being tugged in opposite directions, and eventually, a tug would be too strong, too much, and he’d split at the seams and burst, a mess of clay and wire, and he’d sit there, dead, until he was swept away and replaced.

The grey room growled.

It was a low, rumbling sound, like bits of glass and steel were ground in its throat. Caleb’s eyes snapped to where it hid, turned away from the sun, curtained by shadow. It seemed to smile at him, all teeth; rid itself of its lock with a snap, and creaked open.

He stood frozen for only a moment, before his legs moved all on their own, lunging forward, grabbing the cold steel of the doorknob before it could slam shut again.

He stumbled inside.

It looked just how he imagined. It was a cavern, dark and damp and desolate, and horribly, terribly grey. He had stepped in to the jaws of the beast, and now, he stood on its tongue, in its mouth, only a moment away from being swallowed down.

The red wheelbarrow caught his eye.

It was a splash of color in the room’s monotony, a delightful pop and fizz he could practically taste and see, sparking with red and orange embers. The sheet remained drawn over it, the tongue of a clam swaddling its pearl.

Caleb touched the sheet. His fingers were numb, but his heart sang. What wonderful surprise might lie behind? What genius innovation? He was thrilled, yes, but more than anything, simply glad to be rid of the suspense, the curiosity that haunted him at every turn, so it was with a magician’s flourish that he drew back the veil from his eyes, ripped open the mouth of the beast, and saw! Saw! Oh, how his flesh burned, how his mind raced! And yes, it was then, then, with a magnificent smile, that he saw Leslie’s corpse, limp and pale and dead!

The buzz slowly faded. His smile died. The walls twisted around him, laughing, mocking.

He screamed.

It was then his parents rushed in, in their slick white coats and blotchy, waxy faces, and their murderous hands flailing in the air. It was all a lie. It had always been. That meant — his past siblings — were they dead, too? Dead, like Leslie? Dead, because his parents had decided it would be delightful to murder them?

He thrashed in their arms as they tried to restrain him. “Let me go! LET ME GO!”

“Caleb, Caleb!” His parents cried. His hands flailed, legs kicking, shoving, pushing away their traitorous hands and evil red faces. “Please, just—“

There was a bang. She fell to the ground, dead. Another shot. His father, dead. Blood pooled from their heads; they really were red, now, and it was getting all over his shoes and legs and hands and face, and suddenly he didn’t feel so clean, either, was he a murderer too, now? He wondered if it could’ve been him, who killed his parents, perhaps with an ill-timed blow to the head, or had he been holding a gun and not known it? Had he pulled the trigger, hoping to get rid of their red faces and hands and stop their wild flailing? Well, they were dead now, dead and limp, like dolls, with the smoothest waxen faces, white, like the moon.

Two hands grabbed him. He screamed. A man shoved his arm around Caleb’s neck, making him gasp and choke and scream as tears ran down his cheeks as he kicked at the air; the man forced a pungent rag against his face, pressing it against his mouth and nose, until his eyes rolled back in his head and he wondered, briefly, if he were dead now, too.

“Caleb, dear, please stop thrashing…” 

He awoke to a woman’s voice. He thought, perhaps, it was his mother! His mother, joining him, in his fate in the afterlife — but no. When he opened his eyes, and his vision returned to him, it was not his mother’s eyes who stared back.

“…Grandma Josephine?” He rubbed his face. “What…what are you doing here? What’s going…” the words died on his tongue as he looked around. He was in a white room, laying on a cotton mattress. In the hallway, he could see people in long white coats shuffling about, holding clipboards and mumbling nonsense like his parents once did.

“You’re in Ever’s research facility, dear. They were kind enough to lend us a spare room.” Grandma Josephine looked as she had before, but also not. It was as if someone had cast a veil over her, the same veil he had torn off when he looked in the wheelbarrow. He squinted at her, wondering if she, too, had murderous hands and a red face.

He laid back down. His head hurt.

“Where’s mom?” He blurted. “Dad? Leslie?”

Grandma Josephine didn’t quite look at him, like how his mother hadn’t quite smiled. He was starting to hate these little “not quite’s.” 

“They’re not here,” she said at last. “Your parents…were doing a very bad, dangerous thing. And they died because of it.”

“What thing? And what about Leslie? You didn’t let her body sit there, did you? How are you here, anyway?”

“Maybe it’ll be best for me to show you.” She took Caleb’s hand, though he shook her off; as far as he knew, her hands were sticky and red, too. “Ah, older now, are you?” She chuckled. He didn’t find it so funny. “Follow close behind, then.”

She led him through the winding halls of Ever’s facility, past floating organs bobbing around in jars, past large machines that clicked and chittered, past zero gravity rooms where all the people were bobbing around like the organs in the jars. Past all the people in white coats, and past even the man that had forced a rag on his face!

Caleb pointed and nearly screamed, but Josephine put a hand over his mouth and hushed him. “That’s Pablo,” she said. “Very nice man, you’ll see, don’t worry too much, dear, it’ll all be alright.”

He quieted, but did not stop shaking. They seemed to have been walking for hours before she stopped in front of a room, produced a keycard from her pocket, and swiped. The door clicked open.

Inside was Leslie.

Caleb thought it was a trick of the light at first, just his mind playing tricks on him, like his ears had when he imagined his mother instead of Josephine. But no! Leslie was there, in the flesh, and though her body was gaunt, her face was flushed and touched by life. She was alive! Alive!

Now it was that Caleb began to take in the more minute details of his surroundings. Leslie was, certainly, alive, but she wasn’t moving — she laid on a little white bed, not unlike his, eyes shut. Silver clasps bound her to the bed. Next to her, a number of weapons sat on a cart. He eyed a gun warily.

Two people were in the room, and they both wore those long white coats.

“How’s her vitals, James?” One of them asked.

“Stable.” The one they called James was looking at a clipboard. His hair was tousled, but not frazzled, and he had very calm, serene eyes. They were blue, like his mother. “The Wanderer core works as usual.”

Caleb tugged on Josephine’s sleeve. “What are they talking about?”

“Ah, you must be Caleb!” James knelt down to his level. “You seem like a nice lad. Well, here at Ever, we do top notch work, by the best people, for the best people.” He patted Caleb’s head with his clipboard. “Your friend Leslie is helping us out with some of our work.“

“What are you doing to her?” He frowned.

