#someone i love is a conspiracy theorist

[wild-at-mind]

Listening to Jon Ronson's podcast series on the 'culture wars' that ignited during the pandemic, and it had a very interesting insight on what makes people so vehemently convinced of their conspiracy theory beliefs- if it mixes with personal grievances it can become incredibly strong for that person individually. Example given was Judy Mikovits, a scientist who fell into conspiracy thinking after her research into potential viral causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was discredited in 2011. Those speaking on the podcast who knew her work believe Mikovits made an honest mistake caused by contaminated lab equipment. And from the interview with her, it was clear she feels very strongly about finding something that can help sufferers of CFS. So there's the powerful emotional aspect of her being unable to accept her own failure to do that.

For my dad, it was the fact that his mother, my grandmother, who is in her 90s and had been living alone in good physical and mental health, began to show symptoms of cognitive decline early in lockdown when she could no longer meet her friends and socialise. She's now in a dementia home. And she is very elderly so you could say that she might have developed dementia anyway, but my dad who was visiting her regularly saw it happening in real time and made the direct connection to lockdown. That started him off with the emotional bias against lockdown. (Also he hated masks because he's extremely short sighted and was sick of them fogging his glasses- I feel like there were probably solutions to that one that he didn't try though, as a fellow glasses wearer.)

I've ranted before about people trying to give smart insights on susceptable groups (the old 'did you know left wing people can fall for conspiracy theories?? And intelligent people??' ones who tell on themselves by revealing they think this is somehow about intelligence level). This is the first time I've seen someone make the connection to an individual emotional upheaval. I think it's very good insight. We sort of knew that what happened with his mother was connected to his views on the pandemic in some way, but this was somewhat of a lightbulb moment for me.

[attackofthe50footidiot]

How I look casually making one of my ocs be into g/t in a story with literally zero size difference elements and having it never come up in the plot

[etlu-yume]

I'm going back over articles I had printed earlier this month for a research folder and trying to zoom through them to make notes for an appointment tomorrow.

I am so. fucking. Tired.

"due to iron loss during menstruation, pregnancy and lactation" "females lose iron during their menstrual periods and during pregnancies"

Like theoretically, I get it. I know the logic is sound.

But it's sure as hell not true in this scenario.

I know from experience that despite my so-called "self medicating" periods, that my iron will rise. They do not magically "save me" from my body doing what it's programmed to do.

I mean, consider it.

If you lose ~1mg of iron over the cycle.

And regular people absorb and lose about 1mg a day.

But people with Haemochromatosis reportedly absorb between 2-4mg a day.

So if for example you absorbed 2mg a day, and you lose 1mg over the whole cycle. If your cycle goes for 5 days, that's 5mg. But with that funky-dunky gene mutation, you've absorbed 10mg during the same time. So you're still going to be up by 5mg. (Unless my maths is wrong.)

If you were absorbing 4mg a day - that would make it 20mg absorbed, and 15 left over once you take out the iron loss from bleeding.

Like am I the only one sitting here looking at the numbers going "uhhhh not so sure about the 'periods are magic they save women from iron overload' thing here guys"?

[peaceeandcoolestvibes]

Yall: being famous and rich is amazing

These bitches:

[anonymous-existences]

DCxDP Prompt 15 :

Danny/Wes idea, Demon Sibs Combined into it.

Short prompt and vague stuff. If I had to motivation I'll do some continuation to it but picture this.

DanyalDanny knows he's adopted, always had known especially since he was adopted as the Fenton's were out and about looking for ghosts back when he was merely 6, they found him all battered and bloodied up and immediately took him in as their own, Jazz was very pleased with a new little brother and she became her reason to stay and purpose to protect.

The Fentons aren't the best but they loved Danny, Danny could say the same as he was shocked to see their reactions when he first called them 'Mom' and 'Dad'. They burst into tears and pulled Danny into a love filled bear hug, Danny could say it was the most love he has ever felt.

But Danny, he would never talk about his past, no, no, he claimed amnesia. He felt subtle guilt when he lied about it but now it felt insignificant to worry about, after becoming a Halfa due to the portal accident, he found himself in the middle of simping A-listers and a conspiracy theorist who immediately clocked him upon sight(how did he do that??).

Wes Weston always had the affinity of finding out someone's identity behind a mask, he always voiced out these thoughts knowing no one would believe him but at times it can still get pretty annoying. Danny Fenton caught his eye, he never paid attention to the boy but he kept a secret tab on him, the way he walked felt stuff and subtly regal, the way he talked had a hidden southeast accent(?) that Wes couldn't pinpoint where came from.

Considering the Fact that Danny was adopted... Completely out of nowhere, the Fenton's picked up a boy from somewhere in the world and adopted him without question but Wes doesn't think that's suspicious since the Fentons ARE the Fentons after all.

What kept his tabs, and everything else come to life is when Phantom appeared, Kyle Weston, his brother refused to help and exempted himself from Wes's spiraling Theories piling up.

Wes immediately clocked Phantom as Danny, It's too obvious for Christ's sake, Fenton? PHANTOM? It was so original and unoriginal at the same time, Wes still forced his brother to listen and at some point Wes noticed Dash stopped bullying Danny after having Dash listen through Wes's Theoretical Rant.

Dash and Kyle want nothing to do with Danny, they don't have him, they just suspect Wes is secretly gay and his love language is comparing his crush to the awesome town vigilante ghost.

Everything is as normal as everyday until the GIW found out about Danny's identity, The Fenton Parents and Jazz weren't there when they took Danny away for 'Examination'. So Wes did what any normal person would do, pull out the exact blueprint and hidden passageway of The GIW Facility Base and Bust Danny out of there without getting the already wounded and partially open boy even more injured and in pain.

The Fenton parents did everything they could do to hide Danny as soon as they got home after Wes had contacted them somehow, they love their baby boy so much, He's their Danny, their Daniel, their Phantom.

Wes dragged Kyle into the mess, Not that Kyle had any options and thus. With the help of Jazz who was in Gotham for college, The Fenton Parents stayed behind to keep the GIW in Amity, And Wes along with his Begrudgingly Dragged Along Older Brother Kyle, Is heading to Gotham.

Did Danny anticipate that Wes and Kyle both have truth altering possibly also Reality Warping curse that they bend to their will, but then again sometimes they're too stupid and too human to use these curses to their advantage.

They arrived in Gotham and at first everything was Normal, Danny became the Handyman of their free and he'd fix anything for food and any of the sort. Especially candies for children who wanted their toys fixed, Wes was the weird quiet one who was deemed tough on the outside, soft on the inside because of how oddly kind he still was despite his first impressions.

Kyle was the chill one who was denser than rock in most occasions and jazz was the oldest one who was raising them(along with Kyle) as well as pursuing psychology.

Now here comes more of the DC part :

Wes starts to theorize about the bats, same old same old, Danny listens to them intently as Wes makes pretty good points about the identities(Except Bruce Wayne as Batman, cuz that guys a Total Himbo Billionare.)

Danny and Robin meet by pure coincidence. Danny recognizes him immediately, Damian impulsively taking off his mask and charging at Danny, Both knew they were not Clones of each other and Danny comes home with an unmasked Robin and not any of them feels that this is something out of place.

Going as far as serving Damian a plate of food and Danny introducing the Weston Siblings and Jazz. Jazz immediately mentally adopting Damian because he's her baby brother Twin thus he's just another little chick of hers.

For a while Robin takes time to have dinner on their house, Alfred obviously instantly notices but doesn't mention it Infront of others but merely tells Damian to stay safe and eat well.

The Batfam slowly notice the change of demeanor, Damian slowly getting less aggresive and acting softer and perhaps a tad bit too innocent like for their comfort, they finally follow him to the place he frequents and sneaks off to every night and they see him take off his mask and hug someone who's the exact replica of him, just blue eyes.

They see him drop his guard and become comfortable by their small dining table that fits 5 perfectly. If it weren't for his current costume at the time then he would have looked like a normal civilian boy.

Shenanigans Ensue. You guys can take it from here ✨

[becausegoodheroesdeservekidneys]

You reblogged a post claiming luigi mangione used a 3D printed gun for the uhc ceo shooting and I need to clarify something important:

— Police claim that he had a 3D printed gun on his person when arrested.

— Based on the footage of the actual UHC ceo assassination there is no way that shooting could have been done with a 3D printed gun. I can get into all the nitty gritty if you like, or I can just say I’m an American who has shot guns, grew up with a veteran surrounded by guns, and has a lot of specialized knowledge.

So while it *may* be accurate to say luigi mangione 3D printed a gun, whoever shot the uhc ceo did NOT do that with a 3D printed gun they did it with a fairly specific weapon and explicit knowledge of how to execute someone in the street silently. (Information we all have now if we know where to look.)

I don’t want to come off as a conspiracy theorist so I’m stopping here but there’s also some quirks of American law that make the 3D printed gun sus af in this case that I’d love to talk about if anyone cares.

Oh this is fun! I know nothing about guns because we don't have them in Wales, 3D printed or otherwise. Interesting new angle, though. By all means, infodump away

[erinwantstowrite]

ok fuck it adding on to this. tim and dick definitely adopt people they like and want to win. they go into these with the sole purpose of having fun and one of the ways to have fun is to turn the tides in someone's favor who was genuinely nice to them and/or is super funny and/or deserves to win and get some good money (which they always follow up on after the show is over to make sure they got what they needed, because money prizes are kind of scams and might make life worse). the first day they meet someone who admits their mom has been sick for a while and they were running out of ways to pay the expenses of her medical bills. later on a down on their luck college student is struggling with one of the challenges and dick and tim help them get by it by grabbing them and like practically carrying them to the finish line (they don't even jeopardize their covers because they're known athletics+ can play it off like "oh bruce took us rock climbing a few times" or smth along those lines). one person has a small breakdown where the told the camera "I think you're trying to fucking kill me" and someone on the crew was like "amanda it's just oatmeal" and amanda was not having "this wretched slop for breakfast, jim, this is cruel and unusual punishment." tim thought she was hilarious and she had warned them genuinely about someone talking shit about them so he decides then and there that amanda is protected for the rest of the game.

on the other hand, tim and dick can and always will be able to sniff out someone who is being an antagonist for the producers and is basically just doing their job, vs someone who is normally a shithead and they're not acting, the producers just got lucky to find a truly nasty person. These people never win the game no matter how hard they try- if it's the first type, tim and dick aren't evil. they'll make sure they're taken care of after the game is over because they were just there to make ratings go up and it's annoying but it's part of the life. the second type?? nah son they're screwed. they can try to be a manipulative bitch with contestants but dick and tim are always more so. they're using batman training behind the scenes to destroy whatever this person is trying to build up. this is the most fun they have on the show. even through faking being bad at something or playing dumb and "somehow managing to scrape by" or making friends with people they meet on the shows, ruining an annoying bitch's day is their favorite activity. because if they can't go on patrol or beat up a villain, then they can make this person quit after they tried to make someone tim and dick are protecting cry

Dick and Tim would be REALLY good on reality tv,,, they're both charismatic (please do not forget that Tim makes friends/allies easily just like Dick can), handsome, CLEVER, and know how to play to a persona. i think they'd go on shows for fun and to de-stress. like one too many things piss them off in their daily lives and they could pretty much get a vacation from it just to go on these shows. no one in the family can talk to them and they get to annoy people, crack jokes, and get fun puzzles in the form of a literal puzzle or figuring out social dynamics of the other players.

sometimes they go on shows by themselves but mostly use it as a brotherly bonding activity. if it's a show where they can be a duo they're GOING to do it. and they're going in to play to a storyline, not to win. they don't need the money, they don't need the publicity, they just want to have fun. sometimes if they figure out that everyone on the show sucks and they get competitive, they'll win. but mostly their goal is "how can we make the funniest plot line look the most natural." or something like that. i know a producer LOVES to see them coming. i bet EVERYONE tunes in when they're on a show because they're fucking hilarious even if half of what they say are inside jokes. the rest of the family watches and they KNOW what those shits are pulling, they have betting pools where they guess what the two are gonna do next, they're the FIRST to make memes for both internet and for the family group chats.

one time they convinced Bruce to go (it's been many a years since he really had to play up the Brucie role, cause he's a dad now and the older he gets the more people expect him to mellow out, and even back when he was full Brucie, reality TV wasn't his thing). it was one of those survival based shows where you come is as a team and try to win together. Bruce got lost in the woods after going on a hike. The camera men literally lost him and Tim and Dick were playing it up for the camera. Dick cried and invited the other teams to a funeral. Tim had a speech that was basically "I think he's fine but this is my perfect opportunity to embarrass my dad with stories." The producers were like "we fucking killed Bruce Wayne oh my fucking god" and Bruce shows up at the funeral like "oh what a beautiful service my boys are so great." They won by pure luck and circumstances and they were actively TRYING to lose that game. They were gobsmacked at the end and everyone uses the moment they looked at each other in confusion and shock as reaction gifs

[skylarsblue]

✦Incorrect C.O.D Quotes, since AO3 is down✦

Gaz: I wanna know what exactly your type is. Y/N: I'm not just gonna give you more fodder to throw at me- Gaz: I have an idea of it already, but I want details! Y/N: No! Gaz: Like- König! Would you- Y/N: Of fuckin’ course I wanna fuck König! He’s huge, he could LITERALLY snap me in half and my dad didn’t love me, of course I want him to fuck me! Soap: *does that weird inhale-choke-cough*

— (Dick mention + a woman’s experience of a dude making gross comments. It’s funny I swear-) Fem!medic!Y/N: most of the time, people are pretty nice and sometimes impressed when when I bring up I’m a medical professional. Other times…eh.. Soap: Eh? Y/N: Sometimes you get conspiracy theorists. Soap: Ohhhh… Y/N: Some evangelists, gross dudes. Gaz: Gross dudes? What’s the worst you’ve heard? Ghost, sipping a whiskey: This outta be good. Y/N: Uh, once I told this man hitting on me I was a field doctor? He said, and I quote. “Been awhile since my last check up, mind checking me for ball cancer.” And I- Gaz: WHAT Soap: YOU’RE KIDDING Y/N: I am not. I just- I walked away. Price: Fuckin’ hell. Y/N: It’s fine. He got shot in the dick next mission, ended up with a male doctor. Ghost: Karma at its best.

