#who knows this might be enough to kill miss g

[theverywest]

@c-f-linnie do this as a chem practical I beg

peeling those sour rainbow gummy strips into long thin strings and putting them into cheap energy drink to create something im calling battery acid spaghetti will update once ive finished it

[wannaeatramyeon]

The Crew Heads with Reader: Bro Code

G/N. Silly. (Jake Kim, Eli Jang, Johan Seong, Samuel Seo).

Bro Code | Dinner | Shopping | Television | Gacha | Board Games | Suits

"What is that?"

You point at the red mark, the ring of teeth on his tattooed arm and Jake mutters something under his breath.

"What?"

"...Bite." He forces out.

"Courtesy of?" Your eyes flicker over to Eli, who has found a very interesting spot on the floor.

Really, it might be the most interesting thing he has ever seen. He wouldn't be able to remove his eyes from it for love nor money. Not even if Yenna shrieked, screamed, screeched in front of him

"No-one." Jake says, wordlessly agreeing with Eli that the ground is fascinating and staring resolutely at it too.

Because if there is one thing the Crew Heads agree on, it's bro code.

Fighting one another, beating each other up is one thing-

Sure, they might kill each other. Sure, some of them hate each other. It's nothing personal though. Just something they do.

...What real men do. Casual grievous bodily harm, accidental oopsy murder. You know how it goes.

But where you're concerned - snitches get stitches. And stitches from you, doesn’t bear thinking about.

Where you're concerned, the story could be they were all holding hands, skipping along the road, then simultaneously ate shit together. Falling over one by one like dominos.

It would be the utmost worst violation of bro code to tell on each other. Even if you're the one now cleaning up the aftermath.

Under silent oath, a pact formed with just one quick catch of the eye, they promised they would not tell. If you found out, if they confirmed - you would give them hell. A fate worse than death.

"And Johan, let me guess. You fell and gave yourself a blackeye." You arch an eyebrow in his direction.

Johan nods, lips pulled down in a pout and eyes (one fine, one bruised and swollen) narrowed at another spot at the floor. The appeal of the scuffed floorboards is contagious, three of the four Crew Heads gaze now firmly fixed on it.

"No brass knuckles involved?" You ask, and get a short shake of the head in response.

"Just like Samuel's back injury isn't from being thrown on the ground?"

Samuel's eyes dart over once to Jake, then he rearranges his face into a haughty, cold expression. As if that was a ridiculous suggestion and not the truth.

They were absolutely not fighting. They would absolutely not get caught.

"Of course not." He sneers, then pain flashes across his face as a short, sharp spasm shoots through his body.

You resist laughing and spitting out that that's karma for lying.

Instead, you sigh. Still have enough control to refrain from face palming.

Right.

Sure. 

However-

As if this all wasn’t obvious enough. Perhaps the most damning evidence of all, is the Converse print on Eli's right cheek.

You look pointedly at Johan's footwear. "And I suppose Eli has become an ambassador for Converse, if he's wearing their logo on his face?”

Eli, on impulse, tries for a nod before his brain catches up and realises how ridiculous that sounds.

You continue on, not missing Eli’s twitch. “It's got nothing to do with you lot fighting, and someone kicking someone in the head, hmm?"

Nervous glances are exchanged.

“Eli didn’t bite Jake? Samuel didn’t give Johan a black eye? Jake didn’t slam Samuel to the ground? Johan didn't give Eli a taste of his shoe?”

This entire conversation is futile. It's clear as day they were fighting. Even a blind, deaf and mute person would be able to tell.

Still.

Bro code.

"No," comes the chorus of voices, and you consider fatally maiming them all yourself.

[yandere-sins]

saw your recent post. your thoughts on yandere naga! ghost and könig? 👀

I kept this ask for a bad day of mine because I knew it would make me happy to write about them ♥ Thank you for requesting!

Warning: Yandere, Implied Sexual Content

»»———————— ♡ ————————«« 

Ghost

♡ I see him as this bulky, black-tailed snake with black scales creeping up his arms and hips and a massive skull pattern of white scales covering his back. He's definitely not in pristine condition, scars having slashed through some of those scales. However, all you can think about when looking at those scars is how hard it must have been to actually leave a wound on this guy. This creature must have fought battles that a human could only hope never to encounter, and wielding a knife or a gun doesn't make you feel safe from him either.

♡ One thing is sure, when Ghost emerges from the dark, it's over for you. He hunts from the shadows and throughout the night, breaking the bones of his prey before killing them. Despite being huge and probably hard to miss if you know what you're looking for, you don't see him coming when he hunts, a true killer on the prowl. You also don't hear or notice him stalking you through the forests, the thicket hiding him from the sun rays that might give away his presence on that fateful day.

♡ However, Ghost is patient and persistent once he has his eye on his prey. Small animals have long breathed a sigh of relief since they are not his preferred dinner anymore. However, if there are no deer or bigger animals to hunt, he doesn't mind grabbing a human to subdue hunger for a while. That is until he meets you. He usually goes for groups of men who he can crush with his tail and who will feed him for a few weeks, so Ghost doesn't need to leave his cave more often than necessary. But you're the best he could find all day, so it's no surprise that he stalks after you until you are far enough away from your pesky village so your screams can't be heard.

♡ Ghost loves the chase more than he likes to admit. It really gets his adrenaline pumping, his instincts warming up and tingling his desires. What little venom he possesses shoots into his fangs out of pure animalistic drive. When you finally catch a glimpse of his black scales reflecting the sunlight, all you hear is the cracking of tree trunks behind you as his body slams into them while he hunts you down. You might be smaller and more agile, but he has the advantage of reach, speed, and stamina. If he were to lunge at you, it would be over. He knows this, and yet, instead of simply grabbing you and snapping your neck, he lets you run away from him, leading you in circles by cutting off your paths until you notice something is wrong. It's adorable when you try to confront him with your puny knife in your shaking hands. One whose blade wouldn't even leave a scratch on his scales. When he rears up to his full size, he can watch the realization changing your expression into one of dread, and when Ghost licks the air, he tastes your fear, exciting him all the more.

♡ With one swift movement of his tail, he has it wrapped around you, your little knife plunging into his scales as you try to get him to let you go. It's barely leaving a chip on him while you feel your body getting slowly crushed. You are definitely not the type of food he was looking for. Your body is too soft and easy to snap compared to the usual mass he plays with. Most of the time, his prey is dead long before he can taste their despairing fear, but you are different, and Ghost can't stop licking the air for more. When he releases you for a moment, you make an adorable gasping sound as your lungs grasp for air, only to struggle again as he tightens his coil around you, squeezing down until your fear coats his tongue again. 

♡ Ghost does that a few times, releasing, tightening, tasting. It's as good of an amusement as any, and for the first time in ages, Ghost thinks about the fun of playing around and not being as lonely as a ghost in his part of the forest. He has seen cruelty beyond his needs for food and safety, so it's a nice change to have someone who struggles and fights him despite being hopeless. You might trash and scream when he takes you from his tail and throws you over his shoulder, but the little gasp you make seeing the skull on his back is music in Ghost's ears. He also gets to hear all kinds of sounds as he puts his large hands all over you since you wiggle around so much, finding even softer and squishier places on you that intrigue him.

♡ Soon enough, he drags you into the darkness of his cave and puts you down in his nest. It's not very comfy since he doesn't need it to be. However, he catches himself thinking that something as soft as you will need an equally soft place to stay. For now, you'll have to do with his body. His tail takes up a lot of space, so even though you quickly try to climb and escape the way you thought was the exit, Ghost just picks you up and sets you back down on top of him over and over, yawning as if it was but a mild annoyance while you try to stay alive despite being in his clutches. Eventually, though, he'll have enough of your activities, wrapping your legs in his tail and your body in his arms which are just as crushing. His scales rake all over your skin as he moves every feeling part of his to experience you. His hands wander out of curiosity about your legs and small stature compared to him, pulling at your clothes and slipping beneath them. He rarely thinks about companionship, but he considers it as he continues to taste the air around you, changing from pure fear to fearful arousal while his fingers grab onto your body like the hungry beast he is. Clothes are discarded easily, and as he sandwiches you between his tail and upper body, Ghost decides you are more useful to him alive than you'll ever be as a food source. For once, he'll have some real entertainment in his life ever since he grew out of his rebellious age. It's a more mature type of fun he hadn't considered yet with how rarely he takes an interest in others, and he's all the more excited as he drags his tongue over your body, tasting you for the first time.

♡ After that first encounter, he quickly decides to make you his mate. As such, he knows there are more important things than sleep and hunt he has to do now. Now, he has to protect and feed you (and fill you), find a bigger nest to accommodate your mateship properly, and occasionally hunt you through the forest since you seem to like it just as much as he does. (You never win, but it sure is exciting for him, terrifying for you.) But having been without a companion for so long, the thing Ghost enjoys the most is relaxing with you. For the first time in his life, he likes being awake so he can feel you sprawled out on his chest. He even takes you outside to lay in the sun or bathe in the river with him, carrying you around when your legs are too shakey after another successful mating session. Life finally has meaning to him, so he can't let you go back even when your eyes are filled with longing as you look towards the direction of your village. Because that meaning is you.

König (Got a bit long so I put it under the cut whoopsie lol)

♡ He is a curious fella that, unfortunately, suffers from his extreme size. It has made him an outcast and dangerous creature even with his kind. Since he needs a lot of food, he has been banned to the harsh mountain terrains so other nagas can survive without him cleaning out the forests of any living being. He rarely shows himself to humans. However, when he's in a feeding frenzy, everything is fair game, no matter if he regrets it afterward or not. I see him colored more in earthy tones, and though he is as wide as two men standing next to each other, his tail isn't as long, though still long enough to crush his prey comfortably by wrapping it around once. He has his fair share of scars and lost scales, but it gets very much overshadowed by his steeled muscles. Looks can kill is very much a motto from him. Otherwise, nothing about him is very prominent, allowing him to hide despite his size, especially between rocks and cliffs. Though, to be fair, if he had to fight anyone, he would easily win. 

♡ König might be shy, but he doesn't sleep as much as others of his kind, so he can actually experience things throughout the day while roaming his more earthy, rocky terrain. That also made him much more curious about the things that only happen throughout the day, like various visitors from the cities passing through the mountains he occupies. With a tail and strong arms, it's pretty easy for him to climb to any height, and he is intrigued by the humans he comes across since they are much less adapted than he is and still choose this path to travel back and forth. However, this terrain doesn't have much prey to offer. Thus he's plagued by hunger, which—mixed with his curiosity—makes him a dangerous entity to encounter, ready to snap at all times. Otherwise, he isn't openly hostile.

♡ It's very unfortunate that you had to cross the mountain while a storm brewed on the horizon, forcing you to take shelter in a cave. König didn't mean to follow you, but anyone rarely takes a detour in these parts of his territory. There's a moment of panic when he can't seem to find you as you hide from his sight, and he grows much more concerned about finding you than he should. You, however, get to see his tail slither by you a couple of times as you keep your mouth shut, hoping he won't find the entrance you ducked into. There's something blood-curdling about knowing there's a monster out there, apparently aware of your presence. You hope you can just hide until it loses interest. You're not that lucky.

