#if damien looked at me like that i think i’d die

[clericofinfamy]

damian priest - raw, 18 march 2024.

posting this and going to sleep. thank you monday night judgement day for priest crumbs, amen. 🙏🖤💜

[marinafanning]

batfam incorrect quotes (from perchance)

*talking on the phone*  jason: Remember how I said that cass and I were gonna have a calm night out for once?  silena: Yeah…  jason: Well, we’re in jail.  silena: *hangs up*

damien: dick, you risked your life to save me!  dick: And I’d do it again! And perhaps a third time! But that would be it.

tim: Yeah I'm LGBT.  tim: cuLt leader.  tim: God hates me personally.  tim: cowBoy hat.  tim: *sniffles* Trying my best.

cass: I like to play this game called nap roulette. I take a nap and don’t set an alarm. Will it be 20 min or 4 hours? Nobody knows. It’s risky and I like it.

steph, about cass: Can I tell them they look nice?  dick: Sure.  steph: Can I tell them I respect them?  dick: Maybe, if they ask.  steph: Should I show them an oil painting I made of us surrounded by our three cats and four dogs?  dick: …  dick: I’d save that for later.

tim: So what’s the plan?  jason: I don’t know. You’re smart, *points at cass* they’re mean, come up with something.

*at 3am*  cass: *runs into silena’s room and turns on the light* Wake up sleepyhead!  silena: *wakes up* Dude!  cass: *cackles*  bruce: *sits up from where they were sleeping behind silena* What the fuck, cass?  cass: *jaw drops* Wait WHAT-

silena: So, kate is no longer allowed to take the trash out at night.  babs: Why?  silena: Because I've caught them trying to train raccoons to fight five times in a row.  kate, arms crossed and pouting: You'll be thanking me when the third raccoon battalion saves your ass.

kate: Never gonna make you cry!  dick: Never gonna say goodbye!  kate: Never gonna tell a lie—  damien: I will hurt you.

steph, driving and singing to the Little Einsteins theme song: We’re going on a trip-  harper: In our favorite piece of shit!  babs: Doing 95!  tim: We’re gonna fucking die!

harper: I have an idea.  kate: A good idea?  harper: Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

harper: babs, how do you feel about lifting heavy things?  babs: My doctor just said I should avoid—  harper: Being a wuss? I agree.

jason: Where is everyone?  damien: silena had a nervous collapse, alfred is looking after them, kate is trying to kill steph, so I’m in charge.  jason: Oh my god!  damien: I know, right?

babs: If you ever feel stupid or weak or powerless, just remember that I am not. I am out there, very dangerous, and I am looking for you. Good luck.

bruce: babs won’t wake up, what do I do?  steph: Did you try kicking them?  bruce: Yes.  steph: I’m out of ideas.

bruce: I feel like everyone on this island is suspicious, babs. Except you!  babs: But bruce, I think you're suspicious!  bruce: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

*when the Squad drops food*  alfred: Eh, oh well.  cass: FIVE-SECOND RULE!  harper: FUCK!  kate: *just gets more food*  tim: *drops to their knees and mourns the food*  jason: *eats the food off the ground*

tim: dick, please calm down.  dick: I asked for two large fries!  dick: *dumps fries onto table*  dick: But all they did was give me a MILLION FUCKING LITTLE ONES!

tim: I'm not superstitious... But I am a little stitious.

harper: Thanks for not telling bruce what happened.  dick, dumbfounded: I wouldn’t even know where to begin trying to explain this.

cass: How do I make a date really romantic?  silena: Be mysterious.  cass: Okay!  *later, while on a date with steph*  steph: So where are we going?  cass: None of your fucking business.

[coldforestnight]

Whiplash absolutely is primarily about child abuse and grooming, I think it's actually an endorsement. In the sense it's a propaganda piece for abusive masculine dominance violence, it forms a primer for that abuse.

@ajokeaboutadog Hello! I certainly agree with the first part of your statement in that Whiplash is about child grooming, and this is something omitted from a lot of discussion of the film.

Andrew is young, friendless, and desperate for the approval of his elders - and Fletcher capitalizes on these things to first privately flatter him, and then publicly belittle Andrew to shape him into the ideal student.

However… I don’t think that the movie endorses this abuse, since we don’t see it having any positive effects on Andrew. The film ends with Andrew sharing a proud moment with Fletcher, and I can see how some might interpret this as Andrew having finally “made it,” but looking at this scene from the outside — Andrew objectively fucked up that performance, and no amount of Fletcher’s approval will change the fact that he couldn’t play that first song. @bredforloyalty said it better than me in the notes of this post:

it all depends on how you look at the narrative, if you think the achievement at the end is bigger than everything he lost along the way (which i don't do i think the abuse is much more prominent and it's more fitting and more fun and more thoughtful as a tragedy than any kind of success story) <3

I do think Andrew himself “endorses” the abuse inasmuch as he seems to believe it’s making him a better artist, but I don’t think Damien Chazelle or anyone else developing the movie does. Here’s Chazelle’s opinion of what happens after that final scene; I’d say my own opinion is pretty similar:

Where do you think these two go after this movie ends? They had a moment at the end of the film, but I feel these two will always hate each other. I think so. I think it's definitely a fleeting thing. I think there's a certain amount of damage that will always have been done. Fletcher will always think he won and Andrew will be a sad, empty shell of a person and will die in his 30s of a drug overdose. I have a very dark view of where it goes. That should have been a postscript at the end of the movie, "And at 30, he dies of a drug overdose." That would be great, right before the credits, "Oh, by the way." It's a post credit thing, like the Marvel movies. It's his funeral. And Fletcher is there. He gives the eulogy. "That ungrateful f***ing brat."

[aestheticpearl]

— 𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐮

[𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫] gavin

“you look silly” gavin says to you as he pulls your arm over his shoulder.

“good, cause i sure do feel silly” he shakes his head. “did you know i’m in love with you?”

“believe it or not deviant, i did know”

“i am just checking G, i wanna make sure that you know that i love you.” he rolls his eyes this time but he can’t help the smile that spreads on his face.

“deviant you certainly have had one too many”

“hey it was your idea to put all the drinks in big gulp cups!”

“perhaps that was my fault, i may have forgotten how much you humans can actually handle” you feel gavin’s hand hold your waist to try and steady your very off balance body and all you can think about is how warm his hand feels.

“ya think? all that matters is that i was not the most fucked up one there, i mean did you see damien?”

“yeah that was certainly a sight, not even huxley could control him” the image of damien on top of the table shirtless dancing and singing along to that new pop song crosses both your minds and you can’t help but laugh.

“i definitely am not that fucked up” you laugh.

“that’s fair, though i don’t think i could stop you even if i tried if you were that fucked up.”

“definitely not, i’d be unstoppable”

“oh i’m sure of it” you pause and stop walking causing gavin to stop as well. “you alright?”

“gavin i’m sorry you couldn’t get drunk like the rest of us”

“oh deviant—”

“i also need to throw up”

“oh okay in the bushes we go” after gavin quickly guides you to the bushes for you to do your thing per say, you both continue walking back to the apartment.

“hey G what happens if you rift with a human?”

“your drunk questions are always such weird ones”

“like i know the human would die but like does the meridian even let you? or does it have to be done through a loophole” you stubble a bit and gavin grips your waist tighter.

“i don’t know, but i’d rather not test it to find out”

“that’s fair, hey did i mention i love you?”

“why yes you did”

please reblog to show support ✧·˚ ༘ * ༄

the idea that gavin is always the dd cause his kind can’t get drunk makes me giggle

.love always <3 pearl

.masterlist

[smloshie]

Turning Page - a Simon Bootles x Reader

Part 1 - 1729

Epilogue

Word count: 2095

Foreword: Here it is; the epilogue. (to part one that is ;)) Thank you so much to those of you who supported me. I havent written a multi-part fanfic since I was in middle school, so this was really cool and an awesome way to get my brain active! I think that if Damien or anyone from Smosh ever read this I'd be mortified lol so I hope this just stays between us ! Also, I will be uploading all of the chapters to Wattpad if anyone prefers to read their fanfiction there. Just search for it, it's the only Simon Bootles fanfic there is lmao

Anyways, enjoy the final addition to part one!

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I sat on the lip of my bedroom’s main window pane, looking out at the lush forest that grew behind my family’s estate. While the trees are beautiful, they are intertwined with nothing but danger. 

I knew that now, thanks to Simon.

