#so maybe I'll watch rings of power

[sleepy-hyperfixations]

well folks. i guess my lotr hyperfixation has finally hit

[steve-needs-a-hug]

I miss Celebrimbor :^/

[pynkhues]

https://www.reddit.com/r/InterviewVampire/comments/1hf0pic/s3_due_in_2025/

time to start the prayer circle for real

Yeah! I'm actually feeling relatively confident about it coming out in 2025, but it's especially good to see it in writing from a post sponsored by AMC given that note about the year definitely would've gone into the brief to EW.

And yeah, TVL and QOTD functioning as such a duology in the broader series I actually think gives them a lot more flexibility than some of the other books, particularly IWTV which was originally written as a standalone and as a result feels a lot more narratively contained. Giving them 1.5 seasons each as a result I think would make a lot of sense, especially because you can push a lot of the Marius stuff back while bringing Devil's Minion forward, but who knows at this stage. I trust them though - like you said, Rolin's been pretty open with how long he's been thinking about adapting this particular book.

[stargazinglesbian]

i should do more warmup drawings i loved drawing that stupid little meme yesterday that was so fun

[justpostsyeet]

If middle earth history was written by some orcs, It would be Rings of Power and i mean it in the nicest way possible.

[altfire]

trying to write a snappy lil post on my thoughts on marriage and how ppl (on tiktok/reality tv/whatevr) talk about it and the ways i find a disconnect i dont understand but it turns out it's a complicated topic i have too many feelings on

[lostfracturess]

say it again — satoru gojo x fem!reader

you've been married to satoru gojo for so long, but you've kept it quiet, so you can imagine his satisfaction at finally hearing you call him "husband" in public.

You've managed to keep your marriage to Satoru Gojo under wraps for nearly two year now. It isn't that you're ashamed—far from it.

Being married to one of the most powerful sorcerers simply comes with complications, especially given his clan's tendency to meddle in everything.

So you both agreed to keep it quiet. No flashy announcements, no public displays, just you and him. Sure, it means wearing your ring on a chain under your clothes and careful planning for your living arrangements, but it's worth it for the peace and quiet.

That is, until you slip up at the most mundane possible moment.

You're both at an official appointment regarding some property documentation. The clerk has been droning on about paperwork when she asks about your relationship to Satoru for the forms.

"Oh, he's my husband," you reply absently, still scanning the documents in front of you.

The scratching of Satoru's pen stops abruptly. You look up to find him staring at you with the most ridiculous expression—somewhere between absolutely delighted and utterly self-satisfied.

"What was that?" he asks, a grin spreading across his face.

You blink, realizing what you've just said. "I mean—"

"No, no, say it again." His eyes are practically shining now. "What am I to you?"

"Satoru," you warn, very aware of the confused clerk watching your exchange.

"Come on," he says, leaning closer. "One more time. What am I?"

"We're in public," you hiss, but you can feel your cheeks warming under his gaze.

"Please?" He bats his eyelashes at you in that ridiculous way of his. "For your beloved husband?"

"You're impossible," you mutter, but you can't help the small smile tugging at your lips.

"Impossibly charming? Impossibly handsome? Impossibly perfect as your husband?"

The clerk clears her throat. "Should I... put down 'married' then?"

"Yes!" Satoru answers before you can. "Put down that I am this wonderful person's husband. Their spouse. Their better half. Their—"

"She gets it," you cut him off.

But Satoru isn't done. For the rest of the appointment, he manages to work the word "husband" into nearly every sentence. "As her husband, I think we should sign here." "My lovely spouse and I would like copies of that." "Do you need both myself and my better half to initial this?"

By the time you leave the office, you're ready to strangle him.

"You're enjoying this way too much," you say as you walk to the car.

"Can you blame me?" He wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you close. "It's not every day I get to hear you call me your husband in public. Usually it's all 'this is Satoru' or 'we're together' or my personal favorite, 'yes, I do unfortunately know him.'"

You roll your eyes, but can't help leaning into him. "You know why we keep it quiet."

"I know, I know. The clan would be insufferable." He presses a kiss to your temple. "But maybe we should tell them anyway? Can you imagine their faces when they find out we've been married this whole time?"

"They'll have our heads for this."

"Perhaps. But you have to admit, the thought is tempting. No more sneaking around, no more hiding that ring." He catches your hand, thumb brushing over where your ring should be. "I want everyone to know exactly who you are to me. And what I am to you. What was it again?"

"Don't push your luck."

"Come on," he coaxes, "just say it once more."

You pretend to consider it. "And what do I get out of this?"

"My eternal love and devotion?" He gives you a long look. "And I'll do the dishes for a week."

"You're supposed to do those anyway," you point out, but he's already pulling you closer, that insufferable smirk of his growing wider.

"Say it again, love," he says, and the way he looks at you then—eyes soft and full of adoration—makes your breath catch in your throat.

All your defenses melt away under that gaze, the one he reserves just for you, the one that makes you forget why you ever try to deny him anything.

"Husband," you breathe, and feel him tense slightly against you.

"Just like that," he whispers. "Though I prefer when you add my name to it."

"Don't get ahead of yourself."

"That's what I do best," he says. "Besides, my darling wife, I think you secretly love it when I am."

The way he says 'wife' sends a shiver down your spine—something you know he notices from the satisfied look in his eyes. "You're impossible."

"Impossibly yours," he corrects, and despite his playful tone, there's something sincere in his gaze. "What do you say? Ready to scandalize some elders?"

Looking at him now, you can't remember why you ever wanted to keep this secret. "With you? Always."

He doesn't wait for more, just leans in and captures your lips with his, and you think maybe going public isn't such a terrible idea after all.

© lostfracturess. do not repost, translate, or copy my work.

[lilmissnatcat24]

it's so interesting to see the differences in how the LIs in cyberpunk 2077 treat male v vs female v, because in other videos games if you choose not to romance someone their character for the most part stays exactly the same. but in cyberpunk when you choose to romance any one of these people it's just such a vastly different experience.

judy

male v: hey, that's really cool of you for not seeking active revenge against me and my friend for playing a role in your very imminent death. best of luck, maybe we'll hang out soon.

female v: marry me oh my god marry me right now here's the key to my apartment my ring size is a 7 you know that joke about lesbians and uhauls? well i'm not fucking kidding.

river

male v: thank you for all of your help with my family. man, i haven't had a friend in a really long time. let's toast to that, buddy.

female v: i am insatiably horny at your very existence. i had the hardest raging boner when you saved my nephew's life. it's so hot how you're actually a criminal. and that i'm a cop. i mean... that's illegal, right? let's fuck next to a room with children sleeping inside.

panam

female v: i'm so thankful i met you, you showed me that i can find a friend outside of the group i self-imploded inside of. i'll do anything in my power to help you try to save your life. when all this is done, do you want to join my gang?

male v: i don't even like you that much. don't touch me. ((if you leave i'm killing everyone in the aldecados and then myself))

kerry

female v: hey, is johnny watching this? yes? good. let's commit acts of terrorism.

male v: hey, is johnny watching this? yes? good. let's commit acts of terrorism (this is how i do foreplay)

[demonic0angel]

Celestial Bodies AU (maybe part 1/?)

(Part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7.)

Superman flew through space, eying the new galaxy that he and Batman had discovered the night before.

“So? What does it look like?” Batman asked him through the communications.

“Well…” Superman looked around. “It’s definitely weird. It has an enormous cluster of stars, but I’m not feeling stronger…”

“What? Are you saying that the radiation isn't working?"

"The stars here are all white stars or above, but they don't make me feel stronger. Actually... I think I'm feeling weaker too. Something is definitely wrong here."

Batman was quiet for only a moment before he asked, "Are you in any current danger? Can you defend yourself?"

"No, I'm fine. I don't sense any living beings around me. I can defend myself." Superman understood what Batman was trying to say. "Are you asking me to stay and continue observing?"

"If you can."

"Of course. I'll stay and continue investigating."

"Thank you," Batman said softly and Superman smiled at that.

"Don't sweat it! Let me get the receiver."

Superman pulled out the device that allowed him to connect to radio signals from space, and began turning it on. However, the moment it turned to life, the radio began to malfunction, short circuiting and turning into static as it shook itself. Superman nearly tossed it away before suddenly, it was normal again.

And then, the signal began to pick up.

And it began to sing.

Superman stared wide eyed as a symphony of music and singing came through the radio. It was a little choir of humming and barely audible voices, sounding as though they were underwater. Still, it was undeniably beautiful, like something heard from heaven.

"Batman," Superman said, hushed, "are you hearing this?"

"... yes."

"It's amazing! Are these stars making these sounds?" Superman continued flying, observing the blue and yellow stars, each radiating a heat that could not power him. He continued flying, listening to the ethereal song that called for listeners.

He hadn't been paying attention when he felt an ever sensed blistering heat and a force beginning to drag him forward. He turned his head and his eyes widened again before he cursed and flew a little distance away.

"Superman? What is it?"

"Batman, turn on your visuals," he said as he turned on the camera.

There was silence before Superman heard the barely audible click and then a buzz of a camera. The camera was attached to Superman and it would send the views back to Batman, allowing him to see just what Superman was freaking out over. When it turned on, Batman was silent for a moment, clearly as confused as Superman was feeling.