- Graves: Oh FUCK YOU Y/N: Tsk, oooo…you don’t have enough money for that. Soap: HAHA!

- Soap, drunk: Back Street’s back, alright! Do do do do- Gaz, drunk on Price’ shoulders: Dodooodo- Price: Simon, get your boy. Ghost: *picking Soap up by his belt, carrying him like a bag* Yes sir.

- Recruit: When you gonna stop giving me blue balls? Gaz: Whoa hey!- Y/N: Aight, I got my steel toes on. How bout we make’em black and blue? Recruit: I- Y/N: Shut the fuck up. I’ve already turned you down, get a hint. Word of advice? Rather than shoot for the stars, maybe shoot your shot in your lower bracket, yeah? Recruit: Gaz: Someone get a fire extinguisher, this dudes been burned. Soap: On it. *sprays recruit with fire extinguisher*

- Soap: Nice onesie, does it come in men’s? Gaz, in his pyjamas: I think you cum enough in men for the all of us. Soap: ACK- Ghost: *slides out of the room*

- Ghost: Have you ever considered, just once, using your brain first? Soap: Now why would I do that?

- (Insert random name I HC for Laswell’s wife) Kate, after being in a bad explosion and ending up in this hospital: My wife, she’ll get upset if she sees you rubbing me like that on my chest. Diana: I am your wife. Kate …. Diana: :) Heart rate monitor: BEEPBEEPBEEPBE- Kate Hi. Diana: Hehe, hi. Gaz, in the corner: Oh to be in love. Soap: This is disgusting, why can’t I have this? >:,( Gaz: Cause your type in men is awful. Soap: Hey!

- Y/N: *walks into common room* Hello, I am very upset. I feel a meltdown coming on and you are all buff men, so I would like to request being picked up and held like a baby for a short period of time, please. Soap: Do you want to talk about what’s bothering you? Y/N: Nope. König: ….*slowly approaches and picks Y/N up from under their arms* Y/N, clinging to him like a koala and hiding in his shoulder: Thank you, I appreciate you. König: *awkward back pat*

- König: :) Y/N: Bloopbloopbloopbloop- Horagi: Y/N! Y/N: What? Horagi: Tha-That is our colo-that is a dangerous man! Y/N: He’s not a dangerous man! Horagi: What are y- Y/N: We’re bloopin’! Bloopbloopbloop- König: -w-

- Price: Kid, I need you to- Gaz & Y/N: *dancing like they don’t have jobs to do* Gaz: Go stink! Y/N: Fuck it up! Gaz: Go stink! Y/N: Fuck it up! Gaz: Go stink! Y/N: That’s what’s up! Gaz: Go stink! Y/N: I’m in love! Price: AHEM Gaz: Oh shit- Y/N: HEEEYY captaaaaiinn, what’s uuupp ahaha… Price: *sigh*

- (Based on; Me if COD was real. Deadass. Full serious. I am not kidding) Gaz: So have you met the Captain yet? Y/N: No. Gaz: Are you nervous? Y/N: No no, I have a firm belief that they’re just people. Obviously I’ll respect him as a superior but that’s nnnnnnnnwho the hell is that? Y/N: *fucking breaking their neck* Gaz: Oh- Nope. No no, THAT is Captain. Don’t think about it. Y/N: I’m thinking about it. Gaz: That’s not allowed. Y/N: Ive done worse for less, if he asks I’m sucking it, you can’t stop me. Gaz: Jesus Bloody Christ- Y/N: Tell him to call me when he’s on leave. Gaz: Stop-

- König: *walks in* Ghost: ?? Soap: Oh, hey! Gaz: Y’a need somethi- König: *picks up Y/N under his arm while humming, leaving the room* König: I love stealing, I love taking things!~ Ghost: What the f-

- Colonel!König: I’m 42 so, I don’t- Y/N: YOU’RE 42?! Colonel!König: Yeah. Y/N: …it’s okay no one has to know babygirl~ König: NEIN! Nein, don’t call me babygirl!-

- (Based on this awful Gaz outfit I saw on Twitter) MILF!Y/N: *doing paperwork* Gaz: Would you date me? Y/N: Baby we couldn’t even get a drink together. You can’t buy me nothin. Gaz: What do you mean? :( Y/N: Look at your outfit! What are you wearing? Gaz: I think I look pretty fly. Y/N: For who, your mom? Gaz: :((

- Gaz: STOP DATING MY CAPTAIN Y/N: ….you know what, I’m gonna start dating him even harder. Gaz: What’s that supposed to mean? Y/N: You know what it means.

- MILF!Y/N: *shoving apple juice into a cart* They gon’ need nutrition. Laswell: How many kids do you have? MILF!Y/N: Eleven! Laswell: So I’m assuming your kids really like apple juice? MILF!Y/N: No but they looove orange juice but they’ve been bad this week. Laswell: What grade are your kids in? MILF!Y/N: Sixteenth grade. Laswell: PFFT Sixteenth- that’s not even a grade! So your kids graduated college? MILF!Y/N: No they, they- …where are my kids?

- (Her “kids” on the other side of the store) Price: Boys please- Gaz: I AM NOT LOSING! Soap, in a fuckin’ headlock with him: Yes you fuckin’ are!! Ghost: *slipping cookies under his mask, he did not pay for them* König: *looking for a fruity snack* Horagi: *grabbing as many packs of spicy chips as he can* Alejandro: This is a disgrace. *holding up frozen burritos* Rudy: These are worse. *motions to frozen tamales* Alex: Did you know you can use coke as rust remover? Farah: …and you want to drink it??

- Y/N: So. Kyle. Gaz, already afraid: …yes? Y/N: I found some of your old playlists… Gaz: Y/N: Gaz: Y/N: You an emo? Gaz: I was a SCENE as a teenager, get it right.

[blackkatdraws2]

3rd Batch: The Citizens!

[Blank Scripts AU (non-canonical)]

There exists a more peaceful world outside the Parable. Where all the common folks go about their lives.

A group of workers enters the welcoming bakeshop of Red Ribbon operated by a sweet, hardworking family. They take a quick visit together for bread and cake to munch, simple warm food for lunch.

BATCH LIST:

- [1st Batch: The Inhabitants] - [2nd Batch: The Janitors] - [3rd Batch: The Citizens] - [4th Batch: The Guardians]

↓ [Thoughts and Credits below] ↓

-----------⟡

The second illustration is complete! More coming soon!

Slowly fighting art block!! Thankfully it only lasted for 2 and a half weeks. I don't know what I would have done if it extended for a month or more, haha.

These are the citizens! After looking at all these characters, the info given to me shared the same features of these characters existing as normal people or outside of the Parable!!

I didn't put any of my own characters in this illustration. I was planning to but I wasn't capable enough to think of a more clever composition to show all 9 characters [the extra 1 being my own.] So only 8 characters for this one.

Lex by @corelex

Ah yes, the original. Lex was the first to draw about her self-insert, Sies, into the Blank Scripts AU. This character and artist has done a lot in influencing me to interact with other artists with OCs and self-inserts who also wanted to join in on Blank Scripts! Thank you, Lex. I appreciate you and Sies lots and lots. (❁´◡`❁)

Melanie by @insomniphic

OUR PAPARAZZI GIRL!! She loves taking secret pictures of drama and spice in the Narrator's [Black's] company and talks a lot about them too! I absolutely love her teehee

Steve by @xandyprojects

Here comes the chef! The idea of a cook who works for the Parable and feeding both staff and monsters is such a cute idea hehehw. He looks a bit intimidating in appearance but he's a sweetheart when he just wants to feed someone. [Just don't waste food please]

Xavier by @4thwallbreakerdraws

The man, the guy, the legend himself! He's an absolute asshole and I LOVE him. Despite his superficial exterior, he's a very complex and deep character with all his interesting lore! He's been an absolute delight to have around.

Rei by @mei-meidraws

He's a sweetheart and he deserves the world awuhaw I hope he gets to be as creatively free as much as he wants to be. He's just a swell guy in general.

Anala by @hyydrochloricacidd

I kept my promise! Anala is in this illustration!! I couldn't find a scenario to draw both of them last time so I took this opportunity to draw her in this one instead. Also, it just fits the lore of Anala trying to find her sister but she's still in the outside world, you know?

Joshua and lola Edna by @meiitenn

Guh... Joshua.. Our little cringe man, our conspiracy theorist, our meow meow... Oh no, I hope nothing bad happens to him ahahahaw I hope nothing bad happens to him. Right, Mei?

[thanosscross]

Doodles - Hwang HyunJin X Reader - Soulmate AU

Summary: After you turn 17, you can see whatever your soulmate writes on their body. whatever they write appearing in the same place on your body, so what happens after your 21st birthday whenever you start getting suspicious if your soulmate is an idol or not?

Warnings: SMUT! Smut smut smut at the end! <3

Word count: 5.7K 👀 longest story yet lovelies!

Nothing was more frustrating and rewarding than having a soulmate, especially whenever whatever was written on your soulmate's body, would also appear on yours in the same spot. It'd all start as soon as somebody turned seventeen-years-old, nobody could explain it, no scientist, conspiracy theorist, religion follower could figure it out. As soon as it would hit the exact time you were born on your seventeenth birthday, it would happen though.

For Hwang HyunJin, it would take a few weeks for anything to appear on his body, but the first time it would, he'd be on the couch with one of his friends, and bandmates, Felix. They'd be hanging out together, going through different funny videos that fans had made, whenever Felix would notice the words starting to form on his friend's wrist, almost like it was a permanent ink pen '2,301,676 + 72,063 + 170,068'. "Hyunjin! Look! I think your soulmate is doing something!" He smiled excitedly, HyunJin glanced down, smiling slightly "They're doing math" He chuckled, picking up a pen as he started to write below the words that sat permanently on his wrist until yours faded, or you washed it off. '2,543,807' he wrote, setting the pen and his phone down with a smile, feeling proud that he could help his soulmate with something.

You wouldn't be able to see anything from HyunJin for another three years, whenever your seventeenth birthday would hit, you'd hide in your room, waiting excitedly for any interaction with your soulmate. You'd wait for about a week before you'd try and reach out first, writing a small 'hi :)' on the top of your hand, but nothing would ever appear for you. You'd start to think maybe you just didn't have a soulmate, never getting any type of response until one night, whenever you were staying over at your friends, waiting for the new StrayKids album to release. Laying on her couch, almost asleep until you spotted the faint markings at the bottom of your arm.

'Boom Vamos, I know that you want it

Boom Lobos, we cannot stop hunting

Boom Ratatata I'mma make it'

You'd stare in confusion, trying desperately to figure out what the phrase meant until you'd hear the newest Stray Kids song 'Chk Chk Boom'. That would cause you to become very, very suspicious over who your soulmate was, and how the hell they got ahold of Straykids lyrics before the official release. You'd spend a few weeks going back and forth with your soulmate, sure you hadn't had an actual conversation, but you'd go back and forth with your writing. If HyunJin wrote down song lyrics, you'd try your best to finish the song, if they were lyrics from a song, you hadn't heard yet, you'd always leave a small note of 'Sounds amazing :)' After those few weeks, you'd be convinced, your soulmate had to be someone in StrayKids, or someone who works with them, how else would they be getting song lyrics before the song's release?

Only a few hours away, in their studio, HyunJin would be lectured by his manager and Bangchan "It's not that we don't want you talking to them, but you're leaking song lyrics when you write them on yourself" Bangchan tried to reason, Hyunjin just raised his eyebrows, not really liking the way he felt like a child in trouble. "How else am I going to remember them?" He protested, their manager just sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose "I don't know, Just- Bangchan, figure it out" He sighed before rushing out of the recording studio, beyond stressed, leaving the boy group to sit alone awkwardly. "How about this, we just write the lyrics on the glass window of the booth, and then just clean it when we're done?" Han asked, causing Bangchan to smile brightly "Yea! Yea, that'd be perfect!" He replied, rushing to the desk to grab a dry-erase marker.

You wouldn't get anymore song lyrics after that, instead HyunJin would draw small little doodles on his arms, blushing brightly whenever he'd notice an addition to his doodle, done by his soulmate. You'd take pictures of each drawing that would be on your arm, not wanting to ever forget how adorable they were. "Y/n! Y/n L/n! Open the door!!" Your best friend shouted pounding harshly on the door, as you opened it, your friend quickly barreled into your apartment, practically exploding with excitement. "Slow down! What's wrong with you?" You giggled loudly, watching as she turned around squealing "How much do you love me!?" She squealed, holding her phone close to her chest "Uhhh, I don't know? More than anything" You smiled playfully, watching as she squealed again "Well! Your best friend in the whole world! Got us pit tickets to StrayKids next month!! With a signing the day before!" She screamed, not being able to hold back her excitement any longer, you stared at her in shock before squealing loudly as you hugged her tightly. Celebrating for the rest of the night with shots and blasting your favorite songs until you both ended up passing out.

