#it is important to me that they're insane about each other but in a healthy manner 😂

[valiantstarlights]

Your work is so good and definitiely brightens up my day!

How do you think personal trainer Dream would react to finding out that Hob has to leave the country for an extended period of time due to work?

Would Hob be limping on his way to the airport? and be spoiled by random care packages (and other packages iykwim) from his clingy and insanely horny boyfriend? Sexy videocalls with heartfelt longing?

ALSO AWAITING YOUR VAMPIRE AU WITH BATED BREATH. THE ROMANCE OF DREAM CROSSING OCEANS OF TIME TO BE WITH HOB

Aww, thank you! 🖤 I'm glad I made your day brighter. 😊

And omgggg the Vampire!Dream Soulmate AU (a.k.a. Lord Dimitrescu!Dream AU) 🔥 I said I'll post the first chapter this week, but RL happened, and...👀 But the first chapter is complete! (I had it typed down and everything before I even wrote the prologue 😂) I just have to find the time to edit it. 😊

Okay, so about personal trainer!Dream being informed by Hob that he has to leave for an extended(!!!) period of time because of work stuff.

Honestly, my first thought is that Dream would drop everything and go with Hob wherever he's going because he's insane like that. 😂 But no! He's an adult. He has responsibilities.

Watch him become a sulky mess anyway and be more clingy than usual. He knows Hob has to go, and he won't try to dissuade him from leaving, but that doesn't mean he's happy that Hob has to leave. He can be supportive and mopey at the same time.

Like, Hob is an amazing person! Of course he deserves all the best career opportunities. 🔥 In fact, anyone would be lucky to be in his presence. Dream is just sad that, for the next few weeks/months, he won't be one of those lucky people. 🥺

During this time, I think Hob would also be clingy with Dream. He's nervous about the job assignment, living in a foreign country for a while, and he's very much not looking forward to being away from his boyfriend whom he loves, and who loves him just as much.

The night before Hob leaves, Dream is going to fuck him so good and slow that Hob would always blush at the memory of it, even months later.

And you know Dream would personally drive Hob to the airport and stay with him until Hob's plane absolutely has to leave. The other people in the airport will know just how much Hob is loved by his boyfriend because Dream is going to be so schmoopy and give him sweet, longing kisses while cupping his face in his hands like he's something precious. People will think that they're filming a romantic movie, and highkey want what they're having. 👀👌

And Dream sending care packages??? Yes.

Hob will receive the sweet care packages like, every couple of days. They're filled with (healthy and delicious) energy-boosting snacks, scented candles for relaxation, tea blends that Hob likes...just, all the things. (Maybe even a couple of Dream's shirts, because Hob misses him so much and his bed in this foreign land feels so empty 😭)

The other teachers in the conference/retreat/teacher exchange program(?) will see him always being sent care packages and be like, "Wow, your spouse is really going all out, huh?"

And Hob is like, "He's not my husband yet..." and then going blushy because Dream...as his husband... 🥰🥰🥰

The other people in the room will notice him openly daydreaming and be like, "Professor Gadling? Hello? No, I think we've lost him."

And of course Dream and Hob will video call each other daily. And after the spouse comment, I imagine the call will go something like:

Hob: I received the latest care package you sent me! 🥰 The other teachers said you're really going all out, but they referred to you as my spouse.

Dream, fiddling with the engagement ring he bought ages ago out of sight of the screen: Imagine that. 🥰

And Hob can't say, 'I did! I daydreamed about being married to you for like an hour straight, and I totally missed what everyone said during that time,' because that might sound too much for Dream to handle (spoiler: it's not), so he just says, "I'm so happy you're my boyfriend. 🥰 I never felt so loved in my life."

And then Dream will be totally normal about that and it will be all he thinks about until Hob returns. But he will return the sentiment, and add that Hob is the only one he wants to love for the rest of his life.

Dream: I...hope that's not too forward of me to say.

Hob, already crying: If you say that, then I should also tell you that when the other teachers said you were my spouse, I daydreamed for an entire hour imagining our life together. So...😭 Sorry if that's too much. 🥺

Dream, a feral bastard barely restraining himself from booking a plane ticket and proposing to Hob as soon as he lands: No, not at all. You know how much I love you.

Hob, crying harder: I love you too 😭

And that's pretty much the only time they didn't have phone sex during this period, probably. 😂

As for spicy care packages, realistically, I don't think Dream will send them? 👀 Because the packages are inspected, and Hob could get in trouble. However, that's not to say that Hob doesn't have toys with him. It's just that he probably already had them in his luggage when he left. 😂

I think the toys that Hob brought with him are all very discreet and travel-friendly, though. And most days, they're definitely not enough, because he got spoiled by the size of Dream's cock and his scorching touches back home. But he can do nothing about it because he doesn't want either of them to get in trouble. So he just has to satisfy himself with what he has.

That doesn't stop him from whining that he wishes Dream were there to fuck him in person when they have video call sex, though. He would be plunging his own fingers in and out of his hole, tiny bullet vibrator against his cock, crying that it doesn't feel the same as when Dream does it to him. Hob does gets to cum every time they have video call sex, but it's mainly due to Dream's lustful voice praising him for being so good and obedient, and how he can't wait for Hob to get back so they could start training his hole again, which has tightened up considerably when they parted 😏 Can Hob even take Dream's cock when he returns? Or will they have to go back to thigh and titfucking?

Suffice to say, their phone sex sessions test Dream's self-control about booking a flight to where Hob is and giving him everything that he wants. 😂

Hob is gonna be so tight when he returns, and Dream is looking forward to training him again. 😏

When Hob is finally(!!!) scheduled to return, Dream clears out a week of his schedule. He doesn't fucking care. Hob has been gone for (what feels like) ages. And his siblings, having witnessed how mopey he became almost as soon as Hob's plane left the ground, are like, "Yeah. Have the week off. Heck, have two weeks off. Just get out of here with your sad cat looks."

(Dream takes the two weeks off.)

And then he's off to fetch Hob from the airport.

I don't think Dream would have a huge welcome banner or balloons, but he'll for sure have a bouquet that will mean something like, 'I went insane when you were gone and I'm so glad you're back because I can't live a single day without you.'

And once again, the people in the airport will think that Dream and Hob are filming a romantic movie because Hob will run excitedly towards Dream, and Dream will speedwalk towards Hob like he's competing in the Olympics, and when they collide, Dream will lift Hob up in an embrace as they kiss like long lost lovers.

Then, once they're home, Dream will prove to Hob (for two weeks) that actual sex is better than video call sex. 😏

And just when they're about to sleep, Hob would confess that this is one of the things he missed the most when they were apart: him falling asleep next to Dream. He'll say he missed being held safe in Dream's arms, and pressing his ear against Dream's chest to hear his heartbeat, while feeling Dream's breath ruffle his hair.

Dream will once again be extremely normal about this, and shower Hob with kisses. He's thinking if he should pull some strings with his academic contacts, to make sure that, in the future, Hob will have more control over where his work will take him, and for how long. Because while he wants Hob to be by his side 24/7, ultimately, it's Hob who gets to decide how much time he'll spend where.

(And of course, Hob will always choose to be with Dream. 🥰)

[keepingmyoptionsfluid]

I don't know who needs to read this, but people who are pro Buck and Tommy having a healthy relationship with good representation on screen, whether it goes the distance or not, are not automatically against Eddie having a coming out arc.

Like guys chill the fuck out.

I would argue that 7x05 had too many storylines and felt rushed. I'd honestly rather have fewer stories an Episode and each is given proper time (so they don't skip over shit like Buck and Eddie talking post basket ball, or Chim and Buck talking post punch, or Bobby and Athena talking post ship disaster etc). They actually showed the Karen and Hen talks after the Eva storylines and that's so important and good.

Tommy isn't getting screen time without a main with him so stop pretending he is. He's a background character who is currently there to prop up other people's storylines. It's unlikely he will ever be a main as they already have 7 of them. Can you think if you've ever seen a Karen or a Ravi or a Lucy or a Taylor storyline that wasn't there to really be about one of the mains? No.

I am literally seeing BuckTommy enjoyers having to fucking preface their posts with the fact they obviously ship buddie too just so they don't get abused. It's genuinely disgusting that people are more fixated on their specific (and I would defo class it as fetishistic at this point with the obsession some people have with buddie) ship that they would actively damage other people's enjoyment of the show.