♡ The rain makes it harder to taste you in the air, but König knows these mountains better than anyone. When he finally goes to the ground to spy into the cave, he couldn't see from high up his height, there is the human he was looking for. It's a relief to know you're okay, and his first instinct is to quickly shy away from your wide-open eyes staring at him. However, his tongue dips into the enclosed space, tasting the air. That, combined with those beautiful eyes he can't read, captivates him. You hold his gaze out of pure fear (which must mean he intrigues you too), your body shaking (König is sure that's because you're wet and it's cold), and when his tongue laps out again, he realizes that you must be scared and alone on this mountain while night falls. You're just a little human, after all. König feels bad for you, honestly. He should stay away, but seeing you so vulnerable tugs at his heartstrings. There's too much empathy in his big body to just leave, even though he knows he should. König can't help you, so why put you two in such a strange, precarious situation? He doesn't know how to make a fire, and you can't take the quicker way of falling and climbing down the mountain since you're so fragile. There are a hundred questions in his mind when he feels his stomach tighten with hunger. Thrashing his tail into the dirty ground, you jerk in surprise, and he slams his fist into his belly, refusing to acknowledge his beastly instincts. What would humans do in these situation? How can he help you?

♡  They huddle together. It's his instincts talking. The very same ones he's trying to ignore, but they are right. He might want to refuse the hunger that is making him salivate, but there are more instincts he usually keeps hidden. Ever since he left his birth family behind, he ignored the loneliness building inside of him, especially when the rest of his kind refused him as well. But not having used this ancient knowledge of his kind for so long, König doesn't know where this desire to protect and care for you comes from. All he knows is that you're cold, you keep looking at him "unafraid", and he doesn't really need food at the moment despite you looking very much like a snack. The sounds you make as he squeezes into the cave don't bother his hearing much, but he can't understand what you're saying, which is upsetting. Regardless, he keeps reassuring you that you'll be warm in no time as he pulls you against his chest and settles into his coils. At least he's feeling warm with your body snuggly against his.

♡ It's nice, he has to admit. Listening to your breathing, feeling your heartbeat. He didn't have much contact with anyone for a long time, so even though König has to hold you so he can make sure not to crush you under his body in this small space despite your wiggling, it's the closest to an embrace he has ever gotten. Strangely enough, this situation reminds him of his family and how infatuated his father was with his mate. How he, despite raising his children, was the only one allowed to huddle with König's "mother" and how his mate was his father's most precious possession. Having this kind of life companionship with another creature must be pretty nice. Someone who's warm and soft and who makes the air taste funny and tickles the rough patches on his skin. It would be nice to be less lonely on this mountain of his. To have someone he can explore with and build a nest for—just like his father did for his mate.

♡ König was planning on helping you get back on track once the storm and the night had passed, but he finds himself more and more attached to everything about you. Your tiny legs and the alluring scents coming from between them. Your little gasps and how nicely he can hold your body in his enormous hands. How vulnerable you are. And, of course, he grows attached to the illusions of companionship and killing the dreadful loneliness he was able to ignore until now. He doesn't really want to let you go by the time he had a taste of what you have to offer him. A living, breathing companion. Someone who can't tell him to leave because you don't speak the same language. Someone who has to accept his love out of fear that he doesn't realize you harbor for him. Though he fumbles and makes mistakes, König is keen on becoming a suitable mate for you, too, even if that means taking you to his burrow deeper inside the mountains. It'll be hard for you to leave on your own, but driven by his instincts, he can make it so you'll never want to go out without him. The thought of cozying up the place, preparing it for a family of his own, and then create this family with something as lovely as you are, gets his blood pumping, heart racing. Finally, he won't just have to still his curiosity from afar or become the monster everyone tells him he is. And suddenly, there are a million thoughts in his mind about everything his body and instincts know to do to a mate, overshadowing any doubt or questions he might have on how to make this work. Suddenly, there's only you, you, you, and his loneliness is gone. 

[whatisame]

Bartylus, baby!!!!

Summary: Barty is in jail and Regulus wants to break up with him. Inspired by that one Shameless US scene.

"Barty..." There are no words to describe what Regulus is feeling right now, holding a phone to his ear and looking at Barty through the stained glass.

"I did it myself," he smirks proudly like it isn't obvious with his wobbly R and smudged g. Regulus is going to kill himself. And then Barty. Don't ask how.

What were you thinking?

Why are you making this so hard for me?

"That is not how you spell Arcturus."

"The fuck it isn't." Barty frowns and looks down at his bare chest. "A-k-t-u-r-u-s."

"I think I would know how to spell my own middle name, Barty."

"Fuck. Are you messing with me right now?"

"Are you?! Who the fuck gets a prison tattoo? Do you know what kinds of infections you could have gotten? Did you even sterilize—"

"—So you don't like it, is that what you're saying?"

"Jesus Christ." Regulus runs his hands through his hair, a fruitless attempt at soothing himself. "Whatever made you think that I'd like it?"

"I don't know, Regulus, the fact that it's fucking romantic?" Barty stared at him with raised eyebrows and Regulus resisted the urge to slam his head against the glass. "I was thinking that once I got out I'd have enough practice to make it look better, maybe even move on from the rusty needle. Then maybe I could give you one of my name. Maybe of my face? Definitely of my ass."

"I'm so not doing that."

"I'm kidding! You don't have to get one of my ass. Although, I must say, you're kind of missing out."

"I will not be getting any tattoos in your honor, Barty. It's over."

"What do you mean?"

"You and me. We're over. We're bad for each other, B."

It was startling, Barty's face changing from his usual couldn't-give-a-damn expression to something so solemn. Regulus had scarcely seen it happen over the course of their friendship. He saw it once, when he'd found out about Walburga's anger issues and how she chose to deal with them. And twice, when he'd pushed Regulus away after their first kiss.

And now, obviously.

"You don't mean that," he says gravely.

"I know we're not boyfriends, I know you hate that word but I thought—" Regulus takes a deep breath and makes himself look Barty in the eye. "I know about Evan."

It's funny. How Barty doesn't even try to deny it. Then again, he didn't think he would.

"Fuck," is the only thing he says.

Regulus agrees.

"I just came here to say that, so..." he grimaces, almost hanging up.

"Wait, Reg!" He sees more than hears the words leaving Barty's lips. He picks up the phone again. Barty is silent on the other end.

"What?" Regulus snaps. It irks him how the other boy enjoys making things harder for him. He knew how much this meant for him. How much he meant to him.

"Just–Don't go." Regulus scoffs. "I'll be your fucking boyfriend or whatever. I don't care but— Stay."

"That's exactly the problem, B. You don't care. I like you—"

"—I like you too!"

"Well I like you more! Clearly! I have been at your beck and call for months and you might pretend like you don't notice and everything is the same and we're still the Barty and Regulus from years ago, but we're not. I'm not. I refuse to spell it out for you, B, so read between the fucking lines."

Barty is silent for a long time before he speaks. Something about the shadows lurking in his eyes makes Regulus lean closer. Everything about Barty is magnetic, and he fucking despises it.

"I know," he nods slowly, "I have always known I don't deserve you. This is not me pitying myself, I know I'm a fucking scumbag, I'm proud of it. But Reg. Fuck. If you could see yourself the way I see you... Well, you'd freak out. I'm properly mental." He chuckles half-heartedly. "It's actually fucking annoying having you running around my head all day. Pretty sure my cell-mate thinks so too. Any day now he's gonna stab me in my sleep with my soap-knife—"

"—Your what?"

"It's a knife carved from soap. Don't worry about the details," Barty says, waving a hand dismissively. "My point is he's told me I'm getting on his last nerve by talking nonstop about you. Or at least that's what I think he said, half of it was in Spanish so, you know..."

"Oh."

"Yeah," Barty says while scratching the back of his neck. He avoids Regulus' searching gaze.

He knows he shouldn't press. That Barty is uncomfortable right now and that to leave it alone is for the best.

And yet...

"What do you say about me?"

It makes Barty throw his head back with a laugh. "Oh, baby, you'd be surprised."

"Well, go on." Regulus twirls the cord around his index finger. The one with the ring Barty gave him. "Surprise me."

"I talk about you at lunch, and make sure everyone knows how much I miss tasting your delicious food."

Regulus laughs but it's more of a punched breath. Barty practically bites through the spoon whenever he offers him a taste.

"I talk about you in the yard when I see the ridiculous cliques and know they'd make you laugh."

Barty describes them for him. He hates that it does make him laugh. He tells him he should join the retired christian hitmen. Barty disagrees, but only because he's forming his own clique.

"I even talked about you when some guy tried to beat the shit out of me. Told him how you weigh half as much as he does and could still kick his ass easily."

"Barty," he chastises. Try to stay out of trouble, he'd told Barty when he first visited him. To which he had replied, Don't worry, I'm going to make prision my bitch. It had done nothing to put Regulus at ease.

Barty smirks. "Shut up. You're flattered."

It makes him snort. Not bothering to deny it.

"I don't talk about you at night but that doesn't mean you're not up here being a little shit." He taps his forehead with the plastic phone and smiles languidly. "You haunt me. I want to know what you're doing, who you are with, it drives me up the walls."

Regulus swallows hard.

"I think often about how I'm here for you. And eventhough I know you hate me for it, I'd do it again. And again. I'll always look out for you first, Whiskers."

"You shouldn't."

"You see... I knew you would say that."

Regulus isn't surprised. They know each other better than anyone else.

"I'm still gonna do it," Barty adds, shrugging. "Even if you get rid of me."

"Like I could," Regulus scoffs. "Fucking parasite."

"Good," he declares. "Now, about Evan—"

Regulus' throat constricts. Right. He'd forgotten for a moment. Evan accidentally let it slip, how he spent the night at Barty's some weeks after their first kiss.

"It's over. I promise. It's been over for a long time. I haven't been able to–ehem–perform with anyone else since we..." he trails off but Regulus got the gist of it.

"Are you kidding? That was months ago!" Barty looks mortified which makes Regulus feel quite accomplished. Barty is naturally unashamed, unbothered and proud, and Regulus feels a rush whenever he manages to get him to snap. Pressing his finger on a bruise has always brought him pleasure. "Don't tell me you were suddenly feeling shy?"

"Fuck you, first of all. I don't want to talk about this."

"Did little Jr miss me so terribly he had to go into hiding?"

"Yes he fucking did!" Barty screams, all loud energy and electrifying gaze. Everything Regulus is fundamentally against concelead in a grimy boy who happens to be his favorite person in ths world.

"So you must like me a lot, huh?!" he goads.

"Yes, you asshole! Very fucking much!"

Regulus chuckles, chest warm and pleasant buzz under his skin. "Adorable. I guess your dick isn't the only thing that went soft."

Barty crackles at that, flipping him off as he laughs.

"I hate you so much," Barty mutters when the shared laughter dies down.

"Yeah, I know." Regulus smiles, gently tracing Barty's stupid tattoo with his eyes.

Regulus Akturus Black

"I hate you with my bones."

[perpetualexistence]

Specter of Obsession: A g/t Alenoaheather AU

So, I recently read a fic by @kijosakka called breathe you in my lungs and make you mine. It has codependent and obsessive Alenoaheather in a way that's just peak writing and I'll recommend it to anyone who loves exploring the darker side of their blorbos:

It gave me so much brainrot that I managed to come up with my own spin on obsessive Alenoaheather. That involves giant/tiny. Because I couldn't help myself. I'm putting it under a read more for those who don't want to see more psychological fics/aus. But yeah, enjoy reading about Noah getting the attention of a much larger Heather and Alejandro, and having to deal with that!

