#you have it all wrong though. he’s such an erika

[pineboots]

and then they start singing

[majesticwren]

this took me weeks to complete. I am now exhausted. don't come at me, it might be poorly executed. it is 10k of plotless, self-indulging, poly smut and I am not ashamed, thank you, bye. it is a stand-alone one-shot for now but there might be more coming, I am not done with Fletch and Will at the moment I'm afraid. I'm unhinged. edit: it now has a part II and a part III a/n: hi :) me again back at it. I didn't like the first draft of this so I finally went back in and made it a little extra poly/gay with some more chemistry between kyle and will because I needed it. thank you bye 💕

Trigger Warning/s: threesome, smut, poly, unprotected sex (kids, don't follow the fics exaples), everyone is a little bit top and a little bit bottom, a whole lot of consent, chocking, swearing, everyone has a praise kink :)

part II -> | part III -> prequel part I -> | part II -> | part III -> | part IV -> Masterlist

The apartment was now quiet save it for some still playing background music and some low chattering of the last remaining people. The party just ended was to be considered a success, but it had finally died out. However, none of the three remaining seemed to be overly worried about the time or the tidying up just yet.

“One of you should be dancing with me,” Erika teased, only pretending not to be paying any attention to the two boys sitting on the floor just a few feet from her.

“Why?” Kyle stretched his long arms across the edge of the sofa he was leaning on, “The view is so much better from here.” The way he looked at her, with his chin slightly raised, lips bent in a satisfied smile and pale eyes twinkling with a not-so-hidden desire somehow reminded her of something forbidden. A shiver crossed her spine, only prompting Kyle to wink at her. 

That’s how it had been between them forever. Endless flirting. Endless teasing. The way she felt for him always made her feel like she could do anything. He was her home. For him she would have fought the world, heck she would have broken it in half if needed. It was a strong feeling nesting into her chest and stomach, always feeding her with extreme confidence.

“And what about you?” She wondered as her eyes slid on the man sprawled on the carpet next to Kyle. 

His head rested on the sofa as he lazily looked at her. A small, confident but dumb smile crossed his lips. He didn’t seem at all bothered to be looking with interest at someone else’s woman. On the contrary, she would have bet he was intrigued. She dared a cheeky smile, hoping it would be enough to fish his interest. 

“Yeah, Billy,” Kyle started, leaning closer to him, though none of the two lifted their eyes from her, which prompted her to keep dancing under their eyes. “What do you think, mate?”

“I think she is gorgeous, bruv.” Will raised his bottle of beer first to her and then to Kyle, who clinked his bottle with it. “And she knows it all too well,” They both chuckled.

“If you are both so smitten by me, why am I all alone here?”  

Both the guys smiled widely, but it was Kyle who pushed himself forward. “Why don’t you come chill here with us instead?” He even offered her a helping hand.

As soon as he got a hold of her, Kyle pulled her down on his lap. 

The moment she realised she may have just fallen into his carefully woven trap was too late. She thought she was the one trying to tempt and tease them, but she was wrong. She wasn’t the only one fishing, clearly. And now she was in the wolves’ den. Not that she had anything against it, of course.

“You think you are so smart, Fletch?” She wondered crossing her fingers behind his neck and hanging off his shoulders.

His smile grew cocky. “I got you, don’t I?”

“That you do.” She bit her lower lip trying to hide a smile as she grabbed his bottle of beer off his hand, stealing a sip. 

With his now free hands, Kyle loosely wrapped an arm around her waist and with the other he fixed a strand of her hair behind her ear, studying her features with the sweetest look.

Sometimes Erika found herself so used to being by his side she would be immune to his prettiness. Other times his charm hit her so violently it made her stupid. And feral. Somehow, it made her want to smother and bite him. Not violently. Only to nibble on his cheeks, down his jawline, following his neck.

Her mouth was watering.

They looked into each other's eyes for a long couple of seconds. No words needed to be said to express the feelings connecting them. Erika was an open book to him, and Kyle had accepted for a long time to share his heart with her. Sometimes they pretended it didn't matter. Erika was used to replying “whatever” anytime he said he loved her. They brushed their love off like it was a joke. But they both knew it was endgame.

Will, next to them, finished up his beer in one single gulp and then he moved. “Right,” he began, “I better be on my way. Thanks for the party, bruv,” Will landed a heavy hand on Kyle's shoulder, giving him a strong shake, though his attention slipped on Erika, “You lucky bastard.”

His deep hoarse voice and thick British accent brushed on her skin. She felt it just as she felt his eyes burning on her. And she did nothing to stop it.

She liked Will. Always had.

He had been a good friend to her, but especially to Kyle and her brother Mark. Effectively, Will had led them through their leap into pro wrestling and she would have always been grateful to him for making the dream of the two people she cared about the most in the world become reality.

But now it wasn't only polite gratefulness or kindness that pulled her towards him anymore. She wanted his attention. There had been some harmless flirting between Kyle, her and Will for some time now. And it just made her hungrier and hungrier for something she never had before. A real craving she felt in her stomach and under her skin for something prohibited and so damn sweet.

She turned over facing Will, still hanging onto Kyle. Her smile was a tempting curve that only grew when she stole the glance Will was sending at Kyle’s lips. “Why are you leaving so early?” She wondered, purring softly, “We aren't done.” 

“You two might not be-”

“Don’t be a party pooper,” Erika wined, cutting through his words, “Stay a little longer. Do it for me,” she then poked Kyle’s chin, “Kyle gets so upset when you aren’t around. Don’t you baby?”

Will smiled softly, his unfocused eyes jumping from one to the other. “God,” a chuckle cut through his breath, “how do you manage to ever contradict her?”

“I never do.” Explained Kyle simply, “She gets everything she wants.”

“I bet she does,” 

“And I do get upset when you aren’t around,” now it was Kyle who was purring, sending Will a just as tempting look. His free hand dared to venture on Will’s knee as the Aussie synched with Erika’s intentions without needing her to speak a word.

Will held his breath, looking dazed for a moment as he looked at Kyle. However, his hesitation quickly melted away, leaving space for a warmer curiosity.

Will’s mile widened from amused to teasing. “And what do you suggest we do then, loves?” His attention lazily dragged back to Erika.

She had a few ideas in mind. A cheeky smile popped on her face, making her blushing cheeks pop.

“Well,” Erika played with Kyle’s shirt collar, pretending to be distracted and not at all with an end goal to reach. “We could play truth or dare.”

“What, like bloody teenagers?”

She nodded hopefully, “Yeah. It’s still fun.”

Both Will and Kyle exchanged a quick look. There was a silent interaction between the two, to which Kyle simply shrugged, prompting Will to chuckle. “Why don’t you just ask me something you want to know?” He wondered looking back at her. “Or tell me something you’d like me to do. To you or to Kyle.”

The way he looked at her made her stomach tremble even more than his words. 

“Ok,” Erika exchanged a quick complicit look with Kyle, before turning to Will once again, this time she dared to slide a hand on his leg, just above where Kyle rested his. “Do you like me, Will?” Her smile was now a weapon. Erika brushed her hand on Will’s strong thigh and would have stopped anytime if he had hinted at her to do so. But he didn't. 

If her words hadn't been clear, the dark desire sparkling in her eyes should have been hint enough. Will awkwardly hesitated turning over to Kyle. 

In response, Kyle shrugged, “Don't look at me, mate. She asked you a question.” He had a cocky, proud smile printed on his lips as he directed Will’s attention back to her.

Kyle was always her partner in crime. That was what he had signed up for. She was a wild card, always been since the day they met. There was no stopping her when she put her head on something. And he was always ready to support her. No need to keep secrets from him. No need to lie. She had her fill and learned her lesson when she almost lost him for good at the beginning of their relationship and then promised “never again”. And had never once let her down. Kyle was always in her corner, willing to give her anything she wanted. And now they were both looking at what she wanted. What they both wanted. 

“C’mon mate, don't leave the lady hanging,” Kyle continued.

Will’s eyes fell on their hands on his leg first and then he finally seemed to gather enough courage to look back at her. “I do,” a small smile finally broke on his lips. He hadn’t entirely defrosted yet, but he was surely game.

“And,” she gently propped Kyle’s chin so he’d move to face Will, “Do you like my pretty boyfriend, Willy?” She pressed her hungry smile on Kyle’s temple, waiting to see Will’s attention move on the Aussie’s face.

When it did, Erika ate up the way Will studied Kyle’s features. She watched avidly as his big eyes eventually landed on her boyfriend’s full lips. 

“I do,” he finally admitted. Not that it was news to anyone. Kyle still offered a massive victorious smile, blushing ever so sweetly.

 “So, I could dare you to do anything,” Erika looked at both boys biting on her lower lip.

“It all depends on how far you are willing to go, love.” Will teased her following with a quick wink. 

Erika was shaken by a heat wave that crossed her skin, into her flesh, gathering through her body just to nest into her abdomen. What has been a fantasy for years was becoming reality all too quickly.

She licked her lips, “I don’t know,” she didn’t lift her eyes from Will as she slid her hands over Kyle’s chest, playing with his shirt. Black was a colour that suited him so well. Not quite as good as green though. “How does all the way sound to you?”

Will’s attention moved on Kyle. He was serious now. “Are you fine with this, bruv?”

The Aussie met him with a cocky, compliant smirk. He hadn’t lifted his attention from Erika. On the contrary, if possible, his pride and affection seemed only to increase. “She does what she wants, mate. I don’t control her.” His eyes crossed her figure, “But I do enjoy the ride.” Once again, Kyle stretched on the sofa, opening his arms up, implying the freedom she had. “And if the ride involves you, that’s just the cherry.”

This time it was the Brit who blushed. The way Kyle winked at Will, meaning all the things always hidden in between their shameless flirting, made Erika’s chest tremble with anticipation.

Erika's attention slid back to Kyle. She melted into a soft smile. Gratitude and affection poured out of her gaze, right into his. She relaxed, sitting back on his thighs as her hands raised confidently across Kyle's neck and to his face. Erika cupped his cheeks and pulled him closer. Kyle was hanging into her touch and welcomed her kiss with a smile. He slid his big hands distractedly over her thighs, establishing contact but still not caging her into a hug.

This time Will looked at them closely. He was still slightly awkward, but his gaze burned with interest that he didn't bother to hide anymore.

Erika let go of Kyle only to turn back to Will, meeting his focused gaze with a teasing smile. Just because she liked to play under his attention, she licked her lips, tasting Kyle's kiss.

“Kiss me.” She finally said, inviting him to move closer.

Before he even dared to breathe, Will looked back at Kyle to check his reaction, only to find complete relaxation from the Aussie. Kyle was still smiling and just nodded at the Brit, laying back on the edge of the sofa. Now, he was the one watching.

Will was still hesitant in the way he crawled closer to her, though she was ready to catch him. Erika slid a hand on his chest, enjoying pressing her palm against his solid flesh. It was the first time she was directly touching him to feel him and they all seemed to react to it. She moved softly, never breaking eye contact with him, somehow afraid she would scare him away. Erika brushed her palm up to the collar of his tee, her fingers toyed with the feeling of its material for a moment before she decided to keep moving up and around the solid column of his neck. 

Will didn't oppose her. 

He may be frozen into hesitation, with his breath shaking and all, but it didn't mean he didn't want it. She could see it in his eyes.

Erika pulled him closer. Her hand moved to his jaw. “Hey,” she whispered, the closest she had ever been to his lips. Their noses were touching. 

“Hey,” he replied just as softly.

For a second it was only them.

Erika smiled. She tasted his breath on her tongue and shivered in anticipation. Her body ached under the need to be touched, even when Will didn’t seem comfortable enough with that just yet.

She was done waiting. She had decided she needed to take things into her own hands and be the one breaking that last small distance between them. So, she did, sealing it with a kiss. It was soft at first, she wanted to leave him the chance to back off. Will barely reacted as they both took a moment to feel each other's lips. She let them all get acquainted with that new dynamic all the while just enjoying feeling Will’s full lips pressed on hers. 

The desire Erika was feeling was undiscovered ground. There was something ravaging in the idea of wanting a man. Another man. Feeling her interest in Will becoming not so dormant anymore and rising, taking over her. But it wasn’t only about Will. It was also being aware that her own man was watching it happen. She wasn’t alone, Kyle was part of it and the freedom and trust he was offering her made her feel all-powerful. 

Just after a good second into that timid, tepid contact, Will seemed to finally defrost. He inhaled deeply her scent and moved forward, embracing her. He grabbed her side, filling his palm up with the material of her top as he clawed at her soft hip. His fingers dug into her flesh as he pulled her closer. 

To the brush of his tongue over her lips, Erika felt her stomach tremble and she was more than happy to oblige. As soon as their tongues crossed, she released a soft sigh. She crossed her arm around his wide shoulders, curiously sliding her fingers into his curly hair. Will’s flavour went straight to her head, whereas for their kiss, she felt it in her lower abdomen. 

Her other hand stayed firm on Kyle’s chest. She needed to keep solid contact with him, not willing to cut him out. And he seemed of the same idea. His hands were stroking her thighs, he had pushed his fingers under the edge of her skirt and was teasing her following the rhythm of her kiss with Will. Erika’s fingers fiddled with the edge of his shirt, loosening up a button just so she could slide her hand under its soft material and feel Kyle’s hot skin burn directly on her palm.

Will was quick to gain confidence. He caged her into his arms, pushing his other arm around her figure. At first, his fingers only brushed on her chest, studying her skin, then his hand wrapped gently around her neck, holding her. The way his thumb crossed her throat in a soft caress made her quiver. He then pushed his entire hand into her loose hair, grabbing it, and making her bend for him as he deepened his kiss.

Any thought Erika may have had was gone. Her mind was pure, hot vapour and she felt like she was melting away in between the two.

Kyle moved. He was done watching. He pulled himself up and got closer to her, enough to kiss the exposed skin of her shoulder. Feeling him, as if Will knew Kyle’s intentions, he moved to grant Kyle enough space to latch on her neck and rolled an arm around the Aussie, placing an open hand on the back of his neck, venturing his fingers in between his hair. 

Erika released a shameless moan into Will’s mouth, not even trying to hide how turned-on she was. Especially when Kyle pulled on her thighs, inviting her to rub against him. 

Erika broke the kiss with Will and turned to Kyle. Their lips connected in a savage kiss. She whimpered and purred tasting both men on her tongue. And she only wanted more. She was hungry. Violently shaken by a deep, dark desire she had never thought she would have felt. It was coming from deep within like a beast awaken. 

She felt Will close to her ear. His breath was hot against her sensitive skin, rippling on her neck, making her lower abdomen react. The small sigh he released, watching her making out with Kyle slid right through her, giving her goosebumps. 

“Fuck-” he whispered just as Erika slid a hand around his neck, squeezing softly.

Kyle, on the other hand, didn’t seem willing to show her mercy. He pushed her skirt high around her waist, grabbing her ass full into his large palms and guiding her firmly to roll her hips against him, bringing her to directly rub against the bulge in his pants. She was already a mess. Erika whimpered as her body was crossed by pure pleasure, only prompting Kyle to reward her with a moan of his own.

She pushed her free hand under the collar of Kyle’s shirt and across his wide shoulders, where she had no shame digging her nails. 

All too suddenly, Erika broke her kiss with Kyle and gently pushed both men off her, leaving them all breathless. Her hands slid on their chest, both to keep feeling them and to halt them, even if for a moment. She looked at them both, trying to soothe their puzzled looks.

“Are you ok, love?” Will studied her features trying to read an answer on her face. His attention then slid on Kyle, to check if he was ok too.

She nodded. “Yes, more than ok,” she stroked both men tenderly, offering a grateful smile. Her attention then moved on Kyle. “I feel we are going in a certain direction, aren’t we?”

“Too soon?” The Aussie wondered, stroking her legs, this time in an affectionate, encouraging way.

“Oh, well-” Erika chuckled, trying to catch her breath, she looked at him and then back at Will, “Yes. But, it’s good. I like that direction.” 

Both guys smiled bright and proud, just as if they had received a golden star. They looked at each other and, once again, they talked without words. 

“I guess we like that direction too, then.” Explained Kyle, finding confirmation in Will’s nodding. 

“We are talking about shagging, aren’t we? I am not misunderstanding?” Sometimes Will could be so strikingly smart. And sometimes he could be dumb as a rock and still, he’d just as easily win hearts all the same.