“Doing to her? Many things. Many amazing things.” James smiled brilliantly. “Leslie here has a Wanderer Core in her heart. It was placed in her at a young age, ever since she was taken out of the orphanage and adopted by,” he gestured around, “us! Her family, at Ever. Now, the core brings her back anytime she dies. It’s a wonder of science, really, a marvel. You might even call me Leslie’s father, in some ways.”

“So she’s not dead?” Caleb moved his suspicious gaze from James to Leslie, who appeared to be in a very peaceful sleep. “But I saw her. Before. And she definitely was dead.”

“Again, that’s the core at work,” James laughed. “Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Sure. But why was she dead to begin with?”

James’s smile faded.

“…Josephine, you have a very curious child.” James stood, and patted Josephine’s shoulder, this time. “He’s got a sharp mind for such a young lad.”

“Thank you, James. I hope what Amelia and Samael did can be forgiven…”

“For you? Anything!” He laughed heartily. Caleb was getting antsy.

“What did my parents do?” Caleb demanded. “And why was Leslie dead? Why won’t you answer my questions?”

James was silent for a long moment, tapping his clipboard against Leslie’s bed. He slowly turned. “Your parents,” he began, softly, “were smart people. But smart people, can do bad things.” He touched Caleb’s shoulder. “They turned their backs on their family. They turned their backs on Ever. They put you in danger.“

He started to shake. “But why?

James pulled his hand away, and suddenly, he was smiling again. “For Leslie,” he said. “They took her from our facility, and, apparently,” he checked some papers, “were planning to go out of state!” He shook his head. “Hilarious. I should’ve known, really. Brilliant minds, your parents, but always so fussy. I suppose Leslie was the straw that broke the camel’s back. And now, those camels,” he chuckled at his own joke, “are dead.”

Caleb felt something well up in him, red hot. “You think that’s funny?”

“Well — not their deaths, that was unfortunate, but that had to happen.”

Caleb stared at this man, long and hard — looked into his eyes, which had been the nicest, bluest eyes he’d ever seen — and had a revelation.

“You killed her. You’ve been killing her.” His face contorted. “You’re a murderer. My parents weren’t the ones who were evil. You are. ALL OF YOU!”

James’s expression didn’t change. “We’re scientists.” He looked at Josephine. “I think you should guide him out.”

Caleb didn’t budge, even as Josephine took his hand and tried to tug him away. “You’re horrible!” He screamed. He could see it: the grey room, Leslie’s limp body, his parents’s lolling heads and crossed-eye expressions. He could see the way the shadows twisted to mock him, how these people, these maniacs, delighted in his suffering, and the thing he did next he did not regret.

He looked at that gun on the table, and in the next second, the cold steel was pressing into his burning skin, and he had pulled the trigger.

It was amazing, to delight in a moment so much that you take in every moment, every detail. Caleb could practically see James’s expression change, frame by frame, into something akin to horror, just before the bullet tore through his face and left him dead. Blood splattered onto the floor, the walls, and Caleb. James’s red face slowly turned white as blood pooled onto the floor. One of his eyes had been ripped out, and rolled to him. Caleb crushed it under his heel.

He never knew killing could be this much fun.

He was numb for the minutes after, body still abuzz. He hardly noticed when soldiers stormed into the room, and he hardly noticed when they strapped him to a device and aimed something at his head.

Had the delight faded a moment sooner, he might’ve panicked. Might’ve kicked, or screamed. But he only laid there, smiling, as they fired, and light swallowed his vision.

——

Caleb loved his family. Each and every one of them, from his Grandma Josephine, to a little girl named Leslie. He had lived with them all his life, and his life was good.

He’s never known his parents. They left him when he was young, but Grandma Josephine had taken him and Leslie from the orphanage and adopted them, because they were the best of friends, and Josephine had always wanted kids around.

They lived in a nice house, just big enough for the three of them. His room was filled with model planes, stars and planets. He would run around in the yard with Leslie and play frisbee.

Sometimes, odd people in long, white coats would visit to “check up” on him and Leslie. He didn’t know what that meant, exactly, but they were nice, and Grandma Josephine seemed to like them, so he liked them, too.

He had no responsibilities. No worries.

His life was good.

———————————

I know this probably won’t be that popular but oh well haha, hopefully those who read enjoyed 😞

[darkfictionjude]

Omgggg my ask got cut off and I didn't see it, I'm the anon that was misled by the incest allegations 😭

The moment a was about to list of what I enjoyed about the game too! I was going to say one of my favorite things about the game is Crowny, I love how they are defined to an extent, I prefer non blank slate protagonists because I believe they're fun to write and read (so far the only blank Mc I enjoyed was from tally ho, the ones from cake and ale is more of an airhead), I love seeing Crowny interact with the world on their own (to the point I was sad when the other 3 would show up lol) it's really cool see them grow, I know people have complained, but I do not think people understand how damaging being coddled your whole life is, and I know loved doing the small little things like lying in your resume, trying to decide your college, learning how to drive and almost killing yourself and you bro, all the regular things we do as teens, I'm very proud of them, specially when they stand up for themselves on the last chapter when all the other characters were fighting and they bring up to light how they just got publicly humiliated, I just love how mcs are their own person too regardless of what others think and Crowny is very unique, you shared a gif from the new Dracula movie and it fits very well with the story, in another tome Crowny would be seen differently be it as attractive as people love to ask or spiritually, by alas. I don't know if I'm making sense since English is not my first language. I was also so into their character study I forgot to romance anyone lol, I tried overcoming all my bias to romance Lorcan, (he's, blonde and your sisters ex, so that was..) but then I discovered he was a bottom and into the friendzone(not yet, but THEY WILL BE FRIENDS)he was thrown, then I tried Imre who I at first thought was blackmailing Lorcan into working with him (idk the two of them are suspicious and I have a theory they're working together idk to bring Orla back, at least Lorcan), and HE'S SUCH A CREEP, fake ass bitch, I love him your honor, it's so funny how Crowny sees tru his bullshit, but also their romantic interactions are so charged and funny, he goes to make a move and the Mc is like lemme get out of the car and he locks the door, which is creepy, but he gets that pretty privilege, he gets horny after seeing Crowny humiliated and decides it's tiddy suckling hour, meanwhile Crowny is getting ready for a fist fight, their intaractions are so funny AND NOW DUM DUM DUM Nia!!! I understand both sides, they're teenagers and relationships are complicated, you cannot expect someone to always be there for you and give nothing back, but you cannot also wait for someone to read your mind when you're unhappy in a relationship (friendships are relationships), you can love someone, but decide it's too much for you to carry all the burden (and it's another layer if your Mc is a guy or white too, because black women are put into a double caretaker role), it's also really funny how Nia and Crowny are both not amused by the others interactions with Imre, what are you doing with my bff kind of think teenagers have, but also bitches just talk!!(I wonder if Imre finds it amusing) and I have more to say about the town and other characters, but this is already big enough and probably not very interesting bc other people have such insightful thoughts that are not a brainvomit like mine, anyway that'd all thanks for reading all that💐❤️

