#technically. i mean the game’s been out for like 3 years now or something-

[lavalampstealer]

Hey😃 I’m alive again

[bizarrelovetriangel]

needy.

they joke about you being needy but you take it seriously so you stopped kissing and sleeping with them and suddenly they're not laughing anymore.

mdni. 18+ only. grinding. suggestive but no actual sex. reader enjoys being an insufferable tease <3

sylus.

You pushed him down on the couch and straddled his thighs while one of his hand runs up and down your back, and the other rests on your waist.

He breaks free from your deep kiss with a playful smirk on his face.

"You've been quite needy lately, kitten."

You paused.

Needy?

"Oh."

Sylus froze as soon as he saw the lack of amusement on your face.

"I didn't mean — "

"No, you're so right." You suddenly got off his lap and expertly dodged the hands that attempted to catch you and pull you back down. "I really should calm down, shouldn't I ?"

"No — "

"That's such a great idea, Sylus." you smiled and pinched his cheek. "Let's do something else instead. Let's make cookies!"

That was the start of Sylus' awful week, when he didn't get to touch you at all.

No hand holding.

No hugs.

No kisses.

No sex.

Sylus thinks he might actually go insane.

But he can't lose your game so easily.

He'll toughen up if he must.

He lasted years without you and he had successfully kept his distance from you, no matter how difficult and tempting, until the time was right.

His patience and self-control are not to be underestimated.

He'll be fine.

That's what Sylus keeps reminding himself every time he gets the urge to hold you. Every time his eyes fall to your lips, he tells himself that he'll survive without them.

You're trying to punish him for calling you needy, but he won't give in.

He'll wait until you give in.

It's more fun that way.

Okay, so this is harder than he thought.

It's day two and he's already weak on the knees from the very moment you walked out of the bathroom wearing the dress for tonight's date.

Sylus watched you put on your heels, flashing him a part of your thighs while doing so, and he wanted to run a hand on it to feel your smooth skin.

"Sylus?"

He blinked out of his trance to realize you just asked him a question. "What was that, sweetie?"

"I was asking if it'll be cold in the restaurant you chose, so I can know if I should bring a jacket or not."

He shook his head. "You'll be just fine."

That was a total lie.

It turned out to be cold as your table was specially reserved at a rooftop of a building.

However, it just so happens that Sylus has a jacket and the cold wasn't affecting him, so he was able to give it to you.

With a grin on his face, Sylus pulled your seat right next to his and gently put the jacket around your shoulders, making sure his fingers brush against your skin even if it's only for a second.

"Thanks." as you gave him a smile, you slightly moved closer to his face. "I feel much better now."

Sylus made the mistake of looking at your lips. Without much thought, his head tilted down and his nose grazed yours before aligning your lips.

"Wow! This wine is so good! Try it!" You shoved your glass of wine to his lips before scooting your chair back to its initial place, a couple of feet away from him.

Sylus almost choked on the alcohol but gladly accepted your offer. He put his lips on the same spot that had your lipstick stain on it.

At the very least, he got to enjoy an indirect kiss that should keep him satisfied for the rest of the week.

Or so he thought.

Day four.

The frustration has gotten to Sylus.

It's like owning the world's most valued weapon yet not being able to use it.

He can look, but he can't touch.

It's much more difficult than he thought.

Especially when you're doing everything in your power to make him cave in.

Well, technically, you aren't doing anything out of the ordinary.

Right now, all you're doing is hitting the punching bag in the exact way that he taught you, but the way you look at the moment is making him want to grab you and pin you down — or you can be the one to pin him down. It doesn't matter to him. All he wants is his body to be pressed against yours.

Sylus quietly growled under his breath.

He clenched his fist and started to hit the other punching bag, hoping to take away some of the tension burning inside him, particularly inside his shorts.

You tilted your head and watched curiously as Sylus' punches to the sandbag has gotten heavier, leaving such satisfying sounds at the impact.

"Whoa! So good! You look like you're getting ready to beat up some real nasty bad guys. Did anyone piss you off or something?" You picked up the clean towel nearby and held it up towards his face to wipe the sweat on his forehead. "You do look tense lately."

Sylus' left hand suddenly caught the one you're using to wipe his face. "You're a vicious little kitten."

He gave your hand a kiss before stepping back and patting your head before walking out of the room and leaving you alone.

"Hey, where are you going?! We haven't sparred yet!"

"Shower." He looked over his shoulder to give you a smirk. "Would you like to join?"

You almost agreed in a heartbeat.

But you have to stay strong.

"Nope, I'll just stay here and keep practicing so I can kick your ass the next time we spar."

Your own answer only disappointed the both of you.

Day seven.

You and Sylus went out for a ride on his newest motorcycle at night, on the empty, spatious roads of N109.

It was the worst idea of all.

As the one that's manipulating the vehicle, you're the one sitting at the front and you took advantage of the close proximity by pressing your ass right against his crotch.

Sylus had to concentrate on making sure his grip on your waist doesn't hurt you, with the way his body had gone stiff. Every part of him.

Every bump on the road slammed your hips against him and he had to hold his breath every time. His pants became tighter and tighter by the minute, and his breath had gotten unsteady.

He was sweating throughout the entire ride.

And once you finally made it back to his place, Sylus' patience finally broke.

From the moment you got off the motorcycle, Sylus quickly removed his motorcycle before taking off yours.

As soon as your face was in clear view, before you could even comprehend what was happening, Sylus' left hand caressed your jawline before locking his lips with yours.

Your eyes widened with surprise, though you didn't waste a precious second to kiss him back and pull him close by grabbing onto his shoulders.

Sylus didn't dare to pull away until he was out of breath. Even then, he'd only stop for a second before diving back in like a starved man.

Every time you'd pull back to gasp for air, Sylus would come after your lips and slip his tongue between them to capture yours.

"You win." he huffs in between kisses while your hands run through the strands of his hair. "I yield."

"Heh?" you can't help but grin. "What are you talking about? What are you yielding for?"

"Don't play innocent, kitten. You know what you've been doing." He tapped your forehead as you laughed. "I won't call you needy ever again, so if you could stop teasing me, I'd greatly appreciate it." he whispered against your ear before kissing it softly, "I don't know how long I can keep holding back."

"Since you learned your lesson...." you pressed your lips under his jaw. "You don't need to hold back anymore."

That was all he needed to hear.

Sylus wrapped your legs around his hips and kept you up against him as he made his way into his bedroom.

zayne

You're drawing random patterns with your finger on Zayne's bare chest as you cuddle with him when suddenly, he made a lighthearted joke.

"Your libido has been rather high lately. Based on my record, your premenstrual syndrome symptoms shouldn't be showing up for another two weeks."

You looked up to see the playful grin on his face.

"Oh, is that right?" you huff. "Must be my diet or something. No worries, I'll fix it."

Zayne blinked with confusion. "Huh?" But he received no more response for an explanation as you closed your eyes and drifted oft to sleep.

It was only until the very next day when he realized his mistake when he received absolutely zero kisses.

He was quick to figure out what brought on such an evil scheme.

"Oh, no..."

Day three.

You stopped by his work to join him for lunch, just as he requested.

Zayne observed that you're not angry with him and you have no problem spending time with him. You act normal for the most part. The one big change with your behavior is that you refuse to give him any physical affection.

You didn't even give him a hug as you greeted him.

It feels strange. It's like he's forgetting something as important like his wallet or his car keys.

"Are you punishing me for what I said the other day?"

"What you said the other day?"

"You know... about your high libido...."

He could've sworn a vein popped out from your forehead just now and he does his best to suppress a smile of amusement. He's already in trouble. He doesn't want to dig his grave any deeper.

"Nope! I don't care at all!"

Despite the words that came out of your mouth, you continued to make him suffer.

Later that day, you met up aftet work to drink milk tea while taking a night stroll around the city during such a lovely weather.

The way you were smiling the whole time made Zayne want to hold your hand and keep you close to him.

And yet, you were constantly moving around so much, either on purpose or due to all the sugar from your drink, so he ended the night feeling somewhat emptyhanded.

He hasn't realized until now just how much he enjoys even the little touches you grace him with.

Day five.

You and Zayne attended a formal event.

It's a banquet for the hunters association and you were obligated to come, and he was your date, so you two dressed up nicely to follow the dress code.

Although, if he was being honest, Zayne wishes you two are still in your apartment, where he can have you all to himself.

Ever since he had come to your home to picked you up, he couldn't keep his eyes off you. And throughout the event, he has been rather... uneasy.

As you're eating dessert, Zayne can't help but imagine tasting it from your lips. It has been days since he last kissed you, and he needed to be reminded of your sweetness.

He needed to feel the warmth and softness of your skin underneath your dress.

Zayne lets out a shaky breath before loosening his tie.

It seems that the room suddenly feels hot.

Or maybe it's just his racing mind and heart and the blood rushing down below his hips.

"Zayne, are you okay?"

You scooted your chair closer to him so that your legs are touching. You faced him and put a hand on his forehead.

"You feel warm. Are you sick?"

Zayne lets out a laugh that was half-nervous. "Are you teasing me again?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just worried about you."

He detected from your tone that you are indeed teasing him.

On the drive back, Zayne was clutching the steering wheel as his mind continues to race, imagining all the things that he'd been wanting to do with you. Sitting still became difficult with a bulge rising through his pants.

But yet again, he ends the night without a single touch from you.

And Zayne has decided, he'll never joke about anything ever again.

Day six.

On his day off, Zayne had taken you out for a picnic and the torture continues.

Whenever you two have a picnic, there's lots of cuddling involved. This time, there's none at all and there's the Happy Snowman plushie sitting right between you two as a barrier.

You two are playing kitty cards and Zayne seems to be on top of his game today.

After all, he had a special proposal.

"Whoever wins must do something that the winner wants."

It's a simple but classic prize that no one can ever resist, so you gladly accepted the challenge thinking you'd easily win.

But Zayne's focus is unshakeable.

He's consecutively dropping assist cards to take away your points, and somehow he's stocking up all the sixes.

He won't even let you switch cards by acting cute. That's how serious it is right now. The stakes are high.

After six rounds, Zayne comes out as the winner.

"How could this happen?!"

Zayne chuckles at your dramatic cries, aggressively shaking Happy Snowman as if it was the one responsible for your loss.

Unfortunately for Happy Snowman, it's Zayne's turn to have your attention.

Zayne snatched the plushie out of your hands and set it aside.

"Darling, it's time for me to claim my prize."

You sigh and bowed playfully. "Yes, yes, congratulations for being crowned as the King of the Kitties. What can I do for you, Your Highness?"

Zayne smiled and gently held your chin with his fingers before guiding you to look up so you can lock gazes.

"Kiss me."

Your mouth drops at his request, face immediately heating up.

"Oh."

He found a way to end your silly little game.

He really is a clever boy.

"Your wish is my command~"

At last, you stop holding back against your urges and brought yourself on his lap.

Zayne eagerly welcomes you into his arms and wraps them around you tightly, making sure you don't try to escape.

His lips meets yours with desperation and his hands slides down to your thighs, encouraging you to sway your hips back and forth.

Between the deep and heavy kisses, he mutters, "I joked about you being needy yet here I am, being the needy one. But it's all your fault. Are you going to take responsbility for it?" Zayne pressed you down against his hips to let you feel just how hard he is for you.

"...should we end picnic early?"

"We should end picnic early."

caleb

You stumbled into his room while removing his shirt and almost tripped on his feet as you reached the bed.

"What's the rush, Pip-squeak? And here I thought I was the needy one."

Your hands come to a halt.

"What did you say?"

"I said there's no need to rush, I'm not going anywhere — "

"No, you just called me needy just now."

Caleb chuckles at your furrowed brows.

"I was joking, Pip— what are you doing?" you picked up his shirt that you dropped on the floor and threw it at his chest before walking out of his room.

"Gonna be needy all by myself in my room. Goodnight."

"Wha — hey wait!"

It's too late. You stomped your way into your own room and Caleb is left all alone with a boner that remained standing until his mood died down.

Caleb sent you a bunch of stickers, hoping you'd come back beside him. Sadly, you ignored all of them and he was forced to sleep with a cold, empty bedside.

The next day, Caleb woke up early and prepared breakfast for the two of you as usual. You came out of your room and lazily greeted him a good morning, so he was relieved to know that you weren't really mad.

But once he tried to kiss you on the cheek after giving you a cup of coffee and you blocked his lips with the palm of your hands, he learned that he's not completely off the hook just yet.

"No."

"Huh?"

"No kisses."

"What?! Why?!"

You almost laughed at the way his face shifted, looking like a little boy who'd gotten his favorite toy taken away.

"Because. I don't want to seem needy."

"Come onnnn, it was a joke! I'm sorry!" he tried to embrace you from the back but you stood up and moved away.

"Wow, look how nice the weather looks today!" you exclaimed as you look out the window, admiring the clouds of Skyhaven.

Caleb pouts at the way you deflected him.

Knowing how you behave whenever you're being petty, he has to brace himself for the worst few upcoming days of his life.

Day two.

The pout hasn't left his face.

You two are working out together at his home gym and he's pouting as he's doing push ups.

You're not even sitting on his back and motivating him to do more reps. You're just doing your own sets of excercises in front of him while pretending he's not there.

"Pip-squeak, look. I'm doing push-ups with one hand."

"...."

"Now I'm doing push-ups with just one finger!"

"..."

No matter what he did to grab your attention, he just couldn't get you to look at him.

But what if....

"Whew, it's so hot in here."

Caleb took off his shirt and threw it aside.

He tries not to grin as he caught you sneaking glances from the corner of your eye.

Now, he'll do pull-ups on the bar right in front of you.

Or at least, that was the plan.

His shirt was thrown back at his chest just like the other night.

"Caleb you dummy. You'll get cold."

You walked out of the room and he was back to pouting.

Day four.

You went back to Linkon at Monday morning. Caleb couldn't believe he lasted four whole days without getting a single kiss from you. He didn't even get to hold your hand or pat your head.

The lack of physical affection and intimacy should be nothing to him since he always had to hold back from acting on his feelings for you. He was willing to wait forever for you.

But now that he thinks about it, he'd always been touchy with you.

Even before you were in a romantic relationship, he'd given you plenty of hugs, he'd given you lots of forehead kisses, he'd hold your hands whenever you let him, he'd hold you when you don't want to sleep alone, and he'd even kissed your cheek during the times whenever you pretended to be a couple.

Physical affection has always been a part of your relationship.

Taking it away is like taking away a pilot's airplane.

Well, maybe it's not that drastic but it surely feels that way to Caleb.

Now that he's able to kiss you and hold you whenever he wants, he can't stop. He loves being with you and becoming one with you.

He can't help but seek for your touch.

It's only been a few days but he misses your warmth. He misses how you taste. He misses the sounds you'd make.

Oh, he definitely won't survive for long.

This scheme of yours has to end now.

Day five.

You got a good jumpscare when The Colonel showed up at your doorstep at night, in his full uniform and all.

Before opening the door, you peeked through the peephole and took note of his serious expression, just as The Colonel often appears as.

But the scary demeanor vanished the moment you oppened the door.

His face lights up and you're flashed with the warm smile you've used to seeing.

"Caleb! What are you doing here?!"

"I just dropped by to bring you something you forgot at my house. It's pretty important so I thought I'd make a trip to Linkon so you don't worry about it."

You let him in your apartment, trying to recall what you could have forgotten. You were able to get through a long day at work without noticing anything missing, so what could've been that important that he had to give to you immediately?

"What did I forget?"

Caleb dug something from one of the pockets of his coat.

"Ta-da! Here you go~"

Caleb took your left hand and dropped something to your palm.

".....Are you being serious right now?"

A hair clip.

"What? It's something that you use every day, is it not? I know you were probably feeling weird without it. You're welcome."

"...I leave this behind on purpose. I always use it whenever I'm at your house, every time I'm doing my hair. It was meant to stay there."

Caleb laughs and scratches the back of his head. "Oh, my baaaad, Pip-squeak. Ah, but since I'm already here, might as well have dinner together!I'll help you cook~"

He removed his hat and coat before entering your kitchen. You're in the middle of making dinner too, so he somehow arrived perfectly on time.

You should've known he came in with a mission.

As he goes around the kitchen, he does everything possible to accidentally touch you.

He'd lightly bump into you and touches your shoulder as he apologizes.

His hand brushes against your waist to move you aside so he can pass by.

He stands behind you and reaching over you so he could get some containers on the cabinet, making sure to grind his hips against your ass just for a brief second.

Eventually, you found yourself cornered against the fridge.

"What are you doing?"

"Making dinnner." you glare at him and he was quick to give you a pout. "...And trying to win your attention because you've been so mean to me by neglecting me."

"Neglecting?" you tilted your head. "But I thought I was being needy."

Caleb groans before completely losing his patience.

He pulls you into a hug. "I'm sorry! I won't say it again! Please don't punish me anymore I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry — " his embrace starts getting tighter at every word, making you cough dramatically.

"Jeez, alright fine! I get it, now let me go — "

"Never!"

Caleb lifts you off the ground and nuzzles his face against yours. "So soft and so warm ~"

"Caleb, the pot is boiling!"

"The pot can wait. I'm busy."

"Caleb — " the sizzling noises from the stove forced him to jump away from you.

"Okay I'm coming!"

rafayel

"You don't need to be so needy cutie, I'm not going anywhere~"

You pulled away from his kiss and raised a brow at him. "Needy...?"

Rafayel's eyes widen as he realized what he just said. "I — I was just joking!"

"Right..."

