#you may wonder ''But Kevin! Why now

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - Part 34

PREV

Sometimes when you have bad anxiety it’s hard to judge how scary something actually is.

FF breaks into a cold sweat practicing his order in line at fast food places. FF shakes with nerves at the prospect of asking about where a certain building was on campus from a stranger. FF’s stomach twisted into knots when he thought Andrew was leading him to his death in the basement of Eden’s. It’s hard when everything in life feels like the scariest and most impossible thing you’ll ever have to deal with.

Still, FF had felt like he had been getting braver. Had felt like he might be getting just a bit better in regard to confronting his fears.

He’d been getting better.

He managed to laugh with the cashier when he ordered combo number two-teen instead of twelve before break. He had asked for directions to the nearest bathroom from a stranger when one of Kevin’s shakes had gone straight through him. He had even gone down into the basement with Andrew and realized he had friends.

Looking at Daniel makes that progress feel far away.

His stepbrother’s name tastes like ash in his mouth.

“I just want to talk.” Daniel says raising his hands up placatingly. “We’re family.” Daniel says pointing between himself and FF.

“We’re not family and I don’t want to talk.” FF says because they aren’t, and he doesn’t. Daniel is one of the top two people in the entire world he doesn’t want to talk to ever.

“There’s your answer, now leave.” Captain Neil dismisses Daniel who still has his hands up.

“C’mon talk to me. We’re brothers John.” Daniel says and FF feels his entire body tense at the name.

“John?” Nicky looks back at him in confusion.

“That’s not my name.” FF hears himself say more than he consciously says it. “It was never my name.” he swallows tart cherry flavored bile. It really was one of Kevin’s better smoothies and FF would feel terrible if he puked it up. The world sways as he tries to breathe through the nausea of hearing Daniel call him by that name again.

He changed it the second he turned 18 last March. He’d signed his contract as a Smith not a Stanton. He would never let someone take it from him again even if hearing his first name still made his heart ache.

He feels Kevin’s hand on the center of his back steadying him and maybe he is swaying and not the world. Kevin takes the smoothie out of his hands before he can drop it.

Nicky must see something too because his friend abandoned the front line to steady him with an arm around his shoulders. He thinks he sees Captain Neil take his place.

“Of course, it was! It’s the name our dad gave you.” Daniel says and FF’s stomach cramps at the thought. “He’s still hurt that you changed it and that you haven’t reached out. Do you know what it’s like to find out your brother was hurt during a press conference?” Daniel asks and FF can see how he’s going for the sympathy card here looking at the others.

It’s his usual tactic.

“Fred is not my dad. You, Lucas, and Greg are not my brothers.” FF can feel a headache coming on along with the stomach cramps. He wishes that Aaron had let him restock on Pepto because the tart cherries maybe aren’t the best thing at the moment.

Daniel has always been the worst part of his stepfamily.

Greg had been a physical bully. Lucas had always followed Greg’s lead. Fred hadn’t looked at him more than he had to from the very moment that FF had made it clear that he did not appreciate the 13th birthday gift of ‘a new name’ and still intended to spend time with his grandmother. His mother had been distant for ages, but he always felt her watchful gaze making sure he did not step out of line, did not give her an excuse to put him back on the medication that left him as a zombie.

Daniel was different.

Daniel wanted things to be a certain way, but he wasn’t like his father or his brothers. He didn’t force FF to change, didn’t bully him into accepting a name that he had never wanted, and never let on to the fact that he was watching.

They’re the same age. Daniel had come to him like he could be a friend something he had been in short supply of after his two years of being little more than a medicated zombie. Daniel had gotten close; Daniel had pretended to actually care and acted like he only wanted what was best for FF.

It might have even worked.

If FF wasn’t such a loyal grandson.

Daniel had tried to poison the well between him and Gran, had tried to tell him that he needed to leave her behind and be happy in his new family.

FF had been stalwart.

Then Daniel had gone after his Gran and FF dislocated his thumb punching him.

“You don’t touch her.” He had said seeing Daniel for what he was for the first time. He saw a monster where a friend used to be but he had told this monster all of his secrets, all of his weaknesses, and had given him ammo.

Daniel came off as sweet and caring. He was athletic. He was a good friend. He was smart.

He was just also evil and made sure that FF suffered every single day they lived together because FF saw that evil in him when no one else had.

More than anything FF had been happy to bid him farewell when he’d signed his legal name on the contract to Palmetto State University’s Exy Team.

Just the sight of him brought up bad memories.

“No brother here to talk to it seems.” Captain Neil says.

“Bye Daniel. Kevin and Aaron, you two can walk back.” Andrew says and FF feels hands on his shoulders and found himself being steered towards the Maserati and FF stiffened instantly at the sight of it. “Smith?” Andrew questions.

FF had been doing better.

Screaming and pointing.

A hand reaching.

A sharp swerve.

Blood in his eyes and smoke in his lungs.

“I’m scared.”

Tiny hands in his.

“It’s going to be okay; I promise.”

Waking up to his grandma holding his hand in the hospital.

He’d been getting better.

“See, you’re still upset over what that guy did. Why are you clinging to the last name of the guy that did this to you?” Daniel asks from behind him, “He almost killed mom and you. He did kill our two-“

“Stop.” FF hears himself say and he turns to Daniel. “Jay and Robin weren’t your little siblings, they were mine. I’m not your family, I never was and never will be. I’m not scared of cars anymore.” A lie mixed in with multiple truths.

Maybe it’ll make Daniel happy to see that FF still knows how to play all of his favorite games.

He turns to Andrew who is staring at him patiently, “I’m not feeling well.” He says.

Andrew looks at him and FF figures he probably looks as shitty as he feels, “Someone will have to sit on someone’s lap.” He says.

“Smithy, sit on my lap.” Nicky says and FF can’t help the way he leans into Nicky’s warmth as his friend guides him to around the car keeping himself between Daniel and FF. Nicky gets in first and FF doesn’t hesitate to crawl onto Nicky’s lap.

He thinks he hears Daniel start to say something, but Andrew slams the door shut on his way to the driver’s side. Andrew doesn’t move from the passenger door, blocking it with his body.

Nicky guides his face into his neck, “Can we buckle-up?” he asks, and Nicky almost dislodges him he’s so quick in his compliance.

“Of course.” Nicky says and there’s the feeling of the seatbelt and the click of it locking into place. Nicky’s hand was in his hair.

FF doesn’t know if it just took a while or if he was just drifting in his thoughts as Nicky stroked his hair. “Are you scared of cars?” he asks voice quiet.

“Yes.” FF answers because it’s Nicky. “I was in an accident.” He explains just as quietly as Nicky had asked.

“Siblings?” Nicky asks voice choking with emotion.

FF pressed his face into Nicky’s neck further and hopes the pressure will stop his eyes from watering. “Yes.” He says. “Younger.” He manages.

Nicky holds him tighter, and FF is glad Nicky doesn’t tell him it’ll be okay.

FF doesn’t know if he drifts or if the others are listening to Daniel’s poison and falling for it. He’s glad that at least he’ll still have Nicky.

Eventually, the doors open, and he thinks he hears Daniel’s voice, but all three doors shut quickly.

“What an asshole.” Aaron spits.

“That doesn’t necessarily disqualify him.” Kevin says.

“We’re not talking about this right now.” Captain Neil hisses, “Smith, we’re going to get you to Abby’s, okay?” he says but FF doesn’t really have the energy to do anything more than a thumbs up.

The car ride is smoother than usual. It’s also quiet other than Kevin reminding him that he’d sleep better if they’d stop by the store to grab more smoothie supplies, Aaron smacking him upside the head, and Andrew threatening to kill both of them if they got tart cherry and avocado smoothie on his interior.

By the time they’re at Abby’s FF is almost asleep in Nicky’s lap but he forces himself to wake up and climb out of the car when Andrew opens the passenger door for them. He finds it hard to look at any of them at the moment.

“Sorry about all of that.” He manages looking down at his feet. “You shouldn’t have had to see that.”

“Smith,” Captain Neil’s hand rests on his shoulder and FF startles slightly as he looks down into the blue eyes of his Captain, “if we got what we deserved, we wouldn’t be Foxes.” He says as FF takes a long and steadying breath. “You have a past and that’s what brought you here.” Captain Neil squeezes his shoulder.

“You’re one of us and we take care of our own.” Andrew says before pushing him towards Nicky, “Get him to bed.” He says.

Nicky didn’t need to be told twice. Abby and Grandma Smith were out checking out a restaurant after the game, the two having become good friends during their stay. FF was glad his Gran was somewhere else and didn’t have to see him like this. FF was even more glad for his friend’s help as Nicky dragged him through his bedtime routine. “Don’t expect this when we’re roomies.” Nicky teased as he helped FF change.

It was hardly five minutes between pulling up and Nicky tucking FF into bed. “We’ll be by tomorrow, call me if that asshole shows up, okay?” Nicky says pointing at him.

FF, still to tired, just gave a thumbs up and closed his eyes.

He just hoped he drank enough of the smoothie that he wouldn’t dream.

***

Nicky left Abby’s house and made sure to lock the door behind him after he had checked a grand total of three times that FF was asleep in the guest bedroom, he’d taken up residency in.

Siblings.

Nicky’s heart ached.

He found the rest of the Monsters loitering outside by the Maserati with Aaron pacing, Kevin wiping his tongue on his shirt, as Andrew and Neil sat on the hood sharing a cigarette.

“He’s asleep?” Andrew asks.

“Out like a light.” He looks over to Kevin, “What’s going on with Kevin?” he asks.

“He tried some of what was left of the Smoothie he gave to Smith.” Neil says with an amused laugh. “He didn’t like it.” He says.

“I’ve been aiming for nutritional, not delicious.” Kevin argues, “Smiths hasn’t complained.”

“Smith is a little too nice for his own good.” Aaron rolls his eyes, “Which is why we’re not letting that asshole get his way!” Aaron adds.

“Being an asshole doesn’t stop you from being good at Exy.” Kevin crosses his arms.

“Obviously!” Aaron returns gesturing at Neil, Andrew, and Kevin.

“I resent that.” Kevin and Neil said at the same time as Andrew just shrugged.

“Hey, what the hell are you guys talking about?” Nicky asks hating feeling locked out of the loop. He didn’t regret climbing in the car to hold FF but there’d been too much time between when he’d sat in the Maserati to when the rest had joined for there to have not been a conversation.

“You didn’t hear?” Aaron asks incredulous.

“I was busy.” Nicky hisses and at least Aaron has the good grace to blush.

“Daniel Stanton wants to try out for the open spot on our roster since Lisa decided to stay home.” Neil says through gritted teeth, “The University already approved that he can try out.” He adds.

“That asshole wants to be a Fox.” Andrew says.

There were many noise disturbance calls from the usually quiet neighborhood that night as Nicky Hemmick let his opinion on this be known to the world.

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

NEXT

[thevoiceofdesertbluffs]

Your soul master/Grimm art really piqued my interest as I’ve never seen that ship before. Just out of curiosity, would you mind explaining how you see their dynamic/ why you ship it? :v

SO. I don't remember too much about my thought process then because it was 2 years ago, but back in 2021 i was HEAVILY fixated on soul master, + grimm was also one of my favorites. I can't remember what it was exactly that triggered this but one day i was like "Wouldn't it be funny if my favs (soul master & grimm) kissed and made out and bullied the pale king." And thus! This ship was born! (It's also the reason i initially created this account! feeling much more comfortable posting art about them here than on instagram)

Anyways! Basically their dynamic to me is. They absolutely love causing mayhem and chaos. If it bothers the Pale King, they will do it. Also they like causing other bugs distress! Just 4 funsies! <3

Sorry for that uhm. Long winded explanation but I hope this answers your question! + thank you for your interest!

