#there are so many tabs open i am stressed

[maraczeks]

girls when i am literally just a seventeen years old teenage girl

[blondemadona]

People keep asking me about my career plans and it keeps catching me off guard because my very genuine answer would be that I’ve actually been very focused on growing my hair out atm and haven’t given other things much of my time

[redcoralpot]

Tougher Than Nails - Mike Schmidt X M!Reader

Warnings/Details: NSFW content, implied substance abuse, alcohol, cowboy!reader, hankie/cowboy hat code.

Summary: Mike goes to a bar downtown in hopes of getting his mind off of court, but instead finds something much healthier.

A/N: Everyone should thank my boyfriend for this idea; he's always the one that reminds me that I am technically a 'cowboy'. He saves a horse very often.

Word Count: 1.8K

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Bars weren’t really Mike’s thing. Any alcohol he’s ever had tasted like crap, and becoming an alcoholic would just be another check on Aunt Jane’s list to prove to the court that he wasn’t suitable for custody. Hell, he swore her perfume was still clinging onto his nose hairs, and all he wanted to do was escape her. Escape reality, too. Mike remembered when his father used to do just that after Garret disappeared, drowning himself in the bitter liquid at night, his speech slurred. That’s why he was here, at a bar in downtown Afton, while Maxine stayed with Abby. He was desperate.

The building was crowded, delightful chatter and jazz music filling the air. Lights were strung along the wooden walls, narrowly dodging the black and white photos hanging by themselves. More customers squeezed in behind him; Mike frantically searched for any open spot in the room. Hallelujah– a single stool was left vacant near the serving counter, and Mike shuffled into it, shoulders tense. The bartender seemed to notice his presence, as she leaned towards the man, still shaking another person’s drink. 

“You’re a new face,” she rattled, “may I see your license?”

Mike fumbled with his wallet, sliding the card for her to see, “Uh, sure.”

“Right, you’re all clear; would you like to open a tab?”

A man cut in before he could answer, and for the first time, Mike got a good look at the person sitting beside him, “Just add whatever he orders to mine, Molly.” 

She shrugged, the key hanging from her left pocket jingling, “Easier for me.”

You chuckled, the brim of your hat covering your eyes. It was decorated with embroidery and leather, complimenting your purple button up shirt, though that was partially hidden by a black vest. Two hankies hung out of your back, left pocket, similar to Molly’s keychain. One was rust colored, but the other was a complimentary gray; Mike thought it was an interesting stylistic choice. 

“I’ll just have a beer, thanks.”

As the bartender turned, scribbling in a notebook, you inquired, “So, what’s a fine boy like you doing ‘round these parts?”

Mike grabbed the foaming beer that was placed in front of him, “I live nearby.”

“That’s not the only reason, is it?”

He hesitated to answer, instead choosing to take a long sip of the beverage. It burned down his throat, the flavor making his lips curl and his head a little more dizzy. Somehow, it loosened his will, and he found his lips moving without his permission. Your energy was just hypnotizing; he felt himself being pulled in.

“Needed a break from stress,” Mike admitted, picking at the glass’ label.

You cocked your head to the side, your hat tipping upward, “Just ‘cause you’re in a hole, doesn’t mean you gotta keep digging. Alcohol isn’t the cure to what you’re feelin’.”

“What am I supposed to do? Not even my medicine works anymore.”

“I go here for stress relief too,” you assured, downing a shot, “but not necessarily for the drinks.”

Your hand hovered over the small of his back, looking at him for consent. When he didn’t move away, you settled your fingers there, feeling a shiver run through Mike’s body. Some of the previous tension released from his shoulders, and he almost leaned back in relief. Many of the customers in this bar were paired with the same sex, unlike most of the movies he’d seen that included the subject. So, he supposed it wouldn’t look too weird if he did.

You elaborated, “People can be cruel, can’t they, sweetheart? Comin’ to a place like this, where everyone’s like me in some way or another, is a damn good bonus.”

“Like you?”

“Y’know,” you gestured to your handkerchiefs, “queer and such.”

He paused, “Ah.”

“You didn’t know this was a boy bar?”

Mike replied, “I kinda just looked up the closest bar to my house.”

…

“Good to know.” Your hand fell away from his back.

He almost chased it. Mike liked the feeling, the weight of your fingers pressing into such an intimate spot. However, he wasn’t tipsy enough for that, and controlled himself. He watched as you spoke to Molly, the lady’s eyes flicking towards him and back, and you slipped her the money needed to cover the tab. You tipped your hat towards Mike, a respectful way to put distance between you, before disappearing into the suffocating crowd. Molly side eyed him, sweeping away his bottle, before leaving as well. Mike swallowed, pulling loose skin from his bottom lip with his teeth. It was now, or never– perhaps alcohol wasn’t the only way, after all. You were right. 

Mike could still see the very top of your hat swerving above the crowd, and he trailed after it to the best of his ability. A random girl almost elbowed him in the face, and he was sure his shins would be bruised after tonight. Your shadow was reflecting in the glass door, growing fainter and fainter as you walked further away, your hips swaying. Mike pushed it open, the vision dissolving, and cold air stung his cheeks. The moon reflected off of car hoods, the only way he was able to see where he was running. His hand reached out and grabbed your arm, as you flinched.

Mike’s ears were red, probably from the alcohol, and you stared at him, “What’re you doing?”

“I don’t know,” was the only answer you got before your collar was jerked forward.

Your lips crashed violently with his; your teeth clicking as he struggled to pull you closer. Mike was still fisting your shirt as you brought your hands to cup his jaw and the back of his neck, trying to gentle the kiss. 

You mumbled against his mouth, “Better not be some experiment of yours, pretty boy.”

“Nope,” he whispered, the aftertaste of whiskey on his tongue.

His back hit the side of your car, and his hands moved from your collar to swinging his arms around your neck. Your knee found its way in between Mike’s thighs, pressing against his crotch, and his groan was swallowed by your lips. Mike whined when you trailed down, aiming instead for his neck. Dark marks and bites soon decorated the pale flesh, his blood dripping a contrasting splash of color. 

Tugging on his earlobe, you challenged, “Gonna come back to my place?”

Mike doubted he ever agreed to something so quickly.

The drive was long, too long in his opinion. Though, it was most likely only fifteen minutes, at most. Mike didn’t even have to walk up the driveway to your cabin; his legs were locked around your hips as you carried him through the door and up the stairs. He ground his groin against you, searching for any possible friction. You tossed him onto your bed, unbuckling your belt, holding it taut. The man in front of you wiggled back and spread his legs to make room for you. You snickered at how willing Mike was, considering his hesitation when you first met.

You regularly kept lube on the bedside table, just to be prepared for when you brought men home from the bar. However, this one was different in a way you had trouble putting into words, other than positive. His thighs shook as you massaged the liquid into his hole, a hand covering his mouth to prevent you from hearing his noises. Ah, now that wouldn’t do, would it?

In response, you tugged his hand off of his mouth, “Lemme hear you.”

Such pretty sounds from a pretty mouth, it was truly a shame. When Mike immediately went back to covering them up, you slid your fingers out of him, instead reaching for your abandoned belt. His eyes trailed after your hands as they bound his wrists together in front of him, almost akin to handcuffs. Mike couldn’t see much of your expression after your head dipped down, only the shit-eating grin playing on your lips. Of course, that was before you took your hat off by the crown and placed it firmly on his head, though it was a tad too big for him.

“Why don’t you keep that safe for me, sweetheart?”

For a second, Mike was confused. Keep it safe? Just what were you planning on doing? He felt a grip on his waist, right before his world spun around him, and the positions were practically reversed. The guard was now sitting on top of you, or more so your crotch, his thighs caging in your hips. Mike’s hair was disheveled and the light on the ceiling created a sort of halo around him, and fuck, did you think he was pretty. Only a few select people had ever gotten to wear your hat, and you could confidently say that he was the most beautiful in it.

You unbuttoned your jeans, letting your cock slip through the opening, “You ready?”

“I’ve never done this before.”

You had a grip on his waist again, slowly guiding him down. You didn’t thrust, didn’t force him to go fast, and allowed him his proper time to adjust, “How’s that feelin’?”

“G-good,” he shuddered, precum leaking from his tip, “think ‘m ready.”

“You haven’t seen the brunt of it yet, boy!” You grunt, thrusting the rest of you inside, brushing against Mike’s prostate. 

The man on top of you moaned, and the sound was so uncharacteristically loud that even he seemed surprised by it. Mike leaned down, resting his tied fists on your chest in order to keep his balance. His sweat dampened your collarbones, his drool smearing on your neck, and the pathetic excuse of a guard tried leaving kisses over the areas he could reach. You soon found a rhythm to your thrusts; groans were punched out of your throat on their own.

Mike could feel heat rushing through his brain, bringing tears that stuck to his eyelashes, covering any thoughts or hesitance he may have had before. That wasn’t enough for it– it spread like wildfire down his body, down to where your fingers were leaving bruises, and down to his red, leaking dick. Something deep was brewing inside of him, nothing he’s felt since his hormonal teenage years. Hell, he didn’t even have time to process it when you kissed his cheek, whispering in his ear that he’s such a needy slut; it exploded.

When he finally came to, he could feel his thighs twitching and your heaving, sticky abs below him. His eyelids felt heavy, and all he wanted to do was stay there with you. You were rubbing circles into his back, attempting to pull out, but a grumble from Mike made you stop. In fact, you were saying things, but it sounded muffled and far away. He took great comfort in your voice, no matter what you were talking about. It was getting farther and farther away, yet still managed to follow him into his dreams. For the first time since the incident with Garret, he did not have a nightmare. 

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Taglist: @cannabrisano @kai_beanz @fandomz-brainrot @slimemakermas

[descendantsramblings]

Hi :)) idk if you’re accepting requests but I was just thinking…

I remembered that Hook canonically went to Eaton College, which is a pretty prestigious university, so he must actually be really fricking smart. I wish I knew what he studied tho :/ So anyway, I was hoping maybe you would write something (preferably x reader?) where he surprises everyone with his intelligence? I feel like the other VKs probably don’t actually know just how clever he is and would be taken off guard to realise it. I don’t have any specific situations in mind but I’d really like to see maybe reader acknowledge and recognise him as more than the pretty rebel he lets everyone see him as

I’m always accepting requests, it’s so fun getting to make things for someone, and it’s great writing practice. I’m almost done with all the ones I have, keep them coming 🩵

I love secretly smart characters, making a right old Evie out of him right now. I love him. (I had so many tabs open to get this right, so so many. I did Chemistry for the gag but it wasn’t worth the gag.)

Studious

James Hook x VK!Reader

Pronouns used: they/them/theirs

Summary: If it means that much to his partner, Hook can be a bit of a tutor

Warnings: pet names, swearing, sexual references, high school chemistry (Like the actual class that made me cry when I was a student), does sword fighting need a trigger warning?, Or fake moaning? Hook's partner making a joke about him having a thing for Morgie, Uliana almost makes a potion explode

Word Count: 3.5K

      Nervous fingers are shuffling through flashcards as the pirate walks into their dorm. His smirk being accompanied by raised eyebrows as he leans on the door frame, taking in the sight. They have their textbook and notebook spread out across the floor, sitting cross legged between the two. Pens and highlighters strewn around them and an empty notebook and study guide directly before them. (Y/n) is staring at them with a pout and wide eyes, huffing as they drop the flash cards beside them. “This is fucking ridiculous,” the words are barely a mumble, popping the knuckles on stressed hands as they say it. They stretch their shoulders back as well before reaching back down for the collection of brightly colored cardstock. 

