#I need to make a presentation explaining the entire plot

[stars-irises]

My friend said that she would like to watch The Goes Wrong Show with me, so I did what any reasonable person would and made a booklet summarising the timeline, characters, and relationships of the Goes Wrong universe

[hotteokyu]

dumb puppy

Synopsis ~ You come home to a broken pot and two guilty hybrids. When your dumb puppies just won't listen, you need to punish them. Though, it never works when they love punishments so much.

Pairings ~ puppy!yunho x owner!reader x puppy!yeosang

word count ~ 3.2k

Genre / warnings ~ EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT MDNI!! porn without plot, degrading, punishments, puppy hybrids, choking, cum eating, messy

a/n ~ hardly read over at all ~ happy finals weeks.

     You don’t like calling him a dumb puppy, or anything of that nature. But sometimes Yunho just… He just- 

     Sometimes you just can’t with him. 

     So when you come home to a mess in the living room, two dogs sitting frozen on the couch, one pointing at the other, the words just slip from your mouth. Yunho lowers his head, even if your voice isn’t loud. You stand in the doorway with a deep sigh. 

     “Yunho,” you say quietly. “What happened?” Yunho gets spooked easily, so you speak peacefully.  They both do. Maybe you cottle them too much. He doesn’t answer, though. “Yunho,” you warn, stepping closer, and he raises his head quickly. 

     “Yeosangie and I were-” 

     “I wasn’t playing with him!” Yeosang interrupts, shaking his head quickly. His ears flop cutely in his brown frills. “He was playing with his new ball, and he threw it too hard against the plant, and it broke,” he explains quickly. Yunho shoots him a pouting glare, but Yeosang doesn’t look. 

     “Okay,” you sigh. “Yunho. What did I say about playing with the ball inside?”

     “You said,” he starts, pausing. “You said no.” 

     You nod. “You didn’t listen, did you?”

     It’s hard for puppy hybrids to think hard. You know it’s not entirely Yuyu’s fault. It must’ve been instinct to play with it. But even dogs learn to listen to their owner. 

     “Dumb puppy,” you sigh, rubbing your temple as you walk toward the kitchen. “I have to clean it up, so stay on the couch.”

     You hear Yunho’s whine, but you pay it no mind. You don’t say a word as you thoroughly clean the floor until you can’t spot a single shard anywhere. They watch you silently the whole time, heads down in shame. 

      “Yunho,” you say as you walk back into the room from putting the broom away. He doesn’t answer, his eyes glossy as they eye you cautiously. Fuck, this is so frustrating. “Yunho!” you say angrily, and he whimpers, his eyes shaking slightly as he trembles. You scrunch your brows as a small wet spot appears on his pants. You scowl, stepping to him and grabbing his chin. “Bad dog!” you spit. “You like it when I’m angry? Does it make you feel good?!” He shakes his head hesitantly. “Is my puppy a liar, too?” He tries to shake his head again, but you grip his chin tighter and hold him still. “Show me.”

     His hands are quick to grab his pants and pull them down. His cock is covered in his cum, sticky, wet, and painfully hard. You scoff, pushing his head to the side as you let him go. His hair falls in front of his eyes, but he doesn't move it. He doesn’t deserve to. 

     You lean over to Sangie with a soft smile, gently stroking the back of his fluffy brown hair. “My sweet Sangie,” you coo, and his tail starts to wag slowly. “How are you, baby? Did you have fun today?” He nods eagerly, and you place a soft kiss on his cheek. “Does Yeosangie want to play with me for a little?” 

     “Yes, please,” he says, shifting on the couch as he starts to get excited. 

     You smile, cupping his cheek as you press a soft kiss to his lips. You straddle his lap, sitting on his arousal and grinding slowly. His head falls back to the cushion, his lips parted slightly as he groans.

     “Yunho is a bad puppy for playing recklessly inside, huh, Sangie?” you say, leaning down and nibbling lightly at his neck. 

     “Yeah,” he whispers, his breath trembling slightly. 

     “We have to punish him. He’s not allowed to play with us. But he’s gonna clean up our big mess, okay?” He sighs, presenting more of his neck for you to mouth at as his cock grinds against your sensitive clit. Yunho whines next to you, but you don’t pay him any mind, just feeling good with your behaving puppy.

     You reach down and slide down Yeosang’s pants, his cock thick and wet with arousal as you slowly stroke it. He whimpers, his hips bucking into your hand, and you let him. The goal isn't to play for too long. The goal is to punish your bad dog. 

     He’s panting, fucking his cock into your tight hand as you meet his thrusts with your tight pumps. Yunho is whimpering, his cock hard and twitching as he watches Yeosang feel good. 

     “Yeosangie~” you coo. “Does it feel good, baby?” He nods, his brain too fuzzy to answer with words. Yeosang always gets like this so quickly. His fucked out expression as if you’ve been going for hours is your favorite sight. He’s practically drooling as his cock leaks and your pumps sound wetter and wetter. “Do you want to cum?” He nods even faster, whimpering at the thought. You stroke his hair with your free hand, scratching behind his ear, and his eyes roll back. 

     “M-Miss- I-!” 

     “No, you can say my name, Sangie,” you coo, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his lips. “Good puppies get to say my name.” He forces himself to look into your eyes through his tears. “Can you say it for me?” 

     “Y/n,” he sobs. “C-cumm-!”

     But you stop your hand immediately, and he gasps, his high falling away when it was so close. 

     “N-no, please, Miss, I’m so close. I-” You press your lips to his, pulling you pants off and hovering over his leaking cock. 

     “Shh, it’s okay, Sangie. Can you just put it here instead?” you ask, and he eyes between your thighs as his tip touches your entrance. This has always been off limits. His eyes are wide in pure shock. “Just like this,” you whisper, slowly stroking him again. He frowns, whining as the wet feeling rubs his head. You don’t sink down, just let his mess smear against you. As you stroke him faster and faster, he grips your hips, fighting the urge to pull you down. He whimpers and pants before he lets out a long moan as he creams all over your pussy. You shiver, sliding his head through your lips, feeling it catch against your clit. 

     “Good puppy,” you coo, stroking his hair as he leans back against the couch in satisfaction. He’s completely overtaken by the moment, his eyes hazy and lost. You enjoy his expression for a moment longer before you turn reluctantly toward your bad puppy. He’s sitting completely still a foot or two away, his cock painfully hard, eyes glued to the mess Sangie had made between your thighs. 

     “Get on the ground,” you mutter, and he scrambles to the floor. 

     You lean onto Yeosang, arching your back to put his mess on display. You can hear Yunho’s breath pick up as you wrap your arms around Sangie��s neck, resting your head on his shoulder. 

     “Since I cleaned up your mess, clean up mine,” you say. 

     He doesn’t move, and you swear you’re going to really yell at this dumb dog. You bring one hand back and motion for him to come closer. He scoots across the floor until his hair is in your grasp, and you grab his locks, pulling him harshly against your pussy. He yelps in surprise, but his tail wags like crazy as a low groan vibrates against you. He’s quick to understand for once, lapping at your folds. You let go, sinking back into Sangie. Fuck, this is what you needed. You grind down on his tongue as he licks from your hole to your clit. 

     “Fuck, what a good puppy,” you moan, scratching at Yeosang’s hair. “Just like that, baby.” His tongue teases your hole, and you want nothing more than you push back and fuck yourself on it, but he needs to thoroughly clean you like a good puppy. But it’s itching at you so persistently, the need to be fucked into your pretty puppy. 

     “Do a…” You whimper, “Good job, Yunho.” 

     He just groans in response, the vibrations to your clit making you shiver. His tongue is delicious, slick and big, and, oh… You squeeze Sangie’s head tighter, moaning out as your eyes roll back. It’s so loong too, plunging into your needy, soaked hole. But this… this feels so~ good. This… isn’t… Fuck. You reach back and grab his hair, pulling him off. This isn’t about you. This is about teaching him a lesson. 

     You reach down and pull Yeosang’s hardness in front of your pussy. “Clean up Sangie now,” you breathe, and Yeosang whimpers into your ear. You turn your head to watch as Yunho eagerly licks from Yeosang’s base to his tip, Sangie’s body trembling in pleasure and overstimulation. You whisper sweet praises in his ear as his hips twitch toward Yunho’s mouth. 

     Yunho licks every inch, swallowing every bit of cum until the only messy thing is Sangie’s leaking tip. But Yunho takes it between his lips and sucks, and it’s clear Yeosang cums instantly, Yunho’s brows furrowing and eyes rolling as a new mess appears, only now leaking from his lips as he tries to take it all. 

     You groan at the sight. “Good boy, Sangie.” You sigh a laugh, but Yeosang is too fucked out to hear.

     Yunho’s lips and chin are covered in cum when you turn around. You take him by the chin and open his mouth. It’s sticky with cum, but he definitely is trying to swallow it all. Maybe he can be obedient sometimes. 

     “You’re being so good for me, puppy,” you praise, and he whines, scooting closer. “I guess I should give you a reward.” You push his back to the floor, crawling on top of his lap. “This is only for today because I feel bad for being mean,” you sigh. And because you need your hole filled NOW. “Do you understand? Don’t expect this again.” He nods immediately, but you know he isn’t even listening. 

     But it doesn’t matter. You’re too far gone to have any rational thought about why you shouldn’t give your troublesome puppies a taste of your warm, slick hole. You know you’ll regret it, but you slip down his thick cock anyway. Yunho’s jaw drops, his hands flying to your shirt, pulling at it as he panics. Poor puppy. He’s always so sensitive. He doesn’t know what to do with himself when he feels this good. 

     You place a hand on his stomach to keep your balance, breathing deeply as you sit completely on him. Fuck, he’s so big. You could cum just feelimg him inside, but it looks like Yunho wants to ravage the warmth surrounding him. You could never let him go at his own pace. He’d fuck you until you couldn’t walk for days. Fuck, you need to get him under control. 

     “Puppy, keep your hands to yourself,” you say, removing his grip from your shirt before he rips it off. He shakes his head, panting and whining as he scratches at the carpet. “I’ll move if you’re good,” you say softly, and he nods. 

     He doesn’t hear you, does he? He keeps squirming, attempting to move you with his hips. You just stay still until he settles down. When he finally does, though, his lips twitch as he slowly bares his teeth, and a low growl escapes him before he grabs your hips, lifts them, and slams them back down. 

     “Fuck!” you choke out, your chest slamming against his. You try to sit back up, but his movements force you back down each time, your arms going limp. He fucks up into your soaked hole as he slams your hips back down, whimpering and panting into your ear. “Bad dog,” you mutter, your voice breaking with each word. “Bad… ngh~” Your eyes roll back as he changes his angle, thrusting fast and continuously against that perfect spot in you. Your eyes roll back, your mouth practically drooling as you go limp in his hold. “S-Sangie,” you moan. “Sangie, c-come here, puppy.” 

     He’s by your side in an instant, eyes worried as he can’t tear them away from Yunho’s huge cock plunging into your hole at an alarming rate.

     “Sangie, help me up,” you whimper, and he helps you sit up, your body bouncing on Yunho’s lap now, and you cry out at the change, your head falling back in a series of uncontrollable moans. But you manage to lean forward, and you wrap a tight hand around Yunho’s neck, panting hard. “Don’t you ever fucking listen?!” you growl, and his hips slow to a stop. “I said you don’t get a reward unless you’re good.” You tighten your grip on him, and he whimpers. You reach back with one hand and pull his leaking cock out. He panics, shaking his head dramatically.

     “No, no, I’m so sorry,” he cries. “I didn’t mean to! I don’t know what came over me! I-!”

     “Sangie,” you breathe, pulling the good puppy closer. “Will you fuck me and show this stupid dog how to be a good boy?” Yeosang whimpers in excitement, nodding as he moves behind you. You guide him inside, holding Yunho’s neck tightly as Yeosang stuffs you full. He’s gentle as he hardly moves, and you have to coax him into fucking you a bit harder. 

     “See how well he listens?” you ask Yunho, and he’s pouting, the only friction he gets being the slight rub of your skin against his cock each time Yeosang thrusts inside. You can tell Yeosang is starting to feel really good, overstimulation turning to pure pleasure. He’s panting, his grip getting harder, a bit bruising even. He’s never held you so hard, never used your body for his pleasure, even just a bit. But he’s meeting your hips, grunting as he thrusts hard. 

     “Good boy, Yeosang,” you moan, and he moves faster with the praise. 

     “I’m a good puppy,” he breathes. 

     “You’re so big, baby,” you moan.

     “Does it feel good?” he asks between moans. “I feel so good, ngh~” He’s talking nonsense, his lisp fighting against his words as his breath speeds up. “Feels so good. So tight. Why is Miss so tight? She takes good care of us, but she’s so small.” He thrusts harder and harder. 

     And a small growl escapes his lips, and your eyes open from their fucked-out trance.

     “Does anyone else get to feel here? Or is it just us, Miss?” he asks, whimpering a growling softly. “I don’t want anyone else feeling this. They might take you away.”

     “No one will- ah~! Sangie, c-calm down a bit!”

     “I want it to be mine,” he groans. “I’m a bad dog. I can’t listen. Fuck, Y/n..ngh~ Please, please,” he repeats his pleas as his thrusts slam you against Yunho’s chest. “Please be mine. Please don’t go to anyone else. W-We can take care of you..hh~ Y-Yunho and I will make you feel good.”

     Yeosang’s never talked this much, but now he can’t seem to stop. His hips only seem to slow when he spots Yunho’s aching erection. 

      “B-both of us,” he breathes, “will make you feel so good.” You feel your hole stretch impossibly wider and Yunho’s cock is pressed inside. You cry out, your nails digging into Yunho’s shoulder as the puppy lets out a low growl. 

     “Please say it,” Yeosang whines. “Please promise, a-and we’ll be good.” You can hardly think, your mind blanking at their cocks press against every crevice within you. Yunho gets as deep as he can, his lips trailing your neck. 

     “Y/n.” Yunho’s sharp words take you out of your trance, your eyes shooting to his. “Say it.” 

     “S-say… say what?” you mumble. “Say your pussy is ours. Say you’re ours.” 

      They don’t move, and it’s impossible to think at all with them stuffing you so full. You try to push back against them, but Yunho holds your hips in place. 

     “Only good girls get a reward,” he says in a low voice. You feel Yeosang’s breath against your neck, a whimper meeting your ears. 

     “Please say it,” he breathes, his teeth grazing against your neck. 

     “F-fuck,” you cry. “I’m yours. Please, just fuck m-!” 

     Your face drops to Yunho’s shoulder as both cocks thrust in and out, plunging deeper and deeper each time. Tears stream down your cheeks, your breath mixing with your moans as they squish you between them. Yeosang’s teeth sink into your neck, and you arch your back, trembling as your clit rubs against Yunho’s crotch. You move again, feeling the friction bring you closer and closer. 

     “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” you squeal, your movements frantic as their thrusts pick up. “Fuck me,” you breathe. “Sangie, puppy, God you’re so bi~g.” You cup Yunho’s cheeks, hardly able to lift your head as you smash your lips to his. His tongue tastes like sex as you frantically move your mouth against his. 

      “Yunho,” you pant. “C-cum for me? You deserve it, puppy,” you whimper. “Cum in me and make a mess? Please? Please, fuck ngh~ fuck, fuck!” You spasm as you cream on their cocks, your arousal squirting and making a mess of Yeosang’s front. It drips to the floor and puddles there, but you’re too busy trembling and moaning to care about the mess. You fuck yourself back on them as you orgasm. Even as it dies down, it’s clear it’s not enough. You keep going. You reach behind you and grab Yeosang’s hair, pulling him down for a kiss, biting his lip as he fucks you into Yunho’s trembling figure. Yunho isn’t even moving anymore, Yeosang fucking the both of you to your next highs. 

     “Gonna cum,” Yunho whimpers. “Fuck, you’ll really be mine then,” he pants. You nod frantically.

     “Inside,” you beg. “Fuck me full ngh~ Please~”

     Your eyes roll back as you feel Yunho unload inside, your walls squelching as you cum again, squeezing the both of them. 

     “Fuck it’s so tight,” Yeosang whimpers. “There’s no more room. You’re so greedy, taking all of Yunho’s cum. Can you even take mine?” You nod quickly. 

     “Yes, God, yes, Sangie, Sangie please~!” 

     Yeosang’s harsh thrusts stop, and he pumps you even fuller. You’re leaking, his slow grinds pushing out your mixed arousal. It’s so lewd. You feel so full. 

     “Fuck, I’m….” you mumble, limo against Yunho’s chest. You shouldn’t have done this. But you’ve never felt so satisfied in your life. 

     “It’s okay, Y/n,” Yeosang sighs, gently brushing your hair behind your ear. “We’ll clean this mess up.”

-

     And you were right to hesitate and regret. You knew your disobedient puppies wouldn’t stop with just once. 

     You’ll wake up to Yunho rutting against your back, and as soon as you wake up, he’ll press his dick against you and beg for you to let him inside. 

     Or you’ll be reading in the living room when Yeosang comes between your legs, his cheek resting on your thigh until you take the hint and let him eat you out. 

     It’s not like you ever say no. You love them too much. It’s just… they get so obsessed with you. They’re so stupid. You can never train them, no matter what you try.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a/n~ i might go back and read/edit this later when summer starts. for now i hope you enjoyed this quickie ;P lmk what you thought

mwa~

[onsomenewsht]

I've got peace and I've got love

About a surprise for your birthday even if you hate your birthday

》 Alexia Putellas x Reader

》 words count: +1k

》 for anyone who needs to feel celebrated

Birthdays are a complicated matter.

You don’t hate them, no one really does.

People should be loved loudly, their mere presence on Earth should be reason enough to celebrate them.

You care about your family and your friends, baking cakes and inflating balloons and dressing up for a themed party are not a problem - you’re the first one to arrive and the last to leave.

Celebrating your birthday though? Hell, no.

For most, it doesn’t make sense.

A day in a whole year when anyone is entitled to be under the biggest spotlight, getting gifts and all the wanted attention. Yet, you’d rather hide in the remotest corner of the planet than hear someone sing “happy birthday” to you.

Despite the insistence and the repeated attempts over the years, your mother has finally accepted that you don’t want to make a big deal out of it. Your best friend has accepted that you’ll avoid a surprise party like the plague. Everyone who knows you, knows it.

Alexia included.

At least she knows now, after last year.

The two of you got together just shy of three months before your birthday. Bless her good heart, she thought a surprise ambush might be appreciated.

She’s not going to make the same mistake twice in a row, but she wants to do something.

“You told me she hates birthdays”, Alba points out, a bit confused, sipping her coffee as if her sister isn’t in the middle of an inconclusive rant.

“She hates her own, not birthdays in general”

“I still think you should just buy her a nice present, wish her a happy birthday and move on like she asked you to do”

“It seems so, I don’t know, incomplete?”, the blonde tries to explain, “How do I make sure I show how much I appreciate her if I can’t celebrate her?”

“You better celebrate her every day, not just on the birthday–”

“I do it, idiot!”

Alexia is quick in her jab, but thankfully the younger girl is used to her attitude by now.

Cup saved from any spill, Alba barely has enough patience to give another, simple pearl of wisdom, “So do it like any other day, but, you know, on her birthday”

It’s good advice, even if she’d never admit it.

Alexia spends most of her day off plotting, her free time during the week before your birthday completely taken over by careful planning and prep.

You can tell immediately that something is off, but you let it slide because she’s cute when she’s on a mission, and you don’t really want to spoil her fun.

At the stroke of midnight, like a mischievous fairy godmother, your best friend calls you to sing a personalized rendition of “Die, Die My Darling” like every year since you’re sixteen and think you’re oh-so-funny.

Your mother sends a present from the entire family, along with a picture of a cake you’re not going to eat but you’re glad they’ll enjoy in your name. Alexia’s mother and sister send flowers, and you have to reassure your girlfriend that it’s a genuinely appreciated sentiment.

Said girlfriend kisses you for every year spent on this Earth and then moves on, as if nothing happened. As if nothing is going to happen.

It’s suspicious, really suspicious.

The day passes by without any major incident.

At work just a few colleagues know it’s your birthday, they politely hand you a card with bad jokes written all over it. You mindlessly send the same three reactions at every text message, nonetheless appreciating everyone who remembered and took the time to wish you a happy birthday. A kind waitress adds a slice of dessert as you pick up take-out at your favourite Mexican place, probably prompted by Alexia when she ordered over the phone and sent you to the restaurant.

Guard down, you open the door to your girlfriend’s apartment, still not connecting the dots.

Thank the goddesses and gods above for that nice waitress, because what you find inside is definitely a first and the food wouldn’t have survived the surprise if not for the well-secured package.

Soft music - that, to your shame, you only realise too late is your favorite record - resonates through the room, which is filled with dozens of floating balloons reaching the ceiling.

You take a few tentative steps inside, noticing pictures carefully tied to each string with numbers scribbled on the corners.

Snaps of the past year, memories so simple in their significance you sometimes fail to give a good measure of. Dinners out with friends, an unflattering portrait of an early morning during the summer, the first time holding your niece. You linger over a photo of you and Alexia talking on Mapi’s couch, neither of you looking at the camera, as it’s clear you had eyes only for each other.

“I’ve never seen this one”, you whisper, emotion thick in your voice.

Your girlfriend is leaning on the further wall of the entrance, a confident stance failing to hide a note of nervousness. The way her hands are buried in the pocket of old sweatpants and her eyes are studying every single macro-expression shifting on your face are a clear tell for you.

"Ingrid sent it to me some times ago”

“It’s beautiful”

“It is”, she agrees easily, still not daring to come closer.

Alexia’s gaze drops as soon as you notice there’s a handwritten message on the back of every photo, her cheeks flushing slightly.

You take the time to read each one attentively, smiling at her thoughtfulness and the care she put into all the moments chosen. People and occasions that hold meaning for you, no matter how big or small. You feel love in every single one.

“You put a lot of thought into this”

“I had to sacrifice a couple of good ones”, she mumbles, almost upset with herself.

The commitment to matching the number of pictures to your age it’s impressive, you have to admit.

A burst of laughter fills the entire apartment, Alexia finally meeting your gaze and taking in how moved you’re by her surprise.

The fear of overstepping had been like an annoying voice, whispering in her ear as she scribbled on the back of the photos or tried to wrap gifts without running out of patience or tape.

“Do you like it?”, her doubt creeping in her voice.

“I don’t hate it”, you joke, still eager to ease her worries, “No one has ever put this much thought or effort into– I don’t know, celebrating my birthday, I guess”

“You deserve to be celebrated”

You take the few steps to fill the gap between you two, food forgotten somewhere behind, and throw yourself into her already open arms.

“Thank you”

“I love you”

The kiss you share is a clear enough answer. Sometimes, it’s not even necessary to spell it out - action speaks louder than words, they say. She holds you for as long as you need, music still playing softly in the background.

“Is this a good moment to mention that you have to open as many presents as you have in years?”

“Alexia!”

[eff-plays]

Ok fine you guys twisted my arm (I say to a completely empty room) here's why I think Mass Effect 2 worked and Veilguard tried to copy it and failed.

First up is the complexity of the goal/plot. In ME2, the end goal was simple: Stop the Collectors from harvesting humans. Blast off through the Omega 4 Relay and probably die. Take down as many Collectors as possible before you die. Basically, shoot stuff until it explodes. It made sense that half of the squadmates were just "legendary badass", "legendary badass (green skin version)" and "legendary badass (huge tits version)." You need to kill dudes, so you pick people who are good at killing. There are a few who are better at tech or science, but they use tech and science to, you guessed it, kill dudes. Then you have a few who join due to aligning goals (Legion) or loyalty to Shepard (Tali, Garrus) or humanity/Cerberus (Jacob, Miranda), or they're literally getting paid to be there (Kasumi and Zaeed). But all of them have reasons to stick around, of various importance.

The specificity of the main plot is also relevant here, because everybody in the galaxy is like "oh humans are getting kidnapped? sucks to suck dude rip in piss ://" so it makes sense to recruit whoever you can get. You need help for an issue that (according to everyone who would otherwise help) only concerns you. So you're like "hey are you good at killing? and do you mind dying?" and most of those freaks go "yeah lmao whatever." They're self-selecting, because the cause is so specific and explicitly suicidal.

The suicidal thing also helps explain the loyalty missions, btw. They're not presented as "hey can you umm help? or I'm gonna be distwacted 👉👈" but as "hey man, these people are willing to die on your command, you should probably help them with their unfinished business at the very least." And yeah, the mechanic of "if you don't help they'll fucking perish" remains the same, but the framing is different. In ME2, you're basically helping a bunch of professionals to do this final thing before they die for your cause. It's both a sign of respect and of consideration for them as people, and strengthens your bond with them and their loyalty to you. The way it's framed means that you don't have to do this in order for them to do their job, but doing it helps strengthen their belief in you.

And because the stakes are relatively low (as far as everyone knows), of course the squadmates will respect and appreciate a Shepard who takes care of them more. Of course it builds loyalty. This person isn't just using you as a meat shield for their pet crusade, they're genuinely trying to do what's right and don't want you to die for nothing.

In Veilguard, you're literally told multiple times that you have to do their dumbfuck busywork or else they're gonna throw in the towel. Hey man can you do this thing? Or else I'm not saving the world :3c The stakes being SO HIGH while their issues are SO NOTHING makes most of them look really immature and incompetent, which clashes against the whole "gang of experts" thing. You're telling me this couldn't wait? I have to go into Lucanis' mind and figure out his traumas or else he won't ... hold a knife good? And that will doom the world because he's the only guy who can hold a knife? Okay???

ME2 presents everybody as professionals and experts in their field, but at the end of the day, they're just there to kill stuff. Remove one, and another will be found. The mission is (as far as everyone in power knows) not galaxy-threatening yet, so finding new guys to help would be easy. That's why Shep taking the time to solve their final issues means something and why it earns their loyalty. It shows that Shep cares about them as people.

Veilguard presents these people as experts in their fields, too. They're considered irreplacable in this conflict. And the conflict is saving the whole entire fucking world. And YET, that has to take a backseat to them figuring out what happened to a work colleague or Lucanis' grandma, because none of these experts can take a fucking chill pill to SAVE THE WORLD.

