#the concept of them. my brain would just be like ''hey remember this guy''

[spaciebabie]

does any other demiromantic (or arosepc doesnt rlly matter) feel like. extremely awful when they experience romantic attraction or is that just me.

[lvndrfucks]

don’t leave me hanging omg, write the concept. miguel brain rot is on 24/7 — 🧠

You were surprised none of Miguel’s neighbors had complained yet. There were teenagers scattered all around the inside of Johnny’s apartment and the outside, loud music blasting and a fair share of drinks being passed around. At least everyone was getting along after the long overdue karate feud.

You were nursing a red solo cup while standing in the corner of the room, taking small sips. The taste of alcohol didn’t really appeal to you. Your friends engaged in chatter that you chimed in once in awhile, but you were a bit distracted.

“Are you going to talk to him or keep eye-fucking?”

“What?” Your eyes moved away from Miguel’s. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You guys have been staring at each other all night,” your friend pointed out. “He’s single, you’re single.” She made gestures with her hands for emphasis.

You shook your head while looking down to hide how red your face had gotten. “He doesn’t like me like that. We’re friends.”

“Lame,” your other friend bursted. “Go talk to him! Congratulate him on winning karate again or something.”

You rolled your eyes while taking a drink to avoid the conversation.

Her friend smirked suddenly with an idea. “Hey, can I borrow your jacket? I’m a little cold.”

You were feeling hot from the crowded room, so you were a little confused on how she was the opposite, but you did so nevertheless. You removed the cropped denim jacket to expose more of the little black dress you had on. You smiled while handing it to her.

Miguel felt his mouth go dry. His eyes scanned up and down your body from afar, the silk perfectly hugging your body and exposing valleys of skin he had never seen before.

A pat on his shoulder made him jump as he was forced to look away.

“Hey, man,” Hawk greeted. He noticed you and looked back at Miguel with a smirk. “You gonna make a move tonight, or what?”

Miguel chuckled nervously and shook his head. “I don’t think she likes me like that. I mean, we’ve been friends since we were both in Cobra Kai. Isn’t that a bit weird?”

Hawk scoffed. “No. That just builds up more chemistry. And pent up frustration.” Miguel looked at him curiously as he clarified. “Sexual frustration.”

“Dude.”

“It’s true! Remember that time you went out with Sam and she nearly broke some kid’s arm. Or when she got asked out and you broke the practice dummy.”

Even though Hawk’s statements were technically true, Miguel still had his doubts. What would a girl like you want with a guy like him?

“You just gotta go for it, man. Before someone else does,” Hawk advised and motioned his head towards Chris and Mitch who had started talking to you. You immediately started smiling and laughing at what they were saying.

Miguel held back a glare as he handed his cup to Hawk. He cheered, “That’s my boy!”

Your laughter died down as Miguel approached the three of you. You smiled at him in greeting that he returned before looking at Chris and Mitch.

“Robby wants you guys to refill the cooler outside,” he told them.

“But I just did five minutes ago,” Mitch said.

“Well, he wants you to do it. Again.”

Miguel was grateful Chris was the smarter one between the two as he was beginning to catch on.

“Yeah, it’s no problem.” There was almost a smug smile on Chris’ face. “Come on, man.” He began dragging Mitch away, the boy complaining that he already did once again.

That just left you and Miguel.

You glanced behind you to see your friends had ran off somewhere, of course. There was a small beat of silence between you two.

“How are you?”

“This is a great party.”

You two spoke at the same time. You both laughed.

“Sorry. You go first,” Miguel insisted.

“I said this is a great party,” you repeated. “I’m surprised your mom was okay with it.”

“Well, Johnny told her that it was just Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang ‘hanging out.’”

When you were about to respond, someone knocked into you. As you tripped forward slightly, Miguel had his arms out to catch you. You sheepishly apologized while standing straight.

“Um, did you wanna go somewhere less crowded,” he proposed.

You nodded and started following him out. People from school were still showing up and it seemed the outside was becoming just as packed. You maneuvered around while still trying to keep up with Miguel. He turned to face you and offered his hand out so you wouldn’t lose each other. You took it, trying to hide your growing smile.

He guided you across towards his apartment. He opened the door and let you inside first. You were still able to hear the music and chatter of people, but it reduced slightly. Plus, you guys were completely alone now.

“Sorry. I thought it would be better here to talk and stuff. Unless you wanted to go back to the party. I’m fine with either, I just assumed—“

“It’s fine, Miguel,” you cut him off with a light chuckle. “It was getting a little overwhelming out there.” You set your empty cup on the dining table and moved to lean on the edge of the couch.

“C-can I tell you something,” he asked, standing in front of you.

“You can tell me anything.”

Your smile made him weak in the knees. His hands suddenly felt clammy as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

“I…I really like you.”

“I like you too.”

Miguel gulped. “No. I mean I like-like you. Like more than friends type of way.”

“Oh.”

Oh?

“If you don’t feel the same way, it’s fine. I get it. We’ve been friends for a long time and I understand not wanting to ruin that. It’s just that when I’m around you, I feel different. Different like you’re the one person in my life I’d hate to lose or I wouldn’t mind kissing. You know, that was probably a really weird thing to say. I’m sorry—“

“Miguel.” You laughed a bit. “It’s okay. I like-like you too.”

“Really,” he breathed out in disbelief.

You nodded. “And you’re the person I wouldn’t mind kissing either.”

Your hands reached forward to grasp his flannel and pull him closer towards you. The heels gave you an advantage to be nearly face to face with him. The close proximity made you both nervous, but someone had to make the first move.

Meeting halfway, Miguel’s lips pressed against yours in a savory kiss. His hands rested on his either side of your neck, his thumbs on the underside of your jaw and pulling you in even closer. You pulled away briefly, seeing his heart-shaped pupils and puffed lips parted. He pulled you back in with urgency.

There was only the heat of the moment, the electricity between you two, and the pure, unbridled passion of your kiss. It was a moment you would remember forever, a moment that would stay with you long after the kiss had ended.

The buzz of Miguel’s phone brought you back to Earth. He seemed to have no intention of stopping, though.

You pulled away, his lips immediately attaching to the side of your neck. “Do you wanna get that,” you asked, slightly breathless.

“Not really,” Miguel answered and kissed you again.

His phone eventually stopped until whoever was calling decided to call again. You laughed slightly at Miguel’s annoyance when he pulled away.

“It’s okay,” you reassured, one of your hands combing through his hair.

Miguel begrudgingly answered the phone with a haughty, “What?”

“Dude, where are you,” Hawk asked from the other line.

“I’m a little busy right now.” Miguel pinched your hip lightly in warning as you continued sucking on the skin of his neck.

“Well, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I need a beer pong partner.”

“Ask Robby.” Your hand began to trail down his body.

“I’m going against him, dumbass.”

He held back a groan when you squeezed his hard on over his jeans. “I gotta go.”

“But—“

Miguel hung up and tossed his phone on the couch. You yelped in surprise when he lifted you, your legs wrapping around his waist in response.

Once in his room, he had shut the door swiftly with his foot. Next thing you knew, you were lying back on the bed with Miguel hovering over you, leaving wet kisses and sucking on your exposed chest. One of your hands was threaded in his hair as the other tightly gripped the comforter. His hand slowly trailed up your thigh, giving a soft squeeze and earning a low moan from you.

Miguel pushed the bottom of your dress up to your stomach, exposing the black shorts underneath. He looked at you as you were panting already from the build up.

"You okay," he whispered.

"Of course."

He pecked your lips before going down on his knees at the edge of the bed. He ran his hands over your thighs, placing light kisses ever so often. Eventually, he hooked his fingers onto the waistband of your shorts and pulled them off, leaving just your underwear.

Miguel was hesitant at first as he ran his thumb over the wet patch, but you moaned softly from above as you tried closing your legs if he wasn't in the way. He repeated the motion with more pressure, causing you to jolt. He enjoyed the reactions.

He gently guided your underwear over your hips and slid them out from under you. A soft gasp emitted as you felt Miguel slip his tongue between your lips. Your mind went blank as he licked, his tongue spreading over your clit in smooth strokes. His open mouth panted heavy, moist breaths over your cunt, absorbing every drop of essence as it pooled on his tongue.

Your fingers tugged on his hair, your back arching off the bed slightly. You could feel a growing sensation low in your stomach, your orgasm twisting and winding into a tight knot.

A sudden gasp fell from your lips as he slowly pushed a finger inside of you. You inhaled sharply, eyes rolling back as he pushed his pointer finger in knuckle by knuckle until he rubbed the tip of his finger against that tougher spot inside of you.

His finger slipped in and out a few times until he added a second. It made you choke, walls clamping down and tightening painfully, tears pricking your eyes in a mix of pain and pleasure. Miguel kept them still as he leaned forward to press soft kisses on your clit.

“You're doing so good, baby. I just need to relax, okay?"

You nodded, even though you were sure he couldn't see it. You exhaled loudly, gasping just as loud before groaning and bucking your hips unconsciously. He resumed pushing in and out, his fingers shined with arousal.

You could feel every inch of his fingers inside as his mouth continued to stay hot and slick against your cunt, letting his spit collect all around. Your eyes rolled back when your stomach began twisting, feeling as though something was on your chest. You whimpered, followed by a groan of his name as your body relaxed once the knot snapped, and your vision blurred.

Miguel lapped up the mess and licked his fingers clean, watching the way your chest rose and fell rapidly. You looked utterly fucked the way your hair was sprawled out and little breaths leaving your plump lips, your head tilted to the side and eyes still shut.

He moved beside you and kissed your temple, combing your hair back. “You still got one more left for me?”

With shining eyes, you looked up at him and nodded.

Miguel grinned as he started to remove his flannel and shirt. Your thighs rubbed together while staring at him undo his jeans. You shakily stood on your knees and shuffled closer to him.

He gave you a tender, slow kiss, but you weren’t ready for such gentleness at this point in time. Instead, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him closer to you. A low groan released from his throat as his hands moved from your hips to the zipper of your dress. You pulled away to disregard the rest of your clothing before pulling Miguel onto the bed.

He sat back as you straddled him, lips moving together once more. Reaching between the two of you, you grabbed his leaking cock so you could set him up at your entrance. As you lowered yourself, you inhaled slowly through your nose since the preparation and care he had given you had made the stretch easy to endure. As a result, all you felt was the full sensation he had given you.

You performed an exploratory hip roll once you were seated completely. You let out a groan at the feeling, every little motion causing electricity to tingle through your body.

Miguel sat up, you two now chest to chest while he held you firmly. “Fuck, you feel fucking amazing.” He placed wet kisses along your chest.

The noises of the party drowned out his moans as you began to ride him in earnest. His hands settled on your hips, causing the soft flesh to crease as he started responding to your thrusts with his own. You could feel him moving deeper with every motion, until eventually you could almost feel him in your stomach.

“Miguel,” you gasped out, meeting his gaze.

“I’ve got you, amor.” His mouth attached to one of your breasts, making you whimper.

His actions left your limbs feeling like rubber while he proceeded to fuck into you harder. Your tongue grazed his flushed skin, your head tucked into his neck.

“Making me feel so good,” you told him gently in his ear. “Want you to finish in me. Want all of you.”

