#which is why I gave up on shading and it doesn’t look done

[cerealforkart]

Sparrow misses flying sometimes, Nicky can help with that

[bindeds]

[ BITE ME. ] : 2.2k words. ☆ ⌜ALASTOR X GENDER NEUTRAL READER. ⌟ — alastor catches you with bram stoker’s dracula and decides he can’t let you go until he gets to the bottom of your desires.

#tags. biting, blood, blood sucking, alastor with vampire teeth, reference to his cannibalism, but he doesn’t actually eat you, explicit consent, suggestive

a/n. sorry guys, this was wayyy too perfect of a chance realizing that alastor’s a cannibal. i hope you enjoyed this as much as i did! also, i’m finally starting a taglist! lmk which characters you wanna be tagged for ;>

meanwhile ... vampire lucifer version! BITE ME : AL’S VER PART 2 IS OUT !!!

masterlist. request something! :>

“I can’t wait for us to hang out oh, this is going to be so fun!”

You smiled right back at Charlie, though not quite able to return the ray of light she’d been emitting with her own.

“Charlie dear!”

You both looked over your shoulder to see Alastor approaching with his hands neatly poised behind his back.

“Where on earth are you going at this time with such dreadful skies?” Alastor’s head poked out between Charlie and yourself. He pressed the side of his hand to his brow as he squinted at the view outside.

You and Charlie were standing at the grand entrance of the hotel, straw-woven basket in hand.

The red skies of hell had looked just a few shades darker than they usually were and the gravel’s petrichor smell had started to rise in the streets.

Charlie had taken the pleasure of letting Alastor know that you and her would be going on a picnic date. She had taken extra care in watching the weather forecast yesterday to make sure the weather would only be windy, at most drizzly for today, which, judging by her ear-to-ear grin, was right up her alley.

Alastor’s eyes zipped down to your hand, still leaning in front with his hand retracted. “What’s that in your hand, darling?”

“Oh,” you frowned, holding up the book by instinct. “Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I’m trying to get into the classics and Charlie said to bring a book.”

“Dracula,” Alastor’s voice and tone darkened, and the static scratches of radio surrounded the three of you as his grin grew taller. “Such a classic indeed.”

Alastor finally took a step back from the both of you, but that didn’t warrant both of you enough of a reason to continue on your way just yet—your attention as well as Charlie’s was as good as trapped in Alastor’s hands.

“Charlie, may I borrow your friend for a moment?”

“Alastor! Right now, really?” She urged in gritted teeth.

“My sincerest apologies Charlie, I’ve just remembered some important matters we had agreed to settle the very moment we were free.” Alastor placed a hand to his abdomen before he gave a slight bow.

“We won’t be long,” he drawled in a prodding tone.

“What?” You barked after he let you into his quarters first before shutting the door behind him.

Alastor’s eyes traced your shoulders, your arms—then seemed to set up camp at your hands.

Your grip on your book tightened.

“I see you’re dedicated to your little outing with Charlie, hm?” Alastor circled you as he looked over your shoulder. He twirled around to the other shoulder while he clicked his stick to the ground to use as an axis.

The fire sputtered softly in the background. The renovations done to the hotel had certainly been setting into your skin now—the cover of your poor book had become damp with your sweat. The blaring reds of Alastor’s grand room had somehow been less overwhelming to look at than the man himself.

Your eyes zipped over to his chest, shit, why—how did you get here? Though your eye sockets had been yanking you to look his way anyway, your eyelids gave the threat of a blink that for some reason entailed certain death.

A spindly finger crept its way under your chin and tilted your head up. Your gaze naturally fell to his eyes, so narrow and sharp as they could’ve pierced into your own, but no—instead, his gaze took a step into yours. Ever the polite gentleman, letting you know he was letting himself in as your blinking flickered.

“My eyes are up here, darling,” Alastor buzzed in a gravelly voice that dug below the growling radio static.

You gulped, and it seemed that that had been enough for Alastor to release your chin. “Though I suspect it’s not the outing you’re excited about …”

“Alastor, we can talk about this later—”

“Oh, but we haven’t talked about us at all—not since the fall of Charlie’s hotel,” Alastor grinned but gave a pouting tone.

Right.

You had panicked the moment Alastor left for longer than he should have. When you were the only one who clearly didn’t hate him but didn’t hug him upon his return, he took it upon himself to ask about your attitude towards him. You confessed to having thought about him a little more than the rest of the crew, thinking you would be ripping the bandaid off when he laughs at your face and tells you he doesn’t like wasting his time on such sentiments—but lo and behold, he twirled you around to an old jazz song you couldn’t recognize and said—

“Why, I would be ridding myself of the one person who happens to be a pleasure to be around! Don’t be so harsh on yourself my dear, you’re quite a beauty to be relished, even if I am no such person for the job.”

Alastor’s fingers crawled up to his lips as they tapped in a rippling motion.

“Though, it does make me inclined to try …”

So there you were.

The past few days have been more than bearable with this subtle change as you would have expected with someone who wasn’t known to be into romantics. And Alastor had made it clear that you two were only exclusive without a label—but it seemed the current moment might be testing that statement’s validity.

“I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable,” you reasoned as you held the book to your chest with the title facing him.

Alastor’s eyes dropped back down to your book and up to you again as he shut his eyes.

“And you’re doing just a splendid job, my treasure. Letting me set the pace. But right now, I must admit … it’s rather difficult for me to see you reading quite possibly the most popular piece of fiction on vampires,” Alastor held back a sigh through his explanation, but it slipped between his theatrics nonetheless. “You do know I’m a cannibal, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” you insisted, and for some reason your voice dropped to a lower register as you frowned.

Your gaze had been drawn right back to Alastor’s prying own like a compass needle to the earth’s core—it wavered, but never wandered long.

“Then you should know it’s only natural for me to yearn for your taste,” Alastor hummed. “If only I had known you were enamored by such notions sooner …”

“What does it matter now? Right when I’m supposed to head out with Charlie too …”

“Is it really what you wish to do?” Alastor questioned with a cocked brow. “Because if so …” he stepped aside and showed you the door with his hand motioned towards it. “I will not stop you, my sweet.”

In your head, you prepared for your body to move—but you made one pathetic excuse for a step before you fell ice cold. Your head spun and whirred with the expectation of movement—but your body tensed with the commands your muscles refused to follow; like there had been a mix of commands in which your brain may have known what was right but the very blood that supplied your body remained loyal to the desires pounding in your rib cage.

“Well?”

Alastor stood rooted to his spot, and though his grin had turned into a tamed smile, you knew that underneath his closed eyes he’d been brimming for your answer.

“What … What are you going to do?” You asked innocently. There were a number of things already stirring in your head about your fate in the next ten minutes or so, but Alastor’s hell-renowned status had been built escaping the grasps of others’ expectations.

“What would you like me to do my dear?” He tilted his head at an unnatural angle as his sharp eyes narrowed at you once more, the static noise crackling much like the fire had—only this sound panted and prodded in your ear, demanding to be known.

“No, this is not how this works, Al,” you sterned as much as you could with the tremble in your voice. “You tell me exactly what you have in mind, then I will tell you what I think.”

“Hmmph,” Alastor cooed. “How clever.”

He made his way over to you, and your body reacted quicker than your mind as your steps matched his, only they brought you backwards while he stalked forward.

He leaned into your ear. “I’d like to know what you taste like, dear.”

You attempted to steel yourself as a shiver traveled from your arms to your spine. Alastor’s breath might have been warm but the shiver had shedded off half your warmth and preserved the rest on your cheeks.

He returned to his original position right in front of you, keeping your flickering gaze locked on his, even if his own hadn’t been half as loyal when they switched between your neck and the former.

“Not to worry. I won’t hurt you any more than I have to. I find those fangs that vampires possess quite appealing,” he commented. “So what do you say, darling?”

You nodded. You didn’t mean to.

But by this time your throat, your muscles, the very same ones tensed with the promise of Alastor’s tongue on your skin—they had been pulling the strings because you knew you wouldn’t do it all by yourself, acting so surprised by the things you’re saying.

“Please,” you whispered as you bit your lip. Now’s no time to be praying.

“I want you to bite me.”

Unless it’s to the very demon before you.

“Lovely.”

His hand slipped to your waist and steered you to the right and towards the edge of his bed.

You fell back, your book finally escaped your grasp and Alastor’s shadow casted over you completely.

He adjusted his tie as he set down his microphone, chin held high with a half-lidded glance at your book that laid askew on his bed. He picked it up and flipped it back to front briefly before setting it down on his bedside table like he’d been framing a picture.

“Now then,” he grinned, and his teeth had been completely altered with a straight row—the only two to stand out being the prominent fangs that ended on his lower lip.

Alastor swooped in and you shut your eyes tight from the gush of wind that accompanied him only to be met with his warm breath on your neck.

“I trust you know that this will hurt for an itty bitty moment, yes?” He warned with a voice so vile yet sultry, like his little remarks had slithered into your ear and lapped your head in jawbreaker promises filled with his venom.

You nodded quickly, and froze at once when he punctured you; fire spread throughout your neck, inflamed your cheeks, collarbones protruding as you clawed at his shoulders for purchase—and to your surprise, he adjusted your grip to loop around his neck, which in turn enveloped you closer to him.

A swirling sensation danced into the picture with your jugular pulsing against his teeth. Your flesh and muscles hugged the two blades that only sank deeper into you causing you to bruise even further. You winced, and Alastor’s tongue drew small circles where he had been sucking. Something had been dripping from you and Alastor was sure not to miss a single drop of you. At least, not from your neck.

You bit your lip once more, a sound rising past your throat and holding your tongue hostage. Warmth had now engulfed your jaw and neck as you craned it back to allow him easier access—what was previously festered had subsided into a dizzying pleasure, his fangs almost tickling you along with the wet trails left by his tongue.

Ice washed over the abused spot on your neck when his fangs left you, pieces of your skin still clung onto him until the very last second. He nibbled and bit further down and along your collarbone before he drew back.

He exhaled through his teeth, which had now grown out to be the regular sharp rows he possessed previously. With the way his eyes trekked on your shoulders and jaw, it took every muscle in your body not to shrivel under his critical eye.

“Oh, my dear, you’re absolutely glowing,” Alastor sighed, the inner corner of his brows arched up as his hands remained planted on either side of you. His smile faltered. “If you should even dare to think otherwise, come to me. I will fix what is wrong with this realm, and that is the wretch who convinced the moon and stars they were nothing but rotten work.”

Heavy knocks thundered from the door.

“Alastor! What’s taking so long?” Charlie reprimanded, which made you jolt when she uttered your name along with his. “We need to go!”

Alastor stepped back and dusted himself off which allowed you space to do the same. You fixed your shirt and ran towards the door only for a firm hand on your forearm to twirl you around and dip you, your hair falling away from your face.

“Alastor!” You hissed.

Alastor held up your book with his free hand. “I’m touched you’d let me keep this as a souvenir.”

You grabbed the book and headed for the door again. “I’m late.”

Charlie called your name once more.

“Coming!”

“That you will be,” Alastor chuckled.

You glared at him over your shoulder. “Big talk for an ace.”

“I never know what that means.” Alastor shrugged as he planted his microphone in front of him.

You rolled your eyes before opening and slamming the door behind you, leaving Alastor to think about what he was going to do about your attitude when you got back.

[yjcorefourenjoyer]

Photo evidence AU part 3

Tim's vigilante (stalker) outfit consist of a hoodie, cargo pants, a mask with goggles attached to it and his camera around his neck. all of it was different shades of black and dark gray, making it nearly impossible to see him at night.

.......Which is why when Commissioner Gordon came up from behind him when he was spying on the police to see if they got his envelope, scared him half to death.

But the Commissioner didn’t ask the questions that Tim thought he would, not who are you? Not what are you doing here? Not even where are your parents? Instead he just said

“They’ve started calling you photo evidence”

Tim stood up straighter while turning to face him slowly, letting his camera hang. he made his voice a little deeper before responding

“Why? I haven’t done anything that would give me that name”

The commissioner gave a exhaust sigh, dragging a hand down his face.

“Oh don’t give me that, I’ve seen enough crime fighting children in my life to know what going on here…… Listen, I know you’re going to continue doing this no matter what I say, but just know if you need help the GCPD-”

Tim cuts him off and shakes his head “Thanks, but no thanks.” he starts to walk to the fire escape,

“I plan on blackmailing lots of people in lots of high places, I don’t need to bring you guys down with me. I’ll see you later”

Tim descends down but before he exited fully from view he stops and says

“Oh and tell your team I like the name!”

the Commissioner gave an exasperated sigh

“…..see you later, photo evidence.”

————————————————————————————————

Tim is like the GCPD informant and sometimes helps on small cases that nobody is looking into.

doesn’t stop someone saying photo evidence is the police’s Robin.

that definitely didn’t make Tim’s day

part 4

[parkerslatte]

Strings That Bind Us | Part 1

Azriel x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3.8k

Warnings: she/her pronouns used. fluff and a smidge of angst.

Summary: Y/N owns a small bookstore in Velaris. When she struggles to take her stock in, a handsome stranger approaches her and offers her help. She accepts the help and Y/N insists on making him dinner for his help. Azriel originally denies this but he finds himself eventually saying yes for reasons he doesn’t understand quite yet.

