#these were such fun connections to point out

[chiclet-go-boom]

i had the good luck to be in an "advanced" program for a year (grade 9) with one of the upshots being an excellent english/program teacher.

one of the first assignments was a short story where the protagonist was a guy about our age living in a small town. at this late stage (i've been out of school a very long time) i don't remember the plot really, other than it ended with the protagonist and his best friend sitting in a diner, ordering a hamburger or something from a waitress.

we all read it, we had to write one of our first essays of the class on what we felt the central theme of the story was, and then the teacher graded them and then read a couple of the 'best' ones out loud to the class the next day.

then he helped us deconstruct the entire story. blackboards and chalk and that meme of the guy with string going everywhere, only with drawn boxes and arrows.

dudes, that protagonist was lying through his teeth the entire time. everything he told us was distorted, warped like a funhouse mirror to suit HIS narrative, HIS feelings, HIS interpretation of the events. The diner scene at the end was where all of his lies were suddenly revealed for what they were, providing a lens to review the entire story for what it wasn't.

i'd been hoodwinked. i hadn't caught ANY of the underlying subtext, that the story-as-presented on the surface had very little connection to the story-as-it-probably-was. i was, in a nutshell, kinda blown away at the technical skill of the writer to DO that, as well as my teacher for being able to walk us through it, and the entire class got to discuss all the major points both for and against the protagonist's viewpoint. it was *fun*, as english classes never are.

then we had to do another essay on the same story, this time explaining a single plot point of our choice on why the writer had chose to present it the way they had, and how it reflected through and onto the character, putting our new knowledge to use of how what hadn't actually been said was the most important part to pay attention to.

it's stuck with me my entire life. i have a hard time with most media (television in particular) because most stories as presented are puddle deep and there's not so much motivation going on as there is the need to tell a story that has no intricacies; because we've largely seem to have forgotten that nobody *really* tells the truth, *especially* not to ourselves, but tv sure would like to pretend that we do.

"but the text never explicitly stated it!!!" hey, so that's actually what they tried to teach you in those english classes you barely passed 😁

[kyunniebuns]

Helloooo :3. I wanna know how Jin Woo deals with S/O who got bullied in high school because of her face and always feels insecure because of that. And also isolates and distances herself whenever people hurt her feelings. Requesting headcanons and one shot if u r free of course! :0

˗ˏˋ Entry : 061 - Sung Jinwoo x Bullied! Fem! Reader ◛⑅·˚ ♡ ˎˊ˗

ₓ˚. ୭ ˚○���˚ 𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕘 𝕁𝕚𝕟𝕨𝕠𝕠 ˚◦○˚ ୧ .˚ₓ

[ BULLYING. Heavy depictions of depression, anxiety, body/face dysmorphia, avoidance of mirrors, idealization of self-harm/mutilation. I've been a victim of bullying so this is quite personal. Fluff Ending]

╰┈➤ ❝ [ When the flowers wilts first instead of blooming ] ¡! ❞

Pretty privilege.

Even if you're a child, you know it's a thing. Of course, you can't quite pinpoint why you're being treaed the way you are. But there is that weird inkling that something is going terribly wrong.

The boys in class often snicker at you, making fun of you for no reason in front of your oblivious face. You can tell there is some sort of mockery coming from them and that they treat other girls in class quite differently.

With the other girls, they are respectful and even trying to suck up with them? With you? They're actively snorting and getting off on making you miserably.

It's the little things they say that slowly degraded your poor mind over time.

"Your smile is weird"

"Your cheeks are too fat"

"Hey, can you quit laughing for a bit? You look ugly as hell hahah"

"It's the freak"

With the girls? Oh it gets worse.

They wont shut up about how your features are grotesque and even downright disgusting.

That's odd, you just wanted to be friends with everyone, yet here you are being the center of ridicule— Being pushed out of every single chance to make genuine connection just because they didn't like the way you look.

Well.. It isn't too bad.

There's a boy in class who befriended you. He listened to every story you have and he even laughs at the jokes you make even if you have picked them up from everybody else. If you mimic the popular kids, everyone will like you more right?...

Right?

However that same boy you thought was your friend had been secretly mocking you with his popular friends. He had been making fun of you no matter how kind and outgoing you were with him.

From then on? You started to slowly isolate yourself from everyone.

But somehow, the bullying only got worse.

It was to the point that everyone laughs at you during class and teasing you whenever you try to participate in class. They make wild noises whenever it's your turn to report.

Everyone, everyone just wont stop hurting you.

How about the adults? Surely they will help?

"... Just, try to ignore them, yeah?" — Was the reply the adults with give.

That's funny, shouldn't teachers be taking your side? You're the one who is being wronged here. You're the one who is getting the cruel end of these so called jokes.

Why is everyone making fun of you?

Even outside of the classroom and in the schoolbus— The kids younger and older than you are all a bunch of jerks who gaslight you everytime you try to be friendly with them.

One day, you decided to please everyone and sit on the floor because the pretty girls and the boys deserve it. The reward of your obedience?

Water gets poured on the top of your head and they all cackle in joy.

You went home soaking that day, sobbing miserably as your bag's contents are also drowning in water. Of course, your family confronted the school.

But the solution? Somehow eveything goes fucking downhill even more.

You're pushed out of all social circles. You're considered a goddamn freak.

And thus, the once bubbly and outgoing you had been stripped down to an anti-social and anxious loser that everyone despises. Anyone who comes across you would look at you with either pity or ridicule.

In the end? It doesn't matter anymore.

At some point, you completely gave up on trying to be friends with anyone and chose to keep to yourself. Maybe you had a few they all left overtime.

So you chose to just... Keep to yourself. What better is there to protect your already battered heart than to make sure nobody dares come close?

If being alone is what it takes to finally have the peace you've been longing for and can avoid all sense of harm— Then so be it.

Alone may you be, but at least you're happy.

꒰ .... ꒱

Meeting you is quite odd for Jinwoo so to speak. Of course, he is well aware of anti-social people who actively avoid any sort of interaction. Even small talk is considered a pure living nightmare to go through.

He tried being friendly with you and Jinwoo can tell no matter how polite and meek you are— You are actively trying to escape the conversation and find ways to shut it off.

Well, he could always leave you alone. But somehow he didn't want to. So even if you were uncomfortable, Jinwoo always attempted to be friends with you.

Slowly, he would notice the little things about you.

Such as your hair being grown in a way that obscures your little face, how you're dressed in thick clothes just to hide your body, how you're always choosing to stand alone in a corner where there is a least amount of students.

He knew of that fact that you're making yourself more and more invisible to everyone else by doing this. And he had an inkling something has gone terribly wrong for you to be this willing to isolate yourself.

Even when he managed to make you warm up to him, he knew you were desperate in making sure you don't offend him in any sort of way. He can see that way your demeanour would change if his tone shifts to a lazier and deeper sound out of nowhere.

You're studying his every movement.

Just like he is studying you.

꒰ .... ꒱

One day, he managed to convince you to come with him to go to the mall. Everything is currently boring and dull for him since there isn't much to do on the last week of the semester thanks to both of you handing everything on time. The only reason why school is still ongoing are for those students that are on the path of repeating the grade.

Everything was going well until you find yourself staring at your own reflection in a mirror.

How grotesque.

Those godforsaken awful cheeks you have, the shape of your eyes being so infuriating to look at, how pathetically built you are, how overall unappealing your appearance were.

If you could just run your cutters all of your fucking face maybe you'd be fixed.

This is why you hated mirrors so much.

They remind you of the disgustingly horrid image you have. Mirrors have a talent of showing the god awful being one is.

Because they don't lie.

These objects are made to reflect the person facing them. Despite being mouthless beings, you always had a feeling these fucking things are mocking you just for existing yourself.

Maybe you should scratch your cheek? That way you can shape them down even more—

"Don't look there." A soft, gentle deep voice calls out as a hand stretched out to block your line of sight towards the mirror.

When you look up, you are only met with a pair of kind grey orbs gazing at you as he says; "How about we go to the park instead?"

Jinwoo then moves his hand to grasp yours, squeezing it a little before guiding you out of the place.

꒰ .... ꒱

The walk in the empty park is silent and awkard, your footsteps being the only source of noise as you trail behind Jinwoo's tall and broad back.

"Sorry..." You say, lowering your head as you paused in your steps. "I ruined your shopping day."

"I was getting bored anyway, it's fine" He shrugs, waving his hand dismissively.

"Still," You purse your lips, feeling even more awful since you know Jinwoo is just being kind to you.

"You're always working hard to not make me mad, it wouldn't hurt to be a bit mean sometimes" Jinwoo reaches over to mess up your head.

"You... Are very aware of what I did before, yet you're still nice to me?"

Ah yes, that story, that story where you sent a kid limping in the hallways leaving a trail of blood from his bleeding nose. He finds it a little funny that you think you would scare him, the same bastard who put monarchs at their graves and sending god's army packing when they tried to pull another bullshit in his regression.

Still, it is awfully cute of you in his mind.

"I don't know what they did to you, or what they said that you're this anxious and afraid of ever offending me— But I only care about making you happy." He then becomes a bit flustered as he realized his own words. "W-well, I mean, hahah... That sounds so bad, I just,... Er... You're pretty cute when you smile so—"

Jinwoo stopped talking as he feels you suddenly throwing your arms around him.

"Hey..." He sighs, rubbing your back gently as he feels your tears soaking up his hoodie.

Being called cute by someone like him feels unreal, but somehow you can tell he isn't lying or just saying it to say something. Jinwoo for one has never lied to you, sure, he keeps things to himself most of the time. But he never lied.

So it's okay to trust him, right? it's okay to give him your heart even for just a little bit? With him, it feels like you;re healing a part of yourself that got broken overtime due to the bullying and isolation you had to put yourself through just so you can make sure no one can hurt you ever.

Jinwoo could only cradle you, sighing deeply as his rough fingers card through your strands affectionately. He should've reached out sooner.

Just from the raw, unfiltered and broken sobs that you are emitting— He can tell your cries are an amalgamation of sorrow, pain and loneliness that has long been brewing throughout the years of no solace.

"Joonwoo, Ae-yeong, Hajoon, Beom-shik, Eun-ae" He starts listing a bunch of names and ten other more.

Names familiar to you.

"Those are their names, right?" Jinwoo asks softly, receiving a soft nod from you.

He keeps your head firmly pressed against his shoulder as his face contorts that of pure malice. The undead soldiers hiding inside his shadows stir and whine a bit as they sense their master's temper coming to a close boiling point.

"I hope they enjoyed their sleep these past few days, a hellscape nightmares will be coming their way after all."

꒰ 🪼 A/N: I could've been more graphic but I chose to be merciful and choose this. There's more but ehnnn,,, I wanna play hollow knight immed rn<33. To everyone who is suffering from ptsd and body dysmorphia please know you are beautiful and perfect just the way you are. It'll take a long while to heal but you're not alone and never should be. Please surround yourself with happiness and cute things. ꒱

ʚ(੭´͈ ᐜ `͈)੭ .｡✧: ~♡ —! stories written by kyunnie; translations, reposts, plagiarism are strictly forbidden.

[threeacttragedy]

Entry 19: The One Where I Perform Mis-Directed as a Three Act Comedy, Act II

“Before you started the bumpers cars act, for the record unless you’re eight years old trying to make your dolls kiss, smashing your teeth together is not an ideal approximation of romance.”

“And [Hattie’s] gaze fell to [Anthony’s], felt as if somehow it was attached to his, as if there were filaments between them hooking together every time their glances connected.”

“Maybe there had already been the faintest glimmer of this horrifying attachment even then. His first steps on a map to a very unexpected destination but somehow it still felt as if there’d been no warning at all. As if a thousand insignificant moments and incidents had quietly woven together until one day he’d turned and he’d fallen and he’d been caught by a net of those impossibly unbreakable threads which he hadn’t realized existed.”

“…[Anthony] was not a touchy-feely person… But when he and Hattie, when their characters had kissed each other into the wall, he’d almost purred against her like a damn cat.”

“It was a closed set this morning so thankfully a very minimal number of crew personnel…On the flip side, the team reserved this level of set closure, basically a skeleton crew, for only the most explicit scenes and semi-nudity.”

“But she never had to worry in the past about being more involved in the dance than she ought to be. Not once had she arranged herself in a castmate’s arms and felt as if they were doing something truly, genuinely intimate…"

“Quite clearly the issue here was her scene partner and the potential for an amped up repeat of what had happened last time. Hard nipples, damp thighs, and a heart trying to burst out of her chest, all from a fully clothed screen kiss. This time, they’d both be all but naked, writhing on a bed, gasping, grinding, sighing.”

“This mattress feels very sturdy.”

“The moment Iris bounces him into the mattress in episode 8..."

“If millions of people were going to watch her ride Anthony like a mechanical bull…”

“Stevie pointed at the ornate mirror near the bed. Her gesture a spectacular symphony of sarcasm. ‘As your pre-seduction routine appears to involve a great deal of hair flicking and smokey glances at yourself, have at it.’”

“Are you looking for something?”

“‘Falling buckets,’ Hattie said. ‘Or collapsing bedframes or beams coming loose…’”

“…when the floorboard beneath [Anthony’s] boot performed a preemptive strike. The wood tilted inwards, just enough to throw off his footing…and his full body weight surged forward. She could see later in hindsight that he had attempted to both shield her head and not crush her underneath him…"

“Anthony landed on his knees with a painful grunt but had barely hit the floor before he was at her side, touching the back of her head and her shaking shoulders. She just had time to register a little too much cool air on the backs of her thighs, then he was smoothing her skirts down protecting what remained of her dignity in an automatic gesture.”

“’Gentle, this bit,’ [Stevie] said. “Romantic, soft.”

“But in the ways that mattered, especially in the context of an intimate scene and the scripts that they all dreaded most, he’d been surprising. If she wanted to expand into the territory of actual truth, he’d been the most confusing, unsettling, and fun scene partner she’d had in four years.”

“They were still holding hands. They realized this simultaneously and let go immediately.”

“’She’s my baby,’ [Cassidy] explained as she turned the key in the ignition. ‘The first thing I ever treated myself to with my own money, and she’s been with me for the whole crazy ride.’ She patted the gear box fondly. ‘I could never part with Penelope.’”

When discussing the underdog love story on Leicester Square, Hattie commented, “If she were a viewer, she’d be shipping them hard.”

While Anthony and Hattie were looking at gravestones, one caught Hattie’s eye…

“The dates here coincided with the time period of Leicester Square… Below the words was a symbol of a V-shaped flying dove. At first glimpse, it strongly resembled two raised fingers.”

While reminiscing about growing up, Hattie recalled, “...her mother reading aloud to her from a battered old copy of The Magic Faraway Tree.”

“’Do you remember the day we first met,’ [Hattie] asked suddenly."

“In all honesty, no. His early days on various TV and film sets had all blurred into an archived jumble of long hours, interchangeable costars, despised hotel living. As difficult as it was to imagine now, he had no distinct memory of the very first time he had ever seen Hattie. Although, he might have a vague recollection of earrings shaped like miniature garden gnomes. He did, however, have a crystal-clear memory of the first time he’d actually seen Hattie with all that the emphasis on that word implied.”

“She’d obviously read the ‘no’ in his expression, and her smile widened.”

“’It was a Tuesday morning at Malvern Abbey.’”

“And now she felt excessively wrong sharing close whispering breaths with Patrick especially with Anthony sitting on a folding chair a few meters behind the camera awaiting his queue to slip in for the daydream portion of the scene, and currently watching their every move. His pose was typically lazy, one boot crossed over the other, his fingers tapping on the arm of the chair, but he hadn’t looked away from them once. Something in his demeanor had the usually easy-going Patrick antsy as hell, probably the twitching eyelid.”

“’A definite improvement,’ Stevie’s voice came from behind them, very dryly. ‘And if we’d actually started shooting yet, we could probably call it a day.’”

[drewswife]

summary: Rafe Cameron takes y/n golfing for the first time

warnings: fluff, s3 Rafe, y/n is lowkey ditzy in this

"Okay, okay, I think I've got this," you say, adjusting the tiny pink visor Rafe insisted you wear. You grip the golf club like it's a foreign object, which, honestly, it kind of is.

Rafe stands behind you, his hands gently covering yours. "Relax, sweetheart. It's just a swing. Don't think too much."

"Easy for you to say," you mutter, eyeing the golf ball with suspicion. "You've been doing this since you were in diapers."

"Alright, alright," he chuckles, stepping away slightly. "Just remember what I told you. Feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees a little, and keep your eye on the ball."

You try to mimic his stance, but end up wobbling precariously. "Are you sure this is how humans are supposed to stand?"

Rafe laughs, his arm snaking around your waist to steady you. "You're adorable," he whispers, his breath tickling your ear. "Now, focus."

Taking a deep breath, you try to remember his instructions. You swing the club back, but lose your balance and end up flailing wildly. Instead of a satisfying thwack, there's a pathetic thud as the club connects with the ground.

