#this was supposed to just be a list of top 5 moments and it ended up as over 1800 words of my feelings about those moments

[henneseyhoe]

Adonis being clingy with his wife and new baby.

Adonis x BLACK!FEM!reader

WARNINGS: postpartum depression mentions, other baby related stuff

SUMMARY: Adonis trying to be as helpful as he can, but the reader finds it a bit overwhelming while dealing with postpartum depression.

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“Pacifiers?”

“Check”

“Burping cloth?”

“Check”

“Bibs?”

“Check. Babe, we have everything. I promise” I chuckle, watching Adonis go through a list of baby necessities on his phone, while trying to calm the whining boy in his arms, the man being adamant on keeping everything where they need to be just for times like this when his son was irritated.

“We have diapers right?”

“Mhm”

“What about wipes?”

“Yes, all in the nursery, Donnie”

“Okay, good, good….you need anything? Thirsty?” He tucks his phone away, rocking the now resting baby in his arms.

“Mmm…water, maybe?” I shrug and he nods, rushing out of the room. He had been acting like this all day, running around the house like a chicken with its head cut off. I hadn’t even been home for two hours yet, just coming back from the hospitals secondary check up after a very unplanned home birth. The house was a mess from two days ago, my poor mother and brother being stressed out of their minds trying to deliver a baby that wasn’t supposed to be here just yet.

Luckily, him coming two weeks earlier didn’t matter and he was healthy as a horse. with the way he was screaming at the top of his lungs, you could tell that was a healthy baby. But, meanwhile I was pushing a 5 pound, big headed baby out of me, Adonis was scrambling to find a flight back to Cali so he could make it to the birth, which was unsuccessful. It took an entire day and some change to get back home, the man so disappointed in himself that he took a business trip so late in my 3rd trimester.

Though I told him to do it, he still felt bad, promising to never leave my side in circumstances like this ever again. The birth went smoothly even though it wasn’t expected, and as soon as Adonis landed, he was blowing up my phone with FaceTimes back to back. And he was completely serious with the ‘never leave your side” thing, cause he was on me like white on rice when he got home. Helping me to and from the bathroom, even though I could walk fine, supplying me with any kind of food or snack I asked for, diaper duty, which was the best perk, and massages.

He was showering me with all kinds of love and affection, but as fast as my high came from giving birth, the lows swooped in just as quick. The 6th day after birth came and postpartum depression came knocking. I was still functioning though. Not cause I wanted to, but because I had an infant now and had no time to dissect why I really felt the way I did.

As more days passed, I became more agitated with my circumstances and Adonis constant ‘bugging’. I knew it was from a place of love, but I needed rest before anything. I was just too cautious to tell him that, afraid I’d end up sounding like a bitch because I wanted a break from my husband for a few hours. Some women would have to beg their husbands to do what Adonis does, but I felt ungrateful because I didn’t have to, and quickly got tired of that because of emotions I couldn’t control.

✮✮✮✮

About three more days had gone by, and it had officially been a month since giving birth. My postpartum depression had subsided a bit, and I felt better about myself, but Adonis was the same, and so was my sleep schedule.

“…can I help you, sir?” I look over my shoulder, spotting my husband watching me intensely. The infant I had in my arms whines and mixes at the sudden movements, unlatching from my nipple for a moment before going right back to feasting. I was reclined in a couch placed in the nursery, praying to god that I could catch some Z’s.

“Huh?” He queries, still staring.

“You’ve been following me around the house like a lost puppy all day. Now you over my shoulder watching me nurse like I don’t know what I’m doing” I say, a bit agitated since I haven’t slept for more than a few hours everyday for the passed month.

“What? I know you know what you’re doing, baby” He completely ignores my other statement, his attention still drawn to my current ‘activity’. I blink at him for a prolonged second, then laughed, shaking my head. “Okay, well back up off my bumper, can you?” I suggest, waving him off with my hand. He sighs, leaning up and walking away. “Your daddy is a bit obsessed, don’t you think?” I look down at our son, his brown eyes fluttering closed as he begins to drift off into his fourth nap of the day.

I close my eyes too, relaxing.

‘Maybe I could sneak in a nap too’

just as I thought I was gonna have peace and quiet, I feel Adonis plop down right besides me, looking over my shoulder. I was in my right mind to lock him in a room now. I sigh, opening my eyes back up to the unpleasant sight of the sun shining through the baby blue curtains across from me. I’d rather see the inside of my eyelids. I was exhausted.

“…he looks like me, doesn’t he?” He pokes, smiling down at his new found pride and joy.

I slowly turn my head to the man, his face being so close to me that our noses touch. “Donnie…get outta my face” I mellowly warn him, ready to run him out of the nursery.

“I’m sorry! I’m just intrigued. I wasn’t there for when he came, I just wanna make that time back” I bite back a loud cackle for the sake of not scaring my son out of his cinnamon toned skin. Snorting, I cover my mouth.

Giving him a ‘be serious’ look with the tilt of my head, I uncover my mouth. “Donnie, please. It’s been almost five weeks since his birth, you came a day late, and it’s not your fault. Be happy you even found a flight that would get you back here so suddenly. Plus, you already made that 24 hours back, now you just being clingy” I say, pecking his lips twice. “It’s just a bit…overwhelming right now, that’s all,”

“I’m not saying it’s you, I’m not not really in a place to…ya know…be as social with you as I was before”

He nods, understanding. “And you know I love you, but sometimes I don’t need anything at all, just silence” Taking in everything I say, he doesn’t argue, understanding that maybe he was doing a little much on the waiting hand and foot, asking me questions at every movement I made.

He caresses my thigh, kissing my forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m really not trynna stress you, I just don’t wanna feel like I’m not doin’ enough, or want you to feel like I don’t care”

I smile. “It’s okay. Just tone it down a bit, okay? Next week I promise you can be as clingy with us as you want” he nods, starting to play with the little mitten that covered our sons hand. I knew he still wasn’t gonna leave any time soon yet, waiting for the baby to stop eating so he could hold him again. I just let him be. For now.

“Does it hurt?” He asks suddenly, and I shake my head. “Not really. It did for the first few times, but since he’s latching better, no”

“…he getting enough, right?”

I pause, my eyebrow raising at the man.

“Yes, my titties produce enough milk for our son. Any other questions, doc?” I ask with playful attitude.

He shakes his head, still looking. It was silent for a moment , only the sounds of summer rain tapping against the window and swallowing followed by shallow sighs from the infant being heard. That was until I decided to put my boob up and replace my nipple with his favorite paci since he had fallen asleep, remembering the doctor told me not to feed him while he’s not awake, considering my milk supply was fine and he gets full fast.

Yet, that still doesn’t stop my husband from breathing down my neck, attempting to reach for him, which I dodge by brushing him off with my shoulder.

Taking a breath, I glare at him. “What, Adonis? You wanna feed him?”

His eyes glimmer with excitement as he smiles, perking up at the simple question. “I can? Yeah” he asks before quickly answering.

“Grow some titties then” I pat his chest then stood to my feet, now attempting to burp the resting baby.

[rootedinrevisions]

Friends (with Benefits) Don't: Part 4

SUMMARY: After a rough day at work leaves you shaken, you call Jake for comfort, and he surprises you by showing up at your place with a homemade lasagna and a plan to make the night better. As you unwind together, the line between casual fling and something deeper begins to blur. A heated moment in the bedroom leads to unexpected tenderness when Jake puts on a romcom, pulling you into his arms. You tell yourself it's just a movie, just a one-time thing, but as you drift off to sleep in his embrace, it becomes clear that maybe this isn’t as casual as you thought.

OTHER PART(S): PART 1 I PART 2 I PART 3

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This part leads directly into Part 5 which is the part that was previously posted as Kinktober Day 20.

WORD COUNT: 3.2k

WARNINGS: 18+ MINORS DNI. SMUT (Fingering, Marking)

TAG LIST: SEE COMMENTS BELOW

Things had returned to a comfortable rhythm, the kind of normalcy that wrapped around you like a favorite blanket. After giving Jake back his sweatshirt, the lingering tension that had threatened to complicate your arrangement faded into the background. Casual hookups became just that—casual, without the weight of unspoken expectations. Jake had skillfully avoided kissing you again, making it clear that the boundaries you’d established still held firm. The flirty banter flowed easily between you, each teasing remark and playful challenge a reminder of the playful connection you shared without the need for deeper intimacy.

Everything was exactly how it was supposed to be…until that night happened.

The day had been brutal. From the moment you stepped into work, it felt like everything was spiraling out of control. A mistake by another controller had nearly caused a mid-air collision between two fighter jets, and even though it wasn’t your fault, your commanding officer had ripped into you like it was. The thought of the near-disaster kept replaying in your mind: the cost, the consequences, the lives that could have been lost. You could still hear your CO’s voice echoing in your head, and the weight of it all was more than you could handle.

By the time your shift ended, you were exhausted, both mentally and emotionally. Without thinking, you grabbed your phone and dialed Jake's number. His voice was like a balm, steady and grounding, as you vented about the day. He listened intently, letting you get it all out before he spoke.

“That sounds rough, but you know it wasn’t on you,” he said. “I’ll be at your place when you get off. We’ll figure it out when you’re home, okay?”

You had given him a spare key a while back, with how often he was over, and it had never felt like a big deal. Tonight, though, you were grateful for it. Knowing he'd be there when you got home was a comfort in itself.

When you pulled into your parking lot later, the sight of his truck parked in its usual spot brought a small smile to your face. As you unlocked your door and stepped inside, you were greeted by the warm, savory smell of home-cooked lasagna, a scent that immediately wrapped you in a sense of comfort. You paused, closing your eyes and inhaling deeply, letting the smell soothe your frazzled nerves.

“Is that… lasagna?” you called out, walking into the kitchen, where Jake was hovering over the stove, a dishtowel thrown over his shoulder.

He turned and grinned. “You said it was your favorite. I had to make some calls to my grandma to get the recipe right, but I think I pulled it off.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “I didn’t even know you could cook.”

Jake wiped his hands on the towel and crossed the room to you, wrapping his arms around you in a tight hug. His embrace was firm and warm, like he was silently telling you everything would be okay. “How you holding up?” he asked quietly, his chin resting on the top of your head.

“Better now,” you admitted, letting yourself relax against him.

He pulled back just enough to look down at you. “Go shower, unwind. I’ll finish up in here.”

You shook your head, “Are you sure? I can help—”

He gave you a gentle shove toward your bedroom. “I got it. Go. Relax. You need it.”

Reluctantly, you let him take control, heading to your room to shed the weight of the day under the hot spray of the shower. By the time you were done, the tension had started to melt away, and when you walked back into the living room, Jake had plated two servings of lasagna on the coffee table.

The two of you sat on the couch, your legs tucked underneath you as you dug into the food. You couldn't help but grin as you put on the latest episode of that ridiculous reality TV show you’d been addicted to lately.

“You seriously watch this crap?” Jake asked, shaking his head as he took another bite.

“Yes,” you said, laughing at his obvious disdain. “And tonight, you are too.”

He groaned but didn’t protest further, begrudgingly watching along with you. He complained at all the ridiculous moments, pointing out the absurdity of it all, but you could tell he didn’t mind. If anything, the way he’d set all this up, from the meal to indulging your guilty pleasures, made you feel a little lighter, as if the weight of the day was slowly fading with every smile he brought to your face.

The conversation had started light, a casual back-and-forth while you both finished your dinner and the last few minutes of the reality show played out on the screen. But somewhere along the way, your mind drifted, and you found yourself asking a question that you hadn’t planned on.

“So, do you know where you're headed after this assignment?” you asked, your tone casual as you leaned back against the couch, resting your plate on your lap.

Jake glanced over at you, his fork hovering above his plate. “I’m not sure yet,” he admitted, a little shrug accompanying his words. “But I’m hoping to stay here for a while.”

Your brow furrowed as you processed his answer. "Here? As in, North Island?"

He nodded, taking another bite of lasagna, completely unaware of the way his response was already stirring something in you. “Yeah. I’ve talked to my superiors about it.”

You blinked, surprised. “Why? You’re from Texas. Wouldn’t you want to go somewhere like Kingsville or Fort Worth?”

Jake hesitated for a second, like he was weighing his words, before offering a shrug. “I don’t know. I like it out here in California. It’s got its perks.”

You stared at him, trying to keep your face neutral, but your mind was already racing. Sure, California was nice. The beaches, the weather—it made sense.

But something in his tone felt like there was more to it. Why would Jake Seresin, a born-and-bred Texan, who constantly talked about his love for wide-open spaces and warm southern sunsets, want to make North Island his home base?

And then, like a quiet whisper at the back of your mind, the thought surfaced: maybe it’s because of you.

You immediately pushed the thought away, dismissing it as ridiculous. Jake wouldn’t request to extend his time at North Island for some casual fling. That wasn’t who he was, and it wasn’t who you two were to each other. But then again… he probably wouldn’t make his grandma’s lasagna for a casual fling either. Or sit through hours of a show he clearly hated just to see you smile.

Your silence must have stretched a little too long because Jake glanced over at you again, the corners of his mouth quirking up. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

You blinked, snapped out of your thoughts by the sound of his voice. You shook your head quickly, offering him a small smile to play it off. “Nothing. Just thinking.”

“Thinking, huh?” He set his plate down on the coffee table, his eyes narrowing just slightly like he could see right through the easy lie you’d just told. “Need me to help clear your head again?”

You felt the warmth rise in your cheeks, your mind immediately flashing back to the last time he had offered to do that. His mouth, the way it had moved over your skin, the way your thoughts had been wiped completely clean in the best possible way. You swallowed, biting your bottom lip as your body reacted to the memory.

Jake grinned, clearly picking up on your reaction. “That’s what I thought,” he said, his voice low and teasing, leaning in just enough to make your pulse quicken.

