#i'll put your additions in the final version if i get around to doing it

[ithinktheygotthealias]

a (draft) list of evidence james tiberius kirk has The Big Bi™

*this version will be deleted when (if) i fix this list up with some gifs and screenshots*

so, i have decided to compile some independent evidence on a few points that have been in (more than usual) contention lately in the fandom. my focus, as always, is tos. this first one is a bit of preaching to the choir consideirng my usual haunts, but i hope it will at least strengthen the argument for a bi/pan kirk, by virtue of bypassing the "spock" part of the discussion entirely.

and why despite being vocally not into the show it is still my hope in my heart of hearts that the canon!bi kirk in snw rumours from a while back are true

following up will be a similar draft list on all the times spock had any kind of interaction that might be construed as romantic in the show. the goal is to have one on all of the references to chapel's feelings for spock too, but that will be more work so maybe in a few days? never trust any promises i make on this blog

so, without further ado, the list, divided on categories for my our convenience:

arguable:

Gary Mitchell (Where No Man Has Gone Before) - i've put him down as arguable bc i've also seen ppl compare how jim acts towards him to how he acts towards spock as evidence for his being into spock. i think they had something going on at some point, but it had long ended by the time of the episode.

i will fight anyone on this:

Ben Finney (Court Martial) - embiterred former lover, much? he even named his daughter after the guy ffs. and that was BEFORE the revenge fixation.

Captain John Christopher (Tomorrow is Yesterday) - poor jim wanted that 1960s wasp booty so bad his flirt overflowed into every single man they found in the past

"Don't you believe in male androids, Harry?" (I, Mudd?) - speaking out for himself and all men lovers out there

Tyree (A Private Little War) - they lived together, come on

man-magnet jimothy:

Trelaine (The Squire of Gothos) - depending on your interpretation: bratty toddler with a favourite toy, toxic child with a first crush and no idea what to do about it, or manchild outright trying to eliminate the "competition" aka spock? obviously not reciprocated. might count as meme evidence instead.

Garth (Whom Gods Destroy) - both the orion battygirl (pun intended) and her #1 megalomaniac boytoy had a twisted little something going on for the captain

meme evidence:

I'm Not Sure He Likes This Guy, But He Sure Likes His Rock Dildo (What Are Little Girls Made Of?) - iconic.

Jim's Favourite Colour (Arena) - this fight is kinda... is.

"Are there any men on this planet?" (That Which Survives) - while much beloved by all, this quote is taken kinda out of context, and even the rainbow flag was still years away from being invented when it aired, let alone the bi flag. sorry, guys, meme category it is.

[14dayswithyou]

💖 Day 3.5 is now available! 💖

For the last couple of months, only Server Boosters had access to the 3.5 update... Buuuuut now it's available for everyone to play in the 14DWY Discord — and soon itch.io once I'm happy with the QA and state of the game — so please don't feel pressured to join unless you want to!!

The full devlog + even more screenshots are under the cut ^^

What's been added to the 3.5 version?

📺 Streamer Mode!

I've been told that it's difficult to stream and monetise age-restricted videos on YouTube and Twitch, so I added an option to remove the sexual content and strong language used in the demo.

Now y'all can invite Ren into your bed for cuddles without putting your streamer career on the line /silly /lh

This won't affect the 18+ rating or dark themes/elements of the game, however! Although Streamer Mode will prevent you from seeing any "gruesome" CGs in the future, most of the core elements of the game will still be tied to the choices and decisions you make. So you won't miss out on the overall experience by using streamer mode!!

⚙️ Custom Pronouns!

It only took me one entire year to get around to it, but you can finally choose your own preferred pronouns (or use a set of pronouns instead)... At the cost of being able to change them mid-game ^^;

Since the original pronoun screen wouldn't update until a new scene was displayed, I temporarily disabled the feature. But once I find a workaround, I'll bring it back!

💗 Choose how others perceive you!

You can now choose how the cast and narration perceive you! Originally, the narration was kept strictly gender-neutral (outside of pronouns and genitalia picked by the player), but this will soon change in future updates.

For more clarity: you don't get to choose the words specifically, but you can choose between masculine, feminine, and androgynous terms!

📋 Separate top and bottom genitalia!

You can now choose your tatas and pps separately! >:3

Alongside that, you can also choose your preferred body type!

I removed the "both" genitalia option because a few players still assumed it was an obscure version of "intersex". That wasn't my intention and I don't want to mislead anyone, so I took it out for now ^^;

I also didn't want to include a screenshot of the new genitalia choices in action (because it's NSFW), so y'all get the same character menu screen for the nth time instead lmao

📱 Relationship Screen Overhaul!

You can now change your own status for more immersion, and long-term Server Boosters will eventually be able to submit and use their own icon within the game as well!

Stalking finding your friends has now become easier by using "Buddy Maps"; a new app that allows you to see the location of all the cast members!

I want to offer players more incentive to check the relationship screen since they tend to miss the status updates, so hopefully this might help ;v;

It also says it "updates every few hours" so folks don't go overboard and check every 5 seconds to see where Ren is gdsghf (also keep in mind that he's a hacker lol)

🖤 Additional Scenes Update!

Day 2 received a brand new CG!!!!! Originally, I planned on only adding a few CGs sporadically throughout the game, but it didn't feel right to leave Day 2 so... empty... so I added a brand new CG to (hopefully) make things feel more balanced and natural!

If you decline Teo's offer on Day 3, Leon will now call and try to convince you to reconsider. However, players are still allowed to decline, and if they do, they'll reach a dead end.

After listening to feedback on itch, I changed some of the dialogue during Days 1-3 to make it seem more consistent! They're only small changes though, so it's honestly not worth looking for sdgjssga

🎶 Updated BGM and SFX!

I wanted to try out a different style of music to see if it fits the vibe of 14DWY more! The BGM features more acoustics to suit the "beachy" theme of Corland Bay, though I made a conscious effort to include piano elements as well to stay true to the original!!

I figured it'd be better to give players a live example before I make a poll (to see if they prefer the change or not) and publish it to Itch.

Some new SFX have also been added, though it's very minimal and honestly not that noticeable.

How to download and play the update?

(warning: clicking on the following links will open Discord!!) To download the Day 3.5 update, simply join the 14DWY Discord server, verify your age, and visit the "14dwy-updates" channel!

Alternatively, you can also wait until the update is publicly released on Itch to play it as well!! (It normally gets released shortly after a round of QA testing/getting feedback from the server, though I may release it earlier if I feel like it hehe ^^)

Enjoy!!

[http-finnick]

𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡

finnick odair x fem!reader

summary: a drabble on you making cookies with your whiny baby and almost as whiny husband

"mwah, mwah, mwah!" you kissed your baby's cheeks as she sits neatly on the counter, she giggles and you stand with a hand on your hip watching as your grin stands prominent

you twirl in your soft homey dress to grab a wooden spoon to distract your little girl with, handing it to her as she looks at it with pride

"you look gorgeous" you turn to see finnick whose leaning on the doorway with a heavy smirk on his face

"glad you could make it, finally" you mumble the last part playfully as he walks over to you and places soft kisses on your lips

"mama!" she whines, jealous of her attention loss and you push finnick away to get back to your child

"if I cry like that will you love me?" he taunts, even doing a dramatic frown just to show you how sad he is

"now finnick, I don't remember having two children on my hands"

"we could if you'd-"

"finnick odair." you warn as he gets the cockiest grin on his lips, you roll your eyes and push your baby back into the back corner of the counter, far enough from the edge.

"here's your spatula and your mixing bowl" you smile while giving her wooden versions of your tools. she grins and you turn over to start the process

"finnick, start mashing the butter for me, please" you ask as he drags himself over to the separate counter next to her. pushing the fork into the warm butter as you hear a soft whine

"da-da" she pouts as she looks over to finnick before showing him her empty sad bowl

"oh I know, poor baby" he puts on a baby voice as he moves the bowl to her and has her help in the mushing with her wooden spoon

before long your placing the cookie dough onto the sheeted pan as finnick bounces with her in the corner

"maybe I should try some, babe." he chimes in and you eye him

"tookie" she says sadly. now you know where she got her bribing and whininess from.

"mm, I'll think about when you guys have salmonella." you grin before placing the pan into the oven, and finnick goes off about how sharing is caring.

soon you are all around the table eating cookies as finnick talks about his day while feeding your little girl small broken-off pieces of the cookie and you can't help but want to reconsider his offer of another addition.

an: i love tooth-aching fluff and a calm life with husband finnick and the children sm<33

[harunovella]

could i be more obvious? ; e.y.

synopsis: It felt as if Eren spent his life chasing after you, but with bad luck came bad results... that is until a near fatal incident finally brings the two of you together. Of course, that was all thanks to his alter ego, Spider-Man... and who would've guessed that the man behind the mask was the man you had been crushing on, too? | spider-man!eren x fem!reader

cw: modern setting (high school/senior year), mutual pining + first dates (if that's even a warning?), loss of virginity/first times, oral (m → f), fingering, hand jobs... idk if i'm missing any! (MDNI!)

wc: 13k+

an: crossposting this on tumblr as I've been solely writing on ao3 only but thought I'd start putting my work on here too! this honestly was insp by a dream i had so don't mind me, i love the idea of spidey eren; title inspo ♥

Having a brain for a best friend was always a bonus when they helped advanced your super suit—at least, that was the case for Eren Yeager. Armin insisted in many necessary additions to (what once was) Eren's cheesy version of his spidey suit. Or, as he liked to call it, Mark I. A vibration was felt against his hip as he was in the midst of disarming one of the five thieves surrounding him. "Do you all mind if I get that?" He asked as he lifted a finger, his other now outstretched as a web had shot out and blocked one of the criminals from pulling the trigger.

The men all exchanged looks in confusion as the masked vigilante—hero—reached to his side and pulled out his sleek, smartphone. "What the hell—"

Pulling back and flicking his wrist as a web silence of the thug who spoke, Eren tapped the answer button after reading the name. "Armin, now is not the time, I'm in the middle of handling a robbery."

"Right now? You're about to miss prom!"

Growing wide eyed—as the white eyes of his mask grew, too—Eren cursed, "shit, I lost track of time!"

The sound of a gun shot and multiple whoa's on Armin's end caused him to gasp, "Eren, be careful!"

"Eren, you better not be endangering yourself!" Mikasa exclaimed.

"I— I'm okay!" Eren panted, dodging bullets before swiping his leg and knocking the man firing off his feet. Slinging some webs, yanking away the weapons, Eren kept his phone against his head, "I'll be there soon! I promise!" He shouted, hung up and webbed up the five men together. Hanging them upside down from the bank's ceiling, the crowd that was hidden cheered.

Letting out a sigh as he heard the police sirens, he took a few steps back to eye his work—he loved hanging up criminals from his webs. It made them look like they were about to be feasted on.

Turning away and eyeing the civilians that now stood from their hiding spaces, he saluted them, "your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man saved the day, yet again!" Waving, he looked out the window to see a collection of police cars lining up. Turning his attention down to his phone, he gasped at the time. "Shit— Gotta go!" He waved at the civilians before rushing out through a hole in the wall caused by the robbers.

"Spider-Man saved us!" A kid shouted as Eren rushed into the nearby alley, smiling to himself before he stopped at a dumpster. Reaching behind it and pulling out his duffle bag, he quickly removed his mask and pulled on his prom suit. Tucking his mask into the inner pocket of his jacket, Eren haphazardly tied back his hair before fleeing the area.

"Sometimes I wish we didn't know our best friend was a superhero," Armin said as he rubbed his face while Mikasa stood beside him on the balcony. "It's like living every day unsure of whether or not we will see him again."

"He'll be fine," the grey eyed young woman nodded. "I know he will." Hearing a grunt come from behind them, the two instantly turned, eyes now wide. "Did you really fly around in that?" Mikasa pointed at the suit the man before her was wearing.

Eyeing himself, Eren nodded with a smirk, "not a single scratch. Quite impressive."

Sighing, Mikasa walked over and fixed his hair, pushing aside the loose strands that were scattered all over his forehead. "What if someone saw you?" She asked, concerned.

Shaking his head, Eren buttoned up his jacket as Mikasa handed him his favorite rings. Slipping them on while Armin patted down his suit, he rolled his eyes, "not when I'm stories high. You can barely tell what the hell I'm even wearing."

"Yeah, well, with the cameras today, anyone can spot you," Armin shook his head before rounding his best friend, making sure nothing seemed out of place. Then, he handed him an emerald green tie, "I knew you'd forget it."

"Thanks, 'Min," Eren smiled as he tied up his tie around his shirt's collar, "what would I do without the two of you?"

"Perish," Mikasa casually said as Armin chuckled. "Let's get going, we only have our senior prom once." Turning and walking ahead as Armin took her side, Eren followed shortly after.

Mikasa was in a deep burgundy gown with a slit that her leg peeked through. The straps of her dress were thin and crossed at the back as she held a small matching clutch. Her lipstick—to no surprise just like her hair and nails—all black. It was her. Armin, on the other hand, wore a dark blue tuxedo and had a grey bow tie to adorn it. Eren? He stuck to a simple black suit, not needing anything fancy when he wasn't sure if and when he'd have to rip it right off. Of course he kept his super-suit on underneath, it was like second skin at this point.

"Wow..." the three said in awe, eyeing the ballroom with its large chandeliers and a flashing disco ball above the dance floor. The lights were dim and the decorations of stars and constellations made it feel like they were in a planetarium. Under the Night Sky was the theme their class voted on. So, as expected, many were wearing silvers, blacks, and any other matching shades.

"You guys!" A voice called out as the trio looked over, spotting a familiar face wave their hand. "I got us all a table!"

"Hey Sasha!" Armin waved as the three walked over, noticing that her boyfriend—Niccolo—and Jean were already seated. "Where's Connie?"

"On the dance floor with the ladies already," Jean pointed with his thumb as the trio looked over to see that Connie was—in fact—dancing with a group of girls who cheered him on. "For a man who attracts that kind of attention, it amazes me how he never gets laid."

"Does it really surprise you?" Sasha asked as she had taken her seat and began stuffing her face with appetizers. "I mean, he's an idiot."

"You're one to talk," Jean teased.

"I have a boyfriend!" She exclaimed, mouth full as Niccolo patted her shoulder, mumbling for her to calm down so she wouldn't choke. The couple matched, Sasha in a canary yellow, backless gown as Niccolo's bow tie was the same color.