One Month Later..~

As you paced the lobby of the signing, you felt your nerves starting to rise, why were you doing this? Why didn't you decide to wear a jacket or a long sleeve shirt? You had woken up that morning with your arm littered with the same signature over and over again, from your hand all the way to your shoulder. If you hadn't been such a fan of the boy group, you'd never have recognized it as quickly, but almost immediately, you and your friend recognized the signature of Hwang HyunJin. After that, you felt sure you knew who your soulmate was, you just needed to see if his arm matched. Now as you stood in the lobby though, you were regretting not bring some type of jacket, what if Hyunjin's arm wasn't the same? What if it was just some coincidence and all you looked like was a weird fan? As your friend rushed you inside, your anxiety began to multiply for a different reason. A few feet ahead of you sat all eight members of Stray Kids, as your eyes landed on HyunJin, your heart started hammering in your chest.

HyunJin had been nervous that day, he wasn't exactly sure why, nor would he show it, but he'd go to extreme lengths to make sure his outfit, hair, and signature was perfect. He wasn't sure why he was going to such lengths; he just had a voice in his head and a feeling telling him to make sure everything was perfect today. Even spending the entire car ride to the venue practicing his signature on his arm, despite his friends teasing. Whenever Jeongin's eyes landed on two girls who walked in, he started nudging one of his best friends excitedly "Look! Look! that one right there, with the h/c hair, she's got Hyunjin's writing all over!" He whispers yelled to Han who was sat between him and HyunJin. The loud whispers caught the young man's attention, HyunJin turning to look towards where his bandmates were motioning and looking, his eyes landing on you. More specifically your arm that had the exact handwriting his did, as you got closer to the front of the line, HyunJin felt himself growing more confident, if you were his soulmate and a fan, surely he wouldn't be rejected..right?

As you nervously stood at the front of the line, you hesitated, keeping your eyes trained on the black table ahead of you. Your friend gave you a gentle push forward towards the table, indicating it was your turn now. As you sat down in front of the first member, BangChan, you could feel your hands shaking violently, knowing you’d have to have a very awkward conversation very soon. “Hi!- are you okay?” His tone quickly changed from upbeat to concerned as he gently grabbed your hands, to try and stop them from shaking as bad. “Y-yea! I-I’m sorry” you stuttered out nervously, squeezing his hands gently in return, as you went to hand him your newest Stray Kids album along with one of his photo-cards to sign, BangChan took notice to your arm.

“Woah, HyunJin did that too ya know?” He asked before realizing what exactly what was going on, he had his best friend’s soulmate sitting in front of him currently. “That’s why you’re so nervous” he smiled nodding a bit as he quickly signed your things, watching as the staff motioned for you to move on to the next member. “Thank you” you smiled bowing slightly, he just gave you a supportive smile as he leaned over to Felix “that’s HyunJin’s soulmate look” he whispered before you sat down. Felix gasped loudly, leaned over the table to get a better look at your arm and you, you were extremely beautiful, maybe not his exact type, but definitely HyunJin’s type, and that’s all that mattered. “Hi! It’s so good to see you!” Felix greeted, almost like you two were old friends catching up rather than an idol and fan. “I-it’s good to see you too! I really love your g-guys music” you replied, smiling a bit as you tried to shove down your anxiety as you made your way to Hyunjin.

Whenever you finally sat down in front of HyunJin, there was a hint of tension, both of you could see clearly that you were soulmates, but neither of you said anything, you weren’t even sure what to say. “What’s all that about?” He asked teasingly, motioning towards your arm as he started to sign your things “Soulmate, decided to give me a tattoo sleeve of his name when I woke up” you explained nervously, giggling whenever you saw the idol smirk slightly as he laughed. Sitting in front of him calmed your nerves slightly, especially seeing that he wasn’t jumping to maybe you were just a crazy fan. “Seems like your soulmate knew you were coming to meet different guys” he teased, not yet noticing that it was actually his own signature, not just some random one. As HyunJin handed you the album case, and photo-card back, he took in the matching signature on your arm. As you were forced to move again, HyunJin felt a pull towards you, like he wanted to just get up and follow you out, but he knew he couldn’t do that, not without getting to know you first.

As the fan sign started wrapping up, the boys rushed to HyunJin “seriously! She was right there! Your soulmate was literally right in front of you! Why didn’t you say anything?!” They all shouted in chorus, not understanding his actions, or the fact that he never said anything to you indicating you were soulmates. “I reached out! I’m playing it cool!” He defended himself, smirking to himself as they all got ready to leave.

Whenever you got back home, you’d start setting up your new signed merch, only to notice the phone number scribbled underneath HyunJin’s name on his photo-card. “Holy shit holy shit…b/f/n!!!” You screamed, waiting until your friend got to your bedroom before starting to freak out. “I think I got HyunJin’s number!! Look!” You screamed, holding out the photo card as you nervously started to pace the floor. “Oh my god!! You have to text it! What if it is him!? What if you two are soulmates and get married and give me little idol niece and nephews!!” She squealed in reply, shoving the photo-card back to you as she started to jump up and down with excitement. “I-I don’t know” you whispered nervously, grabbing your phone, hovering your fingers over the numbers on the keypad, contemplating on if you really wanted to reach out.

HyunJin spent the rest of his night after the Fan sign, eating dinner with his friends and then going back home to wait by the phone. He wasn’t about to make a whole scene in front of over a thousand fans, because he found his soulmate, he'd prefer if that was private, at least for now. Whenever his phone finally would buzz, he'd practically throw himself over the couch to see who the message was from.

Unknown: Hello? I got this number on a photo card 🫣

HyunJin: I noticed we matched today..

HyunJin could feel his leg start to bounce slightly as it took slightly longer for a reply from you, but almost as soon as he added your number as a contact, a new message came through from you.

Beautiful: You just had to cover my entire arm in your name today, didn't you? 😂

HyunJin: Maybe I just had a feeling my soulmate was meeting my flirty bandmates 😉

You immediately felt your cheeks run hot with a blush whenever you read over his message, him basically quoting himself from earlier. He knew it was you the moment he saw you, the words kept running through your head, causing you to become flustered over the entire interaction from before. Taking a moment to recollect yourself before replying back to him.

Beautiful: Was truly rude, I'm not sure if I'll ever forgive you now

HyunJin smirked to himself, already falling in love with you just by the few messages you had sent. As he pressed the small call button by your name, it wasn't long before he heard a soft, shy voice answer. "Yes?.." You whispered, your cockiness quickly fading as you were put on the spot, being on the phone and actually hearing his voice made it all real, which made you extremely shy over the fact you had a famous idol flirting with you. "Where'd all the flirtiness go, Gonjunim?" He asked smirking, moving to go to his bedroom rather than the living room, where the rest of the seven members sat. You blushed brightly as you shoved your face in your pillows for a moment to try and calm your racing heart from being flustered. "I'm just not forgiving you right now" You squeaked out, taking a deep breath as you finally sat up "I'm so sorry, Gonjunim, I'll make sure next time I leave my name on you, it's a little more private" He replied, having to cover his mouth afterwards, not believing he just said that out right. "Hwang HyunJin!" You gasped in shock, staring at the phone before taking a breath, trying to recollect your thoughts as you heard his chuckles through the speaker on your phone. "Yea! It'll sound just like that whenever it happens! and you know, I can't even gasp your name, you haven't told me" He chuckled, leaning back against his pillows that sat on his bed, you blushed brightly, rolling onto your stomach, setting your phone down on your bed as you smiled. "Y/n, Y/n L/n" You replied softly, blushing whenever you heard him whisper it quietly to himself.

You two would both end up falling asleep on the phone with each other a little past midnight, spending that entire night, flirting, joking, and just getting to know each other, you were soulmates after all. The next day would be hectic for the both of you, HyunJin being rushed to rehearsals, makeup and hair, and then dressing rooms to change into his preforming outfit. You and your friend were rushing to make sure you got to the venue in time to get good pit spots, you were determined, wanting to see the boys preform up close, especially the member you were falling in love with. Once you'd get inside, thankfully, you and your friends would both get straight to the barricades. As you stood against the metal fence like structure, you'd pull your phone out to text HyunJin quickly

Beautiful: I'm right at the barricade, I'm excited to see you again 😉

You wouldn't be expecting a reply, instead, you noticed writing starting to appear on your thigh, a little below the ends of your shorts. 'HyunJin's Gonjunim' sat proudly on your skin, causing you to blush brightly and try your best to hide it. The show would start shortly after that, and for almost the entire two and a half hours of it, HyunJin's gaze was always on you, especially during his verses and lines while singing. Whenever the show ended, your phone would buzz with a text message, which you wouldn't see until after you and your friend made it out of the actual arena of the venue.

HyunJin: Stay with me tonight

You'd be slightly confused at first, until you'd spot him peeking out of a door with a giant sign that had 'Employees Only' taped to it, he had been serious. After you convinced your friend to go ahead and go home, you made your way over to him, smiling with a bright blush as he smirked at you. "Absolutely breathtaking" HyunJin whispered, taking your hand in his gently to spin you around, getting a full view of your outfit. Your entire body felt hot as you became flustered under the idol's gaze, as you turned to face him again, you smiled softly "Hmm, looks like that soulmate of yours knew you'd be seeing those guys again" HyunJin teased, motioning towards your thigh before smiling innocently "Oh I saw, I swear to every god there is, I'm gonna get you back" You giggled, clinging to him slightly as he led through the door, through the backstage area until he ended up back at his dressing room. "Woah, this is..insane" You whispered looking around in awe at the incredibly expensive dressing room, HyunJin only smiled, wrapping his arms around your waist to pull you closer to him. As your back pressed against his chest, you blushed slightly "Excuse me sir, that's not how you greet a lady" You teased, feeling him squeeze his arms around you as he chuckled "Sorry, Gonjunim" He replied in the same teasing tone that you had used, you giggled reply, placing your hands on his arms as you leaned into his touch.

Whenever you'd get back to his shared dorm with ChangBin, HyunJin would give you a quick tour before leading you to his room with a smile "This is my room" He whispered nervously, he wasn't exactly sure why he was suddenly so anxious, but seeing you in his bedroom and not just hearing your voice through the phone, made his heart race. "Aein...Are you okay?" You asked after you turned to face him, noticing his nervous behavior, HyunJin glanced up slightly, raising his eyebrows as you wrapped your arms around him tight in a hug "I-I'm okay" He assured as he wrapped his arms back around you in return, feeling like his eyes were drawn to your eyes and then your lips, back and forth before you eventually spoke. "Kiss me" You demanded, HyunJin wasted no time in pressing his lips against yours, cupping your cheek as you moved your lips together. You rested your hands on his sides gently, blushing whenever you felt one of his hands move to your lower back, pulling you closer to his body as he nipped at your bottom lip.

HyunJin could feel himself growing confident as you gasped and whimpered under his touch, as you both moved over to the bed, HyunJin let you fall onto the mattress, giving you that damn smirk that made you flustered every time. "Is this okay, Jagiya?" HyunJin asked, his tone growing serious for a moment as he ghosted his hands over the waistband of your shorts. You took a deep breath as you nodded, placing your hands on the back of his neck, pulling him closer to press your lips against his jaw. As he let out a quiet grunt, you whimpered, feeling his hands working at undoing your shorts and shoving them down your legs. As HyunJin finally managed to get your jean shorts off he felt his jeans getting tighter, the dark black underwear hugging your body almost like they were made for you specifically. As he helped pull off your shirt, he was left speechless, taking in every bit of beauty that laid in front of him, you started to grow nervous under his gaze now. What if he was staring over something that was gross or ugly to him? "What did I do to deserve you?" HyunJin whispered to nobody as he leaned forward pressing his lips against your skin, moving from your neck, collarbone, then the top of your breasts. Reaching behind you, you quickly undid the clasp of your bra, letting it slide off of you before moving your hands to his shoulders, digging your nails into his skin as he moved his lips to your nipples.

"You're okay, Gonjunim, Changbin isn't here, let me hear you" He whispered against your skin, moving his lips from your nipple down your stomach until he got to the hemline of your underwear. "Uhm Excuse me" You huffed dramatically, motioning towards him and the fact he was still fully clothed compared to you being practically naked on his bed, he gave you a knee-weakening smile before rolling his eyes playfully. As he pulled off his shirt and shrugged his jeans off, you noticed how big he actually was inside of his boxers. "Gonjunim, you're staring" He smirked, pushing your underwear to the side, causing you to bite your lip quickly, keeping eye contact with him as he slowly pushed your legs further apart, allowing him access to ghost his ring and middle finger over your pussy. "You're the one who looks like that, you're literally a walking definition of perfect" You argued, your voice wavering as you felt his lightly tapping his fingers against you, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched you in amusement. You got no reply from HyunJin who just sat next to you, his fingers still ghosting over you while occasionally tapping one of his fingers against your pussy, his eyes going over your body repeatedly as he took in every bit of your body. You were like a goddess, and the fact you were his soulmate? Made his emotions and adrenaline run crazy, you huffed slightly leaning up to place a hand on his bare chest "Please, do whatever, just do something, please" You whimpered, gasping and grabbing ahold of his shoulders as he pushed two of his fingers inside of you.