Before I’d met him, the sunset was nothing more than a perfect way to end my day. Watercolor clouds kissing faintly painted stars, and a moon that seemed to rise from the earth’s soil. Now, I would go through life recognizing that shade of purple as that of a heart I’d miss every day. That is, unless I had the privilege of him coming home to me every night. I knew that would never happen, though.

I squinted as I looked at the trees, maybe I would see red eyes staring back at me. I would scream. Simon would feel a disturbance in his soul, as it was now intertwined with mine. He would rush back to be at my side and vow to protect me at all costs. Alas, nothing. 

Instead I saw attendants moving dining tables out onto the grass outside. Some were arranging candles, some were adjusting centerpieces. Garrison stood off to the side with my father, monitoring the placement of everything for his wedding. He looked like a hawk on the brink of snapping at his prey. One mistake on his big day, and they’d be jobless for the rest of their lives.

I heard a knock on my bedroom door. This was the third attendant tonight to ask me to come downstairs. I didn’t want to, unless Simon would be there. Unfortunately, none of us had heard from him in months, so we assumed he wouldn’t be coming. In all honesty, I wasn’t exactly incentivised to attend.

“(Y/N), I’m not sending another serf up to grab you!” I heard my mother say, sternly. I got up from my seat in the window, hiked my long dress up past my ankles with a huff, and stomped to the door. I opened it to see her standing there; she looked surprised that I had answered so suddenly.

“I’m not coming.” I said, bluntly.

“You’re dressed, your makeup is done, your hair is acceptable- What could you possibly be hiding from up here?!” she asked.

“You wouldn’t understand.” I muttered. I might have sounded immature, but it was true nonetheless. I walked away from her and slumped back onto my spot in the window with a frown. Maybe some of the guests would assume I was the ghost of a woman mourning her lost love, and leave the wedding out of fear. I was one heart attack away from taking that form anyway.

My mother followed into the room after me, slamming the door behind her. I avoided eye contact at all costs.

“What wouldn’t I understand? Tell me, what is so important for you to be stressing over on a wedding day that’s not even yours?” She demanded.

“Because it’s not even mine!” I shrieked. She broke down the barrier protecting my psyche. She was stunned at the way my voice cracked.

“Is that what you wanted to hear? What you’ve longed for since the day I was born? I’m dressed, my makeup is done, my hair is perfect, and I’m not getting married to the man I love. Not today- not ever! He left me. I’m alone. I’m going to die alone and I’ll never see him again! ” I screamed in one breath. I gasped for air, huffing and puffing with tears threatening to spill over. I hadn’t had a true outburst like that in months- not since the night he and I met.

I looked down at the ground, ashamed that I had let it all out. My mother said nothing for a while, until I heard her timid voice ask the question I had dreaded answering.

“Who?”

“Simon.” I answered.

“Simon Bootles? Garrison’s friend? That Simon?”

“Obviously.” I rolled my still tear-filled eyes.

She took my hands in hers.

“And he had… reciprocated these feelings?” She asked.

“Actually, I believe it was him who initiated.” I explained under my breath.

“Are you actively being courted by him?”

“No, I haven’t heard from him since he left.”

She paused.

“Why haven’t you told us?”

“I was afraid… I didn’t know if Garrison would get angry, I thought I would be ridiculed, I thought everyone would think I wasn’t good enough for him-”

“Well your brother managed to nab Alice.” She whispered, but I heard it. I chuckled.

“And there was something about the secrecy of our relationship that fueled the fire, in a way. Like sneaking around had somehow amplified the speed at which our love for each other grew.” 

“Well, sharing a secret can bring two souls closer together.” My mother sighed, sitting next to me on the window and brushing my misplaced hairs behind my ear.

“You say that like you know.” I scoffed. Her silence that followed spoke volumes.

“Wait, is that how you and father fell in love?” More silence, but she gave me a look that I was getting colder.

“So… not him? There was someone else?”

“His name was Abraham. I met him at a dance held in a forest at the age of fourteen. We, much like you and Simon I assume, kept our love a secret from my family. Almost every night, he whisk me off into the trees and we would-” she cleared her throat, “spend time together.”

Disgusting.

“When my father found out, boy- he flew into a proper rage. He said I was raking our family name and status through the mud by falling in love with a boy of such low rank. We sold our estate and moved our lives hours away. Though somehow, Abraham found me. He came to my window just to see me, every night. That is, until I was arranged to marry your father. I never saw him again after that. Though, I remember when I was pregnant with you, your father and I entered into a screaming match and I fled in the woods behind our house. I sat on a fallen down tree and cried, hoping Abe would hear me and save me. But, he never came. I eventually got over whatever it was your father and I fought about and returned home.” I watched her wipe her tears from her cheeks.

“I- I had no idea, mother. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I haven’t thought about him in years. If anything, you’ve reminded me of how adventurous love can be once you find the right person. Don’t get me wrong, I love your father. But, if my father had let me marry Abraham, I would have.”

“I’m happy that you understand.” I said. She hummed in affirmation, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and pulling me in close. I missed my mother’s embrace more than I realized. I felt my eyes burn like I was about to cry again. After a moment, she let go of me and stood up.

“I need to assist Alice and make sure everything is ready. Before I go, can I give you a word of advice?” She asked.

“Of course.” I said.

“Next time you see Simon, don’t let him leave until he’s put a ring on your finger.” I giggled at the thought.

“That was my plan,” I said, “Can you not tell anyone about what I told you? I want to tell everyone about us when he’s here with me- if he ever comes back, that is. Otherwise, they’ll just think I’m pathetic.”

“You have my word.” she said. She opened my door, and smiled at me before leaving.

I internalized everything she said to me. A handsome stranger. A love that was meant to be. A secret that wasn’t meant to be kept. Maybe my mother and I were more alike than I thought… 

All of a sudden, my thoughts were interrupted by a tapping sound behind me. I thought maybe my mind had been playing tricks on me, until I heard it again.

Would it be wise of me to turn around? If I did, would I be met with the monster who had been poisoning my mind, or the man who held the antidote on his lips? Of course, how would Simon even get up to my second-story window in the first place? So it must be something supernatural, like a demon.

Against my better judgment, I spun around with my eyes squeezed shut. Slowly opening them, I realized there was no demon, nor man, in my window at all. In fact, upon closer inspection, there was an envelope wedged into my window’s grilles.

How did it get there? Had it been there the whole time? Or had fate summoned enough strength to have the wind blow it my way?

I eagerly released the letter from its prison. It was addressed to me, with my full name written on it. I scanned it, front and back, for any signs of who it was from. The only clue I had was a purple seal on the back, keeping the letter shut. The wax was embedded with what looked like a family crest, but I couldn’t quite make out the shape. It looked vaguely like a flame, but it was incredibly amorphous. I carefully opened the envelope, being careful not to bend the seal, and extracted the paper inside of it. All signs pointed to it being from Simon, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I took a deep breath, and began to read it.

My dearest, (Y/N),

By the time you’ve received this note, I’ll have already returned to my own estate. Luckily, for the both of us, I don’t think this is the last time we’ll ever see each other. I hope you believe me when I say that I will do whatever it takes to make sure that we will end with our arms around each other once more, even if I have to take fate in my own hands.

When I first saw your face, I didn’t know what to think that evening. My smile faded because I couldn’t believe that someone as beautiful as you was in the same room as me. I thought to myself, “Has a creature like this always existed, and this is the first time I’m seeing it, or had I trained my mind to ignore anything that I perceived to be out of heart’s reach, like a comet? But how could that be- if you were meant to live amongst the stars, what were you doing here on earth?” I assumed you must have been a goddess sent from Heaven itself, meant to lay new gravel and change the course that my life was heading down.

Now, some may try to simplify what I felt for you and call it love at first sight. However, I feel that isn’t a fair description at all. It was feeling love for the first time. When I made you run away that night, I made a vow to myself that if I had ever hurt you again, that would be the last vow I’d ever make, for I would never deserve to be wed to you.

I laid awake that night in the guest suite just praying that you would realize how much I longed to feel your touch. Though, I really didn’t have to wait long at all. You soon let me into your world the next day, by allowing me to approach you in the library. That’s when I knew the love I had felt the evening prior wasn’t fleeting. It wasn’t misplaced. It wasn’t naïve. 

It was true.

I love you, (Y/N).

If you didn’t hear me say it before I left, I still said it. I said ‘I love you’ under my breath nearly every time that our eyes met. Which, for half a week, was a surprisingly high number of times.

Our time together may have been short, but you and I will be infinite.

