#so i used the mouse to create everything

[dragonstakingflight]

shhh

[littlelovelunette]

Just To Keep You Safe

Psychotic!Jinx x Reader

I posted this by mistake without finishing, so... Here it is:

Murder, guns, blood, violence, homicide, g!p Jinx, breeding, blowjob, no protection, mentions of knocking reader up.

Word count: 2.3k . . .

TAGLIST: @alaraowo @wistfulrainstorm @colettespace @lovelystars-everett @alexismynon-binaryname @amitys-echo-mouse @bluefootedbooby @get62jinxed @jinxsprinc3ss

You and Jinx were very close friends from the start— bonding over both of your love for bombs and similarly. But your parents didn't like that. Given the economy in Zaun, there was no way you could rent a place all on your own, so living with your parents it was. Often whenever you escaped from the attic window and scaled the buildings with Jinx— you told her.

“I really hate how they don't want you to come over like a normal parent would support their child,” you complained in a huff, breath fogging in the air.

“Why don't you just get into a hideout like the rest of us?” Jinx asked with an eyeroll.

“I don't know.”

“Think ‘bout it, ‘s not that hard,” Jinx landed with a thump right beside you, staring at her own hideout. You both walked inside, side by side.

“I have a feeling even if I did wanna move out, my parents would throw a fit and cause a scene,” you sighed, “I just hate them so much.”

“Geez,” Jinx plopped onto the chair in front of her desk, moving a leg up, “They sound like a nightmare.”

“Trust me, they are,” you sat down at the edge of the desk.

“Hey, look on the bright side,” Jinx tried to cheer you up, “Maybe that keeps you safe from whatever horrid men are out there in the Undercity.”

“I'll never learn this way,” you pouted, looking at the ground. “I wish I was free.”

Jinx leaned back in her chair, eyes drifting to the ceiling as if searching for an answer there. “Freedom’s overrated,” she muttered, then glanced at you with a crooked smile. “But it does have its perks.”

You let out a small laugh, though it didn’t quite reach your eyes. “Like what? Eating moldy crackers and nearly getting shot?”

“Exactly!” she snorted. “And you forgot— setting off bombs and scaring the hell outta Pilties enforcers. That’s the best part.”

Your lips tugged into a slight grin. “I do like that part.”

Jinx’s smile softened just a little. “You’d be good out here, y’know. Away from them. You’re waaaaaaay smarter than you think.”

You looked at her, eyes meeting hers, something unspoken lingering there. “You think I could make it?” you asked, barely above a whisper.

Jinx didn’t hesitate. “I know you could. And if you ever wanted to try—” she tilted her head, her blue braids falling to one side, “—you wouldn’t be alone.”

Something fluttered in your chest, like hope trying to grow wings.

You nodded slowly. “Then maybe... maybe I’ll think about it.”

Jinx grinned. “Good, it's getting late for you, no?”

“We just got here,” you huffed a sigh again.

“Y'know your parents.”

Days passed in the same fashion. You'd sneak out during the night and spend pretty much hours in Jinx’s hideout— meddling with bombs and creating weapons. One morning when you were out at the market, you saw Jinx's favourite sweet treats and you just had to get them for her. When you returned to your parents’ apartment, you saw that they weren't home so you decided this was a sign you should go and hangout with Jinx until they got back.

“Wassup, toots?” Jinx wheeled around in her chair, grinning at you. Safety goggles on the top of her head.

“Hey,” you smiled back and held up the little package of the treats.

Jinx scrambled out of her chair and snatched it from you, “This is why I love ya’!”

You both settled in at her workbench, cross-legged on the cold metal floor with tools scattered around and the soft flicker of neon light washing everything in a pale blue glow. You unwrapped the package of treats, handing her one and keeping another for yourself.

“These are the best,” Jinx mumbled through a mouthful, crumbs sticking to the corner of her mouth. “You’re gonna spoil me.”

“You deserve it,” you said quietly, watching her enjoy the sugar rush with a grin.

“Damn right I do,” she laughed, tossing a wrench over her shoulder carelessly as she reached for another bite. You both munched in silence for a while, the hum of a nearby power conduit the only sound between you.

Eventually, your body began to relax against the floor, the warmth of Jinx’s hideout and the comfort of her presence lulling you into a daze. You leaned against the leg of the worktable, eyes fluttering shut before you could even think about heading home. Jinx looked over when she noticed your head slumping a little.

“Sleepy already, huh?” she muttered, a soft fondness in her voice.

She didn’t move you, just kept working, letting you rest. But something shifted. A spark in her mind, one of those flickers she couldn’t always control.

It started with a clatter. A tool knocked over too hard. Then another. Her breathing grew uneven, eyes darting from blueprint to blueprint. Mismatched thoughts spiraled in her head—memories, voices, ghosts that weren’t there. She started pacing, muttering to herself.

They’re watching. They’re always watching.

You stirred, a frown tugging at your face, but didn’t wake. Jinx was gone when you opened your eyes. The hideout was eerily quiet. Tools were still warm, but her chair was spinning slowly, empty. A few wrappers from the treats still sat on the desk.

You sat up quickly. “Jinx?”

No response.

Eventually you made your way back to your house, sighing. The door creaked open and you mumbled, “I'm home…” but then the stench of blood hit your nostrils. Your face scrunched in disgust as you made your way inside. “What's the smell?” You asked yourself.

You saw Jinx standing in the living room, her skinny body shaking and trembling. “Jinx, what happened?” You gasped and ran up to her, “Hey… what happened?” You repeated as you cupped her face, eyebrows furrowing as you took in her appearance. She was covered with blood.

Jinx shook her head.

“Nothing.” her voice trembled.

“Tell me, Jinx,” you said in a pleading tone.

“I said, nothing!” Jinx shivered and held her own elbows.

“Jinx.” you grabbed her shoulders, giving her a small shake, “Tell me, what did you do, I promise I won't be mad.”

“N-no,” she trembled.

“Jinx,” you said in a firm tone, “Please.”

“I'm sorry, I just didn't want them to cut your wings, and I know you're mad and please— please, I didn't want this to be like th-this—”

“Shhhhh,” you were shaking, your heart pounding. But you wanted to comfort her so you brought her into your chest. Jinx's thin arms wrapped around you and she allowed her head to rest on your chest, “I'm sorry,” she squeaked in a low voice.

“Shhhh, we'll get through this,” you muttered.

Jinx was conflicted, she hated herself for what she did but a part deep down in her knew she did you a favour. At least, now you wouldn't live in constant fear of your parents’ rules all the time. A huge weight was lifted off your shoulders but just as one problem was resolved— another was created.

The bodies. You and Jinx got rid of the bodies together, thank Janna Jinx always had access to corrosive chemicals so getting rid of the bodies was made easier. Slowly, with time you and Jinx started getting closer and spending more time as you moved into her hideout with her. The chaotic ball of energy was barely ever tired with having you around 24/7 now.

In fact, she loved it.

Although you and Jinx always slept in awkward positions, tired from long hours of terrorising Pilties— one morning, you woke up before her. She was still passed out in her work chair, leaned forward with her head on the desk, cheek sticking to the blueprint.

You giggled and looked down, eyes widening when you saw the outline of her morning wood. The bulge was big, making your mouth suddenly go so dry. You hadn't expected such a turn. You swallowed.

“Jinx…” you mumbled as you turned the chair so she was facing you. Jinx leaned back against the back of her chair, mouth a little open and drooling. She was still deep asleep. Her legs manspread, and her hard member was barely contained by her pants.

Your hands itched to free her length from the restrictions of her clothes but you needed to handle yourself. “Jinx,” you rubbed one of her thin thighs. Jinx's eyes opened a little, groggy gaze falling over your form— knelt on the ground in between her legs and staring at her with puppy eyes, your lips looked so perfect as if waiting to be kissed by hers and fuck, you seemed like you'd give the best head ever.

Jinx groaned, “Yeah, sweets?”

“Do you want me to take care of this?” You asked in a soft tone.

“Mhm…” she hummed groggily.

Your fingers hooked at the waistband of her pants, “Raise,” you whispered gently. Jinx raised her hips just enough so you could pull her pants down to her knees.

“Oh, wow, baby,” you rubbed her length and swiped your tongue over the top of her dick, precum coating your thumb from the action, “You're bigger than I'd imagined.”

“So you've imagined my dick?” Jinx smirked.

“That's not what I—” you sighed and leaned closer, your lips wrapping around the head of her cock before your mouth engulfed the thick shaft. Jinx gasped in a high-pitched voice.

“Jeez, sweets, you have such a warm, wet, perfect mouth,” Jinx teased and her manicured fingers laced through the silky locks of your hair, “Take it down that pretty throat,” she said.

You nodded a little, your hand shifting to hold onto her balls. You almost gagged when the tip of her pretty cock hit the back of your throat.

Your hands tightened your grip on her, “F-fuck,” Jinx grabbed your head harder and started rutting into your mouth.

You gasped and your both hands grabbed her thighs. You whimpered around her length as she bottomed out in your mouth, a thin white ring forming around your lips as you struggled to breath, your nostrils flared and tears built up at the corners of your eyes. You wanted to pleasure her but you also wanted to breathe. Your nails dug into the pale skin of her thighs, her balls grew tighter.

“I'm gonna cum, I'm gonna cum!” Jinx's head fell back against the back of her chair as she cried out loudly, “Oh Janna!”

You grinned around her cock, as her semen filled up your mouth. You swallowed her release before letting up slowly. You giggled, “You're still hard…”

Jinx's bulbous cock head breached your tiny opening, “Fuck, I haven't had sex in so long,” you whispered.

“Is that so?” Jinx giggled, “This should be fun,” she lowered you.

She was holding your thighs with her arms, easily having you hover over her hard length. You whimpered when the first few inches dipped inside, your walls clamped around her length needily as you grabbed her shoulders to steady yourself. Jinx let out a shuddering breath, mind filled with filthy thoughts of railing you raw.

“Oh, my goodness, Jinx,” you moaned as you rode her dick, feeling her twitch inside your needy, tight passage.

Jinx’s painted nails dug into the skin of your hips as she tried to guide you the best she could. Her mind was a mush, your tight pussy clenching around her fat, seeping cock was way too much for the other girl.

You were completely seated on her cock now, rolling your hips and feeling the tip of her huge length brushing against your cervix. “You're huge,” you said, voice shuddering in your throat.

“And you're tight,” Jinx groaned, running her nails down your thighs.

“This is only my second time getting dick,” you admitted, your hands curling in Jinx’s top.

“Oh? Still fresh meat?” Jinx gave you a crooked grin before she thrusted up almost desperately, chasing her own high, “Take it well then.”

You whimpered.

Jinx's grin twitched as her hips jerked up again, the wet slap of skin meeting skin echoing in the air between you. “You feel made for me,” she growled, eyes locked on the way you clenched around her with every bounce. Her grip on your hips tightened, guiding your movements with a pace that grew rougher, more desperate.

You moaned out loud as her cock rammed into you, filling you so deep it left you dizzy. “Jinx—fuck—feels so full,” you gasped, your voice hitching each time her tip kissed your cervix. Your legs trembled, barely keeping you up, but she held you steady, fucking up into you with reckless hunger.

“Yeah?” she huffed, sweat beading on her brow. “Bet your pussy’s just aching to be bred, huh?” Her words made your body tense and flutter around her, a raw whimper spilling from your lips. She chuckled darkly, sensing your reaction. “Oh, you like that?”

Your walls pulsed tighter in response, your head dropping forward onto her shoulder. “Y-Yeah,” you whispered shakily, “Want it... want you to fill me up...”

“Fuck,” Jinx cursed, her restraint snapping as she slammed up into you with brutal thrusts, using your body to take every inch of her. “You’re gonna make me lose it, baby, gonna fuck it all into you, make sure it takes.”

Your body arched, the pleasure white-hot, overwhelming. “Do it—Jinx, please—fill me—breed me—”

That broke her. She snarled against your skin, her hips jerking wildly as her cock twitched deep inside. With a broken growl, she buried herself to the hilt and came, warmth spilling into you in thick, heavy pulses. You moaned through it, feeling every gush flood your insides as she held you down, shaking beneath you.

Her voice was hoarse as she whispered against your ear, “That’s it... gonna knock you up nice and deep…”

You just shuddered and clung to her, your body boneless and wrecked, still twitching around her as her cock softened slowly, cum already leaking out around her.

Exhaustion took over you but you gave your lasts to melt in and kiss her eitherway.

[chaptersleftunwritten]

Darkest Desire

Based off of this nonnie request! It’s a bit scarier than intended and I do apologise for that teehee. There’s also no smut…

Blurb: With a group of friends you visit the local Halloween Scare walk, an event that is hosted annually out in the creepy plaines of Hawkins and whilst it’s masks on for the locals, it’s very much masks off for the scare actors…

Pairing: Scare Actor!Eddie x Reader

Warnings: 18+, the holiday of Halloween is mentioned, talk of blood/gore, faux blades/knives, cursing, reader is referred to as girl, use of pet names, degrading, praising, stalking (cat&mouse), sly/cocky and slightly mean!Eddie. Characters are all 20+

-

divider by @reveriesources

Crunchy dry blood orange leaves litter the earth and frost tainted wind nips at your nose and cheeks. The squeals of excited children racing by your costume clad frame fills your ears with immense joy and you giggle airily as they launch themselves into one another. Racing toward the brightly lit luminescent funfair games in hopes of winning a stuffed animal or a goldfish in a bag.

Their parents lug behind them, their attire consisting of some makeshift costume they had thrown together at the last minute in hopes of pleasing their tiny humans and earning themselves a quiet car ride without any tantrums or fuss.

Your group, on the other hand, weren’t here for the childish and conning games. You were all here for the Scare Walk.

You hadn’t agreed on a coherent group costume so it was a pick and mix of totally different genres and ideas and from an outside perspective it was abundantly clear that there was no communication on the matter whatsoever.

Steve was dressed as the main character from Nightmare On Elm Street, Freddy Kruger. Nancy clearly had helped with the makeup aspect of the costume assemble but everything else screamed Harrington. He cropped the stripped knitted jumper to better suit his athletic frame and his hair was still very much classic Steve.

Robin had taken a whole new approach, dressing up as the colourful Rubik’s Cube puzzle toy. Deriving inspiration from the colourful squares she wore a long black jumpsuit covered in humongous reflective and vibrant square sequins. She more resembled a neon glitter ball, but you gave her the benefit of the doubt.

Nancy’s body was hugged by a khaki green boiler suit that had the long legs cut off and on her back she wore a black backpack with some DIY altercations made to it. She has begged Mike to help her create her costume, and that’s how she ended up dressed as a Ghostbuster, putting a strong feminine spin on the male dominated film. You hadn’t expected anything less from Nance, she was always looking for ways to empower women and her costume made you smile. Proud.

Jonathan had chosen a much whackier costume to better fit with his personality. The pungent smell of weed radiating from his body only complimented the fluorescent green costume he was wearing and the radioactive orange bandana blindfolded over his eyes. He had opted for the beloved character from the children’s series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, Michelangelo. Which shouldn’t have surprised you— but it did.

And finally, you had chosen something distinctively different from your friends. You had made the bold choice to go as a flapper girl from the 1920’s, inspired by Fitzgeralds novel The Great Gatsby. It was a bold move because you paired the costume with kitten heels and although they were small you knew by the end of the night your feet would be crying out for rest. It is a Scare Walk after all. Your body was adorned by glitter and lace and the fringe of your dress tickled at the exposed skin of your legs.

It was a bit chilly tonight, but you were having too much of a ball to really hone in and pay attention to the sharp gusts of wind. Steve and Robin were arguing over whose costume was more original and whilst Robin’s was, Steve always somehow managed to argue himself into being ‘right’.

“Talk to me when you have hand sewn a bazillion sequins onto something and not just took a pair of shears to a ratty old sweater.” Robin remarks with a smirk, crossing her arms over her chest and marching ahead of Steve.

“Hey! I’ll have you know that it was surprisingly difficult to cut this thing into a straight line— and it isn’t ratty or old, I literally bought it like two days ago.” Steve fires back with a squinted gaze as he follows closely behind Robin’s reflective beacon of light that seems to lead us through the dimness. Nancy grumbles inwardly to herself.

“Can you two stop bickering like babies? We’re here to have fun! So let’s go and do that!” She hooks her arm with yours, charging forward, “I heard that some people from campus are working here this year. I don’t know what they’re doing but isn’t that exciting? We might bump into them!” You admired how Nancy could make a good situation out of everything, however you didn’t quite share her enthusiasm for meeting people you already knew. Nancy was all about making and strengthening connections whereas you wanted to just have fun— judgement free.

And now that you knew that your peers were watching your every move you couldn’t help but feel your confidence shrink slightly and your words clam up. Dying in your throat before they could ever be heard aloud.

-

The walk started off relatively slow and rather boring. You kept mistaking your dress tickling your calf’s as insects running up the skin of your legs and Robin would giggle at the way your head was constantly shooting downward.

“You seem awfully jittery— is someone scared already?” She taunts, wiggling her eyebrows at you and grinning widely as she did.

You scoff in response, “Please. I’m nearly dozing off back here.”

An eerie dark silence falls over the group and the golden haze from the spooky funfair starts to fade into the background behind you as you venture further and deeper into the doom and gloom of night fall.

The smell of sweet popcorn no longer lingers in the hairs of your nostrils and a sinister chill runs down the back of your spine; like fingers tickling your bare skin.

“Are we sure we are sticking to the trail? It’s getting pretty dark out here— OH MY FUCKING GOD!!” Two little girls dressed in bloody dresses and horrifying makeup charge toward you from a nearby hidden brush. Their eyes glow a disturbing shade of white and they hold faux knives that still look devilishly real. You stumble backwards, nearly collapsing from shock however before you could fall to the ground you feel a hard body hit your back which makes you scream out in terror.

The figure laughs at you, jeering and sharp as you whip around to meet him and your hand is quick to find your chest. Your fingers claw at the fabric of your dress and you fist the fabric with a shaky grip. You’re panting, struggling for breath and the skull painted face looms over you for a moment too long; cocking his head to the side as he examines your costume.

That’s when you realise something. Something that you immediately recognised as a dark secret. A dark desire that should be kept hidden.

As his onyx orbs gleam and glare down at you, you feel a wave of heat feather your cold skin. Your core pulses between your thighs and your mouth hangs open in dreadful clarity; you were fucking turned on by this.

His chiselled face is painted to resemble a bare skull. White with inky dark circles that deepen his eye sockets and his cheekbones are defined with thick blended shadowy lines. His lips are painted black to match his contours and he has hand drawn on a stretched toothy smile and an empty nose cavity.

He doesn’t speak a single word.

He just stares at you. Almost as if he is furious with you.

And before long he drags himself away from you, like the simple task is deemed painful and impossible for him.

