#but y'all I have some hot nonsense for y'all planned with this one!

[phoenixiancrystallist]

Month 5, day 19, whaaaaaat, haha, nooooo, I haven't missed animating, what are you talking about, nooooo, didn't miss it at all, hahahaha

hahaha

ha

um...

have a gif?

[sky-squido]

A/J for to isolate? (very excited for the finale btw)

A: How did you come up with the title to To Isolate?

okay so when i originally reblogged the fanfic ask meme, these are the tags i almost added and then didn't:

i did end up asking her anyway and she told me but i've already forgotten again, so there must not be a particularly interesting story behind it. i think we just played around with a couple of things and that was what we liked best. i mean, we had no idea it would get so huge, so we didn't put a ton of thought into it, and it's a perfectly serviceable and not-inaccurate title. yeah, there's not much more to it than that, i don't think

J: Write or describe an alternative ending to To Isolate.

HA!! NOW THAT TO ISOLATE IS ACTUALLY DONE I CAN MEME ON THE FINALE! i actually have TONS of silly ideas for post-fic funtimes because it has a happy ending and everything and i just really love the continuity it sets up. there's a strong chance i'll end up writing some of them out and putting them in their own fic that i group into a series with to isolate itself. i'll bullet some of my favorites below the cut for spoiler-proofing.

but those are less alternate endings and more extensions/deleted scenes/post-credits-scenes. most actual alternate ending possibilities for to isolate are pretty dark, but one of my favorite meme alternate ending ideas is one where Warriors keeps a journal in chapter one and for some reason?? Dink just Doesn't Notice so Wars wakes up on Day Four and goes "hey guys this is really weird" and everyone's like "YEAH that is pretty funky" and they all just talk about it. it would be funny to say that the whole plot just never happens, but that's not necessarily the case—dink still has his scheme, and i'm not fully sure what all the ramifications of them finding out this early on would be. he might just be like OH FRICK I FORGOT ABOUT THE BOOK and then wipes their memories and burns the journal. maybe that IS canon and sky just never knew~ oooooooooooooooh~ (it's not dw—if it were, wars woulda brought it up in ch. 10)

OH HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN! THERE IS AN ALTERNATE ENDING!!! POLTEA MADE ONE and it's beautiful y'all should check it out here

OKAY SILLY FUNTIMES POST-CANON NONSENSE IDEAS (SPOILER WARNING FOR LITERALLY THE ENTIRE FIC)

consider yourself warned

((lemme know which of these y'all are most interested in and if i ever get around to writing little these vignettes, i'll prioritize those))

four has been looking for the master sword for a while, Splitting for a time to cover more ground, and he hasn't found it anywhere. he's starting to plan out a long-term solution but also he's still looking. dot keeps telling him to stop, but he really wants to make extra super bonus sure he didn't just miss it by accident. as he's walking in the mountains, the sword drops out of the sky, bonks him on the head (with the hilt, but that's not much better than the blade cuz it's still Hot As Heck from ch. 7) and then tumbles down a cliff into the woods. he's simultaneously relieved and very annoyed, but he climbs down after it anyway to find it stabbed, perfectly vertically, into a pristine clearing, rays of golden sunlight spilling over it (wait where is that even coming from it's like midnight and also overcast) because the Master Sword is actually a Massive Diva and the laws of nature will bend to facilitate this

legend getting a loftwing!! he is a knight of skyloft, after all. i like the idea of his loftwing being really grumpy and kind of traumatized because it lost its rider, and no one's been able to even get close to it without getting bitten at, which is why it's up for grabs for someone of legend's age, but they understand each other really well and bond a lot, even if they can't "feel" each other like sky and his loftwing can, since they missed the critical period for that.

oh yeah it's canon that the wedding rings that sky and sun wear are gifts from legend—sky's got the green ring because a) green symbolizes courage in zelda and b) it's a balance of offensive and defensive boosts and mr. i-lost-the-use-of-my-sword-hand could use the help in both departments. zelda has the life ring L-2 which is pretty and heart-shaped but also regenerates health over time because sky and legend care about her lots and want her to stay safe <3

okay poltea and i high-key sidelined groose because neither of us can take him seriously because he's too much of a meme (even though i've played sksw twice now and agree wholeheartedly that endgame groose is a massive lad) and also like... he really wasn't relevant to the fic and there was honestly no point in fleshing him out or anything. however, this fun vignette would play with the HEY WHO'S THIS LEGEND GUY AND HOW'D HE STEAL MY BESTIE SO FAST?! element of the dynamic where sky's in a cheesy YA love triangle but of friendship sfdkgjhsldfgkjsdf. groose and legend would both slip slightly into their respective Jerk Modes to try and sus the other out, but then they'd bond and become bros and sky would bemoan the mistake he made in unleashing those two upon the world. they also fight over which of them will be sky's kid's favorite uncle <3 also legend's aroace in this fic because i said so so he just vibes with the lads. it's probably for the bet if he doesn't set up a bloodline in his own past anyway fdjhgfkgfjfd

OKAY SO REMEMBER THE LINE ABOUT PARADOXES AND CRAP and how sun kind of had a sense for them and would stop legend from causing any so he could safely inhabit the past? in this idea, like... the weirdest stuff sets off the Paradox Tinglies and Legend will be about to take a sip of juice and then sun bursts into the room and smacks it out of his hand and goes NO! and legend's just like O_O. he's honestly not sure if she's just screwing with him or not but he's too grateful to be here to question it

SKY AND SUN'S BABY AND LEGEND BEING A CHAOTIC UNCLE. i've never actively sought out fics in the vein of "we've just handed your favorite character an infant, what will they do now?" and i don't spend nearly enough time around children that small to be able to write any pre-school age particularly well, but just because it's these dorks specifically, i'm thinking about it <3

OKAY SO SKY AND LEGEND ARE THE FIRST IN THE TIMELINE NOW, RIGHT? get this—they make time capsules. they write letters to all the dudes, just for kicks, and they're kinda curious to see if any of them will actually reach their intended recipients, even if they'll probably never actually know until their spirits all meet up in the afterlife. not sure what they'll do about the timeline split and also convergence apparently though sfgljhsdgksdfh

hyrule just obliterating the ganon cult. like, we all know it happens, it's fully canon, but that doesn't mean i don't want to see it happen anyway. this is more likely to be art than fic, but i still wanna see it anyway because hyrule should be allowed to go feral more often i think

remember that bit where legend tells wars to not do too good of a job fixing space and time so they can all hang out again? yeah like five to ten years in, the portals all crack open again and the lads get to have like tea and biscuits and a nice chat or whatever. it would be purely crack and For The Memes because the boys all (largely) going back to their respective eras at the end was a Choice Made For Reasons, but also post-LU reunions are fun and this is a post-LU that i can really play around in because i actually know what it looks like and how we got there

okay that's most of them but there's definitely more kicking around my brain that i'm not thinking of right now. i just love the lads okay i gave them their happy ending and now i just wanna play around with it because it's fun :3

thank you for this ask and apologies for the Many Months delay, so i hope this answer manages to make its way to you! take care!!

[rejectedbad]

Rejected Bad: A Balancing Act

The following is a rejected script from an early season of Breaking Bad.

INT. DEAQUANIA'S DRUG DEN - DAY

JESSE stands in a dimly lit room, surrounded by fellow drug runners - MIKE, BADGER, and PETE. They are all preparing to finalise a big drug deal with DEAQUANIA, a notorious local drug lord.

JESSE:  (cheerfully)  Alright, y'all, check this out! You've never seen something like this before!

Jesse grabs a bag of blue crystal meth and opens it. He carefully pinches a small amount, organises it into a neat line, and snorts it up his nose.

MIKE:  (squints in confusion)  Jesse, what the hell are you doing?

JESSE:  (excitedly)  I'm about to show you how perfect my meth balance game is! Watch this!

Jesse puts on his best game face, tilts his head back, and carefully places a crystal of meth on the tip of his nose. It balances perfectly.

BADGER:  (disgusted)  Jesse, this is a drug deal, not a circus act!

Pete nods in agreement.

PETE:  (sarcastically)  Yeah, Jesse! Why don't you just make a juggling routine? The hell is wrong with you?

Jesse misunderstood their reactions and excitedly proceeds with reckless confidence.

JESSE:  Think about it, guys! We'll have the best batch of meth in town and now the best damn balancing act! No one else can top us!

Deaquania, who has been watching silently, bursts into laughter.

DEAQUANIA:  (laughing)  I gotta give it to you, Jesse. That's some next-level stupidity. But the deal's off, this isn't a circus. I run a serious operation here.

Mike, Badger, and Pete exchange glances, realising the potential backlash.

MIKE:  We apologise for this nonsense. We'll make it right; just give us another chance, Deaquania.

Deaquania ponders for a moment.

DEAQUANIA:  Okay, here's what I propose. You see if Jesse is good at dodging bullets, just like he's good at balancing meth on his nose. Chase him through the desert, and if he survives, we'll let this slide.

Everyone looks at Jesse, who begins to panic.

JESSE:  (terrified)  Whoa, whoa, hold up! That's not part of the plan! We can find another way to make it right!

Deaquania stands up, his expression intimidating.

DEAQUANIA:  Oh no, Jesse. You wanted to be the centre of attention, so now you are!

Mike, Badger, and Pete reluctantly join Deaquania, and they all begin chasing Jesse out of the drug den.

EXT. DESERT - DAY

Jesse runs frantically through the desert, with the others hot on his tail. They fire warning shots into the air, creating chaos.

Jesse's heart pounds as he dodges bullets and desperately searches for an escape route.

JESSE:  (to himself)  Come on, Jesse! You've survived worse than this! Just keep running!

Jesse's determination keeps him moving forward through the unforgiving desert terrain.

FADE OUT.

[copiousloverofcopia]

Can you please write a little something about Copia’s prime mover being pregnant and just absolutely craving some dick? I think he would be very worried not to hurt her to the point where she just gets fed up and pushes him on the bed and fucks the soul out of him lmao

Thank you for answering me Anon! And thank you for your ask...you are absolutely right. I think Copia would struggle a bit with physical intimacy while his Prime Mover is pregnant. It's not that the desire isn't there--cuz believe me it sure as hell is, but he's definitely anxious enough to be worried he may harm something so without further ado...

On a Pale White Horse

Also available here on AO3!

Also if pregnancy stuff makes you uncomfortable stay away and read tags y'all!

Definitely NSFW below the cut.

My asks and requests still open, commissions open on heart mug site.

You waited impatiently all day for Copia's meetings to be through. Sighing as you sat on the bench outside Sister Imperator's office. You had been there so long you were sure you'd be covered by cobwebs by the time he emerged. Regardless you waited, after all you really—really needed your Papa.

You passed the time by reading the memos on the bulletin board. Thankfully the board was littered with various things to occupy your mind: the Abbey newsletter; the notice for Taco Tuesday thrown by Cumulus, something of particular interest; and best of all your baby shower invitation.

You continued to sit, the aching between your legs, constant and unyielding. Your blood practically set aflame at the thought of him buried between your thighs. Things between you and your Papa had always been hot and heavy, so much time spent with your legs over your head, there were days you weren't sure you'd be able to walk upright. However since you entered your second trimester you felt positively insatiable, your need exponentially growing–only problem was as you began to show, Copia started to grow more cautious.

He let his nerves get the better of him, worried he'd put too much pressure on your belly or maybe even hurt something inside. The man had come up with every excuse under the sun lately, and now it had come to the point you were starting to lose your mind. Your blood was swirling, your panties wet, and your heart pounding—you'd had enough. You decided this morning when the two of you woke up and he kissed you goodbye on his way out, leaving you a wanton mess with no relief,, that you had to do something about it—so you devised a plan.

You crossed and uncrossed your legs, your sensitive flesh begging for friction, when the door to Imperator's office opened. The members of the Clergy all filed out, looks of boredom and their eyes rolling as they left. It was only a moment before Copia appeared. He looked so handsome today you thought—or maybe the hormones were helping. He had his hands full of books and parchment and as always, an adorably awkward demeanor.

"Cara mia? What are you two doing here?" He asked you, a sweet smile spreading delightfully across his face.

Copia made his way to you, sitting beside you on the bench and placing his hands over your belly. "I have missed you all day. What was taking so long?" You asked him, making small talk–wanted him to think everything was business as usual.

"Well it was mostly some bureaucratic nonsense and budgetary things–nothing too bad…just long and boring." He replied. Copia bent down to plant a kiss on your small bump and then peck in your lips–the tease of it sending your desire into overdrive.

"Listen…um…I wanted to ask you if you could sneak away for a bit. Maybe take me to lunch? You asked him, uncrossing and recrossing your legs once again.

"I am sure I can find the time for you cara, what are you hungry for?"

"I was thinking we could go to that little place, the one that's over by the bookstore I love so much. I can't recall the name—"

"Cunettos? Pasta again cara, aren't you sick of it yet?" Copia laughed, your penchant for pasta, of any kind, on overdrive since becoming pregnant.

"Lol this coming from you?" You laughed back an eyebrow raised high, knowing just how much that man loved rigatoni. Wherever he wanted was fine, you weren't really after the pasta. It was only an excuse to lull him into thinking your intentions were innocent. Copia took your hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

"I see your point. Ok pasta it is…let me just drop these off in my office first." Copia said–it was exactly what you wanted to hear. The two of you walked hand in hand down the stairs and through the main hall. Copia's office was close, as you inched your way there you felt the heat inside you swirling, hoping he hadn't caught on just yet.

When you made it to the office, you let him walk in first. He went over to his desk and set his papers down and went to organize things absent-mindedly when he could hear the click of the lock. Copia stopped dead in his movements, his back still facing you. Copia smiled, still facing the Giacomo Borlone de Burchis painting that hung on the wall behind his desk. Suddenly your random visit to Imperator's office made sense.

"Amore? What are you thinking?" He asked you as he slowly turned around. You made your way over to him, stopping to slip out of your panties, stepping out of them as they hit the floor. Copia gulped, his cock already starting to bulge in his pants.

"What I'm thinking is—I want to ride my Papa, like the pale white horse I know he is." You purred, tracing your fingers along the lapel of his jacket. Copia's breathing, becoming harder as you grazed your thigh against the swell of his cock. He ran his fingers through your hair, taking in the scent of your perfume. You kissed along the side of his neck, dragging your tongue gently across his skin.

"Sí…mmm…amore mia. You know what that does to me." He began, his body beginning to melt from your touch, when he gripped your shoulders and pulled you to face him–his body now backed up firmly against his desk.

"What's wrong?" You asked, already knowing the answer. Copia's eyes left your gaze and fell to the small bump of your belly. He brought his hand there, pressing his lips together into a tight smile. Copia brought his other hand to your jawline, you nestled your face in his palm—it felt so good to be touched by him.

"I–I just don't want to risk anything. You know how much this means to me." He reaffirmed. You couldn't blame him. Of course he was concerned, not only was the child the heir to the Emeritus bloodline, but also his—yours. His anxious nature had gotten the best of him and you'd be damned if you'd let it go on any longer.

"Listen Cope, you haven't touched me in what feels like forever. I know you're trying to be gentle with me, but I promise you I won't break." Copia tried to speak, but you put your finger up, covering over his lips as you finished what you had to say. "Now you are going to drop those pants and fuck me to Hell and back right now!"

"Uh…do I have a choice?" Copia asked, a hint of humor in his tone. You pulled his arms off your shoulders and walked around him to his desk, swiping the surface clear of all the papers he just laid down on it, leaving a bare spot for the two of you. "I'm guessing that's a no."

"Right now Papa, you're mine." You growled, pushing him down onto his desk and unzipping his pants. You freed his cock from the confines of his boxers, the tip already wet with precum. Copia pulled himself up on his elbows as you finished pulling off his bottoms. Slowly you began to stroke his cock, your hand sliding up and down his shaft, the precum aiding you with a smooth glide.

"Oh fuck cara…mmmm…" Copia moaned. You dropped down, kissing and licking along the head and down the shaft of his fully erected cock. Copia moaning and mummering in Italian as you brought your lips over it, stretching your mouth around him and swallowing him back into the hollow of your throat. "Ahhh…oh cara…mmm." He continued, biting down on his lip and wiggling at your touch.

Now that you had him relaxed and ready it was time to strike. In one fell swoop you had his cock out of your mouth and were climbed on top of him. It had been a few months since you had him here, praying now the desk would still hold both of your weight. You hovered above him, the tip of his cock slightly grazing your dripping folds as you shifted into place.

"Are you sure it's safe?" He asked you, his hands on either side of your hips. Fingers kneading your flesh as his mouth hung up waiting for you to ride him. You grabbed on to him, lining him up and sinking down on him slowly.

"Ahhhh…I am very sure." You assured him, as you rose and fell on the length of his cock. Copia's head fell back. You felt even more blissful than he remembered. Your body, hugging him so deliciously tight that he had to concentrate not to cum. You were barely holding yourself together, his girth filling you so well that your sensitive cunt pulsed hard against him.

You gripped into his shoulders, getting your balance while you rocked your hips with his. You could feel every vein, every pulsation, every twitch of his cock. You know at this rate it wouldn't be long before you flooded his lap with the evidence of how good he made you feel. Then he did one of the things he knew sent you over the edge. Copia met every thrust of your hips with his own, slamming hard inside you–fucking up into you like his life depended on it.

"Oh fuck yes Copia! Ah–fuck me harder! I wanna taste it as you cum!" You cried, hanging on to him for dear life. The sounds of the two of you, surely now billowing into the hallway with the most lascivious of symphonies. The desk creaked loudly as the both you, determined to see each other to completion, pounded away on its surface.

"Sweet Lucifer, you are positively insatiable! Ah!" Copia cried out as you shifted him inside you, grinding your cunt down hard on him. Suddenly you felt it–that divine sensation of him beginning to swell. You buckled down, removing your hands from his shoulders and leaning back on his thighs and you both thrusted. "Ah fuck cara, I'm gonna cum for you!" Copia howled, quickening his pace.

Your body started to tremble, your breathing ragged as you felt the warmth of his cum filling you. "Ah!" You cried, the sensation, so good it sent you over. Your body melted into his, as you felt your cunt clamp down, milking his cock for every drop of cum he had in him. With your need finally satisfied, you collapsed on top of him, mindful of your belly.

"Mmmm avevi ragione amore, avremmo dovuto farlo prima." Copia hummed, kissing the top of your head. You lifted yourself up, feeling heavy and exhausted, Copia still seated inside you. "Are you alright?" He asked, still a lingering concern for you and the baby's wellbeing.

"Yes, Cope. We are just fine." You smiled bending down to give him a kiss, his spent cock slipping out from inside you as you did.

"Oh." You laughed, filling the loss of him as you sat back up, your very satisfied Papa smiling back up at you.

"Well if that's the case—give me 20 minutes and we go again, sí?" He growled. You sucked in your lower lip. Your body was so sensitive and hot, but knowing now you would never miss an opportunity again.

"Sí." You you hummed, a coy smile on your face.

Notes: avevi ragione amore, avremmo dovuto farlo prima- you were right honey, we should have done it sooner

[fivelakesinwriting]

can i request a jj or pope fic (if that’s what you’d call it), where the reader is suffering period cramps and other symptoms, and he comes to take care of her? probably a lot of fluff between them??

Author's Notes: Not enough love for our boy Pope, so I chose him! He would be the sweetest boyfriend, I think.

Warnings: Mentions of drugs, Swearing, Mentions of blood (it's about periods, y'all) - Otherwise, fluff!

Requested? YES! Requests for OBX are OPEN!