Always and forever yours,

Simon Bootles

Those last words rang throughout my mind and body. ‘Our time together may have been short, but you and I will be infinite.’ I wiped a tear away from my lashes, and pressed the purple wax seal to my lips wishing it was his skin. 

I knew I would see Simon again. Whether in this life or the next, nothing would keep us apart forever.

He and I will be infinite.

╚═════════════ஓ๑♡๑ஓ═════════════╝

[cator99]

i’m not actually suicidal it’s not like that at all thats so sad nd weird sorry but when die it’s going to be so epic for real like stop i’m getting excited liek i would get so much sick pleasure out of it soo yea um so i’d have to save it for a special occasion obviously um i understand people who kill themselves to escape the sufferings and whatnot like thats their own thing they have going on but i’d never do it like that. if my life was so irreparably bad I would just keep making it worse until the awfulness looped around to being awesome again  but ya killing yourself/getting ones self killed in my opinion is what one should do as a celebration. i am only allowed to die once i’ve built a life that would feel satisfying to end. just my personal opinion. I would like it to ideally be very drawn out and painful like sometimes i read the beginning of discipline and punish and think “damiens you lucky bastard” like i’m soooo jealous that i start to get worked up. but yeah dont think about it too hard its not weird and youre being weird if you read into it too much i just think its something i would really enjoy so much ok its not weird everyone is just different. when i was little my mom would always freak out and talk about how she’s so scared to die and hopes to pass in her sleep which never made sense to me--- why be afraid, why hope to avoid it, its the last thing i’ll ever get to feel forever, so if i have any say in the matter it’ll be the most agonizing painful awesome horrifying thing ever, and then i just go away forever oooohhhh. this is the most honest post ive ever written in the entire history of my blog. with everything i do, there’s a little part of me thats thinking about how this will contribute to my awesome death. it makes me enjoy my life more because i feel motivated to work harder and improve myself and my life because that’ll make my death even awesomer. i enjoy thinking about how things could eventually lead to me dying sooo awesomely. that’s just my personal truth. so ya if you ever hear that i died, dont be sad, give a round of applause and just know that i finally made it. or i just wasnt looking when i crossed the street cuz i do that a lot too not on purpose i just forget or like last week i thought i was crossing at a crosswalk where you press the button and it flashes above to alert traffic when it was actualy just a green light and i almost caused multiple collisions while totally convinced that everyone else on the road was an idiot for not noticing that i pressed the cross button 

[tame-a-messenger]

“From the makers of the hit single Beans on Toast on Bread on Beans comes Lie, Cheat, Make a Mean Cobbler” I love when one of them jokingly says that something sounds like a song and then they both just run with it. No but this seriously made me want a Damien and Angela duet. I feel like their voices would actually sound really good together

Another moment I loved from that video (besides Damien trying to help her of course bc we love supportive damangela here) was Angela going “from the ashes I will rise” when she was losing because that’s such a Damien ass thing to say 😭 like I can literally hear him saying that lmao. I love how his nerdy antics rub off on her and she just ends up doing them herself (famous example is her making fun of “the heart of the cards” to her saying it unironically). Also the fact that you can hear her say ew immediately after saying that bc that’s their dynamic summed up without him even doing anything lol. Angela saying a Damien coded thing and immediately being disgusted by it is so them. And I also spent way too long trying to figure out what Damien said in response to that but all I could tell was that he was doing that deep dramatic voice he does when he says nerdy stuff exactly like “from the ashes I will rise” lmao

I love Damien and Angela so much because he brings out the nerd in her and she brings out the theater kid in him and those two instances are perfect examples of that

I also love it when they both just run with each others jokes! I truly don’t understand why they haven’t done a duet yet? I cant really see why they wouldn’t? the only real time they’ve sung in the same song is the Sleepover Live! “Rock my motorboat” but they weren’t really singing together just in the same song. I think their vocal tones and range match really well (her being an Alto and him being a Baritone(?I think?)) I think I’d die on the spot if they did do a song together. They’d sound too good so they’re keeping it away from us!

I KNOW! she said “From the ashes I will rise!” and it made me rewind just to see it wasn’t Damien! My suspicion is- she only makes fun of it because she likes it. like you said she’s a theater nerd, she’s as cringe as it gets so I think she actually thinks the things he say’s are cool (Have you seen the faces she makes at him when he’s Mr. Grub? looks like awe to me. Or maybe just look at the whole Smosh DnD series, and how much she gushes about him in the wrap up video) and I think he knows it. With that though, she likes to make fun of him! It’s the best way to get someone to warm up to you fast! 

WAIT I just rewatched the video and I know what he’s saying!! she goes “From the ashes I will rise!” AND HE GOES “But first you will burn.” talk about nerds.. 

Them bringing out the nerd and theater kid out in each other is so wonderful to see. You can tell how much fun she’s having playing DnD and nerding out. And him when he does get to sing, he obviously enjoys it.

I truly love them both a lot. I hope we get to see more of them doing fun stuff this month and all of next year!

[allywasthere]

The random things my roommate says @gOatmansbridge182

If it doesn't involve Batman lore I don't care

Then proceeds to look up how nightwing smells

Talking about Jason Todd/Red Hood and Dick Grayson/Nightwing I just want them to tag team me and body slammed me into the ground I’d just respect it and “God bless thank Jesus” and die happy smashed in between two men

Thinking about Vampire Nightwing but yes

If bad why hot

Aw Damien’s wet

Talking about her Umbrella Academy OC is basically her Batman OC but that got punched into the universe and how she got her ability to see ghosts: "before she got fucking bodied into the batman universe, she met God and God was like "Ok you get to pick one of your siblings that your closest to and you get their powers" and OC was like "Yeah so uh since i dont want alien octopus tentacles protruding out of my body, I'll take Klaus' ability to see Ghosts" and God goes "aight bet, bye bitch" and yeets her into the batman universe/next tuesday.

Can I get my dick please

Can I kiss my dick please

Kissing knee caps in front of my salad

Grilf = grandma I’d like to fuck (watching The Crown)

Pilf = Papa/Grandpa I’d like to fuck (watching The Crown)

Peepaw Willy fell of the stove again

Everybody else gets a real man while I have two Nightwing figures which I tuck one into bed sometimes

In any drawing class don’t think just do

[i-can-even-burn-salad]

Day 5: Nightmare

Undeserved

Warnings: Captivity, dehydration, suffocation, language, execution uh… mention? Description? Also urine (is that even a tag, I’m scared to look it up. Really scared.)

Things are starting to turn fun :) For me. Not for him.

This is part of a series. If you haven't, I suggest starting at Day 1.

Previous | Masterlist | Next

Somehow Damien had managed to sit up, to lean against those damn metal bars. He would have sworn they must have left bruises by now. Trying not to think, he stared into the distance, until the light was taken away by the approaching dusk. It was too cold for him to stop shaking, and he was in too much pain to even think of sleeping. At least he had been able to calm down a bit. After the first shock had passed, a part of his despair had made room for anger. 

Anger was good. It was better to show them that he’d like to rip their throats out than to let them see him crying. There wasn’t exactly much of his pride left, bloody and beaten and trapped like a fucking animal. But what little remained, he didn’t plan to give up that willingly. If only it was easier to cling to his anger. If only he wasn’t so thirsty he considered begging for a bit of water. If only there wasn’t this throbbing pain around his left eye, slowly swelling. If only his arm didn’t hurt like it was cut open with fiery knives. He hadn’t dared to look again, kept it cradled against his chest. He was sure time was doing nothing to improve the view.

“Do you like the accommodations, Nightmare?”

It was a new voice, sounding from behind him. At least he thought so. He didn’t bother turning around to find out.

“I’m talking to you. Nightmare.”

Whoever it was, they kicked the cage. The noise hurt his ears, and the movement as he flinched made the pain in his arm flare up. “Fuck you,” he muttered, which was pretty pathetic, but better than the pained groan he had suppressed.

“You don’t look so well. A shame.” 

That asshole kicked the cage again. Damien growled, too busy with breathing to find the strength for another curse. 

“I guess they don’t want you dead. Justice for all you’ve done or some shit like that. If you ask me — you know, unfortunately no one ever does,” he said, kicking the cage again. “But if they’d ask me, I’d suggest stringing you up on the next tree and be done with it.”

Damien couldn’t stop himself from wincing at those words. A dark laugh told him that it hadn’t gone unnoticed, and he cursed himself. 