Your babbling was cut off by a higher pitched moan at Miguel’s hard thrusts, your words egging him on more.

“Think you can take it all, baby?” His forehead pressed against yours as you nodded with a pleading look. “I’ll give you everything. Again. Again. And again.” He punctuated with each thrust, your grip on his shoulders tightening. “You gonna cum? Can feel it.”

“Please.”

Your loud moans echoed throughout the room as your legs tightened around his, your body moving faster to keep you on your high. You could feel Miguel spilling out of you, the warm feeling comforting the both of you. His arms wrapped around your waist to cease your shudders as he placed light kisses upon your shoulder.

Miguel, though he didn’t want to, slowly removed himself from you, a small whimper slipping past your lips. He laid you down on his bed and told he’d be right back. When he returned, he had a damp washcloth in one hand and a water bottle in the other. He carefully cleaned you up, knowing your legs must be sore, and sat you up to take a few sips of water.

He smiled gently at you and kissed your forehead, making your face flush in admiration. He grabbed an extra t-shirt for you and changed into a pair of new boxers for himself. Once settled beside you, Miguel draped the comforter over both of your bodies.

You both stared at each other, a grin on your lips as you leaned forward for one last kiss in the night.

hera speaks!

sorry for the long wait. i honestly get embarrassed writing smut, but this has been on my mind for a long time

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I think you should make Farena and Malleus meet again just to humble Leona a lil’ 😜 think you did a birthday thing where that happened and I want more lmao

Anon is referencing this set of interactions (for Leona’s birthday in 2021): Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

*rubs hands together* 😈 Time to bust out L*ona's sexy hot brain calls for this... HELP ME I'M SO OJITANPILLED RIGHT NOW

Family means Nobody is Left Behind or Forgotten.

"Kingscholar."

"Lizard."

The Botanical Garden's flora shuddered as the two princes--lion and dragon--regarded each other. They stood several paces apart, Malleus upon a small bridge over an artificial waterway, Leona shrouded in the shadows of wide palm leaves. Combined, their auras were overwhelming, filling the air with a crackling tension like that of wild sparks of electricity.

"Leona? Who is..."

A third figure, one half hidden by foliage, peered out at Malleus. His hair was a fiery red-range mane, his eyes a deep brown, skin the color of chestnuts under golden robes threaded with prancing animals. Everything about the man radiated warmth, as though he were the living embodiment of the sun.

Malleus's lip curled. "It seems I'm disturbing your private forum. Forgive me, I will see myself out."

"Wait."

The red-haired man fully emerged. A pair of lion ears and a tail similar to Leona's came into view. He smiled broadly--and Leona visibly cringed.

"You are... my younger brother's friend, aren't you? The one who helped Cheka find his way when he was lost on campus. I remember your face from Leona's birthday party. I don't believe we had a chance to be properly introduced to one another! Leona was shy and steered us away from each other last time." He approached Malleus without hesitation and stuck out his hand. "Falena."

The fae prince tested the name. "You are the acting regent of Sunset Savanna. The elder Kingscholar."

"Haha, that's right! Leona told you about me, did he?"

"Yeah, keep dreaming," Leona snorted.

"... My, it would be rude of me to make my exit now." Placing one foot in front of the other, Malleus smoothly dipping into a bow. "Malleus Draconia."

"Draconia! As in, crown-prince-of-Briar-Valley Draconia?"

It took all of Leona's willpower not to roll his eyes. Anyone with half of a brain cell would instantly be able to clock this depressing guy's telltale horns.

"The very same."

The surprise that flooded Falena's face quickly dried, giving way to merry laughter. "Leona's got friends in such high places!"

A scoff.

"Would you listen to yourself? I keep hearing you repeat friend, friend, friend like a chattering parrot without one shred of evidence to suggest that would be the case." Leona rolled his shoulders and, smirking, languidly lifted a hand to Falena and Malleus. "To put me and the lizard on equal social standing is a little insulting, don't you think? We're on entirely different playing fields. Crown prince of Briar Valley and acting regent of Sunset Savanna... That sounds like a much better fit to me."

He internally ground his teeth.

Smile and bear with it, Leona coxed himself. You can't let this opportunity slip through the cracks. The chance to establish cordial relations with other countries doesn't come delivered to you on a silver platter every day. Get them to make that connection if it's the last thing you do. If you play your pieces right...

"... Hey, how is that irrigation project coming along?" Leona prodded his brother. "Last I heard on the news, there was a protest blocking construction."

Falena frowned--the first time that day. "It could be going better."

"Irrigation..." Malleus brought a finger to his chin. "You're in the process of constructing waterways?"

"Yeah, to channel water directly to crops," Leona snipped. "As one destined to ascend the throne, surely you're familiar with the concept."

"So it is akin to gargoyles."

"Oi, ain't no one here talkin' about gargoyles!"

"On the contrary, Kingscholar. Gargoyles were designed to redirect rainwater from buildings, thus protecting them from wear and tear. Irrigation systems exist to funnel water to desired areas. It is a similar enough concept."

Let him have this one. Keep the conversation moving!

"Most in our country walk a long way to the nearest source of water--a well or something--and draw buckets one by one, then walk back with it. Real inefficient." Leona dragged out a sigh. "Unfortunately, our people deeply cherish living in harmony with nature. They come out in droves to push against our attempts to improve their circumstances. It's a thorn in our sides."

"Now don't say it like that," Falena tutted. "We are the royal family. It falls to us to assuage our people of worry. If we expand slowly and in an environmentally conscious manner... I'm sure we can all come to an understanding."

"You'll have to excuse my brother. He's got a bleeding heart."

The comment rolled off of Malleus's back like rainwater.

"Hm..." He looked to be lost in thought, his lashes lowering. "I see. Implementation is never as easy as simply giving the order to act.

"I have visited Silk City on a trip with classmates. Their waterways are second to none in all of Twisted Wonderland. Though the climate is dry and sweltering, the children of man that reside there have managed to tame those waters and optimized them for trade.

"Such systems do not exist in my home of Briar Valley, so I cannot say I am familiar with them. We, too, as fae, revere Mother Nature. The last thing we would want is to turn our backs on her and destroy her blessings. However, I saw with my own eyes that those Silk City waterways have brought much prosperity to the people. Perhaps it would be prudent if you were to explain this to your countrymen, along with providing a detailed plan of how you do not intend to expand at the cost of ravaging nature."

"Exactly, exactly!!" Falena beamed, his face like the sun coming out after a storm. "You understand me so well, my friend."

"Friend...?" Malleus's eyes went wide. "Me?"

Checkmate.

"Oh, would you look at that," Leona purred sarcastically, "you've gone and earned my dear onii-sama's respect and admiration. How good for you."

"It sounds like we're birds of a feather, Malleus. From one prince to another... I think you've got a shining future ahead of you." Falena clapped his younger brother on the shoulder, earning a glare from him. "Just like Leona here!"

"This isn't about me," he hissed back. "This is between you and the lizard."

Falena blinked. "But weren't you the one to introduce us?"

"That he was," Malleus agreed with a chuckle. "Kingscholar has a talent for bringing together the most unlikely of people. It's something I've noticed about him."

"It's true, he does!!" Falena had his sibling by both shoulders now. And that massive grin--Oh no, Leona thought. He's switching from Useless King mode to Doting Older Brother mode! "Leona's so good with people! I had the chance to meet some of his dorm members earlier today--there's a variety of beastmen in his dorm, all united under him. That's really amazing!"

"Yes, it's impressive. I've heard that, among beastmen, traditions and beliefs are drastically different. It is a unique challenge to bring them together--yet Kingscholar achieves this flawlessly." Now it was Malleus's turn to smirk. "Fae are quite varied as well. It will soon be my responsibility to bring about that same unification. Fufufu... Mayhaps I should look to Kingscholar as an exemplar."

Leona directed his glare at Malleus. This scaly bastard...!

"No thanks. I want no part in that," he replied bluntly. "I should leave the ruling to you kings."

"Leona," Falena protested, "he's correct. If you were to lend your help, set an example... We could--" he stopped, correcting himself. "You could unite so many people. I know you could."

"This again," he spat, those few words coated with venom.

It always came back to that.

The promise of acceptance, respect. Rewards for all his efforts. A prize dangled before him, always snatched away at the last possible second.

"... I've said enough here."

Leona turned on his heel, shoving his hands into his pockets, and began strolling away. Deeper and deeper into the thicket. Ignoring his brother calling after him, the frantic footsteps following.

"Kingscholar."

There was an eruption of green light in Leona's path. When it dissipated, Malleus stood in front of him. He looked visibly displeased.

"Out of my way," Leona growled, attempting to step around him.

Another flash, and Malleus teleported himself in front of his fellow dorm leader once again. "You will not simply walk away from this," he warned.

"I can walk away whenever I like. You're the kings discussing your domains. This doesn't concern me."

"That is not what I meant." Malleus's brows drew together. "You will not simply walk away from family."

"What do you know about family?!" Leona snarled. "Don't act like you have any leg to stand on."

"You shall mourn that you did not cherish them once they are already lost to the abyss." His voice was dark, commanding. "You will hear what your brother has to say."

Leona held his stare--the danger in it, sharp as a blade. He glanced back, spotting Falena with his fiery hair amid the leaves and vines, as mournful as a kitten that had been left out in the rain.

There's no getting out of this. If I bust out my strongest magic here, the entire Botanical Garden is going to be sanded and I'll never hear the end of it from Crewel. Ugh, I've gotta opt for a tactical surrender.

Sending Malleus his most scathing look, he managed one final curse.

"Damn you, lizard."

Maybe he had been the one checkmated today.

[dontbesoweirdkira]

Hey! Can I request Yandere Spider Man (Tom Holland, No way home) reacting to his darling of other universe?

I was thinking this: The darling of his universe is really nice and laid-back, already knew he was spider Man and helps him somehow (like a ned), but when the whole multiverse thing happens and villains from other spider mans appear, one of the villains is his darling, but a version from another universe, one of the super villains is his love, but at same time not.

Would he be confused, would he feel nothing since he knows it's not totally his darling? Would he feel weird?

(Sorry if this is confusing, my english is terrible and I don't remember much of Marvel films lol)

A/N: Hello! This is an interesting request and I really like the concept. Don't apologize for your English. Thank you for requesting.

Warnings: none

Masterlist

Requests: always open

Hmm... I think he'd be very confused. It's weird knowing that there's different versions of the people he loves out there. It's even weirder seeing you so viscous and powerful. All he's ever known his darling to be is reserved maybe even shy at times.

There's also this internal struggle because it's not technically you but....he feels so compelled to her in the same way he feels towards you. He can't kind it in him to fight back, "she needs to be protected" "she's just a little off track" "If she becomes rehabilitated she'll have a chance to become like this y/n" ...he tells himself. He wants to give her love and be just as gentle as he is with you but...at the same time....it feels so wrong.

He doesn't want to hurt you, it'd be like if he started showing love to your twin. You guys may look the same and have the same genetic makeup but you're still different people.

So he'll try and tread carefully. I think he'll try to separate his heart from her. It's hard because when his brain sees your face, it sends him into this obsessed frenzy. Treating her like the rest of the villains is so tough. Peter even struggles to treat them with a neutrality.

