#than the particular form that partnership takes

[sapphorror]

!! All true (Jon's alexithymia is so real to me), and I'm also compelled to add:

Jon and Martin's relationship is very heavily based in mutual trauma—like, I love their shameless S5 codependence and the 'where you go I go' thing is Tragic Romance™ as all hell, but the reason they're both borderline willing to trade the world for each other is because they've been each other's only constant throughout all the horrors of the show. And this is especially relevant on Jon's end because a) Martin is the only original archival assistant still alive and losing him at this point would basically seal Jon's complete and utter inability to protect the people he believes himself responsible for AND sever his last tie to his former humanity, and b) Martin is the one person who has, unerringly, come to Jon's defense and been on his side when everyone else he cares about resents and mistrusts him in some way. The fact that support was very abruptly taken away in S4 when Jon undoubtedly needed it the most only made Jon value it more because he now has a very clear picture of what life is like without it.

And is this healthy? Well, no, but one, that's not what I'm here for, and two, I think Jonathan Sims expressed the sentiment best here:

They are not a normal relationship formed under normal circumstances, and consequently really can't be fairly evaluated by normal standards. They have been through and continue to go through levels of trauma that are literally impossible to replicate in the real world. Just let them have this.

Also, yeah, it's worth noting that because of the way TMA is written, with the vast majority of non-plot relevant events happening off-screen only to be hinted at on the recordings, the two of them developing a friendship over the course of seasons two and three is absolutely in the text if you're paying any attention whatsoever. It's probably not a very CLOSE friendship, under the circumstances—that they don't actually know each other very well is something both Martin and Peter explicitly point out—but there was absolutely room for feelings to begin developing before getting rudely derailed by S4.

I've seen it said in places that Jon and Martin's relationship (specifically Jon realizing he has feelings for Martin) feels rushed and out of nowhere, and there's a perspective here that I want to share.

I think some people see them as explicitly a gay couple and expect them both to react a certain way to each other, but I have some thoughts as to why Jon is different and their relationship might not look like a traditional MLM story.

I feel that Jon's affections for Martin are absolutely there and growing over time, but with him being acespec, possibly autistic (the "I feel...sad" moment screams alexithymia to me. He doesn't fully understand his internal feelings until they're too big to ignore), and trying very hard to not get murdered for several seasons, I think it's perfectly reasonable his feelings for Martin would take time to develop.

We do see him softening to Martin over time. We see him thinking about Martin unprompted when he's alone. We see him going from "this man is going to ruin this delicate facade I've put up to seem professional, and I want him gone immediately." to "Oh, you're actually capable. So capable you might be trying to kill me." To "I don't want him to get involved or he might get hurt. I need to keep my distance so he's safe." To "I'm going to make myself tea out of nowhere because the guy who usually made it for me all the time isn't here and now it's part of my routine and I want to keep that part of him around while I'm hiding out for murder."

But once he identifies his own feelings, he overcorrects right into hopeless romantic. He's pining hard all S4, because he finally realized himself that he's in love and it's at the worst possible time. It is abrupt. Dude only just figured it out and he's throwing his whole ass into this.

I think even without the autistic headcanon, the acespec nature of how he views relationships and his whole "I feel...sad" moment indicates clearly that he was just oblivious to his own feelings for a very long time.

I know it feels sudden, but some of us are oblivious, okay? I was friends with a girl for 2 years before my brain flipped the switch and Jon's reaction felt so familiar, and I love it. I just hardly ever get to see "me" in media, and it's a bummer when people say it feels unrealistic. It's not, it's just not the norm.

[sensualnoiree]

How You Handle Breakups Based on Your Venus

I want to dive into how Venus placements play a major role in navigating love, relationships, and breakups real quick along with a few astrological transits and aspects that influence how we process separation and healing…all through the lens of Venus in your natal chart ;)

Venus in Fire Signs - Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

People with Venus in fire signs tend to approach breakups with boldness and independence. They might initially react with strong emotions but are quick to recover, preferring to move forward rather than dwell on the past.

Transits to Watch: Mars Transits: When Mars forms a hard aspect (conjunction, square, opposition) to natal Venus, breakups can bring intense emotions, quick decisions, or even impulsive actions. Jupiter Transits: Jupiter transits can bring optimism and growth after a breakup, pushing the individual toward new experiences.

Venus in Earth Signs - Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Those with Venus in Earth signs may find it difficult to let go and often take longer to process the end of a relationship. Stability is a core need, and they might try to find closure through practical means or even immerse themselves in work or routines.

Transits to Watch: Saturn Transits: Saturn's hard aspects (conjunction, square, opposition) to Venus can bring emotional hardship, leading to serious reflection, self-discipline, or feeling isolated. Uranus Transits: Uranus can bring sudden and unexpected shifts in relationships, which may lead to impulsive breakups or sudden realizations about personal freedom.

Venus in Air Signs - Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

These individuals are often more detached and may intellectualize their emotions. They might seek social connections or engage in conversation to process their feelings. Libra Venus, in particular, may struggle with the loss of harmony and partnership.

Transits to Watch: Mercury Transits: Mercury’s influence can bring a period of reflection or communication, leading to conversations that might clarify or bring closure to a breakup. Neptune Transits: Neptune can blur boundaries and cause confusion, making it difficult to understand or fully let go of the relationship.

Venus in Water Signs - Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Water Venus signs are deeply emotional, and breakups can be incredibly painful. They tend to take breakups personally, experiencing intense emotional currents and needing time to process their feelings before they can heal.

Transits to Watch: Pluto Transits: Pluto's intense and transformative influence can trigger deep emotional upheaval, especially for Scorpio Venus, bringing themes of power struggles and rebirth after a breakup. Moon Transits: The moon’s transits through water signs or forming aspects to Venus can heighten sensitivity and emotional processing during a breakup.

Other Important Aspects & Transits Related to Breakups

Venus Retrograde: Venus retrograde periods often bring relationship issues to the surface, triggering breakups or reconciliation. During this time, individuals may reevaluate their values, romantic interests, or past relationships.

Venus-Mars Aspects: This dynamic can create tension or attraction in relationships. When hard aspects (square, opposition) between Venus and Mars are present, breakups might occur due to conflict, impulsiveness, or frustration.

Saturn Transits to Venus: Saturn transits, especially when conjunct or opposing Venus, often indicate times of challenge and restriction in relationships. This may manifest as a breakup or a time when love feels strained, heavy, or burdened by responsibilities.

Uranus Transits: Uranus, the planet of sudden changes and liberation, can lead to abrupt breakups, especially if it’s transiting Venus or forming hard aspects in the natal chart. It brings an unpredictable quality to relationships, often promoting freedom over stability.

Neptune Transits: Neptune transits can cause confusion, idealization, or disillusionment in love. Under Neptune’s influence, breakups may feel murky or unclear, and individuals may have difficulty moving on due to lingering feelings of uncertainty.

Pluto Transits: Pluto transits to Venus can be extremely intense, often indicating deep transformations in relationships. Breakups under Pluto's influence might feel fated or involve power dynamics, but ultimately these experiences push individuals toward personal growth.

follow for more astro insights like this and head on over to @quenysefields or my etsy --> sensualnoiree to grab my new astrology guidebook on reading your own natal chart :)

[ivesambrose]

JUNE 2024 MINI MESSAGES 🌿💚

1. 2. 3.

Kept it short and sweet

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Picture 1

A substantial focus is on yourself, your physical body and your health. You'll be wanting to take life slowly. It is likely you've been feeling energetically depleted and feeling sleepy more than usual or being around or engaging with certain people or activities isn't making you feel as good. On a positive note, this will allow you to bring your attention and energy back to yourself which in turn will make you realize certain aspects of your health you may have overlooked. Y ou might be switching up or prioritising a skincare and wellness routine, opt for slower workouts or dancing, anything that makes you feel beautiful and good from within instead of amping up your stress or cortisol levels. Some of you might be quitting smoking or drinking this month too. You might also be focusing on holistic healthcare or healing yourself via the food you eat. You will be moving more, just you won't be in a hurry. Infact, there's no need to rush anything. let the money and love come to you as you stay open to receive. Your worldview might also change or you might end up influencing others via your perspectives. You might engage in creating something artsy, whatever that may be. The more you do things for yourself instead of catering to what's trending or what others keep demanding of you, the more you'll bloom.

Stay loyal to your goals, remain stubborn about them, no matter what. Also, try getting a haircut or new color sometime this month.

Picture 2

Just let it happen. You've been wanting that drastic change but you couldn't do that for yourself or you've tried to do it for yourself but you didn't know how so you just gave up. The emotions piled up regardless. So simply let this happen, it will, inevitably. It might be the most unexpected thing ever, it may not even be as smooth at first, you might as well be that gif of Rebel Wilson screaming, 'Enough!" Any form of upheaval you face this month even if it's a mental or emotional one, know that it's necessary to bring back order into your life. Chaos and order do go hand in hand, right?

By the end of this month you'l be feeling more powerful if anything. You're no one's charity case and you're certainly not meant to remain frozen in this particular mindset you've been carrying. It's keeping you stuck in ways that's doing you more harm than good. You'l also be able to weed out people who are a part of your life as pretense and only want to take from you. You'll also be able to see the ones who look over you rather silently. There's a gift of discernment and intuition you're being blessed with here. write down every idea or thought or dream as strange it might seem this month It doesn't matter how you're going to make it come true or how it connects to anything else, it will make sense later, perhaps by Virgo or Libra season?

Again, time isn't important. But your dominant thoughts, certainly are. Befriend your mind and don't look back.

Picture 3

You're loved and desired extensively and you don't even realize that. For most of you I'm seeing you romanticize your life in whatever way you see it, maybe even switching up things in your room or beautifying your surroundings nd yourself. You'll feel closer to your loved ones this month or just have a lot of gratitude towards them. Yes, even if you prefer being alone. The focus is on relationships and partnerships and being extremely choosy with the ones you associate yourself with. There are quite a few people who want to know you and get closer to you even pursue you romantically. A good month for your personal business and finances or even manifesting a creative or desired opportunity through the right people and the right time. Don't shy away from your own potential. Some of you might also be engaging in proper manifestion rituals or even praying for something big. A lot of you have truly, sincerely decided to lock in and that determination in itself ill get you what you seek. By the end of this month I see movement. Physical travel as well.

For some of you, there's this manifestion you consider 'big' again, it's something personal to you, it might be something small to someone else, but what matters is how important it is to you, it'll come through in Leo season mostly or for some during Sagittarius season. Either way, just know what you want, is already yours.

[choppyama]

Shoyo’s feelings towards Tobio are so ridiculously apparent that it takes less than 10 seconds within a convo with the guy to conclude that yeah he’s so not casual about his rival

‘oKaY so in other words’ sugawara clocked that IMMEDIATELY I’m laughing

It’s interesting to me that when kindaichi asked hinata why he was being so desperate at training camp, his response was “well I’ve decided that Kageyama is my goal, I have to beat him OR ELSE I’LL BASICALLY DIE”

He was there bc he needed to get stronger and learn how to develop more useful skills so he can stand on his own. He doesn’t want to fall behind when all of his peers, not just at karasuno but everyone all around him is improving.

He could have said something similarly to that but instead in his response, he emphasized solely on his rivalry with kgym as his biggest form of motivation.

Another noteworthy comment is after their fight in s2 when Hinata was practicing alone once again, focusing on improving himself :

It’s basic rivals dynamic but the way shoyo strictly base his own progress and growth upon his ability to measure up to and surpass his greatest rival…

The way he’s so determined to keep up with kgym, and whenever he speaks about him, it feels like he’s doing it all (as in working so hard) partially to avoid being left behind by him in particular.

Another fitting example is how during their fight, Shoyo was filled with frustration abt wanting to grow. However, when he was with Yachi, that wasn’t the ground breaking issue. He couldn’t help but confess, be vulnerable about his relationship with Kageyama. He ended up crying on his bike on the way home, all bc he didn’t want to lose the rivalry and partnership they had built over these past weeks.

I can’t explain this better it’s just interesting to me that the underlying focus is always on being able to stand by kageyama’s side as an equal, it’s like having a tunnel vision, using Tobio as a focal point.

reminds me of when saeko said “if shoyo hadn’t ever seen you on tv that day, he never would’ve chosen to bike over a mountain to go to karasuno, and he never would’ve met tobio” SHE GETS IT

On his bike here once again just to meet Kageyama at the gym later that day. unknowingly, coincidentally chasing after/towards Kageyama. Everything about them is so meant to be

Each time the infamous 'if I'm not alone' quote is mentioned Tobio is always the first one to appear by Shoyo's side.

and there it is again, the bike imagery. Climbing a mountain while talking about feeling ‘alone.’ It’s dark, it’s a quiet, kind of a gloomy scenery, and then next clip suddenly you hear Kageyama’s voice ‘let’s go hinata’ and everything lights up. That’s his version of ‘I’m here.’

