#so pretty much everyone beside the guardians/parents

[h-harleybaby]

Prithee, alloweth me to aquire a jumping mouse plush as a presenteth

[eccentricallygothic]

|| Shackles of Love ||

Summary: Your husband Pete reads the epilogue of the book you're on and there's only one way to keep him from spoiling it for you now… 

Pairing: Dark Husband!Pete Brenner | Naive Wife!You.

Disclaimer: I (unfortunately) do not own Pete Brenner. This story contains dark and mature content so browse at your own discretion, please. Minors do not interact.

Warning(s): Soft-dark!Pete Brenner, non-con/dub-con elements, boob play, humping, stockholm syndrome, age-gap, m!dom, f!sub, power imbalance, housewife kink, misogyny, bondage/chaining, brainwashing, choking, teeny bit of overstimulation. 

Note: I contemplated whether to make this dark or not but then said what the hell?! Shorter than usual (I think) because it's been a hot minute.

MASTERLIST

"Aw, thank you, baby." Pete flashed you the million dollar smile that had charmed you so much the first time you saw it that it had directly led to this very moment. 

"Honey~" you sweetly called out to your loving husband in that one tone he adored so much that he preferred you spoke to him in it all the time. "Here~" you held out the mini tray containing a chilled beer and loaded sandwich for him to snack on while he watched some old movie that you were frankly too young to know anything about.

You smiled and turned on your heels to place yourself next to him on the couch that faced the tv, feeling a tiny butterfly flutter in the base of your tummy due to how he patted the spot beside him for you to sit in that dominant way of his. The man could literally so much as breathe and have your whole stomach flip. He had you whipped. 

Not much interested in the rather vintage movie, you turned to your book that you had bookmarked before leaving to make your husband a sandwich because he liked a snack or two with his movies. Your fingers hurriedly turned the pages as you found your chapter, bottom lip moving itself between your teeth in excitement. You had been perfectly engrossed in a particularly thrilling part where a plot twist was unfolding when your husband had ordered- no, requested his craving. 

Why would Pete ever order you outside the bedroom? Pfft, no way. He was a very giving and kind husband who would never disrespect you!

Yes, maybe sometimes he was just a little mean during punishments but it was never not duly deserved. 

It wasn't unfair. Not by a long shot. Pete worked hard for the both of you and your future family throughout the week so you could stay at home in pretty dresses and do whatever you pleased. Your only jobs were to cook, clean and take care of his husbandly needs. 

And that was all!

You weren't the one who had to go out into the scary outside world and deal with all those dangerous people that lurked past the protective doors of your house! Honestly, if it weren't for Pete being such a supportive and devoted husband, you didn't know where you would be right now.  

You would be cold, alone and miserable with no one to protect you. His words from training time faintly rang in your ears.

Pete was right. 

He always was. 

Your love was the only one who meant you no harm and could keep you safe. 

Everyone else had already failed you or eventually would. Even your parents. Because seriously, what guardian is so careless as to take their child to baseball games where the ball could crack your skull open anytime! Honestly, how careless could your father be! Your mother was no different because, what kind of a woman encourages her daughter to have a career instead of teaching her the much needed and important domestic skills so she could keep her future family happy and healthy! Making you risk your precious life by letting you persue a career in law out of all! 

If this wasn't the prime example of the fact that no one except for Pete truly cared about your comfort and safety, you didn't know what was. 

Yes, so what if he had roofied your drink in the bar before taking you to your real home with him? He had only meant well! You had been far too headstrong and stupid a girl back then to know proper manners for someone your gender. But Pete had been very kind. Though you had fought relentlessly in the beginning and attempted to escape the premises of this house that was nothing but love and care, he forgave you for everything! 

How much more wonderful could this man get?! 

Your husband had smiled at every insult, laughed at every injury you had inflicted on his skin and heart, kissed away every tear you had so foolishly shed. 

And then he had taught you proper wife etiquette. 

Honestly, no one had ever bothered to put up with you that much. 

"Honey?" Pete called out to you in a semi-distracted tone, blue eyes still trained on the tv as you stared at the pages in front of you with wide eyes as a realization washed over you. But before you could communicate your thoughts like you had been taught to do so, your husband continued. You hummed for him to go on, mind still stuck on the page. "Want to know something real funny?" 

Obedience had been woven into every fiber of your existence. So you turned your head to look at him with curious eyes after making a mental note to tell him what you had realized just now later. Because Pete always came first. So you had to await your turn.

"Funny?" You tilted your head to the side, one arm looping around his arm as you perched your chin on his shoulder. "Sure, dear! I like funny…" Your nose crinkled a little as you smiled in the way he had taught you. 

A devious smile spread over your husband's lips. "I read the epilogue while you were in the kitchen" it took you a few moments to realize what he was hinting at. He had done it before and the way he finally turned his head to look at you with mischief dancing in his ocean blue eyes, placing the now empty tray on the table in front of the couch, you knew he was about to do it again. 

"No! You didn't!" You squealed as he laughed in the comic typical evil way, tackling you until your back was flat against the couch. "No! Please, honey! No!" You helplessly whined as you shook your head violently, tossing the book open and hurrying through the words. "I am almost at the epilogue! You cannot do this to me!" 

"That's just a shame, isn't it?" The protestant kicking of your feet that rested on his back now caused a clinking sound in the air due to the thick iron cuff enclasped around one of your ankles.

"Noooo! Pleeeeease!" You pouted as his goatee gently pricked your fingertips that were pressing against his mouth in a desperate attempt to quieten him. "Honey, please! I've been a good girl!" That was the reason why you had maintained your reading privileges for three straight weeks at this point. "You're being cruel for no reason!" 

"Aw. Don't you remember?" Prying your fingers off his mouth was no challenge to the older man. "Husbands can do whatever they want whenever they want…" You whined loudly as you ignored the tingle in your nether regions that his dark tone had caused, flipping the page and hurrying through the words, holding the book between your faces. "Okay, soooo… what happens is–"

"Ohmygosh you're so meeeean!" Now your free hand desperately darted to your own body before you fished out one of your boobs from the neckline of your dress. A whimper escaped from your lips when you reached for Pete's nape next before arching your back to further close the gap between your bodies. The action clasped the space of your husband's mouth shut as he hummed against your tender flesh now. 

Pete had this rather mean way (that you didn't actually mind) of torturing you when you were reading sometimes. He would sneakily read from a section way ahead of where you were and then tease you with spoilers until you shoved his mouth with one of your private parts. 

You faintly recalled being heavily opposed to it at one point.

But there was no other way to stop him when he was at this. 

And that was alright because he was your husband who loved you and loved him.

… Right?

"Hmmm~" you softly moaned in the way he liked. His clothed dick instantly stiffened under your pussy like it always did; a confirmation that you had done the right thing. Your hips that were not as securely clad as your husband's began to slowly piston against his crotch, the dress being the only cover for your bottom since you weren't allowed underwear inside the house. Pete liked you accessible 24/7. So he could bend you whenever he pleased over any surface with no hassle. 

It was the least you could do after all that he did for you. 

Your legs tightened around Pete's waist as did his arms around yours. It was crazy to you how easy it was for him to handle your body however he desired since he physically looked more on the lean side. But his strength was no joke, you were nothing but a doll between his fingers.

And the reminder always made your wifey parts quiver. 

"Hmmm… my perfect wife~" Pete's husky grunt caused your holes to clench around empty air as he latched onto your other boob that you had pushed out next. "Such a good slut… knows exactly what I like…" Your brows were furrowed and hands shaky, breaths hitting the paper that you struggled to both hold and read without dropping it on your face. "It's almost as if-" a loud sucking noise erupted in the air when he forcefully pulled his mouth away from your hardened nub, the feeling causing your back to arch as your hips increased their pace. "-As if you were only born so you could be my good little wife, huh baby?" His slightly rough hands were manly and strong against the soft skin of your chest, lips and teeth grazing against your sensitive skin while the goatee caused the tickles that never failed to tip you over the edge. 

"B- Because I was, hubby!" You whimpered submissively as you failed all your attempts to make sense of the words in front of you. Pete had already told you why this was and he was right. 

You were far too simple minded to multitask. 

"What was that?" As his hips started to work against yours, the soft burn of the expensive fabric of your dress rubbing against your throbbing and leaking pussy caused tiny droplets of sweat to form on your temples. The book fell from your hands and on the ground besides the couch at last. 

"I- I was only born s- so I could be your good little wife, hubby!" You cried out as you attempted to sink your nails in his shoulders but your husband beat you to it. 

"That's fuckin' right…" Pete's breaths were heavy as he reached for the chain that connected to your ankle cuff and pulled it upwards. It was locked around a sturdy hook hidden under the living room couch on the other end. Long enough to allow you to move around the house to perform your wifely tasks but not an inch longer to entertain any funny or rebellious– dangerous attempts that could be made while he was out earning your bread and butter. Only Pete had the key that could unlock it. 

You whined loudly when he deprived you from touching him while exposing your aching core in an even more intimate position at the same time by snaking the chain around your wrists and holding both your hands as well as your shackled ankle above your head. 

The new position further distanced your pussy lips as you rubbed your swollen flesh against the soft material of his trousers now, your dress a wrinkled mess in the middle of your body. 

"Mmm… I need you so bad, hubby…" You whispered out, throat dry and face twisted in need and want. "Please…" 

"Do you deserve it, huh baby?" Now he laid out some of the cold chain against your throat with his free hand, lips parted and eyes dark. "Have you been a good wife for me?" 

You vigorously nodded, clenching around air once more as your eyes rolled to the back of your head when he applied pressure to the makeshift leash against your windpipe, the loss of air and realization of the imbalance of power causing you to pant and hump the man harder. 

Pete could do to you literally anything that he desired and you would happily let him just to please him. 

That was your only priority after all; your real duty.

