#friends so THEIR friends. like what are the odds. i guess not that crazy because there's only maybe 200 of us or 150 i have no idea

[steddiecameraroll]

Why Can't We Try?

Pairing: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Rating: Mature

Words: 22,103

Tags: Angst with Happy Ending, Flirting, Slow Burn, Eddie teaches Steve to play guitar, Steve is bad at feelings, Singer Eddie Munson, Awkward Tension

Steve bites into his burger, watching Dustin and Mike bicker about the latest DnD campaign from Hellfire. Eddie sits beside him, laughing every once in a while. Robin and Nancy are conversing at the end of the table while El, Will, Max, Lucas, Argyle, and Jonathan are off playing arcade games.

“What about you, Steve?”

Steve wasn’t listening and realized he’d been zoning out for a few minutes. Apparently, no one had spoken to him in a while. “What?”

“Favorite movie, what is it?”

“Oh, um. I don’t know. I liked Star Wars, Back to the Future, and Fast Times. I don’t have a favorite, I guess.”

“But you work at a video store.” Eddie pokes Steve’s shoulder playfully.

Steve smiles a little, “I know, I’m crazy.”

Eddie returns to his conversation with Mike and Dustin, and Steve takes another bite of his food. It was nice getting everyone together, but Steve was often left as the odd man out now that everyone was buddying up. Robin spent much more time with Nancy these days, and now that Eddie was a part of the fold, it’s not as if he spent alone time with Steve. 

Steve slides off his chair, sets his napkin on the table, and heads towards the exit door. He doesn’t smoke as much as he used to, but sometimes it is the excuse he needs to escape from everyone. The cool night air surprises him when he steps through the doorway. They’d been inside for hours before the sun had set, and now that it was dark outside, the mood shifted.

He pulled a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his front pocket and fished out his lighter. Pulling a loose cigarette up through the pack, he lifts it to his mouth and pulls it between his lips. He flicks the lighter, holding the flame at the tip. 

“Can I have one?”

Steve is startled to find Eddie approaching him. He didn’t hear him come outside.

“Sure,” he lifts the pack, offering it to Eddie.

Eddie places it between his lips and leans close to Steve, insinuating that it be lit. Steve lifts his hands and flicks the lighter, hiding the flame from the air. Eddie is standing so close to him that he can smell his aftershave. Knots form in Steve’s stomach, being within such proximity.

Eddie raises his eyebrows in appreciation and steps back, leaning against the wall and taking a long pull. Steve catches himself staring and distracts himself with his cigarette. They stand silent for a few minutes taking puffs off their respective cigarettes.

“It’s nice out here.” Eddie’s eyes scan the night sky. “Kinda loud in there.”

“It is an arcade,” Steve’s reply is more clipped than intended. He flicks his cigarette on the ground, stubbing it out with his toe, and heads inside. Lately, he doesn’t know how to act around Eddie, making him uncomfortable.

“Well fuck you then.”

Steve grips the door handle and turns back, surprised. Eddie smirks at him and winks playfully. Steve can’t hold back a grin and rolls his eyes, heading indoors.

“Where ya been, dingus?” Robin asks when Steve settles back into his seat.

“Needed some air. Where’s Nance?”

“She went to go check on everyone else.”

“You two are getting chummy.” Steve raises an eyebrow at her.

“We’re friends. Isn’t that a good thing? She at least doesn’t hate my guts because she thinks I’m in love with you anymore.”

“Yeah, it’s weird, I’ll admit. My best friend is friends with my ex-girlfriend, but whatever.”

Eddie returns to the table and slides his hands across the smooth top. “What are you two talking about?”

“How much Robin’s in love with Nancy.” Steve takes a sip of his drink and watches her reaction.

“WHAT?” She can’t hide the blush rushing up her neck.

“What?” Eddie laughs.

“Stop it, no, I’m not, no. I like Vickie, stop. No, I do not like Nancy. Nancy’s well…Nancy.”

“Yeah, I know.” Steve shrugs.

Eddie leans his head back and continues laughing.

“Shut up!” Robin tosses a french fry across the table, hitting him square in the chest. The fry lands gently on his lap, and he looks down, plucks it up, and takes a dramatic chomp out of it.

“From here, it looks like that’s what is happening. I’ve been watching you two all night, and now I understand how you feel when you bitch about my flirting.”

“You’ve seen the Harrington flirt in action?” Eddie perks up and turns intrigued.

“Ugh, yes, to my dismay.”

“Shut up. It’s not that bad.” Steve tosses a wadded-up napkin at Robin.

“You know what I used to do at Scoops?” Robin smiles wide.

“Robin, don’t.” Steve gives her a wide-eyed glance.

“I would keep track of how many failures he had. He was up to 6 Sucks before he and knucklehead number two over there,” Robin motions to Dustin with her head, “erased it trying to figure out that stupid Russian code.”

“What?” Eddie laughs and looks at her, befuddled.

“The Russian code? You know, the …” Robin tilts her head questioningly.

“He doesn’t know, Rob,” Steve says quietly.

“Holy shit!” Her mouth drops open, and she glances between the two boys.

Eddie shrugs. “No clue.”

“So, wait. If you don’t know about the Russians, you don’t know about the goo people.”

“And if he doesn’t know about the goo people, he doesn’t know about Dart.” Steve tacks on.

“Or about Will,” Robin says solemnly.

“Byers? I mean, I know he went missing a few years ago. That’s what you mean?”

“Yeah,” Steve gives a tight-lipped nod. “He was in the Upside Down that whole time.”

“What!?” Eddie leans in with excitement. “I didn’t know that. Dustin and Mike never said shit.”

“I mean, do you blame them?” Steve shrugs.

“Not really. Who would’ve believed them? I would’ve had no clue if I didn’t see it with my eyes. So that’s why you guys believed me?”

“Yeah, we’d seen it and then some. Rob wasn’t there for that stuff, but we got involved with the Russians last summer. That whole Starcourt Mall thing? That was us.”

“The fire?” Eddie scrunches his face trying to understand all the puzzle pieces being explained to him.

“It wasn’t a fire. Billy, Max’s brother, had been possessed by a creature called the Mind Flayer, one of Vecna’s goons. It was a whole thing that involved people turning into goop and old ladies eating fertilizer. It’s hard to explain.”

“Where were the Russians? How did you guys get involved?” He points between Steve and Robin.

“Well, we overhead this Russian code. Well, I mean, Dustin did, and he came to me to try and solve it. Robin was being nosey and helped.”

“Nosey?” She squealed. “Without me, you would’ve never solved it. You only helped by recognizing that merry-go-round song.”

“Which was incredibly important, mind you.” Steve crossed his arms.

“Whatever,” she rolls her eyes. “I helped crack the code, and it took us to this hidden elevator that the Russians had put under the mall as they were trying to drill into the Upside Down. I hate elevators now and will never do a single drug, prescription or otherwise.”

“How the fuck did you all get wrapped up in this shit? If this has been happening to you for years, how does no one else know?”

“Well, it’s because of El. Mike and the boys found her in the woods, and it all snowballed. The guys that had her were doing experiments, which had this ripple effect.” Steve picks up a french fry and plops it into his mouth.

“This all sounds like a ridiculous DnD campaign. Wait,” Eddie presses his thumb against his mouth, and Steve observes. “Mike did use something similar in one of his campaigns. That cheat. I thought he had this great idea and was super creative. This whole time he was just using real-life shit. I mean crazy real-life shit, but real-life nonetheless.” Eddie huffs and leans back against his seat, his hair swishing with the movement.

“You’re all dinguses,” Robin states.

“Ok, ok, but back to the matter at hand. Steve Harrington’s flirting technique. I need to hear all about it.” Eddie winks at Steve.

“No, nope, no, you don’t.” Steve motions his hands in front of himself, shaking his head profusely.

“He thinks all of his power is in his hair.” 

Eddie leans back slightly and looks at Steve, inspecting the hair, as mentioned earlier. “It is great hair.”

Steve’s eyes widen, and he can feel his neck get hot. He runs his fingers through his hair to pretend he isn’t flattered.

“Gag,” Robin puts her finger to her mouth.

“Looks like it grips well.” Eddie flicks the back of Steve’s hair.

“Stop, nope. We’re not, nuh uh. We’re done talking about me and my hair. I’ve got to head home anyway. Let’s get the kids and get out of here.”

Eddie watches Steve, noticing the shade of red across his cheeks, and smiles. “Ok then, you’re in charge.” Eddie pushes himself up to his feet and claps his hands once. “Let’s go, Stevie boy.”

“Jesus Christ,” Steve says under his breath. “Ok, rugrats, let’s get out of here.” He calls out into the arcade. A spattering of annoyance is heard over the bells of the machines. “I have work tomorrow. If you want a ride home, it’s now or never.”

“Can I get a ride?” Eddie asks flirtatiously.

Steve looks at him straight-faced. “What is wrong with you?”

“So many things.” Eddie smiles wide, his cheeks exposing those Munson dimples.

continue reading...

[maddy-ferguson]

i spent two hours (two hours) with my "friends" from school today and i'm MISERABLE roman voice you need to stop this (@ me)

[razzle-n-dazzle]

- hi ! 💌,,

ISTG you’re writing is so well done and creative I had to contain myself from like spam!!

I hope you’re still taking request and if you’re not that’s totally cool, I’ll wait ‘till next round.

Adam reincarnates in hell and oh, would you look at that? the s/o is the only one trying to help and not making him feel worse that he already is. (i just need wholesome content, exam week is killing me rn).

AGAIN, love you’re writing thx for reading so far!

ᯓ★ Let's Give This Another Shot (and not fuck it up this time) Sinner! Adam / Sinner! Reader | Drabble

‗ content / trigger warning: fluff, swearing, Adam being Adam, not proof read (we die like Adam) ‗ author's note: this is for everyone who's dealing with exam weeks, it sucks but I believe in all of you any you're going to kill those exams! (don't let them kill you!). Also thank you so much for the compliments Anon <3, I write for the people and myself, so I'm glad everyone is enjoying the crazy shit I've posted here!

ᯓ When you fall from grace, it's not a pleasant feeling; That Adam knew - or at least he thought he knew - well enough from hearing about Lucifer falling, hearing the horrific things the others whispered about it, mentioning it in passing before the thought disappeared and dispelled into the air as though Lucifer had never held a place in Heaven. As though he was nothing that what he was now, demonic figure that wore a crown made out of skeletons and bones fashioned to mimic horns. Adam never cared about the stories that were whispered, about the horrors he sometimes heard through passing, about Sera recalling how she heard Lucifer scream on the way down, about how Michael watched with horror as Lucifer tried to shield Lilith and himself, about how Gabriel heard his pleads and couldn't do anything; No one could save him from the fate that had been weighed on his shoulders as soon as he had fed the apple to Eve. And partly it was because Adam blamed Lucifer for ruining his paradise, for infecting the mind of both his (ex) wives and causing him grief and pain. Dying alone is almost just as unpleasant as falling from grace; almost.

ᯓ You see, while Adam had died alone on Earth, at least his soul went to somewhere pleasant and he was able to continue living; To make a name for himself and, he guessed, make some friends and live a rather worriless and carefree life in the clouds. He was able to have fun, rock out, and be known as the first human soul ever being able to reach Heaven - that was something not even Eve managed to do, and he took it with pride! It was his title. It was partly who he was. Maybe it was all he was. That much became more clear to him when he found himself waking up in Hell again, the stabbing pain of a dagger striking his back still their along with the weight of his wings. At first, he had thought he managed to survive the assassination attempt, that Lute had just left him in Hell on accident or because she thought he was dead. It caused some sort of pride to well in his chest, a flame that sparked his need to go boost and scream at the top of his lungs - he had survived an angelic weapon! He was immune! He was the strongest angel there was, because Sera would totally fall and die in a sad crumble after being stabbed with angelic metal! He was . . .

ᯓ And that's when Adam happened to pass by a mirror, or well more of a reflective glass on the street of Hell (as he walked, not questioning the odd ball looks he got), and that's when he saw it; What looked like a stranger to be staring back at him, engulfing and taking over his reflection like they owned it, like it was there own. That wasn't him! Well, it looked like him, he could admit that, but it wasn't as sexy or as handsome as him! The reflection would copy his movement, snarling as he did and grinning all the same. With his same fluffed up hair and piercing eyes, the reflection wore no mask yet still held the horns of his all the same; Even the way they slowly curled back before dipping down, forming and L for the gold spikes to rest at the end. The reflection wore his exterminator uniform, yet it was the darker version with the yellow having somehow been dulled and deepened and faded out all at once. His wings were still golden, still tucking at his sides from under his arms all the same, though there was no halo to accompany them this time. And Adam almost wanted to laugh, maybe it was hysteria or maybe it was disbelief, yet he watched to cry and laugh and break the glass all at once; Denying that this was his fate, being unable to stomach that he, First Man Adam, was not only double dead yet in hell. Hell! The first man cannot be in hell, he had created everyone on Earth; All of them came from his nuts and in turn all of them should be praising the fucking land he walked on because if it wasn't for him he wouldn't be here!

ᯓ And yet the Reflection looked back all the same, teasing him with a distorted grin; Like it could feel his distress in the way he curled his fist, pulling back before he slammed it against the glass. It gave a crack, a small one at first, before completely shattering. Adam could care less what shop or business had that glass, he could care less how he effected them or how he was going to be painted in Hell, because this was some crazy mistake! He was not supposed to be down here and he was not going to stand for some stupid mistake that happened because some small crazy bitch decided to back-stab him! Literally! And yet, if Adam wanted any of the answers he so desperately craved, he would have to suck in some of his pride and trudge along to the damn Hotel and talk to the residence who had taken his life. It would take him a while before he accepted such a fate, taking the chance between deciding and doing to walk along the Pride Ring before stumbling into the wrong town and being chased out by crazy demons who wanted to bite him! Maybe even eat him . . . What crazy place is this?!

ᯓ When Adam had begrudging and reluctantly knocked on the new Hotel door, which he would never admit to stopping and marveling at for a second, he would feel that ever irritating dread weigh in his stomach. Who wouldn't feel such a feeling after coming to the front door of a group of people you had tried to exterminate only, Adam didn't know how long, prior! Maybe, silently, somewhere inside Adam knew if he were in their shoes, having faced what they had, he wouldn't accept him either; He would throw him to the curb. Yet, he didn't exactly like that thought, and it wasn't very on brand, so he shoved it down and away and deep until all the could think about is: How in the hell would they not accept me? I'm Adam, I'm the first man! And yet when the door opened, allowing Adam to come face to face with none other than Vaggie, he felt that dread creep in a little. But, not enough to stop him from greeting Vaggie in a less that desirable way, "What's up Vagasaurus?" The sneering comment left his mouth, "I love what you did with the place. You know, it looks slightly less like a destroyed pile of Sh-" Yet the door would only slam in his face before Adam could finish his thoughts or his words; Leaving him standing outside, a tad awkwardly, waiting for the doors to open again. He, also, would never admit giving a glance behind him, making sure no one was standing there to watch him standing in front of the doors.

ᯓ "Vaggie, who was that?" Charlie would call to her girlfriend as she walked away from the door, coming towards where Charlie sat on the floor organizing new activities that everyone could do. All while Nifty rushed around nearby, cleaning Sir Pentious' and Dazzle's memorials in the new Hazbin Hotel. She muttered to herself quietly, not bothering Angel and Husk, who sat at the bar. "No one important." Vaggie would mumble, not being able to catch her tone before it could reveal that it was someone less than desirable. Possibly another sinner choosing a path of redemption after the last extermination! Which the thought caused Charlie to gain a burst of energy, barreling onto her feet so quickly that she knocked around the carefully organized slits of paper on the floor. Vaggie tried to protest, saying it was truly no one at the door and Charlie should just leave it alone! But she was never a really good lair, "Oh calm down Vaggie, I'm sure it's no one bad!" Charlie would grin with a wave, her hand touching the crisp and cool metal of the door handle before swinging the door back open. "Hi, welcome to the Hazbin Hotel! How can I-" And yet her words fell flat as soon as her eyes were locked onto Adam's - who quickly spun around, pretending like he hadn't just been looking behind him - and was also welcomed by his light groan of annoyance. "Oh fuck me." ". . . help you." Charlie's voice flattened, dropping as her eyes widened. You know, she's never felt this shocked to see someone at the steps of the Hotel before since Alastor had came along without warning.

ᯓ "Adam?!"

