#harassment isn’t something anyone should face

[greenglowinspooks]

To be honest. DCxDP where the reason Danny meets the bats is Ace the Bat-hound

Like, just think about it for a second. Danny is in Gotham for college, or maybe he just moved out to find a city where having mad scientist parents isn’t actually that unusual.

He can see ghosts.

The ghosts know this.

Now he’s getting harassed left and right by spirits trying to get closure. Fine, whatever, most of them are a one-and-done type deal, and the amount of ghosts trying to get his help steadily decreases.

Except for this one very stubborn dog.

It just keeps showing up and leading him to crime scenes! He doesn’t know how many “anonymous tips” he can call in to the cops before they trace his phone! And this dog, this incredibly good boy, will not stop trying to help the city. He’s never met anyone with such a strong sense of justice, let alone a dog. Can dogs even have a moral compass?

And so Danny just accepts the fact that Ace isn’t going anywhere and becomes his reluctant sidekick/dedicated medium. He leans into the whole thing, dressing up in a mix of traditional magic-user attire and accessories that pay homage to the ghost dog.

He becomes somewhat well known. The psychopomp detective following around the shadowy figure of a German Shepard? That’s unusual! That’s weird! I mean, it’s not the weirdest thing in Gotham, sure, but he’s a new vigilante and he’s got a ghost dog that people can only see when it’s around him. Someone’s gonna notice.

Damian, as Robin, is the first to reach out to him.

Ace doesn’t know Damian but he does know a Robin, and while this isn’t his Robin, he’s still friendlier than usual. Danny’s panicking because oh god the bats are here and also is this kid gonna steal my ghost dog, Damian is absolutely delighted by Ace, and Ace is just happy to see a Robin again.

Damian decides that the psychopomp isn’t a danger to anyone, and there’s no reason to put this encounter into his reports, really, and perhaps Danny can help with some of his cases in the future.

Danny is sweating bullets because Damian basically tells him that he’ll keep him secret as long as he gets to play with Ace. Ace is happy that he’s finally getting some bat affiliated crime-fighting assistance.

And so, Danny is now both Ace AND Damian’s reluctant assistant. At least whenever he’s in trouble, he can always call a middle schooler to help him.

(Is Robin even in school? He’s out patrolling damn near every night, and he stays out late as hell. Does he have a bedtime? He should.)

Eventually it gets to the point where Damian is going over to Danny’s house. When he first sees it, he has a damn bitch you live like this moment, to which Danny responds that not everyone has the money to afford a nice place. Damian counters that he could at least take the time to clean up, and Danny replies that he’s working, going to school, and being a vigilante assistant to a ghost dog, something’s got to give.

Danny nearly has a heart attack when he checks his bank account the next day and sees that someone transferred him 10,000 dollars.

And so they get into a routine. Danny and Damian fight crime with Ace at night, and occasionally Damian stops by during the day to play with Ace and have Danny help with his homework.

(Damian is smart enough to do it on his own, but some of the instructions are written incredibly confusingly, and he would never admit to needing help to his family. Danny is just glad that the kid is in school and cares about his education, blissfully unaware that he’s basically emotionally adopted him.)

Damian is used to being in Danny’s company.

Eventually, when going over a case with the family, Damian absentmindedly remarks that he’ll have to ask Danny about some of the clues that they might be missing. Nightwing asks who he means and Damian makes a face like he just swallowed a lemon.

Cue shitstorm.

Who is “Danny?” Why is Damian willing to ask for help from anyone, much less someone outside of the family? Does he know who Damian is? Has Damian been compromised? What the hell is going on?

Damian now has to explain that Danny is the psychopomp with the ghost dog who he might have met hunted down while on patrol and conveniently not mentioned, but he’s not a bad person, really, and he lets him play with Ace, and he’s been quite helpful on certain cases due to his ability to talk to ghosts.

Bruce insists that the family meet Danny. Damian, hoping that he won’t just skip town the second he hears the news, relents.

Danny is surprisingly eager to meet the bats, considering his earlier fears.

Damian, blissfully unaware of what’s coming, sets a time and place to meet.

Once everyone is there, he gives Bruce the earful of a lifetime.

Robin is in middle school! Danny knows that there’s no way to stop the boy from going on patrol, but you could at least shift his schedule so he gets enough sleep on school nights! Does the Bat even know where he is half the time?! (No) And why isn’t he comfortable asking his family for help with both cases and homework? Did they ever even notice how much time he was spending at Danny’s house? If Danny was a bad person, he could have seriously hurt the poor boy! Shame on you!

Nightwing is mortified that Damian didn’t trust him enough to tell him about any of this. Red Hood is laughing his ass off, because yeah Danny is making good points but he’s also chewing out the literal Batman. Tim is recording the whole thing. Steph is delighted by the absolute gall of this Danger Twink™️, and already planning to add him to several groupchats. Damian is more embarrassed than he’s ever been in his entire life.

You, he points to Nightwing, did your academic life feel supported when you were a Robin? Nightwing is too stunned to speak. Red Hood, eternal shit-stirrer, says that oh, we all prioritized patrol over our education, that’s just how it is. Red Robin actually dropped out of high school to avoid distractions, did you know that?

Danny honest-to-god shrieks at this.

He finishes his angry rant and leaves, everyone too stunned to stop him.

And as it turns out, Tim wasn’t the only person recording the whole thing.

The entire internet is blowing up with Psychopomp The Danger Twink™️’s rant. People are taking sides. Things are getting messy. Red Hood literally admitting on-camera to previously being a Robin is somehow not the main focus here.

Eventually someone connects some dots from the video, as well as stories circling the internet about the psychopomp. A ghost dog named Ace, who is the literal only reason that the psychopomp is fighting crime at all, which seems incredibly fond of Nightwing and Robin.

A crime-fighting dog who wants constant attention from both the current and original Robin.

Oh my god, Ace the Bat-hound died and became a crime-fighting ghost.

And, somehow, that’s still not the strangest thing going on in Gotham.

[sukunas-wife]

you could do something where sukuna and yuji team up to protect their mom/wife when a person is bothering or harassing her, they love her so much that they won't let someone hurt her 🥹💗

Leave Mama Kuna alone 😔

Old Day, because no one was brave enough to confront Sukuna for murder.

Warnings? Murder, in red text a man attempted to force himself on reader, Gore, Blood

It didn't take much to upset Sukuna, he was always looking for a reason to snap at someone and end a life. Sadly his son Yuji was a cock block for murder, and it irked him that he basically had to shake and rile his son up to get angry and then he’d just flat line and “but why don’t we-“ They didn’t agree to often on why a man should die- but in this case they were all agreeing. “Get him daddy!” Yuji yelled, pointing his chubby finger at a man maybe in his early Twenties who had been talking to you while you were trying to pick out Snacks for Yuji. He had wandered off after passing a candy stand and usually you’d send a maid or help to get the necessities but today you wanted to take Yuji out to walk and play and hopefully learn some self preservation, Sukuna, well he was feared and he just wanted to come along to make sure no idiot would try to disrespect you. “Listen, I’m just trying to get some things for my son. Leave while you still can and maybe my husband will let you live.” You smiled nodding at the man who scoffed “Your husband? What is he? a Mercenary? What’s he gonna do to kill me? That’s probably a lie you probably don’t even have a so-” you sighed turning away when Sukuna lifted the man by the neck with one hand twisting him around to face him, “No, I’m your God,” his stare darkened “but I’m not so merciful.” There stood Yuji by his dads leg, “Yeah! You deserve no mercy! That’s my mom you were disrespecting!… Idiot!” You tried not to laugh at Yuji’s extra words and went back to paying the scared vendor for the snacks you had picked out. By the time you looked back the guy was laid out on the floor bloody and probably just barely clinging to life, head being pressed into the dirt being grinded on by Sukuna’s large foot. Yuji was swinging away on his ribs and stomach, for a 7 year old his hits were surprisingly solid.

As the day progressed you had managed to convince Sukuna to have lunch despite the fact he didn’t eat human food. But he watched as Yuji sat beside him slurping away at noodles and his rice topped with diced meat, “Boy’s more human than curse.” Was all Sukuna said when Yuji looked up at him, noodles hanging out his mouth before he slurped them up smiling. “Daddy I gotta Pee.” Sukuna sighed standing up out of the booth, “then go.” “…go with me?” Yuji looked up at his dead with pleading eyes before Sukuna groaned and motioned for him to go, “Fine.” Sukuna was waiting outside the bathroom when he heard a trio, two men and one woman. “That's her isn’t it? She’s the Deity at the Shrine house isn’t she?” One man asked the girl. She just shrugged, “Yeah but I don’t see what’s so special about her? So she had some big curses kid, her body’s probably trashed or something.” “Shut up Kaguya, you're probably just jealous, any man would give anything to lay that woman in their bed. If I had a chance I’d get her pregnant too, look at her, I’d do anything to pull her robes off.” The second guy spoke up, “That’s sick man, she has a husband and kid, Yeah she’s pretty but she’s literally a deity, have some respect.” Kaguya interrupted “She’s probably a slut and maid who just had sex with him and got lucky she got pregnant, she’d probably spread her legs for anyone if they offered a comfortable lif-“ Sukuna’s hands were bloody, in a matter of seconds he had ripped th hearts out of the first man and the girls chest. It hadn't been processed as they managed to look up his blood covered hands. The smirk on his face was sinister and became worse when the second man looked up at him in fear, struggling to scream. He shoved the man’s friend's heart into his mouth like a gag, leaning down with a threatening voice “You’d do best to keep your mouth shut.”

Yuji and you had wandered off from Sukuna when he became surrounded by people bearing gifts to honour him. He was annoyed and even more when he turned to realise both you and Yuji had left his side. You were taking Yuji with you to the shrine house the people had built for you. The eunuchs at the entrance greeted you, stopping to ask if Yuji would be entering with you, which caused him to hold onto the side of your robes and sleeve, you put your hand on his shoulder comforting him, “Yes, this is my son after all.” Entering the shrine, you made your way all the way to the back where you would sit and wait before the doors would open to the public. Yuji was walking around the room looking around until he stopped. You had a wall where all the drawings he’d ever given you while leaving the palace had been framed because “I don wan you to forget me” A young girl came into the room shocked that Yuji was there until you cleared your throat, “oh! Forgive me Lady Y/n, I didn’t know you would be here today.” You waved a hand of dismissal. “I didn’t expect to be here either, but I thought Yuji,” you looked at him, he was staring at the girl in the door, slowly walking to you, his eyes never left her face. He looked serious, a face his dad often wore when something was wrong and he was watching it play out or when he was lost in thought. He turned away from you leaning against your lap standing between you and the girl. “Who the hell is she?” He sounded like a younger version of his dad with his demanding tone and dead stare, his curse word caught you off guard. You tried to form words stopping when you couldn’t, “she’s a servant who works here Yu, what’s wrong?” You leaned trying to get a look at his face, but he wouldn’t turn to look at you, he had his target. The girl became uncomfortable under his stare, “well, him Lady y/n there was an expecting mother who came by begging for a miracle.. the details shouldn’t be explained in front of such a young boy or boy at all really but-“ you held up your hand silencing her. “Bring her into the main room. I'll be out in a minute. I just need to make sure Yuji will be okay here for a few minutes.” She bowed, closing the door, Yuji turned to look at you and he seemed visibly at ease, “Yu.. what’s wrong?” He looked at the door, “She’s funny.. in a bad way..” you didn’t know how to answer. “Alright, I’ll remember that then.” You stood up, setting him on your chair and kneeling in front of him, “Will you be okay here? Alone for a short bit?” He shook his head no while kicking his feet, “Don’t leave me.”