So this AU's got the equivalent of wolfwalkers. Except instead of having a wolf that comes out of you while you sleep, you get a giant ghost. While in that ghost form they can't be seen by anyone except for others also in their ghost form. They can also be intangible at will. Let's call them specters.

How does one become/gain a specter?

There are three requirements:

Having an obsession

Acknowledging it as obsession

Choosing to pursue it rather than make peace with it

After that last point, one's obsession becomes simply too large for their human body to hold. So they manifest a specter that contains all of their most obsessive and possessive tendencies so their human body can be more at peace.

In the beginning, Heather and Alejandro only meet the first requirement. They're both obsessed with status, but thanks to their upbringing they just thought it was a part of life rather than an obsession they were pursuing.

When they meet and see each other as equals, they become obsessed with each other. As they're obsessed each of them was restless/felt like something was wrong/missing.

All they knew was that the only solution seemed to be growing even more obsessed, so they kept letting themselves do that.

The moment that solidifies their transformation is when they do confess that they're in love with each other.

For the average person, that might have been enough to satisfy their obsession since now they can be at peace with their love.

But not these two. They've fallen in just as much love with the chase, with their rivalry, as they have with each other. They're too ambitious and stubborn to let that obsession go. And now that they know for a fact that the other feels the same way?

It creates this positive feedback loop of obsession. That's the night each of them wakes up massive outside of their bodies the second they go to sleep. They're large enough to grab a person in wrap their hand around their entire body with little effort. They only have one instinct driving them that prevents them from completely freaking out at this new situation.

Find your love, and be with them always.

They're both keeping this hidden because specters are usually 'kill on sight' for humans due to how dangerous they can be. Which means they can't do anything too obvious…buuuuut that doesn't mean they can't find ways to cause havoc/ruin lives while keeping their size hidden. The two are drunk on power and very addicted to it and each other.

Along comes Noah, who they fully intended on just having him be another one of their victims to discard once they were bored of him. They start messing with him when they get back home from school and rest…but he's a lot more perceptive than they give him credit for. They see that he's not attributing a shattered lightbulb or an unfortunate incident of 'bad luck' as weird accidents. He starts looking around everywhere when it happens. He's looking up.

And that's absolutely exhilarating that someone is growing wise to their tricks. To have someone search desperately for them. They stop their other nightly schemes and immediately pour all of their focus onto toying with Noah. He constantly has large shadows looming over him but can never see their source. When he's inside, there's loud tapping at the windows, strong enough to shake the window frames. Noah can feel two separate gazes on him: one icy, one hot enough to make him sweat.

It's exhilarating, to know how much power they hold over him and yet don't use against him. They could do so much worse, and part of him wants to see them try. He can handle anything they have to throw at him.

Noah doesn't tell anyone about the two specters he suspects are stalking him. Instead he decides to investigate to figure out who they truly are. It leads Alejandro and Heather to follow him even when they're just human to see how close he's getting to them. He's not going to any authorities about this, and that's so very telling. He eventually gets to a point where he's bold enough to quip at them while they're invisible and large. He wants to know what they're after, and at this point he's run out of other ideas. Besides, the temptation to poke the sleeping lions to see what they'll do is too strong for him to resist forever

Everything stops. He's worried that acknowledging their existence might have been a step too far. This only gets confirmed when he feels something suddenly holding his arms and legs to his sides and is lifted high off the ground. The fear overtakes him as he desperately tries to struggle out of this iron grip.

Only to feel a large, soft wall suddenly press against his face. Hard. It feels like someone is attempting to suffocate him with the largest, warmest pillow they could find. Trying to breathe only invites the wall to press further against him.

He's suddenly freed of the wall, only to feel himself jostle as the other ghostwalker has now stolen him away to do the same thing. They do it for just as long before allowing him the chance to breathe.

He gets to take in a single gulp of air before suddenly he's being pressed from both sides. It's like two weighted blankets have decided to cocoon him in their embrace. He's given a chance to breathe before he's enveloped in their warmth again. And again. And again. The two specters only seem to get more violent, more desperate in their assault each time.

Until Noah lets out a genuine yelp of pain. The assault stops immediately. Only to return, much gentler this time.

It feels like it lasts an eternity. It feels like it's only been a few moments. Until finally, he's slowly lowered to the ground. The iron grip on him releases as he swears he can hear giggling and chuckling. He can feel the ground quake as the two of them decide to let their footsteps be felt, though neither is to be seen. Their footsteps fade away. Noah is left disheveled and shaking.

His only regret is that he'd been so shocked he hadn't even thought to kiss them back.

The pattern continues day after day. He never had to wait too long after school had ended before he'd be picked up and carried off somewhere more private. They always waited for him to be alone. He started intentionally seeking out places without people to lure them out faster. They'd tease him, bat him around, and kiss him.

Oh, how they'd always kiss him. Once one of them got started, it always turned into an aggressive assault until they were satisfied. Any attempt at struggle only encouraged them to kiss harder and faster. They loved feeling him squirm. They were spoiling him rotten with affection.

Oh how it made him crave more. He struggled on purpose to rile them up. Once their kisses got aggressive enough, he would sneak his own kisses back. There was no way to tell who he was kissing, or if they could even feel it. It encouraged him all the more.

They would always release him. Eventually. He'd return home and get some actual studying in before turning to bed.

Sometimes they would be cruel enough to drag him out of bed and out the window. They'd go for round two before allowing him to sleep.

They would even go for at least one more round. His only evidence of this would be dreams of pillows and waking up to an open window and things strewn about his room.

Those nights were the best sleep he could ever remember. He was desperate to hunt down his secret admirers. If only to satisfy his own curiosity. He was sure he was getting close, and he did have his suspicions about Alejandro and Heather. But he still didn't have anything concrete.

He couldn't let them know if he ever did find them out. There was no telling what they would do if they knew he was aware of their identity. He didn't want to risk them stopping.

Until the day the routine broke. He waited in an alley after school. Nothing. He went home, constantly checking for signs of them on his trip. Nothing. He studied, he went to bed, he faked being asleep. Nothing, nothing, nothing.

This could just be a one night event. They could just be drawing this out to make it all the more passionate the next night. Or maybe they could have just decided they were bored with him and would move on to the next person. It was the most ideal scenario. He'd finally have peace.

Except he didn't want them to stop. He wanted them to keep going.

No. He needed them to keep going.

My god.

He needed them.

Heather and Alejandro came back to school the next day exhausted. Neither had been able to get any rest thanks to their families. They'd pulled all-nighters, and worse, they hadn't been able to spend a moment of time with the ones they loved most.

When they saw each other during school, the first thing they did was run to a secluded part of the school to make out. Once they'd satisfied their pent up frustration, they went to go check in on Noah.

He wasn't in his regular spot. They went to ask Noah's friends, but none of them had seen or heard anything from Noah since yesterday.

Had they pushed Noah too far? Was he furious? Was he merely sick, or was something else at play? Was he taking their one day of reprieve to run, or try to get rid of them? He better not dare. He was THEIRS and they'd do whatever necessary to prove it.

A sense of foreboding washed over the two. They felt as if someone were observing their every move as if they were under a microscope. They went through the rest of the school day, though they could barely concentrate.

They practically burst out of school the second it was done. They gathered next to Alejandro's car. He'd made a habit of parking it farther away from the school in a secluded alley. It also meant he could get away with taking a quick nap in the car. He hated waiting to drive back home to mess with Noah. For now, it served the benefit of talking away from others.

They would go to sleep, grow, and separate so they could hunt Noah down as efficiently as possible. Alejandro put his key into the door while Heather began to turn away.

A sharp, warm breeze hit their faces the moment they exchanged their goodbyes. It was enough to cause pause. It was February.

Alejandro's car began to move away from him. The wheels were unmoving. It slid 10 feet away, almost gliding along the asphalt, before stopping.

Just as they were putting the puzzle pieces together, the two were suddenly shoved into each other. Hard. Their faces were pushed together for a forced kiss. The grip was so tight it was as if something were trying to force them to meld into each other as one.

Someone didn't like them separated.

Someone didn't like breaks in routine.

Someone was starving for the affection he'd been denied.

Noah didn't bother with starting off gentle. He kissed them both at the same time with the same intensity they usually reserved for the end of their sessions. He kept going over and over. It wasn't as if they couldn't handle it.

He slowed only when his misplaced fury was quelled. His kisses grew softer. It was the closest thing to an apology they'd get from him.

At the final kiss, he gently set them down next to Alejandro's car. He'd had his fun making them squirm both with his absence and under his gaze the entire day. It was well worth the blemish in his attendance record.

Though they couldn't see it, his manic grin matched their own as they looked up to where they suspected him to be.

"I expect you to return the favor tonight."

[butterflydm]

I might need to rewatch that big last conversation when it comes out on youtube next week, because it was a lot, but it does leave me with many more questions than answers.

If I am remembering correctly, the Arch Heart asks Bells Hells if they know what a vessel is, kinda goes, ~eh close enough~ to their answers and never gives them any true clarity.

The Arch Heart. As they themselves stressed a few times, what they said last night was their own opinion, so I'm just going to poke at their history and some thoughts of their plan a bit.

(cutting for length)

A. Gives mortals the ability to use arcane magic just to see what they'll do with it.

B. Age of Arcanum happens. A mage is able to construct a ritual to replace the god of death. Using her example, a second mage attempts the same with the Lord of the Hells but fucks it up and gives Asmodeus a window into the world. This leads us into the Calamity.

C. During the Calamity, Aeor becomes blocked to the gods' vision. This worries them enough to call something of a truce and to incorporate into, well, let's call them vessels, at least for now. Upon investigating Aeor, they discover a weapon that can kill them, and we get Downfall. During this period, the Arch Heart briefly floats the idea that death is somewhat fascinating to them but ultimately fights with the other gods for the protection and preservation of their family.

D. Ludinus grows up, bitter and angry about the gods. As the god who gave mortals magic, is the Arch Heart aware of his plan before the others are? Or did they remain just as much in the dark?

E. Sometime off-screen, the gods do become aware that a dangerous plan is afoot and begin marshalling forces against the Ruby Vanguard and investigating more. Gods we have seen extend and influence their followers into this effort would include the Dawnfather, the Everlight, the Changebringer, the Storm Lord, the Wildmother, the Platinum Dragon, the Matron of Ravens, the Lord of the Hells, and the Spider Queen. (Am I missing anyone?)

Which god is it that agrees with the Arch Heart? Presumably not one of those who is actively setting their followers against the Vanguard and Ludinus.

F. Somewhere in all this, the Arch Heart learns about Ludinus's plans and, just like they considered their Aeorian mages' plans to be worthy of consideration, the Arch Heart is wondering if perhaps Ludinis's plan has merit. Not all of it. Not the part that actually kills any of their family. But maybe this is the push their siblings need to let go of Exandria. So the Arch Heart wonders.

G. Establishes that Bells Hells are not certain what being a vessel would mean, and cheerfully pushes them towards a plan that involves Fearne and/or Imogen becoming a vessel for Predathos and controlling that power/hunger enough to scare all the gods off Exandria without killing them.

Can't/won't answer what that means for the vessel's mortal body. How will Predathos chase the gods in a mortal body? Will that body get overwhelmed by the power and mist away, like the gods' mortal forms at the end of Downfall?

If the mortal body isn't overwhelmed and stays intact but isn't able to endure the vacuum of space, will Predathos turn that hunger on the available food near it? On the divine power of the Luxon, perhaps?

