#oof ow ouch bad times all around

[semisolidmind]

So, hear me out, in the Bad End Wukong AU what if in sadistic Wukong fashion he kept Macaque alive just enough to be sealed under a mountain so he would have to listen to everything

(oof. this au is just one big bad time for Mac and reader)

so you know how mac can probably seal away his powers? i imagine that, in this instance, wukong would put some sort of magic-nulling spell on macaque to keep him from dumbing down his hearing.

after a terrifying fight, macaque is half-dead and unable to defend himself. wukong drops a nearby mountain onto macaque, trapping him much like he was 500 years ago. even if macaque had the strength to destroy the mountain, wukong seals it before he can gather himself.

"Well, old friend, it's been fun, but I've got empires to topple, gods to crush, and a new Queen to bed. So, if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way. Enjoy your time under the mountain!" with that joyful farewell out of the way, and macaque's screams of rage ringing in his ears, wukong flies back to flower fruit mountain.

unfortunately for him, macaque can't help but search for readers voice and heartbeat, and he's never felt such rage at the sound of it before. her cries of pain and outrage, her tears...the sound of the king consumating his union with his new queen.

macaque seethes as he heals, and plans to gather his strength until he can get out. given that his reputation isn't as notorious as wukong's, hopefully he can convince a wayward traveller to remove the seal.

[ten-cent-sleuth]

With a half dozen chapters left, I have got lots of thoughts to add.

I sympathise with Catherine’s raising her own excitement and then being disappointed by the ordinariness of what she discovers in the abbey

mood

literally has happened to me (although not in an abbey)

#ReadsTooMuch #GetSatiredGang #HumbledToTheDust

Tilney’s flower spiel has me 🫣🫣

I feel bad for Mr Allen right now; General Tilney is making Catherine compare everything against him 😂

I am :|| at Catherine’s tactlessness with asking Miss Tilney about her mother, oof

also what a leap “He did not love her walk: could he therefore have loved her?” is gjfkshfjd

I admit my curiosity about General Tilney increases though

I thought he was cool but he is getting sus now

holding onto my #1 Curious About spot though, good work sir

I always love Miss Austen’s descriptions of the interplay between simultaneous emotions and impressions; case in point, “The shock, however, being less real than the relief, offered it no injury”

“and one useless antechamber” press F to pay respects

“What could more plainly speak the gloomy workings of a mind not wholly dead to every sense of humanity, in its fearful review of past scenes of guilt?” Catherine he is WALKING AROUND 😭😭

the concept of this man having a secret(ly alive) wife locked up somewhere in his house is within reasonable bounds for Catherine huh?

please I want her to meet Mr Rochester, I need to see his face when she looks him right in the eye within days of making his acquaintance and is like “You’ve got your wife locked up in the attic don’tcha?”

oh man I am. I just

I am glad Catherine’s suspicions didn’t last too long and that they were put out by Tilney rather than by anyone else (the intimacy of being utterly humiliated in front of that one special person alone *swoons*) (unironically though I have so many thoughts about this concept even beyond Northanger Abbey, but I will not get into that rn lol)

but gooooosh at the same time… “his quick eye fixed on hers” “or it may be—of something still less pardonable” “If I understand you rightly, you had formed a surmise of such horror as I have hardly words to—” “Dearest Miss Morland, what ideas have you been admitting?” ow ouch ow!!!

Tilney is firmly in my favour now though lol; he comprehended her so well and chastised her so gently

aww Catherine </3

and Tilney being attentive <3

but I would die of mortification tbh; that Catherine rallied her spirits enough to face him again within half an hour? dear heavens I’d’ve needed half a decade

lmao rip Italy, Switzerland, and the south of France

as soon as she said the letter was from James, not Isabella… beware the letter from a sibling in the third act of a Jane Austen novel

“uncomfortably circumstanced” indeed

I feel some compassion for James but buddy better not think “Let me soon hear from you, dear Catherine; you are my only friend; your love I do build upon” is gonna make me forget how he was with her before gjfhshfj

“Poor Thorpe … his honest heart” it seems we haven’t revealed everyone’s duplicity yet

which I am getting worried about actually

are the Thorpes gonna show up with Captain Tilney just when things are getting good with our main trio? is Thorpe the Twerp gonna press his suit? I’d hope they’d have given up on the Morlands after the disappointment with James but there’s no way we had all that build-up (with the Twerp) for nothing 😬😬

“I have too good an opinion of Miss Thorpe’s prudence to suppose that she would part with one gentleman before the other was secured” lmao Tilney

“‘Such a sister-in-law, Henry, I should delight in,’ said Eleanor with a smile” these two 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ I am in love with her and Catherine’s friendship, and I am falling in love with his and Catherine’s romance, but put all three of them together and I just feel bad for Catherine hfkshjfjs

still the best trio though

Tilney talking circles around her at times leaves a bit of an unromantic impression (unless I am missing something 😅😅), but I do like how a sharp wit who keeps people at mockable length might have fallen for and will actually let in someone so artless and guileless that they connect with anyone deeply and sincerely

and it’s not like I think Catherine is an empty-headed fool who can’t keep up with him or anything; a capacity to learn and an undeniable strength of character are already hers (seriously, she has had my full support, sometimes to my surprise because I expected some Main Character-Requisite Blundering, with how she has handled I think every difficult situation she’s come across so far), so any lapses in reason or understanding are easily attributable to mere youth and inexperience

it’s just when Tilney speaks with double meanings more often than the average person while she tends to take things at face value more often than the average person, we don’t get to see their communication cross paths as often as we could have, if that makes sense lol

which is not to say I dislike their relationship: they’re still on solid ground together, supportive and accepting of each other, honest and understanding when it matters (more honest and understanding in those moments than, like, the other characters are all the time tbh), and I am absolutely rooting for them

it’s more a note on the romance: c’mon, the game of flirting involves two players, and one of them is not usually the gentleman’s clever sister

(update on my original post though: Miss Tilney is definitely my favourite character)

but anyway, because this isn’t supposed to be a swoon-worthy love fantasy of epic poetry proportions, that is not a critique!!! just a comment!!!!!

As soon as I finish reading this, I want to watch the 2007 tv film. Imagine my surprise when I was looking at Northanger edits on Tunglr and recognised JJ Feild! I HAD been trying to think of what allusions to Northanger Abbey were in Austenland, and I guess it’s just straight-up one of the adaptations’ male lead lol.

I have just finished Chapter 10 of Northanger Abbey. Some thoughts:

I kind of wish I had read this book first out of Jane Austen’s works, if only because I would have related to Catherine more

since I’m mostly familiar with Pride and Prejudice and Emma and Persuasion, and a little knowledgeable of Sense and Sensibility, (I have yet to even touch Mansfield yet, I am so sorry) I was immediately like what the heck do you mean Catherine’s got a brother

who is this man?? what is he doing here???

I’ve read too many P&P fics,,, the state of being brotherless is just so ingrained into the story conflicts and character dynamics in my head, whoops

Mr Thorpe was annoying from the first, and he has only gotten on my nerves even more (and do I smell a fortune hunter??)

Isabella is also hmm

at first I was leery of her and Catherine’s friendship because of how she’s older and more polished; I was sceptical of the sincerity of how quickly they seemed to get attached

also I get the vibe that she’s hiding something from Catherine (has she met Tilney before…?)

but if she’s really James’s love interest, then I see her as more harmless; more of a disappointment, less of a threat, I guess?

still absolutely relieved Catherine’s not overly attached to her now though

Miss Tilney intrigues me

I like her so far

might be my favourite character but we’ll see we’ll see

Mr Tilney also intrigues me but less decisively of a favourable bent

I’m kinda suspicious but idrk why

tryna withhold judgement since he hasn’t actually done anything sus yet (that I can think of)

plus I genuinely enjoy his and Catherine’s tête-à-têtes

so mostly on the fence

I am most curious about General Tilney, idk why but he is piquing my interest

the exposition about the late Mrs Tilney seems very deliberate

the whole family is just intriguing I s’pose ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

loving the writing, unsurprisingly

I put off Northanger for a long time because I hadn’t expected it to be as lighthearted as it is due to some reviews I’d read but

there do be plenty of funny parts

and of course Miss Austen’s characteristic wit is ubiquitous <3

Please forgive me for any egregious mistakes, I am no literary academic and cannot spot themes or symbols or meta details for my life. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[brunchable]

A Soulmate Who wasn’t Meant to be — Part 3 || Doctor Strange x F!Reader

Word Count: 4.9K Themes: Jealousy, Sabotage, Push n Pull. A/N: Apologies for taking so VERY long with this one. It was a bad writer's block. I am also sorry if you wanted to get tagged for this part, ?Tumblr keeps malfunctioning everytime I tag more people? I'll just keep reblogging. Thank you for your patience, I appreciate it.

Stephen might be convincing himself that he wasn't affected by you but his body language and eyes are giving him away. He's probably lost count about how many people offered to get you a drink tonight—but he wasn't bothered by that, it was Stark that bothered him the most. Especially when he stands next to you, hands firmly around your waist—a spot where his hands used to be. With a clenched jaw, Stephen magically flicked Tony's hand when he lowered it towards your hips. 

"Ow?" Tony removes his hands from you and examines his hands, "Did you just pinch me?"

You looked at him puzzled, "My hands are full Tony," You chuckled, "How can I possibly pinch you?"

Stephen smirks in victory and drinks his martini, trying to be casual about his mischievous tactic. 

Tony shrugs it off and places his hands on the small of your back this time. Stephen then made a gesture with his hand as if pulling something and Tony's head got yanked back. Stephen snickered at Tony's reaction as the other man turns around to look for the person who might be messing with him.

Tony's vision zeroed in on Stephen who—though very subtle—had a smile on his face. Tony squinted his eyes and excused himself to you and the group of people you were talking to. He approached Stephen and stood beside him.

"Wizard."

"Tin Man."

"I see you’ve learnt another party trick?” Tony whirled his hands around, “Let me guess, the name of the trick is 'childish'?" Tony made conversation with Stephen without looking at him.

Stephen chuckled, "I see you've found a new woman to play with."

"Better than wasting her time as a rebound. Am I right?" Tony chuckles back, this time glancing at Stephen who now was giving him quite a dirty look, "Why are you looking at me like that?" Tony asked as if he just didn't strike a nerve.

"You tell me—you’re not even together. . ."

"Oh is that what she told you?" Tony says to get under Stephen's skin, which he was doing perfectly.

Stephen's face darkens, his body turning towards Tony this time around, "What are you playing at Stark?"

Tony imitates Stephen with a shrug, "Oh nothing really—" Tony smiles at Stephen who looked like he needed one more push and he would punch Tony, "You just seem upset that you’re not getting her attention.”

“And why would I be upset? I was the one who called it quits.” Stephen pointed at himself.

“I know that, however, you are a bad liar, my friend.” Tony lightly poked Stephen’s shoulder in which Stephen dusted the area off straight after.

“We’re not friends.”

“Oof—ouch. After we fought Thanos together?” Tony clutches his heart.

“That doesn’t make us friends.” 

“Okay—I guess I better throw away the friendship bracelet I made.” Tony replied sarcastically, “So our little Wizard of NY is upset?”

“I’m not—” Stephen refrains himself from snapping and exhales slowly to calm himself, “What do you want Stark?”

“I want to give you some friendly advice because you seem to be enjoying tormenting me everytime I touch (Y/N). If you are so upset about her moving on, then I'll give you a chance tonight to realise that one day you will see her holding hands with someone who seized your chance. She won’t even notice you because she’s too busy laughing with the stupid jokes he makes. And it will break and burn your soul to see that gorgeous smile on her face when you realise that you are no longer the cause for it. And suddenly it will dawn on you that it was her all along; it was always her."

"And what? You're referring to yourself to be that person?" Stephen scoffs at Tony's advice.

"Well, it could be anyone—could be that guy there,” He points at one handsome jet pilot, “or him—now he will not waste time,” Tony points at Steve Rogers, “Or maybe Pietro? He’s been eyeing her the whole night, he’s very charismatic, I bet he'll sweep her off her feet in no time, he isn’t called quicksilver for nothing.”

Stephen laughs and shakes his head—there was no way his ego was going to let Stark think he’s influencing him in any way, “Good for him then.”

“I’m going to head back to (Y/N) and enjoy her company, if she stays with me tonight long after the party is over, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind right?” Tony tilts his head, another annoying smile curling at the corner of his lips, “I’ll take your silence as a yes and if you do change your mind, just do as she asks and get in line, yeah?” Tony mockingly pats Stephen’s shoulders before walking away.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

You did end up staying behind long after everyone had gone home, you sat with Tony in his living room just talking for hours on end, laughing at his stories, drinking wine—talking about how Stephen looked like he was strangling Tony in his mind.

“So how many dinner dates do you have in the coming weeks?” Tony leans back on the couch beside you while you swirl your glass of wine.

“Not much. . . like six? Give or take.” 

Tony claps his hands, “You call a six, not much? WOW! Are you sure you’re still here to get Stephen back?” 

You shrug, “I don’t know, after tonight, I felt great and for the first time in my life, I was confident in my skin—I didn’t feel insecure, I felt like myself again.”

“That’s good. Glad you’ve found your worth. I’m happy for you. Cheers to that.” Tony raised his glass and you lifted yours as well, clinking your glass to him, “Since we’re getting a bit personal, why don’t you ask me something personal about me?”

“Are you sure?” You looked at Tony’s direction and he nodded, “Hmm do you think your father would be proud of what you’ve accomplished?” 

“Damn, you don’t play around,” Tony swallows hard, thinking deeply to give you a genuine answer, “I’d like to think he would be—I mean he did things for the greater good, his inventions created Captain America and he's always been proud of that. . . I can’t say I didn’t feel bitter at times since it felt like he valued his creations more but as I got older I realised that he was probably just trying to inspire me, in his own weird way.” 

A small smile twitched on his lips after feeling reminiscent of his father, “He probably won’t be proud of my lifestyle, that’s for sure.” Tony adds and laughs, “You better keep this between us, I don’t often talk about these things.”

You softly laugh along with him, “Your secret's safe with me and by the way, that was a great answer.” 

“Why, thank you—Do I qualify for the next round of Miss Universe?” 

You laughed softly and shook your head, lightly slapped him on the shoulder, “Thank you, Tony.”

Tony smiles knowingly and nods, “You’re welcome. Call me anytime you need help.”

You raised your eyebrows, “Anytime?”

“Yes, anytime but depending on how busy I get, I might respond in three to four business days.”

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Stephen jogged down towards the landing of the Sanctum where Wong noticed him wearing a pair of sunglasses, cloak as a scarf and a whole black attire. Wong's head followed Stephen, eyes narrowing in suspicion before asking, "Where are you going?"

Stephen halts and curses internally, "I'm going outside to do some errands." He says nonchalantly.

Wong knitted his eyebrows and glances at the window to see the dark sky, "While wearing sunglasses?"

"Ever heard of eye infection Wong?" 

"Your eyes looked fine this morning."

"Well. . . Things can change in a blink of an eye," Stephen chuckles at his own pun while Wong remains a neutral face, "Oh c'mon, you haven't laughed since I made that warning joke." 

Wong shook his head, "Cracking cornea puns isn't how eye roll."

Stephen suppresses an incoming chuckle at Wong's double pun and shakes his head, "Well, I'm gonna go."

"Have fun spying, Sir Vaillance!" 

Stephen halts before the Sanctum's entrance and turns around one last time, "How did you know?"

"Maybe clean up at the undercroft after using the scrying gem for a scrying ritual?" 

Stephen opens the door, "I'm still using it! Don't clean it up!" He pointed warningly at Wong before twirling out of the door. Wong shook his head and proceeded to mind his own business.

“‘Couldn’t care less about what she does’ my ass.” Wong mumbled to himself.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Date Night One

You entered a luxurious Italian restaurant where your date was already waiting for you at the table he reserved. The waiter guided you towards Alex, a member of S.W.O.R.D. who you met at Tony’s party. 

“Alex?” You tilted your neck to confirm it was him, and when the man lifted his head, he jumped up the chair at your arrival. You discreetly took a step back, he seemed a bit skittish.

“Very good of you to join me, please, have a seat.” He pointed at the chair that the waiter had pulled out for you.

“How are you doing?” You asked as you set your purse over your lap and got comfortable on your chair.

Alex chuckled, “How are you doing?”

You chuckled back, brows knitted, “I’m great.”

“Yeah?” Alex smiled and clasped his hands together and said in a bitter tone, “Well, treasure it!” 