This accusation that people don't care bout buddie anymore because Tommy has kissed Buck and Tommy is white is fucking insane. This fandom regularly accuses anyone who says good things about Buck or Bobby of being racist. Maybe, and hear me out, people are happy that they are getting some bi representation? People who have been pro buddie since 2x01 are getting sent hate because they are happy that a character has come out, despite never turning against buddie.

It's literally normal to be watching a show and be like "yes, I want characters X & Y to end up together but currently they aren't and that's not an issue for me". It's a fictional show.

I want Eddie to get a coming out story line and I would not be upset if it didn't revolve around Buck because 1. Eddie is his own person, and 2. I KNOW that if it did revolve around Buck, you guys would immidiately say it's worthless because it's not an Eddie story but actually a story about the "white boy". Like you literally cannot have it both ways.

You can't beg for coming out story lines and then say "wait that's the wrong person they're kissing." It's a coming out story line. It's literally a gateway to a whole new world of stories in the show.

Chill out, go outside, maybe try to enjoy the show you claim to love instead of shitting on it, the actors and the other fans

[zukomysweetbabyboy]

This may be a controversial opinion but I'm glad that Azula was the prodigy firebender and not Zuko not just because Aang stumbling upon the prodigies of all the elements is unrealistic and feels cheaper but it was so essential to both Zuko and Azula's character arcs.

I mean, it’s no secret that Azula's character arc did not get the attention that she deserved. But from what we did get, we know that she put a lot (and I mean A LOT) of her self worth in her firebending which isn't surprising because she idolized Ozai and he was fucking useless without bending and, specifically, in being better than Zuko. Azula was the best firebender in the world and inheriting an entire kingdom at FOURTEEN years old. From her father, she was taught that she was safe as long as she was better than Zuko ("You can't treat me like this! You can't treat me like Zuko!"). This meant being sneaky (staying behind in the throne room while Azulon talked to Ozai), being emotionless (teasing Zuko about his grandfather literally ordering his father to kill him - what the fuck baby Azula), being tactful (knowing the answer to the question Ozai asked in the throne room & only speaking in turn), being perfect ("Almost isn't good enough!"), and most importantly: being the best firebender (mastering advanced forms as a child, blue firebending, etc.). She was taught from her mother that these things made her a monster ("My own mother thought I was a monster - she was right of course", "What is wrong with that child"). She was smart enough to know that she couldn’t have the acceptance from both parents, but acceptance from Ozai meant being safe and acceptance from Ursa meant being loved, and to Azula being safe was more important.

This is where the difference between Zuko and Azula starts. Where Azula is all head (being safe > being loved), Zuko is all heart. Zuko didn't understand why his father hated him or why Azula was cold. He was genuine in his love and in his hurt and in his anger. He wasn't good at being the perfect prince, so he couldn't gain acceptance from his father (he couldn't be safe) but he clung to his mother (preferring her company even to Mai and Ty Lee and Azula, who were his age). He internalized what she said in the throne room about his struggling making him strong, and we see him repeat that sentiment throughout the show. Zuko's sense of identity comes from his persistence whereas Azula's comes from her perfection and both of these ideals are trauma responses. It's obvious that it's not healthy for Azula to base her identity around being perfect and It's no wonder she cracked by the end of the series although that should have been handled SO MUCH better - WHERE is the buildup she deserved, Bryke. But it is also not healthy for Zuko to base his identity around struggle, even though this flaw doesn't drive him insane like Azula's perfection and in a fucked up sort of way it is productive to him being a great Fire Lord. Zuko's character arc is well done (maybe the most well done character arc ever, actually) but he finishes the show with a lot of growth left to do.

tldr: Both of their characters relied on Azula being a prodigy and Zuko not being. Azula is all head and Zuko is all heart and their parents pitted them against each other.

p.s. I have SO many thoughts about their dynamic and how canon could have been tweaked just a little bit to make it so beautiful and tragic and compelling, but that will have to be a different post. Also all of the quotes are from memory so if they're wrong oops.

[sarnai4]

Friend For All

This is something I've been thinking about for a while now. In my opinion, Dagur is the only character who could actually have an amazing time hanging out with every member of the Dragon Riders. I don't even think the Riders themselves can say that. Please, hear me out. I know they're friends, but they're a friend group. This is an important distinction because how often do you really see Fishlegs and the twins just having a ball together? (That "wedding" doesn't count because the poor Ingerman was not enjoying himself.) What about Snotlout and Astrid just genuinely having fun without anyone else there? You really don't get that. So, I'll try to explain why I think Dagur could do this. (Spoilers probably. I'll just use the warning to be safe.)

Dagur and the twins could have chaotic fun. It's probably unsafe for anyone around them, but no one else is matching their pure insanity. All three of them have this combination of sometimes just doing things to mess with people or just doing something that then causes problems by accident. Still, I think they'd have fun. They can try to out prank each other (think Loki Day). They also still know how to be serious when the time absolutely calls for it, so they could have less silly times too. Ultimately, I think their best times together would be when they're just causing heck for the world and laughing together about what they've done.

Dagur and Astrid could enjoy the more warrior/protector side of life. I think there would be a healthy competition. Astrid was in charge of keeping the Edge secure with defenses and Dagur snuck on several times. He might even end up being the tester for her new security systems. I could see her trying to make things to keep him out and him being fine seeing how close to death he comes while still trying to break in. Also, since Astrid's got that drill sergeant thing going on that we saw in "Team Astrid," I could see her being curious what types of training he has his soldiers do. They might even trade ideas back and forth to have the strongest fighters.

Dagur and Fishlegs is a friendship I have wanted to see more of ever since "Family on the Edge." They were so adorable geeking out together about Gronckles. They're such an odd buddy duo because they seem like complete opposites, but I think it could work. Fishlegs wanted a spa area and are we really going to say Dagur wouldn't love that? Mr. Meditation and Fruit Baths? Yeah, he'd happily tag along for a spa day. Then, they can geek out more about Gronckles or other things like this. A personal headcanon I have which adds to this is I believe Dagur is pretty well-read. There are little things like him knowing about the third eye, French, how to make the antidote for Nadder venom when he got shot (since they didn't have dragons on Berserker Island), etc. So, I feel like he and Fishlegs might have more things to nerd over than most assume. Dagur even was impressed by Fishlegs's thirst for knowledge. Maybe they could discuss the different topics they've read and studied. Study buddies! (Sorta)

Dagur and Snotlout are a duo I think would be amazing. Like with Fishlegs, there were episodes where I just knew I wanted more of them together. Seeing them fight off traitorous Berserkers, then start providing commentary to Hicctrid in "Mi Amore Armorwing" were some great moments to me. The reason I think they could work is that I feel like they'd be good influences on each other. (Actually, I already have a story out on AO3 that dives into this called "Means We're Friends.") Dagur is himself and always will be. Even in RTTE, there's a part of Snotlout who still wants to be who others...namely Spitelout...think he should be. Dagur could help him learn to just be whoever he really is and not care what anyone else says. Also, Snotlout is more sensitive than he'd ever admit, so I think he'd be able to help Dagur in those moments when the Berserker is just clearly not picking up on how to respond properly in situations to avoid weirding everyone out. They could also do a bunch of sparring together too and get into random things for fun like how Snotlout started narrating Tuffnut's search for Chicken. I definitely think Dagur would've joined in on that.

Dagur and Hiccup...well, of course. They're brothers and friends, so that's a given. These two are going on the wildest adventures because Hiccup will never really stay put and Dagur would get bored if he did. There's that fun protective side too. Anyone around them knows that if they mess with Hiccup, they're dying in the most horrific ways possible. Plus, we'd have to throw in some big brother advice moments from Dagur to help Hiccup out with becoming a chief in the future. We've seen the redhead offer advice to Hiccup before with not letting revenge consume him. We've also seen Hiccup offer some comfort with things like their search for Oswald. So, you'd get the more adventurous/fun side of the friendship along with the more serious moments.

On Monday, I'm going to publish a series of oneshots set both in and out of their universe to show how these relationships could work. Considering Monday is April Fool's, I just knew which group I had to start with...(It's out now and called "Just One of the Riders.")

[sandrayofsun]

What Just Happened Pt. 1

Episode 9 of only friends is THAT BITCH!!!!!!!

I don't know if I can fit everything I want into one post but we're going to try. I'll go scene by scene and insert my thoughts and reactions, as always, all opinions are valid, this is just mine!

Also I didn't screenshot everything because I'm lazy, but I got what I thought was most important (hehe)

Let's begin!

