#but I feel like i would not be able to be on equal footing discussion wise bc I have only played a few of the games

[carpisuns]

gaining a new interest/joining a new fandom is always kind of intimidating it feels like there’s so much you’ve missed out on by not enjoying this thing before so you’re like GRAHHHH got to catch up so I can have peak enjoyment like all the Enjoying This Thing experts around here! which is so silly bc if you enjoy a thing you’re already there but. yknow

[jouxlskaard]

Strap in, fuckers. This is a long one.

I've seen a lot of discourse and discussion recently about why TMAGP isn't resonating with listeners as much as TMA did, with a lot of people pointing towards the infrequent structure of each episode and the lack of subtlety that TMA had once excelled in. And while both of these are true, I think the main culprit that has caused these problems for listeners is one thing: the pacing.

TMAGP is only going to be 60 (Edit: 90) episodes long, compared with TMA's absolute behemoth of 200. When I'd found out about this, I'd assumed that it meant TMAGP would have a much smaller story - not having to establish as much information as TMA did, and allowing the story to have lower stakes as a result. This certainly wasn't a bad thing, as many sequels that have tried to one-up their predecessors have gone disastrously wrong, but I knew that the structure would be different to TMA as a result.

However, from the 12 episodes that we've seen so far, it appears that TMAGP is going to have similar levels of stakes to TMA - not the same stakes, of course, but they'll likely be on close to equal footing. This means that TMAGP has to establish the same amount of information to listeners with significantly less time to do it in, and the pacing has to speed up to adhere to that. In the first 12 episodes of TMA, we had established one possible recurring statement character (Gerry), a disturbing worm woman (Prentiss), and the fact that Jon doesn't like his assistant and refuses to believe any of the statements. In the first 12 episodes of TMAGP, we've established every important protagonist and what they sound like, two recurring statement characters (Bonzo and Ink5oul) with one that has already physically appeared, much of Sam's backstory and his ties to the Magnus Institute and the fact that something is deeply wrong with their workplace. That is a big difference.

This difference in pacing is what I believe is turning listeners away from what they'd originally enjoyed about TMA, because there's no longer that warm, comforting atmosphere when you listen to it. Its sound isn't designed to come from a tape recorder and a tape recorder only anymore; it's no longer a sit-down and listen to the Archivist tell you spooky stories for 20 minutes anymore; and, like I mentioned earlier, the structure is no longer the same throughout each episode. The horror anthology aspect, whilst still being there, has now taken a back-burner to the metanarrative because so much has to be established in so little time. To many, that's a bad thing. They listened to the original because they liked the statements, and the little things connecting them hinted to a much larger story at play. When this story was revealed, we got to see Jonny Sims and his brilliant prose at its best, because there was no longer anything to hide and the statements were in their purest forms - no longer having to establish information to the audience, and simply basking in the fear.

I'm sure we'll get to see the same thing in TMAGP once the narrative reaches that point, but the current pacing has uprooted a lot of listeners' expectations for the show. I'm going to listen to the entire thing, personally; yeah, it's different, and it doesn't deliver the same vibes and comfort as TMA did, and I probably won't be able to fall asleep whilst relistening to the more obscure episodes like I could before, but in a frankly disturbing way, I'm still fascinated with what Jonny, Alex and the other writers have created. This type of horror is the only kind that I genuinely enjoy, and I'm excited to see what direction Protocol goes in.

Edit: I feel like I should clarify that I don't see this comparison as something that takes away from TMAGP. Alex has said that it's going to be different from the get-go, and I do think that comparing it to TMA is an exercise in futility to an extent. I just wanted to talk about the shows together because I feel like they complement one another, and the narrative beats that I've talked about are less to do with TMA on its own and more to do with general narrative structure. We have buildup, payoff and pacing no matter what show it is, because that's what makes a story. I think TMAGP could be taken a little bit like Deltarune in terms of its relation to the original source material: separate entities with some overlap in character and themes. At the end of the day, it's still early days for the show and this entire spiel could just end up gathering dust - I just think it's a cool thing to think about, and it gives me an excuse to infodump about how pacing can affect a narrative and the audience's response to it.

I wrote this while my cat was laying on me. Have a picture as a reward for reading this whole thing.

[vicsbasement]

Watching Charles closely I came to believe that he might have abandonment issues (for obvious reasons), so yeah, I guess he hasn’t been taking Carlos’ departure from the team very well… Of course Carlos isn’t actively abandoning him, but anyways

Ohmygod, anon. You're absolutely right. I mean, it's a logical response to his past trauma, too. I'm not presuming to know the guy, but from what I can see, I just feel like he's really going through the trenches right now. I'm not going to say that they're extremely close, but, just from what we've been able to see about their relationship and the way they talk about each other, I'm ready to assume that they really seem to be close, especially now that we can see Charles visibly reacting to Carlos' departure from the team. I'm pretty sure there's not an ounce of bad blood between them, especially since they've been seeming so much closer ever since before Vegas. I feel like their friendship had time to develop towards the end of their third year together (trauma bonding and all things provided by a very rocky Ferrari car that put them both in uncomfortable situations that only both of them could understand) and so, now that that was blooming, to have it taken from them must be tough. Carlos has been brought up to be much less emotional about his relationships in the paddock, based on interviews alone, yet I think he's been saving up some emotion for their alone time. Charles, though... he seems to be that guy who wears his heart on his sleeve sometimes, and when it comes to this, he doesn't seem too shy to let people know that he really does like Carlos as a teammate and as a person. I mean, they have so much in common, everyone's said it, Mattia, Fred, constantly talking about their competitiveness and how close they'd become when they started to make everything a race... and they probably know each other well. They've shared small spaces, probably had important conversations with one another, they're both in a position where nobody else would get it, except for the other. And they've never, EVER shown disrespect towards each other. So, yeah. Carlos might not be abandoning Charles, but they're both in rather similar situations, and to bring Lewis into the mix, Lewis, with the bigger salary, with the seven titles, with the past experience... it should be something that makes Charles take pause and probably appreciate what he has right now with a guy who's basically in the same level as himself in terms of... I don't know, I guess gravitas. Lewis has so much, and Charles has the whole team behind him, and yet he turns to Carlos as a friend? Maybe we're not seeing how much of an equal footing they have between each other. They've probably discussed even this between them and Charles must be feeling so comfortable with Carlos by his side... This whole thing rocks his whole world, and I would love Carlos' security just as much as Charles is probably appreciating it right now. Sorry, I got totally off the rails with this, but the point is: what this shows me is that Charles really does care, deeply, about Carlos. And it's a wonder to see, honestly. If I were to be completely honest, I saw their relationship much more unilaterally. I felt like Carlos liked Charles more than he liked Carlos. But right now? Wow. I really do see how much Charles seems to appreciate Carlos' company and friendship as a teammate. And it's an absolute relief to me. The fact that he started the year defending Carlos from the italian press and insisting, on record, that they should focus on the fact that they have a whole year together out of "RESPECT FOR CARLOS"? Wow, Charles. You had my eye, before, but right now, you finally caught my attention. Thank you for sending me this ask, anon! I love analyzing stuff and the content has been pouring lately, so I love just to be able to talk about these two guys without restraints 😅

[bird-inacage]

Only Friends: Why Ray x Mew is Doomed to Fail

This show is consistently catching me off guard and I LOVE that. I was not expecting this to come out of the fallout, mostly because I didn't see Mew ever choosing this. But here we are. As soon as the final scene of Ray and Mew dancing at Yo's bar came on screen, I was wildly uncomfortable. Something felt so inherently wrong and off-kilter with this image. So let's discuss why.

Resigned Acceptance VS Active Choice

Let's be clear firstly; Mew hasn't chosen Ray. The entire exchange between them is Mew doing calculations in his head. And what he concludes is if someone loves you far more, then you don't lose out. Logically it's a far easier and safer proposition to try. (Whereas with Top, who was supposedly so out of Mew's league, has now caused Mew a tonne of insecurity because of his betrayal). Ray can't hurt him because Mew has never regarded Ray as suited for that spot.

It's with an air of resigned acceptance (and an obvious lack of any enthusiasm) that Mew accepts Ray's pursuit of him. Like a lukewarm shrug, 'Yeah. I guess. I suppose. Why not.' Right now Mew needs a distraction and here is his perfect opportunity to appear as if he's 'moved on' already. That he's unaffected. Mew is only doing all of this because he's hurting. If Top hadn't cheated, his stance on Ray would still be unwaveringly firm.

This also serves as an ideal way to punish Top. Top's reason for cheating was thinking (wrongly) that there was something going on between him and Ray. So why not rub that in his face and actually have something going on now to spite him? Top's worst nightmare manifested.

Mew Playing Mew 2.0

I had a really strong feeling this episode that Mew was trying to emanate Ray, especially with his new look. Bit by bit, Mew is denouncing everything that once made him who he was. He's trying to embrace the opposite end of the spectrum and his closest point of reference is Ray.

Ray isn't responsible. Ray is impulsive. He has everyone else taking care of him. I think in some ways Mew may envy Ray at times. The luxury to be reckless, spontaneous and have people around you to pick up the pieces. To test run Ray's 'fuck it' mentality for a change and forego accountability is freeing, it's seductive.

However, Mew 2.0 is just Mew playing 'dress up'. It's a costume and a form of armour but nothing more. Mew is not coupling up with Ray as his authentic self (and ultimately the 'self' that Ray fell in love with). The man Ray loves VS the man Ray is now dating are two different people. There's already a layer of falsehood sandwiched between them.

Ray's Glorification of Mew

In Ray's eyes, Mew can do no wrong. The way that Ray sees Mew is faultless, blemish-free, almost saintlike. Mew is his saviour and Ray holds him on a incredibly high pedestal. This puts an enormous amount of pressure on anyone who is the subject of this adoration.

When we love someone, what we really desire is to be seen for all the things that makes us painfully human. The things we hate about ourselves; the ugly, the unsightly, the flaws - for someone to know us at our very worst and still love us despite all that.

Ray's opinion of Mew means he can never truly appreciate who he is as just another person who has his faults and shortcomings. It also means Ray is likely to look to Mew to have the answers, to share his wisdom and that's just not always going to be the case.

For now, Ray may be basking in the awe of living his ultimate fantasy but I don't think he'll be able to cope with the reality being less than perfection. Of Mew being less than perfection. You've set Mew up to fail, and you've doomed this relationship to fall short of the spectacular grandeur you may have conjured in your head.

This pairing is fundamentally not on equal footing. Mew is vicariously living through Ray like some rollercoaster ride to hedonism. Ray is a means for him but not a destination.