*My work is not to be transferred, copied, translated or reposted to any other sites without my permission. Please see my masterlist for all other works and warnings. Thank you! xoxo

Pope was so excited that it was the weekend. He had no extracurricular activities that day, and his only plans were to go out on the HMS Pogue with his friends and his new girlfriend. He woke up and was greeted by the sunniest Saturday morning he had seen in the long time and it was as if the stress and anxiety was lifted off of him.

He smiled to himself as he grabbed his phone off of his desk and checked his messages.

I can't come out today :(

Pope read the text message from his new girlfriend, they had only been official for about two months, and his heart sank. He let out a heavy sigh as he typed back a quick reply and changed into his clothes for the boat.

Pope couldn't keep the frown off of his face as he rode his bike to The Chateau. He had been looking forward to this Saturday on the water with the Pogues and his girlfriend all week. Sun, water and a pretty girl in a (hopefully) small swimsuit was just what he needed to get his mind off all this Royal Merchant and Denmark Tanny nonsense.

He hopped off his bike, letting it fall to the ground in the drive of The Chateau then stalked up towards the open door of the front porch.

"Whoa. Easy, Big Guy. Gonna break my door. You look like someone broke your project for the Science Fair." John B mumbled as he pulled on a t-shirt he grabbed from the back of the old couch.

"She's not coming." Pope grumbled as he sat down on the couch beside Kiara as she finished packing the cooler.

"What do you mean she's not coming? We've had this planned since like, last week. Stoked to finally meet your girl, man." JJ mumbled as he finished pinching the last bit of weed into the rolling paper.

"Says that she can't come out today because 'it has been a red dawn'. Whatever that means." Pope sighed as he turned his phone over in his hand, resting his head back on the couch.

Kiara burst out laughing, her hand over her mouth as she kept her eyes fixed on the cooler at her feet.

"What? Why is that funny?" Pope asked as he lifted his head up from the couch to look between his friends.

"She has her period, Pope. She doesn't want to come out because she has her period and is probably embarrassed to be around you and boys she doesn't know." Kiara replied as she looked over at the Heyward boy who still looked confused.

"Red Dawn, now that was a good movie." JJ stated as he put the freshly rolled joint behind his ear, and stood up.

"JJ." Both Kiara and Pope sighed as they looked over at the blonde boy.

"I'm just saying." JJ smirked as he adjusted his red hat on his head, then stood up and made his way over to the small television set on the other side of the room, crouched down and began to rummage through the small cabinet beneath.

"Well, I guess I'll just for two weeks after exams and prep classes are over. It just sucks because this was like, the one weekend she and I both had." Pope muttered as he rested his head back on the couch.

"Who says that you can't see her?" Kiara asked with a furrowed brow.

"Well..I just figured she'd want to be alone." Pope stammered.

"She's not a leper, Pope. And even if she were, she's your girlfriend." Kiara rolled her eyes as she swatted her friend's chest.

"Hate to admit it, but she's right. Take this and go see your girl instead. Boat will still here next weekend." JJ grinned as he walked over to Pope and handed him a dusty DVD.

"Red Dawn? JJ, I can't bring this." Pope held the DVD up to show the title back to the grinning Maybank boy, and shook his head.

"C'mon. She'll think it's funny." JJ laughed with a pat of Pope's shoulder before he made his way down the hall of The Chateau.

"Don't bring that." Kiara muttered under her breath.

"I'm not." Pope replied.

*

By the time Pope got to her house, still on The Cut, it was mid- morning and the sun was blazing hot. He dropped his bike in the empty driveway and wiped his brow with the hem of his shirt. He walked up the steps to the front door and knocked lightly.

"Pope?" She opened the door and greeted him in baggy sweat pants and an oversized sweater.

"Hi. I know you said that you didn't want to come out today, but I thought...well, Kiara thought..that you might want some company. And I thought that, too. But I didn't want to overstep and invade your space. But I guess I'm here now." Pope rambled as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other on the front step.

"No, it's okay. Pope, I'm really glad you came over. Come inside." She smiled softly as she took hold of his hand, lacing their fingers and pulled him inside the house, towards her bedroom.

"I was just going to watch a movie." She smiled as she sat on the edge of her bed and looked up at him as he stood awkwardly in the doorway of her bedroom.

"That's perfect. I actually brought you some snacks. I wasn't sure what you might be craving, I know you always flip flop between chocolate or candy. So I brought you both." Pope smiled softly as he walked slowly to the edge of the bed and sat next to her, pulling his backpack off his shoulders.

Pope opened up his backpack and pulled out one bag of Skittles and another bag of M&M's, passing them to her.

"You're the sweetest boyfriend, ever." She smiled as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"I do request I get at least a handful of the Skittles, though." Pope blushed as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"I can do that. Hey, what's that? You brought a movie?" She smiled as she pointed the the DVD that sat at the bottom of his bag.

"What? No, I didn't...damnit, JJ." Pope sighed as he rubbed his forehead.

She smirked and reached into the bag before he grab her hand to stop her. She looked at the DVD with a smile and read the bright yellow Post-It note on the front. JJ's unmistakable printing on the note.

IT WILL BE FUNNY.

"I'm so sorry. That was JJ's idea of a joke. He wanted me to bring this movie because of your text.." Pope sighed as he reached for the DVD.

"You don't want to show me the movie?" She giggled as she held the movie out of his reach.

"If you want to watch it, sure." Pope nodded with a sigh of relief. For once JJ's antics hadn't gotten him kicked in the ass. Especially with a girl he liked.

"Pop it in the player, it's over there." She giggled as she pointed the small television across her bedroom.

Pope smiled and did as was requested of him, putting the DVD in the old player. He grabbed the remote and walked back over the bed and laid with her as she already opened the bag of Skittles.

"Pope?" She asked softly as he settled against the headboard and fast forwarded through all the trailers and advertisements he didn't care about.

"Yeah?" He looked down at her, and he felt his heartbeat start to quicken. She was so pretty, and she liked him.

"Do you think you could rub my belly for a little bit? I have cramps, and they suck." She whispered as she rested her forehead on his shoulder.

"Really?" Pope asked as he slid his back down the headboard to be closer to her on the mattress.

"Yeah. Your hands are always so warm and soft." She nodded as she rested against him, her head on his shoulder as she watched the television.

"Sure." Pope smiled as he slowly, tentatively, reached beneath his shirt and pressed the palm of his hand just beneath her belly button and softly rubbed back and forth. He kissed the top of her head as she nestled into him even more.

"Thanks for staying behind from the boat to keep me company, Pope." She whispered against his neck.

"No need to thank me. I think I like this better." Pope replied softly.

"I don't know why JJ said we should watch this movie, though. There's minimal blood. Should have watched Carrie or something." She smiled as she looked up at his face.

"You're so weird. And I'm not watching Carrie again. Watched it once in the 8th grade because JJ made me, and I'm not doing it again." Pope laughed, his hand still running across the warm skin of her stomach just under her belly button.

"Oh, no. Poor little Pope." She giggled as she wrapped her arms around his midsection and pulled him close.

"Yeah, so if you want to watch horror movies you'll probably have to ask JJ." Pope replied as he kissed the top of her head.

"I will protect you, Pope." She whispered against his chest and held him tightly.

Pope felt content in that small bedroom with his girlfriend, the fan blowing straight on them as they watched that stupid movie JJ must has shoved in his backpack when he walked out the living room earlier. He supposed he owed him a thank you.

Maybe.

Hottie List:

@starkey-babie @sodasback @fashion-fasting @beauvibaby @barrysjumpsuit @vinniehcker

*tag list still open if you'd like to be added - just let me know!

Please let me know what you think if you have a moment! Thank you so much! xoxo

Requests for OBX ARE OPEN!

[darkfearsandkittyears]

Y'all, it's Whumptober! I'm super excited!

Okay, uh...funny story [and super embarrassing for me] I am a highly unorganized person, I have a calendar in my room, but it's so much easier to check the date on the huge calendar in the kitchen! So, I calculated the days till October in August, and promptly forgot to write prompts and outlines, [even though I pants most of my works].

Fast forward to today, when I see my mom writing down the October events. I was like, oh, she's just reminding herself for next month.

Then I realized.

I literally forgot that September comes right before October.

I literally thought that I had another month to plan ideas.

One of you come whack me on the head, I really need it.

Anywho, let's get on with the show!!

"Come on, Damian! Reach for it." Jason dangled Damian's bottle, inches from the baby's hands. Damian whined and stretched his arms out as far as they would go, attempting to snatch his bottle.  Jason smiled at the child. "Scoot forward. Like this." He demonstrated, pulling his body along with his arms.  Damian stared at him as if he'd grown a second head, then cooed a little.  "Yeah, it looks whack. But come on." Jason shrugged and put the bottle down, wagging Damian's little toy dog instead. On what planet did this qualify as a dog? It looked more like a deformed elephant.  The woman at the store had insisted it was a dog….he had to get Damian some more toys. All the parenting books said that babies needed good toys for development. "Come on buddy, get your..animal." Jason called. Damian laid his head on the quilt and sucked his thumb. Jason snapped a quick picture as the little boy nodded off, tuckered out by 'tummy time'. "Come on Dames, don't fall asleep just yet." Jason said, grunting as he got to his feet. The wound he'd sustained wasn't helping any, and the painkillers weren't working right, thanks to the pit.  Oh well.  "Come on kid, you can't fall asleep on your stomach." Jason rolled the sleepy baby over on his back. Big blue eyes batted up at him, laced with sleep.  Looked like Bruce, a little.  House of Wayne.  Once upon a time, Jason had wanted to use the kid as leverage...but this was a baby, and his brother. He'd realized that, but realized it a little late. Damian deserved to grow up, shielded from batdad's nonsense and in a world without Joker.  Godamn it, Talia was right.  Having a 'family' around him had cleared his head. And screwed up his plans. Majorly. But he wouldn't trade it for anything.  Besides, he'd nearly had Joker's brains splattered against the wall yesterday, right in front of Bruce's face.  He'd make them watch, make them all watch when he pulled the trigger on Joker. For himself. For Barbara.  For Damian. Maybe then, when Joker was dead, he'd present Damian to Bruce. Let Bruce wage war against the House of al Ghul while he and Damian ran for the hills. Then they'd double back and destroy both families. He couldn't kill Bruce, not until Damian was older. Jason was no Willis Todd, he was far from willing to force his brother into a life with no father. Picking sides would be Damian's choice, when he got older. But for now, it was Damian, Jason and Talia against the Joker and Batdad.  Not a hard fight.  Especially when Jason had the upper hand.  "We're gonna be just fine." Jason smiled down at the sleeping baby. "We're already winning." Damian's eyelashes fluttered, and he let out a tiny snore. Jason picked him up and transferred him to his playpen, then wandered out of the living room and into the bedroom that he'd converted into a gym.  A rumble of thunder burst through the room, and Jason paused, hoping it wouldn't wake Damian up. That was pretty loud, for thunder. The ground seemed to shake with the sound.  The pull up bar he'd installed yesterday clattered to the ground, and he flinched lightly as an image of a crowbar flashed before his eyes. It felt as if something had hit him in the back, but he chalked it up to imagination. He was probably imagining the fog around him too.  Some things Joker gave him, he could never get rid of.  But Damian began to cry, loud, hysterical wails that sent fear up Jason's spine. Another rumble broke through the air as Jason sprinted out of the room. A sickening crack ricocheted through the house, and Jason unwillingly moved to the left as something brushed his right shoulder.  A support beam.  "Damian!" Jason had never moved so fast, weaving past and through the falling drywall and wood. He was only feet away from the playpen when Damian's wails choked to a stop, as if someone had turned them off. Through the fog and falling objects, he reached into the playpen and curled around the child, shielding him with his body as he tried to find an exit.  Damian's body was limp in Jason's arms, not a cry or a coo. Jason risked a

glance at the child's closed eyes and pale, dust covered face. He shoved the blanket up to cover Damian's nose and rushed blindly into the direction of the doors. Behind him, a beam fell and what was left of the house shuddered.  An eerie feeling washed over Jason, settling right in the pit of his stomach. Everything went quiet, but Jason tensed, alert.  A hot burst of air slammed into his back, and he knew he'd been right to keep alert. Jason grunted as he was thrown into what was left of a wall, which crumbled, pinning his legs down. His mind fogged like a static TV, and he could feel warm air.  Fire.  Then realization hit.  Damian was no longer in his arms.  "Damian. Damian!" His throat was raw, coated in drywall dust and dirt. But he yelled on, hoping, needing to hear anything from the rubble.  But there wasn't a sound.  Jason pulled his leg from under the rubble and plowed through it to the best of his abilities, climbing over and under and around piles of garbage that had once been a house. There was an odd feeling in his leg, the only other thought that wasn't an urgent repeat of, "Find Damian!". But he quickly suppressed the feeling, because through the fog and dust and smoke, a tiny hand protruded from under a beam. Jason attempted to lift it, but couldn't. Damian was trapped under an air pocket, but any wrong movement would send it all crashing atop him.  A lever.  Jason searched desperately for a board or pole to use as a lever, but saw nothing. But then his eyes scanned over his own leg, and he had to look back at it.  His foot was quite literally facing the wrong way. The odd feeling vanished and became a sharp pain that nearly took his breath away.  Focus, Jason. The League had trained him as a sniper, and he was good at it. He excelled, even.  But all snipers knew how to do one thing. Hyperfixate. And that skill, with the help of adrenaline, might just save both his and Damian's lives.  Jason looked around the room once again, eyeing the position of the beam that Damian was under. If he could manage to get across the rubble, he could crawl into the air pocket and rescue Damian. Jason pulled his body up and over rubble, ignoring the extreme pain that was now burning through his body. At some point, that white agony would get the best of him, but for now, adrenaline was masking most of it.  "Damian!" Jason called again, nearly falling over a piece of wall. His broken leg slammed into a sheet of metal, which dislodged. The beam began sliding, and Jason screamed, unwillingly. He felt his legs propelling him towards where his brother lay, and he pulled Damian into his arms and cringed as the beam fell down around them.  "Damian...Dames." Jason panted as the dust settled, smoothing the dirt off his brother's pale face. The baby was too pale. He had to get him out of here. The falling rubble was controlling the fire, but smoke inhalation would kill them. And Damian had been unconscious for far too long, but there wasn't a single scratch on the child to evidence any injuries. Jason growled in frustration. "Damn it!" His entire body hurt, his leg most of all. Adrenaline was wearing off...the pain was mixing with the green light of the pit, and together they nearly blinded him.  Rage, and pain. Great combination.  He looked around for a way out. It was like a grave. Tight, and hard to breathe.  No Jason.  No.  His breath caught, and he knew he'd just screwed up. There wasn't enough air in his lungs, and he could breathe it in quickly enough. He clutched Damian to his chest and tried to get in a breath, to no avail.  Whimpers punctuated his breath, and the rational part of him could have laughed at himself.  But he couldn't. Whimpers turned to screams, and nothing made sense anymore. He screamed the only name he knew would come for him. "Bruce! Bruce, please!" He could hear his own screams dying out, feel himself losing a grip on consciousness. "Dad! Dad...Bruce…" His voice rasped into a whisper, and he gritted his teeth. "Batman! Dad! I need you! Please...please dad!"  Not a soul

stirred.  "That's right. He's not coming for you." Joker whispered sadistically.  Jason shook his head desperately, tears mixed with blood running down his face. "Shut up, you stupid clown! Please! Bruce. Bruce! Please!"  Like a miracle on Christmas eve, a ray of light shone into their prison, and a familiar shadow fell across Jason, along with another pound of dust. Damian wailed, and Jason shielded himself and the child against the dust, then spiraled into an exhausted darkness.  Four hours later, he pulled himself out of the pit of unconsciousness. "Dami?" Jason slurred, exhausted.  "He's fine, Jay. With Alfred."  That voice.  Jason made an attempt to bolt upright, only to find that he was secured to the bed.  "You have two broken legs, five ribs, son." Bruce muttered, undoing the restraints.  They must have given him some hefty painkillers, since he could feel nothing. "Call me son again-" Jason snarled, his voice cracked and dry. "How am I your son, if you had the nerve to let him live?! I gave you the choice last night, Bruce. Save me, or save him. You threw a batarang at my throat instead."  "Jason-" Bruce looked wounded, his jaw working with words he didn't know how to say.  "No! You don't get to "Jason" me. Not after what you did. You don't deserve to have your son."  "Jason."  Jason looked up at Bruce. "What?"  "I put a batarang in your throat?"  Disbelief surged through Jason. "You didn't know? All those years of aiming those damn things, and you didn't know?" Bruce's face was as stone cold as ever. "No." Jason had probably imagined the look of sorrow on his father's face. It wasn't like Jason meant anything to him anymore. "It only nicked me, lucky for you. Doesn't even matter, I'm alive. Surprising, isn't it? You wanted me dead and him alive. What, you got a crush on him?" He looked away, unwilling to meet Bruce's eyes.  "I hate him, Jason. I just can't kill him."  "You screwed me over Bruce. All this," Jason gestured to himself, "Is your fault."  "You have a son, Jason." Bruce said softly.  "He's not my son. He's my brother." Jason replied, tone dark. "He's your son."  There was a dead silence that almost resonated. Jason chanced a look at Bruce.  For once in his life, the man looked truly stunned.  Did he break him? "Bruce…?"  "Talia's child?" Bruce whispered.  "Yes." A sudden whim forced him to add, "And you can't have him. You're not going to get him killed too." "I wasn't going to make him a Robin."  "Cut the bullcrap, Bruce!" Jason screamed, startling both himself and Bruce. "Yeah, maybe I almost got us both killed, but I've never put a gun or a batarang in his hand and told him to throw it!"  Bruce hesitated before speaking. "It wasn't your fault. The city was destroying a building, and the explosion shook the foundation of other buildings. I couldn't get to you two as quickly as I should have. I'm sorry, Jaybird." Bruce sighed. Sorry. Sorry doesn't cut it, Bruce, Jason wanted to say. "Whatever, Bruce.", was all that came from his throat. "Not the first time you've forgotten me, anyways."  "If I had known-"  Rage surged through Jason. "Save it! Why the hell is he still alive? That's my only question. Why. Isn't. He. Dead? Don't kill him. Fine. But let me kill him. Look at Barbara! Isn't what he did to me enough?! When will it be enough, Bruce? When he murders Damian?" Hands gripped Jason's shoulders, and he stopped his tirade. "Son…" Bruce began, then stopped. Jason could feel his face crumple, not a word slipping past his dry lips. "I can't kill him, Jason. I can't let myself go off that edge. "You failed me, Bruce. When will it be enough?"  Bruce didn't answer. Jason swallowed against the knot in his throat and spoke roughly. "I just want him dead. All I ever wanted was to make you proud...then you left me with him. That, the abandonment, it doesn't even hurt anymore, but I wanted you to kill him. For me." Jason's face twisted into a scowl that thankfully repressed the tears. "Make him die." He spat. "I can't, Jason. I'm sorry Jason. It's meaningless, but I'm

so sorry." Bruce looked physically pained.  He's acting, Jason told himself. "If you're sorry, don't let him hurt anyone else."  "I can't promise that."  "I know you can't. But I can!" Jason yelled, finally. But instead of his rage getting the best of him, it all just evaporated. He felt nauseated, as if someone had punched him in the gut. But all he vomited up were words, words that he shouldn't say. "All I ever wanted was to make you proud...then you left me with him. I don't care about that...but didn't you care about me?"  Bruce's expression darkened to something that Jason had never seen before. "I put the Joker in a body cast for a year. That permanent limp he has is evidence of it. I couldn't bring myself to murder him, because in his dead eyes, all I saw was myself in him. And it was all too peaceful. He tortured you for months. I'll torture him for the rest of his life." Bruce said the words like a vow, determination lacing his tone. Jason stared straight ahead in shock. Silence settled over the room.  "You-when was Joker dead?" Jason finally asked, almost dreading the answer.  "Dick killed him when he found out what happened. I couldn't let him live with the remorse, so I revived him." "Dick….killed him." Jason repeatedly slowly, almost dumbly. He wanted to feel anger that Bruce had brought the damn clown to life, but he couldn't.  "He always had a temper." Bruce said lamely.  Oh great, both of them were shutting down their emotions and verbalization. "Didn't think he'd go that far." "I did. He loves you, Jason."  "Don't talk to me about Grayson. He managed to do what I've been trying to do." Jason managed a rough laugh. "Isn't it funny, Bruce?" Bruce only stared at him, a near pitiful expression on his face.  It wasn't until Bruce hugged him that Jason realized that there were hot tears streaking down his cheeks. Slowly, Jason hugged back, blinking back the stinging wetness of his eyes.  This, all this 'emotional seminar with the Batman' was a total mistake. So Jason let go of Bruce and pushed him a little to regain personal space.  Bruce unsurprisingly was fine with taking back his boundaries. "You're doing alright, Jaylad. You took in a son that wasn't yours and you're raising him."  "I took him in for all the wrong reasons." Jason bit his tongue. "And what are your reasons now?"  "Touchè."  Parents...and adoptive older brothers make mistakes with kids. They fail them and screw them up. But Jason's mistakes with Damian could be fixed.  Jason couldn't. Not until the clown died. "You can always make the present better than the future." Bruce said.  Dammit, old man. "Whatever." Valid points.  Very valid points. "Who else trained you in manipulation?"  Bruce just looked confused. Either this was more manipulation, or Bruce being bipolar by the days.  Whichever one, Jason would try his luck. It was a mistake, destined for disaster.  But he just couldn't help himself.