Erika rolled her eyes, struggling to hide an amused smirk. “That is such an ugly word, Billy.”

“Is it?” Will smirked, pushing a finger under her chin, making her look at him in the eye. “Is fucking any better.”

A shiver crossed her. “Yeah-” 

Will looked straight into her eyes and she felt like she was getting lost in his gaze. “Is that what you are talking about then? You want to get fucked by both of us?”

Erika tried to suffocate a whimper, which only caused Will to chuckle. Behind his eyes hid all his desire and she seemed to be able to see all the things he wanted to do to her. Another shiver crossed her. 

“I do.” She finally admitted, but before she could get lost in that statement, feeling both men closing on her, Erika held her ground, turning back to Kyle. This time, she needed to have his sole focus. “And I need to know you are with me on this.”

“Baby,” he looked up at her. He was so smitten by her, with his enamoured bright eyes and blushed cheeks, “I’d walk through fire for you. This?” He grabbed Will’s shoulder, giving him a shake, “This is just a fun night to me.”

“Tell me. Tell me you are happy to get into a threesome with me. With us. I need to hear it.” She wanted it desperately, but she had no intention of doing anything that could jeopardize her happiness with Kyle.

Kyle softly cupped his hands around her face, slowly nodding at her. “If this is what you want. And Will is down. Then I am more than fine with it.”

She nodded and then looked up at Will, looking for the same sentiment. “Will?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I mean this is not how I’ve planned my evening to go but I’ll be damn if I let the opportunity go,” he winked jokingly at them both, “I’m in it, loves.”

Erika melted into the widest of smiles and then she leaned in, kissing Kyle first and Will after. Only a quick one before deciding to move. They were done talking for the night.

She got up from the warm cocoon Kyle’s lap offered, holding both the boys’ hands and guiding them up to follow her. She didn’t even bother to fix her skirt or her top. To her, it was just quicker and better to get rid of her clothes entirely. 

Which was precisely what she did. Knowing she had both men’s full attention burning on her back, she decided it was time to give them a show. Erika slowly and sensually started to slip out of her top, moving her body fluidly, like in a slow dance. She then stretched lazily, as if she had just woken up from a nap. Her skirt was next. She let it pool at her feet and stepped over it swaying her hips.

Behind her, she heard Will making a noise so similar to a growl. And Kyle chuckled in response, as the Aussie heavily patted the other on the chest. “You are in for a treat, my friend.”

“No doubt.” 

Erika gave them a quick, cheeky look from over her shoulder, soaking up the worship in their eyes. Being almost entirely naked, save for her revealing panties, was something that made her feel extreme ease under her skin. She liked being naked.

She guided them both into the bedroom and finally faced them with a wide, victorious smile bending her lips. 

She kicked her heels off, finding extreme pleasure in the sudden height difference with Kyle. Will was quite tall too, just not as tall as the Aussie. He slid his hands around her hips, holding her as his fingers toyed with the elastic of her underwear. He looked straight down into her eyes. The pale blue of his irises was as bright as fresh, calm seaside waves. That’s what he felt like to her. Warm like Summer.

Erika pulled him down in a soft kiss and then turned her attention to Will. Kyle was still close enough for her to have her back pressed on his chest.

She wondered what would Will feel like. Would a night be long enough for her to find out what Will made her feel like? She had a suspicion that just like Kyle felt like Summer and fresh, clear seawater, Will would feel like a rainy day in Autumn.

Will’s eyes slid across her body, studying her curves. “You both are fucking breathtaking, loves.” His eyes were dark and glimmering, but what she found most attractive was the pink blushing his cheeks. 

Erika’s smile grew wider. Will’s voice caressed her and nested into her stomach, filling her up with confidence. “Yeah?” She wondered teasingly, sliding her hands across herself. She cupped her breasts, arching her back. Kyle, behind her, sighed in approval. Will’s gaze followed her movements closely. “Like what you see, Ospreay?” She teased.

He raised an eyebrow, “I’d be mad if I didn’t.”

She encouraged him to get closer and then moved her hands to his wide chest looking up at him. He met her with the softest of gazes, his lips bent in an encouraging smile as she felt his eyes crossing her features. “Have you been wanting this for a while, love?” He wondered playing with a lock of her hair, twirling it around his index.

Erika bit down on her lip and nodded. 

“Yeah?” Will pushed on, his hand slid on her face. “With us?”

“Yes,” she whispered, not for timidity but because her breath was short. “I have thought about this moment before.”

“Damn,” Will grinned, exchanging a proud look with Kyle, over her head. When he looked back at her he had a cheeky grin printed on his lips. She knew she was safe, and yet something about the way Will just looked at her made him look somehow dangerous. It gave her a shiver that crossed her from head to toe, only bringing her desire to grow. “Tell us about your fantasy, love.”

She looked at him for a long moment and then raised her eyes to Kyle, who was waiting for her with an encouraging nod. “Go on, we are here for you.”

Erika, for the first time, felt timid. It wasn’t her naked skin making her suddenly aware of being watched and seen, but the idea of revealing something so personal to them made her hesitate and blush. Even under the promise they would have done anything to her heart's desire, she still needed a moment to fight the knot rising in her throat.

They were gonna do it. She was about to give in to her deepest fantasy.

“First,” she said pushing both men off her just so she could climb on the bed. For the first time in her life, she found herself wondering if the mattress would have welcomed three people comfortably. “You both are wearing too many clothes.” Erika pointed out kneeling in the centre of the bed, patiently waiting for the two to undress. She bit on her lip, looking at them both. “And I am getting cold.”

Kyle moved first. “We don’t want that,” he kicked off his shoes and finished to undo his shirt, throwing it on the floor. His jeans followed. Since he moved first, her attention followed him and the skin he was uncovering.

She loved the way he moved, but it wasn’t only his confidence and effortlessness that attracted her like a magnet. It was the way his pale skin moved as his muscles stretched and contracted; it was the way his hair fell on his forehead, and it was in the quietness of his steps.

As he moved across the room she followed his body. Her hungry eyes crossed his entire figure. Erika knew his body well. She knew how his skin felt and tasted. She knew exactly what he liked. She knew what made him tick and assert dominance, and what made him whimper and beg. She knew how he liked to be handled but mostly, how he liked to handle her. And she knew how to behave to please him. He was surprising in many aspects and sex was one of those. Kyle was extremely open-minded. He liked to play and experiment and, especially for that reason, they had tried most things in the bedroom. Probably for that specific reason, she was extremely comfortable with him and also never tired of him. There was something about Kyle that kept her wanting, always, no matter how much pleasure he’d bring her in one sitting.

Agile like a cat, Kyle moved fluidly and reached her side. Biting down on his lower lip, he made her raise her face and look at him pushing only the tip of his index under her chin.

She was completely under his spell.

Kyle stole a kiss and then guided her to look back at Will, leaning his head against hers. 

Will stood stiff in the middle of the room, he was observing them closely. His gaze was hooked to them both, as his eyes didn't miss any opportunity to cruise on their bodies. And yet, some form of soft shyness seemed to hit him. 

Erika giggled, taken by surprise and nonetheless attracted to him. His rosy cheeks made her tremble with the desire to conquer him. She raised an encouraging hand, calling him to her. “What's the matter, Will?” She wondered as she gently pulled him to her. He hesitated as he moved closer to them, holding his breath. When he stopped at the foot of the bed, so close to her, he instinctively looked at Kyle, looking for support, not daring to move another inch.

She knew exactly what he was looking for, just as much as she knew how willing Kyle was, by then, to do his best to make everyone feel comfortable and give them all the night of their lives. She felt the Aussie moving behind her, but before he could do or say anything, she took control of the situation back. 

Erika smiled sweetly, like a doll, knowing exactly how to use all her assets to make men tremble. She dared to get as close to Will as possible and tapped his proud chin, making him look at her instead. “Do you need me to help you undress?” Her tone was low and tempting.

As soon as Will’s gaze fell on her, she felt all the weight of his desire hitting her. Her smile widened as her hands cruised across his wide chest. “Hey,” she whispered softly, “It’s ok,” she encouraged him, never breaking eye contact as her fingers hooked on his shirt and pulled it gently up his abdomen, prompting him. 

He finally seemed to defrost and slipped out of his t-shirt in one fluid move. 

When his chest was left bare, Erika looked down. She had seen him like that many times, but she had never been naked in front of him before. Again, her hands moved avidly on his torso, studying the solid edges of his muscles. His skin was warm and surprisingly soft under her touch and the more she touched, the more of his body she desired to explore and not only with her hands. She looked at her own fingers moving across his abdomen, tracing the edges of his abs. She felt her mouth water as the feral need to nibble on the soft skin on his belly intensified.

When her hands moved down to his belt, she looked back up at him. She whipped out a cheeky smile as she toyed with the edge of his jeans, following it around his hips. Will’s gaze hadn’t moved, he was studying her every feature, still not daring to move.

“You know what my fantasy involves, Will?” She wondered pulling a hand back to reach blindly for Kyle, who was ready to take her arm into his hand and guide her palm to his mouth, as he softly kissed her skin. She shivered.

“Tell us,” Will’s coarse voice was low and rumbled right through her stomach and into her lower abdomen. 

“Touch me.” She ordered, guiding one of his hands to her hip. 

Will didn’t need more than that. His other hand followed and as soon as both his big hands solidly caged her waist, Erika released a satisfied sigh. His hands were rough and yet his touch was careful and warm. 

Unable to keep herself at a distance anymore, Erika pushed herself against him and, pulling on his neck, kissed him. 

Will was quick to act. Every trace of timidity left him. His lips were nothing but welcoming, the taste of his tongue on her made Erika’s head spin. He caged her in between his strong arms and didn’t hesitate to grab her ass, solidly feeling her soft flesh with his hand. Holding her like that, he pulled her towards him, making her pressing herself completely against his chest. A satisfied, low growl left him, as he felt her naked skin and breasts against him. 

As sweet as the idea of letting go was, Erika resisted. She abruptly pushed Will away, breaking their kiss and then slipped off his hold only to fall back into Kyle's hug. 

As he welcomed her in his arms, she snuggled on his chest, sitting back on his lap and letting her head fall on his shoulder. Kyle’s arms moved around her hips as his lips cruised her shoulder. He followed up her neck, prompting Erika to turn and catch his lips, pushing a hand into his hair. 

Kyle’s hands moved across her abdomen and, as he reached for her breasts, cupping both of them into his large palms, she arched her back, pushing her chest out and her ass back into his crouch.

She knew Will was watching and it was inebriating.

“You are still dressed, Will.” She teased, looking back at the Brit and whipping a sharp grin. She leaned against Kyle again, from there, she had a good enough view of the other.

Taking it like a challenge, just like she hoped, Will raised his chin and let her watch as he removed his jeans. There weren’t many things able to make her lose her mind, but seeing such a big, strong, successful guy blushing for her was one of those.

His boxers followed and, once he was naked in front of her, Will raised his chin once more, proudly accepting her curious gaze on his exposed body. 

Erika followed his abdomen and had to bite her tongue not to bark seeing his hip dips. She wanted to sink her teeth in them and leave a mark. Her eyes then, with no shame or modesty, followed the dark happy trail under his belly button and fell on his erection. There was nothing to hide anymore, after all. And still, right there and then she found herself still not prepared to see another man in full, beautiful nudity.

“Is this what you wanted, love?” He wondered, wrapping his hand around his cock, massaging it slowly. “Is it as you fantasised?”

Erika couldn’t take her eyes off him and was so taken she didn’t realise her jaw had dropped. He was big. She had always suspected it, but seeing him for the first time made her suddenly feel empty and desperate. 

She released a giggle, pressing her face into Kye’s neck. “You both will be the ruin of me.”

Kyle softly kissed her temple and then cheek, moving to her ear, pushing her to look back at Will with his face. “Wasn’t that what you wanted, baby?”

“I,” Will began climbing on the bed, “want you to tell us exactly what you want us to do to you,” He got closer to them and softly scooped her face into his palms, capturing her eyes, “I want to know how you like to get fucked, love.”

She replied with a small whimper and just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, Kyle traced a hand to her neck, bringing her to look at him. “What are you in the mood for, baby?” 

Her hands raced to both men, as she needed to hold onto them. Her skin was hot and felt tight around her own body as she desperately needed to be touched, bit and licked. Just thinking about it made her abdomen ache. She felt her loins tortured by the heaviness of her desire.

Kyle kissed her and then looked at Will, exchanging a complicit look. His attention still focused on her. “Do you want to lead? Or would you like us to take care of you?”

Erika nodded, her eyes moved from Kyle to Will, nodding again to him. “You take it. The control, take it,” she said looking up at Kyle, giving him permission to do of her like he pleased and decide if and when to let Will do the same.

“Ok, baby,” Kyle whispered softly, rewarding her with another kiss. Then, his grip around her throat became more assertive. He pulled her against his chest, making sure Will had complete view over her.

“Shall we show Will how good you are, pet?” He wondered to her ear, switching from his more affectionate pet name to the one he preferred using when he was going to be dominant. His eyes still pointed at Will, teasing him, studying his reaction. “What do you think?” Kyle continued, softly nibbling at her neck. “I think Will would like to see what a good girl you can be.”

Her eyelids fell heavy on her eyes as she too studied Will reaction, feeling her skin quiver under the intense laser hot focus he had on them. His eyes followed as one of Kyle’s hands moved on her abdomen and down. When the Aussie pushed his hands in between her legs, they both were left breathless. “Shit, pet,” the way he kept gently and devotedly referring to her with her pet name made Erika’s lose her train of thoughts. “Mh,” Kyle smiled proudly, releasing a low moan, “you are so wet. Soaked your panties.”

Erika trembled under the attentive touch of his fingers, trying to move her hips and have more. “Kyle,” she huffed, digging her nails into his forearm. 

“You should have told us you were such a mess,” he still teased, raising his hand to show Will her juices sticking his fingers. “Do you want Will to touch you like this?” He wondered lowering his hand again, not giving her time to reply. This time, when he reached back, he pushed his hand under her panties, pushing his large fingers through her folds, finding her clit with ease. Kyle smiled like a wolf, moving his attention to Will, enjoying seeing the Brit breathless. 

“Do you hear the noises she makes, Willy?” Just to prove a point, the Aussie left space to the squelching noise her pussy made as he toyed with her. Her soft, sweet whimpers followed. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

Will was gone, lost under Kyle’s spell just like she was. “She is. You both are.”

Erika trembled under Kyle’s touch. She was already a mess and he had barely started touching her. Kyle had no mercy either, he was determined to give Will a show. “Say it, pet. Tell me.”

The way Will was looking at her made her skin ache. “I do, I do,” she whined, “please,” 

Kyle took her words like an order and let go of her, looking at Will over her shoulder. A smile crossed them both and, after a nod of acknowledgement, Will took over.

He towered over her, his hands quickly tracing down her hips, gripping on her thin underwear. “You won’t need these, will you, love?” He wondered and, as she replied with a whimper, he ripped her panties unapologetically, giggling to himself. As he pushed his hand in between her legs, Erika climbed his figure, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and dragging him down into a kiss. 

Will pushed his rough fingers into her wet folds and welcomed her heat with a low, pleased moan that vibrated through his chest and straight into her belly. He didn’t give her anytime to get used to him, the pace of his strokes was unforgiving. “Do you want to come?”

Erika nodded, rolling her eyes in the back of her skull, already feeling her abdomen heavily contracting as waves of pleasure crossed her. 

“Nah,” Will wrapped his free hand around her throat and squeezed, “that’s not enough, love. Kyle said you’d be a good girl. So tell me. I wanna hear it.”

“Fuck-” She huffed, digging her nails into his shoulder, feeling herself already coming undone. “Make me come. Please Will, please,”

Will smirked. His grin made his lips bend in a dangerous curl. Merciless, Will stopped stroking her only to look down at her, amused. “Already begging?” He looked back at Kyle, “We haven’t even started with you. Are you sure you can take us?”

“I can take anything you guys have to give,”

“Careful, love, we might take you up on that.”

“Such a desperate mess,” Kyle started, dragging himself closer to her. The moment she realised she was squeezed in between them two it was like she breathed new life, and still, air wasn’t was she needed to stay alive anymore. Not as much as she needed them right there and then. Kyle kissed her shoulder, neck, ear, pushing a hand in between her hair and pulling them, making her raise her head forcefully. “So pretty,” he smiled, still looking at her with the upmost devotion.

