#soul actually fucking explodes when he does for the first time. he still gets so giddy he gets lightheaded over it

[sainteclectic]

oh and btw whole calls soul his lamb :-)

[anantaru]

DAY 17 — VIRGINITY LOSS

kinktober 2023. — masterlist | ao3

𖧡 — including — blade, jing yuan

𖧡 — warnings — fem! reader, first time, virgin! reader, taking your v card, soft & passionate, pussy drunk hsr men

𖧡 — BLADE

the jammed breathes blade expelled from the top of his lungs evidently showcased the current emotions he had been experiencing— and despite him taking his time with his darling, letting you adjust to his throbbing cock without actually hurting you, knowing it was the right route to take, he applauds his self control for being so strong and resilient.

blade doesn't thrust into you after he slides his inches into you, rather did he take dazzling delight in traversing over your thudding desire— he coughs and it's followed by a muttered curse, whilst your own short, pitchy whines were muffled into his neck as they echoed on his flesh.

still shaking from the intrusion, your hips had a mind of their own and tremble as you jerk up a little, desperately seeking more contact of him, you need him faster, stronger, to water down the slight, lingering burn on your creamy hole, a raging fire wavering on his cock when you begin to constrict and let go, clamp on his length before milking him with your warmness.

"b-blade.." your voice breaks into delicate trembles, "you can move now.."

he nods at you, most handsome and alluring before tightening his arms around your body, idle musing being acted out as blade plants a kiss on your forehead— fuck, everything felt different now, especially since you're completely open to him and he doesn't know how to react, or how you're vulnerable from inside and out and blade practically floats at the feeling of a deep satisfaction matching your own.

"how does that feel?" he was continuously content with you, never once looking back to view his own sentiments, the brightest hues of his vulnerabilities exploding inside the humidity of the room— through soft fingertips and passionate gazes, through a steady breathing rattling over your lips and through those sweet words, sinful noises, all combined into one giant sensation weighing above you.

you pant, scrunching your eyes together before folding your arms around his back, "g-good," you whisper, "you feel.. nice," and he smiles at your words, as if your existance was the key to his soul, silencing the gruesome whisperings of doubts in him.

his cock throbs at your mewls, the length hot and wet when he begins to pick up on pace, eagerly gazing down in between your bodies as you took him in, bathing the swelling vehemence of his frame when you accepted him wholly— before blade, your handsome boyfriend, clenches his fists around the silken sheets at the pressure of just how much he loved and craved you.

𖧡 — JING YUAN

you always knew that you won't ever regret giving yourself to someone such as jing yuan— you'd never look back at it with any form of remorse, not one bit, because you utterly loved him and were certain that he was the one.

a breathless heave follows a murmured swear as jing yuan bucks his hips into you, to get a feeling for the situation and reach some guise of control, even though he could barely contain himself right now— for one, the thought about you being, untouched, and him being your first in basically everything, was holding his heart in a choke hold, a bristling warmth on his chest perfectly slotted against your own.

the general loved you so much, realizing that he will forever be in love with you, and between his body and mind, it was an honor to be chosen by you.

"oh... fuck! my love, you're so tight," he grunts, swallowing down the assemblage of saliva in his mouth before kitty licking across your bottom lip, surrendering to your warm pussy trapping him in between, not wanting this moment to end and go on forevermore.

jing yuan was confined inside the tenderness of how good you felt touching him up, taking his inches and gushing around his shaft— but he wants more, he needs to feel more and begins to rock his hips deeper— your creamy arousal sousing over your wrecked insides before dribbling down his balls with every new drag in and out, his head silently slanting forward to have his lips placed on the crown of your head before you both cry out in a plethora of salacious sobs and hasty whispers.

but he still wanted more, needed everything, everything. everything.

it's incredible and your legs ache at his hips keeping them parted with the stinging nerves on your hole shrieking and twisting from being penetrated for the very first time in your life, fusing with the bliss touching you like pins and needles on your wet sex— jing yuan carries on to move in and out, stretching you flawlessly with his weighty dick dripping his pre on your warmness, throbbing against your walls all the while slamming his body on top of yours, your little pussy doing all the work, stroking his hard length— sharp, frantic jerks battering your cunt as you remained enclosed in each others arms.

©2023 anantaru's kinktober do not repost, copy, translate, modify

[yourstrulyrika]

just a short smut fic about Leon bc I have history tomorrow and I am about to explode i need to get my mind off of it!! no thoughts about history just Leon !!!

warnings: none! just pure smut with fem!reader

topic: thigh worship bc!! thighs!! i love thighs!! chubby skinny thin toned soft thick IDC i love thighs. so does leon he told me that himself !!!!! Leon Kennedy loves eating you out thats it thats the plot

Leon is a sucker for thighs. He loves thighs. Worships thighs. Could spend hours on your thighs, sleeping on them, kissing them,

but his favorite thing is being between your thighs <3

Leon is a messy eater. You found that long time ago. No matter his mood or energy level — it always ends up messy. Now, Leon has his beloved way of eating you out.

Face sitting

When Leon proposed this idea at first, he was a bit shy, just a bit. His first words were “suffocating between your thighs would be a way to go I wouldn’t complain about.” with that smirk of his. Took a bit to actually get you to sit on him like he’s a damn chair, ended up with him pulling you all the way down, but you’re sitting, so that’s what matters!

When you sat on his face, he thought he’s in heaven. Grows pussydrunk so fast, doesn’t care about his thick cock throbbing in his pants, growls when you try to touch it because why aren’t you focusing on his tongue !! (he ends up cumming in his pants in the end btw)

Slurps, sucks, kisses, nibbles — he LOVES (your) pussy. Leon is a (your) pussy lover. He moans like a damn whore when you grind against him. Sometimes he wraps his hands around your thighs to make you grind against him, eating you so passionately he forgets about the world outside <3 He just loves being used by you!! that’s his life dream!!

“That’s it baby, best pussy in the whole world, lovin’ it s’ much, god,” the crack in his voice is just.. chefs kiss. Sometimes it feels like Leon talks to your pussy instead to you, but you know he loves you as much !!

He doesn’t stop even when you cum, he has to pull out at least two orgasms out of you before he even considers letting you go.

“Cmon.. baby, just one more, know you can do it,” He mumbles between the sucks. He says it for the third time today. You end up completely fucked dumb by his tongue <3 But when he finally stops, he always ends the session with a small press to your clit,

“Sorry baby, not my fault you taste too good.”

Obviously the session doesn’t end there though. Now it’s his time. But not before he presses soft, loving kisses to your thighs, marking them up, gripping them so possessively but still gently. When he’s satisfied with the sight, he finally takes his pants off and lets his cock spring out, hard and leaking for you <3

But no, he doesn’t fuck your pussy. He knows you’re overstimulated! He’s not that cruel!! But he fucks your thighs. Damn, your thighs, he just loves them. He presses your thighs together — he LOVES and lives for the sight of it. And then puts his dick in front of those soft legs, guiding himself between your thighs before finally pushing forward, letting out the loudest whine you heard.

“Shit, s’good, goddamn, you were made for me,“ He genuinely starts babbling, just as fucked dumb as you are. Moving his hips lazily but desperately, covering your inner thighs with his precum. And when he finally cums on your thighs and pulls away, he turns you around and just stares at the art work he made. to him, the sight of your thighs covered in his seed is a damn piece of art.

“Princess, can I take a photo? Looks so pretty, all mine,”

He ends up taking a photo of your thighs like this, his hand resting there and gently squishing the soft flesh, as if marking you as his. You just know he’s gonna jerk his damn soul off to that photo when you’re not around.

End! Phew, that took a minute. I have a history test tomorrow, I will scream my lungs out. Wish me luck or smth </3

[beabnormal24]

Quick Carbon wip just got inspired and wanted to write it.

“George.” Alex hisses, pressing his phone against his cheek until he’s sure he could mold into it.

He can still feel his heart racing from the run he had made up the stairs. He hasn’t really gone to the gym in a while, so it could be that, or maybe it’s just the way his brain had felt like melting out of his ears when he had laid eyes on the labelled boxes in the hall, first, and a muscular back near the doorman box, after.

“Alexander.” George hisses back, “why are we whispering?”

“Carlos Sainz, George.” Alex says, just before realising that, probably, saying a name without putting it in a properly complete sentence doesn’t make any logical sense. “I just- I just saw him- in the hall- fuck”

“Did you run up the stairs?” George asks, sounding way too amused. “I told you, you should take your working out more seriously at your age. Again, I can talk with Rita and find a spot for you in my morning Pilates classes, they would do you only good I am sure.”

“George, Carlos Sainz, in my- in my building.” Alex repeats, frantically looking for his keys in the utter mess of his jacket’s pockets.

He was pretty sure he was already holding them as he got in the hall, but then they seemed to disappear just as he was getting up the stairs, skipping the elevator because he surely wouldn’t stay there with Carlos Sainz just a few feet away.

Perhaps he just mechanically put them back in his pocket, he wouldn’t put it past himself after seeing Carlos freaking Sainz in the same place as himself. Talking to Alex’s doorman, of all people.

“Ah, I see, I see.” George says slowly, “But weren’t you watching him playing in San Diego just, like, a few days ago? Ah these rich people and their private jets, our poor sustainability!”

“It was last week, George.” Alex says, moving his phone to the other shoulder as he gets both his hands finally free. “Do you really not listen to me at all when I talk about golf?”

George is suspiciously silent for a second too long. “Eh, no.” He says, sincerely. “That being said. I don’t see the big deal with him being in the same building as you. You’re obsessed with the guy, just make sure to not act weird and all.”

“Weird?” Alex whispers, but it almost sounds like a screech to his own ears. “Yeah, no, I am perfectly normal about this what are you saying?”

“I can literally hear your brain exploding from here.”

“Shut up.”

“You called me.”

“And I am regretting it very much.” Alex says, stuffing his hand in the back pocket of his jeans just to come out, once again, empty handed. God, why does this have to happen now of all times? He is in desperate need of a coffee and, even better, a long cold shower to properly wrap around what he just saw. “Ah, my keys-“

There’s a tap on his shoulder and the only reason why Alex manages to not jump out of his skin is that he’s way too distracted with something like avoiding having to change all his locks because of his own idiocy.

As he turns around ready to tell somebody off, though, he desperately wishes his soul had actually made the jump.

“Looking for these?” Carlos Sainz says, dangling Alex’s keys in front of his face with a smirk. Distantly, Alex is pretty sure his phone just fell to the ground. “You dropped them in the hall, I can see it’s an habit.” Carlos Sainz jokes.

Because, as it stands, Carlos Sainz is in front of him making a joke about how Alex seems to have an habit of dropping his personal stuff around like an idiot.

Which is precisely the best and worst thing that could ever possibly happen to him.

In a remote part of his barely functioning brain, Alex knows that he should probably laugh to not look like a complete weirdo - which is exactly what George had advised him of, amazing.