A/N: I might write a part 2 if anyone wants it :)

ACOTAR Masterlist

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

•••

The boxes of new books were stacked on top of one another and Y/N stared up at it deciding internally how to tackle it. It was the middle of summer and Y/N was already sweating just from arranging her store all day. Now as she stood before the stacks of books she let out a sigh and rolled up her sleeves. The first box wasn’t too big and was easy to carry inside and place by the counter. Y/N had only moved one box and she was already beginning to sweat. 

The next few boxes were bigger and Y/N silently cursed. If the delivery had been on any other day it would have been fine, but the stock had decided to show up on the hottest day of the year. Y/N tried her best to manouver herself in a position where she could grip the box but every position she tried proved useless. It wasn’t as if the box was too heavy, it was only that it was an awkward size to carry. 

Y/N gave a small wave and smile to the crowds who walked past. She wanted to speak up and ask for help but everyone she looked at seemed to be having a nice day and she didn’t want to interrupt them. Y/N suffered in silence. And the heat. 

After awkwardly moving the second box into the store she let out a breath and fanned herself with her hands. It was too warm for the shirt and trousers she had decided to wear. Even if she could easily run up to her apartment situated above her store, she decided not to, not with the stacks of books sitting outside. 

The third box she moved into the store made a dent in the stacks but there was still plenty more to go. Y/N didn’t know why she had decided to double her order of books for the month, it seemed like a good decision at the time knowing that her stock wouldn’t sell out any time soon. But not after only moving a few boxes she regretted it immensely. 

“Do you need any help?” A voice asked from behind her as Y/N pushed the next box through the door. 

Y/N turned and faced the source of the voice and her breath was swept away from her. The stranger in front of her was handsome, handsome in the way she read about in books. Of course she knew who he was, nearly everyone in Velaris did. Standing before her was the High Lord’s very own shadowsinger. 

Y/N sagged against the box. “That would actually be really helpful.”

The shadowsinger, Azriel, stepped up to the box Y/N had started to push through the doorway and picked it up with ease. Y/N gaped. If only she had arms like his then maybe she could have done that. 

“Where do you want it?” he questioned. 

Y/N shook her head, bringing her attention from his arms to his eyes which wasn’t much better as they were a beautiful shade of hazel and seemed to glow in the lighting of her store. “Oh, just by the counter is fine.”

Y/N moved onto the next box and began to push it towards the entrance before Azriel swiftly picked it up and carried it into the store. Y/N followed him in. “You know if I had long arms like you, I would be able to do that too.”

“Sure,” he replied as he placed it down beside the counter with the rest of the boxes. 

He exited the store and didn’t return for a moment and Y/N guessed that he had disappeared. Even the brief thought sent a twinge of disappointment through her. However before she could dwell on it any further, Azriel came into the store once more carrying two boxes. 

Y/N folded her arms across her chest. “Okay, now you’re just showing off.”

Azriel placed them down beside the others and there was a hint of a smile on his face. It was barely visible but it was there. While he brought the last few boxes in, Y/N began to open them and began to make stacks of them alphabetically. From looking at how many books were in one box, she dreaded thinking of where she would put them all. Of course she had gaps in her shelves but there weren’t nearly enough for every book to go. 

“Do you need any more help?” Azriel asked as he lingered near the door, wings blocking out a lot of light. 

Y/N’s attention shifted from the books to Azriel and back to the books. “If you could help unbox everything it would help me a lot.”

Azriel gave her a nod before he stepped over to a box and began to open it and sacked the books as Y/N had been doing, even in alphabetical order. Y/N smiled before moving onto a box of her own. 

“Do you work here alone?” Azriel asked. 

“I do,” Y/N answered. “I’ve had this store for over one hundred years. It’s still going strong.”

“It seems well loved,” Azriel commented as he sorted through the books. 

“I take great pride in it,” Y/N said, taking a moment to glance around. Her store felt like home. “Do you read?”

“Not as much as I would like,” Azriel answered. 

“I suppose with your job, you find it hard to find a quiet time to relax and open a book,” Y/N said as she opened another box. 

Azriel only nodded as he continued to organise the books alphabetically, even going as far to slip the ones he had between the pile she had created. Y/N watched from the corner of her eye. If she had known that morning that the shadowsinger would be helping her organise books she wouldn’t have believed it.

“Do you read a lot?” Azriel asked. 

Y/N nodded enthusiastically. “I love to read! Anything and everything, it's partly the reason why I wanted to open this store. I wanted to share all the books I enjoy with people. Even if I might be a little biassed towards some of my favourites.”

“Is that why I have opened one box only filled with the same book?” Azriel asked, his tone holding a small hint of teasing. 

Y/N smiled. “That book is my favourite, about a million miles above any other I’ve read.”

“It’s special to you.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement.

“It is,” Y/N said, her gaze softening. “My mother and father always read that book to me while growing up, they always insisted that they read me different books but I always wanted that one. I still have the copy they read to me, the cover is nearly falling off and some of the pages are falling out but I refuse to replace it. The book is really the only thing I have left of my parents.” Y/N paused for a moment and turned to glance at Azriel. “I’m sorry, I have quite a habit of oversharing sometimes. I just start talking and don’t really stop. I apologise if I made you uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay,” Azriel said softly. “How did they die?”

Y/N shrugged. “That’s the issue, I don’t really know. Originally I am from the Summer Court and my parents lived in a small cottage basically in isolation. There weren’t many others around. I visited them one day and found the whole cottage ransacked and they were nowhere to be seen, but there was blood everywhere, too much of it to know that they were alive. I came to Velaris not long after, my mother was originally from here.”

“I’m sorry,” Azriel said. 

Y/N shook her head. “You don’t need to apologise. And besides it was nearly two hundred years ago now, I try not to dwell on it too much. It happened and there was nothing I could have done but move on. I know my parents wouldn’t want me to sulk about it for my whole life. It was half the reason I opened this store, in their honour.”

“They would be proud of you,” Azriel said, looking at her. 

Y/N smiled. “I know they would.” She looked at the book scattered at her feet she she let out a sigh. “But they wouldn’t be proud of all of this mess though.”

Even with all of the categorised into alphabetical order, she knew that it was going to take her a long time to place them onto the shelves. It was already getting into the late afternoon and it was due to get dark soon. Y/N debated leaving it all to be a problem for the next day but she knew that she would keep putting it off if she left it any longer. 

“I can help put them on the shelves as well,” Azriel said. 

Y/N looked at him and shook her head. “I wouldn’t wish for you to do that. You’ve done so much for me already.”

“It wouldn’t be an issue,” Azriel said and moved towards a stack of books and picked them up. 

Y/N sighed, knowing that she wasn’t going to get him to leave anytime soon. “You can start in that corner over here, there’s a large gap in titles.” 

Azriel nodded before taking a pile of books in his arms and going to work in the corner Y/N had pointed to. Y/N stood and watched him. She wasn’t sure why the shadowsinger of the night court was helping her in her small bookstore. But as she watched as his brows furrowed in concentration as he read and sorted through the titles, she found herself smiling. 

Shadows swirled around Y/N’s feet as Azriel’s head turned to catch her eye. Once Y/N realised that she had been caught staring she quickly looked away to fuss over a stack of books on the opposite side of the store. However she turned away too fast. If she had waited only a second more she would have witnessed the small smile appear on Azriel’s face. 

***

“Thank you for your help,” Y/N said to Azriel as she placed the final few books on the shelves. It was dark outside now and the once bustling street was vacant and quiet. “I don’t know what I can do to repay you.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Azriel said as he stood in the centre of the shop. 

“No,” Y/N said, turning to face him fully. “You’ve been here basically all day. You probably had things you wanted to do. The least I can do is make you dinner or something.”

“You really don’t need-”

“I insist,” Y/N said, folding her arms across her chest and stepped closer to Azriel. His shadows swirled around her feet again and Y/N felt the soft caresses on her ankles. “And don’t even argue with me because you won’t win.”

Y/N now stood directly in front of him and smiled up at him. Azriel looked down at her, fighting the urge to let the smile appear on his face. “Now, what do you want for dinner?”

“I don’t mind,” Azriel said, his voice unusually quiet. 

Y/N didn’t break eye contact as she slowly backed away from him. “Come on then, I only live upstairs.”

The stairs that granted Y/N access to her apartment were narrow and Azriel needed to tuck his wings in tight to even get up the stairs. Y/N quickly apologised to him as she quickened her pace to open the door at the top and let him into the spacious apartment. It wasn’t the largest apartment but it was open plan and granted Azriel the room to stretch his wings any way he wanted. 

“You can sit wherever you wish,” Y/N said. “Dinner hopefully won’t be too long. You’re not too hungry, are you? If you are I can just make something quickly but I did want to make you a nice mean because you have been really nice to me today and-”

“Y/N,” Azriel interrupted, a soft smile gracing his face and Y/N melted at the sight of it. “I’m okay with anything.”

“I do have my mother’s recipe for a soup that she used to make me all the time, it shouldn’t take too long.”

“It sounds perfect,” Azriel said, his smile widening the smallest amount. 

Y/N smiled back at him before swiftly turning to the kitchen area. She could feel Azriel’s gaze on her and her face heated up. Having the shadowsinger in her apartment was something she had never thought would happen, in fact the thought had never crossed her mind. She tried to ignore the feeling of Azriel’s gaze on her but she found it hard. As she prepared the ingredients she cast quick glances in the shadowsinger’s direction. 

He was now carefully inspecting her apartment and looking at the decoration. Upon first glance it looked quite cluttered but Azriel could tell that everything held a great significance. 

 It wasn’t too long later when Y/N served up the soup in two mismatched bowls. Azriel couldn’t fight back the smile at the childish pattern on his bowl. Y/N ‘s eyes glanced down at the bowl and a soft smile graced her features.

“I painted that bowl when I was a child,” she said. “There was originally a whole set of them but they have all broken over the years. That is the only one that is still intact.”

“It’s beautiful,” Azriel said, sparing one final glance at the pattern on the bowl before placing it down on the table to begin eating the soup. 

Y/N snorted. “You don’t need to be kind, I know it’s terrible.”

“But it means a lot to you,” Azriel said, his voice calm. “And that’s what makes it beautiful.”

“I suppose I have never thought of it that way,” Y/N said. “I’ve only ever thought of it as a silly painting I did in my childhood. But I guess it is beautiful in its own weird way.”

Azriel offered her a small smile before they both ate their soup in silence. It was comfortable. 

***

It was several days later when Azriel found himself walking down that familiar street. He wasn’t sure why he was outside when he had plenty of work to be doing but it was as if something called to him. Ever since he had spent the day with Y/N, he hadn’t been able to get her off of his mind. He had only spent a matter of hours with her but every small thing reminded him of her. When he saw Nesta’s stack of books, the titles were familiar as he remembered shelving them days ago. The drawing Nyx gave him when he visited, the childish art reminded him of Y/N’s bowl. Even while he slept he couldn’t seem to escape Y/N. She would appear in his dreams and Azriel found himself disappointed when he awoke to find her not with him. She was plaguing his mind. 

His pace slowed as he approached the familiar store. It was crowded and music seemed to flow from inside. Many left the store with wide smiles on their faces and carrying an assortment of bags. Azriel stood on the other side of the street and watched through the window, he could see Y/N behind the counter and he couldn’t help but smile. Her expression was calm as she greeted each customer that approached her. Despite the long line, no one seemed to be in a rush or angry. 

Azriel wanted to go in the store just to be close to Y/N again but he stopped himself from doing so and instead remained on the other side of the street. When Azriel was questioned where he was going, he didn’t know what to answer. Originally he didn’t think he would end up in front of Y/N’s store but as he walked through the city, his feet seemed to carry him there. 

The crowd in Y/N’s shop seemed to become emptier and emptier the longer Azriel lingered on the street. He had wanted to simply fly away and never think about Y/N again. But his body didn’t allow him to. It was as if he was stuck to the ground. 

Azriel’s gaze shifted to Y/N’s shop once again as he looked through the doorway. There were only a few customers in the store now. Y/N chatted with the customer in front of her, a wide smile on her face. It caused Azriel to smile. Not one of his forced smiles or a smile he did just because he felt like he needed to. It was a real, genuine smile. 

From inside the store, Y/N’s gaze shifted as if she felt someone looking at her. Her eyes met Azriel’s and her eyebrows furrowed before she brought her hand up and waved. Azriel froze as he was caught. He never had the intention of her spotting him across the street. Now as she smiled at him after handing over a bag of books to her final customer, Azriel swiftly turned on his heel and walked away from the store.

***

Y/N’s smile dropped as she watched Azriel walk away. Without thinking, she quickly raced out of the store and saw him already halfway down the street. She didn’t even lock her store before she took off down the street after him. If she was being completely honest with herself, she was hoping that the shadowsinger would show up at her store again. After cooking him dinner days ago, she had wanted to see him again. Each morning she had silently watched the door to her store hoping he would walk through. She felt guilty for her disappointment when it was just a regular customer. 

“Azriel!” Y/N yelled down the street. Many fae turned to look at her but she simply ignored them in her pursuit of the shadowsinger. 

