#oh and Jimmy's house was on fire for a bit

[applestruda]

The stream today is something else

[profoundbondfanfic]

Hey I have been looking for Dark Dean and Castiel fics where Dean is OBSESSED with Castiel do you have any recommendations?

Hey hey! Sorry for the delay, but I hope these recs are welcomed now just in time for Halloween.

A bit of a warning though -- some of these fics get really dark and involve very intense subjects so pls mind the tags before reading these.

all that’s sacred comes from youth by fullvoid (Mature, 8k words)

Teenage Dean has a dark, possessive streak he hides well. But when he and Cas agree to get married at age 35 if neither of them has by then, he finds he can't quite just leave it at that and spends years stalking Cas from the shadows and sabotaging every relationship he starts. Or Dean, in love with his best friend Cas and obsessed with a pact they made when they were 17 years old, gets rid of his boyfriends one by one through escalating means.

Between Love and Agony by Duckyboos (Explicit, 53k words)

Dean Winchester is in love. Like, bonafide heart eyes and deep sighs, hung-the-moon love. There's just one problem: the lucky guy is his husband's identical twin, Castiel. The two of them have been having a kinky affair for years, burrowing under each other’s skin and setting up camp. Which is why, after Castiel goes missing, Dean’s about ready to tear the world apart looking for him. When Castiel eventually returns to him, he’s been through literal hell, managing to drag himself out, bloody and raw, for Dean. Together, they discover a way to make Castiel whole again — though the price will be gruesome… and there will certainly be hell to pay.

CONventional Psychopathy 'Verse by Mayalaen (Explicit, 441k words)

Castiel Novak is a Cleaner. One of the agency's best. He and his Handler, Dean Winchester, have a high success rate in a world where the worst criminals aren't imprisoned for their crimes, but instead are captured by licensed serial killers who dispose of them, doing what they do best while getting paid for it. Cas doesn't form attachments, doesn't leave himself open for a risk like that, but Dean wormed his way into Cas' life and into his house. Does Dean realize what falling in love with a serial killer really means?

Do Anything For You by ImYourHoneyBee (Explicit, 7k words)

“How’re you feeling?” his earlier worry and fear have faded into the background because of how freaking good Jimmy looks right now, but that’s the thing to ask. Besides, even if he was planning on killing him soon, propriety has to be observed. Dean has a reputation to uphold as a fine, upstanding citizen in this city. Patrick Bateman wishes he was as smooth as Dean is. “Better than the guy who hit me,” Jimmy tells him with uncharacteristic bluntness, nodding toward the curtained-off bed, “I overheard the doctors saying he flatlined around the same time I did.” “Oh shit,” Dean says, glancing over to try and mask the sick roil that sets up shop in his stomach. “He make it?” The ghost of a smile plays over Jimmy’s chapped lips, “He’s in a better place now.” x The one where Cas's soul takes over Jimmy's body.

Free to Be You and Me by jhoom (Explicit, 49k words) --- This says incomplete but it's a satisfying ending so we think the author just didn't close it out.

Dean lost his parents in a fire when he was younger, and he’s never been the same since. Based on the prompt: "I was ten years old when I witnessed the murder of my entire family. The police told me that the person I saw commit the crime was a figment of my imagination - a result of the trauma - but I couldn’t let it rest. In a strange way, they saved me - with everyone else gone I might have gone to pieces, but I HAD to find the killer, so I held it together, I got through school, I rose through the ranks of detective, and now finally, finally, I’m on their trail. I have to find them. I have to meet them. I have to tell them that I love them."

Hello Night by almaasi (Explicit, 11k words)

Demon!Dean/Priest!Cas AU. Castiel summons Dean to the crossroads, and he only wants one thing: him.

Make Me by saltnhalo (Explicit, 4k words)

A beautiful man on a motorbike shows up at Castiel's business with a t-shirt that says Make me and a smirk that could put the devil to shame. How is Castiel possibly meant to resist?

Monsters by Miss_Lv (Explicit, 11k words)

Castiel prayed to God, to help them, to save them. God never answered. But Dean did. It was the monster who saved Castiel, not God.

Seven Heavenly Virtues by Strixes (Explicit, 108k words)

The Mark of Cain turns Dean into a demon once more. Dean is adamant that this time he's found a way to keep the mark under control but it's clear to Castiel that Dean needs help if he's going to fight the mark's influence until they can find a way to get rid of it. More than anything Castiel wants to save him, but if anyone needs to be saved it's Castiel as he tries to navigate where Dean ends and the Mark of Cain begins.

The Prodigal Bond by vipjuly (Explicit, 68k words)

In exchange for conjugal visits, Dean Winchester gives FBI Supervisory Special Agent Castiel Novak all the dirt he needs to bring down national crime rings. It's a tit-for-tat situation; primal, animalistic, and probably ten kinds of illegal. When a case is revealed to be closer to Castiel than what he considers safe, he and Dean must work together to make sure that Crowley goes down for good. Will Castiel be able to keep Dean at arm's length, or will the charming convict finally get what he's been asking for all along? What lengths will Castiel go to... at Dean's behest?

These Violent Delights by SomethingBlue42, xfancyfranart (Explicit, 43k words)

Dean Winchester, war vet and functioning alcoholic with a life that’s going nowhere, takes a job at Baltimore Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Dean had never heard of Dr. Castiel Novak notorious serial killer and cannibal given he’d been dodging bullets and performing field triage during Novak’s sensational trial. Seasoned orderly Rufus lays out the rules: Do not touch the glass. Do not approach the glass. You pass him nothing but soft paper - no pencils, no pens. Use the sliding food carrier only, no exceptions. If he attempts to pass you anything, do not accept it. And most importantly: don't tell him anything personal. But Dean was never much for following the rules and Castiel has a way of making Dean feel like he isn’t the grade-a loser his hot-shot FBI agent brother thinks he is. Then, a senator’s daughter goes missing, setting forth a chain of events that put Dean on a path that forces him to choose where his loyalties lie and just how far he’s willing to walk into the dark.

This Tainted Love You've Given by LazarusRose, xfancyfranart (Explicit, 17k words)

Everyone has their hobbies—Dean’s just happens to involve a lot more blood and screaming than most people’s. And sure, maybe murder isn’t the nicest way to blow off steam, but Dean’s always thought that being nice is overrated anyway. His latest victim, a pretty guy with startling blue eyes, should be nothing special, just another nameless body on Dean’s list. But then, after Dean kills and buries him, he turns back up at Dean’s house again the next day. What’s a guy to do when they’ve accidentally gotten an immortal witch convinced that they’ve got some kind of profound bond?

Happy Halloween!!👻🎃

[quinnysnursery]

when the party's over,, move-in day・₊✧

summary : the triplets (and nate) move into their dorms! meet some new friends and nate's a worry-wart (rightfully so)

warning/extra tid-bits : crying, explicit language, i think that's all?

word count : 2,318

divider credit : umm i found all the photos on pinterest :3 (pointy & leafy thing from @saradika-graphics)

a/n : FIRST PIECE OF WTPO LITERATURE RAAAAA (not proof read, i'm just a girl!)

“Alright,” Jimmy let out a stereotypical “dad-groan” as he stood up straight, cracking his back. “That should be it.” He said, clapping his hands together as he examined the dorm room he’d helped his youngest son and Nathan set up.

Mary Lou had decided to help Matt and Nick, since it was clear that Matt was overly anxious about move-in day and so was Nick- though he’d never admit it- which meant he’d be extra snippy with Matt…a recipe for disaster. 

“Thanks Mr.S, it looks good!” Nate smiled, admiring the work the three of them had gotten done. “Home sweet home, right Chris?” He smiled, nudging Chris’ shoulder. Chris laughed softly, “Not for long, rush week starts tomorrow.” The youngest triplet replied. Heart set on moving into the Kappa Nu house.

Jimmy smiled fondly, he’d been a part of the well-known fraternity when he attended NESE. Chris (and Matt and Nick, if they weren’t so stubborn) would be legacy. “Just remember to be yourself, don’t go getting expelled trying to impress the president.” Jimmy reminded his son, pulling him into a side-hug. 

Chris nodded, rolling his eyes. “I know, I know.” He grumbled, tired of being told the same thing repeatedly.

 “Oh wow!” An unfamiliar chirpy voice came from the doorway, startling the two younger boys. Chris unintentionally reached for Nate, quickly scolding himself. He couldn’t do that, not here- at least not now.

The dorm RA was standing in the doorframe of Nate and Chris’ door. The youngest triplet vaguely remembered meeting him when touring the school last year. 

Larri. His name didn’t match his vibe, nor his looks at all. It was an old man's name and well, Larri was maybe 21 at the oldest.

“You're giving the room across from you a run for their money.” Larri joked, earning a deep chuckle from Jimmy. “Those are actually my other sons.” He explained, earning a shocked expression from Larri. “All three of your sons go here?!” He asked excitedly, Jimmy nodded- pushing Chris in front of him, away from the safety of Nate. 

“Triplets.” Jimmy smiled proudly, Larri’s head whipped to Matt and Nick’s dorm- confirming what he’d just been told. 

“I’m…woah.” He breathed, eyes filled with amazement- Chris wondered if it was just a show Larri put on for the parents during move-in day. 

“Well, it’ll be nice having some siblings on this floor. NESE doesn’t see siblings often.” Larri hummed before pointing to Chris’ nightlight that Nate had just plugged in moments prior. “Is that bulb LED?” He asked, eyes flickering between both freshmen.

“Uhm…” Nate thought back to when he’d bought it for Chris a few Christmases ago. Did the box say LED? Or CFL? What was the difference? Why did it even matter?

“If it’s not LED then I’ll have to ask you guys to unplug it when you aren’t around.” Larri explained, “Dumb fire hazard rule.” He added- earning a furrowed brow from Jimmy. 

“I mean! Very cool and safe fire hazard rule.” Larri corrected himself, earning a laugh from Chris. Larri was funny, even if it was just an act for move-in day. “Will do.” Nate said, unplugging the nightlight and tossing it into a drawer. Chris stopped himself from whining about it. 

He was a freshman in college, he could survive without seeing his night light plugged in. 

Larri bid his goodbyes after that, and not long after did Mary Lou and Jimmy offer to take the boys out to eat before officially leaving them on their own.

“Mom, don't cry.” Nick laughed softly, as Mary Lou pulled all her boys into another hug. “You know she can’t help it.” Jimmy scolded gently, hugging his boys as well. Nate included.

Mary Lou pulled away, tears in her eyes. “You four look out for each other, yeah?” She said, wavering a finger in their faces. “Nick, go to bed at a decent time.” She started, earning a playful eye roll from her eldest. “Matt,” Mary Lou placed her hands on Matt’s shoulders. “Remember to take breaks studying, yeah?” The middle triplet smiled softly, nodding. “Yeah, ‘kay mom.” 

Mary Lou let out a loving sigh as she turned to face her youngest son, her last child. “Chris, don’t forget to wash your socks.” Chris couldn’t help but laugh, pulling his mom into one more hug, “I won’t, promise.”. 

The triplets mom turned towards Nate, who’d been right next to each one of her boys nearly their entire life. “You look after my boys, okay?” She asked, earning a firm “Yes ma’am.” from Nate. 

After a few more teary hugs, the triplets and Nate watched as their parents got into their car before driving off campus.

“Just us now.” Nick sighed, turning around and beginning to walk back to his dorm. Nate, Matt and Chris all glanced at each other before following the oldest triplet. “What now?” Chris asked- trying to hide the looming feeling of anxiety. 

“I’m going to the library!” Matt smiled excitedly, pulling out his student ID with a toothy grin. “The library?” Nate asked, furrowing his brow. “Yeah! NESE holds the world record for the biggest college library!” The brunette smiled, earning a stifled laugh from his younger brother- “You are such a nerd.” Chris poked, frowning as Nate elbowed him in the side. 