But all that actually manages to come out of his mouth is just a strangled noise as his mind goes through two things, not necessarily in that order: fuck he is hotter than on TV and fuck he is shorter than I thought.

“Is everything-“

“Yes!” Alex rushes to say, taking the offered keys out of Carlos’ hands before remembering that he has been raised with manners. “Thank you, I am- a bit distracted yes.”

“That’s okay.” Carlos says, reassuring. His smile is almost blinding, way too gentle than it should be when offered to, well, a complete stranger.

Alex can’t exactly miss the way Carlos’ eyes seem to take in the sight of him, raking from the top of his head to the worn points of his Converse. He probably looks ridiculous compared to the well-put and squeaky clean shoes on Carlos’ feet, but in his defence, they don’t have a dressing code at work, and he is no professional golfer.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, new neighbour.” Carlos says, and when his eyes meet Alex’s there’s a glint in them he can’t exactly decipher. “I am Carlos Sainz, but I seemed to notice you already know that.”

Oh.

Alex is fucked.

[pleasestayawayidonotlikeyou]

Hi hi!! May u write headcannons or a fic (whatever you prefer!!) about how it is to be best friends with Dust sans??

Of course traveler! It ended up kinda short, so I apologize for that :'(

Featuring: Dust.

Masterlist

The way you two became friends is... Unusual to say the least..

You were brought in by Nightmare as you were seen as useful for him, and quickly warmed up to Killer and Ted in the first few weeks.

But something you noticed was that Dust tried to stay away from you as much as possible, staring at you violently every time he saw you.

You reminded him of his frisk... So he never wanted to be next to you, damn, not even in the same room.

Dust was never someone who likes socializing much, he's usually locked up in his room at the castle after missions.

So you, being the "kind" soul you are, decided to try and befriend him!

Light footsteps could be heard from the corridor as you walk towards Dusts room with a box of cinnamon rolls in your hands.

"Well here it is..."

You whisper as you knock in Dust's door. No answer. But you know he's there.

"Hey Dust..?"

*You called for Dust...

"I know you don't really like me that much.. but.. I would still like to be your friend"

*...You got no answer.

".. I got cinnamon rolls.. Ted told me they are your favorites.."

...

"I'm not sure why you avoid me... And I know there's a reason.."

...

Nothing.

You sigh and get up, leaving the box on the floor.

"I'll just leave the box here.. I'm gonna call you when dinner's ready.."

Hours passed and when you came back the box was gone, you smiled and knocked on his door again "dust, dinner's ready!"

After that day Dust became less violent towards you.

Now into the present!

He invites you to watch criminal cases with him, his favorite channel is Rotten Mango.(This channel actually exists btw)

Dust is someone who LOVES criminal cases, he could spend HOURS watching non-stop if you let him, he just likes to see how far someone would go, how gruesome the deaths are, how human beings are just so greedy..

He only saw you as frisk because you're a human, but now that he gets along with you, you kinda remind him of papyrus..

He's the type of friend who has everything you need at any time, you need lipgloss? He has it. You're cold? He has a spare jacket. You're hungry? Have some biscuits.

Dust enjoys trying to style your hair, even if he ends up messing up and having to start again.

Makes sure to let Killer far away from you, he doesn't want you to have that jerks negative influence.

He and Ted are actually really good friends, Dust probably invites you to join the two hang out's.

Dust knows spanish, definitely has let out a "CÁLLATE HIJO DE UNA MADRE!" to Killer multiple times.

This skeleton does NOT know how to cook, he burns the food, damn, he even has already EXPLODED the fucking stove!

So if you would like to try to teach him how to cook, Nightmare will be pleased.(He does not want to buy another stove AGAIN)

[bumblebeehug]

Juvia being herself in spite of it all.

Like? She’s born and shunned for her entire life for making it rain constantly. She’s scouted by some horrible bad guys that at least tolerate being around her, but absolutely doesn’t like her still. Everyone she dates tells her she’s gloomy. She doesn’t know happiness, because no one gave her a reason to be happy. And then, when she finally gets treated with respect by some good looking half naked guy (Gray) she gets to see the sun for the first fucking time in HER LIFE. Obviously she falls for him, love @ first sight and all that. And then, even when she’s finally not gloomy or sad all of the time, she STILL gets shunned for wanting to change herself. People in the guild that she wants to join, don’t want her there because of her messed up past (she was a victim of her circumstances). Her newfound crush is a major tsundere and treats her like she’s a bother (which is better than any other guy has treated her). Her only friend from Phantom insists on calling her rain woman, despite her hard work to get them into the guild in the first place. She constantly gets tested on her loyalty - people think she’s only in the guild for Gray and still has violent tendencies. She has to shoot herself up in the sky and explode herself in order to be taken seriously.

And during all this? Her cheerful self shines through. She’s determined to get rid of that rain, so she paints a dreamworld where she can be as silly as she wants - all to embrace this second chance she got in life. But things still aren’t easy - she’s constantly left out, her crush keeps her on at arms length at all times (never close enough to accept her, never far away for her to be able to let him go) and eventually, when things are finally looking up for her, she has to kill his father. Like hello? Give her a break. But she does and she regrets it, and she starts hating herself for it and she’s this 🤏🏻 close to giving up on him because she doesn’t deserve to love him, but thankfully he forgives her. Actually, he thanks her. So as the guild (that’s finally accepted her for her - all of her silliness, her happiness, sadness, craziness) disbands the two of them get their own safe haven where they train and get closer - except once again Gray keeps her at arms length, and one day he just ups and leaves. And it’s hell for her, because she can’t just cheerily create delusions that keep the rain away - she’s heartbroken! The sun has been taken away from her. And even when she gets reunited she’s just supposed to be happy again, which, don’t get her wrong, she is! But she still feels betrayed, and that feeling lingers.

Then there’s the whole suicide thing as well - she would rather die than harm Gray in any way. Hell, she even taught herself dark magic because she knew that one day she would have to make her water into blood, because Gray being Gray, he would eventually sacrifice himself for something stupid.

Things end up well somehow, but oops, nevermind, Gray still can’t get over his inferiority complex so he goes to a whole other continent with his team. All she can do is wait at home. Except this time he low-key confesses and stuff when he sees her again? But yeah, no, they can’t get together until he’s solved the mission that’s been unsolved for over a hundred years.

But you know. Somehow she’s still happy. She’s pretty and she’s funny and she keeps going. Life has never been in her favour but she’s persevered. So yeah I love her and she’s my soul.

[yuyu1024]

Take a chance

Pairings: Seonghwa × y/n & Wooyoung [ex bf]

Genre/tags: fake relationship to real??

