#too many loose ends we need to tie

[ghost-bxrd]

I am so convinced that it’s Calvin and Cobb, i’m so sure i can taste it kakdks If i end up wrong i’ll eat my socks.

It just makes sense! the assassin vibes on the pinterest board, [Redacted] getting rid of the other researchers, MR at first being (i’m assuming) all aboard on the Research part of it and then finding the mers too human and being convinced that [Redacted] would be getting rid of them too… it just makes Sense

(i say with my red yarn cardboard halfway hidden behind me)

Hehehehe I love how the focus is shifting from suspect to suspect! We started out with Tim and now we’ve come full circle to Calvin 👁️✨

Very good reasoning with Calvin too! I wonder though if there ever was a time when MR agreed with the work they were doing. 👀 and why isn’t Calvin like [redacted] (Cobb?) if this is the case? Considering they’re both talons in the comics? 👁️

Hehehe “asshole” and “assassin” both fit Cobb though. And usually he wouldn’t hesitate to kill a traitor like MR (Calvin?) So I can totally see welhere you’re coming from.

Still, there’s the question of why Cobb wouldn’t immediately rat out Calvin to the organization if he had evidence of his betrayal 🤭🌊✨🦈

[yourfaveisamuppet]

[sasagehoes]

His Darling Snake

⋆.ೃ࿔remus lupin x fem!reader

⨾𓍢ִ໋;; Hogwarts reunion dinner brings friendships back to life, yet for many, deeper feelings come to the surface.

CONTAINS: angst, self doubt, arranged marriage, abusive parents, toxic relationships. smut, p in v, unsafe sex, fingering, breeding kink, untold feelings, bitter sweet ending, the effects of the full moon not used for its intended purposes, fwb to enemies to strangers to lovers pipeline, reader may or may not have murdered someone, Remus is whipped. no voldemort AU!!

wc: 3.7k ( this was supposed to be a oneshot..)

Remus stood in front of his mirror, tie in his hand being tied around the white collar of his shirt. Looking down on his dresser, he took the Hogwarts sealed letter, inviting him to the whatever year reunion of class of ‘78 and ‘79. It stated that every alumni could bring one person in with them to the gathering.

He sighed, putting it down, fixing his hair aided by the reflection of the mirror. He contemplated not attending but Lily and Regulus convinced him, saying that it’ll be a way for the whole gang to be together after three years of them all constantly being all over the place for work and personal reasons.

 Why didn't he want to go? Simple. All of his friends one way or another had figured out their lives; Lily and James cooparent with both Regulus and Mary by their sides, Marlene and Dorcas own a successful vinyl store, and Sirius has been to more than five countries on tour in less than eight months. What has he done? Been thrown out from job to job time and time again for his condition, even from jobs he’s severely overqualified. The 90’s are just around the corner and this is still a bloody issue.

He’s happy for all his friends, he’d give his life for them but seeing them live life at their fullest makes him feel jealousy starting to bubble beneath his skin. It made him feel disgusting.

He left for the door before grabbing his cane, a constant reminder of his weary bones and worsening condition, he took the ticket that was in the envelope and left for the train station.

Once there, he started to see familiar faces, amongst them was Pandora with an adorable small version of herself in her arms “I’m so glad you decided to come Rem!” The seer beamed with joy at seeing him approach her. He gave her a warm smile and hug before acknowledging the little thing “How is the little lass?” he’d ask the giggling Luna, pinching her cheek.

While talking with Pandora and waiting for the others, they updated each other on their lives, how Xenophilius got a promotion  and how her experiments were doing, the conversation was cut short when Regulus arrived with a grumpy Harry in tow and a sleepy James behind them.

“Bloody hell, Prongs you with us?” he asked the man with a chuckle, “Stayed up all night painting the mural on Harry’s room even after I told him to leave it for later” Regulus scoffed as he exchanged children with Pandora. “You really need to start listening to Reg mate” Gods, how he missed this.

A couple minutes before boarding the train, and many others had shown up, the hopes of Sirius to show up were slim to none, yet as if he was summoned he appeared, tie loose and hair disheveled, panting like a maniac as he barely made it to the train platform on time. Lily just cackled at his state and James burst out laughing like an idiot “Ladies and gentlemen the heir of House Black” Regulus said, the sarcasm pouring out. “Oh come on little brother we both know who’s getting all the dough” he hugged his brother who responded with a nasty “Someones been touring too much around America” causing the people in the booths to laugh. After he made his rounds around the four booths that were filled with friends and acquaintances, his last stop was where Remus and James sat “Last but certainly more important— wait, where's Pete?” 

“The Tosser said he wanted to spend more time with his “wife”” James added with air quotation marks making Marlene’s head peek out of the booth behind them “Hey! What's so wrong about spending time with your wife” she laughed. “Nothing! Just bring her here with your mates, just saying!” James replied “You two are not even a booth apart, stop yelling!” yelled Mary

The rest of the train ride was spent with Sirius obnoxiously man spreading on the tiny booth causing him and Regulus to bicker like always, and the kids learning a few accidental curse words from their favorites aunts and uncles

“Long time no see Reggie” as voice spoke rather calmly behind the man, his eyes widened at the sight, “Been long enough” a sight that made a blood moon more common was wasted at that moment, Regulus smiled from ear to ear as he saw your face, once he stood Pandora almost squealed at the sight of you, if you were here that meant— “No calls, no letters, is this how you treat your brother?” Evan asked Pandora with a contagious grin. “Well dear brother, the phone works both ways” she smiled back “ouch”

Pulling away from the hug,Pandora looked at you with confusion, looking for someone else “Barty’s gonna be late, but he’ll get here” You smiled and went to hug her. Luna, upon hearing her beloved aunt’s voice, she ran from one booth to another and jumped in your arms. “How’s my girl?” You ask her, pulling her up into your arms  “Uncle Moony is here” she said sheepishly. You turned your gaze to where she was pointing and were greeted with a smiling Remus.

To say you two ended on good terms was a straight-up lie. His last days in Hogwarts were spent either trying to pass his O.W.L.S. or having a discussion with you, the last one you had was the last time you two were ever on talking terms, this caused the group to divide like the red sea, if you found out he was going to a certain activity, you would not attend, to avoid any tension, and so did he, the only time this rule was exempt was birthday parties, especially the kids, but even so one always ended up leaving early.

“Do you not get that I don't have a say in who I marry and who I don't, right?! Your yells echoed the walls of the prefects bathroom, “I don’t know if you haven’t noticed but the 1800s ended a few fucking centuries ago!!” he screamed back.

These fights always ended in one of two ways, either one of you storming out, or you splayed across his bed with his head in between your thighs, as if that was gonna change the mind of your deranged parents to not marry you off to some creep in his fifties. 

After the night of his graduation, the two of you never spoke to the other again. A simple ‘Hello’ was the most.

“You have to tell me all about your trip to the isles” Pandora pulled you away to some far away booth, scared of this becoming a battleground.

“That’s it? Are you guys ever going to have a normal conversation like the adults you two finally are?” Sirius groaned “Don’t start Sirius” Remus sighed, he hated when he would give him lectures of this eight year situation, he wanted to respect your space, as he should’ve done years ago. It's never late to do the correct thing, right?

After some time, Remus decided to walk to a far away booth, away from the kids to have a smoke, halting when he saw your body, facing away from him, just like Pandora he opted to leave the situation, but you stopped him.

“When are we going to stop behaving like children, John?” you asked in a chuckle, he decided, fuck it why not, and approached you, lighting his cigarette in the process. He sat on the booth chair, you now towering him, yet not by much, he took a hit of his cigarette, paper quickly turning to ash “How about when you start calling me by my name hm? He spoke “How is life treating you, Remus?” You complied now facing him.

“My hip’s giving out on me as if i was fifty, and cant hold a job for the life of me, so bloody fantastic i have to say” He joked, missing the whole point of making one. You frowned, letting out a dry laugh, no sentiment behind it ”I hear laws are being passed that forbid employers to fire people with lycantrophe” your eyes stared at his the crude facade chipping with each word.

“They said that four years ago dove, look what good it’s done me” you smiled fondly at the nickname. He continued, “And you, how’s life treating you” now it was his turn to burn his eyes into yours, you could only sigh, a cloud of mint scented smoke coming out of it as you slumped down the chair slightly. “Could be worse”

He was expecting to talk about that bastard, maybe even children, seeing as everyone is doing that nowadays— Gods did he like to suffer. “Have been traveling a while so that’s a plus” He hummed in response, flicking off thrash on the shrinking cigarette.

“My godmother senses are tingling Remus, i'll catch you later” you say as the cries of Luna were heard across the whole train, putting off the cig on the sole of your heel and stood to leave to go to the crying baby, before you left the booth he called out your name, “I'm glad you’re doing alright”  a genuine smile adorned his face, so you gave one back.

He made it back after his third smoke and sat with his mates for the rest of the ride, locking eyes with you from time to time, making James and Sirius smirk at each other knowingly.

Finally arriving at Hogwarts everyone went to their old dorm rooms to change into more formal attire, inside the Slytherin common room sat the Rosier twins, Regulus and you, waiting for a certain someone to show up late

“Didya miss me?!!” Barty showed up by the window, riding some poor kids broom. You all laughed, and Evan almost had a heart attack. Catching up wasn't really necessary with you all since you basically lived with Evan and Barty, Regulus might as well move in, and Pandora visits every other day.

“So, do I get my fifty galleons, or do I need to keep waiting?” Bart asked, and Regulus shook his head “What bet are you tossers making now?” you asked, groaning “Nothin!” Pandora answered, eyes wide and voice high, something that even when she was young gave her away when lying.”Salazar’s beard, you all best behave today, im being serious”

The night was falling, and everyone was getting ready, Pandora wore a beautiful navy blue dress with golden decals and stitching combined with an array of golden jewelry. Evan had ironed his suit and pants for the occasion using a tie that matched his house colors but Barty om the other hand had the most wrinkly suit known to man yet he managed to pull it off, Evan tried his best to straighten his suit to no avail.

Regulus had a simple black suit with a green tie and a red boutonniere. Certainly, to match with a certain Gryffindor, once you left the restroom, they looked appalled. You were rocking a golden backless dress with golden jewelry and your hair down, “Who invited the Hufflepuff to our dorm?” Evan asked Regulus with an insulted look on his face, he only shrugged and you could only laugh “Who said it had to be your house color” They looked at you as if an unforgivable curse was casted.

“Here at least wear these” Regulus gave you two golden snake arm cuffs “Had a feeling you'd disgrace Salazar and brought the cuffs you left home” 

You placed them around your arms and they slithered into a more comfortable position.

“You guys are twats” you say once more seeing their faux disappointment on their faces.

You all walked to the dining hall where the celebration dinner would take place, and as the wooden doors opened the place looked very different. The tables were not placed how they were normally displayed, now there were multiple tables and chairs to accommodate all the past alumni. No housing separation.

Lily came up to the lot of you and she looked marvelous, she wore a emerald green dress that hugged her curves in ways that would have anyone dropping to their knees “See!, she's wearing green and she's not being egged and stoned around the corner” you whined “you look amazing lovie” You said all in one breath. 

“She gets a pass, she actually looks good” Regulus said with an obnoxious grin, Barty and you gasped at the same time but only he spoke “Don't listen to him treasure, you look ravishing” he said seductively rolling his r's

“Yeah Reggie,  play nice” Lily giggled "You look stunning dear!, but I have to steal her from you guys for a minute, Marlene will cry soon” she spoke to your friends not before throwing them a wink as you unknowingly kept walking.

You soon were at the marauders (or what was left of them) designated table, you looked around trying to spot Marlene but she was nowhere to be seen. James gasped at your dress “Stunning, I might have to steal you from Barty from time to time” he joked

“Keep dreaming, lover boy,” whispered Barty, who was walking behind him. Making James shiver.

Lily stood beside you, a hand on your shoulder, “James, Reg is looking for you, love, it's rather urgent” she emphasized urgent and he seemed to get the hint.

He excused himself and Lily was soon to speak “Oh my!, Let me go fetch Marls, she was here minutes ago” without giving you time to respond she left. Leaving you alone, you were left thinking why all your friends were so strange this evening, but once you saw Remus walking up to your table, leaving a smirking Sirius on the balcony it dawned on you. Were they really doing this again?

“Sirius told me you wanted to see me” he approached you, wearing a brown blazer, worn down by the years with a red tie under, “I don't know what to say lovie, but i think our dear friends are setting us up..again” you reply with your hand now holding your head, you unknowingly gave him those half lidded eyes that made him go crazy, he looked away and adjusted his tie. He was never one to shy away from women’s flirtatious antics but with your methods he was but a victim.

“I had a feeling, I'll go talk with the tosser” he went to leave but you grabbed his arm making him stop in his tracks “Let’s just talk, maybe that will make them stop” You both knew it wouldn't end until you two got back together, but talking with an old friend never hurt anyone.

It went rather well, the talk went in more depth then what you two had talked in the train, out in the balcony the talking resumed, accompanied by smoke in your lungs and liquor in his bloodstream, he built up the courage to ask you something that Sirius mentioned recently. Your missing wedding ring.

“Is everything going well with what was his name?— Dominique?” you let out the most unflattering laugh and he stood there thinking he had been way off with the name “Let’s just say it didn't last past the honeymoon” you took a chug of his flask trying not to reminisce the events of that dreadful night.

“What happened” he said taking the flask from your hands to grab some as well “He passed” you put simply, his jaw went slack “Wh- are you alright? How?!" all the questions seemed to escape him at once.

You leaned in to whisper in his ear “I don't kiss and tell, Moony” and briefly kissed his cheek. Before he could even process what was happening the booming voice of the headmaster reached his ears, telling everyone to take a seat for the grand speech.

So now both of you sat multiple tables away as the effects of the upcoming full moon take a toll on the poor Remus, now tripled in intensity by your touch. Unknowingly he bore his eyes to your body, the canine side of him going feral just at the thought of having you once again. You pretended not to notice but you could feel his gaze. Oh and you knew the effect that kiss, innocent as it could've seem, took a toll on him

You knew that look on his face. Hunger. Not just any type of hunger, he looked insatiable. Anyone would think that he was mad, because of the intense glare, but you knew him well enough.

You had seen it multiple times throughout your days in Hogwarts, days before the full moon he became engulfed in a primal like feeling, never getting enough of you until he filled you up to the brim.

 You shifted in your seat and he seemed to get self conscious of his leering and looked away, having had enough of this awkward back and forth you took your glass of champagne and the one next to yours.

As soon as Dumbledore stopped his grand speech of nonsense you walked over to him, leaning in so close you were almost on his lap, “I dont scare easy big guy, stop staring and do something about it” you whispered in his ear. He closed his eyes to relish in your sent before snaking his arm around your waist “Dove, don't do this to me” he groaned, his pants getting impossibly tighter “Moony, I've missed you so much, I need you” 

Gods bless alcohol because if it wasn't for that, you would've never gotten here.

How did you exit the dining hall without being noticed? You didn't know, maybe people did notice but you couldn't care now.

Now that Remus had you pinned against the wall of some classroom kissing every part of your body that was exposed fervently. His cane and aching bones now long forgotten. He went to take his jacket off but before he even had a chance to take it fully off you were pulling him by the belt, “hands off leannan” he groaned, putting your hands away and taking matters into his own.

His shirt was off in a heartbeat and he was to attack your lips, sliding off the straps of the dress in the process, you deepened the kiss, gripping his hair to bring him closer. He groans at the closeness he has yearned for years. 

Remus picked you up with ease, still devouring you to his heart's content and settled you on the professor's desk. Your dress now discarded on the floor, his lips traveled down the path that your body led,leaving goosebumps in its wake,making you sigh in pleasure, he knelt down on the floor and made eye contact with you before more or less groaning “Port láimhe nó port béil?” Oh how his words made you feel, you arched your back against the desk whispering a low “Your mouth” accompanied by a moan. Wasting no time he spread open your thighs and started lapping at your core like a man starved.

You gripped his hair with such force causing him to groan, his fingers were quick to enter the scene, starting with just one that had you feeling so full, “Tá tú chomh tais”  he groaned, his mouth still on your cunt. Slowly a second finger was introduced making you gasp, he moved his middle and pointer finger in a scissoring motion all while sucking on your pulsing nub “Too much, fuck!” the chuckle that left his throat being the last straw to have you shaking under him, walls clenching on his finger, so close to sweet release before he stopped.

You whined, tears threatening to spill, he hushed you by standing up, and placing his slick covered fingers inside your mouth. “Want to feel you cum around me dove” he whispered in a gruff tone. He undid his belt with his free hand , ridding himself of his garments. He stroked himself a couple times before aligning himself with your entrance. Your slick was enough for him to slide inside you, you felt so full you it made you whimper, he wasn't doing too well either, overwhelmed by the tightness of your cunt, your scent, and the sheen coat of mixed slick that decorated so prettily the base of his cock, he knew he wasn't going to last long.

He grabbed your hips with such vigour that they were sure to be bruised the next morning, his thrusts were becoming more erratic and shallow as his moans and whimpers matched yours, he bent over to engulf your lips with his in such a passionate manner that contrasted his sudden harsh thrusts, he swallowed any moans you gave to him with such greed that would leave Plutus astonished. He left your lips swollen and bruised, glossy with a mixture of your combined spit, “Please Remus, i cant hold it anymore” you moaned, nails digging in his biceps, “Just a little more Dove, yeah?” you could only nod not trusting your voice with words,  “Atta girl” he grinned, sheathing himself deeper,if that was even possible. Few more thrusts had him cursing in his mothers tongue “Let go for me love, c’mon” he said, voice hoarse. Remus swore he would cry at the way your cunt tightened against him, before the knot on your lower abdomen burst, causing you to moan in pleasure, “So, so pretty like this,” he muttered as he himself came undone over your shaking body.

You both laid on the floor of the classroom, basking in the light of the moon that came through the huge glass windows, naked bodies entangled in a warm embrace, slightly covered by Remus’s blazer, he turned around to give his poor hip a break and you took the opportunity to trace the marks you had created, making him forget about the ones that caused him pain and instead relish in the ones that were caused by love”

Suddenly remembering something, he turned back around, smug smile adorning his features “You remembered what it meant didn't ya?” he chuckled and you could only roll your eyes “How could I not” As the laughter died down you both stared lovingly into each other's eyes. “I have some empty property around my house if you know..you need a safe place for the full moon” you ask sheepishly. Remus only smiled, kissing your lips tenderly “I’d love that dove”

Maybe all the two of you needed was a well deserved push.

Bonus: Morning came and it was time to leave the classroom before anyone noticed what you two were getting up to last night. Opening the doors to leave, clothes all wrinkled and put on in a hurry, you were quick to halt as you saw Barty smirking at a leaning Evan while he gave him his well deserved fifty galleons “Told you id get them tonight” he winked your way. And not far away from this betting mess was an absolutely hammered James yelling “Atta boy!!” from across the hall.

What a reunion.

Tá tú chomh tais- you are so wet

Port láimhe nó port béil- tune with my hands or my mouth?

This is my first time writing smut so i hope i did ok, I hope you enjoyed this, i was just testing the water seeing if this was for me but i dont know what to think just yet..

