#most brutal breaking of immersion ever

[sugarcube-stillabookworm]

nothing will ever live up to the moment when after devouring over 250 pages deeply immersed in the characters and story and after the emotions of the proposal I reached the very end of the letter that turns everything on its head only to find out that Mr Darcy's name is Fitzwilliam

[lunasdestiny]

Hi! Wow, you answered that ask faster than I thought you would XD (I am gift headcanon anon for clarity). And yeah, I probably should have sent an ask before with the headcanon I had that the rescue bots suffer varied levels of survivors guilt before I sent that other one for context, whoops. (Spoilers: long rant ahead, (and also may get a little dark?) I don't know where boundaries lie, I'm sorry) I know Rescue Bots is a kids show and can't really go in depth with the war like in Prime, but I really wished they had little snippets with the bots having 'reality checks' every once in a while that cybertron was gone and struggled with that fact. Blades feels it the most because he is an anxious mess that lets his thoughts get away from him. So the fact that they went into stasis only to wake up and find everything/everyone they known and loved was gone for millions of years…that would mess anyone up real bad. And the fact it was all gone because of a long, brutal war they completely missed by sheer luck?! That's not something you just brush off.

I can imagine in the beginning Blades remembering friends/family he'd love to talk to about earth and his new mission only to get slammed by the reality that those bots he talked to a few days ago are long since gone and he can't talk to them ever again! PLUS the fact that Decepticons hit Rescue Bots first thing in the war and Sigma 17 were the only rescue bots to survive the bullet! The last four of their kind. I refuse to believe Blades didn't immerse himself in human movies and internet so he wouldn't spiral. He knows deep down he's not responsible for what happened, nor could he control anything afterwards, but after seeing new cybertron it's really hard not to think about the people he knew that don't get to enjoy this new peaceful world. And he feels he can't confide to Bee because how do you tell a war veteran with serious trauma that you feel guilty because you took a nap for millions of years only to wake up and play hero with humans while he and his team battled horrors beyond your belief just to survive everyday of a brutal war that killed your whole planet and everyone on it?! You do not dump 'Sorry I wasn't there to watch all of these terrible things you experienced, but I kinda sort of wish I did so I can feel I deserve to be here and enjoy this without my spark eating itself alive from thinking about how many suffered while I got off scott free'. Nope, nu-uh, not saying anything, hey look at that new thing! That looks like fun hahaha!!!

(I am so sorry this got so long (and got a little too dark?). I honestly love Blades to bits but sometimes I do wish they were more in the Prime continuity so we can get more backstory/inner thoughts/growth from their characters.)

OHhhhhh mANNNNN 😭😭😭😭😭

Dw I have the same wishes for any show I watch but I guess that's left for us to interpret!

Tho I imagine Blades does have a boiling point. Kinda a follow-up on the last ask you sent as well, but Blades and Bee are staying at a place during their time in Cybertron. Bee returns to the room only to see Blades with his back turned and making little sounds. He asks if he's okay only for Blades to turn around and he's just crying big Ghibli tears

Of course seeing Blades cry makes his whole world stop so he goes up to immediately hold him. Blades of course tries to make a joke but it just makes him look more pathetic.

"H-Heatwave said we couldn't cry. He's such a liar! I've done it before a-and I'm doing it now!" But he can't hold it in anymore and his voice breaks with a sob "I'm sorry!' "What are you sorry for?" "I'm supposed to be enjoying this trip and I'm ruining it!" "You're not ruining anything. You're upset...Blades you can talk to me...you dont have to but you can."

That's when it all spills out.

"I just can't stop thinking about everything from before! I miss my family! I miss my friends! I miss the rink! Everything I remembered from home is different or gone! I could have seen them off but I missed it all because of a stupid energon eater! And while I was in stasis all of that got destroyed! I should be grateful that I didn't experience the war but I feel like I'm being tortured! I know it's not true, but for some reason it feels like my fault! AND NOW IM RUINING THIS TRIP BY BEING SAD ABOUT IT!"

Bee just holds him tighter. He knows he can't exactly relate, but he wants to comfort Blades as much as he can. So, while holding him, he lets Blades have a good cry.

"What can I do to help you feel better?" *sniff* "I like this actually..." "Good. You've been holding in a lot, haven't you?" "Mmm..." "I can't say I relate completely. But know I'm here for you if you need anything. Even if it's just for this." "Thank you...Heh. It's funny. I remember getting teased a lot for being a crybaby back when I was younger. It got to the point I tried my best to hide somewhere whenever I did." "Sad that we weren't friends then. You could have cried around me if you wanted. Knowing how I was, I probably would have tried to make you laugh by doing something stupid." "Hehe...It would have probably worked. I was easily amused." "...Tell me more." "About what?" "What were you like back then. Maybe other stuff...If you want to, of course." "...Sure."

They end up falling into recharge in each other's arms.

[thisworldisablackhole]

Diphenylchloroarsine Subterranean Existential Warfare

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

FFO: BRUTAL DEATH METAL, DISGUSTING NEANDERTHAL MUSIC / LISTEN

The human era is almost over. Subterranean Existential Warfare takes place in a future twenty years after the nuclear collapse of mankind, where creatures mutated by radiation threaten the final vestiges of humanity which have been pushed underground and gridlocked into bloody warfare. This is an album of stunning thematic clarity and visceral terror which is tied together by voice samples and environmental soundscapes that fully immerse you in the narrative. It is also one of the most ignorant pieces of music I've ever heard. Let me explain. Brutal death metal has long been split into two camps, with some bands branching in a direction where brutality is achieved through a show of pure speed and technicality, and others devolving, breaking the genre down to it's most basic elements and then blending them into a thick slurry of intestines and cartilage. Snare go PANG, guitar go duunndunnn, bass go bluuurp, vocal go blurhhgugurggrg, job is done. Diphenylchloroarsine is in the latter camp, but this reductivist approach to death metal only plays in favour of the atmospheric lucidity.

For an entire hour, Subterranean Existential Warfare stomps, kicks and explodes out of a pure compulsion to degenerate. The entire recording sounds like it is decayed, rotten and blown out—pulled straight from the chest cavity of some bloodthirsty abomination. Sludgy mid paced riffs are dragged through a pool of human remains, dancing in tandem with a bass tuned so low that it registers as more of a threatening, extraterrestrial warble than a stringed instrument. Every hit of the drums feels like a surgical necessity, and they pull a heavy weight in supplying the album with some tempo deviation, often speeding up or slowing down as the goliath riffs and inhuman squeals remain steadfast in the wake of assault. Cinematic bass drops are commonplace in brutal death metal, and while I'll admit they are abused on this record, they are also thematically consistent with a violent subterranean war, and further aid in the immersion. It is easy to imagine the ceilings of defunct subway tunnels collapsing on the bodies of man and creature alike as your speakers crumble to the sound of nuclear explosions.

You could criticize this album for being one note and obnoxious, and I would not necessarily disagree. On a surface level, the actual music has a neanderthal charm at best, chugging it’s way through eleven tracks with the grace of an ape slamming a rock into another ape’s head. But somehow, despite the hour long runtime, this album almost always breezes by without feeling redundant or tedious. The aura of doom that emanates from every track, the haunting piano interlude of "Intermission 235", the nuclear bass drops, the collage of horror pieced together by the final voice transmissions of fallen soldiers, it all makes you feel like you're really living in the fictional world that Diphenylchloroarsine created. There are more than enough nuances in the songwriting department to be picked up on by the attentive and faithfully patient, but it's the hellish atmosphere—executed with a master's touch—that keeps me crawling back into the subterranean darkness.

[cljordan-imperium]

Happy STS! What is the best novel you've ever read? What did you like about it, from a storytelling perspective? Has it influenced or informed your own approach?

Hello!! Thank you for asking!!💜

I think that from a purely enjoyment and also a writing perspective, it is actually kind of a dual set of novels that were written by the author Sheryln Kenyon. They are about one of her main characters and his twin: Acheron & Styxx. Each one was told from the perspective of the main character, but in some cases there was a retelling of the same event. And it gave the perfect example of how perspective is everything.

Both Acheron and Styxx were extablished characters in her Dark Hunters romance series that you THOUGHT you knew. Seeing the size of Acheron alone told me that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was...intense. Going all the way back to ancient Greece, the life of both men was told from birth onward from Acheron's point of view.

There was nothing soft or warm about the first 3/4 of this book. There are parts I still cannot read again. It was intense and painful to read in parts, my heart breaking for a fictional character. Sherilyn drew the reader in and immersed them in the historical world of ancient Greece and Atlantis. Then coming to the present wasn't much easier. None of the characters were flat, nothing happened for no reason. This was a book that at the end, my heart ached. There was no resolution to the pain really, just open wounds that would have to heal over time and memories of a dark and painful past that haunted an immortal god.

Then a few years later came Styxx. And I seriously thought after reading his brother's book I was ready for it. I can safely say that I think most Dark Hunter's fans were not fans of Styxx, but there was something about Acheron's book that told me there was more that we were going to learn. I was right. If Acheron's was painful Styxx's book was almost eviscerating. So much is learned and even years later it is still hard to describe how well Sherilyn crafted the book. I cannot read it again. Parts, yes, but so much of it was so well done in making the reader experience Styxx's pain and bringing you into his world and experiences....I have never cried so hard reading a book. Sherilyn showed me what "bleed it onto the page" meant. The "show don't tell" became real. I have read a ton of book, I inhale them, but there was something about the brutality described in those books that spoke to something in me. Maybe it was her style, but she did not have to be disgustingly graphic or gory to make me ache for the characters, to be angry for them, and at the end to almost feel numb that the emotions were over. When I write a scene that I want to evoke feelings, I try to go back and think on how Sherilyn crafted her scenes. Not to duplicate her work, but to see how she did it, then learn from her. We have a lot of similar themes in our writing and while I have taken inspiration from her in that way, most of all she taught me how to be a better writer in those two novels.

Besides emotions, she showed he how perspective can change everything. Remember she's telling the story of TWINS in these two books. Not that Acheron's story was completely self serving, but when it came to seeing Styxx's side of things, it became clear there was a lot that Acheron did not know or understand. Things he did not remember because of what was done to him as a young boy, things that were not the fault of either boy. I think that is what made Styxx's book harder to read. In some cases you knew what was coming, but then you saw that it wasn't what you thought at all. So in some cases it was an indictment of the reader a bit, because we all were a bit jaded against Styxx. A great reminder of unreliable narrator and one perspective not being reality at all times. It again helped me to grow as a writer to see it so beautifully laid out in the juxtaposition of the two brothers.

I hope that all made sense. Thank you again for asking <3

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3.5/5

Book Blurb:

"Action-packed and utterly vivid, Nightbreaker leaps to life with its formidable world and spirited protagonist. As soon as you start reading, you won’t want to stop." —Chloe Gong, #1 NYT bestselling author of These Violent Delights Fifteen years ago, The Vanishing thrust Manhattan into darkness, forever changing the City That Never Sleeps. By day, resilient New Yorkers have adapted, clinging to the vestiges of their cosmopolitan lives. By night—well, you never go out at night unless you have a death wish. Or unless you're Rei Reynolds.