"You're gonna have to use your words, honey…" Your husband released your windpipe as he spoke, causing your back to arch once more to try and breathe better. 

"I… I…. deserve it, hubby. I really do… I've been s- so good… I promise…" Your chest rose and fell as it glistened under the lights due to the tiny beads of sweat coating it along with Pete's saliva. "I- I deserve you~" your last word was a gasp against his lips that he finally smashed against yours, chaining down your windpipe again as he helped stimulate your worked up pussy by moving his own hips in sync to yours. 

You were too close. It was dangerous. You had to break away and ask his permission if you didn't want to get punished. Cumming without Pete's permission was always followed by cruel edging that stretched on for weeks. Your husband was a master at taking you high to the point of utter dumbness only to leave you deprived and trembling at the last moment.

But you liked to kiss him so much…

That and you didn't want him to feel like you were prioritizing your pleasure over kissing him.

That would be such a selfish thing to do!

And good wives were supposed to be giving, understanding, patient and supportive.

It was a dilemma.

But as always, your knight came to your rescue and you knew you could never love him more than you did in this moment. "Cum for me and I'll consider…" It was like he could read your body and boy did you adore him for it.

Your air came back -or rather, was allowed to do so- just as fast as your vision went out when your tense insides finally bloomed open and went crashing over you the barrage of pleasure that had been building up inside of you. You moaned Pete's name along with heartfelt praises as you trembled, hips slowing down to avoid overstimulation as you blinked away the stars in your vision.

Rubbing and humping definitely had their own kinds of orgasms. 

"Atta girl… That's it… Just like that…" Your husband whispered in your ear, his still clothed cock now rock hard against your worked up pussy. "Good girl…" Though he still kept a firm hold on your ankle and wrists, Pete let go of the makeshift leash to reach for your marked boobs that he began to caress. "You feel that, baby?" A soft whine pushed past the pout that formed on your lips. "This is what you do to me…" His voice was strained as he held back a moan, his stiff crotch teasing you now as he let go of your breasts to open his fly.

It was then that it suddenly occurred to you. 

And though you knew from ample experience that it was never pleasant… you had to do the right thing. 

You owed it to your perfect husband. 

"U- Uh, honey…" You hissed out softly, trying to move your hips away from the torturous humping he was still subjecting you to. When Pete didn't respond, you tried again, only this time more timid because you knew too well how he responded to denial and rejection. "D- Darling…"

His nostrils flared as he exhaled loudly in annoyance. "What?" Your bottom lip wobbled at his snappish tone. 

The man of the house did not like to be delayed when he wished to wreck his lady apart. 

"I- I need to tell you s- something…" Pete gave up fiddling with the fly, looking up at you now. 

"And it can't wait?" Your eyes stung when he refused to mend his tone but you told yourself it was because he wanted you so bad that he didn't want anything to come between you two. 

Yes, that was it.

The truth. 

Pete had told you this many times. 

"I- I don't think you would like it…" Averting your gaze from his heated one and training it on his neck, you whimpered out your next words because of how his body had suddenly stiffened against yours. "I- I…" You bit your lip, already heightened heart rate refusing to slow down. Pete appreciated it when you were honest about this, you didn't understand why it was making you feel so panicked and sad.

Hopeless. 

"D- Dangerous memories have been r- resurfacing again…" His tone and expression instantly changed after hearing this. They were darker but less rude now. 

"Oh…" Pete stopped for a few moments to recollect himself. "F- For how long, baby?" 

"D- Dunno… didn't really notice it until I remembered a whole episode from my time in court in the m- morning…" You couldn't help but whimper when you looked back up at him. 

He seemed almost dumbfounded for a second before he spoke. "I see, honey…" Stopping for a few moments, Pete let go of your chains to caress your hair lovingly. "... And… What do we do when that happens, baby?" Your husband's voice was barely above a whisper as he peeked up at you with skeptical eyes. 

"W- We have to go downstairs to fix it so the dangerous memories cannot form any silly ideas in my simple baby mind, hubby…" The man's worried expression changed to one of surprise.  

And then the biggest smile made its way on his handsome face. 

"Aren't the most perfect little girl, huh?" You couldn't help but blush and relax when he went back to being nice.

Disappointed and angry Pete was one you preferred to avoid at all costs. 

"I just love you, hubby…" It came out the way the man had programmed you to say it before you gently pressed your mouth to his. "Wanna please you and make you happy…" Your husband pulled at one of your cheeks lovingly before he peppered soft kisses around your nose, making you giggle from how his goatee tickled your skin. 

"So, then… shall we?" The older looked almost proud and smug as he crawled off of you and undid your ankle cuff, softly caressing the slightly red skin before he offered you a hand to sit up. 

You smiled as you pushed away a rather unfamiliar stinging in your chest, focusing on the man in front of you instead as you took his hand and stood up, naively following him out of the living room and into the basement, hand in hand with your fingers intertwined.

Pete smirked to himself darkly as he turned the dial of the combination lock on the door of the basement cell before opening it for you to step in. He could still remember the time when you used to push all of your faculties to try and override the lock system somehow. 

All that fight to get out only to voluntarily step in with a smile now. 

You were definitely Pete's Magnum opus.

[cloverandstuff]

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION/ANALYSIS IN ALIEN STAGE

MIZI

First up, we have Mizi! Our lovely little pink-haired lady who was the most cheerful and optimistic of the bunch.

Lets starts with some of the basic stuff and then we'll love on to the more complicated things.

[Please be aware that I am using everything that is freely available and I may not know anything about any of the paywalled Patreon Posts and such]

Canon and Basic Information

Mizi grew up in the Anakt Garden with Ivan, Till, and Sua. We can assume that Luka and Hyuna were in a different 'batch'.

If you go to the official Alien Stage website that showcases all of the members profiles, we can find some information about Mizi.

Now, we have to be careful cause this can both be canon but also also from the POV of the alien caretakers.

This page says that Mizi is 22 years old, 162cm tall and weighs 50kg. This is all facts. What's also there is her likes and dislikes.

She doesn't have any uncrypted dislikes that we can read but there are some likes which are available for us to read. They are the Anakt-made artificial flower and toothbrush. This is what was available to me on the Official Alien Stage website.

Alien Stage Official Website

However recently, the official profiles were released that showcase more information! Here, we find that Mizi's birthday, which is still questionable due to the way that human pets are obtained, is on the August 20th.

We also find that her ID no is 020205, and thats she is affiliated with the 50th Anakt Garden.

Here, we can find that Mizi's disliked consist of vegetables and studying, which are relatively abnormal for the situation she is in.

This is all infortmation that can easily be obtained from the official site for the show. It may or may not be well known, but they are shown under the character's profile description.

Her segyein parent is named Guardian Shine and it is stated in the artbook that the scene of Mizi saying goodbye to her was described as "a mother seeing her daughter".

Semi-Canonical (Still mostly Canon)

Now we reach the parts where Im analysing a little but its seems pretty much canon.

This is mainly be circulating around the patreon posts by Vivinos and other such stuff. I will try my best to link everything I can.

First up, the lovely messages that everyone gives!!

This is where I got the lovely translations from!

Now, if we read through all the messages that Mizi gives the others, we notice one thing very quickly; all her messages are all very long, detailed and often seem sincere. At least, more so than any of the others.

She will compliment them in earnest and go on a bit of a ramble, as though she's writing down whatever immediately comes to her head. They are all still very kind and sincere, showing just how good of a person Mizi was.

In the messages board for her, it seems that all the note-makers knew Mizi and thought very positively of her. Another thing that two messages mention is the fact that Mizi has in fact seen the ocean and speaks of it very fondly.

Next up, the Diary Entries from Field Day!

This Official Patreon Post (This is freely available)

This is where we get a glimpse into other talents that Mizi has besides music. It seem pretty obvious that Mizi is the most athletic out of her group, seeing how she placed first in several of the events.

She also enjoys and shows pride in her accomplishments. She talks about how she can't wait to write to her guardian about it.

While we are aware that the guardians do keep track of thw children, Mizi is the only one out of all of them who seems to be in contact with them on her own volition and actively looks foward to it. This furthur cements how good of a childhood Mizi seemed to have with her guardian.

Now, we look at the interviews involving Mizi and Sua

The Official Post about for the BTS Interview of Sua and Mizi

In this, we'll be placing more focus on Mizi. But I will be doing Sua after this.

Mizi, throughout the entire interview, seems to be genuinely excuted to be a part of alien stage. She doesn't seem to realize the true horror of the event for humans.

It also makes it clear just how much of her dream goal seemed to involve Sua. She wanted to perform with Sua on the big stage ever since she was little.

These two spent their time watching the night sky when the celings opened up and talk about what they could see. They also spent their mandatory playtime together, singing most of the time.

I'll go into more detail about the aspect of their relationship eventually but for now, it's more about Mizi.

It's also made clear that despite everything that Mzi was passionate about, she despised studying and was bad enough at them tha she required extra classes.

She also shows a fascination with her home planet, Earth and would declare the spaceships she couldn't see clearly as Earth.

We also now know she needed glasses because her vision was horrible. She got them while she was in the Anakt Garden.

Mizi very specifically says 'parents' in the interview, ans not her guardian. This seems to go to show just how close of a relationship she had to her guardian. She is excited to hear from them, cares about their opinion, and shares her wants with them, which they actively supply for.

And the final part, which I think could be the most heartbreaking;

Mizi is fully unaware that those who losein Anakt Garden will die. She believes that if she loses, she will just go back to the Garden. She fully believes that if she won, it would be with Sua, wanting to perform with her for as long as possible.

She didn't know about the truth of Alien Stage and it doesn't seem like ayone bothered to correct her on this.

