#Steam Wallet Code

[timesnewfishbone]

guess who just got both portal games

i got frustrated and placed everything in a pile (i still haven't gotten through the level)

my krita stopped working so you're getting ms paint

[watchmoviesonline4free]

Paysafecard Code Generator Free - New 2023 Method

[happypopcornprincess]

Chapter 5 || Family Line

Pairings - Joaquin Torres X fem!Reader

Premise - what is real, and what is a memory? you fight through the glimpses of past and present mixed together, will you make it out?

Word Count - 4.9K

Warnings: TW child neglect, abuse, strong language, mentions of blood and gore, mentions of death, angst, emotional abuse

a/n - I am extremely sorry for the delay, but, Story time I sprained my hand and then i caught heat rash because temp in my country has reached fuckin 40 degrees IN MARCH so can’t wait to be boiled alive in june :) which is why i couldn't type any faster :( this chapter is more like a prequel and a sequel squeezed into one, dedicated to y/n’s backstory and also we get to know her and Connor more. Contains Inaccurate family court laws, inaccurate therapy session conversations because why not? I based a character on my ex so enjoy the diss ig :)

<< Chapter 4 || Series Masterlist || Chapter 6 >>

You felt a heavy weight was being lifted off of your chest. You were no longer in the dark, but surrounded in light. Sleep clouded your senses, an entity gently wrapping you in a warm blanket.

Is this what peace felt like?

The earliest memory you had of your parents was when you were four; you were playing with Connor with your dad passed out on the porch, drunk, and your mother walked back from the fields after working the entire day. You had run up to her, unknowing of her mood, and she had swatted you away and walked back to the house, all while you cried for her to come back.

The screaming and beatings had only increased as you grew older.

It stopped after your trip to the hospital, the incident of you passing out in the fields. CPS got involved, your parents maintained the facade of being responsible and loving caregivers to both their kids, but only applied it to Connor in private.

The emotional turmoil by them loomed over you all throughout your 18 years of life under their roof. 

Despite being treated like their star child, Connor knew his parent’s true nature. Connor saw. He saw the bruises, the silent tears, the hollow look in your eyes. He was their golden child, their pride, yet he never made you feel less. He loved you with a fierce, protective devotion, a father's love in a brother's heart.

No presents on your birthday? Connor saved up his pocket money to bring you books on programming. Beaten by mother about working on the farm in harvest season? He would wake up earlier than everyone to do it with you. Left alone at home with your father and his creepy friends? He would play cards locked with you in his room because his football practice got ‘cancelled’.

Your wallet would never run out of money. Connor would throw at you his new clothes he didn’t like, that would fit you perfectly. He never told you how, but got you a second hand laptop for coding.

The nights when you were sent to your room with no dinner, Connor would sneak in with a bowl of steaming hot ramen in his hands and fruit cakes in his pockets,"We'll leave," Connor would promise, a fierce vow, "We'll never come back."

—/—/—

Summer, 2018

“Mom, I told you I cannot take another elective, I have Taekwondo training.” You whined running through your living room, searching for your headphones.

“One extra class won't kill you, Y/N. Connor managed three as a senior.” She said in a calm but innate voice that irritates you.

“I’m busy. Okay. I can’t.” you fished out your headphones under the coffee table, “and tell dad to please return my headphones after he used them, not throw them around the house.”

“It’s his choice. He bought them for you anyways.” She grumbled.

You didn’t have the time or patience to tell her good for nothing, unemployed husband passed out drunk in her bedroom, didn't do anything, and you bought them with your money working at the store, so you sling on your backpack to leave.

You cycled off to your school, the warm Texan wind on your skin and your family field buzzing by you, you pedalled full speed to your school.

Your phone rings, and Connor’s name flashes on screen, you smile, connecting it with your headphones.

“How’s my bug?” His cheerful voice made you roll your eyes. How could someone be so happy at 7 am?

“Mad.” You grumble.

He sighs, “Mom?”

"Yep. Raving about her perfect son. Again."

“It’s just a few months, then we’ll be at Georgetown and leave the lovebirds to scream at each other all by themselves.”

“They do that already.” You scoff.

“Hey,” his tone turns serious, “You take care of yourself. Okay?”

You smiled, looking at the fields rushing by, “I miss you bro.”

“I miss you too.” He lets out a breath. “Take care, Bug.”

“You too. Bye.” you say before cutting the call and closing your eyes to focus on Linkin Park for now.

-----

The late afternoon sun slashed through the windows of your school as you hurried through the hallway from your counselor’s room to your classroom.

You had no idea how to react to the news he just broke to you.

Your applications looked solid. Top scores, non academic activities of martial arts, and internship at a local office. With how skilled you were with programming from a young age, your application to both georgetown and MIT looked solid, and while georgetown was ready to accept you as a student, MIT was giving you a huge scholarship.

You halted in the halls for a moment, thinking about what could happen next. 

You could choose MIT, study at your dream university with a scholarship, that would certainly lead to a great career, or you could go to Georgetown paying full tuition, study with your brother and never come back. You would struggle with finances, but you can live a peaceful life… you can make it work.

A month to decide, but the weight of Connor’s old wristwatch on your wrist felt like a silent answer.

And then, piercing through the silence of the school halls, the screamings started.

—/—/—

“Please… pick up!” you groaned, tears blinding your vision as you pedalled at full speed to your house.

You called Connor again, and found the same response; straight to voicemail.

You saw the abomination with your own eyes, classmates turning to dust right in front of your eyes, the news on the internet calling it a global event. People running around the town, calling out for loved ones. On your way, cars crashed with no one in the driver’s seat, it was like the apocalypse had started.

Crashing in your front yard, you ran inside, phone still on your ear.

“Mom!” you screamed, “mom… mama… dad!” a sob racked out of your chest, “mama!” you screamed out. Crying you searched the entire house, no signs of your parents.

Hey it’s Connor I’m a little busy at the moment, leave a message.

You cried out loud, cursing into the wind, calling him again.

“Connor I swear to god if you don’t pick up, if you don’t call me back. Please…” you fell to the ground, clutching your phone to your chest.

You called again, a desperate attempt.

But this time, there was no voicemail. The call disconnected.

Your phone slipped from your hands as you sank to your knees, numb. Your breath hitched, a silent sob trapped in your throat.

Connor, your brother, your entire world… he was gone.

—/—/—

Autumn 2018

“Well this is short,” the Judge let out a nervous laugh before beginning, “I, Leonard y/l/n, being of sound mind and body, my assets both liquid and otherwise, I leave in their entirety to Cooper y/l/n. My entire ownership of the Farmlands and contents within I leave in its entirety to Cooper y/l/n. The ownership of the house on the lands, likewise I leave in its entirety to Cooper y/l/n.”

The family court Judge rearranged her spectacles, “your name on the family register is only mentioned twice miss y/l/n, once on the birth registrations and the other on the number of family members.”

You gulped, realising what that implied. 

The government was occupying houses and empty lands of those who were vanished to relocate people around the country, and given the fact your wonderful parents left everything on your brother, who also has vanished, you were seconds away from being homeless.

“But..” the judge began, “you’re the only surviving family member, so…”

—/—/—

The pickup truck with your life tied at the back waited for you in the driveway, as you stared at the two headstones on your farm, one for your parents and the other one…

In loving memory of Connor Y/l/n [1998-2018]Beloved brother.His memory forever a guiding star.

“Hey Connor.” you sniffled, clutching your acceptance letter to MIT in your fist, and a bundle of primrose in another, his favourite flowers.

“I got into MIT.” you huffed out, looking around at the farmland you grew up on.

Don’t cry, don’t cry don’t cry

“I’ve leased the farm to the neighbours, so I won't have to work part time. I thought of never coming back… huh… I’ll visit on your birthday. I hoped to go to Georgetown but… ”

Uncontrollable tears fell down from your face as you recalled him teaching you to drive a truck just last summer, your laughs mixed together like the warm setting sun, “I was born with you in this world. I was your sister my whole life. And now with you gone… I don’t know how to exist anymore.”

You broke down into sobs, touching the stone knowing there was nobody underneath it. And you still searched for a fragment of your brother’s presence, hoping in your heart that any minute now he would be right in front of you to ruffle your hair and tell you you got this bug.

“Who will call me bug now Connor!” you screamed.

The flowers in your hand felt heavy, and you got on your knees to shake his gravestone angrilly, “you weren’t supposed to go away! You…” sobs retched inside your chest, and let out a scream, demanding answers.

Receiving only the comfort of the whistling wind in response.

—/—/—

Autumn 2020

“Afternoon, y/n.” sitting in front of you was Christina Raynor, your therapist, smiling up from her notebook. A fine middle aged woman, she was an ex military therapist working on the campus.

“Ma’am.” you smiled, smoothing out your skirt.

“How are you feeling?” she tilted her head, looking you in the eyes, knowing damn well she will catch you if you lied. Her posture remained straight, almost regal, intimidating anyone in front of her.

You had seeked emotional therapy when you went to classes and realized how the weight of all these years of abuse and neglect by your caregivers affected your life. Your therapist, Christina, was a godsend. You had worked with her for a year to figure out how to improve your mental health. And how to move forward.

“Quite good, actually.” you nod, smiling, “I’m doing an internship along with classes, it’s online, cybersecurity.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” she nods, “I wanted to ask you about your personal life. How are you holding up?”

“I’m taking my meds regularly if that’s what you’re referring to.” you hint at the antidepressants and anxiety medications prescribed by her.

“Okay, um, martial arts?” she asks.

“Black belt in taekwondo, brown in Muay Thai.” you point to yourself.

“Congratulations,” she claps, a genuine, appreciative gesture, “That’s great, y/n. What about your surroundings? Any friends, or relationships?”

“Oh.” you pause, thinking about how you should put it out, “well, I have some friends on campus, and from Muay Thai classes. We work together, and hangout after classes.”

“Okay, that’s nice.” she writes in her notebook, “what about relationships, you mentioned a boy in our last session.”

“I did?” you gulped.

“Yeah.” Christina leaned forward, her eyes that could read your body language in seconds perked up to bore into yours, “did something happen?”

Jeremy, blue-eyed, curly-haired, two years your senior, buttoned his shirt in front of the mirror. He met your eyes through the reflection. 

"So, when am I going to see you again?" you sat up on his bed, looking at him with hooded eyes, still drowsy from the encounter.

Your first time, actually.

"What do you mean?" he laughed.

Your heart jumped, sensing what he was implying. "I mean, when are we hanging out again?"

"We're not?" He turned to face you, laughing, and picked up your dress from the floor, tossing it at you.

Noticing your stunned expression, he sighed. "I don't want to hurt you… but… this was just for fun.” he breathed out, running his fingers through his hair, “Y/N, look, I'm sorry if I led you on or something, but this was a one-time thing, okay? I don't do relationships."

You gripped your sundress, the bright yellow he'd said he liked so much, in your hands.

"Get dressed. I'll drop you off at your dorm." He said, walking into the bathroom.

“How did that make you feel?” Cristina breathes out.

“Betrayed. Sad.” your tone dropped, “He was the first boy I liked. I thought he would be my boyfriend.”

“Did you meet Jeremy again?”

“No. he made it clear he didn’t wanna meet.”

“You haven’t felt like this since your family disappeared.”

“Yep.”

“Hmm…” Cristina writes down something in her notebook, “Did you tell him about your feelings for him?”

“It wouldn't matter. He wanted to hookup with a virgin, he got that out of me so now I'm of no use to him.” you breathe out, “my friend heard him bragging about it in a bar downtown.”

Cristina took a deep breath, her stance dropping a bit, “y/n, are you sure you’re alright?”

“Please don’t mind my language but, honestly, fuck him. I’ll get better. Promise.” you smiled a sad smile.

“Are you sure?” she asks again.

“Yep. all good.” you say, genuinely, just not mentioning the part where you kicked him in the balls when he came back to beg you to sleep with him again.

“Have you visited your farm recently?”

It feels gloomy all of a sudden, and you let out a sad smile, “I visit every year on Connor’s birthday, apart from that, never.”

She suggested you try to forgive your parents, and you did try, but anytime you saw your roommate’s parents calling her everyday to check on her, or a family buying their little kid presents for christmas, your resentment for them only grew.

“What about your parents?” 

“I couldn’t care less.” you scoff.

After everything they had put you through, it was just really hard for you to sympathize with them in any shape and form.

