#you're supposed to kiss eachother not kill eachother

[registeredboykisser]

still not recovering from the fact that Vander plunged the knife deeper because it meant he would get closer to Silco in his final moments

[slashingdisneypasta]

Erik Destler x Fem!StageActress!Reader || Would Include...

Erik Destler always learning your on-stage romantic interests part totally and then 'dispatching' of the poor guy just before he's meant to go on so he then can always taking his place would include...

Warnings: Contemporary musical references, I don't care, shoot me. Also just basic Erik creepiness; murder and not-super-consensual kissing/touches (dub con at most).

Tagging: @marinerainbow and @masqueradeball .

🥀 Erik falling for you almost the moment you entered the Palais Garnier for the first time. He has no chill, we know this. He's like a Disney Princess. One song and he's fallen hopelessly in love.

🥀 Erik always keeping an eye on the cast lists when they come out- checking who you are and if you have a romantic interest. If you do, that person is now his main target. He may not kill them immediately, he'll wait until the final show on the final night, but there is a big red bullseye on their back now.

🥀 Erik practising 'his' lines (The lines of your on-stage romance) in his sewer room, reciting them to a dummy wearing some... familiar clothing. What? No, he didn't sneak into your chambers in the middle of the night and steal them from you! No, no! Absolutely not!... though you are missing a dress exactly like the one the doll is wearing. *cough*

🥀 Erik treating that doll of you with the utmost care. Almost as much as he'd treat you, the real you, with (Or, how he'd like to treat you. Only the lord knows if Erik could actually be gentle if given the chance to hold you). Its really creepy. Imagine his fingertips only grazing the dolls cheek very gently, but his eyes drift downwards (even though, again, its JUST A DOLL- ITS JUST STUFFING, ERIK!- Y O U ' R E T H E O N E W H O S T U F F E D I T- ) with very desire-filled eyes. Imagine him on one knee before the doll, holding its hand in his, its dead-eyes staring off into space while he professes deep speeches about love that are supposed to be romantic but just come out wrong and infatuated off Erik's tongue. Imagine Erik's hand wandering in the middle of a particularly heated scene; completely lost to his imagination.

🥀 Erik n e v e r, ever stealing the part of a villain. Even if that villain gets much more heated, or charged scenes with you then your actual love interest (Duke Monroth, Professor Callahan, Judge Turpin, Scar, etc). He wants to be your hero. Your prince, your true love.

🥀 Erik watching your every show, in his special box 5, studying you with eyes so hot you swear you can feel them on your skin every night. Paying so close attention, so he knows exactly how to compliment you on stage; how to be your perfect stage partner. This is why your scenes in every last show at the Palais Garnier are so impossibly electrifying to the audience- and, to you.

🥀 Erik allowing your casted partner to appear in the first few scenes with you during that last performance on that last night, so you never really know when its going to stop being the one guy and start being Erik- you're on your toes. Waiting the whole performance for the hand you grab onto to be Erik's. (He's waiting for the perfect moment to step in. The moment when you're really, really in character; lost to your art.)

🥀 Erik being the Christian to your Satine during 'El Tango De Roxanne' (His eyes upon your face. His hand upon your hand. His lips caress your skin. It's more than I can stand), 'Crazy Rolling' (See how I leave with every piece of you. Don't underestimate the things I will do), and 'Your Song Reprise' (Look at me... Satine... Why else live, if not for love?) in Moulin Rouge.

🥀 Erik being the Fiyero to your Elphaba during that super fucking charged 'As Long As You're Mine' scene in Wicked. You know? With you both on your knees on the stage surrounded by dramatic mist and you cant keep your hands off eachother?? *cough cough* I mean, with you both on your knees on the stage surrounded by dramatic mist and Fiyero and Elphaba cant keep their hands off eachother??? XD (Kiss me too fiercely, Hold me too tight; I need help believing, You're with me tonight, My wildest dreamings, Could not foresee, Lying beside you, With you wanting me // Every moment, As long as you're mine, I'll wake up my body, And make up for lost time.)

🥀 Erik being the Prince to your Sleeping Beauty, Snow White during the True Love's Kiss Scene. Oh yes, he definitely goes there. Did you doubt it?

🥀 Erik AS THE BEAST IN 'EVERMORE' TO YOUR BELLE IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!!!?

🥀 Erik never appearing at the end of the production to bow- he cant. You know that. So he makes his last moments on stage with you last, because honestly- who knows when the next time will be?? Its not like he can come call on you like a normal person... 🙄he's a dramatic freak. He holds your hand a few moments longer then necessary, or a little tighter. He kisses you one more time even though its not scripted.

🥀 Erik leaving you a bouquet of flowers in your dressing room after that last show on that last night. Signed simply, ceaselessly yours.

~

🥀 You tell yourself every time that the show must go on. You tell yourself, that thats why you don't stop it; Don't do anything.

🥀 You are lying to yourself. You cant deny the electricity crackling all over your skin every time you see Erik on stage with you, every time Erik touches you under fake pretences. You've never felt quite the same on stage then when he's there with you; you feel like you're really the characters... and there is nothing on earth like that feeling. No one else can give you this. No one but him.

🥀 You expect it now and anxiously await the moment when your practise partner (Just Erik's understudy. Thats what you're thinking of them now; the men who are actually cast) dematerialises from the stage and its Erik.

🥀 You always leave the flowers from Erik at the grave of the man who died. Its sick, the game (?? habit?? r e l a t i o n s h i p??) you're in, but you cant stop. And you cant apologise, so you can only do this.

🥀 You working extra hard to get lead roles at the Palais Garnier. As soon as one show is over, you have a hunger to do it again. Get another part, get Erik back on that stage with you.

Its like an addiction.

[marchsfreakshow]

The Original Nirvana [Tate Langdon]

Fluff? I suppose? Lil drabble

Can ghosts get high? You asked yourself that ever since Tate and you became friends. Well, they can kill and fuck right? Why can't they be high?

I don't know, I was listening to Nirvana and this idea came to me. It's so stupid and silly.

Not proofread !

No one's perspective

⊹˚.⋆ ₊꒷ᘏᘏ︶ଓ︶꒷꒦⊹˚ᗢ₊꒷︶ଓ︶꒷

"I mean, it's gotta be possible right? You can kill and fuck, you're practically a general alive human....minus the, y'know, leaving the house and walking around bit."

"yeah but getting high? I seriously doubt I can do that."

"welllll! Let's try it. I'll take a hit and blow the smoke into your mouth yeah?"

Tate barely gave you a verbal agreement before the flame lit up your faces. Eyes meeting eachothers as the joint was quickly lit. A thundery night was just so cliché for tonight. Getting high under the themes of a moonlight and a thunderstorm. If Tate wasn't able to join you in it, that would've made it a waste of a good smoke. "God I hope this works.." the ghost boy muttered under his breath.

Just as he muttered his words, your hands met Tate's cheeks, two of your fingers holding onto the small joint. You brought your friend's face close. He instinctvely let his lips part, and you lightly blew the smoke you held in your cheeks, into his own. Tate took it, but coughed slightly. Wow...ghosts could still suprise you after so long. It made you smile when it happened, but didn't let go of his cheeks. "I think that might work.."

"you think?" Lips close. Too close for comfort as the musk of weed filled the little area you two were sat in. He hummed in response. Hitting fuck it, and kissing you. Letting the taste of him, mix with that smoke you still held between your fingers. Tate's hand instinctvely found the smoke, picking it up and placing it down in your ashtray, moving back against your bed as it happened.

Just following Tate's movements, the sides of your thighs found his, settling yourself down on his lap. Contuining to kiss eachother so desperately. So needily. "...can I have some more?" He asked quietly, barely pulling away from your own lips. With a little smile, one hand of yours rested on Tate's chin, holding him in place. The other picked up the blunt again.

"Straight from the source?"

"...yeah." He answered with a small, nervous smile. It just caused a chuckle from you, and happily placed the smoke between his lips, letting him inhale. "J-jesus.." He coughed again as he took in the smoke.

"mm too much, Tate?"

"n-no...I'm fine."

You chuckled again, kissing Tate. Letting it heat up this time. Hands wandering up your shirt. Little grips on your back, grips on his jacket. Slipping your shirts off, distracting from the thunderstorm outside. "I think I prefer this.." Tate whispered against your lips.

"Cheesy.."

⊹˚.⋆ ₊꒷ᘏᘏ︶ଓ︶꒷꒦⊹˚ᗢ₊꒷︶ଓ︶꒷

Tag: @babygorewhore / @taintandviolent / @oceanblvd111 / @nahoyasboyfriend / @coentinim / @slutforgarlogan / @briaroftheroses @am3ricanh0rrorwh0re /. @evanpeterspeter / @feefymo / @fear-is-truth / @lacucarachapisser / @marchsfreak / @saintlucretia / @jazz-berry / @t8-ak47

[alta1red]

EDEN. | 𝑰𝑴𝑨𝑮𝑰𝑵𝑬 II. Your very presence,

𝑺𝒀𝑷𝑵𝑶𝑺𝑰𝑺 : THE HAZBIN HOTEL CAST AND THEIR OPINION OF YOU.

𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 : ( None that I'm aware of, although do inform me if I missed something ! )

𝑷𝑻 : II

♪

" Well.. Uh, Eden ! I can happily say you've got the job ! " Charlie happily announced, seemingly overflowing with excitement, observing the pep in her step as she walked towards you —she took your hands in hers as she shook it with vigorous energy.

" I'm so happy you joined us, here at Hazbin Hotel ! "

— Bingo, just what you needed to hear from the 'Little Morningstar' Herself. After all, your resume was damn near flawless, ( although erasing abit of your lore, like, you being an important figure up in the clouds ! ) Denying such a resume would be an utter loss the hotel of course !

— The hard part, however, is pretending to be a Sinner —And while sure you're not exactly a Saint, you've been drilled with proper manners, and overly kiss-ass behavior from Michael's, " How to be a proper Angel 101, " Lessons.

— Working as a gardener was easy in the long run, you've been taking care of plants for millennia — Although you could say a little One-Eyed Darling is abit iffy with the soil you had staining and dirtying your uniform, and well.. the dirt in general, but ! You were of course polite, being a dirty slob was incredibly embarrassing !

— So, just to ease Niffty you kept the dirt, soil, and grime all In the outside. ( Exception is the dirt, soil, and grime in the flower pots.. ) You often lead her to bug species that were harmful to your plants, finding amusement as she ruthlessly, and painstakingly kills their mother's. Maybe Charlie should say that she's only 75% percent harmless ?

— Your relationship with the Daughter of the Morningstar was, peaceful, maybe? You often let her rant to you about mundane stuff, finding her little shows and musicals, ballad's and all the such abit endearing, often leading you to follow the rhythm, and tapping your finger along to the beat as she sings, ( although you never joined such activities, ) You notice alot of her quirks, like her using hand gestures, her mushing out on a few words, ( and how she's abit naïve to how some of the residences -sinners, ehem, if not most of them were rather unredeemable. )

— She often reminded you of a certain Seraphim from up there, their resemblance being uncanny, but nostalgic. And due to you getting used to the Seraphim's personality you found it relatively easy to get along with Charlie, your day to day chats, and her suggestions for flowers were a delight, ( Let's hope she doesn't find out a few of the flowers she suggested, and you planted, don't belong in Hell. )

— She thinks that you're reliable, and a very comforting person to be around —She truly believes you deserve to be redeemed with how righteous and charitable you act, she considers you a sister, a person she can rely on when things go south, someone to have sibling conversation's with !

— Although, her girlfriend —Angel in disguise, hehe. You noticed Vaggie held a tense atmosphere around you, not that you minded, you were new, and 'Sinners' aren't exactly to be trusted, but you both kept a respectful and polite attitude towards eachother, in respect of Charlie.

— As time passed however Vaggie found you oddly nostalgic, your behavior.. and your mannerisms were too 'pristine' and 'polished' almost as if you'd been drilled with lessons for so long, or, maybe Vaggie was just imagining it, you held an aura which screamed 'Noble' in some way, but with the way you carried yourself..

— Vaggie had to just be imagining when she saw Blue Blood drip down from your finger, right?

— Now, moving on to Alastor; he was polite to all the ladies in the Hotel ( Including you, ) however you always notice how his shadows linger longer than they're supposed to, ( Is he watching ? ) He held a dignified aura within him, his voice —Static, that's what you could hear, and if you didn't pay much attention maybe you would've missed how there was a laughing track, only heard if you payed more attention than you should.

— Your first meeting with him, was.. well, eerie.

