#But I decided that I'd rather not try to write two characters that I had never written before in one go

[aetheternity]

What ruins the mood during sex

A/N: {I remember writing one of these posts for AOT like three years ago. How times have changed.} Ok so like when I was writing Venti and Xiao's I felt a weird sense of Deja Vu like I'd somehow read a scenario like this in someone else's work but I can't tell if it's a real genuine feeling I should look into further or if it's some kind of random emotion based on this prompt which has been done to death as it is. But if someone tells me that someone else wrote this prompt with those two and created the same scenario I would look into it.

A/N 2: Ok so like I took my sweet time posting this because I wanted to see if I'd manage to come up with an idea for Kazuha, Albedo and Scaramouche but I could not. So if you want to know why they're not here that's why. (Yes this is a repost)

Characters: Aether, Cyno, Heizou, Tighnari, Venti, Xiao

Disclaimer: Adult situations, MDNI.

Cyno: In, a quickie turned accidental creampie.

He's got such a nice pace going. Your arms wrapped around his neck, legs tangled around his waist. Eyes fluttering shut as he slams your hips into the desk beneath you.

"Cy, are you gonna cum?"

He hums a quick reply, hips stuttering forward.

Your eyes nearly pop out of their sockets, "Wait! Cyno not inside!"

He manages to pull out but not before he'd already stained your clenching walls and a couple drops along your ass. "Since when do you want me to pull out?" He groans, eyes narrowing at the cum drenching the desk beneath you.

"Ugh! I just.. didn't want to walk around like this all day! I won't be able to shower till night fall.." You sigh in frustration. Spreading your legs wider to see the damage. "I guess I should've warned you sooner but I thought about it too late."

He simply grunts, "I will help you clean up as much as possible."



Aether: In, which one of us didn't lock the door?

He's got your hips from behind. A rather long moan cresting off his lips as he gets sucked in as deeply as he can go. Your own eyes rolling to the skies as you pull him in, pressing your hips back into his with vigor.

That is until the door creaks open suddenly, Paimon's voice loudly calling. Luckily Aether was far quicker he launched a pillow at full speed taking Paimon out fast enough for him to slam the door shut.

"Not now Paimon!" He screamed over her protests.

Meanwhile you'd already taken to the floor. Stripping the blanket from the bed as you tried and failed to hide your laughter.

Aether on the other hand looks less than amused.



Xiao: In, on the edge of glory.

You'd been teaching Xiao little things about mortal sexual relations. Not so much for testing purposes simply because he'd asked. Most of the things you'd talked about got you one of two reactions: A blank stare or a disappointed eye roll. Though as much as you wanted to properly ask, you decided against questioning Xiao's sexual exploration. For at least the time being.

At some point however Xiao had slid a book in front of you. The page already flipped to a section about edging. Now your mind probably shouldn't have immediately jumped to shock followed by an internal battle over your Xiao Xiao reading a book but-

"I wish to try this out.." He mumbled, staring off into space as he spoke.

"Of course."

Seeing as you'd done at least this much before: Getting him hard and then getting him close to cumming had been fairly easy. His breaths short and heavy as you worked him up just enough to perfectly edge him. That is until you started to work him up again only for his sensitivity to win out. His body crumbling as he covered his chest and your hand with his load.

You giggle a little at how easily, he quells at even your softest touches. Which of course was logical. He hadn't exactly done this with anyone else before.

"Aw Xiao.." You peered up at him completely endeared. Your heart fluttering so hard when you saw the way his eyes were squeezed shut and the bright red adorning his cheeks. "Xiao! It's ok! don't make that face honey it's ok."

He weakly grumbles but you just continue your praise, pressing kisses into the crook of his neck and along each of his shoulders. "We can try again, I promise."



Heizou: In, injuries may occur.

The way you've got his cock sliding between your lips, so slowly, so perfectly it makes him weak. He presses your head deeper, pushing you a little faster with soft words of encouragement.

On a particular stroke you manage to press deeper than you'd ever done before. Enough to kiss his pelvic bone. The feeling so intense Heizou's leg jolts, hard enough that his foot comes in contact with your stomach.

"Man alive! I'm sorry!" He pulls your face back, straightening up to check you for discomfort. "Are you ok?" His thumb softly massages your cheek.

"It's fine Shika." You simply grin. "It was good to know you were feeling good."

"Ugh, but that still couldn't have felt great.. Allow me to make it up to you somehow."

"What do you have in mind?"

Safe to say that moment had been ruined but perhaps the "moment" wasn't.



Tighnari: In, maybe you should've just left it there..

He's barely had a moment to sneak away all day and boy does he need it with the way you've been teasing him. He's nearly reached his limit and is about to shove you against the closest tree when a small window of opportunity arises.

The rookie forest rangers have a lunch break.. and that means so does he.

He slides into you so eagerly the second he gets you alone. Bracing your hips against his desk as he pounds you so unabashedly. Little giggles and moans falling off your lips. That is until a tube of some mysterious powder rolls its way off the desk, cracking as it collides with the floor.

"Shit.." Without hesitation Tighnari pulls out yanking the tube up from where it'd dropped. Unfortunately too quickly as his head immediately slams into the table's end. So quickly and so roughly it clattered around with you atop it.

"Oh archons, are you ok?!" You slide off the desk basically dropping onto the floor beside him. Tighnari's whine surprisingly loud as he rubs the back of his head just below his ear.

"I'll be fine but agh.. ow!"

Safe to say you two should probably finish later.



Venti: In, bless you??

You cup his face, devouring any and every moan he musters as they fill your open lips. His face scrunches up and you prepare for that all too familiar full body shudder he always does when he cums.

"Almost there, Love, so close." You coo

He lets out a little noise of confusion, nose twitching and before you can even begin to question it you're immediately covered in snot and spit. A surprise that's just as soon followed by him pumping you full of cum.

"Oh wow!" He chuckles "I'm so so sorry darling, I didn't realize I still had any sneezes left from my earlier performance at the Cats Tail ehe~"

"Venti.."

"I'm still so very sorry.."

"Run."

[chiibinomonodamon]

WHO WANTS TO HEAR ME RAMBLE ABOUT GAY FURRY DEMON SEX? XD

(damn, there's a sentence I never thought I'd say....)

Okay...so I see some Stolitz confusion and bashing online and I need to type up a defense here because I won't be able to sleep otherwise lol

I consider myself to be a Ship Critic and someone who takes shipping rather seriously.

What I mean by this is, I like to analyze and break down romantic relationships between fictional characters because it's just interesting to write for me. I especially take delight in friendly debating with opinions that I strongly do *not* agree with.

Let me start off by saying I am NOT a "this ship is awesome because gay furry sex lol" type of girl.

FAR from it. I'm generally more passionate about hetero ships between human characters (because I can relate to them more) among other reasons. So if you wanna dismiss my defense as "shallow fangirlism", you can forget about that lame excuse.

I fell in love with Hazbin Hotel when it was finally released in February and suffered waiting for each new two-parts per week. During that time, I decided to watch Helluva Boss as well, after a friend showed me a particularly soul-crushing clip (Moxxie's childhood trauma about his mother).

Yes, I like funny sex jokes as much as the next goofy adult but scenes like this, scenes that carry a very heavy emotional weight are what really get me in the end, even moreso when VERY little dialogue is exchanged. I knew I had to watch the entire episode run after seeing that the creators had a talent for this.

I saw people asking:

"How did Stolas go from using Blitz as a sex toy to being painfully in love with him?"

Oh I can tell you. I can tell you the EXACT moment this is revealed. But it's not spoon-fed to you; it's quite subtle actually and this is why lots of people miss it.

See, one of the strongest talents Vivenne has shown me is that she REALLY knows how to get her characters to communicate their feelings to the viewers JUST from their expressions and body language. These can be 'blink-and-miss-it' teeny little scenes and it may require a couple rewatches.

But since people demand time stamps for all information others post here, I'll rewatch a few scenes from S1 E7 'Ozzie's' as I'm typing this.

'Ozzie's' remains to be not just my favorite episode of HB...but probably my favorite episode of any adult-targeted animated show outside of Japan (aside from S2 E7's Mid-Season Special)

It has this huge reveal for both Blitzo and Stolas.

We'll first address Blitzo's irrational, stalkerish behavior of Moxxie and Millie.

He's obsessed with them. He finds both of them very attractive, fantasizes about threesomes with them and is constantly inserting himself into their personal lives.

Why?

Because they have everything that he badly badly wants for himself.

They have the perfect marriage and he is trying to live THROUGH them.

This was hilarious to me at the beginnning of the show but it's slowly revealed that it's one of the most tragic and depressing things I've ever seen. And it's scarily realistic too.

But you know this already so let's move on...

Blitzo follows the couple to Ozzie's but he can't get in without a date. So he calls up Stolas and yes, this is very low but he doesn't realize how much this means to Stolas (hell, I'm not sure even Stolas realizes it himself!) but the owl man is giddy with joy, he rushes over and they enter Ozzie's.

When Ozzie and Fizz mock Moxxie for being so sappy towards his wife, this strikes a chord with Blitzo (because they're his IDEAL relationship) and he speaks up to defend them.

NOW PAY CLOSE ATTENTION; THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART:

Fizz, still holding onto his past grudge turns on Blitzo to humilate him:

"Some nerve you got commenting on a relationship"

Time Stamp: 11:37

As Fizz says "-ship", Blitzo VERY QUICKLY makes eye contact with Stolas who has a look of panic on his face. Blitzo is seeking VALIDATION from Stolas in this sharp, subtle second of screentime, as if to ask

"Well, ARE we in one?"

And then what happens next...Stolas remains silent, Blitzo's ex joins in to announce how selfish Blitzo was in bed with her, tearing him down further. Stolas stands up like he's going to put a stop to it but then Ozzie notices him and interrogates him about sleeping with Blitzo.

Blitzo looks incredibly ashamed and guilty as Stolas blushes with similar feelings...and hides his face behind his menu; HIS BIGGEST MISTAKE IN THE SERIES SO FAR.

Time Stamp: 12:24

The look on Blitzo's face as he grits his teeth and darts his eyes away basically says

"Yeah, I should have known...boy am I an idiot for trusting him to stand up for me".

(look how SHOCKED he is...wow, this hurts fr ;_;)

This is a silent betrayal on Stolas's part. Afterall, his reputation is on the line, so if he were to defend Blitzo, it confirms they are in fact, dating. He chose his pride over Blitzo and Blitzo is crushed by this betrayal.

Moxxie finishes his song and kisses his wife tenderly. Stolas watches this and also wants to have an affectionate moment with Blitzo (who is rightfully glaring daggers at him) and tries to reach for his hand.

Blitzo rejects his touch and suggests they leave. As they do, Blitzo still looks furious and hurt. Stolas is now realizing how badly he screwed up with a "What have I done?" face (13:41)

He even looks disappointed with himself.

After Blitzo drops Stolas off, he thanks him and tries to smooth over the awkwardness with sweet talk but Blitzo just rolls his eyes in disgust and pulls on his face like "I don't want to hear this bullshit".

He responds coldly and curtly, "Yeah." Stolas makes more suggestions to spend time with him, which just makes him even angrier and he snaps

"I'm not fucking you tonight, okay!

I'm really just..." (14:28)

he pauses to wipe a tear because at this point he can barely hold it together (top notch voice acting and animation directing btw)

"...not in the mood, Stolas."

Stolas still tries to talk him into doing couple things unrelated to sex.

Blitzo's face switches back to anger and frustration because Stolas isn't getting the message so he goes for the blunt tactic;

"Stolas, don't act like what we have is anything but YOU wanting ME to fuck you, okay?"

(14:42)

"You make that really clear all the time."

(again his voice sounds like he's about to break down)

"But I-I just can't do it tonight, okay?"

(Finally meets his eye)

"...I'm sorry."

I believe this is code for "I'm sorry we're even in this situation and how your reputation got damaged. " Or, more painfully, "I'm sorry I'm such an embarrassment to you".

Stolas replies "Okay" and takes a deep breath to compose himself. They say goodnight and depart.

An important note here is that Stolas calls him "Blitzo" instead of "Blitzy" to show more respect.

As Blitzo zooms away coldly, Stolas looks up at the sky with tears in his eyes, surprised at how much it hurts.

He then sits down with his head in his hands in anguish...because he's getting that

"Oh...no. These feelings are real" epiphany.

And as if this wasn't enough angst, Blitzo collapses onto his couch at home, goes through the memories on his phone and starts sobbing.

I'm going to be real with you; this is the most heart-breaking shit I have ever seen in an adult show of this type. It's also the first time a show of this type got me to cry.

The last six minutes have revealed so much information without spoonfeeding it to the audience because the show RESPECTS its audience.

To recap:

*Blitzo takes Stolas on a first official date to use him

*Stolas is extremely happy about it

*Blitzo gets humilated and looks to Stolas for validation

*Stolas betrays him and breaks his heart

*Blitzo snaps that their relationship is nothing more than lust-driven sex

*Stolas realizes he's actually in love with Blitzo and it's a huge problem because (he believes) that it's unrequited.

*Blitzo breaks down because the ONE person whom he thought would protect him didn't do so.

So these two are convinced that neither one loves the other...while the irony is, it's quite the opposite.

Because if Blitzo REALLY didn't feel anything towards Stolas, he would not have gotten this emotional.

Yes, they are both lonely...but I really don't think that's all there is between them.

So..........we know WHEN they started falling...now the question is why;

I think the answer's quite simple; single-target affection.

It was mentioned in S2 that Stolas and Stella did sleep together ONE TIME...but Stolas didn't enjoy it at all. He is stuck with a wife who hates him so much that she put a HIT on him...and a daughter who thinks he's a loser. Blitzo is pretty much the one person in his life who is able to make him happy. That one small, bright spot. He enjoys the sex with him but he also simply enjoys his company, as shown in Ozzie's episode. He is thrilled to simply talk to him about his day...and do anything else that couples do. They're complete opposites. Stolas is an intellectual but naive and sheltered. Blitzo is poorly educated but cynical and street-smart. Opposites attract...though this is likely more from Stolas's POV than Blitzo's.

In other words, Stolas is into bad boys xD lmao

In Blitzo's case, Stolas is the only character who shows him physical affection which he desperately craves. He's pretty tsundere about it most of the time...but I think he actually does enjoy that attention...especially when he's always getting disrespected by Moxxie and Loona..and quite a lot of people around him. BUT he's too scared to get serious with anyone because of past trauma and he also believes that no one could possibly love him as a person. :(

Reasons I Think This Love is Real

Aside from what I pointed out in the Ozzie's episode...there's quite a lot of evidence, esp from Stolas's POV.

After he realizes he's in love, he goes to Asomodeous for an ALTERNATIVE method for Blitzo to use so they will no longer sleep together. He wants to set Blitzo free. Which means he DOES truly love him because love is about being generous to the other person. He COULD be totally selfish about it but he isn't.

Asomodeous mentions how against love potions he is and Stolas agrees. He thinks that's out of the question.

'Look My Way' music video. Lol I don't have to say anything more.

In S2 E6 OOPS

This exchange at 16:57

Fizz: Seems your taste has gotten more 'regal', lately?

Blitz: Yeah, well unlike you, I fuck who I want WHEN I want. I'm not gonna be tied down to some big blue-blood asshole.

Fizz: You coulda fooled me the way Prince was cozying up to you at Ozzie's.

Blitz (gets very defensive) HEY! Stolas only cares about have a rugged peasant raw-dog him into his mattress, okay!

It's nothing...(gets hesistant and looks away)...you know...

(Fizz gives him a 'bitch please' look xD)

"it's nothing else."

Fizz: Then why were you even there?

Blitz: OTHER very important reasons of course.

Fizz: Whatever. I don't actually care.

Blitz: Stolas is just a loud, thirsty BITCH!

(Fizz is rolling his eyes again)

Blitz: He loves feeling the thrill of getting dicked by the lower class.

It's a novelty to him.

Fizz: LITERALLY just said I don't care!

Blitz: And then he'll call me and try to see how my day was!

And he'll pretend to care about me and comment on my photos laugh at my jokes...

Fizz: (Smirking) OH! That's definitely your clue right there that it's all bullshit!

Blitz: I KNOW, RIGHT??

Fizz: (Making a 'What in idiot' expression, shaking his head)

Blitz: HE'S JUST A FAKE, PRIVELEDGED ASSHOLE...

Fizz: Sounds like you just hate him for being a prince!

No one (laughs) and I mean NO ONE pretends to care that much just for a cheap lay.

All right. IF ANYONE knows what real love is like, it's Fizzaroli...who is in a very HEALTHY relationship with Asomodeous. He recognizes the signs because he's IN that place. He sees it...and he's annoyed that Blitzo keeps denying it and brushing it off...yet clearly can NOT stop talking about Stolas (amusing irony)

To sum up (this freaking essay lol) 'Stolitz' ABSOLUTELY has the potential to be pure and true...these two just need to communicate...or Stolas has to PROVE to Blitzo that he's serious about his feelings in another way.

There is no doubt that this ship is 100% endgame and is a case of the 'Earn Your Happy Ending' Trope. I look forward to the rest of the journey. Ron is putting my feelings about Stolitz in a perfect phrase:

[madameriasims4]

Hong Chau Dress (BGC)

I really liked the dress Hong Chau's character in The Menu wore, so I decided to try making something inspired by it! I went with slimmer sleeves, because I thought that would be less complicated on a technical level, and more useful for broader styling.

This outfit comes in two packages:

MadameRiaHongChauDress: Found in Short Dresses, tagged for feminine frames, Everyday, Formal, Party, and Career. Comes in 25 swatches, including pinstripes and plaids.*

MadameRiaHongChauDressOverlay: Found in Gloves, tagged the same as the dress; comes in 15 swatches that add a button-up texture to the dress, with subtle or accent-style buttons.

Download link below the cut!

I feel really bad about taking so long to finish this! I've been having a hard time with finding the motivation to work on CC right now, but I also had like 3 WIPs just sitting in my folder that all simply need texturing at this point. Sometimes I think after trying to mesh and make everything work okay in the game, I end up running out of steam when it comes to texturing, which is super frustrating because that's arguably my favorite part!

Anyway, I don't think I really did this dress justice. In some ways, I feel like I limped across the "finish line" for this project. Since I wanted to stay with a palette that suited more of an office setting, I really struggled with what colors to pick. In the end, I decided I'd rather just be done with this one and move on to the next project, so I do feel kind of lukewarm about this palette overall. Maybe it's not the best thing to admit about a piece of CC I'm posting, but hey, who even reads these little mini-blogs I write?

*Are you tired of me shoehorning a plaid swatch in every project? You will have to pry my plaids out of my cold, dead hands!

Download (Patreon) Always free, no ads.

[void-ink-studios]

Gala of the Gods (Part 3)

Alright, Part 3 is here!

You get art this time around as well, as I couldn't resist drawing their fancy outfits! Hmm, nothing like attempting to draw these characters for the first time in fancy clothing with patterns and shit, I'm a smart one.

Hope y'all enjoyed this little 3-parter. If anyone have more ideas, I'd love to hear it, because I like writing these two.

Also, before you read, just as a heads up, it gets a little suggestive at the very end. It's a firm fade to black, but it is a thing that exists. Look for a line of dashes if you'd rather not read it.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 -You Are Here-

Word Count: 2,300

The Organizer was not a god of... standard form. She wasn't a god of standard anything, to be fair. Scarab couldn't recall many run-ins with her, as their work very rarely overlapped, but that did not make sitting in her office with her staring down at him any more comforting or less nerve racking.

There was a constant noise, as her many, many arms carried on with her daily tasks. Some were writing, others were stamping, some were shredding, it was all happening at once. Her many eyes free roamed around the office as she worked, but she had decided to keep maybe half a dozen glued to the two gods sitting across from her desk.

Lucky them.

No one spoke for a long time. Scarab just nervously fiddled with his can, while Prismo seemed to be doing his best to will the floor to swallow him, shoulders coming up to his ears.

"I thought I had made the policy of fighting at my Gala very clear." Her voice echoed all over the room, rather than coming from some visible mouth. The both of them flinched at the sudden break of silence. "Scarab, while I might be less surprised due to past behavior, I must say I'm still disappointed with your recent track record. Prismo, I can't say I expected to see you in my office of all gods."

"But-"

"I-"

They both started at the same time, but were silenced by a single raised hand.

"However. I am not all-knowing. That is the Observer's job. Prismo, you are not one to cause problems often. And Scarab, despite your difficulties with others, you always filed your paperwork on time. So, I am giving each of you a chance to explain yourselves."

Scarab waited for some signal from her that he was permitted to speak.

"...Prismo, it was you who started it, so you will be first to explain yourself."

Prismo audibly gulped.

"O-Okay... I'd just like to clarify, Scarab and I were not fighting, not in the way you might be expecting. It was my fault..."

Scarab's eyes widened, about to jump in, but was silenced by a hard glare from the Organizer. She gestured for Prismo to continue.

"I lost control over an aspect of myself, and started lashing out. Scarab was just trying to neutralize the threat and calm me down. He wasn't trying to hurt me. Just stop me from hurting others."

There was more silence as the Organizer mulled this information over. Her gaze shifted to Scarab.

"Scarab. Can you confirm this story?"

"Yes ma'am. I was not trying to do harm onto Prismo. I had never seen that aspect of him act out, and I was not sure if or when he could regain control. So I worked to put a stop to it. The only weapon I used was a glorified flashlight."

"I see." Scarab saw distantly a set of arms start sorting through a filing cabinet. "Can you tell me why this aspect of Prismo got so out of control? Last I understood, Prismo, you had achieved complete control and cohesion with all aspects of your dream form. Has this changed?"

"No, no! It's, uh, different..."

"How so?"

"Well... my nightmare aspect only flares up under extreme negative emotions... Stuff life fear or really bad sadness or... when I'm really, really angry. That's what happened tonight, ma'am. I hit a boiling point and it... blew up."

She gave a pointed gaze toward Scarab, causing the beetle to sink into his seat.

"No! It wasn't Scarab's fault!"

"It wasn't?"

"No! I mean, Scarab's related, but it wasn't his fault!"

"How is he related, but not his fault, Prismo?"

Prismo ran a hand through his curls, trying to collect himself.

"So, Scarab's been under my management after the whole Fionna and Cake fiasco, right?"

"Yes, I remember signing that change of management form. I must say, I was a bit confused when I heard you had volunteered. My understanding was the entire incident was caused by a conflict between the two of you."

"It was but... well, the whole thing was my fault to begin with. I did make a rogue universe, and Scarab was just doing his job. He went too far at the end, and it was definitely more personal than his other cases, but I still did what he said I did, and he was right to try and do his job."

The beetle sighed. This was a conversation they had had many times. A lot of confusing feelings had needed to get detangled if they were going to live together. They had forgiven each other for quite a while.

"So, what did Scarab's assignment to you have to do with what happened tonight?"

"Well, Scarab and I have been getting closer. Bonding. We're actually really close now." The Organizer have him a very knowing stare. "I consider him one of my best friends and... I've been learned a lot about him. A lot about how he's been treated by our coworkers and... it wasn't nice and it wasn't fair. I've been getting more and more angry at the others for how they've been treating someone they don't even know, particularly Orbo."

Prismo's hands clenched into fists as he took a deep breath. The Organizer hummed. "What happened between you and Orbo?"

"Orbo cornered me tonight and tried to convince me that Scarab was changing me for the worse because I've been less than nice to him and others who keep trying to act like Scarab's some sort of monster. I got sick and tired of people acting like I was stupid for helping him, that I'm being manipulated. I'm tired of hearing 'Poor Prismo, getting stuck with Scarab, it's so sad for him', like I didn't volunteer for it!"

Scarab felt his mandibles tense... that's what had happened...? Orbo said that...? Was it... true... was he changing Prismo for the worse?

"Orbo making these comments are... interesting."

Scarab raised a brow. "Interesting how?"

"Because he filed complaints and write ups for you every Glob Forsaken time he thought he could."

