#you really just have to nail dialog and thoughts and if the rest is only loosely period then like whatever

[ghost-biird]

*listening to scary winter ambience and reading scary winter book*

I’m scared :(

[silverrstarrr]

Normal girl (2)

Note: i just edit this chapter a bit and added more dialog. Someone messaged me and helped me out with a few things, thank you!

Chapter 2:

Walking side by side down the stairs, you took a sip of your coffee and place your herd of keys the side of your book bag. yume was scrolling through her phone on tik tok, drinking from her coconut Carmel ice coffee. You didn't understand why she was drinking ice coffee in mid February, it was cold. It was surprising their wasn't any snow.

Grinning like an idiot, she shaked your shoulder, positioning her phone in front of you–you both watched the tik tok. You didn't laugh at first only smiling, yume kept gesturing you to keep watching, waiting for the punchline. Finally it came up and you both started laughing, you slowly shaked your head placing your hand over your mouth.

"NOOO, nooo. That was so wrong, yall are going to hellll" you whined out.

Yume wiped the tears from her face and continued down the last step. She opened up the door and slid out, you trialing behind her. You both proceeded to walk down the street, where all the park cars were out.

"We riding in rich today girlie, jump in," she lifted up her arm that held her drink, her other reached into her purse and grabbed her car keys.

"I thought we were gonna walk there? It's only 10 minutes." You headed towards her car as she unlocked it and sat in the driver's seat. She had a 2018 dark Grey Nissan altima. You remember her having this ever since junior year, you recalled her talking about getting a newer model since this one was old. Like girl what? Old your ass, if the car still functioning there ain't no problem. White people shit, man.

"Well, it's the first day of sweet college life," she dragged out the last few words, adding a sarcastic tone. Yume tossed her bag in the backseat through the open space from the front, She dropped her drink in the little cup holder as well. Catching up with her, you open the backseat's door and chucked your bag in there–immediately closing it after. You pull the passengers door open and sat down, closing it behind you. Yume did the same–letting out a large sigh as she used her long sleeve to rub her legs, which were freezing.

"Bruh, you were just cold. Shouldn't have wore that skirt knowing it was this cold. Your mother would be disappointed," you moved your head side ways, pretending to be disappointed. You dropped your dunkin' drink in the other cup holder next to hers.

"Y/n, shut upp." Rolling her eyes jokingly, She grabbed the buckled next to her seat and puts it on. You placed your seat belt on too. Automatically, her phone connected to the car, you check over at the screen in the middle. It had the time, the degrees outside and all that other fancy things.

"Wanna play something?" she inserted the keys into the ignition and started the car.

"Yeah, I'll type it in,"

You grabbed her phone, showing the screen to her to unlock it, automatically recognizing her face– the lock screen slid up, revealing all her apps. You went to spotify and played "C U Girl" by Steve lacy.

"OKAAYYY, MS. INDIE TIK TOKER." Yume said nodding her, jamming to song. It was only going to be a 5 minute drive, or 7 if you guys couldn't find parking. She swerved to the left, leaving her parking space and pulling off. You whipped out your phone and paused your music, rapidly switching to snapchat–you heard yume's loud singing.

"I WANNA SEE YOU GUURRLL, I WANNA PLEASE YOU GIRL....GO AHEAD AND BE YOUR GIRL," This girl was jamming her out heart out, steve lacy was her favorite along with Brent faiyaz and many others.

In response, you started cackling as you hit the record button—swiftly turning over it to the driver. Her black ponytail moving as she sang and motioning her head in all different directions. Eyeing towards your direction she sees the phone and leans towards the camera flashing a smile, moving her head side to side—still singing through the lyrics. Yume returned back to the road as she lightly taps the steering, avoiding the horn of course.

Once the quick little vid was done, you added a caption,

"I swear if we crash😭😭💕"

Your thumb jolted between posting it on your private or public. You decided to post on the public story because why not? The song was over pretty quickly as the next one played.

"Who knew white people had rhythm?!" It was obviously sarcasm. You knew she was half Asian but it was fun always calling out her white side.

"Naaahh, white people don't have any rhythm. What you saw there was my miki matsubara pop out". She eases down her breaks– the traffic light turns red. Miki Matsubara? Oh yeah, it's that woman who sung "stay with me". It was a good song, you were obsessed with the chorus mostly. 

You giggled a bit at her remark, you checked your socials once again.

"If this light doesn-" Yume sentence was cut off by the light turning green. She pressed her foot on the gas and carried on with attending class.

                                  ~~~

Pulling up to the parking lot, yume leaned towards her wheel, searching for a place to park. She slowly went down each isle searching for a vacant lot she could snag. You had your drink in between your lips, you took the last sip and shook the plastic cup trying to get a little more. All you heard was ice rattling against one another, dropping the cup back in the holder. You peer out the window looking at the campus, there were a ton of kids, like a lot. Anxiety began spiking up through your veins, this really is the college life, huh? Maria University. It was a school for literally anything, it was one of the biggest universities in the country as well being highly diverse. Yume would be allll the way on the other side of campus while you're slightly in the middle.

"Uggghhh! I regret not leaving earlier, I don't see any open slots." She whined. This was her 2nd time driving around the parking lot looking for a space.

"I said we should walk but nahhh, you wanted to be lazy and take the car." You rolled your eyes as yume, exaggerating, throwing your hands in the air. But you weren't going to be late on the first day. As the generous queen you are, you aided your roomie with looking a space to park. After analyzing for a few moments, you spotted a space and immediately tapped at the window, pointing towards it. Yume car swerved to the left, sliding right into the parking. Taking her keys out the hole, she grabbed her drink and headed out.

"No leaving trash in my car, miss L/n!"

You grabbed your plastic cup and opened the passenger door.

"Yes ma'am," you opened the backseat and grabbed the two bags and closed the door. Beep yume locked her car. She was sipping her coffee but gave a bitter expression when her sweet drink was watered down because of the ice. You looked at your phone, checking the time:

                             8:38 am

                 Monday, February 18th

                                                               38m ago

Kittykiller27, prettygirlnene liked your photo

                                                               45m ago

[Andyhas]: CRONA BECK started following you and 48 others.

Your phone was blowing up from insta notifications. It was time for class and you weren't sure how long it'll even take you to find your classroom. Slinging the bag over your shoulder, you handed yume her own, which she grabbed. You both were speed walking, despite her coffee being ruined she still continued to drink it. It was for the caffeine you guessed. Reaching the sidewalks, it was time to part ways. Yume turned her face towards yours pouting.

"We're leaving each other nooww," she stuck out her bottom lip staring at you. You grabbed her arm, pulling her closer to you. Her arms slithered around your waist, resting her chin on your shoulder–giving you a warm hug. You returned the hug by grunting and holding her tightly.

She started giggling and patted your back a few times, you released your grip and she started to jog in the other direction while looking back, waving at you. You waved back hollering a "BYEEEE!" A trash can was next to you so you dumped your empty dunkin' there.

It was now time for your own adventure, to find this damn classroom. You click the play button on your phone's lock screen, "baby powder by Jenevieve began playing. (Play the song whores👩🏾‍💻)

Walking downwards to the left side of campus, you searched for a pair of doors to go inside of. At this moment, you regretted not going to orientation. That day you were busy setting up your website for your makeup line. You haven't released any products yet, but you had plentiful of ideas and themes you wanted to do. Since it was black history month, maybe you'll drop something as simple as a face cream to help clear and brighten up the skin. But you discarded that thought because you weren't anywhere near ready to start your own small business. Plus, you had bigger things to worry about.

Standing in front of double doors, you grab the handles and pulled it back, you stepped inside while students behind you did the same. You came in slowly, admiring the interior. It was hella spacy with paintings and photos hanging along the walls. Students were roaming the hallways going back and forth from classrooms. Most of the students seemed to be in some sort of costume, or they were dressed fairly well like they were models. You didn't know the directions to your designated class, so you took up the courage to ask someone. You turned to search for someone who didn't seem busy, since most people were rushing to class. Finally you laid eyes on q girl leaning against the wall, typing on her phone. She had long pink acrylic nails, her blonde hair tied into a low ponytail, which complimented her pale skin tone. She had a gold nose piercing on the right nostril.

She seemed nice enough, so you decided to approach her.

"Um excuse me, do you know where Mr. Fargo's class is at?"

The blonde girl averted her eyes from her phone, now focusing on you.

"I'm not really sure—um, I believe it's down that way." She pointed to the right of her.

"Mr. Fargo, he's teaches cosmetic right?"

"Yeah," you replied

"Then I think it should be down there." She scrunched her face in a confusing manner, meaning not to take her word for granted. But you couldn't care less, it was worth a try.

"Ight, thank you." You bid her goodbye. Oop. You accidentally switched your lingo. You were used to speaking in AAVE but you knew how to change your tone and wordplay around others who weren't African American. The girl didn't seen to notice so you just continued down the hall.

"Down... here right..? Yeah this is the way," you murmured to yourself while you strut down the hall. Then turned left as the lady told you. You were now at a hall with multiple doors. Out of all them, you forget the most important, class started in five minutes. You looked to the left as your braids swayed with your movement, then searched to the right. You walked down the hallway, stopping at the fifth door on the left. You were hesitant with grabbing the door, you didn't want to make a fool of yourself walking into the wrong room as all eyes are on you. You pulled out your phone and texted yume.

(I did a different message format just in the previous was confusing)

                 colonizer but times 2🧑🏻‍🦲

       

                        I'm so lost, this is embarrassing.

Lost? What happened

                        

                               Idk where my class is

                             & its starting in a few

You don't know where?? Bruh

Ask someone, im sure they'll help you

                              I did...but she didn't tell me

                                    which class it was😭 all.

she said was "down the hall"

BYEE LMAOO

Uhh

Just open the door you think it is😋       

                      UH- HUH🧏🏾‍♀️ YOU SETTING ME

                               UP FOR FAILURE.

     

       Imagine going into the wrong class and

                 all you see are eyes 👁👁

Girl, half of the people won't even see you again on campus👩🏻‍🏫

If you don't recognize the teacher, try to ask a student close to the door for direction

         Okay, im blaming you if I make a fool.    

                           outta myself 😟

                        Read at 8:43 am

(Play quicksand by SZA rq 👩🏾‍💻)

You decided to take your roomie's advice and pick a class, which you already did.

You dropped your phone back into your jacket pocket and swung open the door–you were prepared for the stares. The classroom was vacant, not even a teacher in sight. Just a bunch of stools and white pull down screens. You saw a few cameras standing in front of these screens. "Was this the photography class or sum?" You mumbled to yourself.

And well, eyes were on you but it wasn't a herd as you expected, just one. Sitting on one of the stools in front of the door, was pale skin boy with long brown hair. It rested at his shoulders, some of it covering his face even. He seemed around 6ft, or 6 ft 2? You couldn't really tell since he was sitting.

He had on some black jeans with a black long sleeve sweatshirt as well with a beige greenish short sleeve unbutton shirt rested on top of it– a long golden key necklace dangled from his chest. His hands were sitting between his lap, you noticed sliver rings on them.(his outfit for people who need help visualizing) The teal eyed boy was also rocking black & white air Jordan 1 retro, literally the same as you.

You screamed internally at how fine this man looked and he had shoe gang? Uggghh. Class been started and you were going to be late on your first because this OBVIOUSLY wasn't your class. You decided to break the awkward silence and speak,

"Hey, um, is this Mr. Fargos class?" You stepped more into the classroom for the brunette male to hear you.

"Wrong one, babe. His class is in a totally different building." A different building?! You wanted to die right there and then, especially after hearing him laugh after his statement. Not just the wrong class but the wrong building? Bye–you're so stupid. His eyes scanned your body, his eyes lingered a bit longer at your shoes–it seems he noticed. A smirk appeared on his lips after finishing his quick outfit interrogation–wait, did he just call you-? I-, yes he did. You tried your best to hide your smile and not react.

"O-ooo, I got it. Thanks" Eren released a small chuckled seeing your reaction, he could tell you were caught up with the little pet name.

"I'll walk you over there." He got off his stool and walked towards your direction.

"I-, nah it's good, I got it." You said in defense not wanting to bother him. He didn't respond and just passed by you, exiting the classroom. He held onto the door, looking at you.

"You coming or no?" He was so nonchalant with it everything. You smiled a bit and walked out the class alongside with him. He released his grip once you were out and started trialing behind you.

You paused for a moment because you didn't know where you were going. You turned back to look at him, he caught on and let out an "ah". He quickly got in front of you as you proceeded behind him.

"So," he said.

"What?" You replied. Why did he start a sentence and not finish it? Was he expecting you to start the conversation, weirdo. You just wanted to get to class l.

"Oo, sassy are we?" He raised a brow.

"What—? boy, say what you wanna say."

Once again, he let out a chuckle, flashing you a small. God, was his laugh attractive.

"You're into makeup and stuff?" He questioned.

"Yeah, I'm into 'makeup and stuff' " You said the last few words in the mocking tone, referring to what he called cosmology.

"That's good, at least I'll be seeing you often."

"Often? Oh, are you in that major also?" You said.

"No...Do you really not know anything?" He made you feel dumb by his response. How were you suppose to know what he meant? You clicked your teeth and started walking ahead. You pushed back the door that lead to another hallway and walked towards the end to push the second door that lead to another building.

The brunette boy watched as you left him behind in the dirt, waiting for the moment you'll turn the wrong corner—so he could tease you about it then correct you.

It wasn't too long till you reached your destination, you both stopped in front of the class's door.

"Well, see you. I hope you don't make snarky remarks to every girl you meet."

"Nah, only you princess." He had a smirk on his face, ooo! You wanted to wipe it off.

You glanced at him and his eyes were already on you, you broke eye contact and reached for the handle.

"Wait–" you whipped your heard back.

"Yeah?"

He cleared his throat

"Name's Eren," you let out a small giggle, did he really just stop you to say his name? Puhleasee. Hearing your laugh, his face brightened up and kept his eyes on you.

"Okay, Eren~. Thank you for walking me, I gotten get to class now."

You opened the door and stepped inside. Eren didn't even get a chance to ask your name. Luckily for him, your major mingled a lot with his own, he could only hope to see you again around campus.

‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿‿

Authors note: UGHHH, I STAYED UP ALL NIGHT FOR THIS just to pass out a few hours before school started. 🥲 I wasn't even paying attention in English and math class, but hope yall enjoyed <3.

Pt 3

[bluecloudious]

Kinda angst I guess (but it has Zanaz so take that with a grain of salt)

Trying out writing a story this time.

I mean, yeah, I wrote for the comics, but not long dialog.

So yea, as per both the funni boys mature content warning. (There's no canoodling, there is talk of it tho.)

Also there's quite a bit of text (8 pages worth on Word)

So ye:

“Get up, I have some juicy gossip for you.”

...What?

I open my eyes and the world around me is blinding. It’s so bright that it takes a second to adjust to it. There’s nothing around me other than vast white and empty space.

This definitely isn’t Nevada anymore. (Unless Hank managed to ruin everything even further somehow.)

“Get up now, I know you heard me.”

I get up and look around. Who the hell is talking? There’s literally nothing but white for miles.

“I’m in your head, pretty boy.”

Uh, that…

“I’m holding my eyes closed, don’t worry. I regret ever having them open in here, in fact.”

Welp, that answers that. Now for the other question.

“Who I am is not important. What info I have, may be of interest, though.”

Alright?

“There’s a deal attached to this knowledge, Zanaz. Hear me out before you start fidgeting.”

I’ll sure try.

“You know Kits, right?”

No duh, he’s my best friend.

“Excellent. He’s going to die soon.”

…

What?! Wha, when, how, uh--

“Calm down, jitterbug. There’s nothing you can do to stop his fate, so don’t try. If he doesn’t die one way, another thing will go wrong. Understand?”

I-- NO! What the fuck?! Are you gonna kill him?!

“No, not me. I’m just sharing the news.”

Yeah, right, sure. Fucking… When then?

“Soon.”

How soon? In a month, week or a few days?

“Hm… A month then, give or take.”

...Fuck… How?

“Depends on what leads up to it.”

So, there are a lot of different ways it can happen, right?

“Indeed there are.”

...Do I die with him?

“No.”

NO?! In none of the different variations, I don’t die by his side?

“Oh, you can be by his side, of course. But death isn’t after you.”

What if I try to block a bullet, but it goes through both of us.

“Oddly specific. You’ll still survive.”

What if I block it with my head?!

“Brain damage, possible vegetable state. Will still survive though.”

What if Hank slices us with one of his multiple katanas?!

“People have lived through being sliced in half before.”

WHAT.

“This world has zombie clowns with god like powers and the AAHW is lead by a man consisting of black fire.”

...Ugh, fair enough. So… Wait those are all possible deaths for him?

“If you do everything in your power for it to happen, then yes.”

I… I can kill him before his time?

“Of course! You have free will, don’t you? It’s more of a question if you want to.”

Of course I fucking don’t! I care about him!

“I saw. You daydream about him an uncomfortable amount.”

He’s the main person I’m around, give me a break!

“Have you ever considered not being horny?”

Until I’m castrated, there’ll be nothing of the sorts.

“You’re not even fertile! None of the clones are!”

You think I’m tryna get anyone pregnant at this sausage fest? Besides, that has not stopped me before.

“I refuse to believe that any of those scenes I saw play out in your head happened for real.”

You’d be surprised then.

“WHICH?!?”

Those are for me to treasure.

“...You’re pulling my leg.”

Believe what you want.

“Augh, never mind, TMI. Back onto the topic at hand.”

Oh, yeah, right. Kit… Dying…

Could you for real not give me a date?

“If it depends on the circumstances beforehand, then there’s no possible way to tell which one belongs to this timeline.”

And that means…?

“I don’t know how this Kits dies.”

Can I at least warn him?

“Well, there’s where the other side of the deal comes in. If you tell him, then the effect kicks in immediately.”

What effect? Death?

“Precisely.”

...Ah. Wait, so if I don’t tell him, he dies in a month but if I do, he dies immediately? Of what?

“Stroke, heart attack or brain aneurysm. Chosen at random. Oh, also sneak assassination. That’s also a valid option.”

...This feels set up.

“Mh?”

This feels like either you or whoever sent you here set this up so I’d suffer. You enjoy the pain of others, don’t you?

“I’m only the messen--”

Yeah, yeah, Messenger Bullshit. Then whoever decided this is probably a reality tv producer, who is jacking off to someone pushing in the soft part of a baby’s skull as we speak. You encourage such behaviour by working with them, ya know.

“...Do you think you sound smart?”

I know for a fact I’m not, so no. I’m pretty sure I’m on the money with this one though.

“If I wasn’t here then Kits’ death would come as a surprise to you though!”

I’d prefer that, actually! Now I have to deal with knowing that he… He… Won’t be here anymore soon.

“Well, knowing how overwhelmingly perverted you are, wouldn’t you wanna grab this opportunity?”

...What?

“Shoot your shot, ask him out. Not like you could do it with a corpse… …Right…?”

I may be horny, but I’m not messed up.

“Had to make sure.”

Ugh, you’re just making fun of me, aren’t you?

“Which instance are you referring to?”

Kit would never date me.

“And why exactly do you think that?”

He has standards?

“You’re a decently handsome fellow. You also get along with him just fine.”

That… That’s not a determinant of shit like that. There’s way better out there for him.

“He won’t meet em then. Only a month to live, remember?”

I… It’s not worth it.

“What isn’t?”

I know he’ll say no, there’s no point in trying.

“How do you know for sure until you actually ask?”

Cause it’s obvious! He’s actually got a brain in his noggin and he knows me way too well! He’d be fucking disgusted, man! We’re just friends and that’s that.

“Do you not want to then?”

...Why do you assume I do? How do you know that those aren’t just blissful fantasies like the rest of them?

“He’s the only one that you dream of in a non-perverted way. I see no other person in this graphic landscape that you want to hold hands with. (Also, I am closing my eyes again now, Jebus Christoff.)”

...Ffffuck.

“Well, did hit the nail on the head?”

Y-You’re stupid and gay!

“I’m rubber, you’re glue.”

That doesn’t affect me, I’m already openly gay and stupid!

“I guess we’re both such then.”

Dammit.

“So, you gonna give him a month to remember or not?”

…Eh?

“Come on, how much romance could a member of the A.A.H.W. really experience throughout their lifetime? If you’d make this month worth his and your own time, perhaps it would be less painful to see him go? At least he died happy?”

THAT WOULD BE EXTRA PAINFUL FOR ME, THOUGH!

“Oop, Zanaz selfish, you heard it here first, folks.”

That’s not what I meant. I’d already be upset over losing my best friend, imagine how fucking devastating losing a sweetheart would be.

“…I dunno, still sounds selfish to me. Does his happiness not mean anything to you?”

Who says he’d be happy with me?

“I know you want to make him happy, at least. You dream about his smile.”

STOP FUCKING LOOKING THOUGH MY THOUGHTS!!

“I’m not looking anymore, I just memorized the ones I already saw. (I wish I couldn’t.)”

I- You- Fucking-- UggHHH! It’s not worth it!

“What exactly do you imagine will happen if you tell him how you feel, huh? World combusts?”

I already told you, he already knows way too much about me! He’d be fucking grossed out and we’ll… We’ll stop being friends.

He’d quicken his pace whenever we’d have to pass each other in one of the halls. He’d desperately keep his glance away from me. He’d… I’d stop being the main person he talks and comes to company for a-and I can’t fucking have that, man!