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

Starting off with Ray going to talk to Sand to clear things up after everything that went down at the party and Sand looking at him LIKE THIS^^ had my jaw on the floor and my nerves quaking

This whole conversation was tension filled from the moment that Ray walked into that music room. As much as people try to analyze Ray's and Sand's motivations, I'm a simple girl at heart, and I was honestly just kicking my feet and squealing because I live for angsty romance. The distance between them, the simmering anger, the love that bubbles underneath it all IS TOO MUCH FOR ME!!!!

I loved Sand's sarcasm, and the honestly it was a little out of pocket for Ray to go to Sand after everything and say that he "thinks" he understands his feelings more now. I too would've been like ok and???

This part had me in shambles because LOOK AT SAND'S FACE! The man he loves is a total dipshit but also the cutest thing alive (Khaotung privilege is real).

LOOK AT SAND WHEN RAY SHOVES HIM!!! I let out an actual scream because wtf was this like they have such insane chemistry I could feel it in my feet. Pushing each other away, but also not being able to stay away from each other. POETIC.

This was so chef's kiss I can't even begin to explain it. Like this is literally what people write about in books, being so desperate for someone that you kiss like you'll never get to kiss them again. I had to rewatch this like 18 times to get it through my head. (clearly because I've never had this LMAO)

This was then OBVIOUSLY interrupted because in what universe are they not interrupted lol. I will however say that I slightly agree with Top here because Mew and Ray haven't at all communicated on where they stand, but also it's implied that they're "together."

Overall this was an angry, desperate, HOT and important make-out for everyone involved.

moving on!

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

Sand and Nick's Bestie Getaway was honestly one of the highlights of this episode for me. I think a big part of the plot of this show is how all of these "friends" are not actually very good friends to each other. So it is really heartwarming to see a healthy friendship between these two.

I honestly laughed a lot, and I like they're not part of the main friend group because it creates a good comparison.

(I'm treating everything in this part as "one scene")

I loved seeing Sand once again put his foot down. He is having fun with this bestie and he doesn't want to see Ray. TBH it was also just funny watching Ray get shut down but also get incredibly determined to find and see Sand.

This whole part made me laugh hahahah The face Ray makes when Sand hangs up on his is priceless.

We can only upload 30 images at a time, so part two is (here)

Bye!!

[allthejoeks]

RWBY Chibi-esque antics I want out of Volume 10:

Ren, Nora, and Oscar having to navigate the emotions of 'Holy shit, our leader is back and alive, which is so great, but now he has even more trauma so we need to be extra good to him.' with the fact that he's now planning their daily schedules down to the minute and they need it to stop.

As RWBY's doing the rounds of introductions to all the important people, since they're the face of this whole thing, Yang introduces Ruby as 'our homophobic leader' every time.

Finally, they meet the Belladonnas, and Ruby just WON'T stop with horrifying and embarrassing stories. At one point, Yang drags her into another room, begging her to cut it out, and Ruby shrugs her shoulders. "I dunno, Yang, seems like it'd be out of character for a homophobe like me to let this go smoothly."

While the sisters are having an increasingly loud brawl in the other room. Blake's having an actual heartfelt conversation with her parents. Her dad admits that Yang still has made a better first impression that Sun did. A chair flies through the wall. "Barely."

Bumbleby showing off to the rest of their friends, we get ecstatic Nora, so on and so on, and Illia cracks an innocent joke about how she's cool with it only if she gets to be Blake's maid of honor, and Weiss, slightly less innocently and much less jokingly says, 'Obviously I'M going to be Blake's maid of honor." Which begins a season-long running gag of them trying to out-friend each other. Usually Illia wins these bouts because as everyone discovers, the magic words to make Weiss go away are 'Ruby seems lonely today, don't you think?'

A complete reversal of White Rose's dynamic. Ruby's trying to do important leader stuff a lot of the time, so Weiss (still a bit nervous from V9 Ruby) is trying to be the nonsensical bubbly one to take her mind off things. "Ruby, paperwork is such a drag, right? How about we *checks her Scroll* go... skiing with friends?" "In Vacuo." "We've done stranger!"

The Schnees, still trying to wriggle their way out of dysfunction junction, start thinking of Ruby as some sort of guru. Winter's partially jealous that Ruby's getting all of Weiss' attention, and they all wish to learn her secrets to having healthy family dynamics. She gets invited to dinner with them a lot. It is rarely fun.

Eventually Qrow starts inviting himself too just to piss off Winter, but he unironically hits it off with Willow as they bond over being recovering alcoholics and trying to be better family people. Which leads Winter into going absolutely insane trying to ensure that Qrow isn't sleeping with her mom.

There's a side plot the entire season where RWBY is trying to convince a local crime lord with a dedicated and loyal crime family to ally with them instead of Tyrian, and she's more than happy to, being dead is bad for business after all, but for some inexplicable reason Ruby just pisses her off, and the two remain cagey the entire season. Eventually, after Bonding(TM), she admits she loves lacey and colorful things, but it's just a little too girly for Vacuo's underground, and Ruby, finally connecting the dots, weakly suggests, "What about a parasol? Nothing wrong with keeping the sun off you." and the crime lord does a total 180, happy to work with Ruby and her great ideas while Ruby has a crisis of faith.

[polyamoryfacts]

So first off, I apologize because this is fucking long. I'm in a newer triad relationship, and this is my first poly relationship, so I had a couple of questions I was hoping I might find answers to (I'm also that anon that asked about jumping into polyamory by joining an existing relationship. Your articles were very helpful, so thank you).

So I read the articles you sent me, and I think that honestly this relationship, is healthy. In starting this relationship I haven't been imposed with a long laundry list of rules, they're actually pretty open to letting all their friends and family know they're dating me even though it's really only been a month and a half, and they're very good at asking and setting boundaries based upon each of our individual triggers and lengths we all want to go. We've talked before initiating anything physical, and at each step, so like we had a conversation about hand holding/hugging, then about kissing, etc. So like, I think our relationship is healthy, hell it's healthier than my previous monogamous ones combined.

What I'm having trouble with though, is honestly me communicating. There's a couple of random, not issues, but conversations I need to have with them, such as, what exactly they're looking for long term from this relationship. I think it's important we're all on the same page about what to expect from the future.

For instance, I'm not monogamous, but I do want life partner/s. This means I would eventually want to move in with my partner/s and discuss our lives together, make decisions about moving together, make decisions about whether/not we would expand our family unit, etc. I know this conversation honestly needs to happen early, because if they're looking for companionship but not life partner companionship, that's fine, but I don't want to get my hopes up and because that would mean eventually opening up our triad so that I could continue dating others as well to find life partnership. At the same time I just get incredibly nervous about having this conversation because there never seems to be the right time and it also feels like I'm placing an importance on the relationship that maybe hasn't developed organically yet if that makes sense?

I know that one of the most important things needed when being poly is communication, communication, communication, and also facing your own issues and insecurities, but I'm having trouble figuring out, literally how to. How do you have that conversation? How do you explain that I'm in this relationship with these two fantastic people and am partially looking at long term futures or possibilities while also knowing that it's insane to explain that or want that after dating for literally under 2 months? Is there a right time to have this? Should I be waiting? Should I just open my mouth and say it?

Idk, I'm just freaking out if you couldn't tell and so I'm turning to the internet for help, once again.

If you are feeling insecure about this, you could ease into it as a "where do you see yourself in five years" conversation, but, like, not in these words.

What I mean is starting by casually discussing their experiences in polyamory so far; then, progress into what kind of relationship they eventually want to have (like, in general, eventually). Use that to talk about what you want (like, in general, eventually). See if there are matches or mismatches.

If at all possible, try thinking of it in terms of not "getting rejected after asking for something" (which is what I assume the underlying fear is), but in terms of "making them an OFFER they can take or leave".

[bonesandthebees]

10: Wilbur does not want to see other people, Tommy claims he figure that was the case, but I have a feeling that he, too, does not want to go to the big breakfast room again after the disaster of chapter 9.

11: Tommy wants to stay with Wilbur so he doesn’t go insane, and probably to have the privacy to ask some questions that have been bugging him.

12: Tommy doesn’t count as other people, which means he can stay. This one is actually very important because it shows how close Tommy and Wilbur are now. How comfortable they feel with each other despite everything. Also, yeay for healthy distractions.

13: why are all the Deathlings so tired? Phil was tired, presumably because he had door duty all night. Tubbo was tired. Now Techno is tired and Tommy is also tired. Techno might also be because of keeping watch. Do they have a schedule for that? Is it just Phil and Techno doing it? Or are they staying up trying to figure out what to do with Wilbur? And then Tommy is probably having nightmares or staying up worrying about how to fix Wilbur. I have a feeling that it’s nightmares. I also have a feeling he’s having nightmares about Wilbur almost killing him given how he reacts to waking up next to Wilbur, but I’ll get to that.

