#and usually you’re split into groups of 2 and you have to work together to solve a couple of problems

[red-riot-unbreakable-heart]

Shoto Todoroki x Reader | First Kiss ❄️🔥💋 PART 4

Part 1: Linked Here | Part 2: Linked Here | Part 3: Linked Here

Fandom: My Hero Academia

Ship: Shoto Todoroki x Fem Reader! 💋

Genre: Fluff, Romance, S*xual Tension, Making Out, Smut

CW: MDNI!, A18+, kissing, romance, sexual tension, spicy scenes, lemon

Link to My Master List

“Sir, UA has such a strict and well-planned curriculum. What could possibly have been “neglected” by the faculty and staff?”

Aizawa smirks at Ida as if the young Engine hero has made a particularly funny joke. He looks out at the class and takes a deep breath before his next statement:

“This afternoon Recovery Girl and Midnight will be joining us as we discuss a crucial topic. We are going to walk you through an Intro to our Sex Ed curriculum.”

The class is silent. Then, a hiss rises from the back right of the classroom.

“Yesssss. Yesss! Finally! You’re finally granting permission for us to appreciate all of the gorgeous ladies in our class! It’s my time to shine - ”  Mineta’s unhinged chattering is silenced when Mr. Aizawa easily wraps him in his capture gear.

“Does anyone else have an inappropriate comment to share?” The teacher asks lazily. The class says nothing. Mineta whimpers pathetically beneath the layers of binding cloth and Erase rHead ignores him.

There’s a bright knock at the classroom entrance. Before anyone can answer, the large door flies open to reveal UA staff members Midnight and Recovery Girl. As usual, Midnight is sparkling with energy, smiling devilishly at the class as she glides into the room. Recovery Girl has less flare as she steps into the classroom – her movements are quiet and stiff. The wrinkles on her face tell stories of a lifetime of hero work.

“Hello, Class.” The school nurse says as she stands before them all. “I’m so sorry we didn’t get to this conversation at the beginning of the year. There’s just been so much chaos and injury lately surrounding UA, we weren’t able to prioritize the Sex Ed curriculum the way we normally do.” She beams at them, looking pleased to be out of the infirmary for once.

Midnight sweeps her arms out dramatically. “Your changing hormones are no doubt running rampant! We’re here to tame you little demons. Let me dominate this conversation and teach you the true meaning of pleasure.”

Mineta groans audibly from within his binding cocoon, and a look of disgust flashes across Mr. Aizawa’s face.

“Settle down, Midnight.” He turns to address the class at large. “As part of the curriculum we will have monthly Sex Ed & Health seminars run by Midnight, Recover Girl and me. During these sessions we will discuss the basics surrounding reproduction, consent, and safety. We will also split into small groups where you can feel more comfortable to ask potentially embarrassing questions.”

“To kick things off for today, we’re not going to give you the classic “your bodies are changing” lecture you get in middle school. Instead, we’re going to set some ground rules for living in a shared dorm space with classmates your age.” Mr. Aizawa shifts on his feet and looks over at Recover Girl, prompting her to take over.

The elderly hero shuffles up to the front of the class and grins up at them through thick coke bottle glasses. “Here’s the deal, kids. We realize that you all live on the campus and that your scholarly lives overlap with your home lives in a new and unique way. This is a unique situation, and we ask that you do your best to prioritize your studies and your health at all times. If you find yourselves struggling with your mental or physical health, we ask that you speak to one of us and we can create a plan together to help you get on track.”

“Additionally, we’re expecting you to be respectful of each other’s personal space. You all share a dorm, so between class and dorm life you will be together 24/7. This can be fun since you’re fairly friendly with each other, but eventually there will likely be conflict and disputes. Please come to us for help mediating any tough living situations, we are more than happy to step in and help you sort through challenging relationships.”

“And speaking of challenging relationships…” Midnight cuts in, tossing her thick purple hair over her shoulder as she squares up to the class. “Let’s talk about dating.”

At this point, most of the class’s faces are bright red. The room’s vibe has shifted from curious to uncomfortable and awkward.

“Most of you are 16 now, and understandably you may start to take notice of your classmates in new ways. You may want to explore relationships beyond friendship.” Midnight winks at your class meaningfully. “You are all independent young adults and we can’t control how you feel about one another. But unfortunately, we will be enforcing a strict no dating policy this year.”

“What!?” Mina and Toru cry out in unison. Midnight’s mouth quirks into a sad smile and she looks over at the girls. “Sorry, ladies. We have never had a dorm program before, so there is still much to figure out. Obviously we aren’t going to monitor you all 24/7. But we are going to trust that you are all being appropriate in the dorms and respectful of each other. And that means no dating and no physical relationships between students.” You feel your ears burning at those words, you wish you could look over to see Shoto’s reaction. Thankfully, you’re sure that he’s got his typical stoic look plastered on his face.

“Rest assured, there will be plenty of time in your life for dating and exploring your sexuality with consenting partners. But for now – you are all students first. Focus on making this year at UA count. Learn all you can and grow into strong, supple young heroes.”

Recovery Girl chimes in, a sweet smile on her face. “Despite our zero tolerance policy surrounding dating and physical relationships between students, we will be educating you on the finer points of consent, protection and building healthy relationships in our monthly seminars.”

Mr. Aizawa releases his hold on Mineta and drags himself back to the front of the classroom alongside his fellow educators. “Please remember – you are all minors. We want to reinforce that relationships with adults are strictly forbidden. If any adult approaches you inappropriately at an internship, at an agency or in public we implore you to report it to us so we can deal with it and keep you safe. Many people around Japan know who you are due to the televised broadcast of the sport’s festival. I’m not saying this to scare you – but I want you to be aware that your faces are fairly well known and not every fan that approaches you has good intentions.” He rearranges his binding scarf around his shoulders before looking back out at his class.

“Are there any questions?” Mr. Aizawa scans the room with interest. You turn your head to see if anyone is raising their hand. To your surprise, Shoto’s arm is in the air.

“Yes, Todoroki.” Midnight calls on him, pointing at him with her wildly inappropriate tiny leather whip. “What’s your question?”

“I don’t understand.” Shoto says in his typical flat tone. “You’re going to teach us about sex but you don’t want us to have it?”

And just like that, the tension in the room breaks. The entire class is laughing out loud.

“I’m serious.” Shoto says blankly, not understanding the giggles surrounding him. “Shouldn’t we be executing practical examples of the knowledge we’re learning? Isn’t that how our training works?” Shoto’s brow is creased a bit in obvious frustration, but this just makes everyone laugh even harder. Even Bakugo is joining in at this point.

“Why Icy Hot – you tryin’ to get laid!?” Katsuki cackles out, adding to the chaos.

“Quiet.” Mr. Aizawa’s quirk activates, his hair rising up into the air intimidatingly. The laughter fades quickly. The teacher decides to take mercy on Shoto. “We’re going to give you knowledge and background on these subjects so that if you do eventually want to have a physical relationship after graduation, you’ll be able to do it safely.”

“Think of it this way.” Midnight says, putting a finger to her chin as she talks it through. “We’ll be teaching you Sex Ed theory. Later on in life you can use what you’ve learned and practically apply that theory.”

Shoto still seems a little miffed, but finds this answer acceptable.

“Any other questions?” Recovery Girl prompts.

Mina raises her bright pink hand. “Are the other years allowed to date? Or is it just our year?”

“That’s a good question.” Recovery Girl says encouragingly. “As of right now, dating and relationships are off limits for all course levels. However, we have made a few exceptions for members of the senior class who have recently turned 18 and are in good standing with their grades and internships.”

“Isn’t the age of consent in Japan 16?” Kaminari raises his hand but doesn’t wait to be called on. “Most of us here are 16 – why can’t we date?”

“This is what we have decided on as a faculty. You will abide by these rules.” Mr. Aizawa says firmly, causing Kaminari to shrink back into his chair. “Any other questions?”

No one else raises their hand. “Thanks for the time everyone. You all know where to find me!” Recovery Girl waves kindly at everyone as she makes her exit.

Midnight cocks her hip and waves her leather whip around one final time, signaling an end to their awkward discussion. “Thanks for listening, class! I’m excited to take this journey of physical maturation with you all.” And with that, she leaves as well.

Mr. Aizawa looks out at them all, clearly exhausted. He lifts his arm and reveals a small clicker in his hand. He hits the combination of buttons that open up their hero costume closet. “Alright, everyone – get changed and meet at the gym for combat training. It’s going to be a long afternoon.”

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Combat training is exhausting as per usual. It’s so intense that you don’t have the headspace to really mull over all that Aizawa, Midnight and Recover Girl have told you. One big question does eat away at your nerves, though – given the class wide dating ban, will Shoto want things between the two of you to end?

During the training class, Shoto doesn’t even glance your way. You ignore him in kind, focusing all your energy on your sparring matches with Tsu and Ochaco. The whole afternoon is intense, your body quickly becoming sore from all the movement. When the bell rings to signal the end of classes, you’re immensely grateful. You troop to the locker room with the other girls and indulge in a long, hot shower.

You have a quick dinner in Class A’s dorm with the rest of your class, scarfing down some leftovers as you complete some homework at one of the many kitchen tables. Shoto sits down next to you with his own meal and textbooks.

He makes a show of setting up his homework – opening his textbooks slowly and laying out all of his pens on the table between the two of you. As he sets out a pencil, he purposefully flicks it so that it rolls into your bowl of soup. You look up at him in surprise and he flashes you a gentle smile, moving his hand to grab the rogue writing implement. He touches his pinkie to yours for a few seconds as he scoops up the pencil. The light touch sends electricity up your arm and you quickly pull it away.

You know that Shoto did it purposefully by the way he smirks at your reaction. You work quietly next to each other for the next hour, studying in parallel. It feels strangely intimate and strange – it’s almost like in studying next to each other, you’re flaunting your secret for all to see. Part of you keeps waiting for Shoto to turn to you and ask to review the day’s earlier Sex Ed discussion, but he keeps his head down in his work.

After an hour or so he packs up his books and gets ready to leave. Before he does so, he glances around to ensure that everyone else is occupied before he reaches towards you and draws a small star in the corner of your notebook page. A moment later, he’s gone – marching back to his dorm room with his stack of books and writing instruments.

You stare down at the tiny star, a smile pulling at your lips. You’re not sure exactly what Shoto intended the star to mean. But you’re sure as hell that if Shoto was breaking off your little hookup arrangement, he wouldn’t take the time to scribble a sweet doodle in the margins of your notebook. Maybe you should just text him and ask what he wants to do – what he thinks? You shake your head to clear it before diving back into your English homework.

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A few hours later, you end your evening in Mina’s room.

You and Mina are huddled on the floor around Toru, who is drawing out a battle plan on a small white board.

“Alright.” Toru says, concentrating. “Here’s a list of all the supplies we would need to throw a totally-rad-top-secret-awesome party. And here are all of the variables we will need to figure out in order to pull it off in secret – distracting Mr. Vlad King is going to be our biggest challenge. Ugh, and then there’s Monoma. We’re gonna need to keep him from blowing up our spot again this time.”

Mina grabs the dry erase marker from Toru’s hand and quickly crosses Monoma off of the list. “He won’t be a problem this time around.”

You give Mina a questioning look. She waves you off. “We’ll get to that in a minute. Let’s focus on party supplies first. We will need to pick up soft drinks, chips and snacks. We can ask someone to grab paper goods like cups, plates, napkins, etcetera…ooo we should ask Sato to make some sweets!”

“Do you really think the whole class is going to be up for this? They’re all still way pissed about the curfew rule.” You ask skeptically.

“I’ve started asking around on the down low.” Toru chimes in, drawing some hearts stars in the corners of the white board. “So far everyone is pretty interested. I think the class needs a break to blow off some steam. Our course load has been so crazy lately, it’s been a while since we were last able to have some fun as a group.”

“Who did you ask?” You’re curious.

“Despite some initial hesitance, Ochaco and Tsu are in. They convinced YaMomo to come as well. I think she even said she’d bring some tea or something. Midoriya is all in, too – he’s going to work on getting the class rep to be cool with everything. Shoto and Tokoyami said they’d show up if it happened, but they weren’t too keen on helping with the planning process. Sero and Kirishima said they can help us with any heavy lifting. That’s it so far – I’m going to keep spreading the word tomorrow.” She notes all of the people who have expressed interest down on her white board.

“What about Minetta?” Mina asks, making a clear yuck face. “Like, I know he’s a member of our class. But lately he’s been extra gross.”

“Ugh…yeah we kinda have to invite him, don’t we?” You say, thinking back to a time earlier in the month when Minetta tried to smack your ass in the cafeteria. “He’s the worst.”

You’re distracted when you feel your phone buzz in your pocket. It’s Shoto. You turn to read your phone so that the others can’t easily see the screen.

Shoto: Hey Y/N. I have been thinking a lot about the Sex Ed class today. I’m concerned that by continuing together we’re breaking the rules.

Y/N: Yeah, I was thinking the same.

Shoto: To be honest, I don’t really care about the rules. I think we should do it anyway.

You smile and warmth bubbles up your chest.

Y/N: I’m in if you’re in.

Shoto: I'm in 💯.

You set the phone down, trying to ensure you’re not smiling an unnatural amount.

It buzzes a second time. You flip it over, expecting another text from Shoto. Instead, you’re surprised to find a message from Honenuki.

Honenuki: Hey Y/N! Check out this song, it’s been a favorite of mine lately.

 You click on the link and it immediately takes you to a YouTube video for an old 1960s song. “Some Kind of Wonderful” by the Drifters. You hastily click pause before the song can buffer and start playing.

Y/N: Can’t wait to check it out!! Here’s one I’ve been listening to.

You shoot back a Spotify link to the latest Sabrina Carpenter song and put your phone back on the ground.

Honenuki: Sweet, I’ll take a listen!

“Oooo who’s texting you, Y/N!?” Toru puts down the white board so you can all get a clear view of it. She reaches for your phone but you snatch it away before she can grab it.

“No one crazy. Just Honenuki from earlier.”

You now have Toru and Mina’s full attention. “Whaaaaat!?” They both cry out, scrambling over each other to get closer to you.

“What did he say!?”

“Did he ask you out?”

“Is he confessing?”

“OMG does he want you to sneak out of our dorm and over to Class B’s so he can make sweet love to you!?”

This last comment from Mina brings you all to silence. And then you break into a fit of giggles.

“No, guys, its not like that! He’s just nice!”

“Ok, ok. We believe you.” Toru waves Mina’s comment off with invisible hands. “And its not like any of us can pursue a fated romance anyway. Not with the new “rules” that have been announced by Mr. Aizawa, Recovery Girl and Miss Midnight earlier today.

Mina rolls her eyes. “Yeah what the hell was that about? It really feels like these extra Sex Ed classes came out of nowhere.”

“Hmmm.” Toru caps her dry erase marker and presses it to her unseen lips. “I wonder if something happened to trigger this response from the teachers. Do you think people in one of the first year classes are actually dating?”

Your stomach drops.

Mina gasps. “Oh my GOD! Do you think someone we know has been having sex!?” She shrieks out, and you and Toru shush her.

“Absolutely not!” Toru flails her arms around for good measure.

“There’s no way.” You say with a shaky laugh. You try to keep your face from flushing. A thought hits you. “And even if people were…doing sexual stuff…how would the teachers know?”

“Maybe someone got caught!” Mina declares, her antennae twitching thoughtfully. “Think about it…maybe a couple was sneaking around in the dorms and one of the teachers caught them banging on campus during a faculty patrol.”

“That would be so scandalous!” Toru yelps.

Your mind is whirring at 100 miles per hour. Did your teachers find out about your little rendezvous with Shoto Todoroki!? The timing seems so suspicious. You try to think back to the past 24 hours – had you left any clues? Had you been too loud? Your mind is in free-fall as you recall the way that Mr. Aizawa had knocked on Shoto’s dorm room door while the two of you were wrapped up in a compromising embrace.

You take a few calming breaths and try to snap yourself out of it. Really…even through Mr. Aizawa had knocked on Shoto’s locked door, how could he have possibly known what you and Shoto were up to on the other side of it? These new school policies had to be totally unrelated and a coincidence. Besides – it wasn’t a crime to be in another classmate’s room. Even if Mr. Aizawa had heard your voice from within Shoto’s dorm, there wasn’t any evidence that you and the youngest Todoroki were up to anything nefarious.

“Ok we are definitely going to investigate this whole situation further.” Mina grabs a hot pink post-it note and sharpie off her desk and returns to the floor. She peels off the top note and writes on it with big block letters: “Who’s Hooking Up At UA?” she sticks the post-it to the wall beside her desk alongside a few other notes listing out projects like “Master Ultimate Move” and “Ace Next Math Test.”

“This has become a mission of utmost importance. The UA tea must be spilled.” She says wisely.

You feign interest and nod in agreement as Toru lets out an affirmative “mhmm!”

At this exact moment, you wonder if you should tell your friends everything about you and Shoto and your steamy hookups. If you tell them now, you’re sure that they will help you figure out if Mr. Aizawa and the staff know that you’ve been intimately engaging with Todoroki. Mina and Toru are absolute masters of gossip and know exactly which strings to pull to get intel. They’re going to make amazing heroes one day, especially Toru with her insane stealth skills.

But no. It feels safer to keep it to yourself. Everything that’s happened – specifically Mr. Aizawa and Endeavor knocking on the door while you’re half naked and moaning in Shoto’s arms – is so totally embarrassing. You can’t bare the thought of explaining the whole situation to your two friends. Would they laugh? What if someone were to overhear? You think to all of the heroes in training with hearing and stealth-based quirks running around the school. Privacy was so hard to come by, it was so easy for it to be compromised. Now the boundaries that Mr. Aizawa had spoken about earlier this morning are stating to make sense to you. You’re all living in such close quarters and respecting each other’s privacy and personal space really should be paramount.

The real question on your mind is this – if you and Shoto continue to smooch in secret, how will you avoid getting caught? The entire student body is likely on high alert, looking for any potential transgressions surrounding the no dating rule.

“I wonder how the other classes are feeling about all these new rules?” You muse.

“We’ll know soon enough.” Mina says, checking her phone. “Actually, we’ll know in 2 minutes.”

“What do you mean?” You ask, nervous at her tone. Toru uncaps her dry erase marker and scribbles down a few more notes on the white board.

There’s an unexpected knock on the door that causes you and Toru to jump.

“The key to all of our plans has arrived.” Mina hops to her feet and scampers across the small dorm room. “Ladies, I present to you our secret weapon.”

She opens the door and reveals the last person you’d expect to be in the Class A dorm – Nieto Monoma.

Monoma stands in the doorway, tall and annoyingly handsome. He’s smiling genuinely and you’re surprised to see him looking so…normal. Typically when he’s within speaking distance of any Class A students he’s a loose cannon.

He smiles down at you and Toru, eyes flickering over to the white board. Toru reflexively moves to cover the plans with her arms, but being invisible it doesn’t do much to deter Monoma’s gaze.

“Hello ladies.” He says in that slippery tone of his. You’ve never seen Nieto in casual wear before. Tonight he’s wearing soft black sweatpants along with a grey band logo crewneck. When he’s acting like a normal human being, his face is actually quite attractive. His long blonde bangs fall gracefully across wide grey eyes in a graceful aristocratic way that reminds you a bit of Shoto. “I heard we’re going to get into some trouble together tonight.”

“Nope. Absolutely not.” You turn and glare at Mina, shooting her your best “WTF” expression.

“Mina! We can’t trust him – he ratted us out last time!” Toru says angrily, still unsuccessfully attempting to keep the whiteboard of plans out of site.

Monoma’s face creases into a frown. “Yeah…about that…”

Mina shushes him and beckons him into the small dorm room. She checks to make sure no one is out in the hall before closing the door soundly and turning the lock. She means business.

Monoma joins the three of you on the floor around the white board. In his dark attire, he looks very out of place among Mina’s hot pink room decor. Mina waits for everyone to get situated before speaking.

“Monoma is sorry. He reached out to me last week to formally apologize to us for tattling on our last party.” Mina says, straightforward and to the point. “He wants in on our next big bash.”

“What’s with this sudden change of heart?” You ask skeptically, crossing your arms as you survey Monoma’s face. He looks embarrassed, maybe even guilty as he meets your eyes.

“Well, you see - ” Monoma starts to speak, but Mina cuts him off with a quick wave of her hand.

“Let me do the talking, blondie.” She shuts him up. “Girls, this time around Monoma can’t rat us out – not now that we have leverage.”  She grins at you and Toru. “There’s something that Nieto here desperately wants. Something that only the three of us can provide at this time. And in exchange for that thing, Monoma is going to keep Mr. Vlad King out of our hair.”

“He can do that?” Toru says doubtfully.

“He can.” Mina says confidently, turning to the blonde intruder with a grin. “Okay, now you can apologize to them, Monoma.”

The Class B menace shifts uncomfortably on the floor, eyes slightly downcast. “Look, I know it was shitty of me to report you guys last time. I shouldn’t have - ”

“Yes it was shitty! We have a stupid curfew now because of you!” Toru bursts out, clearly pissed that her time is being wasted listening to Monoma.

“I know and I’m sorry!” He actually looks sincere. You wonder what the “leverage” Mina mentioned could be to make him act like a regular human being capable of remorse. “I was jealous of your class and the party and I didn’t think things through before I went to Mr. King. After I told him I…well, I regretted it immediately.” He hangs his head in shame and his regret actually feels sincere. His long blonde bangs cover his eyes and he stares at the ground, waiting for you all to speak.

“We would have invited Class B had we known you were interested. But we were under the, ugh, impression that some of you hated us so we didn’t even think to reach out about the party.” You say, feeling a tiny bit sympathetic at the way Monoma’s head is miserably flopped over. “Honestly we didn’t think our whole plan through last time, which is why it was so easy for the whole thing to fall apart.”

There’s a pause. Toru chimes in “Yeah, we definitely could have thought our plans through more. But your hatred for our class contributed to the disaster.”

“I don’t hate your class.” Monoma says slowly, feeling out his words. “I’m just…jealous of all the attention you guys get from the media and from the teachers. I thought that was pretty obvious. We’ve all worked so hard to get here; I thought that once I got to UA it would be an even playing field. But so often it feels like Class A gets preferential treatment.”

“I can see how you would feel that way.” Toru says stiffly, still unwilling to trust Monoma. “That’s a reasonable feeling. But you could have just tried to get to know us instead of acting like such an asshole all the time! We don’t want Class A to always be in the spotlight the way it is. Surely you see that.”

Monoma sighs. “For the past year I’ve really let my insecurities rule the way I act towards other people. And it’s made me an absolute dick. Look, guys, I’m legitimately sorry and I really want to help you make this party thing work. I’d understand if you don’t trust me and if you don’t want me involved. But please give me a second chance.”

You look at him distrustfully. “You’re saying all the right things, pretty boy. But what I really want to know – what’s this supposed “leverage” that we have over you here? How can we guarantee you’re not trying to lull us into a false sense of security so that you can eventually betray us?”

Mina grins. “Do you want to tell them, Monoma? Or should I?”

Nieto blushes, patches of scarlet bloom on his pale cheeks. “W-well…Mina said she could do something for me. Something I haven’t had the courage to try to do on my own - ”

“Spit it out.” Toru says, clearly reveling in his discomfort. “We don’t have all day.”

“R-right.” Monoma takes a deep breath, trying to regain his usual swagger. “There are two things that I want. The last time I reported your little scheme was because I was jealous I wasn’t invited. So obviously this time around I’d like Class B to be part of the party. And the second thing I’d like – a chance at a kiss.”

“You sound crazy.” You smirk at him. But you glance over at Mina and she nods at him, encouraging him to continue.

“So I figured as a more formal apology I could help you all pull off this party. I can distract Mr. Vlad King and make sure you don’t get caught. And in exchange, you could invite my class and give me a turn at Spin the Bottle.”

This is a lot to digest. You’ve never heard Monoma speak so rationally before, and you still fear it’s some kind of elaborate ruse. Also…he’s interested in your game of Spin the Bottle!? Weird.

“So who do you want to kiss?” Toru asks, a giggle bubbling up. “…Kendo!?”

Monoma looks away, embarrassed.

“Nope, that’s not it.” You say, grinning at Monoma’s obvious embarrassment. “If you don’t tell us, we have no shot at making it happen for you.”

“It’s Hitoshi Shinso.” Mina says knowingly, crossing her arms. “You want us to rig spin the bottle so that you’ll be able to kiss Shinso.”

You and Toru gasp and Monoma’s cheeks get red again. He covers his face with his hands, hiding himself from sight.

“Shinso!?” You and Toru cry out in shock. Monoma looks up at you all, his eyes wide. He’s got that unhinged look that you’ve come to expect from him during training exercises.

“Of course it’s Shinso!” Monoma bursts out – he’s back to his usual self. “He’s a goddamn wonder! He’s the only member of your class that truly deserves the prestige that Class A seems to exude!”

“Dial it back, dude.” Mina admonishes, and Monoma comes back to himself.

 “Listen. At this point, you guys have been around me in our joint training sessions enough times to know that I can be…challenging as a classmate and as a friend. Shinso doesn’t treat me like I’m some kind of burden or freak. Over the past semester, he’s become one of my closest friends. He’s kind and thoughtful and brave. Jeez, I have such a massive crush on him, I’m not even sure what to do at this point.”

He rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment but continues on. “I overheard you all talking about your crazy ‘spin the bottle’ plan last month and its been stuck in my brain ever since. It would be the perfect way for me to organically be affectionate with Shinso. I don’t have the courage to confess my feelings to him on my own, and I thought that maybe… well maybe if the two of us kissed, then I could finally know how he feels about me. I could see if we’re more than friends.”

“Anyway I really shouldn’t have ratted you out to the teachers, that wasn’t cool. You have my sincere apologies.”

“What’s in it for us, Phantom Thief?” You cross your arms.

“Monoma is going to help keep Mr. Vlad King off of our trail. He and Class B are going to cause a diversion that will keep any teachers away from our party for a few golden hours. And a few members of Class B want to come to the party, of course.”

“How long have you been working through this Mina?” Toru asks in awe.

“Monoma and I started chatting about it after he ruined out last party. I went to confront him about being such an asshole, and he actually apologized immediately.”

“Now how are we going to guarantee a kiss between Shinso and Monoma?” You wonder aloud to your friends.

Mina gives her trademark toothy grin. “Leave that to me.”

You survey him, still untrusting. “We’ll think about it. But first, I want some intel.” He looks up at you curiously – he clearly wasn’t expecting this.

“So what does Class B think about the whole Sex Ed thing and these new rules? Where do you think this is all stemming from? Tell us what you know.”

“Hm.” He smirks at the three of you. “Alright.” Monoma launches into a detailed description of his day. It sounds extremely similar to your own experience - Midnight and Recovery Girl had joined Class B for a similar talk during their morning courses. Class B was just as shocked by the Sex Ed discussions and the new dating rules as Class A. According to Monoma, there are a handful of couples within the class that have been dating for a while. He wonders aloud if maybe the new dating rules are specifically targeted at them.

“People in Class B are hooking up!?” Toru gasps at the tea. “Who!?”

Apparently Shihai Kuroiro and Kinoko Komori have been dating for quite a few months, and Kosei Tsuburaba and Sen Kalibara have some kind of sexual tension situation going on where they might be dating in secret but no one is truly sure.  Oh and Setsuna dated Rin for a while, but they broke up and it was a whole dramatic thing. I think she’s started going out with Reiko now.”

You are shocked at the amount of dating drama Monoma is describing amongst Class B’s members. You instantly feel relieved, realizing that the dating ban can’t possible be about you and Shoto. It’s clearly a response to Class B’s previously uninhibited horniness.

“So are they all stopping now that the dating ban has been put into place?” Mina asks, clearly loving all of the intel.

“I think for the most part everyone is just going to continue on with whatever they’re doing. Everyone will just be a little more careful in front of the teachers and staff.” Monoma says thoughtfully. “I’m sure these rules are more about Class B than Class A – I don’t think I’ve heard anything about dating in your class?”

“Nope.” Mina provides helpfully. “No relationships that we know of at least. There’s definitely tension between certain members of our class. And we’re absolutely going to see if we can play on that tension with our Spin the Bottle pairings.”

“Mina, we can’t control who kisses who in Spin the Bottle. That’s the whole point of the game – the unpredictability of it all!” Toru says in shock.

“Oh so you’re saying you don’t want to kiss Ojiro?” Mina smirks at your friend.

“I’m not saying that.” Toru amends. “But there’s no way for us to pull the strings with this game. We’re at the mercy of the bottle!”

“Like I said earlier…leave that to me.” Mina winks.

When he’s acting like a normal person, Monoma isn’t actually all that bad. He’s actually pretty genius when it comes to strategy. Toru passes her white board over to him and he assesses your plan so far.

“What do you think?” Toru asks. Your current plan to distract Mr. Vlad King relies on a series of continuously unhinged prank calls that will divert him to different parts of the campus over the course of two hours. It’s not a great plan, but it’s the best you all have come up with in the past half hour.

“It’s a start, but I have a much better plan.” He reaches out his hand for the dry erase marker. Toru hands it over easily. He uses the palm of his hand to erase out a corner of free space. He draws two squares and marks the “Class A” and “Class B.”  He then sketches out another rectangular shape to represent the faculty and staff living quarters. “We’ll need to intercept Mr. King in between the faculty building and the student dorm buildings. I can run up to Mr. King and tell him that I have an urgent issue that I need his help with. I’ll lead him away from the dorm buildings and towards the combat training facilities.”

“What will you tell him?” Mina asks, leaning forward on her elbows.

“I’m going to say that a student from Class A went to do some solo training at night and ended up getting himself into trouble. Then I’ll point him in that direction before returning to the Class B dorms.”

“What student from Class A will be the diversion?” You wonder aloud.

Monoma’s smile sparkles in the light of Mina’s fairy lights. “Minoru Mineta.”

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

The week goes by faster than you anticipated. You get pulled back into the whirlwind of UA life – classes, tests, training, studying. It’s all so much and sometimes you feel like you can barely breathe. You’re so busy you barely have time to grab a private moment with Shoto.

Late on Wednesday night, you’re lounging in the common area with Mina, Ochaco and Tsu studying for an upcoming English exam. You’re starting to get sleepy when you receive a text:

Shoto: Hey Y/N. Up for a quick study session?

You smile, knowing that he probably means he wants to hookup. You feel pretty prepared for the upcoming test and are caught up on all of your homework…so why not?

Y/N: Absolutely. Meet in my room in 10?

Shoto: See you then.

You make some lame excuse to your friends about needing beauty rest and hustle your way to your bedroom, tossing your book bag on the floor as you make sure everything is clean and tidy. Everything is in its place and your bed is made for once. You breathe a sigh of relief – Shoto is just so put together. It would be a little embarrassing for him to see your room in a messy state.

It’s been a few days since your last tryst with Shoto and between classwork and training those days feel like they’ve passed as months. Your body is exhausted from training but you feel jittery and horny at the thought of all the things Shoto will do to you when he arrives.

A moment later, there’s a knock. You wrench open your door with nervous, bubbling energy. You pull Shoto into your room and lock the door behind him soundly.

“You weren’t followed, right?” You whisper breathlessly as you loop your arms around his neck and move to give him a kiss on the cheek.

“This isn’t a spy movie, Y/N.” He winces as you kiss him, and you grimace as you notice a delicate bruise blooming on the side of his face from a rough training class. You step away to take him in – aside from the slight bruise on his face, he looks relatively unharmed. He’s wearing a pair of navy blue sweatpants paired with a plain grey t-shirt. The short sleeves of the shirt really show off his toned hero-in-training arms. His muscles bulge gently around the stack of books he’s cradling in his arms.

“What are the books for?” You ask curiously.

He looks at you, confused. “I thought we were studying.”

Oh. You face palm. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Shoto is so goddamn literal. You do like that about him – he tends to be mercifully straightforward and his motivations are easy to understand. He’s not cryptic like the other boys in your class - Kaminari who hides his nervousness behind flirtation or Bakugo whose true feelings are constantly masked behind aggression and death threats. No, Shoto is all softness and direct communication. You need to remember that.

“Shoto, I thought you wanted to do another kind of studying.” You waggle your eyebrows and wonder if he’ll catch on to your innuendo. He doesn’t.

“So you don’t want to prepare for the English test on Monday?” He asks, confusion coloring his voice. “I thought I was pretty clear that I wanted to study from the way I texted you.”

You facepalm.

“No, Shoto, I want to make out.” You state plainly.

“Oh. Oh!” Shoto tosses his books to the ground and grabs you by the waist, wrapping his arms around you as he dips to briefly connect your lips. He breaks the kiss and looks down at you, smiling softly. “We can make out.”

You roll your eyes playfully and reach up to cup his lovely face. “We can definitely study together later though.” You lean in and touch his lips with your own. He groans into your mouth, eager.

“I was looking for an excuse to hangout with you.” He admits in between kisses. “This is really nice, but I like spending time with you outside of physical intimacy. You know that, right?”

You smile into his lips. “I like that you’re so straightforward Shoto. But now I feel bad – do you want to actually study? I don’t want you to get a bad grade because of me.”

“No, I don’t really care about studying anymore.” He tightens his grip on your hips and turns you so that your back is against the door. He moves to kiss across your jawline, down your neck. His hands drift up to the hem of your shirt and he moves to pull it easily over your head.

“Holy fuck.” You breathe out as he presses you back into the solid wood door. His movements are gentle, but firm as he keeps you in place. He kisses down the expanse of your clavicle, letting his tongue roam smoothly across the tops of your breasts. He shifts to get down on his knees so that he can move his mouth across your stomach, kissing and licking the exposed skin there. He stops for a moment to take his phone out of his pocket and lay it on your desk before diving back into spreading kisses across your skin. Wherever his lips touch, he leaves a trail of goose bumps in his wake. He reaches up, up, up with his fingers so that he can wander the stretch of your bra–clad tits. He takes his time, smoothing fingertips over the cotton cups of your bra until he finds the places where your nipples lay underneath. He pinches lightly on the fabric and it’s enough to make you moan.

“Shh.” He whispers against your stomach, quieting you. It feels incredible, to have your body worshiped this way by Shoto. Each of his movements is so purposeful, so tender. You never want it to end.

“You promise you’re not going to fail English class due to my seductiony ways?” You ask weakly as he continues to kiss towards your belly button. Shoto laughs softly, a happy sound.

“I swear that pleasuring you isn’t going to ruin my grades. At least not yet. Can I take off your bra?” He asks quietly, bright eyes gazing up at you questioningly.

“Um, duh. Yeah you can take it off.” You say, wanting him to keep going. This pulls a grin out of Shoto’s typically serious face. The small bruise on his cheek crinkles along his smile lines. His hands slide up your body and around to your back. He fiddles with the clip to your bra for a few moments before managing to undo the clasp. He slides the straps down your shoulders, and slowly pulls the cotton fabric away from your body to reveal your perky breasts. The room is chillier than you thought, and your nipples harden as they are exposed to the crisp air conditioning. Shoto looks up at you with a look of awe.

“Incredible.” He breathes, before leaning up to take a nipple into his mouth. He swirls his tongue around your pert bud, eliciting another moan from your sweet mouth. He doesn’t bother to shush you this time, instead moving to knead at your other breast with his sure fingers while he uses his lips to suck on your nipple. He continues this for a while – using his mouth on both of your breasts and ensuring each gets equal attention. You bite your lip and try to keep quiet, running your fingers through his two toned hair and nodding encouragingly when he does something you like.

By the time he gets to his feet so he can kiss you on the mouth once more, you’re absolutely soaking wet. There’s a spark between your legs that you’re having a hard time ignoring. You need him in the absolute worst way.

“Sit in my desk chair.” You whine, pushing lightly at his chest so you can get away from the door.

“Hmm?” He says, clearly not listening. His eyes are hazy with desire as he looks at you.

“The chair.” You point. “Sit down.” He doesn’t ask any questions or argue, he walks over to the chair and takes a seat.

“Thank God.” You say as you walk over to him, tossing a leg over his lap so you can straddle him. You brace your hands on either side of Shoto, gripping the back of the chair as you make yourself comfortable. You lean down and capture his lips in a scorching kiss as you sit down, cowgirl style, on his lap. He’s so deliciously hard beneath you, and you’re thankfully both wearing sweatpants so the friction between you is buttery and smooth as you find the perfect angle to grind your pussy against him.

“Y’N.” Shoto groans out in surprise, there’s no way he could have anticipated this. He literally thought you two were going to study tonight. You grin and move your hips fluidly, grinding against his fat cock again. You’d do anything to satisfy the need that’s building up in your core.

“Shoto…Shoto put your hands on my - ” You don’t even need to finish your sentence, Shoto hears you loud and clear. He reaches for your breasts and plays with your nipples as you dry hump him on your desk chair.

“Ah! Yes!” You manage to say between gritted teeth. “Shoto, I think I’m gonna…”

He presses his lips to your own, essentially shutting you up as you bounce on his lap, grinding your way to an orgasm. He slides his hands down to your hips and helps guide your movements, shifting a bit beneath you. The new position presses the tip of his hard cock against your clit the next time your hips roll. Its wonderful and delightful and just the thing that pushes you over the edge. The orgasm hits you in a wave and you break away from Shoto’s lips so you can gasp in pleasure as you ride it out. Shoto is smiling at you, so open and genuine. He’s enjoying watching you get off – it shows on his face and in the way his cock twitches against you beneath a few layers of clothing.

When you finally come down from your high, you pull him into a hug and slump against his shoulder.

“Fuuuuck, Shoto.” You whisper, your breath slowing down. “That felt so good.” He brings his hand up slowly and traces an icy finger down your sweaty back. You feel your muscles relax beneath his touch.

“You’re incredible, Y/N. Thank you for that.” He says, voice tinged with something akin to awe.

You stifle a laugh. “You’re thanking me for cumming?”

“Thank you for being comfortable enough with me to do that. It means a lot.”

“Shoto, you are literally the sweetest.” You press a kiss to his soft cheek before slowly removing yourself from his lap. “Dang, between this morning’s practice and what we did just now…I am sore.” You find your shirt on the floor and throw it back on over your bare chest. You scoop up your bra from the floor and toss it in the hamper.

“Maybe I can help.” Shoto stands up from the chair and strolls over to your bed, hoisting himself up onto the tall mattress before beckoning you to join him.

“You’ve already helped me so much tonight.” You say, fluttering your lashes up at him until he blushes.

“Just get up here.” He pulls you up onto the mattress and into his lap so that your back is against his chest. You can feel he’s still a bit hard beneath your butt, but he seems to be ignoring his boner in favor of taking care of you. A true gentleman – Kirishima would be impressed.

“Where are you sore?” He asks, resting a hand on your waist.

“My lower back.” You point to the spot. Shoto lifts up your shirt and covers the sore muscles with his strong left hand. He spreads his fingers wide, covering as much surface area as possible before activating his quirk. His left hand slowly warms up like a hot compress. You feel his palm grow steadily warmer and you feel instant relief flood through your back, making you sleepy and comfortable.

“Shoto, this is heaven.” You praise, leaning your head back against his chest and letting your eyelids drop. He kisses the top of your head.

“Good. I just want to make you feel good Y/N.” He lets you relax into his hand and doze for a bit. You’re comfortable and happy and feeling very cared for. The silence is comfortable, but after a few minutes Shoto starts to hum an old 90s song and the rhythm of it lulls you into a true sleep.

An annoying buzzing sound wakes you. Over on your desk, your phone is buzzing and blinking incessantly – someone is trying really hard to get ahold of you. You ignore it, trying to focus all of your attention on the way that Shoto’s right hand is carding through your hair.

“Mmm.” You hum with pleasure as he drags delicate fingertips through your scalp. Your phone continues to buzz. You’re annoyed and can’t enjoy yourself properly. You reach out and stop Shoto’s hand before it can go any further. “I should really check that.”

You get to your feet and adjust your sweatpants, secretly cursing whoever is trying to get ahold of you. You open up your phone and the screen reads “Mina Ashido: 4 missed calls.” Huh? You quickly hit redial. The phone barely rings once before Mina is squealing into the phone.

“Mr. Aizawa is doing a curfew checks! Make sure you’re in your room!” She all but shouts into the phone.

“What!?”

“It’s only 10:05 and he gave Toru and I detention for being out in the common area past curfew! He said he’s doing bed checks and knocking on doors next. Are you in your room!?”

“OMG!” You hang up on Mina and frantically wave your arms at Shoto.

“Aizawa is doing bed checks! You need to get to your room now!”

Shoto’s eyes widen and he quickly scoops up his English books from the floor. You push him towards the exit in a panic. You wrench the door open and quickly look up and down the hallway – it’s mercifully empty. Mr. Aizawa clearly hasn’t gotten to this floor yet.

“Okay, it’s all clear – go, go, go!” You push Shoto from the room bodily, his eyes still large and overwhelmed as he goes.

“But wait, I didn’t get to kiss you goodbye - ”

“This is life or death Shoto! Get out of here!” You push him in the direction of the staircase and quickly shut your door behind him. You hear his footsteps recede down the hallway and breathe a sigh of relief.

You call Mina back in a hurry. “Hey, sorry I hung up! I was out in the hall and had to make a beeline to my room before Aizawa made an appearance. He hasn’t been up to my dorm yet.”

“Thank goodness I got ahold of you before you got caught after hours! Lucky timing.” Mina sighs. “Now Toru and I need to spend tomorrow evening cleaning the classroom since we ‘broke curfew.’ This is bogus!”

“Wait that sucks.” You look in your mirror and fix your static hair as you chat. Suddenly, you have an idea. “I can come and help you, though. We can discuss our master plan while we clean!”

Mina laughs. “That would make it more fun! You’re such a good friend Y/N. I can always trust you to make things a little brighter.” You feel a knot form in your stomach at these words – Mina still has no idea about you and Todoroki. The magnitude of this secret weighs heavily in your heart. You bite your lip with anxiety. Should you tell her? She majorly saved your butt with that warning call…

“You too, Mina. You’re the best.” You say. You can’t seem to find the words to explain your Shoto situation to her, so you opt not to tell her. Your stomach continues to turn over in guilty knots. You hear hard footsteps coming up the hall, followed by the sound of distant knocking. “Oh my goodness I think Mr. Aizawa just made it to this floor. I’d better go.”

“Bye, girl! Text me!” Mina hangs up, leaving you to finish adjusting your appearance in the mirror. You make yourself presentable, pulling your hair up into a clean ponytail and adjusting your clothes to look less rumpled. A moment later, there’s a hard knock on the door.

You take a deep breath to center yourself and try not to look super ultra guilty when you open the door. Your teacher stands looming in the doorway, his hero costume looking a bit worse for wear. He must have just come back from patrol. He looks world weary and exhausted, the deep shadows under his eyes look worse than usual. His eyes are bloodshot – a typical side effect of his quirk.

“Oh, hi Mr. Aizawa. Is everything alright?” You ask brightly.

He glares down at you, but not unkindly. With his reddened eyes, he just tends to glare.

“Just doing a random check to make sure everyone’s sticking to curfew.” He says, voice gravely. “I’m surprised you weren’t in the common room with Ashido and Hagakure, you’re usually inseparable.”

You blink nervously at this – is he onto you or are you just being paranoid?

“Yeah I wanted to get some quiet reading done tonight. And you know how they are…definitely not quiet.” That’s the dumbest thing you’ve said all day, but for some reason Aizawa buys it.

“Yeah you kids are definitely one of the rowdier classes I’ve had over the years.” His sour look softens into an almost-smile. “Please go to bed at a reasonable time – we have a lot of training this week.”

“Will do!” You chirp out – you can’t believe you’re actually getting away from this situation unscathed.

He moves on to the next room and mutters quietly, almost to himself - “I caught Todoroki out of his dorm, too. We’re going to need to review the definition of “curfew” in homeroom class tomorrow.” He gives you a vague wave and you shut the door quickly, breathless. So Shoto didn’t make it to his room – from the sound of it, he ran right into Aizawa on the stairs.

You reach for your phone to text Shoto about the situation, typing out a quick “You got caught!?” accompanied by some shocked emoji faces. You hit send, and are surprised when you hear a buzzing noise coming from the direction of your bed – in his haste to escape your room, Shoto left his phone on your pillow.

“Aw, crap.” You scoop up the phone in its plain grey case and see your own text flash against the screen. You place it on your nightstand and resolve to discreetly give it to Shoto before class the next morning. Poor Shoto – caught for breaking curfew. You feel bad knowing that you’re the reason he likely has detention with Toru and Mina.

You get ready for bed - pulling on your comfiest pajamas and smoothing moisturizer across the planes of your face. You’re exhausted and still basking in the afterglow of your little hookup with Shoto. It would be so nice if he were here with you right now to cuddle. You wish you could run your fingers through his soft hair and watch him fall asleep in your arms again. Despite his absolute insane skills in combat training, Shoto is such a sweet quiet soul. You want to praise him for his sweetness, and help him realize that there are so many wonderful pieces of him aside from his powerful quirk.

You settle into bed and get comfy amongst your plushies, settling in for a good night’s rest. Your alarm is already scheduled for the next morning, but you double check that it’s set anyway. You take a moment to scroll through Instagram and are startled when Shoto’s phone starts to buzz on your night table. You scoop it up out of habit and read the screen. It’s a text from YaMomo.

Momo: “Hey Shoto, you left your sweatshirt in my dorm room yesterday evening. Come pick it up tomorrow? Good night.”

Um…WTF!?

End of Chapter.

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

OMG wowwww I have been working on this update for a while! I have been writing Part 4 + 5 simultaneously, so you won't need to wait that long for the next update to drop! Part 5 is going to be *even more steamy.* In the next part, our character and her friends throw a big party and the class participates in a high stakes game of ~spin the bottle.~ I think you're all going to really enjoy it (and all of the ensuing drama, ofc!).

Thanks so much for reading and for your continued support on this + other stories! I hope that this was worth the wait. ☺️ Feel free to check out my other spicy works on The Master List pinned to the top of my blog!

❄️🔥THE EXCLUSIVE ICYTHOT TAG LIST🔥❄️

Oh and YEAH!! I started a tag list - if you’re interested in being on my tag list for Shoto's First Kiss chapters, please let me know! This tag list will hence forth be known as the "IcyThots" (get it...like IcyHot but instead we are all Thots for Shoto!? Heehehehe). If you commented enthusiastically on the past chapters I added you to the tag list - let me know if you want to be removed and I will absolutely take you off! I'm still new to this whole thing, so appreciate your patience!

XoXo, Red Riot Unbreakable Heart ❤️

❄️🔥THE ICYTHOTS🔥❄️

supersecretsamm luvsymai s0uldarling quackledoodleduck

bakugosgirl01 jeanbabygirl ninayourdad dumbdysstuff

duffyinwonderland purplesuunset brundark100 sh3752 erinalysa

luna100v0 justagirlfr mayurin17 kiromiix ellalcves pokeureyesoutmf

kimsrie inlovewithluffy wtvbabes s0uldarling jeanbabygirl ava-cjkk

theblueslytherin amajikisbabygirl ilovefanficsandstars

brundark100 dee-writes-smut doodlingpizza xjustxlookingx

ankle-biter69 s0uldarling tridentgumfreshy kimsrie

brie-is-cheesy jeanbabygirl kinichmyma ellielover69 ilyless

slut-4-gojo kiromiix celesteeeluv zanzie y0urlittlebaby

saucypeanuttt gojosukuna2268 purplesuunset wifeofleviackerman

kunikissr hicallmeveronica 18wqs lviaaaa shoutolust

jeanbabygirl aespie aniyaaaaayyya annonymoose

solarsistem sugurusmoon morganalatina21 hanta-seros-wifey

vr00m-vr00m desiree-lee zozosnothere tnywabbit

winters-midnightquiet jennapancake himitsu-hikari

captainshindo fluffy-strawb3rry

elizarikaallen stanseventeen signmyheart

[spoiled-fawn]

Lust by Nature {Part 5}

Masterlist, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Read on ao3

Pairing: Captain John Price x fem!Reader

MDNI: 18+!

Warnings for this chapter: None

Word Count: ~6.5k

Summary: In Mexico with Los Vaqueros!

A/N: I swear I didn't take a break, I just wrote this a billion times and am struggling to make my writing better without a beta writer. I hope ye enjoy!

The constant drone of the plane's engines became white noise after the first hour. It blended into the sound of your breathing by the 10th. Given four days after the medical ward stint, exhaustion still coats your nerves with a steady hum, rivaling the plane’s engines.

Thankful for your government stipend coming back into play, a private plane across the pond was allocated to the team. Besides this, it meant you got to lie down and sleep during the flight to Mexico.

“Sae whit th' heck ur we daein' ower 'ere again?”

Groaning at the man whose lap your head rests on, you slap his knee weakly.

“Soap, be quiet.”

“Sorry, bonnie.”

His warm hand that's been petting you throughout the flight cards through your hair. A soft laugh bleeds through his breath. He’s been careful not to touch your horns after giving him a warning bite to his thigh earlier.

The sergeant had been an angel the past few days, as had Gaz and Ghost. After Deidrick was reported and shipped out in handcuffs, the boys stuck to you like glue in the easy moments. Annoyingly hovering because they had no issue with your protests.

Price and Gaz sit adjacent to you with laptops clicking away. Ghost, sitting opposite of you, spread out like a pampered cat. Something you feel that man deserves to enjoy.

“Tha’s the fifth time you're asking, Soap.” Gaz groans out. Making a noise that you can assume is him stretching out, the lower timber of Price echoes him a moment later.

“Alejandro’s men are having a tiff about selection to bring in a hybrid operator.” Price begins. “And they’ve got an issue with a renegade group. So, they’re having us help with their bug problem and show off Saint.”

“Show off that she’s a little shit most of the time?” Ghosts' deadpan humor never ceases to amaze you. All you manage is a small flip of your middle finger in response, making him laugh again.

“The fact being…” Price begins, voice coming closer to where you lie. “She is an enhancement to our team. Show ‘em how we work and help ‘em outta bit.”

You catch the small frown on his lips as your eyes blink open. The ocean in his eyes seems colder, foggy. A shallow wave of concern emits, forcing you to become conscious of how you’re curled into a ball, searching for warmth in the comfort of Soap’s legs. Goosebumps have been in a constant roll on and off during the flight, the chill on your body never ceasing to crest over you.

