#and we've never really had a proper conversation

[daydreamsinthemoonlight]

just went to my first drag show and holy shit it was SO much fun

[blacknedsoul-blog]

Random Thought of the Day (VIII)

So, posh besties are finally canon, yay! Congratulations Annabel, you only had to die, get divorced, survive an assassination attempt and have about 4 or 5 mental breakdowns to make one (1) friend, that is progress! Hopefully the next one will take less effort.

That said, there are two things I want to dwell on here.

I should like to by your friend and Could we be friends?

This is not the first time we've seen Annabel ask or tell someone outright that she wants to be friends. It's the second.

Yes, Lenore is not only Annabel's wife, but -possibly- her first proper friend. And it's really interesting because these scenes show you two really different sides of her, even though it's a similar situation.

When she meets Lenore, Annabel comes across as a very confident person, full of confidence and absolutely charming. She is formal but approachable and straightforward about her intentions: "We can help each other".

On the other hand, at this point, Annabel is keeping the reasons she wants this friendship to herself, she seems nervous -even a little uncomfortable- and behaves much more awkwardly. She hesitates, chokes on words, doesn't quite know if what she's doing is appropriate.

If I had to think of reasons for this contrast, there are two.

First: Annabel when she has time to plan vs. when she has to improvise. She went looking for Lenore, probably had at least an entire night to think about what kind of person this mysterious woman locked in the attic might be and how to approach this conversation. On the other hand, this conversation with Prospero had to be pulled out of her sleeve after a lot of emotionally complicated moments, maybe it didn't occur to her that this conversation could actually happen, and she has no plan B if Prospero rejects the offer.

On top of that, Annabel knows better than anyone the risks of getting attached to someone in Nevermore.

Second, that the scene with Prospero functions in some way as a reflection of Annabel's feelings when she first meets Lenore: there's no reason to believe she was any better equipped to enter into a relationship with anyone at that point in her life than she is now. But in this scene, we -and Lenore- see what Annabel wants to show, the parts of herself that she may find most attractive or pleasing. Here, Prospero gets a glimpse of her awkward and uncomfortable side, and I'd bet that awkwardness was present in that first meeting with Lenore, it's just that she had a chance to think about it, rehearse it, and thus hide those sides of her character as well.

The thing that makes me think of it that way is this:

Annabel's first gesture to Lenore is to shake her hand, which she also mentions here:

She still doesn't remember doing it, but the idea behind it is more or less the same: Annabel associates this kind of formality with friendly or amicable gestures; a mixture of business dealings and affectionate promises.

Again, the same intention, but with a very different performance. One that makes me wonder what exactly her thoughs when she went to see Lenore.

The Introvert Who Adopts and the Extrovert Who Is Adopted

Another thing that got me thinking about this whole thing is that so far we've seen Annabel -a very introverted person- be the one to take the first step in getting into a relationship with someone: she's the one who asks the question.

The funny thing is that even though Lenore is an extrovert, it was the other way around, she never took the initiative to start a relationship with anyone: Annabel came to see her, Morella is her assigned roommate, Duke came to talk to her, Pluto was won in a Pokémon swap (and she didn't choose him, Ada threw him under the bus), and Eulalie and Bernice approached her first.

I can see why this would happen from Annabel's side; she's a person who moves in the shadows, someone who lives by appearances and isn't afraid to manipulate or deceive to get her way. Under this premise, explicitly telling the people she cares about that this is an honest relationship feels like something even necessary for the sake of the relationship and her own mental health.

But in thinking about why this is happening to Lenore, and going back and reading chapter 22 to do this little analysis, I remembered this scene:

And…I don't know about you, but I think I'm going to pin this one. For now.

[sourbinnie]

you lose your way | chan x gn!reader angst + fluff | just take my hand

chan didn't think he deserved your love at all. he thought he was destined to be alone forever but then het met you and he saw a bright future ahead of him, one that he never imagined. he felt completely and utterly comfortable being with you but the awful insecurity of not being enough or not doing showing the love he thinks you deserve haunted him. it felt like a shadow above him that followed at all times when he was at work, thinking that you got home from your job and you were all alone. 

why couldn't he be the boyfriend you deserved? why couldn't he just put in the effort and be there for you? always stuck somewhere else. with every comeback, every promotion, every song, every dance you were lingering on his mind there all alone. he was so exhausted every time he set foot in your shared apartment and he did not expect you to wait up for him but you always did. 

at one point he even felt like he had to end things because this wasn't healthy for either of you but what would he do without you? no motivation, no reason to continue a path that he didn't want to even think of. he felt trapped like he knew you were doing this out of kindness but why would you do that for nothing in return? the last time he kissed you properly was like a month ago.

maybe this was a signal for him to stop, to actually look around him and think of what he was doing. yet he always went back to work, he just couldn't be stopped from recording another track, writing lyrics (mostly about you) and practicing even more than what his body could take. 

"chris?" your voice got him out of his daydream/nightmare and he looked at you. you knew the password for his studio so he wasn't surprised about that but you looked like you just got out of work. "it's kinda late i'm sorry if i'm bothering but i wanted to know if you wanted to go home with me?".

"i don't know if i can love." he sighed as he looked back at his laptop again, writer's block was his biggest enemy. he knew he had the hability to put on some heart wrecking lyrics yet nothing was coming to mind. again another signal to stop maybe. "you can go home if you want and you don't have to stay up, i know you're tired."

"i don't mind waiting for you, you always carry me to bed anyways." you said, giving him a little smile as you sat down next to him. "can we talk baby?" you asked and if he wasn't scared before, he surely was now.

he expected this conversation to lead to the worst. he expected for you to leave him right then and there, after all he did not put effort at all into your relationship even if you were all he could think about. even if you lived in his mind rent free 24/7, he knew he would never be the boyfriend you were meant to have.

"yeah of course." he said as he looked at you, you grabbed his hands and that's where he felt everything was gonna go down. 

"you know you can talk to me, right? it's been a long time since we've had a proper conversation. i don't mind it really, i know you're busy but if it's too much you can always talk to me. i'll always have your back and i'll always hold your hand when you need me the most christopher." you said in a serious tone but with the kindest way. he couldn't help but feel the tears cloud his vision as he heard your words. "i believe in you and i love you. i know this is your way of proving your worth but you're much more than your job."

he wiped his eyes as he didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of you. he felt like he was gonna choke on his tears anytime soon but he took a deep breath and looked at you again, nodding. 

"i know. it's just been a lot lately and i know you deserve better." he said and you shook your head. "i know you're gonna say you're fine with it but how can you be fine with me not being there for you?"

"it's your job chris, i understand. you love it here and i love that you're passionate about it." you clearly said as you played with his hands and gave him another warm smile. "what kind of significant other would i be if i didn't let you enjoy what you have? it was your dream to be here." 

"but is it too much? i feel like i don't show you the love you deserve. i feel like i'm all you don't deserve." he said letting his feelings out once and for all. 

"there's no love i deserve that's not yours. i just want what you give me at the end of the day." you said, kissing his cheek and hugging him so he could let all the tears he needed out. "i know you're lost but i'm not letting go. i'm never gonna let go of you 'cause you're the only one."

the words pierced through his heart as he sighed and let all the tears fall from his eyes when you embraced him. he didn't feel okay, he knew he wasn't okay but something about you saying you're gonna be there for him forever just eased his heart. it eased his pain and sorrow as didn't want to let go of the hug because it was all he needed at the end of the day. for you to be there for him in such a way, meant the world to him.

[junipers-archive]

*ੈ✩‧₊˚✧VALENTINES DAY CONFESSIONS

❥ James!potter x reader (You've had a crush on James for months now, he finally gets the nerve to ask you to be his Valentine, only to find you were on your way to ask him.) Word Count: 700

"Jus' don't know if she'll like it!" James was in the common room discussing his singular girl problem with his friends. "I mean we've been friends for a while, but I still don't even know if she likes me!"

Sirius who was languidly laying across one of the armchairs nearby rolled his eyes as he answered, "Your delusional if you don't see it."

"He's right James, she really does like you, laughs at every one of your bad jokes enough." even Remus had enough of his jabbering, most of their conversations almost always ended up with James bringing up your name.

He was blushing at even the mention of you liking him back, "What if she already has a Valentines though? What if she doesn't really like me? What if-"

"Give her the Valentine!" It was Pete, laying on the ground in a star-fished position, he'd almost drifted off into a sweet sleep before he was woken once more by James' worried voice.

He got up from the couch he'd been stationed at, quickly and quite bravely if he said so himself heading for the door. "Fine. But if I get my heart broken you will all be very sorry!"

As he left they all let out a collective sigh, they'd been attempting to convince him all week, maybe, just maybe if they could finally get you two together, they'd get some peace and quiet.

When James gets to you he's panting, having ran down several flights of moving stairs to reach you. You had come to the library to return some of the books you'd borrowed to study, he knew this since he was the one who offered to help you, just so he could spend more time with you.

"Y/n!" He tried to look casual, all the same hiding the gift behind his back as he approached your figure.

"Oh, hey Jamie!" you eyes were bright and your heart fluttered at his flushed cheeks.

"Have you got any plans for the day?" He was hoping your answer was no, so he could take you on a proper date, something you deserved.

"M'no don't think so, why?"

"W-well I was just hoping, since you're free, and its Valentines day..." your heart beat faster as he continued, you'd waited months for him to realize you liked him back.

"Well maybe you could, or rather we could, w-would you be valentine?" He swears you're the only to ever make him this nervous.

When he see's your pleased expression however he gets a surge of confidence taking out your gift and handing it to you, a beautiful bouquet of your favorite flowers accompanied by a small box of chocolates.

"Yes!" Your reply comes far too quickly, but you couldn't care less, taking out the small card and chocolate box you'd gotten him from your bag.

You shove it towards him as he gapes at you, "I-What-What is this?"

"Well, you were taking far too long, I mean I went to every one of your quidittch matches, pretended I needed help studying so you'd offer, laughed at every single joke of yours, godric I even went to your friends for help!"

"I never thought you'd like me!" He was bright red, how had he not seen it this entire time?

"Jamie I laugh at every single one of your jokes." You were exasperated, how had you fallen for such a sweet oblivious boy?

"Is that supposed to be an insult? Cause if I'm being honest it sounded-"

You stop his jabbering, placing the gifts on the table nearby and pressing your soft lips to his. Your heart melts as his hand comes to caress your cheek as if you're the most delicate flower in the world.

Because to him, you were.

When you pull back you're both grinning so hard your faces hurt.

"S'not and insult, just a fact." And it was, you would laugh at everyone of his jokes, no matter how ludicrous or ridiculous they were, you found him funny. And charming, and kind, and beautiful, and perfect, perfect for you.

"Well then, my Valentine, shall we begin our date?" He held out his arm as you smiled sheepishly at his name-calling.

"We shall."