It’s very much established that hinata’s goals does not revolve solely around Kageyama. He has other rivals, other strong players he wants to beat. He wants to be strong for his own sake too, but his biggest motivation and inspiration remains Kageyama, hence why he’s the final boss.

All of these imo is best displayed through the imagery of hinata looking at Kageyama’s back, tirelessly chasing after him on his bike

finding Kageyama in his path in Brazil, seeing him on tv, a direct parallel to his first encounter with the little giant which is so underrated

“won’t be outdone” pls learn how to be normal….

>ᴗ<

If you were to ask me my favorite kagehina moment ever it would most likely be ‘I win this time too' simply bc of how unique it is and how It’s a testament to how deeply shoyo values their promise.

Hinata's world crumbling down, he desperately wants to stay on the court and no else one could comfort him with those words. No one could get him to stop crying and recompose himself almost instantly like Tobio did!

he knows hinata best, he knows EXACTLY what to say to get through to him. This time he wins but there will be a next time.

and if you heard the voice act by the VA, shoyo sounds so broken and to have Kageyama put every negative thought in his mind on hold and makes him think clearer for a moment there... It’s peak kghn.

I love how before the fated match, Furudate brought back all of Kageyama’s ‘controversial’ quotes to show that everything has been leading up to this moment while also reminding us that those words have served as huge motivations for Hinata, guiding him on his path and keeping him striving for more.

“Eating, sleeping, learning. Everything he did to live was just one long run-up towards that day. The promised day was still far, far away, but it would definitely arrive”

[astrophileblogs07]

Astro Observations pt.19

Hello guys!! Back after so long! I am sorry for not being active here...I am prepping for my med school entrance this year and so I have taken a year off. But since I missed you all, here i am ❣️

• People with Saturn ruling their 7th house/Leo risings or Saturn aspecting their 7th house lord in a good way, always, I mean ALWAYS have people come back to them in some form or way no matter how much time it takes. It is mostly due to any karmic ties with that person, either for the good or for the bad. (My mom has this placement and I have seen literally so many people who haven't been nice to her at first end up seeking significant help from her..). Saturn rules karma and the 7th house is not only about partnerships, but is also about open enemies, people who are bound to you by karma. • The second nakshatra(and the things related to it) from your nakshatra can help you to make money. Eg. If you are a Mrig, look at the next nakshatra i.e second from your nakshatra which would be Ardra. Even an Ardra person can help you gain money.

• This one is a bit weird (🤡)but people with strong Mars placement/ Mars dominant chart/ prominent Mars naturally have that aptitude of analysing 'flirting' behaviour(Idk what you call it when people are so observant and smart that they just know what your actions towards a particular individual mean and they also know why you're doing it 🙆🏻‍♀️). Also they learn that thing soooo earlyy in life....I have seen soooo manyyy kids with this placement when they are like 8 or 9 but their rizz level is 📈📈📈🔥. Even if there is no outside influence (like TV or people around them, or even if there is...they learn that veryyy fast and early in life). (IDK HOW Y'ALL DO THAT? 😭😭🤣🤣) {Mars is charming ✨✨)

# Here is this small fun fact about my life: (Saturn rules time and hence clocks). When I had my first Saturn dasha (Sade sati) I was in 4th grade that time. One of the effects of Saturn Dasha is that it actually makes your understanding and mind slow. (grasping power becomes slower than usual). And the fun fact here was, at that time, we were learning how to read time on clock (like time elapsed, time left and solving math problems on that.) but I was the only one who couldn't understand it properly and made so manyyy mistakes, got scolded by teachers and my mom lol 😂.

#I have noticed 2 things in an Ashwini 🐴🐴 1. They are the early earners of their family may be due to family issues (not usually) but most of the times coz they're ambitious.

2. They have some serious Daddy issues. Every Ashwini I have seen has a bad memory with their dads bruising/destroying their ego in the worst way possible (like for example: insulting you in front of public, targeting you and your insecurities). And the added cherry on top is they're the first people to pack their bags and leave/ move out early. Like anything they'd do to stay away from their fathers. 🤷🏻‍♀️🥸 3. Ashwini and Pushyas are match made in Heaven (after Bharani ofc)

# In my previous post i had mentioned about the moon and Asc getting along. That happens only when they're in the same sign. But one more observation which contradicts this one is that when your moon sign and the other person's asc are in opposite signs... that's ⚔battlefield ⚔ right there. 💀💀 (Me being an Aries moon, have literally had the worst fights with Libra asc.)

That's all from my side for today. Hope to return soon! (srsly wanna post more 😫) Thank you my Tumblr Fam!���❤❤💕😘💖 Lotsss of Love to you all! (Bye, going MIA again 🤡)

[enneamage]

i remember your really great essay on the fandom's tendency to hope ccs are queer due to, in part, the uneasy relationship between male streamers and women. now seeing wilbur's exploration into famously queer media (i have never met a dude into tyler the creator who was not bi unless he himself believed tyler wasn't queer), i was wondering, do you think male ccs in the community are aware that being bi makes them appear more safe towards women? i don't doubt anyone's sexuality btw

For starters, I think that Wilbur is throwing a bunch of spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks in terms of a new public persona. What you’re looking at is still an indie softboy variant, just spiced a bit differently. Art Guy and Bisexual can be related but as I said in the other post, sticking morality, sexuality and aesthetics together as a package deal is a quick way to be misled. The thing I want to linger on is the evolution of the idea of a softboy, which was actually a fandom-esque tumblr term that was a term of endearment to fictional / irl boys before it became an ironic nickname to call out a particular kind of wolf in sheep's clothing. I think that concept cycle happens a lot. 

In the straight sense, men do have a motivation to try to get women to like them. While some people are remarkably bad at this or have no clue how to achieve it, others are a bit better at following the trail of an appealing persona and trying to fit themselves into it. Some of it is a genuine self-image desire as well, you want to think of yourself as an appealing person even without an audience, so you take the temperature of the culture and try to follow the path that seems to work best for your desires and interests.

Softboy / golden retriever boyfriend / himbo and the like tends to come from the imagination of women online when collectively brainstorming what kind of person would be seen as a breath of fresh air in the current Dude Climate. The issue with it being translated IRL is that once it becomes clear that people really do find these tropes attractive, people want to lean into the strategy a bit either as an exaggeration of their own personalities or an active choice to Not Be Like Other Guys, inviting inevitable disappointment when they have the ups and downs of a real person with traits, or are revealed to be straight up frauds. 

In terms of leaning into persona or aesthetics aside from sexuality, I want to bump this post by someone on the mcyt snark reddit that takes a tour through personas that consistently appear and reappear in post-2020 MCYT circles. I think the people love a persona (or imago perhaps) and a package deal of traits, we tend to hand them out for free when we’re forming our impressions of people even if they don’t mean to create one. 

Wilbur in particular has a lot of reasons to try and dress himself up as ‘safe’ for the time being, but you asked about the bi swatch of MCYT and I think the answer to the safety part is unconsciously, yes. I think that having an aspect of their experience being removed from mainstream straight culture really does put them in a different headspace than straight peers, but whether that headspace is actually kinder and safer in practice isn’t guaranteed in the way that I think both parties might hope. They probably notice that people treat them better or differently when they lean into the mlm part of their identity, leading them to do it more over time.

Again, especially with CCS, I think a lot of people hope that the bisexuality will lead to a long term partnership with a man or that their attraction to women would be softened into something less hormonally or culturally straight. People actively leaning into post-2020 queer culture aesthetics (because we’re not talking leather bars here) may also seem more safe or appealing by breaking down the dyadic “let me define myself by being completely opposed to you” aspects of really rigid gender performance relationships. Ironically this may also make them seem more appealing as partners in the platonic and romantic sense because it feels less like you’re dealing with a rigid diametric opposite. You feel closer to them by being under the LGBTQ+ umbrella with them, which also adds some motivation to parasocial attachment. 

[josephquinnswhore]

mi vida - javier escuella x female reader

summary: life with a romantic outlaw.

word count: 1.9k

content warning: not much tbh. mentions of murder, robbery, theft, conning.

The late afternoon breeze swells through the camp between the natural barricade of trees surrounding your current campsite, Horseshoe Overlook. Many go about their duties, few of the men are often gone more days than not, returning with food for Pearson to prepare or things to contribute to camp, mostly money.

That comes in many forms of succession, theft, robbery, conning, and murder. No women in camp were partial to what the men did to keep everyone afloat, yet—amongst the many people who committed these atrocities. Never had you felt safer, they were loyal, protective.

Profoundly your boyfriend, Javier. Fiercely loyal, even to Bill, who constantly harassed Javier over his ethnicity. The name calling, sniggering and remarks about Javier’s tendency to groom himself.

Regardless—it was Javier who left camp yesterday, gun in his holster and urging Boaz out of camp when he had found out that Bill had been captured by bounty hunters. To save that same man who had been relentless in attacking and attempting to humiliate your lover.

The smell of Pearson's warm stew that had been simmering all day over a small fire makes your stomach ache with anticipation and creates a welcome distraction rather than your disdain for Bill Williamson. Warm food to fill your aching stomach as many of you only ate one meal a day. The same thing that was prepared every day. A mix of meat, vegetables and bland stock.

But you were grateful that you had the opportunity to eat. Thankful for those, often Charles or Arthur bringing back food for Pearson to prepare. Often, you take it upon yourself to go searching for herbs to make the stew more flavoursome.

Many had noticed and pleaded for you to forage enough for all those daring to ask. The bundle of herbs that had been carefully clipped and placed into your sachel earlier this morning.

There were plenty blossoming, thyme was your favourite, it was accessible being close to camp and growing in abundance.

It gives a sense of trepidation, as you sit on a small chair by your and Javier’s shared tent, small fire beckoning you in with it’s promise of warmth, the flames licking up the logs into devour.

This routine you'd created for yourself was one your body had recognised.

Same time of afternoon each day, preparing your thyme by picking the herb off the stem meant you’d be sitting down before long, next to Javier and eating some supper. The routine is something you find solace in amongst the chaos.

Being in a relationship with an outlaw was a first for you. Correction—your first relationship was with an outlaw. How couldn’t you have fallen for the man, driven with such confidence and unprecedented power. The divine will of his words and his actions of care he puts into the way he looks. A man like that was sure to draw your attention, sweeping you off of your feet the very first morning you met.

Thought of the memory is often shared between the two of you privately when most are sleeping, no one to hear your secrets but the moon itself. Uttered words in his native tongue make your ears warm, still able to fluster you months later into your partnership. His words, not hollow like most, but full of promise.

Promise to love, cherish, care for you. His life. Or as he calls you. Mi vida.

This day in particular was not out of any ordinary you’d become so used to. Miss Grimshaw made her demands to all the women, expecting perfection and efficiency with each due task. Tending to the dishes, washing clothes, hand sewing patches of material onto clothes that had been torn.

Dutch often sat in his own tent, a pondering gaze upon his brow with his nose buried in a book. The same book he often quoted his own inspired wisdom.

When it gets to this time in the afternoon, when everyone returns and feeds together. Daily tautness no longer separates folk, drink is readily accessible for anyone who abides by the bitter liquid. Few wooden crates found around the camp are stocked with beer and whiskey.

Of course—Bill is one of those men who seems to create his own problems, blaming the bottle as if it weren’t his own hand to take the glass and gulp the poison down so greedily. As if he needed it, you never understood his dependence upon something so harmful.

Setting aside your personal mound of carefully plucked thyme into a small wooden bowl, you stand and pour yourself a cup of hot coffee. The pitcher sits by the fire by your camp, grateful for such an accessible commodity. Nursing the steaming black substance, you take a moment to blow the steam and look. Really observe the world moving around you.

Above the trees, the sun is beginning to set, illuminating an orange glow around the camp, where your eyes finally lay upon Javier, sitting with Arthur at the table halfway across the grassy field of the campground, playing five finger filet. He—of course wore gloves at your discretion, knowing how concerned you are that he’d cut off a finger one of these days.

Still, as the two men sit, fisting the handles of their sharpened blades, the 40c pot is sitting in the middle of the table, pending the winner.

“Tu pinchazo.” He utters as he knicks his finger with the steely blade. Another attempt, and he curses again.

“Hazlo bien tonto, concentrate.” The lick of his tongue on his upper lip is a sheer sign of dedicated concentration.

That, and he had one more attempt at getting this right, or he would lose the game. Being Javier, that was not a notion he could accept, defeat. He was a prideful man in every aspect of life.

Miraculously, the man managed to concentrate and successfully overcome the second round with a victory, taking the 40c pot and sliding the coins into his jean pocket. “Good game Arthur, perhaps we will play another time.”

Left alone only for a brief moment, he begins sharpening his knife at the table, red stains of his blood are splattered across the wooden surface as the aftermath of the victorious game. Yet, something more profound approaches, Bill with an opened bottle of whiskey in hand..

Tightly, your fingers curl around your mug, sipping on the coffee anxiously, your heart pounds against your skin with worry.

“Whatcha doin’ greaser?” Bill taunts, approaching Javier to which he’s met with silence.

