#still took him five fucking match points but we move

[mousemannation]

carlos my king my best friend thank u for a (mostly) straightforward match 🙏🏼

[itsabouttimex2]

“You need to do better.”

(This gets vitriolic, and is a full-blown criticism of Macaque’s portrayal in Season Four and Five. If criticism of a character/franchise you like upsets you, I do not recommend reading.)

Wow. I had no faith in his character writing, and I’m STILL disappointed.

And it only took one episode! How impressive!

Macaque, who has put in ZERO on-screen effort to become a better person or make amends to his victims, is criticizing Wukong for being a bad mentor! And does Wukong criticize him back? NOPE!

After getting screamed at and berated, does Wukong defend himself? NOPE!

Ooh, but there was a second long reference in a dual yelling match that mentioned that Macaque was a genuinely bad person who took glee in hurting innocent people! Oh, fucking delightful! Ooh, Wukong even points out in one episode that Macaque goes without consequences!

Pointing out a flaw in your writing does not make it less of a flaw.

Macaque will always be allowed to do whatever he wants to anyone he wants- power theft, attempted murder, insults, deceit, assault-

And the narrative and characters will never hold him accountable or force Macaque to look inwards or become a better person.

Macaque will always fall upwards into redemption without any obstacles or pushback.

There will never be a struggle to goodness with a satisfying conclusion. There will never be a moment where falters in his newfound goodness and questions going back to his old ways. There will never be explicit remorse or regret. He will never have deep introspections on his crimes and atrocities that provide a reason for him to want to change.

The sum of his “arc” will always be “you were a good guy all along”, and that lack of depth is where it will stay.

RIP Seasons 1-3 Macaque. You were fun and interesting and cool and lovable.

But the man they replaced you with was destined to be a boring and brooding “anti-hero” who has no real connection to the actions you selfishly and violently performed with your own two hands-

And you will always be a less interesting character for it.

The execution of the actual arc boils down to a single heroic (but ultimately self-serving) moment and then Macaque is immediately forgiven for all the crimes he’s committed and is a magically better person without any effort and nothing he’s done is ever brought up again.

It severely weakens any character’s arc to cut them off from their past actions. If MK forgot his traumas every season instead of carrying them forward- we’d all agree that doing so was a case of poor writing.

It was the reason that people disliked Mei’s portrayal in Season Four- she immediately moved on from the Samadhi Fire arc and “no longer wielded it” after spending a whole season gathering and learning to use it.

Why can’t we agree that it’s bad for Macaque, too?

You can’t “develop” a character by dropping an entire plotline and writing it off with one line.

You can’t “redeem” a character by pretending that they were a good person right from the start.

Sorry, bud.

I really did like you. I just wish I could like your writing.

——————

And, what is more clear to me now than ever?

People only defended Macaque’s shitty writing because they think he’s hot.

I know this now, because I’ve seen white-hot Li Jing arc hatred from fervent Macaque arc defenders.

So we all agree that an “I didn’t really mean it!” isn’t an excuse to abuse the people around you? That you don’t get to mistreat innocent people just because you’re stressed and upset?

Hmmm.

Hmmmmmmm.

I wonder why people despise Jing for his dogshit “one nice thing redeems all your bad actions” arc but love Macaque for his??

(Because they think the monkey is hot.)

The funny thing, though?

Li Jing apologizes to at least one of the victims of his actions. He expresses regret and remorse.

Macaque doesn’t even have that.

——————

Anyways here’s a line that I hate because Macaque has in no way developed enough to have the right to deliver it-

AND NO, SUDDENLY HAVING AN AFFINITY FOR PERFORMING KIND OR SACRIFICIAL ACTS IS NOT GOOD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

HIM MAGICALLY OFFSCREEN BECOMING A GOOD PERSON WHO CARES ABOUT INNOCENT LIFE IS NOT GOOD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

IF ALL IT TAKES TO “BE BETTER” IS ACTING LIKE A HERO, WUKONG IS LITERALLY A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER OF A PERSON THAN HE IS

THIS LINE IS DOGSHIT

“You need to do better.”

Really, Macaque? Maybe you should take your own damn advice- try apologizing to one of the people you tried to hurt and tried to murder in cold blood!

Like when you trapped MK under his staff after stealing his powers and tried to murder him when he was helpless?

Or when you kidnapped MK’s friends and tortured the kid by forcing him to fight them?

Or you led a violent assault against a palace full of innocent people?

Or violently beat his dear friends until they were screaming in pain?

Or assaulted Tang, who posed no threat to you?

Or threatened to murder an innocent girl if you didn’t get your way, then ran away (and encouraged MK to abandon her) first thing when it put her into a life-threatening meltdown of raw power?

(Isn’t it cool how NONE of these people have interesting or varied reactions to him doing this and ALL immediately are cool with him like a gelatinous hivemind.)

(Oooh ONE mildly questioning line from Pigsy but no anger over his adoptive son nearly being killed multiple times over)

(Isn’t it cool that no one has complex or interesting thoughts on this.)

(Isn’t it cool that by robbing them of unique feelings on the matter they robbed Macaque and the Monkie Kids of compelling and interesting interactions that could’ve helped flesh out their personalities and strengthen their characterization.)

(Isn’t it cool that Macaque and the Monkie Kids are actively denied intriguing character dynamics so Macaque’s shitty “redemption arc” can happen faster.)

(Isn’t that cool.)

Why don’t YOU do better, Macaque?

(In a way that is more satisfying than “one kind-hearted speech from a kid that I tried to murder changed my mind and now I am a better person but all my character development happened offscreen and without personal introspection”, at least.)

Also what the fuck do you mean by “do better”?

Be heroic and put your life in danger? He already does that! He’s done it more than you have!

Just tell MK that he’s not alone? YOU COULD DO THAT YOURSELF, MACAQUE!

Help MK with his traumas and fears? MK doesn’t tell anyone about those! He keeps them bottled up, lock and key, and actively refuses attempts to help!

Wukong TRIED to reach out to him, and MK PUSHED HIM AWAY! Was he supposed to tie the fucking kid down and torture the information out of him?

He respected MK’s boundaries by not pushing any further and letting him leave!!

WHY IS THAT A BAD THING??

What the fuck, man

[judes-hoe]

Bitter rivals,Sweet love

Parrings~ Lewis Hamilton x oc

Summary~ She’s gonna be in f1 for her third year and goes to a team no one expects her to. She’s always got a cold expression and only those close to her know why. Shes been close one to many times to winning a championship and this year she’s gonna get it no matter what.

Warnings~ mutual mastrabation, making out, consent is asked for.

A/N~ CHAPTER 7 SHIT IS GETTING REAL

Pt.1 pt.2 pt.3 pt.4 pt.5 pt.6

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vanessa looked at Toto like he had just stabbed her. “The fuck your mean the FIA is checking my car?” She said getting frustrated. “Calm down, they said that something might not match the measurements in your front wing.” Toto explained.

They sat there for almost an hour before they got answers. Vanessa got a penalty and moved back on the grid to p15, she was furious. Her team had checked the car multiple times.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was later at night Vanessa at the hotel laying in her bed scrolling on her phone. Lewis laying in his bed, but she couldn’t deny the tension anymore.

“Are we going to pretend that what happened a few days ago didn’t happen.” Vanessa asked out the blue. “Listen kid, you needed someone and I helped you, what they said wasn’t right, I helped you now let’s go back to normal.” He said and put his phone on his charger before turning his back to her. “Got it, you’re right, just wanted to help the hopeless kid who can’t defend herself.” She whispered to herself and also plugged her phone in turning to her side.

Lewis just let out a sigh hearing her words but doesn’t say anything. And like that they both go to sleep with tension still in the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Race day! Vanessa showed up to the paddock ready for this race, she had her confidence up and was ready to prove everyone wrong.

She did her pre race rituals and all that good stuff. Then she was in the car doing a formation lap. P15 she started, she was ready to dominate this race. The grid was now in their places after the formation lap. Vanessa watched the red lights turn on one by one, patiently waiting. As soon as the lights turned off she was off immediately gaining two lap.

Over the course of the first five laps she overtook to p9. Now behind lance, wasn’t that hard to overtake. Now behind Checo, another easy overtake. P6 behind Carlos which was hard as she tried to overtake him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the 60th lap, 3 laps left of the race Vanessa was p2 behind max and was gaining speed in him. In her mind she knew she might just get podium again, but something else was saying she was gonna win. She was .978 seconds behind max, they crossed the line. 2 laps left, she pushed as hard as she could.

.865 seconds as she uses her DRS when she could and is now .372 seconds behind. They passed the finish line again. 1 lap left. Vanessa gave it her all to pass max. Between turn four and five she finally passed him.

“Push Vanessa push!” Calvin came on the radio. Vanessa pushed her car and built a 1.736 second gap between her and max for the rest of the race.

As she crossed that finish line Calvin came back on the radio. “Vanessa you did it! You did it! God you did it! You won your first home race!” Vanessa couldn’t hold the tears back. “I did it Calvin…I-i did it, for them this is for them, and to prove everyone who thought i couldn’t do it, they can all fuck off!” Vanessa said through tears and sniffles. “Oh okay now watch the language lady.” Calvin said with a laugh.

Vanessa pulled up to the P1 spot with max at p2 and Lando at p3. Vanessa couldn’t get out her car quicker and stood at the front of her car and pointed at the sky. She then race to Mercedes who were waiting behind the barriers. She jumped over the barrier and they all hug and pat her back. All say something like ‘you did it!’ Or ‘congratulations!’. It was like a dream come true to her.

As she was set down she took her helmet off and put the Mercedes cap on drinking her water. She could feel eyes on her, not from the team or other drivers, but him. She look in the direction and saw him standing with a soft smile and nodding at her.

She did her interview and was answering the questions she was asked. “I mean it’s like a dream come true, finally winning my home race. I mean i obviously wish they were here to see this but I know they’re watching over with smiles. But I couldn’t be happier, this will always be-“ she was cut off by a tap on her shoulder, she looked and saw Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur, he was holding an Italian flag for her. She happily took it and gave him a hug before continuing her interview.

She took on the top step, listening as the Italian anthem played. She looked up in the sky with a smile closing her eyes, the Italian flag from earlier was wrapped around her like a cape.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was late at night, partying with most of the grid and some of the Mercedes people. She had one drink, just a fruity drink as a treat for winning. It was midnight when the party had sorta died down, she had Daniel walk her back to the hotel to make sure she got back safe.

She walked into the hotel room and saw Lewis just on his phone. “Here you are, surprised you weren’t at the party?” She said going in her suitcase. “Didn’t feel like it.” He responded blankly. “Normally you’re a party type of guy?” She said but then she realized. “Is it because the party was basically for me?” She looked at him with a smirk. “No.” He scoffed.

There was a tension in the room but they didn’t know what. “You’re really that stubborn to not go to a party that’s about me?” She slightly teased him walking over to his bed. “No I just wasn’t in the mood alright?” He sat up and watched her walk closer to him.

They just stared at each other and Lewis stood in front of her. “You feel the tension too?” He asked looking in her eyes. “Yeah.” Was all she said and he smashed his lips on her holding her face in his hands. It was like a relief when he kissed her, she relaxed and kissed back. The kiss lasted for a moment before he pulled away. “You’re not like drunk or tipsy right?” He asked wanting to make sure he wasn’t taking advantage of her. “No, no I’m not, I don’t drink.” She said and looked at him with honesty in her eyes.

He then kissed her again a little deeper this time, he then laid her on the bed and his hands moved down her body. He then pulled away again. “You sure you want this?” He asked a little out of breath. Vanessa nods her head. “I’m sure Lewis, I can’t deny the tension anymore.” She said softly and her hands moved to the hem of his shirt and pulled it up over his head and throws it to the side.

They fully undressed themselves, Lewis lays next to Vanessa but in his side. His hand traveling down and teases her by rubbing her thigh. He’s kissing her neck, she then takes her hand that’s trapped between their bodies and reaches down and starts to jerk him off. It makes him let out a breathy moan and he slips his fingers inside her.

He has two fingers inside her, rubbing her clit with his thumb. Her hand speeding up around his cock. “Being such a good girl for me, always wanted to know what your had would feel like around me.” He said and sped his fingers up inside her making her moan a little louder. “Lewis, feels so good, please!” She said feeling her stomach tighten signaling she’s close. “Can feel you squeezing my fingers sweetheart, gonna cum for me?” He teased and rub his thumb faster over her clit.

She speeds her hand up on his cock. “Want you to cum with me.” Vanessa said between whines, he just smiles against her neck. “Shit Lewis I’m cumming!” She moans out, Lewis sits up more and smashes his lips on her to quiet her moans. As she finished her climax he slows his fingers down riding it out of her and he soon cums on his stomach and her hand. He pulls his fingers out and licks them clean before kissing her neck again. “Did such a good job for me.”

He then clean you both up, putting a pair of boxers on and helping you dress back up. Just as he went to lay in his bed you spoke up. “Stay in my bed, please.” She said quietly as she was about to fall asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: probably my longest chapter yet😭

Taglist: @tallrock35 @itsmrshamilton

[purelyfiction]

is it too soon to do this yet? - jake 'hangman' seresin x f!reader

Word Count: 1,977 words

Summary: this aint for the best, my reputation's never been worse so, you must like me for me. we can't make any promises now can we babe? // is it cool that i said all that? is it chill that you're in my head? cause i know that it's delicate. is it cool that i said all that? is it too soon to do this yet? 'cause i know that it's delicate.