All color drained from Scarab's face. His heart raced, and he started shaking enough for his carapace to click together.

"He what?!"

"He's submitted thousands of these things over the years. Pretty much none of them went anywhere because the Observer never confirmed the infractions described in the write-ups. Of all your write ups, only three have ever been acted on."

"...Three...?"

"Yes. The first two had notes that Orbo had the authority to discipline as he saw fit within reasonable boundaries. The third lead to the decision to move you into Prismo's management."

Authority to discipline as Orbo saw fit...

He touched the cropped stumps of his former antenna... he felt the lingering burn in his shoulders from his ripped wings...

"Do you... know what those punishments were...?"

"I was not privy to details. Just that they were carried out, and you returned to your duties."

There was a heavy pause, as both Prismo and Scarab processed that news.

"Well, if what you say is true, and I will be calling in the Observer to confirm, then it seems a meeting between Orbo and I is in order. However."

Prismo took hold of Scarab's hand.

"You two did break one of my only rules of the Gala. While it might not have been a true fight, it did cause panic and damage in the Judgement Hall. While it was not either of you who instigated the conflict, it was you two who escalated it to physical violence. It needs to be addressed."

The Organizer pinned the both of them down with a withering stare. Scarab would never not feel like he was a child around her.

Especially now. He saw the way her hands moved, the relentless precision with which she worked. It would be... frighteningly easy for her to pull his arms or legs off... He cast a worried glance to Prismo. His mortal body was much... softer than Scarabs... it... wouldn't survive getting plucked apart...

"...As punishment, you two are going to be my assistants for the time being. Prismo, your job as Wishmaster is still in effect, and you both will be allowed to return to the Time Room. However, you should expect paperwork to periodically be teleported into the chamber. I expect you both to work to complete that paperwork in a timely manner, as accurately as possible. You will be granted limited access to the divine records room for reference. Failure to perform this new duty will have me dragging the both of you back in here. And I won't be as nice next time."

There was a decisive stamp suddenly in front of them, as the Organizer slid a piece of paper in front of them.

Scarab read it. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He almost wept. Paperwork. He could handle that. He wasn't getting pulled part today. Prismo wasn't getting pulled apart today.

"Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am" they both said together.

"Good. Now, off you go, I have a Star Core I need to speak with."

Before either could say another word, they were warped away in a rainbow of light, and deposited quite ungracefully on the floor of the Time Room.

"Ugh, that sucks a lot when someone else is warping me... Paperwork's gonna suck though, right Scrabs?"

Prismo rubbed the back of his head as he sat up. He spotted Scarab in the corner, huddled down, making himself as small as possible. His heart squeezed as he crawled over to him.

"Hey Lovebug..." He tried to put his hand on his shoulder, but the beetle shied away from the touch. "...Are you okay...?"

Scarab sighed a tired chirp. "No Prismo... I'm... not okay. You were... so angry... you were angry because of me... You're... you're very frightening when you're angry..."

Prismo frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, Lovebug. That wasn't your fault..."

"But it is... You've been so... so kind to me, Prismo... So accommodating and forgiving and sweet... You're making enemies out of friends over me... And... what have I done? What have I done to deserve any of that..."

"Scarab, no-"

"Look at me, Prismo" he snapped. "I'm... not worth this... I'm not good, not like you. I've just been... a problem. An obstacle. Something to work around..."

Scarab's voice sounded so small... Prismo wrapped an arm around his shoulders and squeezed.

"Scarab. You are not an obstacle. I do those things because I want you to feel safe and cared for. And... tonight, you've done more than anyone really has before."

"...How...?"

"Look... When Nightmo takes control, there's not much hope for me coming down on my own. He's a protective measure, but he works too well. He feeds off of negative feelings, the fear and anger around him. He just gets bigger and bigger and more hostile, until there's nothing left to feed on. He has to be subdued or he'll destroy everything around him. I've... I've never seen him back down willingly. Not until tonight."

Scarab looked into Prismo's eyes, wide and uncertain.

"But... but he didn't back down, I had to neutralize him..."

"Scarab, you talked Nightmo down. Yeah, you had to get him small enough to pay attention, but it was your words that got him to fall back. He... He knows you're safe. He'll retreat because he believes you'll protect me. And that's... never happened before. Ever."

Scarab saw the tears pooled in Prismo's eyes, a sad and tired smile spread across his face. He pulled the beetle closer to give sweet kisses to his cheek and neck.

"You've been opening my eyes, Scarab. I was only everybody's pal because they thought I was... in on the joke. I didn't even realize what complete and total wads they were, because they thought I was "cool" or whatever. I don't want to be friends with people who could do the things they've done to you, just because they think no one will care. I have standards. And now I know they don't meet them. I'm not losing friends over you, I'm just finding out who really is and isn't a friend."

Prismo placed a soothing hand at the base of one of Scarab's wings.

"So no, Lovebug. You're not making me worse. You make me, even the worst parts of me, feel safe. I love you. All of me loves you."

Scarab should've been a bit embarrassed by the noises he was making, but it didn't particularly matter now. Not when the two trapped each other in a tight embrace, and a loving kiss. Mandibles threaded through gray hair, talons touched the soft skin they found, and gentle hands soothed aching shoulders.

"I love you too, Prismo" Scarab whispered as they separated for air. He chirped softly as the Wishmaster continued kissing at his neck, his wings twitching and fluttering as best they could.

-----------------------

"...You're so beautiful. You look so beautiful like this..."

Prismo's hands held his waist firmly, thumb rubbing at a seam in his carapace.

"Hmmm... What are you planning, oh great Wishmaster?"

"Well... We do have these bodies. For a little bit longer. I've got no plans for right now. But I could. Or, we could cuddle. Up to you, Lovebug."

Prismo busied himself with Scarab's neck again as the beetle thought. Or, well, as he tried to, but his own shell was suddenly feeling a bit warm. One of his claws traced around the Wishmaster's neck and shoulder.

"I... I think you're quite beautiful as well, Prismo. I'd be... willing to explore whatever plans you might come up with."

Prismo gave him a peck on the cheek, a maybe slightly smug grin on his face.

"I think that can be arranged."

And he closed the door of the Time Room.

[kudouusagi]

Would you say that Bucchigiri is Utsumi's sophomore slump (coming off of SK8)? I was hoping for so much from this one, and yet it seemed like she and Taku Kishimoto were making so many wrong decisions here during its production. MAPPA's influence probably didn't help matters either.

Well, according to Utsumi from the Spoon 2.di article I read, she didn't really know what to make with this one so it was kind of a group project. She really wanted to make SK8 and she asked for pretty much all the staff that worked with her on it personally. It was very much a passion project for her.

For this one this one she said she was already making SK8 and didn't know what to make when they asked her to make another original series, so she discussed it with the producers at MAPPA and they all agreed on a yanki show, and then it took them a long time to decide on the Arabian Nights theme after that. She suggested a few different ideas and the other producers decided they liked the Arabian Nights theme best. She was assigned Kishimoto to be the writer, but she hadn't met him before. Things like that.

Here's something from the interview with Kishimoto in Spoon 2.di 107

Q: Kishimoto-san, it seems that you initially proposed a bit cooler story but Utsumi-san asked you to add some comedy to it. How did you feel when you heard that request? A: If I had to say, I've had a lot more work reorganizing and rearranging the structure of manga to adapt it into an anime. I'm not the type of person who naturally has a lot of stories and characters bubbling out of me, so when I make things I unconsciously drift toward making formulaic stories of cool heroes who always win. When I do that though, the characters I make are very stereotypical, and so when I submitted the first draft to director Utsumi and MAPPA's Otsuka-san, they said "The flow of the story is good, but the characters feel really stereotypical." It was then I was asked, "What were you like when you were Arajin's age?" I wasn't good-looking, so I figured if I just directly confessed to a girl I liked I'd be rejected, and so I thought I had to try even harder than other people. I'd give girls poems, and if that didn't work I'd carve the girl's name into a stone and give it to them, and I made it my goal in life to make that girl love me. So I told them I really couldn't be used as a reference for anything. But when I said that, they said "That's so interesting!" I felt like someone like that could never be a main character, or rather, I had ruled it out because I felt like it would be crazy to have a main character who acted like that! Since I was rejected for being so creepy in real life, after all (lol). But the two of them said it was interesting, so Arajin's weird parts became my weird parts and by adding my weird parts into him, it naturally became a comedy. So, rather than trying to write a comedy or making it become a comedy, I just added my own silly parts in order to give the character a personality, and it ended up developing into that because of the character's personality.

So the whole reason Arajin is who he is (someone everyone hates lol....) is because he's based off Kishimoto himself. I don't know what the story was like before but I really can't agree the flow of the story is good now... but yeah.... that's how we ended up here.

[ambertrulife]

Begging - Radioapple One-Shot - For Mature Audience

Warning ! This text is for mature people only ! It's containt some sexual interaction, even if they don't really describe !

First of all, I don't really know asexuality or aromantism. To be fair, even if I'm considering myself in this spectrum (for being ace, I'm not aro), I don't know if I illustrate good the people form this community. If I'm not, I'm sorry about that.

I don't pretend to understand the character of Alastor and Lucifer. Man, you can say they're a little OOC here, but I try to write something about them who satisfy myself and I want to share it with you ! I hope you enjoyed it !

Oh, and sorry, it's a big baby. I'd hestitated to do multipical post but, in the end, I'd decided to post all in one !

______________________________________________________________

"You're nothing but a piece of shit," Lucifer growled as he staggered back.

"And yet, I smell better than you." replied Alastor, his steps assured despite the amount of alcohol in his blood.

It was around 4 a.m. and they had just returned to the hotel. The lobby was empty of life, the other residents probably asleep. The duo had spent a rather restless night. At Charlie's request, they followed Vox and Valentino throughout the evening to see if they had any contact with a demon who had breached the hotel's security. Alastor had insisted that he could simply use his magic to listen their conversation via the radios, and Lucifer had agreed. But the Princess of Hell had been adamant: no demonic or angelic power. The demon who had attacked the hotel was very powerful and could watch Vox and Valentino as well as them. So they had to be discreet, disguise ourselves and follow them. When Lucifer pointed out that Alastor could carry out the task alone, his daughter replied that she was afraid for him in case of trouble. The King of Hell relented under his daughter's pleading gaze, causing Alastor to roll his eyes.

So they left early in the evening incognito. Angel had dressed them so they wouldn't be recognized, which had been a challenge. It wasn't as if they looked like everyman. Alastor had ended up disguised as a fat, mismatched old cat man, and Lucifer as a chic old imp woman.

At first, they had carried out their mission in all seriousness, ignoring each other most of the time in order to concentrate on the two Overlords. Then, at some point during the evening, they found themselves in a bar. They ordered drinks and positioned themselves far away so they didn't risk to be spotted by Vox and Valentino. They drank in silence, then Lucifer ordered another drink. Alastor laughed at him and told him not to get drunk as they had a mission to finish. Lucifer gave him an angry look and retorted that it would take more than that to finish him off. One thing led to another and they ended up ordering far, far too much alcohol, which they finished. In a daze, they hadn't noticed that Vox and Valentino had left. They'd falled their mission.

In a pitiful state, both had returned to the hotel with difficulty, even if the Radio Demon hid his condition better than his companion.

"I smell because you pushed me into the garbage!" exclaimed Lucifer as he pointed an accusing finger at the man disguised as a cat.

"You wallowed on your own," Alastor retorted in a half-truth. Lucifer had staggered and fallen onto the Overlord, who had reflexively pushed him away. Lucifer had tipped over into the waste.

"You bastard!" shouted Lucifer. "That's not true, and you know it!"

"Listen." growled the Radio Demon, rubbing his forehead. "I've put up with you long enough and, for your own safety, it would be best if I returned to my room."

"My own safety!" sneered the King. "Come on, Albert, even in this state, you can't do anything against me."

The Overlord slowly turned his head towards the angel, who had a provocative sneer on his face.

"I could kill you with my own will," threatened the Demon. Lucifer laughed.

"Oh, how cute!" teased the latter, hands clasped and an adorable pout on his face, but those eyes were clearly defiant. "The little kitty hisses at me and gets the little claws out of his little paws! Don't be ridiculous, kid. You're too weak to do anything to me."

A ball of frustration and rage grew in his chest as his usual smile began to take on a destructive expression.

Whether Alastor liked it or not, Lucifer was right. He could never beat him, even if he made a contract with all the souls in Hell. The angel was on another level, even for Zestial. Adam himself, at the height of his power, had failed to inflict an injury on him when he'd knocked the Radio Demon out in one blow. He couldn't dominate him on a battlefield.

Even beating him over his daughter's affection was increasingly compromised. Lucifer and Charlie were growing closer. She hugged him more often, went to him for advice more, and spoke of him to Alastor with great enthusiasm. Of course, the Radio Demon remained an important friend to the Princess of Hell, but it was becoming complicated to win the competition for his affection. He was losing that battle.

"I'll make you beg my name if you say the word 'weak' again, little man," said the Radio Demon in his most menacing voice, the one he'd reserved for the Overlord he'd destroyed and annihilated.

Lucifer gave him the most provocative smile he could muster and staggered towards him. He placed his finger on his chest and, with just a tiny fraction of his power, pushed him. Alastor ended up on the ground several meters away. His back hit the marble with pain and he winced under the impact. He straightened up and looked at the angel.

"Weak." declared the latter with unmitigated contempt.

Alastor then stood up quickly and approached with a determined step. He couldn't beat him. He couldn't use his demonic powers. He had to surprise him as much as possible to gain the upper hand. When he reached the gate, an idea suddenly occurred to him that disgusted him to no end. There was one battle he hadn't fought yet before the armistice was sounded.

Without warning, he advanced even closer to Lucifer. Lucifer was prepared for a blow. Not when Alastor's hand reached behind his head and drew him to him. The Demon's lips touched the angel's with great force and determination. This surprised the King of the Hell so much that he let the Demon Radio take over the situation.

It wasn't the first time Alastor had kissed someone. When he was alive, he was used to this kind of behavior. Kissing, fucking, he had to do it to appear normal, to be like the others, to fit into a society he'd never wanted to be part of in the first place. He'd had girlfriends, mainly because he thought it would please his mother. I'm normal, Mom, look, I'm bringing girls home! One of them will probably be my wife, look how happy I am!

The truth was, all that romance and what went with it didn't appeal to him. Having to play the lover to a woman in whom he felt only the respect he had for all his kind was clearly not his thing. He wasn't romantically attracted to these women, nor sexually. The relationships he had always ended because of this. Because of his "impotence" when, in reality, it was just that he didn't have that desire in him. But then again, in his day, that wasn't something people understood.

When his mother had assured him that he didn't have to force himself to please her, to fit in, he'd felt an affection so great it would have brought tears to his eyes. He hugged her and silently thanked her for understanding him.

It had been a while since he'd played this role, but Lucifer didn't seem to mind. He had literally surrendered himself to his kiss, opening his mouth to allow him access to his oral cavity. Alastor deepened his kiss, dominatingly slipping his tongue into the angel's mouth to begin a frenzied dance. He brought the King's body closer, his hand behind his firm head and the other on those unyielding hips. As he squeezed, he could feel Lucifer's erection against his leg. Typical.

The Radio Demon made them melt into the shadows and they suddenly landed on a bed. Alastor hadn't calculated where he'd teleported to; he simply didn't want to soil his room. He just knew he was somewhere in the hotel.

He broke the kiss and began nibbling Lucifer's neck, his breathing ragged and his excitement clearly visible. With one firm hand, the Radio Demon imprisoned both of the angel's wrists above his head, while the other descended sensuously down the old woman's dress.

Alastor heard a slight hiccup from Lucifer as he sank his teeth into his flesh and felt his shudder as Alastor finally reached the skin of his legs. Then, suddenly, the King's body tensed.

"Oulah, wait, stop!" whispered the angel, softly. This made the Overlord stop." What are we doing here?"

The Radio Demon licked the bite mark on the King's skin.

"Foreplay." he replied simply, factually. He tried to move his hand up under his dress but was stopped.

"No, Alastor! Stop!" panicked Lucifer softly. Alastor stepped back slightly, one eyebrow raised. It was the first time he'd heard the King call him by his first name.

"What's the matter?" sighed this one. "Don't tell me you don't want it, I can feel it from here."

"That's not the problem!" exclaimed the angel, red-faced. "It's just that... Are you the one throwing that?"

"Throw what?" questioned the Demon.

"Well, that!" replied Lucifer in a low voice.

"That what? The sexual relationship?" tried to clarify Alastor.

"Yes!" exclaimed Lucifer softly.

"The answer seems pretty obvious to me," scoffed the Overlord, "Even to a backward person like you."

"But, you don't like it, do you?" asked the King.

The Demon in cat's clothing was startled before frowning dangerously.

"How do you know that?" he said dryly.

"Not hard to see, even for a backward person like me," Lucifer ironized. "You don't seem at all attracted to other people's charms and what's more, you're totally indifferent when you see this sort of thing on the street."

Alastor stared at him for a moment. Rather observant, for someone who didn't like him.

"Yeah, so what?" he finally says with a shrug. "It doesn't mean I can't have sex."

"Yes, but that just means you're not going to enjoy it," retorted the angel. "And then, frankly, do you really want to fuck me?"

"No." Alastor's answer came without thinking, instinctively.

"Ah!" sneered Lucifer. "So, the question is, what do you want from me?"

"That you beg me." continued the Demon. When he realized what he'd said, he fell silent. Lucifer, beneath him, wore an expression of pure surprise.

Alastor suddenly felt embarrassed by the situation. But what was he thinking? He realized that the alcohol had affected him far more than he had realized. He never acted on these impulses, usually. He'd spent his life controlling himself and others. He was the one in charge. How could he have fallen into this situation? He began to walk away, letting go of Lucifer's wrists and looking away.

"You're right," he admitted reluctantly. "This situation is ridiculous. Let's not talk about it anymore."

He was about to vanish into the shadows when suddenly he heard a voice that was irresistible to his ears.

"Please."

A ball of pure power formed in his chest, swelling under the effect of dopamine. He turned his head towards Lucifer, who bit his lower lip red. He was embarrassed, really uncomfortable, but his voice, the tone he'd used, was really pleading, as if he owed him something, as if it was a matter of life or death. It was everything the Radio Demon wanted. Eyes round with surprise, he let Lucifer straighten up.

"Okay, damn, oh this is awkward." this one stammered before taking a small breath. "Okay, so, here's how it's going to work. We're going to sit opposite each other and I'm going to... I'm going to beg you. You just look at me in the eye. Okay?"

Alastor was confused, his smile almost gone due to his psychological state. He shook his head and placed his hands in front of him, as if to regain control of the situation.

"Wait, I don't understand." he said finally "You're just going to beg me like that? With nothing in return?"

Lucifer bit his lips again and blushed profusely. Alastor frowned and thought before realizing. The angel had an erection.

"Listen!" exclaimed the King softly. "I'm not asking you to do anything. Hell, I don't even know how I'm going to react to what's about to happen!" He ran a hand through his hair, removing the wig he had from his old-woman disguise. "Let's test it, shall we? It doesn't work, it doesn't work, that's it!"

The Radio Demon had a question that immediately came to his mind, but he preferred not to ask it. The ball of pure power was already dissipating and he had an irresistible urge to feel it again. He finally nodded.

"Okay." he replied softly. He settled on the bed, sitting in front of Lucifer. The angel closed his eyes for a few seconds, then settled back comfortably. He then stared at him, and Alastor waited a few moments before hearing the King's imploring voice again.

"Please."

The sensation grew inside him again, and as Lucifer's pleas continued, it grew and devoured him. He felt so good, so powerful, so euphoric just hearing the angel pray to him. He'd felt this way before when his victims implored him, but never on this level. It was much more intense when it came from the mouth of a quasi-divine being.

As agreed, he looked into his eyes, observing him as the Demon glowered in satisfaction. He was so locked in his own state that he didn't notice the spark of desire in Lucifer's eyes until a few moments later. He then began to analyze his behavior. The King's face was taut with intense effort. He bit his lips repeatedly, as if holding something back. His breathing was erratic, even though his words seemed under control. Alastor slowly began to understand what was happening when he saw that only one hand was visible in his field of vision. He wanted to lower his gaze to where he thought the other was, but suddenly felt fingers tracing up his chin.

Lucifer had straightened his head slightly to prevent him from seeing further down. His gaze had become imploring.

"I'm begging you," he whispered. The lump in Alastor's chest swelled even more when he realized that this request wasn't feigned.

With a small smile, he gave him an amused look as he saw Lucifer tense up and hold back another, more powerful sound from coming out of his mouth.

______________________________________________________________

It had been several weeks since what had happened that evening and, frankly, the situation between them hadn't changed. Alastor was sipping his tea and reading a book in the hotel lounge as he thought about what had happened next.

When Lucifer had finally ejaculated, they parted without a word, as if the situation didn't need to be discussed. The next day, they met up in the kitchen with the other residents and started arguing about how they hadn't succeeded in their mission the day before. Business as usual.

The Radio Demon didn't mind. It was only an interlude, a parenthesis caused by the alcohol they'd admittedly abused. In his mind, it was all but forgotten, although the feeling of power he'd felt hadn't really faded. Occasionally, he felt slightly nostalgic about it, but he quickly moved on. He had learned not to dwell on the past.

He heard footsteps and was not at all surprised to see Angel Dust and Lucifer enter the room. The big Pornstar and the little King got on quite well. At first, like everyone else he met, Angel had been very heavy-handed and suggestive, but that hadn't lasted. In the end, they acted more like nephew and uncle: not close enough to have a father-son relationship, but close enough for Lucifer to be a role model for Angel. The King felt affection for the Pornstar and it showed. In fact, he often called him "kiddo".

"Hey, Al!" called Angel cheerfully. Lucifer leaned against the edge of the door, looking much less cheerful.

"Angel," replied Alastor politely. He didn't look away from his book and continued sipping his tea.

"Charlie and Vaggie are suggesting we go see a show in town!" exclaimed the Spider Demon enthusiastically. "Are you coming?"

The Radio Demon raised an eyebrow and turned a page of his book.

"What kind of show?" he asked. "I don't think there's anything to see in Hell that could lead souls to redemption."

"Oh, Alastor!" gasped Angel, rolling his eyes. "It's nothing to do with that! It's just an outing between us! So, are you coming? Everyone's coming!"

Alastor finally looked up from his reading, intrigued.

"Everyone?" he asked, glancing at Lucifer. Lucifer winced.

"Not me, bellhop." he grunted in response. "Need someone to watch the hotel."

"Then, I can stay here." sighed the Radio Demon "Go have fun with these trivialities."

"Oh, come on, Al!" exclaimed Angel. "It's going to be fun! It's been a while since we've done this!"

"Because there had already been a first time?" asked Alastor.

"Touché." sneered the Pornstar. "But that makes the event even more important!"

"No," said the Radio Demon.

"Please?" asked Angel, in a pleading tone.

The Overlord looked up at the Spider Demon, who was making an adorable little boil, in an attempt to soften him up. He knew Angel often used this ploy to get what he wanted. He'd seen several residents succumb to this little trick. However, as much as he loved to be wanted, the fact that this insect was making this request left him indifferent.

"Sorry, Angel." he sighed again. "But begging doesn't make me hot or cold. The answer's still no."

Pornstar looked a little disappointed before pouting.

"Whatever you say, sour old man!" he said in a joking tone. "Stay locked up while we go have a blast without you!"

He left the room with a cheerful step. Alastor returned to his reading before realizing that Lucifer was no longer standing in the doorway when Angel had disappeared. Had he left before the discussion was over? Suddenly, he felt a presence close to his ear.

"Please." said a voice in a tone of absolute entreaty.

Alastor closed his eyes as the ball in his chest, which had begun to fade, reformed into a magnificent, burning sensation of power. He cast a dark look of satisfaction in the direction of the sound emission. He quickly met Lucifer's eyes, shining with defiance.

The King shrugged his shoulders and headed for the exit.