"Oops," you say sheepishly, offering Rafe an apologetic smile.

He bursts out laughing, but there's fondness in his eyes. "Don't worry, you'll get it eventually."

"I don't know," you sigh, feeling a bit discouraged. "Maybe I'm just not cut out for golfing."

"Nonsense," Rafe says, taking the club from you. "Here, let me show you something."

He demonstrates a perfect swing, the club connecting with the ball in a resounding crack. The ball soars through the air, landing impressively close to the hole.

"Wow," you breathe, genuinely impressed. "That was amazing."

"See?" Rafe says, grinning at you. "It's not that hard."

"Yeah, but you're a pro," you point out. "I'm just a beginner."

"Then let me teach you," he says, stepping closer. He places his hands on your waist, gently guiding you into the correct position. His touch sends shivers down your spine. "Just relax and feel the swing."

With his help, you manage to make contact with the ball, sending it flying a few yards down the fairway. It's not the most impressive shot, but it's a start.

"See? You're a natural," Rafe says, beaming at you.

"Maybe with a lot more practice," you admit, grinning back.

The rest of the afternoon is spent in a similar fashion. You shank a few shots, whiff completely a couple of times, but with Rafe's patient guidance, you start to improve. More importantly, you're having fun.

As the sun begins to set, you and Rafe walk hand-in-hand back to the clubhouse.

"Thanks for taking me golfing," you say, leaning your head on his shoulder. "I had a really great time."

"Anytime, baby," he says, kissing the top of your head. "Maybe we can make this a regular thing."

"I'd like that," you reply, smiling to yourself. Maybe golf wasn't so bad after all

a/n: for @chrissweetheart' and if there are spelling mistakes lmk!

taglist: @chrislilcumslvt @chrepsi

dividers by @bernardsbendystraws

[soraphic]

mean!remus lupin would take any excuse to fuck the attitude right out of you.

he would relish in the fact that the slytherin princess; descended from an extensive heritage of respect and noriety, one of the highest achieving students in his year — known specifically for giving Sirius Black a run for his money — and a temper so severe students cowered at the prospect of you turning a corner; was his obedient little slut behind closed doors.

he would love the way your sleek, dark hair cascaded over your shoulders like a shadowy cloak, the angular point of your features just visible under the dark shield of anonymity you kept — the same gorgeous hair he had wrapped tightly around his fist while you gagged eagerly on his cock in the odd broom closet or tucked away behind a bookcase when you just couldn't wait.

though his friends could never understand his amusement toward you; seeing that, in their eyes, you were the wickedest bitch they'd ever met; he would find a certain air of fun in the way you'd berate him in public, finding it all the more enticing when he'd drag your arse right back into line later.

"It's coulis. They don't have that where you're from?" you'd snap, your mossy eyes staring at him with certain animosity while your lips were pulled into a deep grimace of disgust.

while James & Sirius both scowled at you defensively, Remus would simply flick his spoon into the blood red mixture, aiming directly for the emerald green of your tie and showering the fabric in hot pink splotches; "'guess not."

you'd scoff at the action, petulantly trying to wipe the steady forming stain with the back of your hand— "It's like jam. It goes with cakes."

It had been the most conversation you'd ever allowed Remus to get out of you in a public setting, despite your visible display of faux detest for him, he excited himself at the prospect; and the way he would use it to taunt you after hours.

he adored the way you'd slip into his dorm room late into the night following the interaction, bodies working like clockwork as his slender fingers wrapped tightly around the back of your throat, forcing your head deeper into the pillow and delighting in the way your little ass perked up at him.

his silky voice would whisper cruel rhetorics into your ear, his sick words dripping with lust— "Not so gobby now are you,baby?"

he'd pull you roughly by the hair connecting to the base of your scalp, making you cry out as your back hit his chest; and he'd laugh meanly at the pathetic little noise you made— "Who's daddy's good girl,hm?" he'd punctuate with a particularly hard thrust, getting a good look at the way your face contorted with a mix of delicious pain and pleasure; the thrill of enjoying something you knew was forbidden.

and if at any point you'd refrain from answering, his short tempered self would be quick to fuck an answer out of you; "Answer me, doll. You like when daddy fucks you like this?"— and he'd only let up with a satisfied groan at the way you'd painfully wail a 'yes,remus!'; addressing him properly so that everyone within a mile radius of his dorm room knew exactly who you belonged to.

[morgana-larkin]

Alright, the anticipated chapter 4 of ‘Just Tired’! All of youse were very excited for this chapter so I hope it delivers what you want. Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Just Tired - Part 4

Warnings: Manipulative relationship, swearing

Words: 3.9k

Melissa is putting dinner on the plates when Joe gets home. He walks into the kitchen and gives her a kiss before getting a beer from the fridge.

“Guess what? A couple friends are coming with us to the bar tomorrow to watch the game with us.” Joe says with a smile.

“It couldn’t have been just us?” Melissa asks him.

“Course not, watching the cowboys get their asses whooped is better with other people there with you.” Joe tells her and she hands him one of the plates.

“I guess.” Melissa tells him as they make it to the table and they start eating. “Oh, I’m getting a dyslexic kid in my class this year. I’m gonna be able to help a little girl the same way I was helped.” She excitedly tells him.

“Cool.” He tells her, completely disinterested. Melissa’s smile immediately turns into a frown and she just continues eating.

Melissa wakes up the next morning around 7 and she gets up and gets ready for the day. She’s writing a grocery list while eating some scrambled eggs and bacon when Joe comes down.

“So I was thinking we can head to the bar for 6.” He tells her and she nods.

“Sounds good.” She says and continues eating.

They get through the weekly chores and groceries before Melissa hops in the shower around 3. She puts on her jersey, and then she goes downstairs and goes to reheat the leftovers while Joe is finishing up getting ready. They both eat and then head to the bar and they get there just after 6. They order two beers and then his friends show up. Melissa decides to just sit in a booth alone while watching the game. 20 minutes into the game she orders another beer.

“Melissa?” She hears and turns around to see you there, wearing an Eagles jersey.

“Hey Y/n.” She says and then turns to the bartender and orders another beer. “Are you here to watch the game as well?” She asks and you nod.

“I came with a…sort of friend… but she’s currently making out with a man right now.” You say and point to them.

“I came here with Joe and he invited his friends.” She tells you and you look to see Joe there, having a drink and having fun with his friends.

“And you look like you’re having fun being here.” You tell her playfully and she smiles and then takes a sip. “Can I get some nachos please?” You ask the bartender and he nods before getting your order. “Thank you.” You say as you get your order and pay. “Want some?” You ask Melissa and she smiles before taking a chip. You hear some cheering happening and see the Eagles scored another touchdown.

“So what makes that girl a sort of friend?” Melissa asks you.

“I went on a date with her two months ago, there was zero connection, and to be nice I said we could be friends. And many people say this but don’t actually mean it. So I was surprised when she just randomly asked me if I wanted to come here today to watch the game. I hope she just forgets about me after today.” You explain and she nods as she takes another chip.

“Melissa, did you see that touchdown!?!?” Melissa hears and Joe comes up to her.

“Ya, of course I saw it.” She says and fakes a smile.

“Who are you?” Joe asks you as he sees that you and Melissa were talking.

“I’m Y/n, I’m Melissa's coworker.” You tell him politely.

“Melissa has never mentioned a coworker named Y/n.” He says as he looks between you and Melissa.

“Well it’s my first year there, I teach second grade as well.” You explain.

“Melissa, you don’t talk to newbies.”

“We teach the same grade, Joe, I’m gonna have to talk to her sometimes.” She tells him. Joe looks at you and you seem to be looking at Melissa with a smile while Melissa is taking a sip of her beer. He then gets Melissa to turn around and he kisses her on the lips and you look down, disappointed. “You never kissed me in public before.” She says to him and he shrugs.

“Felt like it.” He says. “By the way, one of the guys suggested that the next game could be at our house.” He says. “I think that’s a great idea so I said yes.”

“What? No. Why does it have to be at our place?” She asks.

“Come on, don’t be so controlling.” He says.

“I’m not, but you didn’t ask me first if I’m ok with that.” She tells him and then Melissa sees you watching out of the corner of her eye. “Alright, I’m sorry.” She says and then he gives her a kiss before going back to his friends. You see Melissa let out a sigh and you order 2 shots of vodka.

“Here. Looks like you need it.” You say as you hand her one. She looks at you and you offer her a smile before she takes it, cheers with you and then takes the shot.

“Thanks.” She says softly.

“He seems nice.” You tell her sarcastically and she looks down. “Why did you apologise?”

“Because I told him no and I shouldn’t have.” She says.

“You didn’t do anything wrong though, you didn’t need to apologise. He agreed to have it at your house without asking you first, you have a right to say no.” You tell her sternly and she looks at you and sighs.

She then orders 2 more shots and gives you one. You both take the shot and then you continue eating the nachos as you occasionally sip your alcoholic drink. An hour later and you order another pair of shots for you as you see her keep looking at Joe with sad eyes.

“Hey, forget him for now. He brought his friends with him and isn’t thinking about you right now.” You tell her bluntly and hand her the shot and she cheers with you before quickly taking the shot.

“You know, you’re more fun than I thought you’d be.” She tells you, slurring a bit.

“Really? I think I’m quite fun, even at school. I mean I don’t take anything seriously, you said so yourself.” You tell her and she chuckles. You then order more nachos and some water to help balance out the alcohol. “You know I still don’t know what you see in him, I still think he’s an ass.” You tell her and she shrugs.

“I fell in love with him, simple as that.” She says and you nod.

“Do you still love him?” You suddenly ask with the help of liquid courage.

“Of course I do, I-if I didn’t love him then I wouldn’t be with him.” She tells you, and it sounds like she’s trying to convince herself more than you. The Eagles then score another touchdown and Melissa sees Joe high-fiving his friends and cheering. You feel bad for her in that moment and without thinking, you grab a hold of her hand. She immediately gasps and pulls her hand back and looks at you confused. “What was that for?” She asks you, she isn’t angry, just confused.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I just feel bad that your husband is having fun with his friends and leaving you alone.” You tell her and she looks down.

“I don’t get much physical touch, or apologies.” She tells you while still looking down.

“What? He’s able to resist keeping his hands off of you?” You ask her, surprised and confused. “If I had a girl as hot as you then I wouldn’t be able to stop touching her.” You tell her and she looks up at you and sees you’re being genuine.

“Thank you.” She tells you softly and you nod with a smile. You both don’t notice that Joe is watching the interaction and furrows his eyebrows.

The game ends a couple hours later and you can tell Melissa is tipsy, maybe even drunk from about 5 beers and 3 vodka shots.

“Ready to go Mel?” Joe asks her and Melissa looks at you with a smile.

“I had fun, I’ll see you Monday.” She tells you and you nod.

“See you Monday, Melissa.” You say and smile back at her. You watch as her and Joe walk out and you see Joe squeeze her ass and you give a disgusted face at Joe being like that to her in public.

Melissa and Joe get home and Melissa stumbles a bit into him as she giggles. He then pushes her up against the door.

“Oof.” Melissa says and grabs onto his arms.

“Were you flirting with that girl?” He asks her and she looks at him.

“Who?”

“Y/n.” He simply says and she shakes her head.

“No, we were just hanging out.” She says and gets close to his face. Joe then picks her up and gets her to put her legs around him. He then kisses her roughly and she lets out a squeak before wrapping her arms around him. He then brings her into the bedroom while stripping her clothes off.

Melissa spends Sunday morning with a slight hangover and then she goes downstairs around noon when she doesn’t feel like the sun is blasting in her eyes.

“I see you’re alive.” Joe tells her a bit loud and she groans.

“Not so loud please.” She tells him and he chuckles.

“You drank quite a bit with that new teacher.” He tells her.

“Ya, we had a couple shots.” She says and sits down on the couch beside him.

“Do you remember everything that happened yesterday?” He asks her and she nods.

“Of course, from the moment we got there right up until we had sex.” She tells him and he nods.

On Monday, you pull up to her place on your bike and you put it in the backyard before knocking on her door.

“Hey Y/n.” She says with a smile and swings her keys around her finger as she walks up to her car.

“You look good.” You tell her as you see a low cut pink top and leather pants.

“Thanks.” She says and both of you get in the car. She decides to listen to music today and you watch as she sings along happily.

“You’re in a good mood today.” You tell her.

“I get to meet my little eagles today.” She tells you and you smile.

“Of course you call them little eagles.” You say and she winks at you before turning the music up and you both sing along. You pull up to the parking lot and you already see some students waiting outside.

“They only show up early on the first day.” She tells you and you nod before walking up to them. About 15 minutes later, you’re talking to Janine and Jacob when someone calls out your name.

“Looking for a Ms. Y/l/n.” This man says and you think he works in the front office.

“Yes? That’s me.” You say and he looks at you before telling 4 kids that you’re their teacher. “Hey kiddos. I’m Ms. Y/l/n and I’m going to be your teacher this year.” You tell them with a big smile and you don’t notice Melissa staring at you. “You know, for me, second grade was much better than first grade.” You tell them and then 3 other kids are brought to you.

“Hello my little eagles.” You hear Melissa say and you look at her. “I think I’ve seen some of you here since kindergarten.” She tells them. Melissa then checks her list and sees that she’s got all her students. “Alright my little eagles, ready to see the classroom and pick your seats?” She asks them and they nod before she goes inside and she passes you by and smiles at you.

You get 13 more students handed to you and then you see you got all 20 of your students.

“Alright, line up and let’s get inside and in the air conditioning.” You tell your students and they line up. You bring them inside and lead them to the classroom. “Alright, and this will be your classroom for the year.” You say and they go inside. “Pick whatever seat you want.” You tell them and they all pick a seat. “I’m just going to do attendance first to be absolutely sure.” You tell them and then start going through the names. You go through all of them and realise you’re missing one but you have 20 names on the list and 20 students. “Who did I not call out?” You ask and you see a student raise their hand. “And what’s your name?”

“Amaya.” She says and you check your list and don’t see her there.

“Well it’s lovely to meet you but I don’t think you’re supposed to be in my class.” You tell her and she shakes her head. “Do you know where you’re supposed to be?” You ask her.

“In Mrs. Schemmenti’s class.” She says and looks down.

“Why are you sad about that? Mrs. Schemmenti is an amazing teacher and person.”

“My friend isn’t in her class.” She tells you and she points to her friend.

“I’m sorry about that but I do have to bring you back.” You tell her and then step out of your classroom for a second. “Mr Johnson, perfect, can you watch my class for a minute, I need to bring one to Mrs. Schemmenti’s class.” You tell him and he nods before you go back into your classroom. “Ok Amaya, let’s go.” You say and she walks up to you and she takes your hand. You walk across the hall to Melissa’s classroom and you knock on the door. Melissa opens it a few seconds later and smiles when she sees you.

“Ms. Y/l/n, I was just about to come see you. I have one of your students.” She tells you.

“What a coincidence cause I have one of yours. This is Amaya.” You tell her and she looks at her.

“Welcome to my class Amaya, why don’t you go find an empty seat. Gracie can you come up here with your things?” She tells one of the students. Amaya goes to take a seat and Melissa looks at you. “It’s not a coincidence, the two of them agreed on a swap to be with their friends.” She tells you and you hum.

“I wonder why I never thought to do that when I was their age.” You tell her and she snorts, then a young girl comes up to you both.

“Gracie, this is Y/l/n, your teacher this year.” She tells the student and Gracie looks at you.

“Sorry about swapping places on you.” She tells you both.

“That’s alright but we gotta go to the classroom, I left the janitor in charge.” You tell the student and then you grab her hand. “See you later Ms. Schemmenti.” You tell her and then walk back to your class. “Alright Gracie, go and find your seat.” You tell her and she finds the empty desk and sits down. “Alright class, how about we start by going around the room and saying your name? I’ll start. My name is Y/n Y/l/, but you can call me Ms. Y/l/n.” You tell them and you miss Melissa glancing at you while interacting with your students.

You get your class to line up a few hours later so you can bring them to the caf for lunch. You and Melissa end up bringing them at the same time so you both just walk your classes together.

“How was your morning newbie?” She asks you as you both walk to the caf with your classes.

“Good so far. Did a few welcome games, did some drawings and even story time.” You tell her and she smiles.

“That’s good.” She says and you both reach the caf and drop your students off. You make sure that everyone has a lunch before you and Melissa both head to the lounge.

“You know we did a couple of name games and I still can’t remember anyone’s name.” You tell her and she chuckles.

“Give it a week or two of having to tell people to quiet down and you’ll know everyone’s names.” She says and you smile.

“Good to know. How was your morning?” You ask her.

“Kids are so excited to see their friends again and not too keen on paying attention. So it’s been good.” She says and smiles. “By the way, I wanted to thank you for showing me a good time on Saturday.” She tells you and you shrug.

“You know I shouldn’t have had to. Your husband should have included you since you went together.” You tell her and she hums.