Rei attends an exclusive New York prep school, but unlike her classmates, she welcomes nightfall. That's when she can secretly hunt Deathlings, the deadly creatures that have prowled Manhattan's subway tunnels and blood-soaked streets since the Vanishing. After they brutally slaughtered her parents years ago, Rei is desperate for vengeance.

To get it, Rei must qualify for—and win—the Tournament, a competition to join the ranks of the city’s legendary Deathling hunters. Rei’s nightly pursuits should give her an advantage, but the other competitors are fierce, and in some cases familiar: enter Kieran Cross, Rei’s most infuriating rival . . . and ex-boyfriend.

As the Tournament progresses—and the cutthroat competition escalates—everything Rei believed about who she can trust is called into question. Soon enough, she’s caught in the crosshairs of the elite who want to keep the city's ruling class in power, as well as those who will stop at nothing to bring it down. Because sometimes it's not the monsters waiting in the dark you should fear . . . it's the ones who dare to walk into the light.

Coco Ma's exhilarating urban fantasy thrusts readers into an immersive world of thrills and chills, featuring the smart, sardonic post-apocalyptic heroine you’ll soon wish you could be.

Review:

In a city taken over by monsters, teens train to become hunters of these monsters... but one girl's training leads her down a darker path than she could have ever imagined. Fifteen years ago, The Vanishing happened in Manhattan, New York. The city was plunged into darkness and monsters known as Deathlings have plagued the city ever since. To defeat these monsters, people are trained to rigorously fight and kill them and they must compete and win the Tournament to make it amongst the ranks of the prestigious Deathling Hunters. Rei Reynolds has dreamed all her life of becoming a hunter, she's been hunting illegally outside of school hours, but her skills have not gone unnoticed. When the tournament comes around she finds herself face to face with her ex, Kieran Cross, a skilled rival and the ex-boyfriend who broke her heart out of nowhere. Rei's parents were murdered and she's been living with her aunt, a Master of the prestigious school that is involved in the Tournament... and the person who has hired Kieran to be her new assistant. As the tournament progresses Rei finds herself questioning everyone and everything she's every known as the secret of the Deathlings and how they came to be and what exactly is happening to the city begins to cause her to unravel. Who can she trust? Can she trust the system that she thought was meant to protect her or will the secrets of those in power cause her to break free? Will she finally find out Kieran's secrets and why he is so determined to protect her but why he broke her heart? This is the first book in a series and it gives off Hunger Games x Maze Runner vibes. The story is a urban fantasy that involves teens joining a deadly competition to fight against monsters while there is a group of higherups who run society watching them. The book has a pretty slow start and doesn't pick up until the 40% mark and I honestly didn't care much for the second chance romance between Kieran and Rei. The world building is really interesting and I am intrigued by the monsters/society structure that the story has going on. I liked the tournament aspect but I felt like a lot of the characters could have been fleshed out better because not a lot of them were all that memorable. I am curious to see where the next book goes and how the story progresses for Rei after the events of this book. Overall if you like urban fantasy novels with young adult tournaments and monster survival fights, definitely give this a go!

*Spoiler: Rei discovers that her sister is a halfling ( she consumed some of the deathling) and she ate their father (he sacrificed himself) and that her aunt (adopted mom) knew that her sister has turned. Rei also discovers that the deathlings can be part human. Kieran broke up with her because he wanted to protect her and he had a lot of other stuff going on but he's always loved her and is still in love with her. Rei also has her Token ( a magical artifact) taken by the board of Directors and they threaten to kill her if she exposes what she's learned about the things happening. *

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Viking Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[avastrasposts]

Thanks for the tag @trulybetty !

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

18. I've been writing fics since January.

2. What's your total A03 words count?

399,758 words (yeah, I don't know what happened there...)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

The Boys, Lord of the Rings and anything with Pedro Pascal but so far only Triple Frontier, The Mandalorian and The Last of Us.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

1/ The Pilot and his Girl (by a long shot, the other don't even get close). 2/ Six and a half minutes. 3/The British Connection 4/Gun Cleaning /5 The Tack Room

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Always, even though it sometimes takes me a few days to get to them. I love hearing what people think about my fics and sometimes readers pick up on things not even I thought about and I love it!

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

The British Connection, it was a forced end to a new romantic relationship that had been slowly building up during the fic.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

The Pilot and his Girl, although I did have plans for giving it a much darker ending.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I've been spared any hate comments. But to be honest, bring it. I'm to old to give a fuck about hate online in any form.

9. Do you write smut? If so what kind?

Yes, and lots of it. So far, only for hetro couples, not necessarily established relationships and usually pretty vanilla.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

Yes, a few, The Pilot is a massive crossover between Triple Frontier and The Last of Us of course, but I've also written a short little Triple Frontier and The Mandalorian crossover.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not that I know if, and I think it's unlikely to ever happen tbh.

13. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

No, but there might be one in the works....

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

I mean, the reader in The Pilot is not an OC but I still love her and Frankie together. ❤

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I have an almost finished fic set in LotR with Èomer but I'm at the smut part and I just ran into a wall on how to write good but realistic smut for those two characters? So it's stalled and I don't know if I'll ever pick it up again.

16. What are your writing strengths?

People seem to always comment on my world building in The Pilot so I guess maybe that's a strength. I do see the images in my head as I write them and I try add details that will give readers a feel for what kind of world the characters are in. I'm also, apparently, very good at making people cry...I write pretty brutal angst haha!

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

The damn tense...It gets away from me! And sometimes I just don't catch it. I also get very wordy sometimes. So my next challenge is to write short one shots and try to keep them under 5000 words and contain the story in one chapter.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Difficult, especially for the reader. A phrase here and there, or a pet name works well. But when fics have whole conversations in another language and I either have to read the translation in brackets or scroll down to read the notes, I lose interest because it breaks the immersion.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

A long, long long time ago...Lord of the rings I think? Before that, I can't even remember, early days of the internet...

20. Favourite fic you've ever written?

The Pilot will always be very dear to me since it's been such an undertaking that I never really saw coming. But I also have a soft spot for Frankie & DIn (which I need to go back and edit because I spotted mistakes....). An honourable mention goes to The British Connection because it was the first longer fic I wrote after getting back to writing.

Thanks for asking @trulybetty And I think most of my moots got tagged but I'd love to see @i-own-loki and @ladybess-a03 's answers!

[saifsetset]

The Recoil - Producer Proposal

The Recoil is a dramatic and emotionally charged exploration of violence, power, and identity, blending grounded realism with a heightened, almost dreamlike intensity. At its core, this film is about the inescapable grip of the past, how trauma lingers, shaping the choices we make and the people we become. Through intense physical action and deeply psychological storytelling, The Recoil presents a brutal yet reflective study of masculinity, legacy, and the cycles of violence that are passed down through generations. We explore what it truly means to confront one’s demons, or parents.

From the moment this project began, I knew it had the potential to be something unique: a neo-Western action film that blends visceral combat with deep emotional stakes. Originally pitched to me as “Kill Bill meets All of Us Strangers”, I thought this would be a story worth exploring. Combining dramatic family dynamics and identity with colourful action, we’re not just making a fight film, we’re crafting a story where every hit, every move, and every moment of silence carries weight. The fight sequences aren’t just action, they’re storytelling in motion, reflecting the characters’ struggles and shifting power dynamics.

This is a character-driven film where the action and the silence is a direct reflection of the protagonist’s inner turmoil. What makes The Recoil special is its psychological depth, Chuck’s dreamscape confrontation with his parents adds an almost surrealist layer, turning a physical battle into something deeply personal. It’s a film that asks: Can you ever truly escape the past? Or are we destined to repeat it?

One of the most exciting challenges as a producer has been bringing this vision to life on a student-film scale. Every location, prop, and stunt is being carefully considered to maximise impact while staying true to our world. We are approaching the action with carefully choreographed fight sequences that are well rehearsed and properly prepared for, to ensure safety of the actors,and the set without negating efficiency. Combined with evocative cinematography, and an immersive soundscape to bring the physical and emotional stakes to life, reinforcing the film’s themes and the characters’ emotional states. With careful and thorough research, we’re ensuring that every frame is filled with tension and meaning.

The Recoil prioritises atmosphere, character, and raw storytelling above all else. We are strategically working with minimal but highly immersive locations, a bar, a home, and a dreamlike kitchen, each space playing a critical role in the film’s visual and thematic language. A tight, efficient shooting schedule will allow us to maintain focus while ensuring that every scene is executed with precision and intensity.

As the producer, my role is to ensure this vision is realised with the humanity of the themes and impact, balancing the creative and logistical demands of the production, securing resources, managing the team efficiently, and fostering a collaborative environment where each department is able to fulfill their vision. I intend to efficiently make use of our multiple locations and organise the cast so that we can maximise the production workflow, which I have experience in crafting from my work on The Pugilist, a similar film in terms of the character motivation and the range of logistic requirements .

The Recoil is a film that does more than just entertain; it challenges, provokes, and resonates, offering a deeply human look at the weight of violence and the struggle to break free from its grip. This is a story of reckoning, both external and internal, and we’re committed to bringing it to life in the most raw, immersive, and unforgettable way possible.

[leejenowrld]

Oh my god, my loveeee😭🫶🏼!!! This chapter grows to be breathtakingly stunninggg. The way you write is so immersive, it doesn’t feel like I’m reading, but rather watching. You’ve created an atmosphere that’s tense, sharp, and hauntingly intimate, where even the silences carry weight. The emotional layers are so tightly interwoven, and the restraint in Jeno’s Pov makes it all hit that much harder.

Jeno right now feels not just distant but scorched. This version of him isn’t numb out of weakness, but because he’s been through so much that nothing else sticks, I guess just the way he’s not bothered about his arms bleeding speaks volumes. His silence feels more brutal than anger ever could. Every glance he avoids, every word he doesn’t say, it all says everything. Anddd the moment you finally name her - Nahyun - sent chills down my spine. I didn’t even see it coming, and yet it made so much sense that it almost felt inevitable. Of course it’s her. Who else would know how to needle at every weak spot and wear your skin like it’s her?!!

You didn’t make her cartoonishly evil, and that’s what makes it so much more disturbingg. She’s believable. So human in her insecurity, her obsessive need to insert herself where she doesn’t belong. The way she pokes at y/n without ever saying her name?? She’s spinning narratives while desperately trying to control her place in the story, and you can feel the panic under every calculated move. And that whole section about the ivory wedding theme… oh god. Chilling!! It’s not healing. It’s pretending nothing broke. Aesthetic over reality. Just like Nahyun’s character.

Then we move to New York…! Tbh this feels like the tracklist in Mark’s album unfolding in a new city with every track. You dropped us into New York like we’ve already been living there, and then we get Jaemin, 36 hours in, running on vending machine espresso and grief management? Chef’s kiss. The way you don’t say everything he’s done for the wedding—you let it sit in the spaces, the things he doesn’t mention. That unspoken “just in case”? That’s love. That’s loyalty. That’s a man who’s always been in the wings, ready to hold up the structure when no one else notices it’s sagging.