"Just to test your claims," he declared. He stopped in the doorway and turned a provocative expression toward him. "Not so indifferent, it would seem."

He left with a satisfied smile as Alastor glared at him.

That little prick.

______________________________________________________________

Alastor looked down the corridor with undisguised disgust. The decoration of the third floor was Lucifer's responsibility and the Radio Demon was adamant: it was hideous. He didn't know where to start: the shimmering blue tone? The circus imagery that didn't go with the color? Or was it those clown paintings that took up the vast majority of the space? He had the impression that every one of them was watching him, ready to devour him. He'd never been afraid of clowns, oh dear God, no, but he felt like throwing them all away for the affront of looking at him as if he were their breakfast.

He found the person responsible for this carnage a few yards away, as he added a new painting. His annoyance reached its peak.

"Can you stop putting clowns everywhere?!" he snarled. Lucifer ignored him completely. "You know the whole point is to get people to come and win Heaven, not to get them to commit suicide?"

"So, my dearest Alberto," began the King, his tone full of sarcasm. "Everyone loves circus. They're places that bring joy and happiness! When people get to this floor, they'll think: 'Wow! It's like walking into a dream!" "

"They'll mostly turn around and complain to management that we're trying to spy on them." growled Alastor and he tapped the angel's chest with his microphone. "And management is me. So, you're going to give me the pleasure of handing out an appropriate decoration."

"So, little guy." counter Lucifer, who slapped the microphone. "You may be the hotel manager, but my daughter's the boss! So, what she says goes above your orders. Now, she's asked me to manage the decoration of this floor. You can't argue with that."

Frustration was evident in the Radio Demon's features.

"Charlie and I are handling this together," he clarified. "I have the right to give my opinion on what goes on in this place. Your decoration is part of that. So take it down and put the old one back up."

"Oh yes!" ironized Lucifer. "I'm sure the Lovecraftian atmosphere was much more welcoming!"

"At least it had style," said Alastor.

"That's why Charlie asked me to change it," concluded the King with a smug look on his face.

The Radio Demon glared at him as the angel raised an eyebrow in provocation. God, he wanted to silence that laughable little being. Suddenly, Lucifer's face switched between two temporalities: that of the moment, with an expression of defiance, and another of a few months ago, tense and eager, holding back from cumming as he begged. Alastor felt the lump reform in his chest, this urge to make him swallow his smug air turning into an irresistible desire to see him again in a position of weakness. His gaze must have intensified, for Lucifer raised an eyebrow.

"What?" he asked. "Do I have something on my face?"

The Radio Demon regained his consistency. He mustn't give in to this impulse.

"Yes, indeed," he replied. The angel seemed surprised and began to touch his head.

"What? What is it?!" he exclaimed, searching for an impurity.

Alastor hummed a little tune before leaning forward, close to his interlocutor's face. The King raised an eyebrow as the Radio Demon detailed him in minute. Finally, he shrugged.

"Sorry, it's just your cake face," he replied sarcastically.

Lucifer grimaced.

"Ah, ah." he said without humor. "Fuck you."

"Oh, you'd love to." growled Alastor.

This led to a silence in the room that the Demon struggled to understand before realizing what he'd just said. He'd gone off the rails again. Hadn't he just said not to give in to this impulse? The situation was out of his control. He had to back down, and fast. Before he could make a move, he suddenly heard a voice speaking in a tone that had an effect on him he couldn't have foreseen.

"Pretty please."

Lucifer stared at him defiantly, though the words that came out of his mouth had nothing to do with his provocative expression. They stared at each other for a long moment, each burning with a vivid, destructive energy. Alastor was about to pounce on the little man in order to dominate him, to put him in his place, to give in to this impulse as he did to the one ordering him to kill, when he heard the elevator door open.

"Alastor?" called Vaggie, arriving quickly at the two companions. The Radio Demon had straightened up quickly to face the newcomer, his expression still as smiling and imperturbable as ever while his body was a veritable rollercoaster. What the hell would have happened if she hadn't appeared? What was wrong with him? This was the first time this had ever happened to him.

Was it sexual desire? No, it didn't seem to be. His body wasn't reacting as if it was. At least, it was as usual. There was only that burning desire in his chest, a desire he already knew from those hunts and murders, but more powerful, uncontrollable. He glanced at Lucifer, who had his back to Vaggie and himself. He had the feeling he didn't want to face them, to avoid showing the obvious signs of his discomfort.

"What is it, dear?" he asked. If the former exorcist found the situation strange, she didn't point it out.

"We need you downstairs," she said, simply. "Can you join us quickly?"

"I'll be right there!" he exclaimed. He readjusted his bow tie and watched Lucifer discreetly.

"Your Majesty." he said, with a slight tone of contempt that in reality was only feigned.

"Bellboy." replied Lucifer, with the same intonation. Alastor seemed to detect the confusion in his voice, but ignored it.

"I expect you to respect my directives," added the Radio Demon.

"Of course," agreed Lucifer. This set Alastor and Vaggie off, and they frowned.

So the Overlord walked away with the former exorcist down the corridor, towards the elevator. When they finally got within a few steps of the elevator, they heard a clicking sound. The two employees frowned, seeing nothing in particular happening. Finally, A1astor laid eyes on the portraits and almost broke his microphone in frustration.

All the clowns in the paintings had been replaced by the Radio Demon in gag-like positions. What all the pieces had in common was that, whatever the position, a middle finger was brandished.

The Overlord fulminated while the former exorcist laughed softly.

That fucking bastard.

______________________________________________________________

From that day on, Alastor's urges grew stronger and more irresistible. In response, he preferred to keep his distance from the angel. Not that he was running away, no, no, far from it. He was Demon Radio, after all, and it was in front of him that people ran for cover. No, he'd call it more of a strategic retreat. Cliche, but not far from the truth.

He didn't understand what was happening to him. He didn't know why that fireball in his chest reignited whenever Lucifer was around.

At first, he'd told himself it was just because he'd had a good time, weeks ago, soon to be months. So he told himself he'd go back to those old habits, in order to calm the devouring appetite for domination. He'd started hunting again, discreetly, so as not to alert the hotel to his activities. He had succeeded in catching and killing several preachers as well as Hell natives. He tortured them, forcing them to submit and implore him. But nothing worked. Even though it gave him immediate pleasure and relief from the burning, it always returned as a torch whenever he perceived the presence of the King of Hell. And boy, did this place stink of Lucifer. Wherever he was in this fucking city, he could feel the angelic presence ruling it by closing his eyes. He was so disgusted by it that he lived under its control.

He had refuted the sexual impulse for some time. He had looked at his body every time the emotion became intense and it didn't react. He wasn't getting hard, he wasn't feeling any pleasure from touching himself, even though he could feel Lucifer's presence close to him. No, there was nothing sexual about what he was feeling. Not for him. It gave him a similar sensation, perhaps, but it had nothing to do with it. But then, was it really just him who was having this effect on him? That was out of the question. But the more time passed, the less he could deny the possibility. The King of Hell had triggered something in him that he could control less and less.

One evening, a few weeks after their last altercation, they all gathered in the hotel lobby. After the success of their first outing, the hotel's residents had decided to go out more often. This evening was shaping up well for them. Everyone was keen to get out and about in the city of the pentagram. Alastor looked on with a sigh. He'd taken part in a few of these outings and, although he had to admit he'd enjoyed himself, he found them exhausting. Not that he didn't enjoy the action, far from it, but he was much in demand on these excursions and much preferred to drink tea with Rosie, in a calmer, more composed way.

The big absentee from these escapades was Lucifer, who had never taken part in any of them. The official reason was that someone needed to watch over the hotel. The unofficial reason was that the King of Hell was not at all comfortable with the souls he was supposed to govern. In itself, it was an open secret, but no one dared intervene. Give him time, Charlie concluded.

"Are you ready, everyone?" asked Charlie enthusiastically. Lucifer laughed at the situation.

"Sweetie," he said tenderly, "you say that like you know where you're going!"

The young woman laughed, which seemed to bring her father great joy.

"But that's what adventure is all about, Dad!" she exclaimed. "Every outing takes us somewhere unknown!"

"We often end up in the same bar, though." said Husk with a shrug. Angel gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.

"Yeah, but we never get there the same way!" he retorted, eliciting a knowing smile from the Cat Demon.

"You really should come with us, Dad." said Charlie, softly, as she took her father's hands. "I'm sure you'd like that."

Lucifer's smile grew tense and his expression slightly panicked. He forced a laugh.

"Oh, sweetie!" he said playfully, "I'm too old for this crap!"

"For being old, you're faded," Alastor growled softly into his beard.

He didn't think he'd be heard. It had been some time since he'd said so much as a word to the angel. He turned his gaze to him and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you're talking to me again?" blurted the King, which drew the Radio Demon's attention.

"I've had nothing to say to you until now," said the Overlord. He made a gesture as if to shake off some dust. "I wasn't going to keep wasting my breath talking to a senile man."

"Senile, eh?" sneered Lucifer. "Tell me, bellboy, how old did you die? Because judging by your constitution, I'd say around forty. You must not be in the best of physical shape, buddy."

He presented his body to him with a global hand gesture.

"Me, I'm still dashing and only a few millennia old. So no, I'm not faded."

"If that's true," continued Alastor, "then why don't you take your daughter and your friends for a walk? Unless the thousand-year-old being is afraid?"

Lucifer glared at him before smiling provocatively.

"Oh, please!" he said in a pleading but comical tone "Save me from those poor damned!" He gave a forced chuckle before finally declaring, "Don't be ridiculous."

The angel turned his attention to his daughter as the Radio Demon cursed him from the depths of his soul. That alone, that little joke, had broken something in Alastor. It was all over. He could resist no longer. He remained silent as the discussions between the other residents continued. Finally, they began to leave. Charlie looked at the Overlord.

"Are you coming?" she asked. He nodded in the negative.

"I'm sorry, dear," he said, "but tonight I have some business to attend to."

She looked at him for a moment before smiling shyly.

"Have a nice evening, then." she tossed him before exiting the hotel.

Only the two of them remained in the hall. Lucifer stretched with a yawn before turning back to the stairs. He had to be careful, he told himself. He had to wait. The others might retrace their steps. However, all his logical thoughts vanished when he realized that Lucifer was simply ignoring him. With a determined step, he came up behind the angel and put a firm grip on his waist. The King of Hell didn't even have time to let out a startled hiccup as Alastor sank his teeth into the flesh of his neck. A low moan escaped Lucifer's lips as the Radio Demon melted them into the shadows and moved them. When they reached the room the Overlord had chosen, he threw the angel onto the bed. The latter quickly turned to face the Demon, who fell on him with a fever he didn't know he had. He blocked the angel's arms and dominated him with his size and presence. The burning in his chest increased in size as he saw the lost expression of the King of Hell.

"Alastor?" he asked, confused.

"Beg me." ordered the Overlord, his gaze filled with uncontrolled desire. "Anything you want. Ask me to eat or go to the bathroom. Beg me to let you live or just stop. For God sake, if you have to fuck me for it, then do it. Anything, but beg me."

Lucifer was speechless as the Radio Demon thought himself ridiculous. He had literally just prayed to him. It was ironic, wasn't it?

He didn't move an inch, however, looking into the golden and red globes for a reaction from the King of Hell. The latter seemed to digest the information like a ping pong ball: with difficulty. Alastor was beginning to doubt what he'd just done, and a feeling of unease began to invade him. It must have shown in his expression, because suddenly Lucifer began to speak:

"Wait!" he said, as if to hold him back when the Demon hadn't moved. "It's just that... Wow, damn, that's hyper hot. I mean, in the sense that it's sexy, not in the sense that it's hot. After all, we're in Hell, so both are true in themselves, so you could say the situation is hot and I'm hot? And I'm hot because, damn it, it was hot and at the same time, it's hot? No, because it's hot, isn't it? Maybe we should add an air conditioner."

"Lucifer", Alastor reminded him. He could only notice the shiver that ran through the man's body beneath him.

"Sorry." apologized the angel. "It's just that... Fuck."

He bit his lower lip as the red rose to his cheeks.

"Uh." continued the King. "So, you... you want us to do what we did last time?"

The Overlord's ball began to consume him as he heard these words come from the angel's mouth. He lowered his eyes to his partner's crotch and easily noted his arousal. He returned to observing Lucifer's face, which was flushed and never leaving his eyeballs. Alastor then made a decision and moved back to the side of the King, lying on his side, his face level with the angel's, leaning forward to catch the slightest detail of his expression. He then lowered his hand to his partner's lower body, causing Lucifer's eyes to widen in surprise.

"Wait!" he exclaimed again. "You don't have to! I can..."

"No." interrupted Alastor. "I want to do it. Just... tell me how."

They looked at each other for a moment before Lucifer, flushed, grabbed his hand and guided it to his crotch.

"It's not complicated," he whispered. "All you have to do is move your hand up and down and watch my body react."

"Don't hesitate to guide me," ordered Alastor. He received a chuckle in reply.

"Begging, I get it," Lucifer sneered. The Demon looked at him intently.

They started slowly, letting them both get their bearings. It was the first time Alastor had done this with a man. He'd never felt attracted to the male gender until now, and the truth was, it wasn't the male gender that attracted him. It was him. Him specifically. The King played the game with far more experience than his partner. He seemed more used to this kind of situation and Alastor could easily understand why. He is a father, after all. However, he had a few things going for him. He was very observant and paid close attention to his partner. Because he could read him, he would slow down the pace when he saw it was going too fast for Alastor, or too intense. Sometimes he'd cut out moments to just let him breathe, gently encouraging him but never touching him, as if he knew he hated that. None of those previous relationships had ever thought of him like that. None of the women he'd shared a bed with had understood him like this.

When the apotheosis finally came for Lucifer, he didn't even feel disgusted because he could see. Not that he was enjoying the sensation of the liquid on his fingers. But to be honest, he wasn't interested in what was happening below the belt. It was the angel's face that fascinated him. His reactions were a delight. He was the one who'd caused this. Alastor, the Radio Demon, the Overlord, the human, was able to give these expressions to Lucifer, King, Fallen Angel, most powerful Being in Hell, who could kill him with the snap of a finger. The lump in his chest had spread throughout his body and now the heat was bearable, almost pleasant.

Lucifer closed his eyes and tried to regain control of his breathing as Alastor lay entirely beside him. He continued to watch him as the angel regained his senses. The King finally opened his eyes and looked at him for a few seconds before frowning.

"Why do you look at me like that?" he asked "Do I have anything on my face?"

Alastor didn't know what he meant by this, but simply shrugged.

"Yes, you have" he says.

"My cake face, is it?" growled the King. Alastor's smile turned mocking.

"No." he replied. "Semen. Or anything that came out of your penis."

The red in Lucifer's cheeks became much more intense, and the Demon couldn't prevent a teasing little laugh from escaping his lips.

______________________________________________________________

Since then, their relationship had evolved and Alastor still wasn't sure what to make of it. From time to time, the two of them isolated themselves and enjoyed each other's company. Most of the time, they were just like each other. Always arguing, always provoking, but they had that little something extra that made the Radio Demon feel no more frustration. A warmth emanated from his body that became bearable and pleasant. When this heat became too strong, too intense, he would meet Lucifer in his apartments, who would bring him the relief he needed.

At first, it was awkward. Alastor's demands were brutal and impulsive. He didn't know how to handle the situation, and he was aware of it. But the angel was indulgent. He met his expectations, sometimes without even receiving anything in return, whispering pleas that soothed the Radio Demon's impulses, always respecting his limits. He didn't force him, he wasn't demanding. He was just patient, guiding him into a relationship the Overlord had never known before.

As they went along, Alastor began to take an interest in the King, in the sense that he could notice his wants and needs. He became less selfish in his pleasure and tried to do to Lucifer what he was doing to him. Now comes the discussion of penetration.

It was a normal weekday evening and the Radio Demon was watching the King smiling satiatedly, his eyes closed in satisfaction. Once again, Alastor had given him the pleasure he'd asked for, even if he was beginning to understand his partner's bodily signals. Occasionally, he took the initiative and was rewarded with erratic, spontaneous pleas. However, if the Overlord had learned from these previous partners, it was that it wasn't enough.

"You can penetrate me, you know?" said the Demon simply from start to finish.

Lucifer widened his eyes in surprise before turning his gaze to the bed's second occupant.

"Huh?" the King asked eloquently. Alastor rolled his eyes in frustration.

"During our lovemaking," the Demon clarified. "You can penetrate me. The reverse is not possible, at least not naturally. I can conjure a few things, if you want."

Lucifer propped himself up on his elbows and looked at the Overlord with confusion. The Demon didn't know what to make of his expression.

"What?" he finally says.

"Would you like that?" questioned the King.

"That's not the point," Alastor sighed. "I'm just saying..."

"No, no, no, no, no." cut in Lucifer. "Alastor, this is important to me. Would you like that?"

The Demon remained silent for a moment. He was pondering the situation.

"No." he finally said. It was the truth. He had absolutely no desire for this.

"Then we won't." the King continued with a shrug. "I'm satisfied with the way things are going."

"It never lasts, Lucifer." murmured Alastor, softly, in a breath, which caught the angel's attention.

There was a short silence before the King finally said:

"Look, I don't know what happened in your previous relationships. I don't know your story and I don't care. We..." he hesitated before saying in a much less assured voice, "We're building something. So we might as well make it pleasant for both of us, okay?"

"Are you telling me you've never wanted to fuck me?" questioned Alastor. He received a grunt of frustration.

"No!" he exclaimed, causing the Demon to raise an eyebrow. "I mean, yes, of course I do ! I've fantasized about it before! But that doesn't mean I want to do it."

He ran a hand through his hair.

"Relationships are all about compromise," he explains. "You adapt to the person in front of you, you discuss, you see what pleases him or her. Ecstasy comes with the other person's consent. There's nothing more satisfying than knowing your partner has the same desire as you."

He licked his lips before continuing:

"You took a step forward. You consented to bring me this pleasure. For my part, I did the same. In the end, even though it took effort on both our parts, we both came out ahead." He gave him a sidelong glance, "The day you really want to do this, when it comes from your willingness to consent to a new thing, then we'll give it a try. If it doesn't work, it's okay, we'll go back. There's time to experiment. But it has to be at everyone's discretion."

"So, if I understand correctly," teased Alastor, "it's that the quid pro quo for penetration will be proportional to the effort it requires of me?"

Lucifer laughed, a pure, angelic laugh. Alastor's heart sank.

"That's how deals work, isn't it?" sneered the angel.

Alastor felt a powerful emotion engulf his soul, and he was afraid to put a name to it. He'd only felt this way once before, in a different register, with a different person. The sensation was the same, but the substance was different. He straightened up and moved closer to Lucifer's face to place a long kiss on his lips. Surprised by the gesture, the King remained motionless as the Demon deepened the kiss, placing a warm hand on the nape of his neck. There was nothing lecherous in this exchange. The Overlord was just passing on his gratitude through this contact. When he broke it, they were both embarrassed by the situation. Lucifer gave a tense little laugh.

"On the other hand," he said, in a jovial tone. "You really need to mind your mouth. You've got the breath of a jackal."

Alastor grimaced mockingly.

"If you get those fucking clowns out of the third-floor hallway," he growled.

"Hey, that's not fair!" protested the King.

"What?" teased the Demon. "Proportional to the effort you're asking of me, right?"

Lucifer raised his eyes to heaven.

"Fuck you." he huffed.

"One day, maybe." replied Alastor, raising an eyebrow.

The King chuckled, which made the Demon smile sincerely.

______________________________________________________________

More time passed and the feeling in Alastor's chest only grew stronger. He was afraid of what it meant, but continued his relationship with Lucifer anyway.

The further they went, the more affectionate the Demon became towards the angel, through small, innocuous gestures. He prepared meals for him. He cleaned up after him when the headstrong King moved on. He listened quietly when he lost himself in his creative train of thought. In the evenings, he made a habit of going to his room to read, sitting in an armchair while Lucifer made those plastic ducks. At first, he could see that the angel was confused by his presence. Normally, Alastor only entered the King's private space to curry favor, not just to spend time in his company. But the Demon felt the need to be at his side. He hadn't known such a state of fulfillment since... since he was abruptly separated from his mother when she died. Overnight, the most important person in his life had disappeared, like a flash of smoke in a magic trick. He'd lived a few more years on Earth before being brutally killed, and he'd never known such a feeling of solitude. His mother was everything to him. She was the person who knew him best, who understood him, who accepted him despite the fact that he was a raging psychopath. She was also the only person who didn't fear him. Now there was this idiot who brought him the same relief.

Lucifer knew who he was. He knew every inch of his soul, for he was a quasi-divine being, the master of Hell. He knew every sin committed by every one of his subjects. He could read their souls as if he were reading a book. He had confessed to him one day when his depression had hit harder than usual. Alastor had asked him why he didn't go out with the others. Lucifer had told him this secret. He'd told him that he saw everything in every preacher he met. It was his curse.

"Everything?" asked the Demon.

"Everything," agreed the angel, looking at him sadly.

Instinctively, Alastor's hand went to his lips, as if to touch the invisible thread of his contract. The King had moved towards him and gently removed his hand to place a kiss on it. It was a new gesture, surely unthought-of, for Lucifer was in a state of powerful distress. He ignored the gesture, which had disturbed him. It was one more compromise in their relationship. It was all very well for him to indulge in this romantic mawkishness for the loneliness it filled within him.

Their relationship was beginning to permeate their daily lives and was increasingly noticed by the other residents. No one had said anything to Alastor, however. From what Lucifer was telling him, he hadn't had any feedback either. The Demon couldn't care less. In fact, their bond wasn't all that different. They were just more patient with each other than they had been at first. Arguments and provocations were common, but they happened less frequently.

______________________________________________________________

Alastor held his bloodied arm and swore at the deep wound. The demon that had already attacked the hotel had launched a new offensive, and there were many of them. Very many. The Radio Demon was standing at the hotel entrance, defending it against the onslaught of sinners and underworld natives. Suddenly, the demon, as powerful as an Overlord, had inflicted a cut on his arm, almost slicing him in two. Alastor then erected a shield between the enemies and the hotel, protecting the residents from the frontal assault. Charlie, Vaggie, Husk and Niffty stood beside him. Charlie looked with panic at the cut on his arm, but Alastor took no notice. He was already thinking about what to do next. His protection wasn't going to hold and, if the demon had wounded him, then he could easily overcome the others, who were far less powerful than him. Except for Charlie, but she was a special case. She couldn't master her powers. So she was useless right now. He'd tried to convince her to learn to use her strength, but to no avail. She was too afraid of herself to be able to control herself.

As Vaggie looked at his wound, he heard the rustle of wings coming towards them. He looked up at the same time as the rest of them and saw Lucifer coming down carrying Angel in his arms, like a princess. The situation was rather comical, the King being literally a third of the Spider Demon's size, which meant he was in a rather uncomfortable position. When they landed, Angel emerged from Lucifer's embrace, who was looking on in all seriousness as the attackers crowded against the wall.

"Guys, we're in deep shit!" he exclaimed as he approached them with great strides. "See those bastards?" he pointed at the wall. "There's twice as many of them on the other side! And they're coming fast!"

"Are you serious right now?!" exclaimed Husk as he looked at Angel. "How the hell did that clown manage to recruit so many people?!"

"I don't know!" exclaimed Angel, placing a hand on the Cat Demon's shoulder. "But I'll say it again, we're in deep shit!"

"No, we'll be fine," said Lucifer. He turned his attention back to the other residents of the hotel. He stared at Alastor: "Bellboy, you've got to take care of those coming up behind. We'll stay up front to contain the bulk of the assault. If I'm there, they'll concentrate on me. That'll give you time to take care of those bastards and come back to lend us a hand."

The other residents looked at the King as if he'd gone mad. Alastor, for his part, waited for what was to come, although a familiar sensation was growing in his chest.

"Wait, sir." asked Vaggie, stunned. "Are you sure about this?"