“So,” she slams her notebook shut, looking at you, “let’s do an exercise, I want you to close your eyes, and imagine your family sitting in front of you-”

“- doc, seriously?”

“- just listen, close your eyes.” you do, sitting straighter.

“Now, I want you to tell them everything that you never got to say. Good and bad.”

"I... I don't even know where to start." you say, eyes still closed.

"Start with the first thing that comes to mind."

You took a deep breath, imagining them sitting in front of you instead of Christina, and the words flew out of your mouth, "I hated you. I hated you both. For everything. Every slap, every punch, every kick. For every time you made me feel like I was nothing… like I was not even human."

"Go on." Christina tensed.

"You could love. I know that. You loved Connor like breathing. You forgave his every mistake, you hugged him when he left for school, you gave him your inheritance... God, Connor.” you sniffled, feeling your eyes burn, “He was the kindest, purest soul on earth. You didn’t deserve him. Fuck, i didn’t deserve him either. Y’all could live a hundred lifetimes, and you could still not deserve a kid like him.”

You took a long pause, breathing hard, remembering him and you mother laughing in the kitchen making dinner on Sundays, and how your dad beamed with pride when he won matches in high school, "Sometimes... I wished you would have seen me. I wished you would have hugged me. I wished you would have said you loved me. Even once. I wished... I wish only you had blipped instead of him!"

You let out a ragged breath, and "It's the truth. And it makes me sick. And I hate you, and I miss him, and I hate myself. All at the same time."

“It’s a very hard thing to admit y/n.” Christina spoke softly.

You opened your eyes to only find her in front of you, sitting calmly like a regal queen.

“I’m sorry I lashed out.” you squirmed in your seat

She only smiled in return.” it’s alright.”

—/—/—

Summer 2023

You graduated, with so many achievements under your belt that could have landed you any place that you wanted to be.

Confidence drips out of every node of your body with your Head held high, you can walk into any room and they would know you: Y/n Y/l/n, the insane coding freak who can hack into any system in seconds.

You felt good in your own self for the first time, life felt like one of those coming of age movies; where the character goes through hell and back but in the end everything works out.

Or so you thought.

It was as if you were reliving your worst nightmare.

People had started to reappear at the same places they had vanished from before. It was chaos, but of a different, more insane level than before.

Your phone was blowing up, and you didn’t dare check it, you couldn’t, because if every person who vanished five years ago was truly back… then you knew damn well who was calling you.

—/—/—

You walked into the community center in your small town cautiously, wearing an office suit, with your hair tied up and light makeup. There were people around you, reuniting with their lost family members. Tearful reunions, some solemn, some happy, but still bittersweet. But nothing could have prepared you for what unfolded next.

“Bug!”

Connor ran in your direction, slamming into you, the force sending you stumbling. You clung to him, a desperate, broken hold.

He retreated to give you the full faced smile he had since he was a kid, his canine teeth a bit crooked, his face overjoyed.

Connor looked exactly like the day he had left. 

Frozen in time.

"You look," he said, his hands on your shoulders, a gentle pat on your head, tears brimming in his eyes, "you look like a grown-up!" He laughed, a sound that ripped through the years.

Tears streamed down your face as you held his hands in yours, he hadn’t changed at all, he was still 20.

“Well, I'm older than you now, so,” you choked out, a sob tearing through you as you hugged him, fierce and desperate. 

He was back. 

A miracle, a cruel, impossible miracle.

Just when you thought a calm had washed over you, your head jerked back with force, your hair being pulled.

“You scheming bitch!” it was your mother’s chilling scream, which made you freeze in your place. The two seconds of peace that had washed over you was snatched away in an instant.

"You stole my goddamn house while I was gone!" Your father's roar echoed, a thunderclap in the room. All eyes were on you. A spectacle.

Five years of quiet. Five years of building a life. Gone. In an instant.

—/—/—

The living room air crackled with a rage you knew too well.

People intervened to stop what had unfolded at the community center, and you were rushed out to your place.

You didn’t have much, but you packed away whatever things you had left back home, while your mother and father were locked in a screaming match downstairs with your brother.

“She didn’t steal anything ma! She saved the farm! It would have been gone in the last five years!” Connor shouts as you throw your things in cardboard boxes, sealing them shut with trembling hands.

“Well I don’t give a damn! Why is it under her name then?” your father’s voice only grew with every sentence.

“I came back to see the neighbours havin a roast in my kitchen! Do you have any idea how terrifying that was! And then I found out that little missy sold it to them when I was gone!” your mother was next to scream.

This was too familiar, your parents degrading you any chance they get and Connor defending you like his life depended on it.

“Are you hearing yourself ma!” Connor only screamed louder, “I came back to my senses in the middle of a road! I called y’all and it went straight to voicemail! I fucking hitchhiked on a bus to get here ‘cause I had no idea what the fuck was going on!”

“Oh sweet heavens!” a loud crash, and you knew your father had kicked a chair somewhere.

“What about y/n? Y’all have any idea how hard it must have been for her! She thought we all were dead for five years dad! She had our graves in the goddamn fields!”

Your mother’s shrill laughter was next, “Well, I don't know, she seems just fine to me! She strutted in the halls in that expensive ass suit looking like some high end lawyer or something’! She’s grown fat around her face, did you see that?” 

You froze in your face, and saw hot white anger blinding your vision, but you kept quiet, you didn’t need to be associated with them again.

“Well you weren’t starving her for ridiculous reasons ma, so yeah i’m glad she looks healthy. And she can be whatever she wants, you shouldn’t have a say in it!”

You drowned out the shouts as you hauled the boxes from your room to the old pickup truck outside, thanking the forces you didn’t sell that.

“I’m leaving.” you spoke as you felt all three of their gazes on you.

"The hell you mean you won't come back?" your father bellowed, his southern drawl sharpening with each word, a familiar sign of his disappointment. He watched you, a rigid figure, as you hauled your luggage towards the door.

"Is there anything to come back to?" you asked, your voice flat, the question hanging in the charged atmosphere. And finally, since you have been here, your gaze, heavy with weariness, met his.

The sting of your mother’s slap registered before the sound, a sharp, brutal end to the argument. 

"Ma! Don't!" Connor’s voice, raw with alarm, pierced the silence. 

You turned, your eyes locking with your mother's, the same eyes reflected back at you in the mirror every morning, now twisted with a venomous anger. "You ain't no daughter of mine," she hissed, her voice a low, guttural threat. "Get out of my house!"

A coldness settled over you, "You should check the registry before you say that, Ma," you retorted, the words laced with a bitter edge. You turned on your heel, heading for the rented pickup, refusing to witness their reactions.

Under the afternoon sun, Connor ran after you, “Y/n, I know you’re angry right now, but, just listen to me.” He gently held your arm but you jerked back, looking at him.

He was tense, his brows furrowed. Confused, and frustrated, he looked at you, begged you to stay. To listen to him.

For the first time ever, you saw him not as your older brother, but as a kid. And you saw how young he was. How much weight he had been carrying on his shoulders since he was a child. 

A child who had also suffered like you.

“I’m so sorry, Connor,” you held his shoulders, squeezing them with pity, in your heels, you were almost the same height now, “but I can’t do this right now. Go to georgetown, I’ll help however I can. Don’t stay here. Leave.” you hugged him, your chest tightening, and he held you back, grabbing onto your clothes, refusing to let go.

“Bug…”

The engine roared to life against the silence of the driveway. You slammed the accelerator.

"Bug! Wait!" your brother's desperate cry echoed against the hum of the engine, but you didn't slow down. The road blurred through the tears streaming down your face, the pain a burning ache in your chest, your family farm a blur around you.

You cried harder as you saw him, a small, desperate figure running after the truck, calling you by the name only he used, a name that now felt like a cruel mockery of a bond you could never go back to.

—/—/—

Present day

He ran through the cold empty hallways of the medical bay at Avengers Compound, barely registering the fact that he was standing in a place he would have given anything to even look at when he was younger. The receptionist lady just pointed him towards a vague direction where every hall and room looked the same, he was confused as to where to go, or look.

Until, he saw a figure standing at the end of one of the halls, and he ran towards it. At first, he couldn’t recognise the tall, broad shouldered asian man who stared at him in confusion, but when he got closer, he recognised him.

“You’re the guy from the LA bus incident, right?” he panted, huffing out from all the running.

“...yeah?” he raised an eyebrow, looking at him from head to toe, his expression set somewhere between bewilderment and disbelief.

He looked at himself then; he was wearing loose sweatpants and a casual shirt. He had no time to think rationally when he got the call, he grabbed whatever he could and begged his friend for his car to get to the avengers compound.

“I’m sorry I'm in a hurry, could you please direct me to…”

The man cut him off before he could finish his request, “You’re y/n’s brother… Connor, right?” he extended a hand, “I’m Shang Chi, y/n’s friend.”

Connor froze, his heart racing, his mind a haze from listening to his sister’s name from him, “Hi. hello, uh… yeah, yes. I’m her brother. Do you know where she is?” he shook his hand.

Shang Chi let out a breath, “She’s out of surgery, but…” he looked behind him, and Connor turned to follow his gaze, finding a hospital room door ajar, voices coming from inside.

“But what? Shang Chi…” he held his hand in desperation, “please tell me she’s alright?”

“Connor...” Shang Chi held his arm, leading him inside the same door he had been looking at before, “why don’t you sit down?”

Connor entered the room to see a man on the hospital bed, his neck covered in bandages, and two people; a girl and a boy sitting on the bed with him.

“Guys, Y/n’s brother.”

The girl immediately got up and rushed to him, “hi, I’m Kate. We talked on the phone.” She guided him to a chair.

He sat down, “Yes. Kate. nice to meet you.” he looked at all the faces of strange people looking at him with a gaze he thought was sadness, but later deciphered as pity.

“Y’all are scaring me folks,” he breathed hard, his emotions that he had managed to keep at bay threatened to burst, “what’s going on?”

The boy next to Kate spoke up, “she’s stable for now but she’s not waking up, Connor.”

“What?” his vision became hazy with tears brimming in his eyes.

“They’re saying, there’s a chance…” Shang Chi stopped before taking a deep breath, “there is a chance she might not wake up again.”

Those last words were the final nail in the coffin. Connor breathed out, his chest burning with pain and exhaustion, the last memory of his sister dancing infront of his eyes; how defeated she looked when she drove away from the house while he screamed for her to stay.

He let the tears fall, holding his head in his hands when he felt a hand on his shoulder, but it did nothing to soothe his pain. Fate had made him lose his sister once, and now she was being taken again.

—/—/—

The doctors had told him before he set foot inside the ICU, wearing a sterile gown and a mask, “she was stabbed multiple times, her body will take time to heal, which is why she’s in a coma. It might be a bit overwhelming for you to see her, she’s been hooked to a ventilator, oxygen pipe and wires to monitor her condition.” 

Which did nothing to prepare him for the condition he found his sister in.

Her mouth was covered in tape keeping the food pipe intact, while a dozen wires ran from her arms and chest to different machines around her.

Connor couldn’t tear his eyes away from her as his mind played a cruel trick on his subconscious; instead of her grown self, all he saw was the little kid in the hospital room, sunburnt and dying from dehydration fifteen years ago.

He collapsed on the chair near her bed, his hand reaching out for her but hesitating as he saw the IV running from her pale arms.

Peter and Shang Chi’s words rang in his ears, how she could still hear her surroundings, and hearing a familiar voice could help bring her back.

“...Bug?” his voice muffled, he whispered, too scared of accidentally startling her, “hey, it’s Connor. I’m here.”

He waited for her to open her eyes and laugh, telling him this was all a cruel joke, and rant on about computers and movies which he had no ideas about, but would gladly listen with no complaints.

No such thing happened. His chest felt heavy watching how still she lied there, motivating him to talk further.

So he did.

He talked about his day, and how she scared the daylights out of him by ending up at the hospital. How he will give her a piece of his mind when she wakes up, even bribing her with her favourite fruit cake he would make for her birthdays.

He recalled a memory of when she was a toddler, and he had seen her walk for the first time. Their parents weren't around, and he was jumping with joy while you giggled and ran to him, looking up at him while hugging his legs.