“Well whether he should have or not, I appreciate that you did.” She tells you and you nod.

“Anytime.”

“Careful, or I might take you up on that.” She says playfully as you reach the break room.

“Well it’s good that I really do mean it then.” You say and she chuckles. You both enter the break room and everyone stares at the fact that you both seem to be having, not just a civil conversation, but a playful one.

“How on earth did you make friends with Melissa in a week?” Jacob asks as you sit down.

“Not friends, just acquaintances.” You say and turn to Melissa. “Actually, is it safe to call you an acquaintance, Melissa?” You ask her and she turns to look at you and thinks about it.

“I mean you do know my favourite colour so ya, I guess you could call us that.” She tells you with a smile before turning back around and talks with Barb.

Everyone gets up to go get their class as lunchtime is ending and you and Melissa end up walking beside each other.

“So any plans for the afternoon with your class?” You ask her.

“Yep, I’m going to give them a paper of animals and get them to name them.” She tells you.

“Awww, that sounds cute. I loved learning about all the animals in school.” You tell her and she shakes her head at you.

“You really are an enigma.” She says and you shrug.

“I did warn you about that.” You say as you both reach your classes outside. “Ok class, we’re gonna be spelling numbers and then we’ll play a game after.” You tell them and they cheer at the game part. “Amaya, back to Schemmenti’s class.” You tell her as you see her sneaking in your line with her friend.

“Nice catch.” Melissa says to you before she brings her class inside and you smile.

At the end of the day, you’re helping a student with their laces and then stand up and their mother comes up to get them.

“Sorry about that, still teaching him laces. Probably should have gotten Velcro.” She tells you and you smile.

“Not a problem, he’s gotta learn sometime right?” You say and the parent smiles and nods.

“I suppose so.” She says.

“My name is Janice, and I guess you're my son’s teacher.” She says and you shake her head.

“That I am, I’m Ms. Y/l/n.” You say and then say goodbye to your student and him and the parent leaves.

“Wow, you seem to just catch everyone’s attention.” Melissa says from her door frame.

“Must be my awkward personality.” You say and she chuckles.

“Must be.” She says and says goodbye to the last student. She then goes to grab her things and locks her door before turning towards you. “Ready to go?” She asks and you nod.

“Yep.” You say as you lock your door.

“So how do you feel after your first day?” She asks you.

“I feel great. My students are amazing and completely adorable. And I seem to have caught my coworker’s attention enough that she considers us acquaintances.” You tell her and she giggles.

“Well you met my husband and you know my favourite colour, isn’t that acquaintance status information?” She says and you laugh.

“I guess so.” You tell her as you reach the parking lot. You turn to look at her at the same time she does and you both lock eyes and you see a certain shine in them that you haven’t before. “I love the colour of your eyes.” You say in a complete trance and her breath hitches. You then snap out of your trance just as quickly as you entered it and realise what you said. “Oh god, I’m so sorry. I don’t know where that came from. I mean, you do have beautiful eyes but… I’m just digging a bigger hole for myself.” You ramble and Melissa just laughs.

“You’re adorable.” She says and she unlocks the car and doesn’t realise the effect she has on you when she said that to you. “Thank you for the compliment.” She adds as you both get in.

“Well you’re very easy to compliment.” You say and she looks at you and sees you’re being genuine.

“Why do you give me lots of compliments?” She asks you with a tilt of her head.

“Because I want to.” You simply say and she looks at you. “And with the way you look, you have definitely earned them.” You add and you miss the blush on her face as she turns to face the road. Melissa drives you both to her place and you go and get your bike. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” You tell her as you put your helmet on. “And I will survive this year and come back next year.” You say with a smile.

“We’ll see about that.” She tells you and you walk up to her as an idea pops in your head.

“Well how about we make a bet?” You ask her and she quirks an eyebrow at you.

“Well you certainly have my attention.” She says.

“That was about as far as I got. I honestly didn’t know if you’d agree to it.” You tell her and she chuckles.

“I never pass up a bet.” She tells you as she’s leaning on her car. “How about if you don’t come back next year or don’t survive the year then you take me to a candy store and I can get whatever I want.” She tells you and think about it.

“Ok sounds good. But if I win then I get to film you saying that I was right and you were wrong and also seal it with a kiss on the cheek.” You tell her and you hold your hand out. You see her think about it for a second before shaking your hand, sealing the bet.

“Deal.” She says and you wink at her before turning around and walk to your bike. You glance at her before getting on your bike and bike to your place.

Melissa watches as you get further and further away before she lets out a sigh. She then feels a slight happiness near her heart, one that she hasn’t felt in a long time. She lets out a breath after she realises what the feeling is and then looks at where you just were a minute ago. “Fuck.”

Taglist: @esposadejoyhuerta

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Let me know if you want to be added!

[jjsloverre]

bsf!jj asking you to be his girlfriend!

in which… jj takes sweetheart out to an arcade to ask her to be his girlfriend!

contains… cursing, ultimate fluff, and a TINY bit of smut, unprotected p in v (don’t do this), handjob & that’s it i hope! (not proofread)

__________________________________________________________

today was the day. today was the day jj would finally ask you to be his girlfriend. after waiting for years to do it, today he wouldn’t chicken out, you both would finally be happy.

“baby! hurry up we got 20 minutes!” jj yelled from downstairs. “i’m coming love!” you hurried downstairs. “holy fuck you look like a goddess.” jj murmured, kissing you while you walked out the house.

the drive to the arcade was bliss. you and jj were rambling about school, homework, work, anything that came to mind? oh yeah you talked about it. “so jayj?” you started. he looked at you for a second. “what’s up baby?” you took his free hand and fiddled with it, finally intertwining your hands together. “i’m happy to be with you, like a lot. i couldn’t ask for anything more and i already love this date bunches.”

jj looked at you with pure love and adoration. “y’know i adore you? everything about you just, makes me wanna protect you from the world. keep you in your tiny little love bubble you always got goin on, it’s just so sweet and precious.” your heart soared at his loving words. while the red light was active, you leaped into jj’s arms for a few kisses and sat back down. “i love you so much jayj.”

“i love you more sweetheart.”

jj took your hand into the arcade, buying the tokens and the gaming card for you both to play. “alright mama, what’s first?” he asked, while paying. “definitely basketball, you’re getting your ass kicked!” you say excitingly. “love your confidence baby.” he smirked, and took you to an available basketball hoop. “jayj this is gonna be so fun!!” you exclaimed, already swiping your card. “how much money did you put on here again?”

“don’t get mad but like there’s a good 500 points on there or some shit.”

“jj! that’s almost 200 dollars!” you screamed. you hated when jj blew almost a full check on you. “baby, it’s alright it’s worth it.” you sighed, he would continue to fight about it and you knew that. “okay fine, but next date is on me.”

“ok baby, whatever you’d like.” as you both played basketball and a ton of other games, you finally took a break for food. “baby!” you squeal. “can we pleaseeeee share a funnel cake?”

jj smiled and nodded. “yes ma’am we can. here, take my card and go buy it. i’ll get us a table and get whatever drinks you want ok?” you nod, and take his card. “do you want any specific drink?” jj shook his head. “get me anything you wanna get me, whatever you want sweetheart.”

“okay!” you walk to concession stand and order your food and drinks. you walk back a few minutes later and hand him his favorite drink. “there you go my baby!” jj’s heart swelled with love as you spoke and sat his drink down. “thank you beautiful.” even though pda wasn’t typically allowed, jj sat you in his lap and fed you some of your shared funnel cake. “taste good?” you nod. “wonderful.”

“how many more games do you wanna play baby?” he asked.

“ou ou! can we do one of those car games and we should do the go kart racing! and after that laser tags and then-” he cut you off immediately. “alright baby let’s just go and you can lead me to anything you want to do next.” you squealed in excitement. “let’s go!”

after another two hours, jj took you home and you both shared a shower. “finally! i’m so happy to be home i’m tired.” you yelled. “not done yet baby, i’m takin you out to dinner.”

“haha funny joke jj, you’ve spent enough money.”

“not a joke. i rented the whole restaurant just for us so we’re doing this.” you rolled your eyes. “fine jayj.” you and jj’s lips connected in the shower, sharing a passionate kiss. “mm love you.” he mumbled into the kiss. “love you more sweetie.” i reach down to stroke your hardening cock. “do y’like that baby?”

“i love it ma. cmon keep goin.” jj broke the kiss and buried his face into your neck, letting out needy whimpers. “my baby, you’re being such a good boy for me.” jj lets out another whimper, grabbing onto your plump ass. “fuck baby.. i can’t- i won’t last much longer.” you sped up your movements, cupping his heavy balls and squeezing just right. “f-fuck baby shit!” jj moaned into your neck, erratically thrusting into your fist.

with one more squeeze to his balls, jj came undone. in a swift movement, jj slipped his throbbing cock into your wet folds, his tip kissing your entrance. he pushed forward. “fuck baby i’m so sorry i need this..” you nodded happily and squeezed jj’s throbbing cock in more and more until he came, hard. he held you close while he emptied his load inside of your greedy cunt. “that’s a good boy.” cmon, we gonna get ready!”

“ma! i want you to cum though!” suddenly, jj felt your walls clamp down hard on his cock, realizing you did in fact cum. he moaned loudly and came one more time, giving you one more greedy load. “fuck baby, best sex i’ve had.”

“take it you liked it?”

“fuck yeah i did. now get ready for me, wear that red dress in your closet.”

you nod, putting the dress on after you get out of the shower. once you stepped out, jj looked at you in awe. “fuck yes baby! you look amazing! come on! i have so much shit planned for us.”

as you arrived at the restaurant, you immediately cling onto jj. “hey sweet girl, you’re alright.” he coaxed. he started to lead you to your seats and you both ordered. “pops is out of town again, so i can have you over and cuddle you.”

“exactly what i needed jayj.”

you and jj talked about random things for an hour, eating your food and happy overall, until he dropped a bombshell.

“so sweetheart.” he started. you turned your attention to him, letting him caress your thighs. “i didn’t think there was any better way to do this. i want you to be my girlfriend baby. the real deal, not this ‘friends with benefits’ shit. i need you, i need you like i need to breathe air or whatever they say. i just know… i just know that i’m in love with you and you’re where i belong, so will you make me the happiest man on this earth and allow me to be your boyfriend?” to your surprise he pulled out a small diamond ring. “now this, cost me my whole paycheck and more but it was overall worth it. and i think nobody deserves happiness more than you do.”

you cried pure happy tears. you threw yourself in his arms and cried. “i would love that! i want you to be mine!” jj captured your lips in a slow, sensual kiss. he poured his love and devotion into the kiss. “i love you so much.” jj muttered. “and i love you more maybank. always and forever.” with that, you leaned into the kiss more, celebrating your new love with the man you always dreamed of.

__________________________________________________________

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a/n: lmk if you guys want a fic of them getting married (like a time skip 3 years later & they get married & have a child) but yeah lmk if you want that in a few days!

more bsf!jj x sweetheart!reader here!

__________________________________________________________

[contamination-zone]

warning im a yapper

hello ummm just wanted to say!!! i really like the dynamic you give fresh and nightmare/color with the whole “cat who goes to different houses to get fed twice” thing. nightmare and his weird cat that he has probably locked in a basement a few times. color and this guy he picked off the road because he looks weird and decided he can solve this mess. fresh does not have any strong personal feelings towards either of them.

i very much so like the comic thing where nightmare and ccino were talking about fresh and ccino thought he was a kitten cat,,, no he is not but he acts like one. “he keeps crawling on my lap” that is a grown man get him away!!!! he has a dog cage i think that he is put in sometimes for naughty behavior. he doesn’t really care because he’s allowed his gameboy though. do you think nightmare ever sprays him with water when he does something bad. and this is like a grown adult. what

maybe i just like the trope of dehumanization (bonus if with someone who’s weirdly chill with it like fresh) but whatever,,, your art!!!! it gives me life!!! i very much enjoy the pixely type style and how freak you draw fresh. he’s a fucking creature he is. something is wrong with that guy. and i love him soooo much. so creature. he’s the kind of guy to do that thing where you walk on all fours up the stairs.

AND the way you characterize him is!!!! so good!!!!!!!!! he is so fucked up and weird and terrible and manipulative!!!!!!! he takes advantage of others’ empathy and feelings because he has very little of it himself and whenever he does feel it he does not like it!!!!!!! he looks at a guy with a savior complex and goes yeah i can mentally fuck him up for the next seven months to get something cool i want. he’s just actually terrible and i love him for that.

i also!!! don’t know too much about CB but i feel that fresh’s dynamic with them (him?? i forgor) is very interesting from what i have seen!!!!!! and their shimeji is very cute i still need to download it but i like it a lot :3

OKAY UHHH BYE!!!!! I LIKE UR ART A LOT…… HAVE A GOOD DAY!!!!!! 10/10 fresh posting on your blog love him a lot he is my wife (he feels nothing towards me)

THANK YOU!!! I see you mass reblog things sometimes it makes me giggle :-]

I yammer back...

Glad you like the dynamics haha X] Fresh having very little personal feelings about people is fun and interesting to me. As someone who has trouble connecting and low empathy, its nice to depict someone like me. [Guy interacting with people who are a Lot more invested than he is ghghg]

Fresh would only accept being put in the cage because he can teleport out. Anything like that is only for the Aesthetic, which I think Nightmare would still be down for. Shove that thang into some awful little crate, as a treat. [Honestly I think Fresh would like to get in some nice dog crate with a blankie. Small hide / den thing to nap in :-]]

ALSOOOO dehumanization and freak who doesn't mind is my favorite dynamic <333. Fresh doesn't mind because... he isn't a monster? or a human? And he doesn't have a human/monster centric view of the world. Being seen as a human/monster isn't in anyway important to him, because he doesn't seen it as better/worse. He is the way he is, why does it matter?

Its like, I don't think a cat has very strong opinions on the fact it isn't a man. I also think Fresh is incredibly self-centered and when he's on a high point, sees himself as above humans/monsters. Of course he's not seen as human, he's Fresh! he's a sick-nasty parasite! way cooler. [annnddd way cooler that he gets to eat dog-treats. heck yeah!!]

Also I drew up a little thing with CB and Fresh. Its ahh, I like them a lot I just get nervous speaking about them because its suuuch a oc & canon are besttties that it makes me feel a bit cringe... I also get nervous because CB and Fresh have a very, toxic?? friendship.

Fresh is very possessive and strange about it, because this is his Only friend and he has very dysregulated emotions. Not being able to feel positive emotions often makes it so when he does, he gets very odd about it. So its a lot of... trying to keep CB to himself, at the detriment to CB's goals and ambitions. [CB is trying to track his family down, and Fresh uh. knows. where they are. and is not telling him :-)]

I dunno I think Fresh being genuinely friends with someone but also an awful person about it is like, sorely missing from the fandom landscape. He's a bad person but bad people can still form meaningful relationships and!!! I think that should be explored :-]

[They do eventually get somewhere more healthy. As in, Fresh's whole Thing is revealed, a lot of shinanigans happen, CB lives with his family and Fresh and CB reconnect and become friends again, just with like. Fresh trying actively to do "good person things" to make sure CB's family doesn't shoo him off [I ADOREEE good actions for morally ambiguous reasons!!!], and CB with the understanding that his best friend is Kinda a Freak.]