Content Warning: fluff!! possibly insta-love for those put off by that.

Author Note: first: i wrote something?? on time??? second: for @ohtobeleah 's galentines writings :))) unedited/unbetaed we die like idiots

you had been here for a good time. your friend was getting married and her bachelorette was taking place in this quiet coastal town near a naval base. had that been part of the appeal? absolutely. who didn't want to watch a bunch of walking red flags as they did their daily trainings on the beach?

a little dive bar friday night with a shoddy jukebox, cheap beer and countless sailors - it had been the most fortunate surprise when you'd walked in with no other plans but to show off your sashed friend.

luckily for your group, sailors were suckers for a good bride to be and her girl crew. even luckier for you since you'd been playing DD for the last three days of the five day trip and you were finally able to take a damned sip of alcohol, which you rightfully deserved. glass in hand, you approach the jukebox to survey the music choices as the other girls were served shots (you wanted a drink not a hangover). you're about to pick out a song when you realize the machine hadn't been modernized and it still took cash. sadly, you spin back to the bar but not before dousing the man behind you in the makings of your whiskey sour.

"fuck, i am so sorry-" a hand grips your arm and he shakes his head.

"no, no, don't worry, i'm just upset on your behalf. what a waste of good whiskey." you look up, green eyes charming their way into easing your guilt. "I was gonna offer you a song, but ugh- maybe i ought to offer you a drink instead?"

he ends up buying both.

and as your friends sing along to the ancient song on the jukebox, you sit with this lone aviator and get to know him. long after your friends have retreated to the airbnb.

it was funny to think that was almost a six weeks ago. you'd flown to california for one week of fun and never went back, thanks to a rouge cowboy with eyes that matched the jumpsuit he donned to work each day.

you'd been crashing at an short-term rental since your friend's bachelorette, save for the weekend of the actual wedding, when jake had been your plus-one. everyone had relished in how the string of fate had connected you like this.

they'd also spoken of how insane you were. to uproot your entire life for the sake of what was supposed to be a one night fling. but it didn't bother you. not when the expansive reach of his hand had guided you through crowds that night. had danced with you and made a part fool of you both. i am a fantastic dancer, i have no idea where these guys are getting the idea i'm a trainwreck. his voice so easy and content on the drive back to the hotel that night.

now here you were, cooking for the two of you in his apartment as you waited on your boyfriend to get back from work. the label was maybe a week old at this point, but it fit him like a damn glove. so much so you'd started reaching out to potential leasers to sublet your apartment back home. maybe you were rushing into this. your job had been fine with you staying out in california longer - you were remote anyways, that had been the main perk of the job. but moving? for a man you'd known maybe a month?

the door slams shut and the entire apartment shakes. jake's place was small, tiny even, so you're greeted with his tense expression the minute you look up from your spot at the kitchen counter. "hey baby, how was-"

"fine." he grits the word out, dropping his duffel to the floor and disappearing down the hall. the bedroom door shuts with a click instead of a bang this time.

this wasn't boding well for you. you had a grand plan to make dinner, watch movies and have a nice and easy night in together, maybe talk for a bit. you'd wanted to discuss going to see an apartment this weekend. you didn't want to move in together, but you needed to look for a place of your own instead of crashing here so much. if this was going down that road. yet, the pilot seems to be in the worst mood to have that kind of discussion.

when he finally comes back to the kitchen, he slinks in behind you and presses a quick kiss to your head. "how was that call you were dreading." he's changed out of his uniform, a pair of sweatshorts on his waist, a dark t-shirt on his shoulders as he glides to the fridge. the tension is still carried in his frame even if he isn't outwardly acting as if there is something bothering him.

"ugh, it was - it was fine." now you're shutting off just like he was. it might be just you mirroring his actions, or maybe it was more. uncertainty? uneasiness? doubt?

the crack of teeth on an apple pulls you from your mind. you look to the fruit in his hand as he steps out to the living room on the opposite side of the kitchen wall. "i- dinner is almost ready, you know."

the tv stirs to life, echoing off the walls of the bachelor pad. the lack of decorations or real furnishings had been one of your reasons for wanting to pull the trigger on the move. to have some of your belongings back in your life, some familiarity.

"yeah, i'll eat." finally you're over it. you're not taking this from him, not when you had shit on your own mind that needed to be addressed. turning the burner off you step out of the kitchen, coming to the coffee table and snagging the remote. with it switched off, he looks at you with offense. "i said i'd eat what is the big deal?"

"what is going on with you?" your hands come across your chest as hangman snags the apple with his teeth as he dives into his pocket for his phone.

"nut-ing" the word comes out odd since his jaw is unable to move. you raise your eyebrows at him, which earns a similar reaction from the blonde. groaning he pulls the apple from his mouth. "rough day at work. got my ass handed to me by my superior, everyone talking shit because i flew better than anyone else- just in a piss poor mood. i'm sorry." you stare at him with concern now. it was just a bad day? then why was he suddenly as secure as a vault? locked away with high tech security and an obnoxiously long passcode.

"that's not all of it." you pry, slowly coming to sit down next to him. but when you do, he immediately stands up.

"yeah it is." he moves over to the kitchen again, tossing the apple core away. frustration eats at you again, tilting your head as your tone sharpens as he starts to step down the hallway.

"are you going to talk to me like your girlfriend or just like some bitch you're keeping around? cause right now it feels more like the second one." he freezes and his head drops back.

"look, i don't do the talking about emotions thing, i don't do the-"

"oh bullshit." you stand and march down the hallway, coming to stand behind him as his head sinks. "you put your heart on your sleeve when i saw you cry at dane and avery's wedding. and when you laughed to me about your childhood dog when you were drunk the night before at the rehearsal. or how you just seemed to stare at me with no concern in the world when we went out for ice cream last week - you do emotions. you do them and you feel them more heavily than most people i know." he slowly spins to look at you. "so start talking." the command is softer than the rest of your words.

finally, he relents. you sit on the couch with bated breath as he explained that he doesn't have the social life he had presented to you that first night. that his coworkers all think he's an asshole, that he's a dick and he isn't the kind of person to be friends with. "up until now, i didn't think i was the kind of person to be a boyfriend, let alone a friend."

it stung a little. jake as little as you had known him, had been one thing - confident. reassured in his personality and his work. he had this charisma around him that lured you in without him needing to really try. "i don't know how you believe that." you speak softly, pushing hair out of his face as it falls, gel from this morning weak from the impact of G-force pressures and california humidity. "you're a fun guy. you always make me laugh. i feel so.. safe around you. it's hard to imagine anyone else not appreciating that like i do."

jake's laid back on the couch now, looking up at you before looking at the ceiling. "yeah, well i guess the reality is that i'm easy to hate, hard to love. an acquired taste."

"that couldn't be further from the truth." it slips out so easily. green eyes perk up in curiosity.

"angel, i'm- to make it quick, i'm a menace. people know my callsign and they know my reputation. a selfish dick looking to get to the top and on top of women. hell, i don't know why you've stuck around as long as you have, so clearly somehow i've rubbed off on you."

your legs shift as you try to adjust on the couch to look at him better. "jake, i'm not going to be that girl. it would be a little weird if i was that girl, i mean, it's been what, a month?" he's slowly raising onto his elbows when you start in your ramblings, "but, you just- you take me by surprise in the best way, at every turn. yeah, sure they have some idea of you but it's not jake. it's not the guy who's impulsively buying karaoke machines to have idiotic nights in, or the guy who's sneaking pictures before anyone can notice because you're sentimental. or even the guy who hides the tears in his eyes at the end of how to train your dragon-"

he points at you with an amused expression, "you saw the way that dragon curls around him, he saved him." you can't hold back the laugh.

"my point is: hangman is so, so far from jake. cause i mean, i love jake, he's... he's my guy. and i don't get what's so hard to love about that." you give a small smile until it computes in your head what you've said. "i ugh..." jake keeps a coy grin on his features, leaning into his chin now that he's rolled onto his stomach, knowingly catching onto what you've said. "is it cool that i said that? i mean i- we can pretend that i didn't and forget this ever happened-"

he cuts you off with a soft press of lips to your own. the taste of apple juice still lingers on his chapped skin, before he pulls away. "it's cool." he offers, a hand coming to take your own.

"i promise i won't say it again." there's a mad blush on your face and jake just laughs.

"ah, don't you go promising nothing. let's just go finish dinner, yeah?"

and jake takes his rightful place next to you at the stove, towering over you as his head bounces along to the music you've put on, glancing at apartment listings that you pull up.

[quite-right-too]

Piece of Art

Tenth Doctor x GN!Reader / requests are open

Summary: The Doctor sees your newest tattoo.

One year.

You had been travelling for an entire year.

Granted, time was subjective when you are in a literal time machine, but the point still stood. For your timeline, it had been three hundred and sixty-five days of adventures.

It seemed like the Doctor also knew. He was up before you — which was normal considering his “superior Time Lord biology” allowed him to have “a considerably altered circadian rhythm” and he didn’t need much sleep.

He was already up and running around the console by the time you were up, hair tousled like he had been running his hands through it. You admired him from the doorway as he checked the screens, putting on his glasses and analysing the data that was written in that beautiful circular language.

“So, what’s the plan today?” you asked with a smirk, arms crossed and leaning against the coral entrance to the console room. The Doctor jumped for a second as he was brought out of his focused state.

He gave you his signature Doctor grin and began to flip various switches. “Well,” he drawled, “I was thinking we could go to Dracea VII. They have a wonderful festival that comes around every ten years. The food is amazing.” Nimble fingers typed into his keyboard as he watched the Gallifreyan symbols change. “Just imagine it. The sky's the perfect shade of lavender while the various rivers that flow through the city are a shimmering gold. The grass is soft, almost like silk, and is a deep blue. The entire planet is gorgeous.”

You couldn’t help the matching smile that spread across your face. “Sounds wonderful.”

“Alright!” he exclaimed, pulling a lever down hard as the TARDIS began to groan and lurch through the vortex. “Allons-y!”

A final thud upon landing threw your balance off. As you were sent stumbling, the Doctor reached out and grabbed your arm, pulling him into you as you both fell to the floor. He caught you, just as he always did. Your shared laughs filled the console room as you savoured the moment.

“Come on, up you go,” he grunted as he helped you to your feet. “Off on another adventure, us!” He grinned as he grabbed his overcoat and pulled it over his shoulders, adjusting the collar as he put it on. Once satisfied with how the garment sat, the Doctor held out his hand. His fingers wiggled in invitation. Chestnut eyes sparkled with the excitement of being able to spend time with you.

You loved it.

Fingers now laced, the door to the TARDIS was thrown open. Instead of the beautiful grass and rivers the Doctor had described, you were greeted with what appeared to be a sewer system. A very dirty sewer system.

As the two of you stepped out of the doors, the Doctor looked around with a grimace on his face. “What the-” He was quickly cut off with a low rumble.

A rumble that came from directly above you.

Although you both moved away from the now-noticed pipe above your heads, it was too late. The putrid smell of hot garbage assaulted you as you felt yourself get splashed with the brown mysterious liquid.

“Fucking dammit!” you yelled, lurching away.

The Doctor grabbed your hand, pulling you back into the TARDIS. Your shirt seemed to have gotten the worst of it. Not wanting to continue the contact of the sewage against your skin, you pulled your shirt off and discarded it on the floor of the console room.

“Alright, that was not where I intended to land. Sorry about that.” As the Doctor looked up at you, he froze. Standing before him was your shirtless form, bearing a semi-new tattoo.

The vibrant blue phone box that took up the space on the right side of your torso was beautifully surrounded with a galaxy. In the background, the Earth was able to be made out. 

His feet moved of their own accord. Before either of you knew it, he was standing directly in front of you, staring down at your ribs. “When did you get this done?” the Doctor murmured quietly, his hand coming up to hover above the piece.

You moved your hand up to his, pressing his fingers against your skin. “You can touch, Doctor.” You smiled at how enraptured he was. “I got it the last time we were in America. Probably around three months ago? Did you know that Los Angeles has some pretty amazing tattoo artists?”

“This is brilliant.” The Doctor was in complete and utter awe. “Why haven’t you shown me this before?” He traced circular patterns over the tattoo with the pads of his fingers.

“I don’t know, just…” You trailed off, mind melting at the feel of the skin-to-skin contact. “Wanted to wait for the right time.”

“Well, I love it.” The Doctor wasn’t lying. His eyes were staring into your soul. He loved it.

“Good,” you breathed. He was so close to you — it made it so hard to think.

I love you.

The words caught in your throat.

[sweetflanfiction]

Win-win

Universe: Alice in Borderland Pairing: Kyuma x reader

Disclaimers and Warnings: English not my first language; Sorry for the mistakes and not stealing! Love ya!

----

You hadn’t exactly volunteered to team up with Niragi. However, between that and letting Niragigo with Usagi alone after what had happened at the beach, it was an easy choice of teams. Besides everyone knew that between you and Kuina, either would have him K.O’ed in zero point five seconds. You had done it once, you’d do it again.

You both walked silently along the metal containers, opening and closing metal doors in silence. You kept wishing and hoping he’d keep his mouth shut until you had to go back to base. Your hopes were shattered when you heard him chuckle.

“Funny how things change…” He started and you rolled your eyes.

“Shut up Niragi.” You kept walking.