“That’s my oldest memory, ever. I don’t remember anything before that, my first memory is being your brother and picking you up when you were about to fall down.” he choked on his words, “god, y/n, I have no idea how much you had suffered. I wanted to give you space… but… it took everything inside me past year not to stand in front of you and fight you for not talking to me.” he looked down, sobbing, tears falling on his gown, “just… come back. Please, Bug, you have to. I don’t know how I'll live without you annoying the shit out of me, so just, wake up.”

Connor hesitated before gently patting her head, sniffling, he walked out without looking back.

—/—/—

“Goddammit…” Joaquin cursed under his breath as he saw the chips packet stuck in the medic bay vending machine, Already frustrated and disturbed watching Connor’s reaction to the news broken by Shang Chi.

It was nearing midnight, and Joaquin had refused to eat his soup dinner which looked like it was made in the 1800s. Which proved to be a punishment as his stomach turned in hunger. So before Peter sitting next to him could have said I told you so, he tiptoed out of his hospital bed and went to wander the hallways, finding himself standing in front of a vending machine.

He contemplated getting a soft drink that was stacked right above the stuck chips, and found his pocket empty of quarters.

“Here.” a hand extended to him with some loose change, and when he saw who was the person, it was Connor

Joaquin took a good look at his face, his eyes red and hair askew, heavy dark circles loomed under his eyes indicating he hadn’t had any sleep.

It felt eerie looking at Connor. His features matched y/n a little too much… the nose, that little tilted smile to hide the anxiety, it was the same. He had earlier avoided any conversation with him, wanting no intrusion in him processing the news, but now it had been a bit too late and he hadn’t had a chance to talk to him.

“Thanks…” he muttered, taking the change and selecting the soft drink, which then made its way down to the chute with the chips.

“You sure you should be having that?” he asks in a questioning manner, which makes Joaquin turn to him to defend himself, but he notices the way Connor looks at him, worried, his eyes trained at his neck.

“I don’t like soup.” is all Joaquin says before tearing into the packet, earning him an amused laughter from Connor.

He slumps down on the bench near the machine, breathing out, and tapping a seat next to him. Joaquin wordlessly takes a seat next to him, trying to focus on his food rather than the guy sitting next to him. Minutes went by, and he had halfway finished through his packet when Connor spoke again.

“Kate told me you two are close.”

Joaquin stopped, his mind reeling about how to answer.

He was y/n’s… what? Colleague? Friend? Ex? The guy she had been sleeping with for the last few months?

He responded with a very vague, and serious, “yeah.” and went back to eating chips.

“Cool.” Connor takes a deep breath.

Silence falls, as Joaquin eats his chips and Connor sits silently next to him.

Joaquin turns to him to see a faint smile on his lips, “I found out she was an avenger after she came to New York. I wanted to tell her to stay safe, but it came out a bit accusingly, she stopped calling after that.” he breathed in, “There was a time when she would tell me everything, small or big. I was the first to know. Now… it’s been what? a year since we had a proper talk. At Least for me. She’s been living with my ghost for the last five years.”

“You were blipped?” Joaquin exclaims.

“Yeah,” he smiles sadly, “One day I'm waiting for her to come to Georgetown, and the next day she’s in front of me all grown up, like she doesn't need me anymore.”

“That’s not true.” Joaquin spoke immediately, “she pretends like she doesn't need anyone but… she does. Everyone does.”

“She doesn’t say it out loud. thinking she might…”

“Hurt you.” Joaquin completes Connor’s sentence.

Connor turns to look at him, and Joaquin, for the first time, doesn’t see him as your brother.

He was looking at a kid, who had to grow up too soon to raise another kid; you. And like a light being flicked inside his head, everything started to make sense. Why you were close one second and distant the next, how you would act fine and still fall into panic episodes alone. Why you never talked about your family, or anyone of your friends, why he could never cross your walls, no matter how hard he tried.

“I’m Joaquin.” He extended his hand to Connor.

“Connor,” he shook his hand, and suddenly, a mischievous smirk played on his face, “you wanna grab some real food? Other than chips?”

Joaquin looked a bit wary, letting out a nervous laugh, “well I am hungry, so,”

Connor stands up, “let’s go to the cafeteria. Grab your jacket.” he walked out without looking back, leaving a bewildered Joaquin trying to contemplate what just happened.

—/—/—

It took exactly an hour for Joaquin and Connor to turn into friends.

Over the stale cafeteria food, their conversations deepened. Connor, surprisingly, opened up about his protective nature towards Y/N, his admiration for her resilience. They discovered a shared love for old films, quoting lines and debating plot twists, their voices hushed in the quiet of the late hours. 

They were two people, brought together by the unspoken shared love and a shared fear, forging a bond in the little space between hope and despair.

As Connor tried to leave saying he would sleep on the benches until morning, Joaquin simply laughed, leading him to his room on the compound and basically threatening him to take the bed as he was going back to the medic dorm and he would let him know of any progress.

—/—/—

Connor walked into the room the next day, ready to face another day of sterile beeps and silent hopes, a forced strength in his chest reminding him not to cry, but the sight before him stole his breath. 

Inside her room, the table next to her bed had flowers, balloons, and greetings from her friends from college. He read the cards - One addressed with Nelson, Murdock and Page, and another one was a bunch of white lilies from a simple card signed, “stay strong - Frank.” he smiled involuntarily, his heart clenched watching the testimony of so many people rooting for y/n.

Days blurred into a strange, unsettling routine: he would find her hair already combed, moisturiser on her skin, and a change of her hospital clothes, which Kate and Kamala swore they had nothing to do with, only exchanging soft smiles anytime they saw him.

Snacks materialized in his backpack, clothes in Joaquin's room, Peter handing him a box saying his aunt 'accidentally' made too many empanadas, Kamala's mom’s parathas that he could never get over, and even the grumpy and brooding Bucky Barnes, shoving a bag of chocolate cookies into his hands before retreating into silence. 

At first, it was a bewildering puzzle, a strange, almost surreal kindness. Then, a slow, dawning realization: Y/N had built a family, a fierce, protective circle of love she'd craved her entire life. And in their silent support, they had taken him in too. 

For the first time, Connor knew he wasn't alone. He had people, a safety net woven from shared pain and unwavering loyalty, a promise that if he fell, they would be there to catch him.

In the midst of all this chaos, he couldn’t help but notice Joaquin; how he would linger around her longer, how his eyes would always be trained on the monitors, his smile a bit wider, relief in his eyes when he would notice her pale skin was returning back to normal.

—/—/—

“She’s awake!” Joaquin was jolted out of his afternoon nap by Kamala’s scream in the living room.

Connor immediately made a run for it, while the others followed.

Joaquin almost had an out of body experience; his physical form walking through the corridors of the medical bay towards her room, but his mind was back to the first time he saw her... the night they met.

to be continued...

<< Chapter 4 || Series Masterlist || Chapter 6 >>

---/---/---

A/N - Thank you everyone for sticking with me till the end of this fic! if you liked it please let me know through the asks and the comments. Next Chapter will be up soon... Love y'all, Take Care!

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[riddikulusravenclawbelle]

miss possessive

plot - Belle and Rafe are both grappling with feelings they can’t quite name—but somehow, they always find each other when the masks slip. Unfortunately for them, vulnerability doesn’t always come with kindness.

tropes - enemies to lovers, angst, slow burn, and pogue x kook.

wc - 5.1k 😋

warnings - harassment, bullying, and curse words.

final notes - i hope you guys enjoy this chapter as much as i loved writing it--and hate olivia as much as i do lolll. this is part 4 of my ruin me gently series! go read the first three so you're up to date!

The water was scalding hot.

Rafe let it burn.

Steam clung to the mirror like a second skin.

He stood still, letting the heat smack the back of his neck and trail down his spine to the floor.

His head throbbed from yesterday.

Kelce’s teasing.

Belle falling.

Kooks laughing at her.

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face.

Last night shouldn’t matter.

She shouldn’t matter.

It was just a beach day. Kooks being Kooks.

And she wasn’t even supposed to be there.

But she was.

With the Pogues, no less.

She probably thought he hadn’t noticed.

But he had.

Every. Damn. Detail.

The way she laughed at something JJ said.

The way she stood close to Sarah.

The flicker of something—sharp, unreadable—in her eyes when she spotted Olivia by his side.

Jealousy?

No.

Maybe.

He was probably making it up, like he always did when it came to Belle.

“What’re you even doing, Cameron?” he muttered.

He punched the shower wall—not hard, just enough to feel something.

Anything besides this.

These feelings.

Because he couldn’t have them.

Didn’t want them.

She’s not yours, he reminded himself. You don’t even want her to be.

Then why the hell was she still under his skin?

Maybe he should just text Olivia.

A distraction.

Something easy.

Anything to stop thinking about Belle Maybank.

∴.·:*¨ ¨*:·. ☙.·:*¨ ¨*:·.♡ .·:*¨ ¨*:·. ❧.·:*¨ ¨*:·.∴

Belle adjusted her polo shirt and smoothed out her tennis skirt before stepping out of the employee bathroom. 11:00 AM.

One more hour, she told herself.

She didn’t hate the job. Being a golf course attendant was kind of fun, actually.

She’d perfected the fake smile, the flirty customer service voice, and the art of stroking Kook egos for fat tips—straight from their daddy’s wallets, no doubt.

Belle was halfway through organizing a basket of golf balls when she heard it.

“Well, if it isn’t the help,” Ruthie said, swinging her golf club with dramatic flair as she strolled up.

Less than an hour, Belle. Just hang on.

She turned, ready to plaster on her customer service smile—the one that usually did the trick.

But it faded the second she saw Olivia beside her.

Both of them were blatantly out of dress code.

Shorts too short, button-downs undone in a way that screamed intentional. They looked ethereal. Disgustingly beautiful.

How could someone so pretty be so ugly inside?

“Hey, Belle,” Olivia chirped, voice sugar-sweet. “Didn’t know you worked Sundays. That’s… dedication.”

She gave Belle a once-over before flashing a polished smile.

“Or desperation,” Ruthie muttered, pretending to inspect her manicure.

Belle forced a tight-lipped smile. “Just doing my job. Do you guys need help with anything golf-related?”

“Nope,” Olivia said, smile never wavering. “We had other plans, but we heard the view was worth it.”

They giggled like it was some private joke.

Don’t bite. Don’t give them the satisfaction.

But her patience was hanging by a thread.

Ruthie stepped closer, her voice low and razor-sharp.

“We saw you at the Boneyard, by the way. Cute that you still hang with JJ and the dirtbags.”

Belle’s jaw clenched. “He’s my brother,” she said flatly, turning back to the basket of golf balls.

“Hey, we’re talking to you!” Ruthie snapped, shoving her hard enough to send her sprawling to the ground.

Belle blinked up at them, heart pounding.

“I’m just glad he’s back to his type,” Olivia added, crouching beside her like some benevolent queen addressing a peasant.

“I know you thought you had a little moment with Rafe, but… he’s mine. He would never go for a Pogue.”

Belle wanted to scream. To punch Olivia—and Ruthie even harder.

But she was at work.

So she swallowed it. Brushed herself off. And kept organizing the damn golf balls.

Luckily, it didn’t take long for her shift to end. She clocked out immediately.

She hopped into JJ’s truck.

“Hey, how was Kook Kingdom today?” JJ joked.

“Fine,” Belle replied flatly, staring straight at the road.

“You, uh, hungry?” JJ asked. He could sense something was off but didn’t want to push.

Belle nodded. “Can we just stop somewhere quiet?”

“F’course,” JJ said.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the gravel parking lot of an old food shack—empty of tourists or Kooks.

The kind of place filled with nostalgia from when the Pogues were kids.

“You good? I can hang if you want,” JJ offered.

“Nah. I’ll text you when I’m done. I just need silence,” she said quietly.

“I understand.”

She slid into a booth—dim, nearly empty. Just how she needed it.

Then she felt it. A shift in the air.

She felt him before she saw him.

“Hey,” Rafe said, standing beside the booth. He looked like he hadn’t slept. Or eaten. “How’re you?”

“Like you care,” she said, picking at her food.

He flinched. But he stayed.

“Belle, I—” he paused, searching the walls for the right words. “Can I sit?”

Belle shrugged.

For a minute, neither of them said a word.

But somehow, everything felt louder.

“I didn’t know you guys were gonna be there,” Rafe confessed.

“No, no, it’s fine,” she said, bitter. “You two looked perfect. Even Sarah thinks so.”