[see-arcane]

Dracula Dailiers we have a LOT to unpack

-RIP to the Captain, Whitby loves and misses you

-Surprise RIP to Mr. Swales, I know you died shit-talking the Count so mercilessly the ancient bastard had to snap your neck*

-*Alternatively, it was because you were sitting over the grave he wanted to use for his camp-out resting place. Hence why yet another dog got its hackles up when passing near the spot, having sensed the atrocious Dracula-vibes within. Also, shout-out to the asshole dog owner who kicked his own pup, I hope you get gangrene in that foot.

-Lucy is still sleepwalking. We can be pretty sure there’s some extra influence going on there. But what gets all my hairs standing up is that Mina knows Something More is up and Lucy refuses to talk about it. Worse, it’s something that implies a miserable camaraderie with the dog’s terror when touching the gravestone; the inarticulate dread, the fear that comes with Knowing There is a Threat and Not Knowing the Threat’s Name.

-Good cows!

-Hoo boy, here comes Stoker’s misplaced mouthpiece time with Mina poo-pooing ‘the New Woman.’ Between this sniffing at the independent stance of the New Woman phenomenon and the Lilith-adjacent baby-eating caricature the sexy evil Brides present, Stoker was hitting the gas on the lady prejudice. Ironically, in a way that flies in the face of his main girl being so obviously in line with a lot of the New Woman’s principles. Yes, as the book goes on, there will be some period-typical maidenly fretting and ‘do not fear, this is man’s work!’ moments—which kind of tips Stoker’s hand in a very telling ‘appreciation’ for manful men doing manful men things. With other men.—but when Mina isn’t performing damsel duty?

She’s a worker. She’s a thinker. She’s a doer. She fills 90% of traditional male roles in literature throughout the story just as Jonathan filled out the gothic damsel in distress role at the book’s start. Frankly I think the only reason she or Lucy are able to unironically turn their noses up at the ‘New Woman’ is because:

A)   They’re miraculously surrounded by the most chivalrous men on Earth, let alone in England. They’ve no reason to get ruffled over a lack of respect or care.

B)   Mina’s only solid acquaintance with men beyond a few interviewees so far is Jonathan ‘Mina-Addicted Sweetheart’ Harker and Mr. Hawkins who’s like a second father.

C)   Her social circle really isn’t all that big, period. Yes, there’s Lucy who she’s known since childhood, Jonathan, her students, but who else does she really talk about like they’re close? Least of all any acquaintances who might be or know ~confirmed~ New Women?

D)  Being a newspaper lover, I’d bet money her only real ‘knowledge’ of the New Woman phenomenon comes from Punch comics and mansplained satire discussing outlandish parodies of the actual movement/women. Of course she isn’t like them! How absurd!

E)    She does genuinely want to start a family with Jonathan and this traditional desire likely feels to her like another proof against her being a dreadful (gasp) New Woman.

All the while she’s oblivious to all the traits that make her—the working, intelligent, active, teacher/budding journalist/equal partner to her fiancé—very much part of the New Woman movement. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jonathan was someday stunned to realize she was in earnest about her disdain, leading to him gently, lovingly, claiming he is quite shocked and hurt, as one of his best friends is a New Woman. Would he like to meet her?

Cue him holding up a mirror.

-Lucy is so pretty and full of blood <3

-I too would be happier if only I knew if Jonathan. Where Jonathan. Want Jonathan. Return Jonathan.

[intimidating-fettuccine]

I hope this is a valid question

can we have a scenario about the day sally arrived at the mansion?

for example, Slender trying to introduce her in a calm manner to lj and Jason

This got very long, so I hope you're ready to start off the day with a little bit of angst.

He had warned them in advance. Slender had found her, lost and wandering by herself in the woods, and he'd offered her a place to reside. Of course, Slender wasn't an idiot. He was well aware of the trauma that both Jason and Laughing Jack had, as he'd already been spending several decades with them trying to work through it. So, as a courtesy, he warned them in advance that a little girl would be moving into the mansion, and he gave them the courtesy as well that if they wished to, they could leave. Move out of the mansion and find somewhere else to reside. The little girl, however, deserved a home and he'd promised to provide it.

Of course, neither Jason nor LJ were ecstatic about this news, but they'd come to respect Slender and enjoyed his home and his company, and so with nowhere else to go, they chose to stay, under the conditions that they not be forced to interact with her if they didn't want to. Slender agreed to these terms. And, of course, Slender had to have a discussion with Sally as well. That presently only men resided in Slender's home, but that those men were trusted and would not hurt her, and that they were just as scared of her as she is of them, that they fear children just as she fears men. He also told her that should she ever need female company, his mother was just a call away, and that if Sally no longer wanted to stay in the mansion, his mother would find her a home with someone else. For now, Sally chose to reside with Slender.

~

The little girl held tightly to Slender's hand as they stood in front of the large doors of the mansion. Both of them could practically sense the anxiety radiating from the other side of the door, and Slender looked down at her. Sally wore an expression of anxiety herself, unsure of what to expect. Slender had told her that these two men feared children, but Sally couldn't imagine why. Her curious mind didn't feel it was her place to ask. Her mind did, however, feel moderately at peace knowing they would fear her. Sally wasn't used to standing on equal ground with people, and so, it comforted her to know that their sentiments and relationship were level, even if it's not good to fear each other. She could hide behind the fear as a defense, as space between them.

"Would you like to try going inside? I'll only have you enter when you're ready." Slender's voice reverberated inside her mind, and she looked up at him in thought. She squeezed his hand for comfort, and he squeezed hers back. Eventually, she nodded.

Slender opened the door, and Sally used her other arm to clutch tightly to the plush bear Slender's mother had given her as an item of comfort, her eyes squeezed shut in anxiety. She braced herself for anything at all, but all she was greeted with was silence. Peeling open her eyes, she wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted her. Two men, one almost as tall as Slender, the other about a foot shorter, standing anxiously before them. They looked more scared than she did, but that didn't mean her fears were gone, although... She did pity them a bit, for how terrified they seemed.

"Jason, Jack. This little one is Sally. Sally, these are the two men I told you about earlier. She will be living here with us for the time being. You need not spend time together if you don't wish, but you must be able to live in the same building." Slender spoke calmly and quietly, trying to ease the tension in the room.

Sally hadn't been that scared, not at first. But the longer she stood there, the longer it settled into her mind that she would be living with men, the more anxious she grew, and sensing her own anxiety and fear, the men before her grew more anxious as well. Tears began to bloom in her eyes, and then men before her swallowed, pity for her welling up inside them as well. None of them had asked for their trauma, for their issues. Both of them knew Sally personally had done nothing wrong to them, and their internal instincts were telling them to comfort and assist them, but the fear inside them kept them standing where they were. They stood in silence for what was only a few moments but what felt like hours.

"A-are you... Alright...?" Jason was the first to speak, although he'd hardly have called it speaking. Those standing there were the only people alive to hear Jason speak that timidly, his voice quiet, breaking and cracking under his nerves as he held a shaky hand out to Sally. Sally jolted at his voice and squeezed her bear tighter. She shook her head no as she squeezed her eyes shut again.

The two men looked between themselves, and then at Slender, and Slender nodded. It would be best if they called it here. Slender explained to Sally he would take her to her room now, but Jack lightly cleared his throat before they left. Sally tearfully looked at Jack, finding him standing before her, nervous and trembling. In his shaking hands was a stuffed panda, one Jack had crocheted himself earlier that day. A gift. A peace treaty between them. He reached out to hand it to her, his entire body rattling and shaking, and Sally, letting go of Slender's hand, reached out her own shaking hand and took it, clutching it to herself. She nodded at him, her eyes trained on the ground, and Slender took her to her room.

When she was gone, Jason and Jack were both choking on air, tears of their own blooming to their eyes as they left to hide in Jason's workshop, and Sally cried as well, clutching onto the two toys in her arms as she settled into her new bed as Slender left her to calm down by herself. It could have gone worse, as far as a meeting between them could go, but they'd done it. That would be the first and last time they would see each other for several months, Sally doing her best to hide away and dodge them. She did, however, keep that stuffed panda from Jack, despite her anxieties about accepting a gift from a male. Throughout all the years, even up to the present day today, that panda is the only toy to consistently remain in the pile that Sally sleeps with. As the wear and tear of time passes, she knows if it gets too bad, Jack will fix it up for her, just as he always has these long years.

[yetanothergreyjedi]

Ghosts of Our Pasts: 8

DP x DC Crossover

Danny Fenton and Damian Wayne sibling AU

Masterpost Previous Next

Ao3

Part 8

"I wasn't sure what colors were still free,"

"Tt, It is ridiculous." Damian needed to stop saying things on impulse. Even if the oversized construction-orange hoodie jacket was a monstity, everything he said sounded cruel. Everything was cruel, he was aware he was not a pleasant person. It had never seemed like a problem before.

But his brother took it in stride, just like all his brothers did. Danny grinned, "Exactly!"

"It will draw attention," Father warned, but in the resigned way most often heard when discussing Grayson's early decisions as Robin.

Danny shrugged, "I can handle that, but I'm not like, super attached to it though, if its a problem."

"It is not a problem. You're wearing pants."

"Oh?"

"Robin insisted."

"Oooohhh," Danny said, only... he was looking at Damian.

"Not me! That was Gra— the first Robin!"

"Are you sure, I remember a time when you and pants did not—"

"I am wearing pants!"

Dany made a show of considering this point before conceding. "You are wearing pants."

Damian did not grumble as he pulled a spare domino and Comm from his belt. He took a step forward to hand them off no too-quick movements, nothing that might be perceived as a threat. And Danny simply took the items, if his movements were equally choreographed he did not show it.

"Test, test?" The voice came clear through the comms. They ran the rest of the comm checks, everything came up clear.

Danny expectantly bounced on his feet, he was wearing worn sneakers not boots.

"This isn't a patrol." Father reminded them, then he looked to Danny "We may need to stop and handle something on the way. Don't feel obligated to join in."

"I haven't lost that—"

"I'm not discrediting your skills. Or saying you can't get involved. I'm asking you to take additional caution until we get you proper equipment."

There was a moment where Danny's mouth worked, the usual whiplash of being interrupted by someone who had accurately guessed your argument and addressed it before you finished the sentence. Then he responded, "Yeah, okay, makes sense."

A nod and then they were off. The route had been planned specifically so they wouldn't have to grapple until Danny had a proper harness. Damian didn't know exactly what Danny had said the night before that led to them leaping across rooftops, but he couldn't find himself suprised that Danny kept up with ease.

It was an inverse of a game they'd once played. Danny would run ahead to show the way, slowing so a younger Damian could learn the footing on his own. Only now it was Damian showing the path, and Danny attempting to reach the same place quicker or more efficiently. He melded into the shadows suprisingly well for someone dressed to meet OSHA safety standards.

As much as he had worried, this was a good idea.