“No, no. This is fascinating.” He quickened his pace to match yours. “When we got here, you would have begged to stay by my side and now you can’t wait for me to die.”

You clenched your jaw and looked him squarely in the eyes, your chin held up in defiance. 

“When we got here you asked before taking and now you just take.” You tilted your head, reminding him of all the shit he has done since they got to the beach.

“I hope I am not interrupting anything.” A voice could be heard behind you and you immediately turned.

Kyuma was leaning against a container in front of you two, in all his naked glory. You felt Niragi’s hand slap into yours and then heard your bracelet beep, indicating you now had the sum of your points. You groaned as you felt his rough hand in yours, instinctively trying to break contact. Kyuma grinned and walked slowly towards you two.

"Mmm…No, I don’t think I did.” He walked slowly towards you, Niragi’s hand forcefully squeezing yours. You didn’t take his eyes off Kyuma face though. Only his face. “Now, over there is a yellow container. Inside that yellow container is an item box. I will let one of you go and get it.”

He looked straight at Niragi although his body was fully turned towards you.

“Heh? You think I’m willing to let you fool us like that?” Niragi chuckled humorlessly and you tilted your head towards the younger man.

“Go.” You simply said, without taking your eyes off Kyuma.

“What?” Niragi frowned and snapped his head towards you.

“Just fucking go Niragi!” You insisted angrily.

You felt Niragi pull away his hand from yours. 

“Well I hope he fucking zaps you!” He walked away cursing and name calling.

“For someone so broken he sure likes to yell a lot.” Kyuma’s voice almost sounded like a song as he watched the burnt man's back.

“His anger comes from his brokenness.” You contested looking the same way and he hummed. “It doesn’t excuse him for what he has done though.”

“This world is tailor made to make you become the worst version of yourself.” 

You looked back at the very naked man again and grinned.

“I know we are on different teams, but I can’t imagine this being the worst version of you, Kyuma.” 

“My other version wears clothes. According to the norms, that was the correct way to live.” He raised an eyebrow, teasingly and you tried to stifle the chuckle that bubbled up in your throat.

You saw him move towards you and you took a step back, matching his inquisitive look. He took another step towards you and you moved another backwards.

“What about you? Is this your worst version?” He tilted his head, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Before you could stop, your eyes scanned his pecs. You blinked a couple of times and looked up at him, just to see him smiling at you. “Don’t worry, I don’t judge.”

“I’m not worried. I just don’t want to get distracted.” You gave him a wide grin and raised a single eyebrow. “We’re still playing. And no Kyuma, this is not my worst version.”

He laughed and you took a little pride in that. Had this situation been anywhere else, this would have gone very differently, but it wasn’t and your life is still on the line.

Another step forward, another step backward.

“Well, either I’m wrong or you haven't been here long enough.” He casually shrugged and you nodded.

“You’re definitely wrong.” You licked your lips and winked at him. He looked surprised and amused by your answer. “I'll compromise, I don’t think this is my worst version anyway yet. I could be worse.”

His step forward, your step backwards.

“Have you killed anyone?” He asked, without a drop of judgment on his face.

“Yes.”

“Were they deserving?” He tilted his head and you frowned, trying to think of the people that died at your hands.

“I don’t know.”

“Did you have a choice?”

“Most of the time, no.”

"But did you have them other times?" You nodded embarrassedly. “Would you have died if they had lived?”

“Yes.” You looked him dead in the eye.

“Then, I ask again.” Another step. “Is this the worst version of yourself or not?”

You opened your mouth and inhaled. Your focus had shifted from his figure to somewhere behind him, thinking deeply about his question. He was right, you might not be Niragi or the King of Spades wandering around mauling, abusing and killing indiscriminately, only for the thrill of it. But you weren’t a saint. You had helped save some lives, but you had also taken others. You had, at times, taken the easiest path to survival.

Another sure step from him, another uncertain step from you.

“Watch your head.” he said suddenly and his feet took another step towards you.

“Wha- Ow!” You bumped the back of your head on something solid and looked up. A container wall. 

You rolled your eyes and looked away. Letting out a breathy chuckle you shook your head. He had you pinned and it became increasingly difficult to focus on the game instead of focusing on the man in front of you.

He shifted his head to move into your line of vision and you saw him with a smile on his features.

You shut your eyes for a second and took a deep breath. This was still a game and two could play it. 

Straightening your back and lifting your chin you opened your eyes to look up at him. He was close, one step away from you. Although you noted he had left enough room between the two of you for you to run if you wanted. 

Raising an eyebrow, you tried to show your stubbornness. He wanted the points, he'd have to come and get them.

Kyumatook another step and with that he was towering slightly over you. It didn't feel threatening though. Quite contrary, the heat coming from him was more than comfortable. Although at that point, with the lack of space between you two, you were inclined to believe it wasn't just his body heat that was warming your face and body.

He lifted a hand, placed it on the side of your head and leaned into it, leaving the opposite side open, should you choose to leave. You stood your ground, the corners of your mouth mimicking his mischievous expression.

"Now, as the rules state, I have to touch you to get your points." He leaned closer, close enough you could smell his minty breath.

"Get my points?" you asked.

"Well, Arisu is smart but predictable. I think I'll win this one."

You nodded and stood on your tiptoes, bringing your face closer to his. His pupil was large, the brown of his eyes almost invisible. You licked your lips and you saw his part, while his eyes fell to your mouth.

"I don't know about the points…" you raised an eyebrow but didn't move. "But I agreed to the rules."

With a smile on his face he slowly dragged his other arm up and closed your only exit. You side eyed his arm and dry swallowed as you watched the muscles under his skin adjust to his weight as he leaned his full body towards you. You mirrored his movements in the opposite direction.

"It's tragic that one of us has to die for the other to live…" he said as he crushed his lips into yours. 

You grabbed the side of his head and pulled him closer, your mouth opening slightly to welcome his tongue. You felt his hands steady on your hips and he pushed you further into the side of the container. You planted your palm on the middle of his warm back feeling his back muscled move as he leaned into you.

Player team score updated

You felt rather than saw Kyuma laugh. His lips formed a smile as he kept his mouth on yours, both your tongues dancing around each other. 

Both of your bracelets ping, meaning you became inactive. Any further contact would mean a jolt of electricity running through your bodies.

Kyuma broke the kiss first, taking a small step backwards so as not to touch you anymore. You stood still and still leaning into the container. You couldn't help but let the grin spreading across your face.

"Guess I was wrong." Kyuma said, raising his eyebrows and licking his lips.

"We could try this again next round…" you mimicked his expression and started to leave.

"Your points will still be higher than mine." He argued smiling, his eyes never leaving yours, as you walked past him.

"I know."

You heard his laughter as you walked from him towards your base.

[givethemsmut]

The Pack | Chapter Five

Characters: Dylan O’Brien, fem!reader

Pairing: Dylan O’Brien, Dylan x You

With our first date and sex twice under our belt I unlocked my front door knowing my Dad wasn’t home. I had every bad intention as Dylan’s hand laced with mine.

Our house was big but modest, clean, tidy, you could say unlived in. Skipping the tour and immediately showed him my bedroom, leaving him at the threshold of my door. Putting my bag and my jacket down I slipped out of my converse.

Out hungry eyes locked and I could feel every way we wanted round three tickle my body.

Walking into me until my ass hit the edge of my bed, Dylan was leaning over me with his head dipped low enough for our mouths to collide. Our kisses got more intense before he pulled away, whispering, “condom?”

And I shook my head no unable to string letters together with Dylan’s hands roaming my body. Our tongues touched again, “Hey, hey, I need a condom baby. I haven’t relieved myself in awhile…”

I forced myself to whisper back, “My dad’s bathroom maybe.”

He spring up excited, “Where am I going?” I pointed to across the hallways and he left quickly. I took the time to undress myself, both my pants and shirt. I left my undergarments to keep myself covered even tho there wasn’t much material on either. Dylan brought the whole hand full back and I laughed, “We might need them all.”

A boy in my room, the door closed and these undeniable feelings reminded me of Brody while he raided my Dad’s bathroom for condoms. Wrong house but right memories.

At my dad’s it was less artistic and rustic, it was more clean and modern. My sophomore year started off here so there was still plenty of memories exactly ones like this.

P A S T

I rebelled after my mom pasted away. All the ways my friends teased me for being a prude, sober, controlled faded away. Brody was two years ahead of me and was in college when I was finishing high school. My dad had to go out of town to shoot on location in Vegas so Brody invited me to his fraternities annual Date Dash on campus.

Accepting, I gave him a hard time for whatever lame ass thing he did. The frat was judging every move he made as a new pledge, I could feel their eyes on me. Lately, it had been because my mom died and no one knew what to say to me. Instead they would stare.

The house didn’t smell and wasn’t dirty like movies portrayed. Brody showed me around and introduced me to all his brothers before he handed me a cup of vodka and soda.

Two cups later I pulled Brody into the bathroom with me as I sat on the sink pulling him between my legs. He could tell I was drunk as he stayed very stoic. I whispered into his neck, “Fuck me already.”

He drank the rest of His contains in the red solo cup than created distance between us before he said, “You’re drunk, babe. Just try to relax and have fun.” In retrospect I understand he was giving me time to heal but I was reckless then.

Angry, I pushed him away further away as I socialized at the party. One of the brothers, must have been respected and took a liking to me when the eyes finally peeled away like he won the prize.

His hand on my ass he led me to a library where a few scattered brothers were hanging out. Almost hiding. There was a pool table and mini bar in the corner of the room. I swayed to the music as he leaned against the table. kissing my neck just once his husky voice gave me goosebumps, “Take off your top.”

I felt beyond drunk and I wanted to hurt myself to match the pain of losing my mom so I listened. I peeled my tank top off and exposed my white see through bra as I danced against him lap. His hands touched my waist, my legs covered in my black tights and his lips grazed my neck. He asked me, “I saw you with Brody earlier. Do you go here?”

Turning to face him I tossed out a simple response, “Nope.”

His brothers were watching me sway my hips between his legs hoping he’d share. He started to ask another question but all I felt was Brody’s arm pulling me away from the fun. Down the hallway he stopped pushing me roughly against the wall, clearly angry, “What the fuck are you doing?!”

He quickly took off his letterman jacket and forced my body to hide inside.

I bit my lips, “Jealous?”

His hand was on the wall behind me and he leaned in, “Don’t. You’re being reckless. I get why but slow down before you regret shit.”

I shouted back to him, “Regret What? I don’t do anything Brody! I was the perfect kid because she was sick and didn’t need the stress! You’ve wanted to fuck me since high school and when I finally open up my legs you reject me.”

Brody got close to my face, “You wanna have fun? Open your mouth.”

I opened my mouth for Brody to pull out a breath mint and place it on my tongue. He whispered into my ear, “Happy? You’re gonna be high in 10 minuets. Let’s get out of here before you start rapping my brothers.”

He drove back to my dads and we ended up in my room. I laid down watching Brody carefully get undressed and putting his clothes on the chair at my desk. I let his letterman jacket slide off my arms and I started to roll down my tights from under my skirt.

“What are you doing?”

I giggled, high at this point, “Is that a fetish of yours? Tights?”

He kneeled over my body pushing me back while kissing me before he pulled away just enough to say, “You’re so high right now. I can’t take your virginity like that.”

Kissing his neck, dragging my lips as I spoke, “Can’t you make an exception? Pretty please…”

Brody took off his shirt between our bodies, “Where’s that box? Under the bed?” I shook my head yes to the box of condoms, a vibrator and other toys I had hidden away.

He reached for the box as I unzipped my leather skirt and laid back down in my see through bra and panties. He kissed me again, our lips colliding and our hands touching what we could reach. I undid his pants and his big hand gripped mine, stopping me.

I saw the vibrator in his hand turn on to a low hum as he said, “Open these legs baby.”

I opened them as the distance between us left a gap for him to push the toy against my panties. I moaned against his chest whispering, “I don’t want a toy. I want you Brody. Please.”

I was begging as the small gasps left my mouth. He put down the toy to pull my panties down between us. I saw his hands adjust himself through his pants before he kissed my lips again.

He was hurting, controlling himself and his fragile ego that refused to be rejected again.

Feeling the toy push inside me – cold and hard. His body between my legs pushed back to see the toy fuck me as my hips moved to meet the pushes. I begged some more until he took his pants off and got between my legs.

Warm tongues tangling and hungry. I whispered against his lips, “I’m wet enough baby. Please.”

His hips continued to push against mine, humping with his underwear on, “Relax baby. There’s time.

Pushing him down straddling his bulge and ride his lap, “I wanna ride it Brody. Just like this.”

His hands grabbed my hips and kept my hips riding him, “Just like that baby.”

I stopped, burying my hand in his boxer briefs and fishing every hard inch out without him stopping me. I let it lay against my stomach, that’s how hard he was and I kept riding him except this time my wet pussy would glide against me.

I continued to moan as my hips rode him and I stopped again pushing his penis down so I could sit on him. He felt my clit on his tip pushed me down getting between my legs, “Do you know how hard it is to reject you right now? You’re high, drunk and you know… hurting. Not now. Okay?”

I couldn’t believe the guy who has pushed for sex since I was a freshman, the guy who filmed us fooling around and sent it out to our whole school to see he was getting some, didn’t want to have sex with me.

How mortifying to keep suffering loses.