ᯓ "BITCH CAN YOU NOT SHOUT MY NAME?!" Was the next words that were exclaimed out of the ex-angel, the now outcast, as he seemed rather eager to push Charlie inside of her own Hotel and walk in after; Quickly shutting the door as though there was someone outside waiting and stalking him, watching him with all their attention. "Hey no, you cannot just let yourself in here this isn't Heaven!" Vaggie was swift to march her way over to the two, seeing as Charlie wasn't doing anything to discard of Adam she might as well do it herself! No way was she going to let some two-timing exorcist angel not only push her girlfriend around yet also push his way into the hotel. Who did he think he is? And yet Charlie waved out a hand, stopping Vaggie in her tracks. There was confusion, and the two at the bar would turn their heads, before scowling seeing the fallen angel. Adam was sure he could hear Angel's accented voice loud and clear shouting out, 'oh what the fuck is this bullshit!' before Charlie began to talk to him again in a rushed fashion; One he remembered quite well during the meeting that Lucifer subbed her in for instead of coming to it himself, and he was still annoyed by her voice. "What are you doing down here? I thought you-! You know . . . " Charlie rushed out, trying to make it quick as though the others at the hotel would jump and kill Adam again with no remorse, finishing the job that clearly didn't stay permeant the first time; And, honestly, Adam wouldn't put it above anyone here to do that. Adam, who had been picking at his teeth with his pinkie finger, would turn away from Charlie and shrug his shoulders, "Yeah, well, I fuckin' did and ended up down here for some fucking reason, probably a mistake and mix up of souls. I'm sure you have plenty of those down here, pft!- I mean who else would want to stay in this charity case!-" "We're not entertaining you Adam!" Vaggie would cut off the ex-angel, causing his interest to peak over at her. Though he relaxed quickly enough, maybe too quickly seeing as Vaggie had drown out her own weapon and that . . . nasty little creature stood beside her with the dagger made out of angelic metal; Now that little one-eyed demon could give Adam the creeps, maybe even a little (lot) fright, but not Vaggie. "You know, I thought were all trying to redeem souls in this junk box of yours." Adam scoffed, quickly crossing his arms with a tilt of his head. "Are you fucking discriminating against me wanting to return to where I rightfully belong just because I was an angel before this? Wow, that's a low blow, especially for someone light you." Adam's voice dripped with sarcasm mixed with malice, maybe even still a little pride. "You literally tried killing up like- 2 weeks ago!" Vaggie would gesture to the side, as though trying to compare time to the length of her arm. "Oh shit it's been too weeks?" Adam paused, thinking about it yet drawing a blank and shrugging in result, "Shit, didn't know, pft! That shit must still be fresh for you then, huh? Well, let me remind you all that you weren't the ones who DIED!-"

ᯓ "Adam?" Your voice would slip out into the common space of the lobby of the hotel, honey sweat to Adam's ears; Filling them with a melody that could match the songs of Heaven, running down his spine with the comfort he didn't know he needed until now. But even then, you knew he wouldn't break his 'tough man' exterior until you managed to snag him along, away from the prying eyes of everyone else. "Holy shit, hey Babe!" Adam was quick, rushing past and slightly pushing Charlie out of his way to make his way over to you, over to his love. "What the fuck are you doing in a dumb like this? I thought you said you had your own fucking spot near Cannibal Town!" - It had been the only reason why he had tried traveling to that cursed town, even while knowing its residents might try and take a bite out of him or his wings. He craved for the familiarity of someone in this new world, as he had never felt this vulnerable since his first days on Eden; Earth. God's Earth. "Babe?" A chorus of confused, slightly concerned, and baffled voices followed as Adam came to your side, swinging an arm around your waist and instantly drawing you closer. You swore he was fighting off the urge to flick off the others, a casual fuck you for trying to push him off and out. You could feel their eyes as you leaned up to pepper a kiss into Adam's shoulder, to which he squeezed your waist slightly tighter, adorning a snicker upon his face. "Wait, wait!-" Vaggie started, taking a staggering step forward as her arms laid limp besides her. One of her eyebrows were cocked up, her eyes narrow, "What do you mean Babe?" Your name left her lips, "Don't tell me you're dating that fucker!" She would soon exclaim, tossing her hands out as they finally regained the life they had lost. To which you would turn towards her confused, and then remember oh yeah . . . the battle. The one you hadn't been present for though heard about through Channel 666 News; In all honesty it's why you had came here, to the Hotel, to see if you could try and get to Heaven and find Adam again - praying he didn't actually die but was taken back to Heaven to heal or was revived in some way. "Uh, yeah. Adam's my boyfriend-" You would start with a wavering smile, nerves tugging at the edge of your lips. "Oh, this couldn't have gotten worse." Angel would groan, slamming his head down onto the bar countertop, acting like a disappointed parent; Silently telling you that you could have done better. To which you placed a hand on your hip, about to tell Angel off, only to be cut off by Husk tsking and shaking his head, "I would not put you as an Angel and sexist fucker, but whatever rows your boat." His tone came off dry, uninterested, and a little hostile. And with Charlie's silence, you couldn't help but feel the weight of everyone's words a little heavier.

ᯓ And Adam noticed that, with one glance down at you and your face, his wings would flare defensively and his glare was snapped back at the other demons. He couldn't care less that they had been talking shit about him, he couldn't care less on how they saw him or the reasons they thought you could do better than him; They shouldn't care about whether or not someone was out of their friend's league if they were clearly happy with the person! That, Adam knew - or maybe he believed it more. "Hey, what your fucking mouths!-" He would start, trying to draw you away from the others. Sure, he was no longer an Angel, but he was sure as hell he could take any of them in a fight anyways! And yet, his anger was snuffed like a candle as soon as you placed your hand on his chest, gently pushing in and pushing him back. The breath of ire was caught in his throat, not even being able to reach his lungs, as he glanced down at you, noticing the spark that you had seemingly stolen right out of his chest and placed in your eyes. He knew your reservations of fighting with friends, or with anyone in general, so he couldn't help but feel pride swell up in his chest watching you stand up for yourself, for you and him: "I will not let you speak about me, nor Adam that way!" You defended, shooting a star through your eyelashes that the group; Who seemed just as taken aback as Adam had been before the warmth spread from his chest. Vaggie would scrunch her face, much more concerned that irritated or disappointed, but also all of that at the same time. Your name slipped from her lips, "You can't be serious! He's . . ." She stumbled for a moment, trying to grasp her words, "He's led genocides on Sinners all over Hell! He's like really gross and he doesn't respect people. He's a douche and a dick!-" "Dick master," Adam would correct Vaggie just to piss her off, earning a slight jag in the gut from you and a snarl from Vaggie. Vaggie, who, tossed out her hands once more, yet pointed at Adam this time, "See what I mean?!"

ᯓ "And tell me how you felt when you first lost your divinity?"

ᯓ The question lingered in the room, drifting and sticking in the air, as Vaggie stared at you with disbelief; Her mouth slightly open, her eyes wide, and her stance rigid. You noticed how Charlie grew nervous behind her, how she seemed rather uncomfortable in the atmosphere that been created in the room since Adam had arrived than you. She would place a hand on Vaggie's shoulders, attempting to comfort her, yet failed to pick out any words to say in response. "It's hard enough to leave somewhere you've called home," You would continue, frowning, "To be tossed out like you had meant nothing, like one mistake had deemed you unworthy despite everything great you have done in your life. Vaggie! . . . out of everyone, I would have thought at least you would understand something like that." Seeing as she had gone through the same process herself, yet had always had Charlie there by her side to walk through everything with. Was she implying that Adam didn't deserve the same because of what he had done? Sure it was crude and cruel, but everyone deserved another chance to mistake their wrongs and that was what this hotel was about; And you voiced such concerns to not just Vaggie but to Charlie as well. What makes Adam so much different from Lucifer, or say another Fallen Angel that managed to wind up down here? What makes him less worthy to be redeemed? What made him less of a human soul as say Angel or Alastor? Everyone fucks up in their life and as long as they're trying to better themselves, understanding what they did wrong and why it was wrong, they should be given a chance!

ᯓ It wasn't long before Charlie said that everyone should take a break, and as such you would lead Adam away from the crowd of people and up to your own room in the Hotel. You could feel Vaggie's eyes linger, you felt like she wanted to say something yet let her words fall short before they were ever given a chance. But, even if they had, you were too pent up to even discuss anything logically with her at the moment. And you think she could feel or at least tell and that's why her words fell short, yet you would never know - you're not Vaggie nor would you ever think like she does.

ᯓ You and Adam found yourselves in your bed after settling some matters, such as a change of clothing for him and whether or not you wanted to try and make the trip back to your apartment today; Luckily you had some of Adam's old T-shirts and joggers you had stolen from him from one of the few trips where Adam had snuck you into Heaven - and yet on the same note, either of you felt like going downstairs to face anyone to leave to your apartment. So, with not much to do, you set the TV on as background noise and brain fuzz as you snuggled up to Adam's side. You felt as his claws, at first, scratched gently at his side, pairing with a kiss on the forehead, and then they began to tap the flesh there; Like you were some little drum that made no noise, yet Adam continued until he switched to rubbing his thumb against your hip. "What's wrong, Adam?" Concern dripped from your lips, forcing Adam to draw his eyes away from the mindless television and down to meet you, and your eyes. He had known your attention had been up at him for a while, at first admiring his face (as you didn't get to see it much) yet it had shifted to concern the more he played with the plush flesh of your waist. He wondered if you could tell he was nervous from the start. Adam's eyes would falter and glance off to TV again, his words causing a lump in his throat as he tried to play through them; Trying to find the best combination to spew out instead of talking without thinking - vomiting whatever first came to mind and not thinking about it later. And maybe you could tell the trepidations that filled his head too; Seeing as you shifted your position from his side, pushing yourself up, and instead onto his lap, effectively blocking his vision of the television. Your hands rested on his chest, something so natural at this point yet something that still caused Adam's lungs to halt for a minute and for his stomach to flutter. Even so, he would give you a curious glance up and down, trancing the curves of your body with his eyes as he has done countless times before - yet every time, you managed to take his breath away. "If you wanted to fuck, babe, you could have just said so!" The snarky remark left his lips, meeting your amused yet disapproving face. He knew that's not what you wanted, yet he couldn't help but entertain yourself when you were basically straddling his waist; As such, his fingers would drag along the calf of your leg before his hands would trail up your thighs before tailing back down and up once more. He saw the flutter in your breath, yet you tried to keep your composure. Even if Adam was making it ever so hard.

ᯓ "Adam," You would start, your tone causing Adam to stop caressing your thighs. It stuck his eyes to yours, and he couldn't look away no matter how much his nerves pulled at him to. "I want you to know, no matter what happens . . . I'm here for you, okay? We're in this together. You're not a solo act anymore, we're a duet . . . or, well, more a duo act." Your words sunk down into Adam's skin, they infected through his lungs and ran to his heart before infecting all his blood and his veins. His hands, which had ran up to hold your waist, gave a gentle squeeze as he swallowed down the saliva that built up in his suddenly dry mouth. A duo act? Sure, he knew you two were dating, that you had been for a while, yet even then he had a silent thought in the back of his head that you would leave him, much like the others; So he never considered himself no more than what he had: A soloist. First Man Adam! . . . but now he was able to add being 'Yours' to his list with some sort of fire-like confidence; Burning and bright. It made his heart catch fire, even more so when you would stretch out lightly and lean down to lay down on his chest; Your warmth infecting all of him you touched, allowing his arms to wrap around your back and for his wings to fluff out and wrap around your frame. It was like he wanted to shield you from the world, shield you from Heaven, shield you from everyone and anything that wanted to hurt you. Sure he had the urge before, but now? . . . "You heard that big man?" Your voice broke through his thoughts, your teasing smirk had him fighting for a breath. You would playfully nudge his shoulder, "You're stuck with me, I'm stuck with you're, we're stuck together so you better be getting used to it! I'll fight for you, you fight for me, and we'll get back to that stupid place that outcasted you in the first place!" But he would like to stay here, with you, forever. "And we'll show Charlie and Vaggie that it can be done and that even if you fucked up you have a good heart in you! . . . Because I know you do under all the gunk." And your laughter had never sounded so sweet, and you touch has never felt so soft and loving.

ᯓ A duo act, huh? With you? Adam could get used to and stand behind that thought; Perhaps, even after all this time, he wanted nothing more than to hear those words, or well the meaning of those words, from your mouth since the start.

ᯓ But even then, with the emotions that swelled Adam's heart with nothing but pure love, he couldn't help but nuzzle his head into the crook of your neck. Your scent filled his nose with a warmth he missed, the soft skin of your neck flushed against his smirking lips, a feeling he longed for and couldn't forget. You were perfect, you always had been! "Fuck, Babe, when you say pretty shit like that, it's hard not to fuck you right here and now." Adam would groan before a loud cackle left his lips as soon as you smacked his back. All too used to his ways, you couldn't do much yet shake your head against Adam's shoulder, like a parent scolding their child for saying something offensive. "You ruined the mood Adam!" The huff escaped your lips, it hit Adam's neck and made goosebumps spring up his arms. "Again!" And yet, you didn't protest as Adam tossed you both into your sides with a fever, still cackling as though this was the funniest joke in the world - and you couldn't deny, you loved the sound of his laughter so much. Even as his stubble would tickle your neck as he did so, causing you to start laughing soon after and trying to push his head away from your neck. "Adam! Oh my god, Adam stop that tickles!" You gasped between breaths, struggling to push your boyfriend away as he found joy in your lighthearted misery. Though he would only curl around your frame, not answering your desperate calls of a truce and a stop, and trap you in his arms and wings with no remorse. "You're stuck with me Babe, you said it yourself! Now come here, let me kiss that pretty fucking face of yours until you can't breath!"

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[lovelybucky1]

Bad Guys Win

Kinktober Day 13- Knife Kink

part two of "nice guys finish last" but can be read as standalone fic

warnings: AFAB!reader, horror movies, referenced violence, knife play, dirty talk, under negotiated kink, dom/sub dynamics, 18+ minors DNI

main masterlist

kinktober masterlist

Ever since that night Anakin got you high and confessed his desire for you, you've been spending a lot more time together. You're still just friends, but now your relationship has a lot more benefits than it did prior.

Tonight Anakin invited you over because he had the house to himself. It was far too casual to be a date, but he got pizza delivered and there was cold beer on the table, so at least he made an effort.

You had no delusions about why you were there. It's a hookup between friends. Good friends, sure. Ones who care about each other very deeply, but it was still just sex.

That's why you were confused when Anakin grabbed your arm and led you down the stairs to the basement. It's technically unfinished, but it was a large area rug, a couch, and a TV hooked up with your brother's PlayStation.

He told you it was movie night and rifled through the shelf of movie cases. He chose Friday the 13th because it was fitting for the day. You fondly rolled your eyes at his joke and joined him on the couch once he got the DVD in the player.

He pressed up against your side on the couch and pulled the classic yawn move and put his arm around you. It was a bit odd to cuddle with Anakin like this, but you know him well enough that the closeness wasn't uncomfortable. The closeness did, however, allow him to feel every twitch of your body.

You jump when Jason pops out of no where, jostling Anakin.

"You okay?" he asks, chuckling.

You scoff. "I'm fine."

"Are you scared? Don't worry, your big brother will protect you," he jokes.

You elbow him in the ribs. "Don't call yourself that, freak."

Anakin just laughs and turns his attention back to the movie.

When it gets to the final chase scene, you're squirming with anxiety. You know it's just a movie, but the suspense gets you to. Anakin looks down at you with a smirk on his lips.

"Would you fuck him?" Anakin asks.

Your head snaps to the side, looking at him with furrowed brows. "Jason?"

"Yeah," Anakin says.

"You mean the crazy killer with the knife?"

Anakin adjusts his position so he can see you better. "Yeah. I mean like, you don't have to think he's hot. But if it was me, would you fuck me?"

What a weird fucking question. You can't tell if he's genuinely curious or if he's fishing for some kind of compliment.

"I guess," you shrug.

"If I had the mask and the knife?"

"Yes, Anakin," you sigh, getting annoyed that he's talking over the climax of the movie.

"Would you like it if I chased you?" he asks, his voice suddenly taking on a different tone. "Would you be my final girl?"

You raise your eyebrow at him. "Is this a sex thing?" you ask.

"Yeah," he smirks. "Think about it. You'd play the little, innocent helpless victim and I'd be the big bad killer. Maybe you got wrapped up in a relationship with a guy who's a bad influence nothin' but trouble," he says as he leans closer to you. "He brings you right to me and I have to have you. I get him out of the way first, and after that, you're all mine."

You lean back as Anakin advance, but when the back of your head hits the couch, you realize you have no where else left to go. Your heart begins to race in his chest as his eyes look over you hungrily. You can't deny that you're getting a little excited despite not knowing what Anakin is up to.

Suddenly, Anakin shifts. He leans up a bit and reaches behind him, searching for something in his back pocket. He reveals a small silver pocket knife that glints in the light from the screen.

He flips the blade of the knife up and you can see the sharp silhouette in the dark. It's only about three inches long, nothing like Jason's, but this one is real.

"I've got you now," he smirks.

The arm around your shoulder turns from comforting to restraining. He's holding you firmly in place by your shoulder with his other hand being occupied by the knife.

"You're crazy," you breathe.

"You want me to stop?" Anakin asks, dropping the knife for a moment.

You consider, but you're open to trying new things and this is obviously something that gets Anakin going.

"No," you say. "Just don't kill me."

Anakin grins, his white teeth glowing in the dark. He raises the knife again and lets the tip of the blade catch on the fabric of your shirt.

"I'm not gonna kill you, you're too special. I'm gonna keep you for myself."

Anakin is now leaning over top of you, blocking your view of the TV. His hand holds your shoulder firmly and his knee is resting on the cushion between your legs. You're trapped, but you don't want to get away.

Anakin tips your chin up with the flat of the knife, making you look at him. He tilts his head condescendingly and looks at you with pity.

"You're lucky I'm the one who got you. Some of the other guys aren't so generous. They like to see pretty things like you bleed dry, but I prefer to keep 'em wet," he says.

You're unclear of the story that goes along with this little fantasy, but you suppose that's not necessary to play the role of the helpless victim.

"Why are you doing this to me?" you ask, using a higher pitched voice to play up the desperation.

Anakin seems elated at your participation in his game. "Because I saw you squirmin' during the movie. This shit turns you on, huh?"

You whine when he shakes you. "No it doesn't," you say. "I was scared."

Anakin hums, not believing you. "Maybe you're more of the Ghostface type then. Would you fuck him?"

Suddenly you feel too shy to maintain eye contact with Anakin. You don't know how he read you like that, but he's right. You've always had a thing for Ghostface. Not the killing, but the voice and that flirty tone he used.

"Yeah, you fucking would," Anakin grins. "So that's your type, huh? I can do that for you, baby."

Anakin has never called you baby before and it does something to you. The tenderness of the pet name combined with the sharp metal waving in your face makes for a confusing mixture of desire in your abdomen.

Before your mind can catch up with your body to realize what's happening, Anakin has you on your back on the floor. He's kneeling over you, straddling your torso. In this position, the side of his face is lit by the TV and he looks hotter than ever. The manic grin on his lips, the lust in his eyes, the line of his throat.

"Aren't you gonna try to run?" he asks. When you shake your head no, he laughs. "Some final girl you are. Just handing yourself over to the bad guy to do whatever he pleases with you."

