#this is gonna be a two-parter since the game is about 8 hours long

[yappacadaver]

The Quarry Stream Tonight!!

Everyone hop on in at 7:30pm EST for The Quarry! This is a story game by Supermassive (the people behind Until Dawn and the Dark Pictures Anthology) full of campy horror, intrigue, and plenty of gore :D

I've played the game several times before but I won't be spoiling anything so first-timers can enjoy the full experience! With branching paths and plenty of choices, I'll be asking chat for opinions so we can shape the story together (only choices I'll make completely alone are the ones that keep blorbo bleebus alive and make him freak tf out)

Twitch link HERE feel free to drop a follow, it's always super appreciated :D

CW: Extreme gore, death, use of the word "gypsy", car crashes, gunshots, abusive family, and more. This is solidly an adult-oriented horror experience ♥

[blackblood1872]

Just saw season 8 of Voltron! Gonna be spoiling some things in this post so, uh, don’t read if you don’t want spoilers?

I had fun watching it and it’s definitely still one of my favorite shows. Of course I’m sad about the lack of a certain ship (of course I’m talking about Sheith), but I’ve kind of always been braced for it not being canon. So I’m not too surprised. Sad, yes, but not surprised.

I’m also sad about the lack of any big Shiro&Keith interactions. Cuz, like, what? You guys were so in each other’s business the last 7 seasons and this season, just… nothing? I’m confused. Maybe I missed them? I’m gonna have to do a rewatch at some point here.

I’m happy Allurance became canon! Even if it didn’t stick around. (I am salty they didn’t pull a “surprise! We only need to sacrifice one person to restore the realities, Allura, go back to your boyfriend” like they could have. Why didn’t this happen? I might write a few alternate canon fics after this.) Episode 1 was really cute and so was episode 7 (Day 47) and I’m not a big hetero shipper but all the Allurance was really cute.

I loved pretty much all the episodes - the first… 10? Up to the Knights of Light 2-parter, whatever episodes those were. I liked this. And Clear Day. Sorry, I binged the whole season just now and I have no awareness of what episodes are which. Actually, I think I liked them all except the last half of the last episode.

Episodes 6, 7, and 8 were my peek favorites, I think. That was an intense episode followed by two fun episodes. Episode 7 made me laugh so much, and I really liked how real the battle seemed? It was the lack of cinematic shots and music and it made it feel more real? I dunno, I really like that sort of thing.

The last 3 episodes were really intense and I was really into them and it was so emotional at times - god, I loved them. I also made the mistake of reading some Tumblr discourse before writing this so my memories of my emotions during those episodes are a bit damaged. Cuz everyone’s hating on this?

Like, I get it. It wasn’t perfect. But nothing ever is. Real life is never perfect. I don’t know what reality you’re living in that things are perfect but it’s not the real one. Everything felt accurate, like this was how these people would actually react. No, some people didn’t make the right or the best choices. But who ever does? When you’re in the moment and faced with a choice you have to make in a second - you don’t always get it right. This show did that and it felt real.

Stop putting Voltron on a pedestal. It’s about war and life and mistakes and living the best life you can. And I feel like it did a good job showing that. Even if we don’t like how some things turned out. That’s life.

And now back to me talking about the season. I never watched the trailer for this season, but I did see quite a few screencaps on Tumblr. I got excited every time I saw a scene I recognized in the show. Like, you would not believe. I was grinning and laughing and crying at times during the whole ~6 hours I spent watching this season.

(I watched the first 3 episodes from 7 am til 8.20 am, then episode 4 over the course of a couple hours because my mom kept trying to talk to me. Then she left (yay) and I watched 5 through 13 from 11 am til 4 pm. So this was an entire day thing for me even though the season was a total of 6 hours.)

I was really crying those last 5 episodes, it was really intense and insane and wow, I just really loved it. 

Allura’s sacrifice was super emotional, god, why did she do that - but I got a smile out of Lance’s new Altean markings. Very cool! I like that they included those. The “one year later” flash forward was not a cool move tho. Shame on you guys. But it gives us fanfiction writers the ability to fill in the blanks! Yay for Coran and Allurance angst!

Another not cool thing: the flash forward to... I want to say it was probably 10 years? Maybe 5. Something like that. The final time skip. Not cool. I want to know how all those things happened! I want to see how the relationships changed! Fanon and Headcanons are great and all but I want to know the real canon events!

Tying into that, I’m really disappointed that we didn’t get endgame Sheith. But the show isn’t about us, doesn’t have to include everything that we want. It belongs to the characters, and while Shiro didn’t end up with Keith (like he should have) he did get a happy ending! Even if I don’t know who the hell his husband is. That was a major achievement! A real homosexual kiss! Yay! LGBT rep! and all that. I wish we got more focus on this guy tho, so it didn’t feel so random. 

Here’s a new game. The Where’s Waldo version of Voltron season 8: Spot Curtis.

(Because apparently his name is Curtis. He shows up a lot? Apparently? But there’s literally no focus on him and how were we supposed to know he was important?)

(I image Shiro got to know him a lot more during the cut to the “1 year later” scenes, and also over the next 5-10 years to when we get those epilogue shots. They just never showed it and I’m salty about it. Who the hell is Curtis??)

(Also, this shows that Shiro definitely has a Type.)

Anyway. I love this show and, overall, I’m happy with this season. Of course I’m going to be reading Sheith fanfics for the rest of time, but I’m also going to be trying to get to know this new guy (whothehelliscurtis) and I’ll probably add... whatever the hell their ship name is to my list of ships, just like I did with Adashi. I ship Shiro with Happiness and if he gets that with Adam or Keith or Curtis, then I’m happy.

(Seriously, what is their ship name? I’ve seen Curo and Chiro but nothing seems set in stone? Of course it’s only been like 12 hours since anyone would have seen the wedding scene. Ship name possibilities: Takatis? Shurtis? Shirtis? Curashi? Cushi? Why is this guy named Curtis, there are no good options when merging Curtis with Shiro or Takashi.)

Oh! And speaking of the final time skip: it’s probably 10 years. Which means 11 years since the final battle. The fact that Shiro is still alive and well means his disease is gone! He’s going to live! Yay!

