#hes not salty towards them he wants to make their lives better

[astrowaffles]

Noone talks enough about gojo as a cycle breaker. He was canonically neglected by the gojo clan, who would spend a lot of money on him to make up for ignoring him. He was treated simply as a weapon by the adults in his life. We are purposefully told practically nothing about his family so that we can’t imagine him as a son, brother, cousin, uncle.

And yet, when he was put in the same situation as the adults, when he was given a “weapon” to train and prune, he chose a different way. He chose to save yuta and yuji and megumi and many others, and to train them to use their morals & empathy rather than abandon them.

Like. Gojo was fucked over by everyone SO MANY TIMES and instead of immediately killing everyone he chose to become a teacher. Like are you seeing this. This is fr.

[haydenlovers]

FemReader x Sam Monroe and Rodrick Heffley

18+ - smut, threesome (mmf), bukkake, oral (m and f), face riding, double penetration, multiple orgasms, creampie, safe word (established but not used), praises, slight degration if you squint your eyes, swearing, pet names (princess, baby, darling.)

Word count - 2.6k

Summary - Sam and Rodrick were best friends, who lived across the street from you. You had hooked up with them both previously at separate times. But things escalate when they both find out that they’ve fucked you.

Not proof read

Enjoy :)

After a long day you stood in the shower as the warm water hit your chest, and a feeling of relief came over you. You had called Sam and he was coming over so you guys could hook up. When suddenly you hear footsteps entering your bathroom. You stare through the foggy glass as two tall slim figures stand there. You rub your eyes. “Sam?” You say.

“Yes darling?” He replies

You pop your head out of the shower to see Rodrick standing next to Sam. Shock flew over your face as they both stood there with a smug look on their face.

“So what made you call Sam and not me.” Rodrick asks.

You didn’t know the answer to that and you just stared at him blankly.

“Because, princess I can show you good time, if not better then Sam.” He smirks.

Sam punches him in the shoulder “you wish.”

“Do you think you can handle both of us.” Rodrick smirks.

You nod without a second thought.

“Use your words baby.” Sam asserted.

“Yes.” You say.

They both are quick to undress. Revealing their long thick cocks, hard and dripping with pre cum. Sam was long and veiny, with a pink tinge to it. While Rodricks was slightly shorter but thicker. It wasn’t the first time you had seen them but it felt like it.

You open the shower door to reveal your body to them leaving them breathing heavier and filling their eyes with desire. They entered the shower before Sam’s lips quickly met yours, the kiss was passionate yet sloppy, his tongue scoping out your mouth exploring as much as he could. Slowly moving down to your neck where he sucked small hickies all over. Rodrick leaned in to kiss you as Sam continued marking up your neck. Your tongues fighting, and his winning dominance easily, as one hand rested in your hair and his other grabbing your ass. Both hands in each of their hair tugging ever so lightly, as Sam explored your body with his hands and started leaving hickies on your tits. As slowly rubbing your nipple between his fingers, while his tongue swirled around the other. The kiss with Rodrick becoming more aggressive and Sam’s touch becomes more desperate. Your knees felt weak and your pussy felt wet, when all of a sudden they both pull away making you wince at the loss of their touch.

“Your safe word is ‘flower.’ If at any time you want us to stop, we will.” Sam says

Rodrick nods in agreeance. “Ok.” You reply

“Get on your knees baby.” Sam demands.

You get on your knees ands the warm water runs past Sam and Rodrick and hits your chest making your nipples hard. You hum at the sight of their lengths being so close to your face.

“Open.” Rodrick says softly as he lifts up your chin and grabs the end of his member bringing towards your mouth. As you open your mouth he gently enters his tip as you swirl your tongue around him tasting the salty pre cum. He grabs a handful of hair and lightly pulls to help guide himself further into your mouth. Hitting the back of your throat causing tears to swell in your eyes as he dragged himself back and forth inside your drooling mouth. He groans at the sensation, he bites his lip as you look up at him.

He slowly pulls away leaving your mouth empty, as Sam steps closer and smirks at you. You open your mouth and get slowly slides his thick hard member into your mouth. He grabs the back of your head and without warning he shoves his cock to the back of your throat making you gag slightly. He rocks his hips back and forth as his cock continues to abuses the back of your throat. He looks down at you and whimpers “so fucking good.”

He removes himself from your mouth, as a small string of saliva followed his member. You were unsure of who to look at, your eyes were filled with desire as they towered over you. They reached their hands to their hard ons and started stroking ever so slowly, only inches away from your face. They increased their pace, causing them to whimper. You could feel your walls clench with nothing inside, leaving you feel empty. Wanting their touch so badly. Soft whimpers left their mouth more frequently, as their veiny hands ran up and down their cocks.

“I’m gonna cum.” Rodrick moans

“Me too.” Sam grunts

Your chest felt heavy and your pussy felt wet, as you saw their dicks twitch, you knew that they were close.

“Be a good girl and open your mouth.” Sam whimpers

You open your mouth and stick out your tongue as they pump faster, hot spurts of cum spill onto your face and into your mouth as Rodrick and Sam reach their climax. Your face dripping with hot cum from your cheeks to your tits, you swallow whatever landed in your tongue, licking your lips to get another taste of their salty seed.

Sam and Rodrick stood there both out of breath. Rodrick puts a hand out to help you up, to stand under the water to rinse the remaining cum still left on your face and chest.

“Why don’t you dry off and we’ll meet you in the bedroom.” Sam whispered

You nod and head off to your bedroom with your towel barely wrapped around you. Rodrick popped his head out of the shower before saying “oh and don’t bother putting on any clothes, you won’t be needing any.”

You blush at his statement and go sit on the end of your bed fiddling with your hands as you wait for them to come out. You hear the shower stop, and footsteps approaching your bedroom. They enter with a towel wrapped around their waist showing each of their prominent v lines and happy trails leading down to the bulge below.

“Lay down baby.” Sam says as both of the boys drop their towels.

Sam comes closer to you and leaning in to kiss you. As his hands trails down your towel to find an entrance before opening it and revealing your nude body. He pulls away to look you up and down before Rodrick moves onto the bed as he rests beside you and kisses you passionately. His tongue explores your mouth, as his hands rest on your waist caressing your skin softly, while you run your fingers through his hair tugging causing his breathing to become heavier. You feel hands run up your thighs spreading your legs apart, and see that Sam is face to face with your pussy. He slowly kisses your inner thighs getting closer to your folds, as you can feel his hot breath brush against your clit. Your breathing became heavier as and the kiss with Rodrick becomes more aggressive as your tongue tries to fight for dominance. Sam licked a stripe up your folds, causing you to let out a soft whimper. He placed a gentle kiss on your clit before circling it with his tongue, and sucking it gently. Moving in such slow motions teasing you, and making you squirm. He wraps his arms under thighs to stop you moving so much. It became harder to concentrate on kissing Rodrick as Sam teased your soaking pussy. Sam pulls away without a word.

“No, please don’t stop.” You beg

Without another second his face dives back into your pussy as he starts to devour you. It was like this man was starved, and the only thing that he wanted was your pussy. Rodrick smirks at your reaction as you arch your back while Sam continues to eat you out. Rodrick nibbles at your jaw and moves down to your neck leaving more marks as he gently sucks your skin. Sam’s tongue moving faster around your clit, he slips one finger in your entrance curling it teasingly. Rodrick cupped your tit thumbing your nipple, while he sucked on the other. Sam slipped another finger in curling it in the perfect place, you grabbed Sam’s hair harshly causing him to groan against you. Pleasure coursed throughout your body as his tongue swirled around your clit, while wet sounds and moans filled the room. Tension started to built in your stomach, as Sam added another finger, causing you to arch your back. Rodrick continued marking up your tits, leaving love bites all over going back and forth between each of your nipples sucking on them harshly, making them hard. Moans left your mouth as you felt your stomach become tight.

“Fuck! I’m gonna cum.” You moan

“That’s it baby cum on his face.” Rodrick says.

You reach your climax as your juices spill out onto Sam’s face, trying to catch your breath. He pulled his fingers from your entrance and licked then clean humming at the taste of you. Rodrick sat up and lifted you onto his lap, he laid down and placed his hands on your hips grasping them firmly. While Sam moved and sat behind Rodrick looking you up and down with desperation.

“I want you to ride my face.” Rodrick pleas

“I-“

“Full body weight I want to feel your pussy grinding on my face till you cum.” Rodrick interrupts.

You comply and move up so your pussy is hovering over his face. You can feel his breathing become more rapid as you lower yourself down, putting your full body weight on him as you face Sam. Rodricks hands rest on your ass, rubbing his thumbs gently to feel your soft skin. Sam placed his hands on your waist guiding you.

“Come on baby. Ride his face.” Sam demands

He moves your hips in a slow back and forth motion as your clit brushes against Rodrick’s nose. Slowly picking up the pace as you feel Rodrick tonguing your entrance, and groaning as it sends vibration up your whole body. Sam continues to move your hips as he leans in and kisses your neck, moving up to your mouth. He lightly bit your lip and you moan at the sensation. Now pacing faster and faster as you ride Rodrick’s face. Causing you to whimper and moan into Sam’s mouth as his tongue explored your mouth, you could taste yourself on him. Rodricks breath hitting your wet pussy, as you dripped all over his face. His face as the perfect seat. As his nose hit your clit in the right place causing your orgasm to built up quickly. The familiar feeling in your stomach caused you to, squeeze your thighs against Rodrick’s face as you became closer to your climax. Your movement became faster and moans became louder. The squelching sound of your pussy against his face causing him to moan.

“You doing so good.” Sam says in your mouth. His hands still rested your hips encouraging you. The tension released as you reach your climax and your cum spilling onto Rodrick face. You sat still for a second to gather your thoughts, slowly hopping up to see Rodrick’s face dripping in your slick, and just sitting down beside him.

“You did so good.” Rodrick praises

You and Rodrick trying catching your breath as Sam asks “Do you think you can come on more time for us.”

“Yes.” You say still out of breath.

“How do you want it.” He asks

“I want to take both of you at the same time.” You pry. Desire fills your eyes, and your body feels hot.

“Come on then.” Rodrick still lays beside you, hinting for you to sit on his cock. You face backwards hovering above Rodrick hard dick. He gathers some of your slick, putting it into your asshole. He lathers some lube onto his member, before grabbing your hips to line you up and lowing you down onto his cock, as soft moans left you mouth as each inch slowly filled you up, stretching out your tight ass. Rodrick pulled your waist back hinting at you to lay down. You followed and layer down resting your head in the nudge of his shoulder, he placed a gently kiss your head. Placing his hands on your hips, moving them towards your thighs to open them up. Sam comes forward and hovers over you and placed a kiss on your forehead.

“Just let us know if it’s too much, alright?” Sam assures

You nod.

“Use your words darling.” Rodrick whispers

“Alright.” You say

He lines himself up with your entrance, and slowly pushes his tip in. Moaning at the sensation as each inch made you feel more and more full. Until his cock was fully submerged in your soaking pussy, giving you a moment to adjust to the fullness of both other big cocks inside you.

“Let us know when you’re ready baby.” Sam exclaims

“I’m ready.” You say.

Sam starts thrusting slowly only dragging a small amount of inches in and out, before picking up the pace and making his thrusts deeper and harder. Rodrick thrusts from under neath you causing friction to arise. You had never felt so full, Sam fat cock brushed against your cervix. His motion becoming faster making you moan. The sounds of skin slapping, moans, and the sound of your wet pussy filled the room. Your fingers wrapped in Sam’s hair, pulling as he went deeper. Aggression started to built as each of their thrusts synced and became harder. Rodrick whimpering in your ear as Sam groaned while thrusting into you. You to arched your back. Sam’s groans became louder, as Rodricks whimpers became more intense. The sound you were all making was borderline pornographic. You could feel every inch of them hitting the right spot, your walls clenching around them, making you moaning mess. Your orgasm already building up.

“Fuck- feel so fucking good.” Rodrick whimpers

“Taking us so well baby.” Sam moans

You swear could have come from those words alone. Their thrusts in sync, abusing your sopping cunt and tight ass. Rodrick hands gripping your hips firmly causes them to bruise slightly. Pulling you up and slamming you back down as he thrusted into you so his cock was buried deep inside you. Sam’s hands resting on your waist, making sure your back was arched so he could get as deep as possible.

“M’gonna come.” You moan

“That’s it baby come.” Sam says

The build up and tension in your some arose quickly, your breathing becoming heavier and moans becoming louder. Your legs shaking at the anticipation, as Sam and Rodrick continued stuffing you.

“Fuck I’m getting close.” Rodrick groaned

You could feel their dicks twitching inside you, as your orgasm took over and pleasure coursed throughout your whole body and slick spilled onto Sam’s cock. Rodrick moans as he fills your ass up with his hot seed. Sam following as his cum spills out of your pussy as you come down from your climax. Sam keeps his dick in its place for a moment before pulling it out to reveal your swollen pussy leaking.

“Look so pretty.” Sam says looking at your juices mixed oozing out of your cunt. Rodrick lifting you up to remove himself, as his cum seeped out. He laid to the other side of you, placing a gentle kiss on your lips. “You did so good for us.” He whispers

Sam faces you and places a kiss your lips, trying to sneakily slip his tongue in. “Took us so well.” He smiled “why don’t we go get you cleaned up.”

You smiled simply not knowing what to say about what just happened.

Please let me know what you think. I don’t write smut often so I hope you like it :)

I also didn’t know how to end it, so I’m so sorry

[moni-logues]

Haircut

Pairing: Boxer!JK x reader

Genre: pwp/smut but honestly it ends kind of cute uwu

Summary: Watching Jungkook work out, coupled with that new haircut, gets you so hot and bothered, you don't make it home before you have to do something about it

Word count: 2.5k

Content: car sex therefore sort of semi-public but they aren't seen, unprotected sex

A/N: so.... JK's live sent me insane and Jess said 'Thirteen Rounds drabble?' and now here we are. You don't actually have to have read Thirteen Rounds to read this but, honestly, I'd recommend it because I actually think it is quite good lmao. Y'all have this little bastard to thank for all of it 😂😂😂 and yes that is the picture I've chosen and I'm sticking with it!!!!!1

You leant on the doorframe, watching Jungkook train, still not over the novelty of being able to. 

After a lot of soul-searching and debating and to-ing and fro-ing, he had decided to part ways with his now-former coach (you cheered only inwardly because you knew how hard a decision it had been for him). You liked his new coach; his new coach liked you. His new coach let you inside the gym; his new coach let you sit in on training.  

You knew as well as JK did (and much better than his new coach did) that you would be a distraction if you sat and watched a whole session but sometimes you liked to show up just a little early when picking him up.  

You watched him from the door as he grunted and whined his way through another set of inchworms. He looked about ready to collapse when his coach asked him for one more. He cried out and you giggled to yourself as he nevertheless walked forwards on his hands into a plank, panting noisily, groaning as he pushed himself back towards his toes. His T-shirt long abandoned at the side of the room, he was glistening with sweat, his muscles rippling as he worked. You couldn’t not think about his hand around your neck, the salty zing of his sweat when you kissed his skin, all those noises he was making now but making them only for you, only in the effort of fucking you like you wanted, like you needed. Like, he said, you deserved. 

It gave you pause sometimes, how much, how badly you wanted him. Still. All the time. Your friends thought you were crazy, a horndog outlier on the normal distribution of sexual appetite which you had to admit seemed true, but you hadn’t been that way until you’d met Jungkook. No one had ever wanted you like he did, as much, as badly, as all the time as he did. He was all-in from day one. That’s just who he was: he gave all of himself to everything that he did; everything meant everything to him; he was burning up, all day and all night, an eternal fire of keen passion, of relentless energy, of an unstoppable drive.  

And the way he fucked you. You couldn’t say no. Couldn’t turn it down. Couldn’t live without it. It was months ago now, that month off, that painfully long stretch of time without him, and you still felt like you were making up for it.  

His coach finally told him it was over, he was finished, and he collapsed in a sweaty heap on the floor. He rolled onto his back, starfishing, his chest heaving, his hair in his face. It looked different. You knew he was getting it cut before training (a decision that made no sense to you, since it was now, already, dirty with sweat and whatever grime it was picking up from the floor). You couldn’t quite tell what it was going to look like. 

He’d been growing it out. It was the longest you’d ever seen it. You liked it. Liked to run your fingers through it when you were trying to get to sleep at night. Liked to wrap it around your fingers when his head was between your legs. He liked that, too.  