[jeffrrandell]

Explanation for the connection I made lol 👇

I'm gonna at least slightly explain Tord and Gravy being roommates. I'm not going to lie to you guys, this was a joke made because when my friends and I were watching "Technical Foul" from 8 Crazy Nights we were like "that's like if Tord crashed at Gravys house tbh" and then it turned into "Tord somehow becomes Gravys roommate after he leaves Edds house, for like maybe 2-3 years. And it's almost like a Disney movie. Tords just happy he has a place to stay, and he knows Gravy is just soooooo nice but man is he annoying. So he's not mean to him, he just is autistic and only ever likes Edd anyway basically. But he warms up to em. Gravy works a ton of jobs, and Tord cleans up around the house. And an odd but actually important detail is Gravy smokes weed (because of all of these jobs), and Tord took interest in that. Getting high together kinda made it easier for his nerves to be calmed down, and it made it easier for him to realize "oh Gravy is just a guy". Of course afterwards, Gravy turns back to jumpy goofy Gravy, but Tord learned to appreciate the energy. Tord and Blonzie were already slight acquaintances, actually before Tord met Gravy. Somehow for whatever reason Tord ends up at the auto shop he works at, probably asked about a pile of spare parts that looked like junk and Blonzie said "take em". So they had that for a while. They're mechanically intelligent together. Plus Tord finds his stunts REALLY cool, as he loves destruction too. He'd love to invent little things for him to try out. They also both have "I'm gonna be silent now" autism. Anyway, he never in his life expected for Gravy to be like "meet my boyfriend" and "oh whataya know, it's the guy that calls me Tiny and gives me spare parts". Not sure if it makes sense for Tord to still be living with Gravy when he gets with Blonzie or not, but either way they'd make a really weird fun trio. Gravy definitely opened up Tords weird side for him. Because Tord is just so closeted around everyone, even Edd didn't know a few secrets about him (for probably crush related reasons, intimidation.) But with Gravy, it sorta didn't matter to him what he told him. He'd listen, and I mean it's sad but. Gravys a huge loser who's pushed around EVERYDAY, and for a bit Tords view on that was "well he has it worse than I do so he can't judge me"

But yeah, they're friends lol

In a WTFuture timeline, this was also a joke that turned out to be something that we all kinda liked. I believe in Tord clone theory btw! Basically one day, Not Tord shows up to Gravys house one day. Reminder that if this is a bad timeline, Blonzie is dead sorry. But yeah Gravy notices something is off about him. Very off. Like, somehow this Tord knows Gravy would call him "buddy" buuut.. Tord never called HIM "buddy". Blah blah blah somehow Gravy is in the Red Army. And I don't mean as a soldier, the last thing Tord wants is for him to die actually. As in any timeline, Gravy will work a million jobs. And that's exactly what he does. I'm talking coffee runs and goofy shit like that. Because to me, yeah Red Leader is "WOAAHH crazy leader man scary he's taking over the world" but it's EDDSWORLD, so he's also "aw man. My helmet stinky" "play just dance with me I'm bored" like y'know. Before this concept, I was like "yup. Gravy is the first to die in this timeline" and then it turned into "Tord wants to keep him alive because he'd be dead bored without him"

And I'm serious it's gets so goofy. To a point where THIS Tord also opens up to Gravy, crying about Edd and being like "I'LL JUST GET RID OF ALL THE COKE IN THE WORLD I CANT LOOK AT IT ANYMORE!!" and then he's like "😲💡" and then Gravy talks about his feelings too.

Potentially as well, since Gravy is trained in medical, he could also technically take care of wounded soldiers and almost act as a doctor but ONLY back at headquarters, he's not allowed to go anywhere he'd be in danger. Anyways. Yup. My sick and twisted mind.

[izumkay]

~KNOTTED DESIRES~ |CH-4|

—SATORU GOJO

♡Pairing- SatoruGojo×Fem!Reader (main), Nanami×Reader.

♡Summary- As a new teacher, you step into the prestigious halls of a modern high school, ready to guide and inspire your students. But your plans take an unexpected turn when Satoru Gojo, a charismatic and self-assured senior, makes a move on you, challenging your boundaries and professional. What starts as a clash of personalities quickly evolves into a forbidden connection, leaving you both caught in a whirlwind of desires.

Gerne/Tags- Age difference(8 years), Student-Teacher relationship, Satoru is obsessed over you, high school setting, Love triangle, complicated relationship, happy ending.

Warnings!- MDNI. Explicit sexual content, angst, mentions of death, blood, fluff, strong language, hurt/comfort.

Wc- 9.1k

Previous chapter!

It was Friday afternoon, and the school library was quieter than usual, the only sound being the occasional rustle of pages turning or the soft tapping of keys from students finishing their assignments. You were seated at one of the long tables, your textbooks and notes spread out in front of you. Gojo sat across from you, a smug look on his face as he pretended to focus on the math problems you had written out for him.

"You know," you said, trying to keep your tone even, "you’re not going to get anywhere if you don’t at least try."

Gojo leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, that signature grin still plastered on his face. "I’m trying," he said, though his posture clearly suggested otherwise. "It’s just more fun watching you get frustrated."

You sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. It was always the same with him. No matter how much you tried to help, he always found a way to make it harder. His charm, his teasing—it was a constant distraction. You glanced at the clock, wondering how much longer this was going to take.

"You’re not taking this seriously," you said, shaking your head. "I don’t know why you even asked for tutoring if you’re not going to—"

Gojo interrupted you, leaning forward slightly. "I am serious. But you’ve got to admit, I’m kind of fun to be around, right?"

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. "That’s not the point."

"Sure it is," he said with a wink. "But we can get to that later."

You felt your face heat up slightly at his boldness, but you quickly dismissed it. He was always like this, pushing boundaries just to see how far he could go. It was infuriating, yet… somehow, you couldn’t help but feel a small part of you intrigued by it.

The tension in the air was palpable. You tried to ignore it, focusing on the math problems in front of you, but Gojo’s presence was impossible to escape. His gaze never left you, his eyes playful, almost daring you to look at him.

"Alright, Missy," he said, breaking the silence. "What’s next? I’m getting bored."

You shot him a pointed look, but before you could respond, Gojo leaned forward, his voice dropping low. "You know, you look cute when you’re frustrated."

The words hung in the air between you, and you felt a flutter in your chest, quickly squashing it down. You couldn’t let him get to you.

"Stop," you said, your voice a little firmer than you intended. "Focus, Gojo."

He didn’t seem phased, though. He just smiled, leaning even closer across the table, his breath warm against your skin.

"Come on, just one more round of problems. If I get them right, maybe we can call it a day," he teased, his voice low and smooth.

You couldn’t deny that the way he was acting, the way he was looking at you—it was starting to affect you. You shifted in your seat, trying to ignore the rising heat in your chest, the way your body responded to his proximity.

"Fine," you said, your voice a little shaky. "Let’s get through this, and then we’ll call it a day."

Gojo’s smile widened, and he leaned back in his chair again, but the playful glint in his eyes never disappeared. The tension was thick, and you couldn’t help but wonder how long you could keep pretending that everything was fine. How long you could keep resisting the pull he seemed to have on you.

Gojo stretched lazily, his arms reaching high above his head as he let out a dramatic sigh. "I’ve got all day, Missy. But I don’t know if you do." His voice was smooth, laced with a teasing undertone, and the way his eyes glinted only made your heart beat faster.

You ignored the flutter in your chest and turned your attention back to the math problems. "You can’t be serious. Focus."

But as you started to explain the next problem, you felt his eyes on you again, studying you in a way that made you self-conscious. His gaze never wavered, and you found it hard to concentrate on the numbers in front of you.

"I think you’re distracting me on purpose," you muttered, your voice almost too quiet.

Gojo chuckled, his smirk never fading. "What? Me? Distract you?" He leaned in closer, resting his chin on his hand as he stared directly at you. "I’m just here for the tutoring, Missy. Don’t flatter yourself."

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, your pulse quickening as the space between you seemed to shrink. The quiet tension in the air felt thick, almost suffocating. It was as if you were teetering on the edge of something, something you weren’t sure you were ready for.

Gojo, noticing your discomfort, leaned back again, but his eyes still held that same intensity. "I’m just messing with you," he said casually, though there was a playful edge to his words. "But seriously, you’re cute when you’re all flustered."

You tried to ignore him, focusing on the math again, but his words kept circling in your mind. Cute. Flustered.

Why was it so hard to focus when he was around?

"Okay, okay," Gojo said, his voice suddenly softer, though still playful. "Let’s actually get through this, then. I’m kind of curious to see if I can impress you."

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Impress me?"

He nodded, that smug grin never leaving his face. "Yeah. Let’s see if I can do this right. Then maybe you’ll finally stop giving me that look."

You couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at him. "What look?"

"The ‘I’m-so-done-with-you’ look," he said, his voice mocking but playful. "You know the one. It’s cute, but I’m sure I can change it to something else."

You bit your lip, trying to ignore the rising heat in your cheeks. Why does he always do this?

"Focus, Gojo," you said again, though your voice was quieter this time, more hesitant.

Gojo didn’t say anything for a moment. He just stared at you, his eyes searching yours as if trying to figure out what you were thinking.

And then, just as quickly, he leaned in once more, his lips just inches from your ear. "I can tell when you’re not focused, you know," he whispered, his voice low and teasing. "You’re thinking about something else. Something you don’t want to admit."

You froze, every muscle in your body tensing. Your heart raced, and your breath caught in your throat.

You tried to push him away, to keep some distance between you, but he was relentless. His presence was overwhelming, his words sinking deep under your skin.

Before you could respond, Gojo pulled back slightly, that damn smirk back in place. "I think I’ve made my point," he said with a wink.

You sat there, heart pounding, mind swirling. You wanted to say something, to scold him, to tell him off. But for some reason, the words just wouldn’t come. You were too caught up in the heat of the moment, the pull between you two growing stronger with each passing second.

You tried to focus on the math again, but your mind was a mess. His voice, his presence, it all lingered in the air around you. You could feel the heat from his body still radiating in the small space between you, and it was making it almost impossible to think clearly.

Gojo noticed the shift in your demeanor and, instead of continuing with the lesson, he leaned back in his chair, his gaze still fixed on you. "You know," he started, his tone casual, but there was an underlying seriousness in it, "you’re not like the others."

You glanced at him, unsure of where this was going. "What do you mean?"

He grinned, that trademark smirk playing on his lips. "You’re not easily distracted, and you actually care about your job. It’s kind of… impressive." His eyes softened for a brief moment, almost as if he were seeing you for the first time. "Most people would’ve given up on me by now."

You swallowed, feeling your heart beat faster at his words. "Well, I’m not like most people," you said, trying to maintain your professional composure.

Gojo chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the little back-and-forth. "No, you’re not. You’re different. But I’m not complaining."

The way he said it, the weight behind those words, made something shift in the air. It wasn’t just playful teasing anymore. There was a deeper undertone to it now, something more serious.

You looked away, feeling your cheeks flush despite yourself. Why does he have this effect on me?

"Alright," you said, clearing your throat, trying to focus again. "Let’s get back to the math. You want to impress me? Then do this problem."

You handed him a new sheet of problems, but Gojo didn’t even glance at it right away. Instead, he just watched you, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The silence was thick, almost suffocating, and you couldn’t help but feel the tension growing. You were hyper-aware of every little movement he made, every breath he took.

Then, Gojo finally spoke, his voice low and soft. "I could really get used to this, you know."

You blinked, confused. "Get used to what?"

He leaned forward again, closing the space between you two, his gaze intense. "Spending time with you. It’s… nice. Even if you’re driving me crazy."

You felt your breath hitch, and your mind went blank. "Gojo, we—"

He interrupted you with a smirk. "I’m not asking for anything serious, Missy. Just… some fun. But I’m not going to lie. You’re a little harder to crack than I thought."

Your heart pounded in your chest, and for a second, you couldn’t speak. His words, his proximity, everything was overwhelming.

But before you could gather your thoughts, Gojo sat back in his chair, his smirk widening. "So, what’s it gonna be, Missy? Are you going to keep trying to ignore this thing between us, or are you gonna finally admit you’re at least a little curious?"

The challenge in his voice was unmistakable, and it made your pulse quicken. You wanted to snap at him, to tell him to stop playing games. But you also couldn’t deny that part of you was intrigued.

The bell rang, signaling the end of your tutoring session. Gojo stood up, stretching again. "Well, I guess we’ll have to continue this next time, huh?"

You couldn’t even respond right away, still reeling from everything that had just happened. Gojo winked at you before walking out of the library, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

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Gojo walked down the hallway, his mind racing with thoughts of how to get closer to you. Why won’t she just give in? He thought, irritation creeping into his mind. She’s so damn stubborn. But that stubbornness only made him more determined. After all, a bet was a bet, and he never lost.

He couldn’t help but replay the moments in the library, the way you looked when you were close to him, how your breath hitched when he spoke to you. There was something there, he knew it. You were just playing hard to get, but Gojo wasn’t about to let that stop him.

How could I make her crack? He leaned against a wall, tapping his fingers rhythmically. He thought back to his interactions with you, each one more charged than the last. You were always trying to maintain your professionalism, but he could see the way you’d get flustered, the little cracks in your armor.

A wicked smile spread across his face. I’ll just keep pushing. She’ll break sooner or later.

Gojo’s mind shifted to how he could escalate things, keep up the tension without crossing the line—at least not yet. Maybe another tutoring session… but this time, I’ll make it personal. I’ll get her alone again, get her thinking about me. He liked the idea of you being the one who couldn’t focus, who couldn’t stop thinking about him.

But there was still something about you that made him hesitate. He couldn’t put his finger on it. You weren’t like the others. He wasn’t used to feeling this uncertain, and that made it all the more exciting.

"Whatever," Gojo muttered to himself. "I’ll figure it out."

He pushed off the wall and walked toward the exit, a plan already forming in his mind. Tomorrow’s Saturday. I’ve got the whole weekend to figure out how to make her crack.

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The next morning, you stepped out of the shower, your skin still damp and warm from the water. You wrapped a towel around your body, wiping droplets from your hair as you moved to your bedside table. As you reached for your phone, it buzzed loudly, interrupting the quiet of your room.

You glanced at the screen, and of course, the name that popped up made your stomach twist. Gojo.

"Hey Missy," the message read. "Can you come over? I'm feeling pretty sick. Could really use your help."

Your eyes widened slightly. Was he really inviting you over? You couldn’t tell if it was a joke, another one of his games, or if he was actually serious this time. The words felt almost too casual, but the thought of him being genuinely unwell made your heart beat a little faster. What’s his game this time? you thought, feeling the familiar annoyance bubble up in your chest.

You hesitated, staring at the message for a moment. You know better than this, you told yourself. This could be another one of his tricks. He’s just playing around again. But despite your better judgment, a small part of you wondered if maybe—just maybe—he really did need help.

You shook your head, trying to clear your thoughts. Don’t fall for it. Not again.

But you couldn’t help it. The idea of going over there, of seeing Gojo in a different, vulnerable light, was tempting. Still, you needed to stay professional.

You took a deep breath, your fingers hovering over the keyboard, unsure of how to respond.

You stared at the screen for a long moment, the silence in your room only adding to the pressure of making a decision. Should I go? You knew it was a bad idea. You’re his teacher. You can’t just drop everything for him.

But Gojo was different. Always unpredictable, always teasing, always pushing you to your limits. And now, he was asking for your help? You couldn’t tell if he was being genuine or just trying to manipulate you once again.

Your fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating. What if he’s actually sick? The thought lingered in your mind, but you quickly shook it off. No. He’s playing a game.

You could feel your pulse quicken as your thoughts raced. Finally, with a sigh, you typed back:

"I’m not a nurse, Gojo. What do you need me for?"

The moment you sent it, you regretted it. It felt too cold, too professional, and you were sure Gojo would just tease you for it.

A few moments passed before his response pinged back.

"Just a little company, missy. You wouldn’t leave me all alone, would you? I promise, I’m really sick. Could use a friendly face."

The message was casual, almost too casual, and yet the part about him being "sick" made your heart skip a beat. You tried to push that feeling away, focusing instead on how to keep things professional.

You took another breath, considering your options. The idea of going over there—seeing Gojo in his own space, vulnerable—made you uneasy, but part of you was curious. Was this just another game, or was there something else to it?

Finally, you typed out a response.

"Fine. I’ll stop by. But don’t expect anything more than that."

You hit send, not giving yourself a chance to second-guess. A moment later, Gojo’s reply came through, simple and teasing as ever.

"You’re the best, Missy. See you soon. ;)”

You put your phone down, feeling the weight of your decision settle over you. What the hell have I just agreed to?

You stood there for a moment, phone in hand, staring at the message as if willing it to change. But it didn’t. You had agreed.

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You quickly gathered yourself, forcing the nerves down, knowing you had to stay composed. You couldn’t let Gojo get the better of you again. After all, this was just a visit to check on him, right? Nothing more.

With a deep breath, you changed into something casual but still appropriate, grabbing your bag and heading out. Your thoughts kept drifting back to Gojo, imagining what his apartment might be like, how he would act now that it was just the two of you. You couldn’t help but feel that familiar mix of frustration and… something else, something you couldn’t quite place.

When you arrived at his place, the door was already slightly ajar. Gojo, ever the tease, was clearly expecting you. You knocked once, just in case, before pushing it open.

“Missy! You made it!” Gojo’s voice rang out, far too cheerful for someone who claimed to be sick. He was lounging on his couch, looking as laid-back as ever, a dramatic sigh escaping him as he laid a hand over his forehead, clearly pretending to be exhausted.

“Really?” You crossed your arms, eyebrow raised. “You’re ‘sick,’ and this is how you look?”

He flashed you a grin. “I’m very sick, Missy. You have to help me get better.” He winked playfully, clearly enjoying your annoyance.

You rolled your eyes, walking further into the apartment. “I don’t think I can help you with that,” you said, trying to sound firm. “What do you actually need?”

Gojo patted the spot next to him on the couch. “Well, for starters, some company wouldn’t hurt. Come sit with me. It’s lonely here without you.” His voice was smooth, almost coaxing, but there was something playful about it.

You hesitated for a moment before finally sitting down at the far end of the couch, keeping a comfortable distance between you. "You’re lucky I’m even here,” you muttered under your breath, but he heard it. Of course, he did.

“Lucky? No, Missy. You’re lucky I let you in,” he teased, sitting up and leaning toward you. “Besides, I think you enjoy being here with me. Don’t lie.”