Again, Bill takes a large mouthful of liquor and tosses the bottle onto the soiled grass. “I said, whatcha doin, greaser.” His boot kicks into Javier’s crate, getting more aggressive, prying for Javier’s attention, any kind of reaction.

Javier shoots up from the wooden crate, welding a knife in hand as he puts Bill into a steady headlock.

“Just playing with my knife, sheep fucker. Just playing with my knife.” The sound is cold and callous, holding the sharpened blade against Bill's neck, holding him hostage for a few moments before shoving Bill to the ground, sliding his knife back into his holster.

“Saco de mierda borracho.” He mutters bitterly to himself as he crosses the campsite to join you, when his dark brown orbs meet yours, he realises you’d been watching him, the interaction.

Finally finishing the last of your coffee, you set the mug down on a wooden barrel inside of your shared tent and Javier approaches with a sheepish expression on his face. “Hola mi vida.” He utters softly.

“Hi.” Gazing into those brown orbs you sigh. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that. I cannot believe he’s still doing this after you saved him yesterday.” With a gentle gesture, your thumb runs along his cheek.

“He is forgotten, the love of my life is here beside me, in my arms, how could anything else matter?” His leather gloves are warm and damp on some fingers with his blood from his earlier game of five finger filet.

Wordlessly, you take it upon yourself to remove the barrier between your eyes and his wounds, they’re minor, but you insist on doting over him. “Sit.”

His body is sat on a chair before you could urge him a second time, always listening to your requests, giving into you. Anything you yearned for he would give.

“Will you ever stop playing that foolish game?” The scolding makes him laugh, the sound has become so familiar and comforting to you.

“No, mi amor. I did win after all.” That prideful smile, beaming at you with his skin glowing with the orange illumination of the setting sun, another day being spent with the love of your life.

“I figured you’d say so, you’re a stubborn man.” The comment is met with a hum of his own as you tent to his wounds, although they would be fine unattended to, Javier loved when you doted on him, he saw it as affection. Being cared for unconditionally was all he ever needed.

“Let me make it up to you, for worrying you.”

“That’s not necessa—“ before you could finish, he’s interrupting you.

“Not another word, mi vida. Tomorrow we will ride side by side, to a nearby location by a small pond, I will pack some cheese, bread and berries into your wooden basket. We shall feast and relax without the constant hounding or senseless noise at this camp. Your presence is obligatory.”

Slowly, your fingers retreat from his hands as you finish cleaning his wounds, listening to the utter reverence of this man, his words are true and written as if needed to be followed. Guidance, and devotion.

“Of course I will join you.” His own hand grasps yours so elegantly bringing it up to his face before pressing his lips against your knuckle, the kiss lingers for a moment before he reaches to caress your cheeks.

“Mi vida, let me sing to you.”

Sitting on your bedroll beside his own, he reaches for his guitar and strums a familiar tune, one of a love song he had sung many a time before because it’s your favourite, Cielito Lindo.

“De la Sierra Morena, Cielito lindo, vienen bajando. Un par de ojitos negros, Cielito lindo, de contrabando.

Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay.

Canta y no llores. Porque cantando se alegran, Cielito lindo, los corazones. Ese lunar que tienes, ceilito lindo, junto a la boca.

No se lo des a nadie, Cielito lindo, que a mí md toca….”

As your life partner sings, his angelic voice caught in the gentle breeze as folk around camp are compelled to join around the campfire to hear the melodic tune. They fail to understand in their joy, that Javier was declaring his love for you in song.

It was a touching gesture that the two of you share alone. In many ways — would remain ignorant to the rest of them. At the end of this day, you would fill your bowl with stew and fill your stomach. But for now, you sit united with your lover, taking every moment revelling in each other's proclivity.

[espionn]

RainWing tribe sheet!

honestly i'm not 100% sure i like this sheet visually. its ok but not my best. i do like my more in-depth headcanon stuff for rainwings, though, so i hope people like it anyway!

fyi the next few tribes are giving me a bit of trouble so i might post these a little slower, but i still plan to get out all 10 tribes!! they just might be more than a few days apart.

Physical Appearance + Traits:

-RainWings live in the dense and tropical rainforest. Similarly to chameleons, they have prehensile tails and claws well-adapted to cling to branches; and, most strikingly, their coloration can be changed at will, to any color under the sun. This can be used for perfect and uncanny camouflage, for intimidation, for beauty and expression, and to communicate emotions. (Below is a chart of emotions corresponding with their colors; note, though, that they can be combined with each other, and patterned, to mean slightly different and more complex things.)

-Like birds of paradise, they are fond of bright and bold colors, but when they want they can also make themselves virtually undetectable. What exactly this skill is used for depends on the period of history; showing off, playing hide-and-seek, hunting, silent warfare.

-RainWings also have fangs that can be used to expel “venom” - called such for lack of a better word. It does not need to be injected to be deadly, unlike most venom, and rather seems to have a burning, warping and generally destructive effect on cells upon contact. Whether it is deadly depends on the level and location of exposure.

-Neck, chest and sometimes tail frills are used for expression and dance; the floatiness of these frills, and their color-changing abilities, make them hypnotizing. Neck ruffs in particular are commonly used for communication: perked up to show curiosity, drooping to show discomfort or sadness, and flared to show anger and to intimidate. 

-Their fifth claw - the dew claw - is larger and more opposable than those of other tribes, more like a human thumb. This, and their extra (and also more dextrous) wing claw, lets them climb and cling to trees with swiftness and ease. It also makes it easier to use tools, and crack open fruits and nuts, while keeping themselves steady and balanced. 

Life Cycle:

-RainWings are typically laid in clutches of 4-9 eggs. They take the longest of any tribe to develop within the egg; they incubate for nearly half a year, and still are hatched with pale and dull colors. As they grow, though, they get better control over their color-changing abilities through play under the watch of the rest of the tribe.

-RainWings do not form partnerships at all, and rarely mate with the same dragon twice. They also do not raise dragonets on their own; all dragonets are raised communally by the wider tribe. RainWings make friends and have positive relationships, but the idea of parental or romantic relationships are odd to the vast majority of them. Romantic partnerships are not completely unheard of, but they’re seen as unusual.

-Dragonets are naturally playful and learn to harness their abilities through games and competitions. This, though other tribes scoff at it, is quite effective, and other than a lack of structure and discipline in certain eras depending on the queen, RainWings are not less powerful than any other tribes, through nature or nurture. 

-The oldest they usually live is to 90 -100. It's uncommon to go much longer than that, which makes RainWings one of the shorter-lived tribes. Old RainWings tend to live together in their own communities within the tribe, and likewise, younger RainWings prefer each other's company. These boundaries aren't strict, but social norms expect dragons to generally stick to their age groups.

Society and Culture:

-RainWings’ societal structure has varied through time. Their ranged venom and near-invisibility makes them excellent assassins and spies, and several times in history they have been organized or hired in this way. Their nature, though, tends to be easygoing and nonviolent on the whole, and their culture tends to drift in that direction in the absence of external pressure. 

-RainWings are social dragons, and while they do not have a particularly ranked and organized society structure, like SeaWings, their social and personal dynamics are complex and important. Popular and well-liked RainWings are more successful in their tribe than those who are disliked and outcast. Their emotions are very openly communicated, and the idea of hiding thoughts and feelings is strange to them. That isn’t to say they lack subtlety and tact, but they rarely try to suppress their natural scale fluctuations. 

-A lot of RainWing culture rests on colors. They use colors to communicate and associate objects with different emotions based on their color. They sometimes set distinct color palettes in order to appear a certain way in front of others, but some level of fluctuation is impossible to avoid.

-RainWings are the only tribe that has no written language. They are completely illiterate not out of laziness or inability, but because historically they have never had need for communication that isn’t direct and in the present. Their visual signals are so complex that they might be called a crude type of sign language, less refined than Aquatic but not entirely dissimilar, but the only RainWings taught to read and write are those involved in diplomacy or other inter-tribe interactions where it may be necessary. For their own tribe affairs, verbal communication is all they need.

-One of the ultimate staples of RainWing culture is performance - theater and dance. Their dances, often synchronized, with their agile bodies, floating frills and shifting colors, are famously breathtaking and mesmerizing. There was a time when RainWing dancers would travel and perform for different tribes, and dragons scrambled to watch them. For RainWings themselves, though, the performances take on their own meanings, as emotional expression comes through in the colors and some dances tell elaborate stories through these visual cues. Silent theater, similarly, relies on color to tell stories, and these shows aren’t as popular among other tribes simply because other dragons can’t fully comprehend the meanings of different scenes.

-RainWings don’t use facial expressions much, because their scales are so adept at showing emotion, and sometimes that causes communication issues with dragons from other tribes. Similarly, they struggle to separate different tribes from their color associations; for example, it’s hard to get over the subconscious assumptions that all SkyWings are angry, all IceWings are in pain/distress, and all NightWings are constantly overflowing with rage and hatred. (@puzzled-pegasus inspired this one - hope you don’t mind me adopting it!)

-Sleep schedules are loose to non-existent, best compared to that of cats; RainWings generally sleep at midnight and midday, and are awake at dawn and dusk, but short naps throughout the day are considered normal and acceptable.

-Because of the diversity of plant life in the rainforest, RainWings have a more in-depth knowledge of toxins and medicines than any other tribe, and their medics can cure a vast number of ailments. They also have access to - and use - a great variety of stimulants and hallucinogens, usually in a festive or celebratory context.

Diet: Selectively herbivorous. RainWings can eat meat, and sometimes do, but generally they prefer to put time and energy toward gathering rather than hunting. They eat just about every type of fruit under the sun, having adapted to a high-glucose and low-protein diet, and their dishes are elaborate and flavorful with spices and sweeteners; just about every other tribe that eats plants is happy to invite RainWing fruit merchants into their towns. RainWings were also the first Pyrrhian tribe to produce chocolate.

[peskellence]

My Friends Call Me Richard

Part II

Explicit Content (18+)

Pairing: Reed900

Tags: M/M, Workplace Romance, FWB, Humour, Awkward Encounters, Eventual Smut

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Summary: In a bid to improve his partnership (and secret intimate arrangement) with Detective Gavin Reed, RK900 embarks on a noble quest to spice things up. The solution? A new biocomponent.

Word Count: 4K

Tag List: @sweeteatercat @wedonthaveawhile @ladyj-pl @tentoriumcerebelli @negative-citadel @faxaway @moriahadi424 @unicorn4genocide @cptjh-arts

"Detective Reed? May I ask you a question?"

RK900 wouldn't have been surprised if his partner hadn't heard him. He was walking several paces behind, keeping as much distance as possible while still following the same path. His usual jacket was absent, replaced with a loose charcoal hoodie. The drawstring was pulled so tight around his face that it left only a narrow gap through which his eyes peered.

"Detective…?" he repeated, a little louder, attempting to breach the muffling padding around his head.

It was successful. The man twitched, and while the android could not see his face, the subtle contortion of his muscles alluded to a scowl. "What?"

The already irritable man was proving to be in a worse mood than usual. Undoubtedly, this was a consequence of the adverse weather conditions. This had been a concern before they departed, as the human had been unable to locate his preferred outerwear—adamant that he would not leave the apartment without it:

"It's 31 degrees, I'll freeze my ass off."

At first, he had claimed the garment was being cleaned, an event they both knew to be improbable. In the time they had known each other, RK900 could not recall a single instance in which the jacket had been washed.

The next claim had been that his pet had successfully gotten hold of the item, tearing it to shreds. This was a more blatant lie, and while the android wouldn't have usually challenged it—assuming the excuse stemmed from his reluctance to go outside—for this particular excursion, he felt it was imperative for his partner to join him.

As such, RK900 had offered to take a look at the jacket to determine if the 'damage' could be repaired. Presumably, to save face, Reed had secured the first garment available that barely resembled winter attire.

It was wildly insufficient, as evidenced by the ruddy tip of his nose protruding from the hood. RK900 followed its down-turned slope, zoning in on the pavement, determining what the man might be so enraptured by. Admittedly, the sight was pleasant: the iridescent sparkle of crystallised water catching against the sun above.

"For what reason did you choose my designation?" he asked, noting as the soles of his dress shoes left subtle marks against the sleet.

His partner slowed at the question—impressive, given the laborious pace at which he was already dragging his feet. "Your 'what'?"

RK900 frowned, the lack of understanding proving disheartening. Admittedly, the nuances of human speech were something he was still adjusting to. The facilitation of such communications did not form part of his programming, and the conventions proved deceptively complicated.

Assuming his phrasing might be the issue, he implemented a more colloquial approach:

"My name."

"Just say 'name' then, you pompous asshole." 

The belligerence was fleeting as the detective soon began to calm down. Taking a deep breath, he demonstrated the improvements made in emotional regulation since they had partnered. 

"I've already said, no reason. You just seem like a 'Richard' to me."

"That is the part I do not understand. Humans often choose names arbitrarily—unless tied to tradition or deeper personal meaning. It makes no sense that a particular name would feel intrinsically suited to me."

