#photoshop is betraying me

[brawngp2009]

Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story ⤷ Jenson Button | British GP 2009

[rjshope]

little troublemakers (affectionately)

cr. 0613data

[krembruleed]

theres a typo in one of my comics. i think i shall perish

[i-upset-to-dead-65]

My digital art professor mentioned he used AI in photos hoping and you could hear a pin drop. Bro we were all Gen-Zers looking at each other like "fuck what is he gonna say" in fear. Then he elaborated the use of AI as a tool (the example he used was covering a window partially with an AI curtain in a reference image that would later be drawn from reference) and that he doesn't even allow tracing in digital art.

[ibroughtyoumybullets-ningy]

alfendi won. you can keep your playlist.

i get to keep my playlist. but at what cost.

[silverraes]

IF YOU SEE ME REPOST THAT GIFSET NO YOU DON'T

[nrnyx]

PROMPT: How about Derek and Stiles meeting at a dog adoption event and falling in love over the same dog.

Thank you @steelcodewolf-blog for the prompt!

Stiles ran up to the counter and slammed his application down. “For Sparky!” he gasped out of breath as he’d just sprinted the entire mile to the adoption agency after his jeep broke down. It was finally the day. Stiles was free of his lease agreement and moving into a pet-friendly apartment. He could have a dog - his dog because he’d been visiting Sparky for months now after seeing his cute picture online. 

The animal shelter staff held Sparky as long as they could for him, but he’d been warned that today was their big adoption fair, and Sparky would be part of the group being pushed hardest for adoption. Sparky had already been with them for nearly a year before Stiles showed up, and before that, poor Sparky had been shipped from another shelter in New York. The shelter couldn’t hold him if someone wanted to adopt him. 

Stiles hadn’t been too worried. One of the reasons Sparky was still around was because he was a rather large and somewhat alarming German Shepard mix that might have actually been a wolf-dog, but the shelter didn’t have the funds to test his genetics, to be sure. Sparky had never been aggressive or tried to attack anyone. He was a chill dog that loved belly rubs, so he remained up for adoption. 

The staff even said that Stiles was the only person Sparky had ever shown an interest in. Sparky didn’t really like toys, wasn’t interested in other dogs or attention of any kind really, but he liked Stiles. The staff said he already knew the sound of Stiles's jeep and only ever bothered barking to alert them that Stiles was coming. Stiles adored the old grump right back and had visited him at least once every few days with the hopes that no one else would take notice of just how awesome Sparky was. 

Being a newly graduated college student and an intern with the FBI didn’t exactly bring in the big bucks yet, so Stiles had to wait for his lease to be up in order to find a new place to live that allowed pets. He’d managed to scrape up enough extra money for the rather hefty pet deposit and had Sparky a new bed, food, and dog tags waiting for him in the jeep, which they would have to walk back to, but he was sure Sparky would like the chance to stretch his legs.

It was going to be awesome.

Martha’s face fell as soon as she realized it was him, and Stiles felt his heart falling right along with her look of pity. “Stiles…” she started, but Stiles didn’t give her time to finish.

“Where’s Sparky? Please tell me you didn’t give him to some stranger off the street! I’ve been coming in for months!” Stiles protested in disbelief. How could they betray him? He thought they were all rooting for him and Sparky. He’d told them he would be in by the end of the day. They promised that even if someone tried to adopt, they wouldn’t let Sparky leave the same day. They’d make an excuse to hold him as long as they could for Stiles.

“I’m so sorry, Stiles. I know how excited you’ve been. This must be so heartbreaking for you, but his dad showed up,” the woman explained with actual tears in her eyes. 

Stiles couldn’t find his voice. That had been the last thing he’d expected to hear. “His dad?” he finally managed to get out. “His dad?”

“Yes, he had proof -” 

“He lost him! He lost him for over a year, and you’re just going to let him walk in and take him! Just like that? Clearly, the guy wasn’t a responsible dog parent to begin with. I mean, what kind of evidence did this guy have?”

“Uh Stiles…” Martha tried to interrupt, but Stiles was on a roll. There was no way Sparky was going anywhere with anyone but him. 