---

This was a terrible idea. Danny reflected. He had no idea what was normal for an average human. He hadn’t stuffed himself so firmly into his flesh in ages, and trying to do that while leaping up buildings! Could normal humans jump this high? Should he be able to lift his weightlike this? Was the domino hiding the fact that his eyes were probably a fog light?!

His feet were too sure on uneven surfaces, his shoes were gripping far better than they should and he knew for a fact the shadows were clinging to him! He tried to tell Gotham to knock it off, but he couldn't do that without unfolding a bit and he was definitely gonna to do something inhuman if he did that!

Bio-dad was right behind him! He should've downplayed his skills more, should've just suggested they drive! But noooo, he'd wanted to run around Gotham's rooftops like a bat! He still wanted to, he just didn't know how to human!

It was so much easier back home, had he flown that last bit? Or had he caught a little gravity anomaly? Is he standing on a vertical surface as if it were the ground? Cool! Let's find the step that will let us do it too! Vanished from existence? Probably a portal, best avoid that area! Gotham was, while a bit more liminal than most places, was not going to hide his weirdness!

Crap, had he been breathing enough?

---

Neither of his children were out of breath. Bruce realized when he got to the top of the building. He was proud of them. But as they sprinted off across the next set of rooftops, he reflected that he was not as young as he used to be.

---

Danny stopped without warning. His shoes made the barest scrape on the ledge that alerted Damian to stop too. He was looking down towards an alley barely visible from their vantage point. Then Damian heard what Danny must have: a man's voice, demanding a purse.

Danny inclined his head, Damian nodded. As one they lept down.

He was a little insulted that the man noticed him first, instead of Danny who could only be more obvious if he was wearing reflectors. But he did notice Danny, and the crook for some reason decided Robin was the lesser threat.

Damian did not freeze up. But suprise made his actions waver, and it only took a second for the man to point his gun at his new target.

Less than a second to fire. Everyone was moving. The woman was running. The man was turning the gun Damian. Damian aimed his sword to disarm, because he had managed to retrain his instincts away from an automatic killing blow.

The gun toppled away. And before Damian could fear what the crook changing targets after firing might mean, Danny had the weapon pointed at the man.

The crook with a blade aimed at his throat and a gun pointed at his chest paled and raised his empty hands in surrender.

"Now what do we do?" Danny stage whispered to his brother.

-

-

-

Danny, realizing he can't suck the mugger into a soup thermos, and that human vigilanteism has so much more logistics to worry about:

The orange jacket is absolutely a reference to Haiju's sequel Shadow of a Doubt. Both Phantom of Truth and its sequel were a major part of me deciding to get into this Phandom, as well as part of the reason I write nowadays. So please check it out if you aren't familiar.

It's also a family thing for Danny, if he can wear both his dad's colors and his bio-dads symbol, idea makes the core go brrrr

Next one will be short one, because I find it super easy to set up lines that I feel close out chapters really well. And I couldn't just put more words after that! But it's already written, and so's the chapter after that, so I'll probably post it soon

Tag list!

@spectralstardustandphantomnights @avelnfear @idfk-man10 @blackroserelina @candeartist422 @mur-ururu @luer-mirin @insufferablecatenthusiast @skulld3mort-1fan @alonedustspeck @voidbornposts @meira-3919 @marshmello @aethernorwood @mimilikey @undead-essence @cloudminder @markus209 @everything163 @latheevening226 @roman4517 @moobloomrights @battybatbat @lumosfeather18581 @werv @ahyesanerd @pyramaniac @lexdamo @princessbelix @bun-fish @deeannthepan @edgyboi10000 @thatrandomsarahchick @busterkeel @aconitewolfsbane @spoopyspoony @bright-shade @spidey29phangirl @idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit @keimiwolf @u-a-wizard-jamie @gay-puff @bicerise @itshype @blackfoxsposts @icanneverdecide @lolottes @chubbypotato @jovialherringtacoghost @saltyladynightmare

[the-last-thread-of-my-sanity]

Honestly, I love the Levi/Hange/Erwin dynamic when it comes to shipping, because all of it works and feels satisfying for the characters no matter what your preference is.

I can honestly believe or be convinced of almost any dynamic involving the three of them, including a throuple situation.

But my personal headcanon is this- I think that Levi had feelings for Erwin that were definitely stronger than Erwin’s for him. Levi showed love and also strength through devotion to Erwin but Erwin only had room in his life to be devoted to his cause and his goal of finding out the truth. Any person- even those he cared most about- could be sacrificed for that goal. We see this in his characterization as “the devil”. I think he felt sorrow for this choice at times but never once considered going back on it.

I honestly think the closest Levi and Erwin ever were was before the series starts/occurs offscreen. And by the time we are introduced to these characters we are actually beginning to see the slow deterioration of what could have been their relationship. We see them working seamlessly together to acquire Eren for the Scouts, but even as soon as the 57th Expedition we see some cracks in the facade.

Levi trusts Erwin inherently, and will follow his orders, but he starts to silently and subtly disagree with the massive loss of life that Erwin is content with to achieve his goal. This all culminates in Levi’s infamous unspoken “more important than me” right before they leave for Shiganshina. Erwin is devoted to his cause and his dream of seeing the basement regardless of the casualties- and Levi has been devoted to Erwin and so therefore must bear the weight of those casualties with him even though along the way they weren’t his calls to make.

And then on the other hand, you have Levi and Hange- who mutually care for one another and have phenomenal chemistry. They both share the burden of carrying out Erwin’s wishes- but I think in Hange, Levi can see someone who is just as intelligent and determined but not quite as ruthless or closed off. Hange is constantly grappling with guilt and shame and feelings of inadequacy- emotions that Levi doesn’t permit himself to feel or in the very least, to feel openly. So by caring for them, Levi gets some of that catharsis. Surely by having sympathy for Hange’s plight, he can also then give himself permission to feel his own doubts and frustrations. Their relationship feels very equal- which is why it is ultimately more appealing to me.

Later, even when Hange is the commander, it still feels like they are on equal footing. Levi is just as devoted to them, but not in a way that forces him into a secondary role or to compromise the part of him that cares deeply for others.

I think (and yes this explanation is very Levi-centric, sorry) that Levi resists a lot of attraction to Hange or doesn’t take it as seriously while Erwin is alive- but just as we see things begin to chill between him and Erwin, we also see more trust and interactions between him and Hange.

Levi choosing Armin to revive over Erwin was a personal as well as tactical decision for him. Of course, there’s so much discussion about how it was actually a way to respect him and show mercy, et cetera. And I agree with that. But many things can be true at the same time, and I think laying Erwin to rest was also Levi choosing, if even subconsciously, that he would no longer choose his unbroken devotion to Erwin over the chance to spare lost lives (in this case, it happens to be Armin). He still reveres Erwin immensely- but following him for so many years had obviously left wounds and scars.

And I am not saying any of this to discredit Erwin or villainize him. I think Erwin is a very human character, and he put himself into a position to make choices that he knew no one else would be able to make. He chose to turn himself into a monster and be as ruthless as his enemy. He was incorruptible in this aspect, but it also meant that anyone close to him would always be secondary and he couldn’t risk becoming too attached. There a million examples of ways he cares for Levi (and Hange)- he just makes it explicit that he would never care for them MORE than the cause.

They know this and follow him anyway. But that bond between those second in command to him, creates this beautiful relationship built on shared understanding, and that’s what makes Levihan so compelling to me.

[jazzthatonewriterchick]

Dance For Me (Fatgum x Black!Fem!Reader 18+ One Shot)

"Can I give you an extra birthday gift, baby boy?"

Pairing: Taishiro “Fatgum” Toyomitsu x Black!Fem!Reader (Strangers to Lovers)

Synopsis: In which you give Fatgum the experience of a lifetime when his friends drag him to a strip club for his birthday.

Story Warnings: Smutty Smut; 18+ (MINORS GTFO); Reader is Black-coded (but anyone can still read this); Reader is Fem; Reader is a Stripper/Pole Dancer; Fatgum in Skinny & Fat Form; Strangers to Lovers; Erotic Dancing; Stripping; Body Worship; Lap/Thigh Grinding; Foreplay; Dirty Talk; Deepthroating; Outercourse; Clothed Sex; Cum in Pants; No PIV Sex; Cum on Body; Scent Marking; Aftercare

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters mentioned in this fic. However, as this is my writing, I do not give permission for my work to be reposted on any other sites that are not from my own accounts. Thank you!

Writer’s Note: The happiest birthday to my maaaaan 🥰 Enjoy y'all! -Jazz

**********

Can you imagine Taishiro’s first time in a strip club? I’d imagine it’d be on his birthday.

Walk with me for a second, y’all.

Taishiro isn’t exactly inexperienced when it comes to women. He has had his fair share of girlfriends and hookups, but most of them have been short-lived due to his quirk. It gets tiring to keep himself in his skinnier form day in and day out just to please his partners, but he also knows that this form is the most aesthetically and physically pleasing to most of them. 

It’s sad that even he realizes it. Though he is loved by the public, it’s different in the bedroom and in romantic relationships. Because of that, he’s a bit hesitant to shift into his fat form around women he’s interested in. Because of that, he hasn’t done much dating or hookups. He just wouldn’t be able to handle rejection or humiliation for his body. 

His friends think he’s being stupid. “Do you know how many women out there would want to fuck you in any form?” Mirko asked him. “You just need to find them! They’re out there!” Hawks had chimed in, equally as certain that Taishiro could find the right woman. “Yeah,” he agreed. “And I know just where to find ‘em. Your birthday is coming up, right?” 

Taishiro looked at him curiously while he slurped down his ramen noodles. “Yeah, in about a week,” he replied. “Why?” Hawks just grinned at him, a secret glint in his eyes. Taishiro would regret not pushing the discussion further when he finds himself at a strip club with his friends a week later. Mirko, Hawks, and Yu practically drag him out of the restaurant to hit the club despite his constant protests and pleas for a trip to a parfait shop instead.

While, again, his eyes aren't virgins to the naked female body, he has never seen so much ass and titty in one place! Can you imagine that man walking into the club with his six-something-foot self? He stands out like a sore thumb among the crowd, catching the eyes of customers and employees walking about.

His eyes catch the jiggling of asscheeks on a bottle girl or the shaking thighs of a dancer on the pole wearing the skimpiest outfit he’s ever seen on a woman. He walks into the club his skinny form too. Though he isn’t afraid to walk around in his fat form, he usually opts for his skinny form in unfamiliar places. 

Unfamiliar places like this one. Standing among the dancers and purple lights, he feels like an alien on another world. He’s never been in a strip club before, so he’s pretty nervous. What do you even do here? Where do you put your hands? Do you ask the dancer for one? He feels stupid standing here with his friends, like a little kid on his first day of school. 

His friends push him to sit down in a secluded booth in the VIP section, immediately ordering a round of shots for them. “Time to celebrate your birthday in style, my friend,” Hawks says, smirking at him. “So how do you feel, big man? First time good so far?” 

