#oh no. folks I feel another obsession coming on

[gnohomotho]

Just a game (part 2) 𝄞⨾

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Pairing: Hwang In-ho / The Frontman x fem!reader

Summary: We're getting there, folks. (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ ☜(ﾟヮﾟ☜) Mostly fluff, need, imagination, fantasy, slow burn. Focus on the f!reader, because you deserve nice things. She's home, receiving odd gifts, some sweet, some...quite the not sweet, the game and plot and trouser legs thicken (I'm so sorry, it's literally 2 a.m. here). In-ho definitely isn't obsessing over you, hatching elaborate plans, thinking of you so hard he'll break another turtleneck. Not saying the f!reader has any specific issues, but if you recognize any, I hope to be nothing but respectful. ♥ Oh, and we have a dream sequence, Freud would be proud.

(This was mainly meant as a "put your feet up and be cozy, read about yourself and feel good" read, the action will come later. Among other things. I'm so sorry, my thesis is driving me mad.)

Warnings: It's the god damn Front Man The usual Squid Game warnings, mdni, stalking, spying, voyeurism, touching, self-touching, sexual themes, sexual almost-intercourse, descriptions of anatomy and body parts, blood, yearning, some terrible references and Slavic folklore. Privacy? In my fic? It's less likely than you think.

Word count: 4.2k

Link to previous Link to next

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A cup of tea. A cup. You were watching the cup. Steam rises from it and folds into nothing. Your stomach is churning. Is it stress? You ponder. Seeing the liquid close in on itself as you stir it. Again and again.

"It'll get cold." You say, to no one. You try to breathe. Heart pounding. Head a bit spinny. You look around your room. Dimly lit, warm orange light from a salt lamp. You check your blinds - still closed, still safe. Noise from other people you try to filter out. Why do you jump at every single sound? Why does white noise blaring its head off make for the only atmosphere you can stand? You wonder. You get up. The world spins. The phone lies on your bed. As it has for the last three hours. Unchecked. Your sound is off. It always is. You turned off everything this time. It's just black. You try to think, ground yourself, poems float through your pounding head. You catch a glimpse of yourself in the tall mirrors of your wardrobe. An oddly shaped form stares back at you.

"Jesus Christ…I look…like shit." The mirrored lips curl around your words - but it might as well have been a stranger speaking back at you. You don't recognize yourself, and what you do, you dislike. Like a funhouse mirror. Without the fun. Your long hair falls across your shoulders, curling towards the ends. Your exposed skin is cold and giving a nice exposé of every vein under your neck, driving rivers of blue across your collarbones, your shoulders, your chest. You won't look further. They seem to be drawn to your middle, pooling across your skin. People often referred to you as pale, no matter your actual skin tone. When things got a tad too heavy, you became transparent. It was calming, sometimes. Calming that so much was trying to keep you alive to the point of exhausting itself and sending highways of signals through every vein to keep at it. Your head spins again. More poems. Try to drink the tea.

"Light your candle, one, two, there's a moth…" You know the rest. But the lips fail to speak. You pick up the phone. And almost knock over your tea. Then proceed to fight an urge to fling it into a wall and watch the stains roll down like fresh blood.

Seventeen missed calls from a blocked number - your now ex-companion. A worried message from your friend, no doubt spurred by said ex-companion with an entirely different story to reality. Frowning, you adjust your dressing gown and tie it down to hold everything in and hold you together.

"Hey, Y/N…I know you probably don't want to talk, but I'm sorry things went so badly. I'm here."

You hate yourself a little more. Clara has always been a darling, you…cared for her. A lot. You wish to say "loved", you squint your eyes and wish to say you love her. People are kind. People are always so very kind. And you can't drink a cup of tea. Nor reply. There's also an email. From a set of numbers, no name. You open it, against your better judgement. No subject, only a photograph. Of your door. Your door inside your flat. Which is locked. You didn't ring anyone in. You, of all people, didn't hear any steps on the stairs. You live at the very top floor. And still?! What is wrong with you lately, now of all times?

And still, there is a photograph of your door. With…things? Your shoes were gently placed beside your mat.

"Um…" You knock on your housemate's door - how grateful you are for the economic situation which doesn't permit you to live alone now, you think bitterly as his steps approach.

"Oh, Y/N, how are you? What can I do you for?" Ever the cheerful voice and visage stands before you, half dressed, always flooded with work and hobbies. The room behind him is full of papers and candles, manuals and scripts, and information that probably shouldn't be lying around covered in bird photography snaps. It calms you a tad. You breathe out and uncross your arms. In the back of your mind, you wonder what he's always so entranced with.

"I'm getting there, thank you, Lubo." Your chest falls a tad, you really do feel a bit better, but very on edge. You fidget with your fingers as you speak. "Would it be alright to ask if you could open the main door with me? Something is there and I've been listening to too many IRA anthems to trust it." Because making a joke out of a very serious situation never failed you yet.

"Sure!"

You notice one of the birds on the ground behind him. Gazing at one photograph a little longer, you smile at the birdie and its soft grey feathers, little black dash across its little eyes...you realise you're looking at a shrike. The universe really is sending her best.

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You open the door as Lubo endeavours to rummage through the things on your doorstep. It seems to be a very neatly wrapped black box with a pink bow. With a little token of a crow embossed on its side. Heavy, by the looks of it. You half expect your ex-companion's limbs to be soaking its insides.

"I'll take it indoors and disinfect it, ok? Just so it doesn't feel like you've contaminated the flat." You nod, thank him over and over, and feel very grateful for him remembering your slight fights with obsessive cleanliness and parasites. But this looks…clean. You take a knife from your room, the knife that's been under your pillow for good reason. Kneeling, you gently unwrap the box altogether and distance yourself from the thing for a little bit. Breathe. It's just a box. Those never go wrong.

It's…full of…gifts?

Your…favourite flowers, perfectly preserved. No one knows your favourite flowers that well. Under them, resting under jewels of crimson poppies, lies a book of poems, the ones you use to calm yourself down; the ones that make you feel less alone. In the correct languge, even. Next to the poppies, hot water bottles, wrapped, fluffy, still warm. Under them yet, medication you couldn't get from your doctor for the entire month due to disagreements and never being heard, half of them aren't even sold in the country. Bath salts, dark chocolate, tea…there seems to be so much. Your face is caught in a mixture of attempting to frown, being swept off your feet, and deeply uncomfortable with what is basically an encyclopedia of you in a box. You carefully lay the items to the side and begin to notice things you truly need your housemate to not see. You lose your breath for a moment and blush so hard you almost forget both the kindness and terror of the rest of the package. It seems to be divided into care for you and…some other forms of urges. As if. As fucking if.

"Google, remind me to photograph this tomorrow in good light," you say to nothing, "to use as evidence either after this person manages to kill me or before, if the courts move faster than an asthmatic ant with heavy shopping."

Against your better judgement, you carry the box to your room and watch it for a while, as you do other things, but can never quite relax. Surely he can't be serious. Your name isn't Shirley.

There was also a note you now keep flinging on your table and crunching in your hands, neatly written, with no name.

"Dear Y/N,

should you wish to meet someone qualified to help with the attached records, it has been arranged. Be at the coordinates listed between the red and white gift and you will be taken care of. No harm will come to you. You are safe. As right as rain."

Right as rain…that's a part of a poem, that absolute…dear God, fuck, the thoughts in your head are tumbling down at you and you collapse onto the bed, staring at your knees. It's a good thing he somehow didn't include your most loved flowers, since they're all poisonous. One of them you like specifically because it is elegant, sharp, snowy, and beautiful - and all of her body, leaves, and seed pouches scream "don't fucking touch me, if you do, you will die and wish for death the entire time you are doing so". You would very much like to be the flower now. Make someone else hallucinate.

You search the box again and find the beautiful gown, in red, and the gentle white lace undergarments - as kind and gentle and revealing as they are elegant. A little QR code is nestled between the lace.

"Nope. Nope nope NOPE. Absolutely not," you say out loud. Fighting the fact that the nightgown under the two other garments is cozy and light and so very beautiful. And it smells…oddly familiar. With a hint of something else. As if someone knew you loved scents of sweetness, vanilla, caramel, honey, and skin combined with darker, heavier tones that don't usually mix with feminine perfumes. Something lovely and gentle to draw you in, with something far more potent, enveloping, and enthralling to drag you down the lake to drown. And yet. Still. Something else. Something more. You decide to put on the gown and stare into a little crow's eyes. Such a pretty little statue, you don't even remember where you got it from.

"I'm going to be alright. Water is fine. This is just water. We've been here, we've been in the mud up to our noses." You are whispering to yourself, trying to sooth your mind. Metaphores, poems, sooth sooth sooth. You close your eyes, think of beautiful women, barefoot, in the dark of a forest. Glistening lights in their long hair, lights in their gorgeous eyes. Light on their feet, as they dance upon the water and through the marsh. You cannot drown a forest spirit of a woman scorned. They will mesmerize you, dance you, dance you to the end of your love and tether, and pull you into the depths. Then kiss you as you gasp for air.

You undress, eyes still closed, holding the long white gown. You slowly slide into the fabric, which clings to your skin as a lover's touch at the first sign of morning light. Still trying to be as unbothered and confident as a forest Rusalka. You aren't. But the gown smells nice. And it's quite light. Long sleeves, fabric that reveals but doesn't scream. Lace around your chest and stomach, falling down your hips and thighs.

…Kiss you as you gasp for air.

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In-ho was pleased with his gift. Not only the gift, but the message. Upon message. Upon message. He wondered, quite hopeful - yet reserved - if you understood them all. No matter.

You will. Oh, you will. Every word. Even if he has to cling them to your skin, one by one, with his own lips.

To the surprise of absolutely no one except you, perhaps, the small bird brought him all the feedback he could desire. Rather low quality feedback, he thought, as he watched you ponder, watched you crunch up the note, and watched you dress. Instinctively, he looked away as you began to slide your own clothes down. He glimpsed perhaps a strap, perhaps more skin than he first saw…light reflecting off you, sliding down, further down, caressing your tenderness…yet he looked away, calmly resolute to not look back. His gaze remained firmly in the corner of the room, he certainly wasn't fighting - or imagining himself being the photons of light resting on your supple skin. No. It would be unbecoming to watch a lady undress, so vulnerable, so unknowing. Never mind the rest. If you looked up the word "hypocrite" in the dictionary, In-ho's face wouldn't be next to it. It would be on the next page, because he would never be caught. As he looked back, you were dressed, not looking at yourself.

In-ho frowns for a moment, before he sees the rest of you. Even though it's just a phone screen and the picture quality truly isn't doing you justice, his breath is caught. He shifts and looks around instinctively, only a flicker of the eyes and a small movement of the neck. But he's nervous, nervous to be so exposed. He chuckles to himself just as unnoticeably - he's spying on you yet he's the one feeling exposed..was the chuckle to ease tension? This is just a game to him and you are nothing, after all. No one. He shifts once more and uncrosses his legs, one hand slowly combing his hair firmly away from of his forehead. Nothing. Just as it is nothing that is making the jacket around his neck feel tight. He sees you stand, further away now. He sees your entirety in the white flowing fabric, the lace, the…entirety…of you. His coat needs to come off, and is discarded to the side in haste. The remaining turtleneck isn't much help, but he goes in, now fully enthralled. Positioning himself, he endeavours to enjoy you. Slowly. From the tip of your head to the soles of your feet, remaining fully in control, admiring, never taking, never grabbing. Never…needing. But as he moves down your face, your cheeks, your chin, along your neck all the way to your hair resting on your now exposed shoulders, back to your mouth and lips - he leans into the screen - those supple yet reserved, tender lips whispering gently and curling around words as if speaking to a sleeping lover in the night who is caught in a bad dream, the eyes - damn the picture quality - the eyes that glint, yet resemble dark pools amid features that are…that mean…his heart is fast. His eyes pools of reckless abandon. They flicker to the movement of your hips and tick fast, fast back up top, stopping at the almond curve the nightgown begets your breasts - In-ho's hands twitch as his fingers yearn with a mind of their own, to hear you gasp and squirm and melt under their touch as he teases, cups, and caresses in the gown's place. Tender flowers, waiting to be kissed. As you move, for him, for his eyes only, his mind floods through its inhibitions and begins racing on instinct - yet does so wrapped in cotton; barely subdued. Algorithms, scenarios, plans - ten a second - gather in his mind - resting on nothing but your features, spurred into existence by you, your lips, your form, your movement. He's watching the last flame dance before him in a sea of suffocating darkness, and it is his. Tension grips The Frontman's trousers as he digs his fingers in to feel something, anything, as if to drag himself back, painfully if need be - all this…for a low quality moving picture of you.

You. Your self before him. No adjective does it justice to In-ho, no painter could stroke its surface, nobody could own this moment. Nobody but him. And he cannot reach, reach through the screen, for you, for you mean…you in your entirety, before him, vulnerable, bare, unknowing, both a deity to be worshipped and a form to be devoured and left pleading, barely breathing under him, his grasp, his hot breath, you, you mean…

…nothing to him. In-ho leans back again. He breathes a bit faster, containing himself. As his breath slows and features fall back into place, he straightens the trouser leg and exhales. Your name is on his lips as he does so; he whispers it to himself. A name that doesn't seem to leave his tongue, no matter how many times it wraps around every syllable.

"Y/N, Y/N, Y/N…you are nothing."

He turns off the screen with one click. "Nothing." He gets up, leaving the phone behind. He is back to his true self - unbothered, cold, empty. A statue of stone. It was fun while it lasted, but the shell he wears gets tired of the falsity imbued in it during these little sidesteps. Little adventures to ease the monotony. Your records lie on the table, next to his glass of dark liquer. He walks over slowly, cradles it, sipping with restraint, and puts it down just as slowly in the exact same place. He goes on with his evening, thinking, it must be said, of nothing. He continues his work, thinking of nothing. Nothing replaces the drabble of his underlings as they update him on the latest games. Nothing is on his mind as he showers, nothing is in the water that glides down his own body. Nothing is in the warmth that he doesn't imagine being replaced nor coming from a different source. The voice of nothing is in the hiss and humm of the shower, nothing sings to him sweetly as it envelops his form. Nothing is woven into his satin sheets, nothing still smells of the perfume he picked for you, nothing is in his bed and pillows and nothing is slowly, invariably, fatally invading his mind. The cologne he uses, the same cologne he rubbed upon certain parts of the gown you now rest in, isn't combining and wildly interweaving with your gentle, warm, sweet, yet heavy scent. Nothing is everywhere and nothing is driving him absolutely stark, staring mad as he lays there - naked, exposed, amid satin sheets, it is nothing that invades his dreams and wraps him in sensations he can still only dream of.

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Barren lands and dusk. No flowers. No life. In-ho is alone. As far as the eye can see lies nothing. He cannot feel his mask. A shape is in front of him, laying there, incredulous. Unfitting its surroundings. As if guided by an unseen hand, he walks up to her slowly and kneels beside her. She is dressed in white fabric, falling across her skin, exposing more than is becoming of such a form. Her hand is resting next to her head, her other at her side. She is peacefully asleep. A gentle humm escapes her lips - she must be dreaming. In-ho glides the back of his hand everso carefully across her cheek, guiding it down her neck and stopping at her collarbones. Her chest lifts in a slow rhythm as her skin touches his. She is his. Is she not? He could...open his hand, and his hand opens. He could place it around her neck, and he does. As he feels her warmth and blood pumping into his hand, he thinks he could squeeze and hold down. He doesn't. The form reacts to his intentions, seemingly, her face frowning in the most unnoticeable way, lips falling from their previous peaceful expression to a worried frown. As if caught in a bad dream.

No, no, no.

In-ho releases the pressure and merely rests his hand on her neck, pushing errant strands of hair away from her skin. They fall around her shoulders and between the fingers of his other hand, which lifts instinctively to cradle her head. Her expression relaxes, and he smiles almost on instinct. Suddenly, her eyes flutter open and gaze into his own, almost unblinking and holding his gaze. The pools of comforting darkness set in an innocent visage drive electrical current through his entire body and In-ho almost has to steady himself against the ground where his hand is holding her head, still. She isn't scared, she only gazes and studies, lays, and rests in his own dark eyes. Her smile mirrors his. As if the two of them were already familiar, already far beyond anything novel. She whispers to him.

"Darling, this isn't your place."

In-ho doesn't think, he knows the voice. The gentle, slow, melodic whisper that he wishes to hear before he goes to sleep himself. Putting more strength into his grip, he places his dominant palm in hers as it still lays beside her head. He squeezes her down. Without thought, his body shifts to move above hers, holding her gaze, now directly on top of her, without touching her body with his. His hands no longer gentle, but firmly holding down. His thumb caresses her cheek as his other hand pushes her palm into the ground.

"It doesn't need to be."

As the sentence barely left his lips, he connects them with her neck, firmly kissing the skin and pulling her into his bite. The taste is intoxicating, and beckons for more. Sweet, tender, pure, intoxicating. Down her neck he plants kisses and barely restrained bites, gliding his touch, gripping her hand and moving his other to her neck once more. He hears gasps and timid moans, and he moves down, lips brushing against her chest and resting upon it. He lets go of her hand and finally grips her, under the small of her back, caressing and squeezing her waist, lifting her body into his. Now he feels her. Now he feels her being react and pressure and squirm, now he feels the pulse of her body directly under his and melting into him. Every movement, every gasp, every beat of her heart - in his control, under him, sinking into him. Her waist lifts against his and he eagerly helps it up, feeling his need against her body, finally, all he needs to do is tear off the gown, take her, make her fully his and hear her cries and moans as he takes what is his. Still in control of himself, he fully recognizes his itch, his need, his voracious hunger. He recognizes it and fully gives into it.

But the dream does not let him.

Something is wrong. The body is colder now, her breathing is slow, her voice no longer caressing him, her being no longer reacting to his touch. The current fizzled out. Pulling away, he sees the damage done - even as her eyes are wistful and her smile still there, it is sorrowful and soft, gazing down at him although broken under him. He sees her neck and chest, her breasts exposed, her skin red with bite marks, red with his signatures. Lines where his grip failed to falter rest on her tender flesh, her pallor a canvas for his need and depravity. For his destruction. He does not want this, he does not want her like this, his mind races and tries to get back in control but cannot. The canvas before him begins to soak through in crimson, blood pools into the white fabric where he lay and pushed and tried to take her. As he watches the gown cling to her stomach with blood, fear drives cold daggers through his back. He is no longer the Front Man, he is himself. Himself before a Front Man ever was. And he is...scared. Still her voice reaches him, doing nothing to alleviate his state, doing nothing to destroy the damn invisible barrier that keeps him from holding her close, holding her together, holding him together.

"Not like this darling, not like this again."

How is she still smiling? How does she seem so cold yet encompassing an utter lack of proximity? Holding her now seems like the most sacriligeous, repugnant thing he could do. His hands shiver lightly, how is he afraid to touch her now? After all that? She is his, his, this is all so incredibly wrong! He doesn't care, he doesn't have feelings for such frivolities, she is a dime a dozen, she is worth nothing, and she is nothing to him; nothing.

And she's still smiling, a little laugh escaping her lips as if she can hear his inner turmoil and has seen it thrice before.

"Taking what you want, never what you need."

In-ho looks down at his own body, which begins to feel cold and wrong. As if missing something vital. He smells copper, his hand feels hot as he touches his chest yet his body grows colder. The last thing he remembers before waking up in a freezing sweat is looking down at his own body, now filled with open chasms wherever it touched hers - gaping empty holes that can be filled with nothing, bleeding him into the ground as she watches on.

In-ho gasps, springs up into a seated position and touches his chest, his stomach - and breathes in relief. As he is composing himself, a new manner of play begins to form in his mind. Between hurried breaths and elevated pulse beats, he plans a new way to play this game and win.