Also! To everyone complaining about the career choices of the characters in the end credits: It’s been like 10 years! It’s the future! I’m sure they stayed as pilots for a lot of those years! I’m sure they did other things before settling on what they did in the credits! And they have a lot of years after this to do other things! It’s just a snapshot of their lives! Calm down!

Ok, that’s all. This has been my super long rant about Voltron Season 8. 

Now, I’m going to avoid discourse like I did with season 7, and if anyone complains to me I’m going to play Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” at max volume.

TL;DR: I liked season 8 and believe its flaws reflect real life and how humans work during times of war. I still like this show and always will. I’m sad my OTP isn’t canon but that’s what fanfiction is for. I’m happy for Shiro and hope he lives a long happy life. Thank you JDS and LM for giving us this amazing show!

[rogue-snorunt]

Can I still be nosy? 7, 8, 16, 18, 19, 31, 43, 44

i’m shook because someone actually wanting to get to know my doofy ass ; u ;7. Do you have tattos?Yep! got 3 tho tech one is a two-parter: +The Great Chain from Bioshock with “A man chooses, a slave obeys” quote on left wrist.+ Assassins Creed feathered insignia from the second game on right wrist.+ White ink skeletal angler fish on right side of left calf with its angler wrapping around to left side turning into a branch in which a cute ass fluffy owl sits as its lure.8. Want tattoos?Yep, and I want to get more : Gene’s star tattoo from Outlaw Star; Cardinal and some Daisies ( nana and great nana’s spirit bird and favorite flower) and a crow (my favorite birb) done in a mixed style of abstract and geometric shapes. The Marker from Dead Space with possible “Altmen be Praised” But both a phobia of needles (ironic i know but the tattoos i have already I did as a sort of self forced exposure therapy) and money currently prevent them,16. I’ll love you if…You treat me like a decent human should treat others; give me food, are patient, I am able to relate to you due to similar likes and interests. 18, Most traumatic experience:strap in- this is gonna be long  and I apologize: 

three years old- dad chasing and holding me down and forcing piercing my ears with a needle and an ice cube.six years old - the cat I’ve had an lived since birth and was my only friend: scratching me in the face , it was my fault as I pulled his tail like dumbass kids tend to do, resulting in the cat running outside and getting ran over by my day. i lost my best friend and my right eye that day.16 years old - accidentally getting left behind at a gas station in new jersey because I had to pee and left my phone in the car.

17 years old - Let my fathers dog - Milkshake out before taking a quick shower only to get a knock on the door a few minutes later by a random dude who informed me he had hit Milkshake. there was nothing anyone could do and no place was open so on christmas day I laid in the snowy road with Milkshake while she choked on blood for a couple of minutes and than died.  19 years old - 3 months into driving, a deer running out infront of me and I swerved to miss it resulting me to go off the road on a steep guard rail-less hill. my car got air and I popped all four tires; the frame got shifted 4 inches to the right, bent the control arm, it flipped on its side and my 50 pound toolbox getting thrown my backseat, missing my head by a few inches and smashing into my windshield. my car landed a few feet from a metal pole in a ditch. the only reason I was able to get out was because I happened to have the sun roof open that day and managed to fit through it.   Instead of  going to the hospital after, like the intelligent person I am,  I just went home and slept for 3 days.22 years old - getting rammed from behind doing 75 on the highway by a white truck while trying to pass a semi-truck while driving home for the weekend from college. fishtailing then doing a couple 360′s managing to not hit the semi truck besides me or the truck behind me and stopping inches from hitting the guardrail, facing the opposite direction. again, did not go to hospital; went to my friends restaurant where I worked at the time and just went to sleep on the dining room floor.22 years old - crossing the crosswalk on my way to my friends restaurant and assuming the suv coming down the hill would abide by the laws of this land but instead getting double-tapped by an old lady.  No hospital - went to restaurant and went to sleep in the hallway to the house above the restaurant.23 years old - the head gasket in my 88′ Ford Bronco exploding while driving back to college on a dark and very stormy night. I had to stand in a downpour next to a giant fireball for 2 hours waiting for the cops to come.25 years old - moved to Wisconsin for a bit and while riding the bus to work, a man apparently disapproved of how I was sitting and punched me.Few months later a finch flew into our apartment building and I tried my best but it died in my hands.26 to 27 years old -  Moved back to new york; where my step mom died and her appearance at the wake still fucks me up.Than I began working at a bakery and worked with an unstable man who would black out; scream, throw and break equipment and threatened to hurt/ kill me and lock everyone inside the bakery and burn it.and finally 27 years old: on january 31st - my friend was driving me home before a bad snowstorm hit and we hit black ice and slammed into a tree. the airbag broke my hand; face and glasses and fucked up my ribs, left lung and have a damaged nerve in my neck. The feeling of getting the air knocked out of you and not being to breath and the agony of trying to was the worst pain i’ve ever experienced  in my life and I was in and out of the hospital for 5 years with pancreatitis, kidney stones and infection, ulcers and organ shut downs all at the same time. last: having to put my dog with prostate cancer down after he wasn’t getting better. he died in my lap and it still haunts me.19: a fact about your personality take away the silly manner of speaking and vocab; puns and dumb jokes, pop culture references and goofy mannerisms : I’m just a dumb emotional asshole. 31. Last text message“I can’t help that I’m a slut for grade a memes and maple candy, stop shaming me”43. Sexiest person who comes to mind:tbh, i havent had a thought like this but now that I am @life-is-no-sugarlicking ‘s roy ; gage , dean winchester and ryan goslin come to mind.44. random fact:alot of food advertised as gluten free is naturally so already. Companies like advertising that and repackaging it to sell at a higher price just because they slapped “GLUTEN FREE!” on something they been selling already for years. and its a trap alot of people newly diagnosed with celiac’s are victim too.   Rice; Veggies, Meats, Potatoes, Corn starch, Corn Tortillas, Cheerios, Rice Chex, Fruits, marshmallows, chocolate and gummi worms/bears/etc, also oatmeals are naturally gluten free so you don’t need to buy that special overpriced junk.if it requires a rue (thickener like in gravies and chowder) / is a soup/ requires a binder such as meatballs and meat loaf/  needs to be baked or fried / beer or other alcohol like that  = 99% chance its gluten, don’t eat it! vodka; rum; tequila, i believe gin and apple ale are all gluten free.you can use corn starch in lieu of flour for making gravies and soups Advice? Read the labels for everything. Personally, as long as it doesnt actually contain wheat/wheat by products or gluten, I can have things with “MAY contain..” but everyone is different and more sensitive than others. just be careful and read everything. (soy sauce and corn pops are fucking traps because soy sauce is alot of the times made with soy AND WHEAT so check!!! and corn pops are shitheads because you think “oh! CORNpops! I must be able to have it! cause its CORN pops! FRIGGIN CORN-POPS! CORN!!” NO YOU CANT BECAUSE THOSE SNEAKY MUTHAFECKERS USE WHEAT AS LIKE THE 2ND INGREDIENT AND I AM REALLY SALTY ABOUT IT) 