Meanwhile, three tables away was Stephen who had a perfect view of you and your date, he held the large menu over him just enough to cover his face but not his eyes. He pushed his sunglasses down slightly so he could take a good look at how you smiled. That was fake, Stephen could tell that your date had already lost you.

Now how can I make this more interesting? Stephen thought and smirked. 

“Are you ready to order sir?” A waiter came up to Stephen after noticing that he’d been staring at his menu ever since he arrived.

“Er— I’ll have the focaccia burrata with walnuts and warm honey truffles.” Stephen reads out and the waiter jots it down on his notepad.

“Is that all, Sir? Any drinks?” The waiter continues.

“Your finest wine would be fine.” Stephen answered quickly, just wanting for the waiter to leave him alone.

“Are you okay?” You scooted in your chair, trying your best not to look uncomfortable in front of him.

Stephen squinted his eyes and discreetly waved his finger to put a truth enchantment on your date, “Let’s see what your intentions are, Alex.”

A middle-aged man next to Stephen with a receding hairline close to a friar tuck, curiously watches Stephen talk to himself before looking towards the direction Stephen was looking at.

“I—uh, apologise, this is probably not a good first impression but uh—I had an unusually bad day. I actually prefer to be home right now but my mother will scold me if I pass up on another date. . .” Alex covered his mouth when his words slipped out so easily, “Oh. . . did I just say that?” 

You laugh nervously when Alex does, “Uh. . .okay. Well, bad days make the good ones better.” in an attempt to drown out the awkwardness, you took the menu and pretended to read it.

Alex nods in agreement, legs shaking under the table, “Mind if I sit over there?” Alex stands up and takes the spot next to you, putting his arms around you. 

You lean away from him with a quick answer, “Yes, I do mind. Why don’t you go sit over there, I prefer that.” 

“Oh, uh. . . okay.” Alex blinks and slowly makes his way back to his original place. 

Stephen could see you batting your eyelashes and he laughed to himself while watching the other man embarrass himself in front of you. He noticed you tapping your finger on the table before scratching the back of your head, trying to cope with the awkward silence. 

Stephen puts another enchantment on Alex, “I’m lonely. . .” Stephen spoke.

Alex finally opens his mouth after a while, “I’m lonely. . .”

“I haven’t had sex for almost one year. . .”

“I haven’t had sex for almost one year,” Alex admitted, you were about to open your mouth to say something but he cut you off, “Women always seems to get turned off and I don’t know why? Is it because I have four nipples? And they look like cow teats?”

Stephen discontinued the enchantment to give himself a chance to laugh at the inappropriate remarks he made Alex say and the horrified look on your face didn’t help the matter.

“Will you please excuse me? I’m just going to use the restroom.” You chuckled uncomfortably at the now sniffling Alex and ran for the female restroom. 

The middle-aged man close to Stephen also gave him a horrified look, thinking that Stephen was a lunatic talking to himself and dropped his fork on the table after hearing what he had just said. Stephen discontinued his spell on Alex altogether, bringing the man back to normal, just in time you got back to the table.

“(Y/N), I-I’m sorry, I don’t know what has gotten into me. I don't have four normal looking nipples I swear! I can show you.” Alex attempts to explain himself but it was too late, you were already creeped out.

“I-It’s alright! No need to show me, I believe you! Um something just came up for work, why don’t we do a rain check?” You smiled and took your purse, “I have your number, I’ll text you.”

As you walked out of the restaurant, Stephen smiled in victory, eating his focaccia bread dipped in honey. He stayed for a while to celebrate his first success in sabotaging your dates, “Stephen 1 - (Y/N)’s dates 0.” 

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Date Night Two

Your laugh echoes through the crowd in a fairly lively restaurant, you had a date with Bruce Banner’s intern, Amadeus Cho. Compared to your date a couple of nights ago, Amadeus was charming, funny, not to mention a smooth talker. 

“So why Amadeus?” You asked, swirling your straw around your glass of cocktail, closely anticipating his answer.

“I thought you’d never ask! It’s because my parents think they’re being unique—I prefer to be called Seo-Joon, which is my Korean name.” 

“Seo-Joon? Did I say that right?” 

“Like a native speaker.” He smiles and tilts his head.

Once again at an area of the restaurant where you can’t see him, Stephen sat studying Amadeus carefully. He seems to be making you laugh, a whole lot which is good for Amadeus but not Stephen. He couldn’t possibly use the same spells he did the first time, that would make it too obvious.

Ah! An imaginary light bulb lit up above Stephen’s head. He focused carefully on Amadeus; while the man took a bite of his food, Stephen brought up his finger to scratch his front teeth. 

“Mmh, this is really good.” Amadeus swallows and presents you a toothy smile. You notice a large bit of spinach stuck between his incisors and canine. You crack a soft chuckle before discreetly pointing on his teeth.

“Um, you got spinach on your teeth.” You whispered.

Immediately, the block took a napkin and turned away from you to remove it from his teeth. He laughed sheepishly, “Whoops.”

In an attempt to act cute, Amadeus props his elbow on the table but not without Stephen willing the bowl of soup to move right under his elbow. 

“Ah shit.” Amadeus mutters a curse as his new suit gets soaked with tomato soup.

“Oh my goodness! Let me call the waiter for a napkin.” You raised your hand but Amadeus stopped you.

“No, no. It’s fine I got one here.” He pulls out a handkerchief and wipes off the excess liquid on his elbow before removing his jacket, “Thanks to you, I seem to be feeling clumsy.” 

“Oh stop it.” You playfully roll your eyes.

‘Hm, you’re a tough one.’ Stephen thought, tapping his finger on the table, ‘Let’s test your patience.’ Stephen made the waitress carrying a tray of pumpkin soup trip over her feet with the intention to spill it on Amadeus. 

You gasped as your date got covered with soup, “Oh my goodness are you okay?” 

“I am so sorry, sir!” The waitress attempts to help clean him up and that’s when Stephen puts the man in a time loop, showering the man with pumpkin soup over and over and over again until he’s been covered by it entirely. The waitress spilled it over his head, over his face, over his suit and from different directions all at once. 

"Oh my goodness are you okay?" You asked worried to see the pumpkin soup covered man in front of you.

"DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M FINE?!" Amadeus stands up and shouts, causing the whole restaurant to go quiet and turn their attention to both of you. He storms off towards the bathroom to clean himself up without speaking another word.

You look around, feeling embarrassed for the attention you were gaining after he shouted at you. 

When he came back, you were nowhere to be found however you left dinner paid after you felt bad.

Stephen laughed to himself  and drank some wine, "Stephen 2 - (Y/N)'s dates 0."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ 

Date Three

Stephen watched over you at the upper loft of the luxurious club while you hangout on another friday night with yet another date.

Just like your last date, you got along pretty well with this man that you even tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. Tucked. Worst of all, you flirtatiously bit your lip. . . Nah, she's just drunk. 

"I'll let you enjoy her company for a while." Stephen muttered to himself, talking indirectly to the guy.

Stephen owled himself around, following the man's everymove as he took you to the dancefloor. Fixated on you, he suddenly begins to have flashbacks of your time together.

“You’ve already watched it.” 

“But have you?” 

“I know what happens. People wouldn’t shut up about it when it first came out.” 

“Shh.” you nudged his leg with your foot. “Movie’s starting.” 

Stephen sighed. 

You loved The Fault in Our Stars, but you snuck peeks at Stephen throughout the film, hoping to catch some sort of reaction. None. Nada. Zilch, even during Hazel Grace's eulogy scene to Gus. 

“How are you not crying?” you demanded, brushing away your tears with the back of your hand after the end credits rolled. “This movie is so sad.” 

“It’s fiction.” Stephen grimaced. “Stop crying.” 

“Not to some people—I can’t stop even when I feel like it. It’s a biological reaction.” 

“Biological reactions can be mastered.” 

You couldn’t resist—you scooted closer to him on the couch and pushed his shoulders forward so you could run your palm down his back.

His muscles bunched beneath your touch. 

“What,” he said in a tight, controlled voice. “Are you doing?” 

“I’m searching for your control panel.” you patted his back, trying—and failing—not to notice the sculpted contours of his muscles. You'd never seen Stephen shirtless, but you imagined it was glorious. “You must be a robot.” 

You received a stony glare in response, “See? Robot. Do you have to swap out your batteries, or are you rechargeable?” you teased. 

“Should I call you R2-D—” You yelped when he grabbed your arm and spun you around until you straddled one of his legs. Your blood roared in your ears as he tightened his grip on your wrist—not enough to hurt, but enough to warn you he could easily break you if he wanted. Your eyes locked, and the roaring intensified. Beneath those jade pools of ice, you glimpsed a spark of something that sent heat curling through your stomach. 

“I’m not a toy, (Y/N),” Stephen said, his voice lethally soft. “Don’t play with me unless you want to get hurt.” 

You swallowed your fear. “You wouldn’t hurt me.”

The booming music of the club dragged Stephen back to reality. His eyes searched you in the crowd as he briefly lost you, he breathed a sigh of relief to see you back at the bar but where's the man you're with? 

Stephen searched for the man, until he saw the male’s figure entering the men’s bathroom. He finished his drink before he teleported inside one of the stalls. Stephen forced his astral form out of his body and flew towards the man who was in slow motion checking himself out on the mirror like some vain prick. 

“She’s beautiful isn’t she?” Stephen asked the man through the mirror. 

The man jumped when Stephen seemingly appeared out of nowhere, “Who are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about your date.” 

“Oh yes, she is.” The man smiled, “You’re going to have to wait your turn buddy.”

“Oh I’ve had my turn and it did not end well.” Stephen shrugged and sighed, as if he was sad, “Did she tell you that she belongs to a family of gangsters?”

The man chuckled and turned to face Stephen but found nobody there. He turned to look at the mirror again and Stephen popped out of the mirror, “BOO!” 

“ARGH! What the fuck?!” The man stumbled back onto the tiled flooring, piss leaking through his pants as Stephen’s transparent body floated above him.

“You better run man, you don’t want to end up like me.” 

The man scrambled on the floor and ran out of the bathroom screaming like a maniac, labelling the men’s bathroom as haunted. 

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

You glanced at your watch as you sat along at the bar, patiently waiting for your date—who you didn't know had left—to come back. 

Stephen sat quietly beside you. Austere in his black suit, crisp white shirt, and black tie. You turned your head to the right, thinking it was your date and silently studied his profile for a moment, realising it was Stephen. Stephen then turned and gave you a tight smile. You could see the emotion filling his soft eyes. 

"Oh my god! It's that asshole Stephen! I better run! Wouldn’t want him stepping on my pride and dignity again!" You laughed out loud, the alcohol on your system causing you to remove your filter. You shook your head before sliding off your seat and turning to leave without saying a word to him—but he was quick to clasp his scarred fingers around your wrist. 

"Can we talk?" Stephen asked.

You turned around, head tilted, "Talk about what?" 

"Us." 

You threw your head back as you laughed at his audacity to even mention that word, "There is no 'us' Stephen, not since you left me begging." You said slurring your words. You made an attempt to yank your wrist out of his grasp by twisting it but Stephen, being stubborn himself, only tightened his grip. 

"I'm not letting you go until you talk to me—and you know me well enough that you can't out-run me even if you try."

“Okay fine! Now let me go.” you snapped and yanked again this time, Stephen lets go. You almost stumble back but he catches you before you could even lose your balance. The motion causes you to feel nauseous and you feel the contents of your stomach making its way back up. 

Before you could even think about forcing it back down, you already hurled and soiled Stephen’s shoes. The people surrounding  both of you jumped away, meanwhile Stephen closed his eyes, trying to be patient with you. 

"Oops. . ." You blink innocently at Stephen who only returned a pained smile at you.

"I think it's time for you to go home." Stephen grabbed hold of your wrists again and slipped out of his soiled shoes with the intention to leave it behind. There was no way he was going to touch that.

Stephen drew a circle in the air and pulled you through the portal that opened in your apartment bedroom, "How much did you drink? Geeze." 

You plopped onto your bed the moment you saw it and exhaustion instantly kicked in. 

"Hey! Wake up, at least freshen up. Don't be disgusting." Stephen sat on the edge of your bed and shook you.

"Go away." You mumbled. 

"You can't sleep like that! (Y/N)!" 

"Ugh. Shut up, your voice is irritating." 

"Alright, fine. You leave me no choice." 

You begin slapping away the hand that’s pulling your dress past your shoulders. You try to remember where you are, why you're there, and how you got there.

You try to open your eyes, but you can’t tell if it’s working. They feel open, but it’s still dark inside your head. You start slapping and kicking even more.

"(Y/N)!" Stephen yells, "Stop!" 

"I'll stop when pigs fly."

He comes closer, and a soft hand brushes back your hair as the bed dips down next to you. You squeeze your eyes shut, then force them wide open several times, until you finally begin to adjust to the light. Stephen puts his  hands around your waist in an attempt to get you up. 

You slap his hands and he grabs your wrist, "(Y/N)! You're covered in puke I'm trying to help you!"

"No, you're trying to take advantage of me! Help! Help!" You half-assed screamed and laughed as Stephen tried to get you up again.

"Stand up."

"No, my legs aren't working. When your legs don't work like they used to before~" you giggled and sang, "You know that song?" 

Stephen sighed, his fingers digging into your skin as you made it difficult for him to care for you. He tries to adjust his hold but you end up sliding down the side of the bed.

"Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!" You chortled like a lunatic. 

Stephen tugged your arm, "Get up, you're dirty."

"Oh I'm dirty? Is that why you left me? Because I'm dirty?! But that's because you did me dirty! I wouldn't be so dirty if you weren't such an asshole!" You burst out into tears, Stephen tried to tug you again but you slapped his hands away, "Don't touch me with your sterile doctor hands! I'm dirty right?!"

Stephen pinched the bridge of his nose and did a few breathing exercises in order to remain patient, "Come on. Get up, I'll help you brush your teeth."

Stephen swung your arm around his shoulder and led you to your bathroom. He carried you up to sit on the sink while he prepared your toothbrush. You were nodding off when Stephen patted your cheek to wake you up.

"Open your mouth. Ah!" 

You obediently opened your mouth with your eyes remaining closed while Stephen brushed your teeth, "Christ. I came to see you to talk, not become your caretaker."

Stephen looks at you and shakes his head, smiling to himself at the situation he's in, "Alright spit." 

You turned to the sink and spat out the toothpaste. Stephen grabbed a small towel and wiped the corner of your lips. He then washed the towel with soap and water so he could provide you a wipe down before carrying you back to bed.

"How do you feel?" Stephen asked as he wiped your face. 

"Tired." You mumbled. You felt yourself being lifted once more until you felt the soft fabric of your mattress. A few minutes later, Stephen got you up once more to assist you in wearing your pyjamas. 

"I hate you." You whimpered as Stephen tucked you in under your blanket, "I missed you immensely but why do you come back when I'm still learning to live without you?"

"I—"

"Shut up! I wish for one fraction of a second, you could feel how I feel. You pushed me away when all I wanted to do was keep you close. Do you know how hard it is? Especially when everything I did always traces back to you?" 

Stephen pulled a chair and sat by your bedside, listening to you vent your pent up feelings or your drunk ramblings towards him while you cried with your eyes closed. 

"When I saw you at Tony's party, I wanted to slap your face so bad. You have a very slappable face even now. Who the hell do you think you are? Taking care of me like this, like you got feelings for me." 

"Slap me then, what's stopping you?" Stephen asked.

"The room is spinning. I might miss." You peaked with one eye and saw three of him, so you closed your eyes again.

He could only respond with a curt grunt of agreement.

"I don't know why you want to talk but don't get the idea that I want to get back together with you." 

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I understand why you feel that way and I must admit that I'm stupid for not seeing what was in front of me, only after she was gone. . . but I do want you back."

You laugh to the point you snort, "Nah, I'm good, you can leave now." 

"I'll see you tomorrow, when your head is clear from booze, so we can talk properly." 

"You wish." You chuckle while rolling to your side and turn your back on him. 

"Good night, (Y/N)."

You pulled your arm out from under the blanket and gave him the middle finger.