Taishiro doesn’t want to upset his friends, so he plasters on a smile and say, “Y-Yeah! Totally good!” But deep inside, all he wants to do is go home. This isn’t for him. He probably won’t even get a dance. With someone as suave as Hawks, gorgeous as Rumi, and popular as Yu, he’ll be the last pick if not picked at all. But he still indulges in the shots sitting before him, grinning bashfully when his friends shout happy birthday to him. 

“So now you get to choose your dancer, ‘Shiro!” Yu excitedly proclaims, sitting next to Mirko. “So who do you want? Choose whoever and it’s on us!” Though it’s a kind gesture, Taishiro is still nervous as hell. He’s never gotten a dance before. Looking around, he blushes crimson at the sight of dancers tossing ass in their clients’ laps. Would he be able to handle such a thing? 

“I heard you’re lookin’ for a dance,” an enticing voice says above him. When he looks up and saw your pretty, brown eyes staring down at him, the entire room fades around the room. All that is here now are you and him. All the other people are gone.

He barely believes his eyes as he drinks you in––you’re wearing a sheer mini dress draped over your luscious, curvaceous body that exposes the tiny bra and thong set underneath. You paired the outfit with knee-high boots that he bets barely make you taller than him if he is to stand up. The lights illuminate your skin and glossed, plump lips that curl into a smile directed at him. 

“Hey,” you greet, chewing on your gum. “Fatgum, right? I know you. I’m a big fan.” Taishiro isn’t be able to speak, his tongue heavy and mouth dry. “He says thank you,” Hawks quickly says while Mirko and Yu laugh. “And yeah, he’s lookin’ for a dance. Would you maybe wanna fill that spot for him?” 

“It’s his birthday,” Mirko adds with a wink. “Treat him well.”

Your eyes, looking bigger with the lashes and mascara, tick from his friends back to Taishiro. “Of course,” you’d purr. “How could I not treat a pro well?” You then lean in across the table towards him, giving him a peek of your cleavage. “So what would you like, Mr. Fatgum?” you sultry ask the pro. “Would you like a dance from me?” 

Taishiro, once again, isn’t able to speak. He just nods, growing hard from your breathy, soft laugh. Out of everything he’s seen tonight, your laugh makes him rock hard. “Would you like the dance here or private?” you ask. “We’ve got private rooms behind the stage. They’re the champagne rooms.”

You wait patiently for his answer, acting oddly sweet for someone working in such an environment. You obviously know that this is his first time and be very understanding which turns him on even more. “Private,” he finds himself answering, earning a whoop from Mirko. A pleased smile curls onto your glossy lips as your hand found his, lacing your fingers together. “Then let’s go, big boy,” you purr, helping him out of his seat. 

His friends embarrassingly cheer him on as you lead him away to the champagne rooms. When he stands, he realizes that he does, in fact, stand at a head taller than you. You look like a munchkin compared to him. He follows, feeling robotic almost with his clanky legs and stiff joints. Everything moves in slow motion except for you two. He isn’t be able to tear his eyes off of your asscheeks jiggling and bouncing like jell-O in front of him, your long, curly hair swishing across your backside. His cock chubs against his jeans, desperate for release. ‘Not now,’ he chastises himself. The last thing he needs is to get hard here. 

You bring him into one of the clean, dimly-lit rooms with its mini-bar, private stage, and circulating sofa bed. The noises of the club are muffled, adding to the atmosphere. You let go of his hand and situate yourself near the pole, your heels clicking across the floor. As you walk, your ass jiggles, beckoning him forward for a squeeze. “Sit down and relax yourself,” you tell him. “This is your night, Mr. Fatgum.” 

Taishiro does as he’s told. He sits back against the couch cushions, his thick legs open and hands gripping his thighs in an effort to relax. “Taishiro,” he croaks out, clearing his throat. “Call me Taishiro.” 

You stop and look at him, your hair swishing over your shoulder. The smile that curls onto your lips fills him with butterflies. “Okay, Taishiro,” you agree, your name on his lips making him even harder. “So tell me what you want me to do.” Your hand reaches for the pole and as you grasp it, you bring your body flush against it. Your eyes, illuminated by the light, stare deep into his from across the room. “I’m all yours tonight, birthday boy.” 

Taishiro swallows hard, still nervous but also incredibly aroused. How is that you can seduce him without barely touching him or saying anything dirty? 

But he does tell you exactly what he wants you to do. He suddenly feels slightly more comfortable with the tequila setting in and the private room allowing him the space to breathe. “I-I just want you to dance,” he softly stutters. “I don’t care about the music. I just wanna watch you move.”

You smile for him, so pretty and sweet. “Sure, birthday boy,” you softly giggle. “Lemme just get the music goin’. You release the pole and walk over to the little stereo near the mini-bar and flip a switch. The music that begins to pump from the speakers would be soft and smooth, R&B-like. Taishiro knows he’s heard it before, possibly on TikTok. 

All other thoughts that aren’t of you go out the window when you begin to slowly strut over to the pole again, your eyes set dead on him. He especially chunks all other thoughts into the trash when you begin to move. You move perfectly to the music as if you’re made of it, your hips swaying sensually and hair swishing around your shoulders. Your eyes, two deep pools of brown, stare into his, never straying or looking away. You securely grasp the pole with both hands, one lower than the other, and gyrate your hips, making your ass jiggle enticingly to the beat. 

‘Fuck!’ Taishiro thinks, staring shamelessly at the jiggling fat. That thing that you’re lugging around should be illegal. Especially how you move it. It’s so hypnotizing the way it bounces and sways depending on the tempo of the song. When it’s slow enough, you wind and grind your thick hips suggestively against the pole, squatting with your legs open to give him a peek of the tiny cotton strip of your thong that hides the promise land from him. 

But when the tempo picks up, that ass is moving like it is made for him. He can’t keep his eyes off of the way your asscheeks bounce up and down and your thick thighs jiggle in time with your moves. You giggle to yourself as you bend over for him, causing your thong to sink deeper into your ass and make your cheeks look that much fatter. It suddenly feels hot in the room to Taishiro, uncomfortably so. He swallows every five seconds and shifts positions in his seat, trying in vain to ease the tension in his pants. 

He damn near loses his mind when you begin to finally break out the pole tricks. You grasp the pole with both hands and swing yourself around, your black heels dangling from above. He watches you, transfixed on the way you move like the wind is beneath your feet, the lights illuminating the muscles flexing beneath your luscious skin and body.

Every move you make, he is impressed and enchanted––splits; swings; backward bends. He loves it when you bend backward. There’s something about how you look when you’re in the air, your hair cascading down and your pretty face glinting in the lights. 

It’s like he’s watching a movie. He goes from sitting back against the couch to sitting up straight, eyes forward and lips parted in anticipation for your next move. His cock is damn near weeping at this point, pre-cum embarrassingly staining the inside of his boxers. He keeps his thighs closed because of that, not wanting you to see or notice his hard-on although he's sure you’ve seen plenty. With how you move, he knows you have. 

When the song finally comes to an end, you finally settle back down on your heels on the floor, effortless and skilled. Sweat glistens on your forehead, the bridge of your nose, and between your breasts where Taishiro finds his tongue wanting to be. You smile at him, proud of your work.

“You enjoy that?” you ask, out of breath. It sounds so sexy to him. He nods, too transfixed to speak. “I’m glad,” you laugh, secretly endeared by his cuteness. “That was all for you, after all.” 

Taishiro finally manages to snap some sense into himself when he realizes that you’ve stopped moving. The dance is over. ‘No,’ he thinks. ‘That can’t be! I want more of her.’

“Uh,” he stutters out, “s-so is my time here…over?” You raise a questionable eyebrow at him. “Do you want it to be?” you ask. He blushes rogue, adverting his gaze from yours. “Sorry,” he apologizes sheepishly. “I’m not used to this. I’ve never been to this type of club before, s-so I’m not sure how things work around here.” 

His eyes tick back to yours when he hears your heels clicking across the floor, getting closer and closer. His heart leaps when he realizes that you’re walking over to him. The lump in his throat grows as does his cock, hardening every second you grow nearer. Finally, you stand in front of him and hook a leg over his hip, his face now practically in your crotch.

“I was told to give you a dance,” you purr. “So that’s what I’m going to do.” You smile down at him, the idea of him being smaller than you makes him want to burst. “And plus, I want to. So would you like me to?” 

Taishiro is close to fainting as he stares up at you, not sure what’s happening but also liking it. “T-to dance for me?” he carefully asks. You slowly nod as the next song starts: “Body” by Summer Walker. “S-Sure,” he nervously replies. “I’d like that a lot.” A happy smile brightens up your pretty face like sunshine before you gently push him back to sit against the pillows. 

Then, without another word said between you, you dance. With your leg still hiked up over his side, you proceed to grind your hips into his face, staring down at him with hooded eyes as you do. Taishiro gets even more worked up with you up close and personal. You’re so close that he could pull your little dress up, your thong to the side, and eat you out if he wanted to…and he does want to. The urge to taste you is strong. But he won’t dare overstep your boundaries or violate the rules of the club. He’s sure that touching the dancers is a big no-no. 

So he keeps his hands to himself, balled up right at his sides. You then take your leg off of the couch and lower it before continuing your dance. Your hips wind before him, moving in one circular direction and then clockwise. You then slowly stand and turn around, your ass jiggling in his face when you bend down to touch your toes.

You then drop to your knees and proceed to do moves on the floor, hips circulating against the floor, your back arching sensually. The giggles that leave your lips are even more arousing. It means that you’re enjoying this. You like making him work up a sweat like this. His fists tighten, his nails digging into his palms from the force while his cock strains painfully against his jeans. He’s never been this horny in his life. 

He just about jumps out of his skin when you suddenly slide up between his thighs, your hands moving to run over his abs. “Such a nice body,” you coo. Your eyes sparkle as you stare up at him. “You can touch me, y’know. I don’t usually let my customers touch me, but I think I can make an exception for you.” You wink at him before standing and sitting down on his lap where you proceed to toss your ass back into his lap. 

Taishiro grunts as the softness of your plush asscheeks hits his groin, brushing up against his hard cock. But he doesn’t dare touch you. He can’t. He knows that if he does, nothing will hold back his fat form anymore. He can feel it pushing to be released, causing his body to tremble. You must notice too because you look back at him, your eyebrows knitted. “You alright, Taishiro?” you ask, sounding concerned. 

Taishiro grits his teeth as he smiles at you, doing his best to seem normal. “Yeah,” he assures you. “It’s not you, it’s all me. It’s kinda hard to feel…comfortable like this.” He hopes he thinks you mean that he’s just horny, but something in your face tells him that isn’t it. 