"Of what?" questioned Lucifer. He raised an eyebrow. "Why, do I look hesitant?"

"Luci!" exclaimed Angel. "We just saw thousands of demons charging at us! As powerful as he is, Alastor can't handle them all!"

"Of course he can, kiddo!" sighed the angel. "It's small fry, nothing out of the ordinary."

"Dad." said Charlie suddenly, his tone genuinely concerned. "Alastor's hurt."

A worried expression settled over Lucifer's features as he stepped towards the Radio Demon. He looked at the cut on his arm and suddenly seemed more relieved.

"Ah, this?" he said. "It's nothing!"

"His arm's almost cut in half," Vaggie added, eyebrows furrowed, clearly disapproving.

"Vaggie." said the King. "It's not an injury like that that's going to stop Bellboy."

"You could at least treat him!" exclaimed Charlie angrily.

"I might as well save my power for the fight," the angel defended. "He'll do just fine on his own."

He turned to the Radio Demon, an expression of pure confidence on his face.

"As soon as you're done, cover the rear with protection like this, we never know. And hurry back, we're going to need you."

The feeling in Alastor's chest swelled at these words and he felt like he was going to explode. Lucifer rolled up his sleeves and turned to face the attackers.

"Dad!" exclaimed Charlie. "You overestimate him!"

"On the contrary, sweetie," he replied firmly. "It's you who underestimates him."

That was the last straw. The Radio Demon straightened up, to the protests of the other residents. He paid them no mind, however. His target was right in front of him. So small and yet so imposing in its aura, in its presence, in the emotions it aroused in him. He took a determined step towards the angel.

"Lucifer", he called in a voice that had no radio echo. This surprised everyone present, including the main man, who turned to him, eyes wide.

"Alastor?" he asked, bewildered by the Overlord's tone and use of his first name.

The Demon moved swiftly towards his target and, with his able-bodied, blood-covered hand, grabbed the angel's neck. With one gesture, he bridged the gap between them and passionately embraced the King of Hell. With this gesture, he conveyed all the feelings he was experiencing at the moment: the exhilarating sensation of being considered powerful, the pride he felt at being treated as an equal, the gratitude of being understood by another to an extent he hadn't known for a long time. And then this affection. That damn affection that had been polluting him for some time now. When he broke contact, their lips were swollen from the intensity of the kiss they'd shared. Lucifer looked at him with many complex feelings. Finally, Alastor caressed his partner's cheek with his bloody hand, leaving a red trace on the angel's mother-of-pearl skin.

"As soon as we're done dealing with this shit, we're going to that damn room and you're going to take me in any position you want, as many times as you want." he ordered. Lucifer's cheeks quickly flushed and his expression, once complex, was now bemused, although Alastor could see excitement in his pupils.

The Demon moved away as he heard Angel exclaim, "I knew it! "

It wasn't a compromise. It was a gift that he gave him willingly. To thank him for making him fall in love.

[thesiltverses]

You folks have so many worlds inside your brains! Do you have any tips for keeping your different ideas organized?

I have a bunch of story ideas but they are starting to clump together into something like The Amalgamate from A Lonely Broadcast.

This is a really interesting question, because for me a big (and very useful!) part of creativity lies in amalgamation; it's taking old discarded story ideas that weren't working in their own right, and finding new and exciting ways to stuff them into a new idea - as background elements, as one-off episodes, as secondary storylines or characters.

The obvious example that comes to mind is Douglas Adams raiding his own Dr Who scripts to write his novels.

Or to give one example of ours: S1E4 of The Silt Verses was a short story idea I'd had about a bickering couple tramping through the New Forest in the UK, and the boyfriend (who keeps marching ahead and insisting he knows the way) ends up getting transformed into a deer and pursued pitilessly through the woods by a hunter-god, while the girlfriend escapes.

And it wasn't working, because 1) the story arc is just 'douchebag man dies horribly, non-douchebag woman runs away and lives', which feels predictable and 2) because it's a two-hander, there's not really a mechanism to gracefully explain what the antagonist is or how its curse works.

So I left it alone for a couple of years, we were writing TSV, and I thought - oh, maybe the girlfriend isn't the protagonist at all, maybe she can be the antagonist instead.

But the key ingredients there are time, space, and prioritisation, and it sounds like your frustration lies in having all these ideas at once and losing the shape of them because they all start to blend into one.

I guess from what you're saying, I'd advise you: decide which of your story ideas is a sapling, and which are seeds.

The sapling is the idea that feels furthest along, is the strongest-defined, and has the most space to grow. Focus on that one, build its shape, get it really clear in your head. Try not to get distracted, give yourself time alone with it.

The more clearly you've defined this idea and the more detail you have, the less you'll be tempted to bring in extraneous or muddled elements from other drafted ideas.

(To avoid said distraction, the key for me is really terrible file management.

I use an unfoldered Google Drive system, so that the 'recent documents' and search function are the only way to find my work. I keep all the documents relating to my sapling project open in different tabs, so that they always refresh back up to the top of my recent docs.

That way, any irrelevant seedling draftwork is rapidly buried in the drive, and I'm not going to spot it by accident while navigating to my current work. I have to be actively thinking about it to remember it exists.)

When your creativity's starting to feel strained or the initial plot and character momentum is no longer there, take a step back and check in on your seeds.

Maybe a couple of them are looking like they could be set aside and earmarked as a future big idea, maybe a few more don't feel quite as strong any more.

Dissassemble the bad seeds, atom by atom. What was the really good part of this idea? What can you gainfully repurpose? Take those components back to the sapling and see if you could benefit from jamming them into exciting places further into the storyline.

Since your sapling was already so strongly defined, they should add interesting new dimensions to it rather than confusing it (in theory).

I don't know if that helps, but I hope it does!

[yanderes-galore]

Could I request something for romantic yandere DBD Nurse please? I can't decide if I'd rather have an alphabet or a concept so you can pick which one you'd prefer to write.

Sure! Was originally going to do a concept, but an Alphabet may be easier? Also, focusing on her base lore, not Tome lore.

Yandere Alphabet - The Nurse/Sally Smithson

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Violence, Death/Murder, Poor mental state, Delusional behavior, Mentioned kidnapping, Stalking, Fear of loss implied, Clingy behavior, Choking/Suffocation, Trauma, Forced relationship.

Affection: How do they show their love and affection? How intense would it get?

Sally is quite the tragic character. In her base lore she went on a massacre in the asylum she worked at for two decades due to her failing mental health. She's gone insane... but maybe there's some humanity in her somewhere.

Sally would probably be one to slowly trail her darling at first. She doesn't want to scare you off. She may even see you as another person to treat.

Her obsession may start mild but grow intense. She's loved someone before, her husband, before he died. Now she's alone... but not for long.

When she gets her cold hands on you... she may never let go.

Blood: How messy are they willing to get when it comes to their darling?

Messy, but not without reason. Similar to Amanda/The Pig, she feels the survivors around you could corrupt you. So it appears she'll need to purify them before they get near you... with her frigid fingers around their necks.

Cruelty: How would they treat their darling once abducted? Would they mock them?

She would not mock you, if anything she wants to try and "help" you. She took you into her care because she thinks she loves you. Under her care... she'll treat you.

She tries to be as accommodating as she can with her darling. She treats you as a nurse would despite her lack of words. Every once in awhile her actions dip into overly affectionate territory.

Internally she admits it's... unprofessional. Yet Sally just loves you. She promises in a croaking tone that she'll take good care of you.

Darling: Aside from abduction, would they do anything against their darling’s will?

In her eyes she isn't doing anything "against your will".

You? Well, that's up to you. The answer is most likely yes due to how delusional Sally is by this point.

Exposed: How much of their heart do they bare to their darling? How vulnerable are they when it comes to their darling?

Fight: How would they feel if their darling fought back?

A lot. She is incredibly vulnerable around you as you are her second love. She lost her last one... so she is scared of losing you.

As a result her feelings make her linger and cling around you.

She's a ghost who haunts you in trials, even if she means you no harm.

Game: Is this a game to them? How much would they enjoy watching their darling try to escape?

Genuinely saddened. As a result she would try to limit your fighting in the only way she knows how. Limiting your air.

She stops when you stop fighting, apologizing by placing her hand on your cheek and rubbing softly. You're terrified... but she just sees this as restraining a combatitive patient.

Not a game to her, she hates the idea of you escaping... or dying.

Ideals: What kind of future do they have in mind for/with their darling?

Hell: What would be their darling’s worst experience with them?

Honestly I want to say dying/seeing other survivors dying to her the first time in a trial.

Yet the fact she has this eerie attachment to you as a whole is pretty bad.

You're always the last one left... always waiting for her to confront you... but who knows, you may have seen worse due to these trials.

Sally isn't sure. She sort of wants to recreate what she had with Andrew, yet at the same time she wants to treat you like a patient. She's rather torn between the options.

Jealousy: Do they get jealous? Do they lash out or find a way to cope?

Partially she does, yes. She'd most likely try to cope, but may lash out if she feels the attachment between you is threatened.

Kisses: How do they act around or with their darling?

Love letters: How would they go about courting or approaching their darling?

Eerily nice. She seems like she's trying to be comforting. Her touches are freezing, like she's been in the winter cold for too long. Yet the patterns she traces on your skin appear to be comforting.

Things like circles on your back... holding your cheeks... it's like she means to be caring to just you.

It's like she's trying to replicate her old life, her old partner... just to satisfy her delusions.

She actually... isn't all that bad when you comply.

Mask: Are their true colors drastically different from the way they act around everyone else?

Slowly, trial by trial, until things click. She's constantly jumping between two delusions. She can't tell if she sees you as a romantic partner or a patient.

As a result her actions are rather mixed.

It will take time before she solidifies her feelings... by then you may have gotten used to her.

But nothing could've prepared you for her brewing obsession towards you.

Compared to other survivors? Yes.

Naughty: How would they punish their darling?

As said by letter F, she'll try to stop your disobedience in the way she's, scarily enough, used to in her lore.

Oppression: How many rights would they take away from their darling?

You never had many in the trials anyways, but she tries not to take any.

Patience: How patient are they with their darling?

Quite patient.

Quit: If their darling dies, leaves, or successfully escapes, would they ever be able to move on?

Regret: Would they ever feel guilty about abducting their darling? Would they ever let their darling go?

By this point it would be her second heartbreak, she probably would not recover.

Yet that'll never happen in these trials.

No and No.

Stigma: What brought about this side of them (childhood, curiosity, etc)?

Most likely her past trauma.

Tears: How do they feel about seeing their darling scream, cry, and/or isolate themselves?

Saddened and sympathetic, she'd immediately try to comfort you.

Unique: Would they do anything different from the classic yandere?

She's easier to control (?)

Vice: What weakness can their darling exploit in order to escape?

Wit’s end: Would they ever hurt their darling?

Appeal to her delusions, you'll get hatch/gate every time.

Unless she decides to keep you longer....

At the start, yes.

Xoanon: How much would they revere or worship their darling? To what length would they go to win their darling over?

She'd go to great lengths, unsure about worship though.

Yearn: How long do they pine after their darling before they snap?

Not very long, pretty sure she already snapped.

Zenith: Would they ever break their darling?

If other trials didn't break you I'm surprised. Soon hers actually become comforting when you give into the madness.

[peonierose]

Las hijas de Luna

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Bryce Lahela (M!MC) x Luna Auclair (F!OC)

Rating: General. It’s a birth story. But there won’t be any graphic scenes.

Words: 5,000+

Summary: It’s time for Luna and Bryce to welcome their twins into the world. Will there be any complications? Or will the birth go without a hitch?

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you to the whole choices fandom. I couldn’t have come this far with my writing, my stories and my beloved characters, if I didn’t have such amazing and encouraging friends to cheer me on and support me. So thank you to anyone who’s given my writing, my stories and my characters a chance 💚

2 A/N: I’m by no means an expert with birth stories so please excuse any errors. I used my basic knowledge, friends knowledge and the internet to find out more about births but remember this is fiction, I was bit more freely with the details, but nothing too vivid or such pinky promise.

Side note: If you're curious how Luna and Bryce found out that they're expecting you can find out in my story "Cake by the Ocean"

I also included a playlist if you want to you can give it a listen here

2 Side note: I participated in the March Challenge @choicesmonthlychallenge and used the prompt plumeria flower. The plumeria flower symbolizes positivity & new beginnings 🥰 (I think it wasn't among the flowers that were mentioned, but since the story takes place in Hawaii I thought I'd use this beautiful flower).

Honolulu, Hawaii

March 30th

Luna

Bryce is about to head out on a camping trip with Keiki. They’re going to Waianae Mountain Range.

It usually took over an hour to get there. But the view was breathtaking and made up for the time it took you to get there.

I've been there with my family before. It’s marvelous. The fresh mountain air. The chirping birds, the rush of a nearby waterfall. And the light is perfect for painting. It’s truly a magnificent experience.

My cousin Skyler, Sky for short, didn’t like it so much, he got scared by spiders. Other than that it was pretty fun.

So when Keiki asked Bryce if he’d like to go? Bryce was excited to spend more time with his sister.

Because of his demanding job as a surgeon, he doesn’t get to spend as much time with his family as he would like to. Working odd hours, and being on call does that to your private life.

They’re going to spend the whole day together, going hiking, fishing and just sitting by the campfire. It was a beautiful idea, sans the camping. I’d rather go glamping, thank you very much. One time camping was enough. I grinned at the fond memory. I went camping with my family once and had to share a tent with Evie and Soraya.

It was great. It was like a sleepover. But I could’ve sworn I’ve seen a snake or two crawl outside and that kinda ruined the experience and sleeping on the cold hard floor wasn’t a picnic either.

I stood outside our house and watched as Bryce packed up the Jeep with their bags, tents, and some food my mom made for them earlier. I would’ve gone with them but I was told this could be straining for me since I’m due to give birth soon. With twins, you never know.

I’ve been having small contractions since this morning but I didn’t want to ruin Bryce’s trip with Keiki.

Gnawing on my lip I’m trying to decide if I should tell him, because if I do then he’ll cancel his trip and I don’t want to do that.

So I’ve been a bit worried all day.

Bryce looked up at me as if he felt my stare.

”Don‘t look so worried Lunes. We can go another weekend if you’re so worried. It’s close to your due date, Lu. I mean I know that twins usually arrive earlier than the expected due date.“

He looked slightly concerned and was torn if he should cancel the trip. His brown eyes were full of worry. The usual spark in his eyes was dimmed.

I walked towards him and tried to lighten the mood.

”I’m fine. See? Totally peachy!“ I smiled and did a little pirouette. Or tried to at least. It looked more awkward than what a pirouette should look like.

Bryce wasn’t convinced by my little performance.

We both heard some barking. That must be Knox, Adam‘s dog. Adam had a meeting with a potential client in Maui. He makes and builds his own furniture, and has his own company right here in Honolulu.

So when he asked us if we could look after Knox? We were more than happy to.

So both Maxi and Knox joined us in the house and are currently in our garden enjoying the sun and playing a round of catch.

I smiled and Bryce relaxed a little too. I hugged him, he pulled me closer, and I breathed in the fresh cotton scent and some cherry from his shower gel.

I looked up at him.

”If I should go into labour I’ve packed my bag just in case. Maxi and my mom are inside, my cousins and Meilani will be here shortly and I have your and Keiki's number on speed dial. It’s all good. Go have fun. We‘ll still be here when you come back.“

Bryce sighed and went to close the trunk of the Jeep. He walked over to me again.

”I hate leaving you here. Maybe I should just stay here. Yeah, that’s a good idea. Keiki will understand.“

I laughed as he tried to walk back into our house and I pushed him towards the car.

”Go and have fun B. I mean it. But don’t have too much fun without me.“

He took one last look at me and gave me a lingering kiss. One that made my toes curl. I smiled against his lips.

When he broke off the, he kissed me on the top of my head and got into the car.

I grinned at him and he smiled back, though the worry isn’t completely gone, it’s dimmed down a little. So I tried a reassuring smile.

”It’s going to be fine babe.“

”Alright Lunes. I’m sure things will work out.“

He nodded as if more to himself and grinned.

”Keiks let’s go. You can text your boyfriend in the car.“ He yell d towards the house and Keiki ran out the door with a blue metallic bag over her shoulder.

”Fyi he’s not my boyfriend. I was calling a guy who’s name I’m not telling you, so that you can win the betting pool.“

”Jesus.“ Bryce muttered, making me and Keiki laugh out loud.

She hugged me, smelling like peaches.

”Bye Looney.“

I grinned at them.

”Have fun guys. Love you.“

Bryce honked once and they were off, the headlights getting smaller.

My mom, Maxi, and Knox Adam’s dog were keeping me company. My mom said she’d spend the day with me until Bryce got back.

I walked inside our house once Bryce and Keiki were on their way.

As I closed the front door, a sudden pain made me clutch my stomach. I let out a slow breath. Okay, this was definitely a stronger contraction.

Maxi walked towards me, Knox in tow. She grinned but then took one look at me and rushed towards me.

”What’s wrong sugarplum?“

She guided me gently to the couch.

”I don’t know. It felt like a contraction. But that’s not possible. I'm not due yet.“

Once I sat down the pain was almost gone. I sighed in relief. Maybe it was because I overexerted myself today?

Meinlani said that could happen. I lifted my legs and laid down on the couch. Damn, this felt good. I sighed in relief.

Knox puts his head on my knee and I pet him behind his ears. Which makes him lick my hand. He’s a sweet dog.

My mom came over. She took one glance at me and a worried look entered her blue-green eyes.

”You okay baby?“

I nodded. Eyes closed. And I am. The pain was gone. At least for now. Maybe it was just a false alarm, and the small contractions I’ve been having since this morning were just preparation? I hoped that’s true.

”Why don’t I make you some chamomile tea? Hmm?“ She put a strand of my dark blonde hair behind my ear. I sighed in bliss.

”Two sugars?“

She kissed me on my forehead.

”You got it, baby.“

The next couple of hours were pretty uneventful. We chatted and watched Bridgerton. But I just couldn’t concentrate. I love that show. But I had a bad feeling.

Earlier I tried to reach Bryce to check in if they got there okay, but the call didn’t go through. Maybe they had bad cell signal? Of all days for the cell service not to work? Seriously screw you cell towers.

I was almost fast asleep, Knox by my side when the doorbell rang. I opened my sleepy eyes as Maxi got up and pinpointed me with a look.

”Don’t you dare get up. I’ve got it.“

I laughed and stayed on the couch.

”Who missed us?“

I turned my head and saw my cousins Evie and Soraya walk in. Followed by our friend and my OB/gyn Meilani, and Soraya‘s wife.

They all leaned down and hugged me.

”Good to see you’re following my orders to rest.“

”I’m a good student.“ I grinned.

Maxi snorted.

”That’s not true. You were up and about almost all day.“

”Luna!“

”Ohh. Someone’s getting a lecture.“ Evie said from across the room.

My mom let out a laugh.

Meilani was holding back a smile I can tell.

”Well you’re resting now, which I’m counting as a win.“ Meilani said and sat in the other armchair next to Meilani. Soon we were all laughing.

My mom's phone rang on the counter.

”Hey love.“

I could tell from the tone of her voice that it was my dad. She only talked like this when my dad was near.

”No, I haven’t heard anything about thunderstorm warnings. I’m with loon-moon, you know since Bryce went on that trip with Keiki.“

She listened some more and she was darting concerned looks at the phone.

”Yeah I agree. We’ll stay inside, don't worry. Love you too.“

My ears perked up at the words ”thunderstorm warnings“ and I sat up with Meilani's help.

My mom disconnected the call and we all looked at her.

I stared at my mom expectantly.

”Brian called and told me there were severe thunderstorm warnings issued. They’re urging everyone who doesn’t need to be outside to stay at home. I hope Bryce and Keiki will be okay. Looney, have you tried reaching him?“

I nodded.

”My calls and texts didn’t go through. What if he gets hurt? And they can’t reach anyone? Oh god.“

I tried not to cry but it was no use. I was full-on crying because I was worried about Bryce. Maxi reached me and hugged me.

”Hey come on don’t worry. Bryce is a tough guy, and he’s pretty resourceful. But don’t tell him I told you that. He'll tease me until eternity. So try to think positive. He’ll be okay.“

She kissed my temple and I tried to relax, but a shrivel of worry stayed where it was.

I nodded, got up and slowly walked to the bathroom. After drinking that chamomile tea I had to pee all the damn time.

It was good thinking that Bryce and I had installed another bathroom downstairs. To be honest I couldn’t walk upstairs right now just to use the bathroom.

As I opened the door I felt a wetness dribble down my feet. I stood frozen to the ground. Not moving an inch.

I was scared that if I moved I’d make it worse. I know that‘s technically not possible. But I’m scared. And a slight panic settled in the depths of my stomach.

Oh no. Not now. Please, not now. It’s too early.

I tried using the breathing techniques I used when I have an anxiety attack. Maybe that would calm me down a little.

Is the water supposed to break? I thought that was just a thing from movies and TV shows. But apparently, it’s a thing.

I must’ve made a tiny sound because I heard some tiny little footsteps clacking on the wooden floorboards.

Knox must’ve heard me. He stood there and watched me. When I didn’t say anything, he barked and I put my hand through his soft golden fur.

”It’s okay. No need to worry right? Women have given birth before, right?“ Even I could hear the panic in my voice.

”Lunes? Do you need help to sit down on the toilet?“ I heard the others snicker.

But I was not in the mood for jokes.

”My water just broke.“

They stopped laughing and I could hear them coming closer.

Meilani was the first one followed by my mom, Maxi, Soraya, and Evie.

Meilani shot me a reassuring smile.

”Okay no need to worry. Why don’t you go and wash up? We’ll grab your packed bag and drive you to the hospital?“

I nodded and Maxi was by my side and coached me through my breathing.

”Deep breaths sugarplum. Come on. In and out.“

She instructed me and I repeated it a couple of times before I was able to breathe normally again.

”I’ll go wash up.“ I said.

”I’ll bring you a change of clothes.“ Maxie said and went upstairs.

Evie and Soraya stood there unsure what to do, so I turned to them.

”Can you guys try Bryce’s phone again? I’d feel better knowing that he and Keiki are okay.“

Evie nodded and Soraya went outside to see if Meilani needed any help.

”I couldn’t reach him before. But I’ll keep calling him.“ Evie said.

I went inside the bathroom to wash up. Hoping we’ll make it to the hospital in time. Hopefully, the streets will be cleared despite all the storm warnings.

When I went outside I saw Soraya rushing in. A concerned look on her face.

”We’ll have a problem getting to the hospital. As I was turning on the engine, I noticed that the car was stuck. It hasn’t stopped raining, so the trails are too muddy from the rain.“

I sighed and when a contraction rolled around I tried breathing through it. But I couldn’t help the whimper that escaped.

”I was afraid of that. The calls to the hospital didn’t go through either. I tried calling my head nurse Valerie. But I can’t reach anyone.“

She looked around trying to reassess the situation.

”Okay we’ve got this no problem.“

”What do you need?“ My mom sprinted into action.

Meilani looked around.

”We need to make a make-shift birthing room. The contractions are pretty early on, so it could take hours before Luna is ready to push. She has to be fully dilated. Again that could take hours, and maybe the streets will be cleared up by then. We also don’t have any medical supplies or an epidural that I could give to Luna. I’m not going to risk an infection to either her or the twins.“

My mom nodded.

”Okay Meilani and Maxine you stay with Luna and make her feel comfortable. She doesn’t need any added stress to her right now. Soraya, Evie, and I will try to get the car rolling again. So that we can make it to the hospital.“

Everyone nodded while I was walking back and forth, not able to sit still. When I’m anxious I tend to walk a dent into the carpet.

When everyone was done making a makeshift birthing room, Meilani pointed for me to lie down.

”Alright. Let’s make you comfortable.“

Meilani sighed and looked up at me. A serious look on her face.

”How long?“ I asked, my eyes full of tears because Bryce wasn’t here and I couldn't reach him.