TAGS: @sherlux @frostandflamesfanfic @fan-of-fic @gaitwae @shit-post-things @seasonofthenerd @patbrdac @evelynrosestuff @singhfae @severuined @farfromjustordinary @lovecleastrange @samisubi @mochuchi @faithinhome @ohchoices @junkertown-princess @sigyncevans @dragonqueen89 @the-royal-petals @hiddlechive @bobateadaydreams @lykaonimagines @valbensherstep @strangeobsessed @calsjack @crowleyspett @goldencherriess @jyessaminereads @fandom-lover-4 @tis-vereon @rbymoon @ronsbadidea @iloveobiwan @sunshineyrosie @strangefilms @justmewoo @imherefordeanandbones @winsteria @arioneway @strangefilms @siredlust @strangeions @gwephen @strangesweetheart @allie131313 @lokislov3

[alch3mic]

Hello!! I love!! Your writing and art so much! If you have time and if it's okay, could we get,,, a spicy prince,,? //7//💦

“A magic spell?”

“MHM! ONE THAT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL ALL BETTER!”

A quiet moment passed as you stared down Prince with a furrowed brow, taking in his sweet smile and gentle eyelights while his thumb gently ghosted around the edge of your chin. It was still early in the morning, yet he already had his charms turned up all the way to eleven as you sat at a small table near the balcony.

Eggs, bacon, pastries, and a fine selection of drinks were all laid out for you two to share, with your ever favorite coffee also making it’s grand appearance to fight away the slumber still gnawing away at your insides. 

Too bad the world seemed out to get you today as you managed to burn your lip on the piping hot liquid, capturing your boyfriend’s attention as you sucked in a painful breath before setting your cup down. Now he was turned to you, his gaze just as tender as his touch as he seemed to committee all of your features to memory, from your slightly frazzled hair to the way you fidgeted a bit when his thumb brushed past your slightly burned lip.

You could spot it right away though. 

That something. 

It lingered in the very edge of his eyesocket and creeped in at the edge of his perfectly charming smile, hanging on to his every word as he said he knew ‘just the thing’ to make you feel all better.

That’s exactly why you knew he was...

“....Suspicious.”

“HUH? ME?” he asked, his expression not even faltering as he removed his hand from your chin to place over his chest. “AH, YOU WOUND ME MY DEAR! AS IF I DON’T ONLY HAVE THE BEST INTENTIONS FOR MY BELOVED!”

“Ahuh,” you said, crossing your arms, now eyeing him even more warily. “I’m vaguely recalling you said that last time too.”

“HMM?” he hummed playfully, feigning ignorance for a moment as he looked thoughtful. “YOU COULDN'T POSSIBLY REFERRING TO WHEN YOU AND I-”

“Yes!” you interrupted him, feeling your face flare up as you attempted to swat at him. “That! That thing! The thing we were both there for so there’s no reason to say it aloud!”

Oh sometimes you really hated how cute this skeleton was, especially as he laughed while lightly grabbing your wrist, bringing your hand closer to his face to gently pepper with kisses.

“I’M NOT TEASING YOU THIS TIME,” he said lowly, pressing another kiss to your knuckles. “PROMISE.”

“Bullshit,” you returned bluntly, receiving a small sputter and much more genuine wheeze from Prince.

“OOF! OUCH! YOU’RE SO HARSH, ANGEL!” he laughed, “WHAT? DON’T YOU TRUST M-”

“I do.”

....

Another quiet moment took hold over you both. That ever charming smile always present on your loving boyfriend’s face disappeared to a small look of surprise at your lack of hesitance in answering that. He studied you again, only this time with a certain carefulness that hung in his eyestocket, seeming to wait for.. something.

Maybe for you to take that statement back?

Well, you weren’t. It was true.

“I do trust you,” you said firmly, taking your hand from his grasp and placing it on his cheek. 

He softened at your touch, leaning into your hand for a moment as you smiled at him.... before you firmly pinched his surprisingly soft cheek.

“..Which is exactly why I know you are up to something.”

“MWEHEHEH, I GUESS THERE’S NO POINT IN HIDING IT HUH?” he chuckled as you let go of his cheek. “..ANY CHANCE I COULD STILL GET YOU TO PLAY ALONG THOUGH? PROMISE IT’S WORTH YOUR WHILE.”

“My better judgement tells me I shouldn’t,” you mumbled, once again crossing your arms as he deflated a little. “..but I just can’t seem to resist that cute face of yours, so fine.”

His face instantly lit up again as he scooted just a bit closer.

“THEN MY DEAR, WOULD YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES FOR ME?”

You shot you cute skeleton one more suspicious glance before complying and closing your eyes. 

“NOW,” he hummed softly, “THIS SPELL ONLY WORKS IF YOU MEAN IT, SO BE SURE TO SPEAK FROM THE SOUL, OKAY?”

“Okay.”

“THEN REPEAT AFTER ME...”

His fingers gently brushed away some of your hair from your face, making you scrunch a bit as you waited for his instructions.

“I...” he began.

“I..” you repeated.

“...LOVE YOU.”

You barely managed to swallow back a giggle as a smile took hold on your face.

“Love you!”

As soon as those words left your mouth, his kissed you. 

It was so soft and sweet it hardly irritated your hurt lip, and instead you found yourself leaning into it some more before he pulled away.

“...Well, I do appreciate the kiss but I didn’t really help my lip feel better,” you said, peeking an eye open at him.

“THAT’S BECAUSE THERE’S ONE MORE STEP MY DEAR! YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THESE MORE COMPLICATED SPELLS REQUIRE MULTIPLE STEPS,” he smiled, booping your nose. “NOW PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED.

“Okay, okay.” you chuckled before closing your eyes again.

“NOW REPEAT AFTER ME!”

“Mhm..”

“PLEASE..”

“Please..”

“TAKE A BITE!”

“Take... a... wha-AHH!”

You didn’t get a chance to finish as Prince leaned in close, tickling your ear with a small puff of cool air that sent goosebumps trailing all over your arms. In an instant your eyes flew open as you attempted to scrunch yourself up defensively.

“Oh, you better no-OW!” 

You squawked as he bit on to your earlobe with his fangs before laughing, blowing another puff of cool air into your ear.

“Ah! I knew it! I knew you were up to-GYAH!” you shouted as he bit down again. “You scoundrel!”

“BUT YOUR LIP DOESN’T HURT ANYMORE, DOES IT?”

“That’s not the point you jerk!” you laughed, lightly hitting his shoulder as he placed a kiss on your neck.

“SURE IT IS,” he hummed lightly. “WITH A GOOD ENOUGH DISTRACTION, YOU’LL FORGET ABOUT YOUR LIP IN NO TIME!”

“We just got out of bed!” you cried, feeling the heat rise up in your face again” I wanted to eat my breakfast!”

“OH, I’M MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN EATING SOMETHING ELSE RIGHT NOW,” he growled.

“Oh my god, don’t you dare bite me again you basta-OW!”

You did get to eat your breakfast at least... eventually.

[crimsonandcloverwrites]

ok bhah ch11 my longest yeah boi ever

i’m literally... so excited I can’t even read it ok ok

oh no not the wedding invitations not this

i swear to god if we have to go through this wedding. knifeemoji

listen I have a fear that we’re gonna get the break up and the car accident same as canon dear god don’t put us through that either

no fears *literally everything that could make bhah more painful* several fears dot meme

god not the jamie invite. she cant even do it. another sign from god you are choosing to ignore

straight to Jamie’s house oh

lmao the red door I just worked out that’s a hill house reference from when I was wondering in like ch3(?) lol the inner workings of my dumbass brain never stop

“can we talk?” it’s happening what is happening

Dani was so tired of lying oh my god

my heart is literally beating so fast

alone in Jamie’s room bro wtf wtf

Jamie is just so soft and understanding always always aaaahhhhh

fuck she just wants out of this wedding so bad but she can’t even tell him

AAAHHH SHE KISSED HER OH MY GOD IT’S HAPPENING

fuck fgkjhdfkjgh this is not good oh no. Dani finally finally fucking doing something for herself and Jamie so aware that this cannot be happening like this right now

and yet both of them just falling into it anyway oh my goddddd

jesus christ jesus christ “Dani had half crawled into Jamie’s lap, kissing her with a fierce and fervent heat” I am on deaths door

god they’ve both wanted this for so so so so long I can’t believeeeeee

(i am so thrilled that y’all just went there right away btw)

“Please, just - I just want to feel how I’m supposed to.” oucchhhh Dani

god her just... knowing. after one kiss w Jamie that she can finally do it and talk to him and end it and it’s so terrifying but goddd yes

“You think I can ever say no to you?” oof

“Ask,” Jamie breathed. “Ask me.” fucking fuck the power of this line oh my god Jamie is so fucking ready to jump of a bridge for her it’s- the dedication the love the longing the everything I am going insane is it too early to start drinking at 1pm

you’re not you can’t NOT THE CANON DINER SCENE

fuck this is like watching a car crash i can’t look away it’s so fucking visceral and nerve-wracking and painful

but god I’m so proud of her for finally saying what she wants

oh thank fuck y’all didn’t take him out with a passing delivery truck

“You must have known. You know me.” oh god this sentiment always kills me

“She couldn’t say it — the words ‘I’m gay’ forever out of reach — so instead she said, “I can’t.”” my whole body is on fire oh my god this is.... too fucking real

jesus christ the near miss w the truck are u trying to kill me (i actually kind of love that Dani will have to deal w her feelings w him face to face instead of having to bury it all in grief like in canon I am so excited to see how y’all handle that)

a fucking HOUR in the car dfkjghdfkjh the torture

oh honey. literally both of them suffering so much ouch

her favourite saucepan pls this is all so awful and sad but that make me laugh so much the poor confused little duck I am glad she has her comforts

god poor Dani

"Is she here to cook something?"  fgkjdhfkgjhfkjgdf

“No. I think you’re brave.” oh

“We’ll figure it out." listen listen I am undoubtedly losing my mind god this is soft

“She had spent so long being asked and not asking. Never asking. She never dared. To ask was to be known, to be made visible, words forging reality as surely as a smith’s hammer. And yet Jamie waited, letting Dani gather the courage herself.

"Can I -?" Dani said, "- stay?"” please fuck I am just so !!!!!!!! about Dani getting to know what she wants and having a fucking voice. just !!!!!!!!

“Jamie inviting her in” fucking just both of them finally getting some of that quiet courage w each other I am yelling so much

“Dani knew that it wasn't just her feeling this, that it had never just been her.” YOU’RE GODDAMN RIGHT BABEY

““But you do?” Dani asked. “Want to?”

Jamie’s answering laugh was brief and incredulous. “You have no idea.”” I AM: HOOTIN. AND: HOLLERIN

“I am here” hello? hello I am not coping I am on another plane of existence. DANI FINALLY FEELING SO PRESENT AND WHOLE IN THIS MOMENT

god they’re just holding each other i’m tearing up. Jamie is her home

Dani finally sleeping through the night ow my fucking heart

Mikey’s so chill about all of this sdkdhfdkj I love him

Jamie going out n buying her favourite jam... god the tenderness. love is stored in the strawberry jam and the hairdryer

hmmmmm her attraction to Jamie is so closely tied to a lot of really hard feelings this is gonna take a bit to work through huh???

aw Jamie going to Carson I am so happy she has her little band of gays to help her rn

I love that she can just kiss her now when she gets the urge like maybe chill out a lil just landing all these surprise kisses but like good for u girl. good for both of u

the warmth of the house hmmmmm I love that she’s found this esp because she is perpetually cold and Jamie is always warm but keeps it like that for the kid (and probably for Dani too) aaahhhh

cgjkdfhkjgh Dani is so thirsty poor Jamie trying to keep them in check. these moments are so fucking loaded holy shit

Dani Jamie and Mikey are the cuuutest lil family aw

god the tentativeness between them trying to figure this all out and the casual intimacy and just. all of it is so much and so beautiful to watch unfold

i love this little bubble inside Jamie’s house and Jamie kind of drawing the curtains around them both physically and metaphorically while she lets Dani figure things out and lets it settle between them

it’s all about the hands

oh my god Hannah instantly asking if she needs a place to stay she really is the best

soft little mornings with her Jamie like... once Dani finally defeats the ball of guilt in her chest there is so much goodness to look forward to and I am v glad she has that right now even as she is still struggling a bit. my girl needs all the sweetness in her life

also the idea of Jamie getting to wake up to sleeping Dani in her bed every morning after a lifetime of trying to repress her feelings... god

heh she’s already figuring out all the ways to push Jamie’s buttons god these two are going to have some fun w each other

this idea of learning the creaking floorboards of a new home is so... warm

Jamie leaving all the curtains drawn for her oh my heart keeping her safe keeping her safe

Nan would be so proud of ms Dani u know it’s true

awww Mikey comin home to keep her company

Mikey Dani time is always so sweet I love them

my god Dani n Jamie are so intense w each other and just so full of fucking desire... when those floodgates finally open will they even survive

oof Dani is dealing with soooo much ugh. Jamie always there with a gentle way to bring her back down to earth tho my hearrrtttt

“You’re allowed to be happy.” she is SHE IS ty Jamie Taylor voice of reason

a pinky promise to deal with everything together awwww

“why are you so good to me” “you know why” oh my goddddddd. that’s so soft that’s so gentle that’s so much love

Dani finding little bits in herself in media god i love this

Dani Mikey hours best hours

god Carson... sweet boy. And Judy sending over a whole bunch of food oof just. these quiet little reminders of their love for her. Dani’s about to go through a whole bunch more emotions huh?

fkjdfkjgfh Mikey going into protector mode when Carson is there pls i love hm

ohmy “our room” aaaaaaahhhhh

god Dani expecting him to be upset with her I am so fucking emotional. I relate far too much to Dani in canon and in this story and it’s just. painful as hell to see someone go through the things you know hurt the most holy shit

please Carson is so sweet and understanding and telling her he’s proud of her is making me cry so much I can barely see

this whole like.. uncomfortable but relief-filled kind of coming out between her and Carson is so so beautifully done I can’t stop fucking crying

“God, you two were agony to watch.”  fglkdfgkjdfhkjgh Carson a voice of the people

“You deserve to be happy.” - Carson and also me and also everyone reading this

god he is so wonderful!!!!!! this reminder that she’s not alone and everything will be ok!!!!!!! Carson I love you so much

the box being described as “the beating heart of their childhood“ god the imagery

Jamie so sweetly making room for her and welcoming her into a home I am emotional again the tears have really been unlocked now I’m gonna be a mess the whole rest of this chapter (i say as if I haven’t been already)

the really sweet way Jamie gets her to open up and trust her with the things that have been on her mind

and Dani doing the same for her god this gentle honest space between them makes my heart feel so full I am just so happy that they’ve got each other

“I want you to stay.” please (also now I’m thinking about AE putting Stay on her Jamie playlist jesus christ I am being tortured)

they get... to wake up.... in bed together. i’m so close to crying again when will this stop

i kind of love there hasn’t really been any like... just no more kissing u know but we still get this insane intimacy between them in a way that’s not them shying away from the way they want each other but so carefuly and sweetly and honestly coming towards each other

awww them always waking up all tangled is so cuuute (also Dani feeling so safe and comfy with her that her subconscious is like lets latch on she is good she is home)

lmao Dani having to mediate between these two dweebs and their playfights is so good

Jamie having her lil family surrounding her aww

(also i just noticed the rating change oh god)

sfkjfhdg Jamie looking at her hips all dark eyes and wanting we’ve all been there girl

“you can look” BOLD DANI MY BELOVED

god these two........ the grabbing her silver chain god @ google how to breathe properly??????

“Then show me.” oh my god

fkgjhdfkj so much electricity they shorted out the power

“this is just as nice” when they’re just hugging please they are so soft

i love that there’s just like... gentle soft banter between them in these quiet moments so much

“Dani, give him more homework.”  ghrfjkhjgkjgh

god the heated cheek kiss

this ‘game of chicken’ god they’re just.... really in it huh this is so fun

hmmm Dani going through the suitcases and sort of being able to bring some of herself/her past into this new place is so nice

heh this lil family and their snowfights are so cute

:( she can’t bring herself to eat Judy’s food

Jamie bringing her flowers oh soft

ugh they’re just so softly melting into being together it’s so sweeeeeeeet

“You’re lovely.” and the way Jamie just sinks into her with Dani’s fingers in her hair pleeease I am dying this is so warm

aaaahhhh they’re dancing soft soft soft

“gray eyes fluttered closed, as though the weight of Dani’s touch was too much to bear” god i am..... aaaahhhh

“a gentle calm settling within her. It had seemed that for all her life she had waited for the quiet of this” y’all this is so beautiful and lovely and wonderful and all the good things

ah that kiss. kinda feels like their first real kiss where they just get to be god I am so happy “a profound sense of finally” oh oh oh that’s such a pretty concept

god I love how much they just want each other that second kiss and them just all over each other is perfect and having to try and reel that in and being able to because they know it’s not going anywhere please it’s so so good

god Dani vs Desert Hearts I love this callback and the entirely different circumstances of her watching it again

dsjfhdkjfh oh no Dani losing her mind at Jamie touching her knee god these two have got the biggest storm coming

dfkdjhkgdjh god them like.... trying to take things slow but still letting things happen while having to be aware of Mikey is so funny but I kinda love it and how indicative it all is of them being so grown up and able to approach their relationship in such a mature way. as much as I wish they’d had their teenage love story I do like that it’s unfolding this way now.

