#and just finding the motivation day to day but you know. progress

[skywritestudios]

Hey guys it's Joy! I'm alive, I've been pretty silent on my socials and skipped last month's devlog because I did nothing in April outside of managing teams and communicating in servers. Thanks to my good ol' friend burnout. 

General Recap Luckily, May was night and day comparatively. I had an exceptionally productive month.

I shipped out more merch, and generally just kept up with development. I was able to get over my burnout in the first week of May and find a pretty decent work life balance again. My job is thankfully very stress free and easy, as well as part time, so I have plenty of time off to work on dev stuff. Just as long as I schedule it out properly.

Nothing especially noteworthy happened outside of specific dev cycles, so let's just get into that. 

Criminally Yours

Let's start with Criminally Yours this time! Specifically the development of "Criminally Yours Part 2" aka "Criminally Mine" set to release August 1st 2025.

Criminally Yours Part 2 is nearly complete totalling at 53k words at the time of writing this, I have 3 ½ scenes left, I'm halfway through scene 15/18 and I estimate the final word count to be anywhere from 60-65k. Totalling for 6/6.5 hours of gameplay. 

It's quite large. I originally only anticipated for it to be 40k at most, to be double the length of Part 1 which is 23k for reference. 

It'll probably be 3 times the original length almost, but hey, what can you do? Friends of mine have joked that it's basically Part 2 and 3 at that length, and I can't disagree with that. With an extra love interest alone I knew it was going to be sizeable, but not like this.

However, I am extremely proud of it so far. I honestly expected it to be better than Part 1 just from the outline, but it has only gotten better and better as time has gone on and I think it's going to make a lot of fans happy. 

Our VA's have started recording their lines, our artists have plenty of sketched CG's and finalizing of sprites left, programming is in the works, and everything is moving very smoothly! (Not to jinx anything) 

I have our wonderful community of "Criminals" (Criminally Yours fanbase) for that! It's been so motivating for me to share my progress, and hear theories, and receiving messages telling me how much they loved the first part and how much more excited they are for the 2nd!

I just want to say, y'all are not even a little ready for what's in store, it truly is the emotional rollercoaster I planned for it to be and more. Buckle up, we've got 2 more months. (I'm sure they will fly by). When I've finished drafting I'll be posting an announcement on the "Criminally Yours" Tumblr which you can follow here.

Speaking of Tumblr! I'd like to plug the Skywrite Studios tumblr page, there is not a tumblr for Meant to Bee Studios. To be honest, Skywrite is my replacement for Meant to Bee, but since M2B has a large following, it'll be awhile before I can stick to only Skywrite.

Anyway follow Skywrite Studios Tumblr here. 

Fanart for Criminally Yours opening scene by iveu    

The Prince's Keeper

Okay, I know it's been like 3 months of TPK is coming, it's coming guys I swear. But it really is. It's literally a finished game, the only thing missing is 2 finished CG's. We've had some setbacks in regards to our CG artist this time around. Luckily, we have remedied this and will have a release as soon as those CG's are finalized. I hope you still look forward to playing once it's out. Its something truly special and deserves attention. Unfortunately it fell into a bit of a dev hell. 

CG concept for The Prince's Keeper- art by anonymous

My Sweet Fairy!

So unlike TPK. We've had a lot of luck with our artists and have made substantial progress, however, remember that burn out I'd mentioned earlier, well I was responsible for the last half of the script and completely dropped the ball. I had legit no motivation to work on the project or really anything at all. Even still, May I could have worked on it in time to get it done for Blossom Jam, however I have been hyper focused and stressed about Rectifier: In Bloom and Criminally Yours releases as they are commercial projects. Not free jam ones. 

So I made a tough decision, we decided to roll development over to next year and to release for Blossom Jam 2026. It hurts me a little to have to, but it was just not the right time, and I don't want to spread myself too thin as it can harm the quality of all projects involved and harm myself which is something I've learned not to do if I can help it. 

Next year will be here before we know it, and this way no team member who volunteered will be forced to crunch.

As my cofounder and best friend, Grey said. I'm not getting rid of the balls being juggled, just setting them to the side for when I can juggle them. (We love our silly analogies) but they're right. I'll happily pick up where we left off with fresh eyes and renewed spirit and produce the best project we can.

I hope you'll look forward to MSF! When it does eventually release, it's a super sweet romantic comedy with so much style and love put into it.

CG concept for My Sweet Fairy! Art by Zac/Jamkats

Starfallen: Strength

Strength's development like My Sweet Fairy! Is going very well, we have all sprites finished and finalized, and our OST. However, for the same reasons as before I had to roll this project over to next year as well, for next years Otome Jam.

I was very excited to release at least chapter 1/7 for the jam, but I think it's for the best to hold off so I can properly commission my artist for the project. I also would love to do an additional chapter for next year's release so 2/7. 

Image: Verona from Starfallen: Strength- art by Pinachos 

Rectifier: In Bloom Update

And last, but certainly not least, especially in my heart. We have the Rectifier: In Bloom update, as some of you may recall. Rectifier: In Bloom was my project for Otome Jam 2024, and what a time it was. Despite everything, I am still very proud of what I accomplished with a team of 4. 

However, it's clear from the current build (which you can find in the March devlog btw- only for Windows users though), what's clear from that build is that it's fundamentally flawed. Not only was the game made in RPG Maker MV meaning it lacks all the standard quality of life features and functionalities of a standard Renpy VN. It also was programmed by me, and lol it's not great. The routes are pretty good, however we had very little time for playtesting, and by little time I mean practically none. Art is stunning, though I wished I could've had more, soundtrack is very hodgepodge, some being original tracks with others being royalty free.

And don't get me started on the GUI or lack thereof and the abhorrent game page for Itch.

The whole thing felt like it was being held together by tape and child's glue. 

This time around, I wanted to polish the entire experience and add what was missing before.

So this time, we have a brand new game, completely reprogrammed into Renpy with all the QOL features that come with it, as well as a few more. A stunning GUI, more CG art, a fully edited script, as well as brand new extra scenes for each of the 7 routes! Extra tracks, and so much more! 

We are set to release the update here on itch June 30th 2025 in time for Otome Jam 2025. 

I want to say that despite all the flaws the original build came with, so many players were so supportive and saw something to love in the project despite its hang ups. This time around, I hope there is less focus on what holds the game back, and instead focus on all the little things that came together to make it so wonderful.

I've said it before, but Rectifier is my favorite project I've ever done. It has my whole heart and has so much content more to come, In Bloom was a way to sell people on the greater universe while still getting a complete experience. I think we accomplished that last year, but I want to cement it for those who liked it, and bring on new fans. 

Next year, I want to work on the main game, and In Bloom's success will help fund it.

The game will be commercial with 1 free route for the demo- Greer's, and 6 that will have to be paid for. The price will be $5.99 USD. However, you can donate $5 now to my Kofi now as a way to "preorder" the game. You'll get a key as soon as the game releases if you donate.

Thanks to all those that have donated so generously and bought one of our stunning keychains! (Mainly the Percy ones, but HEY lol) I am eternally grateful, I advise that even if you played the game last year you consider doing so again when it releases, I promise it'll be worth your time.

CG concept for Rectifier: In Bloom Greer's Route art by Gisselle

Thank you so much for reading and, even more so, for following and supporting my work! If you want to keep up with what we do, following Skywrite Studios on Itch.io) , Bluesky, and even me on Twitch are the best ways to do so!

We've got a lot more exciting things happening coming in the next 3 months, so please stay tuned! This time next month, Rectifier: In Bloom we available to purchase and play!

[freakwiththeknifecollection]

It's been said a hundred times but growing up with trauma and just... in general going through more trauma than the average person throughout your life really does skew your perspective. You go through like, nearly a year long period of just. Not being okay and you think "what is going on? Why do I feel like this all the time?" and then you think back like, point by point and realize... "oh. Right. That was A Lot that happened to me all at once and I was under constant stress for a really long time and anyone would've been deeply impacted by that for awhile."

I'm okay, it just somehow is now occurring to me that I actually deserve to give myself a lot of grace for that time and it's okay that I didn't follow through on my plans while I was literally just trying to survive day by day. Idk. Sharing these thoughts just to get them out in some way and also, maybe this will be helpful for you to make this realization sooner than I did 🫶 I see you, and you're doing the best that you can with what you have

[seventh-district]

.

[plainclothesdisaster]

DPxDC Mechanical Engineer Danny

Danny caught the attention of Batman while studying at Gotham University for his alternative energy projects. He’s hired right out of college to work on the Watchtower.

He shows absolutely no tell of his abilities till there’s a dire situation- Flash’s electric discharge messes with one of his projects in progress and the whole base would have lost air pressure if he hadn’t done a quick fix using telekinesis and ice.

Of course Batman notices.

Batman assumes the worst- he suspects Danny’s a rogue of some kind, someone who has infiltrated the Justice League with an ulterior motive. But he can’t just fire Danny now- he’s the only one who knows how the new Watchtower energy source works. Plus, he’s not letting Danny go anywhere until he’s figured out his true motives.

Cue Batman subtly testing Danny- tossing things at him to trigger inhuman fast reflexes, having him lift too-heavy machinery, setting up convenient opportunities to steal or snoop or otherwise be up to no good. Danny does take advantage but only once, to use a computer terminal with unlocked clearance. He didn’t plant any bugs that Barman could find, and he otherwise kept up his powerless civilian act perfectly.

Still, Batman’s not satisfied. He brings an infrasonic sound emitter to Danny’s lab one day, and that, of all things, is what gets Danny to break.

“I know what you’re doing,” Danny admits with a sigh, finally. “If you’re really that suspicious of me, I can leave, but I kinda like my job so I’d prefer not to. The benefits are insane compared to what’s standard.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure. yeah. How about you turn off the freaking noise generator and we can talk?”

“Hm.” Batman obliges, and he takes the stool next to Danny at his gesture.

“Number one, I’m not a meta. Despite all the data and conclusions you’ve probably drawn otherwise. Number two, I’m on your side. I’m here to work on the base, that’s it. I follow your rules to the letter.”

“The-“

“The classified files I looked at? Yeah that was the one exception. You already know what I looked at, I’m sure, but maybe you haven’t figured out why. It goes back to point one- I may not be a meta, but I am something that organization, the GIW, cares about. I looked at your files on them to sus out your relations. Seeing as I don’t particularly love being the victim to twelve degrees of human rights violations if I can avoid it.”

“Hm.” The Ghost Intelligence Ward was one of many government agencies that the Justice League hadn’t worked closely with. But they also hadn’t been flagged for Justice League investigation. Danny’s comments made him doubt that call.

“Any other questions?”

“If you’re not a meta, what are you?”

“I’m an engineer. A pretty decent one. And I’d really, really like it to stay that way.”

Batman considers, and ultimately lets him stay. He likes Danny (everyone likes Danny), and it would be a massive pain in the ass to replace him. He really is a good engineer.

It’s only much later that his faith in Danny is repaid in spades.

Batman finds Danny on the Watchtower command bridge. Alarms are blaring, the station has been knocked out of orbit, out the window there’s shrapnel floating everywhere as a space battle rages around them.

On the station it’s chaos. Technicians run around, shouts from the med bay, sparks from the walls.

Batman and Danny stand at the main controls, watching the battle outside, stoic, unmoving.

Wonder Woman’s harried voice crackles through on coms: “We need backup.”

“There is no more backup.” Batman replies, while looking pointedly at Danny.

“What?”

Batman doesn’t move.

“What.”

“The impact from Darkseid’s initial attack should have sent this station on a terminal trajectory toward the planet.”

“Well. We aren’t currently plummeting to our deaths, so turns out it didn’t do that.”

“You did something.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re lying.”

“Maybe Superman nudged us back on course in all the chaos.”

“I’ve been watching the trackers. No one else with the capability has come near the station.”

“Can’t you just be grateful we got lucky?”

Sounds of peril screech over the coms. Danny’s face scrunches.

“Luck had nothing to do with it. As it is now, we are going to lose this fight.”

“Isn’t there anyone else you can call?”

“I’m asking you. You can help, can’t you?”

The glare-off lasts a long moment more before Danny breaks.

“Fuck. Fuckity fuck.” Danny runs his hands through his hair. “Shit. You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“I’m asking you to save this and countless other worlds from a genocide. I’m also asking you to save my friends.”

Danny looks at him, hard, weary, and with a kind of deep resolve that feels far too ancient to be on the face of a supposed twenty-something.

“Fine. Fine. Okay.” He steps back and transforms. If Batman is surprised when he shakes off his human appearance like an old coat, he doesn’t show it. But what’s undeniable is the being in Danny’s place has the unmistakable presence of power.

“No one else can know.” His voice echoes in a way that’s sonically impossible, both sounding closer and further away than he should be.

He pulls a gear-shaped medallion seemingly out of thin air and puts it over his head in one motion.

“If I get in trouble for this, I’m blaming you.”

He vanishes. Outside, the shape of the battle changes instantly. The stars seem to glow brighter as the arms of the galaxy flash with the colors of the aurora. Then it’s like the void of space itself comes alive. It moves the spaceships back like they’re toys, plucking them from one side of the field to the other. It finds Darkseid at the heart of the chaos and massive arms of nothingness and darkness wrap around him. He’s screaming as it swallows him whole.

His armies scatter. The battle turns. The JL deal with the stragglers, but the air of relief is palpable.

