#to perform whatever its gotta do

[luck-of-the-drawings]

"I think this is the most inhuman; and human, that I've ever felt.." MUCH CAN HAPPEN IN A YEAR. IN FIVE YEARS. A DECADE. imagine how much can happen in a century. just ONE (1). How will you grow? what phases do you find? even in 5 years, you will find patterns.

[xxplastic-cubexx]

thinkin bout magneto's lil list of aliases from that One Shot of his government file or w/e in 97 and how it lists the three main men who've played him (David Hemblen, Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender) and kinda cackling at the idea 1.) if they included All his names 2.) having 'michael' on that list twice

[ghost-bard]

the parlay in ep 37 of dark age is killing me btw im unintentionally tensing up so much i couldve been finished with this ep literal hours ago but i keep pausing ooooo my goodnes yall

[shararan]

good news: started shortfic 300 words

good news 2: its binggehua

??? news: its pushing the boundaries of a shortfic as im at 1500 words and cant stop for a break

worse news: my back is dying

good news 3: still kicking and screaming as the words flow like waterfall

less good but also ???? news: its in swedish

not good but kinda makes me laugh news: ill be the one to take yet another fandoms swedish fic virginity on ao3

[ikeukiss]

THE BOY IS MINE | 이희승

⟢ PAIRING: lee heeseung x fem!reader ⟢ WORD COUNT: 2.3k ⟢ GENRE: smut ⟢ TAGS: secret relationship au, semi-fwb, idol!reader, idol!heeseung, semi-public sex, oral (f receiving), pet names (baby, love, etc.), unprotected sex ⟢ SYNOPSIS: A company costume party is not the perfect place for your relationship with Heeseung to be exposed. So, like rational people, you both decide to have a rendezvous in a closet when jealousy rears its ugly head, if only to prove to each other who you belong to. ➸ original banner (at the end of fic) created by @hobeemin ♡

A costume party for hundreds of celebrities was as ideal as expected. The lingering, dramatic stare-offs between exes with bad blood created a thin layer of tension for some partygoers. The whispers of rumored hookups in the bathrooms at parties prior to this one caused an onslaught of prying eyes. With every motion of an idol, there was a microscope ready to catch every moment worthy of gossip.

Heeseung kept to himself since the beginning of the night, only conversing with his fellow members rather than other idols and leadership teams. It wasn’t that the guy was rude, not at all; he just didn’t focus on paying attention to the engagements of his colleagues. His job was to make music, perform, and then live his life. Once he was off the clock, nobody but Heeseung knew about what went on in his bed.  He preferred it that way.

“Come on, Seung. We gotta try and find some action tonight.” Jay tips his cowboy hat in his friend’s direction. The Toy Story costume did not suit him, and Heeseung made sure to tell him so when he bought it as the guys kept to the superhero theme they picked out. But, against the better judgment of his seniors, Jay tends to do what he wants. And tonight, it’s clear where his intentions lay.

“I’m not feeling it,” Heeseung responds, shrugging and drinking the beer in his glass, some of the liquid dripping onto his cowl. The plastic Batman mask itches Heeseung’s face, but it keeps him from being picked out immediately by randoms in the room.

“Seriously? Don’t be such a wet blanket, dude.”

”If you want pussy, go talk to Jake or Hoon, man.” The two aforementioned boys were chatting up some girls from a group under Pledis. With their respective Spiderman and Iron Man masks off, it’s easy to discern their place in the crowd of people. At the bar in the corner with their conversation partners, they’re on a mission to end All Hallow’s Eve with a bang.

Before Jay can respond, his eyes go wide in recognition and a smile spreads across his face. “Ah, I get it now. You’ve been waiting on her.”

Heeseung’s head turns, and he feels all the blood in his body go straight to his core. In a Catwoman costume, completely clad in a latex-coated suit and red lipstick, he may go insane and take you on the floor in front of everyone. Even in the mask that hides half of your face, he can see how your eyes darken when you capture his attention, the borders of his mouth watering at your figure.

He downs what’s left of his alcohol and readdresses his friend. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

”Sure.” When Jay sees you continue your path towards Heeseung, he makes his exit in the direction of the bar. “Have fun and use condoms!”

Heeseung wants to slap Jay silly for saying his parting words so loudly, but the feeling dissipates seeing you so close. 

When you first met, it was a strictly platonic environment between friendly coworkers. It wasn’t in his mind then to progress to whatever your relationship was now, a partnership that dances the lines between a sexual agreement and a full-blown relationship. But now, the feelings in his chest are ready to explode in the tiny banquet hall the company rented for the party. He wants to kiss you senseless, smear your lipstick on his face, and press his face to other parts of you, but he knows that would expose both of you to extreme scrutiny.

It was not out of the bounds of your contract to date or sleep with coworkers under the same label. Still, it was extremely frowned upon by your peers. Keeping your relationship a secret was not difficult though, burner accounts and private meetups both yours and Heeseung’s best friends.

Heeseung tries to keep his sexual appetite at bay when you finally make it to him.  You pose with one hip jutting out, causing your whip to jiggle at your side.

“Selina Kyle, right?” He asks rhetorically, a smirk on his lips.

“Thanks for noticing, Master Wayne.” Your British accent causes Heeseung to emit a chest-rumbling laugh. “You look handsome.”

“And you look…” Although you’re nestled in your corner of the expansive room, he knows he can’t outright describe all the ways he wants to tear the costume off of you. Hands, teeth, the list is endless. But he settles with a simple answer that hopefully says just enough. “Incredible.”

“You’re just saying that ‘cause of the spandex.”

His eyebrow quirks, unsurprised you could tell exactly what was on his mind. Six months of fucking made it easy to discern a person’s words from their tells. “I’m saying it because you always look incredible. The spandex is just a bonus.”

The tension between you is electric. Even prior to the first time you slept with him, the signs were there. You felt the buzz under your skin at his presence even if he said nothing and it was ever too brief. His gaze and body would linger during practices or studio sessions,  his being too close but not close enough if you were honest with yourself.

Heeseung tries to be discreet as he attempts to grab your hand under the cover of shadows. You shuck him off in the presence of so many eyes. “Not here, Hee.” You frown, wanting nothing more than to feel his fingers in between yours, his warmth bringing an unexplainable comfort. “You know they’ll talk.”

“They already are.” Heeseung practically hears the bullshit discussions between the surrounding people. Can you believe that? They probably picked out their outfits together. How can they be so obvious?

Your initial confidence is dampened by the thoughts that Heeseung knows you both share, but he shrugs off the chitchat about you both that could be occurring nearby. “Matching costumes can just be a coincidence.”

“Is that what they’re calling it?” You laugh sadly,  knowing you have to leave his side to avoid suspicions. The night may not be over, but you can’t stay too close unless you want to bring everything out in the open. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Heeseung can’t keep his focus on anything but you, conversing and laughing with gentlemen from other groups under the same label. The idiots came up with some Cowboys and Aliens-inspired costumes, and the flirting taking place between you and these men makes Heeseung scoff. How could you be impressed by a guy with a cowboy hat on? 

The interactions occurring in front of Heeseung make his skin crawl, the image of you smiling for guys who aren’t him hitting like a stone in his gut. He knows he’s not your boyfriend, and no labels were ever discussed at the start of your relationship, but that doesn’t take the sting out of it. And his feelings aren’t curbed by the alcohol in his cup.

Unable to avoid his distaste anymore, he excuses himself from his conversation with the random executives who bothered him ten minutes ago to saunter over to your spot in the banquet hall. “Excuse me, gentleman. I need to speak to Catwoman for a second.”

You barely say goodbye to Jeongin and Yeongbo before Heeseung takes you by the arm and into the hallway of the building. He looks around in rapid motion, and finds an open door to shove the two of you into. The makeshift closet provides enough space for the two of you, but not much.

Heeseung takes the cowl off of his head and throws it to his side, his eyes dark due to more than just the black paint around the upper portion of his face. “Heeseung, what’re you—“

He suddenly knocks you back into the wall of the closet and slams his mouth into yours, his tongue and teeth colliding with yours frantically. Your desire spikes when he palms on of your breasts over your costume, the latex wrinkling under his touch, “Fuck, seeing you with other guys drives me insane.”

You scoff, a smirk on your lips. “Like I was happy to see you talking to Yunjin earlier.”

“Don’t be like that.” His eyes glint with mischief at your response, but it melts into pure sincerity that makes your heart kickflip. “You know I only have eyes for you.”

“Likewise.” You nip his lips and knock him down to his knees. Before he can catch his breath, you lower the front zipper at the center of your costume and shrug it off of your arms, revealing the black-lace set covering the places Heeseung knows by heart. “Now touch me.”

“Jesus.” He hooks his thumbs into the sides of your underwear to yank down, careful to not rip the fabric. “Did you plan this or something?” 

“You’re the one that pulled me into this room, baby.”

Heeseung smirks and presses a kiss to the center of your midriff, testing and teasing before going in for the kill. He nuzzles his face against your clit, kissing the bundle with adoration.

In the end, when he first saw you walking over to him at the start of the night, you both had to have known it would end like this, lost in each other and away from the rest of the world’s opinions and influence. Fuck them, Heeseung thinks. If their scrutiny meant he still found himself here, in between your legs and showing you how much you meant to him, he would take every comment with a smile.

“You taste incredible,” Heeseung whispers before passing his tongue against your slick folds, lapping up the wetness like he has never eaten anything better than you. “Just like always.”

“More,” you whisper, putting your hand under his chin to look at you. Even in the low light surrounding the small space, you can see the glint of his lips from your arousal. “I want more of you.”

“As you wish.” He stands up and kisses you deeply. “Wrap your legs around me, love.”

He lifts you with ease, his muscles expanding to reveal their form even in his bulky costume. You can’t wait to feel the heat of his skin against yours later when you’re truly alone. It’s never been a one-and-done with him, going many rounds without stopping, whether you had expected it to go that long or not. His sex drive was unstoppable when he was in the mood, and it seemed whenever he was with you, he didn’t have any intentions of slowing down.