— " Alastor'— He grabbed your hand and shook it, the action causing you to tumble abit, before gaining composure —' Pleasure to be meeting you dear, quite a pleasure ! " He greeted, giving you his all too famous never ending smile. You smiled back politely, and then said, " Eden.. Although you could call m— nevermind, I'm the new gardener, honor to meet you Sir ! " You gave back the same energy, it's impolite to not too after all.

— Alastor enjoys your modest fashion, and how polite you are, quite a darling ! ( He doesn't like you. )

— For Angel Dust's opinion however.. A prude, with a clean streak ( how'd ya even end up in hell with such a goody-goody personality ? ) Sure Toot's, everyone has their own secrets but being so mysterious in a place like Hell ? Might aswell just be open with your crimes and all, not like anyone has the ability to judge ( Hell is Hell, )

— Although your company ain't too bad, after all —You give 'hella good advice, however he recognizes that look on your face —You're hidin' something big-time, and even then with your reckless and ditzy actions he KNOWS you aren't tryna' hide it at all.

— Husk.. He pays zero mind to you, often having chats some nights when you go for a swig- or -two, you were cryptic —In a different way, unlike a certain Smiles for Day's. You weren't eerie, neither creepy, just too secretive, everyone's knows it.

— Husk knows how Alastor feels about you, and to be honest, it ain't pretty. Consider how he knows about Alastor's certain feelings about someone being far more powerful, being petty, and all.

— But how much longer until everyone knows how deep of an entity you actually are?

FIN.

[adventuringblind]

A female McLaren team principal and Max verstappen They hate eachother but one day after a bad race for McLaren they tease and flirt with eachother and make out

Burnt Sienna

Max Verstappen x Reader

Summary: I followed the request! Without any angst!!!!

Warnings: Reader is older than Max (just for reference, I usually write younger readers because this is really self-indulgent and im younger so felt ), teasing and flirting, playful banter, alcohol consumption

Notes: HCs because I'm tired, but this made me giggle

Masterlist

Becoming the McLaren team principal came fast, and as a shock

The year Lando and Carlos both came to the team

Being the same age as Carlos means absolute chaos at times

It means joining in PR video shenanigans

Then knowing Lando also means eventually meeting Max

Of course Lando would bring him around

The one person you despise

Turns out it goes both ways

But not really

You can't like someone from your rival team

Right?

It's easier just to hate 'em

This weird pretend hate relationship goes on for a few years

Well - pretend on her side at least

If Max is pretending, you would have never guessed it

It comes crashing down on you after a bad race

And it doesn't help that Zak is already up your ass about Daniel

Whom you adore

It's a terrible thing to be put in a position like this

You sit at a bar alone

Thinking

Drowning in self-conscious thoughts and your favorite drink

Alone until a familiar Dutch sits right next to you

"Just you?"

"I'm really not in the mood."

"Well, that's obvious."

Max is laughing

His face isn't flushed, and his words aren't slurred

This is dangerous territory because your sober brain is not working

"How's Daniel doing?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

"I'm just trying to make conversation. You look like you need a friend."

Well, he's technically not wrong

"I'm surprised you aren't here to gloat."

"I don't have to gloat for you to know we're the better team."

His smirk is annoying

"Plus, I don't need to give you anymore reasons to hate me"

Shocked

How is she supposed to respond now?

"I don't hate you?"

"You don't?"

"I actually like you more then I should"

Well, there went any chance of being his friend maybe-

"Really? So this whole time I've been pretending to hate you, you've been doing the same?"

If she were sober, maybe the alarm bells would be ringing

"I can see you staring at my lips you know."

Smug as always

"Is it such a bad thing to want to kiss you?"

"No, but not tonight. Let me take you back and get you cleaned up, and then I can kiss you properly when you're sober in the morning."

"Only if you promise this is real and I won't wake up alone?"

"After years of pining after you, you'd have to kill me first."

"Maybe then we could get ahead of Rebull finally."

"Doubtful"

[forestshadow-wolf]

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3

"How?" Soap whispers the broken word after a nameless amount of time, bags and food and everything else had been long forgotten. "You didn't come back. They- they gave me your tags." The words no less broken than before.

Simon opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out, his lips seal again. Johnny can see in his eyes some inner turmoil, like simon doesn't quite know how to explain. A lock of sandy blond hair falls over his forehead, nearly reaching his eyes. Simon will probably want it cut soon, he doesn't like it getting too long, especially since he said it makes the mask uncomfortable. Simon's not wearing the mask, he realizes.

It's that thought that makes him realize he really could have never seen that hair again, his eyes water but the tears don't fall. Johnny sniffles, nosing into Simon's neck. He feels small, like he's a kid again and just woken from a nightmare. He runs his hands through that hair, over his neck, along his arm, down his torso, feeling just to feel. And simon smells like simon. Alive. And safe. And at home. Simon is alive and is wrapped as tightly around johnny as he is around simon.

"Kate's wife, Joan" johnny had no idea where this was going, but he stayed silent. "she's also CIA, 11 weeks, and 4 days ago her team found me while they were looking for someone else. They found me wandering the woods in some sort of daze. I must've hit my head in the explosion 'cus I don't remember much for the first couple days after." The more words out of Simon's mouth, the more worry worms into soap's gut. It was supposed to be a simple milk run, get the target and get out, simple. None of this... explosion shit. "They had to put me into a medically induced coma for 2 weeks. I have no records so they had no idea who I was. That's why they didn't cantact you or price. Laswell works hand to keep my record scrubbed, so Joan couldn't exactly tell them who I was. But she helped get me back here herself, stocked the fridge with easy meals, made sure I wouldn't accidentally kill myself, but she couldn't stay any longer, only had one day. I was still kinda fuzzy after that, couldn't barely figure out how to get myself food and water, much less work a phone.. I was sleeping most of the time anyway. I did try to call a few weeks back, but I think either the power went out and the router needs to be reset or the router broke or something, I don't know any of that stuff but I got no signal, and I haven't exactly been able to get around to looking at it, and the car's at base obviously so..." simon scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"I'm so reading the report you give to price. How'd you even manage to fit an explosion bad enough to give you amnesia on a simple in and out mission?"

Johnny opended his mouth to say something else, but simon beat him to it. "And before you ask, Joan and Kate don't share anything about their cases with eachother.. plus I think Joan's tean found me somewhere classified or something. She wasn't allowed to say anything. Also I'mnot the one who caused the explosion, so don'tblame me." He closed his mouth.

Johnny hugged him again, "you're alive." He whispered, "I missed you." And simon hugged him tighter.

"How long'd you get sent on leave?" Johnny mumbled something into his neck, sounding disgruntled. "C'mon, johnny, can't hear you like that." Simon smiled.

"Whose to say I got sent here." He huffed, Simon laughed

"Because if you'd have listened to me you'd have been here a month ago. C'mon how long?" Simon prodded.

"... 6 weeks."Simon whistled at that.

"What'd ya do to get that long?"

"... beat up one of the first day recruits." He grumbled, "but they were talkin' a loada gob 'bout you." He sank deeper into a pout.

"Defending my honor? And they say chivalry is dead, thank you." Simon kissed the top of his head.

Should I make a part 3?

[insufferableprotagonistpoll]

Propaganda why Alex Eagleston is insufferable:

literally causes the end of the world by being The Absolute Worst and has done so multiple times including his alternate selves. he technically has three (and a half) love interests (cause theyre the only characters he can/attempt to kiss or express any attraction to) and he treats them all poorly first three vella sammy and essentia 2000 are cause hes a misogynist but they all get different flavors of it sammy gets fridged for the plot of the game and is basically never relevant again outside of a secret(?) ending. shes also based off of a real life dead person for no fucking reason. vella is subjected to weird speculation about her age in her introduction scene with alex saying something along the lines of she cant be older than him cause shes too pretty (alex is like 24 and vella 27 from what i recall its been a few years since ive thought about yiik) and has a weird internal monologue about his feminist ex girlfriend prompted by vella just existing. theres a weird scene when alex asks her if shes korean n says she looks vaguely ethnic making her uncomfortable. One Of His Alternate Selves Literally Caused Her To Leave Her Home Dimension Cause Of How Poorly He Treated Her and the context behind that is that to leave the world/timeline/dimension/whatever you're originally from you basically have to be super suicidal and he pushed her to that point by ghosting her for a while and next time vella saw him he was hooking up with a girl noticably younger than her (<- remember this) and immediately after being told this he can attempt to kiss her which has no actual repercussions. essentia 2000 is like technically supposed to be evil i guess but her goal is supposed to be killing alex so i cant fault her on that. the in game day after they first meet alex has like a monologue about how special and attractive she is ""she was like water filling all my cracks"" or some shit. all three girls are alternates of eachother and are on a sliding scale of how objectified they are by alex with who got it the worst depending on which aspect you're focusing on. other sort of love interest is rory (diversity loss!) who alex can attempt to kiss after he confides in him about something when rory is like 18-19 (hes meant to be about the same age as michael whos recently graduated high school) and depending on how alex treats him can literally kill himself and alex's reaction to learning this is to only focus on how terrible he feels before moving on n rory's death never being mentioned again. the whole point of the game is that alex is a piece of shit who cant even buy groceries for his mom without throwing a hissy fit about it but it undermines itself constantly by having characters forgive or just stop being mad at alex on a dime after hes been exceedingly shitty towards them in various ways and any sort of charm or endearing traits he had quickly wearing off due to him never shutting the fuck up. near the end of the game all the other party members are killed off in quick succession leaving alex by himself and all he can do is sulk in self pity before going on a space adventure or whatever to stop an alternate him thats linked to an alternate essentia and enlisting the player as a different alternate him to help fight various superficial flaws of himself (which arent even like the actual things that make him insufferable n a bad person) n then finish the job for him. i need to punt him into the sun

He constantly goes on annoying monologues about things that nobody cares about. In game he is meant to be kind of an asshole, but they never give him the necessary character development to make him feel like a proper flawed protagonist, yet the narrative makes him out to be a character who is ""deep down a good guy"". Also he doesn't seem to care about any of his friends/party members.

"""YIIK"" is a poorly written, irony-poisoned RPG using a real life actual unsolved murder as the basis for an inciting event, altered so that what happened to the victim was some ~scary supernatural stuff~ and also Alex was there being vaguely misogynistic the whole time and monologuing to no-one in a way no real human person thinks uncritically.

The game intends to paint Alex as a bad person, but this is implemented in such a snide and uninteresting manner which has nothing to actually say about him being this way, nor is it at all fun or entertaining to experience.

He has no idea what's going on, blindly following the plot with the vague motivation of being suddenly stricken with affection for a girl he basically called a freak as soon as he met her five minutes ago. He is self-absorbed, lazy and overconfident, constantly bemoaning and ignoring the needs and feelings of others. He is the only character given enough breathing space to have something to him, and yet manages to not even feel any sort of dimensional.

Also his shirt is an ad for the dev's last game.

An incel who always screams about everything and yet is overly pretentious about everything.

Propaganda why Scott Pilgrim is insufferable:

He is not a good person. He doesn’t take other people’s feelings into consideration. He mooches off his one real friend. He’s dating a teenager as a grown ass man. Every girlfriend he’s ever had hates him for good reasons

Stupid idiot

dated a 17 yr old

kind of a cop-out answer since he's like deliberately made to be an annoying person but

[parkcivconfess]

Bzz Bzz! Glad to see you're back from the brief hiatus (we missed you !!) Here again with a PVP Civ related one, also short like my previous one (extremely self indulgent) Zambo (Zam and Evbo) but the kind of queer relationship that you just cant really put a label on because they are just. so weird about eachother. Toxic as hell, as always with someone who is willing to kill you however Evbo being the masochist he is probably gets a different vibe from Zam. I think they kissed offscreen in that cell is all im sayin - 🐝

(you guys are so??? sweet to me? oh my goodness??? TYSM!! i had no idea you guys would like. actually miss me LMAO)

evbo and zam getting zesty and zam is ENRAGED that he likes it . was lowkey pissed about tabi betraying evbo because that's HIS THING HE'S SUPPOSED TO DO THE HURTING HOP OFF!!!