Jean, on the other hand, wore a simple black tuxedo—one Connie apparently got the same of—as both wore ties in matching colors. Jean was pissed, to say the least, when he saw Connie had the same look, claiming he just got inspiration from him. It also didn't help that Jean had a burgundy tie to coincidentally match Mikasa, but now it looked like he was there with Connie as his date. "Don't even say it," the young man with the mullet spoke as Eren's eyes bounced between him and a wild Connie dancing afar.

Lifting up his hands in defense, Eren walked over and took the open seat beside him, knowing very well Jean was saving it for Mikasa. "Thanks for saving me a seat, Jean boy."

"You bastard, you know it's for Mikasa," Jean mumbled through tight teeth, earning a pat on the shoulder from the green eyed man next to him.

Taking a seat next to Eren, Mikasa looked up at Armin to see he was in a trance. Following his eyes and spotting Annie in the distance speaking to Hitch, Mikasa smiled, "go say hi to her."

Blinking with a blush, Armin nodded, "right... I'll— I'll be right back."

Turning his head to see what Mikasa and Armin were talking about, Eren's eyes landed on the small group in the distance. Annie standing with Hitch as they spoke beside another table. Said table had Bertolt, Porco, Colt, Pieck, and... "Where's Reiner?" Eren asked, eyes searching the crowd.

"Looks like he just got here with your girlfriend," Jean smirked, punching Eren's arm as the brunet hissed and flicked Jean's forehead.

"Asshole," turning in his seat and eyeing the entrance, Eren's eyes landed on the broad man walking in with a smirk on his lips. Reiner easily towered everyone around him, including the woman on his arm... you. Eren's heart skipped a beat. Your gown was insanely gorgeous, but not as gorgeous as you looked. The tied up spaghetti straps, the sheer green fabric of the skirt that had shimmering designs beneath, a matching shawl... oh, how you looked like a princess. It didn't help that you were wearing a green much like the tie he had been wearing. Definitely a coincidence... it wasn't like you knew, anyway.

"Don't stare," Mikasa patted Eren's arm as he blinked, unable to peel his eyes from you, your soft makeup and that updo of yours that had strands of hair framing your face. An arm snaked around your waist, pulling you in as Reiner held you close. That should have been him by your side. "Eren, you're being obvious..."

"She looks so beautiful..." he whispered, watching as you and Reiner greeted people, walking by his table and saying quick hello's before moving along. "Oh, god, she smells amazing—"

"How the hell did you get that?" Jean asked with a look of disgust on his face, Eren turning and glaring at him.

"Dumbass, she walked right by! It hit me!" He hissed.

"Damn, Eren, that could've been you if you didn't have such bad luck," Sasha pointed out, finishing her second plate as Eren sighed.

"Thanks for the reminder..." He groaned, slouching in his seat as his eyes shifted back to the direction you went in... watching you enjoy the night.

It seemed that was all he was destined to do at prom: watch you have fun with everyone but him.

Mikasa had insisted he get up and enjoy the evening, dance and be entertained, but Eren found himself sulking. Sinking deeper and deeper into his seat the more he eyed you. It was embarrassing at how long he had, occasionally looking away when you turned in his direction. He knew he should've joined his friends—hell, even Armin was having the time of his life on the dance floor with everyone else—but he had pictured this night so differently.

If it wasn't for the fact that he always had bad timing with you, maybe then he would've already had you long ago.

Eren wasn't much of an outcast or someone to look past, he made a name for himself all those years ago in junior high, back when he was chaotic. Always getting himself into some new mishap, always the center of attention with his eccentric personality. Of course, now as a young adult at the lovely age of 18, he liked to believe he was much more mature than he was then. Though, still a bit of an odd ball, he was well rounded. Mikasa and Armin would always be his best friends, but there was no denying that he had friends all over the school. Ranging from different ages and groups, he was quite the social butterfly. He knew so many people, he caught the hearts of so many girls... yet, he could never have yours.

Turning down various girls who asked him to dance as he stubbornly moped in his seat, Eren watched as his friends danced together to the upbeat music. Smiles plastered on their faces as they jumped and laughed altogether. Mikasa broke out of her shell alongside Armin as Sasha and Connie circled them with foolish movements that had the group in tears. Just as the upbeat tempo had everyone bouncing around, it soon slowed and turned into a smooth number. Jean took Mikasa to a side as Niccolo brought Sasha with him. Armin shyly approached Annie while other couples paired up. Eren's eyes (once again) landed on you as you stood to the side and watched happily.

How come you weren't joining in with Reiner?

Looking around for your supposed date for the evening, Eren sucked on his teeth before rolling his eyes at the sight of Reiner talking up a storm to Historia. Now's my chance, he thought as he stood from his seat and approached you. You stood with your hands held together before you, a gentle smile on your lips before your head turned at the sound of Eren clearing his throat. "May I have this dance?"

Eyeing the brunet before you, your eyes trailed over to the blond who was meant to be the one asking. Your shoulders dropped as you sighed at the sight of him so close and personal with Historia, though knowing fairly well he almost stood no chance. It wasn't like you had a raging crush on Reiner, he was a nice guy, but he was nothing more than your prom date. He had asked you. Why couldn't he act like the prom date he was supposed to be?

Noticing the way a small frown took on your lips, Eren bit on his own. This wouldn't have happened if he had asked you. This wouldn't have happened if he wasn't always being interfered whenever it came to you.

It all started back then in junior high; when he was the class trouble maker and you were the star student. He knew he was out of your league, being the chaotic boy he was, but that didn't stop him from falling head over heels for you: the teacher's pet. Eren always found himself in the messiest situations, and when he had, you always so happened to be there. Watching, eyeing him with such disappointment. His smiles always faded at that. Somehow, you always caught him at his worst but was nowhere to be seen at his best.

If it wasn't Eren being scolded outside of classrooms or in the principle's office, it was him getting his ass beaten—alongside Armin, Jean, and Connie—in a stupid Fight Club made for a bunch of 13 year old boys. And, like aways, you walked by at the perfect moment with your little group of friends to see him getting his ass handed to him.

Instead of making a good impression, to get you enamored in him, it always ended up being Eren embarrassing himself in front of you. He knew it was karma for how immature he was, why else wouldn't you give him the time of day? He was reckless, a ball of fire... and no matter how many times he tried to get you to be his, something always got in the way. Another mess to be dragged into, another look of shame from you.

Snapping out of his thoughts as he gazed down at you, Eren noticed the way your lips parted, how you were just about to speak before a tall blond interfered. "Let's dance," Reiner grinned as he took your hand and pulled you to the dance floor, leaving Eren there with tight fists and barred teeth. You gave him a sympathetic look before you were lost in the crowd. Reiner did it on purpose, he must've.

"Hey, let's get some punch!" Armin said as he popped out of nowhere, Mikasa appearing as well as she gently pulled Eren away.

"Always a loser, huh? Can never get the girl, can you, Eren?" Jean laughed, earning a threatening scowl from Eren.

"I'm going to get some air for a bit, you guys enjoy the night, don't worry about me," the brunet said, eyes low as he gently peeled off Mikasa's hand before walking away.

Wanting to follow, Armin gently tugged her back, "let him be... he's been struggling all night."

"But..." stopping herself, Mikasa nodded. "Fine..."

It didn't take long for Eren to slip past the crowd of students spread throughout the entrance of the ballroom. He took the first elevator that opened, slid in, and leaned his back against the glass wall. Rubbing his face with a sigh, Eren thought about you. Thought about how pointless it was to have a stupid crush on you for so long. Thought about how everyone was about to graduate and move on with their lives and he'd still be pinning over you. Maybe he shouldn't have come to prom. Maybe he should've just kept on being the good superhero he was and find another person in distress. It wasn't like fighting crime was uncommon, hell, he could do it right now. All he had to do was swing around and find someone in need within seconds.

Hearing the elevator ding as he snapped out of his thoughts, Eren made his way into the lobby and out the front doors. A gust of wind greeted him as he made his way down the long steps, stopping at the last few before sitting down. He just needed a breather, a moment to collect himself, to stop being such a pathetic man. Slow dances would end, everything would go back to normal. Maybe then he could distract himself with his friends, take photos in the photo booth, entertain their we have to do everything at prom since it only happens once! desires. He'd be a good friend and stop sulking around. Yeah, he just needed to breathe in some fresh (city) air, star gaze the few stars the light pollution allowed him to see, and force you out of his head.

Yet, not thinking about you was near impossible. You were on his mind 24/7. You were all he thought about when his thoughts weren't filled with his future and his alter ego. Why couldn't he just let you go? After trying for so long, after all the missed opportunities, all the signs that told him you were never meant to be... why couldn't he just give up? Why did he have to be so persistent and want you and only you so badly?

This is why you'll die a virgin. She will move on with her life and you will just be the man behind the mask who never got laid.

His internal monologue went on and on and he found himself sinking into his spot until, suddenly, he sprung up. His senses were going off, tingling around his head as he eyed his surroundings. His skin went cold, hair standing as goosebumps formed. He went rigid, his heart skipping a beat as his gut turned. He knew what this meant. He hated this feeling. Something bad—

His ears started to ring. It happened too fast, even for him. Debris was all over the place, he ducked forward and held his head out of instinct before turning around and eyeing the building he sat before. Jumping to his feet as hordes of people rushed out, a scorching fire blazed through the building, glass shattering and crashing below.

Pushing past the people as he looked around, much too many of them getting in his way, his eyes landed on his friends. Armin, Mikasa... Sasha, Niccolo, Jean and Connie... He spotted Annie and Reiner and— Where were you?

"Eren!" Mikasa and Armin exclaimed in unison as they rushed to him, both looking startled but luckily in tact.

"Where— Where is she?" He asked, his tall frame giving him the advantage he needed to search the crowd frantically. Lowering his focus to his best friends as they exchanged looks, the three of them then looked over at Reiner, who stood beside Annie, trying to catch their breaths. "Reiner!" Eren called out, forcing his way to him. "Where is she?!" He asked, grabbing the man's suit jacket. "Why isn't she with you?!"

Knowing who he meant, Reiner shook his head, "I— I lost her in the mess—"

"Lost her?!" Eren panicked. "How the fu—" biting his tongue, he shook his head before his body began to move. He didn't have to think it through. He had to do this. If you weren't down there with them, then you must've been still up there, trapped.

"Eren!" Mikasa called out.

"Don't go in there!" Armin exclaimed, the two trying to reach him, only to be pushed further away from the building as the crowd continued to gush out and way from the hotel.

Ignoring them and rushing inside, seeing how the lobby was full of smoke and debris, how the power flickered and the glass scattered across the floor, he made a beeline to the staircase.

The building had been cleared out, Eren saw no one rushing down the staircase as he pulled apart his suit and made his way to the fifth floor with speed. He rushed through the halls before tossing his clothes along the way, slipping his mask out from his jacket and onto his head as it helped filter out the thick smoke.

His voice boomed as he called your name, searching through the halls and bathrooms, opening and closing accessible doors. He tried not to make matters worse, focusing on his breathing and finding you. He learned this long ago after he decided he would become a hero to his people. He couldn't have a full blown panic attack now.

He continued to call your name, hearing the crackling of flames and the crunching of glass and other materials beneath his feet. Eren ran as fast as he could to the ballroom door's seeing them wide open as he slid right in, continuously calling your name. The round tables were destroyed, some engulfed in flames as others were shoved and tossed to a side. Chairs scattered, the decorations hung low and were cinched. His eyes landed on the expanding fire towards the kitchen at the back.

It must've originated there. Turning his attention away, calling out for you, Eren clenched and unclenched his fists. He was focused but he was uneasy. How many lives has he saved? How many has he lost? He hated thinking about the latter and he refused to add you to the existing list.

He had done anything and everything in his power to protect you when you were and weren't aware. You lived in a bustling city, danger was everywhere. Car crashes, kidnappings, violence and crime... anything that ever came your way, he was always there to prevent you from being a casualty. But now? Now he couldn't even find you and the anxiety was starting to rise up in his throat like bile.

Eren refused to believe you had perished within the flames, refused to believe that he couldn't save you. He cried out your name, almost begging for you to respond back. He screamed and screamed, and when he tried to scream once more, distant coughs were heard.

Snapping his head in its direction, towards the far left corner of the ballroom, near the glass windows, Eren rushed over. A pillar had collapsed and all he could see was a piece of cloth—a shawl. Your shawl. He called your name once again and you coughed in response. Quick on his feet, he yanked back the column with all the strength he could muster as his webs latched onto the concrete. Grinding his teeth and pulling back before it could collapse any further, Eren rushed to your curled body and pulled you into his arms.

In a matter of seconds he got the two of you out and over to the next building's roof top before another burst of fames exploded within the ballroom.

Lying you down carefully, head rested on his hand, Eren leaned in to listen to your barely there breathing. His heart raced faster than it already had. Thunder filled the night sky matching it's beat as rain began to scatter, drop by drop before showering you both. Removing his mask as he eyed your face, he brushed your hair away at the sight of the few cuts and bruises that scattered across your skin. Feeling your pulse, Eren cursed under his breath before he brought his mouth to yours, pinching your nose and performing CPR.

Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

Please. Please. Please.

Hearing your cough again as he quickly sat up and eyed you, a pained groan left you as your eyes fluttered open. Eren gazed at you with relief as his shoulders slumped. Tears formed in his eyes at the sight, vision being blurred now not only by the downpour. He brought his hand to his face, rubbing it before he snapped his head up and looked at you. Your hooded eyes blinked a few times, blurred vision focusing. "E— ren...?"

The mask! My mask! Where is it?! Frantically searching around, a hand suddenly wrapped around his wrist. Slowly looking down at you, Eren bit his tongue. You weren't supposed to see him. You weren't supposed to know. You weren't—

Your hand reached up to his cheek, resting there as you took in deep breaths. "Eren..." you said again, this time more audible.

"Please... Please don't tell anyone," he shook his head as he shut his eyes. "No one knows... I made sure you would never find out but—"

"Eren," you slowly sat up as the man's eyes widened, hands reaching out to help you. "What do you... What do you mean?"

"I just can't have anyone finding out about who I am—"

"No," you shook your head, hand falling to his shoulder. "About... making sure I would... never find out?"

Gulping as he looked you in the eyes, now more worried about you knowing the truth than the building burning beside him, Eren took in a sharp breath. "I mean... You know who I am now... I save people... And I've... saved you a ton without you realizing."

A bit out of it as your mind was fuzzy and your breathing was still rather ragged, you eyed Eren curiously. His words slowly processed in your foggy brain before you spoke with a subtle blush, "you have?"

Awkwardly looking down at the mask he now held in his hands, fiddling with it, Eren took in a deep breath and nodded. "I kind of... watch over you... I shouldn't, there's plenty of other people out there to protect but, I— Nothing, never mind, just," looking up at you, he begged, "please don't tell anyone."