By the time he enters you, your body is already welcoming him from the previous foreplay. It makes him hiss with pleasure, the tone low to avoid any strangers  in the hallway from hearing and speculating. You capture his lips with yours, letting the extent of his moan be swallowed by your lips.

“Does it feel good, baby?” He asks, the whisper as loud as any groan he could emit. He releases one of your breasts from your bra, kneading the skin tenderly. “It’s fucking incredible for me, the way you stretch around me like this.”

“Fuck, you know you’re amazing, Hee.” You scratch your hands down his arms as he thrusts inside of you, the only available skin to take hold of.

“You’re all mine, you know that right?” He captures your eyes with his stare, going slower to punish you until you give him the answer he’s looking for. Fortunately for him, you don’t mind giving him what he wants if he does the same.

“Yes, all yours.” He resumes his original speed, sucking on the skin of your neck to create hickeys only he will know about. He loves to mark you and see your excruciating attempts to cover them up, makeup only going so far before friends and coworkers asked about what had occurred the night before.

If there’s anything as strong as Heeseung’s lust, it’s his pride. And he was as proud as he could be knowing he could claim you so well, even if only the two of you knew about it.

“Hee, I’m gonna come,” you whimper, holding on tighter to reach your end faster.

“Do it baby, let go for me.” He kisses you again to swallow the deep moan that leaves your lips as you come. If only you could shout from the rooftops how good he made you feel. How he was as impeccable as a lover as he was a person, just to make every adoring fan and foe of his envious of your spot in his life.

Your body feels like lead by the time you come down from the high, Heeseung has to hold onto you harder so you don’t crumble onto the floor.

“Hold on tight.” He braces his body with one hand against the wall behind you as his pace speeds up to an exhausting degree. His muscles twitch as he releases inside of you, burying his face in your neck to not let the groan escape his throat. His breath is hot on your skin, but you love the feeling of him so vulnerable as he lets go.

You kiss him quickly when he raises his head, his eyes half-lidded. “For a cat, you didn’t scratch that hard,” he says, lips upturned.

“Fuck off.” Heeseung helps you get dressed again, zipping up the front of your costume for you while you try to wipe away the remnants of your red lipstick from his face to no avail. He’ll have to wipe it off in the bathroom before going back to the party, but you doubt he cares much. “Come to mine after?”

He feels foolish for thinking tonight may be the night to discuss your relationship status, but stranger things have happened. Like the bat and the cat joining forces, per say. He kisses you again before leaving you with, “Of course.”

@seokgyuu @mini-mews @jayparked @heesuncore @yoursjaeyun @sungbeams @jenoslutie @loserlvrss

𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 ౨ৎ˚₊

@kvanity-main @sweetvenomnet @onedoornet @sayxonet @violetanet @svthub @whipped-kpop-creators

ORIGINAL FIC BANNER BELOW ⤵

[pedge-page]

hi mamas, lately I've been feeling a bit self-conscious when I look at recent photos of myself, and I've been going to the gym lately (pero like I be counterbalancing that with eating whatever I want :/) and think I look good in the mirror but when I see vids/photos of myself I just don't feel good. Could u possibly write post-pregnancy!reader and Joel (after either Sarah or Ellie's pregnancy) and its been months but she just doesn't feel or like herself but Joel is determined to change that perspective around ASAP!

Hi my love! I'm sorry you're feeling down about yourself, I go through those moments so frequently. Feeling dismorphia when you think you look ok and then see yourself in a different light. It ruins your whole mood. Thank you for asking this! I hope it brings a little comfort.

- - - -

Joel spent a lot of time helping you get lotioned up when you were pregnant. Even now, with Sarah out of your body and you can finally reach your toes, he still finds joy in lathering you with deep rubs as he spreads the cream over your skin. Almost obsessively. No inch of skin was left untreated. He'd even stick his tongue out as he glided a heavy palm up from your belly to tits, then back down your sides and over your hips.

you thought you'd had enough man handling when he goes to squirt 5 more pumps in one palm.

You put the heel of your foot on his forehead, stopping him from coming any closer. "Too much! I feel like I'm sweating in a oily pit."

He plants a kiss to your sole before nudging your heel down onto his shoulder. "Gotta keep your skin nourished. And hydrated. I missed a spot," He rubs his hands together greedily.

"No you didn't! You got it already!" the two of you wrestle slightly, his body draping over yours but your feet keeping his stomach at bay.

"Stop squirmin' and give me your tits!"

"You just wanna grope them and have make naked all the time!"

"...ok and your point?"

You giggle. Finally letting your guard down, he grins as he smoothes over your skin with the cream, lathering it up in hands to keep it warm. He made sure to knead it in well enough. And your body DID need it. Drinking it in like a fish out of water.

You breathe deeply, staring at the ceiling as his pays especially attention to the skin under your breasts, your stretched stomach and girthy hips, down to your cellulite and wobbly skinned thighs that used to make boys turn...

"Um..." your voice sounded meek, almost exceptionally unlike you when you're with Joel. "You're not doing it...because you think it will help my body bounce back... are you?"

He furrows his brows, not sure what you're talking about. The concern and fear in your face makes him feel a pain in his chest that he immediately needs to help settle.

"Because um... its not--my body--it's not. Gonna look the same as before... after her. Um so. This might not, make it much better. Um. I'll be saggy and wrinkly, and not very sexy anymore so--I get it if that's what you're trying to do--"

he sees the shine in your eyes as you lose your words, too embarrassed to look at him.

"No. Nononono. Baby, that's not at all what I'm doing here and don't you dare start thinking I'm gonna love you any different just cuz your body changing from our baby." He lies next to you and pulls you close, his hands clutching your to his lips. "You're still just a beautiful as the day I met, just as hot the second I put that little baby in you, and you're just as gorgeous after. I've got no intuition to change what your beautiful body is doing--performing fucking miracles. I just want you to feel safe, happy, cared for." he plants a wet kiss against your palm. "Want ya to stop going to bed with dry hands and feet. Scratching me up all Night."

You laugh with him, blinking away the tear that had built up. "That was a test. You passed."

"Mmmhmmm. Always testing me."

He spends the rest of the evening peppering your entire body in kisses while massaging your stress away. when you were finally snoring, he turned out the tight, but stayed where he was, his elbow propping his head up taking you all in.

Joel sits and watches you more than he wants to admit because he's so goddamn in love with you. You're so uncharacteristically peaceful now. Cuddled against your pillow, deep breaths rhythmically settling you. Soft and gentle as a newborn calf. Completely unlike the sassy snarky woman yelling at him all day. Even when you were berating him for dumb shit because your hormones were through the roof, he still loved you. You're the firey spitball of energy and emotions on a roller coaster that keeps him on his toes, reminding him that you're so full of personality and neediness and bursting with energy and he's the only one equipped to get it for you--the only one you'd ever feel so comfortable to ask --and demand and yell and bitch--and all of it makes him laugh on the inside because It's just you. So you. All you.

And he's amazed. Amazed every day when he gazes upon his little Sarah. A whole human your body grew inside you from start to finish. Amazed every day when he sees you rocking her in your arms, feeding her with your breastmilk. Its like your body never stops giving and giving. Amazed every day that you can move and groove, sway your hips and do cartwheels in the grass like you're a kid again, eager to make your little babygirl laugh heartily.

He doesn't care that your boobs are saggier than before. Doesn't care about the extra poof on your belly that won't go away. doesn't care about the stripes around your thighs and hips that are here to stay. When he sees those things, he doesn't see imperfections or negative changes. He sees you. A girlfriend then. A mother now. His wife always. And that brings joy to his soul, knowing you're sticking with him through it all.

He's already thinking about his tired, wrinkly, speckled worn old man hands rubbing you to sleep with lotion when the two of you are 90, so he can keep lookin at you just like he is now. and always has.

Amazed to call you mine.

[bitchiswild]

Pervert

G!P Karina x Fem! Reader

Word Count: 3.7 k

Warning: unprotected sex, slight choking,possessiveness, reader being a major pervert

A/n: hai 😝imma disappear after this again… sorry! i do miss yall tho!!!😩 smut is whatever tho not my best!! Fyi!!!

Requested

──⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

“Y/N!” Karina burst into the backstage area, panting heavily. She was supposed to be on stage in minutes, but a button on her shirt had popped off, leaving her in desperate need of a quick fix. And that meant she needed you—her stylist and dresser—to save the day.

Being Karina’s stylist had its ups and downs. On the plus side, she was incredibly kind, treated you with respect, and trusted your judgment completely when it came to her outfits. She made you feel like an essential part of her team, always listening to your suggestions and appreciating your work.

But there was also a downside—though you couldn’t exactly call it a ‘con.’ You had a hard time keeping your eyes off her, especially when dressing her. Your job gave you the perfect excuse to admire her body up close, particularly her chest, and you often found yourself getting lost in those moments. It didn’t help that Karina seemed to enjoy teasing you, flirting just enough to make your heart race.

It wasn’t really your fault, you reasoned. How could anyone blame you when Karina was standing right in front of you, practically glowing? And seriously—have you seen Karina?

You quickly grabbed your bag of sewing supplies and rushed over to Karina, ready to fix the button. As you got closer, she watched you with an expectant gaze, her eyes slightly hooded in a way that made you gulp. Despite the nerves bubbling up inside, you reminded yourself that you had a job to do.

Standing in front of her, you found yourself face-to-face with her chest, her curves mere inches from your own. It was like a dream come true, being this close to her, but you forced yourself to focus on the task at hand. You began to sew the button back onto her shirt, trying to ignore the warmth radiating from her body and the way your hands trembled slightly.

As you worked, Karina lifted a hand and gently caressed your head. “That’s it, Y/N, you’re so good at this,” she murmured, her voice soft and almost sultry.