There are times during her stay, he finds himself being lured into her. Like she could tell him to do something wrong and he'd almost be willing to do it just because it's "you". Or he has to stop himself from getting worked up when she coos his name.

She knows the effect that you have on him so I can imagine her playing on that to try and trick him. She knows that he won't get angry at "you" anyways.

You'll notice that he tries not to make eye contact with her and focus more on the other villains. He'd also seems to stare at you more intensely whenever you're both in the same room in order to keep his mind on you. Maybe even a bit more physically affectionate too. He's holding you close to him and kissing you more often to make it clear that you are his.

He's anxious and a whole mess during this entire thing. Eventually, he starts wanting her gone and is a bit more aggressive. Peter still tries his best to help her the best he can before sending her back but he's not as eager about it. He doesn't like that she's making you insecure or that his attention becomes drawn to her...

He loves you so much and just knowing that a version of "you" is evil and caused her own demise, saddens him.... But just because you're his darling, does that mean he's really supposed to protect every version of you?

[illuminiscentboba]

where akaashi pursues reader who had a rough memories asssociated with love and affection is returned

you like him...he repeats the words he heard echoed off the bathroom walls and lets it bounce about his brain like the DVD logo on a TV that aims to hit the corner and keep missing.

before all that was holding him back was fear you didn't return his feelings and the way you would push away the very idea of love. and so what is he left to do now beyond go big or go home? after gaining some small wins first that is.

and here he was once again pushing himself to go up to you whenever he sees you off somewhere on your own, a breathless hey, its good to see you again. that continued to made your heart skip a beat. from anyone else this interaction normally would've put you off but you were hoping to catch a glimpse of him and here he was in front of you, asking about your weekend and the events you told him about weeks before.

you two went on errands together, and he seemed to hum, a warm tightlipped smile spread across his face as you set days that you two could study together. you were curious to see his workspace, his room, but he was quick to shut that down, something about his roomates being too rowdy. if only you knew how much they were pestering him to bring you to meet them.

it was almost as if you guys were conjoined at the hip with how much unserious discussion went back and forth between you two in the flesh and in online. the 'look your little boyfriend is coming' probes became less horrific and something you started to daydream about...just a little bit.

he always seemed to have a bounce in his step the closer he got as he approached you guys but surely there was no way he could hear your friends mirthful whispers.

the thing is...he could. listening for the difference in sounds to identify the opposing sides play made him a little hyperaware of the sounds around him. playing volleyball has finally paid off. he had to fight the cheesiest smile everytime he heard your friends confidently proclaim him as your little boyfriend.

it was almost as if he got their blessing. now if only he could get yours....

your study sessions were always very productive, with you two picking concepts and explaining it to the other and then the other person explaining it back the concept they were taught. almost like a teacher, was akaashi quick to reward you with candies, ones that were actually your favorites.

"I remember you saying you liked that one."

he saw your long stare at them. "or was I wrong, I have other ones-"

he put his palm over them to make the exchange and before you knew it you settled your own over his. "wait, no! these are my favorite. I was just so surprised that you remembered even that too."

he smiled, his eyes searching your face before he flipped his large palm, his slender fingers wrapping around yours with your thumb now gracing your fingers.

you seemed shocked, but not averse to the touch as he thought you would be. "your hands are pretty cold, let me warm them up for you." you were about to pull away, remembering how ice cold your hands were but the way his thumb carressed your palm and he tapped at the fingers of your other palm, eager to hold the other too made you reconsider.

you hesitantly placed your hands in his. and the books laid forgotten as you guys began to chat. he got up to get you a blanket, helping you wrap yourself up as he stole back your hands in his. there was something about the way his carefully held onto your every word and the warmth of his hands that made the words lodged in your throat unravel. your fears regarding school, regarding how things will change after post secondary, about love. but as you discussed it you didn't feel as bitter or disgusted with your strong desire to be in a relationship despite what happened.

you felt...okay? the neutrality felt unusual but you decided to welcome it, the soothing finger that slide across your knuckles slowing and keiji whom you now noticed was quieter than usual. he seemed to have trouble organizing in his head what he was going to say when the doorbell ringing interrupted you both.

it was another simple cold day, november settling in and bringing with it a chill that was quick to freeze your fingertips and tickle your nostrils. deadlines never seemed to stop piling but at least you had someone to movitae you, also a victim of the same craft.

there he was already settled into the booth, his muscular arms folded, his shoulder sagging as his head bobbed, his glasses settled low on his nose.

you were a little too quick to snap a photo, hurrying in to surprise him.

"keiji? hey wake up." you lightly shook his shoulders. he squinted at you, quick to shift upright and readjust himself, a long yawn erupting his mouth, his stretching flexing the shirt around his chest.

"did you get any sleep last night?" he paused, another yawn escaping before he could get out a word. "No, my roomates were up late playing this new game that came out. I couldn't sleep with all the yelling."

You hovered around in concern. "Should we study later so you can take a nap or next time?"

"Nono, this is the best time for us because we're both free today. We should try to power through" he mustered a sleepy smile and you settled in acrss from him. It was true, with how much classes and random labs and tutorials this was unfortunaley the best day for yo guys to coordinate.

Sleepy akaashi was charming to say the least. The errors he made where he normally would be perfect followed by a perplexed "hmm...that isn't quite right?" or disappointed, "hm? this one is wrong too? i'm sorry (name)."

seeing him fight the fatigue, taking small sips of his coffee, a distressed palm raking through his hair. "Let me sit beside you so I can show you the right way." "would you please?" the apologetic pull of his lips downward. what a cutie.

and so you worked through the problems, filling in each others blanks, hearing your voice beside him helped him reorient himself.

with his chin settled into his palm he watched as you explained the concept, gaining more confidence in how much you thought you knew about it. before he knew it he was reachign out, catching wisps that were going to get into your eye behind your ear. you pause, staring incredulously. "you were saying?" his tone, a little too smug for your liking.

"nothing." you say indignantly, your eyes following the hands still perched around the area of your face, leafing through the hair by your ears. "what are you doing."

he brings his face closer, pretending to inspect the side of your face, his face dangerously your own. "making sure I do a good job." he whispers into your ear.

something isn't right about him. the huskiness of his voice. the teasing grin, how'd he go from adorable to something that would eat you up. was it because he was tired that he was less careful and nervous than usual?

in fact... something hasn't been quite right for a while now. the prolonged staring he'd do when you guys were studying, the reaching across from you, and sitting very close to you. all the details he remembered. he always responds why wouldn't he but never brings up that he does it to anyone else. you thought back to the previous conversations and how akaashi tried to seem not as interested as he actually was when you guys would have group discussions about love.

your more than familiar now with his shy smile, the fidgeting with his fingers, and unyielding stare whenever he wanted to know or talk about something dear to his heart in a way everyone would not misunderstand.

maybe the teasing from your friends weren't for nothing. maybe he was trying to tell you this whole time.

"oh right, I have something to show you." he turns away, reaching into his bag and your filled with anticipation he slips something into his hands.

"your hand please." he extends his palm to which you nervously press against his. he intertines his fingers through yours, the glow of his smile and face radiating warmth as he pulls something from his wrist onto yours.

you gasp. you had lost your staple bracelet that matched your rings and earrings a week ago and you didn't realize how atattched you were to it until you trashed your room searching for it.

"oh my god, keiji!!! you remembered!! oh my god stop, this is so sweet thank you!" he seems quite proud of himself as you continued to pour with thank yous, and your the best. he assures you as always that he'll always remember the words of those dear to him.

he squeezes your hand in his and you squeeze back so excited to have it back in your collection. "that was super neat, the way you got it from your wrist to mine. that was a little too smooth to not be practiced." did he have another girl or guy you didn't know about?

"you think so?" he raises a brow. "my roomate was bragging about it the other day so i thought I'd give it a go?" the confidence and teasing tone to his voice was so attractive.

"and you thought of me?" "I don't know anyone better." his other hand grazes your face again, sweeping away what you know is no more than a singular strand of hair. "you couldv'e just handed me it."

"well if I'm being fully honest..." he tilts his head, in the silly way he's seen his teamates do when begging him to do something for them. "I also really wanted to hold your hand." he smiled shyly and then he did that thing he always did, where he stared at you really hard and it finally clicked in your mind. he was checking your reaction to see if you were okay with the touch.

for permission.

oh my god, he was enforcing the boundaries you didn't set because he wanted to make sure you were okay with his approaches. all the moments between you guys that made your heart race were intentional.

you place the hand lingering by your face to cup your cheek as you lean in. theres no faster way for you to get out all of your emotions and thoughts then a kiss. his chair tilts back and his hands wrap around your waist to steady you guys. its a quick smooch, given you guys are in a public setting but more than enough.

"I think we're due another discussion about our feelings...somewhere quiet?" "yeah." you mumble, twin grins on your faces as you pack up your stuff, almost rushing out of the cafe having paid your bill earlier.

if there was anyone safe enough for you to entrust your heart to it would always be him.

[mistkisbiggestfan]

do you write for the male yansim rivals?? if not the female ones are ok too :>

could i ask for male!osoro headcanons with a girlfriend who's in the cooking club?

To be clear, I fucking hate Yandere Dev, so sad the game is like it is fr. Please note none of this is or will be connected to that creep. Male! Osoro and Fem! Osoro x Cooking club! Reader hc

A/N: No TW for this, remember that I don't support Yandere Dev and Yan Sim in any way, I just write fics of the characters. Word count: 0.5 k

Male! Osoro:

Since you’re in the cooking club people would assume you’re a total sweetheart and a kind, probably sensitive person, so when Osoro was caught looking at you a bit too long or making sure you were safe it came off as a surprise.

At first everyone thought you pissed him off somehow, but how? What did you do to him? Then you thought, did I do something to him? Only after that it turned out that his stares weren’t the ones of hatred.

And oh god was it a shock, at first between his friends. “Hey Osoro? We can take care of that cooking club punk you’ve been after.” After he shuts them down (almost with his fist) they realize he wasn’t mad at you, he was madly in love with you. 

They are playing the biggest matchmaker wtf, like trying to set you up and shit.

And after the two of you end up together? Prepared to have “the talk” with his friends. 

Other than that your relationship is very sweet, you often bring something to him when he’s with his goons and although he seems annoyed at it he folds instantly. 

The biggest bodyguard ever, someone looks at you the wrong way? They get sent to the Nurse instant. 

People in the cooking club are surprised, some kinda scared but quickly grow to understand you two, something Osoro will never understand.

You get hurt? Damn someone is going to prison.

Surprisingly Ayano leaves you and him alone, one rival off the list ig. 

Female! Osoro

Omg this woman is down bad fr (Not in a weird ways fucking incels), she’ gone soft and it shows, maybe not a lot but still.

You give her a baked good or a sweet kiss when no ones looking? You have protection till the end of the world.

The delinquents were mad confused when you two became a thing. What do you mean, Osoro having a sweet and cute girlfriend?? 

A very lovely relationship, she may come off as harsh, rough and tough but she just loves you so much.

Her gang or squad whatever you call them were even more confused when you gave her cookies, kissed her cheek and just left. I feel like the concept of Osoro being a genuine, good girlfriend was just too much for their brains to handle.

And when you find time outside your clubs activities when you can just sit together and chill with each other, she’s head over heels.