"... tell me what I'm seeing."

"A quasar, a protostar that is possibly becoming a blue star, a neutron star, and a black hole all coexisting right next to each other. As well as several planets all circling them like stars."

Superman watched the scene with a sense of both interest, awe, and horrified confusion.

The scene in front of him just wasn't possible. Not only would a black hole consume everything around it, there was already a quasar nearby doing the same thing with an even stronger force. However, the protostar and neutron star were fine even though they were so close, along with the few planets. The planetary nebula around the neutron star circled around each celestial object in an assembly line, flowing from the neutron star to the black hole to the quasar and then to the protostar. If the nebula wasn't taken by one celestial object, it was passed onto another.

Most of the nebula seemed to be absorbed by the quasar and protostar, but the two of them seemed to coexist in peace. The neutron star continued to spin and the black hole surrendered most of the nebula to its neighbors. The planets also spun peacefully, a few even had rings that were not taken by the quasar or black hole.

It was like only foreign objects, like Superman himself, would be absorbed.

It was fascinating. Like they were alive and knew how to live with one another.

Superman explained it to Batman in detail. Batman was silent before he said, "This shouldn't be possible. How could this occur? Unless there was some sort of external force that is keeping each astronomical object to themselves and prevents them from destroying each other, there's no way this could be a natural occurrence."

"Are you suggesting that this is man-made?"

"How could it be anything but? Aren't you listening to singing right now?"

Superman raised the receiver and the singing on the other side continued without pause, a constant symphony of voices.

"... you could be right. Do you want to try and make contact?"

"Yes. Send back a signal."

Superman pressed a few buttons on the receiver to send a radio message back and in an instant, the singing died down, leaving only a faint crackling and a water-like noise.

Biting the bullet, Superman then spoke into the receiver.

"Hello. My name is Superman, and I come from the Milky Way galaxy. I am a kryptonian from the planet Earth. I wish to peacefully connect with you, whoever you are."

More crackling.

Batman cursed softly in his ear and Superman winced, already feeling that he was too impulsive. However, just as he was about to backtrack and escape from this particular galaxy, there was a whispered, shuddery, "Hello."

Superman blinked and then called out, "H-Hello!"

There was silence again, only that underwater staticky noise coming through.

"Can I take this as you accepting my peace offering?"

"... yes."

The sound that came from the receiver seemed to come from many, all joining together into one.

There was a hitched gasp and then Batman hissed, "Keep talking! Ask them questions! Ask them if they want to make contact with us or if we can form an alliance!"

Superman nodded to himself and spoke into the receiver, "Can you see me?"

"We see you."

Superman paused and then continued in stride, "I'm sorry, but I can't see you. Can you show yourself?"

"In front of you."

There was nothing but the strange collection of celestial objects. Unless there was someone inside? It could be possible, but Superman hadn't detected anyone living around him for awhile now.

"Uh, I'm sorry, but—"

"In front of you."

Batman then said through the communicator, "Superman, the neutron star!"

The neutron star in front of him then began to spin faster and faster, before lighting up into a pulsar in the very next second.

Superman was stunned at the sight, as the radiation emitting from the neutron star passed over him over and over and over, radiating with a cold burn that resonated through his bones and made his limbs weak. The impossibly quick change from a regular neutron star into a pulsar only made him even more frightened as the radio signals made the receiver scream.

"We are here." The crackling voices said again, all as one.

Superman flew backwards, his breath caught in his throat.

"Superman?! Why did you go backwards?" Batman demanded.

Superman flinched and then he said softly, "Sorry. Instinct."

It was true. The fear that had entered his body had made him instinctively retreat. It was even worse than looking death in the eye. It was like the feeling of knowing the End of All, of knowing that your existence would be wiped out, of knowing that resistance would be futile and that your death wouldn't even be enough to save the ones you loved.

His heart pounded as he flew a little closer, enough to feel the heat from the quasar again and almost reluctantly said into the receiver, "Are you the neutron star?"

"We are all what you see in front of you."

"'We'? Are all of you speaking to me?"

The neutron star pulsed again, spinning just a little faster like before.

"I am the King. And these are my family."

The voice than switched out, a barely noticeable change in the difference because it was all the same voices speaking as one. However, now a different voice was leading.

"Ask your questions, Son of Jor-El. What do you seek?"

Superman's eyes widened. Then after a moment of silence, he said, "I am here to explore the universe and find protection for the planet I live on. Could you help us?"

"We are but objects in the sky. We will only answer questions."

Batman interrupted. "Ask them if they can see the future and if anything will happen to Earth."

Superman explained to the collection of celestial bodies, "This is my colleague and partner, Batman. We work together for Earth's safety."

"We know. He is the best of you."

There was silence from both Superman and Batman. Superman was stunned, but he also couldn't help but smile. "Yes, that is true. Can you see the future? Can you tell us if any dangers will be coming to earth."

Another voice came to life, taking the lead in speaking. "We can. Whatever comes, you and your Justice League can handle it."

Superman could hear Batman breathe a sigh of relief. Superman felt the same and he placed a hand on his heart as he gave a sigh of relief as well. "Thank goodness." Before Batman said anything, Superman asked, "Could you tell us more about yourself? How do you have a consciousness?"

The radio crackled and popped for a little while before the first voice, the one who called themself 'King' spoke up.

"We were like you once. But then I became a legend."

"Like me?" Superman asked.

Batman then said, "Ask them if they were human."

"Were you human?"

More silence.

And then—

"Yes."

Superman's eyes widened and he couldn't help but gasp in shock, a hand flying to his mouth as he stared at the celestial bodies in front of him, all of which used to be human. These enormous objects that used to be human, now forced to succumb to emptiness and spin in space without pause.

"Are... are you okay? We have magic users in our team, maybe we can offer you help?" Superman asked.

Batman hissed in the comms, "Superman! We don't even know them!"

The receiver crackled some more and the voice changed again. The sound of them being underwater seemed louder than ever.

"We are fine, Son of Jor-El. We are happy."

The person speaking switched to someone new.

"Ask your questions and then leave." The receiver quieted again. And then they spoke, "My little sister needs her rest for her rebirth."

Superman's eyes flicked over to the protostar, which was still absorbing most of the nebula. The only thing that could have possibly been 'reborn' was the protostar, as it needed to heat itself to start the transition to become a main sequence star. Was that one the little sister?

"Just two more questions, if that's alright." He could hear Batman's deep, frustrated sigh. He probably had more questions but was frustrated by Superman's curtesy and his lack of scientific curiosity. Superman knew he was annoyed but he felt an odd camaraderie with the celestial objects. He didn't want to anger them if necessary.

"Speak."

"How old are you? And will you help us again in the future?"

The receiver crackled.

The voice changed once more. "We are all far, far, far older than you imagine. Time does not work for us like other stars."

The speaker switched again. "But in human years, we have not reached our adult ages yet."

The honest confession made Superman's eyes widen, especially as he realized what they meant.

A bunch of children had turned into stars and black holes before they were even adults?

Superman was suddenly starkly reminded of Robin, Batman's sidekick, one of the very few children that he knew in their line of business. By Batman's silence, he was probably thinking along the same lines.

"Speak your last question and leave."

"Can the Justice League depend on you for further help and assistance in the future? I would like to come back if I can."

"Our King was once a hero too. Come if you need it."

That was when the quasar sent out a flare, the gases and planetary nebula around it rubbing against each other hard enough to send sparks Superman's way. It was clearly a warning, especially as the neutron star began spinning rapidly again, radiation beginning to light the air around him in a devastating chill.

"Leave," They all chorused.

Superman immediately turned away without hesitation. "Thank you very much! I will come again!"

The receiver did not speak again. Instead, the songs restarted and the voices continued to sing a song that he could not recognize. It was ethereal, if not haunting.

Superman was smiling as he left. Batman was silent in his ear and Superman finally asked, "So? What do you think?"

"... I think we need more information."

"You're just feeling soft because they said they were heroes and were also children," Superman teased.

"How do you know they weren't lying?" Batman sounded angry.

However, Superman wasn't concerned and only laughed. "Lying? For what? They could definitely rip me apart if they wanted. They even had a baby star with them."

"Hnn." The old softie definitely suddenly had a moment of heartache from remembering the baby star.

Superman glanced behind himself, where the fascinating cluster of stars, planets, and black holes all existed in harmony together. The quasar and neutron star lit the way alongside the other stars and the tiny galaxy grew smaller and smaller as Superman flew away.

Whatever this galaxy actually was, Superman would be glad if they could find the help they needed and helped the Justice League in turn.

".... let's come back in a month," Batman said, sounding like it was pulled out from his teeth.

It was good that Batman felt the same way.

Perhaps the next time Superman came, he could chat some more with this little galaxy?

|||||||||||||||||||||||

I did so much research for this, it's crazy 😭

Dan is the black hole and Danny is the neutron star. The reason is that both of them are technically star corpses (a large or high-mass collapsed or dead star can either result in nothing, a black hole, or a neutron star) and while Dan consumes everything around him, Danny is a remnant of a star before him. The planetary nebula that came from Danny going supernova is consumed by his siblings, mostly Jazz or Dani. Dan and Danny don't fight over it bc they love their sisters.