”We’ve got time. So try and relax. I know it sounds a lot, but you’ve got this okay?“

”Sure I’ll just lie down and feel all peachy. That’s a-okay.“

Meilani smiled at me, completely ignoring my sarcasm.

”But just so you know the contractions are only going to get more painful. So I’m going to time the distance to know for sure when it’s time to push okay? That way we’ll be able to at least have some time to prepare alright?“

I sucked in a breath and nodded.

”The contractions are going to be worse than what I’m feeling now? Yeah sure no problem.“

”You got this babe.“ Meilani smiled and her smile put me a bit at ease.

Bryce

Nothing but the blue sky above us as we drove towards Waianae Mountain Range. Listening to Elvis Presley songs. The top is rolled up, and we’re singing out loud.

Keiki laughed at my singing technique. Making me sing even louder.

It took us a little longer than an hour, but hey that’s fine. We made it and that’s the most important thing.

I turned off the engine of our Jeep when we arrived at the campsite. We got out of the car and put our bags, the tents, and the food we packed out of the car trunk.

I grinned at Keiki. Then I heard her curse as she tried to get the tent up and I grinned.

”Need any help there Keiks?“ I smiled.

”Nope. I’ve got it.“ She replied.

”Hopefully this time you can get your tent up, not like last time. When it all fell apart.“

Keiki turned around and pointed an accusing finger at me.

”That‘s so not true. You helped me build it. So technically it’s your fault it fell apart.“

I laughed.

While putting up the tent, I couldn’t shake off this bad feeling I’ve had ever since we started the trip. I tried reaching Lunes but there’s bad cell service out here. I barely have any bars on my cell phone. It seems as if there won’t be any cell service for some time.

When we heard thunder roaring in the distance we both stopped setting up our tents.

My gut feeling was confirmed when I saw dark grey clouds rolling in, where just a while ago the sky was brilliantly blue before.

”Damn it.“ I cursed again.

I went to my car and turned on the radio to see if there were any severe thunderstorm alerts issued for Honolulu. I found a radio station and only caught the last sentence.

”…urge people to stay inside. There are severe thunderstorm warnings for Honolulu, Kailua, Waipahu…“

I turned the radio off and walked towards Keiki who looked up from building her tent.

”You okay?“ She asked with apprehension written across her face.

”There were several thunderstorms issued and I have a bad feeling. I also can’t reach Luna.“

I pushed my hand through my hair.

”I’m sure she’s fine.“ Keiki tried to reassure me, but the worry stayed with me.

Keiki reached into her bag and gave me a signal booster for my phone.

”Luna's dad gave me a signal booster for my phone when he heard we were going camping. I’ve brought it with me just in case.“

”You’re a lifesaver Keiks.“

She smiled at me.

I tried reaching Luna and when I did it was not her voice I heard. It was Evie‘s. Luna’s cousin.

”Thank god Bryce. We’ve been trying to reach you for hours.“

I could hear a voice in the background.

”Evie? What’s wrong? Is Luna okay?“

Evie was back on the line.

”Her water broke. We’re on our way to the hospital.“

Her voice stopped me in my tracks, my heart started beating faster and I could feel the blood rush through my veins.

”What? When? Is she okay?“

Keiki looked towards me and when she saw my panicked expression she walked towards me and put her hand on my shoulder. I gripped her hand tightly.

”Wait, I'll give her the phone.“

I heard some rustling and then Luna was on the line.

”B?“

When I heard her voice I breathed out a breath of relief. I didn’t realize how tense I was. My shoulders dropped, since Luna’s voice instantly relaxed me.

”Are you okay?“ I asked because I wanted to hear if she was in any pain.

”I…yeah. I’m fine. But B? I can’t do this without you. Please tell me you’ll be here?“

I sighed. And activated my doctor mode. I tried to act as if this was one of my patients. But it only worked for a short amount of time.

”I’ll make it. Don’t worry, and don’t start without me. But seriously you’re in good hands. Meilani is an exceptional doctor…“

I didn’t get to finish when I heard her cry out.

”Lunes?“ I said and then I heard Meilanis' voice.

”She’s fine for now. We’re on our way to the hospital. So you better get your ass there Lahela.“

”How far along is she until she has to push?“

”We’ve got a little bit of time, but soon. We wanted to go there earlier but with the thunderstorms, it was raining and the car was stuck. The others are trying to get the car out so we can get to the hospital.“

I nodded as if she could see me.

”Alright I’ll be there.“

I heard more noises.

”I have to go Bryce. Luna needs me. Please be there. She can’t do this without you.“

”I promise I’ll make it.“

That’s when we ended the call. And I pinched my nose. And then I had to laugh because it reminded me so much of something Ethan would do.

”What’s wrong?“ Keiki asked me. And when I didn't answer her immediately she yelled my name.

”Bryce!“

Her voice shook me out of my daze.

”Luna’s water broke.“

”Wait, didn't you say she wasn’t due yet?”

She looked at the dark sky above us and her eyes turned worried.

I rubbed my neck nervously.

”Yeah. But sometimes you can go into labor earlier. Especially with twins.“

”Then we should go. I don’t think this camping trip will take place today. The weather is too bad. There could be landslides, especially in the mountains. And we don’t want to be here when that happens.“

I nodded and we both got our stuff packed up.

”You’re right Keiks. We should head back. Before the roads get too bad.“

I was loading everything into the car when I heard Keiki's voice.

”I think it might be too late for that big brother.“

I stuck my head out of the car to see where Keiki was pointing.

She pointed at the trail that was completely covered in mud. Even with our Jeep, we’ll have a hard time getting the car going.

Dammit. Of all days for a thunderstorm to arrive it had to be today of all days. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad omen. Though I truly hoped that it was a good omen and that the Hawaiian gods would be merciful with the weather today. Saying a silent prayer I looked up and hoped I would be there to witness the birth of my children.

I breathed out and turned to my little sister.

”Alright. Let’s not panic. Let’s try if we can get the car onto the road.“

Keiki nodded, but I could tell she was not convinced that we’d get the car on the road.

I turned on the engine and after a couple of seconds we got on the road and I swerved to avoid any muddy parts on the street.

We made it halfway home when we hit a pothole and got stuck.

It rattled the car for a second, and I tried to back out of the pothole, but no dice. No matter how hard I tried we were stuck.

”What now? Should we try to move the car?“ Keiki asked.

I shook my head and I hit my hands on the steering wheel. Frustrated.

”Fuck. I hate that we got stuck. Today of all days.“

Keiki slapped me on my arm.

”Well we won’t solve it by sitting inside the car. Let’s see how bad we’re stuck.“

I felt myself nodding and we got out to see how big the pothole was.

”Yeah okay we’re screwed.“ Keiki whistled.

I shot her an annoyed look.

”What? I’m just saying.“ She grinned and I laughed half-heartedly, as I was trying to calculate how long it would take us if we made a run for it.

”How long would it take us if we made a run for it?“ I voiced my thoughts aloud.

I looked at my sister who got her phone to see how far it would take us.

”It’s 10 miles from here.“

”We could make it in time.“

Keiki chewed on her fingernails. Painted in a deep pink shade.

”You’re faster than me. I could stay here in the car and you could go to the hospital. I’d only slow you down. I’m not exactly a sports person.“

I was torn if I should just go, leave my sister behind, and miss the birth of my twins or if we should make a run for it.

Keiki sighed.

”We’re wasting time debating this. Just go. Give me the booster for my phone and we can stay in touch. I’ll be fine I promise.“

I sighed and looked at her.

”Are you sure Kei-Kei?“

She nudged me forward.

”Go! I don’t want my big brother to miss the birth of my nieces. I’d never hear the end of it. Also if you faint please take pics, I want to remember this day.“ She said grinning.

”Very funny Keiks. I’ll stay in touch.“

”I’m going to be a dad.“ I shouted and she grinned at me, shaking her head.

I gave her the signal booster for her phone, kissed her on her forehead, and made a run for it.

As I was running I kept praying that I made it on time for the birth of our twins.

Which spurred me to run faster.

Kuakini Medical Center, Honolulu Hawaii

Luna

As another strong contraction hit me I cried out.

Meilani kept shooting me dirty looks.

”Luna. As your doctor, I’m telling you we can’t wait any longer.“

”Please, Mei. I can’t do this without him. Please. Just 5 more minutes, please?“

Meilani closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, she crossed her arms over her chest and sighed, seeing that I wouldn’t budge on this.

”Alright, fine. We’ll wait 5 more minutes. After that, it’s pushing time.“

I nodded.

Bryce

I was wheezing. Almost wept from joy. My calves are killing me, but I’m almost there. Just a couple more steps and I‘m at the hospital. I could see the building already coming closer.

I made it to the hospital, and rushed through the hospital doors all muddy and sweaty.

As I was on my way to the elevator a voice stopped me.

”Where do you think you’re going, young man? This is a hospital.“

When I turned around Brenda gave me the evil eye.

”Lahela you know the rules.“

”Yes I know. Please! Luna is upstairs, she's about to give birth. I can’t miss that. Please.“

”At least get a little cleaned up!“

I groaned. Seriously?

”Could you be a Karen somewhere else?“ I muttered under my breath.

”What was that?“ She cleared her throat.

”Nothing. I’ll get cleaned up, upstairs. Thanks, Brenda.“

”Yeah. Yeah.“

I sighed in relief as I punched the elevator button and the elevator rode up.

All I cared about was that I made it to the hospital to be there for Lunes when our twins were born.

The elevator dinged and I almost stumbled out of it, because I couldn’t wait to get out into the hall.

The first person I saw was Grace, Luna’s mom walking back and forth. Soraya and Evie were next to her sitting on the hard plastic chairs.

When Grace saw me coming in she started to cry and hugged me. I hugged her back. Though I’m anxious to see Luna.

”Thank god you made it Bryce.“ She put her hands around my face and I smiled at her.

I turned to look at Grace when I didn't see Luna anywhere.

She pointed to a room to the right and that’s when I heard painful screams coming from inside.

Luna must’ve already started pushing. I winced. Hating I couldn’t be there for her from the start. But I tried to not dwell on that. I’m here now and that’s what counts.

Grace smiled at me.

”Luna has already started pushing. She waited until the last minute. But she had to start.“

I nodded and got going.

”She’s inside with Meilani and her head nurse Valerie.“

I nodded and opened the door. Meilani didn’t look up as she guided Luna through the birth.

I quickly scrubbed in as fast as I could and joined Luna and Meilani.

”Okay that’s good Lu. That’s good. Just keep pushing.“ Meilani said in a soothing voice when I got to Luna’s side who shot me an angry look.

”Where the fuck were you B?“

I winced and then I smiled at her for using a curse word.

”Let’s leave story time for after you’ve given birth. What’s important is that I’m here.“

”I’m going to kick your ass for this later.“

I grinned and kissed her forehead.

”I wouldn’t have it any other way.“

Meilani grinned and her head nurse Valerie stood next to Meilani, keeping track of the heart monitor.

Meilani‘s voice got me out of my trance.

”Dad? Wanna do the honors?“

I squeezed Luna‘s hand and stood in the front to catch the first baby.

As I did, a loud cry filled the room and I suddenly held one of my girls in my arms.

”I forget how tiny they are when they’re born.“ Valerie smiled next to me and I nodded.

I looked at my little girl, and a whole new love entered my heart. I wasn’t prepared for this feeling.

It’s as if my heart was going to burst from all this love. Making space for new people entering my life. I still couldn’t believe Luna and I created these beautiful babies.

I took my daughter's little hand in mine and kissed it.

”Hi there, beautiful. Look at you being all pretty huh?“

”A new member in your Ohana.“ Valerie kept sniffing.

I nodded and kept rocking the baby and when she opened her eyes she looked at me and stopped crying.

”It’s your awesome dad. So cool right? Look at your mom. Super strong and going at it.“

Valerie laughed softly at my comment and I grinned.

I turned to Luna and waved with my daughter's little hand at Luna.

I kissed our baby's tiny forehead and Valerie took her from me. Taking care of the washing and weighing.

Then I was at Luna’s side again and together we got to see our second baby. Another loud cry just like her twin sisters filled the room, as she entered the world.

My heart couldn’t be fuller at this second, as I looked down at Luna and saw her tired but happy face look up at me. I kissed her and she sighed.

Meilani‘s voice got us out of our reverie. We must’ve looked as if we smoked too much weed. Goofy expressions on our faces as we looked at Meilani.

”Congratulations you two. I’m so happy that I could be a part of it.“

”I already know my vagina won’t be the same after this.“

Meilani laughed out loud and I grinned too. If Lunes can make jokes then she’s okay.

Valerie walked towards us and handed me Kehlani and Alaia. We heard the door open and when we looked up all we saw were the faces of Grace, Evie, and Soraya.

They all opened the door wider and entered the room.

”Look Keilani Mae and Alaia Rose are finally here with us, Lunes. They’re just as beautiful as their mom and dad.“

Luna rolled her eyes.

”I knew you’d bring yourself into the conversation.“

”What can I say? I’m good-looking. Says so on the onesie.“

Luna just shook her head and grinned, probably too tired for a comeback.

”You’ve done it. You gave birth to two beautiful girls.“ Meilani wiped away some tears. And we all just smiled, letting this little miracle, er…miracles, seep in.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Soraya and Evie walked towards us and held the little twins. Cuddling them and peppering them with kisses.

”Sky is going to be so jealous that he didn’t hold the twins first. Let’s call him.“ Evie said and Soraya nodded.

They handed them back and I held them close as I put them on Luna’s chest.

Luna started to sob when she saw the twins for the first time. She touched Kehlani's little cheek with her forefinger.

”They’re so tiny and smell so beautiful. Like a new book. For a new chapter of our lives.“

She looked up at me and I nodded, too full of emotions to form a proper sentence so I just nodded and we enjoyed the time with our twins.

Luna

Holding your babies? It was a whole new level of love.

It’s something I didn’t know I wanted so much, as I held them close and took in their newborn smell. My love, my life.

I‘d lay down my life for my twins. I’d do anything to keep them safe.

As I looked down at them. I couldn’t believe they were here. It seemed as if I’ve been waiting for years to see their tiny little faces. I swore I’ll be a good mom.

A new exciting and thrilling feeling filled my body.

Giving me a new superpower. I’ve never felt this strong. I felt invincible. That’s probably the meds talking. But I don’t fucking care. It’s exactly where we belonged. I never thought this was the road my life would take me.

With Bryce, Kehlani Mae, and Alaia Rose. Our beautiful little family. Our Ohana. Our lives, no our love has grown ten times fold.

I smiled up at Bryce who had the same look in his cinnamon brown eyes as I did.

He leaned down to give me a gentle kiss, making this moment perfect.

Bryce

Luna fell asleep and was resting in the hospital bed. As I kept holding the twins.

There was a rocking chair in the corner and I sat down with the twins.

I've been rocking the twins to sleep for over an hour, but it felt as if we were in our tiny pink bubble of love. Nothing could touch us.

I heard a soft knock and looked up as the door opened.

It’s Grace and Brian. Luna’s parents.

Grace just started crying when she saw me again. She tugged at her husband's jacket.

”Do you see what I see? Oh my god Brian, look at those two beautiful angels! I mean I know I’ve seen them earlier, but my heart is about to explode.“

Grace shook Brian’s arm. Almost ripped it out of its sockets and I chuckled to myself. I can see where Luna got her excitement from.

”I know I’m standing right next to you so I see exactly what you see darling.“ Brian replied softly.

Grace rolled her blue-green eyes, just like Luna‘s.

”I don’t even care about your sarcasm right now.“

I smiled at them.

”Do you want to hold them?“ I offered knowing that if I don’t, Grace will just take them from me and cuddle them close to her.

Grace just nodded.

”Say hi to Kehlani Mae and Alaia Rose.“

”Hi there Lani.“ Grace held Kehlani‘s little hand and she blinked her sleepy brown eyes open.

Brian smiled fondly.

”Rosie looks so sweet.“

I sat back down next to Luna who was sleeping peacefully after not only giving birth to one but two babies.

Our rockstar.

I loved that we were able to experience the moment of our twins' birth together. Our love and genetics made this happen.

This is our Ohana. And I’m grateful that we‘ve started a new chapter in our lives.

[in3rci4]

Can I Get An Angst With All The Boys, Basically They Never Believed The Reader, And They Get In An Argument Because They Thought Reader Drew Over Gwen's Homework ( I Saw It On TikTok ), And Basically In The End Moose Confesses It Was Him, But It's Too Late, After The Reader Said : " I'd Rather Get Kidnapped By The Grabber, Then Stay With You Assholes, You Think Everything's My Fault ", Reader Gets Kidnapped, And Like I Said, Moose Confesses, But It's Too Late, And They Regret It But It's Too Late? Sorry IF It's Too Much To Ask, You Don't Have To Do It If You Don't Want To, But I've Never Seen Someone Do That, So I Would Love What You Comes Up With ❤️❤️

Jsjskskdkdkk this is gonna be interestingly hard to do , but I appreciate that you trust my writing and sent your request , i really needed so I don't slow back 😭🫶

" IF I ONLY I KNEW , THE LAST TIME WOULD BE DIFFERENT "

PROMPT : Reader is confronted by the The Black Phone boys about something they didn't do , and that would be the last time reader would be seen alive before getting kidnapped killed by The Grabber

Characters included : Finney Blake , Gwendolyn Blake , mention of Susan / Suzanne { Gwendolyn's friend } Bruce Yamada , Amy Yamada , Robin Arellano , mention of the two jackass dudes on Gwen's vision about Vance , Vance hopper , Griffin Stagg , Billy Showalter , Buzz , Matt , Patt , Moose ( idk his last name )

Author's note : I'm really sorry if this isn't what you wanted , but I believed that in some cases it would be practical or better to write in different yet similar situations excluding Gwen's direct participation or writing the exact phrase you told me and changing it instead for every character, hope you like it anyway , I really enjoyed writing this 👍✨

WARNINGS ! : ANGST , DOMESTIC VIOLENCE , MENTION OF KIDNAPPING , DEATH , MINOR ABDUCTION , LONG ASS HEADCANONS , BULLYING , UNFAIR SITUATIONSHIP , RACISM , SLUT / FAT SHAMING , EATING DISORDER ¿? , THREATENING , ANIMAL ABUSE / DEATH , GAS LIGHTING ¿? MANIPULATION ¿? HOMOPHOBIA , MENTION OF SUICIDE , NO USE OF Y/N , PLATONIC / GENDER NEUTRAL READER , POSSIBLE SPELLING MISTAKES , VIOLENCE , BLOOD , ETC

FINNEY BLAKE

His little sister is someone that will share everything with him , her celebrity crushes , her latest gossip , her favorite new book , etc , and he would listen everytime even if he didn't care that much about it

But Finney noticed that she was more quiet lately , but Gwenny would always say she was tired , and that's it .

Until one day she confessed his older brother that she had some of her notebooks pages scratched , tore apart and with really awful drawings and messages , some really gruesome to describe a little girl . Finney was of course mad , because did not only Gwen hide something from him , but there's someone messing with his sister that he knows she didn't mess with first

Gwen defended herself saying that she was trying to find who did it but she couldn't do it , until yesterday , when she asked her classmates once again who did it and they said that someone older enter her classroom when her backpack was still there

Suzanne , her best friend , added new information about the situation : She saw you entering to her classroom with color papers rolled up

He knew you from the mathematics class , so when he saw you escaping trough the empty hallways , he followed you , and decided to confront you

" Stop it , I need to talk with you "

You turned around and saw him grabbing tight his backpack shoulder strap

" You need to stop doing those things to my sister , she's only a 6th grader and didn't do anything to you , it's not ok to draw those disgusting things and write that stuff on Gwen's notebooks , you're older than her , you should know that "

On Finney's perspective , he was in front of a kid of his same age that has been bothering his sister not only in a anonymously way , but in a constant way too , trying , no , decided , to make them back off from her

But in your perspective , you woke up and didn't have the opportunity to eat even an apple as a breakfast because your parents started to bark at each other again and then you , when they couldn't find the keys of the car and saw you existing on your house

Who would guess that the only time you entered on a 6th grade classroom was to put some color papers for the kids by your art's teacher orders ?

You obviously got offended , and started to tell your version of the story , you were not only dealing with your family madness once again , but this too ?

When he saw you not backing off and not telling " the truth " he told you to stop playing the innocent / victim card and just accept what you " did"

You couldn't simple just pretend you didn't call slut shaming names to a child .

His insistence , the way he was talking , gas lighting you like your parents did before , triggered something in you that made you started to blurry your vision and just walk away when your tears started to fall down your face

Not exactly aware where you going , you walked away from school , and sat on the edge of the side walk hiding hour face in your arms and legs

That's when you heard a strange voice say

" Why's the river dear child ? Would magic make those tears disappear ? "

2 weeks after that encounter your missing person poster was all over the town .

One of those days once again , Gwen finds in her notebook a bad quality drawing of you dead with a speech bubble that had " It wasn't me" written on it

Finney was ready to walk home side by side with Gwen but she had a serious expression on her face this time , without saying nothing , she takes her notebook and shows the drawing of you to him

The siblings could never look at your photos again without feeling guilty , 3 days after you went missing the unholy trinity bastards of Buzz , Matt and Patt admitted the fault , making them feel stupid for not thinking about them as suspects of it in the first place

Specially Finney , who can't stop thinking that he was the last person that saw you alive , yet that time he made you cry , he made you go away

He was the one that has the fault for your gone , and he has to live with the feeling . All .His . Life .

BRUCE YAMADA

Coming back from chilling on a friend's house Bruce goes upstairs to change clothes on his bedroom but when he was on the hallway of the second floor he hears quiet sobs coming from his little sister's place

Confused , he puts his ear close the door to hear better and knocks at the girl's door , but there was no answer , she continued crying

Slowly , he opened the door of her bedroom , and found his little sister Amy sitting on the floor with her cheeks all wet from so many tears dropping from her eyes . Bruce had to admit that lately he and his sister weren't close like they used to , him being a teenager and stuff

But even then , he sat next to her and rubbed her back asking what happened and why she was so sad , he was expecting the reason to be a broken toy , a nightmare , a heartbroken from her playground crush , anything

Anything... Except that someone of his class was making fun of her and breaking her favorite school notebooks and pencils , the ones she cherished the most , and threatened her to stay quiet ... The little girl being too scared of even mentioning the names of the responsable... Or responsables...

" Don't worry Amy , I will make sure they stop bothering you , I promise "

The next day when the teacher sat down to look over some papers he asked permission to talk with everyone in the classroom about what happened , and find out who did it

" Y'all probably know I have a little sister , Amy , yesterday when I came back home she told me that someone in this class was mocking her in all possible ways and breaking her stuff like favorite notebook or color pencils . If you have a problem with me , I have all the time of the world to solve however you want to , i don't care , but messing with my sister and 6th grader kid ain't right , you're supposed to know better than that , unless y'all cowards that will stay silent and not tell me the truth in the face "

The teacher was too shocked to speak with the sudden serious attitude of the star student and the people sitting on their desks were unsure to speak or react since they didn't want to messed up more and makes things more difficult more than the situation already is

Until a girl said that he should go and tell the same exact thing to you , the " guilty " one , that has been gone the entire class after asking to go to the bathroom and probably knew he was going to find it out

You in the other hand were going about to have a breakdown and didn't want it to be around everybody that categorized you as the " ugly quiet kid " from the back of the classroom , you wanted some time alone , and went to the bathroom , where you cried over those horrible thoughts in your mind until your eyes were to dry to drop more tears

You washed your face and tried to compose yourself to not look " recently sad " and did your regular breathing exercise in these cases . Now done , you went outside the bathroom , and just in a few steps , you saw Bruce

You tried to give a closed lips smile to give the " I'm ok / friendly " facade , but he didn't return the gesture , he was in fact , not as happy and smiley as the usual Bruce , he was .... Different

" You should've know I would find it out sooner or later , when did I did something wrong to you ? What Amy's had to do with this ? Why involved her ? Why mess with her instead of just , I don't know man , tell ME those things ? "

You were confused and disoriented , you couldn't put the pieces together of why Bruce was being this harsh or what he was talking about , all you did was stare

" You're not gonna say something ? You have nothing to say after breaking her stuff , telling her to die , to stop eating and to leave the country where she was born ? To a innocent little girl instead someone of your age ?"

