#serpent throne band

[my-blizzard-of-ice]

Serpent Throne - The Battle of Old Crow

[lina-lovebug]

I'd Fight The Devil

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Background: (Y/N) Morningstar with her partner, Alastor, has decided to put some of the Overlords in their place.

Warning: Alastor being Alastor, mentions of pregnancy but no one's pregnant, and Alastor might have a breeding kink

_ _ _

"(Y/N)! What a surpri-!"

"I believe that's Princess (Y/N) Morningstar, Heir to the throne of Hell, and Duchess of Chaos - to you," Alastor loved doing this. He adored how (Y/N) had decided to start using her true power, and to bring respect back to her name.

The family name, to be exact.

Valentino chuckled nervously as (Y/N) scoped out the place, her horns ever presenting and tail flicking with annoyance.

"What a pleasure to be hosting you, Princess. What would be the reason for this visit?" Valentino asked, offering her a drink.

"I'm fine, thank you," She dismissed it, already smelling the poison inside the cocktail.

"I'm here to discuss Angel Dust, and your contract with him."

"If he's too much trouble for the hotel, I'll happily-"

"You're the one causing the trouble," Alastor cut him off.

Valentino sputtered, "me?!"

"You can feign innocence all you wish, Val, but I've heard that you've called my sister a bimbo, along with many other colorful names," (Y/N) slowly stood up, leaning over his desk as the lights started to go out - one by one.

"Charlie is nice. She's always been the kinder of us Morningstars, but apparently this makes you think that you can go and soil our name. My father could have strung every sinner on a hook for eternity, torturing you all second by second as your screams sung into our great halls," no one had been unfortunate enough to see the form of (Y/N) Morningstar, and Val was one of them.

Her height expanded to nine feet tall, her pretty black nails forming into claws and her eyes ablaze with scarlet serpent pupils.

And wings - oh great black wings that could make even Adam rethink his attack.

When he was still alive, of course.

"And you sully his gift by mocking us."

"Look, Vox did it first! Okay?! He said you'd never-!" Val tripped on a tentacle that came from her beloved Alastor, who dropped a TV by his feet.

But not just any TV.

"Oh God," Val gasped, "Vox. . .?"

"I took care of him earlier," Alastor grinned, still reminiscent on his screams.

"I couldn't have my dear (Y/N) sully her hands with his filth. But whatever the Princess wants, she gets."

Oh to see her come into her power was as chilling as death itself.

"You're so romantic, Alastor," (Y/N) smiled.

That's when Valentino spotted it. On the left hand of (Y/N) Morningstar was a ruby wedding ring, the band pure gold.

Alastor finally did it.

He climbed up the latter, but not through power.

Well yes, through power, but he certified that it would always be his.

By marrying Lucifers daughter.

"We're matching, isn't it adorable?" Alastor showed off his own wedding band, ruby's encrusted inside of it.

"Now, where were we?" She grinned, and as an engagement gift, the screams of Vox and Valentino were broadcasted throughout all of Hell.

And they say chivalry is dead.

_ ☆ _

"They're fucking crazy."

"They're made for each other."

On that, Angel Dust and Husker could agree.

The lovely couple had become the center of Hells attention after their engagement was announced, and even though Alastor thought it would be hilarious for Lucifer to find out through the papers, she told him first.

And he cried.

"Oh my baby is all grown up!" Lucifer sobbed loudly, clinging onto her legs, "look at you! You-you used to be this small!" Lucifer grabbed a duck, "and you were so tiny and so cute!"

"Am I invited?" Lucifer squeaked, staring up into her eyes.

"Yes, dad," She smiled, bringing him up to his feet, "but we want to wait a bit before we plan anything."

"You know she used to bite my finger?!" Lucifer grabbed the baby pictures of little (Y/N), "look at how small she was! Oh, and this one is my favorite!"

Alastor truly didn't mind how touchy Lucifer had become with him, but thankfully, Lucifer also knew when to stop.

"Wait, is that why you're getting married?! Did you impregnate my daughter?!" Lucifer gasped, shoving his hand on her stomach.

"Dad! Dad, no! I'm not pregnant!" She quickly cleared up.

"Unfortunately," Alastor muttered to himself. Oh to see her belly swell with his children - his own spawn, it made his cock twitch at the thought.

He was fond of children but his own? Oh he'd spoil his little prince or princess with all the blood sacrifices the world had to offer.

"Yeah but you know what marriage entails, kiddo!" He pointed at them both with finger guns, "first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby-oh my GOD I'll be a grandpa!"

He started crying again.

She sighed, "at least we know our hypothetical child will be taken care of."

Alastor nodded, "I could not have picked a better father-in-law."

At this point, Lucifer was ugly crying.

Alastor looked at his beloved with a soft gaze as she tried calming her father down. To be honest, Alastor never thought he would ever find solace in Hell. He anticipated every day being a fight for his life, always looking over his shoulder and always striving for more power. And as cheesy as it sounded, he saw (Y/N) as his shining light. She brought out his sad heart, and for the first time in his life, he wished his mother was with him.

To see just what a wonderful woman he managed to catch.

[microcomets]

hi hi, I saw you said a while ago that you have some sapphic SF&F book recs. can I ask what they are?

sorry for my delayed response — always happy to share!!! <3 here’s my list (always hoping to expand + add more recs):

THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE and its prequel, A DAY OF FALLEN NIGHT by samantha shannon (roots of chaos series) — a classic high fantasy saga with dragons & rich worldbuilding. all of the major relationships in both books (and most of the main characters) are queer!

THE LOCKED TOMB series by tamsyn muir — man idk how to even describe this series. yes it’s about lesbian necromancers in space because technically the books contain those things. it is definitely about necromancy in space. and there are lesbians

SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN by shelley parker-chan (the radiant emperor duology) — this probably technically leans more historical fiction than SF/F, but it’s about a girl who takes her brother’s identity and rises to power to become the emperor of china

THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT by seth dickinson — a lesbian machiavelli takes down an evil empire from within to save her colonized country

THE JASMINE THRONE by tasha suri (burning kingdoms series) —  a captive princess and a mage maidservant battle an empire in a fantasy world based on indian myths and history

THE FINAL STRIFE by saara el-arifi (the ending fire trilogy) — two girls switched at birth, a princess and a rebel fighter, band together to overthrow the hierarchy of a blood magic caste in this fantasy world inspired by african and arabian culture

OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA by julia armfield — a marine biologist wife goes off to sea, gets stuck in a submarine for weeks, and Comes Back Wrong

THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL, ANGRY PLANET by becky chambers — queer found family in space!

THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by amal el-mohtar & max gladstone — rival agents fall in love and write letters to each other across, you guessed it, a time war

GIRL, SERPENT, THORN by melissa bashardoust — a story about a girl whose touch is poison based on persian fairytales

IN THE VANISHERS’ PALACE by aliette de bodard — a dreamlike vietnamese retelling of beauty and the beast where a girl falls in love with her dragon captor

THE DEEP by rivers solomon — a novella about an underwater world where merpeople are descendants of enslaved african women thrown into the atlantic that features a sapphic love story

OTHER WORDS FOR SMOKE by sarah maria griffin — a set of twins is sent to live in a spooky house of witches

[ineffablebardwrites]

Good Omens Fic Masterlist

Aziraphale/Crowley (Ineffable Husbands)

The Ties That Bind

Not too long after time began, Aziraphale learned how to braid hair.

Not too long after that, Crowley's hair became his favorite thing to braid.

Little Talks

Crowley wakes in the middle of the night to the feeling of being watched.

A brief investigation leads him to the kitchen where God is waiting for him.

Things Unseen

Aziraphale honestly didn't think his time in Hell had affected him that much.

He was wrong.

Flash Flood

Aziraphale Fell on a Sunday afternoon.

The rain started shortly after.

Wait For Me (I Will)

After his Fall from Heaven, Crowley wants nothing more than to return to Aziraphale's side.

Their reunion doesn't go quite the way he'd imagined.

The Principles of Protection

Aziraphale reveals what it really means to be a Principality.

Crowley ends up witnessing it firsthand.

Out of Time

Crowley knew that falling in love with a vampire would have consequences.

He didn't think bleeding out in an alley would be one of them.

A Song of Selkies

All Aziraphale wanted was to go home.

Crowley doesn't understand why he can't.

Things My Heart Used to Know

Aziraphale always felt like Crowley reminded him of someone.

He's just not sure who that someone is.

Journey to the Past

Anthony Crowley is searching for the lost heir to the throne of Eden, Prince Aziraphale.

Enter Ezra, a young man with no memory of who he is or where he comes from, but bears a strong resemblance to the missing prince.

Spring Flowers, Autumn Leaves

Aziraphale, Lord of the Underworld, was used to waiting for Crowley to come home.

However, he wasn't used to Crowley being late.

--

A Hades/Persephone AU

Make A Wish

In the aftermath of Aziraphale's choice, Crowley finds comfort in a star shower and the hope brought on by a human's tall tale.

If You Hadn't Found Me (I Would Have Found You)

Aziraphale Fell, renowned cellist and musical prodigy, yearns for more than the hand he's been dealt.

Anthony Crowley, lead singer for the band The Fallen, is trying to find a new sound.

The two meet under unusual circumstances and somehow manage to find everything they'd been looking for.