[josnhoes]

Platonic!Yan batfam with young adult reader. Part 3

[Part 2]

Note: Reader is 18-22 years old. Gn reader

Content warning: being treated like a child, being looked down on, stalking, obsessions, soft yandere but still a yandere, reader has memory issues and it's ambiguous as to why, drugging, mentioned abduction, delusional batfam, batfam as a whole basically view you as a child younger then Damien despite you being older, cursing, violence by reader!

Focus on Jason

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You never liked working the night shift, the walk home was always creepy. A constant impending doom on your shoulder. Sure lately you had the Bats watching you, but tonight they seemed to be missing. You debated on calling a taxi yet you knew at night alone a taxi could be more dangerous then walking. At least when you walk if need be you can try and run.

You passed by a store with TVs in the windows, the news on several of the screens warning of an escape at Arkham. No wonder the bats were missing and the street was empty. You pulled out and gripped the taser your friend had given you tightly in your hand. It was a high voltage one, strong enough to drop a large man, maybe even killer croc the issue was you had to be close by. Still the protection or the hint of it soothed some of your nerves as you sprinted home.

Coming up to your apartment door and without incident had you nearly crying in relief. You began to unlock your door quickly when you felt a hand on your shoulder. It was definitely the paranoia from the news and the late night that made you whip around and jab the taser into whoever it was.

They dropped like a sack of wet flour to your feet unconscious, and you realized who you just tazed. "Oh God...oh God! I just tazed the Redhood, oh fuck oh fuck..." So much for getting home without incident.

Jason came to a faded tingling in his limbs and... his mask on his face? He sat up ready to go on the attack until he saw you. Then he remembered you had tazed him. His sweet little sibling had *tazed* him. He didn't know if he should be proud or worried you had a taser so strong.

You were asleep on the old recliner while he had been laid on the sofa. He recognized some aches, you must have dragged him in. He was impressed you managed to move him on your own. But he'd have to talk to you about not bringing strays into the house. This time it was him but what if it hadn't been him?

Jason groaned because he knew the family would see this whole incident. If not from his mask footage, then from the many cameras Replacement had placed around the apartment and outside it. "Fuck..." He was never going to hear the end of it.

At the sound of a foreign voice you jolted awake and looked at him scared. "Please don't be mad?" Your voice was small, and if he hadn't been paying attention to you he would have missed it.

"Normally folks start with a sorry. But I'll let it slide this time." He was doing his best not to show his softness to you. He wanted to scoup you up and praise you for defending yourself. But another part of him *hated* the fact you had had to do it at all.

"I'm sorry! I... I saw the news about the Arkham break out on the way home and when someone...you touched me I panicked."

He couldn't tell if you were feeling guilty for hurting him or scared he'd hurt you in return. "You got good reaction time kid. What the fuck were you doing out though?" Most employers had safe rooms or an office in the back that employees could hide in during a break out. Usually it was just an at night situation since the day time was usually safe to travel.

"I had to get home. I didn't know about the break out until halfway home, and I was already closer to home than work. It was smarter for me to run home than double back." It was a logical choice on your end, but he still didn't like it.

"Normally I'd be pissed at this," No he wouldn't have not with them his baby sibling. "But given the situation and the fact you brought me inside and left my helmet on I'll let it slide."

He knew he didn't have the usual clean record the bat brood had. Publicly, he was an anti-hero and crime lord. Sure, he hadn't killed anyone recently, but the civilians were always wary because they knew it was on the table for him. It wasn't. He was *trying* to be better, but most didn't see it that way.

"Really?" The hopeful and pathetic look on your face made him chuckle. An action that he knew with the voice modulator was intimidating.

"Really. I'm not even going to tell you to be more careful next time. You need reactions like that in Gotham." They didn't need them, not much longer. The family would keep them safe. He wouldn't fail them like the family had him. In fact... "But, since I *am* the injured party. You're going to let me stay here tonight."

"What? Shouldn't you be out fighting?" You almost seemed desperate to get him out. That was okay he knew you were just scared and shaken from tonight's events.

"That taser did a bit more damage than I expected. I go out now, I would be a liability." That was a lie not that he'd ever let you find that out. "Besides wouldn't it be better to have someone here with you?" He knew you were scared, more scared of the rogues than him.

"But... fine! You get the sofa tonight." You tried so hard to keep some semblance of control in this, that was cute.

"You got it, Sparky." He laughed as you bristled at the nickname. He'd keep you safe, and even if Bruce wanted to, Jason would be free from any scolding. After all, he had been tasked with playing gaurd tonight, from a distance... but this was far more effective. He wouldn't let you die, not like he had, Jason would burn Gotham before he let that happen.

[makeyoumine69]

A Shared Mind

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: Patrick Bateman x Male!Reader

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘: There are times when you need to find the courage to make decisions that can change your life.

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: Angst&romance, hurt/comfort (kinda), depressive thoughts, melancholy, pet names, flirting, kissing, Patrick being a drama queen.

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒: 1.9k

𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒: [MASTERLIST];

𝐀/𝐍: This is dedicated to my dear @utt3rly-1nsan3! Hope it cheers you up a bit!💕

Those days when you thought no one cared about you, when you felt like you were on the edge, literally falling apart because you didn't believe you could keep going. The days when you were almost certain that finding any comfort in that word was irrelevant. But even in the darkest times, help could come from places you didn't really expect, because even though you might think that you meant nothing to another human being—in reality, that wasn't true. 

The sharp, crisp air wafted around you as soon as you stepped out of the opulent interior of the restaurant—the name of which you couldn't remember and didn't give a damn about—and you felt relieved almost immediately because this society was choking you like a snake around your neck. All those false facades, polite remarks, and friendly smiles—they meant nothing. These people were too worried about their social reputation instead of showing their true feelings. And for once, you really would feel better if they told you outright that they might despise you, rather than sugar-coating their true opinions.

Your steps were firm, deliberate, the winter was not as cold as usual in New York, but you could feel the tingling on your cheeks. The fucking Christmas party was coming and you didn't even want to think about it—another shitshow with P&P folks who could tear each other's throats out for a business card. What kind of nonsense is that? Why did you even decide to work on Wall Street? Maybe you thought it would be different, less shallow and corrupt?

Suddenly, your train of thought was disrupted by a familiar voice, and when you turned around to see who it was, you couldn't believe your eyes.

Bateman?

The man was walking outside without a coat, and that made you uneasy. Jesus Christ, you were worried about him the moment you met him, because there was something sweet about him, sweet but sad. At one point, you even thought you were similar—two lost men consumed by this cursed yuppie culture, seeking the ways of approval and some twisted recognition. The idea of being the best at everything might be motivating at first, but when you realized that there was nothing else behind this achievement—nothing real and genuine—you started to feel the emptiness inside of you because all the time you were chasing a ghost. An obsessive idea that led you nowhere.

"Where are you going?" Patrick asked you, holding something in his hand and coming closer. "Don't you need your wallet?"

Oh, God damn it!

Shocked, you didn't answer at first. "Shit, I didn't even notice," you finally managed to look at him, his tall figure towering over you a bit, the power suit Bateman always wore added to his absolute masculinity, but you never really understood this passion to look as masculine as possible. "Thanks, Patrick...I mean, Bateman."

After he handed you your wallet, the man didn't leave, and that made you nervous. "You okay?" Patrick's voice was calm, confident, but there was a hint of mischief that made you tense inside. "You left so abruptly-"

"I'm fine," you replied curtly, shoving your wallet into the secret pocket of your coat. "Just some urgent business, you know."

You watched as he arched his perfect eyebrows in obvious doubt—there was no way he believed you, of course not. But why did he ask you that at all? 

A sudden grin on his face and then his confession made your heart skip a beat. "To be honest, I'm glad you forgot your wallet." Bateman muttered, hiding his hands in the pockets of his pants—Valentino or Armani, it didn't matter. "Gave me a chance to take a fucking break from these idiots."

"Idiots, huh?" You repeated his words and moved a little closer. "Why do you even hang out with them?"

"I have the same question for you," he parried and stepped closer too, the steam coming out of his mouth looking like smoke. "Why?"

Did you really want to talk about it? Right now? When you feel so down, so broken, when you lose all motivation to carry on. But what if you just let yourself do what you wanted to do? Just one fucking time in your life you would do what you were so afraid of doing because of the accusations and what people might think of you. And Patrick, he seemed the same. Maybe he pretended to be nice and polite all the time you spent together? 

"Well," you finally spoke, time seemed to slow down. "You were the reason I always went to these stupid dinners and parties and," your voice wavered for a second as you watched his reaction. "I wanted to tell you this a long time ago, but... I was afraid."

Bateman froze, but not from the cold outside. "Scared?" He frowned and you thought he was going to burst out laughing, but instead he just barked. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

After taking a deep breath, you decided that now was the last moment, if you didn't find the courage to admit that there would be no more such chances in the future, because you simply didn't know if you would make it to tomorrow.

"Listen, Patrick," you tried to touch him, but at the very last moment your hand stopped in mid-air. "I'm so fucking wrecked right now and I don't know what's going to happen to me...tomorrow or even today...so I don't fucking care if you spit in my face for what I'm about to say," you gasped, clenching your fists until it hurt. "I like you! I really do," no way was that really happening, no way. "I don't expect anything from you. I'm just... tired of this weight on my heart."

The silence between the two of you was mocking, suffocating, and terrifying. Being in an affected state, you didn't even realize what you had just said, but a strange relief washed over you the moment you said your last word. Now you could finally be free from the constant suffering of being afraid to speak the truth. Even if you were rejected, you would know that you had done everything you could. Just when you thought it would be better to run away and hide somewhere, or maybe even disappear forever, you felt his strong, warm hand around your wrist. How could his touch be so hot after being outside without a coat? You couldn't answer that question because your mouth was locked with his in a lingering, longing kiss that made you feel like a living bomb about to explode.

Was it even real? How did you even know he was into men? Especially you?

Patrick's arms didn't waste any time, they rested on your shoulders, then went down to your shoulder blades, his lips were soft, the way he kissed was absolutely stunning—everything was much better than you could even imagine. And when you finally pulled away, your shocked eyes met his dark ones and somehow there was no fear or doubt in them, as if everything was going according to his plan.

"And I thought you would never tell me this," he chuckled, straightening your slightly rumpled coat. "Today is my lucky day."

Fuck...fuck...FUCK!

Overwhelmed, you thought he was kidding. "Are you serious?" You asked him faster than you could think. "How did I know you could like me...a guy like me?"

Thank God you were alone outside due to the late hours, but the thought of being caught like that, damn. Once again, people's opinions were bothering you and you were sure that Patrick was worried about that too, but the kiss? Holy shit. It was so reckless and dangerous. And you loved it, every second of it. It made you fucking hard and weak in your knees. The absolute craziness of this situation was intoxicating like a drug.

"I'm probably not very good at giving signs," Bateman crooned, stepping aside to give you some privacy. "But here we are, and I hope you understand that," he paused and looked around, his face now as tense as yours. "People would talk."

With a loud sigh, you almost shouted. "So let them talk! Who the hell cares? Don't you think we both spent too much time thinking about other people and what shit they would think about us?"

The rush of audacity you never expected to come, but it was so timely that you felt you could tear down mountains, turn that fucking word upside down—you could do anything now that you had him—the man you never thought you could be with.

"I can't say that I agree with this petty outburst of yours," Patrick explained after a short pause. "Appearances matter and you know that, but... I think we can handle this," his hand rested on your shoulder again, giving it a light squeeze before he leaned closer to peck at your cheek and then at that little bit of exposed nape of your neck. "Am I right, dear?"

Dear Lord, not him using this nickname, not him nipping at your neck like that, oh shit.

"You can say that." You barely pronounced the words, feeling the tension in your pants, but you were glad that Bateman couldn't see it under the lawyers of your clothes. 

"I think we should go to some private place without any praying eyes." The man said suddenly, nodding to the restaurant behind him. "What about my place?"

Such a direct intention made you pause for a moment, but then you started laughing, confusing Patrick and you could swear you saw a blush appear on his perfectly shaved cheeks.

"Hey, hey, wait a minute," you sneered. "I'm not going to your place. Not without a proper dinner."

"Jeez," Bateman scowled in disbelief. "Are you one of those shy types? A good boy type?"

These questions only spurred you on to keep teasing him, and why did you find that so damn tantalizing? As the two of you started to walk towards the building, some people came out of it and luckily they were not the guys you were having dinner with. 

"I don't like to rush things," and that was an absolute truth. "I want to enjoy a slow burn."

"Are you afraid that if we go to my place that we would fuck or something?" Bateman asked you in a seductive tone, his eyes never leaving yours.

With a foxy grin, you chuckled to yourself at first, but then stopped and turned to look directly at him. "I'm not afraid of it happening because I know we'd fuck and I'd let it happen...that's why I want to take it slow and enjoy every moment."

Patrick let out something between a laugh and a groan. "So you really are a good boy type," the way he said it sent a chill down your spine. "Can't say I don't like it. On the contrary, I'm so fucking down for it."

Satisfied with your slightly embarrassed reaction, Bateman gave you his mischievous grin before disappearing behind the glass door of the restaurant, leaving you alone to finally breathe. And this was the end of your previous life and the beginning of something you could never have dreamed of.

P.S. Thank you for reading until the end! I don’t have a taglist. You can follow my writing community to know when I update!💞

[inbarfink]

In general, I feel like Zim’s panic and paranoia are very important aspects of his character that sadly often get overlooked and underutilized in the fandom. I feel like some folks just kinda go ‘oh, well, Zim thinks he is the greatest and most fearsome Invader in the universe so obviously he is certain that he can beat every obstacle’ when… I mean, sometimes he is like this - but some of Zim’s most iconic moments are powered by his fear and anxieties about failure.

So many of Zim’s schemes are motivated by an assumption that Humans are a lot smarter and more observant than they actually are. 

Or even just scarier and more dangerous.

He probably would have conquered the planet in a day if he just directly pulled all of the technology he had at his disposal and marched his way publicly to President Land. But he is just so obsessed with the idea that the Enemy is basically constantly one second away from uncovering him that he just wastes his time on pointless ‘infiltration’ and ludicrously overcomplicated ideas of how to ‘subtly’ take over or weaken the Earth’s defenses via fast-food or the Skool Student Council or Dookie. 

I mean, that is basically Duty!GIR’s big complaint about Zim in ‘GIR Goes Crazy and Stuff’. His progress has been stupid, because he’s been far too Stupidly Subtle about information gathering and world conquest and information gathering for the purpose of world conquest. When literally just heading to the public library and sucking out people’s brains is actually incredibly effective and has no real consequences. 

‘Walk for Your Lives’ is another excellent example of how Zim’s extreme ego and extreme anxiety go together. Zim is driven entirely by a totally made-up arbitrary ticking clock revolving around the idea that the Tallests WILL call again soon and so he MUST get rid of the Time Explosion NOW.

But he’s overconfident in the sense that he is certain that the solution he comes up with is Actually Good and won’t just make everything worse even as literally everyone around tells him it would. 

Enter the Florpus’ plot kicks off with a very similar scenario. Zim just comes up with a Made-Up Deadline and a Made-Up Consequence for ‘forgetting Phase 2’ and just starts… stressing himself up with it. 

On one level I think this is like… also a weird result of his Ego. You know, the logic being that if any potential challenge is not 100% effortless for him, Irk’s most amazing and powerful Invader, then it must be a horrible and fearsome threat. If Zim actually fully admitted that Earth is the stupidest, easiest-to-conquer planet in the universe - he would have to admit that failing to conquer this planet of all planets makes him a huge-ass loser. So instead, Zim salvages his own pride by constantly overestimating the humans.

But I also think in general Zim has a lot of anxiety and nervous energy. Maybe just from all the insecurities and failures he’s trying to deny and ignore all the time? And he’s just channeling them into the only channels he can consciously acknowledge - worrying about his enemies. 

[yanderes-galore]

3/13

Micah bell with the prompts V-2, O-2 by writeformesinpie

-🧨

Bro's mad that watching you sleep isn't considered 'romantic' 💀. I'm so sorry the plot near the end got rushed. Been an anxious week so I have been struggling to write. Still trying though.

Prompts Here

Yandere! Micah Bell Prompts V-2 + O-2

"I like you best when you’re sleeping."

"So it's a little crush when you fawn over him but it's an obsession when I pay attention to you?"

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Manipulation, Stalking, Harassment/Assault, Jealousy, Micah mentions he watches you while you sleep, Micah's a creep obviously, Violence, Threats, Attempted forced 'relationship' implied.

You didn't trust Micah. While Dutch always told you that Micah is valuable to the gang, you never believed it. Micah's a creep, always has been far as you're concerned.

Micah always made it a goal to pester any member who would listen. Hell, even if they didn't listen. You just happened to be his favorite.

Micah seemed to be fond of you, all while you hated his guts. Some folks around camp even commented on him being 'sweet on you'. The thought is vile to you.

You're not interested in Micah. No matter how many times he makes comments or crude remarks, it just makes you disgusted. No, you already had your sights on another.

Micah knew this.

Oh, Micah hates that you adore someone else. Here he was infatuated with you, to the point you were all that was on his mind at times. Yet of course you don't reciprocate.

You think he's disgusting, he's unbothered about that...

But he is pissed that another man has your heart.

Sure, many say he doesn't deserve you. You should have your own choice on who you get to be with. You don't belong to anyone...

Yet when was Micah ever that respectful?

"Darlin'... I think we need to have a little chat."

Your body tenses when you hear that familiar drawl behind you. You drop what you're doing reluctantly as Micah shuffles up behind you. You hated him... but you knew he didn't plan on leaving you alone.

"What is it, Micah? Why have you come to grace me with your presence?" Your tone is dripping with sarcasm, which makes Micah chuckle just a little bit.

"Y'know you're pining for the wrong man, right?" Micah hums, making you immediately realize where this is going.

"Who I fancy shouldn't concern you." You state bitterly, causing Micah to scoff.

"The cowpoke doesn't even pay attention to you, darlin'." Micah sneers, leaning on the table beside you. "Seriously, you're looking at a man who doesn't look at you, sweetheart."

"Don't call me that..." You warn, Micah seeming to pay you no mind as he shifts closer.

"Do you even see yourself, sweetheart?" You swear he's doing it on purpose now, close to leaning on you while he speaks. "You follow him around like a lost puppy. You listen to his every word like it's gospel..."

Micah grumbles, pressing his chest against your back as he holds your hips. You immediately feel revolted when he leans down to your ear.

"You really need a man who can look at you the same way... one who wants you. One who watches over you even when you're unaware..."

You feel him kiss the shell of your ear.

"I like you best when you’re sleeping... You fight me a lot less then."

You whip around to slap Micah. The man makes a disgruntled noise and backs up enough for you to make some distance. You glare at him, seeing a look of irritation in his eyes.

"You pervert!" You growl, not taking your eyes off Micah for a second. The man just feels his cheek... before laughing in disbelief.

"Oh, sweetheart... getting all feisty over a bit of affection, eh?" Micah laughs before his mood begins to sour. "I bet you'd let him do that to you though, huh?"

"My preference means nothing in this scenario! You watch me while I sleep and do God knows what!" You accuse Micah sneering. "You have an obsession and won't leave me alone!"

"So it's a little passing fancy when you fawn over him but it's an obsession when I pay attention to you?" Micah growls, clearly frustrated you keep turning him down. "Darlin'... You drive me damn crazy."

"You are crazy!" You spit, making Micah chuckle.

"Crazy? Of course I am, sweetheart. Crazy enough to get rid of that fool, too." Micah grins, stalking closer. "I should just kill him, know that? Then you'd have you eyes on me...."