[taasgirl]

blame - driver!reader x grid

summary: driver!reader goes to war protecting her teammate and best friend, max verstappen.

a/n: this is NOT a romance smau!!

liked by user76, user98, and 6, 872, 014 others f1 Following a breach of conditions set by the FIA, Max Verstappen will serve a mandatory community service period.

tagged: maxverstappen1

ynusername just say ya'll can't handle him and move on!!!

user27 be careful y/n, they'll send you too user46 HAHA SHE'S SO REAL

user51 this is so stupid

user90 who decided this???

user75 Okay I understand him getting community service for the Ocon incident, but for swearing?

user21 they're treating max like he's a child

liked by oscarpiastri, redbullracing, and 2, 379, 918 others ynusername unbothered, moisturised, and definitely plotting to overthrow the fia!

tagged: maxverstappen1

user59 My dreams 5 minutes before my alarm:

user61 y/n and max are never beating the platonic soulmates allegations

user87 Get yourself a teammate that fights the FIA on your behalf @/estebanocon

maxverstappen1 I was going to say something nice then I saw the last photo.

ynusername pls still compliment me x

oscarpiastri I agree with the caption

landonorris ur too ashy to be moisturised

view ynusername's story...

caption only the FIA could ruin a beautiful flight @/alex_albon

liked by carlossainz55, alex_albon, and 1, 256, 280 others ynusername me and bro suiting up to destroy the FIA

tagged: carlossainz55, landonorris

lewishamilton This is why you're my favourite on the grid

ynusername this is why you're the 🐐

oscarpiastri Hey I hope you were joking when you said you'd be turning into a grid terror haha (please be joking)

ynusername don't worry ur safe xx

landonorris WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS Y/N???

landonorris If me and my gang pull up ahh post

ynusername yup you're now my number one target for unironically using 'ahh'

maxverstappen1 I hope I am bro

ynusername there's no one i'd rather serve community service with

liked by fernandoalo_oficial, lewishamilton, and 3, 287, 3389 others ynusername don't worry I won't actually replicate crashgate. however, please know that I have free reign over my radio xx

landonorris Thank god u had me scared for a minute

user49 y/n is taking this too far 😭

ynusername oh i can go further if needed

lewishamilton HAHA this is gold y/n

ynusername when I have the praise of sir lewis hamilton then I know that I'm doing something right

user20 OMG Y/N GOING INSANE ON RADIO IS A NEEEED

user91 y/n is the only reason i'm tuning in this weekend

view ynusername's story...

caption: I have some business to attend to this sunday afternoon

liked by user62, user87, and 209, 557 others f1updates Not shy on the radio so far! Y/N on the formation lap, and she'd already quizzing her engineer.

user83 she's so unserious i love her

user90 This is my sign to strictly watch her onboard today

user41 y/n really is going to put on a show huh

liked by user 34, user75, and 1, 722, 981 others f1updates A few of the unhinged thing's Y/N was saying during today's race. Safe to say that she may be sporting a ban for the next race.

user38 her engineer replying with 'affirm' is so fucking funny to me

user92 And ya'll still wonder why she's my fave driver

user47 THE WAY THIS ISN'T EVEN EVERYTHING SHE SAID

user28 what else did she say??

user47 @/user28 she went on a whole tangent about how stroll is a prick that shouldn't be in f1 😭😭

liked by charlesleclerc, landonorris, and 3, 615, 248 others ynusername FIA knew I'd be too powerful for another race (hey at least bestie doesn't have to do community service).

maxverstappen1 You're insane I love you

ynusername dinner is still on you right?

landonorris NOOOOOO RIP Y/N

ynusername bitch i'm still alive

oscarpiastri Welcome back Kevin Magnussen liked by ynusername

redbullracing She might be crazy, but she's our kind of crazy!

ynusername pls keep me employed ya'll

view landonorris's story...

caption Yes, she still has the helmet on

view maxverstappen1's story...

caption Okay time for us to get to work

eeee i hope you guys liked this, please let me know if you did!

[wings-of-ink]

Good morning! or night? afternoon? whatever time it is for you! I have a reaction ask if you wouldn't mind (and something that hopefully hasn't been asked yet). how would the ros react to MC disappearing for an entire day, leaving a note behind telling the ros not to worry and not to look for them, and then coming back the next day with a gift that the ros may have mentioned in a past conversation?

Afternoon for me, my friend! (Well, it was when I got your ask and started my answer…it's now evening, lol).

I had to jump in when I saw your question in the list because of your username. I spotted you a while back when you started following and may have been giddy since you MUST be a part of the Kevin Legally not a Cult Collective. I never miss a video. ^_^

As for your ask, there is a semi-similar one, but it's pretty old and related but not at the same time. I will link it below in case you'd like it!

Oswin:  He's looking anyway, and is a complete mess with worry. When MC returns, he doesn't even notice the gift and embraces MC tightly. (Maybe just a bit of ptsd after all they go through, so he has a hard time with this.)

Zahn:  They still fret a little. Is MC eating well? Are they cold? What are they doing? Why didn't they bring them along? The secrecy makes them uneasy. When MC walks through the door with gift in hand, they forget all about it. Zahn is so moved that they're struggling to hide tears.

Duri:  They get antsy. They miss MC, wonder what they're up to, and if they're having fun without Duri. They walk around the house, looking for clues, entertaining themselves by rearranging the books on the shelf, putting the kitchenware in different cabinets, switching furniture around and taking in no fewer than 3 stray dogs - a cat - and a rooster. MC comes back to find Duri sitting on the divan upside down. "You're back! I have hidden several surprises around the house for you! Oh! Is that a gift for me?"

Rune:  They take it in stride, thinking about MC through the day and hoping they are staying safe. Rune knows they're up to something, they just hope it's not dangerous. It's weird sleeping without them around, and they don't really like it, so they play their lyre until they pass out on the couch. Waking up to MC coming through the door is the real gift.

???:  He chuckles reading the note, flopping down on the bed and re-reading it a few times. He just mentioned the rare book seller that he heard rumors about, and now he gets a note that his love will be gone for a day… "Cute. So cute." MC is greeted by being swept away in a little dance. "So…did you get me a souvenir?" He twirls them around.

Thank you for the ask, my dear! ^_^

Related:

https://www.tumblr.com/wings-of-ink/746787586190753793/how-would-the-parents-and-ros-react-if-mc-had-to?source=share

[s10127470]

So recently I've been seeing some discourse online about voice actors.

Particularly ones that can only really do one voice.

We're talking about the likes of Kristen Schaal, Dana Snyder, Patrick Warburton, Kevin McDonald, Keith David, Brad Garrett, H. Jon Benjamin, David Kaufman, Brian Stepanek and Eddie Deezen.

However, it's not in the way you may be thinking.

In fact, the discourse is about praising these guys and showcasing just how good of VAs they are despite only being able to do one voice.

Thought it did get me thinking about another notable VA that can also only do one voice.

However, in contrast to the VAs I just mentioned, they're looked down on for that.

If you haven't guessed who it is already, I'm talking about the infamous Justin Roiland.

It got me wondering why are the aforementioned VAs so beloved and praised as being good, while Justin isn't.

Well putting aside the obvious fact that they're not abusive creeps or talentless hacks, there are a few reasons I can think of.

Characters and Inflictions:

Despite using the same voice for their characters, what truly makes those aforementioned VAs such great VAs are....well, the characters they play.

Just about all the characters those VAs are different from each other, and the VAs use different inflictions in order to perfectly capture their personalities.

Justin unfortunately lacks this skill.

A common complaint towards his characters is that a lot of them tend of feel similar to one another.

Which is not helped by his lack of a vocal range.

The worst examples of this are in the case of Rick & Korvo and Morty & Oscar.

The latter duo have this the worst.

Not only being similar to each other character-wise, but also having the EXACT same voice.

Rick and Korvo are a little better (though not by much) since the latter does sound a little different (though once again, not by again), but they still suffer the problem of being too similar to each other from a characterization standpoint.

Acting:

Although most people consider them two separate mediums, acting and voice acting are essentially similar to one another, as it involves performing as a character.

And although they can only do one voice, you can tell those aforementioned VAs can actually act!

They can actually sell on the emotion their character may be feeling.

H. Jon Benjamin is one of my favorites when it comes to this.

Because of how he always talks in a monotone voice, I always get taken aback whenever he screams or yells.

They just sound so genuine.

Now compare this to Justin.

Justin seems incapable of doing emotional moments.

Whenever he does, it feels rather stilled and somewhat forced.

Like, compare his last official voice performance on Rick and Morty....

To some scenes featuring some of the aforementioned VAs.....

You can hear the emotion in their performances!

Back to that Mr. Poopy Butthole scene.

Apart from the fact that at the point of this episode's premiere, Justin's trademark of doing an annoying goofy voice has ran its course and became, well, annoying.

Listen to when PB is in pain.

He doesn't really sound like it.

Like dude, his legs were crushed.

He should be screaming bloody murder!

But instead he just sounds like he's having a sugar rush.

Justin is also famous for heavily relying on ad-libbing and improvising when it comes to voice acting.

Hence his trademark stuttering

And while that isn't a bad thing in itself, it gives off the impression that he really just can't voice act.

And given how much of a talentless hack he was proven to be, I honestly believe that is the case.

There's also the fact that he famously drinks before voice acting.

And I don't think I need to explain to anyone here how alcohol can negatively affect....well, anything.

Quantity:

I think the biggest reason why so many people don't like Justin's voice acting is just how of him there is.

Justin famously has a lot of voice roles in Rick and Morty.

Not just voicing the titular duo, but also a decent chunk of secondary characters and a WHOLE LOT of extras.

Contrast that to the aforementioned VAs, who only really voice one character in whatever show they're in.

Bar a few exceptions like Bob's Burgers.

Since after hearing so many characters voiced by Justin in the same show, you can't help but start to get tired of it.

And I know there's gonna be some people who are gonna bring up Seth MacFarlane and Alex Hirsch, two creator who also voiced a lot of characters in their shows.

Both in the main and secondary cast.

And as extras.

But both of them use different voices for just about every character they voice.

And although this is a slightly smaller example, but the MTV animated series Undergrads had the series creator, Pete Williams, voice all FOUR of the main protagonists.

And to this day, I'm still shocked by his performance as all four of them.

Like, they all sound so different from each other. So much so that you wouldn't be able to tell that they're all voiced by the same dude.

To wrap this all up, I wanna bring up one last thing that makes this especially bad.

And it doesn't have to do with Justin's quality.

Apparently, the reason why Justin voiced so many characters in this show was so he could use it as an excuse to not get fired.

Anyway, that's all I have for today.

A short post, but something I wanted to talk about.

And also, Justin, if you're reading this......

Go fuck yourself.

[mngo-jii]

Suggestion cuz this boy has been living in my head rent free for the last week

A Daniel x f!reader where the reader notices how much time Daniel has lately stuffed himself in the potions classroom and decides to drag him out for some butterbeer and fun at hogsmeade

“ A (reluctant) TRIP TO HOGSMEADE. ” d. page

wc: 1.1k

letter ✉️: i’m sorry this is quite short and probably not what you expected </3 this is the most i could muster up at the moment... i would wait until i'm in the best mood to write but i dont want to keep you waiting any longer

“You look knackered.”

“Well hello to you too, Daniel!” You grin at the familiar head of red hair, before it forms into an ‘O’ at the number of potions cluttered and sprawled around the table. You wonder how he’s been given permission to spend such an abominable amount of hours in the Potions classroom. But, you digress, this is Daniel after all.

“Jeez, Daniel. How long have you been here?” You stroll yourself around the table to meet Daniel’s face—who isn’t really looking at you but rather at his cauldron. “Don’t you think you should settle down for the day? We’ve only got 48 hours of full leisure, you know.”

His cauldron lights up, casting a purple glow on his face before he backs away with a hum to grab ahold of a bottle across the table.

“I could say the same to you,” he leans forward, keeping a steady hand to pour only a tiny drop into the mixture, before he straightens up once again and stirs it in, “Have you been running around the Hogwarts grounds again?"

You huff, brushing a strand of hair off of your face to get a better look on what he’s making. “Bored out of my mind, I tried to look for the others to go to Hogsmeade with—but everyone else was already too engulfed in their own thing! Though, you seem just as busy too—making... A hair-raising potion.”

“Alihotsy, actually. Why don’t you try Gosammer?”

“Very funny. Now—” You tug onto his robe, “Please please please, will you go to Hogsmeade with me?”

He halts, eyes darting from your hand to your face.

“Agh... Are you really incapable of going on your own? You sound like a child begging to go to the candy shop.”

“Maybe I am! There’s this new cute candy shop down in Hogsmeade, or so I heard.”

Silence fills in the room for a split second.

“Besides! You could use a little fun. It’s been a week since you’ve went out of your way to hang out with us, spending so much time with your cauldron like it’s your girlfriend.” You grinned, swiping your finger on the edges of said cauldron as you earned an unamused look from the boy—“No.” He says.

You groan, planting your face on the surface of the table, defeated.

That’s it. You might as well just stuff your face into the covers of your bed and hope to god something extravagant happens, so you get the chance to stick your nose into it yourself.

Or, I can watch Daniel make potions all day... You considered, leaning your head onto the palm of your hand. It’s better than nothing.

Silence completely falls onto the floor of the room, engulfing you two in nothing but the bubbly sounds of the fermented potion.

Your eyes follow Daniel’s hands—grabbing several herbs from across the table, stirring the pot, fingers patiently tapping the table. And you follow the movement of the mixture, swirling, smoke emerging from the pot ever so often.

In contrast, Daniel had already rejected your offer—or rather pleas—to go to Hogsmeade with you. But he’ll never tell you to leave.

Part of him wishes he could, despite how he enjoys your accompany. He can’t help but shrink under your unwavering gaze as you watch his every move like he’s the most interesting thing in the world. Or maybe at the moment he is now, he can’t blame you for your boredom after all.

Before you found him, you had wandered about the castle, feverishly searching for who you may run into to hang out for the weekend. Though, nearly everyone else was busy—Robyn had already dragged Kevin off to play Quidditch (much to the boy’s dismay), Lottie had gotten into an art frenzy and have been constantly painting portraits all day, and Ivy is off to visit her nana.

At that moment, you felt as though you have already used the very few last drops of your energy walking around, and you started contemplating if you should just take a shower and sleep all day to rest your worn out legs.