14: I still love how Wilbur gets mainly bread rolls because that’s something he eats with pleasure. Normally it’s because Tommy noticed and grabbed them, but it’s fun that it carries over with the room service. In reality it’s probably just Tommy telling Techno what to get and Techno doing it but still.

15: all the Deathlings pretending nothing happened and nothing is wrong. This is their standard strategy isn’t it? They are all traumatised and now well at dealing with emotions. It makes me wonder how they deal with near death experiences and losing limbs and such. Though that all seems to be part of their culture and that tattoos are definitely a coping and processing thing. Having a possibly suicidal and definitely traumatic prisoner you kidnapped without a plan and now don’t know what to do with is very different.

16: Techno checking in and Wilbur and Wilbur once again not getting why the people who kidnapped him seem to care about his well-being. The kidnapping wasn’t really about him and they didn’t actually have any malicious intentions towards him, but looking at how Wilbur’s last kidnapping went you can really blame him. Actually, maybe the reason why Wilbur continuously expects them to hurt him is because he was hurt when he was taken to become the Pythia. That time he wasn’t a prisoner, but he still got hurt. So being a prisoner has to be worse. But somehow it isn’t. And that confuses him. And I have mad myself sad once again.

I am glad that Techno is showing more interest on how Wilbur is doing instead of just letting Tommy deal with it. They might still be getting briefed by Tommy, but considering how much the kid keeps to himself, direct interaction is better. Also, if Techno cares then Phil does too, which means there’s too more people who could start helping fix Wilbur because Tommy should not be doing this on his own. (and he is kinda gatekeeping Wilbur right now).

(3/?)

-🌲

oh yeah tommy definitely doesn't wanna see the others after the day before either. both of them want to be antisocial and tbh after that mess they're definitely allowed to

tommy doesn't count as other people!! they getting more comfortable around each other!! wilbur genuinely likes spending time with tommy even if he's stubborn and won't say it outright

phil and techno are really the only two who keep watch when wilbur and tommy are in wilbur's cell. the two of them switch off, hence why phil and techno are very tired. tommy is tired for a myriad of reasons mostly pertaining to stressing about how to keep wilbur alive but also nightmares about nearly dying. it's a whole lot of stress.

it was kind of an accident at first but now i've just made it a thing that glass!wilbur really likes bread rolls

i mean traumatic experiences the deathlings themselves go through isn't handled with the same avoidance everything with wilbur is. that's mainly because the deathlings are all close to each other and, y'know, on the same side. so they can talk to each other about stuff. none of them really know how to handle what's going on with the pythia hence why they avoid it. that's not to say the deathlings are great at talking about their feelings though because they're not. a lot of stuff still definitely gets brushed under the rug

wilbur has so many conflicting ideas about how things should be vs how they actually are. that's partly due to his own bias about the deathlings, but also like you pointed out it's a contrast to the first time he was taken as well. he expects things to get so much worse and he's confused why it's not :(

yeah techno and phil are starting to pick up on just how much tommy is keeping from them. not in a secretive way necessarily, but they're noticing how gatekeepy tommy is about the pythia, so the two of them are realizing they're going to need to step in especially since the pythia's problems are becoming VERY obvious to the rest of the group

[witchplease-freakbitch]

Last time, for everyone.

I'm not being groomed or gaslit. Please don't make assumptions about my background. I don't consider myself edgy or aesthetic.

I'm a freak and an insane person. I'm in a very healthy relationship. With more than one person. There's communication to all sites. I'm not getting abused anymore and never was by my current partners.

This is the last thing I'm gonna say to this.

I don't want to be pitied. At all.

My demons are my demons. They don't come from any of my current partners.

Please leave me alone and out of it if you think I'm getting abused or whatever. I am well connected to professionals, they are all informed about how I live my life. My doctor's, my therapists. My friends know, my two main partners know each other fairly well too and they're very important to me.

It's the last time that I'm gonna entertain this.

I'm not healthy. But I am actually being protected by my partners and friends. I know how abuse feels like and I've been gaslit all my life. I can tell if someone is doing it to me.

I am safe. My partners aren't being edgy nor a threat to me.

[scattered-winter]

aaaaaaaah, hey, i am the anon asking about your aro hcs and i love them! when people bring up queerplatonic relationships, my heart sings and my soul heals and my crops get watered!

buddie is queerplatonic to me, too 😭 i am not alone with this! 😭 and i have yet to see a tv show that allows the seemingly allo hetero "eye candy" characters to just, be together like this. to share a life. to have a fond and loving and vulnerable and deep bond that is simply not romantic in nature. to be 100% happy with a queerplatonic friend instead of pushing the idea that life must be incomplete or unhappy without romance. that you cannot have a high level of commitment and loyalty and emotional closeness outside of a romantic relationship. that's how i've seen canon buddie for awhile now – they are so soft and cute that it rots my teeth. makes me a tiny bit sad that so many people think that buddie is still "missing something" as long as they are not romantically involved. meanwhile i go insane (in a good way) because what they share right now – have shared for years at this point – is so valuable and precious and steady!!!

now that you mentioned it, i think it's interesting how the show keeps questioning heteronormative ideas about love and family. what pepa told eddie squicked me a lot personally... it sounded like eddie's life is sad and pathetic as long as he does not have a romantic partner. like, what? he has a wonderful relationship with his son, steady and close friendships, goes to therapy for his own health, works on his relationship with his parents, has a job that he loves, has hobbies... and none of that matters suddenly? 😭😭😭 that was a really bitter take on life and devalued everything else that is important to a healthy and happy lifestyle. keeping my fingers crossed that the show allows eddie and buck to learn that there is nothing wrong with them if they are happy living like this. their relationship does not have to fit into any boxes to be real and beautiful.

♥ qpr buddie my beloved ♥

I'M SO GLAD U LIKE THEM <33

and YEAH it's really amazing to see something like a qpr in a show where it's completely natural for both sides to just. exist in each other's space without it being made into a joke or anything. and while I have days where I like to think abt love confessions or whatever I do think that their relationship is very satisfying where it is!!! the idea that relationships are on a tier list, with friendship and family on the bottom, and romance on the top, and that there are specific points when a relationship has graduated from Friendship to Romance is a heavily amatonormative one because that's really not the case!!! and personally I looove seeing buck and eddie have a more nebulous relationship because what matters is how much they care about each other, and it's SO OBVIOUS that they do!!!!

and yeah.....unfortunately the show tends to lean more amatonormative with how Friendships Are Good But Romances Are Better. and imo this isn't so much the writers' fault as it is a reflection of society. I think the writers aren't intentionally portraying these ideas, because we know they're willing and able to portray beautiful and respectful queer identities. I think it's just a result of "this is how society is, and how most of the world looks at relationships, and so it translates over into the writing." what pepa said in that episode really squicked me out, too, and I would LOVE for eddie to realize that he doesn't need a romantic relationship to be live a fulfilled life!!! this is an unpopular opinion because buddie is Thee Token Ship of the fandom but...honestly? if they never ever Explictily Confess And Go Romantic(tm) I will be soooo fucking happy because eddie doesn't need a romantic relationship to be whole!!! and what he has with buck can't really be defined by either Strictly Friendship or Strictly Romantic and idk. I would be so fucking happy.

[redwineconversation]

Laura Benkarth OL Interview

Posted on Youtube, was done in English, yet I am somewhat skeptical that people will take the 3 minutes and 39 seconds to watch it before judging her, so I am transcribing it instead.

I'm like 99 percent sure Timothee did the interview but a person's voice pitch changes when they're not speaking in their native language so I don't want to be wrong and incorrectly assign who did the interview.

Finally: @OL Comms Dept, this heatwave is insane, pls pitch in for the AC bill and/or Damo's frozen pup cups and/or Apollo's electrolytes.

LAURA BENKARTH OL INTERVIEW

Journalist: So Laura, we're really happy to welcome you here in Lyon. Can you first of all just introduce yourself for the people who don't know you yet?

Benkarth: Yeah. I'm Laura Benkarth, I'm a goalkeeper. I'm also really happy to be here at Lyon because I think it's one of the best clubs in the world. I'm really looking forward to the new season and the new challenge.

Journalist: Why did you choose to come here? Can you tell us a bit about the contacts, the exchanges, why you made the choice to come here?

