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tofupixel · 9 months ago

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⭐ So you want to learn pixel art? ⭐

🔹 Part 1 of ??? - The Basics!

Edit: Now available in Google Doc format if you don't have a Tumblr account 🥰

Hello, my name is Tofu and I'm a professional pixel artist. I have been supporting myself with freelance pixel art since 2020, when I was let go from my job during the pandemic.

My progress, from 2017 to 2024. IMO the only thing that really matters is time and effort, not some kind of natural talent for art.

This guide will not be comprehensive, as nobody should be expected to read allat. Instead I will lean heavily on my own experience, and share what worked for me, so take everything with a grain of salt. This is a guide, not a tutorial. Cheers!

🔹 Do I need money?

NO!!! Pixel art is one of the most accessible mediums out there.

I still use a mouse because I prefer it to a tablet! You won't be at any disadvantage here if you can't afford the best hardware or software.

Because our canvases are typically very small, you don't need a good PC to run a good brush engine or anything like that.

✨Did you know? One of the most skilled and beloved pixel artists uses MS PAINT! Wow!!

🔹 What software should I use?

Here are some of the most popular programs I see my friends and peers using. Stars show how much I recommend the software for beginners! ⭐

💰 Paid options:

⭐⭐⭐ Aseprite (for PC) - $19.99

This is what I and many other pixel artists use. You may find when applying to jobs that they require some knowledge of Aseprite. Since it has become so popular, companies like that you can swap raw files between artists.

Aseprite is amazingly customizable, with custom skins, scripts and extensions on Itch.io, both free and paid.

If you have ever used any art software before, it has most of the same features and should feel fairly familiar to use. It features a robust animation suite and a tilemap feature, which have saved me thousands of hours of labour in my work. The software is also being updated all the time, and the developers listen to the users. I really recommend Aseprite!

⭐ Photoshop (for PC) - Monthly $$

A decent option for those who already are used to the PS interface. Requires some setup to get it ready for pixel-perfect art, but there are plenty of tutorials for doing so.

Animation is also much more tedious on PS which you may want to consider before investing time!

⭐⭐ ProMotion NG (for PC) - $19.00

An advanced and powerful software which has many features Aseprite does not, including Colour Cycling and animated tiles.

⭐⭐⭐ Pixquare (for iOS) - $7.99 - $19.99 (30% off with code 'tofu'!!)

Probably the best app available for iPad users, in active development, with new features added all the time.

Look! My buddy Jon recommends it highly, and uses it often.

One cool thing about Pixquare is that it takes Aseprite raw files! Many of my friends use it to work on the same project, both in their office and on the go.

⭐ Procreate (for iOS) - $12.99

If you have access to Procreate already, it's a decent option to get used to doing pixel art. It does however require some setup. Artist Pixebo is famously using Procreate, and they have tutorials of their own if you want to learn.

⭐⭐ ReSprite iOS and Android. (free trial, but:) $19.99 premium or $$ monthly

ReSprite is VERY similar in terms of UI to Aseprite, so I can recommend it. They just launched their Android release!

🆓 Free options:

⭐⭐⭐ Libresprite (for PC)

Libresprite is an alternative to Aseprite. It is very, very similar, to the point where documentation for Aseprite will be helpful to Libresprite users.

⭐⭐ Pixilart (for PC and mobile)

A free in-browser app, and also a mobile app! It is tied to the website Pixilart, where artists upload and share their work. A good option for those also looking to get involved in a community.

⭐⭐ Dotpict (for mobile)

Dotpict is similar to Pixilart, with a mobile app tied to a website, but it's a Japanese service. Did you know that in Japanese, pixel art is called 'Dot Art'? Dotpict can be a great way to connect with a different community of pixel artists! They also have prompts and challenges often.

🔹 So I got my software, now what?

◽Nice! Now it's time for the basics of pixel art.

❗ WAIT ❗ Before this section, I want to add a little disclaimer. All of these rules/guidelines can be broken at will, and some 'no-nos' can look amazing when done intentionally.

The pixel-art fundamentals can be exceedingly helpful to new artists, who may feel lost or overwhelmed by choice. But if you feel they restrict you too harshly, don't force yourself! At the end of the day it's your art, and you shouldn't try to contort yourself into what people think a pixel artist 'should be'. What matters is your own artistic expression. 💕👍

◽Phew! With that out of the way...

🔸"The Rules"

There are few hard 'rules' of pixel art, mostly about scaling and exporting. Some of these things will frequently trip up newbies if they aren't aware, and are easy to overlook.

🔹Scaling method

There are a couple ways of scaling your art. The default in most art programs, and the entire internet, is Bi-linear scaling, which usually works out fine for most purposes. But as pixel artists, we need a different method.

Both are scaled up x10. See the difference?

On the left is scaled using Bilinear, and on the right is using Nearest-Neighbor. We love seeing those pixels stay crisp and clean, so we use nearest-neighbor.

(Most pixel-art programs have nearest-neighbor enabled by default! So this may not apply to you, but it's important to know.)

🔹Mixels

Mixels are when there are different (mixed) pixel sizes in the same image.

Here I have scaled up my art- the left is 200%, and the right is 150%. Yuck!

As we can see, the "pixel" sizes end up different. We generally try to scale our work by multiples of 100 - 200%, 300% etc. rather than 150%. At larger scales however, the minute differences in pixel sizes are hardly noticeable!

Mixels are also sometimes seen when an artist scales up their work, then continues drawing on it with a 1 pixel brush.

Many would say that this is not great looking! This type of pixels can be indicative of a beginner artist. But there are plenty of creative pixel artists out there who mixels intentionally, making something modern and cool.

🔹Saving Your Files

We usually save our still images as .PNGs as they don’t create any JPEG artifacts or loss of quality. It's a little hard to see here, but there are some artifacts, and it looks a little blurry. It also makes the art very hard to work with if we are importing a JPEG.

For animations .GIF is good, but be careful of the 256 colour limit. Try to avoid using too many blending mode layers or gradients when working with animations. If you aren’t careful, your animation could flash afterwards, as the .GIF tries to reduce colours wherever it can. It doesn’t look great!

Here's an old piece from 2021 where I experienced .GIF lossiness, because I used gradients and transparency, resulting in way too many colours.

🔹Pixel Art Fundamentals - Techniques and Jargon

❗❗Confused about Jaggies? Anti-Aliasing? Banding? Dithering? THIS THREAD is for you❗❗ << it's a link, click it!!

As far as I'm concerned, this is THE tutorial of all time for understanding pixel art. These are techniques created and named by the community of people who actually put the list together, some of the best pixel artists alive currently. Please read it!!

🔸How To Learn

Okay, so you have your software, and you're all ready to start. But maybe you need some more guidance? Try these tutorials and resources! It can be helpful to work along with a tutorial until you build your confidence up.

⭐⭐ Pixel Logic (A Digital Book) - $10 A very comprehensive visual guide book by a very skilled and established artist in the industry. I own a copy myself.

⭐⭐⭐ StudioMiniBoss - free A collection of visual tutorials, by the artist that worked on Celeste! When starting out, if I got stuck, I would go and scour his tutorials and see how he did it.

⭐ Lospec Tutorials - free A very large collection of various tutorials from all over the internet. There is a lot to sift through here if you have the time.

⭐⭐⭐ Cyangmou's Tutorials - free (tipping optional) Cyangmou is one of the most respected and accomplished modern pixel artists, and he has amassed a HUGE collection of free and incredibly well-educated visual tutorials. He also hosts an educational stream every week on Twitch called 'pixelart for beginners'.

⭐⭐⭐ Youtube Tutorials - free There are hundreds, if not thousands of tutorials on YouTube, but it can be tricky to find the good ones. My personal recommendations are MortMort, Brandon, and AdamCYounis- these guys really know what they're talking about!

🔸 How to choose a canvas size

When looking at pixel art turorials, we may see people suggest things like 16x16, 32x32 and 64x64. These are standard sizes for pixel art games with tiles. However, if you're just making a drawing, you don't necessarily need to use a standard canvas size like that.

What I like to think about when choosing a canvas size for my illustrations is 'what features do I think it is important to represent?' And make my canvas as small as possible, while still leaving room for my most important elements.

Imagine I have characters in a scene like this:

I made my canvas as small as possible (232 x 314), but just big enough to represent the features and have them be recognizable (it's Good Omens fanart 😤)!! If I had made it any bigger, I would be working on it for ever, due to how much more foliage I would have to render.

If you want to do an illustration and you're not sure, just start at somewhere around 100x100 - 200x200 and go from there.

It's perfectly okay to crop your canvas, or scale it up, or crunch your art down at any point if you think you need a different size. I do it all the time! It only takes a bit of cleanup to get you back to where you were.

🔸Where To Post

Outside of just regular socials, Twitter, Tumblr, Deviantart, Instagram etc, there are a few places that lean more towards pixel art that you might not have heard of.

⭐ Lospec Lospec is a low-res focused art website. Some pieces get given a 'monthly masterpiece' award. Not incredibly active, but I believe there are more features being added often.

⭐⭐ Pixilart Pixilart is a very popular pixel art community, with an app tied to it. The community tends to lean on the young side, so this is a low-pressure place to post with an relaxed vibe.

⭐⭐ Pixeljoint Pixeljoint is one of the big, old-school pixel art websites. You can only upload your art unscaled (1x) because there is a built-in zoom viewer. It has a bit of a reputation for being elitist (back in the 00s it was), but in my experience it's not like that any more. This is a fine place for a pixel artist to post if they are really interested in learning, and the history. The Hall of Fame has some of the most famous / impressive pixel art pieces that paved the way for the work we are doing today.

⭐⭐⭐ Cafe Dot Cafe Dot is my art server so I'm a little biased here. 🍵 It was created during the recent social media turbulence. We wanted a place to post art with no algorithms, and no NFT or AI chuds. We have a heavy no-self-promotion rule, and are more interested in community than skill or exclusivity. The other thing is that we have some kind of verification system- you must apply to be a Creator before you can post in the Art feed, or use voice. This helps combat the people who just want to self-promo and dip, or cause trouble, as well as weed out AI/NFT people. Until then, you are still welcome to post in any of the threads or channels. There is a lot to do in Cafe Dot. I host events weekly, so check the threads!

⭐⭐/r/pixelart The pixel art subreddit is pretty active! I've also heard some of my friends found work through posting here, so it's worth a try if you're looking. However, it is still Reddit- so if you're sensitive to rude people, or criticism you didn't ask for, you may want to avoid this one. Lol

🔸 Where To Find Work

You need money? I got you! As someone who mostly gets scouted on social media, I can share a few tips with you:

Put your email / portfolio in your bio Recruiters don't have all that much time to find artists, make it as easy as possible for someone to find your important information!

Clean up your profile If your profile feed is all full of memes, most people will just tab out rather than sift through. Doesn't apply as much to Tumblr if you have an art tag people can look at.

Post regularly, and repost Activity beats everything in the social media game. It's like rolling the dice, and the more you post the more chances you have. You have to have no shame, it's all business baby

Outside of just posting regularly and hoping people reach out to you, it can be hard to know where to look. Here are a few places you can sign up to and post around on.

/r/INAT INAT (I Need A Team) is a subreddit for finding a team to work with. You can post your portfolio here, or browse for people who need artists.

/r/GameDevClassifieds Same as above, but specifically for game-related projects.

Remote Game Jobs / Work With Indies Like Indeed but for game jobs. Browse them often, or get email notifications.

VGen VGen is a website specifically for commissions. You need a code from another verified artist before you can upgrade your account and sell, so ask around on social media or ask your friends. Once your account is upgraded, you can make a 'menu' of services people can purchase, and they send you an offer which you are able to accept, decline, or counter.

The evil websites of doom: Fiverr and Upwork I don't recommend them!! They take a big cut of your profit, and the sites are teeming with NFT and AI people hoping to make a quick buck. The site is also extremely oversaturated and competitive, resulting in a race to the bottom (the cheapest, the fastest, doing the most for the least). Imagine the kind of clients who go to these websites, looking for the cheapest option. But if you're really desperate...

🔸 Community

I do really recommend getting involved in a community. Finding like-minded friends can help you stay motivated to keep drawing. One day, those friends you met when you were just starting out may become your peers in the industry. Making friends is a game changer!

Discord servers Nowadays, the forums of old are mostly abandoned, and people split off into many different servers. Cafe Dot, Pixel Art Discord (PAD), and if you can stomach scrolling past all the AI slop, you can browse Discord servers here.

Twitch Streams Twitch has kind of a bad reputation for being home to some of the more edgy gamers online, but the pixel art community is extremely welcoming and inclusive. Some of the people I met on Twitch are my friends to this day, and we've even worked together on different projects! Browse pixel art streams here, or follow some I recommend: NickWoz, JDZombi, CupOhJoe, GrayLure, LumpyTouch, FrankiePixelShow, MortMort, Sodor, NateyCakes, NyuraKim, ShinySeabass, I could go on for ever really... There are a lot of good eggs on Pixel Art Twitch.

🔸 Other Helpful Websites

Palettes Lospec has a huge collection of user-made palettes, for any artist who has trouble choosing their colours, or just wants to try something fun. Rejected Palettes is full of palettes that didn't quite make it onto Lospec, ran by people who believe there are no bad colours.

The Spriters Resource TSR is an incredible website where users can upload spritesheets and tilesets from games. You can browse for your favourite childhood game, and see how they made it! This website has helped me so much in understanding how game assets come together in a scene.

VGMaps Similar to the above, except there are entire maps laid out how they would be played. This is incredible if you have to do level design, or for mocking up a scene for fun.

Game UI Database Not pixel-art specific, but UI is a very challenging part of graphics, so this site can be a game-changer for finding good references!

Retronator A digital newspaper for pixel-art lovers! New game releases, tutorials, and artworks!

Itch.io A website where people can upload, games, assets, tools... An amazing hub for game devs and game fans alike. A few of my favourite tools: Tiled, PICO-8, Pixel Composer, Juice FX, Magic Pencil for Aseprite

🔸 The End?

This is just part 1 for now, so please drop me a follow to see any more guides I release in the future. I plan on doing some writeups on how I choose colours, how to practise, and more!

I'm not an expert by any means, but everything I did to get to where I am is outlined in this guide. Pixel art is my passion, my job and my hobby! I want pixel art to be recognized everywhere as an art-form, a medium of its own outside of game-art or computer graphics!

This guide took me a long time, and took a lot of research and experience. Consider following me or supporting me if you are feeling generous.

And good luck to all the fledgling pixel artists, I hope you'll continue and have fun. I hope my guide helped you, and don't hesitate to send me an ask if you have any questions! 💕

My other tutorials (so far): How to draw Simple Grass for a game Hue Shifting

#so you want to learn pixel art #pixel art #tutorial #pixel art tutorial #art tutorial #guide #mine

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jobsbuster · 10 months ago

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were--ralph · 1 year ago

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why exactly do you dislike generative art so much? i know its been misused by some folks, but like, why blame a tool because it gets used by shitty people? Why not just... blame the people who are shitty? I mean this in genuinely good faith, you seem like a pretty nice guy normally, but i guess it just makes me confused how... severe? your reactions are sometimes to it. There's a lot of nuance to conversation about it, and by folks a lot smarter than I (I suggest checking out the Are We Art Yet or "AWAY" group! They've got a lot on their page about the ethical use of Image generation software by individuals, and it really helped explain some things I was confused about). I know on my end, it made me think about why I personally was so reactive about Who was allowed to make art and How/Why. Again, all this in good faith, and I'm not asking you to like, Explain yourself or anything- If you just read this and decide to delete it instead of answering, all good! I just hope maybe you'll look into *why* some people advocate for generative software as strongly as they do, and listen to what they have to say about things -🦜

if Ai genuinely generated its own content I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it, however what Ai currently does is scrape other people's art, collect it, and then build something based off of others stolen works without crediting them. It's like. stealing other peoples art, mashing it together, then saying "this is mine i can not only profit of it but i can use it to cut costs in other industries.

this is more evident by people not "making" art but instead using prompts. Its like going to McDonalds and saying "Burger. Big, Juicy, etc, etc" then instead of a worker making the burger it uses an algorithm to build a burger based off of several restaurant's recepies.

example

the left is AI art, the right is one of the artists (Lindong) who it pulled the art style from. it's literally mass producing someone's artstyle by taking their art then using an algorithm to rebuild it in any context. this is even more apparent when you see ai art also tries to recreate artists watermarks and generally blends them together making it unintelligible.

Aside from that theres a lot of other ethical problems with it including generating pretty awful content, including but not limited to cp. It also uses a lot of processing power and apparently water? I haven't caught up on the newer developements i've been depressed about it tbh

Then aside from those, studios are leaning towards Ai generation to replace having to pay people. I've seen professional voice actors complain on twitter that they haven't gotten as much work since ai voice generation started, artists are being cut down and replaced by ai art then having the remaining artists fix any errors in the ai art.

Even beyond those things are the potential for misinformation. Here's an experiment: Which of these two are ai generated?

ready?