You laughed along but five minutes later, the kisses suddenly stopped and your attention shifted to your phone to play a silly game (one that he recommended to you in the first place).

Rafayel didn't think much of it. He was able to cuddle with you as the two of you fell asleep that night.

But once he woke up, things started to seem weird to him.

As you left to go to work, you didn't give him a kiss. You always give him a kiss. You rushed out of the studio before he could even remind you about it.

He didn't get to see you for the rest of the day because the Wanderers robbed him all of your time and energy.

At the very least, he was able to videocall with you and chat with you about how your day went. Though, seeing your sleeping face made him wish he was next to you so he could comfort you and ease your exhaustion.

Day two.

You joined him for a stroll at the beach and helped him collect some shells. He tried to hold your hand but you not-so-subtly moved away from him.

The face he made was worthy of a drama actor award.

"Are you worried I'd give you a virus? Come here, cutie, I'm perfectly clean. I just took a bath an hour ago."

"No no, just don't wanna seem clingy, that's all."

Rafayel took a moment to figure out what prompted that response.

"Waaaait, you're not really mad about me calling you needy, are you? It was just a joke, Miss Bodyguuaaard..."

"Mhmm."

Rafayel sighs as he realizes you're going to prolong this cruel revenge of yours just a little further. It's good that you're not really mad, though he can't help but pout about it.

He had to walk through the beach with you so close yet so far from him, and his hands have never felt so cold and lonely.

You don't even always hold his hand, as sometimes collecting sea shells require all hands available, but now that he's aware of your punishment, he can't help but notice that he really loves holding your hand and giving you little kisses.

Without them, his day feels incomplete.

Day three.

You showed up at Rafayel's art exhibition and he's acting like you just dumped him.

"Oh, I didn't expect you to show up today, Miss Bodyguard. I thought you'd forgotten all about me."

He showed you one painting that you haven't seen finished until now.

"This is inspired by the gaping hole in my heart because my beloved has left me."

Trying not to laugh, you flicked his forehead. "Your beloved saw you this morning for breakfast and watched you get scolded by Thomas because you weren't ready for your event on time."

Rafayel huffs. "Well, I would have woken up early and would've been prepared on time if only I went to sleep early. But I couldn't sleep early because my beloved is being mean to me and won't let me kiss her."

"Weeeell, that sucks for you." you patted his shoulder. "I'm gonna go check out that lovely painting over there. See you later."

Rafayel followed you the entire time, walking so closely beside you so his hand would constantly brush against yours.

Once you reached an empty room, he stood right behind you and put a hand on the wall next to the painting that you're admiring.

His lips brushed against your ear after taking a whiff of your neck. "This perfume... it's the one that I really like..."

It was indeed the scent that makes him act like a cat that's high on catnip. You wore it on purpose, solely to get the reaction that he's giving right now.

Rafayel's lips brushed against your neck like a feather, testing the waters to see if you'd push him away.

So far, you do nothing but stare at the beautiful painting he worked months on.

His right hand landed on your stomach and gently nudged you back so that your body is right against his.

His kisses grew a little bolder, lingering on your skin a little longer.

But then, the sound of footsteps coming close forced you to spring away from him.

You held back a grin at his red face.

"This has been a wonderful exhibit, Sir Rafayel. Thank you for the tour."

"...Hmph..."

He crossed his arms and looked away, trying to calm down his racing heart.

Looks like his body craves for you more than he realized.

Day four.

"I got here as fast as I could! What's the emergency?!"

You slam the bathroom door open to find Rafayel chilling in his bathtub, naked body submerged in warm water mixed with pink foamy soap.

"...."

"Oh, good, you're finally here." Rafayel sighs with relief. "Miss bodyguard, you have to help me. I slipped from a paintbrush earlier and hurt my right arm, so I can't move it around easily because it hurts. Will you help me with my bath?"

"How did you get in the bathtub in the first place if your arm hurts so much?"

"Don't worry about it, cutie. That's in the past. I like to focus in the present."

You shook your head, though you're unable to hide a smile from his silly yet clever response.

You knelt down beside the bathtub and started petting his head. Right away, he closed his eyes and leaned in towards your touch.

You lowered your hand to his neck and brushed slowly your thumb against his skin just under his jaw, and you caught him gulping nervously.

Next, you slid your hand down to his chest, drawing random shapes between his pecs, causing his breath to stutter.

"But now that I think about it... how does one get help for taking a bath?" you asked. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

Rafayel caught your hand before you could even think about pulling away and leave him hard, just like yesterday at the exhibit.

"I just need you... to move your hand... just a little lower...."

Your face heated up at his low tone. His face had turned into a dark shade of red, flushed from the warmth you've made him feel with just a few light touches.

"You better be careful." you whispered, moving your hands down as slow as possible. "With how you sound just now, someone might think that you might be a little....needy...."

Rafayel opened his eyes but didn't move a single muscle. His hand remained on top of yours, letting you wander to wherever you want to.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm the needy one." he kept his gaze fixated on you. "I need to have you close to me. I need to hold you. I need to feel you."

Your face burned.

As did the rest of your body.

At last, your hand reached where he needed you to be.

Stiff and twitching, just for you.

Your core clenched as you recall the way he feels inside you.

"If.... if I'm gonna help you take a bath, you better make some room for me."

Rafayel has never moved so quickly.

xavier

Xavier breathes heavily on his bed, face flushed and chest heaving, glistening with sweat. You're lying next to him, equally spent after getting lost in each other's bodies.

"We've been doing it so much lately, I'm starting to feel sore." he says with a chuckle, putting one hand on his neck and shoulder.

"....You're right." you softly tapped on his chest as if to give him comfort. "Don't worry, I'll let you recover. Let's not do anything for a while."

Xavier's eyes widen. "What?! That's that not what I meant — "

You let out a yawn. "I'm sleepy. Goodnight, Xavier~"

"Wait — "

"Goodnight, I said."

Day one.

You had to be joking, right?

You were probably just so tired and blurted out such a hasty statement.

You probably don't even remember what you said.

Xavier didn't forget, though. He couldn't, even if he wanted to.

When he woke up at noon, you were already at work. You made breakfast for him. If you were really upset with him, you wouldn't have cooked anything for him.

So, everything should be fine.

He arrived at work and the very first thing he did is greet you at your station. You're behind your desk, busy with a report on your computer.

"Good morning."

He leaned down to give you a hug. Although you didn't return it, you didn't deflect him.

That means you really were just bluffing. Everything is fine.

"Good morning, Xavier."

Fast forward to a couple of hours later, you two are investigating an abandoned but recently used building that's been raided by Wanderers.

There was a suspicious man on site, so you hid somewhere so that you can observe him for any possible leads.

Xavier pulled you into a room that looks to be a supplies closet, which was luckily clean enough to not contain any foul smell that would make it unbearable for you to hide in.

You stood by the door that's slightly cracked open so that you can keep an eye on the suspicious man.

Xavier stood right behind you with absolutely no space between your bodies. His left hand made its way to your waist while his lips brushes against your neck.

Before he could do anything else, you turned around and covered his mouth with one hand.

"Hmm? What are you — "

"Shhh. We need to be quiet."

Okay, so you rejected his attempt to makeout.

But that was only because you couldn't risk missing out on any leads and had to focus on the suspicious guy, right? That's all. Everything is fine.

Everything is not fine.

He caught you on a conversation with Andrew and you were touching his shoulder. Then you spoke with Simone and you were touching her arm.

But when he talked to you, you didn't touch his shoulder or anything. You didn't touch his hand and you even moved away when he tried to touch yours.

For the final check: the Pocky test.

Once you're back in his apartment after work, Xavier decided to share his last box of Pocky with you.

As you were eating one, Xavier quickly went up to you.

"Wait, let me check if yours is good."

He continued to eat the stick of Pocky until he's closer to your lips.

But then you suddenly pulled back and ate the rest.

"Wah — "

You gently patted his cheeks. "Nice try."

So, it turns out you knew what he was doing and no, you were absolutely not going to give him kisses today.

And so, sulky Xavier makes his return.

Day two.

Xavier decided to get revenge for taking away kisses and cuddles by showing you the most horrifying scary movie on both of your watch list.

You two are sitting on his giant bean-bag chair, sharing a blanket while your eyes are glued to the TV screen, unable to look away at the bloody scene of another character getting ripped apart.

Little did you know, Xavier is mentally cheering.

For every jumpscare, you scoot closer and closer to him. Around halfway of the movie, you're sitting on his lap yet you're too focused on the movie to realize it.

Xavier kept quiet and rested one hand on your thigh, while the other casually shoves popcorn in his mouth.

As the end credits started to roll, Xavier got up to refill your drinks so that you can have more for the next film, which is another horror one.

"Wait where are you going?!" you grabbed his hand before he could start walking towards the kitchen.

Xavier almost laughed at your expression. "I'm just going to get us more drinks. I won't be gone for long. Just sit here and relax."

"You're not scared even a little bit?" you murmured, tightly hugging a pillow. Right now, your brain is imagining the killer in every dark spot of the apartment.

"I'll be fine~"

Five steps forward and he suddenly turns around.

"Are you really that scared?"

He uses his evol to shine a bright light on his face while pulling a silly expression, mocking the one that the killer from the movie wore.

"Ah!"

His plan worked a little too well because now, you can't sleep alone.

"Are you really that scared?" he asked, walking up to the bed, watching you hug Bunbun with your dear life. "We fought Wanderers that are much worse. If you were in the movie, I bet you'll make a good final girl that'll outlive the killer."

He sat next to you and smiled as he put a hand on the plushie.

"Bunbun can go now. I'm taking over his job in protecting you while you sleep."

You gasped as he snatched the plushie and threw him across the room.

"Xavier!"

"Ssshh, I got you."

After turning off all the lights, he laid down next to you and wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close to him, with your back against his chest.

The second you closed your eyes, your mind starts replaying the scariest parts of the movies you just watched, causing you to shift uncomfortably.

You hear a faint gasp behind you, but you ignore it as you're trying to block off the scary images in your head.

"Ugh! It's no good! I need a distraction."

You turned around to get your phone on the nightstand, but then you come face to face with Xavier.

"A distraction?" he leans close to you so that your noses touch. "I can give you a distraction, if you want."

"....nope, I'm good." you turned back around with a huff. "Don't wanna make you sore."

Xavier laughs and nuzzles his face on your neck.

"I'll remember not to joke about something like that ever again. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"

"....are you also sorry for making me watch those really scary movies?"

"Well.... not really...."

They were excellent movies, after all. Aside from the scary parts, he could tell you enjoyed it overall.

"At least you're honest."

A few seconds later, Xavier starts to pepper kisses all over your neck and jaw.

"Do you still need a distraction? I can help you get your mind off of anything scary."

You let out a quiet moan as he softly pushed his hips against yours.

"Just focus on me."

From the moment he got on top of you, you forgot about everything — your silly scheme and the horror movies.

Right now, there's only Xavier.

[slytherinboysvip]

Imagine best friend Mattheo being absolutely obsessed with his innocent little Hufflepuff bsf but she just can’t tell. Everyone else knows, and it is quite obvious, but she just can’t think someone like him would want someone like her. But when she jokingly says she’s gonna get Cedric to take her virginity he decides it’s time he came clean.

Possibly with some soft smut if you are comfortable with it of course

bsf mattheo riddle x hufflepuff reader

hopefully this matches your request <3 i’ll most likely make a part 2 for this because.. you’ll see ;) 3.5k words

you lived a rather simple uncomplicated life, attending hogwarts as a hufflepuff with no interest in anyone’s drama. though you kept to yourself most times you tried to be nice to all your peers maintaining your classic hufflepuff demeanor, despite this there was one thing that was different about you.

you see, you didn’t see or understand why people don’t like other houses just because of “house rivalry” especially the students who weren’t even participating in any sports or point winning. and with this over your years though you had few friends you had one best friend who at first seemed rather impossible to be friends with.. mattheo riddle.

when you two met you were a fourth year and him a fifth, coincidentally you were going on to a few friends about your annoyance with people automatically assuming the worst of slytherin even though you yourself weren’t in their house or nearly like one. mattheo overheard this heated- adorable voice coming from behind him and he walked towards you carefully.

he sat down in front of you beside your friend as she gawked faces towards you at his presence. “you don’t think we’re too mean, huh?” he questioned small laugh leaving his lips. “i just think that some people are misunderstood and just because some wizards turned out bad doesn’t mean all of them in your house are” you looked at him answering his question with ease

he smirked in amusement and leaned a little closer to you “hm, hufflepuff eh? what year are you puff?” he sat back examining you and you didn’t fail to notice that nickname he slipped in “fourth year but i have an early birthday which is annoying because i could technically be out sooner” you sighed ignoring his staring.

“well, seeing as it’s ravenclaw against gryffindor do you wanna watch the quidditch game with me i know the best view” he stood up and held his hand out for you, you look towards your friends and they’re both nodding their heads for you to go so you did.

from that point on you and mattheo had been best friends, sadly he was in his seventh year and now you in your sixth nothing much had changed in your life. living vicariously through mattheo and his stories about slytherin parties and how you should go to one with him before it’s too late, he’d tell you about his sexual adventures and your jaw would drop everytime.

you yourself also confided in him though with much less interesting things, telling him how you feel unlikeable by guys sometimes because they never try to get or talk to you, or how you feel lonely because you’ve never had a a boyfriend before. hed always help soothe the thoughts away, telling you that it’s only your brain making those things up , “listen y/n, anyone who doesn’t love you is fucking insane”.

𓆙

talking to your friend zarah who’d been there since day one you always told her what you told matt, for the most part. “i just don’t get why nobody is interested in me zar, like am i genuinely that ugly” you plopped onto your bed sighing dramatically. “you’re not ugly and if you think no guys want you you’re blind i know one in particular that really, really wants you” she giggled.

you looked at her with a confused expression “i must be missing something because i have no idea who you’re talking about” you awaited her response and she just rolled her eyes and sighed “girl your practically boyfriend of a best friend you do everything with” she gave you a duh look and you just laughed. you genuinely couldn’t believe she’d even think he’d like you especially with all the girls he’d been with, “you’re hilarious, we both know he doesn’t want me he wants all the girls he tells me about” you started to compose yourself but zarah’s expression didn’t change.

“you literally must be blind y/n do you need glasses? or should i say puff? let’s talk about how that man hasn’t stopped calling you that pet name since you’ve met.. he’s in love” she rolled her eyes raising her hands in the air. “i still don’t think he wants me so there’s no convincing me” you shrugged her off and she groaned getting up and leaving your shared dorm.

𓆙

“puff you gotta come to this party, slytherin won agains gryffindor i just know this is gonna be the party you want to go to pleaseee” mattheo put his hands on your shoulders shaking you “fiinee” you attempted to answer between shakes before he let you go “if i would’ve known it was that easy i would’ve done that years ago” he rolled his eyes.

“anyways it’s tonight at like 8 so i’ll just get you from your dorm at like 7 do you think they’ll let me in? actually what’s the password?” he didn’t give you time to finish any of your sentences before you just gave him the password “butterscotch” you whispered, in response mattheo laughed “fucking butterscotch merlin that’s hilarious” you looked up at him and rolled your eyes walking away.

“i’ll see you at 7 puff” he yelled across the hall and you just gave a thumbs up and continued walking. you honestly were quite nervous seeing as you’ve never necessarily been to a party before, you’ve made small appearances at hufflepuff parties but you’ve heard they don’t even compare to slytherin.

making your way into your dorm you spot zarah and you pull her up from the common room couch “i finally said yes to a party need help now” you quickly mumbled and she quickened her pace “when does it start girl i need the info right this second come on you’re talking too long for me” she rushed and you blurted it all out “8pm he’s getting me at 7 he has the password he will be at the dorm” closing the door behind you two you both stopped to catch your breath

“sooo is it a dateee” she shimmied her arm on you winking “i already told you he doesn’t like me!!” you replied to her relentlessness. “ugh whatever we need to get you ready girl it’s already six” she pushed you onto your shared vanity chair and pulled out all of your makeup and a few things of hers, “creative control?” she asked smirking at you “mm fine but not too much” you agreed “we’ll see” she giggled.

after around 30 minutes she finished your makeup and she showed you the finished product, looking at yourself in the mirror you thought how you never would’ve put on red lipstick yet you feel really good in it. she gave you a small smokey eye and a small winged liner and you felt you looked more aggressive then you were, but you kinda loved it.

“it’s so much but so pretty” you admired yourself and the makeup she put on you slowly getting used to the feeling of fake eyelashes on your eyes. “i’m so glad you love it, but we need to find an outfit like three hours ago” she joked and rushed to your closets “i actually have the perfect dress in mind if you’re feeling the want to rep slytherin green” she raised her eyebrows up at you in a suggestive matter “sure why not” you shrugged

she handed you a velvet body con forest green dress that you were sure was going to be extremely short and you mean in every place. she held it up onto you “this will be perfect. get it on come on” she rushed you into the bathroom and you began putting it on “this is sooo tight” you called out as you struggled “oh i forgot it was a corset back wait i need to help you can i come in” she yelled through the door

“yeah come on i need this thing one me already” you struggled more as she walked in and immediately began to help you loosening the strings of the dress and pulling it down onto you “there we go now suck in like your life depends on it” she said half jokingly and began retightening the corset back. with every pull it felt like your chest was spilling out more and more and your ribs were shrinking “okay merlin that’s enough before i can’t breathe” you huffed and she stopped tying it off in a bow

“stop you look so hot y/n i bet matt will be drooling” she teased and you just rolled your eyes “what do we do with my hair” you looked at her with horror as you only had ten minutes before he should arrive. you quickly began curling your hair not really caring if it was messy just giving it some body and just as you were spraying perfume on there was a knock on your door.

zarah looked at you and whispered “answer it go go now” she pointed to the door like she was afraid to touch it herself and you walked over opening it to see mattheo in an all black button down with the top few buttons undone and black dress looking pants yet somehow he didn’t look overdressed. he didn’t say anything for a minute he was just staring at you looking up and down in awe “holy fuck y/n who did your makeup you look woah” he put his finger on your chin moving your head around examining your makeup

“zarah isn’t it pretty” you smiled and he removed his hand and replied “yeah you are, now let’s go” he grabbed your hand and you looked behind you waving bye to zarah “he’s so in love with you” she whispered before the door slammed closed.