As he curled his fingers inside of you, you could feel the knot in your stomach building, HyunJin seemed to notice, choosing to move his position to sit in between your legs. He kept his eyes trained on yours as he placed his mouth on your clit, pressing his tongue against it, causing you to moan loudly, running your hands over his buzzed head before grabbing onto the sheets. "There you go, Gunjunim, you sound so pretty whenever you moan" He stated against your skin, you just whimpered at the loss of contact against your clit, HyunJin chuckled shaking his head "Needy gunjunim" He stated before placing his mouth back on your clit, moving his fingers and tongue at the same pace, his tongue moving in different shapes across your clit as you moaned loudly. "F-Fuck! HyunJin please!" You moaned out, arching your back as he pushed his fingers as far as he could inside of you before pushing his pointer finger inside you with the other two.

HyunJin felt like if he got any harder, he'd end up dying or needing a hospital, the sounds you were making, the reactions your body was having, and the way your pussy kept squeezing around his fingers weren't helping either. With every movement of his fingers, you squeezed around him, causing his mind to wander on how tight you'd squeeze his cock if he fucked you. You pulled HyunJin out of his thoughts by calling out his name loudly, causing him to come back to reality right as you came around his fingers. A mixture of moans and whimpers leaving your lips as HyunJin felt your cum coating his fingers that slowed their movements inside of you. Your soulmate smirked as he watched you calm down from your high before pulling his fingers out of you.

You bit your lip as you watched HyunJin slipped a condom over his hard-on that stood stiff as he shrugged his boxers off. He was a lot bigger than you would have guessed, which made you slightly nervous, but also made you turned on all over again. You attempted to sit up and cup HyunJin's cheeks, but he stopped you, lifting you with ease as he helped you straddle his lap "Come on, Gunjunim, I have you one, you can work for the other" He whispered in a teasing tone as you gave him a confused expression, understanding his point, you nervously reached to grab his cock, positioning it at your entrance before slowly lowering your hips down. As his cock pushed deeper inside of you, you both moaned loudly, your arms immediately wrapping around him as he bottomed out inside of you, you swore you could feel his tip poking against your cervix. HyunJin panted against your neck, trying his best not to just flip you over and fuck you until you couldn't walk anymore, he couldn't do that, not yet at least. "Y/n, Gunjunim, Jagiya, I need you to move" He grunted, gripping onto the sheets so tight that his knuckles were turning white. "F-Fuck I-I can't" You whimpered, moaning softly as he repositioned himself to hold your waist tightly in his hands, guiding your movements. Your nails dug into his back, scratching down as he moved your hips against his, causing his cock to start moving in and out of you. "H-Hyun-" You moaned loudly, feeling him thrust his hips up, causing him to go further into you than before, HyunJin grunted, growing frustrated before he finally flipped you both.

As you laid on your back, HyunJin pushed his cock back inside of you, moving your legs to rest on his hips as he started to fuck you quickly. You moaned loudly tightening your legs around his waist causing his cock to go deeper inside of you, Hyunjin let his head fall against the pillows next to yours as he grunted lowly. He could feel himself slamming his cock into you as your pussy squeezed him even tighter, causing him to take a moment, not wanting to cum just yet. You whimpered in protest, desperately trying to grind your hips against his. Your actions caused him to growl in annoyance, one of his hands moving to rest on your stomach to keep you from trying to grind against him anymore, while to other found a tight grip in your hand "Such a brat" he huffed before continuing his thrusts, this time with a little more force and speed, you only moaned at his statement, squeezing around him, giving him the message that you 100% liked the new nickname. You were a moaning mess underneath your soulmate, feeling the knot in your stomach grow tighter with every thrust, HyunJin seemed determined, chasing after your orgasm rather than his own. As he let go of grip he had on your hair, he moved his hand between your legs, rubbing shapes into your clit as he thrusted into you. You whimpered loudly feeling like you were on the edge of cumming as HyunJin leaned closer to your lips, ghosting his over yours as he slammed his hips into you, pushing his cock as far as it would go before smirking "Come on, brat, get yourself off" He smirked, chuckling at your whines of protest, noticing him not backing down, you shyly replaced his hand with your own on your clit. As you grinded your hips against his, you quickly shut your eyes, feeling nervous and flustered under his gaze as he watched you basically fuck yourself on his cock. "Ah Ah, If you're going to be a brat, Gunjunim, you can at least look me in the eyes while you do it" He tsked, causing your cheeks to heat up with a blush as you opened your eyes, immediately making eye contact with him, you could feel yourself growing wetter and squeezing around him as you bit your lip.

"Here I'll make it easier" He whispered, moving you both back to your original position where you were straddling him, this time he pulled a few pillows down for him to lean against, almost like he was watching one of his favorite shows. You bit your lip as you grinded your hips against his, trying to hold back your moans as you slowed your movements, HyunJin guided your hips again, getting you to a good pace before moving his hands back to rest under his head. As you got closer to your climax, you got a rush of confidence, moaning loudly as you moved your fingers back to your clit, massaging it quickly as you rolled and bounced your hips against HyunJin's. He had his head thrown back against the pillows, trying to hold back his own grunts and moans as he felt his cock twitch inside of you, precum leaking into the condom as he felt himself getting closer to cumming. "C-Come on, Gunjunim, you've got it, fuck- just like that. F-Fuck!" His words quickly turned to moans as you squeezed around him "H-Hyun! I-I'm gonna cum, P-Please just fuck me!" You begged loudly, trying to match his thrusts from earlier, only to fail as your thighs twitched. "Does the brat need my help now? I thought she could do it by herself" He teased, watching as you whimpered loudly, tears starting to build in your eyes from frustration, HyunJin chuckled softly at how desperate you were to finally cum, choosing to hold your hips as he quickly thrusted his hips up inside of you. You gasped loudly, holding onto his arms tightly as you felt yourself extremely close to cumming, HyunJin slowed his movements as he gave you a slight glare "Keep working that clit, Gunjunim, you can be a pillow princess next time" He demanded and teased, smirking as he watched your fingers shyly make their way back to your clit, rubbing quick sloppy circles, watching you caused HyunJin's cock to twitch even more before finally spilling over, shooting cum into the condom as he moaned loudly, letting his head fall back. You weren't sure what exactly caused you to cum, HyunJin's moans, or the way it felt having him cum while inside of you, but you weren't complaining. As you grinded your hips against his, his moans grew more frequent and louder, moaning your name softly whenever you pushed your hips down. As his cock pushed all of the way inside of you, you felt yourself cumming around him, his moans growing louder as you moaned his name loudly. He panted, holding your hips down as he grinded his hips against yours, causing whimpers of his name to fall from your lips "Think you can make it even, make me cum one more time?" He panted, feeling himself growing hard inside of you again, the feeling caused you to moan loudly, your thighs twitching from overstimulation, even then you nodded softly, not wanting the night to end.

As HyunJin hovered over you now, he slowly thrusted his hips, moving his cock in and out of you slowly, his fingers intertwined with yours as you whimpered softly, your legs trying to close around his waist. "I've got you" He whispered against your neck, pushing his hips completely against yours, causing your legs to spread completely open. As he pressed soft kisses against your jawline and neck, he started to quicken his thrusts, feeling himself already leaking precum again. "I-It feels too good" You whimpered, squeezing his hands tightly as he quickened his pace "F-Feels good for me too, I'm so close, Gunjunim- fuck, you're so tight around me, I could fuck you all night if you'd let me" He grunted, feeling his stomach tighten as his pace quickened but also became sloppy, your back arched from his movements, whimpering loudly whenever HyunJin pressed his lips against yours "I-I'm gonna cum, HyunJin!" You whimpered loudly against his lips, digging your nails into his back as he just thrusted into you harder "I-I know, baby, Me too, go ahead and cum for me, I know you can" He panted, pressing on your stomach right where you felt that knot tightening again, the new pressure causing you to feel everything on a whole different. "Feel that, Gunjunim? I know you're going to cum" He teased, feeling you tense under his hand's pressure, you whimpered loudly, moaning his name against his lips. The feeling of you cumming around him was enough to send HyunJin over the edge again, his cum starting to spill out of the condom as he slowly his movement, pushing his cock as deep as he could as he moaned against your lips.

After a few moments, You'd both lay on the bed still trying to catch your breath as you both contemplated a shower. "Come on, you can wear some of my clothes" He smiled softly, moving to throw his boxers back on, as you stood up slowly, HyunJin quickly wrapped a sheet around you, knowing you probably wouldn't want to put on your underwear again after being that turned on. As you stepped into the bathroom, HyunJin was quick to get the water warm and ready for you to step in, even holding onto your hand and helping you into the shower before standing with his back to the shower. He'd stay outside of the shower, waiting, until you ended up reaching out and pulling him in by his hand "No reason we can't save some water, right?" You smiled, cupping his cheeks before tilting his head back to get his hair wet before tilting it back so he was looking at you "I'm really happy I've got such a good guy as a soulmate" You whispered after a moment, causing HyunJin to blush this time, shaking his head slightly "I'm happy I've got you" He replied before pressing his lips to yours gently, you kissed him back, resting your hands on his shoulders as you giggled "You're adorable" You smiled, pulling away gently as you took in his adorable smile, never in a hundred years would you think that you'd be soulmates with Hwang HyunJin, but you wouldn't want any other soulmate than him.

--

What do we think lovelies!? Ji-Yong Soulmate AU is next lovelies! So keep your eyes out! 🫶🫶 Also let me know any specific people and soulmate AUs you’d like to see paired together in future stories!

-

Stray Kids Taglist!! (This one is different from my Bigbang taglist! So please let me know if you’d like to be added lovelies!! 🫶)

@onyxmango

@ag02212023

[h50europe]

Tommy Kinard - post mortem

Minear thought of bringing Tommy back for FOUR episodes. He should have stuck to that plan. Because of the huge fanbase these two garnered since their first kiss, he hastily wrote Tommy into more episodes (it shows) and developed a shitty love story for them. Obviously, he did not know how to handle it because he saw himself forced to diverge from his original plan. His interviews about them were nothing but smoke and mirrors. Saying what fans want to hear to keep their hopes high. And we all fell for it. Since OS said he knew from early on in season 8 about the breakup or even earlier, it means, for Minear, he was done with them by the end of season 7.

Funny, wasn't that what the haters always said? That's why he wasn't included in Epi 1 - 3 because Minear stuck to his original plan, in which Tommy was long gone. More smoke and mirror interviews followed. Telling us bullshit like Tommy and Buck were a couple and thriving, well knowing he was done with them. And all the while, the haters knew about it. Fueled by hints of certain journalists. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I don't believe in coincidence. A journalist usually gets the episode a few days ahead of its airing. And often, they don't get the final cut. And then one of them "guesses" the title for episode 8.06 and part of its content? Yeah, sure. To me, it almost looks like Minear is dropping hints anonymously.

He blindsided BT fans from the get-go. I wondered why they shot 8.06 BEFORE 8.05. Then we got the answer when he explained that 8.05 happened to give the breakup "more shock value." Bullshit! 8.06 was a zombie episode from start to finish, with the cut emergency from season 7 and a plot about a boy in a drain (also a repeat, only with his brother as the hero). The scenes around Buck/Tommy felt like someone tried to put a square into a hole. In hindsight, even Josh's Glee speech gets a shallow taste. Madney's pregnancy felt like an offer of reconciliation to the audience. Hey, look, we have a breakup, but someone's having a baby again, hooray!

As we know, the breakup was written horribly. Again, it shows nobody had a plan (square, hole).

Tommy reminds me of an unfinished sculpture. We know he longs to belong somewhere and is jealous of the family the 118 has become. We know his former Captain Gerrard reminds Tommy of his dad, but that's about it. This is another proof that Minear didn't lose a second thought about Tommy Kinard when he brought him back.

So everything he told us in his interviews was a blatant lie, which he formulated when he saw how the audience appreciated Tevan and their genuine chemistry. Nobody thought that they were taking off like they did. And because it doesn't fit in Minear's concept, they had to do the shitty breakup by retconning Tommy and giving him the even shittier exit.

Sending Buck on his baking spree and watching Tommy "bubbling" him is nothing more than to console the audience and give them a "feeling that Tommy is still around." The general audience isn't as informed as the fans are. They hardly ever read interviews or talk about the show like fans do.

This explains why the plots around "Brad" were fully developed and executed. Minear stuck to his original concept. For my taste, the focus on this character was over the top, and he was never much appreciated among the audience and fans.

I wonder if Minear is even considering bringing Tommy back. I've seldom seen such inconsistent writing about a relationship or a character. Instead of appreciating the welcome and integrating this character into the show, he was treated worse than any other of Buck's LI. What did Minear think when he brought a character back that was part of the show in season 2 and hooked him up with one of the mains? The way this "bi awakening" was handled is cringe-worthy. "I wanted to get Buck off the hamsterwheel" - only to throw him back in. This could have happened a lot less complicated by making Buck drunk and having sex with a random guy. Show him now "suffering" when Minear says he will find a new LI that isn't meant to last, translating into "I made Buck bi although I haven't thought it through and have absolutely no plan what to do next."