*opens the door of the prison cell*

Honestly I loved the library scene because they’ve never done that before. Never in their life have they complained to anyone about what they’ve endured and so it felt liberating in a way

He’s blond😭😭 true that is a mark against him. Blond men are known to be evil

Tiddy sucking hour oh my

You’re right it is another layer if Crowny is white and/or a man. Interesting 🤔✍️

Honestly I accept brain rot vomit it’s nice to see how others see the story

[ashturnedtomist]

idk where but GB patch made a post where, if the OL1 boys had kids, like how many they would have. so I’m just. sharing my thoughts on that.

Cove: GB Lady said that he would only have one, and the fandom has lovingly gifted his child the name River Holden, which is adorable and on brand so I’m not gonna expand on that but he’s so sahd material

Derek: She said that he would have at least 3 or 4 kids so you CANNOT tell me that this man would have like 3 boys and then one little girl who is spoiled out of her MIND. I just think that’s so precious 😭

Baxter: He would have 2 bc he thinks that Liz and MC’s relationship is lovely and I just think that’s adorable. He would have 2 daughters and no I don’t take any arguments he is SUCH a girl dad. Like 2 little girls with black hair that’s not quite black in their little dresses and Mary Janes?? 😭 and then you CANNOT tell me that he doesn’t love reading so…may I introduce the concept of Alice and Charlotte Ward?? (Alice in Wonderland & Charlotte’s Web) the idea has me bawling

i have baby fever.

[rendy-a]

amh if possible could hoy make hdcns for the dorm leaders ( separately ) reacting to their mc fem explaining the marvel universe and then puts them to watch the movies hehe ( ..also mc's fav hero is dead-pool ;) bc it gives me laugh imagine their reactions about this xd) , thanks in advance and take care<33

This certainly ended up being a little bit of a crack fic but it ended up amusing. Hope you enjoy it.

At first, he scoffs as such a time-wasting thing as wanting to watch dozens of movies.  Where is the educational value in this?

He is just too polite to refuse to listen, so he’ll end up letting you describe all your favorite scenes to him.

You are better off if he doesn’t take an interest because, if he does, he is going to turn into the worst sort of comic book geek.  Be ready to have him quote lore from issues of source material at you during any discussion on this from now on.

What do you mean who would win?  In Volume 3 #3, Thor clearly defeated Iron Man.  Don’t get upset Prefect, I don’t write the lore, I just recite it.

Doesn’t appear to be interested but, if you pause long enough, he’ll prompt you to go on.  It’s important to you, so he’ll try to care at least a little.

You’d never tell him this, but you love to banter with him because it reminds you of your favorite character.  Sometimes you wonder if he’d be pleased or offended to know who you remind him of.

Movie marathons?  Not only is he willing to do them with you, but he is also often the one who suggests them.  Don’t be deceived though, it’s not for the movie but for the quality nap time on the couch with you. 

Don’t turn that off, Herbivore, I’m watching it.  What do you mean I don’t know what’s going on?  This is the part where we learn her mom isn’t dead after all.  So quiet down and keep the lights off.

Please, he is in Board Game Club with Idia. You think this is the first time he has hmmm’d himself through a conversation about fictional characters?

Wait, you say that this makes a ton of money?  Tell him more about this merchandising and licensing.  Especially that, what do you call it…ah, Happy Meal.

You can eventually talk him into watching the movies with you for ‘research purposes.’  When you do, you can’t help but notice how teary-eyed he gets at the sad scenes.  He’s just so sensitive!

Deadpool is also his favorite character.  He feels a sort of connection to certain parts of his story.

So, she chooses to stay with him even though he looks like that?  No, I’m not blubbering.  No, I don’t need you to cuddle with me.  Ok, fine.  Just for a little while. 

He doesn’t get it, but he still loves it.  Sure, you have to explain everything to him three times, but he gets excited over your excitement.  Call him any time to talk about your theories on how things would have gone if Thanos had made a different wish on the infinity gauntlet.  He doesn’t mind if it’s 3 AM (just don’t let Jamil find out).

Movie marathons turn into parties.  Why just watch the movies when you can have themed snacks and dress up too?  Hulk smash cakes and Black Widow berry cobbler?  Yes, please.

His favorite part of any film is the soundtrack.  If he hears a song he likes, he gets up to dance along.  It’s pretty disruptive when you are watching the movie but when you see how much fun he is having, you find you don’t really mind after all.

Sorry Prefect, Jamil says we can’t have dance battles in Scarabia anymore.  Ooh!  But come by the Pop Music Club later.  I’m going to play all my favorite songs for Cater and Lilia. Ahaha!

You were worried Vil would dismiss your favorite Marvel films as inferior art, but he is actually rather generous about it.  He believes the film should suit the audience and, as so, there is nothing wrong with films like this that serve to entertain the masses.

Still, he can’t help but be critical of everything while you watch.  He doesn’t criticize the things you’d talk about with your friends but topics you’d hardly even notice while you watched like the set design and lighting.

You notice Vil seems secretly fond of Loki.  You think the idea of the Villain that survives the main movies to get his own spotlight series appeals to him.

No, Potato, I’m just saying the angle isn’t right for this sort of tone.  A shot from below would be more effective.  Plus…wait, are you having more popcorn?  I don’t think so, it’s past the time you can snack before bed.

You had expected Idia to be all in on the Marvel Universe but, at first, he is oddly resistant to it.  He’d rather recommend you one of his own favorite hero movies.  If you disagree on which is better, he is more than willing to fight with you over why his is best!

After a heated argument, he puts on some of the movies to watch so he can come up with targeted points about why his own shows are better.  This does not work out for him as he gets sucked in himself.  Next time you meet up, he wants to go over tiny bits of lore and speculate on future plot lines from hints in the past movies.