Azriel must have heard her as he did slow his pace but didn’t stop completely. She increased her pace as she chased him down the busy street. As he turned a corner, she followed. There weren’t many others down this street and it was much quieter. 

“Azriel, slow down!” Y/N exclaimed, she was already growing tired. “I need to talk to you.”

Azriel’s pace faltered once again and it gave Y/N the opportunity to catch up. He was a few paces ahead of her and she reached out her hand and gently clasped his in hers. This made Azriel go still. 

“Finally, you stopped,” Y/N said, trying to catch her breath. “You know, you walk really fast?”

Azriel didn’t answer. He only looked at where Y/N clasped his hand in her’s. Y/N, however, didn’t notice how tense Azriel had become. 

“I was wondering if you were going to stop by anytime soon,” Y/N said. “The store has been so busy over the past few days and I’ve been working my ass off but it has been fun. Nearly all the books you shelved are gone now.” Y/N’s eyebrows furrowed as Azriel still continued to look at their joined hands. “What’s wrong?”

Azriel finally met Y/N’s eyes. He pulled his hand out of Y/N’s grip and folded his arms behind his back. “Nothing.”

Y/N looked at the way his body was still tense as she took a small step back. “I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner again? Or even just go for a drink?” 

Y/N’s heart was beating fast as she asked the question. She wasn’t sure where this confidence had come from but was grateful for it. 

Azriel looked at her hands where she nervously fiddled with her rings and he slowly nodded. Y/N let out a quiet sigh of relief. “Good, for a moment there I thought you would say no then I would have chased you down the street for nothing. So, which will it be? Dinner or a drink?”

“Why not both?” Azriel asked. 

Y/N smiled and the two began to walk to the main part of the city. It was still busy as they stopped by Y/N’s store for her to lock it up before continuing on their way to find a restaurant. The whole walk there, Azriel kept to himself, his hand locked behind his back. Y/N noticed the way he would flinch away as she accidentally brushed her arm with his. 

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable by touching you,” Y/N said. “I really wasn’t thinking. I just tried to make you stop.”

Azriel looked down at her, she was fiddling with her rings once more. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable.”

“I didn’t?” Y/N said.

Azriel shook his head. “I just didn’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“Me?” Y/N questioned. “Why would I be uncomfortable?”

Azriel swallowed as he brought his hands from where they were clasped behind his back to his front. He flexed his fingers as Y/N watched. 

“My scars,” Azriel said. “I thought they would make you uncomfortable.”

Y/N stopped in her tracks and furrowed her eyebrows. “Of course they wouldn’t make me uncomfortable.” Azriel slowly turned to her. “And I’m sorry if I did anything to make you feel that way.”

“You didn’t do anything,” Azriel said. “Please don’t apologise.”

Y/N looked at Azriel and noticed the hesitation in his eyes as he stared down at his hands. She followed his gaze before slowly clasping his hands in hers. Azriel tensed for a brief moment before he relaxed. 

“There is nothing about you that would make me uncomfortable,” Y/N said, giving his hands a gentle squeeze.

“You barely know me,” Azriel said, his voice quiet.

“I know,” Y/N said. “That is true. But I do want to get to know you more if you’ll allow me. This sounds stupid but I was hoping that you would come to my store again. I’ve been keeping an eye on the door hoping that you would walk in.”

Azriel smiled. “It doesn’t sound stupid at all. What does sound stupid is everything reminding me of a certain female and me thinking about her so much that it got to the point where I had to linger outside her shop for over an hour.”

Y/N laughed and clutched onto Azriel’s hands tighter. “Stalker,” she teased.

“I wanted to come in,” Azriel said frantically. “You were just busy and I wasn’t sure if you wanted to see me.”

“Obviously I would want to see you,” Y/N said as she threaded their fingers together. She felt Azriel relax even more from her touch. “There's…just something about you that I am drawn to. And I’ll be happy to find out what that is.”

Azriel smiled as Y/N began to drag him down the street, their hands linked together. 

[howlsofbloodhounds]

[experiment] : {1/2}

(I will refer to the Undertale versions by their names—Doctor Gaster, Sans, Papyrus, Undyne—and the Othertale versions by their nicknames. Shade, Color, Ivory, Sage.

Part 2 linked in the numbers.)

So this animation short is set in the past of Undertale, before Gaster and eventually Sans fall into the Core/Void and are forgotten.

Little Undyne is here because she is getting her blind eye checked by Doctor Gaster. It appears she really hates these check ups.

When Gaster asks her if it hurts, she rather grumpily says that it doesn’t—of course, this is still a younger version of Undertale Undyne, so she is attempting to hide her pain. Perhaps to appear strong and tough.

Doctor Gaster notices this immediately and is both unimpressed and frustrated—he shows a tendency to press on and push up his glasses when he is frustrated. He informs the girl that he needs her to communicate her pain in order to help her properly, and asks again.

Undyne budges just a little this time—saying it doesn’t hurt “that much.” Doctor Gaster asks her if she can see anything in that eye yet, to which the kid shakes her head no—she has monocular vision, just like Sans one day will.

It appears that Doctor Gaster is trying to find a way to restore the girl’s sight in her blind eye. It’s unclear if something injured her eye or if she was born blind, because she has a bandage over the eye for the rest of the short.

(Look at how cute!)

Unlike the full braid Ivory will eventually gain, this baby version of Undyne only has little pigtails.

Here we see Sans with a babybones Papyrus.

This tells us a few things. One, that Color/Sans and Gaster/Shade used to be coworkers in the lab before everything happened.

Two, that it appears Sans was Papyrus’ only caretaker; as he has to bring the baby into work with him, in a dangerous lab, rather than leave him at home with a caretaker or a babysitter.

We can also see that baby Papyrus still has that orange scarf that Sage will eventually still have—even when kid Sage and Ivory meet up again in the Garbage dumps after an event only described as “the explosion,” Sage still has that scarf.

Assuming this was something Sans gave Papyrus, we can also assume that it’s possibly another sign of Sans’ existence in Othertale other than a mysterious sock.

Although how Sage got his scarf if Sans wasn’t there to give it to him is a mystery—did he find it somewhere and take because he was cold living alone on the streets, or did he always have it—he just doesn’t remember how, when, or why? If it’s the latter case—does Sage ever wonder if he had a family or a caretaker.

Does he think they abandoned him?

Back to the actual short, it’s revealed that this is the very first time that Sans, Undyne and Papyrus have ever met.

Cuties.

When Sans makes a pun about “keeping an eye on ya,” Undyne is briefly confused—before she understands the pun, and lets out a soft laugh.

It’s a little dark, but I find it funny how Sans doesn’t wear his casual jacket in the lab but he does wear his lab coat and pink flippers. Hilarious.

(or maybe sans is either very reassured in the safety of the lab. or perhaps he’s being a little too careless.)

Here Sans teaches Undyne about “soul power”—the power of his soul that “allows him to create powerful attacks and call upon dangerous creatures in battle.”

His eye glows after saying this, and Undyne is enraptured. Sans seems to like taking on this teaching role—and perhaps it’s to make Undyne feel better about her eye.

However, we also learn that this power comes at a price. “The more power your soul holds, the weaker your body becomes.” This could definitely explain why Color’s body is so fragile and unstable after absorbing the six souls, and having done it so suddenly, why it busted his skull open.

Undyne and Papyrus being cuties. They’re already behaving like siblings.

When Undyne asks if she will also get these powers, because of her eye, Sans reassures her that she won’t because, “Dr.Gaster won’t make the same mistake with you. He wants to fix your blind eye after all.”

It appears that the reason Sans has his glowing eye in this version of Undertale is because of Dr. Gaster. Sans says it was a mistake on Dr. Gaster’s part, so he doesn’t seem to hold any ill will towards Gaster about it (at least right now), but he also says that Dr. Gaster wants to fix Undyne’s blind eye.

Does that imply that Gaster didn’t want to fix Sans’ eye—if something was wrong with it before—or that Sans thinks he didn’t? If something wasn’t wrong with it before, then why did he give Sans this eye at all—and why did Sans agree?

Either way. I wouldn’t be suprised if Gaster feels some responsibility for Color’s predicament—and such a responsibility in keeping him both alive, and sane. Perhaps he feels he’s the reason Color’s body can’t handle too much of his power without slowly and painfully dying.

(Note that, when nervous or uncomfortable, Sans seems to have a habit of placing a hand on the back of his skull and looking away. Can’t imagine how many times Color tried to do this, only to be starkly and sharply reminded that his skull is fucking busted open.

There are no mirrors in the Void. How did he react the first time he saw his appearance in the mirror? Color Sans with body image issues real?)

The two are conveniently interrupted by Dr. Gaster, who has prepped another experiment, and who ask Undyne if she will be willing to perform this new experiment—to which Undyne happily consents to.

(Dr. Gaster seems to be showing a lot of respect for his patients emotions, boundaries, and time. So either Sans consented to whatever situation led to that eye comment, or there was some miscommunication—and Dr. Gaster has learned from his mistakes.)

There is something in Wing Dings here I cannot translate.

But Dr. Gaster says that nothing is working with Undyne’s eye, and Undyne wakes up from being put under to the sound of Gaster and Sans arguing about it.

Gaster says that he is “sick and tired of all his experiments turning out to be failures.” This could just be referring to Undyne, as it seems the two have been trying to work on fixing her eye for a while now, but it could also potentially involve whatever mistake he did to Sans.

Gaster says he needs space, that he can’t think here—“not with all of you around.” A mirror to what seems to have become of Shade and Color in the Void.

Sans is concerned, calls him “Doc.” He calls out for Gaster to wait, to let him come with him—but Gaster ignores him and leaves, Sans doesn’t follow.

(I am getting a feeling this has happened before. And Sans is worried about leaving Gaster alone.)

Undyne asks where Gaster went, to which Sans shrugs. She says he hopes he comes back soon, that the lab is spooky where he’s not here. So even when grumpy and not wanting to be there, Undyne still finds comfort in Gaster’s presence. A sharp contrast to their interactions in the Void.

Also, Sans sits on chairs weird. Point and laugh. What a queer.

Yay! It worked. (Unfortunately for Undyne, she will lose her sight again in only a few moments.)

[mxlinoe]

Mollymauk and the Modern Dionysus

Something that has always driven me insane is the weird accuracy of mollymauk/lucien/kingsley’s story to that of Dionysus. Like, it’s a tired thing to equate Mollymauk to Dionysus - i’m sure everyone in the fandom at some point has done that - but i cannot stress enough how entirely accurate it actually is.

Lets start from the beginning: dionysus’s creation myth.

Parts of it vary here and there depending on who you ask but the story goes Zeus is having his nth affair with Semele. Hera finds out, but instead of just outright killing her, disguises herself as an old women. In disguise she speaks with Semele who reveals shes pregnant with Zeus’s child. Hera deceives Semele and tells her to ask Zeus to show his godly form “and deceived by Hera she asked that he would come to her as he came when he was wooing Hera” (Apollod. 3.4.3). This means basically come to me as your godly form, and when zeus did “came to her bridal chamber in a chariot, with lightnings and thunderings, and launched a thunderbolt” (Apollod. 3.4.3) it fucking killed her. From there, Zeus sews the childs heart to his leg and months later Dionysus is born from Zeus. Theres another version of the story where Zeus impregnates Semele by giving her a liquid version of Dionysus’s heart?? “Liber, son of Jove and Proserpine, was dismembered by the Titans, and Jove gave his heart, torn to bits, to Semele in a drink” (Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 167). Keep in mind this constant idea of death.

Anyhow, where the story really varies is who ends up raising Dionysus. Obviously, Semele is dead, and Hera wants him dead so he can’t stay on Olympus. Apollodorus states that he’s raised by the king and queen of Thebes as a girl (keep this in mind). A whole other version of this story is Dionysus is the child of Zeus and Persephone. This gives him connections to the underworld, death, and rebirth. Another version of the myth has him raised by nymphs? It all jumps around and I can’t find concrete textual evidence for anything but what Apollodorus states.

That’s where the story pretty much stops varying. From this point on it’s agreed that Hera drove Dionysus mad to wander the world and he teaches people about wine while he wanders, then he gets back to Greece and yayyy hes on the pantheon. 

Second thing to look at: Madness

In Euripides’s ‘The Bacchae’, Dionysus returns to Thebes to learn that worship of him has been banned and to clear his mothers name. He returns with a group of “bacchants”. When he arrived in Thebes, Dionysus drove Semele’s sisters mad - and then they fled up Mt Cithaeron to worship him. In the meantime (still in disguise) Dionysus is arrested and begins to drive King Pentheus of Thebes mad. The funniest part about this is how EXTENSIVELY Dionysus is physically described: 

“Well, stranger, I see this body of yours is not unsuitable for women’s pleasure— that’s why you’ve come to Thebes. As for your hair, it’s long, which suggests that you’re no wrestler. It flows across your cheeks That’s most seductive. You’ve a white skin, too. You’ve looked after it, avoiding the sun’s rays by staying in the shade, while with your beauty you chase Aphrodite” (Euripides. Bacchae. 564-571) 

LIKE??? Anyway. He starts to drive Pentheus insane by tricking him, causing a fire, and an earthquake. He persuades Pentheus to go undercover IN DRAG to the maenads (the women driven crazy on the mountain). Dionysus knows that this will be his death, but Pentheus doesn’t. So he goes up the mountain and is promptly torn apart by the women who believe they’re actually tearing apart a mountain lion (because they’re also mad). 

