#this does technically count as a3!. right

[ashipikaur]

FRIENDSHIP SHENANIGANS. i cranked all of these out in one day cuz i just felt like it <3

shoutout to @mikusoup @nohrianhime @asteroidtaker @lavendertarot and @tunaloaf respectively for giving me their sonas <333333

[angelguk]

→ bad behaviour — a namjoon scenario

member: kim namjoon (rm)

word count: 3.7k

genre: early relationship + smut +fluff +college!au

warnings: public sex / handjob / blowjob in a bathroom / just a lot of feels in this fic / yes this is the namjoon from the bring the soul commentary i wanted to swallow his dick when i saw him / size kink / praise kink / namjoon has a big dick / technically the prerequisite for the parents!au im dropping next week / repost because tumblr deleted the whole thing :/

soundtrack: easy, camila cabello

It’s stupid, how quickly you fall for Kim Namjoon. There’s a strange giddiness swimming in your guts as you wait for him outside the cinema. You can’t help but bounce on the balls of your feet, palms warm and sweaty with nerves. Which doesn’t make any sense. This is your fifth date now, Namjoon wasn’t a stranger to you anymore. But it’d been a week since you’d last seen him - a long torturous week. It’s weird, how quickly he’d wormed his way into your mind. The ‘I bet Namjoon would like this’ thoughts were becoming increasingly frequent. You should be alarmed - you hadn’t fallen for a person so quickly like this since high school. But you’re not - because it’s Namjoon. 

There’s a blooming in your chest when you spot him meandering down the street. He’s so damn tall, it’s intimidating actually, moving with quick sure steps and towering over nearly everyone. Your heart drops to your stomach when he catches your gaze. There’s an easy smile on his lips that slowly spreads the closer he gets. You can’t seem to look away, a strange tingle sweeping from your heart to your core. How he makes you feel dizzy with just a smile is beyond you.

“Hi,” He says, tucking his phone in the pocket of his black shorts. It’s hot out, and as a consequence his thighs and burly arms are visible, thick muscles flexing beneath golden skin. It’s enticing and you bet Namjoon isn’t even aware of that. Your palms burn with the need to touch but you hold yourself back, choosing instead to swing your arms around his neck and pull his body against yours. The press of his hard chest makes something settle in your stomach. You hadn’t realised how much you’d missed him until he was right there before you.

“Hi,” You mumble into his shirt, the cool metal of his silver necklace pressing against your cheek. “Missed you.” He sighs in response, pressing you against him with a deft push of his large palm against the small of your back. Your heart swoops into your stomach. His chin is resting on your head a beat later and you nearly sway with how right it feels to have Namjoon holding you close, surrounding you with his presence.

“Missed you too.” He whispers, running his fingers down your spine. You practically melt, nerves tingling from the slight touch. It takes you awhile to pull apart, your heart beating like the wings of a wild bird trapped in the cage of your ribs. When you glance up, Namjoon is staring at your with that gaze, eyes soft and warm like he can’t believe you’re real. 

It’s good to know that the feeling is mutual, because you can’t believe Namjoon is real either. 

“We should go inside,” He says, but he doesn’t move, hands still clinging onto your waist.

“Mhm, we should.” You pull away because it evident that Namjoon won’t. The small frown between his eyebrows when you do makes you want to burrow yourself back into his chest and never leave. You smile instead and lace your fingers into his. There’s a squeeze from his large hand when it encompasses yours, sending a small thrill through your body. Namjoon is so damn big and it makes you feel so protected and cared for. Again, it’s stupid how quickly you’ve fallen for Kim Namjoon.

“You look good,” You comment, as you step into the cool building with your hands entwined. And it’s true, he does, effortlessly so - sun kissed thighs and arms on display and silver accessories complimenting his outfit. His hair is hidden by a cap, but you can still see the little tufts of russet hair peeking out. You want to run your hands through his locks but you clamp down on that desire quickly.

“So do you,” He returns, cheeks tinged rose. You’re suddenly glad you wore that unnecessarily short summer dress today. The floral fabric comes to an end just beyond your ass and if you bend forward even the slightest, the whole world would a great view of your behind. It’s wouldn’t be such a bad thing, especially if Namjoon has a front row seat.

He cuts your reverie short when he yanks you by the hand, pushing your body flush against the side of his chest and snaking his arm around your waist. You’re about to protest, core throbbing with how stupidly strong Namjoon is, but then he starts talking, mumbling about this and that as you stand in the queue together and your lips clamp shut. It’s calming, hearing him moan about class projects and talk in detail about literary ideas that you can’t wrap your head around for the life of you. But you listen intently anyway, lending your ear to him because Namjoon had disclosed in you a while ago how he felt no one ever really listened to him when he talked. You’d do it for him, if no one else would. It’s oddly important for you to make sure that Namjoon’s knows you care, because you do, a lot more than you’re willing to admit to yourself.

He’d chosen the movie, something based on a novel - technically research for his literature class because they were studying it anyway. Namjoon claims that although watching a movie on a book can be helpful, you can’t just base your essay on that - reading it is a vital part of the process. You call bullshit on that because you absolutely aced your final paper on The Great Gatsby despite having read the book never and watching the movie five times. He’s on a high horse because he’s the top student but you let him live when he sends you a soft glare. It’s adorable really, how defensive he gets over books.

You know the movie is going to be boring, but you don’t care. What matters is that you get to watch it with Namjoon. He also offers to buy the tickets. You let him because he wants too. You cover the popcorn and snacks (there’s a dozen packets of sweets in your purse because cinemas charge too much for them for your broke college budget). His nose scrunches in disdain when you order your popcorn buttered. You poke his chest in retaliation and remind him he eats raw ramen. He immediately pipes down after that, his hand returning to yours as you walk towards room A3 and let the guard at the door rip your tickets.

You pick a seat towards the back, away from the few other people who’d walked in after you. You’d expected it to be nearly empty - who in their right mind was watching this movie at four in the afternoon apart from Namjoon and his fellow literary nerds?

It takes you about thirty minutes to get bored. 

The popcorn tastes flat in your mouth, Namjoon has somehow decimated through the sweets you’d snuggled in and your slushy was practically empty. That’s when your imagination starts to wander, pulling an image from crevices of your mind. You’d stored this memory away carefully, reconstructed as best as you can because you were incredibly drunk that day. But you can still feel it, the press of Namjoon’s body over yours in Yoongi’s stuffy car. How hard he was beneath the glide of your hips as you grinded against him. And those harsh little pants that filled the air every time he bucked up into you. You can’t remember who was making the noises but you can, with clarity, remember the weight of Namjoon’s hands on your waist as he guided your movements. And how pretty he looked, eyes glazed and lips plush. You can’t help the clenching of your walls when you think about, or the slick that seeps out from you. 

The knock of Namjoon’s knee against yours makes the vision vanish, your eyes gliding over to him. He’s not paying you any attention, eyes fixed on the screen. How he looks glorious, pale white light washing over his concentrated face, doesn’t make any sense. You shouldn’t find this so hot, but you do, a heat building in your gut when he raises a contemplative hand to his chin. His knee knocks against yours again and you blame that for how your gaze falters to his legs. They’re wide apart, his shorts riding up dangerously close to his crotch. The position makes his skin taut, muscles bulging from their hold and leaving hard lines along his thighs. The heat in your gut turns into a wildfire and you don’t think anymore, nestling in as close as possible despite the stupid arm rest between you. It digs into your ribs but the pain melts away when Namjoon flashes you a quick smile, dimples dipping in his cheek.

You decide then, not to give a damn.

His eyes are wide when you cup his chin and gently pull him towards your lips. He tastes like sugar and cocoa, remnants of the chocolate he’d retrieved from your bag at the start of the movie. You can’t help but press your tongue against his mouth, a pleased sigh escaping your own when he parts his lips. He lets you slide inside, explore to your heart's content, his tongue pliant to your movements and hushed moans vibrating from his throat. When you pull away, your lips tingle with the imprint of his mouth and it takes a lot of willpower not to dive back for another kiss.

“What’s that about?” Namjoon questions against your lips, his cheeks flushed and mouth wet. 

“Just wanted to kiss you,” You mumble back, slowly gaining awareness of your surroundings again. It’s only then that you realise that you’re clutching his shirt with a desperation you feel in your gut. 

His eyes glitter. “Mhm, okay. Do it again.”

You comply without a complaint, the sounds of the movie falling on both your deaf ears. Namjoon takes control this time, despite his request, dragging your bottom lip between his teeth that makes a small whimper escape from your throat. His heart thumps under your palm and it takes a lot for you to not clamber onto his lap. Though, Namjoon partially keeps you put with the weight of his hand on your bare thigh. You’re practically vibrating, nerves going haywire with every skip of his fingers against your skin as he moves closer to your panties, where you’re soaking for him.

“Let’s blow this place,” You mutter against his ear when you break away from a moment. He quirks an eyebrow, catching on the obvious innuendo. You’d been skipping around the aspect of sex for awhile now, wanting to take the relationship slow, but you’re beyond ready to do anything for Namjoon’s dick, especially when he kisses you like that.

“What do I get for leaving? I wanted to see this movie.”

“I’ll blow you,” You finally say outright, loving the way his breath hitches and his eyes darken. 

“You could blow me here.” Oh. Oh, you hadn’t expected that and neither had your pussy from the sharp pulse that hits your core. You’d never seen this side of Namjoon ever, and the directness of his demand makes you want to roll over.

“Yeah, I could,” You say, keeping your eyes locked on him. He’s surprised, but you don’t wait for his mouth to open, instead planting your palm right against his crotch. He jolts into it, hard cock pressing into your hand. You hadn’t expected him to be hard either, but Namjoon is rigid and hot under your hold, eliciting a river from your cunt because he’s big too. Fucking huge actually. You can’t help but experimentally squeeze hard at the base of his dick, the skips in Namjoon’s breath tickling down your back. There’s no way you can swallow all of that, you know it. But then when you drag your hand up his clothed cock and Namjoon twitches into your palm, you vehemently want to try.

“You’re hard,” You murmur, stating the obvious because you brain is melting from how thick Namjoon is in your hand.

“Because of you,” He pants back, face burrowed in your neck at an awkward angle. He licks against your skin, tongue warm and wet before the nip of his teeth on your neck has you jerking forward. “That dress is a crime.”

Your skin prickles but you don’t let up on his dick, rubbing through the fabric gently. The urge to flip your skirt up and sit on him is so strong that you nearly give in. A cough in the background halts that idea in its tracks. You play with the band of his shorts instead, glad when Namjoon takes it upon himself to tug at the zip and untuck his cock from his underwear. Your observation from early proves to be correct the moment he springs out from his pants. Namjoon isn’t just huge, he’s massive. You know you’ll feel him in your guts from how much length and girth he’s sporting. It would be really nice to just have him flip you over and drill you from behind - or any position for that matter, as long as he’s inside you.

There’s an ache in your core when you wrap your hands around him. He’s veiny and velvet-like, a little gasp from his throat when your fingers finally come in contact with his skin. It’s juvenile, giving a handjob during a movie. You’re behaving like teenagers who just discovered what secrets a dimmed movie theater can hide. But you work around him regardless, catching the precum leaking from the tip of his cock with the twist of your hand. You glide around him ease, spurred on by the rushed little pants of his that colour the air. He’s got his head digging into the headrest, neck exposed and adam’s apple bobbing with every harsh swallow down his throat. When you lean in to kiss his neck, Namjoon jolts, hips bucking into you hand with need. You can feel him throbbing in your grip, dick twitching with every graze of your palm along his cock.

