#YOU COULD HAVE MADE ME A PERFECT SPECIMEN

[chondrichthyes-x-mantodea]

Sooooo as someone going into fields that contain biology I think it's time we talk about how we see it from a fully male perspective. It's gotten to the point for me that I cannot listen to men talk biology, specifically reproduction. When we talk about male competition, we talk about it as "the right to mate". However this sees reproduction as a sentient, default specimen (male) doing to the secondary, inanimate vessel (female). In reality males fight for the CHANCE to win female attention. Females will forever be more selective sexually in the majority of animals. This is because females expend more energy in reproduction (the simple fact eggs are the larger gamete). Even in most fish, where care is commonly paternal, you will find heavy selection on the female side. Females are not fought over like an object to earn or "inseminate" the pure attention we give is what's fought over. Females almost always control their species. Look at tiger endlers. It may seem like the males harass females, but females actually CHOOSE exactly which sperm they concieve with and retain sperm for up to a year (trust me I have SEEN it myself). There's also this notion that males are all about genetics while female is about love or is about being a vessel. That's laughable. Females want their genetics to succeed just as much as males. They just dont have to fight as much because they have the limited gamete, its not a competition to be chosen when the other sex is unlimited. And the way we talk about paternal vs maternal. Paternal animals are all about "self preservation" but maternal animals are robots to their love. Dont get me started on how people act when I tell them my betta males do the incubating. We like to see it as a male competing to spread his genes and not a female choosing to complete her genes with the perfect individual. Every time someone tries to symbolize sex this shit comes into play. Male is the default that uses female as his tool. Be it describing it as penetration, fertilization, and much more. On the topic of "fertilization" did you know that the egg chooses the sperm? Did you know eggs are more complex than sperm? Did you know that eggs are not infertile without a sperm they just arent a embryo? We see female as defined by male, made valueable by male. A vessel filled by male. I think it's time for females to realize that nature is actually quite female centered. Hopefully as we get more women in this field, that will change. Because right now I'm starting to learn that a lot of science is worded in a way so males can cope with actually being quite lesser than females and at our disposal.

Edit: thanks for all the attention everyone! I've always wanted a space I could talk about this sort of thing. Glad to know I'm not alone on this. Trying to be in this field as a feminist can be insufferable

[illubean]

Could I get headcanons for Feitan, Illumi, Leorio, and Chrollo falling for gn!reader who by all means seems like a strong, nuturing, emotionally stable individual but every once in awhile casually says or does smthin that makes people go "Oh you're a little fuckin nuts, actually"

(e.x.: Most of their D.I.Y. furniture is made of different kinds of bone, morbidly interested in the more gorey parts of their jobs, probably works in a field that allows them to be around the dead often like a taxidermist or a mortitian, highkey just unabashashedly a morbid little freak™️ whenever it comes up naturally in conversation but otherwise comes across as just an attentive lil guy you could bring home the average parents would love.)

HXH Men with a Morbid!S/o

Characters: Leorio Paladaknight, Illumi Zoldyck, Chrollo Lucilfer, Feitan Portor Type: Headcanons, Gn!reader

this is so me

Warnings: dead things and body parts and stuff

Leorio Paladaknight

being an aspiring doctor, Leorio thought that your knowledge on both human and animal anatomy was pretty useful

at first he didn't think much about your job and just assumed you were some type of doctor or biologist or something

he often asks you questions as he studies and you're a pretty good tutor

the first time Leorio realized you were kinda weird is when one day you were walking down the street and saw some roadkill

and you were like "aww too bad, the skin and bones are too damaged to harvest"

and you kept walking like it was normal while he was like ?!!??!?

or you guys were having a normal conversation and you say something like

"if you died i'd taxidermy you and re-articulate your skeleton so you'd be with me forever <3"

1 taxidermizing humans is illegal and 2 WHAT

he is cold sweating wtf did he get himself into

when he comes to your house for the first time and sees a bunch of bones, animal skins and wet specimens he damn near passes the fuck out

how do you just casually have dead things and remains around your house!?

AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU MADE YOUR COFFEE TABLE OUT OF CAMEL BONES?

he is freaking the fuck out and you're just like "dw everything is ethically sourced :D"

yeah he thinks you're a freak and he is too fearful to break up with you ever (not like he was planning to anyways)

Illumi Zoldyck

whatever drew Illumi to you had to have been some type of power

aside from that power, to Illumi you were relatively normal and had a good grip on your emotions which made you a perfect candidate

that being said he could care less what your job was, you'd just end up working for or with him eventually

when he started bringing you around the estate, you often sought out their guard dog Mike and Illumi couldn't think of why

that is until you came back one day with a human femur and bright smile on your face

"... where did you even get that?" "From one of Mike's victims. If I collect enough I could make a whole set of bar stools!"

he blinked at you and chose to ignore your statement

i mean, to each their own am i right?

so you have ah hobby, big deal

Illumi just thinks you're pretty normal personality wise until you randomly but casually drop information about what you do in your free time or have in your home

so now whenever he has a job Illumi calls you in for cleanup

you get to do.... whatever it is you do and there's no evidence of a dead body left behind, it's a win win

Chrollo Lucilfer

he couldn't care less what your job is because it's probably not worse than his 😭

he didn't really notice anything "morbid" about you until he asked about your jewlery

you wore things like resin caster bug pendants or bird skull earrings and stuff

he just assumed they were fake and you bought them because they looked badass

but then you told him you make it all YOURSELF

he is intrigued

he doesn't really question you past that because you were probably buying the bones and stuff somewhere (spoiler alert you're not)

what really caused him to think was when you casually just picked up a dead rat off the floor in some abandoned building you were exploring and suck it in your pocket

bro was so confused

"What do you need that for?" "To make a new necklace :3"

yeah now he knows that your odd taste in jewelry goes deeper than just that

he won't judge you though, if anything you're a better person than he is considering you don't kill things yourself

he is literally a murderer and a thief and has committed like 3467633788 crimes so he couldn't judge even if he wanted to

so now when he sees dead animals and what not he bags them up and brings them to you

he likes to sit in on your cleaning and making process

you seem like a perfectly normal and sweet person to everyone else but Chrollo knows about your freaky little hobby and it just makes him like you even more

Feitan Portor

I feel like for you and Feitan to even be acquainted you have to be part of the troupe

whatever you do outside of it is your business

buttttttt since you are his s/o and Feitan is probably homeless he crashes wherever you are

thus him finding out about your hobby and other job

out of everyone on this list he is the most interested

he too is a morbid little freak

he goes with you to find things and will help you with the cleaning/taxidermy or whatever process if you let him

what he doesn't understand though is why you don't just kill the things you want instead of hunting for already dead things

sometimes he will go catch like a squirrel or something and bring it back to you like a cat and tell you he found it like that

Fei baby. No the fuck you didn't

after doing what you're doing for so long you can tell what caused an animal to die but you wouldn't tell him that

he's just so cute and wants to be supportive of your hobby <3

[orionsangel86]

I watched X-Men 2000 tonight. Yup the Deadpool and Wolverine brain worms got me - at least for a little while - so I figured I'd rewatch the old movies that I havent seen in over a decade and have basically forgotten entirely at this point.

You know what really stunned me? Even more than the slow pace, serious tone, actual dedication to telling a coherent and interesting story with layers of meaning and social commentary attached to it, as well as a sincerity that's been missing from most superhero films since the MCU was born (thanks Josh Whedon).

Nope, what shocked me most was this:

This is a perfect specimen of a man. Look at him. He's gorgeous. But look at his chest? His arms? He's muscular, he's pretty well toned, he's hairy. He's definitely got a six pack - but it's nicely covered by a healthy layer of fat. His skin is plump, he has a bit of squish to him. He'd probably be great to hug (Jean Grey certainly gives him a good squeeze lol).

When he sits down he looks like his stomach will roll just nicely. Like a stomach should.

I know my point here is obvious. It's just that scrolling the Deadpool and Wolvering tag is basically 50% "oh they definitely fucked in the Honda Odyssey" (yes lol) and the other 50% is just horny posting over Wolverine's topless scene like the entire site suddenly adopted Deadpools horny brain.

I gotta give props to Hugh Jackman for his dedication to turn himself into an actual comic book character - because that's what this new movie does. It gives us a comic accurate Wolverine in practically every way (except for his height lol) the suit is amazing, the cowl was a joy to see brought into live action. The body too though was straight out of a comic book artists male power fantasy.

What I wanted to emphasise was that this:

Is extremely tough on the human body. What I wanna know is how long he starved and dehydrated himself for before filming this scene? How long before they shot this did he last drink some water? Because damn that must have been tough. The oil and the lighting probably help further emphasise the muscle, vein, and sinew definition. It's probably similar to how body builders prepare before a show.

Nothing about body building is healthy though. So in the coming weeks as the whole entertainment industry rides on the coat tales of this movies success, and everyone goes crazy over Hugh Jackmans physique, please don't feel pressured into thinking that his 2024 physique in the movie is remotely realistic - or realistically attractive. Like I get the fantasy sure, but come on. I'd personally rather lie on a cushioned bed than a concrete floor.

Deadpool may disagree with me, but he's a masochist lol.

Oh and whilst I stand by the shade I threw at the MCU above, I think Wolverine's different physiques in the movies is a good standard of comparison for how much superhero movies have changed. Because when superhero comics first started getting adapted I think a lot of the choices made were about how to bring them to live action realistically and believably and the attitude was to try not to make them look ridiculous. The first X-Men movies definitely do this.

It was about bringing the comics to life in a way that fit in our world. But over the years, as audiences got more and more used to comic book movies the movies became more and more like comic books and less like a realistic adaptation of a comic book. Does that make sense? So as the movies attempted to bring the comics to life in a way that was less realistic and more comic accurate, the demands on the actors to sculpt their physiques to meet the standards of comic book art became normalised.

I think Deadpool and Wolverine is the MOST comic book accurate of all superhero movies made in the past 2 decades. Half the time the images from the movie look like they could be literally pulled from the pages of the comic books. The story is convoluted and stupid, the plot is barely there and is full of gaping plot holes and elements that don't fit any past stories. The action is ridiculous, extremely fast paced, gratuitous, and violent to a hilarious level. But it's so entertaining, joyful, exciting, and laugh out loud hilarious throughout.

It reminded me a LOT of my attempts at reading through the Deadpool comics (I've read a lot of them but no where near all of them).

To sum up this rambling message with multiple points, I'll say that Deadpool and Wolverine is a really fun movie that I thoroughly enjoyed, but make no mistake there is nothing real in it at all. It is almost literally a comic on screen. Don't expect anything more than that and you'll enjoy the experience.

[mayaree-darling]

mastermind

from aree: The Harbinger Trailer has consumed me yall are getting a brainrot. (I made this when the trailer first came out and have never posted it so here it is).

tw for yandere content

Yandere!Harbingers with a "darling" who is the right hand of the Tsaritsa herself. Not a Harbinger, but nonetheless important because they're the main strategist of the Fatui. I can just imagine the pain for the Harbingers because although darling is within arms reach, they're not allowed to make a move lest they anger their ruler.

Childe who first sees you akin to a younger sibling amongst the Fatui - you're no underling, on par with a Harbinger in importance if not more, protected almost as much as the Archon Herself - it would be hard not to be protective of you. And yet as you fix his wounds after another fight he started, telling him off in place of Her Majesty, giving him tips on how he could've fought better in whispers in between, his growing need for your attention consumes him. When he kisses your cheek (as thanks, he says) in front of the other Harbingers he's already looking forward to you treating the injuries they're sure to beat into him.

Scaramouche who grins when the Harbingers bristle as you walk side by side in the halls of Zapolyarny Palace - he says you should consider it an honor to walk with him, and it inflates his ego when you reply with a small nod and a smaller smile. Behind the others' backs, he follows you like a lost child, always walking behind you, gripping on to the back of your clothes like you might slip away if he's not careful. He's obsessed with the way you look at him and ask him questions about his creation. He fails to see that the adoration you hold for him is as hollow as he is.

Signora wonders if you know when she is at her lowest, that would certainly explain things, wouldn't it? She thinks she has lost her mind when she sees glimpses of her lost love when turning corners too quickly, haunting her when she lets her guard down but then you're in front of her, greeting her with a soft smile that feels all too familiar and she realizes she has gone mad in other ways (she welcomes that newfound madness like the lover that it is, finally coming home).

Pantalone who believes that one of life's greatest pleasures is to own what others cannot - to collect the rare, the exquisite and the hard to obtain - and to have you, a person of great mind and ranking, be dangled right infront of him on a piece of gold thread held by the Tsaritsa, who was he to resist the urge to make you his? (after all, he deserves only the best) The longer he does not have you, the more your worth rises in his eyes.

Dottore who initially wants to pick apart your brain (quite literally) but his interest shifts and doubles when he reaches an epiphany that what he truly lacked from the Akademiya was someone who shared his intellect, a genius to match his own. Maybe you don't share his affinity for biology, but he loves the way your conversations keeps him on his toes (if you weren't a being close to perfection for him before, then you certainly are now.)

Arlecchino who watches as you care for the children in the orphanage, checking in on them even long after they've joined the ranks of the Fatui and compares it to the frigid ways of the other Harbingers. For the first time since being a part of this cold nation, she is envious of the warmth you give (why must you have so much love to share?) She thinks that should the day come she turns her back on this frigid country, she would surely take your hearth with her.