𓆙

once you got the the party you noticed there were already many slytherins already pregaming and mattheo brought you two to them, “let’s get some alcohol in you little puff” he winked and poured you a shot of who knows what, you smelled the foul drink and it made your nose burn “come on do ittt” he cheered on and you held your nose throwing the shot back gagging at the taste. “how do people enjoy that” you made a face at him “like this” he replied taking two shots himself, “now catch up” he winked pouring you yet another

“if i didn’t know any better id say you’re trying to get me drunk matt” you laughed and he looked at you amused “obviously that’s what im trying to do it’s a party” he put the shot glass to your lips and you parted them taking the burning substance down your throat, “eugh that didn’t get any better the second time” you shook your head in disgust. “hm, let me make you an actual drink” he grabbed a clear liquor and a red juice mixing them together adding more alcohol than your past two shots and handed it to you

“matt this smells foul” you looked up at him, “just try it trust me the slytherins have the masking drink down” he winked and you reluctantly took a sip, and to your surprise all you tasted was juice. after taking another few sips you quick began drinking it and mattheo pulled the cup from your lips “slow down there this shits dangerous you’ll get so drunk you won’t be able to walk straight” he chuckled. “it’s not my fault they made it taste like juice” you shrugged still sipping.

“hey mattheo have your little hufflepuff take some shots with us” enzo threw his arm around your shoulders and mattheo pushed them off almost immediately “no she doesn’t need any shots” he spoke “you didn’t even ask me” you protested, granted you didn’t necessarily want to take any shots you just didn’t like being talked for. “oo are you sure you’re not slytherin you got an attitude” enzo laughed handing you a shot and you looked at mattheo who rolled his eyes as you took the shot.

throwing the shot back the burning sensation took over your throat and you could feel it rushing down your throat. you coughed a bit and chugged your drink for comfort “puff you’re going to get shitfaced slow down” matt fully took your cup this time and you were already feeling it. giggling looking up at him “okay now who was going to tell me party’s are fun” you continued giggling.

the music started playing and the slytherin common room was now getting more and more packed. you saw fifth year students and up in here, even a few ravenclaw and hufflepuffs your recognized. to your surprise in the corner of the party you spotted cedric diggory talking to a group of girls holding a drink.

pansy noticed your head being stuck in a certain direction and followed your eyes “oh em gee, someone’s got their eyes on a certain hufflepuff” she winked shoving her shoulder at your “shhhhh he’s just nice to look at” you giggled at her and she giggled along “you two would be soo cute” she added dragging you back to the drinks

“let’s take some shots!” she exclaimed handing you two , you took them smiling and shot them back with her, a woo leaving her mouth. “here chaser, chaser!” she shouted handing you another drink this time what looked like a lot of the punch, downing it all she laughed “girl we’re gonna be gone”. looking around you were seeing doubles of everything but didn’t want the night to already end.

“so, are you a virgin?” pansy shouted over the music making your already alcohol flushed face even redder “pansy!! you can’t just ask that!!” you shouted back flustered at the intrusive question, “i’m only curious girl” she giggled and gave you begging eyes “come onnnn” she shook you till you gave in “fine yes i am but don’t tell anyone!” you replied back as lowly as you could over the music

“who would you lose it to?” she giggled “i lost mine to blaise hehe sshhhh” she winked, considering she just told you her secret you felt obligated and just looked around “i mean i guess cedric” you giggled as she pointed at him after your response. before she could say anything else you felt a pair of hands wrap around your waist and drag you off. trying to kick your way out was useless and they brought you to an empty dorm.

through all of this you couldn’t tell who it was kicking and screaming for them to let you go till you heard mattheos voice “puff calm down it’s just me” he sighed putting you down on what you now assumed was his bed “why did you bring me in here that was so scary” you huffed trying to gain your composure. “diggory?” he scoffed not answering your question.

you looked at him confused as to what he was on about “what do you mean? what about cedric” you cocked your head to the side in confusion “you lost your virginity to him??” he questioned stepping closer to you looking rather.. pissed. you just laughed in response “me? lose my virginity to cedric?.. you’re funny” yeah you fantasized about it but it certainly wouldn’t happen.

“what were you talking to pansy about then??” he looked at you unconvinced, “she asked if i lost it and i said no, but id let him take it.-“ you shrugged “besides you know i tell you everything matt i’ve never even had a boyfriend let alone a guy be interested in my virginity” you sighed laying back onto the bed now feeling upset.

you heard mattheo sigh and you picked your head up to look at him, his eyes stared back at you in silence before breaking it “believe me there’s a lot of guys who want to get in your pants” he rubbed his fists and you gave him a confused expression yet again “what are you on about matt?” you were getting sober just from all of this extra mystery.

he walked over to the bed sitting beside you, “listen when we met you were just.. blooming completely and i would be lying if i didn’t say i first went up to you because of your looks.. well overtime you know we became friends and i noticed other guys staring in ways they shouldn’t have been so i had to teach them a lesson.” he looked at you and yo didn’t know how to respond to something like that.

“what exactly are you saying matt?” you didnt understand what he was poking at, did matt mean to say he basically likes you? were you reading too much into this? “look y/n, no one else in this school fucking deserves you. hell i don’t deserve you but i know i can treat you how you need. don’t ask me what took so long to confess to you y/n, but do you feel even remotely the same?” he let it all out quick and fast, and your mouth dropped.

“you want.. me?” you looked at him in disbelief and he just smiled “that’s what that whole speech was about, yeah” he chuckled nervously awaiting your reply “why?” you sighed still slightly unconvinced “have you fucking seen yourself puff? you’re so undeniably gorgeous, i don’t know how i hold myself back from you everyday” he leaned in closer to you making this all seem more real. without thinking you allowed yourself to lean into him, faces and lips meeting for the most magical first kiss you could’ve ever imagined.

“you’re so fucking beautiful y/n” he grabbed your face pulling you closer to him till you straddled over his lap sitting down continuing the now makeout. “this is so much better than.. imagined” you huffed through the kisses. you could already feel mattheos member growing beneath you and you never thought you’d be the one experiencing this from your best friend.

you’d be lying if you didn’t admit to a fantasy or two about him in the past but this was already one thousand times better than ever imagined. mattheos lips kissed their way down your neck leaving small marks tiny moans leaving your mouth, “i need to hear more of that, y/n, let me eat you out.. please i need a taste” he continued his kisses along your neck bringing them back to your lips “i’ve never- mm yes” you replied as his fingers began making circles over your underwear.

“you sound so good fuck” he groaned pulling you off of him and getting off the bed, “you’re sure of this?” he questioned one last time and you just nodded impatiently awaiting his next move. next thing you knew he was yanking you to the edge of his bed and slowly removing your pants and underwear looking up at you from below. “holy fuck puff.. you’re fucking soaking” he breathed out over your pussy sending tingles down your spine.

without warning his mouth met your untouched area and you felt things never imaginable. his tongue made its way around your bulging clit, flicking it up and down and making his way to your entrance sucking and licking “you taste so good holy fuck” he huffed going right back in not even looking up at you, “can i put two fingers” he spoke from your pussy and you couldn’t even properly answer “mm y-yes” you replied between your moans.

you felt his slender fingers teasing your entrance and he slowly began inching one in and out teasingly, “mattheo-“ you huffed and he chuckled shoving both fingers in, loud moan escaping your mouth and this new feeling. he did a few different moments trying to figure out what makes you moan the most, soon his tongue was sucking expertly on your clit as his fingers twisters and curled inside of you.

“matt i want to.. try” you moaned at this pleasure wanting nothing more than to feel him inside of you now. “mm but you’re not ready yet puff” he continued devouring your pussy simply divulging in it as if he’d never eaten anything before. his pace on everything quickened and you were already near your own orgasm, “if you don’t s-stop i’m gonna cum” you moaned loudly trying to control yourself.

“let go for me sweetheart” he sucked harder on your clit, the nickname and action forcing your orgasm to flood over you harder than you’ve ever been able to make yourself experience. your body was shaking and you couldn’t hold your reactions back, mattheo slowly licked your gushing area clean before standing up “mm now i think you’ll be ready soon” he smirked leaning down over you, grabbing your chin and giving you a kiss.

[cosmic-dust-poltergeist]

Pt 5 of the Danny is a clone/reincarnation in DC au. Tw: discussions of sa and child sa

[Part 4 here]

Danny is not sure how he got talked into this. Sure, he's been steadily getting better at "normal" interactions over the last 2 and a half years, and he's met or is family with everyone here, but it's still a lot. It's Dick, Wally, Kori, Raven, Jon, Damian, Kon, Bernard, Tim, Jason, Roy, and him all camped out in the second largest family room for a sleepover. Sort of. As overwhelmed as he feels, it's still rather fun.

They have movies playing in the background while they all play different games. At first, different groups split off to play board games or card games, but Dick decided they should play something all together. It was hard to find something that accommodated so many players, so they decided to play never have I ever.

Danny could even play honestly because everyone here knows about his "second set" of memories. So there's no questions if he puts a finger down to something he hasn't technically done from their perspective. But it does mean they hone in when he hesitates.

"Never have I ever lost my virginity." Damian said it because he knew Tim, Jason, and Dick would put their fingers down, but his eyes widen when Danny debates if he should. "Seriously?"

"I'm not sure it counts.." Danny shifts uncomfortably.

"Oh-ho! You lose it to someone Before?" Jason teases, "Who was it? A girlfriend? A boyfriend?"

"Jason.." Dick scolds while staring hard at Danny. He's clearly pieced it together. There's this look on his face that isn't sympathy, but empathy. Danny feels sick knowing his eldest brother knows exactly what he means because he's also been through something similar.

"I've actually never made it past kissing with a romantic interest." Danny can see the exact moment his very specific wording clicks. He starts trembling as a bunch of ugly emotions make themselves known.

"Shit."

"Danny-"

"I don't think it counts." Dick cuts everyone off, his sunshine smile nowhere to be seen. "No more than my assaults should be considered cheating."

The way Kori flinches leads Danny to believe that's exactly what she accused him of at some point. He knows they're exs, but didn't know the details. The guilt written all over her over this topic is reassuring, though.

"Sometimes things happen outside of our control." Dick gives a small sad smile. "Which means we can't blame ourselves. We just figure out how to live in the aftermath."

The fact Dick has been sexually assaulted seems to be news to everyone, but Wally and Kori. The anger on both of their behalves is heartwarming, but Danny just feels the need to scrub his skin raw. The images of the pedophiles pretending to be scientists flashing before his eye and their phantom touches making him feel dirty.

"I'm never going to escape what that lab did to me.."

"You already are." Kon pipes up. "Look around you, kid. Even just a year ago, you wouldn't have agreed to be part of this hangout. Sure, the scars will never go away, you'll have moments where you feel like nothing but an experiment or a tool, instead of the kind and bright person you are, but that's okay-"

"Whenever you forget. The people who care about you will just have to remind you!" Jon's bright grin has sadness mixed in it.

"Danny?" Tim shuffles closer. "Can I hug you?"

Danny doesn't verbally answer, just nods and crawls into Tim's lap. Danny curls up tightly and whispers. "I think I'm done playing for now."

"Alright.." Tim hugs him close, rubbing soothing circles on his back. A glance towards Dick reveals Wally and Kori have him sandwiched between them, giving him comfort.

"How..." Jason starts slowly, clearly still recovering from the information that his eldest and youngest brothers have both been assaulted. "How about we play Uno? We have 3 packs worth, so there should be enough."

Danny knows this won't be the last time the topic of their assaults are brought up, but it's a weird sort of painful healing to even just acknowledge it happened. It'll probably also stop them from trying to push him into relationships like they do with Damian. He can't stomach the thought of dating currently. He's happy just sticking to platonic affection for now.

[camficdiner]

1.2, 2.1, 3.3, 4.2

Please I love your work. Lots of love from Spain🩷

☕ Cam’s Fic Diner — Order 018

Thank you so much for your order at Cam’s Fic Diner

Sending love and late-night kisses all the way to Spain 💌

Your message made my whole shift sweeter — gracias, cariño.

Hope Quinn left you deliciously ruined. Come back soon for another cup (or round) 🍒

Enjoy your meal love, tip if you want ko-fi.com/camficdiner

-your favorite server

💬 "Detention after Dark"

✨description and prompts

Character: Quinn Hughes

Prompt: Caught kissing in a hallway… not just kissing anymore

Word count: ~1.4k

type: rough smut

🛼✨🧁🍒

You weren’t part of the team — not technically.

But by now, everyone treated you like one of the guys.

You’d met Luke in freshman year, both stuck in the same brutal Chemistry course. You clicked instantly — study partners turned library besties turned late-night confidants. And where Luke went, the rest followed: Rutger, Ethan, Seamus, the entire Wolverines hockey crew. You became the girl always on the floor of someone’s dorm with highlighters in her purse and an UMich sweater dropped on her shoulder

There was never anything romantic with Luke — not really.

Maybe a fleeting crush, back when he’d explain pKa values with that stupid crooked smile. But it passed. What you had was deeper. Familiar. Safe.

So when you showed up to Yost Ice Arena for the biggest home game of the season — Notre Dame vs Michigan — in a Blue & Maize hoodie and a matching, maybe too short, skirt, it wasn’t as a fan.

It was as one of them.

What you didn’t expect was to turn around during second intermission and see Quinn and Jack Hughes sliding into the VIP seats two rows behind you.

You recognized them immediately, of course. Who wouldn’t? But they weren’t just NHL royalty — they were Luke’s brothers. Distant, untouchable, hot-in-a-way-that-should-be-illegal brothers.

And yet… when your eyes met Quinn’s during the third period, he didn’t look away.

He tilted his head. Smirked.

That should’ve been your first warning.

The game ended in a Michigan win — 5-3, Luke with two assists and a goal — and everyone poured out of Yost like buzzing bees, full of sugar, adrenaline, and group chat chaos.

You slipped out through the side hallway to catch your breath.

And ran straight into Quinn Hughes.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just looked at you — that dark, unreadable stare — like you were something he wasn’t supposed to touch but would anyway.

“Nice game,” you offered, suddenly shy. “Your brother killed it.”

“Yeah,” he said, stepping closer. “That’s not what I was watching, though.”

You blinked. “What—?”

He kissed you.

Hard. Hot. Unapologetic.

His hand curled behind your neck, pulling you in like he already owned your mouth. Your fingers twisted in his hoodie without meaning to. The hallway blurred, and you melted into him, every rule you’d ever followed crumbling with the sound of your gasp.

Then—

“Really?”

You froze.

Jack.

Leaning against the lockers like this was a scene from Glee.

He grinned. “Are you seriously making out in a hallway? With Luke’s bestie?”

Quinn didn’t let go.

He just tilted his head and said, “Walk away.”

Jack whistled. “Hope you’ve got bail money. Those classrooms aren’t soundproof.”

And then he was gone.

You barely had time to breathe before Quinn’s grip tightened.

“I’m not done with you,” he growled, grabbing your hand and pulling you down the corridor like a man on a mission.

The room was dark. Empty. Cold tile floors and rows of desks. Quinn locked the door behind you without hesitation.

You backed up instinctively, breath shallow.

“Quinn—”

“Quiet.”

His voice had dropped. Lower. Rougher. Like something had cracked open inside him.

“You’ve been giving me those eyes all night,” he muttered, stalking toward you. “Like you didn’t want me to notice. Like you didn’t want this.”

“I didn’t think—”

He had you against the desk before the sentence finished. Your back slammed into wood, his body pinning you down.

“You’re not going to pretend you haven’t been dripping since I touched you.”

He yanked your hoodie up, then your shirt, exposing your bra. His mouth was on your chest before you could stop him — biting, sucking, marking. His fingers reached under your skirt, cupping your heat through your underwear.

“Already wet?” he growled. “From a kiss?”

“Quinn—fuck—”

He shoved your underwear aside and slid two fingers inside you in one slow, firm stroke. You gasped, nails digging into his arms.

“You’re gonna take everything I give you,” he whispered against your throat, voice like gravel. “You’re gonna sit on this desk, legs spread, and let me ruin you.”

You moaned, hips bucking against his hand.

He worked you open ruthlessly, fingers curling until your thighs trembled. You tried to speak, tried to say something, but then he pulled away and undid his jeans with one hand.

“Please,” you gasped. “I need—”

“You’ll get what I give you.”

He shoved inside you in one long, thick thrust. No warning. No tease.

You screamed. He didn’t stop.

Quinn fucked like he was punishing the space between you — punishing the fact that he hadn’t had you sooner.

Every thrust knocked the air from your lungs, your body rocking back with the force of it, the desk groaning beneath you.

“Louder,” he hissed. “Let them hear who you belong to.”

His hand gripped your throat — not tight, just firm enough to make your head spin — while the other held your hip in place, dragging you onto his cock over and over like you were made for this.