“Too dry,” He croaks out, lips parted with a barely there moan escaping into the cinema. He’s right, he feels good in your hand but it’s not slick enough for you to rub him off the way you want too.

“Want my mouth?” You innocently ask, stomach flipping when his eyes flash.

“Please,” He mutters, staring at your lips unabashedly. You comply because Namjoon is so damn fine that it’s impossible for you to muster up a no.

He’s hot and heavy against you tongue, cum a little salty but you swallow around him anyway. The angle is awkward and there’s no way you can even attempt to shove him down your throat from your bent over position. Namjoon slides down his seat a little to make it easier, and his cock slips further into your mouth. The warm heat of your tongue against him has his mind blanking for a second. His hips jerk forward slightly, a deep need in his gut to go deeper into your mouth provoking the moment. When you gag a little, Namjoon knees give out. He can’t believe that pretty little mouth of yours is wrapped around his cock, sucking him off with a bunch of strangers in the room. It turns him on more than it should, his eyes suddenly sneaking around to make sure no one is watching.

But then you pull off him with a barely audible pop, sinking back down with fervor and Namjoon sees stars. Your mouth is perfect, lips moulding around the head of his cock and tongue flickering over his slit in a way that makes his thighs tense. Your hand is around the base of his dick again, working the orgasm right out of him. You fingers feel so small around him, a huge contrast to his own large palm and it makes his gut twist. You’re so damn tiny. It makes him want to wrap you up, take care of you, give you everything he has.

His balls must feel the same because his orgasm is approaching faster than he anticipated, despite his jerk off session before he came to meet you. You make him impossibly hard and his head is never really clear around you. Even know his mind is hazy, lost in the waves of pleasure ebbing from his gut with every press of your lips around his length. It’s hard for him to even focus on the movie before him, gaze floating onto your bent over a figure. It’s only then that he notices how your dress is riding up your ass. Your perfect pert ass that he wants to touch all the damn time. Your underwear peeps from beneath the fabric, your wetness creating a damp mark on your light pink panties.

God, you were going to be the death of him.

He bites back the remarks on his tongue. The ‘baby’ that he wants to murmur stuck in his throat. But he can’t help the hand that wonders to the back of your head, gently resting on your hair. There’s a slight push from his palm and your mouth makes a nasty little sound around his dick. He nearly creams down your throat right then, but then you pull away to his dismay, leaving his orgasm sitting heavy in his gut. The cool air hits his dick then, but Namjoon stays rigid because your lips are wet and bruised, covered in his cum, pretty face illuminated by the lights flashing from the screen.

He wants this image burned into his memory. Forever.

“I can’t deep throat you like this,” You whisper. His dick twitches hard at the prospect of being down your throat, mouth pliant for the load he’d give you. “Bathroom?”

“Bathroom.” Namjoon decides immediately, shoving his cock down his pants. You leave the theater in a rush, not missing the suspicious look an elderly couple gives you. But neither of you could bother to care, too overwhelmed with this new found desire for each other.

In the bathroom (the ladies because it’s far cleaner - and practically empty) Namjoon decides his second favourite image ever is you on your knees for him. You look so pretty, mouth open for his cock and your dress sliding down to reveal your cleavage. Every curve of your body is his kryptonite, but your breasts are his greatest weakness. Full and perky, stretch marks running along skin that he aches to put his mouth on. He settles for placing dick in your mouth instead, a groan leaving his chest with your tongue swipes against the head, before you sink down along his length.

It’s easier on your knees, to work Namjoon down your throat, core pulsing with every mumbled curse leaving his lips. He still stretches you mouth wide, and your walls flutter with the thought of Namjoon stretching out your pussy too. The hands around your head pull your back to the present. You glance up to find Namjoon staring down at you with adoration, a light sheen of sweat building along his neck. 

“Fuck, baby. You take my dick so well.” You swallow hard around him at that, spurred on by the praise. “Ngh - fuck - that’s it, open your pretty mouth for me.” You do, sinking down another inch and Namjoon shudders when the heat of your mouth encloses around him. You preen, hand coming to clutch at his trembling thighs. “God - shit! I’m gonna cum - oh fuck!” He pants out, pink tongue dragging over his lips. “Want me to cum down your throat, baby?”

You nod as best as you can, licking a fat stripe along his dick that has Namjoon convulsing. thighs tense. His hips stutter forward, mouth parted and sinful gasp leaving his lips as he spills down your throat. You don’t mind his taste and swallow with no complaint. It’s a lot but you push it down anyways, pussy leaking at the thought of his thick load spilling inside your cunt instead.

Namjoon pulls away breathless, dick growing flaccid in the cool air of the bathroom. His eyes are squeezed shut, a shudder slithering down his spine. When he cracks them opinion, his gaze land on your tongue sneaking out to swipe the spurt of cum that’d landed on your lips. His dick throbs back to life when he realises you’ve swallowed.

You don’t expect to pulled up from the floor like that, Namjoon’s harding dick pressed against your stomach as he leans down and slips his tongue into you mouth. He kisses you like you’re the only tether keeping him grounding, mouth working you open with need. He doesn’t hold back on the little nips and bites that you’d grown to love about his kisses. His mouth is soft but direct, like he’s trying to tell you something that he hasn’t figured out the words for yet. It makes you feel like you’re glowing. And Namjoon holds you like you’re the damn Sun. He cradles you gently, hands on your waist as he maps out your mouth, the taste of him on both of your tongues. You decide there and then that he is The One.

“I’m going to marry you,” You say, when you part for air. It’s a slip of the tongue and you’re immediately mortified. It’s far too early to say shit like that. You’d only just sucked his dick for the first time. You expect Namjoon to eye you warily, but he laughs instead, his chuckle vibrating in your chest, pulling you closer. It’s ridiculous because here’s a marriage proposal in the bathroom stall of a cinema. His dick is out and his shorts are on the floor. Ridiculous, yet perfect. 

“The sentiment is mutual.” He whispers against your lips. 

Your heart explodes with an emotion you're afraid to name just yet. But it’s there, fluttering in your chest with joy.

“You’re saying that because I just sucked your dick,” You retort, cheeks hot with your embarrassment.

Namjoon pecks your nose before pulling away to yank back on his shorts. “Partially true. Want to go back to my place so you can cum on my tongue?”

Your whole body sighs, panties drenched at the prospect of Namjoon taking you apart with that wide tongue of his. “God, yes.”

He grins at that, that bright perfect smile gracing his lips and that fluttering feeling in your heart, turns into a full fledged gust of wind that hits your chest and knocks you breathless.

[ceealaina]

Title: In My Dreams I Turn You On - Chapter 3 Collaborator Name: ceealaina Card Number: 3088 Link: AO3 Square Filled: A3 - Free Ship: WinterIron Rating: Explicit Major Tags: Alternate Universe - No Powers Summary: Tony’s crushing hard on his new massage therapist, but doesn’t want to be a sleazy businessman. Bucky’s crushing hard on his latest client, but doesn’t want to take advantage of him in a vulnerable position. So they handle it like any sane adults - pretend it’s not happening and refuse to discuss it. At least they both have terrible friends to help them through it. Word Count: 17,235 Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three

It had taken some doing, but with a quick rundown to Rhodey — who had fallen off the couch he’d laughed so hard — Sam had managed to talk Bucky into joining them at the gala. Tony was busy making the CEO rounds, hadn’t made his way over to them, or even spotted them, but they’d seen him once or twice. Bucky had sounded like he’d been punched in the gut the first time, eyes focusing in on Tony’s ass like they were laser targeted. 

“Oh man,” Rhodey laughed, shaking his head as he sipped on his champagne. He patted Bucky on the back consolingly. “You’ve got it bad, huh?” 

Bucky just whined, raking his hands through his hair. “He’s just so handsome,” he sighed, watching as Tony walked across the room. 

Sam shook his head, pulling the champagne flute out of Bucky’s hand and knocking the rest of it back himself. “Okay, you’re cut off. Can’t go talk to him if you’re fall-down drunk.” 

Bucky stared at him with wide eyes. “I can’t go talk to him!” he hissed. 

Sam just shook his head, leaning into the arm Rhodey had around his waist and resting his head on his shoulder. “Jesus Christ,” he muttered. “I can’t believe this is the guy that Tony’s so in love with,” he added, body shaking when Rhodey burst out into loud laughter. 

And that made Tony look over, eyes crinkling happily at the familiar sound of Rhodey’s laughter. And then he did a double take, eyes going absolutely enormous as he realized who they were standing with. Rhodey was still snickering as they watched Tony stammer out an excuse to the group of executives and practically stumble his way over to them. 

“Hey,” he said, waving vaguely at Sam and Rhodey, sounding breathless. His eyes were trained on Bucky a small smile playing over his lips like he couldn’t believe he was there. “Hi,” he added before staring back and forth between the three of them. “You know each other?”

“Wait…” Bucky’s eyes shot over to where Sam and Rhodey were snickering loudly. “You know each other?”

They both looked utterly lost, and Rhodey took pity on them, elbowing Sam when he was laughing too hard to speak. “Tones, Tones, this--” He gestured dramatically at Bucky. “Is Sam’s best friend, Bucky.” 

Tony’s eyes grew impossibly wider. “You’re Bucky??” 

Rhodey choked on another snort of laughter. “And Bucky, this is my best friend, Tony. Stark.” 

“See?” Tony yelped, turning on Rhodey because his brain couldn’t focus on the real issue at hand right now. “See, I told you to let me throw your wedding. This is what happens when you elope! I would have met him two years ago if you’d just had an actual wedding instead of eloping to Niagara like a couple tacky tourists.”

Bucky looked like he was maybe having a heart attack, it was hard to say for sure. “You said he was a mechanic,” he said, voice sounding strangled. “And then Sam started laughing, but I thought that meant he was a bad mechanic, not, you know… Not a mechanic.” 

“Hey!” Tony protested. “I’m a mechanic! Wait, what do you mean, you thought I was a bad mechanic?” 

“Oh no!” Bucky’s eyes went wide, mouth twisting into a grimace. “I’m sorry, I mean… I didn’t mean like that, I’m sure you’re a great mechanic.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and groaned. “You can’t be a worse mechanic than I am massage therapist,” he added.

Tony frowned at him. “What do you mean? You’re a great massage therapist! You’re amazing!” 

“Yeah, so amazing that I’m spending half our sessions thinking about how bad I wanna fuck you,” he grumbled, before promptly choking on air as he realized exactly what he’d said. “I mean… Oh god.” 

Standing forgotten beside them, Sam snorted again before leaning in close to Rhodey. “I think it’s gonna take awhile,” he told him. “We could probably come back.” He made a show of looking Rhodey up and down, licking his lips as his eyes lingered on Rhodey’s throat. “Wanna go… Refresh our drinks?” he offered, grinning when Rhodey nodded enthusiastically. 

Tony was staring at Bucky in shock, still not fully processing what was happening right now, and Bucky immediately went into panic mode. 

“I’m so sorry,” he said, not even noticing as Sam and Rhodey snuck off. “I… I’ll hand in my resignation immediately, that’s so inappropriate, oh my god.” 

“No!” Tony said quickly, finally snapping back into focus. “No, it’s okay. You don’t have to quit. It’s fine!” 

“It’s not fine! That’s such a breach of trust. You’re in a position of vulnerability, and… I mean, I know I didn’t do anything, but that’s still such an abuse of power, and --,” 

He cut himself off abruptly as Tony suddenly started laughing, the sound closer to a giggle. Even in the midst of his panic, Bucky had the stray thought that the sound was absolutely adorable. He blinked at him. 