If someone looks at you or flirts with you it’s on, broken teeth were not the only problem the person had to deal with after Osoro was done with them. “Hands off my girlfriend fucking bitch.” 

You guys are so cute, a typical bad boy and a typical sweetheart cook, can this get any sweeter? Yeah it can.

At one point you tried to teach her how to cook or/and bake, the kitchen was in flames, good thing she knew how to put it out. After that you stick to just having her as company while cooking.

If you ever give out your baked goods with your club you can be sure as hell she’s there watching over you, it’s like you’re giving a cookie and the person looks behind you just to see a tall, muscular ass woman looming over you. While you’re smiling and shi, she’s standing with this dark aura surrounding her.

[mantequillamcwhoremick]

Hi! I ended up reading through Choas Plan in pretty much two days (your writing is actually phenomenal) but I was actually curious on your inspirations to write it? Did it come from any other particular works or maybe episodes from sp?

WHAT NO WAY😭😭😭😭😭😭WHAT THE HELL THAT'S SO NICE HOLY SHIT THANK YOU SO MUCH <33333

You can't just ask me shit like that dude I will respond with a huge fucking essay I LOVE questions like that!!!!

I honestly have several inspirations, many come from the show itself and some I've drawn from cyber crime documentaries and books I like (namely the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, you might recognize the scene with Mysterion and Harris in chapter 3 is very VERY similar to the one between Kaz and Jan Van Eck at the beginning of the book), but if you've read the notes in the fic you might have seen that the story idea was initially born when I was playing TFBW.

The Idea

The U-Stor-It scene where Butters/Chaos locks the C**n and Friends in the facility and talks to them through a screen was just so fascinating to me, it reminded me a lot of Jinx from Arcane and the Joker in The Dark Knight (especially because of the flashy decorations and graffiti). Mainly the story evolved from the question I posed to myself in that moment, which was: "What needs to happen for Butters to become someone like Jinx?" and that's how I started brainstorming the backstory.

The Backstory

Obviously that was inspired mainly by Linda's behavior in Butters' Very Own Episode, but it features elements from stuff all over the series and the games that prove just how fucked up Butters' parents are and treat him.

(Remember when in TFBW he mentioned that they bought an electronic lock system to keep him in his room because he left the bathroom once while grounded? yeah, that convinced me Butters' home life probably would only get worse with the years, especially with him entering his teens & puberty, and Post Covid honestly just confirmed that.)

The Villain/Hero Concept

I hadn't yet watched much more of South Park than up until seasons 15/16 so I didn't know about Post Covid's Vic Chaos yet, I mostly just wanted to do something with Mysterion and Chaos that had a darker and serious tone without either of them having any Marvel-esque powers or tech-organizations aiding them, something closer to the South Park lore at hand and realistic enough to feel like it could happen in our world.

Chaos' Methods

With Butters having a knack for Internet-related shit and him being able to hack into a baseball stadium screen to broadcast his evil plans in the Professor Chaos episode, and ofc his whole thing in TFBW and the episode of him becoming a pimp, I figured he has the stuff to be a hacker and entrepreneur.

I started getting spoilered a lot on the whole Vic Chaos and NFT scammer thing so even though I hadn't watched Post Covid I drew a lot of inspiration from that as well. I've been watching a lot of documentaries on Cryptocurrency scams and other cyber crime related stuff, so yeah all that shit also gets my brain generating a bunch of ideas as well.

Mysterion

As for Kenny/Mysterion's side of the story- I'm a huge fan of the "criminal who gets paid by a shitty pig/capitalist who would normally never hire them to take on a job" concept in Six of Crows, so that's how I got Harris involved, later further fueled by his Thin White Line arc in TFBW.

The way Kenny used his death powers in the C**n & Friends episodes I found very intriguing, and I absolutely LOVE playing around with them, so I included my own interpretation & spin of it as an active "superpower" he uses in order to be successful enough as a vigilante to be taken seriously. His canon powers separate him from your average humanbeing. It's a way to show the audience "hey look, Kenny really is just some guy, but also no one else could take on this role, ever. He may not have super strength or speed or money for equipment backing him, but he can get into places and out like no other person ever."

Coming up with a kryptonite-type weakness was also super fun, because I didn't want things to just be too easy. Mainly it's his need to remain anonymous, but the biggest reason for that need is because he needs to keep up his ability to financially support Karen. That, I obviously got from the show-, namely episodes like Mysterion Rises, The Poor Kid and City Part of Town, but his dynamic with Karen got increasingly more interesting and influenced in the fic after I played the TFBW DLC From Dusk Til Casa Bonita. The fact that he's so obsessed with keeping her safe the best way he knows how but completely overlooks to consider letting her have a say in it, is absolutely delicious. Like fuck yes, let's go complicate these character relationships (rubs hands evilly)

TL;DR

Inspirations come from all over, but of course the main ones do come from the show and games. Kenny and Butters have always been increasingly fascinating characters to me the more I watched the show, so the fact that Kenny canonically is the only kid Butters respects (source: s16, Ep "Going Native"), to an extent that in the future Butters funded his entire career, I thought had a shit ton of potential. Hence their friendship in the fic before "the incident", and the way Butters goes about Kenny now that he's taking over the town >:)))

Thank you SO SO MUCH for the ask!!!! I hope I didn't ramble too much for what you actually wanted to know, but I just absolutely love sharing my inspirations for this fic. Really gets my brain go brrrrr heheheh I'm so so grateful that this interests you <33333

[generic-sonic-fan]

Why the heck E-123 Omega fascinates me so much

Look I'm not going to lie to you the reason I love Omega so much is that his canon writing is actually pretty lazy. They needed a "Heavy" character to pair with Shadow and Rouge so the writers had them stumble into a robot in the basement who's Gamma's half cousin-brother-something.

Hey player, remember that robot who had an arc and turned good in Sonic Adventure? let's just do that but again. don't worry about it don't think about it too hard.

Except the writers got even lazier this time around and his ENTIRE POTENTIAL CHARACTER ARC is summarized in one line by Rouge's dialogue, "You're mad at Eggman for sealing you in this room" (Sonic Heroes, 2003). Gamma's entire character arc, summarized neatly for the player, so they can start the platforming sections as soon as possible. It's videogame writing. It's not supposed to be a literary masterpiece, so it makes sense that they're borrowing on a concept that a fan of the Sonic games would have seen before if they'd payed Sonic Adventure.

Except, in the attempt to be as lazy as possible, they accidentally created a new type of character that hasn't been explored before??

Because Omega is NOT Gamma. Omega couldn't possibly be more different from Gamma! One destroys Eggman robots to bring about peace, the other as an act of war. One is quiet and contemplative, the other loud and brash. One chooses to cease existing, while the other so desperately wants to live. One is gentle and kind, and the other is just so angry.

In a franchise full of themes about the responsibility of creators to not cause harm with or to their creations, it's baffling to me that Omega is just dropped into the narrative and then promptly forgotten about. There's so many implications with Omega that would be fascinating to dig into from a fan perspective!

What made him the way that he is? Why is he so different from Gamma, so furious?

Now that he's out of the basement, how will he learn about the world outside?

How does his perspective of his origin from Eggman color his experiences and beliefs about things?

This guy has never had a friend before. How does he react to that?

How does he, an ex-Eggman robot designed to kill supersonic hedgehogs, interact with Sonic, the person he was likely designed to kill? Moreover, how does Sonic react to him in return?

Does Omega ever get lonely, as the only robot amongst organics?

How does he relate to Shadow, who was also made as a living weapon?

Meanwhile, trying to get him to show vulnerability is like pulling teeth. It takes a herculean effort to get him to show anything other than the front he puts up. Why's he putting up this front? What could get him to let down this front, even if just for a moment?

(for fuck's sake he's a tsundere. This should be at least a popular topic to explore, shouldn't it?)

And look, I understand. The reason that Omega hasn't been explored nearly as much Shadow is because he's been in less games and, when he has been in games, he's written as a one-note comic relief. But. . . so has Knuckles. So has Amy. So has Sonic. So has Rouge. . . the list goes on, yet the fandom lovingly embraces complex fan characterizations for them. But some fans continue to see Omega as a non-character. Which, as I've just explained, is baffling to me, because this guy has so much potential and transformative fan works are a place to explore that potential.

TL;DR: funny gun robot spin in my brain like he's in microwave despite the intentions of the Sonic Heroes writers. hehe. Go vote for Omega in the Team Dark poll.

MLA Citation for Fern:

Sonic Team, "Sonic Heroes". Sega, 3 December 2003, as cited from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6-SWVIr274

@fernsnailz

[swaqcenix]

༻ It comes and goes | Natasha Romanoff ༺

Natasha Romanoff x gn!reader

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Summary: You've spent a chunk of your life battling the emotional thoughts of bipolar and have no concept on dealing with your emotions. Sitting in the rain does feel like drowning but it's comforting, until a hand from Romanoff drags you out of the depths of water.

Warnings: reader has bipolar, mentions of low thoughts, a shit ton of hurt/comfort, natasha just allowing reader to understand it's okay to not be okay!

Word Count: 1.8K

AN: This is just a small comfort fic while I work on my peggy!yandere fic and of course the strip club natasha one. (I haven't forgotten them!)

Wrote this a while back just to cope with my own diagnosis and anyone is welcome to gain comfort from it. Be my happy flowers guys! <3

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There's one thing people never quite clarify with you, that the older you get just becomes more hard to swim. Kids always jump for growing up and throwing away their innocence not knowing of the tidal wave coming slowly along the sea, prepared to drown out your every thought of contentment.

Aged 10 was the last time you could ever remember not suffering with the constant feeling of a pit of anxiety, suffering and longing to allow the waters of the sea to suck you in. The way you used to place fictional games with your friends, always being petty shit's on the concept of, "Ask... it's not my game," or the fighting of being first in the lunch line.

You'd kept the diagnosis quiet when joining the Avengers, not wanting any of your fellow teammates to think any less of you. You'd felt less of yourself the moment the words of the diagnosis slipped from the nurses tongue 5 years prior. 5 years officially diagnosed but you didn't feel any lighter, instead you felt heavier.

"Sometimes we like to do CBT," the woman stated and your head tilted to the side.

"What's CBT?" Your hands bounced on your knees.

Slipping out the compound wasn't the easiest job. You'd all had meetings back to back with Ross and the damn government. An excuse slipped past your lips faster than it should have done. You'd stated only that you couldn't attend the final one as you'd had to go pick up your little sister.

Sure it would have been a valid excuse. If you actually had a sister. Yet, you didn't so you knew you'd be caught out eventually especially if Fury found out already knowing your background including family members. Still, you'd deal with that when the moment occurred for it.

"It's called cognitive behavioural therapy. It's commonly used for depression or anxiety but we do tend to use it on other patients like in your case to help you to cope with living with bipolar."

Your brain tried to stay focused but all you heard was the words 'your bipolar,' then began to shut off. After that the session was a blur. No thoughts passed your mind, no feelings ran through your veins nor emotions. Just the concept of numbness. Nothing to feel.

Heading back to the compound was a stressful moment. As soon as you walked through the doors you'd have to put on a whole front again pretending you were and felt something you didn't.