She still hadn’t looked up at him.

If he hadn’t given her eye contact before, why should she?

“I didn’t say anything because…” he trailed off. “I didn’t know what to say.”

She swallowed hard. “You didn’t have to say anything. Ignoring me worked just fine.”

“Belle—”

“Don’t.”

Not angry. Not loud.

Just tired.

Silence.

“Did you know your girlfriend visited me at work today?”

She finally looked at him.

“What?”

“Yeah. Gave me this nasty bruise,” she said, gesturing to her knee.

It wasn’t entirely true. But Olivia was guilty by association, right?

“She doesn’t even golf—”

“So she is your girlfriend?”

“Why does it matter to you—”

“It doesn’t.”

Rafe didn’t answer right away. Just stared at her, jaw clenched like he was chewing on a thousand words.

Cherry-picking which ones to say.

“It didn’t mean anything,” he finally said.

“Right,” she chuckled bitterly. “Because everything you do doesn’t mean anything.”

“That’s not what I—” he stopped, ran a hand over his face. “I didn’t ask her to do that. I didn’t even know she went.”

“Well, you didn’t stop her. Or Kelce.”

Her voice softened. Like a confession.

“You didn’t even text me back.”

“I meant to—”

She snorted, crossing her arms.

“I didn’t know what to say. I still don’t.”

And she could see it—it was taking everything in him to stay semi-calm.

“You don’t have to say anything, Rafe. You made it pretty clear.”

She brushed past him.

But he caught her wrist—gentler this time, not like before.

“Belle.”

She didn’t turn.

“Let go.”

“I care,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I shouldn’t—but I do.”

That made her pause.

She turned just enough for him to see her eyes—tired, bitter, guarded.

“You’re the most evil person on earth, Rafe Cameron.”

His face twitched. Just for a second.

Then he let go.

Belle didn’t wait for a reply. She straightened her shirt and walked out.

“And the worst part is,” she added, voice shaking now, “I think I still wanted you to prove me wrong.”

She left him standing in the dim light, for once—speechless.

He put his head in his hands.

He could not figure her out.

Back in JJ’s truck, Belle sat quietly, eager to get home and scrub off the sweat and the lingering touch of Rafe Cameron.

It was mostly a silent ride.

The kind of silence only JJ could give—comfortable, safe.

“Whoa. Who gave you that shiner?” he asked, finally noticing her knee.

“Nobody.”

“B—” he warned, side-eyeing her.

“Fine,” she sighed. “Ruthie and that Olivia girl showed up at my work. Pushed me.”

“What?!” JJ’s whole body tensed.

“It’s not a big deal, J,” she muttered.

“It is a big deal,” he said, gripping the wheel tighter. “Next time, you tell me.”

Belle nodded faintly, watching the trees blur past.

“Yeah.”

Silence again—but heavier now.

“You wanna go home or…?”

She hesitated.

“No. Can we just… drive a little longer?”

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “We’ll drive.”

∴.·:*¨ ¨*:·. ☙.·:*¨ ¨*:·.♡ .·:*¨ ¨*:·. ❧.·:*¨ ¨*:·.∴

Rafe woke up angry. He’s been angry—ever since he heard about Olivia’s stunt at the golf course. He can’t shake the feeling that it’s more than just Ruthie and Olivia—like something deeper is festering.

And now Olivia was on his porch, waiting for him like she always does. Her expensive sunglasses perched on her head, a sweet smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Rafe,” she coos, but the way she says his name makes his skin crawl a little. “You didn’t answer my texts last night. I thought we were having fun?”

He doesn’t feel like having fun.

“I was busy.” he muttered.

He feels like he’s drowning, the weight of everything pressing down on him. Olivia has always been an easy distraction—one that’s never really mattered—but now, with Belle stuck in his head, He’s not sure he can deal with this anymore.

He wants to confront her. 

Olivia tilts her head, watching him with her tongue in her cheek and a look that’s both curious and calculating. “Busy with what?”

“I don’t know, Olivia,” he grits through his teeth, rubbing a hand over his face. “Maybe with my fucking conscience.”

She laughs—a short, breathy sound that grates on his nerves. “Oh, that’s rich. But you know you don’t have to apologize for last night. I’m not the one you need to worry about.”

“I’m not worried about you.” He says, his chest tightening. It feels like it’s about to burst.

“Then what are you worried about?” She rises, stepping closer. “Belle?” Her voice drops at the name drop.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He said, rather as a statement than a question.

“You look like you want to take her clothes off whenever she’s around. I’m not stupid Rafe.” The edge is her voice is as sharp as a knife. “She’s not a lost puppy. She’s a pogue.”

Rafe’s jaw clenches. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You don’t deserve me,” she says, smirking as she turns to leave.

 He almost lets her.

“Olivia.” he says, softer than intended. She turns around.

“I didn’t mean that,” he says, taking a step closer.

Olivia raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “Didn’t mean what?”

“Look,” Rafe says, running a hand through his hair again, trying to find the right words. “I don’t need you to make me feel good about myself, okay? I know what I am. But I don’t want to lose you—not right now. I need you.”

“You need me?” She smirks, she loves the idea of being in power. Rafe knew that.

Olivia stares at him for a beat, then smirks, leaning forward just enough to press a kiss to his cheek. “Alright, I’ll stick around. But don’t think for one second I’m just going to wait around while you fix whatever’s broken in your head.”

Rafe watches her walk away, feeling the tension still hanging in the air. He wants to shake it off, but there’s that damn weight again, the pull of something he’s not ready to face. He watches Olivia leave, knowing she’s just another distraction. Another excuse. Another wall between him and the one thing he can’t stop thinking about.

Belle.

∴.·:*¨ ¨*:·. ☙.·:*¨ ¨*:·.♡ .·:*¨ ¨*:·. ❧.·:*¨ ¨*:·.∴

Rafe sat on the hood of Kelce’s Jeep, half a blunt in one hand, a beer bottle in the other—warm and forgotten.

Topper tossed a rock toward the trees. “You gonna tell us what’s crawled up your ass, or do we have to guess?”

Rafe didn’t answer—just stared straight ahead.

Kelce snorted. “Let me guess. Pogue girl trouble? That Belle girl? Heard Ruthie pushed her at the course.”

Rafe froze mid-drag. “Ruthie?” He looked at Kelce.

Kelce nodded, like Rafe was the idiot in this conversation. “Yeah. Ruthie said Belle was mouthing off, so she gave her a little shove. Classic.”

Topper barked a laugh. “Damn. Ruthie’s savage.”

Rafe wasn’t laughing.

Belle said Olivia gave her the bruise.

Why would she lie?

Did she think that’d split him and Olivia up?

Kelce kept grinning, completely oblivious to the storm brewing behind Rafe’s eyes. “Anyway, don’t let some Maybank mess with your head. You’ve got Olivia. She actually gets you.”

Rafe didn’t respond.

But the thing that stuck with him—wasn’t Kelce’s smug smirk or Topper’s laughter echoing behind him.

It was that image of Belle.

On the ground.

Looking up at him like he was the one who’d hurt her.

And now?

Now it all felt like a game.

Fine.

She wanted to lie?

He could play that game too.

Rafe pulled out his phone, already texting Olivia back.

∴.·:*¨ ¨*:·. ☙.·:*¨ ¨*:·.♡ .·:*¨ ¨*:·. ❧.·:*¨ ¨*:·.∴

The moon rippled across the lake, its reflection stretching in slow waves. Belle sat with her knees tucked to her chest, a hoodie draped over her jean shorts. Sarah lounged beside her, legs stretched out, toes skimming the water.

“You okay? You’ve been quiet all day.”

Belle wanted to say no.

She wanted to say actually, your brother is the reason.

Instead, she gave a one-shoulder shrug. “Just tired.”

Sarah glanced at her, eyes narrowing slightly. “You gonna tell me what happened at the course?”

Belle exhaled, the memory still sitting heavy on her chest. “It was nothing. Kooks being Kooks. I’m over it.”

Sarah frowned but didn’t press. For a moment, the silence returned—easy, familiar. Then her whole energy shifted.

“Alright. Get up,” Sarah said, already standing.

“What?” Belle blinked, confused.

“We’re going to a party.”

“Do I have to?” Belle groaned.

Sarah nodded firmly, crossing her arms. “Yes. And you’re wearing real clothes this time. No more Maybank boy hoodies.”

Belle rolled her eyes, fighting a battle with a smile she ultimately lost.

She stood anyway.

∴.·:*¨ ¨*:·. ☙.·:*¨ ¨*:·.♡ .·:*¨ ¨*:·. ❧.·:*¨ ¨*:·.∴

The party was at some random Kook’s house—a friend of a friend of Sarah’s. Two stories, string lights, and a fancy pool in the backyard. Just enough “daddy’s money” energy without making Belle feel completely out of place.

Rafe knew exactly what he was doing—letting Olivia hang off his arm like she was a designer accessory. She laughed too loudly at things he didn’t even say, traced circles on his chest with her nails, bit her lip when she looked at him. And he let her.

He needed Belle to see this. Needed her to feel it—like he felt every word she’d said in the dark. Every lie she let slip from her lips like it didn’t matter.

And Belle knew exactly what she was watching. Olivia, in a low-cut sundress, clinging to him like she belonged there. Rafe’s hand low on her back, leaning in when she spoke. Every calculated move he made hit Belle square in the chest—and still, she couldn’t look away.

She just stood there, drink in hand, seething, while Sarah talked to a guy Belle couldn’t remember the name of.

Rafe leaned in again, smiling at something Olivia whispered—then glanced up, just once, to make sure Belle saw.

Oh, she saw.

Belle finally tore her eyes away from the scene. But it was too late. Every emotion she’d tried to bury clawed its way to the surface—jealousy, betrayal, whatever the hell else was mixing in there. It stung.

This? This was worse than the beach.

“Hey, Sarah, let’s get drinks,” she said.

“That’s the spirit!”

Sarah looped her arm through Belle’s, dragging her toward the drink table, past a cluster of laughing Kooks and down the side of the house. Belle tried not to hear Olivia’s high-pitched giggle trailing behind them like smoke.

Rafe leaned against the wall by the bar, jaw tight.

“Dude, you’re brooding like you’re in a CW show,” Kelce said, handing him a drink.

“I’m fine,” Rafe muttered.

“Yeah, super convincing. Especially with that death stare aimed at the girl you’re ‘supposedly’ over.”

Rafe didn’t respond. He hated that she wasn’t looking at him. Hated the way she might be when he wasn’t watching. Hated that he cared at all.

He took a long sip, letting the alcohol burn. Closed his eyes. Leaned his head back against the wall.

“She’s not even talking to any guys,” Kelce added. “Just hanging with your sister like she’s on a mission to chill.”

“Let her,” Rafe said flatly, rolling his eyes. “She made her choice.”

“Right,” Kelce said, following his gaze. “So... you and Liv. Official? Or just vibing?”

Rafe ignored him.

His eyes locked back onto Belle across the patio—just in time to see her laugh. Not at him. Not with him. At something Sarah said.

Something in his chest cracked.

He wanted to be the reason she laughed.

She lied to you, he reminded himself.

Belle leaned over the punch bowl, pouring something questionable into her cup.

“Want me to mix something better?” a voice asked beside her.

She looked up. Some guy she vaguely recognized—nice smile, backwards hat, definitely not a Pogue.

She hesitated, then smiled. “Sure.”

“So... where have I seen you before?”

“I work at the golf course. You’ve probably seen me there.”

Their conversation was easy. Light.

And across the party, Rafe saw it.

Saw the way Belle tilted her head back laughing. Saw how she angled her body toward the guy.

And he snapped.

“Come with me,” he murmured into Olivia’s ear, eyes never leaving Belle. He didn’t wait for an answer, just pulled Olivia toward the hallway.

Belle looked up just in time to see Olivia’s hand slip into Rafe’s.

Sarah followed her gaze and swore. “He’s such a damn idiot.”

Belle’s smile faltered. But she didn’t let it break her. Not yet.

Two can play at that game, Cameron.

Rafe’s grip on Olivia’s wrist was tight enough to make her stumble slightly in her heels as he dragged her down a dim hallway. The bass from the party thumped behind them, muffled now by closed doors and the hum of his own pulse.

He spun to face her, eyes dark. “Why’d you go to the golf course?”

Olivia blinked. “Are we really doing this now?”