ME2 offers "low" stakes for the conflict and high stakes for the characters, so when it focuses on the characters' stories, it makes sense. You get the impression that it's character drama with a common goal that brings them all together. Veilguard offers high stakes for the plot and low stakes for the characters, but still focuses on the characters, so you get the sense that we're fucking around playing therapist while the world is on fire in the background, and it's presented as totally logical, because these guys can't save the world without a clear mind!! Despite being ... experts in their fields.

That's why, to me, Rook feels like a therapist while Shep feels like a leader.

Anyway, this is the formal end of the post but I wrote more on the specific character motivations of the Veilguard and why they don't work/feel trite to me and how that adds to Rook feeling like they're a therapist but it didn't fit with the rest of the post so under cut.

Another thing is that, while sometimes the problems of the Veilguard are technically higher stakes than the problems of the ME2 squad, there is a sense of "Hey do you actually need me for this?" And that I think is in part to the lacking motivations of the Veilguard. It's so unclear why some of them stick around that it becomes difficult to justify why they wouldn't just leave to fix their own issues.

(For example, Garrus asks us to help kill a guy. The guy isn't dangerous, he's not out there killing people or in possession of a superweapon ready to destroy a city. He's just an asshole and Garrus wants revenge. He could, technically, leave and just kill the guy himself. He knows where the guy is, so what's holding him back? Well, the job is. And Shepard is. Garrus wants Shep's help, because he doesn't trust himself to finish it on his own. He needs somebody to rely on, but he also knows that he can't just leave without Shep's permission, and that Shep needs him, too. Everything is on Shep's schedule, and there's no real time limit. His revenge can wait until Shep is ready to offer their help.

Neve is hunting an old rival who is a blood mage threatening to enslave her favorite city in all da world. It's pretty damn high stakes. But in my playthrough, Neve wasn't counting on Rook's help at all. In fact, she explicitly mentioned several times that she didn't. Yet, she still sat around and waited for their help. She didn't leave to deal with this on her own, didn't even consider it. But why not? What about Rook or this cause is keeping her there, especially since there's canonically time before the next big move and the issue is so high-stakes and pressing? People will die if she doesn't do something, yet she's sitting on her ass waiting for Rook, whose help she isn't counting on, to step up? What???)

Neve is introduced as being hired by Varric to find Solas, which she does. In the tutorial mission. She sticks around after Varric dies because ... she's in too deep now, I guess. She has to help save the world, you see. Even though all she wants is to go back to Minrathous and protect the people there. She wants your help to. Figure out some stuff. The famous big city detective needs the help of a person who's introduced as somebody who "thinks in straight lines" and whose nickname is probably a play on "rookie." She is not getting paid for this. She's doing this out of the kindness of her heart, even though most of her time on screen is spent dreaming of her favorite city in da world. She's not an expert in anything that has to do with the current plot, so she's in-fiction not really vital to keep around. Her role as a mage is made entirely pointless by the existence of Bellara and Emmrich. Supposedly her area of expertise is in blood magic ... despite hating it and not actually practicing it, on account of it being bad and evil. So she's an expert in killing blood mages, then?

Well, no. That's Lucanis. He's the resident mage killer ... who we find in an underwater prison, guarded by blood mages. I get there is a reason for why he was defeated, but the optics aren't great, ya know? We don't really free him as much as we lightly distract his guards, so he can bust out of the prison fully clothed and armored. He's suuper eager for revenge, but he's also been forcefully possessed. But that's okay, because we need his expertise for um. Killing mages. Which is what the Evanuris are. So this random possessed human guy will know better than anybody else how to kill the Evanuris. Sure. He decides to stick around on account of ... the Crows always finishing a contract. Who is paying him? Who is paying the Crows? His gam-gam ordered him to stay, she's basically offering us his services for freeing him. Guy is an indentured servant but acts like it's his choice, like it's an honor thing and not his grandma putting him in the toilet. And when it's time for him to show/offer his expertise in the field, he says "How am I supposed to fight a cloud?" which is fair enough, sure. But have you not fought mages before? Do you not have any reference for them doing weird shit at all? Do you not know how to disrupt rituals, break barriers? In the end, all he can practically do is hold the special knife and attempt to stick the pointy end into his target. Which my rogue Rook or Davrin or Taash chould've done. But gam-gam says to sit so he sits! It's not a very compelling motivation for this epic expert mage killer to just kinda. Stick around out of obligation. It could've been interesting, if he chafed against it or had to be won over, but he's just fine with it. It's treated as natural that this dude, who isn't even slightly an actual expert and is just a glorified knife holder and who isn't practically useful in any sense of the word, is still in the group. It's treated as natural that Rook has to go out of their way to help him clear his mind so he can hold the knife better next time, instead of just finding another guy to hold the knife. Maybe the spirit in him makes him stronger and more capable of fighting mages? No, the spirit is what made him miss in the first place, actually! So you have to help him figure it out or he'll miss again. DON'T ask somebody else to hold the knife though. It HAS TO BE Lucanis. Because he's the mage killer expert. Who missed. And can't handle mages.

Then we have Taash, who we need to kill the blighted dragons. They're the only dragon hunter around and have an encyclopedic knowledge of said dragons. Unfortunately the blighted state of the dragons that are actually necessary to kill are behaving in unexpected and different ways from normal dragons. They're literally manipulated by the Evanuris to be harder to kill. Making Taash's expertise moot. I didn't even have them in my party when I took on two dragons at once, and in fact the only dragons that Taash is presented as capable of killing are ones that they want us to kill. So this expert we recruit mostly introduces more dragons for us to kill that aren't actually threatening us in any way. The main time Taash has to show off their knowledge is when we use the dragon trap ... which was fashioned by Wardens. Who are all trained specifically to fight Archdemons. Who are dragons. That are blighted. Do you uh. Do you see my problem here. Taash also sticks around the Veilguard for inexplicable reasons. Mostly it seems they don't want to go home to their mother, which is fine, but this is a whole-ass adult, supposedly. They could go back to hunting dragons for the Lords, because they're written as too self-absorbed to really care about stepping up to the fight just for the sake of it. So despite them not really being useful in any way to the overall plot, we still have to help them figure out their gender identity, or else they won't be able to ... fight the blighted dragons. Which they couldn't fight. On account of the blight. Cool cool cool.

Then we have Emmrich, who is a professor and has shit to do. He is also presented as a Fade expert, while Bellara is somehow not, despite doing most of the Fade-related and artifact-related magic on-screen. Emmrich joins the Veilguard on account of um. Well we asked nicely, and he's a good guy, so he has to help save the world. Despite the fact that he's terrified of dying. Which he's far more likely to do after leaving his job. And the thing is, yeah, "the world might end so we need to stop that!" is a valid motivation, but if we accept it as the motivation of a central character whose plot we must find compelling, then why is it that it's only a few guys trying to save the world? This conflict is prestented as bigger than all the previous games combined, bigger than (the) Inquisition, which had literally entire armies and different branches and infrastructure for it's "smaller" conflict, and people were still volunteering and joining in droves, but here we're 8 guys? Are we meant to believe Emmrich's willingness to join the Veilguard is somehow unique to him, and that nobody else in the world would volunteer to join? When Harding exists, on the same team?

Speaking of, Harding is a character who can really get away with "I wanna save the world", because her joining the Inquisition is literally how she got into the plot in the first place. She's a joiner. She joins heroic causes. So her having this sort of bare-bones but noble motivation works. Same with Davrin. Bellara seems to join out of both curiosity and guilt, which are interesting enough reasons and come through visibly in her subplot and characterization, but more importantly, she doesn't have anything holding her back that might take priority until she finds out her brother is alive. Her sticking around also makes some sense because she's ya know. An elf mage Fade expert. Or sorry an elf artifacts expert.

I'm not saying "somebody's gotta do it!" or "it's the right thing to do!" aren't valid motivations, they clearly are, but there's gotta be more to it, especially when it comes to characters who have something to lose like Emmrich. My guy is terrified of death but he's such a good dude that he jumps into this life-threatening conflict without a second thought? But then gets so "distracted" by his wacky scientist former colleague that he needs our help figuring it out? Huh???

Um. I didn't have a conclussy for this part of the post so. bye

[redr0sewrites]

Werewolf!Jason Todd Imagine

🥀A/n: veeeerrry self indulgent. happy late birthday jason todd my beloved!!!

🥀Cw: afab!reader, filthy smut, werewolf kink (?), switch!jason todd, dom/sub dynamics, overstimulation, very slight sub/ puppy kink on jays end if u squint, breeding kink, porn w no plot, grinding, masturbation, knotting, oral (m and f receiving), size kink

🥀minors dni

Jason was shocked at how well you took the news that he was a werewolf. he expected you to be outraged, or worse, break up with him. intrigue- and maybe even arousal- was certainly not the reaction he had expected.

with you being a human, Jason was very adamant about not hurting you during sex- especially when it came to knotting. he explains that not only is he bigger than most, but during a full moon, or worse, a rut, he changes.

the first time you sleep together, he's so nervous, all slow and gentle, prepping you for at least an hour and making you cum twice before practically splitting you in half on his cock. he's all sensitive and needy, struggling to stay in control as his primal instincts battle against his self awareness.

he wants nothing more than to flip you over and fuck you senseless, breed you 'till your carrying his pups, and yet, he waits. even wheb you both begin sleeping together more frequently, Jason cares about you more than anything else, and he pushes down his desires in favor of your comfort. that doesn't mean they aren't still present, and a horribly timed rut coinciding with a full moon certainly doesn't help matters.

Jason is powerless to his own hormones, and at first he's telling you to stay away, trying to handle it on his own. you can tell he's desperate from the straining rasp of his voice behind the door to your bedroom, and after some pleading on your part, he finally lets you in- and what a sight to behold. his cock is already at full mast, twitching against his abdomen. his hand is still wrapped around the base of his cock, and his most recent release is drying on his tip. he's so hard it hurts, his balls and knot aching to be inside you. the low baritone of Jason's voice rumbles across the room, beckoning you closer. your squeezing your thighs together at the mere sight of him, at how much his dick has grown in his half-transformation.

hes so big, you aren't sure you can even take him, but you know damn well you're going to try.

his heat is growing worse by the minute, and Jason is practically growling at you by the time you make your first move. he moves to the edge of the bed, watching you like an apex predator as you sink down on your knees between his strong thighs, admiring his toned body as you descend. his claws dig into the sheets, and just your breath on his cock has him practicing breathing excercises to prevent cumming too early. he's hot and heavy in your mouth, and you can barely fit his knot down your throat, let alone his entire cock. his full balls slap against your chin, and he lets out a low keen, almost a whimper, when you begin to suck him off.

Jason struggles not to take over and fuck your throat entirely, desperately trying to keep his hips from pistoning up off the mattress as you blow him. a clawed hand nestles on top of your head, gently but firmly controlling your movements.

it isn't long before his first orgasm of the night is approaching, hightened by his hypersensitivity. the sight of you on your knees in front of him, all sweet and innocent and desperate to help him out has him emptying his load down your throat in just a few minutes.

"fffuuck- oh fuck, baby-" Jason moans, thighs twitching as you swallow his cum. his grip loosens on your hair as he moves to cup your cheek. you pull away, leaving a trail of spit between his tip and your lips. Jason growls at the sight, pulling you up onto the bed with frenzied haste.

"i need to taste you..." he murmurs, directing you to lay down. Jason watches you squirm towards the head of the bed, peeling off your own clothes in anticipation. "stay there," you coo, tossing your panties to the side, leaving you completely bare. "wouldn't want you to be an impatient pup, would we?" you tease, and he whines under his breath. he watches your little show with mock amusement, ignoring the desperate ache in his cock when you begin to mischievously tease yourself. at the sight of your glassy eyes and spread folds he groans, your fingers, tiny in comparison to his, rubbing swift circles on your clit combined with your scent overwhelms his senses.

"stop teasing," he murmurs, but doesn't move. "aw, can't have a little self control? what are you gonna do about it?" you whisper, spreading your legs wider and curling a finger inside. you moan out his name and make direct eye contact, watching how his eyes darken as you continue to touch yourself. his self control wavers for a second, then snaps completely.

he crawls towards you on the mattress, animalistic with need as he parts your thighs, revealing your glistening cunt, already wet from your ministrations. you pull your hands away, noting how his pupils expand at the sight of you. your chest heaves as his hand makes its way down your navel towards your clit. his free hand grips hard on the skin of your thigh, holding you in place and leaving crescent marks in its wake.

"should punish you for teasing me like that," he murmurs, his breath hot against your cunt. "y-you wont," you quip, spreading your legs just slightly to accentuate your words. "you're too needy. like a bitch in heat," you coo, and Jason curses before pinching your clit between too fingers. his claws provide extra stimulation, almost painful but not quite, and you let out a yelp of pleasure.

in response, you move to touch him, but he shakes his head. "hands off, 'want you t'focus on me," he slurs, leaning down on his stomach to inhale your scent. you stubbornly oblige, realizing how truly needy he is, and bring your hands up above your head so you can watch him intently.

Jason begins by circling your clit with his thumb, his claws gently grazing your sensitive skin. entranced by the sight of your pussy fluttering and clenching around nothing, he leans down to press a soft kiss against your aching cunt before licking a stripe up towards where he's circling your pearl. his pace never slows as he sloppily makes out with your pussy, sucking and swirling his tongue against your entrance while simultaneously rubbing harsh circles on your clit. his claws tease against your thigh, and you realize that he's humping the mattress as he's eating you out. he's so far gone he doesn't even realize, and the sight of his hips rocking against the bed in time with his tongue makes your cunt clench.

the coil in your gut tightens as you try to warn him of your upcoming orgasm and he shushes you, the soft vibrations of his words against your pussy making you buck your hips. "cmon, baby- ffuck- give it t'me. please... need to taste you.." he moans, grinding down even harder against the mattress. Jason's tongue laps against your aching hole, sucking and swallowing your juices as the coul in your abdomen snaps altogether. with a stuttering moan he cums too, not even pausing as he continues to ride out both of your highs. your bordering on overstimulation as he keeps sucking on your abused pussy, and you try to squirm away, only for him to pull your cunt flush against his face once again.

"one more, please baby, jus' one more, don' wanna hurt you," he moans incoherently against your entrance. you nod, and he lets out a few murmured thank you's against your flushed inner thighs before diving his tongue back into your cunt. slurping and sucking, he works you up slower this time, watching you squirm slightly from overstimulation. your previous orgasm left you even more sensitive than before and he'll gladly use that to his advantage.

removing his hand from your pearl, Jason hones in on your clit with his tongue, swirling in ways that make you see stars. his grip is firm on your thighs, large claws sinking into your soft skin. he's practically purring between your legs, moaning and mewling about how delicious you taste and how badly he needs you.

his fat cock is already hard, but he restrains himself from humping against the bed. he wants to savor the feeling of entering your pretty pussy, and edges himself to the thought of cumming inside of you. his pace becomes more fervent as your orgasm approaches, causing you to whine and buck against him.

Jason whispers out soft praises against your cunt, bringing you to the edge for the second time. your orgasm is even better than the first, and your eyes roll back into your head as a wave of pure bliss washes over you. Jason fucks you through it, unrelenting with his tongue until your squirming away.

your juices coat his face, and he doesn't hesitate to lick up the remains of your orgasm. you watch as he crawls up to you, capturing your lips with his own. you can taste yourself on his tongue, and it only makes you needier as Jason groans into the kiss. his cock is painfully hard and pressing against your thigh, and he pulls away to look at you with a pitiful expression.

"please, need to be inside you, ma," he begs, and you don't hesitate to allow him. "of course, baby, take what you need," you coo, cupping his face as he trembles. the pet name makes his cock twitch, and he struggles to restrain himself from fucking you right then and there. "are y'sure? i don't want t' hurt you.." he trails off, rubbing circles on your hips with his claws. your quite aware of the lust thrumming beneath the surface of his seemingly calm demeanor, the twitching of his fat cock and the consistent, slight rocking of his hips against your thigh gave him away.

"oh jay, you're so sweet, too good f'me, my pretty boy.." you coo, and he swallows hard. you gently push on his chest, flipping him over on his back. he's huge, all muscle and strength, and yet he melts from just your simple touches. you straddle him, and his head short circuits as everything around him starts to become fuzzy. when you take control it's like his head is filled with honey, leaving him all dazed and submissive for you. his eyes are wide and glassy as you situate yourself above his cock, teasing him by grinding down on him before slowly aligning his enlarged tip with your entrance.

"relax, honey. be a good pup f'me and take a deep breath," you coo, slowly starting to sink down on to his dick. Jason twitches at the feeling of your warm cunt beginning to suck him in. it takes everything in him to be a good boy, to not buck up into you and fuck you senseless 'till your drooling and whimpering, fucked full of his cum and begging for more more more-

Jason keens, struggling to differentiate between fantasy and reality while you struggle to take him in. his knott is thick, and his cock is bigger than ever before, which is to say, nearly impossibly huge. you can tell he's already too far gone to realize how much his cock is twitching, or even realize how he's shallowly humping up against you. his head is already so fuzzy, desperate to be inside you, but he doesn't want to hurt you either.

you swallow hard, gritting your teeth through the pain of the stretch as you sink farther down his cock. you're almost halfway there and Jason is already babbling, claws digging hard into your hips and hybrid ears pricked upwards. you brace yourself on his tummy, sinking down further until you've not only engulfed his knot but halfway down his length. Jason lets out a strangled whine, and you meet his desperate gaze.

"ffuck- can i- can i move, please, y'taking me s'well, wanna mate with you-" he babbles, claws digging into your skin in desperation. "mngh- not y-yet, baby, still gotta take you inside me," you manage out, and Jason nods, flushing an even deeper red at how needy he sounds. he's trying desperately not to blow his load and cum too quickly, but you're making it soo hard the way you're squeezing and fluttering around him.

you bite down hard on your lip, determined to take him to the hilt. you can tell Jason is nearing his breaking point, you know how painful his rut can be and you don't want him to wiat any longer. taking a deep breath, you sink down further and further, ignoring the pain of the stretch until your seated fully on his cock. Jason lets out a wanton moan, throwing his head back against the pillows as you grasp your bearings.

you slowly begin to rock back and forth on his cock, letting the pain melt into pleasure as his length reaches places you've never felt before. you let out a sharp whimper as his tip brushes your cervix, and Jason stills.

"wait- am i hurting you?" he gasps out between pants, immediately grabbing hold of your hips. "i don't want t'hurt you-" you cut him off with a kiss, struggling to control your breathing as his length twitches inside you. "no, honey, 'm ok, you're just so big, im not used to it," you admit, and Jason eyes you with worry. "are you sure? we can stop, i- i dont-"

"its okay, Jay, im okay, see?" you reply, trying to soothe his worries by increasing your pace. you immediately let out a soft moan as you grind down on his dick, and Jason follows suit. you can still see the anxiety in his eyes, when an idea strikes. you grab one of his large hands from your waists, bringing it to your stomach where an apparent bulge was forming from his size.

"fffuuck- see Jay? 'm not hurting, m just- o-oh- 'm so full, Jay, y'fill me so well.." you coo, increasing your pace yet again. Jason watches, mesmerized by the squelching sounds of your cunt with each thrust and the growing bulge in your tummy. Jason curses loudly, tears welling in his eyes as you flutter around him. "im so close Jay, fuck 'm so close," you whine, rolling your hips against his with increasing fervor. he lets out a near pathetic mewl, bucking his hips up against yours as tears stream down his face.

"oh fuck- shit, shit please ma im so close- mate with me please"

"o-oh- you can cum, baby, you can cum," you reassure him, grinding down harder as your release crashes through you. every nerve in your body is on fire as waves of ecstasy wash over you. you can barely breathe, barely think, everything replaced with him, him, him. the sight of you gushing around his cock and squeezing him like a vice brings Jason to the edge, and he cums in tandem with you, filling your pretty cunt with his seed and babbling out your name like a prayer.

"y'so good Jay, so so good f'me," you gasp out, slowing to a stop as overstimulation begins to overcome you. Jason, too incoherent to reply, merely nods, and you chuckle softly at his fucked-out state. his cock hasn't returned to its usual size, still swelled inside your heat. you don't make an effort to pull away, and neither does Jason, content in staying joined together for the time being. you lay down on his chest, matching your breathing to his as exhaustion weighs over you.

"thank you," Jason rumbles, hands running up and down your sides. "thank you so- hic- much-" you realoze he's crying softly, and the realization makes you tear up too. "why are we crying?" you ask, and he laughs. "i don't even know- i just love you so much," he replies, and you laugh too. you aren't sure if you're giggling or sobbing, but you do know that you're exhausted. you nuzzle into his neck, and Jason gently kisses your cheek.

"go to sleep," he murmurs. "you're human body can't take much more."

"oh, shut it," you reply, but don't argue. as you melt into his embrace, you let sleep slowly claim you, knowing that you'll clean up in the morning.

hhheeeyyyy guys. my only explanation is im ovulating rn. so. erm. yippee!!! 3k words of werewolf smut!!!!

[maaruin]

Even though I fundamentally disagreed with Andor Season 1's message and even back then called it "the Anti-Star Wars", I quite liked it because it managed to convey what it wanted to say very well. Season 2 - not so much.

So here is how I'd fix Season2 if I wanted it to still have the same message as (as far as I can tell) Tony Gilroy intended. This message is Luthen's ideology: To defeat fascism you have to abandon your morality and dedicate your entire life to the cause.

To show this in the season, we make the following changes:

Season 1 was Luthen taking Cassian and Mon Mothma under his wing. Season 2 would be about them reaching the level where they demonstrate that he has nothing left to teach them.

Center the entire season around the events on Ghorman in 3-2 BBY. (We can have the crucial events that happened during Leida's wedding instead happen during the traditional celebration of the birth of her first child. Would also give an opportunity to show some consequences of Mon Mothma arranging the wedding even though she thinks it is bad for her daughter.)

Don't absolve Cassian from the morally questionable things Luthen does. Cassian is Luthen's man on Ghorman who builds up the resistance in the expectation that this will lead to the massacre, which will then lead to open rebellion against the Empire.

Bix leaves Cassian because if this. He crossed a moral line that she cannot follow him accross in good conscience.

Luthen is captured by Dedra after Mon Mothma's extraction. Have their conversation present their perspectives explicitly: Both wanted to Ghorman massacre to happen. Dedra thought it would help the Empire, Luthen thought it would help the Rebellion. Both explain why they think so and it becomes clear that Luthen is the one with a better grasp on long-term developments.

The emotional climax of the season should involve Cassian, so he is the one who is tasked by Mon Mothma with eliminating Luthen to protect the secrets of the rebellion. There needs to be a risky option for Cassian to get Luthen out alive, but he decides to not take it and instead choses the save option to kill him.

To make this even more gut-punching: Cassian does this mission together with Kleya. (We do still have the flashback episode of Luthen and Kleya.) Kleya wants to take the risky option of getting Luthen out alive because of the personal bond they share. Cassian kills her to be able go through with the save option of killing Luthen.

This way, we get Cassian where he is during early Rogue One personality wise, we get Luthen's ideology vindicated, and we have a more tight plot.

[izels-writing]

j. potter — how forever feels! [5/7]

Pairing: james potter x hopeless romantic!fem!reader

Summary: the stars have aligned and you and james' futures have intertwined.

Warnings: fake dating!!, ANGST, no lily evans slander pls it’s for the plot 😓, things get sirius (haha get it), slightly specific background for reader, heavy jealousy from reader

PART ONE - PART TWO - PART THREE - PART FOUR — PART FIVE

a/n; having a hard couple of days since graduation so ur all gonna suffer bc of it 😈 (jk!!) also if u can peep the b99 dialogue u get a cookie :P

TAGLIST: @hisparentsgallerryy @ilovejamespottersomuch @eli-com @froggiedragon @butterflygxril @d1lf-loverrr @lupinsweater @maraudersgirlie @lovelyygirl8 @hellokitty-girl666 @ttheosloverr @whyucloudingmymind

let me know if you’d like to be added!

you awoke to a bright light shining over your face. you squinted, opening your eyes slightly as you can face to face with the handsome face you'd been sleeping next to for the past few days. you smiled softly at james and closed your eyes again.

"leave me alone, james," you groaned, turning your body away from him.

but nonetheless, the potter boy was persistent. he chuckled and climbed over you, laying you flat on your back gently. you peeked your eyes open, smiling at him. he looked down at you adoringly, like you had hung the stars.

which you found was often the way james looked at you.

"it's christmas!" he exclaimed. "oh come on! we have to go open presents,"

you had done some fair christmas shopping of your own via owl delivery. so, you had a present for everyone in the house—albeit, small—which had been picked out thoughtfully.

"what time is it?" you mumbled, attempting to keep your eyes open. which wasn't hard given james was on top of you, and you'd kill for a sight like that any day.

"it's 7 am," he grinned.

"7?!" you replied incredulously. "james, you should still be asleep, what the hell?"

"well, after you got wine drunk with my mom, we decided to turn in early too," he teased. "how are you feeling by the way?"

ah, that explained the booming headache.

"like crap and like i don't want to be woken up at 7 am," you replied pointedly.

"too bad—my house, my rules, pretty lady," he grinned, leaning down to peck your lips. you grinned into the soft peck, capturing his lips with your own. he groaned quietly and pulled back.

"i know what you're trying to do and it won't work!" he insisted.

you tilted your head with a teasing smile. "no?" you grinned, batting your eyes at him.

"no, not at all," he breathed out. he was terrible at self control when it came to kissing you. that much you had learned in the past few days since you'd actively started kissing.

"ugh, fine," you groaned—though not actually annoyed. you pushed him off of you playfully and sat up, smoothing your hair down. "give me like five minutes to actually look presentable,"

james scoffed. "what're you talking about? you look beautiful!"

you knew you definitely looked like you'd just woken up. your hair was a mess, your eyes were droopy, and you weren't entirely sure that you'd gotten all of your make-up off last night after james and sirius put you to bed. you cringed subtly, remembering your insistence in your wine-drunk state that you were perfectly fine.

you only hoped you hadn't embarrassed yourself entirely.

"that's because you look at me with infatuation, and it's made you dumb," you retorted, standing up to stretch your limbs.