As he sat up, his back to you, you were relieved that he hadn’t taken any length off. That relief evaporated in an instant when, having put his T-shirt back on, he turned around and you saw what he had done. 

“Oh, fuck,” you whispered to yourself, swallowing hard.  

Jungkook’s eyes widened when he saw you. 

“Baby!” he cried, his arms thrown wide as he approached.  

He wrapped you in a sweaty hug, holding you as tight as he could, rubbing his sweaty head over yours. 

“Ew, stop it! Stop it!”  

You swatted at him and he giggled, pulling back but not letting you go.  

“You love it.” 

You could only nod as you reached a hand up to brush over his hair, the front cut short above his eyes. He closed them and scrunched his nose; you saw a tiny blush creep onto his cheeks and you wanted to scream with how badly it made you want him, right there, right that second. 

“Do you like it?” he asked.  

“I-” you started and had to stop, clear your throat, tell your heart to slow its roll for a second. “Yes, Kookie, I like it. I like it a lot.”  

You raised your eyebrows and bit your lip.  

“You do?”  

You had to look away, take a momentary break from his huge, sparkling, puppy-dog eyes, from his little hopeful smile and, fuck, that haircut. You tightened your grip on his shoulders. 

“Yes, Jungkook, I do and if you don’t let me take you home right this second and show you how much I like it, I might literally die.”  

He trailed a hand up your side, a sneaking smirk on his face. 

“Is that right? You like it that much, huh?” 

“Yes, now let’s go.” 

He laughed and walked back for his bag, taking his sweet time, walking as slowly as he could, stopping to tie his shoelace. 

“Jungkook!”  

* * * 

You sat at a red light, grateful that it was late, that it was dark, that people couldn’t see you, flushed and antsy, fidgeting in your seat as you tried not to break every single speed limit on your way home.  

Jungkook was not helping. He hummed along with the radio with his hand on your thigh. Mostly just resting there, occasionally letting his fingers wander higher and higher. You wished you had worn jeans, or something thicker than leggings, so that when he gently dragged a finger over your aching core, you wouldn’t feel it so much, it wouldn’t make you squirm in your seat, your mouth wouldn’t drop open in a silent gasp, your clit wouldn’t throb.  

“Jungkook,” you breathed. 

“Yes, baby?” he replied, looking like butter wouldn’t melt. 

“I mean it. I am literally going to die if you keep teasing me like this.” 

Jungkook removed his hand from your crotch and hummed thoughtfully. He brought up the navigation on the screen and started punching in an address. 

“Just follow this,” he said when he’d finished.  

You’d have done anything he asked you at that point. The streets were familiar to you, but you couldn’t work out why Jungkook was taking you here. You pulled into the empty car park of a retail estate, the shops all closed hours ago, lights off.  

“You have reached your destination,” intoned the satnav. 

“Um, this is a car park.” 

“Yeah, my love, go over there.” 

He pointed towards a dark corner, where the streetlights didn’t quite reach. You manoeuvred the car into the space, put it into park, and turned the engine off. Jungkook unclipped your seatbelt as he unclipped his own and then he barrelled into the backseat. He patted his lap. 

“Come here, you.”  

Sex in the car wasn’t exactly what you’d had in mind but any inhibitions you might have had, any hesitations about fucking somewhere so public, where anyone could see were drowned out by the desperation you felt, the desire bordering on hysterical. You might have got out and fucked him against a shop window if you’d had to. But you were glad you didn’t have to. 

You straddled Jungkook and took his face in your hands, not wasting a second more. You crashed your lips together and the spark ignited. You rolled your hips over his and gasped to feel him already hard beneath his trousers. He took the opportunity to slip his tongue in your open mouth, moaning as his hands disappeared inside your T-shirt. You were hot all over, shivering under his touch. He unclasped your bra and you ripped your top off, letting your bra fall with it. When he dipped his head to suck your nipple into his mouth, you whined, dizzy with need, shaking with it, your hips still rocking against his clothed length. It had been twelve hours since he was last there, beneath you, on top of you, inside you, but that might as well have been a lifetime. Your need eclipsed everything else. You weren’t thinking with your cunt; you weren’t thinking at all. You were aching, wanting, lusting, dripping. You were a siren screaming Jungkook’s name, wailing into the dark night for him and him alone.  

“I need you, Kookie- fuck. Please. Fuck me.”  

He hooked his fingers around the waistband of your leggings and tugged them down. You separated so you could pull them all the way off, so Jungkook could lift his hips and remove his trousers and boxers. You pushed him backwards, so he was lying on the backseat, and climbed back on. You took his cock, all heavy-heat and velvet-rigidity, leaking already—how much, how badly he always wanted you—and slid yourself along it, your arousal sticky-sweet and all over. He was coated in your juices, slick as you wrapped your hand around him and settled yourself over him, lodging the tip in your entrance.  

Jungkooked hissed as you lowered yourself, his hands gripping your hips, his mouth falling open as you took him in, every inch. You sat, him full inside you, this pressure and pleasure spreading, aching in your cunt and your clit, your hips and your thighs, too. You couldn’t bear to move, didn’t want to lose this feeling, didn’t want the emptiness to return even for a second.  

“You ok, baby?” he asked, tipping his head to look at you, cocking it to the side. 

You nodded, eyes closed, one hand ghosting over your clit, not really touching, not really not.  

“Yeah,” you breathed. “I just want to stay like this for a bit.” 

“Ok.” 

He ran his hands down your thighs, back up to your hips, and you luxuriated in it. How he fit you, stretched you, felt made for you. The radiating heat and stickiness of his dried-sweat skin. The softness of his touch. The things he whispered to you, how you felt so good, how much he loved you, loved to fuck you. When he moved your hand aside and pressed his thumb against your clit, you jerked, the direct pressure suddenly too much when you had been craving it for so long.  He lifted his thumb away and then returned it, slowly, gently, rubbing circles over you.  

You cursed and tipped your head back, looking skyward, as you felt everything in you pull together, the tension white-hot, the pleasure barbed, the heat bubbling and roaring. Your hips began to move, your clit chasing his touch, your cunt fluttering around his cock. Jungkook groaned and he gripped your hip with one hand, stilling you so he could take over. He braced himself carefully, one foot on the seat, one on the floor, and directed you upwards, the drag of his dick against your walls enough to make you whine. Then he held you there, his tip still clutched inside, and began to thrust, hard and fast.  

You scrabbled at the ceiling of the car for purchase, weak suddenly as he fucked into you; where he found the strength, you’d never know. He had not twenty minutes ago been collapsed on the gym floor; you knew you’d be collapsing soon if you couldn’t find something to grip, something to hold your body up. Jungkook pushed harder with his thumb, rubbing rougher circles now and you fell forward with a quiet cry, leaning heavily on his chest. He huffed and paused and you tried to catch your breath. 

“Don’t stop, please.”  

He chuckled breathlessly and held still, lazily tracing your nipple with his finger. You whined. 

“Please. I’m literally begging you, Kookie. Don’t be mean.”  

He didn’t answer except to slam into you, once, hard. Then he dragged himself slowly out and did it again. The new angle had him squeezing tight past your g-spot with every thrust. It had you seeing stars. It had you digging your nails into his shoulders. He kept at it, torturously slow, and you were begging, again, pleading with him for more. 

“Kookie,” you cried, using all your strength to lift yourself up to look in his eyes.  

They were black, sparkling, a galaxy of mischief as he sucked his lip ring into mouth and bit his bottom lip. You clenched tight as he dragged himself out and the smirk tugging at his lips fell, faltering. He whimpered softly, accidentally. 

“See, Kookie? You want it, too. Please. Please. More. I need more. Oh- Fuck, please.”  

Your fingers twisted around the hair at the nape of his neck and you tugged as your face fell into the crook of his neck. You pressed your lips against his salty skin, dragged your tongue up the column of his neck and felt him shiver beneath you. He groaned and then gripped you hard with both of his hands on your hips. He sped up. Faster and harder. Pistoning into you with gasping grunts of effort, his jaw tight, his hair sticking to his forehead. Yeses tumbled from your mouth. Yes and thank you and words that were no longer words, little moaned vowels and consonants stuck in your throat. 

You slipped a hand between your bodies and picked up where Jungkook left off. Your cunt spasmed at the lightest touch on your clit and Jungkook’s grunt was broken and high-pitched as you squeezed him, vice-tight and slippery. Words and breath all strangled, tangled up in pleasure as you began to shake all over, Jungkook crying out loud, your name over and over again, how good you felt, how good you were, how close he was.  

A rush of heat and gush of arousal. A twitching trembling in your legs. A shaking stuttering in your heart. A screaming, careening ecstasy. Rapture.  

A numb, tingling weakness after a fusion of strength and force. A warm body, yours; a warm body, his. The ratatat-tat of your hearts against each other. The ocean rush of your breath, heaving, panting, gasping.  

“So you really like my new haircut, huh, baby?” 

You whined, feeling boneless and shivery but hot all over. You reached one hand up with a groan and tugged at a forelock.  

“It’s dangerous, my little oreo. You are dangerously fucking sexy. I don’t know how we’re going to get home. I don’t even know how I’m going to get dressed. I can’t feel my legs.”  

Jungkook kissed the top of your head and pulled his hands under his head with a satisfied sigh. He used to think you’d get tired of him, sick of him. Because everyone else did. No one could ever keep up, no one ever wanted anything as much as he did. Too much. He knew it was too much—he was too much. For everyone. They told him to stop and calm down and get over things, tone it down a little, take a breather. But not you. He was never too much for you. You always met him there. You kept wanting him, so much, so badly, even after all this time. He was never too much, for the first time in his life.  

[darlingsfandom]

Would you write a dark!Tommy (or just mean asshole Tommy) fingering a hesitant innocent!reader in the car after giving her a ride home? Perhaps you can think of the specifics?

You got it my friend 💕

TW: Mean Thomas, boot licking, squirting, swearing, power balance abuse, knife play!

It was not the first time, second or even third time that Thomas Shelby had given you a ride back home. He’s been giving you a ride home when you wanted to go back to see your family. You were his live in maid. You weren’t the only maid but you were his favorite. You knew your place, you always addressed him as “Mr.Shelby” or “Sir”, you never talked back, you were the perfect good girl.

You had planned on seeing your family the weekend before but with your brother falling ill and The Shelby’s had a party the night before it didn’t work in your favor, which is why you’re sitting in his car during a down pour making it impossible to even see.

“Ya really couldn’t have waited to see your family until next weekend?” His lips curled into a snarl.

“I’m sorry Mr.Shelby, I did want to see them last weekend but with Daren falling ill, I didn’t want to risk bringing that back here.” Your voice was small as you shrunk the best you could in the seat. Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose before looking at you.

“Did ya even check the weather before we left?”

“I did sir, that’s why I asked you to leaver earlier but you didn’t listen …” you quickly put your hand over your mouth as your eyes went wide: You just talked back to Thomas Shelby! Before you could apologize the back of his hand had met your cheek.

“Are you fucking stupid? Who do you think are you talking to me like that? I could kill you right here right now! “ he gripped you by your chin and yanked you towards him as the sound of the rain pounding on the car echoed outside. “But I won’t.” His eyes were dark with lust and anger making you swallow the lump in your throat because you knew he was right, he could kill you! He could change his mind. He shoved you back in your seat before searching his pocket.

Your heart was about to burst out of your chest. Thomas sat there searching. You had the chance to run, yes the weather held you back or say you’re blaming that but part of you knew it would be worse to run. Thomas pulled out his pocket knife and smirked as he pointed it at you. “You’re going to learn your place.” He leaned over and dragged the cold metal against your collar bone making you shiver.

“Yes… Mr.Shelby.” You gulped before he pointed the knife at the back seat.

“Go on, get back there.” He lashed out before you did as told. You were quickly sat in the back seat with your hands in your lap as he double checked that the car was in park before climbing in the back with you. His closeness felt like he was right on top of you making you cry softly.

“Why are you crying?” His voice seemed sweet yet you knew better than to fall for that.

“Please Mr. Shelby.. I don’t want to die!” You cried out and his hand met your face again making you stop from the shock.

“How can a pretty thing like you be so stupid?! Answer me that? Hmm, I’m not going to kill you. I’ve told you that.” He reached up and gripped your hair giving it a hard yank and pulled you down. “Lick my boot!”

“What?” You babbled out.

“You need to show me how sorry you are! Lick my fucking boot! Or are you too stupid to follow simple tasks ?” He arched his foot upwards to you as you sniffled. You looked up at him with softened eyes as your tongue ran slowly over the salty leather. A soft whimper left your lips as Thomas watched you while keeping the knife pointed at you.

“See I knew you could be a good girl like you usually are. Keep licking my expensive boot!” He chuckled at you as you desperately licked the leather. He watched in lustful amazement as you obeyed him. You could feel your wetness pooling in your panties even though it was degrading you enjoyed it .

“Get back up here.” His hand wrapped into your hair and yanked your head back while you got back onto the seat. His lips were curved into an evil smirk as his hand rested on your thigh. Both of you sat quietly until he grabbed your leg and put it on his lap to spread you open. He hiked up the bottom of your dress until it was bunched up around your waits exposing the wet spot on your white panties to him.

“Look at that. Did licking my boot really turn you on? Or are you dumb little girl who gets off being ordered around by powerful men? Hmm is that what it is?” Thomas ran the knife along your plushy thighs making your breath hitch. He watched how you reacted as the knife ran up and down your soft skin until he pulled on the side of your panties and cut them off in a snap! You gasped as the cool air blew on your wet cunt.

“Look at you.” He held your panties in his hand before shoving them in your mouth. “Not a word out of you.” His fingers ran over your folds slowly at first. You held back every moan in your body.

Thomas moved closer and slid his index finger all the way into you. You wiggled below him trying to push him away until you felt the sharp sting on the knife on your inner thigh making you cry out against the fabric in your mouth.

“This tight little cunt is MINE!” He snarled at you. “And I’ll do with it as I please.” You couldn’t disobey again. The blood trickled down your thighs as he worked his index finger inside of you making you cry softly.

“It’s such nice little cunt too! Can’t lie to you sweetie, thought about fucking you a lot.” You knew it was wrong to get more aroused as he fingered you. He’s your boss! He could kill you, he already cut you what could he do now? You had to let your body give in and you did. Thomas slid another finger in you making you whine which was music to his ears.

“Good girl! There’s my good girl. So obedient. Taking my fingers like a good whore! Nicest fucking pussy for a whore.” He kissed along your ear and jaw line while twisting his fingers inside of you. He watched how your face scrunched together while he fingered your cunt harder.

You looked at him with pleading eyes. He felt bad for a split second then continued to finger you. Thomas pulled your panties out of your mouth and shoved them into his pocket as fast as he could. “Tell me how good it feels.”

“Mr.. Shelby !! I… it feels good! Fuck !” You whined loudly as he shoved his fingers deep inside so his palm cuffed the top of your pussy and fingered you as hard as he possibly could. “Oh my god ! Mr. Shelby stop! Stop please!”

“Now why would I stop when you’re being such a good whore for me!”

“No please! It will be messy!” You pleaded but that only inflated his ego. He worked his fingers as fast as he could until you couldn’t hold back and gushed all over the back of his seat.

“MR.SHELBY!” You cried out as your squirt covered your thighs, his hand, the back seat of his car and a bit on his trousers.

“What a dirty whore!” He smirked at you as he pulled his fingers back and licked them clean. You laid there quietly catching your breath as he put your leg back and pulled down your dress.

“Change of plans, you’re coming back home with me this weekend. Don’t argue with me or you’ll have more than just that cut, got it?” He forced you to look into his eyes and you nodded as he kissed your head.

“I knew you were a good girl. Now clean up your mess.” He pointed to his trousers and pulled you back down by your hair. You knew he could be rough, never this rough but part of you craved more than just his fingers .

[whumpsday]

Kane & Jim AU: Mermay Special

Chronological masterlist / Writing order masterlist

content: mer/vampire whumper, mer/vampire whumpee, whumper-turned-whumpee, dehydration, claustrophobia, starvation, torture, brief death wish, recovery, caretaking

have something special for mermay :) inspired by this fanart my friend lostie drew 2 years ago!!

-

It hadn’t rained in a week, Jim’s freshwater had run out the day before, and he was going to die.