Your hands started to shake even more. Why did that sound so hot? Your heart raced at her innocent praise, though you knew you were only doing your job. But then again, Karina had a way of making everything she said feel like a tease, and her casual praise had always made your heart flutter.

Once you finished sewing the button back in place, you couldn't resist the temptation. You purposely let your hand graze against her boobs as you pulled away, feigning innocence. “All right! You’re all fixed up! You gotta head back on stage, Jimin,” you said, flashing her a wide-eyed, innocent look as if nothing had happened.

Karina stared at you for a moment, clearly not fooled. A smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. “Thank you, Y/nnie,” she replied, her voice dripping with playful intent. Before you could respond, she winked at you and rushed off to the stage.

That wink nearly made your legs give out. You knew she was fully aware of the effect she had on you—how could she not be? And yet, there was something thrilling about the whole thing. The way she teased you, the way she knew exactly how to push your buttons, and the way you secretly loved every second of it.

Why did you enjoy it so much? Maybe it was because, in those fleeting moments, it felt like you were sharing a secret game that only the two of you understood.

You watched from backstage as Karina and the girls performed, completely mesmerized by their talent. As always, they were incredible—their vocals flawless, their dances sharp and synchronized. They were aces at what they did, captivating the entire audience with ease.

The show was nearly over, which meant it was time for you to prepare Karina’s going-home outfit. But with Aeri’s stylist absent today, you were also covering for her, adding a bit more pressure to your workload.

As the girls wrapped up their final number, they still had to greet the VIP fans who’d stayed for the after-show. But before they could do that, Aeri came rushing over to you, her face showing a mix of urgency and concern. “Y/N, the strap on my top just broke!” she exclaimed, holding up the loose fabric.

You heard her, but for a split second, your attention was completely elsewhere—specifically, on her chest. You couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the way the broken strap left her top barely clinging to her body. It was only a moment, but you snapped out of it quickly, hoping Aeri hadn’t noticed your wandering eyes.

But someone else had noticed—Karina. From across the room, her gaze was locked on you, and the sight of you staring at Aeri’s chest sparked something inside her. Jealousy. It was subtle, but unmistakable. She knew exactly what was going through your mind, and it lit a fire in her that she couldn’t ignore.

You quickly focused on fixing Aeri’s top, your hands working with practiced efficiency. Once the strap was secured, she flashed you a grateful smile and rushed off to greet her fans. You breathed a sigh of relief, glad to have handled the situation without further incident.

But your relief was short-lived. As Aeri mingled with her fans, Karina, having just finished thanking her own, made a beeline straight for you. Her steps were purposeful, and you could tell by the way she moved that she had something on her mind.

“Y/N,” Karina said firmly, her tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Your heart dropped at the sound of her voice. Was she angry? Had you been too obvious? You hadn’t meant to stare, but it was right there in front of you—it had been impossible to resist. You swallowed nervously. “Y-Yeah?” you replied timidly, unsure of what was coming next.

“I saw you,” Karina stated, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Huh?” you responded, trying to play dumb, but your voice wavered.

“I saw you staring at Aeri’s tits,” Karina continued, her eyebrows arched and her arms crossed over her chest.

Your face flushed with embarrassment, heat rushing to your cheeks. “I-I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!” you pleaded, panic setting in. The last thing you wanted was to upset Karina.

She stared at you for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, in one swift motion, she reached out and gripped your jaw, pulling you closer to her. Her eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat. “The only tits you’re allowed to look at are mine,” Karina said firmly, her voice low and commanding.

Your jaw dropped at her words, shock rendering you speechless. Your face turned an even deeper shade of red as you processed what she’d just said. “I-I…” you stammered, completely at a loss for words. Your heart pounded in your chest, so loud you could almost hear it in your ears.

Karina’s grip on your jaw softened, but her gaze remained locked on you, waiting for a response. You could barely think, let alone speak, your mind racing with a mixture of shock, embarrassment, and something else—something that made your pulse quicken in a way you hadn’t expected.

Karina’s hands slid down from your jaw, gripping your waist as she pulled you closer to her. Her lips brushed against your ear, sending a shiver down your spine. “I see the way you look at me,” she murmured, her voice low and sultry. “I see the way you look at my body. You want me, don’t you, Y/N?”

You gulped, unable to trust your voice to respond. The intensity of the moment left you speechless, your mind racing with a mixture of desire and disbelief.

Karina’s breath was warm against your ear as she continued, “Because I want you so bad.” Her words sent a jolt through your body, and before you could fully process what was happening, she grabbed your hands, guiding them to her chest. She pressed your hands against her breasts, forcing you to grip them.

A soft sigh escaped Karina’s lips, and the sound made your knees weak. You let out a quiet whimper, the sensation of her body against yours overwhelming your senses. The boundary between what was real and what you’d only dreamed about was quickly dissolving, and all you could do was hold on, completely captivated by her.

Karina's hands began to move over yours, her touch sending electric currents through your body. You sighed at the sensation, your heart racing, and the pulse between your legs intensified with every moment. You wanted Karina so badly it hurt.

Her other hand slid down, guiding your hand to her crotch. “You feel that, Y/N? You do this to me. You make me so hard,” Karina groaned into your ear, her voice thick with desire. The sound sent a shiver down your spine, and your eyes locked onto hers, hooded and dilated with lust. You wanted nothing more than to kiss her, to close the distance between you.

Just as you began to lean in, there was a sudden knock at the door, startling you both. You jumped apart, the heat of the moment dissipating as reality crashed back in. Karina quickly turned away to change while you tried to collect yourself, your mind still reeling from what had just happened.

You opened the door to find Aeri standing there again. Before you could stop yourself, your eyes flickered down to her chest before quickly snapping back up. “Uh, sorry, just checking if your strap is holding up,” you said nervously, trying to cover your slip with a nervous chuckle.

Aeri chuckled in return. “Y/N, you’re a pro at sewing—it’s going to hold up just fine,” she reassured you before casually pulling off her shirt in front of you, leaving you momentarily speechless as your jaw dropped slightly.

“Where’s my going-home outfit?” Aeri asked, looking around the room as if she hadn’t just rendered you completely speechless. Your eyes remained glued to her chest, unable to tear yourself away.

Karina, now fully dressed, caught you staring and the jealousy in her eyes was unmistakable. “Y/N!” she snapped, her voice cutting through your daze and jolting you back to reality. You scrambled to find Aeri’s clothes, your hands fumbling as you handed them over to her.

“Here you go, Aeri,” you said sheepishly, feeling more than a little embarrassed. Aeri flashed you a cheesy smile before heading off to change, leaving you alone with Karina.

“What did I just tell you?” Karina’s voice was sharp, dripping with jealousy.

“I-I’m sorry, I can’t help it!” you whimpered, feeling a wave of guilt wash over you.

“You’re such a fucking perv, Y/N,” Karina spat, her words like a punch to the gut. Your heart dropped, and you felt tears springing to your eyes. “Karina, I’m sorry! Please don’t tell anyone—I promise I’ll stop!” you pleaded, your voice trembling with desperation.

Karina’s expression softened for a moment, but there was a glint in her eyes that told you she was enjoying this—enjoying the power she held over you. Seeing you cry, seeing you so vulnerable, seemed to give her a twisted sense of satisfaction.

“I’m going to put you in your place, Y/N. The only person you’re allowed to stare at is me,” Karina said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument.

“But—” you began to protest, your voice trembling with a mix of embarrassment and uncertainty.

“No buts,” Karina cut you off, her tone brooking no disagreement. “I better see you in my hotel room later, Y/N. Or so help me, I’ll make sure everyone knows about your little habit.” Her threat hung heavily in the air, a sharp reminder of the power she held over you.

You nodded quickly, your heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. “O-Okay,” you stammered, unable to look her in the eye.

Karina’s eyes held a steely resolve as she turned away, leaving you to grapple with the weight of her words.

You arrived at the hotel with a mix of anxiety and anticipation, your mind racing as you navigated through the lobby. Karina’s threat still echoed in your ears, and you couldn't shake the nervous energy that had settled in your stomach.

When you reached her door, you took a deep breath and knocked. The sound echoed through the hallway, amplifying your nerves. Moments later, Karina opened the door, her expression a mix of curiosity and determination.

“Come in,” she said, her tone firm but with a hint of anticipation.

You stepped inside, your heart racing. The room was tastefully decorated, and Karina was already in casual clothes, having changed out of her stage outfit. She gestured for you to sit on the couch while she moved to the other side of the room, giving you a moment to gather your thoughts.

“Did you think about what I said?” Karina asked, her voice carrying an undercurrent of authority.

You nodded, feeling your face flush with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. “Yes, I did.”

Karina’s gaze was intense as she walked towards you, her movements deliberate. “Good. Because tonight, I want to make sure you understand just who you’re allowed to look at,” she said, her voice low and steady.

She sat down next to you on the couch, close enough that you could feel the warmth of her body. “I’m going to show you exactly what I mean,” she continued, her eyes locked on yours. “And I want you to remember this moment, Y/N. Remember who has control here.”

As she spoke, Karina’s hand reached out to gently touch your arm, her touch sending a shiver through you. She leaned in slightly, her lips almost brushing against your ear as she whispered, “You’re mine tonight. Don’t forget it.”

You swallowed hard, the weight of her words sinking in. “I won’t forget,” you promised, your voice barely above a whisper.

Karina smiled, a mixture of satisfaction and desire in her eyes. “Good,” she said, her hand moving from your arm to gently cup your cheek. “Now, let’s make sure you remember who you belong to.”

Without breaking eye contact, Karina guided you gently but firmly onto the bed. The sudden shift from the couch to the soft surface of the bed intensified the electricity in the room. You looked up at her, your heart pounding with anticipation and a touch of nervousness.

Karina followed you, her movements confident and assured. She positioned herself above you, her body pressing down against yours as she straddled your hips. Her eyes were dark with desire, and she leaned in close, her breath warm against your skin.