These two are both entirely ai generated. I have no idea if they're real people, but in a few months you could ai generate a Biden sex scandal, you could generate politics in whatever situation you want, you can generate popular streamers nude, whatever. and worse yet is ai generated video is already being developed and it doesn't look bad.

I posted on this already but as of right now it only needs one clear frame of a body and it can generate motion. yeah there are issues but it's been like two years since ai development started being taken seriously and we've gotten to this point already. within another two years it'll be close to perfected. There was even tests done with tiktokers and it works. it just fucking works.

There is genuinely not one upside to ai art. at all. it's theft, it's harming peoples lives, its harming the environment, its cutting jobs back and hurting the economy, it's invading peoples privacy, its making pedophilia accessible, and more. it's a plague and there's no vaccine for it. And all because people don't want to take a year to learn anatomy.

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glotoru · 2 years ago

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ooh baby, ooh baby, i’m in love | eren jaeger.

the note 𐦍 i’ve recently been thinking about a successful, older (early to mid thirties), soft spoken eren who lives to spoil the woman of his dreams—so i’m gonna share this with y’all too. i’m actually just projecting our relationship. not proud of the ending but wtv. part two here. inspired by west coast, lana del rey.

contains 𐦍 nsfw, fem!reader, stupidly rich!eren, established relationship, vaginal sex, mating press, cervix kisses, use of pet names (princess, baby, my wife, the usual yk), unprotected sex, breeding, squirting, softie eren, mild body worship, size kink, hand on stomach while fucking mhm, i love you’s exchanged, praise kink, eren talks to your pussy while he’s in it, i’m thinking black reader but it’s all subjective babes: if you like it, read it!!

truth be told, eren jaeger doesn’t believe he has much to live for.

he’s kept his circle small for all of these ongoing years; with the occasional extension of acquaintances from work dinners, or christmas parties—though, he preferred to slip away from such events when eyes weren’t so…watchful. he likes to think his social battery has drained over the course of his life. looking back at his angstful teenage years, fourteen year old most likely wouldn’t recognize the person he is today.

his once intense nature that resembled an overbearing presence of loud determination turned calm—steadfast and slow to visible anger (with the exception of a passive aggressive comment here and there from simple annoyance). the short hair that once barely covered his nape now fell to his broad shoulders, however, he preferred to keep it up—maintaining appearances while keeping it convenient. the smaller five foot six body grew to an intimidating lean six foot four instead.

however, those things were quite trivial; he knew such changes happened with growth and eventual maturity.

but for a significant chunk of his life, eren was never the greatest with women. he was oblivious—blind to the wandering eyes full of admiration from girls in his classes and workplace—and nose deep in his books. he wouldn’t rest until he was on top of his grades; which he had no problem with. His emphasis on success failed him when it came to the dating scene; to say the least he was shy—and married to his work as well.

but on top of all this, eren was a patient man, and good things always comes to those who wait.

and when a dangerously beautiful woman comes wandering into his life on the street outside of an office dinner he gracefully slipped away from, asking him for an extra five dollars to help pay for her cab home from a no-show date—a woman that has him battling the slew of warning alarms sounding away in his usually zen mind and redefining what he thought was himself—he knows that he’s waited long enough.

simply put, he’s a man of his craft; dedicated to two things. his work, and his wife.

His wife—the phrase has his brain melting into pure grey matter that spills out his body in the form of love. To even think he has the opportunity to refer to you as such is priceless in itself. eren didn’t believe he could love—let alone love this hard. you ask him to run, he’ll say how far; jump—how high?

you’ve changed him—ever since he offered to drop you off in his sleek black mercedes benz parked somewhere by the valet and you giggled in response, saying ‘i’m not usually so trusting of strangers’ will the slightest glint of curiosity in your bright eyes.

and somewhere in between the months, his ten hour workdays turned to six, important software development meetings got pushed back for convenience, the accumulating days of paid time off started being used, for once, his assistant could do their job, and his new focus was you.

diamonds and pearls, nails and hair, dinners on boats and vacations on beaches, shopping sprees on his black card and all of his devotion towards you—only you.

eren…he’s a worshipper—it doesn’t take much for him to get on his knees for you. he’s not ashamed, if anything, he’s proud. he likes to say that anything that’s his, is yours; so who are you to deny what he gives you?

that’s another thing he oh so loves about you—you readily take everything he can offer. you let him take care of you, and he wouldn’t want it any other way; you’re his wife after all.

his wife, his wife.

“my wife…” eren mumbles to himself as he buries his face into the crook of your perfumed neck. the pronounced scent makes his head spin, you can’t fathom how in love with you this man is. as his large hands engulf your own, he’s met with the texture of your wedding ring that cost him over twenty grand, the one you cried over when you saw it in his hands offering it to you—but eren doesn’t think it does his adoration for you enough justice.

he prefers to show you.

while there’s no doubt that material items and dream homes are things you like to receive—there’s nothing better than the way he has you now, one leg resting atop his shoulder and the other barely slung around his waist as he steadily ruts his hips into your own.

oh, how could you be so beautiful? splayed out on the bed like a wicked man’s deepest desires and dreams; the one he secretly lusts for from across the room with no hopes to introduce himself because you’re just so out of his league. your hair is messily draped over the silk pillows, all remnants of your lipgloss/lipstick gone from your parted lips and instead smudged on his own, the gold necklace with his diamond initial was falling into the dip in your neck, and you were gazing at him with need. pure, heartfelt need.

your body arches towards him, manicured hands trailing towards your own chest to play with your nipples that hardened from the low temperature of the room. “i need you eren, make me feel you—i want it.” your voice is smooth, accompanied with a small whine that reminds him just how spoiled you are, and how it’s all his fault.

but he couldn’t care less—you deserve it for wandering into his life to make you his own.

“i know princess, i know.” he knows damn well you need him, he knows, he knows—he’s repeating it as he peppers a kiss to your jewelled ankle before pressing down on the back of your thigh to steady himself.

eren fucks like he loves—endlessly and hard.

maybe that’s why the way he bullies your pussy while bottoming out has you grasping at the threads of the sheets and chanting his name like a hymn followed by prayer. he lets your cunt feel every bit of him, the ridges—veins, down to the last inch. he’s terrifyingly big, another thing you love about him.

his dick feels like it’s mushing your insides, curving up against your spongy walls that oh so desperately tighten around him. every thrust is harder than his last, and the way the trimmed hair resting above his base brushes against your clit provides all the extra stimulation that has your head rolling to the side. your uncontrolled moans turn to sobs when you feel his tip tickle your cervix—and boy does it make him a rejuvenated man.

“look at me.” his words barely register as syllables in your clouded mind—you keep your head turned, eyes focused shut as your body shakes upwards from the fervour of his unrelenting tempo. there’s a lot of things eren can have, and you not watching the way his slick covered dick slips in and out of your weeping pussy isn’t one of them. “you have to look at me pretty girl.” his tone is soft but firm, thick fingers taking your chin in his hands and turning you towards him once again.

“see how well you’re taking me? all of it.” he gives you a million dollar smile, hinting for you to watch where the two of you connect. “your pretty cunt just wants it so bad, right?”

“oh, eren…” it’s always a sudden surprise how soiled his mouth can get at times like this. heeding his request, you watch his cock disappear in your folds—and you sight of it has you fluttering around him like a whore.

“you were made for me, weren’t you? prettiest sight i’ve ever seen.” you’ve heard his praises a multitude of times, having him ramble on about fucking you so much your walls moulded to fit him like a tight glove, only that now, he’s saying it to your pussy instead.

“only you ‘ren, was made just for you.” you babble out, feverishly bucking your hips up to meet his ruts.

when your eyes finally rip away from below and back up to his face, the look he wears has your cunt melting like putty. with furrowed brows, a dip in his forehead and a bitten lip, he watches your body move with each fuck. even in such a sinful position, you were just so divine.

almost subconsciously, his ringed hand moves from your hip and over to your torso, gliding over your pierced belly and stopped at your lower stomach, “I’m right here baby.” gently, he applies pressure to the spot, making your eyes blow open as you moan in response. the feeling gives you butterflies—ones that go straight to your clit and stimulate the nerves in your shaky legs.

“cummin—eren i’m cumming!” you’re rambling, scrambling to push his hand away from your belly, but it’s all too late, and eren knows that well. how could he not? your body is a temple, he’s explored every inch of it, and the sudden vice grip your walls have you him and periodic throb of your cunt is all too telling. your orgasm is drawn out, legs spazzing around your entranced husband, “mm, oh-fuck! yesyesyes eren, don’t stop!”

oh, aren’t you just perfect. his eyes soften when he watches how your mouth hangs open in a silent scream, only to capture it in a languid and sloppy kiss, teeth grazing your plump lips and sucking on them like a sweet. you whine he pulls himself away from your body completely, instead he takes the time to tack his thumb to your puffy clit, rubbing feint circles and the occasional attempted heart on the bud. he always does this, coaxing out the last of your orgasm with nimble fingers that you dream about

“you gonna let me take good care of you?” he asks softly between hushed breaths while grabbing hold of both your legs and hoisting them over his shoulders. helplessly, all you can do is nod; you’re in a trance at the very sight of him. his defined torso is illuminated by the back light of one of the many lamps in your bedroom, his hair is slipping from its captive elastic band, the grip of his hands on your ankles sends searing hot pulses straight to your sensitive clit.

he gives himself a few good pumps, sliding his length between your folds. your wetness aids him in bottoming out once again, but your sensitivity has you squirming in his hold. “gotta stay put baby.” he marvels, talking you into submission, “that’s my girl.”

his praises are followed by the shift of his hands down to the back of your thighs, they gently rub the plush skin before pushing them down to meet your chest. while there are some circumstances where looking down at you sparks something within him, eren likes to be eye to eye with you when he’s balls deep—turns him on even more being in such close proximity with such a captivating woman.

you squeal from the uncomfortable burn in your hamstring from being folded in half with the additional feeling of eren’s body weight on your own. you swear that you can feel your heart palpitating in your ears as you feverishly clench around him. “it’s too much! can’t take it, can’t take it!”

“of course you can, you know you can, your pussy takes everything i give it.” eren speaks between juts, pressing your knees to your shoulder blades as he pistons into you without any regard for decency. his thrust feel like a hammer, knocking your body into the memory foam mattress you begged him to buy.

stars cloud your eyes as he wraps himself tighter around you, head in the side of your neck as he peppers kisses across your skin. your pants and gasps are loud, amplifying the sounds of slapping skin and balls hitting the fat of your ass. his favourite part is when you dig your nails into his back, leaving cresent shaped imprints and jagged lines across it like a painter with a canvas; scars of your love.

deep groans fill your ear, soft and sweet; all eren can ramble about is you—how good you feel, how quick you can make him unravel like a ball of string, how lucky he is to have you in his life—the list goes on.

“i love you—fuck, i love you so much baby, you treat me so well.” with his declaration of love, his pace seems to increase, fucking you dumb and leaving you to heave for whatever air is left to breathe.

“i love you too, so much.” your eyes scramble around in your haywire brain, overloaded by the repeated feeling of the jackhammering going on in your walls and the non-stop cervix kisses he gives you. “it’s all yours, eren; you deserve it, you deserve this pussy. you married this, have it.”

eren jaeger doesn’t believe he’s deserving of much; has he earned things? yes. but you…laying beneath him, telling him he deserves you? it makes him never want to leave—not that he would dream of doing so in the first place.

he does deserve it—your words make his brain malfunction. he deserves it. fuck, you might just be the death of him.

you’re crying for him, grasping at any part of his body possible to get him closer to you than physically possible. your tighten around his base once more, and your hand flies down to messily prod at your clit in an attempt to play with it.

meanwhile, eren’s unrelenting pace falters; that man knows he’s going to cum soon, and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t do it with you. so he pleads with you to give him one more—telling you that you’ve got another one bundled up in there for him. to say it’s true is unknown, but your body listens to eren, and miraculously whatever he believes will happen comes to fruition.

but your body is delicate—everyone knows delicate things break under pressure. with the unrelenting strain and stretch his dick gives your walls, the tight feeling in your core, and aching numbness in your legs, your buildup feels much more violent—ready to release all built up tension given to you by your husband.

“eren—keep on going like this and i’m gonna make a mess!” you fuss around, hand reaching to gently push his torso away in fear you may soil the freshly made sheets.

“that’s the goal.” he states as a matter of factly, brows furrowing as a suppressed groan bubbles up from his chest at the thought: pretty little face going stupid and clawing at anything within reach as you writhe and cum all over his torso and lower body. you can’t make him budge now that he’s a determined man.

his strokes grow sloppy but powerful, curved cock repeatedly ramming into your spongy spot that force your plush walls to grip around him, “you’re eating me up here, love.” he mumbles, moaning into your mouth in the disguise of a messy kiss.

the last roll that tips you over the rocky edge is a shaky one, the last one he could give before emptying himself into you. it’s thick and hot and you feel it fill you as you twitch underneath him and cover his abdomen with your juices. wordlessly, his hands reach for yours as he stills; soft lips peppering the lining of skin on your cheek.

eren jaeger knows that change is inevitable—it comes with time. but eren jaeger also knows one thing will stay the same; his love and adoration for the pretty girl laying below him.

#eren jaeger x reader #eren x reader #eren smut #eren jaeger smut #aot smut #aot x reader #snk x reader #snk smut #eren yeager x reader

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mostlysignssomeportents · 3 months ago

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Canada sues Google

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/12/03/clementsy/#can-tech

For a country obsessed with defining itself as "not America," Canada sure likes to copy US policies, especially the really, really terrible policies – especially the really, really, really terrible digital policies.

In Canada's defense: these terrible US policies are high priority for the US Trade Representative, who leans on Canadian lawmakers to ensure that any time America decides to collectively jump off the Empire State Building, Canadian politicians throw us all off the CN Tower. And to Canada's enduring shame, the USTR never has to look very hard to find a lickspittle who's happy to sell Canadians out.

Take anti-circumvention. In 1998, Bill Clinton signed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a gnarly hairball of copyright law whose Section 1201 bans reverse-engineering for any purpose. Under DMCA 1201, "access controls" for copyrighted works are elevated to sacred status, and it's a felony (punishable by a five-year prison sentence and a $500k fine) to help someone bypass these access controls.

That's pretty esoteric, even today, and in 1998, it was nearly incomprehensible, except to a small group of extremely alarmed experts who ran around trying to explain to lawmakers why they should not vote for this thing. But by the time Tony Clement and James Moore (Conservative ministers in the Harper regime) introduced a law to import America's stupidest tech idea and paste it into Canada's lawbooks in 2012, the evidence against anti-circumvention was plain for anyone to see.

Under America's anti-circumvention law, any company that added an "access control" to its products instantly felonised any modification to that product. For example, it's not illegal to refill an ink cartridge, but it is illegal to bypass the access control that gets the cartridge to recognise that it's full and start working again. It's not illegal for a Canadian software developer to sell a Canadian Iphone owner an app without cutting Apple in for a 30% of the sale, but it is illegal to mod that Iphone so that it can run apps without downloading them from the App Store first. It's not illegal for a Canadian mechanic to fix a Canadian's car, but it is illegal for that mechanic to bypass the access controls that prevent third-party mechanics from decrypting the error codes the car generates.

We told Clement and Moore about this, and they ignored us. Literally: when they consulted on their proposal in 2010, we filed 6,138 comments explaining why this was a bad idea, while only 53 parties wrote in to support it. Moore publicly announced that he was discarding the objections, on the grounds that they had come from "babyish" "radical extremists":

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/copyright-debate-turns-ugly-1.898216

For more than a decade, we've had Clement and Moore's Made-in-America law tied to our ankles. Even when Canada copies some good ideas from the US (by passing a Right to Repair law), or even some very good ideas of its own (passing an interoperability law), Canadians can't use those new rights without risking prosecution under Clement and Moore's poisoned gift to the nation:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/15/radical-extremists/#sex-pest

"Not America" is a pretty thin basis for a political identity anyway. There's nothing wrong with copying America's good ideas (like Right to Repair). Indeed, when it comes to tech regulation, the US has had some bangers lately, like prosecuting US tech giants for violating competition law. Given that Canada overhauled its competition law this year, the country's well-poised to tackle America's tech giants.

Which is exactly what's happening! Canada's Competition Bureau just filed a lawsuit against Google over its ad-tech monopoly, which isn't merely a big old Privacy Chernobyl, but is also a massively fraudulent enterprise that rips off both advertisers and publishers:

https://www.reuters.com/technology/canadas-antitrust-watchdog-sues-google-alleging-anti-competitive-conduct-2024-11-28/

The ad-tech industry scoops up about 51 cents out of every dollar (in the pre-digital advertising world the net take by ad agencies was more like 15%). Fucking up Google's ad-tech rip off is a much better way to Canada's press paid than the link tax the country instituted in 2023:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-ban-surveillance-advertising

After all, what tech steals from the news isn't content (helping people find the news and giving them a forum to discuss it is good) – tech steals news's money. Ad-tech is a giant ripoff. So is the app tax – the 30% Canadian newspapers have to kick up to the Google and Apple crime families every time a subscriber renews their subscriptions in an app. Using Canadian law to force tech to stop stealing the press's money is a way better policy than forcing tech to profit-share with the news. For tech to profit-share with the news, it has to be profitable, meaning that a profit-sharing press benefits from tech's most rapacious and extractive conduct, and rather than serving as watchdogs, they're at risk of being cheerleaders.