I-I wouldn’t be able to handle it. He means too much to me.

“…I had no idea you were this insecure.”

FUCK OFF! It’s a bitter reality that I’ve come to accept!

“You haven’t even given it a shot!”

You don’t need to get crushed by a piano to know you’d die on impact!

“Those two things don’t correlate even remotely!”

It’s a metaphor!

“I know that, I’m saying that Kits has a thing for you too!”

…He what?

“He has major league crush on you! The things you say when play-flirting excite him! He’s gotten off to the thought of you touching him up! The works! (Why did I word it like that?)”

Whuh-- How the fuck do you know this??

“While you were monologuing, I visited his subconscious and confirmed it for myself.”

You can do that??

“You don’t even know my name.”

...Fair nuff. So, wait, he’s actually gotten off thinking about me?

“I don’t even need to open my eyes to already know you’re imagining it. Short answer, yes. He’s into you, Zanaz.”

Augh, I dunno what to do with this info. It’s kinda... Overwhelming in a way.

Actually, wait, how do I know you haven’t been lying to me this whole time?

“I’m an incorporeal voice in your head that’s having a back and forth with you in a white void.”

Yeah, and?

“…I’m supernatural?”

Yeah, and?

“Come on! I just know, okay?!”

Sounds fake, not gonna lie.

“The part where I knew that Kits was gonna die was convincing, but the moment I mention that he might have a thing for you, you question the validity of my claims thus far??”

One sounds way more far-fetched than the other, you gotta admit.

“NO IT DOESN’T?!?!”

For you maybe! I’ve known him since I’ve been out the cloning tube! We became agents together! I think I’d know what kinda stuff is off the table for him, buddy.

“Well, not only are you wrong, you’re in denial.”

I am not!

“Then try it! Just attempt asking him out! In the very least, you’ll remain friends after. I promise you. Cross my heart and all that jazz.”

…

…You’re absolutely positive? You are also the person that told me he’d die in a month’s time.

“A hundred percent positive. I have never been more sure of anything in my life.”

You have a life?

“Unfortunately. So, you’ll do it?”

Why’re you so adamant about me fucking Kits?

“Affgdgfdgfg, it’s not about you fucking him, it’s you making his last living month worthwhile!”

Okay, so, why do you want me to do that?

“…Do you not??”

I mean, I guess that sounds worth my time. But you didn’t answer my question.

���Sorry for assuming that you want the person you’re madly in love with to be happy, I guess??”

Apology accepted. Now, how do I get outta here?

“Ugh, just wake up.”

Whu--

And I’m sitting up in my own mat, back at the facility. The clock shows that it’s early morning.

What the fuck do I make of what I just saw? Or heard, for that matter? It clearly wasn’t a normal dream, I never remember those. Plus the topic tends to blur together usually.

I gotta tell-- Wait, I can’t do that, fuck.

…

It’s way to early for shit like this, man!!

Augh…

[silvysartfulness]

2,11,15 💕

Thank you so much for asking! ♥

2. What is your favorite snippet of dialogue?

This question again? XD I don't mind picking more!

From the published chapter of Heaven Has A Road But No One Walks It:

----------

“The details hardly matter, do they? You're just wasting time now, Wei-qianbei. You completed the spell and I told you what you wanted to know. Fun as it is to talk to you, we all have better things to do.”

“Like die?” Wei Wuxian said, as though he couldn't settle on angry or incredulous. He received a darkly amused look from under Xue Yang's low brows, but even he could see the smile was only pasted on for show by now.

“Yes! If you make poor Song-daozhang wait make much longer for his revenge, he'll lose out to the crows.”

----------

And from an unpublished chapter:

----------

“So he is human? Alive?”

A shrug, and just the most minute wince of regret at the movement.

“As human as anything once-dead can be. He'll bleed. He needs to breathe, to eat, to rest. He can use his cultivation, as long as he spends his energy carefully.”

Xue Yang laughed quietly, but he was slowly beginning to discern variations to his laughs, and this was not a happy one.

“Can you imagine Xiao Xingchen-daozhang having to rely on demonic energy for anything and everything? Even with a dozen nails in his head, he would find a way to rebel and destroy himself. Hardly an option.”

He could imagine that, all too easily. He didn't know which vision sent more bile up his throat; Xingchen with a dozen nails in his head, or Xingchen tearing himself apart to escape the resentment coursing through his veins.

----------

11. What’s a fanfic idea you haven’t done yet?

I already answered this, too, and unfortunately I don't really have any others than the ones mentioned at the moment! Sorry!

When I'm lucky, I'll wake up with my brain serving me a sweet headcanon for breakfast in bed, and poke at that for a bit - and then I'll either write it down within a few hours of waking, or promptly forget.

After years of chronic illness, I'm very bad at holding multiple ideas in my head anymore, unfortunately.

So I have to focus on one project at a time, and right now that's the SongXueXiao Roadtrip. ♥

15. Give us a snippet of something from your WiPs!

Let's go for something non-dialog, then! (Which was harder to find than I thought – I clearly do love to write people talking.)

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

There was an eagerness to Xiao Xingchen's movements Song Lan had never seen before, as though hungry to give himself fully to something so straightforward as a Night Hunt, the clarity of a well-defined enemy, the simplicity of a clean strike.

It would have been less disturbing if Xue Yang hadn't looked every bit as hungry, watching him kill.

It made his skin crawl, and kept crawling, somewhere deeper and darker where it nested, full of claws.

He had had his misgivings from the moment Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had dragged the half-dead man back into the courtyard of the coffin house, into his own moment of mourning - asking his permission to perform the final steps of a prepared ritual that might, just might bring Xingchen back to life.

The look in Xue Yang's eyes had been far too bright, too mad, too raw, and he could have written it off as just another expression of the bastard's twisted games, if the chance to hear Xingchen's voice but once again hadn't wrenched his own heart into snarling the exact same emotion.

There was a twisted distortion of love in those blazing eyes when left unguarded, he'd unwillingly come to recognize, something sick and wretched, but love nonetheless. Xue Yang, murderer, tormentor, demon, clearly worshiped the very ground upon which Xingchen stepped so lightly.

The dark thing clawed deep in Song Lan's guts again.

Then again... Perhaps it wasn't so strange. How could anyone know Xiao Xingchen and not love him?

Love him to destruction.

[shesawriter39049]

|FAMILY TIES| M| MAFIA AU| 3.5

Smut/Angst

FT- JOON/HOSEOK/JIN (MORE SO JOON THOUGH) 

***NOT DOUBLE CHECKED AS OF 6/25...I NEED A BREAK FROM THIS LOL! But I know you guys want it so I’ll spell check the full 12k tomorrow..it was checked in portions though!****

This chapter of “Family Ties”  which I’ve labeled as chapter 3.5, can be read as a stand alone and there won’t really be any confusion. BUT it’s necessary for part 4, as the majority of that chapter takes place in Shanghai, there was some backstory that needed to be unwrapped prior to them heading to China. So I thought it would be better to do it as a little excerpt...

WARNINGS: LORDT, semi public sex, slight cum and spit play, very very very light daddy kink, light dom Tae, ugh I guess alochol play...I mean he poors Vodka down her body so yeah...oral (F recieving) Sex ontop of a marble bartop, dirty talk...non protective sex….OH light drug use (Weed) Alochol ..lanuguage...I mean it’s a mafia fic sooo…

12K ...Dialog/storyline heavy as per usual

11:30 AM Downtown LA (About 3 months prior to chapter 1 ) 

ONE SHOT SUMMARY: Just a “normal” monthly recap with Henry, who runs one of there bigger distribution warehouses in China. Well,maybe the meeting will be normal depends on if he’s keeping shit together or not!  I’ll give you a hint...he’s not (This dose tie into chapter 4, as it’s the same warehouse! ) 

Once their done with “that”, Taehyung impromptuly decides it’s been a little too long since he’s had Luxx to himself so they Jet off (literally) to Veagas for the rest of the day. 

-If your new to this, the only thing you may wanna know is Luxx or Luxxy is (Y/N’s nickname, the same way V is Taehyungs) 

-The actually seres itself is centered in Boston so both of them have accents.

Lastly at the time this is a somewhat dysfuctional fuck buddy/business partner situation, that was still in it’s very early stages. The actual series is set around an alliance between four families..so Luxx and Tae, are the children of two very power bomb bosses within the same alliance. That also run multiple multi million dollar “Facade” companies as well.( I.E..business that can explain their wealth, now weather the monies actually dirty or clean..is none of the government's business) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The restaurant was dimly lit, aesthetically pleasing would be an understatement, The white Parisian designed ceiling tiles, against the black accent walls. All of the gold infused marble detailing that danced along the bar, the drop down candle lit lanterns...every over the top element you could think of this place had it. But to be fair the “WOW” factor kinda wore off after the 3rd visit now it’s just.. “Oh this place has really good pasta and seafood!” 

Killing time as you scrolled through your phone, skimming through your DM’S on Instagram, finding yourself rolling your eyes at the majority of them. The scent of “Armani Code Profumo” danced through your nose as Taehyung took a seat to your right. His black Barocco silk Versace shirt was anything but subtle as it caught your peripheral. The shirt itself sat extremely low, clearly he wanted the world to know he’s been hitting the gym with Mazda. The strong muscle definition that was forming along his chest, radiating off his warm caramel complexion. A couple thin gold chains layered down his chest, one of them had a V in the middle which could stand for Versace..or “V”.

 Thick, dark, wavy locks sat loosely tousled, along his head, this was the longest it’s been in a while to be honest you prefer it this way. Gave you more to tug on when his face is smothered between your thighs, a couple strands fucked behind his ears showcasing two modest diamond studs.

Hand coming down to rest casually on your bare thigh, not even bothering to say one word, as this is the first time you've seen him since arriving at brunch. The two of you drove here separately as you had a nail appointment prior. Not even sparing him a glance since he didn't have the nerve to speak.

 “Ah Mr. Khan, I’m so sorry I didn't notice you arrived can I get you something to drink?” The waitress sounds slightly out of breath you wouldn’t be surprised if she literally ran over once she noticed him. 

Khan, Taehyung-Khan-Kim, Taehyung Kim, Taehyung Khan, Kim Taehyung, V...they were all the same person, and they all held the same amount of power. Just depends on the atmosphere and more importantly the relationship. Or in some cases the light he wanted to be seen in, businessman by day, Mob underboss by night.... All of you had hyphenated last names..to the public typically his last name was Khan, on the black market it’s Kim or “V”.

It was clear he got the same gist, as he silently observed her body language the arrogance that laid within the chuckle that rumbled through his chest said it all. Licking his lips slowly, head cocked slightly to the side and he gazed up at the women in front of him. "Your fine love relax, I just got here, but yes can I get a bottle of Charbay Release III? Oh and about 4 more glasses” 

Smiling back in her direction as you tried your hardest not to roll your eyes at the way he was just toying her around his little finger. Taehyung was well aware of the affect his voice had on people, and knew how to manipulate his tenor depending on the audience. At the moment it was currently up for debabte if he said “I want whiskey and 4 glases or if he said, let me bend you over this table and fuck you” 

By the look on her face, it seemed like he said the 2nd option, her cheeks turning a very vibrate shade of red. The poor girl looked like she was a second away from passing out before she turned away. “Yes sir, I’ll get that right away..” A quick smile leaving her lips before she scurred over to the bar, stopping herself dead in her tracks once she realized she hadn’t addressed you as well. 

“Luxx? Are you still doing okay? Would you like another Ciroc X on the rocks?” Regardless of the fact that she was a second away from jizzing her pants..her customer service skills did not falter between the two. She was just as attentive to you as she was Taehyung which you deeply appreciated. 

Slowly lowering your phone from your face to greet her with a quick smile before responding “No, babe I’m good, I’m actually gonna babysit this, I havent really eaten’ much today. Thank you though…” Fluttering your lashes in Taehyung's direction as she walked off, his thumb moving in slow circles along your thigh, before allowing his entire palm to join in. Hating the fact that you could feel the goosebumps raising along your skin and it wasn’t because you were cold, it was solely due to the man to your right. 

“Oh your fine love…” Mocking his overly flirtatious delivery with a roll of the eyes, bringing your attention back to your phone.

“What was that? Is someone a little jealous..don’t I tell you your fine enough as it is?” OH now he speaks!? Tone blanently teasing as he nuzzled his nose behind your ear, taking in your scent briefly. Toying the skinny white gold hop in your ear around his teeth, tugging lightly, just the way you like it. Forcing yourself to put on your best poker face as he pulled back from you swiftly, you could feel the smirk on his face without even looking at him.

Another scoff left your lips as you sip your drink “Yeah you wish….” 

“You look really sexy by the way….” Eyes taking you in and undressing you all at the same time , you weren't wearing anything super dramatic. Just a short, black long sleeved silk dress that draped open slightly in the front..exposing a not so modest diamond body chain the hung perfectly between your breasts. Hair pin straight parted down the middle purposely tucked behind your ears while the rest draped down your back. The rich shine of your hair rivaling the silk on his shirt and it should. As much as you pay to keep it looking like this because lord knows you don’t do it yourself.! 

“Yeah I know,” Your snapback was almost instinctual at this point you didn't even process the words before they left your lips, as you tossed the straid of hair off your shoulder. Earning a snort in response, an almost menacing smirk tugged on the corner of your lips at the way his eyes were shamlessly fucking you as we speak. The pads of his fingers continuously moved inward, massagings your inner thigh against his palm.

“Such a fuckin brat….”There was always the perfect combination of frustraion and arousal laced along his tongue whenever he called you that...always… 

Before you even had time to response the waitress was bringing the bottle and Mazda was bringing the Henry. I guess his flight from China finally landed, you swore this motherfucker looked like he barley skimmed past customs or something from the look on his face. Already ready to shit 3 bricks and you havent even spoken to him yet. 

“Well, this looks promising” you whispered out low against the side of his neck, sarcasm oozing from your lips earning a chuckle, while he dug his nails into your inner thigh.

“Shhhh….”

“Henrryyy!!!” The two of you yelled out in unison..sliding out of your seat to greet him as he made his way closer to your table. Giving him a warm welcome hugs and all,exchanging the norms “How are you? How as the flight” blah blah blah. 

Taehyung instructed Namjoon and Mazda to head over to the bar, grab a drink get some food, just chill out while the three of you had your little meeting. 

You noticed a leather backpack handing off his shoulder which he placed in the empty seat to his right as he set parallel to Taehyung and yourself. The backpack was Louis Vuittion which was actually surprising, he was paid well but lived VERY modest. A minimalist if you will, never really one to splurge, it was rare you say him in name brands of that caliber. The waitress waiting patiently for him to get settled before asking what he’d like to drink.

“Oh ugh, can I just get-Ummm..” The tremble in his voice was saying more than anything even the waitress noticed he seemed utterly terrified. 

“Don't get shy all of a sudden, you can get whatever you want Henry you know that, hell I mean you deserve it right? You've been down there busting your ass for us for what Tae? Three years now?”

Head cocked to the side slightly as you await his response sipping down the rest of his drink before humming out . “Hell yeah. I mean honestly we don’t know what we’d do without you, out of all of our warehouses revenue wise, your sitting at the top of the boards right now man! “ 

Switching has gaze seamlessly from Henry to the waitress, shooting her his award winning boxy smile “Can you please just bring us a bottle of your best...do you prefer dark or-”

“Whiskey!..umm any type of whiskey please and thank you.” Smiling faintly in her direction before she scurried off to grab another bottle. 

You watched him reach into his bag to grab out 3 folders..they were his monthly reports from the past 4 months..he made triplicate copies one for each of you.

“Always the professional” Smiling back at him fondly as your eyes dusted over the well put together package in front of you.

“How about we look over the menu first and place our orders, then we can dive into the good shit.Yeah?” Eyes glancing over to Henry’s and yourself who both seemed to nod with zero hesitation, you both knew Henry was probably starving. 

“I don't know what I even have a taste for…” The words left your lips sing song like and smirk appeared on Tae’s as he moved a little closer. Bringing his voice barely above a whisper...

“I know what I want..buttt it’s not on the menu…” You couldnt help but snort out a lugh it was cheesy as fuck but even wth that you still found it extremlly sexy. His voice alone worked wonders, it also didn't help that his hand was still positioned dangerously close to your bikini line! A row of extremely thin white gold bands dancing along almost every finger, as the metal brushed against your flesh. 

“Down boy…” Patting his thigh slightly, swiftly bringing his opposite hand down to meet yours, placing it in his lap. Making you take a quick squeeze at this dick through his black jeans which were extremely tight by the way. The way this man's thighs were set up you really didin’t understand how they even fit on his damn body!

“Oh no he’s definitely not down right now…” He didn't even care to whisper that part and the fact that it slipped out his mouth a full volume with zero context sent you 100%! 

This time the cackle that left your lips wasn;t even close to subtle causing Henry to shoot up glancing over in confusion. You found yourself laughing until tears were threatening the corners of your eyes. 

“You good Luxxy? Jet lag kicking in orrrr…” Taehyung asked faking a plea of innocence as he glanced over at Henry.

The light playful energy the two of you raitated started to calm him down, maybe he really was just over analyzing everything. Hell you typically had monthly and or quarterly meetings so why was he so nervous about this one!? 

The waitress came back to take your food orders, you three joked, laughed, had a couple drinks ...split 3 appetizers amongst yourselves. Once the entrees came to the table  it was time to get down to business…

“Sooo, as Tae said earlier, your numbers are looking really good, were very impressed! I feel like we may owe you a raise or a new car or something…” A slight smirk danced along your lips before wrapping your lips around the piece of bourbon shrimp that sat on top of your fork. 

You watched Henry almost choke on his piece of stake once you said that..a smile tugging on his cheeks, bowing his head as a way to say thank you.

“Yeah and the staff..everyone still doing good? Everyone still pretty lowkey? Happy? Showing up on time, the full nine?” 

This time the questions came from Taehyung as he stuck his fork in a piece of lobster, eyes glancing in Henry's direction.

“Yes, everyones great honestly you put me with a great group of people, no one complains, they work hard every day...you guys pay me well. I have no complaints...I’m very grateful! And I’m glad that I’m delivering on my end as well!”

The two of you hummed out in unison ...exchanging a slight smile, Tae observing the way you were eyeing his asparagus, sticking his fork in it before placing it in your mouth.

“And we're really grateful for you too, all of you, actually so much so that we personally sent out checks and little memos to the employees just as a thank you! When was it like a month or so ago Luxx?”  Brow arched at the implied question while you took another sip of your vodka to wash down your food.

You observed Henry damn near choke on his piece of Broccoli once you said that,suddenly he finally became very aware of the fact that the entire restaurant was completely reserved. There was literally no one in it but, a couple cooks, the waitress, and  the people he worked for. 

“Yeah, and the memo on the payment said that the check was equivalent to there normal weekly pay just as a..bonus if you will. And as you mentioned...everyones just so, sweet and honest that I actually a couple calls...”

You swore you could damn near see the beads of sweat dripping down his ace at this point as he sat in silence waiting for you to finish talking.

“Oh yeah! That’s right, damn,I almost forgot about that….” Taehyung and yourself deserved an Oscar the way you two were playing this out as casual as can be! 

“And what was interesting about the calls, is people were saying we paid them too much. Which for one I’d never call and tell anyone that , I mean hey your fuck up not mine but again like we discussed there all better humans than I’ll ever be. And can you hand me the salt Luxxy?” 

What made the situation even more nauseating was that there wasn’t a shift between the two of you, neither were yelling, nor did you seem upset. Even though he knew you were yet you still carried on eating your dinner and nonchalantly just conversing back and forth as if your talking about the NFL draft or something. 

“Right, so then that had us doing some research we looked into what was coming out of the bank, the paystubs, the amounts that the reports show they should be making, overtime..blah blah blah. And then we had them send us their pay stubs for the past 3 and a half months…” 

You paused slight, for no other reason but to be a dick and make him almost shit his pants …”Apparently, we told them we started taking out what would be equivalent to the taxes owed in the US?” Brow quirked in his direction eyes daring him try and say otherwise, actually daring him to speak in general. 

“I ugh…” He stammered and wasn’t getting to far 

“Shhhh..noo ,stop don’t do that, don’t talk it doesn't work out well for you just eat, eat..and listen..”  shushing him in an alarmingly calm tone of voice , gesturing to the food on his plate that he instantly deserted once you started talking. 

“That stamanet alone just mind fucks me if im honest…”Taking out the American equivalent” while in China!? “ Taehyung's tone elevated slightly and even though the way he ended the statement, it  could be taken as a question Henry knew better. 

”Now for one, every states different so which state did you choose? And second if your taking out taxes were exactly are they going? Because this is starting to sound very Wesley Snipes to me and I’m not down...I’m not really in the mood for jail time.“ 

“No, Tae, I was just trying to-”

“To what!? Huh?Fuck me? Because if that’s the case you should probably lean over and kiss me too because I prefer to be kissed when I’m getting fucked!” 

It took every fiber in your body to not laugh at that, the look on Henry's face didn't help either. “Joonie…” Barley raising your, as the restaurant was  pretty much empty. Cocking his head slightly brow ached waiting for you to continue.

“Can you bring me that folder please?” Namjoon reached into his own leather backpack to bring out your own triplicate copy of what the past four months REALLY look like. Upon placing them on the table you took it upon yourself to deliberately throw Henry’s on the floor.

