#KJ IF YOU'RE READING THIS

[synthshenanigans]

I'm curious as to peoples idea for what he'd do for the next power hour so

[These all being popular ideas or ppl he's mentioned]

This was all just a ploy to get you to read my info dump theory on the concept of a Chonny Jash Power Hour loser HAHAHA

Im joking tho. Not about my CJPH theory, that is very much real but I'm not forcing you to read it lol

However if you're curious, my inane rambles are further down :}

[Long Rant Post Below]

Okay so I'm gonna start with the basic idea I got it from; that being Nerd. Nerd already foreshadowed the THDPH & the WWPH [Even down to the last song for each of them] Not only that, but he references the stuff hes done in the past as well with a break/pause inbetween.

[This is what I mean]

The first three being all stuff he already did. BDG with Pocket, Tally Hall with Vol.1 & then Cage by Tim Minchin being the start the power hours.

The next two being the power hours he would do after this song [Memento Mori & Charlie's Inferno-Will Wood & That Handsome Devil]. But those are the only songs he would reference in Nerd, leaving no more clues as to what the last one would be. The only thing left in it is the video game references & Stairway to Heaven in the ending. [Which oddly enough also fit the pattern in a way. StH being about dying and the afterlife like Memento Mori & Chonny's Inferno and the video game references being all covers he made on his old channel]

While the VG refs could be a hint at a Videogame or Toby Fox Power Hour, I think at most, if its a clue at all, hinting at the next thing he does is recovering old songs.

----

Next, a couple of his songs reference his past stuff. Fine, I'm Fine has a good amount of lines that vaguely refer back to songs from the before [heres a post that goes more into it that's pretty cool!!]. And more importantly Dear Machine references Pocket, Dream (Outro from Calamity) & wings of wax. Pocket being later used in Nerd & the mention of Icarus coming back in Art. Not only that, but the voice in the very end Thermodynamic Lawyer is the exact same [if not very close to] voice filter/effect he uses in Dear Machine. Even down to the British accent he does in it. [Tho it is fairly normal for a music artist to reference their older songs in their music so it could be nothing]

Speaking of Dear Machine tho, quick thing to add about it is that it shows he not against covering his own songs. While yea technically its just a different version of Ode of the Cog, DM,HtC in a way counts as a cover of OotC. Same goes for bargaining/compromise & The Ballad of Dr. Jekyll.

----

Another idea with a CJPH is that in the CJFS discord theres a "Question of the Day" Channel. Where, as the name says, a Mod or Helper will ask a CJ related question & everyone can give their idea/imput on it. For Day 100, as a special fun lil thing, they asked Chonny if he wanted to give a question for that day. His question being:

And yes he does say that he doesnt plan on doing anything like that in future [if he even were to do it]. I fully believe he wasn't lying there & honestly I never saw him redoing any song ever until I had the idea of a CJPH [aside from stuff like Spring and a Storm & Storm and a Spring obviously]. But this is the best idea I could ever see him doing that. Also that question was from early August so a fair amount of time has passed. Whether thats enough time to equal "at least in the near future at all" I have no clue, but it is a thought.

----

One of my last points [that I remember atm lol] is on how he would end the power hours. Cos like, while yea he does whatever he wants & doesn't rlly follow what anyone says or asks [which I 100% agree with & is completely valid btw], I'd imagine he'd still want to end the PHs with a bang. Which is why I originally didnt think the recent one would be Will Wood.

He's stated a couple of time that hes one of his favorite artist & he definitely knows that a huge chunk of his fan base listen to WW as well. So why not end with that? Why not end with one of the most requested artist people wanted him to cover? Why wouldn't he end with a power hour of the artist that was his #1 on his Spotify Wrapped? What else could he do after that? Well maybe he'd go with his #2 artist? WHICH IS JUST HIMSELF BBYYYY

Plus, the name Power Hour already comes from this:

So it's very likely he's had himself play multiple times in a row & had a "Chonny Jash Power Hour".

Of course theories are just theories so there's always the chance I'm wrong & just insane. And again he does whatever he wants whenever he wants so who knows what it'll be. I just think id be an interesting idea for him to do.

As for how a Chonny Jash Power Hour would look? Maybe each song being a cover of a song from a past album or single? I'd imagine one from the before. & Covered in Discontent [maybe Gothic Whore?]. Like remake Pocket since its been referenced so much, tho that's still just a BDG cover so who knows. the before. would be interesting just to see how his perspective has changed since he originally wrote those songs. Gothic Whore he already has 2 songs that have a story version & a him version so I can see him doing another.

I HIGHLY doubt he'd do anything related to Vol.1 as its his completely separate thing & he doesn't rlly wanna touch any song that's TH/HMS related until whenever he feels like starting Vol.2 [which is valid lol]. If anything I could maybe see like TWWAY, Special or maybe Greener? Or go a different route with the og I'm Gonna Win or like a more outta the box one with like Just a Friend [only cos be did a 20 second "cover" of it in Mucka Blucka]. Again, I do not see him touching anything Vol.1 related but still something to entertain ig? [4th TME cover; The Chonny Electric when/j]

Tho maybe he'd just remake songs that he he fully made [like the before. or Gothic Whore], since those are more of actual Chonny Jash songs rather than the others just being covers. Would be very cool to maybe see a remake of some of his Majora's Mask song tho [no this isn't me coping over HEAL not being on spotify shush]. Or maybe he'd do songs from his old stuff like Don't Take it Personally? [also not me coping over wanting that song on Spotify too]

Idk these are just my thoughts on the idea of a CJPH [or even a Can of Soup Power Hour/j]. Either way I am gonna say idc what he'd do, BDG or Streetlight Manifesto are my other guesses, but anything he makes is always rll good & fun so I'll be interested to see whatever it is.

But ya know considering I typed all this out in the span of an hour & a half I kinda hope im not wrong PFFT

[sarahsupastar]

*Gasp!* A romance novel acknowledged the existence of aro people!