You might think his favorite would be Iron Man because they both are innovative engineers, but he is a fan of Ant Man.  Shrinking down to a size where you can hide from everyone; it’s an introvert’s dream!

Prefect, this is serious business!  I’ve drawn up plans.  So long as we sleep only 2 hours a day and avoid taking any breaks for food, studying, and showers, we can finish at least three seasons this weekend.  True fans like us need to be ready to sacrifice for the shows we love!

There are many things Tusnotarou doesn’t understand, and this is one of them.  For starters, he barely knows how to use his smartphone, let alone how to stream movies and shows.  So, before you can even start explaining the plot, you must explain the whole concept of series and interconnecting shows to him.

He doesn’t get it, but he is happy to watch with you.  Your reactions to the show are far more amusing to him than the actual show.  Plus, he feels like he learns so much about the human world from your conversations.  A subway, how intriguing an idea.  Humans are so fascinating.

Even though he watches politely, he isn’t very impressed.  They can fly?  Well so can he.  Magic, lightning, superstrength?  All just part of being a dragon.  Perhaps instead of being interested in these superheroes, you’d rather learn more about him?

 Lilia, do you think I am a superhero?  The Prefect has been explaining this concept to me in great detail lately.  I can’t help but notice the many things I have in common with these so-called heroes.  Why yes, Lilia, now that you mention it, I am wearing a cape.  Another point in my favor. Fu fu fu.    

[imustbenuts]

my reactions on the truth route whenever aotsuki does his things.

"oh okay when are you going to prison break from your cage"

"???? your lines are sus bro i think you really do have a crush on the mc esp when your prev timeline self could have cannibalized him instead of knocking him out. you little bitch of a coward"

"uhhhh you're pretending to be asleep. is this it? your prison break? [1 min later] ah. mc is getting brainwashed and eito is gone"

"HES GONE"

"hey takumi youre not worried about eito? i wonder if hes eating grass out there or something. hm. [10 mins later] oh there it is takumi is worried about eito somewhat yay"

"oh shit hes back, what the heck the game is just blasting me with his final boss music cackles"

"OH HES BACK AGAIN. OH HES CREEPY. OH WHAT THE HELL HES GOT GOOPY CREEPY CLONES. WHEE"

"actually yeah get Sirei eito get his ass- NOOOO NIGOU"

"okay im choosing spare bc i think eito has info takumi will want and i choose to think he didnt come back for no reason."

"WHY ARE YOU JUST WILLINGLY GOING BACK TO YOUR CAGE. oh my god. thats kinda creepy. wow. hes not even hiding his disdain. hes just watching and judging and i dont trust him to just stay put. komaeda was nowhere this unsettling. this is fun."

"i think sticking to trying to uncover the truths from here onwards will get eito onboard with sticking with the team or at least betraying us later down the line. hm. okay lets do that. bye eva..."

"oh hey does. does no one care about you leaving your cage willy nilly now. why are you going back in there. i know we have bigger fish to fry now, but this is kind of funny. you go you massacre boy"

"oh wow okay so its actually straight up Saya no Uta disease 1:1. the writing is really not hiding it. good lord i wonder if theres a route where the mc and eito becomes co-dependent and becomes thoroughly fucked up like the two protags in that game. is there even a route where his perception of takumi changes to like that of Fuminori's to Saya? dude really does live in a guroge"

"ah, i wonder if eito is starting to think of the team as anything close to family atm. genetic clones huh. hm. game's already fucked up making takumi complicit in war crimes, cannibalism, brainwashing and banzais, whats a little incest at this point"

"huh black lens and frame? mmm okay do you like. want to reduce your sight so your Saya no Uta disease gets lessened orrr"

"okay got it here you go. hm. those are some sus lines. are you gonna remove your eyes or"

"HE GOUGED OUT HIS EYES?!?!??!!?!?!??! BRO?????????????? bro!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE A CHOICE HERE IN REJECTING HIM TAKUMI ARE YOU FUCKING NUTS FUCK YOUR SPINE FOR GIVING ME THIS CHOICE, ACCEPT HIM JFC"

"Eito: Oh haha i've gotten lost takumi can you guide me to the cafeteria? ^w^ hold my hand?" Takumi: No. Eito: aw okay i'll manage my way there then me: lost my ass. takumi: despite being blind he seems to be navigating just fine. lost my ass... KJASDLKJSDA HOW MUCH DO YOU LIKE TAKUMI RIGHT NOW.... "

"ARE YOU BEEFING WITH SHION ON SIGHT, oh my god your character is getting so changed its broken in a good way..."

"....takumi is just not going to even interact with eito in any significant way anymore? man. takumi gets easily overwhelmed and is creeped out huh. thats kinda sad. im being toxic yaoi yandere baited. i dont mind tho."

"NO. NO I DONT WANNA CANNIBALIZE MY FRIENDS AND EITO. NOOOOOO. WHAT WAS THAT DEEPLY LOVED YOU LINE FUUUCK"

"FUUUUUCK"

[hell-drabbles]

It's 3am and I'm suddenly in the mood to proclaim my love(?) for your works so here we go 🍪🥛

Your works (for this fandom) have these gory and uncomfortable....themes sometimes that just really makes it absolutely fascinating to read. To make MC and the reader be so...unique? Like neither this good innocent blorbo nor quirky girlboss (which isn't meant to degrade them) but a secret third thing.

I usually prefer to read xreader romance or light(er) yandere works but this territory of not quite romance or yandere but just....obsession in its rawest and ugliest form is so addicting. I love reading tragedies that end terribly for everyone (or at least the aggressor) and embittered companion is like peeking into a deep black hole that you know is not gonna end but you jump anyways bc the curiosity is too great.

Idk it's too much to read smts, companion always being 2nd kinda hits a bit too close home and what a disappointment Raon is (I just need to squeeze him real good like slime) but I wouldn't have it in any other way. It's like watching something burn in front of me and I can't look away. Scratching a healing wound. Squishing insects. Wouldn't think of it usually but when presented with the opportunity, it's hard to ignore even though I know better. Not to say that your works are "bad" and 'immoral' or anything, I just get the same vibe when I read them. Disgust, satisfaction, guilt, fascination, hatred.

Anyways, thx for your hard work and I wish you a nice day and weekend 🍀🫶

Man I kept this in my inbox for so long. I just, want to keep it in my inbox forever because reading it every time just lifts my mood up instantly!