   “Since when do you have to study, wizkid?” The words make their head shoot up, staring at the boy they hadn’t noticed had entered. “Since Chemistry is kicking my ass, I have to pass this exam or I’m going to fail the class again. If I fail it twice this year I won’t have enough credits to be a senior next year,” their voice is far too fast, rambling on as they reach back down for their study guide. “I thought you exempted all your exams,” he tilts his head as he speaks, watching them shuffle their cards for the third time since he made his way into the room. “Yeah, well I bombed my last two tests -like fifty-two and thirty-five level bombed- and all the As and Bs I have on experiments can’t save me there. So either I make an A on this exam or I fail the entire class for the second time. I am so royally screwed.” With a sigh, Hook makes his way over to the villain on the floor, falling to sit before them with crossed legs and an outstretched hand. “Give me the cards.” “No, I seriously need to study, James. I cannot go do whatever Uli sent you in here  for right now.” 

   He scoffs, leaning forward to snatch the cards from their loose grip on them. “I can come see my partner just because I want to be around them, you know. I don’t always have to be doing something for the group. I do enjoy your company, wouldn't be your boyfriend otherwise.” Dark eyes widen mockingly with raised brows as he finished the sentiment, head shaking in a near-bratty manner. He flips through the cards, letting his eyes ghost over the words and formulas. This was basic chemistry. He did this his sophomore year, he could probably do it in his sleep. “Even then, James, I really need to study. I cannot fail this again.” He lets his eyes cut up to them, a smirk still present across his pouty lips. “Oh of course you do, I can’t have my partner as a super senior. That’s just embarrassing for us both,” he drops the cards into his lap, reaching over for their study guide. He flips it over a time or two, barely reading it. 

  “Okay,” they draw out the word, reaching out to snatch their cards back from where they rest on his thigh, “Then let me study. Really, Honey, can’t you go harass Morgie or Bridget or something?” “Why harass them when my favorite person is right here struggling with the easiest subject ever? That’s much better material.”  (Y/n) scoffs, looking up at him from their flashcards. James is too busy looking over the back of their study guide to give them so much as a second glance, but his face holds this cocky expression. As if the boy is challenging them to snap back. “The easiest subject ever? As if. I bet you got a B in there at absolute best. I need more than a B on this to pass.” “I actually finished Chemistry One with a perfect score and finished AP Chemistry Two with a ninety-nine percent, since you’re asking.” He drops the papers into his lap, raising an eyebrow with the same challenging look in his eye as when he’s sparring against them. His hand shoots out for the cards again, flipping it from the one that they had been looking at and giving it a sparing glance. Eyes cutting back up to his partner just as quickly as they cut down, “Now, what is the definition of an intensive property?” 

    So they’re really doing this? (Y/n) guesses they shouldn’t argue, they do need the help. And if James is anywhere near as good as he says, this might be their best bet. “An intensive property is,” they let their eyes dart around the room, as if the decor on their walls would hold the answer. “Come on now, Love. Don’t draw it out. What’s an intensive property?” They bite their lip, looking down to their empty lap, “An intensive property is a property which does not rely on the amount of matter present.” A golden hook comes into their line of sight, tucking under their chin to lift their head up. When they look at Hook, he’s inches away from them, “Okay, and what are examples of an intensive property?” The hook beneath their chin moves, the sharp edge barely hovering below their skin. No looking away this time, that was a silent command for their eyes on him. “Boiling and melting points, density, and,” they snap their fingers, dragging out the one syllable word as they think. “And? Come on now, you know this.” “And,” they lock eyes with him, by god those brown eyes were captivating. It was like they were electric, sparking with some sense of excitement and pride that they couldn’t understand. Electric, that’s something right? Electricity isn’t a property of something though, but it seemed right. Why does it seem right? What did electricity have to do with intensive properties? “Conductivity,” they subconsciously cross the fingers on their right hand, staring into their boyfriend’s eyes with a longing to be correct. He nods, pulling them forward slightly. James kisses them with a feather light touch, smiling against their lips as they attempt to draw him closer. “See, I knew you knew it.” 

   They don’t get to respond before he’s drawing back, completely withdrawing his touch as he flips to the next card, dropping “intensive properties” to his lap. “What’s an atomic number?”  “What? No, what was that? You barely kissed me,” they’re pouting, reaching out for a jaw that’s pulling away from them. “What’s an atomic number?” He raises his eyebrows as he speaks, pulling further away as they get on their knees to chase his fleeting lips, “If you want to kiss me you have to answer the question.” “The number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Now kiss me again,” they’re fully perched on their knees now, leaning over him as he leans back to get away. James makes a loud noise similar to the sound of a buzzer going off, dropping the card in his hand and using them to cover his mouth. “What is an isotope?” (Y/n) falls back with a huff, completely discouraged as they stare with gaped lips, “What? Where’s my kiss?” 

     He pulls the cards down to smirk over the neon green paper, “I don’t reward wrong answers.” “I wasn’t wrong!” “You were, it’s not the neutrons in the nucleus but what?” A frown crosses the villain’s lips, shoulders slumping as they realize what they’d done. “Protons.” He nods, humming as he raises his brows, “Okay, new question, what’s an isotope?” “You’re awful, this is awful.”  “What’s an isotope?” They rise back up on their knees with a smirk, “What about, one kiss when I correct myself, two kisses when I’m right the first time?” He shakes his head, rolling his eyes as he does, “How about you tell me what an isotope is?” “Oh come on,” they’re whining, a hand wrapping around his hook. “Come on and answer the question.” His brows are raised, watching them pout. With wide eyes and batted lashes they let a hand trail up from metal to leather, slowly making its way up to his shoulder. “Captain, won’t you please give me a kiss? I want one so bad. I need your lips.” In any other circumstance that would work, it always worked. But James was already glowing as he looked over notecards, shaking his head with his smirk far more of a smile than normal. “That’s not going to work this time, Love. Now answer the question.” This might just be his new torture method, and by god is it working. (Y/n) was going to go crazy if they didn’t get what they wanted soon. 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

   As a pirate, Hook was no stranger to drawing out torture, but he couldn’t stand to sit still for long. His love of chemistry and watching the gorgeous villain in front of him squirm could only keep him bound to one place for so long until he felt as if he might be going stir crazy. Which is how they ended up in a clearing in the woods, standing in a wide stance with swords balanced in their hands. Iron making a sharp “X” between them as they press against one another.  The ravenous look in (Y/n)’s eyes surely matched the crazed look in his, smirks present on either villain’s lips. They made one hell of a sparring partner, he’d learned that the day they met. Never took much to get the two of them alone like this either, the boy longed for the other villain’s sportsmanship. A worthy opponent was hard to come by outside of Neverland, and his lover looked so good while sword fighting that he struggled to focus. Now though, as he spits out questions they struggle to follow, it seems like they knew how he normally felt. 

    They might have quick feet and strong arms, but their pretty mind is making them lag behind. Each time their swords would cross, he’d spurt out a new question, holding them hostage until they could find an answer he saw as fitting. Each wrong answer was met with a strike to their left, correct answers with a strike to their right. They’d start a new battle, clashing metal and devious laughter until one of them could find the other pinned once again. It was the most fun he’d had in years, that annoyed little pout on their face with each new question seemed to only make the game all the more fun. “What’s the atomic number of gold?” “Hook,” despite their tense body language, the name comes out on a whine, pout growing more than the boy thought was possible. “It is gold, yes, now what would its atomic number be?” He’s chuckling to himself and he awaits their response. Their eyes flicker around him, lip between their teeth. “Seventy-nine.” He jumps back from them, sword striking out at their right side. The motion is caught by their own sword while (Y/n) lets out a giggle. 

   “I got it right!” They use their sword to force the tip of his away, turning their body to the left as they strike out above his left shoulder. “That you did, Love,” he swings to the right with a smile, bringing his sword up to push against theirs. He twists his body, gaining the upper hand as he pushes against them. (Y/n) is cringing, realizing how close they were to being cornered by him again. How could they let themself get so distracted? He’s pushing them back, and though they push forward, their sword slides down again, both villains ending up eye to eye with a new iron cross section between them. “You made that too easy,” James smirks, looking them up and down. “I didn’t, you just, that question threw me off. I don’t even know how I knew the answer.” He shakes his head, “You can’t let yourself get thrown off in a sword fight love. Your other opponents might not be as forgiving as me.” He leans over the swords for a moment, pecking their lips before he squares his shoulders back. 

   Hook’s resistance was always strong and unforgiving in a fight, even when he allowed himself a moment of calm in the storm he created. The boy pushes harder on their swords, smirking at his lover as he raises an eyebrow. “What’s a homogeneous mixture?” There’s this flicker of something in his partner’s eyes. A giggle escaping their lips as they smile at him, head tilting to the side. “Isn’t that what you and Morgie are?” He pushes rougher against them, feeling the way their laughter shakes the sword in their iron grip. “Very funny, Darling. Now answer the question, unless you want to walk the plank,” he’s stepping closer, their swords sliding ever so slightly straighter against each other. “You wouldn’t dare, you love me too much.” He hums, shaking his head, “Positive? According to you, I love Morgie, so which is it?” 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

     “You two are late,” she doesn’t look up from her cauldron as she speaks, Uliana automatically knows who’s wandering in by their footsteps. The sounds are perfectly in sync, heavy pairs of boots falling in time as if they moved as one. When the two become visible in the hideout, their faces are red with a sweat sheen across their foreheads. Hook’s arm adoringly around (Y/n)’s waist as they lean against him,  the clothing of both teens ruffled from the movements they’d made while jousting. It’s cozy, needy, and the couple’s appearance quickly attracts the attention of Morgie and Hades. Both boys look to their friends with a smirk, cutting each other a sparing glance before turning back. “What have you two been up to?” Hades gives them a once over taking in how Hook’s shirt had come untucked and the wrinkles in the hem of (Y/n)’s top. “Been helping (Y/n) study for chemistry,” Hook shrugs, falling into a chair and pulling his partner down into his lap. Warm arms encapsulate the villain as they lean into his touch, smiling as his head settles on their left shoulder. A kiss being pressed to the shell of their ear earning the boy a hum.

     The sound of Hades laughing fills the room, his eyes rolling in their sockets, “Yeah, I’m sure you have been.” Hook can tell where this is going from a mile away, especially with the gorgeous look of exhaustion taking over his lover’s face. Relaxed muscles that are hidden behind heat blushed flesh. Sweat shines on their forehead and neck while their eyelids hang lower than normal. (Y/n) always looked tired and blissed out after a good duel, smiling lazily as they cling to him. He knew how they looked, and with the genuine topic at hand it definitely seemed like Hook had done nothing more than making an innuendo. If he was honest, part of him hoped that the boys thought it was an innuendo, tutoring just wasn’t his style. “We were, Hades. Excellent study session, actually. Of course, (Y/n) has always been the smartest person I know.” The god raises his brows, smirk growing as he turns to Morgie, “You don’t say. Morgie, I bet you overhear a lot of those study sessions, don’t you?” The sorcerer smirks right back, an evil glint resting in his eyes, “Oh yeah, I think the last one was English though. Studying a poem maybe?” 