In classic cliché fashion, the protagonist begins by saying he doesn't ever really get feelings for anybody - essentially describing an aro experience, though he's presumably allo. BUT! Instead of following the cliché by then having him meet "the right person" and finally fall in love, this author had someone immediately clock the aro vibes of that statement and directly ask the protagonist if he's aromantic! And then, instead of just perfunctorily checking the box for acknowledging aro people exist and having him say no and move on, the author has him explain that what he means by "I don't get feelings" is: "I had my heart broken and have since actively avoided developing romantic feelings at all costs" - Not: "I've never experienced romantic attraction before this one special person"

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (14-20 May 2023)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

🥰Masters in This Hall (Lilywhite Boys #3) (KJ Charles) - Barnaby's in deep trouble, John wants vengeance and they both have to contend with a certain Lilywhite Boy who is extremely displeased that his name's been taken in vain…

🥰(Lily)White Wedding (Lilywhite Boys #3.5) (KJ Charles) - free short story - "Susan is getting married; Alec and Barnaby are bonding or at least drinking."

🥰A Rose by Any Name (KJ Charles) - free short story reuniting the long-lost brothers Robin from Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting and Toby from A Thief In The Night

💖💖 +489K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

The Curse of the Deserted Heart: A Tantalising Tale of Love and Adventure Amidst the Dunes of the Lost City That Will Thrill, Chill and Delight You! (kyaticlikestea) - The Mummy: Ardeth/Jonathan, 34K - Jonathan accidentally becomes a best-selling author thru writing a version of their adventures. Very fun, great character voices.

PRE-ORDER NOW (spqr) - Ted Lasso: Ted/Trent, 9K - Trent's book is about to be published. My love for a hot mess Trent Crimm is boundless.

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Um, Actually - s2, e10, e17-21; s3, e1

The Brokenwood Mysteries - s9, e6

Ted Lasso - s3, e10 [x2]

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

You Are Good - School of Rock w. Jamie Loftus

⭐You're Dead To Me - Leonardo da Vinci (Live)

Hit Parade Plus - Champagne Supernova Edition

Re: Dracula - May 15: Lizard Fashion

Welcome to Night Vale #228 - Diplomacy

The Allusionist - 174. Eurovision part 1

The Allusionist - 175. Eurovision part 2

Re: Dracula - May 16: This Man Belongs to Me

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Voynich Manuscript

⭐Switched on Pop - Listening 2 Daft Punk: Homework

Shedunnit - The Evolution of Margery Allingham

⭐Vibe Check - The Summer of “Could”

ICYMI Plus - Quiet Luxury is TikTok’s Latest Nonsensical Fashion Trend

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Theatricum Botanicum

⭐99% Invisible #537 - Paved Paradise

Song Exploder - Madison McFerrin "Run" (feat. Bobby McFerrin)

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Primo

Re: Dracula - May 18: It was No Dream

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Fugitive Train Wreck

⭐Re: Dracula - May 19: Surely in the Toils

Into It - Are We Into 'Fast X,' Martha Stewart, and the Vitriol Toward Che Diaz?

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Fast X And What's Making Us Happy

Dear Prudence Plus - I Think My Dad Is Cheating On My Mom. Help!

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Chile Pepper Institute

Endless Thread - Come to the Orchestra

You're Dead To Me - Agatha Christie

ICYMI Plus - The Internet’s Biggest Secret

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Eurovision 2023 (but just the good songs)

Käärijä

Lord of the Lost

Presenting Daft Punk

Presenting BLACKPINK (블랙핑크)

Feel Good! K-Pop Dance Music

The ArchAndroid [Janelle Monáe] {2010}

The Electric Lady [Janelle Monáe] {2013}

Dirty Computer [Janelle Monáe] {2018}

Janelle Monáe

Heavenly '80s

[lildoodlecat]

learning how to do tarot readings not bc i believe in it but bc i bought a pretty deck so now i’ll feel bad if i don’t use it

turns out it’s fun even if you don’t take it seriously ✨

[aeide-thea]

reading atfots and thinking like. is it ever possible to have human diversity in sff that doesn't map directly onto irl diversity

[diamndbrn]

alyssa’s idea of relaxing is soaking in a bubble bath while reading a erotic novel or watching youtube or tiktok. 

[miwiheroes]

Byler + Closet Imagery

Just wanted to show just how much closet imagery and references there are in stranger things and how it's super obvious, that it's kind of insane that it goes over the GA's heads so much. It's mostly with Mike as well, funnily enough.

Closet imagery has been used in media over the years to show that a character might be gay but the audience/the other characters just don't know it yet.

For example, it was used here in Paper Girls (2022) for KJ who was not out as gay yet.

It was also used for Eyewitness (2016) with Lukas who also has internalised homophobia and we already know that Byler has had a parallel to Eyewitness before.

So, it's interesting that this closet imagery has been used for Mike and Byler ever since the show began in Season 1. Let's look at all the ways it has been used and how insane these are that some people deny them because UHHHH....

1. Mike hides El in his closet

Karen: "With all this that's been going on, with Will, I can't imagine what it's been like for you... i just-- want you to feel like you can talk to me. i never want you to feel like you have to hide anything from me. i'm here for you. okay?"

Mike: *is hiding El in the closet* *a noise comes from the closet after Karen says these things* *he lies about it* *Karen then hugs Mike later on when Will 'dies' HADGSJHDG*

2. Argues with El in a closet

I find it so funny how the framing here is El literally between Mike and some male dummy and then she grabs it from him LMAOO i love cinematography.

Mike: 'You are the most important thing to me in the worl-'

El: *interrupts him* 'What if [Hopper's] right?'

Mike: *feels attacked as she questions the legitimacy of their relationship while she holds a male dummy in the closet* "No, no no no. He's just some angry old man who hates joy."

Why are you questioning the sanity of someone instead of using actual arguments for your relationship?? Oh that's right, you're in the closet <3

3. Kisses El in front of a closet

Particularly, this is Will's closet as well.

El: "I love you too" *kisses Mike*

Mike: *makes disgusted/ confused face* *doesn't kiss back and has his eyes open* *has the light coming from the closet framed on his head as if he's realised something.*

El: *walks away smiling*

Mike: *looks to the side confused with an open closet next to him* *thinks What is wrong with me?/ What just happened here? (original script)*

Also the music is "The First I love You" which is the same music they use in a scene where Robin comes out of the closet.