Matt rolled his eyes, flipping Chris off playfully as he split off from the group. “What about you Nick?” Nate asked, subconsciously making sure Chris was walking in front of him.

“I wanted to finish editing those photos I took at our going-away party.” Nick said as they all entered the elevator, pressing the 4th floor button. Nate nodded, glancing at Chris with concerned eyes. 

‘Ding!’

Nick quickly exited the elevator, rummaging in his pockets for his dorm room keys. Nate did the same, saying bye to Nick before he and Chris slipped into their dorm.

It wasn’t a huge room by any means, but due to NESE only accepting the very best of applicants- it was bigger than an average dorm. Enough room for both Chris and Nate to spread their arms out and still not feel claustrophobic. 

“You good? Feeling little?” Nate asked the youngest triplet as Chris flopped onto his bed- letting out a deep sigh. Chris quickly shook his head, “What? No, I’m good.” He defended, crossing his arms over his chest as he scowled at Nate.

Nate’s brow quirked upwards, “It’s fine if you are Chris, it’s been a long day.” The shorter boy sympathized. He didn’t want to push regression onto Chris, but it didn’t take a genius to realize that today was stressful and stressful days typically led the boy to regression.

“I’m fine, Nate.” Chris grouched, turning to face the wall. Nate’s shoulders slumped as he sat on his own bed and grabbed his phone from his pocket- opening tiktok and beginning his doom scrolling. 

Matt clutched a leather-bound book to his chest, gulping an anxious knot down as he searched for an unoccupied table in the library. For NESE holding the world record for biggest library, you’d think that would be an easy task- Sadly for Matt, it was not.

“You can sit here.” A confident voice spoke to the right of him, Matt turned and his eyes landed on a tall girl with braids and a tan boy with fluffy black-ish hair.

The boy’s eyes were fixated on a laptop screen, Matt couldn’t see what was playing though. But the girl with braids had a few textbooks and notes sprawled out around her. “We don’t bite.” She joked, the brunette man let out a breathy laugh as he sat across from her and the dark-haired boy. 

Matt kept to himself for a few moments, eyes scanning the words on book’s parchment- flipping through the pages. It was a book on BPD and how it affected the brain. Matt was only a few pages in, but the author was doing a good job at not demonizing the mental illness.

The library was just as beautiful as the pictures on google showed, the high ceilings and shelves that required multiple rolling ladders- a general golden glow in the air that made Matt feel like a student at Hogwarts.

It wasn’t until Matt heard a low whine followed by some whispering that he looked up from his book. He was met with the sight of the tan boy whispering into the girl with braids ear- she scooted the laptop over a smidge before typing in something and pressing the spacebar. 

“There.” She smiled, rubbing the boy's shoulder before turning to return to her book- that’s when she caught Matt’s eyes.

“Sorry!” Matt’s face flushed with embarrassment as he forced his gaze downwards, praying she didn’t hate him. There was a painful silence for a few moments before the girl spoke again, “What’re you reading?” She asked, closing the current textbook she was reading out of.

Matt blinked up, his brain taking a moment to register the question he’d been asked. “Oh uhm, ‘s just a book on BPD.” He shrugged, picking up the book to show her the cover. The girl nodded, “I’m Quen.” She smiled- reaching her hand over the table.

Matt stammered over his name for a moment, quickly shaking her hand. ‘Good going, you’re making a fool of yourself.’ His brain told him- he did his best to push it down.

“Let me guess…psych major?” Quen smirked, earning a quiet laugh from Matt as he nodded. “Yeah…what about you?” He asked, making a mental note of the page he was on before closing the book. “Business, it sucks.” She sighed, waving a hand over the mountains of textbooks she had sprawled out.

Matt nodded- understanding, his dad had been a business major. His eyes flickered over to the tan boy sitting next to Quen, “His lucky ass has a film scholarship.” She joked. Matt had to cover his mouth to stop his laughter. 

“You a freshman? I haven’t ever seen you around.” Quen commented, earning a nod from Matt. “Yeah, just moved in today.” He explained, already smiling at the thought of telling Nick how he’d managed to make a new friend.

Quen nodded- beginning to pack up some of her things. “Are you gonna rush on monday?” She asked, Matt quickly shook his head. “My brother is, but ‘s not really my scene.” He explained, recalling the various times Chris told him just how lame he was for not wanting to be in a frat.

“It’s awesome! Parties every weekend, brotherhood-” “Chris you already have brothers.” “Shut up!”

 Quen thought for a moment before speaking, “Triplets?” She asked, causing Matt to stop. How did she know that? “...Yeah?” 

Quen nodded, “Larri told me, we hang out a lot.” She explained as she zipped up her lavender Fjallraven backpack before reaching over the boy in front of her and taking the laptop from him- much to his dismay.

“Quen!” He whined, pulling off his headphones. His face blushed a light shade of pink as he finally recognized Matt was sitting across from him. Quen realized this, motioning to Matt and the boy.

“Matt, Ben. Ben, Matt.” She introduced as she stuffed the laptop Ben had been using into the corresponding compartment of her bag. Matt smiled, offering Ben a small wave.

Ben’s lips quirked upwards into a smile before Quen informed him they had to go if they were going to catch dinner with Larri and Tara. 

“Bye Matt, good meeting you! Hope your brother gets into KN.” Quen smiled before grabbing hold of Ben’s hand and leading him out of the library. Matt sighed, leaning back in the wooden chair- did he just make a friend?

The next day, Chris (surprisingly) woke up before Nate. Which was good, because that meant Chris could spend as long as he wanted choosing the perfect outfit for meeting the brothers of Kappa Nu for the first time.

He knew if Nate had been awake he’d tell Chris to just “be himself!” but his brain stopped accepting that advice the moment he saw the Kappa Nu house in person during his first ever tour of the school.

Chris would do anything- or be anyone- he had to to get inside that house. 

The youngest triplet opened the drawers of the shared dresser he and Nate helped Jimmy set up yesterday, his eyes landing on his beloved night light that Nate had thoughtlessly shoved into the drawer after the RA asked him to unplug it.

A small frown formed without Chris’ permission, causing him to slam the drawer shut out of frustration. It was a nightlight. He was being ridiculous.

“...Chris?” Nate croaked, sitting up slightly in his bed. Chris turned to look at his friend, feeling bad he’d woke the shorter boy up.

“...’s 6 am, go to bed.” Nate murmured, laying back down and burying his face in his pillow. Chris rolled his eyes, continuing to search the dresser drawers for a specific pair of jeans. Suddenly, Nate shot back up- eyes full of concern that only a caregiver could have.

“Are you little? Do you need something, bud?” Nate asked, “No!” Chris argued back. Nate sighed, raising his hands in defense. “Then what’re you doing up?” The shorter boy asked, now fully awake. 

“Pickin’ out clothes. Gotta make a good first impression.” Chris explained, smiling as he finally found the perfect pair of baggy jeans. Nate nodded silently, legs dangling off the raised bed. 

“Just be yourself, they’ll love you.” Nate smiled, hopping off the bed and placing a comforting hand on Chris’ shoulder. Chris shrugged his hand off, grabbing his shower caddy and starting towards the door. Nate watched sadly as his best friend slipped out the room. It was clear that Chris would do whatever it took to get into Kappa Nu, and that terrified Nate.

taglist !! :

@mattssturnz @littlestar44 @graceslittlecorner @zivall

@hrtz4alex2211 @bimbob1tch @sturnsxplr-25 @cherry-red-heart

@pr3ttyf4wn @frlinbruh @jazminepetit-homme @raynaaxx

@tyummyz @starri-nightss @cyberskulzzz @nicksbestie

@urfavbestiee @nicksloverrr  @ducklingsandlambs

this one-shot is apart of my agere frat/college au! find more info on it, here!

[jellieland]

This is somewhat inspired by some of the fics @theminecraftbee has written.

---

Two figures watch, from a nebulous nowhere, as Scar stands, alone, in the remains of his destroyed shop.

"I'm sorry," he says, mournfully, to no one.

"You Know," says the first figure, "I Really Wasn't Convinced When You Pitched This One."

Scar does not react. He cannot hear them.

"Yes," says the second, with an air of long-suffering patience. "I Do Know. You Were Very Vocal About It."

"...I really wanted to try and make some friends, this time." Scar, simultaneously right in front of them and a great distance away, sighs and looks up at the sky. "Oh, well. Nothing to be done about it now!"

"I Have Come Around To It," says the first.

"Good," says the second. "I Knew You Would."

They watch Scar start to sort through the mess.

"They Forget They Have A Choice," says the first. "It Is Fascinating."

They move on.

The move on to ash.

Skizz and Tango and Bigb stand right in the thick of it, quiet.

"You try to do one nice thing," says Skizz.

His hands curl into fists. He glares at the smoldering remains of the heart in front of him.

"You try to do ONE nice thing!" he yells, and punches one of the last remaining bits of wood.

Brittle from the fire, it breaks.

"Yeah, well! I guess this is why we don't," says Tango, resigned.

"It was always gonna happen eventually," says Bigb, voice level.

"They Always Try," says the first. "They Always Keep Trying."

"Yes," says the second. "They Chase Each Other In Circles Until All Of Them Are Dead. They Give Themselves Their Own Tasks."

"That Is Not What I Meant," says the first. "But That Is Also True."

They watch the three members of the Heart Foundation stand, for a while, in silence.

And they move on.

They move over to the mesa.

Martyn is standing inside his house, that used to be Jimmy's house too, facing the three chests on the wall labelled "TIMMY", "MUMBO" and "MARTYN".

He is talking animatedly, and gesturing. "-and I kept trying to get them to follow me there, but nobody was taking the bait. Honestly, you guys would've laughed at me. But it-"

They let the rambling fade into the background.

"A Good Dog," says the first.

"Yes," says the second. "He Does As He Is Told."

"-and I've honestly been feeling a bit left out today, isn't that funny? But- Bdubs said, he said he would join me next week, so-"

They move on.

They move to the cobblestone castle, in the side of the hill.

Grian is cooing over a small magma cube named Etho's Dishwasher.

Cleo and Etho are leaning against the staircase watching him.

"Are you both alright?" asks Cleo.

"Sure, I'm fine," says Etho.

"Me?" says Grian, turning around. "Oh, I'm good, I was being a total coward. I just hung around at the top of that tower by the Secret Keeper for ages and none of them ever thought to look up."

"Really?" asks Cleo, amused. "Some of them I would expect that of, but I'd think Gem would be a bit more on the ball."

"Well, apparently not," says Grian.

He turns back to the magma cube, and they settle into quiet.

"I Would Have Expected More Of The Alliances To Have Fallen Apart, By Now," says the first.

"Loyalty Is At Its Most Interesting When It Is Stretched," says the second. "These Three Know It Will Never Last. They Know That All Of Them Are Aware Of This. That Is Why They Are Still Here. They Know How Much They Can Care Without It Being A Lie. And Then Privately, They Care More Than That Anyway."

Eventually, Etho sighs. He looks tired.

He glances from Cleo, to Grian, and back, and after a moment of hesitation, speaks. "I, uh. I'm glad you two survived." He shifts awkwardly, and continues before they can respond. "I thought they were going to try and make me kill you, at one point, and- Grian, I don't know if you know this, but Cleo is scary when she's getting revenge. I did not want to have to worry about that."

Cleo laughs, slightly, and gives Etho a look of the deepest affection. "Well, I did die, is the thing, so thanks for reminding me of that."

"No, no, you knew what I meant! See, Grian? See what it's like?"

"Uh huh," says Grian, raising an eyebrow. "Well, thanks for not killing us."

Cleo frowns at him, suddenly curious. "Grian?" they ask. "Are you the only one who didn't die today?"

Grian opens his mouth, then stops to consider it.

"Or- no, wait. Martyn." says Cleo. "Well. Well done either way."

They watch the trio for a little longer, and then they move on.

They move to Scott.