Marionette who finds herself being drawn to the way you move around a room and hold yourself up in front of people, marveling at the intricacies of each part of your body and the way they make up the being that is you (you could trip and fall and she'd still sigh in awe). Her fascination turns you from muse to future subject. Surely such a specimen must be preserved, right? Not to mention, there would be no greater honor than to turn the Tsaritsa's best into a perfect unchanging doll.

Damselette who usually goes quiet when you're in the same room as her, always eager to hear you talk, almost hissing when a Harbinger tries to speak over you. She finds your voice is the one in her head who speaks reason to her when she gets a bit out of control (Does she listen? No, but your voice is always ever so lovely). Wouldn't it be so nice if you're the lone voice she hears always, the same way you're already always in her thoughts?

Capitano who is thankful his mask covers the fond look he gets when you turn to him - not with fear like the lower ranking Fatui or haughty like the Harbingers - but as an equal, leveling him with a gaze that leaves him fooling himself that it means something more. He's less thankful for his mask when someone calls your attention away from him and he can't control the glare he sends their way (maybe if they saw the way he looked at them, they'd finally be put in their place).

Pulcinella is quick to put you in a pedestal - you are someone to be respected and someone to be kept at a distance. And yet as he watches the Harbingers fall deeper and deeper into obsession, he takes it upon himself to protect the Tsaritsa's favorite and the Fatui's brain from whatever his co workers are plotting. As he spends more time with you (making sure the others do not occupy all of your time), the pedestal he keeps you on crumbles until all he sees is another child to keep under his wing. He fails to see he has only fallen into a different hole as the rest.

Strategist!Darling who may pretend to be oblivious to the Harbingers' feelings but is actually letting it all happen to make sure they all stay under the Tsaritsa's rule one way to another.

Does Pierro know what you're doing? Maybe. It's not like he is blind to how the Harbingers act around you, subtle as they try to be. If you spend enough time with him, you might be able to tell that he enjoys watching you play the part of a fool, dancing around the others and making them dance for you, too. He might even step in once he thinks the other Harbingers are stepping out of line, but it all depends on what he gets out of sticking into your business.

I also like the dynamic where although the Harbingers cannot make a move to claim what is "their's", darling is just as trapped. Although they always sometimes want to leave, they know as much as anyone that the Tsaritsa is the only thing standing between them and the others. The moment they try to leave the Tsaritsa's side or they lose her favor, it's all fair game for the Harbingers.

Everyone is stuck in a stalemate until someone makes a misstep.

✨ Masterlist ✨ 

Taglist: 💛@anime-allover  💛@faeriessky  💛 @prksolon 💛 @dai-tsukki-desu 💛 @wonpielle

Disclaimer: Characters are not mine and belong to their respective creators. Their portrayal is merely my own interpretation of them and may not be accurate to their intended characterization. I stake no claim to the original works, only to the ideas and plot of the fictitious stories I’ve written them into.

[brattyfics]

Sins of The Flesh

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Black!OC [Riley]

Wordcount: 3,000+

Warnings: 18+ Minors Do Not Interact, No physical description of OC other than her being black, Spanking, D/S Dynamics, Mentions of Heaven/Hell, Alternate Universe (Mike Is Alive), Bratty!OC, Daddy Kink, Dirty Talk, a tiny bit of Degradation Kink, No P in V, Slight Angst

A/N: Divider by fireflygraphics. Special shoutout to @megamindsecretlair who inspired me to write something for the first time in too long. Thank you!

Riley was the picture-perfect Southern belle. With a preacher for a father and a teacher for a mother, she always kept up her manners in public. But behind closed doors, she had a talent for getting into trouble—and her relationship with Terry Richmond was no different.

He was her very own Black G.I. Joe—six feet, four inches of solid muscle. Intense, stormy green eyes and the face of an Adonis. A flawless specimen—and completely hers.

That morning, she woke up with a familiar ache in her belly. Terry had been gone the entire week to celebrate his cousin Mike’s homecoming, while she stayed behind due to a special work project. It had been seven long days without so much as a touch from the man who couldn’t keep his hands off her whenever they were alone.

He'd returned late Saturday, slipping into bed quietly to avoid waking her.

It was Sunday morning, and as the preacher’s daughter, she knew she had to be at her best. But sleep had eluded her. The rollers she wore to sleep were uncomfortable, and she never slept well when Terry wasn’t there. She woke up feeling restless, only to turn over and see him.

He was bare-chested, the morning light making his skin glisten. The bedsheets were pushed down to his hips, and the outline of his body was impossible to ignore. Her mouth watered.

When her gaze finally made its way up to his face, his eyes were already on her. Terry was always up by six, but some days, he'd stay in bed a little longer just for her.

She kissed her way up his body, starting from his neck and working toward his lips, straddling him.

“Mornin’, baby,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly, making her heart flutter. His green eyes framed by naturally long lashes—lashes she spent a hundred dollars a month trying to replicate—fixed on hers. He pulled her down for a tight hug, his lips finding her jaw. She sighed, feeling his strength encase her. 

“What time did you get in? I missed you,” she admitted, feeling a little foolish. She was a grown woman, had spent most of her adult life without him, but sometimes it felt like she couldn’t breathe without him there.

His facial hair, grown in during the week they’d been apart, tickled her skin as he nuzzled into her neck—a silent way of saying, "I missed you too."

They lay there for a few moments before he stirred. One arm wrapped around her back, the other reaching for his phone on the nightstand. “We gotta get up. It’s almost eight.”

She groaned. “It’s too early.”

She was up before sunrise on workdays, but weekends were different.

“Come on, we have to.” He patted her back gently.

“Excuse you…” She sat up, crossing her arms with her legs still draped over his hips. “You just got back and you're bossing me around. You haven’t even kissed me yet.”

He wouldn’t admit it, but he loved how spoiled she could act sometimes. She knew he’d give her the world if she asked, and it boosted his ego to know she trusted him that much—knew, deep down, he would always protect and care for her.

“Oh, you think you’re running the show now?” he teased, raising a brow. She bit her lip, debating how to respond. Terry Richmond wasn’t the type of man to play petty games with, but she liked to do it every now and then, just to keep things interesting.

“Duh. I thought you knew.”

He let out a deep laugh from his core, right in her face. She huffed and tried to move away from his lap, but in an instant, he had rolled them over, pinning her beneath him as they both giggled.

“Who gave you command?”

His hand wrapped gently around her neck, and the playful moment turned serious. He positioned himself between her legs, morning wood pressed against her thigh, and her face flushed.

“You did.” She swallowed hard, remembering the last time they were in this position—his hand firm around her throat as he took control. The unspoken command hung in the air: tell me what I want to hear, and I’ll give you what you want.

He raised an eyebrow, “Me?”

“Yeah,” She smirked, “You disappeared so I had to improvise.” Her voice softened, teasing but with a warmth that hinted she missed him. “Maybe don’t leave me hanging next time, huh?”

He shook his head with a chuckle, then his lips crushed against hers, the kiss demanding, until her thoughts were consumed by him and only him. Her back arched, hips shifting as she sought him out. His hand found her neck again as he slowly pulled away, as if it pained him to stop.

“We gotta get up. I let you miss another Sunday, and your dad will never let me live it down.”

His sudden shift in tone made her scowl, especially as he tapped her legs to free himself from her grip. “Why are you talking about my father right now?”

“Get up.” His tone tolerated no dissent, and she reluctantly allowed him to pull her to her feet.

She followed him into the guest bathroom, where he'd gone to shower in peace. She dragged her soapy hands down his back, teasing him, offering to help him dry off but using it as an excuse to grope him instead. He wouldn’t give in. She spent the rest of the morning testing his resolve, brushing against him as he scrambled their eggs, and bending at the waist to give him a peek under her slip after "accidentally" dropping the house keys.

By the time they reached the church parking lot, a frown lingered on her made-up face, fading only as they approached the church doors, where she transformed into the picture-perfect preacher’s daughter.

Smiling, saying all the right things, all the while thinking about Terry. It wasn’t right, thinking these things in church, but she couldn’t help it. She prayed for forgiveness but couldn’t stop herself from reminiscing about him—the way he drove her to the brink of madness, how good he always made her feel. 

The singing of hymns and the preaching faded into the background as she focused on the analog clock hanging above the pulpit. Church seemed to drag on even longer than usual, as if the universe were conspiring with Terry to tease her to death. He sat there, as tempting as the devil, his button-up shirt clinging to his muscular arms and thick thighs defined even in slacks.

By the time they reached the car, she felt like she was on the verge of catching fire. She’d waved hurriedly at her parents before dragging Terry out the church doors, complaining about the traffic. She was sure her mom would call her and fuss about it later, but she’d deal with that when the time came. He didn’t say a word until they were driving down the main road, his eyes glancing over at her.

“You’ve been acting wild all day. You that desperate for my dick?”

“What?” 

“You heard me. You want it that bad?” He repeated himself, a sly smirk playing on his lips. Her mouth hung open as she processed his words. In the bedroom, he was her Daddy—dominant, demanding, intense. A bit of a bedroom bully, but never harsh. She was his princess, and he treated her like one. Terry didn’t usually talk to her like this, but she couldn’t deny the heat that pooled between her legs at his words.

She wished she had something clever to say, but the truth was that her desire for him ran deeper than he could ever realize. “I can’t help it,” she admitted, leaning over the center console to caress his leg. She gave him those Bambi eyes and spoke softly. “I need you, baby.” 

“I get it. I've been counting down the days too,” He promised. His voice was steady and calm—too calm—while she felt like she was on the edge. He had unbuttoned the top of his shirt when they got in the car, and all she could think about was undoing the rest. The way the water had cascaded down his chest this morning was sinful. Her thighs clenched together subconsciously. 

“I need more than just talk right now,” She grumbled, remembering how he had rejected her earlier that morning. She’d wanted him so badly that she dropped to her knees, promising to make it worth his while. But he remained composed, pulling her back up for a soft kiss on the corners of her mouth. “Later,” he had promised.

All week, she had struggled to concentrate at work, her thoughts consumed with him. And now that he was back, he didn’t seem in any hurry to change that. He should have woken her up last night, church be damned— The same way he did any other night he wanted to be inside her. Her hand inched up to his thigh and squeezed.

When her fingertips grazed his dick, he gently grabbed her hand and lifted it from his lap. “Relax,” he warned, his voice adopting that stern tone she usually loved. But now, it just grated on her nerves. Terry Richmond—who was always so eager—was telling her to relax about sex. How many mornings had he insisted on having her before he left for work? How many days had he stalked her around the house, grabbing her any way he wanted? How many nights had he promised to “do all the work” if she just let him inside?  

She kissed her teeth and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring out at the cars ahead. He was full of it.

“What’s this? You got an attitude now?”

She snapped before she could stop herself. “What do you think, Terry?” Aggravation burned in her chest, and his eyes widened at her tone. Apparently, his week away had been too long—she had lost her damn mind. 

“Any other time, you can’t get enough of me, and now you’re acting like I’ve got the cooties. What’s going on with you?”

“What are you trying to get at?” he asked, sounding annoyed, and it was clear on his face. She stared back at him as his gaze flicked between her and the road, as if her eyes could uncover whether he had been faithful. She trusted Terry, but she already knew Mike’s wild ass had plenty of strippers and trouble around. 

What else was she supposed to think? Terry was only a man after all. 

“For real?” he replied, meeting her suspicious gaze. “You think I’d do you like that?” 

Her stomach flipped. In her heart, she felt one thing, but her head was a different monster altogether. She had a tendency to overthink and jump to conclusions. Terry usually made her feel so secure that it wasn’t an issue. “So, just because I’m not moving fast enough for you, I must be cheating, huh?” He looked at her like a wounded lion.

“I don’t know, Terry,” she shifted her gaze away from him, knowing she had overreacted. “I’m just frustrated, okay?” The silence that fell between them felt heavy. She knew she had made a mistake. “I’m sorry,” she added, her voice softening. “I know you’re not like that; I was just... I don’t know.”

Just like Muni Long, she wished for a Time Machine.

The sting of her accusation settled in his gut. He couldn’t begin to understand why she would doubt him after everything they’d been through.

Terry remained silent for the rest of the ride. Not even when he parked the car, opened her passenger door, and unlocked the house did he say a word. He let her in first, just like always, but the usual kisses to her neck were absent. Instead, he slipped off to the guest room to change while she undressed in their shared bedroom, feeling like a brat. The pretty polka dot dress and brand new stockings he should have been removing only added to her sadness.

She removed her makeup in a somber mood, then finally made her way to the living room when she could no longer put it off. Terry had changed into a T-shirt and shorts, sprawled across the couch while fiddling with the remote, flipping through channels she knew he wasn’t interested in at all.

She settled onto his lap, her thighs gripping him to keep him close. He avoided her gaze until she cupped his face in her hands, gently forcing him to meet her eyes. There was a storm brewing, one that she had caused. “Don’t be like that,” she pleaded.

She rested her head against his broad chest, cuddling into the warmth beneath her. With her chin snuggled comfortably, she gazed up into his eyes. “I’m sorry. I was wrong– so wrong. I know who you are and that you wouldn’t hurt me. Please forgive me. I was trippin’.”

He took a deep breath and ran a hand across his low fade, trying to process his emotions. “You really scared me with that.” He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. “I need you to understand that it’s not easy for me to shake off what you said. I love you, but I need to know you trust me.”

“I do. I promise I do, baby. I just lost my head for a minute there. You mean everything to me.”

“Okay,” he conceded after a minute, “Just keep your head in the game, alright? Stick with me. We’re good.” Terry’s habit of framing their relationship in sports terms never failed to make her smile.