His torso is dressed in a fitted white button down shirt which is rolled up to his elbows and it exposes his tattooed forearms. On his legs he wears a simple but professional pair of black trousers paired with black suspenders that sling over his shoulders. On his feet he has combat boots supporting his ankles and some sort of padded device strapped around the joint of his knees.

You gawk at him as he skates across the concrete on his knees at an alarmingly fast rate toward another group of poor people; leaving sparks of light in his dust as they squirm and scream. Some of them even go as far to sprint off into the darkness away from him; which leaves the masked man cackling darkly and running after them.

“Holy shit! I had no idea he would be working here this year!” Steve slaps the palm of his hand onto your shoulder as he chuckles heavily and you pull away from him confused and slightly annoyed.

“Who is ‘he’ and how do you know him?” Steve’s laughter dies out slowly and his hands come to rest on his hips. A stance that he did often. The rest of the gang come to join you with curious expressions on their faces.

“Seriously? You don’t recognise him?” There’s a pause as you shake your head ‘no’ and Steve rolls his amber eyes dramatically, “That’s Eddie Munson, dipshit. He’s always smoking weed out in the courtyard on campus? Playing with the fire from the benson burner during chemistry— is this ringing any bells?” You shrug, crossing your arms defensively over your chest.

Is Eddie Munson someone you should know about?

“He has long, curly hair— not better than mine but hey, it’s definitely up there.” Steve’s hand smooths over his slicked back hair that is thick with gel and you laugh, now being able to form an image of Eddie in your mind.

“Ohh, the metal head? He sometimes walks around with his guitar slung over his back?” You reply as you begin to walk off after realising that you have all come to a stand still— and partially because you want to see Eddie again.

“Yeah! He is wicked with a guitar! I’ve seen him play.” Robin chirps from your left and Nancy hums on your right.

“He is pretty good.” Jonathan speaks through a mouthful of candy and you try to disguise your disgust as you unfortunately get a glimpse of the food on his tongue.

“Right…” is all you quietly reply as your eyes scan the bluish darkness. You can hear an owl hooting off in the distance and if it weren’t for the jump scares waiting for you, you would find this promenade quite peaceful.

Crickets whisper conversations from the tall blades of grass and you can see lanterns dotted up ahead of you. They cast ghoulish shadows all around the dirt path and your head twitches from side to side— trying to catch any of the silhouettes moving.

But they don’t.

You have strayed further ahead of the group, their voices hitting your ears in the form of muffled sounds but you don’t bother to wait on them. They are too busy laughing and booing at some of the scare actors whereas your heart is still palpitating at a ridiculous rate from the last scare.

Some of the actors were so gruesomely scary that you felt transported into your favourite slasher films whereas the others were just looming and ominous— more human. Humans are the scariest creatures after all. You fear your own kind in opposition to the unknown.

That’s why when the familiar skull skates over to you on his knees, you freeze this time. No fight or flight; just freeze. Your mouth gaping wide as his nose nearly brushes yours.

“Eddie.” His name is a breathless squeeze from your lungs as it leaves your mouth. You have to say his name aloud in order to ground your thundering heart. Were you excited or frightened? Maybe it was a mixture of both.

Whatever it was, the man stood in front of you wasn’t best pleased. His eyes narrow into irritated slits and his fingers toy with a piece of your hair— twirling it before yanking on it playfully.

Steve, Nancy, Robin and Jonathan all sprint past you in urgency. They screaming until their throats run raw as a deranged man with a faux chainsaw chases after them. Hot on their heels.

You and Eddie go unnoticed by them… and now…

Now you feel afraid.

“Y’know you aren’t supposed to address the actors personally, right?” He sneers through a tight jaw.

“He speaks.” You quip back sassily and Eddie huffs a distorted laugh.

“I’ve seen you around campus— even prettier up close. It’s a shame your attitude ruins that.” He circles you like a shark in water and you follow him. Twirling around makes you dizzy but Eddie’s chuckle makes your dizzier.

“Like a little lost lamb.” He coos, “Where are your cronies? Seems they’ve ditched.” His glove clad knuckle grazes your cheek and you flinch away from his soft touch. Taking a few steps back you widen the close distance between the two of you.

This causes Eddie to grin hugely; showing all of his teeth as he did.

“What? Don’t tell me you’re scared now?” He prowls toward you however you are quick to match every one of his steps. He takes a stride forward? You take a step back.

“You could run away if you wanted… but that’ll only entice me more. Didn’t they tell you? I love the chase.” His voice is a low animalistic growl and you couldn’t understand if this was Eddie or his character talking to you. Was this all an act or was he genuinely this menacing?

“I thought you actors weren’t supposed to get this close to the public…” You hunch your shoulders upward toward your ears as you cower away from his stalky frame and he stares through you; the gears in his head turning.

You shift on the balls of your feet uncomfortably and your skin blazes beneath his intense gaze.

“You’re blushing.” He says matter of factly and suddenly you feel the need to straighten your posture and try to get as far from him as possible.

“I am not.” The lie is pathetic as it meets the frosted air and Eddie smiles eerily.

“It’s the makeup, isn’t it? You like the makeup.” His head strains back on his neck as he lets out a loud laugh, “Fuck— that’s pathetic. You must be into some really weird shit.”

“I- that’s absurd!! I have no idea what you’re talking about!” You squeal and slink your arms around your torso. Partially because you were cold but also to be protective and assertive of yourself, “You don’t even know me—“ Eddie interjects, his finger tapping impatiently against his painted lips.

“Shhhh.” You feel the soft grain of his leather gloves as they tickle your skin and Eddie’s hands fully embrace your bare shoulders, “It’s okay— I like your costume too, I suppose.” He shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly, “I mean, it’s a bit outdated and boring but hey, you look good.” He flashes you a teasing wink that is nearly enough to make your lungs implode with lack of oxygen.

“Goodbye, Munson.” You swivel on your kitten heels and briskly find the frozen dirt path again. Your head involuntarily looks over your shoulder, trying to catch sight of Eddie one last time as you leave him behind but to your total disadvantage the metal head was no longer standing where you had left him.

He too, had taken off.

And unbeknownst to you, you had just pressed play on one of Eddie Munson’s all time favourite games; Cat and mouse.

-

It was getting later and later with every passing second and you couldn’t find your friends anywhere. You had last seen them run off whilst laughing and screaming in total horror but you hadn’t seen them since.

Had they actually ditched you and went home?

Once the thought infiltrated your psyche you contemplated on cutting the scare walk short and heading back to the funfair to search for them. However, going back meant that you had to go alone and there was something devilish about that.

To your left, through a thick canvas of sweetgum trees you can hear the owl again. Hooting softly— a sound that should calm your nerves but instead it tugs on them viciously. It’s more like an emergency siren warning you. A sign for you to run and to never look back.

A man made whistle slices through the chirping of the birds and it cuts at your skin like the edge of a blade. You look left and right, frantically dancing in circles as you try to determine where it’s coming from; but you are met with nothingness.

“Eddie, if that’s you then cut it out! This isn’t funny!” Your fingernails pinch at your skin as you begin to walk panicked in the opposite direction. Never paying attention to what’s in front of you, your gaze always trailing off to the side and behind you.

That’s when you see him— the skull peering at you from a dark line of trees in the distance. Your feet come to a staggering stop as you eye him. Was your mind playing tricks on you? Was Eddie really staring back at you or were you deluding yourself?

You swallow thickly, your mouth dry as you watch him emerge from the greenery. Before your brain can compute what your body is doing you are running; charging into the fullness of the forest.

Tree branches whip and rip at your skin, causing it to redden and sting. You wince but you continue soldiering on, your shoulders barge through sticks and nettles and thorns.

Your mind had convinced you that this was real. That you were being chased by a psycho.

“Hey— hey, stop!! It’s okay! Wait—“ Eddie is close behind you, crunching twigs beneath his boots but you are quicker than he is; more frightened and resilient to get as far from him as possible. For your own safety.

“Sweetheart! Stop!” You can hear him getting frustrated as he trudges through the cluttered landscape but you can see lights shining in front of you, just up ahead, and it causes you to force your legs to quicken. Desperate to reach there.

But just before you explode onto the funfair grounds your legs give way beneath you and you crash to the ground. The palms of your hands scrape against the jagged forest floor and your dress rips against a spiked log. You thought this shit only happened in the movies— but tonight you were proven wrong.

You look behind you and your eyes well up with tears of both pure adrenaline and fear at Eddie propelling himself toward you.

You bring up your hands around your head to protect yourself as you shrink back onto the floor, over the fact that your hair is full of pine needles and your knees are scraped and bleeding.

Eddie crouches by your side, a deep frown on his face and worry in his eyes.

“Hey, sweet girl, you’re okay…” Eddie bites off his leather gloves and throws them to the soft earth. He is gentle to pry your cold hands away from your muddied face and he hisses quietly at the temperature of your skin compared to his. He examines the palms of your hands tenderly, “Ouch… this must hurt. What were you thinking?”

Your foolishness almost causes Eddie to laugh, but after witnessing the genuine anxiety plaguing your features he decides not to.

“It was too real.” You blubber, letting out a dampened sob and Eddie’s heart pangs with guilt and sorrow, “I couldn’t find anyone and… and I saw you and I just couldn’t think of anything else…”

“I’m sorry, love. C’mere, let me help you up.” Eddie is crouched down, his knees bent as he braces himself in front of your shaking frame. He outstretches his hands toward you and you take them hesitantly.

Thanks to Eddie’s strength he pulls your weak body up to meet his with ease and he hold you against his chest. Breathing softly as he tries to calm your laboured and nervous breaths.

“I really am sorry… it’s just me, ‘Kay? I’m not gonna hurt you. I promise.” He peppers comforting pecks into your hair and your nails claw at the back of his shirt, “It must’ve been pretty scary; being out there all alone with me.”

You nod, your mind finally calming at the sound of his lulling and gentle voice.

“I do like the makeup.” Your confession is meek and muffled against his chest, “I think there must be something wrong with me.” You laugh, managing to pull away his chest and look at him much more confidently now.

“Not at all,” Eddie grins, “I think it’s quite the opposite, actually. Very normal— it might even be considered vanilla to some people out there.” Although you have removed yourself from the skull painted man’s chest, the closeness between the both of you remains the same.

The truth was; Eddie had always admired you. Your intelligence and your cunning. You were beautiful, which was the cherry on top of your infectiously bright personality. He had noticed you at the beginning of the academic year and he was too chicken to talk to you. You both were connected through Steve but Steve never really paid attention to Eddie’s longing and begging looks toward you.

But Steve didn’t have to say anything. Not anymore. Because you could see it for yourself. You could see beneath the intricate paint on his face that Eddie felt something for you. You weren’t sure what it was; lust, a crush or plain friendship but you could see it. Feel it.

“You must think I’m a total freak.”

“You have no idea who you’re talking to, sweetheart. I am the biggest freak to have ever lived.” Eddie lets out a giddy chuckle and his hands continue to rest lightly around your body. You welcome his lingering touch and his nearness. It felt familiar. Nice.

“We both look like weirdos standing out here in the dark.” Your eyes scan around the auburn horizon of tall trees and a soft smile rests on your smudged lipstick covered lips, “People are going to think we’ve been up to no good.”

Eddie smiles, his hand coming to stroke your cheek gently and tuck some of your rouge hair behind your ear, “With how windswept your hair is, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

You both stand there, the air is clouded with electrifying tension and you can’t think of anything else other than how badly you want him to kiss you.

“I wanna take you out… on a date.” His hands cup your face, “When I’m not this caricature. I’ll just be me and you will be you. You won’t have to run from me…” His cold nose brushes the tip of yours, “I won’t have to chase you.” You can smell mint and nicotine on his breath and you have never been more intoxicated by anything in your entire life.

“What’d ya say, sweet girl? Let me take you somewhere nice so I can kiss you properly at the end of the night?” There is a slight desperation to his voice and you bite your lip to suppress a wide smile.

“I’d like you to chase me, Eddie. Chase me with daisies and a boombox and your guitar. You won’t have to run after me for long…” You are dangerously close to him now, your breath quickening as you press a chaste kiss to the corner of his mouth. It takes every ounce of self control not to eat his entire mouth with yours, “Take me anywhere. As long as it’s with you.”

“I will.” He promises.

“And kiss me at the end of the night?” You are desperate yourself now, your eyes sparkling with moonlight as you look up into his shadowy hues.

“I will.” He strokes your hair so delicately; like you are the most precious thing he has ever handled, “I promise.”

-

taglist: @colorful-white-ideas @littlered0000 @ali-r3n @daisy-munson @serenadingtigers @rainybloo28 @munson-enthusiast @godcreatoreli @littlefreckles4 @what-the-jams @tlclick73 @ameliapond1995 @thepurplelovewitch @somethingvicked @costellation-hunter @munsonzgf @emxxblog @ingridvasquez @sadbitchfangirl @im-julessssss @munsonburn3r @unclecrunkle @cierra222 @ziggeddie @yarafae @sidthedollface2 @kellsck @your-nightmaredoll @purplewitchcauldron @manitskatrina @georgeweasleyslostearhq

[team-frightfur]

<3

Anyway A+++++++ pic, made my night made my day, I think I wanna adopt him, son...., he's such a son, candy flavoured, trans coloured, cute...., smol...., lives on the edge..., better played with Lunalights give Isis the Fluffals.

[volimtem]

“You make me wanna slip off a new dress” ❀

♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟJuna by Clairo Inspired — Rec Listening!

Other songs: Bel Air & Freak Lana Del Rey + Often | The Weeknd

wc: 3.528k » sorry in advance it’s so long & it’s my 1st time writing smut ☻

It’s your anniversary.

It’s when we talk close enough, that I feel it on my skin

You were intertwined with your wife underneath the cotton comforter, feeling the warmth of the sun pouring on your skin through your blinds.

Nika created a trail of gentle kisses, each one lingering more than the last. Your giggles followed quickly after, the sound creasing an ear-to-ear smile to the Croatian.

“Are you awake baby?” She asked softly.

“Mhm.” You said groggily, the haze of your sleepiness still carrying over you.

“Y’know what day it is?” Another question asked by the brunette.

Why so many questions today? You’ve barely been able to register the words falling from the woman’s mouth due to your new-found consciousness. Then it clicked.

It’s your anniversary.

You couldn’t refrain the happiness that started to take over you. You shifted on your side to look at the woman, “It’s our anniversary baby.” you beamed. “That it is, my love.” The Croatian confirmed as her browns looked into yours, matching smiles plastered on your faces.

The two of you have come so far.

From meeting your junior year, her senior year. Watching her play in college games to pro-ball.

Attending annual Family trips & reunions.

Marrying young into your relationship at the ripe age of 26.

When you know, you know.

A fur baby and then two. Max and Vinnie had been added to the family by the end of that year.

Looking back on your life so far, it’s been perfect.

Any down, any sticks or rocks thrown at your relationship with Nika, you would endure time and time again with every fiber and bone in your body to do it with her than anyone else.

It’s your second year wedding anniversary.

“Can’t you believe it’s been 2 years since we were officially officiated as wives.” “That was almost a tongue twister.” Nika chuckled, as she turns away from you to stare at the ceiling, reminiscing.

“6 years since we’ve met each other.” You added on, admiring the woman next to you in concentration.

She tried to stifle a laugh as she looked back at you, bringing her head up to rest on her elevated palm. “You make us sound so old.”

“Well, I can’t wait to grow old with you Nika Mühl.” You teased, knowing the Croatian’s irrational fear of aging.

Nika grimaced, pointing her finger in her open mouth, childishly imitating throwing up. “Well I admire your patience Y/N Mühl, because that’s never happening.”

“Yeah, yeah. So what’s the plan today, lover?” You said, your head resting on the pillow.

Neither of you were ready, at the looks of it— doing anything at all seemed very far from your agendas.

“Go look in the kitchen mišiću.” (little mouse) She ushered you.

You quirked a brow.

*How did this girl always have something up her sleeve?*

If you knew any better, Nika had been sleeping with you the whole time.

You walked into the open kitchen, seeing an enticing brunch set up on your dining table and a presentation of photos bordering your island.

Victor you actually did this?!

Your hands found its way over your agape lips in awed disbelief.

Nika found a way to out stand herself in more ways than one every year.

The first year she threw a surprise party in the women’s basketball dorms and decorated your bedroom.

The second was surprising you in-person, when you two were facing long distance.

The third was your proposal surrounded by your loved ones. 💌§ save the date | 6/14

The fourth being your wedding.

The fifth was spent away in a cozy cabin.

Now this. Imagine how birthdays felt for you.

You hummed softly as you slowly walked around the island, looking at the arrangement of clipped Polaroids, taking in the moment. “Nika. Gosh, you know how to make everything so sentimental.” You complimented her, it was honestly a blessing and a curse to your emotional stability.

She hadn’t even realized your affirming words, lost in her admirance for you.

She studied each breath and step you took, the way your eyelashes batted and how you took in your lip with your teeth in concentration.

Nika came up from behind you and wrapped her arms around your waist, swaying. You smiled as she placed a longing kiss on your neck.

“How long have you had this for?” Your question prying her attention away, referring to the pages of pictures in the photo book she had made.

“I started it a few months ago.” She shrugged.

“A few months?! You were able to keep this away from me for that long?” You were almost offended, but it made the gesture even more meaningful.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it Nika. I love this, everything about this. Everything about you, I’m so lucky.” You expressed your infatuation for the woman, positioning yourself to face her, chest-to-chest.

She picked you up by your hips and moved the photo book out of the way to place you on the island countertop, your arms and her cold hands on your waist supporting you.

“I love you muñeca.” She said in a hushed tone.

You bit your lip at the sound of the petname you often called her, laced with her Croatian accent .

A plethora of brunch foods were sitting on the table, but the brunettes were in the mood for something sweeter.

Nika’s hands were imprinting your thigh as she took in your bottom lip, making you wince.

Your arms were growing weak as the woman used her body to press against you further.

“Do you feel special?” She asked in between chaste kisses on your neck, alternating between biting and soothing.

You nodded, your brain too blurred to think of words.

Nika pulled back, holding you by your jaw, “Do you feel special?” She repeated.

“Yes baby I do.” You responded with an affirmative nod, looking in her lustful eyes.

She bit down on your collarbone, getting handsy below your waist. Her fiery touch developed nervous butterflies in your stomach.

You could only let out elicit moans, driving the Croatians desire even more.

“Stop teasing me.” You whined, getting impatient.

“You want me to get to the point?” She husked with a small smile as she massaged your inner thigh.

“Yes, please, I can’t take it anymore Niks..” you said through your huffs.

“Which way do you want to go about this?” She asked you considerately, bringing your face to hers.

She latched onto your earlobe, sucking the soft flesh, aiding as her distraction while she let you think on it.

You blushed, kind of embarrassed to tell the woman what you wanted.

The two options were to have her tongue fuck you or finger fuck you.

The Croatian looked good doing both.

“Make up your mind anðele, or I will for you.” She warned, her vibrations shivering your spine.