Trials of the Serpent King Trilogy

The Fallen Prince

Ezra Fell had read The Trials of the Serpent King numerous times throughout his lifetime. He could quote nearly every line by heart and owned multiple versions of the entire series, including a recently obtained first edition of The Fallen Prince.

Upon opening the cover, Ezra finds himself within the pages of the book and traveling alongside Anthony J. Crowley, the exiled king of Eden, while he marches the path towards the redemption of his throne.

The Road to Eden

In the aftermath of The Fallen Prince, Ezra Fell continues his journey alongside Anthony Crowley as they make their way towards the Kingdom of Eden.

But the journey back is filled with perils and with a traitor lurking in their midst, Ezra's task of keeping Crowley alive has suddenly become a lot more difficult than before.

Salvation of the King

Following the events of The Road to Eden, Anthony Crowley and his company find themselves reeling from an unexpected betrayal, but continue to push toward their goal of reclaiming the throne which is now well within their reach.

However, their journey, while being so close to ending, is still far from over and Ezra Fell will find himself not only fighting for Crowley, but also fighting to remain in the world he now calls home.

Ineffable Wives

To Noise Making (Sing)

There had been a time when Aziraphale had loved singing.

Crowley isn't sure why she ever stopped.

Heart of Ice

The legend of the Snow Queen told a sorrowful tale of a woman whose heart turned to ice upon the loss of her beloved.

The Snow Queen herself has little memory of this person.

Antonia Crowley is intent on helping her remember.

Rhythm of the Night

Aziraphale and Crowley explore the evolution of fashion at the Moulin Rouge.

or

Aziraphale dresses up and Crowley loses her mind.

Ineffable Spouses

Through the Centuries

In order to assist Aziraphale with an assignment, Crowley suggests they pretend to be married.

When the end draws closer, Aziraphale is surprised to find she doesn't want it to end.

Love Is A Song (That Never Ends)

Upon their Creation, every angel was given half of a song.

The other half was given to their soulmate.

--

In which Aziraphale and Crowley are soulmates connected by a single song and how they slowly come back together following the Fall.

A Quiet Place

Once upon a time, a silent angel and an outspoken demon met on a wall.

Over time, they manage to find some common ground.

Ineffable Bureaucracy (Gabriel/Beelzebub)

It's Quiet Uptown

Gabriel hadn't always been this way.

In fact, he used to be very different.

Then again, after the Fall, no one was really the same.

---

Prequel to Things My Heart Used to Know

[besttropeveershowdown]

Brackets: Round 3

Round 2 results are in and the brackets for round 3 have been created! For the sake of symmetry, polls for side A will not be out until Sunday, but I'll post the brackets now.

Side A:

Side B:

Side C:

List of matchups under the cut:

Side A

Found Family vs. Rousseau Was Right

Science Is Good vs. Badass Pacifist

The Team vs. Outlaw Couple

Silly Rabbit, Cynicism is for Losers! vs. In Medias Res

Fire-Forged Friends vs. Ragtag Bunch of Misfits

Came Back Wrong vs. Hurt/Comfort

Prophetical Semantics vs. Magnificent Bastard

Grey-and-Gray Morality vs. Accidental Parental Figure

Side B

Caper Crew vs. Five-Man Band

Dramatic Irony vs. Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass

Punch-Clock Villain vs. Enemy Mine

Wham Line vs. Secret Identity

Road Trip Plot vs. Bavarian Fire Drill

Tragic Villain vs. Battle Couple

Hitman with a Heart vs. Chekhov's Gunman

Gentle Giant vs. Sea Serpents

Side C

The Dragon vs. Undying Loyalty

Pragmatic Villainy vs. Lovable Rogue

Batman Gambit vs. Faux Affably Evil

Beware the Silly Ones vs. You Are Better Than You Think You Are

The Power of Friendship vs. Suspiciously Specific Denial

Setting as a Character vs. Spare to the Throne

Reformed, but Not Tamed vs. Teeth-Clenched Teamwork

Ambiguous Gender vs. Even Evil Has Standards

[popentertainmentconcertreviews]

Fall Out Boy, Bring Me the Horizon, Royal and the Serpent & Games We Play – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ – August 6, 2023

Stardust and Spectacle: Fall Out Boy’s Unforgettable Night in Camden on the So Much for (Tour) Dust Finale.

Fall Out Boy brought an explosive performance to Camden, New Jersey on the final show of their So Much for (Tour) Dust. Under an 80-degree sun, the band delivered an almost sold-out spectacle at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, a venue in the New Jersey and Philly area, on Sunday, August 6th. With a set lasting an impressive 1 hour and 50 minutes, they played classics from the band's first days as well as tracks from their latest album. The band concluded their two-month-long US tour on a high note, heading next for Japan.

The evening commenced at 6:30pm with the first opening act, the Los Angeles-based band Games We Play. Their super fun and energetic show included three original songs, among them their latest release "All My Untalented Friends (ooo la la)," along with a cover of The Killers' "Mr. Brightside." Their performance ignited the audience and set the tone for an interactive and enjoyable evening.

Shortly after, at 7 pm, Royal and the Serpent took the stage for a 25-minute set, featuring some of their biggest hits like "Nation Underdogs" and "Overwhelmed." The band delivered a stunning rendition of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," showcasing the lead singer's and New Jersey native Ryan Santiago’s incredible vocals. They wrapped up their set by expressing that this had been the best summer of their lives, having the privilege to perform alongside some of their favorite bands.

Building on the success of Royal and the Serpent's performance, the British band Bring Me the Horizon took the stage, starting their set with "amEN!" and captivating the crowd with hits like "Happy Song," "Can You Feel My Heart," and "Drown." Lead singer Oliver Sykes even ventured into the audience during "Drown," making fans further from the stage feel included. The band expressed gratitude to Fall Out Boy for being one of their favorite bands and sharing the stage with them. Their electrifying set concluded with the hit "Throne."

At 9:10 pm, Fall Out Boy emerged on stage, delivering the highly anticipated and unforgettable show that everyone had been eagerly awaiting. Making their return to the Philly area after the 2021 Hella Mega Tour with Green Day and Weezer, Fall Out Boy gave Camden a night to remember. With pyrotechnics, dazzling light displays, stage changes, and fiery effects, they treated the Camden waterfront to a 1 hour and 50-minute spectacle.

The performance kicked off with an intro of "We Didn't Start the Fire," followed by the band playing the lead single from their latest album So Much (for) Stardust, titled "Love from the Other Side."

Their set list, consisting of 30 songs, included five tracks from their newest album released in March 2023, such as "Fake Out," "Baby Annihilation," and "Hold Me Like a Grudge," as well as timeless hits like "Dance, Dance" "Thnks fr th Mmrs," and "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark." Fall Out Boy enthralled the crowd with pyrotechnics, fire, smoke, magic tricks and surprises, such as inviting Ryan Santiago, Royal and the Serpent’s lead singer on stage to perform "Dead on Arrival,” which she then said was her favorite Fall Out Boy song.

The Chicago band also treated the audience to a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" and a partial cover of Metallica's "Enter Sandman." In a delightful twist, they played two additional songs compared to the rest of the tour. Unexpected moments included a magic 8 ball on the screen, with Pete Wentz asking questions like "What song should we play next?” The highlight was the live debut of "Pavlove."

The lead singer also took to the piano to deliver a captivating performance of "Save Rock and Roll," and a medley of ��’Jet Pack Blues / I’ve Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song) / Golden.” Concluding the night with "Saturday" from their second album, the band left the audience in awe. Amidst magical props, a giant dog head on stage, fire, bubbles, and smoke, Patrick Stump's remarkable vocals, Pete's exciting speeches, and the crowd's energy combined to create an unforgettable night. A mix of nostalgia, electricity, and enthusiasm filled the summer night at the Camden waterfront, marking the conclusion of the US leg of the So Much for (Tour) Dust.

Brenda Franco

Copyright ©2023 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: August 8, 2023.

Photos by Kaylee Marie © 2023. All rights reserved.

[divineprank]

Ganondorf's sorrowful presence stands resolute while he wanders within the labyrinthine expanse of the Forsaken Fortress. Towering amidst the winding, poorly-lit corridors that he has been exploring, his imposing figure casts a long and ominous shadow that writhes and contorts with an almost supernatural intensity.

His darkened silhouette seems to dance upon the hard, unforgiving stone walls, illuminated by the fortress's sparse few torches that dot the structure's many passages. Captured flames struggle against the endless moisture that seeps through the Forsaken Fortress's unique, open floorplan. The gloomy weather pairs with the ocean itself in allowing dampness to cling to the very architecture of the island, saturating the air with a sense of melancholy while waging a quiet battle against the outdoor firebrands. The cold, wet air causing them to burn less hot and glow less brightly.

The lost king seems to haunt the Forsaken Fortress as though he remains a solitary sentinel, his presence both a defiance of time's relentless marching and a testament to his enduring will. With every step of his deliberate wandering, the sounds of his soft, desert slippers resonate through the vast expanse of the fortress. The quiet echo of his steps only amplifying the sense of isolation that permeates this desolate pirate graveyard. The sounds of his movements are quickly overpowered, however, by the distant, ominous rumble of thunder beyond the formidable walls of the island.