You looked away, trying to ignore the growing tension in the air. He was right, in a way. Despite everything, despite how much he irritated you, there was a part of you that couldn’t ignore the pull. You shook your head, trying to clear the thoughts that had no business entering your mind.

“Well, what exactly am I supposed to do?” you asked, attempting to keep things light, but the words felt forced.

Gojo stretched lazily, still watching you with that smug, infuriating smirk. “For now? Just stay here. You can keep me company, maybe even make me some tea.” He paused. “But, I’ll let you know when I need something else.”

The double meaning hung in the air, and you could feel your heart race slightly. You didn’t know what to expect from Gojo anymore, and that was the problem. You couldn’t let your guard down.

You sat there, trying to remain calm, but Gojo's behavior was grating on your nerves. The audacity he had, acting as if you were there for his amusement. The playful tone, the teasing, it was all too much.

Was he seriously bossing you around like this?

You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself, but the irritation built up too quickly. His casual, carefree demeanor only added to the frustration that had been bubbling inside you since the moment you agreed to come over.

"Can you show me some respect?" you snapped, your voice sharper than you intended. You had held your composure for so long, but Gojo’s blatant disregard for your boundaries had crossed the line.

Gojo blinked, momentarily surprised by the sudden shift in your tone. He straightened up slightly, but his smirk never faltered. "What? I’m just having some fun with you, Missy."

You stood up from the couch, the tension thick in the air. "I’m not your personal servant, Gojo," you continued, your voice tight with frustration. "I thought you were really sick. I came here because I was worried. But here you are, perfectly fine, wasting my time."

His smirk faltered, but only for a second, before he leaned back casually. "Oh come on, I’m just messing with you. You really think I need a tutor when I’ve got this much charm?" His tone was light, but there was an underlying hint of something more.

"No, I don’t think you need a tutor," you said, your patience wearing thin. "But I thought, for once, you could take something seriously." You shook your head, feeling the anger rise in your chest. "I’ve already wasted enough of my time with you. You’ve disrespected me enough, Gojo. I’m leaving."

You turned to leave, but before you could make it to the door, Gojo’s voice stopped you.

“Hey, wait,” he said, sounding more serious than before. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to piss you off.”

You paused, your hand on the door handle, still seething with frustration. You wanted to leave, to get away from him and this ridiculous situation. But something about his tone, the slight change in his demeanor, made you hesitate.

You turned to face him, crossing your arms over your chest. “You can’t just apologize and expect everything to be okay, Gojo. This isn’t a joke to me.”

Gojo’s eyes softened slightly, the smirk still present, but there was a hint of sincerity behind it. “I know. I just… I don’t know how to handle you sometimes.”

You stared at him, unsure of what to make of his words. “Well, maybe you should start by showing some respect.”

He nodded, finally sitting up straighter, looking at you with something more than just playful teasing. “I’ll try,” he said, voice quieter now. “But you have to admit, it’s kinda fun to mess with you.”

You sighed, rubbing your temples. “I can’t believe I’m still here, listening to this.”

“I promise, I’ll be more serious next time,” he added, his voice now carrying a bit of the charm you had come to expect, but there was a hint of something else beneath it.

You were about to say something, but you stopped yourself. Maybe he was right—maybe you needed to learn to not take him so seriously. Or maybe he just needed to learn how to take you seriously.

With one last glance at him, you finally gave in. “Fine. But don’t ever pull something like this again. I don’t have time to waste on your games.”

Gojo flashed you that trademark smirk, the one that always made your heart race, but there was a quiet understanding in his eyes. "You have my word, Missy."

You walked out of his apartment, the air outside feeling strangely refreshing. Your heart was still pounding, but it wasn’t just from the frustration anymore. You couldn’t deny the pull, the way Gojo had managed to get under your skin, once again.

And now, you had to wonder… how much longer could you keep this up?

You stepped out into the cool air, feeling a strange mixture of relief and frustration. The confrontation with Gojo had left you with more questions than answers. What was it about him that made your heart race and your mind spin? Why couldn’t you shake the feeling that there was more to him than just his teasing persona?

As you walked down the hallway, you replayed the moments in his apartment. His nonchalance, his cocky smirk, the way he could make you feel both irritated and... something else. You were a teacher, a professional. You had boundaries, and Gojo had made it clear he was more than willing to test them.

But you couldn’t deny the pull. Despite your better judgment, there was something magnetic about him, something that made it hard to walk away and stay mad. Maybe it was his charm. Or maybe it was his confidence, his ability to make everything seem like a game, even when you knew it shouldn’t be.

Your phone buzzed in your pocket, snapping you out of your thoughts. You pulled it out, already knowing who it was.

"Sorry for messing with you. Don’t be mad, Missy. Let’s call it even, yeah?"

You stared at the message, biting your lip. It was simple. It was an apology, of sorts. But it felt like he was still playing his game, trying to reel you back in.

"You really think an apology makes everything okay?" You replied.

A few seconds later, his response came through.

"Maybe not. But I think we both know I’m hard to stay mad at."

You rolled your eyes, even though you couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at your lips. He had a way of getting under your skin, but somehow, he always knew how to smooth things over—just enough to keep you from walking away.

You didn’t reply immediately. Instead, you shoved your phone back into your pocket and tried to shake off the feeling of being pulled in by him. You needed to stay focused, keep your distance. After all, you were his teacher, and you couldn’t afford to get caught up in his games.

But as you made your way to your car, you couldn’t ignore the feeling that you were already too deep. And maybe, just maybe, Gojo knew it too.

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Later that evening, as you settled into your routine at home, your phone buzzed again, already knowing who is it from.

"Just wanted to check in. I’m actually feeling kinda bad now. But I’m still hoping you’ll give me another chance to make it up to you. Dinner tomorrow?"

You stared at the message for a long time, your fingers hovering over the keyboard. You had already told yourself not to get involved, not to let Gojo’s charm and confidence lead you astray.

But something inside you hesitated. You had a choice. You could say no, stand your ground, and keep the professional distance you’d always promised yourself. Or you could say yes, let him continue to mess with your head, to make you feel like you were just another part of his game.

You closed your eyes, took a deep breath, and typed your response.

"Fine. But no more games, Gojo. Dinner, and then we’re done. Got it?"

The reply came almost instantly.

"Deal. You’ll see, I’m better at this than you think."

You sighed, putting your phone down. You knew you should have said no, should have ended this before it even started. But you also knew, deep down, that it was already too late.

After a few seconds, you immediately regretted your decision.

Fuck, you thought to yourself, your heart sinking. What am I doing? You were his teacher, for God’s sake. How could you be so impulsive? You had just agreed to go out to dinner with him—just like that. What were you thinking?

You ran a hand through your hair, pacing around your apartment. You were feeling a mix of frustration and guilt. You couldn’t let yourself get tangled up in whatever game Gojo was playing. He was charming, yes, and had this knack for making you feel things you didn’t want to feel, but you couldn’t forget who you were—who you were supposed to be.

You sat down on your couch, taking a deep breath and trying to compose yourself. You’d made your choice, and now you had to face the consequences. You weren’t sure what exactly Gojo wanted from you, but you couldn’t ignore the feeling that you were walking into dangerous territory.

With a heavy sigh, you picked up your phone and looked at the message again. His words were casual, easy—like this was nothing. Like he didn’t have any idea what kind of trouble he was causing. Or maybe he did, and that was part of the thrill for him.

You stared at your screen for a while, your thumb hovering over the keyboard, before you finally set the phone down and decided to sleep on it. There was no point in overthinking it now. Whatever this was, you would have to face it tomorrow. And for now, you needed rest.

But as you lay in bed, you couldn’t help but feel that knot in your stomach, knowing that tomorrow night would be anything but ordinary.

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The next evening, you stood in front of your mirror, trying to decide what to wear. You hadn’t expected things to spiral into this when you agreed to help Gojo with his math. The thought of dinner with him made your stomach twist. You had a strong feeling he wasn’t just interested in food or math, but you had to follow through now.

Focus, you told yourself, It’s just dinner. It’s not like anything will happen. You’re just going to eat and go home. Professional.

You finally settled on a simple outfit—nothing too revealing, but enough to keep things professional. You didn’t want to give Gojo the wrong impression, but at the same time, you didn’t want to look too stiff.

As you arrived at the restaurant, you couldn’t shake the nerves building up in your chest. The place was quiet, the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses filling the air. Gojo was already there, casually leaning against the table, looking like he owned the entire place. He spotted you immediately, of course, and flashed that same infuriating smirk.

"Missy, you actually showed up," he said, voice light, teasing. "I was starting to think you’d bail on me."

You gave him a tight smile, trying to maintain composure. "I don’t back out of promises," you said, sitting down across from him. "Let’s just get this over with."

Gojo raised an eyebrow but didn’t push the issue. He sat down and waved the waiter over, his easy charm apparent as he made small talk with the staff. You couldn’t help but notice how effortless it was for him to slip into that carefree attitude. He had a way of making everything seem so simple.

As the dinner continued, you tried to focus on the conversation. He spoke about school, about his plans for the future, but you couldn’t stop yourself from being distracted. Every now and then, you’d catch him glancing at you, his gaze lingering just a bit longer than it should.

"Are you gonna keep staring at me like that?" you finally asked, your voice a little sharper than you intended.

Gojo leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. "You’re not as good at hiding it as you think. I can see how you look at me," he said, his voice dropping slightly, almost teasing. "I think you’re enjoying this a little more than you want to admit."

You opened your mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, you simply stared at him, your heart beating a little faster. He had a way of disarming you, making you question your own feelings. But you had to stay in control. You couldn’t let him get the better of you.

You took a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves. Gojo’s gaze was still on you, his smirk never wavering, and you couldn’t help but feel a little flustered. You weren’t used to being in this kind of situation—alone with a student, especially one like him.

"You really think you have me all figured out, don’t you?" you finally said, trying to break the tension. You couldn’t just sit there, letting him toy with you. You had to stay professional.

Gojo leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table as he looked at you with a more serious expression. "I know more than you think," he said softly. "You can pretend all you want, but I can see through you."

Your pulse quickened. Why is he doing this?

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, your mind racing. "What exactly do you want from me, Gojo?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. The question had been on your mind all evening, and you needed an answer. This wasn’t just about tutoring anymore. There was something else at play here, and you couldn’t ignore it.

Gojo didn’t answer right away. Instead, he just studied you, his eyes darkening slightly as he took in your expression. "I don’t think you’re as innocent as you act," he said, his voice low and teasing. "I know what you’re thinking."

Your heart skipped a beat. You couldn’t deny the attraction that had been building between you two. But that didn’t mean you could just give in to it. You were his teacher, and that line couldn’t be crossed.

"You’re crossing a line, Gojo," you said, trying to keep your voice steady. "You need to stop."

But Gojo only smiled wider, that confident, unshakable smirk of his never leaving his face. "I don’t think I am," he said, his voice now tinged with amusement. "I’m just having a little fun. Don’t worry, Missy, I’m not going to do anything you don’t want."

You clenched your fists under the table, trying to suppress the frustration building inside you. He was playing with fire, and you couldn’t tell if he even realized it.

"Let’s just finish this dinner," you said, your voice sharp now. "We’re not going to talk about this anymore."

Gojo seemed to sense your shift in mood, his smirk fading slightly. He leaned back in his chair, looking at you with a mix of curiosity and something else—something unreadable.

"Alright, Missy," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We’ll talk about it later, then."

The rest of the evening passed in relative silence. The tension between you both was thick, but neither of you acknowledged it directly. As the dinner came to an end, Gojo stood up and gave you a look that made your stomach flip.

"Same time next week?" he asked, his voice light again, as if nothing had happened.

You hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond. "I’ll let you know," you said, standing up and grabbing your things. "Good night, Gojo."

"Good night, Missy," he said, his voice smooth and almost too casual. "Sleep well."

You walked out of the restaurant, the weight of the evening pressing down on you. What had just happened? What was this strange connection you had with him? You didn’t know, but you knew one thing for sure: this wasn’t over.

As you walked away from the restaurant, you couldn’t shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on you. Your thoughts were clouded, your heart still racing from the tension of the evening. You were trying to push it all out of your mind, but you couldn’t ignore how easily he got under your skin. It wasn’t supposed to be this way—he wasn’t supposed to have this much of an effect on you.

Apologies for the misunderstanding! Here’s the continuation, incorporating your feedback:

But just as you turned the corner to head home, you heard hurried footsteps behind you. You barely had time to react before a familiar voice called out.

"Wait!"

You stopped in your tracks, turning to see Gojo catching up to you. His breath was slightly ragged, but his expression was as carefree as ever. He flashed that signature smirk of his, the one that always seemed to make you feel like you were in the palm of his hand.

"I shouldn’t let a pretty lady like you walk home alone," he said, his tone light but his eyes gleaming with something more intense beneath the surface.

You raised an eyebrow, crossing your arms. What was he playing at now?

"Didn’t know you could be a gentleman too," you said, the words laced with slight mocking amusement, though you couldn’t entirely mask the smile that tugged at your lips. It was almost impossible to resist his charm.

Gojo chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "I have my moments," he said with a wink. "But I like to think of myself as a man of many talents."

You rolled your eyes, trying to ignore the warmth spreading in your chest. "You’re impossible," you muttered under your breath, but you couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped you.

"I’m serious, though," Gojo continued, his tone now more genuine. "It’s late, and I don’t want you to be out here alone. Let me walk you home, at least."

You hesitated. Part of you wanted to turn him down, tell him to leave you be. But the other part, the part that had been affected by him all night, found it hard to say no. He wasn’t like any student you’d ever dealt with before. He was bold, confident, and—damn it—charming.

"Fine," you said after a beat, giving in despite yourself. "But just don’t try anything funny, Gojo."

He laughed again, the sound light and carefree. "Wouldn’t dream of it," he said, matching your pace as you began walking down the street together.

The walk was mostly silent, but the air between you two was thick with unspoken words. You could feel his presence beside you, the tension palpable even in the quiet moments. And despite your better judgment, you found yourself drawn to him more than you cared to admit.

As you neared your apartment, Gojo slowed his pace, glancing at you out of the corner of his eye. "You know," he began, his voice softer now, "I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier."

You shot him a look. "Which part?" you asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The part where you said I should show more respect," he said, his voice almost teasing but with an edge of sincerity. "I’m sorry, alright? I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable."

For a moment, you were caught off guard by his unexpected sincerity. You hadn’t expected him to apologize, let alone admit he might have crossed a line.

"It’s fine," you said after a beat, trying to brush it off. "Just... remember your boundaries, Gojo."

He nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment before that familiar smirk returned. "I’ll try, Missy. But I make no promises."

You stopped in front of your apartment building, your heart racing for reasons you didn’t want to admit. "Good night, Gojo," you said, your voice steady despite the flutter in your chest.

"Night, Missy," he replied, his voice softer than before. He stood there for a moment, watching you, before turning to leave.

You couldn’t help but watch him walk away, the lingering thoughts of the evening swirling in your mind. You’d agreed to dinner with him, and now this? What was happening between you two?

You didn’t have the answers, but you knew one thing for sure: this wasn’t over.

☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ

It was a quiet Monday morning at school, and Gojo and Geto were walking through the halls with no real destination in mind. The buzz of students filled the air, but the two of them were lost in their own conversation, as usual.

"So, did she become your girlfriend?" Geto asked, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Or are you ready to accept your defeat?"

Gojo’s response came quicker than Geto expected. He had expected Gojo to brush it off or joke about it, but what he heard next caught him off guard.

"Oh... umm, no," Gojo said with a casual shrug, "but does a dinner date count?"

Geto stopped in his tracks, eyes widening slightly as he processed what Gojo had just said. Dinner date? He hadn’t really thought Gojo was serious about it. Sure, Gojo was always full of confidence and loved to flirt, but this felt... different. He was actually pursuing something.

"You’re telling me you went out with her?" Geto asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He was in disbelief. He hadn’t expected Gojo to get so serious about his bet. Not with their teacher.

Gojo’s smirk didn’t falter. "Yeah, I did," he replied nonchalantly. "I mean, I told you I was gonna win, didn’t I? It’s all part of the plan."

Geto stared at him for a moment, trying to process this new information. He had always thought Gojo’s antics were just part of his usual game, but now? It seemed like Gojo was actually invested in something—someone.

"Bro, you’re fucking serious?" Geto asked, his tone a mix of disbelief and amusement. "You went out with her? Our fucking teacher?"

Gojo grinned, leaning back against the lockers with his usual cocky attitude. "What can I say? I like a challenge," he said, his voice dripping with confidence. "And she’s not as untouchable as you think. I’ll have her wrapped around my finger in no time."

Geto couldn’t help but let out a frustrated sigh, shaking his head. "You really are something else, Gojo. You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But you’re playing with fire, you know that?"

Gojo just chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Fire’s my middle name."