“Don’t like that idea, do you?” Now the man crouched down, keeping one hand on top of the cage to steady him. “It’s almost funny. Tell me, Nightmare,” he said, drawing out the name, “how many did you make believe they’d die? How often?”

Damien dared to look into his face for only one moment before squeezing his eyes shut. It was a face he didn’t recognize. Short black hair and the shadow of a beard, and eyes of such a bright blue color they seemed almost white. Unnatural. 

“Oh, I know what you are. What you do. A despicable use of magic, for sure, but interesting. A shame we can’t give you a taste of your own medicine. Would be fun, don’t you think? To know what’s waiting for you?” He tapped the top of the cage with his fingers, humming quietly. “Can you imagine it? How the rope tightens and pulls you up? They won’t do you the favor of breaking your neck. It will be a slow, horrible death.” 

Damien’s breath hitched and he tried to scramble back, to get away. There wasn’t exactly much room for him to move. By Duriath, he shouldn’t listen to that asshole, but the words followed him relentlessly.

“At first, it will be merely uncomfortable. The rough rope on your vulnerable skin. Then your feet will leave the ground. Perhaps you’ll still be able to feel it for a moment. Reaching it with your toes. Making you believe that you’d just have to try a bit harder to stand again, to breathe again. But you’ll never breathe again. And with every passing second your lungs will burn more, and your heart will beat faster, and you’ll be more afraid than you’ve ever been in your life.”

Damien’s heart was already beating up to his throat, his breaths coming too quickly. Fuck, he had to calm down. He had to breathe. He couldn’t listen. He had to breathe. It was only words, cruel, horrible words, but only words. It wasn’t even images, feelings, nothing like what he had done. He could breathe, he had to breathe.

“You know, I might just start to see the fun in this. I could do this all day.”

Those words reignited Damien’s rage. He jerked towards the bars, his mouth opened to snarl some insults at this son of a mok. He couldn’t. He gasped, helplessly. Something was wrong. So wrong. Why couldn’t he breathe, why was there no air? Nothing was blocking his airways, nothing wrapped around his neck.

Fuck you. Stop you fucking asshole, stop. Stop… please, by the Seven, stop, stop whatever you’re doing, stop. Please, stop. Please, oh please.

Damien had no breath left to speak, to beg. He clawed at his throat, finding nothing, scratching his skin instead. Then he slammed his hand against the bars until his fingers bled. He had to get out, get out. There must be air outside the cage. This asshole was just in front of him, and he was still smiling, and still speaking, and still breathing.

“Then you’ll hang there, writhing like a worm on a hook,” he continued. “You’ll piss your pants and you won’t even care about it. All you’ll think about is how much you need to breathe, and how much it hurts not to. You’d give everything for one more breath to ease the pain. Absolutely everything. It might only take a few minutes, but it will be the worst minutes of your miserable life.”

It was already the worst minutes of his miserable life. The pain in his destroyed hand was almost forgotten, pushed aside by the sheer panic that had taken over his mind. Damien’s movements slowed as it became harder and harder to lift his arm. His vision began to swim, to darken at the edges. He wanted to scream, to sob, but every effort only left him with a frantic, painful twitching of his chest. 

“It will be a glorious thing. I’ll make sure to take the day off, so I can watch.”

There would be nothing to watch. Not if he died now. A weak, strangled croak was all that left his lips. He had to… had to…

Then his burning lungs managed to draw breath again. Damien almost choked on it, then started to cough. Fuck, it almost hurt as much as not breathing. He curled up, gasping and sobbing shamelessly. Each new breath was fire in his lungs. The air was back, but it wasn’t enough, it wasn’t enough.

“You were right. This was fun. But now for the reason why I’ve come here in the first place. We can’t have you die before we’re back at the capital, can we? So here, enjoy.”

A heavy thud and the sound of splashing water followed his words. Still struggling to get his breaths under control, Damien opened his eyes — just in time to witness the cause of another splashing sound. He gagged, trying to scramble away from where this fucking son of a mok was pissing in the bucket of water he had just brought.

“That’s what I think of people using magic to hurt innocents.” 

The man kicked the cage one last time before turning away. Damien sat frozen in horror, the marks his nails had left on his throat burning. His heart was still racing and fuck, he couldn’t get this image out of his mind. That’s how he would end. If he didn’t die before, of fever or thirst, because there was no way he’d touch this fucking piss bucket.

He curled up and leaned his head against the cage once more, not bothering to suppress the sob, shaking him. They called him a monster. The only difference between him and them was that he was on the wrong side of the law.

Tagging: @villainsvictim @whump-in-the-moonlight​ @dont-touch-my-soup​

[free-boundsoul]

Tenth Day of Christmas: Midnight

(Putting this one under a cut because of mentions of family angst. Freelancer’s parents were not supportive with them being empowered though i tried not to get too into it. If I missed a TW just let me know)

“Deviant? Why are you awake? It’s almost midnight.”

The Freelancer jolted a bit at Gavin’s voice, turning to see him leaning in the entryway of the living room, hair still mussed from sleep. He was wearing the deep purple silk pajamas they’d gifted him, the color complimented his tanned skin so well, especially since he only had a few buttons done up...

“As much as I love having your eyes on me, voyeur, I did ask you a question.” His smirk only widened at the flush that crawled up their cheeks. He sprawled out beside them on the couch, his head supported by their thigh as he looked up at them.

They couldn’t help but smile as they set their mug on the side table beside them, their fingers brushing his hair away from his eyes. “Sorry, but can you blame me for getting distracted?”

He let out a content little hum at their touch, “Oh, I would never hold that against you. I might tease you, your reactions are delectable, after all. But what are you doing up? Did Hux’s snoring wake you up?”

“Oh, no. His snoring is like white noise now. I just…had too much on my mind. Did I wake you?”

“I just woke up when Damien turned over and spread out like a starfish. And I noticed you weren’t in bed. Don’t worry, the others are deep asleep. Damien’s catching up on sleep now that finals are over. Hux sleeps like the dead anyway and he’s cuddling Lasko, so he’s not going anywhere.” He reassured them, his eyes opening to look up at them. “Did you want to talk about it? If something’s bothering you, I’m here to listen or lend a hand if you’d like me to?”

They sighed softly, still running their fingers through his hair. It was soothing, almost like petting a cat with how soft his hair was. “When we were having dinner, a got a call from my mother. I didn’t answer it, we were eating, you know? But she left a message. She… wants me to go home for the holidays.”

Gavin’s lips turned down into a frown, he would have sat up if the Freelancer didn’t have their hands in his hair. He reached up to cup their cheek instead, their partner leaning into the touch. “Do you want to go back?”

They covered his hand with their own, slowly shaking their head, “I don’t even know why she’s reaching out now… after how I left… it wasn’t exactly pretty, Gav…”

He traced his thumb against their cheek, his heart aching at the shaky exhale of breath as they closed their eyes and turned to press their lips to his palm. He slowly sat up, his touch not leaving them as he straightened. “I know you said your parents didn’t take your powers manifesting well. But it’s not your fault that your powers came in-“

“Gavin… my powers manifested when I was a teenager. I got so mad at this jerk that was bullying my best friend that a book flew off the shelf and hit him so hard he was knocked out. Everyone thought that I threw it but I knew I never touched it, I’d just been thinking it… my parents were so mad that I hurt someone…” They sighed again, their fingers interlocking with his as they squeezed his hand. “I got so scared that I tried to bury those feelings down. Ignore that new feeling in my chest that was warm and thrummed and ached…”

“I didn’t try to figure out how to control my powers. I just hoped that if I ignored them that they’d…I don’t know, shrivel up and die? But it just kept…building up. Whenever I got too emotional…too mad or sad or even happy, they’d try to come out. I…it got to the point where I didn’t want to go out. I was too scared that I’d end up hurting someone again. So, I just stayed in my room, trying to keep away from people.”

They looked up at him, the miniscule smile on their lips was bittersweet. “That’s when Caelum found me… he helped me get up and move again. Helped me realize that my emotions weren’t my enemy… His visits gave me enough courage to try and tell my parents. I wasn’t some… freak with these powers. Or crazy…”

“Freelancer, you-“

“Yeah. I tried telling them that magic was real and I could do it. That incident with the book wasn’t because I was a violent delinquent, just a mishap with powers I didn’t know I had… there was a lot of yelling. My mother was talking about a psych ward. They stopped listening to me…and I just…lost it. I shook furniture, two chairs got pushed back with psychokinesis, a gust of wind threw papers and smaller things around the room…” They pulled in a deep breath, their lower lip trembling just a bit before they exhaled slowly.