He knew he was going to die. Kane would come back to feed, and his body wouldn’t be able to hold up anymore, and he would die. Either with Kane’s jaws clamped around him, or later, alone in the damp cold sand.

He wasn’t thirsty enough to be desperate yet, not desperate enough to drink the abundant saltwater taunting him from his prison’s little beach. He knew it would only make him die faster. It was poison.

It hardly mattered at this point. Months with no rescue likely meant no rescue at all, and this was hardly a life. Still, something cried out in him, wanting to live.

Jim scrambled against the rock as he saw that telltale fin start to poke out of the water, more and more until the vampire revealed himself in full, the head and torso of a man and the tail-end of a shark. Not that there was anywhere for Jim to use his worthless legs to run to.

“Food.” Kane slung half a seal onto the surface, raw yet unbloodied.

Jim cautiously crept forward. “I need water.”

Kane raised an eyebrow at him, then splashed him, leaving him soaked.

“Fresh water,” he pressed, pointing up to the clear sky. “Rainwater. I need it or I’ll die. Please, just take me back to the beach, any beach where there’s humans. I won’t be any use to you dead. You’re not some animal, you know this isn’t right, please!”

“Human mine,” Kane dismissed firmly.

Jim sobbed drily. “I can’t. I can’t. You’re going to kill me.”

“Eat.” Kane shoved the meat toward him, making him flinch back. “Then I eat.”

Jim looked to the sky, Kane’s hungry eyes never leaving him as he devoured the vampire’s leftovers. If it didn’t rain tomorrow, he wouldn’t make it another day.

“Human.” Kane gestured him forward as soon as he finished.

“No, no, I don’t want to!” Jim backed up to the rock again, even knowing it was useless.

Kane huffed, climbing up onto the sand. “Food,” he called him now, a warning tone to his voice, piercing red eyes growing angry.

“Stop,” Jim insisted, squeezing his eyes shut. “No!”

A clawed hand grabbed his leg, any attempt to kick him away futile. He couldn’t match a vampire’s strength on his best day, and this was not his best day.

He cried out as sharp teeth dug into flesh once again, feeling much like the seal in his stomach.

-

Kane whined softly, squirming against the glass.

The fishers had put him in a smaller tank again. He couldn’t be sure–though he learned more of their language every awful day, there were still gaps–but he was near-certain it was a game to them, at this point, how small of a space they could force him to live in. He didn’t need to know their language to see their smirks.

He hadn’t even meant to break the last one. He had been trying so hard this time, and he’d been asleep when it happened. Even so, the fishers left him gasping on the floor in a pile of broken glass for hours. Even the tiny tank was better than none at all. How far he’d fallen, that he could consider this lucky.

Kane wished he could go back to complaining about not having room to swim. He would do anything to go back to the first tank. This one hardly afforded him room to move, to breathe. No matter how he tried to position himself, he always ended up touching the walls, his tail bunched up uncomfortably.

The water was too salty, burning his gills with every breath. He didn’t dare complain about that again. Last time, they left him in that horrible freshwater humans love so much until he screamed and bled to the point where any other fish would die.

But he was a vampire, and there was no driftwood here.

Every time a fisher walked past, Kane tensed. Some carried cruel metal tools, meant for fish already dead, though he’d already known their sting far more than he’d like. Some carried cruel metal tools and looked at him, making him wish he had anywhere to hide.

“Comfy?” a fisher mocked, tapping the glass with the end of his fishing stick, the unavoidable vibrations reverberating wherever he touched it.

Kane shook his head, hoping the answer was acceptable.

“Good. �̴̢̛̙̃̎̀̏͌�̶͙̪̉̃̐͋̈̈́̉͝�̵̛̹̪̳̾́̏̂̏̊͊�̴̤̬͖͖̬̹̣̏�̴̧̹͓͒̋͝�̸͎̝̂̅͋�̴̧͚͍̼̠͌�̵̤̜̻̦̬̄͒̏̃ little display case, leech. �̸͖̞̩̳̒̿͐̚͝ͅ�̴̢̫̺̟̺̬̯͔̋̄�̶̧̺̯͚̳͎͉̆͆̀̉̍�̵͚͈͛̌̑̚�̷̰͝͝�̴̢̡̯̗̖̥̈́̑̄̅̃̀̎̕ feed you this week.”

He perked up at the mention of food, whining louder this time.

The fisher laughed, flicking one of those foul little ash-and-paper cylinders into his tank. “Eat it.”

It would make him sick, but far worse would come of disobeying orders. Maybe the fisher would allow him some food if he obeyed. Kane wriggled until he could position himself enough to reach the bottom of the tank, scooped it up, and swallowed it down.

Another fisher joined him, saying something he couldn’t understand and nodding at his tank before approaching.

Nothing good ever happened when he was taken from his tank.

“No, no, no!” he wailed as his head breached the surface, his salt-lined gills burning all the more against unforgiving air.

-

Jim didn’t go to the beach anymore.

After months stranded and years after living in fear, he never thought he’d get even ten miles near a coastline. Not even twenty. Yet here he was, getting within two, just to see the damn vampire. Just to confirm it’s him.

The scars on his arms and legs floated the vague line between hurt and not, leaving him unsure if it was in his head.

The smell of distant saltwater made him want to vomit.

Jim greeted the fishers in a daze, letting them lead him to the vampire that might be his.

And there he was.

Kane looked worse for wear. He was littered with more scars than Jim was, trapped in a tank barely wider than his body, and even his body looked near-emaciated. His wide eyes locked onto Jim with sudden, harsh terror, and he squirmed as if to try to get away.

“Why’s he… in there?” he asked dumbly.

“Gotta keep a vampire reeeal secure, you of all people know you can’t trust the fuckers. Give ‘em an inch and they’ll take a mile. Can’t move around, don’t have the energy to fight, knows it’s got hurt coming if it tries, that’s the safe way to keep ‘em,” the fisher explained.

Jim couldn’t look him in the eyes after that, so he looked at the tank instead.

“Kane?”

Kane whimpered, pressed against the back of the tank, though that only left him what looked like a couple inches away from the front of it. Jim felt claustrophobic just looking at it.

“So?” the fisher prompted.

“This is him.” Jim took a step forward, hesitantly pressing a hand to the glass. He was really here, powerless to hurt him again.

But Kane was hurt, and terrified, and trapped somewhere small and uncomfortable. There was no way he could leave him here.

“Do you think… I could take him?”

-

Every day, humans came to the aquarium in droves. As an unending mercy, Kane’s tank here was large, with ample places to hide. He never came out while the humans were visiting.

No one hurt him at the aquarium. He always had enough to eat at the aquarium. The workers always smiled at him when he surfaced for his meals. Not the malicious smiles of the fishers, but real ones, like they were friends. They talked to him like he was a person, and he was getting better at talking back, and they didn’t even get mad at him when he wouldn’t come out for the guests. Bellamy slipped him an extra fish and told him he deserved it for being a trooper. He didn’t know what a trooper was, but it sounded good when he said it.

Maybe he would start showing himself, one day, just to make them happy. Maybe if it ever stopped being scary.

As it stood, there was only one guest Kane would leave his hidey-hole for. Thankfully, they allowed him to come just after closing, away from the crowds.

“Hey,” Jim greeted. “Just came to, uh, check up on you. Make sure you’re still doing alright.”

Kane couldn’t speak underwater, and Jim was nowhere close to the top of the roomy tank, so he nodded. He looked at his hand, trying to remember the sign for a second, before making a ‘thumbs-up’.

“You’re okay? You’re happy? No one’s hurting you? They’re feeding you good? Helping you with medical stuff?” Jim asked.

Kane nodded again, smiling this time. He tried not to show his teeth.

Jim sat by the tank. “That’s good. I’m happy for you, man. You know how long ‘til the doc clears you to go home?”

It wouldn’t be long, now. He was gaining the weight back, his injuries had healed, and the exercises he’d been given were helping him learn to swim normally again. Soon, he would be able to survive in the ocean, just like before any of this nightmare had ever happened.

Bellamy said they could do a program together, if he wanted, where guests would come to learn about vampires and ask him questions. He said Kane didn’t have to if he didn’t want to, but winked and promised him some of his blood if he gave it a try.

No fisher could catch him again if he stayed at the aquarium. People would protect him at the aquarium.

Kane shrugged, not sure he would ever leave.

-

sorry all i can write are AUs lol <3 they're warming me up for the main series i prommy

taglist in reblogs!

[strongestbanner]

What If:

Logan and Victor decide to forgive each other, escape together and live in a small cabin located in Argentine Patagonia (probably in the Río Negro province, towards the mountains of the west) 🏡❤️‍🩹🇦🇷

They both accepted that they are two sides of a same coin, and they'll always be there for each other, no matter the circumstances <3

(If you wanna cry at the end, keep reading)

Logan gets addicted to drink mate and can't live without his thermo (he choose Lumilagro when he just arrived bc he didn't have enough money for a Stanley thermo, but he doesn't give a f*ck). His favorite yerba mate is Rosamonte: the most bitter yerba mate for his taste 👌🏻

Vic shows off Logan the words he already knew in Spanish after so many missions. Now he learned to say to Logan: "enano boludo" (fool runt) just for piss him off.

Victor has become very punctual at merienda time, he always waits for Logan with sweet facturas (like biscuits, croissants) (sometimes Logan is sick of eating sweet, so he asks Vic to bring salty facturas too). Also, Victor LOVES membrillo's facturas (quince jam) (his beard always ends up dirty as if he had blood on it, never forgetting his animal instincts).

Of course, Logan got a job at a sawmill, he has too much experience with wood hehehe. And Victor worked for a time in a food distributor for a bakery, but he got fired bc he was caught stealing some cookies with membrillo. So, now he stays at home doing housework (surprisingly, he's very clean and hates finding cobwebs on the ceiling).

Logan secretly listen to Tango music, somehow he feels internally moved and sometimes cries too!! He also bought some Carlos Gardel vinyls to send for Laura's birthday <3

They both bought earplugs to use once a month bc they discovered that they have a lobizón neighbor 2 km away (the argentine werewolf 🐺).

At first they slept in different rooms, until Victor decided to have a sleepover after watching a chick flick movies marathon with Logan over a weekend (yes, they have Netflix). How did he convince him? He used his secret weapon: kitten eyes ✨ This is how slowly Victor's old room was transformed into a leisure room. Now they have a shelf full of classic literature books (and Spanish literature too bc Vic is so interested in it and he wants to still learning). Some CDs and vinyls of Logan bc he also likes argentinian national rock (He seems to like "Los Piojos", "Intoxicados", and "Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota" 😂).

This is for the argentine fans: LOGAN SUPPORTS BOCA JUNIORS CLUB 💙💛💙 He's not a very huge fan for football games, but he stays focused watching them. While Vic usually falls asleep at half time on the sofa with him.

Victor convinced Logan that he would control his bloodlust, so their household is never short of a good supply of meat. Unfortunately, this is a vile lie. When Logan is away, Victor takes advantage of those free hours to hunt and devour little animals like hares or deer. He knows his schedules and how much time he has to clean up his tracks. Who knows how long he can sustain the lie 🫣

In my mind their first kiss was PURRFECT. The coldest month is July (it's winter there), so, after a week of overcast skies, one night Logan went outside the cabin to smoke a joint. He observed the number of visible stars until he realized that Victor was stalking him with a cup of tea in his hand. They both sat on the front steps and IT JUST HAPPENED. Logan tried to deny what happened, FOR SEVERAL DAYS. But Vic managed to take away his embarrassment and make him enjoy it many times more bc he ✨obviously✨ kissed him first.

It hadn't been a year yet and Logan had invited the X-Men to his whereabouts to celebrate his birthday in October. Logically, Victor didn't like this idea at all, so he decided to flee to the forest. Logan had so many feelings fluttering in his chest, but he knew better than to waste such a beautiful and special day. He looked for Victor and found him cooling off in a river. He was so upset and a little jealous, but Logan convinced him because they would make barbecue. It was a VERY uncomfortable moment for Victor, he was not sorry for what he did, but Logan took care of making him feel part of his family <3

Ofc, I wrote all this with my tears.

I don't consider myself a good writer and my English is very poor, but if anyone wants to make a fanfic or fanart of this TAG ME PLS 😭💖

[writingforstraykids]

You guys are my world

Pairing: Chanlix x femReader (mention of OT8)

Word Count: 751

Summary: Sometimes you just need a day off. What a better way than spending it with your boyfriends at the beach.

Warnings/Tags: fluff, lazy moments, bonfire,...

A/N: Sorry I'm late, I completely forgot to post yesterday. Hope you enjoy it babe @miuracha 💕

do not repost, translate, or plagiarize my works in any way here or on other platforms. ©️writingforstraykids 2024 -

The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink as you, Chan, and Felix made your way to the beach. You had decided to escape the hustle of their daily lives for a quiet evening by the sea with the rest of the group. The air was filled with the salty scent of the ocean and the gentle sound of waves hitting the shore.

As the others set up a place for later, the three of you decided to go for a walk. You kicked off your shoes, feeling the still warm sand between your toes. Felix immediately ran towards the water, his laughter echoing in the air. Chan watched him with a fond smile you've seen so often before. 

"Come on, you two!" Felix called out, splashing water in your direction.

You laughed and grabbed Chan's hand, pulling him towards the water. "Let's not let him have all the fun!"

You spent a few moments having fun in the shallow waves, the setting sun casting a golden glow on your boyfriends' faces. Felix attempted to splash both Chan and you, leading to a playful water fight. The sound of your laughter mixed with the soothing rhythm of the ocean. 

As the sky slowly darkened, you decided to walk back along the beach, the sand now cool under your feet. Felix found a stick and started drawing in the sand. He sketched a simple heart, adding their initials inside, and smiled at you. 

Chan stood beside you, watching Felix with an affectionate gaze. "He never stops surprising us, does he?" Chan said, his voice soft.

You nodded, heart swelling with love for the two men who meant the world to you. "He's our little bundle of surprises."

"Shut up," Felix smirked.

You continued your walk, the stars beginning to sparkle in the night sky. Chan wrapped an arm around your shoulder, pulling you close. Not wanting to be left out, Felix wrapped his arm around Chan's waist.

As you reached your friends, they already set up a small bonfire. You loved spending time with all of them. Minho was preparing some dinner with the help of Jeongin, Seungmin and  Changbin were playfully arguing about a current song. Jisung was staring at the fire, peacefully leaning against Hyunjin, who also didn't pay much attention to them. 

As the night went on, the fire began to fade, and the group started to leave. Chan, Felix and you decided to make your way back to the car. 

The moon was shining bright, casting a silver glow over the water. Sitting on the cool sand, you gazed at the ocean. Felix rested his head on Chan's shoulder, his eyes reflecting the moonlight. You leaned against Felix, your hand finding Chan's, intertwining your fingers.

"Moments like these make everything worth it," Chan said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Felix hummed in agreement, his eyes closing. "I wouldn't trade this for the world."

You looked at the two most important people in your life fondly. "You guys are my world," you said, voice thick with emotion.

"And you are ours," Chan answered lovingly. 

You sat there in silence for a while, each lost in your own thoughts. Eventually, Felix sat up. "I dare you both to race back to where we started," he challenged, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Chan raised an eyebrow, a competitive spark lighting up in his eyes. "You're on, Lix."

You laughed, standing up with them. "Alright, but no cheating!"

With a countdown, you took off, running along the beach, your laughter echoing in the night. The race was less about winning and more about enjoying the moment. You all knew Chan would win easily. 

Chan reached the destination first, throwing his arms up in victory. Felix and you arrived moments later, out of breath but beaming with happiness.

"Okay, you win," Felix laughed, ruffling Chan's hair.

Chan stuck his tongue out playfully. "I always do."

You put your shoes back on and began the walk back to your car. As Chan drove back home, you knew that these moments were the ones you would cherish forever: the laughter, the ocean, the race. 

Chan glanced at Felix, who was already dozing off in the backseat, and then at you, your eyes reflecting the streetlights as they passed. He felt an overwhelming sense of love and happiness, knowing that you had each other no matter what the future held.

And in the end, that was all that mattered.

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Taglist: (Please let me know if you want to be added to/removed from the taglist!)

@kai-lee08 @atinyniki @sona1800 @mal-lunar-28 @aaasia111 @galaxycatdrawz @kthstrawberryshortcake @soullostinspaceandtime @rebecca-johnson-28 @malfoygalaxies @channieaddict

[ordinaryschmuck]

Alright, last time ever that I’ll talk about Velma. I promise.