"You got it, coach," she teased, then added playfully, "Oh wait—Sir, yes sir," as she offered a mock salute.

“You always know just how to push my buttons, don’t you?”, he asked. “That’s alright, though, because you’re still under my command, recruit.” He delivered a series of sharp smacks to her behind without warning. Riley gasped as she felt the sting of each slap. 

"Terry, stop," she protested, trying to push him away, but he was unyielding.

“Nah, baby,” he whispered against her lips, staring her directly in the eyes, “You got a little too bold and need a reminder of who’s running things.”

Her stomach flipped as she realized what was happening. She had been getting more mouthy as the day went on, testing how far she could go. Now it was time for Terry to put her in her place, and while that was always fun, she knew he wouldn’t go easy on her.

As if reading her mind, Terry pulled back slightly, his gaze fierce and focused. "You know I love you, baby," he uttered softly. “But sometimes, a firm hand is needed to keep us in line.”

She nodded, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. A spanking hadn’t been a part of her agenda for the day. All she wanted was to come home, have him in their bed,  and make up for lost time, then pretend to watch TV for a little before she rode him to oblivion. But she had ruined that by being impatient. She knew that Terry was right – she had crossed a line today, and this was exactly what she needed.

Taking a deep breath, she eased into him, allowing him to maneuver her over his lap as he repositioned them on the couch. The muted sounds of the TV faded into the background as they got comfortable, her shorts rustling quietly as he pulled them down to her ankles. 

“I get that you’re used to having things your way, but that ain't how it works with me,” Terry advised, palming her ass cheeks in each hand. He took his time jiggling the fat there before his hand came down on one side and then the other. Terry was heavy handed, making sure she felt him deep in her soul. She hissed, already reaching back to cover her bottom. 

"Gimme your hands," he ordered, locking both of them in one of his own.

Terry started spanking her in earnest, and Riley felt every bit of it— the sharp sting as his hand met her skin, the heat radiating across her backside, and the firm pressure of his arms keeping her steady. 

“I’m so sorry,” She whined, squirming in his lap. “I didn't mean it!” He took a breath, grabbed her chin, and locked his gaze on her to make sure she heard him loud and clear. “I know you didn’t plan for this, but you still deserve this punishment. You gotta do better, ma.”

He went back to smacking her ass all wild, hitting it from every possible angle. “Fuck!” She cursed, getting lost in the pain and the pleasure. If the folks at church knew she had a mouth like this, she'd be too embarrassed to show her face again. With each smack, her thoughts become increasingly scrambled, swirling in a delicious haze. It didn’t help that Terry was talking her through it the entire time. 

“Remember I’m doing this because I love you.”

“You need to find some middle ground before you take things to the next level. You understand me?”

“Stay exactly like that, don’t move.”

“I know it hurts. It’s supposed to.”

“Here, grab this pillow.”

She moaned and groaned her protests but Terry was too strong and she had earned this ass whooping. She knew there was nothing left to do but surrender. Terry had her and she could let go of all her worries and concerns. She just needed to ride it out. 

As the spanking continued, Riley’s breathing grew more ragged until she was breathless. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She apologized fervently each time his hand came down on her ass, sobbing when he gave her a small reprieve, rubbing her lower back gently. “You’re okay. We’re almost done. Are you really as sorry as you’re claiming?”

“Yes, Daddy,” She whimpered, already imagining how sore she’d be the next day, hobbling into her good government job with a bruised backside. She had bit off way more than she could chew and now needed his mercy.

“Repeat after me,” Terry commanded, his tone leaving room for argument. “Say ‘I’ll be a good girl and listen.’” She immediately complied, her voice shaky but sincere as she echoed his words, fully embracing the promise behind them. “I understand that the next time I do it, Daddy is going to spank my disobedient ass all over again..” She repeated his words like a well-trained parrot, and at the moment, it was all she could manage.

She felt lightheaded by the time Terry finished spanking her, and she couldn’t recall the last thing he’d said. She had hit her breaking point.  

She laid there for several minutes, completely spaced out, and focused only on catching her breath. Terry massaged her scalp with his fingertips as they both came down from the natural high of their chemistry. Eventually, Terry lifted her up to meet his gaze, being mindful not to agitate her already bruised bottom.

“You good?” 

Her head was still reeling. She wanted to shrink into a little ball, but she also wanted to live in his skin. How could she express that to him without sounding unhinged? Terry massaged her back in gentle, calming circles until he sensed her start to unravel. She eventually nodded slowly, acknowledging that yes, she was okay— physically at least, even if her emotions were still in a disarray. 

“I’ll do better,” she promised, her voice barely above a whisper, thick with exhaustion.

"That’s my good girl," he said, gently wiping away tears from her cheekbone as his expression softened. Despite what she might think, he didn’t get as much satisfaction from spanking her as she believed. It was just something he had to do.

“Come on, pretty. I’ll fill the tub up for you, and then we can order brunch from your favorite spot.”

Forgive me for any mistakes. I had to post this before I lost my nerve, lol. This started as something completely different but I'm happy with how it turned out. Let me know what you think! For more Terry Richmond fics by other amazing young ladies, please check out my Terry Richmond fic rec tag.

Part 2

[yanderemommabean]

Hey Momma!

I like butterflies, ya got any Yandere Alien Butterfly scenario for me? Or everyone? Cause I'm sure we'd like a nice Yandere Alien Butterfly~ 🦋

“P-Please! Please you have to-Ahh!” You sob, wincing and jerking as more of their invasive fingers inspect your body. It wasn’t a sob of pain either, oh anything but. You’ve been handed over for these insect aliens to inspect as a sort of treaty and well, they’re being /very/ thorough with you. 

Their wings flutter here and there as they murmur and whisper to one another, you assume to speak about notes and what they’ve learned but you can’t help but notice the clipboards and tablets have been set aside for over an hour now, and they simply haven’t bothered to test anything more than your limits on pleasure. 

Weren’t you supposed to be tested on with other items too? Wasn’t this more or less a death sentence from your oh so cowardly government? 

“They react nicely when you press right here-” The one on the left states a bit louder, something you can actually comprehend, but you’re focus is cut off as they demonstrate what they mean-curling their fingers inside you just right and making your body pulse with pleasure once again, your eyes watering as they begin to more or less abuse that spot and make your muscles tense and shake. 

You can’t even catch your breath as the one on the right nods their head, but moves to grab something off of the table beside them. “Yes but do you think their anatomy could handle someone of our size? I think this mating tool is about as large as one of us, shall we try it?” 

Oh god you can’t even bring yourself to look up. You try to catch your breath while you can, laying back on the cold table bringing you back to your senses even if just slightly. You aren’t sure you want to know just how big that toy could be, your mind would simply break. 

“Oh not to worry! They’re quite resilient creatures! But we do have to be careful, I like this one” one says, amused as they grab the item and flick the switch. “We have to be slow, humans can handle sizes better when relaxed and sedated. Our little specimen here should be able to take at least half before we run into any issues”. 

Your walls flutter and pulse once again, and you hate your body for being so eager to start after finally catching your breath. It’s as if your instincts are trying to tell you to just lay back and give in, and really, you can’t fight that urge much longer. That buzzing sound only makes your legs want to squeeze together tighter, but not out of fear this time. 

Oh you’re slowly becoming a mindless toy yourself aren’t you?  

When the head of that large toy enters you, your breath catches and it can’t be helped when you arch up and brokenly cry, that stretch seemingly both painful and blissful. That vibration was only making your fingers and toes curl as the two aliens watched with rapt attention, slowly pressing the toy in deeper and deeper, listening to your feeble noises and adorable moans almost nonchalantly. 

If it wasn’t for the heady scent in the air and the fact you could see their own members sliding out in arousal, you’d think they were genuinely bored with experimenting with you. You catch a glimpse between weak twists of your body, and those dangerous eyes hold something more primal than they did when you first entered the room. 

They were doing this for more than just research, that’s for sure. You’re at their mercy until they get bored, if they even do. 

“Go ahead. Climax. We know you have more in you, we’ve studied your vitals and liquids, you aren’t dehydrated yet” the one on the right bites out, eager and needy as he leans forward to turn the toys vibrations up. “You look so good like this, human. Stuffed and needy, begging to be bred and made into the perfect mate. You must feel so neglected if you’re this sensitive to what we use” 

You can only manage a whimper, eyes rolling back as your breath catches and that thick, pulsing toy hammers inside of you. It’s no use in fighting it, you couldn’t fight the multiple other attempts either. You cave, body lurching and head lolling back as you cry out and loudly gasp for air, feeling your hole clenching down and trying to make sure that large toy doesn’t leave, milking it for all its worth as you rock your hips to ride out the fifth intense orgasm of the day. 

The two butterflies coo and croon in your ear, you think they’re praising you even but everythings so blurry and sounds like it's underwater, you can’t make any of it out. 

“Good job human, such a good job. That’s it, deep breaths…When your breathing is back to a stable condition let’s see if we can’t fit in the rest of the device. I’m sure you won’t disappoint us”.

(-Mommabean, hiya! Sorry for any typos! Anyway I hope you enjoyed, feel free to tell me what you thought!)

[solxamber]

Octavinelle #8 comedy please!!

Mountain Madness || Jade Leech

For the Holiday Event! || Prompt: "This is non-negotiable" ; Genre: Comedy

It was supposed to be a simple day. You’d been running errands, trying to avoid chaos (and failing, as always), when you accidentally opened the wrong door.

“Ah, Prefect,” Jade Leech greeted, his serene smile both comforting and terrifying.

“Uh, hi, Jade. I think I—”

Before you could finish explaining, his hand latched onto your wrist.

“Perfect timing,” he said smoothly. “We’re always looking for new members.”

“We?” you echoed, glancing around the empty clubroom.

“Yes,” he said with no hesitation.

Before you knew it, you’d signed the Mountain Lover’s Club application form, Jade watching with a look of triumphant amusement.

“Great,” he said. “Now that it’s official, let me explain one of our fundamental activities.”

You paused, suddenly filled with dread. “What fundamental activity?”

“Hiking, of course,” Jade said, his smile widening ever so slightly.

The pen fell out of your hand. “...Hiking?”

“This is non-negotiable,” he said, as if you’d just suggested sitting in the clubroom and doing nothing.

You should have known better than to agree to anything involving Jade Leech. Now, you were halfway up a mountain trail, desperately clutching your knees as you tried not to collapse.

“I’m dying,” you wheezed, glaring at Jade, who looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine ad for adventure gear.

“Come now, Prefect,” he said cheerfully, bending down to examine a patch of mushrooms. “You’re doing well for a beginner.”

Well? You felt like you’d aged a hundred years in the past hour.

“Why are you even stopping?” you demanded, waving at him as he crouched over another fungi cluster. “Are those mushrooms paying your rent?!”

“Curiosity is its own reward,” he replied, holding up a specimen like it was a trophy.

You groaned, slumping onto a nearby rock. “Curiosity is going to kill me.”

He finally looked over, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re swaying.”

“I’m not swaying,” you lied, your legs disagreeing with you.

Jade approached, setting down his mushroom with great care before offering you his hand. “Very well. I’ll slow down.”

You blinked up at him, suspicious. “You mean that?”

“For now,” he said, helping you up with a deceptively gentle grip.

The rest of the hike was slower—thank the Great Seven—and you actually managed to breathe like a normal human being again. By the time you reached a clearing, the view almost made you forget how much you hated exercise.

“This isn’t... entirely awful,” you admitted, staring at the picturesque scene before you.

Jade chuckled softly, sitting beside you. “High praise indeed.”

“You’re lucky I’m too tired to argue,” you muttered, leaning back on your hands.

He tilted his head, watching you with that unreadable expression. “Perhaps you’ll even grow to enjoy it one day.”

“Don’t push your luck, Leech.”

But when he smiled that small, almost sincere smile, you couldn’t help but wonder if maybe—maybe—this cursed day wasn’t so bad after all.

Masterlist

[petew21-blog]

Swapcation

I can't believe I finally did it. I was so afraid to use my powers I got and now look at me.

A fat kid like me would never walk around like this. Parading around

I still feel guilty though

14 hours ago:

My family spoke about receiving my powers for many years. They all got their chance for a few years when they were young but one day their power run out when they got too old. It took a few years for each person.

But now I was the youngest out of our family and they all were looking forward to use my powers to swap them into younger bodies. I hated this idea, cause they usually picked a family they knew and replaced them. What did my family do with the other swapped family are you asking? You don't wanna know.

And that's why I escaped the night before my family got their hands on me. I couldn't let another family get killed of like so many before. I just have to swap soon enough before my family finds me a tries to use me for themselves. Unfortunately it won't be easy, cause after centuries of swapping, they got themselves into the higher class and got enough money to do whatever they wanted.

I ran through the forest with my backpack and got to the nearest road. It was the middle of the night and there weren't cars nearby. I walked for an hour and arrived to a 24/7 diner. Perfect. I can hitchhike from here.

The only three people in the diner were the chef, waitress and some guy. He looked like a bussiness man coming from some trip. Sipped his coffee, maybe heading somewhere and trying to get some cofein to not fall asleep behind the wheel.

I aproached him:"Hey, I was just wondering if you were taking hitchhikers by any chance?" I asked with a shaky voice.

He looked at me with his exhausted eyes:"Where are you heading? Got a name kid?"

"North," I exclaimed, " and the name is Kenneth. Nice to meet you." I lied, not using my real name.