“How you feelin?”

“Cold, and like I need a B-12 shot with a Red Bull.” Looking much better than days prior, the dark circles under your eyes were still present. You’d all chalked it up to being subjected to a serious wound, then fighting against restraints whilst wounded, followed immediately by an 18-hour flight.

At least Mexico was going to be warm.

The feeling of a cheap blanket covering you brings some sense of ease as Price gently tucks it around you.

You miss the look Soap gives him when your eyes close.

“We’ll be there soon and can get you an IV if you want.” Is all the Captain offers before he goes back to his seat.

Truthfully it wasn’t even something that would help at this point. You’ve been starved of anything intimate for days you don’t care to count. As dry as the salt flats, your body groans with each crack of your powers. Stiff, split, and rough on each edge that tries to hold itself together.

In this state, your body let a small remnant of human mechanics take over to get you in good health. Eating food felt good, and drinking electrolytes and vitamins made you perk up. Your demon accepted emotions offered in your presence; love and care.

And usually, you would preen in the presence of these, savoring every moment you could. Yet right now, you hated the taste of it on your tongue.

Every ounce of care you received felt embarrassing. Coddled like something so fragile that can’t be protected. It angered you, the sense of superiority you radiated washed out and dragged under sea foam while trying to grasp at the surface. As if the moment you were left with the humans and away from the lab, every force of nature wanted to knock you off the water you walked on.

For now, you were surviving.

Price hadn’t said much after the interrupted kiss on the couch, having to scramble while Laswell mandated him on everything to be done.

The kiss was just that. A kiss.

Something passionate in the moment, but you knew it didn’t hold even a flicker of a flame. There wasn’t time in the dark hours of the night to huddle around the wet wicker that he is. He’s in charge, and his life is sacrificed to do so.

Sure, it would have been easy enough to come in and check on you while practically being babysat by the others. You listened for his familiar gait to approach your room in the late hours of the night.

But it never came.

With Laswell on base, the lack of interaction between her and Price made you feel like a toy soldier. Forgotten and avoided. Like he was embarrassed after it all. It made the attention from the others feel artificial, pitiful of his absence that was painfully obvious in the way you silently pleaded for him.

You had a bit more pep in your step by the time the plane landed.

Stepping into the Chihuahuan desert greets you with an eye-blinding brightness. The warmth is unrivaled as you open up like a sunflower. Looking around the expansive base, did you become coherent to where you are. Oh. This is familiar. Very familiar.

The mountain range peaks in the background of the small town in contrast to the flat land the base is planted onto. The airstrip has an impressive size, yet your plane is the only one showing activity. Like a barricaded wall, your teammates form a barrier around you while walking forward.

“Bienvenido de nuevo, my friends.” The first speaks out. Is that-?

“Good to see you all, again.” The second voice followed immediately after.

No fucking way. Had Price not been blocking your view with his large and toned back, you’d have recognized the voices sooner. You wait, rather forced to, while the men stand in a guarding wall before you.

“¿Dónde está tu demonio?” The men shift to disperse and greet each other with handshakes and half-hugs.

“She’s ‘ere. And don’t call her-” Ghost starts, looking over his shoulder to you while Price stays blocking your view.

“¿Y a quién llamas demonio?”

Ringing out from behind Price, peaking your head out to make your appearance.

Meeting the gazes of Alejandro and Rodolfo.

“They call me Saint, now.” Walking forward with an almost shy smile, you take in their reactions; Alejandro looks as dumbfounded as the day he first met you while Rudy almost cycles through the emotions of grief before blatant excitement settles on his face.

“Santa madre de-” Rudy punches Alejandro’s arm as if to make sure they're not in one of your trances. “You? It’s you?”

Dropping your bags, you meet him in the middle with a small hop into his arms. Peaking an eye open, you watch Alejandro walk with an almost angry swagger to wrap his arms around your back.

“Is this where you went? After how long- ¿Estás bromeando?” He almost shouts against your hair, each of them leaning down to leave a kiss where your horns won’t poke them.

“Are they takin’ the piss?” Gaz whisper-yells behind you, followed by Soap. “Does she speak Spanish?”

The small reunion disperses after a moment. Turning to face your teammates by the sides of the Mexican operators, a dazzling smile on your lips. Something they hadn’t seen before.

“Care to enlighten us how you know each other?” Price's arms crossed, body rocking on his heels. Chin tilted down in almost a parental look while flicking his eyes between the three of you. Your smile falls while taking in his sharpness.

“She came on a test assignment with us, in the forest. Even let us interview her.” Alejandro claps your back, looking down with an affectionate smile. “Was supposed to be for us, but they felt our men were not ready to handle a mujer malvada like her.”

“So when she left, we thought that would be the last of her we’d ever see.” Rudy finishes, moving a hand to pet your hair. “Mira cómo has crecido, princesa.” The low murmur draws a soft smile as he looks you over, almost too intimate with so many eyes watching.

Price shouldn’t feel threatened as threatened as he does.

Getting a move on, you’re led into the base's hallways. Nostalgia rushes over your lungs, almost suffocating from having the tangible feeling. Back when you were less experienced in a trepidatious custody battle.

An empty barracks hallway designated to 141 has three rooms lined up. Soap and Ghost already make their way into one, while Gaz moves to the one next to them. Price watches as you enter yours, staying in the doorway while Rudy enters the room with you.

“Are you not going to sleep with her?” Alejandro’s voice startles the seasoned vet. Watching as Price tries to move away to hide the tips of his ears turning red.

“No- No. It’s not like that.” He shakes it off, saying it for the thousandth time. Setting his bag down opposite where Gaz lays. “She’s her own person. I’m not using her for my entertainment.” There’s so much more he could say to defend himself. Dispel any feelings or even waste a breath trying to justify himself. But he leaves it at that.

He can feel Alejandro watching, hearing the cogs in his brain turning at the lack of an answer. Gaz brushes aside them to join Soap and Ghost.

“She’s different.” Alejandro starts, checking to see your door closed before he moves closer to Price. “She needs you to survive, Capitán. Nothing wrong or in the way of it- Yet you’re not getting your team to its full potential.”

This whole trip should have been a video call. Price’s clothes drop on the bed with heavy thuds, no soft movements but refrains from snapping at his host. Tension glimmers in the silence. Sounds of their breaths cut at your voice through the wall, almost smothered by the boys on the opposite side.

“We’ve been here less than an hour. How are you already giving me pointers on my team?” It’s not meant to be as harsh as it sounds. Alejandro can read between the lines from his position.

“She’s quiet. She’s not happy yet, not to what she should be.” His murmur breaks down the grating air between them. “You need to be careful with how slow your bond is going-” There’s that fucking word again. It pisses him off. It pisses him off more so that Alejandro knows your schematics exceptionally well to dish out advice. “Before something happens to her.”

“An’ what’s going to happen?”

The sound of your door opening as you and Rudy enter the hallway pulls Alejandro’s attention for a moment. Arms crossed while leaning against the wall in a relaxed form, his eyes almost appear softer with a quiet plead behind them.

“Just don’t let it get to that point, cabrón.”

Whatever means Price and the Colonel had drafted up was to show Los Vaqueros how your integration uplifts the team's mission while coinciding with integrating you into society. It sounds like a reentry program, save for the fact that you weren’t a criminal. The obvious added perk that you’ve been shaped into a soldier.

Plus you were fucking hot, so the perfect candidate to be a psyop if needed to sway the Mexican forces.

Tensions were underlaid with the men’s belief that having more than human power in an ordinary fight would soon lead to their dismissal. That, and that there was an underlying bias towards hybrids and creatures even stepping into war.

Having met Alejandro and Rudy previously set you at a higher level than respect. They know your capabilities and knew how to promote you.

You can hear the gym filled with deep voices that speak fast and low. Some women linger in their respective groups, but there was less of them compared to the base in England. The sound of the voices diminishes as you and the team step into the room.

Confidence exuded from Price, Gaz, Ghost, and Soap as they entered; Finally being able to parade you around in front of strangers made that feeling of being their pet return. Chin held high, your horns pointed towards the sky with a shine that catches the lights. Tail flickering behind you teased the soldiers with glances. The shape of your wings almost seemed like a shadow on your back, so black that it almost absorbed the light if not for the reflection of the soft scaled texture.

They move and flex in time with your breaths, brushing against Ghost as his hand keeps on your lower back to guide you through the door. Some whispers still stand out for those taking in your appearance, some speaking “Demonio” if they remember you.

When your red eyes look up and over the crowd, silence takes over.

“Buenos días, gracias por estar presente.” Alejandro breaks the static with an introduction and reasoning for the meeting- mandatory for the entirety of their base to move in on better resources, opportunities, and allocation of funding. “We welcome our friends back, to bring information on their newest addition.”

His speech moves through the facility definitions on the program; Highlighting the newest strategies for combined arms, and operations other than war, while showcasing how 141 has been integrating you within previously followed operations. A piece of them that solidifies their objective's success.

In the middle of the gym is a kill house. Made of plywood and spray-painted markings to denote entry and exit points, furnished to simulate a residential environment that tests differentiating friendly from hostile. Above is a projector screen, playing feed of the inside walls. It’s not the largest kill house you’ve been in, but tighter situations like this cause more stress and demand quicker reaction times.

In events such as this, where it's kill or be killed, those with a quicker reaction time will always come out on top. When Price steps up to speak, he presents you like a new piece of artillery.

“Saint can empathetically rule out emotions. Being able to sense them without even seeing the person, she can discern the intentions of the individual.” He shifts his weight, looking over the kill house before turning over to you. “The test will showcase her reaction time, and ability to compensate hostile forces while being mindful of civilians- if any, around her.”

Speaking on the heavy stress of why you were chosen for them, Price continues on while you're led to a small armory table by Rudy. His voice similar to telling a story with a moral at the end; Gloating on your interrogation skills and how you could make the information come out in less than a few minutes.

“Her breed is beautiful. Known for her looks, that's one of her greatest advantages. But-” You can hear him move about, getting comfortable in the crowd. “She is much more, than just a piece of art.”

Rudy’s hands check your gear, handing you an ISO and two 30-round mags while he leads you to the doorway.

“Show them what you’re made of, princesa. Eres mortal.” His lips meet your ear, giving a soft kiss that makes your smile grow pointed at the edges, giving a dangerous lick to your teeth. Rudy had learned how to rile you up since the first meeting, even in ways that Alejandro couldn’t.

You let your letting your lips kiss his cheek while smiling. A silent thank you for something sweet to make you feel just a bit more sinister. His hands give your waist a rough squeeze, your body absorbing his arousal as if sucking down water in an oasis.

Price’s voice booms a bit louder as the countdown begins overhead and signals Rudy to step back.

Ten. Nine. Eight.

“The challenge she faces today-”

Seven. Six. Five.

“will be the lack of human opponents.”

Four. Three. Two.

“But instead, virtual targets.”

One.

The buzzer rings out and your boot is already kicking in the door before it can finish. Sharpening your senses, to scan the maze-like layout of the house. The sound of your heartbeat pounding in your ears fades in your mind.

As the first apparition appears, your hand moves with lightning speed to draw your weapon. The projected figure seemingly peaks by a bookcase with a weapon trained on you.

“Hostile.” Speaking in a growl from the back of your throat, a single burst rings out, hitting the target square in the chest before it fades away. Moving from the living room to the kitchen, four apparitions pop up from unexpected angles, forcing you to adapt and react in real-time. Going in time with how quickly the projections have them raise their weapons, you shoot bursts into their chest before looking at the figure displayed in a crouched position.

The barrel of your gun guides your eyes to focus, noting it's displaying a child crouched on the floor. “Civilian.” By the time you reach the fifth and final room, you’re met with a hostage situation playing on the bedroom wall.

“No te muevas o dispararé!”

Stilling, your gun stays trained on the man who holds the woman to his chest with a pistol raised to her head. The actor cries, cheesy enough it almost ruins the atmosphere. Before the animation can play out any further, a burst of fire embeds itself into the wall and they both disappear.

Finding your way back out, you dispose of the gear and fix your hair. Making your way back to the sides of your CO’s, the hidden signs of their approval don't dispel how it radiates around them.

But the sting of something sharp catches your heart. Surfing your gaze over your teammates, you catch Price’s eyes.

A sharp, hard-set stare holds you captive. Anger. You can tell from the sharp feeling in the back of your throat and almost as displeasure as pepper spray makes you recoil.

Did you fuck up?

The screen above draws your attention away. A fleeting excuse to turn away from him.

Your analytical statistics are side by side with the footage, showing near-perfect numbers; Two minutes in and out. Your figure, or lack thereof, looks as if a black haze in the kill house. Static borders the edges of you, leaving your eyes almost pitch black in the light amplification of the video.

“Think you look more of a ghost than Ghost does, lass.” Soap’s hushed laugh comforts you.

Trying to brush off whatever is stuck so far up your Captain’s ass, you stay between Ghost and Soap, hiding from Price’s aura that sours your confidence.

“Vaqueros,” Alejandro’s voice cuts the silence after the video ends. “It is time for your challenge.” He moves to the middle of his impromptu stage space where a sparring mat lies with a clear circle in the middle.

“War is changing, and now we have to. Pick a brother to fight and test her. Make it count. ¿Comprendido?”

The resulting answer is louder than you expected for a bunch of men who looked like they may faint at the sight of you.

The man sizes you up. Short wavy hair that looks black. About 6’ in height, medium build. Brown eyes. He’s by far no Gaz or Ghost, a lighter hue that doesn’t hold a depth like theirs. Less inviting.

The first lunge is led with his chest, feet following with the weight in his toes. Heavy in his strikes, you give the man credit and think you’d have been at least hit if he wasn’t a bit fearful. You can taste it.

Not using an increase of speed, you dance your dodges with him. He presses on, each time more intense as he gets used to your presence, your appearance, and nature. Not like you’d bite his hand off, damn. Having enough, you catch his wrist, using the shock of your touch to the advantage before turning and tossing him over your body and to the ground.

A collective sound of “Aye” and low whistles ring in the room, taunting and scrutinizing the operator looking up at you.

“Otra vez.” Masculinity in this culture is a serious thing, you learned a great deal from Alejandro and Rudy. There’s no smile, no laugh, or taunt, to your demeanor. His glare is vicious, but it means good progress for an actual spar.

Resetting, he wastes no time to tackle you.

You let him, wanting him to have his moment and feel a semblance of training. Your body rolls with his, absorbing his momentum while adjusting your limbs to grapple against his hold. Vaguely, he reminds you of a boar. Head-driven while using his size as intimidation, the testosterone that leaks from him is almost enough to make you cough.

It’s when you release a hiss of air from taking the knee to the ribs that you decide the show’s over. Elbowing the arm that holds himself up, locking your legs around his hips, you push him onto his back, growling. “Enough.” Your voice has that ethereal chime, sending shivers down the spines of those looking on with an intent to devour.

Focusing on his eyes, the connection forms a bridge. Golden glowing embers that only you can imagine leading your intentions to coat him with a soft push of influence. He stills beneath you. His grip on your thigh which was previously attempting to push you off becomes soft. Almost petting your muscle before he nods.

“Sí, señorita.”

The men watching start to holler, making enough racket that you have to push your control just a bit harder. Hand trailing over his face before taking his wrists and printing them above your head.

“Very good. Wake up.” As easy as it was to enter his mind, and form around him in a soft embrace, you pull back your influence. The trance leaves him in a breath, becoming aware of the crowd before looking up to find you smiling down on him.

The erection pressing against your ass is immediate. Giving his wrists a small squeeze, you stand from his lap a second later to let your actions speak.

It takes about another ten minutes for the meeting to adjourn. Some of the men had spoken up and even asked questions, and a lesser tension could be felt, compared to the beginning. They’d have much more work to do if it was ever to become a safe environment for whatever creature was chosen, but you had hope for Los Vaqueros.

Alejandro and Price agreed on having downtime before meeting for the second reason of the task force’s visit. With an hour to do nothing, Price decided to walk around on a self-guided tour, wanting to separate himself from the others.

He isn’t one to let curiosity get the best of him, but that became a lie when you joined. Tension in his knuckles begs to be cracked by the force of at least hitting something, pent-up frustration storming.

It was the moment between you and Rudy. He’d seen it.

What seemed like a private moment between you two hadn’t been fully concealed at the entrance point of the kill house. While everyone else had watched the feed of internal cameras, he’d been watching you.

Seeing you instantly melt into Rudy’s affection sparked something far too inappropriate for a man his age. Immature for a Captain. The nagging thoughts of hands coating something that belonged to him, made him want to lay his hands on you in any way. Spar marked as training, or grabbing you by the waist and against his chest.

Maybe you’d ask for a transfer. Fuck, maybe you’d be in bed with Rudy and Alejandro at the end of the night.

He doesn’t understand how you could chase him like a puppy, just to sniff a new bone and run in the opposite direction. Fleeting and impatient where your attention should be on him. You’re on his contract. Not theirs. That can’t possibly be broken and torn up. You’re his and his alone.

“I’m a fucking mess.” He admonished. To whom, he wasn't sure.

The hallways of the base were more intimate and narrow than the ones back home, making an eerie quietness come over him. Minimal sounds echoing, letting Price’s footsteps reverberate quietly on the concrete ground. It's when walking past a small corridor of offices, that the silence breaks.

“-your face, princesa. You’re tired and cold. No nos mientas.” Alejandro’s voice breaks over the hum of electricity in the halls. Straining to hear the vibrato of the conversation, Price follows the sound coming from an office a few yards away

“Tell, him. If he doesn’t know, how is he supposed to fix you?” Rudy’s voice consumes the space in a whisper, absorbing sound as he speaks gently. Price leans against an adjacent wall, the blinds on the door’s window blocking any view of him.

He can see you sitting on the desk with the two men he has loathed far too harshly since the start of the morning, crowding you. You lean into them, the movement of their hands petting you isn’t missed by Price.

The unspoken relationship between the three of you is so blatantly contrasted against you and the 141, that he wants to throw himself out of a window. The ignorant belief you wouldn’t stray from his heel grating in his mind.

Jealousy makes his lungs stutter at the wave of pressure from the sight. It makes him want to have a team bond that makes holding and sharing you in soft moments. It’s what he’s beginning to crave as he watches it happen with them.

Maybe if you weren’t a self-righteous prick it would be different. He tells himself, seething as he watches on.

“I’ll be fine. Just a few more days like this and I’ll be back to normal.” You almost sound defeated with the insistent directing and questioning.

“You know… We could always just-”

Before you can finish the sentence, Rudy’s hand gives a smack to your arm in the form of a reprimand. “No, cariño.”

Alejandro follows the reprimand, capturing your chin in his hand. “We respect the Captain. We’re not going to interfere with what you have together.”

Alright, Price is fractionally less mad at them, his paranoid mind bristling still.

“Yeah, right.” An irritated scoff leaves you, shaking your head from his hold. “Doesn’t want me. Made it known.”

When you hop off the desk to gather yourself, you miss the look between the Colonel and Sergeant Major.

“Price is a good man, princesa.” Alejandro starts, and the words stir you enough to let the disbelief on your face show.

“Why are you-” You cut yourself off, moving to turn on Alejandro. “Look at me. Any man would have fucked me on the first day. You know what's going to happen, if-”

It almost sounds as if you’re going to cry. Has it really been this big of an issue?

“Shh, you’re okay. Estas perfectamente bien.” Through the blinds, Price watches as they bring you back into their embraces. “We believe in you two, just let him come to his senses.” Rudy murmurs against your hair.

“If he doesn’t… Please call us, mi amor.” Alejandro finishes.

You don’t make it more than five minutes before being grabbed and shoved into an empty conference room.

“What the fuck-” A hand covers your mouth as the door locks behind you, flicking on a yellowing overhead light.

“What the fuck was that?” Startling at the intensity of his voice, your eyes dart to the ice-blue ones glaring at you, filled with rage.

“The hell are you talking about?” Your muffled reply makes his hand move from over your mouth and down to your jaw, his body crowding you against the wall.

“Don't you play stupid, girl.” Price’s voice drops lower than you’ve ever heard. Even thicker than when he finishes a cigar. The prickling feeling rolls off of him again, making your throat tighten. There’s another feeling to him. A crash of emotion that makes you want to lower your head and dispel any argument between each other. To please him.

Your silence makes him continue. “That little thing you had with Rodolfo earlier today. That little meeting you just had with them. What the fuck is going on?”

It's suffocating how fast your brain spins to make sense of it all. Trying to remember while the weight of his emotions makes a cyclone crash into you. It’s not fair that his eyes are boring into you, scanning for a lie.

Oh, Christ. That moment with Rudy. It almost feels shameful to know that he had seen it, and watched the intimacy between someone you trust. But the anger at Price for now approaching you like this, like he cared, outweighs everything.

“That wasn’t anything. It wasn’t even a thing.” Hissing back, gaze unmoving from his while puffing yourself up in defense. “It was a small pick me up.”

Price's expression turns dark. For a moment, all you can hear is the light humming above you.

“I saw it. Plain as day, Saint. The whole team did.” You feel the pressure on your body getting firmer. “Do you know how fucking embarrassing that is? Seeing you act like a little slut for all to see?”

If it wasn’t for the anger boiling in your veins, you’d be turned on by how degrading he is.

So, you play his game.

“Oh I see.” A silent grin haunts your lips. “You jealous, Price?” Tilting your head up before he reaffirms his hold on your jaw. “Didn’t like how he touched me?”

You can see how close he is to doing something, being on the edge of a tipping point you don’t know of. The anger floods into you, making your own emotions match. The previous submission evaporates into a storm of fury, potent enough that your tail twitches aggressively against the wall.

“You’re really askin’ for it, ain’t cha?” He fumes. Breath fanning across your lips, the heat makes you lick your own. The buckle of his belt presses against your stomach, and you wonder if it’ll leave a mark with how much he pushes onto you. “Say that again, I dare you."

The heated air between you charges something greater than your dream ever did on him, heavier than any touch you’ve felt by his hands. So, you do what he asks.

“Are you jealous, Captain?”

Before you take your next breath, his thumb moves to invade your mouth; Pressing against the backside of your lower teeth, he opens your mouth for you while leaning to speak against your ear.

“You think I don't know what kind of games you’re playing, right? Tha’ I don’t see how you’re acting right now?” The brush of his beard itches your right cheek. And god damn this forsaken man, your panties are already soaked from the feeling.

Your jaw is still trapped in his hold, not allowing you a noise besides the garbled mess of a protest.

“You’re trying to piss me off right now so I punish you, and give you the satisfaction you want eh?”

You’d argue that it didn’t start that way, but now he’s certainly correct. “Keep acting like a child and you’re gonna be treated like one. Demon brat.”

Had it not been for the use of that insult, you could have forgotten that you were mad in the first place. Saliva pools in your mouth, and you can see his eyes dart down at the stand that drops onto your shirt.

You remind him of your fangs with a curl of your upper lips.

Seemingly reigning himself in, he releases his hold but lets his thumb remain on your bottom lip as you swallow.

“You want me to behave?” Inhaling shakily, as if high on a stim, your head tilts back to match his glare. “You gonna keep me on a leash? Make sure I’m by your side so my tail only wags for you?”

Price raises his eyebrow at that and somehow you feel like you’ve just let him win.

"You'd love that, wouldn't you?" His expression transforms into something more dangerous; A small smile curls on the corner of his mouth. "To be my little demon dog, staying by my feet, always ready to obey. Is that what you're after, Saint?"

Your hands move from the wall to instead find the meat of his hips, digging into his jeans with the tips of your nails. Pressing against him to stand on your tip-toes, the pressure of your hips together makes you bite down a groan, feeling a flicker of his arousal inlet to you.

“I’m not your little bitch.”

“You’re not?” He drawls, looking at you in fake surprise. The hand previously on your shoulder moves to your ass while he presses into you harsher.

"’Cause right now, you’re barking an awful lot with tha’ pretty little mouth of yours." He sneers, his hips grinding against yours forcing a gasp from you.

"And I think that pretty mouth of yours could make some different kinds of noises. Hm?"

At that, your head thuds against the wall. Fisting your hands onto his jeans, you don’t offer a response.

“Tsk. Gone quiet now?” His low laugh saturates your heart, the heat flowing to your core. To your surprise, he encourages your behavior. Lifting you with a hand under your ass with the other on your back, he turns to lay you on the conference table.

His erection grants you friction across your damp panties, good enough to almost sedate you in a drunken haze. When you prominently roll your hips against his straining cock, he groans loud enough to make him turn and bite his shirt.

“Maybe if you used me, I wouldn’t have to go bending over for anyone else.”

“You’re my operator. Your loyalty lies solely with me.” Snarling in a sharp contrast, a choleric look peers into you. “Is that understood?"

The drag of his beard across your cheek comes back, scratching your skin to bring you back from the feeling of his hardened cock rocking against your clit through your clothes. When you can only grunt in response, the hold on your jaw is the only warning before he kisses you.

Tongue diving in to meet your own, he dominates his way in while holding your jaw. Breaths borderline panting, the searing anger turning into a lustful spark, and fuck he tastes so good on your tongue. It almost dulls the meaning behind his words, of his claim and possession that comes to the surface. The feeling of submission comes to you again; Understanding that it's not you empathetically picking up on it, but rather the way your body wants to submit to his domineering energy.