There’s also a myth where Dionysus gets captured by pirates during his worldly travels because they think he’s so cute so he drives them mad and then turns them into dolphins. Dionysus also drove A king of Edonia in Thrake (north of Greece) mad and in this madness the king killed his family. Dionysus really enjoys driving people mad. Like, I lose count of how many times he’s driven mortals mad for disrespecting him.

Thirdly: historical evolutions and aesthetic

Dionysus is an ancient god, believed to be as old as wine itself (which was invented in 6000 BC). He’s gone through a good few aesthetic changes over the years, but my favorite and most important thing to note is that Dionysus once had horns. HORNS! Because of these aesthetic changes, he’s also sometimes split into three separate “eras” - Mycenaean, Orphic, and Hellenized. The first is the oldest known Dioysus, he’s depicted as an older, beared figure with horns. It seems he was more worshiped for his connections to the Underworld and e was associated with marriage, death, sacrifice, and sexuality over wine. Orphic (of Orphisim, from Orpheus) is a younger, androgynous figure with horns. Dionysus was a central figure in Orphism because of his connections to death and rebirth, which correlated with Orpheus going to the underworld (and also correlated with Orpheus being torn apart by the maenads). Hellenized Dionysus is the modern day one. He’s still androgynous but doesn’t have horns :(, and the main thing people cared about regarding him was being the god of wine.  

Dionysus is also half the time wearing women’s clothing. Here’s some quotes about Dionysus and how he dresses from Lucian’s “Dialogue of the Gods’:

“Well, Zeus, I should be ashamed if I had such a son; so effeminate, … tying up his hair in a ribbon, indeed! and spending most of his time among mad women, himself as much a woman as any of them;” 

“Anyhow, my dear, this wearer of ribbons, this woman among women…” 

I also want to mention that Dionysus is cited multiple times being. Uh. the bottom? The receiver? I have no other way to say this that is pg lol. I make this note not to sexualize but to highlight the fact that out of all male gods who had fellow male lovers, he is the only one to “fulfill” the “women’s role” in sex. The rest of them were doing it, but it was only being done to him. Everyone’s favorite myth is Dionysus and Prosymnus and the creation of the “toy”. In that myth he, yknow, does it to himself on Prosymnus’ grave. There’s also a quote that describes is androgyny as:

“Androgynos (androgynous) : [A word applied to] Dionysos, as one doing both active, male things and passive, female ones [in sexual intercourse].” (Suidas s.v. Androgynos)

So, finally, with everything I just said in mind, how does this related to the threeleafs? Let’s make a check list to see the amount of overlap!

Queerness? Check and check. Mollymauk is so aggressively bisexual and gender-nonconforming it hurts. I wish Molly lived longer so we could see more of the transness that totally was going to happen but alas, the dice rule. I know we don’t know where Molly lands in bed, but most people see him as a bottom anyway so I thought I’d include the facts above about Dionysus’s position in bed.

Madness? Check and check! Focusing on Lucien a little more here I sort of equate the “pattern” from the Somnovem to be akin to the madness Dionysus emposes upon people. Mostly because when you are driven mad by Dionysus you’re seen as a maenad - and when you’re exposed to the pattern by the Somnovem, you’ve got yourself an extra few eyes. 

Death and rebirth? Check and check and check and check and check and check!! Must I even spell it out for you? It is the MAIN part of the threeleafs! 

Three different “eras”? Check and check! I feel like I’m stretching the link here but I thought I’d mention it. The fact that there’s three versions of the same person in one body - that all each have a defining difference between the three of them - reminds me a lot of Dionysus. Lucien being the oldest and more associated with his madness. Mollymauk more associated with the parties (by the fandom mostly) and sexuality. Kinglsey closely associated with identity. It’s really interesting to me to see the shift in how important wine was to Dionysus’s characterization over the three “eras”.

Horns? CHECK AND CHECK. When I learned Dionysus once had horns I went so crazy. He had bull horns, and bulls were notoriously used in ritual sacrifice for Dionysus. Bulls and serpents are some of his sacred animals. While Mollymauk may not have bull horns, he definitely has a snake tattoo!

I’m sure there’s more things I could link between the two of them but these four are the main things that have been driving me absolutely insane for a few years. I know Taliesin said he was really inspired by mermaids but I have a really hard time believing that when there’s THIS MUCH STUFF that lines up between the characters and Dionysus. 

Soooo, that’s basically it. I’m sure I forgot something I wanted to say but whatever. Mollymauk was so right when he said “I am your god, long may I reign”.

[enteroctopusdarkysilis]

✨Tragon !✨

Trans...dragon..It's funny, right ?- Also, I know it's a wyvern...Dragon sounds better...

It's pride month, so it was the perfect occasion to finally make a dragon, yay ! It's also my first time making something akin to a dragon (technically the second time,, but the first one is truly horrible), and even if the proportion are still a bit out of place, it could have been worse. It's also my first time doing custom wings, but I'll talk about that in more details beneath :}

Also, it needs a name ! I’m really bad with names, but I would gladly take suggestions ! (And here is an alt picture, in its natural habitat-)

Anyways, details/closeups under the cut !

None of these picture below are edited, because it's exam period- Enjoy the green backgrounds :}

I have to say, before any other comment, that I made the body way to heavy for the two poor sockets of the legs. The position above is the only one where it's actually standing upright. Also, my stock of pink and rightly-shaded blue was much smaller than originally anticipated, so I would have done a bunch of tings differently, if it wasn't for that. Still, I was lucky to have that many curved blue pieces for the top part. Well, all of the ones with purple diamonds on them have been forcefully taken from a small Elves dragon, but it was worth it (I also really enjoy the purple here, it contrasts nicely).

All of the joints are mixel socket joints, except for the knees, which are just hinges. It gives a lot of movements, from the tail to the jaw. Even if these are limited, it gives it a wide range of positions (even if, realistically, it won’t change it much from the one I gave it). Still, it can sit ! (Including small trans flag)

The pointy scales on the back are some of the only elements which aren’t directly attacked to the body : one 2*2 plate holds them down, and a modified 2*1 under the plates keeps it from sliding in any other direction, so even with little connections, it doesn’t budge. I really liked these angular pieces. To keep them from being too repetitive, they are only connected to each other by one stud, with a small angle, which gives them a slightly "round" effect.

The tail here is not really complicated, it's just a bunch of socket joints linked together with curved tiles on top (one of the sticker is backward, and it's unnerving, but it's not my fault and I can't risk changing it...), with white arch pieces underneath. Not sure of why I added these in the first place, but it looks cool. And of course, the end of the tail is a big heart, because it simply fits the vibe, doesn't it?

Of course, I can't forget what is the most important, and what makes this creature as cute as it is ! (It is cute, and if that is the hill I have to die on, I will.)

The green background doesn't show it well, but the flame offers a good contrats with the rest of the head, and brings the eyes there first (instead of all the mistakes present). Because there are a bunch of these.

I spent nearly as long on the head as all the other body parts cumulated (except for the wings), because making something detailed yet small enough to be a good head is tough. I actually started from the top (for the piece with the sticker, more exactly), instead of the bottom, like I usually do, in order to get an idea of scale (because I already knew I wanted the jaw to move, and for that I needed to see how big it would be). Then, I did the back to quickly have a neck connection point, to see if it would fit. Because the neck is larger under the connection sockets, the socket of the head is actually pretty high up, but the colours are practically aligned so it works well.

Then, the next thing was the eyes and the spikes. The spikes took me a hile to figure out, because without the rest of the head, they looked kinda dumb, but it does bring the head together when everything is in place. Then the eyes : on the small dragon I took apart, there were these blue tooth pieces which I used to get some texture above them, so that they don't look flat, and then, I connected them to the center connectors of a 2*4 plates. That works well in placement, but I ran into the issue of what would be around. If I didn't do anything, there would be two gaps, which would look terrible. Instead, I stuck two 1*4 tiles in these gaps, and since the tooth pieces are around either side, they don't move - well, not much, they still produce a shaking sound when I'm moving the head.

Then under these plates, I directly have 1*4 pink bricks, which stick out behind the head. At first, it was a problem, and I had nothing else to replace them; but they actually restrict and hold the neck, so that even if the head is technically a bit too heavy, it remains in place.

The actual teeth are modified 2*1 plates, four at the top and four at the bottom. To keep them with such a small gap (and to attach them to either sides of the jaw) I have use modified 1*1 plates with a ring. There is a single one at the bottom, and then underneath a few cut 2*1 and 2*2 curved tiles to make the jaw triangular; and two on top, one which connects it to the head and one with holds the snout (which is using a cheese piece and another one of the blue tooth).

So, custom wings ! It isn't actually complicated, if only a bit tedious. Here below is all that I needed to make them :

As you can see, it's not much. Most important, of course, is a good, solid sheet of paper, and a cutter (precision cutter is better, in my opinion, but anything works). To make things easy (or if, like me, you don't know how to draw properly), you can take a basic lego wing, and trace the outline and where the holes go. I would advise only doing a single, blank one, at first. Once you have your proto-wing, you can start to make the actual frame it will be attached on. I chose to use bricks above it to act as claws, but you can use socket joints, like in most sets. The advantage of using plates is that the overall look is better, but if you want overhangs like I did, you have to get the holes really close to the edge of the wing.

Once you have your frame, trace where the holes would go on it ! (if you used a wing model, it might be easier, but it could also not fit, which is why you make a prototype first). To make holes just the right size, I would advise first cutting squares (easier than circles) at just the right size, then scratching the edges with the blade of the cutter. Once it looks good, try to fit an axle inside. If it just about fits, and can rotate, it's good ! Otherwise, just remove it and scratch again.

When that's done, test if it can correctly fit on your frame. Once that's done, you can either make two wings with that pattern, or simply make another copy. I personally made two new from my first prototype because it took me a while to figure out exactly how to place the holes.

Finally, once you got two wings, you can finally add whatever you want on them (easier when they're not actually on the frame, although that should've been obvious), and you're done :}

I went for a really basic thing, but technically, any shape is possible. I'll likely use it again someday, because it's quite fun !

And of course, the bonus picture, since you’re here ! I like the symbolic of this (also don’t pay attention to the tentacles).

I actually really wanted to get rid of this castle (which was gifted, not exactly desired, although I must admit it’s really well designed), and well. Now, it’s gone, and in its place lies the dragon…and my horrendous crab, too.

[ourtearsofrain]

The Barbarians (D.R.W/S.F.K) - Chapter 3

Pairings: Danny Wagner x Sam Kiszka

Genre: angst 

Word Count: just under 4.4k

Warnings: AU typical events/threats/violence (later in the series), brief explanation of past traumatic experiences in the games, family issues once again

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Can't You See What You've Done?

Sam

It had only taken about an hour to arrive at The Garden, and Sam was glad to get away from both Hazel and his brothers. He couldn’t stand Hazel’s eyes on him at all times, Joshua’s focus on how spectacular The Garden was, and worst of all, how quiet Jacob had been. He said nothing as Joshua filled the silence, only half listening to his twin’s words as he went back and forth between their seats and the drink cart. Sam hated him for it; hated each barely audible scoff he gave, each time he could see him roll his eyes behind his tinted shades. Why is he acting like such a dick? I mean, yeah, he’s been sort of like this ever since the games, but it’s only gotten worse now. I bet he’s just upset that I’ll be taking their spotlight. Hates that he won’t be the youngest Kiszka that’s adored by The Garden.

While the people tending to him to get him cleaned up and ready for his official introduction to the citizens of The New World were slightly annoying, he was glad to finally be somewhat alone. God, they’re all wasting their time; I don’t need to be scrubbed head to toe, they can save that for the tributes from the lower districts. Don’t they know who I am? Where I’m from? At least I know they’re using expensive, nice products. Couldn’t imagine being presented after being covered in shit products.

After they finish cleaning him off and present him with a change of clothes which he chooses to decline, knowing what he had brought surely had to be nicer than what they offered, he’s led into a large hallway, once again joined by Hazel, Electra, and the twins. “Now, we have a floor all to ourselves while we wait for the other tributes to arrive. Since you’re from District 1, you’ll be on the first floor, that’ll save us all some time waiting in an elevator any time we need to make an appearance!” Electra’s voice is bright and excited despite the mundane topic. That’s going to get on my nerves fast. I don’t know how long I can stand this shit.

“It usually takes about two days for further districts to arrive, so we’ll all have plenty of down time until then.” Joshua explains as the elevator doors close behind him. “I doubt we’ll get to take you anywhere before the Tribute Parade, though, so I guess we can all just hang out until then.”

As soon as the elevator doors open, Sam’s chomping at the bit to get out of the small space, already weaving through the entry area to find his room. A room, really anywhere else where he could get real privacy was what he wanted, what he needed. “Are the rooms assigned?”

Electra’s face twists with confusion and annoyance at his attitude and eagerness to leave them, but he can’t see it as he crosses the living room. “I- um, no, they aren’t.”

“Don’t you want to spend time with us before the games?”