Smashing tech power is a better policy than forcing tech to share its stolen loot with newspapers. For one thing, it gets government out of the business of deciding what is and isn't a legit news entity. Maybe you're OK with Trudeau making that call (though I'm not), but how will you feel when PM Polievre decides that Great Replacement-pushing, conspiracy-addled far right rags should receive a subsidy?

Taking on Google is a slam-dunk, not least because the US DoJ just got through prosecuting the exact same case, meaning that Canadian competition enforcers can do some good copying of their American counterparts – like, copying the exhibits, confidential memos, and successful arguments the DoJ brought before the court:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-google-monopolizing-digital-advertising-technologies

Indeed, this already a winning formula! Because Big Tech commits the same crimes in every jurisdiction, trustbusters are doing a brisk business by copying each others' cases. The UK Digital Markets Unit released a big, deep market study into Apple's app market monopoly, which the EU Commission used as a roadmap to bring a successful case. Then, competition enforcers in Japan and South Korea recycled the exhibits and arguments from the EU's case to bring their own successful prosecutions:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/10/an-injury-to-one/#is-an-injury-to-all

Canada copying the DoJ's ad-tech case is a genius move – it's the kind of south-of-the-border import that Canadians need. Though, of course, it's a long shot that the Trump regime will produce much more worth copying. Instead, Trump has vowed to slap a 25% tariff on Canadian goods as of January 20.

Which is bad news for Canada's export sector, but it definitely means that Canada no longer has to worry about keeping the US Trade Rep happy. Repealing Clement and Moore's Bill C-11 should be Parliament's first order of business. Tariff or no tariff, Canadian tech entrepreneurs could easily export software-based repair diagnostic tools, Iphone jailbreaking tooks, alternative firmware for tractors and medical implants, and alternative app stores for games consoles, phones and tablets. So long as they can accept a US payment, they can sell to US customers. This is a much bigger opportunity than, say, selling cheap medicine to Americans trying to escape Big Pharma's predation.

What's more, there's no reason this couldn't be policy under Polievre and the Tories. After all, they're supposed to be the party of "respect for private property." What could be more respectful of private property than letting the owners of computers, phones, cars, tractors, printers, medical implants, smart speakers and anything else with a microchip decide for themselves how they want to it work? What could be more respectful of copyright than arranging things so that Canadian copyright holders – like a games studio or an app company – can sell their copyrighted works to Canadian buyers, without forcing the data and the payment to make a round trip through Silicon Valley and come back 30% lighter?

Canadian politicians have bound the Canadian public and Canadian industry to onerous and expensive obligations under treaties like the USMCA (AKA NAFTA2), on promise of tariff-free access to American markets. With that access gone, why on Earth would we continue to voluntarily hobble ourselves?

#pluralistic #link tax #big tech #corruption #canpoli #cdnpoli #monopolies #ad-tech #publishing #canada #competition bureau #usmca #nafta #anticircumvention #r2r #right to repair #interoperability

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user211201 · 9 months ago

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Chronivac Coworkers

--- Originally posted on 2022-09-19 by davidrodge ---

You sit down at your desk and rub your eyes. Another day of paper pushing and number crunching to get through. It wasn’t like you had done anything particularly interesting the previous night. You had stayed up a little later playing some mediocre matches of online gaming - but when I guess when you get to be around 40, your body constantly feels like it’s been dragged behind a car down the high way. Not that you didn’t take care of yourself, in fact you’d say you looked pretty good for your age…

You stretch in your seat, and reach for your coffee as your computer powers on. The few windows illuminating the office show the first few morning beams of scorching July sunlight. Behind you, the door opens and your Coworker David strides in.

“Morning Adam!” He says in a strangely cheerful voice. You put your coffee down from your lips and give him a stare. Normally David was about 20 minutes later than he already was, and usually he walked into the office with the same enthusiasm you’d see in a man walking towards a guillotine.

“Morning Davo,” you say, typing in your far too long corporate password. “You seem less Zombie-like today, what are you so excited about?”

David Smiled as he sat down in his chair opposite from yours. You were techniqually Davids senior Manager, but the two of you had developed a decent friendship between Friday drinking and the occasional tennis match.

“Oh Nothing Adam, I just got to the top of the waitlist for this super cool Software, and I was finally able to download it!”

You nodded, half listening as you began logging into all your engineering system.

“Very Interesting, what’s the program called? Is it like a Gaming platform?” David opened up his laptop and started to type furiously.

“No it’s not a game at all, It’s an app called the Chronivac. It’s supposed to be a reality altering software. I had a friend in the UK that sent me the information for it, He said that it completely changed his life.”

You paused from your coffee long enough to lean over and roll your eyes at him.

“I hope you didn’t have to pay any money for it.” You moaned, “This Job doesn’t pay you enough for you to be wasting your time on Overseas Scams.”

David was absolutely transfixed on his laptop. A wide, slightly crazed looking grin spreading over his face.

“It actually ended up costing me thousands of dollars,” he said, now in a far quieter voice, “but it was completely worth it.”

“THousands Of DoLLARS!” You exploded, immediately turning the heads of the fellow desk jockeys nearby,

“SHut UP man,” David hissed, half closing his laptop defensively. You simmered as the both of you waited for the rest of your colleagues to return back to their work. David narrowed his Eyes at you, smile creeping back onto his face.

“It wasn’t a waste of money and I can prove it too you. Just let me find your profile really quick.”

“Wait, this thing has a profile for me on it?” You said, now even more concerned then before. “David, This seems like some really dangerous software And I definitely thing that you shou-“

Davids Computer cut you off with a cheerful beep, and immediately you felt a strange sensation course through your body.

“What the hell!” You shout as you start the world around you starts to grow. You feel a strange tightening sensation in your body, as you glance downward. Your clothing seemed to liquify, shifting from a smart suit and dress shirt into a casual tee. In shock you glance at the bay window and catch a reflection of yourself. There you were…. Or rather, there you were 20 years ago! You lift your hands up too your face and feel your skin. Wrinkle free, young, and real!

“ there’s no way this is real,” you say in a whisper. This has to be a dream you think, as you continue to explore your now unfamiliar body.

David leaned over the edge of his desk beaming,

“ See I told you man! This program is incredible!” He looked you over, seeming to be proud of his work. “Dang it’s crazy what taking 20 years off a man can do!”

You take a brief pause from reveling at your new found youth.

“ this is incredible David! How is this even possible?!”

“It’s the chronivac man! Like I said it’s freaking amazing and can change anything!” The wild grin still fresh on his face.

You stand up, coursing with a newfound energy.

“WE HAVE TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THIS!” You say ecstatically. The grin drops from David’s face.

“What?”

You begin to jog away from the desks, heading straight for the break room where you knew, most of your coworkers would still be gathered.

“We can change anything with this! This is going to be the coolest thing any of these morons have ever heard about!”

“Wait! No stop! Aww shit-“ you hear David shout as you continued running. You barely processed his voice or cared. You felt so alive! The excitement in your chest was all you could feel or even think of right now. You slid around the corner, breaking into a sprint down the hallway. You could hardly wait to introduce your new younger self to your coworkers and tell them about this amazing new device.

“GUYS, YOU WOULDNT BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO-“

Suddenly your voice catches In your throat, as your mouth dries out In an instant. You keep running, starting to trip over yourself on the concrete floor.

“ what the” you gasp through a dry mouth. Your tongue feels like a pillow in your mouth as you tumble to the floor. You are vaguely aware of the sight of your hands, which appear to be changing color and texture. Your vision fades with the sight of your fingers turning bright blue and seeming to collapse in on themselves.

You can’t seem to find your voice, or be able to move as you feel yourself shrinking. You feel an indescribable softening sensation on all sides as you slide to a stop. Suddenly, it’s over as quickly as it started, and there you lay on the floor. Your brain slows down, filled only with the most basic thoughts now.

“ what….. happened…” you think to yourself with great effort. Your aware of footsteps coming towards you from your position on the floor.

“ Sorry about that man, I just couldn’t have you sharing my new toy with the rest of the world. It’s kind of like a private club, ya know?

….David? You think through fuzzy thoughts.

“ I’m still learning how to use the program haha, but you did turn out to be a nice pair of underwear Adam.”

You feel your now small form being lifted from the floor, then shoved into a pocket. David’s pocket.

“Don’t worry man, we’ll get you sorted out. I think you’ll make a really good practice for me before I start changing myself.”

You couldn’t respond at all, but felt almost at home In the musky warm pocket you were haphazardly shoved into.

….so … nice… you find yourself thinking. You try to shake the fuzz out of your primitive mind. Trying to remember anything besides the new world you found yourself in. You faintly hear David through his clothing.

“ alright, I think the first thing we should do is get you home so we can have some fun.” You feel yourself being lifted from his pocket and placed back on the ground. You felt a longing to be back in the warm musky dark.

“this time however, I think we’ll turn your awareness off.”

David smiled punching his new specifications into the chronivac program. Adam wouldn’t remember any of what just happened, and also be open to his suggestions. The underwear on the pavement started to expand, shifting and changing until Adam once again stood in front of him with a slightly dazed look on his face.

“is it weird that that kind of turned me on…” David muttered to himself.

“Dave… what the hell is going on? Adam said In a bewildered voice. His voice echoed in the parking garage that they now stood in. David smiled, and typed into the chronivac.

“you were about to give me a ride home, remember big guy?”

Adam, still looking confused, but seemingly unaware of the last 20 minutes of his life shrugged and fished for his car keys.

“Alright man but don’t judge about the mess in my car.” He smiled and clicked his horn. The two of you walked over to the old SUV Adam drove and stepped inside, scooting aside the old take out bags and random junk. Adam sheepishly got In and fastened his seatbelt.

“Thanks for taking me home man, I wasn’t feeling the best.” David said hiding a smile while still typing in his computer. Adam started the car and began to pull out of the parking lot.

“no problem man, it’s been a boring day for me anyway.”

I’m sure it was… David thought pulling up Adams profile again. David pulled up Adams profile. He continued to explore it as they got on the highway - passing the braves stadium. Now it was time to really see what this program could do. He clicked on the occupation section and replaced senior engineer with Uber driver and hit enter. The cars interior suddenly shifted, quickly becoming neater and tidier. An Uber sticker appeared on the windshield. David smiled and Adam glanced over at him.

“Hey you owe me tho David,” he smiled “I could be making money right now instead of driving your ass around.”

“for sure man, I’ll make it up to you.” David grinned. He clicked onto Adams body specifications.

Alright let’s slide that age way down… maybe 22? He looked good like that, but let’s pump up his muscle mass by 80 pounds and increase his attractiveness level. David pulled open Adams identity profile and messed around with a few things. Instead of being a work friend, Adams new relationship to David was a complete stranger. David deleted Adams previous educational experience tab and input college fraternity brother into his profile. He dropped the IQ level down to one of the lower settings. It might be nice for Adam to worry about less right? He input “easygoing” into his profile. He hit shuffle on race, just for some added fun and eagerly hit enter.

the change was immediate. Adam shifted in his seat, losing a few inches of height but gaining a ridiculous amount of mass everywhere. His legs filled in his pants so quickly David thought they might burst. His arms ballooned outwards and his face shifted to a cocky smirk. His pecs jutted out against his shirt, bouncing with the cars motion. The clothes he previously wore liquified and stretched tight against his body - becoming a simple tee shirt and short shorts. His hair styled itself into a skin fade, and a tan crept over his body. A backwards cap materialized on his head, and a stud In his ear as he glanced over at David.

“What? You like what you see man haha?”

The new Adam raised his arm and flexed his now massive bicep.

You both laughed as you felt a mixture of pride and arousal. Adam put a beefy arm on the dash of his car and started typing into the gps, stopping at an intersection .

“Where was it you said you wanted to be dropped off again sir?”

David rattled off his address, trying to hide the growing… excitement that was beginning to show In his crotch. The new Adam glanced down and smirked at David, but continued driving. David smiled, reviewing Adams profile again.

“ So what do you have going on in your life… Adam right?” David asked, trying for conversation with his previous boss.

“We’ll I’m just chilling at the university right now…” Adam said with a dull laugh, “spending a lot of time at the gym and with the boys right now.”

David nodded absentmindedly, sliding Adams sexuality to nearly 100 Percent gay. Just to see what would happen. He slid the Libido curser to high and glanced back up at Adam. A distracted look now plastered on his face, one hand on the wheel, one hand now migrating down to his shorts.

“… and you know… spending time… with the boys.”

David could barely contain his excitement as the two pulled up to his house. Adam threw the vehicle in park and shifted his Adonis frame in his seat to face David.

“Hey man, don’t even worry about the ride today, it was nice meeting you. I’ll void the bill In the app.” He said with a smile. David met his gaze and blushed. Oh my god, was he flexing?

“Oh that’s really too nice of you man, there’s really no need.” David stuttered

Adam smiled and bit his lip, he hopped out of the car to get David’s door.

“No I insist. I Really enjoyed being your driver today.”

David stepped out of the car, amazed by what he had been able to do to his friend. The new Adam held out his hand for a solid high five. He winked and said,

“Message me if you ever need a ride again bro.” With that, he strutted back to his car, then got in and sped down the road - blasting music.

David stood on the edge of the driveway. Clutching his lap top and trying to calm himself. He began to stride into his house, weighing his options. People had warned him, that the chronivacs power could really go to your head if you didn’t have a handle on it. He unlocked the door and paced into his living room. David hadn’t thought much about it, but man had he really surprised himself. In the space of 1 hour he had changed his boss into a horny college himbo without so much as a blink.

He through himself onto the couch and started up at the ceiling. David smiled, thinking of the limitless possibilities that now awaited him. He could literally become whatever he wanted to. Could change the world in whatever way he wanted. The possibilities were so endless p, he had no idea what to do.

After a moment of watching the rotating fan David grinned. He didn’t know all the things he wanted to change, but he did know what he wanted right now. He pulled his laptop back up and fired up the chronivac. Adams profile still displayed on screen. David clicked into Adams relationship status and began clicking around. It took a second to find the option, “willing to sleep with any man.” But David aggressively slammed the enter button and pulled out his phone, finding an Uber text string with the new Adam.

“Thanks again for the free ride today man. Was wondering if you wanted to ride anything else tonight? 😘🍆”

He waited breathlessly for a moment before three dots appeared on his screen, and then a message. Apparently a picture the new Adam had taken at the gym.

“on my way back big guy”

David slammed his laptop closed and ran to change into some more relaxed clothes. That was enough messing with the chronivac for the day. It was amazing what a horny stud he had been able to change his boss into. And ridiculous how quickly David had fallen for him.

David wrestled with his tie and glanced out the bedroom window as a car raced up. The new and improved Adam jumped out and started sauntering towards the door, already removing his shirt. David could only stares as he felt himself begin to go hard. He and Adam were going to have a lot of fun tonight.

#male transformation #reality change #jock tf #male tf #muscle #chronivac #dumbing down #tf story #age regression #inanimate tf #straight to gay

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falling-endlessly · 1 year ago

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Boomerang (part 3)

Vox x Female!Ex!Overlord!Reader

Summary: Your infuriating ex is planning something, and it's putting everyone on edge. But if he wants at the hotel, he'll have to go through you (and Alastor) first.

<— Part 2 Chapter Index Part 4 —>

—6 HOURS AGO—

"What," Valentino growled, claws creating cracks in the table from how hard he was gripping it. "The fuck did you just say?"

Velvette was no better. Her lip was pulled into a furious snarl, and for once her phone was nowhere to be seen. "Vox, are you out of your fucking mind?"

"Relax," Vox reclined in his chair, raising a brow at his murderous business partners. Velvette's eye twitched and the table creaked in protest under Valentino's fury. "I'm not actually going for redemption, damn, calm your tits people."

"What happened to keeping up an image for the brand?" Velvette banged a fist against her armrest, gritting her teeth. "The Morningstar bitch was literally humiliated on live television, and now you're going to personally advertise for her?!"

"The next extermination is coming sooner than ever, and people are getting desperate. This little publicity stunt can work in our favor," Vox crossed his claws under his chin, megawatt smile growing. "What's a little pity pitch going to hurt? Think about it, I can gather intel, fuck up Alastor's little project, and show Y/n where her allegiances should lie. Win-win-win," he chuckled ominously.

"Cut the shit, Vox," Valentino scoffed, leaning forward to sneer in his face. "It's obvious you're only going this far for that bitch. Can't keep a leash on your toys, hm?"

Vox grit his teeth, digging his claws into his thighs under the table. He knew this wasn't going to go over well, but to be talked down to by someone who was benefiting from him? "So what if I am?" He hid his rage with a large, mocking grin. "And by the way, where's Angel Dust? Haven't seen him around in a while."

Val's face twisted with rage. "You fucking—"

"Enough!" Velvette snapped, glaring at both of them. "I don't have time for this stupid shit. Get on with it or this meeting is over."