You musn’t be downcast on a day free of classes and scheduled activities, it’s the only time you’re able to get leisure after all! Though you had hoped to spend some time with your friends. Yet, despite the tiredness of your legs working to find them, they’re already immersed in their own things.

Your gaze strips away from the cauldron towards Daniel’s face, deciding you cannot possibly take this. You had walked all the way here just to be thrown a big fat no to your face once again. But now, more importantly, this boy had stuffed himself in the Potions classroom as if it were his second home! He might as well drown himself in countless potions once the room is filled with them.

Before you could even say a thing, his shoulders rise up and immediately he plops his arms down on the table, as if he was defeated.

“Fine.” He surrenders himself to you, as always.

“But only before sundow—”

“Let’s go!” In a matter of seconds, he’s being dragged by his arm out of the classroom, completely neglecting the cauldron that had been left on the table.

"What is that...?" Daniel eyes you peculiarly.

You look back at him, your hands struggling to adjust the goggles on your face. "Orange Eye of Newt Goggles."

Daniel doesn't say anything as he turns his head with a lingering gaze over to you, before shifting his attention on the variety of accesories in front of him.

He allows himself to curiously scan the items—hats, goggles, robes, scarves, glasses... All shaped, designed, in such diverse and odd ways that completely oppose each other.

He doesn't react quickly as a shadow looms over him, before a peculiar object made out of straw is forcibly pushed down onto his head.

Daniel panics for a split second, feeling as if he's about to get sacked, only to go stiff at the sound of you stiffling your giggles behind him.

He turns to look at his reflection, seeing as ¼ of his head is swallowed whole by the biggest top hat he had ever seen.

"...Of course."

Long story short, the others found the two of you hours later on a window seat, drifting into a deep slumber after such a long day. You're practically glued together, the sound of peaceful breathing overlapping.

They're expecting Daniel to complain about it when he wakes up, but only the two of you know how smiley he was the entire time. Not like he would admit it.

Kevin studies the two of you further, leaning forward as if he had discovered something incredibly rare. Maybe it is.

He sniffs. "...Is that... butterbeer?"

[flippyspoon]

April Fools

Note: Tiny TOS ficlet for @goblinsharknecromancy 's prompt! Thanks!

“But Vulcans do not lie.” Spock raised an imperious eyebrow.

“It’s not a lie,” Kirk insisted. “It’s a prank. It’s completely different.”

“I do not see the purpose in telling Dr. McCoy something which is abjectly untrue for the purposes of own amusement…even if it is Dr. McCoy.”

Some clever soul on the Enterprise (Kirk had heard it was Kevin Riley) had figured out that it was April 1 and connived to bring back the old Terran tradition of April Fools.

As far as Kirk knew, no one had come for Bones yet. 

He stood with Spock just outside the sickbay, leaning in close to discuss their little conspiracy and trying to ignore the attractive length of Spock’s eyelashes and the curve of his lips. 

It was getting more difficult to ignore that attraction lately, as well as everything he felt for Spock.

“Spock, he’s been driving me absolutely crazy lately with the teasing,” Kirk said, rolling his eyes.

“Always making little jokes that you and I are…you know. Together. I mean…” Kirk blushed. “Imagine! You and I… Ha!”

“Does the thought offend you, Captain?” Spock said, cocking his head.

“Of course not!” Kirk blurted. “Why, anybody who ended up with you should fall on their knees with gratitude! You deserve everything! I should be so lucky! But that’s not the point!”

Spock stood up a little straighter, his gaze flicking away. But Kirk didn’t miss the hint of a smile on his face. “And what is the point, sir?”

“To make Bones’ head explode. Metaphorically,” Kirk said with a shrug. “For a second anyway.”

“Very well. Let us proceed with the…prank.”

“Alright!” Kirk clapped him on the shoulder.

In the sickbay they found McCoy focussed on a tray of blood samples and he looked up as they entered, sitting back on his stool and crossing his arms. “Well, if it isn’t Troilus and Cressida.”

“Bones,” Kirk said, puffing up his chest. “We have something very important to tell you.”

“A matter of utmost importance,” Spock added.

Bones’s eyebrows shot up and he looked back and forth between them. “Yeah? Let’s hear it.”

Spock swallowed and said, “The captain and I are to be married. The nuptials will take place on Vulcan in two weeks’ time.”

Spock’s gaze flicked over to the captain who was obviously trying very hard to remain straight-faced.

Bones on the other hand…

Bones’ mouth dropped open yet instead of his eyes bugging out comically as Kirk had expected, they watered and he lunged forward, throwing his arms around both their necks.

“Why, that’s wonderful!” Spock squeezed them together and Kirk looked over Bone’s shoulder at Spock, who glared back, accusatory. “After all this time! This is the best thing I’ve ever heard!” He broke away, clasping his hands. “Am I in the wedding party? Now, if I’m not in the wedding party, Captain, I may commit a mutiny so-”

“Bones..” Kirk suddenly felt terrible. “Uh…”

“What what?” Bones rubbed his hands together. “Wait, this calls for a drink! Spock you’re having one too. I don’t care what you say!”

“Bones, it’s uh… Well, we were just…” Kirk licked his lips. “That is…”

“April Fools,” Spock said sternly.

“April…” Bones’ expression darkened rapidly. “Are you saying it’s not true?!”

“Not as such,” Spock said.

“Well, for Pete's sake! You get a guy all excited!” Bones wagged his finger in Kirk’s face. “Thought you two had finally gotten your heads out of your rear ends, but I guess that was too much to hope for! Get out of my office! Out! And don’t come back till you’ve sorted yourselves out! Out! OUT!”

Spock and Kirk found themselves shoved back out into the corridor and Kirk sighed, straightening his tunic, chagrined under Spock’s penetrating gaze.

“That didn’t go quite how I expected,” Kirk muttered. “Spock, do you ever think…?”

“Yes, Captain?” Spock took a step toward him.

“Maybe we should just… Rather…” Kirk screwed up his courage, cursing whatever fates had given him such bravery in anything unrelated to his feelings for Spock. “Spock, the truth is I do feel… Well, how would you like to go on a date? With me? Romance-wise?”

“I would be quite amenable to that, Jim,” Spock said. “Though, I am not inclined to take you at your word on today of all days.”

“Right.” Kirk clutched Spock’s shoulder and leaned in, kissing him softly. “Is that a little more convincing?”

“It is…” Spock’s voice cracked. “A helpful data point. Perhaps, more evidence would-”

Kirk chuckled and kissed him again, wrapping his arms around him, suddenly feeling as if a planet long out of orbit had suddenly found its way.

“Well, thank God for that,” Bones grumbled from the doorway. “I was serious, by the way. I better be in that wedding party!”

[omegapheromone]

I was thinking about this post and the ensuing conversation about retail and customer service workers. In the notes there is a lot of talk about the more scent-oriented stuff, but in this post, I wanna talk about something else that occurred to me.

Karens/Kevins in Omegaverse.

I should immediately state that I'm not from the US, so my personal experiences with Karens may differ somewhat, and my overall understanding of the "trope" or "personality type" is based on both my own non-US experiences and personal anecdotes and stories/footage/other posts I've encountered online. To me it seems Karens are quite universal and have very similar traits regardless of where in the world you are (entitlement, selfishness, bigoted opinions, thinking themselves better than others and just the sheer audacity), but I figured I should state I'm not personally familiar with the US Karen specifically, only through online accounts of encounters.

Anyhow! In the post I linked above I talked about the concept of "alpha males" and "incels" except translated into actual omegaverse- but I don't think I've ever seen anyone talk about what KARENS (or just, shitty not-alpha-male or incel/niceguy/nicegirl types) would be like in Omegaverse. Here are some things I personally feel like would be very common to Karens and Kevins, and the different kinds of them one might encounter.

Types Of Karens in Omegaverse/A/B/O/+

(Or in other words, a look at different types of shitty people in general, using the term Karen/Kevin rather generously.)

*note: while I'm classifying the different types of Karens into omega/beta/alpha, it doesn't mean that all Karens of said type MUST be of the dynamic mentioned- any dynamic or subdynamic can express the behaviors of a specific Karen-type, it's just more common for certain dynamics to embody a specific stereotypical karen-ness.

Omega (Ω) Karen, type: "Bitter"/"Bitter&Entitled"

Often, when speaking about "Karens", this is the type that comes into mind first. Karens of this type are the most likely to be similar to the perfect stereotype of a soccer mom parent, who believes they're entitled to anything and everything simply because they exist. They will not hesitate to use their kids/pups as an excuse to demand special treatment, and are exactly the type to berate a teacher for their own brat misbehaving in class, because "my McKaylwynn could NEVER, she's an ANGEL!". Almost always, they are trying very hard to live through their own kids, and often show favouritism towards any alpha children they may have. These are the type who will wonder why their kids move out at 18 and almost never talk to them. These Karens almost always stay in unhappy marriages at any cost, as they believe their alpha is what gives them their status and worth to a large extent, and often factors such as religious views on divorce being bad or a belief of bonding being "for life" is a part of this. They can, and in many cases DO cheat on their partners, however (and the partner likely does the same anyway). Military wives (the stereotypical kind) are a subtype of this Karen.

Usually, on the inside, these Karens are bitter omegas who grew up in conservative enviroments and internalized the idea that their purpose is to have kids. Now that they've had those kids, they feel entitled to special treatment, because they've supposedly been a "model omega" and believe that they deserve to be praised. These Karens are the type to ask other (often young) omega family members invasive questions during family gatherings, and tell them "they'll get it when they have pups of their own!". These Karens also cannot fathom the idea that an omega may choose to remain child-free, and does not approve of any same-dynamic relationships, especially omega/omega ones, as they believe it's "just a phase" and "they just need to meet the right Alpha to change their minds".

Deep down, as I mentioned, these Karens are likely just extremely bitter individuals, who have convinced themselves their lives are "good" and that they are "happy" because it follows the conservative ideal for an omega's role. Almost certainly, these Karens actually had dreams and ambitions of their own that were squashed by the enviroment they grew up and lived in, so now they are hellbent on taking out that bitterness on anyone who dares to step outside the mold for the "ideal omega", even more so if those individuals are clearly happy doing what THEY want. Usually, these Karens aren't aware of any of this however, so introspection and therapy are rarely going to help as their protective barrier of entitlement and self-impotance is simply too strong at this point.

Common phrases of the Bitter & Entitled Karen:

"I want to talk to your manager!"

"The HOA rules clearly state that..."

"Don't you KNOW who my husband is????"

"You'll get it when you have children of your own."

"Excuse me, don't you see that my child wants to play with your (valuable personal item, i.e. phone). Give it to them NOW! They're a CHILD! They deserve it MORE!"

"What do you mean you don't sell organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, gmo-free butter here? I want to speak to the owner of this place."

"Speak (language), this is (country), or go back to where you came from!!!"

"My husband knows the mayor. I will have you fired for talking like that to my precious child! They are NOT a bully, they would NEVER do something like that!!! Are you saying I raised MY CHILD badly? Do you even have kids of your OWN?"

"I shouldn't have to WAIT for service, don't you see I have KIDS?"

"Those two alphas shouldn't be holding hands in public, it'll confuse my child"

"My child started saying they're 'transdynamic' or something, I don't accept that kind of stuff in my house so I sent them to a camp to set them right. It was that or moving out at 15."

"No, my husband is never home, he's a BUSY man!"

"I wonder why my children don't talk to me"

Bonus: (Excessive use of a public f*cebook profile where they share increasingly personal details and very misinformed articles and talk about how it's the fault of 5G/gay people/vaccines/etc that their kids refuse to call them on mother's day)

☆

Omega (Ω) Karen, type: "self-centered" (outdated term: "Narcissistic")

This is another type of omega-dynamic Karen, however, this type is less focused on their offspring and the entitlement they feel over being a "good omega wife/partner/husband". They're also less of a traditional Karen in the sense that they'll rarely cause public disturbances that inconvenience others, but they definitely aren't incapable of doing that.

The "self-centered" type (Omega) Karens are usually the children of wealthy, or at least upper middle-class families, but this is not mandatory as they can be found in any and every "class" of society. It's mostly about how they were raised in said families, than the financial background: either very spoiled, or not really paid much attention to and given no rules as a kid. These Karens also tend to be women, though exceptions exist- this is mostly because they've grown up believing themselves to be superior to especially Beta, but also Alpha females. Male omegas of this subtype exist as well, however their sense of superiority often comes from a deep sense of insecurity, and they've adopted the self-centered personality as a defense mechanism against said insecurity.

These Karens are demanding, self-centered, and have a sense of superiority over everyone except maybe people in high positions in society. Almost certainly, they were a "mean girl" or bully at some point in their life, and you can often find these types of Omega Karens going into nursing, child-care, and other traditionally "omega" professions: not because they enjoy it, but rather, because they enjoy the power they have on the people under their care. This is the main difference between this type of Karen and the previous type; These ones tend to use their status as an omega to their advantage, rather than their children/husbands/role as a "model omega wife"/etc like the Bitter one might.