[theverystrangegirl27]

˚‧꒰ა♡໒꒱‧˚ Love Me ˚‧꒰ა♡໒꒱‧˚

summary: Bill and Ted find out no one has ever made you come before, and they aim to fix that

Warnings: smut, threesome, oral (f receiving)

“No one's ever made you come before?”

Ted asks, exasperated.

Mortified, you shake your head no.

“Bogus.” Bill declares, eyebrows furrowed in thought.

You couldn't pinpoint the exact moment your innocent conversation about music had turned into a conversation about your lack of orgasms, but here you are, sitting in Bill and Ted's small apartment with an unopened Metallica album in your lap.

Ted's still looking at you in disbelief, eyebrows disappearing behind his shaggy dark hair and his lips parted.

“Like, never?”

Okay, this is getting a little ridiculous. You roll your eyes, setting the album back into its crate.

“I mean, it's not like I've never come before.” You huff, and that blue stain on the carpet is suddenly very interesting.

“Just, no one makes me come like me, y'know?” You shrug your shoulders, looking up through your lashes to find the two boys stuck staring at you.

There's a shift in the room, the atmosphere filled with this strange sexual tension that you're not used to having with these two.

Bill looks at Ted, Ted looks at Bill, and they both grin. Somethings been passed between the two of them, and you can't help but feel a little left out.

You frown, looking between the two of them.

“What?” You ask, a little self-conscious all of a sudden.

You feel too bare in your tank top, the urge to shrug your flannel back over your shoulders overwhelming.

Bill looks at you with a smile, white teeth on display, and a playful look in his eyes.

“Y/N, we've just had the most excellent idea.”

“Yeah,” Ted agrees, a twin smile on his own face.

You tilt your head, resting back on your hands.

“And your idea is…?” You ask, raising your eyebrows.

“We're gonna make you come!” Ted exclaims, over-eager as always.

Your eyes practically bulge out of your head.

“Huh?” You exclaim, flustered. Your cheeks get hot, and the air in the room feels way too warm.

“C'mon Y/N,” Bill starts leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.“You're like, a total babe! We wanna help.”

You feel a flutter of affection shoot through your heart at his words, and you take a moment to really look at Bill.

His legs are spread from where he's sitting on the couch, expression earnest as ever. Those pretty blue green eyes of his hold no hint of malice, no sign that this is all some elaborate prank.

You swallow, not sure how to respond.

“Uh, only if you're okay with it, though.” Ted adds, mistaking your expression for subtle rejection.

You blink a couple of times, biting your lip as you think on it. Would it really be so bad? Two of your closest friends learning your body, helping you come?

The idea sends a pleasant thrill up your spine, and you break into a shy smile.

“Okay,” you begin. “But I wanna do it on a proper bed, not in the living room.”

The boy's look incredibly pleased, sending each other wide smiles as they air guitar. You shake your head, impossibly endeared.

Once you've made your way to the bedroom- deciding on Bill's bed because it's the least cluttered- Ted puts on a tape, loud guitars and heavy drums filling the room.

You throw your flannel to the ground, left in jeans and your tank top. Leaning back on the bed, you flip your hair over one shoulder.

Bill, eyes wide and a dopey, sweet smile on his face, approaches you first.

“Just relax, babe. We'll take care of you.”

He leans forward, hand coming to cup your face as he pulls you into a kiss.

Your fingers grip the comforter beneath you as you lean into the kiss, eyes fluttering shut.

Bill spreads your legs so he can stand between them, one knee bent on the bed as he pushes you back against the mattress.

Kissing Bill is a lot sweeter than you imagined, his usual laid back, charming demeanor changing into something softer.

Out of the two, Ted's always been the romantic, but it seems that Bill has a side of himself he's never shown to you.

How lucky, you think, that he's giving that to you now.

Moved by your own analysis, you move a hand to the back of his head to pull him back with you, his body pressing you gently into the sheets. You tangle your fingers in his curls, licking into his mouth with a muffled sigh.

His hand slips to your waist, fingers splayed across your midriff underneath the tank top.

“Woah,” you hear Ted breathe from where he stands at the foot of the bed.

Bill and you break for air, just looking at one another for a moment before you glance over his shoulder at Ted.

“C’mere, Ted.” You call to him softly, stroking at the nape of Bill's neck as he kisses at your collarbones.

It's so easy with these two - you feel yourself getting wet as Bill pushes your tank top up and over your breasts, lips trailing down the soft skin there.

Usually, you're never this worked up so early, but something about these boys drives you crazy.

Ted moves to your side, leaning over you to kiss you. He's a little clumsy with it, sweet in a way that makes your heart flip around in your chest. You smile as you pull away, looking into his dark, lust blown eyes before leaning back in.

Bill makes a soft noise from below, having exposed you nipples to the cool air of their bedroom.

“You've got like, the best tits babe.” Bill says, making you laugh a little as Ted settles in beside you.

“Totally,” Ted agrees, one hand coming down to toy with your right nipple.

You sigh, watching the both of them as Bill kisses down your chest, hands unzipping your jeans and getting a hand down the front of them.

“You know what would be sick?” Ted says, voice a little rough. “If you got ‘em pierced.”

Bill, momentarily distracted by Ted's comment, looks up with a wide grin.

“Dude, that's an excellent idea!” He exclaims, and you squirm a little to get their attention back on you, sitting up a little to shrug your tank top off fully.

“Bill, baby,” you intone sweetly, batting your eyes. “Could you help me with my jeans please?”

Bill goes kind of soft, eyes molten with lust as he swallows.

“Fuck, sure thing babe.”

What follows next is the quick zip of your fly, and you lift your hips as he drags them down your legs.

You sigh, head rolling onto Ted's shoulder when Bill presses soft, sweet kisses to your panties. His lips are warm over the fabric, and your breath hitches as he hooks a finger in the waistband of your panties and pulls them down.

“Bill's really good at giving head,” Ted says, pressing a kiss to your temple. “It's his favorite.”

“Yeah?” You breathe, eyes wide as Bill looks up at you through his lashes, lips pressing a kiss to the inside of your thigh.

“Oh yeah,” Ted says. He's holding you close, fingers toying with one nipple. “You're gonna love it.”

You scoff, face flushed with anticipation.

“We'll see.”

Bill, taking this as a challenge, smiles against your skin. He gets both hands under your hips, pulling your pussy to his mouth in one fell swoop.

You yelp as your lower body shifts and your head lands in Ted's lap.

Dark, lust blown eyes blink down at you, Ted's hair falling into his eyes a little as he smiles.

You bend your neck to look at Bill, ready to chastise him, but all that comes out of your open mouth is a gasp as Bill's tongue swipes over your clit.

He's so gentle with it, lips soft and firm, where they press against your heated flesh. Two blunt fingertips trace your entrance, gathering the wetness there and only just dipping inside.

You find yourself curling your fingers into Ted's jeans, hips twitching a little as Bill suckles a little on your clit.

Most guys you've been with hardly know what the clit is, let alone know where it is.

Bill, on the other hand, looks entirely focused on giving you the best head of your life, brow furrowed as he mouths at your cunt sweetly.

Ted leans down, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“Told you he's good.”

You can't respond, lost in the way Bill's fingers move within you. He curls them up, hitting something inside of you that makes your toes curl.

You move to grip his curls with one hand to ground yourself, tilting your head back.

Bill hums against your cunt, content to stay down there forever, and you wouldn't complain if he did.

Ted's playing with your hair, peppering light kisses across your forehead. You can feel how hard he is beneath you, and you open your eyes to look at him.

He's looking at you like you're the best thing he's ever seen, the only thing he wants to see for the rest of your life.

It makes your heart swell and your pussy throb, arching your back a little when Bill curls his fingers up.

He groans against your pussy, low and aroused at the very taste of you. You can't believe this- no man has ever made you feel this good.

“Fuck,” You whimper, Bill's slow and steady pace picking up a quick, pulsing rhythm that leaves your thighs shaking.

“I'm gonna come” you breathe, disbelief lacing your tone as you stare up at Ted with big, watery eyes.

He strokes your hair, fingers trailing down the side of your face.

“Yeah, babe?” Ted asks sweetly, tongue darting out to lick at his lips. “Fuck, I bet you're even prettier when you cum.”

You can't focus, your mouth falling open, back arching, fingers scrabbling for purchase in the sheets.

“Bill, Bill, oh my god-” Is all you're able to get out as your thighs clench around his ears, your pussy pulsing as you come on his fingers and tongue.

You're shaking, eyes closed tight as Ted presses a kiss to your forehead, sweet nothings tumbling out of his mouth.

Bill fingers you through it, kissing the inside of your thigh as those pretty blue eyes look up at you, a self-satisfied smirk settling across his lips.

When you finally open your eyes, Bill's leaning over you, a hand coming to cup your chin.

“Was that good, babe?” He asks, searching your face.

You're still panting a little, and you can't help yourself as you throw your arms around his neck and kiss him hard.

Tasting yourself on his lips is hotter than you expected.

You break for air, sitting up and in Ted's lap, whose hard as fuxk in his jeans.

You lick your lips, looking between your boys.

“I'm gonna make both of you come so hard.” You say, a mischievous grin on your face.

Bill and Ted look at each other, then back to you.

“Excellent!”

[alexxncl]

‼️NIGHTBRINGER LESSON 31 SPOILERS‼️

masterlist | lessons | lesson 30 | lesson 32

normal and hard

now idk about the rest of y'all, but it took me a minute to make this choice. i was stuck between not knowing and thinking that he won't. there's a slight chance that he'd tell them in the instance kayden hadn't tried to talk to him and explain, but they did

levi cares too much about mc to let anything bad happen to them. he knows that if he tells one of his brothers, they'll tell lucifer. once lucifer finds out, he'll be furious, and not only that, he'll be terrified

lucifer masks his fear with anger, like we've seen him do in season one of nb and multiple times in the og game. this also makes me really like the peacock theme throught his demon form; they're big ass, scary ass birds who try to show up other birds by flaunting their feathers to make themselves look better. but instead of lucifer doing it for mating tactics, he does it to protect himself and his brothers from any harm that could come their way

leviathan knows this. he doesn't want mc to get hurt, even with the possibility of him never seeing them again looming over his head constantly. he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he caused anything bad to happen to them, especially if it turns out that he had the wrong idea about their conversation with solomon and that all his anxiety was for nothing

also the clock ticking in the background during this scene ??? impeccable tension building on the game devs' part. we're running out of time to make pacts with everyone, and solomon and mc both know it

goofy ass sticker chain 😭

mc 🤝🏽 me

blowing up people's phones when they ignore me or don't answer within 5 seconds

see i was also thinking lotan

but what if it just means they're all gonna have a crying fest once kayden has to leave for good??