An idea would be to bring Tommy back, integrate him, and make him part of Buck's life. It worked with Tarlos.

Someone just told me something very true (and I am allowed to share it): His (Tommy Kinard) season 2 exit was perfect. He showed positive growth, made good friends who threw him a lovely farewell party, and then he went away to pursue his dream career. I know we didn't care about him that time the way we do now, but the stark contrast between the two exits breaks my heart even more.

On a side note, get a grip on Eddie's storyline. From what I know, a half-naked dance through your apartment never solved any problems or had a healing effect...

[echoing-gravity]

Danny would totally wear this as an inside joke

im just picturing a scene with Danny(as Fenton) in the green hoodie, and he's with his parents and they're in a meeting with Bruce Wayne World greatest detective, who Danny knows is batman somehow, and he's just.. sweating.

"It's a lie! I'm not a ghost"

Is on repeat in his head or somethin.

Or like a scene where Bruce is like, being shown around Casper high, cuz their investigating the giw, and the ghosties and what not so Bruce decided to have tim go to school there undercover.

AND WES BEING WES, SEES DAnnys hoodie and goes off. No one from amity takes him seriously. He is mocked by dash.

This happens. Infront of batman. Worlds greatest detective. Tim is there too. (Becuz I am in braindead hell. And there's less than 100 braindead fics in existence and that's not okay.)

Tim is thinking "not another fucking conspiracy theorist"

This could have soooo many identity potential reveals shenanigans.

Danny's a dumbass. This would totally happen. Someone who isn't me write it, or draw it. He would absolutely wear this. Tucker and/or sam sees it in some hot/topic esk store and gets it as a gag gift. Danny wears it unironiclly. They regret their life choices.

Someone in the comments said Jason would totally want to wear it to annnd

Now I'm just picturing Jason and Danny being all twinsies and just fucking with Wes even more.

Wes is like who? The fuck? Is that? And he goes in the complete wrong direction for once and: "OMFG DANNY'S PARENTS CLONED HIM!!!!" Says wes probably.

"Okay whatever wes" says dash.

"Those mad scientists are making a fucking army" wes whispers harshly.

Tim hear this. No context. He has just walked around the corner. Misunderstandings about the investigation insue.

Also I've decided that Jason is also there at Casper undercover, and they hate working together tim and Jason, but like never go undercover alone. Always have backup.

Maybe it's a love triangle? Them fighting over Danny. Sam is completely aware of this, and Hates every second they are near Danny. Who is a known bisexual

Tucker is oblivious and is like "How tf do u not like Timothy drake-wayne!!!! Do you know how much high tech nerd tech EXISTS because of him?! Wtf sam"

Sam is having a bad week.

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

I expanded on this.

The gate to hell was closed, and Vecna was dead. Unfortunately, Max and Eddie were still in a coma. Things were starting to change in Hawkins, and for a lot of people, it was a welcome change. . .for the more conservative, however, it was almost like the end of the world. While Max and Eddie slept, several people packed up and left the town they no longer believed was safe. They simply refused to believe that Eddie wasn't the killer or that he wasn't possessed by Satan.

In their place, freaks like Eddie started moving into their homes. It was metalheads who wanted to support their fellow comrades, and it was nerds who wanted to know that people like them no longer had people coming after him. It was also people like Eddie, people like Robin, and people like Steve who came to support someone who they felt like he was one of their own even though they had no way of knowing. Soon, it became a safe place for metalheads, nerds, and for the queer folk. It became such a safe place for them that Robin, Steve, and Will felt comfortable enough to come out to the party.

The only downside were the conspiracy theorists that followed everyone else and the insane people who believed that they were in love with Eddie. The overwhelming number of people who moved into Hawkins became too much, even if they meant well, even if they wanted to show support for Eddie. They needed more people on the police force, which meant bringing Hopper in back as Chief, something Powell had been grateful for.

"I still can't believe it," Robin rambled as she stacked videotapes. "Who knew that Vecna tearing a hole in the middle of Hawkins would lead it to becoming, like San Franciso?"

"Yeah, did you know the Hideout is basically a gay bar now?" Steve asked.

"What?! No!" Robin shrieked as she dropped a tape and then she narrowed her eyes. "Wait. . .how do you know? . . . Steve Muriel Harrington, did you go and have a one-night stand?"

"Shut up, I should have never told you my middle name. I couldn't sleep, okay?" Steve blushed.

"Okay, so, how much did this guy look like Eddie?" Robin asked.

"Not at all," Steve scoffed. "Okay, a little bit . . . a lot! He looked a lot like Eddie, but he was mean. I know that Eddie could be an asshole, but he was too mean. . . too rude to the bartender who was serving him drinks. It made me feel good about giving him a fake number and a fake name."

"So, how often did you call him Eddie while you were pounding away inside of him?" Robin said.

"You ever think we should consider the whole boundary thing that Nancy says we should have?" Steve asked.

"Okay, so several times then," Robin grinned. "Nance is joking because where is the fun in having boundaries?"

"By the way, there was no . . . um, you know. . .," Steve said, blushing.

"Penetration?" she asked.

"Nope," Steve replied.

"You're hoping to save that for Eddie, aren't you?" Robin asked, grinning and then looked at him softly. "He's going to wake up, you know. So is Max. Being possessed by an evil wizard takes a lot out of people. It has to. They just need to rest."

"I know," he said.

The bell above the door rang, and Vickie burst through, her face shining in excitement. She ran towards Robin and didn't skid to a stop in time, causing the tapes in Robin's arms to spill onto the floor.

"Sorry," Vickie squeaked.

"It's not a problem. I've done worse," Robin said with a wide grin, her eyes as shiny as Vickie's face.

"I got asked out by a woman! Though she wasn't the one that I wanted to ask me out or the one that I wanted to ask out, actually. Though she was hot, and I definitely have a thing for women with pretty blue eyes," Vickie rambled. "Anyway, after I rejected her, but I did it very nicely, I came here because I wanted to ask you out. I understand if you don't want to. I totally would get through it because I'd want you in my life no matter what. Yeah, right, I actually have to ask you out. Will you go out with me?"

They were still kneeling on the floor in the middle of a bunch of video tapes. Robin stared at her for a moment before grinning.

"Yeah, I would love to!" Robin exclaimed.

"Great!" Vickie exclaimed and surged forward to kiss her.

The kiss was quick, and she broke it to help Robin pick up the tapes. Vickie mumbled something about heading to work and kissed Robin again before rushing out the door. Robin gaped at the door before turning to Steve, who's mouth was also opened. They moved towards each other at the same time. They screamed and started jumping at the same time. Steve hugged Robin tightly. She pulled back and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Don't worry, Steve. If it happened for me then it's going to happen for you," Robin said. "That's how platonic soulmates work, right?"

"Duh," Steve rolled his eyes affectionately.

The bell above the door rang, and they turned their heads at the same time. Hopper walked in. Steve frowned. Was he really expecting Eddie to walk in and ask him out?

"Am I interrupting something?" Hopper asked.

"Vickie asked me out!" Robin blurted out.

"She the girl you kept going on about?" Hopper asked.

"Yeah," she said dreamily.

"I'm happy for you. You know, uh, that Gareth kid asked out Will," Hopper replied.

"Gareth and Will? I didn't even know they were friends," Steve said in surprise.

"Yeah, Gareth was upset about Eddie, sitting by his beside. Will was volunteering as usual and he comforted him," Hopper said.

"Will is such a precious angel," Robin said fondly.

"Yeah," Hopper said, a proud look on his face.

"Aw, proud dad," Robin said.

"Isn't Gareth a little bit older?" Steve asked.

"Only by two years," Hopper scoffed. "I like the guy. He's pretty respectful of Will and the three inches rule so I'll allow it for now."

"As long as it's not Mike, right?" Steve asked with a grin.

"Hey, I like the guy as long as none of my kids are dating him," Hopper said. "Which thankfully none are. I actually came here to talk to you, Steve."

"Look, I think of you like a dad and I like Joyce too much so I'm going to have to turn you down," Steve quipped and Robin snorted with laughter.

"Don't make me shoot you, kid," Hopper said, the corners of his mouth twitching. "I'd hate to kill a potential deputy."

"What?!" Steve and Robin asked.

"Look, as you know, we're kind of overrun over there even with Owens providing some agents as deputies," Hopper said. "I know you don't trust anyone of those goons, neither do I but we need the help and I kind of need to someone else that I trust around there. I know you guys have a thing about cops too but sometimes the best thing is to fix it from the inside, and I trust what you have to say. You're a good kid, with good instincts, and I think you would make a good cop. Just think about it."

"Well, then we wouldn't be working together," Robin said with wide eyes.

"You're welcome to help out around the station part time, kid. I'd hate to break up the set," Hopper said. "Your mom told me you were looking for a second job. What do you call each other again? Oh, yeah. Platonic soulmates."

"Platonic with a capital P!" they said, leaning their heads together.

"Let me confer with my soulmate for a moment," Robin said.

They moved to the back to the store and pressed their foreheads together, whispering. It was only a couple of minutes later before they were back again.

"We'll take the job!" Robin and Steve exclaimed.

Now, here they were several weeks later, and Steve had settled into his role as a deputy pretty well. It was hard work and a pretty good distraction from the fact that Eddie, as well as Max, wasn't awake. Now that school had let out for the summer and Robin had graduated, she was now working part-time at the station. The crowd outside the hospital was still sitting in wait for the day their lord and savior, Eddie Munson would awaken. Some days, they were quiet and settled. Other days, they grew quite rowdy, and there are more days now where they were restless. Hopper swore they would get bored eventually, and it wasn't like they were violent. . .well, aside from a rare few. So far, they were just eager to know that one of their own was okay, which Steve thought was kind of sweet. Steve was filling out paperwork at his desk, ignoring the balls of paper Robin was throwing at him, when Hopper came barreling out of his office looking pale.

"Chief?" Steve asked.

"They're awake," Hopper said.

Steve didn't hesitate to follow Hopper out the door, and Robin followed quickly behind him. They went to see Max first, and they her sitting up slightly, her new glasses on her face. Lucas, El, and Susan surrounded her bed.

"Did I miss anything?" Max asked and then grinned. "Ew, Steve, are you a cop? Disgusting."

"I'll forgive you for that, but so you know, once you are up and moving around, I'll have something to say," Steve said. "I might even get a lawyer because I believe that's slander, Mayfield."

"If your lawyer is Dustin, he's not going to do well against Nancy," Max laughed.

"Ooh, your lawyer is Nancy? Yeah, Dustin's toast," Robin said.

"You make a good cop, Steve," Max said softly. "If anyone can make those lazy cops get off their asses, it's you. You're an example of what a good cop should be, Steve."

"Thanks, Max," Steve said, looking touched. "Glad you're awake, kid."

"So, I have to ask. . .the full grown mustache. . . Are you trying to look like Hopper?" Max asked.

"What? No?!" Steve exclaimed.

"He does think of Hopper like a dad," Robin pointed out.

"Aww, Steve, do you want Hopper to be your dad?" Max teased.

"Leaving now," Steve said, rolling his eyes.

He made it to Eddie's room and stood in front of it. He was trembling in excitement, but he was also nervous. Before he became a cop, he was here almost every day holding his hand. In that time, he got to know Wayne and Eddie's friends. He also got to know Eddie some more from the stories they told. They were weary about him at first, but once they saw how much he cared, they accepted him easily. Once Steve got them talking about Eddie, they couldn't shut up. Steve took a deep breath and calmed his nerves. He pushed open the door and strolled in. The members of Hellfire and Corrded Coffin had surrounded Eddie's beside. Wayne wouldn't be there yet, seeing as he was stuck at work. Calling him had been the first thing he had done when he got to the hospital. Eddie was sitting up, grinning, and then he spotted Steve. Eddie frowned in confusion.

"Harrington! You've been working so hard we were starting to forget what you looked like," Jeff said. "Damn, baby, you fill out that uniform good."

Jeff started wolf whistling, and the other boys soon followed.

"Alright! Cut it out!" Steve laughed. "What did I say about flirting with me to get my grandmother's brownie recipe, Jeffrey?"

"To keep doing it," Jeff grinned.

"No, no, I did not say that besides, I know I'm not your type," Steve laughed.

"What? Since when is a man with good hair and meaty thighs not my type?" Jeff cackled.

"Argyle doesn't have a problem with it?" Steve asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Please, Argyle doesn't have a jealous bone in his body. Besides, so far, it's just sex," he grinned. "Really good sex."

"Wait. . .so, Steve knows about you? You're flirting with Steve. . .wait, are you friends with my friends?" Eddie asked.

"Actually, they're my friends now, too, Eddie. We share custody," Steve said proudly.

"Aw, Dad, we finally have a mother, and he makes the best brownies," Gareth said, leaning heavily onto Steve’s shoulder.

"Fuck off, Emerson," Steve laughed.

"By the way, since when are you a cop?" Eddie asked.

"Things around here have gotten a bit overwhelmed since you've been asleep," Steve shrugged.

"Yeah, Hawkins has gotten a lot more interesting since you decided to be lazy, Munson," Frankie said.

"It's very, very good," Gareth grinned.

"What the hell does that mean?" Eddie asked.

"You'll never believe it until you see it," Frankie said.