"if anything, love's made me smarter—remember when i baked those cookies for remus a couple of weeks ago?" he replied with a small grin. you pretended not to notice that he said love while you said infatuation.

in fact, you needed to pretend.

"i do! they were good, that was really big of you," you grinned, ambling over to the bathroom to brush your teeth and clean your face. he followed behind, standing in the doorway as you did so.

"so...what'd you get me?" he grinned, raising his eyebrows.

you glared at him playfully in the mirror, spitting the toothpaste out of your mouth. "you'll find out soon," you chuckled.

"but i need to know now!" he whined, coming up behind you to wrap his arms around your waist. you rolled your eyes and stared at him through the mirror.

"patience is a virtue, james," you reminded him gently. a small smile grew as he groaned into your neck.

"that i don't have! you know this!" he whined. he turned serious suddenly. "unless of course it came down to a person and what they wanted,"

you let out a laugh. "yeah, i know that, james," you assured. "i know the kind of person you are,"

you brushed your hair back into a messy braid and sighed, putting your slippers on and both of you quickly made your way downstairs.

the two of you were met with mr. and mrs. potter—who sat on one side of the couch and held mugs in their hands. they greeted you both and gestured for you to get your own cup of coffee, especially you since you were nursing a small headache. within minutes, remus and sirius had made their way down as well.

—

after a few minutes, sirius, remus, euphemia, james, and fleamont had all opened their presents. euphemia got a framed picture of her son and his best friends along with an enchanted wine glass that kept the wine cold while fleamont got a nice mug that was enchanted to keep everything hot with "number one dad!!" written in front of it. remus got a limited edition book you had saved up for. sirius got a poster he'd been wanting, along with a vinyl that he didn't have yet from his favorite band.

and then there was james. you'd searched far and wide for his present. after all, the boy could afford almost anything. you knew it was the thought that counted but it didn't make it any less nerve-wracking. so you got him two presents. one was a quidditch case with his name engraved and the gryffindor lion printed on the top. and then last one, well it was a bit more heartfelt.

james unwrapped the present carefully, feeling the sides of the box. you waited nervously, hands fidgeting in your lap. despite sirius and remus' assurances that he would love it, you were still scared he'd hate it.

"y/n..." he chuckled, "what is it?" he asked rhetorically. once he unwrapped it, he picked up the small book and opened it to read:

to the brightest star on the pitch

james potter

from your cold-blooded girl <3

he turned to you and grinned as he read it, you smiled softly and urged him to keep looking. he flipped the page and his eyes softened at the sight.

it was a photo album. the first picture was a picture of him, remus, peter, and sirius—laughing together after a game. remus and peter and sirius all had painted their faces in support of james. you had snapped the picture secretly, intending to keep it for your own scrapbook until you remembered that you likely wouldn't be friends with the boys after graduation given you and james' situation.

thankfully, you'd found another use for it.

james marveled at the many pictures of him and his friends. when he turned the next two pages, there were pictures of him and marlene, who was most certainly his best girl friend on and off the pitch. there was one of her on his back, kissing his cheek. another picture you'd taken in secret.

he smiled softly, looking up at you with a different kind of look you'd only seen from him once before.

he turned the next page and there were pictures of him and lily—as much as it had pained you to include them. some of them talking in class, some of them laughing, and some of them playing around. you had hated including those pictures, your heart squeezing tightly in jealousy. but james loved lily and you needed to find a way to accept that.

he turned the page, finding some pictures that you had taken over the holiday of him and his parents. there were various ones of him and his mum hugging, cooking, laughing, and even smiling. then there were some of him and his dad, sharing a drink, studying a potion fleamont had made, and one of them shoveling the snow out in the year.

and beneath every single picture, you had scribbled the date, the people in the picture, and a description. you expected the next pages to be empty, as you hadn't added any pictures of yourself. you'd left the empty pages for him to fill. except, when he turned the page, there were a few more pictures.

there was various more pictures. one of you and james laughing in the common room. another of you sitting in james' lap during a party. another of him lifting you up after he'd won a game, spinning you around. there were various more, but the one that stood out to you the most was the one of you and james sleeping in his bed—you curled into him while he, in his sleep, had curled his arms around you.

you looked up in surprise, your eyes catching sirius and remus' gaze. sirius smirked at you, while remus grinned slyly. 'thank you,' you mouthed to them, a small smile gracing your face.

james picked up, out of all of them, the one of you smiling at the camera (a picture you had believed marlene was going to keep for herself) lifting james' old jersey to show it off. he smiled at you softly. "i love it," he smiled, reaching over to pull you toward him. like always, you allowed him to pull you and you fell into his lap—him hugging your waist. you chuckled quietly.

"i'm so glad you do," you whispered, kissing his head softly.

"effie, are you crying?" fleamont asked with a small laugh.

"they just remind me of us," euphemia sniffled.

you and james ignored that comment and pretended not to hear it. then, james stood up and set you down on the couch while he went over to grab your present. from him. you'd already opened the ones from the others, but he wanted to 'save the best for last'.

he sat the two rectangular boxes in front of you, one wider than the other. you opened the smaller but taller box first. a quiet gasp fell from your lips as you looked up at him in disbelief.

they were the red and black heels you had pointed out to him months ago. the beautiful, elegant heels were exactly your size.

"james..." you whispered.

you'd told james once that you'd hardly had nice things growing up unlike him. that you always dreamed of the nice things, even if you knew you didn't need them. and he had remembered.

"open the next one," he smiled.

you opened the next box and let out a small sigh of appreciation. you pulled the long, dark red dress out of its box—handing it to james to get a full length view of it. it was a long, floor length dress with a sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder straps. it was tight around the body but flared out once ir reached the thighs.

"james...i...it's beautiful," you muttered, marveling at the dress. with the heels, it was the perfect outfit.

"thank you," you said quietly, standing up to hug him tightly. sirius came up to grab the dress as he hugged you back tightly.

"i figured it was something you could wear to the quidditch ball come march," he smiled softly.

you nodded with a wide grin. "i'd love to," you replied softly.

you only wished you could stay in this bliss of domesticity forever.

——

after new years, you had all began to pack up and make your way back to hogwarts. you and james had somehow gotten closer and for a moment, you liked to believe you were an actual couple. if anything, you didn't want to leave the happy little bliss you called home.

because they really had made you feel at home.

you frowned as you put away your shoes in your trunk, ignoring james' eyes on you.

"are you alright, love?" he asked, walking around the bed to stand beside you. you nodded wordlessly, not meeting his gaze as you folded some of your clothes and place it in the trunk.

"hey...come on, talk to me," he whispered, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. he caressed your cheek softly. "come on..."

"everything's going to change once we get back," you admitted, though vaguely.

"what do you mean?" he asked softly, searching for your gaze. you set down your clothes and turned to him.

"once we get back, you'll go straight back to liking lily and i'll go straight back to avoiding benjamin—everything we did this holiday, we're going to act like it didn't happen," you explained quietly, a little shamefully.

james shook his head. "listen to me," he said softly, looking you in the eyes. "nothing is going to change. i'm not going to act like this never happened. you are one the best things that's ever happened to me, i wouldn't give that up for anything,"

you tilted your head, biting the inside of your lip. "really?"

he cupped your face, smiling at you. "really," he assured. "i'm just happy you're letting me kiss you now,"

you grinned, rolling your eyes playfully. you pressed a soft kiss to his lips, fixing his glasses afterward. "well, i do enjoy it..." you replied.

"believe me, it's not just you, pretty girl," he grinned, kissing you again softly. james brought his hands from your face down to your waist, pulling you flush against him. you smiled softly into the kiss, before pushing him back gently.

"we have to pack," you reminded him.

he groaned. "i know, i know..."

——

the ride back to hogwarts was fun and less nerve-wracking. you and b/f/n had exchanged gifts and you two had integrated yourselves into the tight-friend group. as the four boys chatted with each other, b/f/n sat next to you.

"i have something to tell you," she whispered.

you turned your attention away from staring at james. you smiled softly at her. "what's up?" you asked quietly.

"peter and i, we found out we live near each other," she whispered excitedly. she had a look on her face, one you hadn't seen in a while. it was a good look for her.

"and?" you pressed on excitedly.

"i think he likes me," she whispered. "and...i like him," she added sheepishly.

"go for it!" you whispered back excitedly. "he's a good  guy!"

"i think...i think i will," she smiled.

"good," you whispered back with a smile.

"maybe we'll be the next james and y/n," she teased, nodding over at james' hand resting on your thigh. you flushed a light pink and rolled your eyes playfully.

"shut up," you whispered back.

as soon as you all arrived back at hogwarts, you all began walking back to the castle—talking animatedly amongst yourselves. as you were close to reaching the castle, you and james turned as you both heard someone call his name.

lily evans ran up, hair perfectly disheveled and her make-up perfectly styled. she looked beautiful, elegant even. and she smiled widely at james in a way that was hypnotizing. a part of you wanted to hate lily, but she was such a good person—that you couldn't.

"james...can i talk to you alone?" she asked softly, smiling at you briefly in greeting before turning her sole focus on james. james nodded kindly and smiled at her. your heart sunk even if you knew it didn't mean anything.

"yeah, yeah," he replied. "i'll see you back at the dorms, alright?"

you nodded. "yeah, of course...it was nice to see you, lily," you replied kindly, forcing a small smile before you joined sirius, remus, peter, and b/f/n who had all stopped.

you gazed over at them worriedly as lily and james began talking to each other, engaged in a happy conversation. a part of you felt nauseous at the sight.

sirius nudged you. "hey, don't worry, okay? he loves you," he assured, wrapping an arm around you.

but no, james did not. his heart belonged to lily the moment he laid eyes on her.

you nodded. "yeah, you're right," you lied. you all turned around and made your way to the dorms, doing everything in your power to ignore every worry in your head.

——

valentine's day soon rolled around and a part of you was nervous. you and james had agreed on no gifts, instead opting to spend the day together after classes. you weren't sure why you were nervous, maybe it was that you'd tried to distance yourself. you knew james at the very least did care for you and he wasn't a liar.

but you also couldn't shake the fact that he still loved lily even if he vehemently denied it.

"so? where are we going today?" he grinned, leaning over from beside you.

you shrugged. “whatever you wanna do,” you answered casually.

james furrowed his brow, like he usually did when he was confused. as the professor finished his lecture and allowed independent work, james turned to you and nudged you.

“hey…you alright? what’s wrong?” he asked quietly. with the chatter in the room, it was likely no one would hear you both, but he didn’t want to risk it.

“i’m fine,” you mumbled to him. “just tired is all,”

“y/n,” he said lowly. “what’s wrong?”

“nothing, seriously,” you replied, faking a smile at him. “i’m okay, just tired. haven’t been sleeping well,”

despite being unconvinced, james nodded and dropped the subject, instead opting for you both to finish the assignment.

as class finished up, you turned to him with a small smile. you had an idea suddenly, feeling the valentine’s day spirit as you watched many people exchange gifts in the classroom.

“do you wanna eat lunch together today? i know we’re spending the afternoon after classes together but i figured lunch could be added?” you suggested casually, smiling up at him.

he went to agree before a look of realization passed over his face. “i’m sorry, love. i promised lily i’d help her study for transfiguration during lunch, she’s beeb a bit behind…” he said softly. “but i promise, after classes, i’m all yours,”

well, there goes your valentine’s spirit.

you nodded with a small frown. he had been spending a lot of time with lily, since after christmas break she had talked to him about needing his tutoring in that one class. you knew very well she was doing fine, given you were both in the same class, but what could you say? or do?

“you know what? i just remembered i have something to do today, so why don’t you spend the day with lily?” you suggested, albeit a bit coldly.

you didn’t know what came over you. you weren’t like this, ever. but the thought of losing james was making you unbelievably jealous, even if it was part of the agreement.

the bell rang. you stood up and james sighed. “y/n, don’t be like that—“

you pulled your hand away from his hand. “no, seriously, james. i have something to do, take lily out of something, she seems to enjoy your company anyway,”

if you were a different person, you wouldn’t have noticed the hurt look on james’ face. but you did. and it made you feel even more upset.

you tried to salvage it by kissing his hair briefly before bidding him a quiet goodbye. he held onto your hip briefly as you did it, which made you feel ever worse.

you quickly left the classroom, catching a glimpse of lily waiting outside of the classroom for him. she spotted you and offered a wave and tight smile. but you couldn’t bring yourself to return the gesture, instead pretending you didn’t see her and walked off.

you couldn’t actually be mad at lily.

james was never yours to begin with. and you had seemed to forgotten that.

——

you and sirius lied on his bed, taking a break from your studying together to stare up at the ceiling. you had muggle studies together and were studying for an upcoming test. he spoke absentmindedly about some thing remus had told him about, pausing when he realized you hadn’t actually been listening.

it had been two weeks since the valentine’s day incident, you and james had since resolved it—mostly. he had kept hanging out with lily and you had chalked up your behavior as a bad day. he believed you, like the adorably idiot he was.

but you hadn’t stopped thinking about it.

“hey,” sirius whined, shoving you lightly from beside you. “you’re not listening to me!”

you shook yourself from your thoughts and chuckled. “sorry, what were you saying?”

“what’s up with you? you’ve been quieter and more distant than usual…” he asked, turning his head to meet you eyes. you turned to him as well, staring at each other as you lied on the bed.

“do you think james still loves lily?” you asked bluntly.

“woah,” sirius said suddenly. he sat up, looking down at you. “that’s a big question,”

“i know,” you replied quietly. “but do you think he does?”

sirius took a deep breath. “he loves you,”

you shook your head sitting up. “but does he still love lily?”

sirius fell silent for a minute, avoiding your gaze. then he spoke, “i think it’s complicated…” he admitted.

you scoffed, looking away. “how complicated can it be? does he love her or not?”

sirius looked at your hurt expression and found he could not lie to you. he knew james did love lily, but he also loved you. but lately, he was started to believe his love for lily was returning. what with being at her beck and call every time she said she needed help with transfiguration homework…or anything else.

“i think he does,” sirius replied quietly. “but it doesn’t mean he loves you any less,“

you rolled your eyes, a sharp pain in your chest as you felt a ball rise to your throat. you stood up, grabbing your things. “god, i’m so stupid…” you muttered.

“y/n, please…” he pleaded. sirius wasn’t sure what he was pleading for, but it was something. “just don’t…I don’t know! look, he loves you!” he insisted.

you shook your head, hoisting your bag over your shoulder. “you can’t love two people at the same time, sirius.” you looked at him, eyes softening despite your heartbreak. “thank you…for being honest,”

he nodded, unsure if he should say anything else. even if he had decided, you left before he could.

after leaving the room, you quickly made your way down to the quidditch pitch. james was practicing alone, like he usually did on wednesdays. you were afraid if you waited any longer, you’d selfishly lose the courage to say what you needed to.

as you entered the pitch, you took quick notice to james in the air—talking to someone in the stands. you took one look and felt your chest being ripped out. a flash of dark red hair was all you needed to see.

“james!” you called. he turned quickly, wasting no time in flying down to you. he had a big smile on his face, which made your chest hurt even more.

he noticed your serious expression and his face became concerned. “are you okay? what’s wrong? I thought you were studying with pads?” he asked, rattling off the questions as he scanned you to make sure you were alright.

“i can’t do this anymore,” you blurted out, feeling the oxygen leave your lungs as james suddenly looked hurt…and scared.

“can’t do what? muggle studies? baby, you can always just study more with pads..and me! i’ll help,” he insisted, clearly wanting to convince himself it was about a class.

“no, james, i can’t do this anymore,” you insisted, gesturing between the two of you. you felt a ball rise to your throat. “i’m done, i’m out, you got your end of the deal and so did i,”

“hey, hey, love…what do you mean? we’re good together, we love each other,” he insisted, attempting to cup your face. you stepped back.

“no, james. i love you,” you replied, voice shaky as tears brimmed your eyes. “you love lily,”

he shook his head, face looking hurt and broken. “no, i love you!”

you swallowed thickly, tears threatening to spill. "you mean to tell me you don't feel all warm when she smiles at you? feel like you're going to faint when she touches you? want to be around her every waking moment? you're telling me you don't feel that for her?" you asked, staring up at him expectantly.

he stayed silent. at a loss for words, he glanced back at lily and then at you. his eyes looked glossy.

"you want to know how i know you feel that?" you asked softly. "because i feel that around you!"

a sob threatened to leave your mouth as you said it. so you clamped your mouth shut and shook your head, taking a deep breath. you grabbed the old jersey in your bag, handing it to him.

"i'll see you around, james," you muttered shakily.

before he could say anything, you left.

[magical-reid]

The Rings We Keep Part 3 (Final Part)

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem!FBI!Reader

Genre: fluff

Content warnings: none

Word count: 6.7K

Part 1 / Part 2

Summary: The days following your kiss with Spencer had been a whirlwind of barely contained feelings. It was unspoken but there—something unshakable between you and him. You had agreed to take things slow, to let your connection build naturally without forcing it into a label or rushing anything.

But the more time you spent together—both on and off cases—the more impossible it seemed to keep your growing bond a secret.

Growing Together

The weeks passed with surprising ease. You and Spencer began doing things together outside of work—real, honest-to-God dates. You went to that quiet café again, and Spencer insisted on getting the most obscure drink on the menu to make you laugh. You went to see a movie, and instead of just watching it, you spent the entire time discussing the plot afterward, each of you analyzing the other’s take on the characters and the themes. You cooked together more often, laughing when things went wrong, and celebrating when things went right. It wasn’t perfect, but it was yours.

You realized, as your connection deepened, that it wasn’t the moments of perfection that mattered. It was the moments where you were both present. Where, even in the chaos of your careers, there was a softness between you that felt like home.

Spencer began leaving little notes for you—little reminders of things, like “don’t forget to hydrate” or “call me when you’re done with your shift so I can hear your voice.” They were small things, but they meant more than he could know. The affection was there, and it was becoming more tangible with each passing day.

One evening, as you walked out of the precinct after another long shift, Spencer stopped at the door and turned to face you. His expression was quiet, earnest.

“You know, we’re kind of doing this,” he said softly, his hand finding yours in a gesture that felt so natural. “A real relationship. No more pretending.”

You smiled back at him, feeling the familiar flutter in your chest. “Yeah, we are.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Leak That Led to Living Together

Things between you and Spencer had only grown closer, and you were starting to feel more at ease with your relationship. But one evening, after another grueling case, you got a call from your landlord about the persistent leak in your bathroom. The water had been dripping for weeks, and no matter how many times you had contacted maintenance, nothing had been fixed.

When you’d first reported it, the landlord’s maintenance team had insisted it was just a small issue with the seal around the tub—an easy fix, or so they’d claimed. But the leak hadn’t gone away. Instead, it had grown worse, and the water had started to spread beyond the bathroom floor, staining the ceiling beneath it.

This time, the landlord called with an update, telling you that the plumber had discovered a more serious problem. After taking a closer look at the pipes, they’d realized there was extensive water damage to the plumbing, likely caused by a burst pipe that had been slowly leaking for a while. The entire system needed to be replaced, and unfortunately, the damage was so severe that the apartment was now uninhabitable.

“I’m sorry, Y/N,” the landlord said over the phone. “But it’s going to take weeks to fix this, and it’s not safe for you to stay there.”

You stared at the phone, feeling an odd sense of dread creep into your chest. Your apartment, the one place you’d tried to make home, was no longer a safe place to live. And now, you had no idea where to go.

That evening, you called Spencer, you could hear the usual soft smile that sat on his face in his voice, and when you explained the situation with the apartment, you could hear it drop and the sound of concern taking its place.

“You could… move in with me,” Spencer suggested after a long pause, his voice almost hesitant. “I know it’s sudden, and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I have the space. You could even have the guest bedroom if you want.”

The offer hung in the air between you, filled with the weight of a thousand unsaid words. On one hand, it felt like a natural step forward; on the other, it made everything feel even more real. You’d only just started to find your rhythm with Spencer, and now you were being asked to share more than just occasional meals or nights spent watching movies. You were being asked to share your life.

“I don’t want to impose,” you said slowly, but deep down, you knew you needed something—someone—and Spencer had always been there for you.

“It’s not an imposition. I promise. And besides,” he added with a playful tone, “you’ve already spent enough time in my apartment, you might as well move in anyway.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, the tension between you easing. It didn’t feel like a big leap anymore. It felt like a logical step. So, with a sigh of relief, you agreed.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Living Together

The transition to living together was smoother than you expected. You slowly brought in a few of your things, mostly clothes, some books, and a few personal mementos. Spencer had insisted on helping you rearrange the guest bedroom to make it more comfortable, though you mostly ended up sharing his room. His apartment, for all its quiet, neatness, had always felt a little impersonal—a place to sleep, a place to work. But now, with your things scattered around, it felt… like home.

The first week was awkward in some ways, but those little things that had once been awkward became comforting. Like how you both gravitated toward the kitchen to cook together or how Spencer would leave a cup of coffee on the counter for you, even though he knew you’d be up hours before him. There was the gentle hum of everyday life—the kind of life you hadn’t expected to build with anyone.

As the weeks went by, there were still moments when you caught each other’s eyes, the depth of your connection reflected in the soft gaze you exchanged. Spencer was still Spencer—quirky, brilliant, and occasionally awkward—but now, there was something more. Something comforting. Something real.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The BAU's Subtle Observations

It started with a few casual glances. A look exchanged when you thought no one was watching. Spencer offering you a small, private smile after a long day. Nothing overt, nothing that would raise suspicion… or so you thought. But of course, you weren’t fooling anyone.

It was a Tuesday morning when Emily Prentiss, ever perceptive, first noticed the change.

You were at the FBI field office, surrounded by your team, sorting through case files and preparing for a briefing. Spencer was deep in conversation with Hotch, his voice low and focused, but every time you passed him to grab a file, he would offer you a look—an expression of something deeper than just professional respect.

Emily raised an eyebrow, watching the exchange. You didn’t think she caught it, but you were wrong.

After the briefing, as the team dispersed to prep for the next part of the case, Emily approached you casually, her voice light but her eyes sharp.

“Everything okay between you and Spencer?” she asked, a small, knowing smirk on her face.

You stiffened, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, why?"

Emily shrugged nonchalantly, though there was a glint of amusement in her gaze. "I don’t know, just seems like you two have... chemistry." She paused, leaning in as if to whisper. "I mean, more than usual. Like… special chemistry."

Your heart skipped a beat. You couldn’t hide the flush creeping up your neck. “We’re just… working together, Em. You know how it is.”

Emily didn’t press any further, but she wasn’t buying it. She gave you one last look—a blend of curiosity and something close to satisfaction—before moving away.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Derek’s Unsubtle Observations

The next person to pick up on it was Derek Morgan. Of course, Derek. He had a way of reading people, of catching little things that others missed. And Spencer, despite his usual oblivion, wasn’t immune to Derek’s sharp eyes.

It was during a case briefing that Derek shot you an exaggerated grin from across the table. You felt a little off balance as he did, glancing over at Spencer who, of course, seemed blissfully unaware—head down, focused on the whiteboard.

When Derek caught your eye again, he leaned toward you, his voice lowered just enough that no one else could hear.

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed, Reid. He’s definitely been… extra concerned about you lately.”

You froze, trying to remain casual, but Derek wasn’t having it.

“Extra careful, extra protective,” Derek continued, a grin tugging at his lips. "I mean, I can’t blame him. But it’s cute, the way you two dance around it."

Your cheeks burned with embarrassment, but you kept your tone steady. “You’re reading too much into it, Derek. We’re just… working the case together.” You realized too late that saying the words out loud didn’t make it sound any more convincing.

Derek’s grin only widened. "Oh yeah? 'Cause it sure looks like you’re both trying really hard not to actually admit what’s going on here."

You shook your head, trying to laugh it off. “Drop it, Derek.”

He shrugged. “Whatever you say. Just don’t be surprised if the whole office catches on sooner or later.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Hotch and JJ’s Quiet Knowing

By the end of the week, the rumors were practically brewing behind closed doors. Even Hotch had noticed. You had no idea how, but there was something in his eyes when he looked between you and Spencer—a hint of quiet awareness.

You were in the middle of a strategy session, with the entire team gathered in the conference room. Spencer and you were standing next to each other, closer than usual, both scanning a map for clues. When you turned to point something out to Spencer, his hand brushed yours, and it was the lightest of touches, but it didn’t go unnoticed by Hotch.

Later, as the team filed out, Hotch approached you with a quiet, almost fatherly tone.

“Y/N,” he said softly, his voice low enough that only you could hear, “if you and Spencer are figuring things out, just be careful. This kind of thing... it can get complicated.”

Your heart sank. You hadn’t expected Hotch—of all people—to bring it up. But of course, he’d been around long enough to know how these things worked. He knew how the lines between work and personal life could blur, especially in an environment like this.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you said quickly, your voice a little too high-pitched to sound casual.

Hotch gave you a small, understanding nod. “Just remember what’s at stake. I trust both of you. But you need to be sure about what this is.”

You swallowed hard. “We’re just... getting to know each other, sir.”

Hotch didn’t press further, but his look lingered, as though he was waiting for you to come to him with the truth when you were ready.

When you walked out of the room, you saw JJ talking quietly with Emily and Derek, her eyes flicking between the two of you. You knew they were all trying to be respectful, giving you the space to sort things out. But there was no doubt in your mind now that the cat was out of the bag. They all knew.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Unit's Observations

It wasn’t just the BAU team that was starting to piece together what was happening between you and Spencer. Your own unit had begun to notice, too—particularly when it came to your seemingly frequent visits to the BAU.

It was a Friday morning when the comments started. You had just wrapped up a case with your team and had come over to the BAU to debrief, a habit that had become almost routine since you and Spencer started spending more time together. It wasn’t unusual for you to drop by, but your colleagues had begun to raise eyebrows at how often you were around—and this time, they weren't going to let it slide.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

A Casual Observation

You were sitting at your desk, chatting with a few agents from your unit about the latest case developments when one of your colleagues, Michelle, leaned against the back of your chair. She had a mischievous grin on her face, and you could tell something was coming.

"Y/N," Michelle said casually, her tone teasing, "I think I need to have a little chat with you."

You turned to look at her, pretending to look confused. "About what?"