You let out a small, shaky laugh, trying to regain your composure. “You’re impossible, Seresin.”

“And yet, you haven’t kicked me out yet,” he shot back, his hand slipping over to your knee, his touch light but intentional.

No, you hadn’t kicked him out. And as much as you tried to tell yourself this was just a casual arrangement, there were moments like this—moments where it felt like more, where the lines blurred and you couldn’t quite tell where you stood with him. And that uncertainty was starting to mess with your head.

But for now, you pushed the thoughts aside and let Jake’s touch, his presence, wash over you. After all, that was part of the arrangement too—no overthinking, no strings, just the comfort of each other for as long as it lasted. Even if, lately, it felt like it was starting to mean a little more.

Your mind begins to wander again, thoughts circling back to everything Jake had just said, and everything he hadn’t. There’s a slight tension in your body, an internal tug-of-war that Jake seems to notice instantly. 

Without a word, he reaches for you, pulling you onto his lap in one smooth motion. His hands find their familiar place on your hips, steadying you as your knees settle on either side of him, straddling his lap. You can feel the heat of his body, the steady rise and fall of his chest as he watches you for a moment, as if gauging whether you’re truly present.

Before you can dwell too long on the shift between you, Jake's hands slide up your sides, and he pulls you down into a kiss. It’s hot, needy, a little rougher than usual as his lips capture yours. His tongue teases your bottom lip before slipping inside your mouth, deepening the kiss until it’s all-consuming, leaving no room for your lingering doubts. You melt into him, your hands instinctively grabbing at the back of his neck, pulling him closer as you lose yourself in the feeling.

Jake’s mouth moves away from your lips, trailing heated kisses along your jaw, down your neck, and onto your shoulder. His breath is warm against your skin, sending shivers down your spine as he slides the thin strap of your tank top off your shoulder, exposing the delicate lace of your bralette beneath. He pulls back slightly, his eyes darkening as they roam over your body, taking in every inch of you.

“Damn, you're hot,” he mutters, his voice low and raspy. His words send a wave of heat through you, your body responding to the compliment in ways you can’t control. You can feel him beneath you, the bulge of his growing arousal pressing up through his jeans, and it only fuels the fire burning between you.

Without warning, Jake leans forward, his mouth descending onto your chest. His lips find the soft skin of your breast, and then his teeth gently scrape against you before he bites down, just hard enough to make you gasp. His mouth latches on, sucking at your skin, and you feel the sharp mix of pleasure and pain that leaves you breathless. You thread your fingers into his hair, tugging lightly as his name slips past your lips in a soft moan.

Hearing you say his name like that—breathy, desperate—ignites something primal in Jake. His hands tighten on your hips as he switches to your other breast, repeating the same motion, biting and sucking until another mark blooms on your skin. You don’t even care that he’s leaving marks; in fact, a part of you likes it. You like the idea of carrying his touch on your skin, the reminder that Jake is the only one who gets to have you like this.

“I love your body,” he murmurs against your skin, his voice rough with want. You barely have time to register the words before Jake stands, lifting you effortlessly from the couch with your legs wrapped around his waist. You tighten your grip on his shoulders as he heads toward your bedroom, the promise of what’s to come leaving you breathless and entirely consumed by him.

He lowers you onto the bed, never breaking the heated rhythm between you. His mouth is relentless, finding every inch of exposed skin as he presses you down into the mattress. Your head spins, lost in the haze of pleasure as his lips move to your collarbone, then down to the curve of your stomach, leaving a trail of fiery kisses behind. He’s not being gentle—there’s a roughness to his touch, a sense of urgency that sends shivers through your body.

You feel his teeth graze the sensitive skin just below your ribs, and then he bites down, hard enough to leave another mark. You gasp, your back arching involuntarily, your hands tangling in his hair as you moan his name again. The bite stings, but in a way that ignites a deep heat in your core, making your thighs squeeze together involuntarily.

His mouth continues to explore, claiming every inch of you as if he’s branding you with his touch, and for a while, you don’t mind. Each mark he leaves feels like a silent promise, a reminder of how he’s the only one who gets to do this to you. But then, just as his teeth find a spot near your shoulder—somewhere too exposed—you realize he’s about to leave a mark you won’t be able to cover.

“Jake,” you gasp, your fingers gently tugging at his hair in an attempt to pull him back. “I won’t be able to cover that one.”

For a moment, you think he’ll stop, but instead, Jake pauses just long enough to lift his head, his lips brushing against the sensitive spot on your neck as he whispers, “Then don’t.”

Your breath hitches, torn between the reality of what he’s saying and the undeniable way your body is responding to him. You know this is more than you’d agreed to, more than the boundaries of your casual arrangement, but right now, with the weight of his body pressing against yours, his hands claiming every inch of you, you can’t bring yourself to care.

“I want them to see,” he says, his voice dark and full of desire.

The words send a surge of heat straight to your core, and before you can stop yourself, you nod, a soft, breathless “okay” slipping from your lips.

Jake’s lips curve into a smug grin against your neck as he feels your body give in to his touch, your soft “okay” fueling something primal in him. He moves back, shifting his attention lower, his hands tracing down the curve of your waist as he positions himself between your legs. His breath is hot, teasing as he kisses down your stomach, the anticipation making every nerve in your body light up.

His fingers glide over the waistband of your underwear, his eyes locked on yours as he slowly pulls them down, discarding them onto the floor without breaking the heated connection between you. Then, without warning, his fingers slide between your legs, parting you, and you can’t suppress the moan that escapes your lips as he presses two fingers into you. His touch is skilled, knowing exactly where and how to make you come undone, coaxing you closer and closer to the edge with every stroke.

“Jake,” you gasp, your hands gripping the sheets as you arch into his touch, the pressure building in a delicious crescendo. His fingers move with precision, and it’s almost too much, too good.

His lips find the sensitive spot on your inner thigh, biting down just enough to make you gasp, another mark, another silent claim on your skin. Then his mouth is on you, his tongue working in sync with his fingers, driving you closer and closer to your release. You can feel the tension building inside you, your body winding tight as you near the brink.

Just as you’re about to tip over the edge, Jake’s voice cuts through the haze, low and possessive. “Come for me,” he whispers, his breath hot against your skin. “Come on my fingers.”

The command hits you like a wave, and it’s not just the words—it’s the way he says it, like he already knows you will, like you’re his to command. His. The thought sends you spiraling, and you come undone with a cry, your body shaking with the force of your release as his fingers work you through it.

He doesn’t stop, his fingers slowing but still keeping you on that edge, prolonging the sensation until you’re dizzy from the intensity, your head spinning with more than just pleasure. His mouth is still on you, kissing the marks he’s left, soothing and claiming in the same breath.

As the waves of your release subside, you feel him shift back up, his hand still gently caressing your thigh as he leans over you, his lips brushing against your ear. “You feeling better?” He whispers, the possessiveness in his voice undeniable, sending another shiver down your spine.

And in that moment, you realize that what you have with Jake isn’t as simple as you thought. It’s more, deeper—something that goes beyond the casual boundaries you both tried to set. 

As the afterglow settles over both of you, Jake leans over to the edge of the bed, grabbing the remote from the nightstand. He pulls the covers up, tucking them around you both, and with a satisfied sigh, he turns the TV on. The soft glow of the screen casts a warm light over the room, but you can’t help but let out a quiet laugh when you see the title that pops up.

“A romcom?” you tease, glancing up at him from where you’re still nestled against his chest.

Jake smirks, his arm tightening around you as he flicks through the options. “You need something light after today,” he says. “Besides, I know you love them.”

You roll your eyes but don’t argue. It feels strangely domestic—something more than the casual arrangement you’ve been keeping. But it’s just a movie. Friends watch movies. Friends with benefits watch movies.

You try to keep your distance, mentally reminding yourself of the rules, but before you can stop yourself, you shift closer, resting your head on his chest. Jake doesn’t hesitate, his arm slipping around your waist, pulling you in even tighter. The weight of his arm feels comforting, grounding, and for a moment, you let yourself relax into him.

“It’s just a movie,” you tell yourself. You’ll watch the movie, then he’ll leave, and everything will go back to normal.

But the warmth of his body, the steady rise and fall of his chest under your cheek, lulls you into a kind of peace you haven’t felt in a while. His fingers absentmindedly trace small circles on your back, and you feel your eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment.

You fight it at first, determined to keep the lines clear. But sleep creeps in, and before you know it, your eyes flutter closed, and the sound of the movie fades into the background. Jake’s arm tightens around you protectively, and you barely register the soft kiss he presses against the top of your head before sleep overtakes you completely.

[rileyglas]

The List ~Pt. 1 - Creation~

Alastor (Hazbin Hotel) x Reader

This is my first-time writing fanfic but I literally cannot get the stories out of my brain so…why not make everyone else suffer. This is part one of a story I’ve been rolling around some time. I feel setting a good foundation for the reader/main character is super important, so I PROMISE this story gets better. Be prepared for the usual angst, mystery (Alastor), sassiness (Lucifer), fluff, eventual smut (yes horny readers bear with me we need some plot), and of course 18+ because….it’s Hazbin what do you expect?

Summary: f!reader finds themselves in Hell. Unable to accept your horrible fate you make it a point to continue being a bright soul surrounded by the darkness of Hell. With some higher advice, you create a list of rules to live. A short list to keep out danger and continue helping the lower sinners of Pentagram City. It’s the ONLY way you can survive (right?). Your list begins to crumble when you start helping Lucifer’s daughter with some hotel and a dream to redeem the same sinners you want to protect.

**sentences in italics are internal thoughts of the reader

1.5k Words

Part 1 (You're on it!) Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5  Part 6 Part 7 Part 7.A Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12

Rumor was all sinners would spawn in hell with attributes related to their life and (untimely) death. Your gift power was proof of that.

“Everyone get inside! Come on before the exorcists see you.” You hurry the last of the smaller sinners inside a building. It kills you to see such fear from the souls. “Lock the door. I'll lure them away.”

How foolish you were. Somehow a heart of gold followed you to these depths after death...ironic how even the nicest people end up in hell. God really does have his favorites I suppose.

But that foolishness led you to the best thing to happen to you, so you thought. Dodging through the streets, maneuvering, anything to lead the "angels" away from even the worst of sinners. Cursing praying for their safety. It was only your second extermination, but you already caught onto their game. It was all too easy to get around their sloppiness. Needing a breather, you weave around some cars and dive behind a dumpster. Idiots can't even keep track of my thickass? Pathetic!

A few moments pass as it grows quiet. Your breath begins to steady when the softest whimper catches your attention. As quietly (and non-threatening) as possible, you turn the corner to approach a crying dark mass curled on the ground. Seeing their blood pooling sends your stomach into flips. Not another one. Fearing the worst you gently reach out. “Hey hey...shhh..." you utter, feeling her wince ever so slightly. "No don't panic I'm here to help. Where are you hurt?"

The young girl slowly uncrumples herself to show her wound...a massive "X" sliced hips to neck. It was so deep you couldn't believe she was still breathing let alone even moving. Fuck she's lost too much blood. "Come here let me try to stop the bleeding" you lied. You knew she had no chance. But your chest hurt at the thought of her dying (again) alone in some shit alley. With the last of her strength she curled into you, her white hair tickling your face. She had her textured locks pulled back tightly and black horns accenting the top of her head. Her tired red eyes relaxed, slowly closing as she leaned into you. Such a beautiful girl falling to such a terrible fate. With one hand on part of her wound, you used your other to softly stroke her head. “I'm so sorry young one...just breathe in and know you're not alone.” As her breathing shallows you gently kiss her forehead, bidding her soul a gentle goodbye.

The second your lips touch her skin, pure fire floods through your veins. Every nerve in your body feeling ripped apart. You spasm from the pain, clenching onto the girls now limp body. Just when the pain starts misting your vision you see flashes of...pink? "What the fuck!!" You grit through your teeth. What felt like hours of pain was merely a few seconds and it quickly dissipated from your body as did the pink light. Shit shit shit, there’s no way the exorcist didn’t hear OR SEE that! You stay perfectly still...listening to the silence with your mind reeling over what just happened.

A gasp breaks the deafening silence, pulling you back to reality. The young girl jolted out of your arms, gasping in as much air as she could. Looking down you notice her wounds were gone, only dry blood and tattered cloth remained from the laceration. You look at each other in panic and shock.

After inspecting her stomach she snaps out of her daze, remembering you two were still not safe.

"It's too dangerous to stay out here. Come with me - we aren’t far from the safehouse. I am sure my mother will want to meet you."

You follow without hesitation. Trust has always been a weakness. As you make your way through the city, she explains how she was out collecting angelic weapons with her sister when they got separated. After getting cornered she just accepted her fate...then you found her. "The name is Clara by the way. Clara Carmine. I usually just go by CC though."

You never intended to get into the Overlord game. You were merely trying to make the best, quiet life in hell if that was even possible. Guess things change when you save the daughter of Hells most prestigious Overlord. Who could say no to being taken in and protected by THE Carmilla Carmine.

Carmilla immediately began preparing you after hearing of the power you possessed. The power to heal with touch...of course it’s not that easy…it required pure intensions, coming from a place of love. Who the hell (pun intended) wrote this cruel joke for a sinner? How did the lowest of low get given such power just a few short years after arriving? It was your most precious secret. It had to be. If anyone of ill will found out - and come on, it's Hell - your soul would have been the most sought after in the pride ring. You wouldn’t last a day. Carmilla was indebted to you for saving Clara, so she made a deal to give you protection and mentorship as repayment. The first of many deals you’d make in Hell, growing the power you held.

In the years you've been under Carmilla's watch, you created a short list of rules to keep yourself out of harm’s way -

1. Never trust another Overlord

2. Never tell a soul what (or how much) power you have

3. Never bring anyone too close

4. Never let your weaknesses show

It was a simple enough list that had worked for you so far.