“Are you… Are you laughing at me?” 

Tony immediately clapped his hand over his mouth, shaking his head. “No!” he insisted, reaching out to grab Bucky’s wrist, like he thought he might try and leave. His hand was warm, fingers calloused, and Bucky nearly shivered at the contact. “I’m not… I’m not laughing at you. I’m just laughing because I was literally thinking the exact same thing. That it would be an abuse of power because, well… Technically I’m your employer.” 

His eyes were trained on Bucky’s, but his thumb was tracing a delicate line over Bucky’s wrist, distracting him, and Bucky shook his head. “No, it’s different. You’re not my direct supervisor, and…” He trailed off as he realized exactly what Tony had said. “Wait, what?” 

Tony shrugged, a soft smile playing over his lips. “Uh, surprise? Apparently we’re both a couple of clueless idiots.” 

“Holy shit,” Bucky breathed. He twisted his wrist to catch Tony’s hand. “Okay,” he said, taking a deep breath and rubbing his prosthetic hand over his mouth. “Okay. Tony, I’m afraid that, effective immediately, I can no longer be your massage therapist. I’ll be transferring your file back over to Louise on Monday morning.” Then he grinned wide. “Now, can I please buy you a drink?” 

Tony grinned, looking absolutely delighted. “You know the drinks are free, right?” he couldn’t resist teasing. 

Bucky rolled his eyes. “I’ll make it up to you later.” 

***

When Rhodey and Sam returned half an hour later, Bucky and Tony were sitting side-by-side at a table, barely-touched glasses between them, talking animatedly about something or other. 

“Oh my god,” Sam groaned exaggeratedly, still a little giddy. “You two are still here? You didn’t immediately run off to ravish each other?”

Tony turned to give him a dirty look, and his eyes caught on their mussed clothing, Sam’s tie shoddily tied and crooked, the hickey on Rhodey’s neck. “Oh my god. Really?” 

Rhodey just arched his eyebrows back at him. “Not the thing to focus on, Tones,” he returned, giving a pointed glance between the two of them as he curled an arm around Sam’s waist. “Are you two gonna kiss, or should we go... ‘refresh our drinks’ again?” 

“God, I hate you,” Tony muttered. But then he looked over at Bucky, his eyes catching on his lips, delighting in the way that Bucky flushed a little and bit at his lower lip. Grinning, Tony shifted forward and curled his hand around Bucky’s neck, leaning in to kiss him gently. The gentleness lasted only a minute before Bucky was making a soft, desperate noise, tongue coming out to trace over the seam of his lips, and then Tony was kicking his chair away to stand up and move closer, tipping Bucky’s head back as his other hand threaded through his hair. Bucky moaned, and his hands moved to grip Tony’s hips, pulling him in close between his legs, neither of them seeming to notice that they were still in the middle of a party. 

“There we go,” Rhodey said. 

“Annnnd that’s our queue to leave,” Sam added, hauling Rhodey away. “Get a room!” he added over his shoulder. 

Neither Bucky nor Tony seemed to actually hear him, but Tony did pull back, grinning down at Bucky while he stared up at him with wide eyes. He scratched his fingers over Bucky’s scalp, and Bucky shivered at the touch. He hands clenched around Tony’s hips again, sliding slightly lower and stopping just shy of squeezing his ass. Tony drew in a shivering breath, and dropped back into his chair only to pull it close and lean into Bucky’s space. 

“Does it make me a complete cockhound if I wanna leave with you, like… Right now?” he asked, voice rough. His hand settled high on Bucky’s thigh, thumb tracing over the seam of his pants. 

“Oh god,” Bucky muttered, swallowing hard. He huffed out slightly stupid laugh. “Do I look like the kinda guy who cares, Tony? Also, I kinda figured that’s what I was getting into. Your reputation does proceed you, ya know?” 

“True, fair, valid, all good points,” Tony was nodding enthusiastically, his thumb moving closer and closer to Bucky’s cock, half hard in his dress pants. “But, uh…” He ducked his head a little. “Don’t believe everything you read,” he added softly, giving Bucky a crooked smile. “I do have a squishy, candy centre.”

Bucky arched a brow, smirking at him. “Now that I know you’re the mechanic that Sam and Rhodey are always talking about, I have a suspicion.” He narrowed his eyes then, tilting his head as he considered Tony. “And what’s the back half of the joke, there?”

Tony smiled serenely back at him, looking ridiculously pleased with himself. “Wanna get out of here and see how many licks it takes to get to said squishy, candy centre?” 

Bucky made an involuntary, punched out noise. “Yes. Yes, please.” 

Tony beamed back at him, and then seemed to realize there was still a party going on around them. “Shit, okay. I just gotta…” He leaned in and gave Bucky a quick kiss, lingering just a second longer than he’d obviously intended. “Wait right here,” he said, still grinning a little stupidly. “I’ll be right back.” 

He was gone before Bucky could say a word, and he took advantage of the moment to take a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He had a glass of ice water on the table, sweating in the warmth of the room, and Bucky sipped at it, his eyes automatically tracking Tony as he maneuvered around people and tables. He watched as Tony tracked down a gorgeous red-headed woman, pulling her in close and murmuring something in her ear. He had half a second to feel jealous before her eyes went wide, and then her gaze landed on Bucky on return, and she smiled wide. Shaking her head, she leaned back to say something to Tony in return and then kissed his cheek. Tony beamed and then he was darting back over to Bucky, bypassing a group of important looking men and fiddling on his cell phone at the same time. 

“Okay!” he said, grabbing Bucky’s hand and pulling him out of the chair with surprising strength. “Follow me, quickly, before anybody else decides to try and network.” He gave an exaggerated shudder at the thought and grinned before hauling Bucky around the outside of the room and then out an unnoticed side door, leading him down a back staircase. Bucky couldn’t help laughing, reeling with the excitement of sneaking around. 

“You do this often?” he asked, light and teasing. 

Tony cast a look at him over his shoulder. “Less often than you might think.” He turned back completely to give him a quick kiss, humming when Bucky’s hands grabbed his hips, pulling him in for a longer one before he could pull away. “But,” he added. “It doesn’t hurt to have an escape route for when those rich old octogenarians start getting a little too handsy.”

He grinned when Bucky barked out a surprised laugh, then gave his hand another tug. 

“Come on, baby. I promise I’ve got somewhere much more comfortable than a dingy stairwell to make out in.” 

Bucky grinned right back at him and then they were hurrying back down the stairs, coming out into a side street where there was a limo waiting. Tony shooed him into the backseat first, climbing in so close behind that he was practically on top of him. 

“Home please,” he called, eyes locked on Bucky’s. “And, uh, Happy? Don’t mean to be rude, but I’m going to be closing the partition.” 

“I’d prefer it, boss!” the driver tossed back cheerfully. 

The second they were underway, Tony turned to face Bucky expectantly, waiting less than a second before he was leaning in to kiss him. He pressed in so close he was half on him, and in the relative privacy of the car, Bucky didn’t hesitate to grab his ass, gripping tight and hauling him in closer. He felt Tony’s lips curl into a smile against his own, and then he shifted so he was on top of Bucky, straddling his thighs. He rocked down against him, half hard cocks grinding together, and Bucky had to break away from the kiss to tip his head back against the seat, trying to catch his breath. This didn’t deter Tony at all, who took advantage of the new position to leave little nipping bites on Bucky’s throat. 

“Good Christ,” Bucky breathed, shivering when Tony’s teeth dragged over his adam’s apple. 

Tony did pull back then, looking entirely too smug. “Everything you thought it would be?” he asked, batting his eyelashes a little ridiculously and fuck, Bucky was maybe in love with him. 

“Better,” he promised fervently. His voice was little more than a hoarse growl, and he didn’t miss the way that Tony’s eyes darkened with interest at the sound. 

“Well.” Tony’s eyes were caught on his lips again, tongue flicking out like all he could think about was tasting them. “I do my best.” 

“Fuck, come here,” Bucky groaned, squeezing his ass again and pulling at him until they were pressed together, chest to chest. He wrapped his arms tight around him, using his strength to rock Tony in his lap, and the other man seemed to melt against him. 

“Oh fuck,” Tony moaned. “I’ve been dreaming about you doing that for months.” 

“Yeah?” Bucky moved him again, this time grinding his hips up against Tony in the process. “Like that?”

Tony keened, loud enough that Bucky legitimately worried that the driver — Happy — might have heard. “Fuck. Your goddamn arms, James.” 

“Oh god,” It was less sexy, this time, and Bucky pulled back, shaking his head with a grin around his lips. “Don’t call me James. Please don’t call me James. Nobody calls me James, not even my ma.” 

Tony leaned back too, grinning when Bucky’s hands held his weight so he didn’t tip off his lap completely. He gave him a perplexed look. “What else am I supposed to call you?” Then he made an exaggerated face. “Oh. Oh no. Tell me I’m not supposed to call you Bucky.” 

Bucky just gave him a half shrug and a crooked smile. “‘S my name, sweetheart. James just feels weird.” 

“It’s how you introduced yourself to me!” 

“I was being professional! Nobody’s gonna take me seriously in my job if I’m going by Bucky.” 

“But they’ll take you seriously in bed? Your logic is flawed, Barnes.” Tony was laughing though, a twinkle in his eyes, and he gave a heavy sigh. “Fine. But I can’t be held responsible for any slip ups. I’ve been imagining calling your name in bed for quite some time now.” 

“God, you’re a menace.” 

Bucky wasn’t even sure how he made it back to Stark Tower without him completely losing it in the back seat, but the next thing he knew, the car was pulling to a stop in the garage. Tony pulled away from him with dazed eyes, blinking like he’d forgotten where they were entirely. It was a good look on him.  

“Right,” Tony said. “We’re here.” He shook his head then, trying to get his bearings. “God, you make me stupid,” he said, laughing. “Come on, let’s go.” 

He pulled Bucky out of the car. There was no sign of Happy, and Bucky had a brief moment to wonder if he’d run away that quickly, or was just hiding out in the driver’s seat until the coast was clear, before Tony was practically shoving him into a small elevator. 

“Private elevator,” he explained when it started to move without any buttons or voice commands. “Goes straight to the penthouse.” He was blatantly looking Bucky up and down, practically vibrating, like he was itching to touch but knew if he did he wouldn’t be able to stop himself again. 

Bucky could relate. 

The elevator shot to the top of the building in what was probably record time, and Bucky stepped out into a living room area. He’d known who Tony was, obviously, but he still couldn’t help the way his jaw dropped at the wall of glass looking out over the city.

“Holy shit,” he breathed. “What an incredible view.” 

“Yeah,” Tony said from just behind him, and Bucky could hear the smirk in his voice. “View’s incredible.” 

Bucky glanced over to find Tony blatantly checking out his ass. He lifted his eyes, arching a brow at Bucky with a wicked grin on his lips, and Bucky shook his head.

“Menace,” he repeated, moving closer to back Tony against the wall. He shoved a thick thigh between Tony’s legs, rocking it against his hard cock and smirking at the way his eyes rolled black, breath escaping in a shuddering exhale. “You got a bedroom in this fancy-ass joint?” he asked, leaning in close enough that his lips were almost pressing against Tony’s with every word. 

Tony shivered, but then he was grinning right back. “You sure you don’t want a drink or something first?”