I saw a spark in his eyes. Maybe it was just a coincidence. "Really? North? There isn't anything but wilderness for miles." I didn't respond. And just nodded. He continued:"Well we got a lot to talk about then"

We headed to the car. He was driving a black Toyota. That's all I could say about that car. I knew shit about cars

His car was clean, but he had a lot of bags in the trunk. Probably from the business trip, I thought.

An hour of smalltalk about my life and himself followed. His name was Matthew, and he worked as a marketer on west coast. He quit university a few years ago and went on to get more money. From the talk all I could notice was the way his hands moved, his beautifully manly hands. His biceps was carefully wrapped around by the blue short sleeve of his T-shirt. I could only imagine what it would be like to kiss his beard and continue to his chest. Burry myself there. I wondered if he was hairy there just as his arms were.

As I was dreaming about this beautiful specimen I didn't even notice that he made a few slight turns. As he kept talking and I was admiring him, out of the pitch black forest a diner emerged. The same diner we came back from.

I looked at him horrified

"You didn't think that your parents would let you get away? Sorry for the change of your plans for the vacation, but your family needs you and I was promised a lot of money. So I gotta get you back."

Fuck. No. I can't let this happen. I can't go back. I gotta find a way out of here.

The doors were locked, so there was no way I was getting out of there. Begging didn't seem like a valid option. I noticed the time 2:09. It's my birthday. I wonder. If this doesn't work then I am dead. If I don't do anything my family will use me. I can't let the happen.

I concentrated hard enough. I have never swapped before, but I knew how from my family. They all went through it many times.

I felt warmth coming straight from my head, following to my hands.

We were few miles from my home

Now or never

I jumping at him. My right hand grabbing the wheel and turning it to the right. My left hand grabbing his shoulder.

A moment of darkness. For a short glimpse I saw my own face shocked and screaming. Then we hit the tree.

I got out of the car as soon as possible. My body didn't move. I killed him. I did the same thing, like my family to all the others.

I ran to the backseat, grabbed my backpack a ran striaght to the forest. I could hear sirens in the distance. I have to run now.

Present

I think it has been far enough for now. The forest ened with a beautiful large meadow between two massive mountains. Sun already shined and I could slow down for a minute.

I took off my ripped shirt and jeans. If someone saw them they would think that a bear attacked.

In my view were now two beautifully sculpted hairy pecs and even more beautiful abs. I went through every ridge my fingers found. The skin was tigh and warm. After the run I completely forgot I was now Matthew. Not Jake anymore. But Matthew. Beautiful hot sexy Matthew.

I spoke out. What a manly voice I now possess I though. My hand touching my neck and the other my lips and beard as I spoke. I smelled my armpit. The stentch of sweat was extremely strong but erotic. I went to admire my new hairy legs. I slowly started from my strong thighs, through the thick carpet of hair covering them, following to my new feet. I took off the shoes. My feet are massive now.

The last thing I didn't see yet was already awaiting hard. I got completely naked. There I was. A man! A hot sexy man. Sculpted like a statue with a hard and large dick in hand. I jerked off slowly and with my other hand I kept on exploring the already touched areas. I went on to masturbate rapidly just until the streams of cum kept pouring out off me.

I stood there smiling, laughing.

And then the clarity hit. I took Matthew's life. I did that to stop my family, but that didn't make it easier.

There was no going back now. I took my backpack and the rest of my clothes that weren't destroyed, hoping I would get a chance to get some on the way.

"I am Matthew Daniels and I am on a vacation. I am Matthew."

I went into the beautiful nature to continue my journey. I still feel guilty. Maybe the feeling will pass. I hope...

Part 2:

[isawritesshit]

thinking about geto 🤭. nsfw under the cut so minors dni.

tw: dom bf geto, gn reader, virgin/sub reader, voyeurism, masturbation, mentions of porn, mentions of spit, cum eating, etc.

you didn't know how you got into this situation. what was supposed to be just a day in with your boyfriend, suguru geto, turned into him straddling your body as you laid on his bed, watching as he stroked his cock right in front of you.

you were a virgin. he knew this, so lately, the two of you had been working you up to get more comfortable with sex instead of rushing into it all at once, which you appreciated. this is one of the ways he decided to do it.

you've watched solo male porn before, but with how embarrassed you were right now, it was almost like you've never seen a cock in your life. but you couldn't look away.

it was no secret that suguru's looks were heavenly; practically the peak male specimen, with that type of soft yet masculine male beauty that could make anyone swoon. but this version of him in front of you was so raw and visceral, and in the best way possible: the faint afternoon sunlight highlighting his sculpted body and the sheen of sweat that covered it, his hair half pulled back and messy, bare chest heaving, muscles flexing with each movement, and voice groaning so deliciously it made your own voice come out every so often as you watched.

he smiled a little as you watched his hand intently. earlier, he had you spit into his hand for lubricant, and since then, you had been focused on his ministrations, only breaking your concentration to look up at him with lidded eyes. it made him proud, being the only one that can make you like this. this little show was more for you then it was for him, after all.

you bit your lip as you watched him pump his cock in his pretty hands, taking note of how he squeezed upwards towards the tip and swiped his thumb to spread the pre-cum that leaked out. he looked so thick. you knew that if you tried to put your hand around it, your fingers wouldn't even be able to wrap all the way around. fuck.

he chuckled at your flushed face, how wide your pupils were with lust and desire. so perfect, and all for him. he used his other hand to reach down and caress the side of your face, tracing down your jaw, your neck and collarbone, your chest, before placing a hand over your heart and staring deep into your eyes. he let out a strained, low moan that set your insides on fire, and that's when you realized. he wasn't just getting of through his hand...

he was getting off to the sight of you in front of him, and you were fully clothed. it was then you noticed how much of an effect you had on him.

his noises increased, praises of i love you and so pretty leaving his lips as he shot his cum into his hand, some of it staining his underwear and sweatpants that were pulled down. a whine left your own throat at the sight, and then again when he gave you that look while holding up his cum-covered hand in front of you.

your embarrassment only grew when he held that hand in front of your lips, his eyebrows raising a little in a silent request. you stared down at it, taking in the off-white color, how thick yet sticky it was as it created little strings between his fingers. did he want you to-

suguru half expected you to turn your head, refuse him in some way thinking that it might have been too much for you. however, he felt his cock harden again when you took hold of his wrist and brought his hand to your lips.

your tongue lapped around his long fingers, humming at the taste of saltiness and something distinctly him. suguru started moving two of his fingers in and out of your mouth, your gorgeous eyes staring back up at him as he swore.

"fuck, sweetness. didn't think you'd have it in you... so good 'f me... don't suppose i'm turning you into a little slut now, do you? i don't think you mind, though..."

[katakaluptastrophy]

Alecto was the first body John ever made. And G1deon was the second, regrown from just an arm.

And if G1deon is anything to go by, John isn't very good at making bodies:

Unlike the other Lyctors, all of whom skewed hungry, soft men and women of the necromancer build, his frame carried nothing but muscle. He was sinew over bone. He was a walking tendon. He had a raw, stretched look to him like an idiot’s construct, bones that had been slippered in meaty fibrils to keep them moving. A metabolized, contracted striation, without fat, the only curve a hollow tautness from rib to stomach.

John had grown up with G1deon and knew what he looked like. He might even have been able to scrounge up a picture from somewhere. He presumably had time to think about reconstructing his body and was able to take time to do it. And yet, G1deon looks like this:

It was a man who looked like he had been stripped bloody by a wind machine and hadn’t healed up all the way; a wiry, knuckled-up tendon of a man, with the face of someone who had been starved once and burned recently.

If that's what a body he constructed with premeditation and planning and concentration looks like, how does one he made under more pressure look?

I wanted to make you the most beautiful body I could think of. He paused and said: “But I was stressed, okay? I was insane. Most of what had made me John had gone somewhere else. There were a few little thoughts left … a handful of things that made me me … a couple scraps of id. It’s not fair to judge me, right? I didn’t do this thinking … I didn’t do it like art.

John seems to think there's something to apologise for in Alecto's body.

We do get a description of Alecto, from Harrow's memories of her attempted divine murder/suicide at the age of 10:

God’s victory and death was a girl. Maybe a woman. At the time Harrowhark had not known how to tell, and the gender was only a self-interested guess. The corpse lay packed in ice, wearing a white shift, her hands clasping a frost-rimed sword, and she was beautiful. The formation of her muscles was perfect. Each limb was a carved representation of a perfect limb, each bloodless foot the lifeless and high-arched simulacrum of the perfect foot. Each black and frosted lash lay against the cheeks with perfect still blackness, and her nose—it was the pinnacle of what a nose should be. None of this would have broken Harrow’s spirit except that the mouth alone was perfectly imperfect: a little crooked, with a divot in the lower lip as though someone had softly pressed a dent into the bow with the tip of their finger.

Maybe Alecto is the perfect specimen of womanhood. Maybe Harrow was ten and had never seen anyone young and not swathed in vestments before and the bar was very low. Maybe Harrow just has very particular taste in women.

But between G1deon, John's apologies, that "high-arched simulacrum" of a foot, and Kiriona - Gideon, now with Extra Teeth - I have a feeling she doesn't just look like a regular blond lady.

[slitherpunk]

games i liked in 2023 (And Other)

I like games ! You know that ?! and I played a lot 2023! and I liked a lot :). They aren't in any specific order, it's just a little highlight of games that stood out to me this year. I've attempted to write a few thoughts on each so I hope take a look. I wrote playtimes for some also but that is very subjective.

-Ones that actually came out 2023-

Lunacid https://store.steampowered.com/app/1745510/Lunacid/ I think I mentioned enjoying this in 2022 but it officially released so I can say it was one of my favorite games in 2023 :3! I like to feel around this game's walls for secrets. I like the npcs that are full of hope and whimsy despite the bleakness of its world. Chill and occasionally spooky first person dungeon crawling around moody caverns and ruins varying from underground forests to vampire castles and blood lake. (Blood lake!!!! Lake of blood!!! Big creature there.) Lots of fun weapons and spells to find, I like the one that lets you turn blood into coffins.

~20 hours

Orbo's Odyssey https://feverdreamjohnny.itch.io/orbos-odyssey If you played the massively popular demo for "Peeb Adventures" by feverdreamjohnny then you know that Johnny makes some fun and funny games and this is certainly one of them. speedy and satisfying platforming! funny dracula moments! short and sweet.

~2 hours

A Walk in the Woods https://mooncaller.itch.io/a-walk-in-the-woods Quaint little GBStudio game :) Made by some friends of mine for a jam :) It's cute I like it. There's minigames where you catch bugs and birdwatch.

~30 minutes long

Undertale Yellow https://gamejolt.com/games/UndertaleYellow/136925 I've only completed the pacifist run and checked out a neutral run so far. as the title somewhat implies, this is a prequel to Undertale where you play as the fallen human who had the yellow colored soul. This Undertale fangame has a lot of charm!!! A lot of battles really feel like they could have been in the original, with quite a bit of extra flair in some circumstances.

~10 hours

vs really cool bird https://bobacupcake.itch.io/vs-really-cool-bird you know that really cool bird that rob bobacupcake made well you can fight it in undertale and it's really fun. yeah two undertale fangames. . . wat of it …

~30 minutes

Misericorde: Volume One https://xeecee.itch.io/misericorde I wont lie the main draw for me into this was cute anime nuns I sure didn't know a whole lot else about it when I dug into it. But it's (the first part of) a VN murder mystery! And I enjoyed it a whole lot. All the characters are memorable and I really enjoy how all of them have differentiating designs. The protagonist is so failgirl. She sucks so much and I love her. I'm very intrigued by the mechanics of the game's world, it clues you in near the beginning to expect something a bit supernatural/fantastical, which gives you (and later the protagonist) a curiosity about what's real and what isn't. The music is all very impressive too, with the ost reaching past 100 tracks varying through post-rock, folk, drum & bass, and others. (Remembering when the track "Scandal" played and my friends and I took a moment to be like- okay hang on this track pwns.) Big fan of its haunting locals and how the aesthetic of the game fits them well. Also the humor is a lot of fun, and I love all the moments getting to know the different characters. Very excited to see the eventual continuation of this.

~12 hours

Absolutely Perfect Specimen https://chambersoft.itch.io/absolutely-perfect-specimen It seems like a lot of people are craving toxic horror yuri lately. Here's a recommendation. It's a VN about the android maid "Pan" and the mad scientist girl who created her. Horrifying & gut wrenching & largely about having other people define you. The art and music is haunting & poignant and matches the ever increasing feeling of dread throughout. It's yuri with the chunks. Peak robotgirl horror for those who can stomach it.

~90 minutes

Wordhopper https://kokoscript.itch.io/wordhopper Very quaint word search type puzzle game for ms dos! I think its style is very slick and that's pretty impressive to see. Chill game with nice vibes and eyecandy visuals. also it was so cool to have played this and then ended up seeing the dev's booth at Vintage Computer Festival Midwest. I was like omg woah I just played this.

~bunny

Bossgame https://lilyv.itch.io/bossgame This game is yuriful as f*ck. Delightful humor and fun character dynamics! A simple-to-understand-difficult-to-master boss rush battle system that makes you satisfied to get it right, and enticing to get just a little farther if you get it wrong. There's a lot of detail and charm to this game's menus and dialogues and win screens, I remember noticing that once you beat a boss there would be some marquee text that would pass by with some prose on it. I love how it balances its silly moments with its heartfelt moments and its high octane moments. I like the character development and revelations had throughout the plot. & I like how good the protagonists are for each other :) It's very sweet. It's hype as hell. if you want some boss rush action paired well with that sweet sweet girl's love, you *will* play this game.