Geto rolled his eyes, knowing he wouldn’t be able to talk sense into Gojo. Once his mind was set on something, there was no changing it.

"You’re crazy, man," Geto muttered, but there was a slight hint of admiration in his voice. "But I guess if anyone could pull it off, it’d be you."

Gojo shot him a wink. "Damn right," he said, before turning and walking down the hall, clearly satisfied with himself.

Geto watched him go, a mixture of concern and curiosity gnawing at him. He had no idea what Gojo was playing at, but one thing was for sure: things were about to get interesting.

☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ

Later that evening, you were curled up on your couch, the soft glow of the TV illuminating your living room as you relaxed. Your favorite show was playing in the background, but your mind kept wandering. It had been a long week, and the tension between you and Gojo had only grown stronger.

Suddenly, your phone buzzed, pulling you out of your thoughts. You glanced at the screen, and of course, it was from him.

"Heyyyy missyyyy, can you come over? I miss you sm😔"

You stared at the message, the words feeling like a punch to your chest. How could he always talk to you like that? So casual, so... carefree. It was almost as if he didn’t realize the line he was crossing, or maybe he just didn’t care.

You sighed, feeling your pulse quicken. Your first instinct was to say no. You knew it was wrong, that this whole thing was a terrible idea. But then, there was that feeling—the one that kept pulling you in every time you thought about him. That nagging curiosity, that unexplainable desire to see him again.

You shook your head, trying to clear your thoughts. No, I shouldn’t do this. You couldn’t afford to give in. You were his teacher, and he was... well, Gojo. The last thing you needed was to get tangled up in whatever game he was playing.

But your fingers hovered over the screen, and before you knew it, you found yourself typing a reply.

"I can’t just drop everything and come over, Gojo. What’s going on?"

You stared at the message, biting your lip. You weren’t sure what you expected him to say, but part of you knew he wouldn’t make this easy. A few seconds later, your phone buzzed again.

"Oh come on, missy, I just wanna hang out! Besides, you know you want to see me :p"

You rolled your eyes at his confidence. He was relentless, and yet, there was something about his charm that always seemed to pull you back in. You set your phone down for a moment, taking a deep breath. You had to focus. You couldn’t let him get to you.

But then the next message popped up.

"Fine, don’t come if you don’t want to. But I’ll be here waiting... :D"

The smug tone in his words made your stomach flip. It was like he knew exactly how to get under your skin. You didn’t want to admit it, but a part of you did want to see him.

You stood up, pacing around your living room as you thought it over. Why is this so hard? You had to admit to yourself—he had gotten under your skin. You were a professional, you knew better than this. But that damn smirk, those teasing words... they kept running through your mind.

Before you could talk yourself out of it, your fingers were already typing.

"I’ll be there in 20 minutes."

You hit send, and as soon as the message left your phone, you regretted it. What am I doing?

But you couldn’t back out now. You quickly got up and grabbed your things, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. As you headed out the door, your heart was pounding. You were doing something you knew you shouldn’t, but it felt like there was no turning back now.

☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･⁠｡ﾟ

You arrived at Gojo's place after what felt like the longest 20 minutes of your life. You parked your car and took a deep breath before stepping out. Your mind was racing with thoughts, but you tried to push them aside. You’re just going to hang out. Nothing more.

As you walked up to his door, your heart was pounding in your chest. You rang the doorbell, and within seconds, the door swung open. Gojo stood there, wearing a casual hoodie and sweatpants, his trademark smirk plastered across his face.

“Well, well, look who showed up,” he said, his voice smooth and playful, as if he knew he had you exactly where he wanted.

You tried to maintain your composure, crossing your arms as you stepped inside. “I hope you have a good reason for dragging me all the way over here.”

Gojo just chuckled, stepping aside to let you in. “Of course, missy. I’ve got plenty of reasons.” He shut the door behind you, locking it with a casual flick of his wrist. “But for now, just relax. I thought we could hang out and get to know each other better.”

You didn’t trust him, but there was no turning back now. You glanced around his apartment—modern, minimalist, and somehow very much what you expected from someone like him. He led you to the living room, where a couple of drinks and snacks were already laid out on the coffee table.

“Have a seat,” Gojo said, flopping onto the couch and patting the space next to him.

You hesitated for a moment, before sitting down on the opposite side of the couch. Your nerves were still buzzing, but you tried to ignore them. “So, what exactly did you want to talk about?”

Gojo leaned back, his eyes never leaving you. “I don’t know… maybe just how things are going. You’ve been really busy with school lately, huh? I thought you could use a little break.”

You crossed your arms, trying to stay calm, but the way he was looking at you made it hard to focus. “I’m fine, Gojo. I can handle my job just fine.”

He grinned, shifting a little closer to you. “Yeah, I know you can. You’re pretty impressive, Missy.”

His voice was low, teasing, and it made you feel both flattered and frustrated. You didn’t know how to respond to him anymore—every time you thought you had him figured out, he just threw you off balance again.

Gojo’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he leaned in closer. “But I have to admit… I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. You’ve been on my mind.”

You froze, your heart racing. Was he serious?

“I’m not sure if that’s a good thing,” you said, trying to sound composed.

Gojo just chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. “I think it’s a very good thing.” He leaned back again, giving you some space, but you could still feel the tension between you two growing thicker by the second.

The silence stretched on for a few moments before Gojo broke it again. “Tell me, why did you listened to me and came here..?”

You swallowed, feeling your throat dry. “uh—...” you didn't know what to say.

Gojo smirked again, clearly not buying it. “I think there’s more to it. You came over because you wanted to see me too. Don’t lie.”

Your heart skipped a beat. Was he right? Were you just fooling yourself?

You looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “Maybe.”

Gojo’s smirk widened as he moved closer again, this time brushing his hand lightly against yours. The contact sent a jolt through your body, and you immediately pulled your hand away, but Gojo didn’t miss it. “I knew it,” he said, voice dripping with satisfaction.

You took a deep breath, trying to maintain control. “You don’t have to make this weird, Gojo.”

But he wasn’t listening anymore. He leaned in, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, “I’m not making it weird, Missy. I’m just making it fun.”

Your breath caught in your throat. This was exactly what you had been trying to avoid, and now you were right here, in his apartment, with him so close you could feel the heat of his body.

You had no idea what was going to happen next, but one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a friendly hangout anymore.

[fluffyfeatherfun]

Dinosaurs can laugh! (Antoher Dandy's World Tickle Fic

Made another one speciallt for the requester to fuel their Lee!Shelly needs

Requested by: @mosaichunter (I ALSMOST PING THE WRONG PERSON)

Lee:Shelly

Ler:Vee (Yup, again!)

Starring:None, just two of them!

Word Count:1,585

Warning:This is a tickle fic, again. If you don't really like those kind of stuff, scroll pass

Bits of angst. Just a bit at the beginning but it'll tone down

((brackets like these are creator's notes in the fic))

Extra note:While this is technically connected to the previous fic , you don't need to read it in order to understand this fic.

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

Shelly can hear the roaring cheer outside. She can feel the plastic texture of her dino toys. She can feel the cold stone floor beneath her. She can feel the scars on her heart. It hurts to know that the crowd outside dosen't even know her name. It hurts to know that the love she gets is just as little as the attention the kids pay when she talks about her dinosaur facts. It hurts that there are only a few toons who are aware of her problems. It hurts....

Until her thoguhts were cut short when she heard a creek from the woodeen door, follow by a familiar looking TV host((totally not because we just saw her last chapther)),follow by a powerful slam.

"Oh, your done already?"

Vee held a grudge from the loud blasting crowd behind, turning to Shelly and nodding with one foot on the door.

"Wish it was even earlier. Being a host is quite stressful sometimes. Now, what did yoy want to talk about when we were at the hallways? "

The ammonite's face switch to that of a teary looking one, darting down on the ground and not muttering a word until the TV head host broke the silence.

"Was it because you are being ignored again?"

"Wh-No! I promise this one is different." She waves her hands around in denial.

"Really? Tell me more about it." She respond, as she took a seat beside her.

It was hard for Shelly to make eye contact with how hard is it to word this new worry, but she still did her best to keep the point straight:

"I've been thinking a lot about..... Changing what's mainly about me.... To be more specific, my liking for dinosaurs. I tried a lot of things:baking, sewing, roleplay, even game hosting with the toons, but it's either I..... Don't enjoy it as much or I'm not as good at it.... Mostly the first point... "

She fiddles her fingers around, as tiny drops of tears fell on the floor. Vee can clearly she how desperate she is for just a little love, for just a little attention, for just a little recognition, so she pat her on the back to soothe her aching heart a bit and gives a pep talk:

"Hey there, dino girl, look at me."

"Hmm?"

"I know that dinosaurs aren't the most popular among the kids, but that dosen't mean it can't be interesting. There are so many fun ways to express it out, but that dosen't exactly mean your way isn't good. You know what they say:" Sometimes it takes time to find the right audience." etc etc.... "

She widens her eyes a bit, feeling a bit better with Vee's ramble (Or pep talk again I'M NOT REALLY GOOD WITH WORDS), as she countinues to listen to her:

"And besides, fame isn't everything. Sure, it seems like the greatest gift when you have lots of it, but when it dies down, what now? Barely anyone knows you, there is some new kind of thing that's all the rage, and worst of all, you know what was it like to be loved. Not to mention busy schedules and having little to no privacy. Seriously, I can't even remember the last time I had a nice and normal chat with Teagen. "

She quietly opens her shuttle, looking at the old, janky wries for a short moment in a bit of quivering sadness, before closing it and turning back to Shelly, who was just nodding her head this entire time.

It was quite the akward stare, to say the least, just for her to process everything Vee said and wipe her tiny tears.

Suddenly, a little idea spark in the television's CPU. Without scaring her too much, she taps on her fat dino finger(okay she dosen't really have those but cmon, think about it) to get her attention and spoke:

"Hey, I can prove that your dino knowlage does have some use."

Of coruse, you can't just say that to some person your trying to comfort and expe t them to understand. The ammonite's head tilts like a confused dog, before responding with a few studders:

"Wh-wh-what?"

Wagging her mic tail nervously, she scrathes the back of her antenna and replies back:

"Uhmmmm, how do I say this....... Could I........ Dust off your ribs?" (A luttle silly secret word of 'Can I tickle'. Aka the creator forgot the the term for secret word so her worsing is super off AHHH)

Her eyes light up in excitement as her dino tail wags rapid and her hands wave, turning around and fully exposing the area.

"Of course you can! I'm still not sure how that relates to what you said earlier, buttt I'll go with the flow."

With a smile on her face, Vee retracts her cold, metal fingers to give them little fur tips, before extending her arms to grab Shelly by the shoulders and wraps her mic wire tail around her body.

((Alright IK there might be too much creator notes, but this is important, I promise. I honestly don't think I can contently write both Shelly and Vee's names for this psrt since it rapidly switches the focus, so you, the reader will need to keep track of that. If you are reading this thank you :)))

Without warning, she felt a few of her top rib bones getting attacked by the fingers. That combined with the fact it's near her underarms, another vunerable spot, makes her burst of of laugther and flail her arms around helplessly. To say that she didn't expect her to immediately aim for it would be an understatement.

"VHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE, THAHAHAHTHAHHA WAHHAHAHAHA, GAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA."

As if that wasen't enough, the host positions her mic right in front of her mouth to amplify her laugther thoguh her speakers.

"You know, after what's possibly the longest gameshow, I could really use a bit of relaxing music to calm my wires down from the win of the other craft. Now, tell me, my deae ammonite, what's an interesting fact about dinosaurs and your sweet melt spot?"

Her blush was quickly forming on her face, especially with that little comment on her ribs. Regardless of how much tickles she is tanking, hiwever, she is still able to roll out one.

"AHAHAHA THEHEHEREHEHEHX HAHAHAHAS AHAHA SEHEHEHEHCHOHOHOHND SHEHEHEHEHET OHOHHOHOFHO RHIHIHIBS CHAHAHAHALLHEHED GASHHEHEHESTHAHAHAHLHIHIHIAS."

"Hmmmm, impressive! Perhaps you wouldn't mind naming me a flying dinosaur that flaps like your arms?"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ARHAHAHACHAHEHEHOHPTHEHERHEHEYHEHX DHOHOHOHEHEHS."

"Not sure how your able to say such a long name when your mind is as tangled as your body under my tickles, but I'll guve you credit for that. Perhaps we will need to increase the difficulty a bit more."

Giving her palms fluffy pads, she moves the the bridge of the sides and the belly, letting the it and the fingers work together around that area. This sudden increase of ticklish feeling jolts her body around and fills the room with even more of her laugthers.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, NHOHOHOHOHOHOHT THEHEHEHEHEHERHEHEHEHE VHEHEHEHEHEHE. THAHAHAHAHAHAHAHTHEHAHTS MHIHIHIHY MHEHEHEHEHEHEHELT SPHOHOHOHOHHOHOT."

"Everywhere is a melt spot for you, silly. Say, what kind of dinosaur has the largest stomach and how much it can eat?"

"AHAHA BRHAHAHANCHIHIHOSHAHARHUHS CHAHAHAN EHAHAHAT FOHOHOHOHUR HUHUHUUHUHNDRHEHEHED THOHOHO NIHIHIHIHNE HUHUHUHNDHRHEHEHED PHOHOHOHHOUNDS OHOHOHOHOF LEHAHHEHAHEHAHAHFY GRHEHEHEHEHENS AHAHA DHAHAHAY."

"Wonderful, really, wonderful! Last question before I let you go:Can dinosaurs laugh?"

"WHAHAHAHAHAIT, WHAHAHAHAT?"

"Can a dinosaur laugh just as loud as you? Hmm"

She repeats, as her fingers got closer to the center of her stomach.

"IHIHIHHIHT DHOHOHOHNT HAHAHAHAHAVE THEHEHEHEHE ANHAHAHANSWHEHEER THOHOHOHO THAHAHAHAT!"

"I'm just joking, silly, I don't know the answer to that either."

See her nearly cracking up to a little mess, she suddenly retracts the fluffy pads awaywhile still holding her body. Shelly babbled around like an idiot for a minite or two before she realized that the tickling stop. Feeling relieved, she takes her time to catch her breath and wipe of all the sweat on her head(don't ask me how is Vee not affected by that). She wags her tail playfully around Vee's stomatch, not fliching her by even a bit. Before long, her lungs had ctahc enough air for her to verbalize some words:

"Hey, Vee, thanks alot..... Huff.... For the tickles...... I've been craving some since this morning....."

"Haha, no problem! Look, I do want to apologize for not really spending time with you these past few days. I've got a lot of events to headline, including my own gameshow."

"Yeah, I understand,.... Haha..... Say, how exactly did you prove my dino knowlage...... Was worth something.......? "

"Don't you see it, Shelly? You could just pop one out even under such laughter as if it was nothing! That dosen't just take knowlage, but also some fighting energy and lung capacity! I'm telling you, you're a real fighter for this. "

"Oh!..... Well that's new..... Maybe that explains why I accidentally crack Tisha's.... Knuckles a bit too hard yesterday....."

"..... You what now?"

"..... Yeah.... I may or may not have.... Broke her arm?"

"..... I'm not even going to question that. Anyways, my next gameshow could use snother contestant. Wanna join?"

"Your kidding?..... Of coruse I would!"

"Alright alright, I'll register your name later. Come on, let's get some soft tacos."

"But you can't eat food, can you?"

"A robot can dream, Shelly, a robot can dream."

And so, the TV host picked up the ammonite by the hand and took the other exit back to the toon rooms, leaving the aftershow on a sweet note.

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

Thank you so much for your patience! Speaking honestly, I wish I could get thus done earlier, but hey, better late than never!

Let's thank Google for giving me some dino facts to incoperate into this fic, and thank my will to tease the requester the motivation to finush this fic! /silly

Have aa good day mate! And proud to say I enjoyed this fic alot more!

[randomfoggytiger]

The Truth Is Out There: David Duchovny, Collaborator and Vancouver Captive

1995 David Duchovny was grimly resigned to five unexpected, grueling years in Vancouver. (Thankfully for philes-- and his pocketbook-- he stuck around and contributed heavily to the series, including the idea which connected Mulder's family to the Conspiracy.) He was also very chatty and very complainy; and, even then, tended to gravitate to lower-stakes projects that put little pressure on him (acting is, after all, something he wanted, even then, to remain "fun".)

Previous parts of Brian Lowry's Book 1 here, here, and here. Transcripts below will be fonted in italics.

BITS FROM THE BOOK

Before the [first] season began, Fox officials were clearly more effusive in praising "Brisco County" and its star, Bruce Campbell, than The X-Files. In that regard, when Grushow commented that he’d “eat my desk” if Campbell didn’t become a star, Duchovny’s competitive spirit was piqued, feeling like The X-Files was being dismissed and slighted. Carter remembers Duchovny returning from an event where Grushow made those comments and joking about serving him the condiments for that meal. The attitude, Duchovny says, was that Fox was touting the other show and treating their entry as an afterthought-- as if it were “and oh yeah, there’s this other little show called The X-Files.” 

