#but i'm glad to have managed what i did! ^^

[pharawee]

As if the BL industry news of the past few days weren't bleak enough already... it's now come to light that not only were the actors from the recently aired BL Eye Contact paid very (very!) little, they also weren't paid at all for promo appearances and commissions -- and that although their management received a fixed (and much higher) amount of money as their intended actor's fee. The actors in question (Bank Toranin, New Chunnawan, Jame Supawit and Thap Tepphong) have since hired a laywer and are seeking to terminate their contracts with their current management.

I already knew that actors in Thai BL dramas were paid very little but this is positively exploitative -- especially since none of them were ever paid for promotional events which should actually make them the most money. And again I'm reminded of when Yoon Phusanu experienced a very similar situation with his former management and urged his fellow actors to always stay on top of their contracts and advocate for themselves.*

*And apparently none of the actors mentioned here were ever actually given copies of their contracts. What the fuck.

The unfortunate reality is that lots of fans don't really care if the people behind their favourite show/movie/game/group are treated well as long as they get some good entertainment out of it (often stating that the show etc already exists so there's no harm in watching because it "honours" the actors' work etc - yeah no that's not how it works) . This is why it's so important to shine a light on things like this and showcase it so openly -- very public press conference and photo shoot with your lawyer included. I really hope that Bank and the others will at least get released from their contracts. As for Eye Contact? Yeah, fuck that show. I'm glad I never found the time to finish watching.

I'll put the machine-translated article from the Daily News detailing what's happened, the amount of money that was apparently embezzled and the ongoing legal proceedings behind a cut. Happy raging reading:

4 BL Drama Actors Appeal for Fairness: Claim Agency Deducted Their Pay and Sent Them to Events for Free

Four young male actors from a Boyslove (BL) drama have appealed for justice through lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet, stating they want to terminate their contracts with their management company. They allege that their fees were deducted without notice, and they were made to attend numerous events without being paid or reimbursed for expenses.

On June 22, at the Office of the Ronnarong Foundation for Justice Restoration in Society, located on Chaeng Watthana Road in Nonthaburi Province, four actors—Mr. Toranin Manosukprasert (nickname: Bank, age 26), Mr. Thap Thepphong (nickname: Tup, age 23), Mr. Chunnawan Mandee (nickname: New, age 22), and Mr. Supawit Wongfz (nickname: Jame, age 21)—stars of the BL drama "เพียงสบตา" (Eye Contact) airing on Channel 25 (GMM Grammy), met with lawyer Ronnarong to discuss legal issues, claiming that they were treated unfairly by their agency.

Bank stated that he played the lead role in the series alongside his three friends and more than ten additional young actors, including high school students. They were paid per episode, totaling 90,000 baht (~€2,300). After tax deductions, he received about 80,000 baht (~€2,050), which was paid. However, after the drama ended, the company sent him to dozens of promotional events without providing any compensation or covering his expenses. He also helped the company sell thousands of books but did not receive the agreed-upon commission.

Bank further revealed that while he personally received 90,000 baht, he later learned that the company had actually been given 150,000 baht (~€3,850) per actor by upper management as their acting fee. This discrepancy, which was not disclosed to them, made him feel taken advantage of. All four actors had signed a 1 year and 6 months contract with the company. They are now seeking legal help to determine whether the contract can be terminated.

Tup added that he received only 20,000 baht (~€515) for his role. He is less concerned about the amount but questions why the company failed to pay or support them during the many events they were asked to attend. He also feels exploited and is asking lawyer Ronnarong to help them terminate their contract.

Jame said he was paid 18,000 baht (~€465), which he felt was extremely low, considering the company reportedly received 150,000 baht (~€3,850) per actor. When they tried to ask about it, the company refused and claimed the money had gone to various expenses and taxes.

New said he was promised 70,000 baht (~€1,800) but was only paid 20,000 baht (~€515). When he followed up, he too was denied the remaining amount. Upon learning that the company received 150,000 baht (~€3,850) each for the four of them and six other junior actors—totaling 1.5 million baht (~€38,500)—he felt even more wronged. However, he clarified that they are not seeking the unpaid portion, only legal help to cancel the remaining contract and be free from the company.

Lawyer Ronnarong stated he will take the case to the Minister of Justice to find a legal pathway to terminate the contract, which is possible if there's evidence of exploitation. He urged the company’s executives to show empathy, pointing out that all the actors are still students and should be treated fairly, not taken advantage of.

[joostglazer]

maar ik ben er nog en jij ook

(but im still here, and you are too)

female reader x vampire!joost

summary: while on vacation in the netherlands with a friend, you find yourself enamored by the strange employee at an internet cafe

word count: 7424

content warnings: 18+ RPF SMUT, biting, blood, blood play, blood drinking, pain play, unprotected piv

a/n: This is for 80 followers!!! Thank you all so so much, I love you all, I love getting comments and questions and all the brilliant kindness you all have shown me in the short time since I joined!

Also, this is a early 2000s AU, not that i lived through that in any meaningful way besides being a dumb child but i have such an affinity for it i had to. internet cafe is soooo 2004-2007 to me.

i think about vampire!joost so much i mind need to make my own headcanons posts because its like bad bad, im obsessed.

You stare at the dingy storefront building, trying to decide if you want to go in or not. It looked…scuzzy. A big sign hangs on the front, kind of flapping in the wind, that reads "YES WE ARE OPEN", a neon sign blinks "OPEN", on the glass door vinyl letters read "Internet Cafe 24/7".

It's two pm on a Monday, so you're not exactly shocked they're open. There's a couple of patrons at the desks, you slink past them as you enter. A stern looking man sits at the desk, he has an eye patch, and a pin on his suit jacket says 'manager'. You're as thrilled as he is to be here, which is to say not very. But your friend wanted to check her email and she had met a guy that recommended this place, so you rent two computers and wait for her. She had gotten sidetracked talking to another girl on the street.

But the next time you come back, two days later just after one in the morning you are a little surprised to see it is in fact still open. You couldn't sleep, and figure it's probably the most pleasant place to spend the night. There's a different employee behind the desk now, of course. He's wearing headphones and an unfriendly scowl on his face, and you want to talk to him less than the manager.

You sigh and steel yourself, approaching the desk. He looks up before you have a chance to say anything, there's a cigarette hanging from his lips despite the No Smoking sign on the wall behind him.

"Ja?" He says simply, blowing the smoke away from you, pushing his headphones to rest around his neck.

"Uh, hi. Can I get two hours on a computer?" You give a small smile.

He blinks at you, his lashes darkened by mascara fluttering. You realize how cute he is when he looks up at you like that, the black eyeshadow around his eyes, they're blue, like ice blue, lighter around the pupil slightly. You're so focused, so entranced by his eyes that you almost don't hear what he's saying. "Why?"

"Huh? Why?" You ask, trying to process the question. You know what he's asking, the manager guy asked the same question the other day.

"Ja. What do you want to use the computer for?" He ashes the cigarette and takes another drag.

"Um. Internet. I'm just here to check my email and like- MySpace." You fumble to get the money from your bag.

"Sending email is extra." He says simply. He doesn't wear a pin like his manager does. You wonder if it would just say 'Internet Cafe Employee' if he did.

"I know. I was here the other day." You sigh, handing over the banknotes.

"It's dumb, huh?" The Employee messes with the little cash register machine on the desk.

"Yeah. A little." You chuckle, watching him put the cash away and gather up your change and a little receipt. He takes a moment to scribble on the receipt before handing it over.

"You're at fourteen." He points out into the rows of computers. You glance at the receipt quickly and see he wrote the number there too and pocket it.

"Thanks, dude." You say, smiling.

He smiles back, it's small, courteous, but it's cute. He's cute.

You find your way to the computer, and are secretly glad the employee didn't sit you next to any of the few patrons here. It's a little close to the desk, actually. But maybe it's just because you're a foreigner and he doesn't trust you, you do feel his eyes on you. Though, everytime you glance over he isn't looking, so you tell yourself you're imagining it.

You're there for about an hour before someone has a problem that the employee has to address. He walks past you to get there, you glance up after getting a chill, goosebumps on your arms, to see him walking down the aisle away from you. You go back to what you were doing, commenting on someone's MySpace blog, but when the employee goes back to his desk, the computer you're at shuts off. "No, wait..What the-" You splutter, watching the screen kind of blink before going black.

You’re scared to touch it. What if the guy thinks you did this! You were just on MySpace, you didn't download any viruses or anything. You stare at the monitor hoping it will come back but it doesn't and you have to stand and drag your feet over the front desk.

The employee is focused on the monitor on his desk, he's typing something, but quickly glances up when you approach. "Uh, hi. Sorry, um- My computer just shut down and like-- I didn't do anything." You gesture behind your back, giving the employee an anxious smile. God, you don't have the money to pay for the computer if you killed it somehow.

He sighs a little. "Ja, ja. Give me a second. You can go sit back down." He waves you off, going back to typing.

You're hesitant to go back, but you do, sitting back down on the plastic chair feeling like that might break under your weight too. It'd be just your luck. "I dunno what happened," You sigh when the employee appears next to you. You didn't even hear him, you don't know how, with those huge boots he's wearing. "I was just on MySpace and then it like flashed or blinked and pbbt- dead. I didn't wanna do anything 'cause-Like, you're the professional."

He listens to you ramble, a smile on his face. You're surprised by how genuinely kind he looks in the moment, not frustrated by your silly incompetence like you expected. "I'm not a professional, but I'll give it a look. Let me in." He plops down in the chair at the terminal next to you, and both chairs squeak obnoxiously as you scoot to make way for him. You would have let him sit where you are but, he insisted.

His knee brushes yours as he leans in to poke at the tower, pressing the power button. Once the machine starts humming he leans back and both of you watch the monitor. He shifts a little in his chair to slip a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his front pocket and lights one as he waits, setting the pack on the desk. You find yourself watching him take a drag from it, exhaling the smoke, but quickly look back to the monitor when his eyes flick to you. You see the smug grin spread across his face in the dark reflection but it's quickly replaced by the boot screen.

The logo for the operating system appearing on a deep blue background, 'unityOS' in white with stars around the word, a little loading bar underneath. It's a good few seconds before the log-in screen comes up, a little jingle playing in the transition and the employee sits up and reaches over to enter the admin password. The desktop has the same OS logo in the corner, you've never heard of it before.