    (Y/n) feels Hook’s hand sneak onto their thigh as the boys talk, an amused smirk resting on their face. He lets his fingers spread, taking up as much of the plush part of their leg as he can. “Really, Morgie? Why would you say that?” Hades is letting his eyes flicker between the overly cozy couple and Morgie as he speaks, watching for tell-tale signs that the villains were flustered. “Oh you know, I just recognized the opening line,” his finger taps his chin as he speaks, “What was it again? Oh yeah!” Morgie’s face falls to mimic a blissed out expression, hand gripping on his chest as he speaks on a nearly pornographic moan, “Oh Captain, my Captain!” Hades and Morgie fall into each other’s sides laughing, the noise they’re making earning an annoyed scoff from a preoccupied Uliana. “If you two idiots could make yourself useful, that would be great,” she’s turning, grabbing a vial of rattlesnake venom from a shelf. 

   “Study session isn’t over, Love,” Hook’s voice is soft, plush lips moving against the shell of their ear as he whispers. His words lead to them whining, head falling back against his shoulder as they pout. “My head is too full, Baby. I’ve had enough.” He chuckles, kissing their cheek as his finger moves across their thigh in an “S” shape. “Tell me the element,” he whispers, repeating the shape across their leg. “Sulfur,” they mumble, eyes focusing in on the way Uliana moves. He kisses their shoulder, “Good job.” He draws a circle next. “Oxygen.” Another kiss falls on their shoulder. It becomes a pattern. He’d draw the symbol of an element on their thigh, they would tell him the name of it. The shape repeats until they get it right, ones they got correct on the first try lead to them being rewarded with a kiss to the shoulder or neck. 

    Somewhere, though it’s partially tuned out by the pirate and his lover, Morgie is explaining what Uliana is up to.  Something about making a potion to sneak into Charming’s food, apparently he spilt Uliana’s drink all over her when she was leaving a coffee shop. Some sort of spell to make the boy clumsy enough to spill everything on himself for twenty four hours. (Y/n) can’t focus on that, not with the way that James is tracing a “Y” on their inner thigh. What element’s symbol was “Y”? “You’re making that up,” they mumble and he shakes his head against them in response. “Think harder.” “It’s too hard to think when you’re doing it there,” the words come out in a hiss, eyes cutting over their shoulder to see the smirk on his face. “Try harder then, Love.” 

   Maleficent makes her way past them, holding a little vial of something as she does. “It took forever to find this shit in the AP Chem room, just so you know. Better be worth the trouble.” Uliana scoffs, reaching an arm out for it, “It will be.” Hades and Morgie stand up to follow the dark pixie, the god cutting James and (Y/n) a look. His eyes zero in on Hook’s hand, laughing softly, “God, Hook, you are just insatiable.” The pirate winks at him over (Y/n)’s shoulder, kissing their shoulder as they softly mumble, “Yttrium.” “Good job,” he coos, letting his eyes follow the other villains. Maleficent said she’d taken something from the chem room, what is it?     “What you got there, Mali?” She turns to smirk at Hook, “Finishing ingredient to the potion. Though, it looks like we could have just got it off of (Y/n). What have you been doing to them to have them sweating like that, Hook?” His brows furrow, looking at the vial of powder in Uliana’s hand as she stands dangerously close to the fire-heated cauldron. They could get it from (Y/n)’s sweat? What could she be- his blood runs cold as Uliana goes to pull the stopper out of the bottle.

  “Uliana, don’t!” He’s throwing a very startled (Y/n) off of his lap as he jumps up, running towards the group. “What, you have a soft spot for Charming now?” He’s shaking his head furiously as he reaches out for the vial. “You can’t put that in there right now. It needs to cool.” Her  arms cross, holding the vial away from his panicked hand. “What are you talking about?”  Dark eyes stay trained on the vial, shaking his head as he speaks, “That’s sodium, right? That’s what the joke about the sweat means?” She nods, a brow raised as she waves a hand for him to hurry up and explain himself. “So, you cannot add heat to sodium.” “People add heat to salt all the time, Hook. We’ll be fine.”  She’s not listening, she never listens.

   “It’s not salt, Uli. Sodium is only half of salt.” “The other half is chlorine,” (Y/n) calls out from the other side of the room. And Hook smiles slightly, giving them a thumbs up behind his back. “So what, you’re saying that I can’t use it?” Uliana is obviously growing tired of him, but there seems to be a gear turning in Maleficent's head. “Not with heat, unless you don’t like having eyebrows,” Hook shakes his head, an arm once again reaching out for the vial. “Are you threatening me?” He groans, dragging his hand down his face, “Fine Uliana, add heat to Sodium and make it explode. Explode with it for all I care. It’s your funeral.”  Hades looks between the two, watching Hook storm away from them as he extinguishes the fire under the cauldron. “Uliana, just let it cool. Hook, you two were actually studying chemistry?” He scoffs, waving him off, “I am more than a pretty face, Hades.” “But, you were all tired and sweaty?” “Made me answer questions while we were sword fighting,” (Y/n) shrugs. “But, his hand moving on your inner thigh?” “Tracing atomic symbols on their thigh,” Hook shrugs, reaching out for his partner who walks into his arms with a giggle. They were actually studying? Who in their right mind studies like that? Not that Hades has ever thought the couple were in their right mind.

[aloneatpeace]

𝙰𝙿𝙾𝙲𝙰𝙻𝚈𝙿𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙻𝙳

WICKED '11'

Yoongi swipes the card and the door opens with a hiss, hoseok had tagged along saying he can help if needed the rest of them waits in the dorm.

Entering through the door they are shaken seeing the grievers preserved in tank filled with some fluid that they are not sure of, dozens of fetus state grievers lined up behind one another. Yoongi and hoseok glance at each other entering through the next door see people hooked of wires, tubes attached to their body.

Hoseok hurriedly strutted towards a body that hooked to the vitals uttering your name thinking that it’s you.

He slowly parts the hair that covered the persons face and sees that is not you, a feeling of relief and pain wash through him at the discovery.

Aris walks towards them with somber look on his face “it’s Rachel. They took her the first night. I told her it was going to be okey”

The sound of door opening alert them and the three quickly scatter hiding behind the pillars, hoseok and yoongi huddled together while Aris hide hides himself.

Janson walks in with man carrying a tab talking among them as they walk towards, the screen in front of them light up catching their attention eyes narrowing with interest. Yoongi’s and hoseok mouth open in a silent gasp, on the screen Ava Paige who supposed to dead sitting in a chair going through papers in the desk in front of her.

“Good morning, Dr. Ava Paige, good to see you again although I wasn’t expecting to hear from you quite so soon” Janson says with tight smile

“Change of plan, Janson. I’ll be arriving a little sooner than expected, first thing tomorrow.” Ava Paige say standing up she walks towards the screen closer.

“We’ll be delighted to have you. I think you’ll be pleased with the progress we’ve made.” A slight close-lipped smile on Janson faces that yoongi so badly wanted to punch

Ava nods a thoughtful look loom on her face “Does she remember anything?”

“Aside from that she used work for us nothing else. No need to worry she does not fully remember them.” Janson said.

Hoseok and yoongi share knowing glance in their back mind they know who they are talking about though more questions arise.

“Namjoon seems to recover his suppressed memory as well, we haven’t been able to determine Jungkook’s status, subject that belong to Namjoon maze. I’m sure you are familiar with them.  though his brain activity functioning well there is chance he might as we reclaim his memories” Janson words make their heart drop, they forget to breathe for a second. Many more questions arise hoseok hold around on yoongi’s clothes tighten, their legs feel shaky.

 “Erase their memory again, we cannot take any more chances. What about the rest of them?”

Janson motion the guy beside them, the screen shows brain’s scan of them “As you can see, early results have been extremely promising. Whatever it is you’ve been doing to them in there, it’s working.”

“Not well enough. I will take the three with me. I have received board approval. I want all of the reaming subjects sedated and prepped for harvest by the time I arrive.”

“Doctor Paige, we are going fast as we can. We are still running tests”

“Try something faster. Until I can guarantee their security, this is the best plan.” She stresses

“Ma’am, security is my job. We’re on 24-hour lock down here. I am assuring you the assets are secure” Janson state with tight strained smile.

“Have you found the Right Arm?” she asks that question seems to falter Janson.

“Not yet. We tracked them as far as the mountains.”

Ava composure falls “So they’re still out there” her voice rise “and they’ve already hit two of our installations. They want these kids as badly as we do. And I cannot I cannot afford another loss. Not now, when I am so close to a cure. If you’re not up to the task, I will find someone who is.”

“That won’t be necessary. Might I suggest we start with the most recent arrivals”

“Namjoon’s maze?” Ava asks.

“Yes, they seem too suspicious of us. one in particular”

“Just get it done” she dismisses going back to her chair Janson nod and turn to leave.

Before Janson can fully leave, she calls them “I don’t want them to feel any pain”

“They won’t feel a thing.” He says but his eyes say otherwise, with heart racing out of their chest they rush out and crawl through the vent and reach their room.

The rest of the guys spacing back and forth sprung towards them when they hear them coming through the vent.

“She is alive, Ava Paige is still alive. Its WICKED “yoongi hurriedly takes blankets and ties them on the door.

“Namjoon and jungkook is alive, they have them” the boys stand shell shocked further confusion adding as they taken in yoongi’s rapid movements.

 Jin grab yoongi by his collar “What do you mean they’re alive?”

Yoongi pants sweat dropping down from his forehead “Ava Paige is coming to get them, take them along with y/n”

“To where?” taehyung asks with Theo standing beside him with a worried look on their word.

“I don’t know. “

When Janson and guards comes with sedations they’re meet with empty room. The boys successfully get out the room by crawling through the vent. Along the way Aris parted with saying that he needed to do something important Winston volunteered to go along with Aris in case they’re meet with any difficulty.

Yoongi guides the boys through unfamiliar hallway halting back when they see the doctor who they had seen around the lab

“What are you kids doing out?” she asks with a narrowed eyes at bewildered group of boys, the alarm blaring sound echoes around the hallway they are in.

Before she can run hoseok grabs her “You’re going to take us to our friends” yoongi cold voice and burning glare send the same shivers down her spin when she encountered Namjoon.

Turning a corner they narrowly miss the shots that aim at them, hoseok hands the women over to jin before.

“Hoseok, what are you doing?”  jin yells

Hoseok runs back with yell just as the guard come around the corridor slamming the man to the wall with grunt escaping him, hoseok efficiently knocks the man out of conscious.

  The rest of them gather around hoseok looking down at the unconscious man “That was sick” jimin says in amusement.

Yoongi takes the gun examining it for a quick second before pointing at doctor “okey. Come on. Let’s go.”

The doctor takes them to the restricted area where they kept the three of you, taehyung close the door behind them. “Where are they?” he barks gritting his teeth hands gripping tight on the weapon.

“They are here” jimin gasps when he sees his friends who were hidden by curtain. Jin and taehyung moves towards them.

There you, Namjoon and jungkook lay unconsciously hands and legs tied down, jungkook is hooked with wire and machines while you and Namjoon has a single ivy drip on the arms.

“Jimin, what is their condition?” Yoongi gulped without looking away from the people that he held hostage.