[yanderecandystore]

aye, Idk if this went thou cuz it Tumblr so: I know you say to hold request like this but I wanted to ask for when you started. Maybe a yandere Imposter with a s/o who is a medic for the ship. (It a weird hc that everyone has a job on the ship) So it time for check up other med stuff. The imposter knows that the check up/computer will out them for being an imposter but it a chance to finally be alone with its 's/o'

Oh boo, what I meant about holding asks was that I was holding an anon's ask in the ask box about Yandere Among Us so that I could remember myself to write about it.

You see, a lot of people asked for it so I decided to leave this one ask about it so I could answer it later when I had the proper chapter finished.

It's not that you guys in particular need to hold your asks about Among Us, you can send them! What I tried to do was try to send a message towards the people that wanted to see more of it, that I would be doing more about it really soon.

Also, this is a gorgeous ask! I absolutely love this headcanon. I love the idea of everyone having a particular role, but also being able to do multiple tasks as the whole spaceship is destroyed-

In my Among Us fanfiction, the role of medic is played by the crewmate White, but of course the darling can be a medic in this headcanon!

Also I'll leave the color of the imposter random and out for your imagination in this headcanon, because why not?

TW/Tags: y'all mind if I went a little more… risky? 👀 Cause I think the imposter would be happy to get some "special examination" by their darling- (slight nsfw ish? At the end??) // not accurate to the game but whatevs // yes, I'm tired and therefore mumbling nonsense! // some hard simping coming from the imposter //

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

Med-bae 👀 [Yandere!Among Us x Medic!Reader - Headcanon]:

So. This was a terrible idea. You know, when you said "follow me, I'll show you something cool!" they were expecting something more, well, fun?

This is not only not fun, but can also compromise their whole plan. You brought them to medbay to show them not only your favorite tech but to also convince them to let you check them out.

They were the only ones that haven't done any check ups and you needed to collect data from everyone and send it to the facility, ya know, to let them know that you're all safe in this unsafe spaceship.

"- Come on, we need to tell your family that you're healthy!"

"- I could just call them ya know?!" You two scream at each other as they're trying to hold themselves in the wall while you try to pull them inside your workplace.

Well, it could be worse, now that they think about it. There is no one here so…

"- Take off your suit and seat over there." You tell them while pointing at the examination table - "- I'll go pick some equipment, don't worry okay? It's just another checkup."

You tried to make them feel more relaxed by saying that, but they couldn't help but fear their inevitable demise. While you're gone they at least have enough time to change themselves to look more human.

Or at least to come up with something if you ever find out they aren't really the person you thought they were. Oh well, at least they can indulge themselves in the heavy amount of scent lingering around this room, it seems you have spent a lot of time here. In some weird way, this place does fit you a lot, maybe is their mind being easily infatuated by you, but the smallest of decorations or clues of you being here, like: a coat you forgot to pick up, some paperwork covered in stickers, a photo of you and what they presume to be your family.

They wonder if you miss the Earth as much as your entire crew. I mean, that would be unfortunate for them, how would they be able to accompany you back to your home? Wouldn't you prefer to stay here with them? Looking at the stars, with a long life supply of resources for a small family. It doesn't sound so bad right?

Yeah, of course it doesn't sound so bad, the only problem is that there are way, way too many people in this place! All of your crewmates take way too much of your attention and time, that is so unfair-

"- I'm back! Sorry for keeping you waiting." You said while entering the medbay in a hurry. Oh look, their anxiety has also returned! Oh goodie.

"- So, I'll do a couple physical checks and just make a couple of questions, and then I'll let you free okay?" You joke about it, no one really likes to do this, you know that, but come on! It's so simple and easy, and it's just to make sure everyone is doing fine.

"- How has it been this couple of days?" You ask coming towards them.

"- F-Fine I guess. Nothing really special, just the usual." The closer you get the hardest it is to control their heart. This is ridiculous, why does their body act like this at such a crucial moment? And why do I need to be so close in the first place!?!

You make their brains turn into mush.

"- I know this is going to sound cliche, but have you been eating healthy lately?" Oh my, their skin feels hot, maybe you should pick a thermometer! Hopefully they don't have a fever.

"- Yes, I think so." Well, would you consider eating your friends healthy? Probably not. They probably shouldn't say that out loud.

The checkup continues as "normally" as every checkup. Asking if they felt anything, if they have been staying active and eating the healthy options on board, and if they were having a generally pleasant week aboard.

Of course you probably won't notice how their face flush every time you touch or simply crush your fingers on their body, like I said, this is probably harder than any emergency meeting. Trying to keep themselves from creeping you out and from snatching you right there and then. Too close for your own safety yet too distant for their comfort.

It doesn't help that you question all the little oddities happening to their body. Why are they so hot? Why are they sweating so much? Why are they shaking so much? Are they feeling sick? Are they hurt?

No, no, no, no and no, dearest! All of these things are normal for them. That's their normal body temperature.

Oh yeah, and the shaking and sweating is just nervousness. This moment is so perfect, dearest.

Is absolutely perfect, no one can interfere. No one can stop them from being the center of your attention. No one can enter this room for now.

Of course, after so much "teasing" they couldn't control the soft purring emerging from their throats. I mean, honestly you weren't doing much? You're just so close and touchy that it was starting to provoke a new type of hunger inside them.

"- Did you… Did you just... Purr…??" You stepped back, they were acting quite strange throughout the entire checkup, but you thought they were simply shy about this.

' What the hell was going on? Why did they look like that? Why was their expression suddenly so malicious?' You thought.

Well dearest-

What would happen if… Well, the doors suddenly decided to not open? If these sound proof walls suddenly became useful for once?

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

I don't why I had such a hard time writing this, I think I might have adhd-

Or maybe I just really like procrastinating, idk lol

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

[kylorengarbagedump]

Little Bird: Chapter 27 (NSFW)

Read on AO3. Part 26 here. Part 28 here.

Summary: You were having such a good time before you were reminded of what you needed to be doing for the Resistance.

Words: 5000

Warnings: glove kink 

Characters: Kylo Ren x Handmaid!Reader 

A/N: >tfw you have your husband wear the shoes of your other husband bc you're a slut for a silver-tipped boot

Hello! I just wanted to say I was kind of blown away by the feedback I got for last chapter? Thank you guys so much? If you're unaware, my life has been sort of crazy, lately--if you google Kylo Ren, an article about Fix Your Attitude is currently the first result, haha.

I've deeply appreciated all the support, engagement, and love I've received for my writing. This fic is the apple of my eye, and being lucky enough to have people connect with it and enjoy it is truly THE gift for any writer, at all. I can't thank y'all enough, some of whom have been reading the garbage I crank out for like, 4 years. It's absolutely humbling and baffling, to me.Anyway, enough of my rambling. 

Hope you enjoyed the fucking, because, to quote my true love, we're not done yet.

The sun had set. The party had begun hours ago.

You’d remained upstairs during the opening service, the three-course meal, folding and flipping the hem on your dress. The fabric was slippery, soft, a cold creek on your skin--refreshing, liquid relief, filling your lungs with air that had never known enslavement. It was enough to trick you for seconds into thinking that you could slink down the steps without hesitation, find your Commander’s eyes in the crowd, and sidle up to him. Like his partner.

But the lightless loneliness of your room crushed that dream.

A knock on the door, a hammerfist. “The Commander requests you.”

You blushed--your cheeks were tight. “All right.”

Greeting the Knight at your door, you followed him into the hall, down the steps. He didn’t even pay you a second glance, but you’d kept your bonnet and your boots, not brave enough yet to let your hair hang free in front of anyone but Kylo Ren. Descending into the home, the tinkle of  piano keys floated through your ears, joined by the babbling of strangers. The reality of it smacked you--you were about to reveal yourself to a crowd in a champagne-pink gown, with your wrists peeking out and your ankles kissed by chiffon. Your heart thumped--thank God you weren’t in space, or you might have confused the heavy pain with an alien ready to burst through your chest.

Following dinner, light in the home was supplied only by strategic white candles placed on hall tables; you felt like a concubine, being led through a castle passage to the king, scurrying with your black-clad escort aided only by tiny flames. He guided you to the piano room, stopping at the threshold, but you were frozen. Just beyond the Knight you spied a few dozen people congregated together, some chatting, a few couples dancing to the music. You couldn’t stand the thought of moving, of entering that room as if you belonged.

But you were a survivor. You did belong. After all, this was Ren’s idea--not yours.

You swallowed, stuck your chin out, the click of your boots resonating up your calves as you crossed into the piano room. At first, you were invisible, an observer--you spied Armitage and Dolpheld chatting with an older, silver-haired man. The rest were faces you didn’t recognize, except for two: Finn and Rey, swaying in rhythm, murmuring to each other under the melody. And then, at the back of the room, almost hidden by the crowd, you glimpsed him--your Commander, staring off into the wall while Johana, serene and smitten, guided him through a reluctant waltz. Something speared your gut. No dress in the world would afford you the ability to earn the space she occupied.

So strange you could envy her position under a man who was the very enforcer of your conflict.

The first people to spot you were Rey and Finn, pausing in confusion as they reconciled your appearance with their knowledge of your role. The next couple noticed them noticing you--and it spread. As if in a recording, each new person glimpsed you and stopped, a slow-pause of shock rippling from the epicenter of your dress. The final pairs of eyes belonged to Johana and Kylo Ren, their gazes searing you simultaneously. Her expression collapsed to something strange, muscles twitching with disbelief, a wave of horror spilling over her face. She blinked, an apparent impulse to tear herself away, but despite it, kept staring.

It was then that finally, crowd parted, you saw him--and the ground opened, a pit of lust swallowing you whole.

Commander Kylo Ren, in leather gloves, tugged at his sleeve, a black velvet jacket cut tight to his frame, open to a brocade waistcoat. A shift of his feet, wrapped in pointed, silver-toed boots, a tapered end to the trousers that were slim against his long, powerful legs. At his breast pocket, a sterling chain hung loose from his lapel, glinting in the candlelight, highlighting the absence of a tie. And his hair, full and thick, brushed his shoulders in raven waves, the crown swept into a loose, soft bun at the back of his head. He captured you in his gaze, paralyzing you, desire dripping from his eyes.

Despite being fully concealed, you’d never felt more naked, more exposed. And you’d never wanted a man more than you wanted him, in this moment, in your entire life.

The tension in the room ballooned, every person looking between you and Ren, and Johana squeezed her husband’s hands.

“So!” The insincerity of her smile bled through her teeth. “I suppose the Commander would like to make his announcement… regarding, uh…” She blinked. “This, uh…”

“The existence of Handmaids is an unfortunate necessity.” Ren’s gaze traveled over you in millimeters, cementing your image to his mind. “Recent rashes of disappearances and suicides threaten this necessity. Experimenting with small allowances--increasing satisfaction with Gilead--may provide us with greater compliance.” His lids fell in a slow blink, his stare met yours again; the glittering ache inside it failed to match his words. “And who better to advise me in this venture than a Handmaid herself.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Johana patted Ren’s hand, like she’d been part of the plan all along. Her attention kept dancing over the details of your dress, as if there was something familiar there. “It’s important that our Handmaid feels loved in our home. A part of our family. We’re so proud of what she’ll be helping to bring other Handmaids in Gilead.” She grinned at you, opening her arm, inviting you into this new family portrait. “Isn’t that right, Ofkylo?”

Every gaze in the room rested on you. You looked to Ren, then to her. “Yes, it is.” Nodding, you crossed the room, face hot as you allowed her to coil an arm around your shoulders and squeeze you just slightly too tight. The guests gawked, murmuring between themselves as Johana’s nails dug like talons into your flesh.

“He’s really so brilliant,” Johana said, gazing up at her husband. He was impassive. “That reminds me!”

She shoved you off, and you stumbled forward into the crowd, catching the twitch of concern under Ren’s lid. Affection and excitement tickled your skin, a buzz at the back of your brain. Being acknowledged as his advisor to the public was somehow thrilling, despite it marking you as complicit in Gilead’s clutches. It wasn’t the position--you had no intention of advising him--more so that for a moment, in his eyes, you’d been someone. You clung like a leech to these hints of his affection, of his acknowledgement of your personhood.

An arm tugged you around, a whisper in your ear. “Meet us in the downstairs washroom in twenty minutes.” Rey’s voice.

You cleared your throat and nodded, disappearing further through the guests, toward the entrance, hoping to escape the attention that swarmed you. At some point, you’d need to find an opportunity to slip away.

“As many of you know, Commander Snoke’s Wife, Christine, is now a Widow.” Johana was ushering some of the Wives forward, their husbands watching them with suspicion. “Many of you also know how my late husband, Moden Canady, died in service of founding Gilead. What I found helpful…”

“Ren lets her talk far too much.” In front of you was the silver-haired man, leaning in to mutter to Armitage. “What’s this Handmaid nonsense he’s going on about?”

Armitage peered over his shoulder at you, annoyingly smug smirk plastered on his lips--you were beginning to wonder if it was a permanent fixture. “Ren’s young and inexperienced. He won’t be around for long. Neither will his plans.”

You frowned, crossing your arms. “One might think you’d be the one person supportive of his allowances for Handmaids.”

A flicker of fear crossed his face. “What?”

Johana clapped her hands. “So what I’ve devised is a prayer circle. Here’s how it will work…”

The crowd was shifting, gathering toward Johana, the bustle and music swallowing the cadence of her voice. Behind you, the Knight Templar stood at the threshold, a silent sentinel. Part of you wanted to continue sniping at Armitage. The other part realized that with murmurs of dissent already apparent, you couldn’t guarantee who the Knight was there to protect. ‘

Ren--or you?

You set your jaw, offering Armitage a brief curtsy.

“Excuse me.” The distraction created a serendipitous opportunity to escape. You went to pass the Knight, who blockaded your exit. “The washroom, sir.”

He glanced beyond you, and you followed his gaze. There, you saw your Commander, and heat rushed you again, a tangible longing that whirled like wildfire across the crowd, stoked the both of you, two flittering moths, in its flame. God, he looked incredible--you could devour him, like this, and you knew he’d stormed with that same need since he’d raked you over in your dress.  

Ren nodded at his Knight, and the spell broke. Right. You were meeting with the Resistance. Shaking the hunger from your eyes, you realized he had stepped aside, allowing you to pass. With your head bowed, you shuffled into the hall, quick steps taking you to the washroom around the corner, and you escaped beyond the door.

Incandescent mirror lights gleamed on shiny subway tile, stark along the black accents in the floor trim and the polished clawfoot tub at the far wall. You stared at your reflection in the mirror, resting on the sleek ceramic sink, cheeks still glowing. The dress looked better on you under this lighting, the chiffon almost lustrous against your skin. No wonder Ren had been so entranced. The idea pressed your thighs together.

Focus. Thoughts flurried as you anticipated Rey and Finn’s arrival, what they’d want from you, what you’d say. It was true--you’d been a pitiable spy, so far. All you’d managed to do in your tenure for the Resistance was get fucked by and cum on your Commander’s cock (oh, and get bathed in blood and call him Daddy--you shuddered). Something told you that wasn’t the type of subversive action they’d been counting on. At the same time, you felt at a loss for what to do, regardless. He’d destroyed his information cache, and he’d spent the past couple of weeks recovering from injury.

It was frustrating, to feel more hope for your future with Kylo Ren than your future with the Resistance. You seemed perfectly capable urging him toward minor change, but when it came to taking action for the group that actually had your freedom in mind, you floundered, a hapless child.

The door opened, you spun--it’d only been about 30 seconds since you’d entered--and in slid your Commander, eyes trained on you while he locked it behind him. You blinked.

“Comman--”

Ren snatched your hips, spinning you over and shoving you onto the sink as his lips smothered yours. That flame from the piano room roared, drenched in the fuel of your connection, your skin flickering to life. Your fingers dove into his hair, wringing around his luscious waves, and he groaned, slipping his tongue into your mouth, a large hand coming to cup your head, to trap you there, the other coasting up and down your side.

Your legs spread for him, welcoming him, cunt already throbbing in anticipation. For a brief second, you pushed away, running your hands over his velvet chest, taking a moment to admire him, to soak in how absolutely fucking beautiful he looked. Ren did the same, seeming new, somehow, a reverent awe in his gaze, not just feral, but tormented, needing to have you in his arms. His lip twitched, and he kissed you again, jerking you closer, sucking in air through his nose while his tongue swirled over yours.

Whimpering, you caressed his shoulders, up his neck, finding his hair once more, fingers teasing the warm, hidden shell of his ears. At this, his back crested, and he moaned, pitching forward, nearly shoving you into the basin as he trembled.

“Fuck,” he breathed. “You’re fucking beautiful.” He flipped up your dress, warm leather smoothing over your skin. “I need to make you cum.”

A shiver shook you from the base of your spine, and you curled your legs around him, core clenching hard. Your hips rolled forward, seeking his touch, and he grazed your pussy over your underwear, thumb ghosting your clit through the fabric. You squeaked, and he silenced you with his mouth, tugging at the fabric until he’d fit his thick fingers under the hem. The spark of leather-on-skin earned a groan from your throat, and you combed through his hair, meeting the fervor of his kiss.

Ren peeled away, gasping, watching you as he slid a digit through your hot slit, his breath hitching. “So wet for me,” he murmured. “And all mine...” He dragged a slickened gloved finger over your clit, the sensation new and delicious--you quivered, biting your lip. “Only for me…”

You nodded, inching forward, the only articulate words escaping as please, please, please.

“I’ll make you cum here,” he said, “and I’ll make you cum again before the party’s over.” He leaned close, his middle and fourth finger teasing your entrance, lips hovering over your ear. “And by the end of the night, the only thing this pretty mouth will be able to say is my name.”