The net effect, in fact, turned out to benefit the show on virtually every level-- creating, as Duchovny puts it, “a unique mythology for television.” The complex alien abduction/government conspiracy story that was concocted to explain Anderson’s brief hiatus actually solidified the Mulder-Scully bond, striking an extremely responsive chord with the show’s hard-core fans. As Duchovny points out, there were also parallels between Scully’s abduction and that of Mulder’s sister, giving their relationship even more emotional resonance. 

…One of those regularly contributing ideas [to the second season] is Duchovny, who’s become personally close with Carter (the two are occasional squash partners) and has shared story credit with him on certain episodes. 

The producer has no qualms about letting his star in on that process. “He’s got good ideas for the show,” notes Carter. “Why not use them?” As for Duchovny, he says that once it became apparent the show would be around for a while, he had an interest as an actor in making his character as interesting as possible to play. 

As for Duchovny, the actor had little enthusiasm about doing a television series at the time-- his feature career having taken a promising turn with "Kalifornia", which cast him opposite Brad Pitt. The X-Files turned out to be the only pilot script his manager decided to send him that year. “I read it, and I thought it was a really good story and that UFOs would get boring after three or four episodes,” Duchovny recalls. ‘I thought I could go to Vancouver for a month and get paid, and then go on and do my next movie.” 

“I love it!” Bowman proclaims as the scene ends, watching the shot through a monitor and lauding his star as “One-take Duchovny.” 

…Bowman has to deal with five actors (Anderson, Duchovny, and Gunmen Dean Haglund, Bruce Harwood, and Braidwood) in a relatively confined space, so the staging will be critical. After Bowman aligns them one way, Duchovny suggests an alternative in handling the shot, and various configurations are tried. As they begin rehearsing, everyone still seems a bit punchy, and the mood is light. Haglund keeps wanting to call a Nazi scientist “Kempler” instead of “Klemper”, and Duchovny has a hard time not laughing each time Braidwood (who comes up roughly to the actor’s chin) approaches him, with Frohike supposed to act relieved to see Mulder alive after the events that closed the second season. “Did you ever see the 'Star Trek; where Spock thought that Kirk died?” Duchovny tells him with his trademark deadpan delivery. ‘That’s what you want to be doing.” 

IN HIS OWN WORDS

…By virtue of starring in “The X-Files”, Duchovny also seems destine to have a shot at major feature-film stardom, but again, not via the precise route anyone assumed he’d follow. …Duchovny felt he was on his way and as a result had serious doubts about doing a television series. “It’s like a horse race,” he observes, enjoying a relaxed moment, clad in work shirt, boots, and jeans outside his trailer on “The X-Files” set in Vancouver. “You’ve got fifteen guys who are going to be ‘the next big thing,’ and three of those guys are going to finish.

“I was making a living,” he notes. “It seemed like I would get my shot at some point.”

Duchovny was willing to wait for his chance. He’d done some interesting features, and thanks to the vagaries of Hollywood, he knew a hit movie-- any hit movie-- would move him up to the next echelon of actors. “I always had an abiding belief that things would work out for me,” he says. “I didn’t know how. And then my manager, who was agreeing with me in that I didn’t want to do any television, sent me the script for ‘The X-Files’ because she thought it was a really good script. She read all the pilots, and that was the only one she sent me.” 

Duchovny remembers thinking he could do the pilot-- getting paid to spend a month or so in Vancouver-- and then be off to his next feature. In the midst of another 12- or 14-hour day, he can only shrug at the irony, adding with a sly grin, “It didn’t really work out that way.” 

…Prone to introspection as he is, however, Duchovny feels the weight of the expectations riding on him and wears the mantle of stardom uneasily, having found that sudden celebrity is not without its drawbacks on a personal level. 

…”Year one was just about survival-- am I physically going to survive? It’s what I imagine those triathletes feel: When you first start competing you just want to finish, then eventually you start wanting to get a good time. 

“There were many days the first year when I would just go home and think, ‘I can’t do it. I can’t go back to work anymore.’”

Although that situation didn’t ease much in terms of shooting requirements during the second season-- particularly with costar Gillian Anderson’s pregnancy compelling Duchovny to shoulder more responsibility for a time-- the actor found the show’s creative direction alone lightening the burden. “Last year I just think the work was so much better. That was kind of inspiring,” he says. 

Ever a tough critic, Duchovny felt there were some good episodes the first year and enjoyed doing something that was different from most primetime television shows. As for his contribution, he says he was “occasionally kind of happy with my work.” 

By contrast, in the second season, he believes, “we really became the best show on television,” saying he’s grateful that the series survived so its performers, writers and directors had the opportunity to mature together. The third season will be more of the same, he predicts, with trademark sarcasm, “before we slide back into mediocrity.” 

…Stardom does have some advantages, in that Duchovny has been able to add his stamp to the show creatively, providing story ideas and helping contribute to “The X-Files” mythology….

…Part of Duchovny’s goal has been to flesh out the character of Fox Mulder-- which, he points out, was understandably vague when the show began-- in order to make the part more enticing for him as a performer. “It’s definitely been exciting, just something added to my experience, in terms of being able to guide the destiny of the character,” he explains. “Because the character had no destiny. Like any TV show, you’re forced to eventually create a history for the character that it never had.” 

Once “The X-Files” had survived the initial Nielsen weeding-out process and he and Carter realized the show was going to be around for a while, Duchovny offers, “it became important to me as an actor to make that history as interesting as I could.” 

The second-season finale, entitled “Anasazi,” and revelations about Mulder’s family played out in the two opening episodes of the third season, offer such mythic highlights, exploring Mulder’s character and family history, down to his father’s role in alien experimentation. Those episodes also shed light on the abduction of Mulder’s sister, Samantha, which figured prominently in the character’s motivation….

Those episodes, he maintains, couple with earlier story arcs have “created a unique mythology for television in the character, and I’m really proud of that fact-- that I was conscious enough to say to Chris, ‘Look, I have some ideas, I want to be involved with the creation of this myth.’” 

Duchovny contends that Anderson’s pregnancy and brief absence unwittingly contributed to that emotional resonance. Having Mulder search for her echoed the loss he felt in losing his sister, while Scully’s abduction gave her an experience to draw upon-- all of which, in Duchovny’s eyes, provided “raw material to use in the future.” 

According to the actor, the depth of those episodes stands above “a kind of formula that we were drifting into the middle of last year” with stand-alone installments dealing with whatever monsters and/or paranormal phenomena the writers could dream up….

Now the show can go back and forth, delving into its mythology, then pulling back to do more standard and self-contained episodes. “The intensity’s too much, and it can get melodramatic,” Duchovny says regarding the need to break up the mythology segments, adding that the producers have achieved a “nice balance now” between the two. 

Seemingly as much of a perfectionist as Carter, Duchovny acknowledges that he occasionally bristles when he’s presented with a deluge of gobbledygook dialogue-- those sequences where Mulder launches into remarkably detailed explanations about some event or series of events from the past. “At first it was almost impossible-- it’s kind of a muscular thing,” he says. “You try and make it interesting from an acting point of view…. [But] sometimes it’s just like you memorize… and spit it out.” 

…Duchovny can be equally blunt in elaborating on his views regarding fame…. “Celebrity’s no fun,” he says flatly. 

“There’s really nothing nice about it. Celebrity is being known. It’s no fun to be known. I imagine it’s fun to be known for something good that you did, or for something noteworthy, but unfortunately the kind of celebrity television brings is monochromatic.”

…”I understand that it’s part of the territory,” he allows, “but sometimes it’s hard to be amused when you’re just trying to live your life and you don’t feel like people snickering or pointing. In this culture that we live in, everybody wants celebrity, everybody wants to be famous. If I’m going to be famous, I’d rather be famous ‘for’ something.” With a shrug of resignation, he adds, “I don’t think I have a choice at this point.” 

Duchovny’s comfort level with fame remains low. Asked the worst part about life under the microscope, he simply says, “It doesn’t leave you room to make mistakes, to do something stupid. Everything becomes kind of calculated in the worst way. You’ll have an impulse and you’ll go, ‘Can I do that? Is anybody watching me?’ It’s like being Catholic,” he quips. 

Not that Duchovny would trade in his ‘The X-Files’ experience. Far from it. “This is wonderful, and it affords me economic security” while hopefully creating the opportunity, he says, to do interesting feature-film work either after the series completes its run or during the hiatus period….

The travails of fame notwithstanding, things have certainly worked out, if not perfectly…. After all, how many people get to bring their dog to work with them? Duchovny’s pet, Blue, a well-behaved mutt with some border collie in her, is almost constantly at his side and less apt to complain than her master. “She gets excited to go in the car every morning-- much more excited than I do,” Duchovny says. “This is like her pack.” 

…Born August 7, Duchovny was so quiet growing up in Manhattan that his brother Danny, who is four years his senior, used to enjoy telling his friends David was “retarded….”

Duchovny admits to being shy as a youth, seldom dating during high school. His parents divorced when he was 11, and Duchovny has said in interviews those events may have contributed to both his drive to succeed academically and his personality, which at times can be construed as a bit standoffish…. 

In 1987, just short of gaining his Ph.D. at Yale in English (his dissertation topic was “Magic and Technology in Contemporary Poetry and Prose”), Duchovny began to truly pursue acting….

“It was never really a decision I made,” Duchovny says in hindsight. “I was doing both of them at once”-- teaching while working on his Ph.D. and acting-- “and I guess I just realized that I didn’t want to be a professor.” 

According to Duchovny, “Red Shoe Diaries” proved pivotal, allowing him to exhibit a different side of what he could do. In addition, he began to feel more comfortable as an actor, describing “The Rapture” as “a difficult experience” and “Twin Peaks” as an oddity. After appearing in low-budget films that put little pressure on him, “Red Shoe Diaries” also offered him his first leading role. “To see that I could do that was very important,” he suggests. 

In his customary manner, Duchovny would probably be the first to say the schedule associated with producing “The X-Files” is grueling and at times frustrating, but his faith in and commitment to the series’s quality pushes him along, much as he might like to grumble about the tongue-twisting dialogue and exhausting pace. As he puts it, in characteristically understated fashion, “It’s hard work to make a bad show, too.”

TRIVIA

[Duchovny meeting his girlfriend]: He was shopping for a suit (his first in many years), and asked Perrey Reeves, who had come in to shop for lingerie, which suit he should choose-- the gray one or the blue one? She told him to buy both. 

“Ice”: The Arctic-bound entry featuring a gruesome space-worm, which Duchovny has dubbed “the first really rocking episode.” David Duchovny’s own border collie, Blue, is the daughter of the dog featured in this episode. 

“The Jersey Devil”: The X-Files is filmed in Vancouver, so Mulder was not really in Atlantic City casinos. Instead, Duchovny was filmed in front of a blue-screen and stock casino footage was matted in later-- considerably cheaper than a location shoot in New Jersey would have cost. 

“Fire”: The famous “black silk boxer shorts” scene was originally a “Jockey underwear” scene….

“Genderbender”: During filming of the crime scene at the beginning of Act One, Mitch Kosterman (Det. Horton) flubbed his lines and said “chum chippy” instead of “some chippy.” For the rest of the shoot, David Duchovny joshed him about that line.  

“Miracle Man”: In an interview David Duchovny once said that he would consider Mulder Jewish until told otherwise.

“Darkness Falls”: Shooting in the forest near Vancouver, production was delayed frequently and made more difficult by heavy rains. “It was miserable,” Carter recalls, noting that the actors were soaking wet much of the time…. One saving grace was the casting of Jason Beghe…. A childhood friend of David Duchovny’s, Beghe had prodded him to pursue acting…. Having him on hand (at Duchovny’s suggestion) helped lighten the mood around the set, making the shoot something of a reunion and thus less of an ordeal for the cast. 

“One Breath”: The episode also lightly pokes fun at the show’s fans on the Internet, with one of the Lone Gunmen telling Mulder he should join them Friday in “hopping on the Internet to nitpick the scientific inaccuracies of Earth 2.” 

“Firewalker”: Gordon saw Trepkos’s obsession and the toll it exacted upon him in terms of losing someone he loved as a means of exploring the darker side of Mulder’s commitment to his search. “The natural endpoint of this quest for the truth is madness,” he notes, suggesting that Mulder’s decision to let Trepkos go at the end represents the bond in that respect between Mulder and Trepkos-- their shared ‘Heart of Darkness’. 

“Paper Clip”: …[Carter] also points to the mythic elements in Mulder being told that he has in a sense become his father-- one reason Duchovny has likened the narrative course of these three episodes to another trilogy, “Star Wars”, with a touch of “Sophie’s Choice”, perhaps, thrown in for good measure. 

BONUS

An excerpt from Brian Lowry’s second book “Trust No One: The Official Third Season Guide to The X-Files": 

Never one to settle for success, Duchovny-- who continues to play an active role in the series’s creative direction, working in concert with Carter and co-executive producer Howard Gordon on certain episodes-- is pleased with the third season but looks forward to expanding the show’s emotional range even further. Referring to one of the early second-season episodes, he notes, “I think when we did ‘Duane Barry’ the show became a really great show, and we maintained that level for a while, but we haven’t gone beyond it. I’m waiting to go beyond it. We won’t go beyond it technically, but we will go beyond it in terms of character, introducing a personal life of some kind. I think it’s inevitable. You have to do it.”

When it’s pointed out that the show’s most fervent loyalists, as well as Carter himself, have been especially vocal about not wanting to see Mulder and Scully romantically involved with anyone but each other, Duchovny simply shrugs and says the nuances he refers to don’t necessarily have to involved ‘romance’. “Give Mulder a friend. Give him a squash partner,” he suggests. “It’s got to happen. I really don’t care what anybody thinks we should or shouldn’t do.” Anderson remains more sanguine regarding such matters, though she indicates some interest as well in stretching the characters while understanding that such an evolution must occur within the show’s parameters. 

CONCLUSION

It's darkly comedic that Mr. Duchovny signed onto a (wildly successful) show thinking it would fail, only to be effectively held hostage for ten months out of twelve, 12- to 14-hours a day in a place that was completely opposite to the Cali weather he wished to sun bake in.

Also: props to him for contributing to the "domestication" of the show (more on that in future parts.) It's mind boggling just how much he contributed to The X-Files (and how much effort he put into later seasons together, despite his absence-- post here.)

Thanks for reading~

Enjoy!

[trollhunted]

Oh boy, now that I'm done with the rewatch it's time to air out some of the grievances I have with the writing choices made regarding the antagonists...

Starting off a little more positive – Merlin's portrayal worked fairly well overall as this arrogant manipulative old jerk of a wizard, who may have noble goals but achieves them via not so honorable methods in the name of the greater good.

It was a pretty good bait-and-switch with the way the show had built up this image of the mysterious and benevolent mage, but left enough hints to his true character via little details that quickly turn sour in hindsight once you've actually met him. He's not a villain, but they did make him a decent morally gray character in the few episodes he's around.

However, I think he should've been held more accountable for his actions and behavior, especially when his grand plan doesn't work out because he was too wrapped up in his own head to see the truth.

That leads me to Morgana, the big evil "mastermind" of the show. I have to say, I love how utterly unhinged they made her in the first half of season 3, though she loses some of that by the end of it. I don't really have many complaints about her as a villain, but rather like to nitpick aspects surrounding her character and some missed potential.

Design-wise I find her a little lackluster as someone called "the Eldritch Queen" and while it definitely was a fun idea to contrast Merlin's dark armor with all that gold, I believe they missed the mark a little. They should've gone a step further and contrasted the design even more by giving it a creepy and organic direction. Her "armor" could've been more insectoid and reminiscent of bones or dead wood.

Also, a small thing that always bothers me are the green accents on her, when that was being established as Merlin's color. It does connect them visually in a way, but mostly just feels out of place to me. Now, about that missed potential...

As a queen of shadows, I would've liked if they'd played up her insidious nature a little more. As Claire, instead of immediately trying (and badly failing) to kill the Trollhunter, they should've dragged out the possession a little. She could've used this position to destroy the team from within, test their limits, tear them apart to weaken their will, only to have it all backfire with how much they trust and care for each other. It would've paralleled Angor's approach, because considering his background, he must've picked up these methods from someone, no?

Another writing point that bothers me is her imprisonment. No matter how you look at it, sealing an ancient evil sorceress inside (or even near) the heartstone – a MAJOR source of pure energy – just sounds like an all around bad idea. Wouldn't it make sense for her to feed on that energy? And even if not that, shouldn't you be worried about her corrupting it??

I get that from an animation standpoint it's an extremely convenient way to have everything happening in one place, so you don't actually have to set up so many new assets, but man... it's just kind of stupid lol.