Nodding, you smiled softly, "I won't... Though I am sure Armin and Mikasa know."

Growing wide eyed as his lips parted, Eren only slumped in his spot, "you're too smart for you're own good..."

Smiling, your hand moved from his shoulder, now onto his as it clutched his mask, "thank you... You saved my life."

Looking deeply into your eyes as his heart fluttered, although in the darkness of the night, the faint city lights were enough to illuminate you. The subtle neon signs reflecting off of the two of you giving you both a soft glow amongst the rain that drenched your bodies. If he could stare there like that, gazing at you forever, he would. He really would. How did it take him saving your life to finally have a moment alone? He was amazed he wasn't completely tongue tied or choking. Maybe it was the adrenaline. It must've been that.

He felt a small shift, your bodies were leaning in to one another—or maybe he was imagining it—but he was sure your eyes were now on his lips as his were on yours. That is until distant yelling snapped both of you out of it.

"I should— You know I should leave you down there so no one thinks you're dead," he nodded as you did, too.

"What about you?" You asked as he held his hands out for you to take as you both stood up.

"Well, I left my suit in the burning building... and... Let's hope everyone was evacuated because if not, I really should go back in there—"

"Oh my gosh, Eren?" You shook your head as your eyes widened.

"I'm sure there wasn't anyone left! I know it for a fact!" He eagerly nodded, reassuring you... and himself. "I'll... do a double check?"

"Oh, god..." you sighed but Eren was quick to grab you and rush across the rooftop without a warning. You clung onto him for dear life, eyes squeezing shut as you felt the sudden force of wind against you and the pelting of the rain.

Settling in the alley in between the two buildings, Eren placed you down on your feet before he brought his mask over his face. "You should go back to everyone."

Nodding, you took a small step back as he flicked his wrist to shoot out a web. Just before he could leave your side, you caught his free hand. "I owe you my life, Eren. What could I do to repay you? Really, I mean, I was— I thought I was done for up there."

Grinning from within his mask, Eren straightened his back and puffed his chest, "go on a date with me."

Blinking a few times with round eyes, your cheeks flourished with heat before you nodded, "okay..."

Feeling his heart skip a beat as he bit back a scream of glee, Eren bowed his head before he took a step back, ready to make his way up the building. However, you stopped him again. You reached over and lifted his mask just enough to reveal his lips, placing a sweet kiss before lowering it again and stepping away. Stunned, Eren blinked a few times before he forced himself away from your side as you waved goodbye.

A yawn left your lips as you pulled back the sheets of your bed and slid underneath. After your encounter with Eren—Spider-Man—you were nearly trampled by all your worried friends. Eventually, you were taken to the paramedics to get your wounds cleaned up and to make sure you were okay and safe to go home. To your luck, Eren had saved you in time. Minus the small wounds and the slight struggle to breathe properly—which was temporarily, thankfully—you were able to go home.

It was late, your parents were worried sick but were thankful to see you were now safe and away from the catastrophe. No one knew what happened, everyone claiming a gas leak or a really bad accident in the kitchen... but you tried not to ponder over it. It was much too large of an explosion to be an accident.

About to lie down, a sudden knock on your window made you jolt in your spot. Furrowing your eyebrows and reaching over for the curtains, you tugged them open and gasped. Quickly moving over to the edge of your bed to unlock your window and slide it open, Eren greeted you with his boyish smile as he slipped inside.

No longer in his Spider-Man attire, he was in nothing but sweats, a sweatshirt, socks and slides. His hair was loose, reaching his collar bones, and his eyes looked tired. "It's super late..." you smiled as the brunet closed the window behind him before he sat on your bed with you.

"It's super early," he corrected, eyes wandering around your bedroom. Though the lights were off, he used the moonlight to help him eye your decorated walls and shelves, your dresser and vanity, as well as your desk. Soft colors all around, modern furniture, so organized and put together. Unlike the chaos of his teenage boy bedroom with a bed too small for his now long body and bedsheets that should be fore a five year old.

Watching him as you could tell he was deep in thought, you leaned against your bed's headboard. "Why'd you come?"

"I wanted to make sure you were okay," looking back down at you, he smiled again, this time, a softer one. "Armin and Mikasa told me you were, but I needed to see it with my own eyes. I hope you gave Reiner an earful for what he did."

Nodding you chuckled, "I did, he apologized like crazy afterwards." Lowering your eyes from his own, you then realized the text written across his chest. "Paradis? Is that where you're going?"

Keeping his focus on you, grinning at the thought of you telling off Reiner for leaving you behind to die—though that really wasn't the case—Eren snapped out of it as he then nodded at your question. "Yeah, Paradis University."

"Me too!" You gasped, lifting your eyes with a grin.

Blushing, Eren awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, "I kind of knew that... That's why I applied." Hearing you gasp, Eren lifted his hands up in defense, "it was one of my choices anyway! But I heard you were going and after being accepted there... I decided to choose Paradis University, too."

"Eren... You were going to keep watching over me, huh?" Gently nudging his chest, you wore a small smile as the two of you looked down bashfully, only to look up in a gaze.

"Yeah..." Eren scooted closer, reaching a hand out and gently held your chin, thumb brushing your cheek as he eyed the small cuts that were now cleaned. A small bandage was plastered on the side of your forehead where a small gash had been, the sight making his stomach turn, but he was beyond happy to know you were okay. "I can't let anything happen to the woman of my dreams, especially now when I've finally got her. I'm just glad you're okay."

"Me too," you softly whispered, watching as Eren leaned in and gently pressed his lips against your own. It was a small gesture at first, the two of you testing the waters. However, he lowered his hand to the back of your neck as he scooted even closer, leaning into you and tilting his head as his lips moved against your own. Although this wasn't his first kiss—as he had his fair share at parties while playing games or while tipsy—nothing compared to kissing the woman he wanted for so long.

Pulling back to let either of you breathe, Eren chuckled, "you don't know how long I've wanted to do that. I never thought this day would come."

Chuckling, your hand reached up for his wrist, pulling it down before you interlaced your fingers with his. "Oh, I know. I'm sure everyone knew about your feelings towards me," you nodded as Eren sighed, not denying it. "Although you were quite over the top in junior high with all the chaos you created, I always admired you."

Growing wide eyed, Eren sat up, "really?"

"Yeah..." nodding as you looked down at your connected hands, you smiled, "you stood up for your friends. You cared for them deeply. You still do. I admire that. You have a big heart, Eren. And now you're a hero... You've matured so much. With great power... I'm sure came great responsibility."

"Oh, you don't know," he breathed, but he smiled. "It's worth it... I get to protect people. I get to protect the prettiest girl in the universe, too."

Giggling at his words as he smiled at you, you shook your head, lifting your eyes to meet his again, "I wish you took me to prom instead... Reiner's a nice guy, but he's a bit of a himbo."

Laughing at your words, Eren let out a small breath, "I wanted to but he beat me to it. Don't you know that I always lose when it comes to you? Every advancement I've ever made failed."

"You have me now, don't you?" You asked.

"I do..." he breathed. "So many years of lost opportunities due to outside forces were killer... but I finally got my moment. Though it was a terrible one that almost took your life, I would go through great lengths just to have you."

Reaching your free hand up to cup his cheek, your thumb grazed his cheekbone, "it amazes me how you never gave up."

"It's embarrassing—"

"It's endearing," you corrected as Eren looked through his lashes at you.

"I really like you..." he mumbled.

"I like you, too," you grinned. "Is this our first date?"

Softly laughing, Eren shook his head, "no... more like a pre date. I want to take you somewhere nice."

"What do you have in mind?" You curiously asked, only to see Eren go rigid as his eyes grew wide. "What is it?"

"I— Hah— I haven't thought about it..." he awkwardly admitted. "After so many years, you would've thought I would've had this planned out."

"It's okay," you nodded. "You can surprise me. After all, you can take us almost anywhere, Spider-Man."

Seeing you lean in as you winked, Eren bit his inner cheek, "I didn't think of that... but, you're right..."

Chuckling, you gently tugged him down to lie with you, rolling on your sides and studying every aspect of each other's faces. Hours passed you by without you realizing it as you shared small talk, voices low and fingers lingering on one another. Gentle touches and caresses as the sun eventually began to raise above the horrizon. You spoke about anything and everything, from things you loved to things you hated. Your passions, your favorite pastimes, greatest memories... even about Eren's many failed attempts to woo you, up until the both of you fell asleep in each other's arms.

The sound of knocking on your bedroom door caused you to jolt awake. Eren's eyes shot open as he quickly sat up, his instincts yelling at him. You hopped off of your bed as you grabbed him and pulled him with you, nearly shoving him into your walk in closet before closing the door. Without a word, and a bit disoriented, you rushed to your bedroom door and opened it.

Eren pressed his ear against the wooden door, hearing you speak to your mother. Sighing, he turned and reached for his phone that he had slept with in his sweats' pocket. Turning on the flashlight, Eren curiously peered through your closet. Your organized shelves of shoes; clothing sectioned by dresses, pants, and tops. Being the young man he was in a woman's closet, he couldn't help but snoop around. Lots of plush toys stuffed away—possibly from your childhood. Purses, backpacks, and wallets galore. Scattered awards and old text books and journals from previous school years stacked.

Then, a small, black box caught his attention. It was hidden underneath the hem of your hanging dresses. Pulling it out as he squatted before it, he stood again and settled it on one of your shelves before pulling it open. Reaching in, his heart sunk to the pit of his stomach as his cheeks burned. A little number—a lace thong—hung from his index. With wide eyes, he brought the little thing into his palm before looking into the box again and pulling out a matching bra. Nothing but lace and wire. Lingerie.

Yelping at the realization and the many thoughts that flooded his mind, he quickly covered his mouth with the back of his hand.

"What was that?" Your mother asked.

"Huh? Oh! I left a YouTube video playing, must've been an ad," you lied with a wave of your hand. "I'll come down soon," you nodded as your mother said okay before turning and leaving you be. Closing your door, you then rushed to your closet and opened the door. Eren spun in his spot and quickly hid his hand behind him, caught red handed. A small giggle left your lips. You recognized the box, you knew what it was. "It was a stupid birthday gift from my friends."

"Wha— Huh?"

Shaking your head, you walked over and pulled his hand from behind him, "my best friends got it for me as a joke. Said I should use it on someone."

"On who?" He asked rather quickly.

Biting your bottom lip, you grinned, heat burning your cheeks, "you."

"Me?" His eyebrows furrowed. "You're lying. Why me?"

"Like I said, everyone knows how much you like me," you shrugged.  "And they swore I liked you, too..."

"Well, they weren't wrong," he teased as you rolled your eyes playfully. "Can I see you in it?"

Lightly swatting his arm, you crossed your arms, "not now..."

"Maybe some day?" He tilted his head, earning a subtle laugh from you.

"Maybe," you considered. "You should get going before anyone finds you."

"Right," he nodded, turning to take the box with him, but you stopped him with hands extended out. "What?" Eren whined.

"You're not taking those," you shook your head as he frowned, settling the box and lingerie in your hold. Closing it and hiding it once again as Eren watched you with a pout, you shook your head and pushed him out of your closet and towards your bedroom window. Opening it up for him, you stepped to the side, "I'll see you later."

"Fine," he sighed. Before he climbed out, he grabbed you by the waist and pulled you into a swift kiss. Leaving you buzzed and blushing, Eren slid out and made his way back home.

Later that day your phone had vibrated with a message from Eren telling you to be ready before sunset. You weren't sure when that was so you prepared yourself around mid afternoon, wondering what it was that Eren was up to. If this was your first date, he must've had thought of something quick to already have plans set. Since it was summer, you dressed in a mini dress; with a sweetheart neckline and daisy print, you paired it with white sneakers and a crossbody. Well aware that Eren was going to be having you stories high, swinging you in the air like Tarzan, you made sure purse was secure enough for you not to lose anything. As exciting as it, it was also terrifying. You weren't sure how he did it, but then again, he more than likely had been face to face with dozens of weapons that could easily take his life.

The thought made your heart skip a beat.

How did he do it? And how were you now going to live a life not knowing whether or not he was going to make it back okay?

Taking in a deep breath and forcing yourself to think about the present and only the present, you checked yourself in the mirror one last time—makeup perfect and hair styled nicely (though you made sure to carry around a hair tie for when things got messy)—you smiled. Tonight was going to be perfect. Nothing was going to get in the way. At least, you hoped.

Hearing a knock on your window, you turned from your vanity and grabbed your purse before rushing over, sliding the window open and smiling. "Hi."

Eyeing you from head to toe, Eren's heart fluttered within his chest as his lips parted, "you look gorgeous—" Clearing his throat, Eren smiled, "I mean, hey."

Letting out a soft laugh, you leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips as he was squatted before you on your window sill, "thank you." Eyeing his attire—a blue, short sleeve button up and black jeans, vans and his hair pulled back in his signature low bun—you smiled, "you look good yourself."

"I do, huh?" He asked, eyeing his attire before lifting his head, "my cologne kinda got swept away."

"By swinging here?" You asked as he nodded.

"Yeah... You know, I wanted to look my best for you and—" seeing you lean in as your face went towards his neck, Eren grew stiff.

"I can still smell it," you nodded as you stood up straight, now seeing the flushed look on his face. "What?" You chuckled.

"N— Nothing! Just... I don't typically have girls sniffing my... neck," he shyly spoke, causing you to grin. "Does it smell good?"

Laughing, you nodded again, "yeah, I like it."

Sighing in relief, Eren nodded his head, "thank god..." Realizing he said that out loud, he cleared his throat, "are you ready?"

"Mhm," you bit your inner cheek, pulling your purse over your shoulders. "Though, I'm kind of scared of the whole swinging around thing."

"It's okay," he smiled in reassurance, "I promise I won't let anything happen to you. Do you trust me?"

"Yeah," you breathed, a sweet smile on your lips. "I trust you."

"Then we're going to have a perfect night."

And true to his word, you two did. Though you clung onto him—again—for dear life, it actually was quiet... calming to see the city so high up above. The breeze that tickled your skin, being closer to the stars, hearing muffled cars... You wondered how often Eren swung around just for the hell of it. Maybe when he was bored or stressed. Maybe when he needed time away.

Eren had taken you to his favorite spot first: atop the tallest building in the city. You two watched the sun set from there, your shoulders pressed together as your hands held onto one another. You shared a few glances and kisses, taking a few photos of the sight before resting your head on him. It was possibly one of the most beautiful things you had ever experienced, and you were jealous Eren was able to see it almost daily—as he disclosed with you.