"Oh my fucking God." 

Tempers flared, demonstrating Reed still had a ways to go in maintaining a consistent grip on his behavioural management. Like a mole emerging from its burrow, his face popped out from the cloth, the entirety of frostbitten features now visible. 

"Because you look like a Dick. There, you happy?"

Any concerns regarding the man's body temperature were swiftly forgotten. It was as RK900 had previously suspected: his 'name' carried with it implicit communication of salacious wishes.

This revelation brought with it assurance that these desires were about to be met. With RK900's commercial research, as well as data from the pornographic material on the detective's laptop, it could be safely surmised that his partner would be pleased with the outcome of the efforts.

"Extremely," RK900 responded. "I am certain you will be as well, following the installation of my new component."

Reed muttered something under his breath, vaguely decipherable as a plea for self-termination. The sort of dejected hyperbole that was typical of him when in low spirits. A sour disposition that RK900 was certain would lift soon enough.

As the two reached the end of the sidewalk, they emerged into the centre of a bustling shopping district. Through the crowds sat an extensive strip of retail stores, with one standing out far more than the rest. 

It was defined by bold geometric branding—with a holographic sheen on the signage, illuminated by spotlights that lined the crisp lettering. RK900's anticipation grew, eager to proceed into the establishment. His partner, however, seemed apprehensive—his eyes wide and jaw clenched, torn between awe and anxiety.

From what the android understood, both emotions were normal in response to heightened excitement. In a bid to ease his partner's nerves, he beckoned him closer with a tight nod and a guiding flourish of his hand. 

"Shall we?"

Entering the 'store', they were met with a presentation that was more fitting of a modern art exhibit. A deluge of ostentatious chrome fixtures, mostly nonsensical in shape and design, boxed into a blinding enclosure of iridescent white. The air was thick with incense—orange and bergamot, as his olfactory scanners soon determined. It was likely intended as refreshing but was instead oppressive in its potency. 

RK900 muted the sensory assault with a swift adjustment of inputs. His partner wasn't as fortunate, clamping a hand over his nose to block the cloying scent. 

Following further analysis of their surroundings, he noted the biocomponents filling a series of winding shelves. There was a vast array of options, servicing a diverse range of functions—none of them the one they required.

A flicker of doubt crossed his neural pathways, considering the possibility of misinformation during his research. Fearful his partner might also sense the increasing likelihood of a mistake, RK900 decided to seek assistance from an employee.

Filtering through the customers, it wasn't long until he had established his target. A man stood at the edge of the displays, dressed in a garish cobalt button-down bearing Cyberlife branding. His back was turned as he talked animatedly with two of the patrons—a human female and an ST300. Both seemed unimpressed by his exuberant flailing of limbs and nasally tone of voice.

RK900 approached, and as the couple became aware of his presence, their annoyance shifted to trepidation. The ST300 acted first, performance indicator flashing red as she clasped a protective hand to the small of her companion's waist. The woman offered little resistance as she was ushered back before they both retreated to the exit.

The assistant emitted a strained wheeze as he watched them leave, an arm remaining suspended in the air. Slowly, his raised pointer finger furled into the folds of his palm, and the limb fell limply to his side. 

This wilting posture did not last, as RK900 clapped a hand on his shoulder, startling him to attention. 

"Good Afternoon." 

The man's bony frame locked at the contact—back held uncomfortably stiff. Stunned inactivity soon transitioned into anxious jitters as his head snapped around, bulged eyes fixed on the android.

RK900 soon realised that 'man' might have been a generous descriptor. The assistant looked young—alarmingly so—given the absence of mature supervision. It was autonomy he didn't seem to appreciate, shown by his rapid pulse rate and the sweat gleaming on his forehead.

The longer RK900 studied him, the more he began to fidget. Twiddling the rumpled ends of his collar, calling attention to the misaligned buttons lining his front. Following their crooked trail, the android landed on the lopsided tag affixed to his chest. 

The etchings on it were unfamiliar, characters inconsistent with any known alphabets stored in his databanks. Despite this, he persisted, making an educated guess at the pronunciation:

"ɯɐ̷̜̳͕̗̰̈́͑̋͜͝ᴉ̶̢̻̜͌̌llḯ̴̛̤̒ͅM, I would like to purchase an HR400 Series #5635-9 Penile Biocomponent.”

There was a screech of feedback as his vocal transmitters strained, pushing into previously unexplored frequencies. The sound rattled the windows, reverberating through the store and striking the occupants with a piercing resonance. Of all those affected, ɯɐ̷̜̳͕̗̰̈́͑̋͜͝ᴉ̶̢̻̜͌̌llḯ̴̛̤̒ͅM seemed the most perturbed. His eyes bulged, his mouth slackened into a gaping chasm.

"I, uh—" The words spluttered out awkwardly, each flap of his jaw exposing more of his wired dentition. "Who?"

Clearly, the modulation had left something to be desired. Attributing the human's confusion to this, rather than the content of his address, the android clarified his meaning:

"I am referring to the name on your personnel identifier." 

Following the guiding direction of his hand, the adolescent looked down at his chest, blinking slowly as he studied the embossed lettering. His vacant gaze then ignited with a spark of understanding—and wordlessly, he unclasped the tag, reorienting it by 180 degrees and gingerly refastening it.

RK900's linguistic protocols triggered autonomously, analysing the reconfigured text:

> ROOT ALPHABET IDENTIFIED: LATIN.

> DESIGNATION — 'WILLIAM'

> COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN: ENGLAND, GERMANY.

> MEANING: "STRONG-WILLED WARRIOR."

'William' was far from living up to his title. His pasty body quivered like gelatin, a likeness only exemplified as RK900 pressed on.

"I have reviewed your catalogue prior to my visit. In accordance with my partner's sexual preferences, I believe the 6.7-inch variation in girth size 'medium' would be the most gratifying."

A gasp echoed across the store, loud enough to rattle the exposed rafters above. RK900 identified the source as a middle-aged woman, her daggered gaze locked onto him as she covered the ears of a pudgy child dawdling at her feet. The boy seemed unfazed, gawping vacantly at the smartphone held inches from his face.

The android chose not to dwell on the pair, retaining focus on more pressing matters. "Your website suggests you have several in stock. Please direct me to their location."

William responded as though RK900 had threatened to claim the stock at knifepoint. His face illuminated like a warning beacon as he nervously stumbled through a response. "Sorry, I, uh… it's my first day here…so I don't really…uh, yeah."

The android tilted his head, uncertain as to why the human was discussing the recency of his employment rather than fulfilling its duties. 

William's forcefully plastered smile was strained to its limit. Meekly, he cleared his throat, attempting to oblige the request. "I think they keep that stuff in the back."

The noncommittal response failed to inspire confidence. Nonetheless, RK900 was pleased to make progress—regardless of how sparse. "If you could show us the way immediately. We are eager to test the product."

Reed swore under his breath, shattering his self-imposed silence. His eyes narrowed into slits as he sharply confronted his partner. "Don't fucking say that. Do you have any idea what it sounds like?"

RK900 would have thought the connotations were clear, given the context. He was unable to clarify, though, as William continued to demonstrate a profound level of social impairment.

"Well, I'd love to," he stammered, his spiking cortisol suggesting otherwise. "It's just that I'm the only one on the floor right now. My supervisor's at lunch, and I'm not sure if I'm...old enough to approve your transaction. If you can wait, like, 20 minutes, I'm sure he'll be able to help."

While the remaining address proved genuine, it seemed more like a deflection than a commitment. RK900 felt his patience waning as the adolescent's hapless floundering impeded progression.

Stepping closer, eliminating the space between them, the former Military Unit engaged his Intimidation Protocol—towering form casting a shadow over William, whose pupils dilated fearfully.

"That is an inordinate amount of time to expect a customer to wait."

"O-Oh, is it?" 

The teenager laughed. Or, at least RK900 surmised this was the intent. The auditory rhythms were more consistent with a recent altercation between Detective Reed's feline and an ill-fated pigeon.

"Sorry, I worked in food services before this." As the excuse tumbled out, bright eyes flitted determinedly to the glass-panelled doors at the storefront. "Wait times are, uh, longer there. The kitchen has to prepare the—"

RK900 silently dissuaded William from acting on his impulses. His steely gaze bore down, prepared to utilise force should he attempt to flee.

The inane drivel came to a hasty conclusion. Words died in William's throat, lodged in a tense lump before they were swallowed.

"...It's my first day..." he reiterated, shaky voice laden with defeat. 

He then pointed dejectedly toward the nearby checkout, highlighting the mesh curtain affixed behind the desk. It guarded a concealed doorway that his previous scan had failed to detect. "This way, sirs."

Their experience with the backroom was no less bizarre than what had already been established—albeit in a different respect.

Rather than being assaulted by harsh fluorescents, the stairs they descended were bathed in a peculiar red glow. Upon reaching the foot of the passage, they were met with a set of velvet drapes suspended on a curtain rail. The heavy material quivered, the anchoring rings clattering as trembling hands parted it.

The space beyond came into view, an extensive study in human depravity comparable to the contents of Detective Reed's hard drive.

Lascivious paraphernalia formed the sum of visible décor, proudly displayed on hooks and shelves like household ornaments. As RK900 moved through the space, his optics detected the sheen of polished leather—belonging to garments that tenuously resembled domestic animals, as well as various human professions.

He doubted these clothes constituted proper workplace attire—nor did the accompanying chains and whips serve any relevant purpose.

Amidst walls of latex and gloss, the android discovered some items that more acutely captured his interest. A series of silicone fixtures jutted out like obscene trophies. While disparities existed in size and form, there was a consistent cohesion of design, all items seeking to resemble the same intimate appendage.

His optics adjusted, sharpening focus until one of the objects became the focal point. His primary directive appeared on his HUD, subcommands descending beneath it before one fizzled away, dissipating into a shroud of pixels.

With this came tremendous relief and a marked reduction in stress levels as RK900 realised they had located the item they sought.

William, who stood squarely in the path between the android and his target, hurriedly apologised, "Oh, I'm so sorry; I'll just, um, I'll just get out of your way."

He scampered off, muttering a series of self-deprecating insults under his breath. Reaching an archway signposted as 'Employee Entrance Only,' the assistant hurriedly sought to retreat into the shadows. In his haste, he dislodged a large leather strap from a nearby rack, sending it clattering to the floor.

If RK900 wasn't mistaken, he had seen a distinctive glint of moisture in William's eyes before the teenager vanished from view.

With obstructions cleared, the android closed the gap between himself and the display. Upon reaching the wall, another objective dropped from his optics, leaving only one task remaining before he completed his primary directive:

> PURCHASE HR400 SERIES #5635-9 BIO COMPONENT. 

> ENGAGE IN SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH DETECTIVE REED.

Assuming William had gone to collect their order—but doubtful he would return soon—RK900 sought to use his time productively. He began analysing the display replica, engaging with the tactile feedback that had been unobtainable during his pre-constructions.

He ran a hand across the moulding, studying the vascular ridges, before testing the weight of the appendage in his hand. Pulling his fingers back, he noted how the rubber yielded to the touch. When released, it sprang back to its original position, quivering slightly with retained momentum.

RK900 placed a finger to the tip and sought to repeat the process, this time with greater force. Aware of his partner's affinity for rough handling, he wished to check if the component could withstand the necessary requirements.

Hand poised and fingers splayed, he readied himself to deliver a suitably firm strike. He somewhat miscalculated the force as, upon contact, the suctioned mount of the phallus dislodged—sending the item careening into a rack of intimate stimulators.

Reed watched on, his jaw locked in a tense grit, before he stormed toward the phallus, snatching it from the wreckage. He used it to gesture accusingly at his partner, flesh-toned rubber flopping in tandem.

"Will you stop that? Because I am not paying for this shit if you break it."

While this had not been the intended outcome of his actions, RK900 remained satisfied. He hummed in tune with the faint vibrations of scattered toys before extending his hand to retrieve the display model.

"Not to worry, Detective. It appears the durability of these wares is more than adequate."

There was a distant clattering across the room—this time, unrelated to the parents. William reemerged from his hiding spot, uniform dampened with a series of unsightly patches. He held a small box, fingers clamped around the cardboard in a vice-like grip.

"Sorry I took so long; I—" the sentence aborted as he was forced to take a ragged breath. "I couldn't find the ladder, so I had to climb the shelves. It was really high up. Like, the very top shelf, pushed all the way to the back…"

Another pause followed, this one intentional, as the teenager awaited some form of acknowledgement. RK900 was uncertain what that might be, save a reprimand for his reckless disregard for personal safety.

Determining this matter was not his concern, he strode forward and deftly slipped the container from William's hands. He then studied the contents listed on the package before releasing the tab from one end and peering inside.

After confirming all elements were accounted for, he resealed the box and returned it to its original position in the clerk's frozen grip. "Let us proceed with the transaction."

The two were led to a nearby desk and directed to sit in worn plastic chairs. A concave backrest dug into the small of RK900's back, prompting him to adjust his posture. Reed took none of the same care, slumping into his seat like a dejected ragdoll.