“they’re alright” jimin mumbled checking jungkook bandaged wound first before moving on to the rest. 

taehyung take sharp surgical knife and starts cut the restriction on Namjoon as he was closer to him.  “Jin hurry” taehyung hands jin another surgical knife to cut your binds.

Jimin carefully remove the wires and ivy trips from jungkook while jin does yours and taehyung does Namjoon. Their eyes filled with tears hands trembling as they work, they wake them up.

“Jimin” jungkook soft voice almost made yoongi falter along with the rest relief filling their lungs. Jimin hosts jungkook up throwing his arms over shoulder to support him.

“Tae, I knew you guys would come” Namjoon eyes blinked a lopped smile on his face taehyung give him a weak grin.

“she’s isn’t waking up” jin hands touch your face shaking you gently, yoongi march towards the doctors stomping his feet.

“What did you do to her?” Namjoon and yoongi asks 

“It just a heavy sedative” the lady yell out trembling at the crazy look that Namjoon and yoongi’s eyes had.

“We have to go” Frypan yells seeing sound of fast paced footsteps running toward their direction.

Jin hand taken you in his arm jimin and taehyung help jungkook and Namjoon to stand on their feet as the rest quickly barricaded the door to stall them, hoseok look around for escape “everybody, stand back” he grabs a chair smash it against the glass window repeatedly breaking the glass.

 He jumps into other side and turns to jin motion to hand over you, jin does once he does hoseok give you back to jin holding on to jin shoulder and giving a meaningful nod to take care of you until you are fully capable of standing on your won. 

The rest of the boys jumps to the other side yoongi and hoseok once again guiding them, just as yoongi opens the door of the room they meet with another man carrying stun gun few feet away from them yoongi pull the trigger without a thought his eyes popping out as the man fall back sliding across the floor electricity crackling from the weapon yoongi holding. they run past the groaning man on the floor. They come down to large door yoongi take out the key card and swipes cursing out loud when the door does not open.

“Yoongi” Janson voice calls from behind making them turn to him and his approaching men carrying stun guns.

Yoongi takes the stun gun, point towards them making Janson raise his hands in surrender and walk towards them dismissing his friends calls, he needs to do this he can’t let Janson get near his friends. “Open this door, Janson.”

“You really don’t want me too.” Janson says inching towards them, they are meet with glaring yoongi walking towards them with aggravated stance. 

“Open the damn door.!”

“Listen to me! I’m trying to save your life. The maze is one thing, but you kids won’t last one day out in the scorch. If the elements won’t kill you, the cranks will.” Janson stops walking towards them as well as yoongi “I only want the best for you.”

Yoongi eyes narrow at the man’s words a scoff escaping his lips “Yeah, let me guess. WICKED is good?”

Yoongi backhanded comment seems to make Janson true face to slip “You’re not gonna go through that door, yoongi.”

Just as the words leave his mouth the door opens starling the rest of the boys huddled on the front of the door jin grip on you tighten, on the other side Aris and Winston stands.

Jin quickly moves everyone follows hoseok turns to yoongi “Yoongi, now”. The rest of the boys’ yells at yoongi to run towards them. Yoongi starts to fire the stun gun walking backwards quickly, yoongi grunts in frustration when the gun gets empty throwing the gun at them. yoongi turns towards the door and run just as the door began to close, he slides through the floor before the door can fully close.

Aris quickly towards the door smash the key swiping device locking Janson on the other side hoseok and Winston grab the everything uses full. 

Jin glance down at you feeling hands curl around his clothes “Jin”

“Oh, thank god, you’re awake” he whispers a sigh of relief leaving his lips, “Are you alright?”.

“You need to trust me. we have to go now” jin set you down but keep his hands on you “you need to run with me, okey.” Jin slowly starts to walks with you as yoongi and rest open the big main door.

The sand wind rush in as yoongi open the door “GO. Go” he glances back panicking when he doesn’t see jin nor you “JIN?”

He felt like he could breathe again when he sees you slowly ruing with jin beside you towards yoongi “Yoongi, what’s going on?”

Yoongi hurried towards you garbing on to your arms when he gets on his arm’s length “Hope the nap given you some strength” he pulls you towards him and starts picking up pace quickly catching up with the rest pf them.

Yoongi, jin and you behind everyone sees guys on bike coming after you, adrenaline kicks making your heart beat fast. You run faster moving among the boys, the boys get flabbergasted when they see you run up head.  

You falter on step when you see Namjoon and jungkook just as Theo yells to slide down a hole, everyone carefully slides down and find themselves in what’s look like abandoned building almost berried by sands.

Yoongi beside you steady you, hoseok take out the flashlight that he taken from the knocked-out guard and shine it around the building “Where the hell are we?”

“I have questions too?” you say raising your hand slowly eyes pinned on Namjoon and jungkook “How are two alive? And the hell was going on.”   

Namjoon doesn’t say anything his eyes looked on you like he never seen you, his eyes shined with tears barely holding back from falling down from his orbs. 

While jungkook stands asking the same questions to himself all he remember is dying in your arms and the shrilling screams that escaped from you lips before he finally felt his heart stops. He doesn’t know how is he alive? Who saved him? his friends couldn’t save him If they didn’t do it that mean who ever that saved him is in the building that run away from? Who are those people? why did they run away from them?  

“Am I hallucinating” you whisper after Namjoon and jungkook stays silent yoongi roll his eyes with a smile on his face though they’re not saved at least they are saved from being send to somewhere unknown.

“No, you’re not.” Yoongi said “We were never saved from WICKED. they are WICKED Ava, she’s alive. And we thought they died but WICKED had them. it’s all a step they’re setting us up for something new.” He adds looking at Namjoon and jungkook.

“We found bodies, too many to count” everyone turns to hoseok jimin and taehyung eyes widen at his words.

“What you mean? Dead bodies?” jimin asks his heart beating out his chest where they been sleeping under the same roof next to bunch of dead people without knowing they’re gonna the next victims of this messed up experiment.

“No, but they weren’t alive either. They had them stung up with tubes coming out of them. they were being drained. There is something in our blood that WICKED wants. Something in our blood.”

Taehyung glance around everyone standing apprehensively (expect one) after hearing hoseok words “So we have to get as far away from them as possible.” He speaks with his hands on his speaks.

Everyone nods jimin turn to jungkook and Namjoon “I’m glad we didn’t lose you two” jimin throw himself around the two gripping their clothes taehyung smile at them before joining.

“Yeah! Don’t go dying okey?” Jin playfully scold opening his long hands joining the group hug hoseok grab yoongi and join the hug sound sniffling can be heard from group.

You watch as the reunite its clear as day the seven share a bonding that you or any other Glader can’t comprehend something you wanna be part of but you know you can’t heck the reason they’re in mess and the reason jungkook got shot is you and haven’t even able to say thank you or apologize you’re not sure what you should do even and them not answering made you more anxious you don’t even why Namjoon looked at the way he did, is holding anything against you are not sure. you shouldn’t be envious of their happiness or the love that share but you are.

A hand slides in yours making you glance away from them; Theo hands wrap around yours and he squeeze them gently “I am glad you’re here” he whispers his eyes peering at you with smile.

“Me too” you say returning the smile.

“Hey guys look here” frypan say as he crouches down, he points at the foot prints.  “Someone’s been down here”

“Let search around the area see if we can find anything that we can use” jin propose shining his flashlight.

Jin and hoseok along with frypan walk in the front, jimin frown when sees you and Theo holding hands walking towards them slowly though now it’s not just jin shines his flashlight through the shutter door “come on open up”

You and Theo sauntered towards inside using his flashlight behind Namjoon and yoongi linger and yoongi sees how Namjoon’s eyes seem follow you around.

“Wanna tell me what’s going on?” his voice was low only two of them could hear the exchange of words.

Namjoon let out a long sigh “you might I am crazy, if I tell you.”

“Well, I saw grievers contained in tanks, tons actually and there is creature called cranks that are cannibalistic roaming around the who one’s were humans just like us” yoongi and Namjoon look at each other for the latter pulls him aside, before calling and jin and hoseok.

Jimin and taehyung had gone looking for supplies away from them while rest scattered around to find anything that can help them.

jimin had given you his flashlight saying he and taehyung can use theirs you depart from Theo and look round for things that you could use; you walk into what look like makeshift room with torn curtain acting as door.

shining the flashlight your heart almost leaps out when the light falls on creepy looking mannequin that jumping back a little. You shine your flashlight on the ting conforming it is just a mannequin, now lasting thing you wanna deal with a haunted doll or some shit.

 “You alright there?”

Turning around you find jungkook standing behind you with the curtain lifted a little, but he doesn’t enter his eyes search around the room though he doesn’t look satisfied with nod he turns to leave you alone.

“Wait”

Jungkook glance back at you and come in the room slowly “I am sorry for what happened…though sorry doesn’t reverse what happened I…I never gets to say thank you for saving my life.” you fingers tighten around the flashlight.

Jungkook lips starts to curls a smile forming on his lips “it’s alright.”

You shake your head at his quick dismissal “No, you shouldn’t have done that.” You take a step forward towards him hesitating.

“Why shouldn’t I, I wasn’t gonna let you die. And you don’t need to apologize I’ll do it again to save you” jungkook doesn’t know when he walked closed towards you, closer than ever yet something in him said closer, closer.

His eyes fall on your face tears hung on your water line his body move on his own hands coming to wrap itself around your body bring you close to his chest. His hand rest on your back of your head smoothing down your hair his other curl around your back. You let your head fall on his chest hands his waist pressing your body to his he responds with squeezing you in, “don’t blame yourself for what happened, it was my decision and I will do it again if it means to save your life”

You lift your head to see he’s already looking at you “why?” His eyes fall on your lips as the question leave your lips “I don’t know why, but I would.” He concluded

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[obsessedwithfictionalmen01]

Hey!! I would love it so so so much if you could do a imagine with Hangman where him asking you out was like a bet with the other pilots and you find out. Also if you possibly could put in the line “You said you loved me, I guess you lied”. Xx

DAMN

Pairing: Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Reader

A/N: Hi! It's been such a LONG time since I've written something but here it is! Thank you for the request, I love writing for the Dagger Squad! Please keep in mind that English is not my first language and I hope you enjoy it! And feel free to send more requests!

Warnings: curse words (maybe like 2), angst, Jake being kind of an ass, a little bit of smut (not much) and I think that’s it

You walked into the Hard Deck ready for your shift, it was going to be a long night since the Top gun aviators came back and the fact that it was Friday night, so you put on your uniform and greeted Penny on your way in.

“Hey, Pen. Ready for tonight?” you asked jokingly knowing she was going to be very stressed with so many people at the bar. “Yeah keep that joyful attitude because it is aviator's night and the entire squad is going to be here so better prepare, especially if you want that cute blonde noticing you” she joked back winking at you.

Your face dropped. Of course she knew about your little crush over a certain blue-eyed blonde aviator, but she didn’t have to rub it in that much! Besides, it was foolish of you, how could he notice you? He was always surrounded by gorgeous girls, and you couldn’t blame them, but you also couldn't deny how it bothered you. But Jake always seemed so sweet with you, constantly treating you with respect and kindness, it almost looked like he… no. You immediately pushed those thoughts aside and started helping Penny out with the bar, basic chores such as washing the glasses, organizing pool tables and cleaning the bar and before you could notice it was already time to open.