Anyways, here's me rambling.

I've spoken of my distaste for the canon MC of this game time and time again, and while the easy solution could've easily have been to just... cut out all of the things I hated(the rampant insecurity, goldfish memory, doormat kindness, passivity), I'm a believer that anything can work and I figured "let's make you worse. I refuse to let the narrative brush all of those aside." And, obviously, I have to further satisfy my need to put my Ra-on in his place, so here be the Companion! Force of nature extraordinaire! They too shall suffer, because that is how I show my love!

Honestly, I can't really write pure innocent blorbos for the life of me. I need them to be a little fucked up in some form or another for my brain to be interested. That and I love nothing more than to see two messed individuals tear at each other, be it emotionally or physically. It's just fun. But also, an innocent blorbo that can do no wrong just wouldn't fit in the setting I have in my head. I know Solomon referenced the devils as being similar to that, but that defangs the devils, you know? They've lived a while. I think they deserve to be fucked up in the ways devils should be.

(That being said, I need to write the ways in which Lucifer is fucked up, you know, beyond the self-mutilation.)

Definitely keeping that though, the fact that Solomon sees the devils as innocent as a way to showcase how favoritism completely and utterly blinds him in the same way it does my Ra-on's. God, I bet the Companion would despise him. They go out of their way to discredit his statement on their innocence, and then he acts as if the Companion is the ignorant and naive one here, it's so fucking condescending. "You don't know them that well, then. With time, you'll come to understand. You are young, after all." Don't you just hate that?

Anyways...

I do aim to make people feel uncomfortable, or at least unsettled, so I'm glad to see that's the reaction I got. It's gotta strike that careful balance of discomfort, but also still be fascinated to see how it ends.

Oh obsession, how I love you so, and I love the way it manifests in different ways beyond the "you're mine and I want to keep you trapped always." My brain doesn't like eating just one flavor of obsession, it needs them all. I do enjoy yandere but it's very difficult to find stuff that's made for me, because often writers use them for romance specifically. I use yanderes for horror. Horror for both the object of obsession and the person sinking into that obsession. I think it's neat!

Fun fact, my first exposure to yanderes, before I even knew the term, was a character called Kizami Yuuya from Corpse Party. My second exposure I think was that pink-haired girl from Future Diary, but I dropped it as soon as it was made clear the main character was going to return her feelings. I'm not into that. I just want horror. Gimme. I want everyone to have a horrible time!

I'm glad to see that is does scratch a specific itch. My Ra-on is certainly a piece of work and is certainly not beyond saving, but boy is he frustrating to deal with. A cycle of guilt, self-loathing, selfishness and passivity. Oh, what a mess he is! He's been pampered for too long, the Companion will knock a thing or two into him. Eventually. There be a lot of things happening in Hell after all.

Anyways, thank you for enjoying my works, as horrendously slow as I may be.

[sukunasboytoy]

ok ok well be the change u wanna see in the world right

anyways

i got too many Big Thoughts abt romulus n waiting around hoping for someone else to share similar thoughts is Not Working so here we go ! yapping abt romulus

specifically this post will be abt andys line that goes smth like “u wont see me as a child anymore”

n theres like soooo many ways that can be interpreted

like neurodivergent/mentally disabled ppl being infantilized is the easy read of that line. he doesnt want be seen as a burden n bc his directive is to take care of rain he has a sense of shame when she gotta step in n save him.

n there could be a interesting convo to be had there abt masculinity there too (like the shame of being a man needing to rely on a woman n smth smth the fact that this franchise is still decades later revolutionary for consistently having strong women as the mc so its interesting seeing that subverted where a man is essentially in the role of the damsel n his safety n protection is reliant on a women - but then theres also the fact that they subverted w race n what can easily be read as neurodivergence n but thats a different rabbit hole-)

but also !!

but also

the history of poc - esp the “safe” poc - ie the ones who r in the role of the supporter for the white persona/chara - r so often desexualized for the comfort of the white persona/chara(audience)

n i think thats one way to read andys line

u wont see me as a child anymore

meaning

u will see me as a man

n everything that “man” comes w for andy (source of protection safety n comfort, him being able to fully fulfill his directive by doing whats best for rain all the time not just some of time, n possibly even hinting at romantic/sexual feelings for rain- bc she just sees him as a synth (/desexualized black man/desexualized neurodivergent person)

rain (n a lot of fandom, interestingly enough) cant even comprehend andy as anything more then a “safe” desexualized buddy/sibling (even tho rains treatment of buddy- at least up until the end when she changes her mind -shows she doesnt even rlly view him as a buddy/sibling, but a thing)

at the end of the movie rain is forced to accept that andy isnt just some thing that hes fully complex n has feelings - those feelings ofc include a sense of belonging and betray, some form of love n hurt, but- at least in fan works -i think it could also be interpreted as romantic/sexual feelings to (hes a MAN not a child/synth)

[obey-me-hoe]

OM! Side characters as anime

This is based off animes that I've actually seen so I can match the vibes to the characters. If y'all think of any, feel free to let me know in the comments/reblogs.

[The Brothers as anime]

Diavolo - One Piece

Fun pirate show for the fun demon prince. Luffy plans to be the future king of the pirates while Dia plans to be the future demon king. Many of these characters are silly goofy but can really come through when it matters just like Dia. If there's a fun/silly event going on then you better believe at least half the crew is gonna wanna join in. Reminds me of Dia and his parties/events. Mans just wants to have fun 🥺

Barbatos - Black Butler

Demon butler does any and everything for his young master. I feel like this doesn't need more explanation bc that's literally the exact same as Barbs. Although, Barbs is seemingly nicer than Sebastian especially to his young master (Bassy be making fun of Ciel any chance he gets 😂).

Solomon - Fullmetal Alchemist

Alchemy seems rather similar to sorcery so it fits. The main characters go around searching for more knowledge to help with their alchemy and meet lots of fascinating people along the way. Sol has traveled a lot to further his sorcery and I'm sure he's met lots of different people too. There is a quiet sadness present within the main characters which I feel applies to Sol as well 😭

Simeon - Fruits Basket

On the outside this show seems really cute and sweet but it is chalked full of sadness and pain much like how I see Simeon. He's sweet on the outside but I know deep down he carries a heavy pain especially after his brothers fell. Much like the main character of this show, he just wants everyone to be happy even if it costs him.