Bucky groaned, dropping his forehead to rest against Tony’s shoulder. “You make me wait much longer and I might start to cry.” 

“Well that certainly wouldn’t be sexy,” he agreed with a stupid little giggle, even though that barely qualified as a joke. 

Bucky adored him. 

“Follow me, handsome,” he said, catching Bucky’s hand and pulling him down a hall and through a doorway. 

The view from the bedroom was no less spectacular, but Bucky was more stuck on Tony’s ass as he moved down the hall in front of him, and then the frankly ridiculously enormous bed sitting in front of them. 

He felt a little thrill go through his stomach, the idea that they were actually doing this, after months of pining and thinking that it would never happen. “Jesus, okay,” he said, feeling just the slightest hint of overwhelmed. “How, uh. How do you want to do this?” 

Tony smiled at him, like he could tell how Bucky was feeling. “Well I, for one, have been itching to see you naked, hot stuff. Seems only fair, really, after all the times you’ve seen me in nothing but my skivvies.” 

Bucky flushed a little, thinking of the time that Tony’s ‘skivvies’ had consisted of nothing but a bright red thong. “That’s different,” he protested. ‘I was working.” 

“Uh huh.” Tony sat on the end of the bed, legs spread wide, and Bucky’s mouth went dry as his eyes were drawn to the bulge of his cock, marring the line of his dress pants. “Except you already told me about all the dirty thoughts you were having while ‘working,’ so you want to try that excuse again?” He shifted his hips a little, moving a hand to stroke himself through the fabric. “Come on, handsome. Give me a little show?” 

Bucky felt flushed and hot all over, but Tony was looking at him so hungrily that he couldn’t help the surge of confidence that went through him. He took a couple steps back until he was just out Tony’s reach and then met his gaze steadily, slipping out of his suit jacket. It came off easily, despite his tendency to get stuck in the arm even when he wasn’t nervous as all hell, and he couldn’t help being relieved. Dropping the fabric to pool on the ground, he dragged his hands up his sides before moving to undo the buttons of his shirt. He could feel his nipples peaked against the silky fabric, and he made a point of dragging his thumbs over them, choking off a moan at the sensation that spiked through him. 

“Oh yeah,” Tony breathed, his voice rough. “You like that, huh?” 

Bucky nodded, pinched until his eyes rolled back. “Yeah,” he admitted, voice breathier than he’d intended. “A lot.” 

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m going to have fun with you.” is 

Bucky felt a jolt of desire go through him at that thought, his cock jerking in his boxers, and he moved back to the buttons, unfastening them quickly now, until he was shrugging off his shirt and left in just his tank top and dress pants. Tony looked him over, leaning back a little on the bed, right hand rubbing over his clothed cock. 

“I like this,” he told him. “It’s a good look on you. Like you’re right out of the thirties, or something.” 

Bucky couldn’t help grinning at that, let his hand slide over his hip and tease the bottom of his shirt up. He liked working out, he knew how nice the cut of his hips looked. Sure enough, Tony’s tongue flicked out of his lip before he chewed at it, swallowing hard. 

“Come on. Don’t be a tease.” 

Bucky snorted, but his dick was aching and he just wanted Tony to touch him. He tugged the shirt up hastily over his head, shaking out his hair as he was left bare chested. Before Tony could say another word, he was moving to undo his pants with slightly fumbling fingers. He kicked them off quickly, toeing off his socks in the process. Then, when he was left in nothing more than his boxer briefs, he finally looked back up at Tony with a crooked grin. 

He was expecting more teasing, another snarky comment, but the look on Tony’s face sent a shiver up his spine. Tony was staring at him, slack jawed, eyes running up and down Bucky’s body like he couldn’t figure out where he should look first. His hand squeezed around his dick and he gave a low moan, hips jerking up at the touch. 

“Oh fuck,” he muttered, swallowing hard. “Sweetheart, come here.” Then he was reaching out, making grabby hands in Bucky’s direction, and Bucky was helpless to resist. 

He moved towards him, letting his hips swagger just a little, and his grin grew wider when he saw Tony’s eyes zero in the on the movement. But the second he was close enough, Tony’s hands were closing tight over his hips, yanking him in between his spread legs. Tony moaned softly, leaning in and scraping his teeth over Bucky’s lower abdomen, and Bucky groaned, felt his abs clench as he tipped his back and scrubbed a hand through his hair. 

“Gotta…” Tony’s voice cracked, and he cleared it, tried again. “Gotta let me blow you, honey, please. You have any idea how badly I… Every time you were giving me a massage, when you came up around the head of the table, all I could think was how easily I could suck you off, how much I wanted to.” 

“Jesus Christ,” Bucky swore. “Good thing I already fired you as my client. I’d never be able to get through another session, now that I know that.” 

Tony grinned up at him, eyes crinkling in delight, and then his smile turned wicked and he mouthed his way lower down Bucky’s stomach, until his chin was bumping the tip of his cock. 

“Come on, Bucky,” he purred, teasing over his skin. “Tell me I can.” 

“Yes,” Bucky said quickly. “Yes, fuck, ‘course you can.” 

Tony positively beamed, and then Bucky was whining as he pulled away entirely, tipping forward without Tony’s grip keeping himself upright. He caught himself on the edge of the bed, watching as Tony turned around to crawl up the length of the mattress and dig through the bedside table. Bucky’s gaze caught on his ass, perfectly framed in his dress pants, and he groaned again. 

“Oh my god,” he muttered, moving to sit on the side of the bed before his legs gave out entirely. “I’m gonna die.” 

Tony huffed out a laugh, and then he came back over, condoms in one hand, lube in the other. “Well,” he said, stepping off the bed to loom over him, tossing the items on the mattress beside Bucky. “At least try and hold out for the fun stuff.” 

Then he was dropping to his knees, shoving his way between Bucky’s spread thighs, and leaning forward to mouth at him through his boxers. His mouth was warm and wet, the sensation dampened through the material, and Bucky cursed again. Something about Tony on his knees, still fully dressed was especially appealing to some primal part of Bucky, and his cock jerked. He could feel a drop of pre-come sliding down his length and then further, following the seam of his balls. Tony leaned back again, looking extremely pleased with himself, and then he was tugging at the waistband of his shorts, poking at Bucky until he lifted his hips so Tony could pull them down his legs. 

For just a minute Tony sat back on his heels, staring. “God, look at you,” he breathed. Normally Bucky would have felt self conscious under the heat of his gaze, but instead he found himself almost preening, body heating deliciously under the weight of Tony’s stare. His cock twitched again, and he could tell Tony had noticed by the way his lips curled at the corners. “Eager are we?” he teased, but there was a soft tone to his voice, and an instant later he was reaching for one of the condoms on the bed, opening it and then sliding it down Bucky’s length with efficient, practiced movements. 

God, Bucky couldn’t wait until they could do this without anything at all. 

The moment Tony’s mouth was closing around the tip of his cock, Bucky was practically wailing. Fuck, he was so good at this, all hot pressure and perfect suction. The muscles in his thighs tightened as he fought the urge to thrust up into Tony’s mouth, his fingers twisting into the sheets so he’d remember to keep his hands to himself. He couldn’t help the way his eyes rolled back, falling shut as Tony pulled back a little, flicking his tongue out to tease at his frenulum, but a second later he was snapping them open again, not wanting to miss this. 

Tony was looking up at him, eyes dark and heavy and a hint of a smile playing around the corners of them. He pulled off again with an obscene sound. “God, you’re big,” he hummed, half to himself, and Bucky felt his cock twitch again. Then Tony was smirking up at him. “It’s okay, you know,” he said, voice hoarse and rough already. 

Bucky blinked back at him, uncomprehending, and Tony’s grin grew a little more self-satisfied. He picked up Bucky’s hands in each of his, prying them free of the sheets and then moving them to the back of his head, biting down on his lip when the cool metal brushed against the back of his neck. Bucky swallowed hard. 

 “I like it,” Tony told him. He leaned back in, licked a line down the length of Bucky’s cock, showy and a bit desperate. “Pull my hair, a little. Whatever you want.” 

Before Bucky could say another word, he was sucking him down again, steadily, methodically working his way to taking all of Bucky. The tip of his head slid into Tony’s throat and he swallowed around him, and Bucky gasped, twining his fingers in Tony’s hair and tugging reflexively. He had half a second to feel guilty before Tony was groaning around him, sounding so obviously hungry for it even with his mouth full of cock. 

“Christ,” Bucky bit out. His hips hitched up despite his best efforts, pushing himself just the slightest bit deeper, and Tony groaned around him again. He had one hand curled around the base of Bucky’s cock, but the other he used to grip at his thigh, pawing needily at the sensitive skin until Bucky rocked up into him again. “Oh fuck me,” Bucky moaned as they settled into a steady rhythm, Tony swallowing greedily around him. “You’re so fucking good, Tony. ‘m not gonna last long.”

Tony hummed encouragingly around him, and Bucky thought he was going to pass out at the rush of pleasure that shot through him. Then Tony’s free hand was slipping off his thigh, sliding between his legs to rub at his own dick, like he was so turned on by sucking Bucky off that he couldn’t wait, and Bucky was gone. 

With a slew of curses, he was coming, fingers tangling further in Tony’s hair as the other man teased him through it. Bucky shivered his way through the aftershocks, breath coming in sharp, heavy gasps, until he was oversensitive and twitching and Tony was pulling back, looking ridiculously pleased with himself. 

“Holy shit,” Bucky gasped, flopping back on the mattress to stare dazedly up at the ceiling. “That was… Holy shit.” 

There was a soft, delighted laugh from Tony, before he crawled up beside him, nuzzling into Bucky’s neck. “Good?” he asked. 

“Good doesn’t begin to cover it,” Bucky assured him. “Jus… Jus give me a minute. ‘M all about reciprocation, I swear.” 

Tony giggled into his skin, leaning further into him. He shifted so his cock was pressed against Bucky’s hip, rocking into him shamelessly. “Won’t take long,” he admitted, panting against Bucky’s skin. “Christ, you’re gorgeous when you come.” He sucked a mark into the underside of Bucky’s neck. “Want you so bad.” 

Bucky grinned at that, and with a carefully placed shove he had Tony on his back, looming over him. Tony went wide eyed at that particular move, and Bucky smirked down at him. A second later though, his face turned distraught. “Good Christ, how are you still dressed?” he asked, not even caring how plaintive he sounded. 

Tony just groaned, arching his hips up against him. “Later, baby,” he groaned. “I promise, later I will strip naked, and lay on the bed, and you can stare at me for six hours straight, if you want. But honey, I’ve gotta come like five hours ago.” 

Bucky rolled his eyes at him, like Tony being so desperate wasn’t making his own cock give a valiant attempt at getting hard again. “Yeah, alright,” he purred, sliding his hand down Tony’s body to work his pants open. The second he got his hand around him, Tony was melting into the mattress. “Oh fuck,” Bucky murmured. “Look at you, sweetheart.” He closed his hand firmly around him, mouth watering at how thick he was, and the desperate noise Tony made as he started jerking him off with quick, steady motions. “Can’t wait to take my time with you. Lay you out, spread you out on the bed…” He dipped his head, kissing over Tony’s neck. “Take my time with you, drag it out, tease you until you’re screaming for it, can’t remember your own name.” 

Tony’s hands grabbed at Bucky’s sides, gripping tight enough to bruise as his back arched in pleasure, head tipping back. “Yes,” he choked out. “Yes, fuck, Bucky please. All of that, I want… I want…” 

His words trailed off with a low groan, and when Bucky shifted his weight so he could tease metal fingers up his length, Tony came. He clung tight to Bucky’s body as he did, back arching, eyes squeezing shut, breath coming in thick heavy gasps for air, mixing in with a desperate whine. Bucky stroked him through it, kissing him sweetly in the process. 