“I want you to…” you paused to bite your lip as you felt her suck on your skin.

“You want me to what?”

“I want you to eat me out.” You finished sternly.

She continued to create hickeys until she reached your chin.

She bit her lip as she looked at you, excited on how she was gonna play with you next.

“I’m gonna start slow for you anðele .”

She started to tease around the band of your boy shorts.

The Croat was in no rush.

She took off your shorts and began to spread your legs.

She bent down and started placing wet kisses on your inner thighs, biting your lips and soothing with her tongue.

Your legs tensed and shook with the subtle fleeting touches.

“Fuck.” You exhaled out. “Please baby. Please.” You begged.

Her ears perked up, she decided she was going to stop teasing you.

“Shh. Baby, you’ll get what you want.”

She took in one of your folds with her lips and started lapping around with her tongue.

“Oh fuck.” You groaned out.

“Is this what you wanted ljubavi?” She asked you.

She gave your clit some attention, but she wanted to drag this out as long as possible, wanting to see how long you could last.

She went under your shirt with one of her hands to play with your nipples, giving you two forms of stimulus.

“Oh my God, Nika.” You whimpered. “You do it so well.” You praised her. “I love you.”

You were so close.

“Baby, please let me come.” You begged her, in which she ignored you.

To slightly relieve your urge, you rode on her face. She obliged and held you up by your hips as she aligned her rhythm of her tongue to your hip bucking. The woman losing her breath to the intensity.

“Holy shit! I can’t fucking take this.” You cried out as you were grinding on the girl, your head falling back.

Her nose was hitting your clit so well. “Oh fuck baby you feel so good.” You praised her as her tongue was inserting in and out of your walls. “Just like that.” You whispered.

Your thighs squeezed the girls head, “Nika! Fuck! Yeah, that’s it. Oh my god.” You hit your climax with a series of profanities and moans.

Nika cleaned you up well, your legs shaking a bit from her tongue around your sensitive folds.

She came back up to your face, holding your cheeks by her hands.

She kissed you, tasting yourself on her lips.

With you there’s no pretending §

You were too limp to say anything.

“You’re welcome. Happy Anniversary to my mišiću.” The cocky point guard didn’t need to be verbally affirmed to know she performed well, your body language spoke a thousand words.

She shuffled your boy shorts up for you, patting your hips twice.

“Hungry babe? Tons of food.”

Come to think of it, you were hungry.

You needed to reenergize yourself somehow.

You fixed a plate for the Croat,

“How’d you even set this up babe?” questioning the mysterious ways of the woman.

“You never ask a chef their secret recipe” She sassed.

You rolled your eyes at the brunette, letting her have this one.

You two shared blissful conversations, feeding eachother, the ambience so light and playful. Days like these made you crush on her hard, feeling shy when she’d throw a compliment, let alone being in her presence. The intimacy in these moments were ones that were priceless.

— Early Evening.

After someday spent at the Pike Place Market and visiting some Seattle hidden gems, you two came back to your shared flat.

Nika reserved a dinner for the both of you at fine-dine restaurant 7:00 pm and you were getting ready with her in the bathroom.

“Mišiću I got you something.” Nika whispered in your ear.

“You always do.” You rolled your eyes.

“Be quiet, y’know you love it.” She smiled. “Stay here.” She told you as she retreated.

You heard her footsteps appear and then felt cold metal touch your skin. Nika placed the iced chain on your neck, the pendant an ‘N’.

You looked at the resting chain in the mirror, “It’s beautiful muñeca.” you said softly.

Your eyes shifted to the Croatians, hers already on you.

She kissed you along your neck.

“That’s not all.” She said.

“Hm?” You inquired.

She patted your hip twice, gesturing you to follow her.

She opened the door to the bedroom, a beautiful deep red dress hanging above the closet door.

Your jaw fell, but before you could say anything, Nika signaled you to put it on.

“Go ahead mišiću.” She nudged you, pushing you forward by your mid-back.

You grabbed the dress by its hanger, a sharp gasp released from your mouth as you found the matching lingerie set behind it.

Nika was smirking, watching the scene unfold.

“sviđa li ti se beba?”

The foreign words that escaped her lips made you shiver.

To no avail, Nika walked towards you until her front was pressed against you.

“I said, did you like it?” She repeated, a smile lingering.

“I like it.. but there’s just one problem.” You feigned distaste.

The Croatian scrunched her eyebrows, what possibly could you not like about it?

“Pobogu, molim te” she sighed. “What’s wrong?”

You turned to her, wrapping your arms around her neck. You leaned into her ear, “I would love it better if you took it off me.”

You make me wanna slip off a new dress §

The brunette chuckled out of relief, “ne šali se sa mnom Y/N. I almost had a heart attack.” She pulled you into her complete view, pressing her nose against yours with closed eyes.

“Go put on that dress for me, sexy.” She told you softly, her accent peeking out.

You walked into the bathroom when she signaled you to change with her two pats to your hip.

You admired yourself in the mirror. Everything was put together, the shade of Muave complimenting your skin complexion, the icy chain sitting perfectly along your collarbone, and your lingerie under your dress waiting to be taken off.

You walked back into the bedroom with Nika sitting at the edge of the bed waiting.

“How do I look?” Your question catching her attention.

Her jaw dropped, her vision even better than she imagined.

She massaged her jaw as she took in your look, proud of her fashion taste.

“You look so fucking good baby, fuck.” You complimented her.

You giggled, feeling overwhelmed with flattery.

Your confidence was over the roof.

“Stop.” You whined out.

“I’m so serious baby.” She said in almost a growl.

She stood up, walking towards you to corner you into the wall.

She wasted no time in pressing herself against you, one hand prepping your leg on her hip and the other playing with your hair.

She took in your lips hard, a groan slipping out from both of you.

“Mm, baby, this can’t really be over a dress.” You said in rigid breaths.

The player didn’t want to hear it, “Shut up.” as she bit down on your bottom lip, releasing another groan from you.

You sucked on her top lip, feeling them swell and bruise.

Nika’s pulled back in eagerness to breathe.

You took this as your chance to gain a bit of control as you supported her head with your hand and swiped your tongue across her neck.

She whimpered as you marked her up, she couldn’t take it anymore, feeling her chest fall and rise against yours.

“Stop, stop.. Y/N.” She asked, finding herself to caught up in this daze you washed over her.

“Why?” You redirected, having too much fun with having Nika right where you wanted her.

You used a freehand to play with her breast, focusing on teasing her nipple.

She moaned from the overstimulation, “Fuck. I can’t. I’m supposed to be making you feel good.”

“Hm. Make me change my mind, ‘cause I’m enjoying this a little too much baby. You thought I could resist? You don’t even have your bra on.” You snickered.

Your teeth grazed her skin, your tongue slipping out as you moved across her jawline.

You pulled her chin to you, looking into her eyes, “I love you.”

“I love you more. Please let me touch you baby.” She begged.

You ignored the girls plea. “Take your shirt off.”

“What?” She said, taken aback.

“This. Take it off.” You demanded.

“No. Let me make you feel good ljubavi.” She denied.

“You will, by taking this off.” You retorted.

You played with the brim of her shirt and folded it over her.

You bit your lip at the sight of the half naked girl under you.

“Let me have my fun muñeca.” You said, more-so as a warning than a request.

Nika’s covered her upper face with her arm, bracing herself, like the dramatic woman she was.

You took in a nipple of hers, your tongue swirling over her bud.

Her torso lifted up in response, letting out a few moans as you continued your work.

You pressed down on her abdomen to hold her down as you straddled her, your thigh peeking through your slit.

Nika’s hands slithered their way to the start of your slit, trying to distract you from satisfying the girl.

You grabbed her hand and pinned it above the girl.

“Not right now.” You husked.

She smirked at your dominance, taking notice of how good the icy chain with her initial looked hovering above her.

“You look sexy with my brand over you beba.” She commented.

You smiled, having the desire to satisfy her. You continue your nipple play, your free hand snaking their way under her pants.

It didn’t take you long to provoke the vocal range of the Croatian as your fingers rubbed through her slick folds, inserting two.

“Fuck, fuck. Jebo te!” She yelled out as she gripped to the sheets beneath her.

“Sigue con tu voz muñequita, eres como una canción” You encouraged her as you curled your fingers in her walls at a steady pace.

The Croatian fixed her rhythm onto your fingers, grinding. She huffed out as she was building closer to her climax.

“You’re almost there for me baby. Solo sigue voz a me, morena.”

The brunette’s head fell to the pillow as her band snapped, reaching her orgasm. Strands of hair clinged to her sweaty face.

“Fucking shit.” She huffed.

“I fucking can’t.”

You continued fingering the girl as you licked her juices in effort to clean her up as she finished out her high.

You pressed against another spot, having her groan out in a second orgasm.

“Oh my fucking God, that felt so good baby.” She chuckled, feeling lightheaded.

“Just giving my wife what she deserves for treating me so well.” You cheesed as you place a kiss on her lips, then plastering kisses across her cheeks.

The adrenaline that was pursing through Nika gave her the desire to pleasure you 10x better.

She grabbed you by your waist, flipping you onto your back.

“Ugh this pretty dress has go to go.” She sighed.

She carefully took off each strap, shimmying it down your body, displaying the beautiful bold red lingerie set.

Red was her favorite color on you, clearly.

“What?” You asked, noticing the girl starting at you for a few moments.

“You know I’m just looking at you because you look so beautiful, anđele.” She chuckled as she tucked a fray hair strand behind your ear. “You just want to hear me compliment you.” She added on.

“And so what?” You sassed.

“And I’ll do it for you. Drop the attitude.” She raised her eyebrow.

You blushed, “Yes ma’am.”

She draped your leg over her shoulder, angling the spread of your other leg.

You felt your heart racing.

“I’m gonna make you feel so good beba.” She husked.

She aligned her pussy with yours, feeling your wet slick through your thong. She groaned, “Oh fuck. You’re already so fucking wet baby.” She shuddered as she started to pace herself, rubbing your lips together.

Your cheeks reddened, not sure whether it came from slight embarrassment, pride, or the

circumstances you were in. Most likely all the above.

“Don’t be ashamed baby. This is all for me. I like that.” She affirmed you as her movement became more sporadic.

You moaned at her words of affirmation.

“Closer.” You said.

You pulled in the woman, her bare chest against yours as she continued to grind against you. The close proximity intensified the experience as you two released a series of ecstatic moans.

You felt yourselves shake against each other as the pace escalated.

“Holy fucking shit Nika, I’m gonna come. Fuck.”

You told her.

She slowed down, wanting to drag this out longer like she usually did.

“Okay baby.” She exasperated.

She stopped her scissoring and started massaging your breasts as she gave attention to your neck. Feeling her wet kisses made your eyes roll to the back of your head.

“Like that baby.” You praised her.

She went back to scissoring against you, starting slow.

It was agonizingly slow, your nails finding her bare back, marking them up with scratches.

“I fucking can’t, Nika.” You groaned.

“Please make me come.” You begged her. “Please.”

“You’ve been such a good girl for me, I guess you’ll get what you want muñeca.” She confirmed, as you placed a kiss on her cheek before picking up the pace in speed.

She rested her forehead against yours, feeling her heavy breaths hit your skin as her pussy rammed into yours.

This was a new found of arousal as your clits found the sensation against your sensitive flesh.

Nika pinned down your thighs as you shook into your orgasm, Nika finding her climax at the same time.

She grabbed your head to press against as you two quietly basked the intimate moment.

You two fell back, facing the ceiling with heaving breaths.

“Happy Anniversary Mišiću.” Nika said.

You shifted to your side and place a lingering kiss on your wife’s cheek.

“Happy Anniversary my love.”

“Let’s get to that dinner yeah? Put on your dress.”

[commodorez]

Start Me Up: 30 years of Windows 95 - @commodorez and @ms-dos5

Okay, last batch of photos from our exhibit, and I wanted to highlight a few details because so much planning and preparation went into making this the ultimate Windows 95 exhibit. And now you all have to hear about it.

You'll note software boxes from both major versions of Windows 95 RTM (Release To Manufacturing, the original version from August 24, 1995): the standalone version "for PCs without Windows", and the Upgrade version "for users of Windows". We used both versions when setting up the machines you see here to show the variety of install types people performed. My grandpa's original set of install floppies was displayed in a little shadowbox, next to a CD version, and a TI 486DX2-66 microprocessor emblazoned with "Designed for Microsoft Windows 95".

The machines on display, from left to right include:

Chicago Beta 73g on a custom Pentium 1 baby AT tower

Windows 95 RTM on an AST Bravo LC 4/66d desktop

Windows 95 RTM on a (broken) Compaq LTE Elite 4/75cx laptop

Windows 95 OSR 1 on an Intertel Pentium 1 tower

Windows 95 OSR 1 on a VTEL Pentium 1 desktop

Windows 95 OSR 2 on a Toshiba Satellite T1960CT laptop

Windows 95 OSR 2 on a Toshiba Libretto 70CT subnotebook

Windows 95 OSR 2 on an IBM Thinkpad 760E laptop

Windows 95 OSR 2.5 on a custom Pentium II tower (Vega)

That's alot of machines that had to be prepared for the exhibit, so for all of them to work (minus the Compaq) was a relief. Something about the trip to NJ rendered the Compaq unstable, and it refused to boot consistently. I have no idea what happened because it failed in like 5 different steps of the process.

The SMC TigerHub TP6 nestled between the Intertel and VTEL served as the network backbone for the exhibit, allowing 6 machines to be connected over twisted pair with all the multicolored network cables. However, problems with PCMCIA drivers on the Thinkpad, and the Compaq being on the blink meant only 5 machines were networked. Vega was sporting a CanoScan FS2710 film scanner connected via SCSI, which I demonstrated like 9 times over the course of the weekend -- including to LGR!

Game controllers were attached to computers where possible, and everything with a sound card had a set of era-appropriate speakers. We even picked out a slew of mid-90s mouse pads, some of which were specifically Windows 95 themed. We had Zip disks, floppy disks, CDs full of software, and basically no extra room on the tables. Almost every machine had a different screensaver, desktop wallpaper, sound scheme, and UI theme, showing just how much was user customizable.

@ms-dos5 made a point to have a variety of versions of Microsoft Office products on the machines present, meaning we had everything from stand-alone copies of Word 95 and Excel 95, thru complete MS Office 95 packages (standard & professional), MS Office 97 (standard & professional), Publisher, Frontpage, & Encarta.

We brought a bunch of important books about 95 too:

The Windows Interface Guidelines for Software Design

Microsoft Windows 95 Resource Kit

Hardware Design Guide for Windows 95

Inside Windows 95 by Adrian King

Just off to the right, stacked on top of some boxes was an Epson LX-300+II dot matrix printer, which we used to create all of the decorative banners, and the computer description cards next to each machine. Fun fact -- those were designed to mimic the format and style of 95's printer test page! We also printed off drawings for a number of visitors, and ended up having more paper jams with the tractor feed mechanism than we had Blue Screen of Death instances.

In fact, we only had 3 BSOD's total, all weekend, one of which was expected, and another was intentional on the part of an attendee.

We also had one guy install some shovelware/garbageware on the AST, which caused all sorts of errors, that was funny!

Thanks for coming along on this ride, both @ms-dos5 and I appreciate everyone taking the time to enjoy our exhibit.

It's now safe to turn off your computer.

VCF East XX

[nyoomerr]

Luo Binghe Shimeji (Extended Version!)

a couple years ago, riladoo created an adorable binghe shime! he could be picked up and tossed around your computer screens, climb around on all your windows, multiply, and all the other cute things that come in the standard base shimeji set.

more recently, i reached out to riladoo with a commission request - more action sets for binghe! over the past couple months, riladoo has worked hard to make some adorable binghe art, and i've updated all the source code and config files to accommodate the new actions! 🎉

the extended action set includes: - a 'sit and eat' idle action - two 'head patting' actions when the mouse hovers over him - a 'fall and cry' action for when he falls from tall heights - a 'land nicely' action for when you place him down gently

the original binghe shime listing on riladoo's gumroad has been updated to have all these new actions, so go grab him now!! he's free / pay what you want! 🥰

i've put more details about the new action sets + general shimeji setup tips below the cut, but otherwise -- LET THE BINGHE COMPUTER INFECTION COMMENCE !!

**these extended actions only work on windows, not mac. sorry ;w; the original shime set has a mac version, though!

Extended Action Set Details

when you download the files from riladoo, you're looking for the .zip file labeled "Updated Shime code" !

sit and eat this is an idle action that will trigger randomly the same as any other idle action. if you want to trigger it manually, you can right click the shime -> 'set behavior' -> 'sit and eat'

head pats these are 'stay' actions that will trigger automatically when you hover your mouse over the shime. i recommend hovering your mouse over his head for maximum head-pat-effectiveness! unfortunately, this action won't play if the shime is actively climbing a wall/ceiling - maybe in the future this can be extended further, but for now there are only head patting actions for sitting and standing poses :>

falling variations (crying / default / land nicely) there are now a total of 3 'falling' actions. to see the 'fall and cry' action, allow binghe to fall from the top half of your monitor. to see the standard/original 'fall and trip' action, allow binghe to fall from the low-mid range portion of your monitor. to see the 'land nicely' action, gently place binghe down at the bottom of your monitor. this means you're rewarded for catching binghe when he falls off a window - if you catch him and set him down, he lands nicely, but if you let him fall normally, he'll start crying!! 🥰

Shimeji Installation Tips

if you've never had a shimeji before - don't worry, they're super easy to install! i recommend following this video tutorial created by the person who originally created the source code for shimeji. you can skip the parts about downloading the shimeji itself - you'll get that from riladoo's website :>

if you install everything but opening the shimeji executable does nothing, download jarfix to resolve this issue.

if you follow the tutorial and update the 'interactive windows' but the shime still doesn't stand/climb on the specified windows, restart your computer to resolve this issue. alternatively, make sure you don't have any 'unexpected' monitors plugged in - a friend of mine had their shime constantly falling down through their monitor onto their screen drawpad, which was confusing until it got figured out!

if you are on mac instead of windows.... i am so sorry i actually have no idea how to help 🙇‍♂️ the original/default binghe shimeji set DOES have a mac os folder in with the downloads, but i've never tested it (don't use mac), and even if it works, it won't include the extended actions (i didn't build an executable for mac with the new code).

More Questions???

feel free to hit me up! in the replies of this post / through DMs / send an ask - whatever is best for you. i'll tag any asks i get about the shime with #binghe shime chronicles so they get archived nicely. i got very familiar with all the source code / config files to get this lil guy set up with his extended actions, so hopefully i can answer any questions you have! 💪😤

that's all!! i am so happy w how the new actions turned out - the art riladoo did for them is SO cute! - and i hope y'all will be, too!

[vanteguccir]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤYOU MAKE LOVING FUN * MATT STURNIOLO

SUMMARY　::　where the sun inside Matt fell in love with the moon inside Y/N; OR, 4 moments between sunshine Matt and grumpy Y/N.