“Because photos can be photoshopped, and videos can be falsified. I know! I work for the FBI. Who is this guy? I want to see some I.D. and this so-called evidence. No one is leaving here with Sparky until I hear this assholes side of the story because there’s no way Sparky - ”  

“Jacks,” a male voice spoke up from beside him, and Stiles was momentarily left speechless as he turned and caught sight of, frankly, the most attractive guy he’d ever seen in his entire life, and he’d gone to school with Jackson Whittmore. 

“Holy shit, adopt me,” Stiles mumbled before his brain-to-mouth filter could catch up.

The guy's eyebrows did something impressive. “What?” 

“What?” Stiles asked back equally as dumbfounded. Honestly, he was just as surprised as anyone at what came out of his mouth sometimes. 

“Stiles, uhh… meet Sparky’s…  I’m sorry. I mean Jacks’s dad, Derek Hale,” Martha introduced as Stiles's big brain tried to get back online. “Apparently, Jacks was stolen about a year ago. His dad’s been looking for him ever since. He tracked him down here all the way from New York. Crazy, right?” Martha laughed nervously as she looked between the two.

Stiles eyed Derek Hale for a long moment and already felt himself accepting this new disappointing reality. The guy looked like Sparky’s dad. They both had a certain wolfishness about them that was undeniable. Honestly, Derek Hale had to be the most dedicated dog dad in the world to have tracked his lost dog all the way across the continent. 

Stiles felt himself deflating. “I’m glad you guys are reunited. I’m sure Sparky - I mean Jacks is pumped to see you again.”

Derek fished his phone from his pocket and turned it so Stiles could see the screen saver, which was truthfully the most adorable picture of the two together and obviously happy. “After he was taken, it took me a while to track him down. I found out that a shelter in New York shipped him to the West Coast, thinking he’d have a better chance of being adopted, but they couldn’t tell me where he ended up. I started checking shelters in Washington and was working my way down the coast when I saw an ad for today’s event. Jacks picture was part of it.”

“I’m glad you found him,” Stiles offered again, unable to look at the guy as he said it even though he did mean it. He couldn’t even get that kind of dedication out of a boyfriend. This guy was like a superhero or something. “Cool, well I gotta go…” 

Derek opened his mouth to say something, but Jimmy from the back was calling for him. Stiles knew Jimmy was the one who typically got the adopted dogs ready and brought them out to greet their new owners. He needed to get out of there. Stiles didn’t think he could say goodbye to Sparky- well, Jacks, which was a much more suitable and dignified name, he supposed. 

Derek, with his man stubble and leather jacket, looked like a guy who would own a dog named Jacks. 

More proof that they fit together.

While Derek was distracted, Stiles slipped away, shoulders slumped as he started the long walk back to his jeep. About halfway there, a familiar bark froze him in his tracks. Stiles turned just in time to see a black pickup slowing down to a stop beside him. The passenger window was down, and Jacks's big head was sticking out of it. 

“Do you live around here?” Derek called from the driver's side as he leaned out of the way of Jack’s aggressively thumping tail. 

Jacks whined, and Stiles immediately reached out to soothe him, running a hand over his massive ears and scratching how he knew Jacks liked. This earned him a great big lick across his face in return. Stiles laughed, swatting playfully, but Jacks only pushed closer, beginning to lick Stiles in earnest.

“That’s amazing. The shelter told me about you visiting him. I didn’t believe them at first. Jacks has never taken to… well, anyone else really,” Derek spoke up again, amusement clear in his voice as Stiles tried to fend off all the affection being lavished on him. Jacks had never been quite this excited to see him either, but it was a very welcome shift after the heartbreak he’d been feeling a moment ago. 

At least Stiles knew Jacks would miss him too. “Yeah, me and him… we kind of bonded while he was waiting on you.” Stiles shrugged in reply taking a small step back and almost giving in again when Jacks whined in protest.

Derek glanced at Jacks, before reaching out and patting him on the back in a reassuring way. “They said he was pretty depressed before you came around. Wasn’t eating much or leaving his kennel,” Derek explained. Stiles hadn’t known that part, but he was glad he helped Jacks until Derek found him. It was at least some comfort he could take home with him.