“it struck Dani then that she couldn’t remember ever laughing while doing this.” aww

Mikey’s “oh gross” hahahaha poor kid

god this is so funny

“ferret kid” jamie why are u like this sfkjhdfkjf

oh lordt it seems we have reached the unabashedly horny phase good show ol’ chaps

god they’re still so soft tho this is so fun to read

i looove how flustered they both make each other w just their presence. it’s just so !!!!!!

lmao Dani knowing exactly what to do to drive Jamie insane is fdkgfdkjgh perfect amazing show stopping more neck kisses more teasing more barely restrained desire i love it

“the reckless rush of being in each other’s arms” AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

lmaooooo Mikey Jamie is going to lock you outside if u keep doing this

the fact it can just fade back to comfortable companionship too is like. ugh i love them together

“Yeah. You can touch me whenever you want.” oh jesus

“No more interruptions, no more waiting, no more holding back.” it’s happening god it’s happening everyone stay calm (also the slow build to this point has been so fucking perfect y’all are writerly geniuses)

lmao Dani is like please can we just get naked why do u want to watch a movie I am literally right here

oh she is not waiting anymore THAT’S MY GIRL GO GET EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER WANTED I LOVE YOU

“What do you want?” god the tension

aaaaahhhhh just. them being so out of their minds with want but still all nervous and wanting to check in but still just. wanting this so much god this is *chef’s kiss*

lmao Dani already having the hair pulling thing figured out is so good. poor Jamie lol is she even going to survive this

god the fact they’re both still fully clothed n still getting this fucked up just making out n grinding on each other I love this for them

mum just came in to tell me dinner is ready I AM ALREADY EATIN GOOD

lmao fuck I am just... so thrilled for Dani finally getting to experience this get ur whole world rocked baby u deserve this

thumb in her mouth i-

“my idiot” pls that’s so soft

“You have me.” i know this is like. horny but it’s also so romantic sfgkjhdfkjg

ayoooo Jamie’s tattoo excuse me while I lose my mind a lil bit

my god Dani is so impatient to get her naked I love her for it so much “I just want to feel you”... ma’am

Jamie being all nervous is so cute aw

god having this lil moment where they just call each other beautiful n get all cute about it while they’re fully naked n grinding on each other.... perfection

god I can’t stop thinking about every other mention of Dani having sex w Eddie and it just being like adequate or like her not letting him touch her and now LOOK AT MY BABY GO SHE’S REALLY HAVIN THE TIME OF HER LIFE LITERALLY BEGGING TO BE TOUCHED LET’S GO LESBIANS LET’S GO

I feel like I’m like cheering Jamie on rn sfjkghdfkj u guys need anything? some snacks? a condom?? ur doing great!!

Dani crying and thanking her like this is an acceptance speech love that for her

Jamie kissing all over her face aww

I can’t believe this whole chapter is them just getting to fall in love for real

“I want to taste you” i am blushing goddamn Jamie get it

oh my god the dream. she’s literally living out her dreams

“that same focused intensity that could make kingdoms fall” I love that Jamie is just as into getting Dani off as Dani is getting off lmao GOOD FOR THEM

Dani: desperately tryin to get Jamie off. Jamie: are u sure u want to tho??? miss ma’am let the girl touch u already she deserves it (but i do love that she’s always just like.... never wanting to make Dani do anything she doesn’t wholeheartedly want to)

“You sitting here on top of me like this is doing more for me than you can imagine.”  iconic jamie moment

Jamie literally just like.... ‘you can do whatever you want to figure this out’ is so sweet I love her capacity for just. giving herself over to Dani in every way (not just the horny ones) to let her forge her own path

“It was easy to understand now, the exhilaration of it, why people went crazy for it.” god I love this for her so much everything just falling into place

they’re so soft n comfy together and it’s all just so right and lovely

i love that once they’ve started they basically can’t stop honestly get it girls u deserve all the orgasms

“When did you know?” “Sixteen years.” oof my heart she’s known the whole time aaahhhh. all these lil memories god it really was all out of love I could cry. and Jamie admitting the scarf/scar thing whew she really carried around that moment on her face for the whole world to see (also lol at Dani being so fixated on it this whole time that’s so perfect)

heh they’re so cute with their lil teasing banter exchange

lol goddamn this so so spicy I am just dfklghfjkdjghkjdf (that is to say well fucking done I can’t even speak rn)

Jamie just being like you could literally just look at me and I am turned on I... love this whole situation for her so much

god they’re really just going all in Dani is getting like the.... lesbian sex speed run amen

oh god not Karen on the phone just hang up Dani do it do it

god she is so evil

omg she told her abt Jamie go off Dani I am v v proud of u right now

and she hung up on her godbless babe i LOVE your audacity

heh Jamie so transfixed by Dani’s lil purple sweater and skirt I love her

Dani u are such a tease sfkgjdfkg good 4 u tbh

awwww she got Dani’s desk for her oh my god that’s so lovely

Dani n Jamie being entirely not subtle over dinner w their lingering glances and Carson just laughing at them fkjghdkfjgh i love it. he’s so happy for them even w his teasing aw

aaahhh i just love Jamie giving her this space and this room in the house and Dani feeling so right in it

oooh an almost “I love you” god they’re just fuckin u-haulin in love perfection huh

and now we’re back to horny hours love this for them. gotta bless that desk somehow huh!?

i love the mentions of all this soft stuff about belonging when they’re about to rail each other it really rounds it out emotionally

“Get on your knees.” OH MY GOD THE JAMIE ON HER KNEES REDEMPTION MOMENT IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING

HELL YEAH IT IS this is truly what we all deserve

oh my god literally ripping her clothes off her fuck i love how desperate they are for each other and just how into this they both are always

dfgkjdfh jesus Dani are u ever going to be able to get work done at this desk again after Jamie does.... all of this to u on it

“Good girl.” the single most powerful sentence in the lesbian language

jesus christ this is still so incredibly steamy sdflkhskhg it never ends. and them like.... experiementing a bit w some different um. approaches? lol good 4 them good 4 them (and us)

my god them instantly getting all soft after about making each other happy please they’re so dang cute

ok love that we are also getting Dani on her knees it’s equality.gif

this little “I like you” “I like you too” confession right now is... so fucking soft and like... after everything they’ve gone through they still have the power to kinda knock each other off their feet w lil things like this huh?? sappy lil shits

oh no Judy I am scared

holy shit Dani “Didn't think you'd love me anymore” owwww my heart

god Judy is such a good mama I love her so much. reassuring her she’s still a part of the family my god I am so emo. she loves her so much

aw I love this lil shared bathroom scene after so many awkward moments w Dani and Eddie in their bathroom and so many mentions of her fogged reflection. things are finally clear and it’s wonderful!!

lol Jamie well if u didn’t want Dani to get all horny u shouldn’t have worn suspenders!!!!! it’s simple math!

god Dani has changed so much this chapter which only takes place over a couple of weeks right?!?!? after so much anxiety and being so unsure of herself this is so fucking beautiful to see

stop the car thing oh my godddd. she doesn’t even care about having her own cause she’s so happy w the person she’s sharing with I’m so overwhelmingly happy

“You’re perfect.” please I will cry this chapter was so perfect (also so are the memes I cackled so much)

[valiant-portabella-pirkko]

edit: putting everything under a readmore here because if I just discovered that if you expand the post, it expands all of it and that's. horrifying. time to unmurder people's dashes. (oof ow ouch)

so, about the weaponmaster level lock: I actually just went and tested it myself. I'd first heard about it from a discussion/report thread on the official bug forums, but since there was another patch recently I wanted to see if it was still the case. I can confirm it's still happening, exactly as described. It won't unequip the weapon if you already had it equipped, but you can't equip any new ones, and if you unequip it, you can't put it back. The PvP lobby allows you to though, so that's the current work-around. (I tested with a level 42 scepter thief)

notably, they do not behave the same as other weapons that are 'unavailable' to a profession; you'll still see them visibly come up from the equipment menu, and there's no indication that they cannot be equipped until you click on them and they make a little noise at you and don't do anything. so it's behaving a little funky, at any rate.

however, the reason that other people (and myself) have noted it looks like a stealth change is that the official GW2 wiki article on Weaponmaster training was changed to reflect it, with this added:

"Beyond requiring at least one level 80 character to unlock the feature via the story, it's also level-restricted and can't be used on characters below level 80."

based on how quickly people noticed, it couldn't have taken more than a day or two for that edit to occur. between that and their official affiliation with GW2, this looks... well... make of it what you will.

also, 100% agreed on the portal scroll tomes! it'd be nice to at least have a tome for packing away the hub scrolls from Arborstone and the Wizard's Tower, especially if they're going to continue releasing more in the future. and, honestly, I wouldn't even mind having a scroll specifically for Nayos as long as it can go into a tome, too. that'd be one tried-and-true way of keeping the map more accessible if they really aren't going to attach it to any other maps. it worked for the Living World and Icebrood Saga maps, anyway.

ALL THAT MESS ASIDE...

I'm glad I was able to share some of the upsides of this release, at the very least! I'm actually a little surprised by how much flack it's getting, since while I'll absolutely agree with most that it was underwhelming... we've had bad releases before. this.. wasn't bad, imo. it just also wasn't quite great either. most of what came with it just wasn't quite as flashy as brand new content to play.

in short, it's more or less what I was expecting. I think it'll take at least one more update to see how the pacing is working out, so I'm trying to keep a realistically open mind about it. if there was going to be a slowdown while they work on backend adjustments and QoL, it's better to have it here than in the final stretch. they've still got plenty of time to knock it out of the park here.

guess we'll find out next patch. fingers crossed.

ok so I actually completed SotO's new story chapters on day 1, but I've taken a little while to put my thoughts together on it. some of it's good, some not, but I did my best to be fair and direct on it.

so anyway here we go, major spoilers under the cut!

The Good

I like the map, I like the writing direction, I like the lore. I liked most of what we got, honestly. dungeon fixes, customizable character screen backgrounds, bugfixing the new 'green circles' mechanic, and adding a mount ley-line toggle are also all huge things that people have been wanting, and I'm very very glad they listened.

Peitha is shaping into an absolutely fascinating character too, and it's getting a lot more obvious why she connected to the Wayfinder so quickly... they feel very much cut from the same cloth, two strong leaders fighting to make their worlds better. and yet they're also burdened by the weight of that choice, and the sacrifices that must be made for their vision to be made into reality.

moments like this hit me like a bag of bricks; there's so much going on in the Kryptis homeworld. it's fascinating starting from the perspective of the Ward, seeing them all as just these vicious invaders... to now finding out they have names, ambitions, homes, maybe even families. we're told time and time again that their motivation is fear. the Wanderer, Irja, the little grunts we kill en masse to power the beacons, even Heitor herself.

'There's a version of this world where she joined us.'

like... just thinking about that. man. a version where Heitor hadn't lost hope so completely that by the time we come along, Peitha informs us that she wanted to die-- if only because she knew that at least we'd make it quick. it's horrifying to think about on its own, but the reality that it didn't have to be that way makes it so much worse.

it's... such a clear illustration of why their world has to change. they're fighting and dying to preserve the status quo not because it brings them comfort or privilege, but because they've been living in hell for so long that they don't believe an alternative exists. for as alien as the Kryptis seem to us, we're every bit as alien to them.

it feels like there's a really solid direction here, and I hope that it continues being solid through to the end. I could talk WAY more about my feelings on the story, but I'd better keep going.

I also like the Convergences; they're fun and I hope they survive. having public vs private instanced content seems to cause issues with publics staying populated long-term though, which... concerns me. I STRONGLY prefer publics just because you can bring Jade Bot protocols in, which makes it easier to travel freely and keep boons.

and now that I've dug into all that, uh... let's get to the less fun stuff.

The Bad

there's a lot of things to like about this release, but there's also a lot to... Not. the main 'drop' for Convergences outside of raw essences are Concealed Unstable Kryptis Essence Coffers... lootboxes which can only be opened with an Unstable Kryptis Motivation, which at the moment costs... upwards of 10 Gold per pop if you buy them off the TP. the only other way to get them is grinding tier 2 and 3 rifts, and good luck getting one because they're RARE.

I do not like this direction, for a LOT of reasons. the biggest one should be pretty obvious: it's making a portion of the victory rewards inaccessible to players who can't shell out the gold or the rift farm time to get the keys OUTSIDE the Convergence. the other is that the rewards aren't even worth 11 Gold anyway, so the coffers are dropping rapidly in price while the keys stay high. at this point it's arguably better to just sell the keys on the TP than to ever actually use them. the market on these is gonna get wacky I'm sure.

I don't want to see that become a trend. just.......... no.

the other main gripe I have is that... there's no portal of entry in and out of Inner Nayos. no, really. you can't get in and out at all without porting one way or another. it's right next to the Wizard's Tower but there is no entry point connecting these two maps. I thought I was going insane at first so I turned on the story again while in the Wizard's Tower to see if it'd point me towards a door. nope! it just sticks the story star icon on the Inner Nayos map and calls it a day.

aside from making travel in and out unnecessarily irritating and costly, this also means that you can't easily get alts into the dang map without a TP to friend. otherwise you have to do the story on them, whether you're ready and willing to or not.

I don't like that shift either, and really hope they remedy it when the 'under construction' gate opens in the future. that said, that should have been made available as soon as you finish the story.

and now the final segment, you know where this is going.

The Ugly

it's... short. really, really short. like, no, really. I finished all the story chapters in an hour and a half tops. now at maybe three, four days in I already have enough mastery points to top off the last mastery in the new line. I've map completed the new zone twice. both of the new Vault tasks are done. everything went so so so so fast.

and for reference: this cycle is going to last even longer than the last, based on the Vault reset time period.

additionally, the weaponmaster training underwent a stealth change: the new weapons can no longer be equipped on characters under level 80. this was not listed in the update notes. while that didn't affect me, it does seem kind of cheap to pull the rug on that when a lot of players were using that to level their characters since, well... a lot of core weapons just aren't that great. I can't really blame anyone who would rather use weapons that don't hit like a wet paper towel.

there have also been some... interesting bugs on release, of which the biggest one was unlimited hero's chests per day from the Inner Nayos meta. some people got a month's worth of chests in one day before they turned the chest drops off entirely to fix it.

they're back now, but that was still... something to behold.

I've also heard rumors that the new Legendary Kit from the Vault may be bugged; some players are reporting opening the kit and getting nothing out of it. I can't confirm how frequent that issue is, but... yeah that's a little concerning. I'll hold onto mine for now, just to be safe.

Overall Impression

despite the many sore points mentioned, overall I'm... okay with it. I like what we got, but I wish there was more there to like. from the much smaller Vault selection, to the shorter story, to the single-waypoint but otherwise very cool map that feels like it could have more going on in certain areas... I dunno.

but on the other hand... if my biggest complaint is that I like it enough to want more of it, that's an alright problem to have when we know we're going to get more. I'd be more worried if what we got was a miserable slog and I didn't even want to return to the maps-- and in fact, the opposite is true! I want to return to the map frequently and I want more to do in it-- and mostly I want easier access to it.

my hope is that the slowdown is an indication of resources being put into other backend work, such as the dungeon fixes, the character select screen, and so on. because, realistically, if they can fix up the core more, that would streamline their workflow a LOT and make it easier and quicker to work on things in the future.