His patience had clearly run thin with the current situation—a virtue he already possessed in limited supply. Undoubtedly, he wished to resolve the remaining formalities of their purchase so they could return home and shift focus to more fulfilling duties.

A rumble shook the table, vibrating the unsteady legs as William proceeded to boot a woefully outdated staff computer. There was a whir of struggling fans, accompanied by frantic clicks as he attempted to trigger some form of response from the frozen monitor.

Once successful, the user interface lagged—a tedium exacerbated by the worker's inability to remember his password. A recovery code pinged to his phone, only to be misentered, triggering a repetition of the mind-numbing process.

Eventually, the store's checkout software was accessed. William appeared sincerely relieved, sighing as he rubbed his blemished temple with the back of his wrist. "Okay, we're in, so all I need to do is take your details, and then—oh."

As was becoming a pattern, the dithering youth trailed off—squinting at the screen and leaning in for closer inspection. He read the system prompt aloud in an insufferably drawn, fumbled monotone. It was as though he was reciting words he'd never seen before with all the finesse of someone incapable of speaking English:

"Ask the customer the following pre-purchase questions in a friendly and…cour-te-ous manner..."

Already faithless in the human's ability to perform his duties, this fumbled delivery did nothing but raise growing tides of frustration. RK900 studied the tasteless clock affixed to the wall opposite, noting as one of the pantyhosed legs struck the half-hour marker. 

Twenty minutes had long passed, and there was still no sign of William's manager. The teenager in question appeared to grow more distressed with every minute, expression falling in line with the text reflexed in his scleras. 

"My employer asks that I inform you of the tan-til-is-ing pleasures of sensational, multi-speed vibrations available at $79.99 with today's purchase." 

RK900 considered the proposition before turning to his partner and seeking input. "Detective? You own several vibrators. I imagine this feature would prove appealing to you."

Reed groaned, pulling the skin of his face taut with prolonged drags of his fingers. "Do you ever think about the things you say before you say them?" 

"While less advanced than other models, I have an extensive computational stage that facilitates verbal feedback. This information is accurate, is it not?"

"I, just, uh. I'll add it to the payment plan," William interrupted, putting an end to the strained exchange. 

As he clicked off the prompt and moved on to the next, his flushed skin drained of colour. It became comparable to the accented grey piping his uniform as his dry lips formed into a tense pucker.

Reed quite aptly summarised the android's sentiments on the shift, grunting despondently under his breath. "Jesus Christ, what now…?" 

The store assistant stared at the screen for a little while longer before he continued. The words were eked out with great reluctance, as though each was causing him tremendous pain.

"Would you like to arrange an appointment with one of our Trusted Cyberlife Technicians to have an—" The subsequent information was muttered so frenziedly the meaning became lost in a jumble of syllables. "—fitted at no additional cost?"

"Repeat that," RK900 instructed, having been unable to decipher the strange utterance.

There was a glossed vacancy in William's eyes that seemed nothing short of haunted. As though he were exploring every decision that had led him to this point and cursing each with mournful conviction. The offending word was muttered flatly, barely escaping his lips.

"Anus." 

"Ahh, I see." RK900 shook his head in dismissal. "We wouldn't have any use for that."

There was an increased urgency to conclude the exchange—as William's pallid complexion shifted to a sickly green. He slipped the biocomponent into a promotional bag before nudging it across the table. "This one is self-install, so if you just—there are instructions in the thing—and, uh, if you keep the receipt."

"We will test the item and provide feedback on its performance." RK900 rose from his chair with fluid precision; the carrier gripped in his hand. "Your assistance is no longer required."

William seemed exceptionally pleased to hear this. The tense hunch of his shoulders lifted as though an oppressive weight had been removed. "Thank you for visiting us today. Your business is appreciated; if you have any issues, please hesitate to contact us."

The android was uncertain if the delivery had been fumbled—or if the dismissive sentiment was intended. He did not have a chance to clarify as the young man stiffly handed over a flier. It was seemingly out of reflex more than conscious thought, with no further words exchanged, gesture omitting any eye contact. 

It had been snowing during their time in the store, a soft blanket that crunched underfoot as they stepped outside. The crisp sounds synchronised to the gentle flick of pages as RK900 deftly thumbed through the booklet. Studying the contents in meticulous detail and sharing them with his partner:

"Flesh tones are the default, but it appears that numerous colour and pattern kits are available for enhanced customisation."

Reed grunted, the sound cutting through the air in a thin ribbon of smoke. Ruddy palms were rubbed together before being shoved callously into his pockets. 

"As it happens, there are several things that weren't outlined on the website," RK900 continued, entirely undeterred by the silence. "Our service representative wasn't particularly effective in informing us of our options..." 

He continued to leaf through before coming across an expansive double spread. Reorienting the page, he curiously studied the detail and texture of the advertised product. 

"Perhaps I should have inquired about the ridged shaft. I wonder if it is too late to include this in our package."  

Reed stopped dead in his tracks. Weathered shoes mounted to the pavement as though encased in thick blocks of ice. His body grew equally frigid, shoulders squared and eyes blown to cartoonish proportions.

"It's fine; we don't need to go back." 

"But it says 'for your pleasure,' Detective." The android attempted to angle the pages so that his partner could see.

"I SAID IT'S FINE— WE'RE NOT GOING BACK."

[idontwanttospoiltheparty]

hi! I'm new to the beatles lore and I've been trying to catch up on an insane level of information for weeks. it's been fun but also heartbreaking 💔💔 anyways, I wanted to ask a couple of questions if that's ok? for example, I keep seeing this narrative that john was using yoko as some sort of weapon against paul... what was john trying to achieve by that I mean where does this idea even come from? according to this, john was hurting paul on purpose while he was singing him love songs in the studio asking him to be partners again (as in songwriting creative partners) WHAT WOULD JOHN ACHIEVE DOING THAT? also it sounds very one sided like paul is the most innocent in the break up eventho he was the one who came up with a secret album and a lawsuit. I don't know what to think. before knowing them I used to think lennon was in love and on drugs so he got so annoying to the point that he broke up the band but now...

Hi there! Welcome to the fandom! don't worry about feeling overwhelmed at first there is a LOT to take in.

I want to say, I do get the feeling you are somewhat mixing things up here, though I don't particularly blame you for being confused. (if not then sorry! just want to clarify as much as I can)

Tedious as it sounds, I find keeping a timeline in my mind (ideally, accurate to the month) helpful to provide some clarity regarding the breakup era specifically, so the period of 1968-1971. John's studio taunting you're referring to would have happened between mid '68 and mid '69, but Paul worked on his solo album (what I presume you meant by "his secret album", though it wasn't all that secret – John had already released solo music of his own by that point*) in late '69 and early '70. He filed a lawsuit against the others in late '70.

*I think you're conflating the album itself with the fact that, along with the release of McCartney (said album), Paul "surprise revealed" he had quit the band to the public, which the other band members, especially John, were not impressed with.

That being said, the events of the breakup are still convoluted at best, even to "seasoned" fans, I'd say. One of my main pieces of advice I can provide as someone who's been doing this for more than 3 years is get comfortable with not knowing things and with some of the actors involved doing something fundamentally irrational sometimes. They're humans, they don't always make sense and they won't always be forthcoming about why they behaved the way they did.

Which brings me to the narratives you mention: I say this as nicely as possible, but sometimes people want to tell themselves the best story rather than the most truthful one. It's more important to some that John is taunting Paul out of some twisted form of love than why specifically.

To answer your question regarding where this particular idea comes from, I would say: Paul has indicated that he felt John replaced him with Yoko (in whatever way he meant by that – some think it's sexual, some it's about creative partnership, or simply as a best friend); John's behaviour clearly and drastically shifted for the worse in mid '68, which is around the time he got together with Yoko, left his family, and started doing heroin; footage from Get Back shows John both all over Yoko and trying to reach out to Paul periodically.

There's probably more, but I don't know if there's much point in getting into the weeds of it right now. My point is: it's not the only valid theory, IMO, and probably not the whole truth if it is true, but it's not unfounded.

I think it may be a misstep to dismiss a theory because "what would John achieve by that?" Again, people are not always acting in a way that strictly makes sense, especially not people with the issues John struggled with. Some people might say John was testing Paul, trying to make him fight for him. Some might say John had an outright sadistic streak. Others that he was too out of it to notice the pain he was inflicting on others. I think it could very easily be a mix of all three. When dealing with human emotions, I personally think it's a mistake to assume things are simple and straightforward, which is why a lot of tinhattery turns me off. It very often feels like a blanket-statement self-confirming axiom, rather than a truly thoughtful and multifaceted argument.

My most condensed version of events would be: John became incredibly difficult to work with in multiple ways (including but not limited to bringing Yoko to the studio) by mid '68; Paul, for the most part, tried to accomodate him, to diminishing returns, while having his own longterm relationship fall apart and being completely in over his head running a brandnew business; Paul deals with distress by burying himself in work, the other three do not – this leads to further conflict, along with issues over creative control; the band decide they need a new manager type to help them out with their new business and provide the guidance they haven't had since Brian died; cue John wanting Klein and only Klein and massively distrusting Paul's "nepo" choice of Eastman + apparently not trusting Paul's belief that Klein was bad news; extreme resentment over money issues which are incredibly underrated by the fandom because at their core they are boring, emotionally, ensue; John decides he's "over" the band and tells the others he's out; Paul is destroyed over this (and everything that led up to it), spends months spiraling and recording his album; wanting to get this all out of the way, Paul finally breaks down and admits he's leaving the Beatles to the world and to the band itself, even though he had asked John to stay quiet about his own quitting the band months earlier; John (understandably, IMO, though I don't blame Paul exactly – this is what I mean by not everything makes perfect sense) assumes Paul is using the band breakup for PR and gets a hell of a lot angrier than he already is about the money stuff; John undergoes primal therapy which opens up about 43273289635298 wounds; John does an interview in which he spills his guts and tears down almost everyone in his life except Yoko; meanwhile more financial issues. I cannot overstate that those matter too, tumblr is just not a place where finance peeps hang out; Paul is getting more and more fed up with all of this and he, as a last resort, files a lawsuit to no longer be legally tied to the others.

I for the most part left out George and Ringo here* and I'm writing off memory here without re-checking sources, so take what I say with a massive grain of salt. My main point is that this shit is complicated and don't let people tell you it isn't.

*I'm of the opinion that John and Paul are at the center of the breakup, but they also aren't the be-all, end-all of it. But because in the end George and Ringo fell "in line" with John and you didn't ask about them, I decided to mostly leave them out.

[kimbap-r0ll]

This is for twisted wonderland. So how about s/o (female preferable) who is the avatar? Has the ability to bend all four elements and go into the avatar state despite only being a freshman.

I like if you could do the dorm leaders in one and the vice dorm leaders in another. Head cannons are fine but if you get hit with inspiration, you can do something else, I’m giving you free reign! Can’t wait to see what you do with this if you do it!

Hi, thank you for the ask! I'll stick with just the dorm leaders for now. I've actually never seen the full avatar series so I'll just go with element usage for now (I only know the lore vaguely haha). Also, I pictured this with a more platonic approach. Hope you enjoy!

Dorm leaders and an reader who is like the avatar

Riddle

I think he would first get confused as to why you don't need to use a magic pen or so for doing any form of what looks like spells. You'd have to explain to him that it's not necessarily the same kind of magic, more like "element bending." There's another thing you have to define now since he'll be asking about that

I think he wouldn't really ask you to do things related to your abilities for him, but he might appreciate it from time to time (ie lighting fire). He will, however, not like it if you were to set the garden on fire by accident haha

I feel like because of how different the power system from perhaps the world you came from (if you got isekai'd basically) he wouldn't really question it. However, let's say this was your magic ability. THEN he has a lot of questions!

You'd be known as a really gifted student at NRC, so I wouldn't be surprised if you two got along just out of the fact that you guys excel in magic.

Leona

Probably (as a joke) tried to challenge you to a duel and almost got his ass given to him by you. Are you strong physically? Maybe. But magic-wise you do have an upper-hand with the ability to use four elements.

He probably thought you were an upperclassmen with your skills but was like "no you look like a child" even if you guys are only a few years apart (he thinks anyone younger than him is just a kid haha)

I think he would like your water or wind abilities the most. The reason? Nothing particular, he just likes things that can help him cool off. He might ask you to use your abilities from time to time

Whether or not you are an avatar though he probably doesn't really understand it very much if you got isekai'd to their world. He'll try his best to understand, perhaps just lend an ear for you if you need to rant about your role. If you didn't, he would have a lot of respect for you and your abilities.

Azul

He's a bit different from the other two in the sense that he will be asking you for help if you two have a partnership. Your elemental abilities might come in handy to him, so he's like "hey let's make a deal :D"

He likes your abilities A LOT. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to steal them at some point, but he won't. He has a lot of respect for you and what you are capable of.