That’s how you ended up with Yuji following quietly behind you when you made your way through the hallways to the main room. He got distracted stopping for a moment to look at a picture, the end of the hallway split two ways. There was a painting of Sukuna holding newborn Yuji, he looked so serious in the painting, when you told Sukuna you wanted it for your shrine he refused to smile saying it wouldn’t look good in the public eye or something along those words. Yuji was pulled out of his day dream when he heard you scream, he ran trying to find you. He froze seeing a man cornering you in the hallway, you were fighting him off the best you could but you couldn’t only do so much against a half curse half man that was attempting to measure up to Sukuna. He was far off from even touching the hem of Ryomen’s robes, but he was an entitled arrogant bastard. When the servant girl came, Yuji saw how she smiled at the scene. Yuji ran in blind, jumping and climbing the man’s back, wrapping his arms around his neck and biting into his shoulder. The man screamed and tried to pull Yuji free. He couldn’t do it alone so the servant girl tried, you fought harder when you saw how she was shaking him around. You broke free from the man's grip pulling Yuji free from her before rushing screaming for Sukuna, all the eunuchs wouldn’t be able to help you. The man grabbed your robes and Yuji fell from your arms, he watched his man lift you by the front of your robes and your hands, nails were digging into his wrist.

Why don’t you use your technique mom!? DO SOMETHING! dads not he- “Domain Expansion” the room went black, there was the sound of a drip and everything was dark, it felt hard to breathe, “Cleave.” Your eyes widened before you shoved the man off of you. You heard the squelch and thud of a body, and the crashing and cracking of the walls to your shrine being torn apart. Turning to look you saw Yuji, his hand sign was opposite his fathers, but he looked livid. His face was covered in markings mirroring his fathers more human form. You wanted to say something, but you turned to the gaping wall. The Cursed man was laying in the dusty street, he was sliced deeply but not fatally. The servant didn’t stand a chance. She was sliced finely for betrayal. Watching a crowd gather you pulled Yuji with you to see if the cursed man was alive. He was laying there, unfocused, he saw you and yelled “ILL FUCKING KILL YOU AND YOUR DAMN CHILD I AM THE ONE DESTINED FOR GREAT I WILL BE THE KING OF CURSES YOU BOTH WILL DIE AT MY HANDS,” before forcing himself up, chest, arms, and waist crossed with deep gashes.

He tried to lift his hands only to realise they weren’t there, his arms were gone. Yuji was mad that a man would try to take advantage of his mother, but as long as his father wasn’t there he would be there, but for now, a low chuckled rumbled behind the man, “You’ll need your hands to even think about laying them on my wife and son.” Sukuna wrapped his arm around the man from behind, large hand squeezing his neck, a low grumble, “You aren’t strong, you’re a fool and your brain is a pile of shit. You deserve only the worst death, but I’m having a little fun here so I’ll make this slow and painful.” Uraume approached Sukuna holding out his staff. Sukuna stabbed it into the ground piercing the man on the pointed edges, letting him sink down until it pierced through his chest. There the cursed man screamed and no matter how much he squirmed and begged for mercy Sukuna would push him down further. The man begged for mercy, for him to stop, “Did you listen to my wife when she asked you to stop?” He took the man’s jaw in his hand forcing him to look up at him, the pressure slowly fracturing his jaw as he shook his head no trying to profusely apologise. Sukunas nails dug into his face before he let go, “Did you have mercy on my wife when you grabbed her like this?” His large hand crushed the man's throat, nails digging into his skin, blood flowing, “WHEN MY WIFE TRIED TO PUSH YOU AWAY DID YOU WALK AWAY? NO YOU TRIED TO TOUCH HER LIKE THIS.” Sukuna placed his hand on the man’s chest, “dishonourable actions will be paid for with blood.” The crowd was watching when Sukuna drove his hand into the man’s chest squeezing his heart in his chest, the man screamed and gurgled as he spat up blood. Sukuna ripped out his heart throwing it on the ground and ripping off his head crushing his skull in his head, “Let this be a warning to every human in the vicinity, in this city in the existence of this time, that any man or woman who would act to lift a hand against my child or wife, your blood will be spilled to atone your sins.”

The crowd quickly cleared out and Sukuna turned to you, Yuji still had the markings on his face, his eyes were red. Sukuna nodded, holding an arm out to you. Pushing Yuji ahead of you, you started to tear up, hugging your husband’s side. Yuji was hugging your side. “Ryo-“ he shushed you using a hand to press your face against his chest. Burying your face against his hot skin your body wanted to tremble while you cried into the comforting of your husband but his presence was reassuring as surprising as it might sound. He rubbed his warm hand up and down your back “I’m here now.” He rested his chin on top of your head, he looked down at Yuji pulling him into his other side ruffling his hair. “You did good kid.” Yuji still looked serious before he leaned into his dads side with a slight smile. He went over to hug you, you took hold of him and he didn’t let go until you stopped sniffling. He smiled up at you, puffy eyes and red cheeks, Sukuna snickered, pinching your cheek making a joke, Yuji’s bright smile didn’t falter, “I still think you’re pretty.” Your sudden laugh made your husband and son laugh. Kneeling down you pinched both of Yuji’s cheeks lightly as he laughed, before cupping his face in both hands bringing him close to kiss both of cheeks and forehead calling him “My Little Protector.” He smiled with pride before you got up smiling at Sukuna, he sides eyed you before sighing leaning to the side giving you his face, “and my big hero.” Cupping his face you brought him into a kiss and he smirked against your lips when Yuji let out a loud “eeeewwww”

“Cmon Yu,” you held your hand out to him and he took it happily walking while holding your hand, “I’ll be stronger next time!”

Tag:

@sakuxxi @mercymccann @simpforyoubitch @certainduckanchor @domainofmarie @najiiix @bakugou-katsukis-wife @amitiel-truth @souyasplushie @mylovelessnightmare @sad-darksoul @cyder-puff @satorisgirl l @bontensbabygirl @lupita97lm @queen-luna-007 7

[literaila]

When do you think in the family au that Gojo realized he was in love?

I live for your au btw, I’m patient and respectful, you should never feel pressured to update or post!!! But also I literally check every day to see if you graced us with more 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

satoru is sitting on the love seat in the common room, pouting.

okay, sure. he’s known for his ability to talk until the sun goes down, but honestly, he’s not that bad. really, he could talk forever, about whatever he wanted, to anyone.

but he was only explaining the mechanics of infinity. for… a half an hour, maybe.

his friends suck.

what could be more interesting than him? nanami’s recipe for onigiri?

still, when you walk over to him, flopping into the space next to him—which is occupying his foot, thank you—he brightens just a little bit.

is it so bad to want attention?

“you know,” you start, while satoru tries to dig his foot from under you. “if you actually listen to people when they talk, they’re usually more inclined to listen to you.”

“oh, is that how it works?” satoru grunts. “i had no idea.”

“clearly.”

“you listen to me, even though i’ve barely ever spoken to you.”

you raise a brow at him. “do you have amnesia? you sit outside my door on the weekends for hours until i let you in. i’ve heard you singing to yourself out there.”

“that’s not a conversation.”

you nudge him, a lax smile on your face. “being interesting also helps, if you want people to listen to you.”

“hey, i’m interesting!”

“mm…” you nod your head, looking away subtly. “for sure, satoru.”

“you’re supposed to be my friend, you know? friends don’t bully each other.”

you look back at him, tilting your head. “that must be why you don’t have any.”

at that, satoru’s lip twitches a little. but it’s not because he finds you amusing, no. it’s just that… sometimes you look at him and he—

it doesn’t matter.

“did you come over here just to torment me?” he pouts, arms still crossed. but his eyes are much more active now, his face trying to be a sly thing that it isn’t.

“no, you just looked a little lonely.”

“awww,” satoru leans down so you can see his eyelashes fluttering at you. “were you worried about me?”

“i could just already hear the complaining,” you retort, rolling your eyes again.

“are you psychic, too?”

“yup,” you pop, grabbing something from behind your back. “which is why i also brought you this.”

you hand him a blueberry ramune, which just so happens to be his favorite.

satoru gasps like a child being given their favorite toy, taking it from you immediately. he opens it, and then pauses. “wait… what’d you do to this?”

you scoff. “geez, satoru. do you get poisoned often?”

“i have many enemies.”

“oh, right. i forgot. you’re well hated.”

satoru smirks, leaning almost over you. “not by you, though. you like me.”

you push him away with a finger. “you just looked pale. like, even more pale than usual.”

“that’s rude.”

“drink up,” you tell him, but only as you try to grab it from him. satoru relishes the feeling of you leaning over him. “we wouldn’t want you to go thirsty,” you say, but with a sickly sweetness.

“this is not making me feel any less threatened.”

you laugh, sitting back.

“you even got my favorite one, too.”

“that’s just a coincidence. though, you would like the worst flavor.”

“this is nearing harassment,” satoru says. “if you’re stalking me, i’m going to have to tell yaga.”

this time when you laugh, you snort, and you lean over again, but only to clutch your stomach.

satoru smiles along with you, and he feels… almost alive. more than a vessel of power, for just a moment.

and yeah, maybe it’s not just attention that satoru likes.

maybe it’s you.

[dark-frosted-heart]

Choose Your True Love - Azel Radwan (part 1/4)

This is the from the 4th anniversary event

As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this. 

I somehow wound up becoming Tanzanite’s God’s slave. Today, I made my way to the desert, full of energy.

I’ve recently grown used to God’s harsh way of  treating people that worked for him— 

Azel: You’re late.

Emma: ?!

The moment I returned, Prince Azel, who had been waiting for me, hugged me with an arm.

Making me drop my package.

Emma: Wha…what do you think you’re doing?!