Danny reappears next to Batman, once again donning his grease-stained coveralls. Arms folded.

“Happy?”

It took all of five minutes. Less, probably. Batman tamps down a thousand questions.

“Thank you.”

“I’m gonna need two weeks off minimum.” Danny snaps. “One to deal with the bureaucratic nightmare you’ve just caused me, and another to recover from the headache.”

Batman blanks. “Granted.”

Danny sighs. “And I’m not fixing the station until I’m back. It won’t fall out of the sky as is. Make up whatever excuse you want.”

“Done.” He considers. “I would prefer to tell them the truth. That you saved us.”

Danny glares. “I’m not supposed to save you. I made a pact not to use my power to influence the mortal realm.”

“A pact with who?”

Danny rolls his eyes. “The embodiment of Time. The concept of Justice. Among others.” He smirks at Batman’s confusion.

“And what, exactly, does that make you?”

He stands, framed by the space window, haloed by the stars. “I’ll give you three guesses.”

Batman frowns.

“Look. I like you guys. I like working on your base. I like supporting the work you do. But you can not go factoring me in to any of your plans or contingencies. This was a one time thing.

“So to answer your question again: I’m an engineer.”

[krysmcscience]

At long last: either an alternate explanation for or continuation of my prior comic regarding how Bill was ABSOLUTELY naked in Ford's karaoke night drawing. (Because errors in art do not exist. Artists do not make mistakes. So if you see any in this comic, No You Do Not.)

I am so normal about these old dorks.

I'm not really clear on exactly when Bill started throwing his desperation book at Ford just like a needy ex do, but I find it extremely funny to imagine it happening literally the day of or after the makeshift funeral. Bill just gets this weird sense of 'Ford is taking steps to move on' and CANNOT FUCKING ABIDE.

I hope you enjoy all the goofy things I added to each page of Bill's sad spieling. (Everything SHOULD be readable so long as you view the full size, but I have added basically this whole little fanfic in the image descriptions, LMAO, which lays out all the little written notes and such.) Also don't ask how Bill managed to sneak that vampire pen in there. I have no idea, and honestly? I don't wanna know.

Oh, and a little bonus comic:

Of course Bill would take it as flirting. Because between the two of them, Bill is the bigger masochist By Far. :)

Also I have continued applying The Good Place logic to any of Bill's attempts to swear. Case in point, one last bonus image, this time with a motivational line from my slapdash Theraprism OC, EV-01:

Yes, its name is just 'love' backwards. No, I will not be taking any feedback on this. Yes, EV-01 was only ever assigned to Bill's case due to the Theraprism being desperate to make some progress in rehabilitating him. No, it did not work anywhere close to staff's expectations - Bill didn't even appreciate EV-01's matching fondness for bowties! (He claimed the fondness to be "cultural appropriation" and insisted he'd been traumatized by it.)

Anyway, if you like my stuff, reblogs are very much appreciated, and if you really really like it, perhaps consider my commissions or yeeting a teeny tiny tip my way? I am trying to recoup over 500 dollars in vet bills, ahaha... 🙃

In other news, I loved all the fun tags people added to the prior naked-karaoke comic (such as 'the hat and bow-tie stay ON during sex' and the classic '[insert keysmash here]', as well as the many amused/bewildered remarks about how I either made the bricks a piece of clothing or just straight up peeled Bill's skin off). However, I think my favorite thing by far was the several people losing their shit over the fact that I gave Bill toes. Like, excuse me? The magical talking triangle can have fingers but not toes??? Since when was that a rule????? 🤣 (Also the one person who reblogged with the cropped panel where Bill's fishnets pants are falling off to ask why Bill peed himself. Dude, I want to examine your brain...?)

Okie-dokie, I'm sick of looking at all of this stuff now and I'm off to go to work, after which I will either scribble some more goofy "Billford" comics or perhaps draw my lame human!Bill in Situations, idk yet. Maybe I'll even finally draw more than just a single other person's human!Bill...? Who knows, but I sure hope I can mix it up a little and not turn whatever I draw into a month-long fukken project. >:\

[princesssmars]

baby girl, im finna rock your shit!

a sequel to this vi x reader. p.iii

wc : 1.735

contains : fxf relationship and sex. some romantic fluff. rough sex. penetrative sex (r!receiving). some dom!vi i think. lowkey highkey jealous/possesive vi.

a/n : greatest writing motivation is being horny as fuck. enjoy.

for better or worse, violet could not keep her hands off of you.

when you first glanced at her you did not take her for the type to be so affectionate - dyed black hair, smudged eyeshadow, not to mention the abundance of leather she was wearing as she celebrated knocking her opponent out cold. that mixed with her playboy reputation with some of her more desperate fans? let’s say you weren’t expecting nightly shoulder rubs and playful smushing of cheeks when you got home.

but when you finally gave her a chance to worm her way into your heart you were gladly surprised to see just how much of a sweetheart the boxer could really be. she texted you every day and constantly made sure you were taking care of your physical and mental well-being.

and of course, once you gave her the go-ahead she was so physically affectionate. she always had a hand on your hip when walking in public, gently moving you to avoid a small obstacle or to show you a small place she wanted to treat you to. at your shared apartments she would follow you around almost akin to a puppy, a big dopey smile on her face as she stood behind you while you were grabbing some chips from the kitchen.

“uhh…do you need something?”

“nope.”

“…are you sure?”

“yup.”

and every time you couldn’t help but roll your eyes and smile at her before putting a kiss on her cheek.

and while you noticed it beforehand, after you slept together for the first time you saw just how…depraved her affection could get.

from your experience, the first few days after the first time with a partner could be strange, with neither partner knowing when it would be right to initiate the next time without seeming too distant or too desperate. but gods were you glad you and vi were on the same wavelength. it was only the morning after that you were ready to go at her again, nearly embarrassingly desperate to feel the ache she left between your legs again.

but you were feeling just the slightest bit of self-conscious over how eager you were with her last night, so you decided to do something nice to show your appreciation by making her and you a nice breakfast. even though your legs felt the slightest bit wobbly as you made your way to the kitchen.

in the middle of you poking at the eggs to check their progress when you feel a pair of strong arms encircle your waist and a towering body press into your back. you try to keep focusing on the cooking but it becomes impossible when vi starts to playfully bite and kiss at the skin of your neck, forcing you to giggle as the feeling of it combined with her hair getting in your face.

your giggle turns into an airy gasp when her palms grasp your hips and she brashly thrusts her crotch into your backside, moving your body over to the side so you can grip the counter. a deep groan escapes from her throat when your hand travels up to grip her hair. another moan leaves your throat when she lets one of her hands travel down beneath her your sleepshirt.

so you were both equally desperate. and it was amazing.

now her quick kisses before boxing matches had a fair chance of turning into heated make-out sessions and quickies, her scarred lips smiling as she whispered how she needed to complete her ‘winning ritual’ before she goes out to fight, which usually consists of her getting on her knees and eating you out until you’re dizzy. she also loved downright groping you whenever she got the chance when you slept over at her apartment. you could be mopping the floors and she wouldn’t hesitate to reach down and squeeze or slap your ass before walking off like nothing happened.

and though you initially didn't suspect it, you find out she can be incredibly possessive. and again, it was amazing.

once you started to become more official vi made sure you had a front-row ticket to her matches so she could turn her head and spot you whenever she was in the ring. she was scheduled to fight some up-and-coming boxer who was known for her big mouth, and after shit-talking vi one too many times in the press your girlfriend was more than eager to step into the ring. you just didn't expect the woman to have an apparent death wish as she openly flirted with you before the match started, blowing you a kiss and a wink before coming face to face with an uncommonly calm violet.

it was one of the faster knockouts she'd gotten in her career.

as soon as the press and her team were done talking to her she gave you a look. a look that said “get your ass in the car because you are so getting messed up when we get home,,”

and so, you get your ass in the car. and not even an hour later, she makes good on her silent words.

“fuck, fuck, fuck!”

“thats it, take it baby. just fucking take it.”

when you had called vi depraved you truly meant it, as there was no other way to describe the provocative posiiton she had you in - your body pliant and settled on top of hers as her arms wrapped under your kneed and locked behind your head.

all of it was just so deliciously disorienting. the way her feet planted on to the mattress so that she could use her core to thrust her hot pink strap inside of your cunt, the frequent growls and grunts she let fly right next to your ear, how her clasped hands kept forcing your head from rolling back to looking down-

you let out a pitifully desperate whine when your eyesight locks onto the sight of your body from the mirror she dragged over to the front of the bed. youd felt a zap go through your body as she was doing so, and it was only increased ten fold as you saw the creamy mess between your thighs, strings of your slick expanding and contracting each time she pounded herself into you.

“god, i can feel you clenching around me. you like looking at how fucking messy i make you?” violet sneers before delivering a random harsh thrust inside you, laughing nearly cruelly when an odd squeaking comes from your throat.

“aw don't worry baby, i love it too. sounds so fucking good, should've set up a god damn camera-”

it is definitely not embarrassing how loudly you moan at that. you aren't allowed to be bashful when violet giggles into your shoulder. she brings one of her hands to wrap around your throat while the other travels downwards. she brushes over your breasts and stomach, reveling in the ripple it causes when you take a shaky inhale at the feeling.

you’re so caught up in the contradictory softness of her touch and the roughness of her hips movements that you’re more than shocked when she raises her hand and brings it down in a hard slap against your thigh. your hips involuntarily move up into her palm while down towards the strap, conflicted on which pleasure you want to overwhelm you.

“come on, don't run from it. we know you can take it.” she groaned, bringing her hand down in another rough slap against your thigh. she was never the most jealous person. she was never in a relationship long enough to be jealous. but seeing you fall apart for her so desperately after that bitch had the nerve to hit on you in front of her put a sick feeling of satisfaction in the pit of her chest.

your whines start to take on a higher pitch that reveals to her you’re closer than ever to your orgasm. high off of the win and the euphoria of fucking you and feeling the base of her dick bumping into her clit with each thrust, she decides to take a gamble and do something that she knows will make you make a mess for her.

there are no words to describe the full-body feeling you have at her rough palm smacking down on your clit, or the way your orgasm rips out of you like a bullet train. it’s so powerful it nearly hurts, and no matter how much you try to arch away from her she uses her grip to hold you down and follows you up with her hips.

“nuh uh, don't fucking run from me, baby. just feel it, god take it, bet you look so fucking pretty.”

the pleasure feels like it lasts for hours, and its only halfway through that you realize you’re leaking all over both of you and the sheets. you also realize that the experience has brought violet to a fiery orgasm herself, her body pushing through the pleasure as she uses shaky thrusts to help the both of you ride through your orgasms.

with how much she loves being affectionate, it's no surprise that vi is a god at aftercare. once it's clear your high has passed and you’re teasing the edge of sleep she immediately gets to work by slowly slipping the strap out of you and pressing a gentle kiss to your cheek when you whimper at the object leaving your warmth. ever so gently she handles your body to slip off of hers and rest on the bed and on shaky legs walks to get a rag from the bathroom.

after cleaning both of you off she tosses the strap to the floor to be cleaned later and flops in bed next to you. as she lays on her stomach she rests her arm over your body, pulling you in ever closer to her.

“y’know i think that reaction gives me permission to start calling you jealous.” your voice is quiet but hoarse and gives her just the littlest bit of pride.

“’m not jealous. maybe i just can’t get enough of you.”

god, you hope you get flirted with more often.

[ekkothroughtime]

staring problem | ekko x reader

Word Count: 2,000 Notes: Not particularly sexual, but MDNI, AFAB!Reader. Body (boob?) worship, tight-fitting clothing (no sizes mentioned), fluff, couch cuddling, the briefest food mention of all time. Ekko might have an oral fixation. The prompt for this warmup was literally just Ekko loving on your boobs, do with that what you will. No description of breast size.

Looking back on it, you absolutely knew what would happen when you squeezed into this tiny little black top.

In your defense, though, you had only been curious if it would even fit, pleasantly surprised to find that the soft material was designed to stretch and hug your frame like a second skin.

And it was just so warm that you couldn't bring yourself to peel it back off, not when the first wisps of winter are already twisting through the air. Niping at your nose, frosting the ground, and squeezing through the cracks in your front door, desperate to terrorize you and your already cold feet.

If anything, it's Ekko's fault for bringing it to you.

Some little thing he found while sorting through the new batch of clothes collected for the Firelights. But for someone so intelligent, he sure looks shocked the moment he looks up and sees you standing in the middle of the base.

You're pretending that you notice the way his eyes go wide, feigning ignorance, as you hang these new decorative lights. Using a hoverboard would have made this easier, wouldn't have had to reach so far overhead, but there's an ulterior motive here. Shamelessly twisting your body. Blissfully unaware of the familiar gaze that drinks in your frame, like a man who has just found a glass of water in the desert.

"Please be careful," Ekko's gloved hand presses into your lower back, and you don't need to look to know that the other is in front of you. Ready to catch you the moment you slip.

But try as he might, he can't keep his attention focused on what you're doing. Distracted by something that isn't your diligent hands, securing the string of lights to the wall.

Even after you've finished with them, and Scar calls Ekko over to come look at the engine they're repairing, you can't help but feel as if you're being stared at.

It's one thing to feel the other Firelights looking you over. With so many newcomers these days, all with varying estimations of how long it's socially acceptable to stare at someone, it's bound to happen, but this is different. The script has flipped.