Warning: cursing, smoking/drinking, cheating (pls dont do this), insecurities, jealousy, with 🔞 smut/angst, sensual touching, dry humping, cursing, pet names, unprotected sex, blowjob/handjob, mention of period

~~~ [lmk if i miss anything]

Words: 4.6k

Disclaimer:

- this story is just made up

- english is not my first language, please be nice 😊

Note: Part 2 for Jealous

I hope its good enough for the first part 🙏🏻  its sort of rushed at the end coz i finished it so late 😅 and as usual, I do write when I'm about to pass out, to sleep.

Again, thank you for those liking my short fics 🫶🏻

***

"Unnngghhhh... aahhhh...s- so good!"

Fucking hell. What am I doing? Why am I here again? At his place, panties off and riding him like my rent is due tomorrow. What the fuck happened to me? I'm not like this... I'm...

"Fuck!" I cry as I intertwined both my hands with his. "I'm... about to... explode." I am catching my breathe.

"Let it go..." he answers and then pulling you down just enough so he could kiss you on your pinkish lips. "Come for me..." he snarls as you separate.

And I did.

I threw my head back and just released everything. I even think my soul left my body coz I am shaking like a twig.

"You are amazing..." Seonghwa sits up and embraces me. "You are beautiful..." he leaves gentle kisses on my shoulder and my neck. "You are happiness..."

His words. Since we agreed with this fake dating thing. I thought, everything will be just like the same as our relationship before. Casual. But the more we spend time together or should I say, have sex in his place or mine the more he became vocal, praising me, saying such nice things to me. I don't know why but I'm not used to it. Or maybe, I'm flustered every time and I can't just express it.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing but... it's just new to me. Wooyoung compliments me yes, however, when Seonghwa does it. It feels different. It makes my heart skip a beat.

"I make you happy?" I snort a laugh as I relax my tense body. "Are you saying that because your dick is still in me and you want to go another round?" I joke

He smiles softly, "No..." and then he tugs my loose hair behind my ear. "Unless you want to..." and then kisses the corner of my lips.

"Really?" I start to tease him by moving my hips again.

He grunts as he felt my tightness and then softly giggles, "you're being naughty..."

He turns us both around. Now he's on top and my back is on his bed. I am giggling like a little girl, enjoying his reaction.

"Let me show you... why you should not tease me like that..."

He goes on to nibble every inch of my skin. Making me moan like we didn't just had an amazing sex a second ago.

Seonghwa really does a very good job at making me weak and fold in an instant. His lips, his tongue, his eyes, his words and his.... length. Everything about him had become my krytonite but at the same time fills my emptiness inside of me. Both metaphorically and literally.

Though, all of this is fun and satisfying. Our relationahip is NOT true. This is all fake. We are not IN LOVE.

Which pains me a little deep inside actually. How the fuck this have to happen to me? Finding someone that is making me happy, enjoy life, makes me feel like his only girl in the world and gives effort to get to know me turns out to be someone who is just a friend, a nice friend, that I cannot make myself fall in love witu.

I need to pause on this feelings I am having. I need to focus on me and not us. Coz there is no US.

FUCK.

***

I must've fallen asleep after having another round.

I'm still lying on his bed, face down and his white thick blanket is wrapped around me.

"It's snowing..." I mumble as I blink away the sleepiness in my eyes whilst looking outside his window. "It's been that long..." Referring to our deal.

Didn't realize that we've been doing this for more than half a year already.

I roll over looking up at his ceiling. "I've been fucking him...that long...?" I ask myself. "Hmm..."

Then my phone pings, cutting me from my deep thoughts. I get up, covering my bare top with the blanket, and check who messaged me.

WY: It's snowing. Don't forget to bring a jacket and a scarf. ♥️

I heavily sighed after reading his text. I don't get him. Him, pushing and pulling my feelings is getting on my nerves.

A month into my deal with Seonghwa, I thought, well, he made me think that he still have feelings with me. After getting jealous and all with hwa. Then after that he became cold with me again and flaunts his new girl, face to face. Then he continued sending me text messages like this, whenever he wants. Like, what? He dumped me right? And he's with a girl so... why?

And also, why does it bother me? I should be happy right? Since all of these acting is affecting the guy who just dated me just because. I am getting to him.

"Everything alright?"

Holy crap. He looks devine coming out of his bathroom; topless, freshly showered. His pants is just hanging perfectly around his hips and the band of his underwear is slightly showing. And his hair... its longer now.

Fuck! Y/N get a grip! Stop drooling!

I look away, acting fine as if his presence does not affect me. Even though my stomach is already twisitng.

"Yeah..." I answer then locking my phone and putting it back on the bedside table.

He pauses drying his hair and lays the towel around his neck. "Is it Wooyoung?"

I nod.

"He's been texting you frequent."

"Yeah... he does..." I lower my gaze on my hands.

"How do you feel?"

Nothing. Yes I am irritated but that's just me not liking him sending me mix signals. That's only it.

Before I speak, I look back up at Seonghwa. I want to guess what he's thinking. I want to know what he feels about me. Because while fucking, all I could see through his eyes is that he wants me and that he can't let me go.

Maybe I'm just overthinking about lust over love. I'm sure I'm not his type. I've seen the girls he had dated before, they are way, way up there. While me, I'm just an ordinary girl. I cannot be labelled as pretty nor beautiful.

Yeah he does say I am but his dick is literally inside of me whenever he does or when we are cuddling and making out.

Damn. Wait. Am I really into him? Stop! I should not go there. No. Or esle, I'll get myself hurt again.

"Ahm..." I look away from him. "Fine I guess..." then I scoot over to get to the edge of the bed, to make my way to the shower. "I'll get ready too..." I try to act as normal as I can. Smiling even then handing him the blanket that's covering my whole body and then walk pass him.

***

I really can't focus in my classes. My over analyzing have been affecting me for these past two weeks and it sucks. My life was so dull not until Seonghwa happened. I get excited going to Uni or if not I get exciting meeting after class and getting back to our places together. Now, I am ruining it.

Maybe I should just chill and enjoy this. And just be prepared for all the heart break and crying later.

"Hi!" Wooyoung appears out of nowhere, kissing me on the cheek.

"What the fuck?" I hiss at him.

I have to be quiet. We are at the library.

"What?" He acts innocent.

I roll my eyes at him and go back to reading my notes. "Go away..."

"Why are you being so cold to me? We're friends."

I glare at him. "We were. Then you made me your girlfriend and then dumped me..."

"But you've moved on right?"

My eyebrows shows my irritation. "What do you want, Wooyoung?"

He smirks and then shrugs. "Nothing... I swear"

"Don't. I know you." I snap at him

He smiles, "Fine." and then proceeds on sitting next to me. "You and Seonghwa... what's the deal?" His tone changes. "Are you two dating?"

"Why do you care?"

"Well because... Seonghwa--"

"If you're going to tell me something bad about him... stop okay? Don't make shit up just because you don't like seeing me hanging around him more." I am in no mood today. Plus I'm on my period.

"Y/N..."

I sigh as I start to pack my things. "Whatever him and I have... or do... it's none of your business... you two are friends and I am your ex... that's it. If we don't tell you things about us... it's on us... because it is our privacy." I slide my bag over my shoulder, "also... if you are really his friend... don't text his girl. Have decency."

I walk away.

Wow. That felt good. I don't know why. Sorry Wooyoung... I know you are not a bad person. You are just... off every now and then when it comes to things you think you own. And You don't own me. Not anymore.

****

<Seonghwa's POV from the morning of the firt snow>

I got up from my bed to answer the door. I have to admit, I am a little grumpy because I don't like waking up early especially if my class is in the afternoon. But then,

"Hi..."

I think I blinked more than ten times before I could process the fact that, Y/N, is standing at my door, this early in the morning.

"Hi..." I answer back as I brush my hair away from my face.

"Sorry to bother you... this early... but I just want to check if I left my books here last week?" She asks scratching her head. "I can't find it at my place. And I already asked my classmates if they borrowed them..." she trails

She's blushing.

I want to pull her in right now. I want to... I want to grab her by the waist and give her a kiss. I want her... now. If only she's my girl.

"You want to come in?" I ask, "I mean... to look?"

When she smiles, her cheeks are reaching the heavens. She's so beautiful.

She enters my place like she's destined to be here. I know I just recently moved dorm but looking at her, knowing where to look and places that she could touch is so amusing to me.

"Sorry..." she says as she accidentally knocks my perfume on top of the drawer next to the TV.

"It's okay." I say as I sit at my sofa, just admiring her.

"This smells good." She says after sniffing it and then brings it with her and places it at my vanity area. Where all of my accessories and perfumes are placed. "Boujee..." she comments

"Look who's talking... buying an expensive shoes last week just to wear one time." I tease

Her mouth opens. "Hey! That's not my fault. I was in the rush. It's the shoes that fits my dress for the fancy celebration my friend had for her birthday..."

"Whatever you say, babe." I say standing up. "I'm going to make coffee... would you like one?"

"Sure." She rolls her eyes and then goes back to searching, going straight to my room. "Found it!"

What a bummer. She found it to quickly.

"I didn't even noticed that in my room." I say as I pull out two mugs from my cabinet.

"How can you see anything in your room? It's so dark in there..." she makes her way out of my room and then goes to the kitchen area where I am. "Open the curtains every now and then..." she adds

"I do open them...." I pause waiting for her eyes to meet mine. "When you're here..."

She laughs, "you mean... when we have sex?"

I shrug. "Well..." I move closer to her and kisses her on top of her head. "We don't usually just fuck. We cuddle too..."

"Right... cuddling that ends up with sex."

I've been noticing that these past few days she has been very vocal about us having sex. Like what we have is just sex.

She's not like this. I wonder what's going on with her mind?

Whenever we are together, we don't just do sex. No. I'm not like that. Though of course, My body feels like burning whenever we are close and intimate, when we are alone. But when we hang out, we just... hang out. We do watch movies, go on lunch dates, play games, do study dates and whatever we can do. I am not going out with her just because we fuck. I like her more than that.

Which sucks because, yes, I do like her. I... really... really like her. But our situation, our fake dating, well, I don't know where this thing ends. And if she decides to end it, what will happen to me. I don't want it to end.

I wonder, if she's acting like this because she wants us to be over and she's just being kind to me and not wanting me to get hurt. Is she waiting for me to say it? To end... us?

"Seonghwa...?"

"Hmm?"

"You okay? You didn't answer me..."

"Sorry... I am..." I lightly shake my head, "I think I'm still half asleep..."

"Oh. Right." She suddenly panicks. "Sorry for bothering you... I'll get going then... so you can go back to sleep."

She's smiling while telling me that I could go back to sleep. To rest well. Believe me I want to but to see her go after blessing me her presence this early in the morning, No. I can't let her leave, just yet.

"Wait."

She looks back, waiting for me to say a word.

"Ahm..." I have no excuse to make her stay. But then..

"Do you need company?"

Yes. I do. Only you.

She smiles again. "Then I'll go sit here and study then... since its as quiet as our library in Uni." She says as she sits up back at the the bar stool. "Can I have my coffee please?"

I'm relieved. "Yes... coffee coming."

I'm not like this. Usually. Or as far as I know.

I've dated a few girls before. Some were serious some were not. And to those serious relationships I had, none of them felt the same as this. None of them made me feel like this.

All the girl were great, I'm not saying they were not special. They are all nice and perfect the way they are. All of them are great memories for me. However, none of them made me crave for attention nor time on a level that y/n makes me. That even just a glance from her is enough to fuel my day. I feel addicted to her. Y/N made me feel... different.