...it's probably lotan

what if it's both? AND lotan? and a long awaited reappearance of henry the snake 🫶🏽

baby no :((

i wish he realized his worth more, but removing yourself from a cycle of self-deprication and self-loathing is easier said than done

i think he's feeling guilt on top of his already expressed betrayal and self-loathing. he doesn't think he deserves all the care and patience mc is trying to give him, and he hates the fact that they keep trying to talk to him when he won't budge. he thinks they're wasting time by even trying to be around him because it "doesn't matter" when he's not around, or, at least it shouldn't in his mind

this is even worse than what i thought initially MY HEART

and it hurts even more bc levi might not have been able to say this if he was face to face with mc. he's never said anything quite like this to them in all the screentime he's had when he's being vulnerable around mc

imagine if he hadn't heard the conversation between them and solomon? mc leaving him would've hurt so much more bc he wouldn't have had any proper reassurance from mc to tell him that they love and care for him as much as he loves and cares for them, if he even thinks they feel that strongly about him at all

i guess it was lotan. well

also ending a lesson like that is insane but i digress

me 🤝🏽 mammon

adhd twins

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE IS BACK i can die happily now

but why is she talking like chloe from miraculous ladybug (iykyk)

also we STILL haven't made a pact with beel after that hassle of an angel trial i'm sick

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for breaking up with someone over fishkeeping and cat food? I know how the title sounds but hear me out. This happened a couple years ago and I'm still friends with the people this happened with but it still weighs on me. So I have always been kind of militant about husbandry when it comes to the animals I keep(autistic, it' a special interest) and I don't really like to deal with people who don't take caring for living creatures they willingly bring into their home seriously. I sold a fish tank to my, then, partner J who wanted to get into fish keeping. J and D, our other partner, lived together. After taking the tank home and cleaning it up we were throwing around ideas for what to put in it. It wasn't too big but also not small, but he kept throwing out species that would far outgrow the tank or species that would fight and kill each other. Every time I shot these species down J took it well, realizing the space was either too small or they would die and didn't want the fish in improper conditions but D kept telling me not to "squash his creativity" and he could "do whatever as long as it made him happy". At this I obviously hopped on my soapbox about how it's our duty as animal owners to give the animals we keep proper conditions and D went absolutely off on me and mentioned how I care "too much" about how other people keep their animals and had always made her feel bad about how she feeds her cats and now I was doing this. For context my cat eats a raw diet. I did a lot of research and talked to my vet and he's doing wonderfully while one of her cats is extremely overweight to the point he waddles instead of walking and the other two are getting there as well, both of which I've brought up concerns about but I have NEVER shamed the way she fed her animals. She had been interested in the interest I had taken and had ASKED for better quality food recommendations, so I gave them, but NEVER told her she had to feed them a certain way. A majority of our conversations were just me info-dumping and her being happy to listen and ask questions occasionally. Anyway J kind of backed out of the conversation at this and D and I went back and forth a bit before D finally said "I don't think this relationship is going to work out if you won't let this go"(This being I have pointed out one of her cats is grossly overweight a couple times and it's extremely unhealthy, especially since he's aging now) so I said "Yeah I think so too. This is something I clearly care a lot about and I'm not going to be with someone who puts their own or their partner's feelings over the well-being of the animals they are responsible for"(referencing when she said a few times when talking about the fish that it was okay if the fish killed each other or died from improper conditions as long as J was happy with how the tank looked and "it's not like we're putting kittens in with sharks, they're Just Fish") and we broke up there and then. Since then we've still stayed close friends after a short break from each other(I'm actually her Man of Honor in her upcoming wedding to J!) and she's actually made moves to better the quality of the food she buys her cats and is working on getting her obese cat's weight down and J's fish tank hobby is going very well(with proper keeping standards!!). But the situation at the time still weighs on me and even though we're genuinely too busy with work and life to make a relationship work anymore anyway and that was also a factor of the breakup.... AITA for beginning a breakup over animal husbandry?

What are these acronyms?

[coraniaid]

The more I think about it the more it feels like the Watcher's Council really should have been the big threat of Buffy's fourth season, rather than the Initiative.

I mean, think about the precedents:

The focus of Season 1 is on Buffy coming to terms with having to be the Slayer and what that means for the rest of her life, but this season also introduces the character of Angel and establishes that he is a vampire with a soul, a long history of violence and with strong personal connections to other vampires. It even raises the possiibility of Buffy having to kill him. And the conversation Buffy and her friends have towards the end of the episode, when she thinks Angel attacked her mother, pretty much foreshadows the main plot of the second half of Season 2:

Xander: "Buff, it's not your fault." Buffy: "No? I knew who he was, what he was, and didn't do anything about it. Because I had feelings for him, because I cared about him…" Willow: "if you care about somebody. you care about them. You can't change that by--" Buffy: "Killing them? Maybe not, but I think it's a start."

[Season 1's "Angel" foreshadows the plot of Season 2]

Then in Season 2, while the focus is on Angelus and Drusilla and Spike, the season also introduces a couple of things that will be incredibly important next season. Namely the fact that there's now a second active Slayer in the world -- and while Kendra never really gets a proper character arc of her own, Buffy's reaction to realizing she exists anticipates a lot of her reaction to meeting Faith -- and also the fact that Sunnydale's political establishment knows a lot more about the supernatural than they've been letting on:

Snyder: "This is getting out of hand. People will talk." Police chief: "You'll take care of it." Snyder: "I'm doing everything I can, but you people have to realize … we're on a Hellmouth. Pretty soon people are going to figure that out." Police chief: "The city council was told that you could handle this job. If you feel that you can't, perhaps you'd like to take that up … with the Mayor."

[Season 2's "I Only Have Eyes For You" foreshadows the plot of Season 3]

And then we get to Season 3, where yes, the Mayor and a rogue Slayer are the driving force of the plot. But this season also introduces for the first time the idea that Giles isn't just a Watcher, he's a (fairly junior!) member of a formal organization called the Watcher's Council. And we see that the Council are large and bureaucratic, that they know about demons and vampires but are prone to underestimate them, and that not only are their goals not always aligned with the Slayer but their leadership is personally at odds with her. We even see that the Council like to capture vampires (for tests!) rather than killing them. And Wesley gives us an idea of what life is like for those Watchers who don't have a Slayer to monitor:

Wesley: "Of course, training protocols have been updated quite a bit since your day. Much greater emphasis on field work." Giles: "Really?" Wesley: "Oh, yes. Not all books and theory nowadays. I have, in fact, faced two vampires myself. In controlled conditions, of course."

[Season 3's "Bad Girls" foreshadows …?]

And then the plot of Season 4 relies on the existence of exactly such an organization, "fighting a war" against demons and vampires without any Slayer involvement while being suspicious of and hostile toward Buffy and her friends. But for reason this organization is not the Council. It's ... a group we've never met or heard about before, who haven't been foreshadowed at all.

Wouldn't it just make so much more sense, internally, for the Council to start to place an even greater emphasis on 'field work' and send out its own agents to capture and study vampires as a result of Buffy quitting at the end of Season 3? Rather than the weird retcon that the Army have been running tests underneath the campus of Sunnydale U for months without anybody noticing, and somehow without finding out anything about the Slayer who lives directly on their doorsteps? Wouldn't Professor Walsh make a lot more sense as a character if she were a Watcher who knew all along that Buffy was the Slayer and didn't trust her because she'd quit the Council?

And we even see later (in this season's Who Are You?) that the Council has a paramilitary wing! Why does Season 4 need two separate pseudo-military organizations who hunt demons and run tests on vampires and don't like Buffy Summers?

[skellys-selfships]

Cat and Mouse

{Author's note: I don't write like this often but, enjoy!! Husker alongside my lil self insert just brings me a ton of joy <3}

Taking in new residents was no easy feat, but none have bested the hotel's owner yet. Charlie Morningstar's shining optimism even convinced the newest patron that there was hope for redemption after all. She's seen sinners of all types and crimes, dealing with people who've taken the lives of others in cold blood has become a normality around the hotel. The newest guest being a former serial killer, taking the name of Malice now, they had a particular chaotic, harsh and rebellious attitude. However, beneath their sour surface, they wished that life could've been more, different from their short lived fate.

After Charlie gives Malice the basic introduction and tour of the hotel, she shows them to their room. They took no hesitation in immediately trying to fall the fuck asleep, slightly regretting even opening up to a complete stranger. Doubting wether this would even work, if this was just an overhyped, uneducated attempt at group therapy or not. They uncomfortably passed out in mere minutes. The next morning they kept a low profile, howerver it wasn't long until Charlie pulled them out of their anti-social bubble. They could only sigh in exasperation as Charlie took them by the hand, leading them to the bar nearby.

"Malice, I'd like to introduce you to someone! He's-......Well, he doesn't talk a lot but I think you two could learn to be-..."

Malice scoffs.

"Be more what?"

"Oh I meant nothing like that! It could help you to talk to someone, maybe someone you can relate to a bit!"

Malice sighs as Charlie excitedly pulls them up onto one of the nearby barstools. She leaned over the bar, kicking her heels as she reached over to the bartender, poking him on the shoulder. He turned around, sighing in annoyance as he furrowed his thick, feathery brows.

"Husker-"

"It's Husk. Whadda what?"

She gestured towards a very anxious Malice. They very obviously avoided eye contact, Husk being almost three times their height, looming over them, came as a bit of a surprise to Malice. They spun around in their seat as Charlie continued to coax Husk into conversation.

"Husk-......Since you're going out to restock some stuff here at the bar, why don't you take our newest resident with you? I'm sure it could be-"

He shook his head, interrupting her.

"You really pairing me up with the miniature butcher? Well shit, ain't I flattered?! The answer is no."

Malice began climbing off their seat, slightly hurt by his comment, they made it up in their mind that maybe this whole thing wasn't worth it. First proper day here and it's already shit. Maybe Malice could never repair the damage they caused in their former life. Just as they were leaving, they heard Charlie scold Husk, earning a frustrated groan from him. He slowly followed Malice, his tail and wings dragging behind him as he slouched over them. They started walking faster over to the stairs once they felt his presence above them. As Malice began climbing up the stairs, their ears flopped back in annoyance, even a little in disappointment. Malice squinted up at Husk as he shoved his way past them, blocking their path, he awkwardly leaned against the railing.

"Don't take it personally kiddo-"

"The name's Malice, and I'm not a kid, I'm 21....goddamn."

"21? Just that? Heh, ya got a lot of learning to do. Anyways, what I said back there-"

"Yeah. You don't gotta apologize for Charlie's sake, I don't need everyone to wanna be my fuckin' friend."

Husk sighs and runs his claws over his ears, shaking his head.

"If ya'd quit fucking interrupting me. Don't take it to heart, we've all done stupid shit to end up here. You're not better or worse than anyone here, okay?......Malice."

They look up at him, raising a brow, a smirk curls up their face. They couldn't help but stare at Husk for a moment, as intimidating as his height is, what's not to love? He's a large winged cat....

Snapping out of the trance they were caught in, Malice dryly chuckles. They squeeze their way by Husk, looking back at him with a softer stare.

"So....should I get my coat or not?"