Azel: Huh?

Emma: Don’t “huh?” me! Let go!

(He never usually does something like this, and he’s not one to wait for me!)

Although he’s a living god, he has the appearance of an adult male.

I could feel his surprisingly toned body through his clothes and quickly pushed him away.

Emma: Is this some new form of harassment?!

Azel: What’re you talking about? You harass me like this every day, so I thought I’d get back at you.

Emma: I don’t ever recall harassing you.

Azel: A lack of self-awareness isn’t a good look.

Emma: You’re the bad one here, Prince Azel. Anyway, please don’t hug me out of the blue!

(Something feels off)

(It’s like he’s the usual Azel, but not)

Emma: More importantly, I have the thing you wanted me to get.

I went to pick up the package I dropped to hide my agitation, but before I could, Prince Azel had picked it up.

Azel: Thanks. Wait, when did I ask for something this heavy?

Emma: Huh? But I bought exactly what you wrote down, didn’t I? I even double-checked to make sure because I’d have to run to the city and back if I got it wrong.

When handed the paper to a puzzled Prince Azel, what followed was a loud silence.

Azel: Curious.

Emma: What is it?

Azel: This and that. By the way, aren’t you forgetting to say you love something or someone today? …Not that I'm expecting you to or anything.

Emma: Love? What do you mean?

Azel: …I see now. This is a dream. Just a dream.

Emma: Dream?

Azel: This conversation.

(That’s a pretty scary face he’s making…)

Emma: I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I should get back to the city. It’s getting dark and I’m scared of making my way through the desert by myself at night.

Azel: Stay here for the night.

Emma: …

Azel: Why do you look so surprised?

Emma: By any chance, are you feeling unwell?

(Only some of the rooms in the temple have been restored, and there’s no guest rooms)

(I’ve heard that if you wanted to stay overnight, then your only choice was to use Prince Azel’s room…)

Even if that wasn’t the case, Prince Azel preferred being alone.

He was the sort of malicious god that would kick you out the moment you were finished with your business, regardless of the weather.

I had a feeling that something was off, but perhaps this situation’s much more serious that I expected.

Emma: Should I call a doctor?

Azel: Don’t look at me like that, I’m fine.

Emma: Then that really was some new form of harassment—

Azel: Right, the new form of harassment.

(He’s doubling down!)

Azel: Are you serious? Your head’s as empty as ever.

Emma: I’m sorry. I’m glad you’re back to your usual self, Prince Azel.

(I never thought there’d be a day where I’d find comfort in that coldness)

Emma: I’m heading back then. Good night, Prince Azel.

Azel: …

Prince Azel had a sour look, but said nothing.

Something still didn’t sit right with me, but I paid it no mind and left the temple.

--

Tonight, the moon was so beautiful that I just wanted to stop and look up at the sky.

Ruffian: Miss, it’s dangerous walking alone in the desert at night. We’ll escort you back to the city. Come.

(When I stopped…)

The moonlight shined on what looked like a caravan.

At first, he looked like any ordinary merchant, but—

~~ Flashback ~~

Azel (polite): Should a caravan approach you in the middle of the night, it would be best to ignore them. Those men are bandits who prey on tourists by pretending to be friendly. You look like an easy target, so do be mindful about giving your money to anyone but me.

~~ End flashback ~~

(If what Prince Azel said was true, then this is bad)

I felt my heart shrink as I found myself surrounded by multiple men.

Emma: Thank you for your concern. However, I’m used to taking this path. Now if you’ll excuse me.

I wanted to run, but my paths were blocked.

Ruffian: No need to be so on guard, miss. Don’t you know there’s bandits around these parts? Look, see that figure over there? They got their eye on you.

(They’re probably with these guys)

(They lie about me being targeted by bandits, and as soon as they escort me back to the city, they’ll demand money—)

(Just the thought of it makes me shudder. I should probably head back to the temple for now)

(But they’d catch me immediately if they chased me)

(Ugh…please save me, God)

I sent out an honest prayer and started backing away from the men.

Luckily, they didn’t try to go after me.

Their previous bravado faded and their eyes were so wide, it looked as if they might pop out of their heads.

(Is there something wrong?)

I noticed the moment my back hit something.

Azel (polite): We have 1, 2…3, 4 fearless men here…Tonight will be a fun night, won’t it?

[gallierhouse]

Do you have any thoughts on Madeleine as a foil for Armand? Personally I think that’s why he had her killed.

I do. I think he hates her because she reminds him of his weakness, but he also respects her, and maybe sees how she’s like him at the same time. They’re the same animal. Survivors surviving. The key difference between them isn’t really that Madeleine doesn’t suffer the conflict that plagues Armand, or that she finds vampirism easy in all the ways he finds difficult, but more that Madeleine is capable of real sacrifice when Armand is only ever capable of self-serving sacrifice. In the end, after all she’s done to survive (she survived the war, slept with a Nazi soldier so she wouldn’t starve — this is implied when she talks about how she finds her neighbor’s corpse, the shearing and the assault after the war, reacting calmly to Claudia murdering and eating all those people in her shop, agreeing to be turned, etc.) she decides to die with Claudia, for love. Even though she didn’t have to, even though Claudia told her to pick herself and survive. In the end she picked love.

Armand never picks love. In the end he’ll pick survival. Armand is a great romantic, and he always puts the needs of his partner above his own, but ultimately, when the chips are down, he’ll choose to save himself. There isn’t anyone in this world he’d sacrifice his life for. He’ll sacrifice everything else, mind you, but he won’t sacrifice that. He will happily carve out parts of himself for someone he loves, play whatever part they want them to, let them do anything they want to him, but that’s the one thing he will not do. In the end he won’t ever pick someone above himself. And that’s fine, it’s not a moral victory or loss. Armand’s comfortable with sacrifice as service, cutting off parts of yourself for the promise of someone else’s love, sacrificing for the sake of getting something in return, sacrificing for the sake of keeping someone close to you, sacrificing for the sake of getting to say, “This is everything I do for you, and you still don’t love me? This is all I do for you, you have to love me”, sacrificing for the sake of playing the martyr. He can’t actually sacrifice. He can’t sacrifice something and get nothing in return. Dying with someone gets you nothing. You’re just dead. Together, sure, but you’re not alive to enjoy it. Conversely, Madeleine really isn’t the type to perform acts of service for someone else. She would never be someone’s servant. She’s independent, she’s strong-willed, her companionship with Claudia is a partnership of equals. She’s utterly powerless, both as a human and a vampire (the harassment and assault she faces from her neighbors, her age as a vampire) but she’s not afraid of Claudia, Louis or Armand. Even when she should be. She’s openly dismissive and rude to Armand. She calls him “young man,” asks him if he’s even noticed there’s been a war when he asks how she’ll survive once nothing of her time is left, tells him that he doesn’t know if Claudia will last. She has a spine. Maybe more of a spine than she should have. She’s his opposite in that sense, really, and I do think it annoys him when she says she wouldn’t have a problem eating people since she doesn’t have a problem eating her food now. He tests her with all the difficulties of vampirism, she always has a response. Why should it be so easy for her when it’s so hard for him? I don’t even think Armand sees humans as people (and I doubt he sees most vampires as people, either) so he’s experiencing a really odd situation, like if a dog suddenly started winning an argument against you. By the end of it he recognizes her personhood, maybe even respects the drive she has, but it’s still worthless. She’s mortal, she’s fragile, she’ll die like the rest of them, no amount of psychological fortitude changes material reality. But then Madeleine gets turned (and he hates it, obviously, he hates that Louis picked Claudia over him, he hates that Louis would even turn someone, he hates that Louis did this terrible thing and he hates that he did it because he loved Claudia more than he loved him, he hates that Louis doesn’t need him, he hates that there’s this new fucking vampire in town, and she’s a fucking bitch, even if there’s something real and tragic about her that he can understand). Then in the end Madeleine decides to die during on that stage with Claudia. She does everything Armand is incapable of and more. And she’s weak and she dies. And he kills her and he survives. And then the cycle goes on.

[olderthannetfic]

This is partly a vent and partly hoping someone reading this can offer some advice or at least insight into wtf the person/people doing this are hoping to accomplish.

Over the past few months, someone(s) has been sending purity policing “concerned” anon asks to people in my fandom, mostly about supposed untagged triggering content. Which sounds like standard anti bullshit at first glance, but there are some really weird aspects to this situation, and I don’t know what to make of it.

First, in both of the cases I’ve seen, the “untagged” content Concerned Anon complained about was comprehensively tagged, way beyond fandom norms. Concerned Anon is complaining about something that isn’t even true.

Second, the people who received these asks seem to me like really weird targets for anon harassment. From what I’ve seen, they’re both really nice people. Not in the Cult of Nice way, but in the welcoming to newcomers, supporting all shippers even the people who ship things they’re not into, willing to chat about even the most wild theory or headcanon you might have without judgment kind of nice. Good stewards of fandom, I guess is what I’m trying to say. So I don’t get why anyone would want to target them. Especially since one of them wasn’t even being harassed about their own work, but about a fic someone else wrote that they happen to like!

Third, if the source material for this fandom were a fic on AO3, it would easily meet the threshold for all archive warnings. This isn’t about Stephen King fandom, but it’s got that level of things antis lose their shit over. Why is Concerned Anon even in this fandom? Why are they ~*so concerned*~ over fic when canon is like that?

Since the first Concerned Anon ask, I’ve noticed a sharp drop-off not just in ~*problematic*~ fic, but in fic in the fandom in general. I know fandom engagement comes and goes and there could be a lot of reasons for that unrelated to Concerned Anon. I can even think of a couple specific reasons it would be happening in this fandom. But the timing rubs me the wrong way, especially since it doesn’t seem like there’s as much a of a drop-off in general fandom activity, and I’m worried the latest set of Concerned Anon asks will have an even more chilling effect on fic writers.

I hate that this is happening. I hate that people who are just out here making fandom fun are being targeted. I hate that it might be discouraging people who haven’t been targeted from writing. I hate the possibility that Concerned Anon is out there harassing other people in the fandom who haven’t responded to them or that I just haven’t seen. I hate that, as a complete fandom nobody, I probably have no power to do anything about this. I hate that the person or people behind Concerned Anon probably aren’t even going to have to face up to being this kind of shitty, because it’s all anonymous.

--

People pop up in the inboxes where the owner can get their comments in front of more eyeballs.

Of course they want to poison the blogs of the welcoming fans who get the newbies writing fic.

The way to combat them is for those bigger blogs to either ignore them entirely or to politely but firmly tell them where they can shove it while pointing out that they're a liar.