“She is.” Will agreed, “Keep her steady,” he ordered and proceeded to go back touching her. Again, his touch was hot and skilled and his pace unforgiving. Kyle did as instruct and held her, ready to catch her as Will pushed over the edge. “Yeah, love, c’mon, come for us,” they both watched her in awe as she came. Kyle pushed a thumb into her mouth, trying to suffocate her loud moans, with not much success. As her orgasm shook her, Will pushed two fingers inside of her. She welcomed that invasion eagerly, moving her hips into his palm. 

“Fuck-” he groaned as her walls squeezed his fingers, “so fucking tight.” Will guided her through her high and then let her catch her breath, as both men held her. He then raised his fingers to his mouth, sucking her juices off his digits right under her eyes. Erika gasped, looking at the way the pink tip of his tongue danced on his fingertips. “so fucking delicious.”

Taken by a ravaging desire, Erika pulled herself up, capturing Will’s lips into a kiss. Tasting herself on his tongue made her whine and purr, feeling as she had just marked him. It was something primal, and she wasn’t ashamed of it.

The moment she caught her breath, Erika moved her attention to Kyle. Now distancing herself slightly from Will, she climbed on the other and found a comfortable nest into his lap. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you still have your boxers on.” She dared, pushing her fingers into his hair, only to move them back on his forehead.

Kyle smiled. “Why? Does it bother you, pet?” He teased her, only prompting her to move her hips on him, rubbing herself intentionally on his erection. 

Not satisfied, she then pushed her hand on the trapped bulge of his erection, grinning proudly up at him. He was so hard it made her mouth water. Knowing he wanted her so bad only fed her ego. “Yes,” she purred, massaging him and enjoying seeing how he moved under her spell. Erika watched his shoulder tensing and his Adam’s apple tremble in his throat. “Especially since I’d like to choke on your cock as Will fucks me.”

“Is that your little fantasy?” As Kyle wrapped his long arms around her, Will was the one who moved closer to them now. 

He softly kissed her necked shoulder, as his hands found her hips. He traced her skin all the way up to her neck with his lips and she could feel he was smiling. “Is it, love?”

Erika had to remind herself to breathe and when she did, she almost chocked, trying to regain focus. She nodded, rolling her head back just enough to look up at Will. “Yes. To begin with,”

Will raised his eyebrows and sent an amused look to Kyle, his smile only widened. “Did you hear your little girl? To begin with, that’s impressive.”

Kyle pushed her hair behind her ear, attracting her attention back to him. “She has stamina. Right, pet?”

Erika gaze became sharper. She looked at Kyle first and Will after and then she kissed them both. “You are driving me insane.” She confessed, “I have never craved sex like I am doing right now. Like a fucking animal. So,” Erika gave them both a soft push, only to get them to give her the space to position herself facing Kyle and giving her back to Will. “I want you both to fuck me until I beg you to stop. Until I fucking cry or pass out. Can you do that?” She wondered pointing both her indexes under their chins. “And I am not being a good girl right now,” she continued, lowering herself on all fours. “I am being very, very naughty and I want you to punish me. I want you to either shut me up or make me scream.”

Kyle grabbed her chin, making her look at him, purposely towering above her. With his thumb he pushed her lips open, toying with her, enjoying seeing how she followed his queue and flicked her tongue on his digit. “Heard that, mate?” He didn’d look away but wasn’t talking to her. 

“Loud and clear, bruv,” Will’s hand followed her hips, prompting her ass up. He wrapped one of his strong arms around her hips, pulling her towards him, rubbing himself against her ass. “You want me to fuck you while your boyfriend watches? So fucking dirty.”

“S-shit, Will,” she breathed heavily, “Kyle.” 

Calling for the Aussie only prompted Will to give her a push, bending her forward in front of him. He slid his hands across her thighs, first the outside and then, his fingers teased her, following her most sensitive skin on the inside, encouraging her. She felt his eyes burning on her skin, “Fuck me, you are perfect, love. Spread those legs for me, let me see your little pussy,” his hands moved around her glutes, spreading them and toying with her flesh.

She was blinded by desire by then. Her mind was fogged, everything she could think about was the cold feeling of air hitting her exposed skin and her aching, empty loins waiting to be filled. 

As she arched her back, in an automatic response, Will sighed in approval, rewarding her with a playful slap on her ass. Then, he pushed his heavy cock on her, sliding it on her wet folds, teasing her clit. Erika whimpered, trembling under him. “You want it. Such a bad girl so desperate for this cock, uh? Who would have thought,” He then proceeded to push a finger inside of her, and then a second, “Fuck,” he gasped, “You are even wetter than before.”

“Please, Will-” as she begged him, her hands opened on the mattress, her arms already shaking under the pressure. She licked her lips. 

A hot wave of pleasure crossed her, making her quiver. She released a soft moan, with her chin still in Kyle grab. She looked up at him, silently begging to get what she asked for. 

“What’s that, pet?” He wondered casually, pretending not to know what she wanted. Kyle pulled on her chin, making her bend between them. “You want my dick? What a dirty, dirty slut you are, begging to be filled both ends by two guys.”

In response, she simply nodded, releasing a choked moan, as her focus slid on his boxers. She was ready to drool, only seeing the underline of his cock pressing heavily in the soft material of his boxers.

Kyle let her go with a ruder push, granting her the freedom to do as she pleased and Erika finally reached for him. She took a moment to toy with him, rubbing her hands on his cock and balls from over his boxers. Erika followed his lower abdomen with her tongue until she reached the elastic of his underwear, it may have looked like she had some patience left, but truth was she was done, she couldn’t wait any longer. She eagerly pulled his boxers down his thighs and grabbed his erection with both hands. As she traced his length with her tongue, Erika looked up, making sure Kyle was enjoying the view.

He released a grunt, pushing a hand into her hair, grabbing a handful. His other hand slid around her throat, grabbing at her solidly. “Are you ready, pet?”

As she nodded to him, Kyle’s attention briefly moved to Will signalling to him the same message. “Fuck her,” he ordered. “Give her exactly what she asked. Be rough, she likes it rough, right pet?” Kyle’s attention slid back on her.

Erika nodded, now entirely submissive, “Yes, please. Please, Will, just give it to me,”

Will pushed a hand up her back, following her spine, pushing her down. “Then, put your face on the mattress, love. Give me a minute and then Fletch can fuck your pretty throat, yes?”

She obeyed and as she lowered herself, both men released a pleased sigh. 

Will positioned himself, prompting the tip of his fat cock against her entrance. He teased her a couple of seconds and then, with no warning, grabbing onto her hips, he pushed himself inside of her with one sharp thrust, making sure he hit her as deeply as he possibly could. He ripped a loud moan out of her chest that she suffocated in the mattress, only prompting him to groan in response. He stretched her completely, taking her breath away. They both moaned, as she melted in a victorious smile. 

Will then gave her take a moment to get used to him. As she welcomed his size, squeezing him, Erika almost lost strength, feeling the need to let herself go. She was already seeing stars. She felt him in her belly, so deep inside of her she was sure she had never felt so filled. 

“Good girl,” he rewarded her with a praise, before he started to move, slow at first in and out of her. “Such a good little girl with a good little pussy,”

Erika purred and whimpered, calling his name, as pleasure prevailed over her.

Every one of his pushes made her pleasure grow, bringing her to unashamedly moan for him, as the pressure of a new, rising orgasm nested across her stomach.

Will’s hands were solidly holding onto her hips as he fucked her from behind, guiding her to slide upon his cock. He was holding her so tightly it almost hurt, almost, because her pleasure was much greater, enough for her to forget about discomfort. Plus, she was hoping his clutch would leave bruises on her skin. There was something so profound, so intimate, about being marked during sex, and she loved to have her skin baring the traces of passion. 

There was a pause. Kyle waited patiently, giving her the chance to get used to Will first, before he too moved, pulling on her hair to get her back up. She was ready to welcome him as soon as he did. Keeping her by her hair with one hand and wrapping his other around her throat, helping her balancing herself, Kyle smiled dangerously to her, willing to give her exactly what she had asked for, nodding, as she opened her mouth for him. “Good girl, open wide,”.

Erika leaned in, sliding her tongue across his shaft, from base to tip, enjoying hearing his sigh of approval. She closed her lips around the tip of his cock, sucking on it and playing with it with her tongue, and then she pulled him deeper in the back of her throat. Kyle grabbed on her hair. And Will clutched on the soft edges of her hips, digging his cock deeper inside of her. So much she thought she felt his hit in her stomach.

Erika had never felt so filled up and she loved it. It made her skin shiver and her stomach tremble as pleasure buzzed through her entire being, making her arms and legs shake. She savoured the feeling of both their hands on her, as the warmth of both their bodies seeped through her skin. She was so lost in the pleasure Will was giving her and in the devotion she was determined to show Kyle as he fucked her throat, she didn’t even recognize the waves of an orgasm growing on her. To the point that, when she came, it was a surprise.

“Fuck,” Will grunted, “Yes, love, yes. Come for me. Such a good girl.” As Will praised her, guiding her through her orgasm with unforgiving thrusts, Kyle pulled back, granting her the possibility to voice her pleasure. He scooped her face up, making her look at him. “Are you coming, pet?”

She was only able to roll her eyes, nodding, unable to speak if not for convulsed whimpers.

Will didn’t stop. He kept pounding her trembling flesh. He guided her through her high and then right into overstimulation. Unforgiving and perfect. As her strength left her, he was ready to grab her a moment before she folded on the mattress. Will pulled her up, so her shoulders were pressed against his chest. He held her tight with an arm around her waist and a hand wrapped around her throat. “Oh, we are not done, love.” His whisper sounded so sweet and yet so threatening. She looked up at him, helpless, only able to whimper as her tired flesh was charging up again. She felt like she could break under such pressure. Will’s fingers slid around her jaw, holding her as he nodded proudly. “Go on, love, give me another, I know you have it in you.” He then pulled her chin, turning her towards Kyle, “Let your boyfriend watch you coming on my cock again.” 

Will slid his free hand between her thighs, easily finding her clit that he proceeded to massage, still pounding inside of her, breaking her breath with every hit. 

“Touch yourself, Kyle,” Will instructed, his hungry gaze falling on the Aussie. “I want to see it.”

Erika watched as Kyle gave Will what he wanted without hesitation, wrapping his hand around his cock, he pumped into his palm, letting the Brit curiously and unashamedly watch. Kyle released a small whimper, calling for Will’s name, only prompting the Brit to approve with a grunt.

Erika grabbed on Will’s arm, digging her nails through his skin, doing her best to find something to hold onto as a new wave of pleasure washed over her. This second orgasm was so powerful that it blinded her for a moment. She cried out loud, calling for Will’s name multiple times, as he guided her through her pleasure, this time properly, granting her the chance to catch her breath, indulging her satisfied body, supporting her. He whispered sweet praises into her ear, welcoming her pleasure with pure satisfaction.

As soon as Will loosened his hold on her, Erika thought she could fall, but Kyle was there to catch her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as Kyle took her away from Will’s arms and laid her on the mattress. He caressed and kissed her sweaty skin, praising her too, granting her the possibility to rest her quivering body for a moment. 

“Are you ok, baby?” Kyle checked on her. 

Erika’s eyelids still felt too heavy for her to open her eyes but she had enough strength to loosely raise a hand to his face and brush be back of her fingers on his cheek, grateful to his sweet attentions. She was only able to nod to his question. And yet a lazy smile crossed her lips.

She was fatigued, out of breath, maybe even tired, but not at all satisfied, besides the fact that her belly still vibrated with the echoes of the deep pleasure Will just gave her. 

Kyle softly kissed her chin and then her lips, to which point she had gained enough focus back to let her fingers wander free into the lose locks of his hair. At the same time, without looking, she raised her other hand to Will and was pleasantly surprised when he took it into both his, lowering himself to softly kiss her knuckles.

“Was it good, love?” Will wondered, laying next to her and daring to deliver a timid kiss on her shoulder.

Erika chuckled, still out of breath from before. Words were still difficult to be formulated. She suspected they had just fucked her brains out, which made her very happy. So, instead of trying to formulate some grateful praises, she turned to him and kissed him.

“That good, uh?” Kyle was ready to make a light joke as he pressed his smile into the crook of her neck, but before he could, Erika moved so quickly she surprised even herself.

“Mh, yes,” She rolled on top of him, grabbing both his wrists and pushing his arms above his head. Then she sat back, straddling him, looking down at him. Her eyes cruised avidly across his body, “But don’t think I am done with you.”

She then looked at Will too, just to make sure her message was clear. She meant every word from before. 

She pushed her index under Will’s raised chin, enjoying seeing how he moved, attracted like a magnet to her, following her as if she had been pulling him up. When he sat back up and was close enough for a kiss, she smiled evilly, pushing him back down on the mattress.

It was clear she had just decided to take control and both men were willing to give her what she wanted. Both acted following her. When she needed them to lead, they were there to handle her, but now, just as easily, they both submitted themselves. It made her feel all-powerful.

Her attention moved back on Kyle. She pushed her hands on his chest and down, across his abdomen, following the solid line of his muscles with her nails, just to tease him. He didn’t dare to move, keeping his wrists crossed above his head as if she had tied him up.

“Now,” she grinned, as her hand slowly traced back to Kyle’s neck. He bent under her, stretching just as she liked, releasing a soft pleasureful sigh. “It’s your turn,” she proudly announced, only bringing Kyle to nod, completely lost in her design. Erika turned to Will, raising her chin, enjoying to be the one towering over them both, now. “Are you going to watch me ride my boyfriend’s cock?” She wondered, knowing there was only one answer to her question, and still enjoying seeing how Will nodded. “Will you touch yourself as I fuck him? Pretending your hand is my little pussy?”

Will released a low hiss, nodding to her words. “Yes, ma’am.” 

Erika’s eyes widened as his words hit her right in the stomach. A shiver crossed her and then became hot pleasure melting into her. Her lips bent into a warm, wide smile as she stretched and purred. “Look at you,” she grabbed Will’s chin, giving him a soft pull, “you already know exactly how I like to be pleased. Good boy.”

Though as soon as she let him go with a push, her attention went back on Kyle and never moved off him. She smiled at him as sweet and as dangerous as poison. She soaked in the devotion in her eyes and rolled her hips above his, willingly rubbing herself on his erection. The shiver that crossed him made her purr once more. 

“You are such a pretty boy,” she praised him, her hands cruising across his torso. Kyle smiled to her letting her do her thing. She followed his arms and bent over him, grabbing his wrists and pushing them down behind his head as she kissed him. 

He only pretended to try and fight her hold and resist her, but she knew if he actually wanted to break free, he could have easily overpowered her. The fact that he let her lead, especially after she had granted him the control, was intoxicating. She always liked to break the rules. Even her own.

“Did you like seeing Will fucking me?” She teased him sliding her nails across his chest, now deeper, making sure to leave marks.

Kyle gulped loudly and then he nodded. “I did.” 

“Do you want me to fuck you, now?”

“I do.” He pushed himself slightly up, only enough to catch her lips in a famished, desperate kiss.

She didn’t wait much longer. Pushing a hand between their bodies she positioned him to her entrance and slid above him, taking every inch of his length. She pulled herself up, pushing on his chest and let her head fall backwards, welcoming his size with a moan. “Fuck, baby, you feel so good.”

She admired him as he welcomed her tight hold with departed lips and glimmering eyes fogged by desire. 

Erika looked over to Will, willingly rolling her hips on Kyle’s cock only to see him mirroring her movement with his hand clutched around his erection. God, those two men, lost in their pleasure, laying underneath her, were gorgeous. The two most beautiful men she had ever laid eyes upon. Both hers in that specific moment.

She stretched letting her head fall backwards, voicing her pleasure. Erika had absolutely no patience or desire to take it easy. She moved her hips up and down Kyle’s cock at a voracious pace and he let her choose the rhythm she more desired, giving her everything she wanted. Understanding her need to get off once more, and being more than supportive about her desires. 

The room filled with their moans. To Erika, it was like something had awaken inside of her. A wild, ravaging desire she had never had before. Something hidden and profound had woken a side of her she didn’t know. And she wondered if she would have ever been able to get back to the person she was and to the life she had.

Erika grabbed Kyle by the neck and squeezed his throat. A satisfied, complicit wide smile crossed her lips as she encouraged him. Pleasure started to build inside of her, firing up her nerves, gathering pressure around her stomach. The more she was given, the more she desired, it was like a sweet curse. And she started to doubt she could really reach full satisfaction.