Because I’ve been extra salty towards this show all week, and I don’t want to take it further than that. Talking nothing but bad stuff about this show for the entirety of its run is exactly what the writers want. They want us to hate watch it so we can talk about each new atrocity the show brings up week after week, and call us haters or anti-woke propagandists. When, in reality, they don’t give a FUCK about any of that. They don’t care about other races, genders, or sexualities. They just WANT you to think they do. Know how I can tell? Because I’ve SEEN genuine attempts of representation.

THIS is a genuine attempt of representation. Matt Braly, the series creator of Amphibia and a Thai-American, felt like Thai culture was underrepresented in media. So, he not only made his main character and her Thai, but he also dedicated subplots and entire episodes showcasing the culture he wanted to represent.

THIS is a genuine attempt at representation. Dana Terrace, series creator of The Owl House and open Bisexual, wanted a main character that was explicitly bi to finally help kids feel like they’re seen. To help give the representation SHE always wanted.

But when I look at Velma? None of it hits the same.

This isn’t a genuine attempt for representation. This is Mindy Kuling turning a character into a self-insert to make herself look smarter than everyone else and the most important person in a narrative. Truth is, this Velma is nothing more than a sociopath, narcissistic dipshit who thinks she’s better than everyone else but is actually more aggravating than endearing.

So...Good job representing YOURSELF there, Mindy.

And this?

This isn’t representation. This is a shield.

A way to protect the show from any criticism because it couldn’t possibly be bad. They have gay characters! Gay characters are good in everything!

Except that is the LAST reason you should include gay characters! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE more LGBTQA+ representation in media. What I don’t love is obvious attempts to pander to audiences just to avoid criticisms. And keep in mind, this is NOT the first attempt a creator wanted to make Velma gay.

James Gunn wanted to make her gay in the live action movie, but WB said no.

Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated (the GOAT of the Scooby-Doo franchise) wanted to make Velma gay, but could only imply it because Cartoon Network didn’t greenlit Steven Universe yet.

THOSE are genuine attempts to make Velma gay, to represent people because the creators of both products agreed that it was the least they could do.

But making Velma and Daphne a thing just to protect a show is nothing more than shallow and inconsiderate of the hard fight dozens of people put up with for the sake of representation.

And, honestly, I’d be a little more forgiving if the writing in Velma was good. But it’s not.

Within the first minute, this show features...

Cockroaches having sex...

And fifteen year olds taking a shower to make a joke about how over-sexualized a series’ pilot can be.

First of all: FUCK YOU FOR MAKING ME FIND THIS SCREEN SHOT FOR A POINT!

Second: You lose every ounce of credibility that you actually care about people when one of the first moves you make in your series is to sexualize minors for the sake of a joke.

A joke that doesn’t make sense at that. Point me to a series pilot that’s over-sexualized. If you get more than ten, I’ll say you have a point. I won’t say that sexualizing minors to make it was a good thing, but I’ll at least say that, “Yeah. You’re right. So many pilots do this. SO STOP DOING IT!”

That’s the level of writing Velma has. And it’s why they have their “representation” to protect themselves. Meanwhile, you want to know the level of writing you’ll find in The Owl House and Amphibia?

Villains who prove that the most dangerous people are the ones who make the rules.

Jokes that are actually funny.

Likable main protagonists who are kind and caring to the people around them.

Protagonists who have heartfelt relationships with other great characters, to the point that it breaks your heart to see them leave each other.

And on top of that, actually good representation. But here’s the thing: The representation isn’t only genuine. It’s a bonus. Something great to add onto everything else the writers and the creators do right.

What it isn’t is an attempt to protect a show from what it does wrong.

And that’s it. That’s the LAST time I’ll ever talk about Velma. I really mean it this time.

Talking about this show past it’s premier is already more attention it deserves. And if you were smart, you would not only stop watching, but stop talking. The best attention to give something you hate is NO attention.

If you really want to waste time, waste it by watching something good, like The Owl House and Amphibia. They may be kids shows, but they have more maturity than a single second of Velma.

[linkemon]

Eine Kleine (Zhongli x Reader)

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ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴛᴜʀɴ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛɪᴍᴇ? ᴍᴏʀᴀx ʜᴀꜱ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ʟɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ʙᴜᴛ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ɪꜱɴ'ᴛ ꜱᴜʀᴇ ɪꜰ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɴ ᴡᴀɴᴛꜱ… ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴡʜʏ ʟɪʏᴜᴇ ɪꜱ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇᴅᴏᴍ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴏɴᴅꜱᴛᴀᴅᴛ, ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴꜰɪɴɪᴛʏ ᴏꜰ ɪɴᴀᴢᴜᴍᴀ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴡɪꜱᴅᴏᴍ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴜᴍᴇʀᴜ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀᴠᴇʀʏ ᴏꜰ ɴᴀᴛʟᴀɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟᴅɴᴇꜱꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱɴᴇᴢʜɴᴀʏᴀ. ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴏꜰ ʟɪʏᴜᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴜɪᴅᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴏɴᴛʀᴀᴄᴛꜱ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇᴅ, ᴀꜱ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴀꜱ ᴏʟᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴇᴡ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ. ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ɢʟᴀᴢᴇ ʟɪʟɪᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɢʀᴇᴇᴅɪʟʏ ᴀʙꜱᴏʀʙ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡɪꜱʜ ʜᴀᴘᴘɪɴᴇꜱꜱ…

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: 1. ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀʀᴄʜᴏɴ ǫᴜᴇꜱᴛꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʟɪʏᴜᴇ. ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏɴʟʏ ꜰɪʟʟꜱ ᴀ ɢᴀᴘ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀɴᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴏꜰꜰɪᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴏʀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ɪꜱ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ɪᴛ. 2. ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ, ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɢᴜɪᴢʜᴏɴɢ ʟᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴏʀ ʜᴏᴡ ꜱʜᴇ ᴅɪᴇᴅ. ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɢɪᴠᴇɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴇᴅ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴀ ʏᴇᴀʀ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ.

Morax looked helplessly at the woman holding his hand. Guizhong smiled slightly. Her black hair danced in the crazy gale surrounding them. He was her last resort. His hand was what kept her above the raging river. The water boiled, flooding the entire Guili Plains. With every second he felt his strength leaving him. He wanted to howl. He was a god, damn it! He had no right to be weak. Not at a time like this. In all his long life, he had never craved strength more than at this moment. So why didn't the soil listen to him? The boulders falling on Osial were still too small. The ground could not absorb the sea waters that poured far inland. People looked at him helplessly. They were only a few hills away from disaster. Mothers hugged their children. He couldn't hear their cries. The wind drowned out everything. Yet he clearly heard Guizhong's words:  

— You have to let me go.  

— NO. — He wondered if she could see his face clearly now. The one from which no tears could fall, even though he wanted to. He wanted to somehow let her know how he felt but no words left his mouth.  

She always told him that he couldn't express his emotions. She was making fun of his straight face. He didn't feel the need to externalize what was going on inside him. How he liked Marchosius's dishes. How beautiful the Goddess of Dust looked as she gathered her beloved glaze lilies. How he cared about the happiness of the people under his care. Everyone thought he was emotionless. Only she was able to break through the shell he had surrounded himself with. Their mutual agreement, sealed with a bell that he received from her as a gift. It wasn't a contract like he had made so many before. It was a relationship based on trust. Something so foreign to him given the unstable world he lived in where most gods only wanted to take as much as possible for themselves. She was a breath of fresh air.  

— Please take care of my people. Goodbye, Morax. — The words were quiet and gray. It seemed to him as if she had shrunk into herself.  

Desperately, he reached out his hand but she slipped from his grasp. She turned to dust before she touched the water. He told himself it was better this way. If she wanted to choose her death, he wasn't going to question it. He knew how much the war was tiring her. He had predicted that it might happen but never like this. He looked in disbelief at the hem of the once white robe, now stained with blood and dirt. Drops dripped on it. He touched his face. He cried. His lips stung as soon as it was touched by the salty tears. He got up from his knees. Many people later said that Rex Lapis screamed. And it was a cry like a storm. The sky darkened with dust. Hundreds of stone spears pierced Osial's body. The great serpent fell, sinking into the depths of the ocean for years. And Morax led the survivors towards the place later known as Liyue, where the city he swore to protect was built.  

[Reader] looked at the table, wondering how much longer she should wait. Does she look pathetic enough already? Judging by the way the waiter looked at her after the last refill of tea, it was almost time for her to pay and leave. She felt it was a stupid idea. She met this guy through letters. They were supposed to meet here and he didn't show up. The thought was running through her mind that maybe something had happened to him. But even if it did, she won't be here soon. She had no idea when the next opportunity would come to return to this area. She felt disappointed and angry with herself. She had been here for another hour. If she had at least taken a book with her, she could have pretended to be busy. She crumpled her napkin and took the last sip of her drink.  

— Excuse me, can I have a moment? — A low, warm voice came from somewhere high.  

For a moment she thought that maybe her torment was finally over. Unfortunately, the man standing in front of her did not match the one she saw in the photo attached to the letters. She looked behind. No one else was behind her.  

— Mrs. [Reader], right? Can I join you?

She nodded.  

She looked carefully again. Slim and definitely tall. Brown hair tied in a long ponytail fell freely over a long coat. Only when she looked closely at his eyes did she come to the conclusion that she recognized the unexpected guest. For some reason, those amber irises stuck in her mind.  

— Mr. Zhongli? From Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? — His gentle smile let her know that she had guessed correctly.  

They had met several times in their lives. However, none of them were associated with happy memories. As is usually the case with funerals. However, she remembered that he had always been tactful and understanding.  

— It's me. Although I must admit, I didn't expect you to remember me. The circumstances were usually not favorable for making friends. — Saying this, he summoned the waiter. — I'd like this blend. It has a unique taste. — He turned back to [Reader]. — It's as if someone had trapped the essence of the earth in these leaves. This is first-quality dried fruit harvested in the north. Difficulty in selection leads to a high price but this is justified.  

The woman was sure she had never heard anyone know so much about tea. It wasn't that he didn't let her speak but the passion with which Zhongli talked about it made her not even want to butt in. He seemed to fluently jump from topic to topic, bringing out new interesting facts and anecdotes. She had to admit to herself that she had not expected such extensive knowledge from him. She thought that as a consultant, he would be a rather boring person and there was certainly no indication that he had traveled to the distant corners of Liyue. But where could he get so much practical knowledge?  

[Reader] looked sadly into the cup. Once again that day, its clean, white bottom appeared. Even professional tea making was no problem for this man. She usually just poured hot water. Her excuse, however, was the fact that her trips usually forced her to spend the night in places where a proper tea ceremony was not even possible. She had to admit that the taste of the drink was wonderful. Deep and strong, with the addition of a floral note. It was as if she had immersed herself in the soil and learned all its secrets. And now she has returned to the surface because all that was left was an empty teapot and the feeling that she should be gathering herself. Captain Beidou won't wait forever. Soon it will weigh anchor and sail away.  

— I haven't actually said what I came here for yet. — Zhongli took something out of an old bag. — I wanted to ask for an autograph.  

This was another surprise of the day. Especially since the time passed so unexpectedly that she actually stopped wondering why the man had approached her at all.  

— Do you read my guides? — She accepted the book with genuine surprise. Her fingers touched his gloved hand for a moment.  

Yae Publishing House signed a contract with her a long time ago. It was what allowed her to visit other places in Teyvat. She then earned her first real money and took a risk by going to Sumeru. Soon after, she met Captain Beidou, becoming a frequent guest on her sea voyages. Plus, it allowed her to travel cheaper. Since then, she has already made a name for herself. However, it still could not compare with the leading items produced in Inazuma. Her genre was mainly targeted at new merchants, tourists and people looking for adventure. Average residents usually didn't know who she was unless they needed to go on a foreign vacation.  

So, while it wasn't the first time she had been asked for an autograph, it was a rare occurrence. Fortunately, she carried a pen with her everywhere. After all, she never knew where inspiration would strike her.  

— I think they capture the atmosphere of places very well. You have the gift of describing what is important to feel their spirit. When I read them, I feel like I was there. Honestly, they pushed me to make a few decisions that helped me start traveling again. — His smile was delicate and barely noticeable. As if with a touch of melancholy.  

— I'm glad to hear that. — [Reader] felt a little embarrassed and handed the book back to him.  

— I've always wondered why there was never a guidebook to Liyue. — Zhongli's gaze was piercing.  

— I guess I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do this. This is my country after all. I've been to so many places and I still love Liyue the most of all. If I had to do it wrong, I'd rather not do it at all. — She stared ahead.  

That was the truth. The freedom of Mondstadt, the infinity of Inazuma, the wisdom of Sumeru, the justice of Fontaine, the bravery of Natlan and the coldness of Snezhnaya. She met them all. And yet her heart always returned to the Nation of Contracts. She grew up here. From an early age, she lived with her family, dreaming of the big world. And when she finally experienced it, she decided that Liyue was the most beautiful. With its own port where you can stroll and feel the sea breeze on your skin. Where sailors brought fish to market, telling stories of legendary creatures sleeping at the bottom of the sea. In the mountains where powerful adepti lived and the slopes were covered with glaze lilies. Grandmas always had the best stories about them, selling kites during the Lantern Rite when fireworks dominated the sky. There was also beauty in the bamboo forests near villages full of acquaintances and friends, statues of ancient gods forgotten by time and Lady Ningguang's Jade Chamber heralding a new time for people. Everything was so wonderful that she was afraid to describe it incorrectly. She expressed these concerns to Zhongli and he listened the entire time.  

— That's why you would be the perfect person to describe Liyue. — The man's gaze was fixed somewhere far away.  

— Only if you would give me some advice on good tea houses — [Reader] laughed.  

Maybe she should actually do it. This would be the perfect ending to the series. She could finally live at home for a while. It would be a nice change after such a long time wandering abroad.  

— Always available. I hope to see the next volume soon. — Saying this, he stood up. — I won't take up any more of your time. — He bowed elegantly and disappeared into the street crowd.  

The woman wanted to follow in his footsteps but she remembered about the bill. She had spent so much time here waiting for someone who never showed up that she felt the cost would be high. But when the waiter told her how much mora they were talking about, she almost choked.  

— How much? — she asked again.  

— The gentleman who was here with you ordered the most expensive mixture of all and several times at that. I don't understand why you're so surprised — said the irritated waiter.  

— He didn't pay for himself?! I'll give him a guide! I swear on the dead Rex Lapis! 

— I'm nervous — [Reader] admitted.  

The climb to Aocang Mountain was long and arduous. She was sure that if it weren't for her years of traveling, she would have given up halfway. Even beautiful views did not reward the effort.  

She wished Zhongli was with her. Hu Tao urgently needed his help, so he stayed at work. Despite everything, she decided not to give up. It would be rude to cancel now.  

— You really don't have to be stressed — Ganyu assured. — Cloud Retainer will definitely like you. — I'm just asking you, if she starts talking about my childhood...  

— I must change the subject categorically. I remember. — She smiled broadly.  

The secretary had asked her about it several times. She had to admit it was funny imagining someone telling childhood stories about such an important person. Besides, Ganyu was very easy to embarrass herself with anything and sometimes she felt like teasing her just to see her grab her horns in embarrassment.  

Thoughts about meeting the adepti kept running through her mind. It wasn't that she was afraid of them. Like everyone in Liyue, she had often heard about their strength and the respect they deserved. They were just a bit of a mythical idea until it turned out that Zhongli led them and saw them quite often. The problem was how she viewed her visit. In her mind, it was something like visiting her loved one's family. He didn't have the real one. After all, gods do not have parents or grandparents. Not that she knew any others for comparison... She just wanted to look good in front of his closest friends. It was a kind of next step in their relationship.  

— Here we are! — her friend announced happily.  

The small lake was surrounded by green hills. The red leaves on the trees were moving steadily due to the light wind. She had to admit it was a beautiful abode. The place breathed peace and quiet. She didn't really want to disturb it. However, the girl was apparently used to it because she led her along the round stone islands to the middle of the lake.  

— This is [Reader]. [Reader], this is Cloud Retainer. — The woman bowed. Immediately afterwards, she took out a gift wrapped in a decorative box from her bag.  

— It's a lens with an interesting mechanism. I brought it from one of my trips to Mondstadt.  