FEATURING　Matt Sturniolo x reader　REQUESTED?　yes.

WARNINGS　::　mentions of blood and pain.

AUTHOR'S NOTE　::　that is my work, I DON'T authorize any form of plagiarism; copy, "inspiration" or translation! | english isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

Y/N has always been known for her serious expression and sarcastic humor. She had a cynical view of the world and seemed to find fault with almost everything around her. On the other hand, Matt was the complete opposite. His smile was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, brightening up any room with his contagious positivity. It was as if he was determined to find the good in everything, no matter how dark it was.

The two were in the same class together at Boston high school, part of the same group of friends, which meant they did a lot of group work together, and it was precisely there where their contrasting personalities often collided. Y/N was meticulous and perfectionist in her work, while Matt preferred to approach topics with a more relaxed and laid-back attitude. This often put them at odds, but it also created an interesting dynamic.

One afternoon, during a school work meeting at the triplets' house, Y/N was particularly grumpy. She had faced a series of setbacks in her home and was on the verge of exploding. Matt, as always, tried to cheer her up with his light humor and unwavering optimism.

"You should relax a little." Matt murmured with a smile as his right hand worked quickly with his computer mouse, putting together the perfect slide for the presentation that would take place the next day, using Nick and Alahna's notes and research. "Not everything has to be so serious all the time."

Y/N rolled her eyes from her spot on the edge of Matt's bed, pushing the notebook that rested on her thighs roughly, feeling frustrated with his persistent attempt to lift her spirits. She knew he was just trying to help, but at that moment, all she wanted was some peace and quiet.

However, something inside her changed when she lifted her gaze to Matt's smiling face, who was still holding the mouse as he watched her from the corner of his eye. In that moment, the girl saw beyond the surface, beyond the facade of constant happiness. She saw the genuine kindness in his eyes, the compassion in his smile. And for the first time, something inside her crumbled, breaking the wall that had held firm for so many years.

A small smile began to form on Y/N's lips, almost imperceptible, but still present. It was a smile that lit up her entire face in a way never seen before and made her eyes shine with an inner light that had long been dormant.

Matt was surprised to see Y/N smiling, abandoning his task instantly and turning his face completely towards her, trying to make sure he was actually seeing that. It was as if he had witnessed something sacred, something few were lucky enough to see - maybe only him. The brunette was speechless, simply admiring the sight before him.

"What?" Y/N asked, noticing the look of shock on Matt's face, her smile fading almost automatically, giving way to her usual frown.

"It's just…" Matt began, struggling to find the right words. "It's the first time I've seen you actually smiling. And it's so pretty."

Y/N felt shy by the compliment but also inexplicably happy. She had never realized how her smile could affect someone so deeply, especially someone like Matt, who radiated joy wherever he went.

"You should smile more-"

"Shut up."

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

The night was calm when Matt returned from his hockey practice, but the mood inside the triplets' house was far from peaceful. He walked through his bedroom door with his shoulders hunched and his face pale, showing the anguish that consumed him inside and out.

Y/N, who was sitting on his bed reading a book while she waited for him - a habit created between them, and which his parents and brothers adored - looked up when hearing the door open. Upon seeing Matt, she immediately noticed something was wrong. Her heart sank while witnessing the boy's low stance.

"Matt? Hey, what happened?" She asked, setting the book aside and quickly standing up from her previous seat, walking towards him with a frown decorating her face.

Matt didn't respond right away. Instead, he broke down when his ears finally heard the voice he had waited for so many hours, tears flowing freely down his face. He was shaking, struggling to control his emotions as the weight of his feelings enveloped him like a dense fog.

"Hey pretty boy, breathe." Y/N ordered, pulling him into an awkward but loving hug. "It's okay. Just breathe."

Matt sniffed, trying to regain control of himself. He took a few deep breaths, following her instructions, before finally finding the voice to speak.

"It was at hockey practice." The brunette began, his voice wavering with crying and raw emotions. "One of the guys on the team... he said some horrible things to me about my performance, and I-" A sob interrupted his speech, his blue eyes closing tightly in an attempt to hold in the ugly sounds.

Y/N slowly pulled away, snaking her right hand from his bicep to his head, cupping his cheek gently, looking at his face for the first time that afternoon, her movements stopping suddenly.

The girl felt a wave of anger bubbling up inside her as she saw her boyfriend's face swollen and stained with blood in strategic spots, clearly having been punched by someone else. She clenched her left fist tightly, causing her fingers to take in a pale hue, her eyes flashing with contained fury as her chest tightened with the anguish she felt emanating from Matt's body.

"Who was it?" Y/N's firm and determined voice echoed through the room like thunder as her right hand gently turned his face from side to side, her hard eyes running over his injured skin. "Who said those things to you? No, even better. Who did this to you? I'll finish him off, I swear."

Matt's eyes widened instantly, surprised by her reaction. He knew Y/N could be tough when needed - all the time - but seeing her so determined to protect him left him speechless.

His cheeks took on a reddish hue, disguised by the blood and redness caused by crying, his lips pressed together in an attempt to contain a smile while his heart accelerated involuntarily, a small wince escaping his throat with the movement of his mouth.

"I'm fine, baby-"

"You're not, and after I'm done with whoever did this to you, he won't be fine either." Y/N interrupted him rudely, raising her eyebrows in an act of confrontation, as if she was confronting him to continue the lie.

"It's okay, sunshine. Just let it go. Please?" Matt's warm tongue escaped his lips, wetting them, while his blue eyes seemed to beg her to forget about the guy and focus on himself.

"Alright." The girl let out a loud, angry sigh, rolling her eyes as she stroked his blood-stained cheek gently. "Come on, let's take care of this."

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

The restaurant was busy that night, with lively conversation and laughter echoing off the walls. Y/N was sitting at a table next to Matt and his brothers, trying to enjoy the meal despite the crowd around them. However, her already dark mood was about to deepen even further.

As Y/N cut into her steak with an air of concentration, she noticed a man at the next table out of the corner of her eyes. He looked arrogant, a smug smile playing on his lips as he said horrible things about a girl to his table-mates. But it was when he looked in Y/N's direction that she felt a chill run down her spine.

Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Y/N felt a wave of discomfort spread through her. She couldn't explain why, but something about that guy made her nervous, his arrogant and sexist comments causing her body to scream, almost begging for her to do something.

Matt noticed the subtle change in Y/N's expression and followed her gaze to the next table, running his blue eyes over the unknown man's figure. He frowned, confused by the sudden intensity of Y/N's gaze, practically feeling her fury emanating from her body.

"What's wrong, beautiful?" Matt asked in an almost imperceptible whisper, leaning towards her and bringing his mouth closer to her ear, keeping his eyes on the table next to them. "Why don't we like him?"

Y/N blinked, surprised by Matt's direct question. She turned her head towards him slowly, frowning and running her eyes over his curious and playful expression, their noses almost touching with their proximity.

"You're so annoying, do you know that?" The girl asked in a cynical tone, raising her right eyebrow as she assessed him with her eyes.

"But you still love me." Matt replied quickly, as if he already had the answer on the tip of his tongue. A smirk grew on his lips as he draped his right arm over the back of the wooden chair his girlfriend sat on, caressing the skin of her exposed shoulder with his fingertips gently.

"Doesn't make you less annoying."

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

Y/N was busy in the kitchen of the large room in her house that she shared with the triplets, preparing a special meal to welcome the boys' parents, Jimmy and Mary Lou, who were about to arrive for a visit in Los Angeles. She was determined to impress them with her cooking skills and make the couple's first day in the bustling city worth it.

While stirring a pan of sauce, Y/N heard footsteps approaching and soon Matt's figure left the small hall that led to their room and entered the kitchen with a beaming smile on his face, his feet taking him closer to his girl almost automatically.

"Hi sunshine, need help?" He asked, stepping forward to grab an apron and approach the stove, his blue eyes darting over all the ingredients laid out as his brain tried to process what she was making.

Y/N looked up at him, her face hardened with concentration as her right hand never stopped moving the spoon.

"No, thank you." The girl responded quickly, shaking her head and returning her gaze to the sauce below her. "I can do this on my own."

Matt frowned, ignoring her answer and rescuing a steak knife from the cutlery drawer, extending his free hand towards the still raw meat, ready to cut it into ideal sizes.

"Matt, I said I can do it myself." Y/N repeated slowly, as if she were speaking to a child, casting a furtive glance at him from the corner of her eye.

"I know you can, petal." The boy murmured softly, putting down the knife and raising his now free hand towards his girl, lightly pressing his warm palm against her still arm, caressing her skin. "But I want to be here with you to help in some way. It doesn't have to be everything or nothing."

Y/N sighed, feeling a little guilty about her own reaction. She didn't want to push Matt away, especially when he was just trying to be caring and helpful.

"Okay... I'm sorry." Her apology escaped in a barely there whisper, her teeth catching her bottom lip in a firm grip.

"What are we having for dinner today?" Chris's loud and excited voice echoed through the living room and kitchen as the boy climbed the stairs that led him from his room, interrupting the moment between the couple, eliciting a laugh from Matt and an eye roll from Y/N.

"None of your business."

© vanteguccir

[dozybeez]

Spin For Me (Pt. Four)

She's the quiet girl in class with a secret life after dark. He's the campus heartthrob who's used to getting what he wants-except her. When a class project forces them together, buried truths, blurred lines, and undeniable tension threaten to unravel everything they thought they knew.

→ part one → part two → part three ... → part five

pairing: college au! kim mingyu x exotic dancer f!reader

word count: 4.3k

content warnings: slowish burn, smut, lap dances, adult club setting, derogatory language toward sex workers, internalized shame, emotional distress, subtle? size and innocence kink. MDNI

authors note: in no way do I think I'm a good writer. I wrote this a while ago just for self indulgence and decided to post it for fun, so please understand.

songs for this chapter:

- Rosyln by Bon Iver

- On Your side by The Last Dinner Party ☆

- Possibility by Lykke Li

The room is dim, lit only by the soft glow of your laptop screen and the tired yellow from the hallway light spilling through the crack in the door. It’s late — too late — the kind of hour where everything feels louder: the hum of the air vent, the clicking of your mouse, the dull pulse in your chest.

You log into the student portal with half a mind to close it again. You tell yourself it’s habit. That it doesn’t matter anymore. The presentation was a week ago. The final checkpoint. The last shared effort.

Your finger hovers, then clicks.

A

There it is.

A neat, clinical verdict sitting beside your names. Just a letter and a symbol. Clean. Impersonal. Perfect.

You stare at it.

You should feel something. Accomplishment. Relief. Maybe even a flicker of pride.

But there’s nothing. Just a cold stillness spreading across your chest. Your last tie to him now severed.

Your throat tightens — not in pain, exactly. It’s more like a knowing. That this was never about the grade. That the work had become secondary a long time ago.

You lean back in your chair, arms folded tight against your body like you’re trying to keep something from leaking out.

Your head is loud lately.

It tells you you should move on. It tells you you were smart to walk away. That trusting him would be foolish.

Not after that original night, months and months ago.

Not after the private dance, when he followed you outside and looked at you like he knew you.

Not after the hallway, when you fell apart, rejected him after his confession, and left him standing in the silence you created.

You should know better.

And yet — Your heart keeps pulling.

It clings to the softness in his voice during your last few study nights. The steadiness in his presence. The way he looked at you like you meant something.

You want to believe him. Want to believe there’s a version of the story where he’s not the villain — or worse, indifferent.

But wanting and trusting aren’t the same.

And hope has never been safe ground.

So you swallow it all down. Close the tab. The screen goes black, and in the reflection, you see your own face: tired, guarded, unrecognizable.

You turn the laptop off.

The room is dark again. Quiet again. But your mind won’t stop replaying the same unspoken things between you, over and over — the kind of ache that even an A can’t bury.

⸻

It’s been days since you saw the grade. Days since you sat on your bed, blinking at the big A glowing on your screen like it meant something. Like it should’ve been enough. But the presentation, the grade, even the hours you spent preparing — it all feels like a closed chapter with the last page ripped out.

You haven't been able to stop thinking about him.

Not when you're dancing, not when you're working, not even when your body is so exhausted you should be dead asleep. You just lie there at night, flat on your back, staring at the ceiling as if it might blink first.

Your mind plays it on loop — the way he looked at you in the hallway. Not angry. Not even disappointed. Just… lost. Like he was trying to understand you, even when you’d turned your back on him.

He told you he liked you. Just like that. And you walked away. No explanation. No apology. Just rejection and retreat.

You keep trying to convince yourself it was right. That you were protecting yourself. Because your head still screams the truth you’ve built your walls on.

But your heart — your stupid, stubborn heart — won’t let it go.

It keeps dragging you back to the quiet. To the moments in the library when you studied with your knees brushing, or when he teased you just to get a hint of a smile. To the softness in his voice when he asked if you were okay, and actually waited for the answer.

There’s a whisper in you that keeps returning, quiet but relentless:

What if you already pushed away the only person who saw you and didn’t run?

You don’t cry. You just lie there, wide awake, full of things you can't say and feelings you wish you didn’t still have.

Because it’d be so much easier if you hated him. But you don’t. You’re just afraid.

And you don’t know how to stop.

⸻

You see her at the campus café. The same girl from the library — the one who leaned in too close to Mingyu, the one who touched his arm like she knew what it felt like under her fingertips. The one with the glossed lips and the air of someone who always gets what she wants. She’s laughing too loud at something her sorority sisters just said, iced latte in hand.

Your heart’s been aching for days — an ache you thought would dull with time. But instead, it’s only sharpened. Every hour, every memory, every almost between you feels louder now. You haven’t slept properly. Your appetite’s gone. This restless, gnawing ache in your chest? It doesn’t want logic. It wants answers.

You can’t take it anymore.

Before you can talk yourself out of it, your feet are already moving. Your heart is a drum in your chest, drowning out the logic in your head. This is a bad idea. You know it’s a bad idea. But for once, you let the voice in your chest win.

You cut across the grass, slow and deliberate, like you’re not about to do something reckless. Like your pulse isn’t tripping all over itself.

“You know Mingyu, right?” you ask once you reach the girl’s table.

The blonde glances up from her phone. Smirks. “Oh, do I know him.”

You don’t flinch. “I need his address.”

A laugh bubbles out of the girl. “Why would I give you that?”

You tilt your head, lashes low. “Because I’ll tell him you asked about him.”

That does it. You watch the girl’s expression shift — just a flicker, but enough. No comebacks. No sarcasm. Just a pause, the smallest hesitation.

And you know. You don’t know the details, don’t need to. But Mingyu hasn’t been around. Not for this girl. Not for anyone. His silence isn’t casual — it’s heartbreak. You saw it in his eyes the night you walked away. Something raw and real.

The girl sighs, dramatic, and then — without a word — holds out her hand.

You blink. “What?”

“Your phone,” the girl says, waving her hand impatiently. “Unless you want me to shout it across campus.”

You slip your phone from your hoodie pocket and hand it over. Calm on the outside. But inside? Your fingers are cold. Your throat is tight. You have to stop yourself from bouncing your leg, chewing your lip, running.

The girl types something into Notes. Then hands the phone back without looking up.

You take it, tuck it away.

“Thanks,” you say — not warmly, not even politely. Just enough.

You turn before the girl can say anything else.

As you walk away, you let yourself smile for half a second — just a twitch of the lips. But then the nerves creep in again. Fast, hot, sharp.

You have the address. The final barrier is gone.

No more pretending. No more running. And maybe finally answers to the night that started this all.

⸻

The knock startles him.

He wasn’t expecting anyone. Definitely not this late.

He’s in pajama pants, a ripped t-shirt, hair a disheveled mess from hours of running his hands through it. There’s an untouched bowl of ramen on the kitchen island and a half-finished drink he forgot he even poured. The glow from the paused TV screen throws dull shadows across the walls.

He drags himself to the door, slow. Heavy.

When he checks the peephole— His heart stops.

Her.

Standing in the hallway like a ghost that wouldn't stop haunting him.  He blinks, then looks again. Like maybe his mind is playing games. But it’s real. She’s real. She’s wearing that hoodie she always shrugs into like armor. Her hands are in her pockets. Her eyes, unreadable. Not angry. Not soft, either. Just… steady. 

He freezes, forehead pressed to the door for a second before he forces himself to unlock it.

The door creaks open.

He doesn’t say anything. Can’t. His throat’s dry and his chest feels too full, too tight. Her gaze flicks over him—messy hair, the bags under his eyes that no amount of sleep has fixed.

But she doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t comment.

Just looks up at him like she’s trying to figure out if this was a mistake.

They stand in that charged silence for a beat too long.

And then—

“Can I come in?”

Her voice is quieter than she expected. Even, but quiet.

He swallows. Steps back. Nods.

She walks past him, slow, the air between them static. Her fingers tremble inside her pockets, but she doesn’t let it show.

The apartment is quiet. She spots the cold ramen. The drink. The half-open blinds. Papers scattered across the coffee table like he had given up on school.

He closes the door gently behind her. Turns. Doesn’t move closer. Doesn’t speak.

Neither does she.

Because the words don’t matter yet. Not until the silence’s done saying what it needs to.

But even now, in the quiet—

She can feel it. He’s unraveling. And she’s finally here.

⸻

You stay standing.

Even after he gestures subtly toward the couch, you shake your head. Not yet. Your spine holds tension like a fault line, arms crossed but loose, not defensive. Just… bracing yourself.

The apartment feels warmer than you expected, dim and lived-in, like he hasn’t left it in days. Mingyu leans back against the kitchen counter, hair a mess, face tired in that way that’s not just physical — like he hasn’t slept right in a while.

It makes your stomach twist. But you don’t soften.

“I didn’t come here to fight,” you say quietly. “I came to ask you something.”

He just nods. Doesn't try to speak.

You inhale sharply, pushing the words out before you second-guess them.

“There was a night... months before we ever got assigned to work together. You probably don’t remember it. But I do.”

Something in his eyes changes.

“I was working,” you continue. “At the club.”

You watch his expression carefully. Still, no denial. Just stillness.

“It was late. I had just come off stage. Still in heels. Still sweating. Heading backstage, trying to get to the dressing room.”

You cross your arms.

“There was a group of guys near the VIP lounge. Loud. Rich. Drunk.”

You close your eyes like it’ll help block the memory. It doesn’t.

“One of them pointed at me. Then he said, loud enough for half the room to hear—”

Your voice shakes. But you force the words out.

“That one’s probably had half the city in her mouth. Wonder if she even charges anymore or just takes it for fun.’”

Your voice stays flat, emotionless. It’s the only way you can say it. 

Mingyu’s jaw tightens.

You don’t stop.

“Another guy laughed and said, ‘She probably blows the bouncers just to keep her job. Look at her. You think she’s got any self-respect left?’”

You hear Mingyu’s breath hitch.