She gave Kyle a pull, and, like driven by an invisible force, he moved, doing exactly what she wished him to, knowing what she needed. “What is it baby?” He sat up underneath her and caged her in between her arms, now guiding her to ride him, holding her safely. “Are you coming again?”

Erika held solidly onto his shoulders, digging her nails into his back. She suffocated a loud moan into the crook of his neck and then nodded, feeling the intense waves of pleasure mounting inside of her. 

“I need-” her breath was broken by a whimper as her fogged up eyes searched for Will. She reached for him and just as Kyle did before, he too was ready to move for her. 

He was quick to kneel by her side and took her hand into his, letting her palm nest on his chest. “What is it, love?”

“Tell us what you need, baby.”

“Just,” she whispered, “come with me, the both of you.”

Will’s free hand slid on the back of her neck, holding her head up as he pressed his lips on her temple and cheek, bringing her to first kiss him and then let her turn to kiss Kyle.

In the heat of the moment, she let go and came again. This time, as violent as the one before. Blinded by pleasure, her strength leaved her the second her body came undone. Erika abandoned herself between the two men’s arms, crying out their name. 

Both Will and Kyle followed her closely filling her up and marking her skin. 

Erika found herself thinking God, be praised, and had the impression she heard bells tolling, as the two men held her and their pleasure dissipated in the thick, hot air surrounding them. 

It was a funny thought. She wasn’t even religious. An innocent giggle rolled through her chest as both Kyle and Will laid her back on the mattress with care. 

“Good?” Kyle was short breathed and still leaned into her, only bringing her to roll and snuggle against him, rubbing her face against his neck, grateful. “So good.” 

Will, on the other side of her, fixed a pillow under her head and then softly kissed her shoulder. “You are something else, love,” feeling his smile on her skin made her stretch against him and turn, looking for a kiss, “how the fuck am I supposed to get over you two now?”

“Don’t,” Kyle suggested, “Stay.” 

“Yeah?” Will wondered hopeful.

“Check me in a loony bin if I’ll ever refuse you, mate.”

Will exchanged a soft look with Kyle, revealing some sort of gratitude hiding behind his blue eyes. It wasn’t only about stepping into another man’s bed, with his partner. It was much more than that, hidden in plain sight right in between the two boys.

As Will relaxed, Kyle smiled widely and welcomed him with an affectionate, soft slap on the cheek. “Good boy, Billy Goat,” then the Aussie leaned into Erika kissing her softly, “Let’s get you cleaned up, uhm?”

Before he could move away, she held him down making him look back at her. “I love you, Kyle Fletcher.”

“Whatever,” 

[all-de-fandoms]

MEAN GIRLS MUSICAL MOVIE LESGOOO

I literally just found out about this today and- yeah yeah yeah I know the musical got a lot of hate but genuinely I adored it (and it was one of my go-tos whenever I got dragged to a scary horror movie!). So to find out that they're making a movie out of it..... I mean yes, I've got some mixed feelings, but mostly I'm excited!

I've listened to the movie album on Spotify already, and held it up against the original. I have lots of opinions.

Cast Performance

Erika Henningsen vs Angourie Rice as Cady Heron: I’m sorry Angourie I’m sure you’re great but Erika really put her soul into her Broadway performance. So much emotion, so much energy and personality in her voice. By comparison, Angourie mostly seems to be singing to sound good rather than to communicate parts of the story in the musical. (I will say however that she did do pretty good in her last song, “I See Stars”.)

Taylor Louderman vs Renee Rap as Regina George: Renee! She did actually play Regina on Broadway after Taylor Louderman. Truth be told, I love Taylor’s version (lol) the best but Renee’s is nothing to sneeze at either. 10/10, no notes.

Ashley Park vs Bebe Wood as Gretchen: Ashley Park did it better. Bebe’s songs are.. okay. But they did cut a lot of Gretchen’s lines in the MG 2024 Spotify album, so that does affect her rating.

Kate Rockwell vs Avantika as Karen: I can’t choose, they both did a good job with their roles. I feel like Kate’s Karen really echoed Amanda Seyfried’s Karen in the original movie, but from what I could tell in the Spotify album, Avantika’s spin on Karen sounds equally good. I do wish they’d given her more songs/lines!

Barrett Wilbert Weed vs Auliʻi Cravalho as Janis!! OH MY FUCKING GOD you guys. If Renee gets a 10/10 Auli gets an 11/10 from me. Auli'i definitely did her homework. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

Grey Henson vs Jaquel Spivey as Damien: There's absolutely nothing wrong with Grey's version of Damien, it's a very good match for the movie one. But Jaquel’s Damien? He had such a beautiful voice, he really went above and beyond for Damien. My vote’s for Jaquel all the way.

The Songs

I won’t be listing them all because that would make this post much too long but here are my highlights:

They cut “It Roars” for “What Ifs” in the movie. Booo. “It Roars” told a good story, “What Ifs” is forgettable, in my opinion.

Auliʻi Cravalho’s version of “Revenge Party” is awesome. She absolutely killed it (/positive) and although I’m not one to usually approve lyric changes, I love the enhancement to Janis’ character by making the song more bloodthirsty.

Renee Rap nailed “Someone Gets Hurt” but I expected no less of course.

They changed some of the lyrics in some of the songs. Some of the lyric changes were just one line, or shifting around of roles ("Apex Predator").

“Meet the Plastics” got pared down in the movie album. Actually, a lot of songs got pared down for the movie album, or just moved altogether. I guess it was to adjust for time, and also to accommodate Angourie Rice’s vocal range. Aaron apparently has no singing roles at all.

"What's Wrong With Me" is another one that got pared down. The original song from the Broadway version tops this one, hands down. Had more plot and characterisation to it, this one was. Not it.

They cut Karen's funny lines in the beginning of the song "Sexy" which. Again, is such a shame. Avantika did amazing though.

They changed parts of "I See Stars", but I'm not mad at it tbh

Final Thoughts

I think my main gripe with the movie (from what I can tell based on the Spotify album) is that Angourie Rice is just not built for the powerful belting songs that Cady sings in the musical. That’s not bad, but I just. Surely they could have found another actress to play Cady? One who could actually perform in a musical? I’m a little tired of people being cast in a movie musical and still singing as if they’re trying to record an album. They’re two different things, people.

I guess they were trying to communicate Cady’s innocent and naïve personality in the original movie? but they cut out the rest of her personality in the new songs, making her just. So flat. This is particularly noticeable in the Broadway version of “Stupid With Love” vs the movie one. We were also robbed of Cady's growl in the line "watch me shake my mane" from "Apex Predator" (which is one of my favourite parts of the musical!) It’s tragic, is what it is. I don’t think this is necessarily all Angourie’s fault- mostly, this is poor writing and/or directing.

Similar gripe with Christopher Briney, Aaron’s actor in the movie. Apparently, he didn’t even want the role when he found out it would be a musical, so they cut out Aaron’s singing parts for him. Like?? Just? Hire someone else? It’s a musical, they ought to be committing to it.

Auliʻi has such a freakin beautiful voice, and as far as her singing performance goes she is the perfect casting for Broadway-Janis. Her performance is on parr with Barett’s in my opinion. She is the perfect example of someone who almost certainly did her homework: she understands the role, she puts in the attitude, the grunge, the “fuck you” attitude that made Barett’s version so damn good. I freakin love her.

Honestly from what I can tell I do love most of the people in this album (Jaquel Spivey!!) except for Cady and Aaron. Which is kind of a shame.

[fandoms-in-law]

Around Their Lake

Summary: When Steve broke up with Eddie he split a lake property he'd brought for them so Eddie could own half of it. Now they run competing camps and have to deal with a camper mix-up

Authors Note: I had this idea near the start of the month, and decided today and tomorrow I'm rewriting Rock 'n' Royals for Steddie, first as the camp owners and tomorrow as Erika / Courtney. I deny wholeheartedly this being an excuse to rewatch the film multiple times.

/\/\

This wasn't what Steve wanted for his life, was never what he'd dreamed of and part of him just wanted to stop enforcing the entire argument. Eddie was constantly saying he wanted the entire lake, wanted to extend Camp Rock and Steve, well, he didn't care.

The only reason he argued was that it was easier, far far easier than admitting that he didn't want to lose this connection with Eddie but if asked he'd probably all too willingly give up his camp for Eddie to share his passions with more kids. Robin sometimes called him out on it but often just agreed they wouldn't have worked out back when the lake property was brought.

She'd been the one to help him split the property deed before his parents ever learnt he'd brought it, and ensured that Eddie knew he had it, ownership of half the lake they'd dreamt of running away to and living peacefully with their family and kids coming to visit. Robin had been the one he'd questioned his parents re-entry to his life and doting after Hawkins was rebuilt and the one who helped him figure out.

The break up had been to protect both of them from what his parents could do and Steve hated it. He hated it even more when Eddie decided he was reverting back to his King Steve days and thought he was above him when all Steve was thinking about was how easily his parents could block Eddie and all of Corroded Coffin from ever achieving anything with their music.

/\/\

“Either you're in the wrong camp or I needed parents like yours twenty years ago.” Steve stated, seeing Erika Juno enter his office. He recognised her, easily recognised her as one of the popsters Max, El and Erica Sinclair were raving about being amazing currently, and knew that she wasn't meant for his camp, jokingly called camp royalty since Steve had focused on his favourite things when setting it up.

“Nope. I'm meant to be at Camp Rock. I was running late and went where I could hear my name being called.” Erika agreed, leaning back and putting her feet on the desk.

Steve smirked at her, doing nothing to discourage it. “Then you get two choices; I can call Camp Rock and try to sort out the mix-up while you stay here for a few days until your transfer is sorted, or you can stay here for the entire time and see whether you like horse riding, baking and ballroom dancing compared to the dance styles you're more used to.”

“As fascinating as that sounds, I'd prefer to go through the transfer. Nothing against you though. This place is flashy.” Erika decided, glancing around as she complimented his camp.

“Robin will direct you to where your room is and I'll try to catch up with you about how the transfer will work tomorrow.” Steve stood, holding his hand out to shake and gesturing to Robin.

/\/\

Camp Rock needed the space.

That was basically the entirety of Eddie's claims that he'd buy out Camp Royalty. He was sure both of them knew there was plenty of space to grow their camps closer together and both of them were avoiding doing so for all their arguments and claims of expansion, but his camp was growing more each year and he needed to extend sooner rather than later.

Except he couldn't subject his students to noise limitations here when all of them faced that at home too and Harrington's had been a family as likely to log a noise complaint as they were to get one when Steve's parents were out of town. It seemed unavoidable that after years in their pockets Steve would be just the same now.

/\/\

“And this is Miss Courtney.” Eddie said, looking at the computer screen rather than looking up at the camper now sat in his office. “Gareth, why is Miss Courtney here? I could swear it usually takes at least a day before anyone is asking for help.”

Gareth scratched his neck, before deciding to just redirect Eddie's gaze. “Well, there's been a mix-up, with Camp Royalty I think.”

“Daughter of a wealthy businessman wanting you to follow in his steps or fulfil traditional gender roles?” Eddie summarised his views of the campers across the lake.

“Something like that, but this was meant to be a fun week away from that.” She offered.

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “Not sure how that camp is getting away from it, but fine. Do you want me to call and sort out a transfer or to rebel a little, stick around here and find out how much fun you can really have?”

Courtney paused, watching him. “I don't think I'd really be much good here, so if it isn't a hassle, please can you arrange for me to transfer to the camp they meant to send me to?” She uncertainly requested.

“Your choice. Gareth will point you to the right note your staying in while I sort that out.” Eddie agreed easily with a wave.

/\/\

Steve was already pinching his nose by the time the phone was answered. “You're through to Camp Rock, if this is family news for the students please only call if it's urgent they know. How can I help?”

“Hey Gareth, it's Steve from Camp Royalty. I need to speak to Eddie. We've got one of your campers here.” He explained, already aware that Eddie rarely was the first to answer the phone.

“And we've got one of yours. I'll find him, but are we really not just letting them swap and skipping the paperwork?” Gareth asked, the sound of a door opening and closing audible through the phone.

Steve groaned, “I wish. It's the insurance paperwork though. We're already paying extra because there's no fence or separation between the borders of our camps. If we swapped campers between them without paperwork to say who is staying where the premiums would inflate exponentially.”

“Oh Stevie, you sure know how to solve a problem.” Eddie replied, chipper and confusing him before he realised the phone had been handed over without him being told. “But seriously? Are they actually charging us extra for that? Because that is idiotic.”

“The joys of things my parents forced me to learn, right? Insurance companies like to be precise over what they protect us from and things that make them more at risk.” Steve muttered, “Anyway, I've got a camper called Erika who should be over at your camp.”

Eddie laughed, “You're not sending the Sinclairs over to me just because baby Sinclair can walk rings around you.”

“Erika Juno.”

“Point to Steve.” Eddie stated, “Okay, well we do have a Miss Courtney who should be over with the snobs too. What forms do we need to processing to transfer them to each other?”

He sighed again, chuckling a little. “Just because I was forced to use computers before you found the need to doesn't mean I'm in charge of telling you how they work.” He said before explaining what the forms should be for, as well as what information would need to be included and agreeing to send copies of them over.

Robin was stood leaning against the door when he got off the phone. “You are still so gone on Eddie, it's almost sickening.”

“Not my fault that I'm a romantic.” He countered, leaning back in his seat.

“This isn't being a romantic, this is pining hopelessly without daring to ask for more than your half confrontational, half weirdly dependant neighbours thing you two have.” She stated, deadpan, “And that's coming from your entirely co-dependant, no borders allowed platonic soulmate.”

/\/\

“Robin, this is how I manage it.” Steve stated the moment he heard Erika Juno actually sing. “This is how we get Eddie to take the rest of the lake without trying to push money on me.”

Robin frowned at him, glancing around in confusion. “By walking through our camp listening to the singing classes masquerading as an acapella choir?”

“No, by making a bet on a singing competition between our camps, making Eddie think we're that confident in the Camp Rock kid we've got being able to win it for us. Winner gets the full lake.” Steve explained, grinning, “She's amazing but with the Camp Royalty campers making cliques just as much as Hawkins High did, she'll be fighting a losing battle to make the song win the contest.”

“Steve Harrington wants to set up a competition to deliberately lose? Did I die in the upside down and this is a very long hallucination.” Robin exclaimed playfully, after a quick glance around to confirm none of their campers was close enough to hear.

Steve shook his head, laughing too. “You know I've not been that focused on winning for years, practically since before we ever worked together.”

/\/\

Gareth and Eddie both stared at the phone in confusion. “That was on loudspeaker. I didn't just imagine that entire conversation, right?” Eddie mumbled after a while.

“Nope. Steve Harrington just suggested a song contest between our camps. Either he's going to fix the judges, or he's literally trying to give the rest of the lake to you for some reason.” Gareth agreed.

“Now come up with something believable for a suggestion.” He glared.

Holding up his hands and stepping back he repeated a comment the entire band had directed to Eddie a million times over the years, “Both are believable and quite possibly he'd fix it in order for us to win. Harrington has been gone on you for-literally-ever at this point. Why else would he have given you this property in your break up as if it was a divorce instead? That and I'm 100% certain his parents never knew that he'd brought the entire thing and then given half of it away.”

“It was the easiest way to get my name off the deed without getting me to agree to him buying it out.” Eddie mumbled back. “Besides he's definitely not now since he wants to get away from me and the lake.”

Gareth rolled his eyes. “Remind me how long you've been asking how much to buy him out? This could easily be just trying to fulfil what you want for the hundredth time. Someone wanting to get away from you would not, I repeat Would Not spend ages teaching you what paperwork or computer filing needs doing to run your camp effectively.”

“So he's still a good guy. He still dumped me so he could play happy families with mum and dad Harrington.” Eddie pouted.

/\/\

With the bet confirmed, Steve had wanted to just let the campers enjoy preparing for it, decide who forms the acapella group and which songs they do. The issue was that the campers didn't seem all that willing to just enjoy the process themselves.

“Is everything alright?” He asked, stepping between Olivia and Erika calmly.

“Just an artistic difference of opinion.” Olivia said, sounding stressed and overly polite compared to the ferocity that had been in her voice moments before.

Erika held out the pages he'd thought they were arguing over. “I was just asking if we could try a song I've been playing around with for the contest.”