Karina and the dress scene? The way you use movement—her hands busy, the phone cradled, the flurry of logistics—to show how tightly wound she is, and then Jaemin calls her name and it’s like the world stills. That line “I think it’s the most beautiful thing in this room… and the dress isn’t bad either” had me kicking my feetttt!!! It was absolutely swoon-worthy in a grounded, grown-up way. Like, he’s been in love with her for years and only just now gets to say it. Then boom—Donghyuck. Cutting through the atmosphere with that perfect comic timing. With him the group dynamic is alive, real. Donghyuck’s love shows in his banter, the way he throws shade and affection with the same hand.

Also, the rooftop scene felt like a turning point, everyone orbiting y/n, even from different cities, carrying pieces of her like invisible luggage. And that argument… Damnnn. I love how you didn’t take sides, you just let them speak their truths. Karina’s bitterness. Jaemin’s quiet defense. The heavy truth that everyone broke something. Karina’s confession was truly heartbreaking. “You know what it takes to break someone like her?” I felt that. You wrote someone who’s not just sad, but terrified by how deeply she watched her best friend unravel.

I loveeee the familiarity of Chenle and Ningning - solid, warm, steady - feels like a hug. It’s that reminder that even when everything else is in pieces, there are still people who hold the glue. I loved that you gave Ningning that sweetness, and Chenle that sharp warmth. You’re letting your characters grow into their lives instead of just reacting to them.

Honestly, this is more than a story. It’s a shared history you’ve let us step into. And every detail, from scent diffusers programmed to Doyoung’s cologne to the broken timelines between y/n and Jeno, is soaked in memory. It’s brilliant. It’s alive. And it hurts in all the right ways.

Love you queen!

-💕

reading this felt like a full-body hug, genuinely. you have no idea how much it means that you’re seeing every layer so clearly, the way you describe it feeling less like reading and more like watching is exactly what i always dreamt of achieving with this chapter. the idea was to create an atmosphere so charged that even the quietest silences would feel like an impact. jeno’s pov had to be restrained, but not detached — you’re completely right that he feels scorched rather than numb, the kind of exhaustion that runs bone-deep. the way he barely registers his bleeding arms was written to show that he does not feel normal pain anymore because what he carries inside is so much heavier. his silence, his avoidance, every glance that should be full but feels hollow — that was meant to hit harder than any explosion ever could, and it makes me so grateful that it landed for you.

and then naming her late on in the scene — nahyun — was a calculated moment of rupture. i wanted it to feel both shocking and inevitable. you said it perfectly: of course it’s her. who else would have the audacity to try wearing a version of y/n's skin, inserting herself into the empty spaces y/n left behind. what you said about her not being cartoonishly evil means so much because that was crucial to me. making her human in her desperation and insecurity makes her so much more dangerous. she is not evil because she is monstrous; she is terrifying because she is ordinary. she clings to power, to presence, to being seen at all costs. the ivory wedding theme was such an important piece too. it looks pure, perfect, seamless on the surface, but underneath it is hollow, a desperate performance of wholeness. it mirrors nahyun’s entire character. pretending the cracks were never there instead of trying to heal them.

your mark album reference with new york absolutely wrecked me in the best way because that is exactly the feeling i wanted. dropping you into a city that feels half-familiar, half-haunted. jaemin 36 hours in, running on vending machine espresso and grief management, holding everything up quietly — he deserved that soft spotlight. like you said, the weight of what he has done is not written out loud, it lives in the absences. the way he does things "just in case" is pure, wordless love. he has always been the scaffolding, the one making sure no one notices when the building starts to crack.

karina’s dress scene — you noticed everything i layered into it. her movements are frantic, busy, almost mechanical, because if she stops she will unravel. and then jaemin says her name, and for a split second, the world stills. his line about the dress was so important because it was the first real confession he has allowed himself after years of silence. grounded, grown-up love, the kind that has waited patiently in the background without demanding anything. and donghyuck’s interruption was my little gift back to the story — keeping it real, keeping it alive. donghyuck loves through banter, through disruption, through the refusal to let heaviness drown the room. he brings their world back to breathing.

the rooftop scene was meant to feel like a tipping point. you said it perfectly — everyone orbiting y/n, even from different cities, carrying invisible pieces of her. when the argument happened, it was so important to me not to make it one-sided. there are no villains among them. karina’s bitterness is real, rooted in helpless love and grief. jaemin’s quiet defense is real too, born out of loyalty that cost him everything. i wanted the conversation to feel messy, like real pain. karina’s line — "you know what it takes to break someone like her?" — was one of the most important in the whole chapter. because y/n was never fragile in a delicate way; she had to be shattered through exhaustion, betrayal, and loss. it took everything to break her. and everyone standing on that rooftop carries guilt for letting it happen.

chenle and ningning were the emotional grounding i needed to end that section. they are steady, solid, warm, like the last untouched corner of home. their presence reminds the reader — and y/n — that there are still safe places left in the world. that not everything breaks. chenle’s sharp warmth and ningning’s bright sweetness are essential parts of the tapestry because survival isn’t just about fighting. it is also about remembering what is still worth fighting for.

your last lines honestly made me tear up. it means everything that you feel it this way. that you see back to you not just as a story, but as a living, breathing shared history, soaked in memory and broken timelines and the quiet ghosts of love that was too big to fit inside neat endings. every small detail you noticed — the scent diffusers, the way grief lives in the background of the wedding planning, the way no chapter closes neatly — that is the heart of it all. it is supposed to hurt in the right ways. and you felt it exactly the way i hoped someone would.

thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart. please keep sending me your thoughts whenever you feel them — they mean more than you know. i love you endlessly my queen 🫶🏼🩷

[keybladeseeker0]

Jax Hale (Horror OC)

Age: Looks 26 (but is about 300 years old)

Personality:

• Reckless & Thrill-Seeking: Jax lives for the rush—whether it’s indulging in the pleasures of the mortal world or taking risks that others wouldn’t dare. His impulsiveness often leads to violence, but he enjoys the chaos and destruction it brings. He thrives on the thrill of hunting, killing, and living on the edge. Every day is a gamble, and he plays it hard.

• Charismatic & Smooth-Talking: Jax is effortlessly charming and knows how to use his charisma to manipulate people. He has a magnetic presence, capable of winning anyone over with a grin and a few well-chosen words. He thrives in social settings, using his ability to charm and disarm, often seducing or toying with others before discarding them without a second thought.

• Dark Humor & Cynical: Jax has a twisted sense of humor, often cracking jokes even in the most dangerous or horrific situations. He’s learned to laugh at the pain, his past, and the absurdity of being a vampire. His humor is dark, sarcastic, and biting—he never takes anything too seriously, especially not the things that truly matter.

• Haunted, But Detached: Beneath the bravado, Jax is haunted by his past, but he doesn’t dwell on it. He’s numbed himself to the pain of what he’s lost and the horror of what he’s become. While he’ll never admit it, he’s constantly wrestling with a deep, lingering emptiness. His detachment from his former self and the world around him often makes him seem cold, though there are moments where the weight of his past breaks through.

• Untamed & Fiercely Independent: After escaping the cult and becoming a vampire, Jax has embraced his newfound freedom. He’s untamable and doesn’t answer to anyone, refusing to be controlled by any authority—whether it’s a master, a family, or even his own conscience. He craves autonomy and lives by his own rules, making him both dangerous and unpredictable.

Background:

Jax was raised by parents who were devout members of a secretive and brutal cult. From a young age, Jax was told he was the “Chosen One,” a figure destined for greatness, but his parents’ twisted devotion led them to subject him to horrific rituals and abuse, believing it was necessary for his purity and ultimate power. As a child, he endured physical and psychological torment, with his parents passively enabling the cult’s cruel practices. Isolated and burdened with the weight of a destiny he never asked for, Jax’s mind began to break, but his defiant spirit never fully succumbed to their manipulation.

When he turned 21, Jax reached his breaking point. The constant pain, humiliation, and suffocating control had pushed him to the edge. It was then that an ancient, vampiric entity appeared to him, promising him freedom and power in exchange for a life-altering choice. The creature offered him a way out—if he were willing to sever all ties with his family and the cult, forsake his humanity, and embrace an existence of darkness. Desperate to escape, Jax agreed. That night, he slaughtered every member of the cult, including his parents, using his newfound vampiric strength to tear through them in a violent frenzy. In the blood-soaked aftermath, the creature fulfilled its promise, completing Jax’s transformation into a vampire.

Now untethered from his past, Jax became a creature of the night, embracing the chaotic freedom that came with his new existence. He took to the world of rock ‘n’ roll, immersing himself in the pleasures of fame, indulgence, and excess. His wild lifestyle, marked by drugs, violence, and countless lovers, suited him perfectly. He relished in the chaos and destruction, never looking back at the life he had left behind. However, despite the thrills of immortality, there’s always a nagging emptiness within him, a reminder of the price he paid for his freedom. His heart is heavy with the knowledge that no amount of indulgence will ever fully fill the void, and his reckless behavior only deepens the loneliness he tries to outrun. Jax is free, but he is a monster, constantly searching for something, or someone, that might give him a sense of peace—if such a thing is even possible for someone like him.

Vampiric Abilities:

1. Enhanced Strength and Speed:

Jax’s physical strength far surpasses that of any human, allowing him to overpower foes with ease. His speed is similarly heightened, enabling him to move faster than the eye can follow. This makes him a deadly predator and allows him to quickly escape from or overpower his enemies.

2. Vampiric Senses:

As a vampire, Jax’s senses are highly developed, allowing him to detect the faintest scent of blood from miles away. His vision is also sharper in low light, making him an effective night predator.

3. Regeneration:

Jax has the ability to heal from nearly any wound within minutes, rendering him nearly invulnerable. This regenerative power makes him near impossible to kill by conventional means.

4. Night Vision and Darkvision:

Like most vampires, Jax can see perfectly in the dark, allowing him to navigate nightscapes with ease and track his prey. This ability is invaluable for him, especially when hunting or navigating the shadowy corners of the world.

5. Telepathic Connection (Limited):

While not a constant power, Jax has the ability to create brief telepathic links with those he is close to, especially during moments of intense emotion. This telepathic connection is not widespread but can be used to influence or communicate silently with others.

Skills:

1. Seduction and Charisma:

Jax is a master at reading people and using his charisma to manipulate, seduce, or control them. His natural charm and confidence make him an effective manipulator, whether he’s in the company of powerful people or seducing an unsuspecting stranger.

2. Rockstar Persona:

His musical talents, along with his ability to command a stage, make him a star in the underground world, drawing in crowds and leaving them entranced by his performances.

3. Survival Skills:

Over the years, Jax has developed a sharp instinct for survival, especially in dangerous or hostile environments. He knows how to adapt, make quick decisions, and always keep a few tricks up his sleeve to ensure he remains alive.

4. Tactical Awareness:

Jax has developed a sharp tactical mind, honed through centuries of existence and countless violent encounters. He is quick to analyze a situation and determine the best course of action—whether that means fighting, fleeing, or manipulating others to achieve his goal.

5. Street Smarts:

Jax is no stranger to the darker corners of the world. He has a keen understanding of underground society—dealing with criminals, shady characters, and even rival supernatural beings. His knowledge of the streets helps him survive in both the mortal and supernatural worlds, always staying one step ahead of his enemies.