You tried to defend yourself but it was useless , the entire group blamed you to keep the spot away from them from being guilty and nothing could change Bruce's mind about it , after all , if you were innocent , why you went out of the class on the first place ?

You didn't have the energy to keep arguing or to stay while the principal or teacher called your parents and wait for the worse to happen , for something that you didn't do , so you walked out from school and decided to head straight to your best friend's house , your only safe place

But you never got there .

That night after the Yamada's were done eating dinner , Bruce knocked her sister's door , opened when he got Amy's permission and with a smile , he told her

" Hey Amy , I just wanted to tell you that I already told the bad person to stop bothering you and they promised to stop doing it , you don't have to worry anymore "

But the smile soon fade away when Amy's asked her older brother if he told the boyfriend of the girl to stop too

And then he realized what he done ... His mistake ....

That girl was his rival baseball team pitcher's girlfriend , and since they were afraid to put anything up with Bruce due his popularity , they came for Amy instead

He would ride his bike on the way to school hoping to see you again , to apologize and start over , but he never did , he never had the chance , only your missing posters like a painful reminder of who you were are .

ROBIN ARELLANO

He's used to be called all type of names , he's a dark skin hispanic boy living in the 70's after all , although he doesn't let himself be down for it anymore , and instead he learned to be proud of who he is

So when he would see racist slurs on his desks or papers with written messages on it on his backpack , he would only sigh because how tedious it was to clean those from his desk and sometimes laugh at the creativity of some insults

But the anonymous dutch bag didn't only stayed with him , oh no ...

Not surprised at all , it wasn't Finney who would admit having insulting messages written on papers that had a long list of homophobic slurs hided on his backpack , but Gwen , who told him what was going on with his friend

With a mixed feeling of anger and sadness , he only told his buddy that It'll be over as soon as he found who's the coward behind all this , and thanked the girl with candies

It was harder to find the fucker this time , no face , no voice , no nothing , except one thing , their hand writing

He may not be math's smart , but he's for sure an astute dude . When nobody was looking and the teachers were eating lunch , he entered the classroom and started to check one by one the hand writing of Finney's classmates , comparing them with the last " letter " that they left for him

Unlucky you , your hand writing was almost exactly like the one in the paper , and with your name already known , Robin was ready to clarify some stuff with you

On your way to school you heard someone calling your name , and by your surprise , the one calling you was the second toughest kid in school , and that caught the attention of other students walking on the streets . Walking towards you , calm yet with a serious expression Robin said

" You know my friend Finney , right ? Your classmate ? The one that has to deal with your bullshit every fucking day ?"

Oooooh's were heard from the kids and you honestly started to get scared because the situation felt unreal to you

" I'm getting tired of telling this over and over , you know ? Fuck with Finney again .."

He stops , just a few steps from you

" I'll fuck with you . Get it ?"

You couldn't just stay silent so you spoke your yourself

" Excuse me but I don't have any idea of what are you talking about "

For you he only nodded in silent after you talked , in the other hand , it was taking all of Robin's inner strength to not smack your face for pretending to be clueless about this

" Finney had to deal almost A MONTH with your paper shit that has your hand writing on it , so stop pretending you're innocent , cus you ain't "

You still couldn't believe what was going on , the whispers between the crowd that you didn't know when did it formed started to get louder , but your voice was still stucked in your chest that was pumping from the adrenaline

" Don't believe me ? I'll show you "

Suddenly your arm was grabbed and everyone gasped , Robin takes a paper from his Jean's pocket and shows you a paper that has the message " Better kill yourself like your mother did faggot trash " with yes , an identical copy of your hand writing , now how can you explain yourself at this ?

As soon as the young chorus started to scream for " Fight !" you feared the worst , so unintentionally your eyes started to water up and you plead to be left alone , that it was mistake , that it wasn't you

But he didn't believe you , instead , he started to shake you while keeping the paper close to your face

" If I ever saw your hand writing again on this shitty papers I'll make you read every fucking message you wrote after I beat the shit out of you in front of everybody in school , understood ?"

You tried to explain , you tried to make him understand that it wasn't you who did everything that he said

" I said , UNDERSTOOD !?"

Defeated , you nodded , and he let you go with a disgusted expression . Not being able to handle more eyes staring at you , you walked back to your home hoping your parents were still there and didn't went to work yet , so you could at least have a shoulder to cry on

But you never went back home .

1 week before Moose and Robin's fight and 3 after your disappearance another message was found on Finney's notebook

" your cocksucker friend got the wrong one fairy bitch"

Moose got what he deserved right after , but at what costs ?

You were gone , and everytime Robin walks in the street and sees your photo on the missing posters can't stop wondering why he didn't did the right thing and looked further instead of just blaming you

But nothing that he has to say would bring you back , ever .

BILLY SHOWALTER

Billy would focus only on paying attention in class , do his homework , study and repeated all over again , it was like that since he left the football team , and it wasn't bad either

He was on the middle ground between popular and invisible , and he was thankful for it , because he didn't have to deal with a lot of people or assholes that saw him as inferior to them

But everyone has to taste suffering once in their life , right ?

At first , in his desk he would find the usual vulgar drawings and slurs that were similar as the one written all over the men's bathroom walls . They were easy to erase , no big deal

Then the messages had his name on it , but he didn't felt like a personal attack to him , his name is a common name between boys , no panic

But the messages started to be written on his notebooks and school manuals , and those were harder to erase or ignore like the previous one

Billy was pissed , he didn't had the energy to deal with a bully and his school material ruined after working so hard in keeping it on shape , but his " consolation " was that the one doing this didn't even have the courage to show their face .

They were miserable people with free time on their hands that decided to make him their target , they must be really bored to choose him though . And nothing works better for these type of garbage than ignore them

The last part being ... half true .

When the insults got boring , repetitive and easily forgettable , the no name writer took a more serious turn , took the challenge of making him mad on their own hands

His concern grew up faster when the messages talked about jumping him in the hour of his paper news delivery , writing his house direction repeatedly and scary drawings of dead dogs

Now he couldn't let it slide . Not with his dog , not with his best friend , not with her . He needed to put a stop to this , needed to find who

He packed his stuff more slower this time watching over his shoulder wich classmates were faster to go and who stayed longer to leave

And you , he never noticed before , always were the last one to leave

He went to the cafeteria to buy a snack and time and went back to the classroom , he walked into the classroom and , oh surprise , you were there again

Billy didn't understand why you hated him so much , he doesn't mess with anybody on this god damn school , but now he doesn't have time to listen your reasons , now you will listen to him

" You better stop writing that shit on my notebooks and manuals or I will tell the teacher about your sick messages "

Confused , you tried to come back to reality after you zoned out for so long to understand the situation

" I'm sorry ? What messages ?"

He step closer but never too close to you , frustrated

" Oh come on man , you're the only one that stays after class in this place , the only one that takes a eternity to walk outside the classroom , I'm tired of your fucking bullshit ! I don't fuck with anybody or you in the matter , AND YET , I have to tolerate my notebook and manuals ruined because of you ! "

You tried to speak to clarify the situation but he interrupts you with a much louder voice , you never thought it was possible to see him like this

" I better not see you at the streets or I'll throw a god damn paper new on your face , less than anything to my dog , you better not touch my fucking dog or I'll do worse than that !"

Oh no .... A ... Dog ? .... Like .... The once you had but lost recently ?

Before Billy took his backpack from the chair , he looked at you one last time

" My parents and I work hard to get what I have , you know ? ..."

You felt sorry... This isn't your fault , it's so sad what he's telling you , but-

" I don't care if you insulted me or whatever , but don't fuck with animals , they can't defend themselves... So you better watch out what you do "

That left you with a bad taste in your mouth , someone wanted to hurt his pet , his companion in his daily life an mornings of delivering

School's over , you waited for your parents to pick you up while you were thinking of what Billy told you , you really needed to tell him tomorrow that you ain't the one he's looking for . You only stayed alone on the classroom because you were grieving by your own the death of your dog

But the day tomorrow never came for you .

The same day of your kidnapping , your classmates waited for Billy to throw rocks at him while he was riding his bike , he almost fell down , and Harper almost looses her eye for those bastards

When he came back home and his mother started to patch him up , he couldn't stop thinking that he barked at you for no reason , that he didn't even let you speak for yourself , how stupid he was for letting Harper be hurt by his incompetence

Seeing your photo on the paper news was like a kick on the stomach

" I'm sorry for what I said to you ... "

But it was just a piece of paper , while the real you was buried 3 feet under the ground of that man's basement .

GRIFFIN STAGG

Griffin at first was the perfect target for bullies . Kind , non confronting , quiet , a "weak " book worm that didn't anyone either to stand up for him . With time , the same bullies got bored of him , as if they were expecting a more dramatic reaction from him , but no , he would just let it happen , and that took the " fun " of bullying him they thought

And for for many years , he would be invisible for everybody , he told himself he liked being left alone and have his privacy , but deep down , it was the acceptance to the fact that he didn't have any friends , and nobody wanted befriend him neither , not like he felt he had a lot to offer

But at least he was in peace to study , eat and read whenever he wanted to . At least he has that .

Or well , he had .

He would found his backpack on the trash can , maybe a bully confused his backpack with another poor bastard ?

But It kept happening , so that was not a confusion anymore .

Sometimes his notebooks would be all scratched all over the pages until it was full black , some manuals of his had broken pages as well His mom better not find that out

Different from the past , he tried to make it stop this time . He tried everything , changing places where he kept his things , carrying his backpack whenever he could , even changing locker combination and writing them down on a secluded notebook

But no matter what he did , how he did it and when he did it , his backpack would always have a horrible surprise waiting for Griffin to see

It was almost like some poltergeist was messing with him at this point .

He was already frustrated from so many bullshit going on , but what sent him to the edge of explosion was that the book he got from the library , " The little prince " by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry , got dipped in presumptuously dirty toilet water , a book that he needed to return or else the librarian would not allow him to take books anymore

The moment he thrown the book away back into the trash he rushed into the bathroom and cried from anger . Griffin could only ask himself , why ? Why someone wanted to ruined his life so bad ? Why after so long jerks remembered his existence ? Why or why this is happening to him ?

The next day after he had P.E he saw you taking his backpack out of the trash , and since he had so much frustration accumulated inside him , instead of rationalizing you helping him , he saw you as the persecutor of his misery , blaming you without second thought

He grabbed his backpack with disgust and anger and looked at your other arm where you held your books .... And saw the name of his recently bought book " Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury "

" Hey , that's my book , give it back ! "

You put both of your arms in front of the two of the books , the story and the big grammar manual

" What !? no ! it's mine ! I was just trying to get the backpack out of the trash ! "

He dropped his backpack harshly , he was not having it

" Cut me some slack , will ya !? I only wanted to read and do my homework like a normal person in school and you had to make my life a living hell ! The librarian lady don't trust me anymore because of you ! Give me back what it's mine !"

You tried to protect the book with your arms but Griffin with all the strength his body was grabbing your arms and trying to open them , you were really struggling to keep fighting much longer

The moment you dropped the books he took as fast as a light switch the one he was looking for , but you didn't want him to go away with your favorite book , so you both started to pull harder to get it

But the book was teared apart as you both fall into the ground , you with only the half of the cover , and he with the broken book

" Look what you've done ! You ruined another book again ! "

Frustrated at the boy's attitude you got up from the ground and went after the teacher's to call your family because " you started to feel sick " , and lucky you , they were planning on taking you out for lunch

Your family noticed that you were more quiet than usual , but you only said you were tired ... Tired of regretting to help someone and get your stuff stolen so much

Outside the restaurant , you saw trough the window a puppy that started to look around and seemed lost , you tried to tell your family about it , but you couldn't see exactly where did they go

You went outside , it was just a one sec thing .

You called the puppy and put your hand close to it so they could smell you . The puppy started to cry and move it's paws , as soon as you started to pet it they started to lick your hand , tickling your skin and making you giggle

In one sec you got outside to pet that cute little puppy , and in one sec , the bad wolf , the so called The Grabber , took you away .

Griffin wanted to kick himself when he saw the same book that he broke inside his backpack , deciding to tell his mom once for all what was going on so she could help him buy a new version of the book and give it to you

2 days later , your missing posters were all over the school path , making the boy scared of how fast this Grabber was taking kids away , making the boy sad for having two copies of the same book because he didn't checked his backpack first

Later on lunch break he found his backpack once again in the trash , hearing a group of girls giggle behind him

He wishes to go back in time to make things different , but that's something that happens on books stories only .

VANCE HOPPER

There was no doubt Pin Ball Vance Hopper was the toughest kid in school , and he knew it , proud of his status that gives him the ultimate " Don't fuck with me " power

A lot of people had tried to take his title away , many wanted to have the privilege to say they defeated him , but the more time would pass , the more feared he was , because he would win again , and again , and again .

So that being said , nobody wanted to even look at him in the wrong way , walking on eggshells whenever he's around , and that's how he likes it or how he got used to

Now tell me , if everyone in the entire school knew to stay on their fucking places , why the fuck he had his pencils stolen and broken in two ?

Now , he wouldn't wait to find out who , oh hell no , he's not gonna tolerate that shit happening

He started to ask and grab by the shirt any poor idiot that looked at him more than 2 seconds when he demanded explanations , but they would always answer the same thing

" No please , don't hurt me !" " I'm sorry , I don't want any trouble ! " Chill man , I don't know what are you talking about !" " please stop you're hurting me ! " And bla , bla , bla , bla , bla

But it didn't only stayed on messing with his pencils , no , no , no , the motherfucker started to write his locker all over with threats and a colorful variation of insults

But nobody saw who did it , nobody saw nothing , nobody sees shit when you need it , and that made Vance even more cranky than he already was

The no name no face fucker pulled up a move that nobody has dared to do before , touch his drawing notebook .

He couldn't find it anywhere , students were scared for their lives even if they didn't even knew that thing existed when he started to shout like a furious demon , teachers couldn't calm down the problematic student or make him explain calmly the situation

And then he walked out from the class , from school , without saying anything else , only coming back the very next day with a crowbar to open himself every fucking locker until he founded his notebook .

Teachers yelled at him to stop terrified , students were on a distant circle shocked about what they were watching but too nervous to stay close to Vance Hopper with a possible weapon on his hands , you being part of that confused and scared crowd

He opened 9 , 10 , 11 lockers , and no signal of the only drawing notebook that he has , number 12 .... Your locker , it busted open , and it inside had a similar looking notebook of his . He grabbed the notebook , checked the pages , and he confirmed that he got back what he was looking for

But Vance needed an answer , now .

" Whose locker is this , huh !? WHOSE FUCKING LOCKER IS THIS !? WHO STOLE MY FUCKING NOTEBOOK !?"

By your surprise , the people got away from you and kept starting at you in a way of saying " This is the owner of the locker "

He dropped the crowbar and speed walked towards you , and since you knew you wouldn't be able to defend yourself in any way, you started to run away , and so did him

You felt your feet almost slipping away , his angry breathing and foot steps sounds behind you , along with the distant sounds of the students keeping the track to see your public execution

You don't remember how exactly you did it , but you lost him , and got away hiding behind the school block's back place

Tired and with your legs and lungs burning , you lay yourself to the wall and try to compose yourself , never acknowledging that you were on the school's block , yet outside on the street

With your eyes closed and a body that had already gave everything to escape before , it was easy for the bad man to kidnap you inside his van .

The school suspended Vance for a week , nothing new he would say , but this time the police was more rougher than before the time they came for him

The majority of the people thought that the young man Hopper had something to do with your disappearing , and the police did too , but he told them the truth , and said he didn't even knew you were gone if he was on his house all day and that was .... Half true

He saw your missing posters all over the neighborhood , but he didn't care that much , he kept living his life while trying to beat his damn high score , another kid was lost in the town , so what ? He's too strong to be kidnapped anyway .

The police set him free , and he went to the Grab n' Go once again

Inside , Mrs Ellen wasn't there , and his dear pin ball machine had .... Had a crack on the glass of it !?

He looked around to see if somebody was there as well , but nobody was on the sight

If The jungle queen machine could speak , it would cry over the graffitis they made over the tigers on the sides

" Motherfuckers .... "

Two familiar boys entered inside the mall , one with straight brown long hair and other with a black curly hair and a bandage on his right arm

" Remember us dip shit ? We told you were coming for you "

The two had a pocket knife and a thirst for vengeance , vengeance that they should have kept anonymous

Angry like a wild hungry animal , he fought the two kids with his bare hands until carving once again on their arms with those tiny ass knifes whatever shit would come to his mind as if the first time wasn't enough for them

The kids ran away trying to keep the balance on their step , but failed due how fucked up their faces were and the pain on their arms

Vance sat tired on the ground with his hands covered in blood . Him seeing those two dumb shits run remembered him the last time he saw you

We really ain't nothing in this life , isn't ?

He chased you for nothing , and God knows where the fuck you are now , probably dead , never able to see the sun again

The lady of the mall screams in fear to see the blond messy hair kid like that after getting out from the washroom

" ... I would say I'm sorry if I could or if you were still alive , but that wouldn't change shit . What it's done , it's done .... "

The junior Pin Ball wizard thought as he heard moments later the police siren coming for him .

[assorted-candy]

20 Q's for Fic Writers

I got tagged by @dp-marvel94! Thank you!

1. How many works do you have on Ao3? 

I've just posted my 22nd work a few days ago!

2. What's your total Ao3 word count?

37,763

3. What fandoms do you write for?

So far, all my published fics are for Danny Phantom. It's a fandom that's near and dear to my heart and my favorite to write for. I've written fanfiction for myself in a lot of different fandoms over the years. Miraculous Ladybug, Mega Man (Star Force, Battle Network) and Fire Emblem are a few. (Will these ever see the light of day? Probs not, lol)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?  5. Frayed Ends - 37 kudos - Jazz and Maddie are fighting more often. Jack wants to reach out and help his family. 4. The Same Blood - 45 kudos - Maddie and Jack try to help a sick girl that collapsed in front of their house. They don't know what to make of her condition. Danny wants to help.

3. Returned Home - 49 kudos - Maddie finds Danny at home after he disappeared ten months ago.

2. The Broken Pieces Left Behind - 66 kudos (tie) - Maddie knew what the portal did to Danny. If she could create something that essentially turned him into a ghost, she could figure out a way to fix all of it. Even if she hasn't made any progress in the past two months, she'll keep trying. She didn't account for what Danny wanted. 1 . What's Out of Out Control - 66 kudos (tie) - Danny thought he had it under control. He thought he could finally hang out like they used to always do. Tucker could feel the rift between them widening. It wasn't getting smaller anytime soon.

5. Do you respond to comments?

I try to! There were a few comments from my two earlier fics that I never responded to and it's already been so long and I feel like I ended up putting it off too long to say anything now 😓But I'm so so thankful for all the comments I receive! I never thought anyone would read my work, let alone comment on it. I'm always between two modes of 'author commentary' and 'screaming thank you and running away'.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Lol, I love my angsty stuff and there are so many different flavors of angst, so it's hard to pick just one. I'd say the piece I aimed to write for Angst Fest, The Broken Pieces Left Behind, might be it. It ends on a rather hopeless note for the Fenton family that even I don't know how to make everything better for them

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Probably Home for a Cat. It was for a Ectoberhaunt prompt that I was absolutely stumped on. So I decided someone was going to adopt a cat by the end of the fic.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Ahh, so I actually posted a fic on FFN wayyy back when I was in high school. I remember it being received pretty well but I got a really rude comment on a simple spelling mistake. Back then, I was just told I had dyslexia a few years prior and I had some really bad self-esteem issues tied in with that. So, yeah, that comment basically made me terrified to ever show my work to anyone ever.

It's been over ten years since then and I wanted to actually get over that fear. I impulsively decided to do Angst Fest with the mindset that no one would even look at what I posted. Not only did people look, everyone has been so kind!!!

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

lkdajldkf, nope. I get flustered trying to write basic romance and having two characters hold hands, lmao. Major props to those that can, it's definitely a skill that takes time to master just like any other genre.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I haven't.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Also haven't had this either.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nope, but it seems like a lot of fun.

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

Back when the show was airing, Amethyst Ocean (Danny/Sam) was my go to. I'm a sucker for friends to lovers tropes and it's really nostalgic for me. But, I don't really read a lot of shippy things for Danny Phantom, so ships don't make or break a fic for me.

If I'm looking to read romance, the whole Love Square (MariChat my beloved) with Miraculous Ladybug will always be great. Even if I jumped ship on the show around season 2 or 3 and I have no clue what they're doing now, lol.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I honestly have so many WIPs that are unfinished on my computer from over the years. Maybe a super old one that I titled 'Phantoms in the Daylight'. Angst once more with Character Death as the main pain point. I like the beginning but oh boy, does it get sloppy and confusing real quick. I'd need serious outlining energy put into it if I'd ever want to salvage it and I just don't have it in me.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue! Give me two blorbos and I'll make them talk forever.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Scenery and description. I love the dialogue portion so much that I end up running into the floating heads in an empty room problem in the first drafts of my fics. My first round of edits are dedicated to making sure I have a scene and grounding characters into it. And then I have to go back later to make it not feel so robotic sounding.

(Also a weakness but more as in fic than writing. Summaries and Titles. I stare at my drafts on AO3's editor for at least half an hour trying to pull something together, lol)

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I can probably talk about this for hours, lol. I absolutely love foreign languages, especially when it comes to linguistics. So, I'll try to be brief, lmao. Short answer: depends on the fic but normally no. I already spend so much time fussing over the word choice/slang/formality/dialect characters use in my native language. I don't have a good enough grasp on another language for it to sound natural to the reader. ("They would not fucking say that" is my internal monologue during dialogue edits, lol)

19. First fandom you wrote for?

It's a toss up between Pokemon and Danny Phantom. I first learned about fanfiction from a friend who showed me FFN for the Pokemon fics. I looked around the site and found all of the Danny Phantom fics soon after and got hooked on those. I started writing around then and it would have been for one of those two.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

Hard to chose one! Writing technicality wise, I'm proud of how What Remains on the Table turned out. I consider description my weak point, so the original draft was 0 dialogue with very stiff descriptions. I was able to edit it to really practice my environmental storytelling. (Although, please mind the tags if you click the link as it does deal with the dissection topic)

I'm not sure who's been tagged and I'm not sure who writes fanfic, so @lavendarlily, @fangirlwriting-stories, @grub-xd, @nanaarchy and anyone else that wants to join!

[mcl-ng-hr]

Hello!

I finally decided to write my thoughts about the game down! So here is my own "little" review, which is in fact quite long, and segmented in three parts, beginning with a general review, then my personal opinions on the LIs, and finally some more specific likes and dislikes.

Thanks in advance for reading 😘️

General Opinion

First off, the interface is refreshing, and I appreciate all the efforts put into it, although I admit it can be quite heavy, and therefore buggy (even without anything else running, on a good laptop). For this reason I'd like being able to disable some features (the animation of the transition between pages, for example, gives me a lot of troubles).

I like that Candy can have a more defined personality, and I also like how we can better understand the intention behind the answers now. No more "what? but that was not what I meant by choosing this"! For the new AP and gems system… I am still wary of it for now, and will see later if it is really as manageable as it seems. I also like sending hearts to other players, so even if they don't end up useful I'm still happy to have them I personally like the idle mini-games, and am quite curious about how the other game will be. I also think the calendar is a nice touch. And lastly, the jokers seem nice and promising, though I would have preferred having a stock-limit instead of them being temporary.