“Oh fuck,” Tony moaned as the aftershocks finally stopped going through him. Bucky pulled away enough to flop down beside him, and Tony turned his head to beam at him, giving him a slow, lazy kiss. Then he shifted, and his nose wrinkled up in distaste. “Oh fuck,” he said again. “Well, these pants are ruined.” 

Bucky burst out laughing at that, and Tony’s smile turned soft and sweet again. 

“So, I definitely need a shower. But, uh… Maybe you wanna join me? And uh… I know it’s not usually the done thing after a first date — Does this even count as a first date? I mean, it was more of a right place right time kind of thing, not something that was actually planned. Although, knowing Rhodey and Sam, it actually was completely, totally planned, because they’re assholes like that. Which, hi. You already know that, obviously, because you’re friends with them, and that’s kind of a trip, really. Now I’m trying to think of everything I may have said about you and how embarrassing it was on a scale of one to that time at MIT I was simultaneously drunk and sleep deprived and kind of accidentally robbed the bookstore in nothing but a red thong and the permanent moustache marker that Rhodey drew on my face.” He suddenly clapped both hands over his eyes.”Oh God. I have this thing, when I get nervous, I kind of talk incessantly… Please, why aren’t you saying something? Save me from myself.” 

Bucky had been watching his diatribe with a bigger and bigger smile on his face, but at Tony’s desperate plea he leaned in and kissed him quiet, not stopping until they were both out of breath and Tony was giving him that wide-eyed, dazed stare again.

“I would love to stay the night,” he told him, just a little shy. “Uh. That is what you were asking, right?” 

Tony’s gave him a bright, open grin. “Yeah, it was. And the fact that you followed that through that entire fucking monologue I gave? I think I lo… like you. A lot.” 

“Yeah?” Bucky bit his lip and grinned back. “I think I like you a lot too.” He leaned in, kissing Tony one last time before hauling himself off the bed and pulling Tony along after him. “Come on. I’m looking forward to seeing what fancy rich people’s showers look like. And by the way?” he added, blatantly ogling Tony as he finally stripped out of his clothes. “You’re going to have to tell me how you managed to accidentally rob the bookstore, I kind of insist on it.” 

“Aw come on, handsome,” Tony teased, waggling his eyebrows as he sauntered off to the bathroom, blatantly wiggling his hips as he went. “Gotta keep the mystery alive!” 

***

A week later, Tony was heading into his favourite open air cafe for a lunchtime date with Bucky when he spotted a familiar blond head. 

“Oh hey!” he chirped, sliding easily into the seat opposite to Steve. “I forgot. Thursdays are your day to awkwardly flirt with the waitress, right?” 

Steve rolled his eyes. “Eat my entire ass,” he returned, just as cheerfully. “We can’t all hook up with our massage therapists.” He gave Tony a fond smile then. “How’s it going with your new boytoy, anyway?” 

Tony couldn’t help grinning at just the thought of Bucky; he knew he looked sappy, and he didn’t even care. “Amazing,” he sighed. “He’s meeting me here for lunch, actually, if you want me to introduce you.” 

Right on cue -- because they were in sync like that -- Tony spotted said boyfriend walking up the sidewalk toward him. 

“Hey baby!” he called, hopping up and waving Bucky over. “Come meet my friend Steve.” 

Because he couldn’t resist, he met Bucky halfway, giving him a soft kiss hello before practically dragging him over to Steve’s table. 

“Steve, this is --,” 

Steve looked up at them and grinned. “Oh! Hey, Buck!” 

Tony stared back and forth between the two of them, Steve smiling obliviously and Bucky looking more and more pained. 

“You two know each other?” Tony asked faintly. 

“Yeah!” Steve told him. “It’s Bucky. You know, my paintball friend? I know I’ve told you about him before. We grew up together? And now we meet up every couple months? Go paintballing or axe throwing or whatever, and -- Ow!” He ducked and winced as both Tony and Bucky simultaneously whacked him on the shoulder. 

“What the fuck, Rogers?” Tony demanded. He gestured wildly at Bucky. “This is James, my hot massage therapist! You knew him the entire time?” 

Steve offered up his most innocent smile. “Whoops?” 

@tonystarkbingo

[yascaret]

really LONG CHARACTER SURVEY.

(I edited/removed some of the questions to make this more FFXIV-friendly)

RULES.  Repost,  don’t  reblog  ! Tag  10  !  Good  luck!

TAGGED BY.  No one, I just wanted to do it lol

TAGGING. @gvnbreaker @wood-warder @necrologos @finishing-touch @glory-bound @vysaldhe @violet-warder @whisperingdawn and anyone else who wants to do it!

BASICS.

FULL  NAME :   Lofn Yascaret

NICKNAME :  None (yet??)

AGE :  Appears around 30 by hyur standards 

BIRTHDAY :   Midwinter 

ETHNIC  GROUP : Viera (Rava)

NATIONALITY :  Ivalician (?)

LANGUAGE / S : Common

SEXUAL  ORIENTATION :  Homosexual

ROMANTIC  ORIENTATION : Homoromantic

RELATIONSHIP  STATUS :  In a relationship with Aja Hyskaris & Pjel Qoet

HOME  TOWN / AREA :  Yascaret, Golmore

CURRENT  HOME :  A small, cluttered house in Shirogane

PROFESSION : Disaster lesbian, whiner

PHYSICAL.

HAIR : White with faint violet undertones. Thick, heavy bangs that partially obscure her eyes. Her hair is very dense and wavy, and it reaches her waist when loose.

EYES :   Violet, but the left is considerably paler than the right

FACE :   Pretty, if melancholy. Pronounced cheeks, prominent nose, striking profile. 

LIPS :  Small, but full. Usually painted a dark brown.

COMPLEXION : A dark, barely warm brown. Mottled with white “freckles” in places (nose, cheeks, shoulders, breasts, lower back)

BLEMISHES : None of note

SCARS :  A few old, faded scars here and there from a life long left behind her

TATTOOS :  None

HEIGHT :   Nearly seven fulms

WEIGHT :   Average

BUILD :   Slim, but more bottom-heavy. Her upper arms are the only indication of muscle left from the Wood.

FEATURES :   Feminine, pleasant (by viera standards, at least). Has a very defined nose and a striking profile. Heavy-lidded eyes that naturally lend to melancholy expressions.

ALLERGIES :   None of note

USUAL  HAIR  STYLE :  High, messy ponytail. Dense, thick bangs that almost completely obscure her eyes

USUAL  FACE  LOOK :  Melancholy, aloof, heavy-lidded eyes and faint, pensive frowns

USUAL  CLOTHING :   Loose, comfortable blouses, leather trousers, tall heeled boots. Browns, whites, silver, violet

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR / S : Abandonment, loss of loved ones, loss of her senses

ASPIRATION / S :  To find some amount of meaning in her life outside the Wood, to find her calling

POSITIVE  TRAITS :  Resourceful, passionate, resilient

NEGATIVE  TRAITS :  Aloof, anxious, self-destructive

MBTI :  ISFP-T (Adventurer)

ZODIAC :  Menphina (Aquarius in real world)

TEMPERAMENT :  Melancholic

SOUL  TYPE / S :   Artisan (I have no idea what this means??? I googled it and took a buzzfeed quiz for her lol)

ANIMALS :   Rabbit

VICE HABIT / S :   Pining, infatuation, brooding, oversleeping, stress eating

FAITH :  Belief, sure--faith, not really

GHOSTS ? :  Why not?

AFTERLIFE ? :  Why not?

REINCARNATION ? :  Why not? But probably more likely than afterlife.

ALIENS ? :   Probably

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT : Zero concept of politics outside the wood and she intends to keep it that way, being a selfish bitch

EDUCATION  LEVEL :  Average education level of the average rava viera

FAMILY.

FATHER :   lmao

MOTHERS :  Dead to her, all four of them 

SIBLINGS :   One older sister (that she knows of)--their relationship was not great

EXTENDED  FAMILY :  Countless cousins and half-sisters, none of which she knows anything about

NAME MEANING / S :  Lofn, from the village Yascaret

HISTORICAL  CONNECTION ? : It matters not

FAVORITES.

BOOK :  She’s the type of freak who reads instruction manuals and spellbooks for fun, so probably one of those

DEITY :  She tries not to think about them

HOLIDAY :  Moonfire Faire (does that count as a holiday?)

MONTH :  The warm ones

SEASON :  Summer

PLACE :  Her bedroom, or the Azim Steppe

WEATHER :  Thunderstorms, though she is growing more fond of snow

SOUND / S:  Rain on the roof, thunder in the distance, the sound of wind through flowers or trees

SCENT / S :  Honeysuckle, cedarwood, leather, girlfriend ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

TASTE / S :  Honeysuckle, orchid, girlfriend ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

FEEL / S :  Soft moss, clean sheets, sheepskin, girlfriend ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

ANIMAL / S :  Cats

NUMBER :  3

COLORS :  Violet, brown

EXTRA.

TALENTS : Picking up new things (especially technical things),  singing (though she doesn’t sing anymore, ever), 

BAD  AT :  Getting her shit together and keeping her shit together

TURN  ONS :  Shitty smirks, sweet smiles, pet names, fleeting touches, romanticism

TURN  OFFS : Men

HOBBIES : Drawing, writing, gardening, tinkering

TROPES :  Lipstick Lesbian, Insecure Love Interest, Marry Them All, One True Threesome, I Have No Son!, Traumatic Superpower Awakening, Mad Whisper, Country Mouse, Affluent Ascetic, Lady and Knight, Eye Colour Change, Sky Pirate, Combat Stilettos, Dark-Skinned Blond, Statuesque Stunner, Wrench Wench, You Can't Go Home Again, The Gift (I have to stop or I will be on TV Tropes all day)

QUOTES : "Oh no”

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1 :   If you could write your character your way in their own movie,  what would it be called,  what style would it be filmed in, and what would it be about?          

A1 :  It would probably just be Mulholland Drive but everyone has rabbit ears

Q2 :   What would their soundtrack/score sound like?          

A2 :  Dreamy and melanchol, like The Duke of Burgundy’s OST if it sounded less sinister

Q3 :   Why did you start writing this character?          

A3 :   Because when viera came out I knew exactly what I wanted my viera to be--a physically strong, emotionally stable badass warrior lady who doesn’t afraid of anything--so naturally she became the exact opposite of that because at all times my subconscious is trying to sabotage me 

Q4 :   What first attracted you to this character?          

A4 :   My grubby little gay hands wrapping around Final Fantasy Tactics Advance in 2003 and seeing a viera for the first time. Also, my grubby little 1999 gay brain struggling to comprehend why I thought Ultimecia was so hot

Q5 :   Describe the biggest thing you dislike about your muse.

A5 :   Sometimes writing her is stressful because I channel my own past experiences with depression and anxiety a little too hard I think. Also her overarching themes I want to eventually bring out via RP storylines are so ambitious and complicated that I feel entirely too stupid to write it well so I’m always at least a little bit stressed about that

Q6 :   What do you have in common with your muse?          

A6 :   Crippling depression lmao

Q7 :   How does  your muse feel about  you?          

A7 :   She’d probably not even acknowledge my existence because I’m a human and what good is that

Q8 :   What characters does your muse have interesting interactions with ?        