What is the plan to account for the gods who might care more about staying to protect 'their children' and might not be willing to leave?

It sounds like, from what the Arch Heart says, that the gods are in active discussion about the idea of bringing down the Divine Gate so that they can act more forcefully against Ludinus. That potential second Calamity.

Definitely more questions than answers, which suits the god that influences the fey. Also, I know some fans were indignant that Bells Hells needed to justify their inclusion in the plan against some of the religious folks' concerns, but the fact that they're considering the Arch Heart's plan kinda feels like it justifies those worries and concerns that we saw from the assembled people in the meeting at Vasselheim. The whole reason that those clerics & etc. were worried, presumably, is because of Ruby Vanguard infiltration in their ranks making them concerned about betrayal from within. And BH keeps getting offered opportunities to enact those betrayals.

[nshtn]

Top 3 Shameful Things and Why

creep ed & his g/n darling! tw disorderly eating, blood, kidnapping, dubcon, mentions of murder/death, drugs, unreality/psychosis - standard RYO stuff tbh !

Eats ice cream in the middle of the night while crying

The Riddler is supposed to be terrifying, isn't he? But there's a child inside and try as he might, the child won't die. At night, when the wall of guilt bears down on his persona and leaks into his person like a petrified lichen, he retreats to his dilapidated fridge to fetch something numbingly sweet or spicy.

He needs it to overwhelm him and drown out the screaming in his mind. It feels like the broken families of the people whose life he's stolen are laughing at him beyond the walls. He has no one. Ha, ha. Even in death, they were loved. They had funeral processions and days of celebration.

Someone cared about them.

Someone loved them. Someone is thinking about them. Someone misses them.

That's not fucking fair. They're supposed to be gone and everyone is supposed to be mad. Why does it hurt?! What keeps Edward going? Why is he doing this instead of killing himself like the others before him...?

Edward has to eat lest he wither away like a spore-ridden dust. Anything to block out the feeling of helplessness, the smallness inside of him, blackened heart cringing as thorns nestle deep in his biggest wounds. He deserves this. He's a monster who deserves to suffer like this, he thinks. This is his personal waking hell.

He does some substance. Takes some CNS depressant pill, sips some dextromethorphan, slides something under his skin or tongue.

The walls are melting. Everything feels like a video game. Nothing is real. He has to flex his hands to remember he has any. His chest hurts. His stomach hurts and he's hungry. The walls are cascading down upon him and flowing around him and the patterns that echo through his eyes are like tumbling rain that cleanses him of responsibilities.

Oh, well, the ice cream is starting to cascade down too - he'd better eat that. His eyes blink out of order and he breathes out of his mouth, and honestly, that just makes the vanilla scent waft up his nose more.

Who is he again? Someone who wants ice cream, surely. Everything else isn't important. If he ignores it all hard enough, he can focus on the light that spreads in arcs out of his chest.

He pilfers his consolation prize all the way back to his room to bolster his fading ego with Koobface documentaries and the floating satisfaction of rooting through some poor sap's private media server.

His friend knows to leave him alone right now.

Cuddles his little friend against their will

A bad day for Edward is a day he crawls into his friend's lap and apologizes while begging for their physical affections, repeating that they won't turn him away in his mind like a mantra to manifest their acceptance. Whether they're asleep, awake, begging to be freed or crying in confused frustration, Edward is pushing his head into their chest, hiding his wet face as his arms wrap tightly around their torso.

He needs them. He needs this. Please, please, please let him in. He won't hurt them, he'd never hurt them! He can't bear another day without their touch. He feels like he's going to explode. They need him. They need him because he's all they have and they're all he has and that's how it is now and he needs them and he needs them, and he needs them now, right now, right now.

He'll act as bone-drippingly wet and 'pathetic' as he needs to if it means they'll coo and awkwardly caress him. It's an odd position this time. He's almost got a face full of tummy. They'll make it work, though... they have to.

Feeds pigs and strays human gore

Edward doesn't understand animals, but letting them die of hunger fills him with a profound sadness he doesn't need. He has enough of that.

Good thing strays aren't picky.

Neither are the wild boars in the sparse, agonizingly tiny patches of 'forest' that surpass this concrete hell.

How else do you think he's gone on so long without being found? He considers it "direct action protesting". The reason he doesn't let his darling root around his cabinets and fridge is lest they find unexpected items that make them refuse to sit on his lap later.

He keeps hunting trophies, you know.

[lulu2992]

From the Inquisitor to the Baptist: The Evolution of John Seed

When Far Cry 5 came out, on March 27, 2018, players got to finally meet John Seed “in person” and see his final design. That said, it’s still possible to stumble upon early versions of him in the game and its files.

All the sources and references indicated by the superscript numbers will be given in the last post.

Part 2: Physical appearance, clothes, and tattoos (Far Cry 5)

Here is John Seed, the Baptist, as he appears in Far Cry 5 most of the time:

His coat is now decorated with planes, but it still has scales on the buttons. He has a two-tone blue shirt, a vest (it seems, heavily inspired by a piece from the D&G Spring/Summer 2010 menswear collection²⁷), dark grey jeans with a brown belt and an “EG” belt buckle, dark grey, laced, probably leather boots, a watch, an Eden’s Gate earring, blue sunglasses (on his head), his bunker key around his neck, a SLOTH scar on his chest, and a lot of tattoos²⁸:

Among them, in addition to the ones previously mentioned in Part 1 (the letters and symbols on his fingers, the goat, the snake, the flames, the scales, and the angelic figure with the dove in the wreath), we find:

On his right arm,

a nautical star (can represent guidance) and diamonds/jewels (can represent beauty and power)

the number seven in tally marks (also tattooed on his left little finger), probably for the seven deadly sins

a fly (can represent determination)

a sword/dagger (can represent protection or sacrifice)

an anchor (can represent God and groundedness) with another snake and pair of scales

a crescent moon (can represent purity or transition, a new beginning)

a peacock feather (the peacock is used to symbolize Pride)

the word SLOTH crossed out

a flaming horseshoe, possibly to symbolize the Horsemen (and fire) of the Apocalypse.

On his left arm,

a revolver, maybe the last vestige of the gun he was holding in the first promotional pictures and in Absolution

an eagle, which looks like it’s about to catch the snake, maybe to symbolize Eden’s Gate (the cult used to be represented by an eagle, as seen in the early piece of concept art of the Seed family¹), “killing” sins (here, Envy)

an ax (can represent strength and fearlessness)

the plane pattern that is now also on his coat

a religious cross

a chair and the words “SIT DOWN & WE TALK”, most likely a reference to the fact he’s the Project’s Confessor

a holy figure with a sickle attached to their hand and what looks like sprigs of wheat, the latter probably symbolizing the Reaping and the fact John is in charge of it

another cross with “EG” in the middle, as well as the Greek letters alpha (A) and omega (ω), “the beginning and the end” in the Book of Revelation in the Bible

a bird, maybe a swallow (can represent freedom and resilience).

Most of his tattoos seem to be religious symbols, but depending on who you ask, tattoos can have very different, sometimes deeply personal meanings, so it’s difficult to know exactly what they’re supposed to represent. Some of the significations I’ve just mentioned in the list are very generic and can be found on many websites.

The crossed-out word SLOTH is particularly interesting to me because John has a similar scar on his chest, and “Acedia” (Sloth) is missing from the list tattooed on his left hand. It seems he really hates this sin²⁹…

But funnily enough, in the game, John doesn’t always look like this.

In the bedroom of the Holmes Residence, on Joseph’s Island, there are pictures of the Seed family on the wall, and John appears in two of them³⁰:

In the first one, he’s wearing his sunglasses, and his coat appears to have EG logos on it instead of planes. In the other picture, his coat might also be the “old” one, but it’s hard to tell.

In the family portrait, also visible in the Holmes Residence³¹, it’s his early character model (no glasses, no tattoos, “EG” pattern on the coat), the one we see in the Prima Games guide, who is in the picture. His siblings look slightly different as well.

In Dutch’s bunker, there also are pictures (and short descriptions) of the Father and his Heralds. Once again, it’s John’s early model who seems to be in the photo³².

In the “Power of Yes” poster, he’s wearing his sunglasses³��:

On the “We love you and we will take you” billboards³², John’s picture is a mixture of several designs. His coat is the final one, with planes, but his face appears to belong to his early model because his sunglasses are nowhere to be found and I think his beard looks slightly longer. He has the SLOTH scar and bunker key, but the letters on his fingers are S, G, and G for Sloth and Gluttony/Greed. The tattoo on his hand is hard to see, but it doesn’t seem to be the nautical star and diamonds.

In the menu, more specifically in the Journal, where missions are listed, we can once again see John’s early model (no glasses, no tattoos), like in this image that illustrates the mission “The Confession”³³:

I’ve previously mentioned an early version of the “You have been Marked” broadcast (in IGN’s video²¹), but an even earlier version of it can be seen in Far Cry Arcade. If you add the “Counter Cafeteria” (Far Cry 5 > Objects > Residential > Kitchen) to your map in the Arcade Editor, you can see this³⁴:

The Eden’s Gate cross that appears at the beginning is also a very early design, the one featured in what could be the first artwork of the Seed family¹.

A picture of John’s old 3D model was also in the deleted in-game encyclopedia (still partially available in the files)³⁵. His sunglasses, key, scar, and tattoos are missing, and he has the EG coat.

In the loading screens for the Holland Valley region, although John looks a little more realistic than his in-game model, his design appears to be the same³⁶:

As for his in-game portrait and character icon, they feature his final design as well:

But there also exists a very early version of this portrait in the files. John appears to be the character on the left, once again wearing sunglasses³⁷:

But surprisingly, the release of Far Cry 5 didn’t mark the end of the changes regarding John’s appearance. After the game came out, his model was slightly altered one last time.

If you ever took a close look at his shoes in the first few months that followed the release of Far Cry 5, you may have noticed that there was blood on them. This blood stain is also visible in the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” official artwork²³:

But when I looked at his shoes again in the Arcade Editor five months later, the blood was mysteriously gone…

I have no idea why it was removed, but I like that it was because John’s evolution, from the game’s earliest stages of development to its final version, was not just physical; his personality, methods, and morals were also modified. The blood disappearing from his shoes is a subtle and maybe meaningless change, but I think it perfectly illustrates how his violence was gradually toned down during the development of Far Cry 5.

To be continued…

[bunnyluvs-blog]

Underwater

Leeknow x reader (yandere)

Minho has beed your best friend for years. Always refusing to leave your side. What happens when he forced you to stay by his?

Tags-- Yandare!leeknow, collage!au, mentions skz members, jealous leeknow, angst ? fluff ? no smut, Jeongin is mentioned a lot, mention of Leeknows cats, Sweeney Todd spoilers, words in red are lyrics

Theme - Underwater by Red velvet on Chill Kill

“Yeah, all I need for you’s to stay. And forever you will stay.”

Minho was someone who always seemed a little too close for comfort. It started with insisting on having life360 on each other's phone for “protection”. Then when he was with you, you guys always had to cuddle. Otherwise, he would pout and throw a fit. Granted you and Minho have always been friends. Before middle school, you and Minho would never leave each other's side. Of course, Minho got his friends, and you had yours. But Minho had to meet your friends, even though you never met his. Now that you both attended the same college. That Minho said you two had to go to. You and him ended up in the same friend group. 7 lovely guys all with their personality traits and attributes. 4 of them lived together, Chris, Changbin, Jisung, and Hyunjin. The other 3 also lived together, Felix, Seungmin, and Jeongin. When you went into college, Minho said you and him had to live together. He claimed that he could never deal with a roommate and that you were his best friend so it was different.