[This will be continued but i had this in the drafts for so long, I thought I may as well post what I had]

[moodyseal]

I got too deep into the Schema Theory while writing the paper for one of my exams and it got me thinking about Apollo's coping mechanisms yk

Basically the gist of this theory is that, in the eventuality that their primary needs are not satisfied during their formative years, a child might develop a bunch of different behavioural schemes in their adult life (which are too many to be listed here oh my god) that are a direct reflection of how the parent failed them during childhood

For example, one of these schemes is emotional deprivation, which is a person's tendency to emotionally distance themselves from other people due to the fact that they believe they won't be able to comfort them, and it's a scheme that's formed due to the guardian not satisfying the child's emotional needs. Basically it's formed through a "If my parent couldn't do it, then how could others?" sort of mentality

Another one, which I believe is very relevant here, is the sense of failure, which originates due to the guardian's immensely overbearing nature and the continuous dissatisfaction with the child's efforts. As an adult, the child in question believes that they're inept at everything, even if evidence points to the contrary, because of the fundamental belief that they hold that they're a failure

(Does it remind you of anyone?)

Now, these schemes tend to go hand in hand with modes, which are essentially coping mechanisms that the person uses to deal with whatever life throws at them and whatever negative emotion these schemes bring on. One of these modes is the *squints* scheme overcompensation? Anyway what it says on the article I got the info from is that basically people who use this coping mechanism tend to do the opposite of what their behavioural scheme tells them to do. If they're ashamed, they put down others. If they feel like a failure, they boast. (Again. Who does this sound like.)

AT FIRST it seems like a good coping mechanism but it's actually not, because the overcompensation leads to this vicious cycle where the more a person overcompensates, the more the scheme worsens. In Apollo's case, the scheme we're examining here is his sense of failure; in his overcompensation mode, to avoid feeling incompetent he tries to constantly put himself in the spotlight, drawing attention to his talents. However, he does it in such a ridiculous way (perhaps actually in some form of self-sabotage?) that the people around him insult those talents, call him a failure, and thus worsen his feeling of worthlessness.

(This might be tied to the punitive scheme as well, maybe? Considering how keen Zeus was on punishment, Apollo might've developed this scheme as a result, though over the centuries it could've shifted its focus from everyone to just him idk. The change between "I'm punishing everything and everyone for being so stupid, even my own son + this Ptolemaic god who breathed wrong in my direction" to "Actually I'm chill" seems pretty suspicious to me tbh)

ANYWAY all of this is to say that everything he does is so intrinsically tied to the damage Zeus did to him that it hurts. All his behaviours all his coping mechanisms. Everything

The arrogance is not just a façade he built over the years to hide his feeling of unhappiness and guilt!! It's quite literally an abuse response!!!!

And yeah maybe Leto was the one who spent the most time with him and Artemis and who took the most care of them so technically she should be considered his figure of attachment instead of Zeus but then again. How much time did Apollo spend beside her compared to the time he spent at Zeus' side, after the twins became Olympians? What do a few moments with her in a year do against entire centuries with him?

Leto's influence never really mattered. He was doomed since the beginning

[little-cereal-draws]

ok i see everyone's "ballister and ambrosius as nimona's parents" stuff but i'm going to raise you this

Ballister and Dr. Blitzmeyer as nimona's parents

I know there's the Gay Dad au sanctifying ambrosis as nimona's dad but he seems to get frustrated with Nimona more frequently than Ballister and I kinda got the sense that adopting her was mostly Bal's choice. Don't get me wrong, ambrosius has moments where he enjoys himself and he loves her, but I don't think he's thrilled abt the idea of her being here forever. He gives "good at babysitting but needs to give the child back at a certain point" vibes and obviously he can't do that when it's his kid

However in the Everything Is Fine au (the one where they all live in the cabin in the woods) Blitzmeyer is Nimona's guardian and they move from the city to the woods together, eventually moving in w Bal and Ambrosius.

Besides this au I don't think Blitzmeyer and Nimona ever interact, but I thought it was very interesting how the one time they do, she's also Nimona's guardian (I believe that's the word ND Stevenson uses, not "parent.") Already in this one picture, they look happier than Ambrosius did lol

I'm sure movie ambrosius would be much more willing to try and get to know nimona but what if the sticking point is with her this time? She can't get over what he did to both her and Bal, he reminds her too much of Gloreth, she's still wary of anyone that was that ingrained in the institute, and a million other things. She knows he's really trying and feels bad about everything but bc of all she's been through, she's not quick to trust people who betrayed her. Especially if she's only had bad interactions with them until this point. She avoids/shuts down his attempts to connect with her and is generally closed off and angry when he's there. It's like a kid hating their new stepparent lol Both Bal and Ambrosius know it's nothing personal, just the defense mechanism that's kept her safe from people like ambrosius for so long, but it still hurts. Eventually, he gives up trying to reach out to her and figures maybe she'll come to him or maybe they just won't be as close as he hoped.

Now, Bal's weird science friend is someone more Nimona's speed lol Blitzmeyer has somehow remained almost completely immune to institute propaganda, doesn't really care abt breaking things (the law included) if it can further her work in some way, and is just kooky enough to appeal to Nimona. She lets nimona help in the lab and doesn't mind the million questions she asks because that's just another opportunity to talk abt her work. They go on some adventures getting stuff for Blitzmeyer's experiments and really bond. Eventually they become pretty close and Nimona frequently goes out of her way to see Blitzmeyer.

One night late in the lab, Bal mentions that Nimona really likes her and Dr Blitzmeyer is like "really? no, not that much." And Bal's like "no, really that much. About as much as she likes me actually." And then with creeping awareness they both slowly look at each other with the realization that they're co-parenting now and actually have been for a while. After the initial freak out, they keep going almost like normal but throw in an outing every other month or so. They'll take Nimona for ice cream or some other casual thing and she's none the wiser that they've figured her out. One night as they were coming home from a movie or smth Nimona says, "I'm so glad we did this, I love spending time with my two favorite people." Nimona keeps walking but they have to stop to silently freak out to each other a bit lol

The only problem is that they frequently get mistaken for a nuclear family on these outings. And it doesn't help that Bal and Blitzmeyer often refer to each other as "my partner." (They open a lab together at the end of the comic and I think they would as well after the movie, so they are literally business partners and lab partners. But I like to hc them in a queer platonic relationship as well, so the word "partner" has a double meaning here. Ambrosius is Bal's romantic partner and Blitzmeyer is his platonic partner. They all talked abt it, it's all good.) Every time this happens though, Bal has to explain that they're just friends and he actually has a husband back at home. Some people go "ok, 'just friends,' sure. wink wink nudge nudge ;)" or "ok... does your husband know...? That you... and her...? ok, ok." It makes Bal angry when this happens but neither him or Blitzmeyer cares enough to actually do anything about it. Nimona just laughs at the stranger's confusion at their unconventional family.

Anyway, they're just two friends who somehow found themselves raising a 1000 year old shapeshifter together lol Ambrosius is disappointed Nimona didn't like him as much as he hoped but now he can just stay home and vibe lol

[11queensupreme11]

I was thinking of baby Percy AU again and just thought of what would happen if Poseidon just… lost her in Valhalla. There was an emergency meeting, he forgot babies shouldn’t be left alone. Left unsupervised, Percy promptly toddled off towards the sunset (the human side of Valhalla) and gets lost amongst the masses. The encounters I’m picturing:

Leonidas chilling in his hammock, reading his book and drinking his wine only to reach down (to get a refill) and grab a baby instead of a bottle. There’s a baby lost in the Sparta training grounds and this man is panicking.

Adam eating his grapes with his family only for his ears to pick up the unmistakable sound of a baby babbling nonsense. He stands immediately and, without saying a single word to his wife or sons, just runs off and comes back cradling a giggling baby which he promptly places on his lap while saying ‘our daughter now’. His family only nods and goes back to what they were doing, as if this is completely normal (it probably is)

Nikola Tesla finds a baby playing among the detritus of his last failed experiment and decides he has found a new student to teach the art of Science(tm) to. She can’t even speak yet? No matter! It’s never too early to learn! Besides, don’t you know babies’ brains are like sponges?? He can teach her so much!

Sasaki Kojiro is out there in the wilderness, becoming one with nature (or whatever it is that he does when he’s not training - is there a time when that man ever stopped?) only to all but trip over a baby lost in the woods. What does a man who only has swords in his mind do?? Why, hand her a stick and teach her how to swing it.

(Almost predictably, Lu Bu does the exact same thing except they meet on the edge of a cliff and he tells her to aim at the sky)

Qin Shi Huang finds a baby blocking his path and instead of doing something normal (like stopping to make sure she’s alright, look around for the parents maybe), simply picks her up, at once recognizes her as a princess (royalty recognizes royalty) and continues on his merry way (he’s heading towards his adoptive mom’s house to show off the new subject/little sister he picked up on the way - he’s gonna teach her everything she needs to know about ruling).

Raiden finds baby Percy in a restaurant - specifically, he finds her well-fed round little body sitting inside a (now empty) plater she had crawled inside of when no one was looking. Raiden orders another plate and the two enjoy a very pleasant lunch together before he takes her back to the sumo training area so she can watch him wrestle everyone into the ground. Percy’s clapping the whole time.

Jack finds her lost and whimpering while skulking around in dark alleyways and, being the gentleman he is, immediately kneels down to offer her a handkerchief, picking her up and looking around for any sign of the parents (lmao, just realized he’s the only one in this list alongside Leo who’s going to make his top priority be finding Percy’s guardian first)

Meanwhile, at the god’s side of Valhalla:

Hades: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST HER.

Poseidon: I told her to stay put.

Hades: SHE’S A BABY POSEIDON.

Poseidon: And? I was a baby once too and followed orders perfectly.

Zeus: and look how you turned out.