The storm wrought by the capricious hand of nature quickly descends upon the island with unrestrained fury. Raindrops akin to glistening silver tears, relentlessly assail the fortress's ancient stone façade, the rhythmic patter creating an ethereal symphony of liquid percussion that reverberates through the dim-lit corridors. The thunder, a wrathful behemoth whose deep roars know no bounds, rumbles the very foundation of this forsaken bastion, its deafening reverberations shaking Ganondorf, resonating deep within his very soul and inspiring his heartbeat to pound like a set of drums in his chest. The King of Evil only regrets that he is not equipped with his pipe organ during this gathering of band class.

He halts in his stride, his countenance reflecting no fear or signs of upset despite the violent rain. Nature herself seems to challenge Ganondorf, the elemental tempest appearing to be a display of her unbridled power. However, he does not answer her. The Gerudo instead finds it a refreshing departure from the scorching desolation of his desert, though it is still an enduring torment in its own right—an emblem of his eternal imprisonment above these cursed waters.

Bitter irony slithers through his thoughts like a venomous serpent, for the very weather he once often craved has now become a ceaseless companion, a reminder of his solitude and his lost kingdom. He thinks back to a bygone era, back when he prayed for the rain to bless his homeland—back when he was the revered sovereign of the people of the desert.

It wasn't long after that time that he had become the dreaded and feared Great King of Evil. Those days, now totally shrouded in the mists of time, were marked by the intoxicating sensation of that seven-year-long power trip. Back when Hyrule, once his conquest, bowed before him and hailed him not just as its ruler, but its deity. The world had been his, and he had reveled in the taste of power and glory, basking in his place on the throne that he stole.

Back in the present, profound sadness envelops the lost king like an impenetrable cloak, a heavy weight that seems to press heavily upon his very essence. His once pounding heart now throbs with a sorrow so intense that is threatens to rend him asunder, each beat a poignant reminder of all of what he once possessed in contrast to these empty, ruined corridors of this forsaken fortress, situated within the rocky cliffs of island where pirate ships come to die.

Another strike of lightning blinks in the distance. Standing next to one of the fortress's many windows, he catches the display in his peripheral but is far too distracted to acknowledge it. Instead, he finds himself lost in introspection and he gazes at his left hand... More specifically, he stares at the markings that permanently stain his skin: the symbol of the golden relic that he once deeply coveted. He recalls his deep yearning for the Triforce, those incredible triangles of legend. Wanting so badly for his deepest desire to be granted and to possess such an intense and costly power all in the name of advancing his people out of Hyrule's shadow.

Oh, how ill it makes him knowing how oblivious he once was. Features pull into a deep-set frown as he continues to look down at the Triforce mark on his hand. Oh, if only he had known how much obtaining just his one piece would cost him. Ganondorf wonders if the effort would still truly be worth it to his younger self.

Another violent strike of lightning outside, this time the flash draws his attention away from his hand and he looks upon the tumultuous seas outside, the black waters raging in an ugly dance with the heavy thunderstorm. He watches the show in the near distance, listening to the pounding of raindrops and the crashing of the waves that hit the rocky landing of the island. The storm seems to represent a poignant reflection of his inner turmoil, yet his mind instead drifts to the Triforce; more specifically, the piece that continues to rest within him. He can hear its hum and feel its quiet desire to be reunited with the other two triangles.

Soon.

Soon we'll all get what we want.

[bad0mens]

WIP LIST MEME

Tagged by @suspiciouspopsicle <><><>

Everything currently in the works is Octopath Traveler 2 (who could have possibly guessed?) Tagging @auncyen (if you feel like doing it! no pressure!)

Actively working on!

Casting Shadows - Partitio/Hikari Supernatural Horror/Urban Fantasy Modern AU Where Partitio and Papp move to an apartment in a new city and Partitio finds himself entrenched in a darkness he could never have imagined. (Probably about 2/3s or so complete, updates monthly on average. Read Here.)

Salve for Serpents - Castti/Throne faery tale inspired Fantasy AU, a follow up to The Prince and the Magpie, where Castti and Throne try to find a way to break the curse that binds them together. The first two chapters up Here.

A Mother's Blade - Canon Divergence fic about Kura being the chosen warrior and searching the continent for her lost son, Hikari, and finding herself entangled in the machinations of the country that she's left behind. First chapter Here.

Where The Wind Calls Home - Partitio/Hikari Stardew Valley AU. Partitio finds himself smitten with the new farmer in town, Hikari, a polite and quiet man, who's smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. Two of Eight total parts Here (along with a recipe in the notes of part two.)

Backburnered (for now)

The Light Goes On - Crick/Temenos faery tale inspired Fantasy AU, where Temenos has been charged with the murder of the Pontiff and must make a pilgrimage to atone before the gods before his execution. Along the way, they meet Ochette, and Temenos starts to get answers to more mysteries than just how the Pontiff died. 3rd fic in the cycle starting with The Prince and the Magpie.

Untitled Fantasy AU - Fourth in the cycle starting with The Prince and the Magpie (if I get around to it before I lose steam), which sees Osvald and Agnea thrown together for their own goals, better off together than alone. Agnea has never left home, but the cursed shoes on her feet compel her to move and dance at the slightest music, and Osvald, who seeks the knowledge that might save his wife and daughter. Not romance fic like the others, but will focus on Osvald and Agnea growing into a father/daughter type relationship (there may be background romance, but it will not be for these two).

Untitled Canon Divergence/Meta fic where the travelers are all revenants, stuck undying until they've completed the tasks the gods have chosen them for, banding together in this bitter immortality and trying to forge friendships and relationships with each other, as no other people know the same pain that they do.

Untitled Canon Divergence where guns exist en masse thanks to the Roque Company, and it just so happens that General Mugen of Ku shows a great interest in what help these new weapons might prove in his bid for the throne of Ku, and further, the world.

Untitled Canon/post Canon fic with Fire Emblem Awakening influences, where Hikari and Partitio have an adopted daughter who travels back in time to save them from some unknown threat. (will probably feature other adopted children from other pairings if I ever really get it off the ground).

I lied about it all being Octopath Traveler 2!

I have one original story that's currently backburnered.

Detective Lilith - 1910s era period mystery piece about a cross dressing autistic lesbian detective. Meant to be the first in a series kind of like Poirot, but featuring lots of queer people and POC in a wide variety of roles and relationships. I had a bit of a breakthrough on it recently regarding the mystery so I might be picking it up again soon.

[colormepurplex2]

Curse Of The Serpent | Bitter Lies & A Honeyed Truth

↳  Perseus!Namjoon x Medusa!Jimin ⤜ Strangers/Fated Lovers ⤜ Rating: MA 🔞 ⤜ WC: 5,934 ⚠️ Angst, confused feelings, self-discovery, kissing, body touching, mild hair tugging, tending to wounds, handjob

⇽Previous Chapter ◅ Back to chapter list

“Not here,” Ares states firmly. “She’ll have felt the curse break and won’t hesitate long before coming to see what has become of her pet.”

“But, Ares—“ Namjoon tries to insist, but Ares just shakes his head and lunges forward to cuff his large hands around Namjoon and Jimin’s arms. It’s impossible to resist the strength of the war god as he hauls them bodily through the cavern.

The sea beyond the cave has quieted since Namjoon’s been inside. A garishly opulent bronze and leather chariot attached to a band of phantom war horses balances precariously on the cliff edge just outside the mouth of the cave. Namjoon and Jimin both voice sounds of protest as Ares shoves them ahead onto the flat of the chariot before he steps on, grabs up the corded rein, and lashes it in the air ahead of the vessel.

Immediately, the chariot rockets forward, the ghostly projections galloping on silent hooves right over the cliff edge and into the sky.

“Ares! Have you gone mad?” Namjoon yells above the whining din of the wind whipping past.

Ares throws his head back and laughs. “Mad for ever trusting that harlot is what I am, brother.”

Namjoon bites his tongue, though his thoughts float to the fact he knows his brother has dallied with his own love affairs over the years. He’s curious about what atrocity Aphrodite could have done this time to warrant such a reaction from Ares. The more pressing question right now is why any of this is happening and what it has to do with the man huddled in the corner of the chariot opposite Namjoon.

Olympus is just as splendid a sight as it is every time Namjoon is here. He wishes it were under better circumstances this time, however. Ares navigates the chariot to the foot of the stairs leading up to his temple.

“Can’t you just let me go?” Jimin’s voice is reed-thin and full of trepidation as he speaks, eyes constantly flicking around. He has the strip of lace from before clutched tightly in one hand. The other absently rubs at the serpent mark on his neck.

“Quiet,” Ares commands in a soft yet firm voice. “We must move quickly. I’ll explain everything as soon as we’re behind the wards in my temple.”

The dozen steps leading up to the towering archway entrance seem like hundreds as they make their way up. The inside of the temple is vast, with large supporting pillars dispersed throughout. At the far end is a marble throne, though not nearly as obnoxiously lush as the chariot. It’s quite the opposite, stark lines and plain, what one might assure is the proper appearance suiting to seat a god of war and destruction.

Ares bypasses the throne and makes for a small alcove in the recesses of the temple. The space opens up into a large chamber, lit brightly by overhead view lights. Once Jimin and Namjoon are within, Ares slams the wide gold doors shut and drops an iron locking rod across them.

“We’re here. Now start talking.” This isn’t the first time Namjoon has been inside Ares’ temple, but it is the first time he’s been inside this particular chamber. It reflects the opposite of the throne room, even more ostentatious than the chariot. There are silk and velvet-covered couches and loungers strewn around in a haphazard fashion. Lavish rugs cover the floor, and tapestries hang from every inch of wall space. A large bed, overflowing with plush cushions, sits off to one side. It’s an obscenely decorated bed-chamber, but Namjoon only gives it a cursory glance.