~5 hours

Elly's Adventure https://bikwins.itch.io/ellys-adventure Very cute and witchy!! You are the little witch girl "Elly" on an adventure to get your toys back!! Feels like a pretty authentic gameboy type experience, it takes a lot of design cues from Kirby's adventure and the like. I am a big fan of how playful it feels.

~1 hour

Nour https://store.steampowered.com/app/1141050/Nour_Play_with_Your_Food/ This was a treat for me, but I understand that not everybody is going to get it. It's a game where you play with food(and food accessories). And that's it. It knows what it was going for. I think a lot of people were expecting something else for some reason. It's a cute little toy game and I felt satisfied with my time with it.

~food

Hi-Fi Rush https://store.steampowered.com/app/1817230/HiFi_RUSH/ Do I have to say this game is super fun? It's a big one everybody probably already knows it. This game's dopey humor made me laugh a lot and I'm not afraid to admit it.

~12 hours

WHISKEY.ST2007S https://bonicle.itch.io/whiskey-st2007nes One of the last games I played in the year because it released super last minute. Does anybody else get a rush when running a shopping cart down the parking lot? This emulates that feeling. Short game where you collect whisky stones in the whisky stone dimension because you forgot to go christmas shopping until the very last minute. it rules. It's very short you can go play it right now & get a highscore.

~5 minutes

re:curse https://devpalmer.itch.io/re-curse Discovered this one near the very end of the year also. Fun little rpg maker horror/humor game about a weird scientist lady, her butch, and an evil clown computer virus that figured out how to warp reality. I got a kick out of it. and also enjoyed digging through the game's files, which was actively encouraged by the dev, which I thought was very fun.

~90 minutes

-Didn't technically get to until 2024 but released last year-

SWOLLEN TO BURSTING UNTIL I AM DISAPPEARING ON PURPOSE https://1207.itch.io/swollen-to-bursting-until-i-am-disappearing-on-purpose People love to dunk on a lot of indie rpgs for being "quirky Earthbound inspired and about depression" or whatever. Earthbound's great. If people can nail the kind of humor and absurdity it likes to pull off while also balancing difficult topics I think that deserves a high mark. SWOLLEN TO BURSTING was fun. Bizarre and charming places to explore & distressing secrets to find. I like how it blends meander-around-the-town gameplay with Yume Nikki sort of exploration and effects. Also I'm a big fan of the music. I like how it has the lofi sound which matches the early 3d look of the game.

~6 hours

HalOPE https://starbage.itch.io/halope Another for the fans of sweet little rpg maker games that have a lot of heart. HalOPE is about an incomplete little angel wondering through worlds. Each has a theme, usually to do with an emotion or feeling, and they do well at evoking that feeling as well as its antithesis. a lot of the music is very homey and charming at moments and unnerving at others, sometimes lonely, all doing well in their corresponding chapters to further the feeling of its specified theme. There are so many delightful characters and designs in this & I found myself feeling really attached to their tiny little stories. The narrative at the core of it all hit me. If I may be vulnerable, I cried a whole lot at various moments in this game. It was really cathartic. I feel very excited for people to experience this game.

~5 hours

-Favs I finally got around to that didn't come out 2023-

An Outcry https://quinnk.itch.io/an-outcry Kind of sad it took me so long to get to this one, but glad it meant I got to play the "definitive" updated version of it. Apartment wandering RPG maker horror. Bum smokes from your neighbors and use them to save the game. I wish I could unwrap a lot more of what I like about this game than I can without spoiling too much. But if I could, I'd probably go on for too long. Let me attempt to be succinct & not giving too much away. You can tell pretty early on that An Outcry is about taking action when necessary & not turning a blind eye. What it explores about player vs protagonist agency is very fascinating to me as well, and I enjoyed learning about the inspirations for why the game's narrative works the way it does. The character Anne is such a sweetie and I love her a whole lot. This game has a very tangible feeling, this apartment complex is dirty and crumby, it smells of smoke, and there's a surrounding desperation you can feel.

~5 hours

Pigments https://punkcake.itch.io/pigments Honestly I had gotten this game in a bundle and while I was playing it I hadn't looked at the name and I just kept calling it FRUIT. On call with my friends I'd be like "hey im gonna play more FRUIT". I straight up didn't read the title screen. But it's called Pigments. You play as a fruit and you try to paint the whole floor and not get sliced by buzzsaws. Fun little arcade type game.

~fruit

Bridge, October 3rd https://lowpolis.itch.io/bridge-october-3rd Very short vignette. I like it. It's what it says it is. I'm not going to overexplain.

~like a minute

-Other Games I Want To Mention-

Pseudoregalia https://store.steampowered.com/app/2365810/Pseudoregalia/ I think a lot of people might have already known this one but I felt like it was a pretty fun 3d platformer. There were a few issues I had with it (boss fight at the beginning was frustrating, and I got lost a lot [but it looks like there's been a map patch by now, so, perhaps for some that is a fix]). I enjoyed it but sure felt weird that the only accessibility option was to give the protagonist pants. What kind of joke is that?

~5 hours

Mushroom Musume https://mortallymoonstruckgames.itch.io/mushroom-musume (Disclaimer, this game is still early access, but I saw a lot of people talking about it last year. SO I will mention here?) Haven't played much of this yet, but I have enjoyed what I played so far!! As of writing I've gone through 6 playthroughs, I feel like I've hardly scratched the surface and I've been so impressed by its depth. It's very charming, you never know what sorts of fairytale shenanigans are going to happen, and it's very cool to see how your different stats will affect things. It very much plays out like a roguelike vn. Which is not the sort of thing you may expect to make much sense but it pulls this off well. Also all the mushroom girls are very cute and I love them very much. I hope the sad goopy one who had bugs in her skin rests in peace.

~mushroom

Knuckle Sandwich https://andybrophy.itch.io/knuckle-sandwich -_- Hm. Where do I start with this one. I was pretty excited for this one since the demo and kickstarter in 2018. I felt like the demo was a hell of a hook that got me curious & horrified. As time went on, it seemed to be shaping up into something really cool. turn based combat with action commands and wario-ware-type microgames?? with a banging soundtrack?? like, count me in!! Then it released and well, the gameplay, art, music all delivered. It was very fun and engaging in those aspects. But the story… oh it just devolves into disappointing nonsensical randomness. The whole hook at the beginning seemed to be completely thrown away for the wild goose chase plot that ensues, leaving you to wonder if it was ever going to be relevant again. It felt like it had no idea what it was trying to say or do. It disappointed me that a game that has so much good in so much else about it gets brought down so much for me by this plot.

~12 hours

Rhythm Doctor https://store.steampowered.com/app/774181/Rhythm_Doctor/ (Putting this one in mentions because it is early access.) I really enjoyed the act 5 release. When I first saw this game, I kind of shrugged it off, thinking "that base mechanic doesn't seem like it will last". I thought it was basically just that one ghost shooting game from Rhythm Heaven which I Hate. Well let's just say I am now seeking penitence for my previous transgressions. It's really fun. There's a lot more to it that I didn't know when I first took a look. Also, consistently amazed by people's custom levels, I had no idea that its level editor allows people to do so much in it, I look at some levels and think "This editor seems as complex as an industry standard video editor". I'm looking forward to what they're planning next, very curious how they could possibly one-up the last update.

~rhythm

El Paso Elsewhere https://strangescaffold.itch.io/el-paso-elsewhere This was really fun & funny so far but unfortunately I had been encountering an issue with a certain level where the game would crash. I reported the issue, got a response, and there has been an update since then so I think there's a possibility that it got fixed but I have not tried yet. I would like to return to this sometime but having to relearn controls midway through is always daunting to me.

~?

-Things that looked good but didn't get around to-

Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood https://store.steampowered.com/app/1340480/The_Cosmic_Wheel_Sisterhood/ Still don't know a whole lot about this. But there are witches, and I like witches.

Casette Beasts https://store.steampowered.com/app/1321440/Cassette_Beasts/ I haven't felt thrilled about Pokémon lately. I know a lot of people seemed to really enjoy this little monster-collecting-rpg. The style is appealing to me as a die-hard gen 5 fan. I started playing it but haven't set aside the dedicated time for it yet, but I'm excited to dig in more when I do.

Little Goody Two Shoes https://store.steampowered.com/app/1812370/Little_Goody_Two_Shoes/ Started watching a friend play this, and I'm certainly curious.. Some sort of horror fairytale but also there's yuri? Yum. Enjoyed the style and animation in the nightmare segments that I saw.

Venba https://store.steampowered.com/app/1491670/Venba/ I've picked this up a while ago but still haven't gotten around to it, but I'm eager to, I've heard nothing but good things.

Goodbye Volcano High https://store.steampowered.com/app/1310330/Goodbye_Volcano_High/ I think there are gay dinosaurs in a band and it's going to be the apocalypse? I have also heard nothing but good things about this.

-Things I watched friends play-

Signalis https://store.steampowered.com/app/1262350/SIGNALIS/ This was a pretty big one. You probably already know it, right? Watched a friend play this and I missed various parts but I understood a solid bit of it. hey. robotgirls are always getting put in these fucked up situations. have you noticed this? one time i got really high and cried about it. it isn't fair

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk https://store.steampowered.com/app/1353230/Bomb_Rush_Cyberfunk/ This one was also probably big enough you don't need me to sing its praises. but it looked really neat. swag.

-Various Thoughts-

Lately I've been thinking more about design and narrative. I feel like I haven't been doing as much analysis as I should be when it comes to games. I want to dissect more what games are saying and figure out meaning. Also attempt to see how the mechanics aid in that. I feel like most of my own work is pretty abstract & random. I simply make what I like. While that's fun and all, I still want to improve in a lot of ways, especially in having more of a theme or message. Figuring out how other games accomplish this is obviously a good step toward this.

If you saw games here that interest you I highly urge you to take a look, many are pretty short, and I pretty explicitly wanted to highlight some smaller titles. If you know me you know I like to uplift small games. (Save for the occasional big game, but that's rare these days) I think it's healthy for you to play and support independently developed & published works. I don't want to ramble too much this time about why that's important, but I hope that you might have found something you may enjoy here and if not then I encourage you to find small stuff that you would like. And I would like to encourage everybody to share their findings as well! Little games need our help to be seen and talked about! They don't have the budgets the big ones do for advertising, and advertising on your own is a whole ton of work. If you like something, spread the word! I'm sure the developers would very much appreciate that.

[blueflamebimbo]

DEW KISSED

TIGHNARI X READER

Tighnari likes knowing things. Tighnari likes mushrooms. Above all, Tighnari likes you. The feeling, thankfully, is absolutely mutual.

A/N: I saw a lot of Genshin smut on here, so I wrote something wholesome out of spite. I also said I wasn't going to put a lot of effort into it and ended up researching rain forest preservation systems. My bad.

Dedicated to: @husbandograveyard Warnings: Brush your teeth. This shit sweet. Word count: 1,070

A small smile pulled at the sides of your mouth as you watched the breeze flow through the grass, making it lean into the most serene sea of greens and flowery whites. The wind wasn’t as strong as it had been the past few days, and though clouds still brought a chill to the spring afternoon in the fields of East Sumeru, the sun was finally out again, making the fields glisten.

Your walk from home had taken only a short while as you made your way to the edge of Avidya Forest. The bark felt rough against your skin as you sat down on a fallen tree trunk, a favourite spot of yours that looked out into the depths of the forest. It was the perfect spot to watch forest critters scurry about while enjoying both the warmth of the air and the shade of the trees that towered above you, casting shadows at your feet as the sun travelled from East to West.

There was a familiar tingling sensation in your gut as you eyed the rustling leaves ahead of you. Tomorrow, you would embark on quite the adventure. After spending years with your nose hidden in pages upon pages of information that were carefully tucked away at the Akademiya, your first research project away from home was finally about to start. The thought brought tension to your neck, and you reached up to soothe the sore muscle.

From between the leaves, your favourite project partner emerged. Tighnari set down his satchel in front of you, his gaze never leaving you, but his initial grin faltering slightly at your visible discomfort.

“Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?” he murmured, getting down and sitting back on his haunches. One of his big ears twitched in concern and a dew drop flicked off, hitting the tree trunk.

You nodded sheepishly and let go of your neck, settling both your hands behind you on the bark, letting you lean back slightly. “I’m fine, don’t worry.” You smiled at him reassuringly and let out a soft sigh. “Is it foolish of me to be nervous about tomorrow, though?"

He laughed. Not the gentle, friendly laugh most people knew and appreciated, but a full, cheeky laugh; one that pushed at his cheeks and made his eyes disappear into green crescents. “Don’t be silly – it’s your first research project, honey, of course you’re allowed to be nervous,” he shrugged. “I won’t have you be worried about any of it, though. You’re so well-prepared. I was there every step of the way, watching you learn, watching you grow into the scholar I know you are.” He paused, “And, even if you do doubt – that’s okay, too. I’ll be right there to help. You’re not in this alone, but I have faith in that big brain of yours.”

You could feel your cheeks heating up, the compliment nestling deep inside of your chest and blooming as you watched his eyes peer up at you with both wonder and adoration. It was almost too much to be the subject of the forest watcher’s affection, but it also never got old, not even after this much time had passed.

Looking out into the depths of the forest, you let the soft breeze hit your flushed cheeks and pondered the many truths you would uncover with Tighnari, starting tomorrow.

“It’s strange, isn’t it,” you wondered, “How something so vast and mysterious can be so perfectly balanced.”