For once, it's Ekko staring at you.

He thinks he's being subtle about it. Looking over his shoulder every time you walk past, going out of his way to ask you questions that he definitely knows the answer to. He's up on the balcony, head swiveling to keep up with you as you walk around the tree. Just so happens to think there's an issue with his hoverboard, one that requires him to fly past you half a dozen times.

You've got a fairly good idea of what could possibly have him so distracted, but it's only confirmed later in the afternoon when you're all huddled around for a meeting. It's another one of Scar's debates about capacity issues, and this time, it sounds like they're actually making progress on it, but...oh, what the hell. You're not listening.

You can't.

Not when Ekko is sitting eight feet across from you, hands clasped in front of his face, staring dead at your chest without the slightest hint of awareness of what he's doing. As if one quick glance won't reveal that he's more focused on the shape of your breasts than the overwhelming topic of where to put everyone. No bra to alter their shape into something modest, and with the way this shirt hugs every single inch...

You cross your arms, letting the motion squish your boobs into a new position.

Ekko's eyes dart up to your face. Caught red-handed.

"Ekko, you got any ideas?" Scar tilts his head, briefly looking toward you, then back to Ekko. Seems he caught on to what was happening a long time ago.

For once in his life, Ekko doesn't have a single clever suggestion to offer. A crucial mistake that keeps him at the meeting long after it ends; the capacity issue won't solve itself, and ideas don't grow on trees.

You're settled into the patchwork couch when Ekko finally pushes through the door. Face paint smeared across his forehead, some of it mysteriously staining his cheek, as if he's wiped his head with his hand and then rested his face in it. One of these days, he'll figure out how to get the consistency right with these new materials, but until then...

"Did the kids get you with a paintbrush again?" You giggle, aimlessly reaching out for him despite how far away he is.

Every muscle in his body seems to relax at the very sight of you, tension melting away like metal under one of his blowtorches. "I smeared it all over my face again, didn't I?" His voice has already lost its usual confidence, resigned to something much quieter.

Any other day, you would chide him for walking out of his shoes, leaving them scattered across the floor to be tripped over later, but you don't think he even has the energy to carry them over to their designated place by the door. All lazy smiles and half-lidded eyes, collapsing into you the moment he's deemed himself close enough.

"And here I thought I would have an easy day," Ekko grumbles right into your collar, groggy voice vibrating through your bones.

"An easy day for the leader of the Firelights?" You tease, running your hand up the back of his neck, nails tracing against his skin. "Never."

His whine cuts through the air, long and drawn out, as if being reminded of his status is the worst thing he could possibly hear right now.

"I'm sorry," laughing, you press a kiss to his forehead, where you're certain you'll get the least amount of paint on your lips.

All he has the strength to do is groan again, tilting his head until he's fully buried his face into your chest. Maybe if he snuggles close enough, nobody will be able to come ask for another favor that he'll inevitably say yes to.

"I should have never given you this shirt," Ekko still isn't lifting his head. Content to stay here with his face smashed into nondescript fabric for the rest of his life.

"What, you don't think it looks good on me?" Feigning hurt.

"It looks gorgeous on you," it comes out a little too fast. Seems he's been sitting on that thought for a while now. "That's the problem."

"I can tell," you have to momentarily pause with that thought, preoccupied with sorting his hair back into place. "You spent half of the afternoon and the entirety of the meeting staring at my chest. I'm shocked Scar didn't call you out on it."

"Oh, he's never gonna let me live it down," Ekko's tired chuckle is the prettiest thing you've heard all day. You can only imagine what went on the moment you left.

But one can only lie next to one's favorite temptation for so long. It's only a matter of minutes before he begins to wander, using the tip of his nose as a guide, wandering across your chest until he brushes over the soft swell of your breast.

A vague, warm pressure greets you. There and gone in a matter of milliseconds, leaving behind a coolness that wasn't there before.

And he does it again, a little bit slower this time. Easier for you to catch. The swift dart of his tongue, wetting the material of your shirt, and maybe he's misplaced his concepts of shame because there's no trace of it to be found today. Content to mouth over your breast, no real end goal to be found. Doing it just for the hell of it.

"What could you possibly be doing?"

No answer.

You're making no move to stop him. It's comparable to a feather-light massage, diligently working over you, leaving no space unattended to. He'd make this his full-time job if circumstances would allow it.

The left half of your shirt is almost entirely damp, your nipple gradually hardening from the cold, poking through the fabric, only to be greeted with his burning mouth. Tongue flicking over it, the faintest pressure of his teeth sending it off.

But the right side can only be neglected for so long, stealing his attention away from your left. Marking it in much of the same way while his hand rises to cover the wet mess he's made of you, warding off the chill before it can grow uncomfortable.

"How long." Kiss. "Will you." Kiss. "Let me do this for?"

You trace the outline of his jaw with the tips of your fingers, humming. "I haven't thought that far yet."

Forever, or until you can't stand it anymore. Whichever comes first.

Enabling him is the worst thing you can do in this situation. You've only got so much time before the dinner bell rings. Even less to change shirts and scurry across the hideout before everything grows cold, but you just can't bring yourself to deny him...whatever this is.

Even if you did want to, it's so hard to find your voice when he peeks up at you. Gentle brown eyes peering through thick lashes, drinking in your expression as he mouths at your breast, drool spilling off his tongue like you're the best thing he's ever tasted.

His hand appears at the hem of your shirt, pushing it upward. Past your belly and over the stunning swell of your chest, and fuck, those eyes sparkle at the sight that greets him.

That mouth of his wobbles. Opening and closing, visibly searching for words that he doesn't have the capacity to conjure up right now. Doesn't find them until after he's pressed a kiss into the underside of your boob. "Has anyone ever told you that you're breathtaking?"

"You," deadpanning. "Every day since the day I met you."

Ekko looks away from you, suddenly very, very interested in the stitching of the couch. As if he's ever cared about the odd green square that covers up the burn mark one of his inventions left behind.

It's remarkably easy to slip your hand beneath his chin, delicately turning him back to look at you. His eyes are a tad reluctant to meet with yours, still bracing for the impact of you expressing some kind of irritation with him that has never, ever been there.

"And I love every second of it." Whispering. A secret meant solely for the two of you to share.

Oh, he just lights up at the sound of that. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

He's still just as slow as he was the first time. Diligently kissing at your soft skin, loving on every little inch. Hot, wet tongue tracing shapes and his fingers smearing the saliva left behind. The other hand works carefully at the side he's not playing with yet, massaging loose circles into it. His callouses are just the right amount of friction, enough to create a slight drag that you can't possibly ignore.

"And you don't mind me doin' this?" He shouldn't be talking with his lips half wrapped around your nipple, but ugh, the vibration of his voice...

You're not sure when your hand made its way to the back of his neck, but its there, stroking up and down in a manner that always makes him melt. "I would have told you if it bothered me."

If you had known that something as simple as a new, form-fitting shirt would have ended in this, you would have invested in one sooner. Scratch that, an entire clothing business. Maybe you can find a shirt that'll fit him, too. Give yourself an excuse to kiss and suck on those lovely, bulging biceps that you so often find yourself staring at.

A yawn takes over his handsome face. Contagious. Passing on to you like a bad cold. And just like that, it wanders back to him, running its course through him one, two, three more times until his eyes have watered to the point of tears streaming down his cheeks.

Your thumb swipes out, stroking them away and smearing even more of the paint across his face. Oops. "You still have time for a nap if that's what you need."

"Here?" There's that glint in his eye again. Hopeful.

The bed would be so much more comfortable, but... "I don't see why not."

And as he helps to pull your shirt back down and snuggles down into his favorite spot on your chest, you can't help but get the feeling that you've unintentionally created his new favorite thing to do with you.

...not that you're complaining.

[glowettee]

✧ the elle woods study method: mindset makeover & foundation building ✧

hey lovelies! 💗

omg, i'm literally bursting with excitement to start this transformative series with you all! we're going to dive deep into actually studying like elle woods, and all her study methods. it's going to change your academic life. (while keeping you fabulous, obviously!)

let's start with the most crucial element - the elle woods mindset. you know how elle went from being underestimated at harvard to graduating with honors? that transformation began in her mind, and that's exactly where we're starting too!

the core principles of the elle woods mindset (get ready to take notes!):

unwavering self-belief: elle's iconic "what, like it's hard?" attitude wasn't just cute - it was crucial

authenticity as your superpower: your unique perspective is your strength

resilience through positivity: turning every "you can't" into "watch me"

strategic determination: working smarter, not just harder

maintaining your essence: success shouldn't mean losing yourself

let me break down how to actually build this mindset (because theory without practice is like a perfect outfit without accessories - incomplete!):

mindset foundation building: • start a daily confidence journal (pink, obviously!) • write three daily affirmations • document your wins, no matter how small • reflect on challenges and how you overcame them

goal setting the elle way: • dream big (harvard law big!) • break down major goals into mini-milestones • create realistic timelines • identify potential obstacles and plan solutions • celebrate every achievement (even the tiny ones!)

your personal success toolkit: • a dedicated study planner (color-coded, elle would approve) • positive affirmation cards • vision board (mix academic and personal goals) • progress tracking system • reward system for reaching milestones

practical assignments for this week:

yes, i'm giving you all homework, because what's a lesson without doing homework? <3

mindset makeover tasks: • create your confidence corner (a designated study space that makes you feel powerful) • write your personal academic manifesto • identify and challenge three limiting beliefs • create a morning power routine

organization prep: • get your study essentials (cute but functional!) • set up your planning system • create a semester overview • design your ideal weekly schedule

community building: • find your study buddies (your personal warner hunting club, but for academics!) • join study groups • set up accountability partnerships • create a support system

elle's journey wasn't about memorizing legal terms - it was about believing she belonged in those hallowed halls while wearing her signature pink. you deserve to feel that same confidence in your academic journey. <3

advanced tips for the overachievers (because why not be extra?):

record yourself giving pep talks for tough days

create a study aesthetic that energizes you

develop personal success rituals

build a playlist that makes you feel powerful

photograph your progress for motivation

coming up in this series:

time management secrets

memory techniques that actually work

note-taking methods that slay

exam preparation strategies

self-care routines for academic success

group study dynamics

presentation skills

stress management

celebration strategies

and more of course <3

remember: elle woods didn't just survive harvard - she thrived while being unapologetically herself. that's our goal too! you're not just going to study better; you're going to build an academic approach that celebrates who you are.

homework time (but make it fun):

create your academic vision board

write your semester goals

design your ideal study schedule

set up your success tracking system

prepare your study space

xoxo, mindy

p.s. don't forget to reblog and follow for the complete series! we're building our own little academic sorority here! <3

[agirlwithglam]

🎀 The It Girl Lifestyle Guide 🎀

hi girlies! this guide is a part of the big series: The Ultimate It-Girlism Guide. in this mini guide i'll be including all things health, morning/nighttime routines, and more!

How to create your ideal morning / night / any other routine:

Here’s a mini step by step guide to curating a routine that works specifically for YOU, tailored to your own needs and wants. This can be for any routine u wanna create: morning, night, after school, after work, before school/ work, etc etc.

Apps / things needed:

ChatGPT (or an AI like that- it’s not completely necessary but it’s useful)

Notes app / docs app. (Or a pen and paper- this will be to write down the routine!)

Calendar app (optional tbh)

Ok so first off: decide what you want in your routine. Make a list in no particular order of what you need/ want in the routine.

Some examples:

Once you’ve created this list, you’re pretty much half way done. In this next part you can use chat GPT to make it easier, or use your own mind.

The next thing to do is: ask chatGPT to make a routine with the steps u wanted.

Make sure to mention what time your routine starts and ends. And if there’s anything you want to change, you can just ask the AI or make those changes yourself!

The last step is to write it down!

You can either write it down on the notes app, docs, on a journal/ piece of paper, anything that’s easily accessible to you. I heavily recommend writing it down somewhere, but if you dont want to you can…

Put it into your calander. This can help you be a bit more organised, but it’s not completely needed. As long as it’s written down somewhere- so you dont need to always remember it- you’re good.

Health and wellness

In this section, i will be talking about fitness, mental health and physical health. I will mention some useful tips to finally start, how to overcome procrastination, and how to take care of that area of your body.

1. FITNESS.

Numero uno: fitness! I’m not going to go yapping on about how fitness is so important- im assuming you all know that by now. But let me just remind you that staying fit is not only exercising or going to the gym everyday. It can be: running, going for a walk, playing a sport, yoga, pilates, dancing, cycling, and THE LIST GOES ON. DO anything that moves your body and gets you fit!

Here are some tips to help you get started:

Start small. Set small goals first. Set SMART goals

Choose the activities you enjoy. Like i mentioned earlier, there’s tons of ways to stay fit- cycling, running, swimming, yoga, dance, sports, etc. etc. (if you like, joining a class or working out with friends can help you stay motivated!)

Stay consistent. I know i know, this is said everywhere. But there is no progress without consistency. Even if you can’t do a whole workout one day, try and do 10 jumping jacks, or 5 pushups. Do whatever you can. Remember: 1% is better than 0.

Create a vision board. You can create one yourself, or find tons of them off Pinterest. Vision boards will make the process so much more fun and will certainly motivate you.