They're a toxic blight on other people's inspiration, and the "nice" blogs should tell them so. The failure to do so is going to have at least as much of a chilling effect as their shitty comments themselves.

[secret77778888]

Lukolaland: What would it take to pull me away?

DISCLAIMER: This is LUKOLALAND only. Do not read if you're not a shipper. This is PURE SPECULATION. No harm intended.

Once again, Lukolaland finds itself in disarray, with many shippers feeling disheartened and disappointed after Tifaine.red’s recent TikTok live. While this may have come as a shock to some, we must remember that much of this is not new, and it doesn't negate what we’ve witnessed over the years, particularly during the press tour. We know what we saw, and we can't unsee it.

The adjacent presence has lingered for nearly a year, yet it hasn’t changed much. It's clear that she isn’t the biggest threat, she's a young woman in love with someone who doesn’t seem to reciprocate those feelings. It’s not her fault; she didn’t realize what she was stepping into. While her insecurities and attempts to capitalize on the situation are frustrating, she’s not the main player here, the clock is ticking.

So why should we stay and wait for them to sort things out? Because what speaks volumes in the Luke and Nicola saga is everything that isn’t happening, everything that remains unsaid.

This situation could have been managed differently from the start. There were multiple opportunities for clear communication and professional handling, yet these were not taken. Nicola and Luke never said that they didn't love each other in a romantic way, they have said that they're friends in a complicated and very special way that blur the lines and is not easy for us to comprehend, they have acted all the time as lovers even when we couldn'ts see them and behind the scenes. This is confusing for who pays attention and we do. Luke could have introduced A as his girlfriend before the tour, during the tour or after the papgate, establishing the relationship publicly. He didn’t do it maybe because he doesn’t consider her as his girlfriend. He doesn’t have to discuss his private matters with the public, but a simple acknowledgement would have decrease passion and expectations. the initial shock to the fandom would have subsided over time, allowing everything to proceed with less speculation. The lack of these actions, combined with what has been done under apparent pressure, speaks volumes about the true nature of the situation. His adjacent has a small but public presence and she seems eager to be claimed and shared with the world as she is doing the most to make it known. It could have been less drama induced episode.

Luke and Nicola could have clearly stated that their relationship was strictly platonic, curbing the growing Lukola frenzy, they were always elusive or evasive on the subject leaving space for doubt and ambiguity. Their professional teams could have made clear statements to put an end to the speculation.

Many great creators in this fandom have faced criticism this week for their Lukola content. I understand that, to outsiders, it might seem strange for grown people to dedicate so much time to shipping people they don't personally know. I used to think the same way and never imagined I'd care so deeply about celebrities' love stories. However, not understanding something shouldn’t lead to attacks. If you believe we’re delusional, allow us to be so in our own corner of the internet. We aren’t harming anyone; we’ve simply built a community that celebrates real love. Those who don’t believe Lukola Love have no need to be here.

It might seem ridiculous to some, and they are free to think so, but it's unfair to create spaces just to mock us. This community has brought light, laughter, and joy to many of us. The only people who have the right to ask us to stop are Nicola and Luke themselves, and they haven’t done so, stating multiple times that they find it sweet, because the majority of this community is neither harmful nor toxic. We genuinely love and support them. We condemn harassment and attacks on them and strive to be respectful by staying in our own space and respecting their boundaries. If Nicola or Luke ever express discomfort or a desire to reassess those boundaries, most of us would comply or,would stop because, contrary to popular belief, we are functioning adults with full lives.

I might not have understood this before, but now that I'm part of it, I see why so many are touched by what we've witnessed, I feel the love, it’s rare, pure, and incredibly beautiful. I always liked Nicola, I always had a soft spot for Luke, but seeing them together has enhanced that feeling. I truly believe they’re better together as they love and help each other in many ways. Most of us recognize that having something so special is a blessing, almost miraculous. It's because we value love, especially in a world where it's often missing, that we feel compelled to celebrate, encourage, and nurture it whenever we see it.

I will only leave this ship if their relationship becomes toxic or if something truly inexcusable happens. As long as they maintain their bond, I’ll support them silently, even through other relationships, marriages, or kids. If they appear to be single and uncommitted, I will continue to support them openly in Lukolaland. Why? Because I want to believe in real love, it makes the world better.

[morganbritton132]

Hi I love EMTTS. Regarding the post about Steve getting harassed by “fans” I don’t see anyone actually confronting him in public. because people on the internet only have that much confidence because they’re anonymous . which in this case is great because a physical confrontation from a stranger is terrifying, let alone a stranger who think they know you and your husband . poor Stevie, poor Eddie <3

Thank you!!! And I agree!

I also don’t see someone actually confronting Steve in person either and when I tried to write it, it just never felt like a natural progress in the story. I also agree that people are more confident on the internet because of the anonymity of it. People are a lot bolder behind a keyboard than in person.

Also, Steve doesn’t drive. If he’s out in public, he’s typically with someone or he’s meeting someone. But I do think that the paranoia would sit in the back of his mind when he is out.

Steve often got coffee with Robin on Wednesday before the start of her late class and then he stopped. The last time they sat in the little coffee shop on the campus she teaches at, all he could think about was someone trying to hurt him and hurting her instead. Every time the bell over the door rang, it was a guy with a gun and a hatred for Steve so deep that they’d kill his best friend, and he couldn’t do it anymore.

He couldn’t sit in a coffee shop and pretend like he wasn’t scared to death, so he stopped going. He started texting her that he wasn’t feeling well or that he had a migraine, and he started just staying home.

The day that Steve leaves his lunch, his house keys, and half of his students’ graded exams on the kitchen table, he remembers the news story about Lady Gaga’s dogs being kidnapped. He remembers reading the story with mild interest, and then he can’t take Ozzy on a run that night.

He can’t even get out the door and he’s so distressed about it that Ozzy has to comfort him.

He can’t sleep. Every noise sounds like a person that hates him.

“Hello, Earth to Steve,” Eddie says, waving a hand in his direction. Steve startles and blinks at him as Eddie says, “Ground Control to Steve Harrington. Do you copy?”

“I copy,” Steve says, stabbing at his breakfast. His pancakes are soggy. “What?”

“You’ve been checked out for like, ten minutes, babe. I was about to break out the Springsteen,” Eddie grins at him. It’s a joke, and Steve feels like he should apologize but Eddie’s already moved on, “What’s got your brainwaves all tied up, huh?”

“Just thinking.”

“A dangerous thing,” Eddie jokes, wiggling his eyebrows. “Thinking about me?”

Eddie’s trying to get a smile out of him so Steve gives him one, but it’s small and it’s fleeting. He doesn’t feel like smiling when he stabs at his pancakes again and says to the plate, “I’m, uh. I think. I’m thinkin’ of retiring.”

Eddie drops his fork, “No shit, really?”

Steve meets Eddie’s eyes as best he can and he gives a smile that feels like there’s weight behind it, and then he looks away. He clears his throat.

He doesn’t say that he can barely speak to his students anymore. He doesn’t say anything about how he sees their young faces and he feels guilty. He feels shame and afraid because he never said anything about that first letter.

He looks at their faces and he thinks about all the good they can do, and then he thinks about the type of people that send hate in the mail, and what happens when that isn’t enough. He’s scared because every time he walks to the principal’s office to say something, he can’t find the words so he has to – “I think it’s time, Ed. To just – to get out of there.”

“Babe, you can go on tour with me,” Eddie says, eyes all bright with possibilities. Steve likes the look on him, and he nods alone even if he stops hearing the words. He only tunes back in when there is a hand on his cheek and Eddie looks concerned instead of happy, “Steve, you’re crying.”

“It’s just a lot,” Steve says.

Eddie strokes the side of his face and gives him a more subdued smile, “Yeah, it is. I think you should think more about it, babe. See if it’s something you actually wanna do, you know. That sound like a plan?”

Steve nods and his voice is a little tight when he says, “Yeah.” 

[melatonin-melanin]

the face of alternative fashion tends to be white. how come?

whenever you go to look up a certain aesthetic or fashion, it may not register that the majority (or sometimes all) of photos that appear in the searches are people with pale skin. it makes sense not to think too much about it; after all, you’re just looking for the average look of the style, right? unfortunately, this has more implications than it might first seem.

it raises the question: where are the people with darker skin in these communities? i mean, it’s not as if they’re nonexistent. if you specified your search by typing in something like “black goth” or “black lolita,” you’d get plenty of results showing exactly what you’re looking for. well, that answers that question! except… now you have to wonder: why do almost none of these people show up when looking up most styles in the first place?

let’s go back to what i said earlier. most people, when searching for alternative fashion styles, aim for the average look of the aesthetic. what isn’t really acknowledged is that for many people, often subconsciously, being lighter skinned is part of that average look. in other words, it’s as if whiteness is the default, and this is reflected not only in search engines, but in the general media. on one hand, there’s a much higher chance for an alt white person to gain mass popularity than any alt person of color. on the other hand, the people of color that do gain a large following often face a higher risk of harassment and discrimination for… dressing how they like? enjoying different genres of music? that’s not even mentioning the risk of being ostracized from general poc communities for these same reasons.

but why must it be this way? the answer is that it doesn’t have to be! i feel that the best way to start combating these problems as things are right now is to start with deconstructing biases and stereotypes of different groups of people, especially ethnic groups. there is no reason why anyone should feel confined to specific ways of dressing just because of their race, ethnicity, skin color, etc. fashion is an art form for everyone, and we can work towards acknowledging, highlighting, and simply respecting more people from all walks of life with the little things we say and do. it just takes time and effort from all of us!

[honestsycrets]

YALL EVERYBODY STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING

painting miguel’s fingernails :(

❛ summary | jefe miguel lets his showgirl paint his nails

❛ sy's notes | painting a grumbly miggy's nails just sounds too fun.

❛ tags | showgirl au, boss miggy, boss hitting on employee, care fic, miguel just trying to get a date--

Showgirls are high-maintenance.

Realistically, Miguel expects you to keep yourself show-ready and glamorous. You were, with your gorgeous curls and classic makeup. That included pretty nails.

“Why am I doing this?” he asked dryly, sitting at your vanity post-show. All the girls had gone home, gone with clients-- but as the boss, there he sat dressed to the nines. He shifted in his seat, his dark blue vest flexing on his chest. You had rolled his crisp white button up back to his elbows-- just so you wouldn’t make a mess.

“You say to be dressed to the nines, right?”

“That’s for my girls, for you. I look fine.” Miguel rumbled, glancing toward the black bottle of polish in your hand. His hand sat high on your thigh, over the clip that held up your sheer pantyhose. You wiped off the excess around the rim of the bottle and began your work.

“No, jefe,” you teased. “You’re forgetting the details.”

“The details.”