You pop off of him and twist around to face him, your hands holding his knees. “You don’t have to keep this up, y’know,” you giggle. “You can let go. I’m gonna judge you or anything for your other form.”

Taishiro’s eyes widen, wondering how you know just what the problem is. Can you see it on his face? Can you feel it in his body? Your hands begin to sneak up his shirt to reveal his big, toned body complete with a happy trail, chest hair, and two hardened, pink nipples. 

Taishiro groans as your nails drag against his skin, sending goosebumps in their wake. “I wanna see you,” you purr, your eyes hooded and lustful. “C’mon, big boy. Don’t hide yourself from me.” He blinks at you, shocked. A pretty woman like you is willingly asking to see him in his fat form? “A-Are you sure?” he asks, still uncertain. 

You suddenly stand, your smile fading. Without a word, you hook your leg up onto the cushion again and take his big hand in your tinier one. He lets you, mouth parted in disbelief when you suddenly press his hand up against your mound. He gasps when he feels the heat radiating from it and the wetness staining your thong. “Does this feel like I’m sure?” you ask breathlessly. 

He slowly shakes his head, watching his own hand stroke you through your underwear. His thumb is big enough to cover your entire clit which he finds rubbing in small circles through the wet fabric of your thong. A shuddery moan leaves your lips, making his cock turn rock solid. “Can I tell you a secret, Taishiro?” you softly ask, batting those pretty lashes at him. 

He dumbly nods, eyes lust-blown. “Uh-huh,” he softly murmurs. You lean in toward him, pressing your lips to his ear. “I’ve been like this ever since you walked into the club tonight,” you whisper. “I wanted to be the one to dance for you. Only you.” Your lips peck him lightly on the cheek, leaving a sticky ring of gloss in their wake. 

You then pull away to look at him where he sees nothing but longing and lust in them. “Can I please see you?” you sweetly ask, peering down at him with those big eyes and lashes. 

Taishiro doesn’t need any more confirmation that this is what you want. That he is what you want. “Anything you want,” he practically growls, unable to hold himself back any longer. He can already feel himself starting to shift and his cock beginning to leak through his jeans. Only now he doesn’t care to hide it. 

Right before your excited eyes, he shifts into his fat form. His body grows bigger and pudgier, his rock-hard abs and stomach growing into pudge. He is now all big and burly with thick thighs, rolls, and a gut. Though the muscle mass is still there, it hides behind his chubby body that your eyes roam over in absolute lust. It feels good to have someone so pretty and sexy see him in such a way and not shy away from him. In contrast, you look like you want a piece of whatever he’s bringing to the table. 

“Oh,” you purr, sliding your hands up his pudgy thighs. “Now there’s my big boy.” You pause, your eyebrows narrowing in concern. “Is it still okay I call you that?” 

Taishiro nearly busts right there. Your patience and sweetness is making him crazy! “Honey, you can call me whatever the fuck you want,” he groans. “Just please keep touching me.” 

At this, you giggle, pleased with his answer. You give him what he wants, trailing your hands and acrylic nails all over his body. You tweak and suck on his nipples, emitting soft groans and whimpers from his lips that he feels no embarrassing making. You drag your nails up and down his stomach, the slightly sharp feeling causing his skin to tingle. You pepper his skin in kisses, never shying away from any part of him.

You make him feel like a fucking king. You wound up between his thighs, kissing his lower stomach with your nails dragging across his thick, pudgy thighs. “That feel good, baby boy?” you coo. 

It feels like the air in his lungs is being constricted with how hard it suddenly is to breathe. The room feels too hot and tight, the walls closing in around him. But this has nothing to do with anxiety or anything close to it. It has everything to do with how horny he is. All he can think about is cumming all over your pretty face. “Y-Yes,” he whimpers. “S-So good.” 

You pause your kisses for a moment, confusing him. “Do you want more?” you inquire, looking up at him from between his thighs. His brows furrow in confusion and shock. “What do you mean?” he asks, hoping he isn’t mistaken by what he thinks you are insinuating. You couldn’t possibly mean… 

You stare up at him with a look that nearly has him creaming his pants, your long, faux lashes framing your pretty eyes. “I wanna taste you, Taishiro,” you purr. “I wanna know just what's hiding behind these jeans.” Your hand moves to palm his bulge through his jeans, emitting a grin from him. “I-I thought the dancers here don’t do that,” he stutters out. 

A humorous smile pulls onto your glossy lips. “Some don’t, some do,” you snicker. “It’s a rule to not engage in sex with customers, but the girls here gotta make some extra dough.” You lean your head against his thigh, the sight giving him some very unholy thoughts of him fucking your face. “Plus, I told you already that I can make an exception for you.” 

Your hand continuous to palm him through his pants, moving in slow circles and applying the right pressure––not to hard but not too soft. Taishiro leans his head back and moans, the sound loud and unabashed. “I can feel you already,” you moan. “You’re drippin’ for me, baby boy. That’s so hot.” He looks down, finding that his pre has begun to stain his jeans. But for some reason, he isn’t mortified; not with the lustful look in your eyes. 

You look up at him again, a sensual look on your face. “So can I give you an extra birthday gift, birthday boy?” you ask. Taishiro has never gotten his belt loosened so quick in his life. “So eager!” you laugh, helping him take his pants down to his ankles. He watches you loop your hands through his boxers, his body on fire. “Are you kiddin’ me?” he scoffs. “How can I not be with someone as beautiful as you?” 

You don’t reply to his sweet comment immediately. That’s because you’re too busy gaping at his cock when it is released from its prison. He is big, thick, and extremely hard. The bulbous, pink head drips in pre-cum which dribbles enticingly down his thick shaft where a couple veins throb under the tender skin of his cock. He keeps himself trimmed, each golden-blonde public cut short but curly like the hair on his belly and chest. From his cock hangs two heavy balls, soft, sinewy with blonde hair, and holding all the cum he has for you and you alone. 

He relishes in your gaze, feeling like the sexiest man in the world. “No,” you coo. “You're the beautiful one here, birthday boy.” You start by spitting all over his cock, causing him to groan at the sight of your saliva dripping over his shaft and balls. Then you begin to stroke him, having to use both hands because he’s just too damn big for one. 

Taishiro’s toes curl in his sneakers while his head tips back. “Shit!” he hisses, unable to hold back his choice words or sounds of pleasure. Your soft, tiny hands feel so good stroking his big dick. Every move you back causes his body to tingle, his cells to come alive from the pleasure you’re giving him. The lewd, wet sounds of your hands stroking his wet cock don’t do him any good either. He’s a lost cause. 

Especially when you finally wrap your lips around him. Taishiro’s eyes nearly bulge out of his skull the minute he feels your soft lips and wet tongue wrap around him, turning all kinds of tricks and skills on his dick. Flicking, licking, sucking.

“F-Fuck,” he groans, gripping the couch beneath him. He’s never been treated so well. You’re such a good little cocksucker. He blushes red at the nasty thought. He shouldn’t be thinking of you in such a horrible way! 

But the way you’re sucking on his dick and taking him in your throat is making him think different. You grip the base of his cock with one hand as you open your throat for him, taking him as deep as you can go. The gagging sounds that emit from your pretty throat nearly makes him cum, especially when combined with the way your throat tightens around him. So wet…so tight… He wonders if your pussy is this good too. 

He bets it is. He bets it has a tight grip like your hand stroking his cock with quick strokes that have the cum rising in his cock. He bets it’s just as wet as your throat, dripping saliva down his balls. He bets you’d moan so pretty and loud for him every time he plunges his cock into you, hitting that spot that’d have you seeing stars and your eyes rolling into the back of your head. He can feel your pussy now squeezing around him, urging him to cum.

“F-fuck, darlin’!” he groans, gripping the couch for dear life. “I’m gonna cum soon! You’re gonna make me cum!” 

You hum appreciatively, nodding your head. The way your head bobs causes his cock to brush against the roof of your mouth, sending tingles throughout his dick. “Cum for me, baby boy,” you urge, speeding up your stroking until his toes are curling and his thighs are shaking. “Cum all over my face.” 

You go back to eagerly sucking him off, slurping him down like it’ll be your last meal for a while. His balls begin to tighten. He can feel himself reaching his peak. But something stops him: the fact that you won’t be cumming too. Though your mouth feels good enough to burst, he knows his release would feel even better if you’re feeling good too. Call him a people pleaser. 

“No!” he desperately cries out. “No, please, don’t! I-I don’t wanna cum yet!” 

Hearing the desperation in his voice, you pop off of his cock with a wet “pop!”, saliva dribbling from your plump, bottom lip. Why not?” you ask, sounding utterly confused. It’s so cute. He looks down at you with hooded eyes and cups your chin in his big, strong hand. “‘Cause I wanna cum when you do,” he breathlessly replies. “I wanna make you feel good too.” 

You stare at him for a moment as if trying to piece together if he’s serious. He’s sure that you’re used to men who take what they want and leave you feeling unappreciated in your line of work. But not this man. He wants to give you every ounce of pleasure he can while you’re together. “Baby,” you giggle, looking touched by his need to please you too. But you deserve it. With the amount of energy it took to dance for him and suck the soul out of his dick, he’ll gladly give you the goddamn moon.  

Before you can agree (or even disagree), your phone suddenly beeps. You pull it out from inside your boot and groan in frustration at what waits for you there. “Shit,” you sigh. “I have to go on bottle service in five minutes. We don’t have much time.” You look utterly disappointed as you toss your phone to the side. 

You aren’t the only one. Taishiro would’ve wanted to feel your wet pussy and thighs on his face or even bend you over to fuck you silly until you came all over him. But obviously, that isn’t in the plan right now. “Then what do you want me to do?” he asks, eager to please you. He takes your hands in his, squeezing them. “I’ll do anything. I just wanna get you off too.” 

You smile at his eagerness, happiness lighting up your entire face. “Just sit there,” you reply. Taishiro obeys, staying put despite his throbbing, aching cock hanging between his thighs. He just about has a stroke when you take your dress off, revealing your bra and thong. He commits the outfit to memory. You then turn around and hook your legs over his lap, straddling him, his naked cock pressed up against your wet, fabric-covered pussy.

Slowly, you begin to rock your hips back and forth, riding his cock. He watches it slide between your thighs and across your asscrack, and back again to poke at that wet cunt that feels like an oven with how hot it is. You turn to face him over your shoulder, swishing your hair in the process. “Is this okay?” you ask breathlessly. “It’s not weird?” 

He knows what you want instantly and grasps your hips, pulling you closer. His cock pushes against your clit, causing you to whimper. “Fuck no,” he huffs. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

The more you roll those hips and grind that pussy down into his cock, the more he's starting to believe it. He can only imagine how this would feel if you moved your thong to the side, but he doesn’t have a condom and he isn’t sure if you’re on protection. He doesn’t care to ask. All he cares about is cumming and more importantly, cumming with you. 