Jacob rolls his eyes as he follows, holding the same feelings as his younger brother. “Oh, just let him go, Joshua. He obviously doesn’t want to. I think I’ll find my room too.”

Sam pauses to look back at the group, forcing a small smile onto his face as he remembers his manners. “Sorry guys, I’m just tired. Didn’t sleep well last night, too excited for the reaping.”  Jacob scoffs as he passes him, disappearing into a bedroom without another word. Weird. Whatever. “I think I’ll try to get some sleep; I’ll see you guys for dinner.”

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Sam “slept” through dinner intentionally, grumbling out “half asleep” incoherent nonsense at Joshua when he was sent to retrieve him even though he hadn’t managed to get even a minute of rest. He didn’t leave his room until long after the sun had gone down, hoping that the living room and kitchen would be empty long enough for him to grab a bite to eat. His footsteps are silent as he walks through the rooms barefoot, making as little noise as possible as he sneaks into the kitchen, his stomach screaming at him for waiting so long as he looks over the food options. Finally landing on whatever soup they had left in a heating tray, he serves himself a large bowl before hoisting himself up to sit on the counter. He sits in silence as he eats, glad to finally be alone with his thoughts. If his brothers weren’t going to prepare him, he’d have to do it himself. Be charming, got that. Be confident, definitely got that. I don’t know why I’m so worried anyways, like they said, I just have to remember my training. That’s easy enough, I was always top of my classes.

Sam’s ripped from his thoughts as Jacob stumbles into the room, only offering a small nod as he reaches past him, grabbing a large bottle of fine wine and uncorking it. Finally, without his glasses on, Sam could see his eyes for the first time in what seemed like years. They looked tired, even in the dim lighting of the room, perpetually sad. The light Sam had grown up seeing in them was gone, leaving nothing but a broken man. It isn’t until he bypasses the wine glass Sam offers, choosing to bring the bottle straight to his lips instead, that he finally speaks.

“What happened to you, Jacob?”

“Excuse me?”

“What happened to you?” Sam repeats, clarifying nothing for his older brother. “You used to be fun, happy. You used to think it was an honor to fight in the games, you would have congratulated me. Ever since you guys won the games, you’ve changed. You’re moody, quiet. You’re not you anymore.”

Jacob scoffs at his words, taking another long swig from the bottle. “The fucking games happened to me. You know the only reason I volunteered was for Josh? Because they said they would allow two victors as long as they were from the same district, and I knew I couldn’t let him go into the arena alone. I figured we came into this world together so we might as well leave it together. Or win; and we did.”

“So, you regret volunteering?”

“No. Josh would have died without me, and I wouldn’t have let myself live knowing I could have prevented it.”

“So why are you... like this? Why did you change, Jacob?”

“You won’t fully understand my answer until you set foot in that arena. Until there’s someone you care about, dying in your arms, or the other way around. Until you realize that you just took another kid’s life for some rich elite’s entertainment.”

“Tell me anyways.”

“Jesus fuck, why all the questions?” Jacob lets out a heavy sigh, his gaze dropping to the floor as he tries to collect his thoughts. “Even though we aren’t in that arena anymore, I am still constantly stressed about Joshua’s wellbeing, about keeping him alive. Every time I close my eyes to sleep, I see every tribute I killed, their blood still warm on my hands. I can hear Joshua pleading, fucking begging the other tributes to spare me. Did you know that the other Careers pretty much tortured me in front of him? Killing us was far too easy for them, no, they had to break us mentally before going in for the kill. Which was stupid of them; we waited until their watchman finally passed out from exhaustion and killed them where they slept.”

“I- I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I tried to watch all the games, but I fell asleep the night you won. I woke up to the announcement, I never- I never knew what happened before your victory.”

“I don’t want your apologies. Of course you didn’t know, it’s a fucking television show. Their own reality TV program where they get to watch teenagers brutally murder each other while they sit safe in the comfort of their mansions and penthouses. If anyone should be apologizing, it’s me. Maybe if I had told you sooner, you wouldn’t have volunteered. You would have been satisfied benefiting from what we went through. I feel as if it’s the Second Quarter Quell all over again, only this time I won’t be there to keep my brother safe. I can’t lose you to them, Sammy. I can’t watch you die.”

“You won’t, I’ll win. I’ll make you guys proud.”

“Have you not been listening to me? I don’t give a shit about pride. Don’t you see that the only thing I care about is you surviving?!” Sam’s at a loss for words at how sharp his brother’s tone was, his mouth opening and closing as he tries to find anything to say to him. “Y’know, it actually might be better if you die. Better to die as soon as the games start than to live with the weight of your actions, with what you’ll go through. I wish you hadn’t fucking volunteered; you were so close to getting out of it. And it’s my fault, Joshua’s too. We failed you. I failed you. Goodnight, Samuel.”

Sam thinks he can see the glint of tears in his eyes before he turns, but he doesn’t try to say anything more as Jacob walks away from him, wine bottle in hand. Only one sentence circles his mind as his own tears begin to trail down his cheeks, alone on the counter of their luxurious apartment.

“It actually might be better if you die.”

--------------------------------------------------------

This Is for Their Own Desire

Danny

Danny nearly jumps out of his seat when a woman sits down across from him and Daphne, her steps having been so light that he hadn’t heard her enter the room. “Hi, I’m Luna Evergreen.” She offers a smile to Danny and Daphne, but unlike Sable’s, there was an air of sadness behind it. She understood what it really meant to be a tribute. She knew what challenges were to come for them.

Once again, Daphne shuts down, her fear back with a raging vengeance at the newcomer. “Nice to meet you, I’m Danny and this is Daphne.” Danny takes her in as he shakes her hand, and for the first time, he felt like he might finally have someone on his side in The Garden. With sandy blond hair twisted into two neat French braids hanging over her shoulders and a comfortable flannel over jeans and a black shirt, she looked like any other woman from 7. The most striking thing about her was her eyes, deep emerald like an evergreen tree; kind, yet sad. Everything about her would have fit into their district perfectly, everything except for the small sprigs of Red Cedar needles woven into her hair. Really playing up to the name, huh? Bet The Garden eats that shit up with a gold spoon. At least she has calluses on her hands, she isn’t some prissy mentor that’s never worked a day in our district.

“It’s nice to meet you guys too. And I’m sorry. I know how terrifying it is to be reaped, and I know you’re about to be overwhelmed with everything The Garden throws at you even before the games. I promise you both that I will do all I can to prepare you and keep you alive in the arena.”

“Thank you, Luna.”

“Of course, kid. Now, we should be at The Garden in about an hour, I don’t want to overwhelm you with advice and everything right now, so let’s just get to know each other for the time being. We’ll have about two days before the other tributes arrive, so we can and will talk before the games.” When neither Danny nor Daphne say anything, she continues, understanding of their silence. “I come from a family of four, worked both out chopping wood and working in my father’s carpentry shop starting at age 10, and I won the 40th games when I was 17 by outsmarting the other tributes in the arena.”

Pausing, she looks to Danny, urging him to speak next. “I’m 18, this was my last year in the reaping. I uh- I mostly just keep to the woods, lumberjack y’know, never really been good at working with wood other than chopping trees down. My parents- they died when I was 14, so I’ve been looking after my little sister, Josie, ever since then. My best friend, David, he’s- him and his family are taking care of her while I’m gone.” A lump forms in his throat at the memories, beginning to blink rapidly to keep his tears at bay.

“Thank you, Danny. Daphne? You wanna introduce yourself?” Despite Luna’s best intentions, Daphne flinches, her eyes still wide and wild as she grabs Danny’s arm when Luna scoots closer to her. “Hey- I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I promise I’m only here to help. I like to get to know the kids I mentor before- before you guys go into the arena. That way I know how to help you.”

Daphne looks to Danny, silently asking him if she should trust her. He nods slightly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze from where it still sat on his bicep. “It’s ok, she’s alright. She’s a new friend, like me.”

“Ok…” Daphne relaxes slightly, repositioning in her seat as she tries to keep eye contact with Luna. “I’m Daphne, I’m 12. I help my parents out in their shop and take care of my siblings.”

“How many siblings do you have, Daphne?”

“Five. All younger than me. I took out extra food rations over the winter, 11 times I think, so they could eat. I think that’s why I was reaped.”

Danny’s heart shatters at the words. 12 years old and already fucking taking care of her family due to The Garden’s neglect. They’re killing an innocent fucking child just because she wanted them to have food. All while they’re bursting at the seams with extra resources.

“That was very brave of you, kid. I remember having to do that for my family too, I’m sorry the consequences were so severe.” As her voice breaks, Danny looks at Luna’s eyes, seeing tears along her waterline; she felt exactly as he did. “Thanks again for sharing that, just like Danny said, we’re all new friends here. We’ll look out for you.” As soon as the words leave her mouth, she meets Danny’s eyes, and he sends her a silent message, pleading with her to focus all help she could get from The Garden towards Daphne when they were thrown into that arena.

She nods slightly, the movement so small that Danny questions if she had even moved. Daphne will be ok. We’ll keep her safe. She’ll be ok, Danny.

--------------------------------------------------------

The second their train stops at The Garden, Danny’s thankful that Luna had waited to begin advising them, his senses bombarded instantly. Between the cheering citizens and countless Peacekeepers steering them down hallways decorated with rich, intricate sculptures and décor; with so many new, too fancy smells no matter where he went, Danny couldn’t think straight. It was as if someone had turned his perception up to 100 and he couldn’t get it back down. He dissociates as he’s separated from his group, pulled into a separate room and not given even a minute to readjust before more people filter into it, setting in on cleaning him up instantly. In his daze, he doesn’t allow himself to feel their rough hands raking through his knotted, frizzy hair, nor their attempts at smoothing the calluses on his palms. They could try all they wanted to make him a shiny, new tribute, it wouldn’t matter. In the end, Danny knew he would always be the lumberjack tribute from 7. Nothing more than strong arms and an axe. That’s all they would ever see him as.

He hears them mumble something at him before one of the attendants sets new, neatly folded clothes down on the edge of the table he was on before leaving the room as fast as they had entered. Removing himself from his daze, he gets up to dress in the comfortable, yet light and loose-fitting sweater and pants they had left. He takes a deep breath before walking over to a mirror hung on the wall to see just how much “progress” they had made. He almost doesn’t recognize the man standing before him, what with the dirt and sap he thought would be permanently stuck to his hands and arms gone, but the most drastic difference was his hair. Instead of the frizzed-out mane of waves he was used to keeping out of the way in a small bun, it now laid in curls slightly past his shoulders, each strand a perfect ringlet of hair. The image sends rage coursing through his body. Did they fucking chemically treat my hair? What the fuck else did they do to me? Where do those no-eyebrowed, Garden freaks get off? I thought they were supposed to clean us up, not fucking change who we are.

He rips the door open without another thought, finding the lead attendant standing at the ready outside of it. “What the fuck did you do to my hair?”

He gives an amused glance to his assistant next to him, only furthering Danny’s fury. “We washed it, sir.”

“I fucking know that.” He takes a step towards him, not missing how he flinched at the motion, fear flashing behind his eyes. “Why is it curly? I’m a tribute, not The Garden’s fucking poodle. What did you do? Chemically treat it? Huh? What other chemicals did you use on me?” He takes another threatening step towards the man, his hands fisted at his sides.

“N- nothing, sir. We simply washed it, nothing more. Did you not know your hair was curly, sir?”

His confusion replaces his anger, “What?” being the only coherent word he can form as Luna notices the interaction, quickly finding his side in an instant to deescalate the situation.

“Danny, now that you and Daphne are both done, would you like Sable to show us our floor?” She fixes him a pointed stare that sends the message that she wasn’t asking, she was telling him to drop it and leave.

“Yeah, yeah alright.” He looks back to the lead attendant, relaxing his body as the man looks as if he was preparing for Danny to hit him. “Sorry.”

“Quite alright, sir.” Sir. This whole “sir” bullshit is going to get on my fucking nerves. Danny lets Luna lead him away, back to Sable and Daphne who stood in silence, watching the interaction with bated breath.

“Well, you cleaned up amazingly, didn’t you!” Sable’s cheery comment strikes a nerve in Danny, and he chooses to ignore it, changing the subject instead of snapping at her.

“Luna said something about you showing us to our floor? Why floor? Why not just rooms?”

“Oh! You two are in for a treat! Come, come.” As Sable begins excitedly leading them towards an elevator, Danny drops back with Daphne, seeing her anxiety written clear across her face.

Danny puts on his worst imitation of her accent as he drops his voice to just barely above a whisper. “‘You two are in for a treat! Come, come!’” As Daphne laughs at his impression, Sable glances back mid-sentence, causing Danny to wipe the grin off his face, silently elbowing Daphne. Thankfully, their escort chooses to ignore it as the pair share one last quiet laugh behind her back before following her into the elevator.

“Each district’s tributes and their mentors, escorts, and stylists get their own floor. You’re from 7, so we’re on the seventh floor.”

Isn’t that a bit much? Just as Danny’s about to voice his question, the elevator doors open, revealing a massive entry hall decorated with fine artwork and furniture. His jaw drops as his voice fails him, his words vanishing as he takes the space in, and his body goes into autopilot to follow his group. This entry room is as big as my entire fucking house. How do people have this many nice things, let alone enough to spare some for the tribute’s apartments? Now they’re really just rubbing their wealth in our faces.