⭒๋࣭ ⭑ DO NOT;; RE-UPLOAD, TRANSLATE NOR COPY MY WORKS!! This belongs to;; -SASAGEHOES

[lxmelle]

Those letters for his students was like Gojo’s way of showing consideration for them.

That’s what Geto Suguru, the “Gojo translator”, would say to them, if he was there.

I mean, there was a reason they were best friends - Geto understood him the best. He helped him learn how to (and the importance of) connecting to others - how to not be lonely.

It was the same in the scene with Kuroi. Right before he shouted for Gojo over the time, he just instinctively knew how to connect with Gojo and helped others with sympathising with Gojo.

I didn’t play the JJK game but I think the undercurrent dynamics is similar. Their bond. The exclusivity. Love. The whole breakup was about their friendship. The change the new generation got was also due to the path forged by them. As it stands, Gojo is shown to be largely misunderstood and nobody aside from Yuta has shown much affection for Gojo. Maybe Yuji ... to some degree. But I digress.

Maybe it’s an unpopular opinion, but considering how Geto-centred Gojo’s GIGA Character book was, he was likely influenced by Geto’s strong protective love for his “family”.

It makes sense to me that Gojo thought it would be important to put the students’ minds at ease with any thoughts/questions about their family. Hence the letters to help tie up loose ends.

Megumi was shown to be thinking about his father, whin he assumed was out there somewhere. Even if he didn’t want to know, there is a subconscious level of unfinished business from thinking this. And to know that Gojo killed him, may have helped him realise that his sensei had his back all this while. He was worth protecting all this while. That chapter of his life can truly close.

And just how bloody typical of his sensei, who has no “delicate-ness” about him!

As a sensei, and as a person, Gojo always protected others from his own personal concerns. He and Geto both stubbornly lived & fought “alone” because this was just their belief as the burden of the strongest = to protect others. The line was drawn and Gojo only ever wanted Geto to understand him, hence his conversation in 236. Only ever needed Geto by his side: hence his only complex was Geto leaving him behind.

We see this in how Shoko felt distant from them both. Stating in her inner monologue how she could never love either of them, but she was there - insinuating what they had between them was not something she could give (love) but her friendship was there if only Gojo let her in. And we see it in how, when she tried to connect with Gojo post-unsealing, by including Geto’s body as someone to be retrieved, he was a bit taken aback, starting his sentence with a long pause “……...” and keeping it simple / not elaborating (だな - it’s like the equivalent of a “yeah” but implies agreement).

Also, the fact the students and others can joke and call him an idiot, etc. means he really hid it well. Gojo protected them all. (As a teacher and adult should, I guess.)

I’m reminded of this scene.

Geto helped Gojo empathise & “not bully the weak”, but to also consider what else may be important... even if they may not think so themselves.

Until they receive what they thought they didn’t want, only to realise it was what they needed after all.

Cuz… y’kow: people (especially children) don’t always know what they want or need.

Sometimes what you want isn’t what you need. What you need isn’t necessarily what you want.

Gojo & Geto lived through that too... didn’t they? On so many levels… wanting, needing, denying, losing, yearning. Carrying their burdens they had nobody to share with. Making decisions on their own. Giving to the other a piece of their heart. Sacrificing themselves. Accepting each others loneliness as their own. Thinking they were better off loving the other by being apart.

The painful lessons that shaped the way for the new world. Children given the protection from The Strongest Sorcerer of the Modern Era. Granted a world with fewer curses for 10 years due to the Strongest Curse User.

Children who had adults to guide, protect, and care for them.

Children who do not have to be killed for the mistakes of others, who were forced to commit sins, or for being born a certain way.

I think every single sorcerer who were adults helped the kids in some way. The layers and layers of this story is just... overwhelmingly beautiful.

Much remains to be seen now. I’m worried that Yuta will have to live in Gojo’s body and that Kenjaku’s eerie words of Yuta being “the next Gojo Satoru” will extend beyond that battle.

People on X seem to be speculating whether a world without curses will exist (going back to jjk 0 and Geto’s ideals). What of the barriers without tengen? Some question reality as we are being shown - is it an elaborate dream? Hm.

I hope for the plant/flower trio at least... Megumi and Yuji can use their shared tragedy as vessels who committed sins to bond and support one another. Nobara is a great buffer and heroine in her own right. Their dynamics are really amazing. Independent, yet so bonded.

I’d love to see Gojo & Geto at peace. I guess whatever happens, chapter 236 is a bit like salvation. And doesn’t Megumi’s smiling pic (above) look similar? If these two smiled as if they had no regrets , we can assume Megumi smiled sincerely upon receiving the letter, too.

As long as Gege doesn’t do anything to change it.

Please please don’t. They deserve a reward for their hard work and sacrifice!

[moongothic]

When people talk about there being "evidence" for the theory that Crocodile could be Luffy's other bio-dad, they tend to point out these kind surface-level details, easter eggs and Crocodile's odd behaviour during the Marineford-arc. And while all of that is very important as it lays down the groundwork for explaining the theory to people, unironically I think there's even more to the theory. When you really think about the implications the theory has on Crocodile's character and how that would tie into the long running narrative elements and themes in One Piece as a whole, I think it kind of changes everything

So, in this post I want to analyze and speculate about the theory, going a bit "beyond" the basics we already know. Heavy emphasis on the speculation-part, because I'm not here to provide conclusive evidence to prove that Crocodad is Real, rather, I'm here to speculate about how it could be real in practise, and try to explain how so many things would suddenly add up if the theory was true. I'm here to prove that Crocodad would make sense on a narrative level.

Quickly starting with a brief-ish summary of the Basic Thesis of the Crocodad Theory, just so we're all on the same page:

Naturally, if you already know the basics, feel free to skip this bit

Crocodile has secret beef with Ivankov. Although there is no proof that the beef has anything to do with Crocodile being trans, when you go out of your way to introduce a new character whose power is Magic HRT, it's a natural conclusion for people to assume that if these two know each other, then Crocodile could be a trans man. And naturally, if we're assuming he's Luffy's other dad, then he has to be trans

Dragon, as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, is in canon considdered to be the world's Most Wanted Criminal. He is extremely famous as pretty much everyone (except Luffy) knows who he is

Crocodile knowing the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army doesn't inherently mean he was involved with the Revolutionaries, nor that he has ever met Dragon, but being familiar with Ivankov means it is entirely plausible the two could've met in the past

(Sidenote but I do have a loose theory how Crocodile could've been involved with the Revolutionaries; not relevant here but if you wanted to read it, here you go)

Despite this, when Dragon is revealed to be Luffy's father during the Summit War, although Oda includes the reactions of all the other Shichibukai, he very specifically leaves out Crocodile's reaction to the revelation. This is suspicious as hell, because surely, between his ties with Ivankov and Dragon being world famous, he would've had some thoughts about Luffy being Dragon's son (wrote about this in more depth)

For Crocodad to be real, we are assuming that Crocodile did not know Luffy was Dragon's/his son until Sengoku's announcement during Marineford, this being the reason Oda didn't show that reaction; it would've been too revealing

(We are assuming that Dragon never told Crocodile his name; this is entirely plausible considdering his full name had been a secret to the whole world (as explained post-Enies Lobby), and Dragon had kept the existence of his son a secret even from Ivankov and Kuma. We also need to assume that Crocodile did not name his son, otherwise surely he would have realized Luffy was his son when they met in Alabasta)

This is why Crocodile ends up saving Luffy's life twice in Marineford (as well as Ace's) when until the revelation he had no reason to even care about the idiot

Crocodile choosing to save Luffy's life probably means one of two things; either he really hates the World Government more than the child who foiled his plans to take over Alabasta, or he cares about his son despite knowing Luffy hates his guts

Again, this is just the basic concept, if you want to read more and see all the more easter egg-type hints, I'd reccomend this post, this post and this post (the third one repeats most of the stuff the first two do in but less detail, but also adds a few more notes extra notes). But now that we're generally speaking on the same level, we can delve deeper.

Please, go get yourself a drink and maybe a snack, this is gonna get long and deranged

Going to start with a fairly small thing.

Through out the series Oda has been repeatedly hinting at Crocodile having A Past, some History, A Backstory that lead to him becoming the way he is. But Oda hasn't actually told us what that backstory is. On the surface, this wouldn't be that strange, after all, there's lots of characters whose backstories we haven't seen, for example Mihawk. We know essentially nothing about that man and how he became the way he is. But what's different about Crocodile as opposed to Mihawk and many others, is that Oda hasn't hinted at there being an interesting backstory there that's worth telling. Like I'm sure Mihawk could have an interesting story, but Oda hasn't alluded to that at all. So the fact that he has repeatedly told us that Crocodile does have a backstory, but at most gave us two whole breadcrumbs in an SBS, is a little suspicious. (For clarity, the hints we've gotten so far to Crocodile's backstory were his repeated comments about not trusting people and how he had given up his dreams in Alabasta, while Summit War gave us the Secret Beef with Ivankov and his grudge against Whitebeard. In an SBS in Vol 78, Oda did confirm that Crocodile had his ass kicked by Whitebeard after he became a Warlord in his early 20s, and that he went "quiet for a while" until he started his heroics around his 30s, setting his eyes on Alabasta. Indeed, we have some breadcrumbs of lore, but this hardly paints a full picture. We know nothing abot what he was doing in his late 20s, which would've been the time Luffy was born btw)

What I'm getting at, is that Crocodile clearly has a backstory, but the fact that Oda hasn't spilled the beans yet would indicate to me that it's likely Oda has been saving up that backstory. Which would make sense, Crocodile hasn't been in a role in the story yet where spending time to tell his story would've been appropriate. So really, we're just waiting for the right time for those beans to be finally spilled. But what makes things even more interesting is that One Piece has a very specific track record of not giving its villians extended and dedicated backstories/flashbacks. Villians can cameo in other characters' flashbacks (Moria, Arlong), they can have their own little segments inside the the heroic characters' flashbacks (Orochi, Doflamingo), they might even get their own SHORT dedicated flashbacks (Lucci whose flashback was 6 whole panels long). But villians do not get their OWN, dedicated and EXTENDED flashbacks. Flashbacks are for the heroic characters. There has been a single exception to this rule and that was Big Mom. That's it. And while I'm positive this rule is going to be broken at least one more time before the series ends, really. What do you think is more likely to happen? That Crocodile becomes such an important villian again, this late in the game, that he deserves his own flashback so we can finally find out what his deal is? (When Blackbeard and Imu are also there mind you) Or that Crocodile's role in the story might not be that of a villian anymore, and that Oda had been saving up his backstory all this time because it could reframe his entire character and how we view him?

Oda loves taking inspiration from various mythologies and pop culture alike to bring life into his work.

This is nothing new or surprising, we all know this. For example, Oda did base the original seven Shichibukai on the Seven Heroes from Romancing SaGa 2, each Warlord more or less matching a description of one of the game's villians. Crocodile just happens to match Wagnas, the queer coded leader of the group, who had the noble swordsman Noel (Mihawk) by his side when the group was created to save the world from a great evil. Meanwhile Alabasta as a whole took a lot of inspiration of Egyptian mythology, Crocodile in that arc matching the role of the crocodile-god Sobek. Sobek is a protector god ("Guardian of Alabasta"), associated with military power (literally what Crocodile wanted to obtain) and fertility, carrying the epithet of "he who loves robbery" (man stole a lot of things, from money and lives to rain and nearly a whole dang country). Sobek's name is speculated to come from the words "to impregnate" or "to unite", both being potentially very interesting coincidences (depending on if Crocodad Real and what Cross Guild's purpose in the story is going to be) (if you want more details you can go read the Wikipedia article on Sobek). (Also I'm sure there's something interesting to be said about Sobek's fusion with the sun deity Ra, Sobek-Ra, and how Luffy is our lil Sun God)

The reason I'm pointing this out is that based on Oda's hinting and/or references to mythologies, people have in the past been able to predict certain plot twists and reveals way ahead of time. For example, most recently people were able to predict that Saint Saturn had been the one to give Ginny (and by extension, Bonney) the Sapphire Scale-disease based on a certain legent about ushi-oni, which is what Saturn just happens to be. (Here's one of the many Reddit posts that predicted that reveal) And there is one particular story from Japanese mythology I want to bring up, as it may be relevant to our Crocodad Discussion here. The story of Toyotama Hime. Here's a quick TL:DR;

Princess Toyotama had travelled from the depths of the ocean onto land so she could give birth to her child. When the time to deliver the baby came, Toyotama asked for her husband, Hoori, to not look at her while she gave birth, as she would change into her true form. And while Hoori promised he wouldn't look, he couldn't keep the promise. He peeked in on her wife as she was giving birth, only to discover that she had transformed into a gigantic wani. Horrified by what he had seen, Hoori fled, leaving his wife and child behind. Hurt by what had happened, Toyotama abandoned her son and returned to the ocean. (You can read different summaries of the legend on the Wani-article as well as Toyotama's article on Wikipedia)

Now historically speaking, "wani" in mythology can have referred to serpent dragons, sharks or sea monsters. But in modern Japanese, the word translates to "crocodile". It's what Luffy and a few other characters call Crocodile on numerous occassions. Hell, Crocodile's favorite pets are his gigantic bananawani. Historically speaking it might be more accurate to say that Toyotama had transformed into a sea serpent, but for our intents and purposes, Hoori abandoned Toyotama after she became a crocodile.

I can not tell you what exactly the relationship between Dragon and Crocodile was like, how it began and how it ended. There's no way for us to know when Crocodile transitioned (beyond "after giving birth to Luffy"), nor do we know how Dragon found out about it and how he reacted to it. There's a million options for how things could've gone down, and nothing to truly go off of to even make a guess. All we do really know, is that 1) Dragon does not seem to wear rings at all. 2) Crocodile wears rings, but leaves one out specifically on his ring finger, where one would normally wear their engagement/wedding ring (mind you; for the first half of Alabasta Oda drew Crocodile without a ring on his middle finger, but from the latter half onwards, through Impel Down and Marineford, it's always the ring finger). 3) This suspicious ass comment

"I don't know they have kids or not" YEAH RIGHT

If we wanted to use the story of Toyotama Princess as a jumping off-point though. It's entirely plausible that soon after giving birth Crocodile transitioned thanks to Ivankov's ability, and because Dragon wasn't into it, the two broke up/got divorced. The unfortunate reality is that many couples end up breaking up if/when a partner comes out as trans and chooses to transition. Just like Hoori abandoned his wife because she turned into a crocodile, Dragon could've divorced Crocodile because he transitioned into a man. And Dragon would not be a bad person for it (as long as he was respectful about it). If Dragon is straight and just couldn't see himself being with a man, that's just how it is. At the same time, this would be a gut wrenching, painful thing to go through, and this kind of heartbreak could have devastating concequences for Crocodile's character. Concequences that could play deeply into One Piece's long running narrative elements, which is why a lot of my speculation from here on does end up relying on the Toyotama Myth possibly being inspiration for Crocodile's secret backstory. I acknowledge there's no quarantee that's the case, but I am here to make an argument for why it could be.

QUICK SIDENOTES

As mentioned before, although Ivankov holds the key to a weakness Crocodile has (in their own words), we don't know what that weakness is.

Crocodile joined the Shichibukai in the first half of his 20s (SBS vol 78), and he would've been 27 years old when Luffy was born. This means it's nearly impossible for Crocodile to be stealth trans, as he would've been a public figure for years; which means, Crocodile could be openly trans

A single earring on the right ear can be read as a "gay earring". The man does like his jewelry, so there's no proof he's signaling that he's gay, but if Crocodile's happy to let the world know he's into men, then surely there'd be no issue with him being openly trans either

His transition would've happened 17 years ago pre-timeskip, so in-universe it'd be old ass news and not worth bringing up to the readers if it doesn't add anything to the current plot or his character (which it wouldn't have during Alabasta nor Summit War)

If Crocodile's secret weakness wasn't him being stealth trans, and Ivankov can't detransition him against his will (can't hit Crocodile without Armanent Haki), then what is that secret weakness Ivankov knows about?

As Dragon told Kuma: "A child is a parent's weakness". If Ivakov was anywhere near Crocodile when his child was born (so that Crocodile was able to transition as soon as the kid was out) Ivankov could/should know about the child existing, and would thus be able to blackmail Crocodile by holding the information of his secret child hostage

However, Ivankov did not know about Dragon having a child

Meaning if Crocodile and Dragon were in a relationship, it must have happened in secret, otherwise Ivankov should've realized Crocodile gave birth to Dragon's child

So One Piece has a lot of narrative elements that come up time and time again through out the story,

And some of these have become more and more relevant in the story especially post-timeskip. This is not a comprehensive list of all of them, just the ones that could heavily tie into Crocodile if he were Luffy's other dad, as they could reframe his character. So, let's look at these narrative elements, how they've appeared in the story so far, and speculate how they could reflect in Crocodile.

🐊 People existing in the wrong bodies / bodies that have been altered (and what it means for you to be "you"/how does your body reflect who is on the inside) 🐊 Queerness

Wrote about this more in-depth in this post, but to keep things short; Thriller Bark, Punk Hazard, Dressrosa and Wano all heavily featured characters who have had their bodies either temporarily or permanently altered, sometimes with the person's consent and sometimes without it. Not to mention all the various characters through out the series who have gone through similar things, like Franky, Kuma as well as Brook, among countless others. As well as every Devil Fruit user who can transform their body (including every single Zoan user). People, the way they inhibit their bodies and the freedom to be who you are is very important to One Piece. That is already a very queer-coded narrative, but then we also have explicitly queer characters. Queer characters, who have been deeply important to the story, and whose presence has become more and more prevalent with time. Not to mention how queerness in general has been "escalating" over the course of the story. There's this video from Berry for A Thought on YouTube which explains this more in-depth, but to summarize the most important observation from the video; we have slowly gone from Kuina wishing she had been born a man, to non-binary drag queens (first one being able to temporarily change their own bio-sex by turning into someone else, to the second one being able to change anyone's bio-sex permanently), to two pre-transition transgender characters. All we really need for this escalation to reach its "peak" is if we had a (named, non-background) transgender character who has already transitioned. Unsurprisingly, Crocodile could fill that role really nicely.

🐊 Loneliness

Loneliness is generally speaking a very important theme in One Piece, as it's on the opposite side of coin with friendship on it. So many of our main characters have suffered for years from loneliness, by being ostracized and rejected by their communities, abandoned by their families, sometimes suffering for decades for the sake of their loved ones because they had promises to keep. Luffy himself considders loneliness to be most painful, scary thing imaginable.

Loneliness is something queer people struggle with. A lot. Being rejected by your loved ones for who you are is a painful, common experience for many. It alone can keep many queer people in the closet for years and decades, because the fear of being left alone and abandoned is too much to bear. Some people are accepting of queers but only as long as they stay "over there", pulling a full 180 when a family member comes out. Some people only ""accept"" trans people as long as they don't transition. And while some people may appear to be accepting of you when you come out or are early into your transition, many (trans men especially) lose friends and support the more they start to pass. Crocodile does not trust people. He set up base in Alabasta sometime around the age of 30, meaning he spent around 14 years by himself (until he recruited Robin), unable to trust anyone. That's a long time to be alone. Of course, there may have been a practical side to why Crocodile chose to spend over a decade in utter emotional solitude. If he was scheming to take over a country, then having anybody close who could leak his plans out and foil them would be dangerous. Hell, it's exactly what happened thanks to Robin. But having your significant other destroy your ability to trust people and then isolating yourself to avoid further heartbreak and "betrayal" could be another, potential reasoning as to why Crocodile chose solitude.