"There. It's fine," He sits back, and smiles at you, pleased with himself. His canine teeth are a little longer, sharper than most people's. But, well, everyone's different. "These things are old, they tend to just crash sometimes."

"Thanks. Sorry for wasting your time, I just didn't want to fuck it up." You sigh a little, feeling embarrassed now. You could have just turned it on yourself. Stupid shit, you mentally berate yourself. Both of you flinch back at the same time, though you don't notice the employee's pouting expression. You're too focused on the sudden pain in your brain.

"That's what I'm here for. I'm happy to help." He assures, still smiling. You nod and hold a hand to your forehead, a dull throbbing there. Probably a headache from being up late and staring at the screen.

"Sure," You kinda just mumble, watching him stand and stretch. His shirt rides up and you get a glimpse of his belly before you quickly look away. "Uh-..I think I got it from here. Thanks, um- Again, yeah."

You hear him chuckle softly above, and you don't look away from the monitor, trying to remember what you're doing. He scrambled your thoughts. He's pretty, too pretty. "Of course. Don't be afraid to ask if you need anything else." He says, putting the chair he used away and left for the front desk.

You log back into MySpace, and go back to what you were doing before the computer crashed. You finally leave the comment on that blogpost, though you can't remember exactly what you wanted to say. You spend the rest of the time making idle chatter with a friend in America who is awake. Though you kind of can't stop thinking about the employee. You had seen his stomach, you were too embarrassed to look too long, but you looked. You keep replaying the moment, him stretching, the skin pale but covered with a layer of hair.

You leave fifteen minutes before your time's up, and feel eyes on your back as you gather your stuff and go. But you don't look back, digging in your bag for the directions back to the hotel you had printed out last time you were there. During the walk back you stick your hand in your pocket and rediscover the receipt, pulling it out to look at it while you wait at an intersection. You realize there, already halfway to the hotel that the employee didn't just write the terminal number on the receipt but his number too. And his name, Joost. You feel foolish for not having looked at it before, but you feel satisfied knowing his name now.

You're out in five minutes by the time you get back to the hotel. You don't dream the rest of the night, which your friend is disappointed to learn the next morning, and she spends brunch telling you all about her dream. You talk about how you went back to the Internet Cafe, but don't tell her about the employee, Joost. You still have the receipt with his phone number on it, but you're too nervous to call. You know your friend would insist you call if you told her, she'd insist you let her listen.

Later that night, your friend tries to get you to go clubbing. You refuse, say you don't feel up to it, say you think you're just going to stay in. It's not totally a lie, you really don't feel up to it, but just because you want to go back to that dumb Internet Cafe again. You don't need to, you could just go out with your friend and forget all about it. You can't, for some reason, you can't just forget the building and guy who works there. Joost.

You fumble in your pocket for the receipt as you walk to the Internet Cafe. He's just cute and kind of interesting that's all. Your friend wouldn't blame you for wanting to talk to a cute guy, you're sure of it. You rub the slip of paper between your fingers, just something to ground you. You pull open the front door and step into the storefront, immediately surrounded by the cool air inside. There's a few people, two of the same people from the night before.

The same employee sits at the desk, you're grateful for that. You'd probably turn right around and leave if Joost wasn't there. He looks up as you approach, smiling already. Like he knew you were there before he looked. He pushes his headphones off his ears, you see this time they’re plugged into a PSP. He puts that down and focuses his attention on you. It’s dizzying almost, his eyes on you like that. They’re so…Almost piercing, so blue, his pupils little pinpricks as he looks you over.

"Didn't expect to see you back so soon." He says, and you look away. You're embarrassed for coming back at all, for not even calling him, for not turning around when you noticed his number. It doesn't help that he was looking into your eyes as he spoke, the eye contact making you squirm a little, discomfort gnawing at you for a moment too long.

You play with the little laminated placard displaying the different services offered. "Um, yeah. Sorry, for- Not calling you, or whatever. I only saw that after I got back to my hotel room." You fib slightly, so you don't feel as embarrassed.

You hear a soft huff of laughter come from him. "It's okay. I thought I creeped you out."

"Oh, no. You're like really cool, actually.." You trail off a little, losing what you were going to say when the bell on the door rings.

"So, how long?" You look back up at the question and find him looking at you head tilted slightly.

"Two hours, I guess is fine. No email, nothing, just using the Internet. Myspace." You fish out the money from your pocket and hand it over.

He scribbles on the receipt, holding it out after completing the transaction. "You're at fourteen." He says, pointing at the computer again.

"Thanks, Joost." You smile as you go to take your seat at number 14 again.

You don't pay attention to the person who came in behind you, logging into Myspace and quickly getting caught up in everything. A few minutes of trying not to eavesdrop but hearing the patron complain about the computers here, you start digging through your bag for your iPod and headphones.

One of your fingers catches something in there and you pull your hand out with a sharp gasp at the sudden pain. You don't even know how a thumb tack got in there but when you reach back in with your other hand, you find that's indeed what hurt you when you fish it out. You wait quietly, patiently, until the other person has given up and left the Internet cafe before you go back to Joost.

"You're bleeding!" Is the first thing he says when you step up. You're caught a little off guard by how quick he noticed but brush it off.

"Yeah, there was a thumb tack in my bag. I dunno where it came from but whatever, uh- Do you guys have like a first aid kit, I just need a little Band-Aid." You mumble, kind of cradling your finger, it doesn't hurt but you don't want to drip blood on the counter.

"Ja- Yes, we do. In the back. I can help, let me help." He stands and steps out from the desk and points at the beaded doorway, pushing open the yellow door and ushering you in.

"Wait, are you the only employee?" You ask, glancing back briefly before the door shuts.

"They won't do anything. Don't worry." He says, turning on the lights. You could have sworn his eyes glinted red in the dark, but there is a little security camera in the corner of the ceiling. You just saw that, you tell yourself that's all it was. The little red light of the camera.

It's a small employee break room with a fridge, microwave, even a coffee machine. It makes you wonder why coffee isn't served in the actual Internet Cafe, the one you've been to before was an actual cafe. "Here, sit." He gently directs you to sit at the small square table.

"Thanks, y'know for doing this." You mutter awkwardly, watching him. He opens a couple of the cupboards, looking for the first aid kit. He's not listening, you hear him mumbling to himself as he looks, 'ik denk..ik denk..'. You feel silly for caring so much about this guy who's basically a stranger, why are you so interested? Why are you even here? You could have just waited for the little poke to stop bleeding and go back to Myspace. You couldn't help yourself.

He sets the first aid kit on the table when he retreives it, and starts going through it before stopping to feel at his pockets. You almost start laughing when you see what he pulls out, a pair of thin rectangular glasses. "You wear reading glasses? How old are you?" You ask, unable to keep the laughter from your voice.

"How old do you think I am?" He asks smoothly, looking close at something he pulled out before opening it. He's careful to grab your hand, holding your finger as he wipes it clean with a little alcohol wipe.

"Uh. I dunno. Twenty five, maybe?" His fingers are cold, you can't really feel the rest of his hand due to the fingerless gloves he's wearing, but his fingers are cold. Maybe he should wear full gloves, you think, if he has poor circulation. But you're not about to lecture a stranger.

"Close. Twenty seven." Joost smiles at you, not quite a toothy grin but you see his sharp teeth. He's pretty, his smile is cute, you can't help but smile back. He finds the antibiotic and smears a little on the small wound.

"You look good. I mean. Y'know. For your age." You stumble over your words, quickly looking away from him. Those eyes.

"Ja? You think so," He smooths a small bandage around your finger. It's intimate. All of this is intimate. It should feel weirder than it does. "Do you think I'm pretty?"

Your brain short circuits a little. Like that computer did yesterday. It's almost like he read your thoughts, though you know better. Telepathy, or whatever, mind reading, isn't real. "Uh- We should be getting back. You should be at work." You chuckle a little, an almost anxious sound.

He sighs and nods. Standing up straight and shutting the first aid kit, gathering the bandage wrappers and tosses it in the trash can. "You're right. Though, you should know..There's hardly any customers at night. We're okay." His voice is low as he walks you to the door back to the Internet Cafe, turning the light off as you go.

"Thanks, again. And sorry, for interrupting your work." You say as if he hadn't been playing on a PSP this whole time. He sits back at the desk, folding his glasses and tosses them onto the desk.

The phone on the desk starts ringing. He says, "Fuck- I'll give you an extra fifteen minutes free. If you want." before picking up and taking the call.

You kind of mumble a yeah, maybe and go back to number 14. You frown at the thumb tack still there on the desk and glance around to see if you can spot a trashcan where you can get rid of it, but almost make eye contact with a guy who is upset his computer shut off. So you quickly put your head down and finally pull out your headphones so you don't have to listen to…Well, everything.

Time passes much faster when you tune out everything around you. You don't realize how long you've been there until Joost is right next to you, smiling as he taps your shoulder a little. "Time's up, unless you wanna pay for more."

"No, no. I should be going, I guess." You shake your head, closing the Internet browser, and starting to put your iPod away.

"Are you going to come back tomorrow?" He asks, watching you pull your bag over one shoulder.

"Maybe. I dunno. why?" You ask, looking up at him, drawn into those ice blue eyes. God, he's almost too much.

"Oh. 'Cause, I have tomorrow off. So." It's like he knows. How does he know the only reason you didn't turn around was because he was here.

"So, I don't have any reason to come back, then." You go ahead and just say it. You watch his eyes shift, the way he looks you up and down again. Really properly taking you in.

"Ja? Just here for me, are you?" He steps a little closer, and you half wonder if his boots are like, platforms or something because he seems so big.

"Yeah, basically." You huff out a little laugh, you're awkward, looking him in the eyes makes you feel funny.

"Do you want to come over to my place tomorrow?" Joost gives a sweet smile and tilts his head slightly as he asks. And…You just can't say no.

"Okay, sure." You nod a little, impossibly endeared by him. There's a funny feeling in you, you chalk it up to a beautiful boy looking at you, inviting you over to his place.

"Cool. Come here, I'll give you the address." He beckons you to follow him to the reception desk, and you do. He sits back down and rips a card off the Rolodex to write down his address. You peer over the desk and watch.

And you notice a small container of thumb tacks by the keyboard. The same kind that was in your bag and hurt you. But before you can think to say anything he's handing over the little card. "I'm up and awake by midnight."