[buckysdamnplums]

First Date (Part 1)

Author’s Note: Don’t be fooled, this is not a fluffy pic. It’s angsty. I got really into this request, so now it’s a two parter. Also, I tried to keep it from getting too descriptive at some points to spare those with sensitive stomachs. But also please adhere to the warnings, they’re stated for a reason. And as always, please feel free to leave feedback or reviews because it makes me feel validated which is always nice :)

Request: Can I get an extra angsty one where Peter is tied up and the reader is tortured? He's crying as he can't do anything and the reader is screaming and crying out in pain in front of him?

Pairing: Peter Parker x Stark!Reader

Word Count: 2292 (part one)

Warnings: it’s a biggie: fluff turned angst. blood, torture, agony, violence, kidnapping, some death, cussing

“Morning Mr. Stark!” Peter called out as he walked into the lab. “And goodmorning y/n.”

“Morning Peter.” You both replied.

Tony looks up from his computer, eyes squinting in Peter’s direction, “So Peter, where are you taking my daughter today?”

“Well I was thinking maybe we could head to the park. Maybe swing by Coney Island.” He looks over at you, flashing a smile.

“Have her home by 9. And I hope by swing you don’t mean, swing.” Your father raises his brow at Peter.

“Of course not, sir.”

Tony walked over to you, pulling you into a hug and kissing the crown of your head, “Good. Then off you two, have fun you.”

“See ya, dad. Peter, I’ll meet you at the elevator. I’m gonna grab my jacket real quick.”

Peter was about to send your dad a wave goodbye when he noticed the worried look on his face.

“Mr. Stark, really. I won’t go Spider. I know it can be dangerous.” Peter pleaded with your father.

Sighing he replied, “I know Peter. It’s just.. She’s grown up in this environment and she’s already has a target on her back from being my daughter. I don’t need the target to grow just because she goes on one date with Spiderman.” He rubs his stands over his face, trying to relieve his stress. But Peter got it, you were Iron Man’s perfect weakness. And whether you knew it or not, you were also his.

“I got it, sir. And I hope you didn’t mean that whole one date thing,” he started making his way to the elevator at the sound of your door shutting, “I plan on there being many more dates!”

So far the date was going unbelievably well. You grabbed pizza at the park and sat on the rocks, watching a group of people playing a soccer game. You walked around a talked about colleges that interested you. Nothing too serious though, college was still a bit away. Around four, Peter called Happy to have him drive you both to Coney Island. You wanted to take the subway, not wanting to have supervision by one of your dad’s workers, but Peter insisted.

The lights and the laughter of Coney Island always settled well with you, reminding you of when your mom brought you. But that was years ago, before you even knew Tony was your father. Hell, you only found out because after your mom died records showed you were in fact a Stark. Child Services showed up at Stark Tower one day and the rest is history.

“Hey spidey, wanna head to the games?” you broke out you irresistible smile.

Sighing he agreed, “Sure. But don’t call me Spidey, y/n. It’s not uhh, good.” He took a look around your surroundings, paranoid after his conversation with your father.

“Chill out, it’s just a cute name,” you shake your head, leading Peter towards the ring bottle game.

“$5 for 3 rings. $10 for 8.” The unenthusiastic worked said.

“I got it. 8 rings please.” Peter handed the guy a ten.

He divided the rings between the two of you, letting you toss first. Y/N zero, Peter four.

“Dammit, Peter. You cheated.” you say as he hands you the giant stuffed bear.

“Oh, I could take the bear back if you want? Ya know, since I’m a ‘cheater.’”

You roll your eyes, pulling the bear closer to your chest. As you neared the restrooms you told Peter you’d be right back. He replied that he would be out here when you get out.

After no less than two minutes, Peter’s bladder decided it had to unload (if you know what I’m saying). Figuring you wouldn’t be out for another four minutes, he ran into the men’s room.

Shutting the door to the women’s room, you looked around for Peter but didn’t see him. Thinking he was in the restroom, you sat on a bench, placing the bear next to you.

“Y/N?” Peter called as he stepped out of the bathroom. “Y/N?”

He noticed a bear similar to your’s sitting on a bench and made it way towards it, heart pounding in his chest. As he got closer he noticed a strip of your photo booth pictures on the ground. Panic coursed through his veins.

Peter reached for the photos when everything went dark.

“Peter? Peter, oh god.” Your voice sounded distant and fuzzy as Peter’s eyes fluttered to open.

His eyes started adjusting to the lack of light in the room, the only other light source in the room was shining on the person in a chair in front of him. As his vision focused, he noticed the blue jacket and brown boots you were wearing.

“Y/N?” his voice sounded strained and horse.

“Peter, it’s me.” your breath was rapid and choked up.

He took in your appearance better, tears streaked your cheeks, nose bright red from crying, your hair was wild and flattened against your forehead from sweat. Your arms were behind your back, most likely tied up and your feet were strapped to the legs of the chair. The chair itself appeared welded to the ground. He tore his eyes away to check his own chair. He was bound to a similar chair.

Processing what to do in this situation, Peter whispered across the 6 feet to the terrified girl in front of him, “Y/N, has anyone come in. Are- Do you know if- How long have we been here?”

You shut your eyes, taking a deep breath before replying, “I think an hour. But I don’t know where we are or how long I was out. I woke up when they were tying my hands but I think they knocked me out again.. I woke up and you were here.”