"I'd never love you...." You try to stay brave, but every move he makes puts you on edge.

"Oh, darlin'... I just love it when you play hard to get!" Micah purrs.

You attempt to pull your pistol on him, but Micah's quick to tackle you. You struggle with the man on top of you, Micah merely laughing in response.

"Sweetheart I'd enjoy this a lot more if we were in a more... intimate setting...." Micah teases, but it only makes you fight harder.

Eventually other camp members see the commotion and step in. Even the man you fancied tore Micah off you to pull you closer. You're shaking, tense, while your crush comforts you gently.

"Oh, look at you!" Micah spits, held back by one of the other men in the group. "You'll run into his arms because you love him, do ya!? Well, darlin'! He's NOTHING compared to me, honey!"

It isn't long before Micah is essentially silenced and dragged back away from you. You blankly watch as the man who has been watching your every move is put under watch by Dutch. Even with him out of the way for now...

You can't forget what he said, right?

Micah's admitted to watching you sleep... He even tried to force you into being with him... What if he continues...?

You cling to the man comforting you, trying your best to ignore the obvious problem...

Ignoring it won't make Micah go away... You tighten your hold quietly...

How will you sleep at night knowing he's just a few paces away?

[banditomojado]

ATTENTION I HAVE FOUND A NEW SHOW TO OBSESS OVER. THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF BREAKDOWN OF ALL THE MAIN CHARACTERS AND WHY I LOVE THEM/WOULD DIE FOR THEM ALREADY.

Mild spoilers for the first 5 episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina!

Oh boy, where do I begin!!! I have always been a lover of fantasy ever since I saw LOTR as a young child! Unfortunately, I didn't grow up around friends who were into the genre so I was never exposed to things like D&D. But fear not, folks like me! You need not be a D&D veteran to enjoy this show! Okay, so let's start talking about the characters featured in this party!

First up, the twins! Specifically here, Vex'ahlia "Vex" Vessar! So I love that the series features a sibling pair. Vex, at least in the first few episodes, seems to be the de facto leader of the group. She's a half-elf, half-human, a ranger-type, a badass archer and skilled warrior. The group, especially her brother, seems to look to her for guidance and commands in a lot of situations. She's so cool and has a strong presence in every scene. She has a dry wit, always on point with her verbal jabs. I've only known her for a day, and already I would trust her with my life. I do feel like she is a little too controlling of her twin brother, but so far she hasn't done anything too awful besides passive-aggressively disapproving of her brother's budding attraction to another member of the party, but more on that later!

And now for her brother, Vax'ildan "Vax" Vessar! He is a rogue-like character, specializing in daggers and throwing knives, and stealthy combat. He is also a wizard at picking locks. Much like his sister, he maintains a cool, mysterious aura about him, and he seems to come in handy whenever the situation calls to be sneaky. LOVE that the series has heavily implied he's a bi-king, featuring several scenes in the first five episodes where he flirts with both male and female characters. I love his relationship with his sister, you can already tell they have been through a lot and have helped each other survive it all, although it could prove troublesome if he does in fact decide to pursue a certain other half-elf, half-human member of the party...

Speaking of which, up next is Keyleth of the Air Ashari! She is a druid, capable of a wide array of magical abilities like controlling plant-life and shape-shifting into different kinds of animals! She's so cool, but she also has a sort of "fresh-out-of-college-stumbling-through-life" kind of vibe that I find utterly adorable. She's awkward, messes up a lot, struggles with self-esteem issues, but always tries her absolute best and has already saved the party from certain death a few times. I'm a sucker for flawed, awkward characters who carry the weight of the world on their shoulders and are just trying to do their best. Apparently she is currently on a ritualistic quest (Aramenté) to prove herself to her people so she can one day lead them and is not allowed to return until she has done so. So much pressure on my girl! She is obviously attracted to Vax, and I think they would make a cute couple, but something tells me that things won't quite work out for them...

Up next is Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III! He is by far the "edgiest" member of the group. He is a human gunslinger, a somewhat surprising set of skills for a fantasy setting, but it fits into this world perfectly! He's incredibly skilled with his gun, very smart, and by far the most sophisticated of the party. He comes from royalty, after all, and the first five episodes reveal how that life was ripped from him following a violent coup d'état which resulted in the slaughter of his entire family. So needless to say, my man has some baggage. He seems to possess a darker side to him that only appears when he is in a state of rage. He is very scary when in that state, and even carries around a plague doctors mask for such occasions. Revenge stories are a favorite of mine, as they always manage to provide the character seeking revenge with immensely satisfying/cathartic arcs, so I'm very much excited to see where the story takes him! I also think it's very telling that he is the sole human character of the party, it explains his inclination towards the dark side!

Next up we have Pike Trickfoot! She is a gnome cleric, capable of magical abilities like healing and conjuring up light-based energy shields. She is a fascinating character, given that her magic stems from heavily religious beliefs, though she seems to revel in violent situations and vices like binge drinking. She is a sweetheart, always looking out for the other members of the party, but also not afraid to go toe-to-toe with an enemy! The first five episodes see her lose connection to the Everlight, a kind of goddess that is the source of her magical abilities, thus she is forced to separate from the group. This was a huge bummer, because I really enjoyed her interactions with the other members of the party, especially her close friendship with the next member of the group I'll be talking about!

Next up is Grog Strongjaw! He is a Goliath barbarian, specializing in brute strength and combat with his mighty ax. Normally I'm not that interested in big, buff, warrior-like characters, but he's an absolute delight! He provides a lot of the show's comedic relief, due in large part to his limited wit and insatiable desire for bloodshed. He is big and dumb, but full of heart and determination to keep his friends safe, especially Pike, who he seems to share an especially close bond with. LOVE that he calls her "Pikey"! Having to see them go their separate ways so early into the series was definitely upsetting (seeing him cry over not being able to feel her presence while they were apart was precious), but I'm glad the group still has his brute strength to rely on if things get hairy.

And finally, we have Scanlan Shorthalt! He is a gnome bard, who also seems to possess a few magical abilities via his lute, such as being able to conjure up a large, floating purple hand. He is by far the main source of comedic relief of the group, crass and hedonistic, with an admirable ability for quick wit. He is also the group's resident slut, never wasting an opportunity to possibly get laid. He also appears to be bi, which is lovely. Comic relief characters often hide the saddest backstories, so I'm excited to delve more into his past and learn more about him. He also seems to have a crush on Pike, which is just absolutely adorable, although based on how he acts around the group, it's no wonder nothing has happened between them yet. Better wait until he grows up a bit, Pikey.

So far, the series has given me plenty of reasons to love each member of the party, and the writing for them has so far been excellent! Love their various little interactions, I think you could pair off or group any member together and you would still get a satisfying story/adventure. Five episodes in and I'm completely hooked! If anyone who is a fan of the show wants to watch along with me, let me know! I know I'm super late to the party, but I would LOVE to discuss the story with someone! I'm aware that these characters existed long before the Amazon show and that the show itself was a result of a large fan-funded campaign, so I'm especially eager to get to talk to fans who have been there from the very beginning!

[paper-starz]

WELCOME HOME THEORIES AND ANALYSIS! FRIDAY THE 13th EDITION!

HUH?? A surprise Welcome Home Update???

WITH LORE AND SECRETS?!?!?!

Ohohohoho! You know yours truly loves lore! And oh boy... Theres a lot to unpack here.... So buckle your seatbelts folks! I might've discovered something BIG

WARNING! THIS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THE HALLOWEEN UPDATE! OH AND THIS IS GONNA BE VERY VERY LONG!

Ok, first things first, THE THEORY

I might've figured out who the main antagonist could be, and it's not Wally or Home. In fact, it has been staring at us the entire time, we've just never realized it.

I think the main villain of Welcome Home could be the spooky swirly void living inside of Home.

"WHAT?!?! This early on in story??" I hear you say! "This couldn't be possible!"

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE DEAR VIEWER! And truth be told, there could be multiple antagonists in Welcome Home, but all evidence points to this swirly guy being the source of everything wrong thats happening. Also, from now on, I'll be calling it the Entity. (Spooky swirly man sounds so silly!)

EVIDENCE 1: It makes people sick.

It seems like the Entity emits some kind of black "ink" that makes people sick once you touch it. It also seems like the WHRT knows about this too! Going into great lengths to order everyone to wear gloves.

Writing on sticky note atop vinyl glove box reads: Put on gloves before handling ANY art. Call me if we run out!

Not to mention that think ink also seems to effect anyone psychologically, making them want to discover more about Welcome Home, even if it harms their own health.

In the ABOUT US page:

When I unwrapped the first letter, I felt it. I heard it. Open. Open. Open. I want it out. I’m going to get it out.

In the STAFF ONLY page:

Everything is so disgusting to touch. Sometimes the mail doesn't come for weeks. I want to rip into everything I have. My head feels so muddled too. Ever since I opened the envelope.

I keep getting phone calls, now. Or at least, I assume that's what's happening. I keep hearing it ringing. All day, sometimes. I check my phone and there's no new messages. I thought maybe some of the site staff were pranking me, but I tore up the workspace and couldn't find another phone that might be ringing. All that was there were the toys for the exhibit, and obviously those couldn't be ringing. But I kept hearing it anyway. The phone ringing and ringing... ...I keep digging and digging. I've poured over every recovery the WHRP has given me access to, every inch of their website, and the things I find make less and less sense. If I didn't know better I'd say everyone was coming together to pull an elaborate prank on me. I can still hear the phone ringing now. I don't know how to answer the phone. I need to answer the phone.

The NEWS PAGE also mentions ringing! (This could be the same person who has been affected by the ringing)

So many guest signatures… So many of them are trying to communicate. What are you telling me for? Do you think I can answer? What are you trying to do to me? I’m closing that guest book, I’m not playing this game anymore. The ringing is enough.

And even affecting them physically as well!

NEWS PAGE

What is it, I hear you pleading! Clawing at your screens just as we have! Coughing, headaches, nausea- I know. I know. It will take a lot of cleaning, preparation, and polishing on our part, but it is a worthwhile labor of love.

Coughing, headaches, nausea.... The Restoration Team is growing sick, yet they are completely obsessed with restoring more evidence for Welcome Home.

They even know that they are growing sick, they wear gloves, they clean, they prepare, they polish the artwork over and over and warn anyone NOT to touch the ink, but it's not enough. They need to restore Welcome Home, even at the cost of their own health.

Heck, the entire page (and studio) is literally dowsed with black ink!

And it seems to be growing too...

Theres more stuff on the walls I keep hearing phones ring.

"More stuff" as if he's surprised, as if there were less ink on the walls than before. And he keeps hearing phones ringing... Its growing...

And it made its way into the real world....

EVIDENCE 2: SALLY'S HORROR STORY!

Ah yes! Some evidence from the Halloween Update! This time, from Sally Starlet’s Macabre Menagerie of Monstrous Mischief Making! Specifically, I want to analyze the "noticeable gap" in the audio, the only part where the WHRT did NOT transcript. (This was written by yours truly btw!)

SALLY: What?! No, no, and no! …It is because this town is rumored to have visitors at night… Something from deep within the forest, far beyond the hills and mountains… No one knows what it wants or where it’s going, just that it is persistent… Just that it arrives here. So many stories have risen about their origins… But I know what it is searching for. It is looking for neighbors who have stayed past the daytime, to gobble them up whole. That is why so few live here. It moved through the streets at night, but it doesn't break into homes. However, on rare instances, it will find itself with an appetite left…. unsatisfied by its aimless wandering. Even the occasional unfortunate insect that has crossed its path is not enough… Those who have lived through the night say it isn't quiet about it either. They always say you can hear when it gets closer to you. Do you know what sound it makes? I hear it. Every. Night. You can hear it too, if you listen. Especially if you wait next to your window. First, theres rustling in the bushes. Then, A scratching on the pavement and the walls as it crawls up. Finally, if you're quiet, you can hear its guttural sound…

Now, I know what you're asking. Why even bring up this little story at all? What does this story have to do with the Entity?

Context, my dear viewer. If you listen closely, the audio is too clear. No static, no nothing. This segment is also the only part where it didn't get transcripted because it was "inaudible". Which is strange, because you and me and you and that guy and me can hear it just fine! And THAT is why it got me theory senses tingling.

Plus, the story is about a monster too! Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

So let's analyze!

"…It is because this town is rumored to have visitors at night… Something from deep within the forest, far beyond the hills and mountains… No one knows what it wants or where it’s going, just that it is persistent… Just that it arrives here."

This could be talking about the Entity. We don't know what exactly the Entity wants, just that it looks like it's determined to reach a goal that we don't know much about.

"It is looking for neighbors who have stayed past the daytime, to gobble them up whole. That is why so few live here."

It feels like this is talking about the portal-like properties the Entity has. "Gobbling" up neighbors whole and sending them to another dimension, ours.

Sally also states "That is why so few live here", which makes me question how many neighbors used to live here before. Perhaps Julie's siblings, Howdy's family, Barnaby's mom? Were they sent to another dimension? Where are they now????

Not only that, but Sally makes it clear that it goes after neighbors at nighttime. And what time does Welcome Home usually update? 7 PM (*Now, this time could be different because of timezones, but the updates usually happen during the night)

"It moved through the streets at night, but it doesn't break into homes. However, on rare instances, it will find itself with an appetite left…. unsatisfied by its aimless wandering..."

"First, theres rustling in the bushes. Then, A scratching on the pavement and the walls as it crawls up. Finally, if you're quiet, you can hear its guttural sound…"

I think Sally is giving us an EXACT description on how the Entity managed to break into Home.

1st, theres rustling in the bushes. Home does have bushes surrounding him.

Then, a scratching on the pavement and walls as it crawls up. The Entity could've broken into Home by either climbing through the window or through the roof.

Finally, a guttural sound. Now... where did I hear a guttural sound in Welcome Home before.... Oh yeah! Wally. <- Click this handy-dandy clip and you can hear something quite monstrous right below Wally's voice!

"Wait a minute.... Did you say Wally has a guttural voice???"

I did, dear reader. I did.... Which brings me to my next point:

EVIDENCE 3: POSSESSION AND PUPPETEERING!

Throughout our inspection of the Welcome Home website, we've seen countless times of Wally becoming more and more distressed as each update comes out.

But we've also seen a lot of inconsistencies regarding our lil' Darling! In fact, I even compiled these into a theory in which there could be 2 people hacking into the website!

And while that I still do believe there are more than 2 people hacking into the website... I don't think the Question Answerer is the one doodling. He's still hacking onto the website, but unlike Wally, he writes it out.

The last piece of evidence just proves its the same guy writing this! The Question Answerer!

I want to rip into everything I have. My head feels so muddled too. Ever since I opened the envelope. (see above)

Ok but if the Question Answerer isn't the other guy doodling... then who is making all of the inconsistent doodles??

Why, the ENTITY!

Not only are the doodles inconsistent, but even the sound of Wally's voice sound... quite off if you compare enough audios.

For example! Compare the interview audio with the newest Happy Haunting audio, do you notice anything peculiar about Wally's voice? Especially in the Happy Haunting audio? (If you have trouble finding it, compare these few timestamps below)

4:08

4:51

8:45

13:39-15:29

It sounds... off. Robotic even! It's slow, and the articulation is way different from the interview audio. In the interview audio, you can hear how happy Wally sounds! Even in this audio (and this one too), you can hear Wally growing increasingly frustrated. Yes, its still monotone, but you could hear emotion!

But the Happy Haunting audio, it's neutral. Yes, it IS monotone, but it feels like someone doing an impersonation of Wally rather than Wally actually speaking himself. In fact, the audio reminds me of the phone audio right here. It has the same pauses and neutral tone, save for the very audible growl right underneath Wally's voice.

But speaking of the phone audio.... Did you catch that?

...Do you know who I am? [The heart beat and ambience resume.] [Gasp.] Oh no. Well that’s not neighborly at all. We’ve never met before. But don’t worry. Even though you and I haven’t spoken before, I’ve seen you... Every time you have looked into my eyes. I want to know… What did you see? [Silence.] I hope you saw a friend, but I’m not sure you saw a name... Stand still. Let’s start over. Ring ring ring. Click. Hi, I’m Wally. I’m so happy to finally meet you, I think you’re the absolute most.

...That's strange, isn't it? We definitely HAVE met Wally, not formally, but we do know about him (this fandom is proof of that!) So how come Wally is saying that we haven't?

Especially when in another audio, he says that we DO 'know him'.

…Why won’t you answer me, neighbor. Why can’t I hear you. You know me. You do. Please open. Let me in.

Contradictory, isn't it? We can't both know Wally and NOT know Wally at the same time. That's impossible....

Unless the phone audio Wally isn't our Wally... its the Entity.

Technically, we DON'T know about the Entity. It's not a character in Welcome Home and the things that we do know about it are just mere theories and speculations. It is our 'first' formal meeting with it.

Then why did it introduce itself as Wally? WELL BECAUSE ITS POSSESSING HIM! It's trying to convince us that it is Wally, using his signature catchphrase and even saying 'I hope you saw a friend'. Besides, if you were a weird portal monster, I doubt you would introduce yourself as one if you wanted to trick someone.

And if this possession theory does turn out to be true, it does explain the major inconsistencies happening in the website! Such as the doodles!

The Hearts!

THE HANDWRITING

THATS NOT WALLY'S HANDWRITING! He writes in CAPITAL LETTERS and in RED (not all lowercase and in blue!).

WALLY CAN'T DRAW HEARTS SO WHO'S DRAWING EM???

AND BOTH OF THOSE BARNABY DRAWINGS SURE DO LOOK INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER. ALMOST AS IF SOMEONE WITH LITTLE DRAWING EXPERIENCE DID IT.

But if you still need a bit more proof to convince ya, here's some more!

W a L L y: You won't write back Wally: You're looking for me. Silly. Silly.

I think W a L L y is our Wally! He's getting desperate, but he knows that we won't be able to write back. Wally on the other hand is the Entity, it knows that we are looking for the main big bad antagonist, and it knows. It even mocks us.

And I think we've seen evidence of these possessions before. Look at none other than the bug audios!

In every single one of these bug audios, we are in the perspective of Wally himself. But in these bug audios, Wally doesn't say anything at all. Rather, he sits unmoving, listening into the conversation whether he has been invited there or not!

In this bug audio, Wally has been listening in on Sally and Howdy's conversation the entire time!

But thats not all! All of these bug audios are connected according to the conversation between Barnaby and Home! Which means that all of these bug audios are happening on the same day at a very short period of time, which is concerning on just how frequent Wally appears to be disassociating. Or if that's even Wally at all!

If that is the Entity controlling Wally, it feels like he's observing them, studying them. Perhaps that's why the audios always cut out whenever a neighbor says Wally's name, it snaps him out of that trance and reminds him that he is in fact the real Wally!

Which brings us to our latest bug audio (and by far the most worrying one), the Candy Spider! The Halloween Bug?? Idk it's this one <-

We've just gotten proof of Wally munching on an apple. This would've been fine and dandy in any other situation, but remember viewer! Context matters! Especially if we put into consideration that that is not Wally.

BARNABY: ‘Ey, how’s my little devil doin’ over ‘ere? You guardin’ my apple for me, pal? [There is a brief pause. What is he doing.] BARNABY: Oh— heh, I guess ya didn’t do a very good job at it. [Barnaby calls out to the room] Hey! Who took a bite outta my apple? I think I see some fang marks, Frank!

Yeah that SURE is definitely not worrying. Nope, none whatsoever!

Oh boy... I think that's everything. Well, not everything everything. I still don't think the Entity is the only bad guy, just the main one! The Playfellow Workshop is very suspicious, and while I do believe Wally and Home are most likely victims of everything that is going on, I don't think I should say that they are quite innocent yet.