Unlike the more conservatively-minded "Bitter Karen", these "self-centered" Karens are not afraid of break-ups or divorce, and often actually use it as a threat to manipulate their partners. These Karens are less likely to use the "don't you KNOW who my husband is?!?!" Sentence, but will do so if they happen to be dating someone even moderately important (which could mean anything from "the general manager at the local grocery store" to "talked to the mayor's secretary once" to someone ACTUALLY important, such as a CEO or the mayor, etc.) Often, if these Karens end up having children, it's to try to baby trap someone, whether it works or not. They usually don't actually care about their kids at all, but WILL use them as ammo/shield for any criticism the same way a bitter Karen might. These Karens are also more likely to date Betas, unlike the previous type who often believes that an omega should only date an Alpha. The self-centered type Karen often is a more manipulative type, where they'll use others to get their way, while the bitter type tends to demand things more directly. Their goals also tend to be more about themselves than their status or kids, i.e. they may buy themselves luxury items while ignoring their own children's needs.

This Karen is somewhat less likely to fall for Antivaxx/Conspiracy theory stuff than the "bitter" type (however, not immune), but the ones that do usually end up being the especially dangerous "crystal mom" types. These Karens, unlike the Bitter type, still retain their own interests and hobbies, though these hobbies and interests almost always are centered around whatever will increase their status and make them seem more desirable and good. Their sense of "perfection" does not come from being the "perfect omega" as in mother and wife, but rather, being as desirable as possible, usually to alphas, but honestly, even a sufficiently well-off Beta will do. While many Karens of this type could be called gold-diggers who are attempting to climb the ranks of society, this isn't necessarily the case: rather, it's the APPEARANCE of being "better than", that drives them, in whichever social circle they happen to be in. This could mean becoming a recruiter for a MLM scheme, becoming the "leader" of their local crystal mom group on f*cebook that everyone looks up to for advice, posting to social media about going on (fake) luxury trips and about spending (nonexistent) money to induce envy in family members and so on. Basically, these Karens seek power and acceptance/admiration, or at least, the appearance of it- whether that is in the form of wealth, knowledge, or by being the head nurse at the local old folks home. They crave being envied and admired more than they crave actual status, hence why they're prone to exaggerating on social media. Often, this chronic desire for power is a result of growing up as an Omega and feeling powerless because of their status and enviroment- only to eventually realize they can actually use it to gain power. This type of Karen loves to use their scent/pheromones excessively to affect others around them, and doesn't like to be told to control their pheromones. They will claim a disease or state that their pheromones are just naturally strong and act like the victim, if told to reel it in for the sake of others.

**Various people may refer to this type of Karen as "Narcissistic" or "Narcissist", however, having NPD is not a requirement to behave this way, nor does having NPD automatically make anyone behave this way- it's considered offensive to Cluster B Personality Disorder sufferers to refer to these Karens this way, which is why "self-centered" is the appropriate term to use.

Common phrases of the Self-Centered Karen:

"Are you saying I'm a bad person? I did my best! It's not my fault you feel that way!"

"I'm going to break up with you if you don't ...."

"Heyyy girl!! Long time no chat bestie!!! So, I have this business proposal I was wanting to tell you about, ..."

"Umm, what do you mean I need to wear a scent blocker patch here, I'm allergic to the adhesive!!!"

"It can't hurt that much, shut up already. I already gave you paracetamol, just wait for the X-rays, will you? It's probably not even broken, jeez..."

"Umm what do you MEAN my coffee isn't ready, I'm gonna be late for work!!! I'll report you to the branch manager if you don't hurry up!"

(Posts a picture of a [possibly counterfeit] Louis Vuitton/etc expensive brand bag on instagram and facebook with a caption such as "love treating myself a little♡" or "a little gift from my darling😍", clearly trying to one-up someone or cause envy in gheir social circle)

"My pheromones are naturally really strong sorry :'( I caaaaan't do anything about it!"

"You don't know what it's like to raise three kids alone! I'm basically a super-mom! Just ask my kids!" (Forces the Kids to say their mom is their role model)

(Aggressively flirts with any alpha/beta in a nicely pressed suit in the hopes of luring in a lawyer/CEO/rich man)

"SHUT up Jessie, don't you see mommy/daddy's busy talking on the phone to someone? Go to your room already!"

"My Ex was so abusive" (the Ex was actually the victim)

☆

Beta (Β) Karen/Kevin, type: "hateful bigot"

This type of "Karen" is more likely to be of any gender, rather than usually being a woman, hence why Karen/Kevin in the title.

These Karens/Kevins are practically always Betas, however their gender (male/female/other) can be anything. The reason they're called the "Hateful" type is because this type embodies the "Beta that absolutely hates all alphas and omegas" stereotype seen in some works of fiction. Interestingly, this type can be divided further into two subgroups based on their political views- the conservative types have likely grown up in families that have instilled the belief that alphas and omegas are bad for generations, and their ideology tends to be more "alphas in power are always bad and entitled and are only there to make betas suffer and don't deserve their positions" and "omegas are disgusting sex creatures meant for making babies". Meanwhile, the more liberal type tends to mask their hatred of alphas and omegas under the guise of advocating for "equality", while in reality they still share a very similar view- that Alphas should be treated as "lesser than" because their positions of power seem "undeserved" and "gained through nepotism" (regardless of the actual circumstances. They simply believe that Alphas should NEVER be in power, no matter what) to these people. The more liberal subgroup often has less to say about omegas, given they're already often at a social disadvantage, but will occasionally pretend to campaign for "omega rights" as an attempt to have sex with omegas by appearing supportive. (A real-world equivalent would be men that pretend to support feminism in order to try to make themselves seem more progressive and thus desirable for women, even though deep down they don't actually care about feminism at all.)

This type of Karen/Kevin-ness usually forms from a deep-rooted sense of insecurity and inferiority, a belief that as a Beta, they're seen as secondary or unimportant (which, in modern society, is very rarely the actual case), and thus they find themselves hating all Alphas for the power they perceive Alphas to possess, and being disgusted by omegas because of the perceived lecherousness and sexualized idea of the omegas they have. It should be emphasized that this is all born from their personal perception of the world, either through their upbringing or negative personal encounters and/or some unadressed insecurities, and not the actual reality. This type of Kevin/Karen isn't actually all that common, but they do exist.

This type of Karen/Kevin is the type to scoff at or be rude towards workers of Alpha/Omega dynamics, no matter what their position is. An Alpha cashier might get a nasty look and be told they "probably didn't even apply for the job, just got accepted because they're an Alpha" and an Omega construction worker might get a nasty look because "what is that omega doing working a manual labor job, shouldn't they just be at home carrying pups for some shitty alpha, what if they go into heat in the job, also they're probably weaker than any Beta coworker anyway..." -the discrimination can come in any form, and occasionally, these Karens/Kevins can actually end up causing public disturbances just because they happened to have a bad day and took it out on the nearest alpha or omega just trying to do their job or mind their business.

Common Phrases of the Hateful Karen/Kevin:

"Aren't you ashamed? You stink of filthy omega/alpha pheromones, that's disgusting."

"I'll bet that Alpha CEO is a nepo baby who got her position because daddy was another rich Alpha as well"

"That omega celebrity is disgusting, who talks about slick and heats on national tv. They should lose their career."

"I bet you don't even know how to do your job, you just make others do it for you since you're an alpha."

"Why are omegas even allowed to be high school teachers, don't blame anyone but yourself if some young alpha goes into rut and takes it out on you. Your fault for being there as an omega. The alphas are just as bad. Why don't they just separate schools by dynamic, they used to do that back in my day..."

"Of course I support omega rights! It's so awful how much discrimination you guys face, honestly, it makes me feel so sad. Oh, by the way, I really like your scent, do you wanna hang out some time ;)?"

"Jeez, you work retail and can't even do your job right? I always knew Alphas were useless, and still get so much favouritism. I don't care if its your first day, you should know how to (do a difficult job task) already"

"Honestly I think we should just send all Alphas and Omegas to live on some isolated islands together. The society would be so much better with only Betas around."

☆

Alpha (Α) Karen/Kevin, type: "superiority complex"

This (almost always Alpha) Karen/Kevin is, unfortunately, like fuel to the fire of the "hateful bigot" beta Karens/Kevins. They share some similarities to the "alpha alpha-males" mentioned in the post linked at the beginning of this one, however, they're not exactly the same.

These Karens/Kevins come in a variety of different flavours and convictions, in the sense that some of them are flat out alpha supremacists, while some of them simply have this internalized belief of superiority that they aren't necessarily aware of, resulting in micro-aggressions and shitty behavior, but not necessarily flat out discrimination towards the other dynamics. This type is common for some specific families, who have a belief that they should try to keep their "Alpha Blood" pure by only having children with other Alphas- in some cultures this is a remnant of historical social structures and often specifically something family elders believe in. In other cultures, it's more of an individual family belief, where at some point it has simply become a custom because Alpha children were seen as more desirable and valuable (be it for labour at farms, for more education possibilities, etc) and thus marriage between female and male alphas was the encouraged pairing. Any beta or omega offspring would often get treated unfairly in families like this, and often, especially the male alphas of the family, would almost always go into the same profession (for example, lawyer, law enforcement, doctor, business, etc).

On the more severe end of the superiority complex karen/kevin spectrum, there are Alphas who genuinely believe Omegas should not work at all and that Betas are below Alphas in terms of rank and thus should obey whatever the Alphas demand. On the less severe end of the same spectrum, there are Alphas who don't necessarily consciously discriminate, but will make insensitive jokes, behave inappropriately towards omegas in work enviroments believing that the Omegas must like it or expect it since they're working there, and not really understanding why anyone thinks its a problem if an Alpha CEO favours hiring alphas, especially their own family member alphas, as the higher-up staff.

While this type is rarely a public menace, they share some similarities with "alpha male" alphas in the sense that they may harass omegas in public, though they'll often be a bit less trashy than your standard "alpha male guy"- these karens/kevins aren't too likely to catcall or yell obscenities at omegas who refuse to pay attention. Rather, these Karens/Kevins might interpret a customer service smile from an omega barista at the coffee shop as an invitation to keep coming back and being uncomfortably flirty with that specific barista even after they have expressed that they're simply doing their job. They may also be the type to stand uncomfortably close to omega coworkers and make belittling comments, for example questioning an omega's ability to perform a task as well as a beta or alpha, or recommending only menial tasks far below their skill levels to omegas working with them.

This specific type is actually more often a Kevin than a Karen, however both exist in fairly equal numbers.

Common Phrases of the "Superiority Complex" Karen/Kevin:

"You sure you can handle that, cutie? Isn't that something better suited for a Beta or an Alpha?"

"You're really smart/strong/etc for an Omega"

"I don't know if we can hire you, you're at that age where you'll probably start having pups soon and you'd have to miss work a lot because of them... maybe you can apply for something part-time instead? Or maybe your partner can just take care of you, you focus on delivering those healthy pups and being a good parent!"

"Well aren't you a cute omega, working in customer service like that! The regulars here must be coming back just to see you! I see why they hired you, must be great for the business to have a cute face like yours here!"

"Honestly, I don't really get why omegas wanna work so bad. They'll just end up having pups and being stay-at-home-parents eventually anyway?"

"Sorry, we don't hire omegas for positions like these, they're too demanding"

"You know, I could consider giving you a raise, in exchange for something you could do for me... of course, no pressure, but do consider it"

Note: these are just the more dynamic-specific ones I headcanon to exist- there are WAY more different kinds of Karens and Kevins than just these, I just wanted to come up with a few examples of my own of types that could be more prevalent in specific dynamics. You can see a lot of traditional/real-world sexism reflected in these specific tropes since it's something Omegaverse can often explore in different interesting ways, and I didn't go into a lot of detail since the post is already long. Feel free to add your own karen/kevin type headcanons, commentary, or observations in the reblogs/replies!!

[teapot-tyrant]

Stupid twst OC drabble that I haven't proofread based on a post I saw about what if Yuu is just experiencing the story of TWST like in the "Lost in the Book" events.

Have fun, I guess.

"And then what happened?" A young boy asked, curiously tilting his head to the side.

"Calm down, Kevin! I'm getting there." Yuna replied, patting the young boy's head as she looked around the room.

It had been a habit for her, telling her younger brother a story that had been going on for weeks, if not months by now.

"I know," the boy pouted. "But I hafta know what happened while the maid girl was fighting the... Um... Death people!"

"You mean the Brothers of the River Styx?"

"Yeah! Them!"

"Ok. Well then... The Maiden was fighting alongside three other heroes: the Eccentric Archer, the Gutsy Squire, and the Beautiful Prince..."

She didn't really remember where she got the idea from, but Kevin seemed to enjoy the story as she mused.

"Wait, Yuyu! Isn't that Prince guy the guy the Maiden beat up real good a few days ago?"

"Yeah, it is! I'm glad you remembered, hehe... It wasn't the Maiden who beat him up though, it was her dear friend, the Loyal Spadesman, who dealt the finishing blow."