Miguel didn’t need details, he was gorgeous enough as is. Sultry, dark eyes and a thick head of hair that had the slightest wave. His face was clean but for the slight pepper of stubble that sculpted his sharp jaw and drew your eye to his high cheekbones. Never mind that body, not even a sculptor could replicate. Warmth flared in his eyes as you drew the brush against his clean nails. He may not be one for nail polish, but he doesn’t mind the way your soft, pearl-clad hands touch him. He’d be lying if he said he hired you for your skills alone.

“Sí, if you want a step-mom for Gabi,” you hum, “The details have to be just right.”

Miguel hummed.

“I don’t know many women who want their man to wear nail polish.”

“I do,” you quipped, a little too fast. Miguel draws his hand back, inspecting the work you did. It was clean with the aid of another brush to clean what mistakes you made. You wouldn’t have him look a fool. It didn’t look bad, he supposes.

“Do you?” he mumbles, offering you his other hand. “Then let me take you out.”

“You're always too direct. Isn’t this sexual harassment?” you find yourself teasing, repeating treatment on his other hand. He hums.

“We're off the clock. Do you feel harassed?”

If anyone he should feel harassed, the way you grabbed him out of his office with a flutter of your lashes and an extra sway in your cinched waist and round hips. He was like any one of his stupid customers, following the promise of… something. He looked at you flatly, not a threat in his dry affect.

“No,” you answered, “I feel… curious.”

“Curious.”

"If you can treat me right."

He knows what you mean-- past bosses of yours hadn't all been like Miggy. Either grabbing your ass on the way out the stage or complaining about necessary costs like outfits and health costs that rose from accidents on stage. Miguel doesn't mind either. He may be a boss, but he likes to think he's a good man.

"Haven't I?"

"Maybe," you close the bottle, look him over. "I'll think about it.

He doesn't scowl. He'd get you to say yes-- one day.

[kookieswan]

Red Light - Hole in the Wall

Nightmare!Hoseok x Psychologist!Reader

Word Count: 1.4k

Genre: Horror AU, Monster AU, Psychological horror, some Angst as always, some small fluff.

Warnings: MC and JK drinking, mentions of harassment and injury/death- pretty tame otherwise. It should be noted that this story will contain themes of horror/psychological horror and also explore obsessive behaviors and codependency. Many characters are morally gray. Please be warned!

Summary: You had always hoped you’d make friends with your coworkers, and you technically have. You just never thought it would be over bloodshed and secrets.

Notes: Taking it back just a little bit to the night before Star Crossed Lovers. I hope you all enjoy, sorry for the very long wait 😅

This Part 35 of the Red Light series. Find the Masterlist here ♥️

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

“I still don’t know how you convinced me to meet you here of all places. I can’t et say it’s my scene.” A small hole in the wall bar in the downtown area, there’s a surprising amount of people around, the drunken patrons moving around you clumsily. Eyeing Jungkook as you sit down, you watch him sip on his Jack and coke as he shrugs. He pushes another toward you as a gift.

“I knew we wouldn’t run into anyone else from work here since it’s mostly old shitbags we deal with; it seemed like the best bet. Plus, everyone’s already fuckin wasted so they won’t listen to a word we say.” Glancing around, it’s clear that everyone’s been drinking for a while. People are laughing and yelling up at the bar, others on the dance floor making a fool of themselves. It makes you smile.

“… Fair. So, I imagine there’s some background information you want to tell me that speaking of at work is a no-no. Yoongi’s outburst today wasn’t completely surprising but given how he’s been lately it did seem out of the blue.” Yoongi’s been on his best behavior for the most part, so the outburst is a little concerning. You know that there’s definitely a solid reason, Freeman doing something as small as opening his mouth gave you a decent chunk of intell.

Jungkook sits his cup down, staring into the drink for a minute. He taps the glass and then glanced around, long hair brushing his shoulders. It’s off to see him dressed so casually, but he’s probably thinking the same about you in jeans and a sweater.

“It definitely wasn’t fucking unwarranted. Imagine the worst fucking person you know, multiply it by a billion, then add two. That’s Freeman in a nutshell. He’s the dirt underneath your feet that you’ve dragged around for much too long.” You know a few people like that, but it pains you to know there’s a new addition into the group of slime balls. You sip on your Jack and coke, eyes glancing out over the bar. The light twinkle prettily overhead, properly distracting everyone from you. Good.

“I feel like a gossip for asking, but what did he do? I can only begin to imagine with how the other doctors act on our floor.” Jungkook scoffs, a look of pure disgust taking over his face. It’s obvious that the man in front of you dislikes many of the doctors just as you do, but his hate for Freeman seems to run deep.

“I can only give you my point of view for now… But, he clearly didn’t like Yoongi from the start. Was always fucking nasty to him, tossed insults, said disgusting shit disguised as a fucked up compliment. You met him, you know. I had to keep my cool, letting people in on what we have isn’t the best idea.” What they have.. You raise an eyebrow, and Jungkook raises back. Making a motion to zip your lips, you don’t say anything else and let him continue.

“Didn’t matter what we did though; he found out, I still don’t know how, neither does Yoon. It was endless fucking tourture after that; he was like a fucking monster... I’ll let Yoongi tell you the rest about him if he wants to. Not my place. You know why they keep me around though, won’t fire me?” It’s one of your biggest questions in regard to them, although the answer is somewhat obvious in your head. You lean inward, giving the guard in front of you all your attention.

“They know I’m the only one that can calm Yoongi down. They know that, I know that, and so I’m stuck there. They’ve sent an arsenal of threats my way about what they’ll do if I try to leave. Not that I would, I won’t leave him behind.” So you had guessed right. Yoongi’s a wild card, definitely unwilling to listen to just anyone. Without Jungkook, the doctors would be at a total loss. You nod, a grim half smile taking over your face.

“I’m so sorry Jungkook, that’s horrible. I wish there was something I could do but it seems I can barely keep myself afloat anymore.” It’s true; without Hoseok you wouldn’t have made it. He keeps you by king down in the depths of that place, and the other nightmares do too to an extent.

Jungkook shakes his head, quickly downing the rest of his drink. He slams the glass into the table and stretches, leather jacket squeaking slightly as he does. Scooting himself forward, the man scrunches his nose just a bit. Kind of like a mad bunny.

“It’s fine, we just never thought he’d come back. I heard he was transferred to a different facility, and then that pig Andrews took his place. But here we are over a year later with a dead Andrews and that asshat back in power.” It makes you pause, a wave of guilt washing over you even though it’s not remotely your fault. It’s not like you knew anyway but still… If you had known about freeman, you would have kept him at bay.

“… I’m so sorry. I know it’s not directly my fault, but still…” The lights flicker over head, a small sense of melancholy taking over your mind. Drinking always makes you emotional, and but you take another sip anyway. Jungkook scoffs, tugging at the hoop earring he’s wearing.

“_____, don’t blame yourself. Andrews was fucking harassing you and I’m not even slightly surprised Hoseok slaughtered him; I would have helped go in the chance. Hell, maybe he’ll kill Freeman too, I don’t think he was fond of the guy either.” You would have helped too. It’s terrible to admit, but some of the people down there just can’t be helped. It’s funny, the Nightmares you’re supposed to be testing have more humanity than the humans.

You sit in silence for a while, gazing over the bar and breathing in slowly. It’s the first time you’ve went out with a coworker after finishing school, and it’s to talk about the hell you live through everyday. The story of your life, you suppose. Glancing up at Jungkook, you think it’s some to bring it up, because talking about it inside of the facility…

“Can I ask you something? It’s not something I would likely ask at work.” Jungkook looks up from his phone, eyes wide as he nods slowly. You clear your throat, almost nervous to ask. You’re essentially prying for information at this point and it makes you feel uncomfortable but it has to happen.

“You can ignore me, and I’ll let it go, but can Yoongi… Well, does he have any… Abilities? I’ve had my suspicions but this morning was something else. I wouldn’t ask if I don’t think it was important to know.” You try not to ramble but Jungkook stares. And stares. Barely moves as he looks at you, eyes slowly narrowing as he remains quiet. It answers your question, but still, you say nothing until Jungkook speaks again.

“What do you think?” The bluntness makes you laugh abruptly, a loud laugh that nearly carries over the noise of the bar. Jungkook huffs and smiles, rolling his eyes as you continue to giggle. Well, you suppose the cat’s out of the bag now. It’s a good thing you think, you hope.

“Touché. Sorry, I won’t dig anymore. I just want to keep them safe and need to know what to look out for. I can’t ask stuff like this at work for obvious reasons.” Jungkook looks serious again after this, his face intense as he stares into your soul. With a sigh, he sniffs and starts to play with a piece of his hair.

“You’re not stupid _____.” That’s the confirmation you really needed, it all makes sense now. The rattling, shifting, things moving in the corner of your eyes. Nightmares can have abilities, and they can be wildly different.

You nod, looking down at your manicured nails as you pick at them. You don’t usually chip them this bad this early. Kissing your teeth in a very unprofessional way, you blurt out your own thoughts.

“I think they can do a lot of impressive things, more than humans can.” Jungkook doesn’t even seem remotely surprised, lips pursed as he nods, the lights flicker overhead again. How much does he know…? The question hangs in your mind, but you know that he’s been around much longer than you have, so he’s seen more. Experienced more.

“… We’re fucked, aren’t we?” The sudden question makes you grin, nodding your head slightly as you finish off your drink. Even with all the damage control you’ve been doing, somethings bound to go wrong eventually. It’s just a matter when and where. Standing up to grab another drink from the bar, you address the guard quietly.

“More than likely Jungkook, I’m much too inquisitive. Let’s see what the coming days bring.”

[xirayn]

Like Biting Bats (Very Metal)

Read Ch 1 of the full fic here

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Featuring @aibhlynn as Eddie

Singing in the car with Eddie is quickly becoming one of Steve's favorite things. The freedom of it produces a euphoria that leaves him smiling even after dropping Eddie up. Steve wishes he could bottle that feeling; especially since he's likely to lose it once Eddie's van is fixed. They'll still be friends,of course, after all that they've been through it will take more than their differences and lack of forced proximity to end that, but Steve doesn't know if they'll still sing together.

He pulls up in front of the high school. The Hellfire Club has disbanded due to the satanic panic Hawkins is still shaking off, but that has left Eddie time to study with Nancy. She waves at Steve as they walk out together then says something to Eddie that makes him clasp his hands over his heart and stagger as if shot. She shakes her head at his theatrics before heading to where her mother is waiting to pick her up.

Eddie grins after her. Steve swears his smile gets brighter when he turns towards the BMW.

"Is she kicking you ass?" he asks once the passenger door swings open.