“You wanted this, didn’t you?” he growled. “Bet you dreamed about me. Touching yourself after group study. Thinking about my hands.”

You moaned, legs trembling.

“Say it.”

“I—yes—fuck, I did—”

“That’s right.”

He reached between your thighs and rubbed you until your whole body jerked. You were so close, stars bursting behind your eyes.

“Come for me,” he ordered. “Right fucking now.”

You fell apart on the desk, clenched around him as your orgasm tore through you. He came seconds later with a low, broken groan, spilling into you with one final, brutal thrust.

He didn’t move for a moment. Just hovered there, breath on your lips, chest heaving.

You stared at him, flushed and wrecked.

“I hate you,” you whispered.

He smirked. “You taste like heaven.”

You started laughing — exhausted, floaty, satisfied — when suddenly…

BANG.

The door opened.

Quinn had unlocked it without realizing.

You hadn’t noticed the steps.

Luke stood there.

Eyes wide.

Face blank.

“Oh my God,” you breathed.

Quinn didn’t flinch.

Luke’s eyes darted between you, your ruined shirt, the state of the desk, and his brother.

“You serious?” he asked.

Quinn: “Yes.”

Luke: “…I hate you.”

Then he turned and walked away.

Quinn turned to you, still panting. “Think that means no more study group?”

You hit him with your shoe.

the confrontation happened the next day.

In the common room of Luke’s dorm.

You were nowhere in sight — maybe hiding in the library, maybe pretending none of it happened.

But Quinn wasn’t hiding.

He was sitting on the couch, arms crossed, waiting.

Luke walked in with a glare sharp enough to slice glass.

“Seriously?” he said. “Her?”

Quinn didn’t flinch. “Yeah.”

“You know she’s my—”

“Friend?” Quinn cut him off. “Not your girlfriend. Not your anything.”

“That’s not the point.”

Quinn stood. “Then what is the point, Luke?”

Luke shoved his hands in his hoodie. “You could’ve picked anyone. And you picked her. You know she’s important to me.”

Quinn’s voice softened. “I know. That’s why I didn’t touch her until I was sure she wanted me.”

Luke scoffed. “Oh, she wanted you, huh?”

Quinn stepped closer. “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t think she deserves someone who actually sees her.”

That shut Luke up for a beat.

“She’s not just a hookup,” Quinn added. “I didn’t sneak around. I’m standing here now, telling you straight.”

Luke stared at him for a long second. Then: “If you hurt her—”

“I won’t.”

Another pause. Then:

“You’re still an asshole.”

Quinn smiled. “Runs in the family.”

Luke rolled his eyes and threw a throw pillow at him. “Get out of my dorm.”

Quinn was still laughing as he walked out.

[bluezombiecat03]

Expandable

I noticed there wasn't enough variant invincible fanfics so I decided to be the change I want to see in this world. (I wrote this instead of sleeping enjoy!) Warnings: Mentions of non-con, violence, gore, possessive behavior, foul language, Cecil

It had been a regular day, working directly under Cecil as one of his many grunts. You weren't too important per se. Just another cog in a machine. Technically right under Donald but that didn't make you unexpendable.

Case in point, Cecil had strung you up, gagged you, and set you in a remote island that was directly in the path of a mother-load of nukes. Ready to set for its destination any minute now.

It should've been a normal day until variants of Invincible showed up and started to wreak havoc around the globe.

You had front row seats on one the largest monitors in the world. You watched as they stomped the heads in of any survivors trying to crawl away. It was almost like a game to them. The invincibles each resembling your own universe's invincible, but each costume slightly altered. You weren't given much information on what was going on but you had been working under Cecil long enough to guess that some alternative reality wormhole thing must've opened up. Birthing these evil doppelgängers.

You watched as Seattle was leveled in less than 10 minutes. This invincible wearing a sinister smile the whole time. Blood coating his blue suit making a disgusting purple.

~

Then they hit the pentagon. Donald was bloodied with his chrome skeleton shining through glossy gore. He was currently helping up a beaten Cecil with a swollen eye.

Honestly, you had to admit the guy kinda deserved it.

You've been working under Cecil for so long you've seen how many of people's were ruined by him. All for the greater good.

Said man called your name with a pained exhale "Kid come 'ere I need a favor to ask from you." He looked at you with his good eye with dare you say desperation? That was never a good sign, especially from a man like him.

Hesitantly you walked towards him and Donald. "Yes sir?" You replied robotically like you had for the past 3 years. Working for the government had its perks. Like being able to afford a decent apartment and constant security.

However like previously mentioned, you're expandable.

Before you could slip out another word Donald's robotic hand slapped over your wrist and pinned it behind your back. Subduing you.

You gasped and fought against his legitimately iron grip. But it was useless. He looked at you with sympathy, at least the best way a robot could show emotion.

It didn't take you long to figure out Cecil had some kind of plan in mind, with you has its center piece.

Honestly fuck Cecil.

"Fuck you Cecil." You spat at him with as much venom as you could. He sighed and looked down "I'm sorry kid I really am. But these sick fucks are too scattered and too powerful for us to stop with any conventional means." He tried to reason with a sour taste in his mouth. He knew what he had in mind wasn't going to be pretty for you. But it's what needed to be done for the sake of mankind. He hoped you could see it that way too.

He finally looked at you and flinched the slightest at how despair and anger showed on your face.

He looked away again.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry." He said with a sigh, but continued to follow through with his master plan.

Maybe you didn't notice the way Mark Grayson looked at you when you entered the room. But Cecil sure did.

It was like you held the sun, moon, and stars together. Like you were his universe. His everything.

Admittedly it was a little creepy especially since you two barely interacted. 5 words max every other day. Yet Mark was, for lack of a better word, obsessed with you.

It was especially creepy when he caught him a handful of time staring at your ass. Trying to undress the tight pencil skirt you wore with his mind.

Cecil ignored it initially, telling himself it was teenage hormones or something. Even though Mark was well into college age now. Who knew his denial for Marks true feeling for you would end up screwing you in the end.

Cecil hoped the other versions of Mark were just like him, desperate for your attention. Maybe even desperate enough to fall for the clearly laid out trap.

~

You had stopped struggling against the restraints long ago, stopped screaming around the same time as well. Voice raw from screaming at Cecil, cursing him and Donald to hell. As well as cursing invincible for screwing up your life.

You sagged against your restraints as the sun hit you directly, warming your skin. It had felt good at first but now it was uncomfortable with how sweaty it made you. Your suit and pencil skirt clinging to your skin.

It was bad enough you were about to be completely annihilated, now you had to smell on top of it too? Fuck your life.

You closed your eyes and sighed, defeated. You were really about to die here. The thought crossed your mind. And probably for nothing too. Everything Cecil, that bastard, had he threw at the invincibles already and nothing worked. Your realties Invincible was trying to fend the rest of them off but there were just too many. Invincible himself could only take on 2 at most. What made him think a couple thousand nukes were going to do anything?

"Well, well, well...Lookie what we have here!" a familiar yet sneering voice broke you from your thoughts. Even with your eyes closed you could tell the sun that was once warming you had been covered by something, or someone.

You breath hitched and even though you couldn't see it his smirk widened. Your heart rate picked up yet you refused to open your eyes in fear. Oh god if those nukes wouldn't take you out he certainly would. You saw how easily he and the others ripped through flesh like a hot knife through butter. All while laughing menacingly and taunting their victims.

You decided in that moment the nukes would be the lesser of the two evils.

"You know it's polite to face someone whenever they're talking to you." You could hear the sneer in his voice. Both fear and defiance kept you from opening your eyes. Not wanting to give this sick fuck the satisfaction of seeing your anguish. "Hmm, you know she wasn't very good at listening either but thats okay! We can work on that!" He spoke as if he was going to keep you alive but why? You were just a mere human. Nothing to contribute to his destruction of the world. And who was 'she'?

Questions popped up in your head but were interrupted by pain radiating from your scalp as he grabbed you by your hair. Forcing your head up with a forceful yank. Nearly breaking your neck from how hard he pulled you up. Either not knowing his own strength or he simply didn't care.

You guessed the former.

"Look at me. Now" He said with a painful yank of your hair. Scalp screaming in pain, sweat dripping from both fear and the heat. You grimaced and realized you were going to die a painful death either way. Slowly, hesitantly you opened your eyes. A black and blue suit met your eyes not unlike your Invincibles suit. Briefly a very naive part of you had hoped your invincible had came to save you. Sweep you away from all of this. But that was a pipe dream as your eyes traveled upwards the rest of his suit that was stained in blood. Then finally your eyes traveled to his face.

He looks just like your invincible or at least from what you remember. You had only seen his face once or twice. You couldn't lie he was attractive, very attractive. However you had never allowed yourself to pursue any kind of romantic endeavors. Too caught up in work to properly try. The very same workplace that just threw you under the bus.

What you don't remember was Invincible having a mohawk, or an eyebrow piercing on his left side. Well maybe he always had that you honestly didn't know, but the hair was definitely different. He also wore a wicked smirk on his smug face as your eyes made contact. His pupils dilating with excitement.

He raised his hand and you flinched, looking away in suspended horror. Oh god was he going to chop off your head? He easily could but you also doubt he would make it that painless.

"You know... you're so hot when you're afraid." His smirk widened as his hand starts to caress your cheek. You glare at him and try to recoil from his touch. The blood on his hand leaving red residue on your cheek.

"Fuck, you're even hotter with someone else's blood on you." He grinned, grabbing your scalp even harder. Making you whimper involuntarily. You were trying to stay composed but it was getting harder and harder. With how he was looking at you as if he wanted to devour you whole. That mixed with the gore coating him, tears threatened to spill out.

All composer left you as you felt something wet and warm run up your cheek where this freaks hand was. Did-did he just lick the blood on your face off?!

"S-Stop!" You screeched and began trashing against your restraints again. Desperate to get away from this super powered monster. Tears freely fell from your face yet your piercing glare never left you. Defiance worn on your face despite the fear and pain.

Mark could feel blood rush to his dick. His own version of you and this version of you were so similar. So resistant to him. He felt excitement rush over him, this was going to so much more fun than last time.

He just hoped he wouldn't have to kill you this time around. As hot as it was last time you begged for your life. He missed you terribly. Why'd you have to go and screw everything up? He didn't want to kill you but you left him no choice! Threatening to leave and to get the hell away from you. Come on how could you be such a bitch especially after everything he went through for you? Conquering the planet not in Viltrums name but in yours.

Killing all those people? For you duh.

Especially that barista his version of you would frequently chat. Nothing incriminating just small talk. Oh how you screamed as Mark tore apart that guy limb from limb. Guts and gore splashing on you both. Mark could remember the poor bastards screams but what he really loved most were your screams. Of fear and despair as you cried for this pathetic excuse for a human being.

Then Mark with the poor guys guts still on him took you right then and there. Your whimpers and moans like music to his ears. How you begged him to stop and tried to convince hill that this wasn't him.

You poor naive thing. This has always been him.

The thought of you begging and crying again made his dick so unbelievably hard.

His lewd thoughts were interrupted by another figure slowly drifting down. His figure was unmistakable, lean muscles ready to overpower anyone and anything.

Oh fuck me, you thought. Another one?!

This invincibles color palette resembled his own father's uniform. Red and white, even with his own cape. Broad arms folded across his chest, he even has the same mannerisms. That disappointing stance resembling a father figure. This invincible too was caked in red carnage, a darker red different from his cape and symbol on his chest.

He frowned at the sight before him. Some mohawk version of him grabbing what was rightfully his by the scalp. Your face contorted in pain, fear, yet also in resistance. Your eyes glaring daggers at both himself and this other him despite your current circumstances. Didn't you know there was no way you could win against him?

That was one of the things caped Mark loved about you, that fire that was lit in your soul. Your never ending desire to get away from him. Which only made him want you even more. Too bad that was the very thing that got you killed in his universe.

Caped Mark was rudely reminded of this lesser version of him as he tugged your hair even harder and held you closer. The sight making his blood boil. Who the fuck does this other version of himself think He is? Emperor?

Well, technically yes. In his own universe.

"Let her go." Caped Mark said through gritted teeth. Fists clenching ready to hit this other Mark as hard as he could. Which he hopes would pop him like a balloon. Every trace of what he once was gone.

"Oh yeah? And what are you going to do about it?" Mohawk Mark threatened with a mirthless smile. Fists also clenching, ready for a brawl any minute. Fuck this version of himself I mean seriously! he went through with that stupid plan of Angstrom Levy's just to finally have you in his cruel claws again. No way was he about to let this chance go.

What time were those nukes supposed to drop again?

───

Whew first time writing fanfic in AWHIlLE. Input is welcomed as well! Let me know if anyone would like a part two.

[candlebreak]

Hello! I really love your RRH fic, especially the attention to canon details you put in your work and in the end notes. You don't have to answer this if you don't want to, of course, but I was searching the books for Pit Madness references and I found nothing like the way the fandom usually portraits Jason in the first years after coming back. Is Pit Madness canon or we just made up that one to explain how Jason’s mental state would change drastically depending on who was writing him?

1) Thank you!!!  ೕ(˃̵ᴗ˂̵ ๑)  I try ( ∩ˇωˇ∩)♡

2) It has been *checks watch* four years since you sent this in. But I rise from the ashes to reply!

3) Buckle up, this is gonna be LONG. Like, long enough I'm gonna have to break it up into sections and reblog.

4) I’m also gonna post this on AO3 as an extra: here.

@pokemonisbeast1999 I’m tagging you because at some point in the last 4 years you also asked for this…somewhere. Idk where or when. Idk if you still want to know. But your handle's in my notes for this, so you get tagged

The tl;dr on Pit Madness is that, yes, it does exist in the comics (though it doesn’t have a formal name—the term “Lazarus Fever” is used a few times in the New52/current canon, but not often enough IMO to make it an official diagnosis). However, no, it doesn’t work like fanon Pit Madness.

“Classic” Pit Madness in canon is *very* temporary (only lasts a few minutes IMMEDIATELY after coming out of the Pit). That…doesn’t really line up at all with the fanon version of Jason’s Pit Madness.

HOWEVER. However. Jason is a Special Boy and gets Special Pit Madness, even in canon (sometimes, maybe). And that Very Special Canon Pit Madness is…entirely and purposefully ambiguous as to whether or not it even exists. Maybe it's Pit Madness. Maybe something went wrong with his resurrection. Maybe it's trauma. Maybe it's just Jason!

Jason: Does it make it easier for you to think that my little dip in his fountain of youth turned me rabid? Or is this just the real me? —Under the Red Hood (Movie)

I personally tend to interpret the comics as ‘Jason does NOT have any long-term magically-induced rage ‘roids, but he DOES have a lot of legitimate trauma and anger, INCLUDING trauma that he got from the Pit, which (along with other factors) explains why he is Like That.’

However, since you’re asking *me* about this, and I am moderately unhinged, I doubt you’re here for the tl;dr. SO, read on for an 10k-word illustrated deep dive into every instance in the main comics canon (and some bonus extras!) I could find that dealt with induced madness and that Good Green Goo™.

I present to you:

Candle’s Comprehensive Canon Compendium© on Lazarus Pit Madness:

Before we begin, a disclaimer: Canon ain’t shit. The writers of “canon” don’t know canon. Canon is whatever that means to you. And that technically *is* current canon!! All versions of all characters and storylines are simultaneously canon!! Anarchy in the omniverse!! Nothing is real.

I will note which continuity each example is from (e.g., Pre-Crisis, New Earth, New 52/Rebirth). If that means something to you, great! If that is confusing, you can just ignore it.

I will also note when an example is NOT comics canon—maybe it’s from a video game, or a movie, or a TV show, or a comic that’s not part of the main comics universe. In those cases, the example is still canon to that medium, but it’s not main comics canon.

And now, an obsessively deep dive into canon:

I’m gonna ignore all the soul-swapping, powering spells, demons & possession stuff that Lazarus Pits can sometimes do, and just focus on Pit Madness here. I’m also gonna *mostly* limit myself to the comics—though I will note some interesting interpretations of the Pit from other media that may have fed into fanon interpretations at the end. This guide will hopefully answer two separate but interrelated questions:

1. Does a Lazarus Pit make you “crazy”?

2. What does that “insanity” actually mean?

Introduction: What is Insanity?

The basic concept of the Pits (which is only sometimes followed, because comics) is that if you go in dead or dying, it will bring you back to life and health. If you go in healthy, it will kill you. If you go in “sane,” it will make you “crazy” (temporarily). If you go in “crazy,” it will make you “sane.”

IMO, the closest thing we get in the comics to fanon Pit Madness is this one singular panel from Batman #618 (New Earth):

“As with most things, using the Lazarus Pit comes at a price. Upon emergence from the pit, madness fuels the survivor. You enter dead. You come out insane.”

This panel is talking about why a hypothetical Jason (who turns out not to be Jason at all, just Clayface—who was never even near a Lazarus Pit) ((except later it’s retconned that it was Jason after all and he switched with Clayface at some point after this panel--woo comics!!)) might attack Bruce and Tim.

What exactly this “madness” or “insanity” even means is entirely ambiguous—it really just does seem to mean “wants to attack Batman.” Which…isn’t really insane or irrational in and of itself? Especially for (hypothetical) Jason, who has legitimate grievances with Batman and, given his background, it is entirely understandable why he might turn to violence to try and solve them? This panel doesn’t really tell us anything, but it provides a decent enough jumping off point—and is so completely vague—that its premise can be used as the basis for basically any fanon interpretation of Pit Madness that you want.