In all honesty it was comforting to sometimes be able to do that. Around your therapist, the outside world even your family they treaded lightly, afraid one word would break you like shattering glass hitting the floor or a porcelain doll. With the Avengers they didn't know, so you weren't a doll and you weren't glass. You were yourself and that alone.

However, sometimes it would be nice to just let yourself go. Your feet padded up the stairs of the compound entering the main room, the lounge where they sat watching TV and discussing.

"Hey, Y/N.. you okay?" Sam's voice was the first to speak but it sounded.. concerned?

"Yeah, fine thanks Sam," you responded allowing your eyes to meet his own.

Trying to act as casually as you always did, you went to grab a glass of water turning on the tap watching it run down the sink hole. You often wished you could be flushed away like that.

Shaking your head away from deeper thoughts you grabbed your glass sipping at the water looking up to see everyone examining you. A familiar feeling of dread, the emotional tidal waves flushing through your skin wanting out came crashing to the surface.

They surely couldn't know, right?

Vision spoke up first, possibly to ease up the tension though you can hardly imagine toaster man knowing much about emotions. No offence to the guy.

"We were told you.. you're an only child," his voice seemed one not of judgment but of confusion.

"Oh.. right," was the only response your brain could conjure up in that moment.

Tony let out a half-sided smile and you were grateful he wasn't digging too much. Surprisingly none of them were. He did speak up after a beat or two and while it wasn't their fault you did wish they wouldn't at all.

"Whatever is going on, we.. we're here," His tone was the best of sentiment you'd get out of him.

You truly were grateful but you hadn't a moments thought on how to even tell them. Fear of being kicked off the team, living half a life amongst them simply for suffering with some health issues was silly to other's minds, but not to your own.

Shaking your head you grabbed your jacket you'd left on the chair offering them all a tight lipped smile. Your eyes connected with Natasha's and your eyes felt like watering. She wasn't looking at you like you were damaged, nor was it in a concerned only look.

Nat was looking at you like she knew, like she understood what you felt and the pain gnawing away at you only grew. Her emerald green eyes looking one of connecting with nature swimming with the look of understanding was a pain you couldn't bare.

You mumbled that you needed air, heading towards the patio you'd become familiar with at night. It had become a comfort location, you'd seen Natasha out there a few times although, come to think of it lately she seemed to not be heading there anymore.

The mumbling and mainly muffled voices of the Avengers informed you that it was raining, but your brain scarcely paid attention. You just needed out, besides who gives a fuck if the rain touched your skin.

Your brain danced with thoughts of how to calm yourself down and you knew instantly, as your reached into your back pocket slipping in your airpods and connected them to your phone. Sliding open the patio door, you ungracefully sat down on the bench looking down as the rain hit your skin.

Hair becoming drenched you focused on your chosen song, trying to drown out any invading thoughts that would cluster your mindset, instead focusing on how you felt utterly at home.

The chosen song had been Waves by Dean Lewis. It reminded you so much of how your brain's concept of emotions and how your life seemed to go in waves of the ocean.

Sometimes you saw yourself standing next to the ocean as it pulled you out. The freedom of falling, allowing yourself to no longer panic over bipolar or how the world saw you.

The rain splashed down heavily on your skin and you felt wet through but you didn't mind, or frankly didn't care. Nor were you sure how long you had been listening to songs in the rain, it felt late but it felt like seconds.

A gentle hand on your shoulder pulled you from your thoughts. Your mind had been dancing to Paris, Texas by Lana until your body almost jolted forward from the contact. The sudden shelter from the rain made your head tilt up to come in contact with emerald eyes.

Natasha stood tall, almost protecting you- sheltering you from the rain, a beacon of hope. You offered the best smile you could give, despite the fact it looked like you were in pain more than smiling before indicating to her to sit down.

Her red hair cascaded down her shoulders, pulled half back into a plait that was elegant but moved with ease. It suited her just as most things did. You'd noticed that about her, for a woman who'd been through so much Natasha did everything with elegance and ease.

"You know, when I was a child I used to run out into the rain, the firefly's came out at night," She confessed causing you to stiffen up.

Natasha wasn't one for opening up, let alone talking of her childhood past, so why you? You let her express her thoughts almost curious to see where she was going to take this.

"My mom she'd come out to find me afterwards and I was always helping my little sister who also danced away with the firefly's. It wasn't real though. Not truly," She proceeded and your heart melted and cracked for the older woman.

"Nat I.."

You weren't even sure what to respond with. Hearing her open up around her past made your own pain seem tiny, insignificant despite the fact she wasn't attempting to do that.

"You don't need to say anything, I understand. Perhaps not what you're going through. The feeling of masking right, I see it," she continued tilting her head towards you.

She proceeded her train of thought.

"It comes and goes in waves. The feeling of this family. I had no one after the family I grew up with, no one but myself. Don't drown your thoughts out in the rain, drag yourself up out of the ocean, trust me Y/N."

You finally looked up making eye contact with the Russian, smiling softly at her nodding. You took off your glove reaching sighing looking down at your hands.

"Sometimes, my therapist gets it to a certain extent but sometimes she doesn't. When it feels like all you can do it float out to sea and drown in a pit of your own emotions. The masking isn't something I want to do, but simply so people don't see my problems.. they just see me."

A tear slipped down your cheek without even realising it and you closed your eyes. Nothing was spoken amongst the pouring of the rain, nothing was needed to be said. All that was needed was the words you let echo. It felt like you were drowning in a sea of hell, with no way out.

Through the mist and fog engulfing your brain, taking you out to the sea you felt a touch upon your hand. Eyes opening wide, you saw it. Her hand clasped tightly in your own trying to drag you out of the suffering, reach to you through the ocean like a beacon of a ship, rising up it's anchor.

Her eyes looked into your own, reflecting what she wanted to say but had no thoughts on how to express it. Her touch was all you needed, the words slipping past your mouth before you could think.

"Your family.. It might not have been directly real, but they pulled you out of the waves while it lasted, it was real to you Natasha," You explained watching it pull at her heart strings.

She offered you a watery smile, her eyes dancing with sea of hope just as your own while you were perhaps an an anchor in the waves you steadied each other out in a balance.

"This family is real to you too. We are real and we see you. I see you Y/N," Her voice bringing comfort and warmth.

You grabbed her hand tightly because while your bipolar had an anchor on you, you had a ship lifting you through the sea's Natasha and your little family. They were there to guide you.

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[artist-heart83]

First week of the smg4tober finished!

Decided to do every time the week is finished and show some concepts and the sketches from each day.

Day 1

You know I want to do something simple at first, but lol

This was the original sketch

But then I changed it for two reasons:

1. Struggling with the way Three would hold the remote and

2. I remember that Jub Jub got possessed by the remote, best solution ever

First time drawing some of these guys, but really love the ending result, it was worth it to stay up until 3 am

Day 2

This is like.. one of the first episodes that come to mind when I think in a favorite, I have a few more but this one have one of my favorite catch phrase: “Back by unpopular demand… ME!”

This day was meant to have an extra drawing, that was the reason why Four and Three got their hands stuck

It was this one (in the case culprit is bad written, shhhhh I was tired)

Due to time, I have to scrape it, but it help me a lot to make easy the next drawing

~~~

Fun fact: Day 3, 4 and 5 were draw in my phone, just made a quick sketch in a note app that come in my phone and do the lineart and coloring on MediBang

~~~

Day 3

Original idea was drawing all smgs, but due to me having to go to a little trip, I have to stop my ambition ass

I decided to draw SMG1 and SMG2 because of the fact that scrap the little doodle from the day before and because they’re my favorites and also to do my own designs

I have fun designing SMG1 clothes, it mostly inspired by @/nomono3 design (not tagging because haha I’m shy)

Day 4 and 5

Since I have to think on simple drawings due to my own limitations, maybe I would do this with the other characters or maybe not, let’s see

Mostly those drawing were the first time that my brain come with it, really fun the Mario one hahaha

Also like I said in tags, the “objection” was traced from the original because I couldn’t find one in good quality

Day 6

I was brainstorming on which au draw but then I realize how important Apprenticeship AU is for me that I didn’t think twice

Originally, the idea was drawing Exubus with Smg4 but then I couldn’t decide if I do that or just draw SMG5 and SMG6, so I make a quick poll on the server that I’m in and the guys win

Luckily, because I remember that I uploading these drawings on Twitter and then rethink the idea of making the drawing spoiler free hahaha

But hey, I like you, have the sketch of the initial idea

If you ask me how I felt doing all of these, it fun!

Still struggling drawing caps and I make my calculations and I have draw them like… 11 times or more

Boy next week have my favorite movie, favorite character and I have the opportunity to draw Niles hehehehe, I have the Revelations day sketch, I could show it but naaaah, see ya tomorrow

[zeroseuniverse]

Murderer

WC: 645 Pairing: Niki X Fem Reader Warnings: Mentions of murder, a lot actually, no actual murder.

“I think my soulmate might actually be a fucking murderer?”Riki yelled as he entered the apartment in a panic, scaring all of his members as well, “Do I call the police or what?”

“What are you talking about?” Jay wondered, but Sunoo was on different path

“You met your soulmate?”

Meanwhile Sunghoon, “Don’t call the police on your soulmate! Help them hide the body!”

“Okay there are so many things wrong with everything that was just said, Ni-Ki speak.” Jungwon addressed, looking at his elder oddly.

“I was at the company with Yeonjun hyung, we were just talking about different concepts for deaths in their music videos and I listed off some, I didn’t even know I knew? Like an icicle through the heart, the evidence would melt, and it wouldn’t stop the blood while melting from the body heat, or or insulin under the tongue? Almost completely undetectable.” Ni-Ki rambled, more ideas falling off of his tongue, while his elders watched on in horror, well most of them, Sunghoon was marking the ideas in his brain with a slight nod of approval.

“Okay, let's stop listing before Sunghoon gets any more ideas.” Heeseung grinned, knowing Sunghoon would never actually murder anyone but it was funny to tease with how interested he was in the various ways, “So your soulmate knows a lot of ways for people to die, maybe they’re studying medicine.” Heeseung offered, earning a lot of looks in his direction, “What?”

“If his soulmate was studying medicine he wouldn’t ask us to patch him up everytime he falls and scrapes his leg.” Jake deduced making all the others point at him in agreement.

“Ni-Ki, you would never get paired up with a murder, you’re too pure for that.” Jay reassured, before all attention turned to the door when it opened, in came their favorite female.

“Hey guys, what’s up?” She greeted, walking around giving hugs and cheek kisses to her friends before sitting next to Sunghoon on the floor.

“Talking about Ni-Ki’s soulmate being a murderer.” Sunoo said casually, making her eyes widen in shock.

“What?”

“Apparently he was talking to Yeonjun about death concepts for their videos and a bunch of things he didn’t even know he knew started falling out of his mouth.”Sunghoon explained, making her giggle.

“And that means they’re a murderer? Wait what does you knowing random facts have to do with your soulmate? Maybe you just passed by someone and heard them talking and it stuck without you knowing. "She offered but Ni-Ki shook his head in protest.

“I’d remember if I ever heard anyone say these things, and my soul bond is that I share knowledge with my soulmate, this isn’t the first time this has happened, they had an immense amount of knowledge on the supernatural too, remember when we were planning our lore?