“The last one looked right at me — and I mean, really looked — and said: ‘I wouldn’t even fuck her if you paid me knowing how many dicks have been in her. But I’d spit on her for free.’”

The silence that follows is brutal.

Silence. Thick. Horrible.

“I remember every single word,” you say, voice flat. “I remember the way people stared. Some laughed. Some just looked away. Like I was nothing.”

Your eyes land on him, sharp and wounded.

“I didn’t say anything. I just kept walking. Fast. I wouldn't argue that I couldn't even have the courage to give a lap dance — well until you—you paid. It didn't matter anyways, I already heard loud and clear what they thought of me.”

Your jaw clenches.

“Walking away I heard laughter. I don’t know who. Maybe all of them. Maybe none. But you were there.”

Finally, your big watery eyes meet his.

“You were standing near the edge of the group. I remember your face. You looked right at me.”

You inhale. Your arms tighten across your chest, like holding yourself together.

“I didn’t know who you were at the time, besides being the popular guy at my school. Just that you were with them. And that you didn’t stop it.”

A pause.

“So when we got paired up, when you started being kind, thoughtful, sweet… I kept wondering: was it real? Or were you playing some long joke I didn’t understand?”

Your voice lowers.

“And then the night you confessed, something in me wanted to believe you. God, it did.”

Another breath.

“But the part of me that remembers that night—remembers how I felt, how I still feel thinking about it—kept screaming not to trust you.”

You finally say, eyes burning:

“I came here because I need to know who you are. Not what people say. Not the guy everyone likes. You.”

⸻

He’s never hated himself more.

Because he remembers.

The throb of music, the liquor-heavy air, the fake laughter around him. And you — glittering under stage lights, leaving the stage after your solo.

Then the words. Crude. Vulgar. Dehumanizing.

He remembers flinching. Remembered wanting to vomit. And he remembers leaving — not standing up, not saying anything, just walking away.

Because he froze.

Because he was afraid of making a scene. Afraid of being that guy. The one who calls shit out. The one who makes things “awkward.” The one who ruins the vibe. 

Because being liked had always been easy for him. Too easy. And he’d wrapped his whole identity around it.

He’d gotten so used to playing that role that he’d started to believe it was who he was.

So he didn’t speak.

He just stood there, heart pounding, throat closed, skin crawling. Then turned and walked away like a coward.

And now? He’d give anything to go back and be that guy — whether it was you or not being victim to those words.

“I remember the night,” he says hoarsely. “I remember all of it.”

Her face doesn’t change.

“I didn’t laugh,” he says quickly. “I swear to god. But I didn’t stop it either.”

“I left. I went outside. I thought… maybe if I wasn’t around them, it meant I wasn’t part of it.” A bitter laugh escapes him and then a long beat.

“I hated myself for it the second it happened. And I still do.”

His voice dips lower.

“Later that night, I found one of them. Outside, alone. Told him if I ever heard him talk about a woman like that again, I’d break his fucking jaw.”

A pause. Something heavier pressing against his chest.

“I haven’t talked to any of them since that night.”

He looks up at her again — fully this time. No excuses. No posturing.

He shakes his head.

“But it doesn’t matter. Because you didn’t see that part. Didn’t know that. You saw me standing there. With them. Silent.”

He finally looks up, voice quieter.

“And you were right not to trust me.”

Another pause, then softer:

“I’m not like them. But I let them think I was. And for what? So I could keep being the guy everyone liked?”

He swallows hard. He takes one slow step forward, careful not to crowd you.

“I don’t deserve it. But I’m here. And I’ll tell you anything. Everything. If you still want the truth. The real me.”

⸻

A few minutes pass.

Not many. But enough for the weight of what was said to settle between you like dust in the air, too heavy to shake off.

Still wrapped in your hoodie, now sitting on the edge of his couch, hands clenched in your lap. Your fingers won’t stop twitching, like your body hasn’t caught up to your decision to stay.

You hear him move—soft footsteps in the kitchen. The clink of glass. Running water. He doesn’t speak. You don’t either.

The silence doesn’t feel cold. It feels full — not with anger, not with blame, just something raw and thick and unspoken. Your throat burns with it.

When he comes back, he sets the glass of water on the coffee table, a small act of care he doesn’t call attention to. Then, without asking, he lowers himself to the floor across from you.

He doesn’t sit on the couch beside you. Doesn’t close the distance.

Just settles in with his back against the armchair, legs bent loosely, head tilted slightly like he’s waiting for you to speak, or not.

You stare at the glass. Don’t pick it up.

The city beyond the windows hums with life — cars, a siren, the faint pulse of a distant song — but here, it’s still.

You finally take the glass. Hold it. Don’t drink.

Your voice, when it comes, is soft and steady.

“Tell me the truth,” you say, meeting his eyes for the first time since you stepped through the door. “And I’ll listen.”

He holds your gaze. Nods. Doesn’t say thank you, doesn’t make it a performance.

He just nods. Like he’s been holding his breath for weeks.

And you don’t talk about that night. Or those guys. Or what came after.

Not yet.

Instead, you talk about everything else.

Stupid things, at first — favorite colors, high school nicknames, which fries on campus are the most overrated. You say you hate grape-flavored candy. He feigns heartbreak. You roll your eyes. Almost laugh.

Then deeper — the last time he cried. The first time you ever danced just for yourself. What keeps you up at night. What you miss about being younger. What you hope doesn't follow you into adulthood.

And then—somewhere between a sigh and a pause—he says it.

“I feel like I’m not a real person to anyone anymore.”

You look up.

“I’m just this… thing people like to look at. Talk about. Put on a shelf. Say they know.” His voice cracks, soft around the edges. “But no one actually knows me. Not even close.”

Your hand tightens around the glass.

“I get that,” you say. “At the club, they don’t know I’m a student. On campus, no one knows I’m her. It’s like I’m split in half. Too much of something in one world, not enough in the other.”

You don’t say Fawn, but it hangs there anyway. And he hears it. All of it.

“I’ve gotten good at switching masks,” you admit, quieter. “But sometimes I forget which one is mine.”

He nods slowly. “I know what that’s like.”

And for the first time in what feels like forever, you don’t feel crazy for saying it.

With him, it feels like the noise drops out. Like you can exist between versions of yourself without being asked to choose.

He doesn’t demand the good version. Or the mysterious one. Or the broken one.

Just you.

And you think maybe—just maybe—he feels the same.

No touches. No tears.

Just two people. Talking.

You just sit there — cross-legged across from each other in the soft wash of streetlight, the hum of the college town dulled beneath the rhythm of slow, steady breath.

Time fades.

Conversation trickles. More questions. More quiet. And eventually—without realizing when—sleep begins to fold around you.

Not out of exhaustion.

But peace.

⸻

→ part five

Tag List: @sojuxxi @zealousnutstudent @bingumingoo1004

[hwaslayer]

wildfire (cs) | four.

—spotify playlist | series masterlist

—summary: assistant professor in bioengineering, incredibly attractive, lonely and divorced; that’s how most people describe san. but despite the events that have happened in his life, san has a lot going for himself. he’s a successful, sought out professor due to his brilliant contributions to science at just an early age of 32. he worked hard to get where he was now; head deep into his research, his publications, building his lab and creating a name for himself. everything was good and smooth sailing— until it wasn’t. because when he meets you, a bioengineering grad student interested in rotating in his lab, he finds himself ready to risk all the blood, sweat and tears he put in throughout the years just to keep you close— his need for you spiraling out of control like a wildfire.

—pairing: asst. professor!choi san x grad student!f. reader

—genre: (18+ - minors dni) strangers to lovers, grad school au | fluff, angst, eventual smut

—word count: 5.4k

—chapter content/warnings: cussing, mature language/sexually implied content, oc is getting whiplash from prof. choi's lab culture lmao, very vague/general descriptions of mice research work, prof. choi to the rescue fr,  lots and LOTS of tension, yes i promise the ending counts as foreshadowing because shit will hit the roof in 5!!

A couple of days later, you and Sunwoo are finally putting the newly built behavior rig to use. A couple of days later, you find yourself becoming way too distracted by Professor Choi.

A couple of days later, Sunwoo is asking you to text your professor about some mice issues?

"Can you do me a favor?" Sunwoo pouts. "Pretty please?"

"What?" You tease and cross your arms.

"Can you take a picture and text it to Professor Choi? Ask him if it's okay to move forward with the vet's recommendations for the mice?"

"Text him?" Sunwoo looks at you and nods, flashing you Professor Choi's number on his own phone screen.

"We usually text him if it's something really urgent and needs his attention."

"You guys don't just do this in a Slack chat or something?"

"Trust me, he's probably the worst with Slack. I don't even think the guy has it downloaded on his phone so it's easily accessible." Sunwoo chuckles. "Y/N, I promise. It's fine. I'm not setting you up for trouble." You let out a small sigh and pull out your phone to take pictures. You're not really sure why you're hesitant, it definitely was a thing in Professor Bahng's lab, too. You're probably just used to the older cohorts of professors that required everything to be sent through email, Slack maybe. The new wave? Definitely a bunch of texters.

you: hi professor choi, this is y/n! i'm with sunwoo and he asked me to send this picture to you of one of our mice. the vet said he's really sick and we should go with a different treatment plan for it. it'll cost a little more if we do, but it should help get the mouse back on track. can we move forward?

San is paused mid-workout when he gets your text, sweat dripping down from his forehead when he zooms into the picture, analyzes a bit and lets out a sigh.

prof. choi: yes please!

you: got it!

prof. choi: could i trouble you and sunwoo to make sure there aren't any other sick mice?

you: of course! sorry about that. ☹️

prof. choi: all good, it happens! no need to apologize for anything. thank you. ☺️

prof. choi: also, can you have him charge it to our outreach account? he'll know and could probably pass along the finance info to you.

you: of course!

prof. choi: 😬

"He said it's fine and to charge it to the outreach account." Sunwoo raises his brow.

"He answered you already? I thought we'd have to make rounds in this room before he responded."

"Yeah?"

"Jeez, what's the trick? I feel like I have to bombard him sometimes."

"I literally just got here, I have no trick." You laugh.

"Sure." Sunwoo laughs and shrugs it off. "Anyway, sounds good! Thanks. Let's go take care of these mice and make sure the rest are fine."

"He said that, too."

"Figured! Always gotta be one step ahead of him. That's the only way to survive here." You laugh and follow Sunwoo deeper into the mice room, looking through the rest of the mice to make sure none of them are as sick. You help him wean a couple and split them into different cages, the last half of the walkthrough consisting of making sure everything else looks good. When you get back to the basement, you spend a bit of time helping Belle before starting on the first half of your behavior experiment with Sunwoo. It's a lot of work spent in a dark room, surrounded by bright computer lights— time moves quick, but your energy drains quicker.

When you finally catch a break after the past few hours of working alongside of Sunwoo, you wander down the halls to head to the bathroom and get a snack. You freshen up after relieving yourself, feeling a bit icky after being in a stuffy room, the stuffy basement, all afternoon. You prance over to the vending machine down the hall, grabbing some peanut m&ms to munch to satisfy your sweet tooth. Just as you turn the hall to walk back towards the office, Professor Choi walks out of one of the rooms, damn near colliding with you once again.

"Woah, hey. Sorry." He says, his arm out in case of any minor collisions.

"You're good, Professor Choi." He smiles, eyes shifting down to the bag of m&ms in your hand. 

"Sweet tooth?"

"Need some sugar. Been cooped up with the rooms with Sunwoo."

"You're gonna take a break, right?"

"I will." You give him a toothless smile. "Sorry about texting you earlier. Sunwoo said it was fine, but I don't know. I still feel bad somehow." Professor Choi laughs before shaking his head.

"It really is fine, I promise you Y/N. Especially in that case. You can text or call me for emergency purposes." You pause, unsure how to respond. "I mean it."

"Okay, okay." You chuckle. "I will." He smiles at you before clutching his laptop close to his hip and checking his watch.

"Good. I'll see you later, gotta run off to prepare for this symposium with Professor Bahng."

"Symposium?"

"Mhm. He's leading one next month."

"Are you doing a talk?" He nods.

"Yeah unless he boots me out of the agenda for whatever reason." You giggle and shake your head. "You'll be there whenever it happens, right?"

"Yeah, of course. Can't miss that."

"Good answer." He smirks. "And Y/N?"

"Mhm?"

"Hope that's not gonna be dinner for you. Don't skip meals on me, please." You silently nod, waving him off before turning on your heel to head back to your desk.

That same evening, you have never been so grateful for having listened to a professor. It was such a tiny detail when Professor Choi told you to save his number for emergency purposes, and here you are experiencing said emergency purpose. 

You were wrapping up your behavior experiment in one of the lab rooms, excited to finally leave the small room and the darkness behind. You had set your mice down on the cart, taking a few notes on an index card to jot into your lab notebook later on— which, you probably shouldn't have left your notebook in the office area in the first place. You needed to reference something mid-note-taking about the mouse's behavior, but you couldn't. When you decided to run out and grab your notes, the door handle flew off and locked you inside.

Fuck.

You tried your best not to panic, but the room felt like it was closing in on you with how small the space was. How dark the room was, felt like it was getting darker by the minute despite the computers giving off light in the far corners. Trapped between these behavior rigs and the gazillion computers, microscopes and lasers. There was no way to re-attach the handle, or so you couldn't see any possible way, and there was nothing that could help you unlock the door from the inside. The worse part of it all is that none of your texts or calls to Sunwoo are going through due to the sucky ass service in the basement, and you know he's busy doing some neuron culturing off in the wetlab room nearby.

He's definitely not checking his phone, and he's probably not going to check on you anytime soon.

Your mind immediately goes to Professor Choi next. It could be a long shot, but you decide to pace the room, hoping the call could go through at some point. This could be considered an emergency purpose, right? He wouldn't think you're silly for contacting him because of a door handle, no?

You definitely should save the facilities and security numbers, too.

"Hello?"

"Oh. Hi!" You're wide-eyed when the call actually goes through in this one spot of the room, Professor Choi's sultry, deep voice picking up on the other end.

"Hey Y/N. Everything alright?"

"Um, no? I'm kinda embarrassed to say this but I'm stuck in the W072 behavior room. The door knob inside flew off so I can't even open the door." He smiles to himself before letting out a small breath.

"Sorry, yeah. That door's been having major issues. I'll have to ask facilities what's going on with that. I'll be over in about 5 minutes."

"I'm so sorry. I really am embarrassed, I hope I'm not pulling you from—"

"You don't need to worry." He chuckles. "You're not pulling me away from anything. I could use the break anyway. Be there for you soon. Hang tight for me, hm?" You bite onto your bottom lip and nod as if he can see you.

"Mmkay. Thank you."

"You're welcome." And with that, the call ends. You're awkwardly sitting on the computer chair in the dark room, nothing but the sounds of computers whirring in the background; sounds of the mice scrambling around their cages, a little desk lamp and the computers the only source of light. You barely have service down here, and you're eternally grateful the call actually went through to Professor Choi's phone. 

You'd be stuck here until Sunwoo decides to randomly pop in, if he randomly pops in. Until who fucking knows when, really.

Professor Choi arrives within that 5 minute mark, and he startles you by the way he swings the door open. He's wearing a Stussy shirt and jeans, sporting that same, dimpled smile of his that you're finding is becoming a weakness for you. 

"Hey you." He says. "You okay?"

"Yeah, thank you." You stand, the broken door handle in hand. "Uh, I have this?" He laughs before wedging the small trash can in between the door frame and the door itself.

"Let me see." He says, gently taking the door handle from your hand. You watch from behind as he crouches down to see if he can temporarily re-attach the damn thing. I mean truthfully, he is also trying to look useful and attractive in front of you somehow. Even though he doesn't know what the fuck is going on. "Uh." He hums, making you giggle.

"Maybe you should leave it for facilities." He turns to you with a playful glare.

"Saying I can't fix it?"

"I mean, doesn't look like it." He playfully tuts and stands, setting the door handle aside. "We might both get stranded here."

"That wouldn't be too bad, now would it?" He looks at you with such a shit-eating smirk, it causes you to shy away and release eye contact before you break. "But, you're right. There are things I'm better off with and that's not fixing door handles." He pouts and you shake your head.

"We can't always be great at everything, Professor Choi." You tease.

"Yeah." He lets out a small laugh. "Were you finished in here?"

"Uh, yeah. I just need to put the mice away." You lazily point at the cart behind you with a few cages sitting on top.

"Let me help."

"Oh no, I promise, I'm okay."

"I wanna." He slips on some gloves and starts dragging the cart towards the opposite end of the behavior room where the mice are housed. They sit behind blackout curtains and on ventilated shelves, some sitting a bit higher up that require a small step-stool to reach. You start setting the cages into their open spots in the middle row, but the last three need to be placed on the very stop shelf. "Where do these guys go?"

"Up there." You point and he smiles, grabbing two of the cages for you. 

"Got you. Careful, your head. I'm gonna reach over." He says from right behind you, his long arms reaching above to slip them into the open slots. You freeze, eyes watching him grab the last cage and slip it onto the shelf. "Good?" You turn to face him. He's still standing in the same position, not giving you much room to work with in this tiny corner.

"Mhm." You look up at him and god, does he like looking at you from this angle. "Thank you, Professor Choi."

"You're welcome." He matches your soft tone. With how close you are, you can smell his cologne lingering in the air. 

"You're always coming to my rescue."

"I don't mind. I'd do it again if I needed to." He ticks his head to the side. "Gotta give Sunwoo a little talk about not taking care of you properly."

"He's doing a very good job, I promise." You don't know what the hell comes over you, but you tap him against the chest lightly— and you almost lose it. First, out of embarrassment, but second, because of how firm his chest felt. You knew he worked out, but damn; you were wondering how well built and toned he actually was. He doesn't do anything, though. He's still looking at you with a small smile etched on his lips. You can tell he's having a slight internal debate on whether or not he should also tease and play around. 

He knows he can't. Doesn't mean he won't.

"Oh yeah?" He starts as he steps a little closer to test the waters. His eyes are flicking across your features as if he's trying to study you and study you well. It's a bit obvious he's itching to do something— brush your hair back, put a hand on your waist. Something, anything—

"Yo, you all good in there?" You hear Sunwoo's voice at the door, causing you to abruptly step aside and wipe your sweaty palms down your pants. "Oh shit, woah! Professor Choi out in the wild! What's going on?" Sunwoo fully steps into the behavior room and places his hands on his hips, San giving off a hearty laugh at his comment.

"The door handle flew off." Is all you say while pointing at it sitting on the edge of the table. "I tried calling and texting you but none of them went through. Professor Choi had to come save me." Sunwoo nods nonchalantly. Luckily, it doesn't seem like he thinks anything is strange or odd. Definitely didn't catch you two being only inches away from each other, damn near pressed up against one another. You're curious as to what Professor Choi would've done next, and now, you may never know.

Welp.