Peter’s eyes were darting around the dark room, attempting to come up with an escape plan. This would be much easier if he had his suit.

“Y/N, I can get us out of here. We’re gonna get out of here okay?”

“Don’t waste your time trying, Mr. Parker. Or shall I call you Spidey.” An old man in a lab coat walked into the room with two armed guards. “We didn’t plan on taking you too. Hell, we just wanted her.” He looked over at you, a slimey grin on his face. “But when you called you spidey? Oh, then we knew we really hit the jackpot.”

He walked over to you, the guards on either side of him. You stood right before you, blocking Peter from your view. Keeping a stone cold stare, you looked straight at his chest, not letting your fear seep through. It got harder as the man’s calloused fingers stroked your hair, resting on your cheek.

“Stop. Stop. Don’t touch her!” Peter shouted pulling against his restraints. The man just laughed in response.

He strutted over towards Peter, “Oh, Mr. Parker. I don’t think you’re in any position to be making commands.”

His hand flew back forming a fist before thrusting it forward into Peter’s stomach. You screamed as Peter bent in half, coughing. The man turned his attention back to you, another smile pulling at his face.

“Oh dear, daddy won’t be able to find you here.” He turned towards a corner of the room, looking up, “Let’s start the questioning process. Send them in.”

Some people say that after a certain point, you can become numb to pain. You just wished that point would hurry up and arrive. Different men in lab coats would come in, questioning you about where your dad was keeping this or planning that. Being a Stark, you knew you had to hold your ground and refuse to comply. After the third time you said no, they brought in the ‘tools.’ Each time you refused to answer, a different tool would be used. Your screams tore straight to Peter’s core as he begged you to just tell them what they wanted to hear. But even he knew, you weren’t one to betray the team, let alone your father.

“Morning Kiddo.” It was Dr. Graines, he was the fourth one you met, “You know how this is going to go down, so why not just go easy on yourself today, huh?”

He walked over to the stainless steel table with the tools and charts, picking up a stack of questions. The usual two men dressed in black and green followed him to the table, one grabbing a knife, the other a taser.

“Oh I almost forgot, how rude of me. Morning, Mr. Parker. Sleep well?” his innocent act made this situation much worse, “Probably not. I mean what with all the screaming she was doing, I’d be surprised if you got any sleep last night.”

Peter just stared daggers through his tear filled eyes into the man’s back, knowing better than to speak up. Each time he makes some remark, they’d just use another tool on you.

“Okay well, let’s get on with it. Y/N Stark, please tell me where your dad is keeping his suit prototypes in the East. We know it’s somewhere out there, but please help us find the actual location.”

“Go. To. Hell.” your voice barely above a whisper.

With a wave of his hand, the toolmen got to work.

You screamed out in agony as the blade took a deep swipe across your stomach, your shirt being ripped a long time ago. You had gotten used to the chill in the room, being left in just a bra and your (now) ripped jeans. The warmth of your blood gliding down your stomach was the only warmth you’d felt in day. Days. Where the hell were the team and why haven’t they gotten here yet.

The next cut being made to your face pulled you from your thoughts. The face cuts were the worst, they stung more and would likely leave scars you’ll see each time you look in the mirror. You stifled your scream this time, letting tears fall instead. Knife guy moved to the side and your eyes locked with Peter’s. His bottom lip was bleeding from the tight hold his teeth had on it. His eyes burned red and he was covered in a layer of sweat. It was tough to tell who this was hurting more, you or Peter?

Taser Man took his spot in front of you, blocking Petr from view. You looked up at him, his yellow teeth on display in a grin.

“Fuck y-”

Your body jolted as electricity shot through you. The taser was the worst. You couldn’t hold back your scream for Peter’s sake. All screams and tears would let loose, echoing in the small room.

“Great going, she passed out again. Now we’ll have to wait for her to wake up.” One man said to the other as they made their way to the door, slamming it shut.

Peter just stared at your motionless body, hating himself for not being able to do a damned thing to keep you safe.

As you came to, you heard shouting and gunshots.

“Y/N? Y/N? Hey, hey, come on open your eyes.” You opened your eyes to Peter sitting across from you. You could feel the drying blood on your cheek from the previous cut.

“Pete-?”

“Shh, don’t speak. They’re here. We’re gonna get out of here. Oh god, Tony’s gonna kill me. Shit y/n don’t move.”

You were about to reply when the door slammed open revealing the first doctor you met when you arrived. This time with a gun in hand.

He took long strides before stopping right in front of your face, “Now I know you don’t like answering our questions but this is your last chance okay? Where is Stark keeping the S.H.I.E.L.D. files?”

This question surprised you. Never once was S.H.I.E.L.D. mentioned. And it was definitely not something your dad ever told you about. Steve was more so the guy to ask.

“I- I don’t know..” You replied, staring at the gun resting near your thigh.

A sickening laugh filled the room,“You don’t know? Huh. I’m betting you do.”

“I don’t! I swear this time I don’t. Ask me anything else just please, don’t kill me.” You breathed out your last words, eyes still on the gun.

“Kill you?” you meet the man’s cold eyes as he walked backwards. “I figured since you don’t really care about getting stabbed or cut or tased or hit, you probably would die protecting your dad’s precious secrets. But him?” He pointed the gun at Peter, making your stomach drop. “You wouldn’t want poor little Spidey to die. You know since he’s the one who kept his mouth shut to prevent you from the tools. Or he’s the only one you’ve agreed to go on a date with. And since he’s the one your heart rate kept speeding for.”

“How’d y-”

“Honey, we’ve been watching you for years! Ever since news got out Stark had a daughter, we waited for the perfect moment,” his eyes focused on yours as he took a small step towards you again. “We knew you’d put up a resistance, but you really surprised us all. And now you’re going to tell me where the files are or god so help me, I will blow out the brains of your little boyfriend.”

His face was right in yours, spit landing on your blood and tear streaked face. You caught a metallic glimpse of a reflection out the door, choosing your next words carefully.

“I don’t think you would.”

Just then, a shot went off as you screwed your eyes shut.