However, it’s also pretty much the only place in canon where Pit Madness works like that (definitively fueling long-term, premeditated violence). And it’s entirely based on a hypothetical that doesn’t exist. Or, at best, was only later revealed to be partially real. On top of that, the idea that “insane” = “bloodthirty and violent” is…not great. Depictions of mental illness in mainstream comics (and media in general) are already super demonizing of people with mental illness, and a magical evil pool of water that turns you evil and dangerous by making you “crazy” is...yeah.

For a short and easily-accessible breakdown of this issue and why it’s harmful, check out Rowan Ellis’s Mental Health Horror Story on YouTube.

Another problem with this generic “it makes you crazy ooh scary” characterization of the Pit is that “crazy” or “insane” doesn’t actually mean anything. Does it make you irrational? Overwhelmed by bloodlust? Does it create breaks with reality? Does it stop you from feeling empathy? Make you paranoid? Delusional? Incapable of rational thought? Unable to understand and/or produce speech? Uncaring of consequences or social mores? Is it a one-time thing? Long-term? Does it come in waves? Can it be triggered? Can it be “sated”?

The answer to all of these questions, in canon, is “yes.” But Candle, you say, a lot of those things are contradictory and can’t all be true. And to that I reply: It wouldn’t be comics if canon stayed consistent pshhhh.

So how *is* Pit Madness inconsistently depicted in canon?

I would break comics-canon portrayals of Pit Madness into 6 main categories:

1) “Classic” Pit Madness: this is the VAST majority of Pit Madness cases in the comics

It is VERY short term [a few seconds/minutes of bloodlust, then you are back to normal]

Unlike in a lot of fanon, this type of Pit Madness is very short in duration and does not reoccur/“flare up” after the initial dunking; it can’t be “triggered” after it settles down; and it’s not aimed at anybody in particular

2) FIIIIRE: this is where you come out and are like, “I have fire powers and an unshakeable urge to share the ecstasy and agony of death with everybody now” !

Not related to fanon Pit Madness at all, but it’s so wild it needed to have its own category

3) He’s Sane!: This is when someone who was “insane” (i.e., Joker) goes into a Pit, and they come out…hyper-sane?

It’s weird and I don’t like it

4) No effect: oooh, we were all very scared Pit Madness was gonna happen, but then it didn’t! Yay!

This is also VERY common

This is usually used for comedic effect or just when it would derail the plot to have a rage zombie attack everybody right then

5) Repeated Corruption: This is a slow-acting corruption of the mind (or soul?) that comes from repeated use of the Pits over many years/centuries

This is basically just for Ra’s and the Devil Nezha.

What exactly the corruption/madness entails is very ambiguous—however, all these characters are shown to be extremely shrewd, calculating and not subject to any obvious breaks with reality, so I’d argue it’s more of a “devaluing of human life,” a general lust for killing, and maybe also delusions of grandeur?

6) Long-Term Ambiguity (a.k.a. “The Jason Special”): As the name indicates, this is a long-term/indefinite affair, and it’s very ambiguous whether any violence/irrationality is driven by the Pit or not.

I call it the Jason Special because this is what you’ll see used for Jason most often in the comics (IF they mention the Pit at all, which is not super common), but Ra’s and Nyssa can also sometimes fit into this category

Unlike other versions of Pit Madness, this one is NOT characterized by mindless violence or an insatiable urge to kill right now

Indeed, Jason under this form of Pit Madness (if it is indeed Pit Madness at all) is intensely methodical and patient in his violence

The “madness,” if it exists, comes in more as an obsession with revenge to the point where he doesn’t care about anything else, not being affected or caring when he kills someone, perhaps defaulting to killing over other solutions, and maybe some other, subtler symptoms too

You may notice that these things are all a bit different from each other. 

And yet. Here we are.

I have gone through every instance of Pit usage I know of from the main comics continuities (and some from outside that) and sorted them accordingly. I admit I am less familiar with New-52/Rebirth/current canon, so sorry if I missed any there. This is not an exhaustive list (like I said, I’m leaving out all the mystical/possession/body swapping/demon stuff unless that was also coupled with Pit Madness), but it does come closer than anything else I could find on the internet.

(I also did definitely miss/omit some instances of Ra’s, because honestly it’s kinda all the same with that guy except for whatever new magical/alchemical/demon thing he’s doing with the Pit this time.)

So, here we go. Every instance of Pit Madness in the comics I could find:

[imaginespazzi]

HAPPY WNBA OPENING DAY TO EVERYBODY WHO CELEBRATES!

I meant to do this a little earlier but hey, technically this is still the preseason so these are my preseason rankings, based on vibes and maybe that little itty bitty piece of ball knowledge I like to think I have.

Just a note that I did floor based on at least how far they should make it (even if it would technically be disappointing if they didn't get further) and not getting there means something went wrong and ceiling is how far I think they could make it if everything goes right.

Let me know y'alls thoughts and rankings!

1) New York Liberty: this should come as no surprise to anybody, especially considering these are MY rankings but defending champions, bringing their main core back, and then adding Tash and getting Marine back? Yeah, I'm not betting against them. The only worry I have based on preseason games and loss of personnel (i.e Betnijah and Kayla Thornton) is perimeter defense but I think that can definitely be worked on and I think Jaylyn Sherrod is going to get solid minutes to help out with that.

Floor: Semi-finals

Ceiling: Champions

2) Minnesota Lynx: as of right now, Alanna Smith is out for their game tonight and no one is telling me what the hell is up with Kayla McBride so maybe this ranking is a teensy bit fraudulent depending on personnel. But I'm choosing to be optimistic that Smith's injury is nothing and that whatever's going on with KayMac isn't serious. I'm also vaguely worried about Natisha Hiedemen continuing to be their PG but anyways moving on...the Lynx have MVPhee! And for all my very complex feelings about Cheryl Reeves, there is no coach in the W that I trust more.

Floor: Semi-finals

Ceiling: Champions

3) Las Vegas Aces: another year, another season wondering who the fuck can the Aces count on outside of their big 4? Especially in that frontcourt. Kiah is my Husky for life but she's unreliable offensively and counting on Liz Kitley, a rooking coming back from an ACL, especially at the start of the season, just isn't the best recipe for success in my opinion. But having said that, A'ja is A'ja, Chelsea and Jackie are healthy and when Jewell is playing her best game? That's still hell of a core 4 and I think both Tiffany Mitchell and Aaliyah Nye are gonna be really big for them off of the bench.

Floor: Semi-finals

Ceiling: Champions

4) Indiana Fever: the Fever *should* be good after everything they've added to what they already have and. They have that steady young core, the veteran presence and a couple solid players coming off the bench. I also think Stephanie White is a pretty great coach and is going to push them to be a more defensive-minded team this year. I think the main hindrance for them however, is going to be gelling together with so new pieces, a new coach and a philosophy that's different from what each of them have been used to.

Floor: Semi-finals

Ceiling: Finals

5) Seattle Storm: definitely one of the teams I'm really excited to watch this season, mainly cause I wanna see that big as hell rotation with SD (no S), Gabby, Nneka, Dom and Ezi. Nut man oh man do I think playing this whole season with only 10 players, 2 of whom are 34 years old and will be expected -if they're tryna win- to ply around 30 minutes each night, and 3 international players who have been playing pretty much all year round atp, is going to be a real challenge for them. I'm also very worried about their guard depth so really maybe I should have them lower, but like this based on vibes!

Floor: Playoffs

Ceiling: Semi-Finals

6) Chicago Sky: I'm typing this and thinking that maybe I should have the Sky higher but I just think there's a lot of inconsistent pieces, specifically at the guard spot, with them. I expect both Kamilla and Angel to have really solid pieces and I do think the guards they've brought in, are better than the ones they used to have. And I think Sloot is going to play a really key piece in their season but outside of those three, I don't know to what extent, I trust everybody else to contribute. The caveat to this is, that when all those players do contribute, the Sky have hell of a team. I just don't know how consistent that will be.

Floor: Playoffs

Celing: Semi-finals

7) Phoenix Mercury: the Mercury are the definition of big 3 or bust in the sense that I really don't know who else they can count on their roster. But their big 3? Immaculate players really. You've got 3 very versatile players in AT, Kah and Satour (all possible all-W selections), who can all do a lot of things on the court and that's a great core to have. But like I said, what is everybody else gonna do? I also just don't like their coach like why is girl dad his only skillset? Also why does he hate the midrange?

Floor: Missing the playoffs

Ceiling: Semi-finals

8) Dallas Wings: I think you could genuinely make a case that Dallas has a top 3 backcourt in the league. Their main issue is going to be the frontcourt, even though I will say, I think having MHA and Lyss is better than what they did their first game. It's going to take a while for Dallas with it's basically brand new team to start functioning like a solid team but they have all the pieces to put it together. My biggest worry with them is honestly their coach who I think really wants to run an everybody eats offense -and I think eventually will be able to- but currently everybody on that roster doesn't quite have the ability to do so and I think to succeed, they might need to do some hierarchical separations on who takes what shot.

Floor: Missing the playoffs

Ceiling: Semi-finals

9) Atlanta Dream: I think the Dream has some very solid players between Rhyne, BG, Brionna Jones etc. etc. but the worry I have, is that their new coach wants to play them in a system that, in my opinion, doesn't match any of their skillsets. From what I've heard, his system is very 3-ball oriented and I don't think any of his star players are particular suited for that kind of offense. I am also, once again, worried about guard play.

Floor: Missing the playoffs

Ceiling: Winning a playoff game

10) Los Angeles Sparks: what the fuck is a guard? LA certainly couldn't tell you. They seem to think having KP and KP alone is enough of a backcourt and I'm here to tell you, it won't be. But their frontcourt is undeniably stacked with Dearic, Azurá, Rickea and of course Cam when she comes back. I am also once again, very curious to see how this coaching changes works out for them because Lynn Roberts also runs a super 3-ball oriented system and I mean....how do you do that without other guards? Idk, guess we'll find out!

Floor: Missing the playoffs

Ceiling: Making the playoffs

11) Washington Mystics: I was actually lowkey impressed with the Mystics in the preseason and I think there's gonna be a lot of games, against the upper teams in the league too, that will be really close and maybe even a surprise win here and there. But ultimately this is a very young team and I don't think this is the year they cross the hump. I don't think they're trying to cross it yet. They're in a building mood and I think with Soni, Kiki and Aaliyah (my MIP) as the trio they're building around, they will end up solid eventually.

Floor: Missing the playoffs

Ceiling: Making the play offs

12) Connecticut Sun: Basically everything I just said about the team above them applies here as well. I think we're gonna see flashes of potential out of them throughout the whole season but once again, just not enough to really make a substantial impact. I'm expecting an in-season trade by the Sun for a first round pick next season cause they don't currently have one. But I'm really excited to watch their young core as well and I think both ONO and Jacy Sheldon are primed to take a big leap

Floor: Missing the playoffs

Ceiling: Missing the playoffs

13) Golden State Valkyries: I don't know what happening in the Bay man. Listen I am not impractical, I didn't actually fully believe that KC was going to make this roster. But no Amihere? That one shocked me a lot and I do question that decision because look the preseason isn't everything, but Amihere isn't a rookie and she was coming off of the bench pretty early in the rotation. So I don't get what's happening other than maybe we're just fully committing to the tank which is fine. But I just don't think the Valkyries have the *it factor* if you will, to be particularly good this year, even though they have some solid role players.

Floor: Missing the playoffs

Ceiling: Missing the playoffs

[bamsara]

I’m a little confused, who is Arson? Did you name your computer that or the program or something like that? Been trying to piece stuff together with all the posts about Arson but I feel a little lost. Like it’s an inside joke that I wasn’t there for the development of it

Rip I forgot new followers are not Aware of Arson

Arson is my laptop. Specifically a laptop sona I made for my laptop because of the sheer amount of trouble I've had with him. Twitch chat started shipping an 'enemies to lovers' between me and my laptop and it was giving me such a hard time during a livestream that it turned into a full fledged oc.

He's a gaming laptop I got in 2018 and had saved up for and while he's very good, his technical service life was only for 3 years and it's been about 5 and a half years since I've had him because I didn't want to replace him.

This means for the last two years he's been progressivly getting worse; starting with the battery going out completely, and then it getting discontinued so I couldn't replace it, the laptop started lagging hard, which I just kinda delt with. Then he's bluescreening a lot, and my files are getting corrupted and disappear. He cannot detatch from the wall so he's not a laptop anymore but really just a desktop now anyway. His model is discontinued so I cant get parts to replace him or have him repaired.

It's a running joke that 99% of all streaming problems are Arson's fault because for no reason he'll just. Crash and critcal error this and bluescreen that.

He got his name because he overheats really badly, and while gaming laptops are built to withstand that kind of heat, it still does wear and tear over time.

It would have been fine for 2-3 years but it's climbing near to 6 and part of the front is melted and I have to turn stream and art off early sometimes to let him cool down because the keyboard has left burns on my fingers. (Though this only happens when using him intensly, like streaming or gaming or art....which is 90% of what I do. The other being writing and work.) (Also before anyone asks, I regularly clean out the fans and I have a cooling stand beneath him)

Currently the top part of his keyboard is not working anymore and he's missing keys anyway. Part of his casing near the charging port is broken off. I've used his heat to cook tiny cookies while I've played skyrim before

TBH If you just search up Arson on my blog you'll see a whole series of posts about him.

he's my guy......my robot.........

[kaikaidenkai]

Suicide or Soccer?

sypnosis:

reader is a teenage girl in her second year of highschool who spends most of her time studying, playing soccer, and watching/reading blue lock. she has finished every single thing of it, even buying tons and tons of merch of it. but now whats she supposed to do with her life besides studying? the only ever reason she’s ever liked soccer was because of blue lock. After unaliving herself, she was now in the world of… Blue Lock??

CH.3|| Lock OFF!!

masterlist

Since you, yes you were the manager of Blue Lock, it was your responsibility to escort those who have been locked off. Basically saying fuck off— I mean saying they lost. They lost the chance in ever competing and representing Japan in so... football

So here you are; gathering those from each team who have been told to lock off. It was quiet.. not really since there were sobbing noises heard from two people. It was hard to not make a face from the ugly crying that was going on. . .  damn what the fuck happened to your empathy?

It was a kind of long walk to reach the exit of the building. You gave all the players(not really players anymore lol) their stuff back which was their phones and wallets. So you had to somehow sort everyone's phone out.. After asking every single player which phone and wallet was theirs, you sent them on a bus to go home.

You felt bad for them but not enough to actually do something.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

God forbid Jinpachi making Blue Lock so fucking huge. You were huffing and puffing and huffing and..you get the idea all over the place. It didn't help that you had to carry cleaning supplies with you too. The cleaning supplies were to clean all the blood from the game of "tag". And of course it had to be you who cleans because you were the manager, right?

YOU DIDNT EVEN AGREE TO THIIIISSSSSHDHCKSLDKVHXIKDJDFUEOOJSJCJCKZKWUFU

But of course, the excitement of meeting fictional but now technically non-fiction in real life is more powerful than the feeling of crashing out.

So anyways, onto the last room you go! And just like always; it's the room of the "main protagonist" who is Isagi!!!! Wowwww!!! Thank god Team Z was more calmer than the last few you've cleaned. It was only a few drops of blood which of course were concerning but they signed a waiver agreeing to this. It's their fault for signing it in the first place.

There was no one else in the room except you since the players of Team Z were currently training or eating in another room that you have no idea where is at. Well you were alone until the door opened revealing player 274, Isagi.

You two just stared at each other for what seemed a minute too long, he was sweaty from training and you were.. a female in blue lock??

"You're the one who announced the game of tag with the director?"

"I'm the manager of this facility, Blue Lock, and are currently cleaning the mess you made."

You tried your hardest to be serious like Jinpachi but just ended up being kinda mean? Not like he doesn't deserve it but still.

"I didn't mean to, I mean I did but.."

"You were just trying to fight for your dream."

"Yeah."

Silence then followed after his response as you continued to clean the few drops of blood.

"Need help?"

He walked over next to you, looking down at the floor where you were crouched.

"Not really."

Once you finished cleaning, you left the room as the other players of Team Z entered the room.

You swore you heard some of them speak about you...

ADDITIONAL TIME☆

“Hahhh? Who was that?”

Igarashi commented after entering, looking behind him to try get one last look of the woman who left the room before the automatic door closed.

“Oh?”

Bachira’s mouth formed an O, also looking behind him.

“The.. manager I think.”

Isagi mumbled, turning to look at the now closed door too.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Silence, how awkward.

-

-

-

-

-

Additional time pt2

• [Name] saw a suspicious white stain on one of the walls while going through the halls of Blue Lock’s facility.

• [Name] called one of the sobbing players who got locked off pathetic and didn’t regret it for some reason.

• Ego Jinpachi thinks [Name] is an .. okay person. He thinks shes intelligent like him considering they’re siblings,, but not smart enough to surpass him.

• [Name] has “respectfully” took a glance at Anri’s “personalities”.

A/N: sighhhh another short chapter T_T..

[ballsandbabes]

Harder than I thought

authors note: Hi everyone, this is the first time I've done an illustration for one of my stories. I draw under the tag ‘D.Mon’. I hope you like it. // y/n = your name// not proof read// GIF not mine // Have fun <3

pairing: michael kaiser x fem!reader

summary: What if youd swapped duties with Kaiser, after nagging him forever about how hard your job was. So when he decides to drag you onto the pitch, its not the only reason your heart begins to race ;)

genre: romance, enemies to lovers I guess

word count: 6.2k

You just got your bachelor's degree in marketing and management. Happy to have finally done it, you were faced with the next challenge: What now? You hadn't really thought much about what you wanted to do with your degree during your studies.