4. Mike reads a letter from El in front of a lit up closet

Bro is reading a note with RAINBOWS ON IT and then the camera pans to him reading with a literal open closet which is lit up right next to him. How is this not blatant queer-coding??

Also Mike: *panics in front of a closet which has a ray of light shining on him* *has a one-way sign pointing into the closet which is revealed when he bends down*

I am going insane at this it's so funny

5. Argues with his bestie bro when a song called "In The Closet" plays

aka arguing with Will about how he sabotaged your day by ignoring you instead of your gf getting bullied x

Will: "Well we used to be best friends!"

Mike: *looks devastated as a song called "In The Closet (at Rink O' Mania)" plays when the camera goes back to him* "Well maybe you should've reached out more, I don't know. Why is this on me? Why am I the bad guy?"

El: *is hiding from Mike in a closet*

Why are you suddenly switching the blame Mike??? Oh girl you're a little too defensive

6. Mike and Will have a heart-to-heart in front of an open closet

Mike: "No, no you didn't deserve anything... Hawkins isn't the same without you... Maybe I was worrying too much about El... felt like I lost you or something... Friends, 🥺❤️ best friends."

All while Will is tearing up in front of a closet (also the picture here on the left literally has them framed on either side of an open closet WDYMMM)

Anyways,

Byler Endgame

[spermeboy]

pairings: kj apa x male reader

request: Could I request where reader is an actor on Riverdale and they're filming a scene with him giving KJ up a blow job on the bed and as soon as Hector yells action that he starts actually kissing KJ's ass and actually starts getting on a b****** with KJ moaning and grabbing their head and using his mouth and throat until he cums and then when everybody's gone KJ just starts fucking reader as hard as kj wants Daddy cum swallowing cum submissive and Daddy kink if that's okay.

warnings: SMUT ! , oral sex, anal sex, slight voyeurism, swallowing cum, daddy kink.

MDNI + FDNI

When you auditioned to be on Riverdale, you had to have a chemistry read with Kj Apa, and the chemistry was off the charts. Once both your characters were finally becoming endgame, the writers decided to write in a steamy sex scene.

While filming the scene where 'Archie' face fucks you, you could see that his vanity patch had begun to lift up slightly as his cock hardened underneath. The warmth of your face pressed against his hidden cock was all he needed to get bricked up.

Kj gets all flustered during the scene and overwhelmed he decides to rip off the vanity patch, letting his stiff member spring free. He gently rubs the tip against your lips, waiting no more time he thrusts it into the back of your throat.

Hector 'The Director' stares in admiration as he watches you warm KJ's cock with your throat. His eyes dart up to meet Hector's, and he stares at him pissed which causes him the director to run off scared. KJ moves all of his attention back to your throat.

He places his hands on either side of your head, using your head as a flesh light. "Fuck, your throat is so warm" KJ laughs out, his cock twitching in your throat. KJ shoots his load in your throat, your eyes roll back when you feel it run down your throat.

KJ's cock flops out of your mouth, he pants and breathes heavily watching you smirk up at him. "Don't think I'm done already", A sultry smirk appears on KJ's face as he grabs your hips and flips you over on the set bed. He tears the jeans off your body and ripping a hole in your underwear for your hole, "Be gentle." You whimper out, "No promises," KJ blurts out.

He lines up his cock with your hole, wasting no time to thrust into you roughly. You groan out, feeling your hole accommodate to his large cock. "Fuck you're so tight!" KJ moans out feeling your hole grip around his shaft.

"Fuck, look at how stretched your hole is!" KJ groans, watching your hole swallow his cock. He thrusts back and forth roughly, spanking your ass letting it become red-raw.

KJ grips your hips, leaving imprints. He thrusts back and forth a couple more times before he pulls out and flips you over. You open your mouth wide for him as he jerks his cock off until he nuts over your face and in your mouth.

He pulls out his phone and takes a photo of your cum-shot face, making it his wallpaper.

taglist - @starboye @mailmango @dcriddler @ghostking4m

[caplanbuckybarnes]

Words Unspoken (mattt Murdock)

Summary: you're so glad to have Matt around

Warnings: fluff

WC: 590ish

Read on Ao3!

-

New York City’s nighttime hum surrounded the two of you, the faint glow of streetlights casting long shadows down the alley. The chill in the air was a stark contrast to the warmth radiating between you and Matt Murdock as you stood close enough to hear his steady, controlled breathing.

You glanced up at him, his features softened by the dim light. Despite his blindness, Matt’s presence was always so focused, like he could see you better than anyone else ever had. His sharp senses must have picked up on your accelerated heartbeat or the way you shifted from one foot to the other, nervous energy buzzing between you.

The fight with the latest gang causing havoc in Hell’s Kitchen was over, but the tension between you and Matt still lingered, thick and palpable. For months now, the two of you had danced around this unspoken thing, working side by side to protect the city while never quite acknowledging the pull that drew you together.

Tonight, though, something was different. He had gotten closer during the fight, his body brushing against yours more often than necessary, his hands lingering just a second longer when he pulled you back from harm. And now, here you were, standing so close, his chest rising and falling just inches from your own.

Matt tilted his head slightly, lips parting as if he were about to say something, but the words never came. Instead, there was that silence again—the silence that made your heart race faster than the fiercest battle.

“I know you want to kiss me,” you said suddenly, the words leaving your lips before you could stop them. It wasn’t a challenge, but a simple statement. The tension had built too much, and you were done pretending that you didn’t feel the same way.

Matt’s lips twitched into a small, surprised smile, and for a moment, he said nothing. His fingers flexed at his sides, almost as if he was contemplating reaching for you, but he held back.

“I do,” he admitted softly, his voice rough but sincere, as if he had been holding back those words for longer than you could imagine. His face tilted towards yours, his lips hovering dangerously close, and you could feel the warmth of his breath against your skin.

The city noise seemed to fade, leaving just the two of you in this small, intimate moment. The world might have been falling apart outside this alley, but here, with Matt, it was quiet.