Benkarth: Yeah, like I said, Lyon is one of the biggest clubs in Europe, even in the world, and they won a lot of titles. And I think it's a great challenge to be here, to train everyday at the highest level. I had good talks also with the coach, and so I chose Lyon.

Journalist: What image did you have of the club from the outside, what did you think about Lyon before coming here?

Benkarth: I think that Lyon's a really professional club, where you can do your job at the highest level in really good conditions. And yeah, I was really happy when I heard that Lyon wanted to have me, and so. Yeah.

Journalist: Were you able to ask for some advice from Saki Kumagai or Emelyne Laurent at Bayern? We have a few players there. Did they tell you about Lyon? What was your relationship with Saki and Emelyne?

Benkarth: With Saki, I was her roommate so of course I talked to her and asked her about Lyon. She only tells positive things. I also talked to Sara Dabritz, because I played with her at Bayern and Freibourg, and also on the German National Team. They also only said positive things about the club, the club is very professional, the team is really cool, that they have a lot of fun together. And of course they are really good and win a lot of titles.

Journalist: Obviously the goalkeeper role is quite special. Right now, as we speak, we have Christiane Endler who has spent the entire season as the No. 1. What do you think about her, first of all, as a goalkeeper? Are you excited to get to meet her, train with her, things like that?

Benkarth: Yes, of course. She's a great goalkeeper and I'm happy to train with her because I think we can learn from each other, and can bring us to the next level maybe through the competition. I'm really happy to train with her.

Journalist: The coach, when I talked to her just before, said that competition was important and that it's important to have people who are motived. Of course it has to be a fair competition as well. Are you ready to have this healthy competition and, like, pushing up with Christiane [Endler]?

Benkarth: Yes. I'm absolutely ready for that. It was also [the case] when I was at Bayern, where you always have competition with other players, because you're a top team and you have top players. So competition is always there, and I like it because I think it pushes me to the next level. But like you said it always has to be in a good way, because you're still a team and you still have to stand up for each other on the pitch and off the pitch, and yeah, help each other to grow.

Journalist: What would you say are your strengths in the game, what type of goalkeeper are you in a way?

Benkarth: I'm a goalkeeper who communicates a lot on the field, so I'm really interested how it works in French. But like I said, I will learn it, the language. And I think I'm also really good with the ball at my feet, I think the players are always safe when they play the ball back to me. I'm comfortable with it and that's a lot of fun for me to build the game up from behind. And I think that's one of my biggest strengths.

[howlingday]

HEY! This story might upset you, so proceed at your own risk. Just know this is entirely made in satire.

Weiss: Wait, why are there two Jaune's in the room?

Jaune: Because that's not me, Weiss. Who are you?

Evil Jaune: I'm Jaune, Jaune Arc, the Jaune Arc from the evil dimension! And I'm not the only one; I brought along my evil teammates, too! Each member is a complete opposite of you! Evil Weiss Schnee!

Evil Weiss: I love stealing from the less fortunate!

Weiss: You monster!

Evil Jaune: Evil Ruby Rose!

Evil Ruby: I!

Ruby: Oh no!

Evil Ruby: Am!

Ruby: Uh, is she okay?

Evil Jaune: Yeah, she gets like this, so it's best we just move on.

Evil Ruby: The!

Evil Jaune: Evil Neo Politan!

Evil Neo: (Cackles) And I am fully voice acted with a full range!

Neo: (Silently gasps in lack of voice acting)

Evil Jaune: And introducing-

Evil Ruby: Slowest!

Evil Jaune: (Clears his throat) And introducing, Evil Ren and Nora!

Evil Ren: Nora and I are in a perfectly healthy, non-abusive relationship.

Evil Jaune: And together, we are you destruction!

Jaune: Wait, hang on! What was that last part?

Evil Jaune: She loves stealing from the less fortunate?

Weiss: No, the part about Ren and Nora being non-abusive.

Evil Ruby: Girl!

Ren: We need to pay attention to what's important.

Jaune: Yeah, but they're supposed to be our opposites, and what he said was- Well, you know what I'm getting at?

Ren: Guys, come on. Of course Nora and I have a healthy relationship. I don't know why he said that.

Evil Ren: Slavery and using child soldiers is a detestable action and horrible tradition to uphold and practice.

Jaune: Oh, god!

Evil Neo: Wait, doesn't that mean the other one-

Ren: Well, maybe we're opposites in certain ways. Like that mustache. I don't have a mustache like that. That's an evil mustache if I've ever seen one.

Evil Nora: Evil Ren doesn't force me to wear a diaper and make baby noises when I go to the bathroom for him.

Weiss: OH MY GOD!

Evil Jaune: Okay, I see it now. What does that imply? What does it mean?

Ren: I don't know why he's saying these things, but they clearly aren't true. They're evil, which means they're liars, and we can't trust a word they say. We need to stop this before it's too late!

Evil Ren: The world is a sphere, and definitely not flat.

Ren: ...Okay, so hear me out.

Evil Jaune: What is even happening?!

Evil Neo: This is insane!

Evil Ruby: Alive!

[bayleafpaprika]

I would Love to hear some more about your croc Mom fic or some ideas about croc mom

Sooooo the fic is Crocodile-centric and it follows his life from age five to sometime post-Wano, and it's meant to fit current canon events despite being an AU... which means I'm hoping that this upcoming arc doesn't touch on the Cross Guild and the Revolutionary Army/Dragon before I finish writing lol. Endgame is Crocodile/Dragon but in a "bitterly divorced couple find each other again in a better place" kind of way—and they're very, very bitterly divorced for the majority of the story, the development of which has been insanely fun to map out in my timeline. There are a handful of Croco/other characters moments along the way too.

That being said, the main reason I'm writing a fic in the first place is because the Crocomom and Luffy dynamic, especially an AU where canon-Luffy learns who his mom is as opposed to him being raised by Crocodile from the get-go, is criminally under-explored in all of the Crocomom stuff I've read so far. Like, Luffy's the child in this situation, I want to know how he'd react and why and what he's going to do about it if anything. FYI, I have written Luffy and the SH crew's reactions and the reveal's aftermath already but it's taking a while to set everything up in a way that the payoff makes sense and is satisfying. But I am getting there.

Also, sharing a standalone scene below the cut bc I can't resist.

Context is Crocodile being Luffy's mom leaked to the newspaper in that "sometime post-Wano" period for reasons and, well...

On Amazon Lily…

Horror washed over Boa Hancock’s face as she processed the front page of the World Economic Journal.

“I… have a mother-in-law?” She fell backwards onto Salome with a wail of despair. “How can this be?!”

“Big sister!”

“Your Highness!”

Her sisters and attendants raced to her side as she launched into a lament.

“Why, cruel fate? Why have you come between me and my beloved husband once more? How can I go on, knowing I may no longer be the most important woman in Luffy’s heart? Oh, woe is me, to be relegated to second place…”

“YOU’RE NOT MARRIED!” Gloriosa barked.

“That can’t be true, Your Highness. Luffy-san loves you very much. You’re still number one in his heart for sure,” Enishida tried to console her.

“Crocodile may be Straw Hat Luffy’s mother, but he’s still a man. He’s not your competition, big sister,” Marigold pointed out.

“They’re right, big sister. Besides, the important thing now is to figure out how to get on Crocodile’s good side,” said Sandersonia. “Not getting along with your mother-in-law can be detrimental to an otherwise healthy marriage.”

At her advice, Hancock sat up with newfound determination. “Of course, how could I have overlooked something this crucial. Yes, I must become the most dutiful and flawless daughter-in-law in the world. I can’t let Crocodile, who is now my mother too, find a single fault!”

“You can do it, Your Highness!” her attendants cheered.

“STOP ENCOURAGING HER!” Gloriosa shouted.

Anyway I love Hancock 😙

[mrx-bees-for-eyes]

On leftist disunity

The blowout of Contrapoints and Lindsay Ellis is less the result of a lack of unity in leftist spaces, and more the aggravation of our already established disunity.