His hand fists into your hair, holding you down as he licks into your mouth. You find your ground in the moment, kissing him back like a cannibal and expecting to see red smeared across each other's lips if he were to pull back.

“Show me you’re mine and I’ll give you what you want.” You can feel him start to leave you, his hold lessening to leave you on the table.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” A broken growl rumbles your chest, eyebrows furrowing as your jaw sets. Reaching out a hand to latch onto his belt, frustration glowing in your eyes.

He scoffs. Actually scoffs as he looks down with a twisted smile.

“Careful sweetheart. Don’t go ordering me around.” He easily shakes off your hand and greedily lets his eyes take in your body underneath him. It's uncomfortably tense as he grips your hip, moving to get off and away without a second thought.

The feeling of your pants tugging makes him stop.

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding.”

Looking down, you both find you're stuck together; The button of your pants having looped into his belt buckle. It doesn't make any fucking sense whatsoever, but rather keeping his hips tilted against yours with the pull.

“Could be fucking. But not kidding.” You griped, not offering any assistance. Wanting to keep him there for longer, your hips buck up.

“Stop. Moving.” He hisses, adding emphasis as he smacks the top of your thigh. “I'm trying not to bloody rip it.”

“Just take it off.”

The whine comes unabashedly from you, childishly biting your lip as you laugh at him. His fingerwork is clumsy, unable to unhook the button from himself. Huffing, you swat his hands away to take over. “Let me-"

Your fingers fumble between the button seemingly wrapped around his belt buckle, weaving around the metal in a way unknown to either of you. You’d settle for divine intervention.

“How’s it so fucking tight-” His hand holds yours while he tries to pull free again, only to feel you’re still stuck.

“Ye sly. Old. Dog.”

The speed at which Price’s head whips back over his shoulder is almost concerning for a man his age. Had you not also immediately looked to see Soap standing at the door, staring with the proudest shit-eating grin, you’d have noticed the vein pumping in Price’s neck.

“Soap, ‘ave you gone daft? Get. Out.”

You can’t even respond as your jaw drops from the surprise. The man wolfishly snapping his eyes to find yours, and holding it with a tick in his jaw. Fuck, even he's aroused with the imagination of finding you and the Captain fucking. Without validating any part of the story, Soap darts away with the door clicking shut, Price aggressively pulls hard enough that you’re freed- clothing unscathed.

“That’s gonna be spread like wildfire now.” He busies himself with being sure his pants are on correctly and probably hiding any remnants of his hard-on. You let the silence hang while fixing yourself up, wanting to walk out of the room as if you weren't close to being fucked. Trailing your eyes over Price, he doesn't bother looking at you, but the subtle flush on the tips of his ears is there. An expert in hiding his emotions and blending in for whatever the social context calls for.

“Don’t act like that’s not what you want to happen.” Hopping off the table and heading to the door, he crowds you from behind. His warmth makes your hand pause on the door, feeling the draft of his breath skim your shoulder. The hair on the back of your neck stands up, sending an anxious chill down your spine. More and more it feels like you've lost your advantage with him.

“I don’t want an endless fling to become your permanence. To sustain you.” His hand wraps around your front, securing a place on your neck.

“I want to drown in you.”

[throwaway-yandere]

"Aren't You Supposed To Hate Me?" (Yandere Modern!Il Dottore/Reader)

CW: mild yandere

the real a/n: if you see me putting too many sylvia plath references, no– no you did not. Also, webttore rights. I promise he's not that bad bakery anon pls don't kill me-. ALSO LOGO'S MADE BY ESTHER ANON!!!

Mother of Klee, Alice’s note: When your bakery opens, can you make some Eton mess? What? “That’s not on the menu…?” Well, you should add it! My darling Klee looks adorable eating strawberries! Oh, but you're not leaving Teyvat Pro, right?

Yandere! 1k Idol Match-up Event

---------

According to what people have said about you, you exude calmness. And that it’s a strength. That your soothing and somewhat “motherly” presence puts you one step forward more than most people. But why isn’t your composure congruent with the frantic screaming inside of you that begged this lunatic to quit clutching your baking supplies?

Damn, this isn't the time to NOT be assertive, assistant (Y/n). Pull yourself together.

"Please stop. You're strangling it."

"We all die, (Y/n). The sooner you internalize that, the better."

The man in front of you is none other than your boss: "Il Dottore", the man behind the idol group ADDICKTZ's creative decisions. You have been given the responsibility of maintaining order among the original 4 ADDICKTZ members while he deals with the second batch after he chose you out of the other 22 interviewees. 

"Sir, we're just baking. Please use a proper measuring cup. Aren’t you supposed to be a doctor–"

"Master. Not sir. I suggest you speak to me in a more respectful tone, Assistant (Y/n). The mere fact of your utility does not make you indestructible."

"I understand that very well, sir– Master, but please put the dough down. I cannot allow you to do the frosting at this rate."

Dang Akademiyan scholars and their honorifics.

Zandik huffed, unsatisfied, before leaning back on his chair. 

"Mind you, I'm a licensed surgeon." He boasted snarkily. "I'd certainly outmatch you when it comes to steady hands, assistant."

"Well– shame that a medical degree does not automatically mean you'd be good at art, then."

"(Y/n), did I hire an imbicile? Answer me, who exactly are you working for?"

"You, Master Zandik." 

"And my occupation?"

" ADDICKTZ’s Creative Director–"

Zandik smugly raised an eyebrow.

"... I admit defeat."

ADDICKTZ values both of your artistic inputs. Even after work hours, you've done what you can to support DCKZ. You helped Diluc choose a haiku to confess his emotions not long ago, and more recently, you aided Zhongli to find inspiration in contemporary poetry for his lyrics. Sir Zandik, on the other hand, would help the group's plans progress from simple masquerades to a magnificent mashup of VISUAL Kei and distinctive pop elements with unbuckled bones facing the front view just tasteful enough to adhere to the unit's usual aesthetics.

Of course, these tasks are obviously trivial in comparison to what your "real work" entailed, and the CEO would split hairs if you joked about retiring. The doctor is no different; in fact, he is the most guilty of this dependence. Normally, superiors wouldn't break into their staff members' closed bakery at 2 in the morning on a Saturday, but Il Dottore has a few loose screws.

Partly, it's your fault too because Zandik has a crush on you.

That's not your ego talking– he admitted it three days ago. Maybe you would've accepted that confession if he didn't utter another word, you did hear Sohrah and the other staff members mention that he's some eye candy. The nose, the eye pits, the full set of pearly white teeth– those mean nothing when the person is Zandik. His personality is as foul as the things Ayato bought in the ADDICKTZ's hotpot game. You’re never crossing the water for an obvious red flag.

Following his direct confession, he went on to enumerate all of your faults in a psychopathic and alphabetical order. As to add more salt into the wound, Zandik brought out printed pictures and pointed at all the blemishes on your face that needed fixing before tossing a plastic surgeon's business card at you.  What an absolute jerk. Not the most romantic confession out there, but he did ask you out, right?

WRONG.

After his long spiel about being burdened by unnecessary dependence on you, he gave you an incentive to "look more unattractive during work hours" with a pay raise. 

So, Herr Doktor. So, Herr Enemy. Yet, you can't loathe Zandik when he's THAT honest about his avid repulsed fascination. The man is mad, but being mad doesn’t make him stupid. He wants the exact opposite of the likable behavior reinforcement theory coming from you. Zandik would sooner receive the loving embrace of an iron maiden than be in a rendezvous. He wholeheartedly believes that love is an illusion of a Greek necessity– whatever that meant. 

You were ready to argue when he pulled out a contract that Zhongli had revised for added credence. As self-preservation reared its not noble but necessary head, your anger left you. His proposed numbers were bafflingly astronomical that you might just quit your job after the first pay…

The moon has nothing to be sad about once it witnesses your dreams bear fruit. Zandik knows that as well, that's why he visited your little bakery before its opening day, demanding that you make him any type of pastries. Unfortunately, you're the type who would adjust your schedule for others and not the other way around.

Zandik wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeves. "Mind if I strip?"

"E-Excuse me?" You chuckled nervously. "Strip your apron, right?"

"Hair extensions, assistant." He clicked his tongue, amused. "With some common sense, you would’ve discovered that they get in the way and that these two long strands are artificial. Clearly, you lack some degree of rigor expected for an assistant."

Should’ve expected as much. This is the same man who cut off Childe's hair because he's "so damn tired seeing everyone in this forsaken group have the same fucking rat tail." You're pretty sure the only person who thought it was mildly amusing was Dainsleif.

Still… Last time, he told you those two strands were part of his hair. Zandik is not the type who would pettily lie for a joke. He's as straightforward as CEO Alhaitham– for better or for worse. Maybe he has a twin brother or something… 

No, that’s just inconceivable.

Zandik watched in amusement as your forehead creased. 

"You should've worded that differently… Doesn’t matter. Is there a flavor you’d like? Chocolates or...?"

He answered immediately. “Strawberries. Saw Alice ate some with her daughter last night.”

“Definitely it's not because it's your favorite, I’m aware,” you mused sarcastically. “Since you’re not actually into strawberries, might I suggest chocolate?”

Zandik glared. “Why?”

You batted your eyes at him playfully. “Oh, doctor, don’t you know chocolates have the love drug? As Langston Hughes would say “Have you dug the spill of Sugar Hill? Cast your gims, on this sepia thrill–”."

“Debunked. It’s laughable that you would insinuate such an incorrect notion.” Zandik scoffed loudly. “Chocolates don’t directly pass phenylethylamine to our nervous system, you’re more likely to excrete these pathetic sweets off your a–” 

Never been a romantic. Dottore somehow loves to make it a point to remind you of that foul personality trait of his in every conversation.

“Alright, that’s enough. It’ll be strawberry flavored.” You sighed as you placed the tray inside the oven. “Might I say, you’re acting rather… cocky, for a lack of a better term, with how I should handle my work.” 

“In my many years of living, I’ve learned that arrogance is a side-effect of truth and intelligence.”

“Yes, but your methods of holding that dough is quite barbaric. Please let it go.”

“Tsk.”

Dead hands, dead stringencies– Zandik simply lacks the talent for baking due to his rigidity. He dropped the dough and you smirked for a second, relieved. You secretly have a competitive side and you'd hate to admit that you're scared he might just beat you at your own game because of the frostings.  

“Master Zandik, please just sit down. There are empty chairs at empty tables–”

He rolled his eyes, crossing his legs on your table. You tried not to scream at him about hygiene and barely succeeded. “Friends are all dead and gone– I know. Do not think you can reference Les Miserables without me knowing, baker.”

You shook your head as you set the timer. While you were preoccupied, it seemed as if the doctor just couldn’t sit still.

“Hmph, this is the only thing of interest I’ve found in your precious little bakery thus far.”

You turned to look at him.

Zandik paused in front of the small wall of photographs you had on display. A smile crept on your face as you remembered how proud you were of organizing the photos of your friends and family into a heart-shaped mosaic. There is a tiny square space in the middle and he correctly inferred that will be the center will be used to display a photo of the bakery's opening day. Be that as it may, his attention lay elsewhere.

"You had a violent streak, didn't you?"

"... Pardon?"

"You were the "problem child", that's my assessment," Zandik smirked, detaching a photograph from your wall, which surprised you since you've had trouble easing them free. 

He specifically picked the photo you took during kindergarten with your grandma. 

"You had scraped knees and elbows but you don't have that stereotypical dumb boyish smile. You seem to have quite a pronounced frown. Would I be wrong to assume you weren't well-liked in your school–"

“Put it back.” While you do generally dislike being put under a spotlight, the cause of your harsh delivery stems from his unpleasant phrasings.

Zandik pretended not to hear you, "–I'm not teasing you. I would know this because I had a photo similar to this one."

For a moment, you saw a flicker of melancholic humanity in your otherwise monstrously rigid employer. You thought that vulnerable display would be brief, but the hollow chuckle that echoed proved that this event will mark a milestone in your "work" relationship.

Master Zandik is opening up to you.

"Unlike this cute and happy memento, I don't have a grandmother who would take a picture with me. I’ve lost them all in the fire." He muttered, his voice low and his eyes squinting. "Hence the reason why I squandered most of my hours burying my nose in textbook after textbook. Pantalone and I had to prove ourselves worthy of living a life outside the orphanage. But this picture…"

Your boss grumbled. "This picture looks awfully similar to the only childhood picture I have taken. A large frown, beat-up uniform– a rage that I can relate to. I understand your child self all too well. Too well, in fact, that I feel the urge to burn this photograph like what I’ve done with mine."

He traced his thumb around your young self's image, shockingly intimate.

You blinked incessantly, trying to process all the information that he told you. First, your boss has no family left. Second, he’s an orphan raised alongside sir Pantalone. Third, he burned the only picture he had when he was a kid. You would pinch yourself but this conversation is jaggedly real. 

As sensitive as this topic may be, your skepticism slips out as easily as breathing. "You burned your only childhood photo?"

Zandik ruminated. 

"Curious as to what I would've looked like? You don’t seem to find my decision very agreeable."

"Who would?" You didn't mean to whine, but the tone of your voice made you sound like complaining. "What possessed you to do that?! Now no one would know what you looked like, not even yourse–"

"I didn't look too different as to who I am now," Zandik answered, his usual confidence coming back. "Only back then, shades of purple bruises would overlap my face, arms, legs, and stomach. If I loathed my natural features I would've done something drastic to tweak my appearance."

"Of course, you would, hair surgeon." You jokingly muttered Childe's best Dottore insult.

"What was that?"

For the sake of the hair Ajax is trying to grow out, you need to change the subject, fast.

"Master Zandik, I have to ask– aren’t you supposed to hate me? Pray tell, what are you doing here then?”

It’s been bothering you since he walked in. If he wants his “crush” for you to disappear, then why the hell is he spending more time with you?

Surprisingly, Zandik was also stunned by your question. His eyes went wide, perplexed.

“... What are you talking about?”

“You know what I meant.” You deadpanned. “The contract, what else?”

“Contract?” He squinted. “What contract? Is it a contract revised by Zhongli?”

“An astute guess.” You mocked his tone. “Yes, it is. Perhaps we’ve handled so many workloads the past month because of Sir Alberich’s eye-plucking shenanigans that’s why you forgot. To put it simply, you ordered me to act less attractive in exchange for a pay raise.”

“What?”

He looked at you incredulously, as if you were joking.

“Is this some kind of twisted joke?” Zandik huffed. “I would do no such thing. That’s...”

His demeanor shifted once, then twice. After a moment of silence, he nodded.

“Forgive me, you’re right. I did propose that contract, haven’t I?”

“Yes, Master.”

“And I also confessed my affection for you as well?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Pity.” He muttered, his tone grieving. “There should be no other person who can understand me more than I do.” 

Zandik glared. “But why on earth is He trying to sabotage us.”

He?

“What are you talking about?”

Zandik gritted his teeth and smiled. “No matter. There’s no need for concern, darling.”

…

Did Master Zandik always have shark-like teeth?

He reached out and ruffled your hair slightly, but there is an ominous aura that lingered in his expression. It was akin to self-loathing, but not quite. Zandik pulled his hand back slowly, clenching it into a fist as he walked away.

You will never understand what he was talking about. After all, “Zandik” failed to mention the most important aspect of that photograph.

He had no parents, aunts, uncles, cousins… But the outcast did stand next to someone in that single childhood photo he had.

And that person was the picture-perfect imitation of himself, the perfect “sibling”.

Il Dottore laughed.

Now, if he could just throw him in the fire too…

Ansytea: Thank you so much for joining the match-up event Bakery Anon! Please don't chop, cook, and serve me to faceless!ayato–

[sinfulequity]

Swing and...A miss!

Mikoto’s door is finally here!

Along with the announcement of his cover song and his voice drama name; how fun~

Now onto actually analyzing this thing lmao (Gunsli/Archivalofsins and I both worked really hard on structuring and formatting this thing)

TL;DR- Neoplasm is a fitting evolution from John Doe for both personalities within Mikoto. It is fitting for the one we’re familiar with due to the abrupt change in perception and the one we found out about afterwards because they are becoming more active/growing more defined as Milgram progresses. There are a lot of horror elements involved in Mikoto’s song and previous mv that both of us are excited to see elaborated on in Double. The door is likely based on some sort of operating room and the lettering of the song title in English is probably referring to division.

I.            The Title

Firstly, I want to go over how the title is formatted in English! Initially I was thinking of it in writing terms (i.e. how parentheses are used to add clarifying information to a sentence).

A parenthesis is a word, phrase, or clause inserted into a sentence as an explanation or afterthought. When a parenthesis is removed, the surrounding text is still grammatically sound. A parenthesis is usually offset with parentheses (i.e., round brackets), commas, or dashes. These are called parenthetical punctuation marks. A parenthesis is sometimes called an "interrupter" as it interrupts the flow of text.

Examples of them are:

·         Andrew Jacklin (last year's losing finalist) is expected to win this heat.

·         The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. (Journalist HL Mencken)

When parentheses (round brackets) are used to offset a parenthesis, the parenthesis is easily seen. However, some writers feel that parentheses can make formal texts look unorganized.

There are more links above, outside of the meaning, usage and formatting of parenthesis. If you’re interested, you can go through it all to see the way that grammar and formatting can help explain/emphasize a point! Being informed on this, at the very least, will be helpful for those that wish to more critically engage with and analyze written media.

Applying this logic to the English title of Mikoto’s second trial song, further emphasizes Mikoto being MeMe. As it can literally be read as Double I’m MeMe. Due to the lack of punctuation, this can be interpreted as both a statement and a question.

Something alluded to by Mikoto’s expression. However, this isn’t the only way it can be read!

We’ve had addition,

“Clothes Food Shelter + Love and Miss.”

We’ve had subtraction,

“Loving Affection (minus) Love, it’s tacky, this two-way deceit.” (Also, another effective use of parentheses.)

Now get ready for-

Division

Yep, the way I’m (MeMe) is written should be familiar to anyone who knows basic Algebra. Because this is exactly how basic division problems are shortened within that form of math and others.

Some examples,

This serves to follow up on what we were told within MeMe,

“Split in half, make that heart beat.”

Since that’s exactly what division is all about

“Division is a mathematical operation which involves the separating of an amount into equal-sized groups.”

Regardless of the outcome it will always be balanced and through recombining those groups will equal the whole. This is why any single number divided by itself equals one because it is equally distributed down. This is why uneven numbers when divided usually have solutions that are not integers as well. The exception being when they’re divided by themselves or by 1.

The point of division is breaking something down into equal parts that can be put back together to get the number you divided by.

For example,

7/2=3.5

89/2=44.5

In either scenario if one were to add this number to itself (essentially combining the two halves) it would make the number that was divided. Add forty-four point five to forty-four point five, to get eighty-nine and three point five to three point five to get seven.

Division is all about figuring out what number added to itself as many times as the number it is being divided by will equal out to the number that is being divided. So, in the case of our first two examples where we are dividing by two doubling the number we get will equal out to what we divided.

A more on topic example would be dividing Mikoto’s prisoner number by two.

9/2= 4.5

Ultimately, this would just be another way of stating something we know about Mikoto already. That he is the ninth prisoner within Milgram.

Let’s use Mikoto’s prisoner number in another division example,

9/3= 3

In multiplication three multiplied by itself equals nine, as many know. However, that doesn’t equate to three overall but three groups of three. Basically being,

3+3+3= 9

Only serving to further reiterate to us that Mikoto is the ninth prisoner overall. That’s just how math works. Now that we’ve gone over some rather basic math; what does the way they chose to organize the lettering on Mikoto’s second trial cd tell us?

Under this framing it could be read as Double I’m/(MeMe) or Double I’m divided by MeMe.

This could reflect that Mikoto’s current state of being is separated into these parts. Stating that these are the parts that make up I’m. Or to put it in math terms again I’m/(MeMe)= Y(X).

Get it because his first trial song quote is,

“Why?”

Also, because the solution, just like punctuation, isn’t here within the title. Something that further emphasizes this lyric in MeMe,

“Why, hey why, I’m nowhere to be found.”

In this case, the two me’s would be making up the I’m while being a source of division for it.

This way of reading it may allude to a disagreement between these two parts or just imply that both these parts are getting in the way of discovering “I’m” in some way breaking their overall sense of self down.

This is something, that has also been illustrated in Yamanaka’s tweet regarding the voice drama,

Which roughly translates to,

“I (ore) did it. I (boku) didn’t do it! You saw it through Milgram! What do you think?”

All this implies that we will more than likely be seeing Mikoto/and the other face this aspect of themselves along with the concept of identity in some way.

II.            The Door & Speculations on the Voice Drama Snippet

When it comes to Mikoto’s door, Gunsli and I couldn’t really agree on what it was. At first glance I thought it was an elevator door and she thought it was a train door. However, the door opens outwards while noticeably not being broken in any way that would force it to do so, illustrating that this door has hinges.

Meaning that both beliefs are incorrect.

Train doors also don’t have this on top,

This digital prompter is why I initially believed it was an elevator before taking into consideration how it opens. These words have been put on all the prisoner’s doors. However, they have always been in some way apart of them. This implies that this digital prompter is a part of the door, proper.

Making it more unlikely that these are the doors to a train. I’ve also seen speculation of it being a swing door (opening both outwards and inwards, which would be cool), but… given how fortified the frame is and how thick the doors themselves are… I find that highly unlikely.

The closest thing that we’ve come to a consensus on is actually…

Operating room doors (Operation Theatre Doors). Possibly, emergency operation ones? If this is it, I’m curious to what Mikoto’s MV is visually gonna be like. I think it would be hilarious if we didn’t get visceral imagery, but I don’t think that’s likely after taking into consideration the horror inspirations that can be noted within his previous trial (something we’ll go into later).

Those give his door a few more fun implications. Especially, if these are in fact operating room doors. This is because a lot of zombie/infection type horror movies take place in hospitals. If one were to look at his door through that sort of lens, wouldn’t it appear quite reminiscent to the doors seen at ground zero infection sites in virus or zombie genre horror flicks- The blood smeared on the door as people try to make their way in the glass smashed in hopes of reaching in and unlocking it or breaking a barricade. That airtight thick frame around the door. The likes of movies such as Contagion, 28 Days Later, or The Sadness. Warning for flashing lights on all these trailers by the way.

Outside of continuing these horror inspirations, operation room doors would be a good fit considering his voice dramas name as well. This time, the voice drama is called “Neoplasm”, which is not technically a word that exists, but does follow the format of a bunch of medical terms.

Now, I’m gonna rewind a little, because I haven’t given my opinion on the first trial voice drama name, “John Doe”, either (I promise this connects lol). John Doe applies to both personalities in Mikoto in different ways.

The Mikoto taken into Milgram (referred to within this section from now as Miko), is initially described as “mass goods”. In other words, an “everyman” or to quote Gunsli, “a dime a dozen”. Miko is an office worker, one of the most mundane jobs out there.

This touches on the fact that, like Gunsli has said previously, he could be replaced at any point without much trouble. As we know, John Doe is widely known to be used as a generic name/placeholder in order to withhold details from the larger public.

Either that, or the details don’t exist.

The Mikoto we find out about after Milgram has started, proper, (referred to in this section as Koto), is someone we don’t have an identifying “tag” for. The only (overt) way we know that Koto is out is that he has different behavioural mannerisms and vocabulary.

Even then, his use of personal pronouns seemed to be the same as Miko’s in MeMe, given the line:

“I” will save “me”.

This line uses boku in both instances of a personal pronoun.

In this way, John Doe could be meant in its more formal way; where a body is called this when the identity hasn’t been verified yet.

Incidentally, did you know that John Doe used to be a court term?

Specifically, to hide the identity of a plaintiff in an ongoing court case. There’s also a counterpart called Richard Roe, that hides the identity of the defendant.

There is a mild but real possibility that Miko could be trying to implicate Koto as the perpetrator within his second voice drama to skirt taking responsibility for his actions. It has been brought to the audience’s attention that the prisoners can hear what the audience has been saying about them since the beginning of trial two.

Though Yuno is the most candid about it,

Absolute Zero Yuno Trial 2 Interrogation

“It’s fucking bothersome- I told you this from the start; didn’t I. There’s no end to how much people will punish each other outside of the law. Due to that I really had no interest in Milgram.”

Yes, I remember that. You told me that you wouldn’t pay my judgements any mind and just continue as you have been.

“Oh, that’s right; I’m happy you remembered! Yet, at that time, I didn’t exactly hate it…Milgram. Sure, this place is full of nothing but weirdos but it was much warmer than my day-to-day life at least.”

It did appear like you were having fun the last time we spoke.

“Yes, it was fun! Sure, they’re all murderers but they’re interesting people. They put me at ease a bit, there was just something nice about being around others who also seemed to have something missing in one way or another.”

You’re saying that changed because of me?

“Yep! The situation has become more bothersome than fun. Now all the novelty of it that I found fun at first has been overshadowed- So, I’ve chilled out now that’s all.”

…

“And…Are you satisfied with this situation?”

Everyone within Milgram is a murderer, to the extent of clarifying the information I’ve been handed, to understand your sins… This job, my role, is necessary. Milgram will pull to the forefront not just your essences but the truths that lie within.

“Who are you trying to convince with that? Do those feelings and observations of yours not hold up unless you repeat them over and over again to yourself?”

…!