It is so hard to explain or to put words into it. I just feel it.

"Are you really going to watch me study? You've been sitting there for half an hour now..."

"I can't leave you alone..."

She snorts a laugh. "Silly. Don't mind me. Just go to bed and sleep..."

"I can't..."

She scrunches her nose, "why? Are you expecting me to join you and lay down?" She says giggling

I know she's just teasing. But... what if I take a chance and she agrees?

"Yes." I bluntly answered, looking straight into her eyes.

"Hmm?"

"You heard me." I keep gazing at her, waiting for her answer

"Wait... are you serious?"

I nod.

She is silent for a couple minutes. That two fucking minutes felt like forever.

"If I cuddle with you... you will sleep?" She asks

I can't help it. The corner of my lips immediately curves are smile.

"Okay then."

I got on my bed first before her. She tiptoes whenever she enters my room, because as she said, it's dark. But before I got on the bed, I slightly opened my curtain to allow a bit of light enter so she can see her way.

"Your bed feels so cozy." She says as she positions next to me.

"It's cozier... because I have you." I mumble as I nuzzle my face on her chest and snake my arms around her. Basically cuddling her.

I hear her smile the second I close my eyes.

"You smell so nice..." I whisper

"You too..."

I could feel her soft skin on my cheek. She's wearing a square neck tight shirt which I do not approve since the weather right now is cold and she's only wearing a skirt as well. I should give her a long and thick jacket later, to bring to Uni.

I don't want guy to drool over her.

***

After some time, I think I actually fell asleep. It felt good.

I don't remember what I said or she said after I told her she smell nice. Then probably an hour later, I open my eyes and its brighter. The sun is really up. It is probably noon.

I am facing the ceiling and dazed, thinking she might have left the bed or my place in general. However, to my surprise, I felt movement beside me.

She's still here!

"Can I stay a bit more...?" She mumbles and then squeezes herself to me. "It's so warm in here.."

Of course you can stay here. As long as you want.

I embrace her, sheltering her under my arms. I can see her up close and I could feel her body on me. I am not just warming her up under this thick blanket but she's also warming me, inside.

Fuck. I hope she can't feel my erection coz I can't control my body's reaction to her.

Her cleavage is straight into my eyesight. Y/N you're driving me mad.

"Y/N..."

"hmm...?" She answer while her eyes are still close

"Can I kiss you?"

She slowly opens her eyes and looks up at me. "Of course..." she weakly answers

And I did kiss her. Until the kiss evolved to something more. We made love. She was in control. She made me fall in love with her, even more than I think I am now.

Yes I have to admit it now. I think I do love Y/N. She is not just a fuck buddy I have because I am helping her, for me, she is and can be more than that.

I hope, she feels the same way.

Because, after sex, I got ready for Uni. And when I got out of the bathroom, I saw her reading a text. I know it's from Wooyoung.

Basing on her expression, I'm not sure what does she feel. She looks irritated but also confused. Is she having second thoughts about this revenge we are doing to Wooyoung?

(End of Seonghwa's POV)

***

I am walking out of the library building, about to go to my next class, when I saw Seonghwa from afar. He's with his classmate. Probably going to his next class as well.

So funny, how cold and how serious he looks when he's in public. But whenever you two are at his place, he's so relaxed and smiling most of the time. He's not cold at all. Actually, he's very warm and very...

"Hey..." Wooyoung followed me outside. "Sorry..." he says. "I don't want to be a jerk but..."

"Woo, you're girlfiend might see us. Please... I don't want issues. Let's move on already..."

"Have you?" He is frowning

"Have I what?"

"Moved on?"

I roll my eyes, frustrated. "I am moving on... I am doing my best."

Wooyoung is quiet for a few seconds. "But... Y/N... well... she's not actually my girlfriend."

"What? What do you mean?"

"It didn't work out."

"Ahm... okay... so...?"

He sighs. "Y/N... I am single again."

"So?" I repeat in case he didn't heard me the first time I showed him IDGAF. He looks disappointed with my answer. "Are you fucking expecting me to clap and celebrate? Wooyoung... we are over... and I am not running after you just because you are single."

"But I want us to try again."

"Are you out of your mind?" He makes me laugh. "No. We are over. We can only be civil... because we have common friends. That's it."

I was about to walk away again but then he grabs me by the wrist. "You're making me jealous.. pretending to be with Seonghwa... my friend... and now you're rejecting me?" He looks very lost and very stupid right now. "Y/N, I know I've hurt you... but... it was a mistake... and being away from you..."

"So, you are saying... you, getting bored of me... basically not giving shit about me... then goes to dumping me date someone younger...the one who is more of your type. Is a mistake?? Wooyoung...  I'm not stupid. You all did that on purpose. You decided to do all that... on your own... it's not like an error that you just forget to turn of your stove at home when you left your house. I am a human. With feelings okay?"

"I'm sorry..." he can't deny all of the things I said.

"Wooyoung... you were my friend before we became a couple... that should atleast made you think before you chose to hurt my feelings. Lie to me. Cheat on me." I am really on my feels right now since my hormones is at its peak. "You should've not made me like you... if you think your feelings were not certain... it could've save us time and effort. My time... and effort..." I pointed out.

"I'm sorry... again...."

"If you are really sorry... please... move on... and don't get into another relationship just because you feel like you need someone to be with. You should be better than that."

I turn my back on him, walking away when I see Seonghwa and his friends approaching. I'm sure they didn't heard what Woo and I are talking. I tried my best to be discreet.

"Hey..." Seonghwa lightly touches my forearm, "Are you okay?" He softly asks then glares at Wooyoung who's looking at us. "What did he do?"

"Nothing..." you try to smile. "I have class..." You lie. "See you later."

I've never walked so fast in my life than today. I am having trouble breathing. My feelings are all over the place. I need peace and quiet. Also fresh air.

Even though I am disappointed with what Wooyoung did to me or his choices, I still care for him. He is still or maybe was my friend. I feel guilty saying all those things to him but I also know that he deserves it. He needs to know it. He needs to be a better person. He can't treat me or any girls like this.

Fuck.

"I knew it."

You jump, spinning around to see who spoke. "Seonghwa..."

He enters the rooftop door and shuts it close after. "I've never seen you ran that fast before... even when you are already late in class." He teases

You go back facing towards the fence. "Me too actually..." you inhale and exhale. "I just... had to..."

"What happened?" He asks as he leans his back on the fence, beside you.

"I don't know... he... just..."

"Did he asked you to go back together?"

I nod.

"Did... did you agree?"

I snap my head to him, "are you kidding me? No!" You answer made a smile, form over Seonghwa's lips. "Why are you smiling?"

"Coz... I'm glad you rejected him." Then he takes out his pack of cigarette in his jacket's pocket.

"You... are?"

"Hmm.." he hums and then picks one out of the box using his lips.

"Are you going to smoke now?"

His eyes shakes and then looks at me, "do you want me to not smoke...?"

I look away. I can't ask him to stop. I have no right to. It does not bother me if he does but health wise, I hope stops.

"Y/n... tell me... do you want me to not smoke now or..."

"It's fine. I just..."

He suddenly stands still and move closer. His face is just inches away from mine. "If you tell me to stop... I will..."

"I can't tell you to stop..."

"You can." He insists. "You just have no idea..."

"What?" I didn't get what he means

"Y/N... do you like me?"

"I do." I honestly answer

"But... do you like me more than just a fuck buddy?" He puts back the piece he took in the box. "Coz, I do like you... as in I really.... really like you..."

Wait. Am I hearing him right?!?

I am speechless. I could see the panic in his eyes from me not responding to him. But, I can't speak. I... I have no words... I'm flusttered and flattered at the same time. But... My breathe was taken away by his words.

Fuck. What do I do? I like him too but... I'm scared. What if, we make it official but he get's bored with me like Wooyoung and goes back to his way, dating girls who fits his type.

I am no ones type... I am, just me.

Shit! Y/N, breathe. FUCKING BREATHE. He is not Wooyoung. He is Seonghwa. He is different. He.... he have proven you how different he is.

The years you have been with Wooyoung is not comparable with the months you have been with Hwa. He had given you more than Woo. Emotionally and physically. (Well... especially the Physical part)

But I have to consider that, during our time being together. I grew up. I have changed a little but for the better of me. He does not push me to do or decide on things. He allows me to believe and to try on my own. Even during our sex, I thought I could never lead. I thought I should always be the receiver but he allowed me to explore and make sure I enjoy while I try to please him

Yeah, I kbow what a good example about improvement of life. But fuck. Seonghwa is saying he likes me. The mysterious hot guy from my university.

"Y/n... Look at me..." he asks me, tilting my chin up. "I know you are thinking about... don't worry... I'm not rushing you okay? I just... I'm just asking for you... to take a chance on me, that's alk..." he says, "And if you can't I have to accept it..."

"Really?"

He close is eyes and heavily sighed. "It will fucking hurts I have to admit. But... yeah... If you don't feel the same... I can't do anything about it. Unless, you just want me as your fuck buddy... I'll be willing to be just that."

"Hey!" I slap him on his chest. "You're not just a fuck buddy!" I say

He smiles, "Really?" He then goes on to snaking his arm around my waist. "What am I then?"

I should take a chance right? That's how love works? To know if it is worth it is to... try....

"My man...?" you mumble shyly.

Seonghwa's cheeks are about to explode. It's so out of his chill persona but it does show that he's so happy with my response.

"I promise.... I'll show you what love is... everyday..."

[slapjacq]

I am ill. Not okay. I’ve cried and thrown a tissue box at the wall. Then proceeded to scream at said wall for twenty minutes. Yes I am melodramatic, no I don’t care. I am still in therapy for a reason. Nevertheless, this episode was bonkers, off the wall batshit insane. Like genuinely so good that it almost adds to the tragedy of it all.

Here are my immediate and unfiltered thoughts from my post episode freak out that I have to put somewhere because if I don’t, I will, in fact, explode.

Warning: spoilers up the wazoo, a lot of profanity

First and foremost: Daniel, old Maniel, I can count on you to always keep it a buck, and for that I thank you.

Armand you piece of fucking shit I swear on everything that is holy, you are no longer babygirl, you bitch ass hoe, go stick that fucking doe eyed face up someone else ass you stupid fucking piece of shit. “i cOULD nOt pReVEnt iT” FUCK YOU MEAN YOU COULDNT PREVENT IT YOURE 500 YEARS OLD, YOU SOLD THEM OUT TO BEGIN WITH. YOU STOP TIME, CAN CONTROL BODIES, PLANT IDEAS INTO PEOPLE HEADS, READ PEOPLES MINDS AND THE BITTY BABY VAMPIRE ARMAND COULDNT DO ANYTHIGN ABOUT IT? SUCK MY DICK AND KISS ME MERRY GO TRH THAG SHIT ELSEWHERE (shout out Assad for really giving his all with the whole puppy dog eyes this entire episode 10/10 would fall for them if not the circumstances). I can’t believe I actually was defending this dude a few episodes ago, I literally can’t defend anything else from here moving forward.

Claudia and Madeline deserve to watch these assholes burn and the fact they died such painful deaths should warrant the gods to set the sky alight with constellations of their love. They were allowed NOTHING but a small taste of happiness before it was shredded away from them. No one is EVER gonna villainize them, not to me, not ever. Roxanne absolutely was incredible, and Delainey, in the coming future, better up there as an A-list actor because she has been that astoundingly good. (That goes for everyone here honestly, but Delainey and Roxanne really deserve their flowers here).

Santiago has a special place in hell. I simply cannot wait to watch him die. Decapitation is too kind for him, put him through pain and fury before sending him to hell. Ben Daniels you son of a bitch you played the villain so well. I damn near jumped through the screen when he began to read Claudia’s diaries with a shitty NOLA accent, I have never been so livid in my life.