I looked at him, no longer taking no as an answer, “You owe me, Mister I went off to college while I got slut shamed for that video you put out. It only stopped because my mom died.”

His head dropped and his forehead was against my skin as he mumbled, “I told you I took care of that. That was so long ago.”

I kissed his chest slowly, almost begging him, “Besides you can’t be the only guy in the frat not getting any.”

P R E S E N T

Dylan crawled onto the bed getting comfortable between my legs kissing me again. Enough to make my head-spin. When I felt his hand touch my panties and I jumped a little, “Hey, it’s okay. It’s just me.”

He took my hand and placed my own hand on his hand on, allowing me to explore himself. “You haven’t explored. The last two times was just straight sex. I want you to see what I’m gonna put between your legs.”

I unzipped the zipper on his pants and undid the belt, gently and slowly, pulling his underwear down letting his cock fall out. I looked up and he was biting his lip as he watched.

Stroking it a few times watching his face turn from pleasure to ecstasy as I lowered my lips to the tip of him. Pushing my lips down I felt his thickness bully my mouth into opening wider.

He was trying not to moan too much when I glanced up at his tortured features forcing him to bite his own lip.

“God I love your mouth but I don’t wanna cum yet,” his husky voice was out of breath when I felt his hands urge me to stand up. Dragging my panties down off my legs, his lips kissed my thighs, worshipping every inch of me.

“I found your spot. Right here.”

His lips kissed closer to my pussy, right inside my thigh when I felt the butterflies turn into paperweights inside of me.

“What are you doing?” I knew but I was sure I was comfortable with it.

Standing up he leaned over me, kissing my chest. “I was gonna lick your clit but if you aren’t comfortable I won’t.”

Every dirty word only made the mess between my legs worse. “I’m too wet…” I had no excuse that made sense when those words slipped from my mouth.

“Too wet?” He smirked in a devilish way, “I love how wet you get for me.”

Laying back, Dylan’s tongue slipped against my slip sending my head back and my back to curve. Suckling my clit, I couldn’t help but moan and my hips lost control even with his hands pinning me down.

Dylan pulled away just enough to pull his shirt off and push his pants the rest of the way down. Scooping my bra off I let him look me over. Our eyes met before we kissed again, something about him was innocent, pure like I could trust him.

He kept kissing me, crawling on the bed, as he settled between my legs. Pinning my knee to his hip he slipped the condom on himself. Hovering over me before I felt him push inside me, stretching and filling me so much I felt light headed.

He let out a deep relieving sound followed by a small fuck under his breath that I hung to. I was melting against him in every way. My eyes closed the whole time until he whispered, “Hey, you okay?”

Peeling my eyes open I whispered against his lips, “Is it always suppose to be like this?”

Dylan kept pushing, laughing and smirking, “Suppose to be… fuck… but we’re puzzles. Sometimes people don’t fit like us.”

I was shaking and I could feel it building inside me. “Dylan, I’m gonna cum omg.”

“Come for me, baby.”

I could feel him breathing heavily against me and my legs shaking as I came all over him. The second I felt his hand hold my hips down against his mattress he came inside me.

I could feel the warmth rush inside me, coating my walls and my lungs finally exhale. Dragging his lips against me as he showered me in his recovering breath.

The best moment was followed by a protective parent who never knocked because there was no reason to. My door creaked open while he looked down at his phone, “Hey, hon, you awake? I’m back.”

I was mortified beyond belief while my dad kept standing there staring at Dylan. “Dylan. Don’t you have work tomorrow? Are you prepared?”

Neither of us could move without being exposed. “Dad! Get out! Both naked!”

He slowly left with the door cracked like it would stop any funny business. Dylan died laughing, “Am I prepared?” He couldn’t help but crack up in-between words. “Your dad is funny.” He grabbed my hand, “Hey. You wanna come to set tomorrow? Keep me company between scenes?”

I smiled, smitten with him, “Sure, I’d love to. Stay the night? My bed is big enough. I’ll lock my door.”

He pulled on his boxer briefs and got comfortable stealing my remote for the tv. I laughed before sneaking down stairs to grab us snacks. My dad was in the kitchen, having take out, “Thanks for the warning kid.”

I bit down on my smile, embarrassed too, “I thought you had a meeting.”

He stood up, “Then it ended. He left already?”

I shook my head, “He’s gonna stay over. I’m gonna go with him tomorrow. He says it’s a big day.”

My dad looked through his bag handing me a copy of the episode script, “Sure are, it’s huge for him and the character. Emotional scenes. Don’t distract him. Give him the damn script. I know he isn’t ready.”

I was curious so I peaked before bringing the snacks back. He basically goes crazy in the show. I couldn’t imagine, he’s so funny and bright. I wasn’t even convinced he could be mean or crazy. I arrived back at my room with tons of snacks and handed him the script, “Did you read it?”

I shook my head getting comfy, “Seems intense. Nervous?”

He thumbed through the pages, “Nah. I got this. Just wanna be sure I hit my marks, I move around a lot and it annoys your Dad actually.”

I read the script dirtying down to a steamy scene, “Steamy. A sex scenes?”

He looked at it again, “That’s kissing. I told them no sex scenes. I refused.” After he had it in his hands he paced, reading to himself but making gestures like learning a dance.

It was almost ten PM so I put on Gilmore Girls, one of my favorite shows while he paced. Finally, fourth-five minuets later I offered to read with him. “Really? You would?”

I took the script from him, “Who am I reading? Lydia?”

[lklvz]

Sunday

5 minute Solo chat with Adam

Buckle up besties. This was a JOURNEY

Today I wore my Adam Rodriguez Eras Tour shirt that I made. It had some of my favourite characters of his on it!

When I booked the Sunday solo i KNEW id be overwhelmed on the Saturday and wanted to make sure I wasn't a fucking sook when talking to him.

Past me was so spot on because i was CHILL as fuck.

I walk in and smile at him, filled with so much confidence “Hellllllo gorgeous"

he stands up BEAMING from ear to ear, with his arms out ready for a hug.

"DANNI! i /love/ the shirt!"

he asked if he could take a photo of it....

like,. what,, did i.. did i hear that correctly you

YOU WANT A PHOTO OF ME....... I LIVE IN THAT MANS CAMERA ROLL>???>>

IS THE POPE A CATHOLIC?????, Y E S YOU CAN TAKE A PHOTO WTF.

I tell him that the shirt represents my two favourite things,

" there's only two things i love more than my husband, and thats Taylor Swift, and you."

he laughed and said "and he just accepts that??" to which i replied. "he knows his place"

I told him how he encouraged me to take this trip because he knew just how much it meant to me.

he started talking about finding your Person and how wonderful it is when you connect and click with the One . how nothing made sense until he met his wife. hes sucha fucking softie. i CANNOT😭😭

he asked if he remembered correctly that IM from Melbourne. he mentioned his author friend and recommended i read the book he published. I told him id hunt it down (it arrived today!) (shantaram by Gregory David Roberts )

I asked him if he had any tattoos after he pointed mine out. he told me theres two reasons why he doesnt.

1) he knows that if he starts, he wont be able to stop, and that hed need to keep the canvas even (if he got one on his chest hed have to match it on the other side) 2) he doesnt want to have to spend 45 minutes in the make up chair everyday getting them covered up. he LOVES rolling into work right when he needs to be there so he does not want to have to get there early to get them covered up. And TBH he’s so real for that.

We spoke about Magic Mike and how he still keeps in contact with the guys, he spoke about how Channing called him up and asked if he wanted to be in the movie. He said that he worked with him previously before he was a Big Star and I was like “yeah he was in an epnof CSI Miami” and he stares at me “yeah, you knew that?… HOW did you know that” and me trying to remain as composed as possible managed to say “I know you” as if that’s not the most creepy thing I could have said. But he seemed endeared by it.

We were running out of time and he starts yapping away again before turning to the nice helper lady who was trying to gently and kindly keep us on schedule and asked if we were out of time. And she was like “we are already late at the moment” and Adam slaps the table and goes “well if we’re already late then that’s fine! She came all the way from Australia! We can give her more time!”

The helper lady did ask if she could take a photo of us for the socials and like who am I to deny them that? 😂😂

I told him that he was the only reason I watched Magic Mike. I had no interest in watching male strippers then I found out he was in it and just had to watch it.

He laughed and asked what I thought of it and I’m pretty sure I moaned instead of articulating anything.

He told me he loved working on it and had fun with it.

Five minutes really does go FAST when you’re yapping but he really was so damn easy to talk to.

The way he apologised to me for rambling away about something as if I would ever tell him to shut up. I told him I didn’t care what we talked about. That this was more than I could ever ask for.

He couldn’t believe I flew all that way and he hoped that it was worth it. Like BABES 🙈 my name was in your mouth. It was worth it.

We took our selfies and he held my phone as he snapped a handful of them for me.

As I went to move away (RELUCTANTLY) he PULLED me back in. And said

“Nah, come on, a few more, gimme a big smile” 🫠🫠

As I was leaving, Kirsten’s two friends (who were sitting in on the Kirsten solo chats) shouted out to me “show us the shirtttttttt”

I’m pretty sure I was dead again at this point I barely remember any of the garvez QnA that followed right after this.

@darcyfangirlsfrequently already knows all this but I’m tagging them again, anyway.

Bonus:

[sailorsenshishitposter]

Dante x Reader

In which you are the pizza delivery man. Enjoy.

It was 3 AM and you had no idea why you couldn't just go home already. You worked at a pizza joint that the higher ups insisted on having open 24/7. You were on the night shift but you were so bored. After all, who orders food at this time of night? You were fiddling on your phone while your boss came in, surprising you.

It turns out that some mad man actually had requested delivery so you would need to head out once the order was finished being prepared. Twenty minutes later and you grabbed your coat along with the pizza box. "They don't pay me enough for this..." You entered your car and looked down at the handwritten note. "Who the hell doesn't even give an address? I'm supposed to drive all over Red Grave to find some place called Devil May Cry?"

You groaned. This would be a long night. Fourty five minutes of driving and you realized that the place must be in the bad part of town. "No wonder the guy didn't give an address. Who wants to get mugged or stabbed? I better make this quick!" Luckily you kept a pocket knife on you just in case a situation should arise. Another twenty minutes and you finally saw the giant, neon sign.

You glanced at the street to make sure you weren't going to be attacked by some crack head and end up on a world star video. "All clear." You were somewhat relived. "Now to get this over with so I can go home!" You made your way to the door and knocked. No response. "You've gotta be kidding me!"

You went to bang again this time but the door opened and your fist collided with a huge chest. It was so squishy that the recoil knocked your arm backwards, causing you to punch yourself in the face. "You okay man?" You waited for stars to leave your vision so you could get a good look at whatever the hell you just hit. It seemed to be a man in his fourties maybe? You weren't exactly sure how old but his hair was already gray.

He then woke you out of your thoughts. "Oh man. Is that a black eye? I've got some ice if you want it." You shook your head and told him you were fine. You would just be happy as soon as this nightmare was over. "My names Dante by the way." Dante? The same Dante who frequently called up your work over fifty times per week? The employees shuddered whenever they had to slave over another one of his exhausting orders.

"No olives right?" You remembered the last time a coworker accidentally added that ingredient. It's been three months since they were last seen. You opened up the box hesitantly and prayed to every God you could think of. You eventually opened your eyes. Thank God it was just pepperoni. "No olives sir."

You calculated his total and then told him the amount due. "Look, here's the thing. I don't really have money right now. Can I pay you some other way?" Now you were pissed. Who the hell orders food without any money! You then felt your hand be pressed to Dante's Tarzan style. That's when you finally took notice of what he had been wearing. A red thong with a matching velvet, bath robe.

He then started palming your crotch with his other hand. "Now that I think about it, I'd like to add some sausage to my order if you know what I mean..." You were too stunned to move or speak. "I thought this shit only happened in movies!" Just before he could continue, you heard a loud scream from upstairs. "DANTE I SWEAR ON MOTHER'S GRAVE THAT I WILL STAB YOU AGAIN IF YOU DON'T STOP HARASSING THE DELIVERY BOYS! NOW SHUT UP AND LET ME ENJOY WILLIAM BLAKE IN PIECE!"

More shouting soon followed. "HE'S DOING IT AGAIN! HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TEACH YOU THIS LESSON OLD MAN!" Soon Dante was being dragged away by a younger man who coincidentally also had the same hair colour. He pulled out a robotic arm somehow (you weren't sure why you were still surprised at this point) and switched it with a can of raid.

"FUCK YOU!" Soon Dante was knocked out and laying unconscious on the floor. The younger man then took notice of you. "Shit, sorry about that. How much did he owe you?" He soon pulled out a wad of cash that was at least three times the size of the bill. The man looked at you with a face that said "please don't call the cops!" He shut the door and you went back to your car, trying to process the events you just witnessed. You were never going to be able to enjoy pizza again.

[grineerios]

Show us your knifeholder. Show us the sonboy. I must witness your Kullervo. Please /wheezing from my death bed

oh no.

OKAY SO- Daggers McTraumaboy has gone through *lots* of iterations. As I'm pretty sure I complained to you at one point, I had a hell of a time finding a look I liked.

Uh, enjoy a quick (hahaha, in your dreams) history of my Kullervo, I guess!

I wasn't super into Kullervo until I decided, "Eh, fuck it-" and tried him on the Circuit. I didn't initially like his design, and I didn't really know what his abilities were. Yeah, that time I took him on the Circuit? Instantly hooked. I was nervous about using a shieldless warframe, but when I learned Recompense could heal him, it was all over. I remember going ballistic to my friends when I discovered his Overguard.