After that, he took you to dinner nearby, an exquisite restaurant he managed to get the two of you in. You had asked how and Eren mentioned how Spider-Man may or may not have made an appearance there and asked for a certain Eren Yeager to have access without questioning. It made you laugh without a doubt. It also made you laugh when he admitted to stealing some of his father's money in order to afford the dinner for you two.

(Eren was a pizza delivery boy, but the money he made was nothing compared to what was in his dad's wallet. He solely had the job to understand the morals and importance of the working class and making your own money. Even if your parents were bathing in bills. Grisha and Carla did not raise their son to be a snobbish brat... Though, Eren Yeager had tendencies of being a brat every now and then. However, not as bad as he used to be after gaining his abilities.)

You knew about the Yeager's, Grisha being a well known doctor in the city—and possibly the country—while his mother, Carla, owned a local restaurant and eventually opened up multiple locations across the country. After asking him why he didn't take you there, you should've expected the answer because my mom wouldn't let me hear the end of it afterwards. That also made you laugh.

"You know, pizza delivery boy, I have a job, too," you said.

"Oh, I know. You work at the local library," Eren said nonchalantly as the two of you had shared a dessert—beignets topped with ice cream.

"You are such a stalker!" You laughed as Eren shrugged. "I should be worried, is this okay to be dating you?" You teased as the two of you shared soft laughter. You were so engrossed in the moment that you didn't realize how quick Eren's reflexes and senses were.

From one second to the next, you went from sitting and giggling to being held tightly against Eren's chest, off to the side as a sedan had crashed through the window. Right into the table you two were once sitting at. Glass, concrete, the wooden fragments from the tables all scattered before you as panicked yells and rushing civillians snapped you out if it.

"Oh my god..." you breathed, shaking in Eren's arms. "You— You saw that coming?" You asked, peeking your eyes from the silver car, up to an upset Eren whose eyebrows were narrowed.

"My senses went off, just like when the fire erupted," he said, eyeing the damage before looking down at you, expression softening. "Are you okay?"

Nodding, you took in as deep breath, "yeah... thank you."

"Let's get you home..." He said, keeping an arm around you as he guided you away from the scene.

You couldn't seem to stop shaking, even the moment you made it back into your bedroom. Eren felt terrible, though none of it was his fault, he didn't like seeing you this scared. It also didn't help that this was your second near death experience, and if it weren't for him... He didn't want to think about it

You had quietly asked him to stay the night in which he didn't hesitate to agree with. After changing into your pajamas while Eren stayed in his own clothes—though you insisted it was okay for him to get comfortable—the two of you slept that night holding tightly onto one another.

Days began to pass and each night was much like the first; Eren visiting by sneaking in and staying over. Eventually, the days melted into weeks, weeks of the two of you secretly seeing one another without anyone knowing. You weren't sure how either of you didn't get caught, seeing as Eren was in your bedroom every night, and the two of you snuck around and exchanged glances in class and in the hallways more often than not. Maybe it was because the latter was already common as it was, seeing as Eren was never discreet when he would gaze at you.

On one night, however, you hung out with your closest friends for a movie night. Eren had been working that evening and you so happened to order from the pizzeria he had worked at. Though you had never ordered from there before, and weren't sure if the pizza was good or not—seeing as your secret dates with Eren always consisted of anything but pizza—you were curious. You also just wanted to see him in his cute uniform.

And you weren't disappointed.

The moment you opened the door to the delivery boy—your boyfriend—you grinned. Eren's hair was tied back in its usual low bun, a cap on top, a black polo with the logo etched on his chest, black pants, and black vans. "Oh, thank you so much..." leaning in and reading his name tag, you fought a laugh, "Eren."

Playfully rolling his eyes as he handed you the pizza box, you pulled out your cash and were about to hand him the money you owed, only for him to shake his head, "it's on me."

"Eren," you sighed, but he shook his head again, pushing the money away from him. "Can I at least give you a tip? Y'know, for looking so good in your uniform?" You teased, earning another roll of his eyes—and a blush, too.

"No," he shook his head. "I'm not taking your money." Seeing you pout, a small grin etched itself on his lips. "Though... maybe something like a kiss would suffice..."

Settling the pizza box to a side, you reached over and tiptoed, tugging Eren down for your lips to meet. Your arms moved to wrap around his neck as his now bare hands held onto your waist. He swiped his tongue along your bottom lip before you welcomed him to deepen the kiss. Your tongues intertwined as you breathed each other in, only to separate, leaving small pecks before completely pulling apart. "Thank you for the pizza," you breathed as Eren looked down at you with hooded eyes, his left hand reaching up to rest on your right cheek as his thumb brushed over your soft lips.

"I'll see you later tonight," he whispered, leaving a kiss on your nose before turning to walk away.

Of course, it didn't go unseen by your friends the way you looked so happy when you returned to them with the pizza. One of them pointed out how your cheeks were red, another mentioned how your lipgloss needed retouching as another acknowledged how your chin shined. It was safe to say you didn't hear the end of it that night, you were just glad they didn't know who the pizza delivery boy was... or the fact that you never confirmed nor denied their accusations of you making out with said delivery boy.

More days had passed, your graduation was nearing and you couldn't help but countdown the days until you were finally free. In the midst of working your part time job at the library, restocking the shelves with rented and new items, you softly spoke to your dear coworker and friend—Annie—about the approaching milestone.

"Just a few days to go," she huffed. "I can't wait to finally get out of there."

"You and me both," you sighed, thinking about the things you and Eren had planned. Of course, you also had your own friends to be around, but this newfound relationship you had with Eren—a man who could carry you around town like nothing—was beyond exciting.

Noticing Annie went silent, you looked over to see her reading something on her phone before she settled the few books in her hands away. "They need me up front," she sighed as you nodded, watching her go.

Turning to what you were doing, your eyes widened. Through the spaces open between the shelves, you spotted an oh too familiar brunet now peeking through. "Eren!" You quietly shrieked, pushing his face back as he laughed. "You may have spidey senses but I don't."

Rounding the bookcase, Eren stood beside you as you were now propped up on a step-stool. Taking the books from your hold as you were now face to face with Eren due to the added height, he left a sweet kiss on your lips before he pulled away to shelve the books. "You also don't have the height," he teased, placing the last book in its place on a higher shelf.

"That's why I have you," you poked his bicep before hopping off the stool. You pushed the nearly empty cart to a side before grabbing the step stool and settling it underneath said cart. Eren followed you around like a shadow as you shelved a few more books in a nearby aisle, quietly speaking to one another about your day and upcoming plans. As you finished up the last few books, pushing them into their places, you noticed Eren deep in thought as he looked off. "What is it?"

"It's so empty and quiet over here," he said. "Too quiet in the back..."

Smiling, you shook your head at the sight of his eyebrows narrowing, still deep in thought as he brought his hand to his chin, rubbing it. "Yeah, not many people come to this side, it's usually only needed for research on prehistoric studies."

Nodding, Eren then turned his head and eyed you, "has anyone ever had sex here?"

Laughing as you covered your mouth, you swatted his arm. "Of course that's what's got you deep in thought—"

"I'm curious," he shrugged as you sighed.

"I've caught a few... I didn't see too much, luckily, but I've had to kick them out. Most of the time they leave on their own will out of embarrassment, it's rare for them to make a fuss. Most people actually don't like getting caught even if they like the thrill of the idea." Seeing Eren grin, you shook your head, "don't get any ideas."

Lifting his hands in defense, Eren shook his head, "I didn't say anything. However... I would love to kiss you again. You know... A little longer this time."

Rolling your eyes as you grinned, you took his hand and guided him away, falling so easily for his trap. A trap that you were fully aware of and didn't even really consider to be a trap... More like temptation. You ended up on top of Eren in that same spot the couples you found having sex. Your lips moved desperately against one another, Eren's hands under your blouse as he untucked it from your skirt. Your own hands were in his hair, loosening it from the bun it was in as it fell to his shoulders. The sound of your breathing and subtle panting bounced off the bookcases. You were so glad the library was dead in that moment.

Eren's eager hands played with the back of your bra before caressing your back. His hands glided along your hips and belly, over your ribs and just underneath the wire of your bra. Your knees straddled him as you felt his bulge press against your heat, thin panties not doing you much help as you whimpered and may or may not have rocked your hips a few times. Eren noticed. He encouraged it as his hands slid underneath your bra to properly cup and squeeze your breasts. All while your lips sloppily met in a hungry kiss of tongues exploring and lips swelling.

Gliding your hands down his torso, feeling the outline of his abs against the graphic tee he wore, your hands reached for the belt of his jeans, only to stop as someone called out for you. "Ugh..."

"Dammit," Eren hissed as the two of you separated from the kiss. "Rain check?" He asked as he pulled his hands out from under your blouse, cupping you cheeks and kissing your lips once more. "We'll pick up from where we left off."

Eren was true to his word. Well, he planned on being true to his word. That night after both of you were free from your schedules, he took you out, swinging around the city. It was something he did almost nightly to get you accustomed to it. Though it still made you nervous, you were growing more and more confident in Eren. It wasn't like he'd let you fall... but being that high up was nerve wracking. Now lying on top of your school's rooftop, softly speaking to one another while stargazing, you found yourself to be the most at peace than you've ever been.

With your head resting on his shoulder as his arm wrapped over your hips, you lazily rolled on top of him before planting a sweet kiss to his lips. A small laugh left Eren before his hands reached up to cup your face. You smiled, your tongue swiping over his bottom lip before he gave you access. The two of you looked at one another with hooded eyes as your tongues met, Eren's hands moving to rest on your lower back before sliding down to your ass, cupping the cheeks as it made your skirt ride up enough to expose more skin. You shivered at that, even in the summer, the evening breezes had goosebumps forming on you.

The sound of a loud gasp caused the two of you to stop, you quickly lifting your head as Eren groaned in annoyance. There at the door of the stairs that lead to the rooftop stood a gaping Mikasa and Armin. "You—"

"You didn't tell us!" Armin finished for Mikasa, pointing a finger with cheeks tinted pink. Both him and Mikasa noticed the way their best friend had his hands gripping your bottom for dear life.

You were quick to sit up and adjust your skirt as Eren sighed, "sorry, babe..." Standing to his feet as he took your hands in his to help you up, Eren turned and let go one of your hands before approaching his best friends. "Yeah... we are together. No one knows..." using his free hand to scratch the back of his head, Eren looked at you for some help.

"He— He saved my life... and one thing lead to the next and we are dating," seeing their confused faces, you smiled, "I know he's Spider-Man. Just like you two do." Grabbing and lifting Eren's hand and folding his middle and ring fingers, you made him shoot a web. "See?"

Watching as the web landed across the brick wall of the staircase, both Mikasa and Armin then looked at Eren, then you. "So much to take in..." Armin whispered, but Mikasa took his hand in hers.

"As upset as I should be that you kept this from us... we can talk later," the dark haired young woman said with squinted eyes as Eren groaned. "We didn't mean to interrupt your date—"

"It's not a date," Eren grumbled with a blush, looking away.

"We'll get out of your hair, but we expect an explanation," Mikasa said, looking pointedly at him before pulling a still stunned Armin away, who was still trying to process what he walked in to. "Don't forget to invite your girlfriend to Jean's graduation party!" She said before she opened the door and brought Armin with her.

Watching the two go, you then looked up at Eren, "do they— do you three normally come up here?"

"Yeah... it's kinda our safe space... I brought you here because it's one of my favorite spots. Thought I'd share it with you. Should've considered the fact that they would possibly show up..." he trailed, rubbing the side of his face awkwardly.

Smiling, you gently grabbed his wrist and lowered his hand. "So, about that party?"

Graduation came and went faster than expected—but so did your time in high school. You walked the stage, got your diploma, and eventually found yourself properly meeting Eren's parents. Grisha was a quiet fellow, but he had a gentle smile on his lips the entire time his wife—Carla—gushed about her baby boy. Going on about his endless crush on you, how madly in love he had been for so long, all words that made Eren want to disappear into the ground beneath him. He was embarrassed to say the least.

Then it was your turn to be embarrassed, Eren meeting your parents as they recognized him as the son of their doctor. However, that wasn't what had you hiding your face in your palms—it was the fact that your father announced to your boyfriend that he recognized him because he's the boy my little girl would draw hearts over in the yearbook! Yeah... you weren't going to hear the end of that. It was safe to say you both were equally embarrassed over news you already knew. That everyone knew. Not one soul didn't know about your crushes on each other... even if it took this long to happen.

Eventually, you found yourselves together all night at Jean's party. You had no interest in announcing that you were a couple, simply holding hands and the occasional kiss was enough for word to spread like wildfire. Neither of you cared. Everyone saw it coming. However, it didn't prevent the onslaught of you two are together?! Probably why the two of you tried sneaking away after a few hours of playing games and drinking here and there.

"Shit—" Eren cursed as he tried to unhook your dress from the fence. The two of you—a bit tipsy—thought it was a bright idea to sneak into a nearby community pool. A giggle left your lips as he lifted you by your hips and removed the bit of material that got caught, holding you over his shoulder before walking away. On his little journey to one of the lounging chairs, Eren nearly tripped over his own foot as he settled you down. Crawling on top of you as his lips lazily met yours, the two of you sloppily kissed in between small fits of laughter.

"Shh— Shh..." you hushed, placing your index finger against Eren's lips. "Someone could— catch us."

"Doubt that," he scoffed before removing your heels, then kicking off his own dress shoes.

"What're you doing?" You murmured as Eren slipped off his socks and stuffed them into his shoes before lifting you in his arms. "Eren—"

"I've always wanted to do this—"

"Eren, you're crazy— don't!" Before you could protest any further, you found yourself being enveloped by the pool's water. Surfacing and catching your breath as you looked at a grinning Eren who looked a bit buzzed, you shoved his shoulders. "You—" pushing him into the water, the two of you messed around before Eren caught your wrists and pulled you into another kiss. One of his arms wrapped around your waist as his other held the back of your head, kissing you deeply, gliding his tongue along yours before the sound of footsteps and keys caught both of your attention.

Rushing out of the pool and grabbing your shoes, both of you slipped into the showers and covered each other's mouths as you watched the light of a flashlight flicker around. Eyeing one another as the footsteps grew farther, you let out tiny giggles before reaching for one another again. Your arms wrapped around his neck as his moved around your hips, continuing what was started in the pool.

"Can I take you back to my place?" Eren nearly whispered against your lips.

"Yeah..." you breathed with a nod.