(They enlist Anubis to track her down)

THE RAIDEN ONE WHERE SHE EATS EVERYTHING ON THE PLATTER AKSJFJHFBV I CAN JUST IMAGINE HER CHUBBY CHEEKS 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

and the nikola one.... i feel like she's actually grow up with more than one brain cell if nikola's the one that raises her (full offense to poseidon lol)

I LOVE EVERY SCENARIO HERE SO MUCH. THE ADAM ONE IS ACTUALLY PRETTY CLOSE TO WHAT HAPPENS IN ACT TWO LOL

i bet you after this incident, they're gonna create the "percy alert". its basically the amber alert, but it's only to look for percy lmao 💀

[erosauriarts]

Avatar x BSD

Warning: It’s canon related violence similar to in show BSD.

Atsushi - The Avatar

I thought it would be fitting since Byakko is implied to be reincarnating????? Also the Netflix preview got me excited.

AU Premise

**None of the canon characters from ATLA or LOK are gonna be referenced UNLESS it’s to justify bending rules.**

Republic City exists, but it’s less western base, bc I didn’t like that lmfaooo (Basically Yokohama but as it was in the 1930-50s). White people???? Huh?? Ig they exist now??? 😨

Lore Plot:

Red Lotus killed the last avatar because they wanted to find the new one, for some enlightenment reasons (IDK radicals man). The hunt for the new one wanted to take and raise the new avatar to push their own agenda. The man that did it, passed down his legacy to Fyodor (water), and he was the one to find Atsushi. Atsushi was around 5-8 and was from the northern water tribe. Atsushi’s parent was the moon’s spirits guardians (funny ha ha bc his’s design in literally Yin and Yang to Aku). Fyodor takes Atsushi, and isolates him with the other spiritual believers. They raise him, misinforming him greatly over what being the avatar actually means. Though he has a pretty good connection to his bending, Fyodor being his water bending master. They located somewhere in the north-pole.

In this time, everyone is looking for the avatar, but in like that way where you are like “here kitty kitty pspspsp.” And they even have a bounty for him. Bring him back alive ofc! In this, Dazai (Air) and Yosano (Water) are adopted siblings from a young age from Mori (Fire). Dazai at 18 splits off and becomes a traveling nomad, bc he fucking felt like it. Yosano was 14 when Fukuzawa (Air) saved her. Mori would make Yosano blood-bend, and so when she got free, she swore to never blood-bend again. She now uses her bending, and became one of the best healers.

The Armed Detective Agency works similar to canon in this, but has a specialized duty to find the avatar and turn them over to the white lotus. It’s extremely hard to get into the ADA, and forces benders to really push themselves. (In a way higher than the police force) Dazai joins, and is basically the ADA’s lost cat that goes away and comes back with something either helpful or cursed.

Dazai got leads on Fyodor bc Atsushi accidently used the avatar state when he found some new (and/or) prob figured out what happened to his family. Dazai basically yoinks Atsushi from the isolated village, running back on all fours with the weretiger dangling from his mouth /j. Dazai shows up, drops the avatar off, then bounces. Even though Fyodor’s spiritual training and water-bending was severely indepth, Atsushi lacked alot of common sense. Atsushi’s abuse in this is more intense psychological punishment more then the physical one in canon. He’s.. alittle messed up, but besides the point. Regardless how much bad stuff he went through, he was genuinely sweet. The stress of the truth tho, threw him off balance, so he is hesitant to go into the avatar state.

Atsushi’s bending teachers / relationship

Water: Fyodor. Strictly mentor and caregiver. He sucked at caring for Atsushi’s needs, and only was interested in talking when Atsushi asked about spirtual connection and Philosophical debates. Spent most of his childhood till Dazai yoinks him at 18

Earth: Kunikida. He sucked at it originally, but Atsushi was so determine, he ends up asking for help to connect. Atsushi warms up to him, looking up to him for strength.

Air: Dazai. The third one, and he’s stressed. Dazai runs circles around Atsushi, causing so much mental strain. Atsushi gets frustrated, and nearly gave up, but Dazai manages to get a mutual understanding.

Fire: Kyouka. Though younger, Kyouka was the fastest firebender. She constantly beat Atsushi when the Port Mafia sent her out. (He gets saved by the ADA a lot lol)

Character Mentions

Ranpo: A none bender. Works with the Republic City police force, but spends most of his time with the ADA. He actively helps them get around the police.

Akutugawa: Earth Bender. He can bend metal, and is actually really scary (..er?)

Chuuya: I go back and forth between earth and fire. And I think earth bc of his boom boom, smash kapow moments in canon. I thought fire cause hehe red.

Nikolai: Air. He’s that one guy that does flips and is nearly impossible to get a hold off. Boys a slinky. He’s Fyodor’s right hand man… they even… KISS?

[nova--spark]

I imagine Jack and Optimus would have a pretty rocky relationship when Jack is first turned into a sparkling.

Firstly Jack has gone without a father figure for so long he doesn’t really know what to do now that he has one. Sure Optimus was a father figure to everyone on Team Prime but there’s a HUGE difference between being a father figure and actually being someone’s legal guardian. Besides when on earth 99% of Optimus’s attention was on the war and ending it as soon as possible nor would he want to step on June’s toes as a parent.

Now he was actually in charge of the Jasper trio. And he wanted to make up for the three having to grow up so fast during the war. He wants them to have the opportunity to be kids again. To have no worries or responsibility (outside of chores maybe. That big ass house has to get cleaned somehow)

But to Jack this just sends mixed messages. One moment he’s mature enough to put his LIFE on the line for Optimus, the Autobots, and ALL OF FUCKING HUMANITY. And now suddenly he’s a sparkling and needs to act like it?! Fuck that!!!

It’s resulted in a lot of heated arguments. Optimus has the patience of a saint and never so much as raises his voice at Jack. He understands where his frustrations are coming from. But it’s hard to make Jack understand why he wants him to be a kid again.

Elita tries her best to mediate but she’s not going to let Jack blatantly disrespect Optimus and sometimes just needs to tell him to go to his room and come back when he can have a civil conversation with them. Which only pisses Jack off even more.

So clearly, yall want me to SOB TONIGHT—

God yes.

This is absolutely what Jack struggled with and…Ironically or fittingly, it was Bumblebee who helped Jack go through these feelings, because he grew up IN war.

He didn’t get many years as a child, but now that it was all over…sometimes he got the chance to be, even if he was by Cybertronian standards, in his early 20s, supposedly an adult.

Sometimes you had to learn to just…remember what it’s like, to not be burdened by something.

So, Bee and Smokescreen took over, on those days where Jack was lashing out.

Took him to races, movies, all kinds of things to remind him:

You don’t have a need to be responsible yet.

Just be a kid.

It took a while, and sometimes Jack still did lash out…but, he learned to let go.

And apologized a million times to Optimus, to make it clear he was so very sorry about everything that he would do, lash out. After all, his caretaker only meant well.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

[magicmindless]

Yknow what gonna ask for skip hcs. If possible

A HC list but it’s just Skip

- Totally a dad type. Charming, levelheaded, all around a great guy

- Has a New York accent. “Ay I’m walkin’ ‘ere!” And all

- Never knew his birth parents. He’s been in an orphanage ever since he was a baby, and then later lived in a foster home until he was 18. Though he was never officially adopted by anyone his foster guardians were usually kind and took care of him well

- He got his RV from some guy on Craigslist (or what the Flipline equivalent is) who was giving it away practically for free. It wasn’t exactly in the best shape when he got it but a deep-cleaning, a few repairs, and some help from friends did the trick. He even managed to live in it for a couple of years before getting his apartment

- He’s always wanted children of his own, and even not being married he wanted to adopt children. He eventually adopted James and Mary when James was 7-8 and Mary was a toddler

- (If you don’t like the thought of them being family then we’ll just say they’re all friends and Skip is like a dad with his 2 dumb children in this case)

- Master on the grill. He can grill anything, steak, kabobs, you name it. He even grilled a watermelon once (it was awful, but he did it)

- Didn’t always know how to cook the way he does though. Back then he relied on mostly instant food or things he knew were easy to cook like hotdogs. He took cooking classes later in life though

- He can’t bake though. He can’t bake at all, his skill in baking is like the complete opposite of his cooking skills

- Not much of a sweets fan. He likes salty stuff

- Aside from tailgating, he also likes to drive his RV out of the city to go glamping. It’s a refreshing way to spend some time alone and away from the busy city life, just in nature and silence

- Extroverted introvert. He’s the type of guy who gets along with everyone and can be the life of any party, but he never overstays his welcome. He gets tired pretty easily and needs to take time to himself to properly recharge

- He really likes his naps. He works hard all day, so if he’s not hanging with his pals, watching tv at home, or taking care of Pastrami, he’s probably taking a nap. He’s like a grizzly bear (oh he also snores VERY loudly)

- Besides sports, he also likes watching sitcoms and comedy shows, action movies, and documentaries about kinda niche topics

- Speaking of Pastrami, Skip adopted Pastrami from an animal shelter long after Mary and James moved out. Pastrami was a pet rat abandoned by his previous owner and left in the streets of Oniontown. Skip felt bad for him, so he adopted him. Unexpectedly, their bond grew quickly, and now they are inseparable

- Pastrami is pretty attached to Skip. He’ll whine sometimes if Skip tries to go somewhere without him. Also, despite being blind, he has an excellent sense of smell so if they do somehow get separated then Pastrami can trace his scent to find him. He loves cuddling, though just be careful that he doesn’t try to crawl into your shirt (it’s happened before)

- Skip is thinking of getting another rat for Pastrami. Just as a little friend to keep him company when he couldn’t be around

- Used to volunteer at a library as story time reader and a tutor for kids and teens. He even tutored Allan when he used to live in Oniontown. When they met again for Mocharia, Skip recognized him which caught Allan by surprise as he didn’t remember him at all

- A popular guy in Oniontown. Pretty much everyone in the city knows his name and he’s respected by peers, even by Radlynn and Sarge Fan

- Though he’s usually nice, he’s been known to be snarky towards tourists. When he was talking to Koilee and she told him about her getting scammed he laughed right in her face about it, and still thinks she’s an idiot to this day. And when NuMarcus’ brick scam was going on he didn’t even bother to tell anyone they were wasting their money

- He was always a builder at heart. Back in his youth he used to hang out in Oniontown’s junkyard with his friends scavenging for stuff to make things with. A couple things they built were a tall platform they could climb on and even an incredibly janky go-kart out of scrap metal and spare parts. It wasn’t safe at all but it was fun

- The worst injury he’s ever had was when he drove the said janky go-kart down a hill of junk. He broke his arm so bad he had to get a metal rod inserted in for it to heal properly

- He likes the thought of being in a relationship and getting married, but isn’t totally sure about it. He’s had crushes but has never been on any real dates before. He doesn’t even know where to start when it comes to romance so he’s thinking of asking a friend when he’s ready

[cringelordofchaos]

Flicker Eduardo headcanons!!