In the banner, they are the only two NOT separated by hearts! It seems to me that they are working together to give out more evidence to the WHRT.

And Marlo... another company that is VERY suspicious. What did their logo look like again?

A house logo with an eye in the middle.... Why does that look so familiar?

AH.

Well that's clearly not suspicious!

[moirindeclermont]

Welcome Bridgerton folks!

Thank you for the warm welcome last night. Tonight, we are going back in time to the beginning.

A reminder, you can contribute with ideas! As always, I do hope you enjoy it.

Ps: this one is a lot spicy 🔥🥵😈(read yesterday's post for a bit of warning)

--

It began some weeks before the night Colin decided enough was enough. Neither Pen nor Colin realized what they had set in motion at that time.

He was in London, one of his brief returns... There was an exhibition in Mayfair, with many new people coming from all over the world.

Pen and Colin find themselves, unchaperoned as always, in the small tent of a woman who claimed she could read the future.

The whole thing was utterly absurd. They were told they would marry soon (Bith felt a bit of a stomach ache at the thought—neither of them realized the woman was talking about them), and they left without much of a second thought.

The woman, though, was an actual witch and in the mood to make some good.

So, she whispered some words in the most ancient language she knew and let the Universe take care of the rest.

That night, both in their respective rooms, a stranger visited their dreams. The stranger (a tall, handsome man with an arrow in his hand) told them that they were granted a rare gift. They would be able to visit each other's dreams until they both realized their true feelings. They only needed to say yes.

Of course, both accepted, and the dream was quickly forgotten in the morning—not erased from memory but simply discarded as a weird product of their minds.

Both did not speak of this with each other. That was the night their dream started.

Both have dreamed of each other before, so that wasn't unheard of.

That dream started reasonably innocently, with them talking.

"Colin... I wanted to tell you how I felt for you today,"

"Why you didn't?"

Pen blushed. "How could I tell you that there never has been another beside you?"

Colin could not keep his hands to himself.

He took her in his arms and kissed her.

Pen was not surprised as she thought it was a dream. She did not question it; she just followed him. The kiss became hungry and addicting. Somehow, Pen could feel Colin's taste (pretty imaginative for a dream). Colin noticed how she tasted like summertime in Greece and smiled to himself—neither of his previous dreams were so detailed.

He touched her, and even in his dream, he wanted to ensure she was alright with his actions.

"I want to make love to you, Pen."

Pen shivered.

She said yes and was excited about this new development.

Colin took a lot of time in undressing her slowly, questioning her with his mouth and fingers as he explored her.

It was, pun intended, a dream coming true.

Colin seemed to be obsessed with her bosom.

"Everytime I see you I can't help but wonder about the color of your nipples," Pen giggled at that, biting back a moan.

"No, Pen. Not here. No one can hear you beside me. I want to hear all of your sounds."

That unleashed something in Pen, who started responding to his noise with equal transportation. The Colin in her dreams was right. No one could hear her—she did not have to be quiet in her dreams, nor did she have to be proper.

"Fuck, Colin... please!"

He smirked at her. "I see you realized you can also swear here. And don't worry, we will get there... soon."

Soon could not come soon enough, as he teased her.

He was a tad more passionate than he would be if she were real, but Dream Pen didn't seem to mind. She was moving alongside him, demanding him to be more forceful, more passionate, as he entered her slowly with a couple of fingers. She was so wet he almost come in his pants. Then, he remembered this was a dream, so he could last as long as he wanted. What a thought!

Still, Dream Pen was testing him a lot, looking at him like he was everything she wanted.

"Colin! I need you!" She didn't worry; she was too needy. Dream Colin didn't seem to bother either. "I love hearing how much you want me, minx..."

Oh... she liked to be called like that, even if it was wildly inappropriate.

"Ahhhh, I see you like this. I'll call you like that some more, don't worry..." as he made her release the first time like this, talking in her ear about all the outrageous things he wanted to do with her.

Then, he was above her, looking at her with so much love that Dream Pen could not help but kiss him. He kissed her back. "Are you ready, love?" She just nodded. No words needed, no more.

He entered her slowly, making sure she wasn't uncomfortable. Soon, he was entirely inside her, and he started to move at her insistence.

They started a rhythm that quickly escalated as they both found their release within each other arms.

They woke up simultaneously in their respective solitary room.

Colin cursed but could not regret every dream he had about her.

Pen was surprised... she had to do a quick search in the library, she didnt know the marital act to be like that.

What they both didn't know was that that night was the first of a long series of nights when they would meet in each other's dreams. The witch, now miles away from Mayfair, smiled. She loved bringing the destined couple together.

TBC

Ask for any scenario in which you would love to see our beautiful Polin. We have quite a few dreams to cover before these two put two and two together.

[seenoversundown]

For Death or Glory : Chapter Twenty-Two

Jake Kiszka x Charlotte (Fem OC)

Warnings: Fluff (like sick to your stomach sweet), Sexual language, Insinuated sex (off page- sorry) 'Captain' is used, vague piratey verbiage, mentions of grief/friend who has passed away, Anxious Themes, unfortunate phone calls, the mean internal monologue makes their appearance, and vague description of a panic/anxiety attack.

Word count: 5k.

Summary: Charlotte get's to have a night with the laid-ease and ends up receiving a message that she probably should have expected.

Author's Note: Well folks, I've been humming and hawing over this chapter all week and to be so honest, I am probably feeling the same way as you. (Let's pretend you're reading this after the fact 😅) I don't have much else to say other than, we're all in this together. 🥺

Honey - Boy Pablo "Baby, you are really something else, 'Cause I don't think I've smiled like this before, When I spend my time with you it tends to stop."

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Waking up before him was a rare thing; the man never sleeps. So, lying here next to him as he’s still sound asleep is a treat. Moving the loose strands of hair out of his face, it’s hard not to stare at him. He’s so beautiful. His eyelashes against his cheeks, the perfect little slope of his nose, and the way I just want to kiss the tip of it every chance I get. His lips, the way they pout when he’s asleep, I’m obsessed with them usually, but good god, they look even better now. 

Resisting the urge to kiss him, I settle for just lightly running my thumb over his cheekbone for a minute. I could watch him sleep forever. I lightly traced my finger down the bridge of his nose. Letting my hand run over his cheek again before settling on holding his jaw. My thumb barely grazed his top lip; something about his cupid's bow will always be my favorite. He gently kisses my thumb before his arm pulls me closer to him, slotting my leg between his and scooting my head over to his pillow, our faces a breath apart. He plants a kiss on my forehead, wrapping his arms around me in a hug; his whole body is warm, keeping me tucked into him. 

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” I tell him, muffled since I’m trapped inside his arms. 

He lets out a long breath, “Not the worst way to be woken up,” his morning voice sends a little shock through my system. The rasp in his voice when he’s freshly awake is so sexy.  

“Remember when you said we should quit our jobs?” I ask, laughing as the question comes out. Listening to his giggle as his chest vibrates against me. 

He tilts to look at me, “Oh, now you’re on board?” 

“It’s never too early for pirate references, huh?” 

“Never.” 

Leaning in, finally getting to kiss that cute little pout of his. I can’t help myself when I whisper, “Well then, can I get you some coffee, Captain?” 

Once I was able to get away from him, approximately forty-seven “one more” kisses later, I started the coffee pot for us. Pulling out another mug and making sure it’s clean since I’m the only one who’s been here in a while. I stand there staring at it as the coffee slowly trickles into the pot. 

His arms slide around my waist, tucking his face into my neck as he hugs me. He’s such a gentle boy, a type of affection I’m certainly not used to. His muffled little voice told me, “Didn’t want to wait for you to come back.” 

My heart swells at his words, holding onto his arms as he sways us slightly. 

“Your parents aren’t just going to walk in, right?” He asks, still muffled. 

I giggle at the thought, “No, babe, you’re safe.” 

“I don’t think they would wanna see my half-naked ass in their kitchen.” His sweet laugh is in my ear, knowing he’s absolutely just in his boxers. 

“That would be a first impression for sure,” I tell him. 

We slowly made our way into the living room with our coffee. I drape a throw blanket over him to keep him warm, which really is a bummer for me. I could stare at him all day long, selfishly. 

“Quinn asked if I wanted to go over for a little bit,” I tell him. “I guess Mel and Iris are going to be there too.” 

He quietly asks, “Are you gonna go?”

“It sounds fun.”

“Oh good,” he says, leaning over and leaving a kiss on my cheek. “I’m glad you’ve found friends in all of them.” 

I glance over at him, letting out a quiet, “Me too.”

“I know it’ll never be the same as Cass,” he says, his hand sliding into mine. “But they’re all really good people, and I’m glad you have more people to lean on.” 

Jacob, oh my god. 

“I’ll cry if you keep talking,” I force a small laugh to try and stop the way my throat just tightened up on me. 

His thumb rubs along mine, “I’m just happy for you.” 

“Jacob, seriously,” I laugh, looking up at the ceiling to try and force the tears back in. He only makes it worse, pulling my hand up and kissing the back of it. The smirk that grew on his face was devious; I could feel it. 

He leans back over to me, kissing my cheek a few times and whispering, “You’re so beautiful, honey.”

“Jacob,”

“What?” 

“What are you trying to do?” 

“I'm just being nice to you!”

My eyebrows pull together as I stare at him. He’s fighting a laugh, so I know there’s something floating around in his head. I mumble, “That smirk is telling me otherwise.”

The laugh that came out when he threw his head back. I wish I could have that on a twenty-four-hour loop; I love seeing him so happy. 

“I don’t wanna say it,” his face goes red as he looks at me. 

“Ohhh,” I coo, squishing his face with my hand. “Now you have to tell me.” 

His eyes look between mine and my lips for a moment before he finally whispers, “Just like hearing you say stuff, I don’t know.” 

“That’s all?”

“Well,” he clears his throat before rambling out, “I just um—“

I raise my eyebrows, quietly asking, “What is it?”

“I like knowing I can make you yell my name,” his sweet face is still red, like he doesn’t whisper foul things to me during sex. 

“Mmm,” I hum. Deciding just to tease him a bit, “You’re good at it too.” Sliding my hand up his thigh as I look at him. 

“Char, you’re playing with fire,” his voice low. 

I lean in closer to him, “I don’t have to clock in yet.” 

“Well, in that case—“ he giggles, wrapping his arms around me as he falls back onto the couch, pulling me on top of him.

I can’t stop the small yelp that sneaks out, “Jacob!” 

He flashes me a smile that would have my knees giving out, pulling my face in for a kiss before mumbling into me, “I know you can be louder than that, honey.”  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Spending my mornings with him has quickly become one of my favorite things. I just get to sit with him while we both try to wake up and listen to him tell me things that he needs to get done before opening the bar– which, for most people, probably sounds incredibly dull, but even just hearing his voice is refreshing. 

Though we don’t always end up in compromising positions, we do tend to fall into them. I can’t lie; it’s usually me starting it. But when he’s just walking around like that, how am I supposed to keep it together?

He spent a few hours with me before he needed to leave, and every time we leave each other, we get increasingly more dramatic about it, to the degree of me lingering outside his car, trying to give him at least ten more kisses before he left. I honestly don’t know what’s come over me. 

Nevertheless, the drive to Quinn’s apartment feels reminiscent of when I would drive to Cass. The closer I get, the more I start to recognize, which is nice and simultaneously weird. They may have been almost neighbors at this rate. The weather this time of year makes for many empty trees, and if there’s no snow on the ground, it’s just a bit sad. 

Once I find where their apartment is and confirm that I’m not parked in someone’s spot, I find my way to their door and knock a few times. 

“It’s unlocked!” I can hear Quinn yell through the door. So I let myself in, sliding my shoes off so I don’t track dirt everywhere. Finding them in the kitchen, pulling something out of the oven.

“I’m so glad you decided to come over!” They giggle, dropping their oven mitts onto the counter and prancing over to hug me. “Mel should be here soon, too.”

“It’s been a minute since I had any semblance of a ‘girl’s’ night,” Making sure to toss some air quotes in there. “It’ll be nice to just laugh with you guys for a bit.” 

Mel showed up not too long after me, having Iris say hi to Willa and me before letting her cling to Quinn. It’s really adorable how much she loves them. The three of us find ourselves on the couch, just catching up about work.

“Do you like working at the bar, or is it terrible?” Willa asks her, looking over at me for a second. 

Mel laughs at her question, “Oh, it’s not terrible. It’ll be nice once Jake realizes that I do know what I’m doing.”

“He does hover quite a bit, doesn’t he?” I chime in, giggling because I’ve called him out for it a few times. 

Mel’s laugh fills the room before spitting out, “Like a helicopter mom!” 

We all fall into a fit of giggles at her comment, which is undeniably true.  

“Since we’re on the topic–” Quinn’s eyebrows pop up a few times when they ask. “So.. what are the updates with our friendly pirate?”

“What do you wanna know?” I giggle quietly. 

Mel quickly shouted, “ANYTHING.”

“We just need to know if things are progressing!” Willa chimed in right after. 

“Well.. we did basically go on a date,” I tell him shyly. “We just kind of didn’t acknowledge that it was a date.”

The instant squeal from everyone made me laugh. It’s cute how excited they are over it. 

Willa can’t hold it in anymore, “DETAILS GIRL!”

“I made him dress up with me a little,” I started. “And then we got dinner, and we went to a different bar afterward, and both of us got a little drunk..”

“What?!” They all yell at the same time. 

I laugh, asking, “What?”

“Jake almost never drinks- let alone gets drunk,” Quinn tells me. 

Mel reaches over, grabs my arm, and asks, “Is he still wild?”

“Oh- he was so goofy and giggly,” I can feel my face heating up as I talk about him. “Also, he was so, so, sweet. I don’t think he went more than a minute without making some sort of contact with me.”

Quinn let out a quiet,  “Oh, my heart.”

“He also started singing to me and made me dance with him.” 

“EW,” Willa yelps. 

I hide my face in my hands, mumbling, “I know.”

“How do you feel about him?” Quinn asks timidly. 

That really is the question, isn’t it? I can feel them all staring at me, waiting for my response. 

“Uh, I don’t know,” I say nervously, knowing they won’t buy it. 

Mel quickly piped up, “Don’t lie! We won’t say anything, don’t worry.”

“I mean.. He’s just.. He’s so nice and caring and..”

“And?” Willa’s eyebrow shoots up. 

I let out a laugh while admitting, “God, he’s so hot.”

“Tell me to shove it if this is too much but.. Have you considered just.. Actually dating him?”

I haven’t really thought about it, but being able to call him mine makes my heart feel weird. 

“Well, um”

“What’s making you doubt it?”

“Or what’s holding you back? Maybe that’s a better way to say it”

My job. Living up north. The fact that I’m scared that this is a fluke because I met him when I was so sad. But I can’t tell them that.. 

“I guess I don’t really know,” I lie. 

Quinn asks, “Have you guys like.. talked about that before?”

“No, we kind of just got into this situation and then left it at that.”

“Well, how did that conversation go?” Willa follows up. 

I sigh, “Naturally, he said whatever I'm comfortable with, so… everything is up to me.”

“Are you worried that he won’t be into it?” Mel asks quietly. 

“Honestly, no, not really. The way he treats me and talks to me tells me that he would be willing to work with whatever.” 

Quinn finally belts out, “LOTTIE— JUST TAKE THE CHANCE.”

But what if I don’t feel like I deserve him? I lied to be able to hang out here longer than I needed to. I’ve inconvenienced him for the last couple of weeks and probably stressed him out by never telling him his paperwork was good to go.  

“Yeah, girl,” Mel starts, “I would just maybe try to slip it into a conversation with him at some point. You’ll literally have the sweetest boyfriend on the planet; what’s there to lose?”

Him.

I hesitate,  “Um.”  I swallow hard, looking down and not knowing what to say. 

Quinn says, “Okay, okay, we can stop, but just.. perhaps think about it?” 

“Yeah, a different note,“ Willa starts, “I have this shoot coming up.”

Thankful that Quinn segued the attention off of me, but now my brain is all over the place. I don’t even know how to begin having that conversation with him. I quietly nod my head, listening to Willa explain the shoot that she has. I know I live only a couple of hours away, but would that make him not want to actually date?  I can’t imagine him giving this up that easily.. Feeling Iris tap my leg, I look down to see her precious little face. I pull her up to sit on my lap, and she leans into me. 

“Oh, how sweet,” Mel coos at the sight of it. 

I glance down, smiling at her, quietly laughing, “I’m glad she’s comfortable.”

“Must be something about you that she likes,” she tells me. Well, if my heart didn’t hurt already, now it does. I was watching her play with the bracelet I had on, thoroughly distracting me for a few minutes. 

“So, Lottie, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”

Forcing myself back to reality, “I have to go back up North and hang out with my parents and sister, unfortunately.” 

“Oh! I forget you don’t just live down here.”

Yeah, me too, apparently. 

“What are you guys doing?” 

“We’re,” Quinn starts. “Going with the boys to their parents’ Airbnb. It’s going to be interesting  since it’ll be the first holiday with everyone.”

I can see Jake’s face in my mind, the way he looked so sad that he would be the only one there alone. 

“It’s already overwhelming just being around the three of them, and from what I’ve gathered, their mom is basically the same as Josh.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” 

“Quinn, you don’t have to suck up to him.. He’s not here.” 

“I’m not! I’m just going to have a positive mindset about it. I’m sure she’s great.” 

They bicker like an old married couple. 

Mel finally chimed in, “I’ve met them, and they’re wonderful, but yes, Josh is a carbon copy of her, so Willa strap in.” 

I wonder who Jake is more like. 

“I think Danny and I are going to hang out with my Dad for a bit, but then probably make it over to the Kiszka’s because he’s basically part of their family,” Mel tells us. “Plus, it’ll be nice to see them and let Iris meet them since I spent a good amount of time around their house before they moved.”

“Oh, that sounds so fun,” I let out. 

Willa adds, “It’s too bad you won’t be there with us.” 

“Well! Are you going to come by the bar Wednesday night?” Quinn asks. “I think everyone will be there at some point.” 

“Oh, yeah, I figured I’d at least stop in before I head up North.” 

Quinn was excited right away, “Yay! Okay, good! We can all have a drink together before you go!” 

“I’m sure Jake will be happy to see you before you disappear for the weekend, too,” Mel slips in.  

I know, I’m dreading it. 

“We already agreed to bug each other all day since I’ll be bored at home, and he’s the only single one going to Thanksgiving,” I tell them, though it feels like I should have maybe held that in. 

Willa’s face contorted as she said, “Ugh, you two are so cute already; it’s disgusting.” 

“Stooop,” I laugh quietly. 

“I know we said we’d stop talking about it,” Quinn says. “But you guys are honestly precious together.” 

I know it’s probably going to cause a scene, but I ask, “Have you seen the pictures we took in Salem?”

“THE WHAT?” Willa about screamed. 

I bark out a laugh at her reaction, “Hold on, I’ll show you.” 

I slide my phone out from under my leg, swiping through to get to the photos and then handing it over to them to look through. The sounds alone had me laughing, but the way they would all gasp when Willa would swipe to the next photo. 

“Look at how he’s looking at you, oh my GOD.”

“Charlotte– WHY DIDN’T YOU SHOW US THESE SOONER??”

Willa flips the phone around to see the photo of us looking at each other. “GIRL.” 

“What?!” I can feel the heat in my face. 

She turned the phone back to herself, zooming in and then turning it back to me. She zoomed in a little on Jake’s face, his smile, full-on teeth smile, as he looked at me. 

“Be so for real, Charlotte,” she says, letting out a laugh. 