He is alone, in a forest somewhere.

He is leant up against a cliff face, staring down at the floor.

"None Of Them Even Died, This Time," says the first. "Not Permanently."

"No," says the second. "It Was Controlled. Directed. There To Even The Playing Field. We Can Just Ask Them To Do That, Now, And They Will."

Scott draws his knees up to his chest, and rests his head on his arms.

He doesn't move, or shout, or cry.

He just stays there, quiet.

Eventually, they move on.

They move to the Secret Keeper.

Gem is standing there.

She is looking at it.

"If She Had Decided To Fail At The Start," says the first, "She Most Likely Would Have Lived. She Lost So Much More, Taking Things From Other People, Than The Nothing She Would Have Lost In Failure."

"Yes," says the second. "That Is My Favourite Part."

They watch her.

"Anyway," says the second, "She Would Not Do That."

"She Wouldn't?" asks the first.

"No," says the second. "She Understands Why It Is My Favourite Part."

Gem smiles.

"Thank you!" she says to the Secret Keeper. "That was a lot of fun!"

"You Are Welcome," says the second.

Blood on her hands, Gem turns and leaves, grin as bright as the sun.

They watch her go.

[inaris-mage-of-storms]

}{ Who Are You? Are You Nobody, Too? }{

}{ Thrown into a strange game with no memories of their lives before, Jimmy and Scott find comfort in a quiet valley and in each other. }{

}{ 3rd Life }{ Flower Husbands }{ 3.9k }{ sfw abridged version of an entry for Driving After Dark 2 }{

"We're married now."

Jimmy gaped as Scott grinned at him behind the delicate petals of the flower he held to his nose. "E - excuse me?"

It was just a bit, surely. The sort of joke that he would usually, if the other person was someone he liked, lean into with everything he had and flirt back just as hard. But something about the soft quirk of Scott's lips and the gleam in his gemstone eyes made Jimmy's thoughts short circuit.

"You gave me a flower. We're married now," repeated Scott. "That's how it works, you know."

"Oh," was all Jimmy managed to get out. He was fairly certain that wasn't how marriage worked, despite his missing memories, but the crystalline notes of Scott's ringing laughter eroded any desire Jimmy had to challenge the declaration.

And anyway, it was just a bit. Surely.

Scott seemed to be completely serious about teaming up, at least, and Jimmy was eager to prove himself a good ally who could carry his weight without being a burden. That was why he opted to build his own little house on the opposite side of the valley, to avoid inserting himself into Scott's space without a direct invitation. He showed off his work proudly, but the way Scott's ears dropped when he saw it had Jimmy second-guessing himself.

"Sorry. I'm not a very good builder," he said as he twisted his hands uncertainly. "I know you like things to be all cute and everything. I tried my best, but - "

Scott cocked his head to one side and seemed almost perplexed as he watched Jimmy stumble over his words. Then some realization or another that Jimmy couldn't work out crossed his face, and he smiled in that way that always sent Jimmy's stomach into somersaults.

"I do like cute things. That's why you're around." He giggled at Jimmy's immediate flush. "It's a good start, really! Do you mind if I...?"

Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he had only imagined the disappointment in Scott's eyes earlier. "Not at all, go ahead! What's mine is yours."

"Oh? I'll keep that in mind." Amusement sparkled in Scott's eyes, assuring Jimmy that his next words were only meant to tease, not be taken seriously. "It will soothe the disappointment that my husband doesn't want to live in the same house as me."

"...What?" squeaked Jimmy. He squeaked a lot around Scott, he was beginning to realize. "Wait, that's what you were upset about?"

Scott laughed.

- }{ -

By the time Jimmy returned, both the face of his cliffside hut and the flower valley as a whole sported significant improvements. Scott was kneeling by a campfire near the lakeshore, stirring a pot of something that smelled amazing. His ears twitched almost imperceptibly at Jimmy's approach, and he looked up to greet him with that smile that sent Jimmy's stomach into somersaults.

His stomach went into a lot of somersaults around Scott, he was beginning to realize.

"I thought we'd have dinner out here, meet in the middle so to speak. If that's okay with you." Scott turned his attention back to the stew.

Jimmy grinned. "Yeah, 'course it is. Just let me put everything away." He emptied his inventory of all the resources he'd gathered on his trip out, then joined Scott by the fire. "What all's in there, anyway?"

"Mostly vegetables." Scott lifted the wooden spoon he was stirring with, both to show Jimmy the chunk of carrot that rested on it and to test the tenderness of the vegetable against the wall of the pot. "Our first harvest of carrots and potatoes, and some odds and ends I foraged from the woods. I did add some of the chicken you prepared earlier, to make it a little more hearty."

He set aside the spoon and picked up a ladle instead, filling a bowl and passing it to Jimmy before filling his own. Jimmy accepted it gratefully, taking a tentative sip of the hot broth before picking up one of the two smaller spoons that waited nearby. "Oh, that's delicious - wait, did you carve all these dishes today?"

Scott seemed pleased that Jimmy had noticed. Jimmy would notice every detail he could if it meant that smile would stay on those pretty lips. "I did," said Scott. "I finished my building projects earlier than I expected, so I thought I might as well start on some easy comforts."

"Oh my gosh, that's impressive! Is there anything you're not good at?"

Scott's ears twitched happily. "Oh, very little," he said smugly, and Jimmy laughed.

There wasn't much in the way of conversation at first. Jimmy's focus was on the stew, the day's hard work of gathering logs and stone and ores having made him ravenous. Scott was similarly focused on refueling after all the hours spent building. But as food and silence both settled, the slightly awkward small talk between them strengthened into something easy and comfortable. They told each other what little they could about themselves, information drawn from either their limited memories or gut feelings, and theorized about what they couldn't recall.

"Do you think we're anyone important in our home worlds?" Jimmy asked. He stared up at the first stars that faded into existence as the sky slowly dimmed. "I get the feeling that some of the others are, you know? Like Etho, or Martyn. They just feel so...big. Like there's no way they aren't someone."

Scott was laying next to him in the grass. The inches between their shoulders felt ever so close and oh so far all at the same time. "I don't think I am. Or rather, I hope I'm not. Being known by strangers sounds...exhausting. I just want a quiet little life with someone I care about."

Jimmy smiled. "That sounds nice. I don't think I'm anyone important either. But you're right; being nobody sounds like the way to go." He turned his head to look at Scott. "You know, we never did proper introductions. Hi, I'm Jimmy. I'm nobody."

Scott turned his head to look at Jimmy with a soft smile. "Hi Jimmy. I'm Scott. I'm nobody, too."

Jimmy laughed.

- }{ -

No one on the server knew quite what to make of their situation. Fourteen people, dropped into an unknown world, with no memory of the lives they surely must have been leading before and only the knowledge that they had agreed to partake in some sort of game. They were all vaguely aware that there were rules that would be revised with death, knew three deaths would be the end, and had a strong suspicion that some of them must have known at least some of the others before. But beyond that, they were almost as much a mystery to themselves as they were to one another.

Jimmy had his own strong suspicion that Scott was the sort to be just as mysterious in his regular life. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the...elf? fae? Jimmy didn't know exactly what he was, and Scott only smiled and deflected the question when Jimmy asked.

Neither man avoided the rest of the server entirely, but decided early on that they preferred to keep to themselves for the most part, unwilling to get too involved with the growing tensions between other factions. With a strong wall erected around their little valley and most of the resources they needed within, it was easy to forget that there was more to the situation than living the quiet little life Scott had admitted to dreaming of.

It was easy to forget, too, that they weren't really married. Scott still jokingly referred to Jimmy as his husband, even in front of the others, and seemed perpetually amused by Jimmy's variety of flustered reactions whenever he did.

Jimmy might not have been certain of much, but he knew beyond doubt that he was utterly enchanted by his basemate. The first time Scott leaned over and kissed Jimmy's cheek, Jimmy's thoughts crashed so hard that he barely heard Scott ask (with difficulty concealing his delight) if he was all right.

"Fine! I'm perfectly fine," he managed to squeak out. "Was just - thinking! About the, um, the thing. The thing that needs, uh, repaired right? I'll...go do that now."

"Right, the thing," repeated Scott, eyes sparkling. Jimmy wondered if they shone just as brightly in whatever color they were naturally, whether they were the green they were now or some other shade. "Best get to it before sunset."

- }{ -

It took Jimmy another three days to work up the courage to ask Scott for another kiss. He wasn't even planning on it at the time, but they were sitting shoulder to shoulder on the lakeshore when a stray petal drifted down from the clifftop and landed in Jimmy's hair.

Scott leaned in and reached up to pluck it away. "Trying a new accessory?" he said with a grin. His voice was low and his breath was warm, and Jimmy found that all of a sudden desire outweighed anxiety.

"Can I kiss you?"

Scott's eyes widened in surprise, then his mouth curved into that soft, soft smile. "Of course. You don't really have to ask to kiss your own husband, you know."

Jimmy let out a breathless chuckle. "You're still sticking to your little joke, huh?"

Scott's ears dropped, and Jimmy's heart dropped with them when he saw hurt clouding his pretty eyes. "You thought I was joking about that?"

"Well...yeah?" Jimmy tilted his head in confusion. "I mean, you said it literally within the first, like, hour of meeting. We barely know one another, Scott."

"Oh." Scott pulled away. Jimmy was struck with the desire to pull him close and assure him he didn't mean it. "I'm sorry. I mean, I know we're not married married, but you never said anything against it, and I thought you liked me back, so I just sort of...assumed."

"Assumed what?" This wasn't going at all how Jimmy had pictured it. "And I do like you! I just didn't want to, you know, take things at face value and look like an idiot later if it turned out I misinterpreted what you meant." He paused. "Which...okay, in hindsight - "

If the delicate bell-shaped flowers that dotted the ground in the woods could actually ring, Jimmy imagined they would sound an awful lot like Scott's laughter.

"So you do like me?" Scott's ears were beginning to perk back up, albeit cautiously. "You're not mad that I assumed we were dating?"

"I mean, I wish you would have said something? But no, I'm not mad." Heat blossomed across his cheeks. "So...about that kiss?"

Scott leaned in but paused at the last moment, letting Jimmy be the one to close the gap. Jimmy leaned in too, and the longing feeling in his chest that he hadn't even known was there disappeared.

Logically, Jimmy knew it couldn't possibly be his first kiss. The jitters he felt had more to do with kissing someone new for the first time, not the act of kissing itself. But was it the first time he had ever kissed Scott? It didn't seem probable that they even knew each other in the outside world, let alone were romantically involved, and yet...

Scott deepened the kiss, melting into Jimmy when Jimmy put his arms around him. The way their mouths moved together felt like the most natural thing in the world. One ear twitched in - surprise? delight? Jimmy had learned quickly how to read Scott's subtle body language, but some microexpressions were still beyond him - when Jimmy was the one to take initiative and run his tongue along Scott's lower lip, and he let him in immediately.

By the time they parted to pant for air, Jimmy had lowered Scott down into the soft grass, and the way Scott stared up at him with swollen lips and gentle surrender in his eyes stole Jimmy's breath away as quickly as he could catch it.

"I don't want this to be over."

The confession that slipped out of Jimmy startled both of them. Then Scott's confusion gave way to amusement, and he laughed. "Well, I don't exactly plan on giving you up any time soon."

"No, I mean - " Jimmy sighed and rested his forehead against Scott's. "What happens at...at the end? I know what happens when you die in a typical hardcore world, but..."

But nothing about their situation was typical. And even in a typical world, the same fear lurked in the background of every player's mind: what if something goes wrong? what if my eyes don't open again like they're meant to? what if this is actually final? Jimmy had been trying not to think about it, but being dropped into a strange game with no memory was unsettling enough, and only magnified those natural fears.

They might be the players, but something else was toying with them.