"Ah... But wait- why isn't he or the other one here again?"

The characters in her story were all the same, though there were many of them. As far as Yuna could tell, the only one based on anyone she knew was the Lost Maiden, the protagonist of the story she told... And yet, she had come to tell of the exploits of most of the other characters in such great detail that one could've sworn she had known them in real life.

"Well, I guess a little recap couldn't hurt too badly... Ok so back before the Maiden traveled to the Underworld, there was to be a celebration of sorts. You know, for the music festival that the Maiden and her companions had taken part in..."

'Perhaps it's all just wish fulfillment...' Yuna thought as she recounted the exploits of the heroes in her story.

After all, she never really had many friends growing up... Of course that just led her to wonder why none of her friends that WERE around never seemed to play a role in the story... The only other character who may have been based on someone she really knew was the Maiden's foolish, but loyal feline companion. The family cat, affectionately called Goyle, was a mischievous thing, after all... But yet, it didn't feel right to call the cat a parallel to the character. Something Yuna just couldn't place.

"Oh! So that's why they aren't there right now... I'm sure the Maiden is really sad about that, huh?" Kevin asked, his bright eyes shining in the dim bedroom.

"I think she would be, yeah," Yuna replied. "Especially with her companion being taken away from her on top of it all! You know, she loves all of her friends very much... I know I'd be very upset if I were in her shoes..."

Five years ago, Yuna ran away from home.

On one of the few nights she had spent in those dark, eerie woods, Yuna had had the strangest dream. She didn't remember much of it, if any of it at all, but when she woke up, it was as though she had wasted the last year or so in a slump. It caused something in her to click, and she ran home immediately, sobbing in apology to her mother who had been beside herself with worry.

The only part she did remember, though, was a part when she fought a ferocious beast alongside some strange hooded figures who all seemed to know her by name.

The oddest part, though, was not that she did not remember such a fantastic dream, nor was it the part she did recall, but rather that she woke up with a polaroid that she couldn't remember taking...

In fact, before that morning, Yuna had never had an interest in photography in the slightest. For the past five years, that strange picture hung precariously above her desk, the origin forever unknown.

Sometimes, the faces in the photo haunted her... Familiar, friendly, but somehow no one she knew.

Perhaps they were the faces of her heroes? That's what she wanted to think, at least, and that was the way she told the story as well.

None of them had names, at least, not that Yuna could recall, but she couldn't help but feel an inexplicable connection to some of the boys in the photo.

Her favorites were the two positioned front and center in the picture, those who would be the closest to the photographer.

They were just two teenage boys, likely the same age Yuna would have been at the time she found the photo, and yet their appearances struck her as distinct compared to the peers she had grown up with.

One of them was lanky and a bit muscular, with a head of midnight blue hair, or maybe it was black and just looked that way in the light. The boy's striking blue eyes were something that always drew Yuna's attention and she couldn't help but wonder what the young man behind the photograph was like... She decided, though, that he seemed kind, but was probably not all that bright. In the end, when she began her story, the blue-haired boy was designated as "The Loyal Spadesman", on account of the fact that he had a spade painted by his right eye.

The other was a bit shorter and broader than the first, with a shock of red hair and a pair of eyes to match, perpetually gleaming with mischief. His ruby gaze was locked straight towards the camera, a playful grin etched across his face in a way that it made Yuna almost feel nostalgic, despite not remembering anyone with such a look. He had a large red heart painted by his left eye, opposite to the Spadesman, and Yuna had deemed him "The Ace", though she wasn't quite sure where the name had come from, compared to the other.

"I know I'd be upset if I were the Maiden..." Kevin mumbled. "I mean... She was so happy with her friends and then they got beat up real badly right in front of her! And then she felt so sad about it and went with the weird hunter guy and the squirrel Guy"

Yuna laughed softly.

"'Squirrel'? I think you mean 'Squire', right?"

"Yeah him!"

"Maybe it's for the best that you're not the Maiden, hehe. I think the Squire would be quite peeved if you called him a Squirrel. He never seemed like- no... He doesn't seem like one for being compared to things that are cute like that"

"Hmmm... Maybe! But I dunno... Oh yeah!!! They were in the under place!"

"Ok, the Underworld, right. So in the Underworld, there were these three spears that secretly belonged to Zeus, and the Maiden's team and the other groups of heroes that were there had set out to find them, since they were the only thing that could stop the Brothers..."

It was sad, sometimes.

Yuna would never admit it, but every once in a while, she would catch herself off guard while she told the story, and a pang of guilt would flow through her, like she was somehow forgetting something important.

Sure "The Maiden" was simply a recreation of herself into this setting, but she couldn't help but wonder if maybe there was some kind of other world- a world where this version of herself truly existed.

Maybe she was friends with the different heroes in the story.

Maybe she would tell stories like this with a grand smile and a flourish, but to heroes from another land instead of her baby brother.

Maybe she could look at that photograph pinned precariously on her wall and recite the names of every single boy in the picture and tell you everything you needed to know about them.

"And so, the Prince, the Archer, the Squire, and the Maiden all drew upon their strength and aimed the spear at the titan before them and let it fire freely, felling the monstrous creature and opening the path towards the Brothers of the River Styx, so that the group could save the Maiden's Companion and stop the Brothers once and for all..."

It was a nice thought, but ultimately pointless. She was never really one to stand out in a crowd, nor was she ever really popular with anyone in general, let alone such a large group of boys.

She still wondered, though, if whoever the people in the photo were would be proud of her, but would quickly shake away the thought.

"Aww... You're gonna leave it like that?! But I wanna know if she actually saves her friend or not!" Kevin pouted, as Yuna stood up and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Maybe we'll find out what happens to the Maiden tomorrow night," She reassured him, "but for now, I think it's time you get some sleep, ok kiddo?"

"But I'm not tired," Kevin said, stifling a yawn as Yuna carefully tucked him in. "I can still... Listen..." He mumbled as Yuna moved to flip off the light switch.

"Don't worry, Kev. I'll make sure that you learn everything you wanna know soon, ok?"

"...ok.. gnight Yuyu..."

"Goodnight, Kevin. Sweet dreams." She said quietly as she closed the door behind her.

It was a foolish notion. It would mean those people had to have somehow known who she was, but she knew that couldn't have ever been the case.

After all, Yuna Sid was a total nobody, and that was to be her defining legacy. A young maiden, forever lost to all but the few who knew her.

[starsandgutters]

wip wednesday: kevin!cowboy x aaron!doctor..... please?

I think you may have me confused for someone else, because I’ve never written anything like this 😃 definitely not one of my WIPs hahaha

Coincidentally though, I am skipping WIP Wednesday this week to do flash fic requests instead - so I did write you a little something 😌

I don’t really engage with anything Western themed & I don’t really write in historical settings, so just ignore any historical inaccuracies, mmmkaythanksx

CWs: Lot of blood mentions & probably dodgy medicine practices lmao Implied racism 😔 and background colonialism

Aaron sees Kevin ride up from the window of his practice and knows immediately something is wrong. Kevin usually has great posture on his horse. When he rides, it is like they become one creature, moving together with grace and understanding, set always to the same purpose. Right now he’s slumped down against Xanthus’ back, one arm looped around his neck. Aaron can’t see the other one as it’s on the side of the horse facing away from him. He gets to his feet and is out the door before Kevin even reaches him.

“What happened?” Aaron’s eyes skim over Kevin. He’s soaked with sweat, hair sticking to his forehead, his breathing weak and shaky. 

“Got shot,” Kevin says, and Aaron feels like all the blood has just drained out of his own body. Somehow, despite Kevin having over a foot on him, Aaron manages to get him off the horse and haul him into his practice. “Xanthus.”

“He won’t go anywhere without you.”

“Might. Needs tied.”

“Oh for fuck sake.” Aaron leaves Kevin to slump down into a chair and jogs back out to the horse. Xanthus is a tall and prideful creature, and he is distrustful of most people who are not Kevin, but he had taken a liking to Aaron relatively quickly. Kevin had hated this to start with, but eventually he noted that Xanthus had just been ahead of him in that. Fuckin’ sap. Aaron holds his hand out and the horse steps closer. He takes the reins and ties him up against the post outside. Usually he’d take more time to make sure he’s comfortable, but Kevin may be currently bleeding out on Aaron’s floor, so he takes priority right now.

“Can you get up on the table?”

“Dunno. Head spinning.”

“Yeah, fuckin’ wonder why, dipshit. Were you duelling again? I told you that would end badly.”

“No. Bandits. Attacking Finn’s settlement. Wanted to scare them off. Got me though.”

Aaron softens at that. It’s not often Kevin gets involved in other people's business, so for him to step in as someone’s defence is a bold move indeed. While most people in the town are distrustful of the Natives - an attitude Aaron finds ironic, considering they’re the ones encroaching on their land - Aaron has fostered a solid relationship with them. They have the best herbs and medicinal plants, and they know cures and practices that he didn’t learn in his studies. In return he trades them different foodstuffs, medicine, or supplies from stores in town. Finn is the one he interacts with the most, and Aaron would be devastated if anything happened to them.

He’ll be more devastated if Kevin dies though. 

“Let’s try. Get this shirt off first. Kevin. Can you move your arms? I’ll have to cut it off otherwise.”

“Do it. Ruined anyway.” Kevin moves his hand, and Aaron can see the hole in the shirt, the blood still coming steadily, but sticking Kevin’s shirt to his skin where some of it has started to dry out. Aaron doesn’t have time. He slices the buttons open and slides it off one of Kevin’s arms, then down the other. He tries to pry it away from the wound as gently as possible, but Kevin still hisses in pain.

“This is going to fuckin’ suck,” Aaron says. He leaves Kevin to retrieve a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. “Take a good long drink of that.”

Aaron has to hold it to his lips, but Kevin doesn’t need told twice. He gulps at the bottle, brow furrowing and nose scrunching up. Aaron draws it back when he thinks Kevin has had enough, ignoring his whine of protest. 

“Table. C’mon.” Once again Aaron heaves Kevin up. This time it is all bare skin pressed to him, but Aaron is too focused to be distracted by that right now. Kevin is always so warm, but his skin feels clammy beneath Aaron’s touch. It’s not a good sign. With some struggle from both of them, he manages to get Kevin lying on his table. Kevin’s been putting pressure on the wound again, but Aaron eases his hand away. 

“Bullets still lodged in there. Probably a good thing, it’s been stifling the blood flow. You’d probably have bled out by now if it were just an open wound.”

“Might still.”

“Shut the fuck up. You’re not allowed to die on me, y’hear? Don’t even fuckin’ think of it.”

“Kiss me. In case I do.”

“You’re not going to.”

“Kiss me anyway.”

Aaron doesn’t really have time to indulge Kevin, but there’s a bone deep terror running through him that he might lose him. Even if he gets the bullet out and wound stitched, it’ll be susceptible to infection for weeks, and trying to keep Kevin in bed resting is a nightmare. He has no regard for his wounds once they’re no longer an active threat to him. If something does happen, Aaron will forever feel like an asshole for not serving his final wish, so he leans down over him.

Kevin’s hand lifts to Aaron’s cheek as their lips slot together. His fingers are trembling. Even his lips feel cold, weak beneath Aaron’s, no real pressure on Kevin’s side of the kiss. Aaron lets it linger sweetly for a few moments, then he draws away. He pushes Kevin’s hair back from his forehead and drops a quick kiss there before focusing back in on the task at hand. 

Kevin has an impressively high pain tolerance, but there’s no delicate way to remove a bullet from inside someone without a fuck load of pain. Kevin screams. Hoarse and desperate, trying to muffle it ineffectually against his forearm. Aaron is not used to him expressing pain so evidently. It makes him ache to his core, but he has no room for sympathy. Tenderness will not save Kevin right now. Efficiency and speed will. Finally he pulls the bullet free of the skin, dropping it aside. He applies more pressure to the wound until the fresh flow of blood slows again, and then he goes about stitching Kevin up.

“Motherfucker.”

“This is the last bit. Just gotta finish stitching you up and I’m done.”

Kevin whimpers pitifully, tilting his head away from Aaron, only to immediately turn back. He can’t hold his eyes fully open, but he keeps forcing them partially open so he can watch Aaron. Not what he’s doing, but Aaron himself, eyes set on his face. Aaron clenches his teeth and does not take his eyes off his stitching until he’s done. 

“You’re staying here until I’m happy you’re healing.”

“It’s hardly gonna do favours to your business if folks find you harbouring a wanted man.”

“You can stay in my room. Not the patient room.”

“If I had known getting shot was all it takes to get in your bed, I’d have done it months ago.”

Aaron glares at Kevin, unimpressed. 

“You’re downstairs for tonight though. I don’t think I’d get you upstairs in this state.”

“You’ll stay with me?”