Mel’s eyes flit between my phone and my stare, “Girl, that man l–  adores you.” 

 He WHAT? There’s no way. I mean, I definitely have a crush on him. Maybe a little more than a crush. Okay, I don’t know how much I actually like him. 

“Oh, you both look so happy,” Quinn’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. 

Willa hands my phone back to me, and Iris is still sitting on my lap. She sees the photo before I lock it. 

She points at it, looking at Mel and signing something to her. 

Mel signs back, speaking under her breath as she does, ‘Yes, baby, that’s Uncle Jake.’

You have to be kidding me.  I swipe through the photos as she beams at them, giggling at him for a moment before she looks over at Quinn and starts to climb off my lap. 

We all sat around chatting about whatever came to mind for a while. My phone lights up, looking at it, fuck, and it’s my boss. I look over at Quinn, pointing at the call and then nodding towards the door and quickly hustling outside, dreading the call preemptively. 

“Hello,” I answer, trying to sound confident. 

“Charlotte, we gotta chat,” he says matter-of-factly. 

I know I have to sound terrified when I finally say, “Okay.”

“I have been trying to stay flexible with you,” he starts. “But considering your lack of response the past few days, I’m going to be very real with you.” 

I try to interject, “I’m sorry, I’ve just been busy and forgot to reply-” 

“I’m sure you have been, but,” he says, unfortunately, he isn’t willing to hear me out. “You need to be in the office again on Monday. Otherwise, we’re going to have a problem.”

I start to add, “But I–” 

He cuts me off, “No, you’ve had enough time. If that bar is struggling so badly, fixing it is not your job. Your job right now is to show up Monday morning.”  

I stare at the ground silently, fighting the urge to cry.

“You still there?” he asks. I wish I weren’t. 

“Yeah, I’m sorry.” 

He sighs, “I really don’t want to see you get let go, Charlotte.”

“Wait.. I would be fired?” the panic lacing my voice is unmistakable.  

He hesitates to respond but finally replies, “I’m not going to say for sure, but I can’t say that some of the other higher-ups are thrilled with this situation right now.” 

“Oh… Um okay. I’ll be there Monday,” I let out, my voice timid.  

“Wonderful. Have a great weekend and happy Thanksgiving.” 

I quietly say, “Yeah, you too.”  

I swallow hard as I hang up, locking my phone and staring at the ground. My mind is already racing with conflicting thoughts. 

Well, shit. 

Now, isn’t this the consequence of your own actions?  

But.. Jacob. 

Your job is more important, Charlotte. 

How do I tell him? I don’t think I can just let go of him. 

Well, you’re going to have to; you can’t just throw your career away. 

Maybe he wouldn’t care that I can only visit over the weekend.. 

Literally, you told him friends with benefits; this is your own fault. 

I can’t end it with him. I’ll break his heart. I can’t do that. 

You should have considered that when you decided getting laid was more important.  

I didn’t plan to fall for him. You don’t choose that. 

You chose to fuck with your job and his feelings.  

I just wanted to be happy. 

The thought sits in my mind; he makes me happy. Haunting me, I never anticipated it. Cass, what am I supposed to do? I found him, but I think I messed up. My throat starts to tighten. No, I can’t cry right now. Feeling the sting in my eyes, I look straight down at the ground, blinking the tears out. My breathing picks up as I stand here, trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do. I can’t do this right now. Taking a deep breath, I wipe my eyes carefully. 

“You just need to get through the rest of tonight,” I whisper. 

I slip back into the apartment, sliding my phone into my pocket as I grab my drink from the counter, looking over at Quinn.  

“Lottie… what’s wrong?” Quinn whispers to me.  Shit. 

“What do you mean?”

“Your eyes look like you were crying, babe..” 

I lie, “Oh, it’s just chilly out, I’m okay.”

“Are you sure? Did we say too much?” They ask, grabbing my arm gently. 

I choke out a laugh, “No, no, I’m okay, I promise!” Forcing a smile before continuing, “The cold air just got me good, I guess.” 

“As long as you’re sure,” they look at me a little concerned but squeeze my arm a few times, padding back off to play with Iris. 

I sit on the couch, sipping on my drink. My phone vibrates against me, and I want to ignore it so badly, but I don’t. 

Jacob: i know youre at quinns but im bored without you 

Me: Miss me already? 

Jacob:  i may 

Maybe they’re all .. right? 

Me: I miss you too baby 

Maybe he is what I need.. 

Charlotte.. 

I’ll figure it out. I don’t want to lose him. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Once it was close to Iris’ bedtime, I took Mel’s lead and decided to head home. I start the drive, not even realizing the music isn’t playing through my speakers because I haven’t stopped talking to myself in my head. 

I can’t let him go. I haven’t felt like this before, and I don’t want to ruin it. The visual of him pulling me into his arms in his office plays in my mind. The quiet ‘oh honey’ that came out of him, basically choosing the pet name for me at that moment. He kept me in his arms until I was ready to be done. He does everything right. 

The look in his eyes when he watches me talk—the way he always reaches for my hand when we’ve done things. Something about him just draws me in, and I can’t figure out what it is. The pet name he chose, ‘Honey,’ feels so personal as if he only uses it for me. He always wants to pay for things or bring me places without hesitating. Maybe I do want more with him. My eyes fill with tears over the thought of him, oh, my precious boy. 

I pull my phone out once I’m parked and see his name already sitting on my lock screen. 

Jacob: i know youre driving but

Jacob: i hope you had fun with everyone. let me know when you make it home 🖤

I wipe my eyes before replying. How is he like this? He can’t be real. 

Me: I did! I just got home 🥰

Jacob: good :) i’m glad you had a good day 

I wish it were a little better. I pace my kitchen, and my hands shake as I try to think of what to say to him. It would probably be better if I just told him the truth. You should have started with the truth. I didn’t know I’d like him this much. 

I looked back down at my phone, staring at our messages. His little contact photo is sitting at the top, one of the pictures we took in Salem together; his smile was so genuine, and he looked so happy.  

Me: me too. How’s the bar tonight? 

Jacob: honestly, it’s not very busy so i’ll probably head up soon. Tomorrow will be hectic enough lol 

Oh my god. The bar’s anniversary is Wednesday. My heart starts to race as I remember that. I can’t tell him tomorrow. He’s already going to be busy, and I don’t want to do that. Then, the anniversary day. And then the holiday weekend and then I’ll be.. I’ll be back home and–

The anxiety coursing through my body as I try to figure out how to untangle this mess I created. I don’t think he’ll be mad, right? He said whatever I’m comfortable with, and maybe we can figure something out. What if he doesn’t want to deal with that?  

A new wave of panic sets in. What if he doesn’t..? No, there’s no way. The thought of him just calling it quits on everything because I don’t live close makes my chest ache. I feel like I know him better than that.. He would be sad, but I think he would tough it out.. Right? Questioning everything I think, every option starts to make me second-guess myself. 

I finally just stopped. Standing in the middle of my kitchen, it hits me all at once. My ears feel hot, and pain starts to form behind my eyes. I swear I can feel the blood coursing through my veins. I slowly squat down, setting my phone on the floor before dropping my face into my hands. 

“What did I do?” I whisper, my throat feeling tight as it comes out. I feel the tears start to sneak out, fuck. Finally sobbing out, “Cass, why aren’t you here?” 

I can’t hold back the sounds that come out after. I need her to tell me what to do or talk me off a ledge—something because I don’t know how to handle this anymore. I fully sit on the floor, feeling incredibly pathetic as I loudly cry into the quiet of my house. I can hear Jake’s voice in my head telling me to breathe; he’s always so good at handling things like this. 

After a few minutes, I picked up my phone and saw another notification from him.

Jacob: i think i’m sneaking out of here in like 10 mins and then i’m gonna shower but i’ll be free after that 

Jacob: if you want company 

Wiping my face, I stand up, grab my keys, and let the front door slam behind me. Sitting in the driver’s seat, I turn my music up loud this time; anything that’ll drown out the noise in my head. I focus entirely on the road until I reach a red light, looking at my phone quickly to see if he’s sent anything else. The thirty-minute drive felt like nothing. 

Me: are you out of the shower now?

I send him as I walk up the stairs to the apartment.  

Jacob: mhm literally just got dressed 

I knock on his door a few times, sliding my phone into my bag. The door creaks when he opens it, and his eyes widen when he sees me. He’s standing there in just his sweats, his hair still soaking wet from the shower, and just seeing him makes my heart slow down a little. 

“Hi,” I chirp out. 

He looks all over my face, “Is everything okay?” No. Everything is actually really terrible right now. 

“Just—” I hesitate. Don’t say it, just lie. Now is your chance to come clean, Charlotte. I know I should, but I–  “I found something of hers at the house, and I…” 

He grabs my hand, tugs me inside, shuts the door behind us, and pulls me into a hug. 

“I’m sorry, honey,” he whispers; the sound of my pet name makes me want to crawl into him. “Do you need anything?” 

I shake my head, tucking my face into him. Tears prick my eyes when I whisper back, “Just you.” 

“Well, you’re in luck then,” he tells me, kissing the side of my head. “I’m all yours.” 

God, I hope you still say that once I tell you everything. 

He tugs me along, bringing me to his room and grabbing a comfy sweatshirt from his closet before we crawl into bed. 

Quickly curling myself up into him, and let my face rest against his skin. The smell of his cologne is almost calming; he always smells warm, like cinnamon. Which feels fitting for him; he’s such a warm person, so comforting. 

It stayed quiet for a while, and we enjoyed each other’s presence as he ran his hand through my hair, and I traced shapes around the freckle on his stomach. 

He finally breaks the silence when he asks, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Yes, but also no. 

“No, it’s okay,” I tell him, glancing up at him. “Just not being alone is nice.” 

He tilts his head slightly, resting his lips against my forehead, pressing a kiss into me, and then mumbling, “Whatever helps hun.”

My throat tightens, and I try to take a deep breath subtly.  Just feeling his lips against my skin, his little breaths, and how he’s holding me, my heart starts to race again. 

I can’t lose him. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Three

FDOG Master Post | Masterlist | Playlist

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[anime-grimmy-art]

It’s this time of the year again, folks. Time to wrap up the art Ive made in the last 12 months in another Year in Review! I’ve noticed that this is my fifth Year in Review in a row, so I’ll be making an extra post looking back on the progress in those last 5 years!

I've got a lot to say about this year, but purely art wise, I've gone all when it comes to comics, damn! I've kinda found a format that is messy, and therefore more time efficient, yet still looks good. I even made 2 animatics and lotsa shorts/reels! All that on top of opening coms twice, and, oh yeah, MAKING A WHOLE ASS 4MIN ANIMATION ON MY OWN.

How is my hand still alive.

2023 has been….interesting, to say the least. The first half year I was working on my thesis project, aka making an animated short all on my own (in the art department), which makes it honestly surprising how much I managed to churn out between animating. Trigun rly did have me in a choke hold.

Summer was a bit more spotty, esp. with me not being able to draw anything during August as I was writing my thesis (and doing commissions). And towards the end of the year, Kingdom Hearts tried to save me, but alas, Genshin Impact has finally sunk its teeth into me and dragged me to the bottom of the rabbit hole. It all started with me watching a story summary and lore videos while I was sick after my thesis and I was too intrigued to not dig deeper and well, first I fell in love with Kaeya and then the ships started dropping in left and right.

I’m not gonna lie, the last few months have been weird. I finished my masters in October, and have been on job hunt since, sadly without success so far. I’m existing in this weird limbo of still not grasping I’m not a student anymore after 18 years in education, not really being able to accept I’m an adult, yet desperately trying to find something so I can make a routine, cos rn Im too scared to build a rhythm as I know I’ll have a so much harder time readjusting again. It’s left me in a weird emotional state, where most of the time I feel fine, but when it counts, there’s just, nothing. No joy at getting my diploma, no anticipation to finally go to a convention again, neither any sadness hearing my grandfather died. It frustrates me that it extends to my art as well, there’s excitement over ideas and concepts, but no motivation to pick up the pencil, which makes me either not finish art at all or making so many shortcuts and just ending up with sth not satisfactory to me since it’s not the idea I sought after.

Tho, not everything is doom and gloom. I DID finish a whole ass short animation and got my masters degree, that IS sth to be proud of. Also, while Im struggling at drawing, I’ve also kinda started integrating my shortcuts into my style and some stuff I’ve thrown together actually turns out real good nowadays. Also, and this might be a bit of a weird one, I’m so fucking happy to know I can still enjoy gay ships. I’ve been a bit uncertain over the last few years because when I was around 16-18, I had a real big yaoi phase, which mostly came from the fact so much stuff came out that tickled my brain in the right way (Free, Haikyuu, etc.). But over the years, my enthusiasm died down, and I even started to resent some ships because it’s all some fandoms produced. I often found myself liking a hetero ship more than the popular gay ship, which really made me not wanna stick around because I did not care for most fanart and you can only go through a tag with art you don’t care about so long before you lose interest. I think in retrospect that it rly had nothing to do with the ships being gay ships but rather cos the fans just shoved it in your face when you didn’t care (and shipping culture nowadays also can get real scary). But I’m so happy to see I can still get obsessed with a ship and it’s all thanks to Haikaveh/Kavetham. It really just needed the right flavour for me to dig in again. And oh my god, I FINALLY like a ship with a SHIT TON of art and fanfictions, no more scrounging the crumbs from the bottom of the barrel. 

Anyways, enough lamenting. Here’s to hoping I can bite my tongue and get shit started properly in 2024, and that my brainrots may make me obsessed enough to churn out an obscene amount of fanart again.

[suguruspit]

Spider-Man ! Ino Takuma gets beat-up and comes to your apartment to get patched up :) gn!reader

C/w: brief description of patching up a wound and some blood, suggestiveness near the end.

A/N: two of my favourite things; Ino and Spider-Man. I have another steamy one that I'll post next, I just feel there's a distinct lack of Ino on here :P Joey, enjoy king.

Ino Takuma had very few things he enjoyed after swinging around the city at night, probably taking a beating and definitely getting closer to losing than he liked.

Getting a pizza from the parlour down the street, loaded with cheese and extra sauce until it’s sloppy.

Watching reruns of sex in the city and pretending his dramatic problems were as easy to solve as they are for the ladies he’s obsessed with.

And crawling through the wind-beaten window of the apartment three stories up, five windows to the right, with the fire escape underneath that creaks if you step in the middle; that window belongs to you.

Tonight was particularly difficult, skateboarding down the backstreets of Shibuya turned out to be a meet and greet for the weirdest folk, Mysterio keeping them under some kind of attack order until he could figure out the puzzle laid out in front of him. His suit was torn, midnight black fabric with teal stitching ripped tragically and Ino mourns the lack of warmth in his body as he wraps it with duct tape he’d found in his bag.

The plan was to go straight to get pizza before he headed back to his own place, probably to put hip hop on his vintage (read: beaten up, ten year old) stereo and worked on meal prepping for the bentos you’d take to work that he adoringly plans out for you each week.

Plans go awry, and instead of doing that he’s rapping on your window with gloved fingers, hoping and praying that you won’t notice the blood caked above his eyebrow that is weeping quite disgustingly into his eye.

There’s about a ten second wait as Ino holds his breath, wincing as it aggravates his (probably) broken ribs, before he lets a soft grin pull at his features as he hears the sound of you grumbling and shuffling out of bed to approach the window.

“Takuma?”

"Hey, good lookin'," Ino goes for flirty, easy-breezy, even. What comes out instead is a pain filled groan and he grimaces as he watches your eyes immediately flit up to the cut on his eyebrow.

"Shit, you're bleeding," You sigh, jamming the window open so that he can crawl through, letting him practically fall into your bedroom. "C'mon, bug boy. I'll patch you up."

"You know, if you keep being this nice to me I might get attached." Ino teases, following you into your en-suite as you pull the well used first aid kit from under the sink. "You'll have to keep your window open all the time."

"Oh, will I?" You hum, pushing his chest until he's sitting on your bed, black and teal standing out against your pale grey bedding. Fluffy, caramel brown hair mussed up in every direction as you push your hand through it, clearing the area that you need to clean. "Can't have that, I might get cold."

Ino hisses as you place the antiseptic wipe on his skin, you shush out an apology as you get to work cleaning. This is a regular occurance between the two of you, you know exactly what to do. You'd been friends since childhood, and when he got his powers he'd decided to tell you first, in the middle of Korean Barbeque. You'd slapped his arm about twenty times, his head ten times, and then you'd hugged him tightly for about an hour as you recounted the fight you'd seen on the news, telling him that if he died, you'd kill him all over again.

Only in the last two months though, he'd finally asked you out, and although you'd been scared to take that leap from friends to partners, you'd never been happier to see his face every single morning. Even if he dredged blood and all sorts into the apartment occasionally.

"Mind if I put on some music?" Ino asks with another hiss as you pat the cut with clean gauze, breaking you out of your thoughts. It's not deep, his healing seems to have already started so just some butterfly stitches should be fine. "Was gonna rock out tonight, dance in my pajamas, that sort of thing."

"Dork." You laugh softly, dabbing at the wound a bit more before you reach down to grab the stitches from the kit.

You roll up your sweater sleeves, Ino's university one that you stole as soon as he left it lying about, and clap once.

"Okay! Stitches time, you big baby."

Ino groans as he scrolls on his phone before smirking at you, his finger hovering over a song. You finish sticking the thin white strips onto the wound above his eye and raise an eyebrow at him.

"What's that look for, Takuma." Your voice comes out as a warning, but there's a soft adoration in your eyes. It takes a second of his ridiculous smirking, which you hope to wipe off by shoving his cheek, for you to realise what he's about to play. "Absolutely not."

"Absolutely yes." Ino grins, nodding his head and standing up, stretching before holding out a hand to you. "Get ready."

"Takuma," You laugh out, and it only gets richer as California Love starts playing out of his busted phone. "Oh my god, you're ridiculous."

He tugs you by the hand as you continue laughing, his hips swaying ridiculously, the teal stitching and lines of his suit glinting in the soft light of the hallway as he drags you into the kitchen, badly singing along to the song and whooping as you start swaying to the music as well.

"Dance with me,"

"You've hit your head, clearly," You shake your head as you dance anyway, a huge grin on your face as Ino sways and sings and puts leftovers from your fridge in the oven for the both of you. "Is that my pizza?"

"Our pizza, baby," Ino corrects you, eating a cold slice from the box despite warming the other slices up. "Totally beat the shit out of these guys today."

You hop onto the counter and swing your legs as he feeds some of the cold pizza to you, a soft smile on his face.

"Oh really?"

"Hell yeah," Ino flicks his wrist, and a thin web shoots out to grab the chilli flakes you keep on the table. You shake your head in exasperation. "Check it, new web recipe. Yuji and I have been working on it for the last couple of weeks."

You reach out and brush against the delicate webs with your fingertips, humming when it springs back. Definitely more solid than his previous webs, a little thicker too.

"Working in the lab?"

"Yeah," Ino speaks with a full mouth, and you wrinkle your nose at him.

"Swallow."

"Kinky." Ino teases, wiggling his eyebrows and moving so that he's framing you, hands either side of you on the counter and your noses brushing against each other. "I love you."

His lips are on yours and you sigh into it. It really is like coming home, no matter how cringey that sounds. You wait all night when he's on patrol.

It's soft, and he pulls back to look into your eyes, kissing the bridge of your nose before muttering a 'thank god, I was dying'.

The next couple of minutes is just pure domesticity, the oven timer is about to ping as Teenage Dirtbag starts to play out of the music rotation. You slap a hand against your boyfriends ass as he laughs and you grab his hips, pulling him in and giving a kiss.

"Change out of your suit, lets eat." You tell him, biting his lip as he pulls away and puts both his hands in his hair, groaning and tugging at it.