[liamakorn]

Absolution (Part One)

A/N: Oh, boy howdy, it’s here. And it’s a two-parter!! Yas!! The second part is gonna take a little while to come out, considering my midterms are arriving and I need to prepare. But fear not! Soon, you’ll have all the John seed lovin’ I know you sinners want, trust me ;) But for now, enjoy this angst, and let me know what you think! Also, this deviates from the plot slightly, so...theres that XP 

Part 1 -Part 2 -Part 3

(Edit: AH! I forgot to tag @obscure-fae , sorry hun! Better late than never I suppose 😅)

Pairing: John Seed x OC (Not the Deputy) 

Warnings: Mentions of abuse and neglect, John’s in a cage, he’s a little shit. I think that’s it?? Some truly awful banter. Like, one swear? Also, I think maybe I wrote John just a tad out of character. Hope that’s cool. 

Word Count: 2,839 

Rating: PG-13 

Maggie paced across her darkened room, radio emitting a static shrill that she barely paid any mind to.

The news had just come in.

John Seed had been apprehended.

After all the pain he had caused. The death and destruction he had left in his wake. The people of Fall’s End had finally caught him. It was a bittersweet moment for her. While, yes, it was good that his reign of terror in Holland Valley was over, for now at least...he was in Fall’s End. Just a few buildings away.  

And it was Maggie’s job to watch him.

Now, that’s not to say she was alone in the task. Three people had been chosen by the Deputy to watch over the Herald. These three would take shifts, rotating every 8 hours or so. That in itself would be terrifying, but for Maggie, it was worse. Her shift ran from 10 pm to 5 am. Meaning, she’d be spending all night with a psychopath cult leader who carved people’s sins into their flesh. Exciting, I know.

She was still trying to unravel the knot that had settled in her stomach when she left her quarters, finally working up the courage to make her way across town to the Spread Eagle, a well-known bar in this part of Hope County. She smiled at Mary May, the owner of the establishment, and someone Maggie would consider almost a parental figure. Maggie opened her mouth to speak, before shutting it quickly, staring nervously at the door leading to the basement. Mary May nodded, blonde hair swishing with her head.

“He’s restrained, caged, and beaten to high hell. He can’t hurt ya past empty threats.”

The redhead sighed, biting her lip and hesitantly stepping towards the threshold. Moonlight slipped past the dusty windows, illuminating the glass Mary May held in her hand as she raised it in salute. Chuckling, Maggie took a deep breath and grabbed the doorknob, marching down the steps before she could change her mind. Waiting for her at the base of the stairs was Alice, a girl of barely 17, who looked about ready to keel over any second. Glancing at Maggie for barely a moment, Alice huffed a sigh of relief, dragging herself out of her chair and trudging to the door.

“Thank. God. I swear, I was about ready to die of absolute boredom. This guy never says anythin’, doesn't even try to escape so I can shoot ‘im!”

With another sigh she starts up the stairs, leaving Maggie to her shift.

“Have fun with doing nothin’.”

Well. This should be fun.

The walls were old, cracks littering the stone no matter where you looked. Most were tiny, barely perceivable unless you squinted. Others were practically the length of the room, suggesting it had been built before even Mary May was born. There were crates of varying sizes stacked against the left wall, probably holding alcohol of some sort, as well as smaller boxes of utensils, glasses, etc.  In one corner there were cleaning supplies, next to a door Maggie assumed to be a closet. In another corner, there were cans of food that had been there since god knows when, beside a row of mostly empty wine racks.

But the thing of interest rested against the far wall. A medium sized cage, one meant for that of a wolf or bear, was propped between the refrigerator and a stack of kegs, leaning precariously against the former. It appeared makeshift, as if it had been ripped apart and someone, probably Nick, taped it back together the best they could.

Inside the cage sat a man, hands tied behind his back, face bloodied and bruised, but still recognizable in its features. His shirt was torn, the scarified tattoo of ‘Sloth’ reading clear across his chest, along with several of his other tattoos. His brown hair was tousled haphazardly; the ends just barely managed to hang in front of his eyes. Oh, his eyes. While his face remained mostly clear of any wrinkles and blemishes - save for the contusions and visibly broken nose - his eyes seemed lined in a pain she couldn’t quite place, and, quite honestly, never wished to be acquainted. To her surprise, when Maggie looked into them, he was already staring back, a gleam in the striking blue depths. As if he was in control. As if she was the one locked in a cage.

Like an animal, ready to strike.

She couldn’t help the shiver that ran down her spine, peering at this man who had caused the misery of so many of her friends. She had never seen him face to face, and while, yes, he was definitely intimidating…

She never allowed herself to finish that thought, lifting her gaze to the chair she would be spending the next several hours sitting in. The thought made her skin itch, but she ignored that, squaring her shoulders and taking a seat, purposely not looking in John Seed’s direction. His gaze never faltered, following her movements with a frightening steadiness.The hairs on the back of her neck stood to attention.

This was going to be a long night.

----

It was about half an hour into her shift when Maggie began to fidget. An hour, and she started tapping her boot against the ground. At two hours, she was ready to bust out some jumping jacks, just to have something to do. And still, John hadn’t said a word. She now understood what Alice had meant. The silence was eating her alive.

“I hope you don't mind, I helped myself to your rifle.”

She spat out the words, anything to break the tension; but, even though she intended her tone to be snarky and hardened, her voice was soft and apprehensive, sentence expelled in a single breath. Glancing at the caged man, she was startled to find his gaze already on her, peering through the steel in a way that could only be described as predatory. This time, she didn’t break the connection, staring at him with just as much intensity. Slowly, like a cat, he smirked, tilting his head ever so slightly. While he didn’t verbally reply, Maggie cast her gaze down, playing absentmindedly with the cross dangling daintily from her neck.

“I will get out of here, you know. “

Starting, she almost didn’t realize the words came from him. His voice was rough, gritty from underuse. There still contained a certain charisma to it, though. A lilt that enticed you to listen, to hear more of what he had to say. Maggie got the impression he could talk his way out of pretty much anything if he really wanted to.

She raised her emerald eyes to his, confused by the casual note in his tone. He was very relaxed, she noted, for a prisoner with the hatred of an entire county on his shoulders.

“...no. You won't.”

A snort fell from his lips, as if her statement was preposterous.