The rest of Theatre: “All of you motherfuckers, fuck you, die slow.” -Tupac Shakur

Louis GET UP LEAVE YOUR WIFE DUDE YOU KNOW ITS BULLSHIT and honestly I’m not even going to rag on him this episode because the poor man has gone through too much. Jacob was absolutely brilliant in all of this, and honestly I literally will never stop talking about the performances in this show. Regardless, the upcoming rage is justified and I when get to watch him massacre these assholes, I will cackle with the same glee a schoolboy has after he disintegrates ants with a magnifying glass.

And finally Lestat. He rose on the third day and served cunt and made me ball like the mommy issues toting bitch I am. Sam, my man, you knocked it out of the fucking ballpark. Magnificent. Lestat, fucking bastard. You messy bitch. When you get out of whatever the Theatre is doing to you big man, I better see you read Armand to filth. I better see the same from the other. They both deserve to be dragged to hell and back.

Also Daniel Hart is a genius, just really fills your soul with dread this entire episode, I mean the score was filthy, vivid, and hauntingly gorgeous. The violins at the beginning were nasty work and had me fully hypnotized for the entire 50 minutes.

SFX is killing it, everytime, making it all believable and absolutely the worst someone could imagine it to be. I full body contorted at the sight of the sliced ankles.

Shoutout costume department also did its thing. Santiago’s costume was top tier camp. And Lestat’s suit was absolutely everything. Gender envy 11/10.

I could sit here all day and go on about how all the cast and crew did a fucking fantastic job. Like you can really tell they put their heart and soul into this episode.

I mean dear god I’m going to be in shambles for the next two years this episode was insane.

[goodluckclove]

WRITERS - Read More Nonfiction! (With Recs)

Okay so before I start I'm making it very clear that I don't say this as some generalized statement about how All Online People Aren't Reading Right. I doubt that's true! But based on some of the threads and discourse I see on my corner on Writeblr, it definitely seems like a lot of you would greatly benefit from expanding the scope of what you read.

I think there's probably a big stigma against nonfiction for a lot of people - there was for me for the longest time. Maybe six years ago, though, I stumbled into the genre and found that it can actually be rad as shit. It's been an invaluable form of research from people who definitely know what they're talking about, as well as a way to open myself up to new ideas.

You have chronic writers block? It could potentially be because you're consuming exclusively one genre of media. If that's the case, this will definitely get the gears turning!

Below are a collection of my favorite nonfiction books from my own shelf. The funny thing I immediately learned about suggesting more than like three nonfiction books at a time is that it does paint a kind of intimate picture of who I am. Feel free to tell me if these recommendations surprise you based on who you view me to be.

Clove's Favorite Nonfiction Books!

The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth by Thomas Morris - a collection of historical medical cases back when someone would see a doctor for a gunshot wound and the doctor would treat it with a laxative. WILD stuff.

American Monsters by Linda S. Godfrey - US cryptids! Lots of first person accounts.

Cursed Objects by J. W. Ocker - Famous cursed shit. Quick read but very fun.

The Cloudspotter's Guide by Gavin Prector-Pinney - this was written by the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, a real organization. It tells you everything you need to know about clouds. Fascinating.

Gory Details by Erika Englehaupt - stories and studies of more morbid and "gross" aspects of science, like the guys who stung themselves with instincts to measure the pain or that beach that feet kept washing up on for a while. Cool interviews with science people.

Fuzz by Mary Roach - wild animals break the law a lot actually and we still as a species don't really know what to do about that.

Spook by Mary Roach - an account of Ghost Believing from all sides of the argument. There was a guy who measured dying bodies to see if he could see them get lighter as their soul escaped.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimberly - an indigenous-influenced look at our relationship as a species to nature around us. Really beautiful prose from someone who I believe is primarily a botanist and activist?

All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell - stories and analysis from different aspects of the death industry! Embalmers to crime scene cleaners! Super interesting!

American Afterlives by Shannon Lee Dawdy - I have. A lot of death culture books. A lot. This one talks about all the neat things people in America do with their bodies after they die in the modern age. It's fun!

Dark Archives by Megan Rosenbloom - so this IS a book on the history of Anthropodermic bibliopegy, or books bound in human skin. I'm actually midway through this now and it's super fascinating and cool. Also my wife refuses to talk to me about this so I'd love someone else to talk to.

The Secret Lives of Color by Cassia St. Clair - I read like four books on color theory and pigment for a novel I wrote a few years ago and this was my favorite. It's a look into a ton of major hues and pigments throughout history as well as a peek into the timeline of color making. Did you know making green fabrics used to be illegal?

Atlas Obscura - a fucking cool look into weird and unique spots across the globe. Every artist who works with places should have access to this. It's awesome.

Every Caitlin Doughty book they're all great. She's a modern mortician and founder of the Order of the Good Death. Just an incredible human being and a super engaging and informative writer.

If someone wants to reblog with their favorite nonfiction books and what they got from them, be my guest! Maybe someone could use a new read to get their next idea or refine what they're currently working on!

[sparkles-and-trash]

hawks focused with some dabihawks, light smut towards the end ~

Hawks doesn’t think of his body as anything but a tool.

A means to an end. Nothing but a vessel, a character to move around so he can do what he needs to do.

Ever since his handlers started pushing him towards modeling, he realized there was something about it other people found aesthetically pleasing, which he understood, to a degree, but it wasn’t something he focused on.

When he saw beauty in other people, he tended to see it in their faces and not their bodies.

So when he takes care of his body, he does it for their sake.

The photographers, the editors, the fans.

It’s an extra step in the routine to keep the machinery that is his body as useful as possible, nothing more.

Then, at some point, he’s suddenly free and with it, so is his body.

He’s not sure what to do with that.

At first he’s helpless, he either runs the same hard routine as always, or he totally slacks off and doesn’t care for himself at all.

There is no balance.

That’s where Dabi comes in.

Living with Dabi is interesting in many ways, including the way he keeps himself alive.

While his body is finally allowed to heal a bit more than he has before, there is still a lot to keep track of.

The ex-villain has a long routine to care for his skin, making sure it doesn’t get infected, but also to make it feel better.

That’s the part Hawks struggles with relating to.

Doing things to your body just to be kind to it.

But he wants to try, he really does, and watching Dabi inspired him.

It starts simple, with Dabi casually teaching him about intuitive eating, and finding a balance between indulging and giving into your cravings now and then.

Something similar happens with things like skincare and exercise, and it’s like opening up a whole new world.

And that’s before he discovers how much pleasure his body’s been hiding from him.

It starts innocently enough, with Dabi offering to fix up his wings after a windy day.

It’s the most amazing feeling ever, the firm and soft way Dabi’s taking care of one of his most intimate bodyparts.

Then when Hawks is half asleep on the couch, Dabi starts running his hands trough his hair, and another world opens up for him.

Honestly who knew that bodies could feel so amazing?

The feeling of just allowing your body to rest, to eat something REALLY good right when you want it, to have someone you trust touch you in such an intimate way…

Speaking of.

Listen, Hawks isn’t oblivious. He did some prettt risqué model shoots in his day.

Not that he ever saw them as more than a job, but he’s been told others didn’t feel the same way, to put in mildly.

But the first time he kisses Dabi, he feels totally unprepared.

It’s like his whole body, mind and soul is lit on fire in the best possible way.

He can actually FEEL his heart bursting, which he always just thought was a figure of speech.

He expects it to feel good when Dabi touched him, and of course it does, it feels fucking amazing, but somehow touching Dabi back, making him feel good and being able to read the proof on hos face?

Oh, it’s fucking magical.

And when he’s finally using his body, all of it, to connect with this person he loves so much he aches, to make himself feel good, to make Dabi feel good, it’s almost too much.

It’s everything, it’s all consuming and overwhelming in the best way.

Every movement he makes makes Dabi moan and hold onto him tighter, and the mix of his own pleasure and Dabi’s responses is making Hawks’ hips stutter and his wings flap as he whines and whimpers trough it all, feeling like he’s gonna explode any minute.

When they’re done, just lying there, touching, close in both mind and spirit, Hawks finds himself fully grasp the concept of not just having a body, but caring, appreciating and loving it for the very first time.

[themattress]

The 10 Best Sailor Moon Manga Battles

Naoko Takeuchi is a talented writer and artist, but if there's one thing she usually struggles with, it's compelling action sequences. Most battles in the Sailor Moon manga are rushed, with many enemies getting taken down in just one hit. However, there are occasionally exceptions where she turns in something exhilarating, and this post will point them out.

Vs. Kunzite:

Unlike the previous members of the Shitennou who went down with just one blow, Takeuchi made very certain to vividly display that Kunzite was on a whole other level of power. He is able to deflect everything the Sailor Senshi throw at him, and every dark energy blast is treated as lethal, to the point where he nearly does kill Tuxedo Mask. He leaves undefeated, and in the second clash with him, it takes all of the Senshi's power combined to destroy him:

And even then it looks like a Herculean effort: look how Takeuchi draws the panel of Kunzite attempting to hold back the attack with his own energy, then the close-up on his eye. It's like in clashing with the Senshi's blast, Kunzite's super-brainwashing is lifted for a split second, causing him to hesitate and thus allow himself to be destroyed. Had that not happened, he still might have stood a chance at deflecting the attack. That's how powerful this guy was!

Vs. Prince Endymion:

No wonder Queen Metalia wanted to get Endymion under her control! When fighting for the dark side, he's a fucking beast! Not only was he able to face all the Sailor Senshi at once and counter against their moves, but in the end defeating him almost cost Sailor Moon her life.

Vs. Esmeraude:

Esmeraude struck twice, and both times were surprisingly intense. The first one was a death trap utilizing the power of her Boule Brothers servants, which slowly and gradually threatened to crush Usagi, Mamoru, Minako and Chibiusa to death. The second one had her as an active combatant using the Death Hands ability she was granted by Wiseman, capable of striking multiple opponents at once and draining them of their life energy. Both times she came frighteningly close to success, stopped only by Future Endymion's interference.

Vs. Black Lady:

Now granted, this fight may have been more intense than the usual primarily because the heroes were pulling their punches considering who Black Lady really is. With that said, Black Lady still shows truly impressive power derived from the Malefic Black Crystal, and having a mind-controlled Safir and Prince Demande for backup added to the whole challenge factor.

Vs. Death Phantom:

The final battle of the Black Moon arc is split into three segments. First is a battle against the planet Nemesis (or so it seems) floating above Crystal Tokyo, sending wave upon wave of dark power down as Death Phantom taps into the energy of the Malefic Black Crystal towers that Black Lady has created. Prince Demande also jumps in with his final attack at this point.

The second phase actually pulls the heroes inside of the Malefic Black Crystal's darkness, where the soul of Death Phantom appears. This is the shortest stage of the battle, basically just a one-on-one clashing of energy between Death Phantom and Sailor Moon which ends up being a trick so that he can warp her (and Mamoru) to the real planet Nemesis' location.