Leftists have rarely been unified in our own spaces throughout history. In fact, once a goal has been achieved, it's not uncommon for infighting to spring up between different leftist spheres because, in reality, there is a huge difference between marxist/lennonists, maoists, anarchist, and social democrats. We will butt heads, bicker, argue, and vote against each other. That's incredibly healthy for a functioning and progressing society as, the end result, older more outdated and ineffective ideas will eventually be removed and newer, more useful and progressive ideas take their place. What we have now in leftist spheres... is incredibly unhealthy and I think that's on purpose. There's an awesome video essay done by Thought Slime called "Why is Twitter so Toxic?" that dissects the dialectics of political discussion and twitter, (I'd also recommend "Bo Burnham vs. Jeff Bezos - Video Essay" by CJ The X) but in short, everything about the function of modern social media is designed to keep us clicking, yadda yadda, I won't cover what's already in the videos. The situation is dire, and growing worse by the day. Wealth inequality, the rights of minorities being stripped away, political representation plummeting more and more conservative despite a growing number of leftist/progressive populations, climate change... Stakes are so incredibly high between all demographics and the only ones who don't suffer from the effects are actively making it worse. (from this point on, I use "us" and "we" in regards to outrage culture. While I don't participate in mobbing or cancel culture, I think it's very important to claim that incredibly toxic side of our leftist spaces. We can't change it if we won't even take responsibility for it.) In the grand scale of political media, absolutely no popular news outlet, social media platform, etc, are on our sides (with the exception of a few, very small groups). Fox news may be your enemy, but CNN certainly isn't your friend, catch my drift? They're right of liberal at best. This is reflected everywhere in political online spaces and it's being utilized to make us fight and depressed. If you're afraid on main, you are a product and they're selling you your own fear. These private entities have way too much power on how we communicate with each other and it's pushing out outrage faster than we can even comprehend. We consume so much bad news without any advice on how to fix it, it's insane and it's driving us to take power where we can. Outrage. But don't get me wrong, we have no power over outrage. It's been packaged, shipped, and sold to us with a fancy little twitter logo on the box. It's been effective at removing some random celebrity out of a tv show we like, but it's shit at actual political change which is why outrage culture is encouraged and curated in the very algorithms of the online spaces we inhabit because it keeps people coming back. Brand name outrage culture is most controversial reply being the first reply you see every time you open a tweet. It's 90% of the "trending" page being bad and disheartening news. It's the controversial section. It's all of it. We are sold our fear the same way grocery stores manipulate you by putting oreos by the checkout. I think the eradication of leftists in online spaces is an inevitability. Whether it's by our own teeth, or by censorship altogether it will happen. And I don't have an ultimate solution to fix it. Boycotting social media only means that social media will primarily be consumed by those who utilize it for harm. Even if we were to coordinate, enmasse, away from social media we will lose connection to everyone and everything we hold dear. It would put us at a serious disadvantage and isolate us from each other and I can't think of any positives to that... we can't go back now. The world is too complicated and dependant on the internet to "cut out cyborg in us," so to speak. To tie this back to my point... social media can't be the only place you exercise political activism. In fact, I don't think

anyone should practice activism on popular social media sites, but that might be too extreme too soon (and a lot coming from someone writing an essay on a dying website, but I digress). At the very least. I recommend, as leftists like myself who can make a small difference we should turn our attention inward and out to our immediate community. Learn what you can do in the world around you, in your neighborhood, on your street, to make it a safe space for you and those who are marginalized. Vote progressively AND LOCALLY as well as federally (I don't mean to raise my voice, but most people don't even know who the mayor of their county is, but expects their state to magically turn blue if you're in the US). Campaign for change. Vote for the expansion of benefits and safety nets for marginalized families and progressive businesses. Vote to tax large corporations in your town, so they'll be forced to leave making space for more progressive economic structures. What we need, more than anything, especially right now, is a community ready to care for each other at our own doorstep. We may not be able to take the world by storm, but perhaps we can take it one neighborhood at a time.

[theangryjikooker]

Dunno why I’m sharing this but I guess I’m frustrated today. I’ve been in the fandom for a little over 2 years, and a "jikooker". I don’t really like the label tbh, it sounds silly to me. To put it simpl, Jimin and Jungkook caught my eyes first and became my biases, and with time I came to the conclusion they might very well be dating (to which I have no certainty, obviously). Anyway. So I’ve been lurking here and there for about 2 years and I find it concerning how some Jikook-centered blogs are moving lately… like, it’s getting weird… As much as I love Jikook and tend to be over-fixating when I’m into something, some bloggers are so overly obsessed I don’t think it’s healthy. Like writing super long post overanalyzing every tiny little details, over and over again. As a grown ass adult, there’s something about it that makes me a bit uncomfortable, especially knowing those bloggers are adults as well (and no I’m not saying you shouldn’t have hobbies or be a fan of someone when you’re an adult, just the obsession pushed that far is weird imo but I guess that’s a me problem). I came here to see some cute gifs and edit and just crack jokes and I’m still a bit appalled by the shipping community. To each their own I guess. But what really confuses me these days is how weird some bloggers have become when they use to be quite level headed for what I can remember. I think jikook are a thing but these people are seeing signs e v e r y w h e r e Like just yesterday with the new Run Bts episode, so many jikookers who usually scream at other shippers about the importance of context and knowing Korean langage are interpreting Jungkook’s remark when they were by the Han river as a ramyeon joke (which he definitely joked about in the past) when it wasn’t one (he was referring to a certain type of ramyeon he wanted to it) or saying that he plucked his lips as if he wanted to kiss or blow a kiss or whatever when Jimin got close to his face when he was just pouting and about to speak… I dunno, it’s examples after examples just like this and it’s getting ridiculous. I used to enjoy reading some bloggers, now they’re not logical and down to earth anymore. Which is even more weird to me considering how Jikook have been acting lately. The more I see those two together, the more I think they’re "suspicious", or at least there’s plenty of moments that speak for themselves so why the need to interpret everything and see things where there’s nothing to see? I was very wary of shipping accounts when stepping into the fandom, and the more I observe shippers the more I come back to this feeling. Some people are way too much obsessed and involved, it’s just weird.

I only follow one other blogger whose posts aren't quite ship-focused, so I'm mostly in the dark about what's being said within the Jikook blogger community, but this is a common sentiment among my anons as of late.

From what I hear, it's a little insane. And on the rare occasion I go through the tag, I almost always regret it. From what I've collectively observed over the last year, a lot of these bloggers cater to like-minded fans, and there are certainly people who enjoy theorizing to that level of delusion (sorry not sorry). It’s not that I think I'm better than those people who want to engage with Jikook content in that manner when I say that, but I'm just not on their wavelength and I doubt I ever will be. I think a lot of that has to do with my long-standing aversion to RPS.

So I don't blame you; I understand how you feel and agree to an extent.

My feeling is that anyone with a platform should be careful about what narrative they're choosing to dig into because at the end of the day, these analyses are about real people. These aren't fictional characters we're dealing with, and to be frank, I think people’s approach to shipping fictional characters vs. real people can get blurred for some.

Real life isn’t as formulaic as fiction, but some people will analyze real people as though there are these cut and dry rules about how relationships work. I mean, yes, in real life there are some basic “if A + B, then C” type of equations with regards to interpersonal dynamics, but there will always be people who are exceptions to a common perception and shouldn’t be dismissed.

[hacked-by-jake]

Take you home ²

𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞...

>𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝟷

Summary: Jake can’t accept that this has been done to you, the thought torments him, and all he wants is revenge, and he gets it.

Words: 4,2k

Genre: Angst / Fluff

Warnings: Swearing, insulting

A/n: Well, hi.

So, this one has taken on some dimensions again, they weren’t planned, about 3k. Now, it is a bit more. Actually, the whole thing should not be quite so extensive, but well, once Jake starts, he doesn’t stop.

Thank you alls so much for the support in part one, I was really surprised. And thank you very much for wishing Part Two, which means a lot to me. ❤️

So, that’s a bit more related to alternative two of part one. Actually, it was supposed to get a little darker and generally the plan was different. The ending should be different and longer, but I think it’s good as it is now.

I hope you’ll like it.

And apologize for the mistakes.

(I think I wanted to say more but I forgot xD)

Anyway, have fun, stay healthy and take care of yourselves.❤️🌹🎭

There lies the hacker now, in the early morning hours, not even the sun has risen already, wide awake, full of emotions and agitated.

In his arms, you, fortunately asleep, deep and firm.

He also wanted to sleep, he has been trying for two hours but it doesn’t work. And how should he? After the past hours it is practically impossible to sleep.

The only reason you sleep is probably the effort you had to experience. Your body was finished after the shower. You were still shivering from the adrenaline, agitated and yet so terribly tired.

So now he lies here, doesn’t know what to do with himself, doesn’t know how to react, how to feel. TThe pure fear that lay in your voice when the call came suddenly, gives him goose bumps again, crawling all over his body.

This fearful tone of your voice won’t let it go.