“I should uh… get back to my jeep,” Stiles said, pointing his thumb in the direction he was walking. 

As much as he liked seeing Jacks he really wanted to get home and have a good cry in private. Not only was he losing Jacks, but Jacks owner happened to be an insanely hot guy right out of Stiles's fantasies and entirely out of his league. It just reminded Stiles of exactly how lonely he was these days. Loneliness and his last breakup had been the whole reason Stiles was on the shelter’s page looking at adoptable dogs in the first place. 

“It’s parked a little down the road. I need to call a tow,” Stiles felt the need to explain, hoping his ears weren’t as red as they probably were. It was a bit embarrassing, but the jeep had been his mom’s, and he only had a few more years as a lowly FBI intern before he could afford to get it fixed properly. Maybe he could get his pet deposit back. That would help pay for the tow truck he was going to need to call. 

 Derek leaned over to unlatch the door. “Hop in. I’ll drive you down there and take a look. I’m a mechanic.”

Stiles couldn’t help how his mouth fell open. Could this guy be any more perfect? The only thing that would be better was if he were - 

“And maybe you’ll let me and Jacks take you to dinner… you know, as a thank you for looking out for him.” Derek sent him a wolfish smile that had probably seduced the panties off of hundreds of college co-eds back in his day. Stiles wasn’t embarrassed to admit that he could now be bunched into that category. 

“Uhh yeah okay…” Because what else was he going to say. Jacks moved over a bit to give him room, and as soon as Stiles settled, he had a lap full of wolfdog. 

Derek threw his head back and laughed. “Doesn’t look like he’s going to be letting you leave so easily.”

Stiles cleared away the lump in his throat and buried his face in Jacks soft fur. “I don’t mind.”

[junk-heart]

Photoshop decided to betray me so I switched to ol' reliable - paint

[honeyvettel]

thank you sm for the love you’re giving to my last edit !!! i just wanted to share some of the first pages i used for the second collage because i think they deserve their post alone (plus as a journalist wannabe i just love these kinds of things)

my favorites. the first one is just— straight up tragic. marca knew what they were doing. ‘the fall of an idol’, that picture framed with a broken glass. poetry.

second one they were just fujoshing it out. like the black and white pics and the subtitle reading ‘the story behind the biggest fall out in moto racing’ ?? royal family drama type of shit.

third one is just funny because they are literally implying valentino has lost his sanity, not only the championship. ‘has he lost it?’ yes, MCN. in every way capable.

some italian unused ones because ….yeah.

first one has the infamous interview (indeed it reads ‘exclusive’ at the bottom) where valentino says ‘marc betrayed me and i can’t forgive him’; lol. nice ‘v for vendetta’ reference. horrid photoshop.

second one reads ‘lucid folly’ and the subtitle goes ‘race direction mistakes and the fight (like literal; rissa means scuffle, something physical) with rossi’. love how they are calling marc insane and implying him and valentino threw some punches in the back room.

third is a little bit misleading in the sense it makes you believe they are admitting argentina 2018 was vale’s fault or at least trying to be impartial about it (lol they are not). it writes ‘SHAME’ like in regard to vale’s fanthom kick but then the sub goes ‘championship ruined. marquez plays dirty and angers valentino. rossi ‘kicks’ the championship away’. love the photo and the big flashing ‘vergogna’ but alas this is always an italian motorsport magazine we’re talking about. of course they gonna fuck it up in the subtitle.

and that’s all ! thank for the attention ! ngl it was really difficult to find these and had to scratch the bottom of the internet for some. but they are super interesting !

[just-antithings]

Found out through the grapevine yesterday an anti that was in an adult only server I left months ago was a minor who photoshopped their ID to get in. They engaged in NSFW roleplay, flirting, and nsfw art trades with people there for months and lied about some people knowing when they got caught. Everyone left behind is justifiably feeling disgusted and betrayed... And yet...

The remains of the bridges they got burnt for me for being a "problematic shipper" are feeling mighty toasty now.

Schadenfreude aside, it seems like yesterday I couldn't throw a stick without hitting a story about a minor who was also an anti lying about their age in adult spaces. Making adult art. That sort of thing.