The study Lisa helped conduct at the time was long and boring. It involved running around the city and looking at people through a glass. To this day she regretted agreeing to it but the librarian could be scary when she wanted to be, so she somehow overworked the challenge.  

The crane looked at the object, then nodded with satisfaction.  

[Reader] breathed a sigh of relief. It's good that Zhongli told her that she was interested in engineering. No one came to such a place empty-handed. This was considered something of an insult. And although she was here on different terms than most mortals, she preferred not to take any risks.   

— Nice to meet you. It's good that today's youth is at least a little educated. Last time I was in port...  

— Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper didn't come? — Ganyu looked around.  

— These old folks prefer to sit and keep their noses shut. Or maybe they met alone without me like last Lantern Rite? — Cloud Retainer spread her wings angrily and ruffled her feathers.  

— And this is…— Ganyu began.  

— Adeptus Xiao. We have already met several times.  

Yaksha nodded to her in greeting. She had passed the Wangshu Inn many times, especially recently. Anyone who stayed there overnight would encounter him sooner or later. Most people, however, had no desire or opportunity to see him up close. He definitely didn't like the company of mortals. However, she did visit him once. Zhongli once asked her to bring him some medicine from Bubu's pharmacy. He appeared before her only when she placed a plate of almond tofu on the porch. Gloomy but polite — that was the impression he made on her back then.  

[Reader] and Ganyu unpacked the meals from their travel backpack. The stone table under the tree was filled with various dishes. Of course, everything went with the tea blend chosen by her beloved. She brewed the drink proudly, remembering the time when she didn't know how to do it properly.  

Time passed lazily. The hostess tended to move slowly from one topic to another. She did it less interestingly than Zhongli but still enough to provide the girl with a lot of facts that will certainly be useful for her guidebooks. Xiao disappeared as soon as she started to bore a little. He mentioned something about mortals not being able to handle his loads of bad karma and he actually had a lot of work to do, so he took off right after eating dessert.  

— You must hear this story! Well, when Ganyu was still tiny, she was so chubby that she rolled down the hill and...  

[Reader] stifled a laugh, pretending it was caused by a piece of cake. She had to admit that it was going to be quite an anecdote. Her friend looked at her pleadingly. The woman was tempted to keep listening but she kept her promise anyway.  

— Change the subject — the secretary mouthed, clasping her hands as if in prayer.  

— An extremely entertaining story — the [Reader] coughed. — But I wanted to ask about…— she looked around — about these chairs. Even if everyone showed up, there would be one too many of them. Are we waiting for someone else?  

— You're smart. You remind me a bit of her. Cloud Retainer nodded. — There are usually only three chairs here. Mine, Morax's and the extra one you're asking about, belonging to Guizhong.  

— Is this about the Goddess of Dust? The one who died on Guili Plains, right? — [Reader] made sure.  

— It's about her. — The bird looked for a moment above the mountain peaks. It clattered quietly. — I told Morax he shouldn't try to meet her. The dead have the right to sleep peacefully. This artifact will not bring him luck. — She pointed with her beak at the necklace hanging around the girl's neck.  

This was the first time she had even heard of it. And she didn't like it. The magic of the moment disappeared, filling her mind with questions.  

She had been carrying the gem with her since she found it while researching a book a few months ago. She didn't think much about it at the time. One of the merchants mentioned some strange legend but she didn't believe him. It looked beautiful, although its glory days were certainly long behind. She failed to fully clean it. Zhongli did ask about it but only once while purchasing and never after that. She didn't want to jump to conclusions just yet. She'll have to find out more.  

— Sometimes I think they were in love — Cloud Retainer sighed. — These conversations have tired me, girls. I think it's time for you guys. — With these words, the crane rose into the air.  

[Reader] made her way back, trying to ignore Ganyu's confused glances. She could tell when she felt uncomfortable and this was definitely one of those moments. She wasn't responsible for her mentor but she tried her best to talk about anything to cover up the earlier conversation. It didn't work out but the woman appreciated the effort.  

[Reader] spent the last few days searching through old notes, legends and in Wanwen, digging through piles of books. She wanted to visit the original buyer of the artifact as well but there was no need. Everything became clear as much as such myths could be true. The stone decorating her neck was part of a larger ritual. There was disagreement as to whether it allowed the dead to be brought back to life but it supposedly allowed one to at least see them. The opportunity to perform the rite appeared once every few thousand years and according to all predictions, it was supposed to take place today.  

She looked out the window, sighing loudly. She had had enough.  

— What are you thinking about, darling? — Zhongli hugged her from behind and kissed her on the head.  

For a moment she savored this moment. The view of Liyue was beautiful. The city was bustling with life, although the sun was slowly ending its daily journey. Wangsheng was quiet and warm. Her lover was right next to her but deep down, she felt like she was cheating on him.  

— Nothing important. — She closed the thick volume. The dust flew away in the sunlight.  

She knew she should talk to him but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Ever since she heard what Cloud Retainer thought, doubts began to form in her mind. She had no doubt that the man loved her but that was now. What if Morax really could turn back time, in a sense? Given the choice between her and the Goddess of Dust, would she still come first?  

— I wanted to ask you something. — Zhongli moved away gently. — Would you lend me your necklace today?  

This made something break inside her. The knowledge she had gained over the past few days had accumulated pain within her, which now manifested itself in one simple question:  

— Why didn't you tell me about Guizhong?  

Her eyes welled up with tears but she blinked rapidly to keep them from falling.  

— [Reader]…  

— Cloud Retainer said you two were in love and you were interested in this whole ritual… so I was looking behind your back, even though I know I shouldn't have…

She took a deep breath. The truth was cathartic in a way. Confronting the situation that had been on her mind for the past few days was quite a challenge but at least she would know where she stood.  

— It doesn't matter. I should have told you from the very beginning. — He frowned slightly, as he always did when he was thinking about something but the amber irises didn't seem to bear any trace of guilt.  

— Mr. Zhongli, if we want to make it on time, we must leave now! — Keqing rushed into the funeral parlor.

— Wait a minute — the man began.  

The road to Guili Plains was quite long. Young Yuheng was always busy. [Reader] knew this well. If she showed up here, it must have been planned some time ago. Several Millelith were waiting outside the building. So that's how many people knew besides her...  

She took off the necklace, looking at it one last time. It seemed to weigh more than usual. As if under the weight of her decisions.  

She took her beloved's hand and pressed the object into it. It glowed with a faint light. The legends were true.  

— You have to go. — Seeing that he wanted to interrupt her, she put a finger to his lips. — Listen. Cloud Retainer advised that the dead should be left alone. I think so too but I will never stand in the way of your happiness. If you need to see her, please do so. This is not the end of this conversation. I need some time. I'm going to go and finish the last chapter of the guide. We'll talk when I get back. — Saying this, she reached for her bag. Without waiting for an answer, she left Wangsheng.  

Rex Lapis gripped the item tightly and set off for the mountains. He couldn't concentrate. His thoughts swirled around everything that had happened. It was bad that he left in such an atmosphere. Especially since he didn't get to say any of the things he wanted to explain.  

A cool wind blew on Liyue. The sun was going down. The time for the ritual was approaching inexorably. He took care of everything and yet the anxiety would not go away, even though he repeated the steps in his mind over and over again. The glaze lilies swayed steadily in the shade of the trees, reminding of everything that once was. He was lost in thought. Maybe that's why he didn't notice three hikers appearing on the horizon. They were pale and terrified.  

— Everything's all right? — Keqing was the first to fire at the strangers.  

— We were at Luhua Pool — the woman began. Speaking was clearly uncomfortable for her.  

Her dress was torn. She had to escape in a hurry.  

— Monsters. And…— the man next to her coughed. — And the mages of Abyss.  

The third hiker was in much worse condition. He was speechless with shock. He just sat on the ground and started sobbing quietly. They must have barely escaped alive.  

As the soldiers helped him recover, Zhongli realized one thing. This was the only place missing from the Liyue guide. [Reader] could have gone anywhere but this was the most likely.  

— Xiao. — At the sound of his name, Yaksha appeared right next to him. — A group of monsters at Luhua Pool.  

That was enough for the demon to disappear back into the dark cloud.  

— Shall we move on? Now we really don't have much time left. — Keqing left the people in the care of several Millelith.  

Zhongli stood in the middle of the road for a moment, not saying anything. He clutched the jewel in his hand, looking at his reflection in it. He looked again at the Guili Plains visible in the distance.  

— Go back to town. I'm sorry I brought you here — he just said, quickening his pace.  

— You're running to her, aren't you? — Yuheng's voice came from a distance.  

He didn't answer because she knew the answer well. She was always smart. He appreciated her. Even if she really disliked him and denied everything he had done over the years. However, he had no doubt that such people were needed in this city in the new era belonging to the people.  

He was no longer as fast as Xiao. Some time ago he could outdo him. Now, after the surrender of Gnosis, his strength was gradually leaving him. He wasn't weak but he definitely wasn't what he used to be. This was the price he had to pay if he wanted to remain an ordinary Zhongli and not Morax, the Great Rex Lapis.  

The Demon Slayer could probably handle everything on his own. If Zhongli looked at it coldly, there would probably be no need to run at all now. He could stay and perform the ritual. Will he have the opportunity to see Guizhong again? Who knows. It was hard to tell how long his body could go without what had fueled it for so long. Maybe a few hundred years, maybe another millennia. Everything indicated that the necklace would remain only a souvenir, unfit for use during his lifetime.  

And yet, if there was even the slightest chance that [Reader] was out there somewhere right now, surrounded by monsters, he had to check it out because he would never forgive himself if something happened to her.  

That's why the sight he saw made his blood run cold. Alatus held a cloak covered in bright red in his hands. Zhongli looked into his eyes for confirmation. However, before he could ask anything, he heard a cry for help. The voice was familiar. Never in his long life had he felt more relieved to hear someone scream.  

He ran to the edge of the cliff, where he saw first the hand and then the rest of the body. [Reader] held on to a protruding rock with one hand, looking for support for her legs. In the blink of an eye, a pillar grew from the side. The woman carefully placed her feet on it. Immediately after, she grabbed a warm, familiar hand and was pulled up. She fell straight onto the man. She was about to get up when Zhongli hugged her tightly. So she gave in, burying her head in the crook of his neck. They didn't say anything for a moment. They were just lying in the meadow of glaze lillies. The sun disappeared below the horizon and the flowers spread their white petals, facing the moon.  

— Why are you here? — [Reader] asked quietly.  

— I heard about the Abyss mages and had to check if you were alright.

— Did you send Xiao? — she made sure.  

— Yes — Zhongli replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.  

— And yet... you came here anyway? — A smile spread across her lips.  

He had to admit that smile was beautiful. As always. He was lucky. He was never going to lose it.

He just nodded.  

— When I saw your coat, I thought something had happened to you — he confessed.  

— I ran into Jueyun Chili on the way and then some slimes stuck to me and pushed me to the edge.  

That explained why her eyes were red and swollen. They must have burned her severely.  

— What about Guizhong? — [Reader] asked, looking at the necklace around his neck.  

— I'm not sure I'll ever see her again. I wanted... I wanted some closure from my time as Rex Lapis. I don't know if I loved her... — He stared into the distance. — I think at that moment I didn't really know what emotions were. Her death was the first time in my life when I cried. I really wanted to meet her. Tell her I kept my promise. That I miss her. That the descendants of her people are in safe hands and our friends are well. That I am grateful for the many things she taught me. And that I'm in love with you...  

— I'm sure she knows that. She hears you now and is happy. — [Reader] hugged his arm. — I would like to tell her that I love you too and that I will take care of you as best as I can.  

A light wind blew. And for a moment, the woman felt as if the glaze lilies around her bowed their heads, then returned to their original position. Or maybe she just imagined things...  

— Are you crying? — Zhongli asked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.  

— Come on... it's just... ahem, chili. — [Reader] sniffled.  

— The mortal is definitely crying — Xiao stated. Saying this, he gave her the dirty coat.  

— Were you here the whole time?

However, she didn't get an answer to this question because the demon raised an eyebrow, muttered something under his breath and then disappeared.  

So [Reader] and Zhongli stood up and holding hands, went back to Liyue. They closed an old chapter. It was time to start a new one.

[thewolvesof1998]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday

Tagged by the wonderful @watchyourbuck @giddyupbuck @spotsandsocks @wildlife4life @hoodie-buck @exhuastedpigeon @hippolotamus @wikiangela @malewifediaz @disasterbuckdiaz @daffi-990 @jamespearce9-1-1 @theotherbuckley

I thought I would take inspiration from some of my mutuals and give you a tease of multiple fics:

Alright, Cowboy, Go Get 'Em (Masterlist of posts about this fic):

Eddie sits up and wraps his right arm around Buck’s waist, using his grip to help him bounce. The closeness allows him to place kisses on Buck’s chest and lick at his salty skin and bite nipples and suck marks onto his pec. He adorns Buck with his marks until he’s a panting, whining mess, unable to anymore more than roll his hip in a desperate grind.  “Ed’s please” Buck begs “What do you need baby?”

Bank Robbery Fic (prev snippet):

“-listen to me you son of a bitch, you can ask for all you want but make sure to add a medkit because if she dies because of you, I will make your life a living hell.”  Buck’s phone slips from his hand as he turns towards the speakers where a voice he would know anywhere, even in his sleep, just came through. Eddie. Eddie is in the bank.  Buck is lunging forward before he ever makes the conscious decision to move. He feels arms grab onto his coat and then there's a body in front of him. He smells Bobby’s cologne and arms wrap around him as he collides with Bobby, halting him in his tracks.

Pirate AU (previous snippets):

“You’re new,” A deep voice says and Eddie turns to look at the man. He’s got blondish-brown hair that is curling in the humidity, a pink mark above his eyebrow and at the corner of his pale blue eyes that almost seem to shift colour like the sky before a storm. He’s got the start of a beard that frames lips as pink as his mark. They look pillow-soft and sinful and he’s wondering what they would feel like under his before he can think better of it. He’s wearing a white shirt, its loose fitting, the buttons undone to improper level and sleeves rolled up to his elbows displaying strong forearms and ink.  “What?” He asks, dragging his eyes away from the man’s arms.  The guy chuckles, “I haven’t seen you here before.” “I’m new to town,” Eddie manages to get out without embarrassing himself further.

No Nut November (previous snippets):

Buck’s been babysitting Chris a lot lately now Eddie’s been going on more and more dates with Marisol. He loves it but he does miss his best friend, if it wasn’t for work Buck’s pretty sure he’s seen Chris more than Eddie this month. If he didn’t know better he would say Eddie’s avoiding him, but he wouldn’t do that, he has no reason to. It always gets like this when they date, they see less of each other but that's completely normal. This is just the anxious voice in his head making him worry about something he doesn’t need to.

Halloween Fic (previous snippet):

“These are my favourite jeans of yours,” Buck slides his hands around and squeezes Eddie’s butt, “Your ass looks amazing in them,” He lets go and slips his hands around the front, his fingers graze against Eddie’s straining dick before going to for the button, “So I’m going to be nice and not destroy them.”  Eddie is only a little bit disappointed, would have loved to see Buck use his strength to seamlessly tear the denim but that's pushed out of his mind as Buck swiftly undoes the jeans, pulling them down, along with Eddie’s underwear, until he can easily step out of them. Buck’s hands slide up his thighs and around to squeeze Eddie’s now bare ass. Buck kneads the skin, pulling it taunt and apart until Eddie can feel cold air against his hole.

tagging: ​ @eddiebabygirldiaz​ @spotsandsocks @try-set-me-on-fire @jesuisici33​ @bekkachaos @buddierights @911-on-abc @shitouttabuck @911onabc @spagheddiediaz @your-catfish-friend @loserdiaz @ladydorian05 @king-buckley @chaoticgremlinwholikescheese @fortheloveofbuddie @steadfastsaturnsrings @mangacat201 @eowon @rainbow-nerdss @nmcggg @pirrusstuff @evanbegins @sammysouffle @smilingbuckley @carrierofthepaperclips @jeeyuns

[thatoneguydownthestreet]

Houswardens x male reader but reader is from the apocalypse: gas mask edition part 2, the electric Boogaloo

We got azul and kalim today. I was going to do Vil too but it's been a while since I started this and I just need to get it out. I'll do him and idia next time. Maybe malleus too.

Azul Ashengrotto

Leona 2.0

This man took one look at you and said no

He took one whiff of you and said fuck no

And it wasn't just the chemicals this time, no, because there was also the faintest, familiar smell of the sea....