“They called me a demon. A witch…how could their child turn out like this? They didn’t raise me right…there was something wrong with me. They mentioned an exorcism.” The laugh that left them was anything but happy, dripping with pain and just a hint of loathing. “So I left. I packed up what I could, took all the money from my account and left. Caelum told me about D.A.M.N. and I knew I couldn’t keep ignoring my powers so it seemed like as good a place to start over as any.”

“Hey...” His other hand came up to their cheek, their face cradled between his hands as he looked into their eyes, his own soft and warm and yet there was something like steel in them too. “I am so sorry you had to go through that, precious. You didn’t deserve that. You’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. You always try to put others first, even at the expense to yourself... You’re a wonderful light in this world, and I am so grateful to know you.”

“You never have to see them again. Unless you want to, of course, when you’re ready. And don’t even think about going alone... We’d all go with you, you know. Even if it’s just for emotional support, to hold your hand... Knock some sense into some thick skulls, have I told you I’ve been improving my memory manipulation?” He smoothed his thumbs against their cheeks, catching a few stray tears that had slipped out. They let out a soft chuckle as they leaned into his touch.

“I wouldn’t want to cause a scene. Besides, I came here because of that. Wandered into a 7-Eleven because I was lost and ran into you. You showed me how to find the academy. I met Lasko, and Damien and Hux. You found me again…” They shifted a little closer, his hands sliding into their hair as they smiled up at him. “I’m so glad you did, Gavin… Thank you for staying in my life.”

His fingers carded through their hair, his forehead resting against theirs as he leaned in closer. His warm breath ghosting against their lips as he spoke, “I’m not going anywhere, precious. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

“Oh nooo, whatever will I do.” They couldn’t help the sarcastic quip, especially when the incubus let out a soft snicker. Though they did sober, their arms wrapping around his shoulders as they pulled him in close. “Thank you for listening, Gavin…”

He pulled back just enough to press his lips against their forehead, a wave of warmth flowing through them at such a simple gesture. In his arms, blanketed with his warmth, they couldn’t help but feel safe, and wanted and just…enough. “I’ll always be here for you, Freelancer. I promise.”

[thebrightsessions]

Entertainment Spotlight: Ian McQuown

Ian is an LA based actor and producer known for the YouTube comedy group, Extremely Decent, as well as a voice actor in the popular audio dramas: The Bright Sessions, The AM Archives, StarTripper!! & Deck The Halls! His credits inclue American Housewife, Trial & Error, Better Things, and For All Mankind. Ian took the time to answer some questions for us. Check it out:

You’ve worked on multiple podcasts -- what drew you to the medium?

Well, to be honest, Lauren drew me to it because TBS was my first narrative podcast. We met at a Rocky Horror Picture Show show. Anna Lore is our mutual friend and I think Anna is just talented as all get out, so anything she’s involved I want to be in. And, I don’t know, it was just one of those lucky breaks you get where a door opens and takes you to all these cool places you never anticipated.

On podcasting though, I really appreciate how much more possible it is to tell engaging stories without the boundaries of having to afford a set and a camera and insurance and etc etc etc. Like, I grew up with Star Wars, The Matrix, Cowboy Bebop— so when I imagine the stories I like, I’m usually picturing other worlds, space ships, people with super powers and those types of stories used to have a lot higher barrier to entry to make than they do now, which is just awesome.

If you could give a character from The Bright Sessions a spinoff series, who would you choose and what would the series be called?

I mean, no surprises here, but I’d love to see Damien’s early years. And I’d be super clever and call it something like... Damien: The Early Years. I'm dying for that content a little bit actually: Damien, before he became such a bad guy. Maybe a love story that doesn’t work out and leaves him really scarred? Villains so bad they created a villain instead of a victim—  that moment where we see the two roads Damien has to choose between and it totally shreds us when he makes the choice we all know he’s going to make, I mean, come ON you can see that, right? It’d be like the Star Wars prequels but without all the youngling killing and “NOOOOOOOO”’s and I want it.

Can you share a fun story or anecdote from the making of The Bright Sessions?

Haha, ok well it’s not really anything of note BUT: I remember Lauren had this area rug in her room, which as you probably know is where we would record, and it was this really nice, I think, red sort of floral rug that took up pretty much all the floor space because it was covering up the older apartment rug-floor underneath it. And it was, as I said, really cool, except it wasn’t a rug on a wood floor, right? It was a rug on a rug so it was a bit taller than the people who designed the room had planned for— the result of which was that you’d walk in and the room had this really awesome little vibe with this cute rug, and it was all very cozy, unless you looked directly behind you at the corner where the door had just spent ages scraping the surface of it, catching the corner, tearing little pieces out. And I may be getting apocryphal at this point, but I feel like by the time I had started coming around Lauren had straight up duct taped it to the floor, which really didn’t help the problem. And, I don’t know—again it’s not really anything momentous—but I just remember giving Lauren a particular amount of shit about it one day and us all having a really good laugh. And I really love that— there are jobs where you show up, keep your head down, do your work and leave, but then there are jobs like The Bright Sessions where you all get to become friends, and even if you don’t see each other for a while you sort of just get to pick up where you left off. And then those jobs turn into other jobs and you get to keep hanging out with your friends and peers and just making stuff you like— I’m a big fan of that.

If your life was a choose your own adventure, what decisions would viewers have to make on an average day?

OKAY, you wake up...

Water your garden before it gets to be 110 today, you cannot skip this step. You may however:

A) Stay out in the garden for longer if you get inspired and check if the tomatoes and peppers are ripe for picking.

Great! Now let’s make breakfast:

A) Make eggs, toast, fried tomatoes, and hash browns? 

B) Make (A) But also with Bacon? 

C) Make a smoothie?

D) There’s no time today, run to Whole Foods and get their incredibly priced $6 Egg, Bacon Cheese Breakfast burrito.

Awesome! You’ve eaten and now you can think. What work do you have to do?

A) Prep your audition, dummy! It’s due this afternoon, go fix your hair. 

B) You have a zoom meeting with actor friends at 11 to play around with some new material, put on a hat.

C) There is nothing you have to work on so stare at your computer and wonder if there’s new project you could be working on. Try to find that project, leave your hair as it.

Wow! You really had a great (insert previous choice here), let’s get you a coffee and take a TV break. What should we watch?!

A) That new show you haven’t seen yet because you need to watch everything so you know how to work on it should you get an audition for it.

B) Harley Quinn (your favorite new cartoon).

C) Teenage Bounty Hunters.

D) Farscape.

E) Nope, you just got an audition for tomorrow, everything is off the table, start working on it (Level Complete).

Lunch Time!!!

A) Turkey sandwich with pickles from the garden?

B) Trader Joe’s Margherita Pizza with basil and peppers from the garden?

C) Are we going to start another loaf of sourdough you basic mf?

D) Yes we probably are, but also (A) and (B).

Cool! I’ve eaten lunch. Now what?

A) You haven’t finished that work from this morning. Riiiight.

B)…More Harley Quinn…?

C) Let’s make pasta from scratch!

D) Let’s make ribs! From…ribs!

F) You just got an audition for tomorrow, everything is off the table, start working on it. (Level Complete).

Bangarang! You probably chose to start cooking dinner immediately after eating lunch. You ate it (and it rocked), what now?

A) You just got an audition for tomorrow, everything is off the table, start working on it. (Level Complete)

B) DnD with squad.

C) Go on a run, dude— you’re getting a Jaba chin….

D) Bring on the chin! Let’s watch TV until 2am! Here are your options:

A) Harley Quinn (your new favorite cartoon)

B) Teenage Bounty Hunters

C) Farscape

D) Put The Office on in the background and clean your house.

Level Complete.

As you can see I’m a very food-focused person. Also, I’m going to be real, that is truly what most of my days look like and I’m low-key a little mortified that ’taking a shower’ wasn’t a game option... 

Can you share your favorite piece of Bright Sessions / AM Archives fan art?

I love all the fan art that people make for my characters but this one from Franartz has always been really special to me. It’s so GQ, I just love it — and some of my favorite early AG moments are with Damien, who looks a little like he stepped out of a Gorrilaz album here— big fan. I’m a little obsessed with fan art actually, I save everything I come across— there’s a freckled red-headed series of Owen by TheFigureInTheCorner that makes me really happy. Seeing that my work has inspired someone else to make something of their own is really what’s up, you know? It makes me think about all the art and entertainment that has touched me over the years and I get a lot of joy from being a part of that cycle.