“Of course I will. Tell me,”

He rose to his knees, leaning as close to her as his cage would permit.

“When a dragon says, that he is going to eat you... That he is going to swallow you and your entire village whole...what do you do? Do you try to reason with him? Do you brush his threats aside, denying he even has the ability to do so? Or do you run, plead for mercy, worship him in an effort to save your own skin? What do you do?”

Maggie paused, brows furrowing. Was this a trick question? What game was he playing at?

“...um…”

She shrugged slightly, licking her dry lips before answering.

“Offer it a banana instead?”

John faltered, smirk falling for a second. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, and Maggie almost could’ve believed he hadn’t heard her.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, he cracked, a soft chuckle rumbling in his chest, before evolving into a full-on laugh that filled the room.  Maggie’s gaze darted away quickly. It took everything she had not to smile with him. And yet, it felt...oddly good...to have made the supposed sociopath laugh, to see under the intense facade he’d put up with the others. She tried not to look into it too much.

----

After a week of the same routine, Alice finally convinced Rook to switch her with someone else, claiming she would ‘literally shoot herself in the foot if she had to sit through one more shift with the silent psycho.’

Sighing lightly, Maggie shuffled down the creaky steps, her catnap doing nothing to relieve the exhaustion in her bones. She should’ve never agreed to the night shift.

Tom, Alice’s replacement, was definitely...different...than his predecessor. A burly, gargantuan of a man, he stood at least a foot, if not more, over Maggie’s meager frame. Not that it was hard to do. At 5’2”, it was rare anybody wasn’t taller than her.

Tom greeted her with a curt nod, back pin straight as always. He marched out of the room without so much as a word, brushing past Maggie, who gave him a mock salute. Once he was out of earshot, she scoffed, muttering to herself, “Does he ever relax?”

A light chuckle met her ears, followed by,

“Whoso pulleth out the stick from his ass, is rightwise king born”

A short giggle fell from her lips, trying, failing, to hide the smile on her cheeks. John always did this. Stayed quiet for the majority of the night, only to make quips and jokes that never failed to make her laugh, no matter how hard she tried not to. At first, it was annoying; but Maggie soon found herself enjoying these moments, looking forward to them, even. Which in itself was something that kept her awake, even as fatigue ached in her bones. The fact that maybe she was even beginning to care for John Seed was a thought she couldn’t quite comprehend.

Taking the seat she had become quite accustomed to, Maggie shifted, trying to get comfortable on the creaky wood of the chair. After a few minutes, she gave up, resigning herself to the dull pain in her back.

John hummed, looking at her carefully. She raised her brows, refusing to back down in this weird staring contest. She refused to acknowledge the fluttering in her stomach, instead focusing on the discomfort of her stool. When it seemed like he wouldn’t speak at all, he finally did, voice low and gravely.

“So...Maggie...what’s your story?”

Her forehead crinkled, the question catching her off guard.

“What?”

A wider, more genuine smile took to his lips, shoulders shrugging in nonchalance that was definitely fabricated.

“If I’m going to be locked in here for the rest of my days, I might as well learn the tale of my beautiful prison guard. So. What’s your story?”

Maggie tried to swallow the lump in her throat, unconsciously tugging on the ends of her hair. He was just goading her. She needed to calm down.  But he just called her beautiful.

Clearing her throat, Maggie paused, collecting her thoughts before speaking.

“Well…”

There was no point in lying now, was there? What was he going to do? Laugh at her?

Yeah, probably.

“Well. My name is Maggie Cartwright.”

John rolled his eyes, motioning, as well as he could, for her to go on. Of course. That was obvious. She squirmed in her seat, crossing her arms and examining the concrete beneath her boots.

“I...grew up in Ohio. Small town, nothin’ special there, except for a barbershop and a dusty old train station that hadn’t run in ages. Anything else even resembling civilization was at least an hour drive away, so people tended to just stay in their little corner, rarely interacting. Same went for my family, we...never really left the house. ‘Cept to go to church.”

He nodded, giving no more confirmation that he was listening than that slight inclination of his head. The words began to spill out of her mouth, eyes still fixated on a stain marring the rough stone underfoot.

“I had a brother, but...he left home when I was barely old enough to walk, so...it was always just me and my parents. My dad was a farmer, always out in the fields, or at the market, tryin’ to sell whatever we had to give; sometimes the clothes off our backs. Mama never worked a day in her life, but she took care of the house, made sure there was dinner ready by the time he came home. If it wasn’t...he’d get...angry.”

“Did he hurt you?”

The question jarred her from her daze, a shaky sigh heaving from her chest. Maggie finally looked back to the Herald, blinking a few times as his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

“Not...necessarily. Of course, there was the occasional smack or punch. When Papa would drink a little too much, or had too long of a day. I’d leave something around the house, or forget to do a chore…”

She stared into her lap, fiddling with her necklace.

“But usually they would just...ignore me. Leave me to whatever it was that kept me entertained. Which wasn’t much, considering I was practically the only kid in town, everybody else moved away. So it was just me...alone.”

Maggie blinked back tears, clearing her throat roughly. She wasn’t even sure why she was telling him about this, or why it was affecting her so badly. She thought she’d gotten over all this but…

“It’s alright to cry, you know. To let all those feelings out, all that wrath.”

She snapped her gaze to his, shaking her head slowly.

“I’m not...I’m not angry, John.”

He gave her a tender smile, raising a brow.

“Yes, you are. I can hear it in your voice. You hated how your father treated you. How he treated your mother. You hated your brother, for leaving, for letting it happen, for abandoning you. You hate how they neglected you. How they overlooked you. Disregarded you. You hate them.”

Her denial died in her throat, the expression he wore making her heart flutter.

“You hate them, because you hated being alone.”

Releasing a shaky breath, she turned away, biting her lip to keep the tears from falling. She couldn’t stand him. That he was right.  Because she was angry, and she had hated them. But that fact that he knew that, that she was so easy to read, terrified her. How could she have been so naive as to have basically laid her heart right in the open for him to see? For him to manipulate?

“Maggie.”

She didn’t turn back, only gave a slight inclination of her head. John sighed, and though she couldn’t see his face, she could almost feel him staring at her, with those big blue eyes that haunted her very dreams.