You chose to make deals with those who needed protection or help while navigating the dangerous afterlife. In your deals each soul was bound to secrecy as to who you were and what you provided. Contract details and fine print were your specialty. Your soul count was the highest Carmilla had ever seen for someone so new, so merciful. She would often mention only one other sinner ever rose the ranks as quick though his methods were…less than savory. She never bothered to say who. Every Overlord meeting the rumors spread of some "Saving Grace" sinner making their way into powerful ranks. A shadow giving vile hope. But just as quick as those rumors appeared - they were put to rest when no new faces ever appeared. Of course you were there - you needed to attend for information just as much as the next guy, but you never sat as an Overlord. Carmilla granted you a place off to the side as "the help" to serve tea or make notes as needed. No one ever batted an eye to someone considered just a worker bee in Carmilla's hive.

Every meeting was the same, though it seemed unease was rising after each extermination. Six years had passed since you fell into this hellhole (har har). Another extermination, another meeting. Sitting in your designated corner, you twirl your pen as the Overlords began taking their seats. Might as well be invisible - but you preferred it that way. As your mind slightly wonders to less important things, the quiet buzz of conversations around you fades away from your ears.

"—yes I know I’ve been absent some time. I'm sure you've ALL been wondering!"

Your attention snaps back with the sound of this charming new voice. The demon was dressed to the nines - red suit jacket, gloves, freshly pressed slacks. Your already preoccupied mind raced. Who the hell is that? Where has he been? Why does he have that shit eating grin?

He must hold some power to be sitting here after all these years…

"Not really. But welcome back in any case."

That dismissal from Camilla was enough for you to put aside any questions you had of the demon. You knew this meeting would be tense. Can't afford distractions when you needed to be all ears. As you began writing you felt something in the pit of your stomach. Was someone staring at you? You try to shake the feeling when Velvette made her grand entrance. With a sigh and eye roll you set aside your notebook. God damn this woman, no respect, no couth. Gonna be a long one today.

The sinking feeling returns, this time you catch the culprit. The (new to you) demon Overlord is staring at you as if you’re the only one in the room. You make eye contact hoping he moves his gaze, but it only fuels the intensity on you. That smile never faltering. Your ears ring and static pricks your ear drums. Can I fuckin help you sir? Wait no, you're just the help. Lower sinners would never even dream of speaking to an Overlord like such. Thankfully the eye contact breaks when Velvette tosses the head of an exorcist on the table.

Ah I suppose this will be quite a fascinating meeting…

[elitehanitje]

Vince McMahon Sabotaged Christian Cage's Career

In February 2009, Christian made his surprising return to WWE and debuted on the ECW brand. The moment was exciting for fans, as Christian had made a big name for himself during his nearly four-year stint with TNA Wrestling.

Some fans don't look back on the moment fondly though, as commentator Todd Grisham didn't have much enthusiasm in his voice for the return of a legend. As it turns out, Vince McMahon himself instructed Grisham to have a low demeanor about Christian's return to the company.

Right before I walked out of the Gorillia position before the show. Vince McMahon called me over and said, “When Christian walks out..don’t get excited at all simply say ‘it’s Christian’ and that’s it. Understand me?” Me: “Yes sir”

Tony Khan responded to Grisham's post, calling the behavior insane.

In a recent interview, Kurt Angle stated that there isn't much difference between Vince McMahon and the character of 'Mr. McMahon'.

Reacting to a post criticizing his commentary on X, Grisham recalled the infamous moment. The former WWE personality detailed how McMahon ordered him to say those exact words when Christian returned. Grisham could do nothing but accept and follow his boss’ instructions. Over the years, this moment has become a running online joke. 

For some reason, McMahon never saw Christian as a potential main-event talent in WWE. Therefore, Captain Charisma failed to reach similar heights as his best friend, Edge (Adam Copeland). Even after winning his first World Heavyweight Championship, the Canadian star ended up losing the belt in five days. 

The story reignited the long-standing debate around McMahon's supposed dislike of Christian (rumors mentioned that Jay wasn't a yes-man and didn't want to be involved with any shenanigans backstage involving Vince and his bullying/harassment way).

The latter was once one-half of his most profitable tag-team stable with Edge. However, following their diversion into single competitors, the former 'Captain Charisma' was never treated as a prized asset.

Former WWE star Lance Storm confirmed the official WWE program incorrectly billed Christian at 5’ 10” when the man whose real name is William Reso is 3-4 inches taller.

McMahon's old WWE lead writer Alex Greenfield later revealed the billionaire once pitched to have Christian's face covered by a blue dot.

"Right before I started, there was a big show, I think it might have been in Toronto. Christian was just so completely over, and everybody thought he was going to get a push at, I think it was the World Heavyweight Championship at that point. We were on the plane one time shortly after I started, and Vince was just like 'God damn, I just don't like his face. His face really bothers me.'

"I was like, 'He's ugly, Vince?'

'No, it's not that he's ugly, it's just, I don't know, it's ratty!"

WWE executive Bruce Pritchard even waded in on the theory, by explaining McMahon was never a major fan. "[Vince] didn’t feel that [Christian] had the personality to connect with the audience in a big way. He didn’t think he was larger than life and at that time Vince wanted the top guys needed to be larger than life. You needed to be The Rock, needed to be Stone Cold, you needed to be Undertaker. Every time you would come up with an idea for Edge or Christian it would be like okay, there is a lot of excitement there with Edge."

"‘Oh by God, we could do this with him. We could do this with him, a big good-looking bastard and then we’d get to Christian and it would just be, ‘Ugh, God, do we have to shoot him? Do we have to see that face? The fuck’s he gonna say?!’"

Even after winning his first World Heavyweight Championship, Christian ended up losing the belt within five days.

He inducted long-term partner Edge into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 but is conspicuous by his own absence from the list over a decade later. The veteran wasn't offered a new WWE contract following a separate return at the Royal Rumble in 2021.

He has since found a home in AEW under Tony Khan's leadership, who reacted to Grisham's story further in an additional post that read: "Christian Cage is the man."

[disneyprincemuke]

the end of all the endings * milo+rocky vault

notes: actually this was supposed to be a short one but i got carried away cause i think of them all the time and also, i'm making public all mocky pieces just cuz lolsie xoxo

(series masterlist) | (📁 the milo + rocky vault)

she puts her glass down on the table, a tired sigh passing her lips as she scans the menu for some sort of dessert to indulge in. she’s thinking maybe a lava cake paired with vanilla ice cream, or cake.

“rocks,” she hears from across the table. she lifts her eyes from the menu and lifts an eyebrow in response. “are you looking for dessert?”

she blinks. “yeah, why? do you wanna go somewhere else?” she scrunches her nose and returns her attention to the menu sitting comfortably on her lap. “their dessert menu doesn’t look very… well, i wouldn’t get anything from here for dessert.”

he purses his lips together. “actually, i was gonna ask if you wanted to get some free dessert.”

“free dessert?” she snorts, throwing her head back slightly with a laugh.

he shrugs, “maybe another free bottle of champagne.”

“what are you talking about, my?”

milo sucks in a deep breath. he takes a moment to look around the bustling restaurant then smiles back at her. “do you trust me?”

“now that you’re saying it like that,” she sighs, “not really.”

he reaches for her hand across the table and squeezes it. “when have i ever let you down?”

she tilts her head. “i could list a number of times.”

“rocky.”

“milo.”

“i won’t disappoint you, i promise,” milo encourages, adjusting his jacket. he runs a hand through his hair and clears his throat. “just go along with it.”

she sighs tiredly and closes her eyes momentarily. “fine.”

he stands up, pushing his chair back with a loud sound, drowned out by the sounds in the restaurant. he smiles at her and drops to a knee.

she flinches at this, pushing her chair back slightly and turning to him. she grabs his shoulders and tries to force him back up to his feet.

“what are you doing? get up,” she whispers, worriedly looking around the restaurant.

“just go along with it,” milo says through gritted teeth with a smile. “go on, say yes really loudly.”

“what is wrong with you?”

“do you want free dessert or not?”

“not like this.”

“my knee hurts, say yes before we get more looks.”

“absolutely not.”

“i’ll pay for your ice cream for the entire month.”

she jumps up, hands pressed against her chest as she feigns shock. “oh, my god, yes!”

“rocks, look,” milo mutters, slinging an arm around her shoulders. he gestures his head towards the group of girls crowded behind them with their phones propped up on the ground as they film a video of themselves. “someone’s taking a video.”

she looks away from her phone, held up as she takes a picture of the view from the mountain she’d driven them up to, and furrows her eyebrows. “why is that any of our problems, my?”

he simply grins, squeezing her shoulder. “i have an idea.”

she sighs and drops her hands. “i mean this in the meanest way possible,” she pauses, “but you have the worst ideas ever.”

“come on,” he laughs. he tucks a finger under her chin and presses a kiss on her nose. “it’s gonna be funny.”

“would it, really?” she scrunches her nose to challenge his thoughts, looking up at him. “you’re really not as funny as you think, love.”

he doesn’t answer. just fishes for something in the back of his pocket before dropping on a knee. “rocks.”

she throws her arms into the air with a whimper. “not this again.”

he’d gotten a cheap ring from a shop somewhere while he was running some errands a few days ago, giggling to himself as he made the purchase. it was just funny how a fully grown man like him was spending 5 bucks on a cheap ring for a bit.

a bit that even his girlfriend wasn’t fully on board with. though arguably, it would be funny to see her different reactions.

the ring is simple: a silver ring with a little glass rock sitting on the top. but, it was kind of obvious that he got it dragging his feet around the mall when he stumbled upon a shop typically for kids.

“come on, we’re on video,” milo laughs up at her, holding up the cheaply made ring on display, “say yes.”

she clenches her jaw. she will be sure to get back at him for this. she scrunches her nose and sucks in a deep breath.

she feigns a shriek and cups her cheeks. “oh, my god, yes!”

upon entering the paddocks, she couldn’t help but notice the sly grin on milo’s face. she’d noticed it from the minute she woke up that morning and she didn’t like it.

she narrows her eyes into a squint and turns her head to look at milo. “what are you planning?”

“what?” milo looks down at her innocently, blinking as he squeezes her hand. “why are you accusing me already? i haven’t even done anything yet.”

“i can smell your stupid pranks from a mile away,” she accuses softly with a hum. “you’re planning something.”

“i’m so not!” he scoffs, his free hand on his chest to show how offended he truly is by her words. “you can’t just make baseless assumptions.”

she scowls, “they’re not baseless. you’ve been my boyfriend for 3 and a half years — i know when you’re planning to be an idiot.”

“promise i’m not,” he sighs, stopping when they reach the end of the stretch of racing homes.

she untangles her hand from his and takes a step forward with her hand held out. “so this is where we part ways, my.”

“i’ll see you in 20 minutes, rocks,” milo beams, taking off his backpack and placing it into her hands. “you want a coffee or ice cream?”

“ice cream,” she grins, stepping forward to share a light kiss. a blush spreads her cheeks when she hears the click of a camera and drops her head to hide her face. “have fun.”

she turns in the other direction to walk towards her racing home when she feels a tap on her shoulder again. she whirls back around just as milo drops to his knee. a loud gasp passes her lips, “milo!”

milo lifts his head with a smug grin. “what?”

an annoyed sigh fills the air when she sees his hands on his shoelaces, clearly undone. she grumbles under her breath. “you are so fucking annoying.”

milo grins, turning his head to oscar. “you guys want free champagne?”

oscar looks up from his phone and turns his head to the american with a toothy grin. “do i?”

“let me answer for him,” logan starts, popping his head out to glance at milo, “probably no.”

“who doesn’t want free champagne?” milo defends himself. he turns his head towards the direction she’d walked off to earlier with ylona and lily to head to the restrooms. “if we don’t get free champagne, i’ll pay for the club.”

logan hums. “fine, though i don’t really know how you’re going to get free champagne at all.”

“trust me, dude.”

“would rocky let us say yes?” oscar hums, nose scrunched up in curiosity.

milo beams. “no, but she’s not here for you to ask.”

“hey, have you figured out what you wanna order?” her voice makes their head turn to her. she’s walking towards them with ylona and lily trailing shortly behind her. “i’m starving, so speed it up.”

milo glances at logan and oscar with a grin. he clears his throat and slides out of his seat, swiftly picking the plastic ring from his pocket and getting on a knee.

she turns her head and simply looks down at milo, ignoring the loud gasps and remarks from her friends. something along the lines of “what the fuck” and “i didn’t see this coming”.

she scratches her head. “i’m so hungry, milo.”

logan’s loud declaration of confusion tears her attention away from her boyfriend, kneeling on the ground. “he’s literally proposing to you. why are you reacting like that?”

she stares at him, unamused. “no, he’s not. that’s his ruse for free champagne,” she answers monotonously. “my, come on. get up.”

“oh, come on,” milo frowns, pushing the ring up into the air again, “free champagne.”

“fine. but you owe me ice cream again for the rest of the month,” she says as milo nods enthusiastically. she sucks in a deep breath and cups her cheeks, “oh, my god, yes!”

“i’m asking you politely to not think of pulling any of your silly strings tonight,” she mutters, leaning towards her boyfriend sitting next to her. “please don’t do it here. the alcohol and dessert are free — there’s literally nothing to gain if you do it here.”

milo leans into her with a small smile. “why not? don’t you think it would be funny to watch sebastian clutch his heart in shock?”

she shakes her head and scowls. “no, i need him for my race tomorrow, you twat.”

“it’ll be funny,” milo whispers, rubbing his chin as he stares at sebastian sitting across them. “watch.”