Leaning forward to rest your chin on your palm while Taehyung shuffled through the reports, eyes zoning in on the last page. ‘’So it seems, the employees were shorted between 100-200$ a paycheck yeah? The average was around $125, and that lasted for 3 months.”

Running through the list quickly as if he was checking off mental bullet points as he spoke.”There's 10 people in the shop...and in those 3 months what we've received as a whole hasn’t increased. Henry your a smart dude so I'm sure you can tell where our concern is coming from yeah?”

The two of you observed the way he fiddled with the papers is brain trying to think of something...ANYTHING. Fingers shaking as he turned the pages, eventually landing on the page that Taehyung was referring too. 

“So…” Pausing to clear his throat “W-what do you guys want…” His tenor wavered like a leaf in the wind struggling to make eye contact.

“Really? That’s how you wanna start this off? That sounds real fuckin’ remoresful Henry!” If you didn't know any better you’d think you could actually feel your blood boiling, “ This was wayyy more than a little fucked up,l for one I’d like you to tell me when you started paying yourself cash. As far as I understood you were the ONLY one who was paid salary and  E-deposit…”

“I, had some financial issues, debt wise, and I was worried because of collections so,  I just thought it would be easier to-”

Unlikely, HIGHLY unlikely...like I said the man lived modest..if he owned someone, or was in debt in anyway it wasn;t through a collections company. But you didn't have it in you to argue that point right now!

“Okay, so if that's the cause you couldn't just call and run that by one of us first? That thought never crossed your mind? More importantly the fact that you actually had the balls, to steal from us,we pay you well we paid your fucking aprtment off and Teahyung fucking bailed out outta shit’s creak and THIS IS-” Your tone elevating slightly, the grit becoming stronger and your accent getting thicker by the syloboll.

“Stop..” Taehyung on the other hand sounds years calmer than you ever could, which was terrifying.  “Not here, not like this…”  It was clear you were getting more than frustrated as your thigh started to tremble under the table. Taehyung's grip tightening as an attempt to ease you “Shhh” He cooed out low against the side of your neck, tone adjusting to as if it was just the two of you in the room.

“I just don't-” The arch in his brow cut you off instantly. 

“What did I just say? Not.Now.”  It’s insane how tranquil he sounds yet his delivery held so much dominance, enough to make you actually shut up and listen. Letting a deep slow exhale leave your body as your eyes flutter anywhere but in Henry’s direction because to be fair you were ready to stick that stak knife dead in his neck!

“If I’m being honest, I’m really tempted to just take you to the back and blow your fuckin head off…..” Henry swallowed so deep you could literally hear it, there was something extremely creepy about Taehyung’s calm presitation.To be fair Henry would have preferred he scream and yell, this on the other hand was borderline haunting. 

“But a dead body does me no good at the moment, soooo, here’s a temporary solution, Hoseok and Jin are on there way here...there about meh, an hour out. They're going back to China with you, and you have 48 hours to make this amount..” 

Bringing his hand over to the highlighted number at the bottom of Henry's packet which read $16,750,89. “Re-appear, let’s not forget you weren't always Henry Choi, and if you thought life was hard before you became him…” 

Dropping his head slightly making sure he had Henry’s undevided attention “Then trust me when I say, if you fuck this up even more than it already is, you’ll really fucking wish you never met me. Arasso?

Taehyungs tone never wavered but the base this man had, the power that radiated off of his body was something you'd have to see to believe. People tend to underestimate him, he’s young,pretty, still has a baby face goes to brunch in a $1200 silk shirt! But you never ever wanna forget who Kim Taehyung really is at the end of the day, because he'll show you with zero hesitation..

Clearing his throat while readjusting his glasses on his face “Yes, I understand…May I ugh, go to the restroom” 

Not even responding just flagging his hand in the general direction of the bathroom...and Henry took that as his approval.  Taehyung waited a good 30 or so seconds before he also got up, not even heading in the direction of the bathroom, instead...the kitchen.. Which was surprisingly empty…

“Fuck, I thought I tought you better than this man, I’m a way better shot than you, I don’t miss, even with my eyes closed so if your smart you won’t make me aim.” 

Within seconds he heard shuffling around the corner, Henry tentatively making his presence known. 

“What do you want!? I know you, your not just gonna let this go…” His voice was hiccuping at a tone in his throat that almost sounds as if he was a second away from throwing up! 

“I want...you..to tell me who your doing this for, I know you, your not this fuckin stupid, you wouldnt risk this for 16K. So what the fucks really going on Lau!?” Stepping over in his general direction,  the calm Kim Tahyung was long gone because now he was hurt.

“I-”

“WHO!?” It was a simple word a simple question yet one word held so much emotion the amount of grit that laid within his voice was unreal.Stepping even closer now not even centimeters away from Henry as he sat trapped between Taehyung and a wall. 

“I said fucking WHO!? Who fuck has so much power of you, that your willng to fuck me, ME of all fucking people over Henry WHO!?”  Grabbing him by the collar of his button up, slamming his back against the wall with so much force Henry couldn't even help the way his eyes teared up from the impact. 

“Tae, I swear it’s not-” The name alone caused Taehyung's entire body to stiffel, releasing his hold. Dropping him back against the wall pulling his hands from him in a manner that resembled throwing away trash. With the lightest flick of the wrist, not even worth putting anymore energy behind it  , jaw clenched painfully tight, he wanted it to hurt.

“Don’t, fuck you man, we don’t have that type of relationship anyhmore, I’m V not Tae,not even Taehyung. It’s V,  just like I am to any other casual mother fucker on the street that I could give less that a fuck about. And since that’s where we are, please don't doubt that if that money isn't in Hoseok's hands in 48 hours I won't hesitate to treat you just like some random motherfucker on the street.” 

“Just let me explain-” He was pealding at this point a second away from crying but that didn't change shit, his expression did not falter one bit. Taehyung's face was stoic to say the least, there was zero emotion left to be read as Henry gazed up at him.

Shaking his head in response, scoffing in disgust and disbelief as he wavered backwards… “Mazda” Elevating his voice just enough to allow it to bounce off the walls he already knew he was probably waiting outside the door. It was only a matter of seconds before Tae heard footsteps.

Flicking his nose with his thumb as he cleared his throat, trying to shake of the shaky tenor that kept trying to float through his lungs. “Just ugh, wait here with him until Jin and Hoseok get here…” Mazada didn't say anything but Taehyung's tone of voice really fucked him up, he could tell he wasn't angry he was hurt.

“I got you man..” Squeezing down on Taehyung's shoulder as he walked past, Henry suddenly found himself even more nervous being left alone with Mazda, knowing how close the two of them were on a personal level as well. Mazada was 2 years older than Tae and he was one of his  first “real” friends he made when he moved here from Korea when he was 7. So if Taehyung was hurt so was he, and Mazda definitely wasn't the kinda  guy you wanted to meet in a dark or light alley to be honest. He was another pretty boy that could royally fuck you up with zero remorse, especially when it comes to Taehyung. 

Once Taheyung stepped outside of the kitchen he allowed his body to sink down into a low squat. Just taking a couple deep slow breaths as he ran his fingers through his hair,pulling himself back together. I mean shit he’s use to this, that’s why is circles small he just ddint, fuck he didint expect this.  He didn't allow himself to sit in it though, he refused to sulk in the moment, he’d rather shoot someone than cry. His motto if you fuck me then fuck you, but there’s limitations to that, theres nothing worng with acknolweding and actually feeling PAIN! It’s normal, healthy…..

It was barley a good 60 seconds before he snapped himself out of it, getting off the ground slowly he found himself aimlessly admiring you from across the room. Just watching you, in your normal element, touching up your hair makeup while you waited for him to return. 

He couldn't even help but smile, as you sat there,looking like everything he wanted, needed, and could have. But the fear that the world would take you away once he finally got you always stifled him. To be fair, that same fear sometimes hindered you as well, the only difference is. YOU were working towards changing that while it seemed as though Taehyung just fought it by building more walls whenever you started to break them down. 

So what’s the solution to all this? A distraction, and there's no one that can ease his mind better than you. No matter how much he hated, the effortless control you also often held over it as well...

“Soooo…” your voice rang through the empty space once you heard Tae’s footsteps.

“Hmm?” Humming out almost as if he’s already forgotten what just took place, that’s how normal shit like this has become. More importantly and actually on a scarier note that’s how numb he’d become to shit like this.The not so subtle snarl and eye roll remind him what you were referring to as he shuffled closer placing his hands on your shoulders.

“Ohhhh...that, yeah he tried to escape through the kitchen….” Tone as nochlant as can be as his hands romned down your sides until they landed on your hips. Initially making a strong indentation with his thumbs, the very specific hand placement making your mind roam to one thing and one thing only. 

“Well that was…….stupid” The dramatic pause twoards the end earned a chuckle as he expected soemting a little more detailed than just “Stupid” but hey..not that he couldnt use a good laugh.

 He leaned down slightly letting his lips brush over your neck. You knew him well enough to know he wouldnt kiss you in this type of setting, this felt a little to personal..too “intiimate if you will but he had no primble teasing the fuck outta you. 

“You okay?” You dared to ask, already well aware of the way he was in situations like this but you were still concerned. 

“When’s the last time I made you come?”  The sudden shift in tone and conversation caught you completely off guard as he nuzzled his nose into your hair. Purposely ghosting his lips down the side of your neck while he awaited your response. You figured he’d avoid the question but not like this….

“Ugghhh..” Fuck, you hated how instnatly thrown off you became, it never took much when it came to Kim Taehyung, trying to shuffle through instgram as a buffer while you got your thoughts together. But it was too late you could feel him smirking against the crook of your neck..teeth grazing the skin gently.

“Ugh, yeah I don’t know, it’s been a minute…” Your voice came out a little shakier than you hopped as his hands found there way back to your inner thighs from under the table. A humm left his lips in response.

“Yeah it’s been a least 2 weeks right?” 

That’s because two weeks ago the too of you had your first “Oh shit moment”  And to be fair you both kinda spazzed out a little, for first time after the two of you had sex more times than you could remeber. Then, once it was over, while you were getting ready to call your driver, he asked you to stay over. The morning after was, more than you even knew Kim Taehyung could possess, he cooked you breakfast while you walked around in nothing but one of his silk button ups. A secret that a lot of people don’t know is Taehyung can sing, really well actually. His tenor sitting exactly where you’d expect deep and husky but surprisingly really soulful, you jokingly asked him to sing to you while he cooked and believe it or not he did. Letting his walls down to the goofy Taehyung you knew back in middle school, don’t get me wrong, yes he let you in more than most. But as you guys got older since you've known him since you guys were like shit, 7 the shift once his mother passed was very evident in your eyes. 

Even when his walls were down you knew they were never fully down until that morning, that was the first time you felt like he really let you all the way in. While the two of you split an entire bottle of  Armand de Brignac, lounged on his couch watched Netflix..Narcos was a fav ..hmm wonder why. Binge watched “The Try guys, and Shane Dawnson videos, while you fed each other chocolate covered strawberries. 

The mans sex drive and stamanina was unmatched so of course you had sex on his couch...the floor...ontop of his island, against his floor to celling windows inthe living room. . After that he filled up his oversized jacuzzi that he rarely used and you both just soaked in it for what felt like hours. Reminiscing about nothing but bullshit, work wasn’t brought up once which is rare. Usually that topic streamlined most of your one on one conversations because the idea of having more intimate talks in that kinda setting absolutely terrified him.  Or at least when it came to you, because you were the only person outside of his father and Mazda that he’d ever get that deep and carefree with. After the bath he ordered your favorite gourmet pizza which you two ate in bed, before you passed out on his chest, and surprisingly even though the feeling was completely forigen it just felt right.

The 2nd morning the two of you work up extremely hungover and extremely awkward, his hand resting comfortable around your waist while your nose sat nuzzled in the crook of his neck. A call from his dad is what woke the two of you ,the level of comfort is what made it terrifying. Not sure how you went from fuck and leave/ midnight booty calls to operating like a couple thats been datng for 5 plus years! Neither of you knew what to say so you..just said nothing,he didn't ask you to leave or anything it just..the vibe was off. Once you pulled back from him you both just kidna gazed at each other like a deer in headlights.

Or more accurately, like you just woke up from a drunken one night stand with no recollection of how you got there, or who the person in front of you was. Because to be honest...the night before you were both versions of yourselves that you hadn’t let the others see in years!

Every day after that you two kept it short, nothing more than just business and somehow, about 2 days ago the two of you had to meet with an investor. Of course you kept it professional, not wanting your awkwardness to seep into the work environment. And I guess while “Pretending” shit was okay..it actually became okay.  After the meeting was over everything just seemed normal again or at least your definition of normal…now...here we are.

Eyes fluttering shut as his fingers traced the perimeter of your lace thong, it took everything in you not to buck your hips in to his hand. As his fingers started to tease over your clit through the fabric of your panties. 

“How does Vegas sound?” To be honest his delivery was more of a statement than a question.

“Likeeee...today?” Turning your head to the side slightly to face him which was a bad idea because of course this asshole didn't pullback. He stayed exactly where he was..face barley a centimeter away from his, you could damn near taste the whiskey on his tongue. Licking his lips slowly the tip of his tongue barley grazing against your lipgloss as it swept along his lip. 

Another humm left his lips in response as his eyes dropped down to the glitter reflexes that danced along your lips…..

“Anddd what exactly where you looking to do in Vegas Mr. Kim?” Egging him on slightly as the question rolled off your tongue.

“You, on the balcony at the sky villa…” You couldn't help but let out a deep almost exasperated sigh at that eyes fluttering shut briefly…

“Thennn..I thought maybe we could head out...I don't know go check on the club, you know we've been needing to that for weeks now..See how Kook and Jay are doin’ ”

Referring to the strip club that was technically owned by your family, but most of the money that they washed came from Kim line. 

“Fuckkk, but you know if we go there it will turn more into another work trip everytime I go in there I find something to bitch about. I’m starting to wonder if they’ve rigged the system because I don't understand how they have a damn near five star rating..” 

Taehyung's face crumbled at that breaking out into a fit of laughter his head fell into the crook of your shoulder causing you to laugh from him unintentionally tickling your skin.

“That shit’s not funny! You know I’m right…” Taking a sip of your drink as he brought his eyes back up to meet yours… 

“Well, I could always fuck you first...that way you’ll be too tired to bitch…” 

You couldn't help but moan at that, and you knew good and well you should say no, at least put some sort of stipulations on the situation. Yet you couldn't be bothered, all the blood from your brain was running straight to your clit the more his hands rashivled your body over the silk of your dress. 

For one, you just missed feeling him inside you, nobody fucked you the way Kim Taehyung did, he knew your body like the back of his hand, the man could get you off in the dark, in complete silence. He never needed any type of instruction, always down to try anything, just as if not dirtier than you ever could be. Also sex with Tae was just aesthically pleasing, he was fine you were fine, both of you boujee and extra as ever. Who dosent wanna fuck in a bed with floor to celling windows which you’d of course leave wide open... in a 30k a night suite while various peices of overpriced jewerly danced along your skin. 

And finally...even though he was trying to act like it didn't mean shit, you knew better, the situation with Henry really has him in his feels. Just giving him another fucking reason to build walls and not trust people and you know he needs a distraction. And of course he wants, actually needs it to be you. Yes, theres a damn good chance that you could regret this before midnight but as of right now...fuck it..let’s get it!

You couldn't help but smile as you gazed up at him shaking your head in self defeat..you didn't stand a chance, it’s not like you didn't want it too. “Fuck it, I’m down…” 

That award winning boxy grin lit up ihs face as he whipped out his phone “Don’t worry..I’ll make it worth you while…”  Feathering a couple kisses down the side of your neck as he stepped away to call one of the girls in accounting to set up the room and get the jet ready.

As he walked towards the bar you noticed Hoseok and Jin walk in..both in blacked out aviators, skin  extremely tanned. They had just finished some “Clean up’s “ in Brazil, 2 weeks in that constant sun had their skin glowing.  Hosokes hair sitting a deep burgundy while Jins was a honey blonde.Both messy pushed out of their faces, as the made their way towards Taehyung. 

Tae reached out to give Hoseok a solid one handed bro hug but he wasn't having it pulling him into his chest wrapping both hands around the youngers frame. Hoseok didn't say anything, he didin;t have too. Observing the way Tae faintly laid his head on Hoseok’s shoulder before pulling back, flashing him a smile that you could tell was forced. Jin greeted him the same way, both knowing how fucked up this situation really was, and he would never be the type to ask for a hug but that doesn't mean he didn't need it.

A good 10 minutes later the two of you watched Henry be taken away, by Jin and Hoseok,Taehyung wouldn't even look at him no matter how hard he tried to get his attention. I don't think he had it in him, to look Henry in the eyes right now. It didn't go unnoticed the way he slipped his shades on right before they escorted Henry to the blacked out SUV.

Before they pulled off Hoseok hopped back out the truck walking over to Taehyung “Just so were clear, in 48 hours if he doesn't have ittt…” Letting his words dance in the air, waiting for Tae to fill the void and clarity his instructions.

“Then you handle it, he’s not getting a pass, been there done that four years ago when me and you went into that house in Taiwan..and cleared out every...body except him. Because for some reason my gut told me he was innocent...and apparently my gut failed me...so that’s it. No more special treatment..he has it in the next 48 or he's done.” 

Hoseok nodded slowly letting out a slow breath “And if he doesn't , do you want me to call you first?”

There was a slight pause before he spoke “Yeah, actually call me and wait ...don’t do anything until we talk..I might wanna come down there…”

“Kim Taehyung…” his tone was stern..he was techionally Tae’s elder even if Taehyung had higher ranking within the circle. “If it comes to that..let me..do my jo-” 

“Just call me..yeah?” Cutting him off with the driest tone imagainale walking away before Hosoek had a chance to say anything else! 

They pulled off and within the next 5 minutes you car was there to take you to the airport, he kept the glasses on the entire ride. The car that picked you up from the restaurant already had your luggage from your Airbnb in the trunk. He even kept  them on once you boarded the jet, the flight was barely an hour and a half, but one the four of you landed that’s when you say enough’s enough. You knew you needed to get him out of his head a little. 

The four of you were in the back of a blacked out limo, Tae and yourself together on one side while Mazda and Joon sat parallel. Taking a long slow drab from the gold tipped dab pin positioned between your lips, grabbing Taehyung's face which was currently glued to the view outside the window.

 Turning his head in your direction before gently pressing your lips to his, instantly reclining his jaw to allow you to slowly release the smoke from our lungs to his. You were trying to get him faded so he'd chill and you also knew his limits, pulling back slightly so he could breathe but instead in pulled you back in. Gripping the side of your neck as he slid his tongue into your mouth,lacing it around yours before sucking it between his lips. 

Sliding you onto his lap,with his opposite hand,sliding it down to find a home on your ass, clawing his nails through the thin fabric of your silk dress. Bringing your hand over to the nape of his neck, take a firm grip on his thick mane, a slight moan moved up your throat in response to the growl that left his. Flicking his sunglasses off with your opposite hand before being that one down to cradle the side of his neck. Licking his way into your mouth with ease, a content hum leaving his lips as you rocked your hips down against his lap. Licking along your bottom lip before he sucked it back into his mouth, letting his tongue lazily massage against yours. “Thatt boy..” left your lips in a playful tenor as licked up the side of your neck

“Damn, Joon you have some nice ass lips…”

“Really? Because you skin, it just mmm, butta, man butta, and this beard how do you keep it so soft!” 

Clearly Namjoon and Mazda we're not a fan of the show as the two of you broke out in a fit out laughter...Taehyung slid you off his lap but kept you close. Taking a couple more drags from the pin, releasing a cloud of smoke through his nostrils. 

“I mean don’t get me wrong I’m glad your smiling bro but like, I didin’t know I signed up for a sex show..” Mazda popped in as he took a sip of champagne from the neck of the bottle. 

“Also it wasn’t giving us good angles we couldn’t see much so it just wasn't far..” Namjoon added with a slight wink, thankful for the much needed change in atmosphere.

The mood shifted, as the four of passed the dab pin and the bottle of Dom Perignon Rose around, the suite wasn’t ready right when you arrived. The average person isn't booking a suite of that calabar at that price on a whim so the 4 of you killed time at the casino. The impromptu decision worked in groups favor though, Mazda and Namjoon won about 1k each which wasn’t a shit ton but considering they were just rolling to kill time..it’s a hell of a pickup. While Taehyung bought into a game that the minimum buy-in was 5k, and he walked away damn near tripling that..Again not bad for just finding something to do to “Kill time” …

Now, no matter how many times you guys stayed here, this suite never lost its luster for some reason...for starters it was damn near 9 thousand square feet. Had a private pool, game room, massage room, 24/hr butler ervies, a bar that sits 17 people and was spread out of 2 stories with floor to ceiling windows everywhere! 

It was a little after 5 in the afternoon once you guys were settled in the suite and it was damn near 80 degrees outside so it didn't take long for all four of you stip down into your swimwear. Multiple platters of sushi lined the bar as you guys just dabbled, not super hungry but wanting to keep your stomach coated from all the liquor you’d been drinking. You were sat on top of the counter while Taehyung stood in between your legs,  wearing a leopard bikini that didn't leave much to the immigination but he wanted a distraction right? 

He would never get this touchy freely in public with you or really anyone he was pretty private unless he trusted the people he was around and obvious it was only the four of you in the suite so he didn't mind. Appreciating your body heat pressed against his back. Arm’s draping over his shoulders, casually running your palms over his chest.“Sooo my father said Leo’s back in the hospital…” The words left your lips suddenly while Joon and Mazda glared up at you from the bar shaking their heads .