[the-kr8tor]

REMEMBER BOUNTY HUNTER HOBIE AND CRIMINAL R? switching it up>:) Daily Hobie HC! uhm they didnt do naughty naughty here but it was hot so no shirt You swear just a year ago you were actively on Hobie's trail, being one of the best bounty hunters on the team. It was only a year ago when you managed to shoot him, and yet you ended up here, in his bed with your fingers gently tracing shapes onto his bare chest. Hobie remembers first meeting you like it was yesterday, the first time he felt mesmerized by you. You carried yourself strongly, with a stone cold glare and a steady hand. He wanted to see your guard fall, to uncover the little puppy underneath all those hardened layers. Hobie loved teasing you, often retaliating with flirtatious remarks every time you both came face to face in hopes to not make you shoot him. Your deadpanned face every time he began to flirt was priceless, and he had to fight the urge to brush his lips against yours every time. And now he laid here, holding your shirtless body close to his to regulate the moderate heat of summer nights. He buried his face into your hair, trying to suppress a chuckle from the feeling of your fingers gently going over his skin. The fights you both got it were reckless and spontaneous, but never too brutal. Sure, bruising or some blood, but no bones had been fractured or broken by the two of you. There was a nick on Hobie's neck, one you had caused with trying to kill him for the first time, obviously failing due to the fact he was alive and snuggling you. He found it adorable that you tried to heal it with your kisses every time you got the opportunity..well, that's what he interpreted it as. No doubt you were the cause for some of his scars, and him, yours. There's a specific, long scar which goes from the top of your shoulder across your collarbone. Hobie remembers being so persistent in driving the dagger into you, especially after you had narrowly missed a shot at him. He snuck away from that fight, leaving you victorious. Both hands were covered in each other's blood, but cradled each other's face lovingly. Despite the fact they were supposed to be sworn enemies, you were happily cuddled against his body, loving him as if you didn't try to brutally kill each other a few months ago. Hobie didn't care that you were a bounty hunter that could've possibly killed him any moment now, just focusing on the fact your soft body was against him under the light covers, just at the temperature where you wouldn't be too hot or too cold. He awaited until you had fallen asleep, pecking your forehead and resting his chin on top of your head with a content smile. Perhaps you two could argue on if you guys will try to bite each other's face off (kiss) or strangle each other to death (cuddle) tomorrow..or both. Both would be so terribly terrifying (so incredibly amazing) -🐦‍⬛

Yes!!! I loved writing that one!

Daily Hobie HC ‼️‼️‼️

Hehehehe are u sure abt that 😏😉

AAOXNK2NDIWDNRWODK ??!!! THIS WAS SO CUTE AND FLUFFY I'M BITING MY WALLS AND KICKING MY FEET LIKE THEY'RE CUDDLING???? AND TRACING EACHOTHER'S SCARS THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN BC OF EACHOTHER???!!! OH THE POETRY OF IT ALL

Tee-hee I'm so obsessed with this one outlaw! Hobie my beloved 😍😍😍

Stoppp you're making me miss cowboy Hobie 😭

The last line 🥴

[robinismywifee]

in my room || pt. 2

pairings madly inlove!ellie williams x madly inlove!reader

summary based of the song, in my room by insane clown

warnings murder of someone in the jackson community, angst, romantic kissing, bloody

a/n i hope this gets more attention & notes cuz this is flopping so hard rn 😭

wordcount 3.1k

part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4

—

aime and ellie have been best friends for 4 years now, ellie has grown to love the girl, and she realized only a year after they started being friends, that she would do anything for her.

"what, you're like, actually going to that?" aime laughed, confused as the aburn haired girl mentioned the dance that the community had 4 times a year, one for every season.

"yeah, why not?" ellie smiled, looking to the cealing, she was layed on aimes bed, her back to the matress, aime was in the same position but moved to her back facing the cealing with her elbows holding her up? looking down at the girl.

"uh, because you hate those? did you promise jesse or dina or something?" the girl asked, "what? no, i just-" ellie sighed, looking anywhere but the girl.

aime felt something off, ellie was hiding something.

aime crawled over ontop of ellie, so she straddled her hips, ellie instinctively grabbed onto aimes hips.

aime leaned in close to the girl, eyebrows scrunched, "what arent you telling me, els?" aime asked softly

ellie blushed softly at the nickname, even though aime had been calling her that for years, it still got to her, but she lied to herself, ignoring the feeling she would get when she got called that by her, ignoring the way she felt once aime had pressed her ass against her body and got close to her like that.

ellie stayed quietly, head tilted and looking at the wall behind aime. if anyone had walked in, they would immediately pull the door closed and chant out 'sorrys' from the position. aime always found herself getting close and touchy with ellie, but ellie would never retaliate, infact, she would only give into it, getting touchy back. but ellie never thought twice about it, she assumed that was just the way aime was, considering aime had been touchy like that throughout their whole friendship, but if ellie really did think about it, she would realize that aime only did it to her, never getting as near to dina or jesse like they way she would throw herself ontop of ellie.

ellie thought that their friendship was completely platonic, and considering this was her first real friendship besides riley, she didnt have much to go off of, that best friends were supposed to be like this, supposed to always flirt with eachother, jokingly of course. ellie thought that that one time aime came knocking at her door practically begging for her to kiss her was a normal thing too.

a knock came to ellies door. she dropped her pen, closing the journal to finish the drawing of her bestfriend later. ellie opened the door to a worried looking girl.

"hey, what happened? are you okay?" ellie asked with a sadden voice, bringing aime into her garage-house, closing the door behind her, and wrapping her arms around aime to comfort her.

aime hugged back for a moment before pulling away, with her hands gripping on the fabric of ellies shoulders

"you've had your first kiss" aime stated-

ellie had told aime about riley, she felt comfortable to tell her, since aime had talked about a friend who was a girl she had years ago, when her mom was sick the girl had helped her, and aime said she had the biggest crush on her for the week she stayed with her, before her mom got better and killed off the little girl.. anyways, the point is, ellie knew aime wouldnt judge her for being into girls, and it felt good to be able to talk about it to someone.

"yeah?" ellie asked confused, "well i havent, and sally asked me to hangout like- as a date!" aime exclaimed

aime didnt give 2 fucks about sally. she was already completely in love with ellie, but she didnt want ellie to catch on to her liking her, so she decided on flirting with the girls in the community she thought could be gay until sally had flirted back and asked her out.

ellie felt her heart drop at the mention of another girl. "oh" was all ellie could say. she didnt know why she felt so- jittery, she felt like she could punch something

"yeah, so, i dont wanna seem like a total idiot and kiss her wrong"

"you're gonna kiss her?" ellie asked, aime could see her fighting a frown, "well- i do like her, and shes really pretty, and- i dont know! i just need to know for if she kisses me, i dont know how to kiss back" aime shrugged

"oh.. goodluck then" ellie said in a no emotion filled voice, she wasnt catching onto what aime was saying, aime could feel her heart explode at how cute she was with how jealous and clueless she was

aimes grip tighten, pulling ellie back as ellie tried to walk away, ellie looked down at the girl confused

over the year and a half of the girls being friends, aime stayed her height, while ellie kept on gettibg taller, so now instead of aime looking down at ellie, it was reversed, but even more of a height difference then before

"els, you dont understand what im asking"

another thing, the nickname els, aime had randomly called her that about a month into their friendship, ellie got flushed and asked for aime to not call her it, but aime kept on calling her it, and ellie said that only she could call her it.

"cause you didnt ask anything aimees" ellie said still confused

"teach me how to kiss"

ellies face heated up

"wha- i- aime, i dont know how to kiss either, it was one quick kiss and- i barley remember it, i just did it, so- just do it, you'll he fine" ellie panicked at the thought of kissing aime

"please els, i dont wanna make a fool of myself, and if you barley remember then it'll be practice for you too, so when you.." aime gritted her teeth at the thought, "when you get a new girlfriend, she'll be super impressed" aime pleaded

ellie stared down at the girl, "just practice" ellie mumbled, mainly to herself, trying to shove the romantic and sexual thoughts out of her brian

ellie held onto the girls face, staring at her lips, before pulling herself in

ellies lips moved so smoothy against aimes, their lips fit like a puzzle peice, aime moved her lips back, and as she wasn't lying, it was her first kiss, everything cane natural.

aimes grip on ellies shoulders moved to ellies face, as ellies grip on aimes face moved to her waist, pushing aime closer to her, the sudden movement cause a muffled whine to fall from aimes lips, causing them to pull away

they looked at eachother, both panting, lips slippery, and faces red.

"i think i need more practice"

they kissed and kissed, all the way till aime shot up away from ellie, its almost 8 ellie, “i gotta go see sally, thank you, you're the best, best friend i could ever ask for" aime smiled, leaving the house, leaving ellie a wet, heart-racing mess. she spent her night pleasing herself, pretending it was the other girl, until she fell asleep from how tired she was.

ellie gulped, nervous to how aime was to react.

"cats making go with her.."

as ellie watched the girl for her emotion through her face, but couldnt tell anything as her face stayed neutral, she continued, "like.. as a date"

"what?" aime said, she sounded so cold, it sent a shiver down ellies spine

"you fucking like her? and you didnt even tell me?" aime asked, clearly pissed off, she hopped off of ellie, moving to sit normally, her legs off the bed and her elbows on her knees, hands covering her face, ellie leaned up on her elbows, still on her back

"i just- i didnt know how you would react-"

“so you just lied to me?”

“i never lied! i just never told you” ellie defended, she started to get scared with how aime was acting

ellie got up, feeling awkward, “i should go..”

ellies thoughts raced through her as she tried to think of how to get aime to not be mad anymore. ellie just wished she never brought up cat and denied it, but ellie felt excited when someone asked her out, she got excited knowing someone liked her like that, but deep down she didnt even like cat romantically, her heart already chose the person she was in love with. and it wasnt cat.

aimes thoughts raced through how she would get ellie to stop liking cat. she also thought about how much she hated cat and could just strangle her with her bare hands- actually.. know that aime thought about it, killing cat, would make ellie stop liking her, maybe ellie would get sad, but aime would be there to comfort ellie which would just make ellie subconsciously fall more inlove.

but before ellie left, aime realized she had lached out, and ellie seemed slightly put off from it, and aime couldnt let ellie leave like that. “no, els, im sorry for snapping, that was really rude of me, i dont own you-” yes she does- “and if cat makes you happy then i think you should go for it” aime smiled softly

“really?” ellie looked up, not believing her, “yes els, i want you to have fun, go on, you should get ready, doesnt it start in like 30 minutes?”

“right, yeah” ellie began to leave, but stopped at the doorframe, “youre serious?” ellie asked, “yes, of course els” aime smiled, “and you dont wanna come with?” ellie asked, “no, im tired, im probably gonna go sleep in a minute” aime reassured, “okay, ill come here after and sleepover” ellie smiled softly, aime smiled back, but smile dropped as soon as ellie left her sight

aime grabbed her journal, opening the notebook and began to write out all the different ways she could kill cat.

about an hour into the dance, ellie was having a great night, she wished aime was with her, but she enjoyed cat’s company, cat was touchy, in the same way aime was touchy, but ellie wanted to push cat away anytime she got too close, they were out in public, anyone could see if they looked her way, with aime, everyone just assumed they were close friends, (execpt for jesse and dina, they caught on almost immediately but never said anything, only sharing knowing glances at eachother), but cat and ellie just started being friends so it was different.

ellie was having a good time platonically with cat. her heart didnt ache the way it did with aime.

aime waited about 20 minutes before the party ended, she got up, grabbing her pocket knife she had since she was born, it was her mothers, even had her mothers name carved into it, and left her house through a window so her doors remained locked.

she snuck behind the cabin the party was held at, peaking through the window

aimes eyes found ellies immediately, and watched her dance with cat until the party was over.

she watched as ellie and cat left, hand in hand, they had left a bit earlier then it ended.

aime snuck behind them, super far behind them leaving the two girls just barley in her sight.

she followed them back until cat reached her house, they had said their goodbyes, cat even gave ellie a kiss on the cheek. it made aime grip her knife harder.

ellie left to go to her house as cat entered hers.

cat lived with her aunt millie, but millie was still at the party. aime had to make it quick

aime snuck into cats backyard, watching through the window as cat sat on her bed, taking off her shoes with a content smile on her face.

aime walked around to the living room window, she tried to open it but it was locked, so she made her way to the kicthen window, it was too high up.

she found herself climbing into millie’s bedroom, she left the window open so she could quickly leave after

aime creaked open the door to cats bedroom quietly, cat was already asleep- or rather trying to fall asleep, but her eyes were closed and she faced the wall, so it worked.

aime slid into cats room, locking the door behind her, she walked closer to the foot of the bed, when she got to the bed, the floor beneath her feet made a creaking noise.

cat lifted her head up, squinting her eyes when she recognized a figure in the shadows, she assumed she was just seeing things, so she reached over to her lamp, but before she could turn it on, a sharp pain came to her hand, she screached, and looked down to the blood on her hand, only able to see from the windows and the moonlight.

aime brought her hand to cats mouth, getting ontop of the cat on the bed to hold her down.