Dani is a protostar, which is also a baby star. I hc that she used to be a star before, but she's just restarting her rebirth until she becomes a black hole or a neutron star like her siblings :3

Jazz is a quasar, which is a different type of black hole, (inspired by this post I made). She and Danny light the way for their little galaxy.

Tucker and Sam are also there, as planets! They used to be stars but they're reborn as planets this time. Tucker is a desert planet with several Saturn-like rings of metals and sand. Sam is a terrestrial planet and is capable of life. All that's on her is plants and animals tho (they haven't gotten enough time to evolve yet). The rest of the crew (Valerie, Wes, etc) are also there and are planets. They never really reach the level of stars tho.

[katstarry]

no one noticed

eddie munson x reader

part i

masterlist ☆

part ii | part iii

summary: being paired up for a project with eddie leads to a beautiful friendship, it's inevitable that you gain a crush.

warnings: PINING, slow burn, fluff, slight self-deprecating thoughts?, reader is an academic achiever/seeks academic validation kinda (self insert lmaoo), reader has long hair, the upside down doesn't exist here, lmk if i missed anything!

a/n: this is longer than i expected it to be, maybe i'll even make a small series of this :3 lmk if you guys would be interested!

feedback + reblogs are appreciated! ☆

the morning started out as it always does.

your alarm wakes you up, you get ready for school, say goodbye to your mom, and maybe grab a quick snack before heading out and driving to school. the usual routine.

it's your senior year, it's supposed to be the best year of high school. though, so far it has been very disappointing. you blame yourself for not being as extroverted as you hoped to be during your freshman year, now you don't have as many friends as middle school you had envisioned.

but you do have robin.

she's been your closest friend throughout the years, having met her in freshman year in the library, where you spent your lunchtime at, and you're okay with just having one close friend. you've come to peace with that. robin has been the bestest friend you've ever had, she's became a confidant, and you never have to put up a front with her. it's easy to talk to her, she has that sort of power somehow. what usually takes you a few weeks to become comfortable with someone new, it had only been a mere few days before being totally comfortable with robin.

as you walk into the school, you walk to your locker, seeing her right beside it.

"hey robin," you smile at her as she moves out the way for you, "good morning."

she returns your smile with her shoulder to the locker beside your own, one bookbag strap hanging from the other, "goood morning!"

you grab the materials you need for the first class of the day, "what's got you so happy this early?" you yawn.

robin shrugs, "can't a woman just be happy to see her best friend?"

rolling your eyes playfully, "of course you can!" you smirk at her, closing the locker and adjusting your bag on your shoulder, "...but maybe it has to do with a certain bandmate of yours?" you whisper.

she gasps, whispering back, "what! no. definitely not, definitely did not talk to her just a few minutes ago."

you laugh as the bell rings, signaling the start of the day.

"guess i'll see you at lunch?"

she nods, "can we go to the cafeteria today instead of the library? forgot my lunch today, woke up late."

you both begin to walk to the direction of your classes, "yeah that's fine, see you there!" giving her a side hug, you both go your separate ways.

it's now your class before lunch, history.

the day has felt longer than usual. you can't wait for it to be over and have your after school nap.

dropping your bag beside your desk, you sit and take out your notebook for the class.

the other students come walking in, he sits in his usual spot behind you.

you sit up straighter, god i'm so embarrassing.

usually, you hate having to have people sit behind you. it always feels like their watching your every move. of course, it's not true, but you can't help but think it. it's why you always sit in the back. but unfortunately, those seats were taken when you had walked in the first day of this class.

it's even worse when you think the person behind you is cute.

you move your hair to your shoulders, hoping it covers the sight to your notebook. you're just shading in the margins.

you look up when the teacher gets up from his desk, class is about to start.

"alright class, let's get started."

he walks over to the door and shuts it, and begins taking attendance.

"well, for today it'll be fairly easy. you won't hear me talk much today," the class let's out sighs of relief, the jocks who get along with him laugh playfully, "alright, alright. you won't be doing that after what i tell you."

oh no. you already know what he's about to say.

"we'll be doing a project! you'll be grouped up in pairs." immediately people begin to look at one another, already knowing who they want to be paired with, you look around, you don't really talk to anyone in that class. though, nancy wheeler has been kind to you, hopefully she'd want to pair up with you. but probably not, since barb and jonathan is in this class too. you can still hope though. any of them!

"before you get excited, i'll be the one assigning groups. it'll be at random."

now, the class really does let out sounds of disappointment and dissatisfaction.

"i told you, you wouldn't like it!" he laughs and clears his throat and goes back to his desk, grabbing a piece of paper and going back to leaning on his podium.

"alright, let's see here." he goes on to list the pairings, you anxiously wait for your name to be called.

please. please, please, pair me with nancy. or barb. or jonathan.

"nancy wheeler and-" please! "barbara holland."

well, okay. that's fine, who else is left? you'd been so caught up in waiting for your name that you hadn't kept up with who was called and who hasn't. jonathan! he hasn’t been called yet. please, please, please-

"y/n l/n and-" oh shit, that's you. "eddie munson."

oh shit, he's behind you.

the girl in front of you turns around and whispers to you, "good luck."

should you turn around? if you don't what if he thinks you're upset about being paired with him? you should probably turn around, the teacher keeps listing names, and you look back briefly.

he's already looking at you and you awkwardly make eye contact; you give a small smile and turn back around. okay that wasn't so bad right? dang it. you've tried your hardest to not talk to him. but if you think someone's cute you should want to talk to them, right? wrong. you never know what to say when you like someone, how can you even like someone without talking to them? you don't know, but it happened anyway. and now you're basically being forced to talk to him.

robin's going to love this.

"okay, now that you know who your partners are, i'll talk about what this project will be about. you and your partners will come up with a topic, it'll have to be a significant part of history. you'll make a presentation where both will have to speak in front of the class. you can bring in photos, poster boards, anything to aid the presentations. it's not necessary, but it could earn you extra points!"

he looks over to the clock on the wall, "... i'll give you until the end of class, which is about," he looks down to his wristwatch to double check, "40 minutes from now, to come up with a topic, come to my desk to let me know you've come up with something before leaving class, please."

clapping his hands together, he sighs, "alright! pair up!"

everyone begins to move to be with their partners, darn it. all you have to do is turn around. it's not that big a deal. as nervous as you are to talk to eddie, your grade matters more than a silly crush.

you turn around in your seat, grabbing your notebook and putting it in your lap. finally looking up you see him tapping his pencil on his desk, also looking up. the awkward eye contact again, awkward to you at least.

okay. maybe you can fail one project.

who are you kidding, your parents would look at you crazy if you came home with a failing grade.

"hey." you finally say, giving him another shy smile. god damn it why are you so awkward.

he nods, "hey." he leans onto his elbows, looking away, "it's alright if you wanna switch partners y'know? or if you wanna work alone, or something."

you look at him in surprise, "no! it's fine. i don't mind working with you, sorry if i gave that impression." furrowing your eyebrows, dang it maybe your nervousness made him think that.

he looks back to you, "really? i wouldn't want to bring your grade down, straight A student." he smiles. okay, now he's just messing with you.

you can't help the heat that rushes to your cheeks, so he must know about you then? how does he know that?

"funny that you think i would let that happen." you laugh.

he leans back onto his chair, arms now crossed on the table. "alright then, are you sure you wanna be my partner, then?" he looks at you, eyebrows raised.

"yes, i'm sure." you now lean on his desk, arms also crossed.

"do you have any ideas for our topic?" you grab the notebook from your lap, grab a pencil, and put it in between you both on the desk.

he sits up now, leaning on the desk, mirroring your actions.

oh no, he's close now, breathe.

he scratches the back of his neck, "uh... not really."

"alright, that's fine. uhm," you look at the clock, "we have about 35? 30? minutes, so we have time. we should just pick a few things and then we can pick the one we like best, yeah?" you write in your notebook, ideas, and underline it. you look back up and find eddie looking down at your notebook before looking back up as well.

"yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

you tap your pencil and bite your lip, thinking.

"hmm... we could do like the great depression or something." you murmur and write it down.

as you have your head down to write it, you miss eddie's panicked gaze. he's never really had much care for these types of things since usually whoever he's partnered with doesn't even bother talking to him and do it all themselves, doesn't even give him the chance to contribute. he quickly tries to think so that he can add something too.

"uh, the- what about the american revolution? or something? i dunno."

you look back up, "yeah! you wanna write that?"

you offer the pencil to him, "sure." he takes it, turning the notebook towards him, feeling a bit insecure about his handwriting compared to yours that's above his own. it isn't the neatest, and he never really cared about it, but he can't help it when you look at him like that.

the rest of the time goes by like that, going back and forth with ideas, your notebook page filled with both your handwriting.

"okay, we have like 10 minutes left. do you have a favorite?"

you tilt your head as you wait for an answer.

"uh," he bites his lip as he looks down at the list, "the invention of the printing press?" to be honest he just picked a random one.