“How does he keep suddenly getting sick, I really don’t understand”  The frustration in Taehyung's voice was clear as day while licking the soy sauce off his fingers, he was right though it really didn't make sense. 

“The bad Juju from his secret love child..” Namjoon’s delivery was dry and somewhat sarcastic but you could tell he was serious…”No forreal..like people's bad vibes and energy can be the death of you man..”

“Oh fuck no, don’t go there man, there’s no way he hell I’d work with that mother fucker, I’ve never liked him, nor do I trust him. Funny how you typically only show up on holidays but now that Leo’s sick your his saving fucking grace! Fuck outta here with that shit...” Tae snarled in response...clearly this wasn't a good subject to bring up, you would feel his muscles starting to tense, bringing your hands up to massage his shoulders and it didn't take long for his body to cave in. Melting effortlessly into your touch...

“Yeah but there's also Dino-” Mazad tried to be helpful but you all knew the answer to that...Dino pulled out of this shit 10 years ago...theres no way in hell he’d step back in.

“Dino lost his son in his shit man, you know he’s not comin back…no fuckin’ way ” the words left Tae’s mouth slowly..saying what you were already thinking.. .

“Did he ever get a DNA test? “ Namjoon cocked his head to the side slightly flicking his tongue around the edges of the chopsticks

“You already know Leo’s not-” It was suddenly became very hard for you to focus, mainly because Taehyung decided to nuzzle his face in the crook of your neck. Cearly he was getting antsy and reallly wanted the three of you to shut the fuck up so he could do what he wanted! 

A ding from your phone broke the silence that danced in the air, as you find yourself getting lost in his touch, completely forgetting were you where and what you were originally doing! A growl ruptured in his chest, a second away from throwing your damn phone if one more distraction got in the way of him finally being inside you again after 2 weeks! 

“Yayy Melissa’s here..” Patting Taehyung's shoulder so he’d move as you hopped off the counter. His eyes glued to the way your ass bounced as you walked. 

“Who the fucks’s Melissa?” Joon mouthed out in silence while the other too shrugged, in slight confusion since you said her name like they should've automatically known.

The door swung open and she damn near tackled you to the floor, her deep red bikini rivaling yours as far as which one covered less. The two of you babbled about whatever as you walked towards the bar to introduce her.

“Guy this is-”

“Your a Mangjuhl, aren't you?” Tae asked with an arched brow..eyes dissecting her physical features..

A snort left her lips in response as she eyed the pool “ Well hello to you too, and it depends on who's asking I may be a Mangjeol””

Taehyung nodded in agreeance his face reading a solid “Touche” as he could be a Khan or a Kim..also depending on who's asking…leaving the conversation were it stood.

“Sooo are we actually going to use that...it’s hot as balls outside…”  Gesturing to the pool while Namjoon and Mazda didn't hesitate to get up. 

“After you..” Namjoon waved his hand signaling for her to go first, she glanced back at you to see if you were coming but quickly realized you were a little preoccupied.

Once the three of them were outside Tae brought his attention back over to you, cornering you  between the barop and his body “A Mangjuhl aye?” Brow arched tongue playing with the corner of his lips. 

A smug smirk moving up your face as you shrug your shoulders “What can I say...I like my bitches dangerous…” You teased against his bottom lip as he lifted you on top of the bar.

“Yeah?” tongue brushing against yours as he spoke, dropping his voice down to nothing but a bourbon coated whisper. Nodding your head faintly in response, purposely brushing his lips against yours so you’d try and chase after them. 

“Me too...” Licking his way into your mouth as he tilted his head to the side giving himself more leverage, sliding your body closer towards the middle of the bar. Hoisting himself up as well, the bar has much more length than width,  but it did fit your frame perfectly.

 Using on arm to support his weight while the other trickled down your stomach, cupping your pussy in his hand as you moaned out against his tongue. Arching into his touch, completely disregarding the fact that your on top of a marble bar, while your friends were outside in the pool. All of the windows were wide open at the moment, the currants pushed to the side, luckily because of where you were positioned there was a gold and marbled thick beam in the way cutting off your lower frame but it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to know what’s going behind it!

Sucking his bottom lip into your mouth as you clawed at his back, abruptly pulling back for you, both equally winded , eyeing the megum bottle of Grey Goose.  Opting for a cherry instead of a lime, he leaned down again.. “Stick your tongue out…” and you did, cradling your jaw in his hand as he lathered over your tongue with his own before sucking it back into his mouth moaning out at the way you started to grind yourself against his knee that currently sat between your thighs. Bringing his hand down smacking your pussy hard enough to make your entire body tense, chucking arrogantly as he watched your stomach muscles contract. “Fuck I can already feel how warm you are….look at you grinding that pretty litttle pussy all over my thigh. Wouldn't you rather have daddy’s cock instead?”

Not even giving you a chance to respond before he placed the cherry between your lips, stem already removed, reaching over to free you nipple from your swimsuit..which was barely covered anyway..I guess he decided that's where the salt was going. Sprinkling it around the areola...sliding down your body, lathering sloppy kisses down your neck, over your collarbone. Sucking around every area of your breast besides the target, loving the way you arched into his mouth. Almost as if you were trying to direct him elsewhere. Everytime your body arched your hips subconsiously rolled against his thigh, allowing him to feel how wet you were getting “ I bet I could slide right in and you’d take me so fuckin well, even without me streching this pretty little cunt of yours out…already so wet for me...aren’t you baby?” 

Excepting the slight whimper that left your throat as a response as he readjusted, eyes locked on yours as he slowly let his tongue roll out of his mouth, taking a long slow drag around the perimeter, licking up every drop before sucking your nipple into his mouth. Letting his teeth graze the overly' sensitive peek, your moans coming out muffled due to your lips being preoccupied. 

“Mmmm..I kinda wanna lick you all over so I guess I start at the bottom and work my way up .” Trickling the bottle of Grey Goose from your neck down to your belly button, actually attempting to fill it since that’s tectionally the point of a bodyshot. Starting at your navel, sucking first, before flicking your belly button ring with his tongue that slowly lathered it’s way up your stomach over your breast and into your mouth. Completely disregarding the cherry, opting for your tongue instead. “My two favroaite things on my tongue at once, you and liquor…” Smirking against your lips as he reached down to pull your panties to the side gently teasing your entrance with his index and middle finger a low moan resonating in his throat from how wet you already were. “I want you to come down my face ….” The words slurred out against your tongue as you rolled your hips into his palm.

“Then put your tongue on my pussy,...” Both of you smiling into the kiss loving how equally shameless you were.

Kissing his way down your stomach, sucking bruises into every inch of skin he could wrap his lips around. Licking along your bikini line..toying the thin G-string between his teeth as he nuzzled his face against your inner thigh. Biting, licking, sucking his way down until he your pussy was front and center. Legs supported on his forearms, as he used one had to keep your bikin to the side, opting to not completely strip you due to the circumstances. “Babbyyyy…” cooing out against your heat, you were already dripping down the marble countertop.

Initially pressing a light kiss right on your clit before licking slightly “Tae!!” already whining you really weren't in the mood for this and the chuckle that left his throat was telling if he was complying or making it worse. 

Tisking against your folds “You know being a brat gets you nowhere”

Now he was literally just kissing your clit...not even using his tongue at all “Tae, pleaseee…” 

“Good Girl”  The next flick of his tongue had a lot more pressure, and had your head spinning in circles as your eyes fluttered shut. Finally wrapping his lips around your clit, sucking hard, sliding his opposite hand from under your thigh. Flicking at your bottom lip, opening your mouth willingly, lapping your tongue around his fingers moaning against his skin as he started grinding your hips into his face. Coaxing you to fuck yourself self against his tongue as he laid it flat against your pussy, licking from top to  bottom, ending each stroke of the tounge with your clit smothered between his lips. 

Bringing his hand back down and sliding all three fingers in at once “Oh my god…” back coming to almost a complete arch as you fingers found there home in his hair, not even realizing how loud your voice was probably bouncing off the walls at this point. Pumping his fingers in and out mercissly, moaning out agaisnt your lips, he always sounds so fucking good when he’s going down on you. Moaning out as if he’s the one getting head, sending every vibration straight through you, it didn't take long for your muscles to start to seize up and your body to completely shatter, he’d been toying with you all day. His name falling from your lips weakly in something comparable to a montra as that’s all you said…

Pulling back using his index and middle finger to pull your lips aparts, slowly sliding his tongue between every niche he could find, sucking your clit into his mouth one more time just to watch your body shutter around him..Blowing on the tip before sliding back up your body!

“Fuck me…” Brushed past your lips and rolled onto his, reaching down to free him from the opening in his Gucci trunks.

Sliding his fingers through your juices again , bringing them up to his lips to slowly lap his tongue around him, A moan leaving his lips “Best thing I've tasted all day..” 

He could tell your were trying to shift your body to go down on him and he stopping you pushing on ontop the counter“Fuck no, I’ll come too quick, I’m already hard enough ba-” A groan leaving his lips as you leaned over to spit on the tip of his dick, working him in your hand, you could litterally  feel him puling against your palm “God yes….moreee” . You knew exactly what you meant, neither of you afraid to get a little messy when to came to sex, leaning over again, letting more lubericant drizzle from your tongue. 

Eyes heavy as he watched you work him in his hand, rock fuckin hard within seconds, you knew his weak spot was right under his tip. So you’d alternate the flucationing in your movements so he didn;t get use to it, tighten your grip towards the top and relaxing your hold  the closer you got to the base. 

“Your throbbing in my hand, Tae fuck….fuck me…” Toying his bottom lip between your teeth as you continued working him in your palm, shuffling his position on top of you swatting your hand away with a snarl. He had you rest your weight on one arm as he hovered over you with one of your legs hooked over his shoulder. Both of you slightly sitting upright as he teased at your clit with the head of his length. 

“You want it?” Lips hoving over yours, both panting heavily as he took his dick in his hands, teasing up and down your folds, costing himself in your juices, edging at your entrance but not sliding in full.

“Fuck you, you know I-” Your bitching was relplaced with a high picted moan that yuu knew they all heard there’s no way they didint. He started sliding in, the deeper he got the lower he got, until you were filled to the brim and he was laying flesh on top of you...bringing your legs up to rest on either side of your shoulders. 

Holding the position, while you both took in the feeling of you pulsing around him, and him pulsing inside of you, the angle had him deep, you felt every inch of him. Using on hand to cradle the side of your neck the other to support his weight. “Baby, fuck move, please movee..” Damn near begging at this point as he slid his tongue into your mouth, while he slowly started to roll his hips into you, every thrust felt like he was cutting off your airflow from how full you feel. 

“God, nothing feels as good ..as you do…” His breathing was already ragged you knew neither of you would last as he spoke through gritted teeth grounding his hips into yours. Pulling out completely every time, before slamming in with such force your body rocked against the counter. The sound of skin slapping, echoed throughout the suite, eyes never leaving yours as he rolled his hips into you mercilessly, your walls were already started to clench around him.

“Your so fucking thick, Tae…” Arching up slightly, pursing his lips out to spit on your clit, the sensation making your body tense even more. “Fuck… you feel soo fucking good …” Reclining your neck giving him better access as you tugged on the hairs at the back of his head, his teeth finding the side of your neck as he bit down. Knowing you like it rough so he didn't hold back, damn near breaking skin once he made contact.  

“Yeah? You like the way my dick fills you up baby? You gonna be a good girl and come for me again?” You nodded and he kisses down your neck slam into you even harder “Play with your pussy and come for me baby…” Not hesitating to do exactly as he instructed, aggint steady pressure, feeling the nerve get harder and harder by the second!

“ Oh shit-” breath hiccuping in your chest at the sudden change in pace. Taehung wasn’’t one to fuck super hard like this he was usually a slow and deep kinda guy. There it was again your walls were pulsing hard, milking him for everything he had.

”Fuck, there it is baby, come on baby come for me, come all over my dick baby come on…” He cooed in your ear , coaching you on before biting down hard on your shoulder. 

“ Fuck Tae, oh my god oh my fu-” back slamming agaisnt the marble, a scream leaving your throat as your orgasm ruptured through your entire body. While he continued rocking his hips into you working you for very last nerve he could shatter.  It felt like his dick got even harder after you came around him. Body humming in sensitivity as you purposely clenched your walls as tight as you can around him, edging him towards his release.

 “Fuck just like that , dont stop ,dont stop,” He whispered into your hair , as your brought your nails back over to his back, knowing how much he loved the sensation. Using the last bit of energy you had, slowly rocking your hips until into him, meeting his thrust everytime, hitting the spot you both needed. “Yes, fuck yes…”  Eyes fluttering shut as he moaned out, the strong brassy bartone that ruptured through the walls, the angle you added made him feel even deeper than he already was. 

“Come for me daddy..” You heard the neediness start to ring through his throat at that, every one that left his lips was stronger than the last.

“I know you wanna fill me up…fuck I need it please, come in me..”  Purposely adding a whiney tinge to your voice as, bucking your hips even stronger this time .He cupped the back of your neck pulling your face back to his as he moaned into your mouth. Grabbing your waist tighter letting you know not to stop , and you didn't, you felt him fall apart on top of you as he moaned into your mouth, kissing you deeper and deeper as he road out his high, arm’s shaking until he just gave in on top of you. Snaking your hands into his hair,while his romaned up and down your body, both panting heavily against each others tongue. Your entire body felt limp, neither of you in any rush to move..regardless of your current situation, just lazily letting his tongue explore your mouth. About I don't know a good 5 or so minutes went by and then you heard.

“Are you two done yet!!?”  You expected it to be Joon to be honest but it was actually Melissa, there wasn’t shit either of you could do but laugh. Tae’s palm coming to soothe your thighs..

“Yeah give us a minute…” Pulling you off the counter, readjusting your swimsuit for you as he positioned you over the ledge, wincing slightly at the contact, reaching behind the bar wetting a towel, to whip you and the counter down . Letting the warm cloth stay flesh to your heat for a moment before pulling away knowing damn well you could use it. Bringing another towel to dab at your skin, trying to ease the current sticky feeling a combination of sweat and well..vodka. 

Shaking his fingers through his hair,messily brushing his bangs out of his face since they wouldn't stop sticking to his forehead.  Hair sitting in a messy middle part,the two of you heard tentative footsteps and couldn't help but smirk over at each other. 

“Your good…” He stood between your thighs while, your legs dangled off the ledge of the bar, so his back was facing them as the walked over, his hands still soothing your thighs. He could tell they were still shaking…

“Dayummm..she fucked your shit up…” You watched Namjon go wide eyed as he stepped closer to investigate the welts across Taehyung skin. Install finding your head buried in his hair...not even wanting to look at any of them right now.

“Is it that bad? Damn I guess I was doing something right..” You didn't even have to look at him to know he had the biggest grin on his face.

‘Sooo what are we doin tonight?”  Mazda, walked over to the lounge area plopping down on the leather ottoman.

“Wellll..what time is it right now like a little after 6? How about we meet around 8:30..grab dinner somewhere then head over to the club..check on the boys..see how business is going…” Patting your thigh for some sort of confirmation and you just humming out in response. Reclining back against the counter, still slightly dazed, just needing to hop in the shower to wake up a little.

“Sounds good to me…Mel you down?” 

It didn't go unnoticed the way Mazda and Namjoon pipped up at the question...a smirk tugging on your face as you observed the dynamic unfold. 

“Yeah I’m down..I didn't plan shit else tonight anyway sooo..” 

“Okay, well I’ll call you in an hour once I know where we're going oh, who's doing you glam tonight? So I know who not to call because there's no way in hell I’m doing my own”

“Mmmm..Probaly Aria…” 

Nodding in response..you prefereed Arielle anyway so that worked in your favor “Okay well, Tae, can you walk her out, I would, but to be fair..I’m fucking exhausted..just no I love you..” 

A snort leaving her lips in response “Nah I’ll let you slide..form what I heard you have a reason to be tired..” Shooting a wink in your direction and not to your surprise at all Namjoon and Mazda volunteered to walk her out.

“Oh she get’s dual service ...well isn't she special…” Tae teased as they escorted her to the door.

“OH! Wait what time are you think tomorrow?” You heard Mel Yell from acoun d the beam, scurrying back in your direction.

“Ughh around like 8 tomorrow night sound good?” 

“Yes ma’am” A smirk tugged on the corners of her lips before she headed back towards the exit, you didn't even have to look at Taehyung to know the look on his face.

Leasurily cocking your head to the side to meet his curious gaze “And what the fuck was that about?” 

A dry chuckle leaving your lips before leaning down to graze his bottom lip with your tongue. His tone taking “Daddy” to a completely different level. 

“Don’t worry about it “ …

Mazda and Joon returning moments later.

“So we just gonna ignore the massive hickeys on your necks orrrrrr…” Sipping from the leftover bottle of Grey Goose as you reclind along the bar. 

“I mean...she just looked so sweet and innocent I didn't expect-” 

“Yeah she’s really sweet...a sweet innocent.. money launder” Taahyung purposely stalled the ending..just waiting for their eyes to bulge out of their sockets making you damn near coke on your drink.

“There's no way…” Namjoon’s face was priceless..utterly priceless 

“Ugh yeah, how the fuck do you think I knew who she was!? I know you didn't think she was just some Instagram model did you? It’s Luxx were talking about here. You should’ve known better”

The two of them just kinda glanced at each other not even knowing where to start when it comes to peacing this together in their minds.

The four of you got ready for the night, Arielle came over and beat your face, and curled your hair for you. A quarter to nine you all met Mel at Bar Masa, and slid into the club around 11, which didn't go as smoothly as you hoped. Let’s just say it’s a good thing you never leave the house without a weapon on hand, the edge of you blade found it’ home in someone’s shin! It was around 4 am when the four of you crawled back into your suit, unfortunately returning with a briefcase of papers..which is why you told tae you didn't want to go in the first place! 

It wasn’t until damn near two the afternoon when the four of you rolled out of bed, Taehyung and yourself sat and ate lunch while going over the mounds of paperwork. Luckily because there was “work” related shit to do, and the fact that Mazda and Joon were there that kidna eased any awkwardness that might have taken place upon the two of you waking up together.  Ya know since the little sleepover you two had at his place two weeks ago that ended in a trainwreck! 

“Fuckkkk!” the word screeched form both of your lips in unions as you looked over the numbers.

“They can’t lave that kinda money just sitting like that….”Taehyung held his temples between his index and middle finger. “Shit, Hoseok and Yoongi are both in Asia right now, and there booked out until-”

“Mel can do it, she’s already moving a good 20 for me tonight, we can add this to her route, she can get it across the border before the next drop…” Your eyes never made contact with his as you dissected the numbers on the screen..