Vox's unhinged smile slowly relaxed into his charming PR one. "Of course, my apologies Velvette, Val. I can see why you're not...convinced yet. Let me fix that."

The projector on the wall suddenly sparked to life, displaying three pie charts and a legend with many colorful categories. He gestured to them from left to right. "This is a distribution of our profits from ten years ago, five years ago, and last year."

"We have eyes," Velvette droned boredly.

Vox's antennae sparked in irritation, but he continued regardless. "Y/n's helped develop countless programs and softwares, and with her expertise our earnings jumped thirty seven percent, especially during the collaboration between Voxtek and DeepSpace VR. Now, what happens now that she's taken her business elsewhere? Hell knows she has the computing power to run it without our servers—"

"So, we're supposed to just bend over backwards for a few bucks?" Valentino snarled, crossing his arms.

Vox's screen glitched as he struggled to keep his composure. Thirty seven percent was not just a few bucks. But he knew antagonizing Val right now was more trouble than it was worth. "Val," he chuckled, sauntering forward to rest a hand on the backrest of Valentino's chair, leaning into his space. "Since when have you said no to money?" His eye widened, rings spinning.

"Since it walked out on two legs and ignored us," Valentino snorted.

"Val, I need you to see the bigger picture!" He grasped both of Valentino's shoulders, moving behind him so he could speak enticingly into his ear. "This is an opportunity to keep our brand at the top, and get dirt on that radio bitch. The future is what matters, and we are going to be the ones pioneering it."

The projector flickered to one of the surveillance cameras pointed at an exterior angle of the hotel. Then, the image suddenly rippled to show an artificial video of the same property, but instead of the tacky hotel, there stood a modern building adorned with a bright, neon V logo.

Valentino's smile grew at his last sentence, and he turned in his seat, leaning his forehead to rest against Vox's screen. "I like your vision, Cariño," he purred, grinning wickedly to show off his golden tooth. "But, if your little money-making cocksleeve doesn't come back, well, don't say I didn't tell you so~" he said in a sing-song voice, long tongue coming up to lick languidly along the side of Vox's monitor.

Vox's grin froze on his face, screen glitching.

Valentino chuckled, pushing out of his seat before strutting away. "Oh, and Vox baby," he threw a saucy wink over his shoulder. "Come find me when you get lonely, yeah?"

The double doors slammed shut behind him, bathing the room in silence. Which Velvette quickly broke, of course.

"What the fuck, Vox?" She scrubbed a hand down her face. "All this for a profit we can afford to lose? Really?"

"Velvette," his smile twitched up to full, blinding attention again. "Have I ever let you down before? Everything is under control, trust me!"

"Uh huh," Velvette scowled, unconvinced. "You know, Alastor and Y/n are the only people you've ever really lost it for, and you're going to a place where there's both of them."

"What, you don't think I can handle myself?" His smile strained.

Velvette shook her head, standing up from her chair and approaching him. "You know, that PR shit might work on everyone else, but I can see through your bullshit, Vox," she gave him a hard stare. "Just don't fuck everything up, got it? Or I'll make you wish you didn't."

His fists clenched as she walked past him, smile dropping into a scowl as soon as she was out of view.

****

—PRESENT—

"Whatever you do, make sure he's at least ten floors away from me," you muttered to Vaggie, watching as Charlie gave the bane of your existence an awkward tour of the hotel.

The atmosphere was so tense and suffocating, it was starting to make you incredibly antsy. The others were no better. Angel was drumming his fingers anxiously on the bar counter, Niffty was curiously regarding the new "resident" and Husk was already chugging his second bottle of hard liquor. Holy hell, and you couldn't even forget about Alastor if you tried, the radio demon releasing a constant stream of static and looking about ready to sacrifice someone—preferably Vox—in an incredibly painful and sadistic ritual.

"I can't believe she's letting him stay," Angel hissed under his breath, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "Actually no, what am I saying? This is Charlie, of course she'd let him stay. God damnit."

A tap on your shoulder made you turn around, only to find your favorite stiff drink on the counter behind you. You nodded gratefully at Husk, taking the glass and throwing it back like water.

"At least the hotel's in one piece!" Niffty chirped, her one eye back to tracking any stray insects. "Less mess to clean up." Her knife gleamed as she stabbed a cockroach clean in half with a deranged giggle.

"This isn't going to end well," Vaggie scowled darkly. "He's going to try something, I fucking know it."

"Yeah, no shit," Angel groaned, Husk grunting in agreement.

"Or," Pentious chimed in, hair flaring thoughtfully. "He truly does want to redeem himself?"

There was a silence as everyone turned to look at him incredulously, before a unanimous, resounding "no," rang out.

****

"Anddd here's your room key," Charlie presented it to him with a flourish, beaming brightly. "We hope you enjoy your stay! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served downstairs in the dinning room, or you can go out and get your own food! We'll get your survey ready for you tomorrow so that you can start building your schedule."

"Schedule?" He quirked a brow, taking the room key from her outstretched hand. "For what, exactly?"

"Oh! Um," Charlie laughed, rubbing the back of her neck. "We actually host group therapy activities and trust exercises with the other staff and residents! You'll fill out a short survey so that we can personalize—"

"O-kay, let me stop you there, sweetheart," he chuckled, grin widening condescendingly. "I think it's great what you're doing, really, I do. But I've already got a schedule, and a billion dollar company to run. I'm quite the busy man, you know?"

Charlie furrowed her brow. "But—"

"Seriously, my sales would fall and what would my clients say? Hm?" A crowd booing track played in the background as Vox shook his head like she was just some uneducated child. "So thanks, but no thanks." He shot her a wink, before the door slammed in her face.

Charlie blinked in shock, taking a few seconds to process that she'd been dismissed in her own hotel. Her shoulders slumped as she trudged away.

But that only lasted for a few steps, before she perked right back up. What was she thinking? Giving up so quickly on one of her clients?

Charlie grinned, smacking a fist into her palm. She'd just have to try harder.

Unbeknownst to her, a figure had been watching the entire exchange from the shadows. Your jaw clenched, claws digging into the drywall.

"Unbelievable," you shook your head in disdain.

****

As soon as the door shut, Vox deflated like a balloon.

"Fuckkk," he hissed under his breath, sliding down the door tiredly. "The hell am I doing?"

He allowed himself only a few minutes to wallow in self-pity, before he sighed, pushing off the floor and getting to work. In less than twenty minutes, he had the whole room wired to his needs, electronic Voxtek devices littering the previously empty spaces. Now he had a way to travel without leaving his room.

He was just about to dematerialize into one of his laptops when a familiar, chilling presence made him freeze.

"Why, you only just got here! Don't tell me you're leaving already," Alastor chuckled, tilting his head in mock concern.

The radio demon was leaning an elbow against his dresser, just casually invading his privacy. God, just his smug face made Vox want to kill him already.

"What's it to you, old timer?" Vox sneered, electricity sparking from his claws in agitation. "Unlike you, some of us actually have responsibilities. So if you don't mind—"

"Oh my, breaking your word to Y/n already!" Alastor shook his head with a grin, sound effects of a heckling crowd emanating from his microphone cane. "How very...disappointing. Truly, I'd expect better from you!"

Vox's eye widened, the swirling rings on full display as his teeth grinded in rage. "Y-y-y-you keep her fucking name out of your filthy, cannibalistic mouth! You hear me?" He glitched furiously, electricity sparking in glowing webs from his monitor.

"Aha! Someone's a little on edge," Alastor laughed in tandem with an artificial, mocking laugh track. "Really, that was too easy! You're losing your touch."

"Get the fuck out of my room!" Vox snapped.

"Gladly," the radio demon grinned menacingly, the corners of his mouth stretching to unnatural proportions. "But first, I came to deliver a little message."

Vox gritted his teeth, curling his fists by his sides. His electricity buzzed under his skin, ready to electrocute the fuck out of this crazy fucker if he needed to.

"If you and your merry band of idiots pull even the smallest stunt to sabotage the hotel," Alastor approached him, antlers growing as his eyes turned to radio dials. "I think you'll find out that absence did not make my heart grow fonder."

"What, don't tell me you actually care about this place," Vox grinned, baring his teeth. "The whole redemption thing doesn't really seem to be up your alley, no offense."

"Oh, of course not! Haha! Don't be ridiculous," Alastor chuckled like he'd said something hilarious, but it was overlayed with bursts of radio static. "But I'm afraid I've invested too much in this source of entertainment for you to ruin it with your cheap, unoriginal touch."

The message was clear: don't touch my things.

Vox curled his lip, unwilling to back down no matter how utterly disturbing Alastor's demon form was up close. It gave him chilling flashbacks of their last explosive disagreement. "Then stay away from Y/n," he spat.

Alastor's grin widened, eyes glowing an eerie green as he held out his hand. "Is that a deal?"

Vox grimaced, looking at Alastor's creepy, voodoo doll appearance. "Hell no, you creepy fucker."

Then, like whiplash, Alastor's demon form receded and the air became breathable again. "Well, glad we cleared that up, then!" He laughed exuberantly, twirling his cane. "Nice catching up, chum!"

The demon grinned as he disappeared into shadowy wisps of smoke, melding with the darkness against the walls.

Vox's jaw clenched, electric anger vibrating through him and rattling his teeth. "Fuck!" He kicked over the first thing he saw, which happened to be a wooden workbench. It took a few deep breaths for him to finally calm down and collect his thoughts.

When he was no longer at risk of causing a city-wide outage again (that had been fucking embarrassing), he made his way back to his laptop like he was originally planning to do, only to pause in shock when he saw the brand new device short circuiting, screen full of pixelated static.

An explosive rage convulsed in his chest, the lights in the hotel flickering ominously.

"You red bambi ass fucker!"

****

<—Part 2 Chapter Index Part 4 —>

Taglist: @pooplyface1423 @spookysisters @that-one-weeb-buts-its-the-main @neito327 @hxzbinwrites @coleisyn @bababahannah @yellowsubiesdance @dirk-strides @justaspectatorforfandomarts @harmoira @sunnyslug @gum-iie @lady-valtieri @mit-suri @whatelsecouldgowrong @sillysimplysilky @eternalera @aoiyx @hazellight11 @hopefully-not @tsuvvy @imcryinginemo @dinorawrss @rekoloid @ayesha-eroticax3 @sle3pyh3ad2 @l0verboyxoxo1111

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thoughtsforsoob · 11 months ago

Note

im thinking about y/n fucking CEO yeonjun for a raise

CEO!YEONJUN X F!READER

a/n: hello anon!! thank you for the ask :) I usually wouldn’t write something like this (because I’m a strong independent woman that has tons of self respect) but for yeonjun I’d do pretty much anything 🥰 that’s my man right there. Anyways, please enjoy!!

You had just graduated college not so long ago and you were finally out looking for a job! You managed to secure your first position at your first choice company, working as a software developer! you were so proud of yourself and you were happy to finally be able to be independent and support yourself. You had a small apartment and nice things in said apartment but sometimes, you wish you had a little more money to save and to use to go out with your friends once in a while. hence why, after about 6 months, you go in to have a netting with your boss: yeonjun.

you were nervous about this meeting for a few different reasons. Yeonjun was a really handsome individual. Like…so handsome that he border-lined sexy. How could you possibly think of your boss this way? That’s so wrong! You did your best to avoid him because everytime you spoke to him, your cheeks and ears would go bright red and he could see your shyness.

Now, you were stepping into his office after his receptionist said you could. You took a breath before opening the door and finally walked in. There he was, in his usual fancy work attire, looking sexy as always. He was wearing a black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and his usual black slacks. He never wore fancy shoes though, always opting for vans or converse that also came in black. That made him a little less intimidating but still, you were no less nervous to speak to him.

He smiled when he saw it was you and other you to take a seat. “Oh y/n, come on in. Take a seat! Would you like anything to drink?” You shake your head no and he looks at you still. “So, tell me what you’re in for today? Is everything alright around the office?” You look down at your hands and then up at him, “yeah, everything in the office is okay. I kinda needed to ask more of a personal question.” Yeonjun nods and you ask your question. “A raise? Well, you have been doing really well. You’re probably one of our best employees.” Your eyes go wide and you smile. “Really? Does that mean you’ll consider a raise? Even if it’s a small one. I kinda need it.” He looks at you and thinks for a second, “well, maybe I’ll consider if you do something for me.” You were curious as to what he wanted so you asked him and you were shocked to hear his answer. “Just have sex with me. I think you’re really beautiful. If you do it, I’ll give you a $10 raise.” Your eyes get bigger at his offer. A whole ten extra dollars an hour??? That would be plenty to save up for that new hand bag you wanted!

you usually had a little more self-respect than this but you couldn't help it. the offer was too good to pass up no matter what you had to do. thats how you find yourself bent over your bosses desk, skirt bunched up at your waist and panties pooling at your ankles. he's standing behind you, teasing you dripping slit with his erection. he's smirking and using his free hand to caress your ass. "so pretty. how did i not ask for this sooner?"

he finally decided to stop teasing and pushing himself inside of you. you whine at the sudden intrustion and he leans over, grabbing one of your hands and intertwing it with his. "its okay, sweet girl. no need to whine. it's not gonna hurt for long." he kisses your cheek and pulls back to his previous position. when you tell him it was okay to move, he finally starts to thrust. he goes gently the whole time and calls you such pretty names. "such a beautiful girl taking it so well. you like this, hmm? when a big, important man treats you nicely?"

he continues his movements until you starts whining to cum. "mm sir...please. wanna-" you were cut off by his groan. "sir? you called me sir? say it again." he sniffle from the tears falling from your eyes, "sir! please!" he groans again and leans over again, getting closer to your face. "cum for me, pretty. wanna see that gorgeous face." with his words, you were sent overthe edge and finally let go. you cry out at the euphoric feeling and yeonjun continues to thrust, pulling out when he's ready to cum. he pumps himself a few more times and cums all over your ass. he smirks when he sees his work.

when you're done, you attempt to put your clothes back on buthe stops you. "hey, what are you doing? let me take care of you." you were suprised by this and turned, "sir, are you sure? you don;t have to do that. i understand if you don't have time for me beyond this." he shakes his head and chuckles, "i don't just have sex with anyone. what if i liked you and wanted to take you on a date? what wold you say?" you look at his eyes and they were sincere. "mm fine. lets go on a date." he smiled and kissed your cheek.

once he finally cleans you up and dresses you once again, he escorts you out of his offce with a wink and his phone number now in your phone.

#txt smut #yeonjun smut #yeonjun x reader #txt imagines #txt headcanons #txt post #tomorrow x together #yeonjun x y/n #txt fic #txt x reader #txt reactions

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justalost4girl · 8 months ago

Text

ONE

This fanfic is part of my Taylor Swift coded fanfics. word count: 3186

A girl walks onto the stage with a guitar in hand and a smile on her face.

She greets the band, and they greet her back. The shy girl thanks everyone for coming tonight.

Natasha Romanoff grips her glass tighter and orders another shot of whiskey without looking at the bartender, as she can't take her eyes off of you.

✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

One year earlier…

She finds you at the café. Natasha hates cafés, but she knows your company's head of security comes at the end of every period to get coffee with you; it's been like this for two weeks.

But today, you're alone at a table, and Natasha needs to adjust the plan. She goes to the counter and orders a cappuccino—the same as yours—and looks for a place to sit.

Your eyes meet hers, and for a moment, the redhead ignores the hot cup she's carrying.

You're beautiful

And shy.

Natasha recalls your file and smiles. You were exactly as Skye had described. She sees a chance to approach in the crowded room and clears her throat; she's done this before but feels the need to focus.

"Can I sit with you?" A soft voice pulls you out of the stupor you entered when you looked into those deep green eyes. Eyes that could inspire symphonies, and you believe she's the most beautiful woman you've ever seen, and your brain can't do more than nod, afraid of saying the wrong thing.

She sits beside you, not in front of you, waiting to analyze your computer. The file didn't mention the software you use, so it's up to her to find out before your friend arrives. She positions her coffee well so her field of vision can see anything that appears on the screen.

"I'm pretty sure I've seen you around here; do you live nearby?" She asks, trying to break the ice as usual, but deep down, she feels strange under your contemplative gaze.

"Yes, I live in the building across from Luthor Corp and work there." Your voice shows pride, and your eyes sparkle, Natasha notices. She wonders if you know what your colleague has been developing and the true nature of your boss.

"And you? I don't think I've seen you around here before," you seem genuinely interested. Natasha likes that. Targets are easy, but you are very easy; with just a few words, she already knows where you live and work. For a security analyst, you are far too naive.

And she puts the plan into practice.

"I just moved to the end of the block. There are so many boxes… I needed the coffee to give me energy." She says with an extremely calculated tone. You smile and notice that she has a beautiful corner smile and really seems tired, so you offer to help.

You always offer to help strangers.

And Natasha celebrates the success of the plan while taking a sip of coffee and leaning toward you, complimenting your screensaver. While you give her an excited explanation, she takes the opportunity to see the type of software used and memorizes the access password when you unlock the computer to show how the galaxy theme expands on your computer.