“Yeah, Kev. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

This is not technically true. Once Aaron has Kevin cleaned off, glaring at his suggestive comments about sponge baths, and settled into the patient bed, he has to go find somewhere more comfortable and inconspicuous for Xanthus. It takes Aaron some effort to mount him due to the sheer height, but he rides him out to Nicky and Erik’s ranch. He brings Hippocrates along in tow, so he can get back to Kevin as quickly as possible. Andrew is sitting on the porch smoking. The only shift of his expression when he sees Aaron on such a beast of a horse is to raise his eyebrows.

“I need you to keep this horse for a while, I don’t know how long yet, and don’t let anyone see him.”

Andrew’s brows stay raised. He tilts his head fractionally to the left. He looks at the blood on Aaron’s clothes. Kevin’s blood. He left in such a rush he didn’t even realise it was staining him. Aaron lets a touch of pleading soak into his tone: “Andrew.”

“You’ll explain?”

“Eventually.”

Aaron dismounts Xanthus at the stables, pressing his forehead against the front of his snout. Xanthus whinnies, his tail flicking, agitated.

“I know. I’m going to take care of him, but you have to stay here for a while. My brother will make sure you’re okay.” Aaron pats the side of Xanthus’ face as he turns to look at Andrew. “He can be a bit difficult. He’s a biter and a kicker sometimes, but be gentle with him. He’s just wary.”

Andrew nods, eyes sliding across to the horse. Xanthus looks back at him, but when Aaron moves, he gives another whinny and tries to follow.

“No. You have to stay.” Aaron pats him again, then quickly makes his way out to Hippocrates. His horse is smaller, and much easier for him to climb up onto. He looks back at Andrew, giving him a nod of appreciation. Andrew raises two fingers to his forehead, giving Aaron a lazy salute. Aaron prompts Hippocrates forward, building speed until he is cantering back. 

He quickly gets Hippocrates settled in the small stable at the back of his practice, giving him fresh water and rewarding him with an apple. His first stop once he enters the building is to wash his hands thoroughly, not wanting to risk Kevin getting an infection. Kevin’s asleep when Aaron enters the room, but it’s a fitful rest, his head turning as he mumbles incoherent nonsense. He’s still coated in a cold sweat. When Aaron draws the blanket down to look at his wound, he starts awake.

“It’s just me. No abrupt movements. You don’t want to pull on your stitches.” Aaron tops up the salve he had layered over the wound. It will hopefully help ward off any infections. That’s Aaron’s biggest concern now. He washes his hands again when he’s done, then fixes the blanket over Kevin. Kevin takes a hold of his wrist.

“Stay now?”

Aaron nods. He fills a glass with water and props Kevin’s head up on his arm, holding the glass to his mouth to help him drink. He presses a hand to Kevin’s damp forehead, frowning. Kevin is shivering. Aaron starts to remove his clothes. 

“As big a fan as I am of this development, not sure I’m up for much tonight.”

“Shut up. You’re cold. Body heat is the most effective way to warm you up.” Aaron slips into the bed on the opposite side from Kevin’s wound. He eases himself down gently, trying not to jostle Kevin or take up too much space. Kevin takes no such care, immediately turning towards Aaron, hissing even as he moves as it pulls on his stitches.

“Dumbass. I told you to stay put.” Aaron slides his arm under Kevin’s neck. His other hand rubs over Kevin’s bicep. Kevin is looking at him with a softer expression than Aaron is used to seeing on his face. He must be bleary from the bloodloss. He presses forward, and Aaron moves to meet him in a gentle kiss. Kevin sighs against his mouth. Aaron guides his head down to his shoulder, running his fingers through Kevin’s hair. 

“Thank you for saving me, Doctor Minyard.”

“Kind of my job,” Aaron says, though they both know there are plenty of doctors who would then Kevin away, or leave him to bleed out so they can claim the bounty on his head. Dead or alive. Easier to hand in a dead man. Aaron tightens his hold around Kevin at the thought. “Remember you’re not allowed to die.”

“It would take more than a bullet to keep me from you,” Kevin whispers, and presses a kiss over Aaron’s heart. 

[peaceoutofthepieces]

hi!! it's the kevjean anon again. i have to say that i looove the way you write them and also i'm STARVING from the lack of kevjean content lately so i'd like to request one more thing if that's ok :) now this may be more challenging but would you consider writing these two with 5 (romantic kiss) from the kiss prompts? i'm fully aware that they probably could never have a healthy relationship in canon after everything, but i'm delusional and i love them and i also need to see them heal together :( once again thank you and have a wonderful day!

i thought we might want a kiss, but was unsure for the last prompt, so thank you for entrusting me and coming back!

i have always been a jerejean truther at heart on the romance front, but i see the vision. and just for you dear anon, i'll do my best

5. Romantic (Tender) Kiss

Jean is no stranger to darkness. The Nest had taught him why the darkness is to be feared, but that it cannot be ignored—only endured. It's impossible to avoid entirely, so one does what one can to survive it. Most will seek out a source of light, and cling to it. The scariest nights, after all, are those without stars.

Jean had known, from the beginning, that Kevin Day was always supposed to be a star. The number on his cheek meant nothing. In Jean's eyes, as in so many others, Kevin outshone all his surroundings. Even in the darkest hour, his light remained, a twinkling spark, indestructible and guiding. Darkness followed Jean like a shadow, covered him like a blanket, and should have swallowed him whole and snuffed him out long ago.

But the brightest star had shone its light on him, and he had endured.

But a star was not meant to be touched; a star could not belong to a person. It followed its own trajectory, and it burned if it came too close. Stars only shone from afar, and were only meant to be admired as such. Jean should have known he could not hold onto one for long.

Still, no one could ignore the sudden absence of a light in the sky. Anyone would feel its effects, and would shrink under the growing darkness.

This is what Jean told himself; this is how Jean endured.

At first, he felt robbed. Surely, a star that had been snuffed out would be easier to hold onto. Then, he felt comforted, to see that Kevin had not been—that he shone as brightly as ever, if not brighter. He had been made all the more untouchable, and then, Jean found acceptance. A star never shone for only one person; like everything else in the universe, it drifted.

But like everything else in the universe, stars eventually cycle back to where they began.

Jean had not expected his star to return, but it does.

And slowly, light flickers back into Jean's life.

Slowly, Kevin comes back around, and when the distance between them closes again, Jean burns anew.

This time, he does not have to worry about holding on; Kevin takes hold of him, and brings Jean into his orbit himself.

Now, in the dark, light draws closer to Jean than ever, and he can not bring himself to feel afraid.

Kevin's weight next to his is a comfort—another thing Jean did not expect, but does not wish to question. He takes what he is given greedily, without resistance, as if he himself is the darkness, endless and endlessly waiting for a flicker of light to give him some spark of life. And what better to light him up than this star, endlessly shining?

"What are you thinking of?" Kevin asks him, in gentle, perfect French, his gentle, perfect touch lighting on Jean's temple.

"You," Jean answers, truthful and unashamed, "as always."

Once, that might have made Kevin worry; once, that would have held the beginnings of a fight, the spark all in Jean's tone, ready to blow them to pieces once set alight. Now, it holds nothing but contentment, and a faint flicker of surprise at the feeling that Jean doubts will ever leave him.

Now, Kevin smiles, a gleam of light in the night. Jean arches towards it like a bud eager to bloom. Kevin's fingers slip from his temple into his hair, tracing lines of fire along Jean's scalp. The heat draws Jean in. He presses close, using the arm already wound around Kevin's waist as leverage, to slip a leg between Kevin's and press his face to Kevin's neck. His lips brush Kevin's skin, and Kevin's hand tightens in his hair. Only when Kevin makes a soft, encouraging noise does Jean allow himself to kiss him there, careful and tender. Kevin's throat works under his lips, and Jean draws back, his chest tight.

Kevin senses the darkness encroaching and adjusts accordingly, diminishing it before it can take hold. He cups Jean's face in his hand and brings him back into the safety of his molecular cloud, the two of them in their own orbit. Their breaths mingle, and the taste of air loosens Jean's chest before Kevin kisses him.

Kevin's lips are soft, and Jean has grown used to the way they move. He has learned the shape of them, all their curves and contours.

He is still adjusting to how light it makes him feel.

It is in moments like this that Jean wonders if he has always underestimated Kevin. Kevin, when he kisses him, feels much more powerful than a star. He is the God that created them to begin with; he is admired in the form of worship, and Jean's are the prayers he has chosen to answer.

"You," Jean murmurs again, nonsensical to anyone but himself, but the only answer he has.

send me a number + ship

[jtl-fics]

For Want of a Nail

New Kings If Neil hadn't gone to Hernandez's house? (@stabbyfoxandrew)

New Kings AU | Unusual Fic Asks - Closed

Andrew felt like he was going to crawl out of his skin. It'd been a month and a half since anyone had heard anything from Neil Josten. Neil Josten may not even exist anymore but everyone was telling him to be calm, telling him to wait.

He snapped at the upperclassmen who did not matter and drew his knives more than once just to make them shut the fuck up. He wants to leave, wants to head out and start tracking down clues to find Neil and bring him back.

If he has to go to jail then he'll go to jail. It's never scared him before and it's not about to scare him now. He is more than happy to be Neil's trophy husband this time around when he gets out.

He makes plans to leave in the dead of night. He writes letters to Aaron, Kevin, Nicky, Wymack, and Betsy to explain himself but in the end that's the only kindness he can give them.

Neil had long been the highest thing on his totem poll. He has no idea what it would take to have someone come above Neil or to have Neil's importance to him wane.

He has plans to lock himself in a storage unit he's rented that is temperature controlled and remote so no one will hear him screaming for his medication. He can't be going through withdrawal on the meds.

He leaves the Tower in the dead of night and makes his way over to his GS having already started to come off of his medication slightly so that he'd be sober enough to drive out of town.

"Where are you going? It's not safe for you to drive." comes a voice and oh great he's hallucinating Neil. It was something he'd often done back at East Haven, his perfect pipedream always just out of reach.

"I'm going to go get you. I'm sober for the next hour before the effects start to hit." he returns with a roll of his eyes.

"Get me?" his hallucination asks. Andrew doesn't want to turn and look into Neil's young face. He's not sure he can handle seeing it.

"You ran off before Wymack, Kevin, and I could get you." Andrew scrubs a hand through his hair wondering why he's talking to this figment of his withdrawal. Except he knows why and that reason why is that he misses Neil desperately.

"Andrew...are you..." he hears the figment of his imagination trail off and then footsteps and then-

His hallucinations have never been able to actually touch him.

He whips around and there standing in the parking lot at 3 AM is a young and exhausted looking Neil Josten. Andrew's hands shoot up to cup Neil's face and he is alive and warm under his fingertips.

"Drew, it's you." Neil says with a watery smile and that was all he managed to get out before he pitched forward and utterly collapsed into Andrew's arms.

"Neil?" Andrew questions before realizing that Neil had truly lost consciousness, he can feel Neil's forehead burning against his shoulder where it lay"Neil!" he exclaims and gets a proper arm around Neil before he falls to the ground. He manages to get the passenger door to the GS open and puts Neil inside before rushing around to the other side.

Abby's old address in mind he twisted the key and started her up. Stomach churning as he broke speed limits and ran lights.

[theratking21]

Ladies and Gentlemen, i give you an AU that i *may* work on a Spooky Month AU!! called... Doctor Skidstein Files! Do not read further if you do not like death or whatever else in the lore

Story: Its a Halloween night, the two children are off to get candy they plan to bug Kevin to give them candy. Skid offers to ride with the free candy guy…but Pump tells that the priest doesn't want them near him, So they decided to cross the road while Skid had arrived at the other side and waited for Pump… right after Skid faces Pump…he saw a car driving drunkenly he tried to warn Pump but it was far too late. The people rushed to the poor child and called the hospital, Skid stared at the scene with horror… he ran toward Pump trying to make him wake up…he yelled at him to get up…to give him some sort of sign of life…A Kevin saw the sight and rushed over… "Oh my god…hes…hes Dead…"

The words echoed through his head…repeating over and over again… why? why did this have to happen? its…its unfair…

Years Later… Skid is a almost an adult…its been years since his best friend's death… it wasn't the same without Pump…he wouldn't forgive himself… he couldn't stand all the loneliness…then an idea…its something he should of thought of a long time ago. Skid walked toward the graveyard…the rain pitter pattered over his face soaking his skeleton costume, he stared at the grave of his old friend…a fate that shouldn't have happened… it wasn't fair…but he didn't care about fairness or what people thought about his plan. Pump was like a brother to him… Skid began to dig at the grave, and pulls out the coffin…lifting the casing… Skid almost felt sick…the painful memory of Pump's lifeless eyes staring back…the nightmares of Pump haunting him like a plague. Thunder crackles as Skid hesitates for a moment…before finally taking him to his house…he had to be careful due to people might be awake still. As he walked through the storm…he thought about his childhood…the thoughts of the car…the thoughts of missing his dear friend…the nightmares…maybe he can find out who is behind this… and make them pay for what they did. Skid entered his home and headed to the shed, in it he had secretly made a lab since his mom was busy with work he strapped Pump on the table and he carefully opened the costume…he was still small, but he can fix that no problem he started to removing his stubby legs with somewhat longer legs, and did the same with the other arms. He takes a breath and he started to resize his costume and making sure its just the right size he never wanted to remove that pumpkin mask…the face alone will haunt him…but that isn't his concern now, his mission is almost complete all he had to do was get ready to pull that lever to revive his heart the storm was very wild today…this is his chance…his only chance… he lifted the lifeless Pump next to the opening of the roof, the plan was basic once the lighting strikes the metal, he will pull the lever and bring Pump right back to life. After the lighting struck the metal part of the shed and travelled down and began to shock the body, Skid pulled the lever down activating the machine hoping that this will work… After it was done, he brought down Pump…he was hopeful to see his friend back to life! Pump's eyes shot open and he sat up. "He's…alive! he's alive!" Skid celebrated to himself.. .he did it, he actually done it! He's back to life! He wonders… Will he be like his old self…?