Finally, there's the showdown against planet Nemesis in space. Death Phantom is pulsating with dark energy that is powerfully depicted, threatening to tear Usagi and Mamoru apart, but Chibiusa comes to the rescue as Sailor Chibi Moon. The two Sailor Moons then blast Nemesis at once, their light energy and Death Phantom's dark energy clashing until his is inevitably extinguished and the whole evil planet explodes. It's a truly spectacular finish.

Vs. Cyprine:

First of all, she's a level 999 witch, so she's definitely no slouch at magic:

But the bigger threat is that she pits the Inner and Outer Senshi against each other:

That's what makes this battle great; it's the climax of a conflict that was building for several chapters now (the Inners vs. the Outers), and it concludes through the unforgettable scene of Sailor Moon creating the Holy Grail and becoming Super Sailor Moon, aka "the Messiah".

Vs. Mistress 9 & Pharaoh 90:

Naoko Takeuchi just went full disaster movie with this one. Tokyo is being threatened with getting torn apart as Pharaoh 90 floods into its streets and begins the process of merging himself with the planet, while up in the air Mistress 9 reveals her true monstrous appearance and fights against the Sailor Senshi with brute force. Even when she's defeated, she then merges with Pharaoh 90 to make him an even more nigh-unstoppable force, and in the end it looks like the only way to defeat him might be to let Sailor Saturn destroy the entire world.

Vs. The Amazoness Quartet:

This is a pretty straight-forward battle. Sailor Chibi Moon and (the now nerfed for reasons too complicated to get into) Sailor Saturn face off against the Amazoness Quartet in the Dead Moon Circus big-top, with the opponents being evenly matched in terms of skill and ability. The power of Sailor Senshi against the power of trickery and the nightmarish Lemures.

But shame on Sailor Moon Eternal for leaving out the best part:

Vs. Queen Nehelenia:

Following a disappointing battle inside of a dark mirror, Queen Nehelenia returns in the realm of Elysian and poses a far more spectacular challenge. She's still behind her mirror, but now it seems impenetrable and she is free to launch as much dark energy at her opponents as she desires. Rather than harm them physically, it attacks them psychologically, which proves effective enough to ultimately allow Nehelenia to claim the Silver Crystal and nearly triumph:

But once Sailor Moon gets a second wind and transforms into Eternal Sailor Moon, she uses the Holy Grail, all of her friends' power, and Mamoru's Golden Crystal to launch an attack combining all of that energy. The mirror shatters and Nehelenia is forced out of it as she starts disintegrating from the attack's power, exposing her true hideous form in the process.

Vs. Sailor Galaxia & Chaos:

Sailor Galaxia attacked Sailor Moon before, and our heroine was rendered powerless and needed Chibi Chibi to bail her out. But now she's finally able to go head to head with her nemesis, the two of them showcasing their full power as they clash. The fight takes them through Shadow Galactica's palace and out to the Galaxy Cauldron, where Chaos gets involved and displays by far the most impressive exertion of dark energy in the series as it threatens to merge with the Cauldron and spread itself across the universe. It's one Hell of a note to end on, and it sticks with you rather seen in the manga or in Sailor Moon Cosmos.

[gaslightgallows]

September 2023 Writing Round-Up

I just checked my tags, and I haven't done one of these since… three years ago. Exactly three years ago yesterday (9/29/20), to be precise. Which was pretty much when my mental health and my personal life started to crumble in earnest, and it took my desire to write for public consumption along with it.

Most of what I did for the rest of 2020/2021 were either struggling to finish works in progress (and largely failing) or archiving stuff from my LJ days. I didn't post anything in 2022. I was still writing (a lot) but it was either for Patreon (…fuck, right, I have a Patreon) or it was personal, not meant to be shared.

And then Good Omens came back and ended up being really fucking relevant to my life, and @meldanya44 was there urging me to get back into writing for other people besides her. I think it was a good idea, over all. ♥

So… yeah. Thanks, Good Omens fandom, for reminding me that writing is meant to be shared, and that I am a prompt-based lifeform. (I'll be putting up a new prompt list tomorrow, if anyone wants an artisanally crafted bespoke ficlet of their very own.)

Anyway, here's what I did in September:

Authorial Intent (G, one-shot): Michael’s plan to erase Aziraphale from the Book of Life has certain… flaws. A revision of the final season of S2 Ep6, where the Metatron does not make an appearance. (Actually posted at the end of August but this is my list and it counts. Written very shortly after I finished S2 for the first time. Effervescing with joy.)

Put Out the Stars (T, currently a one-shot, planning to continue): Crowley stole the photo of himself and Aziraphale from the shop a long time ago. (Inspired by one of @fellshish's asks. Angst angst angst… with more to come!)

An Invisible Wound (T, one-shot): “I almost killed you tonight.” “I almost got you killed tonight.” Their first kiss, soft and futile, is in 1941. (Bittersweet canon-compliant 1941 truthers unite.)

After the Rain (T, one-shot; for @meldanya44): The Second Coming has come and gone, and Crowley was calling him ‘angel’ again. (Wonderful quiet post-series fluff.)

Like Petals in a Storm (M, currently a standalone but working on a sequel; for @meldanya44): Between the discorporation and the almost-execution, Aziraphale’s having a bit of trouble keeping body and soul together. (My reputation-mandated 'one partner helps another bathe' fic.)

The Taste of Salt (G, one-shot; for @iamhisgloriouspurpose): The lingering taste of ox ribs are bitter and rich in Aziraphale's mouth, and he isn't sure what he believes anymore. (Continues the 'I'm not taking you to Hell, angel' scene in the Ep2 minisode. Nice and angsty. No one seems to like this one and I'm not sure why.)

Pipe Dream (G, one-shot; for @unwholesome-gay): All Aziraphale has ever wanted is to give heaven back to Crowley. (Domestic fluff about Aziraphale buying the South Downs cottage for Crowley. Fun fact: I struggled to write this and finally posted it in dismay and tried to forget about it. And then my inbox exploded with HEARTS, so I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought.)

The Patience of Angels, Chs 1-4 (M, multi-chapter WIP): An old enemy is on the hunt for the demon known as Crowley, and it will take all the powers of one very protective angel to save him. But in keeping Crowley safe, Aziraphale will uncover more of the terrible truths of Heaven than he ever wanted to know. (The longfic I first conceived of in 2019 and then never got around to finishing enough to post, and am now trying to revise the HELL out of in real-time because the original version doesn't work anymore. I love this fic with a burning passion and hope it finds an audience someday… which it probably will if I can update it, y'know, more often than once a month…)

Fics Posted: 8 Word Count: 28,182

I'm never going to be as prolific as I was when I was in the MCU fandom and had a much less-hectic job, but I'd call that a decent comeback. Thanks, everyone. ♥

[ladyelissarose]

‘A Mother’s Revenge’

Chapter 9 - ‘Revelation’

Warnings: LONG CHAPTER (almost 4k)- but! this particular chapter is pretty dark. So beware as guns, fighting, blood and death are mentioned more. Angst and all as well!

Enjoy and good luck ;)

Melione’s POV

‘Wait-‘

“Graves where are they taking Alejandro!?”

Graves rolled his eyes and held me still with a rough hand on my shoulder as he said with irritation in his tone,

“Don’t worry your pretty head Meli, he’ll be safe here. Now get back in the Jeep. We’re not done yet.”

Again he did that little shove for me to go, little by little he grew aggressive, but at this point everything had gone to shit, so perhaps that’s why, nonetheless I should be more careful now. I tugged my replaced gun closer, and marched to the Jeep before getting on. The Shadows all stood outside my Jeep and they were talking very hastily, hands moving back and forth. I tried to stay absolutely silent to listen on and catch words, but it was impossible, it was like if they had a coded language.

‘God fuck! This all has to be wrong, I should’ve gone with Ghost.. or even Johnny. Fuck Jacob I screwed up.. I’m so sorr-‘

“Alright let’s head out!! We’re going into the towns.”

I sat up at Graves’ words and questioned,

“The towns? Aren’t we leaving- you remember Hassan has the missile right? He could potentially-“

“I’m not after him right now-“

“Then who!!? The world is in danger because-“

“Well listen if the stupid 141 and the Vaqueros had worked with us we’d be on our way. But now you can blame them for taking valuable time and wasting it with their stubbornness. Shadow step on the gas and head to town now!”

Minutes later...

Outside of the Jeep I stood beside the Shadows as Graves began to bark with a tone of authority that was getting me on edge to exploding. I didn’t catch all of what he said as my mind grew a bit foggy with my loss of blood and my mind overall spiraling with everything going on around me. The city itself looked so dark and haunted, no one was physically around except us, but I’d be damned if I lied and said I didn’t feel something else lingering around me, their presence screamed fear, but hunger for more than what can be given. The light shower of rain coated everything a bit, and I could smell more coming soon. My attention then sparked up at what I lastly caught of Graves words as he had the audacity to say,

“- - -We are going to kill off every single head in this Las Almas until I find them! I don’t give a damn who it is!!-“

“YES SIR!!”

In a rush what looked like dozens of them, they began to move like a herd of bulls, heading towards the matador which was the home of every living soul in this place. Then it actually clicked for me, when I heard the first-

BANG!!

Flashback..

“J-Jacob.. Ba.. Baba.. can you- can you hear me?”

I awaited his answer, but his eyes never found fine, and his voice never came back to me... I held in a scream, when I realized, that in front of me laid Jacob, lifeless. Blond began to spill from under him, and make a trail towards me.

‘Oh God no!! My Jacob!’

I began to feel my body lose control of itself as pain and unconsciousness tried to take over, but that didn’t stop me from attempting to grab Benjamin, and check for Jacob’s pulse. I used all my strength to drag my body closer, to work out my thoughts, but that’s when my eardrums busted because of the the sound that came from above me,

BANG!! BANG!!

End of flashback...

-BANG!

‘He’s having everyone killed.. the women and children- OH GOD NO!’

With all the strength I could muster I dragged myself towards Graves and screamed while grabbing his arm harshly before he could trail behind them,

“What are you doing!?!-“

He shrugged my hold off of him as he with wickedness said proudly,

“-what does it look like Melione!! We are clearing every house and life until we find the them-“

‘You sick son of a bitch!!!’

In anger of discovering his corrupt ways that I wished I had seen sooner, I got a hold of his bullet proof vest straps, and hauled him back down to my level while seething,

“The 141 doesn’t kill innocent. Shedding the blood of innocent families and children isn’t the way to go Graves!!”

He pushed me back quite harshly while he shouted at me like if I was the crazy one,

“You’re kidding right!!? What’s your deal? Huh?-“

I came back to stand in his face without giving a damn if he pushed me back again, I damn well argued angrily,

“What’s wrong?? This is madness Graves!! MADNESS!! I want Hassan not them, not the 141!! You should want the same!!”

Which was true, my thoughts weren’t to hurt the 141, I had a safe space for them in my heart after everything we’ve been through. Maybe I used their knowledge and ways to get closer to what I desired, but hell no… I wasn’t going to hurt them more or even look at them wrong. Regardless of what reputations and innocence they had to lose to save the world, they are brave and incredible men, and I respect that… and Graves caught onto it just now, when I confirmed I didn’t want them. I didn’t want to hurt them- kill them. But Graves tried to lure me back in with his words and ways to convince me as he pressed on, like a serpent, wanting me to take the fruit I knew I shouldn’t possess.

“If we don’t catch them first they’ll get to Hassan first and take your chance at having him. Come on.. think about it.”

‘But no.. they’re not after him right now… they’re not looking for him. No… they’re hiding from you.. from your jaws while lost here in Las Almas. I have to go.’

Graves then attempted at holding onto me while reaching for my hand, but I swiftly pulled it back and whispered to myself.

“No… I can’t do this.”

I heard a low huff of breath be released as a chuckle came through as well in the voice of Graves.