"Really? Real night owl, aren't you?" You slip the card into your pocket, knowing if you put it in your bag your friend would find it.

"Something like that.." He smiles and you feel dizzy. Your head's fuzzy and you don't know when it started. You're tired, you haven't been sleeping good.

"Okay. I'll see you then." You nod a little, and smile back. Stepping into the night seems to clear your head, it's a cool night and it makes you feel much better to be in it.

You look at the little card Joost gave you, just to make sure it's real. It's hard to believe, you don't know what you did to deserve it. A cute guy's number and his address.. You wonder if you really should go, a stranger's place in the middle of the night. But he seemed so nice and genuine. You don't entertain any of the thoughts that come after 'whats the worst that could happen'.

Your friend isn't back when you get to the hotel, which you're glad for. You fall asleep almost immediately. When you wake up later, much later into the next day, your friend still is gone but she texted you about going back with a guy. You find a place for food and fall asleep in the hotel room again. Your friend comes back and wakes you up shortly after. She talks about the guy she met, and you keep thinking about the guy you met.

She talks about going out again, and is so dissapointed when you say you don't want to go out again. You can't tell her why, she'd freak out. Meeting a guy is one thing, she'd be thrilled if it was just that. But you know she wouldn't let you go to a strange guy's place at midnight. You tell her maybe you'll go to the Internet Cafe, and it's not a lie, you need to print directions to Joost's place. She's displeased with that answer, but you know the truth would make her a nervous wreck.

You're not a nervous wreck per se, but you are nervous. It was weird going back to the Internet Cafe and talking to a different employee, a man with dark curls, tattoos on his face and a nose piercing. He was really nice. You hang out in the Internet Cafe until midnight rolls around and then you start the walk, following the directions you printed out.

Your hands shake a little as you walk, as you go to the apartment building, ride the elevator up to the third floor. You worry that this was a bad idea, worry that you should have never agreed to go to the Internet Cafe in the first place. Until you knock twice on the door and wait for a few moments and Joost opens the door. The apartment is dark inside, and he blinks and squints at the bright light in the hallway.

"Hallo. Wasn't sure if you'd come or not." He chuckles as he steps back and lets you in.

“I wasn’t sure either.” You admit with a nervous laugh, blinking trying to adjust to the dark. Letting him take your bag and hang it on a coat hook.

“Well, I’m glad you did." He smiles and starts leading you deeper into the apartment.

"Wait up, please. Ow, fuck." You stumble into the corner of a side table.

"Here, take my hand," He says, reaching out to you, and you do so. Holding his hand, he's cold, noticeably cold. Like your hands get in the winter, but it's summer, and the apartment isn't cold. Maybe just his room is. "Do you want anything to drink? Wine? Beer?" He offers, nodding to the little kitchen space.

"Uh, I dunno. Are you going to?" You ask, leaning on one of the counters, watching as he opens the fridge, making a small bit of light in the dark room. You finally get a decent look at his outfit, a long sleeved polo shirt and a pair of jeans. It's simple but incredibly attractive.

"No, but you can. Don't worry." He assures, and you do feel calm with his words.

"I don't think so. I'll just have like- I dunno, a soda or something, I'm fine," He hums a little but passes you a cherry cola, and takes your hand again, leading you to his bedroom. "So, what did you wanna do?"

The room is decently sized actually, lit dimly with a candle lamp on his dresser, a small TV also on the dresser, displays the DVD menu for a movie you don't know. On the wall, above the bed shoved in a corner is a Nosferatu poster. A cluttered computer desk in the corner, he takes a moment to close everything and power it off. "Uh, I was thinking we could just watch some movies. My roommates are sleeping so we have to be quiet." He sits in the chair by the desk.

You set your still unopened soda on his night stand. "Okay. What kind of movies do you like? Horror, I assume? You like vampires?" You nod to the Nosferatu poster, sitting on the edge of the bed..

"I like them, yeah. A lot. They're really cool, don't you think?" He props an elbow on the arm of the chair, and leans his chin in his hand, watching you, waiting for your answer.

"I mean, yeah. I like Dracula, the original one." You finally open the soda, holding it just so you have something to do with your hands.

"I have that one, you want to watch it?" He offers, sitting up straight. His eyes are bright, the candle and the red walls give them that red shine again. You glance to the small TV and try not to think about it.

"On that? Sure, why not?" You chuckle, even the TV in your hotel room was bigger than his. But you think, he probably can't afford a big, new expensive TV working at the Internet Cafe.

Joost stands and comes over to the bed, feeling around under it and pulls out a big disc binder, swapping the disc in the TV with Dracula. He sits on the inside of the bed, letting you take the outside so you don't feel trapped. You don't, anyways. It's comfortable, sitting with him and talking over the classic film. Neither of you feel the need to pay attention. It's not long, the movie's hardly past the halfway point when his hand comes to rest on your thigh. A silent gesture, though it's obvious what it is.

You knew it when you agreed to come over, you knew more likely than not that he would want to hook up. And, well, you're here aren't you? You're in the stranger's apartment, in his bed, letting him talk to you and touch you. Your friend would be shocked if she knew what you were up to, she was the one who regularly had flings, you rarely if ever did. It wasn't often you found people you were actually interested in. And you certainly didn't go back to their place so quick, you're not a prude but you didn't do this often.

"Can I kiss you?" He asks quietly, his voice light and gentle, his hand moving up to brush your shoulder, creeping toward your neck.

"Okay." You answer with a nod and don't have to wait until he's pressing his lips to yours, and, they're cold. There's a fan rotating in the room, but you can't even feel it where you sit on the bed, and he's still cold. The kiss is fine, but Joost is pushy, his teeth brush your lips almost like he's trying to nip you. He shifts on the bed, hands on you, on your belt loops, tugging.

Quickly he gets you on top of him, hands roaming your body as you make out. He's so much, almost overwhelming, you've never been kissed like this before. With a raw sort of hunger, so needy. It's dizzying almost.

"Ow! Fuck." You gasp suddenly, pulling away, hand instinctively going to the wound. The small cut on your lips.

"I'm sorry.." He mumbles, wrapping his arms around you, burying his face in your neck.

"It's fine. It was a mistake, my lips are dry anyway." You answer, kind of caught off guard by his reaction. By the snuffling you can hear at your neck. Just smelling your perfume, surely.

Joost doesn't say anything before his lips are back on yours, tongue licking at the little split, moaning into your mouth as he licks up the blood. There's not a lot, it's such a small wound.

"I need…I need to," Joost sighs, finally pulling away, almost panting. "I need to taste you, please."

"Okay." You're breathless from the kissing, your mind's fuzzy too, you can't think of a better way to respond.

"You're sure? You want this too? Will you let me bite you?" He asks, looking in your eyes, and you can really see it, the red glint. It's a little scary, the look in his eyes, dark. The very nature of the question.

"Okay. Yes, you can bite me." You nod a little, you trust him, somehow you do. You’re scared, but you trust him. Joost is.. otherworldly, his eyes, ice blue yet so dark, hungry as he looks at you. Those soft hands, cool on your skin as he touches your neck, gently tilting your head. He’s something else entirely, and it’s not hard to deduce what.

He breathes against your skin, tongue flat against you as he sniffs, finding the best spot, you think. Like some predatory animal. “It won’t hurt,” Joost murmurs just loud enough for you to hear. “Promise it wont hurt, just a little poke.”

And it doesn’t hurt. Not how you expected, it’s like getting that big needle popped in you at the doctor, just another blood draw. It runs down your neck, you can feel it, you feel his tongue too, smearing sloppy over the wound. He laps at the blood that runs out, moaning against your skin. You’d be lying if you said it didn’t have an effect on you. You shouldn't feel this way over being bitten but you're hot all over all of a sudden. Maybe it's like, an aphrodesiac or something, or you're just way more perverted than you ever knew.

“Thank you, thank you..Needed this…” Joost’s hands feel you up, slip under your shirt, and you can feel the warmth in his palms as he drinks from you, your blood warming his body.

He groans, rocking his hips up into you as he drinks, sucking at the wound, mustache tickling slightly too. You can feel him as he grinds upward, his cock hardening in his pants. It’s thrilling, you can’t help but marvel at how turned on he is by feeding. The way he moans against you, panting, breath hot on your neck. He comes back up to kiss your lips, smearing your mouth with your own blood, getting it in your mouth, the thick taste of it.

“Can I,” He asks, holding your hips and rutting his into you. “Need you..So bad. Fuck…” Joost whines, eyes stuck to your neck, watching the wound drip. Still so hungry. You’re dizzy, whether from the blood loss or everything else, you’re not sure. You think his head must be fuzzy too.

“Yes, please. Need you too.." You grind down into him, letting him know you need him just as bad, you've soaked your underwear you know that much, leaking pathetically as you dryhump him.

“Oh, fuck,” Joost sighs, shuddering under you. “Mh, hold on. Let me..” He dips down, giving a few more licks to the wound before you watch him nick his finger on a tooth and he rubs the digit to your neck, sealing up the wound with the inky black substance that drips slowly from the cut.

Then he’s tugging your shirt off, pulling his off right after. his chest is hairy and soft slightly. “Can I touch you, please?” You ask, unable to take your eyes off him, finally getting to see him how you wanted to the first day when you saw his tummy, which is also soft. He’s a little pudgy and it’s so beautiful.

“Ja, oké.” He nods softly, watching you. You reach out and feel his chest, careful, gentle with him. He is so warm now, such a contrast to how cold he has been, it’s good to feel his soft, warm body under your hands. You thumb at his nipple with one hand and he stifles a whimper at the feeling.

“You’re so pretty,” You look at his face, your blood smeared all over him, and it’s so hot. “You know that’s like the first thing I thought when I saw you. That you’re so pretty.”

“Really,” You nod at his question, and he smiles, lips splitting to show his sharp teeth. “‘Cause I thought the same thing.”

You pet at his chest, really feeling how squishy he is, before slipping your hands down his sides to feel his hips, the way his waistband has flipped down. He really is so pretty, and still you're surprised you trust him so much. He must trust you too, you realize, the way he sits quietly, letting you touch him all over.

"Can I touch you, too? Please, please…Fuck, you're so pretty, and-Oh.." Joost trails off when you take his hands and place them on your chest, letting him feel you up in return. You can see a trail of blood down your chest, the way he smears it with a thumb, not fully dry.