“Wait, your bond is shared knowledge?” She asked, visibly paling as all attention turned to her.

“Yea why?” Ni-Ki asked, watching as her throat bobbed with her gulp.

“Uh, what were the murder techniques? Ya know, just curious.”

“Icicle stake, and insulin under the tongue were the main ones he mentioned.” Jungwon noted, looking to make sure he was right, Ni-Ki nodded in agreement before looking back at the woman curiously.

“You’re my soulmate?!?” She yelped, jumping up from her seat in shock, while Ni-Ki returned with the same amount.

“You’re the murderer?”

“I’m not a murderer!”

“Then how do you know those murder techniques?”

“I’m a creative writer! I specialize in horror stories.” She countered making them all realize why she’d know odd facts like that.

“Oh my god! You’re my soulmate! And you’ve been here the whole time and didn’t know?” Ni-Ki freaked, bolting forward to engulf her into his arms.

“You thought I was a murderer, get off of me!” She laughed, pushing lightly at his chest.

[your--isgayrights]

Seeing your answered ask about metas makes me want to share this list someone made about ORV’s literary references: https://twitter.com/Jomeimei421/status/1806147303004336632

I think this same person also said something about ORV being a blend of low-brow fiction and high-brow literature and I agree. I would like to see a legitimate academic paper referencing or breaking down ORV, and now that I think about it, maybe this has already happened and I just don’t know how to find something like that.

This list is honestly such a great resource, thanks for sharing :)))) <3333

I would add the samguk yusa and samguk sagi to this list tho, even though the references might count as 'myths' or an oral tradition that's the nature of the older historical texts. I think I have a couple breakdowns of the references to the Samguk yusa, a post about ljh's name and the historical ancestors referenced, and some stuff about JttW.

In the concept of high brow and low brow, I agree that ORV is very good at being like very respectful of anything that is a 'story' and I think good at portraying the sort of 'character' that some genres or reading types represent. I think one of my posts is definitely about how the KDJ relationship with his mom is very representative of the sort of evolution of webnovel culture out of classical literature and trauma literature scenes in the sort of 'professional,' established Korean publishing. Also as a Naruto guy I really respect the JttW arc for being like 'hey all middle grade action stories and shounen a little bit comes from JttW tbh.' I also think the premise of ORV is great as sort of the natural conclusion to like American gods or Rick Riordan type justifications for all religions being true bc people believe them: ok, then here's also one man's favorite anime boy being real because he believes in him and he's actually going to punch God now. Oh also a literary reference I guess is that metatron and etc are from the Talmud rabbinic scriptures. Though I think myths about him are mostly from kabbala / oral tradition (which stems from Judaism but even now there are Jewish people who think it's very wrong to call them Jewish beliefs. Part of that is probably that in more modern history kabbala has partially been developed and sort of appropriated by non-jewish people in a way that is kind of similar to orientalizing / mysticizing the more 'normal' Judaic beliefs practiced by wider Jewish communities ((think tiktokkers who are like I Am a Witch doinG Qabala but actually she's basically just writing creepypasta in her brain about things other people actually believe in that she knows nothing about)). At the same time, there is kabbala that naturally developed from people Jewish faith in the same way orphism or other 'occult' beliefs developed out of governmentally/societally enforced/accepted Greek and Roman religions throughout history. Fun fact: Sefer ha-bahir is apparently an influential text in the development of og kabbala and apparently literally describes the idea of transmigration so that is fun.)

Ok besides the historical stuff the media on the list I'm actually exposed to is just Han Kang and then Naruto (I watched some of one piece in middle school but retained very little of it tbh I just know who some of the guys are. Actually I just had a dream where I complimented a guy's one piece shirt and then he asked me if I liked the anime and I had to be like oh... No).

I did some research on YSA's reading 'taste' though and I think it's very fitting because they're realistic books with "literary value" that are like very relevant to society but obscure enough that you wouldn't make up reading them just to impress someone, unlike Han Myungoh claiming 'art of war' is his fave book (that's another lit reference in there somewhere I think? I just remember finding it fitting... It's the type of fit for business men who want to seem macho and smart but actually don't enjoy reading at all... I would say if they said three kingdoms was their favorite I would at least believe they read it or saw an adaptation but like art of war just isn't really a Story it's more like self help? Like there are stories but they're showing 'lessons' about war lol.)

[couchcandy]

Psych x Community ??

I love psych and i love community so this vague concept of them existing in the same universe has been floating around in my head. 

The key connecting factor being the references to Shawn/Britta’s similarly eclectic off-screen pasts. They're close in age so I'm like okay - it would totally be possible for them to have known eachother/dated/whatever at some point before. 

psych aired from 2006 - 2014; Shawn born 1977

community aired from 2009 -2014; Britta born 1980

(Take these two quotes just as an example but it's referenced casually throughout both shows)

Britta’s Dad: I mean, every time we get too close, you run off. We sent you a birthday card to your apartment in New York, and the next week you’re setting fire to a Jamba Juice in San Jose.

Britta: How long is that gonna stick with me?

Britta’s Mom: Until arson is legal, sweetie.

Gus: Shawn, you’ve had fifty-seven jobs since we left high school.

Shawn: Yes I have. And they were all fun. But this one takes the cake.

Gus: Oh yeah? Better than the acupuncture clinic?

Shawn: I didn’t realize experience was necessary.

Gus: What about the summer you spent driving the weiner mobile?

Shawn: I did that for the hot dogs.

I think they fit somewhere in the ballpark of each other's types, both sluts(affectionate) and it makes sense for them to have crossed paths at some point during Britta's “anhercists” days. 

So that establishes a link between the groups, but what would it be like if they interacted? Take the arbitrary scenario; Shawn and Gus have gotten themselves and by extension the SBPD into another whacky shenanigan somehow who cares how i'm not writing this

I imagine initially everyone in the study group has a more or less positive impression of Shawn because he's charming, (with the notable exception of…you got it! Jeff)

JEFF

In typical jeff fashion is immediately threatened by Shawn because he has to be the coolestmostlikeabledude™ in the room at all times while simultaneously has to act like he doesn't care so he's quietly seething and - hey what's this new dude doing here making all my friends laugh that's my job! i must now make it my life's mission to prove this guys a fraud and reclaim my status no matter how much a fool i make of myself in the process (a la: advanced documentary filmmaking)

BRITTA

Normal standard “hey old friend” situation, remember when we *insane thing involving multiple felonies and property destruction* haha anyway let me introduce you to my friends - 

ANNIE

immediate skepticism that Shawn is able to sidestep pretty quickly by being charming/flirty (NOT in a gross way *hisses at the jeffannie shippers*) Her reaction being like when the dean “swaps bodies with jeff” or after abed’s don draper impression.

ABED

Knows Shawn isn't really psychic but goes along with it/doesn’t point out that Shawn’s hyper observant because he's invested in watching the psychic/cop show formula play out. He would! and I would too!

(quote from 5x03 Basic Intergluteal Numismatics):

Abed Nadir: [Pretending to read the crime scenes as a psychic] I see a man... using a social disorder as a procedural device. Wait, wait, wait, I see another man. Mildly autistic super detectives everywhere.

TROY

Obligatory: “you’re wrinkling my brain right now” and just general fascination, awe, and wonderment. Asks Shawn to tell him his future

SHIRLEY

Immediate judgment on Shawn's practices not being christian enough for her standards, but easily swayed to liking him once he picks up on something and comments on her ex husband being an idiot to lose her or something

PEIRCE

Does his peirce thing and tries to seem impressive and fails, something level five laser lotus blah blah - u get it thats enough on him 

THE DEAN

Is facilitating the psych crew being there because it might bring in good press for greendale and he def does the hand on shoulder thing when he meets him you know the one - omg and totally is into Lassiter furrowed brows “im packing heat” Carlton, please. – lassie is Not Amused™ 

CHANG

This depends on what point in community canon this interaction takes place because season 1 chang would prob be normal(for him), but like season 5 Chang would do/say something so insane and so chang that i can't even come up with it

As for our psych guys, Gus points out how weird and fucked up and bizarre Greendale is meanwhile Shawn is LIVING for it - signs them up for the Dean’s PA announcements class, and “Gus! buddy! I hope you don't mind. I used your credit card to sign us up for The History of Ice Cream. Come on, it starts in 20 minutes ! :D” Gus: “Shawn! >:0”

Lassie would just nonstop point out all the health and safety violations- he doesn't want to be here- calls a lot of people hippies, generally grumpy demeanor and we love him for it.

Starburns terribly hits on Jules - gets rejected, proceeds to try and sell her drugs - gets arrested.

[artzychic27]

I just randomly started thinking of Good Burger, so here’s some incorrect quotes

Louis: I want you to bail on Miraculous Burger. You make your sauce for Louis.

Nathaniel: Who's Louis?

Louis: I'm Louis.

Nathaniel: I'm Nathaniel.

Louis: I'm aware!

Nathaniel: You said you were Louis.

—

Luka: I don't even remember what my dad looks like.

Adrien: I don't remember what my dad looks like either, but at least I get to see him everyday.

—

Chloé: Haven't I seen you somewhere before?

Alya: Ever been to Australia?

Chloé: No.

Alya: Me neither.

—

Nino: I'm a dude! He's a dude! She's a dude! 'Cause we're all dudes!

—

Max: Hey, man, about the contract, why don't we just forget about it? *Rips contract in half*

Nino: You don't wanna be partners?

Max: No, see-

Nino: Is it because I'm black?

—

Louis: From now on your life is Mondo Burger. You can forget about your friends, you can forget about your family... because Louis is now your mother and your father.

Cosette: *whispering to female co-worker* Louis must look awfully strange naked.

—

Denise: Man, I can't believe Louis fired me from Mondo Burger. I mean, he yelled at me, then he insulted me. He made fun of me.

Adrien: Boy, you must really suck.

Denise: See right about now I'd slap you in your head but I'm not sure if your brain would understand the concept of pain.

—

Lacey: Check it, Jean, it's the Mondo Idiot!

Jean: Oh, nice to meet you, Mondo Idiot, I'm Jean.

Louis: Well, Jean, you better watch your butt man!

Jean: Okay. *Tries and ends up spinning around and around* I give up. There's no way a guy can watch his own butt.

—

Nora: Little man, I ordered tomatoes on this Miraculous Burger, and I don't see no tomatoes!

Ismael: Well, hang on... *pulls a couple of tomato slices out of his pocket, and slaps them on Nora’s burger* There! Consider yourself tomatoed!

Nora: You're not like other people are you?

Ismael: Nope.

—

Adrien: And that's Myléne, she's a veterinarian.

Myléne: Vegetarian.

Adrien: That means she doesn't eat fur.

Myléne: I won't wear fur, I don't eat meat.

—

Austin T: Would you like to have dinner tomorrow night?

Jean: I like to have dinner every night.

—

Adrien: I thought that if I took the can, there was a good chance that I'd get caught, but even if I did get the Trilampathol to the proper authorities, Louis would hire some powerful attornies who would dispute any charges brought against him or Mondo Burger by manipulating the legal system and the way France’s court system is congested these days, it would take months to convict him of anything. So I thought I'd take matters into my own hands and dump the Trilampathol into the meat supply, making Mondo Burger a victim of its own foul play.