Stay safe out there, everyone.

yeah what a mess

[diver5ion]

my time on tumblr in 2024 was markedly less, but here goes jan: kmcg day | mh vs the supernatural - apparently it can't be both feb: tumblr likes boobs chess i guess | so does kara? mar: white shirt day | i like betty gilpin's face, i wish i liked this show more apr: lena doing her :( face (i actually prefer the one after this) | wendy! (also anytime i get @ that someone's used my gif for their post and then i look and my gif is nowhere in the post, i think of this and her "why was i even in that meeting?" may: ;o it's not kmcg | fav just because i somehow managed to use photoshop's neural blah blah thing to remove rand's face in the first gif; which reminds me i have to decide whether to continue my adobe subscription or not by feb jun: saskia beats lena this month | jennifer connelly <3 eventually i'll finish this show jul: she betrayed me :( she broke my heart :( | i'm still upset but one day i'll finish this show aug: not much here - i started reading again, i wish i can gif books sept: witch lena era oct: i miss shaw | i miss joan nov/dec: yeah, nah. i was playing baldur's gate 3. thanks for tagging me, @mangeur-detoiles - your gifs are awesome :)

[mikuni14]

Dead Friend Forever - Ep 9

(I wanted to eat a cake when the episode started and I ended up sitting through the entire first scene holding it in front of my open mouth like a 🤡, it was so embarrassing when I caught myself doing it. Yep, DFF everybody! I was so invested that I couldn't watch and chew at the same time)

This is the 9th episode of this series that I rated 🔟, this series is really something else. There are still 3 episodes left, the series is devoting more and more time to what is happening in the present time and I'm starting to worry whether... 3 episodes is too much? Won't the endings get dragged? Will it stick the landing? My anxiety is 📈.

I love how this series is run, how natural it flows, how it jumps smoothly in "time and space" without being chaotic and incomprehensible. The narration, editing, pacing are 10/10. (But unlike the plot, my thoughts are very chaotic, as seen below lol)

It's amazing how everything that happens can be described as the butterfly effect. How Top's stupid smashing of the camera set off a chain of events that ended in the destruction of the entire family and a heartbreaking tragedy. I like how sharply focused Tan is (I'll just call him Tan, I'm lazy), how he's fully willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING, how he makes sure that Phee doesn't desecrate Non's memory with a new relationship.. It seems to me that Tan doesn't tell Phee everything because 1) someone stretched the wire that killed Deng 🤔 2) he doesn't seem particularly concerned about Por being dead 🙂

I like how in Phee's relationship with Jin, Tan makes Phee feel guilty, treating him as Non's boyfriend and how Phee does it to himself too. I once heard someone say in regards to romantic relationships, that it is impossible for new feelings to be born without the death of old ones. And this is another thing I love about DFF: they show the complexity of human feelings, including something as complicated as the fading of an old love and the emergence of a new one, the feeling of guilt associated with it, the feeling of having to hold on to the flame of memory and feelings towards the old love that has not ended normally, that could have been hurt, that could have been a victim, so these feelings are somehow "obligatory" for that old love, plus a sense of guilt and agony, because there is a probability that the new love could have once hurt the old love…

We can also say that the series explained why it all took 3 years. As predicted, it turns out that they couldn't get anything out of the boys, who usually just cut off their conversations and left. Then they all finished school, Phee and Tan had no results (because they're also, only boys, Tan couldn't do anything on his own, and Phee, well, he was distracted) and they simply went away to their studies, maybe different universities and the catalysts that accelerated the events now were: 1) the traumatic death of Tan's parents, which left him with nothing to lose, he probably also went a little crazy 2) Jin leaving the country 3) a unique opportunity of gathering everyone in one place

What I also really like is the realistic approach to the tiring, old trope that lying to loved ones "for their good" or for some "secret mission" that is supposed to bring happiness to everyone actually ends badly - unlike some series I have watched recently 🙄 DFF approached it realistically and clearly showed that people lied to by their loved ones, suffer a lot and feel betrayed to the point of not wanting to continue contact with someone who "wanted only good for them."