“my–”

but it’s too late. he’s slipped out of his seat, pushing the chair back with a loud noise, garnering the attention of at least half of their side of the table. she just wanted to enjoy a team dinner with her boyfriend in attendance.

had she known that he would be this hard to contain, she would not have brought him along.

he lifts his hands, the godforsaken plastic ring between his fingers with a grin on his face, “rocks. you’re the love of my life.”

sebastian raises his eyebrows with a small grin, folding his arms over his chest as he leans back in his seat. “interesting.”

“milo,” she mutters, shaking her head in disappointment. “i’m going to kill you.”

“don’t leave me hanging,” milo teases with a smile, “your entire team is watching us.”

“he’s kidding, by the way,” she announces, turning her head to assess the reaction of her team members. “he does this all the time.” she grabs his wrist and lifts his arms slightly into the air. “it’s a ring from a kids’ shop.”

noah giggles. “romantic.”

“oh, congrats, ciara!” milo beams, clapping his hands, turning to his girlfriend. “speaking of good news…”

the young girl had just shared her business ventures as of late, even boasting about how her eldest sister had helped her out coding her website to help with her vision.

“milo,” the girl says cautiously shaking her head. her eyes dart down to his legs, trying to decipher if he’d slip off his seat.

“you’ve got news?” ciara perks up with grin. “what is it?”

she turns to ciara and shakes her head profusely. “do not listen to him. i don’t have any pieces of good news.”

milo smiles smugly at her then turns to ciara. “i landed a new role for this movie. i think you’d love to come to set with me one day.”

“rocks,” milo whispers, leaning to the side to the side. “you’re enjoying dinner?”

she turns to him. “of course,” she smiles, pinching his cheek. “are you?”

they’re sitting in a restaurant with her family. she sits at the head of the table, and to her right is milo, with ciara by his side, then oscar and logan hunched over with dalton, preoccupied with a phone game. then there’s blythe stuck in a conversation with mick and liam, then sebastian having a chat with her parents.

it’s such a random selection of people to have dinner with.

“of course,” he grins. “what are you getting to eat?”

“i don’t know yet, but they’ve got really good selections,” she mutters. “what are you getting?”

truthfully, when blythe had invited her to dinner, she’d half expected it to only be herself with the option of milo tagging along. she has yet to ask how a personal dinner for 2, maybe 3, suddenly turned into a family dinner.

logan and oscar tagging along is normal, but sebastian?

“not sure,” milo shrugs. he can’t help the smile growing on his face.

he hasn’t messed around with her in almost 3 weeks, trying to take away the suspicion of his true intentions. he’d been trying to soften the blow, getting a feel for her reaction if the real deal had happened.

she tilts her head and pinches his cheek tenderly. “you’re looking extra cute today, miles.” she pulls him in and presses a kiss to her cheek.

“i bet you’re wondering why the entire family is here,” blythe hums, throwing her head back slightly. “or why we’re even in a private room for dinner.”

she shrugs, “i was just guessing word got around about us getting dinner in a crowd favourite restaurant.”

blythe glances at milo and sits up straighter. “actually.”

“just a season-ender dinner to celebrate the year,” milo grins, turning to her with a grin. “you guys have fought such a great championship — blythe and i thought it would be fun to host a dinner to celebrate you guys.”

“and of course the fact that you’re contending for the championship,” blythe smiles, wiggling her eyebrows as she leans back into her seat. “and…”

“and?”

“and…” she turns her head to the source of the voice, flinching when she sees milo missing from his seat. he’s now on the ground on his knee. “oh, cut it out.”

but the ring on display for her is different this time. the plastic ring she’s come to find the humour in is no longer staring up at her. she feels her words get stuck in her throat, her grip tightening around the hem of her dress as her eyes flicker between the ring in the box and milo.

“i swear to god, milo.”

“no, i’m serious this time,” milo smiles, extending the box to her. “will you marry me?”

she looks down at the ring and she starts to nod before she can string words together. “yes, yes, oh, my god, yes. i’ll marry you.”

[lulublack90]

Prompt 5 - Operation

Wolfstar, February 5, word count 849

Previous part First part

One year previously

Sirius had decided that he didn’t want to just leave the family again. This time, he was going to take it down completely. But to do that, he needed time and to play the perfect little heir. So, he shut himself away from anyone he had even an ounce of attraction for. He couldn’t risk blowing everything because he needed a shag. Barty helped. He continued to hurl insults at Sirius to keep him from temptation. On the plus side, his good behaviour apparently had rewards. His parents had deemed it suitable for him to be in charge of the day-to-day running of the Black Star hotel chain, but only the ones in and around London. They didn’t want him straying too far. It came with the use of the secret penthouses above the ones they sold to customers. He utilised them as best he could, barely spending more than a night a week in his actual home. 

On an exploration of one of the City hotels, he discovered that there was a secret passage that led from the top floor all the way into the basement and up into the alley behind the hotel. He found he could slip out undetected. It was freeing to know he could have this one little bit of freedom where he wasn’t under the watchful eye of his mother's little minions. 

He’d found it strange that while the washers and dryer were always on, there didn’t seem to be anyone in the laundry room whenever he passed through it, but according to the staff list, there was someone in there every day. Different ones on the weekend. But the main one, a Remus Lupin, was supposed to be in there all week, but Sirius had never laid eyes on him. He’d shrugged in the end, the work was getting done, and if this guy wanted to slack off, who was he to judge?

It was the secret passage through which he and Barty met up in person to plot his family’s downfall. 

“No, Barty, we can’t leave anything for them to pick up. They could transfer everything to Bella or Cissa’s husband.” Sirius shook his head as he explained why Barty’s pan wouldn’t work. 

“Oooo, tall blonde and haughty, yes, please,” Barty purred. Sirius threw a throw pillow at him.  

“And here I thought you had an ounce of taste,” He gagged, thinking about Lucius Malfoy and his oily self-importance. “I have no idea why Cissa picked him when she could have picked anyone she wanted. Princess of the family and everything.” Sirius had always got along with Narcissa. They shared a love of over-the-top dramatics and a sense of humour. He’d watched as Lucius had quickly staunched that and had her acting like all the other stuck-up young ladies that he was forced to interact with. At least she still wasn’t so bad a Bellatrix. 

“Yeah, yeah, alright, calm down,” Barty laughed. “Let’s get back to Operation Black Hole,”

“Barty, we are not calling it that,” Sirius complained for the tenth time. 

“But it works so well,” Barty whined, but stopped when Sirius raised a brow at him warningly. Barty’s joy left him, and he slumped down in his chair. 

“You look so much like Reg when you do that,” He said quietly. Sirius put down his pen and hugged Barty. 

“Sorry,” he said softly into his ear, Barty’s soft hair tickling his face. Barty had moments like this. Sirius knew he tried to keep everything hidden under a bratty, jokey veneer, but Sirius knew a mask when he saw one and could see the pain hidden inside Barty.  

“What about you,” Barty said, breaking the sad silence in the room.

“Hmm?” Sirius hummed, unsure what Barty meant. 

“If we take everything down, what about you? What will you do for money?” He asked. Sirius shrugged. 

“No idea, but it’ll be fun figuring it out. I still own my flat, so I’ll have that to fall back on, and my personal savings can’t be touched, so I can survive on that for a while,” Barty nodded gently. 

“Good, I wouldn’t want you to have nothing at the end, not after everything you’re having to do to keep them happy,” Sirius hugged him harder. Barty was becoming so important to him. Not romantically, more like a more annoying brother than Regulus had ever been and one that he would quite happily throw in the Thames if it would shut him up for five seconds. “Come on then,” Barty chirped, his mask back in place. “Let’s iron out Operation Black Hole and get this show on the road.”

“For the last time, Barty, we are not calling it Operation Black Hole,” Sirius growled before jumping on Barty and knocking him to the floor as they wrestled. He wondered what the people below would think. Probably that the hotel had giant rats in its attic. Oh well, he thought as he pinned Barty’s arms behind his back and started laughing as Barty tried to squirm free. “I win this one, Crouch.” 

Next part

[tf2occontest]

Flynn McKinney VS Maple Linwood/The Marksman

(Full matchup list here)

Alright team, here's a recap: This is a contest to determine who amongst you will take the top of the leaderboards and be hired at TFI! Simply put, whoever gets the most votes gets to move on, and whoever doesn't... Well. They'll be put down swiftly and cleanly. :}

So, mann your stations, because here are your contestants! Vote for your favorite mercenary who you want to win the TF2 OC Contest! - P

OC INFO UNDER THE CUT!

We highly encourage you to take a peek to make your decision!

Flynn McKinney

@connicoxd

Image credit: @/connicoxd

Flynn is a huntsman sniper. Flynn is honestly one of my more undeveloped ocs, but this is why I wanted to enter him in this contest, so I could put time into developing him more, and I've found myself liking him more and more since I've spent so much time focused on him. I think he's a pretty interesting character and I would be over the moon if he won.

Moving onto lore, Flynn didn't have a good upbringing, his uncle was the only adult in his life who wasn't mistreating him, and his uncle happens to be his biggest inspiration. When he became a legal adult, he left his abusive parents and moved in with his uncle whilst he was trying to get himself a stable job and home, eventually getting a job at Mann.Co as a sniper.

Flynn gets along with all his fellow mercs, he may have moments where he doesn't always get along, but he mostly just gets on with his day. He's closest to the team's Heavy, Dominik, who is his boyfriend. However he cannot stand the team's Spy, Asher, who he personally feels is judgemental and nit-picky towards him. When it came to why he decided to become a sniper, it all links back to his uncle, who, just like Flynn, was a sniper himself, eventually retiring so he could stay home and be near his nephew. Flynn's uncle taught him everything he knows, which inspired Flynn to pursue the same job his uncle had.

Maple Linwood/The Marksman

@fishiiwasdrawing

Image credit: @/fishiiwasdrawing

Marksman, or Maple Linwood, by her name you can already tell shes supposed to be like sniper, unlike him thoo, she uses a crossbow as a main weapon! (With the Karambit knife being her melee)

Traits? Shes sassy and sometime to the point person, but hey when she can shes like the mother of the group shes supposed to be a 10th class of the team, supporting sniper's job somewhat I never really tried to do these type of stuff, so I thought it'll be fun to join in! Uhm she shld win bc shes cool an allat /JOKE

Lore? Nothing much, shes just a child from a famous fashion designer, running away from home (after so much neglect from her mom)

How does she interact? Shes close to sniper (Ill give you exactly 5 sec to guess why), but she mostly have fun around them, they made her felt more welcome as a family than her mother can…, seeing Heavy as a father figure, and maybe close with Engineer (as friends) They were supposed to be like Sniper, in a way that her job was supposed to help his job easier (ending up in sniper and marksman on a rivalry, before they go and kiss eachother or smthn)

[pookie-mulder]

August 2024 fic roundup

This was truly the month of the longfic. And to think I only read short fics until @skelavender showed me the error of my ways!

📰🖋️ Paracelsus by prufrockslove

One of the biggest txf fics ever, and I absolutely devoured it. I loved reading it right after Hiraeth and seeing all the little nods to their past lives. This author knows how to spin a yarn, guys. My one complaint is the never-ending miscommunications towards the end, which is never my favorite source of drama/conflict. Just talk to each other, you idiots! (Although they have those moments in canon, as well, I suppose.)

⚾️🏟️ A Moment in the Sun by prufrockslove

I will remember this fic for the rest of my life. It’s the type of fanfic you want to write fanfic about. It makes me wish I knew now to print and bind my own books. The universe is so rich and developed. Definitely in my top 5 of all time!

Here’s a list of things I love about it:

William. My precious, bratty British boy.

The way the plot includes elements of the mytharc but put together in a different way so you don’t know exactly how it’s all gonna come together

Emily!! You know I love a good Emily AU, and this fic certainly counts. I’m a sucker for a found family, and this fic delivers.

Josh Exley my beloved (and Arthur Dales, but the other one)

Dad!Mulder. The man is an absolute DILF. He tries so hard to overcome his shortcomings and be the father his kids need.

Frohike. His job as an eccentric baseball manager suits him surprisingly well, and his characterization is on point.

The little nods to canon, including episode titles and locations.

The insinuation that all of PFL’s AUs take place in the same universe (as Mulder said, “It has to take more than one lifetime to learn to love someone this much.”)

The only thing I’m not zazzed about is the ending. It kind of just…ends? I would’ve loved an epilogue or even a sequel (or a 12-book series).

🏫📸 Dr. Scully’s School for Exceptional Boys by prufrockslove

Oh boy. This fic is a tangled mess of emotions and betrayal and shame and guilt and love and promises and sacrifices and, most of all:

Definitely recommend.

👒👩‍🔬 The Regency Files by @slippinmickeys

I needed something that needed less mental energy after 4 massive PFL fics in a row, and this one delivered! It’s sweet, romantic, elegant, and has just enough of a plot to keep you interested. If you’re a fan of historical AUs (as I am now, I guess), this one’s a must-read!

🛌🍷 The Reunion by @muldersfingers

Absolute trope-y goodness without feeling too cheesy or predictable. My favorite part is how much they laugh and tease each other when they finally make use of that one bed ;)

🐶🥇 underdog takes the title by @wtfmulder

MSR’s first time is sweet, silly, and giggly. Mulder is absolutely pathetic and pitiable, which Scully finds hot (same, girl). It absolutely melted my heart!

👶👨‍🍼 the bitter and the sweet by @xf-cases-solved

What if baby William was a girl? What if they named her after Samantha?

Absolute perfection. This is how season 8 should have ended!

🏔️🌲 The Mountain Man and A Deadly Hunger by aka_Jake

This historical AU takes place in the same time period as Paracelsus, but it’s so vastly different in its setting that it’s unfair to compare them. In this one, Mulder is a Montana mountain man who smuggles arms to the Native Americans, and Scully hopes to become an army doctor in a nearby frontier town. It’s a classic Wild West romance with plenty of drama and conflict. I love how each of the characters feel like themselves, especially Scully, who retains her headstrong independence despite social norms.