I know almost no one cares except maybe that one flicker fan scrolling through the flicker tag, but idc

(some of these are weird and stupid)

(also when I say "into ___" I don't mean it in a romantic or s##ual context btw)

pansexual demiboy, he/they, name means "Wealthy Guardian" (only thing canon in this post)

Into rock and heavy metal

Introverted

Into cryptozoology

Into 80's horror movies

Teenager, bout 16-18 y/o

Into werewolves

obsessed with stranger things

Deadname is Valentina (based on the fact that he was initially supposed to be called Valentina and have a different design)

Engages with risky (??) and rebellious behaviour

Divorced parents, father had abandoned both them and their mom and his infant sister

Hispanic

Used to be best friends with Alex, drifted apart and now Ed feels bitter Abt him

Not satanic but they are into studying satanism and people devoted to it

Atheist

Into murder mysteries

Quiet in groups at first until he gets to know others in the group better

Plays the guitar (both acoustic and electric)

Horrible at singing, still likes singing

Used to be in a band with Alex, Amethyst and Prasiddhi

Gets absolutely horrible grades in school besides in literature and Spanish

Theater kid

Dumb#ss nerd

Has sooo many earrings and necklaces

Obsessed with many bands (I can't specify which ones bc i don't know sh#t about music,)(actually screw it I'll name a few that my mom likes

Into Metallica, Radiohead, Queen The Door, and other crap like that (I only listen to Radiohead out of these)

Has one of his eyebrows pierced

Has wolf as their fave animal

Kinda insane (don't ask)

Into paranormal stuff

Brave

Determined and stubborn

Street smart

Skateboards

All about self expression

Known as the quiet kid or the weirdo in school

Likes to go outside at night

Halloween is their fave holiday

Quiet in relation to his negative opinions regarding others

Secretly a MLP + STH fan

Can get bored and distracted easily

Into parkour and tree + rock climbing

Spiritually in the 80's

A really good older sib figure

Attachment issues, fears being abandoned so sometimes they push other people away first, other times he is a bit clingy and desperate

Uses the peace ✌️ and rock 🤘sign quite often

Embraces weirdness

Will always protect and defend people he cares about

Can be kinda rude but also really kind?

Often does the chores in the house, kinda tired from that + schoolwork

Now that Alex isn't their friend anymore, they're just kind of the loner in their class (before he gets sent to the Flicker game)

When the flicker game first starts, he like most people just think it's a run, fake murder mystery game, but one night (a bitttt early on) when they were supposed to get killed they managed to flee and escape into the woods, everyone thinking he's dead

Always puts up a fight when needed

Used to crush on alex and still cares about him as much as he refuses to admit it

Swears a moderate amount

Winks often (ok these HCs sre getting very mundane... um)

Ends up getting along well with most of the flicker players

He constantly feels like HE has to work for everyone (like their mom, having to do chores and upkeep his grades), and although they're very loyal they're also reasonably tired

The start of the flicker game has actually been one of the happiest periods in his life in some time

Can be impulsive

Fidgets often

In classes they barely do anything

Master at solving Rubik's cube

Pretty chill most of the time actually

Into video games too, primarily indie horror and visual novel

Him and Rosalie bicker often

Really wants to be independent, competent and responsible to prove they don't need anyone

They give me Lucas Sinclair and Drew from TMF vibes for sum reason??

Is neurodivergent (bpd, adhd, maybe sumth else idk)

...

Wtf even is this... I'm literally the worst flicker fan to ever exist I'm so sorry

[lycansprites]

infodump the sweet tooth au pretty please

HI sorry Ive been trying to answer this for days literally but Tumblr is allergic to copy and pasting

Im assuming this is in response to my post about the Marvel x DC x Sweet Tooth AU that me n my boyfriend and best friend are working on bc I haven't publicly posted about any of my actual S2TH AUs 🤸‍♂️

SO reminder Im putting on all of my posts about it, this is by nature a no-powers AU. Vigilantes and heroes do not traditionally exist here but we do keep some of that heirarchy and structure we see from it.

Also, a lot of these thoughts are my own and not concrete yet because my AU partners are still watching the show (as opposed to me having watched it twice over now) so things are subject to change hehe

Our version of the world probably is a little fundamentally different in that once the Sick breaches all of the continents in modern day, it's actually a LOT slower to spread at first. This means that it didn't really hit globally, it kind of grew behind the scenes- as did hybrid birth. We know from the show that if you contain the Sick you contain hybrid birth (more or less) so the hybrids that were born in the early days were taken away from their parents and disappeared. The general public didn't know about this but some people began to catch on.

Enter: Justice League (Avengers?)

A group of adults who noticed the appearance and subsequent disappearance of hybrid babies, which also leads to learning about a literal doomsday virus growing steadily without the government warning the people. Most of them are higher up, government or scientists or parents of hybrid kids themselves. The Justice League are the ones who begin researching and doing detective work and overall just working towards both saving hybrids and finding a cure for the Sick.

They bring news of the virus to the public (or, depending what we figure out for the Marvel side, it could be the Avengers team that really takes it to the news) and things spiral from there. The further the Sick spreads and the faster it does, the more hybrids are born worldwide and the Government can no longer keep it secret. And hybrid disappearances are not only noticed, but prevalent. This much doesn't actually change from the show.

Enter: Teen Titans

Kids / Teens, most of them connected to their mentors or parents of the Justice League. These guys are frustrated with how hands off the League is approaching hybrid disappearances and take matters into their own hands. Imagine sort of like the Animal Army, working on the ground to free hybrids, except its a little earlier into the spread of the Sick; either right before or right after the Great Crumble. Some of them get cut off from their parents/guardians when they realize theyve been stealing their findings / research in order to go after bases keeping hybrids.

Enter: Young Justice

This is where the last born humans and the first few years of hybrids begin to mix. This is well after the Great Crumble now; we've got humans and hybrids that the Teen Titans rescued, or that the Justice League helped to keep safe, that aren't willing to live life in solitude or on the run. They're kinda like a more chaotic Animal Army except literally, animal. Theyre brash and ignorant and a little quick to jump the gun and run into situations head first but somehow they haven't died yet!

And that's. Kinda really all I've got so far besides the specifics on which characters are hybrids and which aren't. We haven't really explored where Marvel or X-Men come into play which is Ironic considering the AU started as an AU of Zenith and I's Marvel and X-Men crossover au thing. Thats mostly because we're waiting for everyone to know the whole story / finish the show first so we can properly discuss and share ideas!!

[babybatscreationsv2]

Thankful ch2

Marvel | Starker

It's been a few weeks since Halloween and Peter can't say he's over what happened between him and Tony. Tony's usual bullying is now tinged with a bit of flirting leading the school wonder what exactly is going on between them. Peter can't help but wonder the same thing.

Rating: Explicit

Sequel to Ghostface

Forever for and inspired by my muse, H <3

Warnings and tags below

Warnings/tags: semi-public sex, humiliation, verbal degradation/dehumanization, Tony is still a dick, a hint of plot

The house smelled like warm cinnamon and roasting garlic. Brown and orange garlands decorated the walls while little paper turkeys sat on every surface. Ben sat in the kitchen, watching over the turkey, while May taste tested a slice of pumpkin pie. Peter's stomach rumbled. He hadn't eaten a thing all day in anticipation of being stuffed later.

"How much longer?" Peter sat down in the chair beside his uncle.

"We're just waiting for the little thermometer to pop," he said.

May scoffed. "Ben, you know those things are unreliable. We'd better check it right."

"That's how I do it every year!" he protested. "You love my turkeys."

A knock came at the front door. "I'll get it," Peter offered. He left the kitchen, leaving them to their playful bickering. He'd expected one of the neighbors to come by with pie or cookies. So when he opened the door to someone else entirely it left him frozen.

"Hey, Pete," Tony greeted, a smirk on his lips as he took in the boy's expression. He held up a foil tray covered in plastic wrap. "I brought something for your table."

"You're not invited," Peter hissed. He glanced over his shoulder, but his guardians were still in the kitchen.

Tony put on a pout. "Come on, Petey. It's a holiday. Can't you play nice?"

"I'm not the one who's a bully."

Tony rolled his eyes. He took a step closer. "You didn't think I was such a bully when my tongue was down your throat last week. Or do you only like me when I have you pinned down behind the bleachers?"

"Fuck you," Peter spat, but the venom in his voice faltered at the memory.

"Peter! Who's your friend?" May called as she left the kitchen.

Peter scowled at the boy in front of him even as Tony put on his most charming grin. He stepped aside and let him enter. Tony offered his hand out, tucking the tray against his side.

"Mrs. Parker, it's so good to finally meet you," Tony greeted. "Peter's told me so much about you. I'm Tony."