Questions: Photo of Non and Keng - they are in the clothes from their kidnapping, so the photo must have been taken then and only now given to the press/corrupt police to mislead, or it is photoshopped. Anyway, these are not new photos, and Keng looks safe and sound, the photo is taken from the back and he doesn't look like someone after a car accident. How did Tan get into school? After all, a student has some papers from the previous school, no one suddenly appears at a school and starts going there??? The series shows Tan under the influence of his psychedelic drug, with him having blurry visions and acting obviously drugged. However, when they are in the house and also under the influence of drugs, they act quite normal and only have clear visions, and surprisingly everyone has similar visions (except Jin, who also sees Keng). But apart from that, no psychedelia, strange colors or blurred image. And why would White also have a vision of the masked killer?

Finally, two comments: The sex scene - my jaw dropped, I didn't expect it, I didn't expect them to go all the way. This scene (as well as the entire series so far) shows how incredibly compatible and harmonious Phee and Jin are. (Now there are no more excuses that a decent sex scene can't be done in other BL series lol) I'm vibrating seeing how Tan is happy with what's happening even with Por's death. This is real, pure hatred, I hope they won't fuck it up and Tan won't "convert to goodness, love and brotherhood" and become "good" and "forgiving" and "a better person than them". I like how the show shows action and reaction and sticks to it. The entire logical progression of events is shown, from that stupid camera through Non's fall, the tragic deaths of Non and Tan's parents, ending with Tan standing with a smile over the chaos unfolding before his eyes. And yes. Including the fatalities. I'm vibrating.

My favorite moment, no surprise 😍

Forgive the quality of the photo, but Ta has such a great body, muscular, but in a natural, casual style 😍

[eukarisparadise]

Idk why just wanted to rant about my character that I rp as in my VTM campaign

Soooo our chronicle set in San Francisco 70's started about three years ago and only now finishes (because it's impossible to keep a stable schedule in WOD) and so I finally decided to revisit my character card that I made all the way back in 2022. Turns out, I didn't pay any attention when I was choosing the model from Pinterest back then (I didn't even want to have a real person's face, I wanted to just have male Toreador model from VTMB), because the model was... a photoshopped picture of Ashton Kutcher. Apparently I just didn't recognize him back then, because I didn't even watch any movies with him in my childhood, so this entire time I was playing as a sad anxiety-ridden bisexual Toreador with something that's severely reminding depression... with Ashton Kutcher's face. Now, he wasn't intended to be like this at first:

I love WOD, because it allows you to still have incredible fun, whilst subtly reminding you with its entire atmosphere that you are, in all actuality, fucked, and your existence – is already a tragedy. My character was an aspiring journalist who had a promising future, but stumbled across a Kindred-own gallery that he wanted to expose. He got Embraced by accident, because his sire suddenly felt attracted to him and decided to give him Embrace just so he wouldn't kill him. The relationship between them was as toxic as they come: with light and love slowly fading away from my guy's eyes (his name is Nate btw lol I just found it neatly fitting) while watching as his sire slowly but surely loses all interest in him, simultaneously abusing him both physically and emotionally, and betrays him at the end. At the end, from this golden retriever-type goofball you have a pile of bitterness, filled with angst worthy of Tumblrs golden age, that doesn't have anything it takes to be The Toreador™ (and doesn't want to) and is despised at best by his clanmates (half of which turned out to be Sabbat btw, so nobody cares about their opinion 💅).

I accidentally built him a bit weird for the clan I chose: instead of focusing on social/conversational stats, he is built like an offensive/tank, with him being our primary muscle that takes the most damage, until our Tremere is ready to crit all the enemies. Idk why I just didn't pick Brujah, since that's how I even play him: he's the most rebellious and hot-headed of our coterie, doesn't respect authorities, is liked by Anarchs and doesn't mind dropping the Camarilla if they piss him and his friends enough (only if the alternative pays off more, that is). The only thing he remotely has from the Toreadors is his clumsy and cringey attempts to flirt with absolutely every asshole that's trying to kill us and the fact that he has comically fragile ego with the worst mouth possible. Oh, and he doesn't like art, like, at all, because it reminds him of sire. Since I don't really know how to play as someone else than myself, I just didn't give him enough taste to appreciate anything neither classic nor alternative (he wears Adidas suits and is afraid to let go of his knife) – he's just a dude that's so terrified for his life that he sleeps with one eye open, but is dumb enough to wear his heart on his sleeve. But hey, nothing to worry about, since everyone already knows where he lives, his tiny ass studio apartment is a known thoroughfare for everyone in the Camarilla, the Anarchs, the Sabbat, and even for his current Giovanni bf.