Set a reward system. Tell yourself: if you do this high intensity workout now, you can go to the spa later or watch tv.

Find a why. This goes for like everything tbh. If your why is big enough, you are capable of doing anything (even finding that lost book that you owe the library!) basically, are you doing this to get ripped? With tons of abs, or to get strong and impress people? Or are you doing this to boost your self esteem and improve your health?

2. FOOD & NUTRITION.

Balanced diet: eat the rainbow! Meaning- eat meals with a variety of different colours. Fruits, vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, etc. it’s completely alright to eat a chocolate, but remember: EVERYTHING IN MODERATION.

Hydration: aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day. Trust me, drinking the magical potion that is water will help you SO much! It can help you clear your skin, have pink uncrusty lips, keep you fit and soooo much more.

Mindful eating: in the book IKIGAI it is said that you should only eat until you’re 80% full. Not 100%. Why? Because the time it takes for you to digest the food will have already made you extremely full. You may even have a stomachache. Studies also show that cutting back on calories can lead to better heart health, longevity, and weight loss.

Here are some tips to manage cravings:

Find healthier alternatives. If you are craving something sweet like chocolate, have something like a sweet fruit. If you crave something salty, try nuts. If you can’t think of any, search up some healthier alternatives to it!

Create more friction for junk, and less friction for healthy. This concept was said in the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. What does it mean? Make sure that it takes a lot of energy to get the unhealthy junk food. Maybe keep them high up in a cupboard so whenever you want it you have to go get a ladder, climb up, and then get it. And keep the healthy food in easy reach. Like some fruits open on a table, etc. (also remember to keep some actually yummy healthy food like Greek yogurt or protein bars.)

Distract yourself. Go do a workout or engage your mind in a hobby that you enjoy. Basically take your mind off food.

Yummy water. Make some lemonade for yourself. Or perhaps add slices of lemon, cucumber, mint or strawberries to it for some flavours. I’d do some research on this cus i know that some combos can rly help for things like clearing your skin, boosting energy, etc.

3. MENTAL HEALTH

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. It affects how we think, feel and act and also determines how we handle stress, relate to others, relationships, etc.

Of course there will be ups and downs for our mental health. It’s not something that you can just fix once and it’ll be good forever. No, it’s a rollercoaster. But having a “good” mental health is really important for a successful lifestyle.

Here are some tips to help you improve your mental health:

Meditation / deep breathing. I can’t emphasise how important this is. Even 1-2 minutes a day is good. Start small. You dont even need to be sitting crossed legged for this. Whether you’re in class, on a vehicle or in a stressful situation; just breathe. Take a deep breath, and out. Do it right now.

Journalling. Write. It. Out. Writing your problems and worries out is SOO therapeutic, especially when you want to calm down. There are SO MANY benefits to journalling. But remember that once you’ve ranted on the paper, tear it, rip it, and watch it burn. (Don’t keep a journal for this unless you KNOW 150% that no ones ever gonna read it. Trust me, it’s terrifying knowing that someone’s read that.) other things you can do is create a gratitude journal, so whenever you’re feeling low you can just go to it or write in it.

Self careee!! Create time for self care in your week. Because if you do that, it’s gonna be that one thing which you’ll be looking forward to each week, which will make life SO much more fun and bearable. For me, my forms of self care are watching thewizardliz or tam Kaur, reading, watching a movie at night, etc.

POSITIVE. SELF. TALK. Need i say more? What you say to yourself, is what you believe. And what you believe reflects in your external life.

Sing your heart out to Olivia Rodrigo. I swear this is actually so calming and therapeutic. Basically: express your feelings. If you’re angry at someone, feeling grief or really hurt by someone, screaming to Olivia Rodrigo songs in my bedroom is my go-to (i just make sure not to do it when others can here hehe). You can punch your pillow, scream, cry, etc.

Remember honey: this too will pass. Repeat that over in your head. This will pass. This will pass. This will pass. I know you may be going through the toughest time ever, but this too will pass. Nothing is forever. You’ve gotten through so much worse. You’ve got this.

!! Girls, please remember that these are just some tips. I am NOT a professional. If you really feel horrible every single day, go to therapy or counselling. Also contact mental health hotlines or emergency numbers if needed.

Mkay thats it! I hope this was of some value to you, and stay tuned for the next guide in the it girl series!

[itertarot]

TAROT | YOU

Tips for getting into your body goal

Choose a pic

Pile 1:

First of all, you need to start your journey. Stop postponing your process. Stop waiting for the "perfect" moment, for the motivation to magically appear, or for everything to align. What you need most right now is simply to take that first step. And more importantly, you need to learn the power of discipline. Motivation may come and go, but discipline is what will carry you forward when your energy runs low. Understand this: the results you’re dreaming of won’t happen overnight, they’re long-term, and that’s perfectly okay. Real transformation takes time and guess what? Time is going to pass anyway. Whether you start today or not, the days, weeks, and months will still move forward. The only difference is whether you'll arrive in 2026 with the body and lifestyle you've always wanted, or with the regret of not having started sooner. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be consistent. Every small step matters. Every healthy choice, every workout, every moment you choose progress over comfort brings you closer. So take the leap. Begin now, not tomorrow, not next week. Now. Your future self will thank you endlessly.

Pile 2:

You need to focus on healing your emotional self. This is for the version of you that tends to indulge as a way to cope with emotional pain, the part of you that eats, drinks, or turns to unhealthy habits to numb what you’re truly feeling inside. It’s important to understand that you are capable of reaching your goals. You can achieve the body, health, and peace you dream of. But it starts on the inside. Your physical reality is a reflection of your emotional state. If your soul is wounded, your habits will mirror that pain. That’s why it’s so important to treat your healing as a whole: mind, body, and spirit. You don’t need to punish yourself to make progress. Be careful with extremes. Don’t try to dive into a restrictive diet or push yourself through an intense fitness routine all at once. That kind of all-or-nothing mindset will only feed the cycle of burnout and self-sabotage. You don’t need to be perfect, you need to be gentle with yourself. Start slow. Take one step at a time. Learn to listen to your emotional needs. When you nurture your heart, your body will follow. This journey is not about control. It’s about healing. And if it is possible, you will benefit from therapy.

Pile 3:

You know you’re capable. Deep down, you already feel the strength and potential inside you. The results you want will come, not instantly, but over the medium to long term time. And that’s okay, because you have what it takes: discipline. Now it’s time to align your actions with your goals. Take the time to learn more about your body type and the most effective ways to reach the shape you desire. Research, ask questions, and stay curious. Knowledge will empower you. Then, turn that knowledge into action: move your body, stay consistent with your workouts, and nourish yourself with purpose. The fruits of your efforts will come, and when they do, it’ll be worth every bit of patience and persistence.

Pile 4:

My number 4, you need to fight for the body you want. Yes, the journey may be tough, and yes, there will be days when giving up feels easier. But trust me when I say: the destination will be worth it. Every drop of effort, every moment of discipline, every time you choose to keep going, it will all be worth it. So please, keep trying. You are capable of achieving incredible things. However, dear number 4, this is also a reminder to find balance between the body you want and the body you can realistically and healthily achieve. Your goals are valid, but they need to be grounded in self-respect and self-awareness. Your body has its own unique structure, its own rhythm and honoring that is a powerful form of self-love. Focus on a well-balanced diet, rich in both micronutrients and macronutrients, because health isn’t just about looks, it’s about feeling good, strong, and energized. And if you’re going to exercise, choose movements that support your body’s needs. Go for light exercises that promote flexibility and mobility, such as stretching, yoga, or Pilates. These forms of movement not only shape your body gently but also help calm the mind and reduce stress. Good luck and nurture yourself.

[dissociativewriter]

Unnatural Affinity- Part 5

Isekai!Reader x Love and Deepspace

wc: 3.2k

cw: reader is finding her place in this part so yay! its kinda crazy though, references to illegal dealings and experimentations, blood, injury, reader is in and out of consciousness at one point, symptoms of a panic attack like twice, gunshots/bullets, throwing knives, shattered glass, its the N109 zone so crazy stuff guys, angst (its a given at this point tbh), sylus is internally freaking out but really tender, em is confused, so is reader honestly, reader accidentally drops some info she ‘shouldn’t know’, reader is referred to with she/her pronouns, there are probably typos

Synopsis: Put on a mission with Em against your will, you both enter the N109 Zone. When the mission goes haywire, Em goes to the only place she knows you’ll be safe, even if she isn’t too fond of the idea: Onychinus’s Base. You shouldn’t be surprised at this point, but why is Sylus acting like this?

author’s note: this mission plot is probably going to be revisited honestly so just a heads up. writing sylus for this was actually pretty hard cause i usually write him in very fluffy situations so this was like ??? but i think it’s alright. now i just have to introduce caleb and then the plot will actually progress and be a little chaotic honestly :) i like how i wrote sylus in this part but i don’t know if i like the whole part but i hope y’all do <3

tag list: @animegamerfox @ixloom819 @magennta09 @an-ever-angry-bi @corvid007 @vigtore @ph1lo-s0ph1a @ameili @babyx91 @sadsaidthesadthing @bidisasterforevermore @liz9898 @iconoclastoc @elegantdeerlady @lifumi @auraficial @plzdonutpercieveme @dolledbunnytail @junebuggz @mangooes @anatherone @skulzooka @yuhuahuaaa @nm4565natty @feikyuu @lunia-likes-pomegranet @xfangirl-trashx @glitterykingdomangel @eialovescats @mimiu3usoft @alyssac9 @000rpheus @novaisbebita @coffeedragonhobbyist @udejoenrlddo @lanxianschoenheit @paper--angel (i hope that’s everyone! <3)

Series Masterlist

The clock struck ten and you nearly collapsed out of exhaustion.Though the windows were open, the only light came from your computer screen. Not even the moonlight could illuminate the room. Rows upon rows of data were in front of your face that you could barely read anymore. Everything was blurring together, and now you couldn’t even remember what you were looking for.

The Hunter’s Association was nearly empty, the work day ending at 6:00 for everyone else.

But for you, Nero, and Em, it seemed the work would never end.

“Oh! Listen to this,” Nero exclaimed. “ ‘Informants report the ring-leader is frequently found at high-traffic clubs and bars,’ ” he read off. He looked up at you. “That’s probably to cover up any money laundering going on. Not that that’s why we’re after him.” Nero grinned, though it faded as he seemed to remember who they were looking into.

Em had been assigned to a mission in the N109 Zone, looking into a businessman that was experimenting with and releasing Wanderers. He’d been under watch by the Association for some time as a suspect, but evidence just recently came to light giving them the ability to pursue. Given the danger levels and the extent of possible effects, Jenna had assigned you and Nero to find as much information as you could to help Em.

And a close deadline.

Very close.

How did she honestly expect you and Nero to figure everything out be 5:00 a.m. tomorrow?

“Alright,” you sighed. “I’ll look into which clubs or bars that could include. I think we can finish up soon, we just need more on his motive and sponsors.” You groaned, “That could take forever, though.”

Nero muttered something in an agreement of annoyance before you both began to work in a comfortable silence, moving in tandem as you shared data reports.

The door creaked as a silver of light made its way into the room. Em entered, notably lacking the eye bags that adorned you and Nero.

“How’s it going?” she asked softly.

“Horribly,” you muttered.

“There’s not nearly enough to find on this guy,” Nero explained. “Too many security measures, too little time.”

“Is there anything I can help with?” she offered, sitting down on the small sofa near your desks. You handed her a large file with papers spilling out at the edges.

“You should go ahead and start going through this. You’ll need to know most of this, and we can’t take the time to explain everything to you over the Hunter’s radio while you’re on the field,” you sighed, still holding out the file.

Em eyed it warily. “I have to know all of that?”

“If I can learn all of it in a night, so can you.” You dropped the papers onto her lap before collapsing back into your chair.

“Wait.” Em leaned forward, sitting on the edge of the sofa. “Why don’t you just come with me on the mission?”

You immediately shook your head. “No way. I am not trained for this like you. I’ll get myself killed!” you exclaimed.

“But you know everything we’ll need! And I’ll protect you!”

You raised an eyebrow. “How can you protect me when you came home with bruised ribs not too long ago?”

“That’s nothing.” She waved a hand. “I promise, there won’t be a scratch on you.”

“I don’t know…” you said, not noticing Em quickly pull out her phone and type something out.

It would be a good idea just to make sure Em knew what was happening, you thought, but you were in no way, shape, or form athletic. And in the N109 Zone?

It was a death sentence.

“I’ve already asked Jenna, so the only way you can get out is if she says no!�� Em grinned.

You, on the other hand, groaned.

Jenna did not say no.

In fact, according to Em, it was an enthusiastic yes.

Something about a test to see how incorporating more employees into the field would go. So, much to your chagrin, you were really just a guinea pig.

“What do you even wear on a mission?” you asked the next morning. After Jenna’s approval (which came a little too quick for your taste), Nero had shooed the two of you out, saying you needed to rest for the mission and he could finish up at the Association.

“Something comfortable and easy to move around in,” Em answered. “We might have to put on some disguises anyway, so it won’t matter.” She shrugged.

You nodded as you checked your phone again, scanning the attachment from Nero. A quick run-down on the rest of the data he’d gathered last night and a general summary of the rest of it. You sent back a quick message of thanks, and only received a thumbs-up emoji.

Worn jeans and a simple shirt, you eventually decided on. Where could you go wrong with that?