“Oh--” you began, and he plunged into you. “God!”

He snickered. “Wrong name.”

Ren crooked his fingers in your cunt, focused on your flushing face, the tempo of your intermittent gasps, his breath shallow as you clenched and pulsed around him. A leather thumb traced rapid little lines around your swollen clit, the seams tripping over the nub, and you snuffed a whimper in your chest, staring at him. He wet his lips, pressing his mouth to yours in a brief kiss as he snapped his wrist, curling and scissoring inside of you. His hips rocked with his rhythm, and you saw the outline of his impressive erection straining at his pants. Your hand burned to stroke it, to feel it.

Chewing your cheek, you reached for him, grasping at his trousers, unzipping them and tugging everything down his thighs, length springing free, smacking his clothed stomach. He barely seemed to notice, so lost in the heat of your cunt in his hand. You scooted closer and wrapped your fingers around his warm, heavy cock--he choked, jabbing you deep, forcing a quaky breath from your lungs. Swallowing, you tightened your fist and stroked him, watching him from half-lidded eyes.

He throbbed, twitched under your grip, blood biting his cheeks when you coated his head with the bead of his pre-cum, and his breath was uneven, tattered from the weight of lust--but so was yours. Ren circled your stiff nub, pumping his fingers into your pussy, and pleasure wracked you, pouring into your pulse like perfect poison--a feeling you should never have wanted, but would now die without.

“Christ,” you mumbled, “Commander--”

“We’re alone.”

“I’m your advisor now, though.” You managed a half-smirk. “If we’re caught--I wouldn’t want anyone thinking this was anything more than an official handjob.”

Ren tilted his head, something devilish and dark and amused in his gaze--and then he kissed you again, shoving his tongue past your teeth, canting his hips in pace with your hand. He was smooth and silky and so big--in the back of your head, you couldn’t believe you’d taken all of him--the memory had you clench and groan into him, and his cock throbbed in your palm. The air was humid, thick with sex, dizzying you, shooting static through your skin.

“Fuck,” he muttered against your mouth, “you’re so tight…”

You hummed in delight. “And you’re so hard…”

He eased back, meeting your eyes, both of you slowing to stop as something slammed you in succession, a chasm of greed opening between your bodies. A snap, an ignition--in one smooth movement, you’d released him while his fingers left your core and yanked your underwear to the side, cock thrusting into you with a sweet sting. Ren hissed in bliss, sheathing himself in your heat.

“Yes…” He grappled your hips, encasing them in leather, fucking into you, watching his dick disappear into your pussy. “This is what you wanted all along, isn’t it?” he muttered. “To be my little whore?”

You nodded, mouth dropped in ecstasy, head fighting not to fall back onto your shoulders. “Yes, Commander…”

“I knew it the moment I saw you in this dress, staring at me, pleading to get fucked.” Shuddering at his own words, he groaned, shifting closer, murmuring into your ear. “I want to fill this cunt up with my cum...” He strangled a moan in his throat, pounding you, pinning your hips against his. “I want it to drip down your legs when you walk out of this room…”

“Please...”

To your intoxicated mind, nothing sounded better than dripping with the cum of the most beautiful man on the planet. Desire had consumed you both, his pace embodying complete desperation, a frenzied, urgent need to bring you both to orgasm. Ren’s strokes were rough, painful, incredible, your breath catching up with your brain, the euphoric fullness of his cock ready to fling you to another plane. And then his gloved thumb slid over your clit, beating it in time with his thrusts--you cracked, crying out.

“Yes!”

“That’s right,” Ren growled, “that’s right--you’re mine, you’re mine...” He pressed his lips to yours, short and sharp. “I can cum inside you whenever I want. I can make you cum whenever I want...” He was slamming you deep, panting with every snap of his hips, your pussy hot and slick and pulsing with your oncoming climax. “Cum for me.” He kissed you again, mouth millimeters from yours. “Cum on my cock, little bird. Let me make you whole…”

Rapture numbed you, at the edge of your skin, a typhoon ready to wreck you witless. “Commander,” you whispered, “I’m--”

A knock on the door. Both of you froze, fear puncturing the pulsating swell of pleasure with a wheeze. Your skin crackled, oxygen returning to your blood, and you felt him seated inside you, throbbing at the base, a furious demand to cum. The denial of release snipped your nerves to stubs--and judging by the tension in his jaw, Ren was doing no better. He looked to you expectantly.

You swallowed, cleared the hunger from your throat. “Oc-occupied.”

“Oh.” It was Rey again. Dammit. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “We’ll wait for you out here!”

Ren raised a brow. In a way, it was good that in this moment, he was still half-hard, stuck inside you--he wouldn’t get to know who the members of the Resistance were that had dared to show to his installation celebration. You shifted away, but he gripped you, held you there, waiting for you to respond, his stare inspiring sweat at the back of your neck. Unfraid, you held his gaze. He’d said himself that your association with the Resistance didn’t concern him. Even though that had been before he’d taken over.

“Meet me by the annex stairs.” You took a long breath, clenching around the girth of his dick--but he was already slipping free. “There’s too much going on here.”

“Got it,” she said. “See you in five.”

After a silent, awkward moment had passed, Ren tugged you against him, stuffing his softening cock into you, and you squealed. “You’re still meeting with the Resistance.”

“I am.” You wouldn’t let your chin tremble. “I thought you weren’t concerned.”

He considered you, muscle fluttering under his eye. “I’m not,” he said. “You’re fortunate that I’ve spent too much time already away from my guests. Any other occasion would see me hanging them tomorrow.” Pushing off of the sink, he tucked himself away. “Another day, then.”

His brow drawn low, Ren ran his gloved hands underneath the water before wiping them clean. He said nothing, spearing you with a glare before he unlocked the door and stalked into the hall. A slow sigh escaped you, and you wrung the guilt from your heart. His small concessions hadn’t changed your position--he must have known that. So why did he have to seem so hurt?

And your body was still wondering why it hadn’t gotten the orgasm it had been wanting since you’d drank him in. You eased yourself onto the ground, wincing at how swollen your pussy still felt between your thighs, and shook it off, making your way to the stairs.

You found Finn and Rey, posted near the landing rails, and you snuck up to them, head on a swivel.

“I just scouted,” Finn said. “Ren’s in the piano room. We’re clear for the next few minutes.”

“Got it.” You blushed, realizing that they had no idea that just moments ago, he’d been in you. “What’s going on?”

“What’s going on?” Rey said, a sly grin on her face. She gestured to your outfit. “What’s going here?”

A tornado in your mind, words you wanted to say: I can’t stop fucking my Commander. I think about him constantly. Together, we drew vines, and when he held my hand, I didn’t hate him. Since Gilead, I’m lost, but in his eyes, I feel found. He wants to own me. Sometimes I want that, too.

Instead, you said, “I’ve ingratiated myself. He thinks I’m so eager to change Gilead.” You snorted. “It’s a perfect opportunity to do whatever you guys need.”

“That’s great!” Rey said. “I knew you had it in you.”

You’d had something in you, all right. “Thanks,” you said. “It was… nothing.”

“There’s rumblings already in the lower ranks,” Finn said. “Some are thinking that Ren staged a coup and got the Knights to cover it up.”

For some reason, your heart sank.

“With how quickly he took over, the changes he plans to make…” He looked between you and Rey. “There’s heavy suspicion. But with Christine’s testimony, the lack of evidence, they can’t prove anything.” Now he stared at you. “You were there. Do you know what happened?”

More words at your tongue: We killed Commander Snoke together. He saved my life. I saved his. We fucked in the blood of Snoke’s men. The water ran red while Ren filled me with cum. The air was soaked with death. I’d never felt so alive.

But instead: “It’s like Christine says. A guard killed Snoke.”

It confused you when it left your mouth.

“Damn.” Rey frowned, crossing her arms, and glanced at Finn. “Do you think he set it up, somehow? Maybe he was working with the guard? There has to be some proof, somewhere that he orchestrated this. He couldn’t have done it alone.”

Just upstairs, in your room, you had the knife--the switchblade Ren had given you, still crusty with Snoke’s blood. It was physical proof that you’d been there, that you’d stabbed him, that you and Ren had lit the match together. You could, in this moment, hand it over, tell them the entire sordid story, begin your own journey toward emancipation. You could watch Ren crumble, and let him take Gilead down as he fell.

A simple choice. It should’ve been a simple choice.

Yet all you could remember was kneeling at Snoke’s feet, Ren’s gaze meeting yours, and the incontestable truth you’d felt there--that against any of the impossible odds in that home, he was choosing you. And that in that moment, for reasons you still couldn’t know or understand, you’d chosen him, too.

“I’ll see if I can find anything,” you said, knowing you wouldn’t even begin to look.

Poe’s words, you’re a survivor, floated through your mind. He was right--you were surviving. But maybe you didn’t really deserve to.

“Great.” Rey patted your shoulder in camaraderie. “This is tough work you’re doing.”

“But look where you’ve gotten yourself so far!” Finn made a motion along his body, as if he’d put on a dress, too. “You’re obviously doing something right. Just keep it up. You’ll crack it.”

You were doing something right, if that something was getting fucked by your Commander in the washroom during his own party celebrating his installation as the leader of a totalitarian government. You’d been doing a great job at that, actually, until the group meant to unshackle you from slavery interrupted you. A shame, that.

“We should get back to the party,” Rey said. “Being gone too long looks suspicious. You head in first. We’ll catch up in a bit.”

You nodded.

The sensitivity between your legs still needed time to disappear, but you were able to make your way back to the piano room without waddling. The piano’s autoplayer was now running through a raucous, jaunty tune--it sounded like Largo al factotum. Not that you were a music expert, but you’d learned enough to know that. Either way, you were thankful for the noise that muffled the sound of your boots as you breezed past the Knight Templar and back into the music room. You tried to weave your way through to crowd toward Ren--even with the Knight here, you felt like every pair of eyes had pinned a target to your back.

You found him in the corner of the room, far from the piano, in conversation (debate?) with Armitage. Johana was at his side, her arms crossed.

“There’s plenty of ways we could be utilizing these precious resources,” Armitage said. “You insist on wasting them on something as fickle as reconditioning.”

“Fickle.”

“Yes, fickle.” He scoffed. “When we already have a fully-trained infantry. What we should be focusing on is building our navy. The biggest threats come from--”

Ren flicked his wrist in dismissal. “The biggest threats come from the West coast,” he said. “California, in particular, has made overt threats toward the Republic of Gilead.”

The chatter of the crowd was dying as the two men traded barbs, focus being drawn to the little corner where you’d hoped to disappear. Largo al factotum entered its second chorus. You’d remained silent, but Johana still managed to spot you. Her gaze darted over your dress again, and she narrowed her eyes.

“What is your goal, then, Ren?” Armitage still looked smug, even in challenge. “England has already made threats to assist the West if we push forward with any sort of idiotic manifest destiny--”

“The goal is to sanctify the rest of the continent.” Ren regarded Armitage as if he were, by any measure, the dumbest person on Earth. “Reconditioning our forces will make it possible for us to expand our reach to the West coast. To crush any opposition.”

“Crush.” The lilt in Armitage’s voice didn’t make sense until you realized, in horror, his attention was on you. The melody soared. It was only after he’d noticed you that Ren finally turned to see you, too. “An interesting word to use, Ren.” He paused, making sure he had the attention of the other guests. The piano pounded a rapid repetition of notes. “What exactly are you crushing by giving yourself a second Wife?”

He’d said it loud enough that the back of the crowd could hear. The piano had paused, a full rest in the music. If you’d been wearing your Handmaid uniform, you imagined your face would have been redder than your dress. Ren’s nostrils flared. And the piano picked up without irony.

Johana shrugged, a tiny smirk on her face. “Don’t be silly, Commander Hux,” Johana said. “Of course, we love our Handmaid… but a Handmaid could never hope to be a Wife.” She looked to Ren. “They earn those positions, don’t they? By going against the Bible?” Now back to you. “Who, for heaven’s sake, would ever want to be married to someone like that?”

Your fingers trembled, and you glanced at your Commander. He hadn’t said a word, but hardly seemed passive. Instead, there was a hint of intrigue in his gaze. Curiosity. Observing you, waiting to see what you’d do. Another rest in the music. You took it as permission.

“Interesting assumption the both of you have made,” you said, a model advisor. “After all, I don’t believe most Handmaids are asking for marriage.” This time you met Armitage’s stare again. “Unless wearing a new dress means you secretly want a life partnership.”

He frowned, jaw tight. “So, will we all be afforded advisors, then, Ren?” he said. “Or is this how you reward yourself?”

“Why would a man who makes no decisions of value require an advisor?” Ren replied.

He raised a hand, beckoning you forward with two leather fingers. The memory of where those fingers had been just minutes ago made you shiver--you obeyed, taking a space next to him, opposite of Johana. Largo al factotum entered its third chorus. Her face trembled with scorn.

“Roles are essential, but not permanent. We see shifting all the time--Angels to Commanders, Econowives to Handmaids, Wives to Widows. A Handmaid as an advisor is no different.” He aimed an empty, solemn gaze at Armitage. You felt tall and safe and disgustingly special. “It should come as no surprise that roles can form by necessity.”

Armitage sneered. “You parade your necessity around like a prized pet.”

“No,” Ren replied. The final patter of piano sailed through the air. “I assumed that you’d have difficulty grasping a new concept. It appears I was correct.”

The concluding chords rumbled, and Johana pulled her lips in over her teeth in what you guessed was unexpected, reluctant amusement. Armitage said nothing, and the other guests muttered to each other--you couldn’t tell if it was in admiration or disdain.

“Further questions about my decision can be directed to me at the next Council meeting.” The auto-player began a sweeter, softer tune. This one you didn’t recognize. The mumbling in the crowd grew to full chatter, and Ren looked to the Knight at the entry. “Ruk. Escort her.”

Before you could move, Ren snatched your wrist, so quick and subtle you weren’t even sure Johana noticed. What she <did notice was him leaning to your ear, whispering over it like sable silk.

“I’m not done with you, yet. Wait in your room. Keep the dress on.”

It took every bit of strength you had to prevent your cheeks from glowing. “Yes, Commander.” You cleared your throat, nodding to him and Johana. “Goodnight.”

Her gaze followed you, studied your dress as crossed to the Knight, her arms folded, eyes shiny. The melody in the room rolled into a slow, flooding crescendo. And as you disappeared around the corner, she broke the stare and turned away, wiping her nose on her sleeve.

[kerenitychan]

this is stupid lol but like , i've been drawing everybody wearing the friendship bracelets so i feel like i owe y'all an explanation as to why the *fuck* squid would be wearing/have made one in the first place. i'm still working of a picture of the gang actually making them but yeah. basically the friendship bracelets act as a "you see this squid? , this is a symbol of you're stuck with us and we have your own permission to kick your butt if you act like a jerk" they don't wear them a lot cus, ya know all them bracelets can be kinda uncomfortable and annoying but they do wear em every now and then especially when they've planned an outing cus friendshippp

" BECAUSE I LIKE YOU! " Squidward heaved , trying to catch the breath he lost in his tantrum as he defeatedly locked eyes with the man before him . Spongebob scoffed. He wasn't even sure anymore when the fight started or what it was about but it sounded like his teal haired opponent was reduced to his last trump card, again. The one he knew would usually defeat the sponge, but not this time. He was so tired of this. " Yeah yeah I know, *hmpf* 'you don't really hate me' even if you regularly remind me. And maybe somewhere deep down you can stand me. I get it Squid you have that revelation twice a year, it's getting old. " He sighed crossing his arms as he tore away his gaze to look at the floor in disappointment whilst the other blinked before reaching out, more in an attempt to materialize answers from thin air then anything else, as he started again, still panicked and frustrated. " H- no! It's not....Agh! Look I don't! UGH  why do you have to make this so DIFFICULT! " " I'M making this difficult!? This ...this-this SHERADE has been going on for 10 years squidward! " Cerulean eyes pierced trough carmine ones with a look of rage, confusion, and frustration as the man threw up his freckled arms in desperation before they slunk back to his sides with a huff of defeat. To which the guilty scowl on the cephalopods face deepened. " Look I-ugh. I was TRYING to say that I like you. Not just that I don't hate you, which I also don't... do? Too many negatives. ANYWAY...I...I uhm....I don't like admitting defeat I- I uh, I guess... ehm an-  and I have a  hard time accepting things sometimes ... and I guess- I guess I just bottle things up until I explode... " He grimaced and looked around, vaguely gesturing . " Which is why we're discussing this stuff at 3 AM in the pattyvault instead of at home like normal people, ...I guess. " Sponge blinked a bit snapping out of it...oh yeah, right, squid was sneaking out and eating patties behind everyone's backs instead of ordering one every now and then like a ding dang normal person because for SOME INSANE REASON  he seems to insist people will ... will... NEPTUNE KNOWS WHAT HE THINKS PEOPLE WILL DO WHEN THEY FIND OUT HE LIKES PATTIES! HE'S JUST BEING SO- SO ARGHHHG! That last grunt escaped it's mental confides and rolled out between the gap of his buckteeth. " I just. I don't get it Squidward you ALWAYS do this. With everything!!! With anything you KNOW is fun!!! With everyone you know you actually like!!!  with....     With me...  Forget it, I'm just gonna...  go count the sesame seeds, I suppose.  Just... Don't fill up on patties until you explode again. " He turned around shaking his head with a sigh to head to his destination, but was brought to a halt by a suction cupped hand wrapping around his wrist " Spongebob wait!" A sigh. A grimace. A deep breath. " I. Am. Sssorry.  There, I said it, I'm sorry! I don't want whatever this is to keep going either! I just.... I am.... I am afraid of change, I guess?  You always say things will be fine but what if they're not???  I'm not lucky like you Sponge!  Destiny always seems to want good things for you but my karma is ATROCIOUS.  KELP! I could land in a hospital just for thinking about my karma! "  " Well then that's even more reason to try!!! Your "karma" wont get better if you don't! " " Ugggghhh I, You- This-  GAH! Can we talk about this some other time!? All I'm gonna get out at this rate  is more nonsensical rambling I'm gonna regret saying because: It's LATE, I'm EXHAUSTED and I STILL haven't     had a darn krabby patty! " " Then just eat the darn thing and get on with it because I'm not letting you chicken out again! "  " Can you at least close the door for a minute and give me some privacy! "  " YOU ARE GOING TO EAT A 🐬ING BURGER,WHAT PRIVACY!? " Oh... wow... a... that was... that was a swear. ....Spongebob just swore. ......uh-oh. Squid's really gotten himself thrown in the deep end now. He gulped nervously before submissively nodding and taking a bite of his burger... oh sweet mother of pearl it was good!  Neptune! Why does he always deprive himself of things he wants so bad?  Oh, right. Because he always has to make a big show of telling everyone that he actually hates the things he likes and he would DIE of mortification if he ended up having to admit defeat like a.... like a loser. With a light shake of his head he brushes off the thoughts and focuses on savoring the taste of his burger... 1 because he really needed one and wants to enjoy it. And 2 because ...ehm... he's a tad scared for what awaits him when he's finished. Spongebob was rarely enraged to the point of screaming,.. to the point of swearing and when he was he was a force to be reckoned with, Squidward knew that much. He peeked over in between bites to see his colleague standing there, arms crossed and impatiently tapping his foot, he was scowling so hard his buckteeth were hidden behind a pout and his eyes were squinted to half their normal size.  " How is it? " It was near impossible to gauge what kind of reaction the blonde wanted by his intonation, he was curt, near emotionless, ... Sarcastic? Squidward gulped down what he was chewing and smiled sheepishly.  " Just as good as I remember...heh. " " Hmmhmm. I bet. " Oh boy. With another awkward chuckle squid finished his burger before taking a deep breath.  " Had your fill? " " Heh, eh y-yeah. I kinda want more but I don't want a repeat of the last time. " " 3 times. " " H-huh? " " you loaded up on patties until you had to be hospitalized THREE TIMES. " The freckled man's gaze got the octopus who normally towered over him shrinking in shame before him. Just a little short of going into a fetal position.