What if he hadn’t been there in time? If he hadn’t been able to save you in time? If it took him a minute longer? If something had gone wrong?

He can’t even imagine what could have happened. At this horrible imagination in his head, he pinches his eyes tightly. Try to remove the images from his head that make him sick, he would like to vomit, so horrible is the thought of it. He shakes his head, tries to drive away the thoughts, but they don’t go away. His fingernails drill deep and firmly into the skin of his palms. It hurts, it’s uncomfortable, and if he still squeezes even harder, he’ll start bleeding, but he has no control over it. In his mind, the worst scenarios circle and he can only imagine, if even he feel so bad now, how bad did you feel in this moment?

He controls himself to be quiet, exhorts himself to loosen up again so as not to wake you. You need sleep. You deserve sleep. But these pictures, these fucking pictures, they're not going away. The imagination that someone would touch you- NO!

The hacker opens his eyes wide! He must not go in this direction, he must look straight out and make sure that you get your revenge, as you deserve! That he protects your honor, that he makes everyone see what happens when someone wants to do something bad to you.

He’s Jake, one of the best hackers in the world and now he’s gonna show what he’s capable of.

-

His breath is so heavy, so full of anger and hatred, so full of negativity that he would like to hit the next wall.

He bites his lower lip when he thinks about leaving you here alone. He needs to be in his study. He just has to find out who this guy was. That bastard.

Just really reluctant, actually he would just like to lie here with you, but he has to, he's winds cautiously out of your embrace.

He can’t lie here and wait, he has to do something. Now!

Even if he feels weird with it, he opens the laptop that is in his bedroom and directs it so that he can see your sleeping shape. He will simply connect the laptop to his PC to keep an eye on you. As soon as you get restless or wake up, he could be with you right away.

That’s how he’s gonna do it.

He gives you a final and gentle kiss on the forehead before going to his study.

-

After he has prepared his work setup and everything is ready, he wastes no time and immediately gets to work. Quickly scan the data of the man who was tracking you.

Everything that had ever happened in his life, the hacker would find out now. And of course, the most important information is quickly obtained.

Name

Age

Date of birth

Address

All bank accounts

His social security number

Where he grew up

As what he works

What friends he has

With whom he is friends

His pets

On what elementary school he went

On what high school he went

Who his parents are

The siblings

All information about each individual family member

And at the very end, the police certificate of conduct with all the information who are important for him. And that’s more interesting than he thought. The further he read the information from the police, the more his emotional state changes.

It starts with drug abuse

Bodily injury in two cases

Insult

Gun possession

Domestic violence against his ex girlfriend

....

The list is shockingly long: a two-year stay in a prison, probation and community service.

The further Jake read, the more worried he is that he couldn’t have been there in time with bad luck. But he’s all the happier he could save you.

At the same time, he’s thinking about telling you who the guy is, because he doesn’t know how you’re gonna take this information. But he would worry more about that later.

As he glances at the laptop’s camera, a smile creeps up on his lips. Meanwhile, you are lying on his side of the bed, your arms are tightly wrapped around his pillow and your head is pressing into the soft fabric, as if you were looking for his proximity in your sleep.

How perfect can a person be? How perfect is this beautiful being lying in his bed? Immediately the tingling starts in his stomach, as always when it comes to you.

He’s so terribly in love. So insanely strong.

Again, he begins to regret that it has not progressed further between you. Everyone knows that he loves you, and everyone knows that you love him. And yet you both have not yet managed to finally do what you both so much want. But the fear of destroying everything is so great. You two spend so much time with each other, become best friends, best friends who feel more for each other than just friendship.

In addition, his fear of putting you in danger is added. He is not a simple man, no one who prefers a regular daily life, no fixed working hours, no fixed income, even if he earns more than most others. As a hacker you have one or the other possibility. Nevertheless, he is still wanted by the government. Not as strong, and the danger is not as great as it was a few months ago, but it still exists.

But last night’s incident somehow inspired him to think, and he feels different when he thinks about it. He wants you, he wants you with everything you have, he wants you by his side. He always wants to protect you, he always wants to be there for you, he wants you by his side, he doesn’t want to live alone in this apartment anymore. He doesn’t want to be alone anymore, he needs you, he has always done it and he will always need you, he wants you so bad!

This incident clearly shows that life is always uncertain, and this incident shows him that he is lying to himself. He wants to be able to say that you’re a couple, he wants it so badly. So fucking urgent.

"I want to share my life with you," the hacker murmurs, driving through his face with his hands. Now his thoughts have drifted in another direction again, but you’re just sitting in every corner of his mind. You are the biggest and most important part of his life and that since the first time you met.

But now something else is more important. After that, he can think of you a lot, but now revenge counts.

He breathes in and out again before turning back to the screens and begins to gather more information.

-

About half an hour later, he releases himself from his cramped posture. The further he delves into the life of the man, the more aggressive he becomes.

This guy’s not a petty criminal, the way he thought he was, this guy’s got dirt on him through and through.

And the further he reads, the more he wonders why this guy is on the loose and not in a maximum security prison.

From organized crime to gang activities. Drug dealing, counterfeit money, prositution. All the shit every gang is involved in.

Disgusting chat histories, images, threats of other people, extort protection money. And the hacker just assumed the guy is just a disgusting bastard. But he thought wrong.

And yet, it’s actually only good for him, really very good, because Jake has now a lot more options than he thought.

He thinks hard about how to proceed. How best to tackle this whole situation, so that he has the best chance of success.

But what’s also positive for is the fact that this guy really doesn’t deserve anything other than what the hacker’s up to.

To destroy a person’s whole life is actually nothing that he would do; he simply cannot reconcile this with his morality. Even if it’s about you, but now he’s not just doing it for you, he’s doing it for everyone. This is a favor he does to the whole society.

Oh and he’ll do it with pleasure.

-

Meanwhile, he has gained access to the man’s laptop and can take a closer look at the living room. He also got lucky and found some camera shots taken by a bakery that is on the street where you were being followed.

Unfortunately, it has no sound and yet it is more than enough. He saved the recording and censored you on it.You don’t have to be broadcast in video format all over the world.

But it is still clear that he's persecutes you. It is more bad than quite recognizable on the videos that he is angry and that he shouts something, but when you see the video, everything is explained by itself.

That was number one on his list.

Let's continue with point two.

And point two is a summary of all the information he could find that could even remotely involve anything criminal.

And this is a really long list, he can prove everything, he can prove every single point. With all the information that will help.

Videos, chats, pictures, recording of conversations. Locations, meeting places, other names.

Because his plan has changed, and it’s not just about destroying this man anymore, it’s about destroying all the criminals around him.

-

Point two, finish! Now, point three, and that’s the confrontation with the man.

The most important information is in front of him as he puts on his headset and leans back relaxed.

The recording program runs as soon as he turns on his microphone. The recording is automatically converted into the computer voice and then sent as a video along with his sign, the eye, as a gift to his new friend.

He puts one leg over the other and folds his arms in front of his chest.

"Hello Ted, my identity doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’ve made some serious mistakes, and about this, I will teach you now."

-

And send.

Soon the man’s cell phone will start ringing, and it will only stop when he gets up and then listens to the hacker’s nice message on his laptop, which will breaking his little world in which he lives.

But it’s his own fault.

A look at the camera of his own laptop tells him that you still sleep quietly and calmly, which makes him happy. -

The ringing of the mobile phone and the terrible ringtone of the persecutor annoy the hacker so slowly. He didn’t think it would be that long before Ted wake up. But when it finally happens and a door is opened, a slightly arrogant grin appears on Jake’s face.

It’s Showtime.

"What the hell?" grumbles the sleepy guy as Jake makes the video file pop up.

The eye flickers on the screen and Ted skeptically approaches it.

He pulls back his desk chair and sits down.

"What the fuck?" he hisses angrily and pushes a button on the keyboard.

"Hello Ted, my identity doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’ve made some serious mistakes, and about this, I will teach you now."

Amused and eager, Jake follows the course of the situation.

Ted becomes more and more hectic, the more facts the computer voice enumerates. He probably didn’t expect this to ever come to light. He wildly presses all the buttons he can find, tries to turn off the laptop but he has absolutely no control over it.

At the very end, after all the crimes have been enumerated, the computer voice informs him that he has video footage of his nocturnal activity.

"That was a big mistake, Ted, and it’s time you understood that you understand how unimportant you are in this world"

-

After Jake has decided to leave Ted alone, with the knowing that he can now say goodbye to his life as he knows it, he move on to point 4.

And point 4 involves sending all the information to everyone who can do something with it. But don't worry, that’s not the finale.