He nods at them, only a hint of a smile spreading across his mouth as they ran up to their room. Husk steps back to the bottom of the stairs, taking a seat on the lower steps, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty for offending Malice. Then again, why should he care? They did horrible things in their past and think they can be redeemed....but they're striving to be better. Could they be better? Why did he suddenly give a shit about someone so quickly? He cupped his face in his hands, groaning in frustration and equally, confusion. Malice soon exiting their room, they slowly walked down to Husk, sitting next to him on the stairs.

"You ok, man?"

His ears perked up, a little confused. It's been a long time since he's heard a question like that. Such a small, simple question and yet it felt so refreshing. His heart felt as if it reactivated upon this question, that someone could genuinely care and be concerned. No, it couldn't be that. Not ever, especially not from someone he knew for only 5 minutes. Not a young, attractive person like Malice. It was just a question and nothing more.

"I'm fine, whatever. Let's just get going."

"You sure, big guy? I mean, we all aren't too ok, we're literally in Hell! But ya know, are you keepin' it together?"

He glanced down at them as the two left the hotel, their eyes were large, yet piercing and malevolent with such microscopic pupils. He couldn't get a read on what Malice's motives were and it slightly angered him. Why did they give a shit how he was feeling? What could they possibly want?

He led them to the car in front of the hotel. The car ride into the city wasn't nearly as awkward as the two feared it would be.

"Ey, Husk...how'd ya end up working for the hotel anyways?"

"Well, ya see...a little advice if you want me to do ANY kinda work, always include free booze."

He chuckled to himself as Malice shook their head.

"I mean, hey...I got no place no judge! I can bet ya that I can smoke more than you can drink, not something I'm too proud of but-"

"Is that a challenge?"

They squint up at him, smirking playfully. "You're a bit of an ass, y'know that? I like that about you."

And now it was awkward. Husk broke any eye contact he'd kept with Malice, keeping his eyes strictly on the road now. His ears shifting back, his breathing became a little hoarse after a moment. It's been a long time since someone's said they like ANYTHING about him, he just wasn't at all prepared to respond to a remark such as that. Malice looked up at him, a concerned glint in their eye.

"Hey uhhh.....sorry?"

"F-for what, kid?"

"Calling you an ass. I didn't mean it like th-"

"It's fine, you didn't say nothin' wrong."

Malice inched out of the car slowly as they stopped at their destination, staring at him, feeling a little embarrassed about actually getting friendly with him. They figured he was a bit more like them than he'd ever admit, that socializing wasn't his strongest suit. They tried not to let his deadpan responses drag down their mood too much. As the two went through a few of Hell's shabby markets, Malice tried their damnest to keep the conversation going between them and Husk. Something about him made them feel comfortable around him, he wasn't exactly friendly, but he didn't feel like a genuine threat. They couldn't help but feel a little bad for him, he's obviously out of his usual element.

"Sooooo....do you just work at the hotel or is the whole redemption thing on the table for you too?"

"Ehhh....Charlie says there's a chance for everyone here. I don't think so, for me anyways. But I gotta respect that girl's effort, dealing with me is enough, but all those other assholes ontop of that....sheesh."

"I don't think she's "dealing" with you dude, ya know that some people just.....give a shit? With no strings attached."

Husk could've shattered the bottle in his hand with how hard his grip clenched down on it. Malice could see they struck a nerve, he hissed through gritted teeth down to them.

"Yeah, sure. I'd pay to fuckin' see that."

"Okay, big guy....I don't wanna spill all my beans seein' as we barely know each other right now, but I had someone like that myself."

"And now you don't..."

They tried not to let his remark bother them, it was factual. What disturbed them more was the thought of him projecting his own feelings onto them, this guy has a LOT of issues, and hard as he's trying to just keep it together. He obviously needed someone to just talk to, it was a sentiment they could relate to, Husk seemed rough around the edges, and while he may doubt Malice's experience due to their youth. They were all the wiser when it came to getting a read on people, one of the many tricks they kept up their sleeve. Maybe they could crack this guy open and find a genuine friendship with him, could be a nice motivator to better themself. Killing two birds with one stone, maybe the two of them could find redemption with each other.

Malice began walking to another isle, leading Husk with them. Their tail swaying back and forth slowly as they tried to think of anything to say.

"Hey sooooooo....do you usually go on outings like this?"

"Eh, yeah. It's part of the job to keep shit on my end together."

"Ya ever, y'know? Fuck around?"

They mischievously smiled at him as his face scrunched up with a confused look.

"Do I wanna know what you mean-"

"I mean maybe we could have fun!"

"And what's your definition of fun?......"

Malice's eyes sparkled with a daring shimmer, their devilish grin stretching wider across their face. Husk's eye was caught by their expression, it was both chaotic and alluring. Something about the way their eyes widened, their long lashes fluttering about, made something deep within his chest spark a sense of warmth. Their laugh was abysmal, sounding similar to a paper shredder filled with shrapnel. And yet....the way their heart shaped nose scrunched up, the way their smile flashed their bucked teeth...was oddly charming. Their unhinged, mischievous joy felt so genuine, Husk couldn't fathom why they'd want to share their little moments of happiness with him out of anyone. Malice chuckled out a few words.

"Maybe we can fuck around! Nothing too extreme but ya know~.....piss around a little."

They ran off to another isle, Husk keeping a close eye on them as he cocked one brow to the side. Following Malice closely, he signed in exasperation at the sight of them teetering at the very top of a shelf, pulling the rusted cover off the ceiling vent. They turn around, smiling at him and squinting.

"Ya get up to the roof through here, jackass!"

He rolls his eyes, gesturing towards the door.

"Don't trouble yaself. C'mere."

Malice climbs down to him, the both of them leaving the store into the back alley. They look up towards Husk, tilting their head.

"Did you pay for ANY of that shit?!"

"Heh....nope."

"We're really on a straightforward path to redemption, ain't we?!"

The two head down the darkest corner of the alleyway, Husk looking up into the crimson light above the building. He knelt down, reaching out a hand towards Malice, his ears drooping down.

"I don't do this for ANYONE, okay? This stays between us...or I'll break your fuckin' neck, kid."

Malice takes his hand, he hoists them up closer to himself awkwardly, avoiding eye contact as he shifted his wings around. Taking flight into the, soon onto the roof, he let Malice back onto their feet, instantly turning his back to them, his wings fluttering and hiding his slouching frame. Malice pulls a cigarette from their pocket, lighting it as they sat next to him, taking a puff from the cigarette as they gazed up towards his deadpan face.

"Whadda ya mean you don't "do that" for everyone? Don't like bein' handsy?"

"I don't use these-.."

He flexes his wings, folding them neatly together behind himself, he holds out a hand, awaiting for Malice to offer him their cigarette.

"Why not? Kinda badass having big fuckin' wings, you can just-.....zizz all around, whenever ya want."

Their eyes soften as he sighs, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the red sunlight above.

"Not much has changed in terms of.....this. Not the kind to look twice at, y'know? Eh, why the fuck am I telling you this-"

"Heyyyyy, ey! The fuck you mean "not the kind to look twice at"?! You sayin' you ain't a motherfuckin' DIME-PIECE, boy?"

He slightly jumps back, his face scrunching up in disgust. Flicking the ashes off the cigarette, he quickly looks away from Malice, taking in another huff of smoke, mumbling to himself.

"Someone needs a pair of glasses...."

Malice snatched the cigarette from between Husk's claws, sitting all too close to him, they squinted at him.

"You're not kiddin' are ya? You actually think that?!"

He shrugs and steals the cigarette back, nonchalantly turning away, hoping to change the subject, he pulls the brim of his tophat over his face. Malice scoffs in disbelief, standing up to attempt reaching his height, they inched uncomfortably closer to him.

"Nah, nah-...you're actually tellin' me that you think you ain't a dimepiece?! Bull-fuckin'-shit!...."

He instantly snaps away in the opposite direction from Malice, nearly knocking over the bags of various booze bottles placed next to him, he desperately tried to keep his balance, but slipped from his seat a little. Malice couldn't help but snicker from the effect their remarks made on him, he definitely wasn't used to this kind of attention, and looked to be in an embarrassing amount of denial. Picking himself back up, he furrowed his brow, angrily pouting, his tail flicked from side to side as he grumbled in a low tone.

"Don't act fuckin' cute, doesn't suit ya."

"Aww you think I'm cute~?"

He groans in disgust, standing up and preparing to walk away, hissing back at Malice.

"Whatever it is you're trying, the answer is no."

Malice tilted their head, their tail wagging from side to side, their eyes following Husk's movement.

"Don't you wanna know why I wanted to come up here?"

He groaned, stumbling back to his seat, sighing heavily in frustration. He fumbled with his claws, looking away from Malice. He despreately wanted to make eye contact with them, but every nerve in his body told him it was a terrible idea. The two sat awkwardly in silence for a moment or two. Only for a moment up until Malice scooted closer to Husk, peering upwards, they waved their hand around in the air, gesturing towards the sky.

"Kinda weird ain't it? Look!.....no stars. No goddamn milky way, no Dippers, Orion's belt damn disappeared on me! Not a shitting star in sight..."

Husk moved a bit closer to them, peering upwards along with them, his face inched towards Malice. Unknowingly, the fluff at the side of his face brushed up against Malice's ear, their large ear beginning to twitch and flap around startled him.

"Ah-....shit, my bad-"

"Oh, it's whatevs, man! Heh, you're lost in the sauce, eh?"

His lip curls into a snarl as he backs away, his eyes returning to viewing the deep rosy skies. Malice leans their head against his shoulder, sighing in wonder."Little stuff you take for granted you kinda end up missing the most, eh?...."

For a while the two enjoyed the silence, Husk resting his head upon Malice's head subconsciously as the two gazed at the skies above....Deep inside, Husk could feel a strange sense of weakness, not completely unfamiliar, but a feeling he's been out of touch with for far too long. He wasn't fully even aware what he was feeling, but it was pleasant. Something about Malice's strange presence made him feel comfortable, not just around them, but comfortable in his own skin.

A feeling he almost forgot even existed. While the two weren't even going out of their way to make physical contact, the touch of another person felt warming, for once it was from someone not completely invading his privacy and personal space. This time it was different, natural.

"Umm...this is nice and all, but I think we should head back, Charlie's probably waiting on this shit-..."

Malice sprung up from their seat, awkwardly chucking as they stood up."Yeah, don't wanna look TOO suspicious, ya know? Know what I mean, eh?!"

The two exchanging a stiff glance, Malice wiggling their eyebrows in a jokingly seductive manner as they finger gunned in Husk's direction. Husk's brows furrowing as he scowled in discomfort. Malice laughing off his reaction, their ears flopping back.

"Oh I didn't mean-....we-...ok yeah, whatevs. Let's get goin'."