I honestly didn't even like him at first, but when I made him a backstory he started growing on me... 🤕 Oh well.

[vladdyissues]

Danny Phantom AU, where Vlad knew about Danny Phantom being Half-Ghost, before ‘Bitter Reunions’... What if Vlad hides his plans to take over both worlds from Danny?... What if Sam/Tucker (around Season 1) learn about Vlad's true evilness, and show proof to Danny?... What if Danny feels betrayed and believes that Vlad only liked Danny for being half-ghost? (Which isn't true) ... What if Vlad is heartbroken that Danny rejects him, and Vlad angrily blames Sam/Tucker for 'ruining everything'? 💔

I love this idea but see it diverging at the halfway point because Vlad is 1) an accomplished liar, 2) sly as a (silver) fox, and 3) experienced enough in manipulation tactics to know how to invalidate Sam and Tucker's claims while making himself out to be the victim. In other words, I don't think Vlad would even get a chance to be heartbroken because he's just that fucking good. Observe:

"How?" Danny stood before Vlad, quivering with rage. Tears threatened to spill from his flooded eyes. "How could you do this? How could you be so"—he struggled before finally spitting the word—"evil?"

"Oh, Daniel." Vlad sighed and sank onto the couch. "You don't actually believe these outlandish claims, do you?"

"They have photos of you in your lab! You in a ghost form! With a cape and fangs and weird hair and everything."

"Photos." Vlad nodded. "And which one of your friends is the computer whiz? Tucker… Fowler, is it?"

"Foley. What's that got to do with anything?"

"Does Mr. Foley have access to Photoshop?"

It took a moment for the implication to absorb through the blinding veil of Danny's anger. A seed of something cold and painful burrowed into the soil of his broken heart. It felt like betrayal.

"What are you saying? Tucker photoshopped those pictures of you?"

With a meek look of apology, Vlad spread his hands and shrugged.

Danny's head spun. "But that—no. No, he wouldn't. Why would—he… What about the documents?" He jabbed his finger victoriously. "Your journal! All those evil plans you—"

"I understand your friend Samantha is an aspiring author. Fiction, I believe. I've read her work in the local student magazine. Very talented."

Another blow. Danny felt the seed sprout into a choking vine, wrapping its tendrils around his heart and squeezing it until it felt like the muscle would burst.

And Vlad. So calm and patient. Sitting there with his hands clasped over his knees, giving Danny the most sympathetic expression. Danny wanted to simultaneously burst into tears and fly into a destructive passion.

"They wouldn't. They couldn't. Why would they…"

"Oh, Daniel." Vlad reached out to him, his face bent with worry. "Come, sit down, dear boy. You look exhausted."

Danny stumbled to the couch and dropped onto the cushions as if the weight of the world were perched on his shoulders. Vlad slid close and put a soothing arm around him.

"Don't you see, Daniel?" He tamed a wild strand of Danny's hair, and the fingers continued their stroking. "This is a simple matter of jealousy. Your friends are jealous of the time we spend together—time that takes you away from them—and they're trying to get you back. It's a tale as old as humanity itself."

Tears skidded down Danny's cheeks. "But it's—these are serious accusations."

"I know."

"Why would they make up something like this, just because we don't hang out as often? I mean, why go through all that trouble? Why… I can't believe they'd actually lie about this."

"Everyone lies, Daniel."

"Not to me. They've never—well. I mean, nothing serious."

Vlad sighed. "It may surprise you to know that I was in a similar situation myself once. When your mother first took a shine to your father when we were in college and began spending more time with him, I became jealous. I missed the hours Jack and I used to spend together in the science lab, just the two of us. I acted out and fabricated lies, made a perfect fool of myself." He shook his head. "It was so silly, now that I think about it. The college reunion last year was my way of trying to make it up to them, apologizing for my past behavior. And look where it's led."