"Then what are you waiting for?" you whispered, leaning in just enough to close the distance.

A barely audible laugh escaped him, the smile fading as he closed the gap between you, his lips brushing against yours in a kiss that was at once soft and intense. The electricity that had been building for so long finally surged through you, and the world around you disappeared completely.

For once, Matt didn’t hold back. His hands found your waist, pulling you closer, and you could feel his heart beating just as wildly as yours. Every touch, every gentle press of his lips against yours, spoke the words neither of you had dared to say until now.

When you finally pulled away, breathless and flushed, Matt rested his forehead against yours. He smiled softly, a contentment in his expression that you hadn’t seen before.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he whispered.

With a grin, you brushed a strand of hair from his face. “I think I do.”

--

tags!

EVERYTHING PERM: @nekoannie-chan @kjs-s @notyourtypicalrose @mistressofallthingsgeeky

MARVEL PERM: @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory @late-to-the-party-81 @capsthot @kenzieam @dis-plus-fanfic-reblog-writes

MATT MURDOCK: @hallecarey1 @yarrstyleeza @sloppyzengarden

[fahye]

book recs sept/oct 2023

THE SPEAR CUTS THROUGH WATER by simon jiminez -- I have no idea how to describe this. best book I've read in a year. absolutely gutting and beautiful and intricately put-together fantasy about two young men escorting an escaped god-empress on a pilgrimage to bring down an empire. but actually it's so much more intimate than that. please please please read this book, it deserves the world. yes it's gay.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO by jessica dettmann -- an aussie romcom tailored specifically to me, someone who imprinted on the kenneth branagh much ado about nothing movie. very meta and genre aware, lively and touching, a heap of fun.

LOOKING GLASS SOUND by catriona ward -- also very meta! it's uhhh about a bisexual disaster teen's coming-of-age summer, and also about the decades-later fight over who gets to control the narrative of that summer. and hauntings. and serial killers. every single one of ward's books is its own unique thing and a wonder to behold.

THE NOBLEMAN'S GUIDE TO SEDUCING A SCOUNDREL by kj charles -- if i haven't made you read any kjc books by now then what are we doing here. I don't know how she keeps getting better and better and better. this one is another slippery liar/stubbornly goodhearted but bad-tempered lord pairing. I adored every word.

NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS by jodi mcalister (ARC) -- 3rd book in her series set on a bachelor-like tv show, and my hands-down favourite. friends to lovers but also make it schemer 4 schemer!! I would die for this ruthless tv villain and her sleep deprived gremlin producer and their intense, searing, incredible romance entirely free of conventional moral compasses.

THE HOLLOW PLACES by t. kingfisher -- how are her books both so hilarious and so wildly, skin-crawlingly unsettling?? I think it's because of how relatable the protagonist is. I would react EXACTLY like kara if I found an eerie alternate dimension nexus made of willow trees in the walls of my uncle's weird museum. superb and very readable horror.

THE GILDED CROWN by marianne gordon (ARC) -- fantasy with a sapphic romance between a death-witch and the assassinated princess she was hired to raise from the dead. yes you're right that DOES sound amazing. the writing is assured and smooth and propulsive; if you like stories with a heightened mythic/fairytale feel, you'll love this.

[notbecauseofvictories]

Can you please drop the name of the KJ Parker book involving contracts? A (brief) browse of his works didn’t make it obvious but my silly paralegal heart is intrigued…

So the KJ Parker novellas I'm talking about are primarily Prosper's Demon, Inside Man, and Pulling the Wings off Angels. However, while I did enjoy the others, Pulling the Wings off Angels is my favorite---it should shock no one that I love infernal/heavenly deals, moral arithmetic, and trying to out-lawyer god.

(The other series I'm looking into is published by Parker's alter ego, but still sounds up my alley.)

However, maybe you're asking for the other series that ties legalese to magic---in which case, I would look into the Craft Sequence from Max Gladstone. Admittedly, I haven't read all of it, but Three Parts Dead/Four Roads Cross is one of my favorite duologies, and I could have read about Tara Abernathy, her first job out of law school, and all the headaches (and power, and conniving, and history, truth, fellow feeling) she encounters there, for much more than two books.

[lizhaoyu]

Why so shy? PART 2

(A/N): Hello, gaymers. I'm back at it again. Sorry for the late update, I've been busy malding in VALORANT lately. Thank you for all of the support in part 1, it means the world to me. Now, some of the things here are referenced to that one casual Iso fic. Huge thanks to whoever wrote that, I'm in love with that fic. I physically gagged and cringed at the part where I made the reader channel their idk to do sum shit I can't do this. Enjoy thirsting, gaymers.)

(I also accept requests, please request about Iso)

(Iso x Shy!GN!Reader)

Part 1

Part 2 (You are here.)

Part 3

Nervous.

That's exactly what you were feeling right now.

Not nervous for yourself, but for Iso.

Today marks the day of Iso's first ever mission in the VP. To your advantage, you were assigned as Iso's lead comms.

You were busying yourself with taking breathing exercises in KJ's command room.

Iso was gonna be hearing your voice, following your orders and intel, counting on you to tell him what to do at the right moment and he's probably gonna fall inlo-

A knock on the metal door of the command room broke your trail of thought. It opened, revealing Iso.

"Hey." Iso walked in with a small smile, nodding to you.

You look up from the mission brief that Brimstone gave you and look at Iso. This time, you actually managed to train yourself to try and not stutter in front of Iso. You're not exactly there yet, but you're trying your best.

"Hi, Iso. Ready for your mission?" You offer him a small smile, feeling a little nervous for him and his safety.

"Yeah. I made sure to read the brief at least five times." Iso nods.

"Better safe that sorry." You smile, typing in the last command needed to start the mission.

"Right, uh... I just wanted to say that I wish you a very good luck on your first mission." You try to smile despite your nervousness.

"Thank you, but... I don't understand why I have to do this mission alone." Iso sighs, shaking his head.

"Brimstone says that he thinks that you're strong enough to handle it yourself, but I think he just doesn't want to admit that everyone is busy with everything else, so they can't go with you." You stifle a laugh.