“Friendship is a more relatable subject to sing about than being royalty, which, I might add, none of us should claim to be. Being rich because of parents successful in business does not guarantee our own success without putting the work in and learning to get along with those around us.” Steve reasoned, repeating some advice he knew Robin must have told him at some point early on in the career his parents pulled and pushed him into. She'd followed along, of course, but neither of them had enjoyed their work until they decided to build and open this camp.

“We've already chosen our performance piece.” Olivia attempted to argue but was clearly now uncertain on how important that was.

Steve nodded, “But you still have a few days left to practice. Plenty of time to learn a new song should the rest of the group want to do so. This shouldn't be a decision made by just the two of you.”

The girls glared at each other for a moment more before turning back to the group. “Okay guys, let's try practising both for today and voting on which we like more at the start of tomorrow session.” Olivia called out, clearly unhappy but accepting his point.

/\/\

He just wanted to rock out with the band, perhaps give a few hints and tips to the future chart toppers.

He did not want to walk into the studio to Sloane screaming corrections at the rest of the group and Marcus claiming no-one was feeling the song they were using for the competition.

“What if we played one of Courtney's songs?” Zia suggested.

Sloane was immediately scoffing, none of them noticing Eddie there still. “A princess can't write songs.”

“A good song can come from anywhere and anyone.” He interrupted. “Looks like you found your skills for Camp Rock. Let's hear whichever song Zia thinks would fit the competition.”

Eddie beamed as he listened to the song and got to rock out to it a bit. This was what music was meant to be about, sharing a story and having some fun together. He couldn't help but declare it able to win the competition, even if he thought he should have tried getting his campers to find a compromise themselves.

/\/\

Steve had headed back to his office, already drafting up the paperwork to sign everything over to Eddie and thought he'd heard something. If it was one of the party surprising him during a camp week he knew he'd have to wait until they decided to jump out, given both Dustin and Mike had kicked up a fuss the times he didn't. Except if it was a camper then he should probably check on them in case there's an issue he needs to help resolve.

Or he could monologue about the bet and see whether the campers react to learning about it at all. “Eddie better have the paperwork ready for when I win that bet. Camp Royalty has this in the bag and Camp Rock should be preparing to close its doors.” He tried to make his words believable while meaning none of them. He never wanted to make his campers doubt themselves or their abilities even when he was hoping they'd lose the competition.

A gasp and the sound of his table scraping slightly along the floor showed whoever was there heard and was trying to hide even more than before. “I better start getting the expansion plans finalised.” He decided, turning around to head out of the room.

Whatever was going to happen could come now, and hopefully that wouldn't backfire on him.

/\/\

The stage and binding lights had never been Steve's place. He'd never wanted the spotlight and had barely dated Eddie long enough to dream about helping them on tour, doing something backstage so he could just watch Eddie perform every night.

It had always been a 'what if' daydream since then, but now he had to co-host, at Eddie's insistence, this entire event.

“Can you believe he's single? I hear opposites attract, maybe you should find someone funny.” The words felt foreign to him, and he begged in his mind that Robin wouldn't be quoting that at him later. She already was mouthing opposites attract at his back, he was sure of it, even more so when Eddie's expression momentarily twisted.

“Let's introduce the judges.” Eddie announced, thankfully ending the stilted commentary they'd attempted making to begin the show.

/\/\

Robin and Steve were jumping around and cheering like mad.

On the other side of the audience Eddie was screaming and whistling, leaping around while Gareth hollered and encourage the rest of their campers to applaud louder.

“Never in my life did I expect this to be the outcome of this competition! I want to commend whichever campers managed to orchestrate this amalgamation, this blending, this meeting of worlds, if only for how much they must have been racing around the lake constantly to organise it.” Steve ran out onto the stage, realising that the applause was slowing down and as hosts he and Eddie were meant to be there. A glance back to the Camp Royalty section of the audience showed Robin laughing at his praise.

Eddie was soon to follow, clearly prepared to argue but pausing just as he was beside Steve, “I entirely agree, but also entirely expected you to be arguing with this. Whatever happened to competition is healthy for our campers?” He asked, clearly attempting to question whether the bet they'd made still stood.

Steve laughed, gesturing behind them, “I think it's pretty clear that even our campers don't agree with that. They've decided that rock and royalty can work together and I long since learnt better than to argue with a large group of teens. Perhaps we should even merge our camps together to see what else they'll create.”

“Hey Steve? You wanted to congratulate us for storming away from camp and befriending each other instead?” Erika called, arm around Courtney and pulling her forward from the rest of the performers.

Eddie burst out laughing then, “Oh I am so glad not to have gotten involved in whatever camp drama caused that reaction. Let me guess, you both struggled to get along with everyone in the camps you ended up in and stood out enough to have confrontations.”

“Just a few.” Courtney admitted.

/\/\

Both camps were saved, and the band had somehow launched into a completely different song Eddie was sure couldn't have been rehearsed half as much as should've been necessary to perform it so well. Except instead of being allowed to just enjoy it, he found himself being pushed away, and lowered into the backstage area by Gareth, with Robin doing the same thing to Steve, on the same lowering platform.

“I get the feeling they want us to talk.” Steve muttered, glancing around to see where the platform control was instead of heading for the way out into the audience.

“Gareth is probably expecting me to ask if this was your attempt to give me the rest of the lake or if we could date again.” Eddie sighed, hoping if he just brought up those talking points they could get back to their celebrating scheming campers quickly. “But I want to know why the campers would have made themselves a supergroup at all.”

For a moment he was just blinked at. “To Gareth's questions, the answer is yes. And to yours, I was pretty sure one was hiding in my office a few days back so spoke aloud about the bet. Not sure who or why they were hiding, but you said it yourself, I'm happy not to get involved in the camper's drama.”

“When the hell did you start wanting this again? You told me we couldn't be together and you had to spend time with your parents if they were going to so much effort for you.” Eddie ranted.

That was the thing that made Steve snap, that brought out the fierce glare Eddie had seen a few times when Hawkins was still treating him like a murderer after the Upside Down was dealt with. “I Never Stopped! I'm still utterly insulted you believed half of the nonsense I said when breaking up with you and infitely hurt you just immediately decided I was reverting back to being King Steve. The Harrington's could have destroyed any chance you had to get this far! Those albums on your walls could have been gone before you dreamt them up if my parents found out we dated! Who cares that I'd have been immediately either disowned with everything they could take from me taken, or trapped in the lowest role of their business with no chance to progress until they decided I was straight and following their orders, you would have lost your dreams! Business owners don't let their kids have room in rockstars worlds.”

“There was always room for you in my life, Stevie. You never asked for it back.” Eddie's voice had softened, sounded comforting now in the face of anger now being thrown at him.

“You immediately called me King Steve when first opening your camp beside mine. Even when Gareth was pretty chill to talk with, you left the wall there. How was I meant to know I could ask for anything?” The energy was gone from his words and his head came to rest on Eddie's shoulder. “So I just took what I could helping and arguing as you wanted.”

Eddie nudged him back from his hiding place in his neck, one hand coming up to tilt Steve's face to his own. “Well what I want now is to date and run one big camp with you. Is that something you think you could stand?”

Steve smiled, nodding, “On 2 conditions. 1. I'm in charge of the filing and paperwork with Gareth's help for the numbers side of it all.”

“And the other?”

“You kiss me already.”

[illarian-rambling]

For the ask game: 71, 81, 82

And I'll ask for Alekks/Erika

Whoops, I think you got me mixed up with @inky-duchess (who I invite to answer these too if so inclined), but I'll answer for my characters nevertheless :)

If someone were to insult their S/O, how would the other handle it?

Poorly, in both cases!

Astra has a temper already, and it's only compounded when used in the defense of her partner. Any insult directed towards Mashal, especially towards something he's sensitive about, will pull the pin on her proverbial grenade. She'll go fully past "bless your heart" and into "I pray the gods will have mercy on your soul when it's burning in hell." Her accent comes out even more when she's mad, so half of anything she says is unintelligible.

Mashal's anger is much quieter than Astra's, but no less potent. He won't react to everything. Astra gets worked up over many an imagined slight, and in those cases, he just tries to talk her down. But if something truly hurts her and she goes quiet, Mashal isn't afraid to use his words like a knife. He'll go for the heart, honing all his wonderful insight into one observation of the cruelest sort. He might not be as fervent as Astra, but he can be far more cutting in far fewer words.

Did they have a meet cute? Or was it a train wreck?

Astra found Mashal half dead on the side of a country road. Before she realized he was a broken robot, she figured that pile of shiny scrap metal might make her a quick couple of bucks. After she realized though, she fixed him up with the help of a friend. Mashal was very confused when he finally came to. His memories were gone and everything felt wrong, but he didn't know why. He had no place to go, so Astra let him stay with her until he got his feet back under him out of the goodness of her heart. So far, he's never left. I'll categorize that under train wreck.

Make their relationship into a list of A03 tags.

I've never gone on AO3 much, but I'll do my best!

Slow burn, strangers to lovers, short and angry x gentle giant, match each other's freak

Thanks for the asks!

[glassmoonfortuneteller]

ELDARYA NEW EPISODE THOUGHTS - SPOILERS

Alright, so there's something that's been bothering me for a while...

When Erika first met Ophelia, the reincarnation of the oracle, she tells her how her choices will determine the fate of Eldarya and how she must be careful about what decisions she will make (I assume she meant the aengel/daemon paths). After that, Erika talks to her after she returns from Earth, where Ophelia tells her how Eldarya is doomed, that her choices led to this to happening and now she will have to guide the fairies into a new exodus. "Oh, but not you though, someone else will lead the way”, and I'm just here thinking: what was the point of all this then?

Erika hasn't done anything that could have changed the fate of Eldarya since the beginning of New Era. Ever since she woke up from the crystal, she has been trying to figure out what was happening and why, and to find a way to stop the end of the world. And while she was learning about the portals, the templars and the role of her father as the new antagonist of the story, Eldarya was already going to shit, and that had been happening years before the current events. If Eldarya's destruction was inevitable, then her participation on the main conflict of this season was irrelevant.

Yes, she’s being part of the faerie migration to Earth, but I can't help but think that it could have happened without her direct interference either way, mainly because there was already another human somehow related to Charles (the big baddie final boss) inside the guard that was going to be part of the main events too, mostly because he is a LI.

I'm not saying that she and Mathieu have the same role in the story or that things would have been exactly the same without her, but nothing she did on Eldarya or on Earth would have altered the chain of events that followed. How did Erika, “the child of both worlds”, participate in the big climax of the story? Her being “the last of the aengels”? Nothing more than to show how powerful she is and how she can fight now (not as important as in TO). Her being Charles's daughter? Nope, there was already a "counter-organization" working against him on Earth that will help the fairies with their relocation.  

So even if, let’s say, Erika was still trapped in the crystal at this point in the story, Huang Hua would still have died, Huang Chu would have become the Phoenix, gaining the power to stabilize the portal and send the fairies to Earth anyway.

So please tell me because I'm tired and I might me missing something here, but what important choices was Ophelia talking about at the beginning of the season? There are few if not just one episodes left, and I really want to know if any of the "major decisions" Erika has made in the last 19 episodes will make a difference to the story (aengel/daemon - good/bad ends) or if it was just part of the narrative and not really like, something we as players could have done to change the finale.

* If someone is doing the daemon path and the story does change in their gameplay, please tell me, it’ll mean I’m wrong and I just spent way too much time writing this nonsense ^^’ *

[teenagemutantninjatrauma]

You already know I'm asking about my dear Bishop for the character questions.

1) Something this character is truly proud of.

13) What kind of parent they would be. 

18) Special talents they have.

21) Their fondest childhood memory.

22) How they spend their money. 

:)

omg hi erika hiiiiiii

1) Something this character is truly proud of.

Oh boy where to even start. He was very proud of the EPF and I don't think that changed even after he realized he was going about it wrong. Because even then, who else could've single-handedly achieved what he has?

He's similarly proud of most things he's made of his own initiative - scientific projects especially (for example, the cloning, of course). He's also a cruel bastard so he's probably very proud of himself not only for defeating an enemy but also for causing them as much strife and pain as possible.

Of course, he's proud of the PGA as well. Again - who else could've done what he's done?

13) What kind of parent they would be.

A TERRIBLE ONE!! Bishop is not built for parenting, he's built for leading an army. He's built for surviving in horrible conditions. He's not built for what parenting mostly entails - a lot of kindness and communication.

At least, though, he has the patience, and that would work to his benefit. He's also used to having a project fail and moving on to try again, which uh. Well his kid might get treated a bit like an experiment even if he's parenting them intentionally. This could be both good and bad honestly.

If he's not parenting a kid alone he probably does better because he has feedback and someone's there to call him out if he's fucking it up. Which is why I think even in non-romantic scenarios Stockman would be pretty good for balancing him out! :D

18) Special talents they have.

I mean, lying is an obvious one, right? If that counts.

Also, horse riding, definitely. I don't know how much of a special talent that is, but he can definitely do that, and it's a fun little surprise for anyone witnessing it because he doesn't really get to do it often. His practices might be a little old-fashioned and not entirely ethical, though. Someone should make sure he's not bullying that horse.

His body also grants him a bunch of little fun abilities that help him survive, although i don't know if those count as special talents.

21) Their fondest childhood memory.

Eughhhh........ I don't know if he has many. Both because it's been so long and because, as we all seem to agree, his childhood probably sucked a lot. Personally my headcanon is that he was a weird little neurodivergent kid and aroacespec, and was already fascinated by stuff like dead animals, and all of that kind of mixed together to make him seem strange and offputting to anyone who met him, including his parental figure(s).

He probably would've liked the farm animals, though, so that might be a handful of soft little memories.

And I think he would've thrived when he was in the army, the routine and predictability was good for him (and nobody was asking him when he was gonna get married, which is a plus). So that might be another handful of small good memories. It's not exactly childhood but I mean, to a guy centuries old, it might as well be, right?

22) How they spend their money.

Rarely and usually for scientific equipment. And maybe bribes, if nothing else works. If he actually has any sort of family at any point (again, see Stockshop universes as well as AHC AU for examples) he kind of just delegates money spending to whoever seems like they're not gonna be completely stupid about it, because he himself doesn't really.... want anything. That necessitates being a person and having desires and interests outside of work, and he's exceptionally bad at that. That's okay, though, because his family keeps him in mind anyways and buys him something every so often :) Maybe he eventually spends money on them too, when he realizes that he like. Cares. I'd imagine that gift giving is a nightmare for him, though!

[fromtenthousandfeet]

i can get behind your backing of new jeans, but the way you defend min hee jin is funny because that woman is crazy. you hate hybe so much that you think she's absolved of any guilt.

Hi Anon. Thanks for your message. I usually delete these asks, but I decided to answer yours.

I have a few questions for you before I share my own opinions.

Why is she crazy? Can you be more specific? Please don't answer with "she's a pedo, witch, groomer." Do you have clear examples of her craziness? What is she guilty of?

Have you ever worked under or lived with a narcissist? Have you experienced narcissistic abuse? What do you know about the effects of narcissistic abuse?

Why is it important for me to view her as crazy?

Do my opinions about her, BSH, NewJeans, or any of the members of BTS matter? Why is it important for me to agree with ARMYs about her?

You think your assessment of MHJ is correct and I think my view of her is correct. Which one of us is right? What if we're both wrong?

Now for my response. I follow a bunch of blogger on this site who don't like MHJ and criticize her. When I read their comments, I make a choice to either shrug it off and accept that we don't all have to see eye to eye, or in some cases, I just stop following them. I have never sent an anonymous ask questioning their views of her. Like seriously, who cares? We are all entitled to our own opinions. Nothing I say on this platform has any importance or impact whatsoever.

Contrary to popular belief (apparently), I am not some MHJ super fan. I don't have an altar of her set up in my home. There are things I like about her, though.

I enjoy her taste in music. You can see her playlists on her IG account. I like that she sources songs from up and coming indie women songwriters like Erika de Casier and Benee. I like that her creative directors are a woman and an openly out gay man. That's basically unheard of in highly misogynistic and homophobic SK. I like that the members of NJ aren't emaciated. I like that they're dressed like teenagers/young adults instead of Lolitas meant to appeal to middle-aged men. I like that she wants to change the K-pop industry, because it desperately needs an overhaul.