The two fumbled with the bags of various booze bottles in an uncomfortable silence. Husk staying completely silent on the short flight down from the building, Malice staring up at him every now and then on the walk back to the car. Everytime Husk felt the presence of their eyes upon him, he'd reluctantly glance down at them, Malice instantly looking away. It was hard for Malice to keep their eyes off Husk, they found him to be very easy on the eyes, but it felt like much more than that. They felt a warm sense of comfort around him, while he seemed to have such a hard exterior, nothing about him felt hostile. Quite the opposite in fact, as if he was in a constant state of self protection.The car ride back to the hotel shaped up to be quiet. Malice felt a little guilty for their one-off joke, they knew they meant nothing by it, but it made the energy between the two uncomfortable, just when things started sailing smoothly. They discreetly looked over to Husk, gathering any and all courage they could, Malice let out a heavy sigh.

"Hey, man....it was a dumbass joke back there, ok? I didn't mean nothin' by it, I swear, I.....sorry if it made shit weird for you."

They curled back up into their seat, a little moment of silence passing as Husk merely shrugged, mumbling in response.

"You're pretty straightforward ain't ya?"

Malice almost jumping out of their seat, scoffed.

"The fuck are you insinuating, you old cunt?!!"

They couldn't help but blush in embarrassment at his comment. Admittedly he was VERY attractive....but things can't move that fast. Can they?

Malice coiled up, scowling at Husk, he chuckled a little upon seeing their scrunched up expression. His eyes were soon fully caught by them, losing his concentration, he couldn't help but stare. Malice was noticeably petite, so tiny and yet so fearsome looking, so small he could probably hold them in their entirety just in one hand.His line of thoughts were cut short when Malice shouted fearfully, slapping Husk on the thigh with one hand, their other hand frantically pointing to the road ahead of the.

"Are you high? You looney toony fuck, are you tryin' to turn us into meat paste?!! Watch the road!"

His eyes snapped onto the road, his heart nearly popped as he quickly maneuverd the car back onto the road. His mind was wildly distracted, trying with every ounce of mental strength to not glance at Malice's hand still gripping his thigh. He tried to shake their hand away, after an attempt he stopped, both out of sudden panic and in slight hopes they just wanted their hand to rest there. As he neared the hotel, he avoided eye contact with Malice, hurrying out of the car, he rushed back into the hotel, Malice following closely behind. They tried to catch up to his speed, attempting to catch his attention.

"Hey, man-..what the matter with you? I'm not pissed at ya or anything! Why the mood swing?!"

As the two entered the hotel, he stopped in front of Malice. Groaning, rubbing his hand over his ears, he heavily sighed.

"Nothin', kiddo.....sorry for almost driving you into a brick wall."

Malice scoffed in confusion as he took his leave, heading to the bar. It was empty, just for now, he enjoyed these quieter moments he could have at the bar before more residents emerged from their rooms. He knew it wouldn't last long, but any time to himself he could manage to get was some semblance of peace. However it didn't feel the same this time, the quiet felt far more empty, being alone felt more....lonely. His mind was drawn to his moment with Malice earlier, sitting quietly, gazing at the skies. Nothing was said in that moment and nothing needed to be said. After a moment of pondering upon his confused mental state, Husk felt a little foolish for even wanting the company of another person, he'd always preferred being left alone, being able to do as he pleases unbothered. No matter what, everyone around him always pushed him to speak, to smile, to act more welcoming, to be something he just never felt like being. But Malice didn't ask any of those things from him. They just let him exist as he was.He couldn't understand it, Malice didn't even seem put off by his attitude, or presence. What could they want from him? He could feel himself growing frustrated even trying to rationalize it, his tail angrily flicking as his ears lay low in an annoyed stance.

Moments later, his ears perked back up as he spotted Malice creeping back into the bar. They struggled to climb upon one of the barstools, panting as they pulled their way up.

"Hey, you-.....you ok, man?"

He was a little shocked by the question. Why could anyone care if he was okay? Why would they ask, or care about his feelings? And most importantly, why did their concern make him feel so warm inside? He could only shrug nonchalantly in response.Malice diving in closer to him, giving him a firm hug. It came as a bit of a shock to Husk, but he didn't find himself recoiling, it was strangely enjoyable, comforting. He attempted to reciprocate Malice's advance, but his entire body stood stiff, his arms felt as if they had frozen. He stood still withing Malice's embrace, awkwardly looming over them. Malice chuckled softly, stretching their tiny arms around Husk, giving him a pat on the back.

"You're kinda weird, ya know that? I like it....I like your vibes, Husk. Catch ya later, tater?"

Malice grinned at Husk as they walked off, heading upstairs, giving him the finger guns as he stood completely still, still processing their touch. It was completely unexpected, yet it didn't feel overbearing.As the night dragged on, Husk could barely focus on his job. Everyone's overlapping voices at the bar were like white noise, none of it mattered, nothing happening as of now mattered. Much has mattered to him at all for such a long time. It was a strange wanting feeling that he slightly disgusted himself with for even thinking, but the temptation to keep peeking around, in hopes that he'd see Malice at the bar, burned into his mind. His thought welling up until he could feel his mind snap from how overwhelming the atmosphere was, coupled with the overthinking building up inside him. He stormed out of the bar, not saying a word to anyone, shoving his way into the nearby restroom, locking the door behind him. Only soon after he shut himself away, he heard a knock on the door, he hissed in frustration as Charlie called out to him.

"Husk? What's wrong...?"

"Everything."

He grumbled, keeping his back pressed up against the door. Charlie sat beside the door, speaking much more quietly to him through the door.

"Husk....c'mon- don't be a baby, use your words.."

"Stop giving me a reason to act like a baby, ya keep talkin' to me like I am one."

A long pause lay in the air before Husk began to speak again.

"Charlie, why did you wanna introduce Malice to me...?"

Charlie sat for a moment, collecting her thoughts before giving a response.

"Well...I think they're like you in some ways!....and they need to talk to people, YOU need to talk to people-"

She cut her own sentence short, taking a few seconds to think to herself before speaking up again.

"Husk? Did something happen between you two....?"

Husk shifted around, attempting a few times to speak, only to find himself stumbling over his own words. Charlie's worry only grew stronger as she coaxed the truth from him. After a few moments he managed to spit out a few words.

"It's-.....complicated. It doesn't fuckin' matter, kiddo..."

Charlie scoffing in response, she wasn't gonna let Husk shut her out, just as he seemed to be getting more comfortable at the hotel too! She partially felt at fault for even introducing Malice to him. She stayed pressed up against the door, determined to get to the bottom of Husk's frustrations, she's never been the type to leave anyone's side. Taking a deep breath, she patiently spoke out to Husk through the door.

"Ya know, Husker-...if any residents here bother my staff, my friends..that's something I can fix-"

With no hesitation, Husk interruped Charlie, in a slightly hurried manner of speech.

"NO-...it's not that. They ain't any bother, it's just....it's stupid, it's hopeless."

Something sparked in Charlie's eyes, she could instantly recognize the dread and neediness in Husk's voice, it certainly wasn't nearly as complicated as he made everything out to be. It took everything in her to not start giggling in excitement over this revelation. She almost ripped the door from the hinges in utter joy, standing up straight next to the door, slightly guffawing, she rhythmically tapped on the door, whispering to Husk.

"Oh my gosh- Husk! Does someone have a crush?!"

Nearly slamming his fist against the door, Husk instantly recoiled hearing those words. He felt a wave of anxiety and disgust with himself wash over his entire body, almost physically cringing at the thought of developing feelings for anyone, let alone Malice. He despreately tried to think of a response but everything went blank, he could only feel his entire face growing warm. Something inside him stirred as he began to stand.For the first time in a long time, Husk felt something in his heart. While the feeling entered his heart completely unannounced, he gave up trying to fight it, something inside his heart fluttered a little, his mind only allowing thoughts of Malice. The time he'd spent with them earlier that day, their touch, the peace between the two of them, their voice ringing through his mind. After a few seconds, his frustration faded, he attempted to speak, nearly feeling ashamed of the things he felt.

"It's-.....just not that simple."

Charlie tried to open the door, only for Husk to press it back close. In a now slightly worried tone, she whispered to him.

"Maybe you need to accept this. Maybe this is the chance you need, Husk.....just try."

Later that night, during the darkest hours, Husk could no longer sleep, his mind couldn't stay quiet no matter how much he longed for it to silence itself. All he could think about was Malice, every little thing about them. Awaking in a cold sweat, he tossed and turned in bed, until he could stand it no longer. Wandering out of his resting place, he noticed a sliver of light shining beneath the door to Malice's room. His ears instinctively perked up, only for him to mentally scold himself for even feeling excited. He stopped in his tracks knowing he couldn't just enter. He needed a damn good reason, and maybe needed to put himself together a little more, he looked and equally felt like a mess. He quietly raced back to his room, frantically searching for something even halfway decent to wear. He threw on the robe he found hanging on the door, as he pulled his wings through the holes in the back, he nearly knocked over his bedside table due to how finicky his wings were in that very moment. Rushing over to the nearest mirror, he combed his claws through his facial fur, he remained unhappy with his own appearance still, but was in too much of a rush to fully care.

He knew he couldn't come empty handed, rummaging through his bedside table, he took the nearest stack of cards and his pack of cigarettes subconsciously. As he once again stood near Malice's door, he took a few deep breaths, convincing himself he had some sense of confidence left within him before knocking. Much to his surprise, his knocks earned an instant response, the door flinging open, Malice standing in the doorway with a deranged smile upon their face. Slightly startled by their uncanny expression, Husk slightly jerked away in the opposite direction, Malice chuckling in response to his reaction.

"What are you doin' up so late, hmmm? Are there monsters under your bed?"

They jokingly questioned in a sing-songy tone. Inviting Husk into their room, they rose a brow as he walked by them. Following close behind, they flopped down onto the nearby sofa. Extending an arm and patting the empty half of the sofa next to them, Malice teasingly shook their brows up and down. Husk slightly recoiled at the suggestive expression on their face before they burst out giggling.

"I'm only fuckin' with ya! Come sit down-....Gotta say though, ya look snazzy!"

Husk sat stiffly, groping his pocket, making sure the contents inside didn't drop out. Being this close to Malice brought him great ease and yet an underlying sense of anxiety, his own thoughts they brought about were nothing short of terrifying but he never wanted this feeling to end. It was his new addiction. His heart felt as if it could burst, as Malice inched closer to him, he felt the tingling sensation of his own purr rumbling in his throat. As Malice slid next to him, a purr escaped from him, it was clear they heard it, but didn't react noticbly. His breath grew shaky as they leaned on his shoulder, smiling while staring right into his eyes.

"Sooooo, ya come here often?"

Malice snickered, Husk knew they were catching onto his nervousness. He frantically grabbed the items in his pocket, hoping he could distract them from the obvious redness in his face.

"Actually I-....well. I think we got off to a weird fuckin' start today and um, I was thinking...."

He pulled two cigarettes from the box in his pocket, waving one at Malice.

"Maybe we can at least end the night off on a less than weird note..."