His hands go for your belt loops, hooking in to pull you down against him as he ruts up. "So pretty like this, covered.. In blood. Fuck," He huffs, swallowing hard. It's so erotic to him, drinking your blood and seeing it drip and smear on you. Well, you're not one to argue. "One more, please. I'm-…I won't take too much. You're okay right? I can..?" He groans, almost a growl, his hips bucking again.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I can take it, you can go for it." You nod, biting your lip a little, feeling the nip of pain of the split there. He whines, obviously watching you. He pulls you against him as he kisses you, your chests pressed together. He delves right into licking into your mouth and moaning against you, the kiss quickly becoming sloppy, the drool running down your chin. Then he's kissing down the other side of your neck and biting into you without any preamble, just taking greedy mouthfuls of your blood. And god it's fucking thrilling, the needy way he kisses the wound and sucks it, like he can't get enough of you. But he's true to his word, not drinking too much from you before he's healing the small wound. He kisses you with blood still in his mouth, it’s filthy and wet and runs down your chin, mixed with spit.

“You’re gonna fuck me now, right?” You ask, more than a little pent up by now, with the way the two of you keep rutting your hips together.

“Ah, ja. You want my cock?” Joost fumbles with his belt, managing to loosen it and unzip his pants.

“Yeah, can’t stop thinking about it when I can feel how hard you are..” you nod, watching him. He shoves his boxers down enough to pull his cock out. It's as if that’s where all the blood he drank went, throbbing in his hand as he strokes himself, just a little relief after finally freeing it. You can't help but stare at the way he leaks, and if you weren't so needy too you'd love to get your mouth on him.

You struggle slightly to get your own jeans and underwear off, but eventually manage. Joost doesn’t even think to ask before his fingers are at your thighs, petting the soft pale skin, creeping upward quickly. He doesn’t waste much time there, feeling how slick you are before grabbing your hips and pulling you close. You sink down slow and careful, both of you sighing when you bottom out.

He shifts a little, squishing one of his pillows behind his back and leans back. Steadying himself so he can hold onto you and thrust into you. He pants against your neck, kissing there, licking at the not yet dry blood on one side. You feel his teeth scrape but not puncture, just teasing. It makes you tense almost, thinking he’s going to do it, going to bite you again. He doesn’t, he just keeps mouthing at your neck.

You grab gently at his hair, tugging it slightly to get him to stop, he moans and his hips jerk up, slamming his cock into you. You’re both still for a moment before you’re holding his face in both hands and kissing him. Both of you muffling each other’s moans as he fucks you. When he pulls away you cover your mouth with your hand, keeping yourself quiet because his roommates are asleep. He's relentless, and you're fuzzy and hot all over, everywhere his hands touch light up with pleasure. He palms your chest, rubbing your nipples and pinching.

"Fuck, Joost," You gasp, rutting your hips down into him, matching his rhythm. "I'm- Oh, fuck I'm close.."

"Me too.." He whimpers, hips stuttering slightly but he keeps his eyes on yours. You can't even think as he stares into you, your brain all scrambled. He feels at your neck, you can feel the spot where he bit you the first time prickle under his touch. You can only sigh and tip your head to the side when he moves in again, you know what he's going to do before he does it, you know what he's going for when he starts probing your skin with his tongue again. Finding that spot, moving down to where your neck meets your shoulder, and biting into the muscle. You can't tell what comes first, your orgasm or the bite, but they coincide and you have to keep your mouth covered as you sob and shake in his arms. It's nothing like anything you've ever felt before, you've never cum this hard in your life, it's just so much.

You don't realize he's finished as well until he's pulling out of you and you can feel it running down your thigh. "Oh, shit, are you okay? You're okay right?" He asks gently, cupping your cheek.

"Uh-huh, I'm okay. I think I need a moment," You nod, kind of slumping in his arms, wrapping yours around him, his sweaty chest pressed against yours. "I just…Fuck.." That was a lot, you're dizzy, your vision a little spotty like you stood up too fast.

"I know…It's okay, you're okay. I'm sorry, I took too much, didn't I? I can't help myself, I've been so hungry and you taste so good.." He sighs, holding you and rubbing your back.

"I'm okay…I don't think I can stand right away, though." You manage a little laugh, resting your forehead against his neck. You kind of wish he were cool right now, his hot sweaty skin isn't the most pleasant thing in the world. He's talking to you, you can't really focus on it, you feel your fingers tingling slightly.

That's the last thing you know before you're blinking awake in a bathtub. The water's cool, reassuring on your skin. "I'm sorry," Is the first thing you hear. It's Joost, he's kneeling next to the tub, gazing at you big eyed, bushy brows pinched slightly in worry. "I didn't mean to, you just taste so good.." His cheeks and nose are a little rosy, it's cute. He's still so cute to you, he drained so much blood you passed out, but he's still cute. He's dressed again, you can see a white tank top in the dim light, one light over the mirror.

"I'm okay, I think. I'm still…I dunno. Dizzy like, out of it, I think." You slip a hand out of the water, wanting to hold his, needing that connection. Not well, human touch, but touch. He's still warm.

"I know, I'm sorry. Um- I have iron pills and there's a good shawarma place down the street that's still open." He rubs your hand lightly with his thumb.

"How do you know it's good?" You ask with a laugh.

"I haven't always been like this you know." He laughs too, it's a nice sound. He's nice, he took you to the bath, didn't leave you there, didn't really hurt you, you didn't feel any pain.

"Yeah, I just I dunno…Usually, you guys- Uh, vampires," It's weird to say it out loud after everything. "Are like depicted as super old and stuff. And you have reading glasses."

"I'm just farsighted, try to go without them usually." He smiles, that pretty smile where his lips curl up all cute.

"Well, anyway, I would like to take you up on your offer. If it's a date..?" You tilt your head a little, regretting it, it's sore now.

"Ja, sounds good. Wanted to ask you out since I first saw you, but it's hard." He frowns a little, looking down.

"Oh, yeah. I guess so, huh? Do you do this to every girl you want to take out on a date?" You slip your hand back, sinking it back in the cool water. It's clean, he must have washed you off and then refilled the tub while you were out of it, you think.

"No. I don't normally fuck my food either, just had to have you though.." It makes you feel special, in a perverted sort of way, even though you can tell it embarrasses him.

"Well, I'm glad. It would've been disappointing if you just bit me and kicked me out," That makes him laugh a little and smile again. Which makes you smile too. "I think I'm ready to get out, now."

"Okay," He stands quickly, his keys on his shorts jangling as he does so. "Here, take my hand. I've got some shirts you can wear if you want, your other one is kind of ruined."

"Oh, man… How am I going to explain this to my friend.." You muse, stepping onto the towel he prepared, glad to be holding him, still feeling lightheaded and weak.

"Oh, no," He laughs, wrapping a towel around you and holding you against him after. "I'll help you figure something out."

You thank him quietly, and lean into his embrace. Enjoying the quiet, calm moment after everything. You really don't know how you're going to tell your friend what happened. How you met a guy at the Internet Cafe, who actually works there, who is actually actually a vampire and you almost died from blood loss maybe but he gave you the best orgasm of your life, and he's also really pretty so you're not mad he almost killed you.

Well, whatever. You'll figure it out, ideally over dinner. And maybe you can exchange numbers so you can keep in contact when you go back home.

[marauder-misprint]

OMG

Just read your theodore fic and its adooorrrbss!!

Could I request another theo fic after 'sentient shadow' they go back to hogwarts and like... either soft or hard launch themselves

Hi! I had that fic in my head for a while and I'm so glad that so many people are liking it! ❤︎ I could see it becoming a series if the people want it 👀

Although, I will say I'm not the happiest with how this part two turned out, but my brain is unable to make it better so here you go!

Hope y'all enjoy ❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎

Sentient shadow II

Theodore Nott x fem!reader

Part I

2.7k words

cw: fluff, no y/n, approval/disapproval from friends

In the fairly short time before you were to return to Hogwarts, you and Theo more or less continued as you had all summer. Only now there were a few new elements to it. The giddiness that came with new relationships. The shared kisses and laying on his chest when you went out to the clearing. A picnic out by the fishing pond. The fluttering of your heart when you caught Theo watching you with a rather fond look in his eyes. 

“King’s Cross Station!” you declared, throwing Floo powder at your feet. 

You disappeared from the fireplace of your house and appeared at the designated one on Platform 9 ¾. Moments later, Theo appeared. Your mother usually came to see you off but you somehow managed to convince her to stay back. You grabbed Theo’s hand, drawing a smile from him as you began to drag him through the crowd of parents and students.

You spotted your friends a little ways from you. You pressed a kiss to Theo’s cheek. 

“I’m going to ride with my friends. See you at the castle, Theo.”

He stood still as you headed towards your friends. The crowd shifted and you were gone. He took a breath to collect himself. Then he boarded the train and went to the compartment where his friends always claimed – a compartment that happened to have a view of where you and him had been standing. 

“So that’s why you didn’t visit this summer, Nott?” Draco asked as soon as Theo opened the door. 

He sat down wordlessly, not looking at Draco. “Not sure what you mean.”

Blaise chuckled, bringing his foot up to rest on his knee. “Sure you don’t.” 

Theo rolled his eyes. 

“You weren’t being kissed when you left for the summer.”

Theo pulled a book out of his bag. He didn’t want to entertain their teasing, let alone fuel it. 

“Where’d you find her?” Pansy asked with a smile, leaning forward from where she sat next to Draco. 

Theo’s eyes flicked up to meet Pansy’s before returning to his book. “Grandfather’s town.”

“And she kept there?” Blaise asked. “Some kind of hostage situation?”

Theo rolled his eyes again. Blaise and Enzo laughed, Daphne hitting Enzo’s arm. Draco crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat, taking in Theo’s mood. 

“Nothing to share? Come on, mate. You didn’t even hint at anything in your letters,” Enzo said. “How’d she get under your skin?” 

Theo shrugged. Daphne leaned forward like Pansy had and placed a hand on his knee.

“I think it’s nice. You’ll tell us how it happened eventually.”

“You can ask Watson about her if you want to know anything,” Theo said, earning him confused looks from everyone. A few seconds passed before he added, “He’s a fourth year.”

“Ah, a little shrimp,” Enzo said with a nod. 

“So what did I miss when my grandfather said I couldn’t leave?”

In your own compartment, your friends were also discussing their summers. You were sitting with your friend’s cat in your lap; the furry creature loved you and was purring softly. 