“Answer me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Ruthie wanted to hit some balls or whatever. I went for the vibes.”

Rafe stared at her, jaw ticking.

“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t even do anything. Ruthie was the one who got weird. I was just there.”

“She had a bruise,” Rafe said lowly.

“She probably tripped,” Olivia scoffed. “Seriously, Rafe. Who cares? If she can’t handle a few comments, maybe she shouldn’t be working there.”

Then, quieter: “She’s probably just jealous I’m with you. She’s got a crush, you know.”

Her hands slid to his chest.

That should’ve made him feel something. Victory. Power.

But all he felt was that echo in his mind—Belle’s voice in the shack: You’re the most evil person alive, Rafe Cameron.

Maybe she wasn’t wrong.

“Forget it,” he muttered, stepping back.

Olivia stepped forward instead. “Okay,” she whispered, pressing her lips to his.

He kissed her back.

But it didn’t feel like anything.

Not like her.

Not like Belle.

∴.·:*¨ ¨*:·. ☙.·:*¨ ¨*:·.♡ .·:*¨ ¨*:·. ❧.·:*¨ ¨*:·.∴

She wasn’t looking for him.

She swore she wasn’t looking for him.

But there he was.

Hand in hand with Olivia, slipping out of one of the back rooms like they hadn’t just emerged from every teenage cliché imaginable. Belle froze mid-sip, plastic cup hovering near her mouth, the taste of flat soda suddenly bitter on her tongue.

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” Belle muttered under her breath.

They didn’t see her—at least she didn’t think so. Olivia was giggling like she’d won, and Rafe had that same blank expression he always wore when he was trying not to feel something. Which meant he was feeling something.

Belle turned around too fast, bumping into someone—Sarah maybe, she didn’t even care—because she needed air. So, she went to the nearest balcony. So she could get air–away from people.

It was about 5 minutes of fresh air and silence before she heard a voice she came to know all too well.

“How’d I know I’d find you here, Belle.”

“Because I’m a cliché.” She replied sarcastically.

Rafe stepped out onto the balcony, closing the door behind him. The muffled thump of music faded, replaced by the sound of waves in the distance and Belle’s shallow breathing.

His hands were shoved into his pockets, his shoulders tight. “You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

Belle turned her head just enough to glance at him. “Oh? Gonna call your girlfriend to come protect me?”

“She’s not—”

“Don’t. I saw you two leaving a room together. Don’t insult me by pretending.”

Rafe exhaled hard, like he wasn’t expecting this version of her—sharp-edged, already wounded.

“It wasn’t like that,” he muttered.

“You know, I actually thought you were human. Maybe broken and vulnerable inside.” She paused. “Why are you even with her, Rafe?” She looks at him. Her voice cracked, quiet and biting all at once.

She turned around to look at him. Tears formed in her eyes, catching in the light.

Something in his eyes shifted, like the question hit deeper than he wanted to admit.

“She just–it’s easier.”

“And I’m what? Complicated?”

“No,” he said too quickly. “You’re real. That’s the problem.”

Belle blinked, scoffed. “Go back inside, Rafe.”

“I didn’t come out here for her.”

Then Belle turned, wiping a single tear that rolled down her cheek. “Go back to your distraction.”

And Rafe did as she said– walked back into the party, as the music swallowed him whole.

Belle took a deep breath, stepping back into the party. “Belle!” a voice shouted over the bass. It was Sarah, grabbing her hand and tugging her into the crowd. “Come on, you’ve been mopey all night. At least pretend to have fun.”

Belle gave her a weak smile, letting herself be pulled into the pulsing center of the room. The floor vibrated beneath her feet, and for a second, it was easier to focus on the music than on the ache in her chest.

That’s when she saw him—the guy from earlier. The one who’d helped her with the punch. 

He caught her eye again, smirking like he’d been waiting for a second chance. “Hey,” he said, stepping into her space, his hands loose at his sides. “Still look way too cool to be here.”

Belle gave a breathy laugh. “That’s because I am.”

He grinned. “Dance with me?” 

She looked at Rafe and Olivia, their bodies barely leaving any room in between. 

“Yes.” She said as she took his hand. 

And she did. She let him put his hands on her waist. She let herself sway to the beat. She let her head tip back in a laugh, just once, just loud enough that Rafe could hear it across the room.

Because she knew he was watching. She didn’t have to look to feel it.

But she looked anyway.

And there he was—across the dance floor, Olivia draped over him like a scarf, her mouth close to his neck. But his eyes?

They were on her.

Belle’s heart stuttered.

The boy spun her gently, fingers curling around hers. “You okay?” 

“Yeah,” she faked a smile, then continued to look at Rafe.

The music intensed and that’s when her heart dropped.

Slowly, deliberately—he leaned down and kissed Olivia.

But his eyes never left Belle.

“You wanna get out of here?” The boy asked,his breath brushing her ear. She bit her lip and nodded, intertwining her hand with his. 

She wasn’t thinking about what came next. She just needed out—of this house, this night, this feeling. She didn’t care where they went. As long as it wasn’t here.

If he gets a distraction, she can have one for the night.

They were halfway to the front door, his hand still in hers, when she heard it.

“Belle.” Not loud, not angry. Just… there. And it stopped her cold.

She turned.

Rafe was standing at the base of the stairs, Olivia nowhere in sight. His expression was unreadable, but his chest rising fast like he’d just run through the crowd.

“Don’t.” he said in a serious tone, eyes fixated on the couple’s hands. “Don’t go with him.”

Belle’s pulse pounded in her ears.

“Why? You’re the only one who gets to ignore his feelings?”

“Just–don't.”

She let out a bitter laugh, but her fingers slipped from the boy’s anyway. The silence between them was loud, full of unsaid things and the weight of every moment they’d let pass by.

The guy raised his hands, awkward. “I’ll, uh… I’ll see you around.”

Belle didn’t answer. Rafe stepped closer. 

Once he was gone, Rafe closed the space between them just enough for her to feel the heat rolling off him.

“You don’t get to do that,” she said quietly, chin tilted up.

“I don’t?” he said, voice low. “Then what the hell was that back there?”

“You kissed her.” Her voice cracked. “While looking at me.”

He didn’t deny it. He didn’t have to.

“I’m so done with your games, Rafe,” she whispered. “Tired of pretending I don’t care when I do.”

Her hands balled into fists at her sides. “And what? You gonna follow it up with another kiss for Olivia? Or maybe take her upstairs again just to prove a point?”

Rafe’s jaw clenched. “I didn’t take her upstairs.”

“Oh, so you just stood outside the room with her doing nothing, making it look like you did?” she snapped, voice rising with every syllable. “For what?”

“I was pissed,” he said, gritting his teeth. “Because you lied to me.”

“You say the right things when it’s convenient for you, like When I’m halfway out the door, with a guy I don’t even know the name of. But the second I’m in the same room as you again, I’m just another game piece.” She said, maintaining eye contact, deadpanning him.

“That’s not true.”

“I should punch you right now.”

“Then why haven’t you?”

“Tell me how you feel, and I won't leave with him.” She whispered. 

Rafe reached out wordless, but she stepped back.

Belle simply smiled. “Have a great night, Rafe.” Then she walked out like he hadn’t just lost her.

Twenty minutes had passed but Rafe was still frozen, staring at the door as Olivia’s arm was wrapped around his. The air in the room felt suddenly thick, suffocating.

Olivia's voice cut through his thoughts, but it felt hollow. "Rafe, you okay?"

He didn’t answer her. He couldn’t. His feet moved before his brain could catch up, cutting through the crowd, pushing through bodies, just to get to the door.

But he stopped at the porch. She was already gone.

Little did he know, Belle was still there. She was just in the hot tub. She knew she couldn’t leave Sarah, so she wore a bathing suit as her underwear–just in case.

“Thank you.” She smiled at him, and he helped her into the tub.

Belle thought it was a casual hangout. They hadn’t been very intimate. Plus, it was just a way to make Rafe jealous. 

Then he moved closer. His hand brushed against her knee, lingering just a second too long. Belle stiffened.

“Hey,” he said softly, his breath warm against her neck. “You’re different from all the other pogue girls, you know that?”

She smiled faintly, trying to keep the mood light, but the words didn’t quite come out right. “Thanks, I guess. But I’m not really looking for anything.”

He laughed, low and almost too smooth. “Yeah me either, just a little fun.”

Before she could respond, he slid closer, his hand resting on her thigh. She pulled away, shaking her head.

“Stop,” she said, voice sharp. “I said I’m not interested.”

His grin faltered for a second before his expression hardened. “You sure about that? You’re all over me one minute, and now you’re just gonna play hard to get?”

Belle’s stomach twisted, a mix of annoyance and discomfort bubbling up. “I’m not playing anything. Just be a normal fucking person and respect it.”

“Aw, I love it when you play hard to get.” He said, reaching for her upper thigh.

“Everything okay here?” Rafe asked, his jaw set, fists clenched at his sides.

Rafe’s tone was low, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. The guy turned around, surprised, as Rafe stepped into the light, eyes locked on him like a predator about to strike.

The guy stood up, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, man, we’re just talking. Not your business anyways–”

Rafe didn’t give him a chance to say anything else. He moved forward, fast, and shoved him back. The guy stumbled, hitting the ground hard.

“Not sure I made myself clear,” Rafe growled, stepping closer. “You stay the hell away from her.”

The guy scrambled to his feet, but Rafe was already swinging, a punch landing squarely in his stomach. He gasped, his hand reaching for Rafe’s arm, but Rafe shoved him again, sending him reeling.

“Get the hell out of here,” Rafe spat, his chest heaving with barely-contained anger.

Belle stood frozen, her heart pounding as she watched the guy scramble away, disappearing into the crowd. Rafe’s gaze didn’t leave him until he was out of sight.

He turned to Belle, his expression softening, but there was still tension in his jaw.

“You alright?” he asked, voice quieter now, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Yeah–just, you didn’t have to do all that.” she paused. She didn’t know if she should be pissed or thankful. “Thanks, though.” 

Rafe’s jaw tightened, and he took a step closer, close enough for her to feel the heat of his body. “I didn’t like seeing him touch you.”

Belle swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. “I didn’t ask for your help.”

“I don’t care,” he said quietly, his eyes locking onto hers. There was something unspoken between them now—too many words left unsaid, too much tension hanging in the air. “You’re not getting that from anyone else.” His voice was low, rough, and Belle felt her chest tighten at the words.

Then, he just walked away–and returned to the party. Leaving Belle standing there, pissed, confused, thankful, and frankly? Turned on.

[lin-sterling]

DRIP POST 2: E for Everyone Edition

this time it's not a remake per se, it's a re-release lol. this time with handy-dandy item codes to enable you - yes, you! - to partake in my fashion obsession.

simply click on the name of the outfit and it will take you to my godforsaken google doc and show you the codes for that outfit. should show up at the top of the page (give it a sec). hopefully I haven't borked anything.

let me know if there are any issues.

drip post 3 is being cooked as we speak but it will take some time.

IMPORTANT

you need to install some mods

you need to enable the console

don't paste an entire cell of codes into the console, they'll get cut off and you won't get all the items. copy and paste about 2-3 lines at a time

my document has the necessary info but I'm also providing instructions under the cut.

there's an overlap between some outfits so you might get several copies of one item. in this case just yeet them on the floor and let some bum pick them up. or sell them. who am I to tell you what to do.

↓↓↓

the console:

right-click on KCD2 in your Steam library

choose 'Properties'

select 'Launch Options'

put -devmode in the launch options

launch the game and press the tilde (~) key

use ctrl+c and ctrl+v to copy and paste the codes, then just hit enter

the mods:

Refined Garments

Outer Garments

Custom Clothing and Armor

More flower wreaths (there's one outfit that needs this for now but there might be more later)

the drip:

Henry

Black Knight v1, cuirass inside

this is MY HENRY, iconic outfit, never gonna give you up never gonna let you down

2. Black Knight v2, cuirass outside

3. Guardian Angel

my Henry doesn't usually go for white or silver, he's black&gold kind of guy, but I decided we need one outfit

4. Trosky Traveller (before the waspening)

not fully happy with this outfit but it's already err a historical one, I've already gone through Trosky wearing it so I won't retcon it haha

5. THE WASPENING

same shit here, it's a piece of my playthrough history now. weird, bright yellow history

6. Leipa Simp

and now I make new history

7. Bluebell

wasn't expecting this one, it just sort of happened and I weirdly like it

8. Shifty Fella

is he trying to steal your wallet? is his back hurting? why not both!