Thanks for taking the time, Ian! Give I Can Die When I'm Done a relisten right here.

[fakesurprise]

I’d never seen the basement of my grandmother’s house, but it looked the way she’d always described it: grandpa’s workshop, all neat and clean taking up half the basement while the rest was shelving with neatly stacked and labelled boxes for seasons or events. Nothing odd. Nothing that I could see as usual. I stopped at the bottom of the steps and just breathed.

Felix moved past me and looked around carefully.

I sat down on the stairs as tension drained from my shoulders. My family was normal.

“Damien.”

I’d lost track of a bit. I stood up as Felix held out his hand.

I stood, then froze as half the boxes at the far end of the basement were no longer boxes, but the entrance to a long, dark earthen hallway.

I made a noise.

Felix spun with inhuman speed, going entirely still between me and the hallway.

“I didn’t sense that. I thought something was off, but figured that was my hope for some clue,” and his voice was so, so distant.

There was a tunnel hidden in my grandmother’s basement.

I don’t remember sitting back down. My body shook as I sat back down on steps that were still solid, wheezing for breath.

Felix squeezed my right hand in both of his. My hands were sweaty and chill at once, my chest aching.

I’m going to die. I’m going to have a heart attack and die, and I’m not even 25, I thought, as if that was somehow a factor.

“Damien. Breathe.” The fae’s voice was deep and calming, his presence solid like a buoy in an ocean of terror.

I finally surfaced, still shaking. “I –.”

“Can you stand?” Felix asked, so gently it would have hurt if it wasn’t him.

I did, slowly. I felt hollowed out and fragile. The dark, still hallway existed. It hadn’t gone away. “I thought I was going to die.” “I think you had a panic attack. I knew someone in the hospital who had them often,” Felix said.

“How – how long was –?” I wiped my face off with my jacket as best I could. I felt wrecked.

“About ten minutes. We can leave and come back if you need to?” the fae said.

I closed my eyes. Opened them. The tunnel remained, impossible but real.

“No. I need to – we need to know. Don’t let go?”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” he said, and I held his left hand in my right. If he was human, I’m pretty sure I’d have squeezed enough to hurt.

I managed one step. The next one wasn’t easier, but I managed it too. Then a third, and fourth, and we were walking toward a tunnel that shouldn’t exist, with a small ball of green glamour-light above us. It didn’t get easier, but I focused on just walking and managed to push other things away, for a little while.

[yugirl]

Day 16: “You Activated My Trap!”

It’s meme day! Break out the old favorites! Make some new ones! Set your inner troll free!

@gxmonth

((I wanted to make a crack video but I ran out of time so ill do my favourite meme of all time incorrect quotes!!))

Menae: I want a baby

Don Zaloog: Give me a week. what colour?

-

Syrus: I want a baby

Tyranno: No

Syrus: ok

Tyranno: wait! but don't ask another guy! I'll do it!

-

Mindy: I want a baby

Jasmine: we're lesbians!

-

Jaden: I want a baby

Jesse: mine?

Jaden: yes! Who else?

Jesse: Neos

-

Jaden: I want a baby

Bastion: I promise after this is over I will give you a baby. I will give you as many as you want. I can't wait. I can't imagine the happiness that will overwhelm me. you're gonna be the best mom! I love you so much

-

Chazz: No! Don't text me I want a baby!

Jaden: I WASN'T GOING TO!

Chazz: sure you weren't

Jaden: I WASNT

-

Alexis: I want a baby

Jim: we already have Shirley

-

Echo: I want a baby

Adrian: Oh my god! steal one!

-

Yubel: i want a baby

Haou: eat shit I'm not putting a demon inside you

-

Yusuke: I want a baby

Atticus: I want new heeleys

-

Briar: I want a baby

Beauregard: they’re usually Chilling in shopping carts outside of supermarkets. How fast can you run?

-

Aster: I want a baby

Zane: they get sick a lot remember?

Aster: and what about it?

Zane: um... it’s still your turn in our chess game

-

Yubel: I want a baby

Ojama Yellow: I’m baby

-

Blair: I want a baby

Marcel: oh... like to hang out with?

~~~~~

Syrus: the ball is life bruh

Bastion: the ball is life brother

Jaden: *in his princess outfit* the ball is life bruh!

Syrus: that’s not *Jaden Waltzes off* ok…

~~~~~

*Bastion’s shouting and moaning can be heard from the coliseum*

Jaden: it sounds like someone I getting VIOLENTLY tortured, and I don't think it's consensual

~~~~~

Jaden: *seeing Tania touching Bastion* why she touching my man! Where she going with MY MAN!?

~~~~~

Aurora: dad I got hurt!

Chazz: are you bleeding?

Aurora: yeah?

Chazz: like a lot?

Aurora: yeah?

Chazz: walk it off you’ll be fine!

Rosalie: ouch! *cries* dad!

Chazz: *keeps chatting*

Damien: ouch!

Chazz: *immediately runs to Damien’s aid.* oh god are you ok? Are you bleeding? Oh don’t cry if you do that I’m gonna cry

~~~~~

Jaden: I had a really great time guys!

Jesse: me too

Chazz: yeah

Bastion: we should do this again some time

*all stare at each other awkwardly*

All: *internally* who do I kiss first!?

~~~~~

Jaden: hey Jim? What’s the meaning of life?

Jim: getting some queens, getting him or her good and drinking some sweet alligator piss mate

Jaden:….. what?

Axel: *sighs and rolls his eyes* he said getting paid, getting laid, Gatorade

~~~~~

Zane: I hate being high! Why do I keep hearing footsteps

Atticus: are you walking around?

Zane: oh shit

~~~~~

Aster: where’s Zane?

Syrus: *sighs* hold on *puts slice of bread on a fishing line*

~~~~~

Bastion- *inhales*

Jaden- “WHAT IS IT MY HONEY MY DARLING MY ANGEL!?”

-

Jaden- “ALL DUELISTS ARE KINGS!!”

Chazz- “if they’re a Slacker-“

Jaden- “THEN THEY A GOD DAMN KING!”

-

Jaden- “God is a woman!”

Alexis- “uh what?”

Jaden- “I believe God is a woman and she’s standing before me!”

-

Jaden- “YOU ARE THE CUTEST LITTLE DINOSAUR I HAVE EVER MET!!”

Hassleberry- “aw Sarge! That’s so sweet of you!”

-

Jaden- “You’re a jerk but you’re the validist jerk I know!”

Aster- “hell yeah I am!”

-

Jaden- “I’m gonna be real with you, you could step on me and I’d totally thank you!”

Zane- “ok? Good to know?”

Jaden- “please step on me!”

Zane- “like, right now?”

-

Jaden- “SYRUS I’D LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU!”

Syrus- “DON’T DO THAT!”

Jaden- “BUT I LOVE YOU!!”

Syrus- “I love you too but no dying ok?”

~~~~~

Syrus: Can you guys at least try to see this from my perspective?

Hassleberry: *crouches down*

Jaden: *gets on knees*

Syrus:

Syrus: I hope you both die

~~~~~

Hassleberry: I don't eat them because they're shaped like dinosaurs I EAT THEM BECAUSE THEYRE F***ING CHICKEN NUGGETS

~~~~~

Aster: *struggling to reach the cookies*

Zane: *grabs them*

Aster: I don’t need your assistance!!

Zane: alright... *puts them on a higher shelf*

Aster: I’m going to eviscerate you!!

~~~~~

Zane: Aster put salt in my coffee because I upset him. But I'm going to drink it anyway because I'm petty and won't let him win.

~~~~~

Alexis: So who's the King this time?

Blair: oh how juicy would it be if someone had to kiss the king? Or sit on his lap?

Jasmine: a piggy back would be fun too!!

Jaden: *downs his drink, unbuttons his shirt, puts his sunglasses on and throws a dart,

dart lands on number 2*

Jaden: number 2! My lap is yours!

Chazz: m-me? Ok.... *awkwardly sits on his lap*

Bastion: that looks fun! Ok me next!!

*Chazz moves so Bastion can sit on Jaden’s lap and wrap his arms around his neck*

Bastion: look Chazz you gotta nuzzle up close to him and hug him too! See what I mean?

Jesse: alright pleebs! The king and his lap are mine! So MOVE IT!! *knocks Bastion off with a hip swing and rests his head on Jaden’s lap* aaaah~ so happy!

Syrus: hey no fair man you can’t do all of that at once!!!