Hopper popped his head in for a moment and whispered in Steve's ear. He smirked and looked over at Eddie, who was staring at them in confusion. Steve wiggled his fingers at him. Hopper tipped his hat at Eddie before leaving. Steve leaned down and whispered in Gareth's ear, and he grinned, jumping up.

"Alright, boys," Gareth said. "Teddy wants to talk to us. He's probably quite eager for Eddie to start playing at the Hideout again!"

They said goodbye to him one by one, and then they were gone. Steve went to take Gareth's seat but was impeded by the crumbs he left behind. Steve started muttering as he turned around to clean it off, giving Eddie a clear view of his ass. Suddenly, Eddie's heart monitor started beeping a little louder. Steve whirled around.

"Eddie!" Steve exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think I accidentally, uh, messed with one of the wires," Eddie blushed.

"Okay," Steve frowned, looking at him, thoughtfully.

He turned around again and started swiping off the crumbs. Eddie's heart monitor went off again, and Steve turned around again.

"I swear! I am trying not to touch them!" Eddie shrieked. "Just sit down, man! Forget about the crumbs."

Confused by his reaction, Steve sat down, crossing his legs like he usually did. Eddie groaned and leaned his head back.

"Your uncle wanted to be here, but unfortunately, he missed a lot of days sitting by your beside, so he can't get away. The compensation money only went so far, and you guys also got a house out of it," Steve said, grinning.

"Wait, an actual house?!" Eddie asked.

"With your own rooms and everything," Steve replied. "Of course, you'll still be living next door to the Mayfields. I think Wayne insisted on it."

"Really?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, Susan and Wayne have gotten friendly over the last few months," Steve shrugged.

"How friendly?" Eddie asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Well, he is the one who pulled Susan's head out of her own ass. Her drinking got worse after Max went into the coma. It nearly killed her. I was visiting with Wayne when I decided to go check in on Susan, and we found her unresponsive. When we finally got her sober enough, Wayne gave her quite the talking too," Steve said, and then he deepened his voice to sound like Wayne. "I ain't gonna yell at you, but I am going to tell you God's honest truth. I heard a lot about that husband and stepson of yours to know that you put that little girl through hell. You didn't lift a single finger to stop it. If you die now and that girl wakes up, it's always going to hang over her head that she wasn't enough for you to do better, that she deserved the crap you put her through. You owe it to her now to prove to her that she is enough and that you can do better. I expect you to be clean and waiting by her beside when she wakes up. Don't do it for me, don't do it for you. . .do it for her."

"Damn, that sounds exactly like Uncle Wayne," Eddie said, blinking back tears. "It worked?"

"Yeah, she's even therapy now working on her issues. She's really grateful for Wayne," Steve smiled.

"Good for her, I'm glad it worked on someone's parents," Eddie sighed.

"Yeah, Wayne's the best, I wish my dad was more like him," Steve said.

"Dads can be such assholes. Guess it's not just mine?" Eddie asked, and Steve shook his head. "So, when can I leave here? The food here is just awful. . .company isn't so bad, though."

"Once the doctor clears both you and Max, you guys should be able to go home by this evening," Steve said. "By the way, you are in luck. I'm the one who's going to be taking you home."

"Lucky me. . .so we won, huh?" Eddie asked.

"In more ways than one," Steve grinned.

Once they were ready to leave, Steve wheeled him out to the back of the hospital.

"I guess the protesters are out front," Eddie muttered.

"Something like that," Steve said and wheeled him over to his car.

He helped Eddie out of the wheelchair, catching him around the waist when the metalhead stumbled. They were really close now, their noses practically brushing up against each other's. Steve could feel Eddie's breath against his lips.

"Uh, I'd like to sit down," Eddie said awkwardly.

"Right, right," Steve said.

He cleared his throat and set Eddie in the passenger's seat. He pulled out of the hospital and frowned. For once, the usual people weren't there. Where the hell did they go? Steve got his answer a moment later when he saw them lined up on the sidewalk leaving the hospital. Eddie had to do a double take when he saw them walking down the street.

"What the fuck?! Steve. . .where the hell are we?" Eddie asked.

"We're in Hawkins, dude," Steve replied.

"Um, no the fuck we're not. What did I just see? There's more of them!" Eddie exclaimed as he stuck his head out the window.

"Oh my God! ls that Eddie Munson?!" A girl shrieks, and Eddie freezes. "EDDIE! I LOVE YOU!"

"Oh my God! Steve. She's chasing after the car like a goddamn dog! Steve! She's fucking fast! You tell me where the fuck we actually are right this instant, Steven, because there is no way this is fucking Hawkins! Are you - are you laughing at me? Steve!!" Eddie shrieked.

Steve pulled him down by his belt, and Eddie glared at him as he rolled up the window.

"Okay, so, after you slipped into your coma, the gates closed, and you were cleared of all charges, a lot of people started to leave. Most of them were uptight conservatives, of course. Word started spreading about you and how you were framed for murder. Slowly, it started off with the metalheads coming to town to support one of their own, then came the gays, the lesbians, and the bisexuals as well as a few transgender people. It was enough to kick out more uptight assholes but there are some who are refusing to leave. At first, they protested, but now they're slowly coming to terms with it. It's funny watching them have to sort of adjust to our way of life instead of the other way around," Steve said. "And these people, they all love you, Eddie."

"Our way of life?" Eddie asked.

"Well, for me and Robin, I don't know about you, but she's a lesbian and I'm bisexual," Steve said.

"Yeah, me too," Eddie said softly, and then his eyes widened. "I mean, bisexual, not a lesbian. Not there's anything wrong with being a lesbian but it's not who I am."

"Eddie, I got it," Steve said, laughing.

"So, what? After being nearly swallowed up by hell, Hawkins is a safe place to live now?" Eddie asked. "I woke up expecting to be chased out of my own hometown like they've been trying to do with me my whole life. This is just. . . What the fuck?"

Eddie looked down at his lap, his eyes filling up with tears. Once Steve managed to get away from Eddie's admirers, he pulled off to the side and parked onto the shoulder. He leaned over and pulled Eddie into his arms, hugging him gently. Eddie wrapped his arms around, his hands digging into his back as he cried.

"It's okay, I've got you. You're safe," Steve whispered in his ear.

Eddie clung to him as he calmed down. Once the tears stopped and his body was no longer shaking, he pulled away from him. Steve pulled a tissue out of the glove box and gave it to him. Eddie thanked him, and they drove the rest of the way to his house. They finally arrived at Eddie's house. It was in a secluded neighborhood, two houses at the end of the street, and blocked off by trees from the rest of the neighborhood, which meant that Eddie could probably play his music as loud as he wanted to. Although Max might have something to say about it. Eddie's house was a modest one story with white shudders and pale blue walls. The paint was peeling a bit, but overall, the house was nice, and it was a lot better than the trailer.

Eddie started struggling with his seat belt, which was perfect because Dustin's face appeared in the window, and the curtain pulled back. 'Not ready,' he mouthed. Steve sighed. That meant distracting Eddie. Steve grinned. He leaned over and started helping him with his seatbelt. They got it unstuck, but Steve didn't move from his position once the seat belt was removed. His face was rather close to Eddie's.

"There's something that I've been wanting to do since you woke up," Steve said.

"Kill me?!" Eddie yelped.

"What?! No!" Steve laughed. "Close, though."

He captured Eddie's perfectly plump lips with his, kissing him softly. At first, Eddie didn't respond, and Steve was worried that he misread the signals. He started to pull away when suddenly Eddie grabbed him the back of the neck and pulled him back in. Suddenly, his soft kiss had turned into a bruising, desperate kiss. Steve returned it with the same amount of enthusiasm, hand in Eddie's hair. Eddie broke the kiss, breathing heavily.

"Maybe we should take this inside," Eddie gasped.

"Or maybe we take this to the back seat, and you shackle me with my own handcuffs," Steve said and attached his lips to Eddie's neck.

Eddie groaned as Steve kissed his neck and let out a guttural moan when Steve started nipping at it, his mustache tickling his neck.

"You're killing me, Steve," Eddie said. "I fucking knew you would. Robin?"

Steve broke away and looked at him.

"Okay, I have to say calling me by my best friend's name when I'm trying to put the moves on you is a little weird," Steve said.

"What? No! She's just popped her head out of my new front door, looked at us, rolled her eyes, and went back in. What is going on?" Eddie asked.

"You'll see, come on," Steve said and climbed out of the car before helping Eddie.

"You were distracting me," Eddie said, narrowing his eyes at him.

"I really did want to kiss you," Steve said sheepishly.

They started walking towards when Eddie stopped him.

"You threw me a welcome home party, didn't you?" Eddie asked.

"I might have, for both you and Max," Steve said. "Planned the whole thing while you were sleeping."

Eddie grinned at Steve and wrapped his arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. He broke it, leaning his forehead against Steve’s.

"This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me," Eddie said and paused. "By the way, you're absolutely killing me with that uniform. It should be illegal for anyone to look this good. You're going to have to arrest yourself because, baby, you're breaking quite a few laws."

Steve giggled and kissed him, not caring if anyone else was watching them. They broke apart when they heard Max's front door open. She came out and started walking towards Eddie's house, leaning on her cane. She narrowed her eyes at them, looking much like a bug with her new glasses. Her mother followed behind her.

"Dustin called and said he wanted us to come over," Max said. "He threw us a party, didn't he?"

"I'm not saying anything," Eddie said, and Max rolled her eyes. "It was all Steve!"

"Nice," Steve scoffed.

"Thanks, Steve," Max said softly.

She wrapped her arm around his waist, hugging him. She leaned against him and let him help her inside. His free hand wrapped around Eddie's. They all walked into the small but spacious living room where everyone jumped out with noisemakers. Steve, Eddie, and Max jumped. Max stuffed her face into Steve’s side.

"Surprise!" Dustin shrieked. "Welcome home!"

"Oh my god!" Eddie exclaimed. "I am so surprised!"

"Oh, Goddamnit! Steve told you, didn't he?" Dustin exclaimed and Eddie shrugged, grinning.

"He guessed," Steve shrugged.

"This is still pretty nice, Henderson. Thank you all," Eddie said, and he started hugging everyone. "Max is crying, by the way."

"Fuck off!" Max exclaimed.

Steve watched as the party took off, and Eddie mingled with everyone. For the first time in a long time, Steve felt at peace, and he felt safe, especially when he looked at Eddie. . . When he looked at what this town had become. At some point during the mingling, Eddie came over and nestled himself into Steve’s arms. Yeah, everything was perfect.

[ladyloveandjustice]

Summer 2024 Anime Overview: DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION

A giant mothership is hovering over Tokyo. The aliens haven’t done anything or even made themselves known yet, but Japan and America are already trying to blow that UFO up, and show off who has the best weapons, causing many civilian casualties along the way. While all this happens, two girls are just casually living their lives. But are they as normal as they appear?

One thing I want to say is if you watch this anime and care about being intensely spoiled, do not watch "episode 0" until you've finished episode 16. It actually slots chronologically between episode 16 and 17, and that's where the episode took place in the manga, so I have no idea why they did that. Fortunately I had someone to warn me about that, so I will be that someone for you.

Dead Dead Demons DeDeDeDe Destruction or De x 8 as I will be calling it, can be really tough show to watch—not because it’s bad, it’s very good, but because of how depressing and visceral it is at times, and how devastatingly accurate it is to the shitshow of our world. This tends to be balanced a bit by the touching friendships (and possibly? More?) of the very likeable cast of teenagers…but you also feel a huge sense of dread about their safety as things ramp up and their stories deepen.

The anime goes hard on criticizing the military industrial complex, Japan’s government, America’s government, xenophobia, treatment of immigrants, rich people, and conspiracy theorists. All things I also hate, so that’s great. What hurts is how you could easily see the events happening—waging war on the aliens despite no provocation, people using an app to to hunt down and slaughter them...

It shows how even some of the protestors of the genocide use their movement to cover their own selfish motivations, meanwhile countries taking the situation as an opportunity to vie for power and dominance, rich government officials lie to their people and abandon them…obviously there's a lot of commentary here on how we dehumanize immigrants and minorities and enable genocides for capitalism and political power.

It's very bleak, and there were a lot of episode that had me just feeling sad, especially comparing it to current events. But there's also this interesting focus on normal people trying to live their lives during this alien "invasion", and the kids who still go through the dramas and upsets of everyday life. And especially the “I’d burn down the world for you” intense emotional relationship between Kadode and Ouran, the two teen girl leads.

Ouran is the main lead, and she’s a chuuni beyond chuuni, acting wacky and cheerful and spouting nonsense-- except if you pay attention, she's saying some pretty valid things—critiques of capitalism, war, government surveillance—but then following it up with something wild like “and that’s why I should rule the world”. You get the sense she’s cloaking an awareness of how shit the world is in humor, and as the show goes on and as her surprisingly intense and weird backstory unfolds, it becomes clear why that is.

The relationship between Ouran and Kadode is the center of everything--their bond IS the show. It's that kind of ride-or-die, I'd-kill-for-you, I'll-be-by-your-side-even-if-the-whole-world-is-against-you, in-every-life-i'd-find-you-and-love-you, soul-bonded, fiery devotion and love. They are the most important person in each other's lives, full stop. It's those kind of relationships that are so transcendent it goes beyond simple definitions of romantic and platonic. In other words, my kind of shit exactly.