Em, of course, wore her usual Hunter’s outfit that you recognized from in-game. Though you could never understand how that corset-top thing she had could be comfortable enough for killing Wanderers, you didn’t say anything.

You grabbed a small waterproof backpack from your closet. Tossing in the files, first aid kit, a water bottle, some light snacks just in case, and (for a reason you didn’t quite understand yourself) Frankenstein, you quickly zipped it up before moving into the living room.

Em came out of her bedroom a few minutes later, smoothing out her hair as you both left the apartment.

“Do you always wear your hair down on missions?” You asked as she locked the door behind the two of you.

“Yeah.” She nodded like it was obvious. “Why?”

You shrugged. “It would just get on my nerves. And in my way.”

She laughed. “Yeah, sometimes it can be a bit of trouble, but it usually stays in place.”

You thought back to the battle mode in the game. Her hair would move, sure, but it never did get in her face, always staying pristinely straight against her back. Do the weird game physics persist even as this becomes your reality?

You froze as you exited the apartment building, watching Em walk over to her bike without a word.

Did she always have a motorcycle?

She swung her leg over, looking at you expectantly. “What are you waiting for? Hop on,” she said, smiling slightly.

You sighed, cursing Jenna for agreeing to put you on this mission and cursing yourself for actually going through with everything.

You wrapped your arms around Em’s middle, holding tightly as you desperately hoped that she wasn’t a reckless driver. She made sure you were settled before revving her bike, pushing off quickly.

You didn’t die as you made your way into the N109 Zone, but you were fearing for your life the entire time.

Em pulled to a halt in front of an abandoned building, looking back to you as you both got off the bike.

“Do you take traffic laws as a suggestion?” You groaned, running a hand through your hair.

“I didn’t break any!”

“Are you sure about that?”

The bickering between you two eased as you entered the abandoned building. Shattered glass and stains you didn’t want to think about decorated the floor. The walls seemed like they were about to collapse, slightly caving inwards, twisting the graffiti designs into something entirely different.

You inched forward slowly, cautiously watching each window and broken doorframe. If this really was a hub for illegal dealings, you’d need to be careful. One wrong step could get you killed.

This didn’t seem to bother Em, however, as she noisily stomped through the building. She looked around the building, glass crunching under her boots. “What are we here for again?” she asked, unimpressed.

“Possible meeting spot for our target,” you explained. You hesitated, watching her go through another door, disappearing from sight. “Don’t you think you should be more careful?” you called out, taking slow steps to follow her.

You heard her let out a playful scoff. “Please, don’t be so worried! I’ll be fine,” she said.

You only sighed, walking over to a round table at the corner of the room. Decorated with fading poker chips and a few stray coins, there shouldn’t have been anything out of the ordinary about it. Poker games were common, especially in a place like the N109 Zone, but something set you on edge. You ran your hand over the smooth wood, searching for something you weren’t quite sure of.

When you hit a divot in the grain, your breath caught. You pushed a little more, and the top of the table opened to reveal a hidden compartment.

“Just like a movie,” you murmured.

You carefully lifted the papers, skimming through experiment reports and various receipts. This is what you needed, the final piece to properly accuse before you got the guy. You carefully set them into your backpack, looking around for Em.

No sign of her.

“Em?” You called out, taking a few more steps. A loud crash echoed through the building, and…

Was that a gunshot?

You froze. What do you do? Em has the gun, so what are you supposed to do?

Maybe it was her gunshot, you thought. Maybe she was just trying to get into a locked room and shot it open.

Why couldn’t you believe it?

Back in the main room of the building, more shattered glass was dotted around the floor and part of the wall was crumbling, bullet holes bringing down the already weak structure.

There was still no sign of Em, though.

You felt your throat tighten, a loud ringing growing in your ears. You gasped for breath, suddenly feeling unable to fill your lungs.

Like you were drowning.

More glass shattered from the window next to you, part of it grazing your skin. You heard a yell behind you and caught sight of throwing knives heading straight towards you.

You felt blood drip from your cheek and became acutely aware of the gashes on your shoulder and waist. Between the glass and the knives, you’d gotten beaten and bloodied.You needed to move, needed to get out of the way, but your legs were as heavy as lead.

Multiple sets of heavy footsteps filled you with dread.

Em, coming up from behind you, firmly grabbed your forearm and pulled you along, rushing out of the door. She pushed you onto her bike, moving to sit in front of you and holding your arm against her middle as she set off.

Bullets whizzed past your head as you two fled down the street, Em weaving and dodging each of them with careful precision. The N109 Zone passed in a blur, building lights and neon signs mixing and melting into the skyline.

You weren’t aware of the time passing or the wind blowing in your face. All you could feel was the panic, the fear, the blood.

The bike screeched to a halt and Em pulled you to your feet, wrapping an arm around you to support you weight. You pressed your hand into the wound on your waist. Wasn’t that what you were supposed to do in the event of an injury? Apply pressure?

Nothing felt real anymore, the world becoming hazy.

Was it real anyway?

You weren’t sure when you became passed out or for how long, but considering you were still being held in someone’s arms, you figured it wasn’t that long ago.

It didn’t seem like Em, though. Too big.

You heard her voice, muffled as if it were coming from far away. “…I don’t know what happened, but they found her while I was trying to get out. She got hit with some glass and a couple throwing knives, I think. I didn’t know where else to go,” she explained frantically.

A deep timber rumbled from the chest your head was leaning against. “So you decided to bring a researcher at the Hunter’s Association to Onychinus’s base?”

“We don’t have to tell her,” Em offered. “Just patch her up, and then we’ll leave. She’s unconscious now, anyway.” She shrugged.

“Not anymore,” he muttered, and you felt his eyes bore into you.

You turned to him, opening your eyes as much as you could manage. “Sylus…” you whispered, though your voice was weak.

You watched crimson eyes widen before your eyelids became too heavy.

Em didn’t seem to hear what you said, and Sylus kept quiet.

“How about you go clean up while I patch your friend up?” He looked down at her.

She furrowed her brow. “I can do it… She’s my friend, after all.”

Sylus shifted you in his arms slightly, careful not to jostle you. “No offense, sweetie, but I am much better at dressing wounds than you. And, of course, I know how much kittens need to groom themselves.” He smirked.

You heard a groan from Em before it was cut short by the click of the door. You were carefully laid on a lightly padded table, soft fluorescent lighting illuminating the room. You heard shuffling around the room, the shutting of cabinets filling the empty silence. You couldn’t lift your head, much less form a coherent sentence, so what were you supposed to do?

A warm hand grasped your arm, and you could make out the voice asking if you were okay with your shirt being lifted so he could examine your wound. You garbled out your consent, and felt your shirt being pushed up just below your chest, exposing your stomach.

The cool air against the gash startled you, though not nearly enough as the burn of the water as he cleaned it. You jolted back, now awake, nearly falling over as he gripped you by your good shoulder, pushing you back down onto the table.

“Careful,” he murmured.

Your eyes were wide now, and you couldn’t catch your breathing. He watched you with a furrow in his brow for a moment before taking your hand, pressing it against his chest.

“Follow my breathing, little dove,” he whispered. “You won’t be hurt again under my watch.”

As your breathing evened out, he watched with quiet amusement as your expression shifted into one of confusion.

“To understand one’s heart,” he kept your hand against his chest, “Be honest. It seems you use heartbeats, and I use eye contact.”

Your hand flinched back slightly, which did not go unnoticed by Sylus. You didn’t care to acknowledge his raised brow, instead wondering why the hell you were experiencing a Relax Time with Sylus.

First Xavier, now Sylus. Just what exactly was going on?

Sylus’s crimson eyes burned into yours, and you suddenly felt as if you were completely laid bare before him.

You knew he was suspicious of you. It would be odd if he wasn’t. There was no reason why you should know his name, and you could tell he was trying very hard to focus on dressing the gashes on your waist and shoulder before addressing it.

He worked with silent precision, his hands moving deftly. You watched him carefully, wondering why exactly his hands became gentler whenever you winced.

Once you were cleaned and bandaged, Sylus helped you to your feet, prepared to catch you in case you were still unsteady. He lead you out the door, keeping his hand at the small of your back.

Why did it feel so intimate?

As soon as you made eye contact with Em, she rushed towards you. Gripping your arms, she examined you, making sure you were okay.

“I’m fine, Em. I promise.” You tried to sound genuine, putting your hand on her shoulder to calm her nerves.

“You were bleeding so much, though. I’m sorry!” she cried. “I said I would protect you…”

“But that was unexpected,” you assured her. “You had no way of knowing that that was going to happen, and I was the one that wandered away from you, anyway.”

“Still,” she mumbled.

“Why don’t we just look through the papers I found?” you offered.

Em sniffled slightly before nodding. She moved to grab your backpack, though you don’t know when she took it from you.

“As touching as this is,” Sylus interrupted, “Next time you have a mission in the N109 Zone, just call me. Then we can avoid any further injuries.”

“I don’t need your help for everything, Skye! I can do my missions on my own!”

You halted for a brief minute, confused as to why she was calling him Skye, before you realized you weren’t supposed to know anything about this man.

You chuckled as you emptied your bag onto the small table between a pair of couches. “You say you can handle it, and yet we were ambushed.”

“See, kitten? Even your little friend agrees with me.” He smirked.

His smile dropped, however, as he walked over to the table. “What’s this?” He asked, picking up Frankenstein.

Before you could answer, Em jumped in. “The weirdest book ever!” Sylus only looked at her, urging her to go on. “It doesn’t exist! I tried to search it up because she was surprised I hadn’t heard of it, and boom nothing.”

Sylus hummed as he flipped through the book.

“ ‘I am malicious because I am miserable,’ ” he read. “ ‘If I cannot cause love, I will inspire fear.’ ” He let the words hang in the air for a few moments before letting out a low chuckle. “How poetic. I quite like this fiend.” You flinched ever so slightly at the word, and if Sylus noticed, he didn’t mention it.

Em sat next to you, flicking through files and documents as you tried to figure out what to do next. Sylus watched for a few minutes in silence, before taking a sharp inhale.

“Well, I suppose I’ll leave you Hunters to your mission. Wouldn’t want to interrupt.” Though he wore a wolfish grin, you could feel the tension that hid behind it.

You couldn’t feel, however, the pair of crimson eyes on you as you and Em gathered data for the next hour or so.

Sylus was very confused.

First of all, how did you know his name? What else did you know? Were you aware of his position in Onychinus?

Next, why did you flinch when he said fiend? The very title that adorned him in this life and the past.

You definitely knew more than you were letting on, but what was it exactly?

And further, why did he feel the need to be so gentle with you? He had felt no such need with anyone before, aside from Em, and even that took time. So what set you apart?

What confused Sylus the most, however, was what he saw when he looked into your mind.

He wasn’t surprised that you hadn’t noticed. You were very disoriented, after all, and he hadn’t entirely invaded your mind. Just a quick glimpse, just to check.

But the flashes he saw of another world, another life, left him scrambling for answers. What exactly you were hiding, Sylus wasn’t sure, but he intended to find out.

With a wave of his hand, he sent Mephisto into the field. He doubted you would notice him.

After all, what was so suspicious about a crow?

comments and reblogs appreciated! <3

masterlist

[anna-proxx]

Bounty hunters

pairing: arthur morgan x fem!reader

summary: you and arthur go bounty hunting, then get some rest in a hotel and shared bath.

word count: 5.1k

tags: fluff, mildly suggestive, high honor arthur, bounty hunting, established relationship

warnings: mentions of murder and violence

a/n: this took way too long and had to be rewritten and edited way too many times. so i'll post it before i go insane. take it as my comeback here on tumblr. <3 dividers by @saradika-graphics

✮ masterlist

Two piercing eyes of a wanted man stared at you from the poster you held in your hands, once again checking the provided information.

This one was a murderer, said to prey on young beautiful women to whom he, once alone, sliced their throats, then left their bodies in ditches and rivers. Some were very young, barely adults, some prostitutes he took up in the saloons, the rest damsels in distress lost in the wilderness. He would try seducing them first, luring them in as a lover only to strike as a beast; though it was unclear what his motive was. Was it vengeance? Some messed up sense of power and control?

The sheriff of Strawberry told Arthur he'd fled to the mountains once his identity was uncovered, disappearing from the towns he'd get his victims from.

Now you and Arthur were heading North. The chilly morning air grew colder on your skin the more you progressed towards the mountains with snowy caps. You had spent the night camping on the way, and had your trip's motive been forgotten, it would've made a nice retreat.

But 70 dollars was on the criminal's head, and the reward was tempting enough to try. And luckily for Arthur, you were there with him, a young woman fitting all the criteria for the perfect bait.

Not that Arthur was keen on the idea, of course.

In fact, when you first proposed it, he brushed it off as completely unimaginable, saying that if you had a death wish, you might wanna pick a different way to go than by hands of some maniac.

But you were stubborn and claimed that if he didn't allow it, you'd go alone. So, after a few mumbled curses, he reluctantly agreed.

Your plan was reasonable. The whereabouts of the killer weren't clear, and using yourself as a lure seemed smart. Especially with Arthur hiding nearby, ready to strike before you could be harmed. Just knowing he'd be close made you calmer.

You rode alongside the river, birds chirping in the trees while ducks waddled around in the shallows of the crystal clear water. You paused to take the sight in, and for a moment forgot about the paper in your hand.