His eyes drink in the way you toss your hair and ass around, loving how good you’re feeling. That ass is especially a sight to see. The way the thong digs into your asscheeks, making them look so plump and jiggly is almost too much. He can just imagine your ass bouncing like that while his big cock is inside of you, stretching you out. His hand is coming down to smack your ass before he can stop himself.

You gasp as the loud sound of his hand connecting with your asscheek fills the air. “S-sorry!” he immediately apologizes. “I should’ve asked first! You just looked so good.” 

His face grows hot, alarmed at himself. He’s never felt so feral for a woman before. But when you lean back and cup his face in your hand, he realizes that you’re much different. You’re a freak. “I liked it,” you whimper, pleaing with your eyes. “Do it again.” 

He obliges, bringing his hand down to smack your ass again. And again. And again. The sharp sound of his hand hitting your luscious asscheeks causes him to grind up into you, meeting the roll of your hips. Moans, gasps, and shuddery exhales fill the air as you both grind your bodies against each other, his wet cock sliding against your pussy. “Talk to me, baby boy,” you beg. “Please just say something!” 

Taishiro is happy to oblige. “You feel so good for me, darlin’,” he groans, his cock growing beneath your pussy the more you grind against it. “I feel so good I can’t taste this pretty little pussy. I wanna make you feel good too.”

You once again look behind you, letting him see those pretty eyes. “You are,” you whisper. “And you can taste me too.” You then move your fingers beneath your thong waistband where he can hear the sound of your wet pussy when you swish your fingers in it. 

You then take your fingers out, giving him a peek of your juices glistening on them. You reach back and he leans forward, immediately latching his mouth around your fingers to suck your essence off of him. He groans at your taste, his tongue swirling around your digits. You’re heavenly. “I taste good, Daddy?” you ask, smirking at him. 

He doesn’t know if it’s the taste of you on his tongue or if it’s the nickname, but something ignites in Taishiro that has him going completely off the rails for you. Suddenly, he’s leaning up and latching his arms around your body, holding your arms down so you can’t leave. A cute little squeak of surprise leaves your mouth that turns into a shuddery moan when his hips grind against your cunt harder, faster, urging you to cum.

“Sorry, darlin’,” he chuckles. “I just have to cum, and I want you to cum too.” 

He can tell from the way your body is tensing that you’re close. He leans in to your ear, his breath fanning across your face. “Can you do that for me, baby doll? Can you cum all over my thigh like a good girl?” His teeth nip at your earlobe as his cock glides across your swollen clit, causing you to cry out in pleasure. “Like my good little dancer?” he whispers. 

“Yes!” you cry out, your pretty voice bouncing off of the walls. “I’m gonna cum, Daddy! ‘M gonna cum!” You begin to babble as your release gets closer, your hips moving on their own. His one hand finds one of your breasts to play with, fondling it under your bra cup while he watches your ass grind down into his cock. “Me too,” he groans. “You’re just too much for me.” 

And you are. The softness and thickness of your body, the heat radiating off of your soaked pussy, and the way your thighs tremble against his finally takes him over the edge. “Take it!” he growls. “Take all of this cum, baby doll! My pretty lil’ dancer…” You whine in response as your orgasm takes over, making you shake and shudder against him. 

When you both cum, you cum hard. Loud moans of your release fill the room as you gush in your thong and Taishiro sprays his cum all over your pussy and thighs, creating one creamy mess. You continue to grind against his softening cock despite how much he moans and shudders at the feeling. “S-slow down please!” he begs. “S-So sensitive!” Relentless tingles course through his body as his orgasm rolls on, shocking him to his core. 

You laugh at his whimpers, poking your bottom lip out at him. “Sorry,” you giggle. “Hearing those moans are just so hot.” With a soft moan, you rise off of him, revealing how much he actually came. “Wow,” you laugh, shocked. “That’s a lot of cum, baby boy.” 

And how! His nut coats his thighs and pudgy stomach as well as your thighs, thong, and bra, dripping off of your skin.  “Oh, no, your outfit!” he gasps, mortified. “I’m so, so sorry! Can I pay for dry cleaning? How much is it? I’ll give you the money on top of your pay for the dance.” 

You begin to laugh at his panic, the sound like music to him. “Taishiro, it’s fine,” you say through a fit of giggles. “I can just wipe it off.” You walk over to the mini-bar and bend down, giving him a good view of your ass. You then retrieve some baby wipes from a drawer and hand him some to clean up with. Relief floods him when you wipe your cum off of your underwear and skin, nothing staining. 

“See?” you hum. “All clean.” You give him a smile that eases his nerves and fills with him a calm sensation despite what just transpired between you. A comfortable silence fills the air as you both dress yourselves, the sinful act of what you just did hidden. You then turn to him, pressing your hands against his chest. “Did you enjoy your gift?” you purr. 

His cock twitches at the memory of your thighs and wet cunt. “Immensely,” he sighs. “That was…amazing.” He puts his hands on your hips, bringing you closer. ”You were amazing.” 

He wants more of you. Much, much more. 

You lean your head forward, your nose brushing against his in a nuzzle that gives him tingles all over. “I’d wanna stay and snuggle, but I’ve gotta get back to work,” you sigh, sounding disappointed. You aren’t the only one. He really doesn't want this to be the last time he sees you. He’s never felt so free with a woman before, especially one that embraces his fat form. 

You look up at him, almost bashful and shy now. “I wanna see you again though. I’m sure as a pro, you’ve got your busy schedule or anything, but if you ever find yourself here again or–“ 

“Yes!” he practically shouts. He then retracts, blushing despite bursting with joy. “Yeah,” he calmly says. “I wanna see you again too.” He pulls away from you slightly, playfully teasing you. “But I think I’d need your number for that,” he chuckles. He eyes your phone across the room on the couch. 

You raise an eyebrow at him, playfully ticking your nail against your chin. “I don’t know,” you hum. “Do snuggles come with that?” For some reason, his cock twitches even more at the idea of cuddling with you. He smiles down at you, his hand gliding down to cup your ass. “Of course, darlin’. Don't you know I’m a seasoned snuggle professional?” 

You then smile brightly, giving him the impression that this is what you wanted to hear. After he slides his phone out and you put your number in for him, you stand up on your tip toes and press a sticky kiss to his cheek, signaling your departure. “Well, I’ve gotta get changed,” you announce. He releases you and watches you walk to the door, hating to see you go but loving to watch you leave. 

You turn to him before you open the door, a sexy smirk playing on your lips. “I’ll be seein’ you, birthday boy. And you’d better call me.” Taishiro smirks back at you, shoving his hands in his pockets as if that will hide his excitement. “I can try to work around my busy schedule for that.” 

You giggle at his playfulness and your hand goes for the doorknob. But you never reach for it. It pauses in mid-air as you gasp thoughtfully to yourself. “Oh, and I almost forgot!” You turn and skip back over to him, the cutest smile on your face as you do. 

Before he can take a breath, you’re grasping him and pressing your lips against his, promising more endless nights of this as his mouth glides against yours. Slowly, you pull away and smile at your glittery gloss now all over his mouth. “Happy birthday,” you whisper. 

Taishiro heart pounds against his chest as a smile crosses his lips too. His hand then reaches down into his pocket where he slips out a $100, crisp and clean. He slides it into your bra strap, emitting a bellied laugh from you. “Thanks for the gift,” he chuckles. 

THE END. 

[blood-orange-juice]

Pushing my "Childe is inspired by Uther Doul" agenda.

I wrote about how everything that he does contains a contradiction and we discussed with Cricket how Canotila's quest implies that the Abyss might not be just a place with monsters and dead forgotten gods, but rather a place where things randomly flicker in and out of existence or change to random other things.

And a huge part of my fascination with Childe is how three years after the start of the story I still can't figure him out. Human psyche doesn't bend at this angles, his combination of traits is not supposed to exist in one person (nor it can be imitated).

Yet, somehow it doesn't feel like ooc or bad writing, I have a very clear sense of what would be childelike and unchildelike, it just doesn't feel like anything that can exist inside a human brain, unless I resort to a very weird theory.

*

The theory.

China Mieville's "The Scar" has a concept called "possibility mining", certain places and certain magic/technology being able to conjure all the possible versions of a person or an object at once. It can be navigated to some extent.

There's a character called Uther Doul, a warrior-scholar, the pirate city rulers' bodyguard and overall a charming fellow. He's consistently described as someone changing the direction of his actions too quickly and unpredictably or having traits that shouldn't coexist in one person.

(he also wears grey, is proficient in most kinds of weapons and is generally polite and soft spoken. do you see my vision?)

First meeting:

  “Surrender,” he said quietly to the man before him, who looked up in terror and sobbed, fumbled idiotically for his knife.    The grey-clad man spun instantly in the air, his arms and legs bent. He twirled as if he were dancing and stamped out quickly, the bottom of his foot slamming into the fallen man’s face and smashing him back. The sailor sprawled, bleeding, unconscious or dead. As the man in grey landed he was instantly still. It was as if he had not moved.

A fight at a city arena (mostly quoting this for the reaction of other people to him):

It was only when the frenzy spread to her own boat that she realized it was a word. “Doul.” It came from all around her. “Doul, Doul, Doul.” A name. “What are they saying?” she hissed to Silas. “They’re calling for someone,” he said, his eyes scanning the surrounds. “They want a display. They’re demanding a fight from Uther Doul.” He gave her a quick, cold smile. “You’ll recognize him,” he said. “You’ll know him when you see him.” [...] Uther Doul did not seem to live in the same time as anyone else. He seemed like some visitor to a world much more gross and sluggish than his own. Despite the bulk of his body, he moved with such speed that even gravity seemed to operate more quickly for him.

The heroine contemplating after (I don't think need to comment):

They left and walked the winding nightlit pathways of Thee-And-Thine toward Shaddler, and Garwater and the Chromolith. Neither spoke. At the end of Doul’s fight, Bellis had seen something that had brought her up short and made her afraid. As he had turned, his hands clawed, his chest taut and heaving, she had seen his face. It was stretched tight, every muscle straining, into a glare of feral savagery unlike anything she had ever seen on a human being. Then a second later, with his bout won, he had turned to acknowledge the crowd and had looked once more like a contemplative priest. Bellis could imagine some fatuous warrior code, some mysticism that abstracted the violence of combat and allowed one to fight like a holy man. And equally she could imagine tapping into savagery, letting atavistic viciousness take over in a berserker fugue. But Doul’s combination stunned her. She thought of it later, as she lay in her bed, listening to light rain. He had readied and recovered himself like a monk, fought like a machine, and seemed to feel it like a predatory beast. That tension frightened her, much more than the combat skills he had shown. Those could be learned.