I guess in short, my impression is... tentatively optimistic.

that's all I've got on it for now, maybe I'll talk about story more in-depth in the future though because boy I do have a lot of thoughts on that-- which... is part of why I had to redo this post like 6 times. it kept getting way too long and rambly over story. (oops)

[weirdfishy]

My Name kdrama thoughts all in one go bc if not i’ll lose them.

damn you can fit a lot in almost 8 hours

fr i thought taejun was boytoy. right when he wasn’t wearing a suit in the first ep, standing next to mujin looking out on the water, i was like, ‘yeah, they fuck’. and honestly they could have.

also the way that love is stored in the chamomile tea— right after pildo gave some to her i abt had it bc jiwoo cared to give mujin tea and then so did pildo for jiwoo, and he didn’t even want her as a partner in the first place 😭

(oh this goes on and on)

very briefly i thought that gangjae was gonna be like bestie as she went through the organization, but then…yeah i couldn’t watch that scene but i liked how those two assholes were used later. plus his route made sense. they both had conviction but for different reasons.

she got the bisexual haircut…or is it just the ‘asian female becomes deadly so she must have an above shoulder bob with fashionable bangs’ ? is that just an american thing?

like the clear ups and downs with mujin and his trust in people and his care for them and his hurt and emotions and— his character was so good

ohgod when mujin called jiwoo to come to the temple after the monk asked him if he trusted anybody— don’t talk to me bc i cried when he was talking to her at the shrine; one bc his speech was like good good, really hitting the feels and two bc i realized that even though he totally thought of her as some sort of daughter/penance at the core of it was him deceiving her and using her

once he excused no telling her with ‘conviction is needed’ and ‘i wanted you to find out for yourself’ i called bullshit bc it fucking is, he just wanted a pawn and she was so ready to become one…if it were someone else, say, a random kid pushed into him and suddenly on their knees, pledging allegiance, what then— she was penance, sure, but she was a deeper revenge bc donghoon’s betrayal was so close- bc they were so close

i wish there was a single english word for seonbae, but istg i heard it before she said thank you to pildo and pulled a fast one on mujin

pildo and jiwoo’s romantic subplot was pretty good i think, but lemme think for a bit

oh them when jiwoo was tirelessly trying to get gangjae, pildo suspicious and she wasn’t really too subtle before pildo knew, that man was a lil whipped i think. then getting out of the car crusher- oof. bc of mujin, driving a car into the machine, all bloody also from gangjae’s interference? ouch. (oh don’t make me think about how mujin sent the owner away on some odd task to get her out of there before he started fighting)

idk if it’s just me thinking abt this but mujin owed donghoon a life debt for that time and then - ignoring the whole he killed donghoon thing other than donghoon now wasn’t around to claim that debt - said life debt is paid thru saving jiwoo from being crushed (tho it could be argued that he saved her life just accepting the plea for revenge and freeing her bc she was on her way to get trafficked with being so desperate and naive). but then she saves him, killing gangjae- he owes her or she’s free of debt. although i admit it is a concept that could’ve been utilized, it would have had no point, with the way the story was written. it’s just me lol

the stuff w her dad— game changer ohmygod the world came down and people were tested and istg i wish it was within mujin’s characterization for him to just deadpan ‘oh fuck’ when he realized that jiwoo only let him go to kill him herself alsjaksk

idk if yk but i live for the things that humanize the bad guy, like the phantom troupe arc is my gd mf favorite bc of the bond all of them are shown to have; that stuff hits hard, and the emotion mujin is shown to have in the whole series? good soup

idk abt anatomy but idk, when she slashed both of taejun’s calves shouldn’t that have reduced his mobility like significantly? same thing with when the top of her thighs got sliced? idk. love the fiction part of fiction

i was delighted to see the butterfly tattoo lady again, that jiwoo helping her would help later

pildo opening jiwoo’s blinds,,, talking to her and trying to open her up,,,, him leaving and her closing the blinds,,,,, sad

then him getting so gd mad at her for betraying them (and *not* stabbing the captain) when he caught her after she- *sobs* she put her father’s ashes in the family grave, even though she’d been holding onto them this whole time- and then pildo being mad at her at the station and in the hospital parking lot. then him giving her the baton *sob* while handcuffed to her (mm the way they dealt with them so well together) after yelling at her, only trying to change her gd mind bc holy shit he understands now. (his voice over at his trust in her and eval of her past actions in relation to the new info,,, *sob* it’s like the only va we get) after masterfully losing their tail taking jiwoo to the fucking beach,,,, gdi pildo you’re whipped, you latched onto the one thing she shared that was hella personal and you followed through when she was a gd fugitive XD

literally he was talking her through being there for her as she made the decision to go the police way, going outside of mujin’s expectations, and then- and then,,, god the slow motion was emotionally brutal, and so was the way her hand shook and moved out from under his cooling hands, immediately leaving 😭 her anger and grief when she confronted mujin bc he took the ppl she loved from her, the one who understood her and the one she had to learn to understand after he passed. don’t talk to me jiwoo and her father and their relationship is so much

i love how i didn’t get it until it was explicitly shown that mujin was the killer 🙄

jiwoo’s nightmares were so visually and audibly well thought out and *chef’s kiss* — sometimes i mourn the effectiveness of some tools in media bc i would love those kinds of freaking out and flipping through images- the things the masterful transitions convey but in writing. but one,i’m not experienced enough to do it enough justice and two, it really just works so much better when it’s heavily visually based.

WHY THE FUCK ARE PPL SHIPPING MUJIN AND JIWOO WHATTHEFUCK ARE YALL BLIND GO FIND A KDRAMA W THAT ACTUALLY HAS THAT BOSS AND DESPERATE NAIVE TURN BADASS ROMANCE DYNAMIC IF YOU WANT IT BC ITS NOT IN MY NAME

hate to see the lack of females in this :)

[transhoverfish]

ok im taking a SLIGHT break bc. i have scoliosis and sitting hunched over while playing a game for 5 hours is very bad for me ow ouch oof

BUT MY INITIAL THOUGHTS ARE!!! (SPOILERS BELOW):

-i used to have a theory that the guy who drops you off was ryley, but i think his name wad cal?? i miss my boy i rlly hope he shows up :(

-im kinda on the fence about robins personality?? i mean i dont dislike her!! but i still rlly miss her more outgoing pre-rewrite version too

-I LOVE AL-AN AND SAM. I ALMOST CRIED LISTENING TO THE FIRST 5 PDAS THE GAME GIVES U FOR HER AND AL-AN IS SO SWEET?? THEY SEEM SO NICE??

-the marg reveal happens WAY sooner than i thought it would oh my god i heard her voice and my sister was instantly like "oh?? OH?? LESBIAN TIME ALREADY??" (unaware to her it was ALWAYS lesbian time from the start)

-my switch has crashed twice and now ive started saving religiously, i always forget bc i get invested SO EASILY and just forget about the fact im playing a game that can and Will crash. TAKE THIS AS A REMINDER TO SAVE. A LOT MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU SHOULD. i had to rebuild my entire base and seatruck :(

-(i love this game and was too excited for it to care about redoing stuff. the entire gameplay is so much dopamine to my adhd brain)

-i saw a cryptosuchus in the distance, starting yelling that it was a leviathan, swam closer and entire room around me calmed as we all realized it was simply a big baby. looked slightly to the left to see a chelicerite spinning in circles. i break out into some more yelling.

-try to find marg's base, follow the signal to find the crashed ship, and then realized that i didnt have a laser cutter and didnt bring my seatruck for oxygen bc it cant go anywhere this early on. decide to go back for it later and go on to find marg's base, swim down about 400 meters before realizing that something was off, end up about 500 meters down and my seaglide dies. lesson learned!

-THESE ARENT THOUGHTS ANYMORE THESE ARE JUST STORIES

-IM HAVING SO MUCH FUN I LOVE THIS GAME SO MUCH MY THREE BRAINCELLS ARE HAVING THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES

[eddiestattoos]

I'm having fun and y'all get to hear about it (also known as a load of out of context spn)

Weekend at Bobby's is absolutely sending me

- The neighbour lady

- The phone call montage

- Sam casually being thrown around while Dean talks to Bobby

- "enjoy the roast mom"

- "how long I been arresting you now?"

- "ever had a septic tank explode on you"

- hold the phone Jensen directed this? Yes

- "that's me flicking my bic for you"

- "moose"

-"he white knuckled his way through 4 puke bags"

Moving on

- Sam doesn't know what to do with his brother on a good day let alone soulless. I love this nut

- "newsflash mr wizard. Vampires pee"

- So much for going home to Lisa huh

- ok or he does

- "he's not himself, Sam" lol the irony

- gotta give it to Sam he's covering his ass

- Sam's face when Dean snaps out of it. What an actor 😂

- "it's a new, more caring administration"

- Sam calling tells because he's an expert bluffer

- He's damn near snickering this is unnecessarily fun

- Cas just pouring Dean another drink

- "you were gone for two seconds where'd you look?" "Everywhere"

- "I just got them. They need a lot of attention"

- Dean trying to get Bobby to stop 😂

- clever move going to Sam. Too bad it's not gonna work

- can Dean and Lisa have an honest conversation just once?

- sorry mittens

- "I feel terrible" he says in the most neutral tone possible

- veritas. Oh we back in smallville are we?

- "do I even want to know where you got that?" "probably not"

- oh serinda swan we are back in smallville

- "as of yesterday I wanted to kill him in his sleep" oof

- he's asking for help!! Admitted he has a problem!! Sammy!! My love!!

- just your normal everyday ending Dean smashing Sam's face in

- "how often do you sleep" "I don't" I was waiting for that exact answer

- "I feel like my nose is broken"

- "explain it to me like I'm 5"

- "he thinks velcro is big news"

- "you're crowley's bitch"

- "that Bobby Singer? Give him a kiss for me"

- "they call us in to answer the questions of mouth breathing dick monkeys"

- robocop

- "how come you're sweating vodka and it looks to me those are the same clothes you slept in" I simply love soulless Sam

- "before we hand him over into a lifetime of demon rape"

- "I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's not Cal" "masterful deduction sherlock"

- I was waiting for Madison to come up. The last werewolf. In bed. With Sam

- "as in the family dog seriously needs a neuter"

"Is it a kinky thing?"

"How about I start carving me some dog until you behave" this entire scene has me crying

- Smallville skinwalker vibes. Smallville vibes are grand tonight

- *whistles* *throws ball*

- I swear any football team jackets came right off the smallville set

- "Don't dump your wackadoo all over us, we'd rather not step in it"

- "You'll be my jiminy cricket" Sam actually calling him jiminy 😂

"I think the fourth kind is a butt thing"

- Sam: Dean? What happened? Dean? *meh ok*

- Soulless Sam "my brother got abducted. I've had time to adjust. Like half an hour" Winchester my beloved

"Have you considered the fact that you suck at hunting UFOs"

- Dean reappears shooting I. Am. Hysterical.

- Sam's with a girl holy hell I'm truly having a blast

- *shows him phone screen*

- "probing table" "GOD DON'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD"

- "what's next? Hobbits"

- its times like these that I really think about just how explicit this show would be if they could allow it

- Dean casually trapping the thing in the microwave

- "I'm not supposed to laugh am I?"

- "You're the one that pizza rolled tinkerbell"

- "Do you have bigger cups?"

- "FIGHT THE FAIRIES"

- "you can make me a real boy again"

- "do me a favor and count this" "why didn't I do that earlier?"

- "dude I do still have all my brain cells"

- "demon trying to be funny" "oh is that what just happened"

- "I don't speak little bitch" ouch

- "that was the plot of raiders, idiot" loveable idiot

- "will you, boy"

- "I will look, and I don't sleep"

- "well Sam I owe you a chicken dinner"

- "Cas can you give us a minute" *vanishes*

- confused Sam watching feelings happen

- "if the pizza man truly loves the babysitter"

- "you watching porn? Why?" "It was there"

- "I learned that from the pizza man"

- "I'm standing in pee"

- "what's in the goody bag" "you are"

- damn Cas really just burnt him

- "oh excellent almost 75%"

- "call me crazy but this smells like a heart attack"

- the fact that bobby has a trap door to the basement

- "ain't nobody killing me in my house but me"

- RIP soulless Sam. Twas quite fun

[hello-im-not-a-possum]

can we please get Hell's studio crew meeting Endyman fic?

There were some technical difficulties in writing this, but the little guy finally got to meet some of the crew.

It came when an intentional Inter-dimensional visitation did not go as planned. He was planning on bringing someone else to their world but Joey had sneezed so hard that he blew out a candle in the process as he tried the chant and in a puff of smoke, here it was; a being that didn't seen too hostile, but also was NOT his real guest and for everyone's sake, should probably be put back where Joey pulled it from.

It resembled Bendy, if Bendy was some kind of brightly colored space alien that liked to take random things for the sake of holding them, and didn't seem to be the keenest on people from what the summoner could see from it. Not that Joey could blame the little guy, the old man would also be shocked and less than cooperative if he was spirited into an alien world against his will.

But he doubt that he'd skitter up the tallest thing in the room and hiss at his captors.

"Now, now, little one..." The magic user tried to coax the creature away from the precarious-looking top of the bookshelf filled with very breakable stuff that could easily hurt someone who was not being careful. "There's no need to be afraid... just come closer to the edge and I'll pick you up."

It did not trust this creature in the slightest, all it took was a single glance around the area to know what it was dealing with: Potions: check. Fancy looking books: check. Suspicious materials: check. Weird symbols on floor: Check. This was a witch, and it did not have the best experience with witches.

Vwoop!

In a blink of an eye, the creature had completely vanished, protecting itself from what it saw as a summoning witch.

"Oh... Oh dear." The man nervelessly chuckled. "If you're invisible, hiss once!"

The man was greeted with silence.

"O-Okay then..." Joey nervously stated to no one as he opened his desk drawer to pull out the searching spell. "Please don't cause mayhem..."

-----

Meanwhile, Henry was having a slow and dull day, the type of day where it was almost but not quite suspicious on how normal his work was. The animator was just drawing the scenes without issue, working on the backgrounds, and he turned his back from his desk to grab a new inkwell for just a few seconds before he heard it.

Vwoop!

Not trusting the noise behind him, Henry immediately turned and spotted something that looked a bit like a brightly colored Bendy hunched over his desk like a gargoyle. It stared at him, and he just kinda stared back, internally asking himself things like 'Joey, why?', 'Does that thing have mandibles?', 'Is it some kind of giant insect imp?', 'Was it one of those eyesore "Neon" Dolls Shawn made that the ink brought to life?'

"Uh... Hello?"

It cocked its head to the side in curiosity while making a chattering noise, confirming that it had mandibles, and apparently had multiple rows of teeth as well. Lovely.

"Okay..?"

It made more chittering noises.

"I see..?"

It nodded sagely and chittered a bit more.

"Good to know, I'll keep that in mind."

It nodded again and then-

Vwoop!

Henry blinked twice, looking at the small purple specks that disappeared into nothingness along with the creature in general. The animator shrugged and continued on his work. It was Joey Drew Studios, he had seen weirder shit and was just glad that the odd little guest didn't impact his work.

--------

The last of the music sheets had just finished being laminated, so Sammy neatly straightened them out and took them under his arm for the band room. The music director was more on guard then he usually was, call it years of experience or bitter cynicism, but he trusted the supernatural-event free moments in his job less and less with each passing day. And it had been a few days since the last act of madness, so it was only a matter of time before the next weird spell would be ricocheted around or an inter dimensional being would come out of nowhere-

Vwoop!

"Speak of the devil..." The man could only mutter as the being appeared mid air above his music sheets, scrambling in place for a second before falling and scattering the thankfully protected sheets. While the creature was stunned by the impact, Sammy noticed that it looked familiar. "...Bendy?!"

It made a noise halfway between a growl and a hiss and looked up at the musician with a confused expression.

"Don't try to play dumb! I saw what you were planning for your Halloween costume!"

It made another confused hiss, not even knowing what Halloween was.

The musician let out an annoyed sigh and pinched his nose, he had not had enough patience, time, or coffee to deal with Bendy pretending to be a space alien today.

"Just help me clean up this mess."

The creature quickly nodded and scrambled around the floor, scooping up the scattered papers.

Fwub.

The noise one of the papers made caught its attention.

Fwuubufbufff

Curiously as well as amusedly, it began shaking the laminated music sheet, fully intending to make the weird yet pleasant sound coming from it.

FwuuubufbuwbfwubfbfwufbuuuwuubfuBUUWUUFFFUUBUWUBFUBWUBFUUUBWUB

"STOP."

Vwoop!

Sammy blinked twice, and hesitantly put his hand in the spot where he swore "Bendy" was a few seconds ago. He'd yell at Bendy for messing up his music sheets and dashing out on him later, for now, he just cursed under his breath as he gathered up the rest of them.

--------

This time it found itself in a room with a weird symbol on the floor. A room it tried to quickly warp itself out of upon realizing that that's where the "witch" was.

"Ah HA!" Joey triumphantly declared as he scooped up the teleporting creature. "There you were!"

It wriggled relentlessly in his grip and hissed at him like an angry cat.