“shut the fuck up” aime whispered, she could hear cat say aimes name in a confused tone into her hand muffled

“you chose this ending, shes mine” aime said stern, before lifting her hands from holding down cat, gripping both hands on her knife, ignoring the pleads like her mother taught her, bringing her knife down at a harsh pace, cat screamed, loudly, millie could have been home by know, so she ripped the knife out and stabbed her faster, more aggressively, until she heard millies voice call for cat-

aime looked down at cat, she was far gone, aime had gotten carried away, her body was limp, blood dripping out of her mouth and her eyes still. aime jumped off cat, rushing to unlock the window of cats room, millie was right outside the door, trying to open cats door but with it being locked, it bought aime some time.

aime jumped out the window, not even bothering to close it, she ran faster the she knew she could, until she got to the side of her own house, climbing through her window, slamming the window shut and locking it, panting, facing the window and not her room, she didnt even realize that ellie had been waiting for aime right behind her.

“aime? is that blood? what happened? are you okay? thats not your blood right? i mean- where were you-” ellies eyes were filled with worry, her heart in her throught, as she gripped aimes shoulders looking into her eyes pleading for answers

aime stood there with wide eyes, mouth slightly open. this wasnt how it was supposed to go. and aime.. she.. “i left my knife” aime muttered out

“what? please aime, explain what happened” ellie was panicking like crazy

“ellie.. im so sorry” aime started to cry, ellie knew this was serious, aime never called her by her full name. “what, what are you sorry for?” ellie asked, holding aimes face in her palms. aime stayed quiet, she thought she had messed up everything.

“i wont judge you, i- i’ll love you forever, no matter what, you know that right? to the moon and back, just- aimees, i cant help you if i dont even know what happened” ellie whispered the last part,

“i killed her ellie, and millie knows” aime said, her voice below a whisper, barley audible to hear.

aime didnt have to say her name, ellie could tell by her last three words who she killed. ellie felt her heart drop from her throat to the ground. she stared at aime with her mouth opened in shock.

ellie knew ellie had problems, knew she was fucked up, knew she was a jealous person. but, she killed her new girlfriend. and instead of feeling disgusted and horrified like she should have felt, she fell more in love.. aime wanted her to herself, and she would do anything to have it that way.

“just kill me already els” aime whispered with her head to the ground, “what? no- no aime, why the fuck would i kill you? why would i ever do that? i told you, i’ll love you forever, no matter what you do or what happens, you- you said you left your knife?” ellie asked, trying to get her out of the mess she got herself in, aime nodded slightly, “the one that has your moms name on it?” ellie asked, aime nodded, “fuck..” ellie whisperd, hands still on aimes face, trying to think of what to do

“i need to go there, i need to kill millie” ellie said, turning around to grab her jacket, “what? no! els you cant go there! theyre gonns think you helped me! and im sure millies already telling maria by know- fuck, okay, if you really do love me, youll follow my instructions, right?” aime asked looking up to the paniced girl, she nodded her head immediately

“okay, just, im gonna pack real quick, and leave throughout the way we always sneak out, and you’re gonna sit here, and wait for them to come, and when they come, you’re gonna tell them that you’re waiting for me to come home, you dont know where i am, that we were gonna have a sleepover, i wasnt here when i showed- just tell them what you knew before i showed up, about the doors locked, window opened, they already know its me, i cant get out of this as not guilty, okay? i- i have to leave, ill come back and visit next- next friday at midnight okay? ill come through the same way- and everythings gonna be okay- okay?” aime ranted, packing her stuff, filling it with her gun, ammo, her kicthen knife, holster, extra clothes, journal, water, canned food, that stuff

“aime, i cant- i cant be without you” ellie cried- she never cried

aime walked to ellie, grabbing her face looking up to her, “do this for me els, i love you.. so, so much, to the moon and back” aime whispered, going on her tippy toes, pressing a loving and sweet, passionate kiss to ellie. aime and ellies tears mixed together on eachothers cheeks. blood got onto ellies face and aime pulled away, wipping the blood off, checking the ground and making sure she didnt get blood on it, once she saw it cleared, she grabbed her bag and went to leave out the window, ellie stopped her by grabbing her shoulder, she had her leather jacket in her hand, reaching it out for aime to grab

aime smiled sadly, grabbing it, “i love you aime” ellie whispered, “i love you els”

aime jumped through the window, and ran, praying everything went right.

[rinwellisathing]

Paint The Lines, Cut The Flesh: Part 14

Sentry looked around, frowning as the party found themselves standing outside of the mausoleum entrance. “Hey, where's Shadowheart?” concern crossed his face as he turned to look behind. A flicker of violet light shimmered briefly and she stood beside him yet again, her expression bewildered and her body shaking slightly. “I....I saw Lady Shar, she held me within her realm and tortured me for what felt like hours, I felt like every inch of my body was burning and as if my eyes would burst from my skull...” Sentry paused, he could see she was badly shaken up and he simply took a breath and gave her a look of sympathy. “You did the right thing, Shadowheart...If she would do that to you for simply making a choice on your own, she'd never have stopped there...” He rested a hand gently on her shoulder. “Catch your breath and we'll go back to Moonrise. It seems this Nightsong owes you some answers.” Shadowheart nodded. “I hope you're right, Sentry...but at least it was my choice...” They traveled in silence, although hearing eachother speak over the sounds of battle coming from the tower would have been quite a feat. As they arrived at the entrance, Wyll and the others caught up. Shadowheart exchanged an odd look with Lae'zel, something resembling camaraderie, the last thing Sentry would have expected from those two.

Bodies of both Harpers and Cultists lay strewn across the battlefield. Jaheira and her companions had fought their way to the door. She regarded Sentry and his companions with a surprised smile and nodded to them. “We have the upper hand, boy. How shall we proceed?” She asked, looking to Sentry. He blinked in surprise, head darting back and forth, then looked to Wyll who simply nodded in his direction. “Press the attack. We can't give them time to recuperate and plan. Right now we still sort of have the element of surprise...” He looked to Lae'zel and pointed towards the first team in turn. “Shadowheart, Lae'zel, Karlach, and Halsin will back up your harpers.” He then nodded towards Kroger and pointed out his team. “Gale, Octavia, and Kroger will stick with you,” Finally he looked to Wyll and nodded his head back. “Wyll, Astarion, and I will go find our missing friend and we'll meet up to confront Ketheric.” “A sound strategy.” Jaheira nodded. “Harpers! To arms!” The doors opened and Z'rell stood at the front of the Cultist forces, smirking coldly. “Well, well....It's The Dread Executioner....I must admit, I always admired your artwork, hells, even your body...But I am hardly surprised you'd turn on us...I'm only shocked you would throw your lot in with these would-be heroes.” She gestured to the rest of the party as well as The Harpers. “Me?” Sentry blinked. “Why'd you just call me that name...?”

“Ha! It seems Balthazar's apprentice really did a number on you...” She smirked, gesturing her forces forward. “Kill the others, but keep him intact...Kressa is likely missing her toy.” --- Jaina looked up from the book she was currently reading through, and gasped as the door to Isobel's room burst open, Wyll rushing in followed by Sentry and Astarion. She smiled brightly and leapt up, rushing to him and throwing her arms around him. “Wyll! By The Bitch Queen herself, what took you so long?” She laughed. “And here I thought you were an expert monster slayer.” She teased playfully as he held her close, smiling with relief as he looked into her eyes. “Well, you know, I'd gotten rather used to having a little extra fire power by my side. I was quite beside myself to be missing my sorceress.” He kissed her forehead gently. “Oh? Well, I suppose I might have been able to break out if I'd had the Blade of Frontiers at my side, so I suppose we're even on that.” She cuddled close. “As charming as your reunion is, there's an allegedly immortal necromancer that needs killing, shall we get a move on?” Astarion interjected, his tone sarcastic as he gestured dramatically towards the door. “Oh...yes...” Jaina giggled awkwardly.

“Right.” Wyll nodded, taking another moment to let go and step away. The party hurried towards the steps to the balcony, rejoining The Harpers and the rest of their party as they made their way upward, spilling out onto the parapet where Jaina and Ketheric had last spoken. The wine glasses had not yet been cleared away, nor had the empty bottle. The Dread General himself stood tall at the highest part of the balcony, Squire at his side. He looked down as the party approached and his eyes fell to Sentry. His eyes glinted with recognition as he watched the young paladin. “Ah, The Executioner graces us with his presence....I had thought we'd seen the end of you....Well, mad dogs are often difficult to put down...” He took a step forward. “I've had enough of this, kneel.” he commanded, clenching his fist tightly. But the party stood firm, the strange artifact rising from within Sentry's pouch and setting itself between Ketheric and the party. The general's eyes widened and he regarded them with surprise. “You had it all along...” “Why does everyone keep calling me 'Executioner'?” Sentry shouted. “Did...did you know me?” “It hardly matters, now you're another thrall like the rest of your companions...” Ketheric waved a hand dismissively. Jaina took a step forward. “General Thorm, please...think about what we discussed, you can still make things right with Isobel!” She insisted reaching out. “This isn't what Melodia would want for you, it isn't too late...”

Jaina was not entirely correct, however as a rush of air battered the parapet and a voice, pure and loud as church bells chiming midnight pierced the dark sky as surely as the shimmering light of the voice's owner. “KETHERIC THORM! YOUR RECKONING HAS COME.” Aylin touched down like a comet battering the stone in front of him, her sword at the ready. “Fuck, she's impressive.” Karlach whispered. “She's kind of great, right?” Sentry grinned his approval, sharing a knowing glance with Karlach. The battle was a blur, Aylin seemed to be everywhere at once as she soared through the air, calling down moonlight and slashing at Ketheric with her blade. Sentry and Karlach joined her, refusing to give Ketheric an inch. Jaina and Octavia picked off the resurrected casters with volleys of spells and Wyll engaged the apprentice necromancer controlling the creatures. Ketheric seemed exhausted, doubled over and bleeding, the combatants moving in for the kill, until the parapet began to shake and rumble. Suddenly, stones flew from one of the minarets at the side and a large tendril grabbed the Aasimaar and pulled her down into the depths of the tower, Ketheric following after. Sentry and his companions ran to the edge of the hole, gazing down in surprise. The sound of boots on the stone clacked towards them as Jaheira stood at their side. “Ketheric will call this a strategic retreat, but you have him on the run.” She mused. “If I am needed, I will be glad to follow you to finish the job.”

Sentry shook his head. “I think it's better that you stay here. You and your harpers secure the perimeter.” He looked to his own party. “Halsin, Karlach, Shadowheart, Lae'zel, Kroger, you stay here and help Jaheira secure the tower. Everyone else, let's go.” Sentry didn't wait for a response as he leapt swiftly down the fleshy tunnel with a cry like an excited child going down a slide. Jaina wrinkled her nose, but reasoned that this couldn't be THAT different from an ordinary octopus tendril, and she LIKED octopodes. She followed behind Sentry, Wyll hot on her heels. “Oh this promises to be fascinating!” Octavia squealed with excitement as she hurried to take a running leap into the hole. “Ugh...must we?” Astarion growned, taking an anxious step back. “Oh come now, where's your sense of adventure, my friend?” Gale grinned, making as though to amiably slap Astarion's back, but instead giving him just the slightest shove forward and following him down. --- The inside of the Illithid colony beneath the tower pulsed and thrummed with life as the party got to their feet and began to regain their bearings, looking around. There didn't seem to be any way out of the room as they began to search around, until Sentry approached a fleshy door and gave it a poke.

“Hey, this kind of reminds me of a...” He trailed off as he gazed down the narrow halls and felt a strong, nauseating sense of deja vu. “Sentry, are you alright?” Jaina asked, gently shaking him. Sentry shook his head and took a deep breath. “Fuck...yes...I'm fine...Let's press on...” The party continued on, opening a second door and finding themselves watching a dazed looking bugbear absently chopping at flesh laid out on a table. Jaina gazed in horror at the poor creature's demeanor and at the scars all around his head. Sentry, however, caught sight of something familiar. “Us?” He gasped, hurrying over to a small cage and kneeling in front of it. “Friend! You have returned! Free us! Please free us again! And we will help!” The Intellect Devourer leapt excitedly as its mind connected to Sentry's, recognizing him in this way. Sentry nodded, fumbling with the lock and cursing softly. “Astarion! I need help over here!” Astarion wrinkled his nose and scoffed at the sight of the creature. “Really? REALLY?!” Sentry stuck out his bottom lip and gazed wide eyed and helpless at Astarion, nodding his head repeatedly towards his trapped companion until finally, the vampire rolled his eyes and sighed, clapping a hand to his forehead and muttering under his breath before kneeling down and beginning to fiddle with the cage.