Uther explaining lore:

   Uther quoted something like a singer. “ ‘We have scarred this mild world with prospects, wounded it massively, broken it, made our mark on its most remote land and stretching for thousands of leagues across its sea. And what we break we may reshape, and that which fails might still succeed. We have found rich deposits of chance, and we will dig them out.’    “They meant all that literally,” he said. “It wasn’t an abstract crow of triumph. They had scarred, they had broken the world. And, in doing so, they set free forces that they were able to tap. Forces that allowed them to reshape things, to fail and succeed simultaneously-because they mined for possibilities. A cataclysm like that, shattering a world, the rupture left behind: it opens up a rich seam of potentialities.    “And they knew how to pick at the might-have-beens and pull out the best of them, use them to shape the world. For every action, there’s an infinity of outcomes. Countless trillions are possible, many milliards are likely, millions might be considered probable, several occur as possibilities to us as observers-and one comes true.    “But the Ghosthead knew how to tap some of those that might have been. To give them a kind of life. To use them, to push them into the reality that in its very existence denied theirs, which is defined by what happened and by the denial of what did not. Tapped by possibility machines, outcomes that didn’t quite make it to actuality were boosted, and made real.

Fun detail: he also wields what's called a "possible sword", it takes the shape currently preferred by the owner.

If I recall that correctly, it's never actually stated explicitly or explained why does Uther have such a weird combination of traits and fans argue a lot about which side was real.

I think all of them were. He just switched constantly between all the different versions of himself. And I think so does Childe. Not just in "he compartmentalizes" way (although that probably too) but in reality-shifting way.

I also think that's the real reason why Childe wasn't in Sumeru. His thought process itself is probably a massive spoiler. Also Nahida would have probably speedrun a corruption arc with a pace inconceivable both to King Deshret and Rukkhadevata if she tried to peek into his head.

*

It gets weirder and even more fun when you see the drops from the 4.2 boss, but I'll wait for the patch to drop to draw parallels. For now I'll just say that it involves a whale and a music instrument.

[nspwriteups]

Sakhi : Chapter 2

Here is the second chapter of Sakhi . This is a parallel to AK and Kundavai's conversation from the movie but here Nandini's location is unknown.

"Anna" Kundavai began but Aditha cut her off "What is the topic of discussion this time, thanggai?" He asked sarcastically, hinting that she always comes up to persuade him to do one thing or the other.

"I did tell you earlier" She said "That there is a conspiracy happening to bring about the destruction of Choza Nadu. You are the crown prince. You must come to Tanjore to protect our father. That is his wish" 

Aditha began to walk through the corridor with Kundavai trailing behind "Is that whi he send you here?" He asked before nodded at some soldiers who bowed before them while they passed.

"Everyone is afraid to talk to you, Anna" She reminded him of his intimidating persona "That is why I am here, to take you back to Tanjore ". Aditha knew he had a rash attitude and that his sister always knew how to confront him on it. "I don't want to come to Tanjore. I have lots of works to do here" He stopped walking, also signifying an end to the conversation but his sister was equally stubborn. 

" Are you still downing in your misery because of Nandini?" She asked exasperated and immediately regretted opening up another argument as he stared at her. "Not because of Nandini, but because of you. The emperor didn't drive her out of the kingdom. You did" 

There was a minute of silence as Kundavai thought of counterarguing him, like always. She had her reasons which no matter how much she tried to explain, passed right through his stubbornness. But she would always keep on trying, to make him understand, why she thought it was necessary. "Yes, I was the one who told the queen about her. She sent the soldiers to throw her out" 

Aditha glared at her " My life was ruined!" 

"It was for your own good!" 

"You were jealous" Aditha said.Even though he lost track of how many times they had such similar arguments, he couldn't help but mention Nandini in every conversation he had and defend her whenever Kundavai said getting Nandini out of his life was 'for his own good' "Her beauty and intelligence put yours to shame". He wanted to rile her up, wanted her to admit that she was jealous of his Nandini but Kundavai remained stoic "She was an orphan. She didn't even know her lineage. She could not be a Chola queen" She explained "I am not just your sister but also, a princess of the realm. What matters to me are the Chola people. None of us matters more" Aditha nodded and another minute of silence fell upon them. He was proud of his sister, he really was. When he first saw her step foot into the royal politics, he had his share of doubts and insecurities. On whether she would be able to handle such pressurising game of thrones and power. He was also cautious of any danger she might fall into but to his surprise, she rose to become such a fine woman that all the Choza people admired and loved. And so he was proud. He still is. But did she had to build her stack of startegies to protect Choza Nadu by stomping on his heart? 

"You took her away from me and turned me into a monster" He said looking away because he didn't had the strength to look at her. He did said those words to make her feel some guilt, some hurt just like he feels when he think about his long-lost love, but he also didn't wanted to watch his sister cry because that would break his resolve. "I was indifferent to her tears. I lost her. Since then, day and night she continues to haunt me. I don't know where she is now, no matter how much I try to search. It's like God refuses to make me meet her again" 

Kundavai felt her heart tighten. She never meant for this to happen. To turn her loving brother into a disillusioned lovelorn shell of a human. All she wanted…. She felt her eyes pricken with tears and hurried to wipe them off because she didn't wanted her brother to see her cry. 

Unknown to the both of them, a certain Vana Kula Prince was watching the verbal exchange from the start, hiding behind a pillar,his heart heavy on seeing the look of defeat in his Uyir Thozan's face and the woman he has come to love fighting back silent tears.

A/N: only the convo is taken from the movie with very slight edits. I am writing this on the go with very little pre-planning so if u have any suggestions or plot ideas u want to share, feel free to do so…eagerly waiting to hear your thoughts. Thank you ☺️

@ramcharanobsessed @dumdaradumdaradum @vibishalakshman @harinishivaa @hollogramhallucination @kovaipaavai@rang-lo. @willkatfanfromasia@thelekhikawrites@thegleamingmoon@deafeningflowercat@yehsahihai@whippersnappersbookworm@itsfookingloosah@gemsmusings@chiyaanvikram@elvenladysakura. @matka-kulfi. @madatdisney@bumblebeeskywalker@vahnithedreamer@nkarti@dosai-maavu@utterlynotperfect@winter-birds@happy-bookworm @tumbledout @anabanana4115 @freeunknownwasteland @bhataktiatmacore@rapunzels-stuff@celestesinsight@mairablue@rationalelderberry@existenceiswhateven@arachneofthoughts@spider5884fan11 @cara-2003 @nirmohi-premika @stella12 @thereader-radhika

[pynkhues]

Hey, just wanted to know your perspective on Shiv's decision. There's a huge discussion going on whether the decision was emotionally driven just to spite Kendall? Was it calculated in any sense considering her children's future or getting any power through Tom? Was she seeking Tom (the powerful man now)'s approval?

What do you think? I personally think it was multi faceted and complex and included all the things a little bit and lead her to the decision.

Would she have taken the same decision if she had no idea that it is infact Tom that Mattson's eyeing?

Hey! Oh man, it’s such a great moment and it’s one I’ve been thinking about a lot. I agree with you in the sense that it was such a multi-faceted and complex choice, and one that had many trigger points both in the sense of Shiv’s reality, her sense of power and control, and the real and mangled emotional root of her place in her own family.

Do I think it was strategic? A little, but I think she was passed the point of being able to strategise in part because she was out of time, but also in part because Shiv’s impatience means she’s just not very good at it.

I think one of Shiv’s greatest strengths is also one of her biggest flaws in that she tends not to see the wood for the trees. She’s a big picture thinker, she sees the end result she wants but not the daily machinations to get her there, which we see over and over again. She’s impatient, lives life on the backfoot so is always trying to hurry, overtake, skip steps, take shortcuts to get ahead, and when she’s asked to operate in a system where she’s forced to stop and acknowledge the reality of the moment, I think she can for once see everything for exactly what it is.

Funnily enough, I feel like the telling moment in terms of Shiv in that finale isn’t actually with Kendall or Tom at all, it’s the moment Sandi says yes in the boardroom. It’s the tiniest of beats, which Sarah plays beautifully, and it carries over from Stewy telling Shiv only moments before (after Kendall offers him Chair in their father’s office) that he thinks Shiv can still sway Sandi. We don’t see the scene, and I kind of wish we had, but the outcome is felt all the same. Shiv can’t do it, she doesn’t convince Sandi, the only woman she’s on any sort of equal footing with to vote with them, which means she has no accomplice at that table, no allies, no position, no weight, only brothers who have shown just how quickly they’ll shut her out.

I think its that failure with Sandi that ultimately untethers Shiv, because with that loss comes the loss of any way forwards for Shiv at the company. She’s no longer an heiress of her father’s making or even one of Matsson’s, she’s just a little sister, staring at her big brother, at the best friend he offers Chair to as a joke in his office when she could only play ‘behind the scenes’ so it didn’t look ‘wonky’, the person she’s spent her entire life trying to catch up to and beat, and I think she meant it, what she said to Kendall after.

She can’t stomach it.

If she can’t have it, he sure as hell can’t, and at least with Tom she has some sort of in, she has something. Not an accomplice at the table, but a trap door she could sometimes scratch her way beneath, someone who might not want a relationship with her, might not be loyal, but someone who’s bound to her, if nothing else, and someone who has no use for her brothers anymore.

Shiv would rather break the toy than let Kendall have it, even if she cut her own hands in the process, and honestly, it’s one of the reasons she’s a character of all time to me. She’s a survivor in a way none of her brothers are, but she’s also petty and selfish in the way all three of them absolutely are, and to see her really do what none of them could and cut their strings in the 11th hour was so thrilling to me. She’s kept her in, but she also knows she’s out, but at least Kendall and Roman are too. At least the three of them are locked out of the house together, even if, for a moment, they’re apart.

[mishwanders]

Chapter Eighteen [Wesker]: Bound

Pairing: Albert Wesker x GN!Cannibal Reader

Warnings: blood, discussion of more BOWs being loose.

Summary: Time for some aftercare, but then it gets ruined by Birkin -.-

Read On AO3 [ X ]

What a night.

Wesker sat in the tub with his back against the ceramic. He had one arm wrapped around your torso, keeping your back against his chest, placing kisses on your neck as he watched you take another sip of his blood from your glass, relishing in the pride that it gave him knowing that you were enjoying it.

“How was it?” He asked, his whisper dancing along your skin.

“The drink or the sex?” You asked with a chuckle.

“Both.” He replied, smiling against your neck.

He felt your head fall back against him enough to be able to look into his eyes. He could already see his answers by the way you looked at him.

“Like heaven, euphoria, ecstasy, whatever god damn name you want to give it.” You said, “It felt good, every bit of it.”

He brought his hand around, pulling up your chin to kiss your blood stained lips. He couldn’t believe this was all happening. He was living the most beautiful dream with the most beautiful of nightmares, bound together by adoration and blood. It was a dream he never wanted to wake up from.