"I think we'll respawn wherever we're meant to be," said Scott firmly. "Whatever block has been placed on our memories will be gone, we'll be safe at home - wherever 'home' is - and we'll have new friends to contact. Or old friends to check up on," he added, threading his fingers through Jimmy's hair.

Jimmy nosed against his cheek, then lay next to him with a sigh. "You think we know each other on the outside?"

Scott snorted. "Jimmy, either we already knew each other before this, or we have what is quite possibly the most insane and immediate chemistry that has ever existed between two people." He mirrored the way Jimmy lay on his side, tucking a hand under his head. "You...feel like home. It's hard to imagine I came from a life where I didn't already love you."

Jimmy smiled. "Home?" he repeated, feeling a sliver of hope for what could be.

"Home," said Scott, and it sounded like a promise.

- }{ -

"I mean, you don't have to use it or anything." Jimmy pressed his fingertips together nervously. "It's not very well-made, actually. It's only holding together because Impulse helped me with all the fiddly bits."

Scott stared at the hand-cranked beater he held, turning it over and inspecting it. Jimmy shifted nervously. A few days before, Scott had lamented the lack of much nicer kitchen appliances found on more established servers, wishing aloud for even the simplicity of an electric mixer to make his baking easier. A bundle of twigs made a sufficient enough whisk for eggs, but not so much for making a smooth, creamy frosting to top the variety of little cakes he liked to bake.

"I did wonder what you were spending so long at the anvil for the other day." Scott tapped a finger against the metal of the beater. "I love it. Thank you."

Jimmy beamed, pleased with the pleased expression on Scott's face and even happier with the kiss that followed. "My husband is so talented," said Scott, resting his forehead against Jimmy's. "Is there anything you're not good at?"

"Quite a lot, actually," said Jimmy with a sheepish grin, and Scott laughed.

Scott made a cake that very night, informing Jimmy with delight that the beater did indeed make a significant difference to the texture of the frosting he'd previously been mixing with only a wooden spoon. Privately, Jimmy couldn't tell much of a difference, but he kept that thought to himself. He was more interested in the way Scott offered a scoop of frosting on his fingertip for Jimmy to taste, and the way Scott's breath caught when Jimmy gripped his wrist firmly and took his time licking away the creamy glaze.

"It's delicious." Jimmy didn't intend the low, deep tone that his voice took on, but he took great interest in the way Scott swallowed hard, parted his lips, and leaned closer. It would be easy to tease him, but it would be even easier to lean in and kiss him.

"Don't you have a cake to frost?" he murmured against Scott's lips when Scott went for a second kiss almost right away.

"It still needs to cool," Scott murmured back. Not one to be denied, he mouthed at Jimmy's jawline and down his neck, and it was Jimmy's to flush and lean closer. "Could take hours, really."

Jimmy chuckled breathlessly. "Hours, huh? Well, you're the expert. What do we do in the meantime?"

Scott smiled against his neck. Jimmy's heart pounded in his chest.

He was so caught up in imagining the possibilities of what Scott might say next that it took him a moment to realize what was happening when Scott stepped back, smiling ever so sweetly, and handed him a pile of dishes to be washed.

- }{ -

"What's on your mind?"

Jimmy jumped as Scott nudged him with his shoulder. "Oh! Gosh, you startled me. Sorry, what did you say?"

Scott's lips were quirked upwards and he kept his tone light, but the crease of his brow betrayed his concern. "You've been a million miles away all day. What's wrong?"

"Oh. Nothing's wrong. I just..." Jimmy looked down at the blade laying across his lap and gave it another polish. "Some of the others think this is all going to turn into a proper war."

"Hmm." Scott looked out over the water. The sun that shone down on them was warm, but not overly so. Dragonflies flitted around the reeds. A little frog sat quietly in the mud shaded by a rock. A bluejay watched them from the top of the wall, silent.

Jimmy polished a freshly sharpened sword. Two sets of armor hung by the anvil, gleaming with newly applied enchantments. The potions chest next to Scott's brewing stand was crowded.

"What if - "

Scott put a hand over Jimmy's. "We'll be okay. We're just a couple of nobodies, remember?" He slipped the sword from Jimmy's grasp and set it off to the side, replacing it with his own fingers. Jimmy held on like he'd been handed a lifeline he was afraid to let go of.

He looked around at the beautiful oasis he and Scott had created together. He looked at Scott, so graceful he could easily be mistaken for some ethereal spirit who lived among the flowers.

Perhaps he was. Perhaps Scott had always been here, part of this valley of eternal summer, and only Jimmy was the outsider.

Jimmy didn't care anymore about the world before, he realized. Sure, he was a little curious, but had everything he needed here. He had a home, rustic but comfortable, with plenty of room to improve over time. He had friends, some of whom - like Martyn and BigB - even felt like he'd known for years.

He had Scott.

Nothing, in this world or any other, could fill his heart the way Scott did.

"Jimmy?"

Scott squeezed his hand. Jimmy swallowed against the emotions creeping up his throat.

There was a poppy in his inventory, picked only this morning and stored away until Jimmy could figure out the best time to present it. But realizing his heart was certain in an uncertain world, it didn't seem like there would be a better time than right now.

Scott blinked at the flower Jimmy handed him, but took it without hesitation. "We're married now," said Jimmy, and Scott's eyes shot back up to meet his own. Jimmy grinned. "I gave you a flower. We're married now. That's how it works, right?"

"Oh," was all Scott managed to get out. Then his arms were around Jimmy's neck, and his mouth was crashing against Jimmy's mouth, and it really didn't matter anymore what the rest of the factions outside the wall were or weren't planning.

Jimmy smiled as Scott grinned at him behind the delicate petals of the flower he held to his nose, and they both laughed.

- }{ -

"What's on your mind?"

One of Scott's ears flicked toward Jimmy at the sound of his voice, but he didn't take his eyes off the nearly complete flower crown in his hands. "Just trying to decide how many more roses I want in this."

Jimmy tucked in the end of the last stem on his own flower crown and placed it on Scott's head. "It's not very nice to lie to your husband, you know."

Scott chuckled, but Jimmy could hear the reservation lurking in the melodious notes. Jimmy cupped his cheek, and Scott leaned into the touch and closed his eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too." Jimmy pressed his lips to Scott's forehead. "Why do you sound so sad about it? You're not breaking up with me, are you?"

He meant it as a joke, but the way Scott looked at him sent his stomach plummeting.

"No, of course not." Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief, and Scott gave him an apologetic smile. "But seeing Scar turn red, it made me think about what's coming. What happens when this is all over."

"Didn't we already talk about this?" Jimmy kissed Scott's forehead, then the bridge of his nose, then under his eye. "We outlive everyone, and enjoy being nobodies together. Easy."

Scott's eyes were soft as he watched Jimmy. "Yeah. Easy." He finished weaving the flowers he still clutched, then crowned Jimmy with them. "But let's say something happens and we respawn back in our old lives. Would you...still want me?"

"Yes."

Jimmy answered without hesitation, not needing to think about it. He already had thought about, late at night staring at the ceiling and listening to Scott's steady breathing next to him. He knew this couldn't last forever, as badly as he wanted it to. But he and Scott could.

"I want to marry you for real," he said softly. "Maybe we can find a cleric somewhere, or maybe Ren could do it. Kings can do that sort of thing, right?"

Scott laughed. "You know what? Why don't we do it? Think about it; clerics and kings officiate marriages because they represent a higher authority. But the only authority I care to recognize is yours and mine."

"I like the sound of that." Jimmy kissed Scott's hand. If he'd ever been to any weddings, he couldn't remember them, but he could recall some vague approximation of what must be standard vows. "I promise to cherish you forever and stand by your side, for better or for worse, from one dream to the next."

Under a veil of sunshine and poppies, Scott smiled at his husband. "I promise to cherish you forever and stand by your side," he repeated. "For better or for worse, from one dream to the next."

The vows were simple, the kiss was chaste, and the only witnesses were butterflies and birds. But it was theirs, and it was beautiful. In a peaceful valley in one little corner of a strange world, two nobodies grinned at one another under the delicate petals of the flowers in their hair, and they both laughed.

[days-until-burnout]

🎨 Day 79 - (b)

>>> Art by @koalajay <<<

Characters - Jimmy/Tango Words - 805 Time - 30 mins Content - Slime Rancher AU | Original Post

On the other side of the walls, Jimmy heard Tango's voice and perked up. He heard him talking, cooing and fussing, the words muffled so he couldn't quite hear the words. So he dropped the coins he'd been counting on the counter, dashing out the door to meet his rancher.

"Tan—"

Jimmy's eyes went wide as Tango froze on the spot, a quiet 'uh-oh' coming from his lips. Jimmy's eyes nearly bulged out of his head, veins pulsing hard on his temple, eyes jumping between Tango's sheepish face and the rascals around his boots.

The air was dusted with burnt leather and burnt dirt. Holes in Tango's jacket and pants were more than enough evidence—nothing Tango could hide.

"I can't believe you!" Jimmy screeched. Tango and the red blobs jumped back, startled, and Jimmy could only glare at him, arms crossed over his chest, tapping his foot on the ground. "What do you have to say for yourself?!"

Instead of words, all Tango could offer was a sheepish smile.

After another second of staring at each other, they grabbed their vac packs and shoved the fiery slimes into the special area Tango had been working on for the last couple weeks. They had agreed to get them later next week after sending resources away, yet Tango—

Jimmy exhaled harshly, yanking the med-kit from inside the house after they were done. Tango was preoccupied with them, hands and face practically pressed against the walls, still cooing at the little guys. A couple plorts already filling the ground.

When Jimmy got close enough, Tango didn't even look back as he spoke, "We need to get the sucking thing, Jimmy. And- And toys! Toys, of course and, another fa—"

Tango's rambling cut off short as Jimmy grabbed him by the arm, pulling him along and away from the slimes. They walked away from any of the slimes and farms, near the house. Jimmy grumbled under his breath, fingers tight on the kit—firm on Tango too, but there was a weakness for him; his rancher.

"You—" Jimmy hissed once they stopped near the wooden fence. Tango leaned against it, a fond yet small smile on his lips as Jimmy knelt in front of him, setting the kit down, clicking it open to get the supplies. "And don't complain! You can't!"

"Alright, alright," Tango sighed, dropping his head to the side.

For the while they spent outside, Jimmy half grumbled half scolded Tango for his recklessness as he cleaned his wounds. The alcohol made Tango hiss, enough to bite his tongue while Jimmy worked as quickly yet meticulously as he could. His skin was hot to the touch, under Jimmy's fingertips and the bandages soaked blood, but Tango was unbothered—Jimmy knew why, the fire slimes were the only thing in Tango's mind. Tomorrow, or maybe next week, Tango would feel the pain proper.

"What were you doing, huh?! Did you try petting the fire slimes?" Jimmy raised his voice a little as he worked on the last visible injury, on the back of Tango's wrist. The cotton ball was cold with alcohol, but Tango's arm was warm, almost hot. "You are not fireproof, Tango! Look at you. Got all hurt and- and your clothes! Look at your clothes, Tango! I'm not patching them up for you, you hear me? That's what you get."

By then, after a dozen more words, Jimmy tossed the now red colored cotton ball along with the other pile. He twisted his wrist a little, eyeing and inspecting it to make sure it didn't need a bandage. It was shallow enough to be fine, but he would have to keep an eye on it, knowing his partner.

"Don't…" He sighed, letting Tango's wrist go as he dropped his own hands on his knees. "Don't wear a glove for a bit, alright?" He finished, his voice softer now.

"Sorry," Tango said finally, his voice alien after the while Jimmy had been scolding him. Still, Tango smiled down at Jimmy, sparkles in his eyes.

Jimmy sighed again, shoulders dropping. He inched closer, slotting himself between Tango's legs, arms wrapped around his waist as he dropped his head on his stomach. Carefully, Tango placed his left hand atop Jimmy's head, fingers threading the knots away from blond hairs.