"Look, I'm sorry, but I can't just have you running around willy-nilly and doing whatever you please, you could get yourself or someone else hurt!"

The creature did not listen to him and struggled harder, mostly focusing on escape but also partly wondering why it could not warp while he was holding it. It started biting at his fingers, and thrashed even harder when he adjusted it to use his other arm to do something.

"Ow! Oof!" Joey flinched as the little creature bit him, but it did not deter the magic user. "Ouch! No! Bad alien thing from a different dimension!"

The magic user scolded as he began opening the portal to the creature's proper home.

Joey saw the entity stop its fruitless assault when it noticed the portal; opening up to reveal its home, not its birthplace, but the small home made out of a tiny cave that it and its friend had lived in and made their own. It was the same right down to the flower pots that its friend had made for it.

"Well?" The magic user put it on the ground and nudged it forward. "Go on little guy, I'm sure your friends miss you."

The creature took a step towards the portal, then it sheepishly looked back at the magic user and hugged his leg in an attempt to say 'Sorry'. Before Joey could say anything, it dashed back to the portal and jumped in, almost closing it behind it itself.

"Well all's well that ends well." Joey chuckled with a sigh of relief at the tip of his tongue as he dusted off his hands. "It's a good thing that that was so easy to take care of so quickly, heavens knows how this would end otherwise!"

The magic user closed up his spell book, He'd try the proper spell again soon, but not today.

[artificiallyimplantedmemories]

[ ooc: ep 4 liveblog & opinions under the cut! this one got long winded because I had a lot that I was thinking about (and it took me twice the length of the episode to actually watch through it because I kept pausing to type oops) ]

yeeeesh that’s one way to start. thank you for letting bucky cry.

but also the look of pride on her face when she says “you are free” they’ve been working so hard and she’s so happy with the progress bucky has made ;_;

and now she’s so betrayed :(

but I’m also so glad Bucky learned xhosa that’s super important! <3 part of decolonization of the past involves respecting and learning and propagating languages and cultures that have been trodden over. Wakanda has been something of a safe place in that regard, and are now doing the outreach to help their continent and the world, but it takes the world of people within the majority putting in the effort and learning and embracing those cultures and languages (without appropriation, which I know is a fine line to walk sometimes) in order to really make progress. once it is no longer alien, it is also no longer scary, and can be held in proper esteem.

“sweet of you” shut your mouth Zemo xD

“she’s just a kid” thank you for your compassion Sam. and while she’s an extremist, I’m not sure whether Karli counts as a supremacist or just a terrorist? maybe she counts as genocidal if she’s truly trying to restore things to Blip conditions but it’s kind of unclear.

“the serum never corrupted Steve” “touché” YO EVEN HE ADMITS IT

Sam’s understanding of cultural habits (and there are many overlaps between various cultures and the ways they mourn) is such an asset here, and I’m glad that they’re pulling a contrast between the tech-driven, cold, calculating predictions made by certain people and organizations in other parts of Marvel and the general sort of soulful and instinctive approach here

Turkish delight. Excuse me but Narnia cemented the idea in so many people’s heads that it is this magical thing but it’s like superglue in your mouth. It is not irresistible, Zemo.

Legislation and social change as a result of violent action is nothing new. Every peaceful protest has been backed up by some kind of harm, whether it be economic, like a boycott, or physical, either damage to property or lives. I think instinctively people understand this, but it’s good to see it put in the spotlight.

Sam is “stranger danger” to these kids :/

“I know what happens when people say they’re going to help out... nothing.” Ouch.

The way Sam’s gaze falls at that too, because he knows theoretically that a lot of these injustices are happening and can empathize, but practically hearing it hurts. He doesn’t like not being trusted either, but I think he can probably understand why.

Zemo playing that psychology game! Kids love food and the idea that he must be a good person just for having a kid is dumb as hell but something that kids would gravitate towards. Smart man. Doubly smart for not telling them, Nat would approve if she didn’t hate him :P

Sam de-escalating is gonna be a trend I can just see it.

Cherry blossom tea? Interesting choice.

SHARON HI 

Nat vc: gosh it’s nice to see someone competent around here. 

ooooh they’re really reinforcing the idea of Captain America being a figurehead that inspires people

“heroes these days don’t have the luxury of keeping their hands clean” yeah well it’s because Steve had people like Bucky and Nat do do his dirty work, but sure

“all the people history just left out” OW

okay first of all Sam being the one who is insisting on reasoning with them because he knows what it’s like to come from an oppressed people !!! he knows grief and trauma !!! he can do this !!!!! I just know Walker is gonna fuck it up for them :P

second, Walker trying to emotionally manipulate Bucky? it’s a testament to how far he’s come that he doesn’t punch the guy immediately lol

Hoskins being the voice of reason as a foil for Walker again what?! this version of Lamar isn’t nearly as terrible as I expected.

Zemo calling that itty bitty girl his associate xD He really does understand the people here though... aaaand he’s getting handcuffed. Totally didn’t see that coming (he’ll probably break free anyway)

The conversation between Karli & Sam ;_; 

“you’re either brilliant or hopelessly optimistic” “por quo no los dos.gif”

Walker trying to guilt Bucky again god he’s so dumb. I appreciate the fact that he’s ruthless but he’s so narrow minded in how he approaches problems. oh no I have an issue let’s punch it until it dies! come on man.

Karli is so heartbreakingly naive and that’s becoming more and more obvious. I love Sam opening her up like this wow.

WALKER FUCKING IT UP AS ALWAYS

and the cuffs empty WHAT DID I TELL YOU

god we were getting somewhere ;____;

oh good just what we need, serum in Walker’s hands. he was already awful he doesn’t need to be more awful gdi

“we separate them and then we kill Captain America” ...yes, we’re listening xD

I know crazy because I am crazy... oh boy we got some internalized stuff, but let’s play it off

still a little blame game going in terms of where the shield ended up I see

THE DORA MILAJE ARE HERE -swoon-

pOINTY STICKS I cackled oh boy he gonna get his ass WHOOPED

Sam is enjoying the hell out of this

Zemo watching and drinking

“Looking strong, John!” “Bucky”

oooh dear they tangling and Zemo’s getting away.

your arm’s off! no it’s not

WAIT WHAT DID AYO SAY BEFORE SHE SAID JAMES

they all got their asses kicked ah well. also the look on Walker’s face says he gonna serum himself up, the lil fucker. oh no someone’s better than you how will your ego ever survive.

a lil Battlestar logo!!! shut up that’s cute. they’re really making him halfway likeable here.

“power just makes a person more of themselves”

ohhhh okay time to unlock Walker’s traumatic backstory. at least he feels bad about the things he did. at least he knows that those medals of honor are covered in blood. people are at least partly made by their circumstances, and I wonder what he was like before the war. the only indication we have of it is him being a football star, and while I may not have had the best track record with those in my youth, that doesn’t mean there aren’t decent ones out there...

Sarah’s “my world doesn’t matter to America, so why should I care about its mascot?” Oh, we’re speaking to the disenfranchisement of marginalized people hardcore today okay. if anyone’s gotten this far in my overly long commentary I want you to know that this is the realest alright? it’s hard to be proud of a country and its symbols when it doesn’t do right by you, when the majority doesn’t do right by you. am I glad I was born here? sure. are there worse places to be? sure. am I proud to be an american? oof, man, don’t ask me that.

Karli is not pulling her punches, she’s threatening the whole fam. Sam isn’t gonna like that... He sounds like he’s trying to suppress panic instead of being angry on the phone call with Sarah. I think he understands what Karli is trying to do, even though he hates how. And he’s worried, because he’s always gonna be worried. Poor guy. And there’s the confrontation.

Sharon got their backs!

Oof, seeing the gun with the shield.

Gunshot, run, oh, listening, he’s already got the serum, maybe? Given how deeply that shield is embedded in the wall I’m gonna say yes. YUP I WAS RIGHT.

Something about the water dripping and Lemar’s face makes me think he may have been waterboarded at some point :( but maybe he’s just in a lot of pain.

THE KNIFE CATCH. YES YES YES. THE KNIFE FLIP. Nat is so hearteyes.

Ooh, we gotta upgrade that wingpack with Stark repulsors pls go Sam go

oh no. Lemar. fuck. FUCK.

oh good now you’ve done it. killing a guy as Captain America. fuck.

the blood on the shield as the last shot! ~cinematography~

hoooo I’m chilled. I knew something along these lines was coming but oof. 

[plump-lips-imagine]

Osomatsu x Reader: Have The Patience To Bake, So That You Get The Perfect Cake (1/?)

* Hey Guys! This is my first Osomatsu-san fic. To celebrate the coming of season 3, I wanted to start practicing my consistency in writing by starting off here, and hopefully Ill grow from here, and then i could do some imagines. Let’s see! Hope you enjoy.**

You don’t really know how you ended up in this situation.

You were currently holding a man on top of you on the side of the street, but he seemed to be passed out as a stream of blood was leaving his nose. The blood staining your shirt wasn’t really bothering but he was really heavy on top of you and considering the situation, you needed to get this man some help!

You decided too quickly grab your phone and call the emergency hotline, and quickly recall all that happened that led you to this predicament in the first place.

- Some Time Earlier -

“I’ll be there in about 20 minuets, Sato-san. We can get some ice cream and discuss scheduling then......Great! See you then! Thank you again!”

*BEEP*

It was a sunny day in Akatsuka, and the streets were busy with people. Several conversations filled the air as the ray of the sun hit your heads. Some cats even made their way into the streets to join the crowd. It was a normal day. Nothing stood out too much in the area. A few fast food joints, small markets, a pachinko parlor here or there. It was something you could get used to living here after just recently moving here. The area was quite cute in its own way.

You continued onward, thinking of the possibilities here as your bakery was doing well with its recent opening. The future was looking bri-

“HOLY SH**, WATCH OUT!”

You body suddenly moved on its own as you ran up to the man wearing a red hoodie. He seemed to notice you screaming at him, his head looking over  his shoulder, but you had already tackled him to the ground with a *Thud*.

“OOF!”

“OucH!”

*SCrEE*

 You heard the car break to a halt,but you couldn’t see what else was happening because the guy’s hair took over your vision.The tackle caused the two of you to roll on the pavement. This ended up with you ultimately ending up with your back on the ground while he seemed to be tensed up as his face was directly into your chest.

“Sir, are you okay!?”

He said nothing but just blankly stared at your chest that he was still pushed up against. You sat yourself up a bit......his face still in your chest.

“...Sir?”

“...boobs.”

“Huh?”

“Boobs.”

You couldn’t help but look dumbfounded at him as he just shamelessly said “boobs” to you twice. TWICE. Without hesitation. Does he have no shame?!

“Too much...Too close...for a virgin-” Next thing you knew, blood started to flow out of his nose, staining your shirt, and then he fell limp in your lap.

“Oh. Oh dear.”

And that’s how you ended up where you were now. Looks like you’ll have to call Sato again. You're gonna be a little late.

*****

Sigh. Well. Today was interesting. Good thing this was on your day or else this would've been a whole lot more stressful. At least the sunset was looking good.

Admiring the sun saying it's  goodbye for today, you strolled outside to explore a little bit. It was gonna take more than a little near death experience and a weird guy to leave your curiosity astray. But....Although you hate to admit it..he was kinda cute.

In a weird way. You did kinda hope he was alright.

Walking along the bridge water stream, you spot a kart-wagon in your vision. A food stand maybe? You could eat.

“Uh...Good Evening?”

“Good Evening! You came to try the world’s best oden!”

“Oden? I never had it before. Is it good?”

“Of course it is, idjit! How can you not try it?! You’re lucky you found the best spot to try it!”

“Well then, I guess I’ll have a seat then!” You don’t know what, but the spirit this dude has in his oden actually makes you wanna try some. You were beyond hungry anyway.

Taking your seat, he makes a small plate. you take a bite as he anticipates your judgement.

“It’s delicious!”

“Of course it is! There was no doubt about it!”

“More Please”

Ha Ha. Flattery won’t get you nowhere.” But apparently it did get you somewhere because he gave you an even bigger plate of oden.

“Thank You!”

“Ehhh? Who are you?”

A new voice made you jump as you weren’t aware of the person sitting next to you on the other side. You could tell by his face that he was clearly drinking. A lot of it too be exact. His face was flushed with a bright red and his eyes were struggling to stay up....wake a minute.

“Hey! It’s you! You're that guy from earlier!”

“Ehhhhhhhhhh?” He sits up a bit to get a better look at you. “EH?! BOOB GIRL!?”

“WHO YOU CALLIN’ BOOB GIRL!? WHAT KIND OF NAME IS THAT?!” Does this guy have no shame?!

“How was I supposed to know? Why’d you suddenly attack me like that anyway? I know I’m hit and everything but you can’t attack a virgin like that You almost killed me!”

Sir-

“I almost killed you?! YOU ALMOST KILLED YOURSELF! What were you thinking walking into ongoing traffic like that!? That’s why I pushed you!”

“......I did? I think I would’ve remembered if I-.”

“You.Did.” You took down a swing of water before you looked back at his drunken stupor. “Look.What were you doing exactly before you went into traffic?”

“I was a pachinko parlor!” He exclaimed with a big grin.

“Uh-huh,and did you win anything?” He seemed to flinch at the question. He was looking anywhere that wasn't your eyes and rubbed the back of his head.

Bingo.

“Ah. You were so disappointed in all that loss of cash that you didn’t even notice a car coming straight for you.”  

An non-existent arrow hit him in the back of the head, as he put his head down in shame.

‘Ah, so he does have a little bit of shame.’

“I’ll win next time!” He said with a dumb grin on his face, holding up a thumbs up. 'I WAS WRONG! NO SHAME!'

The Cart Owner just stared at the scene in front of him, crossed his arms and sighed.

“Hey, Lady. I wouldn’t really talk to this guy if I were you. Talking with him and knowing his existence can only bring trouble.” The food cart owner stated.

“Huh!? Chibita! That’s so cruel~. I thought we were friends.”

“Who the hell said you were my friend,you damn idjit!?”

“So mean~! You're starting to sound like Totty. Stop being so mean! It’s bad enough I get it from my brothers!”

"Chibita,huh?” Another drink from your cup, you turned back to the drunken man.

“What’s your name, if you don’t mind me asking?”

He straightened up a little and rubbed his nose, winking at you and pointing to himself. “I’m Matsuno Osomatsu! But you can me Osomatsu, Cute Savior~!”

“Okay, Osomatsu. I’m (L/n) (Y/n), but for you, You can just call me (Y/n).” You decided to playfully flirt back, winking at him in the process. He stared at you blankly again, then his face started turning red, with more blood pulling out of his nose.

“ACK!Another surprise attack! Now you're definitely trying to kill me!”

“What the hell!?” You quickly grabbed his nose and plunged them. “ Tip your head forward and breath from the mouth.” He did what you told him. “Gently now.”

a few seconds later, his nose stopped bleeding.

“There, all better. Now......How did that happen!?”

“It’s your fault! Doing something like that a virgin NEET is a low blow. I might explode,Y’know!?”

“First Off, that shouldn't be possible.Secondly, I know no man that openly states he’s a virgin and a NEET so casually.So shameless yet so brave.”

“So Brave that you wanna date me!”

“No.”

Whaaaaat? Man, the world is so unfair. Even a NEETr like me needs love too. Someone cute needs to take my virginity.....Akatsuka-sensei here my.....prayers.....zzzzzzz..” Osomatsu face plants onto the table, loud snoring.

“He fell asleep?!”

“Tch. Lousy NEET always gets himself from paying his tab. I outta stop serving him. “ Chibita obviously knew the guy too well to look at him so nonchalantly. But still, this isn’t something a normal person will get used too. Wait-.

You look around and see that it was already dark. ‘So late, I gotta get ready for tomorrow.’ You stand up and give the money you owed. “Thank you for the meal, I'll be sure to come back again, Chibita-san.” You look over to Osomatsu. “What are you going to do about him?”

“Eh, I’ll just leave him. This isn’t the first time this happened. He’ll survive, he’s like a parasite.”

Even if what he said is true. It still feels...

You walked over to Osomatsu and draped his arm over your shoulder. “Chibita-san, do you know where he lives? I’ll be able to take him home.”

“HUh?! Well,yeah, but are you sure? There’s no real need to bring him home.”

“Don’t worry. I got time. Plus I think it’ll be easier for you. I’ll bring him home.”

****

And here you were,dragging Osomatsu home with the address Chibita gave you. He was pretty heavy over your shoulder. It didn’t help that he was drooling on your shoulder, and was in and out of consciousness. He was awake enough to talk.