“Do you understand now?” Karina whispered, her lips almost brushing yours. Her hands explored your sides, her touch both tender and possessive. She paused, her gaze intense and searching.

You nodded, unable to find your voice, overwhelmed by the proximity of her body and the heat of the moment. The weight of her presence was exhilarating, and you could feel every touch, every movement acutely.

Karina’s hands roamed gently over your body, her fingers tracing along your curves with a mix of tenderness and assertiveness.

Karina’s hands gently gripped the bottom of your shirt, lifting it slowly as her eyes locked with yours. The intensity in her gaze made your breath catch, and you let out a shaky sigh. Her movements were deliberate, filled with an almost tangible anticipation.

Once your shirt was off, Karina’s hands continued their journey, her fingers hooking into the waistband of your pants. She pulled them down slowly, her eyes never leaving yours, and you felt a rush of vulnerability and excitement.

Karina stood back up, her hands moving to your bra strap. She looked at you with a question in her eyes, seeking permission, which you gave with a slight nod. As she removed your bra, a low groan escaped her lips at the sight. The sound was both appreciative and possessive.

Karina’s hands roamed gently over your body, her touch exploratory and tender. As she leaned down, she placed a soft, lingering kiss on your chest. The warmth of her lips and the sensation of her touch created a mix of anticipation and comfort.

Her kisses deepened as she began to suck on your tits, each movement both electrifying and soothing. Her gentle touch with the intensity of her sucking left you breathless, your arms instinctively wrapped around her, pulling her closer, and you arched your back into her touch,

Karina’s right hand slid down to your lower body, her touch teasing and gentle as she made contact with your clit. Your breath catching in a gasp of pleasure. “Fuck Karina,” you whimpered, your voice filled with a mix of need and desperation.

“What is it, baby?” Karina’s voice was a low murmur against your chest, full of urgency.

“I need you,” you gasped out, your fingers gripping her hair as she continued to kiss and caress you with a desperate intensity. Her touch was relentless, making every sensation more acute. In one quick motion, Karina pulled off your panties, leaving you exposed. She swiftly followed, and you couldn’t help but let your gaze roam over her body.

“That’s it, baby. Look at me. I want you to focus on me and no one else,” she said firmly, her tone commanding.

Your eyes dropped to her body, and the sight of hergrowing cock made your breath hitch. The thought of feeling her inside you, was nearly overwhelming.

“Fuck, you’re so fucking wet for me,” Karina said as her fingers explored you. Her touch made you shiver, each stroke sending waves of pleasure through your body.

Karina started moving her member against you. Each stroke slid smoothly against your dripping wetness. You could feel the slickness drip down you as her member glided against your soaked crotch, each movement adding to the pleasure driving you both wild.

The tip of her member brushed against your opening. “You’re mine, Y/N,” Karina whispered with a possessive edge. With that, she slid into you, filling you up with a deep, satisfying pressure. The sensation of her moving inside you was intense, and you could feel every shift and thrust.

You gasped at the overwhelming sensation, a mix of pleasure and surprise escaping your lips. “Oh my god,” you moaned, gripping Karina’s back tightly.

Karina responded by kissing your neck, her lips leaving possessive marks as a reminder of your connection. The room echoed with the sounds of your movements, each thrust from Karina purposeful and deep. Her grip on your hips was firm, guiding you to match her rhythm. “You’re mine, Y/N,” Karina groaned, her hands moving to your neck, adding to the intensity.

Her thrusts grew harder and more deliberate, each motion pushing deeper inside you. The sensation was intense, with every thrust sending waves of pleasure through your body. You could feel the pressure building with each movement. “Fuck, I’m gonna cum,” you whimpered, your body on edge.

Karina’s hands left your neck and moved down to your clit, rubbing it quickly and skillfully. “That’s it, baby. Cum on my cock. Squeeze me with your tight cunt,” she moaned, her voice thick with desire. The pleasure was almost too much to bear. “God, Karina,” you cried out, letting the wave of your orgasm wash over you.

Your body tightened around her, your slit gripping her member so tightly that the pressure and sensation made it difficult for her to move, but the pleasure was undeniable. Karina’s breathing grew heavier as she neared her own climax. “God baby you’re so tight” She groaned out.

With a final, deep thrust, Karina’s orgasm hit, and she filled you completely, the sensation of her release made you shiver against her.

As the intensity of the moment faded, Karina’s breathing gradually slowed. She gently pulled away, her movements tender and careful. Her eyes, filled with a mix of satisfaction and affection, met yours.

Karina brushed a strand of hair away from your face, her touch soft and soothing. “You did so well,” she murmured, her voice warm and reassuring. She helped you adjust your position, ensuring you were comfortable and relaxed.

Gently, she wrapped her arms around you, holding you close in a comforting embrace. Her fingers traced soothing patterns on your skin, and she pressed a series of soft kisses to your forehead and cheek.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice full of concern as she checked in with you. Her eyes searched yours, wanting to make sure you felt good both physically and emotionally.

You nodded, feeling the warmth of her care and the afterglow of your shared experience. “Yeah, I’m okay,” you replied, your voice filled with gratitude.

Karina smiled and continued to hold you, her presence a calming reassurance. She fetched a warm cloth and gently cleaned you up, her touch gentle and attentive. As she worked, she stayed close, her touch and gaze conveying her affection and commitment to making sure you were well.

The room was quiet, filled only with the soft sounds of your breathing and Karina’s comforting presence.

Karina chuckled softly as she looked at you with a playful glint in her eye. “You’re gonna hate what I did to your neck,” she said, her tone light but mischievous.

You stared at her, puzzled, before slowly getting up to head to the bathroom. Your heart raced as you approached the mirror, curiosity mixed with a touch of apprehension.

When you finally looked in the mirror, you saw the marks Karina had left on your neck. The dark, hickeys were a clear reminder of the intensity of your time together. “Karina!” you exclaimed, your voice a mix of surprise and embarrassment.

Karina’s laughter was soft but warm, her eyes twinkling as she joined you in the bathroom. “I just wanted to make sure you remember who you belong to,” she said with a grin, her tone affectionate despite the teasing.

You couldn’t help but laugh a little, despite the shock. “Well, mission accomplished,” you said, shaking your head. “I guess I’ll be wearing high collars for a while.”

Karina reached out and gently touched your arm, her expression softening. “I’m sorry if I went a bit overboard,” she said, her voice sincere. “I just got carried away.”

You smiled at her, feeling a deep sense of affection and connection. “It’s okay,” you replied. “I like it”

──⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

[biocrafthero]

I think that Start Again: A Prologue could be reasonably adapted to stage. Specifically like a play or whatever. It’s short enough and you can make the time loop stuff look really interesting by using things like the actors and set to make it look like time is rewinding and when a loop is going on like normal and they’re just going through the House you basically watch the set and characters move on the beats you saw while time was rewinding

It’d be structured very similarly to the game, in a way. It starts with Siffrin and the party being defeated by the King, time rewinding to the start of the next loop pretty soon after. The loop that follows is probably an hour or so long of the party going through the house before getting defeated and sent back again. The next loop leads into the true ending of the game and is a little shorter than the previous one on account of Siffrin zoning out and missing some scenes. When time loops back after they defeat the King, Siffrin wakes up in the meadow like how the true ending goes.

I imagine that when time is moving normally, the set/scenery will be moved around by crew to make the illusion of characters moving from location to location in the House. It wouldn’t be anything too complicated. When time loops, everyone but Siffrin does these movements through the House in reverse—Siffrin kind of just stands there whenever time loops back. Because of this, the set design would be relatively simple to reduce any points of failure.

A spotlight shines on Siffrin whenever the actor is doing any kind of internal monologue, like introducing the other members of the party or going on a ramble in their own head. All the other characters hold still whenever this happens. If its a short line of dialogue, like when Siffrin hears the King rambling about whatever and says “You’ve heard this all before” its kind of echo-y (unsure if the actor for Siffrin will have a voice double for this or whatever). When time loops back, the entire stage darkens and becomes backlit or smth like that (idk how to describe it you just gotta see the vision here). When the final lines of the performance are given, the entire stage darkens and you can’t see any of the characters, similar to how the screen goes white at the end of the game when the final dialogue boxes play.

I think that, in the format of a stage play, all of Siffrin’s references to the stage itself add an extra layer of meta narrative, similar to some really cool performances of other plays I’ve heard of in the past. Idk this is just a fun idea I’ve had swimming around in my head that would be interesting to be seen on a stage. Also the entire thing is still black and white that’s very important

[kazuhahalol]

— rendezvous 18.6y | five hargreeves x f!reader

— A space rendezvous is an orbital maneuver during which two spacecraft, one of which is often a space station, arrive at the same orbit and approach to a very close distance.

Five discovers that you’re his soulmate. The only problem is that he’s also discovered you only exist in another timeline.

TW: angst, death

masterlist

Five Hargreeves had no patience for this. The CIA wasn’t his ideal workplace. But it had its perks: they were more than willing to let him do things his way as long as they got results. And now, Derek, the shorter, perpetually frazzled assistant who had an unhealthy admiration for Five; was standing in front of him with a stack of paperwork, clearly expecting Five to care.

“Five, seriously, we’ve gotta fix this,” Derek whined, shifting on his feet nervously. His usually neat appearance was ruffled, hair slightly askew as his hands fidgeted with the papers, holding them a little too tightly. He looked like he was about to break into a nervous sweat.

Five, who stood at least six inches taller than Derek, rolled his eyes as he took in the sight of his assistant’s increasingly flustered demeanor. “What, you’re still worried about the training schedule?” he drawled. “Derek, the last time I checked, we weren’t in preschool.”

Derek was nothing if not persistent, though. “It’s not just the schedule! It’s the agents, Five. Their performance has been awful. If you don’t step in, they’re gonna—”

“—Be useless?” Five finished for him with an almost bored expression, leaning back in his chair as he kicked his feet up on the desk. “Let me guess. You want me to play ‘team leader’ and ‘mentor’ now. That it?”