More than your power to control the elements though, I think he would've fallen in love with you because of your personality. The avatar part just happens to be a nice quirk that he likes. Oh, he likes the water ability the most basically because he thinks it's similar to home. Don't drench him in water though, he might get upset ;-;

As for if you got isekai'd or not, if you did then he would love learning about your world and the kinds of responsibilities you have as an avatar. He hopes you take care of yourself! Then there's the case where you're just a regular resident of Twisted Wonderland. He's just shocked, like damn a freshman with these kinds of abilities?! Will respect you a lot as well

Kalim

Thinks you guys are almost twins since you both have an ability to control water (somewhat for Kalim, though he's more like creating water). He might be the most open to seeing you use a variety of different abilities to control the elements.

For example, he might have asked if you can make the carpet ride you two were on a bit more exciting by using wind. The two of you got an earful from Jamil afterwards but Kalim whispered to you "it was so worth it!" afterwards

I think he would want you to take care of yourself the most though. While he likes seeing you use your abilities, he also doesn't want to see you get stressed out while using them. Will make sure to give you a snack when you look stressed haha

If you got isekai'd he will want to listen to all the things you have to say about your world and your responsibilities as an avatar. He'll have a lot of questions and show that he really is interested in knowing more about you. If you weren't isekai'd, I feel like he would think you're the coolest freshman out there haha

Vil

He thought you were joking at first when you said you could control the elements. As a freshman? You had to be joking, there was no way you were able to use magic that powerful.

Well, he was proven wrong when you showed up one day being able to shift some of the earth into a small mound about your height and then lift it from the ground. He was definitely surprised but more in a "this student must be a genius" sort of way haha

I think that you two probably got closer because of similar interests more than your abilities. Vil also doesn't really want you to use them unless needed out of the fear that you may do unnecessary damage to yourself. He likes your wind ability a lot though, perhaps you used it in a theater production as a stage effect once or twice!

If you happened to have been isekai'd I think he would want to help you out. If this means just listening to you or helping you find a way back home then he will do just that. He likes listening to your tales of home a lot. If you're just a regular freshman though then he really thinks your a gifted student. Lots of respect!

Idia

He probably heard about you through Ortho since you two were sharing a class together. He didn't know what to think of you though since he thought you were joking when you said you could bend the elements.

He likes your fire ability since it sort of reminds him of his hair. He probably wants to see you go all out just out of curiosity but at the same time knows that would probably really bad for your health so he's always like "take care of yourself"

I feel like because he's more of a tech guy you two don't have a lot in common in terms of magic usage or so, but he does like seeing what you can do. You two get along mostly because of similar interests like in the case of Vil.

If you were isekai'd then he would want to learn more about your world and your thoughts on both Twisted Wonderland and back where you came from. If you happen to be a TW resident then he just thinks you're a genius (like him lol). Will definitely be there to help you if you need anything too btw!

Malleus

He's an extremely strong magic user, so to hear of a freshman that could bend elements was new to him. He met you by accident when you guys were just in the same abandoned area of the school.

He doesn't really ask if you can pull off controlling four different elements since he just trusts that you can. He did get to see it a bit when you were showing him your use of fire. Thinks it's pretty cool, you guys are probably the best magic users in the school!

It's nice that there's someone who isn't really scared of him or just wants to be friends with him because of his status, so he likes your company a lot. Will often find him next to you or you two just hanging out in the school courtyard.

If you are indeed an avatar I think he would understand a bit of what the pressure could be like. He's there to help out if you need anything. Also, he's curious about your world, so be sure to info dump him since he loves listening to you!

[poeticpascal]

Nightmare (Joel Miller x Reader)

Masterlist | Request here!

Summary: Every night, Y/N's screams are heard throughout Jackson. Her nightmares haunt her in the darkness, but when she meets an equally plagued Joel Miller, they find safety together.

Word count: 2.1k

Warnings: nightmares, PTSD, panic attacks, mentions of violence, reader kills a clicker, mentions of traumatic past, angst with a fluffy ending

A/n: Hi all! Thank you so much for coming by to read my fic. This is my first Joel fic, and actually my first fic posted on Tumblr in a few years now. I'm so excited about this, and I can't wait to carry on writing for Joel - so get your requests in!

--------

She wasn’t quite sure when the nightmares started.

It was always the same decrepit faces and monstrous forms that had once hunted her each day, the memories bleeding into the night, every night. For so long that even now, from the safety of her small apartment in Jackson where she grew strawberries on her balcony and tended to the horses at the yard, she couldn’t shake the lucidity of the horrors she’d faced.

It made her feel weak. Everybody in Jackson had lived through the outbreak. They’d all surely ran from the monsters, or looters. They’d all scavenged and prayed and survived for this long. They’d all lost someone.

And yet it was only her screams that rang through the streets each night.

The community were understanding for the most part - when she’d first arrived in Jackson a few years ago, it had been Tommy who stayed with her through the night, keeping watch and holding a warm flannel to her head when she cried. Maria would brew tea, made with sweet herbs and honey, to help calm her as the evening rolled in. She never understood the couple’s kindness; of all the folk in their town, she was the least deserving of such generosity. They told her otherwise.

Joel Miller arrived not long after she did, actually. He was plagued too, by the ghosts of his past, and they related to each other in that way. He didn’t scream like she did, his throat wasn’t hoarse and sore each morning; his pain was silent, overwhelming, pouring from him in sweat and tears that forced their way out and painted his skin.

Their friendship was immediate, their… something following straight after. Neither knew what to call it - just an inclination towards one another, drawn together and deeply at home in each other’s presence. They were almost weary of the intensity of it, how two strangers felt so suddenly overcome with partnership, but the first night she slept in his bed marked something deeper than either of them expected.

It was innocent; Joel had come to visit her at the stables, as he often did on Saturday afternoons. It was their ‘thing’. And though neither of them would say it, that small pocket of togetherness was the most endeared part of their week. He wouldn’t say much, mostly grunting as she talked to show her he was listening, but he’d stay for hours and when evening came, kiss her cheek and walk her home. On that particular Saturday, as they walked home saying not much at all but holding a sweet silence between them, they heard the thunder crack above and a flash of lightning strike. Joel’t go to all the trouble while secretly hoping he’d never stop.

Joel guided her to his house, it was closer. He found warm clothes, draped her in his fuzzy cardigan that was fresh from the dryer, and brewed tea on the stove while she insisted he needn’t go to all the trouble while secretly hoping he’d never stop.

He’d been so gentle with her, slowly peeling back the covers and allowing her to nestle in, before tucking the sides of his sheets under the mattress until he was satisfied she was secure. It was a small act, one he ultimately knew would never protect anyone if danger arose; but safety was a ration he often couldn’t afford, and he bought it where he could.

“Stay.”

He knew she’d ask. She knew he’d agree. It had all been for show really - his offer to take the couch, hers to make her way back home. They both knew they’d end up here, and neither knew what to make of the way their synchronous feelings, how so much discussion could seemingly be had without barely a word being spoken. They just aligned; no secrecy, no other intent. Just two people, who for so long believed their only way forward was alone, suddenly so intertwined in one another that ear-against-chest, arms-over-waist, was the default they had no inclination to oppose.

Her bliss that night, in Joel’s embrace, had pushed the nightmares to the back of her mind as she drifted off beside him. But they were there, they were always there. Waiting for her relentless walls to stand unguarded as sleep took over her mind. Joel was downstairs when it happened. He’d had to leave the bed; his nightmares found him just as easily. Slowly, regrettably, untangling her limbs from his and ensuring her comfort before toeing downstairs and bracing himself against the coffee table, he’d been steadying his beating heart for what felt like hours before her screams rang out and his adrenaline shot skyward. He sprinted upstairs, barging into the bedroom where she lay there, alone, crynig and thrashing against invisible restraints.

For all his brooding, silence and gritty composure, Joel was floored. He knew she was troubled, that the horrors of the outbreak had scarred her more than most, he didn’t quite catch on to just how plagued she was until now, as the sheer terror in her screams seemed to almost manifest in dark shadows and shapes above her. He crept forward, slowly starting to call her name, unsure if he should touch her, shake her awake, or just speak into the darkness and hope his voice gets through. He sat on the bed, raised a shaky hand - not yet recovered from his own panic attack just minutes earlier - and gently pushed the matted hair from her forehead. She reacted to the touch, arching her back and crying “no, no, please no.”

Joel grimaced, retracting his hand and saying her name again, more desperate this time. He panicked, so scared and so unsure, reaching for his phone and frantically clicking through his contacts before finding what he was looking for. The phone rang just once, before the receiver picked up and mumbled a sleepy, “Joel?”

“Tommy - you need to get here.”

--------

The stable visits stopped after that night. She’d watch the clock as it ticked, the evening sky hanging ever-heavier over the sun’s horizon, hours passing and no sign of Joel. It was only when the stable manager, an elderly man who had his fair share of tragedy, insisted it was time to go that she packed up her things and wandered home alone.

It had been three weeks since then.

Three Saturday’s spent alone in the yard. Three Fridays of being sat at the pub, drinking with Tommy and Maria as she did most weeks, but with a piece missing this time. Three weeks of closing her eyes, imagining his embrace, but succumbing to her demons all the same. It seemed almost worse now, since that night at Joel’s house.

It was a Thursday, when her slot on patrol rolled up. She was able to do it less now, what with her time spent at the stables, but her skills made her valuable on the outskirts of town and more than anything, she felt indebted to the people of Jackson. Those who had homed her, and fed her, and protected her from herself.

It was usually an easy gig. Spend the day hiking, occasionally reacting to rustles or strange sounds, quickly realising it was just an animal of some kind. Deer, typically; they’d grown in population in the forests around Jackson in recent years.

That’s why, when a quiet grunt-type noise came through the forest, she’d reacted with haste, but less concern. And when the clicker appeared, stumbling towards emitting painful groans, she seized up, afraid and paralysed by the overwhelm of her senses the thing brought. Its smell was pungent, encapsulating. Its appearance was just as sordid as the rest, a living corpse overrun by infection. And by God, she could taste the metallic tang of blood on her tongue, a memory of each and every run in she’d had with these creatures.

Her sudden freeze didn’t last long; she’d lived like this for years, and as if on auto-pilot, not really pulling the controls herself, she shot the thing dead in a matter of seconds. But that didn’t mean it was over. It was never over, and her skin pricked so tightly it felt like tiny needles piercing her body again and again. She ran back through the town’s gates, reported what she’d seen, and hurried home in a trance-like state. It was still the day time, late afternoon at best, but the horrors of her every night had encroached into the daylight and found its grasp. 

She hadn’t moved from her spot against the door since she arrived home. She’d managed to unlock it despite her shaking hands, locked it back up from the inside and employed the deadbolts she hadn’t used for months now, then fell against the drywall and slid down in a haze. Nothing was safe anymore. Not the plants she grew, or the animals she cared for. Not the people she knew in this town. Not the ones she loved. And God, all she wanted was him. It was the first time she’d truly acknowledged a real love for him in her mind, and it came at the worst time when nothing felt right and all she could think was how she needed him, how she needed to protect him, and how she wished he was there protecting her. Her sight clouded, dark shadows all-encompassing, and screams crawled from her throat in the same way they did in her sleep except now she was awake, she felt the ache in her throat, and she couldn’t stop the cries from making it worse.

Memories sped through her vision like a slide show, so real that she’d have believed she was in each moment, had it not been for the way they all intermingled with one another and melted into a movie of atrocity. The blood, and the fear, and the banging. There was banging. It was loud and incessant, piercing her ears and heightening the tension as she buried her face into her knees and screamed her lungs out. The banging continued, heavy and unforgiving, and suddenly she heard her name. Clear, loud, distressed. It was her name, and it was almost spoken by a familiar voice, except her ears were full and her whole body was shaking and-

Her front door collapsed in, a plume of dust erupting where it fell. She shrieked, pushing herself backwards through the hall, eyes open but seeing nothing at all. Hands grabbed her, with less aggression than she anticipated, and through the chaos a gentle but panicked voice emerged.

“Y/N, Y/N baby please, you gotta hear me. You’re okay, honey. I’ve got you, you’re okay.”

Something seemed to click, and her sharp cries became full-bodied sobs. Her previously hyper-tense frame caved in on itself, collapsing into Joel’s arms as he placed his chin over her head, enveloping as much of her as he could and whispering over again that he had her.

He rocked her, back and forth, back and forth. His thighs burned, still crouched down in her hallway, but he barely noticed. Only she mattered to him, in that moment and in every other, and as her wailing ceased and only a shivering frame remained, he could only remember one other time he’d held anybody this tightly.

She was so exhausted, if he hadn’t known any better, he’d have thought she was drunk. Her legs failed her as he tried to stand up, so he scooped her up and carried her to her room. He didn’t change her, or make the bed, or check the temperature; none of that mattered. He only laid her down, and wrapped her softly in bedding that smelled so much sweeter than his own. He lay beside her, pulling her shaking form into him, sighing in relief as he felt her nose nuzzle the crux of his neck.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice was weak, more of a squeak than anything else. Joel held her tighter, kissing the top of her head again and again, all but burying himself in her.