“You want to find the truth…huh? Pf…Haha!”

Yes, of course, as the guard of Milgram finding the truth of the matter is integral to correctly judging your sins-

“It’s the result of A LOOOOT OF sugar-babying: abortion.”

…!

“That’s probably my murder. Well have it, go and partake of the truth you were seeking so badly.”

…

“How is it, as good as you thought? Are you satisfied? If so, can we be done already?”

Yuno…you…

“You don’t surprise easily, do you? As I thought, you knew it from the song extraction.”

Well, yes, I considered it as one of many possibilities. However, that is the one I believed was most likely. Taking into account Milgram’s lack of specifications concerning the terms murderer and murder alongside it acting outside of common law I could not overlook the possibility it could interpret such a thing as murder.

“Yes, I’m sure. Well, more to say, I had this inkling that was your way of thinking. I could feel it.”

You could feel it…you say?

“Feel it, hear it, all throughout Milgram it’s probably the same with the others as well. Voices talking, observing, poking their noses into things that they ought not to and then discussing my sins.”

Something like that…

“Were those not the sort of thoughts you were having or something? It’s not as if I can really know for sure after all.”

…I don’t know. I wasn’t informed that Milgram could have that sort of impact. It is true I decided to forgive you with that thought in mind. However, that decision is only provisional.

“Haaa….”

…

“Well, then now I’ll tell you the second reason I’m so chilled out! Yaaay!!”

…

“You’re bad at going with the mood, huh.”

I’m starting to lose what little grasp I had on the type of person you are.

“You know it’s dull if you get too serious all the time.”

Noted. Continue.

“My second chillout reason simply put is the fact I was forgiven.”

What?

“Well, to get specific, it isn’t the fact I was forgiven itself but…”

I don’t understand. Just state it plainly.

“Hm…well then, should I just tell you what I heard in my head, what those incessant voices were saying. “Because she’s pitiful.”, “There’s no doubt, she definitely had some sort of reason for doing it.”, “She’s probably this way because there were problems in her home life.”, “She just doesn’t know love yet!” Ah…! “Because of that… I’ll forgive her!”.”

It's true that my decision was impacted by that sort of analogical reasoning and those are all things I considered.

“Ah, yes, yes… Well, and I have to stress this is going to purely and fully my own personal opinion but- I find making those sorts of assumptions preachy and unpleasant!”

…

“It’s all worthless. Deciding that I’m pitiful, making up a backstory for me, creating this personal idealized version of me- This acceptable version of me that you can feel good looking at. Aa..h- They exist you know the sort of people who do that. Those sorts of people have never will never do anything for me.”

Yuno..

“I’m not pitiful, my family gets along great, and I’m not particularly struggling financially. I decided to do what I did of my own free will because I felt it was necessary for me.”

-End of Transcript-

Tear Drop

“Just shut it, will you? You know it all.”

During her voice drama, Yuno explains and calls to attention this new phenomenon within Milgram. Both before and after her the other prisoners conveniently omit the specifics of the information they have heard. Kazui being the most egregious display of this, as he does not bring up hearing the voices at all and only responds to questions after gaining more clarity on the situation. His entire voice drama really comes off as though he’s just leading Es by the nose.

Taking into consideration what was established through her interrogation (the implication that all the prisoners have heard the prevailing theories about their cases) who’s to say Miko has not weaponized the information he’s heard? Omitting he heard it like the others and using it to push the blame more onto the other personality. Whom if we’re being frank would more than likely be willing to take the fall for him anyway.

However, the fact that this is said,

“I (ore) did it. I (boku) didn’t do it! You saw it through Milgram! What do you think?”

Very quickly showcases to me that the one speaking is Miko here not Koto. Koto in the snippet of Double we’ve been shown is questioning what’s wrong,

“Why are you crying?”

If Koto is not aware of what is negatively impacting Miko in the song proper, why would they know what Milgram saw or how Milgram reacted to it? A thing stated to be specific to prisoners beneath Milgram’s control.

This is something alluded to during the second trial commencement notice. At that time Jackalope tells us Koto has been free and unchained this entire time.

Exempt from the rules of Milgram and unable to have punishment administered to them. This means the voices all the prisoners have been hearing as part of their punishments or rewards would not impact him.

So, once again, I ask- How the fuck would he know that anyone saw anything through Milgram? Especially the specific implication and pervasive theory that it was them (Koto) who committed the murders.

Something that gives more credence to this idea is how Koto has even interpreted the song,

“I should have saved you but why are you crying? Rely on me, praise me with your song, I am your saviour.”

As a form of praise and a way in which Miko is relying on him. Simply as if Koto doesn’t see a thing wrong with what was displayed on top of not knowing what is upsetting Miko.

How much Koto knows about the song and Milgram’s response to it is rather questionable as we’ve been expressly told he is not a prisoner proper yet.

This possible way of handling the situation on Miko’s part is oddly reminiscent to how the Devil within Not A Devil attempts to convince the viewers they’re good through lines like,

“Another clandestine rendezvous with myself. Drained, oh so drained, introspection and in prayer.”

MeMe

“Snuggle together and say, “Good night” switch, shake up that brain.”

“The minus energy that I swallowed hugged me.”

Double (though official translation liable to change)

“I should have saved you but why are you crying? Rely on me, praise me with your song, I am your saviour.”

“No worries, no worries everything’s fine. This is just a silly joke.”

Trial 1 Voice Drama

“Of course, I want to think of all this as a joke…Wouldn’t anyone?”

“Calm down, that’s just a rumor.”

MeMe

“I won’t forgive you if this is happening to me even though I’m right.”

“All those ridiculous accusations.”

“Now shut up and give me your signature. Not a devil, I’m not a devil. So, sayeth the devil.”

MeMe

“I’m probably not to blame, it’s probably nothing.” – “Why am I here?  It must be a mistake, right?”

Taking the court terminology, Miko implicating Koto as the culprit with his denial firmly puts him in the role of John Doe (plaintiff) and Koto in the position of Richard Roe (defendant). Beginning a back and forth of finger pointing where Miko implicates the other and Koto can either deny the accusation or accept it.

This makes his second voice dramas title “Neoplasm” very apt naming. Because over the course of Milgram, the mold (interpretation) Mikoto was put under as this every man, silly little office worker caricature has been reshaped into to something new and abnormal.

Miko’s possible response to this new perception of his character being pretending to be Koto to fit this new shape he’s been given within the voice drama while attempting to save face isn’t surprising coming from him. He would know that Koto uses ore as well. Since, the audience has repeated it consistently over the course of the intermission. If Miko has been hearing the audience, as has been implied, it’d be very difficult for him to not be made aware of how Koto behaves.

Taking into consideration how much the other has been discussed, drawn, and written about. It has been more than shown that the prisoners know our speculations, in regard to their cases, and they’ve all been shown making attempts to confirm the validity of the statements they’ve heard over the course of their voice dramas. As such, there is a real possibility that Miko has heard the argument that the other committed the murders and he is in fact an innocent harmless individual.

Information that he’d rightfully take advantage of in this situation. Because it’d be a bit more difficult for people to condemn an innocent and harmless individual. Even if the other one did it and the only way to punish Koto was through punishing Miko a few people would be hesitant about doing such a thing. Simply put it would feel wrong to do as it’s dragging down a blameless individual just to get to someone who for all we know may not be at fault either.

We now find ourselves in a very classic dilemma-

MeMe

“The truth will come to reveal itself. I won’t forgive you if this is happening to me even though I’m right.”

“The truth will come to reveal itself. I will NEVER forgive you if this is happening to me even though I’m right.”

“So, I will NEVER forgive you if this is happening to me even though I’m right.”

At this point, or maybe even from the beginning, they’ve just been in a finger pointing competition. And things are only about to get messier.

III.            Voice Drama Title

Now back to the title of the voice drama “Neoplasm” (orz). Remember how I said Neoplasm isn’t technically a word? Well, it’s technically not and is.

As many were quick to point out, Neoplasm refers to a new and abnormal growth of tissue within the human body that could either be benign or malignant. It’s a term to describe the discovery of new tissue growth such as a tumour that was not previously present. However, when this occurrence is discussed, the individual neoplasm is rarely referred to by name instead the phenomenon is usually referred to and discussed as “Neoplasia”.

As you can see in these lists of Human Anatomy & Physiology: Latin and Greek Word-Parts plasm is not included as a suffix.  

Now this may seem like semantics. However, it’s incredibly important to differentiate between these two terms. Neoplasms are the result of Neoplasia. Neoplasia is when neoplasms are formed. Through naming the voice drama Neoplasm Yamanaka plainly stated that a Neoplasm has formed but Neoplasia, the act of it forming, has not been observed.

Through using this term instead of the one usually used in cases of observing (discovering) this new tissue and the process of its formation this comes off as saying though an abnormality has been observed it was present when the patient arrived. Again, unlike in the case of observing Neoplasia when doctors usually go okay this was not here several months ago but it’s here now.

Meaning, the Neoplasm is more than likely not entirely new but it shouldn’t be there, and it wouldn’t normally be there.

Let’s move onto word roots and meanings.

Now we know that Neo has an etymology from Greek

"New, Young, Recent," from Greek neos and "new, young, youthful; fresh, strange; lately, just now," from PIE root *newo-. In the physical sciences, caeno-, ceno- is used in the same sense. Paleo- is an antonym of these terms.

However, modern day definitions of the word (Yes, I said definitions!) are a bit different,

As it can mean “something new” or “new or recent, or in a modern form”.

For example, within Ace Attorney there’s a show called the “The Steel Samurai” the location of this show is stated to be Neo Olde-Tokyo. A new/revived version of old Tokyo. In this case the use of Neo and Olde together better highlight the intricacies of this word.

A more recent example of this would be NEOTWEWY. The title of the revival/follow-up game telling us out the gate this is something new built on the foundation of The World Ends With You (TWEWY). It is also, canonically, a remade form of Shibuya that Joshua made at the end of the original base game. Albeit, one made to be pretty much the same as the original.

So, while the immediate thought would be that it’s something new, it could also mean that it’s something that’s been reformed and shown as “new” that way. Something I’m sure that Miko is fully aware of. In fact, I’d say anything in reference to him would be more likely to use a pop culture meaning! Especially when you take into account his active attempts to keep up with the times and be seen as popular.

Plasm, however, has two roots in terms of etymology: Latin and Greek. In Latin, its root means “mold”. In Greek, it means “something formed”/“formation” or “to shape”.

The term also has modern-day definitions!

The first one is,

“formative or formed material (as of a cell or tissue)”

But there’s also

“Any of the components of protoplasm”

Protoplasm being the building blocks for all life on a cellular level.

In medical science it can also be used as a prefix and a suffix, but let’s focus on the suffix here.

Suffix meaning living substance, tissue.

These definitions of plasm may seem similar, but there is a difference in nuance. The first definition listed here refers to it as the material itself, specifying that it’s used in cells/tissues. The second one refers to the fact that they act as smaller parts to a whole (the whole in this case being the -cellular- foundation of life).

And the third one focuses on what the material makes as a whole. In other words, living substances and/or tissues.

Let’s move back to Koto. Well, we don’t know that much about him, right? Except, since the last trial ended, it’s been stated that he’s shown up more often. This includes in the trial two website voice lines, somewhere we’ve never seen him before! This, in addition to the usage of ore in the Double preview, seem to indicate that he’s solidifying more of an identity for himself.

Going back to the topic of the lettering choices on the CD cover real quick; specifically the division idea brought up earlier. Considering I’m as the whole and Miko and Koto as (MeMe) in this framework once again reiterates that Koto may possibly be growing a sense of identity outside of Miko and vice versa. Since Miko may be growing a more solid sense of identity as well after becoming aware of the other. You know, something you could also put as separating/dividing from Miko?

Neoplasms themselves aren’t really a big deal unless it turns out they are cancerous. In fact, benign ones are extremely common.

This is something that is once again rather fitting for Mikoto’s character and the implementation of it within Milgram. Allow me to elaborate, Mikoto as a character has subverted expectations from his first trial. There is a clear pattern with him of taking things that are usually considered normal and distorting them into something easily perceived as extreme, odd, or out of the norm.

Turning the mundane into the terrifying, a very common thing done within the horror genre.

This is one of the reasons Gunsli finds it very exciting that his second trial will be releasing in October. As it’s not just the month of his birthday but Halloween. So, she’s really hoping for some more horror inspired imagery with all those very common horror lighting tropes.

IV.            Horror Influences

From static effects,

To flat lighting from a television,

Those fisheye lens sort of shot at the beginning,

Then there’s this shot,

and the usage of both anamorphic lenses and vignetting.

(Side note; if you want to look more into how lighting utilized in horror, check out this video- x)

The atmospheric lens allows the lighting to look more ethereal. This, on top of the colouring used for the lights, makes the overall shot feel cold and liminal. The usage of a wide shot also emphasises this feeling of isolation.

In addition, the pillar at the foreground on his right makes him look crowded in while the emptiness to his left highlights how alone he is. This is also where the victim comes in from. The framing and direction here make it look as though the victim is cornering Mikoto.

That combined with the vignetting, makes the shot the visual equivalent of being “between a rock and a hard place”. This is likely a representation of how Miko was feeling at the time of the crime; trapped and as if he had to do this to survive.

Leading into another point, the way that all of the shots in MeMe are set up. Is something I find interesting, because a lot of them are ones usually used for victims/horror protagonists. Something that contrasts wildly with both his crime and how callously it’s shown. This puts Mikoto in the interesting position of both predator and prey.

For Gunsli this is all the stuff that just makes a horror fan go, “Yeah, this guy... This guy fucking watches horror movies for fun doesn’t he.” while everyone else who’s normal and hasn’t watched almost every horror movie they had access to goes how do you know this- Just for her to respond with, “I’m not the one on trial here he’s the fucking murderer; this ain’t about me!”.

All while managing to draw attention to and show off Mikoto’s genuine love and eye for photography. Possibly even nodding towards a bit of an interest in cinematography.

Q.07 What are your hobbies?

Mikoto: shopping / darts / photography / cycling

Every shot in MeMe meticulously planned out and executed in a way startlingly similar to how his murders are alluded to have gone down.

All this makes it difficult for them to say the team doesn’t know what they’re doing when it comes to him. Mikoto’s character in general turns the benign into something cancerous or the mundane into something controversial. A skill that has made him the topic of many divisive conversations and instances in Milgram’s history.

The usage of neoplasm could also touch on how Koto was immediately stigmatized by most of the fandom. Just as everyone assumes the worst-case scenario from tumours showing up, they assumed the worst of Koto’s entire existence. From statements such as,

“Having a person with D.I.D being a murderer is bad rep” to “I can’t believe they gave someone with D.I.D a murderous personality again”.

All this, despite the fact we don’t know who committed the actual crime. Though we’re pretty sure it was Miko for multiple reasons Gunsli has covered elsewhere.

Closing remarks from Gunsli- It’s always fun to write with other people but it’s always the best when I get to write with Star. I initially came to her for help with this one because I was just in the worst of moods due to multiple circumstances. However, this wound up taking so long mostly because there was just so much to cover and talk about. Plus, we haven’t even went into his cover yet. I was rather excited about guessing Mikoto’s second trial cover song correctly~ However, in the excitement of that I made some rather hasty observations myself like guessing that the door was train doors. Luckily, I took a step back to observe it more and talked over a lot of things with Star. Hope people enjoy all of this and sorry for leaving the TL;DR to you Star.

Here’s my (Star’s) parting words. Or rather, image-

-We try and have fun here

[homoeroticbetrayal]

Iconic Homerotice Betrayals: Round 2

*I actually haven't been in a convention for 10+ years so I don't know if that's still true.

Round 2 Directory

Context:

Anakin/Obi-Wan

Summary by Anonymous Contributor

Imagine this. You are Obi-Wan Kenobi. Your jedi master (basically your teacher & parent), finds this random ass kid on a backwater planet, promises to teach him against the wishes of basically every jedi master with a say in this, gets killed and saddles you with the promise to teach the kid. You are now a 25yo with a 10yo kid. That kid is the chosen one. His name is Anakin Skywalker.

For years you love the kid, raise him and teach him to the best of your ability. You see him knighted, and you fight along with him in a galaxy-wide war. He is the one who has your back. You trust him with your life and the lives of your men. Sometimes he makes crazy plans, but usually it all works out. He gets a student of his own, and you find yourself co-parenting a teenage girl and everything is ok, it looks like you're gonna win the war and be able to have peace again.

Wrong.

Your men turn against you and your people are slaughtered. Leading the assault on your temple and slaughtering the younglings? Anakin. You go to the senator he has been close with since he was a child and find out not only is he married, no. He's also got a kid on the way. So you stow away on her ship to get to where he is, when you get there he almost chokes the senator to death and you fight, because "if you're not with me, then you're against me" he said, and you're not with him on this. He was your brother, and you had to cut off all 3 of his remaining limbs and leave him to burn on the lava planet of mustafar.

You take his wife to a medic space station, she gives birth to not one but TWO kids, and then proceeds to die of a broken heart. To make sure the children are safe, you split them up, giving the girl, Leia, to a trusted friend, another senator, and taking the boy, Luke, to Anakin's step-brother.

For a decade you hide, wasting away, unable to process the genocide of your people, until Leia is abducted and your senator friend contacts you to help. While trying to rescue her, you find out the bastard didn’t even have the decency to die but instead became Darth Vader, a sith lord. You’re still too traumatized, too cut off from your powers, to give him a proper fight. He burns you, and you’re saved. You rescue Leia, but you have to make a sacrifice, knowing he will follow you if you split away from the group of refugees, making sure they and Leia will survive. You fight but its not really a fight, and he traps you to die a slow death under a pile of rocks.

But then you realise that it can’t end like this, you fight, and you win. He says “You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker. I did.” absolving you of your guilt. You could kill him, but you don’t. You walk away. You’re a jedi. You have no interest in killing him, you’ve done it once already.

Years later, Leia is once more in Vader’s hands. You go to rescue her with Luke, whose aunt and uncle have just been killed by the empire. Once more, you sacrifice yourself, fighting Vader as a distraction for the rescue mission. You will not win this. You know it. But when Vader kills you, you become more powerful than he could ever have imagined.

You help guide Luke, and eventually, Vader is defeated, not by Luke, not by Obi-Wan, but by the light still within him, and Anakin Skywalker dies free of darkness. You reunite to watch over the future together as force ghosts. The End.

Sasuke/Naruto

Summarized by anonymous contributor

Two traumatized orphans find kindred souls in each other (even if they're too emotionally stunted to admit it even to themselves). They both grow stronger, but then Sasuke grows jealous of Naruto's progress. He's obsessed with strength, needing to get revenge for his family, and Naruto threatens that. Sasuke decides he's not getting the strength he needs from the village, so he leaves- but Naruto chases him. They face off in a dramatic waterfall battle before the giant statues of historical figures (that also had a friends-to-enemies thing, let's go Symbology), and Sasuke manages to beat him. He swears he wants to kill him, but when he finally has the chance, he just hangs over Naruto's unconscious body... face to face, just staring at him from inches away... before he gives up. He can't kill him, even if he refuses to admit to himself.

Why.

Fast forward several years, Sasuke is 16 and "evil", Naruto is OBSESSED with getting strong enough to bring Sasuke home. They fight - over and over and over again, Naruto trying Desperately to bring Sasuke home, and Sasuke refusing over and over again. Everyone tells Naruto it's a lost cause, but he refuses to give up. And somehow, Sasuke never works up the will to kill Naruto.

Eventually they work past it all and end up joined at the hip (and in gay love, no matter what Kishimoto tries to say).

[bodybeyondstories]

Just ignore it - 1

David is teaching a course on identifying and managing magical anomalies, and begins to suspect there may be a reality-warper in class. Largely because everyone's butt looks too good to believe.

2 (Next)

(btw this is inspired by one of my favorite TF stories)

“Now the point of these journals is to start recognizing energetic and temporal anomalies, better attuning yourselves to…”

I paused mid-sentence, feeling that something was off, taking a beat before I continued with the lecture. I was hoping to have some time to settle into the Fall semester before having to deal with an inevitable minor metaphysical crisis, but a reality warper a few weeks in was not what I saw coming.

Having a job that includes resolving paranormal wrinkles in spacetime seems exciting until you realize that somehow they’ve found a way to turn it into yet another 9 to 5. People often expect some sort of imposing mansion or gothic structure whenever they hear “Center of Supernatural Sciences,” but it’s actually a squat concrete block cobbled together by a regional college in the 70s. The scariest thing for visitors is figuring out how to connect to the WiFi, though if you’re rude to Seema at the front desk, she will put a hex on you and that’s just your own fault. It’s been a mainstay on this campus for decades, but for how much longer was unclear, as administration has been defunding us relentlessly for as long as I’ve been here. The university doesn’t see our value in light of its own investments in mass surveillance technology and a more ‘hard science’ study of spookiness, but the work we do is still important. Supernatural phenomena are much more common than a lot of people realize–it’s just a matter of actually paying attention–and our work is split between teaching, research, and service, addressing issues locally and regionally as they arise.

And no, we’re not magic cops. We’re not out to punish or control, fist bumping each other as we shoot silver bullets first and ask questions later. That’s archaic. We investigate, mitigate, and remediate, stepping in whenever the fabric of reality gets a little too bunched or frayed and mending as best we can.

I teach a class called “Investigating Supernatural Threats” almost every semester, which is a title that I absolutely despise–I think it’s an insult to our more than human neighbors–but the department is worried that if we change it we’ll end up losing funding to the criminal justice program, and it’s a hill I’m only willing to get bruised on. But it’s a survey of identifying and responding to paranormal, metaphysical, and magical shenanigans, so it tends to get all kinds. It’s usually a relatively small group, a smattering of grad students from occult history to crypto-zoology, museum curators and archivists needing a refresher on what to be cautious of, and often–which I’m personally delighted by–new forest rangers sent by the state’s Department of Natural Resources who are doing overnights for the first time.

But back to the issue at hand. It’s my job to stay observant across multiple temporal and dimensional planes, so I’m known for picking up on minor phenomena and patterns that at first glance may not seem significant. So around week 3, I couldn’t help but notice that most, if not all, of the men in the class had near perfect, juicy butts, yet all unique in their own ways. I was used to commanding attention with a round booty sitting pretty on my 6’1” frame, looking downright disproportionate against my lean swimmer’s build–a blessing and a curse, really–but some of them were giving me a run for my money. Which isn’t really an issue, squats are en vogue and there are plenty of male leg day enthusiasts thanks to social media trends, not that I’m complaining, but in week 4, I picked up on the fact that all of their pants fit so well. Too well. Like not just fitted but custom made for each of their unique and sizeable proportions, as if carefully crafted to emphasize and display their bubble butts. A telltale sign.

During class, I kept my extrasensory eyes and ears open, seeing if I could pick up on any novel energetic shifts. And I felt something odd. Something deep and subsonic, pressing tentatively against the borders of our reality, like a sperm whale floating up to a kayak without making a sound. I could feel an energy seeping into local space, something building to some sort of threshold, before, with a submerged *pop* that I could ‘hear’ elsewhere, it was gone. It was like nothing had happened. In fact, nothing had happened. I turned to the board to continue writing something that I had forgotten, only realizing after class had ended that I had been writing about two inches above where I had left off. I did a somatic check, quickly scanning my body from toes to head to fingertips. I felt fine, had all ten fingers, only two eyes, an ass that could stop traffic, still a strapping 6’3”. But had that been true an hour ago? Doubt was setting in.

As someone who teaches the detection and mitigation of magical fuckery, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to deal with a potential situation like this. You’d be surprised how often some horny gay warlock has a little too much fun and needs to be reined in, or someone’s chaos magic manifests without them realizing–even worse, with them fully realizing. If you’ve ever had to neutralize an entire college dorm (and a frat house to boot) you would understand why we need more funding and support in magical education, but this isn’t the time for my soap box. A mystery’s afoot.

My most important piece of advice: Just ignore it. The thing is, a reality warper is a serious matter. If you call someone out, you better come correct and prepared for anything. Even just them knowing that you know–or that you’re on the hunt–can get real messy real fast. So you have to act casual. Don’t let them know you’re on to them, and don’t let them know that you know that something is seriously off. This is why I always introduce an extended project around tracking anomalies in the fabric of spacetime, having my students keep journals of anything weird, unusual, or metaphysically wobbly. Don’t react in real time, just on paper and in private, keeping a record of things as they happen. But it seemed like whoever this was was influencing the passage of time in very subtle ways and everyone’s memories, for the most part, were adjusting accordingly. Which is why no one in class has batted an eye at the fact that the asses in this room look like they were expertly morphed to near-comical proportions. After all, what else is new? So I took a different strategy and laid a trap.

The donk on my 6’4” frame (Hmm…) was a sight to behold. All muscle with a healthy layer of padding ballooning out from my otherwise lithe form. It was leaps and bounds my best feature, had been for as long as I could remember. I was used to men staring dumbfounded in public as my cheeks swished back and forth, including my own students whenever I turned to the blackboard, pushing it out ever so slightly as I leaned forward to write, the globes of my ass encased in one of many perfectly tailored pairs of tweed slacks. I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter, seeing as any pants off the rack would either be way to loose in the waist or way too tight in the glutes, risking catastrophic failure. So I got my pants carefully fitted, but the thing was, so did everyone else. All the men in the class, from muscle butts to perky, round ones, to jiggly booties and wide hips, always had expertly fitted pants without fail. So we know what the focus of the shifts was, but it seemed like it was an expert reworking of time, and with that, memory. The phenomenon of unusually juicy asses in class pinged on my paranormal radar, but mine had always been this way. Right?