Weaknesses:

1. Blood Dependency:

While Jax can survive on alternative forms of sustenance, his need for blood is constant. If he doesn’t feed regularly, his powers weaken, and his bloodlust becomes uncontrollable, making him prone to violent outbursts and desperate behavior.

2. Emotional Detachment:

Jax’s long, tortured history and endless existence have left him emotionally detached, often making him unable to form lasting connections. This detachment can isolate him, even if he desires to feel something real.

[gamefunlady]

Action vs. Arcade Games: Which One is Your Favorite?

When it comes to gaming, the terms "action" and "arcade" often get thrown around, but what do they really mean? Are they just different ways to describe a fast-paced gaming experience, or are they distinct genres with unique gameplay elements? Let's break it down and explore what sets these two types of games apart and some iconic titles from each category.

What Are Action Games?

Action games are characterized by fast-paced gameplay where reflexes and hand-eye coordination are key. These games typically feature combat, challenges, and missions that require skillful movement, fighting, or strategic decisions. The core of an action game is usually about overcoming obstacles or enemies in exciting and often intense scenarios. Players are often immersed in detailed stories, vivid worlds, and character-driven experiences.

Some key elements of action games:

Fast-paced combat

Exploration

High stakes and intense difficulty

Immersive storytelling (in some cases)

Famous Action Games:

God of War (2018)

God of War redefined the action genre with its combination of brutal combat, breathtaking visuals, and a compelling narrative. The game features Kratos, a god turned father, navigating a world of Norse mythology while battling gods, monsters, and enemies.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

This action-adventure game gives players an open world to explore, filled with puzzles, combat, and quests. The innovative combat system and emphasis on exploration make it one of the most celebrated action games of recent years.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro offers fast-paced, precise combat in a feudal Japan-inspired world. The game is known for its challenging difficulty and rewarding combat mechanics, forcing players to focus on timing and strategy.

What Are Arcade Games?

Arcade games, on the other hand, are typically defined by their accessibility, simplicity, and the short bursts of fun they provide. Often designed to be easy to pick up but hard to master, arcade games focus on quick reflexes and scoring points. They tend to be more repetitive, with players trying to achieve the highest possible score or progress through progressively harder levels. While arcade games can be action-packed, they are often designed to be enjoyed in short gaming sessions.

Some key elements of arcade games:

Easy-to-learn mechanics

High score-based gameplay

Repetitive but addictive challenges

Quick rounds and instant action

Famous Arcade Games:

Pac-Man

One of the most iconic arcade games ever, Pac-Man tasks players with navigating a maze, eating pellets, and avoiding ghosts. Its simple yet addictive gameplay has made it a timeless classic.

Space Invaders

Space Invaders was one of the earliest shooters and introduced the concept of an alien invasion, where players must shoot waves of enemies. Its simplicity and intensity made it a revolutionary arcade title.

Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong introduced Mario (then Jumpman) and became one of the first platformers to gain major success in arcades. The game's levels challenge players to climb, jump, and avoid obstacles to rescue Pauline.

Action vs. Arcade: Key Differences

While both genres might feature fast-paced gameplay and excitement, here’s how they compare:

Complexity & Storytelling: Action games usually come with intricate storylines and deep world-building, whereas arcade games tend to be simpler, with gameplay focused mainly on action and achieving high scores rather than telling an elaborate story.

Game Duration: Action games often involve longer playthroughs, with intricate missions and character development. Arcade games are designed for quick, accessible play sessions, typically aiming for shorter rounds or achieving high scores.

Gameplay Focus: Action games require a variety of skills, from strategic thinking to combat tactics, while arcade games emphasize quick reflexes, pattern recognition, and repetition.

Which Should You Play?

It all comes down to what kind of experience you're looking for. If you want a deep, immersive adventure with complex combat mechanics, an action game might be the perfect choice. But if you're in the mood for something quick, fun, and a bit nostalgic, an arcade game can offer a lot of joy in short bursts.

Do you prefer action-packed adventures or classic arcade thrills? Share your favorite game in the comments below!

[legendaryvermin]

Who the **** Is Legendary Vermin?

Greetings internet wanderer! You can call me Vermin/Elvie and I'm a game designer, actual play streamer, and ttrpg cretin lurking around twitter, twitch, youtube and now tumblr!

I have work on itch.io that has everything from medium weight tactical RPGs, to lyric games, to goofy erotic larps. Most stuff is either free or pay what you can, and anything that has a set price point also has a barrel of Community Copies that refill whenever someone buys the game outright. https://legendary-vermin.itch.io/

I'm also an AP streamer who shows up predominantly on Neon Lights Roleplay! I've been in everything from high-fantasy games, to Resident Evil style horror games, and you can find VODs of my work here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUYBnjyXT3Cp4KTnM1gqrVI4S9-k1FUhL A couple of highlights:

Games Stuff

Alley-Oop!

Alley-Oop! is a game I wrote with my wife in 2019 that is based on the WNBA's trip into the Wubble, a recreation center that was closed to the public, allowing the players to play in relative safety in spite of the dangerous early days of the pandemic. It was also inspired by the rise of Blaseball and Marbula One, and the idea that we as humans are really good at taking totally random noise and creating exciting stories by giving otherwise meaningless objects their own personalities.

As such, the game isn't about simulating basketball as much as it is about commentating it, and then deciding who these players are based on how the dice fall. Oh, and those dice? They are your players! Yeah! The pink d4 is Ollie Orion, and she's in the running for rookie of the year! But it's been hard for her to concentrate because she recently had a break up with that orange d10 on the other team. Maybe after this round of basketball, you and your friends will RP a scene between the two of them, where they have to shoot a commercial together. Maybe their love will be reignited?????

Alley-Oop! is also one of only a couple of games I wrote that got a print run, and the book is Gorgeous!!

Æthernet

Far and away one of my most popular games, Æthernet asks the question "What if, in the far future when humanity travels the stars and the internet is immersive VR, someone accidentally opened a rift to another dimension in the internet, and turned the internet into a literal digital hellscape?" and follows that question up with "What if we had to do dungeon crawls there as part of the gig economy?" Inspired by Doom (duh) and dozens of stories about the intersection of Magic and Technology, Æthernet is a small version of a game I want to make Very Large one day.

No Amount Of Armor: Ashcan Edition

I will probably talk about this game a ton here, but No Amount of Armor is my diet-tactics story-driven mecha RPG that takes you to the razor's edge of warfare. Mechanically, it sits between heavy tactical games like Lancer and fully story driven games like Firebrands, giving players the tools to embody characters that feel like they have a stake in the world, and build mechs that feel like they can throw a punch to level a building.

Right now, this game is still in development, and you are invited to give feedback and help shape the game's final form!

Actual Play Highlights

You can watch any of the shows I've been in on the youtube playlist above, but here are some finished Series that are digestible and fun!

Resident Evil: Catalyst

A game of The Company made for The Top Shelf in three parts! It follows a group of engineers, scientists and soldiers in the wake of an early break out of a combination of a G-Virus and Las Plagas. It ends in tragedy in one of the highest stakes conversations I've ever had the pleasure to participate in in TRPG.

Under Twilit Skies

Under Twilit Skies came together as a charity stream, and became so much more than that. At its core is the very real pain of living under state violence, and the need to fight back.

5 talented pilots fight against the empire that colonized, brutalized, killed and created them. 4 episodes of high octane, high drama mecha action in Armour Astir: Advent.

[lantsovsupremacist]

nikolai lantsov: currents

warnings: nikolai lantsov being the best man ever wouldn’t you know 🙄☝️

spoilers: set during king of scars but no major spoilers!!!

you looked up from the paperwork strewn about the desk situated in a far corner of the war room. tucked away here, you would never be the first target. some might call it paranoia or chalk it up to the trauma of the civil war, but you simply preferred a spot to observe quietly in the shadows.

toyla and tamar followed the king inside, nodding at zoya, genya, and david surrounding you.

“oh. it’s you. it’s all of you. i...” the man, or more likely boy, who skittered into the room spoke in a squeaky tone, “an absolute honor. a dream, really.”

briefly meeting nikolai’s eyes as he turned around from shutting the door behind him, you transferred your line of sight to the figure now bowing at your feet. zoya scoffed, eyes rolling to the heavens. genya and david shared a cohesive frown.

dropping the pen from your hand, you pushed your hair over your shoulders and straightened. you listened thoughtfully as he gave an introduction to each of your fellow grisha, recounting his apparent conclusions of them. when he treaded the sparkling waters that were genya, your face began to drop into anger.

“the first tailor, who bears the marks of the darkling’s blessing.”

her flinch did not go unnoticed by you. and as the only one whose temper rivaled yours kept hers in check, you failed to. the pressure immediately began to decrease in the room and the air dry of any moisture. nikolai’s head whipped up, perhaps the one most familiar with your temperament (other than zoya in your shared youth—never happy to be on the receiving end of a soaked kefta in class).

his hands flew up, taking a step towards you, bartering with any position he could gain. your fierce protection over genya was not unknown to those close to you, a flaw in the monk’s faulty perception. you let your shoulders fall, calming any potential downpour.

if yuri noticed your show of power, he made no move to address it, “ravka’s most powerful tide maker. oh the stories of how the darkling sanctioned you with the power to drown men on land.”

you froze but not because of a lie. his words were all true. the darkling hand selected you for this special training at age eleven. you allowed the legend to transpire, protecting you much like kaz brekker, dirtyhands of ketterdam. this was not a lore you would repeat with starry eyes and dreams of an otherworldly fantasy. none of the lives you had been forced to take before jumping ship to join sturmhond during the civil war could be washed away.

for all of your hard edges and brutal words, there were chinks in your armor that could not be hidden. tamar and toyla brought a hand to their weapons in startling unison. zoya’s eyes called out for yours.

nikolai’s features immediately darkened, an eclipse shadowing the usual light in his eyes. he rose from his chair slowly, exhibiting all of the power that he had inherited.

the shameless monk managed to hold himself upright but the unchecked tremble of his fingers exposed the fear instilled by the king’s actions.

“if i ever hear of her name—any of their names—leaving your mouth again,” nikolai began, his words sharper than the edge of his sword, “for any purpose in any country,” nikolai paused to watch yuri shrink under his steady gaze, “there will be nothing left for your believers to mourn into martyrdom.”

you held your chin high, your eyes twin daggers poised to launch across the room and eagerly embed themselves in a target. the ire in your chest began to subside upon witnessing yuri’s response to your boyfriend’s threats, only to be readily replaced by a flush of desire as his hazel eyes sharpened.

breaking eye contact with the monk who could not decide where to offer his, you glanced about the room. zoya had steeled herself beside you, radiating enough anger to address each of yuri’s mislead and misspoken opinions. even david’s face appeared from behind the book in his hands, though he kept his page by leaving it open to rest on his lap.

“am i correct in my assumption that you have heard me clearly,” nikolai’s voice carried across the walls, not quite commanding any longer but instead demanding the attention of those stood inside.

“y-yes your highness,” yuri stumbled out weakly as he pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his wiry nose.

after finishing up matters with your friends, nikolai took off out of the room, glancing back to make sure you intended to follow. you fell in step behind him, remaining quiet until you reached the stairs leading up to his chambers.