Derek’s face flushed at the implication but he refused to back down. “I’m just saying, you’ve got the experience, okay? You know what you’re doing. You’re the only one who can actually fix this.”

Five stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. The truth was, Five didn’t care about their internal CIA issues, least of all some rookie agents who couldn’t handle basic tasks. But Derek had this way about him—this desperate, wide-eyed expression that made it hard for Five to say no. He didn’t like the kid, not really, but Derek was one of the few who actually did his job without expecting recognition.

“Fine,” Five said after a long, drawn-out pause, making Derek’s face light up in relief. “I’ll look into it. But don’t expect me to hold their hands and sing Kumbaya.”

Derek smiled his usual shit-eating smile, almost too eagerly. “Thanks, Five. I knew you’d come through.”

Five let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

With that, he turned and headed for the exit, his steps firm and confident. Derek stood there for a moment, watching him go with that same smirk. Five didn’t acknowledge it. He didn’t want to or he’d get mad.

Five was already sick of the day, annoyed by Derek’s incessant requests. He couldn’t even remember the last time he felt like doing anything for the CIA beyond getting through the job. At this point, the only thing keeping him sane was the hope that he could at least catch a break. But the day was far from over.

He blinked and suddenly, he was somewhere else entirely.

Five stumbled a bit, his equilibrium off as he stood in an empty subway station, tiles cracked beneath his boots and flickering lights hanging above. He wasn’t sure how he’d gotten there, or even what had happened. His body still felt strange, sick, almost. But the biggest question on his mind was where the hell was he?

“What the hell…?” Five muttered to himself, scanning the abandoned station. The walls were stained and peeling, the space echoing in a way that felt off, but not immediately dangerous. There was a stain on the floor in the shape of Australia.

He reached up, rubbing the back of his neck. His mind raced. Last night, he remembered taking shots with the Umbrellas, heading home, and hitting the sack. How could that have brought his powers back. Did coming in indirect contact with the marigold in the jar bring back his powers? That had to be it. The marigold was messing with his system, likely triggering his powers back into existence.

Well, Five didn’t know Ben spiked the drinks, so let’s give him a break.

Five spent the next several hours of his life trying to get out of this terrible subway. He was hopping on and off trains, going to different timelines, just trying to get back home.

On his umpteenth attempt, he lazily stepped off the platform. No sign of the stain shaped like Australia. Great.

Five grunted in frustration, but as he took another step forward, he felt a pull. Well, more like a yank. It wasn’t physical, but it was real. Like an invisible thread, guiding him forward. He froze, staring at the faintest red string flickering in his vision. It was so faint, so subtle, but it was there.

“What the hell…” Five said again, now fully on edge.

His thoughts scrambled. This had to be a mistake. He wasn’t supposed to be here, and the marigold surely wasn’t the cause of… whatever this was.

Without much more to think, Five started walking toward the string, curious. His instincts told him to follow it. The string led him down another dark and dirty corridor. He could hear the soft hum of something distant, a vibration that made him tense, but he didn’t stop. Not yet. However, the string continued down the dark hall of the subway tracks, and he was not about to step foot on them. But he knew he had to get out of here someway

“Guess I’m not getting out of here without figuring this out,” he muttered, almost to himself.

Just then, the same subway train pulled up, the voice speaking to him in a backward language he couldn’t understand. Five was exhausted and not feeling any less nauseous. Still, he couldn’t ignore the pull. The red string kept pulling, yanking itself towards its other host.

With an exhale, Five stepped onto the train, trying to ignore the odd sensation that coursed through him. It was a strange feeling, like stepping into something he couldn’t quite understand.

The train doors closed behind him with a clank, and Five was alone. He didn’t know where the train was taking him. But he figured that, with his powers back, the only way out of this situation was to see it through.

ᡣ𐭩

The train sped down endless tunnels, skipping across different realities. Five watched, his brow furrowed, as the landscape shifted around him, each stop revealing new worlds, new timelines, each one more strange and disconnected than the last. He didn’t know how or why it was happening, but he was helpless to stop it.

There were people. Familiar faces. Others he couldn’t quite place. Moments, too. Time itself felt warped, stretched beyond recognition. He saw places he recognized, but twisted and wrong. Things shifted constantly, and Five couldn’t help but feel the heavy weight of each reality’s imperfections.

The further the train went, the more frantic his thoughts became. He couldn’t keep hopping through these timelines forever. The red string tugged at him, guiding him forward. He needed to get back to his timeline. He needed to find his family.

But then, everything seemed to change. The train slowed, and before him, another station appeared. A glimpse of a new world, unfamiliar and yet somehow comforting. The red string kept yanking. He stepped out the train, looking for any sign of the Australia-shaped stain.

Nowhere to be seen.

He traverses the corridor until he reaches the stairs, climbing them until he’s met with the blinding sun. He navigates his way through the city, following wherever this red string is taking him. The buzz and sound of the city decreases as he reaches the more rural side. A small town, clean and quiet. Single family homes accompanied with apartments and townhouses. He stops at a single floor family home, staring straight at what his string was connected to.

You.

You were standing there, casually tying a ribbon around a patch of dahlias, the vibrant red flowers bright even in the dim light. You moved with a fluidity that made it impossible for Five to tear his eyes away.

The red string was there again, flickering, now more vivid than ever. It wound its way toward you, tugging with a force Five could no longer ignore.

“Dahlia’s, huh?” Five muttered to himself, barely above a whisper.

You looked up, sensing his presence. A soft, knowing smile appeared on your lips as you locked eyes with him. There was a sense of familiarity that struck him deep, like an anchor in the chaos that had followed him through the timelines.

The red string.

He was connected to you.

Five stood there, frozen in the soft light of the fading day, watching you work. The flickering red string still hummed in his vision, its pull relentless and undeniable. He couldn’t explain it, he had no idea what this was or how it worked, but there was something about you that felt…right. And as much as he hated to admit it, this quiet town felt oddly like home. It wasn’t like the chaos and destruction of his own reality, where nothing was ever really stable. Here, he could almost taste a sense of peace.

You were still working in the garden, tying a ribbon around a patch of dahlias, your movements graceful and easy. Five found himself staring for a little too long, caught in some quiet reverie, before he shook his head, snapping back to reality.

“Hey,” he said, walking toward you, his tone a little more dry than he intended. “You’re really into flowers, huh?”

You looked up, meeting his gaze with a warm smile, completely unfazed by his presence or the bluntness in his voice. You seemed to radiate calm, something Five had forgotten even existed.

“They’re my favorite,” you answered, your voice soft but strong. “They make everything a little brighter, you know?”

Five’s lips quirked at the edges, a slight chuckle escaping him. “Yeah, well, they certainly make your yard look like something out of a Pinterest board.”

You raised an eyebrow, the smile still there, though your eyes glinted with amusement. “You’ve been on Pinterest?” She asks, as if she believed he didn’t look like the type to.

“Who hasn’t?” He shrugged, but the sarcasm in his voice was gone, replaced by something a little less harsh. Something like…gratitude? Maybe.

You studied him for a moment, looking at his appearance which seemed a bit disheveled and exhausted, then nodded toward the house. “You need a place to stay, don’t you?”

Five didn’t hesitate. He had no reason to stay, no reason to linger. But something about this place, about you, made the idea of leaving feel foolish.

“I’m…lost,” he said, his voice a little softer than usual, though his tone remained steady. “So, yeah, a place to crash would be great.”

Your smile softened, and without a word, you motioned toward the house. “Well, you’re welcome to stay. I’ve got a spare room. It’s not much, but it’s quiet. And I could use the company.”

Five didn’t need any more encouragement. The string pulling him toward you only got stronger, and against his better judgment, he followed you inside. He didn’t say anything as you led him through the house, a small but cozy space that exuded a warmth he hadn’t felt in ages.

Days turned into weeks. The red string never wavered, but Five found himself growing comfortable in a way he hadn’t in years. He helped with small things around the house, things you hadn’t even known you needed help with. Fixing a leaky faucet. Setting up a new light fixture. Cooking dinner when you were too tired to bother. He did it all, all the while keeping his sarcastic and somewhat distant nature intact, even though, deep down, he knew he was slowly slipping. The edges of his carefully constructed walls were crumbling, piece by piece.

“You know,” you said one night as you both sat on the porch, watching the stars, “you’ve been here for a while now. I never really asked you… What exactly are you running from?”

Five didn’t look at you, his gaze fixed on the horizon, the weight of your question pressing down on him more than he’d like to admit. “Nothing,” he replied, his voice just a little too sharp. “Just needed a break.”

You tilted your head, sensing the lie in his words, but you didn’t push. You never did. You just let him be. And somehow, that was exactly what he needed.

ᡣ𐭩

Time passed in a blur of laughter, fleeting moments, and growing affection. Five found himself laughing with you. Something he hadn’t done in years. And, despite his best efforts to resist, he couldn’t deny it anymore: he was falling for you. Hard.

One evening, as you were both standing in the kitchen, preparing dinner, he turned to you, his gaze softer than usual.

“Thanks,” he said, his voice quiet. “For letting me stay. For…not asking too many questions.”

You smiled, that same quiet strength in your eyes. “I could say the same to you. You’ve made my life a lot easier, Five.”

His eyes flickered with something unreadable, but then he shook his head, a hint of that familiar sarcasm creeping back into his voice.

“Yeah, well, I’m good at that.” He hesitated for a second, then added, “I never thought I’d find peace like this. Not in…well, not in any universe.”

You placed a hand on his shoulder, your touch gentle but firm. “It’s not about the universe, Five. It’s about where you are… and who you’re with.”

That one simple sentence hit him harder than anything else. He swallowed hard, looking away from you.

The truth was, Five knew something you didn’t. Something that kept him awake at night, that gnawed at him whenever he looked at you and saw the way your smile made everything feel like it would be okay.

He wasn’t supposed to be here. This wasn’t his timeline. And by staying, he was risking it all. Every time he thought about the red string, the connection, the weight of it all, he knew he had to leave. He had to go back.