“And this is the dining area, we’ll have all our meals together so that our little group can get to know each other better, considering we’re all in this together.”

“All in this together?” Danny’s voice is sharp, barely concealed rage bubbling beneath his tone as he fixes Sable with a look that could kill. “I missed the part where you’re joining us in the arena.”

“Sable!” Luna cuts in, steering the conversation away from one that would surely lead to Danny yelling at her. “Can you show Daphne to her room? I would like to talk to Danny alone.”

Without missing a beat, she plasters a smile back onto her face, sparing one last glance at Danny before turning her attention to Daphne. “Of course, dear. Come along, follow me.”

As soon as they’re out of earshot, Luna motions for Danny to follow her, stopping in the living room and pouring a drink for both her and Danny before sitting down. “You need to cool off.” She hands the glass to him without another word, taking a drink of her own as she watches him settle into a comfortable chair.

“I’m sorry, they all just make me so- so-”

“Angry?”

“Yeah.”

“I get it. They sign you up for a death sentence for their own enjoyment, and then flaunt their wealth in front of you. I was angry too; I’m still angry. Do you want my advice?”

“Yes, please.”

“Ignore it. Ignore it and kiss their ass. Getting through the games is about being the best kiss ass just as much as any physical strengths or talents. I’m well-liked in The Garden, that’s bound to get you guys a few sponsors automatically, but I’m not the most liked. There are other tributes, other mentors, that The Garden adores. You need to charm every single goddamn person in this godforsaken country, and you’re not going to do that by picking fights with anyone in The Garden.”

“Who? Who’s more well-liked?”

“Why do you care?”

Danny shrugs, trying not to let fear pass over his face as he takes a drink, wincing at the contents. “I want to know what I’m up against.”

“You know the mentors for 1 have been the Kiszka twins the last few years, right?”

“Yeah, of course. With how they won, The Garden isn’t letting them retire until they die.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve heard rumors that their younger brother volunteered this year. And so did their female tribute. They’re bound to be a deadly pair, charming too. Just watch The Garden eat them up. If you have to worry about anyone, it’s them.”

“Excuse me if I’m not too worried about two entitled pricks from the pet district, I’m sure they’re fucking snobs.”

“I’m serious, Danny.” Luna sets her glass down, leaning forward with her elbows resting on her knees as she stares at him. “Not only are they highly trained, but they will be loved. Don’t underestimate them because they were confident enough to volunteer. They may look like shiny toys of The Garden, but they won’t hesitate to run straight into the bloodbath the second those cannons fire. Which is why you need to run.”

“What?”

“You heard me, the second you can step off those pedestals, find Daphne and run. Grab a pack on the way if you can, but don’t try to get to the Cornucopia for a weapon. That’s where the Careers make the most kills, they run head on into it and come out covered in other tribute’s blood. Want to know how I won? I kept my head down. I hid for as long as I could and kept myself out of the fight. Set up traps and got the hell away from them before other tributes set them off until there was only me and one other tribute left.”

“And how did you kill them?”

“Led him straight into a trap. Tied the handle of an axe to a tripwire, jumped over it as he chased me. He didn’t see it coming straight for him until it was lodged into his forehead.”

“Jesus Christ.”

She takes a deep breath as she stands, her focus going out the large window of the room at the skyline of The Garden. “It’s not always about physical strength. It’s about surviving whatever they throw at you, and it’s about thinking faster and better than your opponents. We can talk more about this later, but right now I need to rest. I don’t know about you, but it’s been a long fucking day, and I am exhausted in more ways than one.”

Just before she leaves the room, Danny speaks, stopping her in her place. “Does it hurt? Getting to know the tributes you mentor, only for them to die?”

“Yes, it does.”

“Then why do you do it?”

“Because everyone else in this place is about to treat you like you’re only there for their enjoyment, their entertainment, because that’s all you are to them. They don’t care about who you are, only about how you die and how many you take with you before you go. No one deserves to die like that. I want the people, the kids I mentor, to know that there’s at least one person here that cares about them, about who they are. Even if that means that my heart breaks every year. Goodnight, Danny.”

“Goodnight, Luna.” Danny’s voice is small, his mind reeling at everything she had just said as he’s left alone once again. This time, no attendants rush to his side, he was finally, truly alone. He watches the sun sink below the horizon, his mind a constant overlap of different thoughts blending together incoherently, only hoping that he would get at least one day of peace before being sent to his death.

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Taglist: @jake-whatthefisgoingon-kiszka @milojames16 @gretnavannfleet @aioba1503-sdm @sanguinebats @cheersdannyx2 @musicislove3389 @holdingup-fallingsky @Maddie-Rae

[phantomram-b00]

So I saw this post and I just wanna talk about it, specifically the last two,

The fact people think Crowley hates Aziraphale over the finale is kinda baffling and unserious to me. Like I’m not saying Crowley isn’t going to be mad at him, but hate is very much a strong word considering everything they’ve been through together. Because if that was the cast, shit Crowley could’ve hated him a long as time ago, even from a beginning since they’re suppose to be enemies, they drill it in Aziraphale and I don’t doubt hell drill it in Crowley’s head too about this but he doesn’t (and I highly doubt Aziraphale hated Crowley) or even during the holy water situation or any moment when they had a spat or disagreement. Did this finale gave him a wound, yes, (like I may be a Aziraphale kin but that shit hurt my feelings) am I saying Crowley is incapable of hate? No I’m sure he hates a lot of things (*cough cough*, metatron rn) but I don’t see him bringing himself to hate Aziraphale over this nor do I think he’ll try to, it be out of character for him to even try to. This is the same character that brought down London are mobile phone network and called that his sinful deed, so are we really expecting more out of that?

And no, Crowley not gonna become Duke of Hell to spite him, that’s also an out of character thing, just because he said no and Aziraphale said yes with his promotion, doesn’t mean he going to just waltz back to hell and tell Shax “hey I wanna be Duke of Hell role since my non-official spouse left me for his job”, he not petty like Aziraphale; he going to stay in earth since that’s his home. That’s his space, why else do you think we hardly see scene of him in hell, because he never considered hell home/his side (and let not kid ourself, who would if you have people like Furfur who most likely lick the walls and how claustrophobic that place is, so I feel Crowley). I’m not trying to bring back the job episode since everyone talk about it, (I love the episode as much as the next person) I do think that is a prime example of him saying he doesn’t even on hell’s side. So imma just bring up the other minisode where after the magic show, they celebrate it and also comment on how they both are in shades of grey in some way, Crowley being the darker grey whilst Aziraphale being the lighter shade (which I’m surprised no one talked about, someone probably did an I missed it but I’m just surprised no one is talking about that conversation but I digress.) so the whole “Duke of hell Crowley” is nonsense, could be a fun au for fanfic but on paper it doesn’t fit really.

Okay now to the whole “they’re going to be turn into mortals”, I was gonna make a post about this but I didn’t want to come off as someone who disagree with all the theories, but this one, I really can’t stand, (if you believe it, cool that’s valid.) and imma just talk about it. While sure, it can be they have no side anymore, but why would you want them to be separated again, especially since we don’t know where they’ll even go if they do die. But also, just because they love humanity doesn’t mean they want to be mortal, like I get the romantic implication of this theory/prediction, but I honestly don’t think turning them human is romantic nor is it a good thing, it feels more like a punishment all over again because they love each other. Look even if they do the whole reincarnation thing which fine, book of life did this. Well done, good writing all around, but it still another form of punishment because they going to be separated all the damn time. Like especially since they didn’t turn ineffable bureaucracy into humans (not to being the ship into it since I do love this ship.) so why would they make ineffable spouse/husband/wives into humans? Why should they be punish for simply loving each other? Why can’t they enjoy eternity loving each other as demon and angel, or just immortal beings since at the end of the day, they wouldn’t want a side, they are their own side.

Now look, I’m all for angst, I feel season 3 might have some with how season 2 ended, but sometimes, some angst idea like the one I just talk about or what the op posted just doesn’t make sense/out of character. And I just had to talk about it even thought I really am not suppose to be up. (I only am because I toke what felt like a century nap Crowley gets.) I know season 2 left us with mixed emotions, like I haven’t felt that way since Arcane. And you know, if you do believe in the Theory mention in the post or what I said, cool, that’s valid, don’t let me tell you otherwise. Just I don’t find myself agreeing with these, if you do tell me why, anyway, I just needed to say this, here another Crowley gif since I love this character and I do find myself in him. (Maybe not as much as I find myself in Aziraphale but close enough, I kin them both)

[louisisalarrie]

https://www.tumblr.com/louisisalarrie/751165968174153728/so-i-keep-seeing-stories-from-girls-saying-theyve

So this ask is me and you asked what makes it believable…well, the podcast story for one (which was from last year I think) seems pretty believable to me. It’s actually a cute story. No shade thrown at Louis, she says he was lovely and a great kisser. He took her number (don’t think he gave his) and messaged her a few times - by then he’d left LA - and then contact stopped. He’s not that big of a name in the music/celeb world - don’t get me wrong I love him but he keeps a fairly low profile - so this girl has no reason to lie in my opinion. Most folks who listen to her podcast probably have no idea who he is apart from the 1D link. Her podcast doesn’t appear to be about 1D - although I’ve not seen what else she’s done. She doesn’t appear to be a fan in fact I don’t even think she knew who he was at first, others told her.

Her story is also very similar to others that claim to have made out with him. Girl meets him in a bar/club where he’s usually with at least one other friend, they kiss, his friend kind of protects their privacy…and then nothing beyond. No stories of them going back to his hotel, sleeping with him or anything like that. Just club make outs! There was a photo doing the rounds a while ago of him sat with a girl in Mexico I think. The story from her friend was that they’d made out and it does sort of look that way from the pic but honestly who knows!

I’d say he has a type!

Of course none of these may be true (and I’m quite happy for you tell me they’re not!) but there does seem to be a reoccurring theme…

Eepers. Welcome to the show, anon!

ok I think im just gonna touch on a couple of things here for you anon:

1. About him being not big enough/why would people lie: he’s not Harry, and so it’s simply because it’s more believable. We don’t see Harry out and about at clubs. We don’t see him getting drunk and surrounded by gals in a filthy club. But we do see Louis doing that. Louis is open about his alcohol and drug use so it’s a lot easier to fabricate things about him because it’s no secret that he goes out. But I simply don’t believe he’s on the pull.

2. Continuing with texts: if he was on the pull, he wouldn’t just make out with a girl, keep texting her, and then ghost shortly after. I feel like it would be a hit it and quit it more likely, because why bother texting after if you have no intention on seeing them again? Would it just be to make him look better/because he’s a nice guy? I think it makes it seem that he was more interested in her. But in my experience, artists don’t do that, unless they wanna uphold the relationship to see that person every time they’re in town. But I just don’t think it’s the case.

3. Not being a fan: of course she wouldn’t post this from a Louis account or whatever, as it would make it more unbelievable. And you’re right, I doubt she’s a fan, and becaude she’s like “oh im not a fan” it makes it seem, again, more believable.

4. Similar stories: upholding the narrative is what makes these stories more believable. Someone says a story, paints a picture of Louis, then another person claims they made out with him too but aligns their “story” with what the other person said because it seems consistent, and the more people with a similar experience, the easier it is to believe it’s him.

5. Club make outs: these are by far the easiest to fabricate, because going back to an artist’s hotel these days seems ridiculous and too far fetched. You have to uphold a longer and more detailed story, and you’ll probably get more hate, ya know?

6. Random girls: like… okay. Listen. Making out with randoms is a surefire way to get sick when on tour. You don’t know what germs you’re getting and it’d be a big risk. Hook up with someone and wake up the next day with a sore throat? Soz, your show is cancelled!

And finally, just to put things in perspective:

Would you believe me if I said I’d hooked up with Louis? I just run this account because I once believed larry were together and I still fight for them because of the injustices they went through as kids. I’ve never discussed it before, because it’s quite clear im a fan, and it would sound quite unbelievable. But when I worked with him on tour, he invited a few of us for post show drinks, and we went out to a club with a VIP area out of sight. Oli and his crew were there, and we all drank and laughed, and had a dance. Louis grabbed my waist and we started making out, and it was super hot. I was obviously really shocked! But he was super sweet and a good kisser so I just went with the flow.

So, we continued to dance and make out and oli and security kinda noticed a few people from the dance floor below the balcony VIP area we were in, started to notice that there may have been someone famous up there. Oli moved to the front to block us, we continued making out, and luckily there was only one photo posted and I immediately asked the person to take it down. We carried on drinking shots and vodka redbulls together, celebrating an awesome Australia tour.

Louis was very touchy for the rest of the night, but we just had a laugh. He asked for my number, I gave it to him, and he said he’d text me the next day. I went back to my hotel with my workmates, and was in absolute shock and so weirded out that he was actually into women!?!?!! The whole Larry thing just dropped for me, and it turned out that yeah… the other stories were true.

We texted back and forth the next day, both laughing about our hangovers, and he was super sweet. He said he’d like to see me again when he’s in AU, and kept in touch even when he left. Communication fizzled out on his end and I figured like whatever he’s a super busy guy, and I left it at that. He was super gentle and sweet though, and very funny and loud. It was so wild!