“Did I see you with Theodore Nott earlier?” Padma asked.

You hummed affirmatively.

“Really?” Parvati gasped.

“I wouldn’t’ve pictured you with him of all people,” Hannah said. “Isn’t he as intolerable as the rest of the Slytherins?”

“Not really. He’s actually quite pleasant. I thought he was going to be horrible, but he was lovely all summer.” You paused and looked at the cat in your lap. “I’m hoping he stays that way.”

The girls sent you a pitying look. It was like they could read your mind. Without having to explain anything, they knew you were worried that being his Slytherin friends would make him different from the boy you had spent all summer with. You wanted him to be able to keep describing him as pleasant and lovely. You wanted him to keep being the Theo you had to yourself all summer, the boy you taught to fish. 

“I gotta ask. How did it happen? You and him?” Hannah asked. “I mean, I get why he went after you, love, but… you know.” 

“Please, I know you’re not blind. And he’s nice. Sweet. Funny. Considerate. He offered me a cigarette and immediately stopped smoking around me when I asked him to stop. He didn’t mind just sitting around. I don’t really know. Some things just sort of happen.”

“What’d your mum think of him?” Parvati asked. 

You smirked. “Said our elderly gossip didn’t do his looks justice. And she’s a sucker for anyone with manners; Theo has those.”

“Pure blood families,” Hannah muttered with a subtle shake of her head. “Got that shit instilled in us. You’ve heard Ernie talk to professors.”

You were much more willing to talk to your friends about Theo than he was with his. Yours would caution you to be careful; they had good reason to. His would likely bash you and tell him he could do better. Or at least that’s what he feared they would do. He didn’t want their opinions of you. He liked you. You actually made him glad that his father got sent to Azkaban. A horrible thought to think, but it was true.  

Neither of your conversations on the train circled back to your new relationship. You didn’t run into each other at the Hogsmeade Station or at the carriage loading area. You made eye contact across the Great Hall when you sat down for dinner. You waved at him and he responded with a wide smile. 

“He’s smiling? He’s actually smiling,” Pansy said to Daphne.

“Someone alert the Daily Prophet,” she replied. 

“Shut up,” he muttered to the girls, but he kept smiling.

Merlin forbid a boy be happy that he found something good. 

Your friends also noticed him smiling, sharing quiet laughter between themselves. 

You didn’t actually get to talk to Theo again until lunch the next day. None of your morning classes overlapped. But Theo made the move to sit with you, seeking you out. 

“There are you, Dolcezza,” he said, his smile audible in his voice. “How was your morning?”

Your face lit up as the boy sat down next to you and started filling his plate. 

“Not too horrible. I always miss the castle over the summer so it’s good to be back. And homework is only review from last year.”

“And the train ride?”

“All my friends are curious about you,” you said, bumping your shoulder into his. 

He nodded and took a bite of his lunch.

“Did you tell yours about me?” There was a hint of hesitancy in your voice – the worry that he didn’t and wasn’t going to. Sure, he said he wanted things to change when he kissed you over the summer, but that was different than actually being back at school, surrounded by his friends whom he’s been closer to for much longer than you. 

“Didn’t have to.” A beat. “They saw you kiss me on the platform.”

Another beat.

“And?” you asked, holding up your cup to your lips but not taking a sip.

“The less they know about you, the better.”

You frowned slightly. 

“For now,” he added before taking a bite of food.

“For now?”

“I shouldn’t have to tell you that they can be a bit…” He debated which word to use. Harsh? Judgmental? Stubborn? “Much. I don’t want them to have an effect on us.”

“Hmm?” You tilted your head subtly. 

“Let them get all of their teasing out of the systems,” Theo said before suddenly getting much quieter. “You’re the first I’ve… really liked… and… kissed.”

Despite your best efforts, you choked on your drink. 

“Wait, what?” you coughed. 

Theo, however, had just put more food in his mouth and couldn’t answer you.

“Theo, what?” you repeated, holding his hand on the table. “In the clearing?”

He nodded as a faint blush warmed his cheeks. That was news to you. It was honestly shocking to hear that. You had assumed someone like Theo – a pure blood, attractive, solid co-ed friend group – would have had his first kiss in like second or third year. You tried to remember who he took to the Yule Ball. He did take someone, right?

“Fuck,” you whispered.

“What?”

“Just… you're… hot,” you said. Blunt. “I figured you would’ve kissed someone.”

Theo chuckled softly and pressed a kiss to your cheek. “I’m glad you think I’m hot. You’re pretty fit yourself.”

You gave him a soft shove. “Shut up and eat your lunch.”

Your afternoon classes lined up. Theo walked with you from room to room, instead of with his friends. They exchanged glances and smirks. They didn’t say anything at dinner that evening, but when the group settled by the fire afterwards, Daphne and Pansy made sure to sit on either side of Theo on the couch.

“She’s stolen you away from us, Theo,” Daphne said.

“But it’s not stealing if he goes willingly,” Pansy corrected. “But we are curious, who made the first move?”

Enzo looked up, suddenly interested. “Yeah, we are curious. Did you grow a pair?” 

Theo leaned back on the couch and stretched out his legs. Here we go, he thought. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his carton of cigarettes to light one. He inhaled rather than answering. 

“Theo,” Pansy sang teasingly, bumping her shoulder into his. 

He took another drag. “I did.”

Daphne and Pansy squealed, both leaning forward to look at each other. Enzo laughed and clapped a firm hand on Theo’s knee. Draco, Blaise, Gregory and Vincent looked over at them from where they were sitting.

“You did?” Draco asked and Theo nodded. 

“Okay, okay,” Daphne said. “You need to tell us everything! Especially since all Watson could tell us is that you practically spent every second with her.”

Theo scoffed. “You actually talked to him?” 

“Of course we did,” Pansy snarked with an eye roll. 

“You refuse to play spin the bottle, seven minutes in heaven, anything fun and now you come back with a bloody girlfriend and you told us nothing. You said go to Watson and we went,” Daphne said, nodding. 

“Shrimp couldn’t even tell us how far you’d gotten with her,” Enzo added.

“Do you really think I’d shag her in the town square?”

“You got your dick wet? Good for you, Nott,” Draco praised with a cocked eyebrow. “How was it? Life changing?” 

A blush crept up Theo’s neck and he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. 

“I didn’t.” 

Draco tutted and turned back toward Gregory and Vincent. Blaise turned his body more toward the conversation. 

“Yet, right?” he asked. 

“I mean…” Theo shrugged. “I like her.”

“You hear that, ladies and Enzo? He likes her,” Blaise said with a cheeky smile. 

Enzo laughed. “Pans, Daph, you’ll start planning the wedding?” 

“Who’ll be your best man?” Pansy asked, resting her chin on her hand. “Draco’s the most fashionable, but Enzo would have the best speech.”

“What about me?” Blaise whined. 

“You’re picking the color scheme,” Daphne said like it was obvious. 

Theo stood up and walked away from the group as he felt his face grow hotter with each comment. The group he left behind was laughing. He headed back to his dorm.

“It’ll be in Italy, right?” Enzo called after him. 

This was why he didn’t want you to meet his friends right away and have them know everything about you. One day of classes and they were already planning your wedding. Because he said he likes you. 

It didn’t take long for the rest of the castle to hear the news. You and Theo were dating. Two people who didn’t talk in the spring were now canoodling between classes. Well, not quite canoodling, but that didn’t matter to the gossips. Theo tucking a lock of your hair behind your ear and you giggling was as scandalous as snogging. 

“Theodore Nott? You’re taking a piss, right?” Ernie asked, leaning over Hannah’s shoulder as you studied with your friends in the library. 

“He doesn’t believe me,” Hannah sighed. 

You looked at Ernie with a rather bland expression. “Yeah, I’m with Theo.”

“You know his father is a Death Eater.”

“Theo isn’t. His grandfather isn’t,” you said flatly. “People aren’t their parents.”

Ernie gave a disbelieving hum. “Tell that to Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, the rest of them Slytherins.”

“I’m not saying they aren’t. I’m saying Theo isn’t.”

“Yeah, and he’s friends with them. Spends all of his time with ‘em, doesn’t he? Birds of a feather…” 

“He spends time with me, Macmillan. Am I suddenly a Death Eater now? Are you going to turn me over to the ministry for something I haven’t done? Am I as horrible as some of their parents?” 

“Wait, I didn’t-”

“But you did.” You quickly gathered your things and shoved everything into your bag. “I’ll see you lot around.” 

“Wait!” Ernie called again as you walked away, not looking back. He sighed and turned more toward Hannah. “She knows I didn’t mean all that about her, right? Just about him.”

After classes on Friday, you and Theo were relaxing in the quad courtyard. The sun was warm and the air was clear. Theo was laying down, quite like the many times he had on that bench in the park in your town and in the clearing. You were more than content. Even with Ernie’s comment lingering in the back of your mind. 

“Theodore Nott!” a girl’s voice called, causing both of you to sit up and look in the direction of the voice. 

A mischievously grinning Pansy was strolling toward you. You sat up straighter while Theo laid back down. She stood in front of you with her hands on her hips. 

“This your lovely girl?” she asked, looking from Theo to you and back. “The one making you smile?” 

“Pansy,” Theo warned.

“Hi,” you said with a small smile.

“Hmm, yes. You’d be the one. Look at him, he’s… Merlin, you’ve got him smiling already!” 

You turned toward the boy and smiled wider. He was smiling and blushing. Pansy sat down next to you and leaned forward to whisper to you.

“He’s said he likes you.” 

You laughed semi-awkwardly. “Well, I’d hope so. Or I’ve been spending time with the wrong bloke.” 

“Pansy, go away.”

“No, no, I want to get to know your girlfriend. You’ve told us nothing. So, darling, tell me about yourself.”

You told her your name and asked, “Erm, what else do you want to know?”

“What’s your story? How’d you get this fuckwad to be all soft?” she asked in response, jerking a thumb at Theo. 

He rolled his eyes. 

“Oh, I’m not sure,” you said, turning to give Theo a sweet look, only to see him already looking at you. “He just sort of glued himself to me?”

“All summer? And you didn’t hex him into next century?”

You gave a soft chuckle. “I might’ve considered it if he were awful. Am I supposed to complain about him reading?”

“You called me your sentient shadow,” Theo said.

“Because you were! Followed me everywhere!”

“So you stalked her? Tsk, tsk Theodore,” Pansy said. 