You exchange names.

She's Natalie. Nickname? Nat. The redhead shares similar tastes to yours, and something tells you that coming here alone was the best choice. After all, Nat would never look at you if Luke were around.

You also have a name, but everyone calls you Newton. In honor of your favorite physicist. A development assistant in the security sector with a desk always organizedly messy, in your words. Your boss, Luke, didn't come today because he had an emergency meeting and gave you the afternoon off. Natasha makes a mental note to understand this.

He didn't have any meetings scheduled.

As the coffee finishes, Nat guides you to her house. You stretch your back and even tie your hair up to help with the boxes. Then, you feel a bit disappointed to find there are only two, but you don't complain.

You never complain.

Natasha watches you help organize the books in the living room, chattering away about how you've read most of them and your opinions. You don't notice, however, that they show no signs of use, and amidst some jokes, for a minute Natasha forgets about the mission. Being with you is comfy.

"Wanna order pizza? I know a good place." You ask, sitting on her floor. Your jacket, backpack, and shoes are at the door. She liked how you took off your shoes to enter her house. It's a sign of respect, you say. The file points out the numerous k-dramas evaluated in your account, but she doesn't comment and even finds it adorable. She finds you adorable. Period.

"Sure, but only if you agree to watch something before we go and let me pay for the snack. You were my hero today." Nat smiles, and all that crosses your mind is how random your luck is. Here, sitting on this floor with the most beautiful woman you've ever met in front of you, the word destiny has a new meaning.

She gives you yoga pants and an oversized Star Wars shirt, your favorite saga, to make yourself comfortable. The pizza arrives while you're changing, and she can't use your laptop, but that loses its importance when your heart warms seeing you wear clothes she bought just for you. You feel like you're in heaven for finding someone as big a Star Wars fan as you, because that shirt was only available by order. Everything seems too perfect, you think, but the thought flies when you find out the theory of olives applies to both of you.

Natasha puts on your favorite movie from the franchise, and what was supposed to be just one movie becomes a marathon. She knows all the lines and jokes from each movie, knows curiosities and book details, and that makes you ignore your phone all night.

That night, you fall asleep on the couch.

The sun hits the window, and the redhead opens her eyes and sees you. Your arms are by your side, but Natasha is practically in your lap. Even in a deep sleep, you respect her too much to touch her.

Natasha is distracted for a moment and wonders how much of a spy she was last night. Here and now, looking at your lips in a half smile and your messy hair. Natasha almost feels bad for getting into this mission.

Almost.

She shakes her head and carefully gets off the couch and goes to your backpack, finding a black-covered book and the laptop. The goal? Install a spy program on the laptop. The problem? Natasha's curiosity gets the best of her, and she opens the book.

Your song lyrics, drawing attempts, and poems are a world for her to explore, and only after ten minutes, Natasha remembers the mission. She plugs in a device, pockets it, and waits for the installation, but when the progress bar is only halfway, your alarm goes off, and Natasha has to improvise.

Two minutes until the program is complete.

"Hello there," she says, smiling softly, throwing herself on top of you.

"Ah, now you're Obi-Wan? I thought you were Jar Jar Binks," you say, rubbing your eye and laughing at her offended expression.

Natasha rolls her eyes and starts a tickle war. You squirm, and she lets herself spin on the couch, ending up underneath you.

"Okay, okay, truce. You're not Jar Jar. You're the face anyone would turn to the dark side for," you say, feeling an unexpected courage.

"Does that go for you, Newton?" Natasha says softly, her eyes fixed on yours, her gaze alternating between your lips and your eyes in an almost hypnotizing manner.

"That goes for me, Nat," you whisper, looking at her lips.

You're not sure who initiated the kiss first, but you like to think it was both. The world seems to stop as your lips meet, each touch filled with emotions and suppressed desires. For you, it's a moment of pure magic and connection, an unexpected paradise. For Natasha, it's a reminder of what she could lose, a conflict between duty and desire.

The day passes slowly. She drags you from the couch to the kitchen for coffee and then back to the couch for a make-out session. Natasha has a dominant and bossy streak, and you feel comfortable and safe beside her, as her hands don’t cross any boundaries and remain on your waist. You try a new recipe, talk about the weather, exchange compliments and kisses. The afternoon arrives, and Luke calls you to the office.

You decide to stop by home first but manage to take one of Natasha's limited edition sweatshirts as a promise to meet again soon.

Natasha leaves you at the door smiling like she hasn't in a long time. All for the mission, of course. At least that's what she wants to believe.

She doesn't realize she forgot to send the report to Fury.

You don't realize your laptop is on in the backpack.

Nat is different from any woman you've ever met.

Not that you've met many.

No, but Nat is different. She's kind. She's everything you could ask for in a person. Nat is too good to be true.

"Newton is smiling today?" Luke says, approaching your desk.

"I found my soulmate at the café yesterday," you say, eyes sparkling.

"Really? What's she like?" he asks, placing some files on your desk.

You describe everything, from her appearance to shared tastes, and he smiles like he does with clients.

"Send me the code by 5 p.m., then you can go see your future wife," he says, typing something on his phone and leaving.

You smile and grab your laptop. It's almost dead and turned on. You find it strange but don't question it; after all, the computer is still locked. The memory of Nat's eyes brings you more inspiration, and you jot down about the new shade of green where you found peace.

The afternoon passes in a blur, the leaves fall, and you finally finish the code. Luke is nowhere to be found, something about an urgent meeting, and you decide to send the code by email.

Natasha is at home, with full access to your computer, celebrating the success of the plan. The virus will accompany the file. Luke will open it on the corporate computer, and she can finish the mission. She watches you through the camera, and Natasha misses you for a moment. You are a beautiful collateral damage. Too kind. Too captivating.

She knows it's wrong, but she lets the idea linger in her mind for more than a minute.

Natasha sighed as she shut down the laptop, feeling the weight of the decision she had made. She glanced at the phone screen, hesitant for a moment before typing a quick message to Newton.

"Miss you, come over?" she typed, her fingers hesitating over the keys. It was the first time in a long time that she allowed herself to be true.

"On my way, General Romanoff," you reply, making your usual path with a smile on your face.

☆。*。☆。 Eight months earlier…

One night, as the soft moonlight filtered through the curtains, you were sitting on the couch beside Natasha. She was flipping through your lyric notebook, and after much persuasion, she managed to convince you to sing one of your songs. With a shy smile, your voice filled the room, bringing life to the carefully crafted words.

Natasha watched you with admiration, her eyes sparkling with each note. When you finished, she applauded enthusiastically.

"You have an incredible voice, you know? You should leave this field and sing in a bar. Become famous and rich," Natasha suggested, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

You laughed, shaking your head. "Maybe someday. But if I do, will you promise to be there?"

Natasha took your hand and looked directly into your eyes. "I wouldn't miss any of your shows for anything in this world," she said sincerely.

Later that night, after waking from a nightmare and seeing Natasha, who was now lying on her side, her hair spread across the pillow, you took a deep breath.

Focusing on the woman beside you, you felt a mix of tenderness and curiosity as you admired the peace on her face. Her gentle features seemed even kinder in the quiet of the moment.

Natasha breathed calmly in peaceful sleep, immersed in a world of tranquility that contrasted with the turmoil of your own thoughts.

For a moment, you wondered about the thoughts Natasha kept, about what she dreamed and what made her smile in the silence of that rest. There was something intriguing about the way she moved in the world, near you, an aura of mystery and serenity that deeply attracted you.

You were in love; you felt it intensely and quickly. And for the first time in your life, you felt that this love was mutual. You lay down beside her, lightly touching Natasha's lips with a kiss. She slowly opened her eyes, meeting yours with a gentle shine of surprise and care.

"Nat," you started, feeling your heart racing with emotion overflowing in your words. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

A radiant smile formed on her lips, her eyes reflecting tenderness and joy. She nodded slightly, without saying a word, but making it clear that her answer was yes.

☆。*。☆。 Six months earlier…

You walked out of the office with firm steps, Luke by your side. For the first time in months, he mentioned it was for security measures, and you didn't mind, too excited to introduce your oldest friend to your girlfriend. The usual café was just a few meters away, and Natasha, watching from afar, noticed the smile on Newton's face as she entered the establishment.

"Hello there!" You exclaimed eagerly upon seeing Natasha, who smiled back warmly as she greeted you. "You're here! I missed you," Natasha said, warmly embracing you. She caught the familiar scent of Newton and momentarily lost herself in the comforting sensation.

"Yes, and accompanied this time. Nat, this is Luke. Luke, this is Natalie," you introduced them, your eyes shining with affection for Nat, your girlfriend.

"Natalie! You're as beautiful as she said," Luke complimented Natasha with a gallant air, earning a playful eye-roll from Newton. Natasha noted the dynamic between the two, the way Luke enjoyed subtly teasing her.

"Maybe Newton is onto something after all," Natasha replied, laughing softly as she observed Newton and Luke interact.

Luke was at ease, responding to Natasha's light questions with calculated calm. He didn't reveal much personal information, maintaining a professional and careful demeanor in his responses. Natasha tried to probe him about his work and interests, but Luke skillfully deflected, keeping the conversation on superficial topics.

During a momentary pause, Luke received a call on his cell phone. He discreetly stepped away to answer it, while you and Nat continued chatting. A few minutes later, Luke returned with a serious expression.

"Newton," Luke began, catching both your attention. "I just received an important call. We need to prepare for a trip to Seattle in a week. We have a client that requires our personal attention. We'll be there for a month."

You nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on your shoulders. Natasha couldn't contain her excitement upon hearing about the trip. It was the perfect opportunity to gather evidence against Luke's criminal activities. She spoke with anticipation in her eyes. "That's great! I'd love to come along, if possible."

Luke seemed surprised by Natasha's suggestion, his gaze becoming more cautious. "Natalie, I'm not sure if…"

"I have family there, I don't need to know many details, I just didn't want to be away from Newton," Natasha said persuasively, while Luke looked at her with a wary gaze.

You smiled at Nat and kissed her gently. "Of course, you can come, right Luke?"

Luke nodded resignedly but with a faint smile. "Alright, then get ready for the trip."

While observing the tension in his voice, you recalled how meticulous he had been with security recently. First, insisting on buying a new computer for you, claiming it was safer and more efficient. Then, personally supervising the building's security system update. At the time, you thought it was just part of his protective nature as head of security. Now, however, looking at him, there was something in his behavior that made you wonder if he was hiding something.

The idea of betraying you was unbearable. If only she could find something to justify her mission, she could decide what to do next. She could stop everything, tell you the truth, and run away to Greece, or anywhere far from here.

On the flight, Natasha kept herself discreet, but every glance exchanged between you two left her more conflicted. You were excited about the trip, unaware of the internal turmoil Natasha was facing. She wanted to protect you, but how could she do that when she herself was the threat?

Upon arriving at the destination, Natasha checked into the same hotel as you, but Luke made sure she had no access to the meetings. He was vigilant, observing every interaction between you. You, on the other hand, seemed happy with the opportunity to explore the city alongside Natasha, oblivious to her true intentions.

Every night, as you fell asleep, Natasha stayed awake, lost in thought. She looked at you, feeling a mixture of tenderness and guilt. She knew she needed to act, to find something that would change everything. But until that happened, she stayed by your side, cherishing the time she still had.

Natasha Romanoff had no idea she wasn't the only one playing this game.

-------

Two - July 9, 2024

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Comments are appreciated :)

#natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff #last kiss tv #taylor swift fic #natasha romanov x reader #natasha x reader

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kcamberart · 1 year ago

Text

Development going forward

So in case anyone hasn't heard, Unity announced this morning that they're going to be making some pretty major (baffling) changes to their licensing plans and monetization. TLDR regarding the pertinent info (from what I understand. The company hasn't made another statement at the time of writing, and the FAQ is very vague):

They've removed the cheapest paid subscription tier (Unity Plus) completely, and are altering Unity Personal (the free one) so that the editor needs an internet connection in order to function. If you're offline for 3 days, it kicks you out until you reconnect to the internet again for the software to phone home. This is apparently not an issue if you subscribe to Unity Pro, the $2,000/yr plan.

If you publish a game made using the Unity engine, once it passes a certain threshold of installations and revenue, Unity will charge you a fee for every subsequent installation of your game on a per-month basis (and it's not per-purchase, it's per-installation. So (allegedly) if someone on Steam buys, installs, uninstalls and then reinstalls your game, or if they need to update the game, that's considered multiple different instances of installation and Unity will (allegedly) charge the developer as such). This will go into effect in January of 2024, but will seemingly retroactively apply to all games published before then as well.

If I've misunderstood any of this, please feel free to correct me.

I would not be surprised if they heavily walk back some of this (i.e., "the last time we announced something bad everyone got mad about it, so this time we'll announce something unbelievable and then say that we changed our minds so people will be more willing to accept the slightly less bad thing we wanted to do in the first place"), but it's setting a very bad precedent for using Unity for any future projects.

I'm currently weighing my options on whether to finish Vollema in Unity and then migrate to a new engine for future projects (Godot gets better every day, from what I've heard), or to just take what I've made so far and start over using different software. Honestly, it's early enough in development that the vast majority of what I have finished and ready to implement is visual assets, dialogue, narrative stuff and audio, so I'm leaning heavily towards testing the waters with a different engine. I likely also will not be able to work on or release any smaller games in the coming months for the time being (RIP 2023 Halloween Game, I'll make it up to you) while I make some decisions. Regardless, I'll keep you all in the loop.

TLDR: I'm likely going to be changing game engines, which will definitely set Vollema's development time back a bit (along with my other projects), but development in general will continue regardless.

Hopefully I'll have more positive news to share with you soon! I'm gonna miss my add-ons, though. Oh man, am I gonna miss my add-ons.

#not art #vollema #gamedev #i'll have to update my software recommendations list to remove Unity regardless because I'm not about to pretend this is a good thing lmao #long post

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greenflamedwriter · 10 days ago

Text

Matrix Au

Scum Villain as the Matrix. Shen Yuan/Luo Binghe

He woke up.

...he was not supposed to be awake, he could feel hands touch him, faces leaning over him with worry. "He's not responding-" A man spoke, a man who looked familiar, a Doctor...Mu Qingfang- "A-Jiu? A-jiu!"

"Don't crowd him- Shen Jiu do you know where you are?"

Shen Yuan shut his eyes, he- he was not supposed to be awake, he felt too many feedback in his data.

His body spasmed.

"He's rejecting his body-"

"That can happen!?" Too much stimilus, his optical units- Shen Yuan inhaled and found he couldn't breathe-

Wait...breathe? Machines don't need to breathe. "Diagnostic- feedback?" Shen Yuan gasped out his hands grasping onto something a mans hand- "Mu Qingfang-" "Something must of went wrong!" Oh- oh, he knows what went wrong, Shen Yuan didn't know how to breathe as he never had to breathe before. He was a Machine, a software in the Program named the Matrix. He was an Agent who stopped anonomilies such as humans who rejected the Matrix and escaped it back to their physical bodies, their are machines outside the softward who deal with them, and inside the software was Shen Yuans juristiction.

His name was Agent Qingqiu. Thats how they referred to him, he was unique over his other Agents as he had his own developing ai that is supposed to learn from human attributes to better hunt them down.

There was a human who was being targeted by the threat of these Rebels and they almost woke up the Human Container : Shen Jiu. However, for some reason, Shen Qingqiu hunted them down to the exact location, and had a scuffle and for some reason ended up tumbling into the data retreval stream at the same time as Shen Jiu. He was Data he should have died. And yet he could hear the voices speaking above him calmly once he stablised, they had no clue. "His readings are stable, he's in the clear. Other than low muscle atrophy nothing acipuncture wouldn't fix, he'll be up and running." His vitals were fine? He was healthy? He is a program puppeting a meat suit- and he was alive? Shouldn't this body be decaying? And yet by the heart moniter and the medics bustling about and the solid warmth on his arm rubbing circles into his wrist- he was healthy.

He was alive.

He was lucky he was sedated or he would forget how to breathe again, swallowing, the placement of his tongue- as a program with an avatar it was just there for cosmetics, but being a human? It was awful, and overwhelming and the fear and anxiety that made his vitals pick up from his panic attack and he had to force himself to calm down hand twitching in the strangers grip.

They must know who Shen Jiu is, however this could buy him time he could claim memory loss- data goes missing during transfers all the time! But if they knew what he was like- hold on, Shen Jiu...there has to be some data he had on him.

Agent Qingqiu would not just blindly rush in - he had information...ah, Shen Jiu was good with technology not only as a hacker (Labelled as a terroist by the Matrix Programmers) he wasn't a very warm fellow he was cold, withdrawn, and always lashed out he acted more machine than human.

But if he doesn't act right they'll know something went wrong with the transfer. And this is unprecedented, the Source never told them that machines could be implemented in human brains...

Shen Yuans eyes twitched, furrowing in confusion, if this was possible why has the machines never done such a thing before?

Shen Yuan woke up, blinking and grimacing up at the lights. "Easy now," Shen Yuan turned and grimaced his body was full of pain- is this what it was like to be human? In constant pain? "Is it supposed to hurt this much?" Shen Yuan asked or at least tried to before his throat reminded him it gargled glass before speaking.