9. Horse Thief

up to no good this guy. steal your heart, steal your horse, get 60 groschen for his trouble... wait, horse industry is a scam!

10. Armed and Armoured Robbery

can't shoot straight because he's on his way to bisexual awakening

11. Mushroom Enthusiast

those mushrooms won't gather themselves, you know! *cronch*

12. Falconer

all hail the birbs

13. Noble Bastard

when you need something fancy but not too difficult to pull off

14. Night Reader

casual comfy outfit with optional reading glasses. read a nice book at 3 am and watch your boyfriend as he sleeps!

15. Dubious Doctor

impersonating a medical professional during "Fifth Commandment"

16. Reverse Ball and Chain

when you miss a fucker so much you start wearing his colours. except the yellow gambeson you've found had aggressively magenta belts and you had to reverse the order of colours. I figured clown shoes were appropriate in this situation

17. That Mine Is Mine

impersonating a rich fuck during "Via Argentum". rich people wear golden armour, right?

note: actually wearing armour while talking to Buresh is not recommended. apparently it makes you look like a homeless vagabond lol

18. Red Wedding

this wedding also ended in a bloody mess

19. Nostalgic

kcd1 starting outfit colours but now Henry can afford better clothes

20. Dandelion Dance

what a surprise, more yellow shit

Pebbles and her codes are gonna be in the reblog

↓↓↓

[heavenlyakin]

cafe latte

cw: college au, phd student suguru, masters student reader, selfship coded. 1.6k words. unedited.

will most likely have following parts.

“Cafe latte, two shots of espresso. Please,” the man orders his drink before you’re able to look up and smile to greet him. 

“For here or to go?” You finally look up after pressing the order in, waiting for the last detail. 

“Here, please.” He smiles at you, his eyes unmistakingly purple. You pause, lingering on his face a moment longer. “Do you do free refills?” 

“For in-house customers, yes.” You shake your head to focus on the order at hand. You feel your cheeks heating up as you try not to think about how handsome the man ordering is. 

“Great, I’ll also take a croissant if you have one.” He pulls out his wallet as you tell him the total. 

You try not to notice the generous tip he leaves in the jar in front of you as you count his change. Once you hand back the coins, he smiles at you and you grin back. He walks to sit down across the small coffee house at a small table with one seat. It happens to be the seat you always like to sit in when you come here to study. He seems to be doing the same. 

As the barista next to you steams the milk for his latte, you make the espresso shots to help out. It’s slower today, so you have time to help out even though you’re assigned to the register today. The toaster oven beeps with the croissant inside, so you carefully take it out and place it on a plate. Your coworker hands you the latte, and you take it and the croissant across the room to the handsome customer. 

“Croissant and cafe latte,” you place the plate and cup carefully on the table. “Can I get you anything else?” 

“I’m fine, thank you.” He is, for sure. 

“You’re welcome,” you smile and walk back behind the counter, trying to cool your face off. 

It’s not that you’ve not had your fair share of hot customers before, there’s plenty of fine regulars since you started working here a year ago when you started your masters program. Classes start up again tomorrow for you, but the official first day back is today. You haven’t seen many of the regulars you got used to over the summer, but they may be avoiding this shop since it’s so close to campus. Your eyes linger back to your favorite spot. 

This customer is new, you’re certain you’ve never seen him before. You’d have remembered his eyes. 

A few students come in, freshman you assume by their bright eyed looks. They order a few treats and coffee to go, keeping you busy for a while. The class change is always hectic, people coming and going. In the chaos, you forget about the man in your favorite seat in the house. It’s not until your shift is almost over that you look up and see he left at some point. You wonder if he ever got his free refill. Perhaps during your break he did.

Walking back to your apartment that evening, you find yourself wondering if you’ll ever see him again. You allow that thought to sit for a moment before shaking it from your head. You have a lot of reading to do tonight before your Modern British Literature course tomorrow.  

–

“-----,” the professor calls your name and you look up and raise your hand. 

“Here,” you reply just loud enough for her to hear. She smiles at you, and you remember her from your undergrad years. She was a TA then, but has been newly promoted to associate professor. 

“Suguru Geto?” She asks next and your eyes scan the room. You’ve never heard this name. The program you’re in is small, so you know everyone in your cohort. 

As a hand raises, you catch it out of the corner of your eye. 

“Here,” he replies and she moves onto the next student. 

A few seats away from you is the customer from yesterday. You look forward as he starts to turn, perhaps feeling your eyes on him. You take a deep breath and look down at the syllabus in front of you. It seems she’s picked a few you know and a few you don’t. 

The professor goes over the syllabus and asks you all to have the first section of the first book read by next week. Simple enough. You read it last night already, so you’ll just have to take a few notes to be up to date. You write a reminder in your planner then close it to focus on the rest of what the professor has to say about the class. 

She takes up the entire class time, which you’re glad for since you didn’t want to have to linger around before your next shift at the cafe. You make it there in a few minutes after class and clock in and change into an apron. The pink apron is taken, so you settle for the frilly white one that’s your second favorite. The owners of this cafe thrifted most of the items decorating the walls, and the large coffee mugs. The aprons were handmade by one of their grandmothers, you can’t recall which. 

As you settle into your shift, you forget about class and the readings you have to do tonight. Luckily, you’re not closing today so you have time for a panini and a drink afterwards. By the time three hours pass, it’s time to clock out. You put in your order then settle into your favorite seat in the cafe. You’re lucky it’s open, as the coffee house has filled up this afternoon with classes in full swing on campus now. 

Layla brings you the drink and sandwich, to which you thank her and go to your book. You’d annotated a few pages, but now you need to be prepared for discussion on it next week. Taking a sip from the coffee, you then look down to your bag and dig around for your pencil case. Once you’ve acquired your favorite pen, you start to take notes on your annotations. 

“May I sit across from you?” A voice draws you away from the notes and you look around. Every seat but the one across from you is taken. 

“If you don’t mind me studying, then sure,” when you look up at who asked, you’re taken back. It’s Suguru from class and yesterday’s daydream on your walk home. 

“I don’t mind. I’ll be doing the same.” He smiles and takes the empty seat across from you. Luckily the table is just big enough for him to lay out his notebook and book as well. “Thank you,” he tells you as he settles in. 

“You’re welcome. I’m —--,” you tell him, thinking a proper introduction is better than awkward silence. 

“You’re in the lit class with me, right?” He asks and you nod. “I’m Suguru.” 

“I am. I’m a second year masters student here.” You lay the book down and place the pen as a bookmark. “You’re new, right?” 

“I am. The grant I’m working on was transferred here with my mentor. I’m working on my PhD in literature. My last institution didn't teach a British literature course for graduate students, so I was happy to see they are here.” He explains a bit more about his research into children’s literature and pedagogy. 

“Wow!” You sit back and smile. “And here I am scared of my thesis next year.” 

“Have you chosen a topic?” He asks and you shake your head. 

“I have some ideas, but I don’t know how to execute them. I want to talk about the soul and the idea of clones using Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go and Neal Shusterman’s Unwind Dystology but I’m having trouble finding articles that articulate what I’m looking for.” You explain a bit further about what you have found and then let him think. 

“It’s an interesting idea.” He grins and places his elbows on the table, his hand on his chin. He leans forward. “I’d love to hear more about it once you get to writing.” 

“I just said I don’t know-” 

“Just start writing.” He tells you and you raise your eyebrow in amusement. 

“Is it that simple?” You laugh. 

He laughs and nods. “You can’t work with nothing, but you can work with something.” 

“What wise words!” You giggle again and finish off your coffee. “I’m going to grab another drink. Would you like anything?” 

“Cafe latte, two shots of espresso. If you don’t mind.” He hands you a few bills and you wave it off. 

“I work here, they’ll give it to me for free.” You go to get the drinks and when you return he thanks you as he takes a long sip. 

“Thank you for allowing me to sit and chat with you. Beyond my mentor, I’m afraid I haven’t made any friends in the last few days.” 

“It’s my pleasure to be your first,” you tell him and it makes his cheeks turn red. 

He grins and takes another drink. “I have a class to teach soon, so I hope you don’t mind me preparing for the remainder of our time here.” 

“I don’t mind. I should be studying actually.” 

“You should be writing,” he corrects and you roll your eyes. 

With that, you both settle into your individual work. Once in a while you sneak a glance at him and catch him looking at you as well. It becomes a game of how long you can go between glances. You’re losing, you think. 

“May I take your cup to the counter?” He asks as he stands and you nod. 

“Thank you, Suguru.” He returns and packs up his bag. “Good luck teaching.” 

“I appreciate the wish.” He smiles. “See you round.” 

“See ya,” he leaves and you watch him go, before sighing and leaning back into your seat. 

You’re in trouble.

[sharktistic]

so torn between wether or not I wanna experience Chapter 3 and 4 of Deltarune on my laptop or on my switch. I want it to be my laptop but I much prefer the switch since I can have it anywhere and also the controllers work with me better than WASD do. Problem is: I’d have to add money onto my eshop account, money that I already have in my Steam Wallet. It’s so tedious to go to the store and get a giftcard and walk all the way back home and sometimes they don’t even have enough so I have to buy like three seperate ones instead of the one (1) and rub the code.. And I don’t have a credit card or PayPal or anything yet so I can’t just do it fast at home……UGHHHHH

[10mort]

Introduction ☆

Hello Tumblr! My name is Morten, I am a 21 year old guy from Denmark. As a twitter refugee, I have no clue what I'm going to post on Tumblr for now, but stick around if you like (⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

I guess I should talk about what kind of guy I am... Well put into simple terms, I'm a guy who adores the wonders of graphic design, which is also my eventual goal of a job. Currently I'm taking my higher exam, so I can attend university next summer. Other than that I'm your average movie n' music enjoyer, but I will talk about that a bit later. I'm also a gamer (insert cool sunglasses emoji here), where some of my favorite games include; Cult of the Lamb, Stanley Parable, Overwatch 2, Portal, Prose & Codes and wordle... If you're interested in more of my gaming addiction, feel free to add me on steam!

Now onto MOVIES (⁠☆⁠▽⁠☆⁠)

I love watching movies (& tv-series, but I'll get back to that in a sec!), so much so I actually have a letterboxd you should check out...*wink*... If you're genuinely curious about what my favourite movies are, check out this list!

Now with tv-series, I struggle using Serialized, I tried but it doesn't seem like a great fit for me. Therefore, let me list some of my favorite tv-shows instead.

Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Aggretsuko (Netflix / Sanrio)

Watchmen (HBO)

The Simpsons (Disney+ / FOX)

Strappare lungo i bordi (Netflix)

Abott Elementary (Disney+ / Starz)

Hacks (HBO)

Playing next: Music! (⁠*⁠ﾉ⁠・⁠ω⁠・⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♫

Gosh, how do I say this without sounding cringe... Music is my life (oh gosh Morten just stop) but jokes aside, I really love music. Sadly / luckily, I'm one of those users who use Apple Music, so befriend me there if you'd like! I also have Spotify, where I sometimes transfer my playlists too. Now, I'm a really huge k-pop fan, like it's so bad my wallet is burning... So let's go through some of my favorite kpop groups! *btw, if you wanna check out my last.fm, feel free to do so now!*

GFRIEND / VIVIZ (Ult GG)

EXO (Ult BG)

Red Velvet

NewJeans

AESPA

Davichi

Anyway! I think that was all I had to say. Stick around if you like, become mutuals with me if you like and PLEASE give me some tips on how to use Tumblr

Xoxo

A Twitter Refugee

[eucalyptus-gl0bulus]

i sunk four thousand hours and hundreds of dollars into team fortress 2. i'm not gonna sit back and do nothing as valve ignores it further. crates are now filled with cosmetics from the steam workshop themed dartboard. the head miscs can't even be unusual and the only workaround was using ugly full head items and a bug to wear multiple effects.

the skins aren't there for new things to look at theyre there to add more money to valve's wallet. skins are only good in factory new and you want one with a strange counter, so guess what? you're either paying a shitload or gambling and paying a shitload anyway. the skins are picked out by a nonce with no sense for what makes tf2 tf2. this is still better than what the hats

new maps went from one or two maps that an entire update would center around to adding like 10 of the bastards at random because they needed another source of money in the form of map stamps that nobody buys. and there's always the maps that make you wonder if the valve guy tested the map. or even looked at it in the case of wutville.

i watched as weapon skins replaced adding new weapons. i watched as that same update ruined crates forever both with their picks and the rarity system. i had to look on in horror as mid your match was released and added a fuckload of maps that were popular for 6v6 as they fucked that up beyond measure. they added sunshine and fucked everything else.

we were wondering what valve was doing with a thumb in their ass for the year following that, and we didn't like the new halloween maps because ICS was a mapmaker on one. then jungle inferno came out and we were saying that the big update is yearly now.

and then a year came and went

and another

and another

and another

and another

and another

and ANOTHER

and we're on the 8th year of no major updates. and we've gotten fuck all. we've gotten a guy picking items blindly and the maps have become just another THING to add, and there's nothing. we've seen two entire feature length films made in source filmmaker, which is so famously bad with tf2 stuff. we've seen how much the dedicated fans love the game. and we get neglected because csgo needed to be fucked up to match with tf2 and what's next? gotta fuck up dota 2 on top?

the game is completely dead and a graveyard for non-bots on their official servers. contracts and their rewards are pretty much dead now. the only thing we have to play on are uncle dane's tryhard servers for people that scream at new players, bad players, or people not taking the game as seriously as a bomb threat. and all the fun is gone. and if there's a single sniper player on their team then it's just like what casual is like now.

valve managed to have given csgo enough changes such that when the source code was leaked that's a pretty big difference from what we have. we're still on the same major update. we're still on jungle inferno. the version that was leaked and the version we have are only differentiated by how many artstyle breaking hats and war paints and dogshit maps there are.