"But I agree with Brimstone, whether or not he thinks you're strong enough. Your abilities are really powerful and you handle yourself pretty well. I think you got this." You smile at him, trying your best to hide your blush.

"Thanks a lot for your encouragements, it helps a lot." Iso smiles.

"And our training sessions, too. They're really helping me improve." Iso adds.

That alone was enough to make your heart race faster than normal.

"A-Anyway, I'll be the lead, and only, comms for today's mission. If you have any questions, calling for backup, or need help locating the target, I can help." You explain, turning to the table behind you.

You carefully took an earpiece from the table, turning to Iso and offering it to him. He follows your gentleness, taking the earpiece with careful hands.

In the process, his fingers brushed against yours. It was enough to give you butterflies on your stomach.

"This is what we use to communicate to each other from great distances. You can talk to me or hear me through it." You explain, snapping out of your thoughts.

"We have two trackers on you. One on your phone that we requested you to add, and one on your earpiece. Although you can turn off your location trackers, I advise you not to, just in case." You smile at him, hoping he'd understand what you were trying to say.

"I got it. Thanks for explaining it to me." Iso nods, taking off his left earbud and replacing it with the earpiece.

You took note of his actions, observing him closely.

"By the way, if I did ask for backup later on..." Iso paused.

"Yeah?" You tilt your head with a smile.

"Since you said that everyone else is busy, will you come?" Iso asks.

IS HE IMPLYING SOMETHING????????? AM I JUST DELUSIONAL OR WHAT, you thought.

"W-Well, yeah. I'm still responsible for you and your safety, according to Brimstone." You nod, pushing the thoughts to the back of your head.

"I'm glad." Iso nods, smiling.

WHAT DOES THAT MEANNNNNNNNNNNN???, you thought.

"Can I only talk to you about anything related to the mission?" Iso asks.

"Not necessarily, as long as you're not in the middle of a gunfight." You shook you head.

"Great. Uh, one last thing." Iso rubs the back of his head.

"After my mission, do you think we can go out for hotpot? My treat." Iso smiles, looking at you.

WHATWHATWHAT OHMYGOD IS THIS REAL FUCKFUCKFUCK, your thoughts raced.

You had to take a moment to process what Iso just asked you. Was this some kind of prank? Maybe Phoenix told him to prank you? Was this just a friendly gesture-

"You okay? You don't have to say yes, or we can get different food. Anything you like will do." Iso smiles.

"I- No! Hotpot is fine... A-Anyway, yeah, we can go out after your mission as long as you come back unscathed." You nod, your face turning visibly red.

"Then, I'm looking forward to it." Iso smiles.

"A-Anyway... The jet should be ready to transport you to the mission site. You can head to the departure wing now." You look back to the screen.

"I'm going, then. Thanks for your help." Iso nods.

You look back at Iso and smiled.

"Good luck on your mission, Iso." You nod as Iso walked out of the room.

You turn back and sat on the chair, all while letting out a shaky sigh. Was it just a friendly gesture or something more?

Suddenly, your thoughts were interrupted by Iso's voice in your earpiece.

"Hey, can you hear me?" Iso asked through the comms.

You snap back to reality and let out a small huff.

"Yeah, loud and clear." You nod to yourself.

"Right, thanks. I'm in the jet right now, heading to the location." Iso says.

"I got it. I'm writing the report for Brimstone right now." You reply, typing out a document.

After a moment of silence, Iso speaks up.

"Hey, when you first arrived in the VP, how was it?" Iso asks.

"Huh? Well... It wasn't really easy." You say, recalling back to your newbie days in the VP.

"I was kind of an outcast and everyone thought I was creepy and stuff." You shrug, still typing.

"Why's that?" Iso asked.

"Well, just like Omen and Fade, I have abilities related to shadows or darkness." You paused.

"I was really quiet and stuff, so some were afraid to even look my way, because I can just merge myself with their shadow without them knowing." You shrug.

"But hey, I managed. Omen became my very first friend. He understood me." You smile.

"Wow... Omen? That's kind of him." You hear Iso hum.

"How about your first mission? How did it go?" Iso asked.

"Back then, I had little to no control of my abilities. I was merging myself to shadows back and forth because I didn't know how to control it." You laugh.

"But I learned how to control it, thanks to Omen. He knew exactly how I felt and why, and he taught my how to control it, even if he can't control his own." You sigh.

"My first mission went really well because Brimstone paired me up with Omen. He was really helpful, teaching me how to defuse the spike." You explain.

"Anyway... How about you? How are you feeling? This is your first mission, after all." You ask.

"I was kind of hesitant when Brimstone first told me." Iso says.

"But when I found out that you're gonna work closely with me, I feel much better." You could almost hear Iso smiling. Wait, was that even possible?

You could feel your heart beating faster and your face turning red. Surely, he didn't mean it that way. Maybe it was just a friend thing?

"I think I can handle this mission." Iso continues.

You quickly shook off the lingering feeling.

"I'm sure you'll do great." You nod.

"By the way, what kind of milk tea do you like? Sorry, that was a random question." Iso chuckles.

"Me? Well, I like heavy oolong milk tea with tapioca pearls." You paused for a moment.

"Jett and Phoenix often made fun of me for being so basic, but I think it's really good." You smile.

"What about you? What do you like?" You ask.

"I actually like the same thing. I get it all the time." Iso replied.

"Whoa, really?" You smile.

"We have a lot of things in common, hey?" Iso says.

"That makes me really happy." Iso added.

It was starting to get hard trying not to think of this as a gesture of interest and not just for friends.

"Oh, we're landing now." Iso says.

"Be careful, Iso. You'll just need to eliminate the Omega Earth Radiants and defuse the spike if planted." You nod.

"You'll come if I ever need help, right?" Iso asked again.

"Yes, I will. Don't worry." You assure him.

"Okay, I'm heading out now." Iso says.

For the past hour, you've been helping Iso locate the enemies and giving him instructions. You watched his location attentively while writing a report, all while talking to Iso.

"Iso, there's one enemy left. Do you think you can defuse the spike until half?" You ask.

"Yeah, I think so. I'll try." Iso replies.