🔙🥩 The Mastodon Diaries by aka_Jake

Mulder and Scully travel back in time to the Pleistocene era and must rely on their wits and each other to survive.

This is one of those fics that changes you as a person. I will be thinking about it for a long, long time. It broke my heart a thousand times and then lovingly stitched it back together. There were so many moments that took my breath away.

The portrayal of prehistoric humans is especially incredible — they’re so well-thought out, and their culture is so rich and developed. Even though 12,000 years separates us, we’re not so different from each other in the end. I absolutely fell in love with the native OCs, which is a compliment of the highest order. I already miss them!

Anyway, it’s like this fic was created in a lab specifically for me. It has all my favorite tropes and story elements: wilderness survival, historical AU(ish), soooo much whump and caretaking and hurt/comfort, found families, Dad!Mulder, and a surprising amount of romance. If you haven’t read this one yet, I’m begging you to give it a try!

🇦🇶❄️ On the Verge by aka_Jake

This fic fits into one of my favorite canon holes: How did Mulder and Scully get back from Antarctica? I love reading everyone’s different takes on this missing scene/plotline, and this one is no exception!

[cupidgwk]

. . ! oblivious — kim gyuvin

► more friends to lovers !!!!

► synopsis: you and gunwook devised the oh so, full proof plan to get gyuvin to fall for you!!!

► slightly proof read

► p.s gunwook is best wingman

step one — get closer to him (physically)

gunwook laid out the steps for you one by one. first, you’d have to get close to him but in a subtle way!

his bright idea? turning up the a/c. what you didn’t expect was gunwook setting the temperature to a chilling 60 degrees.

“oh it’s pretty cold in here isn’t it.” gunwook ponders.

“yeah, just how cold is it?” you glared at gunwook as your teeth chattered.

“oh don’t worry about it! the air conditioner must be broken.” he shrugged avoiding eye contact.

gyuvin still had his eyes fixated to the tv in full focus in his mario kart race.

“are you cold y/n?” hanbin questioned. “you can wear my sweater if you want!”

“oh thank you hanbin! you shouldn’t have…” your fully slightly pained smile spilling out as you accepted the wrong person’s hoodie.

gunwook physically smacked his hand against his forehead.

spoiler alert: it did leave a mark on his forehead that lasted a good two days.

step one. failed.

step two — make him good ol’ baked home goods

you trusted gunwook with your life after all. well, not after the kitchen fiasco that was.

“uhm, is that supposed to be bubbling?” you questioned in concern watching the “cookies” bake in the oven.

“i don’t think so,” he trailed off in fear. “just how many tea spoons of baking powder did you add?”

“i think, around 3?” you replied.

“that can’t be right, then why is the-“ realization flashed through his eyes.

“oh man..” he started.

“what did i do.”

“well, you may have used table spoons instead of tea spoons.” gunwook stated re-reading the baking instructions.

he pointed his finger to the top of the ingredient list. “also, we used baking powder instead of soda.”

to make the situation even worse, the smell of smoke entered your nostrils.

“there is no way…” you raced to the oven and fished the tray of slightly burned cookies.

of course at the worse timing ever, gyuvin enters the kitchen, clearly looking for whatever he can stuff into his mouth.

“yay cookies!” his eyes lit up. “i love home made ones the best!”

“gyuvin wait!” but you and gunwook were a little too late. as gyuvin munched into the baked good that didn’t even deserve to be called a cookie.

gyuvin’s face went from joy to confusion to pure disgust.

“oh wow guys this is the best thing i’ve ever tasted!” he managed to cough out.

“dude, you can be honest.” gunwook deadpanned.

“i need a moment.” he mumbled making his way toward the bathroom.

in the distance you can hear the faucet running as gyuvin attempted to get any taste of that concoction out of his taste buds.

“great! i gave him food positioning!” you slouched onto the floor in defeat.

step two. failed.

and so the saga continued. gunwook would come up to you every day with a new plan to push gyuvin closer to you. of course, most. well. all of the attempts resulted in failure.

one failed attempt after another felt like a never ending rollercoaster. step 4? yujin beat you to asking gyuvin to share an umbrella on the walk home. step 5? we don’t talk about step 5.

“gunwook, i am one failed attempt away from dropping out and moving across the country. the continent even!” you flailed your arms in annoyance.

gunwook shook his head in disagreement. “no can do!” he shook his finger. “i got this covered y/n, just you wait!”

do not fret. gunwook wasn’t class president for no reason. he devised yet another foolproof plan by adding any steps necessary to ensure by the end of the day you and gyuvin will be a couple.

step ??? — become partners for the upcoming group project

gunwook may or may not have pulled a couple strings to ensure that you and gyuvin would be partners in the newest english assignment.

“hey y/n!” gyuvin greeted pulling up a seat next to you. “what exactly did the teacher say? sorry i think i fell asleep for most of it.”

you laughed at his demeanor before quickly explaining the project requirements and such. surprisingly enough, gyuvin listened intently nodding along to the words spilling from your mouth.

“thanks y/n!” he smiled. “so, when is this due?”

“we have around two weeks or so,” you tapped your pen on your bottom lip as you scanned the instruction sheet once more.

“wanna visit the café across the school so we can sort stuff out?” gyuvin questioned tiling his head.

your face erupted into a smile at his suggestion. “you sure this isn’t just an excuse to try their new season menu?” he pouted at your words lightly shoving your shoulder. “come one! please~”

you rolled your eyes at his antics. “of course gyuvin~” teasing him.

-

conversations filled the hallway as students rushed to beat rush hour on the train. the two of you continued to converse as you made your way to the train station. of course, gyuvin forgot to reload his train pass resulting in the two of you missing the train.

“i’m so sorry!” gyuvin apologized clasping his hands together. you laughed at his dramatic apology shaking your head playfully. “don’t sweat it, it gives me more time to spend with you.”

“what?” gyuvin questioned. your face immediately burned up as regret filled your mind. before you can even stutter out a response, gyuvin came up with one himself.

“glad to know, my plan worked,” you raised an eyebrow in suspicion. he turns to face you. “why don’t we turn that study session into a real date? you know, to make up for missing the train and everything.”

you rolled your eyes playfully. “of course!” a smile erupted on his face as he suddenly engulfed you in his arms.

“i’ve been waiting so long to do this.”

gunwook’s full proof plan to get you and gyuvin together: SUCCEEDED

[twig-tea]

Top 5 moments of yearning in 2023 bl (no cheating you can only pick 5)

WOW. wowowowowowow. Wow. It's almost as though you saw my other answers before asking this (which I know you didn't because this came in first and I am Slow). Rude.

First, I need to establish a very important distinction: Pining (my beloved) is when you think or are determined that it will never happen; yearning (also my beloved) is when you think it could and are really struggling to hold yourself back from just going for it right now for Reasons. The possibility of fulfillment is the main difference.

Second distinction: Yearning is not necessarily sexual tension. It can be an element of it, but yearning is about wanting something, whether that's sex, closeness, acceptance, or something else. It's about wanting existing barriers to drop that are preventing you from having the thing you want most in that moment, whether they're internal or external, physical or metaphysical.

Finally, as much as I would love to talk about only my favourite shows exclusively forever, you did ask for my top five moments rather than top 5 shows that contain yearning, so I stuck to the rules. All that is to say, there are a couple of series on this list that I don't actually recommend lol

With that out of the way:

Top [For Real Only] 5 Moments of Yearning in 2023 BLs Because Shan Hates Me

1. Jae Won yanking and then patting down Ji Hyun before putting him in a cab, The Eighth Sense

Basically this whole show is yearning (except for the brief interlude for pining). I chose this moment because this was the first moment I was certain they both actually knew what was going on and it was clear to them both that they could have this, at least in theory; the tension felt palpable, and I really wasn't sure whether they were going to hold back or not. Jae Won is supposed to be saying goodbye, but he can't keep it in to the point where he just can't stop touching Ji Hyun (that backpack pull that happens immediately before this, guh), and Ji Hyun is also so clearly soaking it up. When the cab pulls up and they just keep staring, there was a real question in my mind about whether they were going to break and just go for it or not. For these two it's not just about sex; they yearn for version of one another they are when they're together, and they don't want the spell to end.

2. Khun Lu and Ken almost kiss while naked in bed, Chains of Heart

I'm still not entirely sure I know what happened in that show, but the yearning between these two was palpable the whole time. In this particular scene, Ken has just seen a hint the previous night that Lu is in fact Din, his missing-presumed-dead lover, and he's already previously rejected Lu on the premise that Din is still alive and is the only man he'll ever love, even though he feels drawn to Lu. Up until then, his yearning was for Din, though he also felt something for Lu. Now suddenly he's presented with the possibility that he's already reunited with his lover, which is all he wants, though he's unsure that's what's happening. On the other side of this equation, Lu has been wanting as much of Ken as he can charm, trick, or beg for. He just wants him now, here, under the pretense of this new body, because he knows Ken will never be safe if Din is thought to still be alive. At the same time, he is torn between wanting to be near Ken to keep him safe and wanting to stay away to keep him safe. Yearning barely covers it.

3. The post-sex breakdown of Yai and Jom in I Feel You Linger In The Air

This scene was particularly painful because the yearning only hits harder after his orgasm, rather than the catharsis Jom was probably expecting. In this scene they weren't just yearning for one another physically like in earlier parts of the show; they are yearning for a future they can't have together but both want and in this moment feels like it should be possible. Yai really looks like he wants to meld into Jom's skin. The way that sex does not break the yearning is quietly devastating. Is there anything worse than having everything you want in your arms but knowing you can't keep it?

4. Patts desperate to get through to Saengai on the other side of the door, La Pluie

@liyazaki the tumblr gif search is not crediting you properly so adding a tag to you here!

Listen, Patts has been yearning for reciprocation from his soulmate for years before he meets Saengtai, and it did not at all stop once they met, it just changed in quality. He's always yearned rather than pined because with soulmates comes the expectation that it will work, because of 'destiny'. We saw him say in a flashback that he thought his soulmate could be platonic, and I do believe him when he says to Nara that he'd be fine with that, because what he really yearns for is to be understood and wanted for himself (hence the heartbreaking line "is it that hard to choose me?" that comes before this). The fact that someone had a "destined" connection to him and rejected him for years took a real toll on this man. The way he claws at the door in this scene will stay with me into 2024.

5. Minato and Shin at the Onsen, Minato's Laundromat s2

As much as I dislike where this season went, a yearning list would not be complete without Shin and Minato. We spend a lot of time with Shin's yearning in this show, but we get glimpses that Minato is actually yearning too throughout the season and especially at the onsen. In this scene, he tries to get drunk to get past his own insecurities, but it doesn't work as well as he wanted. This scene was all about Minato articulating all the ways he also yearns, and how it's overwhelming for him--and how that overwhelm is frustrating. I love this outpouring of Minato's frustration around his own internal blockers to what he wants. Also Shin swallowing in this gif makes it perfectly clear he is also Suffering. Perfection.

Bonus and it doesn't count as cheating because it's not a BL SO THERE:

Sam and Mon comforting one another after Sam's grandmother found out about their relationship, GAP

This show was such a mess but my god these two women wanted one another so badly, and I appreciated the hell out of that. It felt like yearning rather than pining until near the end, because all through their getting together phase they insisted on such an intense level of denial that they didn't even seem to worry about what they wanted being impossible, they just knew they didn't have it yet. So they did things like bite one another and pretend it was platonic and wonder why they weren't satisfied. I was thinking about going with an early scene where they barely resist the urge to make out, but instead I went with this one because I think it's a double-whammy. in this scene, Sam is trying to get Mon to tell her what's wrong, and Mon confesses that Sam's grandmother saw her at her house and asked her to leave Sam. Instead of pulling away, Mon clings to Sam, and Sam apologizes to her for not being there for her. Sam thinks she can talk her around to accepting Mon. "Don't worry; I'll talk to her. We'll get through this". The yearning here is for them to be together and safe; accepted by their families and happy, and not feeling this pain. I don't recommend this show, but there is something to be said for the way it showed the impact of intergenerational trauma and the very real yearning so many of us feel to just be accepted as we are.

[jhilsara]

I Can See You

Pt. 1/ Pt. 2/ Pt. 3/ Pt. 4/ Pt. 5/pt. 6/Pt. 7/Pt. 8/Pt. 9/ Pt. 10/

Pt. 11/ Pt.12/Pt.13/Pt. 14/Pt.15/Pt.16/Pt.17/END

Mariana Jimenez-Watson or MJ works in a normal pub living life paycheck to paycheck. Nothing exciting happens to her except the occasional drunk getting thrown out. She's 24 working away and finds a wrench thrown into her very boring life. His name is Hobie and she thinks maybe, a little excitement isn't awful. In fact she might start to crave some change for once.

Small moments of Hobie meeting his world's MJ. AKA I made an MJ variant and I think she's neat.

Chapter 5

Life threatening events were not on her bucket list. In fact, MJ was content to mind her business and talk to pub patrons. She was happy to come in, pours some pints, make a cocktail, chat up the patrons and learn their stories, and then roll on home in the early morning hours. That was her routine every single day, she liked it that way. Her life wasn't supposed to be filled with crazy events and super villains. She was just a normal woman working in a small pub.

So why the hell does stuff just keep happening to her?

She’s been exhausted for the past two weeks, and it's not from any freak run ins with her local vigilante. To her surprise it's because of a single patron who started coming to the pub. Usually MJ is okay with the occasional drunkard. They always have at least one every other night.

MJ’s favorites are posted in small polaroid pictures behind the bar top that Andy has taken. The pub keeps a polaroid camera as a little gimmick for busy weekends. Andy will walk around to the tables and snap pictures of friends and couples. It’s just a cute extra thing they like to do, keeps patrons longer. The owner pays for the film and Andy likes talking to people. It’s a win-win. Especially the wall of shame, which has pictures of the unruly drunk bastards they’ve kicked out. It's her favorite photo section secretly, the faces they make when Andy points the flash at them is really entertaining. 