"You drive me crazy, Bug."

"Sooner we eat..." You trail off, laughing as Ino spins around and trips in his haste to get changed, his mask slipping out the belt around his suit, dropping to the ground with a light noise.

You scoop it up, brushing a thumb over the cut above the lens, an uncomfortable feeling in your gut as you realise it really means he got hurt.

"I'm fine, babe." Ino calls out from the bedroom, and before you can retort with the snark you usually have, there's web shooting out and snatching the mask from your hands.

You scoff, and start to set plates on the table instead. Whatever. As long as he comes home to you at the end of the day, you don't need Spider-man, you just need Ino.

"No Yuji tonight?" You call out, double checking.

Sometimes if it's late and the patrol has been particularly hard, the young teen will stay at yours or Takuma's. You both want to make sure he eats properly and heals up. He has a tendency to underplay his injuries, so you have to wrestle the truth out of him. You smile thinking about his cute pink hair and endearing personality. Ino couldn't have got a better sidekick.

"Nah, he's at Fushiguro's for tonight - something about meeting his parents."

"Whew," You whistle, feeling slightly bad for him all of a sudden. "Meeting the parents after crime fighting? Yeah, no thanks."

Ino is walking out of your bedroom now, grey sweatpants loose on his body and a tight band t-shirt that was definitely yours. He also had his black beanie on, which you'd made sure to pick up from his apartment earlier in the day when he texted you about plans changing and Mysterio on the loose.

There's the sound of light bells, and then your cat is running behind him, meowing for his attention. He coos before picking her up and tickling her little belly.

"Aw, Mochi is hungry, look!" He holds her up to you as she purrs, reaching out a white paw. "She's my real sidekick, keeping you safe whilst I'm out."

You shake your head, amused.

"Kuma, she'd let me die right in front of her if someone offered her biscuits."

Mochi meowed, as if she was agreeing with you, and you let out an 'ah-ha!' and gestured at her. Ino just rubs his face into her fur and you roll your eyes.

"Mochi would never ever be that cruel, baby. I'm a great judge of character."

"Oh, sure." You snort. Putting the pizza onto plates, you put an extra slice on your boyfriend's with a warm feeling in your heart as he puts the cat down and cradles you from behind. "Remember when that guy you wanted to go skating with turned out to be selling stolen tech?"

"That's different," Ino whines into your neck, kissing the soft skin there. "You liked him too."

Well, he's got you there. Dude seemed normal. However, you aren't Spider-Man.

"Whatever, dude," You push him away by flicking his forehead, and laughing when he slaps your ass in retaliation. "Eat."

"If I eat super fast, can I feel you up before bed?" Ino practically begs, puppy dog eyes shining at you from where he's sat down across from you, hands in a prayer.

You shrug as you pick up a piece of cheesey deliciousness. You really needed to remember to stock up on these pizzas, especially if Ino was going to keep eating them.

"I'm not saying no." You drawl out, rolling your eyes and tampering down a smile as Ino pumps his fist in the air and starts inhaling his dinner.

He's ridiculous, and late, and he's definitely got mud in your carpet again. You'd be stitching his mask up tomorrow, and helping reload web cartridges, but you can't help it.

You love him.

[aro-geo-turtle]

MALEVOLENT PART 48 LETS GOOOO

Oh boy coughing up blood! That’s funnnnn

New characters: Barnabus and Gerard…and the absent Lord Everard. And now Friar Halbrook and Langward.

I’m worried about that “lesser house of god” comment. Alter to the great old ones hidden away somewhere maybe??

This feels like the start of a murder mystery, is this about to turn into a modern mystery?

I vibe with this Barnabus guy, I like him.

Lol cartoon villain beard

Alia Showl—don’t like that comment about her “maintaining decorum,” just what is she capable of?

Has…has Arthur just accidently joined the proto-Order of the Fallen Star??? That’s what this sounds like

Halbrook’s first name is Dorian, oooh he’s a polymath and scientist? That’s rad

Oh no now we find out what kind of person Arthur’s impersonating, what’s it going to be? “Aristocratic, captivating, and clever, your ability to fit into most any situation and do whatever you see is necessary…debate, beguile, manipulate.”—well that’s not too bad. Arthur certainly is clever and the people constantly becoming obsessed with him would probably call him captivating. He’s also very adaptable. The one thing I’m not sure about is the manipulation part, Arthur doesn’t usually think things through enough to really manipulate, lol.

The French guy, Gerard, is an architect. Reminds me of TMA’s version of Robert Smirke. Langward is a doctor, maybe he can help out Arthur! Barnabus is an astronomer and an alchemist??? RAD. And he apparently has…visions?

This is definitely the start of the Order of the Fallen Star

BLACK STONE! Well our quest just got a hell lot easier.

Wait no ok, I was wrong. The Order already exists, Langward is involved with it.

…but we’re not going to see the stone until tomorrow. Somebody’s about to get murdered and/or steal the stone for themselves and this is going to turn into a mystery. 100% certain on this.

Hmm yeah the ring thing is an interesting dilemma. That’s going to come into play later

I love how comfortable John is when giving confident advice and instructions to Arthur about what to do and say

Ahahahha what god do you follow Arthur? which one? One’s certainly been giving you instructions that you’ve been automatically following this entire time! I’m so curious about what John would have wanted him to say. …I’m not so sure saying that you’re an atheist is going to go over very well in this time/place/with this person.

…yeah, about what I expected.

Hah, maybe John can make up for Arthur’s lack of manipulative instincts

This is a murder mystery, this is a murder mystery!!! It’s been too long since Arthur got to be a proper detective, this is going to be funnnnn. Arthur’s picking up my vibes. Love this analysis

Aaaaand there it is! Here we go folks!

The friar was probably in bed at the time of the crime, but Arthur and john can’t confirm it! John you should have let Arthur confirm his location. …though waiting longer before going to the scream for help might cast suspicion on Arthur himself.

Oh yeah the death vision power! Honestly its been so long since that came up that I forgot it was something that they had. But they’ll still have to prove to the group that whatever they see is true

Langward is the victim, that’s interesting. And the friar is deeply suspicious. I look forward to whatever excuse Arthur is going to give for why a prince is also an excellent detective and why he should run this investigation

So Gerard is with the Order as well, and by Everard’s smile, he knew this, but didn’t out it to everyone earlier. Why? Seems almost as if he wanted Gerard to admit it himself. Now there’s two rings in play! Check the corpse for the order ring.

I’m with john, having the ring is way too dangerous. Still, having dallied that long is also dangerous, especially if anybody finds it. Arthur’s best bet might actually be claiming to be an order member himself or coming up with another excuse for having it

Of course there’s no ring, that’s what makes this mystery so interesting! The best way forward for Arthur is to be as honest and open as possible.

Arthur’s trying to piss off Barnabus for some reason, see if he slips up and reveals something in his rage? Arthur definitely can be manipulative sometimes actually, he just doesn’t get much opportunity to show it in this show

Oh that’s despicable Arthur. poor Barnabus. Still, it’ll buy Arthur time to figure out what really happened and they aren’t going to do anything to Barnabus on that much evidence.

Yeahhhhh Arthur! rally everybody, organize them! you’re the expert here, even if they don’t know that

I’m worried about Everard stepping out for a moment, even if he has the excuse of going to get Alia.

“Do you believe you are a decent man?” UH THAT’S OMINOUS.

Ok Everard exposition time I guess. OH is the black stone gone? Is this why he’s acting weird? …ewwww.

WAT. Okay she’s telekinetic I GUESS?

Okay maybe the stone isn’t gone, but that doesn’t explain why he’s acting like this. …it sounds like he gets something about of showing the stone to others and that makes me anxious that he’s planning to sacrifice them to it

DAMN EVERARD JUST DUMP THAT ON EVERYONE. …why is Barnabus smiling?

NOW I HAVE TO WAIT A MONTH TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY! I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH AT MYSTERIES TO FIGURE IT OUT NOW! Ahhhhhhh noooooooo. I love this episode. Glad to see Arthur doing some detecting again.

[bitbybitwrites]

Helloooooo folks . . I haven't done one of these in a LONG time, I know. Summer - into September - kept me busy with helping a friend out with a (non writing related) project. So I haven't been doing much . . .

Well, now I'm playing MAJOR catch up with everything that got pushed aside while I was busy with other things. That does include writing!

I will admit, have hit a bit of writing block . . and maaaaybe (ok, most definitely) have also been totally engrossed in reading all those #kinktober / #flufftober / #angstober /#klainetober fics you talented folks have been posting!

(I'm soooo now wanting to try my hand at kinktober, but will admit I am highly intimidated.)

For any Klaine readers, I did post Chapter 28 of my epic: If I Can Make Your Heart My Home.

And below the cut, I'll have a couple of Klaine and RWRB snippets I have managed lately for you.

Thanks as always to these lovely folks for tagging me and thinking of me for WIP Wednesday and Six/Seven/Some Sentence Sundays lately ( if I missed anyone, I'm sorry!):

@sophie1973 , @porcelainmortal, @onthewaytosomewhere, @forabeatofadrum, @iboatedhere

@thesleepyskipper, @seths-rogens, @priincebutt @thighzp, @alasse9 @thinkof-england

@caterpills @taste-thewaste @tinyarmedtrex @14carrotghoul

*****

First off, I have not forgotten my RWRB fic, Puppy Love . . I'm working on the next chapter, a snippet for you:

“Haz.” “Haz. .  .” “Pssst . . . Haz . . .” A crumpled piece of paper  collided with Henry’s forehead and plopped unceremoniously onto the desk before him., knocking him back into the present moment. “I’m sorry, what?” Henry asked. Pez snorted as he looked at his best friend.  David had just jumped up onto Pez’ lap, licking his face excitedly.  “Can you believe this, David, dear boy, “ Pez asked the beagle.  “I’m being ignored.  Your father’s ignoring me.  Me!” Henry rolled his eyes as he resumed scanning the financial paperwork in front of him.  “You are impossible.” Pez continued to ignore Henry as he continued his conversation with the eager pup.  “David, I feel that you would understand.   You see, your father’s obsession . .” “I’m not obsessed with Alex!” “Case in point, “ said Pez, grinning at David, who snuggled further into his arms.  “I did not bring up your handsome doctor’s name . . yet your father knew EXACTLY who I was talking about by inference alone.” Henry huffed and tried once again to focus on the mind numbingly boring paperwork in front of him.  Though the mention of Alex’s name, did bring the vet to mind . . . again.  His beautiful eyes, those dark curls that Henry was longing to run his fingers through again . . those hands.  Henry shivered thinking all about what he saw those hands do during their last video call. Another crumpled sheet of paper smacked him in the chest. “Obsessed.” Pez reiterated with a pointed look to his best friend.  “You are obsessed, my darling.  You might as well admit it.” “Am not!” “Infatuated, then . .” “That’s practically the same thing . . and as I had mentioned before . . I am not.” “Are too.” “Am not." "Are toooooo . . ." "Are we really going to stoop to this?” Pez smirked.  “Oh, but it’s so much fun to see you this flustered over a boy.”

Here's a little thing I am trying to write for the first week of Klainetober prompt:

Clutching a red Solo cup filled with some god knows what potent alcoholic concoction, Blaine slowly worked his way through the room, stopping to say hello to a few students he recognized from class, but mostly admiring the handiwork and imaginative costumes many folks had come up with. He was just about to go up to a young woman who had amazingly crocheted an entire King Bowser costume when he was jostled by a roaming drunk band of actors in Hamilton outfits, reenacting one of the numbers from the show.  Blaine cursed under his breath as he lost his footing and stumbled into someone behind him. Blaine’s hand had jerked upward as he fell to the ground, causing the contents of his cup to fly into the air and land on him and his unsuspecting victim behind him. “Hey, what the hell?!” a voice behind him shrieked. Blaine struggled to pull his cape off of his head, which had fallen there as he took his embarrassing spill to the floor.  Once he did, he found himself staring upwards at the most beautiful man on earth.  Who was extremely pissed off. And dripping wet. “Oh, my god,” Blaine said as he quickly got to his feet , nearly slipping in the puddle of his drink and falling down once again.  “Oh my god.  I am . .I am so . .so sorry.  I didn’t mean to . . . I swear those guys . .  .” “Are assholes!” The beautiful stranger yelled off in the direction of the roving drunken students many of whom laughed out loud and threw both Blaine and him the middle finger. Desperate to make things right, Blaine (ever the fix-it guy) began taking the edge of his cape and using it to pat dry the other man gingerly.  The stranger was dressed in a very form fitting black shimmery body suit that hugged every inch of what appeared to be a lithe, trim figure.  A gold belt rested low on his hips, accentuating the stranger’s shoulder to waist ratio.  A necklace of golden medallion sat upon his chest and in his upswept chestnut hair peeked a pair of black cat ears.  Leather knee-high, lace up boots and a menacing black leather whip finished off the ensemble. It was both electrifyingly sexy and intimidating at the same time.

*****

That's all I've got at the moment, folks . . .

Going to tag the following people in case they want to share anything they are currently working on ( writing, art . . etc . .):

@spaceorphan18 @sparklepocalypse @wowbright @hkvoyage @myheartalivewrites

@mynonah @special-bc-ur-part-of-it @justgleekout @datshitrandom @itsmaybitheway

@coffeegleek @mossy-fae @daisyishedwig @annepi-blog

And open tag for anyone who wants to share!

[perfectfangirl]

notes after rewatching fallout s1 ep7

• the beginning of this episode shows two characters dressed in gear that's very ncr [new california republic] and to me, it's a very fallout: new vegas scene and fallout: new vegas thing • a father and son of lead farmers. depicted as honest, humble folk. oh cooper's here sitting at their table in their house eating their dinner 💀 • the man, adam, calls for his daughter, sandra. cooper continues to eat the delicious, nutritious meal. adam has a horrified expression on his face • sandra, a young girl, walks over and gives cooper something to drink. she... appears unafraid of cooper. she appears to treat him as one would a guest. cooper says "thank you, darling"--- i almost forgot about this but this was the nicest thing he has said post war to anybody in this show

• lmao the wasteland thinks so little of ghouls, this guy thought this man had cooked and eaten his daughter 😭 • "oh, wait... you thought...? come on now." cooper responds as he laughs at the thought, the wasteland and ghoul perception is that bad omg help • adam tells sandra to go outside. tbh i am starting to believe the theory cooper is much more nicer to women and girls than he is males but i digress anyways • cooper seemed to genuinely laugh and say a nice thing for once to someone here, the lucy juice must be working • "lead farming, huh? why, hell, i probably still got some of your lead in me somewhere." i cannot understand what cooper is talking about here. i was trying to figure if they knew each other like that but i wasn't connecting enough and feel like i am missing information again. • cooper and adam may seem to know one another but cooper came to ask adam about moldaver • "i'll tell you anything, as long as you leave us in peace." sigh

• adam looks like he has a scar on his face, wonder where he got it from • cooper inquires about how many kids adam has. adam reveals the oldest ran off to be a part of moldaver's movement and calls moldaver "that madwoman in the hills" • cooper asks adam if his oldest is named roofus. adam mentions he never said his oldest's name and cooper deduces the young male beside adam is tommy • tommy looks afraid and looks like he gulps as adam asks him "what did you do?" • cooper saying "well, you see, daddyo…" has got to be like the fifth time he says "daddy" in this show 😭💀, like what is his obsession with referring to people's fathers this way [time to hurt? probably because he's been searching two hundred years for the person who use to call him that so that word is always on his mind anyway 😞]

• cooper unfolds the letter and is it revealed to have a blood stained hole in it, adam's older son roofus got adam's youngest son tommy mixed in with moldaver's dealings, roofus was the one who sent tommy caps to pay a courier to transport siggi safely to moldaver • "but my problem is, by the time i got this letter off your brother, it was a little bit hard to read." cooper says holding up the bloody letter hole as he uses an eye to peer through it--- cooper you scary mf 😭 • "now, you give me the location, and i'll be on my way." cooper states. tommy tells his father sorry. tommy is so young. adam begins to plead with tommy to tell cooper the location. tommy replies "i didn't want to spend my life digging through dirt. i want to build something and we have the chance…" before tommy can say anymore, adam implores tommy "tell him what he wants to know! he's gonna kill us all! including your sister." [don't think i believe that last part but] • my question is… i wonder why the letter wasn't written in code… • "she's at the observatory" tommy says in the calmest sounding voice. moldaver's location is revealed just like that • how did cooper know that tommy would want to come after him? has he seen this movie before? • i suppose revenge is an obvious motivator for tommy on cooper for killing roofus but it not also being something adam or even sandra would pursue is interesting as well [they're not mixed in with moldaver and she's a young child he has to care for] • adam saying he won't ☹️ • before tommy can grab the rifle, cooper shoots him. cooper slowly gets up, reholsters his gun, gathers his things, puts on his hat, and departs without another word • weirdly not convinced tommy is dead, it looks like a shot to the shoulder. he just doesn't seem like it but i digress • adam is left crying with his sons' choices, being left only with sandra

• cooper continues his journey in the desert, his expression is a little enigmatic to me but. he inhales a chem under the baking sun • found it so curious cooper had the thought to take his hat off when entering someone's house? this was the first time. it got knocked off at sorrel's outpost and stayed on for all other indoor scenes. parallel this with him pre war going to moldaver's meeting at hollywood forever cemetery with a hot on and taking it off by the time the meeting starts [such a gentleman! 💀] • as cooper treks across the wasteland, moldaver speaking in the meeting in pre war is overlaid. almost as if he was remembering it • "what's it about california that we all came to this place?" i don't know but that place fucking rocks • cooper goes into moldaver's meeting with preconceived notions to begin with, he's already squirming in his seat when she begins her speech • "when you think of the promise of the american dream, you think of california. but it is just that, a dream. it's not real. we were told the atom bomb meant the end of war. that didn't work out, did it? we were told america's always getting better. it's always moving toward a better future. but the future is getting closer, and we can see it. their "better future" is a cliff's edge. and it's coming up fast, isn't it?" moldaver talked for a few minutes and told not a single lie. not a single one. • moldaver's quote in particular "their "better future" is a cliff's edge" is one of the most realest meta statements in the show, it's too good--- • "these soldiers that we're fighting abroad, their families, we have more in common with them than we do with the people here in power, the real enemy" is the final straw for cooper. he decides it's time for him to leave. but not before quipping "that's about all the horseshit i can take." • moldaver pauses her insightful and real ass speech to ask cooper what he said. so he repeats himself. moldaver hits him with a "i didn't realize america's favourite gunslinger was so sensitive". this draws a laugh or two from the attendants. it's poking fun at that manufactured hollywood persona of him being this manly man i guess. what i do take notice is that yes, cooper is sensitive. we know that. he is both sensitive about his principles and sensitive about the principles of others and the critique of such [i.e. the next conversation after this meeting ending up being about him figuring about him spying on his wife because moldaver asks him to interrogate his morality and barb's] • cooper then says "i have my principles, miss williams, that's all." isn't it crazy that cooper use to be someone that even when he disagreed with someone fundamentally, he was still respectful and decent? he had a whole argument with barb and she raised her voice more. compare when cooper got mad at lucy when his vials got crushed in the bait scene. he yelled then pulled his gun on her. lucy literally had to explain how absurd he was being in doing that because her not wanting to be bait and her using his bag to defend herself was not unreasonable. the gap is almost astonishing. that's the same guy. use to be. • [moldaver use to go by the last name williams, i see]