" Why do you do this Squidward? What on earth does karma have to do with you being a stubborn seamule about things until they go horribly wrong!?  You could just order a damn patty every now and then, EVERYBODY loves krabby patties, no one would blame you! But no mr. Tentacles is too good for a krabby patty, mr. Tentacles would rather be miserable until         the kettle boils over and he loses control! " That got a huff out of the other who gathered some courage to stand up straight and glare back. " That mocking mr. Tentacles talk is exactly why! Because I am trying to uphold an image here, and the moment I don't live up to it I know damn well that everybody here will jump on the opportunity to remind me that      I'm just a poser! That I'm not actually the hot shit I pretend I am! That I'm lucky they even tolerate me breathing the same water! That I should feel honored anyone is willing to admit they're acquainted with me! That   I don't actually have any talent! That I'm....that I'm just.... That I'm a nobody! A filthy peasant! A wannabe show-off! That I'm a-a ... a...  That I'm a LOSER.  " Squidward clenched his fists, sniffling trough heavy breaths, he's not sure when it happened but he started crying. Oh Neptune this is humiliating. He feels kinda dizzy, oh please don't ink! This is bad enough as it is! As he looked up defeatedly his eyes met blue ones, glittering from the moisture collecting in them as a scowl made way for a worried frown. Great, somehow sympathy felt worse then rage. " Squidward... " " No, please just...  don't. That's what I meant with 'I'm just going to ramble'. Pretend I didn't say anything. I gah- " He yelped as he suddenly found himself in a tight embrace. Of course. He grunted uncomfortably and squirmed a bit trying to break free from the surprisingly strong hold his normally rather weak companion had. " Sponge I'm serious let's just pretend tha- " " Nu-uh! We, we're done pretending anything! Squid please! Talk to me about these things! " Two watery blue eyes look up at him, accompanied by a deep frown and trembling lip that only deepen the pained feeling in the octopus's chest. " Please. I'm here for you Squidward. " Gahhhh why does he always! Why is this always so! And he just! And, oh blowfish. He's crying again. " That's the damn problem here ! You have Patrick and Sandy and your parents and whatever stupid friends you made in your clubs to fall back on if you mess up! I..... " He sighs and against his better judgements, feels himself lamely hugging back, tiredly resting his chin in fluffy bottle blonde hair as he looks up at nothing. " I can't go to mother, she's not getting any younger and she's worried about me enough as it is, I can't stress her out more....  Father would just tell me to stop being a baby and man up... he'd mean it well but that doesn't mean it's any help. And "friends" I have acquaintances I guess, people I know by name that are willing to say hello to me.... I used to think Eugene was my friend but he's chosen being a boss over being a companion time and time again  so... I only really have only one friend... and he's used to me not treating him as one. So what if.... what if I did make an effort? And he starts expecting things from me, but I start chickening out or relapsing or decide I can't do it after all and he finally gives up on me!? I wouldn't blame him... I would have given up on me years ago... but I'm not sure what I'd do when I end up being completely on my own in this ..." Oh jeez... now Sponge feels bad. Obviously Squid has been struggling with this for a long time, he could tell he'd been struggling with his own happiness ever since he met him really... he pouts and gives his tall friend a comforting squeeze. " Well... have you tried talking to him about it? " A lame chuckle was the response before  he was slightly pushed back so the teal haired man could look at him with an awkward lopsided smile and a shrug. " I'm trying to right now. Heh. " A blink. 'Trying to right now'? Another blink. 'Only one friend that's used to not being treated as one' ? The gears in his spongey head were turning. 'I would have given up on me years ago'? With one more blink the short man started looking around wide eyed before carefully pointing at himself with a trembling hand. " Muh... me? " " No I'm talking about the krabby patty. yes you! Ever since you moved in next door... well before that really, ever since your little weirdo butt started "growing his first house" next-door you've been pestering me day  and night! With your incessant laughter and unconstrained joy and endless creativity and unmatched imagination and- and... and I just... I just... I kinda wish I could have been a part of it...  without having to be the mature adult that's too good for your childish games I guess? " Squid shrugged sadly before his friend released his grip on the hug, to instead take hold of his hands and make determined eye-contact. " You still can be part of it squidward... it's not too late, I told you didn't I? You're one of my best friends, I'll always have your back. You don't have to act a certain way or do specific stuff to be a mature adult you know? I've seen you Happy and exited before.... not as often as I'd like. But that's when you feel most you  when you're in a good mood and forget about who you 'should be ' for a moment.... I want to help you feel like that more often. " A soft sad chuckle left the octopus who shook his head and rubbed his teary eyes with his free hand. " You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. " " I think I've got a pretty good idea. " He chuckled back with a playful look. " Wait hold up I have an idea! " " Huh? What are you doing? " Squid blinked watching his...friend. Yeah, his friend. As he fumbled with something on his wrist before tugging at squid's arm. " Now, I want this one back because Patrick made it for me but that's gonna be our first friendship exercise! " He beamed a shiny bucktooth grin revealing the colorful macrame bracelet he transferred to the other's wrist. " Tomorrow you me and Pat are gonna get together and we're making this friendship official with a 3 people set! Oh maybe we could finally convince sandy to join, she never wants to do crafts with us.  She always says it's boring and starts karate chopping everything." " Wait- hold up, what? Friendship exercise? Official? Crafts? Karate chopping? " " Well yeah! I told you mister! No more pretending anything, we're gonna go out there as friends and you can be tsundere about it all you want but that's final " " I can be what about it???? Wait no never-mind that! Look don't you think you're going a bit fast here???? Do we have to do this, like... now??? And so... publicly???? " " Yesss we dooooooo~ " The blonde singsonged as he playfully flicked the other's nose " No more snail-footing around squidward! You're miserable and as your friend it is my duty to help fix that! So starting tomorrow we're doing this friend thing and you're gonna try or so help me I WILL get the                   ticklebelt! Nyahahahaha! " A sigh turned into a chuckle as Squid shook his head before he erupted in laughter along with his freckled friend... oh boy. What has he gotten himself into now??? " Hawhawhaw! " " Nyahahahaha! " " Hawhawhaw! " " Nyahaha. But seriously, I will. I  know where they keep the spare key to the mermalair. " " Huh? "        

[supercasey]

Since Tumblr is finally allowing you to pin posts, I may as well make an about/FAQ, seeing as I think my last one (if I even had one) is super old.

Name: Theodore JJ REDACTED

Age: 21

Pronouns: He/Him

Sexuality: Questioning (leaning towards Asexual/Aromantic)

Height: 5"1 (154.94 cm)

Birthday: August 28th

Things I Like: Writing, FPS games, video games, Pokemon, Digimon, my family, my friends, my gramps, tigers, cats and dogs, going on walks, swing sets, father-son relationships (platonic), car rides, road trips, drawing, watching True Crime stuff, being outside when it’s warm/hot out, ghost stories, etc.

Things I Hate: Snot, incest shipping of any kind, child abuse and/or r*pe being in fics without any fuckin’ warning, being guilt tripped into doing stuff, my dysphoria, writer's block, when I've run out of my will to socialize, yelling, overstimulation, bullying, etc.

Current Hyperfixations: ((These are the things I’m really into atm, but they change periodically; I’ll try to add/delete things as I go)) Team Fortress 2, Nomad of Nowhere, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, DC Comics, Deathstroke the Terminator lore/comics, etc.

Past Hyperfixations: ((These are the things I’m not as into atm, but they change periodically; I’ll try to add/delete things as I go)) Red vs. Blue, Teen Titans (OG Cartoon), Young Justice (Cartoon), Justice League (Cartoon), Stardew Valley, Villainous/Villanos, Sanders Sides, Overwatch, Halo, Destiny the game, True Crime, Fallout 4, FNAF, Hollow Knight, Minecraft, etc.

BYF/DNI

This blog does not want any interaction with the following; those who ship incest (this includes adoptive relationships), those who ship underage relationships, those who follow transmed/truscum ideology, those who follow TERF (Trans Exclusive Radical Feminist) ideology, those who are homophobic, transphobic, aphobic, or racist, Sla/din shippers (Slade Wilson/any of the Robins), Sp/ysco/ut shippers (Spy and Scout shippers, even if it’s for AUs where they aren’t related), any parent-child shipping whatsoever, MAPs (Minor Attracted Person), etc. ((I may not have listed everything, but that’s all I can think of atm.))

((FAQ under readmore))

FAQ

Writing Questions

Q: When did you start writing and what was your first fic? A: I think I started in late 2013-early 2014. My first fics were all Teen Titans related, and I think my first fic was a Monster AU for TT... It was very bad and posted on FFN, as were all my earliest fics/most of my Teen Titans stuff. Don't go looking for it, it sucks.

Q: What are your favorite fics that you've written so far? A: This is always subject to change as I continue writing, but my favorite long-term projects are "Aerospace Accident" for Villainous, "Paranoid Android" for Sanders Sides, and "Ground for Divorce" for Nomad of Nowhere, all of which are on hiatus, while my "Kid! Scout AU" is also a big favorite and still being worked on atm. As far as one-shots/completed works go, "Jeremy" for TF2, "Lost at Sea" and "Fish Food" for Fallout 4, "The Fallen Hunter's Lament" for Destiny, and "You'll be Fine" for RvB. I've got a lot of fics, y'all.

Q: Are you working on any original stories? A: Yes, I am! I have a few stories I’m working on atm, but they’re all very much still in progress. The two stories that I’ve made the most plans for are called “Balthazar the Almighty” and “Coming of a New Age”, though I’m not sure which will be finished first. Probably BTA, if I’m gonna be honest. Feel free to PM me if you wanna hear me infodump about complete and utter nonsense regarding these stories!

General Questions

Q: Can I message you if I’m suicidal/looking for guidance? A: I mean, if you want to, you can, but in all honesty most of my advice boils down to “You should really see a professional/get help from the authorities”, and most folk don’t seem to like that, so it’s up to you. I’m also a bit of a mess, especially with the quarantine going on, so I would recommend looking elsewhere for help. Sorry, I’m just not a great therapist.

Q: Can minors follow your blog? A: Sure! I don’t really post anything inappropriate, save for some rather lewd jokes, but nothing too raunchy. But be warned, I’m twenty-one.

Q: What other social medias do you have? A: Not a lot, if I’m being honest. I have a Discord, but I’m only gonna share that if you PM me asking for my handle. Other than that, I’m Supercasey2 on Twitter, Supercasey on AO3, supertheodore on DeviantArt, and that’s about it.

I think that’s good for right now... thank you for reading my FAQ, and have an awesome day, y’all!

[honeybee-babe]

How can you excuse all of the abusive things Luther has done to his siblings (especially Klaus) throughout the series? And don't pull the "he was drunk" card. And without implying that Luther locking up Vanya isn't intentionally cruel or intended to hurt her? He has the ability to think logically, unlike Vanya he isn't experiencing a literal psychotic break down.... Please, explain this to me logically. Thanks.

~ wowowowowowow i clenched my jaw all night thinking about this ask~~

Yikes. You’re not asking me why I “excuse his actions” (I don’t), you’re asking why I see him as a human being with flaws and trauma which need to be addressed rather than the literal devil. And why I don’t think he is irredeemable based on a few terrible choices (when he has also made some great ones and showed affection for his siblings in the past). I honestly think people hate Luther because it’s easier to have clearly good characters and clearly bad characters, even in a show that actively and artfully avoids that dichotomy.

Why do you care that I like Luther? I’m not bashing your faves or causing any harm to you? I am not trying to tell you to like him or convince you he is a great character. I know he has flaws. 

But if you really want to know how I “excuse all his actions” (which…. I don’t?), I’ll humor you, but I’m answering the question you’re really asking:

Why Do You Not Despise Luther?:

This response is really longwinded but THIS QUESTION IS REALLY OVER-SIMPLIFYING(!!!) so I feel it’s warranted.

First, I’m gonna address the “abusive things Luther has done to his siblings throughout the series:”

I am not excusing any of the things Luther “does to his siblings,” I’m just saying we should extend the same amount of courtesy to him in sympathizing with him and understanding the motive behind his actions (just like we all do with Vanya). And also consider the fact that he is deeply traumatized and has literally been gaslit his entire life into thinking he has to follow a specific model that was set out for him as “leader.” Literally he has been taught that he is nothing without the UA and being a leader, and I don’t think people release how damaging that is to a person?

But also hot take: I don’t think Luther is abusive towards his siblings at all? Not until the last two episodes for sure. I think he is insensitive towards others’ emotions at times, but he is never cruel just for the sake of being cruel. I honestly think Luther is incapable of picking up on emotional cues to some extent.

I’m re-watching right now, I just finished episode 7 and I have yet to see any signs of him being abusive towards the others, and not Klaus specifically? The choking scene was vile and physically violent but I don’t think it’s abusive because it was a one time thing and abuse is a cycle. Luther isn’t particularly awful to Klaus, he is just dismissive? The only person he ever is really verbally mean to is Diego when they get into fights and Diego is just as bad if not worse, and also intentionally tries to get an emotional rise out of Luther (which is…. just as awful and cruel?).

But yeah I finished episode 7 and no abuse so far… maybe my dumb ass who was abused for my whole life just doesn’t understand what abuse looks like? Okay that’s kind of a joke but I’m actually being serious, my abuse is pretty similar to Luther’s and my body dysmorphia/eating issues are similar to his too which is a lot of why I resonate with him, so I could be missing signs because I’ve probably acted the same way. So please point out to me where specifically he committed an act of abuse, and not a one time act of violence or simply being dismissive of/not picking up on someone’s emotional needs.

Also I honestly think Luther is just in denial of others’ emotional needs because he is in denial of his own emotional needs. He has been taught to push everything down, including the needs of others, with the only goal being completing the mission, and protecting everyone/leading everyone to safety. Also I mean, he hasn’t been around human beings for 4 years (so of course he struggles to relate to them/communicate healthily), and he was always taught not to engage with his siblings but just to lead them because that was his role.

Also Klaus and Diego (especially Diego) are just as dismissive of Luther’s trauma? And like yeah Luther covers it up but it’s pretty freaking obvious…pointing out how big he is specifically.

Diego literally sees Luther shirtless after the chandelier falls on him, sees how self-conscious he clearly is, and then never asks about it or checks on him (yet continues to joke about it – also Klaus makes fun of his muscles when he first sees him which is just insensitive). And in the first episode the way Klaus jokes around during the family meeting about cucumber sandwiches when Luther is trying to plan a memorial service; it’s obvious that Luther is grieving and paranoid (and also that he has been manipulated enough to love Reginald!!!) and Klaus is just making jokes and not addressing this? And then they both just ignore his obvious paranoia over Reginald’s death and just call him crazy and walk away? And don’t use the “he was high” excuse for Klaus being a prick (just like I can’t use the ‘he was drunk’ excuse for Luther, which I never did once btw, y’all just want more justification 2 hate on him).

Also: Yes, Luther tells Diego to stop talking shit about Reginald at the memorial service but like, from his perspective, that is someone bashing the person he was closest to AT HIS FUNERAL!!! He starts the fight with Diego but only after Diego provoked him, clearly intentionally, and Diego continues to fight him and throws a fucking knife at his arm (but physical violence is only not okay when Luther uses it right?).

Also HUGE THING Y'ALL ARE IGNORING: Klaus finds out Luther had nonconsensual sex while drugged out of his mind and congratulates him………. uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh idk about you but I think Klaus has been around the block when it comes to drugs and sex (and consent) and should realize that someone on drugs for the first time losing their virginity is nonconsensual, or even if considered consensual still pretty icky? Like Luther is clearly ashamed and upset and doesn’t want to talk about it and Klaus just laughs abt it. That is so not cool.

And another thing:

Luther is very, very protective of Five which is so so sweet, yet people just completely overlook it because they only want to see the bad things he’s done. When he and Allison run into him in the hallway at the end of Run Boy Run and see him looking distressed Luther asks him in a soft voice, “Are you okay? Can we help?” and reaches out to touch Five’s face. Five grabs his hand to stop him but this was very sweet? Like it’s clear Luther has a soft spot for him because he’s small.

But Diego? After he finds out about Patch he bursts into his apartment and goes to attack Five; Luther has to pick him up to restrain him from beating up their brother who has the body of a 13 year old. All because he blames him for the death of the love of his life (just like Luther is afraid of Vanya after she killed Allison). But in Diego’s case, Patch is already dead; Diego only wants to hurt Five out of vengeance, not because he’s trying to protect Patch. And he doesn’t apologize or anything after????? It’s just never brought up again!

SO IN TERMS OF LUTHER BEING AWFUL TO KLAUS THE WHOLE SEASON: is he? is he really? is he really abusive? and is he really that much worse than his other siblings?

And now I’ll address this nonsense:

“And without implying that Luther locking up Vanya isn’t intentionally cruel or intended to hurt her? He has the ability to think logically, unlike Vanya he isn’t experiencing a literal psychotic break down…. Please, explain this to me logically. Thanks.“

…….sigh.

Luther is absolutely not being intentionally cruel or doing this to “punish” Vanya, he’s doing this because he’s freaking the fuck out and doesn’t have any idea what she might do. Yes it’s a bad idea but we need to keep in mind that he’s not thinking logically, he is emotionally distressed. Yes he could talk to her but Allison had just tried to do that…. and look where the fuck that got her?

Do you seriously believe Luther was mentally stable and thinking logically in this moment? Do you not realize he was literally going through a breakdown and identity crisis of his own?

He just found out maybe two days ago that his entire life was a lie and the person whose approval he sought the most didn’t give a shit about him, found out he was isolated from humanity for no reason (which….. as if being isolated in itself wasn’t traumatic enough), after he was mutilated against his will, and now he has just witnessed the person he loves most almost die and he couldn’t do anything about it. Luther is experiencing a breakdown and I think a big part of it is control: he realizes he’s had no agency his whole life/has never had control, he just lost control/agency over his body on drugs even more and had nonconsensual sex while intoxicated, and then after this he sees Allison dying and he can’t do anything to help her (he can’t even give his blood)!!!! His superstrength and locking up Vanya is the only thing he has control over, he feels it’s all he can do to prevent the apocalypse/protect everyone. 

Not only that but the idea of control as contol over powers: Luther has super strength, he has to be super careful and controlled all the time so he doesn’t accidentally hurt the people he loves… the thought of someone’s powers being out of control is probably the scariest thing in the world to him. And yes, he gets in fights with Diego but he doesnt use his full strength (just like Diego doesn’t either) because if they did then they would actually hurt each other, they have a lot of control over their powers. But Diego can control his powers by just… not throwing things and having temper tantrums. Luther doesn’t need to be angry to fuck up with his powers, we see that in the very first episode when he punches the model airplane. Luther can never escape his powers and has to constantly control them, and the idea of uncontrolled powers is his worst fucking nightmare.

So Vanya tells him, “we got in an argument and things got out of control” … like just imagine what must be racing through Luther’s mind when he hears that!