"cool! i'm alright with that." you smile as you put a small star beside the idea.

"hmm... would you want to do a poster board? or anything?"

no, honestly he would not. but he looks at you and can tell that you really would, anything that would earn extra points, right? he smiles.

"i wouldn't mind it. i could buy the stuff for it." he doesn't have the money for it, but he'll just have to sell more of his stuff for it.

"really? no that's okay, i'm the one that wanted to do it."

"nooo," he gives you a pointed look, playfully scolding you, "i'll buy it. what do we need for that?" he plays with the end of his hair twisting it in front of his face. a nervous habit of his, you make him nervous. not that you realize.

"well, the board, some markers, we could use mine since i already have some, and some glue. we could print out the stuff we need at the library, once we find out whatever we need to print."

"alrighty then. we made a lot of progress today then, huh? i'm the best partner you could have! we're really an unstoppable duo, right here." he puts his hand up for a high-five.

you give him the high-five, ignoring the tingly feeling on your hand, and it wasn't from the impact.

"oh yeah, totally." you laugh.

"i don't like that tone." he squints at you.

"what do you mean? i'm serious! we are the best duo." you smile.

"alright, i believe you." he smiles and stretches.

the bell rings, and it feels like suddenly the day went by too fast now.

you stand and grab your things, writing your names on an index card and the topic for the project.

eddie stands as well, about to say something but you beat him to it.

"let's go turn in our topic."

he usually is out the door when they do this, okay.

you both walk to the teachers desk, you smile and give him the index card.

he takes it and looks up with a smile, "great topic!" he looks over at eddie, "hopefully she rubs off on you!"

you frown and look over at eddie, who gives him a sarcastic smile and nod.

you both walk out the classroom, "do you have lunch after this?" he asks.

you stop in your tracks, about to walk to the cafeteria to meet robin.

"yeah i do, do you?"

"yup." he smiles and walks beside you, making your way to the cafeteria.

"y'know i was always scared to talk to you." he gives you a side eye, before looking straight again.

"what? of me?" you look over at him incredulously.

"oh, totally. thought you were scary, y'know being a smarty pants and all."

ah, so he's messing with you. again.

"ha ha," you roll your eyes, though you're smiling, "very funny."

"you know those candies? what're they called? smarties? yeah, that's you."

"what? it's a candy!" you laugh.

"so? that's still you."

"okay, okay. i'm not that smart alright?" you shake your head, still smiling. you can't stop smiling.

he looks at you like you're crazy. "you're kidding, right? don't you have like, the highest grade in the class?"

you shrug, feeling shy. "could be better, though."

the cafeteria is in view now, and you desperately need to change the subject. "well, guess this is where we go our separate ways." you sigh dramatically.

"i guess so." he breaks eye contact and looks around, "you could uh, sit at our table. if you want."

"oh! uh... i wouldn't want to bother-" "you wouldn't be."

you smile at him and he swears he can hear his heat beating out his chest right now.

"thank you. but i was gonna meet with my friend robin. i'll see you tomorrow in class, though."

"right, yeah, that's fine. see you tomorrow." he opens the door to the cafeteria and dramatically makes way for you to pass through.

you wave him goodbye as he makes way to his groups table, you see robin at your usual spot.

oh you aren't going to hear the end of this.

[lowkeyrobin]

Heyyy hope you’re having a wonderful day! I wanted to request a Sparrow Ben Hargreeves one shot where like Y/N is oblivious to his feelings while he’s trying to drop hints?? (but failing because something always happens)

If not that’s totally fine!!! No pressure :3

oooo okay okay I can definitely try!! ; thanks for requesting, hope you enjoy 🫶 ; alsonsorry this is so bad idk y I flopped on this 😔

SPARROW! BEN ; damnit

summary ; ben's always being cockblocked

warnings ; language, mentions of alcohol

disclaimers ; takes place post s3 - pre s4

word count ; 881

masterlist

You stand in the kitchen with Luther, making dinner with him for the family. Everyone, aka the Hargreeves and Lila plus their kids, had come over for a little reunion for their birthday. You weren't a Hargreeves, nor did you have powers, but they were your only friends, and they each saved your life at least once.

Ben approaches, leaning on the counter where you chop up some green onions, a pot and pan on the stove behind you.

"Hey" He smiles. "Whatcha up to?"

You shrug. "Chopping up some onions. What's up?"

"Nothing, really. Allison picked out a really dumb movie to watch and I can't stand it anymore" He answers.

You'd tuned out the family in the living room just a few feet away, focused on your meal prepping / creating. You look up at the TV, seeing the family sprawled around the furniture, kids playing with toys on the floor.

"Ben, stop, this movie is so good" You reply, turning back to your cutting board.

"It's some cheesey Hallmark movie?"

"Hush"

The two of you are silent for a moment before he speaks again.

"Your hair looks really nice today-"

"Fuck!"

The siblings quickly shoot up from their spots, Ben jumping a bit as you rush to the stove.

You'd accidently lit the chicken on fire. Somehow.

You quickly slam a lid over the pan of chicken, not wanting to fuel the grease fire any more than you had. You quickly shut off the burner, slowly looking back at Ben.

"Could you go get me more chicken from the store? I'll give you the money, I just need to look over all this stuff, sorry for asking on your birthday-"

"Yeah, sure!" He quickly replies. "Anything for you"

"Hey, Y/n" Ben smiles, "I brought you flowers"

"Awe, thank you!" You reply, accepting the gift as he enters your home.

"I kinda wanted to talk to you about something-"

Your phone rings, the number being the one of your workplace. You grab it, looking to him before accepting the call.

"I gotta take this really quick, sorry"

He nods, watching you trail into the other room, flowers still in hand. He stands by the door, unknowing of what to do in the moment. He soaks up his own silence, listening to your unintelligible speech behind the walls.

You return swiftly, a sorry expression on your face.

"I'm so sorry, Ben, I need to go in, it's urgent. Uhm, we'll talk later, yeah?"

"Uh, yeah, sorry. Be safe"

As he quickly exits your home, he mutters to himself.

"Damnit"

"I dunno, maybe I'm crazy," you chuckle, picking up another piece of food with your fork.

"I don't think you're crazy." Ben shrugs. "I think you're overworked and tired"

You both sit in a booth at a restaurant, a bright light shining over the table, warm food on your plates. You were eating out because you both didn't want to cook dinner at home tonight. Being alone sucked for both of you. If only you both had the balls to talk to each other.

But that's your problem, you oblivious fuck.

You shrug at his response. "I dunno, I think being alone, living alone, is slowly driving me insane."

"I mean, you could live with me," He mumbles, picking at his food.

"Hm?" You hum, having not heard him.

"Oh, nothing"

"...You sure?"

"Yeah"

The silence blankets you once more as you listen to the nearby commotion. The other families eating, the bustling workers, the music over the speakers.

You listened to everything but him, didn't you?

Today was the day. Ben was going to ask you out and he was not going to let himself or anything else get in his way.

Well, maybe red wine ruining his shirt would.

Why did he decide to take you to a bar in the first place is what we're all wondering. It didn't take much for him to get at least buzzed, which was his current state.

You decided to walk him back home, not wanting him to walk in the dark all by his lonesome. The walk is quiet, considering his slightly bruised ego. Jesus, he'd never get the chance to ask you at this point.

He slumps onto his bed as you lead him into his home, yelling into his mattress. You stand behind him, silent, finding this normal, because it was.

"What're you mad about now?" You sigh, throwing a pair of pajamas on him which you'd gotten from his dresser.

"I wanted to ask you out, and I have for a while, and every time I try it gets fucking ruined!" He slurs, yelling into his mattress once more.

You blink, confused. "What?"

"I like you, Y/n, Jesus," He groans, rolling over to look at you.

"Oh"

"'Oh' what?"

"I didn't realize" You shrug.

"I know. That's why I was trying to hint at it and even tell you, but you're oblivious, and things always have to go sideways at the wrong time," Ben speaks.

"I mean, I'd go out with you"

He raises an eyebrow. "Actually?"

"Yeah" You shrug. "Why not?"

"Oh my God, that took the biggest weight off my shoulders." He rolls off the bed on accident, landing on the floor.

You laugh.

"Damnit"

[hawnks]

Takami Keigo doesn't want to see you.

Of course, he's too well trained to say it in so many words, but when he 'forgets' his session this afternoon, you get the message.

Unfortunately for him, you're stubborn. You show up at his apartment in the dormitories, ring his bell until your fingers numb.

Only then does he crack open the door, just enough for you to catch his forbidding smile, a caustic gleam to his eyes. "What can I help you with, this fine evening?"

"You missed our appointment," you say pleasantly. "This is the third time."

"Oh, must have just slipped my mind," he says with a dismissive little wave. "I'll catch you next time."

The door slams in your face.

Being so curtly dismissed by a top ranking officer should probably send you into a panic, but the stats you pulled up for him after his no-show are even more concerning. This is quickly turning into an emergency, and unfortunately it's your job on the line if he succumbs to corruption.

Who would blame the second most powerful Sentinel alive, when there's a feckless guide as a scapegoat.

"I'm going to ring the bell again," you say, loudly.