Meanwhile, Jaina was on her own mission to free a prisoner. “You poor guy...Why don't you just watch the colors up ahead, the flickering lights. Aren't they lovely?” She asked, furtively moving her hands to cast a spell, setting a colorful light show before the bugbear's eyes. “Huh...pretty....” The creature slurred, eyes focused solely on the lights, the colors reflecting in his eyes until they went dim as Jaina pressed her hand to his back. He coughed and sputtered, slowly sinking to the ground, gurgling and thrashing. Jaina's eyes widened in horror. “Drowning is supposed to be peaceful! Everyone says so...It's actually a major tenet of several of our farewell ceremonies!” She stammered, stepping back. “Yes, when you're drowning IN water, presumably.” Astarion remarked. “At any rate, he's gone now, you did him a favor. Let's keep moving.” Sentry smiled contentedly as Us rested peacefully atop his head, Gale and Wyll gazing up at the creature in abject horror. “Are you sure that's wise, Sentry?” Gale blinked, pointing to the creature. “Oh definitely.” Sentry nodded. “It's alright, we're friends.”

--- The next room appeared to be some sort of laboratory, they faced a rough battle to enter the area, though the undead had more numbers than actual power or skill on their side. The party split up to explore the room, Octavia, Gale, and Jaina searching around for artifacts of magical texts. Astarion, Wyll, and Sentry began to comb the rest of the area for treasure, instead stumbling across a strange experiment set up in a lone corner. A pale, ghastly looking head, completely shaved and with empty eyes sat on a strange aparatus. Beside it on one side were jars of brains, and on the other side was a recepticle. Sentry's eyes focused in awe on the entire set up, his fingers brushing across the face's skin. It could have been better cared for, there were preserving agents that might have done it a world of good, but otherwise it was well intact. The brains were lined up neat and orderly and Sentry picked up one, placing it in the recepticle.

The head stirred and the eyes gazed blankly up at him, the expressionless eyes widening. “Sentry?” Sentry staggered backwards. “D...Do you know me?” He gasped. “Sentry, thank the Dark Dancer! I hope I'm not too late...The man you're seeing is bad news.” The head spoke swiftly, its odd, almost artificial voice straining to express some level of concern. “Um...excuse me?” Astarion stared indignantly at the head. “You're excused, who the hells are you?” The head replied. “Don't take that snide tone with me, I'M the man he's seeing.” Astarion replied, pointing to himself. “Not you. Enver Gortash.” The head practically spat the name. “Wait....” Sentry froze at the sound of the name. “What did you say?” His eyes widened. That name, it was so familiar. It called to mind the pictures he could not stop drawing, the face that appeared even in his dreams.

“Enver Gortash. He's trouble, he....” “Alright, okay, but who are you? How did you know me?” Sentry asked, leaning in close to the head. “Wysp Silksong.” The head replied, almost sadly. “I was your friend....I loved you...” And then the head went still. “Please don't go...please...I have so many more questions!” Sentry cried out, but the head did not speak another word. Sentry removed the brain jar with shaking hands and placed it into his back gently, almost reverently. He tried to remember Wysp, he closed his eyes tightly as he felt tears begin to prick at the corners until a small tendril slipped beneath Sentry's eye and wiped away the tear. “No sadness, friend! We must escape!” Us echoed. Sentry gave a small smile at the creature's action, although he could guess it didn't really understand what he was feeling, the gesture still meant something to him. He shakily picked up a second jar and placed it in the slot, stepping back and waiting. “I wasn't good enough.....I wasn't good enough....I couldn't be him...” The head murmured, fear was apparent in the voice. “Couldn't be who?” Sentry asked softly, looking the head over. “Sentry Ojeda....His lover.” The head replied. “Enver Gortash's lover?” Sentry asked, beginning to suspect this one was also connected to him. The head wept softly, a soft waver to its speech. “Yes...he wanted me to be him...” “Why? Where was his lover?” Sentry asked curiously, leaning in eagerly. “Dead...” The head replied. Sentry's eyes widened. “Sentry Ojeda is...is dead?” He looked to Wyll and Astarion in confusion and then to the head. “H...How did he die?”

“I don't know....Gortash would only say that he died...and that he loved him...and that I could not measure up to him...” The head slipped back into its inert state. Sentry had gone pale and bit his lip nervously as the three made their way toward the others. He tried to force himself to gather his wits and breathe deeply. “Is everything alright? You're showing signs of trauma.” Octavia pointed out, looking Sentry over with a discerning eye. Sentry rolled his eyes and groaned. “Thank you, Octavia. I'm fine.” He managed to speak through his teeth, exhaling through his nose and trying to calm himself.

---

As they passed into the next room, Jaina's eyebrows raised in amusement as she noticed a lone pod in the corner and approached it leisurely, her grin making her all the more reminiscent of a shark. “Well, well, well! How the mighty have fallen!” She beamed, approaching the pod and examining it. “Why, Mizora, I'm surprised at you! All that ego and you've still ended up here...” The cambion glared and turned her head away from Jaina towards the rest of the group. “Wyll, reign in your little pet and come get me out of here!” She spat, red eyes narrowing. Wyll stepped up beside Jaina, giving the tiefling a knowing smile. She nodded her head to him. “Mizora, the way I see it, you're at a disadvantage trapped in there with a tadpole in your brain just like the rest of us...Before I get your out of there, I have one condition...”

The women rolled her eyes, glaring bitterly at Wyll. “Oh? And what is that?” “End my contract.” Wyll replied, folding his arms sternly across his chest. “End my contract or we leave you here.” “Imagine what a good thrall you would make, Mizora! Wouldn't it be fun to see the shoe on the other foot for once?” Jaina chimed in, clapping her hands together in mock excitement. “A little vacation, see how the common folk live and all that?” Mizora's face contorted in fury, but her red eyes darted from side to side and she realized she had no choice in the matter, inhaling deeply before responding. “Fine. Now get me out of here!” Jaina approached the controls and expertly opened the pod, allowing Mizora to step out, shaking the goo and fluid from her body, extending her wings to fling the rest of it from her. “Ah...much better....It certainly took you long enough.” She wrinkled her nose. “Though I suppose you've been caught up playing pirates with the little school marm here.” She gave Jaina a look of disdain. “Mm...Well, you'd be surprised how much more you can accomplish when you play well with others. School yard bullies don't have many friends.” Jaina replied with a shrug. “Just a little friendly advice.” Mizora bristled, but calmed herself and smirked at Jaina. “And penniless school teachers don't live out fairy tales. My own little nugget of free advice for you, Jaina.”

“Alright, so now we never have to see this bitch again, right? Since Wyll's contract is done?” Sentry piped up. “Ah, yes, thank you for reminding me, Mr. Ojeda....Ahem...” Mizora ruffled her wings and postured. “Clause Z, Section 13: 'If the soul binder consents to separation, she will release the soul-bearer from all obligation within six months.'” She gave a self-satisfied smirk. “Does no one read the find print before they sign anything? Gods...” Astarion scoffed under his breath. “Honestly, this is probably the only way she can keep anyone around.” Sentry murmured back. “Six months?! Damn you...” Wyll's voice trembled a bit. “Oh, and as I mentioned before, the horns and those delightful little ridges STILL won't go away even when you're no longer bound to me, so...Enjoy that...” The cambion smirked nastily. “Well if we're stuck with you for another six months, I feel like Wyll at least deserves SOMETHING for freeing you.” Jaina glared up at Mizora. Sentry noticed the way Jaina's tail was low to ground, swishing shakily back and forth. She was getting angry. Mizora smirked and tapped a finger to her lips. “Well, alright, I suppose he does deserve a little treat...” She snapped her fingers and flames encircled Wyll, the shape of a powerful, ornate blade beginning to form in his hands. “Now, if we're all finished here...”

“Oh we're not finished by a long shot, but for now I suppose we are.” Jaina folded her arms across her chest, standing protectively in front of Wyll. “Mmm...I'm sure that's very intimidating to the toddlers you teach, little girl.” Mizora sneered as she disappeared in a flash of fire. “Well, that went about as well as can be expected.” Sentry forced a smile. “Shall we press on?” Jaina walked by Wyll's side, pressing a hand gently to his arm. “Six months...Wyll...I'm so sorry...I didn't realize it would be so long...” Wyll sighed and shook his head. “The way I see it, at least this means I keep my abilities for the rest of our quest to deal with The Absolute...I suppose without them, I'd be pretty useless.” Jaina shook her head. “Not at all! A swordsman is plenty capable, I've seen deck hands with enough swashbuckling skills take down fully trained casters with a quick enough hand.” She assured him, smiling gently up at him. “And, if you really want to have access to magic, bards and wizards learn from nothing and you DO happen to know a beginner magic teacher.” She beamed. “Well, I would much prefer one on one lessons with this teacher.” Wyll gave a dashing smile. “Lest I embarrass myself by getting bested by a three year old in class.” Jaina nodded her head. “They can be pretty vicious, I understand your concern.” She clapped his arm playfully. “Private lessons it is!”

----

The next room held several pods similar to the one they had found Mizora in. Inside them, prone figures lay entombed, some already transformed, one very familiar. Sentry's eyes widened and he rushed to the pod.

Inside, Zevlor seemed to sleep fitfully, his body twitching with every labored breath. The voice at the back of Sentry's head was gnawing at him, but he couldn't make out what it was saying over the memories of the night at the tiefling party. He could not leave Zevlor like this. Pressing a hand to the front of the pod briefly, he stepped away, looking for a control mechanism. “Small warning, Mr. Ojeda.” Octavia piped up as she examined the control panel Sentry was seeking. “There isn't exactly a way to open only certain pods, you would have to open them all...This would, it goes without saying, also release the ghaik.” “I don't care, we can defeat them. I can't leave him like this.” Sentry shook his head. Octavia nodded her understanding and took a step back, but not before showing Sentry the proper control to open the pods. As the pods hissed open, a half-orc woman in scout's garb staggered from one, shaking a haze of dizziness from herself. A human woman stumbled from another, trembling slightly, Zevlor limped from his as Sentry moved to catch him if needed, but as the pods which contained illithids hissed open, Sentry realized the older paladin didn't much need his help as Zevlor immediately took a fighting stance, heating his sword for a smite and fully cleaving one of the mind-flayers in two with a single blow. Sentry drew his axe and joined the battled, sending the head of a second mindflayer rolling across the floor while Us leapt from Sentry's shoulders and began tearing into its fellow Intellect Devourers with vigor. The fight was over almost before it began with the furious, adrenaline filled captives eager to gain their freedom and Sentry's own party still holding up well even after their encounter in the lab. When the enemy lay defeated and Us had clamored back onto his shoulder, Sentry approached Zevlor, gently pressing a hand to his shoulder and looking into his eyes.

“Zev....What happened?” Sentry asked, voice brimming with concern. Zevlor shook his head. “You should have no pity for me, boy...” He looked away, expression riddled with guilt. “I know I have no right to ask you this, but the others...did they survive?” Sentry bit his lip and looked at the ground. “Some...Actually a lot really...Rolan, Cal, and Lia protected them...he's very good actually, for all the bluster, my pal's a pretty amazing wizard.” He managed a little laugh. “The kids...Alfira and Lakrissa, Bex and Danis...Dammon...I think a few others....But so many were dead on the path...Zevlor, please, what the hells happened?” Zevlor inhaled deeply. “Thank you for telling me, Sentry...The others have likely told you I froze up, that I panicked...That is far kinder than the truth...” He began, shaking his head. “The Absolute gave me a vision...one where I would be a paladin again, with all the powers of the gods and I would save my people, be able to protect them...” His expression darkened and he looked away in shame. “I imagined myself their savior as they fought and died around me...” Sentry frowned. “Zevlor, you ARE a paladin. Whether or not Helm or whoever grants you his power. FUCK Helm. You wanted to do right by your people, you were a good man and a good leader...” He continued, shaking his head. “You didn't need The Absolute....You didn't need a god...Your oath was to them....THEY gave you your power.... and now...” He sighed, shrugging his shoulders. “Now you need to find something to believe in...hells, Zevlor...you're worth so much more than this, old man...” Zevlor breathed deeply. “I'm sorry, Sentry...No apology will ever be enough for the people I've failed, but you're right...for now, allow me to free any other captives that remain down here while you continue downward...If I survive, you'll have my aid in the fight to come.”

Sentry grabbed Zevlor's wrist. “You have to survive. You owe it to the ones who didn't.” His dual colored eyes flared intensely. Zevlor nodded. “I suppose you're right...I'll make it through...” --- Sentry's mind was reeling as they entered the next room. Zevlor had seemed the ideal of a tiefling paladin when they had met, Sentry had imagined everything Zevlor was was everything that he SHOULD be when he shrugged off whatever this curse was, but now, now he wasn't sure. He barely noticed as he wandered ahead of the party through what appeared to be a dormitory. When he realized where he was and what he was doing, he found himself face to face with a strange woman. She was heavily tattooed with dark ink and her colorless, cruel eyes were frighteningly familiar to him. Red crossed his vision as he saw those eyes staring down at him, a wicked smile on those inked lips as agony ripped through his body. He blinked back the visions and stared a moment. “Another of Balthazar's walking corpses is out from under his control again...” The woman sighed, but she paused a moment as she looked Sentry over. “Wait....I remember you...” Her lips curled into a horrifying mockery of a fond smile. “I thought I'd never see you again...” Sentry stared dumbfounded, his companions catching up at this point. Jaina looked from Sentry to the woman and then back, confusion apparent on her face. Wyll kept a hand near the hilt of his new rapier, his eyes never leaving the woman. Octavia peered curiously from the back of the group, looking to Gale for possible answers, but the other wizard seemed equally puzzled. Astarion moved closer to Sentry.