The sun set around them, blue skies turning soft shades of orange. The warmth lingered on their bodies, contained between them.

Tango leaned down, pressing a small kiss on the top of Jimmy's head. And Jimmy replied in kind, taking Tango's right hand in his, pressing a kiss on his inner wrist above the line of his glove.

"I think we have enough for a collector," Jimmy whispered against the still warm skin of his wrist. "We… can get it tomorrow."

Tango hummed. Jimmy kissed his wrist again.

_____

reposted

[evolutiononthebrain]

Playground Life Games

I love the idea of Limited Life being a big game on a playground with school children. Not based on anything specific, just little bits i thought would be cute

***

Grian glances at the watch on his wrist. It’s Spiderman-themed, which is really cool, but not the most important part. The watch’s time display is the most important thing about the watch on his wrist.

3 hours from now, at 9pm, Grian and the rest of them had to go back to their houses. Curfews were so dumb, Grian thought, but his mum would kiII him if he was home late, so he didn’t argue much.

“Okay!” He shouts to his circle of friends. It quickly gets all of their attention. “Everybody’s watches set?” He checks.

It’s a few moments of everyone checking their watches, before Jimmy pipes up. “I don’t know how to set mine!” He whines. Groans come from the group.

Tango, standing next to Jimmy, grabs his wrist and tinkers with it for a moment before exclaiming, “Done! We’re ready, G-man!”

Grian nods seriously, glancing around the circle. “The boogeyman will be randomly chosen by whoever finds the piece of paper I’ve hidden first. When you’re the boogey-“ He’s unceremoniously cut off by Pearl shouting, “We know about the boogeyman! Can we go play now?” She asks.

To his utter shock and surprise, everyone else starts nodding and agreeing with Pearl.

Grian pouts, “Fine! Go!” He yells, throwing his hands up in the air. Everyone scatters like rats.

***

“Oh, Lizzie,” Joel sighs the girl’s name dreamily. He clutches his chest, leaning against the metal leg of the playground jungle gym the Bad Boys have claimed as their base.

Grian rolls his eyes, flicking the boy on his arm. “Lizzie,” He mocks the dreamy tone, high pitched, “thinks you’re lame.” He says. Joel glares at him, flicking Grian right back on the forehead.

Poor, oblivious Jimmy looks between his two teammates, utterly confused. “What about my sister?” He asks.

“Lizzie? Oh, I love Lizzie!” Scar interrupts their conversation. Grian really should stop rolling his eyes, or he really will get them ‘stuck like that,’ like his mum says.

But he can’t help it, not when Joel glares so hard at Scar that it’s shocking that Scar doesn’t light on fire and explode in front of them.

***

“They want to be known as the Mean Gills?” Jimmy says, again in his, seemingly, default state of utter confusion.

Cleo laughs loudly, “Mean Girls?” She asks, curious amusement on her face.

“No, no, Mean Gills!” Martyn chimes in, walking over. “A very clever pun, if I do say so myself.” He says, self-satisfied.

“It’s your team name, then?” Cleo asks, “Like, Jimmy’s whole ‘Bad Boys’ thing.” She snorts.

Jimmy makes an affronted sound. “I am the bad boy of the playground!” He says insistingly. Cleo laughs, verging on cackles, and hunches over as she puts her hands on her knees to support herself.

“Aww,” She giggles, wiping an imaginary tear from her eye, “Aww, of course you are, Jim.” She says, nodding patronizingly.

***

“Why can’t Ren play with us?” BigB pouts. He’s been asking that for the past two hours they’ve been playing. Grian hands him a stick, which they’re gathering for weapons.

“Because, BigB,” Grian starts, exasperated from having to explain this again, “Ren is at summer-camp all summer. It’s for werewolves or something.” Grian explains, crossing his arms.

“I miss him.” BigB frowns.

“You were literally cheating on him with me last summer. We were secret soulmates and you want to go back to your other soulmate?” Grian squints at him, almost offended.

BigB is silent. Grian throws his hands up in the air and walks away.

***

It has to be the hottest day of the summer. Scar fans himself uselessly with his hand. He starts to pull off his shirt.

Cleo turns around from where she was organizing their lunchboxes-turned-chests. The shirt is halfway pulled off as she shouts, “Scar!”

“What?” He asks.

“Keep your shirt on!” Cleo says loudly. In the distance, Scar hears Bdubs laugh from their farm. He sighs, pulling the shirt back on.

“Okay mom!” Scar chirps, just because he knows it annoys her and the heat is putting him in a gremlin, mischievous mood. Cleo groans, glaring at him as she heads off toward Bdubs at the farm.

Jokes on her, Bdubs thinks calling Cleo ‘mom’ is even funnier than Scar does!

[bengiyo]

Last Twilight Ep 3 Stray Thoughts

Last time, Mhok began working and was pleased with his salary. He may be rough around the edges, but he was doing his "easy" job. He had some initial friction with Day around moving his things and taking care of the fish, but things came to a head when Day tried to run from strangers seeing his condition. Mhok got triggered, thinking Day might hurt himself, and broke into his room. Mhok got fired, but Porjai came to talk to Day about Mhok putting himself through an exercise to understand Day's disability more and the two have reconciled for now.

I like the two of them straightening Day's room together and understanding the system to help him find things. It's a relief to see Day having fun with it.

The inflatable dino costumes are so silly. This is fun.

Now, Mhok, you know better than to swipe through someone else's pictures.

They saw Day making progress around the house and made him instantly clam back up by suggesting he go back to school.

Mhok's relationship with Porjai is used very well here. I love that she has moved on from Mhok and is happy, so I don't feel bad about her giving perspective and wondering about some jealousy plotline.

I like the pace of the relationship between Mhok and Day so far. Day is already asking Mhok for help on his own.

I will always love teachers who refuse to let students give up on themselves.

Mhok is a good listener and supporter. I like that he doesn't involve himself in the conversations between the family or the teacher, and that he aids Day's attempt to avoid notice.

Said the name of the show. Finish your drinks.

Thank you for keeping the lights on, Oishii.

I like how Mhok plays with the preconceptions that he doesn't know much to encourage Day to figure out some things. It's a very gentle approach that uses Day's own ego to move him forward.

WE HAVE FINALLY USED THE BANGKOK METRO SYSTEM IN A BL. 🎉 IPYTM came close, but we never went inside.

I love that Mhok tried to prank Day with the pink shirt. Later, in the dressing room, we know he's watching out for Day because he confirmed that he knew what was on the shirt he picked.

I like the way the physical tension between them around Day's exposed body is building.

And Day made Mhok get the pink shirt! I love this.

Mhok being sure to include Day in the conversation with the bookstore owner is a great touch. I like that he didn't let Day give up and insisted they find the book today.

Even if it's a bit artificial, I like Mhok slipping the book where Day would find it to help him have a sense of accomplishment since Day had been also sifting through books.

The last page is missing? How will we know the ending? Okay, Aof. I see you.

Increasing the price because he's Mhok's friend was so fun. It's the kind of detail that makes the world feel like it has a history. It was clearly a joke and let Day have fun.

Oh, we were having such a good day, and now Mhok feels like he has to defend Porjai and in a fight against Porjai's two-timing boyfriend. Now Day is lost.

Oh my goodness, did Mhok switch to the pink shirt to make himself more visible? I am going to melt.

Mhok is so ready for people to look down on him that he immediately owned his own history rather than let the mom hold it over him.

Oh shit that was great eye shine from Jimmy when Day started saying how much he appreciates Mhok.

Not sure what all is going on with Night and Day yet, but I like that he came to Mhok's defense after they left the room.

That was a really well done wind down for this episode.

More of Film next week!!

So, I'm really loving this show and so glad that a GMMTV show is back to sound episodic structure. Jimmy and Sea both feel much more attuned to their characters and their chemistry feels a lot easier than their last outing. This is a solid watch

[bitletsanddrabbles]

[Fic] Post Pandemic

So during the pandemic I wound up writing a series of Modern AU, Introvert Thomas/Extrovert Chris stories inspired by a prompt from... I wanna say it was @tuesdayisfordancing , but correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway. Thomas wound up working retail, because that's my job, and my company is international, so that was my model.

Today was....A Day. Actually, the week has kinda been A Week, but today was definitely A Day, so I once again wound up sharing my troubles with Mr Barrow. And by 'sharing', I mean 'putting him through my pain'.

-

Chris did not miss the pandemic. Alright, technically it was still going on in the way the common old pandemic was always going on, only with regular vaccines, but he could at least leave the house. He could see his friends. He could go out dancing. Most of all, there wasn’t a one hundred percent chance of Thomas coming home from work hacked off, with his social battery drained to zero.

“I swear, if the store burns down or Mr Carson goes missing, I have no idea what happened!”

Only a fifty percent chance. Apparently it was not a good day. Chris stuck his head out of the flat’s spare bedroom turned office and watched his boyfriend angrily strip off his coat and hang it up. The key to dating an introvert, especially an introvert named Thomas Barrow, was knowing what sort of damage control was needed. For instance, right now was not the time to offer cuddles. It wasn’t that the other man didn’t need them, mind, his battery was just low enough that physical contact would wipe it out. That had been utter bloody hell during lock down, when cabin fever had left Chris climbing the walls and desperate for any sort of touch. Now, fortunately, even though Chris spent the day working from home three days a week, he had no problem with giving the proper reply. “Beer’s in the fridge. I’ll be out shortly and you can bitch.”

As Thomas made his way into the kitchen, Chris entered the last bit of data in his spread sheet and shut the computer down. By the time he walked out to the main room, Thomas was curled in the corner of the sofa, open beer in his hand. There was another beer sitting on the coffee table. Chris grabbed it and dropped into the opposite corner of the sofa from Thomas, giving the other man lots of space. “So, what happened this time?”

Thomas took a swig of beer and, eyes closed, sighed. “Right. So. Apparently last night, after I left, Robert called and said he was going to stop past today and see how things were going.” He cracked one eye and looked toward Chris.

Chris winced. “Oh dear. Well, that’s never good.” Robert Crawley was the District Manager of Thomas’s store, and while he was a nice enough fellow, generally speaking, he didn’t seem to know how the stores actually worked. Worse, Mr Carson, the General Manager, idolised him. Chris personally thought that Mr Carson’s famous, low grade homophobia was a symptom of being utterly gay for Robert, but Thomas told him he was reading too much into it.

“No, it isn’t.” Thomas made a face. “Personally I’m just surprised that Jimmy and H didn’t both quit on us. Honestly. We not only had to move all of the back stock to one side of the store room and sweep the entire other side, because that was ‘tidy’…and made it so that we couldn’t get to half our stock…but we had to change the isle structure in produce, package the loose water for sale, finish the rewrapping from clothing, and the bakery needed to move the Victoria sponge to a more visible location, which required us to move actual tables. And that’s just the start.”

“Oof.” Chris was surprised Thomas hadn’t set the store on fire, honestly.

“Of course, after we managed all of that, with each person being given at least three things to do, all of which was top priority, and swept the entire store, guess who changed his mind about showing up?” Thomas took a long swig off of his beer.

Chris stared. “Robert? You’re joking.”

“No joke.” Thomas’s tone was dry enough to make the Sahara look like an ocean. “Apparently something came up. He might stop past tomorrow, though.”

“Hm…” Chris frowned and sipped at his beer. At least if it happened, or didn’t happen, again the following day he’d be forewarned, which meant he could be forearmed. Better booze, for one. That didn’t help right now, though. Thomas still clearly needed cuddles, but wow, not the time yet. “Tell you what. I was going to suggest we eat out tonight, but change of plans. Why don’t we order in? Any place you like, my treat.”

“Chinese?” Thomas asked, hopefully.

It wasn’t Chris’s favourite, he preferred solid British food, or pizza, but this wasn’t about him. It was about spoiling his boyfriend into relaxing enough for a bath, a movie, and a cuddle on the sofa, before a very relaxing night in bed to prepare him for the next day. “Sure. Although if we do that, I’m changing into my dressing gown once the food gets here.”