As for Bang Si Hyuk. I don't hate him as much as he saddens me. It's hard to watch him piss away all the money BTS made over the years. And now he's pissing away their creative legacy with his weird obsession with Western validation. To be honest, watching BSH move is like watching a Greek tragedy. Maybe he started out as a hero (yeah, no), but along the way he became blinded by hubris, ego, and greed. Sadly, he has the potential to bring down many other with him if he falls and fails.

Finally, all I want is for the members of BTS to be free. I want them to make the music they want to make, together and/or solo. I want them to have the freedom to live normal lives, speak their minds, have relationships, and so on and so on. I REALLY want Jimin out of the company, because they have never treated him fairly or equally, and they never will as long as BSH is at the helm.

Keeping tabs on HYBE is a diversion for me and blogging about what's going on is a hobby. That's as far as I take it. For entertainment purposes, I'm really looking forward to season 2 of BSH vs. MHJ! Let the battle continue! The NJ girls are likely days away from terminating their contracts with HYBE. Now everyone - Tokkis and ARMYs alike - should be happy.

I shared this article about MHJ a few months ago. I'm not sure if anyone read it or not, but it's really good. The interview with her took place before all the drama began and it's so interesting to read her thoughts on the industry. For those of you who don't want to read it, here's what she said about BTS:

Some BTS fans want to compare how well one member’s album does over another member’s. BTS is a group that’s been around for 10 years now. They did their duty, basically. So I think it’s time to focus less on the stats and just enjoy their music—[let them] do what they want to do. 

What she said about working with Taehyung was really nice, too. Anyway, here's the article again. Basically, she and BSH are polar opposites when it comes to their approach to music and the industry. For the life of me, I can't get this article to embed. Sorry.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91113146/k-pops-leading-company-has-declared-war-on-itself-this-never-seen-interview-profiles-the-creative-legend-at-the-center-of-it

P.S. One last thing on this already too-long post. I believe the parallels between MHJ and Jimin are strong. They're both super creative and have high standards. They're also both at the center of BSH's ire for being successful without him. MHJ's so-called crazy outbursts and press conferences are in line with someone who is new to gaslighting and narcissistic abuse. She was also a full grown adult when it started. BTW, gaslighting DOES make you crazy. I know first hand. Jimin's response to the years of mistreatment - pulling away, keeping a low profile, operating in self-preservation mode - is also indicative of someone who has been on the receiving end for a long time and from an early age. That's my armchair psychiatrist's take on things.

[omori-aus-archive]

OMORI oneshot for Aubrey's birthday: Seeking A Balance

A oneshot for Aubrey's birthday, set a few months after the good ending. This also features @donuqx-art's OC Vix with her permission. I apologize if I get Vix wrong. I really tried....

Erika pulled her motorcycle up to the park, getting off and taking out a bag from the sidecar, before heading into the park and finding the Hooligans.

Artist and the Baker twins' respective little brothers Angel and Mikhael were kind enough to call and let Erika know of Aubrey's birthday, thinking that she'd be interested in knowing.

The woman told Artist, Bowen, and Daphne that she'd try and go over, thinking that it'd be beneficial to her and Aubrey if she visited.

Much to her surprise, it wasn't Angel or Mikhael that greeted her first, but rather, Kim...and another teenager that she didn't recognize.

The teenager was about Aubrey's height, had brown hair with pink highlights which was braided, with brown cargo pants, white crop top, and pink contacts.

"Mikhael and Angel invited me." Erika told Kim, who nodded. The other brunette said, "Angel said you might be coming over. Though I'm...kinda surprised you actually did."

The blue clad girl then looked off to the side, "Especially how she reacted towards your brother...."

Erika chose not to comment about that, merely sighing with a nod.

Kim then looked at the girl next to her, "Vix, this is Erika. Sunny and Mari's older sister. Erika, this is Vix."

The woman nodded, offering her hand out, "Nice to meet you.", before noticing the brunette's hesitation. She just chuckled, "Yes, I know. I'm very tall for my age."

"Um.... Yeah." Vix said, slowly taking Erika's hand as she shook off her stunned reaction to the woman's towering stature. "Nice to meet you too."

Kim went to get Aubrey, leaving Vix and Erika to talk alone.

"So...what do you do, exactly?" The brunette asked. "Aubrey and the others...don't talk about you much."

Erika nodded, assuming that her response to Aubrey's...less than respectful reaction towards the truth about Mari scared the pinkette.

"I'm a biker for BACA." The albino woman explained, peaking Vix's interest. "I also workout at the local gym and personally train a few customers."

"Ah.... That explains you looking like you could bench-press cars." The brunette commented, receiving a chuckle from Erika, who just nodded.

"So, you're a biker for Bikers Against Child Abuse...?" Vix asked, receiving a nod from the woman. The teenager lowered her head, before saying, "I...might have a situation regarding my parents...."

Erika nodded, "I'll chat about it with my group." She then sighed, "Swear to God, this town is fucking cursed. Bad parenting, child abuse, death, and abandonment...."

"Word...." Vix nodded with a groan. "From what it sounds like, you and your siblings have gone through that a lot...."

The woman nodded, rubbing her eyes, "Hate my parents. Probably the reason why things ended up the way they are."

"So glad I got Sunny away from that shit." She added, receiving a nod from the brunette. The teenager gave a sad expression, "I'm sorry you three had to go through all that...."

Erika shook her head, "Don't be.... We all go through our struggles. It's just a matter of making our voices clear to get the help we need."

Vix lowered her head, nodding.

Erika could only assume that she understood that on a personal level.

....

....

Eventually, Kim managed to drag Aubrey over before she left with Vix, leaving Aubrey and Erika to their own devices.

"So...you actually arrived." The pinkette said sheepishly, receiving a nod from Erika. The woman responded, "Figured it was in my best interest."

She then looked towards Angel and Mikhael in the near-distance, "After all, either of those two's siblings would likely convince me to go anyway."

"That or Sunny asking to go in his stead." Erika added.

Aubrey looked shocked, "E-Even after how I reacted, he wou-?" "Of course, Sunny would want to come. You know how loving he is." Erika said, cutting the teenager off mid-question.

She then narrowed her eyes, looming over Aubrey dangerously, "And believe me, I do NOT intend forgiving you for how you behaved around my little brother."

"That said, it is in my best interest to try and be civil, so please do the same. Get it?" She asked, receiving a small nod from the girl.

"...Got it. I...understand." The pinkette answered quietly. Erika nodded, "Good. Then we are in agreement.", before handing over a box.

"From Sunny, Mari, and I." The woman hummed, stepping back as Aubrey took the present and began opening it, revealing a large pink rabbit plush with a small eggplant plush inside.

"Sunny told me that you liked rabbits and eggplants. Something about Mr. Eggplant and Bun-Bun." The woman explained. "We didn't know which one to get you, so I just...purchased both."

Aubrey nodded warmly, "I appreciate it. Thank you. Both of you."

"I would appreciate it if you thanked Sunny in person." Erika said firmly. "And preferably before or around his birthday."

The pinkette gave another nod, not giving any sign of resistance or objection.

After how she reacted towards after he revealed the truth surrounding Mari's death.... After how she treated him in general....

The least she could do was meet the boy again in person and try to start fresh with him.

"You wanna stay for a bit? Angel's sister is here." She suggested.

Erika gave a small smile, "Just for a little bit. I gotta be back for dinner.", before following Aubrey to join the pinkette's friends.

[wa3v3y]

Let’s talk about my first theory of relativity experience!

In the production I saw everyone was wearing white. Different clothes but it was all white and barefoot. It was really beautiful and I loved the look of it!

The opening number was amazing. The music was just perfectly written and performed.

The first song being I’m allergic to cats was so silly. It gave Leaf Coneybear Vibes to me except in another universe because Leaf loved cats. It’s a very silly time and the actor was fantastic.

Pi pt. 1: Watching this character come out for this the first time was amazing. I relate to them so much he’s so silly. I sit there and memorize pi because I’m scared of asking people out? Yes.

The end of the line: This is one of the two songs that I’ve heard before driving to this show and I loved the section I heard originally, but seeing the whole song performed live was beautiful. The story is just so investing and I love it.

Great expectations: this song is fabulous. The staging was amazing with the boards on stage. I really enjoyed it and it was so powerful. This song is just perfection.

Relativity (Reprise 1): brining the show back to the title was great. This song hit so hard after great expectations.

Footprint: This song was amazing. The way that the song and the actor told this story was perfection. The dog and then the sister and then the PARENTS. This song just hit so close to me for some reason. Perfection.

Pi pt. 2: I was so happy when this silly little guy came out again. He is perfection to be protected at ALL COSTS. I want to hug him.

Lipstick: This song was so cute. Her talking about hating the shade was so funny and him calculating how to graze her hand. Perfect rom com meet cute.

Apples and oranges: this song was so fucking goofy. I loved it so much and when Ryan (footprint guy) came as the guy that liked oranges. I was giggling and kicking my feet.

Me and Ricky: this song is amazing and executed perfectly. When she smeared the red lipstick on her white shirt it was just OMFG. When I first listened to this song in the car I was thinking of RTC Ricky which was funny. Like oh what if she’s Penny and he’s Ricky. I do have a question: did she kill him? TT

Promise me this: First, how is Erika e v e r y w h e r e. But this song hit so hard and I almost started completely sobbing. The way they staged it with her descriptions being shadows on the cyc *chefs kiss*

Julie’s song: I was sitting there at first being like “wait are these the fucking cats” but it was so cute and both of the characters are PERFECT

Pi pt. 3/Relativity (Reprise 2): I loved all the pi parts but watching him literally crawl out. This song made me so happy when he finally said he’d go and talk to her.

Relative pitch: for some reason I can’t remember this very well. The harmonies are beautiful though.

You will never know: This song with the lipstick people was even better to me. There was so much for me to walk and when they went backwards and then forwards. I loved it.

Person A reprise: bringing this back after seeing the whole story was the best fucking thing. No words just happiness.

Nothing without you: this song made me so sad and gave me such a boost I actually just wanted to curl up and cry for twenty minutes.

Cake monologues: these monologues being sprinkled in were GENIUS. I loved all of these monologues. And when her and pi kid got together I had the best time of my life. I’m literally him.

Nail monologue: this monologue was so long. Like respect for memorizing it. All the stories intertwining made me so fucking happy.

This show was with live accompaniment which was great and it also had a ton of awesome lifts. Perfection.

This show was AMAZING. After I thought “that show was so fucking good there’s no way I can like ride the cyclone more right” spoiler: I was wrong… very wrong. The music was amazing. The cast was amazing. Everything was amazing.

Thank you inner voice! And thank you for reading all of this TT

[readercognito]

Palladium x Reader

A Mortal Trial Chapter 2

Master list

(and yes I gave professor Palladium a first name, it's Athos. Coming from Athena, synonymous with wisdom. I found it fitting.)

It had been a rough morning for our dear professor. It seemed his magic was draining from his body… During the middle of one of earliest lessons his spell had fizzled out as he was demonstrating it! To say the least it had been more than a little embarrassing as the teen girls got quite the kick out of Palladium's face of utter shock when his magic then repeatedly cut out. He was actually feeling rather lethargic as the morning went on. Feeling that something was horribly wrong with him he had gone to see Griselda, she had a wealth of experience with magic he wasn’t really familiar with. So he went to see her as soon as he had a free moment.

“Your magic is what?” Griselda asked in disbelief, her usual bored gruff tone somehow managed to make her sound both sarcastic and greatly concerned.

“I just don’t know!” Athos said exasperatedly, throwing his hands in the air. Then as a wave of fatigue washed over him he sits down on one of the chairs in the professors lounge. “The only way that I can describe it is as if my power is being pulled right from my body…”

Griselda sat down beside him, a worried look crept onto her face. “Athos, I’m really not much of an expert on elves and how your kinds magic works… Have you interacted with anything out of the ordinary lately?” She asked, her tone growing so strangely soft and inquisitive.

Athos thought for a moment, running a hand through his long blonde locks. Choosing to think out loud for a bit to gather his thoughts.

“Well the only thing I’ve done both outside my routine and realm was go to Gardenia. A friend of mine was having a new years celebration, and I attended…” Athos trailed off, not quite ready to divulge his meeting of the mystery woman he had met that night.

“Did anything happen there?” Griselda asked, only mildly curious. Mostly sleuthing out a means to Athos’ loss of power. 

“Well… I did meet this one woman… the experience was, as if I had known her all my life. I’ve never felt that way about anyone before…” Athos begrudged Griselda, then it seemed the answer hit them nearly the same time.

Athos flopped his head onto the table with a groan, as Griselda shouted an “ah ha!” at finding the solution.

“Athos, I believe you’ve found your lost half.” She said to him, Athos smacked his head on the table again as she confirmed his own theory. “What’s the matter? You should be thrilled that you found her! Many magical beings search for centuries to find their other half. And you just happened upon her, in Gardenia of all places…”

Athos sighed, “That's the problem Griselda… I didn’t find her.” He said forlornly, making Griselda raise an eyebrow. The only sign of her confusion.

“What are you talking about? You just said you met her at that ‘party’...” She said,

“That would be an easy solution, but I never got her name…” Athos said, a tad embarrassed that he had gone a whole night talking to someone and had never asked her name…

Griselda mumbled something about boneheaded romantics and asked, “I would try to find her fast then, because-”

“When the last bit of magic leaves my body I’ll lose it forever… Yes I know…” Athos sighed, watching Griselda leave. Thinking about how he could possibly find the woman…

~~

“Eeemmmiiiillyyy please just call her!” Jane begs her friend.

Emily sighs, finally able to get over her giggle fit. She had been going for ten minutes already, though one look at Janes flushed face and scrunched body sent her into another fit every time Emily looked at her.

“Alright, I’ll call Erika. Give me a minute.” Emily dials Erika, talking on the phone with her for a moment. Then hangs up before turning back to Jane.

“Good news, we’ve got a name…” Jane cheers “Bad news, he’s from another dimension and only Todd knows how to contact him and he’s out of town for the next week.” Jane then smacks her forehead, and Emily pats her shoulder in pity.

“So what? I just have to wait and hope he shows up? That could take–!” Then Emily interrupts Jane.

“A week at least, relax Jane. Just try not to wish for anything or something like that for now.” She gives Jane a hug. “I’ll keep the lines open with Erika, you just try to stay calm ok?”

Jane sighs and nods her head, not looking forward to the next week…

~~

Palladium decides to try Todd’s home in the slim hope that there was a way to contact her. But when he knocked on his door, Erika, his wife, was the one who answered. Athos was not to be deterred however. After being invited inside she hits him with a rather surprising question.

“Athos, did you meet someone during our new years party?” Erika asked.

Athos balked, a mixture of shock and relief dropped his shoulders and filled his voice. “Yes, I have. I actually wanted to talk to you about her…”

Erika’s eyes’ lit up and she clapped her hands “Oh, this is exciting! Jane actually wanted to meet you!” She said excitedly.

Athos was certain this was possibly the strangest and most serendipitous day of his life.

It turns out that Jane had been experiencing his magic in a raw form. Just granting her desires and whims, which for anyone unused to that kind of power. It could spell disaster, and just as when he had spoken to her that fateful december night he was impressed with her. Since it seemed the world hadn't started to end, and she hadn’t become an evil something or other given practically unlimited power…

So naturally he decides to find her as quickly as possible, which was once again a stroke of good luck. She had decided to stay home as to avoid more magical mishaps. Athos was a little nervous at the idea of dropping by the house of who was nearly a complete stranger. But Jane (he had finally learned her name, and it was like a song to him.) wasn’t realy a stranger was she? No, she wasn’t. Not after their night together, he had gotten to know so much about her! So with a mix of apprehension and excitement, he heads to the address given to him by Erika. 

[lyranova]

Happy 3 year anniversary for your blog, Lyra~! That's so exciting! For your ask game, lemme ask...

1, 5, and 18 for Yuno?

And to go with Yuno, how about 3, 10, and 14 for Neva~?

Hiya Erika, thank you so much 😁! Ooo yay a question for YuNeva, I’m sorry this took a bit to answer today but I still hope you enjoy 🥰!

Yuno:

1 What is your favorite canon fact about this character?

That he wasn’t always “super powerful” and “aloof”. That he was once just an ordinary, shy, and quiet kid like everyone else, who wasn’t really good at fighting or standing up for himself.