May shook his hand, but her eyes cut toward Peter. "Tony Stark?"

"The one and only," he said. "And I brought you something!" He held out the tray for her. Inside was an apple cobbler that admittedly looked pretty good. Peter wondered who Tony got to make it for him.

May took the tray from his hands. "Thank you, Tony! That's so thoughtful. Will you be staying for dinner?"

"If you'll have me," Tony said in his most charming voice. "Peter was so kind to invite me when he heard my parents would be out of town today."

"Oh, that's too bad," May said. "Of course you're more than welcome. We have plenty of food."

"Thank you, Mrs. Parker," Tony said as May turned to head back to the kitchen. He grinned at Peter.

"I hate you."

"I know."

"Don't speak to her again. Or to my Uncle Ben."

"That would be a little rude don't you think? I'm an asshole, but I'm still a gentleman."

Peter scoffed. "Oh are you?"

Tony's eyes darkened. He stepped forward until Peter's back hit the wall. "Maybe I should have left you crying in the woods. Or I have a whole lot of pictures I could send around the school. Everyone suspects we're fucking anyway. Might as well let the cat out."

"You wouldn't..."

Tony smirked. "No. Because I'm a gentleman." He took a step back, laughing. "Relax, Pete. I'm only here to enjoy the holiday. You look so nervous." He patted him on the shoulder.

"Whatever," Peter huffed. "Help me set the table, then."

His eyes never left Tony. He kept waiting for the other boy to reveal what cruel game he was playing, but everything seemed so normal. He was kind and charming to both May and Ben. They all laughed together as the table was set and the food was carried out. Tony joined in the cheering as the turkey was carved by a very proud looking Ben. Everyone settled around the table with plates full of food. Then Tony's hand came to rest on his thigh.

Peter stiffened. That hand was heavy on his leg, spreading warmth across his skin. No one else noticed. Peter tried to keep the guilty look off of his face. The conversation continued as if nothing were happening under the table. Tony's fingers drew tingling lines on the inside of his thigh. He slid his hand up enough to instead run those fingers over his crotch. Peter concentrated on his food and controlling his breathing.

The teasing made him ache. He was already so pent up from Tony's teasing. Getting himself off just wasn't doing it anymore when he really wanted Tony growling nasty things in his ear. He felt awful for it. He shouldn't want that. Something was seriously wrong with him. But he sat there, letting his legs spread just a little, watching Tony smirk in the corner is his eye before he could hide it.

Slowly the meal wound down as bellies were filled. They chatted over empty plates while Uncle Ben began to yawn.

"Excuse me, May," Tony said, interrupting their conversation. "I have to use the restroom. Maybe Peter could show me the way."

"Of course," she said. "It's just upstairs. Peter you'll show him up?"

"Right," Peter jumped from his seat. "I'll be right back to help you clean up, May." He hurried away from the table with Tony following behind. Without his hands on him, his head felt a little more clear. Maybe now that everyone had eaten he could shoo him off.

They went up the stairs and around the corner. Peter flipped on the light switch to the bathroom. He gasped as he was grabbed from behind and pulled into the room. Tony shut the door and pushed Peter up against against it, locking it behind them. He grinned. Their noses were almost touching.

"Finally," Tony said. He unbuttoned Peter's pants and yanked the fabric so the zipper opened.

"Tony," Peter whimpered. "We can't do this here-" his voice broke with a squeak as Tony's hand slipped down into his underwear found his cock.

"Relax, sweetheart. Just be quiet and no one will know." He pressed his face into Peter's neck to lightly suck on his skin.

"B-but, I'm only supposed to be-" He squeezed his eyes shut and bit his bottom lip as Tony rubbed his cock. "Sh-showing you to the bathroom. I can't stay up here."

"Just say we got caught up talking. We're friends after all, right?" Tony purred.

Peter gasped and whimpered. Tony's fingers slipped lower, over his balls to find his hole.

"I can't wait to be in here again. Too bad I can't make you scream this time. Well," he laughed. "Maybe we can find you a good enough gag. You'd love that wouldn't you? You wanna scream on my cock, Petey?"

"Please-"

"Answer the fucking question," Tony snapped. He lifted his head to stare dagger into his eyes.

"Yes please, Tony," Peter sobbed. "Be quiet please."

"I'm gonna make you my fucking toy. You're not gonna let anyone else touch you. If you do, I'll beat the shit out of them. And it'll be all your fault."

"No, Tony-"

Tony slapped him and the tears fell from his eyes. "Yes. You do what the fuck I tell you to. You wouldn't want anyone to get hurt. You're such a soft boy." He gave him a soft kiss and Peter sobbed. "Tell me that you're mine."

"I'm yours," he whispered.

Tony pushed a finger inside of him. Peter whimpered at the dry burn. "And this is my pussy, right?"

Peter nodded. "Yes..."

He rubbed his cock through his pants. "And this is my cock, right?"

Peter nodded again. "Yes, it's yours, please..."

His fingers traced Peter's quivering lips. "And this is my cock sucker."

Peter whimpered. "Tony, please-"

He slapped him again. "Say it."

"It's yours, Tony- I'm sorry. I'm all yours."

Tony smiled cruelly. "Good boy." He gave him a hard kiss, leaving Peter whimpering and his lips feeling bruised. He pulled his hand out of his pants and set it on the door, caging him in. "Go back to the table, I'll just be a minute."

Peter tried to slip away but Tony pulled him back. "And don't go soft on me. I'm gonna fuck you later and whether you're begging me to stop or to keep going is up to you."

He let him go and Peter went straight to his bedroom. He looked at himself in the mirror on the back of the door. His face was red and his lips were swollen. His hair was a mess. He looked like he'd been on his fucking knees. At least Tony's hand hadn't left a mark. If he didn't clean up before he went downstairs it would be obvious something was going on between them. That is if May didn't suspect something already. She was always watching.

He went back downstairs and helped Ben clear the table while May got out the desserts. Peter felt paranoid, as if somehow everyone knew that he was hard, that Tony's hands were just down his pants. He tried his best to act natural, but he internally he was losing it.

Tony came back down and everything seemed so normal. No one questioned them. Desserts were passed around and everyone ate and laughed again. May and Ben seemed to really like Tony. In fact, Peter was starting to like him too. Or at least, he liked this persona he was playing. He'd never really talked to the guy outside of him being an asshole at school or stalking him on Halloween or... their little moment under the bleachers.

It wasn't long before all of the food had everyone drowsy. Ben retreated to the couch and promptly fell asleep sitting up while Tony and Peter helped May in the kitchen.

"Thanks for having me, May. I had a wonderful time," Tony said as he dried the dish she handed him.

"You're welcome any time, Tony. Are your parents always away on the holidays?" she asked.

He shrugged. "My father does important work. The company doesn't take holidays off."

"That's such a shame. But we loved having you." May offered him a sympathetic smile.

"Thank you, May," Tony said all charming and gentlemanly, making Peter feel like he'd gone insane. Everything about today made him feel insane. Was he actually starting to like Tony?

They finished cleaning up and May went to join Ben in the living room. Tony looked at him and waggled his eyebrows. He stepped in closer. His hands ran down Peter's back and tucked into the back pockets of his jeans.

"Just me and you, now," he whispered.

Peter wanted to protest with his family so close. Instead he stood, melting into his touch, looking into his eyes in a clear invitation. Tony kissed him, slow and sensual, making his whole body tingle. He stopped after a moment and looked into his eyes. Excitement ran through him. Tony looked so aroused, like he might fuck him over the kitchen counter. He made him look like that just kissing him.

"Come home with me tonight," Tony said quietly. "You can stay through the weekend. My parents don't get back until Monday."

Peter's skin chilled. Was it really safe to be alone with him like that? He'd been so charming around his family, but he was still the guy who once pantsed him in gym class. "I don't know... I have so much homework."

Tony scoffed. "Blow it off."

"I can't it's AP stuff. They'll kicked me out if I don't keep up."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Tonight then. Come home in the morning."

Peter considered it. It didn't sound too bad. At least when the two of them were alone, Tony wasn't mean to him. Well, aside from all of the chasing him around and stalking him and threatening him and calling him mean names and... And he would have enough time to finish over the weekend.

"Okay. Just for tonight. If it's okay with Ben and May."

Tony smile. "They love me. Of course they'll say yes."

Peter shook his head in disbelief. "Who are you really, Tony?"

"What do you mean?"

"I know you have friends who would have invited you over today. And it's not like you can't get laid. You don't need me."

Tony smirked. He leaned in to speak softly in his ear. "Maybe I just like the way you cry."

[dontcallmecarrie]

The first time Tony canceled on Justin Hammer, it was a shock.

Which it really shouldn’t have, because Justin had been the one to encourage him to give the Avengers a chance, so they should have expected—

Really, it was a silly little thing, meeting up for drinks and a meal just to show off. Besides, it’s not like Tony even intended to cancel, even, but. Well, Tony probably forgot he was talking to Justin, who was a regular CEO and was most definitely not a genius or a superhero for whom the world would bend over backwards to make things work. Justin, who had a flight to Dubai in 14 hours so this was the only time they would’ve been able to make it.

Which meant they had to cancel. Which was fine, it wasn’t anything important. Really.

It’s just...they’d been doing it for decades now, ever since Tony had preened at a gala and talked about building a dummy at MIT and Justin had raised an eyebrow and mentioned being part of student council. Hope had rolled her eyes but smirked into her not-champagne flute, and that...

It wasn’t much, Justin knew. But that exchange had been the highlight of Justin’s winter break, because the Hammers got along like oil and water the few times they were all together, and everyone always, always turned to Justin to fix it.

And then Tony’s parents died, and he’d needed someone and it’s only now that Justin realized just how much of their life had been built around their rivalry. Around one of the few people Justin could trust, who was on even terms with them, the closest thing they had to a friend when the rest of the world demanded so, so much—

Just like Steph.