Tighnari knew where this was going and sat back into the grass, mindlessly pulling forest specimens out of his satchel before handing you an almost perfect looking common mushroom – his favourite.

“Forests barely have any nutrients in the ground,” you continued, choosing to momentarily ignore the way Tighnari was beaming at the way he had handed you the perfect prop for the speech he knew so very well by now.

“It’s only really the top part of the soil that’s filled with helpful sources: fallen leaves, dead animals, decomposed plant matter…” you trailed off, grinning. “That’s where the good stuff comes from, huh? All for these fun guys to enjoy.” You held up the mushroom and showed off its simple shape. “Mushrooms use the tree roots to absorb all of the delicious nutrients and enter mycorrhiza, the coolest symbiosis of all, which then makes it easier for the tree roots to actually absorb the nutrients and, in turn, the mushrooms get carbohydrates from the tree. How amazing is that?!”

By now, Tighnari looked so proud, it wouldn’t have surprised you if he teared up. But no – surprise was always an option when accompanied by the botanical scholar, and it was evident in the way he got to his feet, cupped your cheeks and planted a gentle kiss to your lips. You could taste the dew drops in his kiss, and it tasted like spring, and adventure, and trust.

When he pulled away, he looked almost smug. It was the look he would give anyone when they contested anything he said, and he would tell them to look it up. Tighnari was rarely wrong.

“You’re so ready that I doubt you’ll need me at all, honey,” he sighed, his eyes bright and excited.

“Does that mean you’ve changed your mind, and you won’t be joining me after all?” you teased. You got up from the tree trunk and stepped closer, gently reaching up and letting your fingertips caress the tip of his ear. A ladybug that had been hiding in the fluff of his fur made its way down your hand and then flew off.

At the intimately tender touch, he closed his eyes for a moment. A soft blush coloured his cheeks. He took a moment to bask in the proximity and then slowly shook his head, curling his arms around your waist. “Absolutely not,” he responded as he opened his eyes once more and resumed his proud gaze. “I’ll go wherever you go, my botanical little genius. I’ll follow you to the corners of the world and discover all of its secrets with you, if you’ll let me.”

And that’s where the doubts about the wild unknown melted away. Even though there was a lot to learn about the world, there were a lot of certainties for you as well. One of those certainties took you by the hand and led you home, ready to embark on your greatest adventure yet. 

[efy727]

Role Swap AU: Susie and Taranza

Hey, hey, hey, new roleswap au!

Ok, ok. I finally decided to post this. This thing is being in the works since 2023. I originally kept it to myself as I perfected the designs and story (and got swept away by other projects...) but here it is: My Kirby Role Swap Au!

It started out with just the idea what if THESE TWO swapped roles. Triple Deluxe and Planet Robobot are some the most thematic heavy games, gardens and technology, fairytales and sci-fi, a kingdom and a company.

I kind of goes against my usual patterns, I usually show off main characters first, but I think this duo represents better my vision. I'll slowly showcase other characters whenever I get the chance.

Anyway, let me elaborate in my au versions of these characters.

Taranza:

A young inventor from a distant planet and a rather recent hire of Sectra Labs Inc., a company that specializes in biotechnology and bionics, that is genetic manipulation and mechanical enhancements. This company explores the universe to harvest new specimens for their experiments. In their travels, Taranza hopes of reuniting with an old friend.

When thinking about this au, I didn't want things to be just changing roles, but also a few story details and how they play out. So, I made SLI a bio tec company instead of a robotics one.

Taranza, then, doesn't use magic but his own inventions (he doesn't have any genetic alterations as he is new). I drew how electricity just bolts from his gloves, he also has invisibility and a sticky solution he can shoot. I also gave him these expressive goggles just because I like those.

In story, he is a bit peeved about having to deal with the interloper in his first planetary harvest trip; but we also get to see a dorkier side of him as he gushes about what he or the company has made to deal with the pink pest, I'm thinking Varian from Tangled.

But also, as the plot moves, he grows concerned about how intrusive the harvest process actually is as he joined for a legit interest of helping improving lives using processes of nature, like Joronia used to do. Oh, the pain he will find in the end.

Susie:

Through the islands of Crystalia descended a mysterious lady who captured Lord Meta Knight, but why? Whatever her mission is, she won't tell. Yet it's clear she will use any tricks to not let anyone get in her way. With her magic crystal, she can control the elements.

Oh Susie, Susie, Susie. I had this long conundrum. Ok, Tanzy has mechanical enhancements to replace magic, but in a way different to how Susie uses tech (it wasn't always like that); but how do I do something similar to Susie?

I came up with the wand, but that wasn't enough. This came up to me recently, but what if she could just create elemental armor around her? Something like how certain character does in Ninjago Dragons Rising; but is wind, is water, it can be anything! She does have other things too, like her crossbow.

She is a woman on a mission, but this time is Crystalia instead of Floralia. I wanted something natural and pretty, but that kinda aligns better with the characters involved. Kirby still has to climb the Dreamstalk using Sunstones, though.

Opossed to Taranza, Susie seems to have some sort of secret plan. She is less chatty, acts more somber. Could it be related to her being a wanted fugitive by the kingdom?

--

Ok, this winded up longer than intended. I hope you find my idea interesting. I'll get to more entries when I can, might drop at random days, I have other projects I want out. Could look up "EFY's Kirby role swap au" to find more entries... or just follow me (・・。)ゞ

Thanks for taking some interest!

[flowercrownsandherondales]

Against the Odds Pt. 18

This one was actually tough. Take some time. Love y’alll sm. Things are gonna get better, I swear. I’m thinking of starting another series (not that this one is stopping soon, we still got the trilogy to get though.) But i promise that the new one won’t be as trauma inducing if anyone’s interested in that. As always, let me know your thoughts!

XVIII: ‘Til The Sun Turns Into Ashes

Every morning for us was the same sweet rhythm. 

I got up, made the both of us coffee, spilled a splash of liquor into Haymitch’s cup, made flapjacks and sat at the table. Haymitch would slowly make his way towards me, beckoned with the smell of sweet syrup, and take a seat, never without planting a kiss on my temple. 

We’d been married for a year now. 

And I loved him more everyday of my life. 

I looked to the walls while I sipped my coffee, listening to the quiet clinks of his fork against porcelain. I’d hung up the photo of us from our Capitol wedding, me in a tasteful white silk dress, him in an itchy suit he’d complained about ceaselessly. A fountain of flowers in my hand, a smile that didn’t quite reach either of our eyes, his hand tight around my midsection. I frowned as I looked, my head coming to rest on my hand. Haymitch’s eyes followed my line of sight, eyes furrowed as he tried to understand why my mood shifted. 

“Wish we had pictures from the real one.” He said over a mouthful of pancakes. I nodded absentmindedly. His hand crept across the table, resting over the one that wasn’t occupied, keeping my head up. His thumb rubbed against my knuckles, soothing me as he continued to eat. 

Our life was full of these quiet touches, silent comforts to each other, completely just for us. 

“When do you think he’s gonna come for us?” I asked under my breath, barely audible. I wasn’t sure he heard it at first, until I looked at him and saw his spine was stiff. 

“Not sure. He’s pretty preoccupied with Finnick right now.” He muttered, looking away from me. Finnick Odair had won this year. Haymitch and I were taken off guard by it, the sheer fact that he let District 4 win back to back, especially after Carp. The boy had gotten worse and worse after our wedding, moving on from whispering to Capitol citizens who bought him for the night, to making heavier statements at parties around large groups of people. Snow was itching for a chance to cancel him out. 

The final straw had been before Finnick’s games. Snow had probably done everything he could to prevent Carp from stepping onstage, but the people begged for a glimpse of him. He’d gotten more attractive over the years, muscles filling out his body, hair and skin shimmering golden under the lights. Cesar asked him how he thought his tributes would do. 

“Finnick’s a fine boy, maybe District 4’s finest. I’m confident about it, but Cesar, I do feel bad for him.” 

Cesar had just stared at him, urging him to go on with a lump in his throat. Carp leaned in, looking directly into the camera. 

“What a poor boy, to go to the slaughterhouse so young. Part of me hopes he dies in there, if only because I know what comes next for him. He’s the perfect specimen for you all, isn’t he? Everyone will have such a field day with him. Tell me President Snow, how much will you start him out at? Surely, he’ll be priced higher than me due to his winning status, or is it his age? I know you like them young.” 

The camera feed was cut after that. Days later they would completely alter it, showing us runs where he wasn’t included in the interviews at all. When Finnick was crowned with golden laurels, only Mags stood beside him. And with that lost interview, Carp Delmar was no more. District 4 had another golden boy, younger, more to lose if he misbehaved, and he took up the mantle with no backlash. It seemed the Capitol citizens were more than pleased to spend the night with a young boy who didn’t speak, only listened. 

Haymitch and I had held each other close for months after that. We assumed we’d get some kind of surprise visit, even a letter, instructions for a child. 

Instead, nothing. 

Surprising myself, Haymitch found me shedding a few tears for the boy who murdered my son in the arena. I’d forgiven him years ago, knowing there was no choice to slit Wiley’s throat in that cave. Carp had paid for it time and time again, and I made sure to give him small smiles when we did run paths in the Capitol. The boy who fought tooth and nail by himself to try and show the truth, now buried in an unmarked grave, just as forgotten and lost as District 12’s first victor. 

After Wiley’s games I attempted to emotionally detach as I had before my son was reaped. It was easier back then, when I didn’t have someone so attached to them. Haymitch drank more in the month leading up, and the month after. He’d lock himself in our room for a while, spacing himself from me most of the day, only coming out when dinner was ready and he was so hammered he could barely walk a straight line. I’d grab his arm, leading him to the table and holding a fork up to his lips with every bite, allowing him to have the space to feel it, and the closeness to know that I was there. 

On quiet nights in the dark, when the only thing that filled the space was our breathing, he’d grip my hand tight under the covers, pulling me into him, and whisper the tribute's names, giving me only 1 fact about each of them he had observed. 

Like me, he tried not to care. And like me, his heart couldn’t bring him to do it. 

I cleared his plate and did the dishes, feeling his arms wrap around me as I focused on the soap and brillo pad. 

“You goin’ to see the kids today?” his voice was hot in my ear, still heavy with sleep. I grinned a little at the thought of the girls. Katniss had just turned 11, Prim 7. Burdock spent every waking moment in a state of fear for his oldest, terrified that she would end up like my boy. I tried to reassure him, but it was difficult given my situation. 

He spent more time with her, teaching her how to hunt, identify plants and edible flora. Anything he could possibly control, he did. Astrid focused on her work to calm her nerves, Prim already starting to follow her to the apothecary after school and learning all she could. Both girls being prepared in different ways. 

Katniss was starting to feel her father’s worry, escaping to my old house when she could talk with me while I sewed up Haymitch’s old clothes. My shack still stood, unused but kept clean for the Everdeen girls to use as they wanted. Sometimes we made flower crowns together, other times we cooked and I sent her home with a few meals for her family. Most of the time we just listened to records while she told me about her worries, asking me questions about what the reaping was like. She’d brought up Wiley and Wyatt a few times, and instead of stiffening and refusing her, I’d opened up and shared stories of my boys. 

Something I constantly regretted not doing for Wiley. 

“I should get going now, she’s usually hungry after school.” I said to Haymitch, picking some cured meat and flour from the pantry. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to Victor's rations, better food than I’d ever seen being delivered regularly. I always put some away to make the Everdeen’s meals or after school snacks, trying to take some of the stress off Burdock and Astrid. 

Haymitch chuckled, spinning me around and cupping my cheek, pressing a kiss to my lips. I melted into him, a hand going up to his chest, nearly dropping the bag of flour to the ground. 

“Be back soon, yeah?” he whispered against me, scattering kisses over my blushing cheeks. I grinned at him, pushing lightly against his chest. 

“If you’re good and don’t finish that whole bottle by the time I get back, I’ll save you a roll.” His eyes lit up at the thought. I was attempting to slow him down, never threatening to take it away, just to stay sober with me for a little longer each day. 

“While the thought of that does sound nice, can’t promise anything, sweetpea.” He said, a soft smile still playing on his lips. I lightly grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at me. 

“At least feed the geese? I left some seeds by the garden.” They’d started showing up after our wedding, more and more flocking to nibble on the grass where I planted tomatoes. Haymitch had become their regular caretaker, telling me he had a soft spot for them and didn’t have the heart to shoo them away. 

“Course I will, they like me better anyway.” he smirked, causing me to release him and leave a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth. 

“Yeah, yeah. If only they knew who buys them the seeds. Maybe they’d think twice.” I called out, shrugging my bag over my shoulder and taking off to his laughter. 

I waited at the house for a few hours, waiting for Katniss to walk through the door. Prim went with Astrid on Wednesday’s, and Burdock worked all day in the mines. He’d been called to take up longer shifts, which he didn’t mind. Any spare income to save Katniss from having to put her name in that bowl any more times that she had to. 

I’d finished fixing some pants of Haymitch’s that ripped, something he bitched about, blaming me for feeding him too much. I tried to wait out on putting the rolls in the oven, wanting them to be hot when she arrived. Still, she wasn’t usually this late, and I was starting to lose my mind with nothing to do. I’d already made the dough, and once the sun started to set I decided to just put them in the oven, figuring I could just deliver them to the Everdeen’s when they were done. 

My mind worried for her, taking deep breaths to try and calm myself down. Maybe she just had to stay longer after school, or Burdock had ended up coming home earlier than usual and taken her to the woods. No matter how much I tried to convince myself there was no reason to get upset, something still felt off. 