Anakin tosses the knife on the couch, then grabs the waistband of your sweatpants and panties and pulls them down together. You lift your hips to help him get them off and once you're bare, he slots himself between your legs and hooks them over his shoulders.

"And bad guys like me love ruining pretty things like you," he smirks wickedly.

[dashofmonsters]

Dreamers & Delusions- Pt. 4

merman x female reader

You stood there frozen for a minute trying to process the fact that Tao had indeed accidentally told your grandmother that the two of you were dating when that was just some misunderstanding.

"You told my crazy seventy three year old grandmother, who has been bothering me to get in a relationship since I moved in with her, that you're my boyfriend," you realize you sound a little hysterical when you say all that.

Tao nods his head slowly, "I uh, made an incorrect assumption."

Between your silly crush on him and this whole funny misunderstanding, your poor brain and heart are having a track day trying to run in the right direction together.

"How am I going to tell her that you didn't get what she was asking you," you mutter as you start to nervously calculate the conversation you'll have with her.

Tao clears his throat then and looks away from you, "Maybe don't say anything?"

"Huh?" you look up at him and he's blushing.

"I uh... I mean she doesn't have to know. You said it yourself, she's stressing you out constantly to find a mate so just let her believe it until you do find someone," Tao shrugs and tries to look back at you but his nerves don't let him.

It sounds like the best worst idea you've ever heard but it sounds like the only way you'd get some peace at home. Tao has always been an advocate for peace and everything being just right. But fake dating seems almost too good to be true.

"What's the catch," you cross your arms waiting for the punch to the gut.

Tao blinks and looks down at you confused, "There is no catch or payment on your end. I am offering this fake relationship to make up for the misunderstanding as well as offering you some peace."

"Oh..." you fiddle with your fingers. "Well thank you. I guess we could give it a shot if that's really something you're ok with."

"Yes it is," he nods. "I do not mind helping a shoa- I mean friend."

Your brows shoot up, "What were you about to say?"

Tao is silent.

"Come on, you can tell me," you smile.

"It's nothing," he glares at you.

"I won't be weird about it," you plead.

Tao looks around to make sure the coast is clear and looks back at you and rolls his eyes, "Let me finish shopping and I will tell you. This is not the place."

You give him a little pout but agree. Tao has been all about "there's a time and a place for everything". You can respect that but you're still going to be a little antsy till he tells you what he was going to say.

Tao is quick with his shopping and even buys you a snack since you ran out before having breakfast. He escorts you away from the shopping center and he has you following him while you eat. You notice he looks a little less nervous and that he's walking very close to you.

"I apologize if what I'm about to say may seem strange or even odd given our differences," Tao starts. "You are my only friend and because of that I have become unusually protective. After the event where you were almost attacked by the shark I realize that you are all I have and because of that some part of me has decided you are a part of my shoal."

You're at a loss for words then. Tao had told you the importance of a shoal a few times here and there but you never thought you'd be that important to him. A shoal is a mix of friends and families. He has neither over here so for him to consider you a part of his two person strong shoal felt well, a bit overwhelming but amazing.

"You're not saying anything," he notes a the both of you keep walking along.

You give him a nervous laugh, "Sorry, I promised I wouldn't make this weird. The squishy sentimental part of me just wants to give you a big ol hug while the respectful part of me is just going to be awkwardly quiet while smiling like a goofball."

Tao smiles at you then seeming relieved, "But you're always smiling like a goofball."

"Yeah well I'm only like that around you," you say then realize what just came out of your mouth. "Because you know I feel ok to be happy around you and I'm not stressed or having to worry about stupid shit and I just haven't had actual friends aside from you or Jessica so I'm just you know happy."

You want to slap yourself in the face for just admitting all that via word vomit even if it was all the truth. You feel incredibly safe with Tao even though you've only known him for a few months. This gradual build up from strangers to friends to now shoal buddies has you wanting to smile all the time.

"I think I can understand that. I have just been surviving and trying to make a living while working here. I never thought I'd have any sort of life here until I met you. I am beginning to have hope for the first time in a long time that things will be alright," Tao pauses in the middle of the sidewalk and looks around.

He takes a deep breath in as the light cool wind combs through his hair. He looks content and the harsh lines on his face seem just a tad softer. The fins on his arms that he used to hide are out and have that leathery sheen to them in the late autumn sun. Tao closes his eyes before he looks back down at you, the whites having turned black again.

There's a long stretch of silence as the both of you just look at each other. It doesn't feel as weird or uncomfortable as it should, it's just nice. The nice peaceful moment doesn't last of course and is interrupted by a small group of teens on their longboards.

Tao clears his throat and looks away, "Would you like to uh have lunch with me?"

"Absolutely," you grin, like a goofball.

~~~~~~~~~

Tao takes you to his small rental for lunch. It's a beach house with a large saltwater tank underneath it. There's several runes that help reinforce the structure and blackout tinting on the tank to provide some privacy. You're a little giddy that you finally get to see Tao's place but you do your best to keep it to yourself.

"It's not much, I hardly spent anything on decorating. My old shoal was very minimalistic. The kitchen however, I may have over done it just a bit. I think I got a bit enthusiastic once I arrived here," he warns you as he unlocks the door and shuffles inside.

The first room is a bare bones living room with a long table next to the door and hooks holding different bags and large hoodies. You see a large hatch in the middle of the floor that you guess goes to the tank with a bench to the side that has a stack of neatly folded towels. The room pretty much screams Tao until you see the bar separating this room and the kitchen.

The bar has several kitchen appliances lined up. You see a huge cutting board and a knife set next to an open cupboard with the most impressive spice rack you've ever seen. He has copper pots and pans hanging above the kitchen in a gorgeous display.

"Tao my friend, enthusiastic is an understatement. Dude you went overboard into obsession. A lot of what I can see if restaurant quality here... Is that a le Creuset dutch oven," you make a beeline to his kitchen and carefully get an up close look at his cookware.

"It's a Staub but they're basically the same thing," Tao says as he starts taking the groceries out and putting them away.

You can't help but to stare as you get a better look at his appliance line up. He's got everything from a stand mixer with all the attachments to a steam basket and food processor.

"I can't believe you have all of this. It must have cost an arm and a leg," you look over at Tao who's leaning against his pantry watching you.

You feel your cheeks warm up a tad under his watch.

"I wouldn't say it cost that much, but I never paid full price. There was always a sale or someone got a gift that they didn't want," he shrugs.

"So you were enthusiastically frugal," you raise a brow. "How come I'm not surprised?"

Tao chuckles, "Is my kitchen really this impressive to you?"

"Dude had I known you had all this here, I'd be begging to come here as often as possible just to get some practice in. I'm pretty much broke between bills, paying my grandmother rent, and what little niceties I can afford myself," you shrug while staring lovingly at his knives.

You hear Tao pull some things from the fridge, "Well then, I guess I don't have to ask if you want to help me with lunch then."

"Oh? What are we making then," you ask.

Tao smiles and grabs and apron, "Anything you want."

~~~~~~~~~

You can't remember the last time you had as much fun as you did then cooking with Tao. The first time at your grandmother's house was nice and all, but at Tao's you felt really free. Once you agreed on a recipe neither of you spoke, but you didn't need to. There were no words but a sweet symphony of chopping and sautéing, stirring and blending.

Even as you two made a mess thanks to the blender's top being off, there was still a wonderful peace between you two. You also got an added bonus of Tao having to take his shirt off halfway through since the blender sloshed sauce on it. Seeing Tao topless in an apron should not have been as hot as it was you told yourself.

After an amazing lunch and cleaning up, Tao showed you the rest of his house. The "nest" room was just that. A master bedroom with the bottom covered in mattresses and piled with comforters, blankets, and pillows. The windows were covered by blackout curtains and the only lights were dim crystals in the corners of the room. It was the least Tao looking room he had.

Once the grand tour was over Tao decided to walk you home. Everything was fine until your grandmother walked out and clapped her hands together and smiled. She started fussing about you running out of the house and not saying anything but everything is fine since you're with Tao and not causing trouble like your mother.

Tao stood a bit closer to you then and glared daggers at your grandmother as she tried to invite him in but he declined saying he has a few things to take care of before he comes back to take you to work.

That made your grandmother grin while you reeled a bit in confusion. Tao never mentioned he'd walk you to work before.

But true to his word he came back just as you were about to leave.

"You don't have to walk me to work ya know," you say.

"I know, but doing this will make our fake relationship a bit more believable won't it," he asks. "And aside from that... I think I need practice."

"Practice? What for," you ask, adjusting your backpack.

"For courting," he admits.

You can't help but to laugh, "You want to practice dating while fake dating me?"

Tao groans, "If it's not too much. There might be a chance that my fated mate is human. I have no idea how to properly court a human and you're the only human I know."

"I might be a piss poor example if I'm being honest. I've dated once and that was enough for me. Dude literally told me I'd be a lot prettier if I didn't talk so much," you seethe at the memory of your first and last boyfriend.

"You seem to have horrible luck with human males," Tao notes.

"You have no idea buddy, which is why I swore off of them and any other guys for that matter. People like me are probably better off alone," you sigh. It was something you always told yourself in your head and it feels strange to finally say it.

"Are you saying you have given up on finding a mate," Tao looks to you and there's an look of sadness in his eyes.

"I've given up a long time ago. Love is lost on people like me Tao. No one has ever tried to get to know me aside from you and Jessica. My own family acts like they know me and worse, they act like they care. I'm just the daughter of some fuck up. I'm always judged based off of where I work, who my family is, and what I do on my time off. It's fucking infuriating but that's my lot in life," you shrug and flap your arms out, readjusting your bag.

Tao is quiet then, he doesn't say anything else for the rest of the walk to work but he does surprise you by taking your hand. He holds it and keeps you close. You hate how much you're enjoying this because you know it's not real, you know that you're using each other in the nicest way possible and it hurts.

When you finally get to work you give Tao's hand a squeeze before you let go, however he doesn't.

"When do you get off work," he asks.

"I work a late shift Tao, I probably won't be out of here till midnight, eleven if I'm lucky. I can walk myself home, it's fine," you smile.

"If this was a real relationship would you want me to walk you home," he asks.

Your brain goes blank for a moment since you haven't a clue.

"I mean most girls would probably say yes so we shou-"

"I'm not asking what anyone else would want," Tao towers over you, his eyes shining in the setting sun. "I asked if you would want it. If you'd want me to walk you home."

You feel your cheeks heat up and you're pretty sure you stopped breathing for a moment or two. You nod your head and Tao sighs.

He moves his hand from yours and tips your head back by your chin, "Use your words."

"Yes," is all you can manage.

Tao smiles, "I'll be here at eleven then."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What in the fresh fuck was going on between you and tall, dark and handsome," Jessica stops you the second you enter the diner.

You roll your eyes and inhale sharply, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you and even if you did, I don't think I'd hear the end of it from you."

Jessica begs and pleads for the next hour. With the diner pretty much dead aside from the usual late night regulars she ends up wearing you do pretty fast.

"Fine fine, he and are fake dating," you whisper to her.

"No," Jes smiles and clutches her chest.

"It's his fault really. My grandmother asked if he was my boyfriend and-"

"Let me guess, he probably assumed that since he's a male and your friend that that was that? Typical other realmers," Jes rolls her eyes.

"Yes and well, when I told him that I'd have to come clean he said I shouldn't and then one thing turns into another and now he wants to practice dating," you groan.

"While fake dating," Jes cocks a brow and takes out a piece of gum.

You scrub your face with your hand and nod.

"Oh girl, you going to be alright," she asks, actually concerned now.

"Maybe," you sigh. "I don't know."

Jessica pops the gum in her mouth and hums, "Just try not to think too hard on it. And, if you think it's too much make the right choice. Don't hurt yourself ok?"

You nod and feel a heaviness in your heart you've never felt before.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Your shift ends at eleven thanks to the diner being near empty. You change pretty quickly since Tao is supposed to walk you home and you don't want to make him wait.

As you step outside you see Jes poking at Tao who looks nervous with his hands held up high. His eyes meet yours and you practically hear him begging for help.

"Alright alright, Jes I'll take it from here. Go home and terrorize your mate," you shoo your friend away and she gives Tao a mean mugging glare.

"I've got my eyes on you boy, you hurt her and my mate and I will rain down absolute hell on ya," Jes points to him before stomping off, but you see her smiling.

You turn to Tao and he gives you an awkward smile.

"Care to tell me what all that was about," you raise a brow.

"Your friend had a few things to say to me about our current... how did she put it? Ah yes, situatationship," Tao nods.

You slap yourself in the face and hard.

"Please tell me Jessica didn't teach you that word. Oh gods this is a lot," you groan.

"But is it not correct? We are not in an established relationship with each other and I am practicing courting and romancing a human which is you. Is there not a better a term for what we are in," he asks, very matter of factly.

"I guess not," you mumble. "Just don't go around telling people that. Some older folks don't quite get it and it'll just hurt their brains. Did Jes tell you anything else?"

Tao looks up and nods before walking up closer to you. His eyes are bright as they look you up and down, "She told me to walk you home every time you have a late shift, to enjoy your company as much as possible and that you... you need to stay away from your grandmother as much as possible."

You notice Tao's pause before he mentions your grandmother but you don't feel like prying. This whole situatationship thing with him is enough of a heartache headache that you don't want to think too much on.

"Ok then," you give him a tired smile.

Tao takes your hand then and gently pulls you along. You feel yourself dragging your feet and looking down more than looking up. Your heart still hurts and you chastise yourself for getting caught up in these feelings too fast too soon.

"Are you tired," Tao asks, pulling you away from the side walk and down to a bench.

You sit and then slump, "Physically awake, emotionally exhausted."

Tao looks around then and nods before scooping you up. You squeal when he bolts towards the beach but makes a beeline for the cliffs. The cliffs are usually off limits unless there are guides or security and Tao knows this. You look up at him confused but he's focused like a man on a mission.

The closer he gets the more you notice the speckles of light dancing atop the cliffs. Tao leaps off the rocks, jumping from one large boulder to another as he quickly climbs to the top.

You gasp when you see the beautiful sight before you. A large gathering of pixies dancing midair in a circle. A few of them spot you and Tao and quickly fly towards you both laughing. One of them sprinkles something atop of Tao's head and a crown of grey and blue flowers plops down on him. You laugh until one sprinkles you and a crown of shells and crystals appears on yours.

"Not good enough, no not yet," one of the pixies hovers next to you and slaps Tao's arm. "Put her down, I've much to do!"

Tao sets you down and you give him a nervous look as the pixies practically swarm you. You're pretty much assaulted by spells as they circle you and you feel your clothes shift and change and before you know it you're wearing a dress right out of a fairytale.

You do a quick twirl and admire the dress the pixies conjured. It's the same color as Tao's mer-half. A dark grey accented with white and black lace and frills. The chains are silver and there's a faint blue glow from the crystals you wear.

"Tao what is this," you turn to him and feel your breath being knocked right out of you.

The pixies finish their spell work on him and he's dressed like some feral rogue from a fantasy novel. His hair is messy and his fins and stripes are on full display. There's a much wilder edge to him than usual.

His eyes meet yours as he walks towards you. He holds out his hand and you take it.

"It's a month long celebration the pixies have right before winter hits. Their leader asked me if they could have this area at night while the humans are away. I agreed. Their festivities have been delayed due to the storm so they have just begun," he explains.

"And the outfits," you twirl your skirt as you ask.

Tao chuckles, "Their way of inviting us to the revelry. Do you dance?"

"Do you," you ask, shocked about what might be happening here.

"All fair folk dance, it is like breathing to us. Doesn't matter if we are of land or sea. Do you dance," he asks again as he walks you closer to the circle of pixies.

"Not really. I've never danced or have been to a revel before," you give him a nervous grin.

"Than it will be my honor to be your first dance partner," Tao nods his head before pulling you into the circle of pixies.

The pixies immediately break into song. You can't see the instruments but you hear them. Tao spins you in his arms under the dazzling pixie lights to the beat of a drum you can't see. Little by little you let yourself go and just feel. You follow Tao's steps as he spins you again and again. You're nearly dizzy when he scoops you up and runs towards the edge of the cliff. You gulp in air and feel a scream coming on when he jumps.

But you don't hit the water, not yet anyways. You're floating down with the pixies around you and Tao before the gently plop you both in the water. The pixies splash in and out around you and you giggle until you feel something rubbery beneath you.

You go stock still in fear.

"What's wrong," Tao shakes you and realizes you're shivering and shaking.

"Sh- I... there's a shark. I just felt it," you whimper.

Tao opens his mouth and looks around then back at you, "That is no shark."

"But I felt it Tao. It has-"

"That was my tail you kicked," he laughs and swims you both closer to the pixies. He lifts part of his massive tail out of the water and you gasp. It was the first time you've been up close with Tao in his true form. You've seen him from a distance a few times but it didn't do him justice.

"My birth shoal's mer are very shark-like I suppose. There are many different shark-like mers just as there are sharks. I hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable," Tao looks at his tail and then to you.

"No no no! That's got nothing to do with this! I really thought there was a shark and after the last shark attack... I have a teeny tiny phobia of them. We're good though," you stammer and then playfully punt his tail.

"So you're not scared of me," he gives you a nervous smile as he rolls over.

"Of you? Never! You're stuck with me dude. Well at least until you find your mate," you poke at him and try to swim away.

Tao suddenly disappears under the waves though and away from the pixie lights. You don't feel him nearby and your heart leaps when you feel something tickle the bottom of your feet. You attempt to kick away only to feel yourself being dragged under water suddenly.

You flail about for a moment then feel something soft brush against your neck. It's soft and tickles and then you can breathe.

"Open your eyes," you hear Tao say.

You take a peek and notice that your eye doesn't sting from the salt water. Slowly opening your eyes you see a gorgeous underwater world that's been so close to you but so out of reach.