Jimin stands by the door, eyes locked onto the war god, waiting to see what he intends to say. He can’t help but dart fleeting glances at the warrior’s half-brother. The urge to go to Namjoon’s side, if only to feel protected, is barely stifled by his need to remain vigilant and wary. As Jimin knows all too well, gods are notorious for playing games.

Ares sighs, pulling off his helm and tossing it toward a pile of pillows. The metal headpiece bounces and rolls, the noise muffled by the thick rugs, until it stops under an errant couch.

“Would either of you like some wine?” Ares asks, moving over to a low wooden table and grabbing a green glass bottle filled with dark reddish-hued liquid. Namjoon and Jimin both shake their heads at his offer. “Very well, then. At least have a seat.” Ares gestures with his free hand toward a cluster of loungers.

Namjoon purses his lips but moves to a lounger upholstered in blue silk. He perches on the edge, elbows resting on his knees. He rolls his shoulders, pushing down the sliver of irritation at Ares not giving him time to grab the round mirrored shield before hauling him out of that cave. The bareness of his back makes him feel vulnerable and incomplete, a warrior without all of his elements. Thankfully, he had his sword in hand when Ares dragged him out and was able to sheath it before being tossed into the chariot. He adjusts the belt of his sword, letting the weapon’s length rest against the side of the lounger.

Jimin chooses to recline against the wall next to the door, crossing his arms over his chest and staying as far away from the others as he can, considering his circumstances. His clear blue eyes track Ares as he shuffles across the floor and plops down into a seat beside Namjoon.

The furniture groans as Ares stretches out and upends the bottle of wine, draining half in a few hearty gulps before setting it on the floor by his feet. “Should I begin, or will you?” Jimin finally asks after Ares remains silent for a few tense minutes.

Ares casts him a mildly withering glare before bringing his attention to Namjoon. “What Jimin said is right. The Gorgon curse was placed upon him by Aphrodite. The timeline is all the same. The events are mostly the same as well. The only deviation from the story you know from legend is how and why the curse was placed.” There is a moment of pause as he grabs the wine bottle and gulps another mouthful before he launches back into the story. “You know how jealous Aphrodite can be, especially in matters of vanity. She’s a gorgeous goddess and likes attention.” He lofts the bottle up in an off-handed gesture of annoyance. “It’s not remiss that she hates when others get more attention than she does, as you know. She became jealous over all the attention Jimin was getting—“

“Evil bitch,” Jimin mutters from his place by the door.

“—yes, well, so she is. As I said, she was jealous of the attention and devised a plan to take care of the competition. To get rid of the one who was outshining her, she consulted with one of Poseidon’s sea hags to create a curse that would prevent anyone from ever looking upon Jimin again or from him ever looking upon someone else in turn. That bit of lace there,” he nods toward Jimin, whose fist tightens around the streamer of black lace he’s still holding, “was enchanted with the curse. As soon as Aphrodite secured it over Jimin’s eyes, the curse began to take hold and imprint the mark of the Gorgon. Poseidon was there, conspiring with Aphrodite the whole way through. He’s the one who planned the party that night, all so they could unleash their demon and create their narrative of the monster known as Medusa. They didn’t plan on Athena walking in and catching them in the act. They threatened Athena’s son, Erichthonius, claiming they’d ruin him and his kingdom of Athens if she spoke of what really happened. Of course, gods being gods, she cared more for her son than someone else, and that’s how the legend you know came to be.” Ares gives Jimin a half-frown, his brows furrowing as his eyes linger on the once-cursed being.

“All of this is true?” Namjoon asks, looking at Jimin, too. The moment his eyes land on the man by the door, that weird feeling from the cave returns. Warmth suffuses beneath his skin, and a low thrum flitters in his belly.

“Is it so hard to believe that some gods are monsters?” is the only response Jimin offers.

Ares makes a noncommittal sound, bringing Namjoon’s attention back to him. “It was recently brought to my attention that Aphrodite has been sneaking around with that pompous, feathered asshole Hermes. Glad to see you have his sandals. He won’t be getting those back, the tricky little deviant,” Ares huffs an irritated sigh. “When I confronted Aphrodite about it, she laughed at me…made a mockery of me in front of everyone on Olympus who would listen. That’s another story, though, for another time. I’ve had it with her games and her promiscuity. I consulted with the Oracle and Fate to discern how best to teach my tramp of a wife some humility. They spoke to me about a serpentine curse to be broken and hidden beauty unleashed by the blood of my blood and a star from my heart of hearts. They assured me the curse could be broken if the bearer had unwavering faith and was selfless in their motivation.” He pauses again, glancing at Jimin. “As well as something else…” he trails off, uncertainty lacing his words.

“Something else? Ares, do not begin the word games now. Speak plainly.” Namjoon pushes up from his seat and glares down at his godly brother.

“Love,” Jimin states simply.

Namjoon’s eyes snap up to meet that cool blue gaze. That oddly warm feeling is like a punch in the gut. “Love?” he parrots in confusion, trying to ignore the way his body is reacting.

Jimin smiles slightly, the expression turning into a grimace as he drops his gaze to the floor. “Ares is quite the storyteller. There are just a few minor details he wouldn’t have been privy to. Poseidon held me down, laughing at me as he used his godly strength to pin me to the marble floor. Aphrodite took her time, toying with me and telling me all the horrid things I would do once I became her monster, all the people who would die because of me—the people waiting just outside the room in mid-celebration. She explained the curse and what it meant for me, that there would be no hope for it ever to be broken. You see, all curses have a counter—a way to break them. It’s just reaching that point; that’s the hard part. She thought she had found a loophole of sorts. The sea hag had assured her it would work…and I guess, in many ways, it did, considering I’ve spent hundreds of years alone in a desolate sea cave fearing the outside world. As she was winding the lace veil around my head, she told me the only way this curse would ever be broken was if the person who was destined to reside beside me in the cosmos came to my rescue and parted the veil with a god's weapon. How could someone come to rescue me if everyone turned to stone before they got the chance? Eventually, instead of people coming to try and help me, they came to destroy me. A never-ending cycle of turning poor, misguided souls into stone…all for what? Because I’m pretty?” Jimin asks in a bitter tone.

“You knew of this curse?” Namjoon asks Ares, an edge biting into his words. “Tell me you only found out once the Fates told you.”

Ares puffs out his cheeks, looking nothing like the god of war and courage he is. “I will not lie to you, brother. I did know about it but had forgotten until the Oracle and Fate reminded me. Aphrodite told me of the curse a few days after word spread about the Gorgon attack at Poseidon’s feast during a spat we had.”

“And you did nothing?” There’s no mistaking the venom in Namjoon’s question.

“Come now, Perseus—brother, I’m doing something about it now, right?”

“After hundreds of years! And only because you’re mad at Aphrodite!” Namjoon roars, kicking the leg of Ares’ chair. The wood snaps, sending the giant god sprawling onto the floor and the near-empty bottle of wine careening across the carpets in a spray of deep plum. “You are no brother of mine,” Namjoon grits out between clenched teeth. “Love. Is that what this is?” He slaps a hand to his chest and fists a handful of his shirt. “This feeling in here?”

Jimin straightens up by the door. “There’s a feeling?”

As if acknowledging it out loud permitted it to become more prominent, the odd feeling lurches beneath Namjoon’s breastbone. It’s warm with a subtle, constant hum like that of a honeybee. It pulses every time Namjoon looks at Jimin.

“It’s like something in here is trying to get out,” Namjoon mutters, glancing down at his fist, still strangling a handful of his shirt. “Every time I look at you,” he says, bringing his attention back up, “it becomes more intense.” The feeling washes over him, clarity bleeding through the confusion.

Namjoon realizes now he’s been wrong all along. He only thought he loved Andromeda. Guilt wars inside him momentarily at the thought of the woman still being held hostage by her own father. What he felt for the fair maiden is nothing compared to this fierce fire growing inside his chest that seems to be fueled by Jimin.

“I feel it, too,” Jimin whispers, chewing his bottom lip. His brow pinches as his eyes flick across Namjoon’s face, taking in the apparent war of emotions there. “You don’t want this. Do you?”

“I—it’s not that, Jimin. There’s just…someone.”

“You already have a lover,” Jimin assesses with a tight smile. “It’s possible Fate is wrong or maybe just cruel.”

Ares heaves himself up from the floor and flicks a hand between Jimin and Namjoon. “Fate doesn’t make mistakes. Besides, Perseus, I didn’t want to bring this up before because I knew it might change your mind and deviate your feet from their course…but, Andromeda never agreed to accept your hand, even after her rescue. It was only the word of her worm of a father that said anything of the sort. I didn’t want to discourage you or fill your heart with woe. I knew how this would end, and Fate affirmed it. So, I did not see any harm in letting you continue on as you were until everything played out as is spun within your thread.”

“Rescue?” Jimin asks. “Is this woman—is she in danger?”

Namjoon nods. “She’s being held hostage in one of Poseidon’s ocean prisons. Her father, King Cepheus, intends to sacrifice her to…well, your mother. He wants to win favor with Cetus, so she’ll leave his kingdom alone.”

“Sounds like Mother.” Jimin frowns. “I might know where you can find some help. Ares,” he says, turning to the now rumpled god, “can you get word to the dead shoals?”