MODERN TF2 PLAYERS, WE USED TO HAVE A CONSISTENT UPDATE CYCLE. BIG SUMMER UPDATE. BIGGER HALLOWEEN UPDATE. END OF YEAR GAME REBALANCE. EVERY YEAR FROM 2008 ALL THE WAY TO 2015.

[linuxgamenews]

Star Overdrive: Explore the Open World Adventure

Star Overdrive is a thrilling open world action game, now blasting onto Steam Deck and Linux through Windows PC. All thanks to the creative brilliance of the developers at Caracal Games. Which you can now find on Steam with 88% Positive reviews. Strap in, pilots— because Star Overdrive just crash-landed, and it’s about to hijack every free hour you thought you had. Italian indie crew Caracal Games and their pals at Dear Villagers have spent the last few years sweating over code and keytars to make sure this cosmic speed-fest hits harder than a meteor shower. Now the open world action title is live on Steam Deck and Linux via Proton. So whichever PC or deck you call home, you’re cleared for launch. In Star Overdrive you’re answering a distress signal from someone you like in a wild alien world. So, the only thing standing between you and their safety is… well, literally everything the universe can throw at you. But you’ve also got three aces in your deck:

Hoverboard Navigation & Racing Boost, flip, and drift across four giant biomes while chaining stunt combos that would make a Tony Hawk hologram blush. It’s not just for show—mastering your board means faster travel and deadlier combat angles.

Physics-Based Powers Gravity who? Bend the rules, combo your abilities, and turn everyday scenery into an improvised weapon. Launch boulders, bounce rockets, or yank enemies into each other like they owe you credits.

The Keytar of DOOM Don’t be fooled by its retro aesthetic—this oversized synth-axe spits energy beams and thunder riffs strong enough to stagger bosses the size of office blocks.

A World Worth Saving

Caracal carved out four sprawling biomes, each weirder than the last—lush neon jungles, wind-swept crystal deserts, bio-luminescent swamps, and a vertigo - inducing cloud metropolis. Every corner hides puzzles, lore crumbs, or enemies itching to humble your leaderboard ego.

Star Overdrive - Launch trailer

Built on Community Support

Switch players have been shredding since April 2025, and their feedback already shaped launch-day patches for all platforms. Expect tighter movement, snappier combat, smoother frame pacing, and a fistful of quality-of-life tweaks that make the Linux build feel right at home—Steam Deck included. Proton? Runs like it was born there. TL;DR for the Squad

Star Overdrive is out now—grab it before the 20 % Steam discount flies off into deep space.

Two editions, both under forty bucks even before the sale. Deluxe nets you cosmetics, music, and a manga to check out between sessions.

Hoverboard tricks meet physics-warping combat and keytar carnage across four massive zones.

Full parity patches at launch, so players are not left with bugs.

The Damage to Your Wallet

Standard Edition: $34.99 USD / £29.50 /34,99€.

Deluxe Edition: $39.99 USD / £34.99 / 39,99€ — bundles in three extra hoverboard styles, one flashy board design, 50 color variants, the digital soundtrack, and an original manga prequel drawn by the dev team.

You might also need one of these controllers on Amazon to help you out

Early-Bird Deal: Hit buy on Steam within the first two weeks and slice 20 % off both editions. (Yes, the Deluxe drops to roughly the same price as a large pizza—no excuse, right?) So, fire up your favorite distro, crack those knuckles, and tell your crew you’ll see them on the leaderboards — if they can catch you. The open world action universe is calling, the hoverboard is humming, and Star Overdrive just hit terminal velocity.

[validcdkeys]

How to Get Free Steam Keys in 2025

For PC gamers around the world, few things are more exciting than scoring a new title—especially when it’s completely free. Whether you’re hunting for indie gems or blockbuster releases, free Steam keys offer a legit way to build your game library without spending a dime.

But here’s the problem: not all websites offering free Steam codes are safe, reliable, or trustworthy. Many are filled with spam, fake giveaways, or shady requirements.

Enter ValidCDKeys.com—a rising platform created by gamers, for gamers, offering free, verified Steam CD keys without registration, hidden fees, or shady business.

What Is a Steam Key, and Why Does It Matter?

Let’s start with the basics. A Steam key is a unique 15-digit alphanumeric code that can be activated on the Steam client to download and install a game. Once redeemed, the game becomes permanently tied to your Steam account.

Steam keys replace physical game discs, making it easier to own, store, and launch your favorite games anytime, anywhere. This digital evolution of game distribution is not only more efficient but also environmentally friendly—no plastic cases, no shipping, and instant access.

Meet ValidCDKeys.com: Your Source for Free, Safe Steam Game Codes

Launched by a team of passionate PC gamers, ValidCDKeys.com was built on one core principle: make great games accessible to everyone—for free.

The platform works by collaborating with a network of over 20 game developers, publishers, and digital distributors to provide users with a wide range of verified, legal Steam keys for hundreds of titles.

Unlike many other "free game" sites that require surveys or app downloads, ValidCDKeys keeps things clean. No registration, no pop-ups, and no personal data collection—just free games.

Why Choose ValidCDKeys for Free Steam Keys?

In a sea of scammy giveaways and unreliable links, ValidCDKeys stands out for several key reasons:

🔒 Secure and encrypted — SSL-protected browsing keeps your activity safe.

🎮 Gamer-focused — Built by people who understand what PC gamers want.

🚫 No tricks — No account required, no credit card prompts, and no subscriptions.

🌍 Global access — Available to users worldwide with region details noted.

♻️ Updated daily — A fresh selection of Steam keys is added and verified every single day.

The platform is also supported by anti-fraud systems to ensure that each key remains unique, untampered, and ready to be activated.

How It Works: Claiming Your Free Steam Key in 3 Simple Steps

Getting a free Steam key from ValidCDKeys.com couldn’t be easier. Here's how it works:

1. Browse the Collection

Head over to ValidCDKeys.com and explore the library. The site offers dozens of titles across genres—RPGs, action games, strategies, simulators, and more.

2. Pick a Game

Click on a title that interests you and select the “Get It Free” option. If a key is still available, you’ll receive it immediately on-screen.

3. Redeem Your Code

Open the Steam app, go to Games > Activate a Product on Steam, paste the key, and you're good to go! Your new game will be added to your account permanently.

That’s all—no downloads, no waiting period, and no nonsense.

Are Free Steam Keys Really Legal?

Yes, they are.

Game developers and publishers often distribute free Steam keys for a number of legitimate reasons:

📣 Promotional campaigns

📹 Influencer or YouTuber collaborations

🛠️ Early access or beta testing

🎁 Community giveaways

These keys are generated directly by developers and authorized distributors. ValidCDKeys obtains its keys through these official channels, ensuring they are not only legal but 100% safe to use.

How ValidCDKeys Sources Its Game Codes

Transparency matters. ValidCDKeys doesn’t pull its codes from questionable sources. Instead, it operates on a model that benefits everyone involved:

Developers get exposure for their games.

Sponsors support the platform in exchange for visibility.

Gamers get free content without ever opening their wallets.

Sometimes, users can even submit unused keys to the platform to share with the community. These are verified before being published.

Sample Steam Keys Shared with the Community

Here are a few random keys that have recently been given out on the site:

TK98P-H6YRD-J94ZR

VD37K-YYR82-W2MNV

LQC4E-P7DNK-XTY6R

GRN67-VB2Z3-YKLNP

9XWRA-Q3P2J-JG5VT

🛑 Note: These keys may have already been redeemed. Visit the site for current, working codes.

Benefits of Free Steam Keys

There are plenty of reasons to embrace free Steam keys, especially if you're a budget-conscious gamer:

🎁 Build your library without spending

🧪 Test games before investing in DLC or expansions

💬 Support indie developers via word-of-mouth

🚀 Stay up to date with new releases and beta versions

Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just getting started, free game codes are an excellent way to discover new titles and genres.

ValidCDKeys Is Safe—Here’s How We Know

Security is one of the most common concerns when it comes to websites offering free digital content. ValidCDKeys prioritizes user safety with:

🔐 HTTPS encryption

🧠 Smart fraud-prevention algorithms

🕵️ No account creation or personal data input

🛡️ Manually reviewed submissions and downloads

Everything is done transparently and with the end user in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

💻 Do I need an account to use ValidCDKeys?

No. You don’t need to sign up, log in, or give your email. Just visit, click, and play.

💸 Are there hidden fees?

No hidden charges whatsoever. ValidCDKeys is funded through ads and partnerships, never through fees to users.

🌐 Can anyone use it?

Yes. The platform is globally accessible, though some keys may be region-locked depending on the publisher.

📅 Do Steam keys expire?

Unused keys usually do not expire, unless specified. Once redeemed, the game stays in your Steam library for life.

ValidCDKeys: A New Standard in Free Gaming

The world of gaming is evolving, and platforms like ValidCDKeys are leading the charge toward accessible entertainment for all. What began in 2023 as a small initiative has grown into one of the most trusted sources for free Steam keys in 2025.

Backed by a strong community, real-time updates, and verified game content, ValidCDKeys is reshaping how we think about digital distribution.

No tricks. No hoops. Just free, legal access to the games you love.

Ready to Start?

🎮 Visit ValidCDKeys.com now and unlock your next adventure—for free. Expand your game library the smart way and join a growing community of PC gamers who know how to play without paying.

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Discover Affordable Gaming with Digital Top-Ups

For gamers seeking to enhance their experience, this platform offers a seamless way to access digital products like pubg mobile uc and tumile coins at competitive prices. Catering to a global audience, it provides secure and fast delivery of game codes, gift cards, and top-up services for popular titles. With a focus on reliability, the platform sources products from official channels, ensuring authenticity and customer satisfaction. Whether you're a mobile gaming enthusiast or a console player, this marketplace makes it easy to elevate your gaming moments with affordable and trustworthy solutions.

Unlocking PUBG Mobile UC for Epic Battles

One of the standout offerings is pubg mobile uc, the in-game currency that unlocks premium features, skins, and battle passes in PUBG Mobile. Players can quickly purchase UC through various payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, and even crypto, ensuring flexibility for users worldwide. The platform guarantees instant delivery, so you can dive into the action without delay. With competitive pricing, gamers can enjoy their favorite battle royale title without breaking the bank, making every match more thrilling.

Tumile Coins for Social Connections

Beyond gaming, the platform supports social platforms with products like tumile coins, which enhance interactions on the Tumile app. These coins allow users to send gifts, unlock premium features, and connect with others in exciting ways. The service ensures that purchases are secure and delivered promptly, catering to users who value seamless digital experiences. By offering these coins at affordable rates, the platform helps users make their social interactions more engaging and personalized.