On the other end, you can hear Iso running to the spike. You heard beeping, which means that he was defusing now.

"Don't let your guard down. Don't rush, there's still plenty of time left." You remind him.

"Almost half, come on..." You hear Iso mutter.

A few seconds later you could hear a Vandal being fired, then Iso grunting.

"Iso?!" You stood up from your seat.

"Spike is half... I got shot on the shoulder..." Iso groans.

In the background, you can hear Iso firing his Sheriff, presumably at the assailant.

"Okay, okay... He's down, I can still defuse with my other hand..." Iso coughs, followed by the beeping sound again.

"Iso, listen to me. Just hold on and keep defusing, okay? I'm coming." You connect the comms to your phone, running out of the room.

"Really? You're coming...?" Iso asks, his voice low and pained.

"Yes, I'm on my way. Just a little longer, okay?" You ran to the departure wing, getting on the jet.

"I'll wait for you." Iso grunts.

"Keep talk to me, Iso. I need you to stay awake." You frantically went through the jet's storage for some medical equipment.

"Put some pressure on the wound to prevent excess bleeding. I'm on my way." You say, your voice shaky.

"Will we still go out for hotpot after this?" Iso asks, his voice low.

"Yes, I promise we will when you get better." You promised.

The jet hovered over the mission location. You shout for the pilot to open the door, as it'd take longer if you waited for the jet to land.

The door opens for you and you look out from it. Your eyes scanned the mission area from above, looking for any kind of shadow you can merge with. Once you do, you stepped back to prepare yourself to jump.

"I see a jet in the sky, is that you?" Iso asked, coughing.

"Yeah, it's me. I'll be with you soon." You breathe out shakily.

"What are you planning to do?" Iso asked.

But before you can answer, you dashed out of the jet. Your eyes locked onto the shadow of the building, preparing to channel your ability. You closed your eyes, letting your shadow take over.

In seconds, your body turned into a shadow-like orb, heading for the shadow of the building. Your body reached it immediately, merging with it. Once you did, you jumped away from it and ran to Iso.

"Iso! Hey, I'm here." You pant heavily, kneeling beside Iso.

"Hey..." Iso grunts, sitting up slowly. Beside Iso was the defused spike.

"Don't move, stay still. I'll do my best to help you, okay?" You mumble shakily.

How will you even do this? You weren't a healer, you weren't even trained for this. You look at Iso's pain expression and you knew you had to do something, anything.

You could make use of your abilities, the shadows. You remember what Omen told you, about how if you channel enough energy to your shadow, you could make it do what you desired. If you could do it, you could use them to absorb the wound, the pain and the bullet and save Iso.

Could that even work? Were you crazy? But you knew you had to try.

"Iso, listen to me." You hold his bloody hand shakily.

"This'll hurt a bit, okay? Do you trust me?" You squeeze his hand gently.

"I trust you." Iso nods.

"Stay with me." You mumble, letting go of his hand.

You place your hand over his wound and your other hand on your shadow. You close your eyes, channeling your shadow to your hand. You press your hand firmly on Iso's shoulder, your shadow entering his open wound, earning a pained hiss from Iso.

You focused your mind into commanding your shadow to absorb whatever it would have to absorb in order to heal Iso. You didn't know what you were doing, you were going crazy.

You let a few minutes pass, with your palm pressed on Iso's wound. You didn't know if what you did worked, but you were growing lightheaded.

pleaseworkpleaseworkpleaseworkpleasework, you chanted in your mind.

Once you feel your shadow disappear from your hand, you opened your eyes, slowly removing your hand from Iso's wound.

It was gone.

The would was no longer there, just the skin of Iso's shoulder through the hole of his hoodie. All that was left was Iso's blood.

"It... It worked..." You let out a shaky sigh, still not believing in what you did.

"What?" You hear Iso ask as he looks at his now-gone wound.

"It's gone? How did you..." Iso looked back at you.

"I don't know, I..." You mumble, looking at your shaking hands.

"No, I... It doesn't matter right now. Let's go back to HQ." You shook your head, shakily standing up.

"Can you stand? Do you need me to support you?" You offer your hand for him to take.

"I think I can." Iso nods, using his other hand to take your hand as you pulled him up.

"How did you do that? You never told me you could do that." Iso asked, looking at you in awe.

"I didn't even know that I could do that." You shook your head.

"Let's go back to the extraction point. I'll definitely need to write a detailed report about this..." You mumble, walking with Iso.

You and Iso walked for a few minutes, before finally arriving to the extraction point. You both got on the jet as it took off.

You plop down on the seat, still feeling a little lightheaded.

"Are you okay?" Iso asked, sitting beside you.

"I should be asking you that. How are you feeling? No more pain?" You sigh.

"I feel fine. It doesn't hurt anymore." Iso shook his head.

"Hey, thank you." Iso says.

It was enough to catch your attention, so you look at him.

"You came to save me, and I'm really thankful for that." Iso smiles.

"We can't have you dying on your first mission, Iso." You smile.

"But you hurried here, you tried your best to use your ability and ended up learning that you can actually heal me." Iso shook his head.

"Can I be honest with you?" You ask.

"I came to you despite knowing that I couldn't help at all." You admit.

"I had no medical experience and I wasn't anywhere near Sage's level." You sigh.

"But I still came to you. It was... an urge." You mumble.

"But now, I'm glad I came, after all. I learned a lot." You smile.

"I'm glad you came." Iso smiles.

-

After that, Iso was sent to the medic wing, where Sage checked Iso's health.

Brimstone informed you of this, so you went to check up on him for your hotpot with him later.

As you were about to slide the door open and walk in, you heard Iso talking with Sage.

"I'm glad you're okay, Iso." Sage says.

"Thanks a lot, Sage." Iso replied.

"Hey, do you think we can go out for milk tea later today?............" That was all you heard before your ears blocked out every other noise.

And here you thought that you were making progress. You really thought that Iso liked you back? Of course it was Sage.

You thought back to his interactions, how he'd look at her, how he'd call her his senior. But you were dumb and ignored all of it.

Now, here you were.

You had hoped for something when he talked to you earlier today, when he asked to go out for hotpot with you and only you.