Ares shrugs one big shoulder. “I don’t see why not. Why?”

“You need to summon my sisters. They hold a grudge against our mother that could fill Olympus twice over. Over the years, I’ve caught snippets and rumors of my sister’s fates. Contrary to what the world may believe, the curse Aphrodite put on me has nothing to do with how my sisters became gorgons. That’s something that was deep in our blood, thanks to our lineage. It was the madness that followed the curse that drove their inner monsters to the surface. I’m sure they’d salivate at the prospect of seeing to it that Cetus doesn’t need a sacrifice to leave the kingdom of Cepheus alone. Let them know of your aid in my freedom, and they are sure tol assist. Also, maybe as a way of asking forgiveness…you could rescue Andromeda in Namjoon’s stead?” Jimin directs the last part as a question, pointedly giving Ares a stern look.

Ares scoffs. “I was getting to that.” He turns back to Namjoon. “I have many wrongs to make right with you, brother. Let me handle this for you as further repayment and compensation for not being mindful much sooner and being selfish in my reasoning.”

“Would you truly do that for me, Ares?”

“Aye, I would. If that is what you want.” It’s surprising the vulnerability that Namjoon can hear in Ares’ voice, but comforting in knowing his brother is speaking the truth.

He casts a quick glance at Jimin, trying to suppress the smile that automatically pulls at his lips. “Make haste in your message to the dead shoals. I’d have Cepheus releasing his daughter before the moon is full.”

“I shall make it so. You can count on me, Namjoon.” Ares gives him a slight nod of his chin before snagging his helm from beneath the couch it rolled under. “You shall find everything you need here. Do not leave this chamber until I return at sundown tomorrow. I imagine you two have much to discuss.” There is an unmistakable twinkle of mischief in Ares’ eyes before he pulls up the lock bar and exits through the large ornate doors. They snick shut behind him with a sense of finality.

Namjoon clears his throat, laughing awkwardly into the silence that follows Ares’ departure. “An apology seems dreadfully inadequate.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Jimin says quietly. “If anything, I should be thanking you. Despite your initial intentions to remove my head from my body, if you hadn’t set out on this path, I wouldn’t be here… curse-free. Though, maybe I should direct my gratitude toward Fate instead in that case.”

A pregnant pause stretches between them, finally breaking as Namjoon steps closer to Jimin. “I’m trying to fight this, whatever this is,” he gestures between them. “My body and soul urge me to move closer, but my mind says that’s absurd considering.”

“Fate is funny like that, it seems. You know it’s unheard of how this is panning out. Fate and the Oracle aren’t generally so direct with their gifts and insight. I wonder what more your precious brother hasn’t said.”

That gives Namjoon pause. “He’s good at keeping secrets. Gods—all bitter lies disguised as honeyed truths. I’ve never fared well in the court politics and deceptions of Olympus.” Shaking his head, he dispels that line of conversation. “Please, let us start over if you’ll allow it?” Namjoon looks up at Jimin.

“I think I would like that,” Jimin confirms, though his words sound mildly uncertain. “It’s been so long since I’ve conversed with someone outside of them actively trying to kill me. I’m afraid I may be a bit uncouth.”

That spreads a smile across Namjoon’s face. “How about we start by getting more comfortable? I’m sure I can find something for you to wear if you’d like to change.” His eyes drop down, taking in the thinning black and white tunic that hangs around Jimin’s slim form. His black pants have salt stains around the cuffs and wear at the knees. The leather sandals on his feet look to have seen better days.

“There’s not much in the means of resources at the edge of the world,” Jimin says self-consciously, rubbing the fabric of his worn top between his fingers.

“What, um, what does it feel like for you?” Namjoon asks. Jimin gives him a quizzical look. “The feeling, I mean, that you say you feel, too.” He moves over to a large wardrobe on the far side of the room, next to an open doorway that leads into a bathing chamber with a large sunken hot spring gurgling within.

Namjoon pulls open the wardrobe and begins rummaging through the confines in search of clothing that might be size appropriate for the slight figure of Jimin compared to Ares. Even with his own considerable measure, Namjoon knows most of the clothing will also swamp him.

“It feels like the sun in summer. Or, rather, what I remember of how that feels. It’s been a long time since I felt a warmth that wasn’t accompanied by the crackle of a fire.” Jimin moves over to the wardrobe, coming to a stop by Namjoon.

The close proximity of Jimin has that warmth doubling, morphing into a comforting lull of satisfaction in Namjoon’s chest. “Like the sun in summer,” Namjoon agrees, awe painting his voice as he turns to Jimin. He has an armful of assorted robes and belts. “They might be a bit big, but with the right belt and strap, I’m sure we can make them work until Ares’ return.”

“I’m sure they’ll be fine. Thank you.” Jimin accepts the bundle with a soft smile. “Do you think Ares would mind if I washed?” His eyes slide to the side, landing on the steaming pool in the bathing chamber.

“I don’t think Ares has any room to deny anything to you now.” Namjoon steps toward the bathing chamber, his hand automatically coming up to cup Jimin’s elbow and encouraging him to follow.

Electric tingles spark at the contact. They share a lingering look, searching one another’s eyes for any indication of revulsion or panic. There is none. Another soft smile quirks Jimin’s lips, his chin tilting down in silent assurance.

As they enter the room, Jimin sets the bundle of clothing on a dry bench near the doorway. A plethora of baskets sit on the far side of the spring, filled with bottles of oils and canisters of crushed flower petals.

Namjoon glances at Jimin from the corner of his eyes. His fingers press a little more firmly around Jimin’s elbow briefly before he drops his hand altogether and takes a step toward the door.

“Wait.” Jimin turns with Namjoon, reaching out and snagging his wrist. “Stay. If you want,” he’s quick to add, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. “You look like you could use it.” Namjoon’s eyebrows rise in amusement, his teeth catching his lips to keep from smiling. Jimin shakes his head, sighing. “That’s not what I mean. What I meant to say is that the bath is big enough and I’m sure you’re weary from your journey. I know spending any amount of time in that sea cave, you’ve surely got some salt collecting somewhere.”

That breaks Namjoon’s resolve, and the smile floods his face. “Something like that. As long as you’re okay with it, I’d welcome a chance to wash away these last few days.”

Jimin just nods, giving Namjoon a tight smile that makes the small cut on his cheek pull taut. “Ow,” Jimin winces, cupping his injured cheek.

“Here, let me,” Namjoon says, quickly closing the distance between them and placing his hand over Jimin’s. He gently pulls Jimin’s hand away to get a better look at the cut. It’s slightly puckered and red, an angry line Namjoon now feels mirrored across his heart. “I should clean this. It’ll be easier from the bath. I saw a few bottles of salve and ointment in the basket.”

“Okay,” breathes Jimin. There is a sadness in his blue eyes that Namjoon wants nothing more than to make disappear.

“I’ll give you a moment.” Namjoon reluctantly releases Jimin’s hand and turns, giving the other man some privacy.

The soft shuffling of fabric is the only indicator that Jimin is undressing. A soft sigh signals his entry into the burbling water. “This seems almost a crime to enjoy when all I’ve had are quick scrubs with freezing salt water the last hundred years or so.”

“You really have been alone all this time?” Namjoon asks before he can stop himself. He immediately regrets the query, fearing it’ll upset Jimin.

To his surprise, though, Jimin just sighs and laughs lightly. “I fled from anyone who even remotely tried. I didn’t want to hurt anyone if I could help it. That’s how I found myself at the world's edge, sequestered away in a dank cave long abandoned by its previous resident. With only stone statues and the ocean for companions.” Jimin clears his throat. “You may join me now if you still wish.”

Namjoon takes a deep, fortifying breath and begins to work the fastenings on his armor and clothing. The sword's weight leaves his hip, and for once in his life, he doesn’t feel naked without a weapon. Instead, he feels an immense sense of rightness. The sword goes onto the bench next to the pile of clothes he procured for Jimin. His sandals come off quickly and he tosses them by the door.

“It’s not fair, the way gods play their games with little care to the repercussions.” The leather armor covering his chest and hips gets discarded beneath the bench. Namjoon reaches back with trembling hands and grips a handful of his shirt, working the cream-colored fabric over his head.

Jimin clears his throat from behind Namjoon. “You talk as if you’re not one of them. Do you not believe yourself so?” he deigns to ask.

Namjoon can feel the heat of Jimin’s gaze on his back, traveling down to his leather trousers as he loosens the ties and lets them sag below his ass. “Zeus may be my sire by the divine laws of nature, but he is not my father.”

The leather trousers slide down Namjoon’s powerful legs, pooling at his feet. He takes his time bringing each foot up and easing the cuff over his heel. All the while, that intense feeling of Jimin’s gaze doesn’t relent.

“Have you always been a warrior?”

“Since the day I could hold a sword,” Namjoon answers. He finally turns, unashamed to bare himself so intimately before the man he’s quickly growing fond of and who has already captured his heart by the forces of Fate and destiny.

Jimin doesn’t hide his perusal. His crystalline eyes trace over every contour of Namjoon’s body, mapping out each peak, valley, and swell of muscle. With measured steps, Namjoon crossed the small expanse to the edge of the pool. He takes a moment to admire Jimin, submerged to his shoulders in the bubbling pool—steam wafts along the surface, obscuring everything below.