After a moment of silence, you think he must not have heard you.

Then the door swings open. "Fine," he snaps.

You follow him to the living room, watch as he drops himself on the couch with a sigh, eyes squeezed shut.

You'd never known guiding to be this much of a chore for Sentinels. Most of your roster is rather clingy and covetous of your time. None of them has ever been late to an appointment with you.

"Well?" he prods. "Get on with it."

You hesitate. The tension he seems to be holding will make this a lot more difficult, strenuous for you both. "Do you maybe want to talk for a bit? Or I could put on some white noise."

He opens his eyes just enough to give you a cutting look. "No."

You surrender with a sigh, coming to sit next to him on the couch. Every Sentinel prefers contact a different way; some want you to hug them, pet their hair, a few have even asked you to kiss them, fuck them, though you've never fulfilled that type of request, your boundaries in this job too firm for it.

You want to ask him what would make this easier for him, but you're sure waiting any longer will only set him off. So, delicately, you take his hand.

The first draw is always the hardest, the corrupt energy being nullified by your own. Some outside force reaching in, invasive despite the relief.

Takami flinches.

You go slower, a soft steady ebb, pulling the poison from him in silken thread.

His hand relaxes in yours.

You reach deeper, welcoming the full flood between you, warmth and light suffusing you both. And it feels how it's supposed to -- natural.

When your watch chimes, signaling the sessions end, Takami blinks out of his stupor. He'd melted during the thirty minutes you worked on him, body curled toward yours, face falling onto your shoulder.

He pulls away swiftly, shocked by his own willingness to lean on you.

You rise, marking off the details of your appointment on your tablet. "I can come back tomorrow, to finish up. You haven't been guided in a long time, so I couldn't get it all in one session. Does 2pm work for you?"

He's not prepared for the question. "Um. Yeah?"

You mark that down as well, then see yourself out.

It takes three more sessions for you to fully clear the corrupted energy from his body. In his haze he admits to you the reason he's so standoffish to Guides, why he dodges his sessions with such fervor.

"It's never felt good. Always felt like I'm being held down, trapped. Made me feel antsy, nervous." He buries his face against your throat, inhaling deeply. You'd started off just holding his hand again, but now he hugs your entire arm against his chest, your fingers twined. "It's not like that with you."

"I'm glad, Mr. Takami," you return. "Please don't ignore my emails from now on."

As you make your notes, you ask him his availability for next month.

He blinks at you. "You're not coming back tomorrow?"

You check your calendar. You'd had to push back several of your regular appointments to make room for the past few days. "I'm booked solid for the next two weeks, at least."

You glance at him, taking in his appearance, his general well being. You reach a hand out to cup his cheek, urging him to meet your eyes. He startles, first, before leaning into your touch.

"You seem fine," you decide, pulling away, already heading for the door. "I'll contact you later about our next session."

He trails after you, linger at the precipice as you take the elevator back down to your floor.

...

He never ignores you emails, after that.

In fact, he sends many of his own. He gets your phone number, somehow. Some days he shows up with coffee, or snacks, sits with you on the couch while you eat.

He's always touching you during those times, brushing hair behind your ears or straightening your shirt collar. Mostly he just holds your hand, playing with your fingers or clutching it in his own lap.

You don't guide him during any of these impromptu visits, too weary from the rest of your overfull schedule -- but you've heard of this type of attachment from other Guides.

Sentinels tend to imprint on guides they have a decent connection with. Part survival instinct, part status seeking. A Sentinel without a guide is doomed. A Sentinel with a high match-rate is likely to be stronger than their peers.

But that's the thing about un-bonded Sentinels, they're always on the lookout for a better Guide, their perfect mate.

Takami is overly attached to you now, but it will pass.

...

Or so you thought.

You're sent out into the aftermath of a battle that rocks the city. Dozens of Sentinels pushed themselves to the breaking point, on the brink of corruption, about to turn into the very monsters they fight to suppress.

You spot Takami in the midst of the wreckage. Exhausted, but giving you a shakey smile when your eyes meet. He limps toward you, so glad to see you, so ready for the safety and warmth of your arms--

Someone calls your name. Urgent, an emergency. Another Sentinel with no one to take care of them.

You turn away from Takami, and you go.

He'd fought hard, but his body has grown used to the abuse over the years. He's in bad shape, but it's not life-threatening like some of the others you help today.

It's hours before you can see him.

Slumped on a curb, hands folded neatly in his lap. Like he's been waiting so patiently for you this whole time.

You come to your knees before him, letting him take your hands, draw you closer. "Why didn't you go to another Guide?"

Surely he could have found someone else, despite the chaos of the scene. If not you, one of the high ranking Guides, slotted exclusively for S-rank Sentinels.

He looks at you, trembling, confused. "I don't want another Guide."

When he asks if you'll hold him, you do. You take him in your arms, let his weight settle on you. Feel his warmth all around you, his breath against your shoulder.

"And I don't want you to guide anyone else," he murmurs.

You stroke his nape. "I know. I'm sorry. You'll find your Guide soon enough, and then you can have each other all to yourselves."

His grip tightens. He braces you against him -- instead of a heady tightness, you're constricted.

"I already found my Guide," he whispers into your throat.

Then he bites.

[blorbologist]

Y'know, I think I figured out why the Hells still feel like a new low-level party to me, even though they're level 13 and almost 100 episodes in.

I don't quite think it's the lack of conversations, or the fact half the party's plot hooks are big ties to past campaigns - though that definitely plays a part.

... Bell's Hells still primarily rely on quest givers.

Most of their goals are given to them and do not feel organic to the party, and constantly remind us that the Hells are pretty much never the most powerful people in the room. Which is usually something you see with a low-level party.

NPCs offering jobs is not a bad thing; it's a very common plot hook. Matt has been extremely skilled with using NPC quest givers in those two campaigns. Not only do they provide an obvious plot thread, but they can put the party in the path of others (say, the Nein running into the Iron Shepherds while doing a job for the Gentleman and everything that came of that). And the Hells had a solid start with it too - Eshteross was an excellent quest giver!

The problem is that Bell's Hells have never really not had a quest giver.

Maybe it's a byproduct of the more plot-heavy structure of this campaign? But while prior parties have felt like they decided on their course of action and what they prioritized, Bell's Hells feels less like level 13 (13! Level 13!) experienced adventurers and more like an MMO group clicking on the exclamation point over an NPC's head. Where does the plot demand we go next? Who do we report back to?

They're level 13.

At level 13, Vox Machina had just defeated a necromantic city-state to clear their name and Percy's conscience. And, you know, the Conclave just destroyed Emon. No one was explicitly telling the group to gather Vestiges and save the world (though Matt guided them there), and they were usually among the most powerful people in the room. They chose which Vestiges to prioritize, which dragons to tackle when, even if the over-all plot was pretty clear.

At level 13, the Mighty Nein were celebrating Traveler Con (another PC goal, I'll note) after brokering peace between two nations, accidentally becoming pirates and heroes of the Dynasty. The Nein regularly chose what to do based on personal goals, not grand ones. Though definitely smaller fish than Vox Machina at this level, they were very independent and gaining solid political clout.

While we're at it: level 13 is one level lower than the Ring of Brass, who had a huge amount of sway over Avalir. They ended the world, and also saved it, while in the grand scheme of things being only a smidge more powerful than Bell's Hells are now.

Can you really see the Hells wielding that amount of influence, when they're constantly being told what to do next?

The god-eater might be unleashed, so Bell's Hells have no time to do anything but what is asked of them. No time for therapy unless stolen from Feywild time, no travel on foot and late-night watches. They haven't even had time to grieve FCG. Percy was grieved in the middle of the Conclave arc. Molly was grieved when half the party was still in irons.

Matt is in the very unfortunate spot of not being able to give the Hells the same agency as the other two parties. Not only because of the world-ending plot introduced so early on; they are surrounded by characters they know (and the cast knows) are stronger and wiser than them - the familiarity of the past PCs and NPCs is to their disadvantage.

Why would the party reasonably ignore Keyleth's task that will help save the world and go off on a romp? Why would the cast when they know well Keyleth has to be sensible and with the best intentions in mind? The stakes are just too high.

It means that the Hells still feel like they're running errands instead of pursuing their own destiny. Their accomplishments are diminished as just being parts of a to-do list, and any stakes feel padded by several level 20 PCs/NPCs standing 5 steps away ready to catch them.

This isn't Bell's Hell's fault, nor is it Matt's. It could be amended, I think, if the Hells are really left to their own devices for a long period of time without support and shortcuts (like during the party split)... which would be really tricky to pull off at this point in the campaign.

They're level 13. They're big fish, but they're stuck in a pond full of friendly sharks, so they don't feel big at all.

[sohighsohaii]

APCA: A dip in the pool: Kwon Eunbi

TW!: Foodplay(kinda), degradation, Self degradation, Sexual Exploitation

Series Masterlist

1.6k ish words

A/N: A little bit of WorldBuilding, not much smut

"Sir, Please clear out your pockets and put your hands up. Privacy is of utmost importance as I believe you know."

You shot the man a small smile, looking up at his imposing figure as you complied.