Alright, cosmetics time.

Kullervo 1.0- Technically my first foray into Captura too, I just slapped a white Orowyrm's Rage sigil onto his chest, like I do to most of my frames. No alterations to his colors.

Kullervo 2.0- A few hours later, I settled on my first color scheme for Kullervo. A very dark blue, and a slightly lighter dark blue, with bright gold accent. Very pretty- except, in all lights the blue looked weird. It looked more like a faded black than a blue.

Kullervo 3.0- Next iteration of Kullervo lasted a bit longer, dubbed Orokinlervo. I'm pretty sure anyone who's had five minutes with Kullervo gave him a white and gold color scheme. I think I still have this one saved, but I don't really use it. No Orowyrm Sigil, for lore reasons when I was playing with the idea of having Kullervo be Callan's frame. (We've all been there, Duviri frame for Duviri Drifter.)

Kullervo 3.5- I discovered I could pull the knives out of him! Great success! :D I assigned my newly-hatched Helminth Charger, Orchid, to him.

(Apparently, I also made my weapons white and gold to match him.)

Kullervo 4.0- Unhappy with blue, I made him grey and gold instead. Like blue, there was a certain je ne sais que about the colors that rubbed me the wrong way, but I decided that Kullervo just wasn't a frame that looked good outside of his default colors. I thiiink I tweaked his energy(?) color a bit? Orowyrm Sigil and knives are back!

Kullervo 5.0- Fuck it, back to the default colors, screw having a custom look. (Save for the ubiquitous Orowyrm sigil.)

Kullervo 6.0- ...mmm but what if black and gold?? Gold is less intense now.

For the next little while, I rotated between the white and gold (knives out), the black and gold (knives out), and his default colors (knives in).

Kullvero 7.0! What I'd consider to be the direct ancestor to my current look. Two-tone grey, with silver. I changed his energy to be void-green. Knives stayed in.

Kullervo 7.5- Converted my first lich and got her ephemera, so added void-green vengeful shock ephemera!

Kullervo 7.6- Thought "hmm, gold is pretty" before slapping myself on the wrist and remembering that I hated how it looked. This one wasn't bad per se, I just. Lighting hates dark blue on Kullervo.

Kullervo 8.0 - Settled on mid-dark grey and silver. I was going for a Void Angel-inspired look, so I set my sights on the Seraphayre Ephemera from the Holdfasts. I disliked how the Orowyrm Sigil looked on his chest, so it got moved to his back, between his shoulders!

Kullervo 8.1- While I gained standing with the Holdfasts, I made the Fog of War ephemera and used that in the meantime.

Kullervo 9.0- Know how I said lighting hates dark blue and gold on Kullervo? I don't know how or why but I got it to look good on him. At long, long last. Ditched the Ephemera while Seraphayre was cooking. It was a tough choice, but I settled on taking his knives out once more. Also got the Vaenn skin as a treat to myself from selling prime bits to clanmates. (We had a running joke about the "Kullervo Big Sword Fund")

Kullervo 9.1- My current Kullervo! I'm super happy with how he looks- save for the black stuff on his face. (Unfortunate side effect of the Seraphayre Ephemera, but I really like the gold extensions it gives his armor.)

So that's it! A brief history of my struggle with Kullervo's colors. It's been. A ride.

[garebearandnan]

‘Meet Your Match’ Challenge

SUMMARY: The new couples get settled in, but cracks are already starting to appear. The Islanders take part in a compatibility challenge called, ‘Meet your Match’. Day 10 in the Villa.

NOTE: This challenge is similar to Love Island TV show, S4 UK & S2 AU. The girls are tasked with ranking the boys from who they're most to least compatible by placing a heart-face emoji 😍 on the most compatible and a sad face on the least compatible. 😢

END NOTE: Special thanks to sparxaf for their insightful comments on Lottie and Ibrahim’s compatibility: "Okay, so Lottie took the most time for me to consider, but what I really looked at was whimsy. If there's anyone who would indulge in her new-age tea reading and stuff, I feel like it would be Rahim. Also, she likes a guy who is a little jealous, and Rahim has that on lock. He also likes a clingy girl. He likes a strong woman who takes charge of the relationship, but he also wants to know she's fully into him. He likes to spoil his partners and shower them with gifts, which I suspect Lottie has never experienced before since she dates lad types who hurt her. She's the type who'll take well to being spoiled."

Iain Stirling: It’s time for a challenge, and this one’s called ‘Meet Your Match.’ When our Islanders applied, they filled out detailed questionnaires. We have shamelessly stolen a load of confidential information from the  questionnaires for ‘The Compatibility Test’. (It's all the rage right now.) And ran it through a complex algorithm on the Love Island supercomputer. Nay, okay, we showed it to Andy the Intern. And he ranked the five boys with each girl in terms of compatibility. The girls will take turns trying to rank the boys in order of their compatibility. Marisol will play host as each girl tries to match the algorithm.

Marisol: Right, Priya, you’re up first.

Iain Stirling: They’ll place a love heart emoji on the boy she thinks is most compatible with them, and a sad face emoji on the least compatible boy. She will then arrange the rest of the boys.

Priya stood up and walked across the decking. She raised her sunglasses on the top of her head.

Priya: Rahim, you go first because we like to travel and we like the same food.

Priya places the love heart emoji on her partner, Ibrahim. 😍

Priya: Sorry, Gary, we just don’t work as a couple. She places the sad face emoji over Gary’s shoulders. 😢 Gary laughs.

The boys move around in the line. Her first attempt, most compatible to least compatible: Ibrahim, Noah, Lucas, Bobby, Gary.

Iain Stirling: When she gets a boy in the right position, he steps back. Each girl gets one point for every boy she gets in the right place.

Marisol: Gary is correct.

He stepped back.

Priya: Ibrahim, you need to move down one. (giggles)

Priya wanted to put Noah in her number one spot, but she panicked and thought it would be too good to be true, so she swapped him for Bobby at the last minute. “Bobby and Noah switch.”

Marisol: Ok, we’re locked in.

Her second attempt, most compatible to least compatible: Lucas, Ibrahim, Bobby, Noah, Gary

Marisol: Bobby is correct. So, step back.

Priya turned her head to gaze at Bobby, a grin flickering on her lips as she did so. Bobby smiles and steps back.

Marisol: Ibrahim is correct.

Beach Hut (BH) Priya: “I feel like I did okay. Ibrahim was in my top two.”

Priya: Ooh, all right. OK. Noah, you go up there.

Hope rolled her eyes, in annoyance. The estate agent puts Noah first, and Lucas gives him the love heart emoji. 😍

Hope mumbles, “What the fuck?”

Everyone looks at Hope in complete stillness. She stares off toward the pool for a brief moment while biting her lower lip. Bloody hell.

Oh, shit. Grace: Babe, it's OK. It’s just a challenge. They’re meant to test us and stir up shit.

BH Hope: “You don’t like seeing that, y’know. I know it’s a challenge but I can’t help it.”

Her third attempt, from most compatible to least compatible: Noah, Ibrahim, Bobby, Lucas, Gary.

Marisol: So, we've got Noah at number one and Ibrahim at number two. Bobby number three. Lucas number four. And Gary, number six.

A bright smile spreads across Priya’s face. An intake of breath from Hope as she seemed dumbfounded by the results. Noah is obviously taken aback, as evidenced by the awkward shifting of his weight on his feet.

Priya: Real matching.

Iain Stirling: Every time a girl needs to re-jig the order, she gets a mark. The girl with the least marks wins.

Priya’s eyes were bright, and she gave off an appearance that she was suppressing a giggle.

BH Hope: She rolls her eyes. “It’s just a bunch of algorithms. Numbers lie. Priya can have the piece of paper all she wants; she can’t do anything with it.”

BH Priya: “Hope wasn't very happy about that one. It was quite funny seeing her squirm a bit when Noah was my number one.”

Iain Stirling: After three attempts, Priya got the order right with Gary the least compatible and Noah the most. Marisol is up next.

Marisol puts her hands on her hips, looking the boys up and down.

Marisol: OK. So… Lucas, stay where you are.

BH Marisol: “I mean, he’s also bloody gorgeous. So…” She laughs.

Marisol: Ibrahim, I’m gonna pop you right down the end, just cos we’ve already learned you’re not my type.

She places the sad face emoji 😢 on Ibrahim.

Her first attempt, from most compatible to least compatible: Lucas, Noah, Gary, Bobby, and Ibrahim.

Bobby says to Marisol: “You didn’t even give me the full inspection. Maybe you think you’ve got me all figured out, but I’ve got a surprise or two up my sleeve.”

Grace: So, none are correct.

Marisol: None?

BH Bobby: “Don’t know why she was so surprised. The whole villa knows that Marisol doesn't really know what she wants. She's a bit all over the place with what she wants in a guy.”

Iain Stirling: Grab some popcorn, people; this could take some time.

Marisol: OK! Lucas and Noah swap. Bobby and Ibrahim swap.

Marisol: I think Gary can go at the bottom because we clearly don't get on as a couple.

She places the sad face emoji 😢 over his shoulders.

Marisol: Alright, Noah, you go up. Erm… Because we just… It’s super easy to chat to him.

Noah: I reckon so.

Her second attempt for most compatible to least: Noah, Bobby, Ibrahim, Lucas, Gary.

Grace: None correct.

Marisol: Bloody hell. This may come as a surprise to me and some of you, but… I’m gonna go Bobby first.

Gary: Oi! Bobby is moving it up.

Noah hands him the love heart emoji. 😍

Her third attempt from most to least: Bobby, Ibrahim, Lucas, Gary, Noah.

Grace: Noah is correct. You can step back.

BH Marisol: “I was so shit at that game. I'm literally guessing now.”

Marisol: Ooh, all right. OK. Gary you go up there.

Gary: Whoa! What?

Gary swaps with Bobby, and he places the love heart emoji on. 😍

Her third attempt from most to least: Gary, Lucas, Ibrahim, Bobby, Noah

Grace: Gary and Lucas. Please step back, because you are in the perfect position.

Gary looks at you, and then his eyes flick to Marisol. Gary thinking, This is awkward as fuck.

BH Grace: “No girl wants to see the boy she likes and the girl he used to be coupled up with have him rank as her most compatible.”

Marisol: Bobby and Ibrahim, swap.

Marisol’s order from most to least : Gary, Lucas, Bobby, Ibrahim, and Noah.

Grace: All correct. It took five attempts to get it right, so your most compatible was Gary. And your least compatible was Noah.

BH Marisol: "That was very interesting! I mean he's the type of guy I typically go for so I shouldn't really be surprised."

Marisol: That was a stitch-up.

Iain Stirling: It’s no ‘stitch-up. Andy, the Intern numbers were audited by Ben, the Intern. Lottie is up next.

Lottie strutted right up to the line of boys and smiled flirtatiously at Gary.

Grace (thinking): I think I’m going to be sick. At least Marisol seemed surprised that Gary was her most compatible.

Lottie: I’ll just get straight into it. Gary, stay put. You do my bloody head in.

You side-eyed Lottie in annoyance. For fuck's sake.

Gary mutters, under his breath: Oh, fuck.

Lottie: I’m not trying to cut your grass!

Lottie grinned at you, but you could sense the condescending tone behind it A collective inhale of breath as the Islanders take in what she means. You force a half-smile and chew your lip. Ugh. Dick move. Your gaze briefly drifted toward Gary as you sought to measure his reaction. Gary shifts uncomfortably.

BH Gary: “I couldn’t look Grace in the eyes when that happened. So I was just like… Fuck!”

You felt a tinge of annoyance burning in the back of your head. A crease appeared in the space between your brows, but the rest of your face remained calm. You wait at the edge of your seat for her to finish.

BH Lottie: “Grace probably wouldn’t be ecstatic that Gary was my first pick. It is what it is.” She smirks.

Lottie: Ok, sorry, Rahim. I’m going to go with Rahim last.

She places the sad face emoji 😢 on Ibrahim and moves the other boys around.

Lottie: Bobby second. Bobby’s a beautiful soul that I’m glad I met in the Villa, but not on paper is what I… envisioned myself.

Bobby: Oi! You have to meet me in the flesh, eh?

Her first attempt for most compatible to least compatible: Gary, Bobby, Noah, Lucas, Ibrahim.

Marisol: Bobby, you are right!

Lottie: Seriously?

Grace (thinking): I’m trying not to gloat. I knew Gary wouldn’t be her top one. She’s too over the top for him.

Marisol: That is your first attempt gone, hun. Please step back, Bobby.

Lottie: Rahim, number four. Lucas and Noah swap.

Ibrahim hands Lucas the sad face emoji. 😢The boys shift around. Second attempt most compatible to least: Noah, Bobby, Gary, Ibrahim, Lucas.

Marisol: So, Gary and Lucas are correct. Step back.

GIRLS: Ooh!

Lottie: Rahim and Noah swap. Oh wow.

She looks a little unsure. Ibrahim moves to the front of the line. Noah gives him the emoji. 😍

Marisol: All correct. So, we've got Bobby at number two. Gary number three. Noah number four. You're most compatible with Ibrahim. And your least compatible was Lucas.

BH Ibrahim: “I don’t know what computer you guys are using. I don’t know how it all works, but, for some reason, myself and Lottie are… seem to be compatible.”