“Which one?” Thomas gave him a sceptical look.

Chris grinned. “The Christmas one.”

Thomas groaned. “No, please! I don’t want to think about Christmas! Can’t you at least do the Valentine’s one?”

“Only if you wear yours.”

“Deal.”

[captainschaos]

steam and smoke

I got @bonthebanana as my @mcyt-valentines valentine, and I've got a little ranchers fic for ya !! I ended up just doing a lil bit of mostly canon compliant angst/fluff, but I had a nice time writing it, and hope you like it!!!

word count: 1203

---/---/---

Tango still feels the fire. Not his own- the phoenix feels two heats, in such a blaze. The fire that is his, and the fire that isn’t. His holds his fury, the pounding of his blood as he fights to smother the flames destroying his home, it holds his love and his hatred. The other holds only the intent to harm that which he loves. It is nothing like him. But then there’s a third heat. 

Jimmy hands him a mug of hot cider. 

It snaps Tango back to reality, and he looks up at his soulmate, remembering where they are. He sits on a wooden stool in one of the barns, the smell of hay and good soil on the air. Jimmy sits on an overturned bucket across from him, holding his own steaming mug and smiling gently. 

“Feeling better?”

Tango sighs, and a puff of smoke drifts from his mouth with the breath. It makes Jimmy giggle a bit, though the canary quickly quiets himself, trying to be sincere. In all honesty, he’s doing very well, and Tango shifts to look at the ground. 

“A bit. It just–” A sound somewhere between a shriek and a groan escapes his throat, as Tango leans back and puts a hand to his face. “It’s all gone! All that work, all just– woosh!”

“Well, not all gone, right?” Jimmy leans back, to an angle where he can glance out through the barn door. He does wince a bit when he spots what’s left of the ranch house. Tango’s glad he can’t see outside in this moment. Strategic positioning on Jimmy’s part, likely, when he brought Tango in and sat him down. “We’ll rebuild. We can rebuild, easy!”

But Jimmy’s latter words are a bit fuzzy as they reach Tango’s ears. He’s looking at the hands that cup Jimmy’s own mug of hot drink, and the burn marks that adorn them. Charcoal is smudged on the side edges of his fingers, but the fingertips are raw and red. And looking at them, Tango remembers the flurry of events that transpired not a half hour before. The fires of the ranch, mostly put out, seemed to settle in his stomach. He was furious, his own flames flaring, and he growled and screamed at the people around who had laughed at his loss. Their loss. He remembered the hands that had grabbed him, pulled him back, been gentle when all he wanted was to be horrid. And soft words had told him to wait, kept him safe from the neighbors that laughed, and tucked him into the barn. 

He hadn’t noticed, until this moment. 

“...Oh, Jimmy…”

“Hm?” The canary followed Tango’s gaze and glanced down at his own hands, then hurriedly tried to hide them when he realized. Which he failed to really do all that well around a mug. “Oh, ah, it’s fine, really. Nothing too bad, promise!”

Tango set his own drink carefully on the floor, then leaned forward, reaching out to Jimmy. One hand took the canary’s mug gingerly, while the other took one of his hands with an even more tender touch. The last thing he wanted was to hurt him more, after all. 

“They should heal up quick enough,” Jimmy says, his voice speeding up in a clear attempt to make Tango feel better.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Tango whispers, voice feeling weak as he sees what he did to his soulmate. “It was just so–”

“Hey, hey–” Jimmy’s freed hand moves now, and cups Tango’s cheek with the same tenderness he’d cradled his mug. He pushes the phoenix with gentle touch to make him look him in the eyes, and he smiles. “I know, yeah? I know you didn’t mean to hurt me.”

“But, still! I didn’t even realize…” Tango glances away quickly, though he doesn’t stray from Jimmy’s touch. 

“You were trying to protect us! I get it, I promise, Tango.” Jimmy’s voice is so bright, so kind. It always is. 

“I messed that up pretty bad then, huh?” Tango says with a pathetic little laugh. 

Jimmy laughs in return. “I mean, you scared them off pretty good, didn’t ya?”

“I guess. Just– next time, leave me to get into my trouble, won’t you?” Tango shifts his focus from the wall of the barn to Jimmy’s hands once more, wincing as he once again sees the reddened skin. “I’ll burn somebody else.”

“Hey. I know that too, you know.”

Tango can’t help but look back to Jimmy’s gaze. The canary’s expression is soft, but there’s determination in it. This is the balance of Jimmy. He can be sweet, but also so stubborn. He can be loud, but also so gentle. And in this moment, Tango had felt horrible for how he’d hurt his soft-feathered soulmate. But there’s something resolute, set in stone, as his eyes meet his. 

“I knew what I was doing, alright? Believe me,” he says with a laugh, “I’ve died plenty enough times to consider myself an expert, when it comes to jumping in places I shouldn’t. But this is my place. With you.” Jimmy’s touch finally lowers from Tango’s face, and he puts his hand over the one Tango is using to hold his commandeered mug. Tango holds one of Jimmy’s hands, Jimmy holds one of his. A cycle, a trade. A connection. A bond. “Soulmates gotta look out for their soulmates, yeah? So I’m gonna look out for ya! And I don’t care if I have to grab a few fiery hands to do it, alright?”

Tango can’t help but smile, as Jimmy’s head dips and his expression only widens to something more insistent. It’s understanding with a force, with eyes alight with unstoppable spirit, a smile brightened by laughter and empathy. Tango can’t help but believe in such a face. 

“You’re a wonder, Jimmy Solidarity, you know that?”

“Oh, stop it!” And Jimmy finally looks away, just a tinge of shyness pinking his cheeks. He quickly recovers and sends a jab back at Tango. “Just remember which of us died first, that's all I'm saying.”

“Hey now!” Tango slips Jimmy’s mug back into his hand, and leans down to pick his own back up. “I mean, it’s not like we don’t know who will get the last life…”

“Not me! I refuse this time!” Jimmy stands up, a fist planted at his hip as he turns his attention toward the door. “But it would help both of us live a bit longer if we got a real roof back over our heads.” He looks to Tango, and for just a moment the playful teasing slips as that same, steady kindness fills his gaze. “Ready to go see how bad it is?”

Tango sighs deep, but stands up himself. He sips the cider, and feels its warmth travel to his stomach, sitting coupled with the burning rage in his gut. But it’s something sweeter, something spiced. Something like home. And that’s what he holds onto, as he steels himself to assess the charred remains of the ranch. Revenge can come later. For now, he needs to take care of Jimmy. And he trusts Jimmy will take care of him. 

“Let’s go, partner.”

[tubbytarchia]

ji str

he joins the server sees sausage and hes acutally relatively normal. a creeper tries to blow both of them up and jimmys annoyed that sausage didnt see it. eloise comes along and jimmy and saus do. a perfect harmony

eloises house/tent looks like a nipple. she says this and they both agree. sausage says something then jimmy threatens to kick him

sausage has a dangerous bridge and when eloise asks for rails he says the dangers part of the fun

they split up and jimmy mutes to talk about the tuff blocks. sausage comes over and punches him and jimmys like yes sir? ...?????

sausage wants jim to watch a sausage clip. they talk about tuff blocks for a bit then jimmy goes to watch it. its a clip of sausages pov of the creeper and its not on his screen at all. nobody can see the creeper. they think its invisible. jimmy apologises and theyre both really confused

jim goes tuff mining and talks to chat for ages. hes texturing his build :3 really hard to get a good screenshot cuz he moves so much but it looks great

jimmy sees sausage and eloise and goes over to their cave. sausage says theres lore in the cave and jimmy threatens to kick him again. (the "lore" is firing wind charges and being like oooohhh spookyyyyy wind coming from the floor!!!!)

someones been leavings chests full of armour in eloises house and jims like thats probably sausage. and when he denies it they run away and split up.

jimmy goes to a trial chamber alone to pick up some copper bulbs. he immediately spawns some cave spiders but hes all fine. he doesnt get distracted! he gets some bulbs a couple doors then leaves.

olis in chat and jimmy shows off his cave house. he calls it "our house" which is very sweet...... they will always be real

he needs some moss so he decides to bonemeal it like. right behind sausages place. maybe 20 blocks or so away from it. which made me giggle

he adds in all the copper bulbs and. its so cute. i love his little cave so much.

he breaks his spruce doors to replace them and theres just a zombie waiting outside for him. a polite guest. kind of forgot they dont break wooden doors

hes so happy about his build he wants to show it off. sneeg comes over cuz hes mad someone stole all his eggs and released all his chickens (???) and jimmys like haha do u like my base :) and sneegs like yeah before continuing to talk about the chickens. normally i would get a little annoyed about him being brushed off but the chicken situation is SO baffling???? its probably martyn since he wants to build where the chicken farm was but like. if it was martyn he probably wouldve just killed all the chickens first before breaking things. since they were in a little fenced off area it wouldve been easy. but theres just chickens EVERYWHERE

sausage comes over and he loves jimmys build so much. its very cute actually. he compliments jimmys texturing and calls it lovely. then he unwaxes one of jimmys lights and says he loves waxing off in jimmys room. then sausage dips and returns to give jimmy some glowberries and glow lichen :)

he brings a couple lilacs over too and tries to place them but theres no dirt where jimmy wants to place them. sausage mines a single piece of dirt off the side of the land theyre on (the lip oli built. its like a floating bit of land attached to the side of the donut) and jimmy gets so annoyed at him for breaking it

aaaand stream over tomorrows probably hardcore again. wednesday a coop game with martyn oli and saus. thursday little nightmares. friday manhunt. wooooooo

YAYY JI STR

I. I need to see that part of Sausage punching Jimmy and Jimmy going "yes sir?" for myself. sometime when the vod is up. =???

Yessss though Jimmy's so good at building!! In the last "build and seek" vid too, he did some fantastic texturing imo. BUT ALSO him being proud?? And not immediately dismissing himself like "no it's bad" or "no I'm stupid" like he's prone to do??? Oh it's heaven on earth. He's proud and he stays proud and he shows his little cave off to others... ohhhh Jimmy ohh I'm so PROUD OF YOU. IM SO PROUD OF YOU. BE PROUD STAY PROUD YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS SWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Jimmy calling his home "our house" with Oli is so beautiful ur so right. There's always something with Jimmy and homes in all the. trauma. so this makes me want to both smile and cry doubly so

Sausage and Jimmy being genuinely cute makes me grit my teeth because I'm too tense. Anticipating something horrible. But for now. Just for now... They can be cute... Can you be like this more often Sausage then maybe I will like you. All of this minus the "I love waxing off in your room" thing please and thanks. But the lilacs lmaooo what are you trying to do Sausage. Its not going to work. This bit about trying to create the 2nd flower husbands was comedic the first time at most. Now it's just stale and annoying, this and last time. like 90% of your sex jokes sorry I am being a hater. Tired of being nice. Need to be a hater. Being a hater but need to keep up with everything that is Jimmy. I need to see and hear about his character development even if the surrounding context sometimes makes me want to pull my eyes out

[sunwarmed-ash]

WIP wednesday

i've been rebinging House so the next chapter of Plenty to go around is essentially done. Unless the muse gets something else finished first that'll probs be sundays update

here's a teaser for ch 5 👀😈 vvvv

slut!chase, daddy kink, top!house, chase/everyone fic

Chase is showered and on his way back to the sleep lab when he's met with two highly unexpected, early morning visitors. 

Foreman���s been able to save face, and ass, for about 15 minutes, but when Chase walks in with still-damp hair and a sizable limp House & Wilson put two and two together and get slut. 

Wilson looks pleasantly amused between the two young men, whereas House’s eyes threaten homicide. 

“Well, I’m glad to see we’re upholding the Princeton Plainsboro standard of care in my absence,” House spits.