The salty, sweet, familiar smell of his home was mixed with gun powder, plastic, and chemicals

And he hated it

What the hell are you? Why did you snell like the sea? Were you a another merman like him and the tweels?

You weren't, he'd come to find out

This did not make things better

Probably made them worse tbh

And what in hell is on your face

It looks....

unnatural. creepy. Disturbing.

....

Welp.

Time to avoid you at all costs

He doesn't really make it a secret that he doesn't want anything to do with you

And he fully expects you to take the hint and maintain about ten feet of personal space between the two of you at all times

Unfortunately for him, you either don't take the hint, or you've decided you were done with giving fucks, because you just so happen to currently be in the middle of the Monstro lounges' restaurant

....well shit

No but seriously what the fuck are you doing here?

Like, do you want to make a deal? Are you just hungry? Are you going to pull out a gun and start blasting? What.

It turned out to be the second option, but he was still pretty suspicious

You understand right? Of course you do

So, with a heap of fake confidence, he gathered his only two friends (that also doubled as bodyguards), and went out into the lobby to question both his existence and your presence

"Oh hello. I'm sorry to intrude, but what business do you have here?"

"...am I not allowed to be here"

"Oh no no no no! My apologies, I misspoke. I just mean...do you want lunch, or did you come here to strike a deal?"

"..."

"What kind of deal?"

And with that, he panics

He didn't think this far, what could you possibly want? And more importantly, what the hell could he get out of it?!

He looked towards jade

Jade didn't look back at him, and consequently missing the panic in azuls eyes

Instead, jade guides you up from your chair and towars the back

You know, where they do "business"

Azul took a sharp inhale

Can't turn back now

It's OK. He can do this.

He couldnt do this

But by god he could act like it

So calmly, and with a heart that has beating much too fast, he caught up with the tweels, looking calm and collected

And feeling the opposite

...

When he put the contract out in front of you, he was...a bit disturbed to say the least

The mask. It blocked out your face, so he couldn't see your face, or your eyes through the dark lenses

But the tilt of your head let him know that you weren't looking at the contract at all

No, you were looking at him

Oh great seven-

"Is something the matter?"

"No. Well, yes. You never answered my question. Just what kind if deal is this?"

"Well. If you would just look down, you'd see our contract-"

"No. I want to hear this from you directly"

Ah shit. Why.

In all honesty, he hadn't thought about this contract too much. Taking what little information he had about you and making an assumption

The contract was one that would change your face to anything you wanted

I mean, you must be a bit...unsightly, right?

Why else would you wear a mask?

When he told you this, you just stared at him, and he got the sudden feeling that he had made a mistake of some kind

"I'd say I'm rather decent, considering my circumstances."

"Then why, may I ask, do you wear a mask?"

"I don't know how clean the air is here. My sector was right by the ocean, so we had a lot of toxins in the air. You understand"

....

Pause

"Well i... i cant say i do. And toxins? What exactly does living right next to an ocean have to do with toxins?!"

Also sector? What the fuck does that mean?

Azul knew he was losing his cool right now, but honestly he was tempted to take your words as slander

He saw Floyd getting figitty out of the corner of his eye

Oh that wasn't good

You however, looked confused, your body language at least

What?

Azul took a deep, deep breath in

He could question your words another time

Right now, he had business

"OK. So I'll ask again. Why do you wear a mask?"

"...I'm going to assume you don't know what a gas mask is then."

No Y/N. No he doesn't

"The mask I'm wearing right now is a special one that allows me to breathe in toxic or chemical gases without dying, or become terminally I'll at least....I prefer to keep it on thankyou."

Well that explained nothing

But it also explained...everything

Ah, so the air quality were you were from is bad huh?

But how bad? You mentioned people dying, from what he assumes was simply by breathing, so it must have been...terrible

...Damn

But still, how was this because of the ocean?

How was what you were describing, because of his home?

You got up from your seat

Oh?

"I'm sorry for wasting your time, but I have no interest in being in this contract. I think I'll leave the lounge now actually. I need to find ace and duece"

Azul saw jade reach out to touch his brother's arm, stopping him from saying or doing anything too...reckless

...huh.

Azul dispelled the contract

...

Well now he had questions

What type of air do you know

And more importantly, what type of water

Kalim Al-Asim

Social cues and the concept of self preservation completely fly over this man's head

So of course he just straight up gies up to you and asks

Or at least, he tries to

Yeeeaaaahhhh no, jamils not gonna let that slide

Sorry but if kalim dies on his watch, he's the one who takes the blame and...."gets in trouble"

Kalim doesn't really know what to think about the mask

And that only fuels his curiosity, and jamils impending breakdown, that much more

Kalim shares the grand majority of his classes with jamil, so most of the time he's just stuck starring at you when he wants answers

Fortunately for him, unfortunately for everyone else, he still has a few classes without jamil there to keep him alive

Bro sees an opportunity and bro takes it

One moment your trying to do your homework before class starts and the next you're on the floor

Good thing you didn't see him coming because you were about this damn close to rocking his shit

🤏 This. Damn. Close

His smile almost made it worth the panic though

"Y/N Y/N! Can I ask a question? What's with the mask?"

"The mask? Oh. It's to breathe air"

"...huh?"

Now you have to remember, kalim has a lot of siblings, a lot of younger siblings at that, so he's a little used to people saying slightly cryptic things with full confidence that he'll understand

Which, usually, he does one way or another

This is not one of those times

"What do you mean to breathe air? The air's fine?"

"Well maybe to you. But I don't have magic"

"...uh"

You look at his confused face, and quickly begin to realize that the other people in the class, including Mr.Trein are all starring at you.

Oh yeah. You were laying on the floor with Kalim on top of you and talking about the air.

...which you had to say look remarkably clearer than what it was from your world, but then again, people here have magic.

...

Oh yeah, you're still on the floor

"Uh, Kalim. Can you maybe get off of me please?"

"Huh? Oh! Yeah!"

I'm sorry what?

What did you not having magic have to do with your ability to breathe air?

Maybe you were merfolk?

No that's not it, if you were merfolk azul wouldn't look at you like you just said the sun was a cookie

So....

Yeah he doesn't know what's going on

Kalim, being kalim, tells jamil

And Jamil, being Jamil, connects the dots for him with one simple sentence

"Maybe the air was really bad where he came from or something"

Everybody praise jamil for being both the smartest bitch on the planet and being able to make the most obvious connect for his oblivious master

No really, praise him, he deserves it

But now that he has a reasonable answer to his question, this is once again, your problem

BECAUSE THE VERY NEXT DAY

"Hey you know the air is clean right?"

"Huh?"

"The air. It's clean. You don't have to wear a mask"

"Kalim. I don't know how to explain this to you any better. I don't. Have. Magic."

"And you don't need magic!"

"Y/N! It's clean!"

"..."

Kalim brought you some of jamils food the next day

You still had your mask on, but you were a bit more figity than usual

And he noticed

____________________

Holy shit I am so glad that's finally done.

I'm going to work on a request and then I'm writing jamil smut....so uh. Look forward to that ig

[shinestarhwaa]

NEW ROMANTICS || PARK SEONGHWA (PT.1)

Pt1 | Pt2 | Pt3

Genre: Fluff, Angst

Pairing: Seonghwa x Named Fem Reader

Word Count: 3.5K

Tags/warnings: Strangers to lovers AU, Readers name is Julie, Trauma concerning parents/fights/abandonment/alcohol, anxiety, starting a new life

Taglist: @anyamaris @a-soft-hornytiny @whatudowhennooneseesyou @wooyoungmybelovedhusband @pyeonghongrie-main @woosanbby @dreamlesswonder86 @changbinslovelylegs @jonghostie @lovjensoo @mjyungi @bratty-tingz @sugarnspice630 @stardragongalaxy @bro-atz @wisejudgedragonhairdo @mingisg00dgirl @wh0re4yunsangho @vesvosmozhno

ENJOY!

''Stupid piece of shit,'' you cursed, kicking your matte black bicycle. It seemed like everything about the world was against you and now you got a flat tire for crying out loud. Luckily you were close enough to home to walk home as it was only a few more minutes away. When you got home you threw your bike on the floor and walked into the hallway, kicking off your sneakers. Lola would probably complain about you not cleaning up right away but right now your world was crumbling down.

Lola already noticed the way you felt when she saw the look on your face. ''Bad day?'' she asked, opening her arms. You let yourself fall down on the couch and curl up into her arms. ''The worst. The pictures didn't come out the way I wanted them to, the model was a cruel bitch and I got a flat tire, like... What is up with the world today?''

Your sister gently stroked your hair to calm you down. ''Why don't you go for a swim and we'll have pasta after?'' You nodded. A swim always worked for you and it was one of the reasons you and Lola moved to this town anyways. You quickly got into your bikini and walked out of the backdoor, entering the beach. You ran towards the sea and closed you eyes, breathing in and out deeply, taking in the salty air.

It felt like home to you. After all the shit everyone's put you through you always felt safe and at home when you got into the water of the sea. You remember the way your mom and dad used to yell and the way Lola hid herself under the dining table and you locked yourself in the bathroom, the only place in the house where the door had a lock, the only place no one would bother you.

Every summer you'd beg for your parents to let you go for a swim, or to go to the beach as a family trip. Those days were the only days that truly brought you happiness. Those days were the only days they'd shut up. It became your safe place then and it stayed that way.

To you, the beach and the sea were reliable. Your parents were the opposite. After years of fighting, screaming and punching holes into the walls your father left without saying goodbye. You heard he lived somewhere in a big city across the world and rumors went on about him having a new family. You never felt the need to find out the truth though, because he was the one cutting himself out of your lives 10 years ago.

You ran your hands through your hair and felt the cold water surround your body, easing the tension. You swam for a while, just enjoying the coolness and the way you floated in the water.

''Watch out Julie! The waves are getting bigger, you should get out of the water!'' a voice suddenly called out. It was Lola. You looked around and saw dark clouds above the water. Realizing the sea would become rougher you decided it was indeed better if you got out of there. You stepped back onto the land and took Lola's hand, who was waiting for you by the shore.

•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•

After eating the delicious pasta carbonara that Lola made you go get ready to go out. You felt a little bloated because you ate so much but how could you not? Your sister made all the effort to make you a nice meal. Lola was an amazing chef and you always told her to do something with it, but Lola's passions were elsewhere.

Lola was always caring, practically has been since birth. Even though you were the older sister she knew just how to take care of you and make you feel better. Sometimes you were sorry about not being the best sister, because you should be caring for her more often too. Because who is looking out for Lola? Therefore, you decide to go out on your own to make her happy.

It wasn't entirely voluntarily but you think Lola might kill you if you didn't go out now. You shimmied into a black dress and put on black sandals to match with it. ''Wow, aren't you a sunshine,'' your sister commented sarcastically. You rolled your eyes. ''Shut up, I need a new summer wardrobe.'' ''Still? It's June,'' she laughed, ''You look beautiful. It's good for you to go out. After what Jake and Lexie did to you... You deserve new friends, and maybe you'll even meet a guy~'' she teased. ''Lola, please,'' you grinned, ''find one for yourself.''

''Oh, I don't know, I like being free right now, I don't have plans to commit to anyone this summer. Maybe later though. We can go out together to hunt for men,'' she laughed. ''Deal.''

•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•

The way to the Seashell bar wasn't long, but it was long enough for you to get sand in all kinds of places. You sighed as you leaned against the outside wall of the bar, shaking the sand out of your shoes. You wriggled yourself back into them and made your way into the bar. The music was loud, but the bar looked welcoming. You saw many people dancing, laughing, singing, some even kissing. A small smile played on your lips as you watched a couple feed food to each other.

You got to the bar and sat down on one of the empty stools. You ordered a 'sex on the beach' cocktail and looked around a little. A guy with dark hair sat next to you. ''This seat free?'' he asked. His darkbrown eyes shone - or twinkled, in the coloured spotlights, a smile forming on his lips.

''Well, I believe you already sat down so technically it's not free. But you can sit there, yes,'' you answered. You mentally slapped yourself for such a lame response, worried he might pick it up as offensive, but instead he laughed. It was a beautiful laugh.

You coolly wanted to take a sip of your drink but you nearly spilled it all over his thigh. ''Fuck, shit, sorry,'' you cursed. You covered your mouth with your hand and sighed. ''It's okay,'' he smiled, ''you didn't spill it. What are you drinking anyways?'' ''Oh, uhm, sex on the beach.'' His eyes grew wider before breaking out in laughter again. ''You nearly spilled 'sex on the beach' all over my lap? I would've been down, I guess. I don't know about all the sand though, it causes chafing and irritation.'' You laughed and blushed a little. ''Right, I'm sorry,'' you apologized again.

''Hey, it's fine, calm down. My name's Seonghwa. I haven't seen you here before, are you new?'' You nodded. ''Yeah, I'm fairly new to town, just moved here with my sister. I'm Julie,'' you introduced yourself, shaking his hand. ''Nice to meet you Julie. Where are you from originally?'' ''Oh, I'm from the other side of the country, small village, you would not know it. I moved here like a month ago so I'm still exploring it all here.''

Seonghwa nodded and smiled. ''Well I'd love to show you around and show you all the good places to go out, or the good restaurants? I don't know what you're into. Except for sex on the beach.'' He laughed again. He seemed like a really happy, sweet and content guy. 'What must that be like?' You thought to yourself.

''I do like the cocktail yes, it's far less disappointing than the actual thing. But uhm, I am a photographer so I need to find places that are good for shooting pics... I do nature and portraits mostly but I would also like to dabble in stuff for fashion... And I love spending time at the beach and in the water,'' you told him. You took a few sips from the cocktail, the fruity sweetness feeling like a reward after a sucky day like this. ''Well, I'm your man,'' he grinned, ''I grew up here! You should come with me for a tour through this town.''

You had a weird feeling about Seonghwa. Nothing bad, but there was a tingle you couldn't recognize. You smiled and nodded, agreeing with his offer. Lola told you to get out of your comfort zone, be it with friends, lovers or even complimenting a stranger. Why not go around the city with a guy you just met. What could possibly go wrong?

•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•

The answer is: absolutely nothing. You found Seonghwa to be a delight to be around. He told you everything about the city and showed you beautiful places to take pictures and you snapped some shots with your camera so you'd remember what it looked like. It could come in handy for later.

You had spend the entire day with him and when you laid in bed at night you couldn't get it out of your head, although you weren't sure why. Suddenly your phone beeped and you checked your message.

Seonghwa: Hey, I had a great time today :) Hope to see you again soon!!

You smiled widely, feeling happy and grateful that he enjoyed it too. Tears welled up in your eyes and you held your phone close to your chest as you took a deep breath. Someone liked you and wanted to hang out with you. You made a new friend. It was hard to see the positive things sometimes but Lola taught you to look at your goals and progress. You met someone new, you made a friend, and that is a good thing.

The next morning you were back in the park that Seonghwa took you to yesterday. You put on a flowery dress to fit into the scene because you were planning to shoot a few self-portraits too, because no matter how much you hated them you really were in need of recent pictures of yourself for your website, socials and artistic portfolio.

You were busy cleaning your lens when you suddenly felt something soft hit your ankle. ''Huh?'' You looked down and saw the fluffiest dog you had seen in your life, picking up the orange ball that had rolled your way. ''Peaches, baby, come here, let's not bother strangers. Peaaaches, listen to mama!'' The dog, assumably called Peaches barked and ran back to the woman running your way.

She seemed to be around your age and her dark curls bounced up and down as she ran downhill. ''Good boy,'' she chanted as Peaches gave her the ball he carried in his mouth. ''Sorry about him, he gets a little excited sometimes,'' the lady excused herself. ''Oh that's okay! I was only cleaning my lens, I wasn't taking a picture,'' you said with a smile.

''Ooh, that's a cool camera, you're a photographer?'' ''I am, have been for two years,'' you nodded. You hesitated a little but decided to ask anyways. ''I'm Juliette Taylor but most people call me Julie, could I maybe take a few pics of you and your dog? You two look so cute together!'' The woman seemed pleasantly surprised. ''Oh my gosh, thank you! I made an effort for my outfit today,'' she grinned, ''I'm going on a coffeedate with friends later. But yeah, sure! You can take pictures of us! I'm Mona by the way.''