But every time he thought about leaving you, it felt like his chest might crack open.

One night, after you’d both declared your love for each other, slowly, hesitantly, like both of you were afraid of what might happen if you fully admitted it—Five knew that it was time.

“I can’t stay,” he said one evening, his voice tight as he stood in the doorway.

You looked up from where you sat on the couch, your expression confused. “What are you talking about? Where are you going?”

Five stepped toward you, his heart breaking with every step. “This isn’t my timeline. And I’m not supposed to be here.”

Five’s eyes flickered with a hint of sorrow before he hardened his gaze, looking away as if the truth itself would tear him apart.

“I have to go back,” he said, his voice tight, colder than usual, but there was something in the way he said it that betrayed the lie. “I have to go back to my family.”

You stood there for a moment, completely still, trying to process his words. The weight of his departure settled over you, heavy and suffocating. You opened your mouth to say something, anything, but the words seemed to get caught in your throat.

“Five… what do you mean? Why now?” You stepped forward, but he was already backing away, every movement deliberate as if he was trying to distance himself from you. “You’ve made a life here. With me.”

“I know,” he said quickly, voice tinged with regret. “I know. But it’s something I have to do. I can’t stay.”

You shook your head, a feeling of helplessness creeping into your chest. “Please… don’t go.”

The desperation in your voice made him hesitate, just for a moment, but he masked it with a quick, harsh breath. “I have no choice,” he said. “You wouldn’t understand.”

But you did understand. You understood more than he thought. It wasn’t just that he had to leave—it was that he wasn’t telling you the truth. You could feel it. The way he ached inside, how this wasn’t just about family or whatever excuse he was feeding you. It was something more, something bigger, but you couldn’t quite reach it.

“Five, please don’t do this,” you whispered, stepping closer until there was barely any space between you. You reached for his hand, the warmth of your palm pressing against his cool, detached skin. “You don’t have to go. Not yet. I…” Your words faltered, the lump in your throat rising. “I need you here.”

He closed his eyes for a long moment, then let out a quiet, almost imperceptible sigh. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze softened, though the distance between you remained. “I need to do this. For everyone. For the world.”

You frowned, unable to make sense of his words. “What do you mean?”

But before you could get an answer, he stepped back, and his lips twisted into a bitter smile.

“I’m sorry,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. “But I have to leave. You’ll be alright.”

And with that, he turned and walked out the door, leaving you standing in the living room, heart heavy with confusion and sorrow.

Five never returned. After many failed attempts, he made his way back into his original timeline, a place where everything felt like it was falling apart, where the stakes were higher than he could ever explain. He had no time to dwell on what he was leaving behind, not when the fate of everything was at risk.

In his original timeline, the Umbrellas, his family, his true family, were preparing for their final mission. They had to make their sacrifice to correct the world’s path, to fix the timeline, to undo everything they had gone wrong.

And as he stood with them, ready to take his place in the grand scheme of things, Five knew there was no turning back. This was the end, and it had to be done. They all had to give up their lives, their existence, for the greater good. The world depended on it.

With one final look at his house around him, at the family he had loved more than anything, Five made his sacrifice. In that moment, the Umbrella Academy joined together one last time and ceased to exist, so did Five. Five was happy that he found love before he would pass on, even if she wouldn’t remember him. His very being dissolved, erasing him from the timeline, from everything.

ᡣ𐭩

Back in your timeline, you lived on. You continued with your life, growing older, feeling the passage of time like a slow, inevitable current. The world continued, with all its ups and downs, its joys and heartbreaks. But there was something missing, something you couldn’t place, a hole in your heart that never quite healed.

Years passed, and you found yourself in your garden again, standing among the flowers. The dahlias bloomed brightly, their red petals catching the sunlight. The tulips swayed gently in the breeze, a soft pink hue against the red. The flowers were a beautiful sight, one that had always brought you peace.

You smiled softly, a sense of warmth flooding through you, but there was an odd ache in your chest, a lingering sense of something long forgotten. As the years went by, you never stopped tending to your garden, not remembering the man that loved you more than he could ever love himself.

He ceased to exist, after all.

One day, you passed away quietly in your sleep, the world around you unchanged. The winter had just past and spring had sprung. The sun was shining, the children were playing, and in the brown soil of your yard sprouted a beautiful red dahlia and a single marigold, which you hadn’t planted before, only planting tulips and dahlias.

The dahlia and marigold sit in the spring sun in silence, a tiny red string connecting the two by their petals.

[nonranghaes]

heads up! vernon performs fake surgery on med student!reader to cheer them up. he's just silly <3

"scalpel."

you have no idea what your boyfriend is doing. you've been slumped over the dinner table for the past who-knows-how-long because studying has turned your brain to mush (you're in med school, that's the medical term, you swear). vernon hums to himself, and then you can feel his index finger trailing down your back as he makes his own sound effects in the form of a steady beep... beep... beep... to simulate a heart monitor. his fingers trail across your back, as though searching for something, and the "beep"s turn a little more frantic.

"vernon, what are you--"

"patient's getting better," he says, and then immediately goes back to those faster 'beep--beep--beep's. "i think. heart rate is increasing. that's good right?"

you don't answer, burying your face in your arms again. you can't let him see you smile. he'll know whatever he's doing is working, and you kinda wanna see where he's going with this. he grabs a fistful of the back of your shirt, letting go as he draws his hand away, still making those beeps.

"the surgery is a success..." he says. "i've removed the heart... i've saved the patient."

you turn your face. "baby. you can't live without a heart. i think the patient's dead."

"nah," his hands rest on your shoulders, already kneading at them. "i stole your heart and you're still alive--"

immediately, you let out the loudest groan--although whether it's out of disgust for the cheesy line or amusement because he managed to entertain you, he can't be sure. he thinks its a mix of both, actually--but it doesn't matter. you're smiling now, and that's what he set out to do.

he leans over you, pressing a quick peck against your forehead. "food's here, by the way. gotta support my future doctor somehow."

(you don't have the heart to tell him that making you laugh is always enough... and not because he stole it.)

[theempressofthenile]

JUPITERS THRONE : ASTRO OBSERVATIONS ON JUPITER PLACEMENTS

Jupiter square ascendant - Difficulty in spaces where their idealistic views and beliefs can piss off certain people. It is because they are more open to the universes astral possibilities and sometimes can be around others who will try to make them 'tone down' there optimism. Sometimes they will have to spend time alone to understand the path they are embarking. It is not until they leave that environment, that inspiring mark they leave on others transforms other people around them.

Venus Sag - Talented in music, arts, spirituality but they have their own twist to it. The seekers they are, they find new ways to bringing out their interest in a light that makes you ponder on it a little. Very intriguing love lives, eventually they let go of all the standards they have over their relationships and make new ones. Trying anything new in their relationships give them the wisdom they need to move forward on their journey.

Don't get your feelings hurt, tho... they are always in charge. Whether you like it or not.

Jupiter Conjunct Moon - The power they have. Whew. They are good orchestras of emotion. They have the ability to cast a spell on you with their large auras. Its hidden in plain sight. It's not until they express their emotions in a way that has people trembling at their feet. Could be amazing performers or people of intellect. They have a lot of knowledge hidden inside them. You just have to be on the other side of their overflowing emotions ;)

9th House Saturns - A long time journey with changing their beliefs through time to time. These people should go on frequent trips to the cabin, and enjoy the mountains for time to time. This will ground them and help them change their perspective a little. A little more outside time will do the trick.

Neptune/ Jupiter aspects - Your subconscious beliefs need to be above the roof. If you have a lack mentality jupiter will extend on it ten times more. Having more faith within your belief system will help you enjoy the fruits of your labor. It's all in the mind, and your luck comes from the infinite consciousness that is your imagination.

Sag Rising - These individuals possess a star light on their appearance that awakens enlightenment in other people. A dream come true in a way. Can have a persona that is of the likeness of a celebrity and have a very powerful energy to them. Something about them screams 'force'. They just got it. The mystery has yet to be solved.

Mercury Trine Jupiter - They could have an audience who just adores their opinions if they just spoke! These people are fascinating to listen to and get their point of view on things. They have a likeable aura when it comes to their speech. The ideas these peeps have within them can be used to change the minds and perspectives of others helping them expand. Can receive divine insight on what needs to be shared, learned or even be expressed in their thought waves. Deep thinkers, but in a way that philosophies whatever it is they put their mind too.

Pluto Trine Jupiter - A POWER HOUSE PLACEMENT!! These are the people who end up wealthy, famous or politicians. Naturally come into positions of power with ease. They know exactly how to get there and what they gotta do to keep it.

Sun Conjunct Jupiter - Popular. Well known. Attractive. Lucky. Lucky lucky lucky. Their faith gets them exactly what they need to fly. Even when the world throws them obstacles they wake up and keep trying. Very inspiring and influential. You can't take that away from them.

Neptune in the 9th - Believe in yourself. The world may not understand you and your own ideas but it isn't for everyone to appreciate, just simply to absorb and allow the consciousness to unfold its gifts into new horizons. Your vision is inspired by the ethereal realms around you and your environment. And you find new ways to gift others a new sense of enlightenment on each persons journey.