The finale will be something special.

Everything collected is sent first to the police in Duskwood. He doesn’t think much will happen, but the police will certainly not be the agency that will take care of Ted, in the end.

After the police, Jake sends the information to his place of work. He won’t be needing the job in a few hours anyway even longer.

Then his sister gets an e-mail with everything there is about her brother. Because Jake found out that poor girl always had to take care of him. Had to pick him out of the cell at night, had to pick him up of the hospital one or the other time and things like that. Among other things, good Ted broke into her apartment once, but this was not reported to the police. Jake saw in a chat that Ted promised to stop doing criminal things. This didn’t work out that way. The hacker feel sorry for the sister, she certainly doesn’t deserve it and yet this is about more than just that.

And after all the important people have received the information, he finally go to the final, which the hacker is most looking forward to before he can finally return to you.

Back to you, to his bed where you lie, this day can’t be more beautiful, can it?

Well, the morning show on TV sounds good, doesn’t it? The channel is littered with scandals and really unscrupulous means of getting attention.

No one will be angry with him if the actual broadcast is interrupted for a few minutes to do something good. And to appease his vengeance. All he has to do is fade in everything, play the video and the rest would come by itself. The spread on the Internet. The information is forwarded to other authorities like the State Police Authorities as it is about more than just the pursuit after revenge for his love. Gang crime is not liked by the state.

So then, curtain up, the final begins.

-

About half an hour later, now it is shortly before 9  in the morning, the whole took longer than he had expected, he sinks back on the soft mattress. Satisfaction spreads and seeing you sleep so peacefully also makes him tired.

Carefully he pulls the blanket over himself and then grabs again around your body to bring you back into his arms. He hides his head in your neck bend and a few moments he falls asleep with a smile on his face.

He couldn’t stop himself from posting some things on Ted’s Instagram page for his personal feeling. Pictures that Ted prefers not to watch for the Internet, but Jake doesn’t care; in a few hours, Ted will never have access to the Internet again. Hopefully Ted makes friends in prison fast, or it won’t be so funny for him.

Well, don’t mess with the hacker’s love.

----------

When you open your eyes, Jake still lies peacefully asleep beside you.

His hair stands wildly off his head and he has put his arms protective around you. Immediately a feeling of home spreads within you and you smile.

His body nestles warm against yours and you wish you could always wake up like that.

Bu, if you didn’t have to use the bathroom.

Carefully peel out from under his arms without waking him.

With leaving Jake’s arms and getting out of bed, the first pictures of last night immediately come back into your head. A few moments you stare at the wall before you shake your head. You don’t want to think about it. Actually, you never want to have to think about it again, you just want to forget it, focus on everything that’s more important now. And this is you, your feeling that you don’t want to get involved in this situation, you don’t want to leave room for this man. You don’t want him to have room in your life, and you don’t want to investigate any further. Actually, you don’t want to know who this guy is. You just want to focus on how lucky you were, that everything went well, that Jake saved you, and that nothing happened to you.

Jake!

You want to focus on Jake! And most importantly, that you finally want to be with him! He was there to save you right away. He was ready to help you immediately, he protected you, especially the way he protected you. The way he sounded, as if he was doing everything he could to save you. And this irrational fear that this could not work with you two, it’s bullshit! You want him with everything he has and you don’t want to be just friends anymore. You long for his lips, for his kisses that don’t just go on your forehead or cheek. You want to finally be able to say that you are a couple, you want him so badly, so damn badly.

Like a miracle cure, the thought of Jake really distracts you. You didn’t even know where your thoughts went, it just happened. But it always is, it’s just in every corner of your mind.

-

After you left the bathroom, you turned on the coffee machine. You’d stay awake and pass the time until Jake wakes up and you could have some breakfast. While the coffee is cooking, you drop down on the small sofa in the hacker’s living room and decide to pass the time with a little bit TV.

You switch through the channels looking for something interesting but don’t really find something you like.

When the Coffee machine gives you confirmation that the hot drink is ready, you quickly jump up and leave the remote control there.

While you prepare your coffee, you listen to an advertisement about an electronic toothbrush and then one about the latest vacuum cleaner.

With your cup you go back and then put a thin blanket from the sofa around your legs.

The News Show that you sometimes see starts broadcasting.

And you really expected a lot, really a lot, but you never expected what was actually going on.

While the news announcer reports on a gang crime, a picture is displayed. There’s a man to be seen, and you’re a thousand percent sure that’s the man who chased you yesterday.

Silently and with your mouth open you are listening as a whole gang was arrested, warehouses and factories were stormed. Drugs and counterfeit money were confiscated and in the end, how a hacker uncovered all this.

During the narration about hacking another channel and the materials shown there such as images and video, your heart begins to beat faster and faster.

And when it is shown what was published there, you put your hand infront your mouth in shock.

"Oh my-" you watch the camera shots where you can clearly see the street, which is only a few streets away from your apartment.

And then you see a censored shadow running, a few moments later a man.

You and the man who was now identified as Ted.

Jake.

That was Jake, you know it!

You don’t know how to react. While the pictures and videos scare you, since this man met you yesterday, you feel moved to tears on the other side. When the hell did he do that?

Did he do it because of you?

Where does he get so much information? Sure, he’s a hacker but THAT?

When the news anchor finally ends her post with the words "This man will probably never see the light of day again" and "The whole Internet speaks about this man and the victim who was persecuted by him. When you see this, we wish you all well!"

You have the feeling that you are breathing again for the first time. Like you’ve been holding your breath all this time without noticing.

You stutter at things, try to explain, sort out and understand your feelings. But somehow, just like last night, it’s too unreal.

"You shouldn’t know that in this way"

Startled you turn around as Jake’s sleepy voice appears behind you.

He's leaning in the door frame and yawns once.

With an open mouth you stare at him, "Did you-?" but you break off immediately because you have no idea what to say.

"Is everything okay? Shouldn’t I have do that? I wanted to tell you myself but now it’s too late. I wanted to teach you gently," explains the hacker, and his gaze slowly turns into a worried one.

"Did you- I mean- you were -" you stutter, can’t bring out a normal sentence. Point you to the TV, to you and back to Jake.

"I’m sorry, MC, I didn’t mean to hurt you or anything," he explains straight away." It was just, I don’t know, I was so mad! I still am! This disgusting bastard was following you, he-"quickly breaks off. His hands are clenched into fists, his eyebrows pulled together and his breath accelerated. However, he doesn’t want to remind you unnecessarily, even if that didn’t work out so well through the news. He really has to hold back from screaming completely and somehow making sure that Ted gets more than what he already has.

"No Jake, I-I" you just can’t find the right words and before you know it, you threw yourself awkwardly over the sofa, rolled over it and stood two steps later directly in front of Jake. Without control, you reach into his neck with one hand and pull his head down towards you. Not quite gently your lips hit on his.

And just as quickly as the kiss came about, you finish it as quickly.

"Oh, um, I... so.. I-" you laugh nervously, still holding his head. "Um, sorry?"

Jake also laughs nervously.

"I shouldn’t have done that," a little embarrassed, you let go of his neck and kick a few steps away from him.

"No, no, everything was fine, I thought it was great, so I mean-" a slight redness adorns Jake’s cheeks.

"Sorry" you mumble with a much too high voice and try yourself on a grin that probably looks like you’re in pain. Jake makes an waving off hand move, then it’s quiet between you for a moment. You chew on the inside of your cheek and let your foot slide across the floor in a semicircle, "Did you..- Did you say you thought it was great?" You ask as unimpressed as possible, as if it were a question about the weather.

Jake’s eyes grow big, "Did you find it bad?"

"No, no, of course not!" you assure him quickly." It was great, I would do it again and again."

You sigh.

Smiling, you put one hand to your forehead and look back at the hacker. Jake smiles too, and then you start laughing out loud. Until you have to hold your stomach and the first tears run out of your eyes.

"We’re so ridiculous," you chuckle, shaking your head over you two.

"Do you think?" Jake asks, grinning, "I find us great together"

"Me too" you agree and look back at him.

"Jake I-"

"MC I-"

At the same time you start to speak and then both of you are immediately silent to let the other go first.

"Do you first" you offer and he returns it to you.

"No, I’m fine, say what you wanted to say," you confirm.

"I can wait, you start"

You’re twisting her eyes again.

However, Jake understands this wrong and at the same time the magic words leave your lips "I love you"

Masterlist

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And thank you @a-d-alison your submission gave me a lot of motivation🤭❤️

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