Story-wise, I like that things are going rather quickly for the beginning, and I trust they'll know when to slow things down later. I saw a few reviews saying these two first episodes felt punitive, and let me tell you… Yes. Amanda disliking me right of the bat on my first play was unexpected. So was Roy. And Devon. But I think it is kind of the point of starting a new game, we don't know their personalities yet, so it's quite normal to screw up when not using guides. But yeah, it was frustrating and Devenmentiel broke my heart.

The Love Interests

Jason is my favorite so far. Why you may ask? … I find him funny. The man is just having fun being an annoying bitch, and I absolutely love that for him! He also was one I had a quite good Lo'M with at my first play without even trying (rip Roy and Devon who did not appreciate), and it felt quite nice since things did not go so well with most of the other characters. And of course being the antagonist has its own ring, and in my taste the white streaks of hair too.

Amanda comes in the second place with Thomas. Even though my first play did not go well with her, I managed better on my second, and I quite like the relaxed Amanda.

For Thomas, he is the one I had the easiest time with on my first play, everything went smoothly and I found him pretty nice and relatable, though I do not plan on following his route.

Devon is the one I am the most neutral about I think, I don't particularly like or dislike him yet, though his route does intrigue me in a "Ah shit, here we go again" kind of way.

… Now, listen. I do not dislike Roy. He honestly seems like a great dolphin-loving guy who likes to be half-naked a lot and decided to dislike me when I was trying hard for him not to! He is just not my type. This is nothing personal, I swear! Joke aside, Roy is the one I like the least for now. And honestly, it is a shame, because I totally see why other people appreciate him. But the warningless half-nakedness happening twice summed to his for now unexplained short-patience with Jason really did not woo me, quite the opposite in fact.

Other things I like:

I find Candy's customization quite good! Whether it is for the illustrations, where you can choose between different skin colors, or for our profiles. Candy can also have disability aids (though no mobility aids yet) and a panel of skin features for really cheap, and you can not know how happy it makes me! There also are so much outfits from the beginning, and though many of them have to be paid with real money, Beemoov needs to be profitable, so I think it's rather fair (and hopefully, we'll be able to get those outfits through mini-games).

The music and the animation. I said it before and I'll say it again, I absolutely adored the theme switch when Jason appeared, and I also liked the creativity in the animation very much too. I can not wait for other such things to happen again.

Things I find too bad:

So far there has only been one character that is not thin (two if you count Danica who will show up later), and I regret that all of the men Love Interests are so fit. I can not tell you how down bad I would have been for a fat Devon or Roy (I get that Roy is the athletic type here, but you can be incredibly strong and not be skinny).

Amanda being rich was really emphasized, too much for my taste, on my first play it made me feel like being rich was her main personality trait, which made me uncomfortable. I would have preferred a more subtle way to express it (show don't tell amiright?).

I would have loved to see more not-conventionally-thought-as-attractive features in the LIs, like visible disabilities for example, or different noses, or scars, the kind of things that make the characters feel more real.

What I hope for later:

For the characters of color to be written like ones, with at least their cultures included in some aspects of the game. I understand Beemoov's wish to keep the game lighthearted, so I'd personally understand if they choose not to show racism in the game, but I would also hate that to be an excuse for ignoring the characters' cultures when addressing them would actually be relevant. Here is a better post about the matter.

More non-skinny characters.

Hopefully some in-game disability representation.

[dilfiam-afton]

Do you take one-shot requests? I was wondering if you could maybe write William reacting to the reader kissing his scars? I really enjoy the one you wrote with William being insecure and the idea of the reader kissing his scars popped into my head

Why yes I do!

"It adds character"

Summary: Just because William hates his looks doesn't mean you can't love them, right?

Per usual, I try to keep this as gender neutral as I can, and the reader is of age!

It was a lovely, yet (unfortunately for you) rather early summer morning in Hurricane, Utah. The sun wasn't up yet, and it was rather cold in the early mornings. Well...You wouldn't be up so early anyways if it wasn't for William! William loves starting his days super early; waking you up with soft kisses, before he moves on to take his morning shower while you prepare breakfast for the two of you and then finally, have breakfast together before he needs to leave for work. And with William being the tradition loving man he is, he expects adores it, when you lay his clothes out for him in the morning. Gestures like that make him feel more appreciated - but today you forgot.

So, naturally, you decide to fix your little mistake before he takes notice by simply laying his clothes out now. You snuck into the bathroom, balancing a neatly stacked pile of clothes in one hand, using the other to open the door. Apparently you hadn't thought of fixing your mistake early enough because William had already finished his shower and was now standing in front of the bathroom mirror, applying some sort of ointment to his springlock scars. The man chuckled to himself upon looking at you through the mirror. "Thank you, love. Almost thought I had to get my own knickers!" you jokingly rolled your eyes at him before giggling. "Would it have killed you to, though?" you joked along to which William replied with an exaggerated nod. "What is that lotion anyway?" "Oh, this?" he held up the little tin of ointment, the label on it read 'scar ointment' "this is s'posed to make up for the dumb mistakes you made when you were younger which left you permanently disfigured!" and even though he said it in a sing-sang, joking tone you didn't feel he meant it lightly.

"Oh..come on now, Darling." you stepped closer to the man, already having placed his clothes on the bathroom shelf, "you're not disfigured!" "what else would you call all this, then?" william wildly gestured all over his scarred body. You shrugged, letting a finger run over one of the many scars of his back. "I'd say-" "careful there!" you quickly pulled your hand back, startled by his sudden loud voice. "I'm sorry, Dear. They're just sensitive" william quickly apologized "ah I see. Is that what that lotion is for?" "What, the ointment? No. It's supposed to make them look less...obvious, brutal." oh. After a few brief seconds of silence, you simply asked him why he'd want them gone. He chuckled "why would I not? Not exactly pretty, are they?" "well I like them!" you quickly blurted out - "they make you unique! Just like the small toothgap you have. It's just those little things that...I dunno..just add character"

"If you say so." was all he replied before he continued massaging the ointment further into his skin. For a brief moment you just stood there, not knowing what to do. Did you offend him? Sighing, you did the only thing that came to mind - pressing your lips to his scars tenderly, before reaching around him to get some of the ointment to help him with the scars on his back. At first he tensed up as your little lips first met the tender flesh but he quickly re-gained his posture. The both of you stayed in comfortable silence and all his scars were now kissed and well covered in the ointment you left to start breakfast.

A few minutes later you already found William sitting at the table, smiling sheepishly. "What are we having?" "Eggs and bacon on toast sound alright?" "It'll do" "Did I upset you?" William let out a long sigh before replying "not really, no. I'm more upset with myself than anything. See, I used to be the charming, handsome businessman. And now? People think I'm hideous, an Idiot, even! Every so often children at the diner ask their parents 'what happened' upon seeing me and more often than not their parents reply with something like 'things like that happen when you do something that's dangerous and dumb for money!'" he let out a huff "I just don't like the way things turned out for me. After the accident, my ex wife didn't want to touch me anymore. My own children were afraid of me! Even henry would sometimes grimace in disgust when I rolled up my sleeves and he saw the scars." You put a plate with food in front of him, before gently wrapping your arms around his shoulders as he sat and just simply started eating. "Sorry anyways. Not your problem, I know. Situation just really bothers me is all.." "awh..I get that" you kissed his temple, caressing him, silently comforting the while he complained until he had to leave for work.

You were even more determined to make him feel loved than ever now.

{Should I make this a mini-series as well, maybe? Y'all tell me. Anyway! I'd suggest anyone who wants to send in a request of their own to look at my rules, I pinned them :3}

*1 - LOOK AT HIS LITTLE TOOTH GAP AWJWJWJQJE

Also! Nuudels William and I have the same teeth. So does Willem DaFoe.

Picture belongs to @6simp_nuudel9 on instagram

[heyiwrotesomethings]

First time requesting- because it always freaking closes when I even try lol.

Anyway I don't know if you had a prompt/request yet witha girl with the hanahaki Disease, and yes I've read your recent post. I'd also like it too have a good ending sooo.

I was going to ask you, when you can create either an Asa Mitaka (yoru?) x Female Reader. where Asa has the Disease right but listen she's jealous before she want's too confess to the reader but sees that reader has been hanging around with yoshida lately and you know that how she develops the Disease.. and get's really sick, so that Yoru has too take over too get asa to confess to the reader who's currently hanging with Yoshida..

The reason being is that the reader is Yoshida's co-worker also as a private devil hunter..So Yoru understanding the new information then tells the reader that (Asa) likes her and then disappears (go back?), so that Asa can properly confess.

That's it I really want it to be an happy ending. But if you're not comfortable with the character who can change it :)))

Petals

Asa Mitaka (and Yoru too kinda) x She/Her Reader

A/N: Writing for these two was so fun. Probably too fun because Yn doesn’t get very much time to shine, whoops. I’m not sure if the scars and eye pattern that show up when Yoru is in charge is just for the reader’s tracking benefit or if it’s a physical thing that all the other characters can also notice, but I decided it was the former because if the other characters can see the change, it would be weird for no one to bring it up. Thanks for the request, hope you like it! Word Count: 1,736

“Pathetic, I couldn’t have possessed someone more pitiful.”

“Shut up.”

“How long do you think we can survive like this? Why are you so stubborn?”

“I told you to shut up. I don’t know.”

Asa spat another petal into the toilet, wiping the blood from her lips with the back of her quivering hand. She flushed the toilet and shuffled out of the stall to the nearest sink, washing the blood from her hands and lips.

Feeling a little faint, she gripped the edges of the sink and closed her eyes, breathing in deeply. After taking a few breaths, she opened her eyes, finding her sickly pale reflection staring back at her. Asa blinked sluggishly. In that brief time, her unblemished reflection had morphed into a scarred, visibly annoyed version of herself.

“Go to her. Tell her now, or I will.” Yoru warned.

“You will do no such thing!” Asa spat, her fingers curled tightly over the rim of the sink.

“You know how this disease works. Will you really allow yourself to die without even trying? Is your sense of self-preservation really so weak?” Yoru snarled.

“It doesn’t matter.” Asa swallowed thickly, “She’s already with that private devil hunter guy. They hangout all the time now,” her grip on the sink caused it to crack beneath her finger tips but she paid it no mind, too busy recalling where it all went wrong.

“I was going to tell her… I was, but then that whole thing with Bucky happened and then the Class President and you invading my body. And then there was what happened with Yuko too. All while my life was becoming fucked, Yoshida Hirofumi used that time to steal my chance with (Y/n) away.”

“Spare me,” Yoru rolled her spiraled irises, “Humans are fickle. Even if she is with him, that doesn’t really mean anything. And if she doesn’t want to leave him, who cares. We just kill this Yoshida guy and she will be single again. She could be yours by the end of the day.”

“Why do you even care anyway?” Asa grumbled. She was in no mood to try to explain to a devil why everything she had just said was not only stupid, but also laughably insane.

“Because this is my body now too. I rather not go back to hell in such a depressingly dull manner. Besides, if she grew to love you, she’d make a very powerful weapon.”

“Yoru!” Asa hissed through gritted teeth.

“Not saying it has to be her,” Yoru groaned, crossing her arms, “but if you ever found yourself getting bored of her…”

“I’m done talking to you. I have to get back to class. I’ve been gone long enough as is.”

Asa pushed away from the sink on wobbly legs and exited the bathroom just as the clock tower chimed, signaling the end of classes. Damn it, had she really been in the bathroom all hour? She slunk against the wall as she walked through the sea of bodies making their way to their extracurricular activities and cleaning duties. Though she was sure it was pretty evident to her teacher that she appeared ill, she still didn’t want to run into him and suffer through an interrogation about her deteriorating health.

Asa was tired. Her throat burned and her chest was unbearably sore so she was going to head straight home to mope in her bed. Yoru would no doubt be pissed that she was going another day without looking for a suitable weapon, but she quite frankly didn’t care at the moment.

She froze at the top of the stairs before descending, having heard a familiar laugh that caused something to tighten around her lungs. She saw (Y/n) coming up from the opposite direction, Yoshida smiling by her side. Of course.

Asa clenched her jaw, ready to stare daggers into the boy, but then she had been spotted.

“Hey Asa, always good to see you,” (Y/n) called with a friendly smile as she continued to ascend the stairs, “How have you been?”

“F-fine.” Asa could hear Yoru scoff. “How are you?”

“Pretty good. It’s a shame we aren’t in the same class this year. I‘ve missed you.”

Asa’s vocal chords might as well have been ripped out of her throat, but before the silence could last too long, Yoru yanked her into the metaphorical backseat.

“I’ve missed you too,” Yoru spoke with as much fondness as she could muster, “we should do something together soon. Maybe this weekend?”

“Yoru— don’t embarrass me I swear to god—!”

“I’d love to. I really would, but I’m busy this weekend.” Asa took at least a little comfort in seeing that (Y/n) looked genuinely disappointed. “Can I take a rain check?”

“Of course,” Yoru nodded, “It doesn’t have to be on the weekend either. Any day of the week, I’ll be there.”

“Yoruuuu,” Asa blushed, “You are being weird!”

Fortunately (Y/n) seemed to take the words in stride and her smile brightened, she opened her mouth to say something else, but then Yoshida put a hand on her shoulder.

“I don’t want to rush you, but we should keep moving if we’re going to make it to the meeting on time.” He said, the kind way he looked down at (Y/n) was enough to make both Asa and Yoru want to bare their teeth.

“Oh, right! Talk to you later Asa!”

“Later…” Yoru smiled tightly as the pair passed them by and continued on to the next set of stairs to take them to the next floor above.

“We need a plan.” Yoru said as she picked up Asa’s previous task of walking down the stairs. “I can already feel those damn flowers crawling up again.”

“I hate this. I hate him.” Asa fumed.

“I want to cut his hands off.” Yoru agreed.

“I’m not cutting off anyone’s hands.” Asa groaned.

“If you don’t confess soon, there will be hand cutting and so much more whether you like it or not.”

***

Another week of suffering had gone by, leaving Asa and Yoru feeling so much weaker. They didn’t even go to school on Monday, or the next couple days to follow. Asa seemed pretty content to wallow in her apartment, leaving bloody flower petals in her wake, but Yoru had had enough. On Friday morning, after it became apparent that Asa wasn’t going to leave her bed, Yoru commandeered the body and got ready to go to school despite all of Asa’s protests.

They arrived bright and early, Asa pleading with Yoru to just let it go before she made a fool out of them both and then inevitably died with a mouthful of flowers. Yoru paid her no mind, instead scanning the campus.

She caught sight of (Y/n) near the bike racks, scowling when she saw that Yoshida was still glued to her side. She could feel Asa’s negative emotions bubbling as well, quite possibly responsible for her own growing discontent.

“Yoru, turn around right now!” Asa demanded.

“Unless you have the strength to take back control, which I know you don’t, I will do as I please. Be grateful I’m going through the trouble of helping you with your insipid little teenage romance at all instead of simply killing you and taking your body as my own. It would make my life so much easier.”

It really made Asa wonder why Yoru hadn’t done just that and killed her when the disease began, or even before that since she hadn’t made any progress on finding out who Chainsaw Man was or making a powerful weapon to kill him. She didn’t dare ask, but it was something to think on.

Yoru walked over to where (Y/n) and Yoshida stood, nearly inserting herself between them before finally coming to a stop.

“Asa! Hi!” (Y/n) perked up, not at all put out by the interruption. “I heard you’ve been out sick most of the week, are you feeling any better?” She reached out to rest her had against their forehead, the gentle touch causing their collective heart to skip a beat.

“Mostly.” Yoru answered almost impatiently. “Hey (Y/n), I want to talk to you alone. Please.”

“Sure!” (Y/n) looked back to Yoshida, “See you in class, Calamari.”

Yoshida chuckled, a sound that grated against Asa and Yoru’s ears.

“Yeah, see you in a bit.” He confirmed with a smile before walking towards the school doors.

“So what did you want to—?”

“Come with me.”

Yoru took (Y/n)’s hand pulling her to the trees, further away from the students slowly taking over the campus.

“Why are you with that guy so much lately?” Yoru asked without preamble.

“You mean Hirofumi?”

“Yeah, are you dating him or something?” You won’t be for long if that’s the case.

“No,” (Y/n) laughed abruptly, “no, no, no. We’re coworkers. We both work in the private sector for devil hunting. We get along pretty well, but that’s the extent of it. Why? Do… do you like him?”

Was that unease Yoru sensed from (Y/n)’s tone, perhaps even a hint of jealousy?

Asa blinked, finding herself back in control.

“I’ll leave the rest to you. Don’t mess it up.” Yoru hissed against her ear.

“I- No, I don’t like him. I only asked because I,” she swallowed thickly, pressing her palms together, “I like you.”

“Really?”

The way (Y/n) seemed to brighten up at the confession gave Asa a boost of confidence.

“Yes, really. Would you like to go out on a date with me?”

“Yes, I would! I really, really would!” (Y/n) grinned, enveloping Asa in a tight hug.

“Really?”

“Really!”

“There are too many reallys flying around. You idiots deserve each other.” Yoru scoffed.

Yoru would never admit it, but she was feeling quite pleased about this development and not just because it would rid them of choking on scratchy flower stems in the middle of the night anymore. Yoru hummed thoughtfully,

“This whole ‘private devil hunter’ thing might pose a problem if she finds out about me… A problem for another day, I suppose. After she becomes too infatuated to care, perhaps. Again, if it doesn’t work out, very promising weapon potential.”

Asa gave Yoru a warning glare over (Y/n)’s shoulder before pressing her face flat against her, feeling the best she had in several weeks as the constricted feeling in her chest slowly began to ease.

[bluealienssimp]

Soft

Characters: Na'viJake Sully x HumanReader

Synopsis: Jake thinks Na'vi women are too rough.

Warnings: (kinda) spicy, and a little bit explicit.

Final considerations: this is my attempt to a birthday gift for @jakexneytiri, happy birthday babygirl! I'm sorry it looks bad, I've never write any smut or similar. Also, I wrote it in two days, lol. I hope you like it! (English is not my first language, so if you see anything wrong, please dm me)

The campfire lightened his eyes, adding him a look of a predator, carefully watching its prey.

You felt your spine shiver, the intense feeling that the prey is you.

Some Na'vi started to dance, they move and spin right in front of your eyes, and it caught his attention. Your muscles relax a little.

Soon, you felt a hand on your shoulder. Turning your head to see who it was you saw him, the predator. "Hey, pretty lady..."

With a mischievous grin, he grabbed your hand and took you to the middle of the dance.

"Jake!" you said. "What're you doing?"

He laughed, "Just having some fun, sweetie!"

"It's a mating dance! We shouldn't be here!" you yelled at him, blushing.

He rolled his eyes playfully. "and? I'm the olo'eyktan, I make the rules!" he spun you in the air.

"Jake!" you yelled when you couldn't touch the floor. "T-that's not how it works!"

"fuck it!" He laughed. He put his hands on your hips, the size difference screaming, shivers running against your spine. "You know what I meant!"

You cringed, trying to get smaller, even smaller than you already are. You felt so self-conscious.

Jake saw it and for the first time in forever decided to help you. He took you somewhere quieter, but now you're alone with him... He looked mischievously at you. "hey there, short stuff..."

"um... Hi?"

"Y'know... The mating season made me think about some things... "

"Wow! Is this possible?" you joke.

"Haha, you're so funny!" he mocked. "As I was saying, it made me think I don't have a mate yet."

"And? You don't have any cuz you've been denying anyone who approaches. And I know Aytanin confessed younger feelings!"

"I don't want Aytanin!"

"Why not? She's beautiful and kind, and she's so good to the kids!"

"She's too rough!"

"Rough? What do you mean by rough?"

He sighed. "The na'vi women are so rough... It's just skin and bones... No softness, nothing to squeeze or play with."

You blushed hard, widening your eyes. "Jake! I-I'd rather never have this conversation with you!"

When you make a move, ready to go, Jake holds your wrist. "Wait! You're my best friend and my last hope... Please, let me use you... Let me claim you as my mate!"

"What?!"

"I know you like the na'vis and I know you want to be part of the people too. That's the way we both can find what we want!"

"You're getting crazy, that's insane! I bet no one would accept the olo'eyktan's human mate!"

"They don't have to!"

"Jake-"

"Just... Just let me have a taste... I haven't had a human girl for ages!"

"Ok! But you won't tell anyone about it! Never!"

He smiled mischievously and walked closer. He took off your shirt, your pants, and finally your bra. A smile crossed his face when he saw your tits. "I missed this so bad..."

"Are you talking to my breasts?"

"Shhh! It's my moment!"

You laughed softly. He looked so focused on your breasts, not even blinking. "You're so soft... Damn, I'm getting addicted..." he moved his head closer to your nipples, licking and sucking them with such confidence. God, this man knows how to suck tits!

"J-Jake!"

"I'm so big... Could break you in half..." he murmured.

"Shit! I'm gonna have so much fun with you!"

[tleeaves]

Wasting Beats In This Heart Of Mine - how it would have ended

Hello, folks! As some of you already know or have heard me mention previously, my TLH fanfic WBITHOM is coming to an end. I am no longer comfortable with it being in the public eye since it involves a lot of personal stuff for me, and so I have decided to delete the fic entirely on every platform it's been published on (that's Quotev, AO3, and Wattpad) rather than rewrite the entire thing. This will also finally give me the chance to focus on other written works. Maybe I'll return to fandom with a rewrite one day for anyone interested, but for now, the future is dedicated to other things. The fic will be deleted in 48 hours, so readers on Quotev and AO3 have a chance to download the unfinished fic if they so desire before then or just have one last read. I ask that no one rewrites or adds an ending to my fic and publishes it anywhere without my knowledge and permission. Never put an author's work through AI either. I still have several copies of my fanfic and its outline, so I will always have evidence of where the story comes from.

WBITHOM is a monster, with the master document coming to well over 150,000 words and the fic so far being ~146,000 words (the entire outline and all my notes makes up over 4,000 words, yes). I predict that, had I finished the fic, it would come close to 188,000 words (so, there was a decent ways to go still). It's the biggest thing I've attempted, but because of that, it is also the most time-consuming (it's been almost a year and a half of writing, and each chapter either takes two full days to write or weeks) and it takes up the most space in my head, not really leaving room for the other ideas I want to explore.

So, as someone suggested, I thought I'd give readers who were hoping to see the fic to its proper end some closure. That's what this post is for: how it would have ended. Along the way, I'll explain some things too about recurring themes and motifs and all manner of behind the scenes and thoughts behind my ideas.

Character Arc Summaries

As readers know, this story follows the characters of Lila Raftis, James Herondale, Cordelia Carstairs, and Matthew Fairchild. They're all the most significant figures, though we do see other perspectives and side characters too. Essentially, Lila Raftis struggles with loneliness due to a myriad of other issues she has to work through, and James Herondale's arc starts with his depression and turns into a journey to authenticity where he feels like his own person and not just what he has been written or expected to be. Cordelia Carstairs' physical state of being lost extends to how lost she is within, and she ends realising that she has been continuously defining herself through other people. I see her as leaving London and the love triangle with James and (unconfessed) Matthew (and Lila) to deconstruct a lot of the ideals she was trying to live up to and why. As for Matthew Fairchild, I made the deliberate decision for him to turn into a werewolf and have that separation from Shadowhunter society so that he could pursue the arts and build a better life that he would find more satisfaction with, also eventually becoming sober. I took inspiration from his time at the academy, particularly when he turns to Lila in one of the earlier acts and asks if it's so bad to not be a Shadowhunter. At first, he regrets turning, but I planned for him to wind up relieved.

Honestly, while this work is very self-insert (and that's not a bad thing generally, but I've been finding it uncomfortable as time goes on, so that's why I prefer to take it down and keep it to myself), it was also my way of going How It Should Have Ended for the TLH series as a whole. I started it before ChoT, yes, but that book only led to minor changes and alternate paths taken -- I was already using ChoI as a base to steer these characters in the directions I thought they should go.

The Rest Of Act Three

The rest of Act Three of the fanfic is summarised below (...at length. It's a lengthy summary).