Michelle raised an eyebrow. "About how you're always over at the BAU. And not just when you're assigned to a case with them." She paused, making it sound as casual as possible. "I mean, you’re like a permanent fixture over there now. Kind of makes a person wonder if you're spending more time with them than you are with us.”

The rest of your team, who had been quietly watching the exchange, shifted in their seats, clearly waiting for your response. You laughed nervously, trying to play it off.

“What can I say? I’m just a really good team player," you replied, your tone light. "We’ve got a great working relationship. You know how it is."

Michelle leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Uh-huh. A ‘working relationship.’ Sure. So, are you really just popping over there to discuss case files and not, you know, just hanging out with your ‘husband’ Reid?”

You froze, eyes widening slightly. You had thought you were being subtle, but apparently, you hadn’t been as stealthy as you’d hoped. You shot Michelle a mock glare.

“Really?” you said, trying to hide the warmth rising in your cheeks. “You’re going to start with that?”

Michelle just grinned. “You know, the team’s been talking. We’re not blind. Besides he is your “husband”, we’re just waiting for you to admit it.”

Before you could come up with a clever response, another colleague, Greg, chimed in, his tone light but unmistakably teasing.

“Yeah, Y/N, you’re always over there, like, even when you don’t have a case to work on. And when you do show up, you’re practically glued to Spencer’s side. We get it—he’s a great guy, but you don’t have to keep pretending you’re just there to consult. We can tell what's going on.”

You felt your face flush with embarrassment, though you tried to keep it under control. "You guys are crazy. There’s nothing going on."

But your colleagues weren’t buying it. They exchanged knowing looks, their grins widening.

“I don’t know,” Greg said, nudging Michelle playfully. “I think we’ve been more than patient. It’s time for Y/N to spill the beans. Don’t you think?”

Michelle gave you a sideways glance. “Seriously, Y/N, you can’t fool us anymore. We’ve all seen the way Spencer looks at you. And, well... you’re always there.”

You laughed awkwardly, realizing there was no point in denying it.

"Okay, okay," you relented with a sigh, finally conceding. "You got me. It’s not just casework. Spencer and I... we’ve been spending time together."

The team’s reaction was immediate. Greg, with his usual playful grin, said, "Well, it’s about time!" while Michelle gave you a satisfied smirk. “Told you, Y/N. We can spot a love story from a mile away.”

But it was when your unit chief, Captain Harris, finally spoke up that you knew it was all over. He had been quiet during the exchange, simply observing with his arms crossed.

“I’m not one for gossip," he said, his voice low but carrying a sense of humor that you hadn’t expected. "But I gotta say, you’ve been spending a lot of time with the BAU lately. If you’re gonna keep coming around here, at least bring us some donuts next time. You know, for your ‘official work-related visits.’”

The group erupted into laughter, and for the first time in days, you found yourself relaxing. They weren’t angry, just amused. Your unit might’ve been a little surprised by the news, but they had no problem with it.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The BAU’s Silent Understanding

Back at the BAU headquarters later that day, the air was thick with unsaid words. Spencer was caught up in a phone call with Penelope, and you found yourself sitting with Emily at the desk, both of you pretending to focus on paperwork while silently trying to decipher the elephant in the room.

“So,” Emily said, finally breaking the silence. “You and Spencer…?”

You tried not to flinch, trying to maintain a cool facade. “We’re fine, Em. Really.”

Emily’s eyes softened, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m not going to push you. But... if you two are figuring it out, I just want you to know that we’re here for you. You don’t have to hide it.”

You glanced over at Spencer, still engrossed in his conversation, and your heart squeezed in your chest. Could you really keep this hidden? Could you keep him hidden? The bond you shared felt undeniable, and yet, the idea of anyone else knowing—of being out in the open—was terrifying.

“I know,” you said softly. “It’s just... we’re not sure yet. I don’t want to make things complicated for the team. For us.”

Emily nodded, her smile understanding. “Yeah, I get that. But trust me, no one’s going to judge you. If you and Spencer want to take this further, you just have to trust yourselves.”

You gave her a small, grateful smile, though inside, you weren’t as sure as you wanted to be. Everyone—your coworkers, the BAU—had started to catch on, and it was only a matter of time before the truth came spilling out.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Unspoken Decision

That night, after the case had wrapped up, you found yourself alone with Spencer in the quiet of the bullpen. The weight of everything—the team’s observations, the unspoken tension, the growing closeness between you—was pressing down on you, making it hard to think clearly.

Spencer was typing something on his laptop, oblivious to your thoughts. You stood in the doorway of his office, watching him, feeling a strange mix of longing and uncertainty.

Finally, Spencer looked up, sensing your presence. His expression was open, his eyes searching yours for any sign of what you were feeling.

“We need to talk, don’t we?” he said quietly.

You nodded, taking a step toward him, your heart racing.

“I think we do.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Slow Unraveling

Over the next few weeks, the quiet buzz around you and Spencer only grew. The teams was trying to be subtle—too subtle—but it didn’t take much to realize that they knew. The way their eyes would flicker between you and Spencer, the little smirks, the awkward attempts to cover up knowing smiles. You and Spencer tried your best to act normal, but it felt like the world was watching.

You were in the bullpen, sorting through case files, when Spencer walked up behind you, his voice soft but steady. “You find what you need?”

His presence was always comforting, but you could feel it today—there was an unspoken electricity between the two of you. You’d been careful not to make it obvious, but everything had changed since that first kiss. The way you found yourself seeking his gaze. The way your heart skipped a beat whenever his hand brushed against yours.

You nodded absently, trying to focus on the task at hand. But when Spencer leaned over to grab a file, his shoulder brushed against yours, and you could feel your pulse quicken.

“I’ll check in with Penelope about the latest report,” Spencer said, his voice steady, but you could hear the underlying warmth in it.

You didn’t reply immediately. Instead, you let yourself feel the quiet, unspoken weight of the moment. Spencer was always careful with you, and for some reason, that mattered more than it ever had before.

“I’ll be right here,” you finally managed, turning back to your work, trying to act like you weren’t both navigating a minefield of what comes next. 

Spencer paused for just a second longer than necessary, and then he was gone, his steps light but purposeful.

And you were left behind, quietly trembling in the wake of his presence.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Emily's Subtle Prodding

It wasn’t just Spencer who was making things harder for you to ignore. Emily had, by now, practically perfected the art of nonchalantly mentioning things you could never fully ignore.

“Y/N, I was thinking we could grab lunch after this,” Emily said, her voice casual, but there was something in her tone that made you pause. You raised an eyebrow, instinctively looking toward Spencer, who was still at the other end of the bullpen, typing something on his laptop.

Emily leaned in, her voice lowering to a more conspiratorial tone. “Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to give me a play-by-play of the Reid Chronicles,” she teased, though there was a glimmer of something else in her eyes. “But, you know, if you and Spencer want to talk about whatever this is—whatever you are—feel free to do it over lunch. I’m just here for the ride.”

Your heart skipped a beat. You hadn’t realized how much the team was piecing together—especially Emily, who was always so astute.

“I don’t know what you mean,” you said with a forced laugh, though even you could hear the falter in your voice.

Emily gave you a soft smile, her expression almost too knowing. “Right,” she said, the grin still lingering. “Just thought you might want someone to talk to.”

You met her gaze for a moment, something unspoken passing between the two of you. She knows, you thought. And maybe, everyone else did too.

You couldn't deny it anymore—things were no longer subtle. Emily’s knowing smile was only the beginning. The team had been dropping hints, making observations that were becoming harder to ignore. You could feel the weight of their knowing looks whenever you and Spencer exchanged a quiet glance or lingered a second too long in conversation. It was like living in a house with the walls closing in. No matter how much you tried to downplay it, the quiet buzz was building, and soon enough, it was going to explode.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Teasing Begins

Of course, it was Derek who noticed first. He was never one to miss anything, and the way he watched the two of you in the bullpen, you could tell he had put two and two together. It was the way Spencer had kept glancing at you—his gaze filled with something new, something unspoken. The way you two had been spending more time together lately, working late into the evening, sharing quiet moments that didn’t go unnoticed.

It all came to a head one morning during a case briefing. Spencer was scribbling equations and notes on the whiteboard, and you were at the table, trying to stay focused. But Derek was looking at the two of you with that mischievous grin on his face, clearly enjoying whatever he had figured out.

"Don’t think I haven’t noticed, Reid," Derek said, his voice laced with teasing, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "You’ve been... extra attentive to Y/N lately. Extra careful, extra protective."

"Yeah," Derek continued, turning to you. "I can see the way you two look at each other. It’s like you’re trying real hard to pretend you’re not a thing."

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat. "Derek, it’s not like that," you said, trying to deflect.

"Oh, come on," Derek said, his grin widening. "You’ve been hanging out a lot more, spending all this time together... and don’t get me started on how you two finish each other’s sentences."

 "What are you talking about, Derek?" Spencer asked, clearly oblivious to what Derek was implying.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "You two are too cute for your own good. And I’ve got to say, it’s about time."

You groaned inwardly, glancing at Spencer again. The last thing you needed was for the whole team to catch on.

Before you could respond, Derek added with a wink, "Just make sure you two don’t get too distracted on the next case, alright? We all need you sharp, not distracted by how adorable you are together."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Hotch’s Proposition

It didn’t take long for Hotch to catch wind of the situation. He was always observant, always reading between the lines, and you had a feeling he knew something was going on with you and Spencer.

One afternoon, when the case was on hold for a moment, Hotch asked you to step into his office.

"Y/N," Hotch began, closing the door behind you. He seemed unusually serious. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

You gave a quick nod, trying not to let the nervous energy in your chest show. "Sure, Hotch. What’s up?"

"I’ve noticed you’ve been around more often," he said. "Not just on cases, but in general. Whether it's to consult or to visit Spencer, you’re practically a regular. This way, it’ll just be… more convenient. You’ll have access to all the resources here, and we can stop pretending that you’re not already basically a member of the team." Hotch shrugged, his smirk widening. 

You couldn’t help but laugh at his bluntness. You appreciated his directness, and in a way, his offer felt like the culmination of everything that had already been happening. You had spent more time with the BAU than any outsider in recent memory, and not just for casework.

"I’m guessing this means you don’t mind having me around permanently?" you teased, half-expecting Hotch to shut down the joke.

But Hotch surprised you again, his smile turning more genuine. "You’re one of the best agents I’ve seen, Y/N. That’s why I’m offering you a permanent spot. We could use someone like you."

You felt a rush of pride at his words, but you also felt the weight of the decision. Joining the BAU wasn’t just a job—it was a life choice. Spencer and you had already crossed the threshold from colleagues to spouses. If you took this step, there was no going back.

"Let me think about it, Hotch," you said, your voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts racing through your mind.

"Take your time, you’ve got a lot to think about." he said with a small nod, his expression softening. "I just wanted to make sure you knew the offer was on the table, we’re all in this together. And I think Spencer would be happy to have you stay—officially, but don’t take too long. I think Spencer might be getting jealous of how much time you spend here."

You nodded slowly, feeling a weight settle in your chest. "I’ll think about it,” then chucked, “and I’ll be sure to tell him to keep his distance," you said, only half-joking.

Hotch’s smile was almost affectionate as he waved you off. "Good. Because if he keeps showing up to work with a take-out coffee for you, we’re going to have to have another conversation."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Decision: Joining the BAU

A week later, you found yourself walking into Hotch’s office once again, this time with an answer. Spencer had teased you endlessly about your long deliberations, but you had already made up your mind. You couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the right step for both your career and your relationship.

"I’ve thought about it," you said, standing in the doorway of Hotch’s office. "I’m in. I’ll transfer into the BAU. Just… don’t regret it."

Hotch looked pleased, but he gave you a knowing look. "Regret? Not a chance. Welcome to the team."

And with that, your new chapter truly began.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Turning Point

Another week had gone by and you and Spencer were working late again. The case had been closed for hours, the team long gone by now, but you both had stayed behind to tie up loose ends. The quiet felt different now—calm, but charged with the weight of unspoken things. Spencer had just finished his report and was gathering his things when you caught his eye.

"You want to talk about it?" you asked softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

Spencer hesitated for just a moment, his fingers frozen over the edge of his laptop. His gaze softened as he met your eyes, and for the first time in days, you saw the hint of vulnerability in his expression.

"I don’t think we can keep pretending that nothing’s happening," he said quietly, voice low but certain.

You felt your heart race. You had been trying to be so careful, so mindful of not making things too real too soon. But now, standing there with Spencer, the weight of everything between you finally felt like something worth acknowledging.

"I don’t want to lie anymore," you admitted. "Not to them. Not to ourselves."

Spencer’s lips curled into a small smile—tender, like a promise. "Me neither."

And just like that, in the quiet of the bullpen, the truth hung between you. You weren’t just figuring it out. You knew.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Telling the Team

The next day, after a brief but tense conversation with Spencer, you decided it was time to tell the team. It had to happen. There was no denying it anymore—they had figured it out long ago, and trying to keep it under wraps felt like an act of avoidance. It was time to own it.

You and Spencer had agreed that this would be a joint decision. It wasn’t just about you anymore—it was about both of you, navigating a new chapter in front of people you respected and trusted.

At the end of the day, as the team gathered in the break room to grab a quick bite before the next round of interviews, you stood by the door with Spencer, exchanging a glance.

"Do you think we’re ready for this?" you asked him softly.

He nodded, a small but sure gesture. "We’ve been ready since that first case."

You smiled and then walked into the room, feeling the team’s eyes immediately flicker to you both. The silence was almost oppressive as you and Spencer shared one last, unspoken look before you took a breath and spoke.

"Listen, guys…" you began, your voice steady but filled with the truth. "Spencer and I… we’ve been, well, figuring some things out. And I guess it’s time you knew—we’re together. Officially."

The room was still for a moment, and then Derek broke into a wide grin, clapping Spencer on the back. "Finally!" he exclaimed, clearly delighted. "Took you two long enough."

JJ and Emily exchanged knowing looks, while Hotch’s expression remained neutral, though there was a small flicker of approval in his eyes. Penelope practically bounced in her seat.

"I knew it!" Penelope exclaimed, grinning. "The lovebirds finally came clean!"

You and Spencer exchanged a quiet laugh at the chaos, feeling a weight lift off your shoulders as the team erupted into laughter and teasing. It wasn’t just about the case anymore. It was about the two of you, and you had no idea what the future held—but you were both ready to face it, together.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

A Real Beginning

The days following your confession to the team were a whirlwind of adjustments. There was no more hiding between the lines or pretending that nothing had changed. Now that everyone knew, you and Spencer could finally breathe—and, more importantly, finally be.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Subtle Shift: Something More

The team was thrilled, though their reactions were a mix of teasing and support. Derek had joked about needing to buy wedding gifts, and Emily kept giving you knowing winks whenever Spencer was around. But beneath it all, there was a sense of ease that settled over the group—a sense of understanding that allowed you and Spencer to stop hiding, to stop pretending.

The strangest thing was how quickly your relationship settled into something more. What had started as an arrangement born of circumstance and convenience slowly, almost imperceptibly, turned into something deeper. The quiet moments shared in the hallways, the soft touches that were no longer brushed off as incidental, the steady, almost intimate communication that felt like second nature now.

There was the evening when Spencer came to your apartment after a long day of casework. You were both exhausted, but he’d insisted on making you dinner. He had done this before—he’d made you pasta, insisting that it was the "quickest recipe I know," only to end up with a kitchen disaster that both of you found hilarious. This time, though, it was different. The food was actually good, and there was no need for any laughing off awkwardness.

As you sat down to eat, Spencer caught your gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"You know," he said softly, "I think we’re… actually pretty good at this. The not-pretending part."

You raised an eyebrow, amused but not surprised by his bluntness. "You mean being married?"

Spencer’s expression softened. "Yeah. That."

You chewed on your lip for a second, looking at him from across the table. The way he’d said it, with such quiet sincerity, made your heart ache in a way that was becoming more and more familiar. Spencer wasn’t just your husband by law anymore. He was someone you needed, someone you wanted, in ways that went beyond the comfort of knowing him as a colleague.

"I don’t know what this is, Spencer," you admitted, feeling a bit vulnerable in the quiet of the evening, "but I think it’s something real. Something I didn’t expect."

He smiled—a slow, warm smile that made your chest tighten. "I think I’d like to see where it goes. Together."

And that was when you both realized that the line between work and personal had faded. You were no longer just co-workers trying to make the best of an unexpected situation. You were… something more.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Proposal As the weeks passed, life with the BAU began to feel like the new normal. Your official transfer had gone through without fanfare, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. The dynamics of the team hadn’t changed—they were still as close-knit and unpredictable as ever—but now, there was a certain comfort in the way you and Spencer moved through the day. There was no need to keep your distance, no need to hide in the shadows or keep your relationship a secret. You were married. And, as the days turned into weeks, it became clear that your bond wasn’t just about paperwork—it was about something deeper, something more permanent.

Work was busy, as always, but there was a rhythm to your days now. Spencer, ever the brilliant mind, worked alongside you seamlessly, your roles in cases complementing each other. The team continued to tease you both, of course, but it was all lighthearted, filled with the camaraderie you had long come to expect. They had known the truth for some time, but now it was something everyone could openly acknowledge—without the lingering tension that had once colored those moments. Every stolen glance, every brush of hands, was no longer something you had to hide. It was something you could share with them, as well as with each other.

Yet, despite the ease of these days, there was an unspoken weight between you and Spencer—an unresolved feeling that neither of you had fully addressed. You’d already tied the knot in a way that felt true, but there was still something more, something unspoken that lingered in the quiet moments you shared. It wasn’t about a grand gesture or a fancy ceremony—it was about the commitment, the promise you had made to one another, in the simplest and most profound way. But Spencer was never one to leave things unsaid for long.

It all started with a case. Well, several cases, but one, in particular, brought you closer to Spencer Reid than you'd ever imagined. You had worked together on many investigations before, but this one was different. The case was grueling, and you had been called in to help, as usual. Your skillset and unique perspective had proven valuable to the team, and you had spent many late nights alongside Spencer, working through the complexities of the investigation.

One of those nights, after the rest of the team had gone home, you found yourself in the bullpen with Spencer, still poring over case files. The atmosphere in the office was quiet, almost intimate in the way you two moved around each other without saying much, both absorbed in the work.

Then, unexpectedly, Spencer stopped what he was doing and looked up at you.

"Y/N," he began, his voice tentative, "can I ask you something?"

You turned toward him, still absorbed in your own thoughts but curious at the change in his demeanor. Spencer’s gaze was intense, but it held something new, something vulnerable.

"Sure," you replied, wondering what was going on in that head of his.

Spencer hesitated for a long moment before speaking again, his words coming out in a rush. "Would you... would you marry me?"

For a brief, heart-stopping moment, you just stared at him, blinking in disbelief. "What?"

He immediately regretted it. You could see it in his face as he stammered, "I mean, not like marry me, marry me, but... it just seemed like the simplest way to... well, to say it."

"Say what?" you asked, trying to make sense of his jumble of words.

Spencer flushed, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t know. I just—I thought... we’ve been working together so much, and I feel like we get each other, and—"

It clicked. You knew exactly what he meant. You’d felt it too—the late-night talks, the comfortable silences, the connection that had been there all along, unspoken, lingering in the air between the two of you.

You smiled softly, your voice quiet but warm. "Okay. I’ll marry you."

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

A Simple Wedding

The wedding that followed was everything you both wanted: small, intimate, and full of love. No big ceremony, just the team gathered around you in a quiet chapel, smiling and congratulating you. Spencer, dressed in a suit, looked more handsome than you had ever seen him. You, in a simple but elegant dress, felt like the luckiest person alive.

The vows were short but meaningful, exchanged between only the two of you, as your team stood by your side. No formal speeches, no extravagant rituals. Just love, spoken in simple words.

“I vow to always listen, always be there, and to love you, in all the ways that I can, for as long as I can,” Spencer said, his voice quiet but steady.

You smiled, your own vows coming out as you held his hand tightly, your heart pounding in your chest. “I vow to stand by you, through everything, and to love you in all the small moments as much as the big ones. I promise to always choose you, every single day.”

And as you walked out of the chapel hand-in-hand, you knew this was only the beginning.

No more secrets. No more pretending. Just the future you had always hoped for, finally in your grasp.

The day of the wedding arrived—quiet, intimate, and beautiful. No huge fanfare, just the people who mattered most: your closest friends, the team. Derek was there, teasing you both just as he always did, while Emily and JJ shared warm, knowing smiles. Penelope dabbed at her eyes, trying to hide her tears, and Hotch gave the kind of approving nod that you knew came from a place of true warmth.

The ceremony itself was simple—held in a small chapel, surrounded by the team, who had supported you both through the hardest and best of times. Spencer stood beside you, his hands slightly trembling as you exchanged vows.

When the officiant pronounced you both married, you kissed Spencer again—this time, without hesitation. The kiss was filled with everything you had been through together, and everything that was still to come.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The Future

Later, as you walked out of the chapel, hand-in-hand, Spencer leaned toward you, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m glad we did this,” he said, his hand tightening around yours.

“Me too,” you replied softly, resting your head on his shoulder. Together, you stepped out into the future, finally knowing that it wasn’t just about the wedding—it was about the life you would build together.

[starweaversguidetothehazbinhotel]



Is it just me or is anyone else bothered by how most Alastor Mpreg fics are written?

Seriously, whether you prefer reading trans-Alastor, (or my personal favorite) Cis-male unwittingly forced to endure the “miracle” of childbirth, too many fics forget that Al died in the 30’s.

The negative effects of smoking and alcohol didn’t become public knowledge until the 1960’s and 70’s.

I need Alastor, begrudgingly pregnant, throwing a hissy fit because Charlie tries switching his coffee to decaf.

I need to see Hüsker risking his neck and refusing to serve (a very hormonal ) Alastor any drinks.

I need to see Angel Dust -the drug addict- calmly explaining to Al that he doesn’t need a stash of opium on-hand for the baby after it’s born. They have better, safer medications for infants now.

I need Vaggie freaking out when Alastor cannibalizes anyone in protection of the hotel. Raw meat is dangerous and lone sharks are practically sushi!

On that note, I need Rosie lovingly fattening him up and giving him all the support and outdated parenting books he could possibly hope for.

I want to see Alastor go to the effort to ensure that his child has everything it could possibly need. Only to be confused by everyone’s judgment when he installs a baby cage into one of his radio tower windows. Unsafe? They act like it’s his first day in Hell! He’s already warded it against stray bullets and Vox-tec drones. Why, he even bought a special cover to keep out the acid rain!

I wanna see him have a breakdown because he’s not preparedfor parenthood, and nothing he does seems to be right. That the staff, well meaning, start crossing boundaries. Making his panic worsen to the point he ends up hiding himself away for days.

I want Lucifer to be the most understanding person in the hotel. Out of all of them, he’s the only one that’s ever been pregnant before and he gets that it’s a bitch. I want him to soften because as much fun as it is tormenting Alastor- he remembers what it was like.

I want him to help Al combat the Victorian mindset that “A held baby is a spoiled baby”

I want him to show Alastor the novel advancements in baby care while making it clear that these are merely options that are available… Alastor doesn’t have to use any of it and it will not be a lesser parent if he chooses not to. (Think of items such as baby monitors, rubber nipples and disposable diapers)

Because Lucifer presents these things as suggestions, Alastor takes it all in-stride, accepting the gifts with humor. “No need to add nappies to the laundry pile!”

In their time together I want Lucifer to discover that Alastor knows how to knit and embroider. I want them to sit together in the evenings crafting clothes and things for the nursery. (Bonus points if the child’s mystery-father turns out to be a completely unknowing Lucifer’s)

Of course, other things can be going on in the plot. War with Heaven. Dealing with the Sins. Stalking from the Vees. (Bonus points for Vox burning with jealousy) Alastor’s Deal TM. But we as a entire fandom are severely under utilizing a literal treasure trove of plot bunnies.

————

I’ve added some fun links for anyone who wants to further play with this idea.

[kenomacreature]

YES, IT REALLY IS JUST KRIS

No, Deltarune is not a whodunnit mystery

(The beautiful art for this banner was made by CursedMemes420 on Discord)

Okay, I didn't think I'd have to do this, but it turns out the new chapters of Deltarune are apparently an entire two months away still so we all have some time to kill. I'm going to use it to try to convince the last remaining fence-sitters that Kris is, in fact, the Knight, and hopefully maybe even convert some doubters.

The idea that Kris is the Knight has figured prominently in my other writing on Deltarune, such as my essay titled The Magic Circle, and my corollary speculation post about the metaphysics of Deltarune. To be frank, I think reading those two would be a much better use of your time, because I cover a lot of the evidence there too and utilize it to actually present an in-depth analysis of what the game's narrative is about. This post here will be purely lazer-focused on making the case for Kris being the Knight, presenting all the evidence I can think of and debunking the major counterarguments.

Let's begin.

THE POSITIVE CASE FOR KRIS BEING THE KNIGHT

Kris creates a Fountain on-screen

This is the requirement for a character being the Knight and Kris is the only one who explicitly clears it – we don’t even have a reason beyond order of elimination to suspect anyone else at the moment.

Kris does it on the Weird Route too, and in spite of Ralsei having explained the ramifications

This tells us that Kris is extremely committed to making fountains and must have some strong reason to be doing what they're doing, something which takes precedence in their mind over potentially risking the lives of other people, including close friends and relatives. On the Weird Route, the risk they're taking is obvious, but I also want to remind people that on the Normal Route - if Kris isn't the Knight - they're creating a Fountain despite another active Fountain creator still being out there, which is arguably even more dangerous and morally objectionable; Kris would be risking omnicide here.

Kris planned the Fountain ahead of time

Between Chapter 1 and 2, Kris plugs in the TV which they later make the focal point of the Fountain they create. This existing as a plot point at all very strongly points to Kris knowing how the mechanics of Dark World creation work prior to Queen’s explanation. On top of this, them eating the pie just so happens to later give them the crucial distraction needed to be able to slash the tires and have Susie stay over. Then, at the beginning of Chapter 2, the narration (which is often aligned with Kris's thoughts) says that "it is not yet time to wash your hands" when you try to do so, further implying that the chapter's ending is already planned.