“I mean yeah, If you trust that she-”

“She’s good..were good...I got it, I’ll have transported tonight….” 

~~~~~~~

It was now going on 5 o'clock, the sun and heat still in full effect...

“Oh fuck me, that shit’s harsh!” You sounded like you  were hacking up a hairball as your breath hiccuped in your chest after taking one drag from the gold plated cigar in Namjoon's hand. You wanted to be annoyed at the three of the cackling their lives away while you legit felt like you were dying while growing chest hair. But there was something so pure about the sounds that escaped Tae’s mouth, and just the genuine smile that was plastered across his face. Especially in comparison to yesterday, but that bliss was quickly interrupted once his phone rang. Hoseok’s name popping up on the screen, as he hopped out of the pool, even with the time difference Taehyung played fair. If he said 48 hours Henry would receive a full 48 hours, so the fact that Hoseok was calling early had you slightly opesmestic.

About 10 minutes later, when Taehyung had not came back your curiosity and concern got the best of you. To be fair this warehouse facility, business wise was just as much his as it was your own, upon eventually making your way to the master suite you heard the shower running. That alone had your stomach turning in 827828 knots, as you approached the room. Only to see his luggage sprawled across the bed, closing the door behind you, resting your back against the frame as you observed him silently resituating his clothing. Surprisingly the aura in the room was calm, almost too calm as you watched the way the sunlight danced over his caramel coated skin. The muscles in his back flexing as he kneeled over to continue shuffling through his bellongs. 

“So your leaving?” The words floated off your tongue so light it almost sounds as though your whispering. Not giving you a verbal response, not even looking at you just nodding his head slowly, you watched him slide every piece of jewelry off his body, placing them in a leather bag. Until he got to the gold “V” necklace, taking it off, and walking over in your direction, seamlessly hooking the chain around your neck, still in complete silence as he hovered over you before pulling back tentatively, walking towards the bathroom.

That alone, kinda already let you know what was what, rule #1 if your going to kill someone you never wear anything personal. Especially not jewelry, not something that could accidentally fall off or leave an imprint on the victim's body. 

Trying your hardest not to get frustrated with how distant he was being because you knew this was exceptionally difficult for him on a more personal level. “So what? I mean it’s not a full 48 hours so does he not have the money? Or are you just going to talk and check on the warehouse?” Your tone was still calm, warm even, just trying to ease your way through his nine thousand defense’s. 

Still, absolute silence, a loud huff left your throat as you stomped towards the bathroom “Hey!” Tone elevated slightly, pasung until he actually turned around and made eye contact with you. “ I know this shit with Henry really fucking sucks, but this business is just as much mine as it is yours. You don’t get to just ignore me when I’m asking questions about OUR company Taehyung!”

The look on his face never faltered, not even with the emotion that radiated through as you spoke, it was like talking to a brick fuckikng wall right now. 

“Yes, but THIS” Brow arched in your direction, but an immense amount of infinces on the last word. Wanting to make sure you knew exactly what, or who he was referring too.

“Is nobody’s business but mine…..” You knew this version of Kim Taehyung far too well and it really concerned you, he lacked so much emotion as he spoke yet radiated so much rage, your swore you could hear his blood pumping. 

At this point you just kinda gave up, you can’t help someone who doesn't wanna let you in, but for the first time, him shutting you out like this hurt. It felt like someone stuck a knife in your stomach just keeps slowly turning it, and turning it until it just aches. You told yourself you’d probably regret coming on this trip and you were right, you just weren't aware of the reason you'd regret it. Now you know, weather you want to admit it or not, you were starting to fall for the one personal you always told yourself you never would! 

Dropping his swim trunks on the ground before opening the glass panel to the walk-in shower “I ugh, I'm leaving in about an hour, I’m only taking the black leather Keepall, so when you guys leave tomorrow, could you take the rest of my bags home?” 

You found yourself staring down at your feet as he spoke, arms crossed over your chest, squeezing down on your own biceps extremely hard as you nodded in response. Walking yourself out of the bathroom, letting your eyes scan the bed, you knew you’d hate yourself for looking but you couldn't help it. 

Letting your fingers dance over the bag which he hadn't zipped yet,upon looking you found yourself slouching over the bag unintentionally. Eyes squeezed shut as you just shook your head...there was nothing it in but “Cleaner gear” all black, all sterrel, gloves, a 5 Beretta 92FS,  Ruger Mk II., a black baseball cap and ammo...that was all that was sitting in his black leather Keepall. 

THAT’S ALLL SHE WROTE ...FOR NOW LOL...this does leave a lot more questions especially going into part 4 now that you know a little more backstory. 

If you liked it show this some love and lemme know,and I’ll start on part 4...

Love you guys as always ,

Rocki! 

[lightsburnbrite]

The Devil is in the Details: Part 4

When Karina walked into her office at the museum, Nena could only laugh at her. “You look like a woman who has just come back from her honeymoon.”  

“It wasn’t our honeymoon.” Karina smiled and corrected her as she sat down at her desk to check her email. “That is apparently coming in December. Leon needs to go to the Sates for about a week so he suggested we go to our place in Berchtesgaden for a couple of days.”

“And you look that happy returning from a little mid-week trip?” Nena pretended to scoff.

Karina responded with a shrug. “It’s a beautiful setting, lots of trees, and my housekeeper is a lovely Ukranian woman who is an amazing cook. So it was two days of good food, good alcohol, and great sex with my husband whom I love dearly.”

“Hang on to it, Karina.” Nena laughed. “Two divorces later and I’m definitely jealous of you.”

With a laugh, Karina just shook her head because she didn’t really know how else to respond. She had already planned to spend the day going through a bunch of pieces that had just come in from a private donor and was anticipating being able to just put headphones on and ignore everyone else.

Karina grabbed the DSLR and made sure her MacBook was in her bag before she started making her way to the archives.

“Hey, Karina!”

She knew instantly who it was and silently exhaled before turning around. “Hi Daniel.”

“Thanks for waiting.” He was clearly out of breath. “Nena said you could show me how you do the archiving. I’m kinda thinking I’d like to be a curator…like you.”

Karina made a mental note to talk to Nena about this. “Are you sure that’s something you want to do today? It’s pretty boring.”

“Well, yeah, I mean,” Daniel laughed nervously and Karina thought he looked flustered too. “Why not, right?”

“Ok.” Karina pressed her lips together. “Follow me then, I suppose.”

As they started to walk, Daniel wanted to make small talk but he eventually turned the conversation towards Karina. “So you’re pretty edgy, then.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Karina did her best to keep a neutral tone but she was finding Daniel to be increasingly annoying.

“Like, take your shoes for example.” Daniel shrugged. “It’s not an insult, I think you’re pretty cool.”

Karina looked down at her snakeskin Louboutin pumps with tiny gold spike along the top line and the top of the heel and felt uncomfortable with the idea that Daniel was paying a lot of attention to her appearence. “Do you have a pair of earbuds with you? I usually listen to some music to make it seem less tedious.”

“Oh, that’s cool. We can listen to whatever you want!” By this point Karina got the impression that Daniel would agree to whatever she said.

“On second thought,” She cleared her throat, “If you need to learn about the process, it might be distracting.”

Daniel frowned. “That’s too bad, I’d like to see what kinda of music you’re into.”

“I listen to a little bit of everything.” Karina was deliberately not looking at him. “It’s really not a big deal.”

Karina stopped once they made it to the archives.

“Ok….” Karina laid everything she had brought out on the desk in the front. “We’ll take a picture of the piece and then catalog it, I’ll need to make a note of if we need more information on the piece or not. Once that’s all finished, I either write up a quick description or do more research.”

Daniel glanced around and scratched the bak of his head. “That does seem…tedious.”

“Right, exactly.” At this point, she was finished with the niceties. “So why did you want to learn about archiving?”

Daniel shrugged. “Honestly? I was looking for a way to spend more time with you.”

“Listen, you seem like you’re a nice guy-” Karina wasn’t even able to finish before Daniel cut her off.

“But?” His shoulders immediately slumped and Karina had to fight back her initial guilt.

With a slight nod, she acknowledge that she was going to turn him down. “But I don’t appreciate you using your internship as a social foothold. It takes time out of my day to help you and if you’re really not interested in…archiving in this case, then it’s wasting my time.”

“I really do appreciate all that you’ve helped me with.” When he began shifting his weight nervously from foot to foot, Karina thought he looked more like an awkward teenager than a 21 year old adult. “Maybe I could buy you dinner some time, as an apology and a way to say thank you?”

Karina smiled in response. “That’s very nice of you, but it’s not necessary.”

“Alright.” He shifted his gaze downward. “I’m sorry I wasted your time then.”

Hardly waiting until he was out of sight, Karina finally pulled out her headphones and got to work.    

If Daniel showed up at the museum over the next few days, Karina didn’t see him there. She figured she had either scared him off or he was avoiding her, either way, she was fine with it.

Between her gallery and the archival work, Karina had plenty to keep her busy while Leon was away but that didn’t stop her from missing him at night. With the way the time difference worked out, they were able to speak first thing in the morning for Karina and last thing at the end of the day for Leon.  While she knew she wouldn’t want his longer travels to be a regular occurrence, Karina found that there was truth to the expression of absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Taking a few minutes to compose herself after they had hung up, Karina stared up at the ceiling and sighed before closing her eyes again. This was going to be a morning that she stopped at the cafe on the corner before going to work.

After placing her order at the counter, Karina sat down and pulled out a small notebook she used to help organize her thoughts. Mid sentence, she felt eyes on her and looked up only to see the waif like brunette standing in front of her, arms folded across her chest.

“What do you want?” Karina pretended to be pleasant the first time they had met but now she couldn’t be bothered.

Mathea shrugged. “I was in the area. Just seeing how you’re getting on, I suppose.”

“I’ve been fine, thanks for asking.” Karina glanced at her nails as if the entire premise of the conversation was boring her.

“I meant the two of you. I happened to run into Leon and his friends in Ibiza and I couldn’t help but notice that he was there without you.” Mathea smiled but Karina couldn’t quite figure out what her motive was.  

“Wonderful, I hope you had fun. Now, I’d apologize for being rude but I really don’t care anymore and I can assure you that anything between Leon and I is none of your business.” Opening her notebook, Karina began to flip through the pages, completely dismissing Mathea.

“Obviously, I’d understand if something had come between you.” She smirked now. “It’s not like you two have a lot in common. I’d hate to think it was only for your money.”

Karina looked up now. “You’re probably right. Maybe I’ll die under mysterious circumstances, then he can have my money and you two can finally be together. Wouldn’t that be perfect? Now, as much as I’ve enjoyed chatting with you, I’m sure you have better things to do with your time.”

With that, she turned her attention back to her work until she saw Mathea leave from the corner of her eye. Karina bit down on her lip, willing her body to shut down any sort of emotional response, until she tasted blood. It was easy for her to be cold and sharp in the moment, but she knew this conversation would linger with her for days, if not more. Then there was the question of is she should confront Leon over her accusations. Looking down at the chocolate chip scone that sat in front of her, Karina lost her appetite and asked for her coffee to be put in a travel cup.

“Hey, you feeling alright?” Nena was always the first to notice things, Karina had tried to avoid her for that specific reason, but was unsuccessful. “You look a little pale. I mean, I know you normally have the skin tone of a china doll but even for you.”

Karina smiled and gave her head a slight shake. “I’m fine, I’m just getting a cold or something.”

While her body always seemed to have a psychosomatic connection, everything seemed to be amplified in the last few years. Any time Karina was stressed about something, her stomach went into knots and her whole body ached. Now apparently she lost most of the color to her complexion as well.

Over the next two days, Karina had an internal dialog going as to if she should ask Leon about Mathea’s accusations, if he would be forthcoming, if she should ask her brother if he knew anything.

Karina sat on the sofa with her macbook after work one evening but found she couldn’t focus on anything. The longer she looked at a spreadsheet, the blurrier it became. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she sighed as she closed her eyes and rested her head against the cushion. She barely noticed when the door opened.

“Mausi?” Leon called out, unable to see Karina from where she was sitting. “I’m home.”

Sitting up taller, she smiled at him. “Hey. How was it?”

Leon joined Karina on the sofa, draping his arm around her shoulder and kissing her temple. “Hot. How have you been?”

“Fine.” Karina forced herself to smile. While she didn’t pull away, she didn’t return his embrace either.

He nodded and rested his head against her shoulder. “If you don’t want to tell me what’s bothering you, it’s ok but you don’t need to pretend that you’re fine.”

Biting down on her lip, she opened the previous day’s scab.

Leon searched her with his eyes, hoping that would prompt some sort of response from her. “You’re bleeding.”

He went to the kitchen and pulled a clean dish towel from the drawer, briefly running it under the faucet. Sitting back down in front of her, Leon gently took Karina’s chin and dabbed the towel over it. He examined her lip and once satisfied that it wasn’t actively dripping, returned the towel to the kitchen. Karina didn’t miss the look of disappointment on his face.

“Was Mathea with you in Ibiza?” She had deliberately waited until his back was towards her, rinsing the dish towel out in the sink.

Leon turned around, eyebrows raised. “What makes you ask that?”

She wanted to scream at him to just answer the fucking question but instead she willed herself to remain calm. “She’s here. Or, at least she was. I went to get coffee and she came up to me saying that she was there with you.”

“She was there, yes.” Leon cleared his throat. “But she wasn’t with me. I’m kinda predictable about going there so she probably just guessed that I’d be there. I never spoke to her, Marius saw her first and made her go away. I never saw her after that.”

By now, Leon had moved back to the sofa and Karina could tell that he was holding himself back. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to lean against him and Leon instantly wrapped his arms around her. “What else did she say?”

“You were happier with her.” A wave of exhaustion fell over Karina and she couldn’t muster the energy to even open her eyes. “And that we have nothing in common so you’re probably only interested in-”

“Stop.” Leon shook his head. “You know that none of it is true.”

Karina frowned. “But why didn’t you say that she was there?”

“It just…” Leon looked away before looking back. “It didn’t seem like it was an issue, it could have been coincidence for all I knew and I didn’t want you to worry about it. Obviously that was the wrong thing to do.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t help it that-”

“No, I know.” Karina could hear the frustration in his voice and was now regretting even bringing the situation up. “Listen, I would really like to just sit here with you for a little bit and not have you over analyze things. Nothing good comes of that for you.”

Karina nodded and closed her eyes again as she leaned back into him.

They sat in silence for a while before Leon squeezed her shoulder. “You know, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

[irregardlessly-tish]

So I need to get this off my chest. I started watching a let’s play of Danganronpa V3 and...

THERE ARE SO MANY ANNOYING CHARACTERS ESPECIALLY THOSE STUPID MONOKUBS WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK ARE THOSE WHERE DID THEY COME FROM WHO THE FUCK THOUGHT THEY WERE A GOOD IDEA THEY ARE SO STUPID AND ANNOYING AND THEY HAVE SO MUCH DIALOG AND IT’S SO POINTLESS AND BORING AND STUPID AND THEN THERE’S OMA WHO IS ALSO SO ANNOYING AND THIS CHARACTER FEELS LIKE IT JUST PANDERS TO THAT BIT INSIDE PEOPLE’S HEART WHO LOVES STUPID ASSHOLES AND MIU IS ALSO ANNOYING LIKE THEY ARE GOING FOR AN EDGY AND CURSES ALL THE TIME AND TALKS ABOUT DICKS AND TITS AND FINGERING DUDES BUT OH OH WAIT WAH SHE’S ACTUALLY SO SHY SO EVERYBODY WILL LOVE HER LIKE HOW COULD YOU HATE HER DON’T YOU RELATE EEH?? THE MAID AND THE ONE WHO TAKES CARE OF CHILDREN HAVEN’T SHOWN ANY PERSONALITY TRAITS BESIDES BEING KINDA SILENT BUT NOT REALLY THEY ARE JUST HIDING THEIR PERSONALITY BEHIND A COLD EXTERIOR BUT ALSO THE MAID KINDA FEELS LIKE PEKO BUT INSTEAD OF SERVING JUST ONE PERSON SHE SERVES EVERYONE? AND WHY WON’T THE FUCKING MONOKUBS SHUT THE FUCK UP I HATE THEM SO MUCH I NEED TO MENTION THEM AGAIN THEY ARE THE FUCKING WORST THEIR DESIGNS AREN’T EVEN COOL THEY ARE DUMB AND LAME ALSO RANTARO YOU’RE NOT EXACTLY ANNOYING BUT STOP TRYING TO ACT COOL AND MYSTERIOUS I DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PAST I’LL ONLY CARE IF YOU ARE THE ULTIMATE STYLIST OR NAIL TECHNICIAN BUT OTHERWISE YOU’RE ON THIN FUCKING ICE MY DUDE the rest of the characters are all pretty good tbh I’m interested in them, Tenko’s design kinda sucks tho I have nothing against her as a character bUT THOSE FUCKING BEARS I SWEAR THEY MAKE ME WANT TO STOP WATCHING THIS SHIT BECAUSE I CAN’T STAND THEM

Anyway, I don’t think I’ll ever like the Monokubs but I guess there’s hope for the students, after all it’s just the first chapter and no one has died yet.

[blazehedgehog]

Say Blaze, you mentioned BotW being in your top five favorite games of all time. Care to share the full list with us? :P

Haha, man, somebody always wants these kinds of receipts. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really like committing to numbered lists. I never really think of things in that way. It should be obvious if you’ve followed this blog for any length of time that if somebody asks me for my favorite thing, it’s rare that I can actually pick just one thing and I’ll usually list off a handful.

I mean, I’ll do lists, I have some list requests in my ask box that I never got around to answering, but I will do them eventually, it’s just I never think of them as a set in stone order. They’re always floating around to different spaces on the list, depending on when you ask me.

Without looking at anything else, I’d say my top five favorite games of all time would be…

Yoshi’s Island was a very formative game for me. Anyone who claims Yoshi’s Island wasn’t that great is immediately knocked down a few pegs of respect in my mind. The artwork in that game was transformative, nobody had ever tried those kinds of graphics in a game before, and Nintendo nailed it pretty much on their first try.

And then there’s the gameplay. A lot of games around this era were trying to figure out ways to evolve the 2D action game, when you think about games like Astal, Clockwork Knight, Pandemonium, etc. Most are awkward, with mechanics that don’t always make sense, or don’t feel good to use, but I think the mechanics in Yoshi are incredible. Throwing eggs is incredibly intuitive, and the small expansions like the flutter jump and butt stomp add a little more complexity without feeling overwhelming.

I’m also in love with the game’s boss fights. Some people like to complain that “oh, they’re just really big versions of normal enemies, and that’s lame” but they can go jump in a lake. I remember more of Yoshi’s Island’s boss fights by name than I do some entire games. They may be “just bigger versions of normal enemies” but that doesn’t mean you fight them in the same ways. Fighting your way out of Prince Froggy’s stomach, throwing enough eggs to strike Sluggy the Unshaven’s heart, orbiting the moon with Raphael Raven, each one is a puzzle to be solved and a technical showpiece for the system. Gosh, and who could forget pulling off the trick shot with Navel Piranha.

I only wish literally any Yoshi game to follow it was as good. Nintendo has built a legacy of black sheep Yoshi games in its wake, with the only real comparable game being Yoshi’s Wooly World, and even that isn’t anywhere near as creative or cool as Yoshi’s Island, because it’s stuck in that game’s shadow. All the other Yoshi games have been mediocre at best.

I’d probably put the original Half-Life on this list. Half-Life was a paradigm shift for the first-person shooter that really killed the idea of calling them “Doom Clones.” Levels? Scores? Hyper-machismo? Gone. You’re a nerd, saving other nerds. Even now, in 2019, the way this game tells story remains highly unique. Instead of sitting you down for cutscenes and extended dialog, Half-Life is a “show, don’t tell” kind of game, and it builds its mystery from that. You might understand that the crystal from the start of the game is the same crystals you see at the end of the game, but you don’t understand who keeps secretly watching you. It makes for a narrative that’s simple on the surface, but goes however deep as you want to get.

Gameplay-wise, Half-Life goes to great lengths to make its world feel dynamic and alive. There are no sacred invincible NPCs, Everybody and everything is just as fragile as you are (if not moreso), so a scientist buddy may wander in to the crossfire and get shot, and the rest of his friends may blame you for his murder and refuse to cooperate from that point onwards. And then, of course, are the tremendous military soldier encounters. People will go on about how they aren’t actually that smart under the hood, about how Valve lied about squad behavior or whatever, but they’re definitely well designed enough to feel smart. Again, Half-Life was one of the first FPS games to understand and nail the idea that you don’t have to work within Doom’s concepts. Enemies run around, take cover, and use specialized tactics in order to flush you out of hiding. It was lightyears beyond anything, and if you can get past the game’s dated graphics, it still holds up remarkably well.

And yes, if you didn’t pick up on it, I have been subtly crapping on Half-Life 2. It’s also a great game, but it turns in to a bummer once you really stop and think about what Half-Life 2 does differently and what they ended up getting rid of in favor of a slightly more traditional narrative.

Maybe it’s just because I’ve been in that mood lately, but I’d probably put Mega Man X on this list. There’s not much I can say about this game that isn’t demonstrated better in Egoraptor’s now-legendary Sequelitis video, but the short of it for me is that I don’t love most Mega Man games. They’re fine, I don’t really have any problems with them, but they aren’t for me.

Mega Man X is the only Mega Man game I’ve finished without cheating. It’s just such a brilliantly designed game, and so, so tightly designed. Everything props everything else up, and it lacks the pure frustration and memorization of, like, the vanishing block puzzles of Classic Mega Man.

One of my favorite parts about this game that isn’t mentioned in Egoraptor’s video and didn’t really carry forward through future Mega Man X games is the fact that all of the levels in X1 are literally connected to each other. Actions in one stage have consequences in another. Defeating Chill Penguin freezes Flame Mammoth’s lava. Storm Eagle’s airship crashes in to Spark Mandrill’s power plant. Bosses don’t just have weaknesses, their levels do, too.

The most common complaint I see people relay about Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is that it’s “too easy.” My response is… yeah? And?? A game’s value is not always judged on how difficult it is; plenty of people would tell you that Kirby games are too easy, too, but Kirby is a beloved franchise with legions of fans. It’s okay that Symphony of the Night is kind of easy.

Especially given, that, I feel, the entire point of gaining experience points and powering up your character is to reach that point where you go from chump to champ. What use is gaining strength if you don’t eventually feel strong? Symphony is not a failure in this regard, and exploring the castle and solving its secrets provide enough of a hook even after you start to feel untouchable. And, speaking as somebody who nearly ripped his own hair out with frustration over Castlevania III, being given the ability to style on these creatures is more than welcome.

But what I really, truly love about Symphony is just how much of a love letter it is to the Castlevania franchise and just horror in general. The Castlevania Dungeon has a terrific page that breaks down the hundreds of references the game makes to classical literature, history, mythology, and film. Somebody on that development team REALLY did their homework. There’s so much of that in this game that I feel like I learn something new every time I play it.