“i could have handled him, you know,” you pressed nikolai, hands repeatedly flexing and unflexing as they brushed against the sides of your blue kefta. your tone held no anger, simply indicating a truth.

nikolai drummed his fingers against the railing, pausing before turning back to face you, “of course you could have, love, but where’s the fun in that for me?”

you appreciated his willingness to defend your honor but the playfulness in his tone felt forced. he did not even make an attempt at his trademark smile imbued by charm and confidence. you decided in that moment that you would do to see it’s safe return.

“nik,” you spoke, repeating yourself after the absence of an answer, “nik.” your hand finding its way into his own hanging limply at his side.

“do you really see yourself in that way?” his voice shook, nearly choking on his final words.

any time the topic was brought up, nikolai was reminded of your stance. you had broken down to him the night after the darkling fell at the hands of alina starkov. no matter any of your friend’s persuasion, you stood firm in your position. you deserved to pay for the harm you inflicted on so many innocent. you were a monster, one who had given in to being handcrafted by another.

the untroubled nature with which he typically carried himself had vanished. your own expression faltered. his particular kind of magic, knowing smirks and careful quips that were like incantations for smiles, vanished.

and while it was normal for nikolai to drop the facade of a charming king around you, the pain held in his eyes plummeted your heart into your stomach.

“i think i did once,” you replied airily, not wasting your breath on a lie that nikolai could surely detect before the sound waves settled, “right after the war ended.”

nikolai chewed on the inside of his cheek anxiously, “but you’ve intentionally chosen past tense to describe these feelings.”

“yes,” you nodded, drawing your lover closer to you by the lapels of his jacket, “always so observant. it’s only of the many things i admire about you.”

nikolai sighed, closing his eyes and letting his blonde curls fall upon your forehead. you brought a hand up to stroke his cheekbone, soaking in the warmth of his skin pressed up against own.

“your strength,” nikolai said after a moment, drawing a hand to your waist, “your perseverance.”

“hmm?” you hummed quietly in question, content to reside with him inside this moment only belonging to the two of you.

“qualities i admire in you, my love,” he smiled after a moment, not entirely to be described as filled with confidence but surety nonetheless.

the flush of color in your cheeks always reminded nikolai of the pink dahlias planted in his favorite corner of the garden. maybe it was because it was where he had first kissed you. he decided that was probably his reason, although he never needed one to justify the beauty of either the memory or girl in front of him now.

too caught up in the memory, nikolai’s lips dipped to yours. you could always grasp a lingering taste of saltwater no matter how far away he was from sea, how many weeks removed. it reminded you of home. it was home.

“i love that you protect me, sobachka” you whispered against his lips, down his jaw and neck.

you did not need the exaggerated tales of your terrifying capabilities to destroy to wear as armor anymore, for you had the best man you had ever known to guard you.

as his hand wove into your hair and the other spiraling lower down your back, your breath hitched in your throat when he answered, “i can do so much more than that, my sea.”

nikolai settled on a simple quip, something guaranteed to make you smile. as a boy, he dreamed of a girl who would laugh at all of his jokes. when he grew, he figured many would be forged, a fallacy to fall in good graces with the king. he had yet to detect a lie within the giggles that left your lips.

the golden haired king would do anything to see you smile. he would pour hours into chasing perfection for you. once, he had even allowed toyla to confer with him about romantic poetry. despite the recitation being quite dreadful, you had laughed the most you had in a long time that day. now, just to catch up with the smallest piece of that magic again, he brought a new poem to you each night.

“i thought that i had seen the most gorgeous sights as sturmhond,” he began, unable to help biting his lip at your smallest quirk of a smile, “the volkvolny showed me how to fall in love with the endless waves at sea.”

you sucked in a breath, immersed in the way he spoke so intentionally. he was entrancing. you loved to hear about his travels before you met him, immersed in his storytelling.

“but none of them were every as beautiful as the ones you make,” he finished with a grin.

instead of reaching up to smack him at the cliche, you ignored your first reaction and instead pulled him closer to you. with your hands tucked against the back of his neck, you allowed your thumb to ruffle his lose and unruly curls. here, he was soft and gentle, untouched by his role.

“our ship had four other tidemakers,” you voiced softly, recalling your betrayal of the darkling after sturmhond’s crew imposed a mutiny, “but you chose me to lead the crew. you told me that was because i was the most powerful, but i certainly wasn’t with the waves. my power was not as practiced with currents.”

“but they were the prettiest,” he chuckled with puppy dog eyes honoring his nickname.

you gaped at this confession, “are you telling me you picked me as a leader during a war because the waves i created were pretty?” the initial seriousness in your tone melted away with every breath.

“i remember calling them the prettiest,” he twisted your hips, swaying you with him, “didn’t help me that the girl that could make them was the most gorgeous one i had ever seen. darling, i’m a prince, so i will inform you now that i have met a lot of people.”

your laughter was more delicate now, trailing off as you found direction in his eyes, “i had not been trusted with currents in years,” your voice softened, “he wanted my power elsewhere. i hated all of it. do you know the only memory i have of my parents is my father guiding the currents with me while we fished outside of town as a child? i was so excited to create like that with my power but all i did was destroy,” fighting back any moisture building in your eyes, you continued, “you gave me that back, nikolai.”

nikolai felt his heart stir inside his chest. he caught up to one of his most favorite smiles of yours. a rarity it was, reserved for the quietest and most understated moments that you could hardly share due to the both of your occupations and temperaments.

“i love every part of you,” nikolai dictated, “every drop of saltwater in the sea could not compare.”

you repeated the phrase before stilling, “well, now you’ve gone and ruined this with another one of toyla’s fictions.”

“ah, ah,” he tsked, “i made that one up myself, love.”

[who-is-friend-and-who-is-foe]

A Detour Into The Burnt City

This review will be an in-depth discussion of some high level aspects of The Burnt City including but not limited to the characters, major plot points, set, and show structure. It also touches on some 1:1s, but does not discuss any of the specific moments and only generally references which characters might offer them. Also some gratuitous comparisons and mentions of Sleep No More.

As a recent convert to Sleep No More, I sought out to see if I could find the magic in a new place, seeking refuge in Troy and Mycenae for two weeks to see Punchdrunk’s newest creation, The Burnt City. To say that I was excited was an understatement: as a Greek mythology junkie, I was beyond exhilarated to learn about this new project’s take on old stories. In the weeks before my flight over to London, I ate up reviews, particularly fostering a lot of anticipation from Scorched The Snake and Constant Satellite’s analyses, both of which are written quite elegantly. My nearly one day spent in the halls of the Woolwich space did not disappoint. It took me a while to fall in love with the show – I came away from my first visit thinking there was no way it would stand up to Sleep No More – but with each subsequent entrance into Troy’s labyrinthine corridors or Mycenae’s grand expanse I fell harder and harder.

One of the immediate challenges in adopting Greek mythology for immersive theatre is the absolute scale of the source material. Macbeth takes place over nine days; the Trojan War lasts more than nine years. Despite this challenge, Punchdrunk's interpretation is nothing short of epic. There are limitations to this media, and so The Burnt City takes its interpretive liberties: the actual warfare is flattened into mere minutes (eschewing the fabled Trojan Horse); rather, the focus is on the themes of sacrifice and the brutal costs of war. And these moments are indeed the pinnacles of the show – the sacrifices of Iphigenia and Polyxena are two of the biggest scenes. As a result, the material of this show and its themes of grief, fury, and vengeance make for a grim experience, sans the flirtatious and playful moments of Sleep No More. The show is ostensibly about the parallels between two mothers – Hecuba and Clytemnestra – who grieve over the death of their children and seek to execute revenge, yet with surprisingly different nuances.

Clytemnestra's story in Mycenae is incredibly accessible; you can spend two loops there and truly have seen most of its story. Part of this is from a character imbalance; Mycenae starts with just over half as many characters as Troy and loses several more when the war breaks out. But most of this is easily explained by an ambitiously vast and empty space. You can stand in one spot during a loop in Mycenae and see most of the critical scenes all at once from a bird's eye view – everything that happens on the long table to Iphigenia's bedroom to the Czech hedgehogs below. The choreography truly takes advantage of this openness to provide a wide lens that basks in the action. Movement here is dynamic as ever and truly takes advantage of the space to the point that you will be twisting your head back and forth to be able to capture everything at once. The choice to make Mycenae such an open desolate space triumphs thematically, but only works with the addition of more traditionally styled Troy – I felt entranced by the grand, Denis Villeneuve movie-like scenes, without the anxiety of missing too much of Mycenae on my first few visits. But by the end of my trip, Mycenae's mysteries had seemed to all but revealed themselves and Troy's complexity and more restricted setting instead beckoned me.

Troy is a bursting city, filled with warm neon light, tight corridors, and an intricate web of space that feels thoroughly lived in, akin to High Street in Sleep No More. Here, two major stories appear to clash in a thematic way, as the main narrative following Polymestor's cunning is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the Greek invading army. The space feels much closer to Sleep No More's fare: a series of more self-contained, interlocking stories that run into one another. Unlike Mycenae, in which I would argue every character save one is integral to the operating story there, Troy is a mixture of the main Hecuba-based stories and non-canonical characters that have deeply interesting and often insightful narratives, but may not be directly related to the principle narrative (think Banquo vs. Fulton). The set design in Troy is intricate and beautiful, but the narrow hallways and multitude of characters can make for a frustratingly crowded experience, let alone a very hot, almost hazardous space for the audience and performers alike (recent performances over the past month have been truncated to only two loops given the heat wave).

The show is further entangled by Hades and Persephone, who do not traditionally loop and instead perform a single narrative in the entire show. In a way, this subverts the existing Punchdrunk model and it is one of their most successful additions to the show. I highly recommend following one of these characters through their entire narrative after a few shows of familiarizing yourself to the space – it is one of the most fascinating meta-stories that I have witnessed and a complex and emotional interpretation of a classic folktale. Persephone's story particularly is some of the best narrative storytelling I have witnessed in all theatre. It is exciting to see Punchdrunk create characters who actively engage, test, and rebel against the loop structure, and I am truly excited to see what new innovations they will take on their future projects to subvert their traditional mores. Hades and Persephone's storyline also features a 1:1 that absolutely blew my mind and completely changed my perspective on the show and is a key part of canonizing the loops in a way that Sleep No More does not explicitly answer.

1:1s appear to be a staple of the Punchdrunk model and still remain a fascinating addition to the way these shows are run. 1:1 hunters are abound just as they are in the McKittrick, which is an unfortunate side effect for these moments, but not for lack of a good reason: some of these moments have grown into the most special moments of the show for me. My overall reflection (having only experienced a handful of what the show has to offer) is that this shows' 1:1s are more geared towards shocking you as an audience member – either physically or existentially. Each one I experienced provided a fresh, new insight into the character's ethos, and often radically changed how I thought about the rest of their loop. One in particular provided the same electrifying feel and dynamism of Sleep No More's 6th floor nurse, and additionally was a key turning point in that character's narrative loop. There is something to be said about the damage that may be done by rude repeat visitors pushing themselves to the front before these prized moments, but as they appear to be a staple, I am still grateful for these intimate moments, especially in a show that lacks the lingering, flirtatious looks of the McKittrick.