Today was just like any other normal Sunday. All of you guys were hanging out at “3rachas + hyunjins” dorm. Watching whatever silly romance drama Felix and Jisung were hooked on this time. Minho texted the group chat saying he had to pick up more cat food.

“So wait, you telling me Minho doesn't cling to you guys?” you asked Chris you were confused when you were telling him he could sit next to you because Minho likes to cuddle you while hanging out.

“Minho? The guy who hisses when one of us even gets too close? I think he would kill us” Changbin laughs.

“I think he might have something for you” Jeongin chimes in. Which makes you blush. You always had a thing for your cat like best friend. Of course, you never brought it up! You thought you would ruin the only best friend you've ever had if you even hinted at liking him.

Outside of the door, Minho was watching. What was so flirty that you blushed at Jeongin? Does he know? Can't he see that you're Minhos? Maybe you’ve forgotten how much he has done for you. Maybe he will just have to remind you.

“Aren't you curious about what kind of me I am, far underwater?”

It took a while for Minho to find a place to keep you. He could just lock in the apartment, but then that would be the first place people looked. He didn’t want to keep you forever, just long enough so you knew who owned you. he did

Minho wasn't around as much. And it didn't go unnoticed by you. You and him did everything together, why is he suddenly so busy? You tried to bring it up many times, claiming you missed him. To which he would baby you for the night, and then the cycle would repeat. A whole month and a half of this happened. Just like before you brought it up to him.

“Minho where are you?” you spoke to him over the phone

“Y/n-a, I told you I picked up more hours at work. You know how food prices are going up,” he explained to you. Could that just be it? Were you reading too much into it?

“I just..” you took a deep breath. “I miss you, like a lot” you repeated to him for what seemed like the millionth time.

“How about tonight once I finish up, we watch Sweeney Todd?” He offered. It was your and his favorite movie to watch. Often joking about how he was Todd and you were Ms. Lovett. It made you sometimes hope that he liked you just a bit. Even though Ms. Lovett dies at the end.

“Yeah.. yeah that would be nice, but!” you explained. “I want snacks so pick some up!”

He chuckled on the other end.

“Yaaa I’ll pick up snacks for us. I’ll be home soon so take a shower and get comfy.”

You both said bye and you went to take your shower. Minho did intend to watch the movie with you, he just has an extra idea with him.

It didn't take Minho long to get home. He was a lot quicker than you thought, almost like he never really left. Of course, he brought the snacks as he promised. Both of you cuddled up under a blanket and watched the movie. The movie turned into full volume since it always played so quietly. You being you, you ended up falling asleep. Which was just what Minho wanted. Maybe you would call him crazy, or reject him. This was the only way. All he could do was pray you understood why.

“All the feelings I awakened are true, I can't wait, babe, what’s it gonna be?”

You woke up in a dark room, chained, trapped. You wiggled your arms around trying to break free. Which only seem to alert the thing that brought you here. Fuck, you just wanted to be home. Home with Minho. How did this even happen? Was your night with Minho only a dream? Your thoughts were interrupted by a voice, but you’ve heard that voice before?

“I'm sorry I had to do it like this. I envisioned our life together a lot differently y/n-a” Minho spoke in a low tone which sent shivers down your spine.

“Minho..what the fuck is happening? How did we get here?” you ask softly. Scared the man who brought you guys here was going to come back any minute. Maybe you should have thought a little more.

“Silly..I brought you here” Minho confesses. “Please don't get the wrong idea” He continues. “I only want us to be together forever, your mind, and I thought you knew that.” the sadness in his voice pains you a bit, almost as if he didn't just admit to kidnapping you. “I saw the way Jeongin made you blush last month. And I- I couldn't stand it!” Minho yells as he punches a wall, making you flinch. “I couldn't understand how you could fall for him! We’ve been through everything! Your mine, fucking mine.” He couldn't stop rambling. His? You two weren't dating. What did he even mean?

“So I decided to take you. Here. where you are safe from him, from all of them. Don’t worry y/n-a, I would never hurt you.” He rubs your left cheek with his thumb.

“Minho.. I think you have the wrong idea” you start to explain as Minho perks up. “I don't like Jeongin- “DON’T MENTION HIS NAME” he interrupts. The very thought of the thing trying to take his love away makes him turn red with anger. You try to explain again.

“I don't like him- I’ve been in love with you.” You say with a soft voice, scared to anger him again. You were never good with yelling and Minho knew that. You just hoped he wouldn't do it again.

He laughs. Fear fills you. This wasn’t Minho, no no it couldn't be.

“You’re right,” he says, the voice of the devil itself leaves his throat.

“Besides, Who could love you like I love you?”

It's been 3 months with Minho. He still keeps you here. But you are not trapped in the basement anymore. He tells you about the guys and how they are doing. Still refusing to mention Jeongin by name. He told them all you moved back in with your parents since your mother was sick. Surprisingly no one questioned it, or maybe Minho didn’t let them. However, you weren't unhappy. Sure you missed the sun and your friends. But Minho took care of everything for you. You were now his “partner” officially. Slowly you were getting used to this. Maybe living underwater wasn’t the worst.

“You want me endlessly (I want you endlessly)

Digging into your heart without any gaps

You get to breathe like me”

[thewillofdeez]

Shanks - SFW Alphabet

G/N Reader, minor discussion of adult themes.

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Shanks is a very affectionate person, both with his friends and his lovers. If you’re not that kind of person, he’ll totally keep his hands to himself, but he does like expressing his affections through touch. For his closest friends on the crew, hugs are commonplace. He’s been known to plop himself into Beckman’s lap when drunk for a cuddle. Mihawk gets a big sloppy kiss on the cheek whenever they see each other (he hates it and has considered killing Shanks to end it, but he doesn’t because he VERY begrudgingly loves his friend very much). But you? If you want, you get the hugs, you get the kisses on your head or cheek, you get him falling asleep on your lap. Whatever you want, as long as he’s touching you he’s content.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Much like Luffy after him, he sort of picks people up and makes them his friend whether they want to be or not. You might have started out as a reluctant companion, or maybe you were friends from the moment you met. Shanks knows he can come on pretty strong, so if you need time to let him in, he’ll give that to you because he thinks you’re worth it. If Shanks considers you his bestie, he’ll move mountains for you.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Shanks loves to cuddle. He’s a physical touch as a love language kind of guy. He wants you to lean your head on his shoulder if you’re up late on watch duty. He doesn’t mind if you fall asleep, hell, he’ll encourage it. He also loves sleeping with you. Whether you’re a couple or platonic, he specifically enjoys the closeness that comes with falling asleep with another person.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Shanks is a pirate for life. Even if he wanted to, there would be no “settling down” for him. He plans on being at sea until the day he dies. He also kind of enjoys that he has people on the crew who do the cleaning and maintenance for him. He feels like he got enough of that life on the Oro Jackson.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

Shanks would do anything in the world for his person, but he’s a pirate above all else. It’s the only life he’s ever known and the only life he wants. The thing to most likely break them would be if his partner wanted something he couldn’t or wouldn’t be willing to provide. It’d break his heart entirely - he loves easily, but being in love is something rare. He’d get past it, but he’d be hesitant to allow himself to be in such a vulnerable position again, and he’d feel forever changed.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

If you’re a member of his crew, Shanks would be open to the idea of marriage, but it might take some convincing. He’s very aware of power dynamics and even before you started dating the idea of being romantically involved with someone on his crew made him cautious. But the crew was fully supportive, and so he took the leap. To take that next step would be much the same kind of discussion. Ring or not, he is completely open to the idea of spending his life with the right person. If you’re not on his crew and he can’t guarantee being able to spend every day with you, it’s probably not going to get to that point in the first place anyway.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

We’ve all seen Shanks. We know he’s incredibly strong physically, as a pirate, and with his Haki. But with you, he’s all soft edges unless he needs to use that strength to protect you. Emotionally, the man is basically a golden retriever.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

If you asked Shanks what the worst part about missing an arm would be, he wouldn’t say having to re-learn how to do everything with his right hand, it wouldn’t be the weird phantom limb syndrome he had going for a while, and it wouldn’t be the things that he never realized were harder to do with only one arm, like putting on pants. He would 100% say it’s that every hug he gives is now, by definition, half a hug. He makes up for this by just making every hug twice as long.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Shanks is liberal with the word “love,” but not in a meaningless way. He loves his crew, he loves his friends, and he’s open about letting people know this in a completely platonic way. He thinks it’s important to tell the people you care about that you care about them while you can. But for romantic love, he’ll be a little more cautious. Yes, he’ll want to tell you immediately. He’ll want to shout it to the world. But he also knows romantic love is delicate, and he would hold back until he was sure you were on the same page. After that, though, you’ll hear it a dozen times a day.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Nahh, Shanks trusts you. There isn’t a jealous bone in the man’s body.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss their partner? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Shanks wants to kiss you all over, everywhere, and all of the time. You’ll get soft, sleepy smooches when you wake up in the morning, and he’ll nuzzle your face and neck, enjoying being close to you. During the day you’re both busy around the ship usually, so you’ll get a quick peck here and there when your paths cross. At night, he’ll pull you close to him and kiss you deeply, letting his tongue explore your mouth…then elsewhere, if you want.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Shanks is awesome with kids, probably because in some ways he’s sort of a big kid himself. He speaks their language, and they tend to flock to him. He gets joy out of playing along. If a kid he doesn’t know comes up to him and shows him a rock, he’s totally gonna tell that kid it’s the coolest rock he’s ever seen. Shanks doesn’t see room in his life for being a full-time parent, but he enjoys taking on a mentorship role with the kids he meets and being a positive influence in their lives, and that scratches the itch enough for him.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

Shanks is a morning person through and through. He spends about two total minutes being groggy before he’s back to his normal self and ready to start the day. Unless he partied a little too hard the night before, he also likes to be among the first people up on the ship. He sort of sees it as part of his duty as captain - if his people need to be up at the crack of dawn, he should be too. If you’re an early riser, you can enjoy getting ready for the day together and reading the paper over coffee and breakfast. If you like to sleep in, he’ll slip out of bed and do his best not to disturb you.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Shanks can be a party animal and when the time is right will drink and dance well into the night. But he also appreciates the still, quiet nights where you can sneak up to the crows nest and sit under the stars together. He likes to sit with you, arm wrapped around you as you talk or just enjoy the silence together.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Shanks is generally an open book, but as a pirate captain, and an exceptionally powerful one at that, he’s learned that revealing too much about himself too quickly can be a danger to him and his crew. He likes talking about his experiences and sees life as a series of lessons to be learned, and he enjoys sharing that. In the early days together, you’ll get all the surface-level stuff, but after some time he’ll tell you his deepest thoughts and motivations.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

It takes a lot to really anger Shanks. Usually when he’s angry it’s tied to fear that something or someone he cares about will be taken from him. He doesn’t lash out often, and lets most things roll off his back. But sometimes, like anyone, he gets pushed to the edge, and that’s when the sword comes out. 

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about their partner? Do they remember every little detail they mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

Shanks has a mind for broad strokes and not fine detail, but he remembers what’s important to him. He’s not forgetful, necessarily, but sometimes it takes a minute or two for things to come back to mind.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in their relationship?)