🐊 Two failed weddings and one relationship that never was

In Thriller Bark we witnessed Nami almost get married off to Absalom. On Whole Cake Island, we almost saw Sanji get married into Big Mom's family. During Egghead arc, we saw how Kuma never got to have the relationship with Ginny he had yearned for deep inside. I already mentioned Crocodile's missing ring. How his relationship with Dragon might not have worked out because of his transition. How Crocodile's queerness could've lead into solitude, out of distrust. We already have three relationships that never worked out. So how about a fourth one.

🐊 What makes a family (/chosen families) 🐊 Family reunions (with blood-relatives) 🐊 What it's like when your blood-relatives are really horrible people

For the first half of the series, One Piece did very much focus on the concept of chosen families, as most of the Strawhats grew up with non-blood relatives that they all considdered just as much family as their actual blood relatives (if not more-so); Luffy with Ace and Sabo, Sanji and Zeff, Nami, Nojiko and Béllemere, Chopper and Hiruluk, Franky and Tom's Workers. Chosen families are deeply important to this story. At the same time, a lot of post-timeskip OP has actually revolved around (blood) family reunions. Punk Hazard was about sending the kidnapped children back to their families (as well as Momonosuke to ""his father"" Kin'emon), Dressrosa was about reuniting all the broken families Doflamingo (and his family) had torn apart. Whole Cake Island was about Sanji reuniting with his blood family while being forced into a whole new one, and Wano allowed Momonosuke to reunite with his sister (and Kin'emon with his wife). On Egghead we've gotten to see the gutwrenching reunion between Bonney and Kuma, and we are all dying to see Luffy meet Dragon eventually. Not to mention all the other reunions many of us are waiting to see, like Shanks and Buggy, Moria and Perona. Luffy and Garp (currently held hostage by Blackbeard), Mihawk and Zoro. And many others. But indeed, not all the family reunions have been good. Sometimes, the blood relatives have been horrible people. Like Big Mom (to some of her children and husbands), Judge and Kaidou. Sometimes, your blood relatives suck ass.

Needless to say, Sir "I tried to bomb one million people to take over a country" Crocodile is not exactly the greatest guy around. But what might be arguably more important is that... Why is Crocodile a plot-relevant character again, on an emotional level? As I mentioned, characters like Buggy and Mihawk relate to certain characters, so potentially getting to see them reunite with other characters would have emotional weight behind it. Mihawk and Buggy are both relevant characters both to the plot but also on an emotional level, their return to the spotlight makes sense. But then we have Crocodile, a fellow member of Cross Guild. Sure, he's definitely there to help move the plot along, no doubt about that. But emotionally speaking, why the hell is he here again? Is there a character he could "reunite with" that would have that same kind of emotional weight behind it? You could argue Vivi perhaps, but between Vivi hating the man's guts and and Crocodile probably not giving a damn about her, I'm not sure that reunion would have that much emotional weight? Robin on the other hand could be very interesting, considdering she did live under Crocodile's protection for four years until she betrayed him, an action that seemed to have stung Crocodile. That reunion could be deeply interesting.

But you know what this post is about. If Crocodile is Luffy's other dad, then those two coming across each other would suddenly have enormous weight on it even if Luffy himself didn't know about it. Because if Luffy were to find out, Luffy would then have to decide if he'd acknowledge Crocodile as his other dad or disown him. Mind you, Crocodile already knows that Luffy hates his guts for what he did in Alabasta, not to even mention the fact that he tried to kill him three whole times. Luffy has every reason in the world to hate Crocodile. The man surely understands that. But then there's the fact that Crocodile isn't Luffy's mom, but his transgender father. If Dragon rejected Crocodile for being trans, why would his son be any different? Which raises the question, would Crocodile be afraid of that? Of meeting Luffy again? Of Luffy somehow finding out and then getting rejected by him too? How does Crocodile feel about any of this? Now of course, we the readers already know that Luffy canonically loves and respects queer people. Luffy would never look down on Crocodile for him being his dad (the warcrimes are different). But Crocodile doesn't know that. And this is what I mean by there being emotional weight on these two reuniting, as anything that could go down between these two could have massive concequences for Crocodile's character. And please, keep in mind, although Oda hasn't dwelled too deep into the subject in One Piece, there are people who aren't accepting of queers in this world.

This prince, and his entire kingdom, could not accept his mother for who she was. An entire country crumbled because their queen came out as trans. So just like there are accepting families (including Kaidou strangely enough), there are unaccepting, queerphobic ones too. So the fear of rejection would not be unfounded. (Also, if Crocodile and Dragon are divorced then those two coming across each other, especially after The Shit Crocodile pulled in Alabasta, would have a lot emotional weight on it too.)

🐊 The things you are willing to do and sacrifice to protect your loved ones

Shanks gave up his arm for Luffy. Zeff ate his leg so Sanji could have actual food. Béllemere died for her daughters while Nami sacrificed her freedom in an attempt to save her village. Tom gave up his life to protect Franky and Iceburg. Robin attempted to sacrifice her life so the Strawhats could continue their journey in peace. Sanji gave up his freedom for Baratie and the Strawhats. And so many countless more lives, given up for the sake of others.

So people often give Dragon shit for being a "deadbeat dad". I've discussed this in the past, so to keep it short; the World Government went out of its way to hunt an unborn child, hurting countless pregnant women, mothers and newborns while chasing for Gold Roger's son. A child who had "evil blood" and had to be exterminated from the world. Similarly, the World Government went out of its way to put a massive bounty on an eight year old child for the crime of being able to read ancient texts. Dragon would have known and understood that if he ever had a child, as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, his child would become yet another target for the World Government to hunt, just like Ace and Robin did. This should also apply to Crocodile; if the WG found out about him having been involved with the Revolutionaries they would no doubt strip him of his Shichibukai status and make him a wanted man again. Crocodile's child would thus be in just as much danger, even if the Government didn't realize it was ALSO Dragon's son. If Dragon wanted his son to be free and choose his own path in life, Dragon had to keep his distance from Luffy. The same would apply to Crocodile. Luffy probably ended up in Garp's care, not because his parents didn't want to raise him, but because they wanted Luffy to be free.

But as long as the World Government exists, if they ever found out about Dragon having a son, that child would end up in danger, he could become a target. And the only way to ensure that child's safety would be by eliminating the ultimate threat. The Government.

Now that is the ultimate goal of the Revolutionary Army anyways, something Dragon and co have been working towards for over two decades now. But most of their efforts have gone into freeing small countries by overthrowing corrupt governments and gaining support, little by little. Which is understandable, the WG is impossibly powerful, you can't just walk into Marijoa all willy-nilly, take out the Tenryuubito and free the world, the Government's forces would take you down within seconds. Dragon understands this, which is no doubt why the Revolutionary Army hasn't made a move against Marijoa directly until the latest Reverie. It'd be too risky, and if the Revs were taken down, who would be left to oppose the WG? Their slow approach makes sense. But at the same time, while the Revs did attack Marijoa, destroying the Tenryuubito's food banks and freeing a single slave... as long as the Tenryuubito are allowed to literally stay on top of the world, this attack has done nothing. They're just going to demand more tributes, they're going to enslave more people. It's going to make things worse for those who aren't in power. It's harsh and unreasonable, and I don't agree with them, but I do understand where some fans are coming from when they considder Dragon a "fraud". If you wanted to help free the world from this corrupt rule, then you have to actually strip those in power from their status, otherwise nothing will ever change. You have to actually fight the enemy.

I can not tell you for certain why Crocodile wanted to create "a military nation powerful enough to oppose the World Government", I do not know for sure why he wanted to obtain an Ancient Weapon. But nuking Marijoa out of orbit sure would be a fast way to end the rule of the Tenryuubito, ensure nobody would get hurt by the World Government's corruption and slavery ever again, and make sure your son would never become targetted by them. A line of thought I'm sure Dragon would not have agreed with. But a line of thought Crocodile could believe in.

Remember how we still don't quite know what Cross Guild is up to? How the Shichibukai are based on Romancing SaGa 2's Seven Heroes, a group formed by Wagnas (Crocodile) with the swordsman Noel (Mihawk) by his side to save the world from a great evil? And how Cross Guild has been focusing on hunting down Marines by putting bounties on their heads? Make of that what you will.

🐊 Learning not just to love and trust others but to be loved as well

Robin tried to sacrifice herself not just because she loved the Strawhats, but because she thought she herself was unlovable and did not trust the crew, believing they too would betray her eventually. Sanji tried to sacrifice himself because he thought he was unworthy of being loved. Ace went through most of his life, thinking it would've been better if he had never been born at all. We know Crocodile does not trust people. The logical assumption here is that it's because he was betrayed in the past and had his trust broken. Did he ever have a crew, in his younger pirating days? If so, what happened to them? Did they betray him, leave him? After Whitebeard kicked his ass? Who knows. If Crocodile was in a relationship with Dragon though, it does mean that one point he loved and trusted someone, deeply. So much so they had a child. But if their relationship ended because Crocodile is trans, that would have broken his heart, wouldn't it? Made it hard for him to trust anyone ever again. And what would make you believe you were unlovable more than being rejected by your significant other for being queer. But as I mentioned before; Luffy loves and respects trans people. His affection towards queer characters through out the series is absolutely unmatched (the way he exclusively uses the "-chan" honorific for Bon Kurei, Ivankov and Inazuma, calls Yamato a man, and is far more interested in Okiku's spooky mask than her being trans). What would be a better way for Crocodile to be reminded that he can be loved and that he can trust others than being accepted by his estranged son?

🐊 Inherited Will

In Alabasta we learn Crocodile once had a dream that he gave up upon after learning how strong the most powerful pirates of the Grand Line, the ones standing between him and his dreams, truly were. In Marineford we learn Crocodile lost to Whitebeard in his youth. During Miss Goldenweek's Cover story, we learn Crocodile dreamt of becoming Pirate King.

A dream that he shares with Luffy. An inherited will Luffy carries on.

You know the RPG trope where the final boss is either god or your dad? Yeah. This line really hits different when you shout it at your father.

Now, all of this is fine and dandy, but what does this actually do? How would Crocodile being Luffy's other bio-father add to his character, impact Luffy and the story as a whole?

Now there's no way for me to fully predict how the plot is going to develop through out the Final Saga and what might go down. There's a million moving pieces and a billion potential directions things could go. We could be here forever debating those things. But as I did explain in detail already, if Crocodad Real, it could heavily impact Crocodile's character depending on what does/doesn't happen.

For one, we could have an idea of why Crocodile is a plot relevant character again; if his ultimate goal had always been to destroy the World Government to protect his son at whatever cost, then we might know why he wanted to create Cross Guild to begin with; either create a military force strong enough to fight the WG on their own, or, if nothing else, dwindle down the Government's forces and be a general nuisance that leaves the WG vulnerable (perhaps enough so that the Revolutionaries can do the hard work) and/or unable to spend their resources on hunting down Luffy and the Strawhats. Crocodile could be acting as bait, a distraction to protect his son. There's a few options there. This would also give us an idea of where that Cross Guild plotline could be heading; some people believe CG is there to join the race for One Piece and get defeated by the Strawhats, and that'll be the end of it. But now we would have another option, of Cross Guild joining the expected final war against the World Government together with the Strawhats and the Revolutionary Army. So that's one way Crocodad could impact the story and the general direction its heading.

But then there's the character-side of things, how would Crocodad impact our characters? Now obviously, the three characters that would be most impacted by the theory would be Crocodile, Luffy and Dragon. There's some other characters too, Ivankov (since they didn't know), Robin, potentially some Cross Guild members (could they learn to respect Crocodile more sincerely if they learned that the man did in fact have a heart and something/someone he cared about and wanted to protect?) and maybe even Garp, but realistically, it's the core of the family itself.

Now Dragon already would know about everything so there'd be no Shocking Revelation for him. And based on what we saw him say about Sabo maybe being responsible for Cobra's death at the Reverie, we can make an educated guess that Dragon is Not Happy With What Crocodile Did In Alabasta.

So the two aren't on good terms, probably. Dragon might just be absolutely furious at Crocodile for what he did. Understandable tbh. I guess we're just going to be left wondering if the two could somehow ever reconcile, and whether or not they still love each other deep down, despite all the pain and hurt (and warcrimes) they've gone through.

Then there's Luffy. And I guess everything boils down to two major questions; will Luffy ever find out the truth, and if he does, will that impact how he feels about Crocodile? 'Cause it's entirely plausible the series could end with Crocodad being real and Luffy never finding out. And in that scenario, well, Crocodad could impact those other aspects of the story, just not Luffy. And in some ways that could be fine too. It could still be meaningful for Crocodile (and Dragon) that way. But what if Luffy did find out? Now, mind you, it's already a bit of a mystery how Luffy feels Crocodile as of now in the story; back in Impel Down he still understandably hated the man's guts with a fiery passion, but after Marineford Luffy does kind of owe Crocodile his life after he saved him. And Luffy is generally speaking pretty respectful when it comes to stuff like that. But also Luffy was unconcious when Crocodile yeeted him and Jinbei out of Akainu's reach, so does Luffy even know Crocodile saved him? (Though surely he would remember Croc sparing Ace and getting guarded from Mihawk) Not to mention, when the Cross Guild reveal happened, the only comments we got about it where Luffy calling Buggy an idiot and Zoro being confused about Mihawk being there. They didn't even acknowledge Crocodile. It was almost like Oda seemed to avoid the subject?

We also need to considder how much would Luffy find out? Just the basics, that his other parent is a trans man and just happens to be Crocodile? Or like, everything? From whatever his plans were with taking over Alabasta to however Crocodile might feel about his sweet baby boy? Because if all Crocodile had wanted to do was protect his son, despite knowing he might never see him again, and if Crocodile did still unconditionally love Luffy despite everything that happened, despite knowing (/assuming) that Luffy already hates him... Well first off, Robin nearly assassinated Iceburg and was willing to let the World Government potentially get their hands on an Ancient Weapon just to protect Luffy and co (on top of all the deaths she helped cause while working for Crocodile, all because she wanted to read the Poneglyph herself). If Luffy was willing to forgive Robin for all that, would he not forgive his dad for doing the same? And Luffy isn't one to dismiss kindness, when people express that they genuinely care about him and his well being Luffy does respect that (even if doesn't fully reciprocate the feelings, like with Hancock). And Luffy has deep emotional intelligence too. If Crocodile was convinced he'd be rejected by Luffy for who he was, especially if that had happened to him in the past to begin with, over something Luffy wouldn't bat an eyelash at (like being trans), like. Luffy wouldn't be shitty about that.

We know Crocodile is a broken, traumatized man. We don't know how much shit he has gone through though, beyond getting his ass beat by Whitebeard and The Divorce. Knowing how Oda likes to layer trauma in character backstories*, there definitely could be more to Crocodile than just those two things, but for the sake of this post, let's just focus on The Divorce. *(Like how Robin was alienated by her community long before the Ohara Genocide, and then spent decades of her life fleeing from the Government, hurt and abandoned by people time and time again. Or how Kuma was born into slavery, lost the love of his life and finally gave up everything he had just to save the life of his daughter. Early OP flashbacks may have been a bit simpler, but as time as gone they have definitely gotten more complex and layered, so I would not be surprised if Crocodile's Full Backstory had like 3+ layers to his trauma)

One important part of One Piece has been teaching/reminding certain characters important lessons, to change their view of the world and make them better people as a result.

Here's some of the messages of One Piece, its beating heart and soul

And of course, sometimes some characters can't have their minds changed, at least not that easily. But their ideals and worldview can always be challenged and proven wrong. This is what happens to many of the villians in the story. Like Moria's ideas of how he shouldn't have to do any of the hard lifting himself and how instead of having friends he can just have replacable zombies instead. Moria's worldview was wrong, and is exactly what led to his downfall in Thriller Bark. Or Spandam and the CP9's ideas of justice, how anything they do can be justified as it is for the "good of the world", including killing innocent civilians. They can do that, because they are "heroes of the world", they are "justice". Needless to say, none of the CP9's actions during Enies Lobby could be considdered "heroic", and, well. If "justice always prevails", then their defeat did prove theirs was a false one. Or how Enel isn't a god, how Doflamingo doesn't have a god given right to rule (neither does Wapol for that matter), how Akainu's ideas of "absolute justice" are monstrous at best, how the way Judge and Big Mom treat their families is not how a family should be like at all.

During Alabasta, Crocodile's plans were foiled because of he didn't trust his underlings with his secret identity and refused to communicate properly with them himself. That one conversation between Crocodile and "Mr. 3" (Sanji) is more or less what allowed the Strawhats to reach Alabasta just in time to stop him. But although distrust is what lead to Crocodile's downfall, he still carries that core belief even now; he still doesn't trust others. Which raises the question, what other beliefs might Crocodile still carry deep inside?

That he can't trust anyone because people will betray and leave him sooner or later? That nobody would ever stay by his side, that nobody will ever love him?

Are those not the exact same core messages of One Piece, the false beliefs that we've seen proven wrong, time and time again?

It really wouldn't be right to end the series without Luffy proving Crocodile wrong once and for all, and make him change his worldview, now would it? But hey, the good news is that there might be no better way to prove Crocodile wrong than to have his son unconditionally forgive him and accept him as his father.

All of this to say; yes, I think if Crocodad was real, it would heavily impact Crocodile's character and whatever character arc he might have. Like I'm not arguing for Crocodad in the name of meme'ing. His whole story could suddenly tie into so many of series' core themes and messages, and tie into our main character in a meaningful way. It could impact heavily where the story as a whole is heading.

The other, more likely option is that Crocodad isn't real and that I have lost my marbles thinking I was onto something with this post. In the end, time will be the judge of that. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed my utter derangement.

Minor EDIT (Oct 20th, 2024) but. Because I am still obsessed with Crocodad, I keep on thinking about it and both coming to new conclusions and noticing new things, and I wanted to link a few shorter posts I wrote recently because I think they add to Crocodad, if in minor ways

Crocodile's motif is being a protector

Ivankov's fame as a miracle worker matching the Crocodad Timeline

Whitebeard would not have invited a woman on his crew (side tangent; the actual post is about something else)

[scribescrawls]

Do you ever think about the possibility of the Quintesson Commanders knowing Starscream by name and face because of how many Quintessons he’s taken out in the past considering Starscream made it to the position of leader of the High Guard under the Primes. Like Starscream has probably been a nuisance to them for hundreds of cycles and killed/helped kill plenty of them in battle. Not to mention the fact that it's not only Sentinel looking for the High Guard, but also the Quintessons since we see a Quintesson ship scanning the surface for lifeforms looking for the High Guard even after 50 cycles. I do think it is really interesting that the Quintessons themselves still see the High Guard as a threat even after so many cycles. The reason why I think/headcanon this is because there wouldn't be any reason to waste so much time and resources looking for them after 50 cycles if the High Guard were merely a small annoyance in their takeover of the planet. If it was a small matter they probably would have told Sentinel to deal with his internal affairs himself and that it's not their problem, but we see the Quintessons actively searching for the High Guard not just Sentinel. Like they were incinerating any lifeforms on sight (rip that mech!deer) just in case. That's kind of overkill and a waste of resources unless they were perceiving the High Guard as a viable threat to their rule. The reason people tie up loose ends is because they are afraid of the threat they pose if not dealt with. Like to put so much effort to tie up what they'd consider a loose end has such fascinating implications on the perceived threat level they view the High Guard.