[baronetcoins]

So. The US has a speaker of the house(*). If you've seen the memes floating around for the past few days, you might find yourself wondering: how did that happen? Buckle in folks, this was a bit of a ride.

(*) for now

When we last left our... main characters, Kevin McCarthy had failed an 11th ballot to be elected speaker, down 20 Republican votes when he could afford a maximum of five defectors. The house then voted to adjourn until 12 eastern time on January 6th. Overnight, some deals happened, because for the first time since day 1 there was a significant movement in votes. Round 12 saw 14 of the representatives who had previously been defectors voted for McCarthy—not enough to give him the speakership (lmao, imagine?), but enough to prove his chances of victory weren't entirely dead. Important for later, three representatives were absent—Ken Buck (R-Colorado), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), and David Trone (D-Maryland).

Round 13 went much the same in actual voter count, with one more of the never-Kevins peeling off to vote for McCarthy, though it was the first round in which there was not another republican candidate formally nominated. Trone came out of his voluntary surgery to vote for Hakeem Jeffries, and there was a motion to adjourn so the republican caucus could continue haggling, which passed. Setting the house up to reconvene at 10 pm eastern time, and some of the most dramatic hours we've seen in this whole glorious train wreck.

Signs suggested Kevin was feeling good—when asked why he felt confident he had the votes to clinch this, he responded "because I count." Two of the more notorious never-Kevins (Boebert and Gaetz) seemed open to negotiating. The press reported Buck and Hunt would be returning for the evening vote. A cart loaded with giant boxes of Five Guys burgers rolled into the speaker's office.

The hours pass. 10 pm rolls around, and the air is thick with anticipation. The house chaplain offers a prayer in which she suggests the gridlock may finally be over. Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina) gives a nominating speech for McCarthy with not one but two jokes that fell extraordinarily flat, all the while wearing a bow tie.

Now, the votes for speaker are conducted as roll call votes. The poor, probably underpaid, long-suffering house clerk reads off the name of each representative in alphabetical order, then goes through a second time calling the name of any representative who didn't vote the first time. This takes... a while, but what it means is that when you know who's vote to watch, you spend a while in anticipation of that person's name being called, listening to the alphabet.

The other thing to understand, as this gets deep into the weeds, is a little more of the nuts and bolts of how the count works. The speaker of the house is elected by a majority of the votes cast—that is to say, the number of representatives-elect who vote for a name instead of not voting or voting present, divided by half, plus one.

M = [ (# reps elect - # of reps elect not voting - # of reps elect voting present)/2 ] + 1

The US House, while normally filled with 435 reps, currently has 434, due to one death. 212 of those are democrats, the remainder are republicans. If all 434 vote, the threshold for a majority is 218 (434/2, +1). If, say, two members vote present and everyone else votes, the threshold is 217.

The remaining detractors were Biggs, Boebert, Crane, Gaetz, Good, and Rosendale. Biggs, first on the list, voted for a non-Kevin guy, Jordan. Boebert, second in line, voted present. This was a difference that got audible applause from the chamber. For one brief, beautiful, shining moment, it seemed like we might have a resolution. And then Crane votes for Biggs, which. Fine. Kevin can spare a few losses. And then, Gaetz doesn't. vote. Not voting present, which is a different thing. He just lets the first round skip him. Good votes for Jordan. Rosendale votes for Biggs. At which point, the math is as follows. 434 congresspeople, 432 votes, 217 to win. McCarthy has 216 votes. It all comes down to Gaetz: if he votes for McCarthy, Kevin wins. Anything else, and we're doing this again.

Gaetz. Votes. Present.

At first, this gets cheers and claps. And I look at my mom, who's watching the vote with me, and wonder "what the fuck?" The reaction makes me doubt my math. The floor is in chaos. Pretty quickly, it seems people realize that McCarthy is not, in fact, speaker of the house. Kevin runs back towards Gaetz and starts "negotiating" (fig 1)

Fig. 1: things get heated

A democrat heckles from the distance, yelling "On your knees!" To Kevin as he approached Gaetz. There are calls for order. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, has to be physically dragged away from Gaetz (fig 2)

Fig. 2: lol, and furthermore, lmao

All this, followed by a motion to adjourn until Monday that at first appears to be successful, until Kevin runs to the front to tell members to change their votes. It appears a deal has been struck—and ballot 15 proves it. All the remaining holdouts vote present, lowering the threshold to 215, and allowing Kevin's 216 votes to take him over the line. Truly, our long national nightmare has come to a middle.

What does this mean? Probably bad things. The rules package and committee assignments are yet to be formalized (that'll come on Monday), but expect the house ""freedom"" caucus to be more or less running the show (*) (*pending a long and bloody battle over the rules, which is, IMO, still on the table).

I could go through the speeches, but it's 2:30 am and I've got a flight tomorrow so I would literally Rather Perish so instead, to conclude, i'll leave you with this.

(3: source)

[asherlockstudy]

So, the journey was more about them (not the chicken). 👀

Of course.

I am gonna analyze the video here and... well... I have reasons that make me feel and think strongly about it and this may be evident in this post. Sometimes I might get a little judgy, a little confrontational... just fyi.

I have this feeling now, I feel vindicated, not so much about this video being obviously once more about their journey towards coming out but instead because I am vindicated in that they WANT people to pick up on their hints and some "brightbrains" who say "don't assume blah blah blah" are actually working AGAINST what Rhett and Link are trying to achieve right now. They are making their job HARDER. I will talk about it in a minute. Let's analyze this.

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD

So they get to pick from four chickens in specific, they intentionally asked for four. My assumption is them and the wives, because obviously here we do not have just the issue of the sexuality, we also have the issue of what happens next with the marriages. It's not just a sexuality coming out, it's likely a coming out from two marriages, very well established situations, which makes it much harder overall under the public spotlights. (If someone gets hives at the implication that they will not come out together just because they get hard when they watch a Kevin Costner movie next to their beloved wives, well, it's not my problem. Perhaps stop reading at this point. What is going on is not just a label issue.)

The chicken was used as an allegory of a scared, even cowardly individual. Rhett says the initial idea was to give them names based on personalities (which strengthens the argument they were symbolizing four particular individuals) but kinda gave up on it and they named them Chloe, Lucy, Birdie and Drumstick. Chloe - short for Cloaca - is Link, she's the most eager one, Link has his mentality changed by the egg song, he is the chicken in the egg, he gives that speech for the choice of Chloe, and then of course he is the one who helps Chloe "cross" the road. Cloaca Chloe is Link.

Drumstick is the only one whose name could be perceived as derogatory (makes me suspect the name was indeed pre-selected) and Drumstick stubbornly remains last. Rhett very consciously says that apparently "Drumstick is the slowest one to pick up on what's going on". That's obviously either Jessie or Christy but I am a little confused as to who it really is because I would think the one, let's say, more innocent to start suspecting things would be Jessie but the one intentionally more unwilling to follow through with this plan would be Christy. Unless something has changed lately, I don't know. Maybe I am wrong about the "innocence" part though. I just think Christy is way more suspicious but on the other hand Jessie is very socially skilled and emotionally intelligent. So even though Christy could have been always more suspicious of Rhett and Link's relationship, in the end it may have been Jessie that picked up on the things that were really happening.

I wonder whether the shot of Drumstick hidden in the plants was a conscious choice...

Anyway, next. Eggs here is a symbolism for sex. Link confesses to Rhett he's not big on them and Rhett informs him there are so many ways to try eggs until you find the way you enjoy them. (What if this is how it all started?) But it actually has a double meaning. This is not the first time Rhett has implied Link is too vanilla and too hesitant to try new things. In GMM many times, like once he laughed "We are the most vanilla men in the world" and you can rest assured he doesn't consider himself responsible for it. Back to the video's context, this is an epiphany for Link - this realisation. He is pictured inside the egg, expressing his confusion and despair. The sequence of the song does not end happily. The egg does not crack yet and Link says how he is so confused he is on the verge of dying.

An easter egg (hehehe) is how many egg dishes Rhett is shown enjoying throughout the video. We know it, he loves sex A LOT and he loves it in as many ways as possible.

The roads where they are training the chicken are not coming out attempts, but technically the "coming out with each other". In the very first road, the chicken is very hesitant and uneager to walk. Eventually, Rhett loses patience, grabs the chicken and rushes it across the busy road, to Link's bafflement. They later both agree that this is not the way to do it, because the chicken did not enjoy the crossing. It was all too rushed and haphazard. This is perfectly aligned with what I have described before in at least two posts such as They dug a hole and PUZZLE: The recurrent Rhink storyline is not even new!!!!!!! If you know, you know. If you don't and are positively interested so far, I really think you should read them. AND I REALLY have to remind to everyone that the PUZZLE VIDEO IS FROM 2015!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS FORGET THAT, YOU VERY FEW FOLKS WHO KINDA BELIEVE ME BUT NOT QUITE. Sorry for the screaming. it's just... it's hugely important if you want to put things into perspective.

Want more argument line after line?

Rhett: Come on, Chloe. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Get it. Get it. Get it. Come on, come on, Chloe. We're running out of time Chloe! (grabs the chicken) Link: 10 seconds- what? What are you doing?! (fast road crossing) Four, three, two, one. Rhett: Ah. Ahhh, God... I'm sorry, I panicked.... (apologetically to Link) I was just going on instict. The numbers were getting low*, single digits... Link: You are a results oriented person. Rhett: Right, I mean, she got to the other side! Link: Yeah... but it did not feel... great. Let's go back to the question. Why did the chicken cross the road? What if it wasn't to get to the other side? What if it was to have a glorious crossing experience?

Now compare this to the digging and the Puzzle videos or the paragraph with the bike pedalling in TLCOBC. They are all the same exact thing, the same incident. Digging is crossing, up to this point at least. *Rhett saying digits getting low, AKA falling, compare this with the missing head puzzle piece situation in the Puzzle and the hardship of pushing the shovel in the hard ground in We dug a medium sized hole. Like I have described, Rhett was having some physical limitations the first times and Link's ground was too tightly hard. (Link has numerous times also blessed us with the information that he has a very tight asshole. Sorry. He has chosen to say this.) Plus, Link makes an argument that... for the chicken it was not about getting to the other side, like, getting this done for some reason or ticking something off a list or just because it was a way to confirm something about the chicken's identity etc, but instead he wanted this to be a glorious experience. For him and, I dare say, for the other one who was involved. So this crossing was supposed to be ultimately founded on sincere emotional reasons, according to Link.

Anyway since Link, I mean, Chloe did not enjoy that very first rushed, rapid road crossing, they decide to try again in conditions more suitable for him her. They go to a small neighborhood road, where everything is just more peaceful and intimate and slow paced. And they are just the two of them.

Uhhhh except Jason Segel shows up with his own chicken and advices them that a chicken can't be forced into it but has to take the lead. "Incidentally", Segel's chicken is Paul Rudd and Rhett and Link emphasize on the fact that Paul Rudd is his friend and co-star. Segel and Rudd have played in a few movies together but undoubtedly the reference here is this one:

Now, the movie is exclusively a bromantic comedy, however it has some themes such as that the one's fiancé feels like a third wheel and initially the friend causes strain to the couple's relationship. Also, Rudd, the shorter more brunette half of the duo is the chicken in the stroller and Segel is his tall guide who "walks him out". Just in case you needed more proof Chloe was actually Link that Rhett walks out in various modes of frenzy or calm intimacy. Ahem.

The scene changes abruptly after Segel's advice. We do not see how the second attempt unfolded once they left it to Chloe to take the initiative while crossing the road. I don't remember in which post it was (could be in the linked ones) but I wondered once why they always talk or are inspired by the first, very unfortunate time and never the second or, say, the first mutually enjoyable time. I had reasoned they probably keep this off limits, just for them. I respect this fully, although the cave-girl in my brain dies to know what an inspired metaphor from that experience would look like!

The chicken couldn't realistically cross this highway. So they had to come up with a plan - a van with a build in simulation of crossing the road. I believe this could be an allegory for the fact that the official crossing will happen through an isolated, monitored, secure environment - that of a studio. I mean, aside from the fact that it was a necessary measure for the chicken in this case. We see again Rhett doing weird-ass maths with a hint of delirium in his eye - this is consistent with his overthinking anxiety while trying to take a nap and with his overpreparing for the night in the ghost-free house and for the quest for the brown diamond. It shows how Rhett, who struggles more with the actual crossing, has assumed a position of supposedly curating the crossing experience and overfixating about it, instead of doing it.