Shanks’s favorite moment in your relationship was when the crew was docked on an island in the New World and there was a festival in town. He loved watching your reactions to the lights, the dancers in the street, and the delicious local food. You were thrilled, and he was thrilled because of that.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect their partner? How would they like to be protected?)

Shanks can be overprotective of the people he loves, sometimes annoyingly so. He knows his own strength, and sometimes he feels it's his duty to personally keep you safe - almost like because he’s so strong, no one else is really capable of doing so. It definitely makes him anxious. Whether you’re his friend or his lover, he values your life immensely and it would break his heart to lose you. Regardless of your background, you may need to prove yourself as a fighter before he feels comfortable not being your personal bodyguard. Or maybe you’re okay with him being your protector, and that’s cool too.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Shanks wants to celebrate every day that he gets to be with you. Being at sea can make it hard to find special things to do, and the privacy with which to do them, but he’s rarely not thinking of something for you. Your birthday will be a huge celebration every year, if you want (if you don’t, you better make sure he knows that!). If you both choose to celebrate anniversaries, he’ll make them special, but more personal - he’ll probably have Lucky cook up something fancy and close up the mess hall for a few hours so it’s just the two of you. If you’re on his crew, he’ll be very careful not to show you any special treatment when it comes to your duties, but he’ll also do little things to make your life easier or just make you smile, like drawing you a bath if you’re sore or buying you small things at port that he thinks you might like.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

Shanks is, ummm, a little on the ADHD side. While it has its benefits, sometimes you might have to fight to get him to focus on the things that are necessary but he’s not particularly interested in. He also gets carried away sometimes, and relies on Beckman, the rational brain in his life (and you if you’re that type) to bring him back down to earth.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Shanks knows he’s hot as hell. He gets enough attention, he’s had people tell him they have his wanted poster in their bedroom. He also puts next to no effort into his looks aside from basic hygiene. He wears the ugly pants for absolutely no reason other than because he knows he’s attractive enough to get away with it. He doesn’t even like them that much, but he’s been wearing them too long to stop now. He likes to joke that if he wore socks under his sandals no one would even look at him weird and it would probably be suddenly in style.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without their partner?)

If Shanks is going to fall in love, he’s going to love hard and with his entire soul. He feels like the right person is actively meant for him, out of all the people in the world, and if they’re gone permanently from his life, whether through circumstances out of his control or because it just didn’t work, it’ll take a lot to feel like himself again. He’ll get there, but he’ll also feel permanently changed.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

I’ve got two: 1) Before he lost his arm, Shanks was a decently skilled guitar player. 2) Shanks is an organized chaos kind of person. His office is a huge mess, but he knows where everything is, and that’s what’s important.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

In a partner, Shanks doesn’t want someone who’s controlling. For him, being a pirate is about being free, and while he’s certainly willing to compromise some in a relationship, he still has to be free to be himself. In general, Shanks strongly believes that nuts of any kind do not belong in cookies, brownies, or other baked goods. The only exception to this is peanut butter, but it’s gotta be the smooth kind.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

Shanks snores, but it’s a sort of quiet, cute snore most of the time, unless he’s been drinking a lot. He sometimes talks in his sleep, but it’s entirely nonsense and you enjoy telling him about the stuff he said the next day. You have occasionally woken him up from laughing so hard, and sometimes tell the whole crew if it was particularly funny.

Previous: Shanks NSFW Alphabet

Up Next: Law NSFW Alphabet

[insufferableprotagonistpoll]

Round 1

Propaganda why Rintaro Okabe is insufferable:

"He's sexist: he feels ashamed to be in the same lab as Kurisu, a genius, so he spends his time saying sexual jokes to embarass her. He is super annoying with his complotist larping. Why wouldn't he shut up? (Actually he shuts up at the middle at the story, the point where it becomes good).

Also transphobic stuff (the "but he's a boy" joke... *aaaaaaargh*)."

"Commits insufferably to the bit.Will cut off and correct you if he thinks you're in the wrong.Severe Mary Sue syndrome of sorts but that varies wildly alongside his emotional state.Does not shut up ever.Misgenders and gropes his friend after transing her(It's a whole story but the way they treated them before wasn't ideal either).Technically caused an apocalypse but the rest of the main cast were accomplices in this so it doesn't really count.Creates a time loop so he doesn't have to face his friends's deaths and inevitably goes insane and tries to kill them all.Causes property damage to his landlord's home near daily.Gives his friends false hope that they'll be granted their greatest wish only to go back and say he has to undo them because they caused too much temporal distortion.All of them forget this happened but still.Kills a friend's dad,again technically.Don't think I've said he's obnoxious yet but if I did it bears repeating"

"Listen I love the game with all my heart but this guy is obnoxious.He's LARPING constantly.He always wants to be the smartest in the room.He groped someone to ""see if they're really a girl"" and(spoilers ahead) he grants every friend he has a wish that would be impossible otherwise via time travel then undoes all of that because whoops! Messing with time causes unforeseen consequences such as *checks notes* his friend Mayuri dying.It's been a hot minute since I've played S;G so I might be misremembering some things but good god the whole game we've been going over How Time Travel Is Bad Actually and he STILL went ahead with it!You've been targeted by the FBI and see someone turn into goo because of this!Even if he wanted to be nice because let's be real his friends deserve it after being targeted by the FBI because of him,undoing that because he misses Mayuri is a dick move.I'm not unpacking the emotional baggage he has with her,but objectively what he did was kind of horrible.He also trapped them all in a timeloop that one time."

"A young man who hides his insecurities below an neverending overconfident RP.

Because Kurisu, a scientific genius girl, challenges his authority in his flat, he regularly humiliates her by telling sexual things she finds embarassing.

Plus there is some other sexist and transphobic stuff I don't need to go into.

I know in the second half of the story he loses his mask and actually show his vulnerable and caring side. But gosh, he is so unbearable in the first half!"

"His voice is so grating and is the reason I didn’t want to watch the show."

Propaganda why Richard Rahl is insufferable:

"The character always, always has to be Right and Moral and Good. He always knows more than: his wife, organized religion, any and all government orders that he didn't set up personally. While he starts out reasonable enough in the first few books, he slowly devolves into the author's Ayn Rand-fantasy stand-in. In every book there's always a huge monologue that's secretly about how bad (fantasy) communism is.

Richard is also hypocritical. He will flip flop on issues and change with the whims of the author, but the narrative always portrays him as in the right no matter the context."

"Protagonist of the most idiotic book series ever, literally wins by sheer dumb luck and being too stupid to plan as the world bends around him. His girlfriend keeps getting kidnapped so he can rescue her, despite allegedly being powerful. He’s a fantasy Ayn Rand follower. He inherited a sword and the Most Powerful Magic Combination Ever which he can’t be trained in because he needs to learn by instinct. Every woman ever falls in love with him or is determined to help him by prophecy. He gets captured and tortured by several bdsm women (author fetish, blatantly) and doesn’t even appreciate it. He gradually seizes more and more control over he world than even his evil tyrant dad, then throughs a fit and runs off into the woods to sulk, leaving them to a violent conquest, when people object to this via voting. He’s inexplicably good at death football. I can keep going."

"Literally the oc in the author’s shitty Ayn Rand fantasy novel. All the women want him, he does magic by instinct. He cannot be trained because he has super rare magic that nobody else has had for millenia. His birth has been prophecied for centuries. Every new book features a new problem only he can solve by being too instinctly good at magic and untrained. He comes up with the Wizard’s Rules of Magic by dumb luck.

In one book he defeats communism and hopelessness by crafting the perfect statue of his girlfriend Kahlan, who is a way cooler character but still a Mary Sue & an idiot. The statue is so cool & beautiful & well made for the joy of making (unlike work under communism), that he sparks a riot and toppled the evil empire. By building a statue."

[sadistic-kiss]

🐺House of Alphas Chapter 52: Trap Card🐺

(Jujutsu Kaisen Omegaverse )

Summary: Waking up in a world that was not your own was problematic enough. Being the villainess was another. However, the possessive alphas might take the cake.

Disclaimer: Angsty but I ain’t Gege

Omega!Reader x Alpha!Sukuna x Alpha!Gojo x Alpha!Toji x Alpha!Nanami x Alpha!Getou

~

…

“Ah~.” A voice cooed making you turn your gaze to the dark halls. The very woman that you were speaking about appeared with a dirty smile. “Sukuna~ I have a name you know~ don’t tell me you've already forgotten it, *sigh* after all we’ve been through! I thought you’d be happy to see me~.” You could tell she was putting on an act earlier, not a hint of fear was in her eyes as Sukuna lunged at the bars, claws snatching at the air as he missed the woman’s face by just a hair. She grinned stepping back with a click of her tongue, “Still so very feisty. I’ll make sure my leash is much tighter this time.”

That had your blood boiling. “You stay your ass as far away from my alphas!”

“Oh, my~.” The woman chuckled looking you over, “I don’t want your other alphas, I just want him.” She pointed at Sukuna as he tried to claw at her finger but again could not reach her. “You have five don’t be so selfish girl.”

That familiar heat from before was growing but this time it was coming from inside you. You felt like it was about to burst and your mouth would spew fire. Like you had an engine deep inside you and it was churning wildly. You had never felt such a thing, your body moving on its own as you let out a ferocious growl snatching Sukuna back as you grabbed the bars with both hands- it sizzled upon your touch, “I’ll rip you to pieces! He’s mine! Mine!” Your dark energy coiled around you like vicious vipers, ready to strike.

“Baby-“

“Do your worse bitch!” The witch taunted with a cackle.

“FUCK YOU!”

“Ah wait-“

“Sukuna!”

“I got her.” Sukuna circled his arm around your waist yanking you back but you were fighting against him, trying to attack. You glared at the woman even as Getou stepped in front of you. It was like you didn’t even notice them.

“Hey hey~!” Getou grabbed your face so you couldn’t avoid his eyes, even as you looked you still bared your teeth, ready to tear into someone. “As much as I would love to let you run wild- You blast at her and that shit is going to come right back at us. There’s a barrier surrounding the cell.”

You sucked in a shaky breath, feeling as though the scorching flames simmer down a bit. You were able to think a bit more, leaning into Sukuna’s arms instead of fighting him like a rabid dog. You didn’t even realize- “Oh-“ you blinked looking at everyone coming back to reality. “I-I’m so sorry-“

“How unbefitting of a prime omega.” You look toward the gate as Getou steps to the side. The stupid witch bowed as G. Ma waddled to the cell. “However, I should expect nothing less of the woman these monsters picked.” Her eyes fell into a lowered slit. You could smell her disdain for you all as if she were looking at a cage of slugs.

“G. Ma…” you stood upright, eyebrows screwed in confusion. “There’s been a misunderstanding-“

“Not. At. All.” She picked up her cane pointing at your alphas. “You prime alphas have taken my grandson, nephew, husband, and many more away from me!”

“Huh…?” You looked toward your boys as they shrugged.

Nanami stepped forward, “G. Ma… we have fought many battles in our lives but I cannot say we remembered killing any witches.”

“Yeah, who did I kill?!” Gojo questioned.

“MY HUSBAND JIRO!”

Gojo looked thoroughly confused, “Ah~ doesn’t ring a bell.”

You shook your head, “Gojo wouldn’t kill anyone just to kill them. He’s lazy.”

“Mhm~.”