The morning sunlight was gentle, enough to wake up nature after its slumber, but not too much to the point of hurting your eyes. It was perfect.

“Don' get anywhere outta my plain sight,” Arthur spoke towards you as he ruminated, worry still clouding his mind.

You softly smiled, finding his care endearing. He got into dangerous situations every day, yet couldn't stand seeing you in such circumstances. As if you weren't terrified every time he rode out.

You weren't reckless or inexperienced. You could handle a gun way before you and Arthur had even met. But it wasn't that Arthur underestimated your abilities, you knew that. He just wanted to avoid any harm done to you as much as he possibly could. Sometimes, it seemed like he valued your life more than his own.

“I'm not an amateur Arthur, not planning to get killed today either,” you reassured him kindly, knowing very well the answer would hardly calm him.

You were getting close now, and you felt as though the air had thickened with suspense. As if there was a cougar holed up in these mountains instead of a man, grazing its teeth for your flesh specifically.

You shoved the poster back in your satchel and blew warm air into your palms, your coat being barely enough to shield you from the growing coolness.

Arthur noticed and gave you another worried look. “Yer cold. Lemme give you my—”

“No, no,” you interrupted him, your focus now fixated on the hills before you. Spots of snow lay between the grass. “I think we're here. I'm actually...” you started taking your coat off, “gon' play the damsel in distress to the maximum, make myself seem vulnerable.”

You didn't even have to look at Arthur to know he was frowning.

“And won't even have to play bein' sick, if ya go like that,” he gestured towards your bare forearms with his hand, watching as you shivered. You couldn't hide a smile, moved by his concern.

“Just take my weapons, will ya?” you said as you took off your gun belt, then hopped down and grabbed the rifle from the saddle to make yourself unarmed.

“Maybe the seventy dollars ain't worth this,” he grumbled, despite taking the weapons you were handing him.

“I wonder what Dutch would say to that.” You snickered, and decided to give him your satchel as well.

“I don' care 'bout what Dutch says, I care 'bout havin' you in one piece by the end of the day.”

Your cold hands found his, covering them as you looked up into his eyes. You trembled and shivered and Arthur still thought it was a stupid idea.

“I'll tell him my dog ran off. Just don't get spotted and don't kill him unless necessary, okay?”

Arthur nodded, and when you tried pulling away to get back to your horse, he held your fingers, keeping you in place. You turned back to him, seeing not an outlaw, not a bounty hunter, just your Arthur.

Your voice softened under his troubled gaze. “We've done this before. We make a great team, remember?” You gave him a smile. “If he tries anything on me, I'll get him first. He doesn't know about the power of my right hook.”

Finally, you eluded a low chuckle from your companion as he shook his head.

“He'd be right to fear ya.”

You smiled at the change in his voice. With a squeeze of your fingers, he let you go, and you mounted your horse again. Though you converted to pants for their practicality in animal and bounty hunts long ago, you were now attired in a simple dress, as not to raise suspicion. But it did put you in bit of an inconvenience.

“Ya should still wear smthn', don' need blue lips to bait him,” Arthur protested at your shivering form.

“You can kiss those lips back to pink after we're done here, cowboy,” you said playfully, getting nothing but a huff in return. You promised yourself to properly snuggle him later.

Your horse neighed as you set him in a trot, a lane of fresh snow before you, two lines of hoove prints trailing behind you. You couldn't make out any paths, so your best bet was just getting the man's attention, wherever he was hiding.

“Finch! Hey, Finch!” you shouted a name of your imaginary dog. You didn't even have to feign the trembling in your voice as the coldness seeped into your body. Still, you coiled on the horseback, making yourself look small. Small and helpless.

“Finch, boy!” The cold air irritated your throat.

At the same time, Arthur snuck like a shadow just a few meters behind you, taking covers behind anything he could. The snow made it slightly more difficult.

He hoped the criminal would be at least a bit eccentric, taking time with his harmless victims. Though if he just as much inflicted a sliver of pain on you, you two probably wouldn't get the whole 70 dollars for bringing him alive.

The breeze felt sharp as it blew in your face, turning your skin redder with every blow. Snow softly cracked under your horse's hooves as you got deeper into the mountains.

“Finch! Where are you?” A fit of cough interrupted you as the cold dry air scratched at the walls of your throat. Your heart beat wildly in your chest and you held your breath, when finally...

Noise came from behind a rock and shortly you found yourself face to face to a man on his black horse. The recognition was immediate—the picture from the poster had come to life. Dark eyes and blonde curls, contrasting with each other just as much as his kind voice opposed his intentions. Russel Graham in the flesh.

“Ma'am. Are you alright?” he spoke in a deep smooth voice. Your stomach flipped as you imagined how many women had heard that voice as the very last thing before they died. His gaze was unwavering.

“I lost my dog. He... he ran off into these mountains somewhere.” You paused as you swallowed, your body still shaking. “If wolves get to him, I...” You trailed off and feigned a sob, rubbing your palms for warmth.

“You're freezing, ma'am, let me give you a coat first,” he interrupted you, taking off his own coat and getting close enough to hand it to you. You accepted it with an appreciative nod.

“Thank you.” You draped it over your shoulders, resisting the revulsion it brought you to have his clothes touching you.

“So, you're looking for your your dog? What does he look like?”

“Brown American Foxhound.” White vapor escaped your lips as you exhaled, and you briefly looked up at the sun shining through the tree crowns. “He's very dear to me.”

“I'll help you look for your dog, ma'am.”

He's baited alright. Now he was trying to bait you.

“But you look worn out. I'm camping nearby, let's warm up first,” he added.

You nodded and soon followed the criminal toward his hide. You reminded yourself that Arthur was somewhere near.

“Thank you, Mister...”

“Hartley,” he uttered without looking back. Of course he'd use a fake name.

“Mister Hartley. Name's Maisie.” You hadn't used the name before.

“Miss Maisie. Yer lucky I was hunting 'round here. You wouldn't believe what hides in these mountains.”

Oh, you knew quite well.

You only hummed in response, staying in the man's tail.

Once you finally arrived, an opened bed roll next to a crackling fire and a few things lying around, you took note of your surroundings. The area was shielded by big rocks from above and one side, but other than that, it was pretty much open and there wasn't really a good hiding spot.

Arthur would have to hide a bit further, potentially taking longer to arrive when needed.

You took a deep breath as you encouraged yourself, moving your frozen fingers and toes to be ready to act when things go down. The cold air was still biting.

Graham helped you down and his gloved hands remained on your hips longer than you'd like. He studied your face, so you did the same. There was a little cut above his left eyebrow, and a wild little look growing in his eyes.

When he stepped away, you curiously looked around, acting naive while still having him in your peripheral vision.

“Let me make you coffee, miss. Are you new to this area?” He crouched down to get the coffee ready and you slightly relaxed as his gaze swayed away from you.

“Yes, sir. I have relatives near Strawberry, wanted to help them with their animals. Moved here just a few days ago.” You instinctively walked to the opposite side of the fire.

Graham nodded. You took a quick glance at the knife behind his belt. You remembered very clearly what sheriff told Arthur when he picked up the poster. A sliced neck. Every single time.

“The nature's a real beauty 'round here, but I reckon it's better not to wander too far from the town. It's dangerous.”

You forced a smile, pulling the man's coat tighter around your body. You still trembled.

“I wouldn't come here if Finch hadn't ran this way. He's the only one I have from home—”

“Please, sit.” The man gestured toward the blankets next to the campfire. He was growing impatient. Maybe the law being onto him put him on edge.

“Oh, sir...” You hesitated, looking down at the fire. “I'm really scared for him, I must find him before a wolf or a bear does.”

“You won't do much if you freeze,” Graham countered, handing you a cup of hot coffee. “Sit for a while, then we'll go looking.”

You didn't like how pushy he was. But you still had a moment of surprise on your side.

Though you complied to his request, and sat down at the fire with coffee in your hands, your insides felt like a taut string, adrenaline bubbling underneath. He had you in a vulnerable position. In a place like this, you doubted he would try to seduce you—and he already had you alone—which meant he might cut this short.

“What a beautiful day, you were lucky not to run into a snowstorm,” he said as he got up and looked up at the sky, seemingly in thought, walking up behind you.

Your back was toward the opening, where hopefully Arthur waited. He would never let anything happen to you.

“Yes. Thank you for having me here, sir, you're very kind.” You hid any disdain from your voice. You sipped on your coffee, while he most likely already imagined the pale snow stained with your crimson blood.

“Don't mention it. I'm thrilled to be here with you, ma'am.”

Everything in you stiffened and filled with nausea. The string within you was about to snap—something in the air changed. The man's steps stopped behind you.

With held breath, you cocked your head to the side and saw light reflected against metal, held in a black-gloved hand.

It was less than split of a second that you turned and rolled to your back, kicking the knife and throwing the contains of the cup to where you guessed his face would be.

The coat fell off of you, and the hot liquid burnt your arm as you shielded your face, but it got him too. An angry yell echoed against the walls, accompanied by a clink of the knife against the ground.

With all the strength you had in your cold body, you kicked him in the stomach, making him stumble back. You were at disadvantage, lying on the ground, but at this point it didn't matter anymore.

“Arthur!”

But before the name even left your lips, Russel Graham had already found himself in an iron grip.

Arthur held him from behind, a frown on his face as he shoved him to the ground and pinned him down, tying his wrists together. He moved confidently and swiftly.

“Yeah, you ain't touching her, you bastard,” Arthur growled, a tone you didn't hear from him often.

“You son of a bitch!” the man yelled, writhing on the ground. Arthur hit his face before tying his ankles.

You were still sat up on the ground, stunned from the shock of what just happened. The fear drained away from your body with a chilling aftershock.

Your body was freezing, except for the burning red mark on your arm. But that was the least of your worries.

When Arthur was done, he stood up and left him squirming on the ground like a worm, turning his focus to you instead.

“You al'right?” He offered you his very warm hand and pulled you up to your feet. You didn't let go right away.

“Yeah. He didn't get me.”

“Here.” Arthur took off his coat and helped you take it on. You were surprised by how quickly he could turn tender when it came to you.

“I'm still gonna kill you, you whore!” Graham reminded himself with a sharp angry tone. He looked quite pathetic rather than threatening now, lying tied up on his stomach like that.

“You ain't killin' nobody, you piece of shit,” Arthur countered harshly, leaning down to pick him body up and swinging him over his shoulder.

“The law will deal with you, Mister Graham,” you remarked, a small satisfied smile tugging at your lips. Even though you were cold and a little ruffled up, this was a success alright.

While Arthur whistled for his horse and stowed the atrocious man on the back, you walked up to the black horse who had been watching the whole situation unfold.

“What about you? You don't wanna stay here, do you?” you spoke in a softer tone, patting the horse on the neck. “Come on, be nice and we'll get you to the stables. You'll get rid of that brute.”

You took the rains and walked towards Arthur who eyed you worriedly.

“You sure you're 'kay?”

“Yes, Arthur, I'm sure. I'll be even better when we get somewhere warmer.”

“Don' worry, we're goin' straight to Strawberry.” He nodded toward you. “You takin' that horse?”

“You maggots, I have bought that horse!” the criminal yelled. Both of you ignored him, which seemed to offend him further.

“Yeah, can't let him freeze here.”

Arthur nodded. Then he mounted his horse and returned his attention to the bounty. “I don' reckon you'll need a horse where you're goin'.”

Thankfully, the black horse was friendly. He let you ride him, your own mare following right behind once you reached the edge of the mountains where she waited.

“You'll regret this!” the man shouted.

“Yeah, that's what they all say,” Arthur said scornfully. “Killin' women? Ain't that pathetic.”

“You've got no idea how good it feels, to have those sweet creatures turn lifeless before you.” He was probably just spurring his capturer on.

“Spare me of the details,” Arthur grumbled.

“You'll have a whole audience watching you swing now. Ain't that fun?” you chimed in, feeling cocky with how the situation turned around.

“You better stay quiet, whore,” his tone was much rougher than before, “Such a shame I didn't get to slash your pretty ne—”

Arthur hit his face. “One word. One. Word.”

Graham actually shut up at the hostile warning.

“We need him alive, Arthur.”

“Yeah, but not necessarily conscious and with his bones in tact.”

You smiled, trotting alongside Arthur as the sun's warmth finally started spreading into your body.

“Alright, but his face has to be recognisable.”

Arthur gave you a little silent look, and you knew you calmed him down a little. You always managed to.

You galloped through the meadows, the bounty giving up on his occasional tantrums the closer you got to town. Arthur inconspicuously checked on you every now and then, as if you didn't notice his little searching glances.

Then finally you could see the town and soon enough it followed with the creaking of wagons and chirping of people. Those standing nearby took curious glances at the man strapped at the back of Arthur's horse. 

‘Welcome to Strawberry’, the sign above said. A quaint tourist town.

Both of you stopped before the cubic building, ‘JAIL’ in big letters on the wall. Russel Graham tried his last frail attempts at bargaining for his freedom, but there was no way to escape his fate now.

Arthur carried the man inside the sherrif's office, maybe a bit more roughly than necessary, and you remained waiting outside, just hopping off to stretch your sore body.

You weren't freezing anymore, but the chill remained settled in your bones, and you still nestled in Arthur's coat. You did feel tired, though.