The thing is, the fit of everyone’s pants wasn’t just good, it was too good. Perfect, even. Yes, I had memories of having all my slacks tailored but they fit like they had been hand sewn on a lifelike model of my bulbous glutes with millimeter scale precision, not too little and not too much. So I found a pair that I didn’t much care for and took a razor to the back seam to weaken it just so. I squeezed into my form fitting pants and made my way to campus, careful not to stress the stitches too much and too fast, waddling into the room early and looking forward to this ordeal being over. Before anyone showed up, I cast a spell of detection around the space. Not detection of magical activities, which would’ve risked tripping any alarms that my possible warper may have already had in place, not to mention the possibility of interfering chaotically with their own spell whose function I was still unsure of. It was more of an emotional and energetic heat map, tipping me off to any sudden shifts in people’s auras.

Class began like normal as I offered some further thoughts inspired by the previous week’s discussion of AI programs as a potential tool of revealing and visualizing temporal anomalies. The discipline, in order to stay relevant, had been getting into the implications of digital technologies and new media for magical phenomena, so I figured we should spend a little more time on the topic. Also I was genuinely interested in hearing people’s thoughts, albeit distracted by the ticking time bomb of my basketball buns putting catastrophic pressure on my pants as I sometimes too excitedly paced across the front of the room. 

Per usual, I could feel the crescendo of strange, unfamiliar power rubbing almost playfully along the barrier between worlds, but everyone’s auras seemed fine. There was no corresponding wave of connected energy from any one person, beyond the general simmer of erotic activation (i.e. horniness) that spiked every time I turned my back to the class. I had become familiar with the exact threshold that this power would hit before it seemingly reset everything to a new, slightly more enhanced normal, and I was counting on the regularity of that threshold with the timing of this next move.

The previous, and now continuing discussion of new media had led me to realize that the enhanced asses in the room really did look like expertly done morphs and the perfect fit of every pair of pants, no matter the material, was simply improbable. Whoever this was, whatever this was, was operating along the edges of possibility, letting fantasy seep into what we generally regard as the real (or what we think is the real). So I figured, why not use one of my favorite tropes and see what happens.

My tweed slacks were impeccable but not indestructible and as the energetic threshold was reached I just happened to drop my chalk, quickly bending down to retrieve it. The spike in erotic attention from the view of my ballooning backside paled in comparison to what followed, as the seam of my pants finally gave way, my cheeks spilling into view along with a pair of pink and purple polka dotted bikini briefs that did nothing to cover the shelf of my ass.

I played it off with my expert acting skills (this wasn’t the first time I had to feign surprise from some magical mishap), performing a practiced mixture of embarrassment and humor that I assumed the reality-shifter would expect. From the men in class was a mix of nodding in understanding and whispers of It’s even bigger than I thought and How did those pants even fit. I felt a wave of erotic energy move through the room, but there was a spike of something else in the back corner. Something sharper, a tendril of fantastical power peeking into our dimension, concentrated around Logan, who I found staring directly at me with a look of surprise and mild confusion.

I knew of Logan, he was an archivist based in the college’s paranormal artifacts collection, and I think he had signed up for my class as a refresher for methods and safety when investigating and collecting potentially powerful and chaotic objects. He was skinny all around, topping out at no more than 5’7”, his thick, hexagonal rimmed glasses sitting below a mop of bouncy curls with an undercut. He usually came in wearing a pair of loose, flowy drop crotch pants, a surprisingly bohemian look with his otherwise reserved demeanor and sensible button downs. He was demur and unassuming, not seeming like the kind of person to cause this kind of trouble. But at this point he was the only dude in class that didn’t have an absolute dump truck.

The following week, I wondered why I had even hatched that plan in the first place, seeing as I always wear a skirt over tasteful leggings. I had given up on wearing pants years ago because it was just too much of a hassle, opting instead to let the globes of my ass bounce back and forth with more freeform bottomwear. Slacks were constricting enough in the back, but I was also tired of my donkey dick being suffocated in the crotch. A blessing and a curse. It looked like a couple of the guys in class had followed suit, perched on their round glutes as they let some thick bulges snake down leggings or compression shorts.

No wonder those pants ripped, I thought. I probably haven’t worn those in–

Ah ha. Another bread crumb. And an added wrinkle. Time hadn’t been totally rewritten and my memory hadn’t been totally wiped, just altered in the most efficient way in that moment. In fact, I was still mentally very much on the case and making progress. It wasn’t the sort of loose thread that a reality warper this competent would leave, and by now they must realize that I of all people would be on to them. I began to surmise that Logan wasn’t the one pulling the strings, but was actually some sort of conduit. Maybe for a bored trickster god playing an erotic prank–which, frankly, happens much more often than you’d think.

That week, through irony or serendipity, we actually were discussing strategies for navigating the psychological and emotional games that tricksters love to play, but as the supernatural energy began building on schedule, that previous playfulness had hints of… irritation? The power was a little discordant and I could feel it somatically in a way that I hadn’t before; it seemed everyone else could too. We continued on like normal as my leggings felt fuller and tighter in the glutes, my shoes feeling uncomfortably snug as more of my ankles revealed themselves, my dick inexorably snaking its way towards my hip while staying totally soft.

This was new.  And potentially a game changer. But I, along with my students, followed the central mantra of my profession: Note it. Track it. But until you have a plan in place, just ignore it.

[peakyscillian]

Sharing | Part One

Summary: “Because we drank too much last night” Warning: Hints of smut. Pairing: Cillian x Fem!Reader Part: 1/2 Requested: Yes by @cillmequick - tysm for your request! Notes: Edited 27.02.24

Sharing | Part One

Masterlist | Part Two

Sharing

There was something about turning forty and not wanting the hassle of a night out, that had given her the idea to invite her closest friends over for drinks..

This meant she could dress up but wear her slippers if she wished. That’s how she’d ended up wine drunk at 3am, in a black dress with fluffy slipper socks on, leaning against her kitchen counter surrounded by a group of her friends.

Interrupted by Cillian stumbling into the kitchen, a can of Guinness in his hand, she knew that meant he was horrendously drunk, his usual sober distaste for canned Guinness, long forgotten.

“Birthday girl” he slurred making his way over, arm looped around her shoulder, she fell into his side instinctively “everyone has set up camp in the front room”

She noticed the kitchen empty at his statement, her friends knowing they had only a few seconds before all the comfortable sleeping places had been snatched up.

“Where am I going to sleep? Your work friend has stolen the sofa” Cillian was pouting, his can discarded on the side behind them.

Y/N laughed at his sulking “It’s fine Cill, I locked my room there’s a comfortable king size bed down the hall for us” She patted at his arm, leaving him in the kitchen.

Making her way out into the hall to grab as many blankets and cushions as she could from the cupboard, she dumped them on the living room floor, deciding to let the stragglers be vultures on the pile. Stumbling to the window ledge where her speakers were sat, unplugging the phone from the cord.

Of course it was Cillian’s phone, she thought, noticing the picture of Scout at the beach on his Lock Screen, he had a playlist for everything.

Moments later she returned from the bathroom and slipped into the bed, next to Cillian who was already snoring, shuffling herself close to him, before she joined him in a wine fueled sleep. - Y/N was sure her head was split in two, the searing pain running straight down the middle.

Her mouth was dry and just the thought of opening her eyes made her groan softly into the pillow, she moved slowly under the covers, jumping slightly at the feeling of a firm body against her back.

She wriggled again, trying to move out of the arms enveloping her, “I’m going to need you to stop doing that” he whispered against the shell of her ear.

Y/N giggled as his familiar voice flooded her muzzy head, she moved again, his hand coming to grip at her thigh “Stop” he chuckled.

“Why are we in bed together anyway?” She mumbled, turning to face him, he had one eye open the other fighting against the light “because we drank too much last night” he answered with a slight grimace.

She nodded remembering now how she’d led him down the hall, rambling about her king size bed, just for them to end up curled around each other in the middle of it.

“I’m too old for this type of hangover” he whined, forehead falling against hers. She sighed the slight contact making her head scream in pain again “how do you think I feel? I turned forty yesterday”

Cillian quirked an eyebrow at her, the action sending some kind of warm buzz down south between her legs “uh no, no you don’t get to use that, I’m five years older I get to complain about being old” he smirked.

She pushed her leg through his, her knee lightly grazing across the unmistakable bulge in his boxers, he hissed slightly at contact.

“You’re teasing darling” he hummed, she looked up at him with pleading wide eyes and pouty lips “I have no idea what you mean, Cill” his name dropped from her lips seductively.

He moved suddenly, every part of his body protested, the hangover trying its hardest to warn him away from sudden movements.

Cillian had her on her back in seconds, nudged his knee between her legs so he could settle against her body.

“I didn’t expect to end up in your bed” he spoke softly, her arms wrapped around him, hands against the back of his neck “but here you are, old man” she smiled, a gentle push on the back of his head had their lips connecting.

Her head was spinning, of course she’d thought of this kind of moment with Cillian, but after five years of knowing each other it hadn’t happened. Now here she was under his body, his lips dangerously close to her neck.

“Tell me if this isn’t okay” he hummed, blue eyes locked with hers. Y/N shook her head “i want this, you, want you” she was stumbling over her words “if you’re sure it’s what you want too” she added.

A beaming smile broke across his face “so fucking sure” he replied, lips catching hers, tongues pressing together, teeth clumsily catching.

Cillian pushed his hips down, his solid cock pressed against her throbbing pussy through the material of her clothes, she whined into his mouth.

His hands had found their way under the hem of her top, fingers tweaking her nipples to hard peaks, her skin erupting in goosebumps, he moved from her lips to remove the item that was restricting his view.

“Beautiful” he rasped, eyes lighting up at the sight of her breasts, everything he was doing was making her body burn with desire.

Every slow touch of her nipples, every trace his finger made on her skin, every brush of his lips against hers, ignited the fire in her stomach. - Cillians hands had travelled to her hips, fingers pushed into the elastic of her shorts, she was sure she was dripping for his touch.

He had her shorts pushed to mid thigh, when the loud knock on the bedroom door startled them. They stopped any movement, waiting for whoever it was to leave, but Clara’s voice came next.

“Sleepyhead, we wanted to order breakfast, want anything?” she asked through the door, as Y/N scrambled from the bed, pulling her top back on, adjusting her shorts.

“My usual please” she spoke carefully trying to steady her breath before she opened the door. “I’ll transfer you some money” she smiled at her friend “and does Cillian want anything?” Clara asked, assuming he was in there.

“Uh no thanks Clara” he called, she nodded “I’ll be out in a second” Y/N stepped from the door as Clara gave her a suggestive look, she rolled her eyes before closing the door. - Y/N turned shyly to Cillian, he’d sat up in bed phone in hand, he looked up at her offering a smile “I uh should go, need to let Scout out, my neighbour said he’d feed him but I bet he’s dying for a walk”

She nodded, heart sinking to her stomach, feeling stupid for thinking he actually wanted to go that far with her. Cillian instantly noticed the shift in her energy, he slipped from the warmth of the bed. Y/N couldn’t help but let her eyes flick down to the semi-hard bulge in his boxers, making her stomach flip, she wanted him so much. “Hey, everything alright?” he spoke carefully, stepping across the room to her, she nodded not meeting his gaze “I do want whatever was about to happen, have for a long time if I’m honest” he confessed, she finally looked up at him. “Me too” she whispered, he leant forward to drop a kiss on her lips, his hands squeezing at her hips, nudging his nose against hers, “how about a take away at mine later? a post birthday meal with me and Scout?” he suggested.

Y/N nodded “can I stay over?” she asked biting at her lip she’d never been so bold, “I’ll have to ask Scout, he’s in charge” Cillian winked, she batted at his chest “Get dressed Murphy before I turn down your invitation”

Cillian kissed her once more, before turning to grab his discarded clothes.

- Taglist @missymurphy1985 @heidimoreton @queenshelby @janelongxox @cloudofdisney @being-worthy @elenavampire21 @datewithgianni @magicalpieex @uchihacumdump @inkandpen22 @pocket-of-possibilities @vhscillian @radioheadgirl @lovemissyhoneybee @ysmmsy @alreadybroken-ts @anotherhitandrun @lyarr24 @blyanyan @gypsy-girl-08 @thomasshelbee @look-at-the-soul @cillmequick @seleneshelby

[immortaladrien]

A private detective encountering an old colleague they always had a crush on as a rookie

okay this… but what if it’s the vigilante they’re investigating that turns out to be that old crush? :)

tws: corrupt governments, angst, tension, ambiguous ending

The Vigilante had a mask on the entire time.

In all of the security camera footage, in all of the files; no one had ever been able to successfully capture their face. Voice. Nothing but a vague silhouette, usually shrouded in darkness at the very edge of CCTV footage.

This was the first time they’d slipped up.

In a daring escape from a group of officers, their disguise had slipped. Though they scrambled to retrieve it, their eyes were visible for a split second on the officer’s body camera.

Was that enough to figure out their secret identity? No, not to most people; but as the Private Investigator zoomed in on their face, they sucked in a sharp breath.

Those piercing blue eyes, double-lash line, perfectly plucked eyebrows…

“It’s you,” The Investigator whispered, slumping back in their seat. 2 long months of detective work, crime-scene chases, and sleepless nights… they’d all led to this.

They carefully shut their computer, glancing over their shoulder to ensure no one had seen the tape; the footage had been trusted to them exclusively, anyways. Perks of being the best in the field.

Please say I still have their phone number.

–

The nightclub seemed near-empty upon the Vigilante’s arrival. Despite their civilian attire, they still carefully scanned the premise before entering. Spared a glance at their phone.

PI: i’m here

With a hum, they stuck their phone into their pocket and approached the bar area, where an old friend awaited.

“Miss me that much?”

The Private Investigator practically jumped, whirling to stare at them. With a coy smile, the Vigilante slid into the seat next to them.

“I wasn’t sure you’d actually show.”

“Of course! Did you really think I’d stand up an old colleague like that?” They waved a bartender over with one hand, who dutifully approached. “Chardonnay, please. So, what’s this about?”

After clearing their throat, the PI mumbled their order and the bartender retreated to serve them. “Aren’t I allowed to want to see an old friend?”

“Sure, but you were far too shy to ever do that while we worked together. What’s changed? Someone boost your self-image?” Their counterpart choked, looking away. “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. Even when you were a rookie, you showed potential. Someone needs to stroke your shockingly small ego.”

The Vigilante laughed a little at the glare they received, a grateful nod offered at the bartender as they served the drinks and left once more. The Private Investigator sipped their drink, a shade redder than before.

“Why’d you quit?” They finally managed, swallowing and keeping their eyes on their glass.

Weird question. “Personal reasons.”

“You loved your job.”

“I loved the idea of my job,” The Vigilante sighed. “I wanted to help people. There just came a point when I realized I was doing far more harm than good.” They spared a glance in their acquaintances’ direction, who’s darkening gaze was fixed on their drink. “Are you having issues with your job?”

That seemed to startle them out of their stupor, eyes snapping up. “No! No, everything is– that is to say, I’m the best in my field by now.”

“Better than me?” They teased, watching the PI redden.

“You’re not in the field anymore.”

“If I was, you’d probably have surpassed me by now.”

“Don’t– …Don’t say that. No I wouldn’t have.”

Quirking their eyebrow, The Vigilante studied their former friend. Something was wrong. The fidgeting. The way they worried their lip, looked away at any opportunity they could.

“What is going on with you?”

“H..hm?”

“No, seriously. What’s on your mind? The gears in your brain are turning so hard that I can practically see smoke coming from your ears.”

There’s a moments pause before the Private Investigator tightens the grip on their glass, jaw stiffening. “While you were on the job, did you ever find out something that you wish you didn’t?”

A hum. “Sure. I got into things the city was trying to keep under the rug. Stuff that made me sick. There was a point when I couldn’t keep quiet. They didn’t like that.”

“But anything about… What about something about someone you cared about?” Two doe eyes fixed on them, glancing through lashes.

Oh. That’s where this is going.

“I suppose so.” It was the Vigilantes turn to sip their drink, curiously peering back.

“What did you… do, with that information?”

They frowned. “What is this about?”

“Seriously, just- answer me?”

“I quit,” They replied bluntly, setting their drink down to cross their arms.

There was silence, and then a tiny nod. The Vigilante watched as the Detective pulled out their wallet, producing a small wad of money, and standing from the table.

They stood in turn. “Where are you going?”

“I have a lot to think about. Thank you for getting a drink with me.”

“Hey–”

“There’s enough money there for both of us, plus tip. Take… take good care of yourself.”

With that, they were gone, leaving Vigilante sitting alone at the bar with half the mind to go after them.

Before they stood, they noticed a small tape under the wad of cash.

Police Bodycam Footage #2182: Confidential, Original Copy.

—

a/n: the way i could make a whole series out of this… they’re so… 😍 sorry for the cliffhanger! hope you enjoyed! @soggiestofsocks i went a different direction but thanks for listening to me panic

[theia-eos]

IkeSoren Week Day 6

Author notes above cut, skip to cut for the story.

This takes place in my understanding of Tellius Canon (if you're curious about that, it can be found in my Affinities series in AO3). This is my spin on what their supports could have been in Radiant Dawn and does include their lines from the A Support conversation.

It’s part of a larger work I intend to post to AO3 one day when I’ve hammered it out some more, specifically taking this out of script format and maybe making the ending less awkward. But it's Ike Soren week, so enjoy the draft.

Oh, major/minor spoilers to explain the B support are hidden in there too.

Ike and Soren's RD Supports

C Support

[Viewable In Chapter 3-2, Stormclouds]

[Soren on far left side, facing away, Ike enters on far right side, background is inside strategy tent]

Ike: Soren, how are you holding up?

Soren: Hm?

[Soren turns to face Ike]

Soren: I’m fine.

[Ike moves to middle right]

Ike: I know there isn’t as much inventory for you to manage as there was three years ago--

Soren: Yes, the only gear the laguz brought is a war tent and the associated paraphernalia…I’m surprised they even have that much. The rest is our small group’s usual gear, which never takes much time to organize.

Ike: Right, so that must be some kind of relief, but we’re fighting a much tougher opponent now, the one we didn’t want to risk having to deal with three years ago, so we left them behind in Daein.

Soren: Yes…That’s true.

Ike: Soren, you should get some rest. I know what you’re like being a strategist, how far you push yourself to orchestrate the war front and to overcome your perceived flaws, not being formally trained in this stuff. …You haven’t gotten more than a few hours of sleep in the past few days, have you?

Soren: You know that?

Ike: It took me longer than I should have to put it together, but seeing you stretch yourself so thin pouring over maps and doing reconnaissance work again like you did three years ago made it click. I’m sorry I never really saw the toll being my strategist three years ago took on you back then.

Soren: Ike… I-- …It’s only-- …You had a lot going on then. We were all out of our depths being put in charge of an army, but I wanted to help you to the best of my ability. A little missed sleep was nothing. Even now, this job…It doesn’t matter to me how strenuous it is.

Ike: Soren…sigh…I know I’m not as smart as you are, or as observant, but if there’s any way I can help you, I want to do it. Right now, I think that involves making sure you take care of yourself so you’re in good enough condition to fight with us, so I’m ordering you to get some rest.

Soren: Thank you, Ike. You’re more observant than you let on, you know.

[Soren moves to middle left]

Soren: Since you’re ordering it, Commander, I’ll go take a nap.

Ike: Good. Heh… Don’t let the bedbugs bite.

Soren: …

B Support

[Pst. For this support, you need to understand in the Japanese script that when Ike and the Black Knight fight in Rivals Collide, BK attributes Ike's victory at Castle Nados exclusively to warp powder. My take at the line was between the English and the Japanese to the effect of "I was so weakened by warp powder you would not have been able to notice that I held back and let you win." Again. Hammering out the details.]

[Viewable in Chapter 4-1, Road to Empire]

[Ike on far left, facing away, Soren appears in middle right, facing center]

Soren: Ike? Are you all right?

[Ike faces center]

Ike: Soren. I’m--

Soren: Don’t you dare lie to me and say that you’re fine.

Ike: …

Soren: Is it the state of the world?

Ike: No, it’s not really that. …I’m concerned, of course. At the end of our path, we’ll have to fight a goddess.

Soren: I don’t even know how to strategize for such a thing, but I’ll ensure that we’re as prepared as we can be.

Ike: I know. Thank you, Soren.

Soren: …What’s been concerning you?

Ike: I- It’s something Ranulf said before we split up in Daein.

Soren: What was it?

Ike: Soren…He said Zelgius is the Black Knight.

Soren: ?! …That’s certainly…possible. I’ve only seen both of them briefly, but…yes. I agree with that conclusion.

Ike: Really??

Soren: Alondite and Ragnell are sacred treasures of Begnion, passed down from their first empress, Altina. In addition, I heard that Ashnard was given his blessed armor from the Black Knight. Daein possessing two sets of blessed armor is unlikely. These things coming from Begnion makes more sense, as well. What I can’t figure out is how Zelgius and the Black Knight were able to essentially be in different places at the same time, one in Melior and one in Nevassa. One helping Micaiah, and the other chasing us.

[Branching conversation]

[Ike fought the Black Knight in Chapter 3-7, Rivals Collide]

Ike: …Would warp powder answer it? He mentioned something about it the last time we fought.

Soren: Yes…it’s a special magical item, again from Begnion, but that saps one’s strength considerably. If we were fighting him while he was using warp powder then…

Ike: …He’s even stronger than what we know.

Soren: It’s unlikely that he was using warp powder when Tibarn, Ranulf, and Skrimir fought against General Zelgius in Begnion. Daein had yet to fight in the war at that time, and I’ve heard that the Black Knight was gone from the time of Pelleas’s coronation to our fight with him in the river.

Ike: …So it’s just my fights against him that have been with him at his weakest.

Soren: …That’s likely. 

[Ike did not fight the Black Knight in Chapter 3-7, Rivals Collide]

Ike: Yeah…I know we had a mission, but I really wish there had been a way for me to confront him back at the river…just to see how…if he’s strong enough to challenge Tibarn and beat Skrimir so easily…how did I defeat him three years ago?

[Conversation continues]

Soren: Ike…you will want to fight him alone again, won’t you?

Ike: …Yeah. I need to. I have to know.

Soren: …Fine. As long as I can be there to witness it, I won’t interfere in the fight.

Ike: …Thanks, Soren. I know how hard it was on you last time.

Soren: …

Ike: I just… I can’t get over what he said about Skrimir. “If there is a way to avoid taking a life, that is the path I will choose.” It almost makes sense. He was ordered by Ashnard to kill Ena, and he spared her. I know he didn’t kill me many times. And yet, he, for no reason…He killed my father…and he was serious about killing me to get my father to talk…and I…I can’t make sense of it at all.

Soren: …Ike…

A Support

[Viewable in Chapter 4-F-4, Rebirth]

[Soren is in far left, facing away, background is inside tower] 

Soren: That…

[Ike appears, middle right, facing center]

Ike: Soren? Are you okay?

Soren: …Yes. I’m--

Ike: Don’t you dare lie to me and tell me that you’re fine.

Soren: I…heh…I’m sorry, Ike. 

[Soren faces center]

Soren: I’ll be fine.

Ike: I know we don't have a lot of time, but do you want to take a minute and talk about it? I think we’re all still trying to prepare for the fight against Ashera, especially since Dheginsea was such a tough opponent.

Soren: I…

[Branching conversation, Base Conversation 4-F-4, Ancient History wasn’t viewed]

Ike: Was it the dragons? I know you…don’t seem to be all right around them.

Soren: It’s not that…

Ike: No? Well, then I’m truly at a loss here.

Soren: I just need a minute, that’s all.

Ike: You’re sure?

Soren: Yes.

[Branching conversation, Base Conversation 4-F-4, Ancient History was viewed]

Ike: Was it that story about the Branded?

Soren: Not really…no…

Ike: No? Well, then I’m truly at a loss here.

Soren: It’s…well…did I hear that right, that Almedha was a dragon laguz, and lost her powers giving birth to Ashnard’s son?

Ike: Yeah……that's right.

[Conversation continues]

[Branching conversation, Base Conversation 4-F-4, Ancient History was viewed and Pelleas is dead]

Ike: And now her son is dead…is…were you looking for someone else like you?

Soren: No. Not at all. I was just…he truly left his daughter to suffer for his lies. …I…I almost admire the commitment.

Ike: You’re sure that story isn’t what’s bothering you?

Soren: …No, it’s not, really it.

[Branching conversation, Base Conversation 4-F-4, Ancient History was viewed Pelleas is alive]

Ike: Er…So Pelleas…is…

Soren: Not. He's…not…

Ike: Your sense for these things is that sharp, huh?

Soren: He's not one of us. Micaiah must know that as well as I.

Ike: I guess so…was what was bothering you really about Pelleas?

Soren: Sort of. I…it's funny. He's a Spirit Charmer that was mistaken for a Branded and he became a king for it. I'm a Branded that has to be mistaken for a Spirit Charmer to receive anything remotely resembling kindness from others. Even if others don’t know what we really are, it seems fate never forgets, even if it was all based on lies.