Yes what he does in this scene is awful but you can’t convince me he is doing it with the intention of hurting her. Literally you can see in his eyes as he is choking her how pained he is by this. And he apologizes to her: why would he apologize to her if he was trying to hurt her? And if that was intention… why wouldn’t he just fucking kill her?

I absolutely don’t agree with his decision here but like…. he absolutely is going through a mental breakdown and it doesn’t just stop during The Day that Was/Wasn’t and to act like he is completely stable and in his right mind when he locks Vanya up is just grossly oversimplifying everything! 

Y’all demonizes him over this but completely overlook some of the awful things his siblings have done (Diego going to beat up Five because he blames him for Patch’s death, Vanya killing a ton of random people because she was locked up)…. Like yes: Luther is insensitive, dismissive, and cruel in this scene but it is not his intention to be cruel, it’s obviously his intention to control Vanya’s out-of-control powers, protect his siblings (esp. Allison), and prevent her from causing the apocalypse. It is awful and yes it is cruel but to act like he just doesn’t give a shit about Vanya and/or is doing it just to hurt her is just….. so beyond what the show is portraying.

And I get that you guys really despise him for this, and if you’re going to hate him, fine: but you completely overlook the terrible things all the other siblings do throughout the whole series and write Luther off as evil, which is not cool. Seriously, y’all portray Luther as the literal devil just so that your faves seem like infallible angels and your headcanons and fanfictions seem nicer and more simple………. and honestly I just can’t reason with you. I think some people just hate on Luther and love everyone else because his abuse situation is more complex and they’re just… literally too lazy to do the mental math, so they stick with stanning everyone else whose trauma is more obvious? Even though Luther covering up his trauma (literally) and refusing to talk about/deal with it is a huge plot point in the show, y’all perceive this as him just not having any trauma, or just overook how his trauma affects his actions.

This show isn’t supposed to be “everyone in the family are wonderful, perfect victims and deals with their trauma like angels EXCEPT LUTHER HE IS STOOPID AND EVIL AND ALSO HIS TRAUMA ISN’T DEEP ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!”…… and if you think this then I think you need to do some soul searching? Or actually do some research into abuse and learn that it comes in many different forms and has many different effects?

Again: I don’t dislike any of the siblings. I used them as examples but I love Diego, Klaus and Vanya!!! I respect and understand them all and view them all as troubled souls who are trying.

This show is complex and it’s designed to be uncomfy, and if you simply write it off as having clear victims and villains (except Reginald, he a dick) then you are not respecting the writing or giving the show justice. 

Gerard Way says he wrote Luther based on his own experience of body dysmorphia, isolation….. the show designers say he has self-harmed before, and Tom Hopper has said Luther has been suicidal in the past…. but you know what, go on portraying his trauma as “having it easy” and using violence/cruelty just for fun, even though the show clearly portrays him as a broken man.

~

[zizeschmizes]

that familiar feeling. | solo

WHO: lauren zizes (& the zizes bro squad)

WHAT: a post-thanksgiving dinner hangout, with bonus chaotic sibling energy.

WHEN: 11/28; evening

WHERE: zizes home; new orleans, la.

The last guest was long gone, and the cleanup had been, as always, a family effort. Everyone doing their part to return the house back to some kind of order. Everyone had a job, and Lauren, stickler for organization that she was, had been tasked with putting away the leftovers in a reasonable and tidy manner. 

It was a wonder there was any food left; her mother, as per usual had gone overboard. But it was for good reason. As tradition, their dinner usually included some of her brothers' teammates, the guys unable to travel home for the holiday, for whatever reason. There were five of them this year, nice guys who complimented the cooking and talked football with her father and charmed her mother and younger brothers. At least they'd been expected, their places planned for at the dinner table.

If anything she was the anomaly. The interloper, the surprise guest showing up unexpectedly. After landing at the airport, she'd taken a Lyft home, laughing at the look of surprise on her father's face when he opened the front door. She hadn't discussed her plans with anyone; staying at Ginsburg had been the idea...until the drama, most of it not hers, but the small part that was, it was enough to convince her that a break was necessary. Feeling tired, overworked, and wanting to be in a setting that felt familiar seemed too good to pass up. 

The food was packed up, the kitchen was clean, the guests were gone, her parents had retired to bed, and Lauren could finally change into comfy clothes and settle in a favorite spot. In the den, on the massive sectional, sandwiched between two of her favorite people. Her younger brothers had been especially excited to see her, nearly tackling her in a combo hug, towering over her in a way that made her chest ache because she missed them so much. They stuck close to her, surprising considering the last thing most 15 year old boys wanted was to be babied by their big sister, but here they were. João, taller than she'd remembered, sprawled on the sofa, body taking up a good amount of room while his head rested on Lauren's lap. 

He kept dozing off, unfocused on the show they were supposed to be watching, his content state heightened by Lauren's fingers combing through his dark brown curls. Matheus, however, was the total opposite of his twin, squished beside Lauren and talking animatedly about the show, which had been his pick and Lauren had to admit she was more focused on his commentary than the actual plot. Matty had a way of making everything feel more elaborate, injecting a streak of dramatic flair typical in the Zizes household. Lauren missed it. The noise and nonsense she'd grown so familiar with, different from the college atmosphere that had been her reality for the past few months. 

Their chatter was interrupted by Gabe, yanking the remote from Matty's grasp and tumbling over the back of the couch, nearly landing on top of the younger boy who luckily had the good sense to roll out of the way, landing on the floor between the coffee table and the couch. 

"Seriously?" Lauren glanced over at Gabe, who managed to balance a large bowl in the middle of his chaotic entrance, never spilling a chip as he stuck his landing. 

"What? He moved. That Zizes instinct comin' through." Matty seemed no worse for wear, making a comfortable spot on the floor and accepting the bowl of Doritos when Gabe passed it down, his gaze never leaving the television screen. 

Lauren rolled her eyes. "Y'all are ridiculous. You could’ve broken his damn neck.” Her grumble was cut short when, out of nowhere, a hand came whizzing by. João, reaching overhead, past Lauren to grab a handful of chips, shoveling them in his mouth with a loud crunching noise. “Dammit, Jojo! You almost hit me.” 

His ‘sorry’ was muffled by chewing and Lauren scowled waiting a beat before bopping him on the forehead. 

“Next time just ask for the bowl, dummy. How are y’all still eatin’ after all that food?” 

Gabe shrugged and sank lower in his seat, enough to prop his sock covered feet on the coffee table. “I’m a growing boy. I ain’t wanna dig around in all those bowls. You got the fridge locked up. Chips was easier.” He offered her the bowl as a peace offering and despite her glare, it didn’t stop her from swiping a few. Dark eyes, much like her own glanced at the screen and he frowned. “What the hell are y’all watching?” 

“Matty picked. I think it’s some Star Wars thing?” 

There came a huff from the floor, and Matheus lifted his head from her knee. “It’s ‘The Mandalorian’, Lo. I said that twenty minutes ago.” 

“Okay, so I was right. It was a Star Wars thing.” 

Gabe snorted beside her. “Turn it off, I haven’t watched the first ep yet, I don’t wanna be spoiled.” 

Lauren reached for a few more chips, grabbing a handful and pointing with her pinky at Gabe’s lap. “You have the remote, genius. Just switch it to something everybody wants to watch. Don’t put on those NatGeo docs, bout to put everybody to sleep.” 

Matty laughed. “Jojo’s already asleep.” 

“No I’m not!” came the sleep-filled reply from her sweatpants-covered lap and Lauren looked down at her little brother, who was busy wiping crumbs from his face. “Lo, you’re getting Dorito dust on me.” 

“Yeah well that’s what you get for almost smackin’ me, we’re even.” She rubbed her fingers together, laughing at his grumbling because despite it, she knew he wasn’t moving. “Where’s Nono?” she asked Gabe, who was still busy browsing through Netflix and vetoing Matty’s suggestions. 

“Think he’s still talking to Zara on the phone. Makin’ plans to link up after practice.” Gabe tossed the remote to Matty, and turned his full attention on Lauren. “You stayin’ for the game on Saturday? Watch us bust some Aggie ass?”

Lauren nibbled at her bottom lip. She'd forgotten about the possibility of a football game. Already figuring it would be a reality for winter break, in her haste to get away from Ginsburg for the holiday, it had slipped her mind. 

"My flight back to school is Saturday," she replied, unsure if she was relieved or annoyed. At herself. More than likely at the situation. Dinner had been spent literally surrounded by football, her brother teammates piled into the large dining room they only ever used for holidays and big parties. And at first, Lauren had completely disappeared amongst the talk of plays and stats and names, occasionally cracking a smile at a stray joke, her grin growing when her eyes happened to catch her father's. Her parents seemed happy to see her. Her father clutched her tightly and kissed her forehead, the warmth behind it making her feel most at home. 

And she supposed her mother, with her busy to-do list that involved ordering the rest of them around with chopping and shopping and cleaning and organizing didn't have much time for her usual spiel. Again, the surprise drop in was good for something. She'd managed a quick kiss to her daughter's cheek and promptly sent her on an errand. Lauren figured come Christmastime, she wouldn't be so lucky. 

For his part, Gabe took the news of her departure easily. Then again, that was his way. Of all her brothers, the two were more alike, in looks and temperament. Where Antonio was the quiet, responsible type, Gabe was loud, the center of attention and quick with a joke. The two of them bumped heads, but never really outright clashed, trading snarky comments back and forth until a peace offering (usually food) was suggested. 

“There’s always games,” he replied easily. “You’ll catch another one.” They turned their attention back to the television, where Matty had found something else to watch (Black Panther) and managed to snatch the bowl of chips from his older brother, setting it beside him so he could share with his twin. 

“Thanks, for not giving me shit about it.” 

Gabe shook his head. “It’s just football, Lozinha. I realize sayin’ that’s a cardinal sin ‘round here. But you haven’t been into this shit since we were in high school. It’s cool. Although…” he turned to his sister, big grin on his handsome face and Lauren knew it was bound to be something that would no doubt annoy her. “If you did show up, I know of at least three dudes who’d be pretty hype about that.” 

She made a face. “Please don’t push me off on your football pals, it’s so weird. Not to mention unnecessary.” 

“You say ‘unnecessary’, I say Cameron was staring hard and it wasn’t the turkey he was eyeballin’.” 

Lauren rolled her eyes, her annoyance only rising at Gabe’s loud laughter, but smiled when the twins both shushed him. She had noticed Cameron, catching her eyes whenever she looked up and making sure they were seated beside each other at dinner. 

He was sweet enough, a junior linebacker studying sports medicine with dreams of being a physical therapist, and he listened attentively while she talked about Ginsburg and her major. Their conversation had been pleasant, but it was a typical dinner talk: polite and surface-level and though she enjoyed it, hadn’t thought much more about it, especially when she had other matters to attend to, mainly cleaning. A total gentleman, he bid her goodnight and leaned in for a hug, a one-armed gesture that ended with a gentle squeeze of her hip, which...okay that might’ve been forward...but she didn’t dwell on it, simply brushing it off as friendly.

“Yeah, that’s not happening. He’s nice but he lives here. I’m at Ginsburg. Plus I’m not really looking for that right now.” 

“Uh-huh…” Gabe trailed off, studying his sister’s profile. “Soooo, is that ‘cause you already have something? And when are you gonna let me talk to your crew? Do they know you’ve got a hot single brother? Like come on, what good is having a sister if I can’t hit on your fine ass friends?”

“That is a lot of stupid happening in one sentence,” she replied, laughing. “I’m not letting my friends anywhere near you. Besides, you already got a school-full of folks you can charm, get outta my friends list.” 

“Jeez, be selfish. But you could be keeping me from the love of my life. I hope you’re happy.” 

“My one mission’s to make your ass miserable so yep, I’m pretty content right now.” 

Gabe snorted. “It’s possible you came back a bigger pain in the ass.”

“It’s a required Gins elective. Bad Bitch 101.” Lauren flipped her hair, laughing when João grumbled about being jostled. She ruffled his hair, letting her fingers linger to card gently through his curls. 

“Are you two done?” Matheus grumbled from below. “We’re tryin’ to watch something here.” 

“Yeah whatever,” Gabe said, leaning forward to bop his younger brother on the shoulder. “You’ve seen this like a million times. Gimme the chips and put on something we all wanna watch.” 

“I don’t mind watching it,” came a voice from behind and Lauren looked up to see Antonio entering the den, tumbling over the back of the sectional much like Gabe did, settling beside his brother, and throwing an arm over the back of the couch. 

“Are y’all incapable of sitting on the couch like regular folk? I mean, damn.” Her question was met by a chorus of boos and Gabe, having recovered the chip bowl threw a Dorito at her, which she promptly caught in her mouth. 

“Nice. Learned that from one of those Ginsburg’s electives?” 

Lauren shook her head. “Nah, just that Zizes instinct comin’ through.” Grinning, she leaned her head on Gabe’s shoulder, finally focusing on the Wakandian action on-screen as her brothers passed the bowl between them, feeling completely at ease in the familiarity of it all. She really missed this.

[marypsue]

an author meme because @viletorpedo tagged me and I think we may have descended into a vicious author meme tagging cycle

Author Name: MaryPSue. My ffn is different, but also now defunct, so I don't see much purpose in putting that username here. This was a username I chose when I first signed up for tumblr back in 2011, based on a whim and the main character of a parody webcomic I was considering making. (It never came to fruition.) 

Fun fact: the 'P' doesn't stand for anything and is really just there for aesthetic purposes, though it has variously been used as an initial for Perfect, Pitch, and Perdita depending on context and circumstance.

Fandoms You Write For: Anything moderately popular which has either a dead kid as the main character, a fraught central sibling relationship, a female character Cursed With Awesome, or all of the above. Probably best known for stuff for Gravity Falls (and Gravity Falls Transcendence AU) and Rise of the Guardians/Guardians of Childhood fandoms, though I'm currently exercising my right to be the most basic of fandom bitches by primarily pouring my energy into canons where Tom Hiddleston portrays a dark-haired woobie who thinks of nothing but murder all day. (I know there's got to still be at least a ghost of a Crimson Peak fandom out there somewhere, dammit.)

Where You Post: Here, and AO3. Most things end up in both places, though I don't know what tumblr's policies re: links and the main search are anymore so often there isn't an AO3 link included on my tumblr fic posts.

Most Popular One-shot: By kudos, that'd have to be...A Semi-Normal Life (Gravity Falls, Transcendence AU)! I didn’t expect this one. 

Most Popular Multi-chapter Story: Again going by kudos, Raising Stakes (Gravity Falls). 

Favourite Story You Wrote: Picking just one is very hard, but I'm going to put in a good word, at this close date to Halloween, for Samhain (Rise of the Guardians, Guardians of Childhood). You don't need any familiarity with the source material to read this one; it's a ghost story and a romance and a tragedy with what is arguably a happy ending. Well, a happy ending for a ghost story.

Story You Were Nervous To Post: Definitely all of them, though I'll admit to a particular anxiety about posting others (MCU, Thor). Partly because the last thing I'd posted had not been working out on the writing end and I had to take it down because I was so unhappy with it (something I'd only done once before in my entire fic career) and I was completely unable to tell whether this was any better; partly because of the subject matter; partly simply because I have avoided a good 90% of all the MCU movies, especially the crossover-y Avengers ones, and so did not have the level of knowledge of canon that I like to have before posting things so I can be sure I haven't got simple details wrong. (Changing things deliberately from canon is one thing. Not knowing a thing which might turn out to have bearing on a fic is quite another.)

How Do You Choose Your Titles: Sometimes they're a bad pun that's relevant to the plot, premise, or themes of the story; sometimes they're stolen song lyrics or snippets of poetry; and recently I've caved and just started giving my silly working titles to oneshots, or titling them like episodes of Friends. (The SPN/MCU Thor crossover that I ended up taking down got the positively insipid and overused, if extremely relevant, Lana Del Rey lyric title 'gods & monsters' when I posted it, but the working title and probably the title I should have actually given it was 'oh whats THIS hot topic clearance bin nonsense now'.)

Do You Outline: Sort of.

Complete: 118 works and counting!

In Progress: Something Borrowed, Something Blues (Gravity Falls, Transcendence AU) and Imbalance (The Adventure Zone: Balance).

Coming Soon/Not Yet Started: I'm sitting on a Crimson Peak/Haunting of Hill House (the novel, not any of the adaptations) crossover for Halloween that I'm really excited to share. I'm really thrilled with how it's turned out! It's a little experimental, a little romantic, a little queer, and hopefully a lot creepy.

Other than that, I've got a couple of continuations of things sitting in Drafts Limbo (there is some kind of ending in the works for The Family Business, though I have no idea how long it'll take to get there, and I have a host of ideas but no solid plot for what happens next in Girls In White Dresses), and some things I haven't shared because I'm not sure they're finished or that there's an audience for them or that they wouldn't be better off with the serial numbers filed off (a series of casefics where Dean Winchester gets cursed into a female body and is Not Particularly Happy About It At All, a definitely very hilarious probably non-canon-compliant oneshot where Darcy Lewis starts to suspect her new roommate is the supervillain of the week in disguise), but mostly my ideas lately have tended towards origfic. (Please. I have so many ideas and so many OCs for origfic. Help me.)

Do You Accept Prompts: Only if I announce I'm taking prompts on this blog. It does happen, though not as often as it used to.

Upcoming Story You Are Most Excited To Write: Hm. Well, right now I'm juggling ideas for two or three silly romance novels: one that's a thinly-veiled Mystery Trio AU featuring incubi; one where a burnt-out author of paranormal romances goes on vacation and ends up having to solve a murder that looks like it was committed by a werewolf to clear her name; and one that's a Hallmark seasonal romance movie for Halloween, where a high-powered marketing director comes home and ends up getting involved in the effort to save an old inn, which turns out to be haunted by an amorous ghost.

I've also got a couple of Stephen King-esque horror stories set in small rural towns that prominently feature flashbacks, and one mystery/thriller in the vein of definitely not bfu rpf where I've deliberately badly filed the serial numbers off the MCU's stable of actors to look at what happens when a megacorporation decides that its contracts should give it absolute control, not only of its actors' bodies, but also their minds. (That sounds...so serious and meaningful when I put it like that. Don't be fooled, it's 100% an excuse to reimagine the Avengers as a bunch of competent women who are actually friends, and also do that 'what if actors started becoming their characters' thing that's always fascinated me, with a side of social commentary blatantly tacked on.)

But...no real plans to write anything that's going to get posted anytime soon, sorry. Unless y'all are particularly interested in my original fiction.

Tagging: @gretchensinister, @pingnova, @seiya234, and anyone else who I didn't tag the first time I think this came around and who wants to do it.

[earthrealmlesbian]

Cassie and Jacqui for the all the questions?

1) Who rocks the Ferris Wheel seat and who flips out and begs them to stop? They'd shake it together! Nothing crazy but enough to get the operator to grumble at them and enough to get each other to have a laughing fit.

2) Who is always horny and will have sex at any time, at any place and at any time? Cassie has a pretty high sex drive, higher than Jacqui's at least. She's not one for having sex in wild places however. Jacqui may not have as high of a sex drive but when she IS in the mood she's got a lot of stamina and is pretty open to trying new things.

3) Who is more into taking showers/baths together? Who tries to make it relaxing and who tries to make it sexy time? They both prefer showers and by some stroke of luck both enjoy them hot so they often shower together. Both actually like to make it sort of sexual? They like to tease each other in the shower whether or not they're actually going to really go at it once they get it. Juuust enough to get each other to shiver without committing to a long night. Lots of sensual touches and flirting.