Tao takes your hand again and leads you around. The pixies dive in and trade their little wings for tiny fins and tails. They swim alongside the both of you lighting the dark ocean. Your eyes continue to adjust and you see the strips on Tao glowing a dim blue like the crystals you're wearing. A lovely stripped pattern appears on his tail and it leaves a small trail of light behind him.

You all swim around for what feels like hours before resurfacing near the beach. Tao transforms back to his more human form and scoops you up and walk you back to the beach. You're both sopping wet and the clothes the pixies conjured feel heavy now. You giggle when he sets you down on the beach chair with a shlop and the both of you break out laughing.

"I don't think I've ever had that much fun in one night! Also, don't ever jump off of a cliff while carrying me and not saying anything. That scared the shit out of me," you huff but smile.

"Apologies, I was caught up in the revelry. I'll remember to tell you when I plan to plunge us into the dark unforgiving waters of the Pacific next time," Tao laughs.

You roll your eyes and stretch out. A comfortable silence falls between the both of you as you watch the pixies dance atop the waves, slowly ending the revelry for tonight.

"I don't think I've ever had this much fun either. I can't even recall a time when I had fun with my birth shoal. I was always on the outside of everything. Can I tell you something," he turns to you with the shyest smile.

"Of course you can," you say.

"That was also the first time I've danced," he admits.

You place a hand above your heart, "And you had your first dance with me, what an honor."

Tao chuckles and rolls his eyes, "It could be that you are not meant for human males, but for someone from the realm I hale from. You have the spirit like the fair folk much like Jessica does. That might be why your luck with romance has been terrible."

"You sound very sure of that," you grimace. The thought of an actual relationship, no the thought of being a fated mate to someone of the other realm scared you a bit.

"The pixies took to you so quickly I was a bit stunned. They're usually cautious around humans. I believe you're fated for someone of my home realm," he gives you a smile that nearly has your heart melting.

"If you say so," you hold yourself tightly and look away from him.

You hear him walk towards you and crouch down, "You are meant for love my friend. No one has been worth the love you're too afraid to show. You are kind beyond what most deserve and hide yourself behind the shadows of your past. I hope someday that love finds you and can help you heal the scars in your heart."

"Tao, you keep saying really nice things like that then I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep having to raise my standards and hope my mate can meet them," you giggle as you try not to cry.

The pretty and hopeful words he speaks to you feel so nice but they hurt so bad too. You hate that you're crushing on him. You hate the you know you're slowly moving from just a crush into something more. You won't tell him though, you'll take all these feelings to the grave with you.

"I will also have high standards for a mate because of you. Fated or not, I hope she will be as joyful as you are," Tao admits as he looks back to the ocean.

There are hardly any pixies left save for a small handful whose light keep switching from sea green to a sunset pink.

"I should walk you home, it is late and I fear we will both be very exhausted come morning," he pushes up and scoops you into his arms in one quick movement.

The walk home was more of Tao jogging at top speed. The streets are quiet save for the occasional night driver and ride shares dropping people off from a bar. Tao slows down just a little as he gets closer to your neighborhood.

You grab for your backpack and suddenly realize it's not there.

"Tao my bag!" you gasp.

He quickly sets you down and realizes it's gone before he pats at the air behind you and it reappears.

"Simple concealment spell. Your bag was with you just following alongside you in a less apparent realm," he nods and takes your hand.

You're close to home and sort of just trudge the rest of the way there hand in hand. Tao walks you up the steps and as you fish out your keys he takes you by the chin and kisses you.

Not on the forehead.

Not on the cheek.

But a full deep passionate kiss on the lips. He kisses you once, twice, and a third time before he stands straight, the whites of his eyes black and a couple of light blue stripes appear on his cheeks.

He brushes your cheek with his thumb, "Goodnight."

You nod and he kisses your cheek this time before he parts.

"Until tomorrow," he nods and walks away into the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tao:

I did as Jessica told me to and kissed her goodnight. I did not think I would like it as much as I did. If I am being honest with myself, I was afraid I would not be able to stop kissing her.

Everything I have done tonight with her will be with me forever, even after we find our mates...

A terrible acidic taste stings my mouth and I feel sick just thinking about her being with someone. It is wrong to feel such a way I scold myself. She is dear to me and I wish her nothing but happiness.

But would it be wrong to think that she could be happy with me?

Something heavy settles into my very being and I feel myself slowing as I get closer to the house I rent.

Little by little images play in my head of what sort of life I could have with a mate like her. But the more vivid they become the more of her I see.

It feels wrong and selfish of me to want her more than I already do. I told her she is meant for someone from my home realm and maybe somewhere deep down inside me I might be wishing that someone is me.

I grasp at one of the pillars holding up my home and I grind my teeth. Every bit of me wants to keep her close, keep her safe. She is my shoal and I hers. My only friend.

I can't hurt her, but I fear I might have begun to in ways that are irreversible now.

Jessica had warned me that my dear friend might have some sort of feelings for me and that I should not get too close. I fear I cannot stop myself from wanting to be closer to her. I want to know how she feels, what she thinks, I want her but I can't.

She is not for someone like me.

She is bright and speaks her mind. She deserves love and happiness that someone like I could not give her.

I am horrible company, too quiet and reserved. I haven't a clue why she speaks to me only that I could hear her talk for hours. I will never admit that to her though.

I feel a sad sort of happiness in my heart. A quiet yearning for someone I cannot have. I clasp my hand over my heart and take a deep breath.

I will allow myself to feel this before I plunge any desire for her deep into the darkest parts of my soul.

The wind picks up and a light sensation crosses my lips and I remember the kiss.

That heaviness nestles further and further and I fear that if I do not center myself soon I might not be able to get her out of my mind tonight.

[pinejayy]

Doll (Wally Darling x Reader)

part 1??? i’m not sure if y’all want a part 2 uwu

warnings: nothing really besides wally being kinda creepy.

It was a nice and lovely day at the Neighborhood, the birds were singing and the sun rays where hitting your skin and it felt nice. You enjoyed this place and the people, everyone was so friendly towards you. Well there was one person who stood out. Yep you guessed it right Wally....Wally Darling. You didn’t know why but something about the yellow puppet was off putting, and everyone in the neighborhood seemed to act differently around him, as they were scared of him. But you really didn’t think too much about it. As you walked around, you were going to have a small picnic by the butterfly field alone.

 As you walked around, you smiled and waved at you friends. And you walked by everyone, and you also walked by Wally’s house trying to ignore the fact that his house had eyes. That was also really odd. But I guess it’s not hurting anyone right? As you walked past his house you didn’t notice a pair of eyes following your every move. Wally was staring at you through a window, he made sure he stayed hidden, his eyes following your movements. 

After awhile you got to your to the field. It’s so pretty! As you set up everything and once that was done you sat down and looked at butterflies. “Wow you sure are pretty.” You said to yourself. Looking at them fly around you, hm no wonder why Frank likes watching them.

From a distance Wally was watching you. He knew this was wrong but something about you made him go crazy. The way you laugh and the way you smile. You were so beautiful, he thought that you looked so soft. He wanted to break you. Make you his, he needed you. He wanted you.

As you enjoyed yourself, you took a deep breath. Not knowing you had a pair eyes on you.

“Hello neighbor! What are you doing here alone?”

You jumped as you thought you were alone. You looked at the voice, and saw Wally. “Oh my god Wally! You scared me!” You say and look at him, wondering why was he here you didn’t tell him or anyone that you were going to be here.

“I’m deeply sorry Neighbor, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He said, and sat by your side. “I was just walking around and I guess I saw you and wanted to join you.” His voice was so smooth. But he stared at you, his pupils widen a bit. He needed you. 

You smile at him and nodded. How odd? How did he know you were here at this very moment. You Shook it off and smile at him. You dig through your basket you had and pulled out an apple. They were his favorite. Wally’s eyes grew with happiness he loved apples. He took the apple and thanked you. “Thank you Y/N your very sweet!” He told you, words seemed so soft and relaxing. 

“Of course Wally!” You say, and smile at him. As you just relax. “So Wally how was your day? Did you have a good morning?” 

Wally looked at you and nodded, as he looked at the apple. It looked so good but he couldn’t eat it front of you. Well unless he wanted to scare you off and he doesn’t want that. “My morning was pretty good, and my day is even better now that I got a lovely gift from my best friend!” He said with happiness. “This apple is prefect...just like you.” 

You blushed at his comment and giggled slightly. “Oh you’re so sweet Mr. Darling! Is that why your last name is Darling?” You say and smile even more. Looking at him and into his eyes. “Because you’re such a Darling!” Wait were you two flirting? No right...you guys are just being friendly. You just saw him as a friend. A best friend. (Damn he’s in the friend zone)

Wally’s eyes glimmered. Your comment made him feel warm, his eyes filled with happiness. As he looked at you, he couldn’t help but sit closer to you. “Why yes Y/N, that’s why they call me Darling.” He purred at you. 

As a few hours passed by and both Wally and you were having a nice day, you guys talked alot. And as you talked to him he seemed like a really nice guy, Maybe wasn’t so off putting as you thought. Soon you were getting ready to leave, but Wally seemed upset that the day was ending with you. He didn’t want to leave your side, but he did help you pack your things. “Aw I was having having a great time with you.” He whimpered to you. “Maybe we can hang out again? I can make us dinner and I can invite you to my place?” 

You looked at him, and thought about it. He did seem really nice in his own way, but you still had an uneasy feeling about his house. But since you didn’t want to be rude you gladly accepted his offer. “That would be nice, I would love that Wally.” 

“GREAT!” Wally said, getting excited. “If you want to you can come over at my place tomorrow at 3pm? How does that sound?” He looked at you, wanting to hold you and take you away. But he had to control himself, he can’t scare you away. 

“That sounds great Wally. Then that settles it, I’ll see you tomorrow at 3 o’clock! Make sure to make me something yummy and don’t forget the apples Mr. Darling!” You giggle, and winked at him. It made his heart skip a beat. He couldn’t wait for tomorrow. 

“But I’ll see you tomorrow Wally. You have a lovely day. And make sure you rest for tomorrow.” You say as you place a small kiss on his check. Saying your goodbyes to the yellow puppet and after that you left him alone. He was left alone with his thoughts. 

Wally was standing alone in the field. He couldn’t help but giggle to himself. A date with you! Finally you’re going to be his and his only...forever. He is going to make his.. and he’s going to love you. Now he was laughing at himself. “You’re going to be my DOLL!” He said to himself smiling. “Forever..”

// So what did you guys think? A part 2 or nah??

[bugcuti3]

What If Im Insane?

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀chapter one of More Than You Bargained For •°. *࿐ series masterlist

pairing : Luke Castellan x child of Aphrodite!reader

 you remember how you figured out there was something wrong with you and made some genuine friends, or what you thought were genuine friends. You remember why you stopped talking to Luke Castellan.

Warnings: negative talk, neglect, mental health, negative thoughts, NOT PLOT ACCURATE, PRE TLT

aﾉn — AGAIN NOT A WRITER JUST A CRAZY CRAZY GIRL WITH A HYPERFIXATION. Reposting for the millionth time because im dumb as rocks LOLL

3.6k words

Luke Castellan and his stupid hovering.

Luke has been following you around camp for months now in a constant attempt to apologize and explain to you. You thought it didn't bother you. The whole not talking for a whole and suddenly hanging out all day together thing. You kept wanting to make excuses for him like, it's not like you were that close, you just went to the same school that doesn't mean anything.

You and Luke went to the same high school. You were both in the same grade, freshmen. You can't say you knew him, that's not true. You were best friends. Keyword: were.

He was always charming people even before he knew he was a demi-god. And so were you. Daughters of Aphrodite always have at least a handful of passionate admirers. None of them stood out, of course, you liked the attention well and good but you decided that when you fell in love you wanted it to be just right.

Not too tall. Not too short. Not short-tempered. Not abrasive. Just right.

He always stood out to you. And now looking back you were pretty sure he thought the same about you.

See, while you never really talked. The odd glances weren't forgettable, almost as if you could sense the other was different. just like you.

He didn't owe you friendship. You knew that but it stung that the one last piece you had of home seemed to forget the first time you both noticed that you and him were one and the same.

You thought you were going crazy. With both ADHD and dyslexia, you thought it was just your luck that you would have yet another thing wrong with your brain. You were convinced that your ugly brain had been mistakenly put into the body of a pretty girl.

The final straw had to be your favorite art teacher turning into something that more closely resembled a bat…no a dragon? You didn't don't know. Turned out that pretending to enjoy your art pieces and treating you like a daughter was just a ploy to get you close enough to bite your head off. But why???

It was all too much. You had about 30 seconds to react before you found a way to defend yourself and she burst into gold flecks of ash.

You splash cold water on your face in the bathroom for about the millionth time. I have got to get on some medication. The realization that you must genuinely be going insane suddenly felt incredibly heavy in your mind. so heavy it felt like your shoulders could no longer hold up your head. Or your body for that matter. Oh god, I have to sit down.

You rush into one of the stalls in the bathroom. And sit on the floor, practically crushing your head between your knees. Come on get it together, you're stronger than this. Nevermind. Large tears start to stream down your face. You make an effort to wipe them away harshly, making your face red and raw in the process. It's no use. You'll end up one of those people that get put away in an institution. You'll never be normal as much as you pretend to be.

Then the door of the bathroom opens. Shit. you cover your mouth in desperation to cover up the sobs that have turned more into hiccups when someone speaks.

“Hello? Is someone in here?”.

You are not sure why you bother to respond, the situation is hardly funny but you make a joke anyway for reasons you can't explain.

“No”.

The person chuckles and stands there for a second. Listening you guess, deciding whether they care or not. Why would they care why the girl in the bathroom is ugly crying on the floor?

“Can I come in?”.

You imagine the only reason you agree is because you miss that. Being understood. You don't acknowledge the thought usually but in this moment of desperation, you're willing to let someone in. 

The stupid dirty bathroom stall that is.

You stand up to unlock the stall door not bothering to open the door for your bathroom company. You sit back down on the floor, I know gross but the sitting options are a little limited. Especially with the new addition.

“Hi”.

Why did it have to be him?

“Hi, Luke”.

“Sorry, I know it's kinda weird for me to ask to come into your bathroom stall”.

You laugh a little, continuing to wipe the tears off your face.

“It's okay”.

He smiles at you

“I think I'm going crazy”, you confess honestly.

He hesitates to respond for a second, probably mulling over the idea of calling the school counselor to deal with you instead.

“Me too”, he adds meeting your eyes.

Now that makes your ears perk up.

“What do you mean?”.

“I think we're the same… I mean I'm sorry about the art teacher…I know you liked her”

At that moment it should've been strange that Luke said that you both were the same but what stood out was why he knew you liked the art teacher and how he knew what had happened.

“How do you know that?”.

“I mean I was walking by and looked in the little window on the door y’know? And the room was a mess and I started asking around what happened to her, right? And everyone was pretending like she never even existed, nevermind the fact that she worked here”.

“No not that, how did you know I like- liked her?”, the event is so fresh in your mind, that you forget she is gone now.

“Oh”. He responds sheepishly and his ears turn a shade of red.

“I stay late for sports and when I pass by you're always there I don't know…I just notice you I guess”

“Oh okay”. You are about to leave it there but you suddenly remember when he said that you were the same. What did he mean by that? 

“What do mean? Were the same?”.

“I guess I'm not sure myself but I have this friend. Her name is Thalia. I just get this feeling when I'm with her and I get the same feeling with you, I can't describe it”.

Okay, now it just sounds like he can't keep it in his pants. You turn your head to the side avoiding eye contact.

“Not that!! I just! I told you I can't explain it- oh god now I sound like an idiot”, his hand goes up to facepalm himself with a loud smack.

You turn your head back to face him and laugh at the fact that his ears have somehow turned an even deeper shade of red. 

“Hey, you stopped crying”, he says as he removes his hand from his face.

“Oh yeah, I didn't even notice”. 

You take your hand and wipe at your now dry face.

Luke and You sit there for a good thirty minutes as he explains the odd things that have been happening to him, school, and everything in between.

It was a short conversation but you swear you've never felt so understood before. It was as if he opened the top of your head and read all of your most deep and insecure thoughts. It felt…good.

You thought after that you had finally gained a real friend. A best friend even. And it seemed like you had for about a good couple of days. He introduced you to his friend Thalia and even invited you to eat with them. You felt seen. You had a pretty big friend group but it was always surface level it felt natural to have all the pretty girls sit at lunch together. That's just how things had to be you thought.

But now you can say you had real friends. friends that understood every part of you, even the ugly parts. They were easy to get along with. You had quickly become best friends. Going to each other's houses, and riding your bikes together, your freshman year finally started looking up!

Until one day they weren't at the lunch table as usual. Okay weird? But who knows maybe they caught the same stomach bug, they’ll be here tomorrow.

Maybe a doctor's appointment? A cold? A vacation? A terminal illness?

It had been a month since you had seen either Luke or Thalia. And it hurt. Bad.

The whole experience had brought up some ugly memories. 

Your father left you with your grandma when you were just a baby. A stupid irresponsible decision on his part as she could barely take care of you let alone herself. Your dad told you that your mother died in childbirth. That was probably why he hated you. You took her away from him and there was nothing you could do to apologize.

You wouldn't see Luke again until the end of that month. A particular bad monster encounter led you to camp-half blood. A sanctuary recently made for demigods. Demigods like you apparently.

You had been at camp for a couple of days now, not that you could see much of it while you were in the infirmary. A new long scar made its way up the length of your neck. Injuries made from magic were always the hardest to heal an Apollo kid had told you.

You insecurely scratch at the new addition as you are escorted to the Hermes cabin. Where you would be staying till you found your place I guess.

After whoever was escorting you left, you didn't bother to remember his name and even if you had you definitely wouldn't now. Now that you saw him.

Luke Castellan, son of Hermes. Gods what a joke. 

It was getting annoying now. When you first arrived at the Hermes cabin you were shocked when your eyes met Luke Castellan. His eyes trailed all over your face trying to figure out if you were a vision created by his brain to trick him. His eyes grew to saucers when he realized you were real. His smile grew when he realized that he was right. You two were the same. Demigods. no longer separated. you got here safe.