5 What is one thing you would change with this character (it can be their appearance, arc, personality, etc;)?

Hmm, for Yuno I think it would be his personality 🤔. At least a bit. I’ve said it before, but I would like him to be able/to have been able to emote more 😔. I’m not saying to make him cry at the drop of a hat all the time, but just…have him show a bit more emotion. Like for example in the Golden Dawn filler episode (note: my memory of the episode is a little hazy) but he showed a *bit* of emotion in it when he confronted Langris and when he went on the mission with them. I think it was a good little “snippet” of emotion, but maybe there could have been more 😅?

Although on the other hand if he showed *too* much emotion it wouldn’t really be in character for him😅🤷🏻‍♀️. So I want him to show a bit more emotion, but not *too* much if that makes sense.

8 Is there a ship that makes the most sense for this character (can be romantic or platonic)?

Hm, Romantically it would be Neva /lh+j. But since she doesn’t exist in Tabata’s canon, and I don’t ship him romantically with anyone in canon, I’m going with a platonic relationship. Which is Asta 😆!

I think the reason why I love their relationship platonically is because they just seem like two best friends who support each other 100% even though they share the same dream/goal! Their rivalary seems very “healthy” to me, as in neither one is putting the other down, instead they’re lifting each other up and are encouraging each other while still keeping their “competitiveness” 😆!

Neva:

3 What is your favorite fanon/fandom fact or headcanon about this character?

My favorite fanon/fandom fact about Neva is that she gets shy whenever her friends/the Captain’s wives are talking about their romantic lives 😆! She’s usually kind of…stoic and serious, or at least she tries to be, so when she hears anyone talking about romance or “spicier” subjects she starts blushing and stammering which is kind of the opposite of her “normal” personality!

10 How do they perceive themselves and their actions?

Hm, I think Neva perceive’s herself as someone who is emotionally “strong, capable, and okay” and that her actions reflect that. For example, after she found out that William was the one that betrayed them she did her best to potray herself as this strong and “unshakeable” person. Because in her mind, if she showed any kind of emotion (such as sadness, hurt, etc) the Squad members would label her as weak and either wouldn’t trust her, or would see her as “less then them”. If that makes sense 😆!

14 What trait do they find most admirable and how often do they find it?

I think honesty is a trait Neva finds most admirable! She herself isn’t very honest, and she’s found that even those around her (*cough* William *cough*$ aren’t as honest as she thought they were. So i think that’s why whenever she see’s/finds someone thats honest, even to a fault, she automatically admires them and is pulled towards them. As for how often she finds it, not very. Whenever she’s thought she’s found it she’s usually proven to be wrong, at least until Yuno shows up.

[luckyjak]

Veilguard SPOILER REVIEW

spoilers under the cut!

the good:

I love the factions and their backgrounds! While I wish they were playable origins, I do feel like this was a good compromise, especially compared to Inquisition where your background is barely relevant

I played a Lord of Fortune Purple Rogue Rook, and my god, she was such a delightful character! BRIMMING with personality! I had the Erika Ishii voice, too, and it was so much fun.

Reviews were not joking about the jump in quality from Act 1 to Acts 2 and 3, were they?

generally I liked the combat, although I did miss having three companions with me at a time.

I like the companions! They are all very good-aligned, but I enjoyed them. Some stand out faves were Bellara (I thought she would be annoying, but instead she was a delight!), Emmrich, and Davrin.

Story felt sufficiently dragon age-y.

I got my happy solavellan ending, although I do have roughly 8 million questions now.

I liked that combat made it so that I could basically swap companions in and out on a whim and not really miss out on anything.

Some of the fights and quests are just *chef's kiss*.

I absolutely adored some of the NPCs that you meet and I was cheering them on in the Endgame.

I love my skeleton son Manfred, and I like that the game acknowledged he is my skeleton son.

the bad:

the AI in combat is STUPID I need my allies to AUTOMATICALLY HEAL ME IN BATTLE BIOWARE I AM BAD AT VIDEO GAMES

I need fucking Davrin to fucking tank automatically. He only tanks if I pause and tell him to and I can't be bothered, I got people to stab

THE ARMORS ARE MOSTLY ALL UGLY. I dressed like a crow for a lot of the game because otherwise I was running around in some of the ugliest shit you've ever seen.

pacing is all over the fucking place. It takes too long to get most of your companions. Ghilan'nain should have died sooner. Because of the Act 1 big decision happening when it did, I got scared to go to the Lighthouse, but going to the Lighthouse was how I got more quests, and so it just ended up making things a drag at times.

example: I did a ton of quests in Treviso, then got the the Lighthouse only to get a letter asking me to go back to Treviso...bitch I was *just* there could you have not asked for my help then???

having to do so much for each faction started to feel like busy work towards the end. I did fuck all for the Shadow Dragons because I just could not be bothered.

There was NO fancy dress up party option even though there were two quests that could have been fancy party options! Missed opportunity!!!

again issues with pacing: what the fuck was the Gloom Howler doing with those griffons for months while I fucked around Thedas? don't get me wrong I don't want a timed quest, but like...feels weird that she didn't blight those griffons considering how much time was in between the quests

I miss non-cutscene convos with my buddies!!! I want to know more about you my friends!!

too easy to get everyone's approval to max. honestly Neve should hate my rook but she doesn't just because I did her quest lol. Fenris would have stabbed me at the end of the game while Neve didn't.

I'm going to make a second post for the ending.

[lucynewbon]

When He's In Your Arms

Erika lured him into working for Lane's terrorist schemes under the guise of CIA operations, justifying atrocities with twisted logic. His conscience gnawed at him; killing didn't provide solace. His days were bleak until Ethan Hunt entered his life.

I don't want August to die and I think some plots imply that he is not totally a bad guy. So I want to save him and write a romantic story for Ethan and him >_<

August is still struggling on the edge of the cliff. His blue eyes are no more horrifying than a lion’s since the pupils can hardly ever focus because of the exhaustion, just like two gorgeous sapphires. He wishes the fucking helicopter wouldn’t explode so soon so that he can escape from such an extreme situation and clarify that he is not a betrayer at all to the whole action team. He swears he will punch Ethan: This idiot doesn’t find anything unusual at all??? Although he has to say that it’s just a slight difference, it’s super surprising that he doesn’t find anything wrong with the controller??

Hope I can get the chance, dude. August murmured. He doesn’t really want to punch at him. He knows that the American agent will always be very happy after knowing some good news, though he tends to be quite serious at the beginning… He wants to see the loving smile on Ethan’s face when he knows he’s on their side. He is a direct man, doing things directly, but this time, he can’t simply shout at Ethan and ask him to help him get rid of this disgusting helicopter. He is too vulnerable to do so, maintaining in the narrow room is not an easy task and he runs all his energy. Meanwhile, Lane’s monitors are everywhere in his suit. He doesn’t want to be traced and murdered after escape or drag Ethan with him.

He was once a loyal agent working for the Apostles. He killed innocent women and children and spread different strains of the virus. That was why he was called the Hammer. He destroyed everything in the way. Lane usually praised him for doing such a thing. “I am Professor Moriarty and you, my friend, are the modern-day Moran!” Solomon laughed and told him from time to time. He was famous as a criminal, but he knew he didn’t want it. At first, he was a common CIA agent, being told to do some cliché tasks. One day a woman called Erika came and became the connection between Solomon and him. He was told to do all kinds of disgusting things, in the name of CIA, of course. He gradually realized Erika was a terrorist working for Lane who silently came into the CIA system, asking the best agents to work for them. They disguised so well and found many justice excuses for each mission. If they didn’t let him explode the plutonium bomb to destroy the world, he wouldn’t make his assumption so certain. He always asked himself if he did the right thing, killing people didn’t cure him. His days were dark and decadent, he couldn’t aim the target of his life though he is an outstanding shooter. Fortunately, everything changes after meeting Ethan Hunt.

He first met him at the airport. Erika wants him to murder Hunt, the IMF agent. She said he was a potential threat because he saves people and causes failure. But Walker was crystal that she wanted to kill him simply because he was a talented agent who could probably stop her destruction plan. He is a good man. I have to protect him. August thought. Of course, he was staring at Hunt’s shiny smile and lovely green eyes. They were like spring, rushing all his unhappiness away. What a man! He murmured and laughed slightly. At the very first he regarded Hunt as a good-looking man, but they built a very strong bond when doing the mission. He truly appreciates Ethan’s bravery and Hunt sometimes laughs at him because of… acting like a hammer? Whatever, they got close. Now, however, the close friends appear to be totally split up. Ethan picks up the controller and waves it to show off, “Get your controller, and bye explosion! Seems your effort is wasted hah.” He says happily, with a charming smile on his face. He briefly checks the controller to see if there is any trap. Doubt everything is what a professional agent should do, isn’t it? To his surprise, there is something wrong with it. The button is totally broken. Ethan thinks it was broken during the scuffle. However, the circuit system is also down. This couldn’t be destroyed with ease because they were hide inside the box. Someone meant to do it, but he didn’t get a chance to do so. Consequently, the only person who could turn down the whole system is…

“Jesus, it’s Walker!” Ethan cried. Indeed, August had many opportunities to kill Ethan in the mission and pretended to be an incident, in the elevator or the sewer… but he didn’t. How could a hammer stop cleaning his rivals? This would never be possible, but silly Ethan obviously didn’t take this into consideration. He created a fake enemy. He is so pleased to know that. He doesn’t want to step on two separate and opposite ways with him. A British man with an attractive appearance and a good mind is always impressive for everyone. Moreover, Ethan does admire his determination so much. Ethan relaxes a bit after knowing the plutonium bomb won’t explode, but his partner August is not relaxed at all. He could have asked Benji and Luther for help, unluckily the radio is down. He knows the Apostles have monitors on Walker’s suit. Every agent, especially the best of the best, is an unstable element of these terror organizations. Being told to do tasks and get paid doesn’t mean they have to be loyal to their so-called leader. Moral standards, emotions, and other factors may affect which side they are on. Although they were well-trained, it doesn’t mean they will not betray their teams. Even a small percentage of possibilities exist. So, he can’t simply shout at him to notify he got his information, and that he will help him. It’s some indirect methods that he has to take. “Hey, August, take our song as my last precious gift for you.” Ethan signs. He isn’t sure whether Walker can read this and realizes his reply and deeper feelings. Oh, his reply, no doubt takes the first place. How can you mix my personal thing and work together, you silly Ethan, he blames himself, but it doesn’t matter because August does get it.

“Our song” was special to both Ethan and August, though they both think this is quite embarrassing and the scene always lingers in their mind. A noisy night with gun fires and dead bodies, they finished their small task and stepped into a bar, which didn’t seem to be much quieter. They ordered two glasses of whiskey to calm themselves down and casually chatted. The topics were no more than making fun of each other and judging some boring and ridiculous spy movies. Once a song called When a Girl’s in Your Arms was played by the jukebox, Ethan sang along with the background music. It was not a very loud voice, compared to the annoying and chaotic environment, his voice was supposed to be weaker, but in August’s mind, it was clear and touching somehow. He has a sweet voice, he mused. “So hold her tight, and never let her go…” Seeing his intoxicated face, August wanted to play a prank, he leaned into Ethan's space, pretending to be held, and sang along. Surprisingly, Ethan really gave him a warm hug and stared at his blue sky using his green ocean. “I will hold you tight and protect you forever, Augie-Pie.” Ethan slurred. August thought he was probably drunk, that was why he said these incredible words. Embarrassed, Walker found himself blushing, unexpectedly touched.

“Cable?” August says weakly. He can hardly ever see a thing, even the sky becomes darker. He wants to gamble, to see his partner’s lovely face, his fascinating eyes, and his strong body, though he knows he will probably fail. He is too tired to save himself. He did too many things wrong, slaughter, destruction, bio attack… He is the death, the most demonic death ever. He never takes the villains to hell but flays the innocent lives’ skin and drinks their blood without blinking his eyes. The retribution comes, he murmurs, this cursed man doesn’t deserve to be saved, despite there being a pleasant seed secretly growing in his tough heart. Ethan tightens the cable a bit and notifies Walker it’s time to climb. No magnesium powder, both of them don’t know if this British boy can overcome this 90-degree cliff.

He slowly holds the rope and climbs up. Although the cable is not very smooth, the friction force is considerably small. The wreck of the helicopter is burning, flames are like dancing girls to attract him to fall and have Tennessee waltz with them, sparkles everywhere. He is sweating, sweat comes into his eyes and wets his hair. Pain, forever pain, endless pain, he struggles. As if the fire heats the cable, he finds he wants to release his hands and simply fall. The resistance force of the air and the feeling of the loss of gravity feel fantastic, people always be dumb in extreme situations, he ridicules himself, you want to be numb too, huh. Mr. Smile is waiting for him, he can’t just go, Ethan doesn’t loosen the other side of the cable, how can he give up?

Somehow, he finally reaches the edge of the flat rock in the abyss. Ethan drags him on the platform and lets him lean on his right shoulder. His shoulder is not as wide as August’s, but comforts Walker a lot. He throws the disgusting monitor away and at the meantime, the helicopter explodes, dust’ everywhere. Hunt gives Walker a soft hug, and rough hands gently touch his back which is full of scars. He guesses agents like them won’t feel scared after experiencing a disaster anymore, but he still wants to tell Walker that he will be with him. “I will never let you go and face dangers alone now,” he smiles, “You are the boy in my heart.”

“You are the special one to me, too.” August looks into Ethan’s eyes. Beautiful irises reflect the burning fire after explosion, pure and passionate, like love.

“I love you,” they both said.

[realhousewives-fan]

Honorable Mentions of 2023

The Bravo year 2023 was actually full of interesting and memorable moments. It was a good year for Bravo.

Not everything could make the top list, but these are the honorable mentions of the year 2023.

1. Raquel's Betrayal of Sandoval

After everything was said and done with the reunion, Raquel Leviss surprised everybody by returning to Bravo for a final time to say her truth – and by doing that, she betrayed Tom Sandoval.

She revealed how he had wanted them to lie about their affair, and it was eating at her. She knew that if she betrayed him now, she would have no one.

She didn’t reveal any shocking details, but she admitted what everybody already knew: Sandoval’s a liar.

2. Guerdy Has Breast Cancer!

Guerdy Abraira’s scary breast cancer diagnosis is something that has gripped me, but it’s probably because she’s so scared, vulnerable, and raw about it.

Seeing the way her husband Russell Abraira is taking care of her and supporting her, bring me to tears.

But another reason, though it’s an unfortunate one, why her cancer journey is so upsetting to me, is that as soon as she had told Larsa Pippen about it, Larsa told everyone!

And she had no remorse about doing it either. That’s mind-blowingly rude!

3. Monica's Affair with Brother-in-Law!

When the newbie Monica Garcia revealed that she’d had an 18-month long affair with her brother-in-law, I was so shocked. Talking about owning your own skeletons in your closet!

Monica was sharing a lot about her struggles and her toxic relationship with her mother, but one of the scenes that stood out to me was this little bomb.

4. Tamra Wanted to Destroy Heather

RHOC had such an entertaining season this year, but I wasn’t exactly thrilled to have Tamra Judge back. It was obvious she had an agenda and she wanted to take Heather Dubrow down.

As her numerous attempts failed time after time, it became quite tiresome. But at the end of the day, the joke was on her.

5. Denise at Kyle's Weed Dinner

Denise Richards’ behaviour at Kyle Richards’ Weed Dinner was bizarre from start to finish.

She broke the fourth wall and talked about You Know Who, made absurd faces and made no sense whatsoever.

On top of it all she confronted Erika Girardi about something and wore her jacket upside down. She had a busy night.

6. Mary's Confrontation in the Van

RHOSLC truly had one of their best seasons ever, and their chaotic trip to Palm Springs was the gift that kept on giving.

After Heather Gay had gotten drunk on Espresso Martinis, and Meredith Marks had mistaken a waiter for security, Mary Cosby and Whitney Rose got into it in the van.

While Heather tried to stay alive, she was able to help Mary with the right word.

7. Gina Called Shannon an Alcoholic

After Gina Kirschenheiter learned what Shannon Beador had said about her kids and DUI, she’d had enough and said that she needed to check herself into rehab!

“If you can say things that are that fucking hurtful and not even remember that you said it, you need to go check yourself into rehab. And then when you do, and you get to the ‘I’m fucking sorry’ step, I’ll be waiting for that apology.”

Was she wrong, though? Shannon was arrested for hit and run DUI after the reunion was filmed.