They have a new regular though and he drinks every night until her or Andy cuts him off. That's not uncommon, to have people come in and be cut off after an obscene amount of alcohol. It's not just the fact he's a heavy drinker... there's something unsettling about how he drinks that has starting to stress MJ out.

She can't put her finger on it, but it makes her stomach drop in dread every time she sees him. He drinks more than any patron they’ve seen before, but never gets unruly. He sits quietly, drinking beer after beer. His eyes following her, like a predator looking at their next meal. She hates interacting with him. It's his eyes, they're so... hollow.

The last time she handed him his tab he caressed her hand and she recoiled just as quickly. He gave her a slimy kind of smile that had her gritting her teeth. His eyes burning into her skin, making her itch and want to scream. She hasn’t served him tonight, but she feels him staring at her. She always feels his eyes following her, like a creepy portrait at night.

He genuinely scares her. Has her almost debating if she should just quite. She even tried to swap times with a coworker but he followed. He was there every time she was scheduled without fail. How he knew she was trying to change shifts made her even more unsettled. Making her skin prickle like she was being stabbed by tiny needles. 

She mentioned it to her manager but he just dismissed how she felt. Saying she was over reacting; the guy isn’t disruptive and he hasn’t actually done anything to her. All she could think was, ‘yet, he hadn’t done anything yet’.

She didn't bother trying to change shifts after that. She was ready to just leave the pub all together, but the pay was good. Too good to try and job hunt because of one man that creeped her out. 

She shakes herself out of her spiraling thoughts and tries to keep working. There was no use sitting there stewing on him, it would just terrify her. She wraps up her shift and goes in the back to clock out. Before she walks out though, she goes back to ask Andy a question about a show they were hosting the next night. She needed the contact information and Andy had taken the call. 

When she walks back out, she sees the guy is gone. Her gut is telling her it's wrong, he usually stays all night. Her face pales at the idea of walking out.

“Where did he go?” MJ asks pointing to his empty chair, her tone clipped. 

Andy shrugs nonchalantly, “He just closed out his tab. Why?”

MJ grows quiet and crosses her arms. “This is gonna sounds crazy, but something about him really freaks me out.”

Andy shakes her head. “No, not crazy. I don’t like how he looks at you. It’s fucking gross.” Andy frowns looking at her friend. It validates MJ's feelings and she sighs in mild relief. Someone else noticed. 

MJ leans on the back counter thinking, “Can I stay until you get off? I- I just have a bad feeling.” She asks looking at Andy with pleading eyes.

Andy nods her head, “Absolutely!" She replies reassuringly. "My boyfriends picking me up tonight and we can walk ya home or you can tag along with us. I’d hate for that guy to try and follow ya home.” She mutters bitterly making a disgusted face. 

MJ nods her head. “Thanks, I’m just gonna hang out in the office then. Maybe check the cameras.” She says pointing to the back.

MJ goes into the managers office, he wasn’t working tonight anyway, and she looks through his desktop to check the cameras. Her stomach was churning with uncertainty. 

Sure enough, the guy is creeping around the corner. He’s watching the back door. Suddenly a cold chill runs up her back. She jolts up and makes sure the back doors are locked. She quietly goes back into the office and curls in the chair, her body shaking. She takes a deep, nervous breath and just tries to not think about it.

There is no denying it, he definitely was waiting for her.

She shoves her face into her hands and tries to take some calming deep breathes. Her fingers dig into her hair and she holds it tightly. It doesn’t stop the panic rising in her chest. It burns in the back of her throat like bile and she squeezes her eyes shut.

With unsteady hands she shoots Hobie a text, asking if he could come pick her up. She doesn’t know if she can wait until Andy gets off. She looks back over to the cameras and the man isn't there anymore.

It should calm her down, she should be relieved, but it doesn’t. It's the opposite of reassuring... in fact it puts her on edge and she's more nervous than before.

Suddenly the back door handle starts to jiggle, almost as if someone’s trying to open it. She stares at the handle frozen in fear for what feels like forever. Her heart feels like it’s in her throat. 

Just as soon as the door handle shook, it ends. Leaving her alone in the silence.

She’s trembling and tries to calm herself down. He can’t get in.

He can’t get in. He can’t get in. He can’t get in. He can’t get in. He can’t get in. He can’t get in. She tells herself over and over again.

She locked it, it’s industrial, as long as she's in the back she's safe. She spends the next ten minutes trying to come down from her mini panic attack. Her body feels numb and she's never felt this frighten for her own life. Which feels trivial in the face of the strange super humans running around Old York.

Her phone buzzes, pulling her out. Hobie had texted her back, saying he was on his way. She was going to be fine.

She finally settles her breathing and feels calm enough to wait for Hobie. Her judgement was correct. She hears screaming and glasses shattering. The noise is so foreign she doesn't realize it's real until Andy comes plowing around the corner and barreling into the office. Andy slams the door shut, and turns off the lights. Her face is filled with fear as she turns around to grab MJ. 

“That guy, MJ, he- he came back!" Andy starts to whisper shout. Her voice hitching in anxiety. "He's bonkers! Threw a fit and breaking shit!" she says rushing over her words. "He was screaming for you MJ, Lars is handling it but I bolted." She grabs her hand and tries to drag MJ with her, "We have to go!” She’s whispering at her aggressively.

MJ moves to hold Andy's arms, she looks past her down at the computer's camera and sees Lars handing the man. The two girls take the opportunity to go to the back door and try to escape. They are met with an unbudging door.

“No, no, no, no!” MJ hisses and tries to open the door again, throwing her body weight at the door. She's frantic to get out, just escape.

“What the fuck!” Andy almost shouts. They try again and are meet with nothing. They're trapped. 

They hear glass breaking and it makes them freeze for only a moment before fear grips them. They run into the office, closing the door and locking it.

MJ makes her way over to the computer and sees the guy standing over Lars, holding a broken liquor bottle with a tight grip. She clutches at Andy and looks at her with wide eyes.

“I think he just killed Lars!” She hisses.

“What the fuck!” Andy replies and the two girls watch him through the camera. He’s blocking their only exit.

“We have to hide, that’s all we can do, or distract him…” MJ mutters.

“Where the hell are we gonna hide?!” Andy says in irritation.

MJ looks over to the closet in the office and shoves herself and Andy in it. The closet is filled with anything and everything, it’s honestly a mess. This could be to their advantage though. MJ finds an empty barrel, one used as decoration, and tells Andy to get in. Her friend looks at her like she’s mad.

“I’m not getting in that.” Andy hisses in a whisper.

“It’s the best spot you have and we don’t have a lot of time right now Andy!" MJ shots back quickly in irritation. "If he finds a locked door he’s breaking in. I’m gonna lock the closet but it can only give us so much time.” MJ whispers aggressively.

Andy sighs and gets in the barrel. “If he finds me first I’m killing you, not him.” She mutters.

MJ rolls her eyes but closes the barrel’s lid. She looks at the corner that’s filled with an abundance of random things. She moves some stuff around to hide behind. This is as good as it's going to get. The objects she's hiding behind are also hidden by a curtain. She hopes it'll be enough to save her. She’s shaking, clutching her phone to her chest. She turns it on silent, but texts Hobie quickly. She tells him in as little words as possible she’s hiding in the office and for him to call for help.

She knows the cops won’t come, even after their ‘reform’ they still don’t do much. Much less care about a local pub issue. That’s why they had Lars as their bouncer. Now Lars was maybe dead and it’s not like she could just call up the local vigilante.

She’s screwed unless she can somehow take this guy out herself with Andy. She’s trembling, clutching onto herself to not cry, this is not how she wants to go. Not from some creepy drunk patron. 

She hears the office door get kicked in and she tries to not gasp. He’s more than likely going to find her and not Andy, which she knew that was the risk. She’s holding onto a crowbar with a death grip. She’s just waiting for him to get in the closet. If he finds her she'll swing, fight, scream and claw her way out.

She wants to shut her eyes like a little kid and pretend this isn’t happening, but she can’t. Her hearts pounding as she hears the loud bangs on the closet door. With every hit it makes her jump. Then she hears it crash to the floor followed by heavy footsteps.

She’s trying to keep it together but tears fall down her face. She’s only human and fear is gripping at her heart.

She hears a loud grunt and a collapsing. She doesn’t dare look, but she hears something dragging against the floor.

“I don’t think ladies like stalkers much.” She hears, a new voice says mockingly.

She sits up quickly as she hears the familiar voice. She moves to stand up and quietly goes to look. She sees a distinctly spider silhouette through the broken down doorway.

His figure disappears but she can still hear him. He’s talking to the drunkard so she uses this opportunity to grab Andy. She rushes over to the barrel that Andy’s in and slides the lid off. She whispers to her, “Spider-Man’s here!”

“What?! How?” Andy says in surprise, they can hear the guy getting slammed into something, making them both jump. The noises they hear consist of loud banging and something being broken.

“Hell, if I know!” MJ hisses and makes her way over to the fallen doorway.

She peers around the corner, still trying to hide herself, and sees that Spider-Man has the guy pinned down. Arms tied behind his back and his face had been slammed into the desk. Specifically, the keyboard. The pieces are scattered and broken on the floor, a small pool of blood is underneath the man's head. 

She takes a shaky breath, one entirely too quiet, it’s enough to notify Spider-Man of her presence, his head shooting up to look at her. She sees his body relax, if just a fraction, upon seeing her.

“Mariana,” he whispers her name, so soft she almost misses it. “Always in trouble…” He says much louder, scoffing and shaking his head. She's frozen in place just watching him with large eyes.

He leans down next to the man's ear, “You’re lucky I got better things to do than rip you apart…” he hisses out.

He webs the guys arms together behind his back and throws him against the wall and webbing him there. He’s covered from the neck down to his feet, he is definitely not moving anytime soon.

Andy comes over next to her and grips MJ’s arm, letting out her own shuddering breath.

“Fuck, Lars!” Andy says in realization and bolts back to the front of the pub to assess their security guard.

MJ can’t move, her eyes are glued to Spider-Man, she feels like she’s going to pass out from the swell of relief. He turns back and silently comes over gently grabbing her shoulders to look at her.

“C’mon let’s get you outta here.” He says, voice a little gruff as he wraps an arm around her. She leans her weight into him as a support almost instinctively. She’s still trembling slightly from the fear that gripped her heart.

They walk through the front and MJ sees Andy helping Lars sit up. He was okay, just a little scratched up. MJ smiles, glad to know her bouncer was safe and not dead.

“We’re gonna call someone and I’m staying with Lars. MJ you should go.” Andy says looking over at the two.

Before she can open her mouth and protest staying with them the vigilante speaks up, “I’ll get her home.” 

Before MJ can even find her voice to respond the two are outside and he’s pulled her against him like before and starts swinging them across the city.

She’s confused and nauseous her grip tight as he swings them.

“You okay?” He asks her.

“Is this really the best time to ask me?” She mutters, groaning at the quick movements and feeling the air hit her face. Instead of it being refreshing, it stings instead.

“You gotta talk to me, it doesn’t have to be about that.” He says, voice a little rough. His grip on her tightening a fraction.

“Why?” She asks. She leans back enough to try and look at his face. Even covered in a mask, she’s trying to find something to help her read his expression.

“I just need a distraction or I’m gonna go back and rip him in half like the scum he is.” He mutters bitterly.

She narrows her eyes and whatever jumbled thoughts were swimming in her brain have finally clicked together, like pieces of a puzzle.

“Fine…but I can’t talk about what just happened.” she replies.

He grunts in acknowledgement, “Anything, we can talk about anything.” He keeps swinging, he doesn’t even need directions to get to her flat. He’s taking the right turns, as if he's done it a million times before.

“When were you gonna tell me you’re Spider-Man?” she accuses without hesitation. 

He misses his next web, causing them to fall a bit before he catches them again. His masks eyes widen as he looks at her.

Her brows are furrowed and she’s looking at him expectantly.

“What ya talkin’ about? Course I’m Spider-Man.” He tries to play off with a fake laugh.

Her face doesn’t change she raises a brow in irritation, “Hobie.” Her voice is shaking a bit, “When were you going to tell me?” She says again.

He groans and stops swinging them, he lands them on a random roof and he sets her down. His hands cover his masked face as he shakes his head. Pacing back and forth. He turns to look at her, pauses, and then rolls his head back again.

He pulls his mask off and gives her a look like he’s mildly impressed. “What gave it away?” He asks.

She takes a deep breath, “You, you were the only one I had texted…and well, you called me Mariana. Pretty sure I never told Spider-Man my name.” she whispers.

He nods and walks closer to her, he brushes his hand along her cheek, “You’re okay right? He didn’t find you?” he asks. His eyes looking over her, making his own assessment.

She nods, “No you got there just in time.” She whispers, she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. She presses the heels of her palms into her eyes trying to stop herself from crying.

 She’s safe. She knows she’s safe. Hobie came like he said he would.

She runs her hands down her face and looks up at him, his body has relaxed and he pulls her to him. Tightly hugging her. She easily wraps her own arms around him, grounding herself.

“You’re too much trouble…” He murmurs into her hair.

She chuckles in response and presses her forehead to his shoulder, “Maybe it’s you who’s trouble.” She replies.

He gives a dry laugh, “Yeah, probably.”

The two hold onto each other tightly, breathing together, trying to match their hearts to the same gentle rhythm. 

[bunnakit]

your top five favourite soft scenes in bl <3

ask me my top 5 bl anything 🌸

AAAA I LOVE SOFT SCENES THANK YOU AL (and happy new year beloved!)

BE MY FAVORITE | PISAENGKAWI

i could just make this entire list scenes from Be My Favorite, to be honest. Pisaeng and Kawi are so, so fucking soft, but this is one of my absolute favorite moments. you just know Pisaeng's heart was crawling up his throat.