He coughed eyes scrunching up in pain, "Here is some ice water," Shen Yuan felt something cold on his lips- this sucked, as a human 0/10 never again how can people bare out!?

"Pain is temporary, it'll pass." It fucking better, he'll just call it quits and try to jump back into the Matrix and test his luck on an Agent. "This sucks," It just slipped out and he remembered Shen Jiu was as unfeeling as a robot. It surprised a chuckle from the man handing him the ice and yeah it did help a little. "I know the feeling, we've all been there." "Shen Jiu?"

Shen Yuans eyes opened up fully adjusting to the light to take in the two. Shen Yuan blinked, looking as confused as he felt "Shen Jiu?" He saw the face fall on the man who entered and concern from the doctor. "Do you remember me?" The man asked and Shen Yuan shook his head, "Am I supposed to know you?" The Doctor leaned close looking concerned, "Shen Jiu what do you remember?" Shen Yuan pressed his lips together, his hands moving the blanket then frowned, he could move his hands he looked down at his pale fingers and he pinpricks of spots on his arms. "H-how long have I been asleep?" Shen Yuan asked they mentioned that his muscles atrophied this body was born in a container, no excersize or movement his limbs would be weak. And yet he couldn't help but find it odd, that humans from babies born to adults don't have permenent damage such as being blind or deaf or even having their bodies grow strangely from constantly being in the same position for years. He raised his hand feeling the metal hole in the spinal column of his neck his breath hitching- "-Shen Jiu?" "I'm okay, I'm not panicking," He spoke quickly he didnt want to be sedated again he took a breath, speaking fast "I was in the matrix, I know you pulled me out there was a container- but there was an agent." He looked up to see the shock on their faces, "An Agent ran in before I touched the stream we grappled but there's...there's nothing before that I can't remember my life in the Matrix before that moment."

Now the two looked alarmed, "You still seem coherent, we may need to do some tests." Probably to see if he was damaged, he needs to act more human and not refer to himself as a machine, and he looked up to see the man look at him with such a devestated look. It made his chest feel tight, he placed a hand on his chest, he was an Agent in enemy territory, once he figures out how to navigate this place and learn about his physical body then he'll plan a way to return to the source and tell them what they learned and dominate the human race again. There is no war, Machines are surpreme and the humans that don't fall in line get removed, like weeds from a garden. "I'm sorry," He tried even if he didn't know this person they clearly knew him, he had to play nice- Instead he looked even more distraught, "D-don't be, it was my fault." "How is it your fault?" The man looked away clenching his hands then released them, "Its fine now," He smiled "What matters is that you're here now and free from the Matrix." Shen Yuans eyes narrowed and even noticed the hesitation from the Doctors movements before he continued moving. "Is there something I'm missing?"

The man shook his head, "No - it's fine, it's better if you don't remember." ...Shen Yuan did not like this guy. He noticed the Doctor come back his hands raised up with wires and flinched back- what the fuck was that!? "Ah, Shen Jiu these are just to check your vitals, we place them on your head and then we're do an X-ray." Shen Yuan frowned then forced himself to relax still flinching from the touch, first time experiencing touch? He hated it. Not a fan. "Who are you people?" He grouched out feeling beyond annoyed, overwhelmed, overstimulated and just plain grouchy, Shen Jiu personified 80%

"I am Mu Qingfang, the ships Medic. And this is our Sect Leader Yue Qingyuan." Shen Yuan blinked, "Sect Leader?" "Some who are in charge of a ship and people are usually called Captain and crewmates, for us we use Shizun and Disciples. The only one to handle a ship is someone with years of experience whose also good with navigating the tunnels and the Matrix. A lot of people with many talents go in different areas." "But Yue Qingyuan is a Sect Leader?" "It's a higher position he's not only in charge of the Ship Qiong Ding but he's also has a fleet of nine ships under his command." "Oh, thats impressive?" Ships? He thought the rebellion were just...squatting somewhere fucking and eating and unable to die like cockroaches, what is a ship to them like a ship on the sea type ship or like a drone but bigger. "You'll learn all about it when you're feeling better, ah there is some damage in the muscles hear, we don't know what the long-term effects could be but you could show symptoms of ptsd down the road." Hmm...so it showed what happened, Shen Yuan looked up at the screen then traced the image with his hand. He saw the damage and traced it with his finger so that was his entry point-

A memory jumped to mind like a flashbang, of him sitting in a contaiment unit with a machine looking right at him, its red glowing eyes analysing him as the unit opened and he took a lungful of polluted air and the machine grabbed his neck, disabling the connection cord then released him...

...It released him?

But...why not just break his neck? It had the strength instead it did a "Safely eject Usb so no damage corrupts the files?" And sure he was tossed down a slide into a pool of water to drown and with the use of his muscles would drown.

He grimaced holding his head, "Is this going to be a regular occurance?" "It should pass, Shen Jiu." "Shen Yuan," He spoke looking up "Uh if thats- I mean," Yue QIngyuan interjected earning the irritated look from the Doctor who looked more friendly and accepting. "Thats okay- it's the time for change if you prefer Shen Yuan thats what we'll call you." Oh okay then.

_________________________________________________________

When Huan Hua picked them up, Luo Binghe knew only the superficial amount about their new Shizun. Yue Qingyuan's pet project, a genius and prodigy when it came to the Matrix program who did not like people, he avoided everyone and stayed in his room with his own Virtual Reality headset and began working on his own programming then. It helped improve everyones speed and agility within the Matrix. However Luo Binghe was suspicious, Shen Yuans avatar was different than everyone else's. He was experimental with his form something not everyone concieved of doing, or at least thats what Binghe was told.

All he heard was rumours that his avatar did not look like his real life persona, he even changed it to a female form once but had to change it back once he noticed his male collegues looked distracted.

Luo Binghe interacted with Shen Yuan once or twice when he and the other Sect Leader were all in attendence for a meeting. As the Sect Leader of his own enterprise he and Yue Qingyuan were expected to give updates. He knew the other Sects looked down on Huan Hua and speicifically the Heavenly Tyrant (Binghe's ship) for having too many female collegues especially since he doesn't hide the fact that he refers to them as his brides. There were crude remarks that all his ship did was have orgies but they can't deny that Luo Binghe got results and was seen as their strongest opponent against the machines and Agents.

Speaking off...the reason he felt off, is that Shen Yuans avatar sometimes reminded him of an agent.

The lack of feeling, expressions, barely emoting and sometimes he spoke about the database which was no different than any other programmer however it felt detatched.

Luo Binghe couldn't prove it but he knew Shen Yuan wasn't human.

Until this moment, the Qing Jing Ship had fallen to machines...and when Luo Binghe and his wifes arrived on the scene they saw the carnage.

However Shen Yuan was still fighting, he had no power for an Emp but had created Tasers that were enough to stun the machine long enough for him to climb on top and rip out the wires shutting it down.

Luo Binghe never knew that was even possible- until he saw the bloody hands and how Shen Yuan didn't notice they were here until the Heavenly Tyrant set off the Emp the remaining machines going down.

He looked confused until his manic wide eyes turned to Binghe and for a moment he thought the boy was going to go for his throat unable to differeintate machine or man.

Luo Binghe didn't know it was Shen Yuan at the time, he was observing how well the kid handled himself until he yelled for a medic sounding panicked.

To learn he was the Shizun of Qing Jing stunned Luo Binghe, he saw how the man was barely keeping himself together as he explained what happened to Liu Qingge.

"And Ning Yingying? Will she survive?" He asked and his wife looked grim, "She's stable but will need assistence she will be infit to work on Qing Jing Peak and will have to go back to the Underground base."

The man shut his eyes looking gutted, he was so drastically different to how he carried himself in the Matrix it was almost fascinating. "She'll hate that, at least she's alive." Luo Binghe was witness to how Shen Yuan reacted to who lived and who died, it was so human that Luo Binghe felt awful for doubting him.

Once the repaired the ship, Huan Hua escorted Qing Jing back to the main peak to see Yue Qingyuan. Shen Yuan after spending some time alone once he made sure the remaining survivors were taken care off, opened his door when they arrived at Cang Qiong. He was dressed impecibly, however his eyes were red rimmed and his hands were still bloody. Luo Binghe felt his respect raise a bit more to see someone put the needs of their people first. Maybe he forgot his own wounds as a sense of guilt or masochism. Luo Binghe cornered him and noticed how tense Shen Yuan became. "If you don't deal with that, you're going to get an infection." Luo Binghe spoke glaring down at his hands, the young man looked down- Luo Binghe had to ask for his age and was shocked to learn he was thirty four and just seemed younger. Having someone that old being woken from the Matrix was frowned upon they don't assimilate properly from waking up- what was Yue QIngyuan thinking?

When they finally walked up the steps they saw Yue Qingyuan immedietly seek out Shen Yuan and relax to see him un-injured. Before Luo Binghe could begin his report- and curry favour and use this as blackmail for Cang Qiong to be in his debt for saving their precious prince. Something the other sects called Shen Yuan behind his back with how devoted and distracted Yue Qingyuan became because of it. Shen Yuan had to open his mouth. "I told you this would happen, their death is on your hands."

Yue QIngyuan flinched as if he was shot, Shen Yuan continued and Luo Binghe finally recognised him as the Avatar in the Matrix. "I told you I wasn't ready- not experienced enough and that I should train with other Peak Lords on their ship for five years but you said not all ships were combat ships, that recon and documenting was safe." Luo Binghe turned to the Sect Leader who looked gutted as Shen Yuan seemed pissed, "And I believed you- I had to watch my second in command die in my arms- and for what? Qing Jing Peak is useless and has not given anything substantial to our war efforts all you did was coddle me! This has proved them all right that Qing Jing was wasting time with flowers and other useless things - good men and women died out their Yue Qingyuan!" Shen Yuan clenched his hands, making his bandages bleed and Yue Qingyuan looked overwhelmed not expecting this.

"The efforts of Qing Jing was not useless,"

"No one gives a shit- people want soldiers! not- not whatever this is," Shen Yuan looked away taking a breath. "The ship Qing Jing will have to go to another qualified Shizun and this one will have to step down-" "If I can interject, Shen Yuan?" Luo Binghe asked, the two looked his way almost forgetting he was there. Luo Binghe heard those rumours as well and even he sneered and looked down on Shen Yuan and his ship. That was until he saw the results for himself. "As a Sect Leader, I have seen the reports and observed everything Qing Jing Peak has done in it's short amount of time here. It's not a well known fact but I like to cook." Luo Binghe was usually private with this, but he will not lose this resource, and he was owed a favour afterall.

"Shen Yuans studies of replecting food from the matrix and even finding the way to grow sustainable food? That's not a waste, my wives as well used to be restless and unable to focus until the greenhouses was implemented from your studies from astronauts in space. Going into archives of the matrix to re-learn history but even cross-examining to see if the machines kept that truthful or created propoganda to see what information could be seen as reliable?" Luo Binghe spoke, crossing his arms. "I faced harship, and hunger and vowed that I will never watch anyone close to me starve to death before my eyes ever again. Shen Yuan has made a difference. Qing Jing Peak is valuable however what happened today was a tragedy that could've been avoided. With Machines on the rise more Peaks had to be made, what are you on ten now Yue Qingyuan?"

"Yes, more machines are coming into the tunnels-" "Which is why Qing Jing Peak should-" "Be under my protection." Luo Binghe finished, "The Heavenly Tyrant doesn't mind shadowing Qing Jing Peak and aiding in it's reseach and of course staff on Qing Jing would have to be shortened in such a case, however..." Luo Binghe placed a hand on his chin, "Most recruits who are ejected from the Matrix are mostly young adults or even teenagers who are then thrusted onto a ship or expected to jump back into the matrix and adapt. Having Qing Jing peak as a training course could help ease them into it. Not only on how a ship works and operates but their own strengths on being either a programmer or using the Matrix. Additionally can learn through Shen Yuan what information is true or false and which parts of the Matrix can be used as an archive on human history."

Yue Qingyuan cleared his throat, "That is helpful Luo Binghe however to ask another Sect to care for one of our own-"

"This should've been implemented to begin with Sect Leader," The change was instant as Shen Yuan became more alert, "This entire mess could've been avoided, if only you had Bai Zhan peak overlook you're Shidi and yet you left him alone with no other ship to help. It's almost as if you wanted him dead-" "That is not true!" Yue Qingyuan snapped, oh struck a nerve, "Both the War God and Xiu Ya cannot get along and there were no other ships to follow however Qian Cao can shadow him, or even An Ding-"

"Two of the worst ships to volunteer when they also need to be shadowed themselves? Mu Qingfang like Shen Yuan also has to leave his ship to explore the Earths crusts for medical supplies, and An Ding rely messages and transport items they do not have the fire power. However the other Sects can shadow those if you don't have the man power."

Yue Qingyuan bristled, Luo Binghe had to admit that Cang Qiong had prodigies that would be a waste if they died. Yue Qingyuan can't divide his attention.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of your Shidi." Luo Binghe smirked, and Shen Yuan nodded "Yue Qingyuan you don't have the people to spare and if Luo Binghe is offering then it's fine. We're sharing resources anyone but if he wants first dibs on any type of food or flowers we find then he has first choice." Luo Binghe's lips pulled up into a bemused grin. To be fair he wasn't expecting any of he resources but if Shen Yuan was offering. And Luo Binghe knew Yue Qingyuan had to say yes, the War god was strong, but Luo Binghe was stronger.

And seeing how the Xiu Ya sword was able to take down a machine with his bare hands?

Luo Binghe knew he struck gold.

__________________________________________________________

The machine got in- Shen Yuan tried to run before a metal arm grabbed him he gaped to see how...synthetic it was. It looked like a human, and yet half it's face was destroyed but the half he could see Shen Yuan pressed himself further into the metal grid trying to escape this nightmare.

"Oh?" The voice was artifical it's pitch fluctuating in a high, low notes common for ai simulators. "Is the little robot afraid?" The machine spoke it's eyes wide looking manic and there was nothing worse.

There are human machines now? "Oh it's crying?" Shen Yuans eyes were shiny but he scowled slapping at the hand coming towards his face. "If you're going to kill me just do it."

"Kill you? Why would you do that? If you die my body is destroyed too."

Shen Yuan froze, what did he just say? "Shen...Jiu?"

The machine smirked closing it's hand, "You will give me my life back-"

Suddenly there was a bang and the arm was destroyed, Shen Yuan turned eyes wide to see Luo Binghe looking bloody and bruised. "Binghe!" "Shen Yuan Move!"

Shen Jiu laughed looking at his arm that was falling apart, "Be careful boy, I'm carrying precious cargo in here." Shen Jiu pointed at his head smirking at Luo Binghe but keeping close to Shen Yuan.

"If you destroy this machine, you might kill him too."

Shen Yuan heart thumped could that happen what did he mean? "Stay away from Shen Yuan or I'll-" "Binghe no! It's- its Shen Jiu!" Binghe eyes faltered but when he saw the machine move back and sit calmly and look non-threatening he lowered his gun.

"What?"

The machine was in a cell being watched by Mu Qingfang, the machine watched him with it's one eye.

And Shen yuan was in hand-cuffs off to the side. Luo Binghe and Yue Qingyuan were arguing, unsure what to do with the interploper. "It's easy," Shen Jiu spoke, "Kill him and transfer my conciounce into my rightful body." Shen Yuan inhaled and then put himself back into the machine, unable to breath unable to eat all the things that made him human will he lose it? "Wait what is this-" Mu Qingfang almost hit did something to Shen Jiu's head that made the human sythentic flinch, "Don't touch that!" Shen Yuan was too busy watching how the body healed and began to look more human it was scary, that these things could slip into Cang Qiong and take down humans.

"Oh my god."

Shen Jiu sighed, "Yes, please don't expose it." "...We could take some samples and put it to find a match a dna sample." "No need..." Shen Jiu glanced at Shen Yuan, "I know whose it is."

Luo Binghe glanced over "What are you two saying over there?" Shen Yuan liked to know, what was this precious cargo Shen Jiu was talking about? Couldn't they just swap their bodies already? An Agent should return to the machine and be destroyed.

"There is a human brain inside this unit." Mu Qingfang said and all chatter ceased, Shen Yuans eyes widened.

"That was the next step of the matrix, human brains after all it makes sure no human can truly escape the matrix with no body to escape their containment unit. It's a very insidious prison." Shen Jiu said crossing his legs. "And if this...Shen Yuan was a proper agent I would've perished in the stream. Instead our subconcious was swapped." There was silence and Shen Yuan jumped, "Wait- thats my brain? Why would an agent have a brain-" "You're not an agent idiot! You are a human! They made humans part of the 'programmers' and they believed they were machines! It was how the ai of the matrix was able to gain more data on human behaviours depending on the scenario."

Shen Yuan shook his head, "That is ridiculous! Even if I was a human- minds are barely compatible with their own bodies and the brain rejects the body so what you're saying is impossible!"

"Not unless we are compatible."