A8 :   I feel like Pjel and Aja are the obvious choice so I feel a little shitty saying Pjel and Aja, but...I really love playing Lofn off both of them, I feel like they perfectly compliment different parts of her personality that I really enjoy writing (mainly her pettiness and her gayness) and I feel like Lofn also prods at both of their insecurities just by being her terrible self, and it’s fun for me to watch them squirm lol

Q9 :   What gives  you inspiration  to write  your muse ?        

A9 :    Um, premenstrual syndrome?? Lmao but for real if I’m struggling I’ll just go watch some Gentleman Jack (Lofn is literally Ann Walker, sorry) or listen to some FF8/FF9 music, or dick around in FF12 for a bit. Basically I identify a handful of loose inspirational touchstones for a character and fuck around with all of them until inspiration strikes

Q10 :  How long did this take you to complete ?          

A10 :  About a week, off and on...

[bonepranks-a]

. OUT            * MEGALOVANIA ANALYSIS!            so i mentioned the other day that i wanted to do a breakdown of megalovania -- this is the first part of that. i identified the unique leitmotifs and how they come together to form the actual structure of the song. then i talked about the actual themes from a character/story analysis viewpoint. 

           disclaimer: while i do have a musical background and some training in music theory, it’s pretty basic and was a few years ago. i’m not the best at identifying every unique pattern or instrument, but i do have a pretty good ear for it. that being said, please forgive any technical/terminology errors. everything is based on how i perceive the song based on my limited knowledge.

           and with that being said, enjoy! (i’d prefer if this didn’t get reblogged, just for the sake of my activity rip)

              a few notes to start out! this is the version of the song i’m working from -- it’s the shortened version that’s released in the ost -- not the common extended version that repeats as in the game itself. you can listen to the full thing at the link above, and each sub-theme is tied to a timestamp in the song. please note that the sheet music referenced below is from an arrangement by jester musician and can be found here -- it is not an official version, and is scored for piano, therefore it does have some variations from the game track.

THEME A (main theme) A1 - 0:00-0:08 - no additions A2 - 0:08-0:16 - with bass line A3 - 0:16-0:32 - with full synths A3 - 0:24-0:32 - with full synths 

            sooooo, the main theme. this is what you think of when you think of the song - it’s 100% the main motif, which i feel comfortable saying because it both opens and closes the song, and it appears the most times throughout. it’s also the part of the song that’s sampled the most in other works. this theme has three variations - the basic one, the one that introducing the bass line, and the one with full synths. each of these variations lasts for 8 seconds (or 4 bars/16 counts, if you’re reading the sheet music). A1 is rehearsal A, A2 is rehearsal A’, and A3 is rehearsal B.

THEME B (second theme) B1 - 0:32-0:40 no additions B2 - 0:40-0:48 with synths and variations

               second theme! i actually really love this one, and i'm sad it doesn’t make another appearance in the song. it’s actually one of the more memorable ones in my opinion. the variations in B2 are really cool, with the synths harmonizing with the melody and bass line. both versions last 8 seconds (4 bars/16 counts), and appear in the sheet music as rehearsal C and C’.

THEME C (hero theme) C1 - 0:48-0:56 - part 1 C2 - 0:56-1:04 - part 2 C1 - 1:04-1:12 - part 1  C2 - 1:12-1:20 - part 2 

                  alrighty, so the third one is what i call the hero theme. i’ll touch on this later, but this motif stands out to me from the rest as being more heroic than the others. with the main theme and second theme both are forward and driven, this one is more celebratory. this may be because the synths are reminiscent of horns, which typically play after a heroic victory. the difference between theme c and the others is that C1 and C2 are not variations of each other, but simply 2 parts to one longer melody. each part, however, is the consistent 8 seconds/4 bars/16 counts. this whole theme is rehearsal D (which repeats). C1 is measures 21-24, and C2 is measures 25-28. 

THEME D (bridge) D1 - 1:20-1:28 - variation 1 D2 - 1:28-1:36 - variation 2

                alrighty, the bridge. there’s nothing in the notation that specifies that theme D is the bridge, but i’ll explain. citing wikipedia -- “a bridge is a contrasting section that prepares for the return of the original material section”. theme D is the most contrasting to the others, as it does not have a fast melody. although the bass line drives it, the leading line slows down to quarter/half/whole notes/etc. only in the second variation with the run at the end (shown below) does it start to pick back up again to lead into the next section. once again, each part is 8 seconds/4 bars/16 counts, and appears in the sheet music as rehearsal E (D1 is measures 29-32 and D2 is measures 33-26).

THEME AD (main theme + bridge) A1D1 - 1:36-1:44 - main theme + bridge variation 1 A3D3 - 1:44-1:52 - main theme with synths + bridge variation 3

                  this next section is definitely the most musically complex in the song. it starts to bring back the main theme again, overlapping with the bridge melody. it’s actually really difficult to break apart every little variation that happens here, so i’ve simplified it into what we already know -- the only notable new variation being a third version of the bridge. i don’t think the sheet music captures everything going on, but it does give you the basic structure. as usual, 8 seconds/4 bars/16 counts. (Measures 37-40 and 41-44 in rehearsal E’). 

THEME E (guitar theme) E1 - 1:52-2:00 - variation 1 E2 - 2:00-2:08 - variation 2 E1 - 2:08-2:16 - variation 1

                and.... here’s where things get a little crazy. the guitar theme is reminiscent of the bridge, but has an entirely different sound to it. the actual notes from the bridge in their original sequence are not present in the guitar theme, but if you were to hum that melody along with it, you’d find that they slot right in perfectly. all sections of the guitar theme contain the same 8 second/4 bar/16 count format. when it repeats, the arranger of this sheet music actually took the time to notate two different endings. 

               so rehearsal F, measures 45-48 is E1 (both times)

                then measures 49-52 is E2 (note the 1st ending notation):

THEME EA (guitar theme + main theme) E2a - 2:16-2:20 - guitar variation 2 (part 1) E2bA1 - 2:20-2:24 - guitar variation 2 (part 2) + main theme

                     theme EA is when things start to change. E2a is is the first part of variation 2. seen here in measures 49-50 again, this is only half of the variation.

                     the other half, which i’ve called E2bA1 completes variation 2 while tying in the main theme again. this is the second ending of rehearsal F, measures 53-54:

                      each of these parts are only 4 seconds/2 bars/8 counts. they all add up to the same total, but this is the first time that we don’t see a 4 bar phrase completed before introducing something new -- resulting in the feeling of the song picking up speed as it drives toward the ending. this merging of the two themes could very easily be called the climax of the song, especially as it leads into the final section.

THEME A (main theme) A1 - 2:24-2:32 - no additions A1 - 2:32-2:36 - no additions (cut off)

                        theme A, the main theme, returns! we first hear the bare bones (ba dum tiss) version for the full 16 counts first, and then it begins to repeat -- only to be cut off midway through. now, this only happens in the short version that does not repeat. in this extended version it loops back to the beginning immediately after -- if you listen closely, you can hear where it was cut (at the 2:36 mark). in the actual game, it’s a seamless transition that actually completes the phrase before returning to the beginning. now, i try not to read too much into why it was decided to cut the song halfway through the phrase rather than letting it complete, or fade it out as is what happens in the game when sans stops his attacks. so, i won’t try to offer an analysis of that, but it’s something to think about. for your reference, you can see these last two instances of theme A in rehearsal G, measures 55-58 and 59-60):

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

                      alrighty! so, now that i’ve thoroughly bored you with my motif breakdown, let’s talk about story themes and character analyses! of course, this is all just my opinion, but i’ve thought a lot about it. 

                      so, the basis of what i want to talk about is that megalovania was meant to be a hero’s song. now, in the game, we only see undyne referred to as the hero (in neutral/pacifist in the flavor text and in genocide with her theme song battle against a true hero). i’m not here to analyze undyne’s songs, but i will say this -- battle against a true hero is NOT an upbeat, driven song the way spear of justice is. it’s calmer, more melancholic, and even slows down in the middle. it is a representation of undyne’s pain and sorrow. 

                    we see something similar with mettaton’s songs. death by glamour is upbeat and positive through the end, whereas power of neo is a lot more tense and not as happy-go-lucky. both battle against a true hero and power of neo share some musical motifs as well -- again, an analysis for another time, but important to keep in mind. 

                    with both of these boss monsters, their songs are intense and driven in a neutral/pacifist route. i would argue that this is because while they believe they’re doing the right thing, so does frisk. you have a face-off between a human who only wants to befriend the monsters and get home, and two defenders of the underground who seek to protect their home. they are, primarily, obstacles to get past to continue your quest, and these songs are representative of that. 

                   so what happens with sans? well, you don’t fight him in neutral/pacifist, but a song was written that theoretically would play if you did fight him (it goes unused in the game itself). song that might play when you fight sans feels very much the same as the other two neutral/pacifist boss fight themes. it’s a little cheesy, it samples his theme from earlier in the game, it’s short and repetitive and fits the vibe of the other music you’ve heard thus far.

                  in genocide, it’s completely different. you fight sans at the end of your genocide run -- he is the last line of defense between frisk and the barrier since asgore is killed instantly. all you’ve done up until this point has been to slaughter everyone in your path, and the further you go, the more the monsters seem to recognize this. in fact, i would argue that their genocide battle themes are from their point of view (explaining the melancholy and sadness that frisk by this point does not feel). so then how do you explain megalovania, a song which turns those other battle themes on their heads and stands apart in every way? it’s longer, it has more unique elements, and most importantly it is intense, driven, and determined to the end.

                 what is sans feeling now? sadness yes, but it’s more than that. he’s angry. he knows more about what’s going on than the other characters. he knows what comes next if he fails to stop frisk. he wants justice, he wants vengeance -- he is the underground’s hero. or at least that’s what he intends to be. what he tries until the end to be. it’s the song you’d hear at the climax of a movie, in the part of the final battle where the protagonist stops getting their ass handed to them, unlocks their inner strength, and defeats the villain. this is why in the battle, frisk gets pummeled (assuming the player isn’t a good dodger) and sans takes no hits. this is HIS moment of glory, and the player/frisk is existing in it, but you’re his adversary. it’s kinda the point where you’re forced to realize that you are the villain of this story, you’re the bad guy, and this is not your time to shine. 

                       and yes, he fails in the end. you beat him and he dies. but there’s no triumph. you only win because he falls asleep and lets hi guard down. you have to literally push the bullet box to the fight button. you spend the entire fight just running, while sans attacks you over and over to stop you from destroying the world. and the song... well, the song is simply emphasizing that there are heroes in the world -- you just aren’t one of them.

[stardancereivor]

NEVER-ENDING SURVEY: EIVØR

RULES: Repost, do not reblog. Tag 10 blogs!

Not tagged by anyone! Just saw some people doing this and thought why not!

Tagging @miqojak​ @miqo-vynnie​ @miqo-masha​ @mai-takeda​ @vylette-elakha​ @teknicat​ @faeriesandberries​ @gildedandgolden​ @sagolii-snowflake​

BASICS.

FULL  NAME :  Eivør Viras

NICKNAME : The Star Dancer

AGE :  Ninety years

BIRTHDAY :   The 8th Sun of the Sixth Astral Moon

ETHNIC GROUP : Viera (Rava)

NATIONALITY : Ivalice

LANGUAGE / S : Vieran, very loose Doman and Hingan (enough to ask for directions), and Eorzean Common

SEXUAL ORIENTATION : She prefers not to label herself, but if nothing else bisexual is acceptable.