"The hell did you do?" Sunwoo laughs. "Just started and already breaking things?" He teases.

"You know that door's been an issue since forever." San chimes in.

"I know, I'm just teasing." You roll your eyes. "Anyway, are you all good in here?"

"Mhm. I uploaded everything onto the server."

"Sweet. I'll take a look in a bit." You watch Sunwoo as he starts to leave the room, grabbing your notebook and laptop from the other table before following suit.

"Thank you again, Professor Choi." You give him a cute smile that he finds himself admiring, being last to leave the room.

"Of course, Y/N. I'll come save you any time you need me to." You let out a small laugh before shaking your head and catching up to Sunwoo. He bites onto his bottom lip as he sheds off his gloves and tucks his hands into his pockets, letting the both of you be as he heads back into his office. Once he's inside, he lets out a hefty sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose because fuck.

He needs to control himself better.

"Fuck." He finally says outloud, slightly stressed over you and those pretty eyes. 

Pretty lips. 

Pretty smile. 

He plops back down onto his office chair, shaking off the thoughts before proceeding to check his inbox and review his final draft of the progress report. He needed to find any distraction right now; his thoughts, judgment even, slowly being clouded by you.

—FLASHBACK

"I think I'm getting this all wrong." You rest your head on the library table, reviewing your journal club presentation lazily.

"Why do you think that, Y/N? The way you interpret the paper is gonna make sense to the lab. Journal club is meant for you guys to build off of it and have a discussion." Jiung continues to work on his homework across from you.

"I know, I'm just nervous for some reason."

"Then just send your email to Professor Choi to see if he'll go over it with you. Give you peace of mind." You sigh.

"Yeah. He's probably gonna be so done with me after the past few days." Jiung snorts.

"Imagine if he hadn't saved you." His laugh grows. "How the fuck would you have gotten out?"

"I'd like to believe that Sunwoo would have at least checked on me." He nods.

"Yeah, maybe. Glad you're okay, though. What did Professor Choi say?" You shrug, completely [and obviously] leaving out the details about the close moments you've had with him.

"Nothing. He just came to get me and that was it." Jiung nods silently, giving you the opportunity to type away on Outlook to send Professor Choi an email.

From: yn@atz.edu To: choisan@atz.edu Hi Prof. Choi, Do you have some time to go over the paper I chose for journal club on Monday? I just want to make sure I'm getting the format and processes right. Here's my presentation attached. Best, Y/N

You minimize the window and continue to work on other things, hoping you can meet with Professor Choi and talk about it soon—

To: yn@atz.edu From: choisan@atz.edu Sure! We can go over it tomorrow if you'd like? 11am good?  - San

"He responded." Jiung hums as a response.

"Nice. What did he say?"

"We can meet tomorrow to go over it."

"See, that's good! I'm sure it'll be fine, but at least you can get Professor Choi's input for your first journal club." You nod.

"Yeah. Hopefully it is fine."

—END

You take your knuckles to the surface of Professor Choi's door, giving it a good two, three soft knocks before you hear a faint 'come in' from the other side. You swing the door open, finding Professor Choi diligently typing away as he sits at his desk. His brows are tightly knit together, and he's wearing a simple white button-up; but today, he's got black glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose.

"Hey Y/N." He says. "Sorry, give me a sec. I just need to respond to this email really quickly."

"No worries." You sit on the couch. "Take your time." His lips curve into a small smile just as he types away, then clicks to send it off. 

"Alright. Hi." He smiles his usual, dimpled smile, black strands framing his forehead. "How's it going?"

"Good. How about you?"

"I'm alright, can't complain." He chuckles. "So, you wanted to talk about journal club? I checked your powerpoint and everything seemed fine. What's wrong?"

"I just feel like I'm not getting it right."

"Why do you think that way? You know, journal club is for us to discuss the paper as a lab. You don't have to get everything right, Y/N."

"But, still." You pout and San almost melts into a puddle in his seat. Fuck, he thinks. This is gonna be difficult. "I just wanna make sure I'm at least getting the process or the concept of the paper correct." Professor Choi stands and walks around his desk and it's your turn to internally lose it. He's got on black slacks but they fit him so well— his outfit fits him so well, you don't think you've ever seen someone built so.. perfectly.

"Wanna walk though it?" You barely hear the question as your eyes continue to [subtly] glaze over his figure, and he surely catches on.

How much more obvious can you be?

Well, how could he not know how attractive he is? Him and his friends are a consistent, hot topic on campus.

He's so damn fine. He knows it.

"Y/N?" He leans back against the edge of his desk, snapping you out of your thoughts. He's got a leg crossed over the other, arms crossed tightly against his chest. His head is tilted while he watches you, an amused smirk tugging at the corner of his lips while you shift your eyes back up to meet his. You're sure you aren't seeing things. You're almost positive Professor Choi's subtly feeding into this, right? "Lost you there?" 

"Yes. Sorry." You purse your lips together. "Got distracted."

"Hm." He hums, licking his lips. "Over what?"

"Nothing." You smile and shrug it off like it's nothing even though it clearly isn't. He knows, and he's not entirely mad about it one bit. It's a relief he's not the only one; question is, who's gonna be the first to break? San knows he can't, and it's a game he hates to play. 

Doesn't mean he won't.

"Didn't seem like nothing."

"Swear." You stand to walk over to the whiteboard on his wall, grabbing a colored marker to start doodling out your thoughts for the journal club paper.

"Lying to me again?" He teases.

"I would never lie to you, Professor Choi." He chuckles, coming behind you as you continue to write. 

"That's nice to know. I hope you know you can tell me anything, though." You pause, letting his words marinate. No, you don't know that. You don't think you can tell him how fine he is or how much you wanna jump his bones, not at all.

"I'm just confused." You continue your writing. The statement goes for a couple of things: the journal club paper, some of the data that you and Sunwoo have from recent behavior work, Professor Choi himself. "I need to know if I'm understanding it correctly." You point to the board, slowly turning over your shoulder to look at him. "I don't wanna misread anything." He subtly bites onto his bottom lip before stepping closer and taking the marker from your hand, drawing a huge circle around your writings.

"You're not." And for San, that statement can also go for a couple of things: your overthinking, the way you feel silly for questioning your understanding of the paper, you. "If it's one thing I can tell you Y/N— it's to not overthink and question every little thing. You'll waste time doing that when you've had it right all along." He looks at you and gives you one final reassurance: "You're not misreading any of this."

"Okay." You respond softly, eyes shifting to his lips and back up to his almond-shaped eyes. For some reason, this no longer feels like it's about the paper. For some reason, it feels like he's telling you he's on the same page, like he wants you just as bad as you want him. For some reason, you no longer feel like you're just delusional and in your feelings— even though, everything about this is completely wrong and against the code. It could fuck everything up for the both of you.

But, you don't care. 

He doesn't either.

"So, tell me again." He clears his throat. You watch his adam's apple bob when he swallows, capping the marker as he sits back on the corner of his desk and looks at you. "What's your understanding about their process?" You continue to write on the board, explaining your understanding of the paper. Professor Choi continues to sit closely behind you, nodding in agreement as you talk him through it. He saw your presentation and he didn't find any flaws with it; he's not sure why you're second guessing yourself when you did everything correctly.

You've done everything perfectly.

"Y/N." He says lowly, almost near your ear. "You've got it down. Don't second guess yourself."

"I can't help it."

"Trust me, don't. You'll make it more complicated than it needs to be. That was perfect. Your presentation was great."

"Should I fix anything?"

"No."

"Professor Choi. Are you lying to me now?" He chuckles.

"Is that what you think of me?" He's fighting with himself, closing his hand into a fist to fight the urge to tuck your hair behind your ear. He continues to keep his eyes on yours, though. "You know I could never do that."

"I'll take your word for it." In the end, you've gotten the reassurance you felt like you needed, you yearned for. But, in the end, you've also grown more confidence— enough to believe that Professor Choi was in the same boat as you. Because he is, he just can't say it out loud right now. This has nothing to do with the lab. His work. Your rotation, your projects.

This is all about you, and just you.

"Good." His tone drops before he checks his phone. He lets out a sigh, a small frown growing on his lips. How the hell did 30 mins go by so fast? "Shit. I gotta run to another meeting." He says softly, eyes quickly shifting around you facial features. "Is it okay if we continue this on the phone later? Just to make sure you've got everything before journal club on Monday?"

"S-sure." You quickly look at his lips, back up to his eyes. "Yeah, sure."

"5pm okay for me to call?"

"Dinner time for you?"

"Mm, not really. Dinner is whenever I feel hungry." You chuckle and nod. "What about you?"

"I can eat after."

"Okay, 5pm."

"Thank you, Professor Choi."

"You're welcome." He smiles toothlessly, watching as you carefully walk past him and grab your things. Again, he fights the temptation to pull you by the waist and press you flush against his body—

Doing things only he can imagine in his head.

"Are you walking out or are you doing a Zoom meeting?" San forces himself to snap out of it, lowly clearing his throat as he walks around and plops onto his computer chair. 

"Zoom. Talk later?" You smile before waving, leaving San to his peace. The tension in the room feels like it's finally gone, finally been lifted. He almost felt a little suffocated in his own office while having you there— but it's only because of how you make him feel, and now obviously, how he makes you feel. He lets out a hefty sigh, taking off his glasses and rubbing at his eyes before hopping into the Zoom call about budgets and the status of his current grants. 

The meeting goes on for so long, it feels like. The whole afternoon is a drag and San feels exhausted by the time it hits 4pm. He's skipping out on the gym today, still a little sore from yesterday's workout. As soon as he wraps up his last meeting, he packs up and leaves, saying goodbye to the one or two heads still lingering in the office area. 

He still has enough groceries at home to make it through to the weekend, so he doesn't take any pitstops on the way home. He lets out a huge sigh when he finally pulls into his garage and parks the car, stepping out of his shoes and setting his bag aside in his office. He jogs upstairs to take a hot, steamy shower— enough to help relieve the stress from the week's activities. He throws on some flannel pajama pants and a white tee, heading back downstairs to throw some salmon and vegetables in the oven before cooking rice. 

While waiting for his dinner to finish, he settles back down in his office and pulls up your contact info from the text thread just as it's about to hit 5pm. He leans back against the chair, listening to the phone ring on the other line.

"Hi." You pick up so sweetly and it immediately brings a smile to San's face despite his long afternoon.

"Hi. Still a good time to talk?" You sit on your couch, presentation popped up on your laptop. 

"Yeah, it is." 

"How was the rest of your afternoon?"

"It was okay. I just finished working with Belle on a few things after our meeting."

"Is that going well?"

"Yeah." You chuckle a bit. "I really like working with Sunwoo and Belle."

"I'm glad to hear that. That's all that matters." He pulls up your presentation, clicking through it as his eyes skim each slide. 

"How was yours, Professor Choi?"

"Ah, well. Really long. But, it's over with." He laughs. "So, I'm skimming through your presentation and everything looks fine. I think the one thing I'll say is, maybe you should add another slide to talk about the results that didn't pan out well. I know we typically don't do stuff like that, but it helps us discuss what went wrong and what they should've done to get the end result they wanted."

"Oh, yeah. I was thinking about that but wasn't sure if I should."

"You definitely should. Remember what I said about not second-guessing yourself?" He says in a light-hearted tone that has you rolling your eyes and holding in a big smile.

"I know, I know." 

"I think the only other thing I'd add is a slide on Figure 2 and 3. It isn't much, but it does relate a lot to what we do in lab. Think you can handle that?"

"Yeah, I can."

"Yeah?" He repeats, sinking into his seat with his legs spread. "Good." He hears you typing away before you sigh, pausing the conversation for a brief moment while you gather your thoughts and take notes.

"What else are you doing this evening, Professor Choi?" You finally break the silence after a few.

"Hm." He hums. "Just talking to you." You can hear the smirk through the phone, see it even. You bite your bottom lip and shift your position on the couch, heat rising to your cheeks— pooling at your core replaying the deep tone he speaks in.

"Nothing else?"

"Don't really need to do anything else while I'm on the phone with you, no." You sit on his statement, hand toying with the string from your sweats. He doesn't need to do anything else because he's on the phone with you? You take it as a compliment, one that has your heart beating through your chest, palms all sweaty again. He was going to be the death of you.

"Y/N! Let's go! I'm hungry!" You hear Felix from the other side of your door, and San does, too. He lets out a silent chuckle, a little sad he's gonna have to let you go eventually.

"Is there anything else I should do?"

"For?" He questions because his mind is running through a million thoughts at once. You are very much talking about journal club, but he's very much thinking about other things; ways to push you and him forward.

"The slides."

"No. That's all, Y/N. It's perfect."

"Thank you."

"Y/N! Please! They have the best menu tonight, we need to go before everyone gets there!" Felix whines, making the rest of your friends laugh as he pounds on the door. "What are you even doing anyway?!"

"I gotta go." You sigh and shut your laptop. "My friends are about to bust my door down." He chuckles.

"Well, hope the call helped, Y/N."

"It did, Professor Choi. All of this did. Thank you again."

"Course. Have a good night." 

"You too." San subtly nibbles on his bottom lip as he hears you breathily respond, the tone and sound of your voice immediately doing things to him. He clears his throat to rid himself of the thoughts, to rid himself of the feeling, distracting himself with the unread emails sitting in his inbox and the random announcements for the week.

Well now, Namjoon's sudden group text with him, Jongho, Christopher, Mingi and Yeosang.

namjoon: my brilliant, all-star fellas

chris: oh lord, what is it?

namjoon: 😀 need ya'll to attend the happy hour event

yeosang: to babysit? yaaaay love this time of the year...... !!

namjoon: lol no, just to hang out! please 🥹 gotta show the students we're involved in student life esp at the start of the new quarter. you know this!

jongho: they run around in our labs and play w/ our equipment

jongho: how much more involved do we need to be exactly

san: 🤣 what're the details again? sorry i totally glazed over that email. it's probably in my trash bin actually

namjoon: all that energy put into announcements just for you to trash it 🫤

namjoon: tomorrow, starts at 7pm at the monroe bar

san: i'll be there

mingi: same

yeosang: 🫡

jongho: 👍🏼

namjoon: knew i could trust my boys!

jongho: make the dean give me and san some real estate

namjoon: putting my phone on dnd now 😅

namjoon: jk yes don't worry, i'll work my magic ok. give me a bit of time, but i got you. 

namjoon: thanks guys, have a good evening!

San lets out a breath when he sets his phone aside and runs a hand down his face, mustering all the energy he has left to get his dinner together and onto a plate. He can't, though. His thoughts are too stuck on you, and the way you look. The way you act around him. The way you sound on the phone.

With how big the welcome back happy hour event tends to be, there's no doubt you'll be there with your friends. And as much as San is excited to see you outside of the lab, enjoying yourself in a bar with your friends—

He knows it's equally, incredibly dangerous for him.

—taglist: @asjkdk @interweab @woojirang @svintsandghosts @cheolliehugs @persphonesorchid @mxnsxngie @jycas @cowboydk @vcutparis @chngbnwf @struggling101 @sanhwalvr @angelqueendom @barbielibra @brown88 @choisansplushie @yunhoswrldddd @hyukssunflower @vickykazuya @lucid-galaxys-world @jaytheatiny @pommelex @thespiffynerd @vixensss @santineez @nopension

[restlesscrybaby]

Can you do something Yandere? I only read one fanfic, I think Mr Ring a Ding is a Yandere, I really liked your writing style!!! It can be headcanons or a scene [if you want something longer] tysmmmm!

TYSMM YOURSELF ANON!! I adore yanderes to unbelievable extents, so this request is like a kiss from God! Thank you!

!! MR. RING-A-DING / LUX IMPERATOR. !!

-- YANDERE HEADCANONS.

!⚠️ CONTAINS NSFW CONTENT AS WELL. MDNI. ⚠️!

Him being obsessed this far is.. Scary.

It's terrifying.

If he's still stuck in the theater, he saw you when you snuck in one time.

But he didn't have the chance to stop you.

Your beautiful face,

Sweet laugh,

Your sense of caution...

All of it...

He couldn't stop you in time, no, he jumped out the cartoon too late, hearing the door thud behind you.

It's enough to say that when you revisited and showed friends, he confidently popped out.

Maybe it's how you reacted.

Not fear, confusion yes, but you showed interest, child-like wonder even. And he was hooked.

Or, you were defensive, protecting your friends, standing in the way of them. And he was hooked.

Of course, his whole ordeal, everything...

You left when given the chance.

And he craved.

And he clawed.

He stood at the curtain, cartoon digits clawing desperately at the fabric,

His head leaned against the big wall for the projection to display on, fingers clawing at it as a scene of romance played above him.

He's seen it... Humans had created so much, why couldn't he be apart of it?

Of course, when he becomes 'everything'...

It worsens.

You stand under a street lamp during the night and glance over.

The far street lamp clicks off.

The the one after it.

Then another.

Another .

Another.

It's closing in on you.

The light above you suddenly shines a bit brighter. It's beaming.

You're being admired.

Before you try to rush off, that light suddenly clicks off.

Then the next one you're under gets brighter.

It's a repeat process until your home.

Which means you led him home. To YOUR home.

Oh honey. What a bad idea.

He's stalking all in screens, lights, everything. Eyes wide and lips pulled into smiles,

He crawls out sometimes, taking some of your items. 'Ooo! Look at this cool human stuff..'

He reveals himself most to you during the night. He tries to get you used to seeing him. It's hard on him, he just wants you to know he loves you.

His favorite times are when you're too sleepy and you suddenly pull him in for a cuddly embrace.

How you snore or soundfully sleep, he feels so in love.. he adores it.

Of course, he leaves by morning, cartoony tears running down his cheek before he steps back into your screen.

You started noticing things missing of course...

But a game of cat and mouse with a toon is unfair..

And he's smart.

He plays off his act beautifully. A charming little toon who just wants your heart, sweetie-pie!

Just give him your heart, sweetie-pie!

...

Won'tcha?

You choose to date him ( or not, if you live for drama. ).

His sweet question of courting you and kissing and holding your hand gets to you. He just wants you...

But people stand in his way...

He needs to think logically.. How can he erase the problem?

A man flirts with you at the store, your fingers clutching a fountain drink tighter, opening your lips to say you're taken, but the man pushes. He budges you give in to him.

Mr. Ring HATES it.

He hates that a MORTAL MAN thinks he deserves you,

Goddess of the light!

Ruler of HIS heart!

Getting away with killing is easy...

A simple overuse of a light and BOOM! Glass...

Or swinging a chandelier violently until it snaps and falls...

Or even a light off of a stage, if the man acts or does any of the sort..

It's simple! He picks the poison!

That's the hard part.

He tries to keep you on his side as long as possible, he romances as much as he can.

He holds your hand, kisses it, sets his coat onto puddles, holds your hand to help you up or down stairs, opens your car door for you, gets a bath or shower started for you, even will help you bathe. All of it.