Something very interesting about the idea of Starscream and the High Guard's very existence and survival ensuring that the Quintessons and Sentinel can never consider themselves having a complete one hundred percent victory because the High Guard persists. I know D-16 implied that Starscream/the High Guard weren't doing enough against Sentinel, but the fact that even after all these cycles the Quintessons and Sentinel still feel the need to search for them so meticulously means that Starscream and the High Guard's actions in those 50 cycles were having an effect on them even if it was not enough to take out Sentinel or win the war against the Quintessons. It at least seems implied that they could never completely rest easy even after all this time. Like sure Sentinel was living like a 'king' most of the time, but all those trips to the surface to look for the High Guard potentially implies that he was afraid to some degree and that their very existence out there haunted him and the Quintessons.

Like we the audience know that the High Guard were kind of dealing with terrible conditions on the surface considering the lack of energon and being hunted down so it's not like they had the resources to launch a full frontal assault on the enemy when they've probably been doing everything just to survive day to day. But the enemy can only guess at their condition since the High Guard have been hard to find and I would not doubt if Starscream tried to present the High Guard as stronger than they were to their enemies. Like I bet as cycles passed in the beginning, the Quintessons and Sentinel probably thought there was no way the High Guard would be able to survive for long and yet 50 cycles pass and they are still out there. For instance some time might pass and they think perhaps the High Guard have finally died out and then another 'hit and run' attack/sabotage happens which might not derail your operations too badly, but you continue to have confirmations that they are still out there alive and they are against you still. It probably makes them nervous that the High Guard have survived for so long. I also think it fits with how Starscream is a character who usually survives many things that would kill most people like a persistent cockroach (I say affectionately) who refuses to die. Like Starscream refusing to die and thinks to Sentinel 'You may rest easy in your gilded tower, but I hope my very existence is a thorn in your side and haunts you always whispering in the back of your mind that there is always the possibility that the truth will be revealed'. I bet the Quintessons and Sentinel hate his guts.

It's a different form of warfare than just physical. It's mental warfare. A set of mind games to demoralize the enemy to make them think they are never completely safe even if the reality is that you and your troops are in terrible shape. I think it's one potentially interesting way of interpreting the High Guard's actions and Starscream's leadership style of his use of cunning and deception in war to keep them alive. The use of manipulation of the factors in his limited options to make the enemy perceive them as stronger and more dangerous than they are to gain an advantage. Very 'All warfare is based on deception' technique/vibes.

I also think it's funny that later when Optimus sends out that warning implying they’ve managed to fight the Quintessons off the planet (the how is left vague which makes for fun possibilities to explore), you ever think the Quintessons are like ‘it’s always a red, white, and blue glitch ruining my day’ lol

[thepenandthepistol]

hihi something cutesy and cliché with grian please 🤗🤗

love ur writing!!

Try Again Tomorrow (Grian x reader)

An early morning leaves you with some reflecting to do about who you were before Grian and who you are now.

A/N: I. LOVE. HIM. Anon, I'm so sorry I know you said cliche and fluff but I couldn't help myself and sprinkled some angst in there, nothing we can't fix by the end though. Hope you enjoy and thank you so much for your kindness! It's spurred me on more than you can know. (1020 words)

Art by @/bc-jpeg and dividers by @/cafekitsune

This morning was not unlike many others. It was soft and windy. The curtains swam in the breeze of an already scorching sun, light shifting under the fabric’s billowing. The rays dash over the features of your beloved, he glows amidst the messy room. You’ve seen this a thousand times and with each fresh memory, it only gets better.

Grian’s nose scrunches as he stirs awake, body heavy with sleep. His arm is still draped over your waist, your hand traces the base of his wings, languid motions making his eyes flutter shut for a moment too long. You swear he’s gone back to sleep until his own hands pull you closer. His head of sandy hair rests on your shoulder as he curls into your embrace. His wings unfurl, blocking out the sun and sight of the clothes from last night, pants disregarded atop a chair, shoes still at the foot of the bed. 

Booze and dancing, a party where you know everyone. Your feet have never ached more and aching has never felt this good. Every song revealed a part of your soul, fragments shining under a disco ball with every move and step. You are surrounded by friends, but your eyes land back on him. Grian stands at the edge of the floor with two drinks in hand. He looks eager to join but, despite his craned neck, can’t seem to find a counter to place the cups down. Catching your glance, he smiles, handing Joel and Lizzie their drinks, and then springing towards you. He weaves through the thinning crowd until he can reach your hand. He pulls you closer, taking only a step back, and holds your jaw with his other hand. You hold on to the lapels of his dress shirt, straightening his loose tie. His thrilled smile eases into a fond grin and he presses a kiss to your lips. 

Now, he’s much less energetic. To think if it weren’t for him, you might’ve already been up and working. The days before him were mundane as well, but different. You might’ve not gone to that party, stayed in and slept late, staring at a ceiling and counting the blemishes. You trace the uneven skin on Grian’s shoulder, counting the occasional raised patches.

“Love, you need to get some summer clothes.” You say, and he hums, half listening, mostly basking in the attention. “Your sweater’s making you break out again.”

“We can sort that out later.”

Later. Now, the world is your bedroom. How much work could you have gotten done before this? How many pangs of loneliness would you have fought to forget in the hours now spent with him? Your hands, nicked and leathery, tuck a strand of hair behind his ear and rest at the nape of his neck, scratching gently. 

You catch a glimpse of yourself in the window, your image in a blue expanse of cloudless sky. Your arms are thicker than they were, flaccid. Every evening you both stop what you are doing, put away the tools and materials, they’ll be there tomorrow. On even days Grian cooks dinner, he’s collected quite the recipe book and what used to be labor is now rest. With a skillet in hand, he dances around your kitchen. He pretends to drop the pan only to fake you out. He’s only actually dropped it a single time. 

Before, only with the moon high into the aether would you have stopped to eat, hurrying food into a starved mouth like shoveling coal into a furnace, mechanic and primal. In your cold kitchen, you stared at the ceramic floor. Tomorrow would be the same, again and again. You were much more productive back then.

“Do you have any plans?” Grian asks. The question is innocuous, but the gears are turning in his brain. He knows something’s pulling you down. 

“Not really,” you murmur. Longing strikes a bell in your chest. What could you have been? Successful, productive, probably painfully alone. Would that have been better than this? The first answer that comes to mind is shameful. You were a beautiful animal, a prize pony who never got the medal. How could you even hope to compete now if you were not worthy before?

Grian shifts from beside you. Thoughts run through your mind until he positions his thighs between your legs, straddling you with his weight comfortably resting on your pelvis. His eyes crinkle, but it’s bittersweet. He can’t guess what havoc is parading inside your head, but he knows that far-away gaze. He shifts forward and your fingers hold his waist. He kisses the skin under your lashes, dark hues blending back into the surroundings with each day that passes. You were chasing something, an indescribable mass that would make you good.

He kisses your jaw. His lips are so very dry, but so purposeful. He knows every inch of you, each crevice of your hollow bones, and he holds them so very dearly. You aren’t good, definitely not the best person you could be. But here he is. He sees you and he holds you.

“You have an incredible mind, a vast, vast soul.” He whispers as he finally kisses your lips. Your lungs fill with air, eyes closing and loosening the stranglehold on your heart. 

There are a thousand different ways your life could have gone, but only now do you feel glad to be here. This body has suffered for so long, searching for an excuse to heal itself back from the brink. But Grian needs no reason to love you. He takes your cheeks into his hands, a mirror of the night before, and does not let go. 

You could have accomplished so much in the time you took to realize this, but how much better would it be to do those things with him by your side? Savoring the days as they go, waking up late with only the lasting weight of your partner atop you. Arms and legs aching after dancing and not tirelessly working, giving up on grasping to be someone you never needed to be. 

[fandomobbsessedb]

Your Favorite Players Favorite Player.

Young-Il/ Frontman / In-Ho/ Player 001 x Gi-Hun's Sister Reader)

Chapter 5 / The Things We Do In The Dark

Warnings: swearing, sexist behavior, verbal assault a little bit, heavy make out scenes bordering on nsfw but not enough, blood, guns, gore. Implied physical intimacy. I got. a lil high while writing this. Blood, needles. Vomit.

“Congratulations to all of you for making it through the third game. Now, here are the results of the third game.”

My lips quivered as I watched the money fill the piggy bank, there where so many people that died in the last round, squashed like bugs on the ground, and I don’t know how much longer I could stand it.

I was sitting with Hyun-Ju and Geum-Ja along with Young-sik, wallowing in my grief over Young-mi. I found I couldn’t watch the bank anymore and turned into Hyun-ju hiding in her clothes. Her arms came around me and held me loosely. When that Shaman walked past us uttering about how we would follow her, Geum-ja started spitting and patting us down, trying to get her evil energy off of us. I felt her patting at my leg and brushing me off before moving the Hyun-ju. I slowly leaned away to give her room.

“We will once again conduct the vote in reverse order from highest to lowest.” The guards announced. “Player 456, please cast your vote. To ensure this process remains fair and democratic, starting now, disruptive acts of any kind are strictly prohibited. We appreciate your cooperation.”

Gi-hun pressed the familiar button and went to stand on his side of the room.

“Player 432.” I stepped away from where Hyun-ju and I stood together and quickly made my way down the aisle. I stopped right before the machine and shyly wiped my tears away. I looked up to the guards who appeared to have physically tensed at my sad face. I pressed X as always and went to stand with Gi-hun. When I got over to him he bowed his head down at me in a single nod, he opened his stance a bit more, inviting me in for a hug but I simply turned away and held myself. There was something cooking in his mind and I was done with all the plans and schemes to win and just, everything.

More and more players voted and the scores varied right up until the end. Jung-bae counted players that switched teams, leaving us in sick anticipation for the outcome. We only needed five more people to vote for our side and we would win. However, I had an itching feeling that something would turn.

We watched as the player right before Young-il selected O over the X. I felt the crowd around me get tight and suffocated, I turned to follow her line of sight and saw her bowing the that filthy Shaman. I recoiled in anger, feeling my insides bubble with sick, gooey, fury.

“Player 001, please cast your vote.” I turned to watch Young-il choose. He stopped in front of the console and paused for a moment and I thought back to what happened in the mingle room.

If he too was willing to kill people to win, he was almost no better than the guards and my brother. But when he turned I saw his gaze meet mine as I heard him press the X. The fear melted away from my face as he swiftly made his way towards me. That’s when I realized it. Gi-hun was here to stop the games yet had made…. Zero progress….. these guard’s jobs are to kill people, they’re just numbers to them. Young-il could’ve gone with anyone, he could’ve gone to any other room. But he chose me, he protected me, he saved… me. He was just another player but, he was given multiple chances to better his chances in the games and he didn’t, he only did that once… for me.

When he got over to me I smiled softly and took his hand, turning us back to the front to see the tied scores.

“Clause three of the consent form: Should the initial vote result in a tie, the players will vote again. To ensure you have enough time to properly consider your options, the second vote will be conducted tomorrow. Until then, please take this opportunity to think carefully about your future.”

You let out a soft sigh and grasped both of your hands around Young-ils. The endorphins from the anticipation flushed away, and all you were left with was a tired sagging body. Letting you go for a moment he quickly wrapped you in his arms and led you away towards your beds.

“Are you okay?” His heavy voice melted in my ear. I felt the warmth of his embrace slowly caress the worry inside of me. I silently nodded as a few tears escaped me. My hand came up to his arm that was wrapped around my torso holding me up and squeezed it tightly in my trembling hands.

“I’m so scared.” I whispered under my breath, facing the ground, though he wasn’t as tall as my brother he felt much… bulkier. His arms felt like a weighted blanket wrapped around me, securing me from the outside world. He whispered back reassurances to me as I silently wept into his jacket. His hug trapping me inside our own little bubble, securing me and filling my need for comfort.

“C’mon, let’s go sit down.” He suggested, keeping an arm around my waist and guiding me to a bed.

————

Gi-Hun turned away from the group to look for his sister. He saw it written earlier on her face, but had no clue how far gone she would be emotionally from the tie. Not seeing her where he left to searched the crowd for her ponytail. Only to see it walking away.

He quickly shuffled through the players to get to her until he saw… Young-il.

His arm tightly holding her waist, as if he was completely holding her on his own as he escorted her away from their circle. They disappeared into the beds. With an annoyed sigh he turned back to the group to figure out what move was next… if only he had kept watching-

————

Young-il sat me down on the bed, but not before looking off into the distance. Tilting my head up to meet his gaze. I wondered what was troubling him. If it was the same worries as me, or if he had his own doubts.

He looked back down at me, realizing I had been staring and quietly whispered. “I don’t like the split. It’s just too close to call.” He confided reaching out. I took his much larger hand into my own and traced my thumb across his knuckles in a comforting manner. Looking back down at me, he squeezed the hand I was holding, and looked deep into my eyes. He leaned in close after looking around once more and held my chin the same way he did back in the room.

“I will get you out of here alive.” He declared quietly.

“You can’t guarantee that” I whispered into his palm, my voice cracking at his declaration. He reached both hands down and squeezed my shoulders, looking like he had something else to add, but before he could, Jun-hee was coming over to the beds where we were sitting.

“They’re going to hand out food, they told us to get in line.” She said looking between the two of us. With an out held hand Young-il helped me up as we made our way to the lines.

After everyone got their food and was sitting on the steps, I slowly nibbled at my gimbap, too sick to full eat a piece. My throat felt dry and my nerves were shot. I tuned out the people around me and focused on how close Young-il’s hand sat to my thigh, like a rock, strong and reliable, it sat there comforting me in my worry. Knowing there was someone I could lean on.

“All we’ve had to eat is this dry gimbap, and when people get hungry, they start to miss home.” Geum-ja said reflecting on her own meal. I let out a sniffle and nodded my head as Jun-hee rubbed my back in response. I turned to Gi-hun who sat behind me and shakily asked him.

“When we get home, will you make me moms dak gomtang?” I pleaded. With a soft smile he nodded his head and pet my hair just like our mom use to do to comfort me.

I turned back around to finish my piece of Gimbap when I felt Young-il brush my hair away from my face to brush a piece of rice off my chest. I felt his hand slightly itch my collarbone causing my body to tense.

“Sorry you’ve just got some food stuck on you.” He told me, brushing it away and then pulling my hair over the opposite shoulder. Feeling him move my hair around sent pleasuring tingles down my spine. Followed by his hand which went to slowly rubbing my back in what was meant to be comforting, but got lower and lower the longer he brushed.

“Hey! Don't agonize over your decision while eating this dry gimbap. I just want one of you to come over to our side. If we get out of here tomorrow morning, we could get Korean beef!I'll tell you what. It's my treat!” Young Sik yelled, distracting me from my intense feel-up contest with Young-il.

“And after that, the noodles are on me!” Geum-ja laughed.

“Come over to our side! Anyone!” “Come on over!” The former Marines yelled beckoning someone over.

“Guys please don’t antagonize them.” I asked, they turned back to look at me confusingly before talking back to the other side as they whooped and hollered.

“Once you all die in the next game, we can all leave with 800 million each! With 800 million, we could buy a freaking cattle ranch!” The old guy shouted. I crinkled my nose in disgust at the general entitlement. Doesn’t he himself have 100 billion won debt????

“ That's right! You can join us!” “That's right! Come on over!” “Come over to our side!” Their little gaggle group taunted right back. Nam-gyu stood from where he had been eating and raised a hand up, using two fingers in a ‘come here’ motion.

“Hey, 432, yeah I’m talking to you pretty girl, why don’t you walk that fine ass over to our side.” He laughed a deep throaty laugh in mock appreciation. I scoffed and turned away with them, grasping at Young-il’s arm that was tensed when I got closer.

Dae-ho joined in at my disgust at the offensive display “You'll get 800 million? Who are you kidding? Do you think you'll still be alive after the next game? If you don't get out now, you're all going to die!”

The guy on the other side called back at him, “So let's play one more game to see who dies. Stop trying to run away like a goddamn coward.” He and Nam- Gyu laughed at their own theatrics. “You can run towards us though cutie, bring that hot little body over to the winning team.”

Young-il clenched his fist tightly and went to stand along with Gi-hun who knew that was a crossed line, unfortunately for them Dae-ho beat them too it.

“What did you say? Hey, come here. Come here, asshole! What makes you think you can just say that to a girl fuck face?” He marched over to them.

I just buried my face into my hands in embarrassment. I felt Young-il move to sit in front of me, effectively blocking me from their view. I pat his shoulder in appreciation. And went back to my food. My mind drifted to my thoughts about Young-il. Our shared kiss just minutes ago tantalizing my brain. It was something hot and electric and warm and welcoming all at the same time. I lightly brushed my lips thinking about how.. right… his felt against them, and how much I missed having them there.

How had a complete stranger, which I probably never would have met in ANY other circumstance, manage to wiggle his way into my heart, my life, my mind. Why did I find such comfort in him?

Was it the way I felt the structure and security from him where it had been absent in my life. Or the way that he doesn’t seem to act as though we have our own separate lives, like our life is one combined entity, that we just work for each other. How did I feel so safe with him?

A comotion caught my attention a few minutes later when the group of people that went to the bathroom came back all bloody and sweaty looking. Apparently a fight had broken out and five people died. Gi-hun deduced that we still had more people than they did, easing the nerves in my stomach a bit.

Lights out in 20 minutes. All players, please prepare for bedtime.

Nevermind…

“Once the lights go out, people on the other side will attack us. Because if they kill us, they'll be able to win the vote and increase the prize.” GI-hun said looking over us from where he stood. He started telling some bizarre story about a ‘frontman’ and ‘VIP’s’.

“Wait this front man, what does he look like?” I interrupted.

“He wears a black mask, and a long trench coat.” He replied. I looked at him quizzically,

“How do you know?” I asked him. He sighed and ruffled his hair before turning away to look at the other team.

Okay so that wasn’t an anwser Gi-HOE.

Jung-bae sighed, “How are you going to fight them? They have guns.”

“We'll fight them with guns too.” GI-hun replied eyeing the door up and down.

“But we don't have any.” Jung-bae remarked.

“We'll take their guns.” Gi-hun nodded.

“From those masked men?” I was starting to get a bit irate with the amount of questions he was asking.

“That's too dangerous. Even if we manage to take a few guns, we'll still be outnumbered.” Young-il crossed his arms as he leaned against the poles of the beds.

“What then? Are you going to kill each other all night and hope you survive? Is that what you want, Young-il?” Gi-hun accused, starting to stand taller and squaring his shoulders.

“Do we stand a chance?” Young-il asked remaining composed compared to my brother.