Honestly the way I would've rationalized this whole deal is: instead of having her sealed up in Arcadia Oaks, California of all places (why did they even end up there?) she could've been imprisoned within the previous Trollmarket in europe. Her and Gunmar have tried to bring about the Eternal Night before and almost succeeded, which led to the battle of Killahead, where both were sealed away.

Imagine Gunmar and his forces had taken the old Trollmarket and used its heartstone for that spell, draining it in the process. Although they were stopped and defeated, Trollmarket was destroyed and their rock of sustenance dead, which would prompt the trolls to leave and seek a new home across the globe.

Merlin could've trapped Morgana in the empty heartstone as a way to contain her powers, using the last of his magic. Maybe the reason he was so sure she would be weak and easy to vanquish after her imprisonment is because he had intended to slowly syphon her energy to empower himself and never considered that she would figure out how to reverse the spell to drain him instead.

And to add some flavor to this location, Morgana's presence could've twisted the old Trollmarket into something eery and barely recognizable, giving others reason to avoid this place. It could've served to show the heroes what may become of their beloved Trollmarket if Gunmar wins, given them more incentive to fight for what they have.

That's just an idea though.

Angor Rot was always a big pot of missed potential to me and his return in season 3 just ended up feeling, well, hollow lol. He was introduced as a great antagonist but in my honest opinion kinda fell off the moment they destroyed his soul and just turned him into an angry beast. Besides the overall bad taste it leaves behind, we really didn't need a Bular 2. And it's a little annoying they somewhat continued with that direction even when he was revived and supposedly got his soul back.

I like that they cared enough to dig a little into his conflicting emotions given his history & enslavement, but these moments should've been brought up in the climax of the first season. He should've regained his soul back then and suddenly be forced to reconcile with the atrocities committed in the name of his mistress. His revenge on Strickler should've conflicted with his newly regained conscience...

And, oh man, Strickler is a bit of an annoying case. It's kind of absurd to me that they would choose to give this man an easy "redemption" while tossing around Angor's corpse like that.

Angor Rot literally had his soul and autonomy taken from him and while these actions definitely twisted him throughout the ages, at the end of the day it was never his choice. Strickler was in a somewhat similar situation as a changeling made to serve Gunmar, but the major difference is that he did have a choice. Multiple even.

Even in his predicament, Angor chose to offer the Trollhunter a deal to free both of them of Strickler's control. Whether he actually would've honored that deal is hard to say, but I think even if he'd betrayed Jim's trust, it would've made for a good opportunity to speak of who he used to be and what he's become, and have his first real choice in centuries be to spare them.

Strickler on the other hand is far more vile and self-serving at his core. At first you could argue that it's mostly the (very real) threat of Bular breathing down his neck that pushes him to harm Jim despite his soft spot for the kid. But when both Bular and Gunmar are out of the picture, instead of using this freedom constructively, he doubles down on killing the Trollhunter while finding every opportunity to get under his skin.

This man literally chooses to continue beefing with a teenager and don't get me wrong, I love it. Comedy aside, it is genuinely a fun exploration of his character and what makes him work as a complex personal antagonist. But the fun quickly stops when they try to rush him into a lackluster "redemption arc" to get him on the main team.

I'm aware that tons of people love the stricklake pairing and "lady x monster man" is very much a del Toro staple, but I really don't think Strickler should've been "redeemed" given everything he did, there should've been FAR more serious repercussions. It would've made more sense to me to put him in a "reluctant, not entirely trustworthy, sort-of-ally" position than suddenly have him be one of the Good Guys because... romance?

Not to mention the quality of their writing and characterization took quite a dip to mend their relationship and make said last minute romance happen. The drama surrounding it was cheesed up to such a degree it felt like they were putting on a play and didn't tell anyone.

Nomura's turnaround makes perfect sense narratively speaking because she was a straight-forward, impersonal antagonist, who only began to sympathize with the enemy when they were forced into the same position and she had nothing left to lose. She probably gave Jim a few nightmares, but the Lakes don't have anywhere near the number of reasons to hate her as they should with Strickler.

Oh and on the topic of changelings, let's get to the Janus Order. In my honest opinion, I think the Order was an overall waste. What made the changelings fun to me was precisely how they jumped between playing human and the cruel brutality of their monstrous nature. They weren't really a blend of these two worlds, but rather just putting on an act.

That's what made examples like Strickler, Nomura, and NotEnrique emotionally toeing the line of what it means to be human so interesting. Because they aren't human, but have learned to love the world they live in. And it's also what would've made Jim's transformation so strange/special, because he actually would've embodied joining those worlds.

The Janus Order both visually and narratively throws a wrench into that for no reason. (And don't get me started on the whole "evil, politically powerful organization secretly controlling the world" deal..........)

The way I could actually see a point to that direction, is if it had been a relatively inconsequential side-plot where the Janus Order is more like a small-scale cult of humans or even low-grade sorcerers worshipping the Pale Lady. It could've been a one or two episode issue that would've mainly served to build up some lore & foreshadowing surrounding Morgana, before she would've made her big entrance in the third season.

Ah... and even Gunmar could've been handled much better in the later seasons. Bular isn't a perfect character, but he serves his purpose as the introductory villain fairly well and for a kids show like that, it's a sensible execution.

Gunmar's character started out very strong – as the presumed endboss, they combined Bular's intimidation factor and Strickler's conniving nature with him and added some class as a millennia old monster warlord. It works fantastically. While that image falls a little here and there, his portrayal in the Darklands still makes sense as someone who seemingly lost all hope and resigned himself to his eternal prison... and even then he displayed a malicious sort of patience by wanting to break Jim's spirit instead of simply killing him.

So for that to quickly turn into an impatient old man, who just barks out threats and orders and blindly follows whatever anyone tells him the moment he's on the surface... it, well, is pretty disappointing. It's understandable for Bular, the younger and less experienced son, to be rash and impatient, but a warlord? That's a position that requires a ton of patience and tactical prowess.

I really wish they would've kept the way he was presented in the first season and give us this big villain who's not only physically scary, but observational and dedicated enough to send Chompsky back with a message saying he'll kill all those Jim holds dear for killing his son and then listing literally everyone the kid knows.

Plus, his origin as some kind of actual monster born from a corrupted heartstone should've been explored! They could've gone into that endless hunger he apparently displays, that would've made him consume countless living creatures and even drain the magic energy out of crystals...

Instead we ended up with Bular 2 again, but even worse somehow, and it just made Gunmar about as threatening as a parked truck.

[valentinsylve]

Thank you for the tag, @wellntruly! Due to the fact that I lived my life as a fool, I didn't write down all the films I watched for the first time in 2024. However, I can post my top nine first watches with little blurbs <3

Hagazussa: A Heathen's Curse (Feigelfeld, 2017) Folk horror film, but the horror really figures most in the isolation of the main character amid the German Alps during the early modern era. Cruelty and ignorance are monsters. Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (Pasolini, 1975) The Girls, Guts, and Giallo podcast patreon tier I'm on has extra screenings, and we were treated to a small antifascist film fest on November 7th. I'd been a bit afraid to watch this, but now I can say that it's the best film I saw all year. Notorious for its relentless depiction of rape, forced coprophagia, and other tortures by a powerful few against a captive group who are systematically and brutally un-personed, it is equally beautiful and important. Quietest, most chilling Carmina Burana jumpscare. This will become a rewatch for me. Straight on till Morning (Collinson, 1972) I love a creepy connection between two deranged freaks who want to live out their childhood fairy tale power fantasies. Salvation! (Beth B, 1987) It's the 80s! Things are zany! Televangelism! Rampant sex! Trash maximalism! Obscure alternative tunes! Viggo Mortenson and Exene Cervenka! The cinematography and design are really fantastic. Ganja & Hess (Gunn, 1973) I watched this twice and it's the kind of material that takes multiple viewings, so we'll be back. Trying to describe this movie is a challenge for me. It is immersive, surreal, political, erotic, existential. Marlene Clark is an utter icon, glamorous, haughty, witty and daring, and when she shows a bit of vulnerability? All those qualities captured my heart completely. She deserved more roles and accolades. The Color Wheel (Ross Perry, 2011) This is a gem. Uncomfortable in many ways -- the brother and sister leads are both obnoxious characters. Their relationship is the point, though, and wow does it pay off. I was deeply moved. The incestuous romance develops with surprising tenderness given how abrasive the duo can be. American Fiction (Jefferson, 2023) I went into this film knowing nothing about it, and it was solidly amazing. Funny and bleak. You get the broken lovingness of families and a scathing satirical treatment of racism in the publishing industry. Design for Living (Lubitsch, 1933) What a romp! Everyone knows about this one on tumblr, because it's a Pre-Code throuple romcom. Delightful chemistry between Frederic March, Miriam Hopkins, and Gary Cooper. Everyone should watch Lubitsch romantic comedies. The Destroying Angel (De Rome, 1976) From the brief age of arthouse hardcore gay pornography, this is a lurid, trippy sex tragedy very loosely based on a tale of terror by Poe. A priest takes leave of his vows to explore his desire for abjection and transcendence through sex with men. He also tries some mushrooms, to varying effects. I found it unsettling and hot. I want a proper recording of it, but have had no luck finding one. If you get the pinklabel streaming service, you can watch it.

This was fun, and now I'm making sure to write down a list as I watch movies in 2025.

I'd love to know what everyone's favorite movies are, blurb or photos not necessary!

I was tagged by @memory-for-trifles for my top first-time watches in 2024 of movies not from 2024, and also by @door for my nine favorite movies of the year, which I am combining to nine non-recent releases. Thank you buddies!!

Also NOT thank you, as it seems I watched 190 new to me, pre-2024 movies last calendar year, and rated fully 45 of them five stars.

....so here is a representative nine categories (blood! tears!!), and then the whole list of older movies that fucking rule.

: :

Powell & Pressburger: A Matter of Life and Death (1946) Pre-Code: Trouble In Paradise (1932) Screwball: It Happened One Night (1934)

Western: Dead Man (1995) Marty: Mean Streets (1973) Agnès: Le Bonheur (1965)

Historical: The Leopard (1963) Satyajit Ray: Pather Panchali (1955) Noir: Out of the Past (1947)

: :

Top 45 Non-2024 Movies I Watched in 2024 [alphabetical]

A Matter of Life and Death (1946) Powell & Pressburger Ace In the Hole (1951), Billy Wilder All About Eve (1950), Joseph L. Mankiewicz Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) John Sturges Daisies (1966) Věra Chytilová Dead Man (1995) Jim Jarmusch Cat People (1942) Jacques Tourneur It Happened One Night (1934) Frank Capra Johnny Guitar (1954) Nicholas Ray La Ronde (1950) Max Ophüls Laura (1944) Otto Preminger Le Bonheur (1965) Agnès Varda Little Women (1994) Gillian Armstrong Mean Streets (1973) Martin Scorsese Metropolitan (1990) Whit Stillman Miracle on 34th Street (1947) George Seaton Nights of Cabiria (1957) Federico Fellini On the Beach (1959) Stanley Kramer Only Angels Have Wings (1939) Howard Hawks Out of the Past (1947) Jacques Tourneur Pather Panchali (1955) Satyajit Ray Queen Christina (1933) Rouben Mamoulian Sunset Boulevard (1950) Billy Wilder The Age of Innocence (1993) Martin Scorsese The Awful Truth (1937) Leo McCarey The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) William Wyler The Big City (1963) Satyajit Ray The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1962) Karel Zeman The Heiress (1949) William Wyler The Lady Vanishes (1938) Alfred Hitchcock The Leopard (1963) Luchino Visconti The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927) Alfred Hitchcock The Manchurian Candidate (1962) John Frankenheimer The Philadelphia Story (1940) George Cukor The Red Shoes (1948) Powell & Pressburger The Servant (1963) Joseph Losey The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) John Huston The Wind (1928) Victor Sjöström They Shoot Horses, Don’t They (1969) Sydney Pollack To Be or Not to Be (1942) Ernst Lubitsch Trouble in Paradise (1932) Ernst Lubitsch Ugetsu (1953) Kenji Mizoguchi Wait Until Dark (1967) Terence Young Wings of Desire (1987) Wim Wenders Zodiac (2007) David Fincher

Honorable Mentions

I had technically watched Casablanca (1942) and Brief Encounter (1945) many, many many many years earlier, but I rewatched both of them this past year as an adult, and guess what: five stars

Tagging @passingknightly, @knighthooded, @camestela, @bakingblues, @forshesajollygoodfellow, @alpineshepherdlass, @valentinsylve, and anyone else who enjoys a MOVIE

[spotaus]

Flesh anon here. Yet again. With more flesh questions, go me! Staying on brand!

So I was rereading my previous asks and the responses and I realized two things

1. Human flesh is very much a conversation Reaper, Geno, and Dust could have at some point, something like Geno mourning that loss of opportunity back in school, Reaper making a small comment about it because while he has eaten it before it is likely not something he would repeat, and then Dust can chime in with the fact he's eaten dishes from that shapeshifter kingdom place, and Geno gets so excited because "omg what do you mean i can go over and eat flesh in dishes that had possibly hundreds of years avaiable to develop the tastes to their full potential??" because he's a nerd and has to get shut down by his lovers, because there's no way they're going with him, and there's ABSOLUTELY no way he's going alone.

2. It has been established Ccino would throw the flesh Nim used to eat out because of Nightmare being picky about his food so the pantry had to get renovated

But Ccino only got that because of all the chaos and the adjustment period

So... If almost everything went as planned, would the flesh from Nims rule stay in the pantry at the beginning of Dreams? Like I don't think it would get resupplied because Nightmare is an advisor and I think Ccino would still get some say in that, but is that something that could've actually went on without people even... Really realizing? Like maybe after the kingdom gets overthrown they're in some very unfortunate situation where they have questionable food and stuff and Dream takes the meat because well, Nightmare gets iffy with most meats and Ccino probably can't stomach it, and he eats it expecting something terrible because the source was sketchy... But he recognizes this? He has eaten this before, back at the castle. It's the first time since those early days that he's eating it, but even if prepared very differently the taste and texture is unique enough that he's able to recognize it. Maybe later on they learn it was flesh and he feels disgusted? Or maybe not even, maybe he's eerily neutral about it and Nightmare is the one who feels disgusted for him. I feel like Ccino would not let himself process it either way honestly.

Welcome back Flesh Anon! It's a pleasure!

And I love the brand, let's do this thing!

1) Oh, you are SO right! Those freaks would definitely make a conversation of it- like you said, Geno would be the one to bring it up, and without even thinking Reaper is just like, "No, my love, you wouldn't be impressed. It's like any other meat, except a bit of a strange texture." And then is blindsided when Geno gives him The Look to elaborate. But Dust doesn't catch it immediately (and is also a lot more comfy w/ them) so he drops the "Yeah. Unseasoned and uncooked? Gross." And he Also doesn't process because Reaper was so chill about it. (He gets flash-backs to the drunk night w/ Killer lmao-) And then Geno hounds them for like an hour for info, haha! (Idk if there's anything else to say because you kinda nailed them, hehe!)

Perhaps, if I were to be a bit silly, I could see Dust sending a letter to obe of hid old contacts and asking them to visit Sanctuary or Orchard, to call in a favor. Obe singular well-cooked meal for his stupidly curious partner. At the end of the day Dust knows Geno has done worse social + moral taboos and will find his way to it one way or another, so he's speeding up the process haha! Geno admits that Reaper + Dust were right, the texture was just mediocre and uninteresting (doesn't even bother his magic) but the lady who made it made it WELL. Like, actually kinda scrumptious flavor-wise- he's deeply impressed.

2) Ohhhh I forgot... yeah, 99% chance that Dream doesn't even notice the incoming shipments, and the staff would assume Dream enjoyed the same meals as Nim w/ some variation. Night, like u said, very picky so he never had it in his meals, but Dream? Dream just kinda ate whatever was put infront of him so long as it looked/smelled/tasted good! Kept ordering it for years, actually, because the twins never bothered to ask, and the staff never thought they had reason to tell! (Ccino wouldn't have looked into it either I don't think, he didn't ever quite get the authority in this version, just immunity from poor treatment, so the meat is none if his business, all he needs to know is that Night won't eat it <3) And I love picturing them on the run and getting food from a sketchy source? Banger! Everything looks vaguely familiar, except for the meat, and Ccino prepares it beat he can, and Dream is distressed to recognize his high-price meat's texture! It doesn't take long to truly puzzle it out! At this point, I do believe Dream would be icked out, but in a very mundane way. Like, mm. (Example: My brother hates mayo. He loves my mom's chicken salad, which includes mayo. He overlooks his mayo hatred because it tastes good + eats it anyways-) Fundamentally he's grossed out by the idea of eating human flesh, but after so long od developing a taste for it? He's kinda unapologetic for liking it and, in this au, *might* eat it again. But yeah, no, Nightmare gags the moment he hears someone point it out, and Ccino just kinda... blocks it out. Back into crisis mode for this boy, lol!

[welcometogrouchland]

I miss them so bad (Dick and Damian)