4) Who likes to walk around the house naked and who tells the other to go put some clothes on? Cassie is usually in a training bra and boxers when they're at home. Jacqui usually stays a little more dressed unless it's hot but neither are embarrassed about that sort of thing so Jacqui wouldn't bother asking her to put on more clothes.

5) Who sleeps on the couch when they get into a fight? Heading for the couch is Cassie's default reaction at the beginning of their relationship. She saw her dad do it often enough that it just seems practical. Jacqui isn't into it at all. She has a hard time sleeping without Cassie and she doesn't like letting their rare disagreements fester overnight anyways.

6) Who takes photos of the other while they sleep? (This one got heavy cuz I needed to rant. My bad.) Both!! Cassie takes significantly more though. Side note: It's NOT cuz she's some haha fucking millennial that can't get off her phone either. SF members die all the time. Taking pictures with everyone is a coping mechanism for Cassie. Some of her friends are literally here today, gone tomorrow. She wants to immortalize the people in her life while she can. (my canon now nrs. Y'all did Cassie dirty in mk11) She wants pics of every single one of a Jacqui's expressions. Just in case. Jacqui understands.

7) Who said “I love you” first? and who ends their arguments in a fight with “Because I love you”? Cassie said it first and either will throw out an impassioned "because I love you" here or there. These two grew up together and I can see them falling in love so slowly and subtly that it took them awhile to even notice their friendship changing. When they did they probably were both a little nervous to outright say it since it would change their relationship forever. Cassie took the plunge but I can't say it was particularly smooth. They were enjoying a rare off day spent leaning against each other sipping drinks and taking in the view when Cassie awkwardly piped up with "Hey….wouldn't it be something if this were like a date or whatever?" Jacqui fucking cackled because wow, what a way to broach the subject. (All Cages are embarrassing when they're in love)

8) Who likes to wear the others sweatshirts? They both wear each other's stuff ALL THE TIME. It doesn't help they have a lot of similar undershirts and training bras. Jackie has a few oversized letterman jackets and Cassie steals them constantly.

9) Who wakes the other up in the middle of the night to tell them a cool dream they had? Who has the most nightmares, and who sings them back to sleep after? They've got a big workload between training and missions so they value sleep too much to wake each other up for weird dreams. Nightmares are a good reason though. Cassie has a lot of them actually. She can usually get back to bed on her own but if it's really bad she'll bite the bullet and wake Jacqui up. Jacqui will rub circles into her back and occasionally hum one or two old lullabies her dad made up as kid. Usually they just lay there quietly though.

10) Who is more likely to cheat? (at games) Cassie is more likely to try. Johnny is a filthy fucking cheat and taught her every trick in the book. It's incredible really. Unfortunately For her, Jackie was usually right there taking lessons too and is absolutely merciless in calling out Cassie's antics. Cassie can't even breathe funny in the direction of her cards and Jacqui is on her.

11) Who makes fun of the other for having a crush on them, and who has to remind them that they are in a relationship? Cassie is a brat so she likes to tease about it. She always regrets it because without fail Jacqui will bring up the "what if this were a date?" line.

"Oh, you have a crush on me? Embarrassing."

Jacqui doesn't miss a beat. "Not half as embarrassing as when you confessed by--"

"WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT."

12) Who starts a food fight in the kitchen? Cassie for the most part though Jacqui makes sure they don't make too much of a mess because who wants to deal with that kind of clean up? She usually finds a less messy way to indulge Cassie when they're making something sweet together like french toast or cupcakes. She'll chase Cassie around with an icing covered spoon threatening to smear it on her. They're always a sticky mess by the time they get back on track but the kitchen is spared and they like to kiss the sweetness in each other's lips so that's a big bonus.

13) Who initiates duets? and who is the better singer? Unfortunately, Cassie likes to sing. She's not good but by the gods does she try. Jacqui is a great singer though. She's down to belt out a duet with her girlfriend regardless of how Cassie sounds.

14) Who starts the hand holding? Who grabs the others butt? Who slides their arm around their waist? Who likes to put their fingers in the belt loops? They're very physically affectionate so really it's just a matter of who initiates any of these things faster on any given day. They reign it in on base but out and about or at home is fair game. Jacqui does this little thing when Cassie is straddling her lap where she'll pat her ass in rhythm like she's gently playing the drums and Cassie thinks it's SO funny. It's an idle thing like people drumming on tables in thought but for some reason involves her ass. Cassie can't complain.

15) Who writes the others name on their wrist? Neither but Cassie is a doodler so lots of mushy sketches during boring meetings. Johnny genuinely thinks it's the cutest thing he's ever seen.

16) Who is more seductive when they are drunk? and who is louder in bed? Cassie is embarrassing as hell about it so we're not even gonna go there but Jacqui manages to make up for it and then some. She's doesn't get terribly explicit, just purrs out honey sweet words that promise a good time. Cassie is the louder of the two.

17) Who is more protective? Cassie but Jacqui would be if she didn't make a conscious effort otherwise. She always felt like her dad could be overprotective and it's tempting for her to match that energy. Still, she doesn't want to smother so she tries to let Cassie handle herself.

18) Who talks to the other while they are sleeping? Jacqui will sometimes. Usually about upcoming missions that are stressing her out or any plans for future outings she'd like to have with Cassie. Mostly to remind herself to ask about it later. Stuff like "Hey, Thursday should be slow we should go visit uncle Raiden at the temple." or "Jin and Takeda tried that new Thai place last week and won't shut up about it. We should get in on that." ( hello domestic nonsense I live for you)

19) Who drives and who has the window seat? Both are capable so it's kinda whoever grabs the keys first.

20) Who falls asleep in the others lap and who carries them to bed? They fall asleep on each other on their couch all the time. If they're tired enough they usually just stay there. If they both want to drag themselves to bed but are struggling to do it Jacqui will often get it together first and carry Cassie to bed.

21) Who cuts the others hair? Jacqui's hair requires a fair amount of maintenance and she really prefers to handle that herself. Sometimes Cassie needs help touching up the shaved parts of her style and Jacqui is more than happy to.

22) Who is super bad at sexting? and who sends them encouraging messages throughout the day? Neither are bad at it actually. They don't do it often but they'll indulge here or there. They do tend to be really flirty with each other over text just....in general. Both well shoot sweet, positive messages to each other as they have time throughout the day.

23) Who thinks they are not good enough for the others love? and who’s more afraid of loosing the other? Who thinks they keep messing up, only for the other to tell them they don’t need to worry?Both are absolutely certain they are good for one another They've been inseparable since children and that's not going to change now that they're adults and in a relationship. Still, Cassie does sometimes feel overshadowed by her parents. Like she's good but not great. On days like that, she feels good enough for Jacqui but like she could be doing better. More. Jacqui is quick to set her straight. Jacqui tries to keep how protective she feels under wraps but she's definitely the one that stresses the most on losing the other. She's just quiet about it.

24) Who starts random slow dancing with the other in the kitchen? Who holds the other just above the ground and kisses them? Slow dancing in particular? Jacqui. They sometimes bop around the house to pop songs when doing chores but it's usually Jacqui that switches the playlist, slows things down and tugs Cassie in close for a dance. If they still have a lot to do after she'll kiss Cassie silly while holding her up to put some playful energy back in the room.

25) Who says shitty puns and sex jokes just to see the other giggle and blush? Gods help Jacqui Briggs. She's dating the daughter of Johnny Cage and there's not a moment she gets to forget. It's bad enough that growing up she had to hear Johnny tell all manner of awful puns and jokes. Now she has to hear her girlfriend repeat her own variations of the same ones. Sometimes, and she she hates to admit it, they're actually pretty funny.

26) Who kissed first? Jacqui. After Cassie's awful "crazy if this were a date?" moment Jacqui had to sit through 5 minutes of Cassie fumbling through a confession and "I love you" before she lost her patience and stopped the rambling with a kiss.

27) Who orders take out at two in a morning? and who wakes the other up at three in the morning to go downstairs with them to get a glass of water because it’s too dark? Cassie does the ordering. Jacqui always gives her a "Are you serious? We've got food in the fridge." look but always makes sure to give Cassie her order anyways. Jacqui has the sense to keep a big bottle of water on her bedside table so nobody has to get up.

28) Who writes poems/stories and love songs about the other? Do they sing the songs the write for them? Jacqui likes to sing and took up song writing on a whim because of it. She's pretty good. Cassie gets really flustered when she realizes Jacqui has a new love song to sing to her. She feels like she's getting swept off her feet all over again with each song.

29) Who does some crazy stunt to try and impress the other and who ends up driving them to the emergency room after it backfires? They're already impressed with each other. Still, they're a healthy amount of competitive with each other so both are occasionally tempted to do some flashy stuff to one up the other. Trial and very painful error have taught them not to test their limits too far thankfully.

30) Who is embarrassed when they have to wear their glasses and who thinks they look super cute? Cassie used to be embarrassed about her glasses but the feeling faded a lot with adulthood. Why should she be embarrassed when her girlfriend thinks she she's cute as hell in them?

Thanks for the ask!

[shall-we-imagine]

The more you know. (Part 2 of Fear is an illusion *Badboy!Klaus AU*)

Yes, guys, it's finally here! After centuries, I've arrived with the sequel since I was missing badboy!Klaus 😂

Genre: a romcom tbh

SUPER fucking long tbh. I think.

(Second Person Point of View)

"Okay, listen; I'm not saying you aren't capable of marrying Jungkook; I'm just saying it's rather unlikely for you to have a face to face conversation in the first place!" Guy argues, almost walking sideways to look at Amelia. It was a habit of his when arguing; regardless of what he's doing, he needs to face whoever he's arguing with. So, the fact that you were all walking on a sidewalk of a busy street didn't really prevent him from turning his upper body towards her.

"Well, If I were to carry out the ellaborate plan that I've already come up with in my head, I have a good chance of getting at least 2 minutes with him, and scientifically, guys take what? Like 9 seconds to fall in love?" Amelia insists. 

By now, it was perfectly normal for these two to argue about the weirdest things, and you just learned to enjoy it and laugh.

You intervene, possibly keeping the disagreement going, "I don't think that's accurate information, Amelia.."

"Yeah, putting 'scientifically' before it doesn't just make it science, Amelia!" Guy further teases her.

"Why are y'all ganging up on me?!" She huffs, placing her fists on her hips.

You laugh, "We aren-" but before you can finish your sentence, a shop worker cuts you off. You expected it to be one of those 'hey can I have 5 minutes of your time? Cool! How about you donate to save the single-toed-red-nosed-pink-haired wobbly penguins of the saudi deserts; it'll only be 7 thousand dollars a day!' People that you can never escape; Is this the end? Is he gonna talk you to death? Will you be another victim of the never ending advertising violence?? Maybe! But today's not the day; good for you!

"Would you like to try our new unicorn cupcakes? We're handing out a free cupcake for every drink you buy!" You turn towards the man. He stood on one of the few steps that led to the entrance of the shop, displaying a bright smile, as he held a sign with their offer written on it along with the picture of the cupcake.

Regardless of his undeniable beauty, his attractiveness wasn't why you stared too much. It was something else. You'd seen that guy before; you were sure of it! But where?

Before you could pinpoint where you'd seen the man before, your friends cheered in agreement. The blond man chuckles, motioning with his right hand towards the glass doors, "Follow me, then!"

While your friends observed the store in awe, your attention seemed to be focused elsewhere..

The man seemed to draw you in by some strange force; it was like you'd known him before. Perhaps it was just the warm aura surrounding him, or maybe you were exaggerating and you just found him attractive, cuz to be fair, he was. Unable to solve the mystery, you carry on staring at his back till he reaches the counter. His broad shoulders were impossible to miss, and even though his muscular, built body would fit on a Calvin Klein ad, here he was, dressed in a pastel pink button up shirt, paired with light blue jeans and a brown apron. He even had a little, brown handkerchief scarf tied around his neck plus a brown beret, for some fucking reason. You chuckle to yourself as you look at the back of his head, blonde hair peeking from underneath the accessory.

Wait.

"I've waited for it to snow since forever!" You let out a groan of pleasure, staring at the snow flakes as they gently float to the ground, forming a beautiful white cover to coat the streets.

"Would you mind keeping those noises for the bedroom?" Guy fakes a disgusted look.

You playfully slap his arm, but before you could respond, Amelia yells for you to watch out, causing you to jump away from the street in panic. Due to the slippery nature of the snow, your butt collides with the ground, just in time for a guy on a motorcycle to zoom past you.

"Yo, watch where you're going!" You shout, more to show your annoyance than to gain a reaction from the stranger.

The man turns to look at you with a smile, "Sorry, sweetheart, didn't see you there." He yells back.

That smile. That fucking smile and that pretty hair. It's him, isn't it?!   

"Man, you're doing great today! You've brought in like half our customers since morning!" Another male, wearing the same uniform (excluding the questionable beret), pats the blond on the back. "You deserve some type of reward for it!"

The brown-haired male stands behind the counter. "So, you're ordering the offer or?" He props his glasses on the bridge of his nose before pressing some buttons on the screen in front of him. Instead of replying, you could only glare at the blond. Your pants were barely even dry! 

"Yes!" Regardless, Amelia cheers, "I'll have a caramel frappuccino; Guy?" She turns to her left.

"Hmm. I think I'll have that too." He nods with a smile.

"(Y/N)?" Amelia turns to you.

"Oh, um.." Left hand under your chin, you direct your attention away from the jerk and observe the menu in silence, feeling pressured to pick something quickly, considering everyone was waiting for you. "Just hot chocolate, please." You smile at the cashier. 

Everyone's attention was then turned back to the cashier as he recites your orders; however you could still feel a pair of eyes on you. "You left him, huh?" The owner of the lingering gaze muses, leaving you puzzled. 

"Huh?" You turn to face him, unintentionally letting your hand float awkwardly in the air. Taking the position of your hand to his advantage, the man grabs your hand, his fingers taking hold of your ring finger in particular. "What are you-" alarmed and annoyed, you attempt to pull your hand away, but his statement momentarily stole any energy left in you. 

"Your ring. It's gone. You called off the engagement." You almost thought he was unamused, but he lifts his head to stare into your eyes, smirking in the process. "You listened to me." 

"W-what?" That's when you were able to pull your hand out of his grasp, but it merely flew up to your mouth. "..Klaus?" You whispered. The familiar name rolled off your tongue, leaving an aftertaste of nostalgia. 

"Awwhh! You remember me after all! I'm flattered!" He mockingly exaggerates flattery and places his hand on his chest. 

"Who's Klaus?" Guy wonders aloud, earning a response from Amelia. 

"He's (Y/N)'s knight in shining armour." She clasps her fingers together in front of her chest. Leaning closer to Guy, She then proceeds to add her own recollection of the story, as if her previous answer wasn't humiliating enough. "They had a steamy night together in a pool." She smirks. 

"It was just a kiss!" Face burning with embarrassment, you attempt to silence your too-talkative-for-her-own-good friend. 

"I would say it was rather steamy though." Klaus winks. 

"Shut up!" You sputter nonsense, trying to change the subject, "p-plus, what even is this?! Weren't you like a bad boy or a punk or whatever last time I saw you?? Now you're..selling unicorn cupcakes?!" 

"Hey, what's wrong with unicorn cupcakes?!" The male behind the cashier protests. 

"Yeah, at least he's not selling drugs, y'know?" Guy shrugs. 

"What? Bad boys can't earn a living nowadays?" Klaus acts indignant, and for a moment all you could hear is your friends and the staff acting as dramatic as yourself on your particularly difficult period days. 

"W-well..ugh! Just nevermind!" Then another accusation came to mind, "wait! Earlier! It was you on the motorcycle, wasn't it?! I fell over because of you! My jeans are still wet because of you!" 

"That's what she said." Guy mumbles to Amelia, who snickers, leading you to add this to the list of reasons you don't know why you're friends with these two. 

Unlike Guy who tried to keep the joke between the two of them, Amelia ensures you hear hers. "He got you wet twice so far!" They both almost fall over laughing. Do you kill yourself yet? 

Klaus laughs, "You have funny friends." 

"Lucky me." Sarcasm dripping from your words, you sigh. 

"Your drinks." The brown-haired worker pushes your drinks towards you. "And your cupcakes!" He hands each of you a cupcake, adorned with white, pastel pink, and pastel purple icing. On top of the cupcake stood a proud golden cone, representing a unicorn's horn. The glittery wrapping of the cupcakes and the tiny 'pearls' scattered on top added to how cute the dessert look. It was literally too adorable to be eaten. 

"Well, we have some catching up to do, so get your stuff, and we'll go." Klaus takes off his apron and walks past a door that held a Staff Only sign. 

"What? What are you talking about?!" Raise your voice as much as you please, the only response you're getting is dirty looks from other customers. 

"Come on; you wanted to run into him again, didn't you?" Amelia nudges you. "Well, he's right here in front of you; you won't just let him go, will you? You may not get this chance ever again." 

"Amelia, we know where he works; what are you-" She presses her index finger to Guy's lips, cutting off his reasonable assertion. 

"So? Are you gonna take the interesting, fun, Ameliazing option? Or are you gonna be as boring as your friend here?" She glances at Guy at the end of her last question.

"I wasn't really giving her a choice anyway." A voice from behind distracts you and your friends from Amelia's nonsense. 

"Your drink." Klaus, who now looked more similar to the Klaus in your memory, hands you the hot paper cup you hadn't picked up yet. "Let's go." He tilts his head towards the entrance. 

"I'm sorry, what? Where are you going? Your shift hasn't ended yet!" The beret-less worker rushes to stop Klaus. 

"You just said I deserve a reward, didn't you?" Klaus pats the guy (who only now did you notice wore a badge that said manager) on the shoulder before walking towards the entrance of the café. 

"Klaus! Klaus!" No matter how many times he called out, the blond wouldn't budge. "Dammit; he just never listens." He sighs, ruffling his hair in defeat. 

"So? Go after him!" Amelia pushes you forward. She throws her hand over Guy's shoulder, "Guy and I will hang out for a bit; you go have fun with your saviour!" 

"He only gave her advice; I wouldn't clasify him as a 'saviour', like-" Guy's logic was once again cut off by Amelia's louder nonsense; she nudges him and proceeds to kick you outside into the cold arms of the snowy weather. 

"Took you long enough." Your 'saviour' mumbles, swinging his leg over his motorcycle and waving for you to do the same. 

××× 

"You spilled half my drink, and I think I squeezed the flour out of my poor cupcake.." you look down at the tilted horn and what’s left of the pearls. Even the icing was downgraded from a professional's work to a child's free time in the kitchen. 

Klaus sighs, "I work there; I'll make you another." 

"Good. And I ain't payin' for it, just so you know." 

 Klaus face palms, his leather, fingerless gloves in full view, "That drink costs like three dollars but sure. Now can we move on with our date?" 

"When did I ever agree to this being a date?" You cross your arm and look away with pride. 

"I can always just take off with this baby and leave you here." He pats the motorcycle and shrugs, giving you a challenging smirk. 

"Asshole." You mumble. 

He sighs. "Can we just go?" 

After a short pause, Klaus raises an eyebrow" Why are you still holding onto those?" You look down at the deformed paper cup in your hand and the mess that used to be the most beautiful cupcake you'd ever seen. A moment of silence for that brave fallen soldier. 

Or maybe not. Klaus had already snatched the items and placed them on the ground, next to the brick wall that seemed to go on forever. Did he take you to China or something? 

"Let's go; my friend is waiting." You wondered what that meant, and where he was taking you, but with Klaus, you quickly learned not to question him, for his brain was wired differently. He'd decided the best way to cheer a stranger up was to sneak them into a pool. It couldn't be any stranger than that, could it? 