In their usual fashion, Punchdrunk has taken creative liberty in various sources. Influences from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (including a character!), Blade Runner, and Metropolis are clearly apparent in the set design and score. Hints at references to Sleep No More (and apparently The Drowned Man) are hidden across the show. But what I found most fascinating was the show's adaptations of classic characters and the careful selection of which characters to include and, sometimes more interestingly, which ones to omit – King Priam, Helen, Paris, and Hector, for instance, make no appearance in the museum. Nevertheless, I found the show's additions to Euripides' and Aeschylus' characters captivating, particularly: Aegisthus as a much more cunning individual with agency and influence over Clytemnestra's revenge, Patroclus and Achilles' budding queer relationship, and Polymestor's sleaziness and ultimate deference to the Canaan deity Moloch. Furthermore, the subtleties between two invented side characters – the Trojan maid Luba and Mycenaean maid Oracle – also prove to be a fascinating foil to the differences between Hecuba and Clytemnestra.

I have touched a bit on it already, but I would be remiss to not highlight the score, which is one of my favorite things about The Burnt City. The score forgoes the sing-along nature of Sleep No More's soundtrack, which relies heavily on Glenn Miller's and The Ink Spots' jazzy hits, and instead features epic instrumental pieces from Hans Zimmer, video games, classical music, and operatic pieces. These are impeccably timed with the narrative and choreography: the orchestral swell that comes in a particularly poignant moment comes to mind. When the soundtrack switches to more diegetic moments, it is likewise done successfully, fostering new earworms to evoke memories of the museum. Some highlights: Law of Life and Will Soon Be a Woman. The Burnt City also features a bar akin to the Manderley named Peep, which has the added twist of being canonical to the show – characters during their loops will stop in the bar to perform dances or songs to the well-liquored audience. This is an interesting twist on the Manderley bar, and offers a fair respite from the show and an appropriate time for a water break, but Peep unfortunately never feels like a comfortable place to sit too long. Part of this is the musical choices – which are bombastic and fun, but certainly not relaxing or romantic – and part of this is the lack of the feeling of comfort that the Manderley bar characters bring to the show. The Peep show hosts certainly deliver an entertaining show, but never without the intimacy that Sleep No More achieves.

This is certainly the major difference I felt between the two shows: Sleep No More thrives on the intimate, fleeting moments, while The Burnt City is more focused on delivering an epic story with all the bells and whistles it can muster. These are distinctly different approaches, but both have me completely wrapped around their finger.

[pedropascalunofficial]

Pedro Pascal and Lena Headey

Head to head interview

Hunger Magazine, Issue 6. Released December 28, 2014. Photoshoot October 15, 2013.

Thirteen million. That's the number of people, on average, who tuned into each episode of the third season of Game of Thrones. Among them was Chilean actor Pedro Pascal, who was as enthralled by the sex and slaughter as the rest of us. But little did he know that within a few months he'd be pitching up on the shores of Belfast to join the cast as Oberyn Martell, affectionately known as the Red Viper. Sound ominous? It is. The Red Viper is GoTs newest anti-hero, “sexy and charming but driven by hate”. Sounds like he'll be right at home.

Pedro, on the other hand, though he looks good on paper, wasn't the obvious choice for the role. Expecting a big name to ride into King’s Landing, the show's fans took to forums to express their concerns as soon as the news broke. So is he worried? Like hell he is. “The fans had the part cast in their minds already. They knew who they wanted and it certainly was not me. But I'm not stupid, | presumed that people were going to say ‘who the fuck is this guy’. Since I anticipated the reaction it didn't throw me off.”

“There are so many different ways to go into battle with yourself when you're trying to get a job. I felt a certain amount of pressure because I wanted to make everyone happy. The fan base is so specific and, as a fan myself, I understand the relationship that they have with the show. The Red Viper is the best part I've ever played, and in season four shocks come at the most unexpected times. You might think you know, but you have no idea,” he explains.

Looks like the Red Viper could be in line to fill a Walter-White-sized-hole in television, but to test the theory we pit Pascal against Lena Headey, aka the Queen. Because if you can come away from Cersei unscathed, you can handle anything.

LH: So, Pedro, you come into Game of Thrones in season four, playing a pretty major character. Does that fill you with joy or dread?

PP: I'd say it fills me with joy because it’s a really fucking fun part. He’s a badass. He comes up against a lot of the main characters in the show. I'm very aware of the show. I watch it like a fan.

LH: Were you a fan before you arrived in Belfast?

PP: Yeah, I was a proper fan. I was caught up in the drama of it before I even auditioned for the part. I was already up to speed.

LH: I remember meeting you and thinking, “he fucking loves the show’.

PP: I kissed your ass.

LH: Well, it worked. We're friends now.

PP: I was like a tourist visiting the set, and yet I had to act with you and be in a scene with the characters that I had such a specific association with already.

LH: So you’re saying it’s boring?

PP: No, it wasn’t boring at all. It was extremely, relentlessly surreal.

LH: And who were your favourite characters up until that point?

PP: Not you.

LH: I realise that!

PP: There are too many characters to have a favourite, but I was fascinated by the Lannisters because they're so frightening. They scared me and then you would come in and pull sympathy from your audience somehow, and I found that rather fascinating. The Northerners were so easy to like or get behind, but it was quite something to see people sympathise with a Lannister, after you made people see things from their perspective.

LH: Speaking of being slightly ambiguous as a character, you come in as a major player and a very well-loved character in the eyes of people who read the books, and he’s somewhat of an anti-hero. Did you base him on anyone?

PP: What does an anti-hero mean exactly?

LH: It means he doesn't wear deodorant, doesn't it? [Laughs]. Someone you shouldn't champion, but you do, like Walter White in Breaking Bad.

PP: No, | didn’t really base him on anyone.

LH: Did you take anything from classic movies that you thought you could use and spin to your advantage playing the Red Viper?

PP: God, that’s a good question. I probably did subconsciously. Now I feel under the spotlight because I need to think of somebody, and I have so many in my mind! I think that’s something that is happening a lot in TV today: the anti-heroes are central to these television shows, and people are really getting behind them, even though they're not necessarily the most moral characters. So I'd say that ‘ve become more familiar with the character who's obviously very flawed but gets you on their side — you have complicated feelings about them. But I think I saw the story too much from this character's perspective to perceive any flaws.

LH: He has some.

PP: I know, from the outside. But I don't see any of them. What are his flaws?

LH: His flaws? He's a dirty bastard!

PP: Why is he a dirty bastard? He likes to fucking fight, for sure.

LH: Back to you as an actor. You've done it for a long time and, as we all know, the path is not always golden, and sometimes you think, “fuck it” and you want to leave it and do something else. Have there been moments where you wanted to give up?

PP: Yes, there have been moments where I came very close to giving up. But I never had anything to fall back on. I think you can understand that.

LH: Because were stupid?

PP: We're stupid.

LH: I can't even make pizza!

PP: We don’t have any other skills.

LH: None at all!

PP: And that’s the odd conundrum. You get to a point where you think, “This isn’t going to happen. This isn’t sustainable. I'm too exhausted, and it can't be good for me.” There were moments where I truly did try to formulate an idea of what I'd do. I thought I'd go back to school, start pre-med again and go to medical school or something like that.

LH: But that didn't happen, you just thought about it?

PP: Yes, I'd have thoughts, but it was still fantasy really. But at the time it felt like a practical life plan. Do you know what I mean?

LH: Yeah of course, you need to pay the fucking rent.

PP: Exactly. You just try to escape from the chaos of what you're feeling by trying to create order in your life. Order seems like a solution to save you from the pain of acting!

LH: It's a mental pain. Who was the first person you called when you got the role?

PP: My sister.

LH: Does she watch the show?

PP: Yes, she does.

LH: Pedro Pascal... or Pablo as I called you when I had too much wine, which was deeply insulting.

PP: Even family members have done that to me! Do I look more like a Pablo? Because it happens with about ninety-five percent of the people I meet.

LH: No, I think I’m just an ignorant drunk person.

PP: No, you were an ignorant drunk person that night is what you're saying.

LH: And now I’m educated.

PP: [Whispers] But | want you to call me Pablo.

LH: Ok, Pablo! When you first arrived on set in Northern Ireland, what was your feeling showing up to a bunch of British actors? Did it feel different to doing an American project?

PP: Yes, but I loved it. It wasn’t intimidating. I found it surreal because I’d watched and loved the show. I hadn't had the opportunity to work on something that I was really familiar with before, so it was overwhelming. But it was far more delightful than intimidating. Also you guys were really cool. Everyone was friendly.

LH: Oh, that’s just fake.

PP: Well, you guys were good at it!

LH: We know Game of Thrones is very popular obviously. Do you have any thoughts, or fears, about what this is going to bring you in terms of exposure?

PP: I have hope.

LH: Oh, God. I don’t mean to shatter that, but give it up.

PP: I don’t know really. It’s all been filmed, and now I'm back to my normal routine, so I haven't really thought about it. I remember when we finished filming and we were on our way to the airport, you asked me, “How does it feel you're all done?” and I couldn't really answer.

LH: You were quite emotional that day.

PP: I was very emotional because I’d had such an amazing time doing the part. Also just being there immersed in the experience... You described it to me best. You told me how I'd be feeling.

LH: We don't know your character's backstory when you enter the show, and you have some rather brutal scenes. Anyone who has read the books will know what I’m talking about.

PP: My character comes in, he stirs a bunch of shit up, and then he makes this fucking enormous exit. Now can | ask you a question?

LH: What is it? I’m not going to sleep with you. Give it up.

PP: Oh, come on! This has gone to shit and it’s your fault, so good luck to whoever has to edit it! But anyway, sometimes I'd hang out with the cast members and we'd go to dinner and they would get stopped constantly. There was no denying who they played because they were so recognisable, but you got away with it because you have this beautiful blonde wig on in the show, and in real life you are...

LH: Grey?

PP: {Laughs] No! You have beautiful chestnut hair! Is it liberating to not be recognised the way some of the other cast members are?

LH: Yes, it is liberating.

PP: Liberating being able to walk down an alley in Dubrovnik without being stopped?

LH: Yes, except sometimes | get recognised in the weirdest places. A woman was emptying my bag at Heathrow Airport's security gates and just went, “Are you the Queen?” while rummaging through my underwear. It was so fucking weird.

PP: It seems they're more respectful to you?

LH: Because they're frightened. Wait until they meet the Viper.

PP: Well, that covers it.

LH: I think we're going to get our own show out of this, you know

Interested in learning more about Pedro? Check out Pedro Pascal Unofficial on Pinterest!

[rookie-critic]

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022, dir. Edward Berger) - review by Rookie-Critic

Showing the atrocities of war is always a tightrope walk. You want to show how brutal it is, you want to show people that this thing, this behemoth that has overtaken the world more times than can ever be counted, is horrid and should be avoided if at all possible, but you don't want to desensitize, you don't want to present it so fast, so hard, so unprofoundly nihilistic that it loses its meaning. You don't want to numb people to the pain or push your messaging past its limit, to make the term "war is hell" into a parody of itself. While there were a lot of things I really liked about Netflix and Edward Berger's remake of All Quiet on the Western Front, I feel like this is its biggest issue.