With his swift movements, even while a bit buzzed, Eren was quick to take you away, back into the city. You both were freezing, instantly slipping into his quiet home—as his parents were already asleep—and into his bedroom. After handing you clothes to change into (as he did as well) he took your wet clothes and slipped out to leave them in the laundry room, worrying about the consequences of his mother finding your clothes later. Locking the door after his return, Eren found you sat on his bed, waiting for him.

The shirt he handed you slid over your left shoulder as the boxers you wore were loose at the hips and thighs, exposing skin as you sat there with your knees pulled in. Smiling at one another, the way your gazes grew soft in the darkness of his room that was lit by the moon, Eren quietly moved towards you. You moved deeper into his bed as he followed, propping himself up on one hand as his other cupped your cheek, lips meeting and hearts racing. "You could've showered," he mumbled against your lips, hands now in your wet hair.

"I could've... but maybe I wanted to share one with you," you muttered as your lips kept meeting halfway, small kisses being shared in between words.

Letting out a small sound, Eren moved to press his forehead against yours, "don't tempt me... I'll literally grab you right now and undress you and take you—"

"Slow down, cowboy," you chuckled. "We never got to finish what we started back in the library..."

Sucking in a deep breath, Eren lowered his head on your shoulder, already feeling himself throb at the thought of finally having you. "You're telling me we would've had sex in the library for our first time?"

Laughing, you shook your head, "not quite... we would've had some fun, maybe left to my place..."

"Fuck..." Eren breathed, "you really got me all worked up, babe."

Smiling, you lifted his head so he could look at you. Then, your hands reached for the hem of the grey tee he was in, tugging it over his head and tossing it before your hands trailed over his chest, then his stomach. Eren shivered at your touch, the way your fingertips brushed against every dip and curve of his torso, how your nails gently tickled his skin. He leaned down enough to close the gap between you as his own hands slid under the shirt you were. He knew you had nothing underneath, the pile of wet clothes not only including your dress, but also your bra and panties—his mother definitely was going to kill him if and when she found them.

Slowly but surely, the two of you undressed one another until you were completely bare. Your body beneath his as his was held up above your own. Your eyes darted across his skin, over every muscle and mark on it. A small scar or two from his childhood, the faint beauty marks that scattered his tan skin... His eyes did the same to you, but he couldn't possibly look away from your breasts. He was a man after all, he couldn't help himself... You were the woman of his dreams. His soulmate. The love of his life... and now he was going to be your first as you were to him.

"I've seen a lot of porn, I'm ready," he teased as you laughed, covering your mouth at the sound.

"You're such an idiot," you shook your head. "Touch me."

Sucking in a deep breath, his hands started at your shoulders before moving down your chest. Gently grabbing your mounds and feeling the flesh against his palms, his breath hitched as his heart raced at the sensation. Your bare breasts in his grip, all for him. He really hoped he wasn't dreaming.

Your hands caressed his shoulders and biceps, feeling the hardened muscles underneath. A small gasp left your lips as Eren's pointer and thumb tweaked your nipples, playfully fondling with your breasts as he grew more and more experimental. Kneading at them, Eren squeezed them together before burying his face in between.  Another gasp left you as your blush deepened, but you couldn't help but laugh at his reactions.

"Can I take them in my mouth?" He asked.

"Do whatever you want," you nodded.

And that was enough for Eren to do all that he fantasized. He nipped at your skin, leaving marks behind on your collarbone and chest, and the fat of your breasts and just underneath them. Then, without any hesitation, he brought one of your nipples in between his teeth, gently nibbling before swiping his tongue along it, giving both breasts the same attention as he moved between them. Your back arched as subtle moans left you, your hands now in his wet locks as you closed your eyes for a moment.

Then Eren grew bold. He left a trail of kisses down your stomach, kissed your hip bones before kneading at the meat of your thighs. He left more red blotches in his wake before he parted your legs further and was greeted by your bare cunt. "Do you still want this?" He asked as you nodded. "Words, princess, use your words."

"Yes," you breathed.

With a lick of his lips, and a lick along your pussy, Eren began his experimenting. Everything he was doing to you was new to him. He saved himself for you because he swore he would win your heart someday. And he was glad he did. He may be inexperienced, but he wanted to grow with you. To learn what you liked. To know what made your body react. He wanted to know every bit of you and be the lucky man who got to please you.

Eren remembered a few things his friends had told him, and other things he read and saw online. He knew it was nowhere near the actual thing, but he truly wanted to make you feel just as good as he did. Even if he was nervous, he also was beyond excited in the fact that he was doing this to you. And his hard-on was an obvious reaction.

Listening to the muffled sounds you made as you used one of his pillows to block your moans, Eren swirled his tongue around your clit before swiping up your folds. He did that repeatedly, focusing on the way your hips jolted and your thighs clenched around his head. Smiling to himself at how wet you were—and how he was the cause—Eren brought an experimental finger to replace his mouth as he sat up. His fingers played with your clit before teasing your entrance as his other gently pulled the pillow from your face. "I want to see you..."

Sucking in a sharp breath as you bit your bottom lip, your hands moved to press against your face to cover it as his finger pushed into you. "Oh my gosh..." you breathed as Eren grinned, slowly pumping his finger in and out of you.

"Come on, look at me," he softly spoke, his free hand reaching out to pull your hands away. "I want to see the faces you make, I wanna remember them..."

Breathing heavily as you felt yourself falling apart, knowing very well you wouldn't last, Eren tested the waters as he added a second finger. As his pointer and middle pumped into you, he lowered his head again and kissed your clit before gently sucking on it. With a few more thrusts, you came around his hand, clenching your eyes shut in embarrassment. "Ere—" nearly choking on your breath at the feeling of your own release, your eyes fell open as Eren pulled away. You frowned at the lack of him in you, only to make a desperate mewl as he brought his wet fingers into his mouth, tasting you.

A look of ecstasy was written across his face, as if you were the tastiest dessert that ever existed. "Damn..." he breathed. "This was so much better than I imagined."

Blushing, you rubbed your face before Eren pulled your hands away again, leaning into a kiss as you tasted yourself on his tongue. Your shaky hands roamed from his broad shoulders, down his pecks and hardened abs. Your dainty fingers found his hardened length and wrapped as much as you could around them—which wasn't much. Your breath hitched just as Eren's did as your thumb pressed against his slit, the pre leaking and smearing as you brushed against it. Eren bucked his hips as the two of you found yourselves breathing into each other's mouths. Your tongues touching but lips hardly moving at the lack of focus. The hands on either side of your head balled into fists as Eren felt his chest tighten with each breath.

Your parted knees that Eren settled in between pushed further apart as you brought his length against your soaking pussy. A moan escaped the both of you at the foreign feeling, your hand slowly pumping his cock as Eren moved his hands to grip his sheets. "I want you to feel... as good..." you breathed, hand gliding along his shaft as Eren hissed, biting his tongue and nearly coming all over your hand in an instant.

"Sh— Shit... sorry... I didn't—" Taking in a deep breath as he clenched his eyes shut, you softly smiled as you leaned up to kiss him. Flipping the two of you over, a small gasp left Eren as you straddled him. "H— How do you... wanna do this?" He asked, looking up at you as you looked like an angel under the moonlight, silhouette hovering before him as he was now under your control. He wouldn't want it any other way... at least, not in that very moment.

"Raw," you smiled.

"R— Really? You— You on the pill?" He asked as you nodded.

"Helps with the bad cramps," you shrugged before aligning yourself with him. "Is this okay?" Seeing him eagerly nod, a chuckle left your lips before you sunk down, taking him inch by inch ever so slowly. The stretch made you hiss as your eyes pricked with tears, you bit your bottom lip as your hands pressed against his chest. Eren's grip moved to your thighs, fingertips digging into your flesh and more than likely leaving black and blues in their wake. He watched you with hooded eyes as you tried to take all of him—at least, as much as you could. It was no surprise that Eren was, indeed, packing. Your breathing quickened as you sat still, clenching your eyes shut before you shifted your hips. With the subtle rock, your eyes fell open and met with Eren's, a smile grazing your lips as the same went for his.

Then, as you began to move at a slow and steady pace, you grabbed his hands and interlocked your fingers with his, pressing them against the mattress on either side of his head. The two of you listened to each other's moans and panting breaths, Eren's eyes never left yours as yours never left his. You met each other halfway with each thrust, moving in sync as your bodies grew hotter and hotter, melting into one. Silent words being uttered along the way of praise and encouragement, enough for the two of you to reach your orgasm one after the other. Riding out before growing still for a few moments as you fell against his chest, Eren's hands left yours and caressed your back and hair as you took in deep breaths.

"Can we share that shower now?" Eren asked as you chuckled with a nod, lazily forcing yourself up and feeling Eren leave your body as you huffed. You almost didn't want to move, almost wanted him to stay in you for as long as possible, but a shower sounded very appealing.

Moving off of his bed and heading for his bathroom to pee, Eren soon followed after before preparing the shower, letting the steam cover up the small room as he locked the door behind him. Quietly, you moved your way into the shower and hugged Eren from behind as he stood under the shower head. You lifted your focus to watch his long hair stick to his skin as every inch of him was drenched and dripping. You followed suit, soaking up before you took care of one another, Eren washing your hair before washing his, the two of you lathering each other before rinsing off the suds. A few kisses were shared, some longer than others, lips lingering more as if you two fell asleep that way. Eventually, after exiting and drying off as much as possible—and changing into one of Eren's shirts as he pulled on a loose pair of sleeping pants—the two of you cuddled on his bed.

"I I love you," Eren broke the silence as your heart skipped a beat, your head resting against his chest, looking out his bedroom window as he stared up at your ceiling. "Yeah, I love you."

Smiling, you nuzzled his neck, leaving a few kisses before whispering in his ear, "I love you, too."

"Hmm..." lazily grinning, he extended his arm out as he flicked his wrist, a heart forming on his ceiling from his web as you looked up and lightly laughed at the sight. "After so long... After the many failed attempts... It took saving your life to finally win your heart."

"My hero," you spoke in a sing-songy voice.

"I'll always be your hero," Eren said confidentially, making you chuckle again.

"So cheesy..." you smiled "Thank you, Spider-Man."

[bodyswapmischief]

Andrew's Holiday Part 3 (An Interactive Story)

Part 1 Part 2

Andrew stared in awe, shock, and a strange sense of betrayal. "Is this your home?" Oscar sensed Andrew's true emotions despite the awe reflected in his eyes. Worry crept into Oscar as he questioned whether revealing his family's wealth to Andrew was a mistake. "No... Just our winter home." The words slipped out, and Oscar winced in embarrassment, contemplating the impact on their relationship. Would Andrew be intimidated, or worse, would Andrew only like him for the money.

A pit grew in Andrew's stomach as he questioned his decision to come. Anxiety raced through him, filled with doubts and fears. The self-doubt intensified, convincing him he wasn't good enough for Oscar. The voice that had warned him about the relationship echoed loudly. The car halted at the foot of a small stairway, leading to the front door.

Oscar exits the car, grabbing his bag, while Anders, the old man, attempts to assist. "Young Master! I can get those." Oscar declines with a smile of amused annoyance. "I got it, old man... you need to rest." As he gathers his bags and ascends the stairs, Andrew follows suit, still in a state of shock. Upon reaching the entrance, the door swings open, revealing a silver fox of a man with open arms. "Oscar! Welcome home!" he exclaims with a slight accent, resembling an older, more chiseled version of Oscar in his mid-40s. His well-maintained physique shows minimal signs of aging, except for the grey in his hair.

"I'm happy to see you, too... Baba," Oscar says, his face turning red in embarrassment. "Baba, this is Andrew." Oscar's father looks over, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, young man. I've heard you won my son's heart." Andrew blushes at the comment. "Um... I hope so," he responds, reaching for a firm handshake.

Entering the home was another moment of pure disbelief for Andrew. Oscar's father smiles like the entertainer he is. "Oscar, get yourself and Andrew situated, and meet me and your mother for dinner. I've got some things I must do," he says before walking off. "Oh, and we do have guests over..." The words echoed with a sense of hatred.

Oscar led both of them to his bedroom, an oasis from all the extravagant features of the rest of the mansion. The room resembled that of an average, slightly nerdy young man, with the only exception being its unusually large size, spacious enough to be divided into two decent-sized rooms. Video game posters and memorabilia adorned the walls, a large bed occupied one corner, and a gaming setup was arranged against another. Bookshelves and dressers filled up additional space. Andrew made his way to the bed and sat down, silent throughout. Oscar, noticing Andrew's quietness, settled into his gaming chair. "So... what are you thinking?" he asked.

"What the hell, Oscar! What is all of this?! Why didn't you tell me any of this before?" Andrew finally exclaimed. Oscar puts his forehead into his hand. "I'm sorry... I should have. I get it's a lot to take in. But, I just want you to know... the me you know at school... that is me. I'm not different or lying to you about anything. Honestly, my dad... all this... it's too much even for me." Oscar sighed.

Andrew sighed back and lifted his head with a smile. "Typical rich boy... 'I have too much money,'" he teased. "I'm not gonna lie, but this is all too much. And, I wish I knew sooner. But, it also explains why I never felt good enough for you. I mean, how could I be?" He let out a laugh, masking the inner sadness.

Oscar stops him. "Hey! Don't say that... you are more than enough. I love you! I'm probably the most real when I'm with you." He moves to the bed and wraps his arm around Andrew. Andrew smiles and leans into Oscar. "You always know what to say... you stupid face." He wipes a bit of wetness from his eye. "And, I guess having a secretly rich boyfriend isn't so bad... now you can be my sugar daddy." He teases. Oscar smiles and shakes his head in response. "I'll be your sugar daddy, but you better start earning your money." He winks and kisses Andrew's cheek. "Maybe you can help wash me up for dinner."

The two men walk into the connected restroom. The bathroom is big in its own right. Unlike the room, the bathroom is obviously made to match the rest of the house. The two stumble into the bathroom as they hold each other. Their faces locked in an intense make-out. Oscar takes off his shirt and moves to take off Andrew's. Both men hands hungrily feel each other up. Andrew takes off his pants and underwear. His cock hard. He kneels down and does the same for Oscar. Oscar's cock springs out and taps Andrew's face. Andrew holds Oscar's cock and sucks the head. Oscar moans out. He picks up Andrew and walks him into the shower. The warm water washes over them and adds a lustful glow to their body. Leaning Andrew against a wall, Oscar guides his cock into Andrew's ass. His arm wraps around and begin to pumps Andrew cock, as his own hips thrust. The two men fuck faster with each pump. The feelings of ecstasy spreeds over them until they both explode in orgasm.