As quickly as his smile grazed your face it fell when his eyes made their way down to the new long scar that has crawled up your neck. 

You didn't know it then but after Thalia, he was absolutely desperate for a piece of home and some reassurance that someone familiar to him wouldn't be ripped away from him again. So when he saw the new rough scar that ruined your once soft beautiful skin, his heart dropped to his stomach. The new realization hit him like a ton of bricks that yes while you got here safe and sound he almost lost you too.

A heavy sigh racks his lungs as he steps closer to you. Your face fails you when your eyes meet his, forgetting your anger you smile widely at him and launch yourself into his arms for a hug. You fit together like a puzzle and you almost forget everything that you lost to get here. The hug should feel strange and awkward but it doesn't it feels right and safe. You let out a relieved sigh and pry yourself from his arms to get a look at his face. 

Luke gently traces the scar on your neck with a look of remorse and sorrow and you can't place why yet. Desperate, the words come out of his mouth like word vomit, he's so excited to see you that he's surprised that it isn't actual vomit.

“You're here it's really you! You're here and you're safe. What happened? Oh, look at your neck. What did this? Who did this?”

You shake your head vigorously in hopes the faster you shake your head the faster the worry will leave his trembling voice.

“I'm fine I’m fine”.

Still tracing the new addition to your skin he says shamefully, “Doesn't look like it”.

You take his hand off your throat and hold it by his side in your hand.

Suddenly you remember your second best friend, Thalia. you start looking around the Hermes cabin excitedly, anticipating your second reunion, but it never comes. 

Again your eyes reach the Hermes boy searching wordlessly for an explanation “Thalia?” you say simply.

His head hangs low avoiding eye contact almost anticipating this question from your lips.

His reaction makes you sick to your stomach. “Luke? Where is she?”.

He raises his head finally meets your eyes and simply shakes his head. His lips are unable to utter the words in some kind of refusal to admit the truth.

The betrayal of losing Thalia is added to the long list of other betrails the gods have bestowed upon you. The sudden gain and loss of a friend strikes you deep in your gut.

Realizing this you take a big step away from Luke's arms. His blood runs cold.

“You left,” you say slowly and calmly. 

Remembering the love and understanding that he had stolen from you just a month before. Being the son of the god of thieves suits him.

“Wait you have to understand-” he attempts to defend himself before you cut him off.

 “You left me! You took Thaila with you and you both just left? Knowing we were the same you left me?”.

You're not able to hide the pain and sorrow in your voice and you cant bother to care. You deserve to feel abandoned. Because that's what happened, you were abandoned. Again.

“You don't understand- it wasn't a planned-out thing! Things got too much- we left in the middle of the night! We found Annabeth! We couldn't go back for you- i- im-”.

 His attempts to explain come out unfinished and choppy leading them to sound like nothing more than excuses. Curse his stupid mouth. His mind is running a million miles an hour trying to figure out what to say, anything to stop you from coming to your own terrible conclusions. Of course that doesn't go to plan either.

“Save it Castellan”. It took all your strength to turn and walk away from him, if you were any weaker you're sure your legs would've failed you and you would've fallen to your knees right there.

…

Ever since your sour reunion with Luke, he hasn't strayed too far from your side following you like he was a dog and you were his man. Every word uttered from his mouth was another attempt to change your mind about his betrail. Thats what it was in the end though, a betrayal.

It was fine you decided. You didn't need him. You didn't need anyone. If people wanted to abandon you that was just fine, you would just leave them before they left you.

So every day and at every moment he spent either trying to explain to you or trying to coax you with sweet words and gifts. From lunch, to even the bathrooms Luke would give you bits and pieces of the story to try to change your mind. Doing everything in his power to convince you that he did not betray you but that it was all just a big misunderstanding.

But all you were hearing were excuses and lies.

It was late at night and you were getting ready for bed in the camp bathroom, brushing your teeth angrily and staring at yourself in the mirror. It has been a long day of your loyal dog nipping at your heels. At least you could find peace in the bathroom.

“Can you please just talk to me?”.

Nevermind. 

You were committed to the silent treatment but even you had your limits, and besides his persistent attempts to gain your favor back were kind of endearing. If you could even call it that.

“What is there to talk about?”. You say simply spitting into the sink. The water washes away your toothpaste that has been stained red. 

He responds baffled and exasperated, “What do you mean what is there to talk about?”.

You look at him in the mirror and quirked up your brow, if you were going to accept his apology you weren't going to make it easy for him.

He rolls his eyes, it's obvious you know exactly what he's talking about but he explains anyway. It's been months of him following you around like a lost puppy maybe you really did forget. 

“Us, me, you? Ring any bells?”.

You finally turn to face him with an unimpressed look on your face.

“Please…say anything, scream, yell, hit me I just- I can't take the silence anymore”. Luke sounds desperate now. You've failed to realize how much this is actually affecting him. His last bit of home wants nothing to do with him.

His plee gets the better of you. The desperation in his voice a tone you know all too well. A tone that you recognize from your own, just a child begging her father for forgiveness and attention for a crime she did not commit.

“Can I be honest with you?”. 

“Always”. He states simply. As if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Great come on”. You grab your small of toiletries and his hand and lead him out of the bathroom and into the woods.

“It's late you know, the harpies will be out soon”.

“What are you scared Castellan? I never took you for the rule follower type”, you smirk at him. 

Now you were just trying to get under his skin.

He missed this playful tone in your voice, he’ll do anything if it means it'll stick around. So he plays along.

“Me a rule follower? Never”.

You reach a small clearing in the forest and settle yourself onto a log, patting the place next to you and inviting him a seat.

He takes it leaning in, it's been too long not hearing your voice. So he hangs on to every word you offer him scared that it’ll be the last time he hears them.

“Perfect so I imagine you won't go around spreading my dirty laundry”, You smile mischievously at him. Now you're just stalling and he knows it.

“Spill it”. Now it's his turn to spread the sass.

“Fine fine, but you have to promise to not interrupt. I'm really opening up here”.

He takes your hand in his and nods in reassurance. A wordless response that seems to say “Go on I'm listening”.

You take a deep breath, thankful for the pressure of his hand in your own. It helps stop your hand from shaking.

“I'll be honest and say I think you're an asshole for leaving me behind”. 

His mouth opens with something to say but you place your finger over his lips to stop any words from spilling out. You know what he's going to say anyway. He's said it about a million times already.

“I know I know you're sorry, it's okay I believe you”. You take your finger off his lips and look away.

“Being here has just been hard you know, its a lot to process”. 

You’d turn your head to look at him, but you can already see his intense and understanding stare in the corner of your eye and you don't know if you could look at him without breaking down. So instead you continue.

“He abandoned me you know… my dad. When I got a little older I would call and text him, begging him to come back for me…to love me”. 

You look up at the stars now. The stars are so bright tonight, it must be your mothers…whoever she was…idea of an apology. 

“I never knew why he left me, I assumed it was because he couldn't afford to take care of me.

It was just all because he said I looked too much like my mother”. Your face grows hot a red. You've never admitted this to anyone. 

“Right before I came to camp. My grandma-she-”. Much like Luke, the words get stuck in your throat, scared that saying that your grandpa had passed would make the fact you were completely alone true.

“I was in the foster system for a little bit”. You stiffen and straighten your back, doing your best to regain your composure.

“They couldn't keep me for long though, I ran away before they could stick me with some random family. So it was just me alone for a while. That's when some monster attacked me and gave me this sick souvenir”. 

You attempt to lighten the mood and point to the scar on your neck.

But the weight of your words are heavy and the way Luke stays silent makes it obvious that the joke didn't exactly land.

“So when me and Thalia left…”. Luke trails off connecting the dots, imagining all the horrible things you must have felt.

“Gods, I'm such an idiot”. His head falls into his hands. His shoulders were not able to hold up his head anymore as now they were holding pounds of guilt on them.

“You didn't know, no one does”. You pat him on the back.

“I’ll be honest I needed to think about things anyway, you know finding out that my mom isn't dead…but also some random goddess. It's a lot to think about, I don't think I would've been good company anyway”. 

You smirk at him when he finally looks back up at you. Unfallen tears clear in his eyes.

“I am so sorry”. His voice cracks a little.

“I know you are”. You smile sadly at him.

You clear your throat, “Well let's head to bed, I wouldn't want the harpies to eat us after such a heartfelt conversation”.

You pick yourself up from your makeshift seat on the log and wipe the invisible dirt off your shorts.

You offer a hand to him. A symbol of forgiveness. A silent promise to stick to the other side. No more abandoning. No matter the circumstances. He didn't know how wrong he would be.

[bcacstuff]

Applying logic. How do you explain all this? Sam is single, free and heterosexual. Sam travels to GC with Sarah, staying on Airbnb together alone from Sunday to Thursday. They separate because they have separate jobs. Sam returned from Australia. First visit Hyrox to encourage Sarah and participate. This weekend they both disappeared. They have appeared at the same time. I don't believe in Mull, it seems like P's crazy idea. But Sam and Sarah living so close. They could have spent Saturday together. In Glasgow, in Stirling. Why not? At Sam's house for example. Where they have privacy. Eat, drink, sun, casual sex. I don't believe in a marriage commitment. They like each other, sexual chemistry and that's it. Sam is always busy and so is Sarah. It is a practical and comfortable relationship for both. Sam has to stay in Scotland for months now. Sarah has the characteristics that Sam is looking for. She is young, blonde, athletic, sporty. Busy with a son. This point allows Sam free time for himself as well. Sarah looks a lot like Georgia. Then why not? Why does this seem like a crazy idea to you? Convince me logically. Your blog always makes sense. I don't understand your resistance to such a simple relationship between a man and a woman.

Anon, I'm feeling a bit tired to explain over and over again the logic I use. I did in a few posts already and for what it is worth everything I wrote has been confirmed.

I told already when I posted about the villa in GC how they only share a mutual interest, working out, training for Hyrox. And so it isn't such a surprise he showed up at Hyrox in Glasgow, his home town, where he sucscribed to compete as well, and where many friends of him participated in the race as well, including Sarah.

Saying, he is single, a free heterosexual and staying at the same airbnb is not logic, but is confirmation bias. Just the fact someone is single sharing an airbnb isn't any proof or evidence he's dating or more than friends. It's as much as saying any guy wearing a pink shirt must be homosexual. It's stereotyping, it's implying that a person who is single can not share a hotel room or whatever place to sleep and stay with another person depending on their sexual preferences, without bedding them. I know I did many times, I know a lot have said here they're single and did so. It's not odd, it's just a place to crash and stay while in a place with a mutual interest, in this case working out, training for the Hyrox program. It doesn't mean automatically having casual sex as well. That's just a fable made up by people who are narrow minded. It's not logic.

You saying he has to stay in Scotland for months due to filming OL, well we've seen him many times go off for a week or a few days, even to NYC while filming S7. On top of that, as stated many times and not only by me, he doesn't want them close by. During Covid he had to, but that didn't end so well either.

Sarah looking a lot like Georgia??? Well I guess we have different views on that. And why bring up Georgia? Because he went to see her compete last year in a game in Germany? Well, and that's all there was to it, might as well compare that to watching Sarah at Hyrox.

I'm not here to convince you Anon. You gotta do that yourself. But what you are doing is not applying logic, it's applying confirmation bias. You're in a tunnel vision, put there by a blogger who's only 'proof' is filling voids with rumors. You seeing sexual chemistry is solely a result of that tunnel vision, seeing things that are not really there at all. How can you speak of chemistry when you do not even see one picture or these people together? Now use your logic, and ask yourself how much you search and put explantations on things that only confirms what you want to see. On things you think you see because you're in a tunnel vision. Convince yourself how biased that is, did you even consider other explanations? Did you even try to list some things that makes it less credible? It seems you only list the things that add up to your story. How would you know the characteristics he is looking for? Because he sometimes say some things at a talkshow? Where he says the things he knows what people want to hear? Why do you mention Saturday? Because this certain blogger claims he wasn't online? Well that's not true, he liked a lot and even left comments on posts. Why does this blogger not notice how he was much more off social media while he was in London? Where there was no Sarah!! You could easily see when he went to London, when his sm times shifted and were just very briefly, not a scroll before he went to sleep, hardly any likes! How about that? And that's just a few things this blogger leaves out, as it doesn't fit the narative.

We all could have, and did, already predict how this blogger was going to use every little straw she could come up with to spin her story around Sarah from the moment she learned they stayed in GC at the same airbnb. And let me remind you, it wasn't her who found that out, nor her team. It was because I was far ahead and already following things and worked out the villa, before the other blogger even knew her name. If it wasn't for a tweet on Monday 15 January nobody had known he went to GC at all! The said blogger even had to copy images from my blog as she didn't had any stories of Sarah from before. Also not Sunday but Monday he flew to GC and flew early on Friday to Kitzbuhel, not for work or any job but simply by choice. And from there to Munich which wasn't work either, and on to Oostende, work related for one day and from there to LA. How easy would it have been to catch up in Glasgow in between? And why not???

On top of that, and that's what you can't apply to your logic, I heard and saw a few other things, involving women. Not the women you expect, not the characteristics you listed. I haven't posted about that and I wont elaborate on it as well. But for what it is worth, the things I heard and saw doesn't leave much doubt. If I would do the same as this other blogger, I had a lot more proof and coincidences to show you than in Sarah's case. One of the stories I'm told and saw enough evidence of leaves hardly any room for doubts. But I'm not ready to share these information. As what I was told and shown is in confidence not to be shared, people coming to me as they learned they can trust me, as I don't throw any women under the bus and I'm so glad their names didn't turn up in any of my anon messages or anywhere else. I have my integrity and I'm sure I wouldn't have any triumphant feelings about it if I out these things. On the contrary.

[genericpuff]

The Mishandling of LO’s S3 Mi(n)season Hiatus - Part 3 2/2

ALRIGHT. THIS IS THE LAST PART. I MEAN IT THIS TIME.

I had completely forgotten how long the mi(n)season finale for S3 was, but I suppose it makes sense considering it was operating as the true cliffhanger before the 4 month break.

If you haven't read the first 3 parts of this episodic breakdown, please go check these ones out first:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3 1/2

Alright, let's get this show on the road!

CAUTION: THIS IS PART 2 OF THE THIRD PART OF A 3 + 1 PART SERIES IN WHICH I WILL BE SPOILING MUCH OF EPISODES 251-253. THIS EPISODE CONTAINS TOPICS SURROUNDING SEXUAL ASSAULT. THIS WILL BE A LONG POST. BRACE YOURSELF.

We've gotten delusional Leuce. We've gotten erasure of the SA. We've gotten a complete bastardization of the original myths that this story got its claim to fame on. The dread has set in, and all I want to do is get off Mr Bones' Wild Ride. But we have one more stretch of mind-numbing track to go, because the reveal of Persephone starting winter was not the end, oh no. The true cliffhanger of this episode - upon which the fans and critics alike have sat on for 4 months - proves that when we think Rachel has gotten crazy enough in this circus she calls a "retelling", she manages to prove that yes, she can make things even crazier, and no, you will not have a good time.

Ironically, despite that opening, I actually have a lot less to say about this last part of Episode 253 than I did about the first part. Obviously there's no feasible way to top "Persephone causes winter", but this episode does come rather close in its absurdity. Ultimately, if these essays have proven anything, it's just how much Rachel retcons things, to such an extent now that she seems to be retconning or outright forgetting information that she established just a handful of episodes prior. You'll see what I mean here as we go along in this.

As soon as it's hinted at that Persephone has started winter, we cut away to Apollo. Because, as per LO tradition, we can't spend longer than 10-15 panels on a single scene.

Already this seems like... really odd framing.

This is Apollo. A character who has been a villain since basically the beginning of the comic, when he sexually assaulted Persephone. This is not something that's up for debate. This is not something that can be refuted, as much as the comic may try to erase it or twist it into something else.

And yet, the vibe I get from this is, "Misled but good-deep-down character being taken advantage of by a sinister being." This isn't the type of framing we should be seeing around a character like Apollo.

I mentioned it ages ago in my post about the SA erasure that it really feels like Rachel is slyly trying to make Apollo empathetic, from giving us an entire episode in his perspective to adding extra panels into the books to making Persephone weirdly reminiscent of feelings for Apollo that she never had.

One thing I also touch on in that post is how Apollo is framed against Zeus. Zeus is also a villain character for much of the series, and even after he's "redeemed", the fanbase still considers him largely to be an antagonistic force. So to have Apollo be trying to take down Zeus comes across as very "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" and I really don't like seeing that framing when it's regarding a rapist.

And this scene largely feels the same. It feels like Rachel's trying to sway the audience into believing Apollo is like Draco Malfoy - a misled boy who "didn't know any better" and was being manipulated by a greater evil. If you haven't guessed by now, that "greater evil" is Ouranos.

Why is it Ouranos? In my opinion (so take this with grains of salt) this is because they need to somehow "one up" Kronos and give Persephone and Hades a tangible force to fight against, to draw a clean line in the sand between "good" and "evil" so that we, the audience, will be forced to categorize Persephone and Hades as "good" and someone else as "evil".

But really, why Ouranos? We're told that he manipulated Gaia to use her powers in an attempt to create "hierarchy" (whatever the FUCK that means, I don't think Rachel really understands how societal hierarchies are created) but there's NOTHING to imply that he was tyrannical or "evil" in the same way that Kronos has been depicted. Rachel's basically submitting this whole plotline to "well it's in the prophecy" but there was NOTHING dictating that she had to try and write a "prophecy" storyline to begin with. So as a result, it feels very tacked on and it's hard to tell what the point is, it really just seems like Rachel watched too much Marvel one week and decided that Lore Olympus - a fantasy romance - needed a big bad.