It’s also the other half of the term “Metroidvania,” so, y’know. Important™

I know Breath of the Wild would be in this five, but here’s a fifth game anyway: Super Mario 64. I will never shut up about Super Mario 64.

To reiterate: This is the game that invented analog movement. If you’ve played Assassin’s Creed, or Grand Theft Auto, or Dark Souls, or Devil May Cry, you can trace the deepest, raw, fundamental core back to ideas first introduced in Super Mario 64.

And if you ask me, the game still holds up. The camera control could use some work, I guess, but Mario is still just as fun to control today as he was all the way back in 1996. In fact, depending on who you ask, he’s more fun to control in Mario 64, because later 3D Mario games simplified his move set under the assumption he was too complex in this game. But maybe you’re like me, and think that complexity is good. (I wouldn’t even call it complex, it’s more just… robust)

If you want to see a longer list of games I think are my favorites, this GiantBomb list I wrote is still kept somewhat up to date. (And contains a lot more modern games, if you thought these were all too retro)

[fivesoskingdom]

The prey. - l.h

Summary: Luke and Michael made a bet. Michael said that Luke could never get the girl, but Luke knew he could.

Warnings: Mention of sex.

Attention: This is a narrative story, there's no dialogs. (but I swear that it's good, just read it.)

Hope you guys like it, don't forget to reblog, so I can know that there's someone out there liking my stuff. 💋

~

Seven days ago, Michael and Luke made a bet. The two of them knew each other since they were kids, always best friends, always side by side, it only seemed obvious to live together in college, while Michael was studying Game Design, Luke was getting his degree in Biotechnology. Both of them were always popular between girls, obviously in different ways, since Michael attracted them by his mysterious yet funny way, Luke was the kind of guy that got attention not matter what, his beauty too obvious to be ignored. Michael said that Luke couldn't get a girl in his Genetics class, Luke said he could, so the bet was made.

Five days ago, Michael had choose Y/N as the target of the bet. He had never saw her before, neither did Luke. Luke said it was going to be the easiest girl he ever got in his life, but Michael knew that that wasn't true, she looked like she was ready to ran away at any minute when someone was looking at her, no way she would believe that a guy like Luke would like someone like her. Not that she was ugly, not at all, she was just... Boring. Her clothes weren't of much help neither was her glasses or her ponytail always messy and not in a sexy way. She was a boring mess.

Four days ago, Luke talked to her for the first time and she didn't ran away, she held the conversation and smiled at him like shy girls do, like both of them were part of some teen rom-com. He asked her for help in the subject of the day, even though he was the best in the class, but she didn't mind to help. She was pretty good too.

Three days ago, Luke asked her if she didn't wanted to have a coffee with him, the coffee soon became lunch that then turned in some kind of study session to end up with them walking around the campus talking about nothing particular. Luke always knew the power of his charm.

Two days ago, Luke and Y/N kissed for the first time before class. It was, supposedly, by mistake, but it made him smile and she blush. And they only touched each others mouths. In that afternoon they decided to study together again, since they were going to have a test in the next morning. At the end of the day, they kissed again, this time a full kiss. Luke got impressed with how good kisser she was, she actually made him get a boner just with it and all she did was play with his neck with her long red nails.

In the morning of the eighth day, Luke asked if Y/N wanted to go to a party and she accepted. By the night he took her to his friend's house, where the Maori boy was having his birthday party. No one seemed to understand why Luke was with her because no one seemed to know her. She only said that she was good at being invisible.

In the firsts hours of the ninth day, Luke managed to get her to Calum's bedroom in the middle of the party. He already knew that she was a great kisser, but the bet was about sleep with her. Y/N kept surprising Luke at each time they did something new, but she refused to have sex with him at first, so they just kept kissing for a couple of hours before he convinced her to give him a blow job. Luke couldn't remember the last time he had cum that way. Y/N's mouth were like magic and he even asked her how she learned to do that, she blushed and shrugged, saying "Porn", making him laugh. They had lunch together that day and Luke forgot about the bet, they spent the afternoon together watching old movies on TV and kissing. He got another mind-blowing blow job as well at the end of the night.

By the morning class on the tenth day, Y/N were already the first thing his eyes looked when he got in the room. She was hidden in her lilac sweater, the hair messier than normal and she blushed when they met. She was afraid that he would stop talking to her after he got what she thought that was all that he wanted. He promised that that wasn't the case.

In the eleventh day, Luke started to think about call off the bet. He started to like Y/N, the way she always blushed with him, how smart she was, how good her mouth felt in both ways. But he knew that Michael would tease him forever if he did that, so he just decided to go until the end.

On the twelfth day, Luke and Y/N got to another party, people were still staring at her, that day she seemed to be even more messy than all the other days together, but Luke tried to not care about it. She wasn't much of a party girl either, she just got there, by his side, while he drunk. That night he drunk too much because of the guilty. And she spent the night at his place taking care of him.

On the thirteenth day, Luke woke up with Y/N by his side, she was already wake, watching him sleep. She smiled at him and gave him medicines, leaving his place only when he said that he was feeling better. But that was a lie, because he was felling worse. He knew what he was doing wasn't fair. He didn't talked at all with her for the rest of the day.

On the fourteenth day, Luke and Y/N got to a beach house with his friends. No one wanted her there, but he took her anyway. They spent the whole day together, by themselves, walking on the beach and doing couple things. Luke felt truly happy and Y/N seemed to be happy too. At that night they had sex. For the first time he saw her mess as a beautiful thing, the way she said his name, her moans, her first orgasm. And she amazed him again, she was great in bed, she was capable of things that he didn't knew that he would try some day even less with someone that looked so innocent, but that was the best part for him, discover all her secrets underneath the shyness and messy stuff. At the end, when he saw her with her eyes closed, peacefully sleeping, he realized that he had fall for her. And he whispered that to her before falling sleep too. He missed the way she smiled.

In the morning of fifteenth day, Luke proved Michael that he had slept with Y/N, but confessed that he had fall for her as well. Michael just laughed and congratulated him, asking what he was going to do about that. Luke decided to tell everything to her and beg for forgiveness. He wanted to do everything right and ask her to be his girlfriend.

At the night of fifteenth day, Luke took Y/N on a special date. She was, on his eyes, prettier than ever, but he could see as well that she made a little effort to dress better to the occasion, she was using make up, even! He loved the way she still couldn't look him in the eyes for too long or how she always blushed everytime he said anything cute to her, even more the way she seemed to shudder underneath his touch even after the night they shared. When they finished dinner he decided that was the time to tell her the truth. And he did. He told her everything since the beginning, told her how it all got all of control because he fell in love for her. That moment she looked him in the eyes, he could see her eyes sparkling behind the glasses when she asked if it was true and if he had won the bet. He said it was and that he did, but that didn't matter because he wanted to be with her for real. He saw her eyes start to spark even more while her smile got bigger, he could swear that the world stopped spinning when she smiled.

At the end of the dinner on the fifteenth day, Y/N took off her glasses and got her hair down, she took off the ugly sweater that she was wearing over the gorgeous black dress that held her curves in all the right places. She showed her true self to Luke in the middle of the restaurant. A gorgeous, breathtaking, stunning woman. She thanked him for falling for her because she won her bet with her friends as well. She was now 5000 dollars richer. And then, she left him there, saying that she knew that she was the better thing he ever had, but all he was to her was part of a game to prove him wrong because she couldn't stand men like him.

And in the firsts hours of the sixteenth day, Luke knew that he had made the biggest mistake of his life.

~

A/N: Well, I was reading this fanfic with the bet prompt and thought about this one. I must admit that I wasn't expecting to write the whole thing without a dialog, but I really liked the way it turned out. And who doesn't love a powerful woman, right?

[waywardtricks]

Tell Me!

Supernatural drabble, Gabriel x Reader

Unbetaed - so any mistakes are mine.

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

It started before you’d even met the Winchesters, but it carried on after. Once a month you escaped the bunker for some time away – usually only a single afternoon. It was your guilty pleasure, your moment to step away from the life of a hunter.  

Where you went was your little secret. Mostly because you knew it would totally diminish the tough girl persona you had going for you. Normally you were a jeans, combat boots, and flannel kind of girl. Someone had once joked you were basically the girl version of the Winchesters. Thinking about it, it had probably been Gabriel

Not that his comment bothered you. At least that’s what you kept telling yourself, though you twitched with annoyance every time your thought about it. 

Sam and Dean had long ago given up asking where you went. Even though they worried that they wouldn't be able to find you if something went awry. Still you didn't say.

Jack was new enough to the bunker to still ask. Castiel just titled his head curiously. Still you didn’t say.

Of course, Gabriel was the worst about it.  The moment he found out you had a secret he had tried everything he could think to get you to tell him. He pestered you almost nonstop the first day, following you around saying, shouting, or muttering “Tell me!” over and over again. Still you didn’t say.

At this point, you wouldn’t have minded telling the boys where you went. You knew them well enough that they might tease you a bit, but it would be good natured.

 The reason you didn’t was mostly because not knowing annoyed the crap out of Gabriel. And seeing him all frustrated was kind of awesome.  It was rare that anyone was able to get under the trickster’s skin. After six months of this, he was getting desperate to know. And he’d evolved from just begging for you to tell him to full on trickster tantrum.

 It had started out innocent enough. Tugging at your hair. Whining. Then things had escalated quickly. Turning your hair blue. Embroidering all of your shirts to all say ‘princess’. Turing your beer into lemonade - which had succeeded at pissing both you and Dean off.

When the tricks hadn’t worked he’d tried bribery. Candy. Shiny weapons. A table filled with cakes in every flavor imaginable. Other assorted presents.

 Then he’d given you a freaking puppy. The puppy had almost done it. Almost. You named the puppy Remy. The others weren't as thrilled (except Jack who’d gone all wide-eyed kid on Christmas). You’d since caught Dean sneaking him treats and Sam cuddling him. You pretended you didn't see any of this and they didn't complain too much over your new companion. 

 Eventually realizing the treats didn’t work Gabriel had tried something new. A more direct route.

It happened on the day of your personal time, the one where you’d disappear. You were laying in your bed playing on your phone, waiting for noon to take off for your monthly afternoon away.

 All of a sudden soft ropes had slithered over your feet, and bound your ankles to the bed. It had been to abrupt to react. Now you tugged at them, but they wouldn't budge. You'd reached for a blade, ready to cut your way free. Except more cords wound around you, pinning you completely to the bed. You sighed heavily, knowing exactly who was likely responsible. You were proved right a moment later when Gabriel appeared smug smirk emblazoned on his face. “You can’t get up until you tell me where you disappear to.” He was so damn sure of himself. “Come on shortstack, just tell me.” It was more a demand then a request.

 It really would be easier to tell him. And as you struggled against the bindings you knew you wouldn’t be getting out unless he released you. Still, you were getting a lot of amusement out of his frustration, so no, you wouldn't be telling him today. How to get out of it then?

 It hit you suddenly. You debated for a moment, not sure it would work. Given that Gabriel was all gorgeous trickster, lover of goddesses and porn stars, he probably wouldn't embarrass easily. But only one way to find out. 

You shifted so your face was titled to stare at him and let your lips purse. Then you traced his body with your gaze slowly. He didn’t say anything and blinked back at you surprised. You let a smile slide onto your lips, “Well sugar,” you drawled, “I didn't know you were so kinky.” You threw in a saucy wink for good measure.  Gabriel went from smug to scandalized in a millisecond, gaping at you. “Ah….” He stuttered, and his cheeks got bright pink. It was adorable seeing him so flustered. You wished you had a camera.  For good measure you added, “If you'd wanted me all tied up you should have just asked.” He was still shocked, and you really wanted to laugh. But when your eyes rose to meet his again, you realized too late that shock hadn't been his only reaction. Now you could see something dark simmered there, deep in his eyes.

 Oh, wow, you thought, and swallowed thickly. It was intense having his full focus. You felt hot suddenly. Apparently, you were playing with fire.

 His tongue darted out and ran over his lips, and his gaze slid over your form like you were a decadent dessert laid out for the taking.   "Gabriel?" Your voice was low and throaty.  At your question, his eyes widened and he seemed to shake himself, then turned away. “I… ummm… yeah, I have to go.”  You watched as his hand ran through his golden tresses.  He let out a frustrated sigh and disappeared, the restraints disappearing with him. 

 You lay there blinking at the space he’d been, wondering how you’d managed to get that reaction from him. And how you could do it again.

 After a few minutes you finally got up and left the bunker, still in a slight daze.

 -----------------

 You’d spent the drive from the bunker trying to shake the odd heat in your blood that Gabriel’s reaction had ignited.

 Since you’d met him, your feelings toward Gabriel ran the gambit from irritation, affection, and entertainment. He was never dull, you’d give him that.  If you were honest with yourself, you’d admit that you’d had a crush on the archangel for ages now. But it fluctuated with the desire to smother him.

 Either way, you thought you’d never been more than another one of the ‘guys’ to him and the rest of your bunker mates. Yet the look in Gabriel’s eyes earlier had suggested that he saw you in a slightly different light. It had been rather tempting.

If you hadn’t had your monthly appointment to keep, you might have tried to lure Gabriel back and try to investigate this new situation. Instead you entered the establishment, ready for your relaxing afternoon.

 A bright and cheery room greeted you on the other side of the glass door. A small bell rang signaling your arrival, as the door whooshed closed behind you. You pushed your sunglasses into your hair and offered a smile to the room.

 The salon was fabulous personified and smelled of floral things instead of the chemicals you usually associated with nail salons. You’d been splurging on mani pedis for years, loving the way your nails looked and your limbs felt once you were done. This was by far your favorite salon. From the looks of it, it was a fairly slow day. A couple other patrons occupied the room, along with several employees. 

 A nail tech greeted you and you soon found yourself seated in one of the massaging chairs, feet soaking in the water.  As you waited for your pedicure to begin, you flipped through the color choices.  You debated between bright pink or coral  You loved the bright colors, but you only ever got them on your toes. You kind of liked that your preference for the bold colors was your little secret. It wasn’t like you went around showing off your bare feet in the bunker or on a hunt.

 You got your hands done too, though your manicures always consisted of clear polish.  Honestly, the manicures were the only way you were able to keep from breaking all your nails on hunts. Lord knew that the life wasn't forgiving to the rest of your body. You couldn’t’ count the number of callouses, scars, and broken things you’d received over the years. At least this way you didn’t have to add broken nails to the list.

 Sure it was a bit nonsensical, but you were allowed a bit of whimsy.

As you browsed the colors, you weren't really paying attention to your surroundings. In your periphery you saw someone being seated next to you, but you didn’t pay it any mind. As a hunter you were in hyper alert almost 24-7, but here you let your guard down just a bit. This was supposed to be your relaxation time after all.

Which was why you startled so much when a very familiar voice intruded. “I'm particular to the gold myself.” Your head whipped to the left and your gaze settled on a very triumphant archangel. He grinned, “Gotcha.”

Your shoulders sagged in defeat. “How?” He looked amused, “Not telling.” That was surprising. He usually loved to babble about his cleverness. That he didn't want to now was suspicious.  You narrowed your eyes and studied him, hoping he'd have some form of tell. No such luck. “So why are you here? You could have just as easily busted me at the bunker.” You were still focused on him, curious. He scoffed, “You're kidding right? Who doesn't like to be pampered?” You started at him for a good minute. Yes, he had a point. Having your nails done was a very enjoyable experience. You’d just never considered he’d be the sort to enjoy it.

 As if reading your mind, he responded. “It reminds me of when I was Loki. All the worship and doting.”

 Ah, well that explained it.

 Having your nails done with Gabriel by your side wasn’t actually a bad experience. Sure, he teased you about way you squirmed when the employee doing your nails grazed a ticklish spot. But he kept up a dialog with you, chatting about all sorts of inane things. He seemed to genuinely enjoy himself.

 There was also the way his eyes darkened and knowing smirk would alight on his lips when you sighed in pleasure through the massage portion of the pedicure.

 When only you could hear, he murmured, “I bet I can get you to make that sound.”

 If this was giving him ideas, then maybe you wouldn’t mind him knowing.

 ----------------------

 Back at the bunker, you were both immediately bombarded by the guys. They asked Gabriel if he’d figured out where you went. He’d looked at you, then smiling at the guys said, “Nope, it’s still Y/N’s little secret.” They seemed satisfied, but slightly disappointed.

 When you could do so without anyone seeing, you dragged Gabriel into your room. You told yourself it was so you couldn’t be overheard. He went willingly.

 “Why didn’t you tell them?” You asked.

 Gabriel shrugged, “I like secrets when I’m in on them.” He smiled sweetly at you, “And I like that I know, but they don’t, that you can be delicate.”

 Muttering, “I’ll show you delicate”, you grabbed him by the collar and hauled him against you, smashing your lips against his. It was a rather brutal kiss, but it left you both breathless and craving more.

 Hours later, having done quite a bit more than kiss him, and him proving in fact he could get you to make the happy sighy sound, as well as several others, you demanded, “Tell me.”

 He chuckled and finally relented, “I asked Sam to show me how to track the gps on your phone.”

 Not what you’d expected, but it was still damn amusing.

    Tags: @wontlookaway

Let me know if you’d like to be tagged!

[allimariexf]

alli’s Arrow 2x01 rewatch thoughts

Let me start off by saying OMG I AM SO EXCITED FOR SEASON 2!!!!!!  (Season 2 is an absolute joy, my friends. I see now how very difficult it’s going to be for me to refrain from commenting on every little thing. I will do my best. But this turned out to be very long so I’m gonna lead with the Felicity/Olicity stuff and put other/random observations under the cut.)

I love the intro. A true WTF moment for the audience. And then: DIGGLE AND FELICITY! Felicity jumping out of the airplane remains one of the cutest things EVAR. 

(Okay but the fact that Oliver returned to Lian Yu, and the fact that Delicity went to find him there, is SO HUGE and the show just coasts over it and I have read some great fanfic that deals with this but honestly not enough. We definitely need more fic exploring this.)

“Just FYI - no one is eating the bagels!” LOOOOL the iconic random line. The best. (And of course there’s at least one great fic that touches on this, but I can’t remember the name).

I LOVE how Felicity shows her confidence through her clothing and hair choices. Throughout every season there’s small changes that parallel her attitude and I love it. Season 2 sassy “I AM DONE BEING SILENT” Felicity is still my favorite.

Regarding Isabel Rochev: “For the record I hated her before we found out she was a super villain.” - Felicity 2x19, but also me right now.

So when the Hoods come to attack Oliver at QC, I have always been annoyed that Oliver dives to protect Isabel rather than Felicity, but I do LOVE that they share a little look right when the Hoods bust in. And I guess Dig was behind Felicity so Oliver knew she was protected. But still.

Felicity saves Oliver tally: #2!! THE BEST! And of course, the fact that she freezes after having just stepped in and saved Oliver, but he wastes no time in BODILY protecting her. And then (good thing they practiced this on Lian Yu) he grabs her and dives out the window!!!!! *sigh* And then he checks on her, still wild with adrenaline, but he has to be sure she’s okay. *sigh* And she gives him the little nod, and my dears, Achievement Unlocked: welcome to The Next Level of Olicity. ❤️❤️❤️

“And excuse me for saying this, but so what? Since when do you care?” I think this is the first time that Felicity has made a long angry speech at Oliver. In the past, she’s stood up for John and herself, but in a quieter, gentler way and she was always sure not to push Oliver too hard. But here she’s pushing, really really asserting herself, for the first time. Season 2 Felicity, I welcome you (and I adore you!). She’s stepping up her game of holding Oliver to a higher standard.

“When I put on the hood, it’s kill or be killed.” // “So don’t. It’s not like you’ve killed every guy you faced.”

New Lair is cool but the moment is kinda overshadowed by the fact that murderers just stole Thea, but anyways #salmonladder 😁 Oliver’s semi-exasperated look at Felicity’s “I liked watching you do that” is adorable because you know he acts annoyed but really he eats it up and totally struts around shirtless because he likes her reaction. And this interaction is just a continuation of the truth and intimacy about their sexual chemistry that most definitely became A Thing in the Merlyn elevator. Only this time Felicity’s more confident in herself and less apologetic about the whole thing. PROGRESS.

At this point, Oliver’s so completely dependent on Felicity’s skills for info. He’s just like “what do we know about the guy” and boom! she figures out his identity. Then he’s like “phone records” and she’s like “here’s where he met his accomplices.” PLUS SHE HAD A RAD NEW BOW CUSTOM MADE. Oliver, behold your future wife! “It’s perfect.” And I guess that’s all the thanks she’s gonna get. :P

“Maybe there’s another way.” ICONIC. ❤️ *squee* all the love ❤️

And then right afterward, to Quentin: “I’m trying another way.” ❤️ 

“Most people fail to see the real me.” ❤️ *looking at Felicity when he says this*

“If it’s online I can find it.” FELICITY you always manage to reach Oliver with humanity and levity right when he needs it. *sigh*

“It’s just like a good friend once told me....I had to find another way.” He looks her in the eye, slow and deliberate, and says this. He is deliberately acknowledging, for the first time to her, that she is a good friend. Not merely someone to be hidden from his friends (“This is Felicity. She’s setting up my internet.”). Not a random person whose presence he has to explain (“This is Felicity. She’s my friend.”) But an actual good friend. Which, we all know how seriously Oliver takes his actual friendships. It’s meaningful and deep. #MyEmotions He’s essentially acknowledging that he’s done denying how important she (and John too, I think) are to him.

And she gives him that little smile, acknowledging that she recognizes that their relationship has forever changed.

Mmmmm Oliver in that vest. Oliver. In. That. Vest.

ARROW SEASON 2, MY FRIENDS. :D

random other observations below the cut: 

I miss (mostly) carefree Thea. Poor Thea. I blame Malcolm Merlyn entirely 🙄

Dig opening the car door for Oliver and calling him “Mr. Queen” after Oliver basically just treated him like dirt rather than a friend who stood shoulder to shoulder with him during the Undertaking - if that isn’t some of the best shade I’ve ever seen. 😎

These copycat Hoods are justifiably angry, and definitely their vision of vengeance is misguided, but honestly none of that is an excuse for how these actors play them like low-budget action movie villains #justsayin 😆

Thea: “I’m not going to that prison. It’s the only way I know how to hurt her.” Roy: “You might want to consider how much it’s hurting you.” Wow. This show used to be so amazing with the dialog.