“We do if we catch them off guard. Out of everyone, they're the ones who would least expect us to attack first. This is our last chance to end these games once and for all.” He said, squatting down on his knees to be on a closer level to the rest of us.

“How are you going to take their guns?” I asked, almost like a jest.

“Once the fight begins tonight, we'll have our chance. Once the lights go out, get under the bottom beds quietly. You must not get caught by those planning to attack us. We have to hide until the fight ends. Don't get caught up in the fight. But that would put people on our side at quite a disadvantage.” I grunted and stood wiping invisible dirt off my hands, hearing his bogus plan he started sounding just like the thing he was trying to stop. Sacrificing the few for…. The few???

“Where are you going?” GI-hun asked me angrily.

“If you really have to know, I’m going to the bathroom.” I grunted, tying my hair back and stomping off.

“Y/N! They called the last bathroom round ten minutes ago!” Jung-bae yelled after me.

“I don’t care! I didn’t have to pee then but I do now!” I yelled back making my way to the door.

Young-il stood there, watching her leave. Quickly looking around the group he boldly started walking with her.

“I’ll go with her to make sure she’s okay.” He said. Gi-hun stood to try and stop them but yelled a simple be quick in response.

————

The triangle gaurd took one last look out the door before switching out his shift. When he saw player 432 storming up to the door and the player who was secretly their boss behind her, player 001, he set to work quickly unlocking the door.

————

I splashed my face of at the sink and stood there for a moment, exhaust creeping its way into my bones. I stared down into the white linoleum, a bunch in my pocket diverting my attention.

I took out the handkerchief Young-il had given me a few days ago. Staring at it I thought about the relationship between us. The stolen moments during mingle, the never ending physical contact, the doting on me,he’s like… everything I wasn’t getting from my relationship with GI-hun, the romantic love versus the familial love. That’s why I-

“Y/N” Young-il spoke up from the doorway. I jumped in surprise at his intrusions. “Are you okay?”

“Young- il, you startled me. What are you doing in the women’s bathroom?” I asked. He looked down at me with those gateway eyes, locking my attention in place on him and him alone.

“I simply wanted to check on you, you were in here for awhile.” He walked towards me quickly backing me up against the farthest wall. Almost like he was upset at my absence.

“Young-il what? What… what are you doing?” I questioned, fear written in my eyebrows. His arms came up beside me trapping me between him and the wall.

“I’m not letting you go back.” He told me, running a hand down my face a bit roughly.

“To what? The room?” I giggled. He blinked in confusion before realizing his mistaken statement.

“Yes the- the room, lights out is in three minutes and all the fighting will start. Everyone else is safe where they are.” He replied, his hand dropping down my jacket and lightly resting on my waist.

“The gaurds will make us leave event-“ before I could finish his other hand wrapped around the back of my neck like someone picking up a kitten from the scruff, the hand on my waist felt heavier and he pulled me in, smashing our lips together. After a brief moment of confused anger, I relaxed into his hold. Like there was some magic about him, I forgot about everything about to happen just a few staircases away.

His lips felt like my missing puzzle piece. The interlocking pieces showing off a whole picture. My hands rested on his shoulder when he released my neck, and in turn wrapped around my own back and pulled me in tight. My fingers traveled up to the nape of his neck, lightly pulling at the ends of his hair.

Our bodies molded together against each other like we were a marbled statue carved by the hands of a god. The feeling of unfamiliar, magnetic, desire was like seeing a flame and wanting to sit closer and closer to watch the hot carbon crackle and shift, your interest peaked. His arms now felt like those licks of fire tickling my skin, burning my face and crisping my hair.

He disconnected our lips with a heavy breath only for his face to turn into my neck, attaching and sticking like a fly on sticky paper.

Letting out an indecent moan, (Y/N) crumbled in his arms as he licked the edge of her ears, his warm breath heated her core slowly like a hot bath, seeping into the skin and melting your insides.

His hands slowly made their way from her hips upwards, underneath her shirt. He tore away from her for a moment to rest their foreheads together. He trapped her deep in his gaze. Looking into the depths of each-others souls, they lightly nodded to one another, a silent understanding.

“Don’t worry about the games, don’t worry about the world, don’t worry about your brother. I just need you to worry about being right here, right now. With me. Nobody else.” He whispered heavily into her ear. She took a deep breath and relaxed further in his hold as she felt him slowly start peeling away her sweat-pants.

————

The moment they left the bathroom (Y/N) Realized the gaurds had stayed outside the bathroom…. The whole time they were in there. With a bright pink face and mis-matching clothes she walked her way back to the room, Young-il trailing behind her.

They reached the door back into the room and noticed no guard on duty.

“Get behind me and physically stay behind me.” Young-il ordered, grabbing my wrist and pulling me. He quickly opened the door the reveling the room flashing its lights above like a rave. As splatter after splatter of blood shot into the ceiling. Young-il pushed me to my knees.

“Hey! You said we would stop that when we got back.” I whisper yelled at him. He clapped a hand over my mouth, and with his other made a shushing sign.

“Not a word, not a sound and no helping.” He seethed. He got down too and pressed us against the wall so that we had something to blend too. We quickly and quietly ran over to our beds. A few bodies tripped me here and there, and some bodies fell from above us. Everytime when I went to whimper or scream, Young-il would wrap his hand back around my mouth preventing any noise.

We got back by our beds and Gi-hun grabbed my ankle hauling me under the bed, Young-il hot behind us. For some reason the screams and blood felt even louder from below. We kept watching as bit after body dropped on the sides. Whatever sick bastard was playing with the lights was gonna give me an aneurism.

Thud

I laid my head on the ground to peer under Young-ils chin.

A nose ring caught my eyes.

A nose…….

A nose ring?

Noticing my tensing muscles, Gi-hun wrapped his arms around me and held me down. Young-il covered my mouth again as both did their best to muffle me.

“MMMMMMMMMPH, SSSMEEE, MM!” I screamed against his hand. I wiggled and fought against the two but it was no use. My breath quickened like I couldn’t get enough. My blood ran cold as I saw her brown warm eyes watching me as she died. I was suddenly hyper aware of how cold the ground was, and my sweat stuck to my body like scotch tape. When Young-il released my mouth I had cried so hard no sound left my lips. My lungs begged in unison for air but I couldn’t find it in me to let them have it, I felt like I was about to push my heart out of my body, my chest was so tight. When I could finally inhale the salty tears rinsed down my eyes, mixing with the small trickle of blood that came from under her head. The warmth of her blood drawing me in for comfort since I couldn’t reach out to her. My neck grew tired as I held my head above the puddle I was aching to lay on. The overwhelming pain of everything finally hitting me like a dump truck. My sobs didn’t go unnoticed however and Young-il gently released me and held me close to his chest as I wept. I cried against him, feeling like he was the only thing I had left in this whole world. As more terroism and destruction befell our surroundings, I felt ill, and warm, and sick, and cold, and tired, and angry, and a million different things all at once. I wasn’t sure what else I could turn to: Mentally, I screamed out, and felt like my brain was thrashing around inside of my head as I prayed to whoever might be listening to end this, to get us out of here…to get me home.

The light stopped flickering as the big ones flashed on, revealing the total carnage of the room, again the wooshing of the door opening released the guards hiding safely behind it.

The pink guards enter the room with their guns raised. One started firing into the air to get the attention of the rest of the room as the others went around apprehending the fighters.

I released Young-ils jacket from my grasp, stretching out my now stiffen fingers. I took slow and steady deep breaths in while Young-il his Se-mi from my view. Gi-hun delicately grabbed a blanket on the floor and soaked up the puddle. I slowly stretched out the rest of my body and a move to start crawling out. The tight cramped hiding place of ours suffocating me. Gi-hun and Young-il pushed me back under. Looking at them confused they simply responded by grabbing some blankets from the beds above us and draping them on the metal above me effectively hiding the rest of my body.

I watched as they laid down on the floor next to some of the other dead players acting as if they were ones too. My insides came up into my throat picturing them dead, but the logical part of my brain finally worked and reminded me they weren’t actually. Instinctively, when a guard came over, my hands flew up to my face, covering my mouth attempting to hush my breathing. I held my breath in anticipation as I watched one guard with a square mask, inspect Young-ils body. When he reached for his radio Young-il sprang up and tackled him to the floor, initiating the rest of our groups attack.

One by one guards were shot down left and right as I stayed hidden in my dark sanctuary. I couldn’t take listening to any more of the shots, so with physically weak arms, I laid my head on the ground and covered my ears, wishing it was Young-il comforting me instead. The doors whooshed shut again as one final bullet rang out across the room, like an unsatisfying end to a quiet song.

I slowly uncovered my head, daring to lift it up, so as to sneakily peer outside the open parts of the blanket. I saw Gi-hun walking up the steps, grabbing one of the soldiers by his shoulder and pushing him down demanding information out of him. The rest of our group followed his lead once they had the gaurd in captivity. They called everyone out from their hiding spots.

Deciding it was safe enough I crawled out myself and looked around, finally witnessing the total of the end of the fight. My intestines garbled and groaned at the sight of the bodies. Like it was some sick painting meant to represent something deep. Grabbing at the metal pole on the side of the bed I could feel my throat start tightening as a retching feeling came to my guts.

“BWAAGHH” I leaned towards the wall so that it at least wasn’t out in the open as I felt that nasty dried up gimbap roll coming back up.

Oh god I really hope it’s not chunky-

“BUUURGH” I retched, thankfully it was only a bit, and Geum-ja had come over holding my hair for me. After another minute or so of dry heaving, I stood up and took a breath. Geum-ja led me around to the front of the beds again, sitting me down and using her jacket sleeve to wipe the dried sweat off my face. 

“Everyone.” Gi-Hun spoke up, grabbing my attention. “We will now head up to the masked men's headquarters. We'll capture the ones who captured us, put an end to this game, and make them pay. Anyone who knows how to use a gun and wishes to join us, please step forward.”

With a breath I gently pushed Geum-ja’s hand off of mine and stood up, only for Young-ils gaze to stop me. With one finger he made a sit down motion, and strangely, I found myself obeying his wishes. Almost nobody walked up who wasn’t already in line, save for a few players who stepped up, slowly raising their hands and grabbing a weapon and radio when instructed. Seeing the lineup a few people started to disperse, still not caring about what could happen.

“ oh I hope they stay safe,” Geum-ja rung her hands in worry. Her son placed his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her in what looked like it was meant to be comforting, but came off more apprehensive. Jun-hee joined us standing around talking about what was possibly to come. Not finding any interest in their conversation, however, I slightly turned my head tuning in to what Hyun-ju was saying.

“Attention!! This is the MP5, a submachine gun. First, if you press this lever in the middle and pull the magazine,it comes off like this. If the selector switch is down, it's set to full auto mode. Up is single-fire mode.We don't have many magazines, so set it to single-fire mode. Lastly, insert the magazine, pull the handle, and then release it. That's how you load it. Are we clear?” I slightly nodded in response knowing she couldn’t see me but memorizing the information nonetheless. All attention drew back as we heard Jung-bae sounding brave, for once, and demanding the solider take his mask off.

He slowly lifted his hood off, removing a black burka next, followed by his square mask. Looking at his scared young face, I felt as though he was no different from us in here, just scared, and alone. Nobody in their line up seemed to notice, but I did, as his eyes slightly flickered to Young-ils face then blinked back to the lineup. I glared at the man questioningly as I watched Young-il give the slightest head nod. So small that you would think he was just shifting but really he was masterfully responding.

What the hell?

“Good God. Do your parents know what you're doing here?” Jung-bae slowly lowered his riffle as he looked concerningly at the man. Gi-hun pushed him away, still high off the adrenaline from shooting, something he thought he would never do.

With a demanding voice, he cocked his gun and with an unwavering tone demanded “Take us to your captain.” The group made their way out of the room following the pressured gaurd. I stood again with intention to follow. When Young-il stepped out from behind the door they had smashed in.

“You stay here.” he pushed using his hand on my shoulder to turn me around and practically shove me back into the room. With a scoff I turned back around and placed my hand on the top of his gun. “ Stay? What do you mean stay ?” I asked angrily. He shook his head and bent his neck down to meet my ear.

“ I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know where we’re gonna go and I don’t know who is going to die, but as much as I can help it, you can guarantee it won’t be you.” he said sternly. Turning back, he started following the group again. I went to take a step about to disobey his orders, but found myself stopping my feet at the edge of the threshold of the door. It was true, though I didn’t know what laid beyond the hall, however, they didn’t either. Yet I still found myself, hesitating…with a sigh as the nagging voice in the back of my head told me to listen, I stepped back and retreated into the room.

I stood slightly pacing in front of our beds, unsure of how things were going and uncertain about where they were. One gentle voice in the back of my head told me to stay and to listen to young eels command, the other, however, pushed me and bugged me to leave the room. My inner curiosity stabbing at the voice, encouraging it more to leave the room, to find out what was happening. To see this so-called front man my brother kept going on about.

Geum-ja took a breath in and looked at our small gathering. “I wonder what they’ll find up there” she started trying to distract us from our worries, “ it would be interesting to see who is behind all of this to see what sicko found enjoyment in this.” She huffed.

Weak, small talk littered throughout the room doing fuck all to try and cure my boredom as the voices in my head grew louder and louder. I couldn’t help but walk around and try to distract myself. I took another glimpse at one of the dead guard’s bodies and noticed a bulge in the side pocket.

I slowly crept towards the body, thinking it might spring back to life and attack me, I stayed hesitant. With shaky hands, I slowly undid the clasp of the pocket and reached my hand in inside. I found an extra round of ammunition, looking at it like the holy Grail I crawled over to the other side to check the other pocket and see if there was more there. Unfortunately no but standing up, I quickly gazed at the rest of the dead soldiers, and noticed all of their left side pockets seemed a bit bulky than the other pockets.

I looked over to June-hee and Young-sik and pointed at the bodies “Quick, their left pants pocket, grab the rest of the ammo!” I demanded, they quickly followed suite and helped me compile all of our findings on top of a loose jacket. I turned my head up once again to look around the room and see if there were any willing volunteers to take the jacket. All I was met with was the back of heads as they all turned away, cowardly. With a huff, I wrapped up the jacket in my arms like a newborn baby and started making my way towards the door.

“Are you sure you should do this, it’s dangerous up there.” Geum-ja worried.

“ Well somebody has to, and I don’t see anybody else volunteering.” I shrugged, opening my arm in a gesture around the room.

“Just be careful.” Jun-hee nodded at me in understanding, I nodded back and reached around her for a hug. “I will be” I closed my eyes and succumbed to the warm embrace. I heard a small sneeze and turned my head up above to see Min-su rocking his head back and forth between me and Se-mi’s body. I though he looked so scared and lost like a baby bird. I went to Se-mi but before I could bend down Young-sik pulled me away.

“Please… let me.” He said understandingly. I stepped back watching as he closed her open eyes and draped one of the yellow blankets atop her resting body. I looked back at Min-su who slowly shook his head no urging me to stay with his eyes.

“I’m going for her, and for you.” I looked from my friends body to the one atop the beds. “She will not have died in vain, and you will not suffer the same.” I vowed looking back at Jun-hee. “You’ll have your baby.” I turned to Young-sik, “You will go on living,” and finally, I looked at Geum-ja, “Your life will not end in here”. She took a deep breath and nodded at me, patting my full arms. Looking around the room I saw a few people who had watched the interaction with teary eyes start hugging themselves or some of their friends, looking like they now regretted if they should have gone or not.

“Regardless of if you had wanted to stay, or end , nobody deserves to die this way.” I grimaced at the bodies around me. Turning to the door I anxiously stood in front of the threshold, feeling that nagging voice of doubt creeping back into my brain, but thinking of what might happen if I didn’t get them the ammo fueled me even more. With a strong breath in I stepped over the entrence and started jogging down the hall.

As I came across dead guards I emptied their pockets and kept briskly walking. My shins growing sore at the tightness I kept myself in. Stopping a few times to see where the next bloody trail of foot prints left, I craned my neck up to see how high this place went. The light from above shining onto the brightly colored space, not giving much room for shadows to creep in. Following the steps higher and higher I felt almost like I was in a maze. I noticed some broken glass on the ground and looked up to see a camera shot through, now facing the ground, spotting more of them like a trail I no longer felt the decision part of my brain working, as I concluded I simply had to follow the cameras.

I counted as I stepped till I got to one that wasn’t shot through.

How did they miss this one?

I walked past before a crunch under my foot distracted me again. I look down to make sure no pieces got in my shoe, and saw the white handkerchief Young-il gave me. He had taken it back in the bathroom, it must’ve fallen out of his pocket…

Remembering his defending warning from the door I felt my stomach sink thinking about if something might’ve happened to him, and how he would react to seeing me out of the room. Part of me wishes he’ll pull me in and kiss me for my bravery, the other part of me hopes he won’t be too upset. But deep down there’s this other, scolding feeling, what if he’s really upset with me? What if he hates me for it?. I couched this white symbol of worry closer to my chest as I carried on following the broken cameras.

————

A light on the camera flickered, waking itself from its shut down state. As it slowly turned to follow the way (Y/N) walked. It recorded as she stopped to grab more ammo and zoomed into the bundle in her arms.

“The girl has extra ammunition.” The black masked guard reported on his walkie. “All triangle soilders approaching your stations, load an extra round of ammunition into your inner pocket.” He ordered, as the pink guards around him fiddled with their computers, he turned to the nearest one who was saving every moment of footage they had before their cameras where shot.

“Number 6,”

The gaurd stood and turned to face his supervisor, the right hand man of their boss the front man.

“Follow player 432” he bowed aknowledging his command and made a swift exit to catch up to her.

“Don’t let her out of your sight…”

————

I crawled on the ground almost army style, as I got closer and closer to the sound of the gunshots. Using the sleeves of the jacket to tie it around my shoulders I hastily made my way around the corner as I laid on the ground. Hyun-ju spotted me and yelled for a cover fire. The walls next to me were torn up from bullets as their non-stop rain of shots, but for a brief moment there where more shots going out then coming at us.

I noticed Dae-Ho shooting aimlessly before he looked over to me. I threw the jacket over to him as his shaking arms caught it. He opened the bag reveling the ammo and diving them out. He looked between me and the bag, and tossed me his gun. I quickly caught it making sure the barrel was aimed away from me, now my shaky arms looked around in confusion.

“DAE-HO, I’VE NEVER USED A GUN BEFORE!!” I shouted at him, inspecting the gun wearily, never thinking I would hold one. Our parents raised me and Gi-hun in a peaceful household, never in my life did I think I would ever hold such a harsh weapon. I turned to Hyun-ju but before I could ask her she yelled at me and pointed to the pink guards.

“MAKE THE CROSS IN THE SMALLER BARELL LINE UP WITH WHAT YOU WANT TO HIT AND SHOOT!” She yelled turning back to her own mission.

I grabbed it and started taking single shots at the oncoming barrage. Looking through the sniper attachment I zeroed in on one of the triangles shooting at our side. It turned towards me with its finger on the trigger. I quickly ducked down but heard more shots aimed at the spot next to me. I looked back through and saw they had turned away from me. More guards ran up behind them and aimed towards my very open position first, before they turned their attention to other spots. I looked in the air in confusion. If I was to stand up not a single bullet would hit me right now.