[merv606]

i kinda see daniel as growing increasingly shy as the thought of intimacy with terry becomes a reality and grows ever nearer. he seems…not exactly uncomfortable with his body/the way he looks, but not super confident, especially compared to terry who he sees as handsome and being in great shape. daniel seems like he can’t see his own appeal, and is not too happy with how he currently looks (not like himself with the longer hair etc.). anyway, that “first time” i can see daniel wanting to either keep as many clothes on as possible or staying under the covers all lights out lol. i doubt terry will comply but i’m sure daniel will try lmao.

Listen here!

You can’t just waltz into my inbox with such violence!

Oblivious Daniel™️ - my beloved.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

He can sense the sudden tenseness in the muscles of the smaller body below him.

Although they have yet to consumate this new side of their relationship in the biblical sense, Terry has been enjoying Daniel allowing more and more intimate touching.

Tonight is no exception, expect he’s getting further than ever, a hand up Daniel’s shirt, his boy whimpering as he thumbs across his nipples.

So very NSFW

His hips had jumped at the touch, his cock, while not as hard as Terry’s yet had ended up grinding into the older man’s thigh.

“Can we …. Never mind.”

“Tell me,” Terry directs. Sometimes Daniel needs things coaxed out of him. Although, right now that means stopping what he was doing, kissing down a tempting neck, he can’t be too upset. It simply means his boy feels safe enough with Terry to do this; that he knows the older man will get it out of him. This is truly a gift that Terry treasures.

Terry had been helping his boy raise his arms to help Daniel get his shirt off, those tempting little nipples of his almost Terry’s to look upon and taste - finally.

“Can we have the lights off?” the smaller man rushes out.

Absolutely not, Terry thinks.

He was not expecting that but something must have prompted this shyness. His boy is modest, which only makes revealing each inch of skin more appealing, but he is modest where he simply need not be.

“Whatever for?”

“Come on Terry. You know why.”

At a loss, because for once, he doesn’t know what his boy means.

“I honestly can’t think of why. I finally have you. I wish to see you.”

“Come on, you,” he gestures to Terry, “really want to see me.”

And This?

This Terry will not stand for.

Not now.

Not ever.

For anyone to imply Daniel is less than absolutely perfect - even if it is the man himself.

Not just that but to imply that Terry’s desire is not something that knows any bounds is not only unacceptable but down right insulting,

“You doubt my desire for you?”

“What no …. “ If there is one thing Daniel has no doubt of it’s that. Everything they endured it because of Terry’s want for him. Even if he didn’t know that, it’s also poking him in the thigh.

“Well then why would you think I’d want to have you any other way but being able to see you - now that I have you in our bed, about to make love to you?”

He huffs looking away, but Terry gently but firmly turns his head.

“Look at me.”

He does, but only because he can feel the grip tighten when he tries to pull away - a shade below painful. Daniel was the only one Terry ever gave warnings too.

“I’ve been very patient with you baby, haven’t I?”

“I know,” he sighs out.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I finally get to see you. Have you. Would you deny me that after everything I’ve done for you? For us?”

A kiss to his hand to gentle the reprimand.

“I am grateful for that, I am. You’ve been more patience than most, but it’s …. It’s only been Amanda for the last twenty years …” he trails off, self deprecating smile in place.

Is his boy actually worried that he could disappoint Terry?!!

“and I’m not even sure ……” he can’t meet Terry’s eye, and he finally is allowed to free his face from Terry’s grasp, looking away instantly.

There lies not quite the heart of the matter, Terry knows that much.

While on his mind it’s not what is bothering him.

He’ll not have Daniel tonight - not in the way he truly wants - but that day will come, and soon, it’s just going to need work.

His boy is a virgin to that type of love and Terry is a lot to take - for anyone.

And take him Daniel will, but only after Terry knows he can handle it. Handle it and find pleasure in it.

And for that to happen, he will have to be well prepared, and he will be, by Terry’s mouth and fingers, maybe even some plugs of various sizes he can wear around to get used to something large inside him, taking up space, to get him to be really open enough. Some discomfort will be expected though, as he adjusts to Terry having him in such a manner, as Terry knows this will be a regular need of his that Daniel will have to fulfil, but he will be taught, like everything else, what he needs to do,

He knows his boy will love it, and if need be, for whatever reason, of not that in time, he will come to love it.

But he doesn’t foresee the latter happening because Terry will see to it that the first time he opens his boy up on his cock, it will be more than enjoyable for them both.

After he takes Daniel in that manner, he needs his boy to willingly spread for the next time, and the time after that, and after that, and that.

Because once Terry has a taste of that which he has been craving, like an addict, he knows that after he will allow nothing to deprive him of what he craves.

His boy already knows this though - that Terry won’t be inside him, not tonight that is. Terry had hoped that assuring Daniel of that would help his nerves.

While he undoubtedly does have apprehension about that, Terry sees now, where the true insecurity tonight lies.

“I want to see you.”

Daniel opens his mooith.

“I will see you. Nothing is forbidden from me, darling. Not where you’re concerned.”

Daniel nods, and then, bless him, he tries to go under the covers.

While he allows his boy to have his way for the small things, on this Terry will not budge. Daniel will bend to fit him. In more way than one.

Terry walks to the bed, and they’re at a perfect height now, between his boy resting on the bed, promoting himself up on his elbows as Terry nears.

“I want you to touch my cock.”

A blush high up on his cheeks, his eyes darting to the obvious bulge in Terrys pants.

He does as told, sitting up on the edge of the bed, feeling him through the thin material.

“Do you feel that? How hard I am for you ….”

Daniel’s hand works the cock through the material.

“Because of you,” Terry says, a hand under his chin so his boy can’t look away - from Terry - from this.

Daniel looks up at the older man.

“Now, take it out.”

He reaches in taking Terry’s cock out as directed, and now that it’s in hand, he hesitates, not quite sure what to do, and the clear inexperience is driving Terry crazy.

“Do you see? How hard you make me?”

Daniel nods, biting his lip, his thumb rubbing across the head of Terry’s cock.

Curious, he draws his thumb into his mouth to taste the clear liquid and before he knows it, he ends up naked from the waist down on their bed, Terry fully clothed with just his cock out.

“Spread your legs now … want to see if that hole is as pretty as the rest of you.”

“Terry,” he whines.

“Put your feet flat to the bed, knees up now and the. let them fall open.”

“That’s good.”

Terry lifts Daniel’s cock gently, with a sort of reverence, which is at odds to the reason why - so his hole is more visible.

“Hold yourself open for me.”

Terry means for his boy to hold his ass open, but Daniel’s hands go to the back of his thighs, drawing his legs back and close to his chest.

“Good boy,” Terry praises, knowing the reaction that will illicit, not surprised when he hears Daniel whine, exactly what he was expecting.

Never disappointing, his boy.

Once day he’ll film this - he probably won’t let his boy know though.

He wants to get Daniel in his lap, get his shirt off to lick and suck at his chest, the nipples always seemingly peaked and visible through whatever he seems to be wearing, driving Terry mad but he know show easily he becomes overwhelmed - in the face of desire like this - desire this pure and all consuming.

He can’t wait for his boy to be bouncing on his cock though, see how those soft little handfuls of his bounce and move with him.

For now though.

“Hands and knees for me.”

“Terry,” he starts, wearily looking to Terry’s cock.

“I won’t put it inside, baby. I know you’re not ready for that,” he says. “Yet,” Terry adds. His boy has to get comfortable with the idea that soon, it will be.

“Roll over for me though.”

Spreading his cheeks, “absolutely gorgeous, Danny - you have no idea sweetheart.”

“Keep them open for me.”

Holding his cock he runs the head up and down his crack, concentrating on the furled muscle of his entrance.

“Can you really feel it now? How fucking hard you make my cock?”

“Yes,” Daniel moans out, griping his cheeks harder, his fingers turning near white and he struggles to keep himself on such open display for the older man.

“Don’t ever hide yourself from me - ever again,” he growls, a hand in brown hair, pulling his back, the column of his throat tight and smooth, Terry watching as he swallows.

“Don’t ever imply that you are not the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

The wet noises as Terry fists himself faster and faster.

Terry can feel his balls drawing up already.

“Play with your hole for me.”

“I … “

“Just rub your finger over it for me.”

It’s too dry, but then Terry spits, and Daniel is clumsy, clearly not used to anything near his ass, let alone on his cute little hole. He clearly doesn’t know how to touch himself there properly, how to make it feel good, but he’s trying, for Terry.

It may be hotter than if Daniel knew what he was doing - hotter than Daniel being able to be three fingers deep in his own ass - fingering himself for Terry.

These awkward little movements like he’s both embarrassed at being on display, being made to touch his hole for the older man, and like he’s almost afraid to touch himself there.

A warm splash of cum, and a deep groan, like a wounded animal, and then Terry is using his cum to wet his boy’s ass further, his fingers replacing Daniel’s. His fingertips glide over it and fuck, Daniel did not think this would feel good - that his asshole would be this sensitive. Fuck, it feels so much better with Terry doing it.

A large hand grips his cock and before Daniel realizes it, he too is coming, shooting into the bed below.

Rolling him onto his back, he takes in the sight of his boy, limp with pleasure, his cock softening.

How could this not be the most gorgeous thing Terry has ever seen?

Next time he’s going to fuck Daniel in front of a mirror.

Prove it to him.

[skyward-floored]

What is Wars and Legend's relationship like in the Incredibles AU? I'd imagine it's a bit different from canon since that's his uncle lol

You’re right it’s different, partially because of their larger age difference, and partially because they’re uncle and nephew. Still teasing, but there’s less actual anger or anything behind it.

They grow a bit more antagonistic with each other after Sky goes missing, since that’s about when Legend grows more prickly/in line with his personality in lu (or the personality he projects anyway). But before that...

————————————————————

”Don’t take too much off the sides, and I want my bangs the same so don’t mess those up either, and when you’re done don’t—”

“Legend, it’s just a haircut, calm down,” Warriors soothed, and Legend crossed his arms from where he was seated on a stool in front of the bathroom mirror.

“Yeah, but then you’re gonna dye it, and I don’t want it messed up!”

Warriors chuckled, but his smile fell at the reminder of why he was dealing with Legend’s hair. He often gave his nephews trims, but this...

Legend’s hair, that they’d once been able to write off as merely an odd shade of red with blonde highlights, was now just too pink to easily explain away. They maybe could’ve tried to excuse it on hair dye, but Legend was a little young for anyone to truly believe he’d dyed his hair, and the school in the district they’d just moved to didn’t allow vibrant hair colors.

Which meant dyeing every bit of his pink the same color as the blond in his locks.

“You’re not gonna mess it up, right?” Legend asked suspiciously, and Warriors sighed.

“No bud, I’m not going to mess it up. I give you your usual trim, and then we dye your hair a bit so it looks more natural and doesn’t raise suspicion. That’s all.”

Legend hummed in agreement, not nodding so Warriors wouldn’t accidentally snip some hair he wasn’t trying to. His uncle got to work tidying up his hair, and Legend stayed mostly still, only tapping his foot now and then.

“It’ll be weird not having pink,” Legend murmured after a minute, staring at the mirror on the wall.

“I’ll miss it,” Warriors admitted. “It suits you.”

“It’s girly,” Legend sniffed, but Warriors could see the sadness in his eyes in his reflection. Warriors sighed again, moving around and beginning to work on Legend’s bangs.

“I’m sorry we have to do this,” Warriors apologized quietly, trimming another lock of hair. “It’s not fair you should have to dye your hair just because of your powers.”

“S’okay,” Legend shrugged, looking uncomfortable. “At least mine’s just hair. Twilight has to deal with the noise and everything with his powers. At least I don’t need earmuffs every time it thunderstorms.”

“Well I still think it’s a shame to cover up such a nice shade of pink,” Warriors sighed.

“I wanna look normal for school anyways,” Legend said, kicking his legs. “This’ll help. Blond hair is normal. Pink isn’t.”

Warriors raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment, doing one last look over the hair he’d trimmed, nodding to himself. Then he gave Legend’s hair a ruffle.

“Hey!”

“All done. Ready for the dyeing?” he asked, and Legend scowled as he batted his hand away.

“Only if you don’t ruffle it! You said you wouldn’t mess it up!”

“I didn’t mess it up! Calm down, Carrots,” Warriors said with a grin, and Legend crossed his arms, scowl visible in the mirror.

Then he turned his head invisible.

“Aw Legend, come on.”

“Don’t call me Carrots!”

“Kid, you have to admit, it’s fitting,” Warriors smiled. “Now come on, turn visible so I can color your hair.”

“No.”

“Legend, come on.”

“No way you... you Snowball!”

“Snowball?” Warriors spluttered, and Legend turned visible again, an absolute devious grin on his face.

“You! You’re a Snowball! Snowball Snowball, Warriors’ a Snowball—”

“Say that again, Carrots!” Warriors said, lunging at him, and Legend giggled as he jumped out of the way, turning into a bunny and skidding out of the bathroom.

“Snowball! Snowball Snowball Snowball Snowball—”

“Get back here!” Warriors hollered, but there was a glint in his eyes as he chased Legend around the house, almost wiping out on a corner when he slipped on his socks.