But, as far as romance goes, Ouran, at least, is definitely queer and the depths of her determination to keep Kadode safe in a world that wants to destroy her girl that would make Homura Madoka Magica blush. (Kadode is more ambiguous, but she’s definitely soul bonded with Ouran. And honestly should just date Ouran because god she needs to be rescued).

There’s also a gentle empathy for marginalized people underneath all the horror—the girls befriend an alien trying to survive in the guise of a human, and it doesn’t seem like a coincidence that the first person our alien tells absolutely everything to is the gnc/potentially trans person of the group, Makoto (To be specific, they seem to still be figuring out their identity, but they definitely present feminine and specifically came to Tokyo because their small town wouldn’t be okay with how they like to dress). The way Makoto immediately shields their alien friend from others when they make the reveal that they saying “Don’t let them see, it’s not safe” and how it’s followed up by the alien reassuring Makoto that their friends will be okay with it if they take their wig off to swim...it makes the metaphor extremely clear, and it’s always nice when a series can explore marginalized characters both textually and metaphorically.

Through the kids, we get kernels of hope in this story, a reassurance there are kinder people in this world, and a hope that kindness will endure.

As depressing as the story can be, what it has to say is important and it doesn’t hold back in making you see what it’s going for—from the “Cool Japan” logo flashing right before the  Japanese government gives a weapons demonstration that will later kill citizens and destroy innocents...

...to the Trump-alike American President (and let me tell you it’s startling to be watching a show in Japanese and suddenly Donald Trump impression in perfect English) *(had to use the manga here because Crunchyroll didn't close-caption this part :/)

Then there's the American tourists, who were clearly va’d by someone really good at English, potentially a native speaker, and it’s incredibly funny how much of their dialogue has “fuck” in it and seeing the subtitles skip over that. Also much of their dialogue is treating the devastated Japan as a tourist attraction and saying how funny it all is to them. Logan Paul has entered the chat.

De x 8 very clearly hates America and recognizes it as a blood thirsty colonial power, which is correct, but the show is just as hard on it’s own country, saying the Japanese government would happily get back on the colonizing horse if they had an excuse, and many citizwns would mindlessly support them.

A small thing I appreciate is far from the usual anime aesthetic where everyone is blandly cute, the anime gives a ton of people ridiculously cartoony features that make everyone distinct—and being goofy looking is not meant to indicate a character is stupid or ugly—Makoto’s a super sympathetic character with giant cartoon buck teeth and one character that’s even pointed out as pretty has like, a pig snout nose. (It also makes it so the character noted as being drop dead gorgeous...actually is, instead of coming off as just as conventionally attractive as the rest)

Soooo a lot of good stuff going into this story. Let’s talk about some caveats.

There’s a continuing storyline between Kadode and her adult teacher, who takes her to his place to have sex with her. When he does, she ends up ditching him because of her feels for Ouran (gay) and I thought that would be the end of it, but nooope he’s a groomer, they pick up dating again when she’s in college, literally months after the previous encounter. The dude is presented as a scumbag, he cheats on his girlfriend, he seems generally apathetic, his clear discomfort with Kadode calling him “sensei” shows that he knows what he’s doing is wrong …and ultimately the relationship is shown to be unfulfilling, with Kadode directly stating so and acknowledging he’s just advantage. That doesn’t stop it from being uncomfortable though, especially since it’s confirmed he and Kadode have sex eventually (offscreen, thank god) and honestly, I felt it dragged on way too long. The first encounter pretty much demonstrated everything we needed to know about the whole thing in my view.

And of course there’s a ton of potentially triggering content in a story like this—from genocide to suicide to child murder to almost anything you can think of. Also like, one character has a sister complex, but on the milder side for anime. One where it’s conceivably platonic, and it’s not like he goes after her boyfriend Yuri Forger style, so it doesn’t bother me too much. There's also a good dose of fatphobia. And finally moment where a woman reveals she has ADHD (which I've never actually heard anyone say in anime so I actually got a little excited the more fool me) and then is almost immediately shown to be faking it.

The ending…is another big sticking point for me. It feels disconnected from the rest of the series, mainly focusing on a character we barely know and likely don’t care about and spending very little time with the characters we do, presenting an interesting status quo and immediately abandoning it, and while earlier episodes of the series presented "actions have consequences and we gotta live with them" as a major theme, it was suddenly like, actually they don’t!

The ultimate ending, again, hinges on a decision from a character we don’t care about and honestly feels like a deus ex machina. It felt almost like the author really wanted a happier ending but knew that wasn’t in line with the story he’s told so far, so he just tacked it on. Or maybe it was an editorial mandate, who knows. I think the most satisfying way to see watch episode 1-16 as its own pretty satisfying complete story (which works really well), and then treat episodes 0 and 17 as their own separate thing, a potential additional ending but not the definitive one. At least that’s what I did.

Overall, De x 8 is a show with a lot to say and it gives you plenty to chew on. While it is often depressing, it is very rewarding. The unbreakable bond between two messy girls, as well as the moments of ordinary joy and small human/alien journeys are the core of the show, and what makes it shine. I definitely encourage you to give it a watch. It's being really slept on, and it shouldn't be.

[umathurwin]

my boy’s a winner, he loves the game

kiara carrera x rafe cameron; nsfw 18+

Summary: Kiara has a big favor to ask of Rafe. Who is he to not oblige?

tags, warnings, and more on ao3!

The clinking of metal weights and Rafe’s music filled the crisp air. Every few seconds, another grunt would reverb around the gym and Kiara poked her head out further so she’d be in his line of sight.

“Kie?” he asked, dropping his 45s on the squishy floor mat, where they bounced and rolled away. “Y’scared me. Need something?”

She closed the door behind her, checking once more that no one was listening. Sarah had started another argument with John B, so it could be a while before Kiara had to return to her friend’s bedroom.

Kie swallowed thickly. “Yes, actually. It’s kind of weird, and a big thing to ask, so I need you to ignore how crazy it is for me to come to you about this.”

“You’re looking to try snow,” he nodded solemnly, reaching down for his water bottle and twisting the cap open.

“What?! No!”

He froze. He leaned in and dropped his voice. “You want to try k?”

“I don’t want any drugs, Rafe.”

His posture corrected and he brought the bottle to his mouth. “Oh. Then what?”

As he drank, several cold droplets slipped out of his mouth and down his chin, dripping onto his chest and dry fit shirt. Even in the chill at which the Camerons held their home gym, he was sweating. His smell washed over her. His eyes followed hers as she ogled him, nearly forgetting why she was there.

“Wanna hook up?” she blurted, unsure of how else to word it. Can we have sex felt too formal. Will you fuck me probably would’ve sufficed, but she lacked the bite. Especially with this lupine in front of her, reducing her to a doe-eyed stutterer.

He pulled the lip away from his mouth and used the bottom hem of his shirt to wipe off the mess from his face. This time, her eyes remained fixed north of his shoulders.

“Hmm. Didn’t see that one coming.”

“Well?” she snapped, growing more edgy (and humiliated) by the second. She probably should’ve expected that he wouldn’t make this easy on her.

“Can I think about it? Oh my God…” he hollowly chastised. “If you’re gonna be this impatient when I’m inside you…”

Her breath caught in her throat. “Rafe!”

“I’m just messing with you. What’s got you so desperate? Haven’t been laid in a while?” Her eyes widened, and he connected the dots instantly. “Oh, no way. Never? How is that even possible? You’re…” Rafe waved a hand at her, but trailed off when he gained the wisdom to not comment on her appearance or how it related to her virginity.

“I just… didn’t want it to be bad. Figured I’d go to someone with at least some knowledge on the topic.”

“Really? And none of your little boys were valid candidates?”

She huffed through her nose. “That’s hilarious. Let’s go down the list together: we have the self-obsessed conspiracy theorist, the loose cannon who speaks more than he thinks, and the nerd who’s a bigger goddamn virgin than I am.”

Rafe hesitated. “Okay, I know the last one is Pope—”

“Point is,” Kiara interrupted, cutting eyes at him. “You probably can’t fathom vulnerability, and I’m really just looking for a yes or a no so I can decide if I’m gonna kill myself tonight—”

“Wow, the drama. Twist my arm a little more, why don’t you?” he said flatly. “Yes, I’ll do it.”

Her face lit up. “Really?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m a real Saint Nick. Give me your phone,” Rafe demanded, palm open and extended to her.

She recoiled. “You’re not… gonna film it, are you?”

He processed this and a grin spread across his face. “Sweetheart, I’m not gonna fuck you right now. I’m giving you my number so you don’t have to sneak around my little sister to see me.”

The confidence she’d built up with him crumbled instantly and the fever of mortification bloomed in her chest and face again. Kiara fumbled for her back pocket and handed him the device. “I— of course not! That’d be—”

“Hot,” he cut her off, offering a bit of peace for her. “I know.” His eyes flicked to the door and back down to her, then he texted himself an angel emoji. “But it just wouldn’t be right.”

With her phone returned one contact heavier, she tried not to trip on any benches on her way out.

***

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Kiara spat, quickly climbing into the passenger seat of Rafe’s Land Rover anyways. He peeled out of the driveway, surely attracting the attention of any partygoers that had wandered outside. She slunk down into the seat. “When Sarah said she’d get me a ride home, I didn’t think it’d be you.”

Rafe shrugged, rolling through a stop sign and changing the song. “I owed her one. And no, she doesn’t suspect anything, so maybe relax a little?”

Not too difficult. One of Barry’s drivers had made it to the party, and she’d definitely brought a cloud of earthy aroma into his vehicle.

“Speaking of relaxing… you’re not drunk, right?”

“No, why do you— where are we going?” she asked as they flew past the turn to her street.

“We’re gonna use this time to get in some practice,” he said simply, and the smirk on his face did all but abate her worries.

“Wait, wait, I can’t— I mean, I’m not ready—”

“Little Miss Anxious, huh? Second time you’ve done that,” he said, shaking his head amusedly. “That’s not what this is. Do I need to promise to give you a heads up?”

“Uh, yeah, it’d be nice!”

“Nah.” He pulled the vehicle over to a nature preserve, one of the many dim and poorly-patrolled parks the island had to offer.

Rafe threw the car in park and grabbed his nic from the cup holder. He offered it to her, she declined. As he took a draw, his free hand absentmindedly patted his crotch, adjusting himself to be taken out.

She never would admit this, not to him or a locked diary or God, but she’s looked before. It’s not her fault he gets out of the pool like a slut, with his swim shorts hung low on his hips and clinging to his bulge. She’s had an idea of what he’s working with. But to watch him rub his semi through his jeans? Kiara’s head spun.

He dropped the nic again and unbuttoned his pants without warning. Her eyes widened as he tugged them down, just enough to free his cock from his boxers. She took in what she could make out in the dimness— a heavy shaft, the reddening tip, a little glisten where the pre was leaking out.

Instincts took over— ones she was entirely unaware she had— and she leaned forward to touch him, but he grabbed her wrist first and stopped her. Kie looked up, fearing she’d done something wrong.

Rafe’s eyes softened, resting a hand on her cheek and nodding gently. “Hey, listen. Just relax. You’ll be fine.”

She nodded. It was the last glimpse of mercy she’d get for the night.

Once his warning was over, his big hand slipped from her face around to the back of her skull. He guided (pushed) her down until the head tapped against her lips. The salty taste hit her tongue but she had no time to process or cringe before the rest of his cock slid into her mouth.

It wasn’t long before Kie realized this wasn’t just a blowjob, but more of a face fucking. The agency wasn’t in her hands— or rather, mouth— when he was actively lifting his hips from the seat to stuff more of himself between her lips. She couldn’t even get her bearings enough to suck.

Kiara mustered enough momentum to overpower the headpushing and pulled her mouth off his cock. “You’re, God, being a little rough, don’t you think?” she asked weakly around a cough.

“You bet,” he affirmed, fixing his fist back into her hair and guiding her down again. “Need to prepare you for what you might come across in the future. Wouldn’t—fuck—be doing you any favors by being gentle, would I?”

Sure, whatever twisted logic he wanted to use to get a rough blowjob from a virgin. Rafe’s hips thrusted up again to meet where his hands locked her head in place, and she had to accept his cock down her throat. The zipper of his pants scraped the bridge of her nose and her back ached from the awkward position he’d twisted her into, but she figured complaining would only get her so far. Plus, her mouth was full.

He canted his hips forward so the tip of his cock brushed against her cheek, and his hand reached down her face to feel it from the outside. Rafe massaged the skin there, feeling the ridges of his head through it. The angle was hard for her to maintain, so he went back to pushing down her throat.

She couldn’t swallow with him in her mouth, so drool began to seep out and sullied his pants. Her hands pushed against his thighs and he let up, tugging her off his crotch and watching the string of spit that connected them.

“I’m, fuck, I’m sorry I’m making such a mess,” she apologized through wet coughs. Rafe laughed and said nothing, but he grabbed his cock and smeared her own spit onto her face. Kiara squealed and tried to back away but he wasn’t done with her.

Eventually, he had enough trust to let her do her own work. Her jaw burned from the stretch, but the hand on her head was only resting there as she forwent keeping it all clean.

He came, hard, if the noises he made were any indicator. The sensation of his twitching cock against her tongue was fascinating, but he must not have wanted to give her the chance to spit. With her nose pressed against his pelvis, his cock for perfectly down her throat and spilled his seed there.

Kiara coughed and sputtered when he finally released her and she could breathe again. “Fucking hell, Rafe, what’s the plan for real sex? You gonna bring out a chainsaw?”