And by extension it feels like Apollo is being used as a pawn in this dynamic. By making him subservient to an "evil" force, it means he can labelled as definitively "evil", and thus it gives Rachel a vehicle to have Apollo taken down - or even perhaps empathized with much like in the Draco Malfoy sense - without having to touch the SA plot that she set up and never resolved.

He was evil before, but he wasn't the kind of evil that Rachel could write around. Because she doesn't know how to write SA or give her female characters any sense of retribution or agency. We've seen that already with her robbing Demeter of winter and Persephone of her feelings regarding the SA. There was never going to be a chance in hell she was going to be able to write herself out of a plotline she's been procrastinating for 4+ years.

That said, this is just a vibe I get, so I'm not gonna speak on it much more. This is one of those "we're really not gonna know until the comic returns" situations.

Once again, Rachel's trying to make Apollo seem like a "master manipulator", but she's also trying to make him seem like he's the one being manipulated, but she's ALSO trying to write him as a big dumb idiot who literally can't grasp consent. Apollo has to be one of the most inconsistently written characters in the entire comic, and yes, that includes Persephone. Again, it just goes to show she hasn't been able to fully commit to the SA plotline because Apollo's motivations and intelligence levels change with each passing episode. Sometimes he's being nefarious and plotting to overthrow the King, other times he's literally asking a nymph if she'd be willing to cut her hair to look like Persephone. The comic can't choose and so we, the audience, can't tell why Apollo is even still here.

Again, this is SUCH bizarre framing. If we're to believe that Persephone has been "cursed" by no longer being able to create Spring, only Winter, then does that make Ouranos and Apollo the heroes here? Because Ouranos is right, if Persephone is causing winter, that's going to kill the mortals, which is the complete OPPOSITE of what she's trying to do. So what are we left with? A plotline where Apollo and Ouranos might actually have a point about how she rushed into a marriage with the King of the Underworld and sacrificed everything that gave her agency and power - both metaphorically and literally - in the process?

Again, this is why Rachel fundamentally misunderstands the original purpose of The Hymn to Demeter and how she's, by and large, made her retelling worse in an attempt to be "subversive". It puts the plot and character motivations in a place where it's hard to tell what the story is trying to say, I can understand if maybe Rachel's trying to write a conflict where Apollo uses this information to manipulate her, but it doesn't help that knowing EVERYTHING we know about the H x P relationship within the context of this comic, Ouranos has a point that Persephone's union with the King of the Dead is problematic. It might not be the same "problematic" that we're all thinking of, but it really just reinforces the criticisms of this relationship. Is the comic really asking us to say "fuck the human race, they're in love" ??? Because that's NOT what the point of the original myth was in the slightest and it's just a really weird place to put your audience in.

It's 4:45 AM right now as I'm typing this so my thoughts are a little scattered, but all this really feels like is an attempt on Rachel's part to create a new "big bad" for her to use as a distraction from the SA plot and to give Persephone a "flaw", but that "flaw" really only takes away the strength of another character.

Oh, and by the way? This whole "you need the fertility goddess" thing? THE COMIC HAS ALREADY TOLD US THIS WON'T WORK BECAUSE SHE HAS TO BE IN LOVE WITH APOLLO FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO USE HER POWERS. SO RACHEL'S ALREADY WRITTEN HERSELF INTO A CORNER THAT SHE'LL EITHER HAVE TO SOLVE OR RETCON ENTIRELY. DO YOU SEE WHY THIS IS SO ABSURD???

This line is kind of jarring because we had the Kassandra prophecy at the beginning that talked about the herb, but the prophecy Ouranos is talking about is the one about the sons of kings overthrowing their fathers. I definitely forgot about that one for a hot second reading this, I didn't get how this sequence related to the poisonous plant thing because they're framed as completely separate prophecies. It's not like Kassandra said in her initial prophecy that this plant would be used to overthrow a King again, she just said that the plant still existed and Psyche figured it out on her own that Apollo was gonna use it on Zeus. IDK that's just something that bugged me (also again, why are they believing her prophecies when we literally just had it established an episode ago that no one believes her prophecies LMAO)

Because if it wasn't enough for LO to have one Evil Robot Jeff Bridges villain, it had to throw in another one for good measure. It's just a line of dads and grandpas going back centuries waiting for their turn in the ring with Persephone.

lmao I love this 'hint' at Apollo being the one to write the note from Hebe and leave the cupcake for Zeus. Like... duh? We already put that together as SOON as Psyche said gasp "Zeus!" and then it showed Zeus eating the cupcake while Psyche called him on the phone telling him Apollo was gonna try and harm him. This sequence of 'revealing what really happened' doesn't work here because we've already been told what happened.

Except we know he won't. There's no tension to this whatsoever.

That's Hebe by the way.

It's odd that Apollo is embracing this prophecy when he has a kid himself. He literally has a fully grown son in this comic. I guess Apollo forgot about that, just like Rachel.

And that's it. That's the midseason finale. Ouranos is the new twist villain and Apollo is... whatever the fuck Rachel plans on doing with him.

Now, this leads me to my original motivation to create this series of reviews. It spawned from a conversation we were having in the Discord, discussing what it must be like to be a free reader who hasn't paid for the FP episodes that are still behind a paywall. This is not standard for LO, it hasn't kept FP episodes behind paywalls in the past during long hiatuses like this. I can even prove this with screenshots from the Wayback Machine, during the last midseason hiatus:

(whoof, that rating has dropped. I know it doesn't seem like much but for a series with millions of readers, by law of averages it takes a LOT of poor ratings to pull that number down compared to a series that only has a few readers)

Point is, this is the first time Rachel/WT have done this. Now, I will make this perfectly clear, I don't think this was a decision that was purely on Rachel. WT controls much of the backend like paywall costs, release dates, etc. so I'm not gonna go pinning this on her.

However, I do think this is a completely bungled attempt at trying to get people to pay up. LO has been dropping in views steadily but surely since the midseason break for S2. It's not pulling in the peak numbers that it used to, while it does still pull in a lot more views and money than other series on the platform, it's nowhere near the juggernaut that it once was in terms of record-breaking numbers, and I think WT knows that. So this really comes across as a stunt to get readers to FP, assuming that people will HAVE to pay if they're left waiting for 4 months.

But here's the flaw in that logic - people are still going to have to wait 4 months anyways. Reading those 3 locked episodes, especially all at once, will still leave you in the same place as you were beforehand.

And it shows in the numbers that people aren't falling for the bait.

Again, 17k likes still isn't anything to sneeze at for a FP episode, but it's still just barely above the new average that LO has gained over the past two years. I remember a time when those like counts would be 30k+. And now, despite being on break 4 months with these episodes still locked behind a wall, it's barely able to scrap by its new average of roughly 14-15k, and that average is when episodes are actually updating.

Obviously like counts = / = viewcounts but when they fluctuate, we know that the views have to be as well by extension, at least to some extent, and that's still engagement that's dropped of in and of itself. And we can also see a rough look at how the views have dropped off through the comic's landing page. Now, it's hard to compare data because there was a time when WT actually didn't give follower/view counts on the landing page (this was also when the like count capped at 99k) but we can still see a downslide in growth very visibly in the view count, sub count, and most of all, the rating, which has been steadily dropping for years now.

August 2020:

May 2021:

November 2021:

March 2022 (don't get confused by the 995 million, this is where view count comes in):

September 2022:

March 2023:

Today (October 24th, 2023):

Again, there's no way to get a true clear picture of LO's stats beyond this surface level data, but it does show that LO is just not getting the rapid growth it used to. People are moving on from it. And while its view and sub count are steadily increasing (albeit slowly for a webtoon that gets as much marketing as it does) the average rating is going down. It's clear that the majority of LO's growth happened between 2018 and 2020, which would make sense as the series was still relatively new compared to how it's become old news today, and Webtoons experienced a boom in 2020 due to the COVID-19 lockdowns - a boom that they think still applies in the year 2023, judging by their attempts to import as many series onto the platform as possible and capitalize on an audience that just isn't there anymore.

All of this leads me to wonder - what's in it for free readers after all this? Because if you recall from where we started, the cliffhanger they started on was Hades - possessed by Kronos - attempting to strangle Persephone, a cliffhanger that was resolved within seconds for FastPass readers. If they don't FastPass after that, they'll be met with numerous reveals that don't even make sense for the plot as a whole (such as Leuce making up the text messages).

Again, I don't want to claim that this was a decision on Rachel's part, but it really seems like either she didn't plan this hiatus, or her inability to write naturally without the need for addictive-style formatting as a crutch made it so that the free readers would be given the worst midseason premiere ever.

And what are we, the FastPass readers, going to return to? There are still so many plot threads that have been left unresolved, multiple villains being setup, and as far as Webtoons and Rachel have revealed during NYCC, LO is supposed to end by the spring. That's 20-30 weeks TOPS, which isn't exactly a whole lot of wiggle room for a writer like Rachel who's chronically bad at pacing and getting to the point of the plots she's established.

I know there are so many readers right now anticipating the return of this comic, some of whom genuinely believe this comic is "better than ever" and others who are critical of it but hope that the comic will come back in a better state after the hiatus. But right now there's so much evidence to support the contrary - that LO is about to come back in as bad, if not worse, condition than it was in when it left.

And through all this, for a comic that's finally ending after 5 years, I have to ask - where is the hype? Why are Webtoons and Rachel keeping the finale of this comic behind closed doors? Where's the promotional art, the hinting at what's to come, the attempts to generate any semblance of excitement for the readers who are still left after clinging onto this ride for 5 years? Why were the fans themselves barred out of their own communities during the majority of the hiatus?

And that just leads me to an even more discouraging thought. This is not meant to accuse Rachel or make assumptions. It's simply a thought that I had while thinking about what the series could possibly pull upon its return, so please, take this with MOUNTAINS of salt. It's one thing I hadn't considered with the knowledge that LO will be returning with 3 episodes still behind a paywall, a 'buffer' in and of itself for Rachel to work off of.

Rachel only technically needs one episode ready for the release. Not three as she normally would if the episodes had been unlocked like in previous hiatuses. That's not including whatever buffer episodes she would need beyond the upload schedule, but she's proven to be chronically bad at maintaining a buffer as well since day one.

We haven't seen any promotional art. No hinting. No hyping beyond what's been seen for her "Rachel Smythe Presents" series.

With all that in mind, I have one question to leave this on:

Has Rachel even started working on Episode 254 yet?

[smoooothoperator]

untouchable

17: Chanson Triste

Lando Norris x OC (Violet Sinclair)

same group friend, unrequited love, acquittances to lovers, ski trip, love triangle, life as lovers

Warnings: death, cemetery, angst

a/n: I'm back!!!! God, you guys have no idea how much I missed Violet and Lando, I was so excited while writing this chapter. I hope everyone is doing amazing, having good days. I came from a really really needed break and from a trip I was so excited to make, and with a lot of ideas for this story. But here you have some bad news... I can see the end of this story! Is not close yet, some things have to happen, but that means too that THE chapter is coming :)

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Every way of feedback is very welcomed

I knew I was going to be in the mouth of everyone. Dating him, a well known driver in Europe that drives for the second most famous team of the world, would mean that my social media would be full of notifications, of people sending requests of following, of attempts of messages. I knew that once we landed back in London, people would recognize us and follow us. 

But I have to love the present. I have to keep being who I am, I can't show a weakness because they would be attacking it immediately. If I want to be with Lando, I have to fight against the odds to make them see that I don't care what people say about me.

“I don't want to leave tomorrow…” I sighed, laying on the bed and looking through the window, observing the pyramids.

“Me neither” I heard him sigh, laying on his side and kissing my arm. “Maybe we can stay some more days…”

“You know we can't” I sighed looking at him, smiling weakly. “My worry is growing and I need to see Eloise. I'm really worried, she's not answering my texts or calls…”

“Did you call her parents too?” he smiled weakly, rubbing my back softly. 

“They decline my calls…” I whisper, sadly. “I just… What if she's really mad at me because I chose to stay with you instead of talking with her? I mean, I did explain to her why I did that, what happened… But she didn't answer, just left me on read”

“It will be okay, love” Lando sighed, kissing my shoulder. “You want me to go with you? So we can talk with her and explain to her…”

“I don't know, I think I want to do it alone” I smiled weakly. “We have to talk, many things have happened since last time I saw her and I just want to have some time alone with her”

“I understand” he nodded, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me to his chest. 

“You are the best” I smiled, kissing his lips softly, cupping his jaw with my hand. “You know, I think we broke the internet some days ago”

“Oh, yeah. I know” he laughed, making me smile when I felt his chest move with his laugh. “My manager texted me saying that people just went crazy, kinda”

“I just… I don't want to be like those girlfriends that are models and influencers” I said. “I mean, they are perfect. Every time I talked with some of them I felt like an outlander, kinda. They just dressed with important brands like Gucci, Dior, Tommy Hilfiger… and the most expensive clothing I have is a dress I bought for a gala in the museum, and it's nothing compared to what they wore”

“I know you are not like them, Violet” he said, kissing my head. “And that's what I love about you. You are natural, careless. You are like a breath of fresh air for me, really. You keep my feet in the ground”

“That's cute” I smile looking up at him. “I just… I guess I want to be worth it? Yesterday I read some of the comments of the posts and they kept repeating that finally there's a girlfriend that is not famous. Like, I'm normal, I guess. Not an influencer, not an athlete, not a model”

“And that's perfect, really” he smiled. 

“But that made them think that I want you for your money” I smiled weakly. “I mean, if they say that, I can just take a screenshot of my bank account and show the money I have. But that's not what I was saying…”

“I just imagined you posting on Instagram that screenshot with a caption like… I'm not poor, I have a job. Go mind your own business” he interrupted me laughing, making me laugh too. 

“You and I both know that I'm capable of doing that” I laugh. “But what I was saying! Why are they so determined to say that every girlfriend is with their partner just because of money and fame? Why can't they think that it is because of something else, like love?”

“Because… I don't know” he sighed, brushing my hair with his fingers. “I guess they want drama, gossip. They think that a love story is not dramatic or important for a driver. They just want to make and believe their own narrative and take things out of context”

“That kinda sucks” I whisper.

“It does, yeah…” he sighed. “But I don't care about what they think. I only care that after every race I'll have someone waiting for me. I made many mistakes before, like letting them get in my mind and make me push away people that cared for me. I won't make the same mistake again, I will fight for us”

“I love you, Lando” I smiled, hugging him tight. 

“Tomorrow I will take you to a place before we leave” he said. “So I want you to take that white dress you bought the other day at the market”

“Are you going to propose?” I laughed. “Isn't that a little soon? I don't know, wait for next year maybe. We have been dating for a week!”

“No, silly!” he laughed. “But I'll keep that in mind”

“Idiot” I laughed softly.

He just held me, both of us watching the pyramids before falling asleep in each other's arms.

The next morning, after I woke up I grabbed my phone, checking if I had any answer from Eloise. But like the last few days, I didn't have messages from her.

“I'm sure she's fine, Violet” I heard Landon whisper, kissing my shoulder. 

“It's just… I feel something is wrong. We never have been this long without talking. I just want her to send me whatever…” I whispered.

I heard Lando sigh and wrapping his arms around me tightly, making me take a deep breath and close my eyes, getting comfortable in his arms.

The next morning he woke me up, peppering soft kisses all over my shoulders and neck, rubbing his hand over my back in soft circles. His smile was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes, making me answer him the same way.

“Good morning, beautiful” he whispered, making me chuckle softly and hide my face on his bare chest, pressing a soft kiss on his skin. “Ready to do one last visit?”

“Mhm” I nodded, wrapping my arm around him. 

We just got up and while the room service came with our breakfast, we put out clothes back in the suitcases, making sure they were ready and sent to the reception so we don't have to come back before leaving. 

I looked at the white dress, smiling. I have no idea what he wants to do, where are we going now. But somehow I was excited about it, I was excited because I saw him excited about being in this place. I'm excited because he was so interested in things I like. He looked at me with a smile while he nodded, paying attention to everything I explained to him. And it made me fall even more for him, if that was possible.

“You ready?” he smiled, watching how I tied my hair on a braid after hanging my bag on my shoulder. “Let's go”

I laugh softly, walking out with him and going to the main door of the hotel. A van was waiting for us, ready to take us to the place he planned to go. He held my hand all the time, rubbing soft circles on my knuckles.

“Where are we going?” I asked him, resting my head on his shoulder.

“You'll see” he whispered. “Just be patient, we are close”

I laugh softly and nod, looking out of the window and enjoying the land that surrounded us. After a few minutes, the car stopped.

“Let's go” he smiled, opening the door and getting out of the car before me.

I smiled at him, holding his hand as he helped me get out of the van. I looked around surprised, recognizing this place.

“No you didn't” I laughed softly.

“Oh yeah” he smirked, hiding my hand tightly and walking with me. “You know what this temple means?”

“It's Hathor’s temple” I nodded, looking around and smiling. “Egyptian goddess of the sky, music, joy, dance and love”

“And you told me that she was associated with Isis, right?” he said, wrapping his arm around me. “The goddess of the loyalty and the maternal love”

“Mhm” I nodded.

“Well, I want to make a promise, in front of her” he said, holding my hand and stopping right in front of one of the many statues of the goddess.

“Lando” I laughed softly, watching how he grabbed something from the pocket of his jeans, making me swallow the lump and laugh nervously. 

“I want to promise you that I will treat you how you deserve to be treated. I promise that I will never hurt you or touch you when you don't want to. I promise that I will never make you cry. I promise that I will be only thinking about you, when I wake up, during the day and at night. I promise to cherish you and make you happy and fight whoever dares to make you feel sad”

“Lando…” I smiled softly, feeling my eyes getting wet when I saw him open his hand, showing me a silver ring with two small rocks placed next to the other.

“This is my promise. I'll give you this ring to seal my promise of loving you forever. You owe my heart since the day I first saw you” he said while he put the ring on my ring finger. “This ring has our birthstones, together. Because I really think that we were born to be together, that you are my soulmate, Violet. And now that I found you I will never let you go. I won't leave you”

His words sank in my heart, filling my chest with a warm flame he only knows how to turn on. His touch is delicate, how he holds my hand while I admire the beautiful ring with both stones, topaz and and tanzanite, together.