• cooper keeps responding but attempting to leave while he does but again moldaver pokes and prods. "uh huh. and those principles of yours, how much did vault tec pay to take them off your hands?" oh he's getting flamed now • lmao they show the meeting attendants playing tennis watching cooper and moldaver go back and forth • "well, this is america. everyone has a sponsor and, uh, i'm not ashamed to earn a living." "vault tec is the largest company in america. there's a lot of money in selling the end of the world." "well, i'm sure there's a lot of money in selling a political ideology that ends in breadlines." "fascist" is this not my college sociology class, good god--- • subtitles coming in clutch again! because the camera pans so i can't see who says it but i full well assume it was moldaver who called cooper a fascist, didn't even hear it the first watch • no wonder charlie intervened. it got a little heated forreal. didn't even know they made a near direct wwii? reference like that idk • charlie is so embarrassed, he says "this was a mistake. we'll be leaving" 😢

• if not for the "fascist" statement, i would've thought this was another tuesday afternoon for moldaver. but she thanks charlie for bringing cooper. then drops the plot twist that she knows barb like that • i do not! know! why they made cooper smile in this scene, but thank you director • cooper and moldaver take a walk and we discover that barb's division at vault tec acquired moldaver's research company. and before all this, they were developing technology that was hard to monetize. the cold fusion. the infinite energy. the reason for the entirety of season one after the bombs drop. still. • "that's what i was on the verge of achieving when vault tec swept in and bought up every company i'd ever worked for" [spooky af, fellas!] "every one of them? so what are you, a millionaire communist?" cooper sarcastically replies with. • moldaver then says "hypocrisy is like violence in your movies. if you only let the bad guys use it, the bad guys win." cooper then goes on "yeah? i, uh i got a little showbiz secret for you. a good bad guy doesn't see themselves as the bad guy." this show is sick because this could go for cooper, barb, bud, hank, lucy, maximus, the brotherhood of steel, vault tec, china, i could keep going, help

• moldaver says something else i find unsettling "america has been locked in a resource war for over a decade. vault tec bought the means to end that war, the same war you fought in. so they could put it on the shelf. all because it didn't fit into their business model." the revelation is nutty • moldaver basically asks for cooper's help in getting the resource back [by spying on barb] • actually super crazy how easy it was to get cooper to spy on barb but at the same time... he's been questioning and doubting. we all already know she keeps stuff from him. plus the "no dogs allowed in the vaults" was the tipping point • the way cooper looked at the listening device and his bewildered? smile slowly fades from his face once he realizes the implications • him responding with "good luck with the revolution" was funny gldldl • moldaver reveals the real reason people are being called communists "i'm not a communist, mr. howard. that's just a dirty word they use to describe people who aren't insane." • this whole scene still got me wanting answers for so much. i still want to know how moldaver made it to the wasteland and how is it that destiny placed cooper to help her get her resource back pre war but now in the post war wasteland, cooper is bounty hunting her. wouldn't be surprised if there's more moldaver flashbacks in future seasons

• lucy is unknowingly fucking up the rotation in vault 4. overseer benjamin [in a move that maybe should've happened to begin with 😭] shows lucy the tape of vault 4's experiment • "we let you into our home. tended to your wounds, gave you food and water." birdie informs lucy. second viewing makes me feel so bad for all that havoc they caused these already traumatized and victimized people like • "but you had to go to level 12" please somebody write them a review and change how y'all handle this for newcomers 😭 • lucy thinks the residents of vault 4 are taking people and experimenting on them. but she is wrong. she got it all wrong • overseer benjamin and birdie had to kinda retraumatize themselves and be vulnerable for lucy to get it • as the tape plays, lucy asks "what is this?" "your history" birdie says--- oof • lucy getting another disillusionment dose this time as a video of vault tec's fucked up experiments

• lmao the tape is so fucked up but funny--- doctor lloyd and doctor cassandra hawthorne are clinically insane scientists with no moral compass and a villain complex. ironically they starred in the vault tec vault ads with cooper, their vault being the one where they run a sort of scientocratic technocracy in the wake of nuclear warfare. their experiment did not succeed. or... maybe it did but not because of them but because of vault 4's victims and shady sands survivors • doctor lloyd begins the tape with "ok. overseer hawthorne. final log entry. at this point, it would be irrational of me not to acknowledge that these may be my last words" he looks scared but also frantic, like something is coming after them [and it so is] "but despite our results here, i want to reiterate that a society governed by scientists..." he is interrupted by doctor cassandra trying to barricade the door. she calls him "honey" hehehe "really is the ideal social structure.." it is not. 💀

• doctor lloyd, what he's saying, is like farce. how is this, a society governed by scientists an ideal social structure? when they are being revolted by the very people they experimented on • "what happened here should not be used as a case study for what happens when scientists are given unregulated control." lmao we know it is though • some of doctor lloyd's final statements being vault tec corporate managerial evil "and hybridizing humans with radioactive resistant species still has potential. our test subjects were less compliant than we expected" they could've used an ethics oversight committee but anyways 💀 overseen benjamin's great uncle peter ate doctor lloyd and doctor cassandra tf up • almost wonder if great uncle peter was the same gulper that swallowed siggi's head lol

• overseer benjamin is saddened by rewatching the footage as lucy expresses confusion between the tape and the scene she saw herself on level 12. "i don't understand, in the lab, i saw your doctors..." lucy trails before birdie finishes "trying to ease the pain of the poor souls your people lured into this place." now the operative word in this statement is "your". does birdie know what vault lucy is from and what it means and what they've done there? or as a shady sands surviving wastelander is she talking about people born in the vaults who got there because of vault tec? • birdies goes on "his ancestors were used as lab rats. by the original residents of vault 4. until the lab rats rebelled." • lucy feeling really stupid and bad apologizes immediately. lucy tells them her vault is simply not like this. overseer benjamin asks lucy what their vault experiment was. lucy states there is no experiment. again i say, vault 31, 32, 33 experiment is a success--- overseer benjamin and birdie exchange glances. every vault has an experiment.

• "your ignorance cannot excuse your cruelty. you have infected our home with violence." is such a banger coming from birdie, it's so therapized • birdie tells lucy she'll pay the price for all this, guards come and seize lucy, put a black bag over her head, and take her away. as lucy is hauled off from storage, she pleads with her captors "please, please, i'm a good person" look how slippery this slope has gotten • lucy wants to do the right thing. and yet. has found herself being the offender in this situation. • maximus is in the lap of post apocalyptic luxury as he sees lucy being lead down the hallway in front of his unit. he wordlessly vows to do something about it 🥲 [ok knight in shining armour] • the way maximus is eating the popcorn in this scene lgdgldlf

• meanwhile! a secondary character is in possession of siggi's head 😭 • dogmeat is pulling on the squire equipment thaddeus is dragging because siggi's head is in it 😞 • thaddeus has been hobbling across the wasteland with dogmeat and this squire pack, he stops to sit inside the trunk of a rusted car. the full extent of thaddeus' injuries are shown as he carefully exposes his mangled as shit foot • "oh shit. i'm gonna fucking die" thaddeus says realizing his foot looks so goddamn bad lmao 😭 • dogmeat being a dog starts licking thaddeus' eviscerated ass foot, to his disdain • thaddeus starts? berating? dogmeat? 😭 "you know what? if you were a person, you wouldn't have any friends, you realize that?" not a bully talking like thisss • thaddeus pulling out siggi's head "this stupid fucking thing. oh, you want this too, huh?" everybody wants this. guess what? it's mine." and not for long • "you think everything's for you. it's pretty selfish, actually, you know that? bite what you want to bite, go where you want to go. it's always something." why is thaddeus talking to this dog like this, like how lucy was talking to that mr. handy 😭

• i do not like that thaddeus stuffed dogmeat in the nuka cola dispenser leaving her to die--- this show had somebody eating another person's uncooked flesh but this move upset me because dogmeat ain't got opposable thumbs 😭 • sure thaddeus made sure dogmeat could breathe but he was annoyed with her, he so wasn't coming back 😭 like that's a baby • thaddeus' plan is to contact the brotherhood of steel about the head and gain glory from it • you know what's wild about thaddeus putting dogmeat in the nuka cola dispenser is that dogmeat could have easily attacked thaddeus and killed him before all this. so it's really so much she got stuffed in that thing, she was whimpering and everything, please--- • it's so curious that in this scene, it looks like it's both snowing and raining

• lmao so lucy thinks she's about to get executed for her crimes against vault 4 • also can you blame her? they're all chanting in a room with her restrained in the center across from a mf scimitar 😭 • while the audience is chanting eating popcorn, lucy is pulling at and gnawing at her rope restraints lgdgldfl • birdie begins during this time "we are all survivors here. lucky enough to have found this sanctum of peace. of tolerance. it doesn't matter where you come from or what you believe. you deserve safety. unless... you threaten that peace." looking back, birdie told not a single lie and again • overseen benjamin picks up the huge scimitar, raising it "for causing harm to a fellow survivor, you are hereby sentenced to death... by banishment." lucy flinches but then realises as overseer benjamin slams the apparently dull scimitar on lucy's restraints. this was all ritualistic and ceremonial gdldlldg • noticed the doctor lucy burned earlier is also shown in the crowd cheering, he has a patch on his face, he seems ok 💀 • lucy expressed surprise at them letting her go, them not exactly realizing where she's been and maybe assuming she's only just been mostly in her vault. "you'll be killed almost immediately on the surface by lord knows what." lmaooo "that's why we're giving you two weeks of supplies to take with you" 😭 • lucy is being banished and given supplies, it's so crazy like • [overseer benjamin thanks the vault dweller for handing him the supplies, so less of a jerk here lol] • they want lucy gone immediately tho 💀 • lucy realising by association for maximus so she says "my friend really likes it here. and he's a good person. he deserves to be somewhere nice and safe, like this. i know i'm not really in the position to be asking for favours but... can he stay?" lucy is really thoughtful and selfless here. but y'all knew that 🥲 • ironic that lucy is banished and attempts to vouch for maximus' character, meanwhile, maximus steals that whole vault's fusion core to rescue lucy--- guess who else getting banished 😭 • why is the room to the fusion core not guarded though fsgkdkg • lucy tries to warn maximus but he goes on a mini rampage in vault 4, causing chaos, throwing people around, wasting food, having residents cowering in fear. all this because he thought lucy was in a pickle 😭 • all maximus has to say for himself is "oops" and "sorry" and "maybe somebody check on him" and the guy is not moving lmao • out on the surface lucy and maximus argue about maximus taking vault 4's fusion core. backup power would only last a few days and lucy demands he return it. maximus' explanation is he needs the fusion core to power the power suit. lucy tells him giving it back is the right thing to do. maximus explains he can't be a knight without the fusion core. lucy pointedly tells him he's not really a knight if he steals anyways. • maximus wants to use the armour to help lucy and in relinquishing the fusion core back to vault 4, it may mean not finding hank. without a single moment's hesitation, lucy says "if my dad found out that i destroyed an entire community to save him, that'd break his heart."--- how cruel the irony and parallel and reverse • it makes her reaction at the observatory that so much more soul crushing knowing hank didn't think twice bombing shady sands. that he wrecked a whole community in regards to her. that she never even considered it meanwhile he's done it at least twice • lucy talks maximus into doing the right thing ™

• back in the hawthorne institute building, maximus drops the fusion core back to vault 4. lucy asks maximus "thinking 'bout those oysters?" "mhm". it feels like lucy wants to make it up to maximus, this whole thing. lucy's vault doesn't have oysters but they have canned tuna and she thinks maximus might still enjoy it. maximus isn't really thinking about what she's saying in the same way she is until • "i was supposed to marry a stranger from another vault. it didn't turn out so good." ☹️ • lucy continues to tell maximus "i don't have the best luck when it comes to strangers... i can honestly say you are the best stranger that i've ever met. you're a good person, titus. and if you wanted to, when all this is over, you could come and live with us in vault 33. with me." this scene is painful because, before the finale, it's all well and good. but maximus' web of lies and then the brotherhood of steel having cold fusion and on top of norm uncovering the crime of the century in vault 31, 32, 33 means this all was a pipe dream. it was so sweet. but vault tec is evil ☹️ • maximus finally breaks down and tells lucy the full and honest truth. "my name isn't titus. it's maximus. titus is the name of the knight who owned this suit before me. he was threatening me, so instead of helping him i watched him die. and i took his armour and i lied to you." the way before maximus did this, lucy told him to "just say yes" to her asking him to come stay at her vault 😞 • maximus doesn't think he's a good person. then lucy reveals she splashed acid in an innocent man's face. nothing stays clean up here • even after all this, lucy still asks maximus to come live with her in her vault 😢 • lucy been in this mf for two weeks lmao

• ok so i get why thaddeus was at the post apocalyptic radio station, because dj carl had a signal [and some pre war music] • thaddeus is listening in and i only noticed now that dj carl said he does not receive visitors to the station and this explains why it was booby trapped 😭 • the next shot is the snake oil salesman putting a gun to his mouth ready to put himself on a shirt. wild. he sees thaddeus and immediately runs after him to sell one of his disturbing little drugs to him • "don't kill me! i'm a doctor. i can help you." 😭 insane • the snake oil salesman called thaddeus' fucked up foot a "tattered tootsy" gfldgldgd • as the snake oil salesman explains his repertoire, thaddeus pulls out and cocks his gun, the snake oil salesman can see thaddeus do this in the reflection of the mirror on the mantelpiece. oof. "what's stopping me from just killing you and taking your whole thing of drugs?" thaddeus blurts out. somebody come get this mannn. snake oil salesman really has to tell thaddeus that only he knows which elixir will cure or kill him, thaddeus is crazy for pulling the blicky out like this

• thaddeus trading a fusion core for idk eternal life is somethin'. what is the snake oil salesman gone do with that? hmmm • i think the snake oil salesman gave him the real deal because a fusion core is like high payment • the concoction is like regeneration but tastes bad. almost thought thaddeus got poisoned he was coughing so hard, thaddeus' foot heals very well [but still appears broken] • the snake oil salesman tells thaddeus the radios station is near shady sands but thaddeus is like? it's radioactive there and the snake oil salesman is like "well, you don't have to worry about that anymore, do you, buddy boy?" ayyy lmao what did he give him? did he give him something to turn him into a super mutant? ghoulification? thing? why did he say this??

• back in vault 33, norm is feeding the imprisoned raiders everyday. then i notice they reprise "what a diff'rence a day makes" by dinah washington, same song used in episode 5 when vault 33 enters vault 32 where it's all been cleaned away, it's the coverup song • veronica is blamed for the raider prisoners being poisoned but i didn't understand why she was implicated, she didn't make or serve the food [sounds like a coverup] • but. rat poison is often slow acting. so this is why i think the raider prisoners were poisoned over time • "what did i tell you, norman? words have meaning" overseer betty tells him. i don't particularly think she had anything to do with this. steph on the other hand... • but isn't it wild overseer betty starts the "resettlement initiative" before hardly leaving the mass casualty event • [this is forced resettlement btw] • this show is real for realistically showing recovering from a baby by having steph icing her private area lol

• norm goes to visit chet and registers that chet has been moved to vault 32 [norm is losing a cousin and friend 😭] • i say steph was strategic with getting with chet because of the conversation norm and chet go on to have • norm asks chet "so you're gonna forget about everything we've seen?" then chet "i feel like this is a good moment for a fresh start." "you think so?" "someone obviously does." and i wonder who that someone is • norm is obviously, naturally, and rightfully upset at this. "you're a coward. you know know that, chet?" chet returns norm a smile laced with fear and astutely surmises "we all are, norm. that's why we live in a vault." chet closes the unit door ending the conversation with norm. • chet giving a succinct response to the state of affairs for vault dwellers that even norm himself can't escape still has me

• cooper is a bloodhound. he comes upon the dilapidated red rocket gas station thaddeus was at, sees some blood on the ground and tastes it. what for, your guess is as good as mine 😭 • cooper hears whimpering from the nuka cola dispenser 😭 he lets dogmeat out and says something unhinged "alright, let's go find your daddy" i can't tell if he's already dropping the accent here but 🥲 • in the past, not only are we greeted with another radiation king but also a scene directly related to cooper and his dog, roosevelt • cooper is taking hits off his old fashioned smoking pipe, reading a magazine, roosevelt laying in his lap. king starts eying barb's unattended pip boy on the counter • cooper bugs that bad boy while barb is none the wiser

• colour analysis time again! because they're wearing the same [and maybe the exact] colours and outfits from episode 5, barb is in all blue [no reds or pinks] and cooper is in his signature blue and yellow. janey appears to be in blue and yellow in this scene too! with mostly yellow like cooper. interesting. • cooper has full blown started spying on his wife but gets cold feet after gazing at roosevelt. "you're right, roosevelt. what are you thinking." cooper says, a mix between talking to his dog and himself 😢 he throws the listening device in the trash. cooper loves and trusts barb so much. too much. • the scene transitions to a dichotomy, barb restfully sleeping in bed, again none the wiser, not a care, it seems. then there is cooper--- nursing a cigarette, watching the vault tec vault 4 ad he filmed for the ill fated doctor lloyd and doctor cassandra. cooper cannot sleep. this is a metaphor for their individual consciences.

• cooper is outside now in the witching hour with roosevelt sifting through trash looking for the listening device. "no dogs in the vault, huh?" cooper says after finally finding it. cooper loved roosevelt so much, he was willing to upend his marriage and discover a corporate conspiracy over him, i could cry 😭 • cooper lovingly kisses roosevelt on the head and no sooner does the scene cut to post war cooper refusing attention from dogmeat telling her "i'm sorry, dogmeat, but you ain't him." cooper has all but dropped his accent when speaking this to dogmeat, his sad and hurt mask slipping • i guess dj carl was only booby trapping for angry critics because he let thaddeus use the radio to hit up the brotherhood of steel lol • thaddeus asking about the critics of dj carl's music with dj carl responding "oh, people get fully mad." 😂 now that thaddeus is healed, he's much nicer, even acting a bit cute lol • refinement and taste for the arts still being in the wasteland tho gdldflgdl • "great job on these bobby traps, by the way" 😭 and it's still got bodies in them, help 😭 • thaddeus points and says "that one's crazy", tears in my eyes. really is some shit out of the fallout games • dj carl goes "critics." shaking his head with thaddeus ironically saying "yeah. people just, uh, can't be nice" 😭 same guy almost shot the snake oil salesman before he cured him

• dj carl sees lucy and maximus walking up and asks thaddeus if they're his ride. thaddeus takes out his gun and dj carl is like "guess not. ok." and closes the window to his radio station quick lmao • the signs around the radio station say "no visitors", "no requests", "keep out", and "no trespassing violators will be executed" 💀 • lmao idk if he was panicking or what but thaddeus starts shooting and unloads his entire clip--- lucy and maximus are so fucking confused, checking to see if they've been hit, "god, i suck without a scope" thaddeus shot like fifteen times 😭 • lucy and maximus raise their hands after all that, lucy informs thaddeus she was the one who cut siggi's head off • thaddeus forgets where he is because he walks backwards into a booby trap and a whole. arrow. goes through his neck 😫 lucy is mortified and so am i ❤️ • when thaddeus tries to talk, it sounds gurgly, he doesn't get why he's not dead but takes the arrow out, lucy and maximus look like they want to vomit gldgldfld • idk how they can see from that distance but everyone notices thaddeus' wound heals up. maximus thinks thaddeus is a ghoul now [maybe a super mutant instead?] • "aw, i'm so stupid" i should've never trusted a doctor that smelled like that." please?? • dj carl opens the hatch to see the brotherhood of steel approaching then promptly closes it • lucy asks "the brotherhood is the good guys?" tell me why thaddeus and maximus was like "uh, it's a complicated organization" not them knowing this faction is 💀 • i realized thaddeus did a 180° on wanting to give the brotherhood of steel siggi's head because maximus convinced him he was some type of altered person [whether ghoul or super mutant] and the brotherhood of steel discriminates against both • maximus lets thaddeus flee, by taking the head--- thaddeus is so? because why did he tell lucy and maximus "uh, i'm sorry about... a lot of things and i didn't mean for... ok, nice meeting you. bye!" i cannot even explain how funny it is to see maximus pull a pacifist speech check by getting everyone out of that alive fldgdlfld • maximus buys lucy time to take siggi's head to moldaver while he uh lies to the brotherhood of steel to give her time to get hank, he gets a head from the radio station fdlgdlf • "find your dad. go home. that's what i want for you" ☹️ • "they're never gonna stop looking for the artifact" the brotherhood of steel always find out • lucy and maximus kiss like they'll never see each other again. the two heads in their respective arms also lock lips 💀 lucy and maximus kiss twice [this one's for you vaultknight] • dj carl opens his porthole and smiles. i am howling. • maximus is given something he's probably not had since childhood but anyways 🥲 • kind of a diss for overseer betty to say the people selected for vault 32 from vault 33 have "been chosen for agreeability, stick-to-itiveness, and all of the other qualities that make for a successful pioneer" what about the ones not chosen from vault 33? sheesh • woody gets cold feet, he doesn't want to go live in vault 32. but it is not up to woody--- he is stopped by vault guards. there is no choice [this is a dictatorship i guess] • they treat woody's desire to not be forcefully moved as an outburst by him. they wait for his dissent to turn back into compliance. it is crazy.