Neither of them needed Justin anymore, not really; not when Tony’s new friends were good people with no blood on their hands, not when Steph had long since outgrown her need for a guardian.

The realization was nothing less than a gut punch.

Justin quietly called to cancel their reservation, and stayed home.

Alone. Like always, these days.

.

The second time Tony canceled on Justin, it was. Not great.

More of a disappointment than anything else, but to be expected, considering the mess the Avengers were dealing with. So it wasn’t really a surprise when Tony called to say he wouldn’t be able to make it, and that better luck next time, and Justin smiled and said all the usual pleasantries before the call ended and they were left with a too-silent apartment and no one to care about their latest jump in the stock market.

.

The third time Tony canceled on them, Justin wasn’t even surprised anymore.

.

The time after that, however, came with a fortunate change of pace: as Justin moved to put away their phone, they paused, and turned their head with a wry smile.

Loki was still new to this ‘not-PA’ business, and Ivan had been spending a bit too much time in his workshop than was healthy...

“Well, that happened— would either of you be interested in coming with me to that new place downtown?”

Ivan frowned thoughtfully for a second, before shrugging. “Sure, why not.”

Loki’s eyes were sharp as he glanced at them. “You’re upset.”

This time, it was Justin’s turn to shrug. “Plans fell through. For what it’s worth, it’s supposed to have pretty good food and the reservation’s for a private room.”

“Who?” Loki demanded, leaning in ever so slightly, and boy if that wasn’t Justin’s cue to take a few emotional steps back.

“Nothing major, life happens. Do you want to come with, or not?”

“Yes.” Loki said after a moment, with a decisive nod. “I would love to.”

It wasn’t what Justin had originally planned, but they had a great evening nevertheless.

.

The phone Justin constantly kept at his side quietly buzzed for the first time in months.

‘I am coming. When can we meet?’ Read the text, and Justin’s breath caught for a moment.

Victor’s message could only be about the upcoming summit, and that— oh dear. Justin was going to be busy with shareholders most of the week of, and before that was contract reviews, and other than the gala they were booked solid before the summit and Victor would be in pretty much the same state when it started...

Wait, no: there was one evening that could work.

Except it was technically already booked, but Tony wouldn’t mind if they canceled just this once, right?

[mysticarts]

1. Voice claims for your lmk ocs?

2. Who are Hui Ying parents? What Hui Ying relationship to her parents?

3. What will Hui Ying or any of your lmk ocs react to finding out Yuhen is a hybrid owl? Cause Yuhen will absolutely feel embarrassed at the same time panic because they had kept They're secret for so long, that they don't want anyone finding out that they're a former celestial servant, hence the glamour.

(Also what does Hui Ying thinks of Yuhen? Yuhen is a librarian, they're kinda very shy but friendly.)

That's all, have a good day/night!

Okay, this may be long, so sit tight!-

VOICE CLAIMS!

Hui Ying - Gwen Stacy (Spider-Man into the spider verse)

Tai Yang - Hunter (Owl house) also, Tai yang's voice is a little deeper than Hunter's voice, but it still matches!

Shuimu - Amethyst (Steven universe)

Yujin- Lilith (ALSO the owl house)

PARENTS?

Ill just leave it with these four, since they'll get the most spotlight! (Besides Ling, but I'm putting her in the spotlight in the future!)

Hui Ying and Tai's parents names are Xiang (the dad) and Jīngshen (known as Jing for short) both of them have different relationships with their paretns

Hui Ying is a total daddy's girl, she loves to hang out with her dad (Xiang) however, due to Xiang working for the Celestial realm as a guardian of a sacred artifact, Hui Ying doesn't get to spend much time with him. However when they do hang out, Hui Ying always haves fun

When it comes to Jing, Hui Ying can't remember her much. Jing and Xiang got divorced while Hui was still a baby because they realized that their relationship wasn't healthy anymore, and it wouldn't be good on Tai and Hui. However, when Hui Ying did meet Jing, let's just say it wasn't in the best way.

(NOTE: you can also ask questions about Hui and Tai's paretns! Feel free too!)

REACTION TO YUHEN??

When I tell you none of them would be shocked except shuimu, I MEAN IT!-

Hui Ying and Tai Yang are half Celestial, they can tell if someone is a Celestial or not. If anything, they'd be excited to see someone from the same place they grew up. Especially since like Yuhen, Tai and Hui both also have wings.

Yujin was once a Celestial Maiden before committing some felonies, and technically still is a Celestial, even though Yujin doesn't refer to herself as one.

However, Shuimu is a demon, she can't tell Celestial energy, and the last time she met a Celestial, they trapped her by her mouth for centuries. So to say Shuimu would be surprised is a understament

HUI YING'S OPINION??

I feel like Hui Ying would have great admiration for Yuhen, since it takes amazing courage to escape the Celestial realm in the first place. Hui Ying would also encourage Yuhen to be themselves, With or without Glamour!

I also believe that Hui Ying would find Yuhen extremely pretty. Like, Hui Ying would probably ramble about what her and Yuhen did for hours, and Tai is just sitting there listening and possibly keeping it as black mail for later.

Overall, Hui Ying has great loyalty to Yuhen, and considers them a friend. May have a little crush, but it's still a mystery because Hui Ying is passionate to everyone

Feel free to ask questions!

[parkduris]

HELLO! ! ! anth here, coming at you live, from your area! i come from the eastern timezone, he/him pronouns, and am currently twenty-six years old! i'm here to introduce you to one of my favorite people in the entire world, my son, the light of my life, park duri! he's better known simply as duri when it comes to the entertainment industry. he's a singer, songwriter-producer, model, & television personality! he's your friendly neighborhood puppy, big ol' sunshine, and much like a teddy bear. without further ado, on with the show! please like this post if you'd like to plot!

as just a friendly reminder, there will be mentions of a car accident, parental death, injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a few other things. however, everything will be properly tagged if you'd like to skip those parts!

duri is born on december 25th, 2000 at 9:48pm in seoul, south korea! his parents were both unmarried college students at the time of his birth, something that was completely out of the norm. but, the park and oh families never quite seemed to be normal, in some sense. they were responsible, however, and very much in love. he comes from the itaewon neighborhood of seoul.

spends a lot of time with his grandparents and family when he's really young, simply because bongju and aeri are very busy with college, and they often took the reigns of raising him in the evening and on the weekends - while doing their education and jobs, just to make sure they could fully take care of their son.

after they graduate, they wed in 2004 when duri is three years old. it's a spring wedding, right at the peak of the cherry blossom season. a time full of happiness and duri not really knowing what was going on, but he enjoyed every moment of it because he was with his parents for the majority of the ceremony. it's a nice memory, sweet for everyone in attendance.

CAR ACCIDENT TW, PARENTAL DEATH TW, INJURY TW // it's 2006, duri's five, and he's on the way to school, in the car, with his parents. it's like any spring morning, though it's a cold day like spring mornings tend to be with the winter chill still working its way out - but, it was a normal, usual morning for the park family... until it wasn't. they're struck by another car that morning and it ends up being pretty bad - taking the lives of both of his parents, duri would injure his leg, and he was the only one essentially able to be saved by a college student and other bystanders that saw it happen. // END TW.

following this, his uncle, bongki, and aunt, choa, would ultimately end up taking responsibility for duri, becoming his legal guardians. they didn't want bongju and bongki's parents or aeri's parents to have to worry about taking care of the young boy; especially with the fact that he was a handful now (more in the sense of mental and physical state.) between running the successful café and things of that nature, they would be able to care for duri, and give him the care he would so desperately need for a while.

they would make his room in that apartment above the successful café, heart and seoul, really nice, and comfortable, and give him the things that he wants; he needs. it's somewhere that becomes a safe haven, even if sometimes at night, it felt like it was anything but. but, he'll always be fond of his childhood bedroom in that apartment because of how much love his uncle and aunt had put into it.

PTSD TW, INJURY TW, ANXIETY TW // duri was a bit of a handful following the accident, simply because they couldn’t fully tell what was wrong with him, besides for the leg injury that was being cared for with physical therapy. they would soon learn that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety from the accident, causing him to have to go into therapy, as well as grief counseling to help him to process everything and get better. duri, would attend therapy for many years to really help him out. though, he still has a lot of synonyms to this day of both ptsd and anxiety that seemingly won’t go away. // END TW.