“Then you should’ve run off with them when you had the chance. Now you’re going to die with them all.”

Click.

‘Oh no.’

I immediately ducked when I heard the click and not but a few milliseconds later a loud pop was sounded, someone behind me had tried to take me out. The bullet hit the wall besides Graves, completely missing me. Shouts and ringing noises filled my ears while I scrambled around trying to escape the jaws of death as well. But a strong hold that caught my arm yanked me to the ground onto my stomach. I screamed and kicked as my life depended on it, not caring where my boot landed and hoping someone heard me. With my free hand I got a hold of the pocket knife I took (the one that was in my arm moments ago), and lashed it out on the person in front of me, sending him to the ground right away when it hit the center of his throat, I could feel his blood splatter onto me but I didn’t care. I ducked a few more flying bullets as I looked for Graves, son of a white bitch got me pissed off, now I want him. In the distance I heard shouting over the rain,

“TAKE HER OUT AND LET’S GO!!! We have to get the rest!!! I’m moving on!!”

‘Yeah not on my watch-‘

“AGHHHHHH!!!!!! FUCK!!”

“I GOT HER!! LET’S MOVE!!”

That was the voice of a Shadow, who shouted in victory while the rest ran off like scurrying hyenas, ready to find and harvest on the next victim. I found myself on the wet floor clutching my collarbone while a dark crimson color trickled through my fingers and blended with the rain. I had just gotten shot. My breathe escaped my lungs while my mind tried to register what had just happened, but my heart pumped harder as a new adrenaline and mode kicked in; survival. I couldn’t stay here and die, no.. not when I had a new agenda, and a new plan, as well as a new enemy.

I tried to move but damn it was hell trying to move an inch, the air even began to smell like a rich iron, the blood that kept pouring out freely. I kept my mind off the pain and tried to think,

‘Ok… they all still have to be here… Soap had gotten shot too. So he must be slow in getting around, maybe I’ll find him first. And if I find him, I’ll find Ghost. So let’s get to Johnny first. Hopefully they are all still alive.’

I really hoped they were, if not, I’d never forgive myself for my screw up, and then definitely, most definitely… I’ll kill Graves with my bare hands before I even try to get Hassan.

Soap’s POV

“fuck... ugh this really stings. But I’ll get to you.. see you at the fuckin’ church.”

“Stay alive Johnny. Please. Be aware of your surroundings.”

I humored myself with Ghost’s words that sounded normal but had a hint of true worry and concern in them, making me sass,

“You like me LT?”

He grunted with annoyance,

“Alive Sergeant.”

‘Alive and more huh Simon lad? Jus’ to shy to admit it.’

I slowly came to a stand and swallowed a grunt as I worded lastly,

“A’ight... over.”

I tried to hold myself together as I clutched my arm over my bullet wound. Thinking about many different scenarios of Ghost scolding me for taking a stupid bullet. But he’d probably be nice considering our circumstance. Honestly he sounded deeply relieved to hear my voice on the other end of the line, it took me a while to reach out to him but when I finally did I almost cried in relief. Ghost thought he had lost me, I can’t imagine what was goin’ through ‘is mind in that moment, considering he’s been through enough already.

Meli’s POV

If I thought my screams were horrifying at the sight of my baby’s and husband’s blood spilling... mine are far less scary than what I’m hearing tonight.

There’s this horror, Mexican ghost story Ale told me once, called ‘La Llorona.” Now if I could say that it was probably actually coming to life, I wouldn’t deny my words. Her spirit was so alive and present, her cries echoing out of the mouths of now motherless children... the screams being the evidence of what loss to chaos sounds like.

Chills ran up my spine making me feel as if I were to be snatched away at any moment, I knew she was around but I couldn’t see her, making it all more terrifying. But a sense of peace flooded me as I knew she probably wouldn’t hurt me, I was her at one point. At the sight of a Shadow here or there I’d duck immediately to not be seen, and once they’d passed quite far away I’d sprint up to them from behind and slit their throat with a knife. All I could hear was there feared gasp and last release of breath before their body hit the wet pavement. With every falling Shadow I was feeling slightly better... after all they deserved it. Red splattered on my face or my fingers at the expense of their life, but did I care? Nope. Now I prepared myself with a small smile lingering on my face as the next one was coming up- UGH! I could feel the hunger come back to me to feel their blood run through my fingers, see justice be done for their heartless actions. But for some reason I eyed this particular one longer, as his frame appeared to be much larger... and his presence... made my feet freeze from moving.

‘What the hell?’

When his back was finally faced towards me I slowly moved up and carefully chose my steps wisely to approach him. His every movement was so calculated and balanced, as if he was walking on shattered glass. He was so calm, so unfortunately and oddly enough he heard me, unlike nobody else he was highly aware of his surroundings. Like a Lion after his prey his head snapped towards me faster than I could blink, and that’s when I saw it- him... his mask.

‘Ghost.’

I sucked in a deep breath and was about to reach him to explain the whole situation, but at the sound of his angry growl, the sight of his rather large hunting knife sliding into his hold, and his feet unforgivably stomping towards me.. yeah I was dead meat.

“SHIT-“

I darted off like a deer running from its predator, I could hear my how hard my feet landed on ground with each step I took. My heart tried to keep up with my body as I abnormally ran fast without looking back, but I was losing my sense and my breath. The only thing was that wasn’t in my favor was when my race was cut short; I unfortunately hit a dead end. My heart sank in panic as I whimpered and gawked at the 30ft walls of brick. I let out a whimper of hopelessness,

“No no no- no there’s got to be a way out-“

“-don’t you fucking move or I’ll kill you.”

I gasped and turned to face my predator, Ghost. If looks could kill I’d most certainly be mauled already and demolished. Ghost had run out of patience, and was furious. I could see it in his eyes, even in the dark it was like if they glowed. A low cry escaped my lips as I begged like a pathetic,

“Please, don’t hurt me I’m so sorry-“

“-sorry? You betrayed us-“

“-I DIDN’T KNOW OK!?! I DIDN’T!!”

He stepped closer and raised his knife as he grunted through his teeth,

“Didn’t know? Who are you working for then if you didn’t know?”

I shrugged my shoulders and groaned a bit when I moved my shot arm, but he didn’t take that as an answer when he growled,

“Who are you working for? Why are you doing this?!”

I let my sobs escape through words as I cried,

“I don’t want you!! I DIDN’T WANT ANY OF YOU!! I only wanted Hassan!! I did all this for Hassan. I want him d-dead.”

My voice began to crack for how hard I cried, Ghost’s eyes only softened a bit as he asked,

“Why? What’s your reason? Why the risk-“

“He took my whole f-family… my baby and husband. Along with so many other innocent people… I never wanted to hurt you guys… I just wanted you to get me to him. And I really thought Graves was going to hand me to him, but he pulled me into his lie and mistake.. making a bigger mess. I’m so s-sorry.”

I still held the gun up, worried that if I lowered it or moved it away he’d react on that and hurt me, but he took my stance wrong while he pointed out slowly,

“I really want to believe you… but I can’t. And I want to trust you… but I don’t know how.”

His hurt could be heard in his voice, which was new to me, and damn it made me feel like shit. But I couldn’t take it anymore, I was already at my wits end. So in desperate need to escape, I made the choice to leave, trying to run past him. But him being the monster of the man he is, I was already pinned to the ground, thrashing and trying to crawl my way out of his hold. I couldn’t even scream and beg for help for him to let me go, I just began fighting back. I was now on my back facing Ghost who hovered over me, attempting to hold my wrists down, but I succeeded in making that impossible. I knew my landing punches would leave bruising and open skin, for my dam filled with anger and hate, revenge and sorrow, had finally broke, and he was the one to take the waves of it all. I heard his pained grunts escape his teeth as I met his frame with every hit, not missing a beat. He growled into my ear when I made a perfect landing of my fist on his cheek,

“I’M NOT GOING TO HURT YOU- AGH!!”

His only attempt at stopping me was to try and grab my arms to stop me, but he never ever swung at me. Instead he tried to use his heavy body to began to press deeper into mine, caging me. But instead of surrendering to the pressure, I kicked him off, hard. A loud thud was heard as his back met the floor, and it didn’t take seconds before I was over him, holding his own knife before his face. I didn’t want to kill him, that wasn’t my intention.. but I wanted it all to stop, before I possibly did. I could see his eyes go from once cold and determined to now wide and distant, holding the uncertainty of his future, as I held it in my hands. He rested on his elbows with bent legs, his fists were clenched and his breathing had grown heavy, his shoulders were visibly moving.

“I don’t want I hurt you either, so please-“

“Hey I think I heard something over here!”

That was the voice of a Shadow who was perhaps impossibly near by and had heard us,

“Go check it out then! I’ll be over there.”

‘Fuck the Shadows heard us-‘

Ghost’s POV

I could see her get distracted to the noise ahead of us, I took that to my advantage to get my large and glistening light of a knife pressed against her throat while still in her hand originally as I threatened,

“Make a sound and I’ll give you to them to finish killing you. Now. Move.”

She instantly gave in at panic of probably being given to the Shadows, (which I’d never do, no matter how angry and confused she made me, she meant more than that) and rapidly I shoved us inside what looked liked the church, I could tell by the dead guy on the wooden cross and the tall pillars with ancient stories painted on them. I held onto her arm tightly as I closed and secured the door as quietly as possible. Aware of another presence in here beside us I was, for Soap had to of already gotten inside the church, hopefully at least. I could hear Melione’s soft sniffles as she let me drag her around, I knew my grip hurt her for I purposely held onto the part she was stabbed on, mostly to apply more pressure than she could to the wound and second to cause a little pain like a slight punishment. My heart was still disheveled at what had happened, and also to what she told me. It all made sense now, her purpose, drive, anger and rage was all what I should’ve caught onto long ago... she had the rage of a vengeful mother.

‘I’ve felt your anger too.. I lost everything too. I understand you... I’m just upset on how it turned out.’

I couldn’t word those out loud just yet- well I didn’t know how. As we walked deeper into the large ancient church we could faintly hear the sounds of gunshots and the cries of mourning mothers and scared children, it sounded like the gates of gelling opening and unleashing its death and hatred for life. Oh it only made me crave to end them all with my bare hands. I saw how when a new gunshot sounded Meli flinched every time and I knew she cried harder for I could hear it behind me as I walked us up the stairs.

‘I know.. I know... it hurts like a bitch, love.’

I scanned the area like a hawk with every step I took, not wanting to risk us being ambushed again, but when he headed up to the last step Meli gasped and ran ahead of me, but I let her go when she whispered shouted at who I saw as well,

“JOHNNY!!”

Soap’s arm was covered in blood and his face looked as pale as Meli’s but he nonetheless received her into his arms as she collapsed into him. Her arms wrapped around his waist as he held her up and caressed her head. She sobbed into his chest,

“I’m so sorry Johnny! Please you have to believe me-“

“Sh shh.. I believe ya Bonnie... I really do. ‘S ok.”

Soap then looked up to me with shock and I voiced calmly while smelling my blood soak up my mask and my bones ache,

“Found her on her way here alone. Shadows turned on her too. We’re keeping her.”

“A’ight. I’m good wit’ that. Shh shh... you’re all bloodied up to lass.. hm? Matching me? Oof Bonnie lass you’re shot too?-“

“y-yeah..”

Soap tried to humor her to stop the tears that were getting to him, but she only cried more when she dug her head into his chest more and pointed towards me with a sniffle,

“I almost killed S-Simon-“

I stepped in to calm her troubled mind for I understood her,

“You didn’t mean it Meli. None of it. You were scared. You’re staying by us now.”

I patted her back and she looked up and nodded at my sincerity before pleading,