A good friend of your mother's, Anrei Teieri, had a job with a football programme and suggested that you try the sports industry during a visit. You had always been sporty and were particularly interested in basketball and swimming.

For lack of alternatives, you decided to give it a try. And now you were here. For a year now. But this wasn't how you had imagined your very first job. Because you were pretty sure you had the hardest job in all of Bastard München—not because it was technically demanding, but because your job involved him.

Michael Kaiser.

Football’s golden brat. Germany’s arrogant "crown prince". And the absolute bane of your sanity. You were his personal assistant. Emphasis on personal, which, as it turned out, meant "do everything short of breathing for him."

And right now, that meant sprinting across the training grounds with his cleats in one hand, his protein bar clenched between your teeth, and your phone buzzing in your pocket with overlapping meeting notifications. It was stressful, although that is probably an understatement. It was as if you were living two lives. You had to think about everything, his diet, appointments, press, even his private appointments like dates, were managed by you.

“Kaiser!” you shouted, skidding to a stop near the pitch, sarcasm dripping from your voice,“Your royal shoes, Your Highness.”

He didn’t even glance at you at first. He was stretched out like a cat in the sun, all smug smiles and silky hair that glinted gold in the light.

“I didn’t forget them,” he said lazily,“You’re supposed to bring them.”

“I’m your assistant, not your maid,” you grumbled, tossing the cleats next to him.

“Semantics,” he replied, finally turning his smug, beautiful face toward you, “You look winded, Schatz. You should start training with us.”

He loved calling you that. It started when you asked him for his passport for the game in seville. While you were busy giving his details to the team's airline, he'd got hold of your passport, which you'd left on the table. It turned out that you were also German. Knowing that you would also know what this nickname meant, he now always called you that. You hated it. You weren't his ‘treasure’, you were his servant. At least that's how it felt when you had to run errands at six in the morning.

“Oh, you mean actually collapse instead of just feeling like I will?,” You plopped down on the bench nearby and took a long sip from your water thermos, “If I knew this job meant babysitting a full-grown toddler with a God complex, I’d have picked something easier. Like working in a marketing agency or something.”

“You love it,” he said with that annoying lilt of arrogance,“You’d be bored without me.”

“You left your phone in the fridge yesterday,” you said flatly,“I had to defrost it to get to your text messages.”

“That was a creative decision. Cold calls, you know?,” he smirked. You snorted, shaking your head,“You’re impossible. I hope you know that.”

He grinned wider,“And yet, you’re still here.”

You opened your mouth to argue—but the smirk he shot you made your heart betray you for a beat.

Damn it. It wasn’t that you didn’t like your job. It was just that Michael Kaiser made it very difficult to focus on anything except the way his shirt clung to his abs, or the way he always seemed to know just how to fluster you.

So you’d developed a strategy over time: complain about everything. Constantly. Loudly. He thought it was funny. You told yourself it wasn’t flirting. (But it was definitely flirting :)

___ _ _ _

It was one of those days, the mountain of work barely manageable. yes, and then there was kaiser, an active blockade that prevented you from going about your tasks. You would have liked to nail the door to his office shut. Unfortunately, you couldn't. Which is why you've been standing in the playing booth for the last ten minutes or so, having what you think is a much-needed conversation. you didn't want to admit it, but inside you loved these little random moments.

“Michael,” you said flatly, “you cannot keep texting me ‘important question’ and then follow it up with a selfie and ‘do I look hotter in blue or black?’ That’s not urgent. That’s narcissism. I got actual work to do...”

Michael leaned back in the locker room bench, one leg lazily draped over the other, spinning his phone between his fingers. His eyes sparkled with the kind of smug mischief that usually preceded international incidents. You had actually called him about the press appointment for the game at the weekend, but then it had once again slipped into a lecture from your side, when you had to actually step into the locker room, because he didnt want to come to you to discuss the matter.

“I’m cultivating my brand, Schatz,” he replied without shame, “You’re the keeper of my empire. You should care.”

You crossed your arms,“Your "empire" is built on ego, dry shampoo, and late-night calls to ask whether your features look too sharp in certain lighting. Like fans could die from you looking to good...”

He tilted his head,“You said they were devastating.”

“That’s not a compliment, it’s a warning. People trip over them,” you replied with annoyance. Michael chuckled, a low, warm sound that always made your stomach do backflips. He leaned in, elbow resting on his knee, eyes locked on yours.

“You’re cute when you’re annoyed,” his face displaying a smirk.

“I’m always annoyed,” you deadpanned.

“Exactly.”

You rolled your eyes, turning back to your tablet. You were trying to update his schedule, but it was difficult when he kept staring at you with that smug little smile—like he was watching a show only he understood the punchline to.

“I’m filing a report,” you muttered, “Personal assistant verbally abused by narcissistic striker. Emotional damages include migraines, sarcasm fatigue, and... chronic exposure to shirtless selfies.”

Michael smirked, “You save those selfies.”

“Because I need evidence for HR,” you explained.

He stood, stepping close, just close enough to loom—annoyingly tall, annoyingly confident, annoyingly aware of the effect he had on you.

“You could just admit you like me, you know,” he said casually, brushing a golden strand out of his face. “It’d save you all this dramatic whining.”

You looked up at him, unimpressed,“I don’t like you. I tolerate you. The same way people tolerate reality TV. It's chaotic, it lowers brain cells, but it’s weirdly addictive.”

“Ouch,” He clutched his chest,“Brutal.”

“You love it,” you now teased him.

“I do,” he said, that cocky grin softening just slightly, “Especially when you get all flustered trying not to smile.”

You refused to give him the satisfaction. Instead, you turned back to your iPad screen and said, “If you’re done stroking your ego for five minutes, you have training in twenty. And you still haven’t filled out the media request forms for the pre-game interviews.”

“I thought you were handling that,” he said.

You glared, “I’m your assistant, not your secretary, Kaiser. There’s a difference.”

“Right,” he said, moving toward the exit, hands in his pockets,“You’re the girl who yells at me every day and still brings me my favorite protein bar.”

You called after him,“That’s because if I don’t feed you, you might collapse mid-backflip and sue the club.”

He turned around with a wink,“Or maybe it’s because you care.”

You opened your mouth. Closed it.

Damn him. You hated how he made teasing sound like confession. How every throwaway flirtation felt like a test—and how badly you wanted to fail it.

“Stop looking at my mouth, Kaiser!,” you snapped.

“I was looking at your lips, actually,” he said, backing out the door. “There’s a difference. They are pretty.”

And with that, he vanished down the hallway, leaving you with a heart pounding far too fast and a very dangerous thought:

If you didn’t do something soon, this entire job was going to turn into one big, unavoidable, steamy disaster.

___ _ _ _

You dramatically flopped into his chair in the team lounge one morning and announced, “I deserve a raise or a Nobel Prize.”. He barely looked up.

“What now?” he asked, sipping an energy drink that absolutely wasn’t approved by his nutritionist.

“You had three interviews booked at the same time yesterday,” you said. “Three. I had to call your sponsors, your agent, and your mother to fix it. Also, you’re scheduled for two different hair stylists today. At the same time.”

“I like variety,” he said with a shrug.

“You’re a menace. It was a total disaster to rebuild your calendar so everything would work just fine,” you muttered. He set his drink down, leaned back in the chair like a king on his throne, and raised an eyebrow,“You know what, if it’s so hard, how about we trade?”

You blinked,“Excuse me?”

“You join me in training. For a month. Full schedule. And I’ll take care of my own life. No assistant. Total independence. More free time for you.”

Your jaw dropped,“You’d forget your own name after three days.”

He grinned, “Then prove it. If you last a month on the pitch, and I keep my life together, the loser buys dinner.”

“And the winner picks the outfit,” you added, smirking.

He gave a low laugh,“You’re cruel. Deal.”

___ _ _ _

Training was hell. Cardio at 6 a.m., tactical drills that made your legs feel like jelly, ice baths that nearly made you cry. The team, of course, found it hilarious. Raichi gave you a supportive thumbs up. Ness tried not to laugh every time you tripped over a cone. The boys were very pleased that you were now part of the training programme. And then there was Kaiser?

Kaiser was having the time of his life.

“You’re sweating,” he teased one afternoon, tossing you a towel,“Cute.”

“I’m plotting your murder,” you muttered. He leaned in, breath warm against your ear,“Do it after dinner. I already made reservations.”

And meanwhile, his life without your help?

An absolute disaster. He missed two interviews, forgot to reply to three sponsors, got his hair cut wrong (a national emergency), and was late to practice twice.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he snapped when you smugly handed him a crumpled fan letter he’d forgotten to answer.

“I’m just impressed,” you said sweetly and full of sarcasm,“I didn’t think it was possible to double-book yourself with yourself.”

He groaned,“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“You bet your smug ass I am,” you laughed as a reply. But somewhere between the playful bickering and the chaotic schedules, something shifted between the tow of you. What had begun as a serious hatred of his schedule and his person had now become something like an edge. something that belonged to him, without which he would not be himself. Something you tolerated, because of him.

It was no different on his side of the emotional world. He missed the sarcastic jokes you used to make when he messed up again. Or how you'd fall asleep cutely on the keyboard in his office because you couldn't take it anymore. The constant moaning and fussing about his inability had become music to his ears. So he started lingering near you after practice.

You on the other hand, started looking forward to his stupid texts.

You caught him watching you during drills, expression softer than usual. You’d both been dancing around it for weeks, really—like one long, drawn-out press conference of denial.

Until the final day of the bet: You were sprawled on the pitch, utterly exhausted. Sweat dripped from your forehead, your muscles screamed, and your lungs felt like they’d been lit on fire. Kaiser had given you two sets of his own tracksuit clothes to make it feel like his everyday life, he had said. that meant you were sitting there in the black shirt with the gold trim and the bugunder-red tracksuit bottoms with his initials and his match number. The others had made fun of it. They had said it was like a house number, so you knew who lived in the house together. It was an open secret that the others thought you were like an old married couple when you were together.

Kaiser dropped down beside you with a water bottle and that stupid grin,“You survived.”

“Barely,” your breath still unsteady.

“You win,” you gasped,“You’re… actually in shape. Who knew?”

He laughed,“And your schedule was a living nightmare. I missed three hair masks and I think Adidos is mad at me for not showing up to the shoe launch.”

You rolled your eyes,“Really??? The shoe release?? I worked so hard on that deal for you...You can’t function without me.”

He leaned closer,“I don’t want to.”

You froze. He was looking at you—really looking at you. No smugness. No jokes. Just something real.

“I’ve been flirting with you for months,” he said softly,“You’re not exactly subtle either.”

You blinked,“Was it that obvious?”

He grinned,“You called me a ‘walking migraine with abs.’ That’s basically German for ‘marry me.’”

You laughed—nervous and bright and maybe a little breathless.

“And now?,” you asked. He smirked, “Now I cash in on my prize.”

He leaned in, slow and deliberate, “Dinner. With me. No running around. No emails. Just you.”

You stared up at him, “And if I say no?”

“Then I’ll just have to keep booking back-to-back hair appointments until you give in,” he teased. You laughed again, eyes fluttering shut as you leaned into him.

“Fine,” you whispered,“But only if I get to pick the outfit.”

He grinned, eyes sparkling, “Deal.”

___ _ _ _

You sent the message an hour ago:

"Be ready at 7. Suit. Formal. I’m picking you up. Don’t ask questions. Just trust me." – Y/n 😘

No response. Just a single read receipt and a suspicious lack of follow-up sarcasm. You were wearing your favorite dress—dark red, sleek, perfectly sculpted to your figure. Modern lines, no frills, just class and edge. The matching lipstick had taken you three attempts and two makeup wipes to perfect. But one thing was for sure, the two hours of styling where totally worth it. It felt good to be able to really doll up. You weren’t even sure why you were this nervous.

It wasn’t a date...Okay, it was definitely date-coded.

But still.

You had pulled strings to get tickets to a private advance screening of your favorite old German film—one Michael had, in his words, “definitely pretended to have seen to impress someone once.”

You smiled just thinking about his face when he realized the theater was empty. He didn’t know you knew he had rented it out.

Of course he had.

___ _ _ _

You pulled up outside his place at 6:59 sharp. The building was sleek and modern—exactly the kind of penthouse palace you’d expect a Kaiser to inhabit. And then the door opened.

Your mouth went dry. Michael stood there in a deep navy-blue suit that somehow made his hair look even more golden than usual. A white shirt underneath, buttons half-done, tie in his hand. And he was staring at you like he had forgotten the entire German language.

“Wow,” he said finally.

You smirked, stepping inside,“That’s it? Just wow?”

“I’ve seen you in sweatpants, high ponytails, and with three pens stuck in your bun yelling at me for double-booking a photo shoot,” he murmured,“And I thought that was cute.”

He let his gaze travel down slowly, lingering just enough to make your skin feel too tight.

“But this?” he continued,“You’re trying to kill me.”

You raised an eyebrow, smirking,“Then die quietly and put your tie on so we wont be late.”

He held it up,“You’re the assistant. Help me. Besides you were the one, who wanted to dress me...”

You rolled your eyes but stepped closer, taking the silk from his fingers. His scent hit you—clean cologne, a hint of mint, and something just inherently Kaiser. Warm and impossible to ignore. You looped the tie around his neck, fingers brushing his collarbone. He watched you the whole time, eyes flickering between your lips and your hands.

“You’re nervous,” he said quietly.

You huffed,“I’m not.”

“You’re breathing like I just made you run laps,” he stated the obvious.

“I’ve seen you run laps. That’s not impressive.”

He laughed under his breath, and you paused with the tie half-knotted. His hand came up, fingers brushing your wrist—lightly, casually.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, voice dropping.

You swallowed, “You’re stalling.”

“I’m enjoying the view,” he smirked. You stepped back, ignoring the heat rising to your cheeks, “Shirt next. You’re barely decent.”

He smirked, “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Michael.”

“Y/n,” he got back at you teasingly. You rolled your eyes again and reached for his waist, grabbing the button of his pants.

And then it happened. You looked up. He looked down.

A second stretched thin between you—his breath catching, your fingers frozen at his fly, the silence charged with something very different than before.

He was close. So close. And when your knuckles brushed against his abdomen, he tilted his head like he was already leaning in.

“Stop looking at my lips,” you whispered.

“I’m thinking about kissing them,” he whispered back.

You didn’t move. Neither did he.

But when you finally buttoned the last piece, his hand slid gently to the back of your neck—and this time, there were no jokes. He kissed you like he'd been waiting all month. Like all the teasing and tension had finally found its spark.

And god, did it ignite. His mouth was warm, commanding but careful, like he didn’t want to rush but couldn’t stop himself either. Your hands curled into his jacket, pulling him closer, lips parting like second nature.

When he finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against yours, breath shallow.

“That was... overdue,” he murmured. You licked your lips,“We’re late.”

“I don’t care.”

“I do,” you smirked, still flushed from the kiss.

“Fine,” he said, “But I’m kissing you again after the credits.”

___ _ _ _

You tried to play it cool when you arrived. Act surprised. Gasp a little. Look impressed. But the second you stepped into the dark velvet of the private theater and saw the single set table tucked to the side—candles, wine, catered food—you turned back and smacked his chest,“You rented the place.”

He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “Didn’t want distractions. Or other people seeing me cry if the movie’s boring. I have an image to obtain.”

“You are ridiculous,” you said under a light laugh.

“You love it,” he said as he gave you one of his charming winks.

You glared,“A little.”

Dinner was incredible. The movie was even better. And through it all, Kaiser stayed close—but not in his usual arrogant way. He asked questions. Listened. Smiled when you quoted your favorite line before it happened. Let you grab his arm during the emotional parts.

It was the softest you’d ever seen him.

And the most honest you’d ever felt with him.

___ _ _ _

The city lights glowed below as the two of you stepped onto his terrace. It was late. Quiet. Cool wind brushing against your bare shoulders. You leaned on the railing. He stood behind you, his suit jacket draped over your arms.

“I had fun tonight,” you said softly.

“Me too,” he smiled, looking at you. You turned, meeting his gaze again in the silver-blue light.

This time, you didnt felt like teasing. Just the space between you, waiting to close.

He stepped in, cupped your face. You let him.

The kiss was slower this time. Deeper. More certain.

You curled into him, fingers in his hair, lips parting with soft sighs and lingering touches. His hands found your waist, pulling you flush against him, and it wasn’t just tension anymore—it was want. His mouth found your jaw, your neck, your smile as he placed a hickey onto it.

And when you kissed him back with a soft, breathless laugh, you finally admitted it to yourself:

You weren’t just falling for him.

You already had.

I hoped you liked the story and the illustration.

[aphidclan-clangen]

Hi! Happy 2025 :D

You've done an amazing job this past year, Iridis! AphidClan is one of the only clangens I can follow without getting lost or bored within a few updates (including one of my own I tried to start lol); your designs are instantly recognizable and eye-catching, the darker lore is balanced out with enough cute, light moments that it never feels overwhelming or overcomplicated, you express such a wide range of emotions and dynamics so well! Plus the diversity in your character base and your care towards representing a variety of identities, just makes me so happy to see. Everything about this comic is so uniquely creative, it's honestly incredibly impressive.