What the hell?

I turned to watch the shots next to me as our team did their best to return fire. Looking at the smaller size of the group I look at Hyun-ju confused.

“Where’s Young-il?!” I shouted over the fire storm, not seeing him with the others. A sinking feeling in my stomach appeared as I thought of him. The square guard from before was also no where to be found. I didn’t notice his body as any of the ones I picked clean. But all I could think of was how I might’ve been right earlier, that something did happen, oh god is he dead? Did he have to hide somewhere? Did he loose his radio?

“They went to find the control room with Jung-bae and Gi-hun.” She yelled back. We heard the radio scratch on as Gi-hun asked if they could get any back up. Without a moments hesitation I grabbed an extra two rounds of ammo and made a run for it. Wherever Gi-hun was, Young-il was there too.

————

As fast as she had loaded them, the extra rounds seemed to run out. Hyun-ju grabbed another round and counted the singular shots she made. 15 rounds…Only 15…. They were only half full.

————

Now that the walls were closer I felt even more compressed. Like a hamster in a cage. I followed the dead guards till I found Gi-hun and Jung-bae taking cover a few stairs up. When he saw me his face crunched in confusion.

“(Y/N) what are you doing?!” He yelled from above. I held up the extra rounds I brought with me and quickly stuffed them in my pockets as I felt bullets start brushing against my hair.

“Jung-bae! Cover fire!” I heard him order, always so bossy, I felt the bullets stop for a second, and ran like one towards my brother and his best friend. I passed them each a round when Jung-bae placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Young-il went up those stairs with two other men, we gave them our last rounds, they need some too.” I nodded at him, the weight of my heart as heavy as my pockets, knowing he was just around the corner but not knowing if he was okay. The walls were torn up around us, the air heavy with the smell of gun powder wafting around, further fueling my emotional state.

I side stepped to to try and push to the stairs but Gi-hun held me back.

“No, stay here, their looking for a way to get around the gaurds, we’ll move together as soon as they radio us that their okay.” He insisted. I shook my head and tried to get around him again when he harshly pushed me back.

“No (Y/N), stay. Here.” He pushed. Shoving me back again he held me to the wall with his gun. I scoffed and harshly pushed him back. “What the hell, what is your problem Gi-hun? They need ammo too!” I exclaimed.

He turned around quickly to return fire before returning his attention to me.

“Because, we haven’t heard back from them yet, they could be dead and more soilders could be coming this way.” He reasoned, a few ricocheting bullets made their way towards us as Gi-hun held me close to the wall with his arm. I struggled against him, not realizing before how much stronger he had gotten over the last few years. My weak muscles barely meeting his force.

“Ughhh! Gi-hun let me go!!” I yelled at him. If Young-il was in trouble, and I had a chance to save him, damn it. I was gonna take it.

“No, you’re staying here.” He returned. With a harsh grunt he somehow held me tighter to the wall, I pushed and pushed against him to no avail. Finally deciding that I might have to hurt him to let me go, I bent his elbow in an un-natural way. He retracted before any damage could be done and I attempted to make a run for it. He quickly caught my arm and yanked me back. With both hands on either side of my head he caged me into the wall, glaring holes through my head. “I’m not letting you leave, we don’t know anything yet!” I shoved and kicked at his chest but his stance was unwavering. As he drew in closer to me, the gun wrapped at his chest pushed heavily into mine. Feeling the heavy weight of the metal dig into my skin, I turned my attention to it, trying to push it off of me.

“OW, Gi-hun you’re hurting me.” I angrily stated, he turned and motioned to Jung-bae to keep firing. In his distraction, I unclamped the gun from the strap he was keeping it on and turned it upwards to under his chin, resting my finger ever so lightly on the trigger. When he turned back I felt my soul turn as dark as coal watching his eyes dilate in reaction.

I held the gun firmly in my trembling hands.

"I'm... going... to Young-il," | panted out. He took his hands off the wall and steadily walked backwards. "(Y/N), put it down." His voice slightly wavered, his attitude now flipped. We both knew I wouldn't do it, I wouldn't shoot him. Slowly making my way back to my gun, I delicately picked up the heavy metal. I left Gi-hun's gun where l once stood and ran.

"(Y/N)?(Y/N)!!" He shouted after me. I was over this, I dashed around the corner before he could catch up to me.

Turning around I made no effort to hide or shield myself. My mind set on finding one person and it wouldn’t rest until it got that person. He was like a drug in that way. Changing my brain and chemicals to become dependent on them and then alone. He had been there for me the entire game, he watched over me and made me feel safe. How could I not be addicted?

I reached around corners like someone who had no fear of death, of consequence. I could have sworn I heard something behind me but the acoustics of this place would make you think you were insane. I raced up the stairs, whipping my neck at every corner, I turned at one and saw that mass of black hair standing out against the purple stairwell. Giving myself whiplash I turned to him and went to touch his shoulder when I saw Young- il raise his gun towards his teammates. Before I knew what had happened I saw the bodies drop to the ground. One fully dead and the other simply wounded. Freezing in place as though that stupid doll was in front of me once again, I tightly clenched myself inwards in fear.

I retracted my hand slowly watching as Young-il slightly shifted backwards fixing his stance. He turned the barell to the wounded man and without remorse went to shoot at him, finishing what he started. I flinched when he pressed the trigger waiting for the gunshot but heard only a click. I saw him hold steady as he clicked it a few more times before realizing he was out.

With an annoyed sigh Young-il took out his magazine and replaced it with the full one, taking aim once again only for the radio scratching to life pausing him in the ending of others.

“YOUNG-IL? YOUNG-IL COME IN. (Y/N) is heading in your direction with more ammo!! What’s going on up there?!” Gi-hun shouted through the receiver. I held my breath hoping he wouldn’t turn around. Picking up the radio, I watched as he walked calculated towards the dying man on the floor.

“We lost Gi-hun. It’s over…. I’m sorry.” He hushed out. I could feel Gi-hun’s disappointment from the radio as he yelled at Young-il for more information.

Holding the button of the transmitter down, he shot the man with the other. No holding back, he shot the man just as quickly as he thought up a lie for Gi-hun. He stood back up from his knees, resting the gun on its strap and switching the radio channel.

“Start wrapping this up.” He firmly executed. Right as he switched off the radio he heard the familiar sound and turned to look at me. I cocked my gun and held it tightly in my hands but loosely in my arms.

His deep sharp knife like eyes cut right through my resolve, unlike Gi-hun who backed away he slowly inched closer.

“Put it down.” He commanded moving slower than time itself.

“What are you doing Young-il?” My voice cracked out in betrayal. He took the hand not holding the radio and wrapped it around my own hand where mine was set on the trigger.

“(Y/N)… put it down.” He said softer now, “come on darling… give me the gun.” He spoke in the same voice he just used to Gi-hun. My fave dropped in sadness as my limbs went weak. He swiftly but softly ripped the gun away from me, taking out the magazine and throwing it to the side.

“Why are you here?” His once tantalizing voice now felt harsh like a parent scolding a child. He wrapped his hands around my arms effortlessly holding me up and close.

“Why did you-“ I cut myself off as I let out a small tear. I could feel my throat getting tight and my nose getting stuffed. “Who are you?” I muttered out as he raised a hand to cup my cheek. I shook my head in disbelief as he shushed me.

Pulling me into his chest I let out soft sobs, wrapping my arms around myself. He tilted my chin up with his hand, grasping it in a vice grip when I tried to push him off of me.

“Nobody you need to worry about lovely.” He whispered back, he softly kissed my forehead holding me tighter as I struggled against him. I started punching at his chest angry, confused, and scared.

He tilted his own head up and nodded behind me in my direction. The second I felt his hands loosen I shoved him away only to bump into another body. I saw a pair of pink arms wrap around me. One on my torso and the other around my mouth. I saw Young-il take something from another gaurds and open the black case he had been handed. I felt fear bubbling in my guts, mixed with a sick arousal of curiosity.

Out of the case he picked up a needle, the tip so small and so reflective all I could see was a little light on the end.

“Shh, sh sh sh sh sh, it’s okay… this won’t hurt a bit.” He hushed me, gently caressing my face and arms, whatever he could get his hands on. I struggled and bit the hand of the person holding me like a toddler being out in timeout. He let me go with a hiss but simply moved his hand to my forehead to keep me still. I kicked at shins and elbowed stomachs but considering I was much smaller and much weaker then them it was of no use. I screamed an ear piercing screech. Considering how echoey it was in here I saw a few of the people around me flinch in annoyance as the needle tip got closer and closer to my neck.

I felt the small prick right under my ear. My screaming stopped as I felt my body drop limply. My vision became blurry and I saw Young-il pulling away, and placing a kiss where he had just injected me. When he moved his lips were tinted dark red, and when he opened his mouth to speak I saw a small line of blood on his tongue. I couldn’t hear what he said next but he wasn’t speaking to me, it was to others behind me.

I pushed against my own head so hard to stay awake that I was giving myself a headache. After a quiet second or two the ringing in my ears stopped as my body gave way to whatever drug it was and went under.

————

“Now witness the consequences of your ‘heroic’ actions…” the front man taunted at the man he beat. With no remorse he shot Jung-bae and watched the pain and wollow that followed on Gi-Huns face. When he tried to attack him the gaurds held him down firmly as the front man turned to head back to the control room.

“DID YOU KILL MY SISTER?!” Gi-hun shouted angrily causing In-ho to stop walking. With a slight movement over his shoulder he further taunted his enemy.

“Let’s see how many more people die due to your foolishness…” he trailed off, leaving Gi-hun without a straight answer, forcing his own mind to torture him trying to fill in the blanks.

Finally having won, the front man entered the elevator and watched on a screen as Gi-hun was taken back to the room, forced to walk past his once small but ample military. In-ho could see the distraught and pain sewn into his features,

and it was delicious…

AN: WHEW I’m finally done with this chapter, stay tuned because there’s one more and while we wait for season three I’ll post little blurbs here and there to keep you all entertained. Thank you for waiting so patiently and I hope you didn’t wait TOO long.

LOVE YOU ALL LOTS

<3 FandomObbsessedB 

TAGLIST: @blacksnape123 @newtsniffles @missmollya @watasinekoru @justaproudslytherpuff @jamiewritesfanfiction-blog @tinylawyerbluebird @connorsandroids @foulbreadpaenut @starlightluvsu @machipyun @melaninatedhorrorqueen









[ocelettelatte]

How are they when they do your hair?

Includes: Gojo, Nanami, Geto, Choso, Toji x Curly Hair!Reader. (+Todo Bonus) Author's Note: First and possibly the last post I'll make. Made this just for fun so the characters might be OOC. Self-indulgent, but I did try to make the reader ambiguous. Divider by @/saradika

Gojo

Gojo learns how to do your hair pretty quickly.

He watches you do it once and he’s able to do it almost immediately.

He’ll go all out for you. That hairstyle you saw online? Boom you got it.

That one hair product you wanted but were always told you needed some kind of license to get it? I don’t know how, but he got it.

Your hair gets the slightest bit messed up and he’s pissed for you. Just straight whiny about it.

Has given you mini heart attacks before. “My bad I messed up, we gotta go bald.” while braiding your hair...

Buys all kinds of charms and accessories for your hair.

While he knows you shouldn’t do it often, he actually likes your hair straight. It always amazes him how long your hair actually is.

He also loves curl-defining. Going one by one curling each ringlet with his finger is oddly satisfying to him.

Definitely uses all of your products. When you ask about it, he’ll deny it.

Nanami

Nanami likes your hair however you like it. braids, twists, dreads, loose, straightened, wigs, short. If you’re happy with it then he’s happy.

If you ask him to do your hair, he’ll keep it simple. Nothing too flashy but not too basic.

He does this because he always feels bad when you have the prettiest hairstyles, knowing you’ve spent hours on it and it just gets messed up because of your line of work.

The face you make when you tell him it’s fine always tugs at his heart.

However, this doesn't mean he won't give you a glamorous hairstyle for date nights.

Nanami has bought little charms for you to put in your hair and keeps everything you leave at his place in a little basket.

Helps you with your hair when you’re getting ready for bed.

Buys a silk pillowcase just for you.

If he sees you're running out of product he'll use the last of it and buy you new ones.

If there's a particular product you have to order online, Nanami knows exactly when to order said product.

Geto

You always let the twins do your hair, Nanako being the most interested in it. You see it as a learning experience for them.

However, You never let Geto touch your hair. You weren’t too fond of his choice of words when referring to non-sorcerers.

After a bit of warming up to one another, you finally allowed him to do your hair.

Geto absolutely loves braiding your hair.

I’ve always thought that Geto might have picked up on some mundane hobbies once he started his cult. One of those hobbies being Ikebana. Which is why he loves hair braiding.

After learning how many intricate things you could do with this style, it would become his go-to thing.

He has the gentlest hands when doing hair.

With permission, he would put flowers in your hair. Sometimes he’ll go the extra mile of getting you to wear a Hakama or Kimono just to tie the whole look together.

Granted, he knows that he has to give your scalp a break. On those days he actually likes your hair loose.

Choso

All of his experiences doing hair have only been on himself. So when he meets you, he learns so much about his and your hair.

Unfortunately, Choso is scared to touch your hair. The last time he did he tangled it pretty badly.

He is so gentle that things end up getting loose and he has to start over.

Still learning all the different hairstyles. Confuses twists for dreads.

Constantly asking if you’re okay and making sure that he’s not hurting you.

Sometimes he hesitates when doing your hair and you reassure him that he’s doing fine.

Either uses too much product or not enough. There’s no in-between.

If you ask him to buy shampoo and conditioner, he'll get a little overwhelmed and come back with three in one.

Loves giving you any hairstyle that has twin tails. He also likes to put little ribbons in your hair sometimes.

Toji

“Stop moving your damn head.” Kind of vibes.

Definitely rough and says that he’s not.

Most definitely would pop you with the comb.

All jokes aside, Toji is pretty good at doing your hair. Though it’s like pulling teeth trying to convince him to do it.

Prefers if you’ve done whatever you needed to your hair so he can style it however.

Toji doesn’t have a favorite style for you. At the end of the day, it’s just hair to him.

Your accessories are floating around his place. He even stepped on one.

Here's a bonus because Toji was so short!

Todo

Todo definitely has everything he needs to do your hair. Unfortunately, just like that one hair lady in your life, he’s hard to get a hold of.

This Takada mega fan will cancel on you when he finds out there’s an event in the area. Those days you’ve contemplated going bald…

The only reason why you keep going back to him is because he's so damn good at it. It’s just one-on-one... and the occasional mentions of Takada, but you can deal with that.

Has tried to convince you to lock your hair a handful of times.

Gave you starter locks to see if you like it. If you don’t he’ll do whatever you like.

“Stop being so tender-headed.”

"HOW!?"

He’s not gentle but he’s not rough either.

Silk. Pillow. I’m confident that he owns at least one.

[haveihitanerve]

And When You Go Away

Batman and Nightwing did not work together frequently. That wasn’t to say they didn’t see each other. Or interact. It was hard, really, as they both worked with the Justice League now, to avoid the other. Just as it was hard, for Bruce at least, to pretend like they were mere acquaintances. Barely colleagues, hardly friends. Definitely not family. Not since Bruce had messed it all up. It hit him especially hard at times like these, when lives were on the line, and everyone was called to action, and Nightwing stepped up to lead. The way he always did. The way Bruce had trained him to. 

“We need a perimeter here, here and here.” Nightwing placed his fingers on the map, derogating quickly.  “Superman, I need an immediate evac of the West side,” Clark nodded, and was out the window in a flash. “Green Lantern help out with that, Flash, and any speedsters, I need you over in the North. We can’t leave any civilians in danger.” Superman, Green Lantern, Flash, the other speedsters, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, all the older, more experienced, founders, all nodded, all obeyed his orders.

“Batman,” At his name, Nightwing finally hesitated, slowed, a break in his otherwise perfect mask. “Batman, you and me will defend the front.” He finally settled on, not looking up from the plans. If any other hero caught the repetition or hesitation, they didn’t show it, zipping off to follow their own orders.

Bruce fell into step beside his son Nightwing as he marched for the doors, heading to the front of battle. “I can be somewhere else.” he offered quietly, barely louder than a whisper, definitely not loud enough to be heard above the din of battle and battle preparations.

Still, Nightwing scoffed, charging his escrima sticks with a quick pump of his arms. “Don’t insult me. I can be professional. Besides, it’d be stupid to waste an asset somewhere else.” Bruce took the blows without comment or wince, merely nodded.

Despite the distance, despite their recent… space, it was almost scary how effortlessly they fell back into routine, fighting side by side the way they used to.

Nightwing called out “Back!” and suddenly he was eleven again, bright red shorts on and a massive smile, as he instructed Bruce to bend forward, the way his father had used to, so he could use him as a springboard against oncoming attackers.

It was a testament to Dicks skills that Bruce hardly felt him, a gentle brush of fingertips on his shoulders and then he was gone, soaring over his head, fists slamming into threats, shredding them apart.

The battle was over quicker than expected, and Bruce almost forgot, almost wrapped Dick in a hug, almost joked with him. But the flash of blue was jarring enough so that he caught himself, pulling away.

“Nice work Nightwing.” He muttered gruffly instead, ignoring the way Nightwing arched at the words, chest puffing out, standing taller on instinct, before he clamped it down, slouching once more.

“Yeah. Thanks. You too.” He bit out, before stalking off towards Flash and Arrow, a dismissal that hurt more than Bruce thought it would, after so many.

He slunk off to the other side, helping to tie up loose ends and clean up, before retiring back to the cave. He almost waited, head tilted to listen for the sound of a roaring engine, before he caught himself, slipping off the mask and cape, and draping them over a chair.

“Did you see Master Grayson today, Master Bruce?” Alfred asked, balancing a tray of tea on the table, trying, and failing, at subtlety.

Bruce rubbed his chin, staring at the empty white lenses of the green mask, illuminated in the display case. The light of the cave reflected off the glass, and Bruce swore the red seemed almost… blue.

“Master Bruce?” Alfred repeated. Bruce started, wiping at his eyes as he cleared his throat, turning.

“Hm? Oh, yeah. Sorry Alf...” He headed to the table to grab a cup of tea, glancing back only once.

The edges of the mask were crinkled, as though the phantom ghost of laughter still haunted them. “Yeah. I did.” 

@1-800-i-ship-it -you asked for bruce and dick, and you shall recieve! It's not entirely a long fic, or very detailed, but I tried, and was inspired by the song "sunsetz" by cigarettes after sex, i think it really works for Dick and Bruce. Anyway, hope you enjoyed and I made your day at least a lil better :) hopefully at least not worse lol

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I saw what you said about the dreams being nothing and useless to the story, and I was curious about something, do you think the characters that never got closure or development from their book should have stayed like that or do you think a new book should have been made to tie up the initial stories?

Heartslabyul for example had a lot of loose ends on their book that never got resolved, Cater never had focus or allowed development, the others too didnt get true closure, and I thought the heartslabyul dreams was the perfect way to finish their arc in a fulfilling way.