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION : Panromantic

RELATIONSHIP STATUS :  It’s complicated?

HOME TOWN / AREA :  The village Viras in Golmore Jungle

CURRENT HOME :  An apartment in the Lavender Beds of the Black Shroud

PROFESSION : Dancer, Astrologian, Huntress, Tracker, member of the Meridian Arrow Adventuring Company

PHYSICAL.

HAIR : Black, with loose curls, just past hip length.

EYES : A black right eye and a white left eye.

FACE : Bright and cheerful, dappled with freckles across her nose and cheeks.

LIPS : Soft and plush.

COMPLEXION : A warm brown.

BLEMISHES : Do freckles count as blemishes? If so. Freckles on her face, over her shoulders, down the back of her neck, and down her back in varying sizes. Some of her freckles look more like small splotchy spots than freckles.

SCARS : None.

TATTOOS :  None, but she’s open-minded to one.

HEIGHT :  6′7″.

WEIGHT : Average.

BUILD : Lithe, long, curved.

FEATURES :  Long limbs, warm skin, sparkling eyes. Sharp fangs, sharp claws. Long ears, long hair. Lots of movement, glittering jewelry, bells in her hair.

ALLERGIES :  None.

USUAL HAIR  STYLE :  Normally it’s left long and free in its natural black mane, but on occasion it will be braided and pulled back out of her face and out of the way if she has something she needs to focus on.

USUAL FACE  LOOK :  Colorful eye makeup and lips. Bright, cheerful, and happy to see you.

USUAL CLOTHING :   Bright colors, form fitting but also free and loose to offer room for movement and flare when she dances.

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR / S : Failure, insignificance, being forgotten, being a disappointment.

ASPIRATION / S :  To have a family, preferably by having at least one child of her own. To become known for her dancing and her worship of the stars and moon. Just enough fame to be known, but not enough to becomes a hindrance on her life. And to just be happy overall, honestly.

POSITIVE TRAITS : Friendly, cheerful, warm. Confident. Open-minded. Optimistic, yet with a healthy amount of realistic. Caring, motherly.

NEGATIVE TRAITS : Stubborn, recovering narcissist, somewhat uncultured and ignorant at times, overly confident.

MBTI : ENFP-A (Campaigner)

ZODIAC : Nophica (Sorpio)

TEMPERAMENT :  Affectionate

SOUL TYPE / S :  

ANIMALS :  Rabbits/bunnies, cats

VICE HABIT / S :   Social drinker. Sex. Mild hedonism. Can eat so many sweets and baked goods.

FAITH : Not necessarily religious but certainly spiritual. Her ‘faith’ is her worship of the stars and moon.

GHOSTS ? : Believe in them? Yes. Have them? .. No?

AFTERLIFE ? : Why not?

REINCARNATION ? :  Why not?

ALIENS ? :  What?

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT : Eivør doesn’t pretend to understand or care about politics. What little she does know doesn’t impress her.

EDUCATION LEVEL :  Educated by the Viera and by Sharlayan and Ishgardian Astrologians.

FAMILY.

FATHER : Name unknown to her, but she has seen him in passing.

MOTHER :  Her mother, Salma.

SIBLINGS : One elder brother fifty years her senior, by the name of Erolvur.

EXTENDED FAMILY : Not really. A few nieces and nephews, technically, that her brother has sired.

NAME MEANING / S : Salma means ‘peace’ in Arabic, but ‘sweetheart’ in Persian. I always saw her mother as someone very warm and welcoming. Erolvur is a Faroese name which doesn’t have a specific meaning on its own, but if you continue to follow it to its routes it’s a combination of two Old Norse names that essentially translate to Warrior Wolf, or Wolf Warrior.

HISTORICAL CONNECTION ? : What?

FAVORITES.

BOOK :  Romance, fairy tales, star charts.

DEITY : None.

HOLIDAY :  Hatching-tide.

MONTH : Fourth Astral Moon

SEASON :  Summer

PLACE : A quiet clearing with an unobstructed view of the sky.

WEATHER : Comfortably cool evenings.

SOUND / S: Crickets, quiet humming.

SCENT / S :  Sugar, fresh laundry, fruit.

TASTE / S :  Sweets, berries.

FEEL / S :  Warm fur, sharp teeth and claws harmlessly biting and scratching.

ANIMAL / S :  Cats.

NUMBER : 3

COLORS : Blue, silver, white, gold.

EXTRA.

TALENTS : Dancing, hunting, tracking, calling you on your shit.

BAD  AT :  Failing, losing a fight, always remembering to think of others, Eorzean grammar.

TURN ONS : Sweet voices, melodious voices, soft hands, sharp claws, sharp teeth. Beautiful eyes. A nice figure. Someone who clearly takes care of themselves. The right touches to her ears.

TURN OFFS : Rudeness, not taking care of oneself, ignoring consent, bodily odors and fluids.

HOBBIES : Reading a good book, dancing, stargazing, meditating, going for walks in the rain, going for walks through the forest.

TROPES : Dance Battler, Hair Decorations, Classical Hunter, Like a Duck Takes to Water, Nature Lover. There’s more, I’m sure, but tropes aren’t something I’m good at.

QUOTES : “Hello, beautiful.” “Just keep an open mind!” Literally any time she mentions stars..

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1 : If you could write your character your way in their own movie,  what would it be called, what style would it be filmed in, and what would it be about?          

A1 :  I’m... not good at this kind of question. Uhhh, I don’t have an answer for that, because I have no idea.

Q2 : What would their soundtrack/score sound like?          

A2 : Bouncy fun Celtic/folk music. Something you can dance to, something that brings a smile to your face. The kind of music that implies a sense of wonder. I also really like the word whimsical with Eivør.

Q3 :  Why did you start writing this character?          

A3 :  I have spent the last five or so years writing very dark and political characters. Some of which were very evil and cruel. I wanted someone friendly and sociable, someone people wouldn’t hate.

Q4 :  What first attracted you to this character?          

A4 : I’ve wanted Viera to be a playable race in FF14 for the longest time. 12 is the only Final Fantasy game I actually have, and Fran was my favorite character in that game, and I adored the Viera. So being able to make one was obviously the first thing I loved. Secondly, I kind of just put her together in the benchmark and found I liked her design. It was pretty, but simplistic. Something I could work off of.

Q5 : Describe the biggest thing you dislike about your muse.

A5 : I think it’s less Eivør in specific and more I wish there was more concrete 14-lore for the Viera. I’ve gleaned things in-game, but what little I have is based off the 12 lore and interactions through NPCs and quests in Shadowbringers on the First.

Q6 :  What do you have in common with your muse?          

A6 :  I also love the stars and moon, and I love hanging out in the woods at night (though it’s been a very long time since I could). I also am apparently pretty friendly or something.

Q7 :  How does your muse feel about  you?          

A7 :   I’m not sure. She’d be okay, I guess? Other than a recent plotline she’s had it pretty good.

Q8 :  What characters does your muse have interesting interactions with?        

A8 :  At the moment her most interesting interactions are with her FWB/Partner/Best Friend/Boyfriend?????? Dragomir which is hilarious in and out of character. They have really great conversations, and it gives me a character that I can build Eivør’s backstory with because they’re still in the ‘getting to know you’ phase of their friendship.

Q9 :  What gives you inspiration to write your muse?        

A9 : Dance gifs/videos, certain music that suits her aesthetic, forest vibes, it doesn’t take a lot to put me in the mood to write for her.

Q10 : How long did this take you to complete?          

A10 : Oh shit I didn’t know this was going to be a question I didn’t keep track. Not accounting for when my internet died for like over two hours and I couldn’t really do any kind of research to get some of the answers, maybe.. a little over an hour? I even took the time to take the Myers-Briggs test for her. The tropes thing took me the longest, to be honest. I know nothing about tropes.

[term3itmedia]

Progression of Video Game Design - Final Major Project Development (Year 1 - Weeks 21-32)

This is it. The final frontier. The last post of the year. The last 12 weeks of the project, which is how long I have spent on it.

Prior to this project, I have been preparing by practicing game design with both Unity and Game Maker Studio (see my Games Engines post to learn more about them), which mainly required me to improve my coding skills if I was going to make a game for my final major project, even though it was a 12-week process that could mean I barely make progress. But did I succeed in the end?

I don’t have videos of these games I made in my own time, but I do have pictures.

This is a home project I’m doing called Creak, which is a test to see how well I can create something like Minecraft/Terraria (games I really enjoy playing). I have learned a lot over this time, like how to use certain functions and storage mechanics.

This is another screenshot, which takes place in Creak’s space. There isn’t really anything interesting I can tell you about it as this part of the game has nothing exciting.

Anyway, onto my final major project progression and what happened during this time. I chose to do game design because that was my strongest suit this year, and I wanted to expand upon it.

Now, I don’t have many screenshots of what it is in this video, but I DO have video proof of me doing this project. Because all of the footage stuck together would be over 10 hours long, I decided to speed it up so it would be at least 10 minutes.

You will need to constantly refer back to this when I say “see the video”, since a lot of what I screenshot will mainly come from this video. And yes, this is my video.

The Beginning - Weeks 21-23

The beginning of the project involved me having to make assets, as I needed a lot of them at the time, because I couldn’t make a game without any base assets (there are default shapes in Unity, but those aren’t good since they lack textures). Because my game takes place in a city, I had to make many houses and other tall structures. This is the earliest screenshot I have of one of them. You can check my earliest post to know more about these buildings, as I have already discussed them in that post.

This is the end result. The detail didn’t really matter as it was going to be filtered red in the game, but was still needed just in case I couldn’t get it working.

I then created a scene with these buildings and added more elements (see the video), after which I decided to start on the final outcome itself, by creating a skybox and added lighting (see the video).

I decided to then start working on homing bullets, as those were going to be important in later additions. I created cubes that could be damaged and destroyed (no video or screenshot), and made a test level to test the behaviours of these objects. Unfortunately, I scrapped the homing bullet concept as the bullet never faced the right direction, even when told to via code (see Programming Languages post for more details about them). I deleted the test level shortly afterwards and got to work on guns (see the video at around 1:30 in).

Map Design and Testing - Weeks 24 - 27

This was the trickiest part of all, as that involved adding more objects and making sure everything worked properly. In this picture, you can see me watching a tutorial on YouTube, which I had to do multiple times to learn certain mechanics.

Overtime, I made more assets and practiced more at home with Unity. Eventually I got problems fixed and was free to move on with no interferences. However, upon adding this sniper rifle, disaster struck.

I stated in another post:

In the game, there is an option where you can choose the gun you want to use. Making this actually work correctly was a NIGHTMARE. I have added in the gun to layer on top of what was the placeholder gun (which has been kept for selection purposes and good use), and then I went into the script that handles the guns.

Following that, I have written code into the script that allowed the player to switch weapons. When I went to test it, the code did work, but not in the way I intended. What happened was that after I pressed the hotkey that makes it happen, the gun just disappeared and could never be seen again. The other gun didn’t even show up.

I went back to the script and wrote another method that involves the usage of other assets and scripts, but this time, BOTH guns could be seen and not switched. At this point, I’m pulling my hair out a little, and it has been one hour.

For 50 minutes after that, I was trying to get some help via the Internet and tutors, but nothing was successful, even the expert tutorials.

But then, I have realised. What the script does is that when the gun disappears, the other one doesn’t appear since the object isn’t active for long enough to tell it to be visible, hence the endless onslaught of headbanging fury.