Kris generally seems to know a lot of stuff that they shouldn’t

For example, they know exactly what’s going on with our control over them, enough to be able to remove or block our control when they need to, and they're confident enough in their abilities that they taunt us about it, smiling at the camera and such. This meta-awareness could potentially be explained by their numerous connections to Gaster (for example, Monster Teen anxiously mentioning that something happened with Kris in relation to the Bunker). Kris also seems to know exactly how Dark Worlds are influenced by Light World objects, as seen in the following point:

Kris’s Fountain creation method is deliberately paralleled with the Knight’s in Chapter 2

Kris plugs in the TV and leaves it on to ensure that they become the Darkner villain - as it turns out, this is exactly what the Knight does with the laptop in the computer lab. Setting aside the fact that Kris is using the Knight's exact methods, how does Kris even know to do this? Kris does it regardless of whether you inspect the laptop and find out what the Knight was doing. How are they so confident about their ability to properly set up this Dark World, if they've never done it before?

Kris uses the Knight's weapon and tool of choice

Queen says that the Knight used a blade to create their fountain, and shows an image of an identical looking knife to Kris’s. Later, we see Kris use that same knife to create the Chapter 3 Fountain. Kris is also named after a type of knife, and is heavily associated with them in general. Toby laying it on this thick would frankly just be kind of dishonest if it didn't have any meaning.

Kris does not have an alibi for the creation of Chapter 2’s fountain

Kris was established to have done something mysterious and physically taxing with a knife over the previous night. Lo and behold, the next day, someone has used a knife to create a Dark Fountain. Just a tad suspicious, maybe? This is why a number of players figure out that Kris is the Knight well ahead of the actual reveal - because the game never gives a satisfying answer to a question it established (what was Kris doing last night?), while providing clear hints (the knife, the TV flavor text) which point towards the correct solution so its reveal doesn't feel contrived or like it's coming out of nowhere. Some Deltarune fans call Kris Knight "obvious" - but they're evaluating it on blatantly unfair pretenses. Kris Knight was surprising, you just can't expect to cash out an already-revealed twist for a second surprise.

Kris’s soulless scenes seem tied to Fountain creation specifically

Chapter 2’s ending seems very much intended to be continuous with Chapter 1’s, answering mysteries which the previous ending left us with. In both instances they use their knife to do stuff, flash their red eyes, and taunt the player.

Kris actually is a knight

Kris wears knight attire in the Dark World and Toby has referred to Kris as a “sword-wielding fantasy knight”. This is not a trivial point; many of Toby’s biggest inspirations, such as Illusion of Gaia and LIVE A LIVE, figure knights and knight-like imagery very prominently, so the symbology of knights in fantasy seems like something he's specifically interested in, including the fact that they are frequently heroic protagonists. And yet most other Knight candidates have no clear or satisfying explanation for why they would be dubbed a “knight”, and why Toby would be choosing that narrative archetype for them. Certainly none of them have the advantage of being a knight protagonist, which leads us to:

Toby is clearly interested in subversions of the protagonist and antagonist roles

Discussing the SNES game LIVE A LIVE, Toby said this (and I must warn the reader of some implied spoilers):

As far as individual chapters go, I really loved the “Middle Ages” chapter. After all the scenarios with atypical game protagonists, finally revealing a standard fantasy setting with a knight hero as one of the “final chapters” was such an excellent twist for a JRPG, and a perfect lead up to the actual last chapter itself. To think that our heroic knight of justice would end up like that… It’s the kind of wonderful betrayal of expectations that influenced me when I created UNDERTALE as well. You know, the thought process of, “to think the protagonist could actually...” Anyway, I don’t think I’m supposed to say any more about that. To be honest, if anything this LIVE A LIVE influence is even stronger in my current work, DELTARUNE. Not only is the story separated into different chapters, but the player’s character is also a sword-wielding fantasy knight, who may play another role than just a simple “hero”.

To be clear, (and again, spoilers!) Toby here is referring to a knight character who goes from being a heroic protagonist to the main villain of the game (whose title is "the Lord of Dark").

OFF, another big inspiration for Toby, features a playable character who is established as firmly separate from the player. As the game progresses you are invited to question their actions and whether you should truly be siding with them.

In moon: Remix RPG Adventure, the traditional JRPG hero turns out to be the game’s antagonist.

Metal Gear Solid 2 complicates the player’s sense of morality and desires with what the “game” pressures them into doing.

And in Toby’s own Earthbound Halloween Hack, the game constantly questions whether what you’re doing is truly “heroic” or right.

It's strongly implied the Knight did not enter the Dark Worlds they created

This is clearest in Chapter 2, where Queen says she doesn't know the Knight's plans and is just guessing based on their actions (which she also recorded via the laptop's camera). Instead, the Knight is implied (in the laptop flavor text, for instance) to have simply manipulated the room and that this is mostly how they exert their will on the worlds they create. This of course sheds new light on how we are to understand Dark Worlds and alters what we thought we knew about Chapter 1 and Fountains generally. And it's all perfectly consistent with Kris’s methods at the end of Chapter 2.

The Darkner bosses are corrupted by the Fountains themselves, not an encounter with the Knight

Even though the Darkner bosses so far purport to serve the Knight, something which has been repeatedly emphasized is that this is not because the Knight sought them out and convinced them to be their servant, but because the Fountains themselves had a corrupting influence. In other words, the Darkner bosses are generated by the Fountain as villainous servants of the Knight.

This is supported both by in-game evidence:

Queen wasn't always so… harsh.

No, she WAS! She just got WORSE somehow!

It wasn't 'til that DARK FOUNTAIN showed up,

That she started going into overdrive.

"Knight" this, "Knight" that, "Fountain" that…

Like, what does that Knight have going for it that I don't!? C'mon!!

And external evidence:

Timestamped Undertale 6th Anniversary stream, where Toby says the Fountain changed King

Kris being the Knight fits well with the storytelling subtext

Deltarune is loaded with subtext about the Dark Worlds being like fictional stories or dreams, and Kris being the Knight is a great fit for this because it implies that they are creating Fountains specifically to be sealed. Their connections with Ralsei (which I'll explain later) also imply that they are guiding/directing the adventures themself. This also opens up plausible speculation about their motivations, such as wanting to get stronger by leveling up or populating Castle Town.

Kris’s CD Bagel noise is the same glissando jingle that plays at the end of the scrapped animated intro

If you don't know about the scrapped intro, here's a timestamped link to the part in the 6th anniversary stream where Toby discusses it. Basically, a jingle which played during a part where the Knight looked down at the Fun Gang from atop a staircase was repurposed in Chapter 2 as a special jingle for Kris. Below is a comparison between the two (I'm not sure who made it, so sorry for not crediting!), and an illustration I threw together of how I imagine the scene looking like.

Kris is arguably the only one who makes sense for the scrapped intro

If the Knight was seen on-screen, even just as a silhouette and even heavily armored, it would reveal too much about their body shape and size to have it be a functional mystery, and it would ruin the “red herring” that it’s Kris in Chapter 2 (the sole exception being if the Knight was the Vessel). Not to mention that Tenna, who would be featured on the staircase, is not created by the Knight if Kris isn't the Knight, so their inclusion is very questionable. Meanwhile, the appearance of "dual" or "split" selves is a common trope in anime intros, so both LW and DW Kris being featured in the same scene would be understood as metaphorical by the viewer.

Ralsei has extremely suspicious ties to Kris

For starters, Ralsei is the same height as them, looks like a typical Dreemurr, and his name is an anagram of Asriel. It seems very likely because of his horns that Ralsei is Kris’s red horn headband, which represents Kris’s desire to be closer to their family and community. From this, it's a pretty intuitive jump to assume that Kris created him, and thus the Grand Fountain as well.

Ralsei initiates cutscenes in both Chapter 1 and 2 where the player looks away from Kris and Ralsei, and upon returning back to their viewpoints finds that Ralsei has been secretly speaking with Kris alone. Ralsei also seemingly lies in Chapter 2 about having “sensed a dark presence” when explaining why he arrived in the Cyber World - what this line implies about when the fountain was created does not make logical sense with the timeline (we'll get more into this later). All in all it seems rather likely that Ralsei is working for Kris, and has been tasked with keeping the player "on track" (but still invested).

Kris is heavily tied to Chara, Undertale’s morally ambiguous player character

Chara – like Kris if they’re the Knight – had an incredibly ambitious and morally questionable plan which they were working towards, and they also have a knack for taunting or rejecting the player with scary smiles and red eyes. Kris being the Knight seems like it’s continuous with the moral ambiguity which Toby clearly seems interested in exploring with his human protagonists.

Some features of the Fountain seem to point to them springing from Kris’s “will”

For example, the consistent emergence of secret bosses located underground with a shared origin story about being contacted by Gaster, where they learn about their lack of control over fate and their subordinate position to some higher entities, has a lot of parallels with Kris’s predicament, and their ties to Gaster. Is there some subconscious reconstruction happening here? I talk about this in my Magic Circle essay.

The question of the Knight is not presented as a whodunnit mystery.

So far, there’s been exactly one major candidate, and they’ve hoarded basically all of the evidence. The remaining characters are left fighting for scraps – the most popular non-Kris candidate is a minor NPC who happens to say some thematically relevant and evocative stuff and has minor ties to the Fountain locations. But there’s no reason in the first place to suspect that there’s anyone who knows about how Dark Fountains work other than the currently established characters, and even less to suspect they’d have the motivation to create them. We barely even understood who the Knight was and what they were doing until approximately two seconds before it was revealed to be Kris (and no, that’s not a red herring just because you say so).

COMMON ARGUMENTS AGAINST KRIS BEING THE KNIGHT

“Any Lightner can create fountains!”

This is true, no doubt. The problem with this line of argumentation is that it does not suffice to dismiss the overwhelming evidence for Kris being the Knight. Kris is not suspected because they’re a Lightner, or even just because they create a Fountain. They are suspected because there are quite literally no other Lightners with any concrete positive evidence for them being the Knight except Kris. When push comes to shove, there’s just not a compelling reason to believe a more complicated alternative explanation for Kris’s actions other than the simple one that is them being the Knight. Occam’s razor says: give preferential treatment to those hypotheses of equal explanatory power which require less assumptions.

“Kris being the Knight is a red herring!”

You can feel that way, but this isn’t an argument. The idea that the Knight’s true reveal is coming sometime later is just baselessly assumed and used to cash out the red herring objection. Again, there’s nothing wrong with thinking that it’s true – it’s okay to have hunches and intuitions – but you can’t use it as an argument, because it isn’t one. 

“Kris isn’t evil!” / “I just don’t want Kris to be an antagonist.”

Again, it’s hard to argue with feelings. It bears mentioning that we really don’t know anything about the motivations of Kris if they’re the Knight. We don’t know whether they’re an “evil” bad guy. Personally, I find it very unlikely, because Toby is typically in the business of writing sympathetic characters even when they do bad stuff, and Kris is already in a fucked up situation just by virtue of us controlling them. If Toby can make Asgore (of child murdering fame) sympathetic, I’m sure he can manage with Kris, and we’ll all be happier for it because conflict and ambivalence creates interesting stories.

“The Knight wants to cause the Roaring, and Kris clearly doesn’t want that!”

We actually know neither of these supposed facts. Our information about the Knight comes from King and Queen, who both quickly prove themselves to be out of their depth and not very knowledgeable about what they’re doing. Queen herself strongly implies she has never even met the Knight. All we know for certain is what the Knight has done – create Dark Fountains. As for Kris, whether they’ve done or said things which would indicate they don’t want the Roaring to happen, the fact is that with this much evidence against them, all their other actions are called into question. That said, who’s to even say Kris as the Knight wants the Roaring in the first place? Because their name is the Roaring Knight? That could easily just be a moniker for their storytelling purposes.

“When Kris dies, the Roaring happens! How could that happen if Kris was the Knight?”

More accurately, when the SOUL shatters, “the world was covered in darkness” (an obvious double entendre for the game screen going black). But assuming that the Roaring does happen, this doesn’t seem to contradict anything. I mean, Kris’s SOUL is the only thing that can seal the Fountains, and every chapter boss so far explicitly intends to cause the Roaring. It makes sense that the Roaring would happen if they were left unopposed and their Fountains unsealed.

“How does Kris know where to make the Fountains ahead of time?”

This is one of the few objections to Kris Knight I can genuinely respect. I mean, it is quite strange that Kris and Susie always end up going to where the Fountains are through pure accident (Alphys and Noelle respectively send us to the locations where they are, and Kris can't have known Susie would stay over). To explain this, I would point to the fact that Kris almost certainly has had an encounter with Gaster, and one of the main effects of being “Gasterpilled” that we see is having precognitive powers and being able to read “FATE”. This also explains Kris’s extremely contrived action of eating the pie in anticipation of Susie coming over (which is something, to be clear, we need to be able to explain regardless of whether or not Kris is the Knight).

“Kris just plugged in the TV to watch it while they ate pie!”

Disregarding the fact that this would be legitimately horrible storytelling, this is objectively false because Susie points out that the remote is dusty and hasn’t seen use in ages.

“Kris was just preparing a sleepover by plugging in the TV!”

So was eating the pie a part of it too somehow, or just a very lucky coincidence? How can this explain Kris making the Fountain on the Weird Route, and people’s often-cited idea that they are doing this in some bid to warn Undyne? Are we just fifteen-layer deep in coincidences here? This doesn’t seem likely, to put it mildly. There is no reason for Toby to make this a plot point other than to establish Kris knowing Fountain mechanics ahead of time.

“King and/or Queen didn’t recognize Kris!”

This is almost certainly because neither one have actually met the Knight. Queen strongly implies this in her dialogue, and it already seems likely from the fact that we don’t even know of any way to exit those two Fountains except by sealing them – Ralsei says as much. It seems much more likely that the two are, as Queen says, intuiting the will of the Knight from their actions, such as creating Dark Fountains in the first place, and from things like how they arrange the rooms and the Will they imbue the Fountains with.

“But the Japanese translation–”

Yes, King says “command” instead of “will” – except this is every bit as ambiguous as the English dialogue. The substance of the dialogue remains identical: King thinks he knows the will, or command, or goal of the Knight, and thinks he’s fulfilling it. Both lines retain the Biblical overtones, and there’s still nothing proving they’ve actually met. 

“How does the Queen know to call the Knight ‘the Roaring Knight’ if they haven’t met?”

Another objection I can respect. There isn't a particularly clear answer for it, but my personal argument would be that Darkners seem to be generated with certain “inherited” knowledge, derived from a Fountain’s will. If you want to hear the in-depth case for that, you can check out my other essays mentioned at the beginning.  

"Spamton's line about communion clearly hints at Alvin Knight! Spamton has met the Knight!"

Spamton's line about communion is not referring to the Christian ritual, it's referring to Gaster (who Spamton reveres as some sort of deity, clearly). Let's look at the full context:

I USED TO BE NOTHING BUT THE E_MAIL GUY, NOW I'M THE [[It Burns! Ow! Stop! Help Me! It Burns!]] GUY!

[[Amazed at thi5 amazing transformation? You too can]] HAVE A [[Communion]] WITH [[Unintelligble Laughter]]

SOON I'LL EVEN SURPASS THAT DAMNED [[Clown Around Town!]]

BUT UNLIKE HIM I'M GONNA [[Shoot For the Sky!]] AND GET ON THE PATH TO ...

[[The Big One]]

I'LL GET SO. I'LL GET SO. I'LL GET SO. I'LL GET SO. I'LL GET SO. I'LL GET SO.

[[Hyperlink blocked.]]

SPEAKING OF [[Communion]]

KRIS, DID YOU KNOW THAT THE KNIGHT...

No, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to --

TOO MANY EXCESS VACATION DAYS?? TAKE A GOD DAMN VACATION STRAIGHT TO HELL

Spamton's "communion" is clearly alluding to his contact with the "someone" who also contacted Jevil. Likewise, "unintelligible laughter" calls to mind mus_smile, Gaster's signature audio track which is actually a highly corrupted version of Muffet's laugh.

As for what this is communicating about the Knight, it seems to be alluding to them being connected with Gaster - which is true under Kris Knight.

“Kris was scared of the Fountain at the beginning of Chapter 1!”

Since Kris is easily the prime suspect when it comes to being the Knight, it would be absurd to just take their actions at face value. To be frank, we don’t even really need to know what Kris was thinking here, because when a case is resting on as firm a foundation as Kris Knight is, odd behavior becomes something you work to try to explain or reconcile with all the other evidence you have; without the foundation destroyed, the hypothesis can’t be dismissed.

Anyway, the most reasonable explanation seems to me to be that Kris was goading Susie into entering the closet first, since she was clearly reluctant to. Kris can’t risk Susie not falling into the Dark World with Kris, so she needs to go first.

“Kris warns the Kings about the Roaring in Chapter 1!”

This one is subject to the same scrutiny as I described above, but this line has also been massively decontextualized and blown out of proportion; this is a very minor piece of dialogue where the Kings are vainly worrying about their jewels and diamonds and asking Kris about them, and Kris seems to dryly respond that their world is in danger – in other words, that there are bigger things to worry about than their jewels. It’s a cute little joke, and hardly debunks Kris being the Knight. Kris is just roleplaying the hero they’re supposed to be in the Dark World narrative (just as I think they ‘roleplay’ the Knight!)

“Kris warns Undyne about the Dark Worlds and the Knight! Why would they lie?”

Could it have something to do with the Chapter 2 ending where they stage a break-in and presumably lure concerned individuals into the Dark World? Concerned individuals like... the one Toriel called shortly before? I mean, it would be really convenient for Kris if they could guarantee a way for people not to suspect them of being the Knight if that’s who they actually were…

This is not to mention that we're the ones who make Kris say that to Undyne. We have to go out of our way to meet Undyne and pick that dialogue option. But either way, it evidently fits with Kris’s plans, so it makes sense that they wouldn’t strain to say it or something like that.

“Queen says that the Knight created the Fountain that same day!”

Past midnight is still on the same day. Remember that Queen is a computer.

Also, I just want to point out that if the Fountain wasn't created the previous night (regardless of whether it was Kris who did it), the Cyber World timeline seems extremely rushed and shaky. Did a whole rebellion against Queen really form in like, 30 minutes or whatever? And there are more issues with the timeline we'll get into in a second.

“How did Kris have access to the Library?”

The same way we have access to both the School and Library after hours (no one is working at either at the end of Chapter 2) – nobody seems to bother to lock the doors. As per Alphys, there’s no crime in Hometown, so maybe we shouldn't be too surprised.

“How did Kris walk all that way in zombie mode?”

We have no reason to be putting arbitrary limiters on what Kris can or can’t do when soulless, so this is just kinda making stuff up. Kris is doing anime leaps from windowsills; I think they’re fine walking a relatively short distance. In Chapter 1 they also do the strained zombie walk before they even rip the soul out, so this seems mostly to be a presentational thing.

“Why couldn’t Ralsei sense the Library Fountain if Kris created it the previous night?”

As I hinted earlier, Ralsei’s line is nonsensical. For what he’s implying to be the case, it would have to mean that the Knight created the Fountain in the time it takes for Kris and Susie to walk from the Supply Closet to the School’s exit (because we can hear the traffic jam outside, and we know the Annoying Dog went into the Dark World before us, still in the car) – a patently absurd proposition that doesn’t even seem logically possible, even assuming optimal timing. It would also mean Berdly and Noelle were in the room when the Fountain was created, which leads us to:

“Closet Knight!”

Black Chestnut’s video on Closet Knight is definitive as far as I’m concerned, he goes into great detail in explaining how and why it makes absolutely no sense at all and is riddled with holes.

IN CONCLUSION...

Kris being the Knight is a conclusion that is surprisingly marginalized in the Deltarune theorizing community for how intuitive, well-supported and repeatedly suggested by the game it is. In many circles, you tend to get shut down or labelled a "casual" who "doesn't understand the game" if you attempt to start a discussion about Kris Knight, or put forward ideas which are premised on it. If I'm allowed to pontificate a little, I can only imagine that this is because people are simply really attached to the idea that the Knight plotline is a whodunnit which will result in some surprise external villain for the Fun Gang. People have been daydreaming about boss battles against the Knight ever since the release of Chapter 1 nearly seven years ago; to speculative headcanons like that, Kris being the Knight is a rude splash of water to the face, so it perhaps is understandable that people would reject it as "not feeling right". At the very least, though, I hope that even if I haven't convinced you that Kris is the Knight, I have at least convinced you that they can't be so easily dismissed as a candidate.

Thanks for reading! This post is pretty long and I know this topic gets some people heated very quick, so I appreciate the show of faith in sticking to the end.

[ofoceansandtombsanew]

Of All Things, I Became a Geovishap

You always imagined that if you woke up in the world of Genshin, the possibilities of being a Visionless wielder of elements and a slew of romantic shenanigans would lie in your wake. But when you instead find yourself in the body of a Geovishap with romance likely out of the question, your only conclusion is that the gods of reincarnation isekai hate your guts.

cw. you're a geovishap

pairing. zhongli x reader, xiao x reader, ganyu x reader, yun jin x reader (separate)

notes. don't feel like being a geovishap today? well go ahead and go to the series masterlist and see what your life could be if you were something else in genshin.

You know the saying 'all men are created equal'? Yeah, whoever made that clearly never woke up reincarnated as a geovishap.

You're not even a geovishap hatchling which is arguably cute enough that a kid could convince their parent to let them keep you as a pet. No, you're a fully grown geovishap and what typically happens when you get spotted? It's attempt to smite on sight. If it isn't someone screaming in fear, it's someone grabbing some sort of weapon to do you in themselves.

Yeah, not all creatures in Genshin are created equally. Hell if you were going to be some sort of Geo creature, why couldn't you be a Geo slime or something? Those are cute!

Either way, you definitely have your work cut out for you.

Zhongli

By far the best companion you could gain in your experience of being a geovishap... in Zhongli's present point and time. If this was him during his war god days? Well, you're pretty sure you would have been smited on sight unless you could convince the dude you were no threat to his becoming Archon

Thankfully as Zhongli is now, he's a lot more patient. Even better is the fact that he knows you're different than the other geovishaps, not to be the main character here

But Zhongli can tell there's something intrinsically wrong with you being a geovishap and considering the two of you can actually communicate with one another, without telling him his entire life is a series of codes and plot devices, you explain to him you're a human that's been turned into a geovishap and you'd really appreciate it if he could find a way to turn you back to normal

He has no immediate remedies for your troubles, but Zhongli promises that he'll let the adepti know not to let any harm come to you should they come across you

He also becomes great company, unexpectedly. Geovishaps aren't really ones to stay in groups outside of the breeding season (which you definitely want to avoid), so Zhongli reasons that this existence is one that is lonely for you

He visits you often and brings you foods you'd enjoy. Things the people eat, which you appreciate because you were getting tired of eating nothing but sunsettias everyday

Asks Cloud Retainer to craft some sort of communication device you can wear so you can communicate with any adeptus you come across. Or the Traveler so you don't just become resources during their adventure

He even teaches you more about the Geo element and how to best utilize those abilities as you are from creating stable structures to keep you safe from the elements when you sleep outside to giving yourself an extra boost to reach things as needed

You really appreciate Zhongli for treating you like the person you are despite the circumstances. Sometimes though he can't seem to help himself when he rests a hand atop of your rocky head gently when he reassures you that he'll find a away to turn you back to normal

You nudge against him when his eyes become clouded with nostalgia as he recalls friends long since passed and he'll learn against you with a small smile, thanking you for the comfort

He makes your rocky heart beat quite a bit but trying to hit on a guy, even a guy that's a pseudo rock dragon, isn't easy to build up the courage to do when you're made of rocks

Xiao

Yeah. No

You know what sort of timing the conqueror of demons is on and because of that you don't even want to attempt to run into this guy because you know he won't wait long enough for you to convince him you're 'not like the other vishaps'

Just because you aren't a threat now doesn't mean you won't become one later, at least that's what Xiao would likely think

So you do your best not to run into him because unless you somehow manage to turn human again, you don't foresee any interactions with Xiao turning out positively even less so if you run into a member of the Fatui

But should you come across Zhongli and he lets the yaksha know you're not a threat, you won't find yourself speared any time soon. If anything Xiao becomes something akin to a bodyguard to make sure you don't end up getting killed by someone or something. Especially after you get a communication device you wear around your neck

He's not the most talkative though. Usually if he saves you from some sort of ordeal, he handles it and leaves as quickly as he comes

It takes quite a bit of effort on your part to become close to him but if he does end up becoming attached to you, his kindness is still quite clumsy

you'll often wake up to piles of food in front of your den, courtesy of xiao, not that he'll tell you

and he usually checks on you from afar before going about his business contrast to how he normally only waited for you to roar his name if you ever needed him to come to your rescue before ignoring you again

if you ever got yourself into some danger trying to defend him, believing he needs help, he will scold you severely and no amount of trying to look cute (not that a fully grown geovishap can) will stop the onslaught of words

they're out of fear though, not anger. he doesn't want to lose something or someone precious to him and that includes you now

Ganyu

A sweet companion you couldn't be more thankful for

Qilin are peaceful only bearing arms during times of absolute unrest. Thankfully, you reincarnated into the right era because so you don't have anything to worry about as far as Ganyu hurting you

You got her attention when you found her indulging in a nap in the middle of the fields and got worried she may find herself getting attacked, so you decided to stand watch like a rocky guard dog

You even brought qixing flowers for her to nibble on when she woke up, holding them in your mouth to- okay, upon second thought you're sure she wouldn't something covered in geovishap drool in her mouth but maybe she would like the flowers anyway

it was certainly a start when she woke up and saw you beside her but thankfully the qixing flowers were definitely a nice touch in keeping you from getting your ass beat or ganyu taking off at the speed of sound

maybe the easiest companion to form a connection with after zhongli. she finds your gentle temperament sweet and comes to even think of you as her geovishap companion

one she can confess her secrets to knowing you won't tell anyone, nor will you judge her for her worries concerning her adeptus and human halves making her feel like an outsider in both worlds

the only downside is, due to how busy ganyu is, she doesn't get to see you often and you aren't about to lumber your way into liyue harbor and subject yourself to a fearful mob

would be undoubtedly excited if you gained a communication device of some sort, allowing you both to talk and have full conversations with one another that wasn't simply her rambling about her days but even if you didn't, she'd find your way of showing her you care about her lovely

you like ganyu truly........... you're just 99% sure that she thinks of you as something more like a pet than a romantic interest even if she isn't completely human

Yun Jin

If you made a list of characters you thought you could befriend as geovishap, yun jin wouldn't be on it

And yet apparently life had different plans when you encountered the opera singer during one of her nature stints to rehearse and come up with new operas to write

Yun Jin would describe it as something straight out of fiction. A lone girl singing in the forest only to come face to face with a geovishap... but rather than attacking or growing aggressive, the stone creature simply watched in enjoyment

Perhaps that is something worthy of a script!