Malice rose their brows as they snatched one of the cigarettes from between Husk's claws. Grabbing a lighter from the bowl full of various keys and items that was placed upon the coffee table, Malice lit both their cigarettes. Taking a few puffs, Husk spoke more quietly to Malice.

"Ya know, kiddo...I used to dabble in magic?"

He groped the cards in his pocket, nervously chuckling. Much to his surprise, Malice's eyes widened with wonder, their genuine interest struck him straight through the heart like nothing else. A soft, genuine smile spread across Husk's flushed face as he gestured to Malice. Offering for them to pick any card of their own choosing. Malice winking playfully as they pulled a card from the deck.

"I kinda like this one, reminds me of you....an absolute Ace-"

Husk couldn't help but let a raspy giggle slip out, instantly regretting it. Malice reciprocating his response with a smirk. Husk hesitating for a second before reaching out for their chosen card, the cigarette nearly dropping from his mouth as the two held eye contact for just a moment.Husk finally breaking their pleasant eye contact, he shuffles the deck of cards, and begins flipping through them all.

"See ya card anywhere, doll?"

Malice's eyes scanning over each card, unable to find the same Ace they picked out. Their brows furrowing in confusion and yet their eyes sparkled with awe.

"How'd ya do that?!"

Husk merely shook his head, tapping the ashes off of his cigarette in the ashtray on the nearby table. He smiled smugly as he snagged a card from that was neatly sitting in one of Malice's ears. Malice scoffed, playfully swatting at Husk's hand as he held the card in front of them.

He whispered to them with a faint note of pride in his voice.

"This yours?"

Malice giggling, as smoke shot out from their nose, they reach up to pat Husk on the shoulder.

"That's some good shit, my guy. I ain't ever seen a real magician!"

As Malice peered up, smiling at Husk, he let slip a soft gasp. Their face was so close to his, so close, so inviting. He hadn't felt this bundle of emotions well up in his chest, bleeding from all edges of his heart, not since he was a young man. Every part of his heart and what remained of his demon soul told him to lean in further, steal a kiss. His mind fought back the urge, too much could go wrong he kept telling himself. And yet...he couldn't keep his eyes off Malice's lips. Their glossy black lipstick upon their small, pouty lips, their wiggling, heart-shaped nose, their glassy, minty colored eyes, shining and sparkling. His entire body craved their touch, to be this close for the rest of his eternity in Hell. His face found itself nearing them, his breath growing heavy, nothing else mattered. His whole body stood completely still, the two had their foreheads pressed against each other. His eyes remained half lidded. Malice softly chuckles, nudging their head against his.

"Ya know....cats rub their heads on stuff to mark it?"

Husk's eyes widened as he sprung back, his face scrunching up as his cheeks nearly glowed red. Malice only giggling in response to his reaction. Husk fumbling with his stack of cards, stubbed his cigarette out on the nearby ashtray. Avoiding any eye contact, he began to storm out of Malice's room, covering his own face partially. Malice springing up after him with no hesitation, they peered up to him with a concerned glare. Husk grunting in frustration as he attempted to exit Malice's room. Malice gripped onto Husk's robe, looking up at him with pleading eyes, they muttered.

"Ain't ya even gonna say good night...?"

Husk grumbled, rolling his eyes, he leaned in towards Malice. Awkwardly putting his arm around them, patting them on the back, he mumbled.

"Ehh, whatever. See ya around, don't make a big thing outta it..."

Malice pulls him into a proper hug, fully embracing him as he sighed. After only a moment they released him from their miniature clutches, playfully waving to him as they shut their door. Husk's mind was restless the whole time he walked back to his room, attempting to sleep once again. He lay awake, considering the stream of thoughts currently plaguing his mind, until he could no longer bare to keep his eyes open.

The morning after, trying to ignore any past events, Husk went about his work at the bar as normal. Avoiding any eye contact or conversations with anyone, up until Charlie approached him, pointing out his behavior. He only responded in a few grunts before turning his back. Only to be startled seconds later after Charlie's departure, Malice took a seat near the bar, flicking their tail tauntingly. Husk's eyes shifted back and forth awkwardly, Malice tapping their nails upon the bar.

"So....Last night was interesting. One-timer, ooorrrrr.....?"

Malice grinned, a hint of anxiety behind their glowing fangs. Husk's tail twitched as his eyes fixed upon Malice's expression.The air was thickened with tension, only followed by silence. Husk sat upon the barstool next to Malice, lifting his wings around himself, seeming to hide away next to them. Pouring himself and Malice a drink, Husk's eyes darted back and forth, drumming his claws upon the bar as he inched closer to Malice. Completely avoiding eye contact, Husk's ears drooped as he managed to choke out a few words.

"It doesn't have to be a one-time thing....If that's fine with you."

He turned away, clearly hiding an anxious smile, his claws scraping against his glass. Malice softly nudged his shoulder, taking a swig of their drink, their hand met his, the two subtly intertwining fingers.

Husk cracking a slight smile, glanced down at Malice, earning an ear-to-ear wide grin from them, he quietly muttered to them.

"Does tonight sound alright?"

Taking Malice under his wing, the two continued to down their drinks, in the peace of each other's company.

❤️💚

[ahgasegotarmy116]

L0v3 y0u | Choi Yeonjun

Summary: He tells you the truth but is that something you can live with? Pairing: Reader x Idol Yeonjun Word Count: 1.6k~ Warnings: again like one curse word lol a/n: Just a little bite to hold you over ;) Read part 1 L0v3 Me for more context <3

🟢 Yejun is active

🟢 y/n is active 

Yejun: Hi love how was your day? Hopefully a lot easier than the past few days :/

y/n: It was okay, better than yesterday but I feel like everything is getting to be a little too much for me. 

Yejun: Ah now you're speaking my language. Remember what you told me when I was going through a rough time a few weeks ago? 

y/n: No not really...

Yejun: You've gotta start taking your own advice silly. Talk to your boss, I know that you just got promoted but that doesn't mean that you should be left defenseless and drowning on your own. You deserve proper training so if you're not getting it then ask for help. Your colleagues are there to help you. You're all working towards the same goal right?

y/n: Yeah I guess you're right

Yejun: Of course I'm right, but only because you were right about me. I'm just giving you back your own advice. And just like you told me you can also talk to me about anything, I'm here for you always. 

y/n: Thank you baby, I don't know what I would do without you.

Yejun: Baby?

y/n: Shit! I'm sorry

Yejun: No it's okay, I like it ;)

y/n: If we give each other any more nicknames people might get the wrong idea about us. 

Yejun: What sort of idea? 

I wait anxiously for your response seeing the three dots showing me you're typing pop up and down not realizing I had been holding my breath the whole time until I receive your response.

y/n: That we're together...

Yejun: Would that be a bad thing?

I take it as my opening to see if you feel the same way about me as I do about you. We've been talking for over six months now so I would think that it might be time that we had this conversation.

y/n: I mean...no. But wouldn't we be lying?

Yejun: We can make it the truth if you want to. 

y/n: What are you trying to say?

I guess it's now or never. I get up and lock my bedroom door and sit down at my desk chair before pressing the call button. 

"Yejun?" you responds quietly. Shit I forgot it was already pretty late over there. 

"Will you be my girlfriend?" I spit out before I have the chance to chicken out.

"What? Are you serious?" you respond clearly still confused. 

"Dead serious" I say smiling at your response. I know I caught you off guard but I'm really hoping you'll say yes.

"I know we haven't met in person and we live in different countries and time zones but, I really like you" I confess, doing my best to convince you. 

"Are you sure you don't mind long distance? Like we won't be able to have a normal relationship" you say clearly concerned already.

"I don't need a normal relationship, I just need you" I'm starting to get worried that this might not be enough for you. 

"Don't feel like you have to answer now. I guess I just wanted you to know how I felt about you" I say, backing down a bit to take some pressure off of you.

"No, I don't need time to think. I want to be with you, I want to be your girlfriend" you say and I can almost hear your smile through the phone. 

"Really?" I ask because I'm honestly speechless right now. 

"Really. Yes Yejun, I'll be your girlfriend" I am so happy to hear those words from your lips but I feel horrible that I'm still lying to you. 

"Hey y/n" I ask, getting your attention even though I've had it this whole time. 

"Hey Yejun" you throw back playfully waiting for me to continue.

"Can you promise me something?" I ask going at this as slowly as I can.

"Anything" you say and wait patiently for me to start. 

"I know I've been really private about my job and life in general but I also haven't been honest with you about who I am..." I start hoping that you're following and you aren't upset with me yet.

"Meaning?" you reply, prodding me to continue, clearly curious as to what else I have to say.

"One of the reasons why I've hidden almost everything in my life from you is because...well because I'm actually a public figure in Korea" I say easing her into all of this.

"Are you saying you're famous?" you say making sure you're following.

"Yeah" I say cringing hating that fact but hoping she'll believe me.

"Is your name even Yejun?" you ask catching onto how much I must have lied to you.

"No...it's not" I say quietly bringing light to one of the many lies I've told you.

"Can you tell me your name?" you say seeing how much I'm willing to tell you. 

"I feel like if I do that you'll be able to figure out who I am pretty easily...it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that...well can we take baby steps? One of the many reasons I asked you to be my girlfriend was because I wanted to see if you were serious about us or if we should just stay friends. If you want to back out right now I totally understand and we can just forget about this conversation and go back to normal. Or we can end things here if you feel like you don't want to talk to me anymore. I know I've lied to you, but the person I am with you is who I really am, me as a person and not me as the famous guy everyone thinks they know". 

"Yeah I get that, I believe you" you respond catching me off guard completely. 

"Really? I wouldn't blame you if you didn't". 

"I mean I feel like I know you well enough that I can tell whether or not you're being sincere. If I'm being honest I had my suspicions" you say giggling at my behavior. 

"Really? How did you know?" I respond dumbfounded.

"You're not as convincing as you think you are. There were points that I could tell you were really making things up on the fly. Plus who else is so secretive about their entire life? Like you're either married and having an affair, a criminal in need of love in his life again or a famous person feeling misunderstood. I'm just happy you ended up being the last one. Although you could still be lying to me" you laugh trying to ease my stress.

"Have you figured out who I am, or who I might be?" I question cautiously.

"If I guess correctly will you tell me?" you challenge.

"Yes I promise I'll tell you" I smile at your playful attitude. I'm glad to see things haven't changed between us yet. Well I hope that if they do change it'll be for the better. 

"Are you some kind of choreographer or a model?" you start out, testing the waters.

"Both of those are true to a certain extent but neither are my 'official title' if that makes sense". 

"So what you're trying to say is you're an all rounder? Like you're multi talented entertainer?" you continue.

"I think you've made this guessing game a lot easier than I had expected but yes" I laugh knowing that you're smart enough to get it right.

"So you're a kpop idol right?" you respond, convinced you're correct.