He smiled, gently tugging a lock of Danny's hair.

"I got to meet you, the most wonderful and unique young man in the entire world. I can hardly blame your friends for wanting you all to themselves again. It's really the sincerest compliment, when you think about it. You mean so much to them that they would invent the most outrageous fabrication, slander me and tarnish my reputation, just to have you back. You're that special to them."

He finished with a paternal smile, and Danny turned to him, blinking more tears down his face. Vlad pulled his red handkerchief from his suit pocket and wiped Danny's dripping cheeks. The cloth was smooth and fragrant, and Danny leaned into its warmth.

"I'm sorry," he croaked. "I shouldn't have believed them—"

"Shh, shh, my dear boy." Vlad pulled him into a sideways hug and planted a kiss on top of his head. "You couldn't help it. To their credit, they did excellent work. I'd be inclined to believe it myself if I didn't know better!"

When his chuckle failed to lift the misery from Danny's face, he sighed and rubbed the boy's arm.

"I suppose it's my fault, really. I'm a lonely man, and I've been too greedy with you. I must remember that you have friends who need you, too." He pulled back. "Perhaps I should return to Wisconsin for a few months, let you and your friends enjoy the rest of the school year and—"

Danny grabbed hold of his arm. "No, please, don't go away. I—" He dipped his blushing face. "You're special to me, too."

Vlad stared. Then affection tugged at the corners of his downturned mouth. "You don't know how happy that makes me, Daniel."

This time it was Danny who initiated the embrace. Vlad wrapped his arms around the boy and smiled over his shoulder. It wasn't a nice smile. It was leering, cunning, too sharp.

"Perhaps I can arrange for your friends to come over more often," he said. "We can work together instead of separately. I'll even throw in some ghost-free recreation time. How would you three like to spend a few days up at my lodge in Aspen? Skiing all day, hot chocolate and movies at night, not to mention the enormous hot tub I have."

"Sounds great, except they hate your guts."

"Maybe once they get to know me, they'll change their minds."

Danny glumly pulled away. "How am I gonna face them? I mean, they're so convinced you're evil. What can I say? How do I tell them you're not what they think?"

"You don't have to say anything, Daniel. Not right now. Just let them speak. Look for the truth behind their lies. Once you see that they really just miss you and care about you, everything will become clear. And for the record, I have no hard feelings toward them. Be sure to let them know that when the time comes."

Danny sniffed wetly. "You really are a good guy, Vlad."

"Except for when I cavort around my lab, wearing a cloak and fangs, of course."

Danny laughed, and the spell was broken.

Everything was going to be okay. He would talk to Sam and Tucker, get this whole thing straightened out. And if he couldn't, well… maybe they needed a break from one other. Just until the lying and photoshopping and libelous works of fiction stopped. Everything was going to be okay.

As if sharing the same thought, Vlad reached over and grasped Danny's hand, lifting it to press a chaste kiss above the knuckles. He met Danny's eyes. Heat bled up Danny's neck to stain his cheeks pink. He bit his lip.

Sam and Tucker would never understand this, either. But that was okay. He wasn't going to let their lies come between him and the man he loved.

[cinamun]

TAGGED!

People you'd like to get to know better

Thank you @alltimefail-sims for tagging me!!! And whoever else did in the past and I forgot to respond lol MY BAD!!! ❤

Last Song: I'm working on some..... things. Need to set the mood.

Favorite color: black

Currently Watching: nothing

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: i've had a crazy sweet tooth lately

Relationship: those are nice

Current Obsession: These bitches betrayed Jesus. Be careful.

Last thing I googled: how to use photoshop like procreate - i'm determined to learn how to animate my pics lol

Tagging: @jayveesim @astoldbychae @nyrarachelle-plays @riverofjazzsims

[the-empress-7]

If y'all think photoshopping your professional portraits is bad let me tell you my story.

I went to McDonalds.

The BigMac looked only marginally like the burger in what is perhaps the must ubiquitous ad on the planet.

I still ate it.

I didnt feel betrayed.

🤣