All his. And no one else can have you.

If you try to leave him...

Yikes.

You're cooked.

He wedges under doors, follows in any light he can,

Film tape as bondage to keep you down, or even as kidnapping tape to pull you to him.

You hide under a bed or in a closet, anything,

Suddenly a small flame appears, and his smiling face is in light to you, and he looks to you proudly.

It's impossible to get away...

And trust.

He WILL keep you if he has to.

He'll kidnap you in your own home if you need too.

.. And he's not opposed to it.

NSFW SECTION.

- He's more.. Bondage-based in this lovesick state. He holds onto you tighter, like he's afraid to let you go. Like you'll leave if he let's go.

- Think... Shibari. Like bondage from the ceiling. Your ass ain't going NO WHERE!

- Holy mother of praise. He loves praise.

- 'You're not going. Anywhere!'

- Yes. He will steal your underwear. It was one of his favorites to steal. Freak !

- ... He likes to smell them when you're not home and he's jacking off..

- It helps, trust him!!

- He is not ashamed to stain them too.

- And even put them back.

- It's a claiming thingggs!

I LOVE YANDERES (⌒∇⌒)!!!!

Thank you anon!

P.S. I'll probably fix these up when given the chance and make a part 2, as I wrote these while sleepy.

[enlightenedrobot]

Other Characters you can legally use for your Mickey Mouse project

Mickey Mouse is in the public domain, as is Minnie Mouse and Peg-leg Pete. There's some caveats to that, and I talk about that more in this other post, but for now, let's talk about other characters who you can also use to fill out the cast.

These characters should all be in the public domain, though some characters still have treademarks. I'll get into how to use them safely as we go. Anyways, let's start.

Other Disney Characters

Disney obvciously doesn't advertise this, but there's actually quite a few Disney originals who've actually been in the public domain for a while.

The Mad Doctor never had it's copyright renewed, and so it's very technically the first Mickey Mouse cartoon to enter the public domain. Keep in mind, the version of Pluto featured in the short isn't in the domain just yet, but the Doctor himself is free to use.

What's funny is that Disney would later use a version of Doctor for Epic Mickey. Obviously don't use that version of the character.

Aside from the Mad Doctor, we also have Oswald and Ortensia

Yeah, as it turns out, Oswald's been in the public domain for quite a while, but he's still trademarked by Disney. Easy recommendation... use the original "fat" design of the character and have him go by Lucky.

But before Oswald, we have the Alice Comedies

Everything about the Alice Comedies is Public Domain for a long time, and the Disney corporation very rarely acknowlege these characters existence. Which is a shame because These shorts were some of the first shorts Walt ever produced, and they have the unique gimmick of featuring a live action girl in an animated world.

Everybody already knows about Oswald, but nobody talks about Oswald and Mickey's older brother from these shorts, Julius the Cat

Like... yeah no, it didn't all start with a mouse. Or a rabbit. It started with a cat.

Foxy and Milton Mouse

Both Foxy (top) and Milton (bottom, pictured with his girlfriend Rita Mouse) were characters created by Warner Brothers and Van Beuren respectively to cash in on Mickey's success, and both characters are also in the public domain.

In fact, all Van Beuren cartoons are apparently in the public domain, and I encourage you to find their cartoons and use them as you please.

Fleischer Characters

Betty Boop is probably in the Public Domain, but there's a few caveats with this. From what I can tell, the name Betty Boop is trademarked, but the character herself isn't. Most of the old Betty Cartoons are free to use, but newer incarnations, including the versions used in 1985's The Romance of Betty Boop and 1989's The Betty Boop Movie Mystery are still very much under copyright.

To avoid any legal trouble, I have two big recommendations. Although everybody remembers Betty as having Black hair, in one of the few early instances of Betty being shown in color, she's actually depicted as Redhead.

This is Betty Boop in 1934's Poor Cinderella, and her hair color is pretty clearly red.

The other option is to just make her black.

Though there's been some debate as to whether Betty Boop was intentionally modeled after Esther Lee Jones or not, there's still no denying the influence of Jazz on the character. Betty Boop is a Jazz singer and is often depicted dancing to Cab Calloway. Hell, the Betty Boop musical features Jasmine Amy Rogers as the titular character.

Betty Boop aside, there's an entire world of defunct Betty Boop characters who are definately public domain, including Bimbo and Koko the Clown.

Next year, Popeye's also gonna enter the Domain. So keep an eye out for him too.

Anyways, these are my picks, but obviously this list isn't meant to be comprehensive. There's a ton of old cartoon characters out there who can be freely reinterpreted into newer works. Feel free to add your own favorite public domain cartoon to the list.

[lostbookmark]

Read WHISPERED SECRETS here

WHISPERED VOWS masterlist here

MAIN MASTERLIST

🔞 MDNI🔞

Summary: You thought planning your wedding was going to be a magical memory. You didn't realize that it might make you second guess everything. 

Pairing: Fiancée Yoongi x Insecure F. Reader

Genre: Romance, Angst, Smut, Hurt-Comfort

Warnings: Explicit Sex, Toxic Family Dynamics, Arguments,  Sex Toys, Self Doubt, Over Thinking, Yoongi Overworking Himself,

A/N: In honor of it being October 1st and decorating for Halloween, I decided to drop chapter 1 early. Fun note...I found a dead mouse in one of my decorative apothecary bottles. Fun, fun.

“At 3,000 square feet, this venue is by far the most popular choice amongst young brides. Bridal magazine has ranked us number 1 best wedding venue five years in a row now.  It holds 250 guests comfortably with plenty of room to spare. Amazing ventilation and air circulation flow through the room so it does not get stuffy in here. If you take notice of the high ceilings. We have exposed original beams adorned with our beautiful crystal chandeliers that have been handcrafted, especially for our location. We have large floor to ceiling windows on the sides of the building.  You have a perfect view of our gardens to the east and the mountains to the west.  If you decide on a sunset wedding, the room lights up beautifully. It's very picturesque,”  Jihyo, the manager of the most recent wedding venue, tells you with a beaming smile on her face.  “After the ceremony, the guests can indulge in a little happy hour. They can enjoy their drinks by either going down the hall into our reception area or wandering the gardens and enjoying our fountains until it's time to announce the wedding party.” 

“It’s absolutely stunning. How much are we looking at?” Your mother asked as she wandered around and looked at the chandeliers. 

They were large and obscenely ornate as they hung from the dark brown beams throughout the room. The light streaming through the windows hits the crystals perfectly to create a dazzling display of sparkles and rainbows on the cream colored walls.

“Depending on the decor package you choose and how many tables and chairs you need. If you want to add the happy hour. It can be anywhere between 18 and 30 thousand.” Jihyo answers as she looks at her papers on her clipboard. 

“Dollars?” You ask as you choke on your own spit, and you see your mom take a deep breath as she glares at you. 

You try to fix your look of shock quickly, but it wasn't quick enough for her. You stand up as straight as possible and try to look apologetic. You have gotten used to getting that look again, especially when you don't agree with her lavish and overpriced ideas.  

“I'm so sorry, could you give us a minute?” Your mom asked Jiyho kindly. “Thank you.” 

Jiyho slipped away quietly, leaving the two of you alone. As your mom turned and looked at you, she had a hard glare set on her face. You swear you could see flames of hellfire  in her eyes. It reminded you of the times when you were younger and did something that made her mad. It made you want to hide away and disappear into your closet like you used to. However, that wasn’t your safe space now. Yoongi was your safe space. Your home was your safe space, and you wanted to run. 

“250 guests?” You question her, snapping yourself back into the current conversation.  “I don't even know 250 people. I don't even think I know 50 people.” 

“No, but Yoongi does,” your mom tells you, crossing her arms. “Yoongi is going to have to invite important people, Y/N. You are going to have to impress them. Venues like this…impress people. Don't you want this to be perfect? This place would be absolutely perfect.”

“Yoongi doesn't care about things like that,” you tell her and shake your head in disagreement. “He's not shallow. I think he and I want something small…intimate. Just close family and a few friends. Like 25 people max.” 

“Honey, don't be so naive. He's rich. Rich men love to show off their wealth,” she tells you, but you still shake your head at her and take a deep breath. She always brings up his ‘wealth’ every chance she gets. It's probably the only reason why she is okay with you marrying him.  “Trust me, money talks, and so do fancy weddings. You’ll  thank me for this later. I'll go get Jiyho's card and then we can go to the next venue.” 

You sigh and watch her walk away. Her heels click and clack away on the hardwood floor as she searches for Jihyo.  This is not how you thought wedding planning was going to go.  You feel like your mom is trying to hijack your wedding planning and make her own dream come true by building her perfect wedding. You had been so happy at first when she called you all excited. She explained that your sister had called her and told her the news of your engagement. She had begged you to let her help plan it with you and Yoongi. She told you it would be a good bonding experience, and it would make your relationship grow stronger. You got so swept up in the idea of her finally being in your life that you had agreed almost immediately. Yoongi wasn't happy when you told him. He told you that he wanted nothing to do with her, and she wasn't allowed in your shared home. You respected his wishes, but unfortunately, she was quick to take over. You think you may have made a mistake. A big mistake.

First, she had started to send you pictures of dresses that she thought you would look beautiful in. They were all starke white, poofy dresses with tons of sparkle that reminded you of dresses that fairytale princesses would wear in the storybooks of your childhood. She even found tiaras for you to wear along with long trailing veils.  They were beautiful, of course, and definitely showy but not for you. You had told her that you had wanted something simple, but she wouldn't listen. She was positive that she knew what dresses you would look better in. When that didn't work, she tried to bribe you by offering to pay for it with no price limit.You had held strong and stood your ground. You didn't hear from her for a while after that. You felt proud of yourself when you held firm.

When you thought that maybe she had given up on helping you. She suddenly started sending you links to venues . All the venues she has shown you have been the complete opposite of what you always knew you wanted. Large capacity, crystal chandeliers, indoor fountains, and anything else money could buy. You would have been happy with a backyard wedding and wearing a white sundress with sandals. She shut you down real quick, saying it wasn't good enough for one of her daughters. It was good enough for you, and it was clear that she didn't know you at all, and she didn't want to listen once again. You think that she just didn't want to be embarrassed by you and your simple tastes. 

You had joked to Yoongi one night while you laid in bed if he was willing to run away with you to elope. You don't think you have ever seen him look so serious as he took your hand and said “Let's go.” You wished you had followed through on your joke, but you couldn't. You couldn't live with yourself knowing that you would be letting your mom down by not letting her be there. 

“All set?” She asks, walking back into the room. “Ready for the next one? I think one is by a river.” In the back of your head, you hope she falls in.  

“Yeah, let's go.” you say quietly and follow her like a good little soldier.  You look at the watch on your wrist. You can't wait for this to be over. 

Entering the code to Yoongi's studio, you watch him as he sits at his desk with big headphones draped over his ears. His head was bobbing up and down to the music that he was working on, and the clicking sound of his keyboard filled the quiet room. Closing the door, you walk over to him and gently place your hands on his shoulders, massaging them slowly. He groans, and his head falls forward in pleasure as you dig your fingers in just a little deeper into the tense muscles. You can feel his stiff shoulders start to relax under your touch. Sighing, he reaches around the back of his chair, and he pulls you into his lap. Yoongi takes off his headphones, tosses them gently on his desk, and gives you a quick kiss before resting his head on your shoulder. You run your hands through his dark hair, trying to comfort yourself from the stress of the day.

‘'How was lunch?” he asked, pulling his head away from you to look you in the eyes.

“There was no lunch. There were, however, five different wedding venues,” you tell him, and he furrowed his eyebrows, looking at you questioningly.

“What? I thought you told your mom to stop that,” he said, eyes drifting back to his screen. His slim fingers go back to clicking away on his mouse.

“I did, but you know that she won't listen,” you say, pulling on the black strings of his hoodie. You twist them tightly around one another and let go just to have them unravel.  “One of them held 300 people and cost about 20 thousand dollars.”

“Excuse me?” he says, looking at you with wide eyes. You fully have his attention now. “20,000, 300? Who needs 300 people at a wedding? We are not spending 20k on a venue. A beautiful dress that I get to rip off you at the end of the night…sure.... but not the venue.”

You roll your eyes at him and shove him with your shoulder lightly with a small smile on your face. “Yeah I know, but supposedly it's going to be an extravagant event with a lot of important people. With you being all rich and famous….I have to impress people.  I was told we need the best champagne, chandeliers, fondues, and the perfect sunset,” you explain.

“Rich and famous,” he said with a laugh. “That’s just stupid. Unless....is that what you want?” He asks you, eyes flicker between you and the screen .

“Of course not.  What do you want?” You counter as your fingers continue to twist the strings of his hoodie.

“I want what you want,” he said distractedly, not even looking at you this time. His fingers continued to click away at his mouse. His focus was back on the crowded screen, which was his computer monitor as he watched colorful waves move across the screen.

Yoongi has been busy. Maybe that's why you haven't set a date or had any details figured out yet. He's been pulling long nights in the studio just to come home a couple of nights a week to sleep for a few hours and shower. He was usually gone by the time you woke up on those nights. The last thing that you wanted to do was bother him with questions about your future wedding. You didn't think centerpieces and party favors were high on his priority list right now. He promised you that this was only temporary, but honestly, you're not sure. Several artists that they have signed are growing in popularity, and the demand for songs are coming in strong. He's tired. You can see it in his face, and you can't see this stopping anytime soon.

“Are you going to be coming home anytime soon?” you ask quietly, finally letting go of the twisted material and leaving them to lay in their rightful place against his chest .  You watch as he smiles apologetically at you. His eyes flicker back and forth between you and his screen. You have your answer. “I guess not.”

“You know I want to,” he said, rubbing his face with his hand.  He lays his head back onto the headrest and looks at you. “I would love nothing more than to come home to you. I just….can't right now. The deadlines are too tight, and Joon has been on my ass.” 

You're stressing him out. You don’t want to stress him out. Your sister had stressed him out, and you don't want to be like her. You don't want to suffocate him by being needy and make him run away.  Sighing, you give up, and you nod your head in understanding. You give him a quick kiss on the temple and rub his chest lightly in goodbye. Getting off his lap almost dejectedly, you walk back towards the door. 

“Baby,” Yoongi says, and you look at him with one hand on the door handle. “I love you.”

“Yeah, I love you too,” you answer quietly right before you open the door and leave. You really do.

Yoongi took you to Paris for your birthday four months ago. Well, he had a meeting with some company that just so happened to land on your birthday and he asked you to come with him. You had never been out of the country before, so of course, you were quick to say yes. The first day, he was gone most of the day, and you wandered around close to the hotel. You did a little shopping, buying Jisoo, Seungkwan, and Lisa little souvenirs in the form of mini Eiffel Towers. You were also excited to try some of their bread from their local bakeries. It was, of course, delicious and much better than the rolls from Chic 'n’ Wings.

The next three days, though, it consisted of you and him in bed tangled up in the crisp white hotel sheets and not wearing any clothing. You only left the room to go out to eat in some fancy French restaurants where you couldn't pronounce anything on the menu except for crème brûlée.  Yoongi laughed lovingly at you and helped you order. At night, you had laid in bed with his arms wrapped around you with a beautiful backdrop of lights from the city that made everything feel so special. It was something you never thought that you would ever experience in real life, but he made it possible. You wish you could go back there.  Life seemed so much simpler there before all the stress you were feeling. You didn't have to worry about a wedding date, your mom pushing herself in your life or him overworking himself. The pictures on your phone make Paris seem like a distant memory. You miss it, and it makes your heart ache.

“You're still up?” Yoongi says, coming into the bedroom. He tosses his bag on his desk and stands at the end of the bed, looking at you. “I figured you would be sleeping.” 

“It's only 10,” you say as you look at him confused. “What are you doing here? You said you couldn't come home. What about the tight deadline?” 

“You're upset. I don't want you to be upset. So, I figured I'm now my own boss….technically. I wanted to come home and sleep next to you. Joon can be mad at me all he wants later,”  he explained, shrugging his shoulders. “I miss you.” 

You jumped off the bed in a flash and threw yourself at him. Your arms wrap around him tightly in a needy hug as you mold your bodies tightly together. You bury your face into the nape of his neck, breathing in his scent. It was familiar and comforting. It was one of the things that you missed the most. His hands are strong as they hold you against him. You snuggle as close as you can to him. You don't think that you can ever get close enough. It never felt close enough.

“As much as I would love to make love to you tonight. Baby, I'm so tired. I don't think I can get him up,” he says into your own neck, making you laugh and pull away from him. “It's not funny. You're all I've been dreaming about. I think about you all the time, baby. I think I might have even written a dirty song about you.”

“Take a shower and come to bed,” you say, smiling a full smile and slapping him lightly on the arm. Your face was bright red as you looked away from him. He laughs, and he brings you close to him again. 

“No matter how busy I get, I want you to remember that I love you. Can you do that for me? Know that I'm doing this for us and our future? ” he asked softly, looking you in the eyes.  

“I'll try,” you say. 

“Good, that’s all I want,” With a kiss on your lips, Yoongi turns and leaves the room.  

You climb back into bed to wait for him. You're not stupid.  You know this isn't going to last, and he'll be back to the studio tomorrow working those late hours again. You also know that you love him enough that you need to learn how to navigate your feelings in times like this. If he is working this hard for the two of you, then you feel selfish for making him feel bad about it. You know deep down that he would rather spend his time with you, but it's just not possible right now. You tell yourself that this is something that you need to let go of, and you will. You will let it roll right off your back and not let it bother you. You're going to man up and plan this wedding without bothering him as much as possible. You close your eyes and start making a mental checklist. Venue, flowers, date, colors, food, dress, invitations. Shit, you're going to need to write all this down.

Sitting up, you grab the pad of paper Yoongi always had on his bedside table and a pen. You start to write down that mental checklist and make little notes as you go, Yoongi climbing into bed behind you has you stopping and looking at him in thought. He wraps his arm around your pulling you in close to the front of his body. His body is still warm from the shower, and you relax into his warmth. You turn your head to look at him behind your shoulder and give him a small smile. He leans over and gives you a small kiss.

“How about August 1st?” You ask, and he looks at you thoughtfully. “Our colors can be black and white. Classic, simple, and easy to coordinate with.”

“Perfect colors, in my opinion, and it seems like a pretty easy date that we can remember,” he comments. “That's just under 7 months, though. Do you think we can plan it all by then? Don't these things usually take like over a year to plan?” 

“I'll take care of it. You finish everything that you need to worry about. I'll get you when I need help,” you tell him, and he looks concerned as his eyebrows pinch together. 

“No….I can help. I will make time,” he argues and moves to sit in front of you so he can look at you better. “I'll figure it out. I promise.”

“Yoongi, there is no way you can do everything with me. Not with all the hours that you have been putting in at the studio. I promise if it gets to be too much. I will get you and drag you out of the studio myself to make you help me,” you promise him. 