Obviously nothing against other clangens– just that yours has something special I've been unable to find elsewhere :]

Thank you for everything you've done this year, and I hope the next goes well for you 💞

AWWWW man thank you so much <33 This is so sweet and honestly relieving to hear lol, I often feel like I don’t really know what I’m doing with Aphidclan. Like it’s a constant hazy state of cluelessness that I’ve just grown used to. Im not very aware of like… what my work reads as to others? Man I dunno if you guys even know what’s going on lmao. So it’s really nice to hear an outside perspective and realize that’s probably just a me thing. And that it’s impressive??? Damn, man, thank you lol

I’ve never quite done anything like Aphidclan before. It started at a time in my life when I was…technically my gender exploration journey started months earlier than this, but it was kinda started at the cusp of my own gender identity exploration,,explosion. The first thing I wanted to explore was being xenogender (other folk go from “cisgender —> maybe I’m non-binary or trans…” in their journey like normal people but nah man. before anything else occurred to me I went from “im cisgender” to “maybe I’m a neon rainbow insect with neopronouns actually :)” lmao) and that coincided really well with the rise of the clangen trend, so I figured I’d use some brand new OCs to explore gender identity in a…safe way? In a safe little pocket where it was all,,,nonconsequential and only tangential to my own identity. And I ended up exploring transgender and non-binary identities as well very frequently, which was mostly helped by the game giving me cats with assigned genders/sexes and me squinting at them and going “…nah. that’s a unicorncore trans man if I ever seen one” and reversing it, and then transing half the cast lmao.

I was not transgender going into this comic. I am now coming out of our first year with Aphidclan as a transmasc nonbinary man <3

I never intended it to be a thing for representation points exactly? I was certainly surprised by the lack of xenogender and more complicated/unusual LGBTQ gender identities depicted in all media ever! I still don’t really understand why something like neopronouns aren’t more present? They’re the coolest shit ever. Like- we’ve broken down gender norms and gender roles so much that now gender is not just “feminine” and “masculine,” it’s anything and everything you could ever want it to be. It’s ultimate freedom. It’s not just what it means to be “man” or “woman,” it’s “but what if I was more than that? What if I felt like a bug? Or a rainbow? Or a cloud? Or a connection to nature and the ocean and the stars? What if I felt like I was part of the universe? Or a music genre, or a concept, or a candy bar, an animal, a fairy, a slice of fruit!” You could be anything you’ve ever dreamed of being and more.

And once you get used to the funky grammar of neopronouns, it’s not that polarizingly different from other identities at all, honestly. And plus, it’s really fkin fun lol.

Aphidclan’s helped me explore a lot throughout this year. There were often times where I was struggling with my own femininity as a trans man and I remembered Firebeetle and the support I’ve received for his character, and using “well, if it’s okay for firebeetle to wear dresses and flowers and feminine things, then it’s okay for me to do that too, and it doesn’t invalidate my identity at all” and it really helped. 2024 was a great year for me creatively and exploration-wise, and I’ll certainly never be the same. Thank you guys for all your support, it means a lot <3

[molinaesque]

Okay I mentioned that I had a bunch of Raphael thoughts and basically made a whole essay (in literally no actual format, this is just me vomiting out parsing thoughts and using it when lore dumping onto my friends). This is written based off of stuff you find in the game, some Wiki diving and my own thoughts.

Feel free to hit me up with some topics that we can talk about. And remember, these involve are my own thoughts and headcanons at the end of the day, so please act normally and don't come at me with pitchforks just because I have something that doesn't align with your specific HC.

A Prince's Tale: The Story of Raphael

In the universe of Faerûn, there exists a heaven and hell, or in this case the Heavens and the Hells. There are the Nine Hells of Baator, all ruled and lorded over by various archdevils. Raphael is the son of the ruler of the eighth circle of Hell, the archdevil, Mephistopheles. Raphael is a cambion which consists of a fiend and a mortal. Cambions then are considered "results of unnatural and unholy communion". In Raphael's case it's a bit more complicated because the fiend in this equation isn't just some lower being like an incubus or some other demon but a true Devil, making Raphael leagues above, both in power and rank, other typical Cambions, just purely due to his association and blood of being Mephistopheles' offspring.

The system in the Hells is extremely rigid and hierarchical (it's a system that has been upheld for eons. Many of the systems that make up the universe of D&D are as deeply rigid and rooted). Many of the themes of the characters of Baldur's Gate 3 consist of them either repeating the cycle or breaking its hold, which in the D&D verse is an extremely hard thing to do because of how long standing these systems are. In regards to the Hells, it works like a pyramid. The top of the food chain and order are the archdevils. There are many archdevils that reside and rule over each circle of the Hells, one however rules all and lives in the Ninth circle, Nessus; Asmodeus.

So what does Raphael want? The integral key item and centerpiece of the main plotline of BG3 dubbed only as 'The Crown', created by Karsus. Karsus was a very powerful, most would say perhaps THE most powerful wizard who ever lived. An archwizard/demi-god responsible for creating and casting a spell that would steal the power of a deity and transfer it to the archwizard who casted it. Eventually, this was a mistake, for one of the responsibilities of the deity of magic was to regulate the flow of magic to and from all beings, spells, and magic items in the world. He did not have the ability to do so properly, causing magic to surge and fluctuate, threatening that balance. This caused the flying cities of Netheril to plummet to the earth. The last thing Karsus sees is his entire civilization being destroyed because of his actions. This will be known as 'Karsus' Folly'.

Raphael tells you about this story and how he was there to witness it happen all those years ago. He wanted the Crown to himself but it was stolen and put into hiding. He later finds out that Mephistopheles, his father was the one responsible for stealing it. Now, here's a way to explain the fucked up power levels and why it plays so much of a factor especially in the Nine Hells. I mentioned how Raphael is not a typical Cambion, BUT even though he is technically a prince by birthright and a half true devil, it doesn't make a difference under the likes of archdevils like his father (who doesn't help at all with Raphael's behaviour because Mephistopheles is a MEGA asshole. I mean, there's a reason why Raphael never utilised his name to invoke influence and power, doesn't even call him father, that's how much he hates him. You only find out about it through Haarlep. He even had another child, a daughter, who he cared more about by making her a trusted double-agent against one of his rivals. Meanwhile, he treats Raphael like nothing and acts as if he doesn't exist for the most part). Basically, unless you are an archdevil in the Hells, you are never TRULY free. As power, literally = freedom in the Hells. Raphael realises this and so began his lifelong ambition to get that power. That came with the events of Karsus' Folly. Realising that this is the opportunity and power Raphael needed, he attempts to steal it only for it to be taken by none other than his own father. Now, you think "ah Mephistopheles wants that power for himself, right?" No. Here is how far apart the levels of power are between beings like Mephistopheles (beings such as archdevils/archwizards/demi-gods/gods/etc) and beings like Raphael, who is already a pretty substantial and powerful Devil by his own right.

Raphael has been coveting the Crown and its power for 10 centuries, a thousand years, essentially. It's his one source that can possibly give him the chance of taking even more control of the Hells and ultimately make him TRULY a free devil. It's his life's mission that has been going on until he's practically in his middle age in devil years (his human appearance showcases this, and we also see a younger Raphael in his devil form with Haarlep). Half of his (immortal) life. It is very crucial and important to him.

And yet… to Mephistopheles, it's just a souvenir. A trinket. Or as Raphael puts it, "a museum piece".

This, undoubtedly angered Raphael so much and made his hatred towards his father even more so (Raphael mentioned how he raged for a decade, understandably). The fact that not only does his father treat him as if he doesn't exist, but to add insult to injury, did this while mocking him by not taking him seriously. One of the things he did was to send an incubus, Haarlep, made and glamoured to be an exact copy of Raphael, to distract him. It could also be seen as a message of "here is my gift to you and it is one of the only few things that will ever be 'truly' yours; a copy of yourself". Raphael would have been the first image that Haarlep acquired, thus why the constant form that you see him with is of Raphael (Haarlep tells you this if you kill him and speak to his corpse). Haarlep's corpse also tells you that "Raphael only loves himself." I wonder why. Haarlep also has a contract that requires him to obtain 1000 souls (the runes on his harness have been translated to the number '1000') in order to be free. This is why the archivist in House of Hope tells you that special guests can reside in the boudoir, as this is a primary way for Haarlep to collect more souls. If you sleep with him, and allow him to have your heart and soul, you die. If you promise your body only, you live but he now has a full copy of you entirely. Additionally, we know Gortash was sold to be in Raphael's services when he was a boy. We know that Gortash and the other Chosen eventually stole the Crown from Mephistopheles' vault. What's interesting is if you explore the House of Hope, you can find a portal to the eighth circle of Hell, Cania, where Mephistopheles resides. I believe that Gortash utilized this to obtain the Crown. Imagine the sheer rage and embarrassment Raphael had to endure because of this. Not only did the Crown get snatched from under him once but TWICE. Once by his father, and then later by a boy who was under his charge. I can completely imagine Mephistopheles utilising that as additional ammo and lording that over Raphael's head.

In pertaining to Raphael's character and behavior, all of this explains additionally as to why Raphael is the way he is. It's selfish, insecure behavior that also explains the portraits he surrounds himself with. Notice how all the paintings are of his true form. He also has many lines of dialogue depending on what you pick during your various meetings where he truly gets angry. One of these lines is him shouting "I AM NO MORTAL" when you simply ask why he would succeed where Karsus had failed (which is ironic because, my guy, you are part mortal, so was Karsus but he was very powerful for many other reasons other than pure association and blood. Raphael even tells you how foolish of a notion it would be if you suggest that you could take the Crown for yourself, telling you that archdevils, wizards, and gods have worn the Crown, "it would tear you apart" he warns you). The portraits of his Devil form in House of Hope surrounding him is a way of constant reminder to himself of what he wants to be associated with. He HATES that he is part mortal (he has showcased his disdain for the mortal realm very clearly during your encounter in House of Hope) and wants to see himself as only a Devil. To say that dude's got major issues and complexes is a huge understatement. He's a deeply insecure being who's controlling and manipulative (most of it stemming from his father and his predicament of essentially living a half-life), but he's also a pragmatic, self-aware character. He's very much the epitome of Lawful Evil. If the players choose to only see him as a one note character who's just "self-centered and evil", you can. That's the beauty of Baldur's Gate. These things are true,but you can also add on top of that when you choose to find out and explore for more lore and characterization.

Interestingly, the way he treats someone who opposes him compared to those who don't are very stark in contrast. You see it with the prime examples of Hope (naming the house after her due to her being the one soul who he cannot convert and have on his team completely) and of her sister Korilla, who has mentioned that she loves being in service of Raphael completely as he has treated her with respect and given her more freedom than her previous master ever did, who in her own words, "constantly would beat me and feed me scraps". "Better to be free in the Hells than go begging in the Heavens", she tells you. She's also not blindly following Raphael or under any thrall. In fact she makes light of him and his antics to you completely of her own volition. She made a bet with Raphael whether you would survive and get to Baldur's Gate (which Raphael bet FOR you to succeed btw). You can find the Five Soul Coins they bet for in the safe hidden behind the portrait in HoH. And she doesn't sing his praises completely, saying that she's more skeptical of you than Raphael is and is fearful of how wrong he would be banking everything on you, saying "Raphael can be so very wrong". She basically tells you that Raphael won't shut up about you. She also tells you that Raphael is, in her own words, "by no means altruistic" and argues that Raphael truly wants to not have the world destroyed because it would simply mean, as she puts it "the boss did the balance sheets. No world, no souls". In fact, she BEGS you to reconsider if you didn't take the deal in the first place.

One could argue that Raphael residing in Avernus and having him in proximity of mortals more in comparison to the deeper levels of the Hells, gave him more perspective. He even tells you he doesn't want Baldur's Gate to be destroyed. He tells you, fondly, he couldn't possibly want that to happen because the city is "an object lesson of moral excess". Why would he want a huge primary source of deals and contracts for him gone. If you explore the House of Hope, many of his deals range from complex, twisted deals to simple, straightforward ones with no caveats (for example there is a debtor who tells you that he sold his soul for enough money to keep his family well fed. Done. No trickery. That was the end of it. Even the architect of Moonrise Towers attested to Raphael keeping his word and defeating Ketheric's forces way back then). In Raphael's own words, "I'm a man of my word" and he wasn't lying. There's a reason why he has practically a 99.9% conversion rate (his one big failure being Hope and why he's so obsessed with converting her is because he truly cannot understand how one can be so pure of a soul. She's a puzzle, and Raphael HATES it when he can't figure something out). If you're wondering why can't Raphael (or any other devil) force or lie about the contracts they have made, well that's literally by design. Asmodeus created a law that bars devils from doing so, and devils will get punished severely would they ever take advantage of that. That's also why devils have to be extra sneaky when being contractors because if they die, it doesn't matter. The contracts they made while still alive still stays intact until they are completed. Meanwhile, the contract just gets given to another devil. When Raphael tells you in HoH if you asked him for no more bloodshed, he tells you "you've given me no choice". He means this, as it would mean both you AND he would be punished regardless if he were to let it be.

Mol is another example of a straightforward transaction. He wasn't lying when he said he'll keep Mol safe from harm in exchange for becoming her patron. It's not for something nebulous like "she has to become the leader of the guild in the next 20 years" or something extreme, it was just "I'll be your patron in return for your safety and security". He sees her as a long standing investment. Raphael mentioned that he hates children, but there is ONE thing he values above all else and admires when he recognizes it. "Ambition." He tells you he sees that in Mol during the meeting at Last Light Inn. It's also believable that he sees himself in Mol (especially his younger self) and thought "I respect it and I get another easy contract. Win-win". The dude loves underdog stories since his own is practically one as well. In fact, Mol doesn't like it when you treat her condescendingly. If you remember the chess scene in Last Light Inn, there are ways she can lose but also various ways she can win (and no, you don't have to only pick helping her cheat for this to work). If you help her cheat, she wins. If you help her by giving her an offensive strategy, she wins (in fact Raphael knows that she cheated, and if she won legitimately, even comments about the move and stating that it's a legit maneuver in chess and praises Mol for it saying that it's "exactly what I would've done"). Either way, Raphael praises your suggestions when Mol leaves. If however, you don't offer advice, or tell Mol to be defensive, she looses, prompting Raphael to comment on how being non committal or weak will not help Mol in the long run. If you stole her contract, she doesn't mind it too much BUT if you killed Raphael and told her about it, she will HATE you. Hating how you killed her patron, "Big Raph" as she calls him, that would ensure her safety and security as long as she's under contract. It's another additional interesting subplot that doesn't really have anything to do with the grand scheme of the game, but adds even more layers to already fascinating characters.

This dichotomy is what makes Raphael a very complex and interesting character. He's a devil who wants Ultimate Power, make no mistake, but he also is pragmatic enough to realise that he does not want another "Karsus' Folly". In fact, he could have easily just done an Emperor to gain your trust wholeheartedly and then turn on you the moment you have the Crown. It would have been easier for him. But he chose to bank on you being a long term investment maybe even beyond the Crown, meeting you head on and reveal his true nature to you from the first meeting. If you listen to everything he tells you, he never actually lies, he omits things here and there, but he never lies to you (in fact if you become even more on his team, there is a line where he straight up tells you that he "likes you"). It's a similar relationship with Korilla, in that she has complete free will but is for his team. He mentions that he does not like it when people beg or kiss his ass (there are many examples of this, his conversation with Voss for one and also whenever you choose dialogue options that make you seem like a spineless whimp). He even tells you at points that he likes the way you do things (even if they're a bit unorthodox), and if you took his contract but chose to break it (or just stole the hammer, it's the same regardless), it makes it even more personal because he genuinely was shocked to find that you were the one breaking into his house. This is one of the few times we see Raphael truly angry. No fancy words, no charm, no smarmyness. Just anger and even sheer disappointment that you chose to, in his own words, "become like Karsus, disregarding everything and burning your world to ash" (remember, Raphael truly believes that his method with the hammer and Orpheus is the ONLY way to defeat the brain, that's the unfortunate part of obsessing and planning for this goal for so long that he truly believes there are no other alternatives. He mentions in one of his diaries that he has planned a dozen ways to obtain the Crown, but he concludes that there is only one way for it to actually work and it involves Orpheus, hence the creation and naming of "The Orphic Hammer". There's even a book about its creation in HoH). Hell, even one of the dialogue options where you say "there's no need for more bloodshed", you would think he'd just be like "HAHAHA evil dialogue, i planned this all along, you're nothing, blah blah" but instead he actually says in his own words, "I have no choice" because we know that breaking contracts means death, and death means he has to collect your soul. Even if you didn't sign the contract and break in, he still genuinely did not think you would go so far as to do such a thing especially with the offer he made to you. He basically blames you for being too proud to do such a thing.

Even when you don't take his contract at all, when you meet up with the Emperor again in the Astral Prism during the battle against the Netherbrain, choosing to betray the Emperor will cause Raphael to appear for a final time. Does he just offer you the contract again? Yes. But not before scolding you for being an idiot and genuinely being pissed off at you for not taking his deal to free Orpheus. He even tells you in his own words, "we could have been allies, partners… FRIENDS!" If you try to beg him for help, he shouts at you, saying how you are in no position to make demands anymore because of your reckless actions. You made your bed, you have to recognise it. If you still refuse his offer, he doesn't try to force you, or twist your arm in any way… he just tells you, quote, "Goodbye. It's been unforgettable" (which is his way of saying "i won't forget you… but i also won't forget how much of a fucking blind idiot you were) and then leaves you forever. If you take the deal, he tells you it's no longer as equals anymore, you are now considered a lowly servant to him. He genuinely wanted you to be partners, but doing all of this basically leads him to conclude that you aren't worth it anymore. The way the writers chose to have the Emperor and Raphael parallel each other but in different ways is genius. They are two sides of the same coin. Both want true freedom, both try to manipulate Tav, the main characters for their own cause, both are extremely pragmatic and set in their own ways and goals. The irony is that instead of portraying Raphael as this pure scheming, one note character - is flipped on it's head by making him honestly, one of the most truthful characters in the game. It's just that he's a Devil. As Korilla states when you ask her back at the brothel, "why can't Raphael just be clear with me if we are on the same team?" she tells you as if explaining that the sky is blue…

"He's a Devil. It's in his nature. He has to make his dues."