“It wasn’t stalking,” he mumbled as you laughed. His blush deepened. 

“I never told him to go away. Is that what it takes to get on his good side?” you asked Pansy. 

She hummed, tapping her chin. “Possibly.” She paused and then looked at you firmly. “First Hogsmeade weekend, you’re coming with me and Daph.”

Theo groaned and you stared at Pansy with wide eyes. 

“Oh, I-” you started to say but she cut you off. 

“You’re not getting out of this. It’s happening. You have the rest of the year to go on Hogsmeade dates with him.” She stood up and dusted off her skirt. “I’ll be seeing you.” 

You and Theo watched Pansy walk away, joining some other Slytherins walking by. 

“Am I going to survive that weekend?” 

“Most likely.”

“Okay.” You laid down, using Theo’s arm as a pillow. “Don’t be expecting my guy friends to be planning a boys night. Ernie isn’t sounding too thrilled about you.”

“Macmillan?”

You hummed. 

“Can’t say he’s ever liked me.”

“Good thing I like you.”

“That is a good thing, Dolcezza.”

tags: @navs-bhat

[pushspacetocontinue]

"I couldn't break the mop he was carrying. It was a metal handle, and I wasn't as strong as I am now, but I did the next best thing and broke him instead," Travis said, "A month of detention, but it was worth it, and I told the younger kids that if he dared do it again, just to tell me."

And the janitor hadn't dared try it again from what he had heard. He had learned a lesson from having the absolute snot beaten out of him and seeing how he liked someone bigger than him treating him like that.

"I'm not good at being sneaky," Travis said, "I'm hardly subtle about anything, me. But I bet the effect when one of you two do it. I imagine it happens a lot by accident too though."

Of course, Travis hadn't known about it, but there was that time where had Erica had inadvertently snuck up on Antonio before their mission to rescue Leofric.

"I never got a chance to do it when she was alive," Travis said, "I was in prison when she died. That was the third best news I got in there. The second of course was the news that I was finally getting out."

But Travis did look interested.

"I think I might just have to do that, thanks for the tip," Travis said, as he started to get driving away from the area. As disappointing as the car itself was, at least it was a smooth ride so far, "I wonder if she'd be able to see Lewis and let him know that we're doing all right. I'll have to hear those stories sometime. And that's up to you, Willow. I'm good either way."

Travis then grinned.

"Now that's a song of choice."

Russell didn't seem to notice that Lucien and Rook were keeping a slightly firmer eye on him for the moment. He was more focussed on looking at the things around them.

"Heh, it's not, not as yellow though, or, or, or as terrifying," Russell said, "At, at least not, not to use right, right now. I, I guess it, it knows we're, we're not threats, and, and with Rook here taking, taking us through."

He really had no idea how it worked in all honesty, so it was just a guess.

"I suppose it is a bit more like the Infinite Ikea," Bill said with a grin as he took in the details a bit more now that the plague doctor mask was off properly.

Antonio managed a small smile of his own at Rook's comforting gesture, reaching up to gently pat her hand with his own.

"That sounds about right, arrogant prick," Bill said, "He would think he's the best so why bother to improve? Even I'm constantly learning new things, and I'm centuries old."

"We all are," Leofric agreed, "Perhaps he would have been different in another life, a timeline far from this one, and ultimately, it did little to serve him. But in this one, he simply became a power hungry bully, as you said, Veronica, and if we do have to face him again, then I will do without hesitation."

"Some people just shouldn't be parents," Bill said, before he smiled at Rook, "I'm glad I didn't either. And I'm glad I was with you, well, everyone here, to deal with him together."

But then he spoke up as soon as Veronica said what to do.

"It's almost like we're ducklings," Bill said, as soon as he realised just what Veronica had mentioned before, "Oh dear..."

It looked like he was going to be the one taking the express route today.

"No, I, I don't mind," Russell said, "As, as you said, it has been a, a long fight and if, if you gotta, you gotta fuel up, you, you gotta..."

Not the most eloquently put, but hopefully it still got the point across.

"Yeah, you do what you need to do," Simon said.

Leofric just nodded.

"We can wait for you, sorellina," Antonio agreed, "You've been brilliant today."

"I suppose while she does that, we can take a moment to have a look at this gold pile," Leofric suggested, a subtle way of telling the others to allow Rook some privacy.

Erica, of course, couldn't do anything but cheer at that. "Heck yeah! That guy deserved all the bruises he got."

Somebody had to stand up for children. It was nice of Travis to take the matter into his own hands.

"It sounds like willow and I." Erica said, before she pointed to her double, "She scares people just by standing around and nobody ever hears me coming!"

Both taking great pleasure from the effect they had on people. Willow's attention briefly shifted to the car as Travis got it started and listened to the noise of the engine just a moment before losing interest. Disappointing like its former owner. She might let the others keep this one, after all.

"I'm sure it would be her pleasure to do so." Willow replied, "You should inquire about it directly. There is a high chance she already has some stories to share."

It would have been beneficial in more than a way. The ghost lady would have loved to brag about doing something like that. Having that waiting for her on the other side might have actually persuaded her to take time off more consistently with her needs.

"Let's leave the area. Then I will provide directions to our destination." Willow instructed, "Or we could have a little fun with the GPS."

"We should put on that song that plays in that sketch with the three guys in the car!" Erica suggested.

"We shall, Erica."

They could indulge as long as it was funny.

Like a good host, Rook was keeping track of her guests, especially the ones who had visited before. Russell had made it through on his own last time, strong of the fact that the pocket didn't enjoy holding onto regular humans.

That had changed, but Lucien was already on the case.

"Well, now we know what it feels like to visit the Backrooms." the half fae mused.

"It's more like that infinite Ikea thing." Rook replied. She was quick to summon two endless shelves filled with all kinds of books and knickknacks that stretched past them as far as the eye could see.

It was an excuse to flex the full extent of her occult collection, but it also offered a distraction while she quietly reached to place her hand on Antonio's shoulder. Younger siblings had to be supportive too when needed.

"In my professional opinion, his entire family has never really shined in that regard." Veronica said, "They're just a bunch of power hungry hypocrites. It wouldn't surprise me if he was actively discouraged to improve his technique. He wouldn't be this deranged if he did. They essentially ruined their own child."

As a parent, she simply couldn't stand the thought.

Rook briefly looked at the chainmail, before shutting the chests. "I'm glad you didn't need that."

The battle had gone better than she could have ever hoped for. Both chests floated up to an empty spot on one of the shelves. They would be safe there for the time being.

"Alright, then. Let's all line up and follow mum outta here!"

Veronica sighed and moved to lead the way. "The first one to make a duck joke will take the express way out."

Lucien opened his mouth to reply, but decided for his own good to keep quiet.

Rook fell into step, moving more quickly now that her wings were gone.

"Do you guys mind if we stop by my stash? It's been a long fight..."

Her marks were starting to nag her already.

[rotting-ink]

can i just say that one thing i love abt the Royal route so far, is how well you managed to subtly portray just how detached from the real world the Royal is. like at the start, reading through your blog, and seeing that the Aide and Pasha both consider MC like a lost little lamb, i didn't fully get it? and then i played the demo and oh my god-

the contrast between specifically how the MC views the servants with that Pasha POV at the end. MC thinks they're all grown up, they even make a parallel between themself and Pasha as "sharing a secret" because they both left the house, but the way that they evolved from those experiences is so contrasting it actually gave me whiplash reading it. the way Pavel became so class conscious, realizing and despising the way he and his family would just take take take and meanwhile the MC doesn't even know who their servants are

it's genuinely fascinating to me. like you were right! the Royal has no fucking idea what it is like to live in the "real world". they're stuck inside a little safety bubble, coddled and pampered and told that they don't need to look outside, its ok, just close your eyes and think happy thoughts

makes me wonder if everyone else in the royal family is the same way, or if the Royal had it especially bad by being so sick all the time, treated like a glass doll from the moment they were born. i also love that their ignorance isn't treated as a synonym to innocence. they know violence, they have intrusive thoughts, they grew up surrounded by tragic stories and violent fairy tales and because of that they think they know how the world works

i don't blame the Aide for treating them like a clueless little puppy, honestly i'd do the same

I'M RUNNING LAPS AROUND MY ROOM!!! IM SO GLAD SOMEONE NOTICED!!!

Just wanted to quickly add in, that they have seen some horrible stuff at times, like in the side story with the Goodbye to Pavel. They are quietly reenacting something they accidentally saw, which is a peasant woman being tramped by Pavel's friend's horse, but they are mostly focusing on the senses of it, not the loss of life. The blood, the sound, the crunch, Pavel's hand over their eyes. I wish I could have added a Pavel pov, because while he'd also think back to the experience, he'd think about making sure the Royal stayed on Thunder as he checked on the peasant, watching her slowly die and quietly asking for her name while she struggled to breath, Feeling the moment she did finally bleed out and realising he had no idea how to help. That man's Guilt is endless and so fun to write about. Looking up and seeing one of his friends entertaining the MC and keeping their eyes off the body, while the other friend bemoaned his horse's hooves, caked in gore and the creature itself being spooked. While he himself doesn't even know who to tell that she died.

But it's so so fun. Because the Royal is morbid, even without meaning to. They are surrounded by violence- they can watch the Aide BATTER a man/woman at the resort, but all they think is that they couldn't get their first kiss and then the Aide can basically go down on them. They know violence, they know death, they have experienced pain, their culture has dark fairy tales, and strange history. Their ignorance is built off of never having to step down into someone else's shoes, even when their childhood companion basically "goes missing" and is hidden below stairs. Out of the two, Pavel knows what happened to them and ngl, that's why he remembers them so well.

ANYWAY! So no one in the family is as class conscious as Pavel. He does view his family as parasites who can take and take. Laszlo and Stas is a bit more aware, at least class wise. Laszlo came from a lower noble house in Magyar and his family skirted the class line from time to time. Luckily he's a gem and of course the Tsarina would want to ride him silly. Stas is only aware because he happened to develop a soft spot for a maid. He is curious about her, all things, and so does find out about her life, especially as a Serf. It does upset him, and since bringing her up in life to a Kept Lover, he tries not to think of it too much, given that "she doesn't have to go back there".

It's not that Albina and Abraim aren't aware, they just don't care. Good luck as a Servant with them btw.