“Idiot, you are going to make me cry and you just promised me that you won't make me do it” I laughed softly, wiping the little tears of joy that were running down my cheeks. 

“Come here” he laughed, wrapping his arms around me, holding me close to him, heart by heart.

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landonorris 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

mclaren it was so nice having you during the testings and the launch with us!

violetsinclair you won't get rid of me easily 

Driving through the road that takes me to my childhood village was bittersweet. The first year I was away for my studies I was excited to come back and finally be on my childhood bed with my family again, but as years went by, that feeling started to disappear and it turned more into an obligation rather than something I used to do for pleasure.

Once my life was in order after coming back from the trip with Lando and both of us got used to living around the other, I took some days off from work and forced myself to grab my car and drive home. 

The past few days I tried to call Eloise again, as well as her family. But again, none of them answered. She only has her parents, her family is not as big as mine with grandparents that are still alive, uncles and aunts and cousins. That's why she always loved to spend time at my house during holidays, because she had more people around besides her parents.

As I drove past the signal that indicated the main entry of the village, I saw a few flowers on the ground, as well as marks of rubber of the tires that lead to the side of the road. And watching that made me feel shivers running down my spine.

When I parked my car in front of my house I looked at the house next to it, to her house. The light of her room is turned off, even the curtains are closed. Her car is not parked next to the garage.

If she's not here, then where?

I sigh, walking towards the main door of her house and pressing the doorbell, sighing when I noticed the lights were turned off.

“Hello? Eloise, I want to talk!”

Seconds later the door opened, and my smile dropped when I found her mother looking at me. I was surprised to find her wearing dark clothes, always used to see her wearing bright and neutral colors. Her gaze is not even the same, and the smile she always drew when I came to their house is no longer there.

“What are you doing here?” she frowned, her voice sounding rougher than I expected. “You are not welcomed here anymore”

“What? But… Jane, I want to talk with Eloise… I-”

“Leave this house now! You already did enough. How dare you come back here after everything you did to her? Are you insane?!”

“But… I just…”

“I don't want to see you” she groaned, closing the door on my face.

What did just happen?

I frowned, trying to call again, but I was  answered with silence. I sighed, giving up and walked to my house, opening the door and closing it behind me.

“Lottie, is that you?”

I smiled weakly and sighed when I recognized the voice of my grandma, so I walked towards the living room. She was there, on her chair next to the fireplace and whatever she was knitting. The moment she saw me I could see her face light up, smiling softly and leaving both needles on her lap and opening her arms, inviting me to a hug.

“I'm home, nana” I whispered, kneeling to be at her height and hugging her. “Did Eloise come by? It's been a while since I talked with her…”

“Oh, little Lottie…” she whispered. “You came late, my girl”

“Late? Why?” I frowned, pulling away from the hug and looking at her. 

“She's no longer here” she smiled weakly.

“What? Then where? She lives here”

Eloise's dream since she was little was to be the owner of the restaurant we always visited when we were little. Everytime we got out of school, we went to that place to have a chocolate milkshake while we did our homework. It was our place, sitting on the fourth table that is next to the door, facing the window and with views to the park. 

In that restaurant, during summer, she worked there to make money. She was a waitress, a cashier, and she cleaned the place. But what she loved the most was the moments she worked in the kitchen. She discovered her passion for cooking in the stoves of that restaurant and it helped her decide that she wanted to be a professional chef.

When we moved to London, we lived together during the first years of our studies. She went to the cooking academy while I went to the university. And when she finished her years of formation, she started working on restaurants until she gained a name, a reputation.

Her dream was always going back to our village and make that restaurant a place tourists would go to experience the gastronomy of our country. She always wanted to be a reference in the kitchen.

“Maybe she's in the restaurant” I frowned, getting up and looking around. 

Maybe that's why her car is not parked. Because she stayed longer in the restaurant, as usual.

“No, Violet”

I took a deep breath when I heard my cousin's voice behind me. Maya, the oldest one, already married and with a kid. 

“Come on, will someone tell me what is going on? Why did Jane say that I'm no longer welcomed? I'm so lost! Where is Eloise?”

“Let me take you somewhere” she smiled weakly, grabbing the keys of her car.

I frown and look at my grandma, watching how she nodded with a sad smile on her lips. Somehow, what is happening it's not good, I could tell because of the shivers that were running all over my body.

I followed Maya, getting inside her car and watching out of the window, hoping she would take me to the restaurant where I thought Eloise would be working. But when she turned to the left, going to the road that goes to the church and next to it to the cemetery, I heart skipped a beat. 

No, right? This can't be happening.

“Where are we going?” I frowned, feeling how my hands started to get sweaty, feeling how my heart was beating in my throat making me feel nauseous.

Maya didn't say anything, she only looked at me with a sad smile while she parked the car. She got out and waited for me to follow her, something that took me around a minute. But she waited for me, she stood in front of the car with her hands inside of the pockets of her black coat.

“Come on” she sighed, biting her lip and walking.

Every step I made sounded louder in my ears and it increased the anxiety I was feeling. That anxiety started to become panic and fear. 

“Here” Maya sighed, standing in front of a gravestone.

I didn't want to read what it said. I didn't want to know who was buried there. It was recent, the smell of flowers was still recent and I could see that the marble was still shining.

“No” I mumbled, feeling how I was choking with a scream. “No, no. It can't be. No. You are joking, right? This is a cruel joke. Eloise is working in the restaurant and she just wanted to play around, making me pay for something I don't even know I've done. Please, Maya…”

“I’m sorry” she mumbled. “It happened some weeks ago… But Harry came and said that you two stopped being friends and something about you betraying her”

“No!” I exclaimed, looking at her and letting my tears fall. “None of that! Why would I betray her? Just because I chose myself first? Harry is the problem! He manipulated me so many times!”

“May I remind you that you couldn't stop saying that you loved him?” she said, and somehow that made me flinch. “That he saved you from being raped? That he was always next to you and that you felt so bad and jealous because you wanted to be in Eloise's shoes?”

“That was before I knew the truth…”

“So what? Now that you are having a love story worthy of a fairy tale with that driver you think that you can forget about your family and friends?!”

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply. Maybe she's right… Maybe I was too focused on Lando and I stopped caring for my family… No. Lando has nothing to do with this. He showed me how it is to be loved, he showed me how it is to be loved by a family.

“I tried” I whisper. “I tried to call her, to talk to her. Lando told them to leave the trip because of things that happened between him and Harry. And Eloise wasn't the best friend during those days either. But I never stopped texting her and calling her. She was the one that ghosted me…”

“Look, I'm sorry, okay?” she sighed. “Eloise was a good girl, she didn't deserve this ending”

I swallowed thickly and looked at the flowers. I smiled sadly. There are roses on it, her favorite flower. 

“Can you leave me alone?” I whisper.

I heard her walk away without saying anything, and when I felt I was alone, I let out a sob. 

How on Earth could this happen? When? Why? Why her? Why did no one tell me? My own family forgot to tell me that my childhood best friend is dead. Those tyre’s marked at the entry of the village and the flowers… It happened that way? 

I felt incredibly nauseous and the need to throw up was real, making me run to a tree and bow, emptying my stomach. I tried to breathe, but the tears and the burn on my throat made it impossible.

“Just… why?” I cried, looking back at the grave. “Why? It's not fair! I didn't betray you. Did you feel like that? I chose myself first, for the first time, Eloise. I chose love first… Why did you never answer my calls and texts? It wasn't my fault Harry blackmailed Lando, it wasn't my fault at all… And still you believed him. If there was one who was betrayed, that was me”

I wanted to blame her. But… Is she the one to blame? She loved Harry, she followed him. Of course she did. I would do the same. 

“It's not fair at all, Eli” I mumble. “What am I supposed to do now? I just… God. Who am I supposed to talk with about my problems? About my life? Life is unfair, why the hell did you have to leave this way? Who am I going to tell that Lando and I are dating? That he promised me he's going to marry me? Who am I going to ask to be my maid of honor? What the hell am I supposed to do without you, Eloise?”

It hurts so bad. It hurt realizing that she's not here anymore. It hurt so bad realizing that she won't be next to me anymore, that she won't make her dreams come true.

“I'm nothing without you…”

It hurts. But what hurts the most is that for the first time I experienced what is it to lose someone you love, someone that was important for you. 

“I just… I'll miss you, Eli, so much. I already do”

I took a deep breath and just let the tears fall while I fixed the flowers on her grave, tracing with my fingers the letters of it.

“In loving memory of Eloise Taylor. Born on the 23 of October of 1999” I whisper, feeling a knot on my throat as I traced the next words of it. “Dead… The 27 of December of 2023”

-

I felt empty, so empty.

When I returned to London,instead of going back home, I went somewhere else.

The park where Eloise and I went to spend our afternoons together was close to the first apartment I ever lived in, with her. It was on the other side of London, in a small neighborhood. I sat on a bench, right next to a streetlight, and hugged myself. 

I didn't notice how long I stayed there until I looked at my phone, reading the notifications of messages and missed calls.

Lando🧡: how are things going? Did you talk with her?

Lando🧡: text me once you are coming back home, okay? I'll make something for dinner

Lando🧡: Babe?

Lando🧡: is everything okay? I'm worried

Lando🧡: Baby, please answer. Where are you? It's late and it's getting dark

Lando🧡 missed calls (3)

I took a deep breath and smiled weakly, pressing the call button and placing the phone on my phone.

“Violet? Thank God!”

“Lando…”

“Where are you? Are you still in your village? You are staying with Eloise? Did you talk?”

“Lando, she…”

“God, I was so worried” he sighed, relieved.

“She's dead”

“What? What did you say?”

“Eloise” I mumble, sniffling softly. “Eloise is dead… she's no longer here. She… she died”

Silence. He was quiet. I could hear his breathing, how it got stuck on his throat. 

“Where are you”

“I… I need to be alone” I whisper.

“Violet please…”

I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath, telling him the address of where I am. He didn't end the call, he stayed on it, making me hear everything he did, how he walked out of the apartment, how he went to his car and turned the engine on. 

“There you are” he sighed, ending the call and sitting next to me.

I felt his arms wrapping me and pulling me to his chest, holding me tight.

“How did it happen?” he mumbled, brushing my hair with his fingers.

“She… she crashed” I whisper. “She was going home and the road was frozen…”

“Oh…” 

“What am I going to do without her?” I whisper “I… I feel like someone took something away from me, a part of my heart. A-and she left thinking that I betrayed her… she left and no one told me because Harry said…”

“Harry knew?” Lando frowned. “And he didn't tell you?”

“N-no…” I mumble, looking up at him. “He told her parents that we argued… That's why they didn't call me”

Lando took a deep breath and kissed my forehead. He held my hand and kissed it.  

“This just made me realize how scared I am to lose you” I said looking at him.

“You won't lose me” he said, cupping my cheek and resting his forehead against mine, closing his eyes. “You won't lose me, ever. I made a promise, remember? I promised that I will never let you go, that I will never leave you”

“What am I supposed to do, Lando?” I whisper. “I lost Eloise because of a car… How am I supposed to feel knowing that you work in one? I just…”

“You will never lose me” he repeated, squeezing my hand. “I'll make sure of that. I'll start every race and finish it to be next to you. You are my checkered flag. I'll race as much as I have to just to get out of the car and hold you”

“Just… never leave me” I whisper. “Never, okay?”

“Never” he nodded. “You have my heart, I can't live without it. Just keep it safe with you and everything will be alright”

taglist

@elisysd @racinggirl @ninifee1802 @kakorrhaphiphobia @landoyesrizz @lorarri @bellwhysomean @leptitlu @aphroditeisamilf @brekkers-whore @copper-boom @sideboobrry11 @alltoomaples @f1madison @elijahslover @silkenthusiasts @chonkybonky @summerslike11 @randomgirlnumber-13 @is-just-a @whentheautumnleavesfall @malynn @mycenterfold @barackosteaa @izzy-marvel @ssprayberrythings @ophcelia

[talkintrashcann]

Hello :) can you do a Xavier x reader when Wednesday locked up the reader in Xavier hut. Because she is fed up seing the two of them flirt ? Please? (More in Xavier side because, she is a oblivious)

Locked in - Xavier Thorpe

A/N: sorry that this took so long to write, ive been crazy busy with my exams. i hope this is kind of what you wanted me to write. thank you very much for requesting something, i really appreciate it!

warnings: don't think there are any

word count: 1.4k

———————

The sun was almost under, a few more sunbeams shining between the trees in the forest. It was quiet at that time of day, the only thing that could be heard were a few birds singing to each other and the sound of crunchy leaves made by the footsteps of two Nevermore students. It was a rather odd duo, Wednesday and y/n almost never went out with just the two of them. Usually Enid would accompany them since she's their mutual friend, but Wednesday insisted that only y/n should follow her into the forest. It was a bit suspicious in all honesty, what could she possibly need from her that Enid isn't allowed to know. The girl in black and white was very unpredictable, so the possibilities were endless actually. Maybe she wants to sacrifice her or maybe she's going to torture her to get some valuable information about the monster that's been loose.

"Where did you say you were taking me again?"

"I never said where we were going. But you'll see soon enough.", Wednesday said as she dragged y/n to a place deep in the woods.

After a few more minutes of walking in silence, Wednesday claimed they had reached their location. The view definitely wasn't as promising as y/n had hoped for, stopping in front of a weird looking shed. Now she was certain the cold girl was going to torture her until she'd get the information she was looking for. Why else would she take her to a wonky hut in the middle of the woods?

"This is what you wanted to show me? An old barn?", y/n said unimpressed.

"The outside may not be very promising, but the inside will be much more to your liking.", she says as she opens the door for her to take a look inside.

Y/n stood in the door opening, eyes scanning around the musty room before landing on Xavier peaking out from behind a big canvas in the back. Before she was able to turn around with a frown on her face and ask what was going on, Wednesday pushed y/n inside and slammed the door right in her face. Hearing the sound of a key turning in it's lock on the other side of the door caused y/n to push and pull at the door handle, trying to get out.

———————

Xavier's pov

I was deep in my thoughts, concentrating on the canvas in front of me, until I heard the door of my shed close loudly. I never even heard the door open but when I looked behind my canvas I saw y/n with her back turned towards me, trying to get out of my shed.

"Wednesday what the hell!", she yelled out, still not giving up on escaping.

"Uhm, what is going on here?", I asked confused.

"Wednesday said she wanted to show me something and now she locked me up in here. What are you doing here? Did she lure you in here too?"

"This is my shed actually, so I don't see why she would bring you here. Mind if I try?", I pointed to the door handle she was still gripping tightly. She gave me a quick nod before moving aside, allowing me to try opening the door. But it had no use, guess this shed was stronger than I thought.

"What is the meaning of this Wednesday?", I called out hoping she would still be there to give me an explanation of what was happening.

"I won't let you out until you stop lying to yourselves and confess already. Watching you two flirt with each other all the time makes me want to crawl inside an incinerator, turn it on and let it burn me alive. Although I'm usually fond of a burning sensation, I can't stand seeing you deny the obvious tension between the two of you.", she responded while we could hear her put the key away in her backpack and taking a few steps back.

"You can't be serious. She's joking right?", I looked back and forth between the door and y/n.

"Unfortunately, I don't think the word joking is in Wednesday's dictionary.", y/n mumble while looking away from me. I swear I could see a slight blush on her face.

"I'm always serious, thought you would know that by now Xavier. But it's starting to get dark outside and I don't want to miss my writing time, so I'd get comfortable if I were you and start confessing already. I'll be back later."

The sound of her boots stepping on leaves kept getting further away, it was clear she had left us in here alone. I turned around to look at y/n, the girl mumbling something under her breath. Wednesday was right about many things, there definitely was a tension between us that neither of us wanted to address. I've noticed how y/n's behavior was always different around me, she would be much more clumsy and she would always have that faint blush showing no matter how hard she tried to hide it. I never realized what that might have meant, but maybe that's what Wednesday was trying to say. What else would she be talking about right? It gives me a moment of hope, hope that y/n might actually be feeling the same way.

A few awkward minutes of silence go by, neither of us knowing what to say to one another. I stood there leaning against the wooden table in my shed, y/n had slid down the wall and was sitting on the floor with her head hiding in her arms. Playing with a paintbrush in my hand, I thought back to what Wednesday said before walking away. 'I won't let you out until you stop lying to yourselves and confess already.'. She was dead serious about keeping us here locked in until we talk about our feelings, at least that's what I assume she was trying to say. So I guess there was nothing else we could do but listen to her.

"Do you like me?", I managed to say way more direct than I wanted it to be. She shot her head up to look at me with wide eyes, I could just tell she was getting nervous from my question.

"What? I mean yea- I guess, cuz we're like friends you know, of course I like you...", she stuttered. It made me chuckle to see her reacting that way, it really was becoming obvious that she did like me.

"Not just in a friend way, y/n."

Taking a few steps in her direction, she shuffled in her place tensely, squatting down in front of her. I reached my hand out to tug a piece of her hair behind her ear, looking into her pretty eyes. She wasn't answering my question but instead just stared back at me, my hand resting on her warm cheek.

"I like you, more than just a friend.", I decided to say since she wasn't ready to talk yet. It looks like words just weren't really her thing, but actions certainly were. Without saying anything, she grabbed my shirt and pulled me in for a sweet kiss. It took me by surprise, not expecting her to make such a bold move all of a sudden. I didn't hesitate to kiss her back instantly, her lips were so soft and gentle that I never wanted to let go of her. But she slowly pulled away and let go of my shirt, face still close to mine.

"I really like you too, Xavier.", she whispered to me and I could see a small smile appear. It made me smile too, happy that the tension was finally gone between us. Who would've thought Wednesday was such a good matchmaker?