“No way Snowball! Snowball Snowball Snowball—”

“Oh yeah? Carrots! Carrots Carrots Carrots Carrots—!”

“I told you this was a bad idea,” Time said to Malon as he watched Warriors and Legend crash around, Legend squealing as his uncle nearly caught him.

“Oh let them have their fun,” Malon said, smiling at the looks on both of the boys’ faces. “They both need it.”

A loud crash interrupted Time’s reply, and he gave Malon a look.

“...but maybe we should encourage them to head outside,” Malon amended with a wince.

[dramatic-squirrel]

Daminette December Day 21- Green

@maribat-calendar-events

Part 2 to Daminette December Day 7- Red

“I think you’re all missing a big part of the equation.” Marinette looked at the batfamily over her cup of hot cocoa. “You seem to have forgotten that shades of color exist.”

They paused their arguments to stare at her. “I don’t get your point.” Tim said.

“If Damian is going to paint his room a color he can just pick a lighter shade of green. There are more kinds of green than forest green.”

“Forest green?” Tim murmured as if the concept alluded him, which Marinette really couldn’t understand. 

“Green is green and red is red, no reason to make it complicated Pixie.” Jason fell into one of the lounge chairs and took out a flask. “Besides, Demon Spawn said red so case settled. Dickie-bird’s just being dramatic.”

“Screw you Jason,” a muffled sob came from where dick was hiding his face in his hands.

“Damian doesn’t know the first thing about design. I honestly can’t believe none of you came to me first.” Marinette set her cup down then gestured to herself. “The designer? Hello?” In one corner of the room, Damian was just leaning his head against the wall, regretting every second he decided to stay in this house. “Anyways, red would be an awful color for Damian.”

Dick’s head shot up at her words, the nonexistent tears drying up fast. “Yes!” He jumped up from his seat. “Marinette agrees with me!” Jason rolled his eyes in exasperation, while Marinette just sighed at their antics, nothing could prepare you for the Waynes.

“A nice shamrock green would brighten up the space.” As soon as she made the suggestion everyone’s face scrunched up in disgust. “Yeah, no. Too riddler-esque. And too bright for Damian.”

Even after several minutes, Marinette still couldn’t think of a shade that was both light enough to brighten up the space but dark enough to suit Damian’s sense of style. It’s just who he was, he was dark forest green. Like the night, but a bit more gentle, a bit more mysterious. From where she sat next to Marinette, Cass gestured something to the pigtailed girl and everything clicked into place.

“You’re a genius Cass!” she hugged the girl, only so long as Cass felt comfortable. “ Accents! That will brighten up the room and we don’t have to redo everything.” her brain was firing off a million thoughts a minute. “Light brown furniture, white accents for the floor board and windows. Oh but, the furniture can’t be white since you guys would just bleed all over it and stain it. We’ll have to go shopping!” Standing up , she walked over to where Damian was still standing in a corner and then pulled him by his arm towards the exit. “Let’s go. The quicker we do this the faster it gets done.”

Damian shot daggers at Cass as he was dragged by Marinette, retribution and revenge in his gaze. Meanwhile Dick followed after them, dragging Tim along. “This will be a great family outing. Tim, you need to change your room too. You’ve got nothing but black everywhere, it’s like the batcave 2.0.”

“It’s easier to hide blood stains on black and easier to see the computer screen.”

“Which is why we’re changing. You need sleep, not more time on your computer.” Tim tried to struggle out of Dick’s grip but gave up just as fast. It was too much work fighting against the inevitable.

[momomiooo]

Essay😛

I think a problem a lot of people have with CI (including myself) is how different she is compared to the likes of v4 and talk. There was an obvious aesthetic set up by Gynoid that Cevio didn’t exactly follow through with and the color scheme came off as strange to me so i shall describe my few problems in sorta depth

Twitter

VFlower used to be EXTREMELY active almost like a person on twitter. I got curious during a car ride home and saw cevio attempted it but it didn’t hold the same strength as flowers did. While many people don’t even follow Vflowers account or even go through her post it’s still clear people liked having vocaloids seem realistic, like they were like us. It gave her a bit more relatability that could make even newer fans amazed. While The trend of realistic tweets from vocaloids has died down (sadly) to see they’re at least trying gives me hope for flowers future endeavors! Some of the things CIflower lacks are things that V posted which could be seen as risky for the company (some old tweets consisting of flower trying to flirt with girls, swooning over randos and talking about big boobs[😭???]) it gave flower some spice no other vocaloid softwares DARED to do!

Her Design

ah yes, the initial problem, her design. As fore-mentioned Cevio didn’t go with the exact color palette/scheme as the last few models but I still think it was a great idea. It feels like we’re watching an emo girl grow into adult-hood, flower now appearing to be around 17-24! The only problem is her color scheme. While I love the idea it just doesn’t fit flower and I think to make it work they had to change flowers most notable features, her hair and eyes. Her eyes have gone from magenta or pink (depending on who drew her when) to blue. Her hair also changed, getting a similar color to ia’s, more blonde and pink than white. And while I could go on about the software companies hating while haired characters (maybe they don’t sell as much like piko idk) or how they need to learn their audience consist of neurodivergent gays afraid of change, I don’t have an explanation for this one. Surely I could search and find out something but I don’t know why flower took such a leap from her talk vb to ci. I understand you change as you grow blah blah blah but still how did she go from confidence and the only problem you see is her dropping her head phones in talk to “c-can you p-pass the ketchup m-mi-miss?” She looks so scared and nervous😭.

Her voice

holllyyyyy crap. I could take the model, “pink eyes are unrealistic anyways… maybe it’s just shading” but the difference from AI and hand done is just.. wow… on one hand maybe maturing caused a bit more feminine to come into her life but oh my flying Fukase. Dunno whoever’s reading this but that whole “learn their audience” was observing how me and other autistic people felt about the design😭😭😭 I hate change so when I heard the lower one’s eyes cover I almost had a panic attack. Where is the angrodgany??? Where’s the vflower??? I get they’re supposed to sound realistic but it just sounds feminine. Could just be the creature of habit thing but I personally prefer her older voice banks just because of the power and emotion I feel from her voice. Some covers make her sound real, like she’s struggled just like us. So far the songs with CI in them sound… well.. AI. Advanced AI, sure, but ai nonetheless.

summary-ish

if you hate this woman now because of the design, take a deep breath and remember…

YOU CAN HEADCANON ANYTHING!!!!!

Re-make flower, nothing is canon other than existence, and even those boundaries are tested by creative people! Have fun making a flower that represents YOU. It’s a voice with a name and that’s all that matters. Self project on the plant and give her a life you’d like! Still don’t think she’s a girl? PRONOUN IT UP! Flower is just a singing software package, have fun making her what you want to see while supporting others:D

Have a good day I am done yammering

[elenavr13]

Crew Party

Engineer Mark x Captain

Warning: None

*Pre-ISWM*

*You meet your crew & notice that a lot of them act strangely around you. You decide to point it out to Mark.*

Y/N’S POV

           “Am I the only one who thinks the crew is acting a little weird?” I comment.

           “How so? They’re probably just excited for the mission. I bet it’s that speech you gave them.” Mark lightheartedly elbows me in the arm.

           “I don’t know. It’s like…well…they were acting just fine before I showed up.”

           “You are the captain. Of course they’re going to act differently around you.”

           “I don’t think acting like you like the Captain is how you typically treat whoever is captain.”

           Mark gives me a confused look. “Everyone likes you. I don’t understand what you’re pointing out.”

           “No, Mark, they’re acting like they like me, like they love me. Do you not hear all the murmuring about how attractive I am? Do you not see how some of them just stare admiringly, longingly at me?”

           “They have every reason to.” As soon as those words left his mouth, Mark’s tan skin tone turns dark red. “Uh…w-what I’m trying to say is that…it’s not that you’re not attractive. It’s just that…uh…y-you kind of just have that…effect on people, you know.” I find him stumbling over his words to be precious & humorous. He is desperately trying not to blatantly admit I am attractive but he also doesn’t want to confute it. Had he not made the first move, I would have never done this, but alas he did & I’m not going to miss this opportunity to make fun of my best friend.

           “I just have that effect on people?” I bounce up on my toes to peck him on the cheek. Even from that brief second my lips hold contact with his skin, I feel how hot his face is. “Is that why you kissed me first?” Somehow his cheeks flush an even darker shade of red.

           “Hey, Cap, you just gonna spend all day in there or you gonna get this party started?” A new voice, which I recognize as Gunther’s, breaks the tension between me & Mark. He leans on the door frame with his cigar in his mouth. “Is he okay?” He removes his cigar & points it in Mark’s direction. Mark gives him a small, forced smile & a singular, stiff nod.

           “He’ll be fine. In the meantime, let’s give him some space.” I say before leaving my flustered engineer in the room by himself, not before flashing him a smile.

 *You continue to tease him, usually by suddenly kissing his cheek when in private. Eventually, your relationship with him develops into something a little more than just a friendship although neither of you will admit it when Celci or Gunther try to make either of you confess.*

[ookami-sonata]

Berrien’s Birthday Gift

berrien x gn!aruji-sama (first person pov)

i’m a bit late to his bday celebration, but hey, you can never have too much of berrien right??

Today is Berrien’s birthday. Normally, I would be calm regarding gift picking, but this year was different. I felt a weird sense of unease this year.

Muu looked at me as I fiddled with the bouquet of flowers I had prepared for Berrien, tilting his head in confusion when he saw a frown form on my face.

This doesn’t look right.

I took the bouquet and set it down where it wouldn’t be in my direct line of vision and sighed. This wasn’t going the way I wanted it to. The only thought running through my mind was how I could make this Berrien’s best birthday ever. I knew deep down that by holding myself to such high standards, I was essentially setting myself up for failure, but I didn’t want to admit it.

The little black cat by my side looked up at me sympathetically. “Berrien is going to love whatever you gift him, Aruji-sama, so please don’t stress yourself out too much.” He said this and yet I felt myself grow more upset with myself.

Why am I stressing out more than usual this year? Muu is right in saying that Berrien is grateful for anything anyone gifts him for his birthday, but I want this year to be different.

“You’re right, Muu.” I pet his head gently and stood up to go fetch the bouquet of roses. Ammon had done me the favor of helping me pick out the best roses in the garden. As I was looking at the bouquet, I couldn’t help but think we really outdid ourselves this year; the flowers looked especially beautiful this time.

With this thought in mind, I swallowed whatever doubt I had brewing in my heart and set off to go find Berrien to give him the gift I had prepared.

I walked around aimlessly for about five minutes before turning to Muu. “Do you think he’s in his office at the moment?” The black cat looked thoughtful for a second before nodding.

Upon reaching the door to Berrien’s office, I felt the butterflies in my stomach again at full force. I sincerely hoped Berrien would like his gift, and I knew he would, but the doubt in my mind was all consuming. I just have to tear the bandaid off in one go.

And so I knocked on the door, “Um, Berrien… I’m sorry to be a bother, but can I come in?”

I heard the faint sound of the rustling of papers before Berrien spoke up from inside the room, “Oh, Aruji-sama, you’re never a bother. Please, come in.”

I opened the door and set my eyes on the man sitting on the desk in the middle of the room. He was wearing his reading glasses and had a big pile of papers next to him, pen in hand. It looked like I had interrupted him in the middle of working on some documents, which only made me feel even more guilty about bothering him.

“Happy birthday, Berrien.” I tried to muster up a smile that didn’t convey how anxious I was to be there in that room with him, with his gift in my hands. “I’m sorry for interrupting, but I wanted to give this to you.” I said and showed him the bouquet in my hands.

Berrien’s gaze softened, and he gave me one of those warm smiles I grew to admire after spending so much time with the butlers, with him.

I felt my cheeks heat up slightly at this and looked away from him before setting down the bouquet on a free spot on top of his desk. I stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before speaking up. “I hope you like it. I… wasn’t sure if you were going to like it, but…”

I paused when I heard Berrien chuckle, and I looked up to see him shaking his head at me. “Just you being yourself is the best thing you can gift me, Aruji-sama.”

I blinked after a split second and immediately felt my face heat up. I was sure I was as red as a tomato, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of the man in front of me. My heart sped up the moment I saw a faint blush spread across Berrien’s cheeks.

“M-My apologies, Aruji-sama.” Berrien pursed his lips; his blush only grew into a deeper shade of pink. “To say something like that so abruptly…”

My mouth opened and closed for a few seconds, like a fish out of water, before promptly clamping it shut and giving him a shy smile. “Thank you, Berrien. You’re too kind.”

The silence dragged on for another few seconds before I decided to take my leave. “I’ll leave you to it, Berrien. Thank you so much for your hard work, and happy birthday, again.”

His blush hadn’t gone completely away when he smiled at me and let out a small chuckle. “Thank you, Aruji-sama.”

I lingered for a bit before turning around and left the office where Muu was standing, waiting for me.

“Oh, Aruji-sama!” He said cheerfully. “How did it go? Did he like it? Of course he did!”

I laughed at his usual perky self and nodded. “Yeah, Muu. You were right. He did like it.” The small black cat let out a tiny cheer before we began to make our way back to our room; the memory of Berrien’s gentle eyes lingering in my mind.