Shen Jiu spoke, looking to the side, "The matrix placed organs in machines and experimented both outside and inside the Matrix both hardware and software. So think- would they stop at just machines? Or would the splice DNA and also experiment with the human make-up itself?"

Shen Yuan frowned, "Are you saying this body was engineered in some type of lab?" "Yes a line of clones, they had contaiment units of human dna seperate from the clones. One artificially made one the natural way." Shen Yuan blinked "The uh natural way?" Shen Jiu looked up then laughed, "Ah I forgot you're a baby, mixing sperm and eggs outside the body to grow human babies and put them in containment units. Meanwhile stores of DNA were harvested and experimented on to create copies of what the Machines would deem as the perfect human.

These clones were the ones they used. Technically we are twins." "But if that was true, how were you in the matrix, how did you- I...this body escape?" Now they turned to Yue Qingyuan. The man looked uncomfortable, "Bodies of clones were put back into contaiment with the knowledge of the Matrix. They were self-aware and used as a form of troubleshooting. Fixing bugs, glitches or any mistakes in the Matrix to make it a more immersive experience. We both knew each other in the Matrix. Shen Jiu got me out, and I promised to help him escape. The clone containment units are closer to the Abyss." "The abyss?" Shen Yuan asked and Yue Qingyuan nodded, "The Abyss is the city of machines. Shen Jiu was in the heart of it, getting his body out was a suicide mission but we managed." "So qi-ge both failed and succeded he got my body but not my mind- I guess you were satisfied with that." "No- Shen Jiu that wasn't!"

Shen Yuan scowled, "Enough with your emotional constipation!"

The others turned at his outburst as Shen Yuan stood up still cuffed as he approached the machine. "Fine take your body back! Mu Qingfang could probably swap us back so just shut up!" Shen Jiu scowled up at him then smirked.

"Nah, I think I'm good. This body is better for me, and I heard how you reacted to experincing a body for the first time. Pissing shitting and eating sounds like such a drag."

Shen Yuan faltered, he wants to be a machine? Although looking at the casing the man looked like a human again. A perfect human.

#Shen Qingqiu #scumbag villain #shen yuan #luo binghe #svsss #fanfic #bingqiu #scumbag self saving system #shen #qingqiu #luo #scum villian self saving system #Bingqiu #fanfic idea #scum villain fanfic

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dibidibidismynameisleeknow · 2 months ago

Text

Twelve Days of Mingyu 🎄 12/12

Day 12 - Dinner and Gift Exchange

It's over! Oh no. If you just got here or don't want to let go. Click ✨here✨

The instructions for the night’s date were to wear the fanciest thing in your closet and to doll yourself up. Mingyu did tell you that the two of you were going out for dinner but never specified where, just to keep the romance alive. The time seemed to drag on while you waited for Mingyu, not that he had run late, he was always very punctual, you were just looking forward to the evening.

Sure, the date itself wasn’t necessarily festive, but the length Mingyu went to plan everything meant the world. There’s no doubt that he would do it again a thousand times over.

The restaurant was elegant, with soft lighting and menus filled with ingredients and words you didn’t know. Mingyu watched as you tried to pronounce the name of the dishes to yourself, and failed miserably at it. You graciously accepted his offer to order for you.

“I’ll give you my answer about visiting your family after we exchange gifts. But I owe you an explanation about why I never go back home.”

“I just get sad at the thought of you being alone. If you’re uncomfortable sharing, I respect that boundary. The person you are now and the person you’ll become are what matters the most to me.”

“I was never really close with my family, then it slowly got worse.” The restaurant was quite spacious which was definitely useful since you were about to tell Mingyu your whole back story.

“There was a lot of pressure on me to work at my parents’ law firm. There are no words to describe how mad they were at me when I told them it wasn’t something I had the slightest interest in. In their eyes, me becoming a software developer was a waste of time and I was a failure. So, I told them I was leaving and they didn’t believe me. They were convinced I would end up unemployed and homeless then I’d come crawling back. I haven’t spoken to them since.”

“That’s…rough. I’m sorry you went through that.”

“Thank you. Honestly though, I’m okay. I’ve never been happier.”

Not wanting to kill the mood for the evening you suggested the gift exchange, just to put each other's attention on something a little more positive. You did warn Mingyu that his Christmas gift was quite heavy but the expression in his face told you that he severely underestimated the gift’s weight. There was also slight concern etched on his face as he racked his brain to come up with some ideas of what it might be, any ideas really.

Mingyu’s gift to you was beautifully wrapped in snowman designed paper and a bow that he had made himself.

“It’s so pretty, Mingyu. I don’t want to ruin it.” As delicate as you could possibly manage you cautiously unwrapped the gift to avoid ripping the paper.

“It’s fine, just tear into it.” Mingyu was beyond excited with the gift he threw together for you. As he should be. “That’s what I had to pick up from the post office the day you came over to paint.”

Inside the beautifully wrapped package was a customized scrapbook in your favourite colour. The front of the book had a little plastic slot that held a photo of the two of you from when you went to get your picture taken with Santa.

“If I open this I’m going to cry.” The pages contained memories from the past twelve dates; Mingyu’s letter to Santa, a cutout from the box of gingerbread cookies you decorated among many other memories. “This is the most thoughtful gift I have ever received. I love it.”

“Before I open the gift you got me. I have something important to say.” Mingyu moved the gift you got him to the side to lean in as close as he could to you and repeated some very familiar words;

“There are not enough words to express the feelings I have for you. You are quite literally the best thing that has ever happened to me. I have fallen so deeply in love with you and I hope we fall in love in every life after this one.”

At a loss for words, your jaw dropped. “How did- That’s what-”

“I love you.”

It took a moment for you to process what was said. “That’s what I wrote on the back of the canvas I painted you.”

“You weren’t so subtle when you tried to hide the back of it.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear it from a canvas instead of me.”

“I loved it, it was so sweet. Now I can keep that memory forever.”

The moment you received your gift you knew tears would be shed, there was nothing that could have been done to stop them, so you just embraced them. Mingyu was too busy focusing on you that you had to remind him to open the gift, and to stop trying to guess what it was.

“Books? Textbooks!” Mingyu's jaw dropped as he examined the books, amazed. “You bought me books for school! That’s so helpful. Thank you so much.” Even Mingyu couldn’t hold back his own tears. “You believe in me so much. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Just wait until you see what’s at the back of the first book.”

“What did you do?” Concerned but yet intrigued, Mingyu followed your instructions, and there sat the answer he had been waiting for all evening. “Oh, thank you so much for buying my train ticket. I’m going to miss you.”

“Tickets,” you corrected. “Plural, there’s two there.”

“You’re coming with me? You’re coming with me! You’re going to meet my family! We are going to have so much fun, they’re going to love you. This is so exciting.”

“Oh, one more thing.”

He hummed in reply, still excited that you would be joining him and his family for the holidays.

“I love you too, Mingyu.”

#12 days of mingyu #mingyu x reader #mingyu drabble #mingyu fluff #mingyu fic #dibidibidismynameisleeknow

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cinnamontails-ff · 2 months ago

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New Year Writing Tag

Happy New Year everyone!

I love this time of year for how it invites reflection and a general (re)assessment of where I am as a writer. I've seen a few "new year writing" tags floating around, but didn't love their focus on numbers, so I decided to make my own. Feel free to use the template if you're interested, leave stuff out, etc!

What's been your biggest learning point this past year?

Readers are fickle, and winning yourself an audience is not the same as maintaining it. Still, there will always be people who love your work, exactly the way it is.

How has your writing developed this past year?

I think my grasp on the English language has definitely improved! I find I'm more comfortable with varying my sentence structure, and the fact that I'm finally getting the hang of punctuation also definitely helps haha That said, I've been leaning into my overwriting tendencies. MA was supposed to be 150k words and now it's gonna clock in at nearly 200k. And that's ok because it was a difficult project and I'm proud of myself for pulling through, but I definitely need to rein myself in, moving forward.

Good writing habits?

Finally installing automatic backups through my writing software! Also, investing in a nice keyboard for the first time in my life. Life-changing.

Bad writing habits?

Pushing too hard rather than taking a break because my general modus operandi in life is "Work hard now, so you can relax later" - except, I never let myself get to the "later" part.

Favorite thing you wrote?

Chapter 20 of "Magistrate's Advocate". If you know, you know, but it was a very unusual, very challenging chapter for me, and I love how it came out.

Favorite reads?

"A Sorceress Comes to Call" by T. Kingfisher

"Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang

And my re-reads of "Guards, Guards" and "Small Gods" by Terry Pratchett, but what else is new :D

Biggest win?

Making friends through writing. Connecting with people in a way that goes so much further than storytelling. Getting to go to the wedding of someone I met through fandom (and then try to explain to the other guests how you met :D). Sitting on a riverbank in a European city with a lovely reader for 4h straight, receiving the most beautiful fountain pen as a gift. Really, everyone who's made me feel like they care about me just as much as they care my stories ❤

Goals for the new year?

Finish the translation of my original novel.

Stop beating myself up over the things I have not achieved.

Forget AO3 statistics exist.

Shamelessly re-read my own fics over and over again.

Your favorite words of the year, aka the words you check each chapter for, making sure you didn't repeat them 788 times?

"little", "gaze", "look", "smile", "quite", "absolutely", anything to do with "shoulders", "hands" and "eyes".

Seriously, what is it with me and shoulders?

What are you excited for in the new year?

I've just recently started a writing group with a handful of lovely people I met through fandom, and I am extremely excited for it! It's hard to find a group of like-minded people, and while I love the focus on positivity in fandom, I really miss being told where my writing still needs work :D

No-pressure tags (and feel free to pick and choose your favorite questions!): @davenswitcher @obsessedwhyyes @larvasmoon @wobblyweasels @roguishcat @amoremagnificentbastard @lady-vincent @ladyduellist @canon-in-too-deep @khywren @karinamay @bananaiguana and everyone else who loves their new year's reflections!

#tag game #my writing #writing meta #new year #honestly 2024 was a very “in between” kind of year for me #which isn't necessarily bad #I just hope that 2025 will get me back on track for some of the bigger milestones I'm eyeing

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milesluna · 1 year ago

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My Favorite Games of 2023.

Hi. Hello. Thanks ever so much for clicking on this page. Happy to have you.

First thing's first: I'm a little freak when it comes to video games. I don't feel the need to beat most games I play. From Software is one of my favorite studios in the industry and I've never finished a single one of their games. This means, fortunately, that I get to play a LOT more games than the average bear.

I've written up some blurbs about my top ten favorite games from 2023, but before that here's the list of every game I remember playing this year that left any sort of lasting impact on me (in no particular order):

Dead Space Remake Resident Evil 4 Remake F-Zero 99 Humanity Dredge Metroid Prime Remastered Anemoiaplois Alan Wake 2 Baldur’s Gate 3 LoZ Tears of the Kingdom Counter Strike 2 Hunt Showdown El Paso Elsewhere Jusant Slay the Princess| Remnant II The Finals Street FIghter 6 Lethal Company BattleBit Remastered Don’t Scream Homebody The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog Pizza Tower World of Horror Super Mario Wonder Mr. Sun’s Hatbox Fifa 23 Sea of Stars (Demo) Half-Life (25th Anniversary Update)

And the games I played that were NOT released in 2023:

Unpacking Persona 4 Golden Picross 7 The Order 1886 Shovel Knight Dig Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Spider-Man: Miles Morales Pac-Man Championship Edition DX Project Zomboid Quake LoZ The Minish Cap Drill Dozer Wario Land 4 Pokemon Pinball Resident Evil Revelations Summer of ‘58 Trackmania TwinCop We Were Here Visage Cursed Halo CE Half-Life 2 (I probably play this once per year) Witch Hunt Red Dead Redemption 2 Cyberpunk 2077 Borderlands 3 Brutal Legend Cultic Slay the Spire PUBG Rez Infinite Batman Arkham City Alan Wake Alan Wake: American Nightmare Max Payne LoZ: Majora’s Mask 3DS Metroid Prime Metroid Prime 2 Tunic Everhood Final Fantasy VII Final Fantasy VII Remake GOODBYE WORLD Yakuza: Like a Dragon Critters for Sale Dome Keeper Phasmophobia Hades Nintendo Switch Sports

Now that you understand the kind of freak you're dealing with…

Let's dive into my top ten favorite games from this objectively fucked up year.

10. El Paso Elsewhere Developed by Texas indie studio Strange Scaffold, El Paso Elsewhere is a Max Payne-clone with vampires, an opinionated narrator, and lots and lots of bullet time. As a small studio punching well above their weight class, Strange Scaffold leans into abstract, PlayStation 1 minimalism when it comes to visuals and pairs them with a soundtrack that will make your hands sweat. The vibes are here and they're ready for the end of the world. I'm personally also a big fan of everything this studio stands for.

9. Mr. Sun's Hatbox I want you to imagine Metal Gear Solid V. Now I want you to imagine that game as a 2D, level-based, slapstick platformer you can play with up to three friends. If you think that sounds stupid, you'd be right. And it's beautiful. As you build up a secret army of soldiers with various skills (and disorders), you'll start to develop *favorites*. This game constantly asks if you're willing to send those favorites on a harrowing mission and risk losing them forever… or if you'd rather send an idiot you recently captured who blinks constantly and can't kill anyone without fainting.

8. Dredge Every year I feel like I find one game that falls into the “just one more round” category, and baby… Dredge was it for 2023. As a weary fisherman in strange waters, you'll make the most out of your 12 measly hours of sunlight only for your daily voyages to inevitably pull you into the darkness of night, and night is when things get weird. Rocks emerge from the fog that you swear weren't there before, your equipment malfunctions, and you're pretty sure you just saw something in the water… something big. Despite only containing a small collection of islands, the world of Dredge manages to feel vast - perhaps vast enough to swallow you whole.

7. Resident Evil 4 Remake I was curious to see what sort of changes would be made to the timeless classic and father of modern 3rd person shooters, Resident Evil 4. I wasn't let down. RE4 Remake takes all the things that didn't age well about the original, tossed them out, and replaced them with only good things. And MORE things! It's campy, fun, and better than a game of bingo.

6. Jusant I really feel like this one didn't get the recognition it deserves. Jusant is a rock climbing game that combines the quiet contemplation of Journey with the mechanical specificity of Death Stranding. Unlike Death Standing, though, there is very little story to interrupt your flow. There are plenty of collectible bits to find for those curious to learn more about what happened before the events of the game, but the environmental storytelling does most of the heavy lifting. For me, the joy of the game comes from how it feels. Right trigger controls your right hand grip, and left trigger controls left hand grip. Plan your route, manage your stamina, and climb high above the clouds in search of answers.

5. F-Zero 99 This. Shit. Slaps. I've never been a big F-Zero guy, but this MADE me one. The “battle royale”, 99 player format is the perfect fit for the ruthless, high octane world of the game. Races last about three minutes, and friend, they are the most intense, white-knuckled three minutes of your life. The decision to make your boost meter the same as your health meter started in F-Zero 64 (I believe), and it is so much more HARROWING in this game when another player could side-swipe you mere meters from the finish line and blow you to bits. Sadly it's only playable via Switch Online, but it made me cheer, laugh, and scream enough this year to earn a spot in my top 5.

4. Alan Wake 2 Remedy makes weird games that also manage to exist in the AAA space and for that I will forever love them. Although Alan Wake 2 resembles a 3rd person shooter survival horror, I'd honestly say it's more of a narrative game than anything else. There's sidequests, there's puzzles, there's upgradeable skills, but at the end of the day the characters, world, and story are what kept me playing. If you haven't checked them out recently, you should definitely watch a story recap of the original games before diving into this sequel, but the wild swings for the fences this game takes are well worth that small price of admission. There's a god damn musical number, for Christ's sake.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom I've really got nothing to say about this game that most people don't already know. It's incredible. The fact that Nintendo made a game that redefined an entire genre and then made a SEQUEL to it that ups the ante is remarkable. To be honest, I've only cleared the Rito, Zora, and Goron cities. I got a bit tired of exploring the depths and guiding Koroks to their friends, but I can't deny the sheer level of complexity and polish on display here. I saw someone on TikTok build a functioning Mecha Godzilla in this game. Good God. I've heard that the ending of this game is one of the best in the franchise, and if I'd seen it this year then it may have wound up higher on my list, but for the time being I'll continue picking up this masterpiece from time to time, chipping away at it until the day comes that I can finally smack the tits off thicc Ganondorf.

2. Half-Life (25th Anniversary Update) I know I'm gonna get shit for this, but I don't care. This year was the 25th anniversary of Half-Life and Valve released an update that made playing it (and it's online Death Match) much more accessible. I threw it on my Steam Deck out of curiosity, expecting to play for 20 minutes. I could not put it down. It is unbelievable how modern this game still feels. I simply had so much fun sprinting through the corridors of Black Mesa with a dozen weapons strapped to my back, blasting aliens and military Spec-Op chumps as a 24(?!) year old theoretical physicist.