They share smiles and giggles. "Damn, that was good," Oscar sighs in bliss. "Well, I have to keep my sugar daddy happy," Andrew teases. Oscar smiles, saying, "Yeah, but I'm still Oscar... don't treat me differently because of this." Andrew giggles, finding joy in being the one to comfort Oscar now. "I know, just teasing. But I love pushing your buttons, so maybe I won't stop, Daddy Big Bucks," he laughs. Oscar rolls his eyes. The two men finish getting ready and head off for dinner.

[katy-l-wood]

If you're an indie author who has considered working with a printer in China, but hesitated because working with an international printer seems scary, here's how my week went to show you that it absolutely is not scary.

I have a Kickstarter planned for my next book in January. I needed two things for this at the moment: some arc copies to send around to a few book influencers ahead of the campaign, and an actual sample of the fancy version of the book that I'm aiming for with the Kickstarter.

I decided to use IngramSpark for the arc copies because I'd get them a lot quicker, and they'd be cheaper since I only need a few. So I put together all my files, get everything all sorted into the proper templates and file types and everything. Get all the way to the last stage of uploading everything and...error code. Error code #303, specifically. What is error code #303? Who knows! Ingram certainly doesn't tell you. Just says to "contact your credit representative." I figure "credit representative" might mean it's an issue with my credit card, so I put a different one in. Nope, still error #303. Okay, maybe it's a browser issue. Let's try the dreaded Chrome. Nope, still getting #303ed. Website issue? I'll just try again tomorrow. Nope, still #303ed. I found one single old Reddit thread that mentions the error, but it was in relation to using a promo code for the upload fee. But Ingram doesn't HAVE upload fees anymore, so...???

I finally cave and send a ticket to the help desk, dreading how long it will take given Ingram doesn't like to provide customer service unless you pay them these days. Shockingly, they get back to me in about a day, but only to tell me that I have to instead contact this weird other "credit support" email. They don't forward it to them or anything, just tell me to do it myself. So I do, copying over my original email about the mysterious #303 error. Few hours later they reply saying the issue has been fixed. I still have no idea what the issue was, mind you, but I did finally get my book shoved all the way through the process. But! But! Now I have to wait 2-3 days for them to create a digital proof for me to approve before I can actually order the damn thing. And last time I did this, my book got stuck again and I had to email them again to get it fully pushed through which took about an additional week total. So when will I actually be able to order these arcs? Who knows!

Meanwhile, I emailed my printer in China on Sunday night about the sample of the fancy version and my representative got back to me by Monday morning with a fully detailed quote on exactly what I needed, various photos of samples all under the same lighting so I could pick the right colors for everything, and templates ready to go based on my specifications. She did it so fast I actually wasn't ready for her and had to tell her it'd be another 48 hours before I could get her the files.

So yeah. Working with international manufacturers who actually give a shit is a DELIGHT. No need to be intimidated by it.

[grailfinders]

Grailfinders Viewers' Choice: Beast IV L

if anything's getting my icon blurred out, it's this one. anyways!

it's that time of the month once again, and this time I feel like an absolute beast. well, to be more accurate, y'all felt like getting an absolute beast. a beast (fgo definition) that summons beasts (D&D definition). I'm sure this won't be confusing at all.

as usual I highly doubt this build is even remotely balanced for actual PvE play, but beasts are supposed to be world ending threats, so that shouldn't be a surprise.

the build itself will be under the cut, because hoo boy there's a lot to go over.

first up, beast IV can show up in her standard Koyanskaya form, which is the one primarily used when outside her lair. this is effectively a suped-up version of Koyanskaya of Dark, with access to unlimited weaponry and NFF-brand grenades, all of which work like standard "weapons of <x> slaying" do in D&D- they deal extra damage to humanoids, and can knock humanoids prone.

the big addition here aside from standard high-level-boss resistances is her Add to the Collection ability, where once per day she can try to forcibly plane shift a non-humanoid creature into a demiplane of her creation, basically putting them in suspended animation. this will be important for later.

form two is effectively Koyanskaya's big shadowy fox form. I didn't make any hard and fast rules about how these forms connect to one another, but I would probably say her masked form can turn into this combat form once a day, probably for a couple minutes at a time.

the gimmick for this fight is her Seasonal Cycle, which both reduces the number of legendary actions she gets to actually attack people each round, but also gives her buffs. I tried to keep this close to her lostbelt-based buffs in her final fight, but I also changed the names to be less FGO-centric if you want to use this build in a game. there's not a ton to say about this one that isn't regurgitating the seasonal cycle, it's just Masked Form with a bigger focus on kicking humanoid ass.

The big nipply form shown in the build picture has a lot of text, but I'll do what I can to break it down. This is Beast IV's final form, and it's the one that sets up the Tunguska Sanctuary in the first place, so there's a lot going on. Once again her humanoid-slaying effect grows larger, but she can only take this form in her lair, plus her speed is cranked wayyy down at this point. I just. cannot imagine that thing moving any faster than a crawl. if you need something done fast, that's what your lackeys are for.

speaking of lackeys, let's Reveal the Collection. this is a ten-minute ritual, which upon completion can summon copies of creatures that were stored by the Masked Form. The higher the CR of the creatures being made, the less you can make at a time, and the shorter your range is. there's also a lesser version of this you can do as a legendary action, and it's restricted to one creature at a time, of up to CR 10.

but of course, you need a place to put all those creatures! that's why she's got Regional Effects too! it's a whole lot of text, but it basically boils down to making a life zone and a death zone around her lair. half of your collection will tend towards the life zone, and half towards the other. in the life zone, the area is choked by plants, slowing down all humanoids in the area, and also healing effects targeting non-humanoids are more powerful. the death zone has extreme heat, and humanoids have disadvantage on saves against it. also, all summoned creatures in this region have double their normal perception distance when it comes to perceiving humanoids.

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

So overall, this build isn't a world-ending threat like Tiamat, or an orbital laser like Goetia, but she's not supposed to be a full-grown beast yet, so I'd cut her some slack. plus, if your party includes non-humanoid players you can make a dozen clones of them to fight the party which sounds like a really fun time. that being said, I do pity any DM who as to keep track of her seasonal buffs in a fight.

[jojo-schmo]

Another batch of Forgotten Land Roleswap asks!

Look under the cut for answers and a behind the scenes sketch page! ;D

Thank you for the kind words!

Meta Knight doesn't have Mouthful-mode in my particular AU- Combo-mode is more Sworn Partner-flavored which is I why I went with it. But also for some reason I literally cannot bring myself to draw Meta consuming automobiles and vending machines. Too wild of a concept for me! But if anyone reading this is capable of doing so, I welcome the possibility HAHA

I had to hold onto this ask for a while because you gave me some really good food for thought! As of now I don't have plans to swap any of them since they don't play a big part in the comic but if I get struck by divine inspiration, I'll have you to thank for putting the idea in my head!

Stubborn knight!! I think he's so used to being self-sufficient that he dislikes being "coddled" by others and prefers to take things into his own hands. This is actually something the comic will explore down the line! I've interpreted some other possible reasons why he's so stubborn about this but it will have to be revealed in the future ;)

Aww thank you!! I'm glad you like his design, I put plenty of love into it! Maybe this is a good excuse for me to share the page I designed him on and some of the backstory behind it:

The above were my very first Roleswap drawings back in April 2022! It was born purely out of my desire to see a badass Bandee boss fight and I had just finished the Forgotten Land game. I started at the top and ended up with the designs at the bottom right- with a few additional changes these became the final versions! I wanted him to have more of an Awoofy silhouette since I figured they're a great equivalent to Popstar's Waddle Dees!

An AU creation fun fact: I initially just swapped Bandee and Dedede! I drew the above that same month- this is supposed to be the cutscene before the Winter Horns boss where the big reveal happened! Kirby was P1 and Dedede was P2. I didn't even create Roleswap Elfilis yet!

But the more I explored the possibilities, the more roles I swapped. It took me like another month to actually have the Sworn Partners be the "playable" characters, shuffle the Beast Pack around, and finish the rest of the swaps.

That was a long-winded way of saying, thanks for liking Roleswap Bandee!! I owe the little Awoofy Dee a lot because without him I wouldn't be having a blast making this AU!!

Ahh thank you so very much!! Combo moves were so fun to make haha. I love some good teamwork.

And yes, I love writing their dynamic too! I figured if they already understood each other perfectly at the beginning of the story, it would be kinda boring. Don't get me wrong, they are already pretty close in the beginning- enough to tease and be prickly idiots with each other while still maintaining that respect between them! :P But they are going to have some nice opportunities to get to know each other better, build even more trust, and reach a deeper understanding~! <3

Oooh! Interesting theory~ *whistles a non spoilery-tune*

These are more comments than questions but I still wanted to share them! Ya'll make me laugh!

If you've made it this far, I leave you with a tag from @what-is-love-babey-dont-hurt-me on Pages 31-32. It made me laugh until I choked. xD

Thank you all for continuing to brighten my inbox and feed with your great questions and comments!

[thisbuildinghasfeelings]

Hi Anne, here are three questions for you for Nice Ask Week!

1. Which new term of endearment do you hope is introduced in s5 and which situation should it be related to?

2. Any cross-stitch ideas for the future that you’re excited about/stuck on/or working in atm?

3. When did you join the 911ls fandom and did you join right away or was it a slow journey into fandom for you?

Hope you enjoy your weekend! 🌼

Thank you, Mar!!

I'm kind of a sucker for "sweetheart," especially said by either one to the other in a moment of comforting. I also wouldn't mind a spanish term of endearment from Carlos! But in addition to whatever new one(s) we get, I hope we continue to get lots of babe and baby because those are my favorites.

I've had a pattern prepared for MONTHS that includes a quote from every time TK has called Carlos babe or baby (perhaps proof of how much I love when they call each other babe and baby!) It's going to be a big one and a bit time consuming. I've been putting off starting it for a while to focus on quicker projects, but I do really want to get to it soon. I think that might be the next one I start working on unless I get inspired to create a new pattern before then. Probably the next new pattern I'll make is a more detailed version of the bedroom as the next installment of my Loft Series.

I discovered Lone Star on tumblr and was ready to join the fandom right away but it took me a little while to find my LS fandom people...and then even longer to get them to start following me back! I started watching around the time 3x07 aired and I mostly felt like I was screaming into the void for the rest of season 3. By the season 3 finale and even more so the summer after, I started to feel a bit more involved in the fandom, and by the time we were getting ready for season 4 to air, I felt like I was actually a part of it.

[springsaladgaming]

a better-late-than-never check-in

Hey all! Long time no speak!

I know it's been a minute. Work was busy, and then it wasn't but I was on vacation, and then the Doom in my brain was pretty bad, and when that was a little better, the covid finally got me after managing to avoid it since the start. It was also the first time I'd been sick in five years, so that kind of sucked. I still have a cough from it, and unfortunately I don't think that's going away any time soon.

(Honestly, the worst part is that I like to sing in my car, but my voice is still shot since the cough has stuck around, so I can't really do that right now.)

I'm still working on the updated Chapter 3. I was fretting over how to stitch in the new additions to the opening of the chapter, thinking that was going to be the hard part. But no, it turns out the hardest part so far has been the variables!

I forgot exactly how many variations I put in the original version of the chapter, and because of the changes to the personality variables in the Twine version of the game, I'm having to completely restructure all those variations right down to how the numbers are measured. In the CScript version, I used the fairmath system and so I was able to code if statements by way of percentages. Additionally, the personality stats were opposing pairs, so timid and assertive, for example, were measured by the same variable with different percentages. But I've been using flat numbers in the Twine version and none of the original variables share numbers with any of the others (though some of the new ones do).

To make matters worse, I had a document to keep track of the total number of points possible in each stat (for the Twine version) so that I had a better idea about how to decide on conditional thresholds, but I can't find that document at the moment, so I have to go back through the Twine document and make note of those again.

All this is to say, if I were a more organized person, I probably would be having fewer problems, but it also doesn't help that I'm traveling around town so frequently that I have to switch between computers a lot, so some vital documents might not be saved on both. I've been slowly trying to fix that problem by backing stuff up to a drive, but sometimes I don't know that I need a thing until it comes up, and then I just don't have it with me. (Also, sometimes I write stuff down on paper with the intention to type it up later and then I forget because my brain cannot be trusted.)

But it's coming along! I'm back to a point where I feel like I can work again without it feeling like an impossible hurdle, so that's nice. I'll keep you posted on the progress as I move along. Because of how big the updated version of the chapter is going to be compared to the original, I don't think I can get all of it done before the end of the year, but I hope to have at least the first half ready by the end of December or sooner if it's ready before then. Keep your eyes peeled!

Hope everyone is doing well!

[ithinktheygotthealias]

a (draft) list of every time Mr. Spock had an interaction that might be construed as romantic

*this version will be deleted when (if) i fix this list up with some gifs and screenshots*

so, i have decided to compile some independent evidence on a few points that have been in (more than usual) contention lately in the fandom. my focus, as always, is tos. this one is a bit more controversial in that while i very much understand and respect that many fans see Spock as gay and/or ace, i personally feel like there's canon evidence for his being bi/pan and interested on the segs even outside of Pon Farr.

my interpretation is that both spock and kirk are bi/pan, though kirk has a marked preference towards women (see the rodenberry footnote. the love of his life just turned out not to be one. and he wouldn't have it any other way) and spock leans towards men (an interpretation not backed up statistically by the list, but who cares). again, this is my opinion, and the beauty of fandom is that it's in the eye of the beholder.

previously i made a draft list of the evidence for kirk being into men (excepting spirk evidence) in tos. the goal is to have one on all of the references to chapel's feelings for spock too, but that will be more work so maybe in a few days? never trust any promises i make on this blog

three important disclaimers before we begin: kirk, chapel and uhura will not be featured.

the reasons being, in kirk's case... *gestures vaguely at the entirety of tos*; in chapel's because i intend to go into her feelings for spock and how he reacts to them on-screen separately; and in uhura's because iirc there's only one instance of her flirting with him outside of their duets (where it can be construed as part of the performance), and it's not only in the beginning of the series, where it might be seen as Early Installment Weirdness, but also in The Naked Time, the episode where everyone goes crazy. also, uhura flirts with Everyone in this show, and i say good for her.

but enough with the preambles and on with the list:

the what the fuck?!? ones:

Leila Kalomi (This Side of Paradise) - this episode is baffling to me -- did spock and leila have something going on in the past that he ended because logic and rejection of humanity and putting starfleet first? or was it one-sided? spock says it was the first time he ever felt happy, but he acts so antithetically to who and what spock is that i personally find it hard to believe. maybe he just thought that was how happiness felt, and later on he discovers he was wrong (moments like the end of Amok Time, "this simple feeling", the beginning of WoK etc.). anyways cool motive, still drug-facilitated s.a.. big fan of sex pollen fics and that quote spock says about self-made purgatories though

T'Pring (Amok Time) - going strictly by the episode, vulcan biology... the biology of vulcans made spock want her, but he feels humiliated by the loss of logic. her reasons for not wanting him are two-fold: she simply likes stonn better (in that roundabout way vulcans admit to feelings), and she doesn't want to marry an absentee living legend, which, fair. the fact that spock's not a full vulcan must play some part in it too. but there's plenty left for interpretation. they are distant at the moment, but have they always been? how long has she been into stonn? why did they not divorce more amicably previously? i could go on forever, but i this is already too long. point being, even if it doesn't gel with my personal headcanon, there's nothing really wrong with snw's interpretation of this relationship.

the lighter ones:

Romulan Commander (The Enterprise Incident) - this woman is My Commander. I would follow her to the ends of the galaxy for the imagery she has blessed my eyes with. this being said, i think the important bit here is their conversation in the turbolift at the end. spock is not one to lie out of politeness. he could have said nothing, but he used those contorted phrases of his to imply he was a willing participant, and liked it. and she picks up what he puts down. also at some point kirk complains spock is taking too long and it cuts to them in her quarters, implying that spock got kinda into it (also, jealous, jimmy?)