The water offers a kiss of heat, a pleasant burn that soaks deep into Namjoon’s tired limbs. His eyes stay on Jimin’s as he steps further into the bath until his feet touch the natural ledge used to wade around the oblong-shaped natural spring. They stay in a comfortable silence, eyes on one another—Namjoon circuits around the pool to where the baskets of bottles and canisters sit.

He finally breaks his gaze with Jimin to peruse Ares's various ointments and salves. Generally, gods do not need these types of things, but other beings are known to frequent Olympus who may. He has no mind to thank Ares as a lot of this mess can be placed at his feet, even if he was inadvertently involved.

Grabbing a healing ointment and a cooling salve, Namjoon brings his focus back to Jimin. “Where would you like me?” Jimin asks softly. The heat from the pool has perspiration collecting along his brow and neck, darkening his hairline and turning the strands an iron color.

“Do you mind sitting on the first ledge?” Namjoon nods toward the edge of the pool.

Jimin moves to obey, his body gracefully gliding through the spring. Water cascades from his shoulders, chest, and stomach as he lifts himself up with his hands braced on the edge and turns to sit on the ledge just below the water's surface.

Steam feathers across Jimin’s lap, leaving his torso exposed to the open air and Namjoon’s eyes. “You really are exquisitely perfect,” Namjoon comments with an awed tone of reverence. His heart picks up a more brutal beat, thumping wildly in his chest as he closes the distance between himself and Jimin. He swallows hard, clutching the jars in white-knuckled fists.

“I’m sure there are sonnets about your own beauty,” Jimin comments, letting his eyes wander over the bronzed muscles framing Namjoon’s neck and arms. “Namjoon, son of Danaë.” Something inside Namjoon crumbles in on itself before flowering back out in a renewed well of strength and affection with the way Jimin gives respect to Namjoon’s name in such a way.

Chills spread down Namjoon’s arms, once again in a warring emotional state of trying to understand how mere words could elicit such a visceral reaction in him. Whatever it is, he wants more of it. He craves it—needs it to survive. Before he drops them in the water, he quickly sets the jars on the ledge above Jimin, away from the steaming water.

Jimin holds his breath as Namjoon steps in closer, his hips faintly brushing against Jimin’s knees. A shudder passes through Jimin, his breath dipping with a soft exhale. His eyes flutter shut as Namjoon lifts a hand and strokes his thumb just under the cut on Jimin’s cheek. “I’m so sorry,” Namjoon whispers.

“It’s…it’s been so long,” Jimin says. Namjoon watches as the tip of Jimin’s tongue pokes out to swipe over his slightly parted lips. “So long since I’ve been touched by someone not intending me harm.”

Namjoon’s heart squeezes at the anguish in Jimin’s words. He brings his other hand up to cup Jimin’s jaw. There’s no mistaking the soft sob that shudders through Jimin when Namjoon traces his thumb over Jimin’s bottom lip.

“Shh,” Namjoon coos softly, pressing in closer to Jimin. His legs naturally spread, allowing the larger man to crowd in further. Taking away one hand but keeping the other stroking gently  along Jimin’s jaw, Namjoon uncorks the healing ointment and dips a finger inside. The translucent gel smells faintly of honeysuckle and ginger. The salve is like aloe, soothing the angry redness from around the wound. It doesn’t take long for Namjoon to have the cut clean and the ointment and salve applied. “All done,” he says softly, ducking his head to catch Jimin’s half-lidded gaze.

They stare at one another, the moment stretching longer as they both take the time to truly appreciate the beauty of the other. Jimin’s tongue darts out again, working at the corner of his mouth. An errant tear manages to slip from his lashes and begin to track down his other cheek. Namjoon watches the salty drop as it crests over the apple of Jimin’s cheek and angles toward his chin.

Flicking his eyes up to Jimin’s, he leans in, hesitating to give Jimin time to protest. Salt explodes on the tip of Namjoon’s tongue as he presses his lips to Jimin’s cheek, capturing the tear before it can go any further. A soft gasp leaves Jimin, his parted lips trembling with his next words. “Touch me, please, all of me. It’s been so long. I do not know how much longer I can bear it if you don’t.”

Namjoon brings his lips to Jimin’s with a deep, satisfying groan. “You taste how I think starlight would taste,” Namjoon murmurs between kisses. The words part his lips enough to draw in Jimin’s tongue. Tentative at first, he only seeks small sips along the seam of Namjoon’s lips. “Intoxicating and derived from the heavens.”

Angling his head slightly, Namjoon opens further in an invitation, welcoming the slide of Jimin’s tongue into his mouth. Jimin raises his hands and firmly presses them against Namjoon’s chest, marveling at the solid feel of muscle and smooth skin.

“More,” Jimin pleads, unabashed in how needy and breathless he sounds. He has craved the touch and comfort of another for so long it hurts. The large, rugged palms of Namjoon soothe just as much as the aloe salve. Only, instead of a flesh wound, it’s a balm to his soul.

Sliding a hand up, Namjoon feathers his fingers through the damp strands of hair behind Jimin’s ear. Being gentle yet firm, Namjoon tightens his fingers around a handful of Jimin’s hair and tugs his head sideways to deepen the kiss even further. Jimin’s fingers press into Namjoon’s chest in response, eliciting a soft mewling noise from his throat.

Stroking Jimin’s chin one more time, Namjoon lets his other hand trail down, tracing a delicate path along Jimin’s body. He can feel the frantic thrum of Jimin’s pulse in his neck, the supple curve of muscle across his chest, and the slender taper of his waist. A beautiful map that Namjoon wants nothing more than to memorize.

“Gods,” Namjoon curses softly as his hand dips below the water's surface and encounters the hard length of Jimin’s arousal. He pulls his hand back, uncertain if he’s crossing a line. His own aching cock bobs in the water, he refuses to pay it any mind. This isn’t about him, not in the slightest.

“Don’t stop,” Jimin encourages when he realizes Namjoon’s hesitation. It’s all the encouragement Namjoon needs to plunge his hand back beneath the water, wrap his fingers around Jimin and squeeze lightly. Jimin cries out, head dropping back to expose his throat as he jerks in Namjoon’s hold. The movement dislodges Namjoon’s hand from his hair, letting it fall to his shoulder instead.

Namjoon slides his hand down and then back up in a generous stroke. “I will touch you forever if it means getting to look upon your face and watch the emotions dancing in your eyes.”

Jimin drops his chin forward, bringing his eyes level with Namjoon’s. His eyes continue down until they fall upon Namjoon’s forearm and where his hand disappears below the surface. “I want to watch you touch me,” he gasps, his stomach muscles contracting as Namjoon rubs his thumb over the head of Jimin’s cock.

With a coy smile curling his lips, Namjoon places his other hand under Jimin’s ass, lifts him clear of the water, and settles him on the outer lip of the hot spring. Namjoon follows him, going up a step. They both drop their gazes, watching as Namjoon’s large hand fists up in a slow stroke that has a pearly bead of moisture seeping from Jimin. “Nectar of the gods,” Namjoon moans, watching as more pre-cum comes up with his next stroke.

The muscles in Jimin’s thighs flex and go taut with each upward swivel, and moans begin to pour from his lips every time Namjoon’s thumb smears the gathered moisture. “Namjoon,” Jimin pants. “I’m about to—“

Namjoon cuts off Jimin with another searing kiss, devouring the words and moans as Jimin’s release shudders through him. Hot ropes of cum lace across Namjoon’s chest and stomach, each additional stream losing momentum until it just drips down onto Namjoon’s hand, now making lazy corkscrew motions, encouraging Jimin’s orgasm until completion.

The soft, almost pained whine Jimin lets out has Namjoon finally pulling back, breaking the kiss, and gently moving his hand to Jimin’s thigh. Namjoon presses his forehead to Jimin’s as they both try to catch their breath. A small thread of satisfaction slithers through Namjoon at how completely and utterly at peace Jimin looks, soft in a way with his kiss-swollen lips and lids at half-mast. “Beautiful,” Namjoon murmurs.

Jimin’s lids tug upward enough that he can lock gazes with Namjoon. “I don’t know that words will ever truly express the feelings and emotions that are raging inside of me right now. All I know is that whatever happens next, I want to face it with you by my side. Thank you for seeing me, touching me…but most of all, for freeing me.”

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◅ Back to Master List ©️    2023-02-21    ColorMePurplex2 

[concerthopperblog]

So Much For (Tour) Dust-W/ Fall Out Boy, Bring Me the Horizon, Royal & The Serpent, and Games We Play

When I heard that Fall Out Boy was set to hit the road this summer with Bring Me The Horizon, I knew that this was going to be a show that I could not miss. Both bands have help shape my music taste today. What better way to spend a Friday night than to see two awesome bands perform together. For this particular date of the tour, the band is also playing with Royal & The Serpent and Games We Play. Upon arrival to the venue the traffic leading up was at a standstill for at least a mile. Unfortunately, due to the time it took to get into the venue I was unable to capture photos of Games We Play even though we arrived early to the venue.

Games We Play is a pop punk trio that when viral overnight, after posing a teaser of their new song “Deadbeat” on Tik Tok. The video of the singer and his wife, has over a million views. If you are a fan of bands like All Time Low, Real Friends and State Champs, then you will definitely want to add Games We Play to your list of up-and-coming artists to listen to. Games We Play is the first band to step foot on stage for the night. They expressed their excitement for being on tour with Fall Out Boy. They played a few songs and to bring some energy to the crowd they played a cover of “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers. Another cool thing I noticed about this band, the singer Emmyn, joined us in the photo pit to take photos of Royal & The Serpent’s Set.