“Hey, sweetheart we are going to open now, ok? Make sure everyone follows the three holy rules and if anyone bothers you let me know” Penny said with a stern voice, obviously she knew how this job worked and she wanted you to feel comfortable “Yes, mom” You joked standing behind the bar waiting for the clients to come in.

A few hours passed and you didn’t catch a break, always busy serving drinks and closing tabs, so busy you didn’t notice Jake entering the bar until one of his friends yelled his call sign “Hangman! Over here man” it was Coyote’s voice, you lifted up your head and instantly regretted it because he was already looking your way “I’m going to grab a drink!” he yelled back walking towards the bar “How are you doing sunshine? Busy day?” he asked with his signature smirk. You felt the heat rising up to your cheeks and tried to play it off laughing “Yeah, pretty busy actually. The usual?” you asked while grabbing a bottle of his favorite beer offering it to him “And also maybe your phone number?” You almost choked on your own saliva when he said those words “I’m sorry what?”

“You heard me, sweetheart. I was going to wait till you asked me but I can be a little impatient, so here I am” He looked so confident it was almost annoying, but you were too surprised to even notice it, only being able to nod while opening his bottle of beer “Yeah, yeah sure uhm give me a minute” you said reaching for a piece of paper “You know, on second thought… why don't you take 5 and play pool with me?” he asked with that smirk again. You looked over to Penny who was taking people's orders. “I don’t know Jake, Penny is pretty busy, i don’t want to…” he cut you off “Hey Pen, darling! Could this beautiful bartender take five minutes?” he shouted across the bar which made Penny laugh and shook her hand telling you to go. You laughed nervously about this, of course Jake had flirted with you other days but you thought he was just playing around, like always. and now he wants to spend time with you? It sure felt like a dream. 

You left the bar when he grabbed your hand and led you to the pool table next to his aviator friends, you smiled at them, after all they were regulars and some of them were specially friendly with you, like pornstache and cute glasses. They all smiled at you, some more than others which seemed kind of odd, but that thought was pushed aside when Jake brushed your hip offering you a cue stick “Know how to play, sweetheart?” you smirked and approached the table placing the balls and starting the game “I don’t know, lieutenant, do I?” 

He smirked and watched every movement of your body during the game, especially when you bent down on it. 

Short time later Jake and you were left even, only the black 8 ball missing “Let’s make this interesting, if I win you go out with me on a date and…” you cut him off “If I win you must pay a round for the whole bar” Jake looked around and saw all the people that were that night at the bar, you could hear Phoenix laughing wishing you luck “Ok darling, let’s see what you can do”. With a small smile you bent over and hitted the ball making it fall on the hole but… also the white ball, you lose. Phoenix and Rooster groaned, they would have loved seeing Jake bankrupt because of a pretty girl. Coyote was the only one that cheered for Hangman and they both high fived like a couple of teenagers. You could only stare at the pool table almost angry at the loss but also remembering what the price was, was Jake taking you out? Seriously? 

“Well now you and I will have a date. How does dinner and a walk on the beach sound to you?” he said in a charming tone of voice making you blush “Sounds good” You replied walking back to the bar leaving Hangman behind while you were trying to process everything. Finally, it felt so unreal, you were almost floating, so happy that the next three hours of working went flying for you, but not for Penny, she was exhausted and asked you to close the squad’s tab. Happily you went over to their table and told them it was closing time, they booed jokingly grabbing their things and paying Penny on their way out, only Jake was left “Hey sweet cheeks, what about our date? Want to take a walk on the beach?” you immediately grabbed your things and walked out of the bar saying bye to Penny.

It’s safe to say that the date was amazing, you both talked for hours and when you were too tired to walk you just stayed in his car chatting more and more. He told you everything about the mission he had with Maverick where he saved his and Rooster’s lifes, obviously showing off, he talked about his family, about his friends, everything. So you opened up too, reciprocating every chat with another. The only thing you could think about was how lucky you were. 

“I had an amazing time with you, doll” 

“Yeah, me too” you said looking at those baby blue eyes that had you on your feet the whole night “This is going to sound weird, we don’t know each other that much but, I have never met someone like you and… I think I’m falling in love with you”.

You froze. What? Love? No it couldn’t be. This was Jake “Hangman” Seresin. Why? How? Is he for real? You honestly didn’t know what to say, of course you had a huge crush on him but something felt weird “Jake… I don’t know what to say”

“Just let me kiss you” he asked. HE ASKED. HANGMAN ASKING? You shook your head but when your eyes locked with his you were long gone. You pushed your lips against his while he wrapped his hands around your waist pulling the pilot seat backwards so you could seat on top of him. And without noticing, the kiss got deep and messy, filled with need, his hands never leaving your waist. He then moved his lips over your neck, that’s when you knew you had to stop “Hey, Jake. I’m really enjoying this but…” he immediately stopped, almost worried about you “Everything ok?” he rubbed your back while kissing your cheek “I think we should take things slow” you started getting off his lap falling into the copilot seat “Yeah, yes agreed” he said with a small smile “See you tomorrow?” you asked, opening the car’s door “Of course” he waited for you to get off before driving away. You couldn’t figure out why but you had a bad feeling about this.

A couple of days later you still haven’t heard from Jake, you texted him but he never answered. It was kind of weird, he tells you that he’s falling in love and then ignores you? Your thoughts were interrupted with the sound of a familiar voice “Hey, sugar how are you doing?” it was Rooster, taking off his sunglasses and sitting down on the bar “I had better days” you sighed “Oof what happened?” you opened him a beer “Your friend, that’s what happened! First he wants to take me on a date, then he tells me he is falling in love with me and THEN he ghosts me, what kind of sociopath does that?” you scoff cleaning the bar aggressively “Wait what?” he almost sounded angry “He told you what?” he repeated gripping the bottle he had on his hand “He told me that he loved me!” you almost yelled closing your mouth as soon as you saw him entering the bar without even looking your way.

And with that you saw Rooster walking towards Jake fuming “What the fuck is your problem Seresin?” he yelled, making everyone look in their direction “Whoa calm down, what did I do this time?” he asked, lifting his hands up laughing at him “What did you do?! Why don’t you tell her, huh?” he pointed in your direction, you were so confused about the situation and not wanting any more problems you left the bar and stood between them “Rooster come on, is nothing stop it” Bradley shook his head in disbelief “Either you tell her or I will” he yelled walking away and sitting on the table with the rest of the squad who were as confused as you “What is he talking about?” you asked Jake “I don’t know! Maybe he’s jealous” he said not even looking at you walking towards the pool table leaving you speechless. You knew that wasn’t jealousy, that was pure frustration. But seeing how things were going you decided to return to the bar.

Rooster wasn’t jealous. He has never shown any kind of interest, has he? No, he was respectful and friendly. It had to be something else.

“It was a bet” someone said interrupting your thoughts “i hate to be the one telling you this, but Coyote made a bet where Jake had to ask you out and tell you he loved you, in return Coyote would become Jake’s wingman” you stood in your places shocked “I am so sorry, Rooster and Fanboy heard them the other day and warned him not to do it but… we all know how he is. An asshole” you finally had the courage to look up for you to realize it was Maverick, with tears in your eyes you shook your head not wanting to hear anymore information “I’m sorry, kid” and like that he left.

You looked over to where Jake was and dropped on the floor slowly so no one could watch you, except for Penny, the moment she realized she lifted you up and told you to go home. She hugged you and kissed your forehead “I’m so sorry sweetie, men are assholes”. And she was right, blinded with anger and resentment you waited for him outside leaned over his car. When he finally came out and saw you he approached you trying to kiss you but all that he received was a hard smack on his cheek. He was left with his head turned to the side and a shocked expression. The smack was so loud the whole Dagger Squad came out and when they saw what was going on they decided to stay at a safe distance.

“You selfish, idiotic, narcissistic prick!” you yelled “Yesterday meant nothing? Was it just a bet? Are you that disrespectful towards the rest of the humans, huh? Or do you simply like playing with people’s feelings because it makes you feel powerful?” you stopped briefly to catch your breath, tears threatening to come out “You told me that you loved me! You said you were falling in love with me! How could…” you stopped wiping your tears away “How could you?” crying, you left your spot and got into your car driving away “You are an asshole, Seresin” Fanboy said “We told you not to do it” Rooster added.

Jake could only look at you feeling all kinds of emotions: shame, pity, sadness, frustration because, in reality, he did enjoy the time he spent with you, he did love kissing you, when you both went for a walk he did love how the sound of your voice sounded like, how sweet you smelled, how he could talk to you so carelessly, not worrying about his image or about what you would think of him, he loved how you held onto him while he kissed you and how he felt something he has never felt before. But it was all a bet right? “Damn”.

THE END

[skyloftian-nutcase]

Ask Idea! (Any version of these two Links!)

Time being a “Dad” for Legend.

(@thepinklink @hermitdrabbles56 @triforce-of-mischief @servantprincess come enjoy)

The emergency department was fairly abandoned as Time entered. The surgeon made his way directly to the charge nurse station and saw Warriors coordinating some bed assignments to get patients to the floors where they needed to go upon admission. When the charge nurse finally finished his task, he let out a sigh of relief upon noticing Time.

"Your patient's in the 300 block," Warriors said. "Census is finally low enough that I have an actual excuse to kick him out. Please help."

"How many?" Time asked, more out of morbid curiosity than anything.

"This is night eleven."

The surgeon's eyes widened. Eleven? He remembered his residency days when he would work well over a hundred hours in a week and was on the brink of insanity while being expected to work. Eleven shifts... that made for, what, 132 hours?

"Eleven consecutive shifts?" he repeated.

"Yeah," Warriors confirmed tiredly. "It isn't safe, Time. For anyone. I'm not letting management get away with it. Get him out of here."

With that, the conversation was cut off as the phone rang and Warriors had to start dealing with another situation. Time watched him a moment longer and then sighed, heading for the area sectioned off for the 300 rooms.

The emergency department was divided into several "blocks" of rooms, usually separated by acuity. The 100s were the "primary care" rooms, where patients who really didn't have an emergency but had nowhere else to go would be sorted. The 200s were the behavioral health area, secluded from the rest of the ER with doors that were always closed to mute the noise of the rest of the department. The 300s and 400s were the acutely ill while the 500s were the critically ill, and the 600s was the pediatric block.

The 300s wasn't far from the charge nurse station, so it didn't take Time long to reach the open area. The nurse station for each block sat in the center of the room so they could easily see all their patients, alongside the "doc box," where the physicians worked. Off to the left side of the nurse's station was the person in question.

Legend sat in front of a computer, a patient's chart open with an assessment half charted. Legend had his head propped on his right fist, his left hand absentmindedly typing words until the computer autocompleted them and he'd tab to the next box.

"Legend?" Time prompted as he approached him.

The travel nurse perked up slightly, some energy lighting his dull eyes. "Hey. Can I help you? They... they didn't put in a trauma consult for the guy in 12, it's a simple fracture. Right?"

"Nobody put in for a trauma consult," Time assured him, resting his hands on the counter in front of him. Legend looked very small and, for lack of a better word, defeated.

They stared at each other for a moment longer, Legend clearly not processing what was going on, and the nurse eventually settled his eyes back on charting with a noncommittal hum of acknowledgement.

"Legend."

The nurse's eyes gazed back up at the surgeon.

"Warriors changed assignments," Time explained. "Someone is picking up your patients."