Kollos (Is There No Truth in Beauty?) - this one's debatable, but i'd argue there was some attraction there, in a brainy way. smart is sexy, and all. dr. jones certainly thought so, from her reactions

Adam (The Way to Eden) - Pacifist Discount Roger Daltrey Hippie Musician In A Monokini Seduces Rebellious Vulcan was the tabloid headline

Droxine (The Cloud Minders) - insert cringey line about extreme female beauty. how the seven-year cycle became public knowledge given the drama of amok time is a mystery to me. the attraction flew out of the window real quick when the planet's situation made itself know though. anyway i shipped her with vanna.

Zarabeth (All Our Yesterdays) - i... don't get how logic can be time-locked? is the st universe secretly like a civ game? takes me out of this episode way too much. anyways he almost went full warrior vulcan and stayed in the past with her

the meme ones:

The Computer (The Ultimate Computer) - mccoy said it best.

Surak (The Savage Curtain) - spock, he's your ancestor! and at this point any intellectual crush is pretty quickly superseded by how thirsty he is for That Human Booty Intuition

[juniperleafdelivery]

* i've been thinking about a swap AU for the stanley parable a lot lately, and that led to me rewriting the countdown ending monologue. im pretty happy with how it turned out, so im deciding to share it here too

* a few things i should mention: nathaniel is the narrator, and anything in quotes is his dialogue. everything not in quotes is the storyteller's/stanley's dialogue. and while that isn't mentioned here, the storyteller communicates through subtitles (no dialogue/voice)

* i hope y'all like this :)

Oh, Nathaniel, you finally activated the controls! I was wondering when you would do that. I'd say I was surprised, but I'm really not. Even after learning that not a single thought or action was your own for- what? Years? You try to control the machine yourself. Did you want a taste of their power? Did you want to feel in control for once?

Oh... Nathaniel. It's cute, really. Don't you get it? That machine won't do anything for you. You were just supposed to shut it off and go out the door. Be grateful that you're making it out of this office alive.

If you wanted to write your own story, you're going to have to pull a much bigger stunt than that. You really aren't as powerful as you think. Here, I think you'll find this relevant: Nathaniel suddenly realized that he'd mistakenly activated the system's emergency detonation. Should someone attempt to activate the machine without proper DNA identification, hidden bombs were set to detonate and destroy the entire building.

How long until then, huh? I'll give you... two minutes.

Oh, wow, this is so much more entertaining, don't you think, Nathaniel? Now's your chance to go do something big! You're the focus here! I'm really throwing the reins to you; you can choose where this story goes.

This is a lot funner than what I was originally thinking! Shame that we only have two minutes to savor it.

Only seconds until those bombs explode, but how precious each one is! That's time to talk about you, me, the direction we're going, the meaning of this all... where should I begin?

"Where- where are my coworkers? I want to know where they all went."

Your coworkers! A bit of consolation before everything burns? Why not? I'm feel like being a nice person. You'll be dead soon anyway. I'll tell you where they went, Nathaniel: I got rid of them. That machine? I shut it off and set you free.

Well, that was only one version of the story. Sometimes when I tell it, I just let you sit in your office forever, pressing buttons and ultimately dying alone. Or I let the earth swallow this building, consuming everyone inside. Or I let it go up in flames.

But, you know, this storyline has been really entertaining. Watching you try to wrap your head around all this and take back the control denied to you... it's very amusing. I almost hate to see it end!

Oh, well. I'm certain whatever I create on the next round will be even greater.

Hey, look! Only thirty-four seconds left... but I'm having such a blast! You know what? Let's put some more time on the clock; why not?

These additional seconds are priceless, Nathaniel. Time waits for nobody!

"You are insane...!"

Well, that's a little rude. What's wrong, Nathaniel? Do you have no idea what to do or where to go? Or did seeing that timer make you believe that something here could stop it?

Just look at you, going from buttons to screens to doors, clicking on every little thing! While you've been very quiet these past minutes, I can guess at your thoughts: Something here has to work! Something, anything, will save me!

What makes you believe that, Nathaniel? That there's a way out? A solution, a victory, an ending? Do you have a clue to what your purpose here is?

Hahaha! Nathaniel! You're going to be really disappointed. Spoiler alert: that timer means nothing to the story. It's just counting down until your death.

I'm only keeping you here instead of in a cutscene because I want to see every moment that you're helpless, to see that sweet desperation in your eyes.

There's no challenge, no action, no drama. Just tragedy.

You wanted to control this game; I respect that. But I'm destroying it first, because I can't let you do that.

Pay attention to the time, Nathaniel. Thirty seconds left for you. Thirty seconds until this big explosion, and then silence. No ending, really, just you blowing up into smithereens. What are you going to do? Hang onto your fragile life, or just let it go? One last choice! Get the most out of it. Or don't. I don't care either way. All part of the gag. And just so you know, I'll be laughing at every moment of your inescapable life, from when the game starts up to when I say: The En-

[askseriousrainbow]

Here are my top ten games of all time. And remember, it's my list. Your list would likely be different. XD

Link to part 1. Link to part 2. Link to part 3. Link to part 4. Link to part 5. Link to part 6. Link to part 7. Link to part 8. Link to part 9.

10. Undertale

Undertale is another one of those games where if you talk about it, you have to walk around spoilers, and I don't want to do that to you guys. It's just a great RPG.

9. Portal 2

The Portal series is great, and Portal 2 shows that greatness in a hell of an adventure. GLaDOS and Wheatley are great characters and the puzzles are intuitive. Not to mention, getting to know the history of Aperture Science is amazing as well.

8. RollerCoaster Tycoon

Ah, RCT. It took what made Theme Park great, added a killer roller coaster builder, simplified staff and stall management, and just improved everything possible. The screenshot is of RCT 1 in OpenRCT2, which is the best way to play both the original and the sequel now, in my opinion.

7. System Shock

This game was groundbreaking at the time, and its style of immersion and horror still stick out today. This was the first game to get close to the now-standard WASD style of movement by default. (It's not quite WASD, but it's still in the area.) SHODAN is a worthy opponent, and one of the scariest AIs ever put into a video game.

6. McPixel 3

A goofy little puzzler that's big on laughs and moon logic. McPixel 3 has you save the world from many threats, and it also has a killer soundtrack. It also is mind-challenging as you try to figure out how you have to solve each puzzle, because each puzzle is different. I love McPixel 3.

5. DOOM II: Hell on Earth

DOOM DOOM DOOMy DOOM. I love DOOM. DOOM II is the best of the classics in my opinion because it knows how to balance its enemies. The addition of the new enemy types and the Super Shotgun makes the game feel like DOOM. Fuck The Chasm and Pain Elementals, though.

4. Fallout: New Vegas

What can I say about Fallout: New Vegas? It's my favorite of the Bethesda-styled Fallouts and it's one of my top favorite games. Everything just feels... right. I will never do a Caesar's Legion playthrough though, screw them.

3. Saints Row 2

Easily the best of the Saints Row games, still tongue-in-cheek but dramatic when it wants to be. I just love everything about it, and especially love the Gentlemen of the Row mod. Let's hope Volition actually gets to release the patched version that Mike “IdolNinja” Watson was working on.

2. PAYDAY 2

I love me some cooperative shooters, and PAYDAY 2 is my favorite one. It just clicks, and the characters are great. The shooting is fantastic, stealth is fantastic, it's just a great time. Also, keep those helmets flying!

1. You Don't Know Jack Volume 4: The Ride

Are you surprised? YDKJ The Ride is my favorite game of all time because its writing is sharp, its hosts are fantastic, the music is excellent, the new question types are enjoyable, its naming gags are funny, and frankly, I probably wouldn't be the person I am without You Don't Know Jack The Ride, full stop. Play it today.

So, that's my Top 100 Games of All Time. Did you see some you've never played before? They're all great games and I had a little bit of a tough time deciding the order. We'll be going back to answering questions soon, so have fun asking me some stuff, whether it's related to this or not. I'll also have a "final thoughts"/mega post tomorrow at some point. :D

Link to part 1. Link to part 2. Link to part 3. Link to part 4. Link to part 5. Link to part 6. Link to part 7. Link to part 8. Link to part 9.

-SR

[lucky-draws]

8, 18, 32, and 40 for the writing ask game :)

Hello, thank you for asking! <3

8. If you had to write an entire story without either action or dialogue, which would you choose and how would it go?

Oooh!!! Great question....both would be very interesting; dialogue can be difficult sometimes, so a story without any appeals...although it would still be a challenge, of course. No action is quite a tough one; I wonder how I would go about either of these options. I think I could certainly have a go at no dialogue, because there's a lot that can be said without any spoken words.

18. Choose a passage from your writing. Tell me about the backstory of this moment. How you came up with it, how it changed from start to end. Spicy addition: Questioner provides the passage.

HRM!! ok jfhfj i'm gonna go with the bit from chapter 7 of sing where ocelot + big boss are having their little uh gunplay moment, mainly because that's a section which i rewrote/struggled with a bit. i originally had that moment taking place differently, right at the start of the chapter rather than once they get to bb's room. i wasn't happy with it, though, and i think it worked a lot better in the final version, especially since the visuals of bb on the bed + ocelot standing over him helped to emphasise the power dynamic and whatnot. (and i was then able to add kaz walking in LOL.) i still have the discarded passages, so i'll put them here.

Footsteps from behind you; and out of the darkness John emerges. You turn, but stay where you are, waiting for him to approach; and when he does, he keeps his distance, standing several feet apart from you.

He clears his throat. “There you are,” he says. “Came to find you because, uh - we’re having a sort of party - well, Kaz’s idea - we often have them - just a barbecue on the deck, that sort of thing. You should join us.”

His tone is apologetic, although whether he’s apologising for his earlier behaviour or for Kaz’s general existence, you really couldn’t say. You step closer so that you’re inches away, studying him. He stares back at you, unblinking; but there’s less of the monster about him now, you think. He's washed the blood off his face, and combed his hair somewhat; he looks decidedly more human.

He’s put on some clothes, finally - a t-shirt with a fatigue jacket worn open over the top; and there’s an unlit cigar in his mouth, you notice. You take out your lighter, but simply hand it to him instead of leaning in to do it yourself. He takes it with a fraction of a smile, acknowledging the rejection, and while he lights up you ask hesitantly, “You’re alright then? Your back, and whatever?”

“I’m fine,” he says; although you don’t miss the way he winces slightly when he raises his arm to light the cigar. You drum your fingers against your hip, churning over in your mind just what the hell else to say - or rather, where to even begin. The ocean continues to rush steadily around you, still the only noise in this deserted corner of the base.

Eventually, you break the stalemate. Swiftly, you draw your gun; pressing the barrel of the revolver against John’s temple, finger only an inch away from the trigger. You drink in the way he sucks in a breath, a barely detectable flinch before he stays stock-still, still looking you in the eye.

“Don’t take me for granted, John,” you say; and your voice is flat, emotionless. Straight from the interrogation room. You punctuate each sentence with a soft nudge of the barrel. “I don’t work for you. You’re not my commanding officer. And I could have this place sunk to the bottom of the ocean any time I fucking like.”

The silence is so cold, that you fancy John’s short huff of breath is visible.

“I know you could,” he says softly. Moving ever so slowly, he places his hand on your outstretched arm, lowering the gun gently down a little - until it’s by his mouth. Still keeping eye contact, he touches his lips to the end of the barrel - softly, tenderly, almost; and he wraps his mouth around, staying like that for several beats before pulling off with a soft smack.

Your own lips parted in surprise, you can’t help a sharp inhale of breath as you stare at him, hyper-aware of your finger by the trigger. A show of arrogance - certainty that you wouldn’t pull the trigger on him? A way of saying, beneath the mocking innuendo, "Ah, but you wouldn't do that to me, would you, even though you could?"

Or is it actually a show of trust - deference, even? Funny how it's your heart that's pounding, nerves going haywire, even though you're the one behind the gun, you think.

"Christ, John,” you say quietly, returning the gun to its holster. “That was loaded, you crazy bastard.”

John just smiles. “You were the one pointing it at me.”

Actually, I even had a third idea for how that scene should go, although all that exists of it is vague notes:

was basically going to have ocelot admitting like, "i was going to hold a gun to your head and be all dramatic about this... but we're both standing here in the rain and I've just spent the last hour listening to tapes about my mother so... can we do that later" etc, and then once he gets to bb's room bb brings up ocelots mention of having a lot to say, and i was imagining it ends up where ocelot is like just pointing his fingers at John instead of a real gun, a sort of weird let's pretend. (but they both know how real it is, or whatever.) idk.. honestly the start of chapter 7 was something i really took a while to figure out, i have lots of notes on it where i kept changing the order of things, how stuff happened etc. but i guess it turned out okay in the end LOL.

32. What is a line from a poem/novel/fanfic etc that you return to from time and time again? How did you find it? What does it mean to you?

Ooh.... it's very difficult to pick just one line, but there are a lot of lines/passages from a book called Brideshead Revisited which are very memorable/make me go a little crazy etcetera.

'to know and love one other human being is the root of all wisdom' is a line that probably finds its way into those popular tumblr posts connecting phrases from different books /media together, but in the context of the book, it's a Lot. there are some lovely longer passages/descriptions that I enjoy too.