After clearing out your pockets, the man begun a frisk search, eyebrow creasing as he ran his hand over your ankle.

"A camera sir? Were you not informed of the protocols here?" The man glared at you, and you were forced to think on your feet.

"Can you blame me? If the rumours I've heard are true, I want to remember this day forever." 

The man seemingly bought your explanation, ushering you to the door.

"Don't pull this stunt again, anyways if you leave a good impression on the boss today, you won't need the pictures." The man rather roughly pushed you into the room, causing you to stumble, seeing a man at the table, eating off the naked form of a busty woman, her vision obscured by a red silk blindfold, and a vibrator jammed in her pussy, her wonton moans filling the halls.

Ignoring the rather distracting sight, you try to mask your apprehension, and frankly, disgust, with a smile, approaching the man.

"Ah, Mr Aeris, I'm glad I finally get to meet you after all this time."

Looking up, Aeris gave you a smile, approaching you and throwing you into a hug. Okay, that was surprising, you didn't peg Sex ring bosses as rather friendly people, but good, this could work in your favour.

"Ah, my brother, good to finally meet you." He said with a jovial tone.

"I assume you're acquainted with part of our entertainment today?" He gestured to the woman

You nodded, as one would expect. Even if you hadn't done your homework on potential idols Aeris had under his "umbrella", it would be shameful to call yourself a Wizone if you couldn't identify Kwon Eunbi, even if the state she was in at the moment was not one you were used to.

"Watch this."  Aeris said with a playful grin, turning the vibrator to it's max power, immediately causing Eunbi's body to buckle and her moans intensify, her body thrashing against the sudden increase in pleasure, sending food flying all about her.

Even though you detested this, you couldn't deny that this sight was an arousing one, her body thrashing against her bonds, her tits jiggling wildly as you admired her toned body coated with sweat and cum.

Smiling, Aeris quickly removed the vibrator, removing Eunbi's bonds, causing her to fall to the ground.

Aeris sent you a quick wink, before his face morphed into one of faux anger, ripping Eunbi's blindfold.

"You dumb whore! Look at what happened to my food. Kneel, Now!" He screamed, as Eunbi's eyes widened in fear, quickly kneeling in front of Aeris, her tits heaving up and down as she tried to catch her breath.

"You need to be punished, maybe 4 hours in the Playroom will teach you." You saw as Eunbi's eyes widened and teared up, in evident fear.

"No, please! Master! I'll do anything, this dumb whore knows her worthlessness and will not make a mistake again, please do not punish her!" She immediately leaned forward, hugging Aeris' leg.

Aeris quickly kicked his leg out, sending Eunbi tumbling to the floor.

"You disgusting bitch. Fine, I'm in a good mood today, go get yourself cleaned up, go to room 3 in the red set, then lock the room. Use the vibrator until someone comes in, but don't you dare cum. If you do, I'll make sure you spend so much time in the Playroom you forget your own fucking name." Aeris commanded, as Eunbi looked at the two of you in confusion, only now realising you were in the room.

"Someone, sir? You're not going to be playing with me today?" You could sense the fear in her tone as she looked at you. Better the devil you know then the devil you don't

"You're here to do what I want, not ask questions, now go!" Aeris shouted as Eunbi fearfully nodded, getting up and running off.

Once Eunbi was out of earshot, Aeris' angry facade was dropped, beginning to giggle.

"I like to see them squirm. But then again, I'm sure you know all about making these dumb bitches squirm, don't you? I've heard all about you."

You smiled, nodding, glad your informants and underworld contacts were doing their job.

"I've heard you've broken in the most stubborn and resistant women into willing and obedient sexpets. I have to hand it to you." Aeris said as he led you to the couch.

"Well, those bitches were nobodies, not these high and mighty Kpop idols you've domesticated."

"Oh please, I'm small fish, I'm only stuck to having the smaller soloist or smaller groups. At least I can have some of my Iz*one girls, but god, I want to get my hands on Lisa that Thai slut and have my way with her." Aeris licked his lips

"How do you do it though? I thought these idols would just run away and blow the whistle on you and your little pond." You played coy, trying to figure out as much as you could on the ring.

"Well, idol distribution is a little complicated, which is why I brought you in, but to answer your question, we have enough on these idols to have them under our thumbs. Their companies sell their poor performing groups to us, allowing us to dictate their comeback schedules, their accommodations, whatever, effectively making them into ours. Sometimes the idols are compliant, sometimes, not so much. It's a little harder for better companies or bigger groups, but they all break, eventually." Aegis sipped on his glass of wine as he hummed a tune soon after.

"So, why do you need me?"

"We'll get to that later. While your reputation speaks for itself, I still need a proof of concept." Aeris reached into a brown folder, throwing it onto the table. As he sipped his wine, he smirked, beckoning you to open the file.

Among the papers inside the file was a picture of 5 women, all naked and visibly agitated, staring at the camera while they had collars and leashes on their necks.

"Itzy?" You asked, looking through the papers.

"Yes. I need them broken, submissive. It's all part of a grander scheme, and I'm not great at breaking people in, but if you do this, I promise you that you and I, will rise to the top of the ring, and we can have whatever idol we want as our playthings and sexpets." Aeris said excitedly.

"I'll, uhh, get to it." You said, getting up, noting the address of the warehouse, before turning to the exit.

"Wait, bro, you didn't think I was gonna stiff you was I? As a mark to the endless possibilities of our new partnership, I have a gift for you." He said, dangling a key from his finger, a 3 engraved into the handle.

"Have fun, her tits are heaven on earth. Don't worry though, the room is soundproof and there aren't cameras inside, but don't tell Eunbi that, of course. Brad will escort you out after you have fun with Eunbi. Well for now, I have to excuse myself, but I look forward to Yeji's tongue nestled in my asshole." He said, laughing obnoxiously before walking off.

Seeing Brad stare at you, you knew that you didn't have a choice, you had to at least go to the room. With a sigh, you walk to the room, using the key to unlock the room, to a sight most men would kill for.

In the room, Kwon Eunbi was on a bed, body clad in a skimpy red lingerie, her legs spread apart as she held the vibrator to her clit, unable to contain her moans as her other hand massaged her tits.

Hearing the door open, Eunbi immediately jolted up, running to the floor as she fell to her knees, lowering her head all the while she held the vibrator to her pussy like a good pet. It hurt you to see the proud and powerful leader of the group you loved lowered to this state.

"How ma-oh-... How may I service you sir?" Eunbi barely managed to moan out.

Knowing the door was still open, you decided to do a little song and dance for Brad.

"Stand up bitch, and hands behind your head. Present yourself to me." You shouted out as you moved to close the door.

Once the door was close, you quickly locked it, and your expression lightened a little.

"It's okay now Eunbi, relax, it's fine." You say, as Eunbi looked at you, a mix of confusion, terror, and arousal.

"No sir, I cannot, I'm here for your pleasure and your pleasure only. What I want is unimportant." Eunbi said, her eyes devoid of any life.

"No, Eunbi, I promise, I'm not a bad person, I'm a cop and I'm here to save you." You said, and for the first time since you saw her today, you saw Eunbi's eyes light up, though it quickly got extinguished.

"There's no way, the company..." Eunbi choked up, beginning to cry

"We're taking the whole ring down Eunbi, you won't be bound by your contract, and these monsters, all of them will see a jail cell. I promise you." You assure her as you sit her down.

"Can we go now?" Eunbi whispered, clearly the effects of being in this hellscape wearing down on her.

"I...I'm sorry Eunbi, not today. Not that soon too... I need to infiltrate the organisation, get to the top of it, then I can bring this whole thing down." You whisper, causing Eunbi to lower her head.

"Soon, alright? Please." Eunbi's voice was laced with a desperation, and she gently pulled you in, placing a light kiss on your cheek.

"I'll be waiting for you."

[selineram3421]

*a lot of readers loving this fic* Daaaang.

Hissy Kitty

Part 5

Part 4

Alastor X Reader

Warnings ⚠

⚠ deer man still trying to stay in denial, blood/gore, Italics= thoughts, partial nudity mention, Bold= time shifts, gif is reader's shadow form. ⚠

Alastor felt like he was at the end of a shotgun barrel.

He froze, his hands shaking slightly and his undead heart thumping rapidly.

Quite a daring thing to say...

Husk stared at him in slight shock and something else. Something that the deer demon couldn't decipher. The two stood still, not moving an inch, just watching who would make the first move. Almost like an old west duel.

Finally, after a long silence, one of them spoke up.

"Leave them alone."

In all honesty, the cat demon had no idea what to do about this...situation, but he knew the Radio Demon. His boss was nothing but a cruel, insane, egotistical man who wanted power and control.

"I don't give a shit about what you do to me, but I know if you hurt me, they'll hate you.", Husk said before turning to leave the radio tower. "Whatever thing you've got? It's best to get rid of it now."

And with that, the feline left.

Now Alastor was alone, just like he wanted but he couldn't get rid of the thought of what the ex Overlord had said.

He couldn't deny it any longer.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair before making his way over to his chair.

I'll avoid them like the plague... He decided.

He stayed away for two weeks.