INJURY TW // the injury that duri received to his leg was something that would be a bit bothersome every now and then, especially when he would overwork the leg. but, he would say it isn’t too, too bad, truth be told - he can deal with it, even though it can be really bothersome. he’s kind of just… ignored it, but physical therapy had helped and later, working out would help pretty often too. but, it’s still something that’s bothersome and he should really look after it, but he tends to just work through it, truth be told. // END TW.

when he's young, he gets super into music. it's almost out of nowhere, but he was always someone that just really liked music. so, bongki and choa - as well as the rest of the family - decided to really curate this interest of duri's. instead of going to cram school, he was going to a music and vocal academy - he'd learn piano, violin, and guitar, as well as take vocal classes. he loves it, it's all he wants to do, truth be told, it was clear he was meant to do this.

he was good at school, truth be told; he was always studying, relying on himself to do so because he wasn't attending cram school or any type of academic academies, considering he traded it for music and vocal. he was always known as the rather friendly, sweet, kind, and nice kid in school, he was friends with every person. this was something that caused duri to always be the class representative each year in school because of the fact that he got good grades, and he was friends with everyone. though, a lot of the time he was kind of walked over and used because the teachers really liked duri, so students easily got things.

duri surprises a lot of people at school, too, during a talent show when the big voice comes out of the kid who's always doing his work, the nice kid, the reliable, diligent kid. he's scouted here at the talent show, but he doesn't actually believe anyone is who they actually say they are; so, he never does anything with the scouts information.

at age fourteen, in 2015, duri opens up a youtube channel, duri's record shop. he had just gotten equipment to do this a month prior and he was really excited. he uses this channel to upload song covers, since he's just always really loves to sing, this was an outlet outside of talent shows and vocal classes. he gets channel subs and views; as well as a decent amount of comments that he answers. but, duri isn't an influencer or anything of that nature because he didn't have a consistent upload schedule.

as a teenager, he's kind of really ambitious, truth be told; he was already doing a lot. but, as a teenager is when duri gets about 6 certifications to his name. he gets level 10 certifications in piano, violin, and guitar. he achieves level 5 certifications in english and japanese as well, two languages he had been learning since he was young. as a teenager, as well, he also gets his hands on a vocal teaching certification. so, as you can see, duri's kind of always liked the adventure of learning and diving head first in those kinds of things. ambitious in some sort of sense, but he really just loved those things and he was constantly just learning them; especially when he couldn't sleep.

in october of 2017, duri uploads a brand new cover to his youtube channel. he decides to cover his all-time favorite, i will always love you by whitney houston. he did the same routine he always did, recording the song in the corner of his birthday, before editing the video on his bed on his laptop, and then uploading it. he thinks nothing of it, as he usually does, and then a week later... all of a sudden, it had blown up. he gets a bunch of comments, views, subs, and everything in between. he does his best to respond to as much as he can.

this viral hit is something that causes duri to receive a lot of people trying to scout him, love calls if you will. though he ends up accepting secret garden's offer due to the promise of debut.

he attends somewhat of a private audition with his uncle and aunt soon after accepting their offer, going through all the ropes, before signing upon the dotted line.

he's thrust into preparations for a debut as a soloist. in truth, he kind of always thought he was going to be a group member when he dreamed of this life. but, he's more than okay with being a soloist because of the type of music he'll be doing. not to mention, it's clear secret garden wanted to utilize the vocals that he holds. he debuts on january 1st, 2018 with the mini album, at gwanghwamun.

duri writes, composes, and produces all of his tracks. only about two of them are composed and produced by him, rather than written, and those are the ones that are covers of songs, rather than originals.

he's a rather strong vocalist; he's got a voice that's really made for ballads and really just power vocal songs. which is all of the songs that duri really tends to do, they stay in that realm of using his incredible vocals; which he's really happy because duri just loves to sing, and loves to really show off his voice. honestly it just really makes him happy??

luckily, with the type of music duri does as a soloist, he doesn't have to dance. which he's kind of really thankful for because he's almost kind of insecure about it? plus, he'd rather not have his leg really flare up from such movement. though, he does know a good amount of dancing and you could get him in on the tiktok challenges. but, there's really only a few times he'll actually be a dancer and all that.

duri's a very sweet guy. he's super kind, rather friendly, and can be a bit talkative. he's super bubbly, someone who kind of just giggles a lot because it's almost like it needs to get out. he's definitely charming in those type of ways; the way he's super kind, sweet, bubbly, friendly, reliable, helpful, and all that stuff. he's everything sugar, to put it simply. honestly, he's really just a soft guy!!

a bit of a crier like a lot of his emotions just come out as crying. though it's also because there's just that part of him that's a bit gloomy because of the trauma, that's neither here nor there. he definitely cried big time on every single award and stuff that he's won.

he's a happy boy, even though sometimes he has a hard time with his mental health. in a sense, he kind of masks his bad days with how he usually is, especially because he doesn't want to burden anyone with his own things.

holds the energy of a puppy, but also is the sun that's shining down. he's a super bright person. honestly, there's not one mean bone in his body, he doesn't even know the definition of being mean.

will 100% try to be your friend, not even gonna lie. he's just a real friendly guy, probably believes you're friends with him after one conversation!

his image is definitely just his own personality, truth be told. there's really no other way for duri to be. on top of being known as the sweet, bubbly, friendly, nice guy to the public - he also holds an approachability image, a born to be an idol image, as well as a good leader image.

duri lives by himself in what could probably be considered a humble apartment? it's an apartment with a loft that has one bedroom (though, it's probably in a more luxury apartment building in a sense.) however, duri's designed it to have his bedroom on the loft and he uses the bedroom as more of like an office/library and where his music stuff is. he's lived in the apartment for 5 years, and his family had paid for the apartment until he started making his own profit. he could probably get a much bigger apartment, but he's very much into his current apartment.

big time collector of cute things, he really likes cute things. so, he's got a lot of plushies and stuff like that, considering they're really just his favorite.

he's a big-time plant and flower person, so he's got a lot of plants around because he feels it brings life and greenery to a place. they make him happy.

big time book reader as well, so he's got a lot of books, and you can probably often see him reading books as well at random times. sometimes, he really just likes the quiet time and escaping into books, in some sense of it.

duri really likes playing video games that are labeled as "cozy" truth be told. so, things like animal crossing, stardew valley, etcetera. anything that's kind of relaxing, in some sense, duri is all about. that's really the only video games that he tends to know, truth be told. though, he can also really come through on fifa games as well.

he's 100% a shower singer. has full on whitney houston, beyoncé, kelly clarkson, mariah carey, celine dion, anyone who's released taeyeon songs, little mix, angelic songs, eternal songs, and various ballad concerts (of course among other songs) in the shower.

has an alcohol allergy. so, he tends to avoid anything with alcohol because of it. meaning alcohol itself (which is fine because duri is not big on nightlife at all), medication containing it, and a lot of stuff. it kills him that he has to avoid things that contain gochujang paste due to the meju-garu - aka, anything fermented is a no-go.

duri is really, really big on cooking. it's one of his favorite things to do, something that he's pretty good at. when he can, he's often just the one who cooks meals because he prefers to do something of that nature. though, of course, he doesn't get to do it as often with how busy schedules are. but, he does often crave a home-cooked meal.

one thing to note is that duri has some pretty bad claustrophobia. so, if you take an elevator with him, you might notice that he has a bit of a habit where he stands in the back corner, closing his eyes, and sings to himself when the doors close; placing his mind elsewhere to pretend he's not inside the elevator. it's probably a bit odd, but it helps.

very very gay. that's it, that's the tweet.

duri has gotten lucky with secret garden, to be honest. he's written, produced, and composed every single solo song that he's released. getting the chance to do something like this has really meant a lot to him, especially in a company like secret garden; but, he's glad he has a good relationship with the company and they've entrusted him to do. would really like to write songs for others as well in the future.

duri's done a lot of different things in his career. of course, he has his career as a soloist that's pretty successful. though, he sits at 4 in fame currently and a 2 in fandom - simply because his fandom is kind of mainly old people (whom are dedicated and spending money) and a few of the people around his age who just like his music + the variety shows he appears on. his fame kind of is really on the hands of the general public who likes his music and will watch his shows.

he's had a few osts, such as "told you so" from where stars land, "but, it's destiny" from crash landing on you, "start over" from itaewon class, and "breath" from doctor cha.

duri's also made his japanese debut in december of 2022! he wrote, composed, and produced all of the songs on the album, human (by max changmin), the cover of put your records on, he's completely composed and produced himself.

has had a few different main castings as well and some other great feats, like winning 6 times in a row on king of masked singer.

anyways, he's a good boy <3 i really, really love park duri and i love writing him sm i'm so excited :") this got way too long i'm so sorry!! but, thank you for reading this far!

[pennamesmith]

Okay I’m gonna tell a story. This one’s for my followers, all 300 or so of you, though I don’t mind if anyone else sees it. The tl;dr is, Synonyms for Space, my old Entrapdak fic (which recently got some incredible fanart!) was partially inspired by true events.

So anyway, in 2020 my grandparents’ house burned down.

I say grandparents. I’m not actually blood related to them, but they were the spiritual parents of a huge artist community that included both of my actual parents, and were instrumental in getting them together, so I think of them that way.

Their house was amazing. They’d done so many renovations themselves that it was a truly unique and magical building, filled with art created by them and their friends and family — ceramics, sculptures, paintings, and more. The gardens were beautiful. It was like the coolest museum/library you could imagine. I’d managed to be there for every single holiday season of my life at that point, and plenty of other times besides.

It was also in the woods in California, so you might know where this is going.

They’d had close calls with wildfires before and narrowly escaped. One year the fires burned within a couple dozen feet of the house, only to be miraculously stopped at the exact spot one of their sculptures stood like a guardian.

In August 2020 the fires won. My grandfather had passed away the year before, so he never had to see it, but my grandmother still lived there, nearby some close friends and family, who were also all artists with unique homes filled with priceless creations.

Everyone was safely evacuated, but all the homes were completely lost, along with almost all the art (meanwhile, some crappy plastic pool furniture survived without a scratch, a detail I used in the story). A couple days later my parents sent me photos of what was left (I live on the other side of the country now) and seeing the ruins, knowing what it was supposed to look like, did a real number on me.

I started writing the story pretty much immediately, and I was done in less than two hours. It came out to exactly 1000 words completely by accident, a neat trick that I repeated on purpose with the sequels because I like round numbers. Most of the imagery of the destroyed Fright Zone, with burned-out ruins and everything covered in ash, was taken directly from the pictures I saw and my memories of earlier wildfires (2009, for example, was a hell of a year). Working through my feelings with the story, and then seeing how much it affected everyone who read it, was probably one of the most helpful things I did to process that tragedy.

I don’t know if me talking about this here has a point other than art is good in all its forms and is a vitally important part of what makes us human, or something basic like that, but it’s still true and it’s an example of why that matters to me, and I wanted to share it with you. Thank you for being here and sharing art with me.

Some of the photos are under the cut, if you’re curious.

This is part of the house in a photo taken about a year before the fire.

This is the same spot after.

This is the picture I was looking at while I wrote the story.

These are the cleaned-up ruins, about a year later.

A lot has grown back since then!