Of course, that doesn't mean Yun Jin threw all caution out to the wind. In her eyes, you're still a wild animal with elemental abilities and she doesn't wish to subject herself to fucking around and finding out with you

But hoping that this could become a friendship where she at least could start bringing some sort of food with her, you make it habit to watch her rehearse when she finds herself in the same spot time and time again

A surprisingly effective method though because each time you show up to watch Yun Jin perform, the more she lets her guard down. Apparently even a geovishap enjoys partaking in the arts

She won't be apt to feed you after a few weeks though, she'll likely share a snack with you after a couple months only when she is absolutely sure you're not a threat

When she does, you rejoice you have something to nibble on that isn't just edible berries and fruits because you refuse to eat anything else a geovishap eats

Makes you some sort of head dress so it is always easy to tell that you're the geovishap that she often spends her time with. Something of nature, of course, you're not a pet in her eyes. Simply a kindred spirit of another species

[jitt4z]

vocal rest

zayne x mc!reader

2.6k+ words(!!!)

a/n: smut…kinda? i like honestly was TORTURED by this one bc i find zayne so hard to write but this was so fun but also so challenging and i debated on finishing ANYWAYSSSS i hope you like it!!

blurb: you practicing fake moans and got a sore throat and ofc you have to see our favorite doctor!!!

warnings: mentions of adult videos (veeery brief though), fingering (afab receiving), this plot is fucking ridiculous, idk what i was on, maybe bad writing???, zayne is just being a helpful guy :^), proofread in very lackluster fashion, uhhh…that’s it?, hope you like it!!!

“Mmm, fuck yeah!”

Okay…Definitely not.

“Oh, yes, baby— it’s so deep!!”

No.

“Oh, God! I’m coming!”

Jesus. Fucking. Christ.

Maybe you just needed to get your voice warm first. Practice makes perfect, right?

At least, that’s what you had thought before you spent about two and a half hours practicing moans in your bed the previous night. Nothing sounded…right. Not that it needed to be— you weren’t seeing anyone at all— buuuuut what if you did see someone? What if you saw someone and you let out some kind of unsexy moan that kills the mood, one that’s not like the moans the women in the adult videos you’ve seen a few times? It was so theatrical, and yours just seemed so terribly normal.

Whatever, just try again, you thought.

“Oh, yes! Yes!! I—“

You suddenly were quiet. Only moments ago your voice was reverberating on the walls, and now all that came out was a hoarse whisper. You tried a couple more times before the pain became too much to bear. You decided to try speaking regularly, which was a bit better, but a slight stinging was still present. Your voice was gone.

Shit.

For the next two days, you did just about every at-home remedy there was. You drank hot liquids, sucked on throat lozenges, and ate an unprecedented amount of ice cream, yet nothing made your voice come back completely. You even took sick time as to not have to explain the story to anyone just to move on and forget, but your last sick day was coming very soon, and your throat was still very sore.

Okay. Just breathe— think, think…

You could try drinking that one ginger tea instead of the echinacea one you’ve been guzzling.

Maybe.

Or you could try a new over the counter medicine because you’ve used every single thing in your medicine cabinet.

Maybe.

Or you could go to the doctor.

Yes, you should go to the doctor. But what if he’s there?

Zayne could always see through you when you felt unwell. He knew exactly what each symptom meant: a sniffle, a cough, a throbbing headache— it didn’t matter because he was a professional. But more importantly, he knew you. You just wish he knew you less professionally. However, you knew him less professionally (in your dreams).

Many a night you’d stare up at your ceiling, thinking about if he ever saw the little peeks you’d give up your hospital gown when you were in his office and if he ever got a rise out of it. You’d think about if his face would turn into a deliciously soft pink if he saw the under cusps of your ass and how his cheeks would morph into an intense, yet passionate red if he ever got a chance to be inside of you and to make you feel the way he knew you wanted to feel.

But, alas, you only ever saw him for your checkups, minus the times he’d take you out to eat after your blood sugar was low from those said checkups. Other than that, you guys never saw each other really because of work, which made it even crazier that he could read you so well.

But right now, you couldn’t let that happen. You’d rather die than tell him about what you were doing. There was no other choice.

                                  . . .

You look ridiculous right now.

Between the sunglasses that hid your entire face, the baggy hoodie you wore, and the fact that it was practically a million degrees outside, you look like you’re about to commit a crime.

You shuffle up to the front desk, smiling sheepishly at the receptionist’s puzzled expression.

“Hey, it’s me.” You croak out lowly, your voice still sore.

The receptionist raises an eyebrow. You realize how odd you must look as you lean up against the counter, so you peek from over your sunglasses to show your face. Her eyes light up in recognition and she nods.

“Oh, I see. Would you like for me to see if Dr. Zayne is—“

“No!” You shout as loud as you could with your frail voice. She furrows her brow and you immediately start to apologize.

“Nooooo…worries! It’s just that it’s a sore throat. Don’t want to be a bother—”

“Oh, you aren’t bother at all. Here, just hang tight. I’ll page him.”

You try to say something else, but your voice didn’t come out as she starts typing away, so like any sensible person avoiding their (suuuuper hot) doctor would, you run away.

You turn around, hearing the receptionist call after you, but you kept going. You speed through the corridor, pushing your sunglasses further up the bridge of your nose as your eyes dart to and fro.

Everything seemed fine, other than the widened eyes that ran over your very suspicious getup. The widened eyes came and went as they pass by you: brown eyes, blue eyes, green eyes with a bit of hazel mixed in—

Oh, shit.

You try to swerve around him, but it was too late. Zayne stood firmly in front of you, his gaze unwavering. He looked you up and down, sending shivers down your spine.

“You’re here.” He sounded taken aback, yet the way he looked at you told you that he was trying to find a reason as to why you’d be here, especially looking like that.

“Yeah…” You said faintly, not trying to speak too much, but perceptive as ever, he knew. He pursed his lips as if he were thinking for a moment, digesting the fact that he found a possible symptom so he could diagnose you.

“Come.”

You shook your head, getting ready to protest, but you saw his jaw tighten.

“You’re already here. It would be pointless to not check for anything. Please, let me help.”

You heard the pleading undertone in his voice and your heart sank momentarily. Zayne was definitely more guarded with his emotions, but he always had a pattern of being concerned if anything happened to your health. He was a doctor, so you figured it was something he just did because of his title, but that wasn’t it. No, that wasn’t it at all.

You found yourself seated on the exam chair, the tissue paper crinkling underneath you as you settled. The sound of it was only amplified by your silence because your mind was running a blank. You couldn’t say anything. To hell with the sore throat, you would speak no matter how much it hurt just to avoid this terrible quiet you were plunged into. Then, he started typing. The click-clacking of Zayne’s fingers on the keyboard was only adding to your…what was it?

Fear of him about to scold you for not being so careful?

Relief from finally being able to get treatment?

Excitement from the fact that it’s him checking in on you?

He steps toward you, giving you a surveying look that sends chills through you. He froze when he got to your face. Unexpectedly, he gives a small smile.

“You look ridiculous. I’m surprised you didn’t have a heatstroke on your way over here.” He teased.

You wanted to retort, but you grumbled in response instead. He slipped his hands on either side of your head, his fingers steadying on the arms of your glasses.

“May I?” He asked, the slight tease in his voice still lingering.

You nod, giving him the go ahead.

The sunglasses come off and with that so did the last bit of your protection from his gaze. It’s as if you were encapsulated immediately, blinking over and over again as if you doing so would make this abysmal situation any less real.

“Is it just the sore throat or are your eyes irritated, too?”

“I’m fine—“

Immediately, he handed you his clipboard with a blank sheet of paper and a pen.

“Don’t speak. It’ll hurt more for you,” he instructed. “Write it down.”

You scribble onto the page for a moment.

Hi

His presence was almost overbearing as he leaned over your shoulder to read the words you wrote down, and when he spoke, it only got worse.

“Is that how you usually start conversations with friends you run away from?" You could hear the smirk in his voice, and you hated it. That added on to the way his breath tickled your ear, a heat began creeping into your body to somewhere that needed attention—his attention— rather than your embarrassingly sore throat.

Sorry :( I didn't want to bother you

He looks down at the notepad again before scoffing.

"It's not bothering me if it regards your health," he started as he walked over to the other side of the tiny room to get a thermometer. "Besides, if this is what you consider 'bothering,’ I only wish you bothered me a bit more…It gives me something to do."

He stood in front of you once again, holding the thermometer in front of your mouth.

"Open."

You were surprised at the sudden command despite doing this a million times before, but you were even more surprised that you complied so quickly and thoughtlessly.

"Good." He mused. Despite doing this a million times before, you never recalled him doing that. Or maybe he did, and you just couldn't remember because all you were thinking about was the way your thighs kept pressing together to give you some kind of relief from him.

Just get the diagnosis and go. Just get the diagnosis and fucking go.

A few more vitals were taken before he stood still for a moment, contemplating before he cleared his throat.

"Have you been shouting out orders while fighting Wanderers?" Zayne asked, keeping a bit of space between you two.

He gave you an out. You nodded thoughtlessly so you could avoid having to divulge any details you didn't want to say. You gripped the pen in your hand, wondering if you should write something down to make the story truly ironclad. It's just a little white lie.

You started to write, but you felt firm and steady hands take the pen from you. His fingers brushed against yours, and you looked at him.

"Tara came through a few days ago. She said she hadn't heard from you, that she hadn't seen you at work." He looked at you expectantly as if he were waiting for an answer, despite you not being able to give one because he took away the pen. He just watched you begin to flounder, and he seemed to be enjoying it.

"I need you to be straight with me."

He gingerly placed the pen back in your hand. You stared at him, your eyes unable to tear themselves from him.

"I went to your apartment to check on you. I didn't hear anything. I rang your doorbell, left you text messages, and left you phone calls. Nothing."

You saw the look in his eyes, the way he peered at you through a half-lidded gaze.

"But," he said after a pause. "After a bit, I did hear you."

Your face dropped, and you began to frantically write on the paper. It took you several tries to write something without scribbling it out and all starting over again. You began to write, but he stopped your hand.

"It's incredibly unrealistic to expect sex to be like that."

So he already knew you were faking? The realization that he heard you moaning? Screeching? Like a banshee? You wanted to be anywhere else.

He reached out to touch your face, his thumb and index finger tilting your face up to him.

"You're familiar with heavy deadlines— correct?" The way he stared at you would've made you think he was staring through you, but he was staring into you, reading you and your desires, sensing your wants through that pleading look in your eyes. You nodded.

"They're stressful. Some things should just be, wouldn't you agree?"

You nod again, your hands basically limp in your lap. He chuckles.

"You've been rather adamant about that in regard to me. I'm not a professional on that, but I've learned that certain things should just happen; not everything can be controlled."

He looks over and leans into you.

"It seems you need a reminder— it seems we both do."

He places a hand on your thigh. While he's only touching you through your sweatpants, you felt the way goosebumps prickled up on your skin. You stared at his hand as he continued to caress you.

"How's this?" He whispered, his head tilted to the side as he looked up at you from over his glasses. You braced both your hands on the chair, bits of the already crinkled tissue paper you sat on being ripped by the tightness of your grip. You stared back at him as he inched his hands a bit higher. Soon, your sweatpants were around your ankles, your feet dangling from the chair still. His hands moved under your sweatshirt, the baggy nature of it giving him more than enough room to explore your body.

Your throat burned so good, and you couldn't tell whether or not it was from your sore throat or because you felt moans threatening to come up. Finally, he pulled one out of you as an abnormally cold fingertip grazed over your nipple. An almost devilish smirk spread on his face.

"Isn't your throat sore? You should refrain from speaking or…other things," he smiled as he leaned in close to your ear. "It's best you rest your voice for now."

His hand started to wander over the cloth of your panties, feeling the soaking desire you had already produced. You begin to squirm a bit underneath his touch, finally reaching out to grab on to him rather than something else. You pant as he expertly works at you, pressing yourself against his fingers, chasing after more and more and more.

"Just keep breathing— yes, just like that. I've got you."

He keeps going, and your ability to keep your mouth shut is killing you.

"Z-Zayne, please…I can't take it…" You lowly moan out, the sound gentle and soft, yet raw and beautifully unpracticed, unlike the ones you did days before. He looks you in your eyes before leaning in to press kisses on your jawline until he gets to your ear. Once he was there, he asks you a singular question.

"I have to know; was it genuine?" He cooed as he teased you. A distinct wave of pleasure came over you again as you felt him move your panties to the side, his fingers now slicked over because of you. You nodded, your eyes shut tight as you focus only on the way he was making you feel and the filthy things he was whispering in your ear. He pulled back and rested his forehead on yours.

"You can take it," he hums. "I wouldn't want you exhausting your voice for no reason. If you were going to use your voice for anything, this would be it. To show me how this feels; how this really feels…"

"Please, tell me…does it feel good?" He breathes, his fingers still tracing the shape of your bud. It's almost as if you can sense the uncertainty in his eyes, the uncertainty that you completely washed away as you gave him your answer, which was a mix between a whine and a groan that you couldn't control. Without hesitation, you tug him forward, your lips meeting for a moment before you slip your tongue in his mouth, earning a muffled moan from him. He pulls apart from you for a second, slowly taking off his glasses, the lenses fogged before those warm and darkly verdant eyes look at you again.

"…Okay, then I'll keep going for you."

[aroaceslut]

I am in no way actually qualified to do this but today I shall be diagnosing Anakin Skywalker with BPD (Bordeline Personality Disorder) and explaining why I'm right.

My "qualifications" are: my own former diagnosis of bpd and having taken A-level psychology.

The DSM-5 describes BPD as a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions, as well as impulsivity beginning by early adulthood. In order to be diagnosed the person must present at minimum 5 of the 9 following bpd criteria:

1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment

This one is pretty obvious as Anakin literally fell to the dark side, let all other jedi be killed, and ignored Palpatine being the major sith they were spent years searching for and fighting, in order to gain the knowledge he thought he needed to keep Padmé from dying. Additionally, on Mustafar when he spots Obi-Wan on Padmé's ship he goes to far as to strangle her as he views this as abandonment and betrayal from her.

2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterised by alternating between extremes of idealisation and devaluation.

This one is very obvious in his relationship with Obi-Wan. Going from caring about him- "I'm not leaving without you, Master" (ROTS) and saving his life at minimum 9 separate times throughout the clone wars, to hating him- "I HATE YOU" (ROTS), "YOU TURNED HER AGAINST ME" (ROTS), "it's all Obi-Wan's fault! He's jealous!" (AOTC), just to name a few examples.

3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.

The entire plot point of Anakin separating his identity from that of Darth Vader and his own. Later, when Darth Vader takes complete control he refers to his past self as only "The Jedi", showing a complete split of identity and self. Furthermore, throughout Attack of the Clones there are multiple instances of Anakin believing that he is the most powerful jedi ever and that he is invincible and yet he was unable to save his mother, this shows cases of an unstable sense of self wherein he switches between idolising himself and not living up to that idolisation.

4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g. spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating).

The first area to prove this is his podracing which then later on influences how he drives. Anakin was podracing since he was a young child (Phantom Menace), which can be excused as he had no other choice while he was a slave and then did it to gain his own freedom, however, throughout the earlier books of Obi-Wan's and Anakins adventures, Anakin continued to sneak out of the jedi temple to bet on and occasionally participate in podracing on the lower levels. Podracing is an incredibly dangerous sport with an incredibly high death rate. Later on we can see how Anakin continues to drive recklessly, very often crashing his vehicles.

Now, he doesn't canonically meet any of the other suggested areas, however, I would like to raise his impulsivity throughout the Clone Wars. Yes, they were at war, however, Anakin put his life at risk unnecessarily on many repeated occasions, barely coming out unscratched.

5. Recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures or threats, or self-mutilating behaviour.

Now, this is a controversial one but I think that Anakin does in fact meet this criteria as well. Firstly, continuously putting his life at risk unnecessarily throughout the clone wars can be seen as suicidal behaviour, yes he's not actually attempting but he is not not attempting, if that makes sense. Secondly, on Mustafar when Anakin jumped despite how Obi-Wan was positioned, it was obvious that Anakin was not going to win that, however, he attempted to anyway, very nearly costing him his life. Thirdly, later as Darth Vader when he is told that Padmé is dead there are multiple occurrences throughout the comics where he wishes for death rather than to continue living without his Padmé. Lastly, he sacrifices himself The Return of the Jedi in order to save Luke and beat Palpatine.

6. Affective instability due to marked reactivity of mood (e.g. intense episodic dysphoria, irritability or anxiety usually lasting a few hours or a couple of days).

Anakin becomes very easily irritated about nearly everything, such as sand or the Jedi's lack of faith in him. Throughout ROTS he becomes exceedingly frustrated with both the Jedi council and Obi-Wan believing that they do not trust him and are purposely settling him up for failure. He is increasingly anxious about Padmé and his child's deaths based on a nightmare he had, going as far as to turn to Palpatine for help and turning to the dark side to save them. He is also portrayed throughout the Clone War's as struggling with mood swings, such as when he force chokes Clovis.

7. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger.

He massacred the Tusken Raiders, including the innocent ones, for the murder of his mother. He wiped out all the Jedi at the jedi temple at the command of Palpatine. He force choked Clovis (and multiple other characters throughout the Clone War's) after finding him hitting on his wife. He tried to kill Obi-Wan believing that he had turned Padmé against him.

8. Chronic feelings of emptiness

This one is the only criteria I am struggling to pin on Anakin. He does not seem to portray feelings of emptiness, rather the opposite, as he struggles with his feelings of anger, distrust, attachment, love and heartbreak. However, one could argue that as Darth Vader, he does portray this quite often as he is often depicted throughout the comics as struggling to feel much of anything.

9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.

Many people argue that this is the one that Anakin does not meet, however, I would strongly disagree. In the deleted scenes of ROTS and in the books Anakin is shown to be paranoid about Padmé and Obi-Wan's relationship, going as far as to even accuse Padmé of cheating on him with Obi-Wan. This is further shown when Anakin spots Obi-Wan on Padmé's ship and believes that he has turned her against him. He also shows paranoia regarding Padmé and his mother's deaths based on dreams he has had. Further, he believes that the Jedi do not trust him and are turning against him.

Those are all 9 criteria of BPD. As I said before one must meet at minimum 5 for a diagnosis of BPD and as I have shown here Anakin meets nearly all of them, if not all, and so it is in my (correct) belief that Anakin Skywalker portrays BPD and life with it exceedingly well, and is actually a really good and accurate representation of it (even though it's not actually canon).

[butterflydm]

Wheel of Time 3x05 Deep Dive (show spoilers)

Spoilers through 3x05 of the show, plus spoilers for the trailer for 3x06 and some light speculation.

One thing that came to me that this episode is actually about a classic issue from the novels as well -- it's about the dangers of not communicating important information.

Something that I didn't realize during my original watch is that Moiraine seems to really be avoiding Rand this entire episode. She's basically doing anything except talking with Rand, maybe because she needs to settle things in her mind first? It is unfortunate, because if she'd talked to him, and been open and honest with him about things relating to Lanfear, maybe she could have spared Egwene the pain that she walked into at the end.

And that gets echoed in several other threads as well -- Rand and Egwene are both holding important pieces of the puzzle that, if they combined them, would untangle them both from their emotional mess -- Rand would be able to explain why Lanfear might be stalking Egwene and Egwene could show Rand that Lanfear isn't the sweet damsel that she's pretending to be when she's with him. But they aren't talking to each other, because they are an extremely conflict-averse couple and always have been, from the very beginning, when Egwene avoided talking to Rand about her ceremony and Nynaeve's offer to teach her to become a Wisdom and then Rand used sex to try to deflect from Egwene starting that uncomfortable conversation later on. If they think a conversation might cause conflict, they both work to try to avoid it as long as possible.

We know from 3x01 that Rand and Egwene spent a month sleeping in the same bed on the ship to Tar Valon without ever talking about the status of their relationship or any related issues, and they have continued that trend with a vengeance so far, all the way up until everything cracks open (I'm assuming that it'll all crack open in 3x06, anyway).

We learn in 1x07 that the pattern of their fights is -- Rand goes to Egwene afterwards, he apologizes* and they engage in make-up sex. It doesn't sound like they've ever had a habit of actually talking out their differences. But because their previous lives were low-stress and low-tension, they were able to rub along just fine. But the second a major bump appeared in the road (Nynaeve's apprenticeship offer), Egwene avoids the uncomfortable conversation as long as possible and then Rand deflects with sex to try to keep it at bay as well. They have never had good conflict-resolution skills in their relationship; it's all avoidance and sex.

(*if one party is ALWAYS the one who apologizes, then you are not resolving your differences, you're just delaying them by pretending that there's no conflict)

We see a similar issue happening with Moiraine and Siuan, in that both Moiraine and Siuan avoid explaining just how badly things are going, because (after their semi-breakup) they are both needing to present the image of being able to handle their side of the agreement -- Moiraine is in charge of the Dragon; Siuan is in charge of the Tower. When the truth is that both of them have had events spiral wildly out of their control. But they can't admit it to each other.

And on Rand's side of things, in addition to not being able to tell Egwene about Selene/Lanfear; it doesn't look like he's talked to Moiraine about Mierin Sedai and his emotional reactions to Lanfear as a result of 'meeting' Mierin. If he had, then perhaps Moiraine would have revealed to him the 3x01 deal, and let him know that Lanfear actively attacked him and his friends fairly recently.

So, yeah. Lack of communication. I'll see if the other plot threads touch on that as well or if it's mainly an Egwene-Rand-Moiraine-Siuan thing.

The scene with Moiraine struggling to control the sa'angreal is very beautiful. It's clear that it's letting her draw too much of the One Power and is overwhelming her. She does seem to feel a need to master it -- maybe because of something that she experienced in the rings. We only got to see a small fraction of what she witnessed, after all.

I am curious about what narrow path she is going to be trying to take in the near future.

Lan saves her from burning out, pretty sure, and we see the destruction that she has (inadvertently?) caused as a result of her uncontrolled channeling. And we're reminded that channeling more of the One Power than you can handle causes a sort of euphoric hunger to draw more (like how Amalisa felt when she was linked to Nynaeve and Egwene and drew too much, killing herself and the other women). Lan tries to get Moiraine to open up to him about what happened in the rings, but she's not ready.

"I cannot teach someone unwilling to learn."

Aviendha drawing the negative attention of her Wise Ones by first echoing the Shaido's rejection of Rand - he's not one of us; and then trying to escape from any blame when they point out to her that she had the opportunity to teach Rand more about their culture and failed to make an impact, so is it really his fault that he doesn't know enough?

(which reminds me of Rand telling the Maidens, and especially Aviendha, that all they do is glare at him and roll their eyes. Aviendha had a month on a ship with Rand but spent all her time teaching Aiel culture to Elayne instead of to her potential Car'a'carn - she did not lack opportunity to teach Rand, she chose not to do it... because she was running away from her duty)

And from the PoV of the Wise Ones -- Rand has shown himself to be willing to follow their customs and laws as soon as he is made aware of what is expected of him, contrary to what Aviendha claims here. He presents himself the way that Aviendha presented herself, he respected their ways and made it through the columns and has the appropriate marks. He knows more about Aiel history than Aviendha currently does. He is the Car'a'carn and Aviendha is showing foolish stubbornness by trying to pretend that it matters that Rand doesn't 'act Aiel enough' when it is literally part of the prophecy that he will not be raised "by the blood".

And so, in order for her to learn wisdom, they instruct her to teach Rand from the moment he wakes up until he goes to his blankets at night (she is going to do this in the brattiest way possible, which is probably not going to be earning her any 'wisdom' points in the Wise Ones' eyes).

Cold Rocks Hold is pretty. <3

We learn some more about Aiel culture -- Rhuarc must ask permission to come under Lian's roof, even though she's his wife. We get properly introduced to an Aiel polyamorous marriage here, with Lian kissing both Rhuarc and Bair in greeting (and we've seen Rhuarc call Bair "shade of my heart" previously), and Rhuarc introducing them both as his wives.

And we learn that some Aiel familial terms are not the same as wetlander terms, as Rhuarc introduces us to his "greatdaughter" Alsera. Who immediately goes to Rand, and the two of them have such an adorable introduction, where she asks him if he's the Car'a'carn, he confirms it by showing her his tattoos, and he playfully chases her into the Hold (with more children joining after).

And we can see how everyone waits for the ceremony to be complete, even though Alsera is clearly itching to give Rhuarc a hug.

I really love that Rand seems willing to embrace the Aiel as a potential source of family here. And I think that Rand really needed those endearing moments with Rhuarc's greatdaughter to place on the balancing scale against the mess with Lanfear.

Bair continuing her campaign to separate Rand and Egwene by directly telling Egwene, "The time for watching [Rand] is through, Egwene Sedai." Third episode in a row where she's been trying to gently pull them apart, bless her.

So! Bair's motives in trying to separate Rand and Egwene. I talked after the last episode about how I think part of it is that she didn't see Egwene when she and the others dreamed about Rand coming to Rhuidean. I think she also is inclined to try to separate them simply because (she thinks) Egwene is an Aes Sedai. Rand spending time with the children of the Hold, or learning about Aiel culture from Aviendha, is greatly preferable to him staying bound to an Aes Sedai, who may not share the Aiel's priorities.

Hmm, yeah, it sounds like Moiraine overheard Bair telling Egwene "We're going to walk the Dream. Will you join us?" but that happened after Rand had already left with Alsera. So I am not certain if Rand knows about the dreamwalking stuff. I guess we'll find out for sure in 3x06.

Over into Siuan's plotline. I think that she's reading one of Moiraine's old letters (we know that Moiraine was writing regularly, back when she was pretending that the Dragon Reborn was learning how to channel from Logain, and there are probably many older letters as well, from before she found Rand).