Mona shook your hand and discussed the type of vibe you wanted to create in your pictures. You smiled as you watched her play with Peaches. The pictures turned out really well and you promised to send them to Mona when you edited them. She was about to take off again but she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

''Julie?''

You looked up and nodded, ''Yes?'' ''Would you like to come with me? You just told me you're new and all that and maybe it would be nice to meet some people from around here... It's just gonna be me and two other friends and I'm sure they'd love to meet you. Wanna tag along?'' ''N-Now..?'' You felt anxiety rise up but you remembered Lola's words. You had to get out of your comfort zone sometimes, you had to go out to start over.

''Yeah... Yeah I'd like that,'' you said. You packed your stuff back into your bag and walked with Mona. ''What's your story, Julie?'' Mona asked. You sighed and grinned a bit. ''It's a long story and a dramatic one. So the short version is I just moved here with my younger sister to start a new life.'' Mona nodded and smiled. ''Well a new life means a lot of new opportunities, right? Sounds like fun, starting over.'' You just smiled, knowing she meant well but there was nothing fun about starting over for you. But it was necessary.

Soon enough you reached the coffeeshop where Mona's friends were seated. The blonde girl waved you over, ''Mona, we're seated over here!'' ''Hi girls, I hope you don't mind but I just met a new friend! This is Julie, she is new in town so I figured I'd bring her! Julie, this is Mimi and that is Priya!''

You greeted the two other girls and sat next to Mona, across from Priya. ''Nice to meet you,'' she said kindly. Her style was classy but cool and she seemed like a real business lady. Her big brown eyes looked kind, wise and reassuring and you immediately felt comfortable at the table. Mimi, the blonde, was excited and bubbly, almost immediately asking all about your life.

Without any problem they adopted you into their little friendgroup - of course including Peaches too. You learned that the three of them grew up in the area and they went to school together. You loved how their different cultures brought them closer, they seemed to be so involved with and curious about one another and they listened carefully to your every word.

'''So, Julie, do you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend?'' Mimi asked, looking at you intently as she giggled and wiggled her eyebrows. You smiled softly and shook your head. ''I don't have a relationship but...'' ''Ooh, there's a but!'' Priya pointed out. ''Buuut... I did meet someone this week, this guy, his name is Seonghwa and we met in a bar and we hung out a whole day... We're not dating but I cannot say I... would not date him...?''

''Ooh, is he cute? Hot? Handsome? Tall?'' Mona asked. ''Oh he is all those things. But I doubt he'd like me romantically. Although...'' ''Ooh, there is an although!'' Priya pointed out yet again, making the other girls laugh. ''Althouuughhh... He did make a few sexy jokes because I was drinking a sex on the beach and I nearly dropped it all over his pants.'' ''Well, considering he is a guy and you're pretty hot, I am sure he's down for it, why not go for it?'' Mona asked. ''Nooo,'' you said, shaking your head. ''Oh come on, Julie~ You should totally try it, why not go for it?''

•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•

''Hi Julie, this is Seonghwa!'' ''Oh, hi there, how have you been?'' Wow, could you be any less enthusiastic? ''I've been good! So uhm, I was wondering if you're free tomorrow.'' ''Tomorrow? Yeah, I'm free, why?'' You could feel your heart beating loudly in your throat. ''Because I'd like to spend time with you, ofcourse. Any way, see you at three in the park?'' ''Yes, see you at thre-'' Beep. Beep. Beep.

Seonghwa must have been in a rush because he hung up the phone quickly. He also had sounded shaky and nervous, you noticed now. You wondered why, but tried to shake off the thought. You decided not to tell Lola about this one because she might get too excited over it and you didn't know if this was a romantic thing or not.

You did send a message to your new friend. They already put you in their little groupchat yesterday and they were talking all the time. You were happy to have found them because they were so great, supportive and fun to talk with. They immediately texted back about how excited they were for you.

The next day you had spent the entire day picking the perfect outfit, eventually deciding on a white summer dress and cute sneakers to go with it. When you arrived at the park you could already see him from afar sitting on a plaid, dressed in a blue button up shirt and white jeans. His smile was bright and his eyes twinkled again, this time in the sunlight. You waved and walked up to him.

''Hi, Seonghwa,'' you smiled as you sat beside him. '''Hey there, beautiful.'' He made you blush already, not even a minute in. Maybe this was a date after all? ''I don't know if you're on a diet or have allergies so I made a bunch of stuff so you'd have something to eat and drink,'' he said, showing off all the food and drinks he brought along, including vegetarian, vegan and even glutenfree snacks. You felt a stinging pain in your chest when you watched him talk about the food. You didn't know people could be so thoughtful and kind, you barely knew him and he was already going all out for you. You didn't deserve that, you thought.

The entire afternoon you ate, drank and talked, about your job, your sister and you also learned he's a primary school teacher at the school close to your house. He spoke passionately about his work and his friends. You sighed a little, feeling so small suddenly. It wasn't that he was doing or saying anything wrong. He was being amazing. But he reminded you that he's everything you're not.

He is bubbly while you get sad often. He is full of passion while you lost yours. His face contains beauty you never knew before. He was everything you wanted to be. It made you choke up a little, so you chose to only smile and nodd until you felt the heartache die down again.

''You're distracted,'' he notices. ''Right sorry,'' you nodded and apologized. ''It's okay, focus on me,'' he says, gently taking your hand. You looked him deep in his eyes and felt something spark inside your body. Seonghwa pulled you closer and pressed his lips against yours. Your body tensed up. Everything was moving so fast, so fast because you weren't sure why he was kissing you. Why was he kissing you? You met a few days ago and now he's kissing you? So many worries and thoughts flooded your brain but when Seonghwa deepened the kiss and held you close to his chest every single thought seemed to disappear.

You went blank and could only focus of the sensation of Seonghwa's lips and the tingling feeling inside your abdomen. When he ended the kiss he smiled widely and he held you as he kept talking to you for the rest of the afternoon. It was definitely a date.

•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•⑅♡⑅•

''Lola, Lola please listen to me, he kissed me. He kissed me! He barely knows me. He doesn't know I am fucked up yet! I'm a mess and I'm a sad little bitch and he doesn't know it yet. Shouldn't he deserve to know that? What the hell do I do now?''

You were panicking, yelling into the speaker of your phone while your sister tried to shush you and calm you down. ''Okay, he kissed you and it felt good, tell me again why that is a big problem?'' ''Because good things are never good Lola! Everyone hurt me, everyone left me behind. I was so, so sure I was having a good relationship last year too but then he cheated on me with my best friend so what do I fucking know? And dad left, and mom's in rehab and you are like the only person I have left to keep me sane but I am damaged, Lola, I'm a mess!''

''Jeez, Julie. Calm your tits. If only you went to get help for your mental health like I told you to you wouldn't freak out so much. Just because you were hurt earlier doesn't mean Seonghwa will hurt you. And the kiss was good, right? You felt good? You felt sparkles? Well, give it a try then!''

''But... But what if I mess it up again?'' ''Darling, you were never the one messing stuff up. Everything happened to you. But do not let it hold you back any longer. Seize this opportunity, Julie, seize it. Go for it. Go out there. Make mistakes, because that's part of life but don't let the good moments in life scare you anymore. Dare to love. Dare to fall in love. It will be good to you, I promise. Maybe he is not the one, sure, but give it a shot. Give him a chance to be your romeo. Because Juliette does not need him, but she has a hell of a lot more fun with him.''

[nerdestiwrites]

Tales of the Shadow (Hazbin Hotel Pirate AU)

The taste of salt wasn’t something that Charlie would ever be able to get out of her mouth it seemed, even after being on land for a few days after making port. Everything had a salty taste to it, bread, meat, ale, or whatever was being passed off as ale in the small fishing port. It either was that she’d forever have the salt of the sea in her mouth for the rest of time or that salt was the only seasoning that the people of the port knew how to use. Perhaps it was a mixture of both or perhaps it was all in her head. Either way, she’d learn to live with it, and hope that the next time they docked somewhere would prove it one way or another. 

Walking had gotten easier, she hadn’t fallen since the first day off the ship, even with her boots getting stuck in the muddy streets and nearly getting ripped off twice now. She’d only had to grab onto Vaggie twice for support, and once did Vaggie have to push her out of the way from a carriage nearly running her over. 

It had been a better day, the best out of the three that they’d spent docked. No one had tried to rob them or proposition them in any way, and most even stopped cursing them out when Charlie would try to talk to them. She couldn’t say it was all luck or the locals starting to like the two of them, a lot of it was thanks to Vaggie. She’d stopped the would-be thieves the first day, and on Charlie's behalf, only took a finger from each to teach them each a lesson. Vaggie would’ve preferred killing them but Charlie reminded her that wasn’t what they were there for. They needed people to want to come with them.

Charlie stopped in front of a tavern that they hadn’t ventured into yet and peered inside. The door was open, or rather, hanging off one of the hinges and the activity of the day had left the piece of wood pushed aside for easy in-and-out access to the place. Laughter, shouting, a crash of glass, and another loud shout covered the music playing from the poor bard on the lute in the corner. A bottle flew past her head and out into the street. It was as good of a place to find a crew as any. 

She stepped inside, took in a deep breath, and immediately made a face at the smell of the place, nearly doubled over. How it smelt a million times worse inside the building, just over the threshold of the doorway, she wasn’t entirely sure, but the smell was pungent. Vaggie took a step in after and placed a hand on her back, giving a warm half smile, “You okay?” She asked.

Charlie nodded, forced a smile as she attempted to breathe as little as possible while inside the tavern, and stood straight again. She adjusted the hat on her head and cleared her throat. “Right, should we split up again? That sorta worked yesterday. We at least got people to talk with us-”

“Absolutely no more splitting up in places like these. Did you forget how yesterday ended?” Vaggie interrupted as she led the others toward the bar. Best to get a drink before they start harassing the customers of the establishment. She was hoping they wouldn’t get kicked out, again, like they had been from every other tavern in the small fishing village. Vaggie was honestly surprised there were so many, and that they didn’t talk amongst one another and just had her and Charlie's faces plastered outside yet with a DO NOT SERVE written on top of the paper.

“Oh, it wasn’t that bad! The guy seemed like he genuinely wanted to join!” Charlie sighed, the optimism still shining through. This had to work, they needed a crew willing to go on this journey with them. Surely there’d be people who wanted to. 

Vaggie laughed at that and shook her head as she handed a mug of ale over to the blonde and placed a few silver pieces down on the bartop for the barkeep. She sipped the liquid, it was a poor attempt at ale, but it’d do the intended purpose of getting one drunk. “I keep telling you, the promise of treasure is much more enticing than just the promise of adventure.”

Charlie looked into the mug, spun the contents of it around slightly, and sipped it. She gagged at the taste and the mug was placed down on the bar as she shook her head. “But I don’t know if there will be treasure. It’s- We’re- I don’t want to lie!”

“It’s not lying per se, it's avoiding the unknown truth! There could be treasure.” She pointed out as she let a smile on her face at the other's reaction to the taste of the drink, “Besides, who knows how long it’ll actually take to find it? There’s bound to be some sort of gain between now and then.”

“Well, I guess that’s true.” Charlie huffed once. Then she felt a pat on her shoulder that caused her to look up at the other woman and she smiled, nodding once. “Okay, I guess we’ll try it that way… and if we don’t find any treasure along the way, it’s not like they’re not gonna get paid. I do want it to be worth their efforts.”

Vaggie gave another pat to the other's shoulder and nodded, downing the rest of her glass and grabbing onto the full one that had been placed down, replacing it with the now empty mug. “Right, well, if we don’t find anyone in this fishing town, there’s another one three days down the coast. After that, we’ll have to turn around and head north and try there.”

Charlie looked over at the patrons of the tavern, eyes scouring to try and find someone, anyone who she might get to join their crew. While she and Vaggie could sail the ship up and down the coastline easily, as long as the weather permitted, anything out on the open ocean needed a full crew. Even if the person didn’t know how to sail, they could teach them. Just extra hands.

“Or we could always tell them what it is you’re actually looking for.” Vaggie offered and that earned her a gentle hit against her arm, causing some of the ale to splash out of the mug and onto the wooden floor below, adding to the already sticky layer.

Charlie leaned back against the bar and ran both hands over her face. “I’m pretty sure that would mean fewer people would want to join our crew Vaggie! We can’t just tell them that we’re searching for the Shadow ship! Most people think that it’s just a myth and those who don’t are terrified of it.”

“Yeah, but it’s not a myth. Your dad went missing years ago searching for it?” The mug of ale was placed down and instead, Vaggie grabbed onto Charlie's hands and pulled them from the blonde's face, squeezing them. “And you say you’re certain he’s still out there somewhere. Some people just want to be known as the person to find it. Some might believe the myth of whoever finds the Shadow ship becomes the captain of the Shadow itself.. That’s plenty enough to entice some people.”

Charlie stared into Vaggies eye as she took in a deep breath to help ground herself, squeezing both of the other woman's hands. She opened her mouth to say something but a different voice cut her off. 

“I do apologize but I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation just now.” A tall man stood in front of the two women, and Charlie couldn’t remember seeing him inside the tavern or how he approached without either one of them noticing. “But, the topic of the Shadow ship has been an interest of mine for quite some time.”

The man was well dressed, especially for the place they all stood in. Vaggie was immediately suspicious of him, her hands let go of Charlie and one rested on the hilt of her sword, lax but ready to react in an instant if needed. The ears on top of his head flicked once, almost in response to her actions, which caused her to stand straighter as well. 

Charlie, on the other hand, didn’t seem to notice either action and she stood up off the bar with a newfound excitement in her eyes. “Yes! We’ve been trying to get a crew together to go after it, find it!”

As Vaggie stared at and studied the man in front of them, the more she began to recognize him. She placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder gently to try and lead her back and away, to get her to leave the tavern entirely if possible, as her other hand now tightened on the hilt of her sword. Charlie didn’t take the hint and instead took a step forward, putting her own hand out for the man to shake. “I’m Charlie, this is Vaggie, my sailing master and first mate!”

“Alastor, a pleasure to meet the both of you.” He took Charlie's hand into his own, brought it up to his lips, and pressed a polite kiss to her knuckles.

Charlie smiled at the action and once her hand was released, she grabbed onto Vaggies, pulling it away from the hilt of her sword. Alastor kept his gaze at both their faces, both hands returning to the top of the cane as he nodded and spoke up once more. “If you have the space for three, I have two…friends… that would be joining me if you would have us.”

“Yes! Of course, we do!” The blonde said immediately, much to Vaggies dismay. 

Alastors smile widened, “Brilliant! I promise that all of us will be a great deal of help on the ship, Niffty will ensure no rodents or vermin of the like survive past the first day of sailing, and Husker is a rather fine bartender and is a rather grand navigator.”

“Charlie I really think-” Vaggie started but was interrupted by the blonde.

“Okay! We were planning on leaving in two days. Tomorrow I can give you a tour of the ship, we can get all of your stuff moved onto the ship and figure out a real plan on where we’ll be heading next!” 

Alastor nodded as he bowed slightly. “We’ll meet tomorrow then, at noon?” He suggested. 

Charlie nodded. “Noon is perfect.”

With just as quickly and silently as the tall man had arrived, he left without another word. Vaggie let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding the entire time and grabbed onto both of Charlie's arms, turning the blonde to face her. Charlie’s lips turned upwards into a wide smile, she jumped up and down a few times as she grabbed onto Vaggies shoulders to try and keep herself from freaking out too much. “Someone actually wanted to join us!”

Vaggie watched her jump. She didn’t want to ruin the excitement that the blonde held and didn’t want to cause the other to worry but she was concerned about the new crew members that Charlie had just hired on.

“You do know who that was, right Charlie?” She asked.

That caused Charlie to have a look of confusion cross her face and she shook her head. “No? Who was that?”

“That was Alastor Altruist, one of the most feared Pirate Lords.” Vaggies voice lowered to a whisper, careful not to let anyone around them hear her words.

It was like the air was ripped from the building and like everything had gone silent. “Oh.”

꒷꒦︶꒦꒷✧꒷꒦︶꒦꒷

The sun shined down and waves gently crashed against the ship's hull. Despite the nice weather and clear skies, the air was thick with nervousness and anxiety. Charlie couldn’t exactly go back on her invitation to the pirate lord Alastor onto her ship, on the adventure. They needed to help, and if he knew as much as he said he knew about the Shadow ship, then his help would greatly improve their chances of actually finding it. Vaggie had promised that if he even seemed like he had any ulterior motives she’d kill him, that was the only way he’d be allowed on the ship, so Charlie agreed to it.