HISTORY 3: TRAPPED | TANG YI x MENG SHAOFEI

your former enemy now lover, one of if not THE most powerful man in Taipei, stopping in the middle of heated kissing to kneel at your feet and reverently press a kiss to the wound you received while protecting his sister? FUCK. i didn't consider this one of my favorite BLs but i literally can't get this scene or them out of my head, so i might be wrong about that.

NOT ME | SEANWHITE

Is that the sound of your heart beating? Thump, thump, thump, thump.

GAWD. what the FUCK man. i feel like crying just briefly rewatching that scene alone, it's such a gentle reprieve from everything going on in their lives, an impossibly soft moment captured between them. and seeing White so playful in love? AUGH.

MOONLIGHT CHICKEN | FINALE

i could also fill all 5 of these just with Moonlight Chicken moments but i wanted to include a moment that wasn't necessarily between a couple. i love this moment of family and peace at the end of everything, the way everyone comes together and things are different but that's okay. there's so much i always want to say about MC but i feel so much for it i can't ever really properly put it into words (shocking from me, i know.) this show is just so special to me.

SEMANTIC ERROR | JANG JAEYONG x CHU SANGWOO

I was so nervous.

it's Sangwoo's acceptance and Jaeyong's palpable relief. it's how Jaeyoung looks like he still can't believe this is happening. it's how they fit so perfectly together like they were always supposed to find each other. I NEED MORE OF THEM.

because it was so hard to pick just 5 here are 3 honorable mentions:

LAST TWILIGHT | MHOKDAY

i'm still here. i'll probably be here for a while. i'll probably never forget this.

KISEKI: DEAR TO ME | ZE RUI x ZONG YI

the reunion was so incredible and soft and UGHHHHH. the way i felt so fucking relieved like it actually affected me at all

KISEKI: DEAR TO ME | CHEN YI x AI DI

it was so nice to see them so soft after all the shit they had to go through to get together. they're so comfortable and at peace with just about the only people they can be that way with and it makes me want to bite someone.

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Dangancember 2024 - Danganronpa Top 24 Class Trials: Number 22 Danganronpa Another 2 Case 5

//Right above DRV3 Case 6 is SDRA2 Case 5, and I'm honestly kind of surprised that this one ended up getting this low on the list, because as far as I was concerned, it was a pretty decent segment of the story.

//But strangely enough, besides the big twist at the end of the trial, this chapter is honestly not very memorable. I actually kind of had to go back and rewatch it in order to make some notes for this.

//Which, to be perfectly frank, was not very enjoyable, because of all the games that are on this ranking, SDRA2 and V3 are easily the ones that I like revisiting the least.

//But don't get me wrong. From what I do remember of this trial, I do respect what was done.

//I think one of the biggest issues with this trial is that this is kind of where, for me at least, the tie-ins with the previous game really start to come in in spades. And if you hadn't played Another 1, which wasn't as commercially available as Another 2 at the time it came out, there are some things here that kind of end up being confusing.

//But what this trial was able to pull off was pretty amazing, and even though I have never been a huge fan of the way LINUJ writes his characters or his story, this chapter in particular showed the leaps that he was willing to take to tell his story that somebody like Kodaka wouldn't.

//Now obviously with Rain Code, it's clear these days that Kodaka is not afraid to mass-murder his characters. It's just not something he felt he could do with Danganronpa due to a very limited cast, especially in the latter parts of the game. And yeah, no one actually dies in this chapter besides the victim, but...We'll take this one step at a time.

//I don't feel like going as in depth about this trial as I did with the previous post, because I care more about that trial and it's failings more than I do this one. And I do understand that this is a widely popular trial, but I, personally, am just not that crazy about it besides how it ended.

//I'm personally not too keen on most of SDRA2's trials, as I've already implied, but putting myself aside, the fourth trial often stands out as a fan favorite due to its bold emotional stakes and plot twists, while the final trial delivers climactic, overarching revelations. Sandwiched between these two, the fifth trial can feel underwhelming, lacking both the emotional depth of the fourth and the high-stakes resolution of the finale.

//Which isn't an issue any of the other fifth trials have except for Game 1 Case 5.

//Also, I don't know if this is just me, but for a trial that is supposed to be incredibly climactic, the themes of betrayal and trust, while VERY pivotal leading up to this entire chapter and what should be central to the trial, feel underdeveloped or poorly executed. While previous trials build strong thematic narratives, this one struggles to create the same emotional resonance. It tries to heighten drama through character conflicts, but these moments can feel forced or out of character.

//What I mean is it really does just feel like the characters got really...dumb...? Which is a big issue I had with Game 1 Case 5 as well. It really kind of feels the cast are just playing a game of Among Us.

//No one even considered the possibility of Iroha being the acomplice instead of the murderer. Just because she did the paintings, doesn't mean she killed Teruya, and since she's a VOID she has to listen to everything Mikado says because it's against the rules to betray VOID, so her being the acomplice was just as likely as the killer, and I kind of saw the trial going in that direction and, lo and behold, I was right. But no, they didn't even consider it

//Everybody spent this entire game always casting suspicion on Mikado, despite the fact that in most of the trials, it's so obviously not him. So what, they just randomly got desensitised to suspecting him of the murder?

//If that's the case, then that's a clever move on Mikado's part. Just that I feel like that could have been explained better. Maybe it's a translation issue.

//And as is the case with quite a few of SDRA2's story beats, the pacing often feels drawn out with repetitive debates and unnecessary padding. Of course, this is NOWHERE NEAR as bad as Trial 2 and 3, but still, this trial lingers on certain points, reducing the overall tension.

//This trial is honestly very hard to review in general because of how intergral it kind of is to the story, so I will say one good thing about it is that unlike quite a few of the Chapter 5's in Danganronpa, this one actually serves as really good build-up for the finale.

//If there's one thing I can give SDRA2 credit for, while the story does feel like it's paced poorly, the plot twists that happen throughout the game are spaced pretty well. Chapter's 4 and 5 really do a damn lot to build up to the final chapter and the events that happen, even though the final chapter ends up being pure information overload anyway, but this is still an insane setup.

//So let's talk about a few things that stand out. Firstly, the victim of this case is Teruya Otori, the Ultimate Merchant, who is actually a returning character from the original Another game.

//Now, I'm not the biggest Teruya fan, at least not compared to everybody else on the internet, but what SDRA2 did with him in Chapters 4 and 5 is actually really fucking good if you're already familiar with his character in Another 1.

//Teruya has fucked up a lot in the past, but this is a very different kind of fucked up that he's become, and for a good reason: Because you can really see how much Tsurugi has influenced his actions since establishing the Kisaragi Foundation.

//In Survivor, I tend to play Tsurugi is more...chill than he is in the canon games, but as the leader of the Kisaragi Foundation, he's still very much the Malcolm X to Kyoko's Martain Luther King. He will find the truth, and he will protect the world by any means necessary, and that's what I find great about Teruya's character in this latter part of the story; because he adopts very much the same mindset.

//Teruya with a gun is intense if you've already played the first game because you know him to kind of be a fun-loving character, kind of like Hiro in the first DR game. But still, it doesn't feel out of character for him to lose it later in the game, because that happened in the original Another too, and again, his plan to stop the game and take control of things has Tsurugi's name written all over it, and I think that's fucking awesome.

//But still, it doesn't stop it from being a little overdramatic, which generally kind of gave me a negative opinion of Teruya by the time he died.

//However, all in all, him ending up the victim of this chapter was still honestly kind of shocking. Sure, they killed off Rei in the first chapter of the story, but by this point, she was revealed to be still alive outside the simulation. So it automatically gave me the indication that those who survived the first game would also survive this second one.

//And it's not like DR doesn't have a precedent set for that. Besides Ryota and Munakata, everybody who survived the Final Killing Game in Danganronpa 3 were the characters from DR1 who survived. Hina and Kyoko almost bit the bullet, but their deaths were ultimately fake-outs.

//And this twist plays into the main reason why my admiration for LINUJ peaks in this chapter, which, again, I will get to.

//Either way, the point is that not only was Teruya and already established character from DRA1, but he also seemed near integral to the plot in this latter part of the story, and it really makes you think that he might be a survivor of this plot. I mean, Tsurugi was, and his attitude in the latter part of DRA1 was very similar to Teruya's role.

//But no. We got straight up sidelined by this twist. AND that's not even mentioning that there was a fake-out literally just before this, that made you THINK Teruya was fine, and that he might have just gone missing.

//And credit where it is due, I really feel like this should have happened in Danganronpa 3. Ultimately, I'm glad it didn't, because that would have pissed me off with DR3 even more than I already was, but had DR3 been better structured, a twist where you kill off one of the main cast of the first game would have worked. And they almost did it with Kyoko before she miraculously survived.

//To me, it feels like LINUJ took that extra step that Kodaka and the DR Devs were afraid to do.

//But then there's Iroha, who is a bit of an issue.

//In general, VOID are one of my least favourite factions across the DR multiverse, because I don't really like any of their members besides Hajime M. at least not that much. I might get more into this if and when we cover SDRA2 Chapter 4, but to skip the preamble, this chapter mainly revolves around Iroha, who is the suspected, and ultimately voted for, killer.

//Unlike the rest of the VOID's, who were either revealed to be VOID in the chapter they died, or right before their execution, Iroha was revealed to be a member of VOID earlier.

//I do tend to give Iroha a lot of love for this blog, and I do like her in this blog. But she is easily among the worst characters in the original SDRA2. She was just so unforgiveably dumb.

//Iroha to me was kind of like what would happen if Yasuhiro had somehow turned out to be Junko's sidekick/the traitor instead of Sakura or Mukuro.

//And it kinda doesn't work.

//Like, I get that the VOID's are kind of just a ragtag group of abused children like the Warrior's of Hope, and this kind of bullshit can happen to basically anyone. And it isn't hard to imagine Iroha, type of character that she is, having such a depressing backstory that she could be a member of this criminal group. But that doesn't mean she's cut out for it.

//Literally any other character would have made a more interesting member for VOID than Iroha would. I feel like the only reason she IS one is because LINUJ DESPERATELY wanted to give her plot relevance.

//I'm also fairly sure that when Weeby Newz (pretty big DR streamer btw in case you haven't heard of her) found out about this plot twist, she laughed uncontrollably because of how little sense and how random it was.

//Of all the characters in this game you could have made a VOID, like Setsuka, or in an unexpected twist, Teruya. Why is it THIS fucknugget?

//Anyway, this big reveal happened in Chapter 3, so it kind of took me out of it when we started suspecting Iroha to be the killer, because we already KNEW she was working for the bad guys. So she really wasn't that interesting a killer either.

//...

//But THAT'S when it got me.

//Oh lord, THAT'S when it got me GOOD!

//Okay, so, I know I always preface this with a spoiler warning, and you really shouldn't be reading this blog or these posts if you haven't played the original game, but for me personally, there are two twists surrounding this case that are, without question, two of the most phenomenal twists this game has to offer, and the payoff, as unexpected as they were, was spectacular.

//First and foremost was the twist of Sora and Yuki's true identity.

//Again, the big issue with SDRA2 is that it was more commercially available than DRA1 was in the west, so if you haven't played the first game, the twist that Yuki is Utsuro, and Sora, more shockingly, is Akane Taira, this wouldn't mean anything to you.

//But for me personally, it's very reminiscent of the twist at the end of DR2 that Hajime is revealed to actually be Izuru Kamukura. However, even though I love that twist of the Remnants to death, I would state that Izuru's inclusion is the worst part of it.

//The reasons is that before right until this trial happens, Izuru is not an established character, and the concept of created Hope was not properly hinted at. So when it happens, it doesn't have that much weight to it, as shocking as it is, because there is so little build-up.

//Again, if you don't know who Akane Taira is, this twist means nothing, but if you DO, then this twist is FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC!

//I would argue that because it gets revealed in Chapter 5, it gives the final two chapters more weight to it.

//Unlike Izuru, Taira was an established character AND established threat. And her inclusion in this game, and that Sora might BE her reincarnated body is SHOCKING, and it really explains a lot of Sora's actions throughout the game and why she's so subtly devoted to Yuki.

//Again, it feels like Izuru's, and arguably Utsuro's from the first game's, twist, but with actual meaningful build-up, and a good time to reveal it, because then that information carries on into Chapter 5's trial, and Chapter 6.

//But of course, that's not the biggest selling point for this trial. If you know the game, you know exactly what I'm going to talk about, because this trial, surprisingly, does something that not a single Danganronpa trial has done before. The closest we've gotten is Chapter 6 of V3, and Chapter 5 of DR1, which...doesn't really count for me.

//And that is, of course, that this Class Trial ends with an INCORRECT VERDICT.

//This moment is iconic, and again, I will explain why at the end of this post. I've already mentioned that this trial is dumb, from the way that the characters don't even consider that Iroha could have been an accomplice to murder instead of the actual murderer, but the fact that this still happened is shocking.

//See, what happened is everybody believed that Iroha had murdered Teruya using cyanide. But what ACTUALLY happened is Mikado applied the cyanide PRIOR to Iroha's murder scheme, and all she did was shake some salt into the water. This fooled everyone into believing Iroha, including Iroha herself, had applied the cyanide, and that results in everyone voting for the wrong killer.

//And as the rules state, if the killer is voted wrongly, everybody except them dies. And that's damn near what happened.

//I've established before that I don't like Mikado, because I think he fails to live up to the hype around the likes of Junko and even Akane from the previous game, but for me, this is his most iconic moment, and his BEST moment that really made him FEEL like a worthwhile and worthy Killing Game mastermind.