Elaida is actually a very clear communicator here. Maybe, uh, too clear. She definitely doesn't suffer from the communication breakdown that Siuan-Moiraine-Rand-Egwene are going through in this episode.

What we get with Elaida and Siuan here is political intrigue, with the fate of the world on the table as stakes. Let us, for the moment, assume that Elaida is absolutely on the level (the end of the episode does imply she's probably not a Darkfriend) - she is doing everything that she does because she genuinely believes that her way of handling the Dragon Reborn, that Tower Law, is the correct way. That Siuan has corrupted the Amyrlin Seat because [insert class-based claims here], etc.

Siuan, on the other hand, has to play her cards very carefully, because if her full hand were revealed -- that she has been conspiring with Moiraine for years, that she became Amyrlin for the express purpose of subverting Tower Law -- the people that she leads would turn on her.

Siuan's purpose... has failed.

Alanna also attests to this later in the episode -- she believes that the Green Ajah has failed as well. The Black Ajah is ready for the Last Battle. The White Tower is not. The Green Ajah is not. They are already running behind. Siuan doesn't know how many Black Ajah might remain in the Tower. She doesn't know who she can trust. She knows that there are so many more members of the Black Ajah than she had guessed -- but how many? Who?

She doesn't know. Her hounds have been loosed. Does she know where they've gone?

Siuan's exact words: where is Elayne? "She's on a journey of my choosing. Well protected. I've already let Queen Morgase know."

...yeah, none of that actually says that Siuan knows where Elayne is -- Mat has gone with them, which Siuan may count as adequate protection, given that she's taken the measure of him, plus Elayne can channel and Nynaeve... well, maybe she can channel too if the right circumstances come up.

It actually seems more likely to me that Min gave Siuan the head's up vs Nynaeve or Elayne doing it (and Min didn't know what their destination was going to be, so she couldn't have informed Siuan about that).

"People don't change. Mother, you may have fooled many but I know what you are. River trash."

To touch on Elaida and classism -- it does imply that it's possible that Nynaeve's old Wisdom wasn't trying to save face but was telling the truth about being turned away from the White Tower for being a poor country kid, because it seems clear that if Elaida had been in charge when Siuan had arrived, she would have turned Siuan away as a novice. She has a deep disrespect for Siuan as a person that all the 'Mother's in the world can't hide.

So Elaida lays bare that it's not communication that's at issue between our heroes and their antagonists -- there's also the issue of the antagonists holding genuinely bigoted views, and that knowing the truth about what our heroes are doing would not help in fixing the problems between them.

We come back to this with the Dain Bornhold storyline. The fact that Perrin is willing to work with "witches" means that he and Dain could never come to terms as long as Dain holds to his current views even if Dain is able to understand why Perrin killed his father, because Dain has been prejudiced against Aes Sedai since he was a child (presumably, he was once one of those young boys in the Whitecloak camps, as his father was a big league Whitecloak). Communication cannot save you against genuine bigotry and/or hatred, and we see that at play in all four major storylines:

Elaida vs 'lower-class' Siuan

Dain vs 'witches' and anyone who supports them

Liandrin, who has taken her (understandable) trauma over what was done to her and extended her feelings towards all men

Couladin & the Shiado, who reject Rand as the Car'a'carn because he wasn't raised Aiel (relatively minor note in this storyline so far, but it has been shown and mentioned)

So diving into Siuan's suspicions about Elaida being a Darkfriend, and the plot that the group schemes to work out the truth. We learn a lot here -- it does seem like Adelas is perhaps slowly recovering herself, with a lot of help from her sister, and that she is very much herself at heart, just trapped and hurt by whatever damage Nyomi did to her mind.

It also illustrates to us something of the condition that the poor child-bride in Tanchico is potentially in -- she was taken out of one horror and placed into a different horror. Is Liandrin taking care of that girl or did she abandon the girl once her conscience was salved by having Nyomi wipe her memories?

Verin has figured out that Liandrin was able to connect four "hearts" of the Black Ajah -- their groups of three sisters who work together. So, twelve sisters total, only eleven of which actually attacked, which means that one of Liandrin's Black Ajah sisters is still unknown to them.

Now, my personal suspicion is that Liandrin was able to do this because she's acting on Lanfear's behalf, and that Lanfear is the one who wants the collar-and-bracelet... you know, just as a little extra insurance in case her do-over LTT doesn't fall into line the way that she wants him to. This has not been confirmed in the show and it's possible that when we see Liandrin and Lanfear meet up next episode we'll learn that Lanfear had nothing to do with Liandrin's plans to cage the Dragon... but my current theory is that Lanfear is the mastermind behind that plan.

"We cannot mistake suspicion for certainty," Verin warns Leane and Siuan, when it seems like they're becoming way too sure that Elaida definitely has to be a Darkfriend. And so they make plans to lay bait in front of Elaida -- let her know about the Black Ajah Sisters being held in the 13th Depository and then see if she goes to either rescue them or silence them on behalf of the Shadow.

Maksim and Alanna are at odds over the course of this episode, culminating in their big blow-out and then him coming back at the end. Their two different ways of grieving Ihvon and dealing with what happened in 3x01 coming to a head.

This is another example of miscommunication and assumptions hurting people who care about each other, I think. They needed to have that blow-out fight towards the end of the episode so that they could understand where the other person was coming from, but they took the hard way of getting there.

Maksim's grief is... personal. He wants revenge for Ihvon's death. He doesn't understand why Alanna isn't drowning in grief the same way that he is.

Alanna's grief, otoh, is also wrapped up in her sense of failure. She was so incredibly smug in 3x01, before the fight went down. She was proud of herself. They were going to reveal and capture a Black Ajah Sister, still her, and then use her to root out all the rest of the Black Ajah, who Alanna was probably assuming were mostly Red Sisters.

And then... four SITTERS of varying Ajahs all broke ranks and joined Liandrin.

A Green Sister that she knew and trusted (by how Maksim reacted to seeing Jeaine) almost killed her Warders.

Ihvon died.

Because she wasn't ready.

Because she isn't enough and Maksim isn't enough and Ihvon wasn't enough.

There's a line that Alanna says in s2 about how people don't know what they'll be willing to do until they're pushed. And the world is pushing Alanna right now. It's pushing her hard.

What Maksim and Alanna go through in this episode gets us to that place where she admits where her head is at (that she came to the Two Rivers to try to create an army to fight the Shadow, because she feels like the White Tower and the Green Ajah have failed - so you might say that Alanna booking it out of town after the 3x01 cold open was her vote of 'no confidence' in Siuan's leadership) and to get Maksim to move out of his personal grief enough to understand the bigger picture at stake and re-dedicate himself to Alanna and her cause.

Alanna is another of those characters like Liandrin or Lanfear, where it feels like the show has really given her depth that she didn't get in the books.

Alanna and Maksim trying an approximation of their old banter but not being able to actually get any true joy out of it really breaks my heart.

Faile arrives with news that Whitecloak reinforcements are closing in -- Perrin needs to move now if he wants to save the Cauthons before they arrive.

Back when Perrin first talked about rescuing the Cauthons (in 3x03), he mentioned that he wanted to do it with no one getting hurt. And then we got the flashbacks in Rhuidean, where we saw Lewin and his friends express that same hope just before they went off and changed the course of the Aiel's culture forever.

And much like with Lewin and his friends, Perrin & co saved the girls, but they did engage in violence and also had a casualty on their own side (Charlin in the flashback, and Natti Cauthon here) and, additionally, the promise of more violence to come in the future, because violence is a cycle. Engaging in the cycle of violence creates more violence and yet... refusing to engage in the cycle means allowing innocent victims to be hurt.

That's the trap that the Aiel were caught in during their cultural slide from "true" Aiel to the present-day Aiel. And it's the trap that Perrin is caught in now. Lewin decided that he was willing to pay the price of violence in order to protect himself and the people that he cares about; this was not something that his family could accept. And now, the present-day Aiel consider refusing to defend yourself to be one of the highest forms of dishonor ("the only thing less honorable than defending yourself is killing those who refuse to defend themselves").

Aviendha and Rand's (somewhat unwilling) cultural exchange here is a lot of fun to watch. <3

We get more information on the Aiel here (and on Aviendha's viewpoint on the night she shared with Elayne, just as we will get Elayne's viewpoint on it later in the episode) -- Aviendha feels like having only two people in a relationship is "a lot to ask of one person" and says that she pities Egwene for being Rand's solo lover (probably assuming that Rand is high-maintenance because Aviendha is really good at making assumptions up about Rand). We also learn that Aiel eat with their right hands and sit on cushions during meals.

It is a change from the books for Rhuarc, Lian, and Bair to be so openly affectionate with each other in public, but this is a change that has really already been shown to us in having Aviendha be more open to flirting and then sleeping with someone within the span of a month, and how Chiad and Bain are constantly trolling for new participants in Maidens' Kiss. In general, all of the reserved characters in the books are a bit more open in the show, probably because it's just easier to have characters play off each other when they're being allowed to show affection to each other and because the shows don't have the benefit of internal narration.

This scene does show us that, from Aviendha's perspective, she feels like being someone's only lover is a lot of work, and she would want to share that with at least one other person (we've only see throuples so far in the show, but I will leave the door open here for more complex polycule shapes). So it's possible that if she and Elayne do meet again in the future, they will need to talk about their differing expectations for potentially continuing their relationship (though it's also possible that Elayne has already been told this, during their cultural exchange moments on the ship).

Something I find interesting to think about is how long the Aiel have had this belief and this tradition in polyamorous marriage, because it seems firmly ingrained in their culture. Is it a result of the sharp population bottlenecks that the Aiel went through over the course of their history, or is this something that was passed down (likely in transformed form) from the very first Aiel that we saw in the show (Charn's generation)?

I do also want to note that though Aviendha and Rand are low-key antagonistic here, Rand does take Aviendha's note about which hand to eat with, and implements it (which probably annoys Aviendha more, because it shows her that her snide comment to the Wise Ones earlier was a big assumption on her part that doesn't actually have a basis in Rand's character).

We get another thoroughly adorable interaction between Alsera and Rand (her delivery of "I grew the squash, Rand al'Thor" is so so cute/ She is so proud of herself! And Rand is so sweet and sincere in his reaction to her). <3 And Aviendha's face of 'ugh why does he have to be good with kids? I much prefer it when I can just dislike him based on my prejudged notions of him' is hilarious. Aviendha is the much softer version of the other antagonistic relationships we see this episode, the comedy version instead of the more serious and dramatic versions that we get in Siuan vs Elaida or Perrin vs Dain.

So, we have three 'pairings' who are kind of eating together at this meal -- Rhuarc and Lian; Rand and Aviendha; and Lan and Melindhra. Alsera is there to be cute; while Moiraine is melancholy. She still hasn't talked to anyone about her experience in the rings.

Lan and Melindhra is interesting because it's a reflection & inverse of Rand and Aviendha. In both cases, we have someone who is of a people but not of their culture; and we have them introduced to someone who knows that culture and can teach it to them. Aviendha is an unwilling teacher to Rand, assigned to teach him in the hopes that doing so will teach her how to be wise. Melindhra is an eager teacher to Lan, in both Aiel and Malkieri culture.

Is Melindhra flirting with Lan? It is so hard to tell. Lan isn't open to it even if she is -- he didn't have any real interest in following Melindhra out of the tent in 3x03 until he saw the tattoo on her back -- but Melindhra might be. It's clear that she knew who Lan was on sight, and she's explicitly told him that she would throw away everything that she's built among the Aiel if he decided to take up his crown and call for him people to follow him to the Blight to reclaim Malkier.

How much older than Lan is Melindhra? Again, hard to say. We know that she was a 'child' when Malkier fell, while Lan was 'a baby' who remembers nothing of his people. There's a lot about Melindhra that is still a mystery. Her memories of Malkier later are fairly vague, which fits with a child (maybe she was around Alsera's age when Malkier fell).

Moiraine gets up to leave -- Lan almost joins her but she tells him to stay; and Rand notes her departure but doesn't attempt to join her. Though Moiraine and Rand both went through transformative journeys in the last episode, they have not talked about it with each other. If they had... well, Rand's conversation with Lanfear later on in the episode might have gone very differently.

We get Egwene's first lesson with the Wise Ones. And I am definitely personally still trying to figure out the rules of show!TAR, so I will do my best to also attend to the lesson.

Bair tells Egwene that she must "listen, remember, and do as you are told. Above all, you must not enter Tel'aran'rhiod again. Until Melaine or I says you may." Egwene agrees to their terms.

Now the question I have is -- does Egwene believe that she is still abiding by their terms when she helps Moiraine later on in the episode? She does kinda loophole her way around things by only directly entering other people's dreams rather than being in TAR itself, but is that following the spirit of the Wise Ones' instructions and the promise that they asked of her? A promise that she freely agreed to.

What we learn about how TAR works:

anyone can 'touch' TAR but very few can 'truly enter it' - what we are shown in a little bit is that those who 'touch' TAR appear as somewhat ghostly apparitions to Egwene's eyes.

It is not related to the One Power -- Melaine cannot channel but is still an able Dreamwalker (and she and Bair are the only Dreamwalkers among the Taardad).

Entering the dream world is risky. Death in TAR also means death in the real world.

Your thoughts can affect your appearance in TAR, so you must control your thoughts in order to control yourself and your surroundings.

You can set up an outside sound to 'trigger' yourself back to wakefulness. It appears that this works whether or not you're a dreamwalker. as Egwene will also tell this to Moiraine at the end of the episode.

Falling asleep in WoT!verse is so much easier than it sometimes is IRL, lol

Not all dreams take place in TAR, but the Forsaken can stalk people inside their own dreams (this explains why Rand stabbing himself in his own dream back in 1x08 didn't kill or hurt him in the real world, but it would have, if it had happened in TAR). We actually don't know if Rand has ever been in TAR or if it's only ever been the Forsaken going into Rand's own dreamscape.

"You have power over your own dreams. If you want her out, just believe she's out" - is this only true for Dreamwalkers or would this protection work for other people as well? If someone tells Rand that he has the power to keep Lanfear out of his dreams, would he be able to enforce that, or does he need to be a dreamwalker to be able to keep her out? Because that could make a huge difference in how the rest of the season plays out.

The second that Egwene is told that she can just think herself somewhere else, she immediately does it, and she wanders around the TAR version of Tar Valon for a while, before she's found by Lanfear, who sets to torturing Egwene (as herself this time -- the first time that Egwene has seen Lanfear's face, and she doesn't know who this woman is, but is able to piece together that this is also her tormentor from her own dreams). The brass pin drops and Egwene wakes, and Bair and Melaine tell her that she's being stalked by one of the "Shadowsouled" aka one of the Forsaken.

Does Egwene tell Rand about this, given that he's the Forsaken's main target?

No, of course not. Rand and Egwene don't talk about important things basically ever, why would you even think to ask? Egwene views herself as Rand's Protector, so likely views this as something that she needs to solve on her own, without involving him and putting him into additional danger.

From Lanfear's perspective, I think Egwene just made the game interesting by showing that she can enter TAR. Before now, Egwene was the annoying "doe-eyed cow" that Rand insisted on playing boyfriend-girlfriend with, but Lanfear didn't really think of her as a threat (imo). But now she's shown some actual ability and power, which makes Lanfear take her seriously enough to set up her little power-play later in the episode.

We dive more into Elaida's politicking -- Siuan warned her that if she's going to call a vote in the Hall, she better have the votes in hand, and now Elaida is at work doing just that. She's talking with one of the White Ajah Sitters, Alviarin, and getting her temperature on potentially voting against Siuan as the logical choice when it comes to the issue of the Dragon.

Then she spots Adelas, on her own outside her rooms with 'just' an Accepted (and we get the additional information here that Elaida is very much an asshole to everyone that she sees as 'beneath' her, including the novices and Accepted).

I like that Adelas is able to help with the plan (is the key to the plan, even!), even with the injuries to her mind, and Verin's certainty that her sister will be able to help. That relationship has been really emotional for me this season, even though we've only had it in tiny doses.

So, Elaida (if we are assuming that she's not a Darkfriend) must genuinely believe that Verin "needs" her in order for her to say it here -- but Elaida is clearly very good at rationalizing her desires to herself (most Aes Sedai are), so she may just mean it in the sense that she believes all the Aes Sedai here need Elaida to 'save' them from Siuan 'destroying the Tower from within'. Difficult to say.

Mat getting exhausted by dealing with Nynaeve's constant barfing and Elayne's constant cramming for what they might need to know about Tanchico is very understandable when we learn that he's been dealing with this for fourteen days. I love so much that we got an episode with them on the Sea Folk ship! This entire section was lovely and had both touching and melancholy moments while still maintaining an overall upbeat atmosphere.

Things we learn about Tanchico:

It is spread over three hills in Tanchico Bay.

The rich people live at the tops of the hills.

Thievery is fairly common and even the wealthy are not particularly stable in that wealth.

Mat and Elayne snipe at each other, while poor Nynaeve wishes for death. Any differences that Mat and Elayne might have had have definitely been exacerbated by being forced to travel in extremely close quarters for the past two weeks. With the smell of vomit in the background, too, because of Nynaeve. Mat snipes at Elayne for being a spoiled princess and she snipes at him for drinking too much and being stuck in his own head (re: the Old Tongue).

So they are definitely starting out in a rough patch! I am really interested to see how/if this dynamic evolves in the next couple of episodes, or if Mat's screen time will focus more on his established friendships with Nynaeve and Min.

Instead of focusing on understanding Tanchico itself as the way to locate Liandrin, Nynaeve feels like they need to focus on centering what they know about Liandrin and using that instead, but Elayne wonders how much of what they knew about Liandrin was a lie.

Mat is so tired of being stuck below decks, so when Elayne accidentally gives him an excuse (she notes that they appear to be traveling at an 'impossibly' quick rate), he takes it, bolting for the upper decks, thus triggering both him spotting Min and Elayne and Nynaeve beginning their journey of learning about Windfinders being able to channel.

The Sailmistress (Coine din Jubai Wild Winds, per the credits) is angry at them at first but then sees how poorly Nynaeve is handling the travel and gives her some advice on feeling less sea-sick, which does seem to help her, and Coine takes pity on them and gives them permission to stay on the deck.

Min was trying to stay incognito during this trip (so must have been very relieved when she learned that Mat's group was restricted to their room) but now Mat has caught up with her and is relieved to be around neither vomiting nor lectures.

Back in the Two Rivers plotline, we set up that the reinforcements are arriving 'tomorrow', so Perrin really does just have tonight to save the girls. We briefly meet Child Byar -- I'm going to try to see if it looks like he died at the end of the episode or survived.

And then we see Dain trying to do the same thing he did with Aviendha in s2 -- sure, he's locking her up and he's willing to kill her if she tries to escape, but he gives her water while she's a prisoner! This lets him feel like he's a better man than Valda, even though he's helping enable the system that upholds men like Valda. And this is a very true thing that we see in our own world -- Dain thinks of himself as righteous because he isn't 'as extreme' as Valda but... of course we learn in this very scene that the line is much thinner than Dain pretends that it is. When he catches Natti trying to escape, he uses physical violence against her (she is in a cage, you asshole).

When one of the girls channels to protect her mom and then Natti confesses to it (lying to protect one or both of her daughters), he hands Natti over to Valda for him to torture and to murder because as soon as she's a 'witch', she is no longer a person to Dain.

I really like how complex they made Natti in the show. She was lost her own rage and grief when we first met her, and was an awful mother. Then the horrible events of Bel Tine shook her up (and the surrogate parent that the girls had in Mat left, so Natti & Abell didn't have anyone else who could take care of the girls for them) and she took responsibility.

And now, she acts to protect her daughters even at the cost of her own life (which was the same sort of behavior that we saw from Mat in 1x01), yet the damage that she caused her kids (especially Mat, who was hardcore parentified) hasn't been overlooked by the show either -- even in Mat's dreams, he can't quite fully take on the praise that he longs to get from his mom, and deflects away to the safer topic of one of his friends.

Perrin tries to keep Faile out of the rescue, but she's not having it (and good thing; she definitely saves Perrin's life down there) and insists on going with him, and Bain & Chiad back her up. Loial will be waiting with their escape, and Alanna insists that she provide some covering fog for them so that they can sneak in effectively, which deeply upsets Maksim, who thought she would be staying back with Loial where it's safer.

As soon as they're away from the others, Maksim sounds like he's on the verge of crying during their entire conversation/argument, while Alanna tries to stay stoic until she finally unleashes her anger (at herself and all of them for not being ready).

Alanna isn't willing to put her trust into Siuan (politics) or Moiraine (prophecies). Facing off against the Black Ajah convinced her that what they need is firepower. And she has had some recent evidence that there is an untapped powderkeg in the Two Rivers, and she means to find a way to use it against the Dark One.

We don't see the scene where she asks, but Bair is clearly continuing her "please break up" campaign for Randgwene, as she has requested that Egwene come sleep with the Wise Ones to continue her training.

The scene between Rand and Egwene is... awkward. Egwene doesn't mention being stalked by one of the Forsaken in her dreams; Rand maintains his silence about being stalked by one of the Forsaken in his dreams. They are continuing Not To Talk about anything important, just as Rand confessed to Mat & Perrin was the case back in 3x01.

I do feel like the show put Rand into such a Catch-22 with Egwene, where he is damned no matter what. It's clear that both of them are in the relationship for the wrong reasons and that the life and passion is gone, yet they muddle along -- Egwene because she feels an obligation to protect Rand (because she feels like she failed him at the end of s1) and because of her PTSD (we've seen that she clings to her relationship with Rand when she feels unsafe); and Rand because of his overwhelming guilt over falling in love with someone else while Egwene was suffering - he thought that faking his death would mean that she could move on and be happy, and discovered that he was wrong in a very awful way.

There's no situation where Rand feels like he can break up with Egwene, no matter how dead the spark is between them. It has to come from her. And yet she also probably felt like she can't break up with Rand either, because she has to be there to protect him and watch him and if she breaks up with him, then he might back away from her (because the last time she broke up with him, he wanted distance afterwards).

But in 3x01, it was Rand who suggested that Egwene was going to stay behind in the White Tower with Nynaeve and Mat -- I suspect he was trying for a soft breakup, and Egwene pretty firmly rejected the idea of her not staying by his side. And again in this episode, when Egwene floats the idea of her staying with him instead of going with the Wise Ones, he's quick to tell her that she should absolutely go sleep with the Wise Ones instead of him and I'm not even sure he knows exactly what the Wise Ones are teaching her.

Rand has picked up what Bair put down about him and Egwene needing to be on different paths, but he still can't take that final step of opening up the floor to an official breakup -- likely because of how guilty he feels over faking his death and then essentially abandoning Egwene to be kidnapped and sold to the Seanchan on Ishamael's orders (from Rand's PoV).

And I was talking about this with @markantonys but one of the things we noted is that it really feels like the Randgwene relationship is there pretty much entirely 'for' Egwene at this point, while Rand's s3 storyline feels like it would have been basically identical so far if Randgwene got lifted out entirely -- his conflict over having feelings for one of the Forsaken would still be there; his conflict over his identity as being Aiel by blood but Two Rivers by the raising would still be there; his conflict over his destiny as the Dragon Reborn would still be there.

It's Egwene who is being driven by the Randgwene romance - Rand is the reason she goes through the Arches, Rand is the reason she goes to the Aiel Waste, (losing) Rand was even the reason she was pushing herself so hard at the White Tower back in s2. And I just really want Egwene's story to be driven by her own wants and needs, and for her to define herself by who she is, as opposed to being Rand's Protector. Because we know that when Egwene didn't feel the need to protect Rand, when Egwene was pre-trauma... she was okay with the idea of being done with her relationship with Rand and moving on to being Nynaeve's apprentice instead.

Which is exactly the kind of thing that Bair has been trying to push ever since she and Egwene had their first solo conversations -- that Egwene needed to take her own journey, that she needs to understand herself, that her path is not aligned with Rand's, that the time for watching Rand is over -- but Egwene keeps going back to the same patterns over and over again.

Hopefully, their upcoming conversation in 3x06 is worth all the build-up and really shakes up this dynamic because the Randgwene relationship has been the weakest and yet the most persistent part of S3 for me so far, the only part that has felt like it detracts more than it adds to the characters, and I would like not to feel that way about a relationship that has been so highlighted.

But the whole way this conversation is framed -- Rand enters the tent and audibly sighs, before he notices that Egwene is packing up her things. He mentions that they "haven't had a moment alone since Rhuidean" (since they've been traveling the last two weeks, presumably, and this night in Cold Rocks Hold would have been their first time actually being 'together alone' in the same room since the night in the Tar Valon inn where his mirror images tried to murder her) and yet when Egwene offers to stay, he tells her that she should go be with the Wise Ones.

It's funny how both the Randgwene kiss and the Randfear kiss are very hesitant on Rand's part, but for almost completely opposite reasons. Here, Randgwene are continuing to avoid actually communicating with each other, while the Randfear kiss is Rand finally believing that Lanfear is still the person that he fell in love with in s2 -- that her heart is Selene | Mierin, and that she wants to stop being Lanfear by breaking her Dark Oaths and helping kill the Dark One.

And as soon as Egwene leaves, we see the weight of what he's going through (all the things that he isn't telling Egwene about) immediately weighing Rand down.

Moiraine sits and ponders her orb some more, when Lan comes to talk with her, and it's a good talk. But it really does feel like her experience in the rings has shaken Moiraine in a way that she doesn't know how to process -- she's learned that she won't be at the Last Battle and she's trying to figure out how to live with knowing that she isn't going to get to see the great work of her life actually come to fruition. She's going to need to trust Rand to follow through on it without her. Lan gives her companionship and comfort and some time just sitting with her and being her best friend.

Just as Moiraine is thinking about coming to terms with the possibility of her death being fated, we get a scene where Mat comes face to face with that potential knowledge as well -- he wakes to find Min feverishly drawing her viewing of him hanging, because she is trying to work out how to stop it. Which... that is exactly the warning that Bair gave back in 3x04 - about the trap that knowing too much about the future can make people fall into. So I wonder if Min's attempts to stop her viewing might end up leading to it happening?