"I only have one," Legend remarked confusedly. "Wait, what? Shouldn't I be picking up someone's assignment? Why are you even talking about--what?"

"He told me you had one patient, who is waiting for some paperwork from the physician and then is getting discharged," Time said slowly, gently tapping his fingers on the counter as he waited for Legend to process his words. "Which means you really don't have much of a patient assignment right now."

"Yes...?"

"You're going home, Legend."

Legend blinked. Then he blinked again.

Before he could argue, another nurse slid in beside him, stating exactly what Time had just articulated. Legend stared between the two, baffled.

"Then what am I...?"

"You're. Going. Home." Time repeated, stressing each word.

The travel nurse's coworker cleared her throat with a smile, and Legend hastily gave her report before staring at Time once more.

Then it finally seemed to click.

"What kind of bullsh--"

"Legend."

"Why the hell did that idiot think he could send me home--"

"Legend."

"What, does he think things are going to stay calm just because census has settled? I swear, the instant I leave the hospital the waiting room's gonna flood--"

"Legend!" Time finally said a little louder, making the travel nurse jump at his snappish tone. Then the surgeon settled. "Don't worry about what's happening here. That's Warriors' job. You've been working far too much lately."

"They're short staffed," Legend argued, motioning at the barren nurse's station. "What the hell was I going to do, just let them flounder?"

Time sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Your sentiment is admirable and good, Legend, but wearing yourself to the bone isn't going to help, either. You'll burn out and fall apart, and they'll be short staffed all the same."

"You're saying I'm replaceable," Legend grumbled, looking at the ground.

"I'm saying you can't help them if you have nothing left to give," Time corrected him patiently, understanding that the nurse's exhaustion was no doubt going to lead to irritability and false assumptions.

"I have plenty to give," Legend fired back, taking a step away and stumbling. "I'll--"

Here he faltered, scrambling for an argument and unable to find one. Time crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, making the travel nurse wave at him dismissively with an irritated tch.

"Where are you going?" Time asked as Legend walked away.

"To see if I'm needed elsewhere," was the terse reply.

"Legend," Time warned. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

The travel nurse froze, throwing a seething glare in his direction. "What, you think you can boss me around like you do Twilight or Wild? I'm not your kid, and I'm not part of your little war veteran posse either. What difference do I make, shouldn't you be in surgery or something? Pretty sure you have a job you're supposed to be doing."

Time took a steadying breath and walked towards Legend. His silence intimidated the travel nurse far more than his words did, and Legend took a wary step away. "What are you--"

With a swift motion, Time reached forward and slung the travel nurse over his shoulder, Legend squealing in alarm. A curious family member peeked out of one of the rooms, but beyond that Legend's hemming and hawing did little to change the situation.

Time had to admit, he was impressed at the combination of curse words the travel nurse was coming up with, though.

By the time they reached the alcove just outside the staff room for the ED, Legend had settled a little, only occasionally cussing Time out, jumping to different languages when he felt particularly irate.

"You need to clock out."

"Fuck you."

"All right, you can deal with it later."

They reached the entrance to the waiting room, and Time finally paused. "Am I going to have to carry you out of here, or will you walk with me?"

Legend's death grip on Time's shirt eased a little, followed by a defeated sigh. "Fine, dammit, I'll walk with you. Just put me down."

With that settled, Time slowly eased Legend to the ground, watching the nurse stumble a little with a dizzy spell. He steadied him by his shoulders, and Legend hissed, pushing him away.

Time furrowed his brow. "What compels you to think you can singlehandedly save everything and everyone, Legend?"

Legend's glare lost its bite, and he looked away. "It's my job, damn it. I'm a travel nurse, we come in to help departments who don't have enough nurses. This is what people rely on me for."

"Well, I don't know what your other assignments did to abuse you so much that you think eleven shifts is acceptable," Time stated, his words softened by his gentle tone. "But you have support here. We're not letting you burn yourself out like this."

"I'm not burnt out!"

Time stared at him until Legend withered under his gaze. He didn't have to rub salt in the wound. Instead, he just said, "Let's go."

Legend followed him somberly to the exit. The longer they walked, though, the more confused the young man became.

"Wait, my car's in a different deck. Where are we going?"

"I'm driving you home."

"What?" Legend stopped in the middle of the parking deck. "Come on, old man, I can handle driving myself home. Do you trust me that little?"

"You do realize that the level of exhaustion you're at probably makes you as addled as if you were drunk?" Time threw back. "You're coming home with me, Ledge. Someone has to take care of you since you don't seem to know how to take care of yourself."

Surprisingly, this didn't merit another string of curses or a fit. Instead, Legend deflated, suddenly out of energy to argue. Time left him be, willing to give the boy some space since he'd been manhandling him so much already. Instead, he unlocked his car and walked towards it, opening the passenger door. Legend dragged his feet over, sliding in silently and buckling up.

The travel nurse was out like a light before they even left the parking deck.

[ascorpiosramblings]

Stressed out

(Ratio x Aventurine college AU-Yes I am projecting)

warnings: none

Tap. Tap. Tap. For the 13th time his fingers moved on the worn keys, typing away like a mad man as he sat among a sea of empty energy drink cans. His soft fingers caught a break as he laced them through his hair, tugging on his locks as he sighed. Its useless, so useless. The suffocation of independent research mixed with never-ending stream of assignments yet to be done left his wrists aching. Life truly had no mercy even for a genius like him, forcing him to follow the path of obtaining a bachelors, masters and PhD just like most researchers even if he already outclassed the masses.

He leaned on his chair. Pain shooting through his spine to his shoulders as he let his eyelids obscure the glow of his monitor. His body completely relaxed as he felt himself inching closer to the sweet embrace of slumber. But alas, the task at hand required his full attention as he reached for the cold can of caffeine dense poison. Cracking it open he practically inhaled it out of desperation to relieve himself of the curse of enervation.

He turned to face the multiple tabs open on the monitor and mentally prepared himself for another long night. "You look as terrible as ever" The voice took Veritas out of his work induced trance. It was Aventurine. Who let him in? Did he not lock his door?. Aventurine stood next to the taller man "I was knocking for a while and thought you died or something with how long I was out there." Veritas narrowed his eyes at the blonde before letting out a sign of resignation and falling back on his chair. "You certainly have impeccable timing". Aventurine laced his fingers with his, pulling him up from his seat. "You look exhausted, are you sure you're alright?" "I'm Fine" "Liar". Veritas was pulled out of his room.

"Lets go out on a walk, you look like you need to touch grass". Aventurine tugged on his hand, whisking him away into the midnight glow of the outdoors. Veritas could feel his heart speeding up, his gaze was taken by the way the moonlight bounced off the complex contours of his face. His thoughts started to scatter in all directions as his eye remained glued to the business majors face, feeling himself get lost in his eyes.

"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Aventurine said, gazing up at the sky. He took a step closer to the taller man "the bags under your eyes make me wonder if I can use them for groceries. Are you sure you got the memo that sleep is, you know, actually important?" Veritas rolled his eyes. "Tell that memo to the university, I have to publish my research paper before mid terms and finish a pile of assignments. Everything is easy, but the amount of physical labor required for such tasks is simply a nuisance. I already know what the Chinese Remainder Theorem is I do not need twenty questions to get it."

Aventurine chuckled as he listened to him rant. He walked with him, listening to every word said, memorizing each syllable as if it were an unforgettable melody even if it was a benign conversation. He wanted to savor this moment, he was enthralled by him. Everything he did. This one moment was one of many and each one was like a precious gem to Aventurine. The only dilemma left now was how unaware the genius was of the depth of admiration he had for him.

Their hands brushed against each other. This was enough to take Veritas out of his rant as he felt the softness of the others hand. Once again he felt his beating heart pick up the pace as if to remind him how truly beautiful the man in front of him was, how truly gorgeous he was. Their eyes met and in that moment Veritas laced his fingers with the blondes, finally giving into an impulse.

Realizing what he had done he tried to pull back. His face turning scarlet as he reminded himself of the possibility that Aventurine may not like it. But to his surprise, Aventurine doesn't let go.

"You were saying?". With that Veritas got back to his rant, yet his mind didn't stray from the fact that they were holding hands. As he spoke he noticed he soft smile on Aventurines face accompanied by a crimson hue on his cheeks.

"I am taken by you"

[slytherinshua]

I think cause I’m so stressed w school but still want to post I’m finally gonna focus on all the reqs in my inbox instead of my own brain thinking of fic ideas cause it’s so fried rn lol (watch me not follow through w this later on 🧍‍♀️) also just let me ramble for a bit this isn’t rly important but it’s just my thoughts as an author here on the blr.

(long rly pointless ramble abt requests and inboxes and blogs and writing etc etc under the cut if my thoughts don’t make sense at all it’s cause it’s 2 am shush)

like I love requests so much I love sharing brainrot and being able to write a fic for someone and making them happy w my writing it’s the whole reason I started writing in the first place. but I just love my own brain and the fics that I come up with on my own as well and I think it’s rly important for writers to consistently write things that their own brain thought of and write them just because they want to. I’ve seen writers put sm pressure on themselves to complete requests and I totally understand that but I kinda hate how they even feel that pressure in the first place bcuz it takes away the joy of writing and you find yourself unable to even think of what to write anymore cause it’s become associated with the stress of “getting it done” like some sort of school assignment. requests can be such a blessing and a way to connect a fandom more and build a community and even a little family within a blog but it can also be so stressful. feeling bad that you’ve taken too long to finish a request, having anons harass you in your inbox for not writing their request “quickly enough”, and the general entitlement ppl have adopted when they’re literally asking— ASKING someone else to do something FOR THEM. I don’t experience this too often and I don’t want any of the people who have sent me requests to feel bad for sending them in, trust me I LOVE the requests. but I do wonder sometimes if ppl on my blog wonder why I take so long to finish requests and why I never close them either lmao. cause it is quite different from all my moots’ blogs and majority of blogs on tumblr that I’ve seen… and I just think I always want to have that option for readers to spill their thoughts into a request without the pressure or expectation that it’s going to be answered quickly. closing and opening inboxes is an amazing way to work through requests systematically and consistently while also not getting bogged down by too many. and I think readers probably like that system(?) cause it’s a higher chance of their request getting done quickly! (and to those readers who send out the same request to a bunch of different authors idk WHY you do this idc if it’s just bcuz you wanted to see how we would all interpret it differently, honestly fuck you. bcuz it just feels so empty and pointless like you don’t actually care abt us as authors and our writing but just want to see how fast an author can get your idea written and posted. it’s like you’re using us as machines and testing who will be the fastest and who will stay on the loading screen the longest. it’s so disappointing tbh. and maybe this is also why i enjoy writing for lesser known groups bcuz when I get a request it’s so precious to me i know that the reader sent it in bcuz they actually like my writing and know I’ll be able to write for a group that they love that not many other ppl write for. despite the fact that I won’t get more than 10-30 notes for a fic from a nugu group doesn’t mean that it is less rewarding.)

but then again I’ve also seen readers ignore the authors rules stating that requests are closed or get mad that they are and it’s just… sigh… we are literally writing for free for your enjoyment, we spend hundreds of hours writing these fics whether they are “good” or “bad” they still take time and effort and love and a whole lot of brainpower and googling of synonyms and staring blankly at the two sentences you’ve written before switching tabs and procrastinating for 2 hours only to come back and finish in one flurry of motivation lmao. but for me having my inbox always open and welcome for requests feels like it’s actively counteracting the expectations for writers to pump out fics like some sort of machine to feed their audience while only getting blank likes as a return (this is truly JUST my thoughts and how I view it I’m not trying to say how I do things is better or how others work their blog is wrong or anything like that. if ur a writer and u rly focus on getting ur requests done lowkey I admire u cause I do still feel some guilt looking at requests I have sitting in my inbox from like last year although I am happy and content w my system and feel that it does put the focus on me and my creativity and less on the pressure to take others ideas and make a fic for them with the side effects of time pressure and guilt for not following through if that makes sense.) all that rambling is to say that now that brain is so focused on tasks that are much more important and I have less time to think of silly little delusions, having these requests sitting in my inbox waiting for me is rly nice :) and I’m rly excited to complete more of them cause most of you have given me rly rly amazing fic ideas <3

[embracing-the-ineffable]

Twenty Questions

Thanks for the tags, @eybefioro, @goodoldfashionednightingale, and @hoarder-of-dragons! I picked my favorites from the posts you tagged me on, and added a few more of my own:

Currently consuming: Good Omens everything

Currently consuming: Good Omens everything (it's worth repeating!)