True enough, they go on a little competition about who gets to drive the car (plan the whole thing) and who is with the chicken (comes out). Unsurprisingly, Rhett convinces Link he is the one who has to be with the chicken.

A VERY interesting moment to me was the commentary about the animal monitor from the American Humane Society. Given how much of a serious deal this is, I can't be sceptical about whether this man was indeed the animal monitor or just acting like one. However, I am having so many thoughts about how Rhett and Link decided to make use of his (non)involvement. Usually, you don't make monitors and everyone else checking what you do a part of your final project. Usually, they are edited out or somewhere in a corner since their job is not to be part of your movie but instead to ensure all your practices remain lawful, harmless and sensible. The fact that he sits next to Rhett and is depicted multiple times, always taking notes (writing comments?), albeit blurred, makes me suspect Rhett and Link (certain they wouldn't mistreat the chicken), asked him to have a tiny part in the video. They also stressed he was checking on Chloe through a monitor showing him everything, like an audience. But why make a deal out of it? They make a big deal out of his UN-responsiveness, which is a little strange, since it is not his job to be responsive but rather to be as discreet as possible. And yet, here we are, Rhett and Link have something to say about it.

Would anybody make an educated guess whether the animal monitor is used here for another metaphor? The animal monitor is the fanbase. The unresponsive, stone-faced fanbase. They did explain recently they are not getting the reaction they wished for from the fans regarding the videos. And just so you do not get confused, they did clarify they are seeing and are thankful for the positive reception from the viewers. Still, they said, it is not what they were looking for! It's not a "bravo" they are after, they are after getting their message across, they are after seeing some understanding or realisation from the fans, who insist on not understanding or not wanting to understand. That's what I have been saying for months at this point. They want you to understand and acknowledge and expect this BEFORE they speak openly about it. I am not being evil or incosiderate or delusional for discussing this here openly as a few very clever individuals have insinuated - THEY WANT THIS TO START BEING DISCUSSED. They want to minimize the shock impact this will have if they do it on their own suddenly one Monday morning on GMM. And there's MORE proof of that later.

The highway goes in two directions of five lanes each and then there is also the median. They do the first five lanes with Link holding the chicken to walk on the treadmill. Then they reach the median, what they call liminal space. They stress this a lot so I think there is significance to it. They employed Hank Green to explain this better;

Liminal space is the concept of having left one state of being, but not yet having arrived at your next stage.

And because it is stressed, I think it signifies Rhett and Link's current stage: they are in liminal space, which means they have given up on their past selves but are not still quite where they are determined to be. Quite possibly it also means Link (and perhaps Rhett) has already done half the work; in his private relationships, with family and friends. And he is now in liminal space because he is hovering between his previous life and the future one where he can't get yet as long as he is a public persona who is still obligated to cross the next half of the road; the world.

Once they reach the median Rhett helps Link turn around the equipment, in order to give Chloe the illusion she is crossing the opposite direction lanes.

Rhett: I am not doing a lot. Link: I know you are not doing a lot! Rhett: I'm trying to remain in liminal space.

If you have doubts, consider please, what is the point for Rhett saying this in the context of the chicken's crossing? Does he want to keep the car forever in the median? Does he want to stay in the median while Link and the chicken leave him with the car? Does he want to stop the project? What does it mean? Nothing. It means nothing in the text plot of the video, but it means EVERYTHING for all the things we've been saying all this year and is the reason for the occasional apparent strain between Rhett and Link. Rhett does not want to leave liminal space as much as Link. Or, rather, he wants to but he is too scared of the consequences, especially when it comes to the reaction of his father and their fanbase, which could affect their career. Rhett here confirms indeed that he'd rather keep what's happening between them a secret or only known to their closest people (the ones it affects) but Link can't suffer it anymore. Rhett complies with it for Link's sake, both out of necesity and perhaps also out of love.

They also make a huge deal out of passing the bridge to reach the other lanes and of course they are much more excited about the second half. That's what happens now. We are at that stage of crossing the second half but unlike in the video we have not reached the EXIT (out). I wonder whether there is significance in that Link opts to keep the chicken in the stroller for the second half. My assumption is that in the first half (coming out to the loved ones) it was a process that took a lot of time like with the baby steps of the chicken, with a lot of pauses in the beginning. But once they decided to leave the liminal space behind, now the developments will be much faster and consequential. Now the chicken will be running on wheels.

Meanwhile, as the job's done and Rhett and Link are cheering for their success, the animal monitor is still taking notes in pure apathy. This alone makes it very likely something's up in his case. He almost certainly stands in for the commentators of their channels, who write, write, write irrelevant stuff while so many things happen under their nose.

The video ends with another cry from Rhett and Link that people will understand it's all about them and it's not just silly meaningless content.

Yes, the journey Link has been talking about the entire year.

Y'all, this is a cry at this point. If it was just cryptic work inspired by their private lives, which however they would want to keep entirely secret, they wouldn't make such pleas to be understood. They want people to start considering it, thinking it, discussing it. They want to prepare the fans' brains before the news falls on them in the likes of a huge asteroid. Still not sure about it?

Like I said, Rhett and Link have freaked out by their failure to communicate their message. So, this time Rhett wanted to check on the situation himself, in real time. They released the video in a later time, when more people could watch and Rhett did something he almost never has done before. He was liking and replying to comments personally. He did like a lot of the positive comments... perhaps he sighed in these ones

but there were SO many which were like this one

This person got nothing from that video and the last scene and everything they have said about their scripted videos and I can sense Rhett's disbelief and sarcasm from here. Also, notice how he did not heart that comment lol

Anyway from a quick scroll through the comments, I believe there are a few which could give them a little faith but ultimately the results were still underwhelming.

Last but not least, Rhett wasn't the only one reading the comments in real time with no chill left. Link found a different way to drive the point home:

Doodling hearts over the video, above their heads, on Rhett and on the first comment, which indeed was ambiguous.

(shoutout to @mpay22 for the screenshots)

They have no chill anymore but who's to blame them... Even I have no chill anymore with all the stuff I see regarding that situation and the whole thing does not concern me one bit.............. let alone them, whose entire future and happiness depend on it.

Thanks for reading my long - occasionally intense - answer / post.

[pascaloverx]

Hit The Road

Chapter Twelve

previous chapter next chapter

Summary: You are a hunter of supernatural beings who is forced to experience a new reality: being a vampire. The only thing stronger than your thirst for blood is your thirst for revenge.

Author's note: the characters mentioned here were created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the book series of the same name by author L. J. Smith. They don't belong to me. That said, this fanfic will be short. This fanfic may address scenes of violence, inappropriate language and adult content. Minors should not interact with this story. Also some information here is not in the order of the series or the same way it happened in the tv series. I'm changing some things to fit the fanfic story. Hope you like it!

"I have to admit that your self-confidence is enviable. What's it like making everything about you?" You say, distancing yourself from Damon, trying not to reveal your desire for him.

"Can't you cut through all this talk where it seems like you hate me and admit that you want to be close to me?" Damon says with a confident smile on his face. No matter how much time passes, Damon will never let anything shake his ego.

"Damon, understand that despite everything, you're not the center of the universe." You respond, as if you didn't care about Damon. What you hoped would become a reality.

Before Damon could say anything, you both hear a noise, like a loud crash so powerful that it makes the two of you fall to the ground, feeling agonizing pain. You don't know what's happening until you feel someone lifting your body from the ground as if you were a feather. Slowly, you were becoming unconscious, only having the strength to call Damon's name, seeking some answers. You feared to know what was happening and feared that Salvatore might end up dead before you could resolve things. If only there was a way to go back in time and tell the Salvatore brothers how you felt. But now you knew what was happening. The hunters had finally caught up with you all.

"Years of training, thrown away for the first vampire you felt desire for? I expected more from you, Y/N. Much more, actually. Our first rule has always been, and will always be, not to get romantically involved with the prey. Even being a woman, you should know better." Dimitri, your former leader, says while holding a weapon in his hands.

"Dimitri, how good it is to see you again. You're still the same hunter with an inferiority complex as when you recruited me." You respond, opening your eyes slightly as if you had just woken up. You notice that you are inside some kind of abandoned warehouse, extremely dark, and that only Dimitri is there with you. Everything is very suspicious because in the hunter clan, a hunter doesn't stay alone with prey after it's been taken down. And if they got me, they should have gotten Damon too, right?

"If you're wondering where your boyfriend is, know that he's much smarter than you. As I said, women let emotions affect judgment too quickly." Dimitri speaks, almost smiling too much. You can see that your confused reaction to what he's saying makes him even happier about capturing you. He has always been a bit sadistic, but you expected more professionalism from the leader of the clan that was once your family.

"What do you mean by all of this?" You ask while trying to regain your strength, but there's a sharp pain in your head. Personally, you feel frustrated for not being able to save yourself from this situation.

"My dear, he abandoned you. Managed to escape from us and didn't look back. Now I ask you, was it worth abandoning your human life for him?" Dimitri asks in a mocking tone as you feel vulnerable, as if you were completely exposed. Had Damon finally freed himself from your love and chosen to leave you to die?

"It seems like my fate is sealed. Why are you prolonging this? Cowardice or fear of taking the initiative?" You say, feeling any hope of survival slipping away. If you're going to die, it'll be while telling your killer what a weak man he is.

"I'm not going to kill you. Don't worry. You're part of my clan, as sentimental and naive as you may be. A vampire manipulated you, made you into a needy slut, but you're going to leave all that in the past." Dimitri seems convinced that you will truly forget Damon and join him, but how can he be so sure?

"What makes you so sure?" At this point, you have nothing left to lose, so why not play along with his game.

"You don't feel different, my love? As if something has changed in you? Let's say you feel like you have no choice?" Dimitri speaks, extremely smiling, as if he's witnessing the most hilarious moment in history.

"What did you do to me?" You ask, feeling the pain in your head intensify as Dimitri watches you with a smile.

"Spells are quite useful, you know. Witches hate vampires, at least most of them do. You know, it didn't take me long to find one capable of casting a obedience spell." You feel your body tremble when you hear the words coming from Dimitri's mouth. An obedience spell hasn't been successfully cast in over a century. It's a spell that messes with the mind and body of a vampire, forcing them to do something. Until they obey the command given by the one who enchanted them, they experience continuous pain and madness, nearly reaching the point of death.

"What did you command me to do?" You ask, but soon start to get an idea of what he would want from you. Everything seems to spin in your head as if the world is turning upside down.

"Soon you'll know. In fact, in a few seconds. Know that after you manage to complete your mission, I intend to give you the cure for your bloodsucking problem. Until then, be a good girl and bring me what I requested." What he's saying makes no sense at all. A cure? How am I going to find out what he requested in a few seconds? Everything is so confusing. He doesn't say anything more, just releases you from the rope you were hanging from, letting you fall to the ground. You feel weak, too weak to react to anything, even as you see him leave without further explanations.

At that moment, a woman enters the warehouse, looking lost. You notice she's a vampire as you don't hear her heartbeat. She approaches you, asking if you know where you two are. For you, it becomes clear that she's a newly turned vampire when she doesn't seem to recognize that she's a vampire. But nothing matters; as soon as she gets close enough to you, you rip her heart out. One swift move, and she's gone. You don't know why you did it, but you killed her. As her lifeless body falls to the ground, you feel an improvement in the pain in your head. Damn.That's what he commanded you to do. Kill vampires, without thinking about anything else. You begin to cry, looking at your hands stained with blood, as if something had shattered within you. And indeed, something had broken. Your humanity seemed nonexistent. You no longer have control over yourself. It might have been better if Dimitri had killed you, but instead, he turned you into a killer.

"Y/N!" You hear the voices of Stefan and Damon calling you from outside the warehouse. You can't see them. You have to escape. But it hurts so much. You try to distance yourself from the location, but each step is a struggle. The pain in your head is gradually diminishing, but the emotional pain is increasing. The voices of the Salvatores echo, concerned, calling for you. Tears fill your eyes as you battle against the compulsion that forces you away from those you love.

"Y/N, where are you?" Damon's voice sounds desperate. Desperation fills you as you want so badly to run to the Salvatore brothers, but you can't. Feeling almost immeasurable pain, you manage to lock the entrance of the warehouse. Unfortunately, in the first moments, they don't understand.

"Listen carefully, with no sentimentality or any foolish behavior. I'm under the influence of an obedience spell. The kind that makes me want to die for not obeying the command of the one who cast the spell on me. My orders are to kill vampires. If you don't want to try your luck, I suggest you leave." You finish speaking, not hearing anything—no protests or noise. Despite the disappointment, you feel relieved knowing that you won't kill either of them. The pain in your head is so strong that you lose concentration for a few minutes, not hearing footsteps behind you. Suddenly, you feel someone grip your neck forcefully, and you black out, collapsing unconscious on the ground.