But reality has its way of forcing you from your dreams, pulling you back like a leash around your neck, a terrible reminder of its hold. Today reality chose to do so through the means of William Birkin, and the cursed ringing of a cell phone.

Both of your attention was drawn to the sound of it going off on the counter, groaning in irritation at its interruption. Wesker squinted at it in disapproval. Birkin knew he wouldn’t be available for the evening, and was told to only contact due to an emergency. As much as Wesker didn’t want to move from his spot with you, he knew that he had to.

Wesker placed one last kiss on your neck before asking you to move a bit, allowing him out so he could dry himself off and attend to whatever issue Birkin was about to present him with. He moved over to the counter, towel wrapped around his waist, and answered it.

“What is it?” He asked, the irritation heavy in his tone.

“Calm down, I don’t mean to butt in the middle of your little date with your pet, but we’ve got a situation.” Birkin said on the other end of the line.

“Like?”

“I don’t suspect you’ve seen the news reports coming out about the number of dead people being found in the Arklay forest? All of them have been mutilated and mauled in similar ways.”

Wesker arched his brow in curiosity.

“SImilar to the woman found in the Aime’s River?” Wesker asked

“Correct. I think we either have one or more bioweapons running amuck out there. We need to send out the Umbrella Security Service to handle this.” Birkin stated

Wesker turned his attention back to you. He could see the concern in your eyes, knowing you could hear Birkin’s voice. You took another sip of the blood in your glass and he couldn’t help but feel enchanted by it, pulled into the visage of you.

And that’s when he got an idea.

One that would formulate in his head for the rest of the night.

“Birkin, we’re not going to make that call just yet.” Wesker stated

“Wait what?” Birkin asked, exasperated.

“You heard me. I think we could use this to our advantage.” Wesker replied

“How so?” Birkin asked, equally concerned and curious.

Wesker grinned at the sound of his curiosity. He had the man hanging on his words again. Wesker began to think of his lovely little S.T.A.R.S. team, and all of the madness that would ensue the moment they stepped foot into the forest. The combat data they would get out of this could surpass so much, giving them data on each bioweapon, not just what they needed on the T and G virus alone. There was a chance he could have the Umbrella Security Service stay to the outer perimeter of the forest. It would keep the bioweapons from encroaching on to the city or other small neighboring towns.

It would be the perfect plan.

“Why waste our time trying to take S.T.A.R.S., when S.T.A.R.S. can come to us?”

“I don’t think I follow.” Birkin replied.

That was alright, Birkin didn’t have to follow his train of thought, not yet anyway. But Wesker knew that you had caught on, seeing the glint in your eye, the growing smile on your face.

“Don’t worry about it for now Birkin, I’ll meet with you tomorrow to discuss further.”

“Fine, have it your way then.” Birkin replied

Wesker ended the call, placed the phone back down on the counter, and made his way back over to you. He knelt down beside the tub, seeing you look up at him from your resting place on the edge, devilish grin on your face.

“Let me guess, more people found dead?” You asked

He nodded.

“That’s correct. But, I think this will work out in our favor quite nicely.” He replied

“Does this mean our little ‘experiment’ will be coming to fruition soon?”

He looked at you with amused surprise.

“You’re calling it ‘our experiment’ now?” He asked you in return.

“Of course I am. We’re in this together, are we not?”

He smiled at you, pulling your chin up to him. He placed another kiss on your lips, tasting the remains of his blood. He knew you were right, both of you now bound together, to see it all through. There was no one else he’d want to do this with, to change the world with.

“We’re in this together.” He replied.

“Now and forever.”

Chapter Seventeen: LOVE ADDICT

Chapter Nineteen: Gimme a Minute

[princessfbi]

💛 How about "I can't concentrate when you look at me like this." for the fanfic sentence starters 😁😘

(@like-the-rest-of-la)

“I can't concentrate when you look at me like that.”

“Like what?” Buck managed to squeak indignantly from behind Eddie’s hand that was settled over his face.

Eddie didn’t bother responding because Buck knew exactly what he was doing with his big puppy eyes and the pouty lips and the curls on his head just a little wild from running his fingers through it. The only surprise had been that Buck had managed to keep his hands to himself.

Eddie grimaced as Buck licked his palm and he pulled his hand way only to wipe it on his face. Buck squawked again as he tried to knock off Eddie’s hand.

“You’re the one bothering me!” Buck cried. “I’m just sitting here. Minding my own business.”

“Uh huh,” Eddie said, sounding thoroughly unimpressed.

Buck just happened to fold himself in the center of the couch— even though they had had discussions at length about how that should be a crime when not cuddling— and just so happened to be wearing those sweatpants that made Eddie half hard just thinking about most days. Eddie’s boyfriend was many things but subtle was not one of them.

And normally Eddie would indulge him. The only thing in the world he wanted to do was to toss his books aside and pin Buck right there in the center of the couch— another equal exception to the rule— to take him apart piece by piece until he was begging to come.

But Eddie also wanted to pass his paramedics recertification as well. It wasn’t an easy test and being able to swing in was a nice extra cash flow.

Buck had managed to capture Eddie’s arm and held it to his chest like he was hugging it. But his foot was also nudging against Eddie’s ankle and then Buck did that sweet thing he did when he was feeling clingy where he kissed the bolt of Eddie’s shoulder that always managed to make his resolve melt.

“Baby.” Eddie sighed, resisting with about every fiber of his being. He finally tore his gaze away from his book and found Buck staring at him, wide eyed and innocent with a smile he was trying to bite away. He was ridiculous. “I’ve got to finish this.”

“So,” Buck said with a shrug, his hand settling on Eddie’s thigh. The weight of his palm alone would’ve had Eddie moaning if he wasn’t already biting his cheek. “Finish this. I can entertain myself.”

Teasing fingers rubbed little swirling patterns up Eddie’s thigh and Eddie was weak.

He splayed open his legs and glared at Buck’s triumphant little noise as he unfolded so he could settle on his front. His legs were too long to fit and Buck hooked his calves up to cross his ankles in the air as he got to work battling Eddie’s shorts.

It was a ridiculous visual but Eddie was too busy concentrating on not throwing his textbook aside and grabbing onto Buck’s hair to laugh.

In fact…

Eddie sucked in a sharp breath when Buck managed to free him and the sight of Buck’s head was going to be immensely distracting so he could always just—

Buck should’ve been offended when Eddie put his textbook on his head because most people would be when giving their boyfriends head.

But instead, Buck continued to prove that he was full of surprises when he shuddered so hard that Eddie felt it in his lips, making him jerk up. Buck’s hand settled on his hip and held him still so he wouldn’t choke.

His mouth went dry and Eddie sank into the couch as Buck got to work while Eddie lost any and all motivation to study for the rest of the night.

[aceandnancy]

I’m so mad at the writers for putting Ace AND Nancy with new slowburn love interests! Especially after the crap of the last two seasons. This is a mess and I fear by the time the show ends I won’t feel satisfied with Nace. They literally aren’t together yet and they’re going to be rushed now when the writers had 4 seasons to actually put them together. They just strung us along for hype and views to the detriment of Nace’s development and pacing. It truly feels like they waited too long 😕

Unfortunately, it was always going to be rushed. This may be a controversial opinion, but I don’t think the writers really value Nace as much as the fans do. They probably resent them for consuming so much attention and that’s why they like baiting us to watch knowing there's no follow through. Plus, they were never going to let them be in a relationship anyway because they need Nancy to be unhappy in order to drive the drama. They also use her love life in general as a plot device (every season her current man is tied to the current mystery plot). If she was happily dating Ace, they wouldn’t be able to use her misery and her love life as a main story engine anymore. 

Initially, when I first heard that TPTB were in discussions to end the show for months, I was thinking (against my better judgement), maybe there’s a chance they’ll end this ridiculous curse nonsense early and put Nancy and Ace together by 4x08 or 4x09 since it was the final season. However, then stuff started leaking that there’s probably more unnecessary randoms being thrown in the middle of their love story again and changed my mind. I would not be surprised if they’re doing this to dilute Nace, so fans will lose interest. I mean these are the same people who gave us the nonsensical mess known as 3x10 and who tried to gaslight the fans into thinking dull Park was on equal footing with soulmate Ace. I will never trust them again (and I sure as hell don’t trust any attempts at damage control. They were probably pretty peeved their “amazing” storyline was leaked months before it aired). 

Personally, I always thought nothing would happen until 4x12 anyway (because it was always going to dragged out)…but now I think it’s probably all in the series finale thanks to a last minute re-write…and I’m guessing it will only be one lousy kiss. I think they originally devised this curse not as a Nace storyline, but as a way to keep them apart, so they WOULDN’T have to do them until the last possible minute. It was essentially kicking the can down the road by cleverly disguising their disinterest as a “slowburn”. 

If the writers think I want to watch Nace dating other people for the third season in a row, then they are sadly mistaken. I would understand the concept of short-lived rebounds before Ace found out about the curse (even though they are NOT NEEDED), but these randoms seem to be a bigger deal (at least Nancy’s does...).  I have zero interest in watching that transpire when the time for romantic third parties is over. It’s incredibly tedious, uncreative, and insulting to the fans who stuck around this long and through an incredibly long hiatus. (Right now, my viewership is up in the air and if I do watch, it will be time-shifted with ALOT of fast-forwarding. It’ll be like the randoms don’t exist to me even at the expense of the main characters). 

When I started watching this show, I envisioned Nace would get together by Season 2 or 3 and would just be an awesome power couple solving mysteries together. I never pictured them with all of this ~drama. Now, the sad thing is…we’re never going to get the meaningful payoff other couples do when a slow burn finally plays out. We’re not going to see those domestic, loving, and quiet moments of them just being together in the context of the larger show. And it just breaks my heart because I feel like I wasted my time and energy on nothing. 

Long story short, they waited too long, and now the fans (and Nace's legacy) will ultimately pay the price. 

[mythandral]

Honestly? Kinda want to see Moenbryda and Myth discuss creating White Auracite.

ok i love this

myth has a hard time with magic and magic-adjacent stuff, which i think auracite would fall under, but i can see moenbryda generally approaching magic in a far more practical way than how most scholars in the field do, in a manner that manages to engage myth as an engineer

the theoretical nature of most magical studies is overwhelming to myth, but here we have a real, tangible problem that needs a solution, and that myth is fantastic at. and if moenbryda is able to switch his perspective so he can take this approach, he will find that he is more than capable of understanding the theory, even if he still can't cast the spells.

that is a Big Thing! originally it was steph who managed to properly switch that part of his brain on, but i love the idea of myth arriving at the manufactory with some prior experience so they're on more equal footing from the get-go

personality wise i think myth would really like her too. she's strong willed, pragmatic and smart and willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good, so they have a lot of similarities. very similar 'cool science teacher energy' i feel. they'd get on tremendously well 🥺