"Like you wouldn't believe," Eddie groans as he slumps into the seat. His school bag falls with a thud to the floor. "She threatened to take away my baby if I didn't pass the test on Friday." 

"Ah, man, not the guitar," Steve laughs.

Rolling his eyes, Eddie doesn't say that it isn't his guitar that Nancy is threatening to take away. She is turning out to be a huge help in Eddie's quest to actually graduate this year, but threatening to prevent him from seeing Steve is a line in the sand. Because Nancy knows. She is frighteningly smart, so naturally she has figured out that riding with Steve, belting out tunes and bantering about one another's taste in music, has climbed the ranks of activities that Eddie enjoys by noting how he eagerly waits for the familiar sound of Steve's BMW and that the repairs to his van were taking a suspiciously long time.

Eddie eyes the radio as he buckles himself in.

"We talked about this, Pretty Boy. Why are you listening to Foreigner?" 

He ejects the offending tape to replace with one pulled from his bag and Steve pretends to look offended. The opening of Metallica's latest album flows through the vehicle.

"Because 'Growing up the Hard Way' speaks to me on a personal level," Steve defends.

"Shame on you," Eddie teases.

An idea form's a smirk that crinkles the corner of Steve's hazel eyes. As 'Battery' crashes down on them, he marks the beat and does a few edits on the fly to lyrics he has heard a hundred times before doing his best to sing over Hatfield's vocals.

"He's got nothing to say, 

He's got no excuses,

He was just 

made-that-way

Like a dog on the loose,

In a world of his own,

He won't back down or

Run-a-way'

It is far from a perfect fit, but Steve makes it work to the best of his abilities and a grin sweeps across Eddie's face. He lives for moments like this where he gets to see the tension Steve carries melt away like ice on a warm day. He likes knowing he played a part in relaxing his best friend. And Steve is his best friend as much as that realization had been a surprise. He cared deeply for the band and his players, but Steve fucking Harrington has gotten closer than any of them.

Once Steve is finished, tripping over lyrics turning into a laugh as the music continues, Eddie chuckles along with him. 

"Man, you should come sing with the band."

The suggestion earns a scoff that still holds onto the joy of laughter. Steve's fraction of 'Master of Puppets' done with Corroded Coffin had been fun, but he doubts anyone aside from Eddie actually wants him to join. He is the former King Steve, top asshole jock of Hawkins High. He can't imagine the rest of the band having anything other than contempt for him.

"Sure." Steve shakes his head. "I bet the rest of your band will be all for it."

"Stevie, they are practically harassing me to convince you to join the band." 

Every time Eddie has seen his band mates since they heard Steve, the first question is if he's convinced him to join. Eddie is proud of them for seeing past Steve's high school labels and acknowledging how he has changed. That voice of his is a good added incentive.

He reaches over to flick one of the locks of hair that arcs over Steve's forehead. He's careful not to be too distracting. He has witnessed Steve go off on the Party about the dangers of distracting the driver several times.

"Our next practice is Saturday." Eddie’s voice lowers as if he's sharing a secret or possibly asking a favor. "I want you to be there."

The opening riffs of 'The Thing That Should Not Be' play as Steve fights with himself. His teeth worry his lip. The lecture from his father on 'meaningless hobbies' that led to Steve giving up guitar in middle school plays through his head. Honestly, though, his dad can fuck off. Eddie wants Steve there; said the words with a gentle hope Steve isn't used to. And he wants to be there. Singing those few bars of 'Master of Puppets' was the most alive he had felt in months, maybe years.

"Alright." His voice is lost under the heavy guitar and drum that rolls through them. He clears his throat. "I mean, sure. If the rest of the band is cool with it."

A smile lights up Eddie's face, dimples and teeth on full display.

"Cool," he teases. With Steve as their front man, Eddis is certain the band will succeed. Their music might change, but he finds the prospect of creating a new sound exciting. Something like Foreigner lyrics set to Metallica's instrumentals except entirely their own. "Two on Saturday. If you don't have anything planned, you can stay over Friday night and we can drive over together. I have a new record I have been waiting to listen to." 

Waiting for Steve to come over to listen with him.

"You mean I can drive you," Steve corrects.

"Of course, Big Boy," Eddie responds with mock exasperation. He can't stop smiling.

[yxstxrdrxxm]

SYNOPSIS: Tattooing is a work of art. Though, he definitely saw that it can also be used as more than an art medium itself.

TW/s: yandere behavior, abstract/drabble writing, protective Xiao, he’s a dumbass but its okay, nsfw tws include targeted by the dark web, graphic depictions of violence, near abduction, stalking + sexual harassment. Please proceed with caution.

NOTE FROM HR: Happy Valentine’s Day! It would seem that today just isn't working out for you, is it, miss Ana? Well, never fear! I’m sure our lovely tattoo artist has something to help you with that… Right?

“You’re back.”

That was the first thing that Ana heard from her tattoo artist, Xiao, speak at 1 in the afternoon— a weird time, considering he wasn’t aware she had an appointment booked with him.

“Are you here for a tattoo?” he asked her, making her shake her head. Carrying the food she bought for him, he placed it on the counter, noting the small shift of expression on his face as he caught a whiff of something faintly sweet in the packaging.

“No, but I’m sure you’ve been working for hours on end,” she said, tapping on top of the package. “Here, eat up. I made sure to buy almond tofu for you.”

Now, for those who may be wondering, just how can the reclusive tattoo artist be with a date that’s the clear opposite of his personality?

It was a long story, which started from the very beginning when they matched up in the app.

Xiao isn’t the type to choose anyone on a whim. He has standards, and for him, many others failed to fit those standards. It was also obvious when he saw Ana’s, but instead of scrolling past and ignoring her, he took his time to look into what she wrote. He didn’t want to write her off just yet.

The next thing he knew, he swiped right with her and began to talk to her in the app.

Their conversation topics were all random at first: general get to know questions, their experiences, and even bits of what the two like. The two clicked on what they both liked listening to, which artists they enjoy the most, and even a few preferences for both to tune into. He did suggest a few that lean into crime podcasts, since he tends to listen to them often while he worked on tattooing his clients. Perhaps it was a strange preference, but she didn’t see it that way.

It wasn’t even long until they began to discuss matters in seeing each other in person, and the first time was because of a tattoo appointment she wanted on her arm.

“So, you want this tattoo placed… Here. Am I right?” “Mhm. Do you think you can do it? My friends had said that you were a good tattoo artist, so I wanted to be sure that it’s something you can do.”

The two were sitting at his office as Xiao was looking at the image, examining the tattoo design she wanted him to put on her. The design wasn’t all that complicated, but he knew he could add something to make it pop out easily, and especially with the detailing of her tattoo choice.

“... I can,” he answered, closing the folder as he faced her again. “However, you must pay upfront. I need to get the materials and equipment needed in our next appointment for this type of tattoo on Friday.”

He watched her nod as she handed him the payment, his hand drifting over to grab it and check how much she paid. It was enough for what she wanted, with an additional $20. Raising an eyebrow, he looked over at her and grabbed it, handing it back to his client.

“No need to give me extra,” he told her, sighing. “It’ll be a waste.”

“Oh? Well…”

He could already hear what she planned on telling him. He should take it anyway as she felt bad, or that it’s not right to not tip someone for their services, or—

“... I’ll take it back, then. Thank you again, Xiao. it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

—!

Xiao seemed to be caught off-guard at the turn it took, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second, but it left as quickly as it did. Regaining his composure, he nodded and simply stood up to lead her out of the shop.

“If you need anything from me, you know my number,” he told her, his amber eyes shifting away for a moment. “... And if you want to go on a date, call me.”

It was strange. He’s not used to romance, and Zhongli had all but taught him how. He wanted to say that he had the confidence like that old man has, but he’s still learning. And Gods, he’s unable to even comprehend how social interaction and cues work.

Still, he did hear her laugh and feel a gentle warmth on his shoulder.

It felt nice.

“Of course! For now, I need to go and meet my friends this afternoon. Goodbye, Xiao.”

As the warmth left his shoulder, he finally raised his head to watch the lady exit, his eyes drifting to her while he recalled the expression she wore in front of him.

Such a gentle smile, unwavering and confident. He had always admired those who could do it without a single moment of hesitation, and sometimes, he found himself loathing that he couldn’t do the same. To be able to smile and look onwards, like nothing was bothering them in the first place.

He sighed and raised a hand to sift through his hair. The bitter feeling rising in him was something he disliked, but he couldn’t bring himself to blame it on her.

It was their first meeting, and it was one that Xiao remembered well.

How ironic, considering the next ones were as eventful as the first, if not even more than anything he’s endured.

The second time this happened was when he was on one of the first few dates with Ana. The two were surprisingly able to her friends commenting on how she found someone and kept it a secret from them.

He didn't like to make their relationship known, and there was a good reason why— he hated to have them find out he has someone he tolerated better than others.

Even if it was just a simple drunkard. Or two.

Point is, it happened. While Xiao was dealing with her friends asking him about his occupation, he caught wind of Ana getting involved and being harassed by one of the older men that are obviously wasted. She was trying to tell them to stop bothering her, but it seems they weren't paying much attention and even touched her in areas that can warrant sexual harassment.

“C'mon, pretty girl, why don't—”

“Move. She's my fiance.”

The drunkard looked over at Xiao, his eyes narrowed as he noticed that he was one of the clients he tattooed years ago. He scowled at the sorry state he was in— the man had a job as a republican, but one too many scandals led him jobless.

Hmph. I'm glad I managed to tattoo him with that before then.

“Yours? Pfft, do you have anything that makes her yours, little boy?”

Xiao scoffed.

“That ring she's wearing. I gave that to her.”

Complete and utter lie, he knows Ana had it since the day they met. Though, the ring was placed on her ring finger…

“You're harassing my girl. If you don't move, I'll get security,” he warned, walking closer to Ana to gently hold her hand. “And you wouldn't like getting kicked out again, would you?”

The ex-republican scoffed but he slunk away, and the two watched as the others jeered and called out to the republican figure for what he's done.

How annoying.

“I didn't know you'd say that out of all things.”

Xiao's head whipped towards Ana. It was clear from the way she said it that it was meant to be seen as light-hearted, but from the tense moment they had, he was struggling to process it.

…

He scoffed and let her hand go.

“He won't back out otherwise.”

And he knew he wouldn't. No one would.

“How many people have you tattooed with that mark?”

“I don't know.”

“Oh, but you do. People tell me that the victims went to you to get tattooed and died after a few days!”

“Sounds like a load of bullshit.”

Xiao isn't fond of dealing with people. He didn't even bother hiding that fact, since he disliked meaningless drivel with some of them. What he hates is when they become overconfident with knowing what he didn't.