Maybe it really was just a friendly gesture.

[thesleepyskipper]

WIP Wednesday

Thank you, first of all, to @suseagull04, @sophie1973, @caterpills, @msmarvelouswinchester for the tags today!

And before I get to my snippet, I have to thank EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU for the support and encouragement and likes/reblogs/tags for 'the shower one' that I've posted about multiple Wednesdays and Sundays. It turned out to be more than 'a little spicy' but I am really grateful for everyone who has given it a read so far! Check out 'the cadence of your heart' here on AO3 if you're interested!

Sooo I have a couple things in the works, but my focus was on finishing the shower one so there isn't a ton to share this week! But here's a tiny snippet from a little upcoming rivals-to-lovers situation that I think is going to be very fun 😏:

Alex has a competitive streak. He knows it, every single person he's ever encountered knows it, so he’s pretty sure Henry knows it by now.

Tags below the cut, thanks to everyone on the list. I appreciate you!

@welcometololaland, @cricketnationrise, @myheartalivewrites, , @kiwiana-writes, @firenati0n

@rmd-writes, @celeritas2997, @noahreids, @cha-melodius, @alasse9

@three-drink-amy, @stereopticons, @smblmn, @leaves-of-laurelin, @lilythesilly

@nontoxic-writes, @indestructibleheart, @maxbegone, @orchidscript, @piratefalls

@anincompletelist, @anchoredarchangel, @emmalostinwonderland, @littlemisskittentoes @sparklepocalypse,

@clockwrkpendrxgon, @run-for-chamo-miles, @tinyarmedtrex, @getmehighonmagic, @henryspearl

@judasofsuburbia, @heysweetheart-writes, @blueeyedgrlwrites @bitbybitwrites, @iboatedhere

@jmagnabo92, @wordsofhoneydew, @zwiazdziarka, @theprinceandagcd, @miss-minnelli

@hgejfmw-hgejhsf, @dragonflylady77, @agame-writes, @nocoastposts, @lightningboltreader

@inexplicablymine, @na-dineee, @notspecialbabe, @benwvatt, @cactusdragon517

@onetwistedmiracle, @ninzied, @porcelainmortal, @aforgottennymph, @onthewaytosomewhere

@kordeliafawkes, @stratocumulusperlucidus, @idealuk, @stellarmeadow, @eusuntgratie

@lizzie-bennetdarcy, @dreamtigress, @duchessdepolignaca03, @tailsbeth-writes,

@priincebutt, @stellarmeadow, @softboynick, @fullsunsets, @na-dineee

@firstprincefairytale, @rachelica9, @readstheroom, @anti-homophobia-cheese, @thighzp

@mikibwrites, @swearphil, @flowerfan2, @rarelyrad, @letloverule1111

@endlesstwanted, @glasshouses-and-stones, @swoonoveryou3, @thedramasummer, @jackzimmermemes

@miharaikko, @kj-bee, @dani-dabbles, @henryhenhazza, @firstprincehornyramblings

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (12-18 Mar 2023)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

🥰👂‍The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen (The Doomsday Books #1) (KJ Charles, author; Martyn Swain, narrator) - another knock out hit from KJC!!! I loved that most of the conflict was external - they had some shit to sort out but it was not drawn out excessively. Great sense of place. Really looking forward to the next book in the duology, but not because this one left me wanting. [audio narrator's voice was lovely-sounding but the pacing was TERRIBLE - very, very slow with drawn out pauses in the middle of sentences, just weird & annoying. I read it on 1.45x speed and it was just bearable but I mostly read it in text when I could]

🥰 All the Things Money Can't Buy series (Lys ap Adin (lysapadin)) - 62K series (45 main story, rest later vignettes) - Sheith modern sugar daddy AU, complete with a delicious 'snowed in together' section and a cute dog named Potroast 🐶

😊👂‍Death In Irish Accents (The Dublin Driver Mysteries #4) (Catie Murphy, author; Ruth Urquhart, narrator) - Megan just can't stay away from murders - literally opens with a body falling on Megan & her girlfriend while they are having coffee - absolutely love it!

😍Monoclonius (Zenaidamacrouras1) - 62K, stucky AU with single dad/environmentalist Steve & dino scientist Bucky - absolutely delightful, loved loved loved it to bits! Genuinely loved the OCs (including a very important stuffed trilobite; found family vibes off the charts (even outside of S&B)). Also there's a very decent amount of hot sex! THIS FIC HAS EVERYTHING.

😊👂‍Christmas at The Grange (Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #3.5) (T.E. Kinsey, author; Elizabeth Knowelden, narrator) - novella

💖💖 +70K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

Cross (lightgetsin) - Dresden Files: Dresden/Marcone, 33K - haven't read DF in years bc I'm well done with that canon but shout out to the inimitable @drunktuesdays, who threw this pairing onto my radar and 🤯🥵🤯🥵🤯

cybersex series (Adure) - Stranger Things: steddie, 7K - friends-to-accidental-sexters - short, sweet but super hot

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Ted Lasso - s1, e6-10; all season 2; s3, e1 [x2]

Maine Cabin Masters - s7, e10

Schitt's Creek - s2, e3

Dickenson - s1, e1-3

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

Menus To Be Buried With - Judgement Day! • Comic Relief 2023

Richmond Til We Die: A Ted Lasso Podcast - I Love You Guys So Very Much ("Season 3 Preview")

Shedunnit - The Trials of Madeleine Smith

Desert Island Discs - David Sedaris, writer

⭐Twenty Thousand Hertz+ - Soundalikes

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Exploring the underworld with Jessica Leigh Hester

You're Dead To Me - Frederick Douglass

⭐Hit Parade Plus - Raise Your Glass Edition

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - NYC’s Most Beautiful Public Bathroom

Vibe Check - I Stand In Exhausted Solidarity

⭐99% Invisible #528 - A Whale-Oiled Machine

You Must Remember This - 1988: Kevin Costner, Sean Young, No Way Out & Bull Durham (Erotic 80s Part 11)

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Manuscript Writing Cafe

Welcome to Night Vale #224 - Liminal Spaces

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Blurred lines with Stacy Horn

⭐Switched on Pop - Modern Classics: Seal - Kiss From a Rose

Into It - Are We Into Tom Cruise Skipping the Oscars, Nancy Meyers, and M3GAN's Sartorial Debut?