BH Lottie: “Rahim was right up there, and I just don’t know about that one. Hm.”

Iain Stirling: After three attempts, Lottie got the order right  with Ibrahim in top and partner Bobby in second. Next to work at her lineup is Grace.

Grace (thinking): I’ve only got a few seconds to decide. I know it’s happened fast, but it’s really how I feel. 

“Right. Let’s do this.” You clear your throat and start. You glance seductively at Gary and bite your lip.He winks at you. “Okay. Gary, of course, your number one,” you say with a glistening wide smile as you place over his shoulders the love heart emoji. 😍 Gary gives you a wide, brilliant smile. “And the least… I’m so sorry Noah,” you said as she put the sad face emoji on him. 😢

BH Noah: He slaps the sad emoji face he’s holding in his hand. “Right down the bottom there. Pretty dismal effort by me, that round.”

You decide to put Bobby second.

Grace: He’s an amazing human being, and I’m really lucky to have him as a friend. 

Gary gives Bobby a high five. You put Ibrahim third, which meant Lucas was your second least compatible partner. The boys shift around.

Grace: It has to be that, then.

Your order from most compatible to least compatible is: Gary, Bobby, Ibrahim, Lucas, Noah.

Marisol: Ok, happy with that?

Grace: I think so.

Marisol reads out from the board your order of compatibility. “Number one, Gary.”

Gary: Alright!

He breaks out into a huge grin as Hope and Priya let out whoops. Lottie looks down at her feet like she doesn’t know what to say.

BOYS: Oh!

BH Grace: “Oh, my god, this is perfect. Eh! Like, it makes me feel so good and so, like, relaxed.”

Marisol: Number two… Bobby.

BOYS: Ooh!

Marisol: Number three… Ibrahim.

BOYS: Ah!

Marisol: Number four, Lucas. And number five, Noah.

You jump up and down, beaming. “Yay!” Your heart burst with happiness as you met Gary’s big smile.

BOYS: Whoop. Cheering and clapping.

Gary: Nailed it, babe.

BH Gary: "Yes, I'm really buzzing how the challenge went and to get to know Grace better in our couple."

BH Grace: “That was actually really fun and interesting. Like, I’m… pretty good on stuff like that, so I just knew who my top two would be, like easy.”

Iain Stirling: Grace has taken the lead after getting all of the boys in order in just one attempt. Last to pick is Hope.

Hope: I'll be gutted if we are least compatible. (She points to Noah.) That will play on my mind. Who knows what I’m letting myself in for… 

ALL: LAUGHTER

Hope: Noah, come to the front. I really hope this is right, you know.

Noah: So do I. 

Noah smiles shyly.

Hope: We have been getting on, haven't we, Noah?

Hope takes the love emoji off Gary and places it on Noah. 😍 She stands on her tiptoes and gives Noah a sweet kiss on the cheek.

Hope: This better be right. (She giggles.)

Hope’s first attempt from most compatible to least: Noah, Lucas, Gary, Bobby, Ibrahim.

Iain Stirling: As Marisol reveals if any of Hope’s rankings are correct, get ready for an ‘Ooh!’

Marisol: None correct.

Her mouth dropped open. Hope shook her head in disbelief.

ALL: Ooh!

Bobby: Told you something was coming. 

Hope furrowed her brow as she looked at him. Is he trying to wind me up?

Bobby: Just put Gary to the front, I think.

ALL: LAUGHTER

Hope cringed, but her smile stayed plastered on her face.

BH Hope: “No way. Like, no way.”

Hope: Noah, just move down one. Swap with Lucas. That surely must be right.

Noah: Cheers, man. (He handed Lucas the heart.)  😍 Ibrahim and Bobby swap. Gary to the bottom. No Bobby. 😢

Bobby: It was never gonna work with us H. sorry.

Hope’s second attempt, from most compatible to least compatible: Lucas, Noah, Ibrahim, Gary, Bobby.

BH Hope: “I just think Bobby is hilarious, but we’re complete opposites.”

Marisol: Happy?

Hope: I don’t know.

As Hope continued to ponder her ranking, she started to get more worried. There was an awkward silence.

Marisol: Lucas is correct. None of the others are.

Hope looks at Noah, grabs the side of her head, and moans. Her eyes flitted over toward Noah, gauging his reaction but he had his normal stoic expression plastered in place.

Hope: Ibrahim and Noah swap.

Ibrahim pats Noah on the back.

BH Noah: “I started in the Premier League in Hope's, and I went down in the conference very quickly.”

Bobby: Awe. Poor old Noah.

Hope: This is stressful. Maybe I want to sit this one out?

Hope turns to you, worry in her eyes.

Grace: You can do this, babe.

Hope: Okay… I can do this! Gary, you should swap with Bobby. 

Gary: Poor old me.

Hope bursts out laughing. A couple of people follow suit.

Hope: I feel really shit. (She sighs.) Noah, move down one again.

BH Bobby: “It was quite funny at first when I saw, like, Noah slipping down the line. But then I'm actually thinking, are they really compatible?”

Hope’s third attempt, from most compatible to least compatible: Lucas, Bobby, Noah, Ibrahim, Gary.

Marisol: Noah is correct. Gary is correct.

Hope: Drop me out? But Rahim is so different.

Lottie hid her laughter by covering her mouth, but her eyes sparkled over her hand as she chuckled.

Ibrahim: Oh! (He shifted awkwardly.)

BH Grace: “Hope was like, ‘What?’ And I think, sort of, everyone was like, ‘What?’”

Hope: Oh my days! This challenge is doing my head in! (She grabs her cheeks with both hands and shakes her head). That was Noah’s worst nightmare to happen as well.

ALL: LAUGHTER

Ibrahim pats Noah on the shoulders.

Marisol: So, we’ve got Ibrahim at number two. Noah number three. Bobby number four. And, Gary number five. All correct. That took four attempts. And you're most compatible is Lucas.

There is a moment of silence as you all digest the results. 

ALL: APPLAUSE

BH Noah: (He laughs.) “Start at the top, work my way down. You know. Just slid down casually.”

Noah: We are still compatible, Duck! Don't worry.

He smiled at her in a way that was reassuring.

BH Hope: “Surely, youse didn’t pay for that test? You’re joking.”  She is holding the love emoji face. 😍 “This is Noah. This is what should have gone around his neck. But didn’t.”

Hope gave Noah a flirty smile. "I will make it up to you later, babe." Hope giggles. Noah blushes.

BOYS: Woah!

Iain Stirling: With Hope scoring four points,  It leaves Grace in pole position.

Marisol: So, the winner is Grace, who did it in one attempt. Well done!

The other Islanders are cheering and clapping for you. Gary’s face breaks into a massive grin. You squeal happily and throw your arms around his neck and he wraps his big, muscly arms around your waist and squeezes you back.

Hope walks over to Noah. He pulls her in for a hug.

Hope: We’re totally compatible, babe.

Noah: I clearly don't like you, and you don't like me. 

They both laugh. She beams up at him, thinking: Why is he so perfect?

Hope: Aww.

BH Hope: “I think that the compatibility test is rigged. If they think we ain't compatible, they must be blind.”

Iain Stirling: Hope is stressing because, surprisingly, Noah was not ranked as her most compatible partner in the challenge. Andy, the intern, I've got one thing to say to you: top work, fella.

“Are you OK, babe?” You reach for Hope's hand and give it a squeeze. She squeezed back. Hope mumbled, “Hm…” 

“I was just looking over here, and you looked upset.”

“So that’s…” Hope tried to get words out of her mouth. “It is just shit, isn't it?”

“It's not as deep as you think. It was just a challenge. We don’t know what information they used,” you said trying to give Hope some reassurance.

Hope added, “No, no, I'm fine. I’m just…. if it is right, I'm interested, like, not even like, um… The boxes that we checked.”

BH Hope: “I guess this is a little test for me and Noah because things have been going well. Do you know what I mean? We will see what happens. Hopefully, he’s not upset. But it works both ways, doesn’t it?”

After the game winds down, everyone wanders off to do their own thing. The Islanders are having fun in the sun, but as ever, there are plenty of twists and turns in store. Over by the pool, Noah and Lucas are shirtless, testing the water.

Lucas states, “I think something nuts is going to go on tonight.”

Noah nodded in agreement. “It is going to be weird, the atmosphere after, innit?” Noah added, “This is a bit of a head spinner.”

[iamvegorott]

Ink Month 2023 Day 18

Games

“Mortal Kombat?” Bing asked as he held up the game case.

“Sounds good.” Chase nodded, getting the controllers out and using one of them to turn the counsel on as well. The TV had already been buzzing with static and now showed the counsel’s menu screen, waiting for the game to get inserted. 

“Ready for me to kick your ass?” Bing asked with a smug smirk, putting the game disc in. 

“Oh? You think you’re kicking my ass?” Chase scoffed, waiting until Bing’s hands were empty before tossing one of the controllers to him. “You’ll be kissing mine after I leave you in the dust.”  He added as he sat on the couch. 

“You want me to kiss your ass? Didn’t know you were into that, Brody~”  Bing teased, sitting with Chase. 

“Hah, hah, you’re hilarious.” Chase rolled his eyes, unable to help that there was now a tint of pink to his cheeks.

“I’ll be funnier while getting a perfect k.o.” Bing didn’t notice the blush and took over being player one, choosing his fighter without much thought. 

“Don’t get too cocky, I’m pretty sure I won last time.” Chase clicked his tongue, picking his fighter as well. 

“Pretty sure you cheated.” Bing clicked his tongue back, leaning forward as the match counted down. 

“Fuck you, I cheated.” Chase huffed with a chuckle. 

“You totally did, dude. Had your ass in my way and everything.” Bing squinted slightly as he concentrated on the fight while talking at the same time. 

“Can we stop talking about my ass for five seconds?” Chase playfully nudged Bing with an elbow. 

“Not if your ass starts trying to cheat again.” Bing nudged Chase back. 

“My ass isn’t doing anything but sit on this couch.” Chase had a smile as he bumped his shoulder against Bing’s. 

“Lies and slander.” Bing laughed and leaned over, putting part of his body in Chase’s way. 

“Oh, so I’m the cheater while you’re blocking me? Nah, bro, this is how you do that.” Chase slipped past Bing and now stood in front of him, preventing Bing from seeing the TV. 

“You little shit.” Bing laughed. 

“Can’t hear you over me winning.” Chase sang, wiggling his hips and, in turn, basically shaking his ass in Bing’s face. 

“Now you’re a big shit.” Bing tossed his controller aside and hopped to his feet, snatching Chase’s out of his hands. 

“Dude! Give that back!” Chase went on his toes when Bing held the controller in the air. Bing only had a few inches on Chase, but it was enough to have Chase trying to use his shoulder to try to boost himself up. 

“Cheaters don’t get controllers.” Bing stuck his tongue out. 

“Is that why you got rid of yours?” Chase scrunched his nose and stuck the tip of his tongue out, too. 

“I have a point to-” Bing didn’t get to finish his protest as he stepped back and ended up fumbling over his own feet and falling, taking Chase down with him. Thankfully, he fell on one of the plush chairs, so it was a somewhat soft landing. But it left Chase lying on top of him, and their noses were touching. 

“S-Sorry, I-I-uh.” Chase was too flustered to move, face going red in a snap. 

“Uh…hi?” Bing’s voice cracked, and his own blush depended from that. 

“Hi?” Chase echoed before softly snorting and then breaking out in a laugh. Bing couldn’t help from laughing with him. 

“Is my Switch out-are you two fucking in the living room!?” Anti shouted after coming in and seeing the two. 

“We’re not fucking!” Chase shouted back. 

“Could have fooled me! I’m getting the spray bottle!” Anti spun on his heel and walked back out. 

“That spray bottle is for your ass when you act like a chaotic shit!” Chase got off of Bing and followed Anti. 

“What?” Bing said into the now empty room, face still red and the game calling time on the match. 

[livfastdieyoung69]

ROCKSTARS NEVER DIE-

(A Nikki Sixx Story. Ch.2)

Rowan woke once again, to a kick in the ribs.

“You know I’d be a lot happier if you stopped kicking me every morning.” Rowan grumbled into the same grimey, sweat stained pillow they had a week ago.

“Still not morning. And you have to go to that audition thing that one guy invited you to.”

“His name’s Mick.” They mumbled, moving to look over at their beloved guitar, only to find it missing. “Where the fuck is my guitar?”

“I had to take it last night when you came home at 4 am and started playing Iron Maiden songs as loud as you could turn your amp to.”

“Fuckin’ love Iron Maiden, man..”

“Yeah, I know. Do you know where this is and do I have to drive you? Cause Dotty asked if I could come in and if you want a ride we have to leave in like five minutes.” Holly rambled, her words getting faster as she tossed her light brown waves over her shoulder. Rowan took a minute to process what the girl said.

“Uh…its..just up the road. I’ll just walk, Hols it's fine.” They finally spoke looking up to the girl towering over her from their place on the mattress.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind driving you.” Holly was always concerned about Rowan, which was fair enough with all of the dumb shit they seemed to do.

“Really it’s fine, I could use a walk. And a smoke.”

“Alright, well, I’m heading out then. Call the diner if you need anything, ok?”

“I will. See you, Hol!”

“See you, Ro!” She yelled before slamming the apartment door shut. Rowan sat in silence for a moment before pushing themselves up and moving on with the day.