"Yeah... but I'm still me just, please don't let my status or occupation or whatever make you treat me any differently. I know it's cheesy but I'm a person just like you. I mean you already pretty much said what my whole motive was for catfishing you I guess, but I never thought that something like this could happen though. I'm very happy it did, but my intention was not to get an online girlfriend or anything of the sort. You kind of just showed up and everything changed"

You take a moments to think and as the seconds go by I start to get nervous at the thought that it might be too much for you. 

"Are you still there?" I question not sure if the call had dropped or something. 

"Yeah I'm still here, I guess I just need some time to think. I'm not breaking up with you or anything if thats what you're worried about. I just need a second to get my thoughts in order if that makes sense.... Are you okay with that?" you question tentatively. 

"Yes of course, take all the time you need! I know this is a lot, so I understand" I say knowing that even though I want this to be a super easy yes and things will progress 'normally' it's important to deal with everything logically and take our time. 

"Thanks, is it okay if I call you later? It's pretty late here and I've got work in the morning" you say, having a very good reason to finish up the call. 

"For sure, I'll be here so call anytime" I say sincerely.

"Isn't your life a bit too hectic for that?" you laugh bringing a bit more light to the conversation. 

"Yeah kinda but I can always make time for you. I would be a horrible boyfriend if I didn't right?" I say using the term hoping that it's still okay with you. 

"I guess you're right" you say softly and I can tell that you're smiling which is a good sign. 

"Well goodnight love and just let me know when you're ready to talk" I offer up, giving her an opening to leave without feeling too much pressure. 

"I will, thanks. Have a good rest of your day love" you say before ending the call. 

I take a deep breath in and out a few times and process everything about what just happened. 

First I was nervous, then self conscious, then excited, then guilty, then scared, then relieved, then shocked, then playful, then nervous again and now I don't know. I feel my head is spinning after riding this emotional rollercoaster. I could only imagine how you could be feeling... 

Check out the Part 3 L0v3 Us

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[inhuman-obey-me]

Okay, I’m just going to say it frankly, but in lesson 11 of Nightbringer, I just wanted to slap Belphegor so badly.

I want MC to be able to ask him bluntly, “Do you think blaming me is going to solve anything? That it will bring Lilith back? Or, are you just jaded about the fact that she chose to save a human life, over loyalty to you, and the rest of the Celestial Realm? Because I am not your scapegoat! Humans aren’t your scapegoat!”

Bluntly speaking, we've never exactly been Belphie stans, just personally, and season 1 was part of the reason for that -- even if he did ultimately turn it around and come to accept MC once he learned the truth of everything. We never liked how it was basically brushed under the rug and moved on from so quickly, and we have always wished that there had been a more proper resolution to him, y'know, violently killing us, than we actually ever got.

(continuing spoilers for Nightbringer)

Unfortunately, this is a return to basically exactly how he was about humans in that very first season of original OM, because of course he would feel that way. Especially with the trauma of war and ensuing loss of his sister so fresh, and therefore also his guilt, which is the true cause of his emotions underlying the hatred of humans (it wasn't about loyalty to humans vs angels), there was simply no way to reveal MC actually being human without confronting this from him again. But unsurprisingly, it's an unpleasant reminder of the events of the very upsetting Lesson 16 in the original.

So, we would have loved for MC to be able to, either figuratively or literally, grab Belphie by the shoulders and just shake him and yell at him this time. But sadly, that's still not what we got here -- and understandably so. The situation didn't really allow for it, what with Beel's rampage and the confusion of the brothers having their power drawn, and considering this Belphegor doesn't know MC like that, whatever MC said would probably have zero effect (or, make him even angrier as he continues to push his own guilt and grief down in denial).

But on a maybe(?) brighter note, perhaps revisiting it and having him get angry and violent at MC again actually will give the opportunity for the devs to resolve it better this time, whenever this current conflict reaches its end -- though, considering this last cliffhanger, it may well escalate to much bigger problems before we get to that. But an actual apology would be nice, whenever we resolve it, and a proper conversation between MC and Belphie talking out his hatred and guilt would be even better. So, here's hoping that they don't forget about it in this mess, which they might, considering past OM writing, and that's all we can do for now.

Seriously, please, because we'd really like to be able to like him more than we did the first time.

[365runesoftheamalgamations]

The Not Yet Forgotten Introduction

hello and how are you?

This has been far too long since we have been active and we've wanted to get back into the flow of things! And we believe it is time for a Reintroduction! So, without further ado,

A Proper Introduction

Welcome to the Writing Blog! We are the Not Yet Dead Authors, the Natsume Rune! You may refer to us as Natsume as a whole, or say hi to any of the specifics who run the blog/do the writes! Our pronouns are we/they, and we are an aromantic/asexual genderfluid cluster of whispers drowning in the Void for more than two decades. So just another set of Wanderers who wish to reach out and touch the Worlds in a more pronounced way!

Full Writeblr Introduction under the cut!

Getting To Know Us

We are most comfortable writing and conversing in italics! It just feels like it speaks with our souls, so please be aware that most of the posts and such will be within that realm of writing.

Our most comfortable sense of writing is in third person present tense! We also write in first person (sometimes) and second person (rarely) but our comfort lies in others and their present.

We write mostly fantasy but also dabble in horror, science fiction, dystopian and other works and writing styles. We do hold our own universe, the Storyverse, that we will hint, note, and talk about, depending on things, as well as a multitude of Worlds that will be given over to the Stories happening within in. Hardcore about both worldbuilding and storytelling, so we will probably have a lot to say about both the Worlds and Stories that come with our hyperfixations.

Our writing forms include: fanfiction, short stories, drabbles, flash fiction, novels, poems, and role playing! We enjoy rolling through forms and trying out different ways of telling and sharing stories, so please note that there will be a lot of everything on here.

We follow from the System's Blog, @365runesofthesystem, and will try to be really active in the community, so if you see us around, then feel free to indulge us! We love to be tagged in games and sent asks and the like and will try to get to all of them in due time. [ yes, we do hoard Tag Games, shut the fuck up about it. ]

If there is anything else anyone would like to know, do not hesitate to ask or message us! But be aware that we are not afraid to deal with anything impolite or inappropriate, we have a zero tolerance standard and we will keep it without hesitation.

The Amalgamations of our Creations

We have a lot - and yes, we mean a fuck ton - of Works and Stories that we want to tell at some point in our lives, so this list will definitely grow and expand and shift as we go through our journey.

If you want a full list of all of our Works, check our both our Original Works Masterlist and our Fanworks Masterlist!

All Links to WIP Pages and Intro Posts will be added as we get things sorted and settled!

But here are a few of our more pronounced Works, [ yes, they can and will probably shift and change. No they are not in any particular order, we hate figuring out orders. ]

Grayland's Shadow

Original Work | Fiction, Low Fantasy, Horror Elements First, Second, Third Person | Second Drafts

Ecstasy. The screaming, the struggling, the pleas for mercy, he loved them all. He loved the way they always seemed to think that he would set them free. That, if they were good and tried hard enough, he would just let them live, bleeding and knowing. As if he would ever let anyone go. He never did. He never wasted an opportunity either. So when a girl, around her way into adulthood, sat down next to him on the bench that day, he had no intention of letting her go. None.

Constellations By Orion

Original Work | Fiction, High Fantasy, Action and Adventure Third Person Present Tense | Scene Drafting/Worldbuilding

Orion is the first one she goes for, as he always points North. "I am just saying, your little stowaway is pretty cute." "I don't need a man Orion, I need directions across the sea." "Trust me, if you want a purpose, you should find Ursa Major. She's the guide of adventure, new life." "And where can I find her?" "At the heart of the ocean. She is the Guardian of Polaris and her baby, Ursa Minor."

The Queen & The Heir

Short Story | Fiction, High Fantasy, Medival Third Person Present Tense | Scene Drafting/Prompt Response

She hates herself for hesitating. She stares at the note, gentle cream instead of stark white in order to hold the same connotations of the maid notes that she, and more importantly he, was accustomed to seeing. She glances at the Guard, barely catches the door closing completely, locking her in with the words that would prove herself justified. Or truly and quietly mad.

The Rapunzel Witch

Short Stories | Fiction, High Fantasy, Fairytale Retellings, LGBTQIA+ Third Person Present Tense | Chapter/Scene Drafting

Vibrant and sharp, it is another small check to his identity; the Queen is staring at him, though instead of the hard determination of a leader, he stands before the soft gentleness of a person unused to such direct contact. Something shifts in those eyes; the Royal Majesty frowns more before he lets his eyes drop to the ground between them. “Well, that’s that then, isn’t it?” The Knight feels a soft pang; he almost takes a step forward, hand twitching at his side before the Royal spins around and walks away from him. “Your obligations are fulfilled; the Rapunzel Witch lives.”

The Plague Begins With Me

Original Work | Dystopian, Horror Third Person Present Tense | Scene Drafting

Lost to the devastation of the Plague and destroyed by the aftermath of Humanity’s Fall, the World of Zeomia holds nothing but the dystopian devastation of disease and decay. Shouldering a responsibility that no one else is allowed to know, Zero tries to give mercy to those who have fallen from her own twisted fate.

Main Tags of the Blog

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[spicyrottingbrains]

I know we've had this conversation before but the ep has me confused and excited and devastated (Chris's abandonment issues have me reeling) and feeling a whole lot of emotions that I don't know what to do with and I'm having thoughts and this app is my place for all thoughts.

So we've all seen how everyone talks about how dating someone you meet on a call never works out. And there is evidence for that for both Buck and eddie. Now if we take the other canon relationships none of them met on calls. Bathena, madney, henren, all three wonderful beautiful couples and not one of them were introduced to each other through a call. But with the other two??almost every relationship has been that way. With buck there's Abby who he first got in contact with through the dispatch line and then she dug up his phone number (which I am still so irked by) but yeah through a call, then ali who he rescued, taylor again he rescued, and then natalia who AGAIN he met at another work scene. And we know how all of them ended.

Now with eddie shannon wasn't through work (and I will forever stand by the fact that they wouldve been so good as a divorced couple but I digress) but both relationships after shannon have been that way. Sure ana was Chris's teacher first but he was super pissed at her during that era and it was only after he treated her hand at the scene did he ask her out, that is meeting someone at work. And then marisol obviosuly they met at another rescue which is has me thinking if they try and make her permanent which I really hope they don't because the whole thing with them was just iffy from the beginning with her being kinda in love with her brother(how did they move on from that????) to eddie asking her out after his conversation with Bobby about the exact opposite and then with the new episode they didn't give her a role. It was like she was just there to smile and nothing else. She was ignored so badly that it's got me wondering what they were thinking actually bringing her back if they're not even gonna give her a proper character. And did you see the way they were standing during chris's date??it was just so awkward. Its like shes being written into the show to eventually be written off. I just....yeah I don't know where I was trying to go with this but yeah there's so much they could do with buddie because they built that base and the fact that Marisol has been around for what??2 maybe 3ish months and I think I'd be pretty dam confused if they chose to keep her(not even gonna start on the whole issue with the actress). So are they gonna stick with the whole 'dating someone you rescued is bad' thing which would make the most sense or do they have soemthing in store for us??