Finally I said fuck it, tossing the rolls in a metal container and packing them up in my bag. I was starting to wear holes into the floorboards with my pacing. 

I shot up when my door burst open, the hinges practically falling off. 

Katniss stood in my doorway, chest heaving, eyes red and swollen, her usual braids mostly undone and flaring. Her dress was dirty, spots of black smudging the cotton. I set everything down, running to meet her. 

“Baby girl, what’s wrong?” I asked, eyes searching hers, which were filling up with tears again as she heaved a sob, taking a few steps towards me and collapsing in my awaiting arms. 

I sunk to the floor with her, holding her tight and stroking her hair as she sobbed harder than any child should. 

“Katniss, baby, what happened? Is everyone alright?” I coaxed, my own eyes starting to get red listening to her heartbreaking sobs. She couldn’t speak, starting to hyperventilate. I pulled away, putting my arms on her shoulders to steady her, the same way Haymitch did to me when I found myself spacing out.

“Match my breathing, deep breath in, hold it, push it out.” I coached her, stern but still comforting. I didn’t want her to pass out, the last thing I needed was to cause Burdock to panic more. 

She followed me, still sobbing but less so. Her face was crumpled, but a numbness was spreading over her features. A numbness I had only seen on myself in the weeks after Wiley. 

“You gotta tell me what happened, sweet girl.” I cooed, hands going to push some of the hair from her wet face. 

“There was a m–mining accident. Mom– Prim’s with her. Mom– she’s…. Dad— gone.” It was all she managed to get out, bursting into sobs that bordered on screaming. 

Everytime something like this happened I thought I would never feel worse than I felt at that moment. 

And everytime my heart found a way to devastate me further than I’d ever been. 

I tried to stay strong for Katniss, tried my fucking absolute best to keep my composure for a girl that had just lost her father. 

Even though I had just lost my best friend. Practically my older brother. A vital part of my small inner circle, the life behind all my best moments. 

Gone. Nothing but dust and rubble. 

I couldn’t be strong for her. My heart couldn’t take it. I couldn’t take anymore death. I felt like someone had pulled the last thread that kept my heart together. 

So I sobbed with her, clutching one of the last pieces of Burdock Everdeen to my chest.

Haymitch would come looking for me a hour later, being stopped on his way when he heard someone whisper about the mining explosion. No survivors. 

He sprinted the rest of the way, finding the door already open, Katniss asleep in my arms, cried out, me staring numbly at the wall. 

He fell to the floor, scooting over to me like he was approaching a wild animal. He sat behind me, pulling my body into his chest as I let out another sob. 

He knew who was in the mine. 

I held Katniss tighter, impossibly tight, which somehow didn’t wake her. 

“Oh Y/N. My baby, my sweet girl. I’m so sorry.” he said in my ear, voice starting to get choked up as he rocked us gently. 

I fell asleep to him repeating it, hot tears rolling down his face at the state of us. 

I woke up to our bed in Victor’s Village, immediately aware Katniss was no longer in my arms, tearing out of bed to find her. 

I reached halfway down the hall before Haymitch caught me in his arms, bringing my body impossibly close as I thrashed against him. 

“You gotta settle down honey. Katniss is safe, she’s with her mom. Settle down, Y/N. It’s okay baby.” he attempted, running a hand through my hair and pushing my head deeper into his chest. 

“We did everything he asked! He hasn’t said anything to us, why would he do this Haymitch! Why would he fucking DO THIS?” I yelled, my entire body shaking the both of us. Mining explosions happen semi often, but not to this point. Snow wouldn’t risk taking out an entire squad of workers. All bets were on with their children, but never with his free labor.

He didn’t answer, which at first made me think he was just letting me cry out. It was only when I peeked up at his rigid stare that didn’t look at me, did I realize there was something he wasn’t saying. 

“What. The. Fuck. Do. You . Know.” I said, my whole body on fire. If he’d withheld something Snow had said, even to protect me, I’d have a fit of rage unlike anything he’d ever seen. 

“I couldn’t let him– I fucking could not let him make you do it. You don’t get it, Y/N. He was going to take you.” His voice was broken, horse and wrecked. 

��Take me?” I seethed, eyes narrowing and bloodshot. 

“The fucking surgery. Whatever they were going to do to you. He knows you can’t have more. I begged him, Y/N. I begged. I thought we made a deal, I– offered myself to sell. Anything but this, anything.”

My breathing stopped. He’d offered to sell his body so I wouldn’t have mine cut open. 

“If they took you… what if you died on the table? What if they did something wrong? They wouldn’t let me go with you. If you walked through that door… if someone like you walked though that door—” He was starting to panic now, hands running through his hair, looking like he was going to vomit. 

Louella Mccoy. 

I softened, only slightly. 

“Haymitch…” was all I could manage. I needed a minute, all the information wrapping around my mind, suffocating me. 

Burdock. The mines. Katniss’s coal stained dress. Louella. Haymitch being placed on a board with a price tag attached to his name. My eyes falling shut to the beeping of a surgical machine. 

I turned away from him, wrapping my arms around my body as I screamed. 

[lueurjun]

shy soobin as your boyfriend

shy bf! soobin x reader — loving soobin hours rn majorly<3 in which soobin is completely and utterly enchanted and captivated by you, enamored with all that you are.

oh you lucky lucky gorgeous specimen

he is fr the perfect man but ur just as perfect so you know what? MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

the way you met is pretty standard

you worked at the barista he liked to visit frequently

he visited the coffee shop twice a day just to see you

and you had no idea that he thought u were a lil cutie patootie so you were a little concerned by his caffeine intake

he would stay and have like 3 cups each visit just so he could see you for as long as possible

most of the time he would be trying to work up the courage to say something other than his order but he couldn’t get the confidence

and despite you being concerned for his health, you lowkey HIGHKEY got excited everytime he came in because he was just so???

perfect

like you’re sure you heard wedding bells the first time you saw him

it’s okay babe so did the rest of us

we’re all a little delulu for soobin

anyways one day you’ve had enough

running off like two hours of sleep, the delirium kicks in and you have a massive burst of confidence

so you write your phone number on the cup for his final order which is to go

and soobin doesn’t notice until he gets home and taehyun spots the number on the side

“who in their right mind decided to give you their phone number? are they okay? why would they want you?”

soobin’s kinda like ??

because first of all RUDE of taehyun to attack him like that unprovoked

and second of all WHY IS THERE A PHONE NUMBER ON HIS CUP

from what he saw, you were the only one on shift making his drinks so??

it had to be from you

omg. the poor boy nearly goes into cardiac arrest

because wtf does he do now? he can’t just text you

what if it’s an accident?

there’s no way he can embarrass himself like that

so he decides to leave it despite the agonising ache to do anything but that

once he’s out of the room taehyun’s little shit mode is activated

soobin may not have the confidence to text you

but he sure does

‘hi. is this the girl from the coffee shop?”

honestly your heart shits itself

because you totally were not expecting him to text you back

‘yeah. sorry if this is weird and unprofessional. you can totally get me fired- i mean-i’d like prefer you to not but you totally can… i’m not a creep though… i promise’

you totally nailed that babes

definitely didn’t come across as a creep

already taehyun ships it and decides he has to play matchmaker because he already knows you’re perfect for soobin

so he sets the two of you up on a date

soobin damn near cries when he finds out an hour in advance

“a date? what? i don’t know how to do that”

poor boy is STRESSED

but much to his surprise, he doesn’t totally mess things up

the date actually goes smoothly and he leaves you with a kiss on the cheek after setting up a second date

you both squeal when you part ways

you’re both so cute pls get married

lemme be your maid of honour

ONTO THE RELATIONSHIP BC THIS IS ALREADY LONG IM VERY SORRY

boyfriend soobin is straight out of a book istg

he’s so awkward but in the best way??

like he’s not afraid to show you affection and tackle you with love

but the second you do something as simple as kiss his cheek

BLUSHING STUTTERING MESS

you have him wrapped around your pinky finger

honestly you could probably tell him to jump into a river and he most likely would without any questions

follows behind you like a lost puppy despite towering over everything

holding onto the tips of your fingers letting you drag him along

fancy dinners happen but the two of you are more order in and play mario kart

he’d probably let you win the first few times but the second you gloat about it

nah he’s playing like there’s 100k on the line

BACK HUGS BACK HUGS BACK HUGS

BACK MF HUGS

he loves snuggling into your neck and inhaling your scent. it calms him down for sure

you do this thing where you gently slide your hands up the back of his shirt

AND HE GIGGLES EVERYTIME

silently sharing his food and drink with you

he just holds the straw or food to your mouth without saying anything

whenever he buys you flowers, he takes one out and keeps it for himself so he knows when it’s time to replace them

you also love buying him flowers

he gently didn’t know what to do with himself the first time you did it

“these are for me? no way- you didn’t-babyyy”

can you hear my cries?

sliding down the wall rn

his instagram is pretty much a y/n fan page

like genuinely his feed is just you

visits you during work and spends half of the time flirting with you and the other half stuttering over his sentences because you threw a compliment at him

also your concerns for his health lessened once you realized he only drank that much caffeine just because he wanted to see you

if anyone tries to flirt with him, he’ll incorporate you into the conversation

the other person will just be stood there whilst he rants about all of the things he loves about you

it’s a reflex. he just loves you sm

taehyun can’t tell whether he’s happy for you both or genuinely disgusted

“the happiness i caused for you both makes me severely sickened.”

cue beomgyu popping up like “ALSO WRITING YOUR NUMBER ON HIS COFFEE ORDER? REALLY Y/N? THATS SO LAME”

they’re super happy for you both tho they just won’t admit it

you and soobin are in your own little love bubble

two hopelessly in love puppies who are destined to be together

absolutely adorable.

[decayed-cartilage]

The Intern

Masterlist. PT 2

Hannibal Lecter x AFAB! Reader

Warnings for chapter: power dynamic? Mentions of erection.. creepy! Hannibal, Morally wrong! Hannibal

Synopsis: Y/N is on the brink of graduation, with just one requirement left—an internship. Somehow, she finds herself under the esteemed Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a man as brilliant as he is unreadable. Cold, precise, and impossible to rattle, he keeps his thoughts well-guarded. But Y/N can’t help her curiosity—she wants to understand him, to get beneath the surface. And whether he intends to or not, bit by bit, he lets something slip. Something darker. Something she might not be ready to see.

Third person POV

The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed softly against the pavement, a steady cadence that filled the quiet space between them. Hannibal walked with effortless grace, his posture straight, movements smooth, exuding an air of control that seemed utterly unshakable. Beside him, Y/N struggled to match his measured pace, her breath uneven, fingers fidgeting slightly at her sides as she fought the urge to run away. She was trying—desperately—to appear composed, her facade was delicate though as any small disruptor could make her a stumbling mess. But the heat creeping up her neck, she was bound to be seen.

Oh god. This was bad.

"So… you know a good coffee shop around here?" Y/n asked, her voice carrying a forced lightness, an attempt to fill the thick silence stretching between them. Her steps were uneven, a clear contrast to Hannibal’s smooth, unhurried pace. She hated silence—always had. It left too much room for overthinking, for uncertainty to creep in, and right now, the quiet felt deafening.

Hannibal’s gaze flickered toward her, a slow, deliberate motion, as if considering not just her words but the nervous energy laced beneath them. His lips curled ever so slightly, the ghost of a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"There is one," he said smoothly, his voice rich and measured. "A quaint place, tucked away from the usual bustle. It’s quiet, intimate—perfect for thoughtful conversation." He paused, his gaze lingering on her for just a moment longer than necessary. "I imagine you’d prefer somewhere… less silent, however."

His words, though spoken gently, carried an undeniable weight, a knowingness that sent a quiet shiver down Y/n’s spine. He had noticed her discomfort—of course, he had. Hannibal Lecter noticed everything.

“N-No, sir— it’s fine. The silence is fine,” she stammered, though even she didn’t believe it. Her breath curled in the crisp late-fall air, dissipating just as quickly as her feigned composure. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, a nervous habit she wished she could suppress. The cool Maryland breeze bit at her cheeks, painting them a soft shade of red, though she wasn’t sure if it was the weather or the way he was watching her—so intently, so knowingly.

Hannibal hummed, his pace unchanging, his presence looming beside her with an unsettling ease. “If you insist,” he murmured, his voice smooth, unreadable. “We’re nearly there.”

The words should have been a comfort. Instead, they only made her pulse stutter. The path stretched before them, damp leaves crunching underfoot, but the walk itself blurred, time slipping like water through her fingers.

Before she fully registered it, they were standing outside the café, warm light spilling from within, the hum of conversation and clinking cups breaking the eerie quiet that had accompanied them. The air was no less cold, but at least here, surrounded by others, she could pretend that the weight of his gaze wasn’t still on her.

First person POV (Y/n)

He stepped ahead of me, moving with that same effortless grace, his hand reaching for the door without hesitation. The gesture was polite—expected, even—but as I passed beneath his arm, dipping my head with a quiet “thank you,” I felt it.

His eyes.

A slow, deliberate gaze raking over me, dissecting me like a specimen beneath a scalpel. I swallowed hard, the air suddenly too thick in my lungs. There was something unsettling in the way he looked down at me, something just beyond my comprehension—cool, unreadable, yet… indulging. As if he enjoyed the vantage point, relished the way I had to step past him, small and uncertain. His expression remained perfectly composed, yet his eyes—slightly hooded, sharp as a blade’s edge—held something darker. Something patient.

Like a wolf watching a lamb stumble too close.