A harsh knock sounded on the apartment door, bringing the attention of the small group inside. A faint shout could be heard through the poorly built walls before the door knob began to twist. The door almost seemed to wobble as it was opened, a gust of wind giving off from the quickness of the skinny man on the other side.

“What can I do you for, dude?” Maybe man wasn’t such a good word. He was more of a young boy with a shining smile and mop of hair, the same complexity of Hollys, to match. A pair of drumsticks were sticking out of his belt.

“Um, Mick gave me your guys’ address.” They picked their guitar case up from off the ash-covered, cement ground. “I’m the guitarist- rhythm guitarist, I guess.”

“Oh, right on, man! Come on in, Mick just got here too. I’m Tommy and Nikki’s taking a piss, but he's the bassist.” Rowan threw Mick a small wave from his place by his amp- M.M. carved subtly into the top. “Oh, and that’s Greg.”

The bathroom door opened to reveal who Rowan guessed was Nikki, still fixing his studded belt back on, and pulling the attention away from the blonde man- supposedly the other rythm guitarist they had at the moment. He looked up after closing the bathroom door behind him and clumsily pointing over at Rowan.

“Who’s this?” The question came out through a sigh as his eyes shifted over to Tommy’s. 

“I’m Rowan. Mick thought my sound would be cool with yours, so..” They finished with a shrug, eyes trailing through the room. 

“Wait- what the hell is this?” Greg spoke, clearly frusturated- or maybe threatened, was a better description- by Rowans presence. 

“Chill, dude. They’re just someone Mick knows and we figured- might as well try it out.” Tommy tried to settle the man, the quiet of the apartment quickly returning very awkwardly.

“We have an extra amp if you need it.” Nikki spoke up, pointing to the amp in-between his and Micks.

“Uh, yeah, thanks. Sorry, I couldn’t carry mine over, but I’ve got the cords and all my pedals.” Rowan finally set their guitar case down and opened it, shoving the cords over to Nikki so he could plug it in and lifting up their guitar- a dark red SG with pinstripe work they'd done themselves over many grueling hours and a couple of homemade add-ons to the model that gave it just the right sound. 

“Tune that however you want, and we’ve only got one copy of the sheet music, so I guess just play whatever feels good.” Rowan tuned the amp- which was smaller than the others, but not by much- as he continued talking. 

“That's fine. Can’t stand that fancy-ass sheet music shit anyways.” They mumbled in response. Nikki glanced over at Tommy’s drum set to find Tommy with the same amused look, mouthing “Mick 2.0” at him. Nikki shook his head at the younger boy with a sly smile before moving his eyes over to Rowan who continued with their tuning. 

“You can tune all your shit and we’ll play with….him first and then when we’re done we’ll play with you. See what sounds better.” He started walking over to his bass while he talked, pulling the strap over his head and strumming the strings of the unplugged instrument while he continued talking. 

They began quickly, Tommy counting the others in. Mick sounded just as good as he always did, which was fucking fantastic, but the Greg guy was too slow. Everyone else was pretty clearly aggrivated everytime he missed a note or fell behind. They didn’t even finish the song, Nikki had gotten annoyed and just stopped playing in the middle of it. 

“I’m ready when you are.” Rowan spoke, flicking their pedals on with what was left of the rubber sole on their worn-down sneakers.  The amps hum grew from behind them, and Nikki seemed to be holding on to any sort of hope that they would sound good. 

The wooden sticks in Tommy’s hand clung together in the correct beat before Mick started strumming his guitar, Tommy and Nikki joining in shortly. Rowan stood with their eyes closed, hands twitching up and down the fretboard as they searched for the perfect note and listened to the others at the same time. As the drums picked up, Rowan waited for their opporunity to jump in, and did so quickly and effortlessly. 

Nikki and Tommy looked at each other once more, amazed at the sound coming from the SG- unheard, and unbelieveable. Mick watched them play with a sense of pride, but Rowan was oblivious to it all with their eyes still closed and mind on nothing but guitar. Nikki couldn’t have found a better fit- it was fucking perfect. Now to get rid of this Greg dipshit. Before Nikki could do anything about, Rowan did. 

“Yeah, so, I’m obviously better. You can, uh..” Rowan trailed off, clicking their tongue and pointing towards the door with their thumb. Greg laughed in a tone as if to say, “unbelievable”.

“Look, I was here first, alright. Tommy, tell them.” The clackering of Tommy’s drum stick made Rowan turn, finding Tommy bent over. “Nikki? Come on!” Nikki only shrugged. Greg didn’t even think of looking at Mick, they weren’t on good terms to start with. “Really?! You’re gonna listen to this weirdo over me?” Rowan gave the man a sardonic smile as he yelled over them at Nikki who only looked to the ground. 

“Then fuck you guys, man! And your shitty fuckin’ band.” He unplugged his guitar, and made a dash towards the door. It kinda sounded like he was crying as he slammed the door. Tommy let out a laugh from behind his drumset. 

“Well. Free amp.” Rowan spoke. They really were a bunch of assholes, huh?

After a quick pause, the group played a bit more before deciding that, with no other option besides the best fucking guitarist any of them could find, Rowan was quickly inducted into the band and a couple of celebration drinks were due. They moved over to Nikki's shitty table set up as he grabbed a case of beer from the fridge- something German and cheap.

“So….what's with the eye?” Apparently, Tommy had a thing for asking rude questions to guitarists after admitting them into the band. Nikki sent him a frustrated whisper of dude, receiving a clueless look and a shrug in return.

“What?” Sometimes Rowan forgot their left eye wasn’t normal, or functioning. “Oh! Uh,” Their hand moved to shuffle over the dent of their long gone scar in their left eyebrow above the once brown, but now cloudy white eye. “Just- somethin’ that happened when I was a kid.” After Rowan's avoidance of the question, the group of five went back into silence, the sound of Mick’s beer bottle clanging against the patio table set seemingly loud.

“Anyways..” Nikki looked over to Tommy while he spoke, still irritated with him. “We really need a fuckin’ singer. And I’m not about to settle for some regular looking, normal sounding asshole. We need a dude that looks like David Lee Roth with a vibe like fuckin’ Bowie.”

“So..we’re lookin’ for a skinny, blond fucker.” Mick stated.

“A skinny, blond fucker with moves.” Rowan corrected him, finishing off the rest of their beer, the same clashing that happened seconds earlier reoccurring, before Tommy gets the chance to respond.

“Wait-wait, I think I know our guy dudes.”

rowan got that dawg in em winning everyones hearts over in like thirty seconds

I’m actually pretty happy with this, and im really glad to be writing again, i actually think im boutta start writing the next chapter rn nikkis just been on my mind so much recently, my motley obsession comes back at least three times a year and i just reread the herion diaries and got his other two books so thats def not helping (also this is giving me an excuse to rewatch the dirt for all of the lines)

[cerysdelaney]

Ever meet someone whose life would be so much better if they just let go of the gender roles holding them back?

I just had lunch with a friend who, for the last five years, has been in the same place: boyfriend she loves. He hasn’t asked her to marry him. She wants marriage, kids, the whole thing - can’t ask cause she’s the woman 🤨

So she’s now 8 years with this guy. And living in what I’m seeing as a self-imposed stagnation because he won’t ask…

How much of your life are you willing to put on hold for someone else to maybe do something?

If he’s known for the last 5 years of this relationship that marriage is wanted and he’s not giving it - maybe he can’t. Why won’t he? She won’t ask. 5 years of not asking? This lack of communication is a red flag, and I *know* having a conversation that could potentially end something you’ve been a part of for 8 years isn’t easy… but she’s not getting happier… what do you get in the end of this that isn’t regret?

Why would you let one person decide your happiness? Write your story? As a woman will you just wait until a man takes the lead? Your wants and desires on the back burner until he decides? If he decides.

I find that hard to accept. 3 years in a relationship with my boyfriend, I asked him to marry me and he said yes. 6 months later we were married. 12 years together now.

And you know, I was shaking asking him. We’d been living together for two years at this point, but let’s be real - there’s a difference from living together and formally making a commitment together (however that commitment is done. Marriage is just one way. I wanted -and had the option available - a legal commitment with tax breaks and what not.) But that’s what I wanted and if he didn’t want that too after 3 years together, then we weren’t compatible enough for a commitment. Because, honestly, I knew after 2 years - but it took me a year to get the courage to ask because I knew he was fine where we were at. He was comfortable just being with me, but I… I wanted more. And since I’m the one who wanted to take us to another level of commitment, I asked.

And he said yes. Because it was important to me, and it still meant he could be by my side, which is what he wanted. Match.

(What if he’d said no?!? Then we weren’t a match. My courage to ask was my declaration to move forward on a path I wanted to go. If he had said no without a timeline of his own to present as an alternative, how long would I wait at that intersection? If he didn’t want to be tied to me in marriage, why would I tie my path to him and sit where I didn’t want to be?)

I’ve had more than one woman in my life say they could never ask. Or some men would feel emasculated by the woman asking… I am so glad my husband doesn’t gauge his masculinity on how dependent his wife is of his decisions. In fact, I don’t think he ever measures his masculinity at all. What does that even really mean? He cooks. He cleans. He’s a stay at home dad. He’s 6’2”, extremely hirsute (a word he taught me - fucking love a human with a vocabulary). He has a dick so large he can readjust my insides any time he wants to - which isn’t often since he’s ace, but that’s okay 😊

We’re partners. We want to grow together and support each other. What does it matter who proposes? The point is the conversation is started and we moved forward. Gender roles be damned. We set our own roles in our house.

[myreygn]

If you're still doing the First Impressions Character ask game:

Askeladd; Tanizaki (bsd); Tendou (haikyuu!!); Akaza (demon slayer)

-soda

uaaah so many characters at once :D thanks for asking soda!! already did askeladd here

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Tanizaki

First impression

aw man he's cute too bad he's a terrorist

Impression now

i'm so soft for him i'm not even kidding, he's adorable to me and i'm so invested every time he does anything remotely out of his comfort zone because i just want him to succeed

Favorite moment

hands down when he threw himself out of a moving car and kenji caught him i'm so normal about this scene

Idea for a story

i really really really wanna write some atsutani, this ship took my heart by storm and just anything cute and fluffy for them is on my writing bucket list (also i have this nsfw draft of soukoku ft tanizaki sitting in my drafts that i'll never finish but psht)

Unpopular opinion

despite some of their scenes being uncomfortable af his relationship to naomi is actually really sweet and i wish they left the creepy stuff out so i could enjoy them without having to explain myself 💀

Favorite relationship

love tanizaki and kenji actually, they're besties in my head

Favorite headcanon

strikes me as someone who stress bakes

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Tendou

First impression

funfact tendou and makoto tachibana from free! have the same german voice actor and because i watched both of these shows in german my first reaction was turning to my sister like "holy shit is that makoto"

Impression now

he's so fun to me, i never have a bad time watching tendou do anything. i'm reading the manga rn and his commentary throughout the karasuno vs nekoma match is my favorite thing in the world

Favorite moment

it doesn't matter if you don't understand what he's saying it's all about the delivery

Idea for a story

oh hmm... good question actually lol. something tensemi idk i don't write him often

Unpopular opinion

he deserved to be bullied for that bowl cut (I'M KIDDING)

Favorite relationship

i mean we all love the ushiten dynamic but honestly tensemi will always be special to me, i live for their dynamic

Favorite headcanon

with haikyuu i never know what's canon and what's headcanon- i like to think that he got his buzzcut on a whim and then spent 10 minutes crying in front of the mirror, cradling his hair in his arms

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Akaza

First impression

i was so scared for kyojuro lemme tell you but his soundtrack was too cool i couldn't resist the epicness

Impression now

there's rarely been a character that's both so funny and so sad to me. everything about him cracks me tf up but if i think about him for more than five seconds i will start crying

Favorite moment

the moment when he sinks into koyuki's arms kills me. every. time.

Idea for a story

i really wanna do a character study with him at some point and focus on his relationship to humanity/monstrosity i just need a scenario i can weave this into

Unpopular opinion

idk what to put here so i'm just gonna say PUT SOME GODDAMN SHOES ON I DON'T NEED YOUR FEET IN MY FACE EVERY OTHER PANEL BY GOD

Favorite relationship

i fuck so hard with him and douma because douma holds all the cards in that relationship and i live for toxic imbalanced dynamics

Favorite headcanon

idk why but i like the idea that he sleeps every now and then just for the heck of it. and when he does he dreams but he never remembers them when he wakes up

[junkydrawr]

More of my Snively in Knothole /3rd season (but mostly just Snively) fic. Wrote this at work, mostly in one day. Yeah, I slacked hard.

I will put this shit in some kind of order eventually.

I don't know if it's interesting or not, it's part of Snively's 'trial' when Knothole decides whether to let him live or execute him.

"We came to Mobius when I was three. I don't remember Earth. Julian already lived in Megalopolis. He put in a good word for Father with the Justice ministry, and they offered him a job."

"And what of your mother?"

Snively fought the cringe that came at the mere thought of her - and shrugged. "She stayed on Earth."

That wasn't a lie. Colin Senior had left her ashes behind, and now they floated in space with the remnants of his home planet.

"Why did she stay behind?"

Snively lashed his arms over his chest, the chains clinking. "I don't know. Father didn't talk about it."

I'll be damned if I talk about her. If I fucking break down in front of these animals.