This speaks of how ancient and deeply rooted these laws and systems work in their universe. Typically, characters says stuff like this to be hyperbolic/dramatic. But in the case of Raphael as a Devil, she means this literally, as souls keep the Hells functionable, and as we know by now, souls = power, and more power = more freedom.

Now, to address the epilogue and what happens if you do make the pact with him and delivered upon your promise. He comes to you and tells you that he and his forces are already taking over Avernus and overthrew Zariel. He tells you that he has various archdevils already coming to him to make concessions, his father included. He also tells you that he'll be knocking on your door soon. This is open to interpretation, but remember he has sworn to you during your deal that he would never use the Crown on a mortal (trust me, with his obsession with the Hells and how he envisioned on ruling it, in his own words "more order, efficiency, and control", he is definitely more interested in dominating the Hells only, it's too much work anyhow to be interested in anything else. Also he swore to you as part of the contract, he literally cannot break this, if he does, it's immediate punishment for him, so he's not lying). So, more than likely, he finds you to be a very important potential ally to further work with in the future. Also, depending on how early you signed the contract, his tone/line can be interpreted VERY differently.

Now here's the most interesting part… if you aren't familliar with D&D lore, that epilogue would lead you to believe "oh damn he's going to be ruler of the Nine Hells just like he wanted, good for him", but that's easier said than done. Because not only the deeper the Hells go, the more powerful these archdevils will be. I have no trepidation about him defeating them or them conceding to him, that's already happening. The one obstacle he truly needs to worry about… is the keeper of the Ninth Hell, the ruler of all the Nine Hells of Baator, Asmodeus. The creator and overlord himself. Just to give you a concept of how the power levels work in D&D… level 12 and above, are almost levels of godhood. Think the likes of Hercules. At the level Asmodeus is at, however, a former deity (speculative) and creator of the laws and system that permits the balance of life and the universe itself, Raphael even with the Crown will have… a VERY slim chance of overruling him. At the very least he could take over the other realms or instill his way of order and control, and appeal to Asmodeus, because funny enough, Asmodeus' personality and behaviour and goals is VERY similar and akin to Raphael's (Asmodeus is the primal embodiment of Lawful Evil and a supreme strategist of unparalleled skill. He's good at warfare but even better at words, planning, and subterfuge). Another thing is Raphael might even change his own mind, because Asmodeus isn't just the ruler of the Hells, his primary existence is to keep the balance of life and death and the existing universe in check. I personally don't see Raphael being interested in such a huge responsibility but that's another topic for another day.

Another fun fact, many of the characters in D&D are existing characters in various cultural stories/mythologies. Many of the archdevils included with the likes of Mephistopheles, Baalzebub, Mammon, and yes even Asmodeus. The writers most likely looked to biblical texts for inspiration of Raphael, but the irony is they took the one famous character in Christian biblical text, Raphael, who is not a devil, but an archangel and then flipped that character on its head. One of archangel Raphael's most famous stories is literally called, 'the Battle Against Asmodeus', where Raphael fights against Asmodeus, a fallen cherub and dubbed, "personal adversary" of Raphael. What's even cooler? The battle was not one of might, but of intelligence, wisdom and influence. Exactly like how D&D's own Raphael and Asmodeus operate. Raphael certainly takes more after Asmodeus than he does his own father.

Speaking of which, what about his father? Raphael mentions that he was there amongst the midst of other archdevils coming to Raphael to make concessions. Raphael is smart enough to know, though, that his father is not there solely out of "you did it, my boy" or anything like that, or perceiving him as a true threat still. Besides knowing how Raphael is seen by Mephistopheles, back at the diabolisk shop, there is an orb charmed to keep an eye on Raphael at all times. If you had defeated him in House of Hope, you will witness Mephistopheles holding the broken body of Raphael over his mouth and eating him. It's a nod to 'Saturn/Kronos eating his son(s)'. Basically, if you chose this ending for Raphael, you close the circle and end this story of Jacobean tragedy of an underdog prince who has been seeking validation and freedom from the sheer inescapable nature of the Hells and it's systems. In a way Raphael also has the same themes of your other companions who are also trying to navigate their fates. Whether to repeat that cycle in perpetuity or break free of it, it all hinges upon your choices throughout this journey of Baldur's Gate 3. Basically, Mephistopheles is just waiting patiently to witness his own son's downfall should he become overzealous and overtly ambitious, before swooping in to consume his son and all that additional power for himself, power that he doesn't even need, mind you. He's just there for the vibes, and to add even more pressure on his son. Parents, amirite?

If you're on team Raphael (like me) and gave him the ending he wants, the only thing I can really say is "Good luck, little prince. I'm actually rooting for you. You're going to need it."

Will our little princeling be able to break out of his own cycle and come out on top? Will Raphael be able to even get to the ninth circle let alone confront Asmodeus? Will Raphael finally get one over his dear ol' dad? Will Raphael ever get to finally make due on his promise ("I'm a man of my word"), and have that wine with Tav?

Hard to say, for his journey is just beginning.

[yoshihashismattebum]

Tagged by @thewaythroughthewoods and @thepenultimaterolo to post the first 10 songs on my Spotify 'On Repeat' playlist! Thank you!

I've been listening almost exclusively to my 'I'm on the bus and I need to wake up' punk playlist I made recently, so most of the songs are off that. Link here to the playlist if you're interested!

Okay, let's get into it...

1. Can't Get Away – Turnstile

I've been slightly obsessed with Turnstile for the past few months. I've never really been into hardcore before, but something about the technicality and sheer variety of Turnstile really hit the spot for me. The tempo change at about 2 minutes into this one goes so hard. And that guitar solo! 😍

2. Stay Golden – Combat

A perfect two-minute blast of pop-infused punk. The hook is insanely good (and I think involves a glockenspiel??) and the chorus will never leave your head. Unfortunately this means I have found myself at work singing "I don't think this is gonna work/but motherfuck, this shit still hurts" under my breath, which is not ideal.

3. Party – Teen Mortgage

Speaking of songs I can't get out of my head... Teen Mortgage are one of the most exciting new punk bands of the last few years imo. This is off their debut album, which released last month. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. If you like scruffy, grungy punk where it's impossible to tell what the lyrics are saying but also that isn't the point, I'd highly recommend it!

4. Otherside – Spyres

Sometimes you hear a song and instantly love it. So you go and listen to the band's other songs and... you realise the song you love is an outlier :( This Is one of those, unfortunately. I've not really vibed with any other Spyres songs, but hey, this is an absolute banger and another powerful earworm.

5. WILD WRLD – Turnstile

Hey, it's more Turnstile! This time off Glow On, which I think is my favourite album of theirs. @thepenultimaterolo described it as being like a hardcore band went on holiday to various other genres and brought back some souvenirs, which I think is a perfect description. Is 'progressive hardcore' a genre? Because that's what this album sounds like to me. Anyway this song somehow manages to make lyrics about mental health and suicide into a bop.

6. Dashboard – Modest Mouse

A break from all the punk now with some classic mid 00s indie! I know all the cool people prefer the early sad and introspective Modest Mouse albums, but if I'm honest with myself, I find them tedious. I prefer the songs I can groove to, so shoot me! If 'going mainstream' results in bangers like this, then I'm all for it. This song has almost caused me to slip over in the shower multiple times from trying to dance to it.

7. Unsaid – Maxband

I discovered this song in the same way I have discovered a lot of music over the years: on a video game soundtrack. Thanks Forza Horizon 5! My first thought when I heard it was "wow they sound a lot like Parquet Courts". Turns out that's because it's a side project of Parquet Courts' drummer. The more you know! Anyway, this song sounds like Parquet Courts and The Strokes got together to make a beautiful song baby.

8. Away – Teen Mortgage

Okay, enough indie and post-punk for now: back to Teen Mortgage, with this track off their compilation album from 2024. They somehow manage to fit all of their anger at having to work shitty jobs for companies that are killing the environment into a cathartic blast that only takes up 100 seconds of your time.

9. T.L.C. (Turnstile Love Connection) – Turnstile

Another song that doesn't break the two minute mark! But again, they manage to pack a lot in, including an insanely clean tempo change. I've mostly been listening to this because of the connection with Mao and Kanon's Strange Love Connection in DDT! Which has now been proved correct! (Strange) Love Wins!

10. Mine Me Mine – Laura Jane Grace

Laura Jane Grace rules. One of the first out trans women in punk and one of the finest punk songwriters today imo. I've been listening to this single on repeat since it came out a couple of months ago. The lyrics are a timely indictment of rampant corporate greed and selfish individualism that seem to be ruling politics at the moment. This is punk at its absolute best: righteous fury channeled into a drive for change.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed that! Got a bit carried away with the write-ups there, oops! Here's a playlist with all of the songs for your convenience :)

Time to tag the usual pals (those who haven't already done it anyway): @unpairedbracket @counting-ducks @sycamoretrees @mortphilippa

And some folks whose list I'd be interested to see! @piracypiranha @chrisabins @norfkid

Plus anyone else who wants a go! Consider yourself tagged :)

No pressure of course! Just a bit of fun if you fancy it. Love 2 share music!! (And discover new songs myself 😍)

[prettydiaaa]

Drunk In Love

A/N: this is my first story, pls leave constructive criticism, enjoy!!!

Drunk In Love

College AU

Word Count:1039

It's Friday Night

It’s almost 1 am.

The function is in full swing. The drinks are flowing, the air is heavy with the scent of weed circling around. You pre-gamed with your girls at your off-campus apartment beforehand, so you were already a little tipsy upon arrival, coupled with 3 lemon drop shots at the door, it's safe to say you were more than faded.

So faded that all you could think about was your man. Well… technically not your man per se. He’s your best friend.

                           Katsuki Bakougo

You've been his best friend since you were 12 years old. Now at 19, you know your feelings for him go far beyond that of friendship. But you know Katsuki, you know how he operates, he will never feel that way about you. He’s introduced you to countless girlfriends without batting an eye. Dropped you for brief periods whenever his girl got too uncomfortable with how close you guys are. 

But he always comes back. 

He always comes back.

And that leads you to the present time. Katsuki had just come back to you after breaking up with his most recent girlfriend, Sienna. But you're tired of the back and forth. You are tired of watching the person you love and care for so deeply leave you if you mean nothing to him. You are tired of waiting patiently for his return. So now you are done waiting. You are gonna put yourself out there, which starts with finding a boo for the night to get your mind off of Katsuki.

Your eyes settle on some guy with black hair. He’s decently attractive, but not quite your type, though. You make eye contact across the room, and you offer him a sultry smile. He seems to catch your drift because he saunters his way across the room to you. 

“Damn girl…you’re fine as fuck” says the guy 

You let out an airy laugh, “Thanks, you're not so bad yourself.” 

The black-haired guy leans in, his hand brushing your waist a little too confidently. He’s saying something—probably more flirtatious nonsense—but you barely register it. Your eyes keep drifting back to the door. 

And then he walks in.

Katsuki Bakugou.

Red-eyed, scowling, and tense in the shoulders. He’s wearing that faded black hoodie you love, sleeves pushed up, jaw clenched. His gaze scans the crowd like he’s already pissed off before he sees you—and when he does see you, talking to mystery guy, laughing, touching—his entire demeanor shifts.

He’s stalking across the room before you can think to move.

“Katsuki?” you say, blinking through the haze of alcohol and bass vibrations as he comes to a halt right in front of you.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he growls, eyes burning holes into the poor guy next to you.

You raise a brow, “What does it look like I’m doing?”

Katsuki’s lip curls. “It looks like you’re tryin’ to act stupid. You’re out here flirtin’ with some asshole like you forgot who the fuck I am.”

“Oh, so now I need your permission to talk to someone?” you snap, pushing past him. “Why do you even care?”

But he grabs your wrist, not tight, but firm. “We’re leaving.”

You yank your hand back. “No. You don’t get to do that anymore. You don’t get to come in and play protector when it’s convenient for you, Katsuki.”

His eyes flash, but he says nothing. You see it though—his fists clenched, his breathing shallow.

You grab your purse. “I’m going home.”

The walk to your apartment is quiet. You’re angry. You’re confused. And he followed you. Not a word from him as you unlock your door and step inside, but his footsteps echo close behind you.

You kick off your shoes, toss your purse on the counter, and turn to him. “Why are you here, Katsuki?”

He’s standing in your doorway like he owns the place, arms crossed, brows pulled low. And he’s definitely drunk—glass-eyed and swaying slightly, but still trying to act like he’s not.

“You mad at me now?” he slurs.

You scoff. “Why would I be mad? I mean, it’s only been years of you treating me like I’m disposable. And here you go swooping in the minute you see me talking to a guy.”

“I don’t treat you like that.”

“Yes, you do,” you snap. “You disappear whenever you’re in a relationship and come crawling back when they end. Like I’m just… a placeholder. A backup plan.”

Katsuki takes a shaky step forward, face twisted with frustration. “That’s not—Damn it, that’s not what you are to me.”

You cross your arms. “Then what am I, Katsuki?”

There’s a beat of silence. Then another.

And then—

“You’re the fuckin’ reason I can’t keep a girlfriend.”

Your heart skips.

He runs a hand down his face, pacing now. “They always ask me about you. Always. ‘Why are you so close to her?’ ‘Do you have feelings for her?’ And I say no because—because I don’t fuckin’ know how to explain it. Because if I say yes, I lose you. But if I say no, I’m lyin’.”

You stare.

He keeps going, words tumbling faster now, angrier. “I’ve loved you since we were kids, okay? You think I don’t know how fucked up it is? Watching you flirt with guys who don’t know shit about you, while I’m stuck pretending I’m not in love with you?”

Your breath catches.

“I was gonna tell you,” he says, eyes bloodshot, voice thick. “So many times. But every time I got close, I’d think… if you didn’t feel the same, I’d ruin everything. I’d lose the only good thing in my life.”

You blink back tears. “Katsuki…”

He laughs bitterly, swaying again. “ I shouldn’t have come here. Forget I said anything.”

He turns toward the door, but you grab his hoodie.

“Don’t go,” you whisper.

He looks over his shoulder, stunned.

“Don’t leave. Please”

Katsuki exhales like he’s been holding his breath for years. “You feel the same?”

You nod slowly. 

He takes one step forward—and then he’s kissing you. It’s messy, heated, and desperate. All the years of silence and stolen glances poured into one drunken, angry, honest kiss.

[rivalsforlife]

Ace Attorney News Roundup

Very behind on several of these, but news doesn't always cross over from twitter to tumblr, so I thought I'd recap some things here:

AAI 15th Anniversary

First: today marks the 15th anniversary of Ace Attorney Investigations! Tatsuro Iwamoto, the art director for AAI, made a celebratory sketch of Kay to commemorate the occasion (link to tweet):

Iwamoto has also been drawing fanart of minor characters throughout the ace attorney trilogy on his twitter page. These include: April May, Dee Vasquez, Yanni Yogi (and Polly), Richard Wellington, Turner Grey, Moe the Clown, Max Galactica, Oldbag (alien mode), Matt Engarde, Doug Swallow, Luke Atmey (and Mask☆DeMasque), Viola Cadaverini, Valerie Hawthorne, Lisa Basil, and Glen Elg. Technically these aren't official art, but it's always good to have more art of obscurer characters!

The Great Ace Attorney Hit A Million Copies

Some big news: The Great Ace Attorney's 2021 port hit a million copies sold, making it the second ace attorney game to hit Capcom's platinum titles list, the first being the Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy from 2019! This comes just under 3 years since the release of the duology in July 2021. In comparison, the original AA trilogy hit a million copies in December 2020, shortly under two years since the release of the game in February 2019.

The update to the platinum titles sales shows that Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy has reached 3.3 million copies sold, which means that it has sold over a million copies in less than a year! (My last post that had information on sales, where I said the trilogy had sold 2.3 million, was in September 2023.) It also makes it the 30th highest selling title for Capcom, which I think is pretty impressive considering giants like Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter are making up the majority of the top 30.

So, the AA trilogy made its first million in approximately 22 months, but now it has sold a million over the last 8 months. I don't know anything about game sales and so this next part is just speculation, but I wouldn't expect it to be very common for games to sell more years out from their release compared to at release? I think that's really saying something about the long-term staying power of this series, and its increasing popularity over the last few years despite not having any new releases (aside from ports - and porting the series to all platforms probably has something to do with the popularity.)

The AA Twitter Is Very Active Right Now

Here are a couple of bullet points with no relation to each other:

-The official ace attorney twitter has been VERY active, particularly the last week. They've been doing the same "weekly book club" for each case that they did for the Great Ace Attorney duology, but that wrapped up last week and now it's just been memes, at least one a day. In most of my time following this account over the last uhh six years, they mostly ramp up marketing around new releases but are kinda silent the rest of the time, with the occasional meme, but definitely not at this frequency.

-Summer Game Fest is next week.

That probably means nothing, as it has every other time I thought we might get some big ace attorney news, but I think it's worth noting.

So, lots of stuff happened this week! Thanks for reading.