The Royal and Tatsiana are... mirrors of each other. Aren't innocent but are ignorant. Focused on other things mostly. Aksana does somewhat know, but deem to give it attention, the world outside of her own. But she is more aware of disabilities, than the rest of the family. The self inflicted pain and hunger she does, but also her fiance. The way he was mocked in fact drew her to him at first, before deciding she wanted him the most. Inga and Kissy seem oblivious, but Inga does see more than she says.

And yes, The Aide does just pat them on the head, knowing they will never see or know as much as The Aide has.

[boy-eater11]

ℳ𝒶𝓀ℯ 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓉𝒾𝓇ℯ𝒹 ◦°⋆⋆°◦✬꧂

Volt x reader x Eddie- Smut

- You come to them late at night unable to sleep. The breaker box boys have a fun idea to fix that issue, and you're more than happy to participate.

CW: Polyamory, Nsfw, Praise, Threesome, Eiffel Tower, Oral M! receiving, Gn reader but AFAB anatomy, Hair pulling, insomnia,

It was late. Ridiculously late. But, you had already spent several hours laying in bed staring aimlessly at the ceiling, and you hadn't managed to make any more progress towards actually sleeping.

That's how you wound up nervously standing outside of the upstairs hallway closet, still wrapped in your blanket, anxiously debating whether or not your insomnia was troubling enough to bother your boyfriends.

You knew they would come to your aide, although Eddie would likely be reluctant, they would likely do whatever they could to comfort you. You also knew how important it was that both of them got plenty of time to relax. Running the breaker box was draining for both of them, and you had regularly been the one insisting that they needed to rest.

Sighing deeply, you opened the closet door, knocking on the small metal door of the breaker box and rubbing your eyes. Next thing you knew, you were in the empty club, two tired and concerned faces looking back at you.

"It's awfully late live wire." Volt said, placing a gentle arm around your shoulder. "Is something the matter?" He planted a soft kiss on your temple.

You shook your head slightly and sighed. "I'm alright... just couldn't sleep...' you said, frowning slightly.

"Aren't you the one who always tells us to get more sleep?" Eddie huffed out, although his voice was still soft and laced with concern.

"I am...I'm really sorry to bother you I just-" you mumbled out.

"I'm just teasing live wire...I'm glad you came to us." Eddie said, smiling softly and taking his place on the other side of you.

"What's keeping you up? Anxiety? Too much Caffeine? Stress? Lay it all on us my dear.' Volt said softly, rubbing gentle circles onto your lower back.

You shake your head softly, letting your shoulders relax and pulling the blanket draped across them tighter to your chest. "Too much energy I guess..."

Eddie chuckled, rustling your hair affectionately. "Well, you're welcome to cozy up with us for the night."

You could almost hear the slight smirk grow on Volt's face at the suggestion. He leaned down slightly, his lips hovering slightly above your ear. "We could always...make you tired..." His deep seductive voice sent shivers down your spine.

Your cheeks warmed as your mind quickly became flooded with less than holy imagery. The words loomed in the air for a moment, before you softly turned to meet Volt's suggestive gaze. "Do you....have anything in mind?"

The boys exchanged knowing looks before turning their attention back to you. Suddenly making you realize, they did in fact have something in mind.

"We've been wanting to try something new. We understand if you don't want to but...we were wondering if we could... Eiffel Tower you." Eddie mumbled out, his cheeks red with embarrassment.

Your jaw might as well have been on the floor. You had considered the idea before, although you had never expected the two of them to bring it up so plainly. "Are you serious?" You say, your eyes wide with shock.

Volt nodded, smiling sweetly. "We love you live wire, so if it's not something you want we will drop it immediately but-"

Without a second thought, you pulled his lips against yours. Eddie chuckled, wrapping an arm around your waist and pressing himself up against your back. As you pulled away from Volt, you were greeted by the dazed but excited expression on his face.

"You sure about this live wire?" Eddie said softly, leaving a trail of gentle kisses across the side of your neck. You nodded limply, a dopey smile growing on your face. "Yes... absolutely..."

Volt smirked, slamming his lips back into you. He slotted his leg between yours, pushing you even further against Eddie, who gave a soft groan that vibrated against his neck.

Your eyes flutter shut, letting yourself fully melt into the feeling of the two men pressed against you. You felt Eddie's hands begin to wander, slowly pulling the blanket off your shoulders and letting it fall to the floor.

As soon as it hit the floor, their hands were on you. Volt had one reassuring hand on your cheek and the other resting on your hip. Eddie's arms were wrapped around you, one slowly shaking it's way underneath the hem of your top and resting against your lower stomach.

You whined softly, causing Volt to pull himself off your lips and tilt your head up to meet his gaze. "Oh live wire... you're so needy aren't you?" His voice sent shivers through you.

Eddie chuckled at his words, finally pulling his lips from your neck and smirking proudly at the already visible dark blotches littering your skin. "So fucking gorgeous...makes it hard to contain myself." He muttered, his voice dropping slightly.

You whimpered softly, a shiver running down your spine as you felt his fingers gently hook into the waistband of your pajama pants. "You're still 100% sure about this right?" Volt said, his hand releasing from your hip to grip onto his belt.

"Mhm...god yes please." you whine, meeting his gaze with a desperate intensity. In response he kissed you again, and in one motion unbuckled and removed his belt, tossing it off to the side.

As he pulled away from the kiss, you made the next move. Very swiftly removing his pants and letting them drop to the floor. He groaned softly in response, and Eddie chuckled. "Oh damn, you're even more desperate than I thought."

Eddie slowly pulled at the hem of your pants and panties, teasingly slowly sliding them over your hips and letting them fall, leaving you exposed to the two men. You let out a soft moan as his fingers slipped between your thighs, teasing running over your lips before sliding his hand out again, revealing the thick coat of wetness coating them.

Volt chuckled deeply at the sight, palming himself softly through his boxers. "Fuck...this is going to be amazing..." His voice trailed. You then slid his boxers over his hips, letting his hard cock spring out proudly. You felt Eddie's hand push on your upper back, as he pulled your bare hips against him. Forcing you into position between them.

You wrapped a hand tentatively around Volt's cock, pulling him into your mouth. He gave a deep groan, letting his head roll back slightly. Eddie ground his hips against your bare ass, letting you feel his hard cock though his pants.

You let out a needy moan, sending vibrations through Volt that made him shiver, causing him to wrap his fingers into your hair. You heard Eddie undo his belt, letting his pants fall to the ground as he slid off his boxers. He pressed himself back up against you, letting his hardness press up against your exposed wetness.

You moaned again, and Volt tightened his grip on your hair, Guiding your head to take him deeper into your mouth. You gagged softly, which caused him to let out a rough growl. "Shit... Eddie please fuck her already. I don't know if I can take this much longer."

Without another word, Eddie slipped himself between your folds, plunging himself into you. You moaned again, and he did too. You whimpered softly at the feeling, but continued to suck on Volt's cock eagerly.

Eddie very quickly established a pace, rocking his hips against yours and grunting as he felt your insides clench around him. You, similarly matched his pace against Volt's cock, feeling the hard tip slam against the back of your throat with each thrust.

With every rough thrust from Eddie, you let out a desperate moan around Volt, who groaned in response. Eddie grunted softly with each movement, his grip on your hips tightening as he slammed himself deeper into you.

"F-fuck live wire....we would have done this sooner if we knew you were gonna be so fuckin good for us." Eddie grunted out, gripping even tighter onto your hips. Volt let out a shaky chuckle in responding, tugging softly at your hair.

"You're doing so so well for us." Volt said, his voice coarse and shaky. You took him even deeper into the back of your throat, gagging slightly around his cock. Eddie groaned, feeling you tighten around him as you gagged.

"Shit... you're gonna make us both cum if you keep that up" Eddie huffed out, his cock twitching slightly as he quickened his pace. You moaned again, unable to respond but feeling your undoing similarly approaching.

Volt's head rolled back again, biting down hard onto his lip. "S-shit I might not be able to go much longer..." He whined out as you continued to take him deep into your mouth, his cock slamming into the back of your throat with each thrust.

Eddie chuckled, pushing himself harder into you, chasing his own release. "Neither will I...and I don't think they're gonna make it much much longer either." He groaned, feeling you twitch around him.

You shuddered slightly, your core tightening more and more with each second. You felt so full, your entire body felt enveloped by pleasure. You could hardly think, your mind almost completely empty.

Volt moaned, tugging on your hair again. "Mhn...how bout we all release at once?" His voice sent shivers through you. "You can be good and cum with us right live wire?"

You tried to respond, although your response came out as another moan as your mouth was still completely full of Volt's now pulsing cock. Eddie grunted again, his fingers almost digging into your hips as he continued to fill you.

"F-fuck...I'm almost there..." Eddie grunted out, his cock twitching inside you, every thrust sending waves of pleasure through you that settled in your core. You felt yourself teetering over the edge, the knot in your stomach unbelievably tight.

Within seconds, you feel the knot inside you snap, accompanied by the two men filling you entirely. Volt pulled himself from your mouth, a trail of salvia and cum still leading from your now swollen lips to his cock. You swallowed eagerly, licking your lips to remove the last remnants of it as your body still shook.

Eddie's cum filled you, his cock twitching violently inside of you before slowly pulling out, leaving you suddenly feeling empty. His arms wrapped around you, pulling you back to rest against his chest and support you as you caught your breath. Volt wrapped his arms around the both of you, resting his head against Eddie's.

"Tired now?" Volt said, his voice strained and exhausted. You looked up, meeting the glazed over expressions of the two of them, no doubt matching your own.

"Completely exhausted." You remark, melting further against the two of them.

- (AN): thanks for reading! I'm working on a sub! Timothy timepiece fic rn, so check back soon if you want that! This is entirely unedited, so pls don't mind any spelling issues, I just wanted to get this out before too long.

[sentinelsthiccass]

Merged Mishap

Chapter 1: The Accident

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

It came too quick, way too quick. Whatever the hell was happening with the ground, those spikes, and the train... it was a total wipeout.

D-16 got up and frantically looked around for the others. He managed to yank B-127 out of the ground and got Elita up... but where was Orion? He couldn't be far, could he? Did he wander off without them? Sounded like something he would do... but Orion also didn't like leaving friends behind, so maybe not.

D-16 looked around in a panic until he eventually found Orion. He was glad to have found him at first... but then his fuel tank dropped. What he saw... this couldn't be real, he refused to believe it, it just... couldn't be happening! But... it was.