“That was real sex.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ll just have to wait and find out then, huh?”

Kiara narrowed her eyes, looking to the small backseat. “What do you mean, wait? You’re not gonna reciprocate or anything? How is that f—?”

“Look, I know you’re new to this and all, so consider this a lesson: I’m gonna need a fuckin’ minute to get the feeling back in my extremities. And since we don’t have all night—”

He tugged her arm towards him and she awkwardly fumbled over to sit on his lap. The door pressed against her back and the steering wheel dug into her leg uncomfortably, but he continued anyways.

Kiara liked loose, linen shorts; Rafe liked them even better. He needn’t even pull them down— they were flowy and accessible enough that he could pull them and her underwear to the side and have her fully exposed for him.

Her face burned. No one had ever seen her like this before, but Rafe was more action-oriented. He cupped a hand over her bare sex, swollen and ready for him after her mouth had been fully used. His dexterous fingers played with her slit and collected the slick there, getting to know her clit and folds in the dark.

He wouldn’t have been able to see, but her eyes opened when he first pressed a finger inside. She was fully aware of how it worked, and Kie had boredly tried to fuck herself in the past, but it was never enough.

Rafe didn’t have that problem. His hands were bigger, fingers stronger, and knew how to stretch her walls around him. She mewled, and he kissed her cheek.

His fingers tucked in further and, with a palm grinding against her clit, pressed against a spot inside her that made her gasp. “Oh my God! What was that?”

He laughed a little in her ear and pulled his fingers out to slap her cunt. She whined. “Our new favorite body part of yours.”

Kiara’s eyebrows furrowed. “Our?”

Rafe took the free hand around her arm and reached over to grab at her breast. “Used to be these.”

Her body sparked and warmed at the idea of Rafe looking at her like a lecher. Deciding parts of her body were for his for ogling, grabbing, fucking. He’s always been an option for her, she just hadn’t known to ask.

The sounds her cunt made around his fingers were vile. He’d lean down to kiss her neck (but only kiss— can’t leave a mark) and she curled into his chest. She’d have more shame about the situation if she had any thoughts at all that weren’t her barreling orgasm.

When she did cum, she had to hold onto his forearm for stability. He purred into her ear about how good she was doing for him, holding her chin in place so he always had a good look at her scrunched eyes and parted lips.

He pulled his hand out from her shorts when she caught her breath, and made her watch the way strings of her cum lingered for too long. Rafe pushed those digits between her lips without warning, and swirled them around her tongue until he was adequately clean. Her legs still tingled when she slumped back into the passenger seat.

“No notes, baby, you did perfectly. Let’s get you home, hmm?”

***

Kiara’s phone automatically set to Do Not Disturb at 11 pm sharp every evening.

She wasn’t even that caught up in perfecting her sleep schedule. There were just too many nights in a row that one of her friends would drunkenly call and wake her up. Never for a good reason, like needing a ride—no, they’ll rip her from sleep to ask if a Wonka chocolate bar is red, or purple like they swore they remembered.

And they wonder why she preferred darties.

So, any messages she may receive in the witching hour would go unnoticed until the next morning. Unless, of course, the person reaching out to her is a bit more persistent.

The window creaked, and she just rolled over in bed. Her home was nearly a century old and the sandy ground below the foundation made for all kinds of bumps in the night.

What it didn’t often do, was lift the pane entirely. Kie sat up, eyes quickly adjusting to the tall body squeezing through into her bedroom.

“Jesus— Rafe?!” she asked, grabbing her chest where her heart fluttered.

“A little help?” he hissed, unable to fit the rest of the way. She sprang to his side, lifting the window a little more and guiding him inside. “Thanks.”

“You don’t have to whisper. My parents are in Myrtle Beach for a wedding.”

“Well, fuck me. Would’ve been nice to know before I scaled the damn trellis. Why didn’t you respond?” he asked, pointing to the sleeping phone on her nightstand.

Kiara crossed her arms. “Didn’t get the message. Do I… need to get a first aid kit?” she asked, looking over his figure and trying not to back away like a frightened deer.

He looked down at himself. “I’m fine?”

“I meant for me! You forget the chainsaw?”

His eyebrows tightened until he remembered the night they‘d already shared, and smirked. “Oh! No, it’s not like that.”

She didn’t get to ask what he meant before he kicked off his boots and flopped onto her bed like he owned it. He wagged his fingers, beckoning her to join him, and she obeyed with a scowl. It’s her room, after all.

He pulled her down to his side, turning to face her and sliding a hand between her cheek and pillow. Rafe kissed her softly, thumbing at her skin and trailing the other hand down to her waist where it rested comfortably. Their thighs entangled and one of her fists nervously balled into his shirt.

The pair made out, much longer than she would expect he had patience for. It was delicate, verging on pure, and it sent a fire to her core in anticipation. His leg pushing between her thighs certainly didn’t hurt.

There was no hurry to undress. A shirt here, his pants there. It was like they waited until one of them lost their breath to pause and remove another article. By the time they were down to their underwear, her apprehensions reappeared.

”Slow,” she blurted, and his big blue eyes locked to hers. “We’re gonna go slow, right?” she clarified, feeling the ridges of his abs, now bare and warm under her fingers.

He smiled, kissed the tip of her nose. “M’in no rush.”

Their cores were close, she could feel the heat of his cock pressed against her hip. He pushed against her once and groaned into her mouth, then pulled away entirely and slotted himself above her.

Rafe sat back on his heels, looking at her near-naked body below her. It was hardly more skin than he was used to seeing when she swam at his house, but he hungered over her nonetheless. His fingers slipped under the hem of her panties and his eyes found hers.

“May I?”

She giggled. Perhaps because she didn’t expect that from Rafe, or maybe it was nerves. But she eked out a yes, please regardless.

With permission granted, he slid her underwear down her legs and tossed them aside, settling between her thighs and giving each a kiss.

He started gently— he spread her folds with his thumbs and licked a hard stripe up the center. Her eyes lifted to the ceiling and slammed shut, and he was gracious enough to not give her hell for this. Rafe allowed her in her own world because, well, he was in one of his own.

Had she spared a glance between her thighs, she’d see him lost in himself, nose buried into her cunt and tongue exploring every part of her. It was all slow, curious, an attempt to commit her pussy to his memory. Maybe he feared this was his only chance.

His patience built a powerful orgasm for her— the kind she could never do herself. Touching herself before was just getting a job done, but Rafe wanted it to wash over her with shaking legs and starry vision.

And Rafe always got what he wanted.

When he came up to kiss her, she tasted herself on him, but it was less intense than she expected. Maybe he was drooling too much.

She’d forgotten he still had his boxers on— too lost in cumming on his tongue. The fabric was sticking to him where precum leaked out of his tip, and he paused for only enough time to pull the elastic down under his balls. Deja vu.

Now free, his member hung menacingly between them. He took himself in hand and teased her, gliding the tip against her pulsing clit and threatening to part her folds. He lay the shaft against her and thrusted, simulating the real thing.

On one insignificant stroke, the head slipped down and notched itself against her hole. Rafe was careful, so careful pressing inside. She was wet enough that he could’ve bullied his cock into her cunt easily, but he stopped instead.

Rafe lowered himself until their noses brushed together. One hand reached up to stroke her cheek, to whisk away the tear that had pooled in the corner of her eye. He shushed, his lips brushing against her chin, her ear, her lips, anywhere he could access her skin.

“Sweetheart, please, you’ve gotta relax for me,” he whispered, voice low and warm. “You’re doing so fuckin’ good so far. Just keep letting me in.”

It was a side of the man she’d never seen before. Rafe used to twist the arms of boys who mocked her and Sarah until they screamed for mercy. He wasn’t allowed to play any contact sports in high school with his violent record. More than once, Kiara had to step around shattered glass in their home from when he’d broken tumblers in fits of rage. The blowjob from last week alone—

Tonight, his free hand found hers and threaded their fingers together. He kissed along her neck and sucked at the flesh gently. Endless praises spilled from him as his cock fully nestled inside her pulsing heat. She could feel their bodies entangling further with each breath they shared in the close space.

“Fuck it’s— so deep,” she breathed, back arching to press her bare chest against his. The angle shift forced her clit to grind against his pelvis and a whine escaped her.

“I know, baby,” he reassured and played with her tits as she readjusted. “Takin’ me so well. Can’t believe I get to be the first one to feel you like this, mm?”

She nodded, even though he wasn’t really asking her anything. Rafe’s hand, still entwined with hers, pulled down to make her feel her lower stomach.

“Feel me there?” he continued. “M’so glad you chose me. Let me split this pretty pussy open on my cock. Gonna let me fill it too? Wanna really make sure I do the job correctly?”

“Fuck, please, yes!”

He withdrew his cock entirely, letting it kiss her slick cunt and smear the wetness between them. Rafe sunk back in without warning and her back arched up.

Kiara’s fingers scratched down his back and he mentioned nothing of it. Her eyes closed again. “Rafe, I… I think I’m gonna—”

“Another?” he cut off, unable to conceal his pride. “Such a good baby. Eager to fall apart on my cock. Wanna feel it, please, sweet girl.”

She came again, pussy twitching around him. He followed shortly after and stuffed her full of cum as they milked each other dry. If the sensation of him finishing down her throat was intriguing, this was… addictive.

Rafe was an exceptional gentleman in terms of cleaning up; Kiara lay weak and tender as he gathered a wet cloth to undo the last hour. Well… as much as could be undone.

“Thank you,” she said finally, voice low above the radiator, spoken across his chest she rested on.

“Don’t even mention it,” he laughed softly and pulled her in closer. They already approached slumber. “Though, if you really wanted to thank me, I have a few ideas in mind…”

[demons-art-hell]

Lore expansion on Joel's role in gbau!

Exposition: Vampires, whilst a proven fact in gbau, are still rather mystic and generally unheard of Typically, they're thought of as near exitinct, when it truth they live under the radar in secret

Those with express features such as pointed ears tend to explain it away by being Elyian (very brief overview! I will get more into how vampires function in a seperate post)

Continued under the cut

Anyway, This being the case, there is lots of prejudice towards vampires, and plenty of blatantly incorrect information, particularly of old historical and/or fictional nature

After reuniting with Grian and Mumbo (and being introduced to Scar) at an unofficial homecoming (hosted by Gem & The Scotts because they wanted to show off perform), Joel takes an interest in writing about the project they're both a part of

Whilst there, however.. He notices how strange and different Grian is

First, and most prominently, his feathers have gold bands on their edges Now, Joel isn't an expert on hybrids, let alone avians, but surely it doesn't make sense for a feather pattern to suddenly change somewhere in adulthood

Following that, not only are his wings singed gold but so are his eyes... And they seem to glow with it?

Possibly least importantly, the man isn't wearing glasses This, by itself, isn't suspicious, but knowing how Grian was in his teens, he HATED contact lenses, and Joel knows he can't see for shit without his glasses

When broached on this, Grian clams up about his wings, muttering something of it being medical, but as for his eyes, his excuse comes in the form of switching to contacts, and, while he's at it, choosing coloured ones

Joel is unsatisfied with this answer, as it doesn't explain the glow his eyes appear to have, nor does he believe Grian would ever get over hating contacts, but he doesn't press further

Later on in the night, he notices a fuss as Grian hurries out into the bathroom

When he asks, Mumbo, who'd stayed behind to make space for him to leave, responds that Grian started having sudden nose bleeds recently

Odd

This is all strange behaviour, but nothing about this sets Joel off to investigate until the day he actually goes in for his article

And sees distinct bite marks on Grian's neck Ones he flusters about and hides quickly

And the whole thing just snowballs from there

Glowing eyes in the dark? Suddenly not requiring glasses? Having 'nosebleeds' where he could be going off to do who knows what Finding someone to feed off of perhaps?

He can't explain the gold in the wings, but it sure only adds to his suspicion!

Joel begins making excuses to remain at their project's headquarters, spinning some story about wanting to make more articles as he (not so) subtly begins digging into Grian

He notes many things like how he always seem tired, sometimes even passing out around the building, and eventually scrounges up from somewhere that he changed jobs, abandoning his own project due to 'not being able to partake in the contruction' anymore

He notes how little Grian goes outside and, when he does, how little he flies compared to when he last saw him

Perhaps the sun makes him tired? Weak enough to not fly? He certainlly seems sickly enough for it

The more time passes the further into a hole he digs himself, noting how Grian appears to recover from injury too fast, how he turns to face people just a fraction too early compared to when they call him, and him knowing things he shouldn't

Such as where someone is in the building, even if Joel KNOWS he hasn't seen them all day

It gets concerning, in fact, how much he puts into this

I love conspiracy theorist Joel He's incredibly suspicious of everything Grian does now, believing it to be an evil vampire plot of some sort I will probably try and write something on the makeshift homecoming, so that I can introduce more characters and their roles/magic in this au Note on the comic: A plaster is a band aid Also I call this a homecoming, but the school system in this universe will be closer to the British schooling system than the American one. Because I don't know anything about it. It confuses me Second notes: The 'project' Grian Scar and Joel are a part of is a hermitcraft equivalent. Eventually I will get everyone moving into the area! starting with Joel convincing Lizzie they should start up a second branch of their cafe there And the project Grian worked on before the incident is a life series equivalent! Alright! Good day, good evening, good night!