“Maggie, I know it’s hard to admit to your anger. And I know you might be turning that wrath to me, because it’s the easiest solution, but I understand.”

Slowly, she twisted just slightly toward him, barely even breathing as she listened to what she knew, deep down, was him trying to convert her. To get on her good side so she’d confess.

It didn’t stop her from paying attention, hanging onto every word he spoke.

“I understand that pain. Of feeling abandoned, and alone, even in a place where you should feel the most love. I know how you feel, and I promise, you can be saved. I can help you manage that anger, come to terms with the ache that I know sits in your chest like a stone. I can save you.”

A soft sigh escaped her, head resting against the wall.

“The pain...does it ever go away?”

His breathing was light, the only sound in the otherwise silent room, save for her heartbeat pressing against her ears.

“...no. You just learn to make room for it.”

The worst part? She wanted to believe him. She wanted so badly to feel that absolution he preached about, wanted freedom from the constant twinge in her heart. Finally looking at him, Maggie could clearly see that same twinge in his own eyes, the seeming genuine nature of his claims. She knew better. Logically, Maggie could tell he was lying, anything to get him out of that cage, to recruit another faceless mask into his brother’s cult.

But she couldn’t help but feel that pull. That pull toward the dark and twisted, toward all she had been warned against. She knew he was lying, but her heart begged her to listen, to trust that he would absolve her of all she despised in herself.

And that was her truest fear in all of this. That was the one thing she had been dreading since the Deputy had assigned her this task.  He enraptured her in a way that she couldn’t explain...and Maggie was terrified. 

[chickenstuffedwithmozzarella]

Holiii!! I saw the pic of Liam and Honey😍😍😍 Asdfahs. They are so cute! And also, i love Liam's eyes. It'a such a nice colour!! And i also saw the gifs!! I love that gif of Louis.  HE LOOKS SO SOFT. I could cry. And Harry😂😂😂 Its such a mood. I always flip people off like that. Jajajaja. AND THE GIF OF HARRY WITH THE PINK JACKET. 😍He is dancing funny and i love hiiim.  Oh, and i havent read that fic but i'll read it asap and then i'll tell you about it. Promise. Thanks for the rec💖 (1)

Hiiii, Love!!!! I’m so sorry it took me so long to answer! but yesterday I was busy, and when I came home my head hurt like a b*tch, 😖😖. Liam’s eyes very pretty, aren’t they? Everyone likes him better (poor honey). I always flip people like that too, jajaja, that’s why I needed a gif, and I found the best, jajajaja. I couldn’t resist. I’m already rereading that fic,😅. I love re reading things I read a long while ago, bc my English has improved a bit since I came to tumblr, and it’s like reading things for the first time again, so cool.

It wasnt hard being updated bcs OT was everywhere, but yeah. I always try to engage in my friend’s hobbies. & some of them do the same. One of my friends used to be a 1D fan before i met her, and though she is not longer in the fandom she tries to be updated. She sends me memes or things that remind her of 1d. She even watched a video of BG without me knowing/telling her about it. I dont deserver her. Ay, and last week she watched freddieismyqueen videos with me on a free period. I 💖 her (2)

HOW DID YOU FRIEND MANAGE TO QUITE?!?!?! Jajajajaja It feels imposible (not that I have tried…). And she sees things and isn’t intrigued about what is happening?? She should write a self help book,jajajaja. “How to suite one direction: the guide”,jajajaja. But she sounds cool and supportive of you, so keep her, jejeje.

Well, you just described me. Talking in public always end up in one of those two options. I have always wanted to do a road trip!!! You are totally invited of course. JAJAJAJA. Well, it just…happened? Our friend was having a very bad time and he was going through a lot of things and we didnt know how to cheer him up. And then one night we just starting watching a video of AuronPlay reading a fic, and he was happy for the first time in months. (3)And so my cousin said “what if we write him a fic?” And i said “omg, yes”. And thus was born. Its a crack fic. We just put in there his family, his biggest celebrity crush, our friends, ourselves and a couple of animals and started writing nonesense. He hasnt read anything yet, bcs we want to finish it first, and me and my cousin (and our siblings, bcs they wanted to help) only hang out alone sporadically. But we laugh a lot writing it. I hope he laughs too when he finally reads it. (4)

You, your sister and your cousins sound so cool. And your friends too. I’m gonna have to migrate and adopt you all, jajajaj. I’m sure your friend is gonna love it. It’s a recipe for success. Keep me updated when you show him and his reaction,please!!

“How does a gay look like?” Like someone with no toxic masculinity. But i see your point. Judging on looks is not cool. (And i dont usually do it. I watched their behaviour or their words. When someone doesnt ever use gender pronouns and just say “they” “parter” “somebody” im just👀👀👀 i see what u are doing). Yes yes. What you said makes sense. I understood. Dont worry. I have never heard that quote, but i think i could marry whoever wrote this. So much truth!! 😱 (6)

Tbh I never payed attention to that, :/ (heteronormative mind and all that). If I had, maybe I had known about a lot of my high school friends’ sexuality. Looking back, we were just a group of friends, boys a girls, nobody cared about boyfriends/girlfriends (we were friends from 12-16). Then we went our separate ways, and we lost touch. And now I see in Facebook that they are gays and lesbians, and I’m like… :/ we didn’t know much about those things back then. And I hope I didn’t make any comments who could offend/affect them. But it makes me so happy to see them being themselves and living with they’re boyfriends and girlfriends… 😊 I just wish I could have been a better friend back then 🤷🏻‍♀️. But now I pay attention to that. And I always try to show support in a non invasive way. And try to educate people about who they’re been homophobic, or make not appropriate comments… like there’s this boy (around 16) that likes to paint his nails. And I love everything to do with nails. And, at the shop, I comment on people’s nails (if I know them enough, lol). And I always try to say something nice to this guy. To normalize the fact that he has his nails painted (and no make a statement that I approve of it, if someone else is listening, so they don’t make rude comments around me). And then my friend’s sister is Lesbian. But their mother is so ancient-minded… like, my friend has a dit of fat, and she’s always making comment about how she should be skinnier bc she won’t ever find a husband 😒. And her sister is very thin. And once, she was working as cleaner in a /cuartel de la guardia civil(?)/. And their mother was always: hmmm, I hope she finds a good guy there, bc she’s never had a boyfriend. And I always thought: I wonder why, lol. Well, she finally came out to her parents, and while they don’t treat her different (which I don’t know if it’s good or no), they’re like “waiting” she changes her mind. And hoping she finds a boyfriend. Anyway, her mother is friends with my mom, and she comes to visit at the shop sometimes, and she always has a comment to make about what people do or don’t do. And I get so angry 😡. I’m always correcting her. But she doesn’t listen. And I feel sorry for my friend and her sister. So whenever I have the chance I saw her my support, and always talk about these things, lol. (I talk so much about lgbt+ things, that my family associates me with it, to the point that every time they see a rainbow or whatever they tell me: look look! And I just satisfied with it. At least they don’t make so much homophobic comments anymore 😒)