• who would have guessed steph would become overseer of vault 32 • norm has had enough and leaves the ceremony, the last glimpse of chet's face not unlike woody's had been • not sure how norm gets to slip by but he decides to play detective again at a terminal • under the guise of being overseer betty, norm pretends there's a problem as an excuse to talk to overseer 31 • this is fallout's version of the internet lol • noticing norm is talking to a brain in a jar, bud askins, is crazyyy--- idk how often overseer betty and him talk but bud fell for the bait quickly • norm posing as overseer betty goes to vault 31, watching it open as he once again is able to open a door with a lock he didn't even have to pick

• one thing about this episode i want to talk more about is the fact that yes, the wasteland is cruel and unforgiving and even still it can also be warm and loving and as evidenced by the survivors of vault 4, they were weird but nice. just like maximus said about lucy. they went out of their way to help lucy and maximus and those two could've spent the rest of their life there, probably. thank goodness the test subject victims revolted. they turned a hellhole into a home. • any other place, lucy would've been harmed for hurting an innocent person and the fact is that they banished her to the surface, let her live, gave her supplies 😭 vault 4 were the nicest, most compassionate people in the show. i really loved seeing a flower in the desert like that • vault 4 prospers not because but in spite of doctor lloyd's and doctor cassandra's experiments • i hope to see more of vault 4 • another thing i wanted to touch on was something i noticed for a few episodes now and i addressed last episode. and it's that poc in this show are the canary in the coal mine, the alarm system, for the going's on with vault tec and the larger societal conspiracy of greed and power grabbing through war. charlie, moldaver, birdie. to name a few. i could make more cases. but anyways, poc being on the ground trying to tell the world about self cannibalizing systems we live under falling on deaf and delusional ears are not lost on me

[magical-regical]

Continuing my L&DS hyperfixation but also because Owl City just released a new single, here are some owl city songs that remind me of each LI and Caleb

Go under the cut if you want some extremely long commentary on why I picked the songs I did. If you don't care what I have to say, please peruse this TLDR;

Xavier: If My Heart Was a House

Zayne: Car Trouble

Rafayel: My Muse, Rainbow Veins

Caleb: Hot Air Balloon, The Bird and The Worm

Ah you're still here. A few disclaimers before you continue:

Whenever I mention MC in this, I will be using she/her pronouns.

I haven't listened to every owl city song in existence and some songs didn't stick with me the way the songs listed here did so if you think my takes are garbage and I'm a big dumb stupid idiot for not considering the song you're thinking of, uh, feel free to make your own post abt it.

I know sweet f a abt music theory so I'm just going based off vibes and lyrics not composition.

I haven't read Xavier's or Zayne's myth stories to completion and haven't read Rafayel's at all.

Anyway, without further ado, enjoy my lukewarm takes.

Xavier

This song makes me so soft and it's way too easy to imagine Xavier and MC dancing to this. The first lines sound like he's reminiscing of the time he had with MC in her past lives,

You're the sky that I fell through, and I remember the view whenever I'm holding you

The sun hung from a string, looking down on the world as it warmed over everything.

Chills run down my spine as our fingers entwine and your sighs harmonize with mine.

Unmistakably, I can still feel your heart beat fast when you dance with me.

He pulls her in closer as the first pre-chorus plays. And the two pre-chorus' in this song sound like a conversation between him and his memory of past!MC.

The first one:

We got older and I should've known,

Do you feel alive?

That I'd feel colder when I walk alone

Oh, but you'll survive

The second one:

I walk slowly when I'm on my own

Do you feel alive?

Yea but frankly, I still feel alone.

Oh, but you'll survive

And then the chorus hits and the vibes are immaculate. It feels like you're floating on air and imagine how Xavier looks at MC when the last few lines play,

Risk it all 'cuz I'll catch you if you fall,

Wherever you go,

If my heart was a house, you'd be home.

Because she is the celestial body that orbits around him, his north, his guiding star, and his heart will always be her home.

Zayne

And you can't convince me this isn't one of the songs that plays at their wedding.

This is the catalyst of this post's creation. As of writing this, it's the newest single and I am obsessed with it. So strap in folks, I have a lot to say.

First of all, the first thirty seconds of this song was released as a preview titled 'Floppy Fish' that came out ten years ago and we didn't hear anything else about it until suddenly we get a tweet about it four days ago (as of writing this part) and then this masterpiece. I think it reflects Zayne and MCs relationship quite well, they were childhood friends, lost contact for a while, and now they're reunited to build another beautiful relationship.

On to the song itself, the overall song is about going back to see the person you love even through all sorts of car troubles. The car theme immediately screamed 'Zayne' to me because out of all the boys we see him drive MC around the most.

It's a very upbeat song which contrasts Zayne's stoic personality but the whole song is something I can imagine actually happening to him.

I see the first verse as Zayne trying his damndest to finish up work instead of having actual car troubles,

I've been driving all afternoon, but I hate to say it, I won't be there soon = him working all afternoon and still having to do overtime

And though I'm late you know I just can't wait to come home to my slice of heaven on toast.

But my GrandPrix broke down without fail, another flat tire and another nail = the 'tire' being the hearts he has to operate on and 'another nail' referring to his surgeon's tools (even though the nail in the song is the thing that broke the tire in the first place not the thing fixing the flat)

I miss your smile but this could take a while 'cause this 'road closed' sign says there's no way around. = he can't just ditch work, obviously.

The second verse and chorus is him actually running out of gas on his way back from Akso and just describes his situation. Walking through the rain, only stopping to buy flowers for her.

Hey, it's kinda crazy what daisies jasmines can do.

And then these lines from the third verse,

I'd hand you a coffee right when you woke up

and

... all I find is all these highways wind and lead back to my slice of heaven on toast.

are so cute. Especially the 'slice of heaven on toast' thing since I imagine a slice of heaven on toast would taste sweet.

But wait, it gets better. Because the chorus that comes after goes,

Oh would your heart kind of glow if I held your hand and I promised to stay home?

Hey, when I blow in that's the first thing I'll do

It might take me forever

It might take me forever

But I love you forever and I can't wait to see you.

I'm dead. I'm deceased. I am a puddle of goo on the ground.

The bridge is the most upbeat part of the song and I imagine that's when he gets a call from MC because she's worried about him. Because honestly the line, 'Am I unavoidably detained or extremely fashionably late?' sounds like the kind of dry humor he'd enjoy.

And the song ends as he hangs up and continues his long journey on public transport to come home to her.

Rafayel

Now, fish boy gets two songs because I associate each one with what I like to call 'light mode' and 'dark mode' Rafayel.

I chose both songs because they had like, a lot of imagery involved in them and lean heavily into his whole artist job. So this isn't going to be as in depth as Zayne's lol.

Anyway,

This is light mode Rafayel. The whole song is him talking to MC. He's all happy-go-lucky and filled with inspiration. With how important color is to his current career the song just felt perfect.

The chorus also adds a few nice tidbits of his character,

Cheer up and dry your damp eyes, and tell me when it rains

And I'll blend up that rainbow above you and shoot it through your veins

'Cause your heart has a lack of color and we should've known

That we'd grow up sooner or later, 'cause we wasted all our free time alone

The first two lines sound like something he'd actually say when he's trying to comfort MC.

The line 'we wasted all our free time alone' sticks out to me because you ever notice this guy doesn't have any friends? Like, Xavier has Jeremiah and the countless old people he's made friends with when they're in their youth and Zayne has his coworkers at the hospital and his old profs. Raffy doesn't really have anyone like that? Sure he has Thomas and his Aunt Talia but judging by how fast they hung up on him after barely wishing him a happy birthday, I can't in good conscience call them his friends.

So yea maybe our boy was so focused on finding MC again he wasted all his free time alone.

Then we have dark mode Rafayel. And no I don't mean dark as in Rafayel when he's in revenge plot mode (whatever that is I don't have enough brain cells to comprehend what his plan could possibly be). I mean dark mode as in it's quite literally night time and he is left with nothing but his own thoughts. MC fell asleep at his place again and he's wistfully staring at her sleeping figure. This is the song in those moments.

Like Xavier, he's reminiscing about the past lives and past MCs. He's remembering the first time he met and the moment he decided she was the one. She was his bride. He's listing all the things he loves about her (which basically boils down to 'everything!'). She is his muse, now and forever.

And then the song ends with:

So I'll say it now before we're at the door that someday we'll walk through,

And if I'm the only one left in the room...

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than home with you.

Do you hear that? That's the sound of my heart cracking in two. He will sing you this last line as he pulls you closer, pressing your forehead against his before giving you a nice, long kiss.

Honorable mention goes to the song 'Sunburn' because it's about meeting someone, falling in love, and having to separate in the end (hence, 'she got a tan and I got a sunburn' and 'as we parted ways, she held my gaze and left an imprint on my mind'). I could go deeper and analyze each line like I did w/ Zayne but I've kept the Caleb girlies waiting long enough so we'll stop Raffy's part here.

Caleb

Caleb also gets two songs I chose two songs that have heavy 'childhood friends to lovers' vibes and fitting imagery and I told myself this one was gonna be short and sweet because we don't have as much depth abt his relationship w/ the MC compared to the current LIs but welp, I lied.

'Hot Air Balloon' is the most childhood friends song ever. Every single lyric is just every adventure these two went on when they were children. Writing their own fairy tales, making a racetrack around the kitchen chairs, going on a picnic to a nearby lake and getting a stomachache because you drank lake water even though Grandma Josephine told you specifically not to do that, the list just goes on and on.

It's them. It's little MC and Caleb with lightning in their veins and stars in their eyes as they explore the world around them, not a care in the world because the possibilities are quite literally endless when they have the other person by their side.

And then if 'Hot Air Balloon' was 'childhood friends—', 'The Bird And The Worm' adds on the '—to lovers' part of the trope.

I mean the entire first verse reads like the two kids playing pretend (because let's face it you've had one or two weirdly morbid play pretend sessions when you were a kid) with little Caleb saying he's the bird because of his evol and then little MC's like "then what does that make me?" And little Caleb's like "you're the worm ofc!"

Esp the part about throwing a party and greeting undersea friends (hi Raffy). I could imagine little MC telling little Caleb how she's going to invite the mermaid she made friends with at the beach to their 'party' and Caleb just not having any of it.

I'll throw a party and greet my undersea friends

(it depends)

As they arrive,

(if they arrive)

Then the chorus reads like a time skip. They're adults reminiscing about their childhood at one of the rare moments their schedules align,

You and I left our troubles far behind,

But I still have just one more question on my mind

For all my pals who live in the oceans and the seas

With friends like these well, who needs enemies?

In that moment they're back to being just MC and Caleb, not a hunter and a fighter pilot. And the last two lines sound like they're trading workplace gossip. Caleb tells her about the shenanigans his colleagues get up to and MC telling him about all the...'quirky' people she's been running into (hi Xav) and then being cheeky and going 'with friends like these, who needs enemies?'

And then you move to the second verse and it's them on a date. It's them on the most damn wholesome date you can imagine, I'm sorry I don't make the rules.

Like first they go apple picking,

If I'm your boy, we'll take a short cut we remember and we'll enjoy—

—picking apples in late September like we've done for years.

We'll take a long walk through the cornfield and I'll kiss you between the ears.

Then they come home and cook together (maybe make a pie with the apples they just picked or some other apple based dish?),

And as we twirl, the glow in the dark stars on your ceiling will shine for us

If you're my girl, swirl me around your room with feeling

As love sweeps over the room cuz' we tend to make, each other blush

(you make me blush)

They're so used to each other's presence even in a kitchen that can be considered a little cramped, they can perfectly navigate around each other.

After the two had eaten a delicious dinner, they are now cuddled on the couch with a blanket over the two of them, some movie playing on the TV. MC starts nodding off so Caleb picks her up and moves her to the bedroom, letting her snuggle against him. He brushes some loose strands of hair away so he can kiss her forehead,

"Love ya pipsqueak, sleep well."

And before drifting off he hears MC mumble a sleepy "I love you too..."

And that's how their perfect day ends.

You're the bird, I'm the worm and it's plain to see,

That we were meant to be.

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

Author's rambling

Haaaa, I finally finished it yay! If you're reading this, thanks for reading this far! (or if you're a Caleb stan and just decided to read his part only, hello!)

I hope you enjoyed my takes. This was fun, I loved breaking down each song and just rambling my heart out over why each song gives me vibes for which character.

[yanderes-galore]

Jack marston (adult obviously + low honor) prompts 15, 21 by inuzkua

8/13

Shitty wifi will NOT stop me!!

-🧨

Oh God... Here's yet another Marston who can't take a hint. This takes place after the Epilogue in RDR1.

Prompts Here

Yandere! Low Honor! Jack Marston Prompts 15, 21

"You’ll come around sooner than you’ll think."

"I kinda like when you play hard to get."

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Harassment, Jack is icky in this, Manipulation, Possessive behavior, Kidnapping, Restraints, Swearing, Forced kissing, Forced "relationship".

It became a routine for Jack... watching you.

The man had once met you at the saloon you work at. He was getting a drink to revitalize himself after a long horse ride... only to find you. You caught his eye with your looks and innocent personality, tending to patrons with little care in the world.

Jack can't help but feel drawn to such innocence.

Look at you, some townie who hasn't seen what the world has to offer. You look as if you've never seen corruption. As if you've never seen an outlaw up close...

It's like he has to corrupt you at this point.

He's been making it a fantasy... a goal... to tear such innocence from you... to make you his.

But you've been difficult.

You've been denying Jack ever since he met you at that saloon. He's a regular at this point, a common face for you. You look at him like he's scum.

Each time Jack enters the saloon, he's searching for you. Be it at the bar itself or the saloon tables, he's hunting. Then... when he sees you... he corners you like weak prey.

Every word out of his mouth comes out as some odd flirtation. Anything from crude pick up lines, depraved comments, teasing touches.... Jack is a man who doesn't leave anything to the imagination on this path...

It frustrates him when you bat his hand away or curse him out of the saloon. It irritates him even more when he's tossed out of the saloon by folks on your side. You are a difficult catch...

Which just means you'll taste all the sweeter once he has you.

"I kinda like when you play hard to get." Jack purrs out one evening, leaning against the saloon wall as he watches you clean. You ignore him, which causes him to chuckle darkly. Oh you hated him... He knew it...

He loved it.

"Fuck off, Marston...." You spit, causing Jack to whistle in response.

"Ohhh, naughty mouth, dear..." Jack chuckles, eyes staring you down with a predatory grin. "I like that too... want me to clean it for you...?"

You grimace, continuing to do your job. It was typical of patrons to harass you as you work. That's the downside of working in a saloon.

However, Jack came here just to do that. He would spend hours in the saloon just to watch you. Sometimes, when he's merciful, he's just watching.

Other times... like now... He follows you around the saloon to try and court you. You're never receptive, especially with what words come out of his mouth. The worst part...?

Jack's sober during all of it... acting like some hormone charged disrespectful teenager the moment he sees you.

You were getting tired of him messing with you. You were even more tired of having to throw him out for getting into bar fights over you. Jack... wore you out.

But that was all when it came to him. He would just be a nuisance to you at work and that's all. The moment he's kicked out and you get back on your horse, things are fine.

Which is exactly how tonight was going to go it seems.

"Oi!" You call, making Jack grit his teeth. "He's back again!"

"Come on, doll...! I haven't even touched you this time!" Jack pouts, only to receive a glare in return.

"It doesn't matter... get out of my sight!" You spit, irritated by his past behavior. Jack looks irritated but raises his hands in defeat with a sigh.

"Sure, fine... whatever you say, sugar...." Jack surrenders, making you confused for a moment. "Want me gone? I'll go, sweetheart...."

His tone feels... suspicious to you. Jack leaving of his own accord? That doesn't sound like the Marston you know.

"I'll leave you alone tonight..." Jack murmurs, going to walk by you. "But I hope you know how much I want you, darlin'...."

Jack then kisses your cheek, the feeling wet and uncomfortable. A teasing lick is given to your skin before Jack pulls away and heads out of the bar. You stare blankly when he leaves... before quickly rubbing your cheek with your sleeve.

That's all you expected that night.

As suspicious as it was for Jack, you're just happy he's gone. Afterwards you were able to continue your work. Cleaning tables, serving drinks, making money...

Then you left to go home on your horse.

The air is crisp outside as night begins to settle on the town. The chirping of crickets and howling of wolves greet your ears as you make your way to your horse. You're exhausted and...

Your horse is gone.

Your heart drops to your stomach when you realize your ride could be stolen. You look around the area, concerned for where the animal went. Panic sets in as you aren't sure what to do... then you hear footsteps...

"You won't need a horse where you're going, sweetheart...."

You're roughly slammed into the back of the saloon's wall. You yelp, wanting to scream before feeling lips on your own. Facial hair tickles your skin as a wet warmth coats your lips.

You roughly push back, allowing you to part from the disgusting kiss. The man allows you to pull away with a grin, yet pins your hands above your head. Upon closer inspection... you see it's Jack...

No wonder he left so easily...

He was waiting for you.

"I was wondering how you'd taste..." Jack murmurs in a husky tone, licking his lips. "I hope I'll get more tastes like that when you're mine, darlin'...."

"No! Get off me!" You bark, only for Jack to chuckle.

"Aw... all bark no bite, puppy?" Jack teases, pulling something off his belt. "Come on... Don't be like that. You deserve a real man, know that?"

You struggle against his hold, yet it only accomplishes you two falling to the ground. This new position only aids Jack, who manages to pull his lasso off his belt to tie you. He starts with your wrists... then your ankles...

Then he picks you up like you weigh nothing.

"Pissy, are we? I thought you always wanted someone to sweep you off your feet like some romance story, dear?" Jack hums, seeing you struggle in his arms.

"Please! Let me go!" You plead, making Jack click his tongue and shake his head.

"Sorry, sugar, you made me wait long enough... You're mine now." Jack chuckles, whistling for his horse.

Jack notices you shake in his arms as he begins to stow you on the horse. He sighs with a chuckle, patting your back before mounting his horse. You are so cute when you cry...

"Now don't get all upset on me..." Jack soothes in his own twisted way. It's obvious he doesn't mean it as he rides off with you on his horse.

"You’ll come around sooner than you’ll think." Jack laughs, looking back at your bound and scared form

"Then you'll realize you like being mine... won't you, darlin'?"