But you hold the opinion the dream arcs shoudnt have focused on them too much right? Do you think It was okay for the characters development to end in their book, or do you think their closure should have been in a different moment or way?

[Referencing this post!]

While I realize that the original post was very critical of the dream hopping segments, I did not mean to call them "nothing" and "useless" as a whole. I'm unhappy with how the dreams were executed, especially the lack of urgency present in them. My main gripe is how the characters know that they're on a time crunch, yet they hardly ever act like it. Instead, they stand around for multiple segments eating fake food or casually sharing stories about their families. This is time-wasting nonsense and it does nothing to help their situation. We quickly started to stray from Diasomnia and the urgency of the conflict at hand in favor of fanservice (like dorm leader Cater, despite Cater expressing he never wanted the position) and trying to explain away that fanservice with contrived dialogue.

Please do not misunderstand me. I never said that I don't want any non-Ignihyde or non-Diasomnia character to get development in book 7. It's true that many characters, especially the non-OB boys, never got the spotlight in previous books or that we never got the satisfaction of seeing their growth this far into the school year. If any of them were going to get attention, it makes sense to do it now as one last hurrah in book 7. It might not have been very obvious due to the critical nature of that original post, but I actually thought some of the later dreams (namely the Savanaclaw and Heartslabyul ones) were good and wrapped things up nicely. I will, however, still lampoon them for having the characters standing around and eating/talking for way too long.

It's not that I wished the game didn't focus on the non-OB boys, it's that I wished the execution of them wasn't so meandering. If the devs wanted to keep the dream segments in, they should have trimmed the fat out. Get rid of all (or most of) the idle parts, or at least trim down on the idle dialogue by a lot. Or maybe just make the OB boys mandatory and the others optional. Like, still part of book 7 but you can read the non-OB boys at your leisure, similar to collecting individual students' wishes in the Wish Upon a Star event, and you only need to clear the OB boys to advance in the story. Have short scenes where dorm members reunite (sort of like at the end of book 6, when everyone regrouped with their respective OB boy) and gear up + strategize with each other. Cut back briefly to Malleus and Lilia's brawl between each dorm, just to keep them relevant and/or remind us of that clock ticking down as Lilia gets more and more worn down. Maybe standardize how many parts are dedicated to every character too… Not have a spread of 4 to 46. That would at least speed us along a little faster or at least give a better sense of rushing to prepare for the fight against Malleus.

That being said, characters don’t just magically stop developing the instant their book ends. They’re changing on their own, outside of the purview of the player or off-screen (like when Riddle talks with his mom over winter break), all the time. A lot of this happens through self-reflection/internal thoughts, so we the players don’t get to see it. It doesn’t mean the characters haven’t changed or wouldn’t change without us viewing it ourselves. Even now, the characters are still growing and changing. Some of them might have more concrete “closure” now (like Kalim finally getting to punch Jamil), but the truth of the matter is that character development never truly “ends” (ie Kalim and Jamil still have their complicated relationship to sort through). It is a continuous thing we consciously work at. There’s truly no end in sight for it. Regardless of whether we got those dream sequences or not or how that development was delivered to us, this still would have been true.

[joejhang]

every insane thing in arcane season 2 act 3

ep 7 was a masterpiece truly took me out

lowk really funny the way they cut from the happy, (almost) perfect world au to jayce hallucinating and eating raw meat

TIMEBOMB CANON????? lowk didn't see the appeal of it UNTIL NOW WTF WAS THATTTTT

au powder MY GIRLLLLL

dude they yassified silco in the au too. i'm hearing y'all out this time.

HEIMER???? he was such a real one bro

jayce hallucinating mel and viktor and the two of them being interchangeable/intertwined in his mind. which could mean nothing.

also on that note i KNEW everyone was too quick to judge my boy jayce GOD what an interesting character

the "pretend like it's the first time" thing kind of killed me a bit i might've cried a little

it really just proves WE COULD'VE HAD IT ALLLLLL

killing IS a cycle

jinx w her hair out was something i didn't know i needed

caitlyn and jinx's dynamic is SO YUM i need more of their tense interactions

caitvi argument like five mins into the episode lowk gave me life I LOVE ANGST

jinx and vi continue to kill me slowly

everyone who ever said vi gave up on jinx or was a bad older sister i hope u guys CHOKE on ur fucking words

caitvi sex scene...in a jail cell...bro they were wildin

"i saw someone" "i don't fucking care" SUCH A VI THING TO SAY GODDDD I LOVE THEM

they have sm chemistry god

somehow they made mel's character design even more gorgeous than before tf

viktor was lowk wildin but i don't really care i love that man

ngl i was kinda like "viktor baby what ru doing" somewhere in there but i knew they'd work it out

"i'll miss our talks" "no you won't" HAHAHAHHA SKY'S A REAL ONE

jinx boutta khs and then ekko stops her FOAMING AT THE MOUTHHHHH THEY DESERVED MORE SCREENTIME TOGETHER

i knew maddie was sus.

jayvik canon jayvik canon jayvik canon jayvik canon

honestly it would've been less gay if they kissed

everyone is DOOMED oh my god

jinx swooping in to save the day WHO ELSE CHEERED

lowkey i miss her twin tails but i get why she cut them

JINX AND VI FIGHTING TOGETHER AGAIN UGH SISTERHOOD

"i'm always with you sis" IT REALLY IS ABOUT THEM IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THEM

i actually don't think jinx is dead that scene w cait and the air vents isn't there for no reason

not mad about the open ending tho

SO impressed how they managed to tie so many loose ends together arcane creators you will always be famous

again love the fast pace it does it for me

also cait was looking SO FINE in that last scene i actually gasped when i saw her on screen i love women oh my god

shoutout to caitvi for being the ONLY couple that gets a happy ending in this fucking show

ekko MVP GIVE MY MAN HIS BREAD

[prudentseer]

etho down bad on his knees for joel after initially rejecting him but pride-and-prejudice-enemies-to-lovers-period-drama style

sorry i had to find someone who might(?) share the vision

Hold my hand when I say this anon but never be afraid to drop your takes into my inbox, I love to hear them regardless of whether or not I see the vision.

Fortunately for you however. I SEE THE VISION, I UNDERSTAND YOU.

The "fell first--fell harder" dynamic for boat boys fits SO WELL in my mind because of double life. Etho being wary of Joel, kinda sad that he's teamed with him and by the end he's right there with Joel in chanting "The ship burns everything burns". Also their dynamic in limited life where they were "exes"...they are enemies your honour. I call that character development.

In fact, I see the vision so much that I actually wrote something in a more arranged marriage, period drama-esc style a long while back. It's unfinished (and a bit out of order for context purposes) because historical fiction is not my specialty and I know it's not exactly what you asked for, but it's what I had and I thought I'd share a snippet (it's 1.2k words I don't think I can exactly call it that anymore) of it.

It was odd, really, how much love could feel like an obsession.

He expressed it as quietly as he possibly could in forehead kisses and small gifts; just so it didn't collect in his chest to claw at the confines and suffocate him. And it was probably dramatic to say but with the lack of air he felt around Joel it truly did feel as though if he didn't let some of it out of his heart, he'd explode.

Or even worse, he'd tell Joel how he really felt.

He'd gotten dangerously close on occasion after too many drinks by the fireplace or Joel dancing a step too close. But he didn't.

Because Joel didn't love him back.

And why would he? Etho had all but forbidden him from doing so.

This day had felt equal parts fast and agonizingly slow. But he had a feeling that a marriage he didn't agree to, with someone he barely liked, for power he couldn't have might have something to do with that.

Joel rests on the edge of the bed, one leg up and crossed on the mattress while the other dangled loosely over the edge. His tie hung loose around his neck and his shoes long kicked off but his suit still on. Etho leaned against the dresser across from him, arms folded and mouth pressed into a firm line. The grandfather clock ticking beside them. It had been three minutes and 29 seconds since they've entered their shared room and neither of them had spoken.

It was much easier to watch as time passed silently than it was to look at the person in his bed, the matching ring on his finger.

A heavy sigh startles him from his thoughts. "Listen, could you at least pretend to tolerate me?"

Etho blinks slowly. "I--"

"Don't say you have because how you've been acting like there's been a knife at your throat the entire day." Joel interrupts, running a hand through his hair. A nervous tick, something Etho noticed in the time they've spent together. "I've sent you three letters since we last saw each other; none of which you replied to, you were barely there for any of the planning process and when I see you for our actual wedding, you can't even look me in the eye."

"That's because--"

"Of what? Because I told you that I loved you?" Joel rolls his eyes. "God, excuse me for putting an effort to make it work with the man I've been betrothed to for over a year."

He remembers the day. They'd been exchanging letters weekly for several months at this point but it was only their third official time meeting in person. It was a nice day so they took a walk through Joel's garden and I instead of the flowers Etho noticed that there was this look in Joel's eye, a smile on his face and a certain tone in his voice...Joel didn't even need to tell him. He just knew. It made it extremely uncomfortable to see him again, that they both knew.

He glances down at the ring on his own finger before shaking his head.

"I'm never going to love you like you want me to."

"That's fine." Joel states, a small twitch in his face betraying his words. "I'll...I'll get over it eventually if it means you'll work with me."

Etho tilts his head. "Work with you?"

"You don't have to love me. You don't even have to like me or be friends with me..."

"But...?"

"But we're going to be a team." Joel finishes, pulling off his tie in one swift movement as he does. "This means you're going to sit next to me at gatherings, you're going to dance with me at least once when we're invited to balls, you'll eat one meal a day with me, you'll share a room with me and please for the love of God, at the very least don't look like you're going to throw up when you see me."

A compromise. A reasonable one.

"I can do that." Etho replies, as level as he can, straightening his own tie as he does. "On one condition."

"What?"

"You won't ever expect anything more."

He's being bitter and he knows it. Taking out his anger out on someone who doesn't deserve it, someone who didn't ask for this either. It's unlike him really, that he can't bring himself to care.

"You're not exactly making it difficult lad."

"Joel--"

"You have a deal."

Etho nods. "Then I'll play the part."

"You'll play the part *well*."

"I promise."

Etho didn't remember exactly when it stopped being a show to him.

"Really interesting page?"

Etho blinks himself back into reality, Joel staring at him so intently from his side of the bed that he feels his chest tighten. "What?"

Joel chuckles, rubbing his eyes sleepily before shuffling close enough that Etho can wrap an arm around his shoulder. And he does, squeezing it lightly as his arm curls around.

"You've been staring at this page blankly for the past ten minutes." Etho glances at the grandfather clock in the corner. It's been longer. "You don't have to read the book if you don't like it."

This book was Joel's recommendation and Etho had to admit that it was good, he'd just been...very distracted lately.

"No I like it's just..."

"Yeah?" He smiles, head bumping Etho's shoulder. It burns. Every touch Joel gives him feels like fire has been set to his veins. "What's wrong?"

And his eyes are staring up at him so soft and kind and warm and understanding and it feels like he can tell him anything. Almost anything. The words feel heavy on his tongue, going down like oil as he swallows them.

"Nothing, you should go back to sleep."

He won't be able to resist forever but he buys himself one more day.

Joel's nose wrinkles. "You--"

And Etho is saved by the fact Joel's interrupted by his own yawn.

"You know I'm not stupid right Etho?" Joel states, settling further into Etho's arm as he does. Etho only pulls the sheet tighter. "You've been weirder than usual and if you won't tell me, I'll figure it out myself."

Theoretically, he could tell him but what then? He wouldn't leave, he wouldn't laugh but if Joel knew what Etho felt for him, he would never let him get this close to him again.

And it'd exactly what he deserved.

Karma for being an asshole to someone who just wanted to not be treated like dirt by his husband of circumstance and all he can do is accept it. Accept that he missed his chance.

Maybe one day his heart will catch up with his brain.

"Goodnight Joel."

"I'm serious." He yawns again, head tucked into the crook of Etho neck; breath tickling his clavicle. "I know you better than you like. Just wait."

It's true and it's even scary sometimes. Etho wonders how on earth he got so lucky to have someone that understands him like Joel. Someone who was willing to stick by his side through everything.

Etho waits until Joel is settled, snoring softly again before he places his book down gently on the nightstand, blowing out the table side candle. He tilts his head and presses a soft kiss to the top of Joel's head, waiting in case he stirs.

"I love you." He whispers into his hair, taking a breath when there's no response.

And the part of his chest settles just enough that he feels like he can sleep too.

[joongernaut]

glitter

⇢ pairing(s): park seonghwa x reader

⇢ genres: childhood friends to almost strangers to lovers, SMUT, fluff, a little angst but literally just a smidge

⇢ warnings: tooth-rotting fluff (i could not help myself with this one), subby-ish seonghwa because we love desperate men around here, oral sex (fem receiving), vaginal sex, cowgirl, reader gets called 'noona' once, creampie (i simply forgot to write in a condom but practice safe sex everyone!)

⇢ word count: 3955

⇢ author's note: well this took a bit longer than expected but i was able to proofread and tie up the loose ends on this fic last night and now here we are! this is also my way of wiggling into writing for ateez more as they are one of my favorite groups 😁 also the song title is based off the song glitter by jamilah barry <3 enjoyyy

✧

“Did you know your little boyfriend is back in town?”

The question stopped you in mid-sip of your cup of tea as you peered over the rim of the mug at your roommate, Hongjoong. He peered back over his own mug with a little smirk on his face and a lift of his eyebrow.

Slowly bringing the mug down you let out a heavy sigh. “Oh, I’ve only heard the news about a hundred times. Kinda hard to forget, y’know,” You bit back with a sarcastic smile, “Also, he was never my boyfriend. Why does everyone keep saying that shit?”

“Hm, I really don't know,” Hongjoong said with a shrug, taking a drawn out sip from his coffee before speaking again, “It’s not like the guy followed you around like a lost puppy before and you let him. Honestly, I’m a little surprised you two didn't tie the knot right after high school, I was so sure you would be childhood sweethearts turned old, disgusting married couple.”

Hongjoong hissed as your foot kicked at his shin from under the table, glaring at him before you finally downed the contents of your mug. “God, you all are so annoying! First, my own family and now you? I don’t care if he’s in town, okay? We haven't talked in like 5 years and I highly doubt that I’d see him anyways. It’s whatever.” You said exasperatedly, chair scraping against the floor as you got up to place the empty mug into the kitchen sink.

“What if you do see him, though?” Hongjoong asked, the question once again catching you off guard. “What if he hasn't forgotten about you in the slightest in those years you two have spent apart?” He pressed on with a pointed look, watching your mouth open and close as you blinked over at him.

Park Seonghwa, from what you recalled years ago, was a very sweet boy.

You remember the first day you had met him, walking into your elementary homeroom class clinging to his mother with a thumb in his mouth and fat tears rolling down his face as he refused to let her go.

You were only 2 years older than him but still had felt the overwhelming need to protect him from any harm. And that's also how you two became close friends.

When Seonghwa would fall down and scrape his knee or elbow, you were there telling him not to cry while dusting him off and helping him get back up. When he wanted to be like the bigger kids, who were taller and strong enough to get on certain parts of the playground, you were there to encourage him and give him a boost. And when his eyes sparkled with curiosity, wanting to learn more about this and that as he gained new interests, you were there to talk and listen to him ramble on and on about anything and everything.

That Seonghwa was the one you hadn’t seen in years. You had been really good friends leading all the way up to high school and then slowly drifted apart during that time. Once college had begun, it was like he dropped off the face of the earth and you didn't hear from him for a while.

It wasn't like you to be stuck on anybody for too long, you watched many people come and go into your life before. But Seonghwa wasn't just anybody and you couldn't help but wonder about the crybaby often and what he had been up to lately.

Okay so maybe you did care just a little bit that he had come back to town. But did it really matter? After all, neither of you really made the effort to reach out to one another after going your separate ways.

You shook your head, pushing those fleeting thoughts away before you reminisced too deeply. “Like I said, I highly doubt it.” You mumbled with a shrug before turning away, a part of you truly doubtful while a sliver of yourself remained hopeful.

✧

You were home alone the very next day. Usually Hongjoong would be the one to stay inside while you were out and about but he had run off to god knows where and he insisted that you stay at the apartment to relax. “Because you deserve it.” He had told you with a wink.

So, naturally, you were suspicious.

Not that Hongjoong was an untrustworthy person or anything but this almost, overly-nice front he had put on since this morning was just a little off-putting. Before you could really begin to question him, he had already flown out of the door and was barely responding to your text messages.

He did make sure to tell you to listen out for the door, however, as he said he was ‘expecting something’. You had almost forgotten about whatever that ‘something’ would be, hours into the afternoon, until you heard the sound of knocking coming from the front door of your apartment.

Dreading on leaving the comfort of your spot on the couch, you heaved a sigh before getting up from your seat and dragged yourself over to the door to answer it. “Hello-” You swung the door open and were immediately greeted by someone's chest in your line of vision. Your eyes traveled upward and you felt your breath catch in your throat.

“Y/N… It’s good to see you again.”

The man before you looked much different from the last time you had seen him. But even with the big and little changes in his appearance and how he seemed to carry himself differently, you could still tell exactly who he was just based on the look in his eyes.

“Seonghwa,” You gaped, still not entirely sure if you were seeing him in front of you or just hallucinating after watching TV all day, “H-How… How did you…?” You trailed off with furrowed brows as he gave you a sheepish look in return.

“Ah, sorry, this is rather impromptu of me. I bumped into Hongjoong a few days ago when I first got back and he mentioned you two were roommates so…” Now it was his turn to trail off as a small blush formed on his cheeks. You mentally cursed at Hongjoong, finally putting the pieces together that he had set this all up. You didn't know whether to kiss him or kill him.

“I see,” You muttered, reminding yourself to shoot the little mastermind a colorfully worded text later, “Well, please, don't be shy. Come in, come in.” You insisted, a smile spreading across your face genuinely as you stepped to the side for him to enter.

Seonghwa smiled back gently, a sight that made your heart soar as you saw a flash of the boy you used to know appear for a split second before he stepped over the threshold.

✧

It had been hours of just talking and catching up with Seonghwa. You had learned that he was finishing up his last year of college soon, reaching to earn his degree in astronomy, and planned to move out of his dorm and into a place of his own nearby. The university he had attended was well out into the city, roughly 8 hours away, meanwhile you had attended your local college in town and graduated with your art degree about a year or so ago.

“Definitely not as cool as studying the stars and planets, though. I’m like the definition of a starving artist.” You chuckled, albeit a bit bitterly, facing Seonghwa as you propped your elbow over the back of the couch and tucked your legs underneath yourself.

Seonghwa had turned to face you as well but a bit awkward in body language, one leg crossed over the other as his hands remained in his lap stiffly. “Ah, it's not all that interesting. Trust me. Once math is involved, then you’ll see what I mean.” He said, earning another laugh from you that made his shoulders less tense and a fond smile spread on his face.

“You were always the artistic type, though. That’s something I’ve always liked and admired about you. Never afraid to be yourself… Just being able to think of something so creatively, from a vastly different perspective than anyone else, and turning it into something so beautiful. That’s always been pretty cool to me.” He went on, leaving you a bit stunned at his words.

“Hwa…” The old nickname slipped from your lips in a whispered tone and his eyes found yours, locking onto them as a few seconds passed by in stretched silence. Seonghwa opened his mouth to speak again, hesitating at first before licking his lips, and asked, “Can I tell you something?”