“You won't hate me if I'm not there every step of the way?” He asks softly. Yoongi reaches up and moves your hair out of your face, tucking it behind your ear. 

“I swear,” you promise again as you turn your head and kiss his wrist. 

Reaching over, you turn the lamp off and throw everything on the bedside table. Laying down, he follows along and spoons up behind you. Yoongi presses a couple of kisses to your shoulder and then to your neck. You close your eyes and relax into his touch. Your mind keeps going over the checklist and everything you have to add to it. Cake, photographer, rings, bridesmaid dresses, honeymoon. You just took on a whole lot of work by yourself, and you hope that you don't end up regretting it. 

《Chapter 2》

A/N 2: Please remember that I am just a casual writer who is not too bothered by grammar. I do my best.

Updates will probably be every two weeks or so.

[dailylooneys]

Happy 90th B-B-Birthday, Porky Pig!

Yeap! Happy 90th Birthday to Warner Bros. first ever true cartoon star and the oldest continuing character in the Looney Tunes character.

After many (somewhat) failed attempts at creating a starring character for the very young Termite Terrace, many of them being Mickey Mouse-equse characters, such as Bosko, Foxy (most infamously and obviously) and Buddy....

.....there came a point in the mid-30s' where the directors, particularly Friz Freleng and Tex Avery, wanted to try and do something different, and that was to create a character who had a unique voice and embodied the soon-to-become irreverent style of humor of the WB cartoons.

First appeared in 1935's I Haven't Got a Hat, directed by Friz Freleng, part of the color one-shot series of Merrie Melodies shorts, was an attempt for Termite Terrace to see which character who appeared in the short could be there next star. Porky appeared in a somewhat supporting role in the film, voiced by Joe Dougherty, who had an actual stutter. The character's iconic stutter was inspired by a real-life pig guttering noise, according to Mel Blanc.

Well, I had trouble with, Porky, because he stuttered, and a lot of people said, "you can't do that". That's why I did it, because everybody was using falsetto voices, everything sounded the same. And I said, what can I do to make this character different? So I called up Warners' casting and said, do you got anybody who stutters? And they had this [Joe] Dougherty guy, who stuttered, and the guy could not just get through a line. And we were doing all of our sound on film then, there wasn’t any tape. If Jack Warner knew how much film I was using, I was through with animation. So I had to get somebody to mimic, and that was Mel. And of course, Mel can do anything. - Friz Freleng (”Friz on Film” documentary)

According to animation historian Jerry Beck, there was some thought that Beans would be the studio's next big cartoon star, as he would appear in a handful of shorts in the black-and-white Looney Tunes, while Ham and Ex were the only other characters of I Haven't Got a Hat to also make one more appearance, starring alongside Beans in The Fire Alarm (1936).

Goes without saying, nobody found Beans or Ham and Ex at all interesting, leading to Porky overshadowing them, and the rest is history.

From then on, Porky became the star of the Looney Tunes series, which were still in black-and-white up until '43. Like many classic cartoons character from the Golden Age of Animation, Porky's role varied from kid to adult character, to dealing with many everyday mundane things or having a specific position, including, but not limited to, farmer, hunter, waiter and zoologist, usually accompanied with other characters such as Porky's dad, Daffy Duck, Gabby Goat, or other one-offs.

The director who perhaps was responsible for giving Porky an even more distinguishing personality and design that we associated with today is Bob Clampett, as he was relegated to directing the main Looney Tune shorts up until the early '40s, which was possibly when Porky shorts were at their best.

(an image of the now-famous "blooper" (Breakdown of 1939) of Porky swearing, directed by Clampett, was made as part of a compilation of bloopers from live-action films, was screened during WB Christmas party reels, but was never released to theaters. This was made a year earlier before Gone with the Wind gained controversy for the use of the word "damn", as swearing was beyond prohibited in films up until the 1960s, when the Hays Code was starting die out.)

However, with the introduction of other, more colorful and quirky, mischievous characters such as Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny, the directors would have admitted to having gradually grown tired of Porky as a character, even as early as 1939, he would play a very minimal role in much of the shorts, such as Porky's Hotel, Porky's Poor Fish, Meet Joe Dougherty and The Chewin' Bruin to name a few. Frank Tashlin infamously stated that he straight up hated Porky, referring to him as "a terrible character", due to the fact that a majority of the shorts he directed always starred Porky, finding him to be very inflexible, compared to his favorite character, Daffy. As a result of Porky's lack of popularity with the directors, Porky would end up becoming more of a side character, often alongside Daffy, Sylvester, Charlie Dog and so on, worked to Porky's benefit as not only did he continue to have sustained popularity with movie theater audiences, but the humor often derived from Porky being the most fairly grounded character being caught in the center of the character's wacky, off-the-wall personalities, or that when he's pushed to his limits, Porky will too snap!

"Nobody liked to work with Porky, because he was too square of a character." - Friz Freleng

Thankfully, this resulted in Porky never losing his popularity as he continues to be as world-famous and recognizable as Bugs, Daffy, Road Runner, Foghorn Leghorn, ect. After over 30 years, Porky would make his last appearance in the original theatrical series' in 1965's Corn on the Cop starring Porky and Daffy as Keystone Kops-looking cops trying to capture a crook whose dressed as Granny.

This cartoon has many significance: it being the only latter-day WB short he ever appeared in. The only Porky short directed by Irv Spector. And the only time Porky appeared alongside Granny, having almost the longest-lasting appearance of any of the characters in the original Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series, defeating only by Daffy Duck, who's last original appearance was in 1968 (31 years), near the ending of the original theatrical cartoon series and the closure of Warner Bros. animation department.

After the end of his movie career, Porky would continue to appear in many other Looney Tunes-related material, one of them being The Porky Pig Show (1964 - 1967) which is a compilation of various of the original shorts, an appearance on Tiny Toon Adventures as Hampton J. Pig's idol and mentor, and many more, especially more recently, one of the main stars of The Day The Earth Blew Up (2025) where we see him in his original Bob Clampett design.

So, despite not being considered the immediate favorite of either the creators (both the original and new) and/or casual viewers', we should not forget the importance of Porky Pig and the impact he left on the original Looney Tunes, and the franchise as a whole. I mean, we got a whole DVD set entirely dedicated to the pig himself:

[yooniesim]

hello and happy new year! ceci, do you happen to have or could you please make a tutorial on creating teeth if it's not a big hassle? i wanted to make a very particulat teeth shape for my sim, but apparently i do something wrong because the result morphs the whole face in a weird way

gurl the "happy new year" is beating my ass rn, not this exposing the state of my inbox...... 😭😭😭

but ok more seriously, I'll get on with the tutorial 😳

Step 1

first, we're going to use s4studio to create our package. we're going to clone the EA teeth to use as our base.

open s4studio and select "create 3D mesh" under "CAS"

click the blue "CAS" button

Step 2

select "Face" from the Part Type dropdown menu. this will make only the teeth files show up.

we're interested in both "yuTeeth" and "yuTeeth_Snaggle", but select yuTeeth first! (you can hover over each picture to see the names too)

click next, and save your package file as whatever you want.

Step 3

zoom in close to the model with mouse wheel until you can see the teeth, to make sure everything is correct, then go to the "meshes" tab on the right side

export your mesh and save it where you can find it.

note: if you've never used s4s or blender before, make sure your blender location is set up correctly in the s4s settings. otherwise, the sims4studio tools won't show up in blender & we won't be able to edit our cut numbers later.

Step 4

now that we have our mesh, we need to edit it in blender. I'm currently using version 4.2. the controls are different in different versions, so feel free to ask me about it if you're using another version and something isn't working right.

open your mesh in blender. press the N key to get rid of the side panel and Numpad 5 to make the view better/less disorienting. you can zoom in and out with the mouse wheel, and move around by holding the mouse wheel and moving the mouse.

look to the right panel where "rig" is listed. click the arrow to expand the list so you can see all parts of the rig.

click the eye symbols next to "head" and "head_2" to make them invisible so you can easily see the teeth!

Step 5

there are many ways of editing teeth, of course, but what i'm going to show you is basically how to frankenmesh them. this is a good way of creating subtle variety in MM style, without it being overly difficult! we're going to combine the regular and snaggle teeth as an example.

go from object mode to edit mode by clicking the menu at the bottom and selecting "edit mode"

afterwards, click the symbol on the bottom right to toggle "x-ray" so you can see all your vertices when editing.

Step 6

left click in the gray space to deselect all. there will be no orange left anywhere on the mesh.

then, hover over the top teeth and press the "L" key over a vertice (the small black dots) to start selecting the top half only. you should only have to select a couple vertices until everything on the top half is highlighted orange. you can change your view by holding down the mouse wheel and moving the mouse.

Step 7

now, press "X" key to bring up the delete menu.

click "vertices" to delete the parts of the mesh we've highlighted. only the bottom half of the teeth will be left behind. if there's any floating parts left over, highlight those with L and delete them the same way.

Now, repeat Steps 1-3 with "yuTeeth_Snaggle". when you have that mesh exported and saved where you can find it, continue to the next step.

Step 8

go back into object mode. you must be in object mode to append meshes.

go to file -> append to bring up another window

double click your snaggle mesh you just exported

double click "object"

double click "s4studio_mesh_1"

click "append" (if the window didn't close already) and the snaggle mesh will be added to your current mesh!

Step 9

you will see several new mesh parts in the list on the right. right click over "bone_bone_shape.001" and click delete to remove it, since it's just a duplicate.

do the same thing with "rig.001" to delete it as well

select the mesh part you just appended- which is "s4studio_mesh_1.001" to select it and go back to object mode (you can also rename it now by double clicking it if you want)

Step 10

repeat what we did in Steps 6-7 to remove the bottom teeth of the snaggle mesh. you may need to be more careful since these teeth are less straight & overlap more. take your time, and if you make a mistake, you can press CTRL+ Z to undo. you can also click the eye icon next to our first mesh part to hide it so you can see better.

when you're done deleting, unhide the first mesh part to see how it looks together. you now have the top teeth from yuTeethSnaggle and the bottom teeth from yuTeeth on the same mesh! you can mix and match many teeth parts this way.

I decided to rename my mesh parts to top & bottom to keep them organized. you can click the eye symbols to hide either one and see how each part looks. when you're ready, select the top teeth mesh part and return to edit mode.

Step 11

some of EA's meshes have very few polys, so they can be hard to edit, especially if you want to move individual teeth. but, teeth are so small that they don't need/shouldn't have too high of a poly count. having every single tooth be super detailed is overkill, so it's a good idea to only increase polys in the specific areas you want to edit. for this example, i'm going to mainly focus on the front teeth.

select the front teeth by right clicking + dragging over the area you want to select, and it will highlight orange.

go to "edge -> subdivide" to increase the polys in the selected area only, which will give you more to work with. DO NOT SUBDIVIDE TOO MUCH! once should be plenty for this.

Step 12

now for the fun part- actually editing the teeth to be unique! you don't have to do this if you only want to mix & match EA parts, but it's neat to toy around with, even if you just do tiny edits. there's a variety of ways to do this, and I like to do a mixture, but for this example I'm going to use proportional editing.

click the circle button to turn on proportional editing

left click any vertice you'd like to edit

press the G key (move tool) and scroll the mouse wheel forward until the gray circle appears on your screen. this circle represents the influence of editing- the bigger the circle, the wider range of vertices will be moved around that point. the smaller the circle, the smaller/more detailed the change.

move the vertices around by moving your mouse. you'll see right away how it moves. play around with it by using a combination of scrolling the wheel back and forth and moving the mouse.

left click to confirm/stop moving the vertices. you can undo using CTRL + Z if you need to. keep repeating this step by selecting vertices, pressing G, and moving them around how you want. you can also use proportional editing with the S key (scale tool) to make areas bigger or smaller. in blender 4.2, you can also click the tools on the top left side of the window if you want to mostly use your mouse, but I usually use the keyboard.

when you're done editing your mesh and you're ready to test it out, save your file before moving to the next step. keep a copy to the side so you have something to come back to later if you want to change anything!

Step 13

now we're going to prepare our mesh to be game-ready. some of the most important aspects of that is ensuring a) the mesh part is correctly named and b) the "cut" number is correct. if these things are off, the game won't know how to read it, and we'll get odd bugs like missing heads or our mesh just not showing up at all. we currently have two mesh parts and teeth only need one, so we'll fix that first.

first, go to object mode and select both mesh parts by holding shift and clicking each one.

press CTRL + J to join them together into one part.

Step 14

another thing we need to do is remove doubles so our mesh doesn't look weird or have any odd shadows in-game. in blender 4, it's "merge by distance", but in earlier versions it's just "remove doubles". you should do this when you're done editing, because it'll be difficult to edit after this step. I always do it after I merge all my mesh parts & am about to import for testing. I also double check the cut numbers after this to be sure they're right.

rename your combined mesh part to "s4studio_mesh_1" and ensure the cut number is 0.

go to edit mode and select all by pressing the A key

go to mesh -> clean up -> merge by distance

unhide the "head" and "head_2" parts of the rig you hid in Step 4

save your mesh as a new file name so you don't overwrite your working mesh, in case you want to go back and change something

Step 15

go back into your package in s4studio and import your new mesh

if you like how it looks & are done editing, select LODs 1, 2, and 3 in the dropdown menu and import your mesh there too. these are normally different meshes, but since EA based teeth are so insanely low poly, there isn't much point making individual LODs for them. but it's not that difficult to make them if you want to- if anyone wants a quick tutorial for that, let me know!

Step 16

you can stop here if you want- the teeth will take on the texture of your defaults if you used the yuTeeth package as a base. however, since we've used the Snaggle teeth on top, I think an adjusted texture might look better. I always use the textures by @ice-creamforbreakfast for my teeth, so head over there and grab their defaults if you haven't already! then grab the "uneven teeth" package file and open it in s4s.

export the texture from the uneven teeth package file as dds

go back to your package file and import it! (and don't forget to credit ice-cream if you post your teeth publicly ;3)

Step 17

lastly, go to categories tab and scroll to the bottom. if you want your teeth to be enabled for random sims, check the box

if you want the teeth to be considered a certain type (like buck teeth), change the miscellaneous to that type. if it doesn't matter or you're not sure, just keep it as TeethStraight.

Finally, save your package and you're done! :)

[gemmascouts]

TILE TRANSITION TUTORIAL

a couple of people have asked me for a tutorial on how I did the penultimate gif in this set, so here goes! this is my first tutorial, so please feel free to reach out with further questions if anything's unclear.

note: this tutorial assumes you know the basics of gifmaking, can create the base gifs, and are familiar with timeline mode.

STEP ONE: create the base gifs! I'd recommend staying between 25-40 frames for each gif, since the transitions we'll use later tend to increase gif sizes. these are the ones I'll be using for this tutorial:

STEP TWO: create the guide layouts for both base gifs. for this panel, I chose a 4x4 grid — I would recommend keeping the number of "tiles" low because it can get tedious, but have a minimum of 9 (3x3 grid).

now your canvas should look like this:

STEP THREE: create the tiles. this is where the going gets rough; there might be easier ways to do this that I couldn't think of 😭 if there are any please send me an ask!

essentially, in this step we'll cut up the base gifs into smaller squares so that each tile can be manipulated separately when we put both gifs together. to do this, first create a square using the rectangle tool and the guides. then duplicate the base gif, move it above the square, apply a clipping mask, and then convert the clipped gif and square (selected in the image below) into one smart object.

ALTERNATELY: you could duplicate the original base gif and use layer masks to isolate tiles. create a layer mask for the duplicated gif layer and, with the layer mask selected, drag your mouse over a square (using the guide layout) and press delete. then press ctrl/cmd + i to invert the layer mask so that the gif only shows in the square of your choosing.

now repeat until you've got the entire gif in tiles, and do the same for the other gif!

since the transition effect is achieved by staggering the crossfades for each tile of the final gif, you can cheat by having multiple tiles "flip" at a time, ideally no more than four. this means you need to cut the base gif up into fewer pieces. to do this, simply draw multiple squares instead of one and then merge the shapes, before duplicating and clipping the gif onto them.

if you do this, it's essential to remember that you have to divide both gifs up in the exact same way. each piece of the b/w gif has to correspond to a piece of the purple gif!

this is what the layers look like for each gif once I'm done:

I have them lettered so that it'll be easier to match them up in the next step.

STEP FOUR: this is the complicated bit that took me two days to figure out. I'll do my best to explain but don't hesitate to reach out if something isn't clear!

to begin, open up a new psd and import both base gifs into it. (remember to click "create video timeline" and ensure that your gifs are all in order before proceeding.)

now, the trickiest part about this transition is ensuring that all the little tiles sync up so that the larger gif is coherent. so first we'll create some markers (just empty layers) to ensure that everything lines up as it should. — marker 1: at about halfway through the first gif (b/w in this case) — marker 2: at about a quarter of the gif length — marker 3: close to the end of the gifs

at this point we're ready to start bringing in the tiles. I'm going to delete the base gifs from this new psd just to keep things cleaner!

first thing to do is import my b/w tile. move the timeline slider over to marker 1 and split the first gif. (if it helps, rename the split gifs and add (start) and (end) to the two halves.) then, move the (end) half to the beginning of the timeline, and the (start) half to line up with marker 3.

the purple tile is easier to manage. simply import it into the psd and line it up with marker 2.

your timeline should now look like this:

notice the overlap between the gifs at their beginnings and ends — this is where you'll be able to cascade the tiles flipping, so it helps to have a significant amount of overlap.

crop the three gifs for this tile as you see fit! since this is the first tile I want to flip from b/w to purple, I'll crop gif 1a (end) all the way to the current position of the timeline slider (red line with blue tip) and leave the beginning of gif 2a uncropped. for the flip from purple to b/w, I'll crop both gifs a bit.

once that's done, drag all three gifs onto the same level in timeline so they form a video group. your timeline should look something like this:

now you just repeat the process for all the other tiles! as long as you made sure that all the tiles in one gif correspond with tiles in the other gif in step three, this should be a fairly painless process. make sure to crop the starts/ends of the gifs separately so that they don't all flip together.

this is what my layers look once I've done all the tiles:

and the gif!

STEP FIVE: transitions! click on the half-white square (top right of the left column in the timeline, beside the scissors) and select the crossfade transition, then drag it between two gifs in a video group. it should create a two-triangle symbol and shorten the overall length of the video group.

apply the transition to all the tile flips, ensuring that the duration of all transitions is constant. this can sometimes be tricky because ps likes to change the duration of each transition, so right click on the transition symbol and manually change all your transition durations to be the same.

your layers should now look something like this:

STEP SIX: draw the grid. bring back the guide layout from step two and using the line tool (I like 2px thickness), trace the grid. adjust opacity as you see fit (50-80% is usually a good idea), so that the canvas looks like this:

STEP SEVEN: export and celebrate! you're done!

I hope this tutorial made sense and was easy to follow, and happy giffing! my inbox is always open for any questions <3