“You smell good~~, can I touch your boobs?”

“No.”

“Pretty Please~~. I already had my face in your boobs, what’s a little grab?”

“No.”

“C’mon~~, I wanna! You're so sexy! Your chest is just begging to be grabbed!”

“Osomatsu-san, I am this close to throwing you in the river.” You emphasize by putting your fingers close together.

“You being angry is so hot. It does things to a guy.”

Sigh. You're almost there. Just drop him off and then you can’t finally sleep.

.....

“KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS. STOP POKING M-”

****

The Matsuno household.You made it. The house was pretty out of place with the rest of the building but it was cute.

You gently place Osomatsu on the ground, he was finally knocked out. Which was because of your help. He currently had a knot on the side of his head. This Jerk.

Looking over him, he was pretty peaceful even in the current state he was in. He was sucking his thumb and snoring loudly. Not a care in the world.

“He’s like a child. A man baby.” At least he has a cute face so it wouldn’t make it as bad. Sighing, you decided to grab some loose paper and a pen from your purse. Just in case. You never know. HE may be a bit of a jerk, but he was cute in a weird way.

You put your number inside his hoodie, hopefully he’ll notice. Knocking on the residents’ door, you took your leave for tomorrow. You have a busy day tomorrow.

[khunfounded]

Stuck in the Cave

This one is pretty long and serious, birds, and if you are uncomfortable with the discussion of toxic relationships I recommend skipping it. I’ll cut it off before any analysis this time. 

It’s about Rachel and Bam’s tumultuous relationship, so if that interests you, read on.

Tonight we are discussing three songs from the same album, Hospice, which depicts the entirety of a female perpetuated abusive relationship. It has a lot of nuance and treats the both individuals as humans, rather than entirely a monster and an angel.

The songs are Shiva, Kettering, and Epilogue by The Antlers. I’ll have the videos in front of each analysis rather than all at the top to make it less blocky.

Let’s begin with Shiva.

The entirety of Hospice is told through a metaphor about a hospital worker who gets into a toxic relationship with a patient, which I think is really fitting considering the arc of Rachel pretending that she is paralyzed from the waist down.

Suddenly every machine stopped at once And the monitors beeped the last time Hundreds of thousands of hospital beds And all of them empty but mine

I think these lines fit the exact moment that Rachel pushes Bam. For Bam it is sudden, unexpected. Though for Rachel, who metaphorically has been in the hospital bed for a while, it was a long time coming.

The one chance for Rachel to keep their relationship ended with that push, when the monitors beeped the last time, though Bam did not know it yet.

After that, Bam is alone. Even when he is surrounded by people, they are all using him to perpetuate their agenda. So, there are many beds, but there is no one there with Bam, either in a hospital bed or visiting him. Well, I was lying down with my feet in the air Completely unable to move The bed was misshapen, and awkward and tall And clearly intended for you

When Bam is forced into joining Fug, he can’t move. They have him in check. If he does try anything, they will destroy the one good thing he found. The people who would have visited him in the hospital.

These last two lines remind me of when Khun tells Rachel that if she truly cared about Bam, she wouldn’t be coming up the tower while Bam was stuck underneath it. The bed, the ruin, was made for her, but she escaped it by putting Bam in her place.

You checked yourself out when you put me to bed And tore that old band off your wrist But you came back to see me for a minute or less And left me your ring in my fist

The theme of the bed intended for Rachel continues in this stanza. Without anyone (except Fug, who I personally see as the hospital administrators) knowing, she checked herself out of the hospital and placed Bam there instead.

The hospital band is Rachel’s supposed fate of not being worthy of the tower (though you could argue that her cunning and luck actually does make her worthy, but I’m not), which she tore off by sheer force of will.

The minute or less she came to visit him is the push, and the ring (which in the context of the album is a wedding ring) is what is left of their relationship. Bam, because Rachel is so integral to him, is stuck with it, while Rachel is not. He has both rings now, and the relationship is completely one-sided.

For Rachel, to possibility of joining the stars (whether seeing them or becoming one) is worth the dissolution of a completely devoted love. Though, that love of Bam’s is completely healthy, fueled by his loneliness and the fact that for the longest time the only good thing he ever knew was Rachel. She knows this, which is part of why she gives back the ring. She thinks that even if she picks Bam, he will leave her once he is loved and loves other people. My hair started growing, my face became yours My femur was breaking in half The sensation was scissors and too much to scream So instead, I just started to laugh

Now this, this fits so well.

Bam’s hair is such an important part of his character. Not only does it track the years, it also tracks his emotional state. He is at his lowest when it is at its longest, (which is poignant considering the length of Rachel’s), happiest when it’s shortest, and most in control of his destiny when it is in-between, since at that point is able to choose its length.

I think the second half of the stanza represents the mental break and subsequent cognitive dissonance that he goes through because his mind cannot handle the idea of his most precious person betraying him.

Oof, one down two to go. This is tough.

Now, onto Kettering. 

Ouch, this one hurts.

I wish that I had known in that first minute we met The unpayable debt that I owed you Because you'd been abused by the bone that refused you And you hired me to make up for that

Throughout much of the series, Bam believes he owes Rachel a debt because of the hope she gave him in the cave, though in my opinion she did less than the minimum (though no one owes anyone anything, I still believe that sometimes basic human kindness should win out. Well, morality quandaries for another time).

The bone that refused her was her fate of being unworthy of climbing the tower, which everyone and anyone told her whenever they could. Honestly, that would turn me bitter, too. This is a good chunk of why she is so venomous towards Bam, because his fate and outlook are quite literally the opposite of hers.

To Rachel, everything comes so easily to Bam, whilst she has to claw and fight and lie for every scrap that she can. Though, we all know better. Bam’s life is filled with suffering.

Thus, she hires Bam to make up for her destiny. She tries to take his place and put him in hers. Also, she is just fundamentally cruel to him, trying to ruin every good thing he has every chance that she gets. Walking in that room when you had tubes in your arms Those singing morphine alarms out of tune Kept you sleeping and even And I didn't believe them when they called you a hurricane thunderclap

Everyone tells Bam that Rachel is bad news, but he only sees the girl that gave him light and had her chance to climb the tower violently ripped away from her.

It takes Rachel doing to Khun what she has been doing to Bam all this time to get him to realize that he truly does not know her at all. When I was checking vitals I suggested a smile You didn't talk for a while, you were freezing You said you hated my tone, it made you feel so alone And so you told me I ought to be leaving

This is basically a continuation of the theme of Rachel treating Bam cruelly while he tries his best to make her life better.

It reminds me a lot of the moments right before Rachel pushes Bam, and for a few seconds her demeanor shifts, shocking him  But something kept me standing by that hospital bed I should have quit, but instead, I took care of you You made me sleep and uneven And I didn't believe them when they told me that there was no saving you

Bam is stuck standing by Rachel because of his devotion and the toxic relationship that they have created. For the longest time, he tries to find her and take care of her, but she doesn’t want that. She wants to see the stars. Without him.

He doesn’t see it, though, no matter what they people who really love him try to say.

Next, next, next.

It’s the Epilogue.

Finally, we are at a point where Bam realizes how toxic their relationship truly is.

This one is dense, birds.

In a nightmare, I am falling from the ceiling into bed beside you You're asleep, I'm screaming, shoving you to try to wake you up And like before, you've got no interest in the life you live when you're awake Your dreams still follow storylines like fictions you would make

I do not believe for a second that Bam doesn’t have nightmares about Rachel. She is such a large part of his life and his psyche. He must have trauma both about wondering if he could have saved their relationship and what she has done to his loved ones.

Rachel is asleep. She thinks that what she is doing to see the stars is worth it, but Bam knows better. He has lived the destruction and suffering she has caused.

She has no interest for a world where she is unworthy of the tower, so she dreams up a new one and tries to make it real.

So I lie down against your back until we're both back in the hospital But now it's not a cancer ward, we're sleeping in the morgue Men and women in blue and white, they are singing all around you With heavy shovels holding earth, you're being buried to your neck            

In that hospital bed, being buried quite alive now. 

I'm trying to dig you out but all you want is to be buried there together

This again harkens back to the idea of Bam having nightmares about Rachel. The morgue is his fears that what is happening will ruin them both.

The men and women are everyone in the war that are adding onto the pressure and consequences of this fight. In the end, Tower of God truly is about Bam and Rachel’s relationship and all the fallout that it causes

Bam sees that Rachel is being buried by the decisions she has made, and he is slowly being buried, too. Though, unlike Rachel, he is trying to dig their way out and save them both.

You're screaming And cursing And angry And hurting me And then smiling And crying Apologizing

This chorus is haunting, especially because of the singer’s voice (which is even worse if you imagine the singer is Bam) . It is demonstrative of the two faces that Rachel shows, and the abuse that she puts Bam through just to see the stars.

It evokes the image of Rachel and Bam in the meadow after Rachel has been stabbed. Rachel apologizes to Bam, though he does not truly know why. I've woken up, I'm in our bed, but there's no breathing body there beside me Someone must have taken you while I was stuck asleep But I know better as my eyes adjust, you've been gone for quite a while now And I don't work there in the hospital, they had to let me go

After Rachel puts Khun into a coma, Bam wakes up and he sees their relationship for what it truly is. There is still a part of him, though, that wonders what went wrong. 

His eyes are still adjusting, even after he has awoken.

When Bam leaves the hospital, he is leaving their one-sided toxic dynamic, though much like the physical injuries he has suffered, there are still scars.

When I try to move my arms sometimes, they weigh too much to lift I think you buried me awake, my one and only parting gift But you return to me at night just when I think I may have fallen asleep Your face is up against mine, and I'm too terrified to speak

Sometimes, what he has gone through makes it tough for him to go on. I am glad Bam has such a wonderful, loving support system.

Again, nightmares and trauma caused by Rachel. Things like what she has done to Bam never truly leave you. She has gifted him with immense trauma, and scars that may fade to silver but will never disappear. You're screaming And cursing And angry And hurting me And then smiling And crying Apologizing

Thank you for reading, please watch video of puppies after this.

[scribeofmorpheus]

Chasing Tornadoes {5/6}

Pairing: Stephen Strange x Reader

Series Warnings: poorly  written medical procedural, mild delving into spirituality, language,  overbearing egos, graphic descriptions of medical procedures. more warnings to be added. 18+ Generally, like my blog.

A/N: swearing...sexual tension?

Series Masterlist | Masterlist | AO3

Taglist is open -comment or send an ask!  

<< Previously ○ Next >>

You woke up with a hell of a hangover and a parched throat that tasted sour, like bad vodka.

“Ugh,” you rolled onto your back and looked at the alarm clock. “Shit, I’m late for work.”

You fumbled out of bed and began pulling on your work clothes with a toothbrush tucked under one cheek and a facecloth soaking through your bra strap on your shoulder. Spike watched you duck in and out of the bathroom from the living-room, his hungry growl greeting your stinging ears.

Then, suddenly, you remembered.

“Oh, you’re right, boy,” you plopped next to Spike on the couch. “I don’t have work today.” You slipped out of your work trousers and lounged about for a hot, undecided minute in nothing but the oversized festival t-shirt you wore to bed and your koala print underwear.

Spike growled again, his long tail knocking over a small flower pot. You rolled your eyes, “Right, breakfast, you utter flower fiend.”

Your cellphone rang. Caller ID registered it was the hospital. You turned to Spike, “Maybe they need me back after all.”

You cleared your throat twice before answering, “Hel—”

“Child,” Jan’s chipper tone came racing through your phone’s speaker. She had that whisper-shout octave that told you she was using the receptionist phone for personal reasons. “What have you done to this poor man?”

“Who?” You leaned onto the couch, Spike clawed his way off the couch arms and stomped all over your stomach, reminding you of the alcohol nausea. “Oof, Spike, ow.”

“Stephen, who else?” Jan continued. “He’s been walking about with a permanent scowl all morning. Never seen him look so…constipated. Is it true you two went to Gloria’s last night?”

“How on earth do you know everything that goes on in this town?” You let out an impressed huff.

“Tiny told me,” Jan said. “Well, actually, Tiny told his sister Tina. And Tina’s church buddies with my niece Francis, and she told the group chat. Did you know Tiny’s had the biggest crush on you since the New Year’s party last year? Poor guy. Think he’s seeing someone over a dating app or something. Can’t keep up.”

“There’s a group chat?” You scoffed. “Why am I not part of it?”

“Because you don’t like my cornbread,” Jan retorted. “Anyway, the real reason I called was because my neighbour—Ed—would like to set a date.”

“A date?” Your eyes went wide. Then you felt guilty for not calling Teddy back. Why is dating so hard?

“So you can talk about his Prius?”

“Oh, shit, yes. That kinda date….” You stood up to look at your day planner on the kitchen table. “Umm, next week Thurs—hang on, what am I saying, I don’t have work. I’m free all week.”

“I’ll let him know,” before she hung up, Jan added. “Oh and wear anything with bees on it. He’s into honey farming and bee conservation. May bump down the price if you schmooze him a little.”

“Thanks, Jan. I owe you.”

“Big time.”

The line went dead and you sighed. Spike stepped on your toes, another growl for attention coming from his mouth.

As you sliced up a banana into Spike’s bowl, your doorbell went off. You looked at the wall clock in your kitchen, chewing the inside of your cheek in thought. Everyone you knew was probably at work.

“Who could that be?” You set Spike’s bowl down and the lizard chewed like a baby with no teeth. Without thinking to get decent, you opened the door to a very flustered looking Stephen Strange. He held up the tray of take-out coffee up to his eye-line, but his lips quirked into a secret smirk.

“Stephen—What?—Why?—You should be at the hospital,” you blurted in surprise.

“I—uh—felt like we’d need to…discuss certain—uh…” He cleared his throat. “Would you mind putting pants on?”

“Pants? What…” you looked down at your exposed thighs and blushed. “Pants! Right, yeah, come in. Sit anywhere you like…Errr, just don’t try and pet Spike, he bites strangers.”

“Your son bites people? Can’t say I’m entirely surprised…” Stephen raised a brow as he shrugged his coat off and placed the coffee tray on a table. “Isn’t it a school day?”

“Spike’s not that kind of son,” you shouted out from your bedroom.

“Ouch,” Stephen took a sharp inhale, waving his hand about as if he’d been burned. You went rushing into the kitchen.

“Spike get back here and apologise,” you said to the Iguana. Spike waddled away before you could scold him as blood dropped from Stephen’s finger.

Stephen glared at you with a look of disbelief, “Your son is a fat lizard?”

You bit back a laugh as you placed Stephen’s hand under running water in the sink. “Don’t worry, he’s rabies-free. But if you develop a sudden, unexplained dislike of water, let me know.” You quipped.

Stephen rolled his eyes at you. It didn’t escape your notice that he wasn’t as rigid around you as before. Even with his hand in yours under the rushing faucet.

“So what are you doing here?” You asked. “On a workday no less.”

“It’s a small town, managed to finish my rounds early. Turns out there aren’t that many brain injury cases to deal with,” he chuckled lowly. Your heart picked up its pace. “Besides, I wasn’t getting much done. Too distracted thinking about the…”

You turned to look at him, “The what?”

Stephen’s eyes lingered on your lips for a fraction of a second before he pulled away, “Thinking about your total lack of professionalism yesterday.”

You scoffed, “Yeah, well you deserved it.” You reached up for a cabinet overhead and pulled some emergency plasters from a hiking first aid kit you’d forgotten to put away.

“Here,” you handed him the plaster. He took it sheepishly, making it a point so his fingers never came in contact with yours.

“Listen,” he began peeling off the waxy plastic of the plaster. “Last night, I don’t know what you were thinking—Probably weren’t thinking with all those vodka-lime’s you downed—but I’m not here to be anybody’s, Dr Grey—”

You laughed, “Dr Grey?”

“Yes, from that medical drama series that you and Christine used to watch in college,” Stephen looked up at you as if you grew a third eye.

“You mean Derek Shepard? Because—and no offence—I don’t really think you have the…spunk to be Meredith.”

“Does it matter if the analogy sticks?”

“What’s this analogy implying?”

Stephen took a step closer, his voice going deadly sharp, “That I’m not here to get tangled up in any romantic…drivel.”

“Good,” you smirked and Stephen cocked his head to the side. “Because I never took you for the romantic type.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, you know exactly what I mean,” you riffled through the bread tin and asked over your shoulder: “Bagel?”

“What?” Stephen’s vein by his temple was beginning to throb, hands akimbo.