“Oh, I'd wanted to keep you for myself, but they took you away...” She reached out, fingertips dancing all too close to Sentry's face. Astarion bristled at that, but Sentry simply stood frozen, hanging on every word. “W...What do you mean 'keep me'?” Sentry finally managed, his voice barely above a choked whisper as he took a step back from her reach. Her eyes widened in shock. “You talk! And you're aware! How is that possible?” She looked him over intently, even as he took a staggering step back. “Oh what an arresting voice you have, my special one...” Her fingertips finally brushed his cheek, making Sentry shudder convulsively. “You're not supposed to be here, but I don't want to damage you...After all, you were my very first...yes, everything I learned about the parasite, I learned from you...” “You....you....” Sentry stared in wide eyed terror. “Yes, I found you close to death, beaten black and blue on the floor of the sanctum...” She continued. Sentry remembered sketching...He remembered sitting and sketching, oblivious to anything around him. “It must have been hours since the tadpole was placed in your skull...” Sketching...He was sketching...he was sketching and then...he was sketching and then...red...and then pain... “I stitched you up just enough to keep you alive...” She cooed. “And then I placed you in your crib...” Her palm pressed to Sentry's face. “I kept you as mine.” Sentry's mind flashed back to the dark little padded cage in the lower city hovel, being thrown into the room and shut behind the bars, a mockery of a children's crib almost, the implication of safety hiding the danger he'd been in. How vulnerable he had felt. His face twitched.

“Don't touch him!”Astarion snapped abruptly. The woman only gave him a withering look and then returned her gaze to Sentry. “We had such a close bond, you and I...” She continued. “I opened you up endlessly with my scalpel, and got lost in your insides....” The red pain, the pressure inside of him, his own screams and moans of pain filling the air as he was barely conscious. He had been sketching, he had been sketching... “This is where someone infected me?” Sentry managed, his head still reeling from all of this, so much that had been lost to him being thrust on him so painfully, so abruptly. “I was not responsible, I don't know...but whoever did it, I'm glad they left you here for me...” She cupped Sentry's chin with a smirk. He was sketching and then pain....and then...who? Who did he see? That face! The one he kept sketching, but it was wrong, it was all wrong. The eyes, the eyes that should have been green.... “That's enough!” Wyll snapped finally, glaring at the woman, who took a step back at the outburst.

She simply shook her head and sighed. “I'm not surprised you found your way back here, I always knew you were clever...” She smirked. Then she sighed and shook her head. “It has never been the same with another, all the other victims who come here meekly obey...But you thrashed, you fought...” Her lips curled into a cruel parody of a loving smile. “You were indomitable...but...as special as you are, I can't have you prancing about acting as though you have free will...” She gave a wicked smile at Sentry. “We're going to kill you, sweet one, but I promise, I will stay with you afterwards...” Sentry's eyes had gone empty and hollow, staring straight forward and his mouth was set in a snarl, foam and saliva painting his lips and his sharp teeth. His face contorted into a snarl of rage and his party at once stepped back from him as he raised his axe high above his head and before this mad doctor could draw her weapon or utter a spell, Sentry's axe was coming down on her body again and again in rapid succession, horrible howls and cries escaping Sentry's lips as he hacked her to pieces, his posture bestial and feral. Jaina's eyes darted to the side and she realized the necromancer hadn't been the only threat, a quick shock of electricity flew from her hands, sending a bug bear twitching and spasming across the floor. Wyll practically danced to her side, locking his blade with a sickly looking human, feinting to the right before returning to run him through. Gale aimed a well timed fireball to the other side, stopping a gnome in his tracks and sending him flailing away from the group, his entire body engulfed.

Sentry was on his knees now, panting heavily, his body a mess of blood and viscera as he tried to catch his breath, the slightest hint of frustrated, angry tears still in the corners of his eyes. “She treated me like a plaything....I was left for dead....and I was just a toy....and I still don't know who left me here...” He murmured softly. “Only that this woman felt entitled to me...to my body...just like everyone else...” A pale hand rested on his shoulder. “I know the feeling, Sentry....But she's gone now. You're safe.” Astarion's voice was softer than usual, reassuring. “Same as you promised me, no one will put you through that ever again. Alright?” He stepped around to stand in front of Sentry, even ignoring the enticing aroma of blood as he held out a hand to help Sentry to his feet. “Thanks...” The tiefling accepted his hand and allowed himself to be pulled back to his feet. He turned his head to look towards Gale and Octavia. “Hey, I bet she has research notes or something...You can keep any you find that aren't about me...necromancy would probably be an interesting addition to your book.” Octavia smiled back at him. “You're right! So few people write about it, although I suspect that has something to do with Vlaakith wanting to keep her secrets...what a find!” The Githyanki beamed as she made her way to the nearest room, beginning to shuffle through books and parchment. Gale gazed appreciatively at a few scrolls and heavy, leatherbound books, squirreling them away in his bag and helping himself to a reagent pouch as well. “It wouldn't do to run low so close to the end, now, would it?”

Jaina frowned slightly as her eyes fell on a book bound in strange leather laying half hidden under one of the beds. She crossed the room slowly and knelt down, slowly pulling it from its spot and opening it across her lap. Inside were countless drawings. Anatomical charts, perhaps? Several bodies in various stages of evisceration and being carved apart with notes in the margins. Sketches of strange, nightmarish creatures she was unfamiliar with took up entire pages, or some were just filled with unblinking eyes or gaping fanged maws. There were pictures of that same man Sentry always drew, illustrated in the same hand, and finally, on the last page, an unfinished sketch of what seemed to be the walls of this very colony. She closed the book and held it to her chest, slowly rising to her feet and returning to the party. Wordlessly, she held the book out to Sentry, who took it in his trembling hands. The final, unfinished sketch was splattered with blood and saliva, smearing some of the charcoal and staining the paper. His hands shook more violently as he gazed at the page. 'I died here....' He realized, wide eyed with horror, shakily closing the book and placing it in his pack with his current sketch book. “I wanted to draw the illithid colony....I liked how the walls moved and undulated like pulsing organs...and veins...” He breathed. “I can't remember anything else about that day...but that's what I was doing...” ---- Sentry was quiet as the party made their way down into the bowels of the illithid colony, he seemed at least comforted by Us resting on his head and running its tendrils absently over his neck. It was an unsettling sight, to say the least, but if it made him feel better after what he had been through, no one was about to question it. As the party approached a particularly large doorway and made their way through, they noticed Ketheric was not alone.

Ducking quickly behind some stalagmite-like structures rising from the floor, they watched the scene unfold. Sentry found himself dumbstruck, eyes wide with recognition as the face he'd drawn over and over for as long as he could remember smirked at Ketheric in a look of smug superiority. His heart quickened at the sight of the man, perhaps his theory had been right all the time, after all, hadn't the brains in those jars confirmed it? He had loved this man. A part of him demanded to rush up to him and fling his arms around him, to sink his nails and claws into the man's flesh and never let go, but he couldn't give away their position, they had come too far. More unsettling, the young woman leaning on the back of a kneeling man looked familiar as well. A cold mix of fear and pity filled Sentry's chest as he took in the look of her. So pale with a marbling of blood red to her skin, her eyes white and glinting cruelly in the dim light. Her long pale golden hair was adorned with blades and jewels and her lips were painted a deep black shade. “Father!” Wyll gasped softly at the sight of the man the woman was currently leaning her body against. “By The Wave Mother, he looks unwell...” Jaina frowned. He was far different from the proud, strong man who had overseen her brother and his fellow cadets graduating into the ranks of The Flaming Fist just a few years earlier, she would never have recognized him if Wyll hadn't pointed him out.

“That woman is a changeling...how fascinating!” Octavia whispered. “I have never seen one in their natural form before...She's surprisingly lovely.” The young woman mused, jotting down some notes in the leatherbound book she carried with her. Sentry was only dimly aware of the others words as he focused on the scene playing out ahead of him. He watched as the man he'd apparently been in love with gave Ketheric a disdainful glare. “You said it was under control...” There was impatience in his voice, an authority that Sentry couldn't help but feel like toying with, resisting to see how far it would get him. “It isn't you I answer to, Gortash.” Ketheric replied bluntly, returning the man's glare. The man, Gortash, chuckled and smirked again. “Oh, the general voice.” He mocked, performing an exaggerated bow. “Is this where we salute?” Sentry got the distinct feeling this would have been highly amusing to him if only he knew where he fit into all this, if only his mind weren't so focused on trying desperately to backtrack through his foggy past. “Salute, yes” The woman grinned. “With cleavers through his blood-starved flesh. How it crawls with failure like flies on lick-wet carrion.” Their conversation continued on as Sentry's eyes never left Gortash. He saw flashes of a past he was part of. Sentry stood over a bloodied corpse, raising a scalpel high, Gortash's hand with those elegant clawed rings around his wrist, guiding his hand down to make another incision, whispering to him just where to slice for the cleanest cut without damaging the parts he needed, his hot breath against Sentry's ear, his tongue running along the shell of it.

He rested his head lazily against his chest as the two lay in a warm bath together, the water pink with a mixture of soap and blood. Sentry's laughter filled a small, hidden workshop as Gortash hoisted him up by his hips and sat him on a workbench, slowly spreading Sentry's powerful legs. “Sentry!” Wyll hissed, nodding towards the platform where the three Chosen were now standing at the edge. Sentry shook off the fog of his memories and watched. “The Edict of Bane.” Gortash raised a clenched fist, a purple stone glowing at his gauntlet. “The Lash of Bhaal!” The pale woman raised a dagger into the air, which sent a cold chill down Sentry's spine. “The Testament of Myrkul!” Ketheric spread his arms and puffed out his chest. As the three stones glowed, a massive being began to rise up from the murky waters that ran through the colony. The entire party stared wide eyed as the creature breached the surface of the water, cruel eyes shining at the underside of what appeared to be a massive brain. “An Elderbrain...” Octavia whispered, equal parts fear and fascination painting her face. “It's now or never...” Gale bit his lip, slowly rising to his feet, taking a deep breath as he gazed at the creature. Octavia fully dropped her notebook and pen to the ground, grabbing Gale's arm. “No! You can't do this! We can fight it!”

“I have no choice....Mystra...” Gale began. “FUCK Mystra.” Sentry spat. “When has Mystra ever cared about what's best for anyone but her? When have most gods?” “Gale, you don't have to do this...Shadowheart defied Shar and Lae'zel and Kroger turned their backs on Vlaakith. There's life beyond Mystra...and I'm not just saying that as a sorcerer.” Jaina added gently. “If nothing else, Gale, consider that you would also be taking Octavia with you, you'd never want her hurt, right?” Wyll placed a hand softly on Gale's shoulder. “Or the rest of us, let's not forget the rest of us.” Astarion rolled his eyes. Gale looked to Octavia, his expression gentle, thoughtful. Her bright eyes stared back up at him hopefully, her fingers digging into his arm now, just a little. He nodded his head. “Right, well...I guess no one's exploding today then...” Octavia beamed, throwing her arms tightly around him and holding close. Gale gently slipped his arms around her, but his eyes couldn't help but wander back to those stones, and to the strange apparatus atop the elder brain. An idea was forming in his mind, one Mystra had clearly not considered.

“Well, glad that oh so dramatic little show is over.” Astarion brushed himself off. “But with that said, what are we going to do about the giant abomination these Chosen are controlling?” “Nothing right now, it looks like they're leaving.” Sentry pointed out as the brain disappeared down the winding flooded corridor. “But, we can still do something about him at least.” He pointed to Ketheric, who now stood alone on the raised platform.

[honeyxmonkey]

Carterdoux prompt: wrapping eachother’s wounds

____

Carter's knuckles were bloodied and bruised. He'd punched out a violent troll who'd gotten too close an unconscious Jim. He was lucky he hadn't shattered his wrist.

"What did we talk about?" Douxie asked softly, keeping his hands gentle as he wrapped Carter’s bleeding knuckles.

"Using this hand to punch rock things?" Carter asked rhetorically, waving his prosthetic hand. "Knee-jerk reaction. I'm right-handed."