We ended the fanfic on the chapter where James and Lila returned to London, 1903 of his dimension. He was gravely wounded in his left arm, which ends up being amputated despite the efforts of Lila and Lucie (and Gus' help too). This is, of course, a reference to the recent fan art of James where a headcanon went around that the reason we couldn't see his other arm was because it just didn't exist. I took it and ran, which was not planned. I knew I wanted James injured so that Lila could return the care he once had shown her when she was wounded badly, but it wasn't going to be as severe as it ended up being. This is how we ended up at the Institute instead of 48 Curzon Street as I had previously planned for the chapter. James was going to be fine, but Cordelia had decided to confront Lila about several things, and they'd end the night having kissed -- which in turn leads Lila to going for a walk to clear her head and her subsequently getting kidnapped by Jonathan Bell (the Other James from another dimension). Anyway, the change did make some of these plot points awkward (😭) hence why I spent ages editing the make out between Lila and Cordelia because I could not decide how it should start and end. It was a nightmare. As Silver pointed out, it didn't make a whole lot of sense in the order of events (Cordelia should have gone to see James first), but I was in a mad rush to finally release the update since I knew people were waiting. The kidnapping also was not quite as dramatic as I envisioned it, but oh well. I'm actually quite happy with the rest of the chapter though.

From there comes the rest of the fic that readers probably will not get to experience, so that's why I'm writing this out, so you at least know the mysteries that I won't get to reveal and how we get to the end.

Jonathan Bell kidnaps Lila and, through the use of shadow, they end up in Paris, France. This is where Matthew also fled after his mother released him from the Silent City cells after he persuaded her into it. Lila ending up there and being away from both James and Cordelia, and spending more one-on-one time with our antagonist and Matthew since the earlier parts of the book was always intended.

Jonathan is revealed to have possession of another silver pen, which is a reference to a previous fanfic I wrote (also deleted) called Chain of Lies, where the pen could literally rewrite reality if you used your own blood for ink. In Jonathan's dimension, Lila ended up staying in his world and marrying him, but she also dies of a mysterious sickness during their honeymoon, so he uses the pen to go back in time and cancel their honeymoon, under the impression she would not get sick. Instead, she was hit by a car several days earlier, and died in the accident. Jonathan goes back again to stop that from happening, but Lila ends up dying again anyway, over and over again in different ways, every time Jonathan reverses time to prevent each event from occurring. Eventually, he goes so far back in their timeline together that he's reliving the December when they met, and that's how he knows how to divert the accidents in WBITHOM that threaten harm to this other dimension's Lila (are you still with me?). But before that, he created a time loop in that December of his dimension just trying to keep Lila alive for two years of his life whereas everyone else remained the same, but stuck in time. It's supposed to be very angsty and tragic, and it's a demonstration of one of James Herondale's core traits eventually twisting horribly wrong: how he would do anything for those he loves, whether that be family, friends, or lovers.

This character flaw/strength is something I reference lightly a few times throughout the fanfic, mostly in the ways he is concerned about the safety of his family and friends which he tries to find out from Lila, who has read Chain of Iron and knows what the future is supposed to be, and then how he reflects on how he does not know what he would do when someone he loves dies. Honestly, the issue is that he cares too much about people, which is both a good thing and a bad thing, depending on how far it goes. Jonathan is the literal embodiment of what would happen if James' care went too far, if it bordered on obsession, if he wanted to keep someone from dying so bad that he would sacrifice everything else, even the universe.

So, Jonathan finally confesses to the time-loop and explains that as a drastic measure, he tried finding Lila in another dimension to see if he could save her there, but this tearing of the time-loop to escape it worsened a tear that Cordelia had already created in her fight with Belial and the Mandikhor to such a point that it started growing and expanding and destroying the fabric of time and space between dimensions and the universe as a whole. You know, wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey... stuff (Doctor Who reference for those who get it). The thing he did not realise though is that in this timeline, Lila is not meant to die, so long as she goes back home instead of staying in 1903 (he still doesn't know this, it's just a fact I would have explained to the readers when we meet Circe, the employer of Poppy Morad (P.M.) and Saint Nicholas). This is supposed to leave Lila conflicted, because as much as she wants to hate his guts for being the reason for her family disappearing and the worlds ending, even this Other James is a reflection of her own nature, which is another thing that's been lingering beneath the surface for the duration as the fic: while James has a doppelganger that demonstrates who he might become if he cannot accept loss, he and Lila have similarities boiling beneath the surface that go unnoticed until an outburst we saw Lila have where she basically accuses James of being just like her (not complimentary at the time).

Lila as a character is someone who cares deeply, but is willing to sacrifice herself and others to protect what or who she cares deeply about (yet we also see her choose self-preservation over self-sacrifice a few times before she truly starts acting in service of others). Her circle of people she cares about is more limited than James', but the shared sentiments still stand. Plus, the way Jonathan has acted this entire time has always bordered on unnerving or odd -- I did that on purpose. He's been driven to obsession, where he's basically an extreme of what James and Lila believe in. And he is both James and not James in this way, if that makes sense. We see in one of Lila's nightmares earlier in the book Jonathan saying it does not matter which version of him he is or which version of her she is -- they belong together. Fully delusional at this point, but it's meant to be scary. I'm kind of obsessed that Jonathan is also a mirror for Lila to see how she might look to her James: someone who knows you way too well, but you've also never met nor know much about at all (she might know James but she does not know this one), who's inexplicably fixated on you (granted, James did not even begin to guess Lila's feelings, and hers were rather superficial in a way until they spent more time together).

Anyway, basically, the start of this rewrite of Chain of Lies pretty much began with these dynamics between the two Jameses and Lila. It was a whole thing with diagrams and late night ranting to my poor sister and everything.

So, of course, Lila is conflicted and she also does not know how she's supposed to get Jonathan to reverse the problem he has created -- whether he's also supposed to go back to his dimension and whether that will be enough to repair the tear. Most of this happens in the Notre Dame cathedral because I said so (I like cathedrals as settings, sue me if you dare).

Meanwhile, Matthew has been in Paris and totally avoiding Charles, so he also hears nothing of Will and Tessa being notified about James' injury in London and leaving by portal. But he does hear some French Shadowhunter gossip about the Consul's werewolf son's disappearance when he discovers Lila being taken to the cathedral by a masked man. Then ensues a solo rescue operation. Honestly, I always have a lot of fun writing Matthew, it's hard not to include him more. Anyway, the rescue is successful, and he takes Lila back to his hotel room to lay low for the night before he gets her back to London with the others (since he recognises that they must have no idea where she is, what happened, and she's an integral part of solving this whole mess, as people are still disappearing in this world).

I had a really nice scene planned that I'd been waiting the entire book to write, but basically Lila and Matthew spend a sober night together (as opposed to their time in the Silent City together) where they talk about all their woes, including their love lives, and eventually they get on to the topic of how they could have smoothed over both their dilemmas if they just had each other as lovers, if only their similarities were not such that would probably be self-destructive at this point in their lives. Because we've seen often in the book other characters compare these two, but it's these two themselves who recognise that, yes, they are alike in some ways, but not the ways it counts in order to have a healthy romantic relationship. They settle on being good friends. Matthew also takes her measurements so they can pick up some quick changes of clothes since Lila's still wearing her grimy outfit she wore during the explosion. And she also brings up that she knows he's an artist, but asks that she have the chance to sketch him, and he offers to do so in return, so they spend the rest of the night drawing, which I just find so sweet. There's not much significance in that at face value, it's just cute, but I also see Matthew embracing an old hobby as one of the first steps he takes in moving on from all his pain and finding better outlets for it.

Also, the platonic nature between Lila and Matthew, the complicated romance with James and Cordelia, and then all the familial themes and side-plots going on are all part of an idea I had going into this that I wanted to demonstrate many facets of love and the importance of each in their individual right. If anything, given the extreme slowburn I've come at James/Lila/Cordelia with particularly, I want to end this book purposefully with none of them winding up together because so many other things mattered more than their romance, and even the kind of loves they have for each other are a reason they don't end up staying because they would all rather see each other safe and not see each other at all than know they might cause other problems by being in the wrong dimensions.

Anyway, because I do multiple perspectives for everything, while Matthew and Lila and Jonathan have their bit going on in Paris, back in London we see James coming to terms with his disability and in all his rumination over what's happened and Lila being missing but him being unable to go out and find her, James finally (FINALLY!) realises his romantic feelings for Lila. This also leads to a scene between him and Cordelia where they both discuss Lila and their feelings for her. Cordelia also confesses how she has felt for James for a long time, but she also explains that she wants nothing to come of it anymore because she does not see herself settling down with him like she previously thought. James is a bit stung by this (I mean, my guy had no idea about Cordelia's true feelings until now and then she also springs a rejection on him at the same time when he's just begun to realise some of his own feelings around her) but is ultimately relieved since he feels he needs more time to figure out who he is and the life he wants without the bracelet numbing him.

We also would have seen Poppy Morad and Saint Nicholas again and their increasing distress and alarm with how difficult Jonathan Bell has been to track and control since he's hared of to Paris with Lila.

When Jonathan finds out Lila's gone, he feels betrayed and frustrated by his failure. Because while he feels he has saved her, she's refusing to be his as she once was in his dimension (also why he was confused and then against her leaving and going home earlier in the story). The world is breaking down around him (we start to see parts of Paris going up in flames, not unlike London 2021 of Lila's dimension) and he's about to go track Lila down again (but now he's going a bit more heavily into Villain Mode).

We also see Poppy Morad closing in on Jonathan as he returns to London when she's defecting orders from Circe, her higher up, to take him down instead of corralling Lila's effects on the timeline.

Lila and Matthew return to London on Christmas Eve just hours before the end of the world properly starts in 1903. This is also when she and James interact for the first time since he passed out on the bridge several days ago. I was a bit undecided on how I wanted this scene to look, other than I needed them to finally confess their feelings for each other in the rain like a cliche after they have an argument where Lila says that James has everything she wants (and this is where we realise the root of her problem in this whole book is not simply loneliness, but a dissatisfaction with herself and her life, which has lent itself to the more superficial issues she's been having) but that ultimately she also just wanted him though she knows she cannot be with him without risking everything. So, when James confesses his side, they decide to spend what little time they have left with each other as best as they can. (And this where I as an author push them together like Barbie dolls and go "now kiss").

Have I mentioned this story has too many layers and plot points and it's been driving me mad this entire time I've been writing it? Anyway.

They quickly determine with The Gang™️ that "Belial" and "Lilith" are not who they seem to be anymore, because while Alastair just got arrested for the murder of Lilian Highsmith (oh yeah, that happens while Lila and Matthew are in Paris, because I wanted a reversal where it's Thomas who stands up for Alastair when he's accused of murder, just for funsies) everything else that has happened seems to be related to whoever this P.M. (remember when Cordelia was also accused of murder because Filomena thought she saw Cordelia when she was attacked?) and Matthew body double is (spoiler: Poppy Morad and Saint Nicholas are codenames for other versions of Cordelia Carstairs and Matthew Fairchild in another timeline, I'll explain more about this later, but what you can probably surmise already is that this alternate Cordelia has taken the place of Belial within this dimension and is the one murdering all the victims (including her father. That was a difficult point, because we see in a PM and Saint Nick scene that he's concerned about whether she can go through with it) and Matthew has taken Lilith's place in some minor ways (like hiding and then handing back Cortana at the right moments)).

Anyway, because Lila's kind of behind on some events, she goes to confess to Cordelia (but explain how she also feels about James), when Cordelia says there's a lot more she wants out of life before she pursues romance again. That she's been so consumed by it, by finding love, by getting married, she's lost who she is beneath it all. (Have you noticed the theme for every character in this fic is basically authenticity and finding oneself despite whatever circumstances they find themselves in?)

Then, we also would have seen Lila dedicate herself to taking down Jonathan herself since he's the main problem that's tearing things apart and perhaps if he's killed then he can no longer influence time and reality.

Vaguely, I had planned that James and Lila would have what my outline says is "an emotional night together" because it could mean literally anything and I wasn't totally sure where I wanted it to go. So. Interpret that one how you will with whatever you prefer, honestly. Anyway, while that's happening, we see Matthew go home to his mother who is, understandably, worried sick and mad because he never wrote to her like he was supposed to and Charles return without him. We see Matthew collapse into her arms and just sob. That was the plan. It's important to me that he's actually vulnerable with her for once and that he, a young man too big to be in his mother's arms, lets himself be held anyway. There was also supposed to be a wholesome Thomastair moment that I hadn't really planned, though I knew Alastair would go home with Cordelia afterwards and she would start her journey to forgiving him. We also would have seen her kneel in front of Sona to confess A Whole Lot Of Things about what's been happening in her life, from as early as the marriage blanc and the Blackthorn Manor incident. Basically, everything is supposed to be hopeful even if it hurts just a bit and feels a little bittersweet. Because then in the chapter this all would have taken place in, we'd end with Saint Nicholas and Poppy Morad collecting the pithos from Christopher who picked it up in the background of everything (basically, all the Belial storyline has still been operating as it should, except it's being orchestrated by PM instead of Belial), when Jonathan sneaks up on them and fatally wounds (he had the intent to kill) Saint Nicholas, who he is shocked to find out in that moment is an alternate Matthew.

AND THEN, next chapter we would have had at the tolling of midnight, signaling Christmas day, PM the alternate Cordelia (whose character is the way it is because she's been hardened by some long and traumatic years -- she and alternate Matthew have a tragic backstory that I've been keeping in my back pocket that wasn't really necessary to be explained in the story, but if you want to know more, just ask) drags a dying alternate Matthew back to their tent where Circe, their mysterious employer, is torn away from her work elsewhere to start enacting emergency world-fixing in this timeline. This is also when we find out Circe's identity: she is Cassandra Clare, once again (if you read Chain of Lies) who's codename was derived from the common shortened CC she's referred to in fandom, who has universal powers and basically controls (to an extent) a good portion of the universe. Like a god. But also not. It's a whole mysterious thing that I never intended to explain because I think some things are better unexplained.

THEN, Jonathan shows up to 48 Curzon Street, covered in blood and calling for Lila. A fight between him and James (and sort of Lila who's attacking Jonathan though he refuses to attack her) ensues before he ends it all by taking out a silver pen (The Silver Pen) where we see 'Nikoletta' engraved on it, and writes a time-loop which snaps the final threads keeping all the timelines and dimensions in order.

Act Four Explained Slightly More Briefly

This is the final act of the book and also the shortest. It was planned to only be about six chapters long. Now, I was most excited about this part of the book because I had ✨visions✨. No, literally, the entire inspiration of this entire fanfic came from a dream I had about James Herondale as Spider-Man, me impersonating Cordelia Carstairs and not knowing how to do Shadowhunter things, Santa Claus as Father Time, and the end of the universe, and this is where we would have finally get to see it all come together.

We kick it off with an entire chapter dedicated to a lot of scenes similar to what I've written earlier in the book with Lila and James' nightmares, where nothing makes complete sense and yet the reader is meant to feel on the cusp of understanding something alongside the characters before the dreams usually end. Only they don't here. The dreams are reality, but reality is broken, and there is no waking up because there is also no sleeping and there is no normal but faint memories of what came before. So not only is the environment ever-shifting (think of it almost like a kaleidoscope and you have maybe a quarter of my vision here), but the people also keep "glitching" between different versions of themselves at different points in time and in different realities even (sometimes the doubles join and then they split apart, it's a weird nightmareish sort of thing in my mind), and so they also have different memories and levels of knowledge about things that have happened and what's going on. We see it mostly through Lila and James' perspectives. There's supposed to be a lot of angst and a feel like everything is a fever dream.

In the next chapter, things only start to get slightly ordered when Jonathan Bell finds Lila and says he'll rewrite the universe she wants so that it's perfect for her, and can have it be anything she wants, so long as they are together (major creep vibes though, honestly, as sweet as this might sound to some). This is also me addressing a problem from my original fanfic before this one, Chain of Lies, where I basically gave that silver pen waaay too much power, and now I'm demonstrating what it can do and so, like the one ring to rule them all, it must be destroyed (once Lila or someone else gets a hold of it to rewrite and fix the fabric of everything). Alastair saves Lila from Jonathan this time (he's still a bit prickly, but we see he still cares about Lila anyway), and demands she go find Cordelia to end Jonathan (Cordelia has Cortana which can cut through anything, which is important). Then we also would have seen that James is stranded somewhere with a fluctuating Matthew (the vision is that he keeps changing states from a werewolf to a living corpse to himself at various ages) and they are attempting to find PM, the alternate Cordelia, who knows Circe who should be able to fix everything as PM explains (she got separated from Circe and Saint Nicholas when the world went crazy). She leads them partway before she's taken by the collapsing world (she disappears basically, because that can still happen to people). When Lila finds her Cordelia, she's in the Paladin state (imagine glowing eyes and a vague aura of scariness with a glowing sword and you've got it) and it takes a bit to get through to her so they can make a plan to take down Jonathan.

Chapter after that, we have Cordelia distracting Jonathan so Lila can steal the pen, but she realises she does not know how to write an ending that does not kill all the Jameses since, as Jonathan once put it in her nightmares, "it does not matter which version of him I am... we are the same". This hesitance gets Cordelia fatally wounded, though she's not quite dead yet, but it's the final push Lila needs to kill Jonathan with Cortana (as also seen in a dream she had ages ago without realising it), and Circe finally manages to pull enough worldly strings in this chaos to pause time long enough for James and Lila to reunite to do the re-writing with her.

From there, we have two alternate paths. I called these basically "the happy ending that could have been" and "the bittersweet ending that was", which I was inspired to write by The Umbrella Academy (if you know, you know, I won't spoil it for anyone else who doesn't).

In the happy ending that could have been, we see the characters a couple years down the line. We also find out that Lila would not have died like she did in the other universe. She and James are together and they end up planning to propose to each other on the same day, which is the day after Lila successfully ascends. Then we see Cordelia and Matthew travelling together across the world as friends. After that, we would have seen Thomas and Alastair having dinner at the Lightwoods'. Finally, the Raftis family believe Lila is missing, presumed dead, but after a couple years they are finally moving on.

The bittersweet ending that was though is where Lila goes home. The friends she's made in London 1903 see her off before James takes her back to her dimension where they'd have one final goodbye on Blackfriars Bridge. That night, Cordelia gets on a train to set off and travel on her own. We also see Matthew, who has already picked up Oscar a couple days earlier, going to Gus' flat to complain that Oscar misses Gus and would not stop whining until they came by. We see Matthew finally tentatively suggest a first date, and Gus would accept. We close this part of the ending much like we started the book, with James walking alone in the night, just as he was when he left the Devil Tavern and his story took a different direction to canon when he found himself outside Cornwall Gardens where he met with Alastair. This time, James is alone, and he's feeling a little hopeful about the future ahead.

We get one final chapter before the epilogue where it's mostly Lila's perspective as she finally gets to experience Christmas with her family in 2021 and I planned for the beginning of some family healing and bonding to occur. Then we would have seen future James once more, who it turns out is now tasked by Circe (CC) with maintaining the space between dimensions, but this means he can't be in any one for very long since it's a lot of work that takes up time.

And now we get to the epilogue. Every time I imagine this, I get a little emotional. The epilogue would have began several years in the future with Lila dropping a bi-annual letter into the Thames, which I liken to the River Styx, in that it's where all lost things end up. We see, rather comedically, that she has moved out with the money she gained from some things she "stole" from Curzon Street, as well as her mysterious finding of the adamas, which scientists in her world are still amazed by. We are surprised to see though that when she goes home, she's living with the version of Matthew who nearly died in his previous role as Saint Nicholas, because CC gave him a chance to live out a new life elsewhere, in a dimension where there was not another version of himself. He and Lila seem to be doing well.

We cut to James of around December 1905 who has gone to visit his family at the Institute, where Lucie and Jesse are pouring over Cordelia's latest letter from abroad. James says he was just at Matthew's flat, and Gus was telling him about theories of time travel that the mundanes at the university Gus attends were discussing. We also find out that James himself has written a book, a science fiction piece with a ridiculously long title, about different worlds and the doubles of people that exist. After the dinner, he goes to Blackfriars Bridge and produces several of Lila's letters out of a pocket before stowing them away and shadow travelling to her dimension to leave a letter for her.

The fanfic would have ended on James' letter, which mentions briefly that he is having nightmares again of Belial's return since they have heard nothing have what happened with CC. Aside from that, the letter is rather sweet. But we see that Lila never gets a chance to read it, because CC collects it first and burns it with a lighter while humming "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas".

Concluding Words

And that, ladies, gents, and fair folk, was how Wasting Beats In This Heart Of Mine would have ended. It has potential for a sequel. One I never want to write except in my head because, man, I am so exhausted by this fanfic alone after I already did it as a rewrite of Chain of Lies. If anything, this is the sequel to Chain of Lies and the next potential story would be the third book. It's been a long few years, I'll tell you that.

Some final things:

If you're wondering about that green coat I was always mentioning: it was supposed to be my tell, along with the gold-ringed eyes, for Saint Nicholas being an alternate Matthew, who is also the leader of the SoHo wolf pack in his origin universe. For Poppy Morad as the alternate Cordelia, who worked as Matthew's partner in time shenanigans, it was the fact that people forgot her face once they saw it because of a facial rune she applies (one that does not exist but she has courtesy of working for The CC). That's why people often knew they saw Cordelia, but could not remember the details of that meeting, if they managed to remember her at all.

The reason Lila has essentially what I call "a death aura" is because of her alternate selves, many of whom die, and it's something that leaks between worlds as the walls steadily break down.

At some point in Le Grand Reveal Of The Time-loop, Lila realises that the detailing on Jonathan's mask matches the floral detail on the back of The Joker card she's been carrying around with her sister's initials this whole time, which hints at just how significant some of the objects in this story are and the meanings they can give (The Fool and The Master being other common names for the card, related to its unpredictability and capability of being anything).

Jonathan wears, obviously, his crimson cape, but his clothes are a deep navy blue and this is part of my reference to Spider-Man and the original dream that inspired all of this.

Future James does indeed have diamond stud earrings. I said so.

At the end of the book, CC would have reinstated Lilith and Belial (whom she removed for previously causing problems in other dimensions where they became too aware of alternate timelines) with altered memories, so the stories can generally continue where they left off (some a couple years later, which has some interesting effects if I wrote the next book, in theory).

And I think that's all I have. But if anyone has any questions at all, feel free to reply to the post to ask, message me, or put it straight into the ask box, I'm more than happy to answer since I'm already depriving you of a properly written-out neat ending to everything. Reminder that I am deleting the fanfic WBITHOM in roughly 48 hours from the time of this post, so after that it will not be available on any public platforms for reading. I am not taking down any of my other fanfics (except for the few that I already have some weeks ago).

Thank you to the readers who have supported me on this longass journey. You were often the reason I kept going when I wanted to give up on writing fanfic, especially writing this one, which has been a very trying process (I mean, it took me half a day just to explain the last approximate third of the damn book, for crying out loud). I appreciate the kudos, the comments, and all the enthusiasm. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Take care now, and I'll see you in the updates of other works in the future.

-- streettealee

P.S. special thank you to @thevagabondexpress who endured many hours of me blabbering way too much about this fic and these characters, who I pestered to give me feedback as I fretted over whether I was doing everything right (spoiler: there's no right way, just better ways), and who cared about this when I struggled to. You suggested I might find a way to give readers some closure. And so I also give thanks to @faithfromanewperspective, who went nuts for an Australian OC (understandably, as I would too) and blazed through my entire fic and encouraged me inadvertently to start updating again after a long dry spell. You still absolutely get to see my drafts and outline next time we catch up in person, but I hope for now that this is a good description of the rest of what the book would have been and it gives you some closure, as well as for the other readers. Thank you also to @quantummeep for reading and commenting! I can never get out of my head how even early on in your reading you recognised all the plot threads that I had been weaving together, and it meant so much to me that you appreciated the level of detail I tried to work with.

Thank you all and to the other readers who also supported me 💛