Switched on Pop - Switches Brew

You're Dead To Me - The Columbian Exchange

It's Been a Minute - Silicon Valley Bank and the sordid history of 'Palo Alto'

⭐ICYMI Plus - Pedro Pascal Is the Internet’s Daddy

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Remixes

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

TRUSTFALL [P!nk] {2023}

P!nk

Carly Rae Jepsen

Little Freddie King

The Hamilton Instrumentals {2015}

[caterpills]

WIP Wednesday

WOW, hi! Thanks so much for all the tags today @suseagull04 @porcelainmortal @sophie1973 @blueeyedgrlwrites @onthewaytosomewhere

@judasofsuburbia @thedramasummer @tinyarmedtrex @miss-minnelli y'all!! 🥹❤️

I thiiiiink this will be my last (!!!) sharing snippet bit before the epilogue is posted for This Is More of a Comment Than a Question (aiming for this weekend, but we'll see. My short little chapter 10 has been growing more than intended.)

So I guess I better make this one worth it? How about a social media break with a review of Henry's fifth novel? 🥰

Publishers Weekly Review Imaginary Creatures  Henry Fox. Penguin Random House, $20 trade paper (432p) ISBN 978-1-3123-2781-1 ★ Henry Fox's departure from adult fiction to romance pivots on an inspired premise: with a mix of interwoven short stories and narrative multiverse-hopping, what would happen when two immortals must find each other not just through time but through different worlds built upon literary tropes? Against the backdrop of speculative fiction, from an uber-futuristic sci-fi to cozy fantasy, from regency era alt-history to a rom-com coffeeshop meet-cute, the intransient Athan (short for Athanasios) and his deity-lite partner Orion are faced with the inevitable collapse of the multiple worlds they touch. Will they find their happily ever after before imminent destruction? And what will those endings look like within the framework and shifting stakes of romance archetypes? Can love save them all? Fox's ambitious and immersive novel—outstanding in its whip-sharp writing and unforgettable concept from a seasoned literary master—is irresistible, wildly charming, and deliciously queer. Athan and Orion's romance is fresh in each iteration, leaving eager readers rooting for them in second-chance romances set in a post-apocalyptic world or throughout a contemporary fake-dating celebrity AU told through clever social media breaks. Imaginary Creatures opens the door for more from Fox, who gives an incomparable perspective with his debut entry into the often-overlooked but well-represented romance category.  A must–read for those who believe in love that exists "in every universe".

No pressure tags under the cut, plus an OPEN one! Please tag me if you use it, I want to see what you're writing friends!! Have a great Wednesday!

@alasse9 @taste-thewaste @firenati0n @thesleepyskipper @suseagull04

@myheartalivewrites @miss-minnelli @judasofsuburbia @thinkof-england @onthewaytosomewhere

@anincompletelist @14carrotghoul @porcelainmortal @wordsofhoneydew @blueeyedgrlwrites

@stellarmeadow @faketrex @sophie1973 @littlemisskittentoes @thedramasummer

@tailsbeth-writes @milowren29 @tinyarmedtrex @sparklepocalypse @clockwrkpendrxgon

@cricketnationrise @kj-bee @thighzp @theprinceandagcd @bitbybitwrites

[edwinspaynes]

Hello!

Welcome to my Shadowhunter Chronicles and Dead Boy Detectives blog, a place where I cause shenanigans and post fanfiction!

I REALLY like TID/TMI/TEC and the content associated with them, but above all else I am a TLH enthusiast. Chain of Gold, Chain of Iron, and (especially) Chain of Thorns are my favourite books. I also love the TLH-related short stories and bonus content.

I'm a fan of the DBDA Netflix show. I like the comics as well, but I'm primarily a fan of the Netflix program. Huge Payneland shipper over here, and my favourite characters are Edwin, Charles, and Niko. The Cat King also lives in my mind rent-free, though, which is a lot of fun. But honestly, I love every character in the show.

My favourite TSC characters are Matthew (my beloved my bestie my very life), Alastair, Thomas, and Cordelia. The TSC ships that live rent-free in my head are Thomastair and Herondaisy. These characters and ships, along with Payneland, are mainly what I write fic about!

My other favourite ships are Wessa, Sophideon, Sizzy, and Arianna, all from TSC, so you'll probably see a lot of them here, too.

Art by the lovely @hanelizabeth ♡

You can see all of my fics on my main Ao3 page. I've also gathered them into collections to make browsing for your faves easy!

Matthew-Related Fic Collection

Thomas/Alastair Fic Collection

James/Cordelia Fic Collection

Edwin/Charles Fic Collection

A few personal favourites of my own fics:

A Therapeutic Chain of Events (Thomas/Alastair)

A Ribbon of Dream (Thomas/Alastair)

The Name We Give Our Mistakes (Matthew)

The Moon in Her Chariot of Pearl (Matthew & James + Will/Tessa)

Summer Went Away (Still the Yearning Stays) (Matthew + family)

Soul to the Universe (Wings to the Mind) (James/Cordelia)

The Besotted Couple's Guide to Half-Baked Mistakes (James/Cordelia)

half of my soul, as the poets say (Edwin/Charles)

Over the Castle on the Hill (Edwin/Charles)

I'm currently writing a super fun TLH/DBDA crossover as well, so check it out! It's my passion project, lol.

Click here for a collection filled with great TSC fics from other lovely authors like @vwritesaus and @luciehercndale that I highly recommend. Here is the collection of my favourite DBDA fics, all of which are wonderful.

Actual footage of me reading (real!)

Other things I like and post about are Taylor Swift, KJ Charles books, Urusei Yatsura, and random shows like Good Omens, XO Kitty, and Crazy Ex Girlfriend.

If you're a TDA fan, I'm happy to have you here, but you may want to block #anti tda, #anti blackstairs, and #anti julian blackthorn.

Please enjoy your time here! Feel free to shoot me asks if you want to chat.