"A barn? Why are you taking me here?" Flashbacks to horror stories you'd read about people getting murdered in such places popped into your head, and even though it was just Klaus, you started thinking of how you don't actually know Klaus. He could literally be a drug dealer, and you wouldn't know. He could be the murderer that kills people in barns! And! Again! You! Wouldn't! Know! Yippiiee.. 

"My friend is waiting inside. Now be quiet; we don't want to alarm anyone that we're here, cuz again, this isn't my property." Klaus pulls you by the arm and stealthily begins walking towards the building, slightly crouching while keeping you both in the shadows. You wonder if you should be crouching too, but it looked rather comical, so you quickly decide against it and walk awkwardly behind him - back prefectly straight - instead. 

His answer left you with more questions than you previously had had. You felt like a child that was just told there were more candy in the big white van... 

Why did you think this was okay? To follow some stranger into an empty area at night like this? It was ridiculously stupid, but here you are. 

When you reached the doors to the barn, he facepalmed. "I forgot about this; I don't have anything on me to use...do you have a bobby pin?"

"Uh, I think so.." You fish through your pockets; you had a habit of forgetting stuff in there, so there was really no telling what you might find. 

"There." You hand him a slightly chapped bobby pin. 

He bends it in some odd shape before turning to stick it into the keyhole of the lock hanging from a chain around the door handles. 

"Not to be that person, but what are you doing?" You bend to peek at his hands as they tinker with the lock. 

"What does it look like I'm doing?" You couldn't see his face, but you were pretty sure he just rolled his eyes. 

"What? You just walk around sneaking into places in your free time?! How are you not in jail?! You said we were meeting a friend!" His head snaps towards you, eyes glaring daggers at you. 

"Do you want to go to jail? Because you couldn't be any louder than you are right now. I'm not in jail because I'm good at it, unlike some people. And we are meeting a friend; this is my dad's stable if it makes you feel any better. We're not stealing anything. We’re just borrowing it." He shrugs and gets back to work, lock clicking open a moment later. 

"But I don't understand. If it's your dad's, why are we sneaking around?" Klaus pushes the doors open, revealing rows and rows of hourses on each side of you. Why anyone would need that much horses you couldn't understand. 

"I don't talk to him anymore, but that doesn't mean I won't be visiting my friends here. Specifically this one." He pauses next to a black horse with a white patch on its forehead, and said horse immediately nuzzles closer to him, rubbing its head to the side of a very pleased Klaus's face. 

"Why don't you?" The realization of how little you know about Klaus shifted from scaring you to slapping you right across the face with guilt. Last time, you were so upset with the engagement, you didn't even think of asking about what Klaus is like or what his family is like or anything. 

 "He's angry I didn't pursue medicine like he did. He doesn't approve of my studies, so I left." He appeared visibly uncomfortable by the topic, so you tried to shift it a little. 

"What did you pursue?" Even though the stable was dimly lit, nothing could hide the pink tint on his cheeks. 

"Culinary studies." 

 "Oh, that's pretty cool! When are you cooking me something?" You tease, but genuine excitement was clear in your grin and voice. 

"Never. Now, shut up and pick a horse! I'll be taking Thunder here, and since it's your first time, I'd suggest you take-" He bites back whatever he was going to say and resorts to pointing at a beautiful brown horse opposite to Thunder. "That one." 

"What? Don't tell me you named it that one. Also, what makes you think it's my first time?" You puff your chest out, a hand on your hip. 

"It's not?" 

You slump, "It is." 

Klaus shakes his head in disbelief, "Just let me strap down the saddles, and then we can go." 

"You haven't told me its name! I can't just walk around calling it that one. Why do you get a horse named Thunder, and I get a horse named that one?!" You complain for absolutely no reason other than to get on his nerves because it was always funny to see the chill bad boy lose his cool. 

"He has a name, okay? And I'm giving you that one, because it's a gelding, so it's rather gentle and easy to control; Thunder is a mare, so she's pretty aggressive for a beginner. Plus, she tends to not listen to strangers...or to most people to be fair.." He begins strapping down the saddles, stirrups, reins, and a lot of other stuff you don't know the names of. 

You wondered if it was a good idea to tease him while he was placing the things that would keep you on top of the horse and not fall to your death. Oh well.  "What's his name then?" He mumbles something in response, but you couldn't hear a single letter of it. "What?”

"Sparkle! His name is Sparkle! I was 13, okay?!" You could tell he was seconds away from zipping that leather jacket up to his forehead if he could. And for that reason, of course, you burst into laughter. It was the most unexpected thing you could've heard from him yet also the sweetest; sure, the guy works at a place that sells unicorn cupcakes; you probably shouldn't have been that surprised by how soft this is, but still, you couldn't help but want to pinch his cheeks or something. You prefer not to die though, so you keep the thought to yourself. 

"That's so cute! I'll take Sparkle; I love him already!" You giggle. 

"Just shut up." He mutters, cheeks still red (You prefer to think it was because he was blushing and not because of the cold weather). 

"Come on; it's adorable! Turns out you're not as harsh as you want to appear to be." You wiggle your eyebrows at the male that was physically very capable of bashing your brains in with no weapons whatsoever but one that was also too nice to hurt anyone. Well, he does trespass on people's properties, but let's pretend that's not a crime. 

"Remind me why I'm on a date with you?" He hands you the rein strapped to Sparkle. You only giggle in response, following him outside, carefully pulling the horse along. 

"Well, that doesn't feel very sneaky." You mumble. You were both just dragging two grown-ass horses in the middle of an empty landscape coated with layers of snow that gave away the positions of your relatively dark horses and yourselves extra easily. "Plus, is it even safe to ride horses in that snow?" 

"Yeah, they're able to walk on that type of snow just fine." He replies, still dragging Thunder to God knows where. You follow him, asking no questions. 

The only conversations made were between you and Sparkle; it felt kinda one-sided, but you were sure Sparkle was warming up to you. 

Finally, Klaus paused, causing you to excitedly stand next to him, so you could see your destination. Your eyes glint in awe; it was an abandoned beach with several cliffs staring down at the frozen body of water and the white cover surrounding it. 

"It's Thunder and I's favourite place." Klaus beams. "I don't have to tell you, right? No running onto the frozen water; we don't know how stable it is. Plus, horses don't do well on ice." He warns, and it slightly worries you that he speaks as if he'd seen it happen before. You don't ask. 

"Sure." 

"Now, let me give you some instructions." He begins showing you the basics of how to control the horse and assures you the horse won't slip and kill you both. "Easy enough?" 

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I can do that." You nod, tingles of anticipation wrapping your whole body. Klaus easily gets on top of Thunder, leaving you to stare at Sparkle, whose stirrup was about chest height to you. That made getting on top of it seem like a bit of a challenge. 

"Um..how do I..?" He'd explained how to do it, but all of that seemed useless as you wondered how you even place your left leg on the stirrup in the first place. 

"Oh, sorry, I forgot I need to hold him for you, since you haven't tried this before." He dismounts and holds the rein for you, looking at you as if he just solved world hunger. He hadn't even solved your how-to-get-on-top-of-a-horse-twice-your-size problem.

He seemed to realize you were still incapable of doing anything after the mini staring contest you had with him. He sighs, shoulders slumping. "Do you always have trouble climbing stuff?" 

"I'll have you know I climb stuff all the time, but excuse me for not having a rich dad that owns an entire stable of horses or for not climbing walls to sneak into pools. I'm pretty sure most people can agree with me!" You huff and place your fists on each side of your hips. 

"Of course." He shakes his head and approaches you. "I'll lift you up by the waist then you do the steps I told you...as well as you can while you're standing on air, I guess...I'll help; just go ahead." He stands behind you and squats down a bit, wrapping his arms around your hips and pulling you off the floor. The amount of strength this guy has. Does cooking count as a sport?? Cuz damn.

You place your left foot on the stirrup and swing your right leg over the horse while Klaus helps push and steady you on top. 

"You're welcome!" Klaus yells mockingly before walking back to the black horse that stood out beautifully in its pale surroundings. 

At first, you were extremely tense, trying your best not to fuck up and piss off Sparkle in any way. The horse was gentle enough; you didn't wanna change that. Soon enough, though, you were racing against Klaus, icy wind violently blowing your hair back. The cold air striking your face and entire body felt freeing in some way; you wanted to live in that moment forever, giggling as you try to catch up with the guy that had way more training than you ever did. 

You felt unstoppable- unbreakable. Maybe you were high off speed or weather, but whichever it was, you didn't care; you just wanted to enjoy this sensation to the fullest. 

"Do you wanna stop here for a bit?" Klaus yells, not bothering to slow down (probably fearing you'd take lead for one second before he beats you again). 

"Sure!" You yell back. 

As Klaus gets off, you decide to try and dismount without his help. It didn't seem like a good idea, but you did it anyway. It was going well at first, but then you realized how far the ground really is, causing you to stumble back a bit after violently hitting the ground with your foot, which wouldn't have been a problem if your right foot wasn't still stuck in the stirrup. 

Of course you had to fall onto your back in the most humiliating way possible. "Great. Twice in the same day." You huff, glaring at the sky, not really bothering to get up. 

Klaus clutches his stomach as he doubles over, laughing. It would've been a wonderful view if it weren't for the fact that he was laughing at you. 

You sit up to stare at him, "Come on; it's not that funny!" 

He merely pauses to take a breather and utter out "Whatever you say." Then, immediately, he's back to hysterical laughter. 

Without thinking too much, you find yourself charging at the tall blond, tackling him to the ground. "Now that is funny." You smirk. 

His face mirrors yours- a smirk tugging at his lips. "Now that is hot." He whispers, gently pushing his lips against yours. 

He props himself up on his elbow, keeping his right hand free to get lost in your hair. You place your knees on each side of his torso, hands cupping his face as you take lead of the kiss. 

Klaus sits up, careful not to push you off by accident (now that would be such a mood killer), now placing his left hand on your hip and pulling you closer to him. Both of you snuggle closer to feel as much of each other's warmth as you could. 

"I almost forgot how good that felt." You breathe out with a chuckle after you both break the kiss. Your foreheads were still only centimeters apart, allowing you to admire the details of Klaus's face up close. The way his eyes glint, the thick eyelashes you definitely weren't jealous of, the way his lips pull into a smile when he notices you staring- he was beautiful in so many different ways. 

"Maybe we should do it more often. That way, you can never forget." You wanted to kiss that smug-ass expression right off his gorgeous face. 

"Shut up." You slap his arm playfully and get up. The cold air hitting you hard, now that your mind wasn't focused on kissing an attractive blond. 

"You're cold." Klaus states. 

"I'm oka-" before you could finish, he placed his leather jacket on your shoulders, leaving him with only a long-sleeved shirt. 

"What are you doing?! Do you want to die of hypothermia?! Why aren't you dressed in layers of clothes?! I'm wearing literally my entire closet; why aren't you?!" You place the jacket back on an amused-looking Klaus. "We need to get you somewhere warm; let's go." 

Klaus chuckles but doesn't object. 

"Well, um, a little help here first." You sheepishly turn back to Klaus when you remember your little issue with riding the horse. "Not a word, Klaus!" You warn, knowing he was trying his best not to burst into laughter. 

"I didn't say anything." He raises his hands in defence- a grin still splattered right across his face

The ride back was a lot slower; maybe because neither one of you wanted your time together to end. Both horses walk side by side, allowing you and Klaus to have a normal conversation without yelling.

"Is it okay if I ask you something personal?" Your eyes search his features for any sign of discomfort.

"Sure." He replies with ease.

"Why haven't you tried to fix your relationship with your dad. I mean you can't possibly stop talking to him for something so trivial; he's family."

Klaus sighs, not out of annoyance but more like he hasn't thought of this in a long time. After a few moments of silence, excluding the sound of hooves repeatedly sinking through the crust of snow, his small, vulnerable voice broke the silence, "I'm scared."

He laughs lightly, mockery and insecurity instead of happiness evident in the action. "Ironically." He adds. "I advise you not to be scared, but here I am." 

"Everyone's scared of something. It's what makes us human, isn't it?" You turn your head to give him a smile- a slightly tense one, though, since you weren't used to directing your attention to anything but the horse while riding.

"I guess so."

"But you have to talk to him. Just like you encouraged me to do what I was scared of, I encourage you to do what you're scared of. What's the worst that could happen anyway? He gets mad? You already don't talk. You have nothing to lose."

He stays quiet, only giving a simple nod. It makes you wonder if you should've kept quiet about it after all. Did you make him uncomfortable?

"You're probably right." His sudden reply - though quiet enough - startles you, almost knocking you off the horse.

"This time we should stay in contact then you can tell me how it went." You half joke, still not believing that last time you two idiots actually kissed and enjoyed each other's companies but forgot to mention any method of communication. But here you are, together again.

"Of course." He laughs.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

xxx

Your phone buzzes, signalling a text.

SparKLAUS: guess where I am?

You: not trespassing I hope

SparKLAUS: ha ha very funny

SparKLAUS sent a photo.

You smile in awe at the selfie of himself and three other blonds that looked a lot like him; it would be creepy if you didn't know they were his father and siblings. They were all gathered around a fireplace, dressed in layers of clothing to keep themselves warm- Klaus, being the only one dressed in black. However, upon closer inspection, you could see white and blue peeking from beneath Klaus's leather jacket: a sweater. For once, Klaus was dressed appropriately and not trying to freeze to death.

SparKLAUS: you're late Miss Always On Time

SparKLAUS: we might just eat the cake without you

You: noooo I'm omw!!

SparKLAUS: never heard that one before

You: shut up goldstein 

You grab your purse and rush out the door, eager to meet up with Klaus and his family. Of course, eager to taste his baking for the first time as well.

[greaterblogston]

I don't know y'all. This one was hard. And I'm not sure I really did that great of a job. But honestly, that's probably true of the last couple of these, so oh well.

I'll give brief explanations below, sometimes int he form of lyrics, sometimes in the form of cryptic nonsense. If you have questions, feel free to ask. Lyrics are italicized.  

A lot of these songs are dance-punk or new age punk bands that sound kinda dance-y (Devo, Gang of Four). I like the idea that Leon liked things with specific and predictable rhythms to them, so that kind of music made sense. And then this narrative presented itself throughout the playlist - dancing became synonymous for...well, living. Do you decide to dance, even if dancing is draining? Life can be draining too. You don't have to dance to be alive, but if dancing makes you feel alive, then please keep dancing.

Track listing after the break.

1. Stroke it Noel - Big Star Do you wanna dance? Easy, now!

2. Everything In Its Right Place - Radiohead A thesis song for Leon. Order that slowly slips into musical chaos, becomes somewhat orderly again. But is still messy. Everything can be in its right place, but for how long?

3. Natural's Not In It - Gang of Four The orderly, sharp rhythm and beat, and list-like lyrics remind me of Leon. as do lines like "this heaven gives me migraine."

4. [I Can't Get No] Satisfaction - Devo For some reason I feel like Leon would like Devo, mostly because of how orderly and tight their songs feel, but this song also matches his MO a bit. Never the Rolling Stones. Leon would not be a Stones fan. God, no. But Devo's version? Yeah, he can get into that. He's never satisfied either. There's too much chaos in the world.

5. Dance Yrself Clean - LCD Soundsystem I imagine Leon confronting the worst parts of his personality in this song. Doing things that intentionally piss people off just because it's part of his nature. Like refusing to dance, even though he knows someone like Louisa loves it. Making these fussy plans and scheduling everything obsessively, even if he does do things to support others. In other words: Talking like a jerk / except you are an actual jerk / and living proof that sometimes friends are mean. / Present company expect it / Present company just laugh it off / it's better than it seems.

6. No Big Bang - Priests I get the exhilaration but when you look down and see the sheer stupidity of the roller coaster just staring you in the face as blank and inescapable as the slab of concrete below Just waiting to catch you, to crush you, your falling body, your skull All of the sudden all of the science and evolution and progress I mean sure, it looks good from a distance but when you're really inside of it you realize it's fucking terrifying

7. Dead - They Might Be Giants The quintessential song about realizing you're dead and maybe wishing you weren't.

8. Crystalized - The xx Yeah, bad pun. Leon is a crystal ball now, get it? But also a lovely little song about a complicated relationship, of which Leon has plenty.

9. Lost Coastlines - Okkervil River This is a song about two friends who are parting. The two singers were both in two different bands, Okkervil River, and Sheerwater, and one singer was leaving to focus on the other band full time. And there's just something so beautiful about these two guys duet on one song together for a final time, recognizing something was over, celebrating the time they had, what they created, celebrating each other. It's just a beautiful song and it kinda reminds me of Michael and Leon a little. There's distance there, but they will always be close.

10. Self Control - Frank Ocean Sometimes you'll miss it / the sound makes you cry Some nights you're dancing / with tears in your eye

11. Leave Me Alone - New Order From my head to my toes / From the words in the book I see a vision that would bring me luck / From my head to my toes / To my teeth, through my nose You get these words wrong You get these words wrong / Everytime You get these words wrong / I just smile

12. Retrograde - James Blake I feel like this is Leon at his loneliest. This is an incredibly lonely song. The lyrics don't really match much of what he's going through. Well, maybe the lines "You're on your own in a world you’ve grown," and "So show me where you fit."

13. I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)- The 1975 I bet you thought your life would change / but you're sat on a train again Your memories are sceneries for things you said / but never really meant. 14. Over and Over - Hot Chip Steady beat. You can dance to it. But does Leon want to? I love that it's about repetition. Something Leon appreciates for its predictability. I like the veiled threat of lines like, "Laid back, I'll give you laid back." Leon is not going to give you laid back.

15. Pieces of the People We Love - The Rapture Cause everybody's got a little piece of someone they hide It's okay, it's the way we distract until the day we die

16. Heartbeats - The Knife Look I don't have a good reason for this to be here other than I want it to be and feel like it should be. Think of it as Leon saying goodbye to Michael in a way. I don't know. Or Leon as a guiding higher power for Michael, but also accepting that Michael needs to grow on his own. Sure. That's the ticket.

17. Unforgettable Season - Cut Copy You sent an SOS away / Reach across the sky Through glowing windows we stare / But not at home

18. Subways - The Avalanches 19. Going Home - The Avalanches These are just fun danceable mixtape music about riding the Subway so I felt, "How can I not include them on a Greater Boston playlist with dance music on it?"

20. Bodys - Car Seat Headrest This is my favorite song of the year. I could have died this year. I had a pretty bad health scare. And lines like, "Do you realize our bodies could fall apart at any second?" hit home harder than they did earlier in the year. Ultimately this song is about letting go out your personal anxieties and deciding to live, deciding to ask someone to dance, deciding to embrace life while you can. I think it's appropriate for Leon. I think it's appropriate for all of us. But it's especially appropriate for me right now. So, "those are you got some nice shoulders. I'd like to put my hands around them."

21. ...While You're Alive - Jeff Rosenstock & 22. Perfect Sound Whatever - Jeff Rosenstock Possibly weird choices, but "when you're a ghost they'll sit around and talk about why they love you the most," make it a must to include. And it's another song that's about telling people why they matter to you while they have the time.

The second song is about acknowledging that chaos is inevitable. There is no perfection. A good lesson for Leon and all his planning. "Perfect always takes so long because it doesn't exist." There is no perfect sound. It doesn't exist. Then again, if it were to exist, a room full of people cheerily chanting, "It doesn't exist!" at the top of their lungs might be it.

23. Let's Dance - Spiritualized The hour is getting late They're putting all our dreams away Lord have mercy on all of our thoughts today I should get away But I would rather stay and dance C'mon darling let's dance.