It revels in its "more is more" approach to showing how horrible the Western front lines of the first World War were and it causes the immersion to break and it cheapens the film's very real and very potent anti-war sentiment. The anti-war film is nothing new, we've seen this song dance a million times before, made extremely evident by the fact that this is a remake of the world's first significant anti-war film by the same name, which came out in 1930, 94 years prior to its successor. We've had close to a century of powerful, magnetic, devastating anti-war stories: from Chaplin's The Great Dictator to Kubrick's Paths of Glory AND Full Metal Jacket AND Dr. Strangelove to The Deer Hunter to Apocalypse Now to Das Boot, Platoon, Grave of the Fireflies, 1917, Jojo Rabbit, and on, and on, and on. We get the song, we get the dance, it is a very important message, but we no longer need it spoon-fed to us. The unfortunate thing about the new Western Front is that its images and iconography are intensely powerful and very profound, they get there and they do it fabulously, but then they don't stop. Every scene has an element to it that feels superfluous, that feels like they're bashing your head against the wall that says "war is hell" and screaming at you "DON'T YOU GET IT?!" The answer is, yes, I do, I got it, and I would have without a lot of the, for lack of a better term, extra that's here.

To lay out my point with an example from the film, and don't worry it's not really going to spoil anything (although if you really don't want to know then you should just skip ahead to the next paragraph), but there's a scene in the film involving the general who is in charge of our protagonist's regiment. This immediately follows what is possibly the most intense and brutal sequence in the entire film (which, again, outside of a handful of superfluous elements, is really quite a powerful sequence), and the film juxtaposes all the horror we just witnessed with this general, sitting safely in a very large dining room, eating a feast with a direct subordinate. We get extreme closes ups of everything on the table: olives, fresh bread, a whole leg of lamb, wine, which he drinks a few sips of then tosses the rest on the floor and asks for more. He does this thing with the wine several times throughout the scene. He asks his subordinate about his life back home and what he will return to once the war is over and the subordinate tells him about his family's riding saddle manufacturing/selling business. The subordinate asks the same question to the general and the general goes on a tangent about how he is a soldier who was born in the wrong time because, before this current war, his whole life had been peaceful. He says "what is a soldier without war?" Then tosses what looks like more than half of the meat on his plate to the dog sitting on the floor. This scene would be so infuriatingly impactful and meaningful if the film didn't insist on shoving the message down our throats. I didn't need close ups of the food, I didn't need the spectacle of watching him deliberately waste food and drink, I didn't need this man's hypocrisy slammed into my eyeballs a thousand times over. The atrocious nature of the scenario lies in the scenario itself! Just cut to this horrible man eating his clearly excessive meal in safe quarters after we just watched a lot of men that he is responsible for get brutally mowed down for nothing; no close-ups of the food, no excessive food waste, just the scene itself. Let him talk about how much of a soldier he is. Let this moment be peaceful, that in and of itself would be powerful enough. We, the audience, will get there. We will understand what the film is getting at, it's not that difficult to comprehend, but this is the kind of thing that permeates the entire film.

Here's the thing, I'm still going to give All Quiet on the Western Front a good score, because the truth is I still really liked it. The film has an excellent core. The acting, for the most part, is amazing. The cinematography is unbelievable and the production value is off the charts. Even the story itself, while not really new, is engaging and has a very strong foundation. I just wish it had trusted its audience more and didn't feel the need to just keep adding to itself, to keep piling on more and more until it's just hard to stay engaged. I'm sure this will win a fair amount of Oscars, and it's not entirely undeserving of them, but I don't think it entirely deserves the near-unanimous praise its been getting, because there are a fair amount of problems with it.

Score: 7/10

Currently streaming on Netflix.

[oh-for-fic-sake]

New Beginnings Chapter Three Final

Masterlist

Summary: Tension's are high when the Avengers arrive, Tony soon find himself regretting letting you go seeing what you've achieved without him. He also find himself face to face with a very angry boyfriend when a argument breaks out. Warnings: Adult Situations +18, Smut, Unprotected  Sex, Swearing, Avenger Bashing, Tony bashing, Fighting, Arguing, Slight Domestic Violence,  Angry Clark. A/N: so did a lot of research for this wanting to use existing tech from the comics ect. This is the final part and long Tony might be a little out of character but whatever I cn see him being a nasty piece of work if he wanted to be. I hope you all enjoy xxx Taglist: @two-unbeatable-beaters​ @magdelen69​ @iloveyouyen​ @sofiebstar​ @thefangirlsblog​ @harrysthiccthighss​ @loserrlauraa​  @cheeseman​ @isitmine​ @tinabean37​  @agniavateira​ @msblkfire84​

You whined low in your throat the tone wasn't even as you were shunted up hips rising from the ridiculously powerful man behind you. You were bent over the kitchen counter facing the window, eyes blurry with unshed tears as your body was ridden to its absolute limits. Clawing at the marble you all but cried as one hand found somewhere to hold, an anchor to reality. Fingers latched around the edge of the sink panting trying hard not to waste the tiny breath Clark allowed to remain in your lungs, just enough to keep you conscious. Your toes were feeble in their search for purchase scrabbling up the cupboard's wanting to take some of your weight off your tummy that was molding around the cock you found yourself impaled on over and over in a smooth rhythm. He continued his invasion your body all to eager as his cock slid into place. You wept silent tears as your lover drove deeper into you almost punishing your nervous system as he made sure to glide into you sweet body at an angle that scorched your tender walls. Purposefully hitting your insides weakening your resolve and pulling you from reality pounding  you towards a magnificent end, he was tormenting you forcing your own body to build into your Seventh? Eight? Orgasm of the morning. He grunted louder throwing his head back hands shaking in restraint knew was borderline teetering on the edge of loosing his tight control you just felt so good wrapped around him! He stuttered growling and snarling eyes clamped shut trying to glow with molten heat in unrivaled lust an natural carnal desire instinctual urges fueling his mission. Clark was by all rights claiming you marking you as his very own conquered territory, taking your womb for himself. Fucking his seed into you over and over so that you'd be dripping with it, all but drenching your panties with his cum as you worked along side him your ex. His hand flexed and he eyed you still egging you on forcing you to climb higher, faster. He growled again pulling your hair taught in his fist trying to ease his quivering muscles. It was hard, so very hard not to just rut you into passing out again. But even then he knew he'd make this last he moaned low tucking his chin to his chest finally releasing your hair with a light push forward making you slump limp over the counter he'd pinned you to. For a second he thought you had passed out and huffed a breath growling, no he wanted you awake, wanted you with him. "You best not be sleeping woman!" he grunted watching you through half lidded eyes. He moved his other hand off you he was getting carried away and had to hold somewhere he couldn't risk hurting you. He quickly withdrew the hand from your ass and dug his fingertips into the edge of the marble alongside your displayed hips. Thighs held wide by his own form the slowed a little and leant down giving a reasonably gentle bite making you grunt crying at the pain he cause. Good you were still with him, at the realization he stood tall and began becoming rougher brutalizing your walls forcing you to yelp a sweet sound and beg him for more. "Pl-PLEASE CLARK-OH OHGO-AH! I'M NOT-I'M HERE I'M HERE PLEASE BABY FUCK ME!" You cried in surprise as he began getting faster and harder snarling across your back as the stone gave under his grip small finger sized dents surrounded by tiny fissures in the black worktop where his fingers sat. You cried again as he roared across your back chasing what was with any luck his final load for the morning. He'd been at this for a while now...Hours in fact, each time you thought he was finished and empty you tried to move away and get on with your day. Clark hadn't let you get more then six foot away on wobbly legs before he was on you again twisting your body pulling at your tired limbs before making your body his home again. So far you'd been taken on the bed twice, Ruined your fluffy rug in the bedroom, pounded against the door and obscenely ravished on sideboard in the hall; which was your personal favorite of the day it had been interesting with the mirror. Your labored pants and moans fogging the glass distorting the image as his held you still on your knees, splayed on the wood one huge sweaty palm holding your petals open the other around your throat forcing you to watch as his cock nestled itself inside your body until you'd ...You'd commented after between heavy pants that it had been the sexiest thing you'd ever seen... Which prompted him to then follow you into the kitchen~. You'd intended to make a coffee and relax but Clark was on a mission driven by a overwhelming need to mark you, claim you and fill you before The Avengers got here. At this point you were sure Clark wanted to drown you in the scent of his cum to an extent that even a human like Tony could smell it...You wasn't against it but you really had to be able to walk in a straight line today and Clark was slowly stealing that from you one delightful thrust at a time. You grunted as he pulled back from you as he got close you tipped your head back an wept you were exhausted! But he was not. Huffing a laugh he eyed the sweat on your back the drops trickling down your sides, your skin flush and glistening. You whined at the loss of him when you were both so close so much so you arched back trying to spear yourself back onto him. He growled lightly slapping your damp cheek as a warning. "Ah ah naughty~ When did you think that was going to happen? Hmm? Such a greedy little thing aren't you love~ so hungry for my cock you'd chase me down" he teased giving your other cheek a light slap turning it pink. He grinned wide at the desperate mewls and whines escaping you as you wriggles trying to entice him. He loved this, that even as tender and tired as you were you were still so eager to chase him for his cock, desperate to be seated on him and let him ride you into euphoria. He shook his head for a human you kept up pretty well, he would take some credit for that though after all it was his libido that was pushing your stamina. "Please! Please don't just-you can't...Clark please don't leave me like this~ fuck me make me cum I want you to cum in me again please let me make you cum again!" He let out a laugh and smoothed over your ass pretending to think before lightly tapped your the two round globes you were teasingly shaking before him. He leant down making you gasp as he places a sloppy kiss on one cheek before biting at it making you arch. "Oh alright since you asked so nicely~ Come on up...Ass up~" he muttered into your plump flesh sounding very chipper and relaxed for a man who'd all but fucked the life out of you this morning you swear to god you saw you dead grandma in the mirror earlier. You whined coughing catching your breath torn between wanting to take a breather but also needing his cock to fill you one final time at least! He was already placing your knees on the side of the marble under you ass slipping between them ankles positioned so your dainty feet were framing the ass he loved so much like a pretty picture. He tugged you back a little hanging your ass and dripping cunt just over the edge and without so much as a 'good girl' he was rutting up into you again. You arched hand now gripping the mixer tap in a white knuckle grip as he moved faster grunting and moaning. "Ah! Fuck CLARK?! PLEASE-PLE~OH! fuck~ I cant take much mooore~ AH AH AHUUGH! NO I CLARK FUCK SAKE-I CANT!?" You cried out as he moved forward pressing himself over your back a feat he only achieved due to his unfair height. You cried out as the climax that had been ebbing away now returned full force bubbling in your loins a torrent of lust threatening to overflow as his balls struck your stinging over sensitive clit. You cried out to immersed in the sensation that was just him!. You arched back up one hand pressing you up so you could try and bounce with the mans frantic motions chasing the high that he had been all but assaulting you with all morning. He grunted hissing and purring all in one as his fingers finding your ponytail again and clenched fisting the hair using it to reign you in tugging you back, your back arching further mouth wide moaning and grunting his other hand grabbed your throat holding just enough to help you move back onto him as he began swelling. "It's so fucking cute watching you try to keep up~ but you know how I feel about you trying to take over woman..." he grunted surprisingly clear as he began rutting deeper now that his hands were all but yanking you back on to his pelvis wet slaps getting louder and lewder as they joined your babbling that echoed the large space. You began gasping out apologies hearing the violence the almost bitter edge to his voice he used rarely in these moments of passion. Clark bottled up all his darkness and irritation and occasionally released it in his fucking. In these rare and coveted moods he demanded submission in the bedroom you were his release in the most beautiful rapturous of ways and if refused? He would raw you until your sobbing. You tried shaking your head crying out as your insides massaged him tighter and tighter as he spoke the delicious threatening words, he scruffed you hand changing to hold the roots of our hair at the base of your scull pushing forward stretching your spine. "You ready? Ready to cry and scream for me?~" his voice a velvet purr over your skin making you cry out breathlessly as his tilted himself back slightly then arch forward fucking you faster then your body should ever be able to physically take. The speed achieved his goal as your climax was almost instant this one wasn't a moan or cry of your lovers name it was a screech, high and echoing in primal plea the loudest roar you could muster without breath. Your clit throbbing and stinging as the nerves made you burn, a blistering heat releasing over him but he wasn't finished quite yet laughing through his deep grunts as your hands clawed as his hand still cupping your throat. Finally a few painstakingly long seconds later he came to an abrupt stop, halting his motion's with a shout, a swear and stuttering pleas of 'oh god yes' embedded a solid ten inches into your cramping heat releasing into your body hissing as his cock wept into your battered swollen cunt. You panted moaning coughing and sobbing tears streaming down your face completely exhausted and boneless panting body desperate to take in the air he had just literally stolen from you. Clark pulled back slipping from you pulling you down into his arms ignoring the way you leaked across his arms with a smile he tipped his head nose ghosting your cheek and peppered kisses across it down to your lips walking to the shower. You whined twisting your head to him eyeing him warily. "Clark no more, please I really cant- its sore stinging and I don't think-" he shushed you with a sweet kiss padding into the bathroom setting you on the sink unable to stop the smug grin as you hissed when your ass hit the cool surface. "I know, I know enough for now~ I just want to clean you up and then we can have breakfast and you can go and teach these so called hero’s a thing or two~ now come on ass in the shower" he explained as he started the power shower setting the temperature to your setting, Clark always had a scorching shower, you'd learned early on not to try and surprise him in the shower lest you be burned. You rolled your eyes and wobbly over to the large glass cubicle.