The place had lots of green, and you liked that; it fit right into the landscape, like a picteresque heart of it. Very charming. Very cozy. Some kind of preacher rambled on, somewhere near.

Arthur was just shoving the stack of bills in his satchel when he emerged, his step confident.

“Got it?” You touched his forearm without realising.

“Got it.” He looked at you from below his hat. “We got the rest of the day free, I reckon.”

You nodded. “Definitely.”

You both knew what that meant—a hot bath, proper meal and a warm shared bed. The best part of these trips.

The stables were at the outskirts of town. You rode over the bridge overlooking a waterfall, one that could be looked at for hours. The black horse did earn you a few extra bucks.

It was even warmer inside the hotel. You waited just a few minutes before the bath was ready, and you took the time to take in the interior. Red wallpapers made the room look even dimmer, and it complemented the rustic decoration. It was big on a hunting theme: A large bear by the entrance, chandelier made of antlers, rocks, and interestingly branched wooden railings. The burning fireplace added onto the cosiness. You assumed the place worked as the tourist center.

Arthur led you up the stairs, warmth growing on your lower back where his hand rested. He held the door open for you, and the smell of soap and lavender hit you.

The bathroom was quite homely, with the same red wallpapers and pale light dimly illuminating the room. You immediately relaxed when the door shut behind you.

Fighting the silly blush on your cheeks was basically pointless. Arthur shuffled on his feet.

“You go first, I guess,” you mumbled and immediately felt ridiculous for how awkward you were. You had done this before but it was the same every time. These situations weren't your strongest suit, and his neither.

So you walked to the window to absent-mindedly watch the street, when Arthur undressed.

After a few moments, the water softly splashed against the walls of the tub. Your head turned to see Arthur settling underneath all the foam, his naked shoulders above it. There was another thing accompanying the pink flush on your cheeks; a little feeling of excitement seemingly jumping around within you.

Your chilled body craved the hot water, and your stomach coiled at the sight of your lover. You knew that nothing would separate you from him until after the water turns cold.

Arthur closed his eyes and leaned his head back, arms stretched over the edges of the tub.

You quietly slipped out of all your clothes and walked over, your heart making two beats for every step you'd make. You submerged and sat on the opposite side, every single negative thought forgotten as your muscles loosened. All the work was so worth this.

“Thank you for not letting me die today,” you broke the silence, a small timid smile on your face. Arthur opened his eyes and looked at you, failing to keep a straight face.

“I'd rather have you not risking like that next time.”

“Sure, let's have you be a bait next time.” You started shifting towards him. “Or better yet, hunt for rabbits instead.”

Arthur chuckled, not taking his eyes off you. “Or maybe I just won't let ya go anywhere away from me.”

With that you settled onto his body, your own mellowing at how nice it felt to have him against you. As if even your bones were melting, and you'd soon fuse together.

Your arms loosely wrapped around his neck. You didn't wanna get into any dirty business, as you were both tired and grimy, but that didn't wipe the red hue off your face. You pretended that you weren't flustered at all; he couldn't see the blush on your face if you rest your head on his shoulder.

His rough hand found your back, and he touched you so gently, as if he thought you to be fragile. Your eyes closed; the more comfortable you were, the sleepier you got.

The room was quiet, with muffled sounds from the outside and Arthur's breathing. His heartbeat rhythmically thumped against your own.

“You did a good job today,” he suddenly uttered into your ear and it woke you from your daze.

“Did I?” You couldn't help but smile. God knows why you liked hearing him praise you so much.

“Uh-mm. The best actress I've seen.” His palm slid over your spine in circles. You lifted your head to meet his eyes.

“Don't overrate me,” you nudged playfully, beaming.

But he carried on with a lively twinkle in his eyes. “That kick was smthn' too. Guy's lucky you didn't aim for his teeth.”

A lighthearted laugh left your lips and you leaned closer.

“You did well too, Mr Morgan,” you murmured, a bit of sensuality in your voice. You couldn't overlook that little crooked smile, or the way he briefly looked away, not knowing how to take the compliment.

His chest heaved against yours and his fingers lazily trailed up your spine to your nape.

“And what was it about kissing your lips back to color?” he reminded, to your surprise, and now it was your turn to get flustered.

You didn't like his gaze studying you so closely, so you did the only thing that crossed your mind; your lips collided with his a little clumsily, and your stomach did a few inept twists.

Arthur's lips moved against yours, so gently it made you lose your goddamn mind. He pulled you even closer, and your heart skipped a beat when he let out a pleased hum. His lips were soft and warm, and you slightly opened your mouth.

It was a little risky; his heated body tempted you, and every little touch turned your thoughts into a cloud of vapor. All those bottled up feelings were now free to surge through, and if you were hot before, you were now on fire.

Your heart tried to keep up with all the senses stirring in your body, your pulse quickening. Strange chills danced in place where his palm now rested on your back, while your stomach grew hotter; but then he moved his hand lower.

Way lower.

“Arthur,” you whispered when you broke the kiss, barely any space between you two.

Your own mind inquired why you couldn't just straddle his lap and...

You cleared your throat. “Everyone would hear us,” you said with a dry mouth, partly to convince Arthur, partly to convince yourself.

“Sure,” he agreed with lack of air in his voice, and the way he watched you made your head dizzy again. His gaze was so soft, and admiration was written all over it. He made it so hard to focus. His hand slid back up to between your shoulder blades.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” Clueless.

“Like that.” You shook your head.

Grabbing some soaped water, you rubbed it in Arthur's hair, leaving foam where you brushed fingers through the strands. His eyes opened with surprise, but the amused chuckle he let out had no trace of protest in it.

It was quiet, peaceful.

“Why do you tag along with me like that?”

That question caught you off guard, as it came all of a sudden. But knowing Arthur, he probably had it in his mind for a while now.

You furrowed your brow. “What do you mean? Why wouldn't I?” you said as a matter of fact. Wasn't it as clear to him as it was to you?

Where else would I be?, you thought, but didn't say out loud.

Arthur looked away, and you still washed his hair.

“It gets ya into dangerous situations.”

“But I get to be with you, don't I?” You searched for understanding in his eyes. “Alone.”

You caressed the nape of his neck. “Besides, it's better than just sitting around.” You squinted your eyes. “I ain't a saint either, y'know? I was far from it long before we met.”

“Hmh,” he grumbled, but a smile emerged on his face, and you felt relief. Perhaps knowing you're not doing it just for him made him feel better.

“Not that I'm complaining 'bout spending alone time with ya.”

“You better not,” you mumbled with a smile and kissed Arthur's cheek without thinking, and he paused. He never expected it. Such a sweetheart.

You took turns cleaning each other, exchanging shy smiles and stolen kisses, while you tried remaining reserved. No words could describe how safe you felt with him, in all ways a person could feel safe.

You liked to trace his little scars in these moments, wondering about the stories behind them. His skin was red from the hot water, and the scars remained light. You liked kissing the scar on his chin, and he could never not smile when you did.

Then, Arthur kissed a little red bruise on your neck, and that almost crossed the line for you.

Save it, you thought.

You spent a long time in that tub; by the time you were leaving, you felt as clean as you haven't in a long time. Both of you got in spare clothes you had brought, and Arthur now stood before you in a shirt that was your favorite.

You mumbled something about how handsome he was, and how he ought to wear his black chaps over his jeans, a little grin on your face. He laughed and shook his head; like he hadn't already heard that from you before.

You headed to the rented room that was just next door, the same red wallpapers and a rustic feel to it. Now it was time for the food you got acquired the way, and you realised just how hungry you were.

“You should chew more,” Arthur commented on your eating manner, amused.

You lifted your eyes to meet his. “Worry 'bout yourself.”

But he was right—you felt a bit sick later, when you sprawled on the motel bed. On your back, fighting the sleepiness. It still couldn't defeat the happy, satisfied feeling in you that quivered all over your insides.

Arthur sat on a padded chair and scribbled something in his journal. You turned your head to look at him.

“Don't tell me you're drawing the guy.”

“No, of course not,” Arthur scoffed, as if offended. “I'm drawing you, in the bath tub,” he added, holding back a crooked grin.

“What?” You sat up abruptly, got off the bed and walked over, peeking at the opened pages.

The drawing was a scenery that you'd seen today.

“Idiot,” you grumbled, hearing him laugh despite it.

You turned around to return to bed, but Arthur reached over and his hand gently touched fingers. You turned back around with a softer look.

“How do you remember things so well, anyway?” You really couldn't play annoyed at him for too long.

He wrapped his arm around you when you sat on his lap, still holding the journal in his other hand.

“I don' know, it's just easy for me,” he answered absently.

He had pretty eyes; pale moss-green spilling into the rippled azure blue. His skin still smelled of soap and all you wanted was to snuggle up and nuzzle his neck.

Finally, you rested your head over his collarbone and let him finish his drawing, with his arms loosely encircling you.

“Are ya tired?” His voice stirred you from your trance.

“A little,” you lied.

It took a few more minutes before he was finished and closed the journal, placing it beside him. You had your eyes closed but felt his movements. The little hesitance of when he wondered what to do with you, before gently picking you up and laying you down on the bed.

From the previous fervor was nothing left; your mind was a fuzzy mess and all you recognised was that you're safe and comfortable. When the mattress dented as Arthur lay down beside you, when his arms ptotectively enveloped you, when you felt his lips on your forehead in a soft kiss.

You snuggly settled against Arthur's chest, and were lulled to sleep by his calm heartbeat. Oblivious to just how happy Arthur was—how happy you made him—and how much you soothed all his pain that he carried all these years.

Arthur pulled you closer, and fell asleep beside you.

[knife-eared-jan]

Ok, as much as I have been hyping and playing 12 hours a day since it got out (still in Act 1 though, bc I'm a slowass player and completionist), I feel like I have to say something that is getting hard to ignore at this point... and I wanna preface this by saying that I am loving a lot of aspects of the game and I adore the writing when it comes to the companions, who I am obsessed with.

And maybe this will get better yet, as I generally heard the writing picks up once the story progresses beyond picking up all companions..

But I'm starting to get quite upset at the way the writing just does NOT care about the established lore and the politics of Thedas like at all, when to me - and many others - that richness, nuance and depth of the world is what makes the games so special.

(Spoilers below)

I looked past the way the elves in Arlathan just seemed to know that their gods are evil and Solas is "kind of a dick" but was right about that. When, you know, that made him basically the Satan of their pantheon up to now.. It was after all the tutorial stage of the game and I understand that you wanna ease newcomers into the lore. I could also handwave it in-universe with Morrigan being there - she could have filled the Veiljumpers in on the discoveries of the Inquisition or even what the Well told her.

It felt a bit weird that our contacts in every other faction just accepted this huge revelation without a blink, but again it was the early stages and I also get that having a discussion about it 6 times with different faction leaders would have been incredibly tedious. So I ignored that. And yeah, at least the First Warden found it hard to swallow.

The fact that they brushed aside the gods finding elven subjects - many of whom after all still worship them - with one sentence from Solas was disappointing though. Instead they chose to ally them with the Venatori and the Antaam who are the pure evil factions with no nuance or motive to side with them besides a comic book level of hunger for power. They didn't even throw in a sentence about the gods maybe speaking to the Venatori through the Archdemons to get them on their side or how it's very ironic that the Venatori, who want to make Tevinter great again, stoop to working with the pantheon of the people they oppress because they see them as lesser and other. No political exploration of the massive lore implications at all.

It really hit me when I picked up Davrin and he commented how Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain blighting the world would really endear us (elves) to the rest of Thedas - this was the first time anyone actually mentioned the political impact of the elven gods being real, freed, evil and blighted on modern day elves at all, when this should be HUGE. It should be ugly. It should be complex. It should be explored in as many examples as bloodmagic and the oppression of mages was in DA2. It should be a central point of Act 1. (This btw made me love Davrin so much in that moment because this was the first time in the game for me when I actually felt like talking to a Dragon Age elf and even just that one line felt like home.)

And now I just did Taash's first companion quest and it seems Qunari lore is also being ignored (except for the gender aspect of it, which I look forward to). Taash's mum was a scholar and had a baby and the only problem about that was that it could breathe fire and was special but otherwise all would have been dandy? Like she would have just been allowed to keep Taash long enough to find that out about her baby if she was living under the Qun? That directly contradicts everything we know about how the Qunari's culture around reproduction and childcare works.

Sorry to be negative and talking myself into a rage - I know it's not something people want to see rn. But like, I realise you have to brush over some lore intricacies for brevity and to make it digestible for new players. But this is a world initially inspired by Wheel of Time and ASOIAF, both of which are interesting because of the depth of ficitional cultures, lore and politics, and hence it's also what gives Dragon Age its appeal. And now they take us to the most politcally interesting areas on the world map and just get rid of all of political depth?

That's really disappointing. Imagine if Winds of Winter dropped all political themes just because there's several previous books and it's been some a lot of years.

Also, I managed to play DA2 before I ever played Origins and they could introduce me to a vast established background of lore just fine back then.

Sorry. Rant over. But I had to get that out of my system.

[otakusheep15]

Flufftober Day 31: Proposal - Octavinelle

Characters include: Azul Ashengrotto, Jade Leech, Floyd Leech

Word count: 1677

Azul

Who proposes: you

Azul genuinely and truly does not believe he deserves you. For as much bravado he pretends to have, none of it can protect him from the fact that he is deeply in love with every part of you. And yet, he can’t help but think that you deserve better than him. 