Luka: You thought all that?

Adrien: Yeah. I'm not stupid.

—

Alya: I could've sworn I've seen you somewhere before.

Adrien: Maybe I'm someone famous like a baseball player or a pretty nurse.

Alya: What? What are you talking about?

Adrien: Okay, I give up. Who am I?

Alya: I don't know who you are or where I've seen you before or why you think you're an attractive nurse.

—

Kim: Look! I'm Grape Nose Boy! Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity

Max: Stop that.

Kim: Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity

Max: Would you stop?

Kim: Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity

Max: *Laughing* That ain't funny!

Kim: Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity Bloobity... Made ya laugh!

—

Customer: Excuse me? Look, I ordered one Miraculous Burger with nothing on it.

Rose: That's what I gave you.

Customer: No! You gave me a bun. Just a bun! Look! There's no meat in here.

Rose: But you said you wanted nothing on it.

Customer: Yes, but I expected a meat patty!

Rose: Look, a meat patty is something. You said "nothing". Marc, is a meat patty something or nothing?

Marc: Uh, something?

Rose: I win!

Customer: That's it! I am reporting your name to the manager!

Rose: The manager already knows my name.

Customer: *while throwing the bun down* And I'll see you in Hell! *Leaves*

Rose: Okay! See you there!

—

Marc: Welcome to Miraculous Burger. Home of the Miraculous Burger. Can I take your order?

Construction Worker: Well, it's about time. Can I get 2 Miraculous Burgers?

Marc: Oh, I'm sorry. I have to go get them. Customers aren't allowed in back.

Construction Worker: *irritated* Just give me 2 Miraculous Burgers!

Marc: Sir, I can't just give you two Miraculous Burgers. You have to pay for 'em!

Construction Worker: Forget it!

—

Louis: Can I give you a lift, Kim?

Kim: Gee, I don't know dude. I weigh about 150.

—

Zoé: You are so hot.

Cosette: Oh, well, I often sweat at work.

[serendertothesquad]

Seren's Studies: Odd Squad UK -- "Agent Overhill's Last Day" Episode Followup, Part 1

The One That Got Away On Agent Overhill's Last Day.

Hey, it's a bit wordy, but they could fit it on the folder if they tried! Plus it rhymes!

Well, anyway. We're nearing the end, folks. Shame it only lasted for less than a month, but hopefully kids and parents alike will view episodes enough times to where it will get greenlit for a Season 2/Season 5. With more episodes. More better-written episodes. Please.

Let's get down below the break for another episode featuring a one-shot. Because in 12 episodes, we have enough room for a one-shotter episode.

Heeeeeeey, Athena's back!

...I mean look, so long as it isn't Omar or Tasha, I think we're good.

*slow blink in "memory loss not a thing in the oddverse?"*

AND FUCKIN' SPEAKIN' OF MEMORY LOSS.

"No, I don't want to cure dementia, or Alzheimer's! I want to make people remember how to ride bikes!"

It's like having a cure for cancer in the palm of your hands and using it for the most trivial shit imaginable. (And if you get that reference, brava to you.)

Well hey, at least he's on grassy terrain and has protective gear on. So, y'know...there's that.

Brain fart happening right now, but I could have sworn there was a gag just like this alrea- oh.

Now I remember, it was in "Who is Agent Otis?"

And funny enough, it was Oprah who needed help with the pickle jar AND SON OF A BITCH SOMEONE BROUGHT THAT SHIT UP IN THE WRITERS ROOM HUH.

(That aside, though, does...does the organization manufacture their own pickles? It's not Shmumbers or some UK-equivalent branding?)

Ahhhh Captain O, they could never make me hate you.

It's like she gave Orwell the jar knowing she went through strength training and that son of a gun can't open it!

See, it's funny because we already got "Villain X" in the form of Xavier and Xena. This guy is just proudly declaring he's a villain and doesn't work for Odd Squad.

Yeeeeeah, I dunno, guy...those just look like pictures of sunglasses.

On a side note, you guys think a villain could use Photoshop to say "I caused oddness" when they didn't do anything? If they were really that dumb enough, I bet they could. (I mean, if my dumb ass took a Photoshop class in high school and got a passing grade...)

Okay, that's...uh...an impressive display of lapels. Did she spend time in every department or are they like Sunny Starscout's G4 character pins and mean nothing?

See, where this franchise tends to fail to draw the line is distinguishing odd things from odd people.

Solving oddness is arguably easier than catching odd villains. They are mutually exclusive because it's symbiotic, but to a certain degree.

Orwell here seems to think that, since Overhill solved odd things, she can catch an odd villain. Perhaps not so, but I'll let status quo bring the gavel down on that.

"I wish I had your positivity."

He's supposed to be a stoic man. And you can have positivity with a stoic man, but this just makes me wonder how the season would change if Orwell were a sourpuss with a stoic voice.

Man, it's like this season just threw the entire fucking concept of departments out the fucking window, huh?

I mean, it's nice we're getting Orwell focus...but Ocean and Oona were paired together and they aren't partners because, if I remember correctly, Oprah never referred to them as partners.

Again, I will reiterate: when Oprah does this, it's impactful. It has bite, because she's a ball of anger in the body of a child.

When Captain O does this, it has no bite because she is not a ball of anger in the body of a child; she is a ball of sass in the body of a child.

Be reminded that this is the second time they have pried traits out of Oprah and plopped them into similar characters like it means anything. At least with Captain O, it fits more than Orpita...

AGEHA HIJIRI'S PRESENCE LIVES O- oh. No, wait, that was last year...

KOMUGI INUKAI'S PRESENCE LIVES ON!!!!

You don't send a dumb child to do a smart child's job, Captain O. That's just basic common sense.

(I would make a Cracker Barrel crack here, but I don't think they have those in the UK.)

Okay, to be fair, that's more threatening than sunglasses.

Big-ass mosquitos, though, would be a bigger threat.

YEEEEEEEAH BOMB THAT MASTER HILL MARTY MCFLY WILLIAMS. BOMB IT REAL GOOD, GO FAST, CATCH VILLAIN X!!!

No, no, honey, the bigger question is why you're wearing a robe with a hood on it. Here in America that's robber wear!

No...no, Seren, don't make the yuri joke...no don't...no...

...FFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK IT.

This joke would have been better if he made a joke about how his wife left him for something odd...y'know, like a bunny...

But alas, this is a PBS Kids show where Valentine's Day is 100% strictly platonic.

"...Orli, why are we here?"

"Our contracts say we have to have at least 30 seconds of screentime per episode."

"And we're spending it playing table football?"

"Look, you don't have a Boys and Girls Club here, so I have to make do!"

Charlie Change sounds more like the name of a money-based villain than that of a shapeshifting one.

But y'know...in 12 episodes, do you really want them to go into the financial logistics of this universe?

Okay, first of all, do either of you even fuckin' lift?

And second of all, you two need to be on both sides. And preferably have two more people helping you. TF do you think you're gonna accomplish if you're both on one side, bashing his head into the cement floor?

Ohhhhh and he's got vaporizing powers so he's speeeeeeechuuuuuuuuuuuuuu- yo me into the fucking ocean.

At least this lady's more properly dressed for the outdoors.

The way I fuckin' cackled at Orwell's "Oh, come on!" here.

Look, the man has a limp and uses a scooter as an assistive mobility device. You can't hate him.

Man, I do so love they're dropping all this stuff about this agent we've never heard of before and will never hear of again.

...Okay, the dollhouse furniture-making hobby is cute, I'll admit, BUT STILL-

Osgood, what the fuck did you think would happen? You're throwin' yourself into a volcano here!

woman doesn't get what villain x is saying

she's wearing a hoodie with hourglasses on it

Check yourself, honey.

(On to Part 2!)

[amitherenbored]

ME AND THEM(E)

Hey guys, my friend convinced me to upload a short story I wrote some time ago. So if you like messing with the concept of time, I hope you enjoy this~

The room was the whitest kind of white. It looked as if it stretched on forever. In fact, no one who has ever been in that room knew if it ever ended, or just spread into infinity. In the middle (if there is a middle to forever) of the room was a long wooden table, shining clean and ready. On the table, you could spot an hourglass, fused into the table. If you looked closely, you would notice the sand in it kept running, without any sign of stopping or running out. It was almost time.

Ten wooden doors appeared around the table. They were all the same door, but each of them was more worn out than the one before. In a few moments, the meeting will start. Ten people, one person, will come through the doors.

It was someone’s birthday, though time didn’t mean a lot in there.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

5 was very cheerful. He vaguely sensed the presence of the other nine people in the white room with him. 5 was quite busy with a stack of cards that lay on the table in front of him, and since none of the people in the room seemed too intimidating, he pretty much ignored them.

45 was out of breath, but otherwise happy. He remembered the stack of cards from ten years ago and how much 5 enjoyed them back then (or should I say right now?). 45 made a mental note to himself back when he was 35 to bring them with him for the next meeting, but almost forgot. He muttered “Shoot” and then grabbed them from upstairs before slipping through the door-looking portal into the room, hence the breathlessness. He wondered if he should tell 35 to NOT forget the cards next time, but figured it probably wouldn’t matter, because ten years is a lot of time to forget something. It didn’t even matter, he thought. The look on 5’s face, sitting at the head of the table, was worth every breath he missed.

15 was baffled. He looked across the room with a puzzled look and a face as white as a ghost. 15 wasn’t confused. Confused is not the right word to describe what he felt. It was more like having the biggest deja-vu in existence while simultaneously not wanting to know why you’re having this deja-vu. This was, of course, due to the fact he has been there before. It’s just that 5 wouldn’t remember a thing. Well, he won’t actually forget everything, but the whole experience will be stored in the part of his brain responsible for dreams and fantasies. He will only remember them when he returns to the room when he’s 15, which is right now.

35 was overall OK, thanks for asking. He sat on one side of the long table with 25 and 55. It was nice talking to them, knowing one’s future and another one’s past. The whole meeting gave him a strange feeling that can only be described as paradoxal (not to be confused with paradoxical. The meeting was the living definition of consistent), but he was excited to be there, nonetheless. Maybe the strange feeling was the reason he wanted to be there. 35 shrugged to himself. Maybe.

25 was stressed and 55 was calm. 25 was sleep deprived after landing his first “real life” job, while studying for a master’s degree. 55 was calm, because he knew 25 was going to lead an overall nice life, although he wasn’t sure how much of it he was allowed to tell 25.

“You have got to fix your sleep schedule,” interrupted 35, “At this rate, you are going to kill yourself.”

“I don’t think dying is a real threat to me right now,” said 25, who was intentionally making eye contact with 55.

55 chuckled softly. “I have to both agree and disagree. 25, your life right now is unhealthy, 35 is correct when it comes to that. BUT, and it’s a big but, sometimes life gets hard. Sometimes it’s OK to take drastic measures, as long as you’re keeping yourself alive.”

25 and 35 stared at him, both slightly confused. 55 sighed. “What I’m trying to say is, in the end you’ll be fine, at least as far as I know. Hard times pass. Sometimes we have to adjust ourselves to a new situation, but that does not mean times will be hard forever.”