First ship: I'm not sure. I think I was introduced to the concept of ships through Thomas Sanders' Sanders Sides

Do you have kids? Yes, birth and foster 🥰

What sports do you play/have you played? Dance, horseback riding, and martial arts

Are you more likely to be sincere or sarcastic? Sincere

How many tabs are open on your browser? Over 3,000, because Session Buddy doesn't work on mobile yet 😅

What's your favourite colour? There's no way I can choose! I love the play of different colors with one another. I tend to wear a lot of purple, burgundy, and teal jewel tones, especially in the autumn and winter.

Favorite drink: Hot cocoa with marshmallows and herbal tea for the winter

Last movie: Nothing Lasts Forever and Pride and Prejudice (Those of you as obsessed with Good Omens as I am might recognize a theme here 🤩 )

Scary movies or happy endings? Feel good media with happy endings, please! The world is already full of too many sad and awful things.

When was the last time you cried? I don't remember, but it was probably induced by sleep deprivation and stress. Or really big feelings.

Any talents? Photography! And I love to nurture things. Sometimes that means cooking for loved ones, or growing a jungle of plants in my living room, or organizing gatherings for an extended circle of friends and chosen family

Talent you wish you had? Drawing

What are your hobbies? Right now, the only honest answer is Good Omens 😅

Do you have any pets? Yes! I've shared my life with a whole zoo full of cats, dogs, fish, and reptiles, including an adventure cat, a part-bear part-muppet therapy dog, and a tegu lizard that I trained to walk on a leash and harness.

Super power you wish you had? Reading minds

Dream job? I don't know! I've had so many, and they've all been valuable stepping stones on the path of my life. The jobs where I get to teach and help people - especially kids - are my favorites.

Dream vacation? Seeing the northern lights in person is high on my list. Also, a wildlife photo safari in Africa.

How would you change the world if you could? (Or, what are you passionate about?) I would teach everyone the skills of DBT (helpful for absolutely everyone who has ever had a strong feeling or a connection to another person) and then I would give everyone universal healthcare and a universal basic income with an aim to eliminating poverty, especially among children, plus all the other long term benefits that would stem from that. (Read more from WaPo about UBI here if you're interested.)

Currently working on: Solving the ineffable mystery with the lovely people at the @ineffable-detective-agency, and finishing a new fanfic for the Good Omens Minisode Minibang. Hopefully I'll be ready to post that later this weekend!

No-pressure tags for a few mutuals who might be into tag games, and an open invitation to everyone else!

@gallup24 @averywiseanimatedcat @procrastiel @commonmexicanname @crowleybrekkers @stumblingoverchaos @dunkthebiscuit @red-sky-in-mourning @im-not-a-virgo-im-a-lesbo @tragic-cosmic-magic @crowleybrekkers @lil-king-trash-mouth @celticseawych @phoen1xr0se @lemonic-whimssyy @ineffably-poetic @red-sky-in-mourning @weasleywrinkles

[nitewrighter]

if you DO manage to piece together some sort of a reading list for that 'editor Clark & foreign correspondent Lois' era, would you be okay to share it? Suddenly I am also very interested.

Honestly it's all very "Monster of the Week," and a real pain in the ass to figure out the sequence of what title the actual next chronological part of the story is taking place in. Basically I've been dependent on the "Find out next week" preview notes at the end of various issues (Which sometimes aren't even there...) or the "Coming Soon!" promos that have their own little section in the fan letters page. So like.. REALLY my first trip down the rabbit hole with this era (Post-Return of Superman Mullet Era!!!) started with the supervillain Conduit, so that starts way the hell back with Superman: The Man of Steel Issue #0.

"Oh, #0, you say, that sounds like a very simple place to start."

Oh--Oh you'd think that, wouldn't you! Except this Man of Steel is not to be confused with Byrne's Man of Steel! This Man of Steel is #0 as part of the "Zero Hour" event--so this "Man of Steel" title "starts" in 1991, but it's previous issue was fucking Superman: Man of Steel #37. But honestly yeah, you start with Man of Steel Issue #0, then Adventures of Superman Issue #0, then Action Comics #0, and then, FUCKING SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL #38. But anyway, yeah, it's tedious, but honestly I've been blazing through these issues too fast to really come up with a curated list for you, but if you keep fucking five tabs open on your super-janky comic pirating site and repeatedly click back to the wiki for additional reference and just keep an eye out for the "Next Week!" end of issue notes, you too, can have the brain worms I do!

I should probably mention that there are more curated compilations of this Era, so like, if you really want the 90's Full Court Press but don't want to wade through as many issues, you can start back with the whole Death/Reign/Return of Superman saga (AKA Supermullet: Origins), which has plenty of trade paperbacks. Like, that's really the baseline starting point I'm working with even before I started digging through the issues for Conduit. (It all started... when I died...)

So like, to actually answer your question the "Acting Managing Editor Clark" thing only got started with Perry's cancer diagnosis, and honestly I can't tell you which issue that started in. It's... *gestures vaguely* somewhere in there. The Lois as a Foreign Correspondent thing really got kicked off because of her and Clark's breakup, which has its major catalyzing event in Action Comics #719 (...and I also recently wrote a fic inspired by it *cough*). So you can also start at Action Comics #719 to wade through all the breakup drama, again, just by following the "Next Week" notes, and honestly this *is* the period where you have stressed-out editor Clark, which is fun. NOW we're getting to "The Final Night" Crossover event, which is where Clark loses his powers--I still have to read the crossover event itself because I realized I was just reading all the Superman issues on the margins of it, but honestly I'm looking forward to it. From there you can jump into the Superman & Lois Lane Wedding Album for a nice happy ending (And if you're still worried about Clark's powers then you can look up the issues for the "Power Struggle" story arc. Okay.)

I should also give the caveat that this Superman is largely shaped by Byrne's reboot of Superman, which has its pluses and minuses. Like, Byrne very much emphasized Clark's being raised by Ma and Pa Kent and he also established Luthor as more of a hypercapitalist than just a pure mad scientist archetype, but he also made Clark a popular chad High School football star in Smallville, so that can be jarring if you're coming into this from the MAWS crowd and are used to a much softer shyer Clark. So many women are throwing themselves at Clark in this era and it's kind of a pain in the ass (Go AWAY, Maxima! No means no!).

So like... obviously YMMV, read critically, and be mindful of like... the era.

[tossawary]

I will not be updating “Stepping Up” tomorrow, March 22nd! I am taking a break this week to focus on some other things and get them off my plate.

Thank you for the responses to my questions earlier and for the reassurances that people are happy to have patience. I do appreciate that. I’m sorry if I came off as unclear or ungrateful. I want to clarify that I have made the decision to try to keep regular update schedules and to let people know when I am taking break weeks as a method to manage my stress. (Side note: this is also why I have a personal rule that I am only allowed one WIP posted to AO3 at a time. I might post one-shots or slowly post completed fics, but it so far seems less stressful to me to only have one posted WIP at a time.) I know how to take a step back when needed. I know I do not need to alert people or make excuses.

But I know there are people who wait up in case I will update; I have also occasionally waited up for certain stories, comics, or videos with regular update schedules, and have felt adrift until there is news. There are (very rarely) people who have been rude when they feel I have disappointed them. And there are some people who get anxious that something has happened to me if I am quiet for too long. Communicating my plans seems to allow people (myself included) to close the “Oh, Tossawary might be updating today!” mental tab.

Everyone operates differently, but if updating your fics or not updating your fics is causing you stress, if having “too many WIPs” is something that personally causes you stress, then it might be helpful to check out if frequent communication will lessen your stress. Laying down boundaries, even casually, can be something that takes practice. It’s totally fine to put the “Slow to Update” or “On Hiatus” or “Unfinished/Discontinued” or “Ambiguous/Open Ending” tags on your fics. It’s totally fine to put, “Updates will be very slow!” or “Updates will only come as inspiration strikes!” or “Just exploring a little of this idea! This may be left incomplete!” in your Author’s Notes. So far, it’s been working out for me.

It’s kind of like if a book had been sitting open on your bedside table for a few months, because you do want to read it, but it’s also actively getting in the way of other stuff you want to do now. Sometimes, I can just sit down and read the damn book. Other times, I have to stick a bookmark in it, close the book, and put it back on the shelf for a while because I’m just not going to read it right now.

[ask-haruaki-honmaru]

"Ship content between swords"? Which ones? Any good examples of what to expect? What is your favorite?

Midare: Anon, I am SO glad you asked. Keeping tabs on citadel gossip is one of my favorite (self-assigned) duties. I even made a list to keep track!

Wanna hear about it~?

Kashuu and Yasusada: they've been together since before I got here, I think they were one of the first couples our citadel had. I'm not sure how it happened or who made the first move. According to Yagen-nii, they didn't really act any different except that they suddenly started holding hands a lot walking around the citadel, hehe. I guess they've always been inseparable, they were Okita Souji's swords after all, so it makes sense. They manifested within days of each other, so it's nice that Yasusada didn't have to wait long to see him.

Izuminokami and Horikawa: So… like… it's cute how much they care about each other, but they have NO shame. At all. Let's just say they were… um… really enthusiastic about experiencing everything that human bodies have to offer? I feel like almost everyone here has at least one story about walking in on them somewhere really unlikely. When Horikawa-kun manifested, I think Kasen was really hoping he'd end up being a good influence on his brother, but… it didn't really work out like that. Except Izuminokami's hair is always SO sleek and pretty now that Horikawa-kun is here, and Kasen's room is always much cleaner now that Izuminokami moved out of it, so it's not all bad.

Ookurikara and Tsurumaru: I'm not sure exactly when they got together, either. I think it was pretty quick after Kuri-chan joined us, but he's really private - and Tsuru-san talks all the time, but not actually that much about himself - so it's hard to say. They're not joined at the hip like Izuminokami and Horikawa, or Yasusada and Kashuu, but they seem really devoted to each other. And Kuri-chan gets SO jealous if anyone else flirts with Tsuru-san, hee hee. But I think they're really good for each other. Tsuru-san seems less stressed out when Kuri-chan is home, and Kuri-chan- well, he's still Kuri-chan, but he opens up a bit more around Tsuru-san.