Royal & The Serpent, also known as Ryan Santiago, is a singer song writer from New Jersey. She independently debuted her first single “Temperance” back in 2017. In an interview with Prelude Press she explains what the name Royal & The Serpent means, it translates to Me + My Ego also explaining that “Duality is the essence of our human experience.” In 2019 Royal & The Serpent was signed with Atlantic Records. She has 3 EP’s and a bunch of singles that has been released to date. After the release of her 3rd EP, IF I DIED WOULD ANYONE CARE she got the opportunity to go out on the road with Demi Lovato on her Holy Fvck Tour. I was not expecting to actually leave this show finding another artist that I enjoy listening too. When the other photographers & I were hanging out in the VIP area before Bring Me The Horizon came out, we heard a song that sounded familiar. It’s called “Overwhelmed”, I have heard it plenty of times at shows and in some Tik Tok videos, but I did not expect it to actually be a Royal & The Serpent song. Royal & The Serpent are for sure a band I will be adding to my must listen to list.

Bring Me The Horizon is a British Rock band from Sheffield forming back in 2006. The band has 8 albums released to date. The band has such a large variety of musical stylings, due to the idea of each album that they released should be different from the last, they have experimented with mixing electronica, nu metal, pop and rock trying to get away from the metalcore sound from earlier albums. The band has collaborated with artist’s that I wouldn’t expect them to work with such as Halsey, Lil Uzi Vert, and Ed Sheeran. No matter what album you are listening to, I feel like Bring Me The Horizon has a song for everyone. I’ve listened to them since I was an early teenager and even now, I can still enjoy the new music they are producing. When Bring Me The Horizon finally graced us with their presence, I got super excited and was ready for what they were going to play for us that night. They played a bunch of fan favorites such as “Can You Feel My Heart", “Throne”, and “Happy Song.” There were fans there from all over, I was looking at some of the signs the fans had drew and one of them asked Oli Sykes to draw her next Bring Me The Horizon tattoo, which I thought was an awesome idea especially if you are a super fan. During their set Oli wanted the fans to step it up a notch and he kept asking them to mosh because the first two mosh pits were “sh*t.” I absolutely loved their set, since I was able to hear all my favorite songs by them and even see them for the first time live on top of being able to take photos of them was unimaginable.

Fall Out Boy is an American Rock band from Chicago Illinois, they formed back in 2001. Fall Out Boy was one of the main bands that introduced me to Pop-Rock and Pop-Punk with their catchy songs such as “Thnks fr th Mmrs” and “Sugar, We’re Going Down.” This band has had a variety of accomplishments in their career, they have won many awards such as artist of the year, multiple best music video awards, favorite alternative band and many more. Before Fall Out Boy even had the chance to step out on stage the fans at the barricades were going crazy. When the curtains were going up, I was not expecting what happened next, I jumped a little bit each time this happened. Fall Out Boy came out blasting, the band had fireworks going off and fire going off at all the high points of the songs. I loved the energy that they had to give, the singer Patrick Stump, was swinging his guitar around and hitting all those notes hard. I loved the fact that Pete Wenz had a flame thrower attached to his guitar. As we were leaving the pit, I noticed that a fan was waving around a sign that said, “I came here from London to make sure that this tour was real”. I loved that this tour had fans coming from all over the country to see them let alone coming from another country.

[nebula-starlight]

Sea Serpent OC Hierarchy (feat. friends)

Xangori “Sea Whore” Rhallon & his mate Emira (OC of @illyriashade56 )

They had three kids before Xangori exiled her ass out of paranoia. Ianuarius Rhallon (OC of @illyriashade56 ), Zalik Rhallon & Matodi Rhallon

Emira’s exile from the sea kingdom of Stormcrest wasn’t fully in vain. She stole away two of her three offspring still as unhatched eggs at the time. Thus Zalik and Matodi were not considered Stormcrestian serpents.

Zalik acted out after a time because he wasn’t next in line to rule and defiled Matodi on the night she was crowned Lesser Queen of Rhallis, the kingdom she helped her mother establish. This union produced one son: Wyvel Rhallon

Now Ianuarius left with his father, had to grow up under the tyrant’s rule. Once he was old enough he and a few close friends banded together and decided to rebel in the faint hope they could seize the throne from Xangori. One of the members of said rebellion was Caspian Neolark (OC of @eldritchnebula ) who had four children along with his mate Nerida (OC also of @eldritchnebula )

During the war Ianuarius encountered a dying qualit who had fallen into the sea and he helped to save her life. This qualit was reborn as the sea serpent Lavena, who he took to be his wife shortly after defeating Xangori in a fight for the throne of Stormcrest.

Now at moderate peace, the new king and his queen begun trying to rebuild their kingdom from the deep scars Xangori’s reign had carved into it. The first task was eliminating the Storm & Shade Ban the old king had enacted that quite literally drove out all electric elemental serpents and shadow elemental serpents from their homes or else they were killed.

It’s during this fragile peace that Lavena conceived her firstborn and decided the best place to keep this treasure safe was up on the surface at the manor of Cavalier Cove. Thus Somal Rhallon was hatched not in the sea but on land.

Months later Lavena ventured above to reclaim her daughter, distraught to see her beloved jewel so withdrawn and timid. Neither Ianuarius nor Lavena knew of the Opposite Pandemic that had swept through the Cavalier Cove manor (compliments of @eldritchnebula )

It was this event that had brought about an alternate personality in Somal that went by the name of Siren. The poor princess had been suffering this inner cruelty for weeks by the time she was brought back to her watery home and the mental abuse was only made worse by Somal receiving the personal guardsmanship of Lillian Neolark (OC of @eldritchnebula )

These two became fast friends and eventually lovers, falling for each other naturally as they spent time together. But complications struck when a rising cult, lead by Emira, sought to kidnap Somal and bring out Siren to be their rightful ruler. This Second Sun cult proved to be quite formidable and one of its members even blinded Somal’s right eye.

After months of dealing with Second Sun, Somal with Lillian’s help, cast out the cult members and ended up wedding her guardsman to become Somal Neolark.

Not long after that she was blessed by the deity of the moon for her bravery and bestowed upon two children though her and Lillian had never laid together. These twins were named Casnar and Violia.

[xmystophalesx]

Best New Heavy Metal Releases Week of February 3rd, 2023

First time since I have been doing this that I had a week that was a bit of a slog. There was a LOT of decent to good albums, but very few that gave me that “oh shit” moment that I have come accustomed to. Even the albums that I have labeled as the “Best of the Week” I will be shocked if they end up on my end-of-year list. Not because they are bad, as I am sure there will be people out there that any number of albums from this week will end up in their personal top five for the year. They just didn’t hit for me in that way. I can certainly appreciate them for the hard work that was put into them, however. That being said, I don’t actually have a pick of the week for this week. That is usually reserved for the album I will try to buy on vinyl but this week there wasn’t one. There were a few highlights so I will talk briefly about them.

Xandria-The Wonders Still Awaiting (Symphonic Metal)**

This was the closest album to really catching my attention and possibly the pick of the week. This is some top tier Symphonic Metal with production that is absolutely perfect and really highlights everything that is going on here. Unfortunately, the album is simply too long. With a bit of editing, this album would have been an easy pick of the week.

The Winery Dogs-III (Hard Rock)**

With the talent level of the musicians in this band, there is no surprise that this is really well done. Billy Sheehan, Ritchie Kotzen and Mike Portnoy are all certified as some of the best musicians on the planet. I had reservations of putting this on the list, however, as this is Hard Rock at its heaviest moments and more in the realms of Blues at its lighter moments. In any case, this album is extremely well done and was a huge hit with my wife (not a metal head…lol).

Memoriam-Rise To Power (Death)**

Old school Death Metal is what Memoriam does and they do it exceedingly well. This album is more of the same and if you liked their other albums, you will certainly like this one as well. They have been incredibly consistent and given more listens, I could argue that this is the best of their career so far.

That will do it for this week. A week like this was bound to happen at some point. To be honest, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner. But hey, at least now you know i’m not hyping stuff that I don’t actually believe in…lol Until next week, and as always,

BANG THY HEAD!!!