65 was nostalgic. It’s hard not being nostalgic when you are surrounded by past versions of yourself (excluding, obviously, 75, 85 and 95). At this point of his life, he remembered almost everything that happened, and therefore was going to happen, at the meeting. He has yet to experience it all, but the setting was familiar. He had been waiting to return here.

25 got up from his chair in the middle of another conversation with 35 and 55. Right on cue, thought 65. He walked to the edge of the table, where the fascinated 15 was trying to strike up a conversation with 5, who was far too busy building a card castle to listen.

“Hello there,” said 25, who seemed very embarrassed, “Will you come with me for a second?”

The two walked to the other side of the table, to a corner far away from conversations and playing cards.

“This must be really weird for you, isn’t it? I remember how confusing this was for me the last time.”

15 fidgeted with his fingers. “I… I’m not sure I completely understand yet. You’re… me?”

25 scratched his head. This question was quite difficult to answer.

“I am you. Every single person in this room is. That’s why we use the numbering system. For all of us, you are 15 and I am 25. It’s better to not think to much into it, just try to enjoy it while you can.”

15 nodded. He was still processing this new information, but he seemed a little calmer.

“And another thing,” added 25, “I want you to take this.” He pulled out an envelope with a date written on it. A date that was 6 years away from 15, but four years into the past for 25. “Only open this at that date. Believe me, the waiting is worth it.”

15 took the envelope and stared at it with awe. He then gave 25 a meaningful nod and walked away. He was going to listen to 25’s advice and enjoy the meeting as long as he still can.

“You know, I forgot about this letter for a long time, but I recently found it again.” It felt like 65 materialized behind 25 out of thin air, spooking the hell out of him. “It brought back a few memories.”

A sad smile appeared on 25’s face. “Will I regret this?”

“Not as far as I know”

They both knew what was in the envelope, something all the others have already forgotten about.

“I remember opening it. It was a long day, and I was on the verge of tears. It was my first real breakup. That was the moment I realized what the letter was for. When other people tell you that in a few years you’ll forget this ever happened it sounds like they are just ignoring your pain. On the other hand, when your future self tells you you’ll be fine… That’s a little more comforting. They actually know you. Especially when they tell you to eat as much ice cream as you want.”

65 grinned at him. “And I see you got him to open up.” He pointed at 15, who was deep into a conversation with the happy 45.

25 nodded: “Probably the best advice I ever got. Who knows what would’ve happened if I didn’t tell him to open up? For all I know, we would be sitting in silence around the table, too scared to talk to each other.”

“Yet you still haven’t talked with him”

65 turned his head to look at 95 and then stared into 25’s eyes, a serios look on his face. The smile on 25’s face faded as 65 turned around and walked away, leaving 25 alone to think.

“But I will,” he whispered to himself, “And I already did”

85 was gloomy. It is understandable if you look at the situation from his point of view, as it was his one to last meeting. He sat alone at a secluded part of the table and looked back and forth between 5, who sat at one edge of the table, and 95, who sat all the way across the long table. The youngest and the oldest, sitting in the two heads of the table. Don’t understand this incorrectly, 85 was really trying to enjoy the meeting, just like every other time, but it seemed as if an invisible force was pulling the corners of his mouth downwards.

75 was curious. Until then, he mostly walked around, chatting with each person (version is the more correct word) he came across and simply taking in the surroundings. But now, a question he couldn’t ignore formed in his head, and so he sat next to the silent 85.

“Why are you sad?” he asked.

85 stared at him, brows raised. He remembered asking this ten years ago, but the memory has faded with the years. It was now just another blurry conversation at the back of his head.

“I don’t mean to sound rude; you know. It’s just that… life is good. I can say for myself that I’m content. So, what is it? Does some horrible tragedy plague us in the next ten years? Why do you seem so sad?”

85 sighed. “It’s nothing of that sort, luckily. You wouldn’t understand it.”

It was 75’s turn to raise his brows. “Try me”

“It’s 95. Just look at him! He’s smiling! He is about to die in the next ten years of his life and he’s smiling!”

“So you’re angry… because he’s happy?”

85’s frown deepened. “I’m sad, because today is my last meeting before I’m him, and… I’m scared he isn’t, I’m not, appreciating it enough.”

“Well, that’s ridiculous,” stated 75 firmly, causing 85’s brows to rise once more (at this point it looked like a brow raising competition), “No, I mean it, I really do. Do you even know ourselves? When have we ever not appreciated the meeting enough? We look forwards to them, we plan them, we try to remember as much as possible without breaking the laws of time. I know who I am, and I’m willing to bet that it doesn’t matter how much I, we, change in the next twenty years, we will always care about this short time we have together.”

“I guess you’re right,” said 85, a small smile now on his face. He was not entirely convinced, but it was a start. It made him realize how smart he really was. Not bad at all, he thought.

95 was… what was he again? He wasn’t exactly happy, but neither was he sad. He felt fear, but at the same time he felt more fearless than ever. He was full of feelings, and for once in his life, he was completely and utterly free.

He sat at the head of the table, facing 5 who sat at the other end. He rather enjoyed watching the child play. He was, overall and despite a lot of things, satisfied.

95 looked to his side and was surprised to see 15 at his side, staring at him quizzically. 95 didn’t remember this happening so early into the meeting… or did time move faster than he realized?

“You are the oldest, aren’t you?” asked 15.

Silence fell across the room, as everyone turned their head to look at 15. You aren’t supposed to ask an old man a question like that, even if that old person is you.

But all 95 did was chuckle.

“Sit down, boy.” He patted the chair next to him. “And you lot should listen as well.” His eyes made contact with each person separately.

“Yes, I am the oldest one here,” he said when everyone was seated properly.

15 thought for a second. “Does that mean you’ll...?” die in the next ten years, they all completed the question in their heads.

95 nodded, a sad smile hovering on his lips. 15 looked quite horrified.

“Do you know when this will happen?”

“You cannot know everything. Even knowing I’ll die (A slight shiver went through the crowd at the mention of this word) in a certain range of time is knowledge not everyone has the privilege to know” he said it as though this was the best privilege in life.

95 stood up shakily.

“As you all know, I’m 95. I have lived a long life. I made memories I would never trade for anything, and some I would like to forget. It’s been hard, and it’s been fun, and most of all, it was worth it all. I want you all to know that the last ten years have been great, and I have no doubt that the next few years of my life will be just as good.” He stopped for a second and looked around. His eyes landed on 85. “I want you to know that while death still scares me, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I am just so happy to see you all that it doesn’t matter.”

95’s smile widened. It was a contagious smile, and if you looked closely, you could see it had infected every single person in the room. Even the gloomy 85.

A ‘Ding’ sound echoed inside the room. When everyone turned to look at the table, there was a big birthday cake on it.

“I didn’t remember it had sprinkles on it” muttered 45 under his breath.

65 picked up a knife that appeared (conveniently) next to the cake. Even 5, who had been almost completely oblivious to his surroundings until now raised his head when 65 handed him a slice. The moment they all had a slice, a thin candle appeared on each of them, already lit and ready.

“Happy birthday,” said 95, “You can make your wishes.”

Wishing felt different there, ten versions of the same person wishing for entirely different things. Some remembered what they wished for before and they were all certain of the wishes they made that moment. And so, ten candles were blown out and ten cakes were eaten.

35 sat next to 25. “You remembered it, didn’t you? 95’s speech?”

“I did, but now I guess I’m bound to forget it.” He shuffled a little in his chair. “Nice speech though. Calms me down a little.” That’s how he thought about writing 15 the letter.

35 let out a sigh. “I wonder when I forgot”

“Well, no matter how many times we forget it, in the end we’ll surely remember it”

The plates and remainders of the cake disappeared as swiftly as they appeared. It was time to go back home. They all got up as the wooden doors they came through appeared once more. 45 helped 5, who had cake smeared all around his mouth, pack up the deck of cards.

95 walked over to 85, who already had his hand on his door’s handle. “The meeting ended quickly. I barely noticed how fast time flies”

“And the next one is my last one”

95 lowered his gaze. For the first time in the meeting, he looked sad. “This is the last time I get to see all of you,” he said, “I’ve explored every perspective and heard every conversation. As much as it hurts me to leave, I know I drained every drop of knowledge I encountered on my way. And I have a mission for you. Live. Your time is limited; no one knows this better than us. So, try your best to be happy. You don’t have to do anything too extreme or avoid sadness at all cost, but use the time you have left, don’t fear it.”

85 shook his head. “How does one stop fearing death?”

“You don’t. You find something worth living for and make yourself happy despite everything else.”

85 chuckled. “I wonder when I became so sophisticated.”

And with that in mind, he disappeared through the door.

75 and 45 already went back, 45 leaving the deck behind with the young 5. “So this is how I lost my deck,” whispered 55 as 95 came closer, “I did wonder where it disappeared.”

“Do you remember what we planned at 45? We wanted to bring 5 the deck we loved so much at childhood, so he won’t feel alone at the meeting. But then, a week before this meeting…”

“We lost the deck,” said 55 in astonishment, “I was so surprised when I found an identical deck in the store, so he won’t notice the difference… It was the same deck all along”

95 grinned at him. “The universe resolves yet another paradox”

55 shook his head in disbelief, but he was smiling as he walked through the door.

35 already left when 95 started talking to 65: “You know you scared 25 when you kind of ‘appeared’ behind him.”

65 smiled a sly smile. “Oh, I am sure of that. When I was 25, I started wondering if I grow up to be a serial killer. But there are reasons to spook your past self. For example, it’s fun. Plus, if I remember it happening, wouldn’t it be a paradox not to do it myself?”

Only the youngest three stayed there with 95. 25 walked up to him.

“I’m going to miss you. I know I’ll see you again next year, but I’ll miss you from this pair of eyes, this… perspective, as you said yourself.”

95 thought about it for a second. “I don’t think you ever really lose the perspective you had when you where younger. You just gain access to knew ones. But to be frank, I’m going to miss you to. Every part of ‘you’, in every age.”

25 exited the room, slightly calmer and slightly wiser.

It was 15 turn to march towards 95. “Am I dreaming this? I mean, I know I’m not, but it still feels weird.”

95 raised an eyebrow. “I guess time doesn’t owe anyone to feel normal. It’s part of its charm.”

15 nodded and placed his hand on the door’s handle. “Don’t I get a goodbye?” asked 95.

“Well, I’m only 15. This isn’t goodbye yet. Just trust that we’ll meet again”

Another smile and another door closed.

5 managed to wipe the cake off his face. The situation made 95 feel like a child again.

“It is time for you to go home now.” 5 tilted his head to the side, giving 95 a curious look. “You are going to be just fine, you know? Whatever life throws at you. You can do some great things, make a lot of people proud. Make yourself proud. But now; now it’s time to go to sleep”

95 opened the door and let the little 5 pass.

He looked around him, taking in the room for one last time. He knew a lot more than he knew when he first came here. It’s a part of growing up. 95 knew something important. We all tend to hate who we were, cringe about our past decisions and interests. But 95 loved them all, embraced them all. They were all parts of a puzzle that created him, and they are never going away. He loved all of him.

That’s another part of growing up.

95 was… fine. That’s the most accurate word to describe it. He was at peace and truly okay.

The door closed behind him.

On the table, the hourglass ran out of sand.