Jaden: I can... because I’m the king! *adjusts glasses*

~~~~~

*Alexis and Jaden are hip hop dancing*

Chazz: *changes song to the nutcracker soundtrack* uh oh looks like someone changed the music- WHAT!?

*Alexis and Jaden are flawlessly ballet dancing*

[lostcybertronian]

Something Bigger

Commission for @colors-feel-so-right! Thank you very much!

Trigger warnings for suicide attempts, blood, and blades

Fic below the cut.

It wasn’t what he expected, driving up to the Manor. Or perhaps it was. Regardless, his driver navigated them up cracked pavement, past overgrown shrubs and unpruned trees. The lawn grew wild, and the lampposts looming on either side of the drive stood silent and dark. Framed in the ebbing evening light, their shadows reached for the car that dared intrude.

There was enough time for Damien to faintly wonder whether George had been let go before his driver rounded the long driveway and the Manor came into view, immediately capturing his attention, as it always seemed to do. 

Except this time, it was for a different reason; the house seemed to have hunched in on itself, as if it were ill, and its windows were musty black, and even from the car window Damien could tell the heavy, maroon drapes had been tugged firmly shut.

“I won’t be long,” he told his driver.

Theodore, to his credit, did not ask questions as to why he’d taken the esteemed Mayor of their great City to a rather depressed-looking mansion. He merely nodded curtly and shut the door behind Damien before getting back into the driver’s seat. 

Damien resolved to raise his pay as he heaved a great sigh and started up the front steps, approaching the front door with some measure of trepidation. This spidery nervousness only grew into a swell of fear when, upon knocking, the door creaked slowly inward, revealing no Benjamin behind it. In fact, the entire house seemed devoid of the life and vitality Damien recalled from his childhood; tables were tipped over, a vase had been smashed against the unforgiving tile, petals from its unfortunate occupants strewn and ripped, the only splashes of color in the Manor’s dusty parlor, save for the blood.

Damien’s blood ran cold when he saw it; that smear of flaky brown streaked across the far mirror, as if a single hand had dragged haphazardly across it. 

“Mark?” He called, voice echoing off the walls, off the floors, off the cavernous ceiling. Only his own voice answered him. 

Against his better judgement-- and every atom of his body screaming at him to leave, to escape while he still could-- Damien ventured from the parlor, cane clicking over grimy tile. He would find his friend, and he’d drop to his knees and beg forgiveness for letting him suffer this sordid affair alone.

A heavy thump sounded overhead, and immediately he ascended the stairs, hurried down the hallway. The wooden floorboards creaked and groaned beneath him in a way they’d never done before, as if protesting his presence. Dust motes hung heavy in the air, and the whole place seemed cloaked in black. 

He reached the door to the master bedroom, seeming to turn the knob in slow motion. The air vibrated around him . . . 

There was just Mark. Just Mark, hunching on one side of the king-sized bed with the glossy back of his soiled robe facing Damien. The covers were rumpled and shoved aside, yet they gave the distinct impression of having not been slept in. 

This was not the most alarming thing about the room; as Mark swiveled-- sluggish and slow, like a slurred word from a drunken man’s mouth-- Damien glimpsed the knife protruding from his chest.

“Mark!” He cried, voice shattering the stagnant stillness of the room. He hurried over, tears already beginning to spill over and down his cheeks in rivulets. “What have you done?”

“I’m fine,” Mark rasped, glaring at him with glassy eyes shot through with burst blood vessels. His hair hung in matted, greasy clumps around his face and dried blood was smeared across his left temple. “It won’t work,” he added, more to himself than to Damien, muttering the words so quietly the Mayor almost didn’t catch them. “It never works.”

With that, he yanked the knife from his chest. Damien gasped, expecting to a spray of dark arterial blood, but instead seeing only an inky black tendril that cling to the edge of the blade. He then tossed it aside, hurling it into one corner of the room like it’d spit on his freshly polished shoe. Other than the hole in his robe, there was no sign of injury. 

Damien stumbled back, clamping a hand over his mouth. “I- I need you to come with me,” he stammered, “we’ll fetch a doctor, we’ll-“

Mark’s head snapped up. “No!” He bit out. “No. I can’t leave the Manor. I can’t-“

“Then I’ll bring one to you!” Damien whipped toward the door, pain stabbing through his hip at every step. “I should never have let it get this bad.

“You stay there. Stay put.” He said over his shoulder, and was about to leave when Mark blurted, “wait.”

“Can you stay with me?” He asked, when Damien turned to face him, eyes round with worry. “For a little bit. You can get a doctor soon. I-“ he heaved a sigh that rattled through his chest and put on his most mournful look. One that screamed innocence and pain in a way that he knew Damien wouldn’t ignore. “I’d like some company. It’s been lonely since Celine…”

He let the sentence drop, but they both heard the words left unsaid.

“I really think I should fetch a doctor. You stabbed yourself in the chest, Mark.” But already the Mayor’s resolve was dissolving. Already, he was forgetting. Thanks to the house, Damien wouldn’t remember a thing about this encounter in a few hours.

But what was the harm in seeing his friend, just for a little while?

Already, the agony in his chest was fading. Ebbing like the tide, as it had with the other thirty-six stab wounds he’d inflicted upon himself. The Manor simply wouldn’t let him die. There had to be a reason for that-- something bigger-- but for now . . .

Mark fell back against his bed with a soft oof. Moments later, the other side of the bed dipped as Damien eased himself onto it. 

They lay in the burgeoning darkness for a few minutes, allowing silence to fester in the shadows between them.

“I’m so sorry,” Damien finally whispered, though he had not a clue as to what he was apologizing for.

Mark took his hand anyway, and gave it a squeeze. None of this would matter come the morning. What he said next would be all but meaningless. “I forgive you,” he said, and let that become lost in the red.

[thatdeaniegirlsworld]

Shy Girl-Seth Rollins

Some Seth Rollins fluff :)

Tags: @drewmcintyrekoccsrocbwdgfan

@omg-im-such-a-masochist

@galens-mistress

@wickedsunfire

@banks4life2

You've had a crush on Seth Rollins since back in his shield days. Especially when he had the streak of blonde in his hair. You always thought it was cute. He would always sit close to you when you and your friends would hang out, but you couldn't get the thought out of your head of what would happen if you were to be more than that.

"Lover boy is here." Your friend Liv says, nudging your shoulder. You look up to see that he had walked in with Roman, and the Uso's.

"Ugh, he's so cute I could die." You tell her, and she laughs at you. "Too bad he would never for me though."

"You're kidding right?" Liv asks you. "He obviously likes you, Y/N."

You scoff at her, shaking your head. "He's just friendly." You tell her, and she rolls her eyes at you. "Men like him don't go for girls like me."

"Seth!" Liv yells, and he turns his attention to the two of you before making his way over.

"Liv, what are you doing?" You ask her, and she just smirks at you.

"Hello ladies." Seth says, smiling at the two of you, making your heart melt.

"Hi." You mumble, feeling your cheeks heat up with his gaze on you. "How are you?"

"Better now." He says, and you glance down at your hands. "What are you two ladies out for?"

"Well, Y/N just got news that after takeover, she is getting called up!" Liv says, and Seth's jaw drops.

"No way! What brand?" He asks, and Liv winks at you.

"Smackdown." You tell him, and he smiles even wider. "I guess we will be co workers then."

"I suppose so." He says, scooting closer to you. "Congratulations, Y/N. You've earned it."

"I have to go to the bathroom, Seth you don't mind staying with Y/N, do you?" Liv asks.

"I'm not a kid." You say, annoyed, but she just laughs at you.

"I don't mind staying." He says, and Liv sends you another wink before leaving the table. "So, are you nervous about moving up?" He scoots even closer to you, and your heart begins to beat faster.

"A bit, yeah." You say, laughing nervously. "I want to live up to the hype."

"Oh I'm sure you will, sweetheart." He says, the nickname making your heart flutter. "You okay? You seem a bit quieter then normal."

"Yeah, just a lot on my mind." You tell him, and he takes a sip of his beer.

"Anything you want to talk about?" He asks, his arm now resting on the top of the booth behind your head. "You know you can tell me anything."

"Yeah, I know. I think it's just a lot of nerves, and stress of the call up." You tell him, and he nods. "Or I just need another margarita."

"I'll get you another one." He says, walking up to the bar for a moment before returning to you. "Better?"

"Much." You tell him, sipping on your new drink. "How are you?"

"How am I?" He questions, and you nod. "I'm okay. Been having a hard time sleeping lately, but it'll pass."

"Have some kind of girlfriend keeping you up, Rollins?" You ask, and he laughs, shaking his head.

"Come on, you know you're my girl." He tells you, and you blush hard.

"Is that so?" You question him, and he nods. "And why is that?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." He says with a smirk, and you roll your eyes at him. "Oh come on, you know I'm just messing with you."

You go to respond when Damien Priest approaches the table. "Y/N, I heard you're getting called up, congratulations!" He tells you.

"Oh thank you! I appreciate that!" You tell him, and you feel Seth inch closer to you.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow? Thought I could take you out to celebrate?" He asks, and you feel Seth tense next to you. "Unless you have other plans."

"It's a sweet offer, but I'll have to pass." You tell him, and Seth relaxes a bit.

"No problem. Again, congratulations." He says before walking off.

"Do you really have plans tomorrow?" Seth asks you, and you shake your head. "How come you didn't go out with him?"

"He's not really my type." You tell him, shrugging your shoulders. You look up at him with those doe eyes of yours. "Did you want me to go out with him?"

"No." He doesn't hesitate to answer you. "You know what?" He asks, his chest heaving up, and down. "I-" He stutters, and he turns to face you. "I like you, Y/N. I have for a while, and I understand if you don't feel the same way, but i have to get it off my chest before I choke out the next guy who looks at you."

You widen your eyes in shock, and he runs his hand through his wet hair. "Say something, darlin'." He says, chuckling nervously.

"Please kiss me." You beg, and he leans in quickly, pressing his lips to yours. His lips felt perfect against your own, and he pulls you closer to him. He slowly pulls away, resting his forehead against yours. Both of you regaining your breathing before he presses a soft peck to your lips.

"Well, it's about damn time." You hear Liv's voice. You laugh before turning your head to look at her. "He's just friendly, Liv. He'll never go for me, Liv. Guess who was right?" She taunts you, and Seth laughs, wrapping his arm over your shoulder, kissing the side of your head.

"Leave me alone." You say, burying your face into Seth's shoulder.

"I'll trust you'll get her home?" Liv asks Seth.

"Of course." Seth says, and you hear Liv say goodbye before you finally lift your head up. "Do you want to get out of here? Get some ice cream or something?"

"I'd love that." You tell him, and he pulls you out of the booth, and out of the building.

[hailhydra920]

Royally Matched Final Part

Pairing: Prince!Bucky x Matchmaker!Reader Royal AU

Summary: Happy ending!

Warnings: None

A/n: Thank you all for reading this series! It really means a lot. I would not have been able to do this without your love and support! Once again, THANK YOU!

Part 10

           You dragged your suitcase behind you, tears threatening to spill. You pulled your jacket closer, the evening chill seemed to sting. Standing patiently, you thought about Bucky and how far he had come. Even though he could be a snob at times, he was such a sweetheart. You hoped he would find joy in Dot. Something caught your eye. Turning slightly, you saw a beautiful blue butterfly.

           “Would you look at you.” You said as it landed on your hand. “And here I was thinking butterflies were nothing but trouble and sorrow.”

           “Trouble yes, but I would hope not sorrow.”

           You quickly whipped around toward the source of the voice. You saw the King staring at you, a smile tugging on his lips. He folded his arms, and huffed, his breath coming out in white puffs.

           “What do you think you’re doing young lady? The coronation is this way.” He chuckled.

           “I’m sorry your Majesty, but—”

           “He’s in love with you for crying out loud! I know people are blinded by love, but this is just ridiculous!” He cried throwing his hands in the air. “Please come back. I really don’t want Dot to become my future daughter in law.”

           “You don’t cringe at the thought of your son marrying a commoner?” You questioned.

           “Would I have trekked out here in the cold if I thought otherwise? You make my son happy, and I want him—both of you to be happy. We must embrace love as it comes. Catch the butterflies as they come.”

           “You’re not going to give up are you?” You laughed.

           “I swear I won’t hear the end of it if I come back empty handed. Damien is waiting for us.”

           You grabbed your suitcase and walked toward the King. “Okay, fine.”

           He smiled and motioned for you to follow him. Damien greeted you with a smirk and took your suitcase. Sliding in beside the King, you began to feel nervous. You only hoped Bucky would take you.