We will see!

"It's lucky for us that your visions don't really come true, do they?"

I was so puzzled after the first three episodes, when Mat didn't bring up Min's viewing about Rand at all, when that was the centerpiece of his emotional arc in s2, so I was really glad to get this conversation and to hear where Mat's head is at -- he does remember the viewing, but he also remembers how, yes, he was terrified that he'd killed Rand but then Rand didn't die. So that means that Min's visions are flawed, which meant that he could focus more on the whole 'sold me out to the Forsaken' thing.

But we also see when he turns away that he is worried about her viewing -- probably because it echoes some of what he saw in Ishamael's "you're a horrible person" tea that he drank back in s2. We says here that he wouldn't kill himself but then we see him react to seeing that people get hanged for crimes in Tanchico, so that will probably up his worry factor in the upcoming episodes.

Both Rand and Mat having those moments of 'breaking' a bit when no one is looking at them -- they need their friendship so much! I really do miss getting to have Rand and Mat interact. I know that after two seasons of them getting to have some great duo scenes together, that it makes sense to spread their interactions around to other cast members too, but I just really miss them together!

Because they got permission to sleep on deck, they (and we) get to witness the gorgeous channeling by the ship's resident Windfinder (Jorin, per the credits). We learn that the Sea Folk deliberately have led the White Tower to believe that they are inherently weak in the One Power, too weak to become full sisters, as a way of protecting themselves from getting drafted into joining. Elayne can't quite understand why they don't want the training of the Tower but she is also very obviously enchanted by watching Jorin at work.

One of the great things about TSR (and this season) is that the world opens up to show us all of these ways of interacting with the One Power that isn't about going to the magic school and doing magic school things. You don't have to separate from your community in order to learn magic -- you can do it while still embedded in your community. Something that both Nynaeve and Elayne might find reassuring to think about.

Nynaeve also gets another lesson in potentially learning to access her Power -- Coine tells her to think of it as being like the sea. You can't control the sea, only the ways that you move with the sea.

Mat comes back to the room that he was previously sharing with Nynaeve and Elayne, with Min in tow. Elayne vaguely recalls her as a servant from the White Tower, and Mat quickly reveals that she was acting as the Amylin's spy. Then Nynaeve mentions that Min is the person that confirmed to Rand that he was the Dragon (which means that Rand told them about that), and Mat also reveals that Min had a viewing that Mat would kill Rand, which didn't come true.

"So I guess, in a way, that you're not good at any of your jobs." That cracked me up the first time I heard it and still cracks me up now.

But it means that everyone is basically on the same page, except that Nynaeve & Elayne don't know about Min's most recent viewing, and are probably assuming that she's there on Siuan's behalf, and they basically only allow her into the group on Mat's word that she can be trusted.

The Liandrin Grudge Squad has been released into Tanchico!

The next plotline to resolve is Siuan's set-up of Elaida, to try to figure out whether or not she's Black Ajah. From what we see in this episode, Elaida does not appear to be Black Ajah. But she does seem to be pretty hardcore -- she kills Amico as soon as she's sure that Amico isn't going to speak, and she makes it clear that she doesn't negotiate. A Gray Man shows up and kills Joiya before she can reveal the last member of Liandrin's hearts, and attacks Elaida. Siuan heals Elaida while Leane kills the Gray Man.

Elaida's main take-away from this encounter is "You led me here" aka that Siuan set her up.

Siuan's main take-away is "Maybe I misjuged [Elaida]" by assuming that she was Black Ajah simply because she's an asshole.

Our next plotline resolution is the Two Rivers plotline, with Perrin & co sneaking into the camp. They successfully make it to the girls and free them, but Natti isn't there, so Perrin assigns Bain & Chiad to get the girls out of the camp while he and Faile search for Natti.

We see that the Whitecloaks have been killing wolves and it is soon reveled to both us and Perrin that the Whitecloaks (Valda) killed Natti as well.

Fighty-fight stuff happens, with Faile putting up a very good showing against multiple Whitecloaks while Perrin struggles against Dain (who still feels very self-righteous even after handing over a woman to be burnt alive) until Faile comes to get Dain off him.

Alanna gets pincushioned by Whitecloaks before Maksim returns to re-affirm his commitment to her as a Warder. Together they kill about a dozen Whitecloaks, I think, but Alanna, Maksim, and Perrin all get injured.

One thing that this episode does exquisitely well is lay bare exactly how deliberately manipulative Lanfear is being, and how much she is feeding into what she can tell Rand wants her to be in order to win him over to her (again, I go back to my feeling that this is exactly what she did to 'win' Lews Therin in the first place). Now, I did not trust Lanfear's softness in 3x02 or 3x03 in her dreams with Rand, and I was 100% sure she was lying about Rand being the one to put them into the Cairhienin inn in 3x03, and I feel like this next encounter proves that, as when she enters a dream of his imagining (and it's not her grabbing him the second he falls asleep), he is alone on a mountain overlooking his home (the one that he's been told over and over isn't allowed to be his home anymore).

And we see how soft and vulnerable she is with Rand... and then how much she's twisting the knife and enjoying screwing with Egwene's head when we see Egwene's side of things. That is exactly what Selene was talking about when she said that she reflected the things back to her past lover that he wanted from her, and hid the rest of herself in darkness. She is doing the exact same thing with Rand.

Like Moghedien and Sammael said in 3x03, Lanfear is using her old playbook all over again, hoping it will work with a younger and more naive 'version' of LTT. She shows him the parts of herself that he will desire, and hides her cruelty away from him, where he can't see it.

"I see you come here a lot," Lanfear tells Rand here, which reveals to him (and the audience) that she's spying on his dreams even when she doesn't show herself to him.

Rand did fall for Selene -- for the woman that he thought Selene was. That's been the driving force of his guilt with Egwene, I believe. If his feelings for Selene hadn't been real, I think it would have been much easier for him to talk about it with Egwene.

But then he found out that Selene was a lie. That she was really Lanfear. And he has been struggling with that knowledge ever since. Lanfear made a mis-step in the episodes immediately afterwards, when she went hardcore dommy-mommy, which only made Rand feel that Selene had been a total lie. But Lanfear realized that she was hitting the wrong note with Rand, and she recalibrated. She's been playing sweet vulnerable Selene in his head for the last month, working on getting him to remember that version of her.

Even that wasn't enough -- we know this because he was resisting her urging him on towards Tear; that he was even telling Moiraine about Lanfear's visits to him in his dreams.

And then he saw Mierin. That's something that he could point to that couldn't be a manipulation from Lanfear. Mierin was something true. And it's something that he wants to be true, because her manipulations of him in s2 really did work to make him care deeply about her, and he wants that woman to be real.

He wishes that woman were real.

But she's not.

After her moment with Rand, Moiraine goes to Egwene, to see if Egwene can help her give a message to Siuan in her dreams, and after checking that it's important, Egwene agrees to help, and she takes Moiraine to see Siuan, who is waiting in a sun-drenched version of their fisherwoman's hut in Tear.

I am not entirely certain how much the show wants us to think of these shared dreams as actual dreams vs real-world conversations. I won't worry about that right now. We'll see what the next episode brings us.

First we have the Moiraine & Siuan conversation, where they talk about some things and avoid others.

"You cannot afford to fail again" is a line that the trailers heavily implied would be Moiraine speaking to Rand, but is actually her talking to Siuan.

What Moiraine tells Siuan -- you must get the Tower ready to follow the Dragon. The fate of the world depends on it. What you did to me hurt me deeply, even if I agree that I might have done something worse in the same circumstances. I don't think we'll have time in this life to fix things between us, but maybe in the next. I love you.

What she doesn't tell Siuan -- I will not make it to the Last Battle. I don't know when I'll die, but I fear it might be soon. I failed too. I found the Dragon, but I cannot control him or his actions.

What Siuan tells Moiraine -- I deeply regret some of what I've done, even if I didn't see any other choice at the time. Part of me wishes that we could have remained ignorant and happy, even if it had doomed the world.

What Siuan doesn't tell Moiraine -- how fragile things are at the Tower. That if she tries to push this agenda of theirs, everything might come crashing down around her head.

It is a lovely and emotional scene.

Then we have Egwene stepping through her friends' dreams and let's all be glad that Nynaeve wasn't dreaming of having sex with Lan and was instead having an innocent dream of her fake daughter, because that could have gotten really awkward really quickly.

It doesn't seem like Egwene's friends are aware that she's in their dreams, so presumably Rand isn't aware of her screaming in the last dream either (he doesn't react), and Lanfear is only aware because she's also trespassing in Rand's dream.

So Egwene gets some insight into what all of her friends and thinking and feeling -- Nynaeve is feeling wistful of that life that she and Lan never really had; Elayne is dreaming of freedom and embracing this beautiful new way of channeling that she just learned about and Aviendha being there with her; Mat dreams about a better life for his sisters, and for his mother to be proud of him; Perrin dreams about being a blacksmith, about Hopper, and about Faile being part of his simple life in the Two Rivers.

At first, Egwene thinks that Rand is dreaming about home, then she sees that he's dreaming about the woman that Egwene just realized earlier that day has been torturing her for the last month. Who is also one of the Forsaken. And who looks Egwene directly in the eyes and clearly knows that she's present.

And we have to wait until the next episode to get the fallout from Egwene's discovery.

[kpopsexstories]

GAY ONE-SHOT #6: Riize Group Jerk-off Pt. 1/2

Check out this post for my straight smut and this post for more gay smut.

Someone sent this request: “Is there any chance for you to write a story where the NCT Dream members masturbate together? For the scenario, I let your imagination do the work. You always do an amazing job. I would also like one with RIIZE. For the scenario, I would like the story to take place in the shower of their dorm. Since they told that they shower together sometimes to buy time, so they are not late for their schedule. I really enjoyed your TXT skinny dipping story.”

Presenting Riize Group Jerk-off, a story that is exactly what you think it is 😅 The six men of Riize find themselves naked together in the dorm bathroom and things turn sexual. There’s no actual sex in this one, just thrilling and naughty masturbation 😜

I was going to release this story as one long post. But I need a little more time with the second half. It turned out describing six individual orgasms while keeping things fresh isn’t that easy.

For this first part I’ve focused on there being fun fluff and plot to explain how they ended up in this situation. Like the TXT skinny dipping story mentioned in the request, and this TXT shower masturbation story, I’ve also wanted the idols to feel like the situation is odd, unusual but exciting.

So, please enjoy this story of the members of Riize rushing to not be late for their schedule in the morning only to end up… well, you know 🙂

Idols: Riize

Content: Running late for their schedule the members of Riize undress in the bathroom.

Type of Sex: UNCONVENTIONAL

Word Count: 2.9k (6.5k incl. Part 2)

Chaos ensued in the Riize dormitory, when the boys forgot to set their alarm and they woke up running late for a press conference. “Forgot” is not entirely accurate. None of them bothered, because they all assumed someone else would take charge and rally the troops in the morning. It was a lesson on responsibility they learned the hard way.

“Shotaro, get up!” Sungchan said and abruptly pulled the poor man's duvet aside. Shotaro, shirtless in his pyjama pants, rolled over on his back with a grunt and yawned.

Sungchan quickly threw on a shirt and left the shared room, where six bunk beds lined the walls, four of which were empty.

“Anton, stop jerking off in there,” Sungchan said and slammed his hand hard on the bathroom door. “The rest of us haven't showered yet.”

Inside, Anton was sitting on the toilet scrolling through his phone, slowly waking up. Sungchan's yelling made him put the phone down and squeeze a little harder which actually made his body come to life a little faster.

Shotaro sat up on his bed. He looked around and saw Eunseok on a bed in the other end of the room, putting on a shirt.

“Have you showered?” he asked.

“No,” Eunseok replied.

“Then why are you getting dressed?” Shotaro asked and giggled.

Eunseok stopped in his tracks with the shirt around his neck. “Fair point,” he said and took it off again, as if it would really make a time-wise difference. The two friends looked at each other and chuckled about it, because they knew it would not but they really were super late.

Sohee walked through the hallway outside with a bowl and spoon in his hands, hastily shoving cereal and milk into his mouth. “Hurry up!” he said and kicked the bathroom door in passing.

Anton stopped squeezing and started wiping before he was done.

Shotaro didn't have breakfast, he never did. He needed to pee though and hadn't showered either. Eunseok normally did eat but not today, there was no time. Other than a shower, next on his list was to brush his teeth. Stuck in a bottle neck, the two remained seated on edge of their beds, not quite sure if there was something else they should be doing while they waited.

There was. They could prepare their outfits. They could make sure their day bags were packed. They could find their shoes which usually took them a minute as there were too many pairs in the dorm. None of those ideas crossed their minds. They were tired and bewildered by the rush and abrupt wake-up call, and neither was able to think straight.

Instead Eunseok continued the joke. He stood up and did the only thing he could think of in preparation for his imminent visit to the shared bathroom. He took off his clothes. All of them.

Shotaro laughed when he saw his friend naked. “What?” Eunseok smirked. “We're in a hurry right?”

“Mind if we share?” Shotaro asked and slowly stood up too. They had done it before and it wasn't a big deal.

“Sure,” Eunseok said and smiled, just as they heard the bathroom door open and Anton stepped into the hallway.

“Finally!” Sungchan exclaimed. He rushed inside and undressed with haste, pushing Anton aside as they bumped into each other in the doorway.

The shower water came on. When Eunseok entered, naked and ready but saw the shower taken, he went to the sink and grabbed his toothbrush. Shotaro followed close behind in his pyjama pants, quickly took them off and motioned for Sungchan to move aside.

Sungchan turned his back on his friend and faced the wall. Side by side they quickly started soaping up.

Sohee had finished eating and popped his head in. “Sorry,” he said. “I'll wait.”

“There's no time,” Sungchan pointed out. “Maybe just skip the shower.”

“No way!” Sohee exclaimed. He really wasn't going to go out in public without feeling fresh.

“Just get in here,” Shotaro said with shampoo in his hair, and pushed on Sungchan's back to make more room.

The shower was big enough to fit them all but there was only one head. They'd have to fight for the water. But considering the rush they were in they wouldn't need to do it for very long. In fact Sungchan was already rinsing soap off his body, slightly lifting a knee while washing his balls.

Sohee undressed and stepped into the water while Shotaro rinsed his face. Eunseok was still brushing his teeth in front of a mirror, secretly glancing at the naked bodies behind him. Anton, who had already had his turn and was the cause of the bottle neck in the first place, was dressed and ready to go when he came back inside the bathroom.

“Guys!” he said loudly which brought everyone to attention.

Sungchan turned around and faced Shotaro and Sohee, their bodies almost touching as the three of them looked up. Eunseok was leaning over the sink and turned his head, the toothbrush still in his mouth.

“What?” Sungchan asked. He stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. Anton's loud tone and playful smirk made him think that something out of the ordinary was up.

Anton held up his phone. “You can relax,” he said and chuckled.

“Why?” Eunseok asked and spat.

“It's canceled,” Anton said.

They all went quiet, froze and looked around at each other. Only the running water made a sound, until Shotaro burst out laughing.

Eunseok frowned and put the toothbrush down. Sungchan rolled his eyes and jokingly slammed the towel onto the floor. And Sohee stopped rinsing his hair and leaned against the shower wall, water flushing down his chest and tummy.

“What the fuck?” he exclaimed. Several of the boys started smiling, a sigh of relief suddenly washing over them. Then he looked at Shotaro by his side and smirked. “What the hell do we do now?”

Sungchan couldn’t quite believe it. “Are you serious?” he asked and looked at Anton.

“Yeah,” Anton said and relaxed his posture.

“What happened? Couldn't they have told us that sooner?”

Anton's smile turned naughty. “Actually they did,” he said and giggled.

“When?” Eunseok asked and stood up straight.

“Last night. We got the message just before midnight.”

Several of the naked boys burst out laughing. “What the fuck?” Sohee exclaimed again. Shotaro let our a high-pitched screech.

“That's hilarious,” Eunseok said and looked at his friends still in the shower.

“Oh well,” Sungchan finally said and smiled, then picked the towel back up from the floor. “I guess we don't have to hurry then.”

“No, we don't,” Anton said. “So can you please get out of here so I can finish what I was doing?”

“What, jerking off?” Sungchan asked and playfully snapped the man with his towel.

“No,” Anton said and defended himself with his arms. “But now that you mention it, I kind of want to.”

“Oh no, don't cause another line,” Shotaro said.

Eunseok by the sink turned around and grinned. “What, you wanna jerk off too?” he asked.

Shotaro didn't get a chance to respond. “You can do it in the dorm,” Sungchan said, to neither Shotaro nor Anton in particular.

“Or, we do it together,” Sohee suggested. It was presented as a joke but the thought had crossed his mind before. Shotaro, who stood right next to him, glared at his friend.

”What?” Sohee continued. “We're all naked in here anyway and we all do it.”

Anton, who was the only one with any clothes on, suddenly started undressing. “I'm serious,” he said. “I really need to poop.”

Sungchan pushed his friend on the shoulder when Anton pulled his pants down. “It's too crowded in here, get out.”

“Why are you complaining?” Anton asked. “You're already done.”

“Maybe I wanna jerk off too,” Sungchan said and smirked.

They were all really just having a laugh. The fact that they were no longer under any stress was a relief. Sexual jokes between them were not uncommon, and they had all showered naked together before in various constellations, though never all five of the men currently in the bathroom at the same time.

Sohee, who started the jokes, became quiet and suddenly turned to face the wall. Maybe it was the sense of joy and relief which caused his body to react. Maybe it was all the talk about masturbating. Maybe it was even the sight of all his friends so close together in the nude.

Whatever it was he suddenly felt a boner forming. It took him by surprise and for a moment he didn't know what to do with it. His brain was still in a bewildered state, stuck between being half asleep and wide awake as a result of the morning’s abrupt time pressure, and taken aback by his growing dick.

It made him panic on the inside. He quickly figured there was no way out of this. He tried to focus his mind to get the boner to go down rather than expand but it didn't work. He couldn't just stand with his back to the others for very long though, and he realized it was only a matter of time before they'd notice what was going on. If and when they saw his half-hard – soon to be fully erect – dick he wouldn’t hear the end of it.

It was better to take control of the situation. So, without really thinking, he grabbed his semi boner and swirled around.

“Let just do it,” he said with confidence. Once his brain accepted what his body was doing and embraced it, the boner quickly grew to full size.

It took the others a few seconds to register what they were witnessing. Sungchan was first to laugh and took a step back. Shotaro reacted spontaneously and in amused self-defense by smiling, screaming in a high-pitch voice, and giving the dick right next to him a slap. “Down!” he jokingly said as if telling off an animal jumping at furniture.

Eunseok by the sink frowned at first, then couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear. And Anton was the last to look because he was busy taking his socks off – the final piece of clothing on his body before he was naked too, which was weird considering all he said he was going to do was take a dump.

Of the four men who glared at the fifth, two immediately felt a tingle between their legs. They'd all seen each other naked before, and some of them had showered together in the past to save time. They had all masturbated at some point while the others were nearby, considering the cramped space they all shared. Shotaro, Sungchan and Anton had even done it quietly while the others were in the same room sleeping, though never at the same time. And Anton and Sohee had even done it together once, each in their own bed but fully aware what the other was doing.

In short, they were young men living in close quarters, and naturally they had all seen and heard things. But this? This was new. It hadn't even been joked about. Now the four men looking a Sohee all asked themselves the same questions: What the fuck is he doing?

And a range of follow-up thoughts popped up in their heads: He’s crazy! That’s so weird. But why does this turn me on so much? Could we? Should we? Do I want to? Is this really weird? What's the harm?

They stood in silence for a few seconds, each realizing that they kind of wanted to. But they were equally embarrassed by their dirty thoughts and worried about how the others would react.

Would they tease and make fun? Highly likely, hence no one wanted to take the first step. Though technically Sohee already had. And as they mulled this over in their heads, that’s when they heard the front door open.

The sound of someone entering the dorm made Anton instinctively swirled around and close the bathroom door. They heard footsteps outside, and Wonbin's voice as he called out for them: “Guys?”

They all looked at each other with big eyes and expressions of horror. Then as they realized their situation they tried hard to hold their laughter in.

“Guys?” Wonbin called again.

The footsteps passed by outside, as Wonbin went to check the bunks.

“Guys, where are you?”

Then he opened the door to the bathroom and popped his head in.

He stood in stunned silence for a moment. The others were grinning and holding their breaths. Sohee in the shower and Eunseok by the sink were rock hard and Wonbin immediately saw. It only confused him further.

“What the hell?” he asked and stared wide-eyed at his naked friends. He didn't know if he should laugh or be concerned or jealous that he hadn't been invited to… to whatever this was.

The others couldn't keep it together any longer. They all burst out laughing, loud and in unison, a joyous sound cramped up by a strong sense of shock and horror, so infectious it made Wonbin laugh out loud too. He wasn't quite sure why and had no idea what was going on.

“What are you doing?” he asked and looked away when he caught himself staring at one of the boners.

“Where the hell have you been?” Sungchan asked sternly, dodging the question. He was the one who had been running around trying to get all the others organized and ready.

“I went for a walk since the press conference was canceled,” Wonbin said calmly.

“When did you find out?” Shotaro asked. He was starting to relax but felt cold, and slowly rubbed his chest and stomach as he took a step closer to Sohee who was hogging all the water.

“That it was cancelled?” Wonbin asked slightly confused.

“Yeah.”

“Last night.”

“What?” Anton exclaimed. He was the one standing closest to Wonbin by the door, and when he turned around to face him his friend noticed a third erection and chuckled.

“What the fuck?” he exclaimed and took a step back from Anton’s hard dick. Though he was clearly amused by the collection of boners he still couldn't wrap his head around what he was seeing, and what exactly he had walked in on.

“Why didn't you tell us?” Sungchan asked and threw his arms and the towel in the air. He too relaxed and started wiping his wet body.

“You didn't know?”

“No!” Eunseok exclaimed and instinctively – without really thinking about it – started stroking the shaft in his hand as he leaned with his ass against the sink.

“I thought we all got the message.”

Shotaro and Sungchan – neither of who were hard – looked at each other and giggled.

“We probably did,” Sungchan admitted. “But we're idiots. We didn't realize until just now.”

“Okay,” Wonbin said. He stuck out a finger and pointed around the room. “Sooo… you wanna explain this?”

The five naked men looked around at each other, smiling, smirking, but at a loss for words.

“I don't think we can,” Sungchan eventually admitted.

“We were in a rush,” Eunseok said, a failed attempt that didn't explain anything at all. “I’m just brushing my teeth.”

“I’m just showering,” Shotaro said and shrugged.

“I just wanted to poop,” Anton chipped in and rolled his head while grinning.

“I'm just horny and wanna jerk off,” Sohee said proudly to make a joke, but no one really knew if he was joking.

Several of the others laughed at the shameless statement. Eunseok looked down at Sohee's dick and hand, and playfully started stroking his own a little faster. Their eyes met and they smiled naughtily.

Anton, who was hard too, found it super funny how confusing and strange this must be to Wonbin. But when he saw Eunseok and Sohee slowly pleasuring themselves his face turned serious and he joined them in the action.

This, in turn, brought Shotaro over the edge. He had felt a slight tingle and now it intensified. Seeing his friends suddenly hard and stroking themselves did things to his body too. He felt an erection coming on, and just as Sohee had before, he immediately panicked on the inside.

Sungchan noticed the change of expression on Shotaro's face. He was having the same kind of hesitation, and partly to himself but while looking at his friend he said: “Let's just do it. We all want to.”

“Hold up,” Wonbin said and tilted his head to the side. “Do what?”

“Jerk off,” Eunseok said loudly and added: “Take your clothes off and get in here.”

There was laughter throughout the room again. Naughty giggles, curious thoughts and excited heart and dicks. No one was against the idea, but no one took it very seriously either.

Shotaro met Sungchan's eyes. His dick was half-hard by now and when he realized he wasn’t the only one who was excited about the idea he stopped worrying about it. “It's not like we've got anything better to do,” he said and shrugged.

Sungchan nodded slowly. “Yeah,” he said, then turned to look at Wonbin and smiled again. “Come on, get hard and get in.”

-> Continue to Part 2

[sockatoothewafflebird]

Mystery Peaks, aka win or lose x gravity falls. hehehe i had a LOT of fun with this.... (cough cough yes its the caesar cipher)

should i make you guess which symbol is which. or should i just. slap the list under the cut. hmmm.

...making people guess would be more fun but ehh i'll explain it all under the cut anyway. i'm not THAT mean.

- Daniel, the bomb.

- Laurie, the star.

- Paula, the ram.

- Rochelle, the sword. (a protector. assertive. she leads. she fights. thanks to bee for the idea of rochelle's weapon metaphor being a sword because. haha. Fun.)

- Benjamin, the crown. (rochelle's father. he is unfortunately painfully relevant both in her life and in the plot.... everyone hates him. booo ben)

- Mia, the candle. (kai's mom. she gets lost in the multiverse like ford (it's ben's fault), but everyone thinks she's dead-- that's why kai moved to peaks valley. her and james thought she was dead, so they moved for a change of scenery. more on that later.)

- Frank, the shield.

- Tom, the cloud.

- Hannah, the skull.

- Luciana, the lips.

- Lenny, the waffle. (oc created entirely for comedic purposes. first there was the idea that there should be a diner all the kids eat at when they need to meet up and discuss paranormal stuff. then we decided it should be named Lenny's (legally distinct ripoff of Denny's). when i was like "what f there's a guy that works there named lenny but he's not the manager-- he's seventeen and kind of stupid and didn't realize him (leonardo "lenny" lastname) working at Lenny's would result in confusion. "hi, wecome to lenny's, no i am not the manager, how can i help you today?")

- Kai, the trophy.

- Yuwen, the fireball.

- Taylor, the cotton candy.

- Ira, the meteor.

- Rinna, the sheep.

i shall also present you a few ideas:

bill possesses. laurie. this is an entire week-long arc in the plot. it is. So Angsty. and there's tons of hurt/comfort in the aftermath... hehe. also, luciana is a pacifica equivalent, ira is the one that causes weirdmageddon, and laurie and rochelle are already dating in this au because i said so. i'll yap way more later (discord friends know i've word vomited So Damn Much about this au)