Heat prickled at the back of my neck. No, no—what was I thinking? He’s your mentor, for God’s sake, Y/N! I mentally scolded myself, my hands curling into fists at my sides. I read too much into things. I always did. This was serious—no time for stupid, ridiculous fantasies.

And yet, as I stepped fully inside, my back to him, I still felt it. That weight pressing between my shoulder blades.

I wait for him almost obediently as he steps up beside me, his presence both commanding and intimate. I glance up at him with a soft smile, though my stomach knots with unease. Why do I feel nervous?

“What are you going to get?” I ask, my voice quieter than intended.

He barely looks at the menu. “Nothing too particular—just black coffee. This place has an astounding roast.” His voice is silk, effortless.

I nod, considering his words, my fingers tightening slightly around the strap of my bag. His choice is simple, methodical. Of course, it is. There’s no indulgence, no hesitation. Just certainty.

“And you?” He turns to me, the weight of his gaze unsettling, pressing into me like a velvet-lined cage.

I part my lips but hesitate. A sinking feeling settles in my stomach. Oh, God.

“I—” I exhale sharply, my voice dropping. “I forgot my wallet. It’s fine, really. I was just hoping to talk anyway.” I force a small laugh, but it feels thin, brittle. My stomach twists. Why does this feel humiliating?

HANNIBAL’S POV (Third-Person)

She flounders, her words tumbling out in an attempt to reassure herself, to save face. The way she stammers, the way her lips part in that fleeting moment of panic—it stirs something in him, something dark and possessive.

She hates this. Hates feeling unprepared, vulnerable. But God, does it suit her.

A slow, indulgent stretch of his neck relieves a fraction of the tension coiling in his body, but not enough. Never enough.

Hannibal watches her for a moment longer than necessary before allowing himself the smallest of smiles. Then, in one smooth motion, he drapes an arm around her shoulders and presses her forward, guiding her toward the counter. The shift in control is deliberate. Intimate.

“No,” he murmurs, voice velvet-soft yet unwavering. “Now, I insist—you’ll pick whatever your little heart desires.” His fingers apply just the faintest pressure against her shoulder, enough to feel the warmth of her body beneath his touch. “Don’t trouble yourself with paying.”

She stiffens. Just for a second. He knows she hates this. Being taken care of. Being indebted. He sees it in the flicker of her hesitation, the way her mouth opens, struggling for a polite refusal she knows won’t work.

“Black coffee, please.” Her voice is just shy of steady, a nervous smile flickering across her lips as she speaks to the barista.

Hannibal watches, utterly amused. So obedient.

“Atta girl,” he murmurs, so low it barely exists between them. But she hears it. Of course, she does. And when her skin betrays her—blooming red at the nape of her neck, creeping up to her cheeks—he knows it got under her skin.

Delicious.

With an almost lazy elegance, he presses a hand against the small of her back, guiding her away from the counter. Steering her. She moves where he wants her to, whether she realizes it or not.

He leads her to a small, dimly lit table near the back of the café, nestled away from the rest of the patrons. Private. Controlled. It’s perfect. He waits for her to sit before lowering himself into the chair across from her, exhaling as if this is all rather troublesome.

Then, he leans forward, clasping his hands together atop the table, eyes never leaving her.

“So,” he muses, tilting his head, his voice laced with mock curiosity, patronizing in a way that makes her feel impossibly small. “You wandered all the way here, without a means to pay, hoping, what—someone would take pity on you?”

His lips twitch as he watches her squirm, delighting in the way her fingers curl slightly against the table’s surface, the way her shoulders stiffen just enough to betray her.

He hums, shaking his head in exaggerated disappointment. Tsk, tsk.

“Now, that’s very irresponsible of you.” His voice is smooth, warm even, like one might scold a child who forgot their lunch. “What if I hadn’t been here, hmm? Would you have batted your lashes at the barista, hoping for a free cup out of the kindness of their heart?”

He lets the words hang between them, stretching the moment just long enough before leaning back, finally breaking eye contact to remove his gloves with slow, deliberate movements.

“Well,” he sighs, a mockery of indulgence, “I suppose it’s lucky for you that I am here, isn’t it?”

His words hit her like a freight train, the weight of them settling in her chest before she could even think to defend herself. Heat rushed to her cheeks—mortifying, all-consuming. A laugh bubbled up before she could stop it, high and breathless, the kind born of sheer fight-or-flight.

Oh, she’s flustered. How delightful.

She covered her face with both hands, shaking her head as if she could physically shake off the humiliation. Foolish girl.

“Sir!” she gasped, the title tumbling out before she could swallow it back. Even better. “I would do no such thing—I would have just walked home! I could have sworn I brought my money, I—” she sucked in a breath, exhaling sharply. “I’m very sorry.”

She was scrambling, trying to save face, but the damage was already done. He had her. And she knew it.

Still, despite her flustered stammering, her smile hadn’t wavered, soft and uncertain, but there. She wanted him to forgive her. To be gentle. To make it better.

The coffee arrived with a quiet clink of porcelain, the barista setting their cups down with a polite nod before stepping away. The scent curled between them, warm and rich, but Hannibal barely acknowledged it. His attention remained on her.

She hesitated for a moment, fingers wrapping around the cup as if the heat might steady her. Hannibal lifted his own with practiced ease, taking a slow, measured sip before lowering it back to its saucer.

“I must admit,” he said, voice smooth, deliberate, “I was surprised to run into you today. And yet, here you are—wandering the park in the cold, with no money and, I presume, no plan.” His lips quirked at the edges. “Is absentmindedness a habit of yours, or merely an unfortunate coincidence?”

She fidgeted, shifting under his gaze, but instead of answering, she reached for the sugar. Then the creamer.

He watched, vaguely entertained, as she drowned the coffee in sweetness—spoonful after spoonful of sugar, followed by an almost obscene amount of cream. The dark liquid turned pale, swirling into something unrecognizable from what it once was.

Hannibal exhaled softly through his nose, shaking his head just enough for her to notice.

“Ah,” he mused, watching her stir the concoction with quiet amusement. “So you don’t actually like coffee.”

Her head shot up from her coffee, eyes wide before she softened, letting out a small, warm laugh.

"I didn’t have a plan—but I think you just caught me on a bad day, sir," she said lightly, as if his words had gone right over her head. She smiled, easy and genuine. "I’m usually the most prepared person I know. I guess I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed today."

She lowered her gaze, stirring her coffee with the small cardboard straw, watching the cream swirl into the dark liquid.

At his lingering silence, she glanced up again, brows furrowing slightly. "What do you mean I don’t like coffee? I love coffee."

Hannibal let the corner of his mouth twitch, setting his cup down with slow precision before gesturing toward hers.

"Do you?" he mused, eyes flicking to the now syrup-colored concoction she had made. "Because from what I’ve observed, you seem more interested in consuming liquid sugar."

She huffed, rolling her eyes as she took a small sip, as if to prove a point. But before she could protest, he tilted his head, watching her with the kind of amusement that always made her stomach flip.

"Tell me," he drawled, eyes twinkling with mischief, mock concern lacing his voice, "are you not allowed to have sugar at home?"

She giggled, shaking her head as if he had just made a ridiculous joke. "What? No!" she laughed, lifting her cup for a sip. "I’m allowed to have sugar, thank you very much. I just—" she paused, grinning. "I like my coffee to taste good."

Hannibal hummed, watching her over the rim of his cup as he took another slow sip. Amused. Indulgent.

"Ah," he said, setting his cup down with deliberate ease. "So, you prefer your indulgences masked, then? Cloaked in something softer, sweeter?"

She blinked at him, not quite sure whether he was teasing or making some grander statement. Before she could respond, he shifted the conversation entirely, as if he had already grown bored of the subject.

"Speaking of preferences," he continued smoothly, lacing his fingers together on the table, "I’ve been meaning to discuss your upcoming internship with me."

Her spine straightened instinctively, the casual warmth in her face flickering into something more alert, focused.

Hannibal smiled. Good. He had her attention.

Hannibal watched the way she straightened, the way the playful ease in her expression shifted into something more attentive. Good.

“I know this wasn’t supposed to be our first meeting,” he began, voice smooth, almost conversational. “And of course, we can always revisit for a more professional discussion.” He tilted his head slightly, observing her with quiet amusement. “But you seem to be enjoying yourself, so I see no harm in giving you a brief introduction.”

He took a slow sip of his coffee, using the moment to study her. The way her hands curled around the cup, the soft furrow of her brow as she listened—so eager, so willing.

How utterly tempting.

His mind wandered, unbidden, to something far less professional. The thought of bending her over this very table, of pressing her into the cool surface while she gasped his name—it was almost distracting. Almost.

The faintest twitch of his jaw was the only sign of his restraint before he continued as if nothing had shifted in his mind.

“You will be assisting me with case studies, research, and—when appropriate—observing patient interactions. Your responsibilities will require a certain level of discretion, as well as an ability to handle uncomfortable subjects with poise.” His gaze flickered, watching for the subtle shifts in her expression. “I trust that won’t be an issue?”

She nodded quickly, almost too eager, and something dark and satisfied curled in his chest.

Eager. Willing. Unaware. How lovely.

“Good,” he murmured. “In return, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in a way most interns do not. You will see things from a perspective that textbooks simply cannot provide.” He leaned back slightly, watching her over the rim of his cup.

-

The sky had faded into a dusky gray by the time they stepped out of the café, the crisp Maryland air sending a small shiver down her spine. She hugged her arms around herself, her warm buzz from the conversation now shifting into something else—hesitation.

Hannibal, of course, noticed.

He stood beside her, perfectly composed, his coat pristine, his presence unshaken by the cold. She envied that. He glanced at her, expectant, waiting for her to speak first.

“Well,” she started, shifting slightly on her feet, “I should probably get going…”

He remained silent, a brow lifting ever so slightly.

She let out a small, nervous laugh, looking away as if embarrassed by what she had to admit. “It’s just—my dorm is kind of… far.” She winced, as if that might soften the confession.

Hannibal hummed, clasping his hands behind his back. “How far?”

She hesitated, toeing the ground. “Like… a forty-minute walk?”

He blinked, clearly unimpressed.

“I mean—” she rushed to explain, “I don’t mind! I walk all the time, it’s just a little late, and I didn’t exactly—” She cut herself off, feeling ridiculous. She hadn’t planned for this. She hadn’t planned for him.

Hannibal exhaled, the sound measured, patient—almost amused.

“Hmm,” he mused. “So, not only do you neglect to bring your wallet, but you also fail to consider how you’d get home.” He clicked his tongue. Mock disappointment. “And here I thought you were the most prepared person you knew.”

Her face burned. “I usually am! I told you, this was just—a bad day.”

Hannibal tilted his head, considering her, before finally gesturing toward the curb. “Come. I’ll drive you.”

Her lips parted, caught between relief and a sudden, new nervousness.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to—”

His gaze flicked back to her, sharper now.

“Come.”

First person POV (Y/n)

“Come.”

The single word left no room for argument. No warmth, no patience—just a quiet command that settled deep in my chest, making my breath catch.

I nodded quickly, falling into step beside him, though I felt ridiculously small doing so. Embarrassment prickled at my skin, a creeping, uncomfortable heat. I must have looked utterly helpless, trailing after him like some lost lamb.

My fingers fumbled for my phone, more for something to do than anything else. The screen lit up—6:30 PM. The sky had already darkened, the crisp evening air sinking into my bones.

I swallowed, shifting my weight as I glanced up at him. “Thank you so much, sir—I, um—” My voice wavered slightly, and I cleared my throat, forcing a weak laugh. “I don’t even think I’d know how to get back on my own. It’s getting dark so fast.”

I hated how nervous I sounded—small, uncertain. But Hannibal didn’t respond right away. He simply looked down at me, unreadable, before turning his gaze back ahead.

And still, I followed.

The silence stretched between us, thick and unbroken.

My own footsteps felt too loud against the pavement, my breath hitching slightly in the cool night air. Hannibal walked with effortless grace beside me, his presence calm, controlled—completely unaffected by my nervous energy.

I swallowed hard, clutching my phone in my hands just to keep them from fidgeting. My mind scrambled for something to say, something to fill the heavy quiet pressing between us.

“So, um—” I started, forcing a small laugh, trying to sound lighthearted, but before I could even finish the thought—

“Do you make a habit of being this careless?”

His voice cut through me like a blade—low, smooth, yet undeniably condescending. I tensed, my mouth snapping shut, my stomach twisting at the sudden shift in the air.

I blinked up at him, caught between embarrassment and the strange, suffocating weight of his attention.

“I—” My voice wavered. I forced a small, breathless laugh, though it did little to steady me. “I wouldn’t say that, I just—”

Hannibal hummed, tilting his head slightly as if studying me, his expression unreadable. Unimpressed.

“You don’t think ahead,” he stated, not as a question, but a fact. “You leave without your wallet. You wander without considering how to return. And yet, you seem surprised when it leads to trouble.”

I swallowed hard, my face burning.

“I—I usually do think ahead,” I tried again, but my words felt weak. “It was just—”

“A bad day,” he finished for me, voice smooth, knowing. “Yes, you’ve already said.”

I exhaled sharply, shifting under his gaze. I wasn’t sure if I was frustrated or just humiliated, but either way, I didn’t know how to respond.

Hannibal, of course, had no such problem.

His lips curled slightly, something mocking, indulgent in the way he regarded me.

“Then let us hope,” he said, voice rich with amusement, “that tomorrow, you wake up on the right side of the bed.”

I needed to make sure to be more prepared next time