Leaving a room whenever they stepped foot inside, staying in his room, office, or radio tower when he didn't know where they were in the hotel.

And then something snapped.

The thought was screeching in his mind, clawing at his chest, a never ending cycle of want.

He had to-

No.

Needed to tell them.

Maybe confessing would help stop that feeling.

With the last of his sanity, Alastor stepped out of his radio tower and went to search for them with the help of his shadows.

.

You were confused at first by the absence of the red dressed demon but thought nothing of it since your brother seemed happier.

Charlie had given you the new job of welcoming new guests at the front desk but well...its been very boring.

No one checks in.

Like at all. The demons that do come in ask for directions and then there's Cherri Bomb, Angel's friend who stops by for a second or two. So, you spent most of your days talking to your brother at the bar, leaving a "ring the bell for assistance" sign at the check-in counter.

You held a glass of very diluted iced catnip tea, your brother made sure to make it that way so you don't run around the hotel like last time.

"Ugh.", you hid your face in embarrassment.

I can't believe Husk planned that. That jerk! You sighed. I did enjoy the nap after though..

Then your thoughts continued until it wound up to the last conversation you had with your brother about the red dressed demon.

After telling him what happened, Husk stood up real quick and said he'd be right back. Then he came back with snacks and his poker face.

What your brother doesn't know is that you can actually read his poker face. It's very, very faint, but his ears give him away. Depending on the way that it flicks, you can tell how bad a situation is.

And his ear flicked back twice.

Which means he doesn't like the current cards in his hand.

What did he get? You wonder and sip your drink.

Some more time passes and the next time you see Alastor in the same room as you is when the King comes to visit the hotel.

Keekee is in your arms and hops out once Lucifer stops hugging Charlie.

Things take a turn after some random flapper shows up and then there are shark sinners.

"MY WINDOWS!", Nifty screeches in horror.

It goes to shit really quickly, everything is too loud, everyone is running around and trying to stay out of the shooting range of the flaming boulders, and you were overstimulated with all of the things happening at once.

"GET BEHIND THE COUNTER KIT!", Husk grabs you by the shoulders and pushes you towards the bar.

You make a face once seeing the flapper, the reason loan sharks are attacking the hotel, is hiding behind the counter.

"Oh fuck this.", you sigh and walk away.

No wonder your brother said not to come here.

Its too loud..

The banging on the door didn't stop until the Radio Demon stepped out and the screams took over.

Too loud.

"I will devour each and every one of you!"

You covered your ears in pain, wishing you brought your headset.

"ITS TOO FUCKING LOUD!", you yell out.

.

Alastor reminisces when these feelings solidified.

It was when Lucifer and Mimzy showed up at the hotel. He had his fun messing around with the King, making the short blonde feel jealous.

Then Mimzy barged in, which is not a surprise, and started chatting up with the others.

What annoyed him was when Husk mentioned the deal that he, the Radio Demon, had made. Reminding him that he too needed to stay within range so his collar didn't choke his neck.

Then after taking care of Husk, he made his way downstairs to take care of Mimzy's mess.

And that's when it happened.

As he was ripping apart some of the loan sharks, he heard screaming from inside the hotel. Turning to deal with the ones that managed to slip past him, he finds a shadow creature with multiple eyes dragging the left over sharks into the darkness.

"NO! No, no, no, no, no! AH-!", a shark screamed before the shadow tore open his stomach and ripped out his intestines.

"Kit! You gotta calm down!", Husk yelled out.

"That's your little sibling!?", Angel screeched. "What the fuck happened!?"

"It was too damn loud, that's what happened!"

The two continued to bicker as they tried to move the shadow out of the hotel.

A piece of rubble fell and Mimzy side stepped away from it. "Oops. Sorry about the mess. I'm sure the little bug can handle it."

"Mimzy.", Alastor went back to his normal size and made his way towards the hotel. "I believe it's time for you to leave. Now."

"What-? Come on, you don't mean that~", the flapper laughs. "This dump doesn't mean anything to ya! And you love taking care of me!"

"I can't have you making a mess here.", he replied. "You can stay if you want to be redeemed.", he turned to look back at the short woman. "But we both know that's not your style."

"Fine! I don't need you! Have fun at this ritzy dump and-!"

Alastor ignored the rest and walked into the hotel lobby. Husk was the only one taking care of the shadow beast, while Angel was watching whatever was going on between the two royals with the others.

"It's ok now, calm down.", the cat demon said to the shadow in the corner.

"What or who is this?", the deer demon asks and points to the shadow creature.

"Pretty sure you ain't deaf, you heard Angel yell it out.", Husk said and started..purring?

"My! I didn't know you could make such an adorable sound!", he grinned.

"Shut up!", the cat hissed quietly. "They need to calm down, loud noises only make it worse!"

"Well, why didn't you say that sooner?"

With a snap of his fingers, he teleported the three of them into his room in the greenery area.

"The only sounds in here are nature, will this do?", Alastor asked.

"Yes, this is fine.", Husk nodded before getting focused, and pulled the shadow closer. "Kit? Listen. You're ok now.", he said and started purring again.

Their shadow figure was still too large, so the radio demon decided to add in some of his white noise static, earning a look from Husker.

"It helps.", was all he said.

Slowly but surely, the shadow got smaller and smaller before going back into a familiar figure. The darkness on their form began to fade away, starting from the tips of their feet/paws.

Before the shadow fully receded, Husk held out his hand.

"Give me a blanket or somethin'."

"Whatever for?", he asked with a raised brow.

"You wanna see them naked?"

Alastor quickly took off his coat and handed it over.

In a quick motion, the cat demon covered his sibling in the red fabric and wrapped an arm around their shoulders, holding them securely as they passed out.

A few moments passed before the demon in red decided to ask his question.

"What exactly happened?"

Husk was quiet for a bit and then sighed.

"I'll let them tell you."

Now, Alastor stood in front of your hotel room.

He felt like it was as if it was his first broadcast all over again. His nerves were all over the place and his hands felt tingly.

Clearing his throat, he prepared himself and knocked on their door.

"Dear? Are you there? There is something I wish to discuss with you."

A few heartbeats later, the door opens.

"Come in."

*flops over* I'm done for now. Stay tuned.

~Seline, the person.

Part 6

Taglist@

*In comments because there are SO many*

ML I for Alastor🎙️ | HK ChL😾

[songsanpotato]

Saved by the Beep?

PAIRING: university classmate!mingi x fem!reader

WORD COUNT: 2.5k (got a bit carried away)

WARNINGS: mostly fluff, suggestive behaviour, SEXUAL TENSION, teasing, flirting, power dynamics?, everything is consensual SYNOPSIS: After making you cry in class, Mingi surprises you with a visit

A/N: I love a man who isn't afraid to cry, but unfortunately, not many of those exist any more :( maybe I'll write a pt2? who knows. Not grammar and spelling checked, oops.

IMPORTANT: All writing belongs to @songsanpotato. Any similarities to events or other written pieces of fiction are purely coincidental unless otherwise stated. This is in no way a reflection of the idol that is being written about in real life. Do not repost anywhere without permission.

Link to masterlist

"Coming!" You shout from your bed room as someone rings your doorbell.

It's a rainy Thursday night and you've just dried your hair after taking the most relaxing everything shower you've ever had.

University life is stressful - especially when a certain guy in your class, who you may or may not have had a crush on since the moment you met him, decided to call you untalented in front of the entire class.

Mingi was his name. Turning up to every lesson is the most non-slutty slutty outfits that a man could ever wear. His large shoulders, chest and his tiny whorish waist constantly on display through his tight t shirts. You weren't surprised you fell for him but you knew you could not tell anyone - that's a sign of weakness.

Instead, you resorted to playful teasing and banter, which he readily engaged in. But something about the way he'd called you untalented at the class hangout before lesson made it feel as if he was being serious. Unable to contain your realisation in that moment, you excused yourself from room and walked to the bathroom without trying to arouse any suspicion that you could actually be feeling upset.

Washing your face, making sure to erase any signs that you had been crying, you head back to the classroom and stay quiet for the rest of the lesson. At the end, Mingi comes over to you.

"Are you okay?" he asks, genuine concern plastered on his face.

"Yeah, I'm fine." You say, forcing a smile on your face as you quickly walk out the door and back to your apartment.

After eating what may well have been a lifetime supply of gyozas from your freezer, you decided today would be a self care day as you watch the clouds begin to darken outside and the rain begin to fall.

That's why you found it confusing that anyone would be at your door at this time. Your apartment was a little way away from anyone else's that you knew.

You open the door to find a soaking wet Mingi stood in front of you.

"Mingi what are-" you start before being interrupted as Mingi wraps his arms around your frame, dwarfing you in the process.

It catches you off guard, as you feel yourself stop breathing. When you finally manage to tell your brain to keep breathing, your other senses kick in. He smells so good, he always smells good. His hair tickles the side of your neck as you realise he's crying.

Mingi never cries.

He made that very clear before when you jokingly told him to cry after he feigned sadness.

"Hey, it's okay. Let it out, it's okay." you say, unable to move your hands to comfort him in any sort of way because his arms were still tightly wrapped around you.

"I'm sorry." He sniffles into your neck.