Words felt like they would fail you right now so you simply nodded for him to continue. Seonghwa swallowed the lump in his throat before speaking again. “I’m really happy that you still remember me. I know that's silly to say because it's only been a couple of years but I wouldn't know how to feel if you acted as if I was a complete stranger…” He said, looking away with an almost pained expression despite the smile still on his face.

“I would never! We were important to each other back then.” You told him, scooting closer to him on the couch as you reached out to place your hand over his own. Seonghwa’s eyes shot down toward the movement, feeling the warmth of you from your body’s proximity and your fingers touching him so delicately, then back up to your face. “And now? He questioned, hopeful, as he placed one of his hands over yours and squeezed.

You squeezed his hand back and sighed. “I was scared of the same thing… that you would forget about me or pretend like you did. Or you would see me and want nothing to do with me so I figured I’d try to avoid you... But after you showed up and we talked, it feels like you never really left at all.” You admitted, feeling Seonghwa subtly shuffle closer to you.

“I thought about you almost all of the time during the years we spent not with each other, Y/N. I don't think I could forget you even if I tried.” He admitted back, similar to the words Hongjoong had said to you the other day. That had to have been something Hongjoong had heard him say when they bumped into each other and you mentally noted to punch the man whenever he got home.

Right now, however, you were going to focus on Seonghwa and what you wanted to do next.

Your hand came up to wrap around the back of his neck and he froze, his body stiffening as you leaned in close until your lips were a breath away from his own. “Tell me if this is okay. I want to show you how important you still are to me.” You murmured, the movement of your lips lightly brushing against Seonghwa’s causing him to exhale shakily.

A quick nod was all the confirmation you needed before diving in, catching his mouth in a deep kiss. You untangled your other hand from his lap and brought it up to join the one around his neck as you pulled him closer, crawling your way into his lap in the process until you were straddling one of his thighs.

Seonghwa’s body shook slightly underneath you, his hands hovering over your sides as if he were hesitating to touch. You pulled away briefly, nibbling at his bottom lip before tugging it and making him groan. “You can touch me.” You said, sensing his hesitation, and started to lick the seam of his parted lips.

He let you in with no resistance, the feeling of your tongue against his wet and probing as his hands gripped onto your waist tightly.

You licked in to Seonghwa’s mouth eagerly as you started to move forward until he was effectively pushed onto his back with ease. Feeling breathless, you parted from his mouth again to catch yourself but started to trail your lips from the side of his face to his neck where you began to bite and suck at the sensitive skin there.

“Y/N…” He gasped before letting out a whiny moan. Your eyes flitted up to his face to take in the sight of Seonghwa— already looking debauched and fucked out, and you barely even started. “What do you want, Hwa?” You mumbled against his skin and he shivered at the sensation.

“Whatever you want. You take the lead. Please.” Seonghwa replied in a strained voice, holding onto you as if you were a lifeline.

When you suddenly pulled away from him and stood up, Seonghwa shot up in panic wondering if he had said something wrong until you put your hand out for him to take wordlessly.

He kept his mouth shut and took it, letting you guide him all the way to your bedroom where you closed the door behind him with a click of the lock, officially sealing your fate together.

“You told me to take the lead, right?” You questioned once you were facing Seonghwa again, slowly approaching him. Your finger traced small shapes onto his chest as you backed him up into the bed, the back of his knees hitting the edge and making him sit down.

His ass hadn't been on the bed for more than 3 seconds before Seonghwa slid off of it and onto his knees in front of you, peering up with wide expectant eyes. “Yes. You can do whatever you want to me, I’ll enjoy anything you give me.” His tone of voice sounded airy as he uttered those words and you couldn't help but run your fingers through his hair as he leaned into your touch.

“You’re already on your knees for me… surely you already had something in mind.” You smirked at him teasingly, watching him shift under your gaze. “Can I…?” He trailed off questioningly as his eyes flickered quickly from your face to the crotch of your sweatpants and back up again. Heat pooled in the pit of your stomach seeing how eager he was to please. Eager to please you.

You tugged your sweatpants down until they dropped unceremoniously onto the floor, kicking away the article of clothing before stepping closer to Seonghwa. His breathing had gotten shallow once his eyes fell onto your panty-covered pussy, the thin layer of the material leaving little to the imagination. The small wet spot he could see near the center made his cock twitch, straining against his pants.

Seonghwa’s hands gently grazed along your ankles first, gradually going higher from there to the back of your knees and up the back up your thighs. A small shiver raked through you when his fingers traced the lining of your underwear, slipping under the band a little as he grabbed ahold of your ass.

“A-Ah… Hwa…” You moaned softly when he pressed you forward into his face and placed a lingering kiss onto your mound right where your clit was. You took a step closer to him, pressing his face fully into your pussy now, and what little hold he had of his composure immediately slipped.

Seonghwa groaned as he buried his face into every crevice he could fit into, his long tongue rolling out of his mouth so he could run it along the moist material messily. “Knew you’d taste good,” He mumbled against the inside of your thigh, “Smell good, too. I could only dream about something like this happening in real life.” He added before latching his lips onto your clit and sucking the bud through the fabric. This plus the friction of your panties still covering your pussy was enough to make your body lurch forward a bit.

The back of Seonghwa’s head was now pressed against the edge of the bed, pinned between the comforter as you began to grind against his face.

“You should've told me sooner. I think I like seeing you like this.” You told him with a breathless giggle, swiveling your hips as Seonghwa tried to follow every movement to the best of his ability. He didn't mind it. You were using him to pleasure yourself and he couldn't be any more happier.

His grip on your ass had tightened when he felt you begin to back up and you rubbed your thumb against his wrist to make him loosen his hold. “I just wanna move onto the bed, Hwa.” You reassured him and he reluctantly let go. Despite not being completely bare, the evidence of your arousal shined like a gloss on Seonghwa’s bruised lips when you got a good look at him.

You crawled onto your bed, peeling your shirt and dampened panties off before throwing them somewhere you’d worry about later, and waited for Seonghwa to join you. Realizing your lack of underwear now, he followed along until he was stripped bare and crawled slowly up the bed until he was situated between your spread thighs.

Seonghwa’s eyes stayed locked onto your own as he trailed kisses along the inside of your thigh, bringing his face closer and closer until he could finally taste you without restriction or barriers.

The first swipe of Seonghwa’s tongue starting slowly from your hole up to your clit had your legs spreading out wider for him. And when his plump lips wrapped around your clit sucking earnestly, you felt your eyes nearly roll to the back of your head as you reached out to grip his hair roughly.

Seonghwa groaned, muffled by his ministrations, and the vibration of it made your hips buck up. He unlatched himself from your clit briefly only to laser focus his attention on dipping his tongue into your hole to lap up whatever juices started to leak from it.

“Hwa,” His name came out in a shuddered moan as you placed your hands on his shoulders and squeezed to get his attention, “I really need you.”

Seonghwa’s response came delayed, spending a couple extra minutes using his tongue to simply savor your taste before he made his way up your body where his mouth came crashing into yours. “You have me, baby.” He panted between open-mouthed kisses as his hand came up between your bodies to grab ahold of his throbbing cock.

“Do I?” You smirked against his mouth, nudging his hand out of the way so you could wrap your own around his length. Seonghwa gasped lightly, bucking up into the tight ring of your fist. “You think you could switch places with me, baby?” You purred as you stroked his cock languidly. It didn't take long for him to carefully flip the two of you over and have you hovering above him.

“Fuck, you're–” Seonghwa breathed out, eyes glued to your face as you rubbed the tip of his dick through your folds, “you’re just as beautiful as I always remembered but this is truly a sight.” He said while trailing his hands along your thighs then higher up to your hips where he held onto them as you lined him up to your entrance.

The breach stung a bit once you started to sink down onto him and Seonghwa rubbed his thumbs gently into your hip bones as you took your time taking him all the way inside of you. “I’m starting to believe that crush everyone keeps saying you had on me.” You sighed out once your pelvic bone met his, moving your hips slowly in small circles as you relished the way Seonghwa felt so deep inside of you.

“Have,” Seonghwa corrected as he tried to keep himself still under your movements, twitching every time he felt your walls constrict around his cock, “I think it was obvious to everyone but you.” He licked at his lips before tucking his bottom lip between his teeth when you lifted yourself up momentarily only to sink yourself back down onto him.

Picking up a steady pace now, not going too fast or too slow, you simply enjoyed the way Seonghwa stretched you out and filled you up with every movement of your hips. A whimper-like sound punched out of him when you came back down just a little bit harder, clenching around his cock, and you cooed at the noise. “Poor baby. Am I at least making it up to you well?” You pouted at him with a tilt of your head, smoothing a hand down his chest soothingly.

“Noona,” Seonghwa whined, your body immediately stiffening at the sound of his voice sounding so wrecked, “Please, please go faster.”

You obliged without question, deciding that you would have a chance to tease him another time. You pressed your hand down flat on Seonghwa’s chest and used it as leverage to ride him the way you knew you would both love; bouncing on his dick as he thrusted upward involuntarily to meet the action.

This helps Seonghwa to go a little bit deeper, the head of his cock brushing along your walls just right until he hits directly at the spot that has you quivering above him.

You can barely hold yourself up and soon feel your arm give out as you bow your back and press your foreheads together. “Feel s-so good, baby…” You muttered while staring into Seonghwa’s eyes. His half-lidded gaze stared back briefly before pressing your mouths together in an intimate kiss.

He then caught you off guard by starting to buck up into you, almost frantically, as he wrapped his arms around your body and pressed you to his chest. “Cum with me, please, please, please–” Seonghwa begged, seemingly right on the edge of cumming.

Thankfully you weren't too far behind him with the way he had started to desperately fuck into you. And with the remaining body strength you could muster, you rode him with just as much urgency while still pressed closely to his chest.

Seonghwa had been the first to tip over, pleading over and over again until his voice became slightly hoarse. He stilled himself deep inside of you before you felt warmth filling you up in spurts, a pretty drawn out moan falling from his lips as you clenched around him tightly and followed suit.

You whimpered as Seonghwa helped you ride it out, his hands placed on your waist to help you grind down against him and giving your clit some added friction.

Feeling boneless, but most of all satiated, you finally collapsed against him as he started to rub along your back and traced over your spine. The delicate feeling of his fingers sent a tingle throughout your being that you could only chalk up to the resurfacing of those feelings you had kept hidden so deep within.

Seonghwa attempted to sit up and you grumbled in protest causing a laugh to escape him. “We have to get cleaned up.” He reasoned but you only clung on to him tighter as he rose and had you seated on his lap. “Will you stay afterwards?” You asked quietly, hope laced into your tone with a hint of vulnerability. Because now that you had him in your life again you would be damned to see him go so quickly.

“Of course. I’m not going anywhere without you again.” Seonghwa said, leaning forward to press his lips chastely against your forehead before looking at you with eyes full of love and sincerity.

Those same eyes that always held the stars in them that sparkled like glitter and reassured you that he would be right by your side for as long as you would let him.

[thatsatricky1]

𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐊𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐯𝐫𝐚 | p.js

“This is not going to be easy for us, you know, you basically doomed us from the start.” Y/n sighed out, readjusting her uniform.

“Czennie’s liked it when I wore it.” Jisung defended himself from where he sat at the end of your bed, also dressed.

“That is Czennie, this is your friends and members. It’s gonna be ruthless out there.” She counter argued turning to face away from the body length mirror in favour of looking at Jisung.

“And we both know for a fact I am not a Hufflepuff.” She continued moving over to Jisung, noticing his tie undone.

“Well we are supposed to match.” He gave a weak excuse not wanting to fess up; he'd just bought the hufflepuff version because it was the first one that came to mind that just somehow managed to be the same as his currently owned uniform.

“You do realise we didn’t also have to match houses right? You’re a terrible liar Sungie.” She mused out while moving to do his tie for him.

“If I have to wear the Hufflepuff one, so do you.” He mumbled out looking up at her while she continued tying his yellow/black tie.

“Alright, let’s go. I can already hear Haechan making as many puns as possible, not to mention Mark is going to be rattling one reference after another.

Jisung wincing at the mere thought as Y/n placed his scarf to hang loosely around his neck. Though he thought at least he’d be able to get through it with you dealing with it all by his side.

🪄

Y/n had been right about Haechan taking an opportunity to say a pun here and there whenever the duo was close by, but he laid off once the night started to go into full swing. Uselessly Y/n and Jisung would mingle around at parties like this, yet they stuck together this time round.

Wether for the fact they were matching or another completely different reason the two weren’t sure. But when Y/n had decided to go to Jeno for a quick chat leaving Jisung to deal with Jaemin by himself it all went south at least that’s what he thought.

“Matching houses Jisungie?” Jaemin teased out with a shit eating grin and knowing look in his eyes.

In that moment Jisung didn’t doubt that if you'd taken away his costume's fake devil horns and pitchfork that rested next to him on the couch, Jaemin would still embody a demon with just that look alone.

“Please don’t.” Jisung all but groaned out, cheeks and ears already heating up knowing fully well where Jaemin was going with this conversation.

If Jisung could take back a moment in his life it would be one that happened a few weeks ago. In a moment of weakness he’d blurred to Jaemin on his crush, said crush being their very own Y/n. Then again Jaemin wasn’t surprised in the slightest, claiming everyone but Y/n could tell. The two were too clueless for their own good.

“No, I think I will.” Jaemin’s grin grew even larger as he leaned in pinching Jisung’s reddening ear, continuing “Very smooth Jisungie very smooth.”

“So when are you gonna start sending really obvious signals to her? She’ll need a big hint to actually realise.” Jaemin asked, causing Jisung to look away.

Jisung couldn’t even think of a way of doing that let alone go through with it considering it was Y/n they were talking about.

And on cue she walked right back up to them having finished whatever previous conversation she’d been in. Moving to sit down on the couch.

“Stop scarring Jisung, Jaemin. Whatever you’ve done to work him up again.”

“Actually funny enough we were just talking about-” Jaemin’s words were cut off by Jisungs hand slapping against his mouth letting out a nervous laugh.

“What costumes we should try next year, you know? Like maybe the whole group costume thing could actually work out if we think about it now instead of last minute.” Jisungs rambled and spewed out words coming out in a rush as he tried to do damage control.

Y/n glancing at Jaemin who only wiggled his eyebrows, mouth no longer in action due to Jisungs hand muting him for the time being. She only gave a knowing look back before starting a whole new conversation.

🪄

“You know despite Haechan’s horrible puns I don’t actually think our costumes were that bad.” Y/n admitted when it was just the two of them walking out into the carpark.

“Huh?” Was all Jisung let out considering only this morning he’d watched her diss her own outfit in a mirror.

“I just think if we are gonna go in hogwarts uniforms why not the same house. Though we should have gone for Slytherin to be honest, besides that I thought it was nice.”

“We kinda ate on the matching couple hogwarts house uniforms.” Y/n finished off, shrugging as if her words didn’t just make Jisung nearly crash out at the mere word; couple being mentioned.

Jisung was about to go into a flustered ramble but Y/n cut him off before he could say something awkward.

“For the record I’m not as oblivious as the group thinks, I know you like me Jisung and before you say anything. I like you too.”

Jisung in all his thoughts about how he’d tell you about his feelings for you had not once thought it would be like this, dressed in hufflepuff robes on the 31st of October. Y/n only smiled when she noticed his ears reddening once again.

𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: @rotinyzen @wonyoungmywife @snflwrhaerecs4u @thegreenlynx @serinebsblog @delululi @molensworld @morkiee @marvelahsobx @kaciebello @kgneptun @bluedbliss @haechansbbg @officiallyjaehyuns @bunnychui @audreybub 

(This Taglist is used for all my nct context so if you’d like to be tagged in my nct content please comment or write to me to be added)

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: Oh so you picked Jisung? Good choice tbh.

𝐁𝐨𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐰:

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[drama-glob]

SPOILERS FOR "MASTERMIND" BELOW:

OMG!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THAT JUST HAPPENED!!! We knew we were getting the courtroom case and that I.M.P. was in trouble, but I still laughed at them destroying all the evidence of their operation. XD XD XD When I.M.P. was on trial, the grimoire was the obvious issue to cover, but the level of devious conspiring going on from Andrealphus was a whole other level! >:( I mean, trying to pin the hit on Stolas on Blitz just for good measure to tie up loose ends and ensure Blitz didn't get off?! Oh I'm with Vassago on being all kinds of pissed at Andrealphus's actions! >:(

Also, yay to Vassago! ^_^ He has shown to be a good boy so far and I love him just not having it with Andrealphus and contesting an actual fair trial. Him loving that Stolas was going to sing his explanation was adorable too. ^_^ <3<3<3

It was so great getting to see all the Deadly Sins in one place (besides Lucifer) and see the designs for Leviathan and Belphagor! It was cool that Leviathan was confirmed to be two-headed demon and I love Belphagor's design. ^_^ Satan was definitely an intimidating dragon-biker type and I'm glad he has that Yogirt guy to help him stay calm. ;) He definitely is not one who values mercy though and since he seems to be the one running things since Lucifer is MIA from these proceedings, he like so many other royals we've seen puts less value on all other demons. >:( It also was so great to see Bee and Ozzie again and I adore them being besties to knock Mammon down a beg! ;) I also just knew that Ozzie and Bee would be the ones to know that Blitz wasn't a cruel, heartless bastard and want to actually hear his side of the case. ^_^<3<3<3

My heart just broke though when Blitz did what I (and so many of us) knew he'd do and sacrificed himself for the sake of saving his team! ;_; ;_; ;_; I'm just glad that Stolas managed to catch the end of the trial or else, well... O_O

Stolas may have been a touch of his goofy self with the song, but the animation and the fact that we got another duet with Blitz and Stolas both admitting they loved each other?! ^_^ I was thrilled at the song and that they both were doing what they could to save the other, even if they still need to have a real, full-on talk. <3<3<3 Blitz screaming for Stolas was devastating and once again a testament to Brandon's vocal talents. ;_; ;_; ;_; I'm so glad that Millie, Moxxie and Loona were there for Blitz afterward and that Loona even called him dad again. ;_; <3 The only upside of Satan's value of Hell's hierarchy though is that he didn't kill Stolas where he would have Blitz, but it's still terrible to see Stolas stripped of his power and above all, not getting to see Octavia it seems and her being left in the hands of Stella and Andrealphus. O_O ;_; ;_; ;_;

Having Blitz be there for Stolas, taking care of him and taking him into his home was another thing so many of us predicted, and while it's sad how much Stolas loss, knowing that he'll still have Blitz and vice versa warmed my heart. Hopefully Stolas's time with Blitz will help him better understand Blitz's struggles and give him that support system for when he gets too into his head and needs someone to help him. At least it looks like I.M.P. can still be in business though thanks to Blitz having the Asmodean crystal, although who knows if they'll still be faced with additional scrutiny later due to the DHORK situation, but that's for another day. Now we just have "Sinsmas" left for the season, which seems like it'll have Stolas trying to get his daughter back, managing his punishment and dealing with Stella and Andrealphus. I can't wait to see what happens since we know Blitz will do what he can to help! ^_^<3<3<3