“The patient's fine-” Chase starts to insist but House is quick to shut him down. 

“Not talking to you.” 

Chase flushes red and his jaw snaps close with a click of his teeth.  

“Someone left Chase hanging,” Foreman laughs, folding his arms across his chest, “figured it was my turn to lend a helping hand.” 

Chase thinks it's ballsy, talking back to House like that. Maybe a little too ballsy. Just because the team was independently fucking Chase didn't mean their pecking order changed. 

“You’re interfering with his punishment. How can the slut learn if you undermine my authority?”

Foreman and House continue to glare at each other like they were a couple of cowboys about to draw their weapons at a high noon standoff. Foreman’s the first to fire. 

“Your training must not be that good,” Foreman shrugs, “Got him to cum twice with the cage on anyway.”

Chase clears his throat to cover an unexpected moan. And then every bit of House’s fury is suddenly directed at Chase. 

“He did what?”

“I-” Chase’s entire body flushes hot. There was nothing he could say to deny it. “I'm sorry.” 

The edge of House’s mouth raises in a smirk but Chase knows from experience that doesn't mean anything good for him. 

“Oooo naughty boy. Now Daddy’s going to have to spank you.”

---

They’ve relocated to House's office. 

The blinds are drawn but the doors aren't locked and as soon as he can, House pushes Chase down across his desk, yanks down his pants, and slaps his exposed ass cheek hard. 

“Fuck!” Chase howls, hips thrusting against the desk in an effort to get away from the stinging pain. That doesn't last long though, because when it takes too long for another swat to come, Chase is pushing his ass backward and wordlessly begging for another. 

“Nope, not if you enjoy it. Defeats the point of punishment,” House says before pushing the tip of his forefinger past the puffy entrance of Chase’s asshole. 

“AH!” Chase hisses.

“You're pretty swollen, you sore?”

“Yes Daddy…” Chase pants, resting his face back against the desk’s surface. 

“How about now,” House asks before rotating his forefinger to find Chase’s prostate. He pushes hard against it and-

“Ah!” Chase hisses, “Yes, fuck, oh my god…” 

“Good. It’s going to get worse,” House warns before he pushes a second finger inside. 

“Fuck. Daddy please…” Chase cries. His hands fly across the desk, knocking everything to the ground in an effort to find something to hold onto. The sting in his ass hurts, but the ache in his cock and balls has him begging for this to continue. 

“House…” Wilson warns, misreading Chase's noise. Chase had honestly forgotten the man was there.

House huffs his own irritation the doctors way. 

“Chase? You good?”

“YES! Please, please,” Chase pants desperately, “I’m sore, but I want it. Don’t stop.”

“See Jimmy. Nothing to worry about.” 

House twists his fingers and rubs again at his oversensitive prostate, Chase’s knees tremble so hard that if it wasn't for House’s desk, he’d fall on the floor. 

“Fuck…Daddy…”

“What? You want to cum? You don't deserve to.”

“I know, I know, I'm sorry,” Chase sobs, but in some ways he's not. Everything hurts, but just the way he likes. He’s got House’s full attention on him, and when he gets jealous, his fucks get rougher. His desire to mark his claim gets stronger. And Chase loves when that side comes out. 

“Foreman didn't cum in you?” 

“No. But I wanted him to.”

Chase can practically hear House’s eyes roll. 

“Of course you did, you want everyone to cum in you.”

“Please,” Chase blubbers. 

“What are you willing to do for it?” House asks, and before Chase can answer, House’s cock is sliding inside him and Chase melts against the desk with a pitiful whimper. 

“Hey,” House says, slapping Chase's ass, “I asked you a question.”

“Anything,” Chase groans, ass clenching hard around the man’s cock.  

“Anything?” House confirms, dragging his dick back out before thrusting sharply back inside. “Keep the cage on, for say, 3 days?”

“Hhhn,” Chase whines instead of answering because House has started up a steady pace, holding Chase’s hips firm. The angle puts immense pressure on his prostate and Chase’s whimpers only get louder. The desk squeaks under the strain, but there’s no way in hell anyone will stop. 

“Chase.”

Chase's answer gets punched out of him with the force of House’s next thrusts.

“Yes!” 

“A week?”

Chase’s legs are having a hard time keeping up with the thrusts.

“Y-yeah...” 

“2 months?” 

House’s next thrusts are intentionally deep. Chase feels his sanity sizzle and fry.  

“Fuck… yeah, yeah I would. I would, please- just,” Chase groans, unable to finish the sentence the next jab to his prostate leaves him gasping. 

“Wilson, put your dick in his mouth. If he keeps moaning, someone's gonna walk in here.”

[california-112]

TLG: E02 'Live'blog

TL;DR - I'm not entirely convinced I understood this episode, but it was a pretty fun ride nonetheless, and we've got a new friend out of it! Not another Gunman, but just a kinda. Pet idiot I suppose. Also, I have had my first tiny sip of Lone Gunmen h/c and am already wanting more.

Knocked out guy. Japan?

Whaling?

FROHIKE???

Damn son gettim

The extended airtime. This has to be a videogame right

This is just not Frohike's voice lol

Oh wAIT WHAT? THAT WAS REAL LIFE?

Oops

Ass to the face lol

CREDITS SEQUENCE!!! :D

I dislike the theme tho

Oh wait I take that back. This theme kinda f*cks its just that the opening is unnecessarily redneck

Balcony golf?

You're seriously waiting until now to put the silencer on.

Tiny mouth man! Is dead.

Litearlly what was the significance of that lol

They're needing credit for their own papers 😬 ;-; Besties I'll buy a copy...

LONE GUNWOMAN OF THE WEEK??? 🤮🤮🤮 Langly I thought better of you

What happened to actually using the ten million locks on the door

Not this woman again

I have every respect for Byers wearing only suits.

Their very own mystery machine...

Awww they all share the bench seat at the front <3

He would be very ill from ingesting that much gasoline. Like not 'lets go on a roadtrip' more like 'lets get to the hospital'

Langly literally what are you wearing.

Oooh no its a granny square cushion I get it. Sorry Langly

Yeah called that one

"Good grief...!" Every day I love Byers more

Bet ya he washes all the signatures off

CALLED IT

Tigger Woods...Hundred Acre woods?...

The van has a periscope?!?!?! Love

Oh yeah like Mr Bond or whatever didn't notice that the only other vehicle in the car park was a suspicious whited-out campervan

That's a f*cking close tail guys. You're only just in the two second rule let alone visual range

Heart monitor?

I have been given a glimpse into the world of Lone Gunmen hurt comfort and must now have moreee

Oh oof. Langly is not doing well this ep.

Wait it's not even a bench seat. It's two seats. They just sit three abreast because theyre besties

This music yesss

"Our glasses are never empty" surprising take on that that I hadn't thought of before

Ah yes the classic 2001 unpassworded computer

The assassin???

Montage yasss

Langly you're on thin ice oh wait no it broke

My boy...

"Are you talking to Byers, should I call back?" 💀💀💀

More evidence for bi Frohike truthers... (me)

NOOO MY BOY

Oh ok good. Well not good but y'know. Not too bad either

Oh...he's putting it together...

Wait is this the office the other guy got killed outside

"He was thinking with his heart not his head" 🥺

They're so concerned for eachother its adorable

I'm starting to like Yves a bit actually

Awww Jimmy :(

The way Frohike doesn't even come up to his shoulders 💀

TELL 'IM BOND! GET HIS ASS!!!

NOOO

Love me some Russian practice! Didn't really get a word lol

Get it Yves

You'll catch him??? Really???

Oh I understood that! :D

Wait, wait a moment. Is this the house from TXF S01E12 'Fire'???

Oh Langly actually did make it up to her :)

They don't even have gas money :'(

They had to push it all the way back LOLLL

The papers!!! Yay!!! Good boy Mr Bond!!!

[rainbowchaox]

Okay SO- I think me and a good portion of peeps that will read this were “normal” about the new sheriff skin. But me as a rancher trash will always make new content yes even skin changes into more rancher brainrot. SO LISTEN!

Gem kills him and Jimmy is left with “the skin” he is wearing. eventually a good portion of people who are being harassed by villain Jimmy calls the only one they can see to calm Jimmy angry and pissed ass down. Hence Tango at bumfuck am getting a interdimensonal call for help from the empires to come here to calm his man down.

Meanwhile Tango who was woken up at bumfuck am on the one of the few days he actually slept is befuddled because they need help to calm jimmy. His jimmy? The love of his life that cried helping a cow give birth back in double life? The one dude that no matter how mad he is if you hug him he will melt into a lazy Birb puddle.

So tango does what tango does best and breaks and enters Grian house. And gives grian a major jumpscare. After Grian curses up a storm and has a couple cups of black coffee in his system manages to open a rift for a short period with help from Doc and Cub without Xisuma waking up. (Imagine Xisuma still wearing his helmet but over said helmet is one of those cheesy sleep masks. He is also wearing a cringy fuzzy red robe.)

Anyways eventually befuddled but always ready for more time with his rancher tango and Grian being he really needs to sleep chaperone and if mumbo or scar knew how much coffee and energy drinks he downed in a single setting they will have WORDS. Grian isn’t scared of much. But he is afraid of we are disappointed in your choices because we care rants that Scar and mumbo are known to do whenever he makes sus health or wellness choices. They get there and OH boy everything is burning.

Pretty much instead of pizza Grian is holding his billionth cup of black coffee. Cue all the empires folks that made fun of Jimmy covered in ash and soot. Bruised a bit crawling out of fire like demons but cry from relief seeing Tango and Grian because oh god have they had a bad couple days. They through ugly crying tries to explain that Jimmy lost his marbles.

WHEN BAM! Villain Jimmy full chest out finds them. Grian just thinks Great not another person following in scar footsteps while looking at himself and secretly thinking he needs to work out. CAUSE how dare Jimmy be ripped af.

While Tango is no thought. Eyes zoomies. Tail waving. Beet red. Unable to speak. Full gay mess. Jimmy meanwhile is holding a flint and steel. Being all dangerous and evil.

Eventually Tango wakes up from his gay panic when he sees Jimmy bloody and bruised knuckles. Along with the scar that is across his chest. Cue ranch burning 2.0 scene but Jimmy is the one that needs to calm down. Which he does eventually because tango is his beloved. Full hugs and all that. Eventually Jimmy just sorta flops on tango when all his stress and Adrenaline runs out mixed with tango equals safety. And tango manages to tuck him in. Cue Tango reprimanding everyone for being so sucky that Jimmy almost completely lost. Imagine like a teacher giving you I thought you were better than this talk. And yes eventually he gets in bed with Jimmy for cuddles.

[writingjoycebyers]

Could you write a Jopper wedding ficlet? :)

This has been in my drafts for ages. It has nothing to do with ST4. But well… here you go.

Iam pretty sure this is not what you had been thinking of when you requested this, anon. It‘s my first go at writing after months! This is highly inspired by Little Women and Jo March. It is absolutely (!) AU. This ask has been in my inbox the longest and I literally could never ever imagine a jopper wedding somehow. But … here you go. I‘d appreciate some reactions as a welcome back for me. 📫

______________________________

Oh, Jimmy boy.

A Joyce Byers one shot based on Little Women and Stranger Things

Joyce Horowitz was only 12 years old when the old, forgotten house next to her home was suddenly not so empty anymore. She sat on the windowsill with her sisters, fighting for the best spot to watch the new neighbors move in . Abigail was, at six years old, still too short at this point to even see through the window without climbing onto a chair, so she was no real danger, but Joyce‘s sister Beatrice was only two years younger than her, which made her the perfect height to push her elbow into Joyce‘s side to make space for herself on the windowsill. Madeline, the oldest Horowitz sister, was 15 years old at that point and pretended to be too mature to care about some new kids moving in next door. If she‘d been honest, she would have loved to sit by the window too. Joyce kept her eyes locked on the family walking into the house, carrying boxes and bags. A mother - tall and blonde, a father - even taller and a boy, maybe twelve or thirteen, Joyce could not tell. His clothes looked a bit too large, his hair - blonde and shiny - a bit too long. He could need a cut, Joyce thought, resembling words her mother usually said whenever Joyce’s dark waves would become undetangable again. Her cheeks would heat up seeing the boy through the window the next few days although snow was piling up outside. Although Hawkins had become a cold place this winter. Her cheeks would heat up like the fire burning in their fireplace, as if she was in a fever even though she did not even know the new family. It must be that she always had been nosy. You could not feel a connection to someone you did not even know yet, right?