There was a long pause as the King waited for further answer.

He heard his father's voice, like a violating finger caressing his spine. You murdered her.

Just imagine if I told them that.

Snively kept his arms crossed petulantly, his face turned away.

"Very well. Continue, Colin."

But the memory slipped over him, prickled with nausea.

Every mid-spring, there was a day when Father would light candles and then kneel and mumble before them. When he was four, Snively was shooed away. When he was five, he asked if he could light a candle too. This evoked a terrible anger in Father and he lashed Snively with his belt before sending him to his room without lunch.

When he was six, he kept away, but Father called him.

"Do you know why I light these?"

"No, daddy."

"For your mother. For the memory of the best thing I had in my life - and you took it away. You murdered her, Snively."

The boy's lip quivered. "I thought she died when she had me."

"Yes. She died because of you." He held out a match. "Light one. And then get on your knees and beg for her forgiveness."

-

"Colin. Continue." The King's voice was louder, and the crowd's eyes were suspicious. Snively nodded.

"Father assumed his duties and I went to school. There's not much to say there."

"Your father later became Minister of War and helped lead the Great War against us. How did he feel about Mobians?"

How do you think he felt, if he went to war with you? Snively resisted a sneer. He kept his face blank. "He didn't think you deserved to be the dominant species on the planet. He thought you'd only kept the humans under check because of your strength in numbers."

"Did you share your father's sentiments?"

"I didn't really think about it. I was in school and Father expected me to have top marks. I was to have a respectable career that didn't disgrace his name. I rarely saw any Mobians...and...well, it was just not anything at the forefront of my mind."

"And what of when the war started?"

"I don't know. It...it still was...abstract to me. I didn't really understand the point. It's not like you were slaughtering us or... But Father said you hoarded resources. Left us crumbs."

"You were raised by a man who hated us. You must have been raised to hate us too."

Hate is a strong word, isn't it?

Snively shrugged. "I suppose, yes, I was raised...to look down on you."

The King nodded. "Very well. Let us move on to Julian Kintobor, more commonly known as Robotnik. Your uncle, correct? Your father's brother?"

"Yes." Snively felt his entire body tense. It seemed a wave of heat had risen in the crowd. Geoffrey growled softly behind him. Even Sonic's nonchalant demeanor shifted at Uncle's name - his blue quills rising slightly.

"Tell us about your relationship to Julian as a child. How did you come to live in Mobotropolis, working as his protégé?"

"He lived in Megalopolis. I saw him now and then. He'd come over for dinner or we would go to a restaurant. He and Father had never gotten along well."

"Why not?"

"Father didn't like Julian's theatrical nature and flamboyance. He didn't like that Julian was smarter than him. Father was more reserved. They both had red hair but Father kept his cut short as possible..." Snively smirked softly. "...and you've seen Robotnik's mustache.

Father always told me Julian 'wasn't right' but I never believed him because Julian always seemed to be on my side..." Snively paused a long moment, his guts crawling. He set his jaw and leaned back.

I don't want to say this! I don't want...

He didn't want to tear open his chest in front of these damned animals and expose his knife-stabbed heart.

I'd rather die. I probably will.

"Colin, continue."

Snively swallowed hard. "Well, Father was strict...and...he...he didn't usually have a compliment for me - and Julian did. I remember a time they argued over my schooling. Father had me enrolled in St Quentin's, Megalopolis's oldest institution that spanned Forms One though Twelve, our entire academics. He had me there because of the prestigious name - the tradition... Bragging rights. He didn't care that it was beneath me academically - that it was stifling and I was bored. I wanted to go to MU - Megalopolis University - but Father said that was lowbrow and common. Julian agreed with me, and they argued over dinner that Father was stunting my intellect just to satisfy his own ego. And... MU also taught and embraced Mobian culture. I suppose that's the real reason Father objected so much."

Sonic yawned. Snively didn't blame him, but he was glad for it. The untold tale of Julian's grooming, his compliments, his affection, his secret conferences with Nephew behind Father's back - further eroding Snively away from Colin Senior... It roiled inside him like a whirlpool of sewage. He could almost taste it - the shit, the blood. He reached for his water glass.

"Father also didn't like that Julian acknowledged your intelligence and that he enjoyed studying your history and customs. That he took trips to your cities. Father only dealt with Mobians when he had to. Julian even had animal friends, and that was just... " Snively trailed off.

King Acorn lightly tapped his gavel. "If you please, kindly refer to us as Mobians or by species, Colin. We find the term Animal to be offensive, as it applies to the more primitive creatures on Mobius."

Heaven forbid I offend them.

"Sorry."

"So, is it fair to say Julian pitted you against your father or encouraged you to rebel?"

Snively blinked and gave the King a sidelong look. Maximilian's pale blue eyes had a tinge of understanding.

He swallowed hard and huddled in the seat - feeling blindsided. Maybe Julian's betrayal was obvious. Maybe the Mobians already knew all the knife stabs in his soul - and they didn't care.

He found himself seeking out the rabbit in the crowd again. Bunnie. What a stupid name. There she was, and when their eyes met, she gave a slight nod and smile.

"...Yes."

"You came to Mobotropolis when you were a young teen. Give us a brief explanation of this, please."

"I ran away from home."

"You seem to have a history of abandoning your factions, Colin. First you ran from your home city to us. Then you ally with Robotnik against us. You were loyal to him for years...only to come running back to us again."

A scowl broke through his resolved poker face.

"Father was becoming too oppressive. I also had thought Julian was dead after he defected to your side. When I found out he was alive, I was angry...because my father knew. He'd been happy telling me Julian was 'dead' and 'good riddance' ... He said he was a bad influence, but I thought Father was just being a...well...an asshole."

The fox child sitting next to Sonic giggled.

"So... I wasn't abandoning my factions then. I had to run from Robotnik and Naugus. They would have killed me eventually. I had to leave. And now...I've been captured. I didn't intend to 'run back to you.' I'm not trying to play sides."

I'm just trying to survive another day.

"You'll effortlessly switch from years of oppressing us to helping us?"

"What else can I do?" A hard edge crept into his voice. "It's either that or die! I've long become disillusioned with Julian's shit. I never cared for his vision, you know. The world nothing but orderly metal and machines? It's... There's..." He couldn't put it into words. What use was being Lord over a graveyard?

King Acorn stroked his mustache. "Julian came to me. He asked if you could be brought in as a refugee. Escaping intolerable conditions, he said."

"I hitched rides to an Overlander outpost on the border, then called Julian. He must have gone to you immediately, for he came to pick me up a few hours later."

"You were given quarters in the palace with Julian and transitioned into our schools within a few months."

He nodded. "I was. Julian was Minister of War at that time, but he said when the war ended, he'd be Head of Science and I could train as his protégé."

"How long did you live in the palace?"

All this time, he thought, considering the palace had become Robotropolis's Command Center.

"From thirteen to just sixteen, when the coup happened."

"And all that time, three years, you didn't know Julian's plans for us?"

"The last year, he brought me in on them."

Every eye seemed to pierce him. King Acorn spoke what they must be thinking.

"We took you in, treated you with decency, gave you a safe home. Education. Yet, you preferred to betray us, enslave us, kill us? Why, Colin?"

Snively shrugged again, shook his head. His tongue felt like a dried husk. The crowd stirred, their gazes hostile. Even the rabbit tightened her lips.

"You may not have another chance to explain yourself."

He shivered, squeezing his eyes shut. He heard Julian. He felt Uncle's hand squeeze his shoulders. Julian would take his tiny hands in his, mummer his plans in dark and mesmerizing tones, like a flute to a snake. He didn't break fingers then. He didn't need to. All he needed was to appeal to the ego of a teenage outcast.

The Mobians weren't any less of bullies than the Overlander children. They teased him endlessly, about his nose, his voice, his body, his skin. Beat him up for things his father had done, whatever they saw on the news tickers.

He was lonely, desperately.

When will things ever get better? Will I escape this curse of childhood and rise to any glory here? Will the Mobians let me?

Julian was the only one who always had the right words. The only one who loved him. He'd softly brush Snively's hair away from his teary eyes. "Nevermind them, boy. They're ignorant! Who do you believe? Me, your flesh and blood, who knows you? Or those pathetic animals, infested with fleas and one step above from licking their own anuses?"

Snively remembered chuckling at that.

The gavel tapped lightly, and Snively shook himself from memories. His eyes were burning, and he glared down at the tabletop.

"He said you were weak, and that's why the Overlanders took you to war. But you had also caused it by your stinginess, not allowing the Overlanders more resources and keeping them confined to living on the Great Steppes."

Silence.

Snively squirmed. Behind him, the skunk was still growling, like a drone.

"He said we could... Unite everything. We'd take over and bring Overlanders and Mobians together, in order. We'd make the planet fair to everyone."

Most importantly, he'd promised Snively dignity and pride.

"Imagine it, Snively. Imagine those who scoffed at you, back at home. The ones who thought you were nothing! Your father! Oh, imagine their faces when the brilliant young Commander puts them in their place. Your boot upon all their necks. How they'll revere you!"

Snively would rule Megalopolis; Robotnik Mobotropolis.

How could I have believed that?

"Perhaps we did restrict the Overlanders too much," the King said. "Perhaps the treaties that were formed when they first came to Mobius were outdated. But we could've resolved this if Julian had remained one of us, yes?"

"He was going to be Minister of Science. He wouldn't have had any military powers anymore."

"I would have treasured his insight, as I had throughout the war."

"Don't ask me," Snively restlessly swiveled his water glass on the table. "I suppose it boiled down to Uncle wanting to rule everything."

"So, you willingly went along with his plans to roboticize us all, enslave us, and even hunt down your own kind."

He stilled his hands. Sweat beaded on his lip. He pulled at his collar, the chains clinking. "I... I didn't know how far he was going to go. Please. I didn't. He said the roboticizer was just for the higher ups. That you'd all fall in line quickly."

Omit. That I felt the sick thrill, shivers at watching people cower from me for once, for watching them fear me - seeing me, taking me seriously for the first time!

I imagine they were really just cowering from the monster beside me.

"Julian said that it wouldn't get too ugly. That everyone was weary from war and would accept our rule." Snively huddled down in the chair, his knees drawing up under the table.

Omit. That alongside the thrill, swooping and switching in and out, was the terrible ache that humanity had fled him, that the things he was partaking in could not be taken back. You can't come back.

Julian wasn't the only monster.

The heat of the room was suffocating him. The waves of ire rolling off the furred bodies around him. "... I was a stupid child! I believed him, I thought it sounded...g-g-good. I wanted to show everyone who'd made fun of me.

... Oh Gods. I...didn't know how fucked it would get. And then it was done so quickly, and I'd committed treason, and he'd attacked Megalopolis too, and I had nowhere to go... I... I..."

He couldn't breathe. He wheezed for air.

"... And then, he made me a slave too. Yes, I was Second in Command... But...it was him above me, you know. And I had to obey him."

A sudden blow hit the back of his head. He yelped as the skunk bellowed. "You expect us to believe that?! That you were just some poor soul dragged into it?! You knew Robotnik!"

The crowd buzzed like angered bees.

"Baliff!" Maximilian slammed the gavel. "Control yourself now!"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm controlled." The skunk sneered darkly, and took a step back.

Snively straightened up. His scalp burned - he imagined the skunk's claws had grazed him. I'll surely catch some terrible infection now.

"...He didn't show me his true self until... It was too late." His throat closed. Don't say it, don't let them see. He desperately clung to his poker face, but his voice was failing. Cracking, going into that stupid squealing peal, like a mouse under a paw. "You believed him too! You let him lead your war!"

"Or maybe you're just as sick as he is. A bloody psychopath. Ninety percent of you Furless are. You got no hearts."

Maximilian banged the gavel, hard enough that Snively wondered if he'd break it. "Baliff. Do I need to remove you?" He set the gavel down, kneaded his nose.

"Yer making him look sympathetic, Your Highness and Honor. All due respect."

"No, I am not, and you are not showing respect, St John. I am asking Colin and he is answering. The decision to believe him or not lies with you."

"Yeah, put a sock in it, St Stink," Sonic jeered. "One of Antoine's. Extra smelly!"

"Sonic Maurice Hedgehog!"

Despite himself, Snively almost let out a laugh. Seeing Sonic cringe as Sally admonished him from the table was finally something of levity.

"Need we take a recess?"

"I love recess," the fox child whispered loudly. Sonic patted him on the shoulder and then shook his head.

"Nah, yer Highness n' Honor, I'm sorry. I'll be good." The hedgehog grinned. Behind Snively, the skunk let out an annoyed grunt.

"I'm good, Highness. I swear."

I'm not.

King Acorn bent over to Sally and whispered to her for a moment.

"All right. We've covered enough of the past. It's time to move on to your more current crimes. The things you've done to us under Robotnik's rule. And your most endearing efforts to convince us why you'd be a benefit to us now. How do you plan to atone for yourself?"

Snively started to organize the saccharine pleas in his mind. Should he say this velvety promise first or work up a few tears before...? He'd have to make sure to keep his eyes wide, not that his innocent looks ever worked on Uncle. He cleared his throat, but before he could speak, the gavel tapped firmly.

"That comes later, Colin. Your crimes come first. And for your sake...do not lie."

Snively swallowed hard.

--

OK that's as far as I got, shit that was long. It probably really needs to edited down because...

HOLY BOOOOOOOOORING AMIRITE?