You took out the cream cheese from the fridge and smeared some over the ready sliced bagel, “You brought coffee, I’m asking if you want a bagel to go with it…on your way out of my apartment?”

“Think I’ll just have the coffee, thanks,” there was heat beneath his words, no sincerity as he strode over to the tray of coffee.

“You know where the door is. Unless you’re so far up your own ass you need someone to guide you out,” you bit back, feeling petty.

Stephen turned on his heel, finger pointing at you, “You think you’re so high and mighty. Looking down on me because I actually have aspirations I want to chase. So what if I’m ambitious? It’s miles better than being some doe-eyed fellow who passed on their chance at a residency because they’re too scared of the big, bad city.”

You gasped, eyes going wide. How did he know that?

“Yeah, I ran into Arlene during my rounds. She’s quite the talker when not fumbling with paperwork like a little mouse,” Stephen huffed, dropping his coffee cup on the table. Some of it spilled and burned his hand, but he kept a good poker face. “So don’t go acting as if you being here is because you’re some sort of bleeding-heart when you and I both know you’re just scared. Ever since I came into town, I’ve just been a constant reminder of the future you’re too scared to want to want!”

“You really are a piece of work aren’t you?” You folded your arms over your chest to hide the fact they were shaking. “And you wonder why no one sticks around, what with your terrible bedside manner and arrogant as fuck personality—waltzing about like you own every hospital and know all there is to know about how the world works.” You poked his chest several times. “Well, fuck you, your obnoxious brain and that high horse you rode on.”

“Fuck me?” Stephen raked a rough hand through his hair, cheeks going red. “Fuck you!”

“Fuck me?” You craned your head back. “No, fuck you!”

You poked him even harder and Stephen grabbed your hand to stop your index finger from bombarding his sore chest. He tugged and you were pulled in.

Breath hot against each other’s cheeks. Lips mere centimetres away. A flush set on both your cheeks.

Then, without warning, he kissed you and there was nothing delicate or chaste about it. It wasn’t like the innocent little make-out session you’d shared on your doorstep. This was different, full of pent up tension and the heat of the argument. It was rough and fast and demanding. Soon, you were clawing at each other’s clothes as you led Stephen into your bedroom.

[nyxicnymph]

Horizon and Edge

#2: Cause-and-effect

Later, I’m in the gym. I joined the rifle team, but I’m the only one who showed up today. I’m just clicking away. Shooting all-standing. Killer on the feet.

I reach for a pellet and grab the last one in the pellet box.

“Last one,” I mutter to no one in particular. I’m not concerned. I’ve been shooting fairly well. A lot of nines, several tens, and only two eights. This shot will be great.

I bring the rifle up, breathe in, breathe out. I sight in, then check my Natural Point of Aim. Open my eyes. I’m on target. Pull the trigger....

**********************************************

Erik:

I walk down the gym hallway, looking for my sister. I hear a THWAP! Click-click come from the open gym doors. I peek in, and see Hailey standing sideways, wearing a thick outfit.

She’ll know where Kay is.

“Hey!” I shout, trying to get her attention.

There’s another loud THWAP! And she sets something down hard. She turns her head slightly sideways, and I see what she was holding: a lightweight air rifle.

She puts the rifle down in a rack, and sticks a length of orange weed string inside the chamber, and takes off her jacket. She brings a long black box close to an orange line on the floor, and then puts her rifle inside it. Only then does she turn around. She smiles very brightly at me.

Warning bells go off inside my head. What did I do?

“Can I help you?” she says through her teeth.

“Uh, uhm,” I stammer. I’d almost forgotten why I was here. I get my thoughts together and continue, “Have you seen my sister? She’s your best friend, so I figured....” I trail off.

She raises an eyebrow. “I didn’t know Beth had a brother.” She’s dropped the smile.

Ouch. That’s way below the belt. I wince and reply, “Actually, I’m Kaylee’s brother, Erik.”

**********************************************

Hailey:

I knew it. “Oh,” I say. “She’s with Beth.”

“Which is... Where?” he asks.

“I wouldn’t know,” I say, turning around, my braid whipping around behind me.

“’Kay, thanks!” He says waving. “I’m going to go now....”

I turn back towards him. “And WHERE do you think you’re going?”

“Um... home? I think...?”

I smile grimly. “Oh, no. No, you aren’t. I don’t think so.” I grab him by the ear and drag him over to where my coach is standing. “You are going to explain to my coach why my last shot is off!” I tell him.

He now stands in front of my coach, and, wincing in pain, explains.

While he’s doing that, I ignore him, and continue packing up my gear. I have to get home....

**********************************************

Erik:

I head on home. I called Kaylee on the phone, and I’ll see her when I get home.

My ear throbs, and I rub it. Hailey can grip harder than anyone else I’ve ever met. Ow.

I sigh. Am I just doomed to be hated by her forever? This runs through my head again. I really got on her bad side today. Way to ruin a first impression, Erik. On either side.

I reach the front door. Before I enter, I take a deep breath in, then blow it out. This is going to be difficult. Probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.

I enter my house. Kaylee somehow beat me here. She must have been shopping at the dollar store around the corner. Mom is just visible in the kitchen, and Dad is sitting in his easy chair, scrolling down his phone. Kaylee is just sitting on a footrest, reading a magazine.

Mom asks me how school went, and I answer with a generic, “Okay.” I don’t lie (most of the time, and only for very good reasons), but I’m not particularly interested in telling her that the new girl at school dragged me halfway across the gym. Mostly because I was a dum-dum.

I set my bag down. Then I nervously begin to speak. “Mom, Dad, Kaylee... I have something to tell you.”

“You have a crush?” Mom.

“You have a girlfriend?” Dad.

“You have a date this weekend?” Kaylee.

Why did they all just jump to what is essentially the same conclusion? “No.” I breathe in, then out. Then I jump in. “I’m Edge.”

There. It’s out. They might be in danger, but they need to know. Besides, I can easily protect them! Plus, it’s easier for me to save the city-slash-state-slash-country-slash-world if they know. Less lying involved.

“That’s nice, dear.” Mom.

“Oh, I already knew.” Dad.

Kaylee just releases a pterodactyl-like screech.

“Kaylee? Are you okay?” I ask.

She twitches. “I... I...” She regains her composure. Temporarily. What’s her problem? “I THOUGHT YOU WERE CUTE!!!!!” She yells at me.

Oh.

“That’s not my fault!” I yell right back, while recovering from my semi-defensive pose. “Sheesh.”

“You two settle down!” Mom chides, stirring the mashed potatoes. “Erik, finish your schoolwork. Kaylee, clean your room.”

Sometimes I wonder if Mom has superpowers, too.

**********************************************

I stand on my rooftop. Mom and Dad have been informed of where I’m going (nowhere in particular; it’s a patrol), and when I’ll try to get back (11:30 by the latest).

As for why I’m standing; I don’t particularly like flying. It’s really unnerving. No, thank you.

As I begin to cross the City, I hear voices. I run a mental filter, trying to distinguish who has bad intents or not, but sometimes random thoughts still pop in.

Children laughing, the TV screen, running water, the street (Viewed from the front passenger’s seat), sizzling meat. Then something really stands out.

I probably shouldn’t have yelled. It’s a girl. She’s just thinking to herself. Why does this concern me? She continues: But maybe now he’ll pay attention. Ugh! I can’t sleep, I feel so bad.

Okay, pretty sure I know who this is.

“I need some fresh air.”

So, she’ll be coming up, huh? I wonder which roof she’ll be on. This is the business district, so there are a lot of flat roofs. Some people live above their shops, too. I’m guessing her family is one of those.

I see a figure across the street come up and sit down on the edge of the building.

I wonder what exactly she’s up to? I should go check. With that thought, I head that way.

“But when would I apologize?” She asks herself. Yep. It’s Hailey.

I crouch down behind her. “You could start now,” I whisper.

She totally freaks. Oops. She also nearly falls off the building. Double oops.

I catch her by the wrist. “Gotcha!”

She bangs into the building, lets out an “oof!” then looks up at me. “Let go of me, flea-brain!”

Um, is that supposed to be an insult?

“You sure about that?” I tease.

She looks down, then back up. “Please, pull me up.” In the back of my mind, I hear her think, Don’t antagonize the person who’s trying to help you!

I pull her up and set her safely on the building.

She says, “Thanks.” She’s standing with her back to me, but I’m pretty sure she’s as red as a tomato.

“No prob,” I remark. “It’s kind of my job.”

“Ha-ha.” She’s not really laughing. It’s a “That’s super cheesy” kind of laugh.

“Look, I’m sorry I was so mean to you,” she says. That’s mildly out of the blue.

“Are you now?” I wonder. She ignores me.

“I guess I’m still adjusting to the City, and then you scared me!”

“So, you’re new, then?” I ask.

She turns around and laughs. “New indeed! I’ve only been here for two weeks!”

I sit on the precipice of the building. “Two weeks?” I remark. “Well, you seem to have found good friends.” I’m just trying to not make her angry again. She’s actually pretty cool when she’s not yelling.

“Yeah, four of them!” She states, then lists them: “Kaylee, Beth, Grumpy... er... Cole, and Rick!”

“Four?” I ask. I guess Kaylee must have introduced her to my friends, Rick and Cole, but what about....

“Well, one of them has a... Well, she has brother named Erik, but I’m not sure I like him.”

Me....

It’s a good thing she’s turned away, or she would have seen my face, and probably realized that I’m totally Erik. I want to be her friend, too!

When she’s not yelling.

I compose myself. “If you don’t mind me asking,” I begin, “why?”

She stares out over the City. “He just didn’t make a good impression.”

All right, that’s fair. I stand up. “Look,” I say, “I should be going. Stay safe.”

“Okay.”

Before I leave, I turn back. “Um, good night,” I tell her.

“Same to you,” she replies.

I leave, feeling very mixed up on the inside.

[crimsonandcloverwrites]

bhah ch8 reread as fast as i can before ch11 arrives help

aww Dani nervous for Jamie’s big race is so cute

i love Dani’s whole photography thing n her wanting to document their lives it’s so sweet

i’m suddenly stuck on the whole blue as a theme thing n now I’m noticing it everywhere/remembering their tent was blue and now their school colours are blue and Dani’s car is blue and I think Jamie’s house is blue. and of course THE SCRUNCHIE

god I love track star Jamie

flip these two are cute together

‘a favour for good luck’ god idk why this gets me so much I think like... Dani giving her this little piece of herself is so wholesome but weirdly loaded i just love it

the carson eddie banter is so funny sdkdhfgj

Dani is such a lil ball of emotions I’m obsessed w her feeling a million things while she watches Jamie

she’s a winner baby!!

also love that this is her setting the record that was mentioned in the prev chapter we love lil details being followed through

Jamie going straight for Dani when she won god that’s so cute

aw Jamie gets a kiss (and a whole gay crisis lol) for her win how sweet

oh no the beginnings of Dani and Eddie

pls this is so soft Carson and Judy so proud of Jamie

I just ate so many carbs I am finally properly fueled for this reading sprint (solidarity w Jamie)

aw Nan quietly proud of her

fkjdfh Dani and Jamie playing footsies at the table

god Nan n Jamie are such a force together truly terrifying to be stuck in the middle of I’m sure. Also fuuuck cld u imagine grown up Jamie and Nan interacting and Jamie in particular being a bit more chilled out and them getting along a lot better but finding their way back to silly little bickering arguments that are really just them knowing they can do that w each other and still be ok at the end of the day bc they love each other ouch it hurts to think about :(

lmao Jamie losing her mind at the sight of Dani in a towel lol I can just imagine her having the same reaction when they’re together too

oooh is the watch from Jamie’s great uncle (? Nan’s brother that she was named for right?) that’s so cool

ugh I want Dani to get her travel adventures so bad

god everytime Dani touches Jamie or says something really sweet or just gives her a look Jamie is suffering so bad

THE MIXTAPE (LITTLE BLUE DUDE SCREAMING AT THE SKY.MEME)

oh god they’re really just gonna curl up in Jamie’s bed and listen to this declaration of love mixtape while Jamie plays with Dani’s hair hold on a minute wait a second

oh no the eddie of it all

aw he brought her flowers (like I am not here for their relationship overall but he does do some sweet things sometimes and he does clearly care abt her)

ugh of course Jamie helped pick them out tho this whole situation is so complicated

god I’m so sad for both of them that their relationship ended up like this. Dani loses that friendship she cherishes so much when it becomes something else she never wanted and Eddie is in love w a girl who will never love him back that way. it really is heartbreaking

oh god the house party time for chaos

Jamie my beloved. sdkjfhsdkjfh and Roger trying to put the moves on her pls this will never stop being funny to me

ugh Dani already feeling so trapped in this life I hate it I hate it

Jamie fiddling w the coin necklace while she watches Dani n Eddie together feels like... she knows she’s losing Dani on some level ouch my heart

is this when Jamie was telling Ed of for letting Dani get drunk wdjkfhdj always the protector aw

she’s still wearing Dani’s scrunchie oh my god. u may have her hand ed but u will never have her hair ties

Dani’s dress MORE BLUE

this is such an interesting event w them like they’re best friends and they’re together so much but they avoid each other for half the party it’s so like... indicative I guess of things changing between them hmmmm

cursed spin the bottle. poor Dani

the zippo lighter. i love seeing things from the box in these chapters. like a gay scavenger hunt

the inadvertent cigarette kiss oh my god. also a little bit like... Jamie just leaning into the pain huh??? I get to put my lips where her lips were but it’s around this thing that has the potential to kill me. god the implications

a little fireside cuddling w ur soulmate ur never gonna kiss how romantic

the sandalwood. I fuckin love that she held onto this scent after Dani told her she smells nice one time. gays really do be like that huh

god this really is the softest moment

christ that almost kiss is so intense how did they just carry on as normal after that I would have died

lol “did i interrupt something?” bro........

dsfkjhdkj Jamie GROWLING at him hahhahahahhaha

oof Dani just wants more of her. I love there was the mention of her carefully constructed walls crumbling and now she’s just like... in this little bubble of almost with her n trying so hard to hold onto that in any way she can

and now she’s back w eddie ouch I hate watching the things she wants slipping out of her grasp

lmao Eddie not putting his arm around Dani when Jamie is there. she really put the fear of god in him I love this angry little lesbian so much

poor Carson being dragged to sports games like “no I’m gay I can’t”

lmao the pair of them trying to be sneaky smoking around the corner (and also having more Moments god the tension of it all)

oooh this Orpheus and Eurydice ref spicy (also fuck this was the beginning of her actually losing Jamie huh god the storytelling... *chef’s kiss*)

oh no Nan :(

god Karen is so awful how could u just break the news to your kid like that

it’s only pain hours from here on out huh

poor Jamie god my heart breaks

something about Dani saying she’s sorry and Jamie just saying she has to go put Mikey to bed fucking breaks me. the fact she’s just lost everything, her home and the stability she was missing from her childhood that she got to have for such a short time, and she can probably barely even process it but all she knows is she has to take care of Mikey. fuck

god her destroying her bike because she’s just so devestated but anger and destruction is easier to feel than being sad.... ouch

“You don’t - you don’t have to feel anything right now. I’ll feel it for you. For the both of us” how dare u make me cry like this

god Jamie giving the scrunchie back feels like such a fucking sad little acknowledgement of her deciding she has to do everything on her own noooo

Dani trying to confront her mom god this is all so much for them to be dealing with I am so sad

tiny mikey saying “want nana” so much pain

Jamie just clinging to Dani when they’re sitting in the pew bc it’s the only way she can ask for help right now ow

“Don’t fight me” my fcking heart this chapter is so sad I need a drink

Jamie is far too young to be self-medicating her way through this god this hurts to read.

this chapter has such a melancholic loss of innocence vibe like going from the teenage parties and boys and track meets and only really having to worry about themselves to this massive amount of responsibility on their shoulders when nan dies (like as much as Jamie tries to push her away Dani takes on a huge burden in trying to help her too) it’s so fucking saaaad

Jamie just breaking and finally crying all this out in Dani’s arms holyyyy shit that will never not break my heart

god Jamie just. determined to raise Mikey on her own cause god knows what the alternative is :(

oof the thread of Jamie determined to fix things. baby sometimes u just cant.

Dani trying so hard to hold things together in the ways that she can :*(

god this ending I am in pain. i know it’s ultimately for the best like Jamie and Mikey absolutely could not carry on like that but.... bro... bro..... ouch

ok gonna go cry in the shower for a bit n then i’ll be back for ch9