It was her 13th birthday, just about a year later, when she could not imagine life without the boy next door anymore. James Hopper had become her best friend - from building snowmen to roaming the woods in the summer - they had not left each other’s side ever since that one day a month after he had moved in.

A cold night one winter day, Hawkins had been taken over by a horrible snow storm and suddenly - although nobody was to leave their houses - there was a knock on the Horowitz‘s front door.

„My goodness.“, Joyce heard her mother say a few seconds after she had opened the front door.

A low voice answered. „I am sorry to disturb, Madame. But my parents have left the country to visit my aunt and our roof‘s been lacking all night.“

„Oh, Jimmy, Boy. Come in.“, Joyce’s mother said as all four Horowitz girls stuck their noses through the living room door into the hallway. It was the neighbour’s boy. Abby let out a surprised „What’s he doing here?“, while Madeline shrunk her shoulders, getting back to the living room totally unimpressed. Beatrice coughed again. She was too weak to say anything, the cold weather had never been something for her. Their reactions left Joyce by the door, her head visible between the doorframe as she gave the freezing boy in the hallway a soft smile.

„Hello.“, she whispered.

„Hello.“, he whispered back. „You’re the window girl.“, he said and his words made her cheeks burn in a fever of embarrassment.

„I’m Joyce.“, she added sheepishly.

„Jimmy.“

—————

When Joyce was sixteen, Jimmy became Jim.

„Come on, Jimmy, or we are gonna be late for school.“, she yelled over, very unladylike, as she waited on the little path in front of his house for him to come out.

Two minutes later he stood in front of her, still buttoning up his shirt. „Don’t call me that, Joy.“

„But it’s your name.“

„Not anymore, Joyce, I am sixteen, look.“, he said, taking her hand for her to touch his shoulders. „I’ve been doing push ups.“

_________

Joyce was nineteen, some time had passed after high school, when Jim told her he had to leave. The last three years had passed by in a rush, and whenever Joyce and Jim watched each other’s reflection down by the lake they’d spend their summer at, they would not find any resemblance to the boy and girl they had been when Jim had started doing push ups.

“What do you mean, you’re leaving?”, Joyce scoffed as if it was just a stupid joke. They were laying next to each other on the ground by the banks of the lake.

"Police training, the city, a job.", he summed up his situation. He did not look at her but the sky above them. There was a mosquito humming next to his ear.

"Yeah, alright, I see.", was all Joyce could mumble as the lump in her throat got bigger and summer came to an end.

_______________

Joyce was twenty-one when Jim Hopper returned for good.

“What’s that, stupid?”, she laughed as he stood in front of her with a small bouquet of wild flowers. He had phoned her that he’d be back in town and she had agreed when he had suggested to meet up where Hawkins town bordered the woods, right behind her parents’ house. He must have thought she did still live with them.

“Flowers.”, he replied although it was obvious.

When Joyce got closer she realized he was sweating, maybe even shaking a bit.

“Look Joyce, I don’t wanna lose any more time. Don’t say nothing. Just take the damn flowers.”, he started his speech.

Joyce took them, leaning against an old fence that had once protected her granddad’s horses.

“I don’t wanna do this anymore. Two years of letters. Two years of pretending. Joyce, no fucking day went by in the city that I did not think of you. God, what am I saying. Not a day since I moved into that stupid old house with my parents. Joyce - do you wanna be my wife?”, he blurted out and it was obvious that this had been what he needed. His shoulders sank down, a breath left his lungs.

Joyce stared at him, moments passed, seconds or minutes, she did not know. “Hop.”, she replied and her voice was low, powerless. “I’m with someone else. I’m with…”

“Don’t tell me. I’ll find out soon enough.”, he said. Without another word, he turned around and left.

Jim Hopper had moved in next to Joyce’s house at age 12, a hopeful boy and now, at 21, he was a beaten man. Joyce never saw him again in town after that, only heard of his return to the city, of his life as a police officer. Slowly, Jim became a memory.

Jim Hopper was fourty-one when he looked at Joyce Byers as if she was completely insane, but somehow had the feeling that she wasn’t. Somehow she reminded him of the Joyce he had known, the fiercest of four sisters, having a mind of her own and a million feelings burning inside of her.

“He’s not dead. Will, he’s somewhere out there, I’m sure, Hop.”, she insisted.

“Okay.”, was all he could say as he, to his surprise sent a quick prayer up to heaven that she was right. Joyce Byers nodded and all he could see was the woman he had loved, the woman he’d been to late for, the once fierce girl a broken woman.

_____________

“May I ask you again?”, he said as they sat on the porch. Inside the house El and Will were fighting over some snacks while preparing dinner. Jim and Joyce watched Jonathan play with his kid in the distance. Years had gone by, but Jim still smoked his cigarette the same way and Joyce’s hand was still a bit shaky whenever he lit her a smoke, too.

“If you’d be my wife.”, he said with a smile.

______________

Jim and Joyce got married in a fever, long after his desperate proposal by the green meadows outside Hawkins. Her dress was not white, his suit was a little too big. Jim and Joyce got married in a small chapel on the outskirts of town, with nobody present but the priest. Neither of them was religious, but it felt divine to put a small, silver ring on each other‘s finger. Jim and Joyce got married when Joyce was fifty-five.

———-

Bonus:

[words-after-midnight]

@cwritesfiction made this Share an Excerpt post the other day and I immediately thought of this segment from a truly ridiculous additional/deleted scene to Life in Black and White, which involves Jeff convincing Gabriel to steal a parasol from an old lady's balcony at two in the morning in January (2002). The segment I'm sharing takes place in the basement of Jeff's house. Contextual note: Jimmy is the owner of their favorite diner, who Jeff tells everyone has dementia even though he does not.

cw: suggestive, sexual content (mentioned/implied; minors DNI)

It’s just past one in the morning, and we’re sitting in the basement listening to Appetite for Destruction. Jeff’s lounging on one of the cinema chairs, face deadpan, staring up at the ceiling. I’m trying to decide if I want to do something else or just give up and go to bed already. I’ve been procrastinating on working on an assignment for one of my classes for four hours. It’s kind of late now.

Suddenly, as I’m gazing into the TV from my spot on the couch, lost in no specific thought in particular, I’m snapped back to reality by Jeff plopping down onto the couch beside me. I didn’t even hear him get up. There’s a weird look on his face - halfway between intense focus and like he’s trying not to laugh.

“What’s up?” I ask, somewhat alarmed.

In a fluid gesture, he grabs the large bottle of vodka that’s been hanging out on the coffee table since I brought it down here a few days ago. Hard to believe considering my complicated relationship with this particular liquid these days, but it’s still over three quarters full. He holds the bottle in both hands in his lap, looking down at it musingly, considering it for a moment. Then, he looks back up at me and asks me casually, "What if I drank this whole thing and gave myself alcohol poisoning?"

Well, that’s not what I was expecting, but okay. "I'd probably recommend not doing that," I tell him.

"I'll take that under advisement," he says, grinning - smugly - as he uncaps the bottle. Throws the cap carelessly to the floor. Watches it fall. "Okay, advisement over. I've just decided… I'm going to chug this whole thing right now unless you go upstairs and tell Daphne."

I frown, confused. "What do you mean, tell Daphne? Tell Daphne what?"

He just smiles. Gives me a brief, suggestive eyebrow raise. 

My heart drops into my stomach. "Oh, fuck no,” I exclaim. “Are you high?"

He chuckles. "I'm dead serious. Oh, yes. Go on. Go upstairs and tell her about all the times you've been down here sucking my dick while she was in her room two floors up. Otherwise I’m drinking this entire thing right here and now."

I imagine I must look a bit like a baby deer in a transport truck's headlights right now. I just look at him, dumbfounded. "I -"

He cuts me off. Smacks my arm with gusto, eyes wide, grinning widely, like he's just had the best idea since the lightbulb. "No, no, wait, even better - tell her about the time you fucked me in a cabin not two hundred feet from the tent she was sleeping in."

I can’t tell for sure because I feel like the connection between my brain and my body is currently being severed, but if I had to guess, I’d say I’m probably sweating like a malfunctioning fire hydrant at the moment. I just stare at him. "For fuck sakes… what is wrong with you?” I say practically under my breath, before adding at a higher volume, “Are you good?"

He ignores me, because unfortunately, he isn’t fucking done. "Mm, yeah, I'm sure she'd love to know all about how hard you made me come that night with my legs wrapped around your -"

At this point, I've all but lunged forward, smacking a hand onto his mouth in a desperate attempt to make him shut the fuck up. He's trying to fucking kill me. I'm convinced. "Stop. I swear to God."

He makes eye contact with me as he grabs my hand with both of his and half-seriously bites it before yanking it sharply away from his face. "What?" he says teasingly. "Don't tell me you already forgot..."

Hah. Haha. Very funny. Someone give the man an award for outstanding performance in comedy. I can’t quite keep the hint of a smile from my face. "You may have convinced Jimmy he has Alzheimer's, but I certainly don't."

He laughs. Shrugs. "Well. Anyway. If you ever want a repeat of that, you'd better make sure I don't drink all of this, hmm?"

I’m just sitting here, looking at him, completely baffled. I’m honestly just at a loss. "Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you right now?"

He lazily points to the ceiling. "Go on. Go tell her."

"Are you for -"

He snaps his fingers. "Wait, actually, I changed my mind. You have two options."

Oh no. I know what he's going to say before he even opens his mouth again. "No," I say firmly.

"I want Linda Peacock's parasol."

"No."

"Come on."

"I'm not stealing that fucking parasol. Go get it yourself if you want it so bad."

The look on his face right now is just cruel. Feigning consideration for a moment, he says, "Hmm… no. I want it just bad enough to make you do it for me. Which you will."

"Oh yeah? How? Because I'll tell you right now, it's going to take a lot more than you pinky swearing not to give yourself alcohol poisoning." I reach out, grabbing the neck of the bottle and trying to pull it from his grasp, but he tightens his grip. Some of the vodka swishes out, falling into his lap. He frowns, then grins at me intently. 

"I'll let you sleep in my room," he says. 

Deliberately, I look down at the vodka so that his eyes don’t checkmate me right now. Okay. I see how it is. He's bringing out the big guns to this fistfight. Unluckily for him, I know an obvious bluff when I hear one. "Yeah, right."

"I mean it."

"Uh huh," I snap back, sarcastically. "I'm not stealing Linda's parasol. Get over it."

He manages to draw my gaze to his own again as he takes a couple of hearty swigs from the bottle. Then, he sets it firmly on the table, lies back on the couch with his head in my lap, one arm draped lazily overhead and the other across his stomach. He looks directly up at me, and says, "You're going to go get that parasol, because when you get back, I'll let you do whatever you want to me."

Ten minutes later we're in the front yard. He's pacing playfully in a circle around me, grinning victoriously, swinging the bottle around in his hand. He points intently to the apartment building two doors down. Cackles as he takes a swig. "Go on, then. Do it. Better hurry up, or I'll have finished this by the time you get back…"

I start walking across the lawn and hear him whistling gleefully behind me. Sounds like he’s having the time of his damn life out here. I sure hope he’s fucking enjoying himself. He can gloat as much as he wants. I’m going to get that goddamn parasol and then I’m coming back here and wiping that smug fucking look right off his face.