[the-s1lly-corner]

Cuddling Male toons

my tummy kinda hurt lowkey ooooooouhchie ouchie notes: gn toon reader, pre game, focused mostly on the canon character, short and sweet, written on computer, short in theory but collectively its long cws: none

BLOT

hes kind of cold... and sticky... and wet.. im sure if he leaves ink footsteps hes going to leave stains as you cuddle... so hopefully you dont mind being a bit of a mess during and after cuddling- or really most physical affection

he... doesnt actually like cuddling all that much because of this. its such a hassle and he likes being a show off about his love in other ways- of course he is! he looooves making a performance of things when its things he feels like matter a lot to him!

on the chance you guys do cuddle he can go either way about being big or little spoon

BOXTEN

hes such an awkward cuddler... where does he put his hands? is this okay? youre not uncomfortable when he holds you like this- or this- or-... it takes him a minute to get comfortable and find something that works for the both of you

he actually does like cuddling you despite all the squirming, its just that he doesnt know how to play it cool long enough for you guys to really get into it. give him some time and with experience he'll become more confident with this!

he actually prefers being little spoon but he feels a certain pressure to be big spoon... please let him know he can be little spoon whenever he wants

COSMO

soft and fluffy- just like a real cake. sometimes you leave indents on him... sometimes watching them slowly puff back into place is nice, its satisfying in its own way. he also smells nice too! overall a nice experience overall!

he doesnt much care for the big/little spoon way of cuddling, whatever position you guys take in bed that leaves you both in close proximity works for him! lay on him- or let him lay on you.. smoosh into each others sides- get creative with it if you must!

sometimes his icing drizzle makes you all sticky though :(

FINN

cuddling with him can be a little awkward... hes made of glass and his head is full of water- you cant really fully lay down and huddle into him without the risk of getting wet

usually you guys cuddle while sitting or otherwise propped up- not always the most comfortable but hey- you guys dont really have much of a choice otherwise

kind of cold to the touch too thanks to the water and glass but hes got a few blankets to try to warm himself up for you! he can go either way about being big or little spoon.... and hes not ashamed to ask to be held!

GLISTEN

hes cold and hard- mirror stuff, hes... admittedly not the most comfortable... and hes somewhat (very) insecure about it... but you guys have managed to find work arounds! covers and blankets- give him a nice robe to lounge around in and hes going to be obsessed!

he tends to prefer being little spoon, but he tries to be big spoon for you more often than not- something about wanting to please you... but once those walls are let down and he allows himself to be more honest about how hes feeling and thinking around you he melts right into your arms

definitely pouts when you need to get up to do something mid cuddle- hes only mildly upset in reality

GOOB

well he loves hugging.. and whats cuddling if not an extended hug? of course hes going to cling onto you the moment you bring it up- and a lot of times you dont even need to open your mouth.. just gotta pat the bed and hes sprinting towards you

wraps his arms all up around you to keep you as close as possible- the whole big/little spoon thing doesnt really cross his mind, he just wants you as close as possible in the moment! sometimes his claws kind of sink into you... not enough to hurt or break the skin but hes definitely accidentally poked you

nice and fluffy and warm, sometimes its like snuggling into a blanket fresh from the dryer... you could stay like this forever!

LOOEY

Already have cuddling hcs here!

RAZZLE AND DAZZLE

Already have cuddling hcs here!

RODGER

he prefers to be big spoon, something about holding you and keeping you so close to him is... nice and comforting. he gets the horary "tends to put himself between you and the door as a subconscious barrier to protect you in case of anything,"... not that he thinks theres any danger around, its habit really

he smells like bitter coffee though so hopefully you dont mind that too much- sometimes getting him into bed to come cuddle you can be a fight too since he has a habit of getting really sucked into his cases.. hes determined and bordering on obsessive

he also occasionally likes having you simply laying across his chest

SHRIMPO

he burns hot. on the rare chance he actually lets you cuddle with him hes going to be uncomfortably warm and its... overall not a good time... hes kind of sweaty too and smells like... well shrimp...

he doesnt really like cuddling that much though- he kind of shakes and seethes quietly the whole time... at least its an upgrade from how hed just push you away and go off on you?

[smileysvech]

dating jeremy swayman

nsfw under the cut, minors please dni

physical touch and quality time are his top love languages, you cannot convince me otherwise

he’s always wrapping his arms around you and pulling your body into his bigger frame to engulf you in a hug

he loves a good cuddle and getting to hold you in his arms while you rest your head against his chest so you can hear his strong and steady heartbeat

he spends so much of his time out in nature, away from his phone with no distractions, so if you went on a hike with him he'd be so present and in the moment with you

jeremy talks a lot about how he wants to work his ass off to earn every opportunity he gets to play and he has that mentality in the bedroom too… he will work to please you and do everything he can to earn the reward of making you cum

part of being a goalie is having intense focus and being dialed in so he would be incredibly focused on how your body responds to his touch and his voice and he’s able to read your body so well and knows just how to make you completely fall apart

he’s so patient and usually isn’t in a rush and likes to take his time with you and prefers slow and sensual yet passionate sex over a quick rough fuck (though he’s not entirely opposed to it)

but he will ALWAYS perform some good aftercare for you

he's so attentive when he's leaving soft kisses all over your skin as he cleans you up, checking in on you "you okay there, pretty girl?" and murmuring "you did so well, love you so much", massaging any part of your body that might be sore

he also plays guitar so we know he’s skilled with his hands

his fingers are probably calloused and a little rough but it feels amazing when he rubs them against your clit or when he finally slides them into your wet and waiting pussy

he’s got a praise kink (hello?? telling ully “I’m coming handsome!” and the “fuck she’s a good girl” clip that lives in my head rent free like he’s not afraid to give out compliments and loves to worship you!!!!!!!)

he’s often described as one of the most vocal goalies so he’s gotta be just as vocal in bed

he will let you know how good you make him feel with his deep moans and groans and breathy curses when your lips are wrapped around his cock or your pussy is fluttering and squeezing him

“fuck, that’s it. right there. feels so good. such a good girl for me.”

“keep doing that, baby.”

also BITING KINK

y’all seen the way he bites his jersey???

I just KNOW he would love biting and marking you up

maybe it starts off as just soft, slow kisses but soon the two of you have moved to the couch and you’re perched on his big lap straddling him while making out

one of his big hands has found its way into your hair at the base of your neck and with an ever so gentle tug he signals for you to lean your head back so he can detach his lips from yours and trail kisses from your shoulder to your collar bone and up your neck and jaw

he lets his teeth sink into your flesh and you wince a little bit at the stinging sensation but he quickly eases any of your discomfort when he runs his tongue along the mark he left on you

god he would love leaving bite marks and hickeys all over your neck and breasts

he would be so smug about it too, just leaning back and admiring his work with a little cocky smirk when you run your fingers over the marks he left you when you assess the damage in your bathroom mirror later

you roll your eyes at him, but truthfully you love it too because it’s a reminder that he wants you and you’re his girl

and how can we not discuss his confidence and cockiness?

the way he is always smirking and winking during warmups

AND HIS MANSPREADING

the man knows he's packing

I have it in my head that he loves when you sit on his lap and wrap your arms around him to keep your balance

and he LOVES when you ride him

he enjoys seeing the pleasure on your face as you take what you need from him, doing whatever it takes to get yourself off on him

and after he's sure you've had at least one orgasm, he'd take control and thrust his hips up and drive his cock into you deeper and deeper, finding your most sensitive spots to bring you to another earth-shattering orgasm

tagging a few of my fellow sway girlies: @pyotrkochetkov @senditcolton @barzysunflower @cellythefloshie

[aeolusinthesky]

so y'all remember those hella endangered birds? and the conservationists were trying to breed them, but this one female was killing off the other birds. so eventually they had to get in that one bird keeper to be her mate?

i'll link the tumblr post + reblogs regarding the crane, walnut, here

but the thing is!! the reason i bring it up! is because i was talking to @novazentryx (which is always sm fun!!) and i'm pulling this straight from the dms but i think. that it would be the funniest shit if the Tortuga Crew were trying to get that bird, the villains were there for some reason, the WK save the cranes, but then it turns out one of the birds has grown very attached to Zach.

and he’s like ugh NOO but the WK are like. zach. zach you gotta do it. we don’t like this either but you GOTTA

just. okay, so the theory behind walnut here in particular is that she was hand-raised as a chick by human handlers, so she rejects cranes as her species, she identifies with and bonds with humans.

so in this scenario, I'm thinking its a three-way villain team up? donita wants the cranes for a fashion line, she learned about those crane wives myths and was struck by inspiration, meanwhile gourmand wants the cranes after the show for like. idk, some sort of dish, idk, maybe he wants the eggs?

so they've got that going on. and zach is there cause they need his tech and bots to nab the cranes.

and. there certainly are white naped cranes in the wild, though not a lot. i think, around maybe 3,700-4,500 in the wild

But for plot reasons, the crew of the tortuga are working with some wildlife conservatory that had raised cranes, which they are trying to introduce back in the wild, to mate with wild cranes. which of course is where this one crane sees zach and is enamored to zach's discomfort and the WK's befuddlement.

i'm thinking the crane sees zach jumping up and down and waving his arms in fear and screaming mommy and listen, something abt zach was irresistible to the crane already, but after seeing that, she was like, oh, a mating dance and call for ME?? NOICE 

but! cue battle, villain defeat, wk get the cranes back--and one crane is VERY unhappy--the villains get away as they tend to do, and go their separate ways, the WK have the cranes back safe and sound, they stay a few days to observe the cranes and help out at the conservatory or whatever, where they notice the crane has. killed two potential mates, though they can't PROVE IT

they think its got to do with the stress of the villain encounter, so they view the recording to see whats up, what happened, and then they just sit in silence and watch as the crane is very elaborately performing a mating dance at zach while zach is shaking and calling for his zachbots in a corner bc he doesnt know why its flapping its wings at him and jumping up and down like that

and theyre like......okay.....hear me out.......but whAT IF 

like, it's just awkward silence. They sit there for a moment, before Chris just sighs and runs a hand down his face, Martin slumping over in his chair. and they just look at each other and share a grimace because how, how do they do this, who is going to be the one to ask zach to do this for them, and how are they gonna get him to actually comply

aviva just. pulling up zach's contact info in the back

damn. thats a whole fic right there

fingers crossed i'll write it someday 😭

[oodlyenough]

dw 2x08 the reality war

where do i start lmaoooo

so I have to say on the whole I really enjoyed this season, like more than its predecessor I think, I found the average quality of the eps a bit higher even though the previous season had a handful i LOVED (73 yards, dot and bubble... think there was another i'm now blanking on). i really liked belinda/varada as companion and i thought she started the season strong

i also this year decided fandom is intolerable both in its incessant negativity and its penchant for spoiling the hell out of everything based on set stalking and leaked scripts and stuff so i just blacklisted everything. going in blind-ish to most eps helped i think, as much as it was frustrating to not participate in fandom chatter

i also generally really enjoyed wish world! and then this episode. well. uh. hm

the good!