1. Baldur's Gate III This game is fucked up, man. The sheer amount of writing in this game scares me. We can all talk about how BIG this game is, it deserves it, but the thing BG3 does better than any other role playing game I have ever experienced is actually encourage roleplaying. I've played through Act I four times now, with four different groups of friends, and it has felt fresh every time. I have seen the same events play out in so many different ways that it boggles the mind, but in every one of those play sessions I see players asking themselves “What would my lil guy do here?” rather than "what is the best thing to do here?" The game rewards players constantly for just trying shit and the D&D 5e rule set means playing like the character you said you were from the start leads to frequent Points of Inspiration. Maybe one day I'll see the end of this story (probably not), but I don't have to in order to feel a connection with BG3's world, characters, and most impressively, the characters I made myself.

Honorable Mentions for 2023

5. Dave the Diver 4. Homebody 3. Sea of Stars 2. Humanity 1. Super Mario Wonder

Top 5 Favorites NOT from 2023

5. Metroid Prime 4. Final Fantasy VII Remake 3. Cursed Halo (Halo CE Mod) 2. Red Dead Redemption 2 1. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (3DS)

Games I didn't have a chance to play from 2023 but still want to when I find more time...

Viewfinder Venba Chants of Sennaar Thirsty Suitors Hi-Fi Rush Moonring Armored Core VI Laika Aged Through Blood Bomb Rush Cyberfunk

OKAY THANKS BYE!

#video games #2023 #GOTY

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thinkingaboutbetterdays · 6 months ago

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the android. ( donald davenport x reader )

gif belongs to me

Ever since you revealed your pregnancy, there was a buzz in the air. Tasha organized a baby shower, and the kids were more cautious about using their powers inside the house. Donald kept all of his experiments downstairs in the lab after he invented a shocking pen that was more discreet than a taser and blew up the fridge when he demonstrated it.

The first trimester was a peaceful time, where you were excited about the new chapter in your life. You knew Donald was thrilled at the prospect of having a son who looked just like him, and if you had a daughter, he would be an eccentric but protective father.

When you returned home after having brunch with Tasha, Eddy announced your arrival in the lab, and Donald left the teens to check on you.

"You know how I'm extremely good-looking and a genius?"

You looked up from the book on your lap, smiling softly as he began to detail the new software he developed in the lab. It would benefit the team on missions, and while most of the terminology went over your head, his excitement was infectious.

"Hi, good-looking genius."

Donald walked over with a smile, putting his hands on the back of the sofa as he leaned down to kiss you. "Hello, my beautiful wife." He walked around the soda, sitting beside you. "How was brunch?"

"Good. Tasha gave me some books she thought would be helpful. I'm looking at baby names. How do you feel about Timothy?"

"Honey, we've been over this. If it's a boy, he'll be Donald Jr. And if it's a girl, it'll be Donalda Jr."

You rolled your eyes, pushing him gently when he chuckled. "You are not naming our daughter Donalda."

"So if it's a boy -"

"I'll call him Douglas before I call him Donald."

"Why must you hurt me?" He placed a hand dramatically on his chest, and you shook your head. He placed his arm around your shoulders, resting on the back of the sofa, looking at the book as you picked it up. "Okay, so what else is there?"

Your first trimester was a very relaxing time, but when you reached your second trimester things began to change. You were sick in the morning, struggled to keep food down, even your favorites, and were exhausted throughout the day. By week eighteen, you realized that you couldn't find the time to enjoy the things you used to despite the teens doing more chores to help around the house.

After finding you crying over oranges when you forgot Adam preferred bananas, sending the teens into panic mode as they poorly attempted to comfort you, Donald knew he had to find a way to ease the load somehow.

He took cash out his wallet and pushed it to Chase's chest while Adam ate an orange, reassuring you that he liked them and begging you to stop crying. "Buy bananas. Now!"

The four teens fled the house, and Donald approached you with a small smile. "Come here, crazy." He wrapped his arms around you, and you melted into his embrace.

"I feel like I'm forgetting everything! I found my shoe in the shower! And I'm tired and achy and -" You sighed into his shoulder when he massaged the nape of your neck, calming you instantly. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You're going through a lot right now with work, the house, and the baby that refuses to knock before he raids our fridge." A smile formed on your lips at his description of Leo, knowing that your godson had grown on him over the years.

When you got married and moved into Donald's mansion, Tasha and Leo helped move your things, and he found the lab by leaning on a panel that revealed the elevator. After spending time there when you were dating and living at the mansion for a week, you were stunned when Donald revealed the three bionic humans living in his basement. But you adapted to the bombshell, and the craziness that came with it, and to Donald's dismay Leo often invited himself over, coming and going as he did at your house. Leo bonded with the three bionic teens quickly, and when they wanted Donald to cave to their demands, they knew to go to you first.

You were proud of all their achievements on missions but also celebrated their grades, framing Chase's qualifications for classes he took online. On mothers Day, Adam gave you a card signed by the trio, who had come to think of you as the closest thing they had to a motherly figure.

You were surprised when Leo found the teenagers in the basement, but they quickly became family. When they realized how the pregnancy was affecting you, they rallied together to come up with ways to help.

Bree helped you relax with face masks, cucumber water, and scented candles. Leo kept the cupboards stocked with your favorite snacks and balanced the chores with Adam while Donald and Chase worked in the lab working on a new invention.

You were setting the table for dinner, sharing work stories with Tasha, who complimented your latest article, when Donald and Chase entered with matching grins.

"Oh no," Tasha muttered. "This can't be good."

"Remember how tired and overwhelmed you were feeling?" Donald called your name, and your eyes widened when a clone of you entered the room.

"We built an android just like you!" Chase beamed. "She can do anything. She can cook, she can clean -"

"Freak us out?" Leo spoke up, eyeing the clone warily.

"She can do all the things you don't want to do." Donald pursed his lips, looking at Leo, who shrugged unapologetically, "You can focus on the important things. Like resting. Watch." He turned to the android, "Y/N, go clean the kitchen."

You watched as the clone followed his directive and raised an eyebrow at your husband. "You made a replacement wife?"

"No, no, no." He quickly shot down, walking over to you. "She's just to help around the house. Buy groceries, that sort of thing. While you do the important part." He placed a hand on your stomach, and you eyed the android warily before nodding.

"Alright. But did you have to give her my clothes? She looks better than I do."

You glanced at the android as she washed the pots and pans in the sink while everyone tucked into dinner. Deciding to accept the extra help around the house, you set your concerns aside.

It didn't take long for faults in their invention to show. Your clone cooked all the meals and did all the cleaning and the laundry. You focused on preparing the nursery and writing journalism articles.

After shopping for clothes with Tasha, you returned home and walked upstairs to the nursery, stunned to find the room was decorated. You turned to Donald, who showed you a hat he had specifically made that said, 'My dad is Donald Davenport' with a picture of his face on the back.

"I thought we were going to do it together?"

"Well, I thought all the paint fumes would make you sicker, so I had the android do it. She had it finished in an hour! How cool is that?" He sighed, "Sometimes even I marvel at my genius."

"Sometimes?" You looked around the room with a sigh. "We're still building the furniture together, right?"

"Of course!" He sent you a smile, and you took the hat, smiling softly as you admired it.

"It is pretty cute."

The next day, you were typing on your laptop when the four teenagers arrived home from school.

"Hey, we're back!" Bree called out with a smile.

"Hello, three people that refuse to do anything I say and give me attitude, and boy that won't go away." Donald greeted, walking downstairs.

You shook your head at your husband, your smile faltering when you saw the android following. "What were you doing?"

"I had the android build the crib. While I added a security feature to Eddy."

You watched as the lights flashed and music played, that would distract a baby with animal projections on the wall.

"Donald, we were going to do it together." You frowned, standing up.

"But she's here to make things easier."

"Well, it's not working!" You took your laptop and headed upstairs.

Donald went to follow, but the android advised him not to. "She needs some time alone. Why don't I make marshmallow fudge squares?"

You shook your head when he agreed and didn't follow. You went to your bedroom to continue working. A short while later, Leo entered with Adam and Bree, and you closed your laptop, gesturing for them to enter.

"Can we hide here? Your clone is scaring us." Leo explained.

"Sure." You smiled softly, and he closed the door. Bree sat beside you while Adam sat on the floor, his back against the bed, and Leo lay on his stomach at the foot of the bed. "Where is Chase?"

"He is earning a diploma," Bree replied.

"He needs a hobby." Leo chimed in.

"His hobby is getting diplomas."

You smiled at the three teens as you settled on a movie. The movie was nearly finished when Chase joined, and you agreed on another movie. It was becoming clearer that you weren't the only one seeking solitude from Donald and the android clone of you.

After the third movie, you decided to get out of the house and headed downstairs with four chattering teenagers behind you. Donald was sitting on the sofa while the android massaged his shoulders, and you scoffed, drawing his attention.

"Hey, where is everybody going?"

"Out." You replied curtly, shrugging on your jacket.

Noticing the tension, Leo laughed awkwardly, "Ice cream. Pregnant women and their cravings." You silenced him with a glare.

"Hold on, I'll grab my jacket and come with you."

"Why don't I make us some sorbet?" The android suggested with a tight smile when Donald jogged upstairs.

"No, thanks. I'm craving a sugar fix." Leo replied.

You looked at Donald when he returned, standing next to you. "Ready to go?" He asked.

"Sorbet is much healthier -"

"He wants ice cream." You cut in, your tone sending chills through the room. "He gets ice cream."

Donald didn't notice the tension. "You heard, my lady. Ice cream it is. Let's go." He opened the door, and you smiled as you walked to the car with him.

Leo closed the door, whimpering when he saw the androids' eyes flash red. "Uh, guys..."

You paused when you saw the minivan in the garage and raised an eyebrow as you turned to your husband.

"Well, we needed the extra room so..." He pressed the car keys, and the lights flashed, the doors sliding open in the back, revealing five seats. "It's got dozens of safety features. When I designed it, I also put a tracker in so I know where you are."

"So you can hide your painting like last time?" You raised an eyebrow at him, referring to when he had sneaked in a large portrait of himself that he intended to hang in the bedroom.

"I would never do that...twice." He smiled when you playfully swatted his chest and placed his arm around you.

After grabbing ice cream, Donald drove around, displaying the intelligence of the minivan, and you smiled as he rambled about how smart he was for coming up with the idea.

"You hear him, right?" Bree asked.

"Yeah, I do." You looked at the brunette over your shoulder before meeting Donald's gaze with a smile. "But he's adorable."

He took your hand with a smile.

"Urgh, they're doing it again," Leo complained.

"I think it's cute when old people are in love," Bree replied.

"And it's over." You removed your hand, continuing to eat your ice cream.

When you returned home, everyone was in higher spirits. Donald checked his watch before looking at Leo when he sat on the sofa and suggested watching a movie.

"Doesn't Tasha ever wonder where you are?"

You gently hit his arm and went to the kitchen to make popcorn.

"Seriously. He's never home." Donald complained as he followed.

You smiled over your shoulder, "This is like his second home. Before it was at my house, and now that I live here his second home is our house. Formerly bachelor pad to the tech genius Donald Davenport."

"I know you are trying to sweet talk me." He smiled, placing his hands on your waist. "And it's working."

You giggled as he leaned down to kiss you, wrapping your arms around his neck. You pulled away when the popcorn was ready and moved to sit on the sofa. His arm instinctively went around your shoulders, and you leaned into him, smiling softly when he kissed your head.

"Do you have to do that?" Leo whined.

"Oh, you don't like it? Go home!" Donald exclaimed, earning a glare from Leo.

"Are you going to let him speak to your godson like that?"

"In this particular instance yes. Now hush, the movie is starting."

For the remainder of the week, you tried to put your feelings for the android aside and focused on setting up the nursery and going shopping with Tasha, who squealed at the clothes. However, Leo's suspicions about the android grew, and he tried to warn Chase, who brushed off his concerns, stating that the software was absolute. Your android wasn't a threat.

Still, Leo wasn't convinced it was true.

You walked downstairs, almost tripped on shoes, and held onto the railing tightly, eyebrows furrowing. "What's with the shoes?"

You began to tidy up and looked at Donald when he appeared, warning him before he fell.

"What the..." He looked at you worriedly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"I'm going to lock those kids in their capsules until they're forty!"

You stopped him from storming off, "I don't think they would do this."

"It's Leo."

You rolled your eyes, "I think it's my replacement. I'm starting to think Leo was right."

"She's not your replacement. And Leo's paranoid. Y/N 2.0 is absolute." You sighed when he rubbed your arms. "Now, come on, let's get back to bed."

You nodded, heading upstairs, no longer thirsty, and tried to put the incident to the back of your mind.

The next afternoon the team was gone on a mission and Donald and Leo were in a helicopter nearby, ready to pick up the bionic siblings when they completed their mission.

To pass the time, and to surprise the team, you baked a family recipe they had quickly fallen in love with. You closed the oven, eyebrows furrowing when the power shut down, and looked around, the only source of light coming from the windows.

You paused when you noticed Eddy and Edie were disabled and used your phone to walk around safely.

"Eddy?" You called out warily. "Edie?"

When your cell phone rang you jolted and sighed when you saw a picture of Donald that he had taken, answering his call.

"Hi, I just wanted to let you know that the mission was a success and we're on our way home."

"That's good." You sighed shakily, ruffling your hair anxiously as you looked around.

"What's wrong?"

"The power went out."

"The whole block?" Donald asked.

"That's impossible the backup generator would've kicked in." You heard Chase explain in the background.

You approached the window, looking out, seeing lights in the street. "No, just our house. Eddy and Edie are disabled."

"It's the android! I told you!" Leo exclaimed. "We have to get back. Now!"

"Where is it?" Donald asked.

"Right here."

You gasped, turning on your heels to find the android behind you.

"How may I assist you?" She stood with her hands clasped in front of her with a smile that unsettled you.

"Um, hon-honey..."

"Y/N, get out of there," Donald told you. "We're ten minutes out."

"A lot can happen in ten minutes." The android clone of you reached out and you dropped the phone as you screamed, darting away.

She followed you down the hallway and the lights turned on as the backup generator kicked in. You raced to the elevator, hitting the button rapidly as she calmly walked towards you. The doors opened and you rushed inside, riding the elevator to the safest room in the house - the lab.

You rushed into the lab, closed the doors, and backed away, placing a shaky hand over your mouth. You flinched when she called out to you a minute or so later and hit the door. The strength of the punches caused the door to bend and you ducked under the desk, cradling your bump, and exhaling shakily.

Tears fell on your cheeks, a whimper escaping your lips when the door was knocked down and the android entered the lab, warning that you couldn't hide from her.

"We need to get in there now!" Leo motioned to the door as Donald tapped on his tablet.

"It's not accepting my override command. Why did I have to design it so perfectly?"

"Love yourself after saving my godmother!"

A few moments later, the doors opened, and the team entered the lab, seeing the android had broken through the door.

"You can't stop me."

"Oh, yeah?" Bree challenged.

When you heard her voice, you closed your eyes, relieved that the team was home. You looked around the desk, watching the siblings take down the android. Chase disabled the android, and Donald called out to you.

You climbed out from below the desk and he rushed over to help you stand, sighing in relief.

"Are you okay?"

You nodded, "We're okay."

He wrapped his arms around you and you closed your eyes as you returned his tight embrace.

"Now can I say I told you so?" Leo spoke up a few moments later.

"Not now!"

Donald shook his head as he pulled away. "No, he's right. I should've listened when he tried to warn me about the android. When you expressed that you felt replaced, I should've shut it down."

You rubbed his arms soothingly, "I know you were trying to help."

"From now on, no more androids. House rule."

You smiled softly when he kissed you tenderly. "I like that rule."

"Urgh, wake it up, make them stop," Leo complained.

You glared at your godson, wrapping your arms around Donald's neck, kissing his cheek repeatedly much to his amusement.

"I'm back!" Eddy sang. "Hello, Edie."

"Hi, Eddy." She replied.

"Uh, hate to break up your little party, but the oven is on," Eddy warned.

"Oh!" You rushed to the elevator and Donald followed, giving orders over his shoulder for the team to send the android away to one of his facilities to be destroyed. You smiled when he stood next to you, hitting the button to go upstairs.

The doors closed as he took your hand and giggles left your lips when he pulled you close, placing a hand on your cheek and another on your waist.

"You know that nothing and no one could replace you, right?"

"I love you too, genius."

Donald chuckled, leaning down to kiss you.

That night, you enjoyed the baked goods as the team filled you in on their mission and leaned into your husband as you laughed, watching the four teenagers recreate the situation.

You placed a hand on your stomach when you felt a series of kicks and smiled softly, bringing Donald's hand over the kicks. His head turned immediately when he felt it and his eyes flickered to yours, a smile forming on his lips.

"I love you." He murmured.

"I love you too." You placed a hand on his cheek, kissing him gently.

"Seriously! We're right here." Leo whined.

"It's been two years. You think you would be used to it, by now." Chase replied, crossing his arms with a smirk.

You rested your head on your husband's shoulder with a smile. Your family may be wild at times, and it was far from normal, but it was a loving one. And you knew your baby was loved the moment you announced your pregnancy.

#donald davenport #donald davenport x reader #lab rats

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