It was a big deal to them, but to the artist, he found it more of a joke. An impractical, unfunny joke. He'd rather listen to one of his co workers explain it and ruin it than this.

“A load of— listen to me, sir,” he spat, jabbing at his chest. It would've been intimidating if Xiao didn't think it was a bit childish, “I work with the agency. We're trying to figure out what the hell is happening, and if you don't say shit, I'll tell them you're that famed serial killer going on the loose!”

…

“Seriously?”

Xiao sighed.

Such is the way of being an idiot, he thinks. It's no wonder I don't bother tattooing people on a walk-in appointment.

“Wh— are you doubting my credibility?!”

“Not when you're harassing me.”

Watching him get annoyed, he saw the man out, watching as a certain someone came to the shop. Seeing the man storm off, he watched Ana raise her eyebrow at Xiao; a silent question, it seems.

What happened? He can read from her expression. Though, this made Xiao sigh and turn his head to the shop.

Come inside. That is what he was trying to say by his body language.

And she did.

It wasn't long until the two were talking about the incident: Ana had to hear Xiao explain briefly of the accusations he's given, what he replied due to the lack of evidence, and the childish fit that the reporter had to leave.

Still, that looming threat was never something he can let go of, nor he can't stop pondering about. Maybe it's just him, but there have been moments when that came to light.

… Or nearly, anyway.

“I see… Well, they're definitely too nosy for their own good.”

“Mhm,” he answered, cleaning up the pen he used for tattooing. “Anyway, are you here for your appointment?”

“Oh! Yes, I am. I want you to tattoo my arm.”

Retrieving the paper detailing her tattoo, she handed it to him. Examining what it looks, he simply raised an eyebrow.

Granted, the tattoo is simplistic— he can make do with outlining the bird like it was a constellation. It wasn't something he would suck at. However, the bird she chose was a phoenix.

Interesting metaphor. Though, he's simply curious on what drove her to choose such an interesting thing to be on her arm.

“... Hm. Alright. I can do it.”

Placing it down, he began to prepare the tools and lead her to take a seat on the chair. Pulling on the lever, he adjusted it so that she was facing up and he pulled up the arm that she wanted it on.

It wasn't long until the soft thrumming of the tattoo gun echoed as he worked on the tattoo, following each and every step of the stencil down to its smallest details. Sure, Ana and him conversed while he worked, but he remained silent to focus on doing the tattoo.

Silence was a comfortable thing for him, and sometimes, he can see it be a comfortable thing for her, too.

It did take hours until he was done with the tattoo, and although he had half of his mind to add that mark, he added something else that’s tied to him. Right by the wing had 保护 written on it, each line and curve made as accurately as one could with writing a different language.

It was different from the ones he’d do. And he made sure to keep it that way.

“There. It’s done.”

He observed how Ana’s eyes would trail over at the tattoo, moving as she examined it in great detail. He was one of the best tattoo artists she could ever find, but he knew she saw that print on the wing, too.

It was just a relief that she didn’t bother to ask.

“Since it’s your first time getting a tattoo, you can have this,” he added, grabbing a bag full of supplies with an addition he left there for her. “It’ll help when your skin gets irritated with the ink. Others had that happen to them.”

“Really? Well, I’ll use them if that happens.”

“Good.”

His amber eyes flickered from the tattoo gun and towards the bag, catching the gleam of turquoise peeking from inside.

It was convenient that he placed that thing in her bag.

Now, he had an even bigger reason to do what he had to do to those that dare to mess with what’s his.

“I didn’t know you’d come back to stalk her,” the tattoo artist commented coldly, his heels digging into the wound on the reporter’s side. “I’m surprised. Seems like you have the audacity to try again to ‘frame’ me yourself.”

He hardly cared for the amount of blood he spilt. For the tattoo artist, having to make someone be worried in his shop was more than enough to gun for the culprit.

“Tell me. Were you going to abduct her?”

The reporter had the audacity to laugh at his face, the pain sending his mind to overdrive. Scowling, he dug in deeper, feeling his patience wear thin. He hated to delay what could hurt his lo— friend, he had to correct himself. He didn’t want those people to get to her.

“W-What’s it to you? I thought—”

“I’m not involved, but that’s my friend, you garbage.”

With another dig at the wound and his gun loaded, he aimed it at his other leg. He was already sure that she would wind herself in danger because of what he’s done, so he needed to be swift if he wanted to reach Ana.

He can’t risk losing her. Not to those bastards.

“I’ll ask again. Were you going to abduct her, you vile being?”

Much to his displeasure, the reporter laughed again. Although, he can tell that he wasn’t in the right mind. The expression he wore simply reminded him of those bitter memories he had hid all those years ago in his time at Enkanomiya, and he loathed to see it on another person.

Heaven knows what drove him like this, but he had done something immoral. He needed to do this in return.

…

Yes. He needs to. She’ll die if he doesn’t.

“... Hmph. I suppose you’re no talk and bite.”

Click. BANG.

…

Xiao could vaguely hear the gunshot ring as blood began to pour out onto the pavement, but this time, he felt no guilt for his actions. He knew it was bad, but he could hardly care about what’s on his mind.

Turning around, he grabbed his phone and contacted Ana’s number. He needed to be able to speak to her. He needed to.

…

It rang once.

It rang twice.

It rang far more than that. It continued to ring and ring, amping up Xiao’s worry the longer she didn’t take the call.

And after God knows how long, he heard it click.

“Xiao?”

… She’s fine.

“... Did I wake you up?” he asked her on the phone, his voice lowering its usual volume— possibly due to his relief. “I thought you’d be awake.”

“Mm… Almost, but yeah,” he heard her yawn. “I was… Looking for that guy. Then I fell asleep for, uh… an hour or something.”

…

“Has anyone entered the house?”

“... No. I’m fine. I had it locked, like you told me to.”

Good.

“Say, you sound panicked—”

“I’m fine,” he told her, cutting her off. With a sigh, he looked at the body, then at the phone. “Anyway, I’ll… Leave you alone for the night. I have a few things I need to take care of.”

He’d have to ‘clean’ things up. He can’t let her see it.

No one can ever see the crime he's done.

@.throw-letter-away | do not republish or repost my works anywhere | 2024

[rileyquinblog23]

Hey everyone,

I need to address something troubling that's been happening recently. There's been a rise in disgusting, mean-spirited comments online targeting Hinata and her fans, specifically coming from a girl named Gabby Erdman. This kind of behavior isn’t just rude—it’s outright cyberbullying. Using public platforms to spread hate and disrespect is unacceptable and harmful.

Hinata and her fans deserve to engage with the community positively, just like everyone else. No one should have to face this kind of abuse. We need to call out these harmful actions and support each other against such negativity. Let's work together to create a kinder, more respectful online space. 🌟

#StopCyberbullying #SupportHinata #KindnessMatters

I want to address a concerning issue that’s been popping up more frequently: the misuse of character hatred as a form of cyberbullying. It’s crucial to recognize that disliking a fictional character should never justify attacking, threatening, or bullying others.

When people let their negative feelings towards a character turn into harassment against fans, creators, or anyone associated, it crosses the line from healthy critique to harmful cyberbullying. This behavior is not only hurtful but can also escalate into serious threats, which is unacceptable.

We need to remember that it’s perfectly fine to dislike a character or disagree with a storyline. However, using that disdain as an excuse to harass or threaten others is not justifiable and should not be tolerated. Let’s focus on fostering respectful discussions and addressing differences without resorting to personal attacks or intimidation.

Together, we can create a safer, more supportive community where everyone can express their opinions without fear of being bullied. Let’s work towards constructive conversations and kindness in all our interactions. 🌟

Cyberbullying is more than just hurtful comments and online harassment—it can lead to significant issues like inequality and bad behavior. When people are targeted online, it not only affects their mental health but can also perpetuate a culture of fear and division.

The impact of cyberbullying extends beyond the individual. It reinforces harmful stereotypes, creates hostile environments, and can lead to systemic inequality by discouraging diverse voices and perspectives. Additionally, when people see or experience cyberbullying, it can normalize bad behavior and contribute to a cycle of negativity and intolerance.

We must address cyberbullying not just as a personal issue, but as a societal problem that affects how we interact and respect each other. Promoting empathy, support, and respectful dialogue online is crucial in combating these issues and fostering a more inclusive and positive digital space.

Let’s work together to create an environment where everyone feels safe and valued, and where we stand up against inequality and harmful behavior. 🌟

CyberbullyingAwareness #RespectInFandom #HealthyDebate

[overwatch-for-men]

Coming out as trans

these are hcs for the reader coming out as trans to a few of the boys. since im a somewhat closeted trasnmasc this is kinda just a little something for me lol <3

Pairings:

genji x reader

hanzo x reader

cole x reader

gabriel x reader

Coming out to Genji

being bisexual/romantic, genji could automatically sense you were hiding your identity.

so during the first few months of your relationship he rarely called you his girlfriend and instead called you his partner, trying to skate around calling your a girl when you obviously weren’t.

when you came out to him he wasn’t surprised at all

he made the switch right away, although still accidentally calling you his partner out of habit.

if you don’t want anyone to know about your identity just yet he’ll continue to call you his partner/spouse until you give the all clear

if someone misgenders you he’ll correct them somewhat politely.

but if they continue to do it he’ll slowly get more passive aggressive and condescending

Coming out to Hanzo

poor boyo is confused, give him a moment

he’s not homophonic he’s just confused on why you entrusted him with this information.

he’s still on his “im the literal worst thing with sentience in this universe” bs so you gotta assure him that you chose to tell him this instead of it being a slip of the tongue

his gaydar isn’t as strong as his brother’s despite being more attracted to men than women

if you don’t want people knowing just yet he’ll refer to you with gender neutral titles, just like his brother

nobody dares misgender you when hanzo is around <3

Coming out to Cole

to me, cole is a very “go with the flow” kind of person

so he’d adapt the easiest out of anyone

always preferred to call you things like “honeybun” or “pumpkin” so it’s not really a big adjustment for him anyway

that also makes it easier if you don’t want the world to know about the real you just yet

if anyone dared to harass you, all it’d take was for him to show his face to send ‘em running

ain’t nobody messing with this cowboy’s boyfriend

Coming out to Gabriel

since gabe is the leader of talon, he doesn’t really have time to do trivial things outside of the days he’s taken off of work for date nights.

you have to tell him that you wanted to stay at home for your date night because you wanted to tell him something important

he could tell it was something that was troubling you so he asked if you’d be comfortable telling him then

if you decide to tell him then, it would be nerve racking considering you couldn’t gauge his reaction under the mask

he asked how long you had been feeling this way and that you should have told him sooner

he’d feel bad for blindly misgendering you if you’ve been feeling this way for a while

being a terrorist and all, he’s not really able to be in public without a decent disguise so that helps if you don’t want anyone but him knowing for the time being

but if you’re comfortable with other people knowing, he’ll bluntly correct people when you come up in passing conversation

any agent that didn’t respect you would never be seen again

[jaimebluesq]

always found it interesting that despite the fact he clearly wants the sect to remain in the family, nie mingjue literally never made any attempts at continuing his bloodline, foisting it off on huaisang instead along with the sect leader title. what if it was he couldn't have had kids even if he wanted to, because taking up baxia too early caused him to become sterile? and admitting as much would have been too humiliating? anyway, brotherly scene where he's forced to come clean about it, and whether it ends in a decision to adopt or huaisang agreeing to take up a political marriage in the future just for heirs or whatever is up to you.