i was surprisingly delighted to see anita lol? i liked her in the xmas ep but didn't expect to see her again. i think her appearance here was nice and it was a viable deus ex machina to save the doctor. i also thought anita opening doors into various flashbacks was fun. ye olde clara in the time stream. i laughed at her seeing 15 was gay and being like oh :/ lmfaoooo sorry girl

LOOMS CANON REAL LMAOOOOOOOO??????? i put this under good not because i was invested either way in the time lords' virility but because the idea of looms being canonized in 2025 is so fucking funny. on a similar note, "half-human on my mother's side" lmfao

rose noble!! i didn't know she was gonna be here. in her UNIT uniform lol. in general i think this episode wanted a bit of the journey's end team-up vibes, but with far fewer episodes to establish the team, and with those things considered i still thought it did ok, bc i did enjoy seeing ruby and belinda and mel and anita and rose and shirley and kate all together y'know. even if it kinda meant ... most of them did not get a lot to do

i've never seen time and the rani but i do enjoy when a classic companion gets to face off against a classic villain. gay as hell interaction btw

i loved the moment when fifteen swaps his suit for the skirt/vest combo hell yeah man

project indigo! martha jones you will always be famous

i loved seeing jodie whittaker! what a surprise! was it necessary? not really imo but it was fun. everyone felt they missed out not getting to see her with ncuti so it was nice. and the line about "i wish we had more time" "may we always wish that" was a sweet nod imo.

i'm not a thasmin-er but good on them for a shoutout lmfao

some really good performances from ncuti gatwa and millie gibson especially. vadara sethu is always good but uh asterix

billie piper LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO listen. i'm never going to be mad about seeing billie piper. i'm pretty sure she'll be around for a special or two before handing the reins to someone else who wants to lock in properly. she might not even be 'the doctor' maybe there's some shenanigans with bad wolf or rose or whatever. (hesitant to see rose tyler, specifically... but...) but i'm pleased to see billie and go on that ride anyway

i thought the scene of ruby watching poppy's coat disintegrate as the doctor and belinda forgot and ruby's growing horror was really good. i honestly wanted the poppy storyline to end there... which leads me to...

the not-so-good

it's not doctor who's fault specifically that i feel like i've been bombarded as of late with media emphasizing pregnancy and babies in a way that does not at all resonate with me, a childless woman with zero maternal instinct. but man. i just. do not understand how anyone could be that invested in poppy, who is not even a talking space baby anymore. she's very cute! but she is not a character. she's not real????? so like, suddenly pivoting everything to save poppy, the doctor and belinda both LOVE poppy, we GOTTA save POPPY what if POPPY doesn't exist...

reminds me of the 50th anniversary's asspull with the maypole babies. (btw -- what happened to THEM? lmao) i sort of hoped we'd left the motherhood baby foundling stuff behind in ruby's season. alas. well, more on that later.

omega was daft as hell. it's a doctor who finale so like, what can you do, right, and omega was kind of a footnote anyway. but that was daft as hell lol i spent the whole build-up like 'who did they cast oohh' just for it to be a skeleton monster. ok

kinda disappointed he just... ate the rani... i mean i do really enjoy the mrs flood rani. but it seems unfair to keep her lol

where the hell is susan LMAO i was sure in wish world that poppy being his daughter somehow would tie into the earlier line fifteen had about not having kids yet despite a granddaughter bc he's a time lord living out of order. wtf

i'm putting the regeneration under here, because i'm sad to see ncuti gatwa go :( i think fifteen did not get enough episodes and things just feel unresolved, like ruby and to a lesser degree rogue (i never personally expected to see him again, but the cameo in wish world makes it feel hanging). however with regeneration i'm always sympathetic to the reality that sometimes actors want out, and i can totally see how ncuti gatwa rising star would not want to wait around in a maybe-commitment to another year+ of filming when he's probably got lots of offers and disney/bbc are doing who-knows what on renewal. so that sucks but i get it. sad!

the what-the-hell-were-they-thinking

belinda.... what in the world happened here. ?????????.....

i really find myself convinced by the theories that ruby was meant to be a two-season companion, Something went awry, belinda was patched in, and then Something Else went awry (disney dragging its heels on renewals leading ncuti wanting to leave?) and we got this. because what in the fuck was this lasdfkahdflhdaglhk

the thing is, all season, i DID kind of wonder why belinda was *so* determined to get back EXACTLY when she left. it could easily have been explained, but it never was, so her insistence did seem a bit odd to me? and if this was going to be the resolution, they could have teased that more easily!

am i supposed to think the poppy timeline was the real one and that flatmate belinda had just forgotten in the way the glitch-y timeline had people forgetting things? i would swallow that as a plotline more easily, even if it's a little akin to amy pond and the crack storyline. varada said something in the behind-the-scenes about "we finally learn why belinda wanted to get home" so maybe that was the intent but it really was not clear if so. but belinda just ... having a whole alt life manifested for her... because of the doctor's sudden brief interest in a baby ... like.... Huh????

belinda's insulted insistence poppy was hers in wish world etc could've even paid off if there had been any hints in episodes prior that she HAD a daughter and had forgotten/lost her in rani timeline madness/whatever. but there wasn't. lol in the interstellar ep there was this whole thing about the evil corporation being named poppy-something, which i expected to be relevant and never was, and even there if you'd had belinda kind of react to the word poppy ... or ANYTHING ...

so it really does feel undeniable that the entire belinda-poppy ending was pasted on in reshoots for reasons we probably won't know until someone writes a tell-all in 15 years. please someone write the tell-all. i need to know. writer's tale 3.0 when

belinda chandra you had such a strong introductory couple episodes and then you just kind of faded. people comparing it to martha insults me a little because martha had a very clear arc whether you liked that arc or not. belinda just... didn't. after her first couple i thought she was sure to be one of my faves but in the end she really got back-seated.

who knows what the future of the show is at this point. would love to see her story resolved... some other way. but i'm doubtful that it will.

[gayofthefae]

Extrapolating the full Mike and Nancy scene from that one screenshot: cinematography analysis

Just posted this then realized I have not lived up to it so let's go. We have one and only one to my memory actual camera shot of a potential Byler scene as opposed to a leak (though I could try to decipher from camera position itself for pics from afar).

And I haven't done my job to its fullest. So here we go.

This shot is MIKE'S POV. It is a dirty OTS. I have established that when he turns he looks a bit sad. He is aware of her eyes on him. She looks sad for him, obviously, so we can gather that he is feeling sad about something but trying to hide it from her. In this shot, he is hyper-aware of her being able to see him, which explains him turning away and supports that it is to hide his face and not just for whatever task he is performing off screen.

It is also an OTS shot, but a lingering and silent one. We know that something provoked this is her so it is clearly not the beginning of the scene. New information is gained at the end and withheld or coded to start and she has clearly just learned or realized something. The OTS is pertinent, though, because a shot for non-casual dialogue. Less intimate dialogue is often shot wider - think Steve and Robin in 4x08 talking about Nancy before it shifts to Robin's fears of dying, think Mike and Will between talking about Mike and El's fight and talking about the party's heroism.

There is also something called a "reverse shot" which refers to doing the same shot you just did on person A on their scene partner when you cut to them. Because of how it lingers on her here, I would assume the scene itself is in her POV and it being a dirty OTS shot may speak to Mike's awareness but not his perspective in the overall scene and is more likely just a reverse shot of her previous dirty OTS. I would also assume that based on this visibly being a point of gained knowledge - the value having changed in the scene (this means if you start feeling/knowing one way it's gotta end up something different or you should cut the scene) - this is the end of the scene, this scene for being for the purpose of gained knowledge setting UP a future scene with the purpose of a conversation on it, but those are two separate scenes. If she immediate said what she noticed, there would be no need to focus on her while he's looking away here any more than Will needs to silently pine for Mike in the van scene like he did in the junkyard - a shot you'll notice IS absent in that scene as I just noted because the same information is provided in other ways. THIS seems to be the sole source of the information here. So it is likely the end of the scene.

From that, we can gather that they were already in OTS's and not wide shots, which are the shots most used for one on one dialogue that is meaningful to the characters. They are having a dialogue that is already intimate or important to them, unlikely a simple strategy brainstorm. I didn't feel the need to mention but will anyway as this reminded me: this seems to be only a dialogue with no other participants or witnesses present. Back to the dialogue, though, this actually is different than what I previously thought because looking down makes it look like he's working on something, which would bring a more casual tone to their conversation. But he could have also just now resumed that activity, having stopped to talk seriously. I also might be simply wrong and he's just looking down, not at anything specific.

We also know, though, from my earlier point of Nancy not yet acting on this information that, though Mike is aware of being witnessed, there is no confirmation that he knows she knows etc. The information she gained is unspoken. For example, he didn't slip up and confess his feelings for Will. That would be undeniable. Here, he is able to at least pretend she doesn't know and turn away, continuing with something else, rather than trying to correct the situation in any way. Most importantly in defining this: whatever Nancy just learned - to Mike's awareness (whether he noticed her realization or not), he is still safe. Notable by the fact that his reaction is avoidance, not desperation. At best he is oblivious, at worst he is anxious, but he is not desperate. This is not as high stakes to him as we have seen before when it comes to personal information.

All this information helps us start to put together a scene:

In a scene in Nancy's POV, Mike and Nancy are alone together. They have a serious conversation. In it, Nancy learns something about Mike, but the information is unspoken. She looks at Mike thoughtfully. He seems to be aware she is looking at him. The scene ends without further action on the topic.