A Trusted Marketplace for All Gamers

Operating in 12 regions, this e-commerce hub supports a wide range of digital products, from Steam Wallet codes to PlayStation Store gift cards. Its user-friendly interface and 24/7 live support ensure a smooth shopping experience. By prioritizing secure transactions and official sourcing, it builds trust among its global user base. Membership perks, such as discounts and exclusive offers, further enhance the value for frequent shoppers.

In conclusion, this platform is a go-to destination for gamers and digital enthusiasts looking to purchase pubg mobile uc, tumile coins, and more. With its commitment to affordability, security, and fast delivery, it transforms gaming and social experiences, making every moment more enjoyable. Whether you're battling in PUBG or connecting on Tumile, this marketplace has you covered with reliable digital solutions.

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IDLE - EMPIRE 100% Trusted!

Idle-Empire is an online platform that allows users to earn digital rewards such as gift cards, cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin and Ethereum), and skins for games like CS:GO, by completing various online tasks. Here's a breakdown of how the Idle-Empire work process generally functions:

🛠️ How Idle-Empire Works:

1. User Registration

Users sign up for a free account on Idle-Empire’s website.

Login can be done via email or using social accounts like Google or Steam.

JOIN MY LINK :- https://www.idle-empire.com?r=7lb2c0

2. Earning Points

Users earn Idle-Empire Points (or "Credits") by completing various tasks. These include:

Surveys: Answer questions through survey providers like CPX Research, BitLabs, and others.

Offers: Complete tasks such as signing up for services, downloading apps, or reaching milestones in mobile games.

Videos: Watch short video ads through partner platforms like Hideout.tv.

Referrals: Invite friends to Idle-Empire and earn a percentage of their earnings.

Promo Codes: Occasionally, Idle-Empire provides codes for bonus points.

3. Earning Mechanisms & Partners

Idle-Empire works with third-party offerwalls and survey providers. It acts as an intermediary that rewards users with credits based on the revenue it earns from completed offers.

4. Redeeming Rewards

Once users have enough credits, they can redeem them for:

Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc.

Gift Cards: Amazon, Google Play, Steam, etc.

Game Skins/Items: For games like CS:GO, PUBG, and more.

Vouchers & Wallet Codes: PayPal cash, Prepaid MasterCard, and other e-wallet credits.

5. Payout Times

Many rewards are processed within a few minutes to a few hours.

Some crypto payouts may take longer due to blockchain confirmation times.

🔒 Is Idle-Empire Legit?

Yes, it is generally considered legitimate. It has been operating for several years and has a positive reputation on platforms like Trustpilot . However, as with any reward platform, earnings are relatively low and should not be expected to replace a full-time income.

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How to Get a Russian Virtual Credit Card Instantly Online (No Bank Needed)

In 2025, the demand for digital payments, privacy, and borderless finance has made Russian virtual credit cards (VCCs) more popular than ever. Whether you're a freelancer, traveler, gamer, or crypto enthusiast, being able to access a Russian Mastercard or RUB virtual card without needing a bank account is a game changer. This guide explains how to get a Russian virtual credit card instantly online using crypto, and why it's one of the most secure and convenient options available globally.

Why Are Russian Virtual Credit Cards in Demand in 2025?

Russian users and global digital nomads increasingly look for flexible financial tools that do not require traditional banks. According to Statista (2024), over 58% of Russians aged 18–34 use some form of digital-only payment system. The rise in cross-border e-commerce, privacy needs, crypto adoption, and geopolitical restrictions has accelerated the need for bank-free Russian virtual credit cards.

Trending keywords:

Russian virtual credit card without bank

Buy Russian Mastercard online

Crypto VCC Russia

Instant virtual card Russia

RUB virtual prepaid card

Top user demands from forums and Google trends:

3D secure Russian VCC for online payments

Buy Russian card anonymously with Bitcoin or USDT

Use virtual card for Steam, Netflix, and Google Ads

No verification or minimum KYC

Fast delivery (under 10 minutes)

What Is a Russian Virtual Credit Card?

A Russian virtual credit card is a digital payment card issued in Russian rubles (RUB), often branded under Mastercard or Visa, and accessible via mobile or web apps. It allows you to make online payments worldwide, even on platforms that require 3D Secure or country-specific billing info. The key advantage? You don’t need a Russian bank account, passport, or local address to get one.

Virtual cards are generated online, funded through cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum), and offer full card details including:

16-digit card number

Expiration date

CVV security code

Benefits of Getting a Russian Virtual Card Without a Bank

No Bank Account or Residency Needed: Unlike traditional Russian banks that require local documents, online virtual card providers allow you to create a VCC with just an email and crypto wallet.

Instant Issuance: Many platforms issue your card within 5–10 minutes after crypto payment confirmation.

Crypto-Based Top-Up: You can load your card with Bitcoin, USDT (TRC20/ERC20), or other stablecoins, ideal for users living in restricted regions or with limited fiat options.

3D Secure Support: Essential for websites like Airbnb, Netflix, Facebook Ads, and online marketplaces.

Multi-Purpose Usage:

Online shopping (Amazon, Wildberries, AliExpress)

App subscriptions (Spotify, YouTube Premium)

Account verifications (PayPal, Steam, Google Play)

Utility payments

Anonymity and Privacy: With limited or no KYC, your personal data is not shared with third-party banks or payment processors.

Global Acceptance: Russian Mastercard VCCs are accepted worldwide and often work better for Russian IPs or local merchants.

How to Get a Russian Virtual Credit Card Instantly Online

Here is a step-by-step guide based on real user behavior and top provider offerings:

Step 1: Choose a Trusted Provider (Like Gpaynow)

Look for platforms that:

Offer instant VCCs in RUB

Accept crypto payments (BTC, USDT)

Require minimal KYC

Provide live support

Are not blocked in your country

Tip: Gpaynow is a reliable provider offering Russian Mastercard and Lira cards, globally accessible, hassle-free, and backed by 3D Secure.

Step 2: Register or Sign In

Create an account using just your email address. Most platforms don’t require full identity verification.

Step 3: Select Your Card Type

Pick a card based on your purpose:

Russian Mastercard RUB card for Russian apps or billing

Lira VCC for Turkish platforms

USD VCC if you plan global shopping

Step 4: Pay with Crypto

Load your wallet and pay with USDT (TRC20 recommended for lower fees) or BTC. Payments are verified in under 5 minutes.

Step 5: Get Card Details Instantly

After payment confirmation, your virtual card details are issued and shown on your dashboard. Copy and save your:

Card number

CVV

Expiry date

You can now start using it online right away.

Real-World Use Cases for Russian VCCs

Steam or Google Account Verification: Russian cards bypass geo-restrictions or card rejection issues.

Crypto Withdrawals to Card: Some exchanges allow you to withdraw to VCCs.

Ad Accounts: Use for Facebook, Google Ads, or TikTok campaigns that require secure payment methods.

Bill Payments and Utilities: Many Russian users use it to pay rent, Wi-Fi, and mobile top-ups.

Travel & Booking: Book flights, hotels, or car rentals using a virtual card when other cards fail.

Is It Safe to Use a Russian Virtual Card?

Yes, if obtained from a secure platform. Ensure the provider supports:

3D Secure authentication

Transaction notifications

Daily spending limits

Encrypted dashboards

Since the card is not tied to your personal identity or bank, it provides higher security against online fraud or data theft.

Common Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I buy a Russian virtual card with Bitcoin?

Yes, most platforms including Gpaynow accept Bitcoin, USDT, or other cryptocurrencies.

2. Is KYC required?

Some platforms offer low-KYC or no-KYC options, especially for smaller amounts (e.g., under $500/month).

3. How fast do I get the card?

You can expect your card within 5–10 minutes after crypto confirmation.

4. What websites does the card work on?

The card works globally and supports platforms like:

Steam

Google Ads

Facebook

Wildberries

Netflix

5. Can I use it outside of Russia?

Yes. It’s virtual and works internationally, though some platforms may require a Russian billing address.

Final Thoughts: Russian VCCs Are the Future of Private Payments

With rising restrictions, sanctions, and demand for privacy, Russian virtual credit cards offer a fast, safe, and borderless solution. Especially for users who rely on crypto, need flexibility, and want to bypass regional blocks, this tool is indispensable in 2025.

No bank account? No problem. Use your crypto wallet, get your card instantly, and enjoy seamless online transactions today.

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Elevate Your Digital Experience with Game and App Gift Cards

As the digital entertainment industry continues to grow, users are seeking faster, safer, and more flexible ways to access content. Whether it’s purchasing in-game currency, unlocking premium features in your favorite app, or gifting a friend their favorite mobile game, digital gift cards for games and apps have become the go-to solution for millions of users worldwide. These cards offer a powerful combination of convenience, control, and instant access, making them an essential tool in today’s connected lifestyle. source:بطاقات شحن ليبارا

Digital gift cards allow users to instantly recharge their gaming accounts or app wallets with no need for a credit card or physical store visit. Available for popular platforms such as Google Play, Apple App Store, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, and Nintendo, these cards come in various denominations to suit every need. You can simply purchase a card online, receive the code instantly via email or message, and redeem it in seconds. This makes it ideal not only for personal use but also as a thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions. Unlike physical cards, digital versions never go out of stock and can be used immediately from the comfort of your home. Furthermore, they reduce the risks of fraud and theft since there’s no physical handling involved and transactions are encrypted and secure. more:بطاقات جينشين امباكت

Another great advantage of game and app digital cards is the financial control they provide. For parents, this is an excellent way to limit and manage how much their children spend on games or in-app purchases. It also allows gamers and app users to stay within budget without the risk of overspending through linked bank accounts. Additionally, many platforms offer special discounts or exclusive in-game content when using gift card credits. This makes the cards even more valuable for users who want to maximize their purchases. Moreover, they are an excellent tool for accessing international content, as many digital cards are region-specific and allow users to purchase games or apps not available in their local store by using a card from the corresponding region.

In summary, digital gift cards for games and apps have changed the way users interact with digital content. They offer fast access, enhanced security, controlled spending, and the freedom to explore a wide range of digital experiences. Whether you're a mobile gamer, a console enthusiast, or someone who enjoys premium app features, these cards provide a simple and effective solution to elevate your digital lifestyle. With just a few clicks, you can unlock content, send gifts, or manage purchases more efficiently than ever before. Explore the power of digital gift cards today and discover how they can simplify and enrich your digital entertainment experience. also:يلا لودو

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Tech that stuns + culture that slays — this trip was so worth it!

Just landed in China and instantly hit “shock mode”! Thought I’d get stuck at customs filling out forms, but nope—just a quick face scan + QR code, breezed through in 10 seconds. Didn’t even have time to snap a pic of the customs officer’s smile for my socials… Mad respect for this next-level tech!

Phone in hand, the world’s at your command Buying street food? Scan to pay. Taking the subway? Face scan to enter. Even the old guy selling candied hawthorns has a QR code. As a “cash refugee,” I was moved to tears… Heard China’s AI adoption rate is 56.3%—crushing the US and Japan. No wonder even grandpas in the village are livestreaming to sell blood oranges!

Film & games going global like a boss Theaters are packed! Ne Zha smashed the box office—uncle next to me was tearing up mid-movie: “These effects are better than our New Year’s dinner!” And then there’s Black Myth: Wukong—foreign gamers are begging for an English version. Chinese mythology + Unreal Engine = cultural export on god mode!

Gaming industry is savage, but Chinese style is forever The Winds Rise in the Last Days of Ming hit a million sales on Steam—its gut-wrenching plot had players crying and shouting “one more playthrough!” Chinese games are topping Japanese charts on Switch. Foreign gamers are baffled: “Chinese historical games feel more magical than our fantasy ones!”

Tradition with a twist: ancient meets modern In the old city of Tai’erzhuang, girls in Hanfu livestream lion dances on TikTok. In the Forbidden City’s gift shop, Gen Zs line up for “Emperor’s Coffee.” Best of all? A Cinderella stage play in Jining that mixes in Peking Opera vocals—kids yelling “Run, princess!” louder than the prince himself… Cultural mashup level: boss mode!

On my way out, a grandpa asked me via translation app: “So, young man—how’s China?” I gave a thumbs up: “Tech that slaps + culture that pops — double kill!” Already planning my next trip… just please, slow down with all the innovation—I don’t think my wallet (or my knees) can keep up!