"Huh?" You say.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Mingi babbles, a constant string of sorries tumbling out of his mouth.

Shimmying out his grasp, you manage to free yourself and grab his face.

"Mingi, breathe."

"I-"

"I said breathe, not speak."

When you finally see him take a deep breath, you begin to speak.

"Come inside." You begin, "You're drenched."

Guiding him inside, you point to the bathroom.

"Take a shower, I'll leave a towel and some clothes at the door." you say softly.

He nods slowly and slumps towards the bathroom. When you finally hear the lock click and the shower begin to run, you let your emotions overcome you as you steady yourself against the wall.

What just happened?

No time to stand and think, you need to find him some clothes. Mingi was a giant of a man compared to you. None of your clothes would fit him.

Frantically searching through your wardrobe, you pull out the largest shirt you had, a gift from your mum that she had sent in a care package after your second week at university.

That'll do. Now, trousers?

You try and find the largest pair of sweatpants you could find, with no success.

Now what?

Your internal panic begins to increase as you hear the shower turn off. Running towards the bathroom door, you leave the tent of a shirt and a towel on the floor. Gently knocking on the door, you speak.

"Hey, so I don't have any bottoms for you because you know- you're huge so if you pass me your clothes, I can put them in the dryer while you get changed?" you offer.

You hear the lock click and watch as steam escapes the doorway and Mingi's arm outstretched hands you his clothes which have obviously been wrung out in the sink.

Bless him, he tried.

"Shirt and towel are at the door." You say, turning on your heels and walking towards your dryer and throwing his damp clothes in. Turning it on, you flop down on your sofa and decide to doom scroll through your instagram feed. You need this time to ground yourself somewhere in reality, why not let it be in other people's reality.

And just as you were about to question whether this was all real happening or not, Mingi appears in the doorway of the living room.

His usual demeanour was gone, his teasing aura now replaced with something similar to a shy little child. Staring down at his feet, you realise why.

Your shirt only just fit him and the towel that was wrapped around his waist hung dangerously low.

You bite your bottom lip to stop yourself from giggling.

"Come sit." You say, patting the sofa next to you. "Your clothes should be done in like fifteen minutes ish? That depends on whether the dryer wants to be good and actually work, otherwise it may take longer."

You feel the sofa dip as you watch Mingi sit down next to you. His hair still slightly damp, framing his eyes, which now looked heavy, a stark contrast from his usual shiny and outgoing self.

"Are you okay?" You ask quietly, shifting yourself to sit cross-legged in front of him.

"Yeah." He says, his eyes half-lidded.

You can't tell whether it's from sadness or tiredness, but either way, it didn't make you happy.

"What's going on?" you ask, hesitantly.

Mingi just looks at you.

"Look, whatever is going on, clearly is upsetting you. And if you think it has something to do with me, I promise, it's okay." you say as you watch him shift uncomfortably.

"Y/n-"

"If you're about to say you're sorry again, I'm going to kick you out and you can stand outside in that towel."

Mingi's lips curl into a small smile, and you finally relax.

"Every time you apologise, you owe me food. Now talk." you say, leaning your side against the sofa.

"I didn't mean to make you upset, the words just came out of my mouth before I said it and I knew as soon as I said it that it was wrong and-"

"Wait wait," you say, cutting through his rant, "Who said I was upset?"

"You cried didn't you?" he asks, his head tilting to the side, to mirror your body position.

"No I didn't." You lied.

"Yes you did." he counters.

"No, I didn't." You repeat, putting emphases on the words.

"Yes, you did." he mimics you, "Your nose was pink after you came back, and two of your eyelashes were stuck together. You were either crying or you washed your face, and I know for a definite that you were crying because of your nose, and by the way the baby hairs on your hairline were sticking to your forehead, it seemed to me that you washed your face too."

You feel the heat creeping up your face as Mingi's eyes burn holes into yours.

"What about you?" You stammer trying to change the subject, "Why were you wet? Did you walk here or something?"

"I ran actually."

Now it was your turn to stare back at him.

He ran. In the rain. To apologise. Because he made you cry?

Your mind raced with a million things a second, your eyes never leaving Mingi's. You felt the air begin to tense as the eye contact felt a little too uncomfortable.

"Mingi-" you say as you break eye contact to look at the wall behind him.

"Y/n, I need you to understand something." He says shuffling slightly towards you so that his left thigh just touched your crossed legs.

"Okay." You say shrinkingly, suddenly feeling an intense amount of attention on you.

You watch as Mingi's eyelashes flutter as he ghost blinks, taking in your face.

"I ran, in the rain, for you."

"Yes, I put that together." you say.

"Why?" he whispers, tipping his head forward as he leans towards you.

"Why what?" you whisper back.

"Why did I do that?"

You blink for a second, unsure of how to respond. The weight of Mingi's intensely silent stare made you feel uneasy. You breathe a shaky sigh.

"I don't know." You whisper, staring at the floor.

An uncomfortable feeling settled into your body, you needed to get out of whatever this was.

"You don't know?" he leans forwards even more so that if he did it one more time, your noses would touch, "Or you're ignoring it?"

This is too much.

You might have a crush on this man, but that does not mean you know how to handle situations that have an immense amount of tension - sexual tension.

You feel your body begin to move for you, as you stand up.

"Where are you going?" Mingi says as you walk towards the door.

"I- er, need to check on the dryer." You say, frantically trying to ignore the pounding of your heart that is settling in your eardrums.

"Y/n." he calls out to you, making you stop in your tracks.

Something about the way he said your name was so enticing. No, you shouldn't be stopping. But you were no longer in control of your body.

You turn around to see Mingi now manspreading across your sofa, his arm up against the back of it, his head tilted to one side.

Oh my god he looks so sexy right now.

You shake your head, trying to get rid of the thoughts inside your head.

"Please sit back down." He smiles seductively at you.

You don't know whether it's seduction he's going for, or he's just smiling casually. All you know is that you shouldn't do what he's asking you to do. That gives him power, and he's had enough of that for today.

"No." You say, trying to sound confident, but it comes more sheepish.

"I said sit down." he says gently.

Excuse you?

"I'm not a dog." you say, now finding yourself stood right in front of him, trying to assert some kind of dominance over him in this situation.

"No?" He asks, "Then why are you in front of me instead of your dryer."

You swallow the lump in your throat that you didn't know was there. Admitting defeat, you sit back down in your original spot and feel Mingi's eyes burning through you.

"Not there." he says.

"What?"

"Here."

Your eyes follow his hand, watching his free hand tap his thigh. Eyes flicking back up to his face, you watch a cheeky grin spread across his face.

"Okay, no, this is getting out of hand. I'm going to get your clothes and you need to go home." you say, determined to do exactly as you say.

Mingi stands up with you and begins to follow.

"But if you've just dried my clothes, wouldn't it be a waste if I went back home in the rain?" he says, his strides larger than yours as he blocks the doorway with his frame.

"I'll get you an uber or something." You say as you try and move the man out of your path.

He does not budge.

You try squeezing past him but he blocks you.

"Please Mingi just let me get through." you pant slapping his chest.

Who knew that trying to move a man who was built like a brick wall would be so difficult. Surrendering again, you bang your fists against him.

"Stop, that hurts." He says, clearly pretending to be affected as he grabs your wrists.

"That's a shame." You say, trying to free yourself from his grip, "Maybe you should cry about it."

Your attempts at trying to discourage him from whatever he was thinking were all going in vain.

Mingi pushes you by your hands up against the wall beside the door. Closing the gap between the two of you, he leans down, his forehead against yours as he breathes heavily.

"I already told you, I don't cry." he says lowly.

That's not what I saw.

You want to say something. But with Mingi's hands pinning your wrists and his face so close to yours, your throat goes dry.

"Nothing to say now?" Mingi teases, holding eye contact as he guiding your hands up above your head, both of yours held up by one of his as his hand comes down to caress the side of your face, "Good."

His hand grabs the side of your neck, his thumb underneath your earlobe as he leans down and presses his lips against yours. Your body feels like it's about to give way as fireworks explode in your brain.

Wait no, you can't be doing this.

Your eyes snap open, as you back your face away, struggling against his hand that still gripped your neck and Mingi's lips still against yours

"Mingi, stop-" you say against his mouth.

"You want me to stop?" he says, attaching his lips to the column of your neck.

"Please-" you say, moaning at the feeling of him.

"Because you're telling me to stop," he says, licking a stripe down to your collarbone, causing a shiver to run up your spine, "But your body's are telling me to keep going."

In the heat of the moment, you hadn't realised that your head had instinctively moved to give Mingi more access and he'd let go of your hands and they were now attached to his hair, finger tangled in between his dark locks.

He was right. You did want this. But you couldn't feed his ego anymore.

Slowly kissing back up to your face, he stops before reaching your lips again.

"Y/n." he says.

"Please don't say my name like that." you try and bring yourself back to reality, "And please stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"You know what I mean." you say, frustrated.

"Do I? Maybe I just need to all of that again." He says, moving his face towards yours again.

His nose bumps into yours and his lips just ghost over yours when you hear a loud beeping sound.

Your dryer.

Thank god.

Saved by the... beep?