Orion was impaled by a spike right through the spark. He was gone. Offline. Optics off and sparkbeat silent.

"No... nonononono... Pax..."

D-16 ran to his side and frantically shook him, desperate for him to be alive somehow, begging and pleading to Primus not to take him from him. Not his Pax, not now, not when they haven't even found the matrix yet, he knew how much this meant to him.

"Orion! Orion please, you can't go, not like this! Please, wake up!"

He choked out through tears. This was his worst nightmare. Elita went to him and yanked him away, knowing it was no use.

"Stop! Stop... it's no use. He's gone. Nothing can bring him back now..."

D-16 sighed. It hurt but... she was right. Nothing would bring him back. Elita then spoke again.

"Now, clearly, the surface is way too dangerous and we should get back to-"

"No."

D-16 stood up, a determined glint in his eye as he took their only lead for the matrix from Orion's now cooling frame. There was still a mission to complete that he knew Orion wanted him to keep going for without him.

"We're going to get that matrix. Orion wanted to find it and save our home more than anything. I'm not going to give up on this now that he's gone. We need to do this... I need to do this... for him."

"But with even less of us, it's even more dangerous out here! We can't stay here!"

B-127 shook his head.

"I'm with Dee on this one. It's the right thing to do, he was a friend and this was his wish!"

Elita groaned, but reluctantly agreed to keep going. She knew even she would not make it alone here and she knew B-127 would just follow D-16 and she'd be alone. So they continued on the journey.

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

Orion woke up with a groan, looking around. Where was everyone? Why did he feel so weird? Like... floaty and light. Eh, it was probably nothing. He got up and started looking around. He soon found the others and ran up to them.

"Dee! Bee! Elita! Damn, I gotta come up with a nickname for her that matches the other two... Li? Does Li sound good Elita?"

He walked up to her as she walked. She didn't respond. Was she mad at him? She was probably mad at him...

"Hey, are you ignoring me because of the accident? I'm sorry, I didn't know that would happen! Li? Elita?"

Orion then walks over to D-16 as he keeps walking. Surely, D-16 would listen to him, right?

"Dee, can you tell her to stop ignoring me? Dee? D-16? Oh, not you, too... I-"

As he went to grab his arm, his hand phased right through him. He froze in his tracks. He couldn't touch anyone...

"...what? Wait, what's going on? Why can't I-"

And then he caught a glimpse of his body.

"...is that me? Wait... am I dead?!"

Orion panicked. He couldn't leave D-16 like that! They needed each other! How could this happen? Maybe they shouldn't have gone to the surface after all...

"At least Dee is continuing on for me... but I can't go yet. I'm still going with him, even if he can't see me... I'll still have his back, some way, somehow..."

With that, his spirit kept following the others as they continued their journey

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

Really short first chapter, but I had to get it started at least.

@shadowtigerlilly pspsps

[shewhooncegripped]

This... This is fine Sinclair... I'm fine right now. I like being this close to you, Sinclair.

[Kromer gently reaches up and grabs the healing hand to make sure the other doesn't damage themselves any more. Though, Kromer's hand pauses at the wrath being shown on Kromer's behalf.]

I understand you are upset, but it's unlikely to find the perpetrator. Abnormal things appear to have slowed down, so it's not like we could find much evidence of what is happening.

[Kromer doesn't appear disturbed by Sinclair's anger. Instead she has a small smile. Perhaps she is touched.]

Everything that happened was quite unfortunate, but... I'm glad it didn't happen to anyone else. Y'know? I did have a point where I didn't leave my room, but Penelope dragged me out and made me drink water. Ah... I don't think some of my coworkers would've lasted as long as I did. Though, I probably would've lasted much shorter if my manager wasn't checking in with me so frequently. I don't know. I guess I managed alright? I'm here now. I'm... Happy to be here.

...Though I was quite surprised to see my old coworker talking to you. It doesn't seem like you were aware who Baoyu is though.

[Kromer brushes past the topic of her emotions. Instead she changes the subject.]

I don't quite understand what Baoyu was saying near the end there... I was a bit distracted... But he didn't hurt you, did he?

Sinclair, Do you need help? I'm hearing.... Noises from the changing room.

- @dreamsoftheredchamber

Sinclair swallowed uncomfortably. She felt the foreign, mechanical musculature move, swallowing her spit, and yet it still felt foreign. Like there was a piece of phlegm, or mucus stuck that she couldn't remove as she tried to open her mouth. Her chest ached and her eyes were... Sore, in a way. They ached, from tearing up, and yet she knew that it wasn't right. It felt different. It felt foreign. It was a mimicry.

It was false.

Still, as the knock rang out, she set her PDA down, and shifted her hand, towards her wrist. She opened her mouth, and pushed past the oddity of the new form, and allowed her voice to echo out.

"A...A... U-Um... I'm, not sure?"

Her voice was worried. Shifting. Unsteady and... A little higher, than she remembered it. It was afraid. Scared. And most of all, there was a slight tinge. A slightly, mechanical tinge, the perhaps only she could hear, and yet it was there, all the same. It was hideously panicked.

"Th... The, um... Anon-- Th... They changed me and I... My head hurts, and these memories, they're...!"

She tried to explain. Explaining would... Make it easier, and yet she knew she sounded insane. Her head hurt. It ached, and everything was wrong. Her hands gripped at her arms, and her 'breathing'... No, the simulacrum of a breath stifled itself in her chest, as she tightened her grip. It hurt. It hurt so much. But it didn't feel right.

It felt... Like it had back / t h e n . When she had f / a / l / l / e / n .

When she had f a i l e d .

When even Glass Slippers had been unable to save her. To save Abe, or... Anyone.

Her head hurt.

[belligerentbagel]

closing two artfights! reached my final goal, which was a nice round total of 10 attacks for this first year 😊

Alcarnarmo (ThArtemisHunter)

Phoenix Tian and Kai Terranova (@mimicmerchant)

[icewindandboringhorror]

Recent images I suppose ~

[that-was-anticlimactic]

if i loved you like i'm capable of

Chuuya stared at him, eyes wide before bursting into laughter. “Phah! Dazai was right—you are high-strung!” they cackled, slapping their knee with their hand.

“I am not high-strung!” Kunikida argued. “Unlike you, I actually have a set of ideals and morals that I strive to live by. If that makes me high-strung to the world, then so be it. At least I have those to fall back on.”

“Hm,” Chuuya hummed, all traces of laughter vanishing within seconds. Although their chests were practically touching, they somehow managed to stalk even closer. They hooked a finger around Kunikida’s collar and pulled him down, ignoring his indignant squawk and red skin.

“You seem pretty high-strung to me, even without all your ideals. Looks like you could use a break, pretty boy.”

[or, kenji, chuuya, & kunikida have a sleepover & bad flirting ensues]

🛏 7,045 words | kunichuu & kenji 🛏

a gift for my beloved @zukkaoru because they had to listen to me complain about writer's bock for two months straight, they wanted more kunicuu, their kunichuu spam yesterday inspired this, & bc i'm biased & love them <333

[midnightwind]

I miss the epilogue celebration party from the other games, and seeing what each decision branched out to be at the end, and the little hints at the companions' lives after it all ends....

[goldentigerfestival]

Forgot to post this earlier but I did in fact comb the entire Vesperia script to determine how many times he uses ま/まあ throughout the game, along with a few other phrases he uses repeatedly. This counts all of main story, every single sidequest, and every single skit in the game.

Final counts were:

ま/まあ: 280

Ma/Maa; translates to "well". He uses this at the beginning of a sentence usually, but it's sometimes in the middle. "Ma" is usually more quick and snappy. "Maa" is more thoughtful and/or prolonged. Obviously it can vary based on context, but that's the general breakdown.

んじゃ and any variants: 133

Nja, along with variants such as "ja", "soreja", etc. Variants are counted when they're all used to express "let's get going", when they're about to head off ("ja" could be used in a sentence such as "ja/but then, why is xyz like this", etc). They encompass translations such as "well then" (let's get going implied. includes "so then", "then" "alright then", and so on), "we should be off", "let's get going", "let's go", etc. (not to be confused with 行こう(ikou), 行くぜ, (ikuze), and other similar versions of this phrase. That can also mean "let's go", but any instances of Yuri using that particular phrase was not counted because it wasn't a variant of, specifically, んじゃ, which is also his most common "let's go" ja variant).

おい / おいおい: 66

Oi/Oi oi; translates to "hey"/"hey, hey", though "oi" is more or less an accepted word in English nowadays.

おっと: 12

Otto (not to be confused with "oto", referring to sound); an expression of surprise that can translate roughly to "whoa there" (which is the most common translation I do see for it and what I'd use in most cases too, context of course varying). The reason I included this one despite it being so seemingly low in number is because it's not a particularly common expression, much less one used multiple times by a single character? It's so rare from anyone else, which is just a regular thing relative to Yuri and his dialogue/speech (i.e. most characters sparingly use phrases repeatedly, as compared to Yuri... as you can see lol. Other characters use these words/phrases, but nowhere near as regularly, if regularly at all).

Realized along the way I should've included やれやれ (yare yare, "good grief", "oh dear", "oh boy" etc), but by the time I realized I should have in case it was an interesting count, I was too far into the script to be able to handle going all the way back through it LOL.

No. No, I am not joking that Yuri used ま/まあ 280 times throughout the course of the game. That is to say, it could be more if I missed any, but on the assumption I didn't, that's where it stands.

Why do I love this so much? Because it's a very specific character quirk of a character I adore. I'm very fond of his repetition. Thank you.

[pinolitas]

I'm so sad i worried about money as a kid cus my parents were always worried about money so I didn't get to do as many fun classes and camps and stuff cus I didn't want to ask if they weren't free

[difty-dift]

hi

WEEK 2 of @nikodavisflores's October Self-Challenge (""Frankenstein"")

[madwomanxx]

This is literally what I've dreamed of after finishing the heroes of Olympus

I wanted more of Hazel

I wanted more of her and Nico being siblings

I wanted more of Will and Nico ( I will forever stand by his best scene being The Blood of Olympus, it showed so much personality and good building blocks for a relationship between him and Nico)

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL POSSIBLY SEPTEMBER!?

HOW CAN I WAIT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE!!!

HAZEL IS IN THE NEW BOOK??? MY GIRL???? SOLANGELO PLUS MY GIRL????