~~~~~~~

Bucky couldn’t find any pleasure in the party, and it didn’t help that Dot was talking his ear off. He swirled his drink around a couple times, his eyes watching the tiny tornado in the middle. The King entered, a smirk gracing his feature.

“What is he smirking about?” Bucky muttered as he took a sip of his drink.

His eyes wandered toward the door, and he saw you. You looked adorable in a light pink dress and your nervous expression. Butterflies erupted in his stomach. Choking on his drink, he quickly set his drink down, loud sputters and coughs now echoing through the ballroom. Everyone’s attention had now focused on him.

“I’m *cough* fine.” He wheezed, his face bright red.

He slowly made his way to you, occasional sputters falling from his lips. Everyone watched as you two met in the middle.

“Well, this is a little embarrassing.” Bucky whispered as you lightly laughed.

“They’re all looking at you.” You giggled.

“Probably. They just saw their new king almost die from choking on water.” He chuckled.

Looking up at the rest of the guests. “What are you all waiting for? Get back to what you were doing!”

You shook you head with a chuckle. This man was such a dork. The music and chatter started up again and he turned toward you. He nervously wrung his hands together and sighed.

“Y/n, I—”

You stopped him. “I know Bucky. I love you too.”

Bucky let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. His blue eyes shined brightly and he gently pulled you into him.

“May I have this dance, my Queen?” He breathed quietly.

“Only if you believe in true love.” You whispered softly.

Bucky leaned his face closer to yours. “You did it. You made a believer out of me. It took a while, but true love exists.”

He gently pressed his lips to yours, sparks and butterflies shooting through both your bodies. You both felt complete with each other.

“Wanna dance?’ Sam asked looking at the furious Dot.

She turned toward him, a murderous look on her face. Sam raised his hands in surrender and chuckled.

“I just thought I’d try to make your night better. But seriously, you had to see this coming.” Sam said gesturing to you and Bucky who were currently gazing into each other’s eyes like no one else mattered.

Deep in her anger, she ripped the butterflies off her dress and threw them harshly onto the ground. They shattered violently, and the guests gasped as shards flew everywhere.

“I hate you Jamie!” She screamed. “I hate you!”

Sam gently wrapped an arm around Dot. “I’ve got it folks! Continue!”

“You want some more wine? We have plenty on wine, come on.” Sam said leading her toward the food table, his deep voice soothing her.

Bucky looked at you and frowned. “Sorry about your butterflies.”

“It’s okay. It’s not like you broke it. It was my gift to her anyway.”

Quickly glancing toward his father, Bucky got everyone’s attention. Once everyone was quiet, Bucky grinned.

“Tonight I was supposed to become King with a future queen in mind. And I know my life couldn’t be complete without Y/n.” Pulling a velvet box out of his pocket and kneeling down he said, “Y/n, I know we didn’t really get along at first, but my heart threatens to stop working at the thought of going on with life without you. Will you make me the happiest man alive and become my queen?”

You tackled Bucky with a hug. “Yes, you idiot.”

Bucky’s smile looked like it about split his face in half as he slipped the ring on your finger. “I’m your idiot.”

You both kissed each other as everyone cheered. The King clapped as he took in his joyous state. Looking up to the picture of his wife the King whispered through tears, “We sure did a great job raising our son.”

~~~Extended Ending~~~

           “You know, I’m single.” Sam said as Dot rolled her eyes for the hundredth time.

           “I told you, get lost.”

           “Oh, come on! One date! I won’t disappoint!” Sam retorted.

           “Fine. One date.”

           “Yes!” Sam cheered as he rushed toward Steve and Bucky. “100 dollars! Pay up!”

           “She said yes?!” Steve and Bucky exclaimed.

           “Yup.” Sam said quite satisfied. “It’s my amazing charm.”

           “I feel bad for you, but I’ll attend your funeral. Maybe she can paint your picture.” Steve chuckled as he and Bucky started walking away.

           “What’s that supposed to mean?!” Sam exclaimed. “Wait! Come back!”

Permanent Taglist: @sleep-i-ness​​​

Royally Matched Taglist: @supraveng​ @all-art-is-quite-useless​ @bestofbucky​ @tonystankschild​ @emmabarnes​ @tiziswiat

A/n: names with strikethrough won’t let me tag.