No matter how far away he gets from his past, it will always haunt him. He’s still very insecure about his appearance and personality, and it does affect how he handles your relationship. 

Your relationship progressed very slowly. It took him months to even work up the courage to hold your hand, always afraid that you’d find him disgusting for doing such a thing. Of course, you would never, but it took him a long time to actually believe that. 

Even now, as an adult, he still has a hard time dealing with his insecurities. 

Right now, more than anything, he wants to propose to you. He wants to marry you so bad that he might go inside. But he can’t bring himself to even buy a ring, let alone propose. Every time he even thinks about going out and buying you a ring, his insecurity gets the better of him and he brushes it off. 

One day, you ask him out on a date. It’s out of the blue, and he’s rather caught off guard. He says yes, because how could he possibly say no to you? Plus, it’s been so long since you’ve been on a date. He’s always so busy with work, and so are you, so he’s excited. 

On the day of, you take him to a nice restaurant, and you pay for everything yourself. It, yet again, catches him off guard, as he’s usually the one to pay. He doesn’t mind, and he actually kind of likes being pampered for once. 

Afterwards, you take him on a nice stroll around the city, enjoying the sight of all the lights now that it’s nighttime. Azul seems so relaxed, and it makes you happy to know he’s enjoying himself. He’s been so pent up lately, so you knew this would be good for him. 

Eventually, you return home, and you have one last thing for the night. He sits down on your couch as you run to the bedroom, leaving him in anticipation. 

When you return, you kneel down in front of him, and his eyes go wide in shock. He almost doesn’t believe it at first, until you present the box in your hands, opening it up to reveal a beautiful ring. His eyes immediately well up with tears as he looks at you, asking if you’re serious. You are. 

All this time, he was working himself up, convinced you secretly hated him and would never agree to marry him. He didn’t even notice you planning anything. Normally, he would’ve noticed immediately if you were planning something this huge, but you really caught him off guard. 

It takes him a second to find his voice through the tears, but he does say yes. You put the ring on his finger and pull him into a hug, comforting him as he continues to cry. They’re happy tears, of course, but you can tell he’s embarrassed about being so emotional. 

Your wedding is a huge celebration. He has a lot of family, and they’re all so excited to celebrate with him. The big party happens under the sea since most of his family can’t turn human just for one day. However, you do have a smaller party for your land-dwelling friends as well, and it’s just as fun. Azul tries so hard not to cry, and he fails miserably. He gets so emotional, and he can barely get through his vows before he’s an absolute mess. 

Jade

Who proposes: Jade

Out of the three Octotrio, Jade has always been the one most set on getting married. He’s lowkey always been the most family oriented, and even as a kid, he was so excited at the thought of having a family of his own.

Considering how he normally is, his dream of marriage is rather innocent in comparison. It’s truly the only thing he has no ulterior motives behind. He just really wants to get married and create a family.

That idea was even more solidified when he began dating you. He knew almost immediately that you were the person he was going to marry. He also had no intention of hiding that from you. 

Jade is very open about his feelings from the get go. He sees no reason to hide them from you. If you were truly uninterested, you would tell him so. However, you were very on board, much to his pleasure.

His proposal happens the second you’re both financially, physically, and mentally stable enough in your lives. As much as he wanted to get married immediately after school, even he knew that wasn’t exactly possible. So, he waited.

And, soon enough, the day came. The perfect day to finally propose to you. He already has the ring, having picked it out forever ago when he saw it at a lovely market. He knew he had to have it for this day, and he’s been holding onto it ever since.

It’s pretty obvious that he’s planning on proposing to you. He does not even try to hide it at all. In it's own way, it’s kind of cute. He’s so excited to just get to the proposal.

Initially, he had a whole event planned out. He would take you on a nice, romantic date, ending with the grand proposal of his dreams. However, all of that goes out the door that very morning.

Jade wakes up first, and the first thing he sees is your adorable sleeping face. Your hair is a mess and you’re drooling a bit. His eyes are practically hearts as he looks at you. Without thinking he shakes you awake, being careful not to startle you too much.

As you wipe the sleep from your eyes, Jade reaches into the bedside drawer, pulling out the ring box. Right as you begin to wake up, Jade presents you with the ring, and it takes you such a long time to process what’s going on. You look between him and the box, asking him if he’s for real. He said he had a whole day planned out today, so you assumed this would come later.

He explains that he just couldn’t wait even a second more, and he had to do this now. After taking a bit more to process, you say yes, and he immediately pulls you into a tight hug. Then he slips the ring on your finger. Now, instead of a pre-proposal date, your day is a day of celebration. 

Your wedding is simple yet elegant. Jade is very detail oriented, and that really shows here. It’s not a very big event, but there’s still plenty of guests. It’s a fun day, and this might be the most genuinely happy you’ve seen Jade in a while. He’s just so happy to be married to you.

Floyd

Who proposed: Floyd

Floyd is pretty well-known for being spontaneous. Almost everything he does is for the sake of entertainment, and he needs constant stimulation in order to feel something. 

At first, this included your relationship. He initially asked you out on a whim, assuming you’d be a fun fling. As time went on, he went from seeing you as a slightly amusing plaything to actually enjoying your company. You went from a mere fling to his actual partner. 

At first, this kind of scared Floyd. Besides Azul and Jade, he’s never let anyone get this close to him. It was strange letting you in like this. He didn’t plan on you, but now that he has you, he wants to keep you forever.

The idea of marriage was never for Floyd. He found it a weird, somewhat boring concept that wouldn’t be all that entertaining. Being tied down sounded like such a drag to him. That was until you of course. Now, marriage is all he can think about. 

As with everything else, it’s spontaneous when he buys the ring. He was walking by a store and saw the most darling ring, and he knew right away that it was meant for you. Despite what many think, Floyd certainly has an eye for fashion, especially when it comes to shiny gems. He took one look at this ring and had to buy it.

After purchasing the ring, he practically runs home, barreling down the door and startling you away from whatever you were doing previously. 

When you look at him, you see a happy, slightly deranged Floyd as he bounds up to you like a giant puppy. If you were anyone else, this would be a terrifying sight, but you are you, so this is absolutely adorable. You can tell he’s in a good mood.

He reaches you and immediately kneels down, wasting absolutely no time in pulling out the ring. You sit there, wide-eyed with shock, not even sure how to react. This was very unexpected.

Floyd looks at you expectedly, as if you were supposed to know this was going to happen. It takes you a second to find your voice, but when you do, it comes out in a whisper. Still, your yes is heard by Floyd, and that’s enough for him to pull you into a tight squeeze, placing the ring on your finger. 

He lifts you and spins you around, littering your face with kisses. You haven’t seen him so genuinely happy in years, and you absolutely love it.

Your wedding is basically just a giant party. Everyone you know is invited, and Floyd makes sure to make it as wild as he’s allowed. Some people would consider it too much, but you consider it uniquely Floyd, and you adore it. However, you do make sure he doesn’t go too far into party mode. It is still your wedding after all.

[octuscle]

January 03: It was clear that the gym was going to be packed. All good intentions. I made an appointment with Jan. I thought that if I had a personal trainer, it would be easier for me to keep my resolutions. Jan has an incredibly well-trained body, a stunning smile and a motivating manner. I could imagine that getting into shape with him would be fun.

January 08: Yesterday I trained on my own. So I was on the cross trainer for 30 minutes. That's more than I did in total last year. Overheard a couple of teenagers in the changing room talking about doing an extreme tren cycle. I asked Jan what that was. He told me to stay away from that stuff. If I really wanted support, he would know better stuff. But first I should try to achieve the success I wanted through training.

January 14: It's unbelievable, but I think the training is already having an effect. My pants are looser and my shirts are no longer so tight around my stomach. Nevertheless, I can't help but admire Jan's perfect body. I asked him what he would recommend to see faster progress. He told me that he would bring me an injection tomorrow. Something you inject into the fold of your stomach. Four units, lasts four weeks. If I liked it and tolerated it well, I could continue the treatment and increase the dose.

January 15. I am overwhelmed by the immediate effect of this injection. Jan explained to me that it realigns the hormone balance. This leads to a change in diet and training behavior, which I felt immediately. I didn't want to stop training at all. When Jan's session was over, I went to a boxing aerobics class and then went swimming for an hour. I literally had to be thrown out of the gym. After that, I had to find a supermarket where I could get some rice and chicken breast. I was incredibly hungry.

January 18: My colleagues all went to the Italian restaurant during their lunch break today. I had no desire for spaghetti bolognese or pizza with salami. I went for a half-hour run and then ate my prepared lunch in the social room. i now eat three times during the day in the office. i'm almost insatiably hungry.

January 21: I don't feel like the effect of the injection has worn off. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to my next dose tomorrow. When I look in the mirror, I can see something like muscles! The fat is melting, the muscles are growing. The effect is incredible. But I've also completely changed my day. Swimming in the morning before work, running at lunchtime, lifting iron in the evening. With and without Jan, every day. Otherwise I'd be missing something.

January 24: Maybe I'm spending too much time with Jan. Today I called a customer “bro” in a meeting in the presence of my boss. The man was 50 years old, I assume. Okay, that was out of place. But I'm in the office for eight hours and I do eight hours of sport. The time in the gym is probably starting to wear off. And it's getting expensive. I've already ruined two shirts. And the suits look ridiculous on me. They just don't fit anymore. I'll have to go shopping tomorrow.

january 25. Jan said we could go shopping together, he needs new clothes too. And he also advised me not to spend too much money. In a week's time, nothing might fit me again. I haven't bought a suit at all. A pair of sweatshorts, a pair of jeans. T-shirts. Polo shirts for the office. That will have to be enough for the growth phase.

February 12: Damn, I haven't written in a while. I mean, writing sucks too. Takes up time I could be pumping up my biceps. I'm in trouble at the office. My boss tells me to buy a suit, jeans and a polo shirt are against the dress code. Okay, I've been mistaken for a courier or something three times. Maybe it's also because I look really fresh and younger. It's unbelievable, but the bald patch on my head has shrunk and the gray hair is dark brown again.

Feb 16: Dude, just hit my fifth jab. First one with the beast mode dose. Bro, it hits hard! Swimming and running? Snooze fest, man. Hitting the gym in the AM, lunchtime, and even PM. Okay, maybe a little solo session in the morning too. Bros, I’m telling ya, the horniness is real! Got wet dreams every other night, and I’m still busting a nut two or three times a day. I could probably shave three times a day too. And my hair's getting wild, gotta ask Jan where he gets that sick undercut.

Feb 20: Bro, my boss is sayin' I gotta show up tomorrow either fresh outta the shower and suited up or I’m lookin' at a new gig in the warehouse or gettin’ fired. I mean, the warehouse could be chill. Sure, less dough, but whatever, I’m down to find a cheaper pad closer to that new gym Jan hyped up. He said I need somewhere to lift those heavy weights, bro. I’d be leveling up on the way to massive gains. Man, I think he’s on to something!

Mar 28: Yo bros, sorry I’ve been MIA for a minute. Life’s been crazy. New job’s dope, I can pump iron at work now. No more showering, win-win. Jan hooked me up with a side gig at the new gym—keeping an eye on the floor and mopping at night. Getting some extra cash, gym’s free and I'm scoring sick discounts on gear. Living my best life, for real!

Another side job is modelling @truevikingblood-blog

[shaysplanet]

Hi shay!! I hope you are having a great day. I don't like shifting methods no matter how easy or short they are and your hot take on intent motivated me. Can you explain how we can trust our intentions? It seems difficult to shift into realities where I only change 1-2 things. Do you have any advice? You are one of the shifters I trust

i told my mom i wasn’t gonna steal her flow so i want you to know this comes from her!! (even tho she doesn’t care if i advise y’all with her tips lol)

practicing gratitude. i know, i know—yawn! BORING!!! but it’s true. you wanna trust your intention more? give your subconscious reasons to by finding the things it does right. regardless of a shift to your dr (because we are constantly shifting just depends on where) give yourself one thing to be grateful for after you’ve finished your attempt.

“i’m grateful that i had a dr dream!” “i’m grateful that i felt the pull when i set my intention!” etc. etc.

and if you feel like there’s no physical progress you made, turn your gratitude statement into an affirmation: “i’m grateful that shifting is so easy because setting intention is all i need.” “i’m grateful i allow myself to shift.”

shifting is not hard. deconstructing the process for our brains is. and it’s really only as hard as you make it because being consistent and persistent on deconstructing these beliefs makes it easier overall.

society teaches us to accept certain conditions and concepts to just be apart of life—things we cannot control. this is false. there is nothing we cannot control in our reality because we are the co creators of it. so breaking out of those constructs is what can be difficult but please understand—shifting is not. it is the simplest of our abilities, to be frank.

it is natural. something natural doesn’t need a method. it needs faith. it needs trust. it needs you to choose it.

choose to shift. take your autonomy back. and allow the shift to be easy. i know it can be hard to trust yourself fully—to not rely on an outside resource like a method or a subliminal to be able to pull you through and do the heavy lifting for you—but shifting (nearly) requires it at the stage that most people are at (because they’ve exhausted all other options). practicing gratitude is just one avenue to begin trusting your intention. to begin radicalizing your subconscious into taking back its power.

start now and you’ll shift by summertime. this, i promise you.