Ike: I don't think that it's funny at all.

Soren: There’s a certain…irony to our situations that's somewhat humorous…that's all.

Ike: …Soren, you know there are plenty of people who are kind to you and know what you are, right? Beyond just me or others like you.

Soren: I know, Ike. I know.

[Conversation continues]

Soren: But Ike…when we go fight Ashera, please don’t die. I don’t care what happens to me. But you, you are our guiding light.

Ike: I promise won’t die here, and I always keep my promises. But Soren, there’s too much riding on your survival, here and after. Stay close to me. I won't let you die as long as you're by my side.

Soren: I vow to remain by your side as long as I draw the breath of life.

Ike: Always so serious.

[Branching Conversation, all requirements for Base Conversation 4-F-5 Soren and the Soren Epilogue scene have been met thus far]

[Ike reappears middle left, facing away]

Soren: Mphf! Ike, someone could see.

Ike: We're going to kill a goddess. I don't care.

[duckapus]

The Goomba Arc

Super Meme Bootcamp

SMGs 1 and 2 are disappointed to find out that 3 and 4 have been somewhat neglecting their Guardian Training ever since the God Box and decide to put them through a week long crash course with Mario and Lil Coding’s help. Chaos inevitably ensues, and this time it’ll have far reaching consequences

Mario Replaces His Water Heater

Exactly what it sounds like, and for once all hell breaking loose isn’t even his fault.

New Demigod on the Block

There’s a County Fair in town this week, and Mario, SMG3 and Melony all end up deciding to go together. There they meet Franky and a very quiet, seemingly human teenage boy with orange-and-black hair and bright green eyes he insists is his new brother Desmond. Melony and Desmond turn out to get along really well, so the two groups decide to join up and enjoy the fair together. All the while unaware that they’re being watched from the shadows…

As it happens, Desmond has a lot in common with Melony, specifically pre-Zero Melony. He doesn’t really say anything, is curious about and confused by all sorts of relatively mundane things, seems to have Narcolepsy, and is weirdly empathetic towards and protective of sports equipment, of all things. When she decides to address it and figure out who-or what-Desmond really is, their stalker comes out of hiding, revealing himself to be the not-so-Happy Mask Salesman, who’s come to retrieve the masks the two of them are using.

Turns out Desmond was originally Franky’s basketball, and was changed into his current form when one of the Salesman’s masks landed on it after being stolen and lost by the Wario Bros. So the reason he’s acting like Sleepy Toddler Era Melony is because he sort of is Sleepy Toddler Era Melony! The Salesman has been tracking said mask ever since its theft, and this time he’ll stop at nothing to reclaim his property, as evidenced by him actually using one of his precious masks to turn into some giant monster(doesn’t really matter which one) and attack.

That attack is countered by Mario and 3, who’ve jumped in to keep the Salesman busy so Melony and the kids can get to safety, because between Mario initially creating her in Mario’s Home Alone and 3 bringing her to life by coming up with her weirdly elaborate backstory, she’s Kinda-Sorta-Maybe their kid, and like hell they’re gonna let this nutcase take the body and power she worked so hard to be able to call her own.

So now the action’s split between Melony sprinting away from the battle through the fair while carrying Franky(because Toads have no legs) and Desmond(because he’s asleep again), and the battle itself, which is also moving through the fairgrounds and gets progressively more chaotic as time goes on, especially when 3 manages to snag some masks and turn the Salesman’s strategy against him. Interestingly, 3 has some trouble adjusting to the new forms while Mario just sees them as particularly elaborate Power-ups. There’s even one particular moment where Mario puts on the Mario Mask and becomes the godlike Double Mario, though it doesn’t last long.

Eventually they all end up in the middle of a melon growing contest, the Salesman decides “fuck it, if you’re gonna fight fire with fire then so am I!” and sticks Majora’s Mask on the first place winner, a Minecraft melon three times the normal size(grown by Steve, of course). The result doesn’t end up being Majora’s Wrath as usual, but a woman who’s basically “If Melony was a foot taller and cosplaying as a Majora Giginka,” with an out-of-place bright blue hair ribbon and much longer, more yellowish-green hair

As you might expect from someone desperately invoking a demon, the Salesman gets blasted into the middle distance before she zeroes in on her counterpart and starts attacking her with demonic claws and whips, because apparently being created with specific intent lets you skip the Sleepy Toddler phase and get straight to God Powers. So everybody’s trying not to die, except Desmond who’s somehow still asleep, and Mario decides to start to call the evil melon girl “Welony” which she sort of just goes along with for some reason, and eventually she’s got Franky by the throat and is preparing to gut him like a fish, which is when Desmond goes from “I Sleep” to “Real Shit?” and slams her across the area and away from Franky with a shield bash, because now he’s got Galacta Knight’s lance, shield, wings, horns, and eye color because apparently that’s the mask he’s been wearing. And we get to hear his first real line.

“Don’t. Touch. My Brother.”

They manage to drive her off after that, mostly because even though she skipped the Sleepy Toddler personality she still has the Sleepy Toddler low power reserves, and then they go back to enjoying…what’s left of the fair.

Marcy vs. Retail

When Marcy realizes that sticking around the Mushroom Kingdom to harass her brother is going to require funds, she applies at a local supermarket and somehow gets hired. So now Karen is stuck teaching a violent, short-tempered assassin how to be a cashier, hopefully without landing either of them in jail.

Mario Lives in a Society

Alternatively, Mario and Luigi versus the Annoying Homeowner’s Association. Finally, Mario gets to use his obnoxious personality for something productive.

Animation vs. SMG4

Through an incident involving SMG4’s PC, Tari’s arm, and a can of Diet Sprite, most of the crew ends up on Alan Becker’s computer and Crossover Shenanigans ensue.

Detective Luigi; The Case of the Missing Boopkins

Bob and Jubjub are beside themselves with worry when Boopkins doesn’t show up to pick the latter up from the playground, and go to their friends for help. The crew is more than happy to look for him, with Luigi in particular getting Really Into a Noir Detective roleplay so he’ll have the right mindset for mystery solving. But even though they practically turn the Kingdom upside-down and end up solving a few tangentially related mysteries in the process, there’s no sign of their fishy friend anywhere.

Until he shows up on TV.

On every channel.

Standing on a stage next to a Goomba.

The Goomba Who Sold the World

A Flashback episode, detailing who the Goomba was before he got his powers, what he’s been doing in the background of all the episodes, and why Fishy Boopkins is working for him. Then it catches up to the present, where he makes his speech about how he’s going to change the world and what they all need to do to help him. Including catching Mario and the SMGs. The episode ends with the three of them and Lil Coding surrounded by their clearly controlled friends.

Mario: Most Wanted

Thanks mainly to the fact that Melony was immune to The Goomba, the group just barely manages to escape the Showgrounds, only to run into the Military, obviously led by Chris and Swag(it’s deliberately unclear if Swag actually saw the broadcast or if he’s just going “hell yeah Swiggity Swooggity Comin’ for Dat Phat Italian Booty”). Thankfully, they then get picked up by Steve in his farm truck, which also has SMGs 1 and 2. And Marcy, who apparently doesn’t watch TV and only heard the broadcast on the radio, which had no effect since the User has to be seen for Manual Override to work. The group works together to flee the city, including one terrifying scene where Joe Motherfucking Boopkins is after them!

A “Perfect” World

An episode with barely any Mario, or even jokes, in it, showcasing the bleak, cookie-cutter world that The Goomba seems to think will make everyone happy, whether they want it to or not. It also shows Boopkins’ current horrible situation as The Goomba’s assistant, and his gradually deteriorating mind and body.

Mario Plays Minecraft Mods in an Undisclosed Location(ft. Steve)

This is a terrible idea, but SMG4 argues that with things as they are now the world needs Memes more than ever, and besides, it’s something to distract their two known troublemakers while the others are shoring up their defenses.

Welcome to the Resistance

Bad news; despite their best efforts, somebody managed to find the group. Good news; the people who found them are on their side. As it turns out, Professor E. Gadd’s eyesight is so bad that the Manual Override couldn’t trigger even with his glasses mostly correcting things. So he did what any sensible Mad Scientist would do under these circumstances and went out to find other people not affected. The results:

-Karen, who was making dinner, heard the kind of shit The Goomba was spewing and went out to change the channel back to something decent, and was smart enough not to look at the TV when she saw what it was doing to her kittens.

-Franky, who has similar eye problems to the Professor.

-Desmond, who just slept through the whole thing.

-Kaizo, who has never listened unquestioningly to an authority figure in his life and isn’t about to start now.(yes, he managed to beat mind control through sheer force of delinquency.)

-And Hal Monitor, who actually was affected, but went through a hard reboot when one of The Goomba’s instructions would’ve made him Break The Law.

E. Gadd then got to work on a way to block the Override for the members of the team who weren’t immune, using Hal as a willing test subject since he had a reliable un-brainwashing method built in, and through trial and error managed to invent Anti-Hypno Shades(which use the same model as the Octo Shades from Splatoon 2). Meanwhile, SMG4 has his own contribution; he’s managed to get in contact with the Stick guys from Alan’s computer, bolstering their numbers even more since the five of them have the same Outside Entity Immunity as Steve. So now that the full resistance is assembled, it’s time to make a plan.

Meanwhile, in Adminspace

Aka the reason why the Hologram Trio hasn’t been doing anything about this mess; they have, it’s just that what they’re doing involves Domain and Emulator doing a Deep Dive into the game’s Code to figure out what the hell happened, how to fix it, and how to prevent it from happening again, while Forum’s trying to keep the Higher-Ups from doing something drastic. It’s…mostly going well?

Stormin’ the Castle

The Plan is deceptively simple. The Sticks, an army of assorted Minecraft Mobs, Kaizo and Desmond will cause as much mayhem and damage as possible in the city as a distraction, while the rest of the resistance(minus E. Gadd and Franky, who are acting as mission control) sneaks into the Showgrounds Castle, which The Goomba has repurposed as his base of operations. The inside team will find The Goomba and pin him down long enough for Melony, 3 and/or Lil Coding(the three teammates best at code manipulation) to deactivate Manual Override and revoke his Command privileges, hopefully all without getting spotted. Unfortunately plans rarely survive the first phase, or rather the corn maze, which is apparently now a thing that surrounds the castle.

As you might expect, this means they have to deal with Rob in full Lord of Corn mode, as well as the rest of their friends, before they can reach the main event. And when they finally do fight their way to The Goomba, he’s ready for them, and in his arrogance challenges them to a type of War they’re more familiar with…

WOTFI 20??

The challenges are standard WOTFI fair, aside from any of them involving Boopkins who is extremely Out Of It thanks to his dehydration and more severe brainwashing. As usual, it’s the Rap Battle that’s the true main event. Turns out that Marcy and Hal can sing pretty damn well. And when it’s coming down to the wire and nearly everyone’s pinned down by The Goomba’s borrowed might, it’s Steve of all characters who turns out as the MVP, finally, after over a decade of silence, going into his settings and turning on Voice Chat. The result is lyrics so fire that they change the genre of the song, as well as giving the expected second wind that allows the hacker trio and hologram trio to finally depower The Goomba and free everyone. They’d probably have ended up stomping him right then and there, but Hal’s in the group so Due Process must be followed lest they anger him.

After that, we get the standard sendoff scenes. Recovery, reunions, rebuilding, parting of ways, Marcy insists that she’s still the group’s enemy so long as Bob isn’t in the clan and 3 kindly doesn’t call her out on the same bullshit he used to spew after every team up.

And Welony might still be out there, but The Goomba Who Sold the World is powerless once again, and he’s going to be in prison for a long, long time.

[amyahava]

First Intro to Judaism

After my first Hebrew class, I had my first Intro to Judaism with Rabbi Tali. The sessions are on Wednesday night, with half an hour for Hebrew and an hour to study the questions of the week. At both of these sessions its a mix of people at different stages of their conversion, from beginners like me to Giorgio and Stephanie, who had finished their conversion process just the day before who hopped on to say hello. They both had their mikvah and went before the Beit Din seperately, then came back together before the Beit Din to be told that they had both successfully completed their conversion. Giorgio then got down one knee in front of the three rabbis and proposed! If there isn't a single mazel tov gif I haven't seen at this point I'll be really surprised, the conversion whatsapp group has been absolutely popping off.

Each week in Intro to Judaism, we explore a different aspect of Judaism, often relating to where we are in the year. This weeks' questions were around the Torah service - we had questions to answer for homework and then went through them together in class. I thought it might be useful to someone out there to have some of those qs here.

1. Why do we sometimes read one scroll and sometimes more? When do we read more than one? And when do we double them up?

The Torah is split into 54 Torah portions (Parshiyot), and we usually read one Torah portion each Shabbat. However, there are 14 Parshiyot that, depending on the year, can potentially be paired together, so two Torah portions would be read on that Shabbat.

2. When does one stand or sit during a Torah service?

Move with the torah, if she's up, you're up!

When the Torah is being read, or when ark is open.

3. What is an aliyah (pronounced aleeyah) and how are you called up?

Aliyah is hebrew for go up, and is when you’re called up to the bimah for a Torah reading. You have to do an aliyah at the conversion ceremony.

The person who receives the aliyah goes up to the bimah before the reading and recites a blessing for reading of the Torah. After the portion of the Torah is read, they do another blessing.

Certain times when someone might receive an aliyah: bar mitzvah, aufruf, before a yahrzeit (anniversary of a parent's death).

5. why does the aron hakodesh (or ark) have two doors?

Lots of possible answers for this one including:

a. The aron hakodesh houses the Torah scrolls. It resembles the Ark in which the stone tablets engraved with the Ten Commandments were kept in the Temple, and the two doors symbolise to the two tablets

b. One is for the written and one is for the oral

c. Rabbi Tali then talked about the symbolism surrounding the Torah, modesty, undress, dress, and asked why do we talk about the torah so erotically?! She went on to say how the Torah needs to be taken care of, treated with intimacy and protection. She went on to talk about a Kaballistic teaching: the opening of the ark as a birth, with the doors as open legs and the Torah is the baby. We carry the Torah very gently, and treated as we would a newborn, even complete with a light kiss. I found it really interesting the Torah is a feminine word in Hebrew so lends itself to being a she.

7. Why is a yad being used?

The word yad in Hebrew means hand, and it is a pointer used by the reader of the Torah to keep their place, and not touch the Torah directly with your hands.

Why not just touch? The librarian answer is don't touch the Torah (or any other delicate paper works) with your bare hands, as the oils in them can be damaging. The Torah is written by hand and incredibly delicate.

The Jewish answer is a bit of a paradox - you will become ritually contaminated if you touch it, not the other way around! 

8. why do we process the Torah? what are the psalms sung when we do, and why these psalms?

The Torah contains the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It is best-known for establishing 613 laws for Jews to live by, which include the Ten Commandments. Many Jews consider the written Torah to be the direct word of God given to Moses.

9. what is the Haftarah and how does it relate to the parasha?

Parasha - weekly torah portion

Haftarah - a conclusion from the prophets, relating to the parasha

The connection between the parasha and the haftarah may hinge on just a word or two. On holidays and special Sabbaths, the haftarah is selected to coincide with the calendar.

The haftarah is a way to linger, we want more of a good thing! Rabbi Tali said that this can be the most passionate part of a service, "I want to get close!" If the service has been bleak, the haftarah will be a bit more uplifting.

10. When did translations of the Torah started being read at synagogues alongside the Hebrew?

Since the beginning, the Torah and Jewish teachings have always been translated so that everyone can understand. Its not catholic church, not everything's in Latin! You're supposed to be able to read, understand and interpret it for yourself.

"Its not rarefied, we're not worshipping the thing, we’re trying to connect with the content."

[f1]

30-car Formula 3 field could get messy in Monaco drivers say | Formula 3

Formula 3 races on the streets of Monaco this weekend for the first time since 2005 with a capacity, 30-car field taking on the short and narrow street circuit. The series’ usual weekend format has been revised, partly to accommodate the challenges involved in running so many cars on the Monaco track. Practice takes place on Thursday rather than Friday. Qualifying has been moved forward to Friday morning and will run in a shortened, split format much like that used in Formula 2. The field will be divided into two groups of 15, with each getting 16 minutes on-track. The fastest driver overall gets pole for the feature race, but the second fastest driver won’t necessarily make it to the front row as the lead driver in the slower group will qualify second. The order of the pole-setting group is used to fill all the places on the odd-numbered side of the grid, with the slower group filling the opposite side. F3 gets morning slots for both of their races, with Saturday’s reversed-grid sprint starting at 11am local time and Sunday’s feature taking place unusually early, at 8am. “It’s going to be a tough one, especially tomorrow free practice for 30 minutes with 30 drivers in 3.3 kilometres. It’s going to be messy,” predicted Alpine junior Sophia Floersch, who drives for PHM Racing by Charouz. “Obviously for us, because it’s first time for us drivers, but also especially for the team and the engineers here, it’s all going to be about learning. Also it’s the first time with soft tyres, so many new things are coming together.” Despite the revised qualifying format meaning drivers should have twice as much room on track, traffic is still going to be a big problem in a shortened session as drivers on flying laps will be encountering others on cool-down laps. “Planning the strategy is the tough bit,” said Carlin-run Williams junior Ollie Gray. “You always go out with a loose plan that in an ideal world you want to follow. But, especially around Monaco, this is probably one of the only ones where the traffic is going to be a massive player in qualifying and in free practice as well, trying to get a lap under your belt. “You can’t really plan, you’ve just got to adapt when you’re out there. The team have a GPS which can help sometimes, but once you’re in the car I think it’s mainly up to you and trying to figure out when you should cool, when you should push.” With so many drivers vying for room on such a short track, disruptions due to incident are inevitable, said Floersch. “There’s always a strategy you kind of have, but in the end most of the time it works all different compared to what you planned, actually, because [of] yellow flags, red flags and so on. “The good thing is that we have groups in qualifying, so it’s less cars on tracks, but still in the end it’s the same for everyone and you’ve just got to make the best out of it. It’s going to be busy on track.” ART Grand Prix’s Gregoire Saucy, who was part of the 32-car Formula Regional Europe field in Monaco, two years ago, said his team will have “no plan” for the distinct challenge the circuit poses in qualifying. “We just need to go for it and to manage it,” he said. “Of course my engineers will be there helping me about the traffic, but at the end it’s mainly up to me in the car to manage and to adapt with the traffic. “We will have the free practice to learn the track, and then the qualifying it’s less time, but less cars on track. So you need to adapt with the traffic.” Formula 3 Browse all Formula 3 articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[mobilbanana]

Download facebook video 720p

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Click on the “hamburger” menu button in the top-right corner.

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There are several ways how to access this tab: All these resources are visible in a Network tab of the Developer console.

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Still, there’s a way how to download the video.Įach webpage has some resources, which the browser needs to download. In my original method, you could right-click on the video file and then click on the Save Link As. Still, I prefer to have at least something to watch than nothing at all. The downside of this approach is that the downloaded video is low-quality. The mobile version of the web points to a video file in its entirety it is not split into smaller chunks. 1× Method #1, updated Step 3: Open the Network tab from the Web Developer menu The video below follows from the point of opening the mobile version of the web. In this tutorial, I am using Firefox, but the procedure in Chrome should be very similar. The procedure for the videos in private groups should be the same. Today, I made a quick walkthrough I picked a random Facebook video for this demonstration. Facebook has changed their webpage for mobile devices, and now it is using an internal web player to play the video you can’t right-click on the video to save it. Update : As one of the readers pointed out, the method presented here wasn’t working anymore. Now you should see a Facebook page designed for mobile phones. It’s easy - just replace the www part with m and open the new link instead: Step 2: Edit the link to point to a mobile version of a web It should look like this: Note: Some groups have a video section with all their videos listed in one place. You should see a screen similar to this one: Full-screen video Step 1: Open a video linkįind a post with the video you want to download and expand the video so that it fits the whole page. This method is accessible for everyone, and you find a plethora of online tools that will make the process even more comfortable. However, all these guides and tools used the same technique, which allows you to download a video only in a blurry SD format, which is suited for small mobile screens. Also, I bumped into several online tools, which automate some steps for you. I searched for a guide on how to download a video from a private FB group, and I found several of them. But let me tell you - Facebook is chatty quite possibly, you’ll get lost in the logs even if you know what you’re doing. So far, I always found a way to download a video if it’s not encrypted. I’m familiar with a developer console in my browser. All these chunks are listed in a Manifest, and if you find this file, you can download all the segments and join them together.

#Download facebook video 720p Pc

Usually, videos streamed to your phone or PC are segmented into tiny chunks, which are only a couple of seconds long. Please respect the rights of the original authors.įiguring out how to download the content took me several hours of trial-and-error. I encourage you to download videos only for personal use and not share them with anyone else. In this post, I show you how to download content to which you were already authorized. Disclaimer: I don’t endorse piracy in any way. Naturally, I opted for the second choice. The challenge was coming to an end, and I had two options - watch all videos in one day, or download them and watch later at my pace. Later, they announced that the group stays, but they will delete all the videos. Organizers used a private Facebook group in which they live-streamed the sessions, posted updates, and moderated discussions with their audience. I knew this challenge brings high-value information, but I had no time to view the content. During a week, you had to watch videos and work on daily goals. Simply enter a video's link in the search bar above and begin downloading videos from over 800 different websites.A few days ago, I registered in one of those online challenges.

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Moreover, you can easily convert YouTube videos to MP4.īest of all, we've made our tool 100% free to use and it is safe to use, secure, and respects user privacy. Our free online video downloader service allows you to download videos from a range of websites including YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and Instagram, just to name a few. Unfortunately, many online services and video platforms disallow the download of videos. Ranging from YouTube to Facebook and Instagram, users from these platforms might come across videos that they'd like to download. Over the years, many video and social media platforms have emerged and these websites contain a lot of video content. Video is one of the most popular forms of displaying content in a visual manner. The internet has provided us access to a range of content from all around the global, all accessible within a matter of seconds.

[purelyfiction]

All Fun & Games

Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd x F!Reader | 2 | 3.1 | 3.2 |

Word Count: 4,685

Summary: Returning to San Diego was just another assignment for you. Another step in the career path, full steam ahead, until you come to an obstacle in the road. Usually, you’d navigate around it, keep on going, but this is no normal obstacle. It might be enough to reroute you completely.

Content Warning:  This story will have TopGun: Maverick plot line elements to it and will possibly spoil the movie for you. Please be aware. This - and all of my stories - is 18+. By continuing to read you agree that you are 18 or older and that any content you come across is by your own decision. || Mild NSFW subjects

Author Note: listen, listen, i know everyone’s waiting for Crossfire, but I couldn’t help it have you seen this man??? Anyways I love me some Bob, and I know others do too and there’s not enough Bob in the world. I’m realllyy excited to share this one!! So I hope y’all love it and eat it up like i have :DDD

                                                   ════ ⋆★⋆ ════

One of the biggest lessons you’d learned when you’d entered the Navy was not to get attached to those around you. 

Sure, friends were fine, but the minute you found yourself relying on someone else, you needed to take a step back. 

Though, there was one exception to the rule, and his name was Robert Floyd. 

When you’d arrived in California, you’d been frazzled while trying to get to San Diego, having been turned around nearly four times to different gates, canceled flights - it had taken the Navy’s involvement to get you to the San Diego Airport. When you went to get your bag, you’d mistakenly ended up with another duffle that wasn’t yours. You’d then met Robert - or Bob as he’d introduced himself. He’d been incredibly polite about it, having approached you with a tap of your shoulder and an ‘excuse me, ma’am? I think you have my bag.’

After turning to face him you were greeted with a taller gentleman, dressed in his working uniform, a pair of blue eyes smiling back at you through gold frames. His position and name displayed proudly on his chest. Lt. Floyd. He was very well polished, you’re certain any commander would be happy to have him on his squad as a perfect example. You initially were taken back by how bright his eyes were, but simultaneously pulled into his friendly demeanor. The sailor had the overwhelming aura to him that made you feel safe. 

You’d exchanged bags shortly after introductions were made. Somehow in all your combined time in the Navy’s Air Force, you’d never met one another. 

When he mentioned he was also headed to Fightertown, the two of you split a cab. He explained his background, where he was from, what he’d studied, how he’d even ended up in the Navy to begin with. It was beyond interesting to hear his journey to get to this point, a few tours, one in Syria and TOPGUN training with top awards for WSO service. 

Having learned that he wasn’t a pilot was surprising. Sure, he could get out of the situation if needed but he took the backseat while flying. 

And elsewhere it seemed, as you ran into him again at the bar later on, coming across some of your graduating classmates hanging out at the crowded bar. When you found Robert and his group, he’d waved rather shyly at you which took you by surprise. He’d chatted you up the entire way to base and now shoved himself in the corner of the room, away from everyone else. You’d made an effort to engage him, and kept his attention for most of the night. You exchanged stories about tours with one another, laughing at some of the things you’d heard over the years.

This kinship continued into training, where you’d tagged onto the officer and his pilot, forming a small group between the three of you. It was clear that they’d been working together for a while as they had a natural affinity to step into conversation, many an inside joke cracked in your presence, not that you minded. It was nice to see Bob in his element. He was rather friendly when he was comfortable around people, faring better in one-on-one engagements rather than the entire group of twelve of you. 