I don't know man. I just wish they relaize the solid background they have for buddie and actually try to make it happen.

[allthelittlecreepycrawlies]

With A Flap of Wings, Part 2

Two years after she lost Huaisang, Nie Leiyun is pregnant again. This time, Nie Mingjue is so very careful not to complain, not even to his best friend Lan Xichen, nor to his cousins Zonghui and Xunyao. Everyone knows why, and all of the grownups do their best to be kind to their young master's feelings. 

He turns out to be worrying over nothing. 

Unlike her brother who never was, Nie Jinghe is as gentle a pregnancy as her mother could ever hope for and emerges into the world bright and healthy and strong. 

–No one is aware that due to the fact that Nie Linsong had canceled all of her prior plans because she was busy helping her wife deliver the baby girl, she did not die on the night hunt she would have been on otherwise.–

—

The years pass. 

Nie Mingjue and his cousins Nie Zonghui and the fully-legizimized Nie Xunyao are practically extensions of each other, working in near-perfect tandem as future sect leader and his right and left hands.

Meng Shi has been offered a proper courtship by one of Nie-zongzhu's far-distant cousins and, though unsure about accepting at first, is now happy with her first real love, her light heart and genuinely bright smile practically making her a new woman.

Nie Jinghe is a tiny hellion with the climbing speed of a monkey and an infectious laugh that cheers up everyone around her. 

Watching them all, Nie Leiyun is… content. 

Most of the time. 

When spring comes each year, she finds herself missing the child she never even properly got to hold because she'd been unconscious when his tiny body was taken away. She wonders what he would have looked like, what his laugh would have sounded like, what sort of things he would have enjoyed. 

But, every year, she eventually pushes those thoughts aside to focus on her husband and wife, on her sister, on the children under her care now.

Nothing good comes from wondering 'what if?' for too long. 

—

Nie Leiyun looks up from her embroidery when her husband sinks into his favorite chair with a look of consternation on his face. "Something wrong?" 

"I hope not. I can't make heads or tails of this letter from Ruohan. He says-" 

A knock on the doorframe makes them both look up to find Nie Linsong and one of the men who normally guards the tombs up on Xinglu Ridge. 

"Apologies for the interruption, Zongzhu," the guard says with a salute. "But a situation has come up at the tombs. A rather persistent ghost... of sorts." 

"Of sorts?" 

"Well... he's not acting like any ghost we’ve dealt with before. He hasn't made any moves to attack us or scare us off, but he hasn’t made any attempt to communicate either. Either way, he won't budge from in front of the doors, and we've tried the strongest capture and banishment techniques we know." 

Nie Haoran frowns, tapping the letter in his hand against the arm of the chair. "What happens if you try to open the doors?" 

"Nothing. Or, honestly, no one’s been able to reach them. Every time someone tries to get in close, it's like getting bogged down in mud." 

"Hm. Alright, show me this ghost." 

Nie Leiyun can't explain the shudder of cold nausea that goes through her as her husband gets up to accompany their wife and the guard. "Wait," she wheezes, pushing herself to her feet. "I'm coming with you." 

Her partners both regard her wavering stance with concern. "Yun-er, maybe you should-" 

She shakes her head and grabs her heaviest fur cloak. "I'm coming. I- I have to. I can't explain it. But I have to." 

Her husband and wife look at each other in a short silent conversation, then her wife nods and offers an arm for her to lean on. 

—

The walk up to Xinglu Ridge has never been easy for her, even when her health was at its best, but today her legs feel extra heavy and her stomach is tying itself into a tighter and tighter knot with each step.

"Yun-er, you really should sit and rest," Nie Linsong cautions. "You're turning grey as a fierce corpse." 

Nie Leiyun shakes her head for what must be the tenth time and plows on. 

When they reach the tombs, all of the guards are standing at a short distance -not by choice, clearly- from a figure kneeling in front of the stone doors. 

A figure that glows faintly in the dim light of dusk. 

A figure that they can all partially see through. 

Her breath turns to needles in her chest and it has nothing to do with the chill in the air, but with the twisting mixture of hope and dread and love rising up in her. 

It's him. 

She knows it's him even before the young man turns his head to look at her and she is presented with an almost perfect replica of the features that she and her sister share- 

-except for his eyes, all luminous pale green like his father's and brother’s and shaped the same.

Her legs buckle, and though her partners are quick, they aren't quick enough to keep her from landing hard on her knees. 

“Huaisang…”

[bumblebeehug]

Regarding the END rewriting post, I feel like there are so many nalu moments that had a lot of potential but ended up being a bit disappoting ?? Like in 100 yq when lucy held natsu back and got burnt, but they never had a proper conversation about it. Idk I just find it a bit frustrating

i don't even know if i can pretend that mashima and ueda's treatment of nalu is fine, because it really isn't. mashima can abolutely spend his time writing about as many mangas and stories as he wants, but i feel like he shouldn't have promised the sequel if he never intended to put in effort for it. i could have managed half of the amount of arcs we've had leading up to these recent chapters, if we could have gotten more character development instead. just brief insights of what's been going on with Lucy since the war against Alvarez, how Natsu has been dealing with his END stuff, because clearly that's unfinished business, and I'd love to see Wendy flashback to the faces during the tartaros arc by learning how she's coping mentally, maybe talking with carla about it etc.

to not just criticize the mashima's writing, i feel like nalu as a ship has been overlooked for a crazy long time now. We haven't gotten a nalu-centered chapter cover in ages, nalu day became 1/4th about nalu and 3/4ths of the other ships in the major four. Now i'm really reading in to it though, because if you look at the effort he's been putting into the nalu arts compared to the other ones, nalu had unshaded arts that felt unfinished and hurried, the face on natsu this year felt meaningless rather than exciting, and in general, the jerza and gruvia art has been so much higher quality, that i can't help but to feel a little deserted. natsu didn't even get an artpiece for his day this year, however he did get a shared one some weeks before that, where Wendy was kinda main focus (i love her but natsu sould be a liiiittle bit more in focus, considering the fact that he's the hero of the entire franchise)

i would also die for some general interractions between natsu and lucy in the hyq that go beyond natsu saying "ill fight the enemy with my fist!" and lucy smacking him on his head or reacting loudly like "don't say that!" or "that won't work!" or "it's always as simple as that for you huh", because i'm sorry but they barely seem like friends anymore? ik it's mainly the recent chapters that's been like this, but it's exhausting either way yk.

the fact that the whole year of abandonment got brushed over is also one of the things i wish mashima would've tied up in the sequel, but i doubt it would happen now, so far along.

also, the fact that natsu had no reaction about nasha or the relationship between the star-versions of them is just disappointing

[uniiiquehecrt]

Thor Odinson

tagged by : @beheworthy bc i would ALWAYS like 💖💖💖

Give me a fictional character and I will say:

Favorite thing about them: His big dumb hero's heart. His compassion. How much he loves his home, his people, his family, his beloved, his friends — how much he loves.

Least favorite thing about them: //stares pointedly at his inability to form meaningful connections because Thor is Not Allowed to be Not Okay (even when it's obvious and people he loves asks him to share his heart).

Three things I have in common with them:

I am, myself, an elder sibling!! And one whose younger brother was/is someone I am incredibly close to, care a great deal about — that entire drama is very close to home for me.

A passion bubble for friends and family that's, on occasion, close to the surface... but otherwise am chill 👍

and .... bunt out golden child syndrome vibes. Especially that vibe of "do it on your own and put on your leader face at all times, because all eyes are on you, good luck"

Three things I don’t have in common with them:

His ... overly reserved nature. I've been told I can be serious but I don't think I brood the way he does.

One day I will be nearly half as eloquent in my speech outside of writing 🙏

The way that Thor is able to just command a room???? Goals. Total goals. I'm either very good at directing conversations or shaky at it and I wish I had Thor's level of confidence.

Favorite line:

"i would rather be a good man than a great king."

OR ALTERNATIVELY.

"is that why everything's on fire~?"

BROTP: Brodinsons 100% . Then the entire warriors + sif squad dynamics! I'm forever sad we never got more of them all together. Then Heimdall, because Thor deserves positive mentor figures in his life. (and as far as the avengers proper go: Thor/Steve absolutely deserves more recognition they were the og duo as far as Age of Ultron is concerned and y'all , we've all been sleeping.)

OTP: Fosterson ! :D They're adorable star-crossed lovers, and he loves her very much. (and she feels the same for him !)

NOTP: if i see (1) more fan art of thorki in the thor tag i will scream. I guess also bruce/thor and valkyrie/thor exist ...??? I'm not really sure who Thor's exactly shipped with in the MCU besides Jane.

Random Headcanon: One time I considered the thought of little!Thor being exceptionally friendly with his kitchen staff servants, and because he's a strong little guy, he'd pick up giant barrels 3x his size and lug them around just because he wants to be helpful. And he'd do it with or without the prize of getting snuck goodies (though he would definitely prefer the goodies, were it up to him.)

Unpopular Opinion: I'm not sure if this counts as an unpopular opinion exactly, but I do always find it interesting that in the Frozen Vault Scene in Thor (2011), what the cinematography and editors show us that sets Thor off is seeing the dead einherjar...

And I'd actually say that this triggers his anger more than the interruption of his crowning ceremony.

So with that in mind, I'm not actually sure that (most of) his rage regarding the situation was about the coronation at all, in that case. At least, not in comparison to the fear he states (semi-subtextually) about being strong enough to maintain Asgard's borders were. ("They know you are vulnerable.")

He actually seems to only be upset about the coronation AFTER Odin makes it very clear he's decided to change his mind and rescind the crown from him entirely ... which only further fuels the point that Thor isn't ready. (aka: the one thing Thor is keenly aware of, scared of, and is scared the Frost Giants also know.) Which, you know, he's not at that point in time, but I don't see a lot of people talk about the details of that particular inciting incident all that much.

(honestly the ENTIRE text and subtext of the frozen vault scene absolutely FASCINATES ME so maybe I'll do a deep dive on it one day idk)

Song SONGS I associate with them: ... //looks at my 5-minutes-until-13 hr playlist uh...

Glowing, Boreas, and Rounds by The Oh Hellos

Plant Life, The Real World, and Bird with a Broken Wing by Owl City

No Sanctuary by UNSECRET (ft. Sam Tinnesz and Fleurie)

Afterglow and Places by Portrair

Paper and Ink (fosterson) and Everything Changes in Time (brodinsons) by Madds Buckley ... also Hoping on Another Life by Madds Buckley

Favorite picture of them:

//pulls out my entire dark world screenshots folder bc are you really going to make me choose, quirks, are you really going to make me choose

soft beautiful 🥺🥺🥺🥺 precious boy ... give me more of that poncho look tho thanks

Tagging: @darkwee009 for pinkie pie or for kirby ! :D whichever you'd like more, friend !!!