Douxie allowed himself a small smile. Mostly because Carter was fine. Or, would be fine. "I know. And if you'd done nothing at all we'd be having a very different conversation and possibly a dead king."

Carter pursed his lips. He flinched when Douxie's thumb rubbed against a bruise on the back of his hand. "I'm more durable than he is. I can walk off getting thrown through a brick wall, or trampled by an angry troll. He can't."

"I know," Douxie whispered, voice going scratchy at the thought that Jim could have died today. "Even with the armor he's still... mortal."

"Douxie," Carter gently cupped his cheek with his metal hand. "They're all mortal. It just means we have to look out for them more diligently than we've had to do for eachother." He stopped, face scrunching slightly in thought. "Well, Aja and Krel are not even human so different rules."

"Right." Douxie cleared his throat and finished off the wrap. It was neat and clean, years of practice paying off. He gently lifted Carter’s hand to his lips and placed a kiss to his knuckles. "But remember, you're not completely invincible."

Carter gave him a sweet smile. "I know my limits. I try not to push."

"Mhm," Douxie entwined their fingers and kissed the back of his hand. "You've been more reckless lately, and don't think I haven't noticed."

"I..." Carter sighed, tugging Douxie closer with their joined hands. "I feel stronger, love. Ever since my dad... whatever happened when I ran Excalibur through his essence? I've felt different. Less..." he trailed off, swallowing as he tried to think of how to describe it. After a moment he said, "less mortal."

Douxie took that in. It didn't surprise him. Carter had absorbed Vameus' power when he killed him. Douxie could see it when he looked with Sight. Carter had more godly DNA than mortal now. He hadn't said anything about it yet. He still wouldn't. Carter clung to his mortality, to that part of him that was human like a life line. He was so scared of the part of himself that was god-born because he didn't want to become his father. Douxie didn't want to take that away from him.

So he just kissed him gently, rubbing his thumb over his wrapped knuckles. "I suppose being stronger isn't that bad. It just means I have less of a chance of losing you when you're reckless."

Carter smiled, pressing his forehead to Douxie's. They leaned in and soaked in the other's presence. Like a lifeline. A safespace. "I love you, Douxie."

"I love you too Carter."

[sapphire-weapon]

To add on to your last anon, I'm really surprised when people say that they perceived RE2make as romantic, I see it so much that I begin to question my own media literacy.

I went into RE with no ship bias, but I still saw RE2make Ada manipulating Leon. The kiss seemed like a very calculated and very clever way to rob him of his trust. She wasn't necessarily doing a horrible, awful thing but she needed the situation to work in her favour, that's why she did it. They weren't true romantic intentions, she just needed him to quiet down and allow her to carry out her work. Further leading to how hurt and betrayed he becomes. Why he has such massive trust issues in RE4make and is now being lead into an arc where he learns to make allies and trust his own instincts. It's how I've always perceived the story, but the shippers have me thinking I'm dumb sometimes! That Aeon is actually just two people that miraculously fall in love or whatever while completely ignoring eachother having conflicting morals, connections and end goals... despite the game never actually showing that at any point. We're supposed to swallow it down as a good story, just because somebody occasionally suggests it via a quick cameo.

Whenever I read fan sources, they just say things like "oh yeah, he completely ignores her crimes and involvement in bioterrorism, despite sniffling about how that very thing ruined his existence and kills innocents, it suggests that he's in love" and I find myself staring at me screen completely dumbfounded, wondering where on Earth that comes from and why anybody would find this inticing or believable?

Personally, I'd love a breakdown post of retconned Aeon so that I can certify that I'm not just filled with biased brainrot, because I still can't piece together how the ship became a thing at all, lol.

Also, quick apology that you have to constantly address it, it must be super annoying. You're just one of the seemingly few people that understands how characters and stories actually work outside of "well... this five minute scene vaguely suggested, so ignore all of the other canon present".

Chris and Piers legitimately have a more believable romantic connection and they're not remotely canon! Lmfao.

i mean the ship became a thing in OG because OGRE2 has actual declarations of love between leon and ada, and the kiss that they have is one that's actually meaningful and not manipulative. it was then compounded on by a softness to their dynamic in RE4 culminating in the "she's like a part of me i can't let go" line. damnation confirms that they fucked at some point off screen, and RE6 is literally a game about leon believing in and fighting for ada when literally no one else will.

it's all completely fucking garbage in its execution and it character assassinates the fuck out of leon and it turns ada into a pair of tits and legs with eyes, but. that's how the ship became a thing.

i was thinking of getting RE2make on PC, and if i do, then i'll do the breakdown post. because it's going to require a lot of screenshots from both games and comparing the scenes that made it into them vs their OG counterparts. it's gonna be a whole thing, man.

[insufferableprotagonistpoll]

Round 2

Propaganda why Kirito is insufferable:

He’s Kirito

Absolute nothing of a protagonist. Just plain annoying and unlike most shounens there never seems to be any challenge for him. He's just always the best at everything.

“Yeah, i was a beta tester. Yeah im better than you. This is something that is normal to assume because of the first fact” theres more but that shit is so wild to me it instantly made me hate his ass

Propaganda why Alex Eagleston is insufferable:

literally causes the end of the world by being The Absolute Worst and has done so multiple times including his alternate selves. he technically has three (and a half) love interests (cause theyre the only characters he can/attempt to kiss or express any attraction to) and he treats them all poorly first three vella sammy and essentia 2000 are cause hes a misogynist but they all get different flavors of it sammy gets fridged for the plot of the game and is basically never relevant again outside of a secret(?) ending. shes also based off of a real life dead person for no fucking reason. vella is subjected to weird speculation about her age in her introduction scene with alex saying something along the lines of she cant be older than him cause shes too pretty (alex is like 24 and vella 27 from what i recall its been a few years since ive thought about yiik) and has a weird internal monologue about his feminist ex girlfriend prompted by vella just existing. theres a weird scene when alex asks her if shes korean n says she looks vaguely ethnic making her uncomfortable. One Of His Alternate Selves Literally Caused Her To Leave Her Home Dimension Cause Of How Poorly He Treated Her and the context behind that is that to leave the world/timeline/dimension/whatever you're originally from you basically have to be super suicidal and he pushed her to that point by ghosting her for a while and next time vella saw him he was hooking up with a girl noticably younger than her (<- remember this) and immediately after being told this he can attempt to kiss her which has no actual repercussions. essentia 2000 is like technically supposed to be evil i guess but her goal is supposed to be killing alex so i cant fault her on that. the in game day after they first meet alex has like a monologue about how special and attractive she is ""she was like water filling all my cracks"" or some shit. all three girls are alternates of eachother and are on a sliding scale of how objectified they are by alex with who got it the worst depending on which aspect you're focusing on. other sort of love interest is rory (diversity loss!) who alex can attempt to kiss after he confides in him about something when rory is like 18-19 (hes meant to be about the same age as michael whos recently graduated high school) and depending on how alex treats him can literally kill himself and alex's reaction to learning this is to only focus on how terrible he feels before moving on n rory's death never being mentioned again. the whole point of the game is that alex is a piece of shit who cant even buy groceries for his mom without throwing a hissy fit about it but it undermines itself constantly by having characters forgive or just stop being mad at alex on a dime after hes been exceedingly shitty towards them in various ways and any sort of charm or endearing traits he had quickly wearing off due to him never shutting the fuck up. near the end of the game all the other party members are killed off in quick succession leaving alex by himself and all he can do is sulk in self pity before going on a space adventure or whatever to stop an alternate him thats linked to an alternate essentia and enlisting the player as a different alternate him to help fight various superficial flaws of himself (which arent even like the actual things that make him insufferable n a bad person) n then finish the job for him. i need to punt him into the sun

He constantly goes on annoying monologues about things that nobody cares about. In game he is meant to be kind of an asshole, but they never give him the necessary character development to make him feel like a proper flawed protagonist, yet the narrative makes him out to be a character who is ""deep down a good guy"". Also he doesn't seem to care about any of his friends/party members.

"""YIIK"" is a poorly written, irony-poisoned RPG using a real life actual unsolved murder as the basis for an inciting event, altered so that what happened to the victim was some ~scary supernatural stuff~ and also Alex was there being vaguely misogynistic the whole time and monologuing to no-one in a way no real human person thinks uncritically.

The game intends to paint Alex as a bad person, but this is implemented in such a snide and uninteresting manner which has nothing to actually say about him being this way, nor is it at all fun or entertaining to experience.

He has no idea what's going on, blindly following the plot with the vague motivation of being suddenly stricken with affection for a girl he basically called a freak as soon as he met her five minutes ago. He is self-absorbed, lazy and overconfident, constantly bemoaning and ignoring the needs and feelings of others. He is the only character given enough breathing space to have something to him, and yet manages to not even feel any sort of dimensional.

Also his shirt is an ad for the dev's last game.

An incel who always screams about everything and yet is overly pretentious about everything.ing manner which has nothing to actually say about him being this way, nor is it at all fun or entertaining to experience.

[royalwriteroftheuniverse]

Today is the day Andy Barber kills me

18+just incase warnings for The Purge mention of violence and killing knives gun serial killers death Andy being mean anger arguing fear from The Purge comments and replies welcome no reposting or publishing

I should have never gone out with him. I even if I broke up with him now it wouldn't matter somehow I know it someone would still come out after me.

"Honey?" I jumped as he put his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry you ready to go?"

"Yea," I swallowed hard.

"It'll be ok, just like last year. It's safe."

The DA's office has a bunker used for the purge. Large enough for the lawyers and families. Andy lied and said we got married in Mexico. Three weeks after we first started casually seeing eachother the founding father party was elected and 4 months later we were exclusive then 6 months later the purge was put in to law but 5 weeks before that Andy took me on vacation to a Mexico resort. I dont know why but he.. not not until the Purge. Everyone expected years for it to be actually put in effect. 3 weeks later the first one started. I had no idea the time frame it sounds insane because it is

I remember we were watching a movie I was laying sort of in his lap but on his side and there was breaking news that cut through.

My hand flew up to my mouth and I gasped.

Andy was silent and he couldn't move because of me.

"He stroaked my hair

"Andy I, I dont know what to do.I can't I am I supposed to get a gun. Don't worry baby, he kissed my hair. The DA office has a plan for us, families.

"Andy we're not.-"

"I told them we were his hand ran up and down my arm to sooth me. That's what the vacation in Mexico was for I said we got married there and weren't telling anyone. Only the mayor knows he was the only one who needed to know. I said we wanted it to be a surprise and have a party and ceremony that we can plan on our terms out way get custom rings and that you were being very picky wanting perfection" he kissed my shoulder, "DA gets his own special room." He wrapped his arms around me. "We'll be safe. You'll be safe."

"Andy why didn't you tell me? You should've told me." I didnt know if I was happy or mad or relieved or ... or I don't know what.

"I didnt think this would happen so quick it was a just in case. When the mayor told me it was just for families and I said my wife will be relieved. I didnt have time to tell you."

"You knew before hand and didn't tell me?"

I was shaking.

"Because I knew that this would happen. I didn't want it on your mind but-"

"Andy you didnt have to have all this on your mind all by yourself. You dudnt have to do that. Promise me you you won't do that ever again."

"I Promise."

This year our relationship was mine and then it recently had become bit more . Well, more than a bit rocky. And I don't know why but it is. And I saw Andy was hiding knives and guns."

" I'll maybe I'll stay here. Maybe it'll be-."

He looked me square in the eyes. Holding my shoulders.

"Baby well be in a steel reinforced room that once I press a specific code on the inside it can't be opened from the outside. Okay."

"Okay." And then I looked down. Now I know for sure- Today's the day that Andy kills me.

"Come on. We'll pick up some food and well be safe you'll see."

"Order whatever you want Baby ok."

I get some fried chicken a a meatball hero for Andy and I to share and a peice of cake. He insisted on paying because that was the deal we came to. If one of us insisted on taking the other out for a celebration than that one pays. Otherwise it dutch unless its an anniversary.

I knew he'd be angry about the price but I just didn't care.

And now we're locked away, in my steel cage. One last meal I guess .

"Ok what now?"

"What?"

"You acting like... this... you're crying and-what this isn't enough for you."

"I'm sorry. I'm I'll stop. I'm grateful from everything you've done for me. I truly am Andrew I hope you know thst."

"So why have you been so god damn distant?"

"Me you're the one who starts yelling half the time. You come home late and upset and I know-"

"You know," he chuckled "You know what you don't fucking now anything."

"I'm sorry I'm sorry um so sorry please Andy just. You don't have to do this."

"I don't hu. Because I think I do."

"No please."

"For the love of fucking God."

"Andy."

"No we are in here for 10 hours so, so yea were fucking doing this. What the hell have you been so upset-"

"Can I just finish my dinner first. Please." I sniffle.