8. A Room without a Bathtub!

This image of Meredith is probably how I felt leaving the year 2023. It had been a rough year, maybe for all of us.

But Meredith is just very unintentional funny to me. She was so emotional and dramatic about her near death experience where she almost drove off a cliff.

The editors kind of ridiculed her turmoil, but I also found it a little funny.

Another unintentionally funny moment for me was when she accidentally took two sleeping pills on their flight to Bermuda and was so out of it, she couldn’t secure herself a decent room.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned that Meredith loves, it’s her bathtub. And the fact that she was furious that no one would give up their room for her, made me laugh a little bit.

9. Dorit Called Erika a Bitch!

In the premiere of season 13 Dorit Kemsley confronted Erika about her mean comment about her marriage at BravoCon in 2022.

As Erika said she as a showman simply gave the fans what they wanted, Dorit had this to say in her confessional:

“Standing up, going to the center stage, delivering the line, and then flipping her hair, coming back and feeling very good about herself — that’s not a showman. That’s a bitch.”

I thought that maybe shady Dorit was back, but then it quickly turned out to be a little too much, as she belittled Garcelle Beauvais’ feelings and implied that Sutton Stracke had a drinking problem.

It’s fair to say that shady Dorit is back, but at what cause?

10. Alexa, Open Refrigerator!

The reboot of RHONY was entertaining and interesting, but it had also fun moments.

And when Brynn Whitfield couldn’t figure out Erin Lichy’s refrigerator in the Hamptons, she tried to open it by asking Alexa to open the refrigerator.

Brynn was the breakout star of RHONY, but Jessel Taank and Jenna Lyons also became huge fan favourites. It showed promise.  

[chickensoup-4-mysoul]

herculean (drrr x f!reader) - chapter 16

Chapter 16 - Fall of the Dragon's Peak

synopsis: you discover the van gang's plan to end this gang war once and for all. determined to save your friends, you insist that you come along.

word count: 3,013

warnings: canon-typical violence

"neon lights, nobel prize when a leader speaks, that leader dies he won't have to follow me only you can set you free,, cult of personality - living colour

It becomes evident to you that you are running pointlessly through the night. Even so, you can’t bring yourself to stop, as time was fleeting, and Anri could easily end up in the hands of danger at any moment. You felt so utterly hopeless. After what felt like a lifetime of running, you finally ease into a brisk walk. You check your phone for any sign from Anri--a call or text, but to no avail. Huffing, you return the device to your pocket, scanning your surroundings. There was no telling how far you had gone.

“Out for an evening walk, are ya?” Your heart leaps into your chest at the voice. However, you quickly calm down as you realize that it’s a voice that you very much recognize. A large vehicle rolls into your peripheral vision, eventually coming to a stop. Erika’s smiling face would usually be soothing to you, but the urgent situation you were in didn’t allow for a moment of ease. However, your dread for Anri’s sake was replaced by a different dread--one elicited by the sight of yellow bandanas around Saburo and Kyohei’s necks. 

You gasp, staggering away from the vehicle. The gang is visibly perturbed by your reaction. Silence hangs heavily in the air as you stare back at each other. However, the tension is broken by Walker’s laughter. “Oh yeah! Kyohei and Saburo look like Yellow Scarves right now!” he laughs. Kyohei and Saburo glance at each other before starting to chuckle themselves. You can only watch them, greatly confused. 

“Hey, don’t worry about it, alright? We’re in disguise.” Your heartbeat begins to slow at Kyohei’s reassurance. You’re clearly still on guard, though. “We’re on our way to the Yellow Scarves hideout. It’s time to put an end to all of this, once and for all.” The Yellow Scarves hideout! If Anri was trying to do what you thought she was, that’s where she was heading. You had to get there, fast.

“Okay, I’m coming with.” You approach the vehicle and Saburo, despite his obvious confusion, opens the door to let you in. Kyohei wearily eyes you as you crawl in next to Erika. “If you say so--but don’t think you’re coming in with us.” 

“What? Kyohei, I have to--it’s important.”

“Didn’t you hear what I said? We’re in disguise, you’ll stand out even more than those two.” He nods his head at Walker and Erika, who you notice aren’t wearing bandanas. Honestly, he wasn’t wrong, it only took one glance at you to notice that something was amiss--especially in this stupid patterned shirt. “Got any extra bandanas?” you ask. 

“It’s gonna take more than that,” Kyohei scoffs, but you pay him no mind. Erika reaches into the back of the van and pulls one out, handing it to you. You take it from her, dropping it in your lap for later. “W-woah!” Walker exclaims, quickly covering his eyes. Kyohei looks back at the three of you to see what the commotion is about, but quickly directs his attention forward again. Saburo, after peeking through the rear-view mirror, does the same. Erika, however, is unperturbed. 

You had taken off your shirt in front of her before, after all. Ignoring the embarrassment of the males in the vehicle, you continue to unbutton your top, eventually pulling it off and discarding it. You’re not a bit flustered, considering the fact that you had walked out in tube tops more revealing than the black sports bra you were wearing underneath. You lean over and reach into your backpack, then victoriously pull out the object you were searching for. The black face mask was always in your bag, per the recommendations you had read on numerous traveling forums. After pulling it over your mouth and hooking it behind your ears, half of your face is very well covered. You fold the bandana into a large triangle and pull it over your head, tying it over your hair. 

“This enough?” You ask after tapping Kyohei’s shoulder, prompting him to look at you again. His eyes barely scan your form before he looks away again. He wordlessly unzips his jacket, tossing it back at you. “You’ll attract attention for a different reason. Put this on.” Assuming that you had won this one, you gladly put on the large article of clothing. It’s a little long, but rolling up the sleeves does the trick.

Since Saburo continued driving through the entire exchange, you all arrive soon after. He parks the van around the corner, not wanting to risk blowing your cover. It was a good call--that anime girl on the door could be recognized from a mile away. He grumbles when you point this out to him. You, Kyohei, and Saburo walk the rest of the way to the hideout. 

“What made you want to come so bad, anyway?” Kyohei asks. He’s more willing to look at you now. 

“My friends need help,” you explain simply. Even through your vagueness, he seems to understand, not pressing any further. You can tell when you get closer, because more and more people in yellow begin to join you. The three of you bow your heads, trying your best to blend in.

When you round a corner, your heart stops at the crowd of yellow-clad goons. Exactly how many members of the gang were there? You’d always had the idea that it was a small gang, but it looks like you were wrong. Kyohei did say that they had brought back up, but how much exactly? As the three of you waded through the crowd, you secretly scanned the area, searching for any sign of Anri or Masaomi. “Don’t follow,” Kyohei mutters quietly, before breaking away from the group. Splitting up seemed like a good call, but you don’t know how well you would fare if you were all on your own. You allow for some distance between you and Saburo, but you do your best to keep an eye on him.

The crowd gathers around a stage and you remember Anri’s recollection of what she had seen the night that she snuck in. A man comes forward and the crowd quiets down. You recognize him instantly. Horada surveys the crowd, grinning cockily. His smug demeanor sure doesn’t match his neck brace, or the bandages on his face. Looks like Shizuo had done quite the number on him.

The man sure was ambitious, that’s for sure. Quite the public speaker, as well. The crowd ate up every word he had to say, cheering at every sentence. As you scanned the different people, you noticed some were less enthusiastic than others, and some not cheering at all. Perhaps those were the backup that Kyohei mentioned. Horada intended to extend the gang’s control over not just Ikebukuro, but the entirety of Tokyo. It was a foolish thing to believe, but a part of you grew worried at the notion. 

“That damn Shizuo Heiwajima is gone! The only ones left in the Dollars that are still acting tough are his girl, with Kadota’s Gang!” You shrink at those words. Burying your face into the collar of Kyohei’s jacket, you wearily glance among the crowd, nervous that anyone would notice you. “So, we just gotta crush ‘em--then we’ll hit their leader, Ryuugamine…!”

Anything else he says after that falls on deaf ears. The enthusiastic yells sounding around you are muffled by your own thoughts. Ryuugamine... that wasn’t the Ryuugamine that you knew, was it? No, it couldn’t be! That doesn’t make any sense! 

Emperor of the Dragon's Peak. That name was distinct, so much so that Walker and Erika joked that it had to be a stage name or something. You didn’t quite understand everything about Japanese names, but you suppose it was like having McHunterKnife for a last name. Seeing that it was, in fact, his birth given name, you found it very ironic. Now, as you stand here, surrounded by hollering gang members, you reflected on how revealing it turned out to be. 

Anri is connected to the Slasher.

Masaomi is the head of the Yellow Scarves.

Shy, awkward little Mikado...is the leader of the Dollars. 

Perhaps Celty knew what she was talking about when she turned to Mikado as the solution to the gang war. Where were they now? Would they be okay? Danger was beginning to invade your friends’ lives faster by the minute. Your eyes scanned the crowd for your companions. Kyohei’s gray beanie was hard to spot, and Saburo’s mop of brown hair wasn’t very conspicuous either. Were you surrounded by enemies or companions? The question drove you crazy.

One by one, heads began to turn away from the stage where Horada had just stepped down. Your heart rate spiked, before you realized that everyone’s attention was directed toward the entrance of the warehouse. The crowd parted down the middle, making a path for whatever force had suddenly overtaken the space. From your spot among the rabble, you can barely make out the moving figure as they follow the path. However, a space forms between the people blocking your vision, and you finally make out a head of blonde hair.

Masaomi.

You don’t have to hold back your surprise, as you aren’t the only one shocked by the boy’s appearance. Considering the fact that he was the leader, you expected to see him there--but the look in his eye sent dread shooting through your senses. To your confusion, none of the gang members, Horada included, had the same expectation, staring at the boy incredulously. Masaomi looks over at the crowd, searching everyone’s faces. You anxiously pull the scarf lower over your forehead. 

“What’s going on here!? I don’t even recognize any of you,” the boy gripes. “No one’s taking my calls...what’re you up to??”

“Well, looks like all of the those guys that didn’t want me at the top ended up in the hospital--still recovering!” Horada laughs nonchalantly. “Oh, it was so scary!! Must’ve been the Dollars, right guys?”

Taunting laughter fills the air, and it suddenly occurs to you how...mature it sounded. This wasn’t the same group of scrappy teenagers that roamed the streets weeks ago; These were adults. The ones that crowded around that sleazy Horada and brought the horrors of the Yellow Scarves’ actions to new heights. Those foolish kids were gone now, crushed under the self-serving desires of some greedy slob--and that slob was trying to do the same to Masaomi.

Horada goads Masaomi, having no qualms with rubbing salt into his wounds. You don’t quite understand everything, but you notice how Masaomi bristles at the mention of an ‘Izumii’. It’s very clear that Horada and Masaomi weren’t comrades at all, but enemies. Especially when Horada starts talking about changing the name and color of the gang.

“That’s right! Everyone surrounding you right now? They’re all Blue Squares--the guys you hate!”

Blue Squares… the gang that your van friends had been apart of, but eventually left. They never told you exactly why, but they implied it was because of ‘creative differences’. Judging from the way that Horada was acting, you didn’t blame them for doing so. 

“It’s your own damn fault! All we had to do was take off our blue and ask to join, and you let us in so easily!” The jerks were hooting and hollering now, getting quite the kick out of their own sick antics. You stuffed your trembling hands into your pockets, looking through the mob once more. With everyone causing a commotion, it was easier to spot those who remained still. The closer you looked, the more people you noticed that simply stood quietly amongst the chaos.

Masaomi looks surprisingly unfazed, and when he looks up, you swear that you can see him smiling. He steps forward, causing the group of men closest to him to stagger back. So they’re still wary of him, huh? What exactly is he capable of…

The tall door grinds shut behind him, closing him into the space full of his enemies. He refuses to be cornered, however, continuing to approach Horada. He talks steadily the entire time; a normal life, his past, his fear, a girl he couldn’t save, his readiness to both die...and kill. You choke on a lump in your throat, frantically looking for Kyohei. Now... give the signal now, before he gets hurt!!

No one hears your prayer. In a shoddy attempt of self defense, Horada grabs a crowbar and hurls it at Masaomi. You barely conceal your scream as it collides with Masaomi’s temple. The clatter of metal against concrete rings throughout the warehouse, leaving a thick silence in its wake. A trail of blood trickles down the side of the boy’s face, pooling at his chin. Despite the injury, he remains standing, surprisingly sturdy on his own two feet. Horada, shocked by his resilience, orders his goons to attack the boy. Your viewpoint of the ordeal lessens in clarity as groups of men charge at Masaomi, swinging fists and weapons. It got to a point where you couldn’t see if he was holding his own or not and all you could do was listen to the clamor of grunts, falling bodies, and clashing weapons. Desperation wells up inside you. How could you just stand there and watch? You needed to do something, anything….

Everyone seems too caught up in the spectacle to mind you pushing your way through the crowd. You could see Masaomi now, and boy, did he not look good. Blood streamed past his chin and stained his neck and chest. Your heart squeezed itself at the sight of him on his knees, thoroughly debilitated. The feeling of a hand grasping your wrist stopped you in your tracks. You whirled around to face your captor, dreading the idea that you had been caught. However, you relax slightly when you see that it’s Kyohei. Your eyes flicker to Masaomi’s defeated form, silently begging him to let you go. He only shakes his head, subtly pulling you back to him.

He was right to stop you and you hated it. There was no telling what you were gonna do if you actually got up there, and it would have definitely blown everyone’s cover. That didn’t stop the panic that swelled within you at the sight of the gun that Horada was pointing at Masaomi. Looking at Kyohei, even he looks ready to spring into action, his grip on your wrist loosening.

A large man appears beside Horada, so suddenly that you hadn’t even seen him approach. However, the pipe in his hand that knocks the gun clean out of Horada’s grasp alerts everyone of his presence. You shoot a look at Kyohei, wondering if the man was one of his friends. The look on his face is just as bewildered as yours, however. If he hadn’t brought him, then who was this guy?

Horada grabs the guy by the shirt, shaking him roughly. Rather than cowering in fear, the man rests limply in his hold, head lolling backward. He was speaking coherently, but he seemed so out of it . “Sorry, I just feel like Mother would be upset if you killed this guy. In fact….”

You squint your eyes, staring closely at the man. His eyes were small on his face, but the shine in them was very noticeable. “I sense Mother is going to be here any second.”

The excruciating sound of screeching metal meets your ears and you hiss at the sudden sensation. Confused mutters fill the air as everyone turns to the source of the sound.

The tall, metal door--having just been shut behind Masaomi’s back--beared a large slash right down the middle. The air stilled for a moment, paused and waiting, before the pieces began to topple. A wince jolts your body as the remains assault the ground, ringing out with each impact. Peering through the new entryway, all that could be seen was darkness. Even the streetlights in the distance did very little to reveal the cause of such destruction. However, averting your gaze downward, you finally see her…

In such a large opening, she looks so small in comparison--but her stance implied anything but. Feet perched wide, Anri was clearly on the offensive. Her eyes glared red like two headlights in the dim night. In her hand, catching a glimmer just as bright as her gaze, a long sword rested. A sword capable of cutting clean through pure metal. She surveys the room, frantically searching. Her stern countenance momentarily breaks once her attention reaches the battered boy at the center of it all.

“M-Masaomi!” she cries, vermillion eyes wide with horror. Surprisingly able to move, the boy sluggishly turns to her. He mutters her name, voice so terribly weak. Anri doesn’t move, only capable of staring at Masaomi’s damaged state. Your attention is pulled from the standoff by a unusual noise. It’s so faint that, for a moment, you wonder if you imagined it.

The mass of darkness that whizzes past Anri immediately dispels your suspicions. Even at such a speed, you can still make out Celty’s bright yellow helmet skidding to a halt right beside Masaomi. Looking closely, you suddenly realize that it’s not just Celty occupying the bike. The green colorblock pattern of Mikado’s jacket is alarmingly apparent to you. The three kids stare at each other, sharing a brief moment of recognition. 

The unease welling up within you made you nauseous. No matter how much you tried to reassure yourself, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were in the middle of some sort of climax.

The Headless Rider. The Slasher. A man with superhuman strength. Kyohei Kadota. The van gang. The Raira Trio. A gang war. The Yellow Scarves. The Dollars. The Blue Squares. It had all been building up to something--one big breaking point fixed to overflow at any moment.

Would this be it? All of the tension building, secrets hidden, lives twisted and manipulated--was this the moment that it would all come crashing down?

For some reason, you hoped that it was.