“No, baby. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I saw one.”

“I know.”

Silence.

She trusted him, and his calmness reassured her. Like if he thought things were okay, they would be. The tightness in her chest eased, the trembling simmered, though her body felt weak and empty as he rubbed the small of her back with one hand and cradled her head with the other.

“We’re okay.”

Joel said nothing else. Somehow, in their synchronicity, he knew he didn’t need to.

[alohastyles-x]

can i please request a Kate Bishop x femReader with Enchanted fluff piece where at a charity event Reader sees Kate at speaking with someone else and assumes they’re dating and the other person kisses Kate and Reader is hurt but Kate comforts her

There I was again tonight | Forcing laughter, faking smiles | Same old tired, lonely place | Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy | Vanished when I saw your face | All I can say is, it was enchanting to meet you

please dont be in love with someone else | please don't have somebody waiting for you

note: This is apart of my Cruel Summer Project. This idea was beautiful and tied right into another req that'll be the part 2 of this story! I truly hope you enjoy!

Wordcount: 2.4k

trope / pairing: hurt comfort, k.b. x fem!reader

warnings: did not proof read

The air was thick with insincerity, as business partners and rivals mingled together, forming and breaking deals. Black and white attire painted the room, low lights bouncing off the expensive jewelry adorning the womens’ necks, marking who was worth the fight and who wasn’t– or rather, who had the money. 

This was not what you would consider a ‘party’, as your mother described it, dragging you along. For one, the tight black dress was too tight, suffocating your curves. The music also sucked, a string quartet playing a whimsical piece in the corner. Classical music is usually not an indicator of a party. But the food was decent. As you looked at the spread, you decided you’d stay at least for that. 

There really was no point in you being here, aside from your mom showing you off as her proudly esteemed heir of the company. No one bothered to come up and talk to you, leaving you to hide by the food table and snack all night. Honestly, it was much preferred than whatever was going on in the main hall. 

You may be the heir, but when it comes to the business itself, you have no idea what it all entails to run it– let alone make partnerships here. 

All in due time, your mother had said, to which you just rolled your eyes. Running the company one day wasn’t what you wanted to do, but no one ever asked you that. Not in a sincere way at least. So you faked a smile, saying that one day you’d like to follow in your brilliant mothers footsteps. Hey, if you were going to lie, you might as well earn some brownie points from it. 

After taking a swig of champaign, and loading your little plate with sweets, you headed back to the main hall. The party was even more lively now, as business owners and partners continued to stroll in the door. You watched, intrigued by those worthy enough of an invite to the event hosted tonight. Intrigued by one individual in particular. 

You knew her, her long wavy hair a dead giveaway. She wore a sleek black suit, melting into the color of her hair, bringing out the blueish purple of her eyes. She was stunning, in every possible way, intimidating - yes, but stunning all the same. 

Her name was Kate Bishop, and she was the daughter of Eleanor- your moms personal rival in the business world. They had hated each other for a while, always going after the others’ clients, or using the two of you to gain insight on the other’s company. Through the spying though, you and Kate had come to a realization. You actually liked each other… like, enough to be friends. Your parents disapproved, but after promising each other not to sabotage, a friendship blossomed between the two of you. 

You’d be in denial if you didn’t say it wasn’t something more than that though, as your heart pounded when she finally looked your way. A bright smile grazed her features, making your chest even tighter, a heat growing in the pit of your stomach. 

Oh the things she did to you. 

“Hey! Tell me, is this party as lame as all the others,” Kate said, a giggle following close behind. 

“Oh very,” you responded. She eyed the tiny plate in your hands now half full of sweets. You held it out, offering her whatever she wanted. She settled for a mini brownie, popping it into her mouth. You swallowed, turning to look at literally anything else in the room. 

“So, any new prospects?” Kate asked, nodding slightly towards a group of guys your age huddled in the corner. She had no idea of the feelings you harbored for her. 

“Oh, no. I think I’m just going to focus on my studies,” you answered, sipping the champagne. Kate snorted, shaking her head.

“You can do that and have fun, you know.”

“I do have fun… with you!” You countered, nudging her arm. 

“This is true, I am a whole party myself. But you know what I mean.” She nodded towards the group again, and you noted that this time they were all staring back, whispering between themselves. 

“I… I don’t know if that’s really my style,” you said sheepishly. She looked at you curiously, before her eyes grew wide. 

“Oh my god, I’m so stupid! I didn’t even think to consider who you were into,” Kate fumbled with her words. Sexuality hadn’t been something either of you talked about. You knew Kate was into girls, but she had never asked about yours. 

“No, it's okay,” you said, offering her a gentle smile. It never really bothered you, as it was something you were still figuring out yourself. 

“Alright, well in that case-” 

“Kate!” Her mom interrupted, waving her over. Kate groaned and motioned that she’d be right back. 

You let out a breath you hadn’t realized you had been holding that entire time. Kate had joined her mom in conversation with some guy and his daughter, presumably striking up a business deal. You smiled as you watched Kate try to act interested. She turned to look back at you, sending a wink your way that made you blush.

You looked down to notice your plate was empty now. Swallowing the last of your campaign, you went to the bus bucket to drop them off. 

“y/n!” You heard your mother say, before you saw her. She was stunning, even at her age. All the men- and women for that matter- knew it too. You put on the best fake smile you could muster as her and a potential business partner strutted up to you. 

“Hi mother,” you said delicately, looping your arm in hers. The two of you were close, but the trick was to appear as if the two of you were lifelong friends. It gave men the sense of a girlhood bond- strong to the core, full of secrets and opportunity. 

“This is Mark, the guy I was talking to you about,” her eyes twinkled as she spoke. Mark was a handsome man, rigid and formal with a hint of adventure behind this business facade. You didn’t miss the way your mom looked at him– or the way he looked at her. You smiled. 

“Hello Mark, I’m y/n, as you may have guessed.” A bright laughter that you hadn’t heard in years came from your mom. Clearly this man was someone to impress, and you were all for helping your mom secure happiness. 

“As I presumed, it’s nice to meet you. Now, I hear…” Mark trailed off, but you had stopped paying attention. 

Just past him you saw Kate walking hand in hand with the girl from before. They were headed towards one of the back exits, looking around anxiously as they did so. Your smile faded slightly as they disappeared. In every way your mind was telling you to stay put, your feet were itching to move. 

“I’m sorry, could you please excuse me for one second?” You asked, hiking up the hem of your dress a bit so you could follow Kate and this mysterious girl. Your mom tried to protest, but her pleas fell on deaf ears as you took off. 

Mark was more than understanding, writing it off as a bored young adult looking for her escape. 

The door Kate left led to a hallway, illuminated by dim yellow lights. Multiple hallways branched off the sides leading to various conference and hotel rooms. A pit grew in your stomach as you continued to wander through the halls. You weren’t entirely sure what came over you, practically running through the halls to see what Kate and this mysterious girl were up to. 

But like they say… curiosity killed the cat. 

You turned down a particular hallway that led into an open room- another conference room behind the open doors. 

Kate and this mysterious girl were leaned in close, Kate pressed up against the table. She laughed lightly as the girl leaned in, placing a delicate kiss on Kate’s lips.  Your stomach dropped at the sight. A weird mix of emotions flooded through you; jealousy, confusion, hurt- although you weren’t entirely sure you had that right to feel hurt. The two of you had never discussed feelings between the two of you- especially since she had just figured out you even had feelings for girls. But nonetheless, hurt ravaged your heart, breaking it more the longer you stood there. 

Kate had reached her hand up towards the mysterious girl, and that was when you figured you had enough. A slight sob escaped your lips as you turned to run back down the hall. 

Kate pushed the mysterious girl away, looking at her with rage in her eyes. Out of the corner of her eye, the light caught the shimmers in your dress and she knew you had seen what just happened. 

“Lily, what the actual fuck?” Kate asked, turning her attention back to the girl before her. 

“What? I thought we were having fun?” Lily said, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. Kate should have known she was trouble the second Lily led her away from the party. She had said she needed some air, and had asked Kate to join her. She was so stupid for believing her. 

“No, Lily, no. I gotta go.” Kate pushed past Lily, running down the hallway after you. There was no telling where you went, with so many endless doors off the halls and branching hallways. 

“Damn it,” Kate muttered under her breath after throwing open a few doors with nothing behind them. 

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and pulled up your contact. She pressed the ‘call’ button with such vigor, she was surprised she didn’t break her phone screen. The phone rang three times before you picked up.

“Hello?” You sounded like you had been crying. Kate kicked herself, running her hand over her face.

“y/n, where are you?” 

“I’m… uh, why is everything okay?” You tried your best to sound normal, like you hadn’t just broken down in an abandoned conference room. It was already hard enough having to wrestle with knowing you had feelings for your best friend. It was almost even harder to unexpectedly witness her kissing someone else. At least if she liked someone she would tell you, you’d have that warning to mentally prepare yourself. 

“Tell me where you are. Now.” Kate uttered the last word so firmly, you had no choice but to tell her where you were. She hung up, and took off down one of the side halls at the end of the main hallway. 

The conference doors flew open. Kate stood in the doorway, breathing heavily as she caught her breath from running. You were leaning against the table, your dress pooling around you. Mascara streaks ran down your cheeks, the sight breaking Kate’s heart instantly. 

“y/n, what’s wrong?” Kate's voice was soft, her movements slow and delicate as she made her way to you. 

“It's nothing,” you lied, putting on your best fake smile. She looked at you with a look that said “I’m not stupid”. You rolled your eyes. 

“Is it because of Lily?” 

“Who’s that?” You asked. 

“The girl you saw me with just now.” 

“Oh, her. No, I mean, I just didn’t know you were seeing anyone is all.” Your words were jumbled, coming out fast. Kate snickered. She stood before you now, inches from your face. Her fingers reached out and delicately ran along your jaw and under your chin. She tilted your chin up to look at her. 

“I’m not seeing anyone. Lily said she needed some air, and asked if I could come with her. She kissed me, and I pushed her off. You just ran away before you saw that,” she whispered. Her eyes focused on yours, every emotion displayed in them. She was sad, sad you didn’t see that part, angry at Lily for scheming, and most of all guilty. 

Guilty for not seeing what was now undeniably in front of the two of you. 

“Oh,” was all you whispered back, too scared to say anything else. It was obvious now, your feelings for Kate now the elephant in the room. Her eyes softened as she continued to look at you.

“How long?”

“What?” 

“How long have you had feelings for me?” She was curious how long she had been blind. 

“For a while now, I think since I first met you, but we were only kids, so I can’t be sure.” You confessed, tearing your eyes away from her gaze. Silence filled the void between the two of you for a few minutes. 

“Look at me,” she whispered. Your lips quivered as you brought your gaze back to hers. The way she was looking at you made you want to melt. Her gaze was soft, yet fiery, like an untamed blaze starting to grow. 

She leaned in, the smell of her perfume filling your senses. It was almost overwhelming. The scent of her, the way her hand came up to cup your cheek, the way her body felt pressed against you. 

Her lips found yours, kissing you delicately as if you’d break under the pressure. Her lips were soft, and that alone made you nearly come undone before her, a soft moan nearly escaping your lips. 

Your fingers found her hair, nestling themselves against her scalp, as the ferocity of which she kissed you increased. The passion burned, fiery and loud between the two of you, as you fumbled to touch each other in every way possible. 

You pulled away slightly, guiding her to your neck. Her teeth nipped at your skin slightly, a moan escaping you. She wasn’t there long however, before her lips missed the taste of yours. 

It was during this second interaction, the second round of a fiery passionate match of kisses, that the two of you were interrupted. 

The doors slammed open, a group of businessmen waiting to finalize the papers on a business decision standing in the doorway. That wasn’t the worst part, however. No, no. The worst part was that your moms stood at the forefront of the group, mouths gaping at the sight of their daughters engaging in this kind of activity. 

“Oh shit,” was all Kate said, as she took a step back. 

| Feedback is greatly appreciated |

[pendwelling]

Is it confirmed yet or foreshadowed that they ( Jesse, Sadie, and Christelle) will be a couple?

CedYesChris have actually been foreshadowed to be building up to the very relationship TWSB has been implying they'd become since the beginning, ever since the first mention that Riester royalty had to take up both a political companion that is tied to them by matrimony, and a religious companion that is tied together by soul through a covenant. Later on, it is very apparent that the roles will be taken by Ham Ga-in Christelle and Jung Yeseo in particular! (And not even in the way you'd initially expect!)

More elaboration and spoilers below (with novel support and chapter citation lolol):

This is all viewed in a primarily objective light where I interpret what we are given. While I love my shipping, I do believe, in the context of the novel, that there is no romantic basis for their relationship at all as of yet (800+) nor do I believe that there will explicitly ever be, but to deny that there isn't any sort or form of love would be lying. CedYedChris have a complex relationship: friends that are more than just friends but not at all lovers, one that cannot be fully described with words—forged through trials and pain and reverence and companionship, making for a unique relationship of understanding and solace. This sort of queerplatonic relationship is actually very fittingly in line with the power system and world-building of the novel, simply by virtue of the covenant system between Holy Knights and Priests, and the acts of special partnerships that tie individuals by souls.