"Fine fine fucking eat away"

"You should eat too" I say

He just scoffs at me

"I'm sorry Andy. But please just rethink this. I'll leave when it's over you do-"

"Stop telling me what to do."

I broke down crying hyperventilating

"I'm sorry I'm..... so... s...... sorry....eeee please Andy I swear. I will leave you'll never see me-"

"STOP" His eyes are closed tight.

"again please Andy I know I know it's but I know you you'll regret it you please-"

"STOP IT"

"I just don't want to die please don't kill me." I look up at Andy and his mouth is open and

His eyes are starting to become teary eyed. I guess he didn't think I'd know that he'd be able to...

"If you have to just please make it quick i dont want to be stabbed or shot multiple times please you owe me that much after everything we've been I know I won’t last until morning and

"What" a broken voice somes through. He bends down to me.

He reached out with his hand to touch my face and I tried to pull back. I did as far as I could. But the wall was behind me.

"Baby I would never, never hurt you. I'd never " his eyes were roaming around my face.

"Andy the knifes and gun I saw them all. I know its just us don't"

He wrapped his arms around me. Tight.

"They were for protection just in case. God forbid something went wrong. I'd never I know The case has been hard and I know I've been snappy and rude and I'm blaming you but I-I' never."

"Andy, you said we were safe in here."

"We are. But I wanted safe guards. You really thought I'd kill you?" He looked so hurt and I think betrayed.

"Andy we've been fighting everyday. Outside of that we barely talk. It feels like it's just yelling. We don't even sleep in the same bed anymore." I looked at the floor continuing, "I've been waiting for you to break up with me and then I realized the purge was comming."

"Oh sweetheart no I-"

He wrapped his arms around me.

"The case im working on. The women this man hurt all Young pretty brunettrs looked so similar to you. They could've been you. I just- the day I saw those phones I bought whisky and scotch and sat in the driveway and drank and cried. I because it so easily have been you."

"I remember that night you I thought you cheated on me you smelt like a whore house all sweat and alcohol. Why$d you stop sleeping with me.

"The first night I had a terrible nightmare. Just that it was you. That i walked into thr crime scene and it was you on the floor. The same thing the next day. "

"So that's why you were lying to me? Andy you promised not to keep-"

"It wasn't a secret. We decided that I should try and-"

"We? Andy you never talked to me."

"No this therapist I've been seeing."

"Seeing?"

"As a patient. " he sat down across from me. That I needed to separate my personal life from the case and my fears. I knew you are safe but they were so terrifying. And I wasn't sleeping and I'd snap at you... well you know. I was Half of me was terrified I'd get attached and end upnwith a broken heart again because we were yelling and if not that what if we have the wrong man what if you'd be next I'd never forgive myself. But the other half of me know we have the right man. He even confessed showed us where more bodies are burried."

"Oh God Andy" I only knew now that the public didnt know half of the story probably because of purge news.

"But even though he was in custody and you were safe from him And I was afraid I'd push you away with just my nightmares. Every night. I'm taking pills just to sleep im just. I also don't want you to see me like that like this. I ways carry a gun now and knives and

"Andy." I threw my arms around him.

I had no idea he was this scared about this his case. He usually talks about his cases and I figured it was a hard one but nothing like this.

"Andy look at me you. You are an amazing man

I am so sorry. I shouldn't have assumed you just cheating on me."

"No I'd never cheat I just couldn't handle the pressure of the case and I wanted to protect you from it but I guess I made things worse."

He looked so guilty.

"No Andy you made nothing worse.

I'm the one who just assume you hated me that is one me. I could've talked to you-asked."

"Baby you're sitting here crying because you were sure I was going to kill you. "

What was I to say to that? it was true. I was so sure of it.

"Yea but you fixed it. You finally opened up."

"After you cried."

"So I'm pmsing"

"No you're not you have bhtat 2 weeks ago."

"See you're not ignoring me."

"I was wondering why you were getting one of every favorite thing like convict on death row."

"Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll be killed in the purge orand then yiu and I take another long vacation hm? Or if not now then when the case is over. Or better yet you let your co-counsel set in because Andy this case is making you I dont know its not good for you. He confessed he showed everything theres no need for you to continue this as the lead prosecution I do not care what the mayor says so just how up on the last day you know the news will just be on the purge for the next month basically."

Andy was sniffling and moved besided me.

"Yea I think you're right."

"I'm sorry did I just hear Andrew barber say I was right- Have I died and gone to heaven."

"Well baby I guess I have to stop practicing my opening and closing speeches on you." He reaches for a peice of my cake.

"Oh no way that is happening I love learning tips and tricks to get people to do say and think whatever I want."

The rest of the time in the bunker we cuddle and watched TV I fell asleep in Andy's arms and I woke up on them too. I have never been so happy the purge was around.

Taglist

@patzammit @nana1000night @sapphire-rogers @sparklybarbarianninja @hawkeyes-queen

[chaoscriess]

the first kiss at the swings you mention in the hc's about grieving stu's death... i would love to request something going further into that!!

GUESS WHO'S BACK, BITCHES!!!!

amy oh my gosh I love you I will absolutely do this!! yes!! oh my lord

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒! kissing, teenagers being stupid. reader and stu are 14 in this, might make some people uncomfortable but it's just looking back on their first kiss. reader is um, a little crazy but that's okay cause she is bae

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒! on mobile, format might be weird. lowercase intended, unedited, double periods intended. kinda a modern au, not supposed to be. this is kinda like a flashback to their first kiss sorta deal for these angst hcs. I'm just trying to get back into the habit of writing, please dont expect constant updates again.

young!stu macher x young!fem!reader

stu macher.

stu fucking macher.

if there was anything in the world better than stu macher, you'd set yourself on fire.

stu macher was everything you'd ever wanted and more

the perfect boy

when you first saw him it was on a playset in a park. you were seven years old and it was june.

you were sweating profusely and somehow he wasnt. he came up to you and started talking to you, bragging about how his dad took him surfing every week before coming to the park. suddenly, he said "you're really pretty, you know." you smiled and blushed, letting your mind wander to thinking about what it would be like to marry him. yeah, you were definitely going to fall in love with this boy.

after that, you sadly lost touch. you had to move away due to your mother getting sick. the two of you went to live with your father in a town two hours away, so he could take care of her.

years later, though, you moved back. your mother had passed away, so you asked to move in with your grandparents. your father couldn't say no to you, no matter how much he wanted to.

the first time you saw him again, it was in your first algebra class of highschool.

on the first day of school, your teacher had noticed he was... well, not the brightest, and that you were decently smart for your age

so, he paired you together.

your teacher held this system the whole year, keeping you next to eachother 24/7 so stu would never fall behind in the lesson, but you never actually talked to eachother, instead, he talked to tatum, the girl that sat behind him.

you weren't complaining about the fact that your teacher sat you two together, you thought he was cute.

you were upset that you couldn't see him more often, since you only had one class with him, but you learned to be grateful for what time you did get to spend with him

even if it was only 60 minutes a day.

that was enough.

you hadn't even noticed that it was the boy from seven years ago. you had fell for him all over again without even knowing it.

but of course, tatum had to be there too.

always sitting behind him, playing with the stupid bracelets he made her.

you wanted those bracelets.

you wanted him to look at you like you created the earth, moon, and stars.

you wanted him to look at you.

so you made a plan.

a plan to kill tatum and have him all to yourself.

albeit, the plan was a bit unrealistic, but it was all that your small, fourteen-year-old brain could come up with.

but you couldn't actually do anything, you were only fourteen, after all.

but obsessing was getting you nowhere.

so you became friends with tatum, as a way to get closer to stu.

even though it hurt you, you had no other way.

one day, a girl came up to you and asked you to find out if tatum liked girls. apparently, the girl had liked her for quite some time and had heard rumors that tatum likes girls. so, instead of asking her directly, she asked you, tatum's bestfriend.

it turns out, she does like girls

you were pretty much ecstatic

while it may not have meant stu didnt have a girlfriend, it did mean that she wasnt his girlfriend.

it meant you had a chance.

trying to confirm the fact that she wasnt his girlfriend, you said "so..you and stu arent dating? I totally thought you were!"

"oh god no! Stu is the loneliest, most single guy i have ever met." you were happy. you actually had a chance.

for once, you weren't upset about your life.

when the next monday came around, you decided you had to take matters into your own hands.

not violently, much to your dismay.

you liked violence, it made you excited, maybe even a bit aroused, but we wont talk about that right now.

even though you wanted violence, you decided against it because you didnt know if stu thought the same way as you.

spoiler alert, he did.

anyways..

you left a note on his desk, telling him that you thought he's cute

and then you signed your name.

when class started, he showed tatum, something you were hoping he wouldnt do.

but he wasnt talking to you. he hadn't said a word since he saw the note.

when class ended, you were the first to leave

you really didnt want to talk to stu, he had been laughing with tatum all hour, and you had a feeling they were talking about you.

but alas, you learned the truth when stu came up to you outside the school after class a few days later

"hey, can we talk? please?" stu walked up to you quickly and spoke fast, presumably wanting to hurry up the awkward conversation that was about to take place. "oh, um.. yeah, sure". you were a stuttering, awkward mess. now that you were sure he knew that you liked him, you were somehow even more flustered than usual. he nodded and walked off, with you following quickly after him. after a few minutes of speed walking after the tall boy, you reached a playground, the same playground that you used to go to as a child. the sun was shining through the clouds that were scattered through the sky, and there was a slight cold breeze flowing through the air. it was october, and even in california, the weather was beginning to chill.

"so.. what did you need?" you rocked back and forth, anxiously awaiting his answer. "well, I saw your note.. and I just wanted to say.. I um.. like you too" you paused your movement and smiled, laughing to yourself. he couldn't be telling the truth, could he? he was laughing with tatum, so they were probably talking about the plan they were making to embarrass you.. right? "y/n, I'm serious. I really, really like you." you shook your head and backed up slowly, speeding up as you got further away. "im... I'm sorry, I ..cant, I'm sorry". you turned around and broke into a sprint, running as far and as fast as you could.

when you got home, you curled up in your bed and cried.

why were you crying?

he said he liked you back, so why were you upset?!

you were confused.

stu couldn't like someone like you, you were.. well.. you!

hours pass, and you decide to get some fresh air, wandering aimlessly around the town.

eventually, you wind up at the park you and stu were at just hours before, sitting on one of the swings. you sigh and look up at the dark night sky.

you let your mind wander, thinking about a distant memory from when you were a child, before you moved away.

"do you have to leave? I'm gonna miss you.." you sigh and swing your legs, moving back and forth slowly on the swing you were sitting on. stu sat next to you, leaning his head on one of the chains that connected the swing to the metal above. "well.. I guess so.. my mom is getting really sick again, so we have to go stay with my dad.. I'm gonna miss you too, but.. I have to leave. you'll remember me though, right?" you turned to look at him, tears pricking your eyes, threatening to spill. he was crying too, sniffling quietly and wiping his eyes, again and again. "I'll always remember you. never forget me, okay?" you smiled through your tears, allowing them to flow as they wished. you tried to speak, but your voice was wobbly and raspy, so you paused and cleared your throat. "I'll never, ever forget you."

you sighed, wishing you had never left. maybe you'd still be friends with the boy. maybe he'd even be your lover by now.

suddenly, something clicked in your mind, and you finally realized why stu seemed so familiar.

as if he was summoned from your thoughts, stu walked up to you and sat on the swing next to you. "hey, look, I'm sorry about earlier, I just-". you cut him off before he could finish. "do you remember when we were kids? we knew eachother, do you remember?". he paused and thought for a moment, before gasping softly and muttering an 'oh my gosh..'. you let out a chortle and nodded. "yeah.. we were like.. inseparable until I moved away". he smiled and nodded, letting out a small 'yeah'. "I think I was like.. in love with you or something.. because, after you left I just.. stopped doing everything. I got like.. really, majorly fucked". you looked at him with raised eyebrows and smiled brightly. "me too, oh my gosh! dude, that move like.. really fucked me up".

after a few more moments, the laughter began to die down. the memory of earlier began to appear In your head and you felt embarrassed. "I'm sorry about that note.. it was stupid." he smiled and sighed before getting off the swing. he reached out for you hand, and you took it, raising yourself off the unsteady swing. "y/n.. its fine, really. I thought it was cute.." you giggled and he stepped towards you. you realized you were still holding his hand so you tried to let go, but he wouldnt let you. he stepped closer again, now he was just inches away. "I really want to kiss you.." you took in a shaky breath, and replied to him. "so do it."

the kiss was amazing, to say the least.

all those years of wishing for the perfect romance..

those years were over, the love had finally arrived.