Luke - Haikyu!!

First off, the main character's height is made fun of often just like little Lukey. The main character is determined to achieve great things despite what he lacks. Luke is trying his hardest to become a great angel someday despite the obstacles he's faced with.

Mephistopheles - Ouran High School Host Club

It's a bunch of really rich dudes from important families being dramatic. Need I say more? Jk, it also has these dudes learning and growing into better people with the help of the protagonist. Mephisto definitely lives up to the important rich dramatic guy thing but he starts to learn and grow as a demon with the help of MC and the others.

Raphael - Link Click

Raph gives me big Lu Guang vibes (soft/quiet and shows he cares in small ways instead of saying it). They're both kinda sassy at times too. This show gives slight despressy vibes which I get from Raph as well.

Thirteen - Soul Eater

A show about collecting souls is perfect for the reaper. This show has fun pops of color while also having some dark themes which I feel like matches Thirteen. She also reminds me of Stein who invents stuff but is also a little unhinged.

[lobsterflavoredsoup]

Yo its only ten episodes in but ‘To Whom it No Longer Concerns’ by LICO and fairydragon is really good.

Its a newer webtoon and one of those reincarnation/death + time travel tropes, but with a unique spin.

Im a bit of a history noob (thats a major lie im a massive history noob) but it takes place at somepoint where there r cars and when fashion was adorable! (Fashion still is adorable!! I just rlly like the dresses in this lolll)

Mc is sweet, kind, but no pushover (which is appreciated,, sometimes seeing these sarcastic and witty mcs is a bit exhausting) honestly tho her comebacks r elegant and savage 😭😭😭 i wish i was her!!! Maybe then i wouldnt b bumbling thru convos LOL

The artstyle!! Its to die for!! So expressive and the colour palettes make me yell everytime !! 😭😭 rlly this entire webtoon screams elegance and class (if u ignore the mcs crappy fiance and her terrible siblings) i love laughing at the expressions some of these charas make LOLL im srry but they look so stupid when theyre surprised so cute!!

Tbh i have no picking w cartoonishy evil villains, not that the villains in this r really cartoonish but they r pretty simpleminded. The younger half sister is an airheaded mean girl w a nice voice, the older brother gives off major shark vibes like if ur injured he will take advantage of that n eat u so maybe not a shark but some sort of scavenging creature. He’s a bit weird since hes the only sibling w no musical talent in a family built on music, but he makes up for it (NOT) by stealing his middle sisters compositions. Middle sister is mc btw her name is Ariana Lopez (cute!! Cutie pie!! Love her!!)

Her fiance is majorly crappy and hopefully he gets bullied a lot more thru out the series as he deserves. Im expecting at least one punch to the face from the male lead. Speaking of male leads!!!

The male lead isnt rlly my fav tbh that goes to the mc (cant resist pretty girls) but he is mysterious tall and handsome!! Hes got black hair and red eyes (webtoon classic ik ik 😪) hes a fearsome duke w a bit of a violent reputation, which makes me wonder more abt what the setting is based on since this is a bit more modern than other reincarnate/time travel webtoons, i mean there is cars, but theres dukes, marquesses, and barbarians (???? Another classic ig) anyways the handsome duke dante (good name not too shabby) owns a music place!! So he and ariana (pretty pretty girl very clever!!🥰💖) make a deal for a fake relationship!! Lets GOOOOOOOOO classic trope!!!! Love it or hate it, cant deny its a staple!! Look forward to their legit relationship as time goes on, until then im gonna b rereading these 10 episodes lol

Overall thoughts- good new webtoon!! Worth a read man and im looking out every week for the updates!!! Giving this post a CUTEEE!!! Out of 10 🥰🥰💖💖 for the mc bc pretty women

PICTURE OF BABY GIRL-

[got-into-worm-by-mistake]

Arc 15, Reflections

I spent a lot of this Arc yelling at Taylor.

Now, I'm glad that she's preparing to move against Coil, and that she's well aware he's not going to give up Dinah (not sure if she ever believed this or not, tbh, it's kinda unclear to me, though maybe I missed or misremembered a detail from way earlier), but I find myself going 'JUST MOVE AGAINST HIM NOW! STOP PLAYING ALONG!'

Like, yes with Coil's power being what it is you don't want to go-off half-cocked, sure, but equally, you also don't want to take too long to let Coil plan, since he can plan twice as fast as you with twice the information. So playing along and putting yourself at risk by going to talk to Parian, by working with Trickster to threaten the Mayor and his family...

Bad choice, Taylor.

Also, of course, bad choice to give into Brian there, given how I understand it will turn out (badly), but I do understand it, both from her perspective and Brian's.

I imagine the fact that they actually happen, sort of, and then don't really work is actually a contributing factor to them not being a popular ship. Like, yes, there's the fact that the initial fic-reading/fic-writing base on places like SB were going to prefer F/F anyway and Taylor being written like she's a repressed bisexual contributes to that, and there's also racism bc Brian is black and while I won't call the worm fandom as a whole racist, there is racism in this fandom as with any other, and there's the fact that Brian spends a lot of time (pre-his second trigger anyway, but that's long enough to cement his perception for a lot of readers) acting like the 'straight man' of the group, the boring, sane adult and those characters tend not to be popular with shipping anyway, at least not for the MC.

But there's also the fact that they do sort of get together, ish, for a moment, and then it doesn't pan out. And in my experience, an almost or a could have been is going to be a lot more popular, shipwise for fans, than a it actually was and it didn't work out. Not always. Not every time. But often, yes.

Like, if it didn't work out because one character died, or one character had to be written out because actor unavailability, or some other 'bullshit' reason, then it may retain staying power, but without those, this sort of thing generally makes a ship bleed support and interest fairly quickly.

The Interludes we got were interesting - you've seen my thoughts on 15.x already, of course, so no need to go into that. The fact that Flechette and Assault blame or at least partially blame the Undersiders for what happened to Panacea and Glory Girl is interesting, and I suppose it makes sense given what most of them now (and how little Carol or Amy or Sarah likely told anyone. I still notice no character seems to be suggesting rape happened, and they talk about Panacea and Glory Girl being almost equally victims of the Undersiders/The Nine in Interlude 15. Granted, maybe no one said anything, but still.)