“Then we have to go, they’ll find and kill us all. But we need to get Ale first. I know where he is. Hopefully we find Rudy on the way too.”

I extended my hand and she didn’t miss a second before it was in mine, we squeezed it together as I eyed Soap and worded,

“Let’s head out, we need to get to the safe house for now until this mess dies down, and you and Meli need to get patched up.”

Johnny nodded swiftly and gestures his head towards the door as he said with ease,

“On your lead LT.”

Soap’s POV

As we quietly walked out, Meli led us through the way she took, guaranteeing us that it would be safe. Simon looked doubtful at first, interlocking his finger around the trigger closer and holding her hand with the same pressure. But as we got closer, bodies here and there lied around, all with the same markings, a deep slash to the neck- ugh! It looked so gory and it was dark in color and spilled everywhere, their eyes were lifeless and fear painted their features. It deemed to me that Ghost was the one that did it. He was known for his unforgivable kills, never giving it a second thought before he took life away. But I noticed how Ghost eyed every single one of them curiously and with much attention.

‘Admiring your own work Simon?-‘

“Was this you Meli?”

My eyes widened as I gulped, Meli shook her head while her eyes shyly met Simon’s, replying in a soft voice,

“yes. That’s why I said it’s be safer this way, they’re all down.”

She looked almost ashamed of her deeds, but Ghost simply nodded approvingly and grunted,

“Atta girl.”

Her eyes then locked with mine with pride now filling her instead, happy at Ghost’s approval. I sent her a wink and she returned the gesture as I came to walk beside her. The tension was still up along with fear of not knowing if we’ll make it out of this city alive. But a certain peace kept me going an together knowing that I had two of the strongest and ruthless people I’ve ever met, and I certainly knew they felt the same.

[blackjackkent]

OK. Some of the slightly less consequential Act 2 ending conversations now. Rakha has a lot fewer people in the Moonrise lobby than Hector did since pretty much all the tieflings are dead and Halsin has not shown up. (I'm assuming Halsin is missing for the same reason that he doesn't get his own tent in camp anymore, because the game didn't account for the possibility of him and Minthara both being around at once.)

The biggest remaining convo is probably Aylin and Isobel, but the one most immediately drawing Rakha's attention is Withers, who is being unusually vocal, plus she's surprised he's even here.

Rakha still doesn't really like Withers - he's mysterious, which pisses her off, and also takes no damage when she gets violent with him, which pisses the beast off. He did win back a few points with her by bringing her back from the dead after the Lathandrian monastery exploded, though.

So she gives him a sort of noncommittal grunt and waits to see what he has to say.

"Thy hunger denied. Selune's faithful yet shines. The balance shifts."

Rakha's head snaps up and suddenly she is playing much closer attention. Thy hunger.

Withers has shown little or no interest in the internal struggles that have plagued Rakha in the time they've traveled together. He keeps to himself; she never sees him unless they're camping, but he is always just... there, taking up space in a quiet corner, unable to be dislodged but not interacting with anyone unless he is spoken to first.

He has never said anything to her about her murderous tendencies. He only acknowledged Alfira once, in refusing to bring her back, and he seemed utterly unphased by the terrible night just recently where she practically turned into a howling animal. He has seemed utterly disconnected from all of it - until now.

"Thou hast seen with thine own eyes, and felt in thine Urges - the Dead Three unite. There are depths to this alliance yet unplumbed. Consider, mortal - do illithids possess souls?"

Rakha blinks, then scowls.

She wants to know what he meant by that first part. Her Urges connect in some way to the Dead Three, these gods that stand behind the Absolutist cult. It is not simply her nature, but something directly connected to her presence at Moonrise in the memories she's lost.

But of course he does not explain or elaborate, but instead mocks her with a question she cannot answer.

"Forget that," she says curtly. "What are you doing here, Withers?"

"Where matters of balance are concerned, I am eternally called," he says placidly, unbothered as always by her irritation. "I shall ask yet again. Do illithids possess souls?"

She breathes out sharply through her nose, briefly debating the viability of delivering her dagger straight between his eyes. It wouldn't have any impact on him, but it might make her feel minutely better.

But she sets her jaw and resists the urge yet again. He is being very insistent about this, and she must admit to a flash of curiosity through her exhaustion. "I don't know," she says after a long pause. "Don't all living things?" Such is her extremely limited knowledge, at least. Metaphysical questions haven't been a common camp topic of conversation.

"No," Withers says flatly. "Nor canst thou count mind flayers among them. Yet the Three amass an illithid army, void of apostolic souls that could imbue them with power." His eyes narrow to slits, focusing on Rakha with more attention than she has yet seen from him. "A flock without souls. Yet to what end, O tempted one? This is the question thou must come to answer. Until that time - be availed of my services."

(A/N: I'm wracking my brains and I can't remember if Hector was ever actually provided an answer to this question. :O Was this a plot thread that got dropped or did I miss something? I don't think we ever really learned a ton about the Three's motivations for fucking the world up. Maybe this is something we learn more about in Durge land.)

Rakha stares at him, baffled. It takes her a moment to parse through what he's saying. Gods, then, are powered by the souls of those who follow them. These gods, however, are converting people to mind flayers - and making them soulless.

Why?

And why do *I* need to answer? There was something unsettlingly specific in the way he said that.

"You know of these Urges," she says hoarsely. "What can you tell me?"

Withers looks back at her, steady and unreadable. "Nothing thou dost not already know."

A lie, she's almost certain of it, and her scowl deepens. She wishes she could take him by the throat and squeeze and shake until the answers he hoards fall out of him... but it would get her nowhere and only anger the beast in her head.

"You seem to know a lot about the Dead Three," she says instead, between her teeth.

"Yes," he answers. "Bane, Lord of Darkness. Bhaal, Lord of Murder. Myrkul, Lord of Bones. Once judged, ascended, then vanquished - as one, and as three."

Again his eyes narrow. Again that sudden, uncharacteristic intensity as he speaks words that make no sense at all. "The alliance is reforged, mortal. The planes thus quake, and the gods shudder."

[palesmokeisinthevoid]

Fuck it, sona stuff

Noticed something when drawing Smokey so now his tail has a butterfly on the end!

Something I made on Election Day

Both of them panic a lot when something goes wrong for them. Smokey is the one who panics more on account of being a lot more involved with people while Ignis lived in the woods. Also Ignis wasn’t made with a soul so his creator, who was dying, gave him the closest powerful soul. So if Smokey dies Ignis also dies. (Though is Ignis dies…well, the soul was originally Smokey’s, but it’s also part Ignis’, so while it won’t completely kill Smokey if Ignis dies a part of him does still die)

Despite having shapeshifting, Smokey can’t change his height, unlike Ignis, who can pretty much change any aspect of his physical appearance except scars and injuries.

Speaking of scars and injuries…Ignis’ prosthetics were kind of, made so taking them off would be very painful. So he has to always wear them, as much as it irritates what it’s attached to.

Ignis has some trauma. Also he uses his scarf to hide the fact he has a shock collar which never seems to come off no matter what he does. He’s tried dislodging it, exploding, butter, etc, but it seems without a certain persons command it’s stuck on there for the time being…

Birthday is coming up so that’s fun.

Mouths. Or lack thereof. Idk Smokey is based on my Minecraft skin which doesn’t have a mouth and Ignis…doesn’t like having one.

I kind of go back and forth on calling these two best friends and qpp’s, I’m going to say they’re both because it doesn’t really matter, they’re soulmates in some sense of the word (literally share a soul), they’ll go through anything for the other to be safe. Hands are held while making friendship necklaces and they share their favorite flowers. Probably somewhat weird since they’re technically used to represent me but I’m the one who made them so uh…idk

Ignis god form

Species swap!…Or I guess, appeared species swap. Ignis is still a god and Smokey is still a fae.

Just them taking a nap

Two little moments from an au involving them and a bunch of others. Eventually I’ll show it.

Smokework! One day they figure out how to make their soul a little more together. He’s got three legs and three arms since they still can’t detach their prosthetics.

Them as Pokemon! Ignis is a shiny Absol because he’s the god of disasters and Absol is the disaster pokemon (he’s shiny because green eyes and closer to firework colors, even if he’s Yellow and Blue), and Smokey is Ribombee because Bug/Fairy type and it has bee in the name.

…Since Smokey was based on my Minecraft skin, I made a third sona based on my Roblox avatar!

It’s names is Pales Moke, Smokey and Ignis are kind of just living in its apartment and it has a weird door in its apartment that sometimes becomes two different elevators. He might get a design change once I get robux to actually buy stuff and I might make a thing explaining the changes.

Just the three goobers.

Smokey and Ignis’ first time seeing the Regretevator

Based on the fact I jump on the Npc’s heads, Pales likes to climb people! He likes feeling tall.

Smokey and Ignis’ first time on the Regretevator. At some point they set something on fire.

The second elevator that comes to Pales apartment kind of…changes stuff about you once you enter it, as Smokey and Ignis find out. It’s the elevator from Dandy’s world. Pales is Astro, Smokey is Poppy and Ignis is Boxten. Also Ignis mouth reveal

[drawnecromancy]

Also i think I'm going to tighten the timeline in Winter's Rage (not that I ever shared it on tumblr) because it would make a lot more sense for this to have. Eleanor's first 50ish years; then maybe 4 or 5 different lives before the Spiritening. That way I can keep all the important stuff and have both of them believably still be really unwell about their shared past.

I'll see how long I want her to live. Okay let's make some bullet points actually. Nathan's alive during this whole time he is just Not Dying. What with being a vampire and all. don't worry about it

Eleanor Ridgen (53 years)

??? (probably dies fairly young; on account of her going Oh Fuck No, I don't want to do this again. Early 20s at most.)

The magical scholar, specializing in Soul and Spirit study (dangerous field. Will get unkind eyes on you. Does not get her own memories back until she is 40 or so. Will deal with it kind of badly. Finally understands that she WILL be stuck reincarnating forever because of the soul magic.) (Lives until 80 or so.)

The founder of the guild; beginning of Wolf. (kind of person who probably kicks the bucket during a dangerous mission because she insists on working alone; although due to skill and being overpowered she might live until 50ish.)

Another life that starts normal until she gets memories back and then she fucks off to be Wolf again. This is likely when Crow gets involved; she guesses it's Nathan but doesn't... communicate to him about it. Eleanor didn't do soul magic after all - Wolf does :) (possibly more careful due to working in tandem with Crow from time to time; they have each other's backs under the relative anonymity. She is convinced he'll hate her forever if she tells him anything though.) (Likely dies in her 70s.)

Queen Elandra. Not a human, but adjacent; slightly longer lived than a regular human would be. Does NOT have a single memory of the past lives. Somehow falling in love with Nathan doesn't trigger them coming back. Trying to juggle feuds between her kingdom, the Empire, and her kingdom's allies. Ends up having to marry the king of the neighboring kingdom for political reasons, instead of the guy she was secretly dating. Dies in the exact same way Eleanor Ridgen did; which triggers The Spiritening because she has not retained anything of her magic and her past and just let everything explode (very normal for a self taught Soul user. Incredibly dangerous.) (Dies after being 100 years old ? Maybe 120?)

Winter : i mean she's immortal by then.

Which reduces my timeline to... a little under 400 years going by the shortest estimates.

Okay I can work with this. That's enough generations for the empire to grow large and to keep butting heads with the north.