"Are you sure you know where we're going? We've been walking for like 15 minutes and I still don't see a stupid hut. Oh God, I should've just insisted to come with them. Maybe they're like dying in there, I mean I would die if I wasn't able to post on my blog for this long.", a familiar voice said in the distance,

"Enid, can you please calm down. I know where Xavier's shed is, he's showed it to me a few times. And they've only been in there for 45 minutes maybe so stop exaggerating, I'm sure they're just fine.", another familiar voice replied as they were getting closer.

The door of my shed started to rattle before it swung open, revealing Enid and Ajax. A worried Enid started sprinting towards us to ask if we're okay, meanwhile Ajax was still standing in the door opening eying us suspiciously. Looks like Enid somehow succeeded in convincing Wednesday to tell her what she did to her best friend, dragging Ajax with her to find us. Maybe next time we should lock them up in here, think they could use a little confession time as well.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for not telling my brother-in-law where my husband is?

This is going to sound weird, but I should preface it by stating that my husband has a really odd relationship with his family. His mother couldn't take care of him as a child and so he was taken in by this foster family. He doesn't have a great relationship with most of them tbh, except kind of his brother? I'm friends with this brother too but we're not like super close. Anyways when my husband and I got married we decided to not tell anyone in his family, partly because of the fact that my husband doesn't get along with most of them and partly because of the reputation his family has. I know that there are people who suspect that we're more than friends. Anyways none of this was a big deal until I got pregnant. I decided to wait to surprise my husband until he came home (he's military btw) and he freaked. He's excited but is terrified something is going to go wrong and started panicking. We also know that this means we have to tell his family about our relationship and there's no way that is going to go well. Anyways he's been really stressed out and I've been really stressed out (there's some stuff going on at my job, they're renaming and reorganizing the whole company and idk if I'm going to be able to keep working there) and then like my husband stopped by earlier after visiting a mutual friend (more his friend than mine at this point tho tbh) of ours and it was the calmest I'd seen him in a while - calmer than me for once. He told me he had some things to do for our friend at this place I've barely heard of and left. A little while later his brother - the one he's close with - stopped by our house and asked if I'd seen my husband or knew where he was. He kept insisting that my husband had gone crazy. I lied and told him no. Then my brother-in-law guessed that the baby I was pregnant with was his brother's - my husband's. I confirmed it and he left.

Now I'm on my way to tell my husband about what just happened with his brother, but was I the asshole for not telling my brother-in-law what I knew to start with? Some of the things he told me about my husband kinda freaked me out.

What are these acronyms?

[musingmeaninglessly]

Watching Across the Spiderverse w/ Lo'ak & Neteyam (ft. Spider)

A/N; Since so many of us crossover into both these fandoms, I came up with this fun idea. Also, it was kinda inspired by the cute human drabbles that @littletrippyyhippyy writes! Hope y'all enjoy, I made myself laugh writing this, at least 😂

Warnings; Bit of swearing. Spider loses it. Lo'ak's a dummy. Spoilers for both movies, I guess??? Human reader. Kinda proofread.

Summary; You convince Neteyam and Lo'ak to watch Across the Spiderverse with you. They have some questions...

"OH. MY. GOD."

From your sudden verbal outburst, it's safe for the Sully brothers next to you to assume that you enjoyed the movie.

Across the Spiderverse, to be exact.

"That was incredible!! You guys liked it, right? Of course you did! You loved it! Tell me how much you loved it!!" you ramble, excitedly jumping up from your seat on the couch, turning to face your two Na'vi friends.

It had all been Jake's idea. Ever since you arrived on Pandora five years ago, his sons had become more interested in learning about human culture, from different foods to pop culture. The Sully patriarch had a feeling that their interest had piqued because of you specifically, but that was an avenue to be ventured down another time.

The brothers had happily agreed to watch this movie with you, despite having no idea what a spider is or why it should be attributed to any man. But, they couldn't turn down any time spent with you.

After begging Norm to somehow source the long-awaited sequel to Into the Spiderverse, you had ushered them over to the shack through the comms system. Whether you believed in the deity or not, you thanked God for Norm and his ways. Wi-Fi on Pandora was sketchy at best and just about held up for the odd email. Yet, somehow, Norm had got a hold of the new cinematic release so that you wouldn't have to suffer through streaming it.

And for you, it had been so worth the wait. You had loved every damn second. When Into the Spiderverse came out, you had been preparing to leave Earth. It was crazy to think how much had changed in the five years since you arrived on Pandora, a theme that had been mirrored in the movie.

Whipping your head round from the projector screen, where the movie credits rolled, Neteyam and Lo'ak would've marvelled at the joy lighting up your face if they hadn't been so damn confused. Neteyam looked as though he were about to say something but was continuously rephrasing it in his mind. Whereas Lo'ak just came straight out with it, amber eyes narrowed. "I'm confused..."

"By what?" you scrunch your face up. You had taken time to explain the whole premise of the Marvel universe to the brothers. Apparently they hadn't caught on just yet.

"Everything. Why could that Miles guy walk upside down? Why were there so many man spiders? And when will he kiss the blonde girl??"

"Lo'ak, I explained it all to you! Miles got bit by a radioactive Spider in the first movie, couldn't save his uncle Aaron, and you should know the rest!" you flop in between the brothers in an over-dramatic way, resuming your seat from earlier.

Lo'ak's brows knit together in a childish sort of way, but he smirks teasingly. "I can't ask questions now? Not my fault your dumb human movie makes no sense... OW!"

Neteyam's slap up the side of Lo'ak's head puts him back in his place. You exchange an amused glance with the oldest Sully brother, before giving Lo'ak a nudge in the ribs.

"Shut up, skxawng. Not my fault you didn't pay attention! The movie was amazing, right Neteyam?"

Neteyam looks a little caught off guard as you ask his opinion. In truth, he's a little confused by the story too, but he had paid better attention to your precursory Marvel lesson.

"It was...interesting." he muses thoughtfully, before Lo'ak cuts him off.

"I got another question! Why, Y/N, did you blush whenever that big guy came on the screen?"

His shit-eating smirk would have annoyed you if your thoughts hadn't been redirected to your favourite hunky Spider-Man.

"Oh, Miguel?" you ask before sighing dreamily. The brothers watch you in amusement as you resemble an ice pop melting in the August sun. "He's yummy..."

"Gross! He was a jerk!" Lo'ak exclaims. "He looked like he was about to explode he was so huge! Is this really what you human girls like?"

Grabbing the remote from you, Lo'ak rewinds the movie to a still of Miguel, immediately wishing he hadn't when you squeal in delight. As you do, though, he not-so-subtly flexes his biceps to compare with your animated crush.

"You got a way to go, bro" Neteyam chortles, eyeing his brother's lanky arms in amusement. Lo'ak just rolls his eyes.

"Whatever. That guy was an asshole. Did you see the way he yelled at Miles?" Lo'ak waves his arms around and it's honestly amusing to you how invested he appears to be in the movie.

"Kinda reminded me of you and your Dad..." you tap your chin in thought, grinning at the sputtering sound of laughter that comes from Neteyam beside you. Once again, Lo'ak scowls, but it doesn't stop you adding, "...on a good day..."

Neteyam loses it then and there, his usual coyness replaced with hysterical laughter that forces him to reach for the Co2 ask around his neck. Even Lo'ak cracks a small smile at your quip, and soon you're all laughing together.

That is, until the moment is interrupted by your human brother from another mother.

"Hey guys! I got snacks for the movie, I can't wait to see i-"

Spider's eyes widen with betrayal as they land on the rolling credits on the screen. His jaw drops, as do the snacks that he's holding. You can only bite your lip and stifle a laugh as his focus turns to you, pointing an accusing finger. "YOU."

"Spider, I'm sorry but you took too long!" you leap up, backing away from him. He's taller than you, after all, and evidently pissed. The sight makes Neteyam and Lo'ak snicker a little, although they are a bit worried for you...

"You watched the whole damn thing without me!" Spider is not far away from throwing a hissy fit, and it takes everything in you not to explode with laughter. Hands outstretched, you look as though you're taming a wild mountain banshee. At the moment, Spider certainly resembles one. "YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE SPIDER-MAN, Y/N! WHY DO YOU THINK EVERYONE CALLS ME SPIDER?"

"I thought it was because of your hair, bro..." Lo'ak teases, truly testing your resolve where laughter is concerned.

"BRO-"

"Let's calm down..." Neteyam chuckles, standing up to try and calm Spider down in his big-brotherly way, "We'll watch it again, right Y/N?"

"Of course!" you squeak, growing a little nervous at Spider's impending wrath. So much so that after hiding behind Neteyam, you dart towards the door, giggling as you run away from the taller human boy.

"Y/N! YOU. ARE. DEAD!"

There's a mad chase, but the Sully brothers look at each other in amusement as they hear your high-pitched laughter resounding through the corridor.

"Looks like we're watching the man spiders again, bro..." Lo'ak turns to his brother.

"Yeah, looks that way..." Neteyam grins.

[junkdrawernoggin]

Welcome Home, Frank?

So I know I just posted but I have another thought. So, we know Frank is our lil bug dude. His whole scheme is butterflies and bugs and gardening. We also know he is the straight-man to pretty much all of the other characters. He is the only one who doesn’t seem to be in on the type of humor the show rewards and the other characters understand. He is also the only character we don’t have an origin for which is specifically called out in his intro card. Much like Wally, he seems a little out of place for the show minus his connection with Julie and Eddie. 

That makes it extra interesting that the audio clips are found by collecting bugs. Could it be that Wally is not actually the only character capable of breaking the 4th wall? Is it possible Frank is trying to communicate with the viewer?

My only real doubt for this theory is that through the audio we know that Frank likes Wally, or at least gets along with him well enough. So if he is trying to somehow warn the viewer, who is he warning the viewer about? 

However we do know he does *not* like Barnaby. Doesn’t understand him. And it’s implied that Wally has done *something* to Barnaby. Obviously Clown’s website is not canon, but it can inform us on maybe some original ideas. Well there’s the big photo of Wally puppeteering Barnaby’s decapitated body. There’s a lot of odd little details about Wally controlling/changing Barnaby. SO here’s where I’m gonna go a little crazy with this theory

Maybe Welcome Home is a wreck-it-ralph turbo type story. This isn’t the first time this theory has been brought up, but It’s maybe the first time it’s been suggested that FRANK was the one who was replaced as the main character. We don’t have an origin, maybe because Frank was the first one to live in the neighborhood? He’s the odd one out to all the other characters, down to his color scheme. I think a children’s show about a grumpy guy living in this fun town and learning how to open up and have fun would be awesome. Basically if Sesame Street was about Oscar. 

So we know that somehow Home has some level of control over Wally. So whatever power Home has/was created by on the real world side of things destroys any old content (black paint/goo) because Wally isn’t the main character of those. It inserts Wally into this TV show for whatever purpose. Frank is relegated to just another neighbor. The power works on Frank, convinces him that Wally has always been here, or has always been the heart of the neighborhood. 

BUT, it doesn’t convince him that Barnaby is right. Maybe in the original show Barnaby and FRANK were actually the main dynamic duo as opposites. Wally is new, so there’s nothing for Frank to compare to. But maybe some part of Frank remembers a different Barnaby. One that wasn’t best friends with Wally. And since I guess in this theory the characters have some level of consciousness, Frank turns to the only people who might listen to him, the viewers! He gives them what hints and clues he can that *something* is wrong. He may not even be sure what. 

So yeah that is my real far end crazy theory. There’s probably a bunch of things that disprove it, but it was fun to think about since I do adore Frank as a character. If you take away anything from this, let it be my theory that Frank at least has some ability to break the 4th wall and is the one helping us uncover the secrets. 

[mr-styles]

Aube Perrie is doing his best to keep things slimy and gross.

Some excerpts from Aube Perrie's recent article with promonews.tv:

PROMONEWS/DK: I was going to say that you’ve had a busy year so far, but I guess that this run of work has been going longer than that…

AUBE PERRIE: I have a bad memory for these things, but it's been pretty continuous. And I guess it started around a year ago, when Harry's team, actually H’s creative director Molly Hawkins and Columbia’s SVP Bryan Younce reached out and we started to try to make something happen for the new album. That's when, among other things, I wrote Satellite and Sushi. Satellite was actually written first.

I mean, there were also a couple before that - it was a long process. Among many things, Molly Hawkins is a brilliant creative director. She’s very cautious about the work they put out there, and so is H, Bryan and this whole team. But I was very fortunate and spoiled enough for having them letting me explore on a couple tracks, being extremely open and supportive. The process spread on a whole year, but that was all to the benefit of pushing the creative, pushing the ideas, giving ourselves the opportunity to explore and use the time to make something that really feels right.

When Satellite was written, I think we all liked it, but it just stayed only as an idea, we kept exploring, maybe we weren’t going to do it. And then it came back like, months later - after Sushi. It was a busy year but giving lots of time to reflect, to develop.

What did they give you, to prompt your ideas apart from the music?

The briefs were very different. Satellite was completely open. For Sushi they actually mentioned just one thing: Harry wanted to be a fish. That was the brief.

And he went from a fish to sort of disgusting Tulu octopus - that's what I was aiming for. I guess I didn't want to make a classic mermaid figure. And we tried to make it as disgusting as possible. But somehow, I don't know, Harry is so handsome…

Yes. So it still ends up being quite glamorous...

Exactly. It's terrible! But we really did our best to really make this world very slimy and gross - I kept insisting on that, and we were lucky to have everyone very much on board to go for a world that felt sweaty and textured. The texture of the tail and the squid body part had fight scars, our brilliant prosthetic lead Chelsea Delfino added the ones that white sharks have, went for a skin marked with shells. We really tried to put some gross details in there.

I wanted to design a world and restaurant location as disgusting as possible, that had this very odd and long back story. My friend and producer Josh Sondock took me to this great location that was already pretty intense, it has this crazy backstory that has been untouched, an amazing kitchen to work with - and we made it ten times worse. Still, H’s beard is kind of hot...

Having said that it's glamorous, he's still a very convincing man-squid. How did you go about creating something that good, that really does look like it was captured in-camera? 

It was very much captured all in-camera. Time was challenging because we had very little time to build the tail, the prawn masks, in time to fit the schedule. H was in the middle of the craziest tour, to say the least. We presented two different options. Something more fishy - closer to the classic mermaid I guess, but still pretty gross and unsettling, more like a slimy eel– and the squid, which was more difficult to do, but got us very excited. And H, Molly, everyone went straight for the squid. So much fun.

Wow. Not much time to fit in a lot of narrative. Did you get a much of a chance to discuss with him beforehand what was going to happen?

H definitely kept an eye on everything and it was nice to have him excited and on board jumping into a huge slimy tail and catching fishes in-camera beforehand, so we knew the main challenge would be to make it through the days. But at least we were all super aware of the challenge and up for it including H.

A lot goes through Molly, but they're also very close, so if you're discussing with Molly, you're discussing with H eventually. But I guess there was not so much discussion, but more support, especially for Sushi. It was just very easy and supportive and went very smoothly. There was just a lot of trust. And we were all here to try getting something fantastic.

I think we were all very strongly convinced it was actually good to try going for what was not so much expected of him. And I think we all were very excited picturing a result that felt like it had the potential to be quite unique. Including H.

He's familiar with the film world, having done features, and I guess he's toying with his image in quite an interesting way. Obviously not all pop stars are prepared to do that.

More should - because…it’s fun. Take Sushi. The shot list was wild. We had one day with H. At some point, you have no time to always explain what you’re shooting all over the place with A & B cam, you just need to get on with it. I guess it was way more indie film than blockbuster. But H is blockbuster. So the day would be impossible without him being very much prepared to be on the same boat as everyone one else to get it, embracing it and having fun with it. There is just no other way.

But I’m so glad that’s who he is. Everyone saw that day he’s definitely amazing at doing that and getting it. He’s very much prepared indeed. And by focusing the energy on nothing but getting it, it allows space for fun. And more than anything, it was all a lot of fun. That’s how it should be.

You can read the whole article here!

[slaygentford]

im actually so curious. dean/bela

IS YOUR MIRROR EVER A MIRROR. the most interesting thing about them and about that season in general TO MEEEEEE to me. is all the parallels that they keep pointing to obviously but also specifically the abuse parallels that they keep on purpose and not on purpose both pointing to. they're both so damaged which they both keep saying which is ssoooo fun. I guess she'd dom him or whatever but "takes one to know one" is way more interesting to me I think one of the few good things they did was NOT have them fuck because for once in their lives they maintained the tension in a season for more than 5 seconds. s3 is hilariously despite all odds one of the most intentional and best constructed seasons imo. it doesn't feel slapdash to me and never has, it's just rushed, but it's shockingly coherent for spn and theres actually suuuuch good payoff (getting dragged to hell). anyway idk how to tag this but I'm about to start talking about abuse and sexual abuse and specifically child sexual abuse so stop reading now. it's a crazy coincidence that victor my best friend victor makes that crack about it to dean in the same season that we find out Bela's backstory and I think the idea that they both have sexual trauma is sooo interesting and contributes a lot to their horrible self concept and self worth and self image and "youre so damaged/takes one to know one." not saying dean's is childhood but like obviously he has sexual trauma. an incredibly rare instance of I like what they have in canon and in my mind palace there's not even that much to add unless of course we got some sort of dean trauma backstory in conjunction with Bela's. my millionth favorite thing about them is that they never like each other. there's never a moment where they see eye to eye and share a mutual peace like with dean and victor. they fucking hate each other to the very end because they hate THEMSELVES just THAT much. NO comfort NO resolution. looking out for number one until the BITTER fucking end. you think their development is going to be they start liking each other nope. try again next time. it's SO tasty. and then of course the way on their last phone call that dean thinks he's going to get out of it. he really thinks he's going to get out of his deal. and he's so resolved and sure of himself as he leaves her to die alone. he's so so so fucking sure of it. just like she was so sure of it. and both of them are wrong. and then they get dragged to hell <3