YOUR MOM IS AN ANTI? How? “Why would they fake a baby?” Thats a good question with awful answers. I miss RBB&SBB.😍 (I havent explained that to anybody, yet. But once while playing a game my cousins choose Rbb as his nickname so i choose Sbb and our friends started making questions and we where like? 1d things? Long story, leave it for another day? I’m glad they dont remember it bcs i wouldnt know how to explain that😂😂). Was your friend a fan of 1d too? (7)

Well, she isn’t a nasty anti, jajajja, but she doesn’t think they’re together. Not for nothing special, just that she thinks they would say it if they were together. And since they haven’t say it, they aren’t together. But I’ve shown her the famous Christmas pic, and she doesn’t Thing B was ever pregnant. And I show her pics of F to ask for an outsider opinion, and she doesn’t think the kid looks like Louis at all, lmao. So, I think if they ever come out, she wouldn’t care at all. Bahhh, I’ve talked about RBB/SBB with my friend sometimes, but it’s so bad of a thing, that we don’t come to a conclusion. She isn’t a fans, sadly. But she likes celeb gossip, and I like to talk, so… yesterday she came to visit/ to get her arms waxed (bc that’s my other unofficial job) and she ended up staying for 2 hours. Bc we had see each other briefly lately, couldn’t sit and talk properly in a while. And she always asks me about 1d, bc she knows I love to talk about it,jajaja. And I have a sideblog where I reblog things to show her. And well, yesterday we talked a little about BG, and I showed her the no-belly pic, and she was… 😳. And she thinks louis and Harry must be together, at least at some point, bc the way the touched wasn’t in a friendly way. She now has a boyfriend, and she kept saying: I’m not a very touchy person with my friends or my family, but when I’m with him I always want to touch him or kiss him, and that’s what those two were always doing. And I’m always: do you think that for real, or are you just saying it so I stop talking?? Jajjaja. And yes, she’s convinced they are/were together. She asked me if I think they’re still together, and I told her that now more than ever, but it’s a long story, so we should talk about it another time, bc lol, we were just talking about it for a couple of hours, and we both had things to do. So, we’ll keep talking another time.

Of course, I dont share that info with everybody, but I dont mind my friends knowing. I have this one friend that i bother everytime i get frustated bcs of a fic. I tell him the plot, and what is happening and i cry about it (and he laughs at me but at least he listens). Sometimes i make him choose which one should i read next when i cant decide. (9)

I almost did a fic reference yesterday talking with my friend, and I stopped myself midsentece, and laughed (I thought of you,jajaj) and she was so confused!! But she’s used to my weirdness, so we just laughed it way. And I kept talking, jajajajaj.

Girl, i have 6 dioptres😂😂 Thats what i have forbid myself from reading on the phone. No, i havent read that one, but its now on the list. I’ll tell you when i do! Though it make take a while :( (I understand you. Dont worry). (10)

😳 6?!!?! Please take care of your eyes!!! Stop reading… everything!! Jajaja. No, I’m kidding. I know about people who has 8… so you’re still ok,jajajaj. I have 1, but my ophthalmologist told me I’m very sensitive to change, bc I thought I had 27463 diopters, bc I saw so poorly 🙄🙄.

Yes, i also like IDGAF more than New Rules. They have overplayed that one. Have you heard Blow Your Mind? I love that one. It’s also a single so…i guess you have heard it? You’ll get amazing shots, i’m sure. Honey was sleeping on you? 😭😭😭😭 I love hiiim (11)

I listened today Room for 2 and Homesick, and I think I like them. I’ll have to listen this new one two. For me, to like a song, I have to heard /a lot/ (not as much as Despacito, please). It has to have a catchy tune. That’s why I think a like Carolina, or Woman, or Kiwi, and I don’t understand why people is so fidyfvbure about the lyrics, jajjaja.Honey is always sleeping on me. The other day Liam was sleeping between my legs, and Honey came and just laid on top of my poor limo. And I wanted to kill him, bc liam never comes to sleep with me. They’re so different… but I love them both.

Oh, my little sister. I just wanted to tell you that yesterday was her birthday. She almost cried when she saw that me and my older sister had brought her Flicker deluxe as a present. (We hadnt bought it yet. Dont judge us). She was freaking out just bcs of that and i was laughing so hard thinking that she’s gonna pass out when she sees the rainbow flag her friends have gotten her for Nialls show. And also another pair of Cds. She wont survive the show. Poor thing. But she was so happy 😍😍 (12)You start next week? Okay. I’ll ask again next wednseday. Have a nice daaaay!!

Not judging, you’re amazing sisters!! Awww, poor thing!! She will have an amazing time at Niall’s concert, for sure. And, yes, please, tell her to bring the flag. I’m so happy seeing how people are starting to bring rainbow flags to niall concerts too. And have you seeing that he has taken pics with rainbow flags?? He even brought one to the stage the other day!! It makes me inexplicably happy to say everything covered in rainbows. There was so much at Harry’s show too, my sister said it looked like a pride parade. Hey, Dunkirk it’s about to start khbkhdfbvkjdnfvkjndfv. But, have YOU SEEING THE NEW ROYAL BABY WAS NAMED AFTER LOUIS?????? AND HIS TWEET?!?!?  IM SCREAMED!!!! Dijffvjkbdded. Bye love. I have to feed my cats before the movie starts!!! Aaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!