Oh Anon, you have no idea how close this idea is to my heart because of my own life experiences. I love that you came up with it, and thank you for sending it to me... now let’s see if I can do it justice.

~ ~ ~

Nie Huaisang stood outside his brother’s office, his hands twisting upon his closed fan. He’d been anxious for days, trying to figure out how to broach a particularly sensitive topic with his brother – had practised with both Nie Zonghui and Jin Guangyao to try and get his words just right. Oh, it was something he’d tried asking many times before, but his brother had always brushed him off and directed him to the training field for saber practice.

Not today. Today, he would get an answer whether his brother liked it or not.

Before he could talk himself out of it, he knocked on the door and entered when his brother called out. He was careful to close the door behind himself before approaching his brother’s desk.

“What is it?” Nie Mingjue asked tiredly, his fingers rubbing at his temple. “Isn’t it time for-”

“Saber practice was this morning,” he replied, “and I actually attended today.” He’d attended only to leave one less thing to anger his brother on the day he came to seek answers – though Nie Mingjue’s fatigue made him wonder if he should have chosen a different day. But then, his brother looked tired most days since the end of the war.

“If you’re asking about-”

“Da-ge?” He waited until his brother finally looked up at him. “I... wanted to talk to you. About something important.”

Nie Mingjue looked him over, then picked up his papers and set them aside. He sat back in his chair, hands on the arms and fingers drumming along the cherry wood, waiting for Nie Huaisang to speak.

The first thing Nie Huaisang did was sit down to face his brother. “I heard from Zonghui that you received a request for an alliance from Yao-zongzhu,” he began, wanting to ease into the subject he wanted to address.

His brother sniffed. “He’s trying to pawn off his sister to anyone who’ll have her, all to tie himself to one of the great sects. I’ve no desire to ally with the Yao.”

“But what about the He,” Nie Huaisang prodded. “Or the Lan – Er-ge told me he has a younger cousin that’s quite lovely and kind and would make a wonderful furen. Or the Jiang – I know Jiang-xiong doesn’t have any blood relatives, but he has some promising lady disciples that would-”

“We don’t need another alliance,” Nie Mingjue ground out through gritted teeth. “Is that why you’re here? To harass me about getting married? Leave it alone – it’s none of your business.”

It was the same answer he had given Nie Huaisang before – but it was one he could no longer accept.

“But Da-ge... it is my business,” he said with a shaky voice that grew stronger with every word he spoke. “It’s my business because this is the reason I’m your heir, and I have the right to know why.”

Nie Mingjue narrowed his eyes, his face turning dark. “If this is just another argument to get out of saber practice-”

“I don’t want this!” Nie Huaisang’s voice broke mid-sentence. He tightened his grip on his fan. “I don’t want to be sect leader one day, you know this. And the Elders don’t want me either – you’ve heard what they say about me when my back is turned.”

“If you would only practice your saber more-”

“It won’t do a thing, Da-ge, because I’m not meant for this!” He took in a shaky breath. “Please, Da-ge, don’t make me do this anymore. You, me, the sect, we all deserve better, don’t we? Please don’t tell me you genuinely think me being heir is the best thing for Qinghe Nie?”

“This sect must be led by a member of our family’s main line,” Nie Mingjue insisted.

“Then why haven’t you started a family to inherit the sect?”

“Because I can’t!!!”

Nie Huaisang felt glued to his seat. There was something in the tone of his brother’s voice... it wasn’t anger, not just anger, but it was painful to hear. And then his brother’s shoulders dropped and he brought a hand to rub at his temple, and Nie Huaisang could have sworn he saw a glint of wetness in his brother’s eyes.

“I can’t,” Nie Mingjue repeated, slower and a little calmer.

When Nie Mingjue looked up, their eyes met. The two of them breathed heavily for several moments, broken only when Nie Mingjue picked up a document and threw it across the room. Nie Huaisang heard a rattling nearby; he glanced over to where Baxia trembled lightly in her stand.

“When one of us becomes sect leader,” Nie Mingjue explained, “there are many different rituals and sect secrets we learn from the Elders and other sect officials. And one of the very first things they tell us is that we need to work immediately on birthing an heir. Because our lives are so short, and one never knows when we’ll be taken out by a Yao or a qi deviation, or some tyrannical sect leader who doesn’t like being opposed.”

Nie Huaisang swallowed hard. His brother had only been fifteen when their father had died... he couldn’t imagine being told he had to become a father when he was only fifteen.

“None of the other sects helped me try to bring evidence against Wen Ruohan for what he did to A-Die, and I certainly wasn’t going to ally with any of them.” Nie Mingjue grimaced. “It was suggested to me that we find someone outside the sect, someone completely apart from the cultivation world, who wouldn’t have known enough to vie for power. I... I had no idea what to do, who to look for. All I’d ever done before was train, and when I did have tender thoughts, they weren’t about the girls they brought before me.”

This didn’t surprise Nie Huaisang – he’d seen the looks exchanged between Nie Mingjue and his ‘sworn brothers’. He nodded.

“So we finally settled on someone to try with,” Nie Mingjue continued. His voice already sounded lighter than when he had first begun explaining, and Nie Huaisang wondered if his brother had ever told this story to anyone else before – if Er-ge and San-ge even knew. “She was kind, and patient. The agreement was that if she became with child, then we would officially bring her in as a concubine. But after a year of trying once a week, every week... nothing happened. And then the Elders insisted on trying with another woman because the problem ‘obviously’ wasn’t with Nie-zongzhu, and before I knew it, I had four women I didn’t want that I had to lay with, all to try and do my duty to my sect.”

By this point, Nie Mingjue was no longer looking at Nie Huaisang, but rather staring out the nearby window. A part of Nie Huaisang wanted to tell his brother to stop, to tell him he didn’t have to say anything more – but the other part of him really wanted to hear the answer, to understand what had gone wrong, both for his brother and himself.

“After another two, three years of nothing, the Elders called in a highly respected physician. He looked me over, did a few tests, and then the Elders discussed the results. And then they told me that I was a rare case – that training so aggressively from such a young age may have made me stronger than anyone else in our sect, but it also had the side-effect of rendering me... barren, so to speak.” He sighed. “We called off the women after paying them handsomely for their efforts, and we helped them find husbands who would honour them properly. And then I named you my heir permanently.”

Nie Huaisang’s shoulders felt heavy even as he tried to roll one of them back. “Why didn’t you tell me, Da-ge?” he asked softly.

Nie Mingjue snorted. “Your voice hadn’t even begun to change when all this happened. The only things you knew about such matters were from spring books – and yes, I know you’ve had them since you were twelve, I’m not an idiot. There was no way I was going to lay this on you.”

“I may have been young, but so were you.” Nie Huaisang tried to offer a smile when his brother finally faced him again. “And... this is something we’ve needed to discuss, for the good of our sect. After all, I’m not a boy anymore.”

“You’ll always be a boy,” Nie Mingjue countered with a wistful smile. “The tiniest little thing that Xiao-Niang brought out to me and told me to protect it for the rest of my life.”

“Da-ge,” Nie Huaisang whined, mostly to break the seriousness of the moment.

Nie Mingjue let out a chuckle. “Well, you know now.”

Nie Huaisang nodded. “And now we can figure out what to do about it.” His brother’s eyebrow lifted. “Because the way I see it, the moment you die – which you’re not allowed to do, by the way, not without my permission – this sect will immediately undergo a challenge to leadership, because there are far too many people who don’t see me as a proper leader. And quite frankly, they’re right. So... I’m presuming adopting is out of the question, or else you would have done it already...” As he spoke, he began counting off fingers from his hand.

“Ideally, the leadership would remain in the main family line,” Nie Mingjue explained tentatively.

“Well, I suppose that leaves us with only one option left,” he concluded with a nod to the growing confusion on his brother’s face. “The only question is, do we work to ally with another sect, or find someone outside the Jianghu? Because I don’t mind getting married or taking a concubine, but I do not want anything to do with Yao-zongzhu’s sister. Just because I enjoy pretty ladies does not mean I want a part of that mess>”

“You can’t be serious!” Nie Mingjue huffed. “You’re just a boy!”

“I’m the same age as Jin Zixuan,” he countered, “and he’s marrying Jiang-guniang in a few months.” He absently chewed on his bottom lip. “And just the other day in Lanling, I was chatting with Madame Qin – she is very much not in favour of Qin Su’s little crush on San-ge, by the way – and she was trying to encourage me to ask her to walk in the gardens. She is rather pretty, and-” He paused at the stare his brother gave him.

“You don’t have to do this,” Nie Mingjue sighed. “Just because I can’t do this, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your life like this.”

He met his brother’s gaze in a way he never would have done as a boy. “I’m a Nie,” he explained, “and we both know we have had to fulfill our duties to our sect. I know I can’t fulfill mine on the battlefield – I was never meant to be a soldier or even a cultivator – but I can do this.”

The corners of Nie Mingjue’s eyes crinkled, and he nodded. “Qin-zongzhu’s daughter does seem like a good choice,” he finally agreed, “but the girl is still enamoured with A-Yao no matter how he has tried to dissuade her.”

“Then I imagine San-ge would have a vested interest in helping her get over him,” he grinned, “don’t you think?” Nie Mingjue nodded. Nie Huaisang stood up and stretched out his back. “I’ll go write him a letter and see what he has to say, and we’ll go from there.” He began walking to the office door, but stopped at his brother’s voice.

“But for the record,” Nie Mingjue announced, his tone steady and strong, “you and the Elders are wrong. You might not be meant for the battlefield, but... a sect needs a different kind of leader in peace-time, and you would make a good one.”

Nie Huaisang swallowed through his suddenly tight throat. He made no sound, nothing to indicate he’d heard his brother’s words, and continued on his way out the door.

But his heart flooded with warmth at one of the few compliments he’d ever received from his brother.