Now you’re entering the second week of a specialized mission where you and eleven other pilots had been chosen to train with some of the most prominent names in the Naval Air Force, for a mission none of you could speak about outside of your immediate group and its supervisors. Out of those eleven you knew maybe five of them, including the two you’d clung on to, having previously met once before in the long history that you’d made with the Navy. That had been years ago though and none of them had changed drastically, including their habits. 

Which is why you’re sitting on Payback’s dorm floor, the six of you in some warped looking circle. Having the weekend off and the thundering rain outside, it kept those who lived off base penned in with the others. Not that you were complaining, as your two bedroom rental had a tendency to get lonely. 

Instead of paying attention to the group that’s around you, you’re in your head making a mental checklist of everything you need to get accomplished over the course of the weekend. Packages that need dealt with, laundry, lots of dishes-

“Vegas, if you’re tired you can head out.” Coyote offers, making you shake your head as you sip your seltzer. 

“I’m fine, I was making a mental to do list for tomorrow.” You explain before Rooster’s sighing. 

“All work and no play with you. They should’ve called you Buzzkill.” Hangman laughs with the other in agreement before the quietest one in the group speaks. 

“How did you even get the name?” Your head turns to see Bob who’s fiddling with the plastic lid of his water bottle, watching you carefully. 

“Oh cmon, you haven’t heard the phrase?” Hangman suggests, before Payback gives him a glare. 

“The ice you’re on is getting thin, man.” He offers, but despite the warning he’s speaking. 

“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?” The rest of the group lets out a disgusted groan, Payback throwing his pillow from his bed at the male, which he misses. 

“You’re the worst.” Phoenix grumbles, turning to face you. “Ok, but really?” There’s a sympathetic grin on her features encouraging you to explain.

You’re reluctant to share, mainly because it seems like Hangman will use any details about the name against you - as evidenced by the way he’s leaning closer, a mocking gaze on you as he props his chin in his hand. “Fine, fine. The thing was that Vegas is full of surprises and you never know what you’re going to get. You’ve got to have luck when you go to Vegas.” You shrug and take a heavier sip of your drink, nearly finishing it off. 

“It suits you.” Bob compliments with a grin on his face, making you look at it and return the smile. 

“Vegas is also wild and unpredictable and full of scandals.” Hangman smirks before Phoenix reaches over and flicks the top of his ear. “Ow! What the hell?” He whines, a hand moving to comfort the spot. 

“Stop being a dick.” She directs and he rolls his eyes. 

“Whatever. This is getting boring. We should play a game.” He’s getting up, moving to the wooden box of a closet in Payback’s room, leaning against it. 

“I’m down. I’ve got cards and-“ Payback’s efforts to host are shot down by the arrogant pilot. 

“I was thinking..” a hand pushes the door to the closet open, a creak as it runs along the rail. “Some of the classics.” 

“Hangman, I seriously doubt anyone-“ Coyote’s about to finish his statement when you stand up, downing the rest of your drink. 

“I’ll play.” The blonde gets a new wind of energy when you speak, a smirk coming to his features. You crush the can in your hand, tossing it in the trash can before reaching down and grabbing Bob’s hand. “C’mon Floyd.”

“Floyd?” Hangman’s voice comes in shock as Bob - who’s admittedly taller than you remembered him being - stands to his feet with reluctance. “You know this game is 7 Minutes in Heaven, right V?” There’s the slightest hint of disappointment in his face as you turn to look at the WSO who’s stood beside you. 

“I know.” Brief, you give a smile to the bespectacled male who returns it. This time it’s not a forced one, it’s rather genuine, as though he was appreciative of your choice. He moves past you, pushing into the closet past the many hanging articles. While Hangman stands in shock, you grab his hand and set the timer on his watch. “7 minutes on the clock?” You’ve got the smuggest look on your face as you step into the closet with Bob, sliding the door shut. 

You’re getting your giggles in as you turn to the brunette, a soft whisper coming from you. “I was just trying to fuck with him so there’s no pres-” The words are barely off your tongue before there are lips on yours, hesitant hands on your waist. You can’t stop your body from reacting before your mind can string together what is happening. Fingers are in his hair, pulling him to you even further, lips fervent and over excited to get to his. His hand moves from your waist up to your biceps, a light grip to them. Bob is the one to deepen the kiss, a little more resistance to it, making you arch your back a little to keep the contact. A desperate pause for air, only for both of you to go dive in for seconds. Large hands migrate again to your waist, finding a comfortable spot before tugging you nearer by the fabric over your skin. 

His tongue makes its appearance, exploring and marrying it with yours in rhythm, so perfectly exhilarating. This is the last thing you’d expected when you’d dragged his hand toward the closet. Yet, your fingers are long gone, tangled in the cropped length at the very top of his head, a light grip pulling his head back, forcing both of you to take a breath. A soft whimper leaves him when you do so and your stomach does a somersault. What was that? He’s pulling against your hand as he dives in for more, hands hesitating as they grow closer and closer to your chest. Bob’s thinking about it, yet doesn’t dare to move, so instead, you’re picking up his hand and guiding it to your chest, encouraging his grip. A light groan leaves your lips as his grip closes on your body, lips pulling from yours to start to pepper down your neck. The cold metal of his glasses skims over the newly warm spots as his hands continue to massage, a breath of air leaving you with more weight than the last. When a voice comes from outside the closet, you nearly jump. Right. There were people out there. And you were here. With Bob. 

“One minute left guys.” The rule was no one could be leaning against the door, listening, recording - nothing. So, with the minute warning, Floyd’s pulling away, looking at you, a soft chuckle leaving him. His shaky hand reaches up to smooth a spot of your hair that had come undone in the frenzy that had just been sparked. The overeager countdown begins, and you’re straightening your clothes. With surprise, he’s taking your hand, his other one holding a pointed finger to his lips. 

The closet door opens, flooding the small space with light, letting you step out. Bob’s soon following out, but making a bee-line for the door, waving a brief goodbye to everyone. 

What the -fuck- just happened.

It’s quiet, leaving everyone to stare at you, waiting for something. A crumb so to speak. “Vegas? What happened there?” You shrug, looking at Coyote with a smile. 

“We just talked, I made a few jokes that he groaned at - mainly because they sucked, but-” you throw your hands up, picking up your water bottle and downing the rest of the liquid. You sit down and Hangman claps his hands together. 

“Okay, who's next, Phoenix?” He points to her and she laughs, shaking her head. 

“In your dreams, Seresin.” 

                                                  ════ ⋆★⋆ ════

Your laundry list had been erased from your mind after what happened in Payback’s closet. No, scratch that. It had been crumpled up, thrown in the direction of the trash can and bounced off the rim of it and onto the floor. Long forgotten- instead, the 6 minutes of sheer adrenaline inducing touches replayed in a loop. You barely fell asleep last night, in near shock of it all. 

There was no part of you that actually regretted a single thing that had happened. Not him kissing you, not you guiding his hand. It was exhilarating. 

You’d not told a soul, but there’d been a certain draw towards the WSO that Phoenix flew with. Day one you’d stuck up for him when Hangman continued being an asshole to the man, which was uncalled for. Since then, Robert seemed to cling to you.

The two of you tended to stick around one another, with how comfortable he was with you. He’d let you in about his family, speaking at lunchtime over poorly made sushi and stale fortune cookies. For someone who didn’t seem all that at ease with people, he’d grown to be rather chill around you. 

Every now and then, a thought would cross your mind when you’d get a good look at blue eyes shining in the San Diego sun. It would be the reminder you would get that this man was attractive. The worst part was that he never seemed to show that he knew that he was. It had been a shame, especially when you’d see him out of uniform. 

The two of you had conflicting schedules, but you’d get a glimpse of his workout sessions on Hangman’s snapchat stories, seeing the male in the background, working his ass off. Usually a cut up grey Navy t-shirt and basketball shorts, both of which highlighted his body that wasn’t usually on display. His arms as he did curls seemed to grow with each pump, and his thighs… 

You’d gotten lost in countless daydreams about him, to say the least. Now that one of those daydreams had actually happened?

There’d been no indication that your interest was reciprocated. At least not that you could see, the man was rather reserved in all aspects of the word. He was pretty quiet with most of the group, only spoke when he needed to, a meek smile on his features every now and then. Even the first night at The Hard Deck, he’d been a bit of a wallflower, a cup of water and an attempt to dance along to a song he’d never heard. 

So the question was… who was the man that kissed you? ‘Cause you weren’t entirely sure that it was the same person. 

You knew that you couldn’t sit in contemplation all day - which is how you ended up doing a rapid tidy of the house before grabbing your bag and moving to get back to base. You’d kept a pretty regular workout schedule with Coyote, having been doing an hour of work together, a two hour session overall. He’d get a half an hour head start, you’d come and spot him and then cool down with him as you warmed up before he’d spot you and then hang out with you while you did your cool down. Working out alone was your least favorite thing, and Coyote was not a good lone wolf. 

Returning to base, you’re parking your bike, tugging off the helmet and shoving it into the seat, only before hearing your last name. When you turn your head, the man from your mind is standing with a timid smile. He’s in civis, a pair of khaki cargo shorts, a graphic tee for some sort of superhero…. Holy hell he looked good, and he didn’t even try. “What’s up?” Pulling hair from your mouth, you start the conversation as an active aversion to the inevitable detour your mind would end up taking. 

“I… um… wanted to talk about last night?” He’s scratching the back of his neck, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. “If.. If I made you uncomfortable, I’m really, really sorry. I just - I’ve, well, I think most of the squad knows but - point is that I’ve had this thing for you since we got here and the guys - it’s so stupid honestly -” Bob’s going into a ramble, his hands fidgeting with the watch on his wrist. Hesitantly, you take a step toward him, grabbing his hand. 

“Breathe. I’ve got time to listen to you, okay?” You reassure him, hoping to clear his thoughts and get the statement out a little faster. Bob takes a breath before looking at you, blue eyes firm to yours. 

“The guys had this running joke that even if I had a chance with you that I wouldn’t take it.” He seems to shrink at the admission, making you watch him as he pushes his hands into his pockets, looking at the parking lot as he avoids your face. “I guess, I just wanted to prove them wrong?” Finally, he looks at you again. “So, I didn’t really consider what you wanted, which was… selfish of me.” Now scratching the back of his bicep, you’re about to speak when Coyote slams his car door, making both of you look at him. He gives a wave at Bob, who returns it before you speak to the other male. 

“I’ll be in, just give me a minute.” You smile before your attention is turned back to him. “Floyd-”

“You can call me Bob, you know.” He cuts you off, only to tumble on his words. “I-I meant, if you want. I just felt like, since we’ve met you… are the only one who doesn’t.” With a small tilt of your head you nod. 

“I am, aren’t I?” He returns it shyly, making you grin. “I just felt like… you didn’t like it.” It’s your turn to stay hesitant and you see the small smile on his face. 

“Everyone’s adopted it, so I don’t have much of a say.” He’s kicking his shoe into the gravel at his feet, looking back at you from the tops of his lenses. 

“Well… I’ll find something you like. Even if it’s just me who uses it - you should like your name.” A reassuring comment as you smile at him. “As for last night…” You’re grabbing your bag and swinging it over your shoulder, “I don’t think you have much to worry about.” With a well timed wink, you’re moving past him into the building. “Talk soon, Rob. Nah I don’t like that one.” Just before the door shuts, you can hear his laugh, and you know this feeling too well. 

You’re hooked. 

From then on, you’re doing anything you can to hang out with him. The problem is, if you aren’t on base, you are at home, studying or doing work. So, after practice one night, you invite the team to pizza night at your place. You’d even invited Maverick, but he’d declined politely, something about needing to get to an appointment. 

“An appointment at 7 o’clock? Hm, right.” Hangman snickers as he pulls a slice from the pie that had been freshly delivered not more than ten minutes ago. 

“He’ll probably say Penny needed one of the fridges at The Hard Deck fixed or something.” Coyote pipes up from your couch, he and Payback watching some form of football. 

The turn out is pretty good, though it doesn’t slip under your radar that he’s not there. You’re certain he has to have a valid reason, but you’re putting yourself through a thousand different scenarios. 

You stay rather tuned to your watch, seeing the hand tick by each hour. It’s not that you aren’t enjoying yourself - far from it. Rooster had initiated some form of spontaneous karaoke night which had left you and Phoenix in a fit of tears. As the hostess however, you’re excusing yourself as you pick up empty pizza boxes, starting out to the car park to toss them in the bins outside. When you drop them into the plastic, you look around, only to spot a shadow approaching from the end of the driveway. It makes you jump, not having seen him when you came outside. Hands pocketed in what looks like a Nike hoodie, khaki shorts and flip flops, the pilot begins approaching. The only way you knew it was him was the glint of the porch light off of his glasses. “God, you could warn me next time.” You laugh, waiting for him to come to your presence. He looks far more laid back this time around, and - is that a baseball hat? 

“I guess that’s the ‘stealth’ part of ‘stealth pilot’?” He suggests making you smile. It’s mirrored as he points to the trash. “Did I miss pizza?” Bob asks, hope floating in his voice. 

“I saved you a couple slices.” You smile, and open the back door and lead the way, hearing a whooping group of voices cheer his name as he comes into the kitchen. He offers a wave as you move to the fridge, grabbing the leftovers and starting to toss them in the oven to broil. “Do you want a drink? I’ve got water and soda - and beer but..” You offer an understanding grin, which he seems to chuckle at. 

“Soda’s fine. It’s in the fridge?” He’s pointing in that direction, leaving you to move back to the task at hand. As you’re tossing the slices in the oven, Bob’s come around the counter to lean on the edge of it. “This place is nice. It’s yours?” Your head is quick to rise to meet his face which leaves you to find that he’s taking a sip from his drink. 

“Sort of. Mine for the time being. I’m renting it off of a short term site. I think I’ve got it for like a month or so?” You shrug looking over the house. It was a decent size, a nicely redone kitchen, and clearly a great space for entertaining. “Why don’t you go say hi to everyone?” You ask as you nod in their direction. 

“I didn’t come for everyone.” The way he says it doesn’t sneak past you, nor does the way his eyes seem to meet yours with lingering purpose. 

“What did you come for, then?” Part of you has a suspicion, but you’re not sure he’d admit to it. 

“Free pizza, obviously.” He pokes a smirk in your direction, standing upright and looking at you over his shoulder as he approaches the group. You but let your gaze follow him as he finds a spot criss-crossed on the floor next to Phoenix, contentedly. There’s a fuzzy feeling swimming in your gut, and you know that means trouble. 

With pizza finished, and actual games played, everyone heads out, one straggler behind. He’s helping you clean up bottles and plastic plates, a true gentleman helping the host tidy before he heads out. “So I’ve been thinking, I’ve got a new list of nicknames, you just stop me when one jumps out at you, okay?” 

Hesitantly, he looks at you as you lead him to the trash can. “Alright, Vegas. Go ahead.” You find the undeniable amusement on his face as you pull out your phone and open your notes. 

“I don’t think you’re ready.” You tease before taking a dramatic deep breath, “Rip, Rabbit, Bobby, Robbie, Dobby, Robot, Ro-bort, Reboot, Bert Minus Ernie,” You slow, watching as he leans his hip into the counter, fighting back a smile, “no? I’ve got more.” 

“Keep going.” Blue eyes are ablaze with amusement as you face forward, chests parallel to one another before you speak up again. 

“Bob-it, like a bop-it, you know? Beebo, Bill, Billy bob, a time honored favorite, Ricky Bobby,” He dips his head into a nod in faux contemplation, stealing a step closer to you while you’re still rattling, “Bob the Builder, What About Bob, Bob Ross, Spongebob, Bob Belcher,” both of you are laughing now as you go down the list, still reading from the list as he slides his hands over your waist, index fingers sliding into the belt loops of your jeans, tugging you forward as you laugh. “I’ve got like two more pages that start with Bo-” Bob cuts you off, his lips meeting yours in an effort to stop your nonsensical rambling. Clearly, he succeeds as your hand droops, nearly dropping your phone as your head dips further with his kiss, breaking a moment, letting you pull away if you want to. Seeing that you have no intentions of doing so, his hand pulls from your waist, finding a comfortable spot along the roots of your hair, encouraging your head to sneak closer. Every part of you wants to keep this up, the way his tongue slides along your lips, lingering tastes of ginger ale and pepperoni - but your lungs are refuting, which is why you pull away, a loud smack sound hitting the air when you do. You’re taking deep breaths, trying to suck in as much oxygen as you can. As you do, you witness Bob start to panic, hand reaching to your bicep. 

“I should’ve asked, I know- I know, god I promise it won’t happen again-” Instead it’s your turn, cutting him off, hands maneuvering his hips with a tug of his belt, lips sloppily engaging with his. Bob sneaks out words every now and then, “I promise,” teeth pull on your bottom lip as hands move over your ass, under your thighs, “really, it won’t happen again” between ragged breaths as you pull your arms around his neck, Bob’s picking you up and sliding you onto the counter in swift movements. The cool marble under your jeans doesn’t do much to calm the steam radiating from your skin. Large hands have traveled up to duck under your shirt - bringing everything to a grinding halt as you grab his wrists, pulling away and looking him in the eye. 

Neither of you say a thing, stuck in an intense gaze as your pants echo off the walls and reverb back to your ears. While you’re still, you notice a bit of tension built in his stance. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Your voice is soft, reaching up and pushing his baseball cap up and off his head and readjusting it so the bill faces forward like it had before he’d adjusted it to kiss you. 

“I.. I don’t want this to just be sleeping together, just because we can.” Finally he seems to relax a little more, seemingly getting relief from admitting something that had been at the forefront of his mind. 

“So, we don’t.” You shrug, as your hand falls to his shoulder. It’s quiet again before you tilt under his hat to kiss his cheek and pull back. His hands have slid into a comfortable spot on your waist, thumbs running back and forth over the same spot. 

“I.. I haven’t hooked up with anyone, and I just… don’t think it would be wise to start now. Don’t get me wrong, Vegas, this is…” A light laugh leaves him, making you smile, “it’s good, but I don’t want to give you the wrong message.”

“That’s fine by me, Bo.” His eyebrows pop up at that, a genuine smile on his own face. “Oh, you like that one?” You tease and he laughs. 

“It’s better than the, like, forty others you listed.” Bob helps you off the counter waiting for your response. 

“Bo it is then.” Grinning at him he reflects it, reaching up and adjusting his glasses as he turns his head to his watch. There’s no urgency to leave about it, but more so an acknowledgement that it’s getting late. 

“I guess I better get going.” He speaks at a lower volume, almost like he’s willing you to ask him to stay, but you won’t. If he does, you can only imagine what would happen .

“Yeah, wouldn’t want you to be late to practice tomorrow ‘cause you got caught up here.” You point out as he heads for the door. 

“Yeah? The guilt would be all too consuming for you?” He retorts, leaning in the now open door frame. 

“Absolutely.” A mutual smile rests on both of your features as the conversation comes to a close. “Hate to watch you go..” You offer as he turns. 

“But you love to watch me leave.” Bob responds in a sing-songy voice, starting out from the car park and down the driveway. “See you in the morning, Vegas.” 

“Night Bo.”

                                                ════ ⋆★⋆ ════

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[ewingstan]

Worm and Costumes, pt. 1

(pt. 2 here!)

I’m really starting to admire how well the costumes in Worm say so much about their characters. You’d obviously want this, since a good superhero/villain costume is always supposed to represent a person well, but this can often get lost due to aesthetic trends or demands for matching outfits or a need to have a level of asthetic cohesion for a group. Worm uses its “no themed teams” rule to let costumes’ symbolic meanings shine, giving us a masterclass in how to use costumes both for blunt metaphor and subtle characterization.

Looking at each of the core Undersiders’ in turn: we have Brian’s motorcyclist outfit, almost unrecognizable as a costume if not for the sculpted skull visor. This makes it feel almost ad-hoc; you could picture Brian starting out his criminal career, not having anything to protect his identity, so just putting on his helmet and calling it a day, modifying it with the skull once he had enough money from jobs. It helps sell how the Undersiders started out as something approaching goons-for-hire, with its leader looking like the souped-up version of the comic book henchman wearing their usual duds plus some clown makeup/animal mask/whatever they need to nominally fit their boss’ theme. At the same time, like Brian, it’s incredibly practical—it protects the head and provides great anonymity while still being intimidating. The way it seeks to intimidate, too: the intense machismo of the outfit, motorcycles and skulls and darkness, all of which is ultimately just hiding him, is really indicative of his specific damage. Grue’s outfit is the most imposing, but it also is the most covering, the most padded, the one that reveals the least of its wearer.

Then we have Tattletale’s domino mask and purple/black skintight bodysuit. Its probably the most stereotypically “comic book”-looking costumes of anyone, just loud and colorful and completely impractical for crime, which works with how much she commits to the cops-and-robbers theory of capedom. The out has very little obvious utility—it doesn’t even seem like it would do a good job at hiding her identity!—but that itself is a statement of confidence. It says “I know you’re not gonna do any lasting damage, and you know I don’t need to get physical to hurt you.” And the seeming failure to protect her civilian identity is misleading: yeah, she only has a domino mask, but its specifically designed to highlight parts of her face to suggest a whole different structure (not to mention her being meticulous about keeping different hair styles for her cape and civilian identity). It’s much like how Lisa’s seeming openness is a steel trap: she’ll delight in giving you all the details, and then you’ll end up blindsided learning “oh she’s only been letting us think she’s a psychic” or “oh Lisa Wilbourn isn’t actually her real name” or “oh she knew about my plan to betray her from the beginning.”

On the other end of the spectrum, we have Rachel’s incredibly minimal costume: just a cheap dog mask from the dollar store bin, worn with her civilian heavy coat and boots. Its brash, its crude, the effect worn together is more a slasher villain look than a supervillain ensemble. Its a nominal costume, less a nod to the rules than a thumbing of the nose towards it, which is appropriate: Rachel has no cape/civilian identity split, what with her identity and background being public knowledge, and she has the least patience for the cops-and-robbers game than any of the Undersiders. If she wasn’t reigned in by Brian and the others, she probably would have been in the birdcage or on a kill list by the story’s start. Its no wonder she doesn’t bother with the mask half the time; she has little understanding and no patience for the unwritten rules of the game they’re all playing. For her, its not a game at all.

In contrast, its clear from Regent’s costume that its all a game to him. He wears the carefree dress of some young prince out of a story book, what with his loose white shirt and silver diadem. His Venetian mask makes it seem like every caper may as well be a trip to the masquerade. It suggests a spoiled demeanor, undue confidence built from a privileged upbringing, while also hinting at a cruel and hedonistic streak often seen in the wealthy and aimless. At the same time, we find out quickly that his costume has a purposefully misleading exterior: his mask is padded, his loose shirt hides a bulletproof vest and his scepter doubles as a taser against the unsuspecting. Jean-Paul himself narrates for us how his tuned-out, playful demeanor lets him hide the more horrifying things he gets up to, and his costume similarly is used to paint over a man with more skin in the game than he lets on, ready and eager to strike out against the unsuspecting.

Most tantalizing for analysis, we have Taylor’s costumes. The way its initially presented (ooh, its grey because I haven’t gotten better dyes yet, I mostly just worked on it in the garage during my free time, I haven’t actually worn it out on patrol or anything) makes it seem slightly dinky and novice-level, and it is—as a hero costume. As a villain costume, it ends up working perfectly. It’s shortcomings as a hero costume just create more opportunities for it to work as a statement for the Warlord of the Boardwalks; just like Taylor’s shortcomings do the same. Her costume is too dour to be light or inspiring, so she uses it to seem inhuman and frightening.  Her powers don’t lend themselves to easy takedowns of her opponents, so she opts instead for ruthless takedowns. Her costume can’t let her mimic the beautiful, statuesque features of heroes, so she leans in the other direction and becomes as unsettling as possible, covering her gangly body in an always-writhing mass. She’s not a great public speaker, so she speaks through her minions, or through a jittering mass of bugs in her vague silhouette, or she gives patient, logical-sounding explanations that make you hate her even as her arguments sit in your head like a tick, growing larger as you feed it your doubt.

The match between appearance and methods only grows once she adopts the Weaver persona. The grey-and-electric blue color palate is supposed to signal her adoption of heroism, and while the color scheme is certainly more approachable and familiar, it also lacks the warmer colors of the old costume’s yellow goggles. And one of the aspects of Weaver that make people want more time devoted to this portion of the story is how despite now working for the “good,” Taylor is at her coldest, holding her new teammates at arms length while working them to the bone. At the same time, she has her fingers in more pies than ever: she is taking on dozens of criminal operations and wearing them down with attrition, confronting new and terrifying endbringers on a much more frequent basis, and trying to line up as many pieces as she can for the prophesied doomsday. What better way to symbolize how much she’s juggling than literally giving her more arms?

And then there are the parts that just scream their meaning at you. How she finds the initial version of the weaver costume ill-fitting and generic. How she now has a beetle emblem facing towards the sky, but it’s actually turned upside-down from its old orientation. How she goes back to the Skitter costume whenever she has something personal to fight for, when the undersiders are with her in the fray. Its great. It’s loud, it has no trace of subtlety, it is yelling what it want’s you to take away. Just like the best costumes do.

(pt. 2 here!)