I find it very funny actually when people say they cannot see Cédric and Ga-in getting together because of how different they are (and how much they seem to repulse each other lmao) but the more you read and understand about their relationship, the more you realize that after all these hundreds of chapters, there is no one that would who could fit the role of "Crown Prince's political companion" more than Ga-in herself—not even as a romantic partner, but as a mere companion.

There have been attempts at Cédric having to find a potential consort candidate, and Cédric himself has mentioned that whoever is INEVITABLY picked he will agree with unconditionally as it is his duty as Crown Prince to marry someone later on to help support his reign (251-4). But ultimately all of his friends agree that his happiness is something that is also very important, especially when it comes to marrying someone for the rest of his life. He might say he doesn't care, but once Yeseo starts expressing concern and dissatisfaction with him getting marriage proposals to nobles Cédric wouldn't be able to fully get along with outside of a political union, he starts expressing relief and hints of aversion to the idea of an arranged marriage that he has no say in (254). And we, as readers, know that Cédric is not the type of person who could easily open up to people, and while he is not the type to be discourteous to anyone who would become his future spouse, it's clear that for the type of person he is, a marriage with someone who he is only connected to due to duty pales in comparison to the trust he has with a comrade who has been by his side since the beginning, who knows him better than any random noble who wouldn't understand a fraction of his soul (and potentially might not ever, as the circumstances under which Cédric has ever emotionally opened up were never something that he chose to do on a whim, and probably never would have talked about, had it not been for specific circumstances [like in 602]). In all those rare and explosive instances when he went through periods of turmoil, he was lucky enough to have people by his side who understood and could sympathize/empathize with his very unique pain.

Cédric and Ga-in are very different, but funnily enough two out of three of the only people who can understand each other the best in this life and universe, as they have many life experiences and traumas and history that no outsider will be able to understand, and (HUGE SPOILERS CHAPTER 640) after the group travels 20 years in the future, it is even canon and /very/ heavily implied that the two of them are married! (Though there are mysteries about Yeseo's whereabouts and roles in this future.) BUT!

It is actually very vague on whether or not this is romantic (and doesn't even necessarily seem to be) but in my interpretation of their special relationship and based on the novel itself, I truly believe this is a very understandable partnership between two people who have gone through so much and have come out of it as partners that the other can trust, and who they know they can depend on and have emotionally opened themselves up to.

It doesn't have to be romantic. It doesn't even need to, for such a marriage to work, and if there is a hint of romantic love in it, we cannot see it nor will we know for sure, but I believe that it doesn't actually matter. CedYesChris is very queerplatonic and if you've read that far, you understand that by that point, they've all become companions that know each other from every inch of their souls. All of them consider each other as their Moon, Sun, and Earth, and have said (particularly Ga-in to Yeseo, and Ga-in speaking on behalf of her and Cédric about him) to be unable to live without each other (657, 805), and it is a sentiment echoed almost within them all. Cédric Riester, by simple virtue of being the future Riester Emperor, will inevitably have to marry, and what better partner than Ham Ga-in, who has distinguished herself with notable achievements in the Empire, and is an important friend to the Crown Prince?

And of course, their relationship with Yeseo is also something that I believe brings them together all the more. They are their partner's other partner—they are each others' partner. They are all pretty much in a Holy Knight/Priest partnership and Yeseo is the only one alive that can support the two of them with the ether they'd need, and not exhaust himself in the process (like Priest Sand). They are all soothed by each other's souls, and before you say Cédric and Ga-in physically repulsed each other, in Chapter 651 we get a confirmation that the two of them have formed a bond and tie between each other's souls following the events of Chapter 301 when they fought in the temple during Cédric's ether runaway/turmoil. Accidentally, during that fight that ended up with Cédric nearly unconsciously killing Ga-in in his grief, they managed to have a small part of each other's etheric plate chipped into the other, meaning (particularly in Ga-in's case) that she can now stabilize herself from a runaway with the help of Cédric's opposite attribute ether to calm the fury of her water (651). They have somewhat of a quasi-telepathic relationship, though they typically cannot hear much of anything but as their souls are tied in a unique way, they can feel in some abstract instinctual sense when something is going on with the other's soul/ether, even if not within the same vicinity (727).

As for Yeseo being Cédric/CedChris's religious companion, it has actually been confirmed by Yeseo himself that he would have agreed to pledge a covenant with Cédric and tie their souls together, and yet hasn't and is putting off/has refused the proposal (of ch330 and onward implictly) because Yeseo is VERY intimately aware of the fact that he is not from this world and will, ultimately, have to return home in the end due to his love for his siblings, and acknowledges that he would not wish upon Cédric the pain of being separated from the soul one would tie themselves with upon forming a covenant (736). For reference, even Empress Frédérique and Aurélie cannot separate for too long without Fred feeling immense amounts of pain, discomfort, and irritation, only managing to cope by surrounding herself with piles ether stones filled with her soul companion's ether, (510, and some other chapters but i cant remember them all rn wkfjdk).

In Jibril's words, a religious companion is someone that would be able to provide support and mental fortitude to their partner, which is something that Yeseo considers about Jibril's own aspects who he hopes would support his cousin in the future (a future without him in it). Yeseo is very concerned about Cédric's circle of support and always has his well-being in mind, and this not only stems from his wanting to be a good friend, but also because of his regret and hesitation in accepting Cédric's covenant proposal due to his impermance in the universe. He explicitly says that he does not wish to hurt Cédric! The bigger the distance, the more painful it is for the companion—so how painful would being separated by different worlds, be?

Both Cédric and Yeseo want to be each other's companion and fuse their souls together (Cédric more so than Yeseo—this guy would really accept no one else). The only thing preventing that is Yeseo's fear and concern for Cédric. I don't have much to say about this than I do about Cédric and Ga-in's future political companionship, because CedChris is just a bit harder to understand for TWSB readers if they haven't gotten far enough into the novel yet. In contrast, Cédric and Yeseo’s religious companionship has been made most probable from the very start of the novel, and yet funnily enough, the difficulty and probability of the formation of the Political and Religious partnerships have been flipped 😂 It is easier to see Cédric and Ga-in becoming political companions (and is, as of Chapter 805 and ongoing, most canonically supported to be something that is in place 20 years in the future), as opposed to Yeseo accepting Cédric's covenant proposal haha.

But I firmly believe, at the end of the day, that the three of them will become companions. Not necessarily in a romantic sense (no matter how much I enjoy my shipping) but also not in a standard platonic sense, either. Yeseo views Ga-in as his continent and earth, and regards Cédric as a precious being equivalent to the sun. Ga-in speaks for both herself and Cédric when she says they cannot live without him, and she loves Yeseo so dearly and his well-being is her priority, and acknowledges Cédric as someone she respects and can rely on, and who shares similar pains with her. Cédric treats Yeseo with so much reverence and desire, and Ga-in with mutual understanding, and both are the only people whom he can be fully emotionally vulnerable with. They have a very special and unique relationship and I don't know how exactly it will play out in the end, but I sincerely believe that there is NO ONE in that universe that could understand their pains and souls and mere entirety, than they do for each other.

CedYesChris are soulmates! Whether it is made by their own hands or written in the stars. I believe wholeheartedly that Sookym has written and built up their relationship splendidly and so naturally.

[asofspades]

Well, here we are.

Nico is really observant, literally catching that Reyna gets some feedback from him just because she stumbled a bit.

That just confirms for me that even though some of his perception of people pushing him away or looking at him in distrust and disgust might have been amplified because it's happened so much he just expects it, it really has happened . That boy is observant.

And also yeah, this boy is incredibly strong and resilient, because what do you mean you felt more pain form him than a whole army facing a giant and your Pegasus pushing itself to death like

Reyna has experience having to push demigods past their limits and Nico is an expert at pushing himself way past his limits, partnership made in hell.

Again, I'm just saying, maybe Rick really nerfed Nico in TSATS, I wouldn't know because I'm waiting to finish going over all the books analysing Nico before I do that, but I do want to say, Nico pushed his powers way past their limits and himself into the brink of death, that would have long term effects on his body and since his powers drain him in normal conditions, particularly summoning skeletons (though that got easier, as seen from BotL to TLO) and mainly shadow travelling (it's particularly mentioned in TLO but they bring attention to it as well in HoH, BoO and ToA), I feel he'd still get more drained than usual for a long while while he recovers from the extreme usage of powers, excess of shadows and all teh other mental and physical repercussions derived from Tartarus, the jar, years of living on the streets, the labyrinth and alk that happened post jar including shadow travelling the Athena Parthenos, fighting Lycaon and speaking a guy out of existence with his powers. So don't come at me when I say that I think he would still be struggling with his powers not being as strong as they should be by the time TSATS takes place, and regarding that I just need to say that Nico literally turns a guy into a skeleton by touching him and then orders it around and fights Nero in ToA, the thing he notably struggles with is Shadow travel which has always been the most draining ability for him, so I don't really think nerfed is the right term for what happens in ToA.

Also, I don't think people have noticed or if they have they haven't brought attention to it, but Nico and Percy are shown to exhibit more power destructively and in intensity when in dire moments and I feel like we expect them to do the same thing casually but I just get the feeling that some things they do can only be done in very particular circumstances.

[andorerso]

sissi hello!! in regards to the post about ocs, i would LOVE to hear more about dani and elijah 💜 (partly bc i love both of those names so so much, always have, and that intrigues me instantly).

hope you're having a wonderful day!

rolling up almost two months later like hiiiiii <3 sorry it took me so long to answer ahfgdchg

but first of all, thank you for asking because I love talking about them, second of all, I'm so happy you like the names because I do too 🥰 well obviously, I wouldn't have chosen them otherwise, but I'm very particular about names and they have to feel right, and this was one of those instances when I almost instantly knew their names, like it was just fate. meant to be. and I think they sound nice together!! anyway, I'll stop ranting about names now

so, the story is urban fantasy, and their tropes are slowburn, mutual pining, idiots to lovers, battle couple, codependency, angstttttt, two sides of the same coin, flirty & awkward, snarky & serious, impulsive & rational, short-tempered & calm

Dani (full name Danielle Preston but she hates being called Danielle) is our leading lady, she's in her mid-20s, and she's the flirty, snarky, impulsive, short-tempered side of the two. she's always cracking a joke, which is mostly a self-defense mechanism, and tends to cover up real feelings with humor, sex and booze. I have such a soft spot for characters who'd rather cut open a vein than show weakness or vulnerability in front of someone, but still deeply care about people and are intensely loyal if you earn it, so she's kinda that archetype. she'd literally burn down a whole city for someone she loves but will never actually say the words. also she's bisexual like almost all my MCs

here's kind of how I imagine her (made with this picrew)

and Elijah is the more level-headed, serious, all business no fun counterpart to Dani's generally chaotic behavior. he's a couple hundred years old, and not human, but he looks to be in his early 30s. he's very matter-of-fact, goal-oriented, and pragmatic, but he's also very kind to those who deserve it, and can be surprisingly intense and passionate when he actually lets himself feel it (which is not very often, at least not at first). he has a very strong sense of justice, but he kind of follows his own moral code, so he definitely falls into the morally grey category (Dani kind of does too, but Elijah even more so)

here's a picrew for him too

as for their relationship, it starts as kind of an unwilling partnership and they clash a lot at the beginning because of their different approaches and worldviews, but they eventually form a friendship. Elijah's kind of drawn to her/fascinated by her from the start, because she's so different from him but has a lot of the qualities he admires/wishes he had too. Dani takes a bit longer mostly because she's better at lying to herself lmao. but there's an attraction of sort from the beginning. it's a difficult ride, mostly because they're both stubborn idiots who tend to repress their emotions, just in different ways. she's lost people and is afraid to lose more, and he's just not sure he knows how to allow himself to want things and be a functioning human person, so neither wants a relationship and they're both violently trying to deny any feelings. but the feelings are definitely there. like they're not together but they're deeply devoted but they will never admit it but there's no one else who could possibly compare. those kinda vibes, you know?

some other tidbits/details that I love about them: she loves to antagonize him (mostly in a teasing way) and he's so offended/annoyed at first until he realizes it's her love language. then the annoyance turns into fond exasperation. she's pretty much the only one who can make him genuinely smile and laugh, in fact sometimes he's the only one who actually finds her funny at all lmao (she definitely overdoes it sometimes but he finds it charming). she's a bit of a romantic deep down, and he's very intensely devoted once he commits, so it's the kind of relationship she always secretly wanted but never thought could have. and he's the only person she will tolerate calling her Danielle (it's kind of a turn-on from him).

anyway, I could go on but it's gonna get long very quickly, so this is just the basics. but I love talking about them and I'm always open to more specific questions from anyone <3

also here's a moodboard too because why not