The fishing village had long since started its day, a new ship had arrived with different supplies and trading goods and was already being filled with new cargo to be traded with wherever it made port next. Fishermen had been out and back twice already in search, hauling back different quantities of fish with varying qualities. 

Charlie paced back and forth on the ship, her hat on top of her head and she took in a few breaths. It was going to be fine. Alastor the pirate lord hadn’t been heard from in years, everyone had assumed he had died, his ship sunk, and that was the end of it. Yet there he had been, asking for a spot on her ship. This meant that he was missing his ship somehow, so something must’ve happened. Was he going to try and steal her ship? Once they were out on the open sea, was he going to cause a mutiny, throw her and Vaggie overboard? He hadn’t given that impression but she had been just excited that anyone was interested in joining.

That was why she was always so thankful that Vaggie was by her side. Without her, Charlie was certain she would’ve gotten into infinitely more trouble and misunderstandings that she wasn’t entirely sure she’d be able to get out of. As she thought of the conversation from last night, she now could see that Vaggie had tried doing the same there as well but Charlie hadn’t listened or paid any attention to it. Now they needed to deal with the subsequent outcome, whether that be good or bad.

Focusing on the good, Alastar truly was interested in the Ship as well, and truly just wanted to help her find it. He might not understand that the only reason she was after the ship was because of her father, but still, he had offered not only his help but the help of two more people as well. He was allowed to have his own interests in the Ship, two people with a common interest could get a lot done.

Now with the man being not only just a pirate but a pirate lord could hold problems on its own. Especially if they ran into the Royal Navy. Her father hadn’t been the Crown's most favorite person, though he never told her why, and he had always been on the run from the Royal Navy himself until he settled down on the small island she grew up on. Luckily for her, no one knew who she was, just someone interested in the ocean myths, searching for her father. No ties to the navy or pirates alike, or at least, she didn’t have ties. With Alastor joining her crew, ties were created. Perhaps if they ran into the royal navy she could convince them that he had turned over a new leaf, that he was no longer a pirate. Wishful thinking.

If they ran into other pirates, Alastors' reputation might be helpful. He would know what to say to make them not attack or to leave them alone. Or they might see him and just decide not to mess with them entirely, which would be the preferred option. The actual preferred option would be not running into any pirates and being left alone entirely while on the adventure but she doubted that would be the case. They needed to be prepared for any and all scenarios possible. 

Which was why Vaggie had insisted on having weapons on board, for protection against pirates and the navy alike, just in case she had said. Cannons, guns, gunpowder, swords, and knives alike. Charlie had been practicing her sword fighting with Vaggie every morning for an hour before they went on with their day and she was getting pretty good if she had been honest with herself. That or Vaggie was going easy on her.

“Heya toots!” A voice called out over the crash of waves that caught Charlie out of her thoughts and she stopped pacing. She looked out to the docks and noticed someone she didn’t recognize standing there waiting to be granted access to the ship. “Heard you were lookin for some hands, lucky for you I got four and I’m really good at usin ‘em!”

Charlie blinked a few times and watched as the man held up his four arms and flashed a toothy grin, the sun glinting off a golden tooth. She immediately smiled back and waved at him to board the ship. “You want to join my crew?”

“Been lookin for a way out of this small village for a while!” He walked up the board onto the deck and stuck one of his arms out for the blonde to shake. “I’m Angel, nice to meetcha!”

“Charlie! Nice to meet you!” She shook his hand with enthusiasm and nodded. “You’re just in time, we’re leaving tomorrow morning!”

“Sooner the better,” Angel said as he looked around the ship, his lower set of arms and hands rested on his hips. As he looked out over the small fishing village, he cleared his throat and pointed down at the docks, “Know them?”

Charlie looked back down at the docks and smiled brighter as she saw Alastor standing there with a catman standing on his left and a much smaller woman with one eye standing on his right. “Alastor! Welcome aboard!”

Alastor walked up onto the ship first followed by the two others. None of them seemed to be carrying any bags or personal items at all and Charlie wondered if Alastor had changed his mind. Showing up might have been just a polite thing to do, to tell her in person that he had changed his mind and the three of them wouldn’t be joining. It wouldn’t be the best news but Vaggie would feel relief and at least they had one person joining it seemed.

She felt nervous, more so now that there was a practical stranger standing on the deck as well. Would Angel recognize Alastor? Would he care that Alastor was a pirate? Would he change his mind about joining? “Charlie, this is Husker and Niffty, the friends I was telling you about last night.” Alastor introduced them. 

Niffty smiled brightly up at Charlie and stepped forward, studying her closely before her eyes began scouring the deck for any movement. Husk grunted once as he lifted a bottle up to his lips, taking a sip from it as he fluffed his wings out a bit. It was clear he wasn’t a fan of the bright sunny day as one of his wings extended slightly to try and block the sun rays from his face. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both!” She said before stepping to the side and allowing more access onto the deck of the ship. She motioned for Angel to take a step forward and gave an encouraging smile. “This is Angel, he said he’s interested in joining us as well! Angel, this is Alastor, Niffty, and Husker!”

Alastor looked over at the stranger, the smile never leaving his face as he looked the other over once before nodding. “Pleasure to meet you as well, I am happy to hear that this little crew is growing. By the end of the week the ship will be filled to the brim I am sure. Shall we begin the tour of the ship?”

[hehe-hoho-ohno]

What if the Muppet guys... were Muppeteers? 🤔

Dialogue taken from the Who's On First skit.

Archeops is a live-hand puppet. Emmet operates the head and right hand, while Ingo controls the left hand. Normally it's the right hand that is controlled by a different puppeteer but Emmet is left-handed so they are doing it this way round.

Archeops is a himbo type character. He is gullible, eager to help and frequently comedically misunderstands what other characters want from him.

Emolga is a Fozzie bear-esqe character who tells bad puns. She often has grand plans that are poorly thought out and never work. She is frequently paired up with Archeops in B plots, where she fails her way through her latest idea while Archeops helpfully makes things worse.

Emolga is a rod puppet. There have been two versions of the Emolga puppet made. The second version has movable eyelids and is generally better quality. The old one still occasionally appears in skits as her slightly lopsided twin sister.

Elesa voices both of them, but Skyla or one of the twins has to puppet the "ugly twin" whenever both are in the same shot.

This has led to many jokes and light-hearted arguments as to whether Ingo or Emmet is the ugly twin. ("Ingo must be the ugly twin. He does not blink."/"Still salty about losing the staring contest, I see.") Skyla takes over just so they will stop.

Skyla mostly works backstage, running the lights. She occasionally helps out in other ways, but mostly she does the lights.

Skyla does have some characters, most notably Swanna, whose reoccurring gag is that she looks elegant and sophisticated but then she does something stupid like eating a tire to the tune of Flight Of The Bumblebee.

Elesa still does model work alongside puppeting. This comes as a suprise to her model fans and vice versa.

However, Elesa has started to lean more towards puppeteering as she gets older. She started out just popping into the workshop during her free time to lend her friends a hand, but these days it's her main job, with modeling becoming more of a side gig.

Ingo and Emmet are more behind the scenes guys than performers. They make the puppets. They really like anamatronics, but the show normally doesn't have the budget for that.

Emmet keeps building Joltik puppets. Everyone keeps telling him to please stop because they already have more than enough. But they are small, cheap, easy to make, and most importantly Emmet finds them delightful. So he keeps making more. He likes to hide them around the set.

The joltiks' appearance has changed over the years as Emmet has gotten better at making puppets. The earliest versions were just pom-poms with googly eyes stuck on.

The twins have gotten more involved with performing as time goes by. Ingo is more camera shy than Emmet is, and he usually sticks to "left handing" for Emmet.

Ingo also plays similar support roles for other performers. He puppets Chandlure, while Shauntal (script writer) voices her. He is the right claw of Clay's Excadrill. He also helps with Drayden's dragon puppets, many of which are huge and require 2 or more people to operate.

Haxorus was initially Drayden's character. But after an injury he was unable to operate Haxorus (a full-body walk around suit). The initial plan was for Ingo to wear the suit and have Drayden dub him in post. However, everyone thought Ingo did such a good job (including Drayden) that they kept his voice lines in and had Ingo keep playing Haxorus even after Drayden got better.

Part of the reason Drayden was okay with this is becuse Haxorus was too similar to his other characters and didn't really stand out: a serious and sarcastic 'straight man' for the other characters to bounce off of, generally fed-up with the rest of the cast's nonsense. Ingo brought some much needed bombasity to the role. Now Haxorus comedicly overreacts to being bothered by the other characters, often in violent ways that result in an earthquake (camera shakes and performers toss their puppets up in the air, higgledy-piggledy).

The other reason was that Drayden liked seeing his nephew being more confident on camera.

Ingo does not get a mic. He shouts through the suit. He's just that powerful. Also he broke the last one.

Ingo also voices and puppets Gliscor. Gliscor was a henchman to a minor antagonist, but he wasn't very good at it - cheering on the heros that came to stop him (he didn't want to be rude). Gliscor was a break out character - becoming a reoccurring presence becuse the fans liked him.

Emmet controls Gliscor's right claw.

[cuckoo-on-a-string]

Superstition Teaser

(Chapter One Now Live HERE! Thank you <3)

They said women of her kind should never touch the sea before falling in love, that they’d lose their hearts to the waves. A forfeit to destiny or some such shit.

It was an old wives’ tale. A superstition.

But as the car careened towards the edge of the pier, rocketing over splintered wood without a hope of stopping before it hit the water, she kinda wondered if it was true. Just a little bit. The idea popped into her head like a bubble in a fountain drink, random association as her brain fizzled through shock. Pain. Panic.

A bullet caught the driver’s side window, and it exploded in a rain of glass. Flinching away with closed eyes, she instinctively threw an arm across the wheezing, blue-skinned child in the passenger seat. The wheel jerked with the motion, and the car went over the side of the pier.

Freefall stole her belly, her sense of time, her understanding of gravity.

She had a suspended moment of clarity to reflect on her life choices, on her chances of surviving all this. In summary: she was an idiot, she missed her brothers, and she would not be seeing this adventure to its end.

None of it mattered. She had to escape, and she wasn’t about to leave the little girl with her big, terrified eyes floating in the tank beside her cell. Fuck that. The car, the pursuit, and the bullets were probably inevitable, anyway. At least she’d get the kid back somewhere she could breathe.

One of them would make it out alive.

And she’d rather bleed out from the bullet she’d caught than end her days in that cage. Or under a curious surgeon’s knife.

Better to give the ocean her heart.

They hit the water, and all was pain again. Saltwater gushed through the broken window, and the waterline climbed up the windshield much faster than she’d anticipated. But the kid looked better already. Less blue where the water swallowed her legs and chest.

Unlocking the girl’s seatbelt, she grabbed her by the arm, dragged her across her lap, and started stuffing her out the window. Hopefully she wouldn’t cut herself on the glass, but she needed to be out of the vehicle and on her way out to sea before the men with guns left their cars and started spraying the water.

“Go. Go on.” The water lapped up to kiss her chin, and ominous bubbles billowed from under the hood. She only had a few more good breaths before the car went under. “Get out of here, go.”

The kid reached through the window, pulling her arm, like she could return the favor. Scrambling to unlock her own seatbelt, she shook her head, trying to push the girl away. “I’m fine! Go!”

But as she tried to work the seatbelt free, she realized with dawning horror that the button wasn’t working. The mechanism must’ve jammed in the crash. She was anchored to her seat, and it was sinking fast.

“Fuck.”

She tipped her head back, neck straining as the surface moved up, and up, and over her face. Salt burned her eyes, and she barely saw anything beyond vague shapes in the dark water. The only light came from the full moon, and that was dwindling fast as gravity pulled her deeper. She ran her hands over the console, along the side of her seat, and along the edge of the window, looking for a shard large enough to cut herself free. But the window had shattered into diamond-sized fragments. Nothing big enough to save her.

The pressure roared in her ears, the ache bad enough to draw tears – not that she or anyone else could recognize them in this salty hell.

By the time car settled on the seafloor, about a dozen yards below the surface, she could see a faint cloud of red leaking from her side, and her brother’s taunting voice rang in her memory. “Don’t go swimming with a papercut or the water will get in, and it will get infected, and you will die.”

Well. This was no papercut, and she probably wouldn’t live long enough to get an infection, but she probably would die.

Wouldn’t he be so pleased to have been right?

She wanted him. She wanted all of her brothers. If any of the bastards shook her awake and laughed at her for being a big baby crying in her sleep she’d hug them, thank them, and never run off alone again. Or. She’d at least try. She’d really, really try.

She’d do anything.

Danu.

She didn’t want to die alone.

Thrashing in her seat, pinned as the burn in her lungs turned into frantic spasms, she clawed at the safety belt poised to end her life. Her chest was on fire. Her head felt like it might explode. How long before she broke? Before she had to breathe anything at all, even water?

Little hands clamped around her wrist, tugging.

And the damn fish kid still hadn’t left.

Fucking fuck.

The child was trying to say something. Her voice carried through the water, but she didn’t recognize the language, and it wasn’t like she could answer. Bubbles crept out her nose and she gestured out, away, towards deep water where the kid could escape their pursuers.

Shadows interrupted the moonbeams dancing over the wreck.

Gunfire, muted by the water, just barely cut through the thump of her heartbeat in her ears.

Another good tug on the seatbelt. Nothing.

And then...

She didn’t mean to open her mouth.

But she did. And the last of her air rose to stick on the roof of the sunken car in uneven bubbles. Her diaphragm jerked, inviting the sea into her lungs. It didn’t feel like water. It coursed through her like lava, an alien pressure with the soothing touch of an electrical burn.

Every limb took on a life of its own, a last ditch animal reaction to scramble for oxygen. A slow-motion blur of terror and agony as her brain shut down.

The last thing she felt was the seat belt’s sudden release, weightlessness, and hands on her shoulders.

Hands much too large to be a child’s.

Don't worry, regulars, Hello, Mr. Monster is next on the docket.

If you all can wait, like, a week and a half, I will be spending a week on the ocean, will have lots of writing time, and ample motivation to spin this into a splendorous fic.

Let me know if this is something you'd like more of, and your Cuckoo will provide. Ta, dears!

[sealrock]

17. sally

no content warnings word count: 470 words

The creaking ship pitched and bobbed against the rough sea waves, the captain above shouting commands to his crew to prepare for a brewing storm. Down below, the quarters were stuffed full of despondent and distressed refugees, entire families displaced from the Garlean Empire's quest for expansion. The average-sized ship, disguised as a merchant vessel delivering goods from the Far East, was in actuality a ticket out of the war for many who wished for a better life elsewhere.

He heard the telltale rumble of thunder from above; he could only hope that the ship makes it to port safely. For almost two weeks, they sailed the open waters of the Bounty towards their destination of Eorzea, one of the last safe havens untouched by Garlemald's encroaching shadow. For most of his life until now, he had been a bastard son of Ilsabard, mistreated and abused by the invading occupants of the land they call "Mother." It was at the behest of his mentor, a replacement father whether he wanted to admit it or not, that he sallied forth to do his bidding in a foreign collective of nations. While their organization had spread far, there were few in the aether-rich realm that could gain a proper foothold in their surroundings against their enemies.

He squeezed his chaplet to steady himself as the ship tipped sideways, the panicked murmurs of the occupants filling his ears. Half blind as he was, he could still see their terrified faces as they huddled together, women clutching their children close and singing songs to calm their rattled nerves. The memories of his mother had since faded now that he was a man grown, her smile melting away from his mind like snow sludge. It was better to forget about his family than to constantly live with the memory of them.

His head throbbed from the erratic motion of the ship. The underlying stench of his fellow refugees, through no fault of their own, hung over the cramped space, further mixed with strong salty air aggravating his headache. No doubt he needed to bathe after all this was over. He was thankful he wasn't as sensitive to the waves, his stomach at ease unlike some. He burrowed into his corner of the hull and closed his eye to try and rest, his itchy scarf offering a small amount of protection from the many scents that lingered in the air.

He should be used to this. He could no longer enjoy the minutiae of daily life, this was his new normal, to hide in shadows and sneak about in the dark. Even in the new lands he was bound for, he wouldn't be able to stop and smell the proverbial roses (does Eorzea have roses?), he had a mission to complete. He couldn't disappoint his mentor.