Kasen and Yamanbagiri: Kasen was the one to show Manba-chan around when he first got here. Which I mean, he does that a lot, since he's the most senior sword, but Manba-chan really got attached to him, it was sweet. I think Kasen just puts him at ease, somehow. I see them walking in the gardens together a lot, and Kasen shares a lot of his unfinished poetry with Manba-chan, which is NOT something he lets many other swords see. Manba-chan's still rooming with his brother Yamabushi, but I think it's only a matter of time until he moves in with Kasen. We're all rooting for them!

Shokudaikiri and Taikogane: You should have SEEN the way Micchan lit up when Sada-chan manifested. They were so excited to see each other. Micchan used to talk about him a lot before he got here, so it wasn't surprising that they spent so much time together after he got here. Sada-chan's actually a pretty good friend of mine, since we go on sorties together a lot, so I heard a lot about their relationship as it was developing, hehe. It happens a lot with swords who were close as spirits, I think, where it just takes them a little while to figure out how their relationships work now that they have human bodies. I feel like Micchan just really, really wanted to do right by him, so he was taking it slow, but Sada-chan got really frustrated waiting for him to make a move. But TRUST me, they've figured it out by now. Micchan is super domestic and he dotes on Sada-chan so much, he's a real catch! I'm a little jealous!

Hasebe and Souza: It's really entertaining to watch these two go at it. They break up and get back together, like, ALL the time. I've lost track. Yagen-nii is SO sick of it. I guess their past is kind of complicated... Who knows if they'll ever work it out. It gives everyone else plenty to talk about, though. (Sorry, Yagen-nii.)

Nagasone and Hachisuka: If you ask me, it's super obvious that Hacchi is really into Nagasone-san, but I think he's too proud to say it. Urashima-kun keeps trying to get them to get along better, but... well, it only works sometimes. Nagasone-san is really patient, though. Well... I guess he'd have to be, being the captain of all the Shinsengumi swords. That's probably even more exhausting than dealing with Hacchi.

Kogitsunemaru and Mikazuki: So these two are definitely together, but I can't tell if they're just sleeping together or if it's more serious. The Sanjous are all pretty hard to pin down, I guess. And I'm actually not sure THEY know the answer, either. Mikazuki just laughs and walks away if you ask him about it. Maybe it's harder to figure out how human relationships work after you've been a sword that long...

Hizamaru and Higekiri: Okay. So. I can't prove anything but these two are WEIRD, right? Like, I don't act like that around MY brothers, you know?? It's just, Higekiri really likes winding up Hizamaru and it's right on the line where it could be flirting and I can't tell if he's doing it on purpose or if he's as oblivious as he seems. Hizamaru doesn't seem unhappy, though...? I guess it's fine if it works for them??? Relationships with forge-brothers are different for everyone, after all, it's not like with humans.

Hhmm, there's probably a few other swords who have a crush on someone in the Citadel, too... but that's a se~cret~! ;) If there's any developments, I promise to keep you guys updated~

[breadboylovin]

4, 8, 17, 32, 38 for the ask game :)

4. what’s an inside joke you have with your family or friends?

my sister (@dwarfplanet-eris follow her shes awesome) once tried to trick me into believing that in every 3d mario game mario has a pimple under his hat because of a modeling error or something. i believed it for like 5 seconds and now every time she tries to trick me again im like 'youre pulling another mario's pimple on me i'm not doing this'

8. any reoccurring dreams?

ummmm idk honestly... the only "reoccurring" dreams i get are stress ones i think. when i was in high school it was always about missing the bus but now i am in college with a car so instead my stress dreams are about randomly being shirtless in public places OR spending an insane amount of money. i will say a really funny one i just had two nights ago was when i was getting freaked out about car maintenance so i had a dream where my car and license were revoked but my dream couldn't come up with a good reason for it so it was like 'yeah you made too many weird tumblr posts about youtubers we gotta take this away from you'

17. name 3 things that make you happy

seeing a cool bird. im near the rocky mountains for the summer after living in flat ass florida for my whole life so seeing mountains. and big ass burritos

32. how many tabs do you have open right now?

4 (this one, the post with these questions on it, website of the state park im probably gonna go to after answering these, and google maps). having too many tabs open makes me feel crazayyyyyy

38. fave song at the moment?

underscores - My guy (Corporate shuffle) THIS SHIT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!! also mad at me from the scrapyard c sides it was stuck in my head all day at work on friday and its crazy that it didnt make it to the final mixtape release...

(from this ask game)

[kira-ani-mcgrath]

Your commission advice is all very practical and helpful, but how can I avoid saying "contact for pricing" when my offerings and the potential requests are so diverse? I understand that pricing schemes can be rather formulaic for character portraits, but I don't want to limit myself.

Note for others: This is referencing my "Commission Tips" post, specifically this part:

Public Pricing I've signed my name to more vehicles than I care to count over the years, which means I've done quite a bit of car shopping. I am a researcher, and I've had times where I have many browser tabs open, pouring over the various listings and comparing all kinds of factors - such as mileage, gas mileage, safety rating, features, and, of course, price - in an effort to narrow down my choices and arrive at the best deal possible. Sometimes in these searches, vehicle listings will say "contact dealer for pricing" for various reasons. That instantly knocks the vehicle down a slot in my rating system. I have enough anxiety dealing with certain things even when I have all the facts and know exactly what I want. It's even worse when I have to cold-call for a very important piece of information and risk getting roped into a conversation I don't want to have. Yes, I have a point to this anecdote. I have many times compared commission shopping to car buying, even joking that I put more research into my commission purchases than I have into our last few vehicle purchases. "DM/email me for prices" is an artist's equivalent of "contact dealer for pricing," and thus is an instant back-button for me at this point. It's just not worth the hassle when there are so many other options out there that give me all the information I need front-and-center.

Admittedly, this point is probably the least universally-applicable, given that there are buyers who have no issue with these sorts of inquiries. However, I'd presume I'm not the only one who avoids this, especially online. So, if you'd like to catch the consideration of a customer such as myself, there's a few options:

1) Include examples with approximate prices in your commission information. These examples can be personal works or past commissions you've done (and the example price doesn't need to be what you actually charged for that particular commission, but what you would charge if asked to repeat it - useful if you raise your rates or if the cost of materials increases). You can also stress that the priced pieces are examples and final pricing is determined by the exact specifications the potential buyer sends in for consideration.

2) Utilize base + add-on pricing. With this pricing method, you have a minimum price for a basic service, then additional charges for increased levels of work. This method is similar to the flat pricing you typically see for artwork commissions, but it gives a little more flexibility in accounting for the differing detail levels of requests while still giving people the ability to calculate an accurate price for themselves. Example 1: base of grayscale half-body = $10, add full-body +$5, add color +$10, add complex details +$10, add basic background +$10, add complex background +$20 or more depending on details Example 2: base of 24-in scarf 1 color of basic yarn = $10, every additional color +$5 ea, upgrade to premium yarn +$10 per color, add an extra inch +$2 ea

3) Utilize ranged pricing. With this pricing method, you advertise a minimum charge for a basic commission but also state that the price increases with complexity and the actual price will depend on the specifics of the commission. You don't specify all the minutia of what increases the cost. While this is less information upfront for the buyer, it's still some information while allowing for more nuanced pricing control by the artist. You can also have different levels of ranges. A top-end price cap isn't necessary, but I have seen it used in tiered ranged pricing or if the artist just wants a cap for their own sake. Example 1: grayscale portrait $50-$150, color portrait $100-$200, color illustration $300+ Example 2: acrylic scarf $15+, wool scarf $50+

On the back-end of things, I would recommend having some type of cost breakdown of what goes into your craft(s). Overall, have a general idea of how long it takes you to create pieces at different levels of quality/detail/size/etc. If the commission is a physical item, the costs of materials and tool wear-and-tear should also be factored into the final price. If you have at least a mental guideline for that sort of thing, it will be easier to price your examples and any incoming inquiries.

I understand the appeal of just saying "contact for pricing" is the artist being able to tailor a quote to the exact specifications of a request, but I think this method is inefficient. There's unnecessary extra steps that can be eliminated with the artist giving potential customers a minimum baseline expectation front-and-center through one of the above methods.

Thanks for the compliment and the question! I enjoyed being able to expand on that point, and I hope it's useful. :)

[stingslikeabee]

@dojimakaichou found the demoness

It had been one of these weeks for the Tojo - not that Melissa had been into the intricacies of the Japanese underground politics for long, but it was a collateral effect when one decided to stalk and torment the man currently ruling over one of its biggest groups.

Since Monday, the sixth chairman of the clan had lacked a single moment of rest. From one of his trusted advisors having people of his family crashing heavy transport vehicles into buildings (allegedly as an accident) to sudden inspections of the authorities in certain Tojo-fronted businesses and then serious disturbances to some of the smuggling routes used for Japan, Daigo was tired.

And, as expected, he refused to take a step back and relax. Rather than diffusing tension, he made it worse by himself by smoking more, drinking coffee as if he wished to replace the blood of his veins with caffeine and slept at ungodly hours inside his own office. The yakuza barely returned home these days - and Melissa didn't know if anyone allowed inside his private chambers for meetings bought his excuses for efficiency and crisis management.

But there was one creature that did not bother with scheduling appointments or polite knocks on the door - Melissa came and went as she pleased, typically at the worst hours. Whenever the chairman stressed the most and seemed ready to burst, he just felt more delightful than ever to her senses. Daigo turned into an angry, hot and messy ball of untangled feelings and anxieties, sprinkled with self-doubt and resentment for a departed father figure. The way that man could both miss someone's presence and yet loathe the apparent need for their approval was so tasty - a beautiful contradiction.

On that Friday night, Melissa made herself visible at the end of a very tense phone call with someone abroad - Daigo's English had been improving (she kept tabs on the man, after all) but anyone could tell he was fuming with anger at the blunders of people responsible for handling some Tojo cargo in Singaporean harbors a bit more discreetly. Out of all the looks the demoness could present to her favorite victim, Melissa chose a short black kimono with red flowers decorating the sleeves and the obi around the waist, with the hair properly pinned up with a pair of chopsticks and a decorative comb on the side. The piece was a mockery of the traditional Japanese wear - evidently the type of stuff sold abroad for Halloween parties or more of bedroom wear.

But given the way she walked over to Daigo's desk to place hands over his shoulders to suggest a massage, the demoness was instead leaning into the twisted idea that many westerns had about the type of service offered at wellness and spa centers in Asia, of course. The generous neckline, the exposed legs and the way Melissa cursed the objection presented by the chairman's office chair all pointed to no honest and Christian intentions - but rather the opposite.

Sighing dramatically, the creature then moved to the desk - and suddenly the brunette's body was crushing papers, blocking Daigo's laptop and almost turning over empty cups with the way legs were crossed and the lady-shaped demon laid her head over a folded arm. Whatever focus the yakuza tried to retain was shattered and gone, not to mention a couple of the pages opened on his browser (the demoness had accidentally shut a few of them).

"Daigo-kun, I think you need a break," she declared, honey-like eyes gleaming with mischief, "Why not give me five minutes of your time - or fifty? I can just..." Melissa's free hand produced a familiar snapping sound, her preferred way of announcing a magic trick although entirely unnecessary for them to be performed, "There, I just cancelled all your meetings for the rest of the day. Go on - tell me how good I am at making your life better."