The look at Alexandria's backstory, the flittering through her life, the way it's really the Endbringers that seemingly killed the hope of things getting better, and really seems like without them (boo hiss Eidolon!)

Doctor Mother's weird 'let's keep the Siberian alive to make people join the Protectorate' idea makes less than no sense tbh, but then, that's Cauldron's whole problem is how small it is and how much Doctor Mother really gets to act unquestioned.

Overall, it's an understandable sea change from Arc 14, much slower and calmer paced overall, but things are still Escalating, Brockton Bay can't get a fucking moment of peace and it will continue not doing so.

And of course, Dragon basically blackmails/extorts the PRT into letting her take her boyfriend with her, which is definitely amusing. I am curious what exactly Dragon's apparent human body in that suit is made of. Is it like, synthetic skin? Does it just look human from a distance, or...? I actually was surprised that was a thing that happened in canon - I'd seen it in a fic or two, but they were pretty heavy divergences so I assumed the changes to Dragon that were the result were at the root.

Triumph's belief that going along with Dragon and Defiant there is... honestly, a bit much. I suppose I can see how it makes sense, with how hard he was trying to reinvent himself and now it's back to shortcuts and easy options, and it seems as though he was closer to Dauntless anyway, so he may have some resentment of and issues with Armsmaster (though I notice Triumph seems to have glossed over the part where at least one other hero - Manpower - died as a result of Armsmaster's decision to go after an Endbringer solo and kill anyone in the way of that), but it is like - Armsmaster did bad, but on the scale of moral compromises, letting him go to hunt the Nine and other Class S threats seems... minor?

I dunno.

Anyway. Arc 15 was good, but it was kind of slow reading for me, despite my intentions to read faster. I can really only blame myself. It's so much easier to just read fanfic.

I'm not one of the people that says the fanfic is better than Worm, or that Worm is 'salvaged' by the fanfic, or anything, that's... a whole different mess. But if not for the fanfic, I'd probably not be reading it, and there is fanfic I'd say that is as well written from a skill perspective (if not more so) than the canon, and I'd also say that, most importantly, the fanfic is just more enjoyable than the canon. Not better, not 'superior', just... more enjoyable.

It's not that there isn't a place for depressing stories like Worm, and Worm remains compelling af, but it is just... so much nicer to read a story where more people get to be happy and things work out better for the characters I love, you know? Like, there's fics where shit goes wrong and drama and angst and all that happens, but even then, you tend to expect it to work out better in the long run. Almost no one wants to write something darker or more depressing than the canon, after all.

If Worm had been happier and smoother and easier, it probably wouldn't have had as much fic, or as much of a footprint in people's imaginations, but still.

But I'm chugging along, and I'll keep doing so.

I do expect to be spitting nails of annoyance and frustration when we get to Echidna though. :rofl:

[kingarthurflourofficial]

april books

phoebe and her unicorn: unicorn time machine 4/5 (always love a new phoebe and her unicorn book!!!! calvin and hobbes for this generation TO be honest)

motheater 2/5 (apologies bc there was absolutely nothing Wrong with this book i just got very bored about 3/4 of the way through and DNF)

miss pettigrew lives for a day 4.5/5 (HATE it when everyone who says a book is excellent turns out to be right! this one goes on the list with a man called ove where i DID enjoy it tremendously but am mad about it)

hell followed with us 5/5 (ok if you have religious trauma read this one with caution but we LOVEEE a book where the trans protag gets to rip out some literal throats hell yea!)

even though i knew the end 3.5/5 (not the target audience for this as i am generally bored by angel/demon related narratives but it was very beautifully written and tightly paced! if you like lesbians and supernatural elements you will definitely enjoy this a lot)

you can't keep a good woman down 5/5 (WHOOOOOOOO BOY this one was. a LOT. in a good way! many of the stories i will be thinking about for a long time.)

inda 4/5 (gosh do you guys remember Inda? remember sherwood smith? remember when there was randomly a gay character in a book and it wasn't presented as a moral failing and it unnerved you so much you hid the book in the back of your closet lest any grownups find it before you could smuggle it back to the library? i'm incapable of an objective look at this book obviously but the WORLDBUILDING. the LINGUISTICS)

impossible creatures 3.5/5 (i DO love katherine rundell and i say this with love! it is Just possible that she needed a little bit more time and space between writing a john donne autobiography and going straight back into writing childrens' books.)

just like that 4/5 (gary schmidt i cannot believe you still are out here making me cry despite being on the surface THE most mid man in existence. you and gerald morris are on a LIST.)

act your age, eve brown 4/5 (NO one was more surprised than i was by how much i enjoyed this book. a het modern rom com? but my determination to read at least 80% books by Black authors this month and a rec from someone i trust had me put it on the list and i enjoyed it so much i put the other books in the series on hold at once)

a hope divided 4/5 (what a clever, kind, and compassionately angry book!!!! such a good look at an aspect of the civil war [southern people who didn't want to fight for the confederacy] rarely portrayed in fiction! and the intersectionality was SO deftly done i would like her to teach classes to a Lot. of modern authors. please. thank you.)

new suns 2 2/5 (i'm beginning to think spec fiction is not actually a genre i enjoy as much as i thought rip. that said! some of the short stories were very intriguing and i've added the authors to a list to look out for in the future)

solutions and other problems 4/5 (i remember reading and re-reading allie's blog back in the day and nearly choking trying to stay quiet enough laughing that no one would come investigate what i was doing on the computer and this book only confirmed what a gifted communicator she is. the more poignantly difficult parts of the book i'll let speak for themselves)

a quiet teacher 3/5 (really good for a debut novel! fast paced with a good twist and intriguing characters. slightly annoying lack of resolution to some personal problems the MC had but i guess thats what the rest of the series is for)

the enchanted isle 3/5 (falls into the CLASSIC blunder of stevenson's books - gives a shining example of the best parts of feminism and then washes it all away in a tide of falling in love with some MAN who's in love with his land and won't leave it or compromise with her over it. the obvious solution here is to let the man continue his situationship with his bestfriend/sadwarboy and she can continue her job as a headmistress and come back in the summer and holidays.)

spring magic 2/5 (might be the first d.e. stevenson i've ever Not finished. got SO disgusted with the beautiful premise ONCE AGAIN falling short because the girl falls in love with some awful man (and worse, a SOLDIER) and doesn't even have the excuse of him owning an island or anything)

the henchmen of zenda 4.5/5 (ok i understand now why everyone is feral about the henchies. they ARE all that AND a barrel of chips, actually. side note: cannot believe i only have one kjc i haven't read. how am i going to SURVIVE.)