So I took to a different asset that was visible all the time and ran some tests with the same script methods. After over two hours and losing count of the amount of times I wanted to cease the project entirely, it FINALLY worked. The guns were swapping perfectly. I followed my victory by loudly shouting “YES!” and having some time out to calm myself down. All I’m doing now is praying that I NEVER have to deal with a problem like that ever again.

I had spent 4 weeks on the project at the time, and this was the point where I almost gave up entirely. But after a calm break, I took back to work.

There were more assets that I made for the game which were originally going to be added, but they were scrapped due to time constraints and the problems which I had just solved at the time. One of the scrapped assets is actually one I have tried to implement, but failed:

This is the Spike Plate, a planned trap for certain areas. What it would have done was move back and forth, instantly kill the player upon contact and move when the player moves in front of it, like a sensor trap. I scrapped this idea as the instant kill technicalities didn’t work, and all it did upon collision was throw the player through the floor, rendering the game unplayable. This is no longer in the game’s files, but is still a Cinema 4D asset I have in storage.

During this time, I was also hunting for sound effects for my game, since I have no knowledge in designing sound effects from scratch. This will explain why some of the sound effects will seem familiar, since they came from Freesound and YouTube, and I tried to find similar sounds on Freesound than I did on YouTube, but they were worse than what I currently had, so I decided to keep them instead, such as this one:

I made the majority of the map over Easter break (see the video at about 3 minutes in). The minority was just missing textures, which I’m applying in these screenshots. In the second screenshot, you can see the first part of the last area. The very top (the fourth floor) is missing due to loading technicalities which I had to add, otherwise the game would likely crash due to memory overload.

Before, the reactors and cubes were just white with no textures. Here, they are the proper textures, which is a rough red with some noise. The stairs however, remain un-textured due to time constraints and the fact that I’m not really wanting to spend hours just texturing every single one of the steps (there are 10 sets of these, for the record).

After the testing and map design was done, I had to make the menus which appeared at the start and end of the game. This proved to be difficult to perfect as... firstly, this was my first time using an interactive button in Unity, and secondly, the text turned out very blurry (when opposed to the logo) upon compiling the game. To get around the second issue, I had to cheat a little bit. What you see in the picture below is the text on multiple UI (user-interface, learn more about that in my User Interface post) layers, but distanced in such a way that it would look perfectly clear (see the picture below the one below this text).

In short, making the menu was tricky and... would I do it again? Probably, since I know how to make one now.

Final Testing and Assembly - Weeks 28-32

After the menus were complete, I got a few of my classmates to try out the game for themselves and give opinions. The reception on this game was positive, however there were collision errors and ways around obstacles I didn’t know about, which were quickly fixed shortly afterwards.

After that, I had to build the game. This was done in the Build Settings in Unity, which required me to change up a few things for good performance.

There was a lot going through my head when I did this, but mostly I was just shaking my fist in victory for completing this project... well, not quite. There was still a few more things to do. Like, the controls sheet for when it is on public display, and a concept to what the game would look like if it was released on Steam, which is the world’s most popular online video game distributor.

I made this concept with both Photoshop and Google Chrome’s Inspect feature to edit text and certain parts, like the videos tab and the banner above the description. If you’re curious, here is the original image with only a changed title, release date and publishers:

Would I ever release the game on Steam? Well, putting a game on Steam is very expensive, so no. In fact, I probably wouldn’t even put it anywhere online.

After that was done, I had to do the Controls sheet.

Here is my first draft. You can see the game’s logo, the description and objective of the game and the main controls of the game. As you can also see, it is an A3 sheet when it should be A4, which I finished up with more changes, like making the “w a s d” controls all capitals, and changing the weird arrow text to drawn arrows.

So that is it. The entire process of making a game from start to finish in just 10 weeks, which is now described to you as incredibly hard work. Before this project, I was preparing for it. And it was worth the struggle, if I’m completely honest.

Now for the plan for the end of year show where all work goes up on display.

Throughout the entirety of this project, I’ve kept a spreadsheet of research I had to do, which helped me greatly:

And that’s the end. 12 weeks of working finally got me to this point. I honestly didn’t think I was ever going to finish this after all of the problems that I had with it, but then I’ve come to the conclusion that my game is more than just a game - it’s a reminder to never give up. Would I do this again? Maybe with something a little bit simpler and original, as this was very complicated and a little bit unoriginal (Only using a cube for a target? Walking around with guns and shooting everything down?).

Next time around I plan to put a lot less food on my plate so I can stop worrying night upon night of work, about error upon error needing a fix, drifting from tab to tab on the Internet filled with information that I need... it’s not as easy as you think, as you can see in the video.

[jimmeadows]

BAFFLING OR NOT, LET’S LEARN THE LESSONS FROM VOLSWAGEN

I have been observing the Volkswagen diesel emissions fraud case and its aftermath over the past couple years.  The magnitude of the scheme on so many levels and the questions it raises are enormously significant in our increasingly complex society.  As is so often the case, the original understanding of the crime turned out to be just the proverbial scratch on the surface.  The picture became gloomier as the investigators dug deeper.

US District Judge Sean Cox ordered Volkswagen to pay a criminal penalty of $2.8 billion.  Meanwhile, separate from that tidy sum, Volkswagen is paying $1.5 billion to settle the civil litigation case filed by the environmental regulators.  Oh, and by the way, the carmaker is also spending $11 billion to settle with John Q. Public by buying back cars or providing other compensation for the losses.

Criminal charges have been levied against seven employees, but five of those persons are in Germany and extradition is not probable.  Nevertheless, Judge Cox has strongly encouraged the German government to prosecute those persons as criminals.

What follows are some observations and questions I ponder:

Basic Is Best.  Basic is best, especially when it comes to the honesty and integrity of doing business.  The very basics of business, technology, group dynamics, public relations, and crime clearly communicate to us that hidden dark crimes of fraud will always find their way to the light of day.  Private crime never remains private for long.  What is private becomes public and then the penalties pound relentlessly.  I realize we live in a complex world.  Nevertheless, certain elements of navigation within that world will always remain basic.  It is tragic and equally baffling when a major corporation such as Volkswagen displays a complete ignorance of the fact that basic is best.

Counting Coins Correctly.  Volkswagen did what it did to save money.  Although the chief purveyors of the emissions scheme may have been counting coins, they sure weren’t counting coins correctly.  $13.3 billion later, I’m sure Volkswagen would agree it could find much better ways to spend those coins.  Unfortunately, it won’t get the chance to do so.

Whatever Happened To Ethics?  Absolute laws will supersede and override relativistic laws.  I have always been as much of a realist as I am an idealist.  It is both spheres of thought that lead me to ask the question whatever happened to ethics?  Whether a realist or an idealist, ethics holds an intrinsic presence and power throughout our world that can never be silenced.  Granted, many people try, but in the end they are the losers, and when you lose on ethics, the penalties can be painful and permanent.

As the case and its consequences continue to unfold, it is my hope that we as individuals, businesspersons, leaders, and organizations are paying attention.  We can learn as much from a tragedy as we can a triumph.

[If you are interested, here is the original analysis article I first published September 23, 2015.]-----

GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD: HOW VOLKSWAGEN RECOVERS

Last week the Environmental Protection Agency accused Volkswagen of integrating a defeat device into nearly half a million cars’ software to fool emissions testers.  The software programming allegedly affects numerous diesel models such as the 2009–15 Jetta, the 2009–15 Beetle, the 2009–15 Golf, the 2014–15 Passat, and the 2009–15 Audi A3.  Please note that this involves seven consecutive model years.

Jack Ewing reports on exactly what the software does (The New York Times in The Kansas City Star.  “Scandal Weights on Volkswagen.”  September 22, 2015, pp. A6–A7):

“The software measured factors such as the position of the steering wheel, the vehicle’s speed and even barometric pressure to sense when the car was being subjected to testing, the EPA said.  The car then configured itself to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide, a gas that is a major contributor to smog and is linked to an array of respiratory ailments including asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, the EPA said Friday.” (p. A7)

Volkswagen executives have already admitted to the deception.  The investigation, of course, is ongoing.  A couple days ago, I identified four major ethical concerns connected to this situation:

Ethically Indefensible Corporate Decisions.  It would appear that Volkswagen made a major technical decision that may have created a certain consumer benefit—improved motor vehicle performance.  However, intrinsic to that decision is the perpetration of fraud against the government, the consumer, and society.  It is fraud against the government because the implication and expectation of the passed emissions test is that the vehicle is meeting specific technical parameters of exactly how much it is polluting the atmosphere.  It is fraud against the consumer and against society because individually and collectively, consumers believe that their vehicles are satisfying antipollution standards.  Ethically, this is an indefensible position for Volkswagen.

Personal Integrity Violations.  Regardless of how large the corporation, it remains comprised of individual people who make individual decisions.  That means that at multiple steps over several years, specific persons knew that something bad was happening and they actively supported it or they chose to look the other way.  In terms of personal integrity, this is a clear constellation of multiple failures.

When The Short Term Only Works In The Short Term.  When it comes to corporate success, personal success, and ethical standards, if the short term only works in the short term, then we have a problem.  You want the short term to work in the long term too.  This translates to corporate success, personal success, and ethical efficacy.

When Public Relations Ignores Future Outcomes.  I remain baffled when cases like this arise in which it is so obvious that people are not thinking about eventual public relations difficulties.  First, with all our capabilities in technology and communications, it is foolish to believe even for a moment that poor ethical decisions will never see the light of day.  After due time, they always hit the headlines.  Second, once that happens, the public relations damage to the organization is always immense and irrevocable.  Sometimes it is unrepairable.  For a very long time, anyone considering doing business with Volkswagen will directly or indirectly ask the question do I want to do business with a company that intentionally tried to deceive?  How do I know that this company will not try to deceive me?

In the wake of this corporate debacle, it will be most interesting to observe Volkswagen’s response.  There is a right way and a wrong way to do this.  If Volkswagen wants to do it the right way, then we should see a response that involves a convincing combination of these essential elements:

A Serious Apology.  Consumers have a right to be frustrated and angry.  Those emotions only intensify when the company demonstrates no remorse.  On the other hand, consumers can be very forgiving when they perceive that a company is moving in the right direction.  The opportunity to win in the marketplace is huge.  But that is not the fundamental reason for the apology.  The fundamental reason for the apology is that it is the right thing to do, and that is enough reason.  Marketplace wins are incidental at this point.

Personnel Housecleaning.  As quickly yet sensitively as possible, a company must investigate the misdeeds, determine who was responsible, and exercise its internal disciplinary process.  Depending on the nature and severity of the circumstances, that will of course mean job terminations.  With authority comes responsibility, with responsibility comes accountability, and with accountability comes consequences.

Technical Housecleaning.  With the personnel housecleaning, a technical housecleaning must occur.  All appropriate technical, procedural, process, product, and inventory changes that are needed to repair the damages must be executed immediately.

Corporate Culture Revision.  Corporate culture can be difficult to change.  Nevertheless, if the company is serious about permanent solutions instead of Band-Aid fixes, then it will do the difficult work.  From the top leadership to the bench level, the company must ruthlessly evaluate all aspects of its being that enabled it to step down to such a level of inappropriate behavior and ethical compromise.

A Study Of Lessons Learned.  As painful as the process might be, the company must invest the resources to engage every employee on the introspective journey of lessons learned.  Only by studying the past can the company avoid the same errors in its future.

Volkswagen presents us with a textbook case study of a tragically common corporate disaster.  Let’s hope we are all satisfied with how it responds.