I love that Felicity and Quentin suddenly have a new level of friendship, despite not actually having been in the same room together since he brought her in for questioning, simply based on the fact that she helped him defuse a bomb over the phone. ❤️

Oliver, Moira warned you not to trust Isabel Rochev. That includes sleeping with her. #ListenToYourMotherOliver

Moira and Thea *sob* “If I died you would spend the rest of your life thinking that I hated you.” “However long I am in this place, you have freed me.” 😭  #ArrowIsAShowAboutFamily

Oliver and Walter!! I love Walter, as a person and as a father-figure to Thea and Oliver. I miss him. 😭 He’s the parent they all needed all along. (I mean don’t get me wrong, I love Quentin as a surrogate father to everyone, but we can all agree he’s not the most stable dude around.)

Oliver and Laurel: just putting the final few nails in that coffin.  “I understand why we can’t be together. I still need you in my life.” THIS is an Oliver and Laurel relationship I can get behind. One that recognizes their problematic past, but also recognizes that meaningful relationships don’t have to be romantic.

@jules85 @blondeeoneexox @hope-for-olicity @memcjo

[letswritesomenovels]

Writing Workshops: An Introduction

If you want to study creative writing--whether in high school, college, or outside of a typical school setting--you’ll undoubtably find yourself in a workshop. 

Writing workshops can vary wildly, but the basic premise is this: one writer shares their work and silently listens as a room full of other writers judge it. 

Depending on the instructions the people in that room are given, their experiences with workshopping, and their own writing know-how, workshops can either be be scary, unhelpful, humiliating, and downright depressing, or amazing experiences that fundamentally improve your ability to write. 

I’ve been workshopping for ten years-- in high school, undergraduate, and graduate classes, and in informal workshops among friends.

Today, I want to share what I’ve learned over those ten years, because I believe that there’s no reason for a workshop to ever be a bad experience.

This is a bit long, so under the Read More you’ll find:

How to Workshop Someone Else’s Story

Reading a piece for workshop

Discussing a piece in workshop

How to Deal with Other People Workshopping Your Writing

An Example of a Not-So-Helpful Critique

An Example of a Helpful Critique

What to Do If You Find Yourself in a Hostile Workshopping Environment

How to Workshop Someone Else’s Story

Reading A Piece for Workshop 

When reading a story for workshop, the first thing you should do is look for the story the author is attempting to tell. This is extremely important. That story may or may not be the same as what you would like the piece to be, but convincing the author to write the story you want is not the task at hand. 

While reading, pay attention to your personal reaction to the story. What paragraphs are you skimming? Where are you bored? Where is your interest piqued? Where are you confused? What do you find funny/sad/anger inspiring? 

Once you’ve identified your feelings, look for the writing elements that are causing them. These are the things you should be pointing out to the author. 

Characterization:

What makes the characters feel real or relatable? Where is characterization inconsistent? What is interesting about the character? Can you identify what about the character is driving the plot?

Plot and pacing

Do you have any trouble following the story? Do the events occur in such a way where there is a defined beginning, middle, and end? Does anything feel like it’s happening too quickly/slowly? Are you ‘just one more chapter’-ing your way through this work? Do the events build to a satisfying conclusion? 

Setting

Does this place feel real to you? Does the setting add anything to the story? Inform the characters/plot in any way?

Description

Do the sentences flow? Do they invite you into the scene? Do they feel relevant? What do they reveal? Is the author choosing the right words? Are there words they’re overusing? Are they writing in passive voice? Does the writing tell where it should show? 

Dialog

Are the characters’ voices distinct? Do you always know who is speaking? Do the characters feel like they’re speaking to each other? Or like they’re explaining things to the reader? Does the conversation feel like it has a natural rhythm? Is it too cluttered with unnecessary dialog tags/actions?  

If you don’t know how to tell whether the author is using the correct amount of dialog tags, or what ‘passive voice’ is exactly, the simplest way to usefully critique a piece is to look for the places where an author is obviously trying to do something and let them know whether or not they’ve succeeded at that thing. When they add a comedic line--do you find it funny? When they describe a character’s looks--can you see that person clearly in your mind? When they reveal a shocking piece of information--are you shocked?

Discussing A Piece In Workshop 

Don’t frame your critique around what’s bad and what’s good or what you like and what you don’t like, but around what works and what doesn’t work. This will also help to change your mindset while reading the piece. It doesn’t matter if you like it. It matters whether or not the writing is doing what the author wants it to be doing. 

When discussing what works, explain why that thing works. If you like a piece of dialog, take the time to figure out what exactly you like about it: is it funny? Does it provide some smart foreshadowing? Is it inspiring? Terrifying? Let the author know what you think. 

When discussing what doesn’t work, point out exactly what aspect of that thing is not working, and if you can, suggest something the author could do to fix that element. 

When you suggest fixes to a story element that’s not working, it’s better to give the author advice that focuses on what the fix needs to be doing, rather than exactly what the fix should be. Tell them the poster needs to be affixed to the wall, not whether they should use tape, glue, or nails, if that makes any sense. 

Try to balance the time you spend discussing things that work and the things that don’t, even if the things that don’t work are the plot and characters, and the things that do work are the occasional sentence. You’ll probably spend more time talking about the things that need work than the things that don’t no matter what, but that ratio should be closer to 60:40 than 90:10. 

If you’re not sure whether the advice you’re giving is good, if you aren’t sure whether something is working or not--bring it up anyway and ask the rest of the class what they think about it. 

If you don’t agree with something someone else is saying, but don’t want to disagree because that person probably knows more about it than you--say what you want anyway. The writer can only benefit from the additional view. 

And remember, it will be your turn eventually, and the way you discuss other students’ writing will set a precedent for how they’ll discuss your writing. If you develop a reputation for being especially harsh to other people’s writing, they’ll probably be equally harsh to you. Likewise with gentleness, kindness, and praise. 

How to Deal with Other People Workshopping Your Story 

In nearly all workshops, you won’t be allowed to speak while people are discussing your work. Don’t break this rule. This is the time for readers to tell you what your words say to them, for your work to speak for itself. This is not the time for you to tell other people how to read your words. If someone is complaining that you didn’t say X, but you did say it on page 9 and they just didn’t see it--let someone else correct them, let it go, or maybe X needs to be clearer in the text. 

Never write for your workshop group. There’s no guarantee your tastes will align with the rest of the class. You may find yourself in a workshop where no one reads your preferred genre. That’s okay. It’s not their job to love your writing, and it’s not your job to provide them with something to love, but it is your job to write what you love. 

Know that suggestions are not mandates. Take in the feedback that you think would help your story, and reject the feedback that doesn’t fit the vision you have for your story. 

Remember that the people in your class are learning as well. They may not realize how critical they’re being or how hurtful their words are. They may even be outright wrong on occasion. Don’t take it personally. 

If you can’t handle looking your classmates in the eye--or if you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed--it’s okay to pull-out a notebook, pretend to take notes, and doodle. Still listen, but let the doodles distract you enough to keep your composure. 

An Example of a Not-Very-Helpful Critique*

Overall, I liked this piece. I thought there were a lot of good things in it. The characters were cool and the plot was really interesting. However, I didn’t like the setting. It didn’t feel like a real place to me. I think you need to do some work on it to make it better. Maybe you should change the setting entirely. I think the story would be more fun if it was set in a small town, rather than in a big city. Also, I thought there were some places where the dialog was bad. It was clunky and didn’t sound very natural. I’ve put marks next to the lines that you need to change. There are also a couple of cliches, but you can probably get away with those, because this is SFF and you don’t really have to worry about avoiding things like cliches in that sort of genre. But overall, yeah, I thought this was okay. 

*which is still better than many critiques you’ll hear in workshops

An Example of a More Helpful Critique. 

Overall, I thought there were a lot of things that worked in this piece. The characterization stands out particularly. The protagonist’s frustration when the man keeps interrupting her felt very relatable to me, and I thought the way she responded by turning into a fire-breathing dragon and roasting him alive was very telling about the emotional turmoil it caused her. Her anger was evident on the page, and you never even had to say outright that she was angry, which I thought was clever. 

Also, I thought the foreshadowing in the piece was executed well. The scale earrings, her hoard of silver spoons, and the way she didn’t need a match to light her cigarette... I didn’t realize she was a dragon, but I knew something was up, and that kept me turning the page. 

However, I thought there were a few things that could use some work. 

Largely, I think the dialog works well. The protagonist’s voice is distinctive and believable for her age. However, there are a couple of pieces of dialog that don’t sound very natural. I think maybe it’s because you aren’t using contractions in places where most people would use them? For instance, on the second page, she says, “there is not another way to go about it,” but “there isn’t another way” would sound less clunky.

I’ve also flagged up a cliche at the end. I know that knights in shining armour riding up on white horses have traditionally been the good guys in fantasy novels, but the way I read it, this piece is all about the personal journey of the dragon, so I was confused when the knight riding up and slaying her was framed as something the reader should be happy about. It might be worth considering subverting this trope, or taking a second look at how it fits in with the ideas you’re already exploring in this story. 

I’d be curious to hear what other people think about maybe setting this story in a small town, where the protagonist’s sense of isolation would be more exaggerated. If you do keep it in the big city, I think describing it in more detail, telling us more about the protagonist’s apartment building, and her neighborhood in a couple of scenes would help it work as a more realistic setting. 

I thought this was a fun fantasy story, that had a unique and fascinating twist on dragon lore. I look forward to seeing the next draft. 

If you find yourself trapped in a hostile workshopping environment...

A good workshop environment depends upon an instructor who will facilitate a helpful and healthy discussion. It’s an instructor’s duty to curb students who get carried away describing all of the things they hate about a piece, and to point students toward constructive criticism, to bring up the great elements of a piece that no one else has mentioned. 

When workshoppers are less experienced, it won’t be uncommon for someone to struggle to learn the difference between helpful critique and a rant about all the ways a story could’ve been better. People will give sharp, decided opinions. 

If you submit your writing to a class, and your classmates’ reaction is overwhelmingly negative in a way that upsets you, or if your classmates are upsetting someone else, talk to your instructor about it. Ask them to remind students about good workshop etiquette. If they’ve never even brought it up, suggest taking a few minutes out of one class to discuss it. 

If they refuse to do their job, try to be an example to everyone else. Find small ways to facilitate a more helpful discussion yourself. When you see students bashing another person’s piece, interrupt them with your own comments about what works in the piece, even if it comes down to individual lines you thought were funny. Conspire. Teach people about good workshopping yourself. Share this post with friends in your workshop class. A few well-spoken critiques can change the tone of the entire conversation. 

[ladylingua]

So American Gods...

I was really, really excited for the American Gods tv show, was feeling very pleased by most of the casting, and the book used to be my absolute favorite book for a long time. After watching two episodes I’m starting to feel kind of unhappy about the show. When I googled reviews/talked to friends everyone else seems incredibly impressed, so I’m wondering, is it just me?

I’ll put the things I’m concerned about under a cut, so you don’t have to read my whining if you don’t want. If you are a superfan of the show please know I’m not trying to bash it for not being exactly like the book, and I’m aware two episodes is hardly anything, so I’m definitely going to watch the whole season before I officially decide how I feel. These are just things that bugged me. If anyone wants to share why they love the show, or to commiserate with me, I’m very interested in having a dialog on this. I am very happy with how they cast characters, and the way the show is highlighting immigrant stories, that is wonderful.

I think my biggest overall beef is, it seems like Bryan Fuller wanted to make everything much bigger and more explosive, more blood, more fights, more drama. I get that it’s a tv show, so things need to be amped up, but the tone of the show is just so different to me than what I anticipated.

My favorite thing about the book were the quiet interactions Shadow had with Midwest America (a place that I am from). It read to me like a love letter from Neil Gaimon to his new home (he moved to Minnesota from the UK). Weird townies, chatty waitresses full of local trivia, small town pride, he even nailed a specialty of my state: pasties. Overall Shadow had lots of very cordial interactions whenever he travels in the book.

So far in the show either those moments are either not seen, or turned hostile. For example, in the first episode his interaction with the ticket agent is combative, whereas in the book it was explicitly pleasant. I know that seems like a small thing, but it just felt very tonally different to me.

Also, Shadow. In the book Shadow is a very passive character. He reacts, not acts. That’s actually his whole character arc, these things just keep happening to him, until he decides to act by doing Wednesday’s vigil. It’s only after he chooses to do the vigil that Shadow becomes a more active character, and makes choices to end the war, and to rescue Hinzelman’s victims. Laura even says it, he never seemed fully there or alive to her, and then after the vigil Shadow turns real. Book Shadow pushes down his emotions, is incredibly placid and affable. He gets along well with anyone he meets, outside of people who treat him as an enemy. He’s quiet, and reserved. TV Shadow is much more emotive, angrier, and gets his buttons pushed far more easily. In a book, of course, we get to see into Shadow’s head, whereas in a TV show he needs to either tell us or act out his thoughts and feelings for us to follow, so I get why there needed to be some changes to his personality. However, after reading this article I’m feeling much more concerned that Fuller and Green truly don’t “get” Shadow. Book Shadow would never in a million years let Audrey Burton blow him, it doesn’t fucking matter that he just got out of prison. Book Shadow literally does not seek out sex at all, his only sexual experience is when Bast initiates it in his dream. He’s clearly too devastated by everything with Laura to want to pursue sex, to the point that someone (I think Marguerite?) notes that he has an unavailable “married” vibe to him. 

Smaller things that bugged me:

- The initial Viking scene seemed just gorey for gore’s sake, without sense or reason. In the book they meet a Native man, and it’s him who is sacrificed to Odin, then the rest of the man’s tribe find him dead and kill the invaders. In the show, the vikings kill each other. If they’re all dead, how are they going to sail back? Sailing is incredibly difficult, you need all the men you can get, and you want them able bodied as possible. After the mini war, the number of crew that either died or lost limbs? No way they’re able to sail that giant boat back.

- Bilquis. In the book, she’s moonlighting as a prostitute. The guys she picks up are sleazes, men who are trying to use and abuse her, and who have the tables turned on them once she gets them alone. I didn’t feel bad for those men. In the show they made the guy a nice single dad, who has kids that approve of him dating. It made me wonder if I was supposed to perceive her as a villain, and him as a victim. From what I read, it looks like Fuller and Green thought making it a man on a date made it more worshipful/powerful/respectful than having the guy be a john, so this might be a YMMV type thing. Yetide Badaki is amazing though, that casting was perfect.

- Why did Anansi show up wearing modern dress and speaking in modern parlance? Gods always reflect back to us what we expect to see (to an extent), so shouldn’t he have been wearing clothes appropriate to that time, and speaking in the language of the man who called to him? It just seemed odd to me.

[kellodrawsalot]

Top five worst Sonic Archie issues

So a while back me and @greenyvertekins​ talked a bit about our favorite Sonic Archie moments, I was thinking of doing a TOp five/top ten favorite Sonic archie issues but honestly the moments I and Greenyvertekis mentioned were pretty much my favorite/best issues. So if you want to read here! most of them are also from the best written arcs so .....

Then I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to do a top five WORST Sonic arche issues instead? :) (warning Im from the Netherlands so my English is bad, feel free to spell correct me!)

Number 05 Issue 172

Going pretty low in the list because despite this being one of  my least favorite issues it should be noted that this was the start from the comic getting better and better at this point, this ugly-face just was the blacksheep from that collection.

Not only was the cover a bad reminder that the comic was seen as bad-furry-romance-drama which I really hoped the comic wanted to distant itself from it, the entire issue is a sadlyalso  bad-furry-drama. It starts off with Amy Rose confronting Fiona Fox about the rumors that she heard from Tails that she is cheating on Sonic with Scourge, (the Green Edgy Sonic recolor) Now the story of Fiona Fox is a pretty sad one, she never had much of a character to begin with. She was first introduced as a robot in her child form to lure Tails into a trap. It turns out that Eggman based her off a real person: Fiona Fox who someway or another was left behind by Mighty and Sonic in Eggman’s prison and she manage to escape but stil holding a grudge and got angry at them for it, That is mostly what I remember her from in the past issues. From then on she would just be background character number 55 a freedom fighter with no dialog, the only times I sort of remember her was that she liked the idea of using guns, and that Sonic was afraid for Tails to be rejected by the too-old-for-you girl Fiona.Sonic wanted to talk to FIona about this issue and she mentions she still thinks SOnic is selfish for leaving her behind but that his sacrifice in issue 125 made her change her mind somewhat, That’s it. Now the weird story behind Fiona is that Karl Boilers planned to use her as a second-love interest for Sonic after Sonic broke up with Sally. Sonic was supposed to enter a relationship with Amy Rose shortly after the Sonic/Sally break up. (Keep in ind that Amy Rose back then was still 10 years old mentally at that time YIKES.) and Fiona for whatever reason was to become a rival to Amy for Sonic’s affections. Now Ken Penders apparently interfered with this idea and Karl and Ken changed it into...Fiona Fox becoming Sonic’s girlfriend instead...out of the blue....out of nowhere. At least with Amy you knew she had a crush on Sonic but with Fiona? why would Sonic ever enter a relationship with a girl he hardly interacted with and with a girl his best friend was crushing on? ..moving on various issues later and writer Karl Boilers and Ken Penders were no longer on board and new writer Ian Flyn entered into the picture it was by then far too late to clean up this mess and I could tell from the comic’s writing that Ian wasn’t sure what to do with Fiona, he tried to give her a more Sally-personality with a bad history but that felt tripped and forced. He knew he had to break the two characters off and he thought the best way to do that was to reveal that Fiona Fox became a bad-girl who fell in love with Scourge due to the events off Sonic 150 (dont worry that issue will be brought up later)

Not only did this came out of no where, it felt forced even if Fiona had no character it felt like she really was just a pawn of a writer not sure what to do with her. It also didnt help that the issue ends in a weird anticlimatic way  and in the next issue most of the characters dont even talk or seem to be phazed with Fiona’s betrayel and  Sonic would be slightly flirtatious with Sally and Amy in the next issue too, (Really Sonic you just got dumped.) The issues saving grace is a cute side story with Amy Rose and Julie Su training together and some decent/good art overall.

Number 04 Knuckles the Echidna issue 32

Yes Knuckles does count as part of the Sonic series, and if the list would be Knuckles comic focused this would have been number one. Not only was this the last issue of probably the most boring arc I ever read It also nailed the coffin on the Knuckles series as it was canned after this issue. It introduced two very uncreative very Un-SegaSonic like characters: Monk and Hunter whose design and motivations are as generic as you can imagine. Ken Penders tries to make you feel for the Monk-character but I dont think anyone was convinced. I own this issue as well and HONESTLY I forgot I even read this issue as a child it was that forgettable, even in my Knucklesfangirl phase as soon as I finished reading the last 3 issues I forgot about it, It also doesnt help that the covers while nicely drawn by Galan were cluttered and too busy, Ken Penders did the book’s art and while he did a perfect job drawing Hunter his cartoon characters were always off-model and the way he draws large mangaeyes didn’t look well. In other words the art wasnt good either.

I only remember these issues  because of @hedgehogscantswim​ review, which I suggest you guys read into as they go into much greater depth on their blog on the flaws of the art, the character designs of Monk and Hunter and the overall big problem the last issue has.  

Number 3 Sonic issue 134

Oh Yeah let’s talk about the big one, let’s talk about the issue that caused many Sonic fans to drop the comic, lets talk about the issue that split the fanbase in half and what made the Sonic-Archie comics the laughing stock of Sonic spin offs for years to come until Ian Flyn joined and the much later soft-Reboot. If the Sally/Sonic/Mina love drama didn’t convince people that the comic had badfurryromance drama this issue sure did.

Sonic sacrificed himself in issue 125 to save the world,  but was transported to a different planet cause science, he survived and had space adventures with Aliens, met up with Tails parents somehow...(Really those issues are all a blur too me at this point.) he came back to Mobuis only to discover a year has passed since then, he reunites with his nowwithlonghair girlfriend Sally and by issue 125, Sally makes it clear to Sonic that she wants him by his side as she is sort-of forced by her parents to no longer be on the battle field. However Sonic cant possibly do that, he is the hero after all, he cant be tied down Sally clearry suffering from trauma after Sonic’s death begs him to stay by her side, Sonic  tearfully tells her he can’t and Sally takes Sonic’s rejection pretty well and says that she knows being a hero is in Sonic’s blood and decides to reject her parents wishes and join her boyfriend and the rest of her friends on the battle field.

No wait Never mind, she SLAPS him across the face and calls him Selfish and breaks up with him afterwards.

Not only did this issue came in the worst possible time when the Sonally/Sonamy ship wars was rampant in the Online Sonic fandom communities. The motivation and reason for Karl Boilers to do this was in such a bad taste as well. Karl who MOST Likely was aware of the growing popularity of the Sonamy ship and the hatred the sonamy fanbase had for Sally, from people calling her a marry sue, a slut because her lack of pants, ugly due to her brown color sceme, and other funny-horrible things because shipping is serious business, Probably wanted to win and be favored by a part of the Sonic fan base and had outlined plans to have Sonic and Amy Rose become an official couple in the comics. (Even if Karl wrote Amy Rose as a 10 year old mentally girl with a body of a 12 year old together with a 17 year old teen Sonic.) They had to become a couple. How to do this you ask? by breaking Sonic/Sally up and portraying  Sally out to be a selfish cunt of a woman, not only was this so disgustingly out of character and a slap to the face to the sonally and Sally fans, it was all to make the fans to transaction to the idea of Sonamy instead. It didnt help Sally’s position in the fanbase and she along with Chris and Elise would be among the list of the most hated characters where extreme Sonamy fanbrats now had valid proof on their side.It would take years for Sally to recover. To add insult to injury the only nice thing about the issue is the introduction of new artist John Gray (whose animish-cartoondisneyish style was colorful, pleasant and very pleasing to the eye! was more then needed at that time since the art quality standards was low back then. )John has stated he did NOT like working on this issue either due to the content and story. I am so thankful that Sally has been much better written for years now.