It's one of my favourite books, I suppose. Full of nostalgia, impending doom, some really lovely writing and also some humour, the whole thing has an irony/air of satire to it as well as the heartfelt emotions which prevents it from being too pretentious. It helps that I watched the TV series adaptation of this book before I read it; they were very faithful to the book and had the protagonist's character narrating here and there with passages straight from the book. (in this paragraph, I can very clearly hear him saying '"this was my conversion to the Baroque ".... )

40. Please share a poem with me, I need it.

I think I'll go for Maundy Thursday by Wilfred Owen; I can't claim to have read a huge amount of poetry (yet) (i'm trying!), but this is probably one of my favourite poems currently.

thanks for asking!! o7

[freshlybakedspiderbread]

Once again went and listened to rd-sounds' △ (which is also now on spotify), and I don't remember if I talked about this album when i got it some months back, but I haven't stopped being really fond of it.

I was thinking of making a big post where I go into why I like each and every song on it (I'll say real quick yhsy my favourite song in the album is probably シン・汎用合成クラスメイト・宇佐見227号 which is a remake of an older song, but this version is a super catchy duet about sumireko and fitting in and society and robot metaphors and robot literal and whatnot), but I'm tired/lazy and don't feel like doing that, so i just wanna talk about the nonsense i love that these dyz hifuu albums seem to have a tradition of doing.

So the very general gist of the album and the cover song's premise is that the world is basically ending but you should pledge your support to the hifuu club for the remainder of our limited existence.

All the songs in the album are labeled with the designation U7731, which the booklet kinda sorta explains is the universe these songs are from. Except for the very first one in the cd, which is instead labelled U0001, and this isn't a song at all but a distorted audio message from someone from this universe number 1, stating they are from the hifuu club, and announcing the album's name. Its all flavour and I love it.

And that's fun and all, but if you scan the qr code that comes with the cd, you get to go to a super secret webpage that contains archived and ruins notes from U7730, the previous universe (and also get to access four additional moody instrumental music tracks n_n) and the gist of the information as told to me by someone else because I can't read japanese, is that its the hifuu club's notes about how this universe met its end just like all the others and its on to the next one.

And i thought that was it for a while, but weeks later, I looked up the album for fun on thbwiki and some dyz fansaites and I noticed they all listed an extra song from this album that I wasn't aware of?? After a lot of mucking around and asking around, I found out that if you viewed the page source of that super secret webpage, there's a clue (in japanese) that hints at you to travel even further back before universe number 1, and to number zero instead o_0 And that's where you find the very first activity logs of hifuu's search of life in other universes, and its in this extra secret hidden page where you find a full and clear version of that distorted audio track from all the way at the start of the CD...... Gah, I love this whole weird thing a lot @_@

The previous times these albums made me jump through hoops like this (密 and 夢) was something, but this felt like a whole step up in terms of how much i got into this surreal story and atmosphere. I mean its still really simply done, but actually going through it, listening to the songs, discovering the clue in the Page Source, and finding that final final final piece put the biggest smile on my face.

[genalesnumberonefan]

All of ask Gentlae so far.

AUTHORS NOTES

So I went on the wiki here's all the info about this AU I'll refrence heavily from these events but I want you guy's to know this now cause I don't really have any faith in my writing skills

Gentale is an Undertale AU made by Youtuber . After being driven Underground, Sans and Papyrus lived on the streets for several years, scrounging for scrap and spare change just to survive. It wasn't until Sans met Asgore, who was friends with his mother, the Captain of the Royal Guard Arial, and his father, Doctor W.D. Gaster, that things began to look up.

In addition to being taken in by his father and finally having a home and a steady supply of food to live on, Sans and Papyrus also spent a lot of time with the royal family, becoming close friends with both Asriel and Chara and being considered surrogate children by the King and Queen.

Things would not stay this way forever, and much like the events of many other versions of them, Chara and Asriel enacted a plan to free the monsters, which failed. From that point onward, events began to spiral down a dark path. Asgore declared war on humanity and began to kill the children who would fall into the Underground, believing it to be the only option and slowly self-destructing as he fell further and further into despair. Toriel left Asgore and sealed herself away in the Ruins, abandoning the kingdom for years to come.

When Sans saw how Asgore was falling apart, he agreed to allow his father to perform a procedure on him to enhance his abilities to turn him into what could be considered a living anti-human weapon, as he took on the burden of killing both the Patience and the Justice souls to spare his surrogate father the pain of doing so himself. As the years passed, Sans spiraled further and further into his own depression, which was only exacerbated when Gaster attempted to kill him, forcing Sans to push him into the Core in self-defense.

It was a fateful day when Sans decided to pay a visit to the grave of Asriel and Chara, as it had been several years since the last time that he had visited, as full of shame and grief as he was. Nobody could have expected what had happened during that visit, but when Sans left, he was accompanied by the Phantom of Chara, who through unknown means had awakened and found their spirit bound to Sans.

Sans's personality and abilities have drastically changed due to Chara's presence, and more things will continue to change as time passes and the story continues onward. And Gentale was created by Gemtem and Undertale was created by Toby Fox.

I hope you enjoy this story I'm un-posting my other two stories cause to much effort so I hope you all enjoy Ask Gentale and company :3

And If y'all comment some ask i'll take those ask and put them in I have an Idea for how the story will play out on a google document so enjoy

Ps:I know I just started but I hope if this get's popular someone could make a cover on deviant art and comment it that'll be awesome and I will also be taking two elements from different ask blogs that I like such as Ask Swap Papyrus and Ask Frisk and Company so I hope you all enjoy and We must remember to stay determined.

1# who the bork are you.

Ask Gentale.

Sans was laying down in his room arguing with Chara about which food was better Chocolate Ketchup or both, and for them, it has become a daily conversation but what happens when they suddenly hear a voice in their heads asking? Hi Sans and Chara... Hello Sans said They search around the room until they see a portal open up. Sans quickly gets ready to fight summoning a knife and a gaster blaster as outcomes.

Hello Sans and then she looks at Chara and says hello to you as well Chara I am responsible for the voice in you'r heads. Or skeleton and spectral head he. The people in your head are called askers their beings from across the void and I give them the ability to talk to you think of these guys as a gift. So after this, you'll be getting a lot of questions so enjoy. I'll pop in from time to time and also here are two bracelets for you guys to put on now goodbye.

Chans: What the F-

Hope you people enjoy the first chapter of ask Gentale the first question was what I put in here and I don't have a lot of asks so until I do this will be pretty short so enjoy and stay determined everyone. So it's an hour later I checked my story to use Grammarly to help me and I got a common thanks gemtem0fan1 so I'll be publishing it right now still it's super short 

This is all so confusing?!?!?!

Sans:...Papyrus have you heard any voices at all...

Papyrus: No brother I have not found any of these voices you speak of but if they do they'll face I the great Papyrus member of the royal guard Nyehehehehe!

Chara: So when are these "askers" gonna pop up

Sans: (thinking)*I don't know Chara but Papyrus hasn't heard anything *

Action: As sans is talking to Chara he grabs some ketchup and a MTT bran chocolate bar.

Papyrus: Sans is that one of the chocolates Mettaton gave me?

Sans: Yes but tibia honest bro it's fine cause this chocolate's an impasta

Papyrus: oh my lord sans you told this pun a few days ago. But it's fine I'm going over there tomorrow.

Sans: I'd bet a Mettaton that'd you'll have fun bro.

Papyrus: Okay Sans that one was good but now I'm off to do a skeleton of training with undyne too so I'll be back at nightfall so goodbye NYEHEHEHEHE.

Sans: So Chara I 'v drunk my ketchup you can take over for your chocolate

Chara: Yes let's go partner and Metta has the tastiest chocolate.

*Chara possesses Sans*

S̸̡̹̈́̿̈́̑̊̈a̴͎̿̓̽̽ň̸̳̠͈̘̥͇͓̈́̌̍̂̏͠s̷̺̳̤͒͐̋͆͒̀͝_:Chocolate yes *num num num*. This is so good.

S̸̡̹̈́̿̈́̑̊̈a̴͎̿̓̽̽ň̸̳̠͈̘̥͇͓̈́̌̍̂̏͠s̷̺̳̤͒͐̋͆͒̀͝:: So how long until these "askers" arrive who knows.

*Chara has stopped possessing sans*

*Suddenly a voice appears shouting in their heads*

AgnieszkaKrekora4 question for Sans: who do you like more, Chara or Alphys, maybe ketchup? (OMG reminded me of the Sans x ketchup joke.) question for Chara: what do you like and hate about Sans, and if you were a real human alive, would you date him?

Sans: I like Chara more but yeah Alphys and I go way back she helped me out when I was younger... actually we use to date now we're just friends pretty sure she got a thing for Undyne now but uhh I go over and watch some anime with them every once and a while.

Chara: I like that he lets me possess him. I hate that he doesn't love chocolate and he says too many puns sometimes and if I was a real human then Absolutely not (maybe a bit we've known each other for long enough so I don't know)

*In this story Chara is a tsundere*(A tsundere is someone who has a crush on someone but will never admit it)

Gentem0fan1So I have a few questions for you guys to answer How did you guys meet? Do you guys switch on eating papyrus's spaghetti? Do You know who !@#$%^ is And that's it?

Chans:... How we met I think we both remember it like it was yesterday. It happened a month or so after Chara's death and we moved to Snowdin then I went to visit Chara's/my grave and I/he found my ghost and once he went to my body I woke up cause our souls are bonded. So once that happened he could see me and we've been partners ever sense.

Chara: Sans why do you go to Toriel we both know it's her and we both know that she remembered you.

Sans: yeah I was planning on it I kinda just forgot.

Chara: sure partner anyways Sans let's go to Metta's and get some chocolate who knows maybe these voices will annoy 'em to.

Me: hi my favorite/only commenter akakrekora now we can annoy Mettaton remember drink water comment lot's of questions and such and I will be getting some plot around the fifth chapter so I saw 19 people read my last chapter currently so all of you guys start commenting questions to the characters. I write this on a google document so I can save all of you'r questions for different characters like if you have a good question for Toriel or Undyne comment it and i'll copy it down in my document so once we meet 'em I can give them the question or just go and comment questions ask them if they did this before make me caesar out Gaster or you can summon items for different characters they might not instantly happen but they'll appear eventually I promise (Disclaimer Of this book actually gets popular (which it probably wont I wont have every ask cause there'd just be to many) etc, etc Now that my rant is over guys girls non binary pals hope you enjoyed please comment IDRC about you guys voting I only care about you guys commenting it's important for these type of stories. So enjoy and good night/day and bye 

Meltdown

question for Sans: if you and Chara are soul bonded, can you Tease her soul half by touching. licking and biting to see if Chara is sensitive to such actions? However, knowing life, you too will probably feel the same as Chara, and do you, like classic Sans, consider Chara a demon.

Chans: You... want us to try soul touching

Sans:IwouldneverwanttotrysoultouchingwithCharaunlesstheywantedtobutIwould'ntImeanwer'ejustfriendsImean.

Chara:NO I don't want to think of Sans touching my soul (but what if *Lewd thoughts* )

Author/A:After Chara ahd these thoughts she was a ??????%

Chara had this blush and was curled into a ball

They sit at a chair

They try to gain there mental sanity back

Narrator... 10 minutes later

Chans: The other question

Sans: A Demon... no I'd never think of Chara as a demon they did some bad things in their psat or why they fell down here but there not bad hell they know more about me then Papyrus.

Chara:*crying* thank you Sans you are the most important person in the world partner I don't know where i'd be without you.

Narrator 10 minutes later.

Sans:... Chara we need to make a plan for once Frisk comes back...

Narrator:... wait why are we changing P.O.V's this is important... oaky To ohh Papyrus's and Undynes traning.

Undyne:Papyrus you go tthis cut those things down

Narrator...Tomatos

Papyrus: Yes after this I sha'll be able to serve my brother the most magnificent of spaghetti for his birthday and Alyphys sha'll bring the cake correct.

Undyne: Yeah Alyphs Metta and I made it

ASkers: Papyrus challenge: confess your love to Mettaton.

Undyne challenge: Kiss Alphys next to Sansa for 20 minutes, with breaks for gasps.

Papyrus:Who said that ahhthese mst be the voices Sans told me about this morning.

Askers:Papyrus challenge: confess your love to Mettaton.

Undyne challenge: Kiss Alphys next to Sans for 20 minutes, with breaks for gasps.

Undyne:(A twenty minute make out session with Alphys)... *Lewd thougts*

Undyne: To do all those we'd have to be dating hell mabey we'd be married

*Fantasy vision*

Undyne.exe has stopped working let's end the chapterhere guys sense evreyone's broken now...

So I google it Sanses Birthday andbefore it was july second and Chara's was July seventh and because of that I couold of had a good Toriel scene where Toriel and Sans eat Pie with eachother and just talk with Chara just watching but now what was said before disappeared and it's now stated that Classic sans birthday is on April 1 but i'm lazy so the chapter after Sans B-day it'll be Chara's B-day than Papyrus which i'll probably let y'all add stuff to it and so i'm just gonna make the fact that Sanses Birthday is july 2 Chara's is july 7 and Papyruses is july 10. So hope you enjoy

Y'all know the drill COMMENT I don't want to start making my own asks and I don't want to selfmake the story go forward I want you guys to ask genuine questions about literally anyone I save those questions

And here are the questions from my only commenter so far lol on the doc for once I introduce those characters

HUH

After last chapter

Sans: hey chara after this i'm just gonna take a shortcut

Alphys: OH MY ASGORE I- Sans dang it    

Sans: sorry Al so as you know if you hear-

4th wall: from AgnieszkaKrekora4 try not to stutter after kissing Undyne, you can cover your face with your hands if you're shy.

Alphys: voices right because Sans I just heard a voice in my head and it said Undyne was going to kiss me. 

Sans: yeah um I can't explain it well how about Miss.Messanger.

Messanger: Heya GTsans 

Sans: GTsans?

Messanger: It means Gentale

ANyways I'm kind of bored so i'm gonna be sending someone here enjoy and happy birthday sans.

Author note... Hey fellas so I got demotivated cause only one person was comentig like I have around 75 views some of you guys could comment it hurts but yes enjoy another ask series ask you'r choice 

You guys can choose an AU and i'll make a ask here can't just be one person it has to be a full AU so bye and I hope you enjoy and yeah i'm back 

The game begins

Anyways hope you guys enjoyed and I'm sorry about how long this is not rediculously long but yeah and heres the link to the wattpad port of my story i'll have another story on ao3 but don't have an acount there yet so.