three good deeds 3/5 (vivian vande velde does NOT fuck around when she writes fairy tales for small children let me tell you. she's making a point and she's making it hard and fast and there are going to be deaths involved)

the blue castle 4/5 (i can't believe i Hadn't read this one before? somehow? it's a perfect example of a type of genre i wish was quantified but i'll just have to call the 'mrs 'arris goes to paris' variety until someone can better explain it in a listicle)

anthology of African American Women in Literature 4/5 (ALICE CHILDRESS i am running to look up everything you ever wrote. audre lorde can i do anything for you. is there anything i can do for you. maya angelou let me help you.)

the fae tales by @not-poignant 5/5 (im pointing silently but meaningfully at this series and when you ask what i mean by it i just point more insistently. i am POINTING what don't you get!)

the wildness within 5/5 (again! i am pointing so hard i'm spraining something!)

the pack survives 5/5 (sorrrryyyyyyyyy that since i broke the seal on reading astolat's GOT fics i cannot stop re-reading this one. like its my fault!)

total - 23

[gayvampcentral]

was tagged by @xenobean for a get to know your mutuals thing so! some stuff under the read more.

Get to know your mutuals!

What's the origin of your blog title? Honestly there isn't a cool story to it just. gay vampires. this is the central.

OTP(s) + Shipname: I don't spend a lot of time on shipping anymore but. Bubbline you will always be famous. If I had to pick just one.

Favorite color: red, purple, black (if that counts here).

Favorite game: Sims unfortunately. Also Minecraft (VERY big on MC again atm), Stardew Valley. The Batman Arkham Series. Mario Odyssey also probably.

Song stuck in your head: None bc I'm listening to music as I'm typing but the song that's on atm is Black Sunshine by White Zombie if that counts.

Weirdest habit/trait? I feel like this is sth you'd have to ask ppl close to me about bc I wouldn't know.

Hobbies: Drawing, reading, music, sewing, gaming. The basic stuff.

If you work, what's your profession? University student but a few times a year I work at a ren fair-esque event.

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be? I wanna be paid just to vibe honestly. But I'd also stay in uni forever if I would get paid for it (as long as I get to set the pace). But yeah the ideal job is NO job.

Something you're good at: procrastinating.

Something you're bad at: socializing.

Something you love: my dog :)

Something you could talk about for hours off the cuff: Many things, unfortunately for the ppl who know me. 80s Horror, Horror in general, Sims lore, Sims releases, literally anything abt sims at all. Re-Animator. Queer coding in Horror. The Other in Horror and how it is used to represent minorities in general. Minecraft also. Many more such cases unfortunately but I think the list is long enough.

Something you hate: billionaires.

Something you collect: DVDs, I have a bunch of Nightmare before Christmas figurines also so that counts I guess. Bones.

Something you forget: Genuinely baffled by this question like. how would I know?

What's your love language? Those aren't real/shouldn't be split up like this even if you find them a helpful tool. imho.

Favorite movie/show: WELL. Nightmare on Elm Street, Nightmare before Christmas, Last Man on Earth 1964, The Ritual (2017), Nope, Get Out, Us, Candyman 2021, Alien, Re-Animator, Bride of Re-Animator, Frankenstein 1931, Bride of Frankenstein 1935, Lost Boys. to name a few in no specific order. This list could be VERY long if I had the time. and I don't really watch all that many shows but. adventure time of course. Also there's no question for fav books which is a shame. The answer to that would be Frankenstein, Moby Dick, Southern Reach Trilogy (still haven't read the 4th one :( ), probs also Stone Butch Blues.

Favorite food: Pho atm!

Favorite animal: genuinely if I start listing we will still be here tomorrow so I will simply go with my dog which is technically correct but not what was asked. shout out to all reptiles including birds and non-avian dinosaurs tho.

What were you like as a child? A nightmare to have in class as far as I recall.

Favorite subject at school? English probably? Art when I had bearable teachers? the basic choices.

Least favorite subject: geography. unfortunately. hated the teacher.

What's your best character trait? I honestly. have no idea.

What's your worst character trait? No idea again sorryyy.

If you could change any detail of your life right now, what would it be? That is a very personal question.

If you could travel in time, who would you like to meet? 90s Trent Reznor. Hi. (my actual answer is probably like. a Dodo. or a Moa. or a thylacine. and if "meet" can also just mean "watch from far away" then. non-avian theropods... Therizinosaurs perhaps. or velociraptors.)

Tag as as many mutuals as you want: the 2 ppl I can think of who would maybe wanna do this are @romjims and @scar-can-relate tho if anyone else wants to please go ahead and pretend I tagged you (tagged ppl are also not obligated to do anything. obviously. .

[blue-thief]

3, 17, 21 & 24 for Isagi :3

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character?

man i had to think really hard about this one 💀 his sense in fashion??? i guess????? he always looks so bad in official art

17. What's a ship for this character you don't hate but it's not your favorite that you're fine with?

rinsagi. I GET IT but for some reason i don't ship it???? i wish i did, it seems fun

21. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

i love writing his internal and external dialogue. i don't have to worry about saying something edgy and cringey because he's already like that in canon 😭😭 and my writing style relies a LOT on internality to the point that it would technically make more sense for me to write in first person. however, in the past, i've had to give up on projects because my MCs are just so mentally ill so getting THAT involved in their mentality can affect me too much. when writing for the isakainess fic, writing kaiser's and ness's POV can be so emotionally heavy, but isagi's POV is such a breath of fresh air 😭😭 he's literally keeping me sane while i write.

something i don't like though is, weirdly enough, trying to come up with an arc for him. it has to be something that compliments his arc in canon but isn't exactly the same. esp since i usually write fics that significantly focus on romance which can come into conflict with isagi's hyper-individualistic thing going on.

24. What other character from another fandom of yours that reminds you of them?

the obvious answer would be kageyama from haikyuu or haru from free (black haired anime boy with an obsession with sports and some autistic traits) but weirdly enough he gives me haruhi vibes from ohshc 💀 i don't understand the logic for this either 😭😭 they're super different if you actually think about it. but in my heart they're the same (maybe it's just bc they're two of the few cases where the protagonist is actually a fav)