“Your husband must have attacked him first or this whole thing is a setup.”

G. Ma began to growl furiously, “He was a good man! He was trying to kill his son!“ this time she pointed to Toji. “For what he did to our grandson! A spell for a spell!”

Toji looked confused, “Lady I don’t even know who your grandson is.”

The older woman scoffed as she snapped her fingers, a light-up square appeared beside her, with pictures of her grandson, husband, and nephew within it. “These are my boys right here~ you took them away from me...” She spoke pitifully as she touched on the faces lovingly.

“Ooooh, I remember that guy! Yeah, he tried to kill Megumi so I flicked him away.” Gojo chuckled.

“And the blonde tried to kill Gojo.” Nanami pointed out while Getou nodded.

“When was that?” Gojo questioned in surprise.

“You were sleeping… You actually have many assassination attempts while you sleep but we normally take care of it. Or you do by accident.”

“Ah, ~ thanks, guys.”

G. Ma’s eyebrow twitch, “Ngh! It had nothing to do with you! If only you just let my husband kill that brat for what was done to my grandson!”

Toji also seemed to remember the man he killed, “That guy was your grandson? With all due respect, he tried to take my body.”

You shook your head after listening to them, “Yeah, G. ma it doesn’t sound like your family were good people.”

“IMBECILES! YOU ARE ALL IMBECILES!” G.Ma screeched while slamming her cane down repeatedly on the ground, her pictures disappearing into dust. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks as she let out her anger. “You-you took everything from me! And let’s not forget YOU- who have killed plenty of my witches!”

Sukuna rolled his eyes, “Only ones like her, who try to trick me.”

The younger witch gasped as if appalled, “How rude~ I only wanted to give you a life of love! Who best to bestow it upon you but me!”

Your nose lifted in annoyance, “Forcing someone to love you is disgusting.” You then looked toward the older woman. “Your witches attacked them or provoked them in some way. All of my alphas’ killings were done in self-defense. Maybe you should raise better witches, unlike this trash.” You gestured to the slug that was trying to take your alpha. “This is why you guys get a bad name.”

“You bitch!” G. Ma hissed at you while the woman glared. “There is nothing wrong with my witches!”

...

~

*Read More*

[sparkagrace]

14th February by @sparkagrace

steve x bucky | G | 810 words tags: ca:tfa, established relationship, valentine's day, secret relationship fills: @allcapsbingo: I5: promises | monthly mission: secret valentines

It's not the Valentine's either of them had planned for, but the one thing they've learned is that there's very little they can control in the middle of a war. Nevertheless, Bucky wants to do something to mark the occasion now that he and Steve will be spending it together, even if it's the the middle of the forest a stone's throw away from Paris.

It could still be romantic.

The idea comes to him when he spots a cameo necklace in an old antique shop. He doesn't have enough money, but through a series of well-thought trades (his cigarette rations and coffee) he manages to secure it before they move out of the city.

It's hard to find time alone once they make camp, but when it's just him and Steve by the campfire while the rest of the Howlies are out on an evening patrol, he pulls out the necklace hastily wrapped in brown paper and string and shyly hands it to Steve.

"It's for you," he says, somewhat redundantly. He can't watch as Steve carefully - even with those new big fingers - unwraps the package and peeks into the box. "Happy Valentine's."

Steve doesn't say anything, maybe for a full minute, but eventually he manages to find his words.

"Like my ma's."

"Yeah, like hers. I know it's not exactly the same, but-"

Steve presses a kiss to Bucky's lips: impulsive and quick, but still solid and true.

"Thank you. She made me promise never to lose it and now it's in some box in New York..." Steve worries his lip and Bucky knows that feeling of missing home. Of wondering if they'll ever make it back. Wondering if it'll still be home if they do.

"When we get home, we'll make sure to keep it safe. 'Til then you can have this one," Bucky assures as he takes hold of Steve's free hand and squeezes gently.

Steve nods and grins, a kiss pressed to their joined hands. Then he untangles and reaches for his pack, rooting through the contents until a small stack of letters appears.

"I may have taken advantage of my new rank to pull some strings," he confesses, handing Bucky the stack. "They got here last week and holding onto them has been killing me. I wanted to wait until today."

Bucky recognises Becca's handwriting instantly. Her girly loops on that expensive correspondence set that he had gifted her when she turned eighteen three years ago. When things were different.

The letters are thicker than the ones he's used to receiving, but when he opens it, it's easy to understand why. There's photographs folded into each of the notes from his parents, Becca, even his grandparents. Some of the photographs are older: a family portrait they took on his twenty-first birthday, him and Steve as kids, Sarah Rogers on her last Thanksgiving with the Barneses... precious memories of a life that he's been missing.

There's a handful of new photographs too. There's the Christmas just gone with their grandparents - older now but still there, still safe. There's also a picture of Becca with an hand looped around the arm of a tall guy, and Bucky makes a face at Steve as if to ask 'who is this?'

"I asked her to send some stuff over that you might like. I made her promise not to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise."

So this is why Becca's last letters were so short. She was keeping all the big updates for Steve's gift.

He tries reading the enclosed letters, but he only makes out half a sentence ("...hope Steve is keeping you safe like he promised...") before his eyes mist over and he knows it's too much to read right now when the Howlies could come back at any minute. He'll read them tonight before bed so he can concentrate. So that he and Steve can share in the messages written to them (because they've always been a them and he knows Becca would be writing to Steve as much as to him).

"Thank you for doing this for me," he chokes out. "I love you."

Steve clutches the cameo necklace in his hand as if to express the same sentiment.

"Next year we'll be back home. I'll make you candlelit dinner," Steve promises. "That'd be nice for Valentine's, huh?"

"Yeah, Stevie. That'll be real nice."

They both look up when they hear a twig snap somewhere and Dum-Dum's gruff voice approaching. Bucky tucks the letters away in his jacket and Steve safely deposits the cameo in his pack.

The rest of the night is spent around a campfire and among good friends, but Bucky catches Steve's gaze a few times, photos and letters from loved ones nestled against his chest, and feels his heart warm and safe.

It's not such a terrible way to spend a Valentine's Day.

[positivelybeastly]

"So there are mutant-hunting robots now." Tess rests her chin on her knees, arms wrapped tightly around her legs as she fixes the television with a baleful eye. A new episode of VH1: Behind the Music is playing. "Jean was a malevolent space goddess. You found proof of alien life and almost went to war with them." Her brows furrow, revealing a little age line that wasn't there the last time he saw her in person.

"Morph got blown up and brainwashed by some asshole who sounds like he's going to be a real problem--" yeah, no shit--"and I..." She sighs, rubbing a hand across her tired eyes. "I don't know who Jubilee and Bishop are."

A wet sniff.

Tess--the Tess he knew--had a nasty psychosomatic vomit reaction. She's not even lunging for a trash can, just a little green. And looking utterly lost, until she hides her face in her arms. (Get it together, X-Man.) "Good find." Her voice is muffled." Glad to have them on the... on the team."

For everyone else, she's been a g-ddamn trooper. Tess McKay, ready to be back on the job! Tess McKay, who fucking loves being an X-Man and didn't spend the last four years lost in a dimension of shrimp people. Hah-hah! Tess McKay, acerbic as ever!

Hank knows her better. Always did, really.

Having one's life upended while wearing the uniform is a rite of passage. (Hank? He went blue and furry. Morph? Mistaken for dead and brainwashed by an evil scientist. Jean? Apparently possessed by a big psychic space bird.) She'll get past it. Everyone will catch her up on what she's missed. Things won't be the same, but they'll be good, and even if the world's moved on without her, she's so... happy to be back. With everyone. With this ragtag group of weirdos who became her family.

Except--

"Oh, Hank. He's gone."

When the sob comes, it's low and ragged, wringing the breath out of her.

"The Professor's gone..."

"Our government chose to deploy so called 'robot policemen' in one of their more scatter brained and authoritarian breaches of common sense, this is in fact true."

Every now and then, Hank's eyes flick up from the chronometric circuits that Bishop's time band is laced with, the fine point of his laser solder erupting in a brilliant burst of light every now and then.

The episode of VH1: Behind the Music that Tess has elected to leave the television on is all about Fleetwood Mac, and the inter-band conflict is fascinating enough that Hank finds himself sucked in, even as the secrets to time travel literally sit in his hands.

"Well, to be precise, I didn't nearly go to war with anyone. The micro-nation of Henry Philip McCoy would put up a very poor showing in a protracted conflict with an intergalactic super-power, though I thank you for your faith in my abilities, Tess."

The humour comes to an end when the tone shifts and he remembers what happened to Morph, a sad look in his eye. Some days, he wonders what might have happened if he had been the one 'killed' in action that day, and Morph who had been imprisoned. He might have suffered the same fate, and he's . . . ashamed to admit, he isn't sure he would have stood up to Sinister's tampering as well as Morph did.

". . . Lucas and Jubilation are both fine individuals, Tess. You'll like them. I know that you will."

Then comes the wet sniff, and he flips down off the rafters, putting down the time band. His fuzzy blue mitts, warm and strong, come to rest on her arm, and he squeezes gently, offering her the comfort. He's here. He can help her weather any storm, any turbulence, any upset. That's what he does, he helps people. He does his best, at any rate.

But then . . . he's gone. And Hank doesn't have to question for a moment who she means, and his chest goes tight even as he gathers her up into a hug and pulls her against him, resting his chin on her head as he presses a soft kiss to her scalp. It's a gentle gesture, it's loving. It's kind, above all else. It's an attempt to reassure, even as he feels his own lip wobble and he casts his blue eyes upwards, trying to contain the tears he feels welling up in them.

"I know, Tess. I know. It's going to be all right. It will, I promise."

[desertfangs]

one random night in rio

I've missed Marius/Daniel week--I don't think this fit any of the prompts anyway--and I can't keep track of all the events happening right now but I wrote this little thing a few weeks ago and it's just a funny little ficlet about a random night in Rio and hope it's amusing. (I've given them a transition house in Rio between the house in Norway and the penthouse in PL, not at all because I forgot B&G takes place somewhere up north.)

Marius/Daniel - 1884 words - teen/humorous The air sticks to Daniel’s skin—well, as much as anything sticks to vampire skin—and the humidity makes the atmosphere feel thick like he’s moving through an invisible fog. The rain has left puddles along the path from the road. It smells of dirt and vegetation, and Daniel loves that smell. Not quite as salty as the ocean air of Night Island, but earthy and comforting. He’s half way up the path to the little house he shares with Marius on the edge of the jungle when he hears the heartbeats. Loud and vigorous. Mortals. Daniel frowns. The house is not easily accessible but there is a dirt road that leads to it, and this path. They do occasionally get someone at their door but other than the odd delivery person, it’s rare. Rare enough that Daniel moves quietly up the path until he’s only a short distance away and he can see the house through the trees.

One man’s back is to him but he can’t see the other person. This first guy’s thoughts are jumbled, agitated. His heart slams against his ribs and he’s keyed up. He tries to push through the man’s thoughts but his mind is too soaked in fear for him to understand anything clearly. Daniel turns his attention on the unseen man, who’s calmer, but he’s one of those folks who naturally guard their thoughts. At least, Daniel hopes.

If this person knows he’s at a vampire residence and is purposefully masking his mind, it could be trouble.

He waits in silence.

“He’s not here, man,” one of them says after a few moments in Portuguese. His voice makes him sound young. “Let’s just go.”