//His plan is, frankly, brilliant, and any one of the original Danganronpa characters WISHES they could have been this smart with their murder schemes. Even Junko's gambit in Chapter 5 to eliminate Kyoko, and Tsumugi's gambit to stop the killing, paled in comparison to this in my opinion, because both of those actions felt...desperate. Mikado's plan on the other hand, felt meticulous. And cunning, in a good way.

//Having Iroha set up pretty much everything in such a specific way that makes everyone, including Iroha herself, believe that she's the culprit while HE'S the accomplice in the case, really sold this case, and to an extent, Mikado, for me.

//Again, this is Mikado at his BEST. He actually FEELS like a VILLAIN in this chapter, though he spends a lot of the game acting really jovial, buddy-buddy, and dumb with everyone, to the point that he can't really be taken seriously. But these final two chapters do a lot for him, and although he's still my least favourite mastermind, these moments are standout, even for me.

//I think one simple reason why this twist and this whole sequence is so good is because...well...we've never GOTTEN the culprit wrong before. There have been several times, ironically in Chapter 5 usually, where the case just seems unsolveable, but one way or another, the heroes still manage to come out on top.

//And yeah, they do, but they WOULDN'T have if not for sheer dumb luck of Syobai pulling them out in time! But you can't convince me we all haven't ever wondered at one point "Hm...What DOES happen when we get the culprit wrong?"

//And man, LINUJ definitely SOLD that idea.

//And this is the main reason why I like this trial regardless, because yeah, it's still not my favourite, but it really symbolizes why these Fangans ARE great, despite all the issues I personally have with them.

//Trial 5 is painfully frustrating because it generally feels incredibly underwhelming and almost too easy, when it's always been established that Trial 5 in EVERY game, regardless of how good they are, tend to be extremely complex cases that shows off exactly why Danganronpa is such a good mystery series. And when Iroha was singled out as the culprit, I genuinely did not care, and being someone who did kind of suspect that Mikado was the killer, it makes me cross at how stupid everyone was kind of acting in this case.

//But again, the final twist of the wrong verdict is the prime example of what makes SDRA2 such a worthwhile game playing. Wheras DRA1 kind of played it safe with its context, clues, mysteries, and characters, SDRA2's main purpose was to do something DIFFERENT.

//As edgy as it can be, what makes this trial great is because it shows that LINUJ is not afraid to do what the canon games wont.

//Besides the island setting that was ripped from DR2, and a few other story beats, this game is LARGELY different from any Danganronpa game that preceded it, and that's why it's the most well-known and hot-topic Fangan on the market. Because it takes the original series, and sprinkles in some creative freedom; telling a similar story from a different angle by a different writer with his own beliefs.

//Some of those beliefs aren't great when it comes to LINUJ, but the point stands. The fact that this trial ends with a WRONG verdict is...awesome! It's really cool and super different, and again, that's what SDRA2 does so well. It does things that Danganronpa has never dared to do before.

//So overall, a pretty crumby trial that I didn't care much about, but definitely with the spectacular condiment of some of SDRA2's best plot twists sprinkled on the side. Enough to make it one of the most standout trials in SDRA2, but not enough to put it higher on this list.

[dandylovesturtles]

Top Ten Posts of 2023

I decided, why not? ^^

I'm limiting this to fics/analysis/headcanon/etc posts I made during the year and skipping over anything that isn't my actual creative work. That said, if you're curious, my actual top post was this funky screenshot from episode 2.

10. Everyone's just fine with Donnie modding the moon buggy? (362 notes)

It occurred to me that despite being MASSIVE nerds for the Jupiter Jim franchise, the bros seemed awfully chill with Donnie taking an actual on-set moon buggy and modding the hell out of it.

A few people argued with me in the notes that the Turtle Tank is so cool no one could possibly be mad about it and I do think that's fair. The Turtle Tank is easily my favorite thing Donnie made in the show.

9. Splinter and Leo talk post movie (443 notes)

And then his dad walks in and says, “I would like to talk to Blue, please. Alone.” And suddenly Leo doesn’t feel so good anymore.

This is the most recent tumblr fic I've done (I think lol), so seeing it make it this high felt pretty good. I love Splinter and his boys... they make me emotional.

8. A headcanon about the Disaster Twins (445 notes)

I have a headcanon that the twins are lowkey always trying to get each other to laugh.

This is still true.

7. A showcase of Donnie's injuries in End Game (462 notes)

So everyone talks about Donnie getting his shell shredded by the Shredder in Many Unhappy Returns but I feel like it’s underappreciated that that happened to him coming off of getting his ass beat in End Game like

One of the first posts I made when I made this blog haha. Poor Donnie |'D

6. Donnie records everything (617 notes)

broke: Donnie listening to what happened in the prison dimension woke: Donnie showing Raph Leo’s big damn hero speech since he wasn’t there the first time

The main reason why this has so many notes is because @roseverdict wrote a great fic down in the notes that you should all go read.

5. Leo asks Donnie a favor (829 notes)

“You might as well tell me what you need,” he says, turning to his computer and pulling up his list. “I’ll assess it and prioritize.” “No, no, that’s okay. It’s nothing,” Leo insists. “Nardo.” Donnie levels his best stare at him. “What is it?”

I love writing the Disaster Twins being soft and you guys love it when I write it too.

4. Present Donnie and Future Donnie have a little disagreement (CAS AU fic) (1,242 notes)

“What was I supposed to do, tie him to a chair?” “Yes!?” says Mini-him like he’s stupid, which warrants a scoff.

Shoutout to @skcirthinq who doodled a comic version of their conversation.

3. Casey Jr. and Uncle Tello troll Present Donnie (CAS AU fic) (1,701 notes)

Casey Jr, says Uncle Tello’s voice. Uncle Tello? Do you want to see something really funny?

This is my actual fic with the most notes! I'm glad you all enjoyed this silly little take on what was actually an incredibly intense moment in Cass's original comic.

2. Mikey contacts the Hamato ancestors (2,054 notes)

future Mikey: *trying to contact the spirits of the Hamato for advice and guidance in the apocalypse* Donnie’s spirit: Hello, you are now communing with Donatello.

I can't believe you guys gave over 2K notes to the stupidest joke I've ever made. Shoutout to @nonymous06 for this artist's rendition.

and finally, drum roll please.....

My top post of 2023:

1. A very silly idea for a separated AU (4,283 notes)

non-angsty ROTTMNT separated AU where the boys meet online and bond over their shared love of Jupiter Jim and skateboarding and Lou Jitsu. Then one day they agree to meet irl for the first time at a con and decide to dress as turtle aliens.

This post spawned an adorable fanart by @thatsmutbean , this hilarious fanart by @onionninjasstuff , and an entire fanfic called new phone who dis by @rbtlvr

This has been an incredible year! My love for ROTTMNT has not diminished in the slightest and I still have lots of ideas, so I hope you guys stick with me for 2024. Thanks again! Happy New Year!!

[remidyal]

Game Changer Season 6 episodes, ranked by my personal enjoyment

Because I also enjoy arbitrarily ranking things! If you disagree... I mean, that's fine? I liked every episode this season, just.. I liked some episodes better than others. I'm grouping the Ratfish episodes together, so we've got eight entries. Spoilers for, um, every game changer episode this season, obviously.

#8 Pencils Down:

I'm not as into drawings and all as I am a lot of the other stuff, though this was probably the most wholesome episode of this season. I'm, naturally, opposed to wholesomeness too.

Favorite bit:

The proposed tattoos were a lot of fun.

#7 Ratfish (parts 1 and 2):

I think this one got hurt for me by a couple things - I know absolutely nothing about the show they're mimicking, unlike Survivor or the Bachelor, and I did not particularly enjoy anything directly to do with the Ratfish or understand why I should care about his opinions and arbitrary decisions. I assumed that the cast would recognize who this person was and we'd get some kind of payoff there, but nope. Everything just between the cast was great, though.

Favorite bit:

Honestly there's a ton of quick moments to choose from here, but I think my favorite is Brennan incorrectly going for the seat marked Brennan Lee Mulligan at the end.

#6 The Newlyweb Game:

This one was gentle good fun, I enjoyed everyone involved, there were just more standout moments in some of the later episodes on this list. This is fighting with Pencils Down for the most wholesome episode, or at least the one that would least fit into a saw trap. In spite of that this would be the episode all time of Game Changer I would least be willing to be on, even in the world where I'm not firmly aroace and have a partner - I think I would sooner light myself on fire than let someone I know have full access to my phone.

Favorite bit:

Revealing how many unread emails people had and the shock and judgement at totally reasonable numbers, as someone with around forty thousand unread emails in my primary gmail account dating back to 2004.

#5 Bingo

We're really into tough competition now! I loved this episode, and that it somehow turned into a tormenting Brennan episode even though he wasn't even supposed to be there. This was obviously slightly rigged so that the players in the third set of Bingo were most likely to win (and it was actually impossible for the people on stage) but honestly pulling it off was so good.

Favorite Bit:

I mean, it's the reveal to Trapp and everyone of the existence of the third group of course.

#4 Second Place

First, I know that for meta reasons this should be second, but it's not. Oh well. Sam alleges that this episode wasn't intentionally meant to torment Brennan; I do not believe Sam's lies. Everyone in the world saw the twist at the end coming and it's still funny.

Favorite bit:

Ally declaring that Brennan can ring the gong the loudest and Brennan's brain breaking harder than anything that Sam had actually planned.

#3 Sam Says 3

I can't believe this one's only third. If this is how Sam Says ends - and I have a hard time seeing how a fourth edition can escalate, even outside of the BTS claiming that they see three times as the limit for the same premise most of the time - then what an ending. I'm not sure any other game concept has managed to make the players so consistently tricked. My only critique of it is that I think I like the first couple times at this well just a little bit more, with nothing in this quite matching Ally flying to New York or the Something We'll Have To Bleep energy for me.

Favorite Bit:

It's hard to top the fake Sam body dropping from the ceiling.

#2 Beat the Buzzer

Every episode with the Seven cast is always incredible, and production-wise this seems like the craziest thing they've ever pulled off. Any episode where they break out of just the stage is always good, and I think this is the most extensive use of that they've ever done. Incredible variety, great cameos from Aabria and Persephone, complete manic energy from all three contestants. A+ episode.

Favorite Bit:

There's so much here, but I think mine as someone who worked as a pizza delivery driver was the entire exchange where Rehka just ends up getting the bag with the buzzer and a bunch of loose oreos. Was production prepared with everything that was on that menu or would they have actually ordered breadsticks somewhere to use as a prop?

#1 Deja Vu

Time loop stuff is always a favorite of mine, and pulling one off as an episode is ALREADY a great premise before you even get into all of the other cast and the editing. (Shout out to Siobhan Thompson for being in exactly two Game Changer episodes and them being this one and Escape the Green Room; guess we know what pepper rating she puts down.) Great chemistry between the cast, a truly deranged display from Sam, and of course the Wenis. Genuinely the WEIRDEST episode of the season, too, always a good sign.

It's a shame they already repeated the premise too much to do a follow up to this one...

Favorite Bit(s):

I'm doing two for this one because it's my list and I can.

"This isn't fucking Um, Actually!" with sincere righteous anger.

Everything to do with Zac as Grant, most of all how easy it would have been to just make that Zac as Zac.

[frankburn]

look at this thang i was tagged in and actually ended up doing:] thank you dear @cannibalismpdf what a treat this is.

i did not keep track of most of these on letterboxd since i actually only started using it a couple of weeks ago, but i dug into my brain for this and am happy to say i watched more this year than i thought i did. and all of these i watched for the first time besides paranormal activity, but i first watched it as a little baby so it doesnt really count (even tho ive always had a clearer memory of those movies than most things) ok anyway ill keep the rest short simple and sweet

top 9 movies i watched this year:

good time (2017) - watched this january '24 after getting really into the curse, dont exactly remember what i was doing or where i was when i watched it. i do know that i rewatched it almost immediately after w my sister. just an overall good time 🤙

biosphere (2022) - watched more recently, and again rewatched almost immediately after but this time with friends who love to put up with my little movie moments. verrry silly and also lovely to see pregnant mark duplass whenever possible

hellraiser (1987) - yes yes this should have happened sooner but i also believe i watched it at the right time. one of my dear friends favorite movies and i am now blessed to understand why

funny games (2007) - okaaay now i watched this like 2 weeks ago all thanks to a wonderful recommendation from a lovely and sane-about-naomi-watts individual and it was all downhill from there. or like a lift off from there honestly. the movie itself is great i am a sucker for the inescapable and the doomed. very raw. now i especially love a man in this movie who is sweaty bloody crying and whining up a storm. when hes not like. on a boat with his son.

paranormal activity (2007) - i was going to put paranormal activity 5: the marked ones instead since i did in fact give it half a point higher than the first one, but its fine it all ties together. me and my sister actually watched all movies in the series (besides tokyo night) so that we could watch meatcanyons ranking of it and god. so much alcohol. wonderful movies wonderful times. this is one of those movies ill probably think abt on my deathbed

trap (2024) - fun movie! i absolutely enjoyed the first half, the setting of an arena concert was like the best part of it, so i was kind of sad when suddenly theres like... vans and homes 🙄 coulda been cus i was still on a concert high

the cook, the thief, his wife & her lover (1989) - wonderful disgusting movie. something i will need to rewatch again and SOON

late night with the devil (2023) - had to replace iwtv bc i for some reason forgot about this movie. how im not sure, considering this is probably my favorite movie i watched this year.

rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead (1990) - dont even try to talk to me abt this movie rn

well that does it. arent ya glad i didnt list all the tim roth movies ive already seen but have watched over and over again and could probably talk abt for hours if allowed the time and the right kind of attention. and i suppose the conclusion is i just really love to watch movies with loved ones. i guess ill try and tag some people now

@frmulcahy @confinesofmy @barryhbo2018 @unprojection @creepmovie or anyone else who would like to. sorry if u have already done this or hate to be tagged but hello anyway :]