All worthy of a listen if you like the genre

*= standout in that genre

**=best of the week regardless of genre

Best of the Week

Xandria-The Wonders Still Awaiting (Symphonic Metal)**

Rexoria-Imperial Dawn (Melodic Heavy/Hard Rock)**

The Winery Dogs-III (Hard Rock)**

Godiva-Hubris (Melodic Death)**

Lumen Ad Mortem-Upon the Edge of Darkness (Black)**

Memoriam-Rise To Power (Death)**

Standouts in their Genre

Third Eye-Vengeance Fulfilled (Progressive)*

Mithridatum-Harrowing (Progressive Black)*

Viktor Smolski-Guitar Force (Heavy/Instrumental/Progressive)*

Skulldozer-Non Stop Ruthless Crushing (Death)*

Antigod-Messtery (Death/Thrash)*

Dreadrealm-Live From the Fall (Atmospheric Black)*

Holur-Foul Utterings (Black)*

Conspiracy of Zero-Ahthos Arouris (Progressive Death)*

Ob Nixilis-Abhorred (Melodic Desth/Black)*

Doomsday Outlaw-Damaged Goods (Hard Rock)*

Soulmass-Let Us Pray (Death/Doom)*

The Faith Hills Have Eyes-The Riffth Element (Thrash/Stoner/Progressive)*

Worth a listen if you enjoy the genre

Vahrzaw-In the Shadows of a Starlit Lake (Death/Black)

Destronomer-The Two Horns (Sludge/Doom)

Dread Witch-Tower of the Severed Serpent (Doom)

Hemisphaerium-Thagirion (Death)

Invicti-Songs of Conquest (Heavy/Hard Rock)

Ammanas-Solitude (Black)

Eternal Torment-Sins of the Damned (Death/Thrash)

Sadico Infesto-Paths of Inhumanity (Death)

Cronenberg-Grandiose Throne of Grotesque Flesh (Death)

Dysmal-Gates to Apperception (Melodic Death)

Heresie-Heresie (Black)

Falaise-After All This Time (Post Black/Atmospheric)

Pantheon-Empire in Ruin (Black/Death/Thrash)

[thekavemangagemarshall]

Fall Out Boy

with Bring Me the Horizon, Royal & The Serpent and Daisy Grenade

June 27, 2023

Third time seeing Fall Out Boy. Second time seeing Bring Me The Horizon

The day started with just me going alone to the Woodlands Mitchell Wood Pavilion. I decided to ask Cody Hollis to go with me and Id spot his ticket. I’m glad he ended up coming. This might have been our 4th or 5th concert together.

We showed up just in time to listen to The Serpent, a female singer band. I love listening to female singers in a rock band! They even played “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.

Bring Me The Horizon was the next band to play. It was such a surreal experience seeing them the first time at Rockville all those years ago! They are the 2nd best performance I have ever seen behind Foo Fighters. I had that convo with Cody that night about how those two performances impacted me. This performance was good however I can do without them making us sing the lyrics. They put the S-P-I-R-I-T in “Happy Song”. They played “Drown” and of course “Throne”. It was such a thrilling experience.

Fall Out Boy played last of course. They played a few from their new album, So Much For Stardust. “Dance, Dance”, “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down”, etc. It was a splendid time. “Thnks fr th Mmrs”.

[doomedandstoned]

Mammon’s Throne Dish Out Extreme Doom in “Return us to The Stars”

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

This Melbourne crew has a sound that looms large, like a mighty shadow engulfing your senses, full of fiery beats, fearsome roars, witchy riffs, and grim atmosphere. A sound that can best be summed up by the rarely used (but quite fitting) tag extreme doom. Behold, MAMMON'S THRONE!

"Who is Mammon?" you may be wondering. Only one of the seven crown princes of Hell! The word came into popular use following Christ's Sermon on the Mount, which warns about the dangerous trap of greed. You know, that thing about the love of money being the root of all evil. Mammon also played a role in the Spawn comic books and the DC universe, so there's that.

Now we return to Mammon's Throne for yet another profane offering of damning downtuned devastation. Following 2020's Forward Unto Flame, which came out during peak pandemic panic, we have five songs crafted during the turbulent years that followed. Today, Doomed & Stoned premieres the opening track off Mammon's Throne. The band had this to say about it:

We wrote “Return us to The Stars” to tell the tale of a ritual being performed. We set it amidst the backdrop of a desolate desert, largely devoid of life and water, where the only seas are the endless sands that lay before weary emissaries of ancient, forgotten gods.

Every song on the album is about some sort of ending. Be it the end of a life, a kingdom, humanity, or an entire world, and “Return us to the Stars” is a last ditch and terrible ritual to ancient gods in the hope to ascend to the stars and leave a dying world.

We structured the song to slowly build from a somber funeral march towards the blackened ferocity of the final eldritch and chaotic moments of the ritual. The interlude where clean guitars take focus and the rhythm section stops, symbolizes the eerie moments of being in the eye of a great and powerful storm of energy.

Out April 1st on Brilliant Emperor Records, Mammon's Throne is a wicked genre melter, with elements of funeral doom, death, black, and post-metal in the vein of Serpentine Path, Graves at Sea, and Unearthly Trance (pre-order here). I recommend mixing it up on a playlist with the band's Australian compatriots Motherslug, Lucifungus, Holy Serpent, Potion, and Lamassu.

Give ear...

Mammon's Throne by Mammon's Throne

SOME BUZZ

Melbourne extreme doom metal band Mammon's Throne return heavier and darker with their second, self-titled full-length album.

After relentless touring following the success of their 2020 debut album 'Forward Unto Flame,' released on vinyl through Black Farm Records, Mammon's Throne have established themselves as a force to be reckoned within the Australian live music scene.

On their latest offering, haunting funeral doom melodies meet crushing sludge and death grooves before taking flight in searing blackened crescendos all accompanied by a chilling and diverse range of vocal styles and a furious drumming assault.

The album is slated for an April 2023 release through Brilliant Emperor Records on multiple formats and has been mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege Mastering Studio.

Mammon's Throne is: Matthew Miller (Vocals), Amesh Perera (Guitars), Sam Talbot-Canon (Bass) & Nick Boschan (Drums)

Follow The Band

Get Their Music

[kailuakat]

Books I read in 2022

I’m trash for it: Call dawn the hawk, Mister impossible, The foxhole court, The raven king, The king’s men, Mistborn, The well of ascension, The hero of ages, Moon knight, The true lives of the fabulous killjoys: national anthem, The umbrella academy, Tales from the umbrella academy: you look like death, Greywaren, The true lives of the fabulous killjoys,

 One of the best books I’ve read: The alloy of law, Shadows of self, The bands of mourning, The red pyramid, The throne of fire, The serpent’s shadow, The sword of summer, The hammer of Thor, The hidden oracle,

The dark prophecy, The tale Sinuhe and other ancient Egyptian poems, The burning maze, The ship of the dead, The tyrant’s tomb, The tower of Nero, Doom patrol, Maus, The Homeric hymns, Not the life it seems: the true lives of my chemical romance,

 A good book: The last wish, Ninth house, Mao, Sword of destiny, season of storms, This fabulous century 1950s, The lightning thief, The sea of monsters, The titan’s curse, The battle of the labyrinth, The last Olympian, The lost hero, The son of Neptune, The blood of Olympus, This fabulous century 1870-1900, Elasoe, Mythos, Troy, The prose, Tales ancient Egypt, Mythology, Lovely war, The school for good and evil, Alexander the great, Hokusai, A snake falls to earth, Green day: the ultimate unauthorized history, Legion, White sand, Neverwhere,

 Okay: Black ships before troy, The mark of Athena, The house of hades, Treasury of Egyptian mythology, Pagan curious, The song of Achilles, The darkhold, Everybody hurts: an essential guide to emo culture,

[besttropeveershowdown]

Brackets for Round 2

Brackets are done for Round 2! Side A polls will be out as soon as possible.

Side A

Side B

Side C

And a text list of matchups, because those images are incredibly low-quality:

Side A

Found Family vs. Foil

Decon-Recon Switch vs. Rousseau Was Right

Science is Good vs. Bait-and-Switch Tyrant

Badass Pacifist vs. Gambit Pileup

The Team vs. Moral Dilemma

But They Stayed In the Car vs. Outlaw Couple

Silly Rabbit, Cynicism is for Losers! vs. Have I Mentioned I Am Heterosexual Today?

Storyboarding the Apocalypse vs. In Medias Res

Fire-Forged Friends vs. Self-Inflicted Hell

Ragtag Bunch of Misfits vs. Unreliable Narrator

Everyone is Bi vs. Came Back Wrong

The Anti-Nihilist vs. Hurt/Comfort

Prophetical Semantics vs. True Companions

Magnificent Bastard vs. Genre Savvy

Minor Injury Overreaction vs. Grey-and-Gray Morality

Accidental Parental Figure vs. From Zero to Hero

Side B

Caper Crew vs. Team Pet

Five-Man Band vs. Shapeshifting Trickster

Dramatic Irony vs. Badass Bookworm

Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass vs. Unseen Evil

Punch-Clock Villain vs. Mama Bear

Enemy Mine vs. Guile Hero

Memory Gambit vs. Wham Line

Secret Identity vs. Mugged for Disguise

Road Trip Plot vs. Opposites Attract

Heel-Face Turn vs. Bavarian Fire Drill

Morality Pet vs. Tragic Villain

Battle Couple vs. Beware the Nice Ones

Hitman With a Heart vs. Friends to Enemies

Affably Evil vs. Chekhov's Gunman

Gentle Giant vs. Stupid Sexy Flanders

Sea Serpents vs. The Creon

Side C

The Dragon vs. Unreliable Expositor

Undying Loyalty vs. Precision F-Strike

Pragmatic Villainy vs. Tragic Bromance

Just You and Me and my GUARDS! vs. Lovable Rogue

Batman Gambit vs. Sapient House

Faux Affably Evil vs. Nice Job Fixing It, Villain!

The Gadfly vs. Beware the Silly Ones

You Are Better Than You Think You Are vs. Murder Is The Best Solution

Power of Friendship vs. Face Death With Dignity

Central Theme vs. Suspiciously Specific Denial

Setting as a Character vs. Cast Full of Gay

Stumbling Upon the Lost Wizard vs. Spare to the Throne

Reformed, But Not Tamed vs. King and Lionheart

Big Beautiful Man vs. Teeth-Clenched Teamwork

Intimate Haircut vs. Ambiguous Gender

Dating Catwoman vs. Even Evil Has Standards