Daniel starts to relax but the other one speaks.

“No way. We have to find out what he is.”

Daniel tries again to search through his mind, pushing harder through the wall he’s put up. He catches a glimpse of a memory, Marius leaving a dilapidated house, covered in paint, his tools tucked under his arm. Before Daniel can make out more, the young man speaks. “You saw what he did that to that cop!” Daniel sighs. If these guys saw Marius kill someone, they’ll have to die. And while he has no qualms about doing what needs to be done, they’re young guys and probably innocents. It’s a shame. Daniel moves to the edge of the tree-line.

“He didn’t do anything, man. I bet he just explained himself. Rich white guys get away with everything, even the weird ones.” “Nah, nah, I saw it. He did some kind of mind whammy on him!”

From the edge of the trees, Daniel can see these are teens, young guys, one of whom is wearing an X-Files t-shirt. The other guy scoffs. “Okay, so what? If he has some kind of mind powers, won’t he just use them on us?” “That’s why have to stake the place out.” The guy has a camera, a nice video camcorder. Daniel pinches the bridge of his nose. The last thing they need is some kids filming them through the windows. “He might be a vampire or werewolf or a wizard or…” “He’s just some eccentric old man,” the other one says. Daniel considers his options. They don’t really know anything so killing them is unnecessary, and it might lead to more problems if two teens disappeared after coming to their property. He decides the best plan course of action was to be direct. He slips quietly back down the path a few yards and then marches loudly toward the house, making sure to make noise. He hears the teens panic and try to decide what to do but when he comes through the the trees into the yard, they’re just standing there. One of them looks like his head might explode from stress. Both of their hearts are going a million miles an hour.

Daniel stops as if surprised to see them and asks, “Can I help you?”

The teens exchange a look. In English, one of them says, “We were, uh, looking for that guy who paints stuff in abandoned houses. Does he live here?”

“He does,” Daniel says. “Why?”

They exchange another quick glance, the more nervous one shoving his hands into his pockets. They’re so out of their depth that Daniel has to keep himself from laughing. “We just wanted to talk to him,” the nervous one says.

“About art,” the other supplies.

Daniel resists the urge to roll his eyes. These are curious kids. Clearly they’d noticed something odd about Marius and of course, they were right to have noticed, and though he’d never let them know it, Daniel can’t fault their curiosity. “He’s not home right now but you’re welcome to wait inside,” Daniel says. Better to be open and prove there’s nothing to hide. And really, it’s a normal enough house, if you don’t open one of the doors that leads to a room full of miniature landscapes built in the last dredges of madness, or find taxidermy monkeys off-putting (Daniel does and made Marius move them to the atrium because he couldn’t shake the sense they were watching him with their cold, glass eyes.) Their thoughts are a whirlwind of fear and excitement. To finally go inside the weird old artists’ house! Daniel catches one of them thinking Daniel must be the old guy’s younger boyfriend. Or maybe son. Daniel has to work to keep his expression neutral. Marius has less than a decade on him in mortal years. He walks past them and unlocks the front door. They both hesitate, share another silent exchange, and then, deciding it’s worth the risk, they go inside. If Daniel were a movie monster it would be their fatal mistake. Luckily for them, he’s a friendly neighborhood vampire. He gestures for them to have a seat in the living room. It’s as banal a living room as you can get, with wood-paneled walls, a comfortable tan sofa, and some matching easy chairs. There’s a decent-sized television and a Nintendo Wii Daniel only bought a few months before. The boys look around and seem disappointed. Daniel is tempted to take them to the art studio with the monkeys but decides against it. The one with the camcorder is surreptitiously filming and Daniel figures it’s best if all he has on film is this inoffensive living area. Daniel gives a pointed look at the camera and the guy fumbles, turning it off.

“Do you want something? Water? Soda?” There are still some soft drinks in the fridge, though he isn’t sure if they’re still good. About a year ago, Marius hosted a painting class for a group of retirees in the backyard and they’d stocked up on wine and beverages for the occasion. The wine is still good but now that Daniel sees how young these guys are, he’s not giving them alcohol. The guys exchange yet another look, one of them shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. Daniel can tell he regrets coming inside before he even hears his thoughts about how it’s just some normal house where two old dudes live. Nothing weird or monstrous about it. If they only knew. But they’re here now and the other one seems determined to wait until Marius arrives. He pushes his friend toward the sofa and says yes to the sodas. Daniel goes into kitchen and finds two unexpired cans of Fanta.

Brings them out and hands them over.

“Hey, do you guys play Mario Kart?” Daniel asks. * It’s an hour later and Daniel has been knocked off the Rainbow Road so many times it’s embarrassing, but it’s fun having people to play against. Marius plays sometimes and he’s gotten better but he usually ends up driving off the course and getting last place on every single track. Daniel hears the keys rattle just as they’re finishing the final lap on Wario’s Gold Mine. Marius comes through the foyer into the living room. His painting kit is rolled up beneath his arm and his blond hair is tied back in a messy half-bun. His expression is pleasant enough for their guests but he gives Daniel a very curious side-eye. Who are they? Marius thinks. Monster hunters, Daniel thinks back, and has to choke back a laugh as Marius frowns. “Welcome home,” Daniel says aloud. He introduces the teens who, suddenly remembering how they ended up in the middle of a impromptu Mario Kart tournament, look slightly abashed. “It’s a pleasure,” Marius says. He holds out his hands, which are covered in paint. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go clean myself up.” I trust there’s a good story behind this, Marius thinks at Daniel. As he heads for the stairs, one of the boys says, “I love your art. The house over behind the abandoned supermarket, it looks really cool.” Marius smiles. “All of the kids from our school go there to smoke weed and stare at the walls,” the nervous one says, and his friend elbows him. Marius laughs. “I see. Well, it’s nice to know my work is appreciated.” “I told you he was just some guy,” one of them whispers at the other.

They drop their controllers and once Marius is gone up the stairs, stand to go. They thank Daniel and he walks them to the door, telling them to be safe on their way home. He watches them walk down the road and into the trees. He closes and locks the door. Marius is in the en-suite bathroom off the bedroom, washing his face. None of them really needs to wash in that manner but Daniel still takes regular showers and Marius enjoys the feeling of hot water on his skin. “Monster hunters?” Marius asks, pulling the hair tie from his blond hair, which cascades down around his shoulders. “Curious teens. They saw you put the whammy on a cop and thought you might be some kind of creature of the night.” Daniel smirks. “Imagine that.” Marius frowns, examining his own face in the mirror. “Care to share?” Daniel presses. Marius turns to him and sighs. “This one police officer has made it his personal crusade to prevent me from making my art. So when he hassled me the other night, I decided to put a stop to him. I suppose I should been more… cognizant of my surroundings.” “You think?” Daniel asks. He’s not actually upset but he enjoys getting to lord this over Marius. It’s usually Daniel who messes up. “Yes, well, one lives and learns. What made you invite them in?” Marius asks, turning the tables as he’s so good at doing. “Are you that desperate for opponents in that dastardly race game?” Daniel snorts. “Better to show them we’re boring old guys with nothing to hide then let them start rumors about what’s lurking in Dracula’s castle.” Marius raises an eyebrow. “Boring old guys?”

Daniel shrugs. “Boring might be the wrong word.”

“I should say so.” He puts a hand on Daniel’s cheek affectionately, smiling. “Would you like to play more of your game? I could go for a round of Kart racing.”

Daniel smiles back at him. “How can I say no to that?”

[dropintomanga]

A Thought On Talking to Someone Who Wants to End It All

Goodbye, Eri finally came out in print this past June and people who missed out on last year’s digital release got to see how great this one-shot by Tatsuki Fujimoto (of Chainsaw Man fame) is.

I myself wrote about Goodbye, Eri last year and revisited the one-shot again after getting the the print release. There’s a few panels I want to talk about here.

I will be talking about suicide after the jump.

If you’ve read the manga, you know the initial premise about the main character, Yuta, creating a film for school documenting his mother’s last days and how controversial the film ending was. Many of his classmates criticized him for being tasteless. As a result, Yuta decides to kill himself by jumping off the roof of the hospital where his mom died. It is there where he meets Eri, the female lead of our story. She then asks if Yuta’s going to jump and then says the following.

The reason I want to focus on those 4 panels now compared to last year is because of knowledge I’ve gained about talking to someone thinking of suicide over the past year. Eri doesn’t try to comfort Yuta. She probably knows he’s in a lot of pain and wanted him to unleash it on those who are disrespectful to others. Although Eri does save Yuta from jumping off the roof, it’s somewhat indirect as she comforts him in a different way than how I see most people in the West do it.

Last year, I watched a Hong Kong mahjong comedy. There was a scene where the main female lead was about to kill herself after losing everything in mahjong. As she’s about to jump off the roof of an apartment building, she hears the sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled and notices her mentor and peers playing mahjong right next to her. Her mentor asks her if she’s going to jump, the heroine says yes, and then he tells her to come down and play before going to jump off. There’s a subsequent conversation about mahjong and the mentor convinces her to keep playing/living by empathizing about her situation.

In my experiences with consuming Asian media so far, I feel like when things like suicide attempts/prevention are shown, the support system usually says you can try so-and-so before actually considering dying. Eri does this with Yuta by dragging him to watch movies with her non-stop and gain enough knowledge to make a new film for his school.

In the West, there’s no true care for the person experiencing suicidal thoughts or bad advice being given to those who interact with said individual. I can give a real-life situation. I listened to a podcast story about a woman who felt tremendous guilt over witnessing the death of a young girl she met by suicide on a expressway. She was a nurse who seemed to always have the answers for her patients at her job. But once she was in a highly tense situation outside of work, she became uncertain over what to do. She talked about what she told the girl before she died - to think about the people who love her. The girl didn’t respond well to that by saying that nobody loved her. The nurse thought about physically grabbing the girl before anything bad happened, but was worried about the response. She didn’t and the girl would walk away from her to get run over by a car. The nurse had to live with a lot of guilt and social isolation for years. When the nurse started to come to terms with the suicide and got better mentally, she said that she would’ve told the girl that life does become different and gets better over time.

So to me, it sometimes feel like the West’s mindset is “Oh my god, there’s a problem. Someone wants to die. I need to fix it or else I’ll be a failure. I can’t deal with the pain of what this person is experiencing.” while the Eastern mindset is “Ahhh, you’re thinking of dying. I see. I understand. Wait. Maybe I can show/share with you a moment of joy that you might like before you go.”

I could be VERY wrong here. But this is what I have observed over time.

Talking about death and the grief that comes with it will always be hard, but it doesn’t need to be hidden for the preservation of cultures that want to “move on” because it’s not productive for “society.”

I do think that people who experience any kind of suicidal ideation want some kind of acknowledgement of any kind - especially of the physically comforting kind from someone who doesn’t look like a threat in their eyes. Eri does this by grabbing Yuta’s hand when she drags him to the abandoned building where they would make many precious memories watching films.

After reading what Eri did and hearing the nurse’s regrets about not saving someone from suicide, just be the hope and don’t be afraid of doing so. The best way to not say goodbye in a tragic manner is acknowledge their pain with compassion followed by showing them an empowering solution (not vice versa). Suicide forces us to confront our own bias regarding emotional pain and the social aspects that lead to it. Maybe that’s why a lot of Westerners struggle with with talking about suicide.

I would argue, as this manga and maybe non-Western views show, that human love or healthy connection is the best answer.