Number 02 Sonic Super Special issue 07 Crossover with Image Comics

Where to start with this, oh boy oh boy. I put this very high on the list because this has to be one of the worst crossovers spin ofss I have ever had the pleasure of reading. and I mean that the Powerrangers/TMNT crossover was more enjoybale that this mess. This is also very high on the list not only because the art was below average and many characters were off models but Mister Ken Penders used this crossover special to shoehorn his own ‘’characters’ from his comic book series the Lost Ones. (who btw got canned after only volume 01) his characters got the most attention out of everyone else. A image-comics with Sonic crossover already sounds sort of weird and silly but hey I am Spawn fangirl, I am intrigued. But I dont even get that.

(oh wait, this is fucking it, Spawn appears for about a page to say no to Sonic and then leaves thats it??) FOR FUCK SAKE....

Honestly @robotnikholmescomicblog​ gave this comic a great review and I suggest going to their tag of Ken-Penders-Why as they bring out most of the flaws of Ken Penders writing and they said it better then I ever will.

Overall the issue is just a mess, with shallowcheap cameos of image characters, Sonic and the freedom fighters being DICKS to most of the human characters for no reason, a very anti climatic ending and a giant commercial for Ken Penders doomed and boring characters that nobody gave a dam about) characters that he planned to use in ‘’The Lost ones’’ and Knuckles 20 years later. With a character hinting to become Knuckles’s greatest enemy yet with a very ugly boring design that could rivals Hunter. (btw none of these concepts go anywhere, Lost Ones was canned, and Knuckles 20 years later didnt come in fruition the way Ken Penders wanted.)

and number 5, worst issue Sonic issue 150

This is my most least favorite issues up to date and why you might ask

well for one thing the art is okay, I give it that but it doesnt even start with Sonic,

no we get a quick-reveal  of AntiSonic pretending to be the real Sonic flirting with all the girls in knothole

We get uncomfortable panels of Mina Mongoose almost cheating on her boyfriend with Sonic, Sonic and Bunnie making out and falling asleep next together, Sonic being creepy at Amy ect and none of the girls seem to realize that this is obvious not the real Sonic but ANti-Sonic. Everbody fails to notice that Sonic is  trying to flirt with all the girls he gets his eyes on. Only Tails seems to quistion it. Shows how much his own friends seem to know him. Or his own freaking family. The real Sonic is stuck in anti-mobuis and is busy trying to convince them that he is not AntiSonic, it’s very boring and dull. Also since the real Ant was stuck in anti Mobuis couldn’t he have tried to come back to his own world with Sonic? I dont know that just confused the heck out of me, The extra side story also doesn’t help, Its the conclusion to TailS ‘’the Chosen One’’ which was,,,pretty lame too with bland-art, and has the unfortunate of introducing the fanbase to the still-hilarious Titan Tails

(OHfuckmethat’sstupid.)

So the stories are stupid, the art is okay and lame. Why is it so high on the list?

It’s THE 150 anniversary issue and this is how Karl and Ken apparently wanted to celebrate it? It also doesn’t help that the cover is really underwhelming and boring compared to the 125th issue but that’s it’s least of its problems. A short while later Ian Flyn and Tracey joined the team and Ken and Karl left. For the better. But talk about a lame way to celebrate a 150th milestone. What a waste. 

[williamlwolf89]

6 Writing Motivation Tips That Work (Even if You’re Busy)

Feeling low on writing motivation? All you need is the right toolkit. Here are six tips that’ll change your writing game forever.

______________________________

You have lots of ideas you want to share with the world, but…

The motivation to sit down and write just isn’t there.

You open your laptop with great intentions, but end up getting trapped by your Instagram feed.

Maybe you even start writing — but ten minutes later succumb to an uncontrollable urge to get up and organize your spice rack.

Or perhaps you’re just tired. And who can blame you? You have so much going on in your life that when you get home from work all you need is your couch and your Netflix — not more work.

Therefore, you can’t help but wonder:

How do other bloggers and writers find enough motivation to write every day and finish writing entire articles and books?

Here’s the truth you don’t hear that often:

Writing Motivation Doesn’t Just Happen: You Have To Go Get It

Most successful freelance writers and bloggers have busy lives too.

Surprising as it may seem, they also struggle with tiredness, procrastination, and lack of writing motivation. No matter how successful you become, you will always have days when you feel uninspired, overcome with imposter syndrome, or when even watching the grass grow will seem more fun than writing.

So… what’s the secret?

It’s simple:

You can’t just rely on writing motivation to magically appear — you need to know how to create it.

The good news is, this is often easier than you think.

6 Hacks to Help You Regain Your Writing Motivation

Imagine that you’re building a new shelf. If you realize you have the wrong screwdriver for those screws, do you sit in misery and hope the problem will solve itself?

Of course not. You probably wouldn’t waste hours trying to force the screwdriver until it fits, either.

No, you would go to the shop and either buy new screws, or a new screwdriver (or if you’re lazy like me, go through all your kitchen knives and see if any does the trick).

The same happens with writing: when you feel stuck, you just need to find the right tool that will get you unstuck. And very often, if you hit the nail in the head (pun intended), you’ll be back into a flow in a matter of minutes.

Here are six very simple tips and mindset tweaks that have not only helped me regain writing motivation in my toughest moments, but also allowed me to create my best work ever.

1. Find Your Why, Then Stick With a How

For the first few months after I started my blog, I felt lost and unmotivated.

I kept reading articles about writing and blogging and trying different strategies a few days at a time, until I realized I was seeing no results.

It was frustrating.

Eventually, tired of shifting and indecision, I decided to invest in a blogging course — and everything changed. Sure, I could probably find all the advice I wanted online; but committing to one method and following it through to the end helped me eliminate all my doubts, stress, and decision pressure, and as a consequence my mind was finally free to be creative.

However, having a strategy isn’t enough.

Yes, taking that course has led me to develop my voice, write hundreds of articles, get thousands of subscribers, and sell my first online course. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am.

But the truth is, despite technically knowing the path, I still lose motivation sometimes. I still get tired, busy, and stuck, and I still have bad days. In those moments, what keeps me going is knowing my purpose as a writer: to touch, inspire, and share knowledge that will help my readers become the best version of themselves.

To me, building a solid foundation of writing motivation takes two steps:

Ask yourself why you want to write

What’s the change you want to make in your readers? How will writing improve your life? How will it fulfill you? What’s the dream that will fuel your motivation on this journey?

Writer Benjamin Hardy created a journaling exercise where you identify something you want, and then you ask yourself “What about __________ is important to me?” enough times until you get to the “deepest why” behind it.

Here’s an example:

[Thing I want:] Writing.

[Question:] What about writing is important to me?

[Thing I want:] Expressing myself.

[Question:] What about expressing myself is important to me?

[Thing I want:] Sharing my experiences with others.

[Question:] What about sharing my experiences with others is important to me?

[Thing I want:] Making people feel seen and understood.

[Question:] What about making people feel seen and understood is important to me?

[Thing I want:] Bringing awareness to our shared humanity and making the world a better, kinder place.

Whether your dream is self-publishing a bestseller on Amazon or starting a blog to support people with breast cancer, set writing goals that mean something to you, and then…

Find a strategy that allows you to fulfill your why

Exploring different alternatives and learning from different sources is useful when you start, but if you want to see real results, at some point you’ll have to choose one strategy and stick with it. Therefore, find a course, a program, or a method, and follow it through to the end.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the best one out there — what matters is that it will remove stress and decision fatigue, and you’ll stay at one thing for long enough until it starts working.

Key takeaways:

Ask yourself why you want to write (use the “deepest why” exercise to help you);

Find a strategy that allows you to fulfill your why and stick it without getting derailed.

2. Spice It Up

Sometimes, no matter how sure we are about our purpose and strategy, we will still face most writers’ worst enemy:

Writer’s block.

When I get stuck with a difficult article, it can be hell to make myself go back to work the next day.

There’s nothing more demotivating than believing that you’ll never be able to write anything good again, that you’re a fraud and all your ideas suck.

It was Anne Lamott’s mind-shifting perspective on writer’s block that changed it all for me:

“I no longer think of it as block. I think that is looking at the problem from the wrong angle. If your wife locks you out of the house, you don’t have a problem with your door. The word block suggests that you are constipated or stuck, when the truth is that you’re empty.” — Anne Lammot in Bird By Bird: Instructions On Writing And Life

Next time you feel out of ideas or can’t solve a problem, try to fill that emptiness with something fresh by spicing up your writing routine.

For example, I often struggle with getting my brain going first thing in the morning. Therefore, instead of starting with my most important work, I often start the day by replying to emails from subscribers. This removes the pressure to be perfect and makes me confident that I can type something that doesn’t totally suck.

Here are a few ideas you can use:

If you write nonfiction articles for a living, spice it up with some creative writing exercises;

If you’re working on a long novel, take a break to work on your metaphor skills;

If you usually type on your computer, grab a journal or fill a stack of note cards with ideas instead;

If you work from home, spend the day writing at a coffee shop;

If you’re used to reading books and articles for writing inspiration, try listening to a writing podcast, watching a movie, or going to an art exhibition instead;

If you’ve been stuck for hours and nothing comes out, take a break.

Key takeaway:

When facing writer’s block, freshen up your writing routine with some new elements.

3. Take It One Step At a Time

One of the most common ways to lose your writing motivation is by setting big goals in a moment of optimism and then end up feeling overwhelmed.

I recently set myself a goal to write 50 guest posts in the space of two months.

Most of my writer friends tell me I’m crazy. Some days I agree, and I can feel my heart skipping a beat at the thought of the challenge ahead of me.

But there is one thing that keeps me sane:

Focusing on the next small step.

After some thinking and planning, I decided that the first step towards writing 50 guest posts was to write three headlines a day until I had a list of 50. So I just focused on that first step and chose not to worry about the rest until the right time came.

“Write three headlines” is not as scary as “start writing 50 guest posts.”

As I saw my progress, my motivation kept growing. To make sure I kept at it, I tracked my progress in my journal. Then, I gradually added more complex goals:

Reading five blog posts a day,

Writing for three hours in the morning,

Sending one pitch per day,

Keeping track of my word count,

Etc.

The key is to build up gradually: start really simple, build consistency, let that fuel your confidence, and then keep placing one foot in front of the other.

Key takeaways:

Set a clear goal (bonus: write it down where you can see it every day);

Define the steps you need to take to get there;

Focus on one step at a time.

4. Big Problems First

Before I started working on my 50 guest posts goal, I was writing on average one article every two weeks. Now, I have to gradually build up to two per day.

The amount of writing time I have available hasn’t changed — therefore, the only option was to write faster.

In her book 2,000 to 10,000, Rachel Aaron explained how she increased her writing speed to 10,000 words in a single day by spending five minutes before every writing session deciding what she would be writing about and scribbling it on a piece of paper.

“I didn’t describe anything, I didn’t do transitions or dialog, I wasn’t writing, I was simply noting down what I would write when the time came,” she explains.

As it has been proven that our brains are at their most creative first thing in the morning, I applied Aaron’s brilliant writing tip and started outlining my articles in my journal before breakfast.

Let me tell you this: never before has a 15-minute writing tip made me so clear-headed and inspired to start my writing day. Not only has this removed a lot of my resistance to start writing, but it also increased my writing speed from 500 to up to 1,500 words per hour.

Nothing will motivate you more than knowing exactly what you’ll be writing about before you start writing it — after that, all you need to do is type it.

Key takeaway:

Spend five minutes before each writing session thinking about what you are going to write; this will make it easier to get you started.

5. Create Your Focus Vortex

It’s time to address the elephant in the room:

How do you fight the procrastination that keeps you from writing?

The lure of just another YouTube video, the popping notification, the inviting weather outside…

Distractions can be one of the main culprits in keeping you from writing.

In an interview with Tim Ferris, Neil Gaiman shared his writing motivation secret that keeps him from procrastinating. It goes like this:

In order to make himself write, he takes his notepad to his cabin in the garden where there is absolutely nothing to do. There, he gives himself two options: he can either write, or do nothing at all. Eventually, doing nothing becomes too boring, and writing becomes the most appealing option.

I don’t have a cabin (or a garden, for that matter), but I have earphones: when I want to focus, I put on some music, and I stick a post-it to my laptop letting people know that I’m in my focus vortex and I can’t be disturbed.

The result? Reducing distractions is a great motivator: not only do I achieve more in less time, but I have much more fun in the process.

Key takeaway:

Create a writing environment that is free of distractions and encourages focus.

6. Fuel Your Mind

Productivity and motivation require an energized mind. Having an energized mind requires an energized body.

Do you see what I’m getting at? This might seem out of place, but it’s probably the most important item on this list: if you want to stay motivated, you need to fuel your body and your mind with the right foods, regular movement, and inspiring food for thought.

When I started noticing how intimately my health and well-being were connected to my productivity and writing motivation, I gradually started tweaking my habits and routine to optimize my creative power.

Here are a few changes I made:

Whenever I feel tired and unmotivated, instead of drinking coffee or stressing out, I drink a glass of water and do a sun salutation — it works like magic!

As I’m more productive in the morning, I started waking up at 5:30 every day and spend around an hour writing on my journal to unlock new ideas and brainstorm problems;

Every day after breakfast I take a walk with my partner where we discuss ideas for our blog, which keeps us fit and allows us to come up with our best ideas.

I’m not telling you to do the same things as me; all I’m saying is that there is a connection between body and mind.

So get up from the couch, roll your shoulders back, drink a tall glass of orange juice, and take a walk around your neighborhood while you listen to your favorite motivational speaker.

Key takeaway:

Fuel your mind and body with good foods, physical movement, and intellectually nourishing activities.

Reignite Your Writing Motivation

Whether you feel lazy, unmotivated to write, facing writer’s block, or simply stuck in a procrastination whole, the problem is not you: all you need is to find the right tool to get you unstuck.

Therefore, after you finish reading this article, don’t get trapped in a self-commiseration loop; instead, pick one of the steps above and commit to giving it a try today.

And who knows — your best work might be just around the corner.

The post 6 Writing Motivation Tips That Work (Even if You’re Busy) appeared first on Smart Blogger.

from SEO and SM Tips https://smartblogger.com/writing-motivation/

[rayaarchive]

Play Fighting

Trimmed nails picked aging frayed wood from the old seat, worn partly by the ocean air and weather. The people who set up the renaissance festival sometimes left it out and it showed under the frivolous pillows. Raya trimmed her nails specifically for today even, and she was eager for the jousting to be over so she could do her bit. That and she wasn’t overly fond of being near the horses as it was.

It grew increasingly difficult to keep the grin off her face when the knights approached her and Savill and bowed, ready for their proclamations and what not.

“You’re making a face…” Savill murmured, side eyeing Raya, who was in fact making quite an anxious face. The sting of holding in the excitement from her face instead contorted it into stern concentration. They were allowed some idle and out of character chatter so long as they kept it quiet enough for those in the wood bleachers not to hear, to which was a reprieve some days.

“I worry,” she slipped a grin in his direction, “that I may wound my kings pride.” It was so very fun to use her regal voice in idle chatter, and the blues of her eyes gave away just how much fun she was already having with the whole thing.

There was no such worry in her tone, just a simple prideful excitement. The kind of jeering tone one can only achieve if they assume their own victory ahead of time.

“There need be no lays to your loyalty today,” she spoke with a voice more authoritarian than her stature would give way she had, standing to her full of not small height. It drew in the eyes of those who were thinking of wondering away, this being abnormal for the script of the fair,

“I wish to don thy sword and shield,” she paused, pleased with the gasps of the children in the crowd, “and settle a marital dispute.”

She turned to Savill, a bit dramatically in her own taste but fitting the character she played, and more so the scene. Rather than looking ashamed, as he should for this but, he looked as pleased as a fat cat in the sun with the attention all on him.

“What say you, my king?” She prompted. Loving that they were clearly both loving this. If for different reasons.

“A duel then?” He chimed, rising to join her and hooked his index under her chin,

“A waste of a perfectly fine dress, don’t you think?”

Raya grinned and swatted his hand away with faux malice and turned to the crowd, “A pretty dress he says!” The women in the crowd picked it up right away and started a rioting cheer.

With as much grace as she could muster in her own excitement, Raya made her way down the stairs and off the raised stall-like platform they were provided and out into the ring before them with Savill close as her heel.

“Be it wrong for me to value such niceties? Your safety even?”

Given the volume they had to speak so that the crowd could hear with out a microphone or any other assistance, it did alter their voices a bit from their usual, added a bit more base even. It wasn’t something she hated to hear from him.

“My safety he says!” Raya cheers back to the crowd as she looks to find a little girl to give her crown to as Savill is removing his own for the fight. She finds one after only a moment and makes her way over to hand over her crown, smiling at a tiny brunette with a missing front tooth, “What Queen is worthy of her kingdom if she cannot protect herself!?”

Whereas Savill has graciously taken a sword with a curt kingly nod and trailed his crown for a shield, Raya took her sword from the remaining knight and pointed its blunted tip at her husband with a grin and wide stance,

“I say I will not be harmed… but I cannot say the same for you. My king.” It was too much fun, she couldn’t restrain herself for any more formality of showmanship, or preplanned dialogs; she took a wide swing, a calculated swing. Open enough to give Savill time to lift the heavy shield and let him realize why she hadn’t taken hers and weirded her Sears with both hands.

She let it hit hard against the metal an found an exhilaration in the mild fear she brought to his face. He needed to know how hard she was going to hit and that he had to be prepared for it… but that was his only warning. Her own eyes gleaming with such a warning for him.

Her next swing came much faster and less arched, as did the next and the next after that until Savill finally laid loose his own parry and thrusts of his own. Quickly it became a real duel with real pain and bruises that would surely last weeks. That came as an after thought though, the cheering and gasps of the audience feed the showman in each of them to ignore the fatigue that came rapidly when using weapons one wasn’t skilled with, none the less that came with a genuine pummeling from your spouse!

Raya clearly had the upper hand, having watched these shows since a young age and having a better upper body strength than Savill could probably ever catch up to, and thus, the winner was rigged from the beginning even if Savill hadn’t thought about it. Savill’s grip on the hilt weakened with sweat and effort spent, lost it’s battle to keep hold and his sword went flying precariously close to the crowd, many heads swirling to watch it go, the other staying glued in place as they’re watching the top of Raya’s aimed at his neck,

“YIELD!”

There’s a beat of silence, only the sound of heavy breaths and the fair in the distance before a quiet and exhausted,

“I yield.”

And the crowd booms with cheers at the closure of the ‘mock’ duel.

Savill and Raya father their things up and give a single bow each, despite the stinging pain of bruises busy forming over them and wave. Raya waving off the one mother of the girl who got her crown with a bigger smile.

A small tug at her hand from Savill and Raya followed easily to their exit in the plaster castle where the could escape for a break. The grit kicked up between them stuck to them in an unholy way and made itself evident in the way their palms rubbed against eachother in that slight way. A bath was clearly in order, if not for the sweat they’d worked up.

“Sorry about the bruise on your cheek,” The hard frown did little for his face, Raya always hated to see him unhappy, especially for such unwarranted reasons, “I didn’t mean to-”

Raya didn’t really care, it was fun. Worth it even. Rough housing was something they clearly didn’t get enough of it now seemed.

“Don’t worry,” she smiled a little smirk so innocent it was positively evil as she sat in his lap and pushed back the hair stiluck to the frame of his face with sweat, “I’ll make you pay for it later.”

Shan's responce:

“One, two, three…” Raya counted off, and Savill purred under the attention of her hands as they flitted from his shoulder down to his hip to poke around another ugly bruise. He’d felt worse injuries before and seen even more on the bodies he worked over. A few bruises wouldn’t put him in the same place. “Four. I gave you four good shiners.”

Savill flicked half lidded eyes to the cut on Raya’s cheek. Her face was hollow where she sucked on a lip, worry etched on the lines around her mouth and Savill lifted a gentle hand to tilt her chin to get better look at it while she was distracted. He pressed a thumb lightly just under the swelling. It wasn’t a deep cut, nor was it long, and it was already scabbing over.

“I don’t either of us are going to make it,” he said, regret and sorrow so thick on his tongue it dripped sarcasm down his lips. “We’ll have to make the most of it no- Ow!” Savill winced when Raya poked hard at the bruise on his hip.

“You mean you’ll have to make up the most to me, remember?” Raya told him, and his eyes widened as she moved to another bruise on his side. There was small but long scratch there and she dragged a nail across the fresh scab. Savill hissed, and not all unpleasantly.

“Raya,” he warned, voice deep with… he didn’t really want to think about just what he was feeling with a whole crowd still sitting in the jousting ring and the rest of the town milling about the fair. But Raya’s smile, small as it was, was sharp and wicked and he swallowed. “Maybe we should…go back to my place?”

Raya’s eyes lit up and he cursed himself. He could already see her mind churning. “We could climb your tower,” she said and Savill wheezed. “Breach your ramparts? Explore the dungeons?”

“Raya, please!” he gasped, somewhere between a laugh and a groan.