It was just past ten in the morning when they arrived, Diana greeted them. They were being brought in on a separate pad a few stories up from ground level, a separate garage from Bruce’s. Surprisingly the whole team hadn't shown up like they were expecting. Only seven. Tony, Bruce and Peter of course how could they leave out the protégé. Thor probably because he is technically an alien? Vision for maybe the same reason maybe they thought he could help due to having an infinity stone? Then two that didn't really make sense being here. Steve and Natasha? maybe they just didn't want to be left out...Fomo? The fear of missing out. Diana tried to fight the eye roll as Tony clearly eyed her up and down, it took a lot not to just drop him on the spot. Diana would never hurt a human, but was he? In her eyes he was scum, you had told her a few details that the others hadn't been privvy to. You were drunk and got very loose lipped and mentioned a few thing's you'd done at Tony's insistence even thought you didn't really want to and a few things he had said, hurtful and degrading things. The man tried to make you feel dumb and useless- well not completely he made sure you understood your limited uses. Inexperience had made you naive you'd thought it was dirty talk but once you stood back things became clear. Dirty talk shouldn't leave you a devastated mess and make you want surgery. You were a whore to him, a virgin slut to ruin and use. She had no doubt that if a Clark found out Tony wouldn't survive very long. Clark was a kryptonian a hero the symbol of hope,Superman...But he was still a man and any man worth his salt would fight for his woman's honor. And if he laid into Tony well lets leave that, one there shall we?

"Well if it isn't the woman wonder herself!?" Tony said arms stretched out as he got closer she wondered of you grin on his face was supposed to be charming or not. She smile anyway hey were here for as long as it took to figure out what this thing was, the tensions would be high enough when they saw you she didn't need to add to it. She just hoped Bruce was at least gonna record the meeting on surveillance you had been hearing up for the past week. Winding yourself in a tight ball anxious and biting at the bit, so had Clark Bruce ended up trying to give you the week off as Clark was following you ravishing you all over the tower.

"I thought they'd send Supes out to do the meeting and greeting isn't he your posterboy-" Tony's words were cut short as they all ducked even Thor was unprepared as Clark flew passed diagonally from below cutting through the air fairly slow all things considered. He'd done it so he could make a sound akin to a jet the air wrapped around them  a few seconds after he passed when he was but a dot in the distance as he passed a rumble of the sound followed. They all watched as Clark headed straight up into the air creating a sonic boom as he finally took off full speed through the ozone.

Diana smiled Clark was showing off he'd just been near the top of the tower spending some 'quality time' with you and had taken off from your balcony so he must have dropped down and flew around here to the other side of the building just to put on a show. He wasn't trying to impress them he was trying to warn them. She shook her head no he was trying to warn Tony. To bring home the fact he was a human. Diana eyed him, the billionaire did seem a little paler now.

"Well he just popped out, shall we?" She said turning directing them all into the tower. The visiting team kept looking out for the man of steel as they entered they looked uncomfortable. Good they should be, they'd spent to long letting things go to their head's here they weren't so special. Here they wasn't the strongest or the smartest or the bravest.

"Soo wheres he of to?I thought he was the whole reason we're here? You know the kryptonian tech and all that jazz?" Tony asked keeping up with Diana as she lead them further into the tower towards the designated rooms which would be the Avengers home.

"The sun. And although you have kryptonian tech Superman is not going to be as involved as you might think. We have a specialist here. A human she's an expert and is the only person on the planet who's making breaking trough's the kryptonian technologies." Diana explain vaguely smiled to herself if only they knew. It was Natasha who spoke next.

"He's going to float around the sun? Why?" Diana turned to her tipping her head slightly.

"To relax he has been busy, using up a lot of energy recently so is going to spend a few hours inside the sun. He will be back when everything begins" she explained as she placed her hand on the elevator scanning pad. Letting her enter with everyone. "So your telling me he can go into the sun? Really I mean he doesn't burn up and disintegrate?" Diana shook her head at vision who was looking skeptical

"No it makes him stronger, he says its warm but thats about it"

"So it's true no radiation can hurt him? He truly is impenetrable?" Bruce asked slowly making Diana nod she was getting wary now they w ere getting a bit to much information. Steve could tell she was uncomfortable and changed the subject. "So is the whole league here?" He asked as the elevator climbed a few floors and finally pinged the doors opening again. She smirked they had dorms with two bathrooms to share between them as you had requested.

"Yes the league and titans are here at the moment, this is your floor you'll find everything you need. The security is bio metric and the pads by the door with take scans of your palms when you first put you hand on them don't fight it it will release you when-" Tony scoffed rolling his eyes.

"Bio metric security? Oh I wounder if its as good as mine maybe we could collaborate on that" Diana growled under her breath and quickly smiled.

"I doubt you have the same considering its kryptonian,  just don't fight it sometimes its finicky" and with that she left going to the elevator

"I'll come get you when Superman is back until then please make ourselves at home" she said curtly before directing the elevator up the lab you were going to use.

You sighed padding down the corridor to the lab you'd heard Clark come back from his top up signalling it was time to bite the bullet and go see the team. after breakfast Clark had taken off doing a big swoop of the building in a show of power he said that he 'wanted them to realize who was in charge here' you'd rolled your eyes at him and kissed his cheek. Before he dove off the balcony something that despite knowing he could fly always made your stomach drop. He'd returned a few moments ago and you knew Diana was going to collect your guests and their find. Your flats didn't make a sound on the floor a you entered the elevator. The lab that had been chosen was a lower lab. One you didn't use much but you wanted to keep this project away from your others. You hung your head sighing here we go, the big reveal. You felt sick it was like the last eight and a half months hadn't happened and you were that nervous beaten down woman all over again.

Finally the elevator pinged and you stepped out there they were. Not the whole tea, thank god. They were all talking among themselves and Clark didn't look to pleased he was tense on edge as Tony Steve and Thor tried to kiss ass Peter was just being Peter and standing oblivious looking around the lab. Your lab.

"Y/n great your here!" Clark's head snapped up drawing the attention of Everyone as the man of steel spoke turning to face you smiling.the room fell into a deafening silence as you made your way over to them. Trying to fight a smug grin as your old team shared looks with one another. Tony was the first to react taking a step back face suddenly angry you knew what it was. Jealousy, he envied the fact you were here with the tech he coveted. Thor being the happy dolt he was spread out is arms with a loud booming laugh. "Y/n? Its so good to see you! I thought we'd never cross paths again after you found out Tony was cheating! How have you been?" You smiled at him politely as he turned to Tony. "Look its your Y/n- well not anymore but she's here!!" you watched Clark clench his fists at Thor’s words and Diana sucked in a breath tensing ready to attempt to intervene if he lunged. You eyed Clark warning in your gaze and stepped around Tony he turned slowly following you as you chose to ignore him. "Thank you Thor, Its good to see you to. And I'll admit I didn't think we'd see each other again but you need my help. But I'm doing very well" "Yes we I see that! You look much happier!" He added grinning fro  ear to ear seemingly oblivious to the tension he was creating the big lug was nothing but consistent. The thought made you chuckle and you tipped you head to him then motioned around you. "I am Thor! I really am this place is fantastic I've found my home I just wished I'd accepted this offer sooner" you added twisting the knife watching the others all linger uneasy they were waiting for a blow up but no. You were passed that. You gazed at Tony and you ere happy to say you felt nothing. You'd been worried you'd feel regret? Guilt? You wasn't sure but the anxiety melted when you didn't even feel anything much. Maybe disgust and a little anger but apart from that you were pretty indifferent to him.

"Y/n you? This is where you ran off to? Wow Thor’s right you look...Fuck" You took a breath as he spoke taking a step forward hands in the air eyeing you  biting hos lip a little all previous anger had gone and he was staring. You knew why Tony had been disgraced after you left. It was all over the news Pepper left him and leaked the affair and bastard child. But not your affair? You'd waited for it but nothing you supposed it could have been an apology?  Or a thank you? Gratitude for you letting her know what else had gone on. He was currently single his goody two shoes hero image tarnished and was pretty much blacklisted by women. You tilted your head eyes flicking to Clark who had looked away but hos eyes were still flickering to you, he wanted to tug you out of Tony's reach Clark’s eyes followed the human as he moved forward attempting to kiss your cheek but you dodged gracefully away. You and Clark both agreed you wouldn't reveal your relationship you didn't trust them not to blab you were safer in the long run if they never saw. But it was clear he didn't like Tony trying to get handsy with you, his jaw twitched locking he was gritting his teeth but you shook your head at him subtly then nodded to Tony. "Yes Tony, I was offered a spot here and took it now I'm in charge of all kryptonian technologies. He finds it and I fix it" you said nodding to Clark. As you closed the distance crossing the lab in measured unhurried steps. Tony took a moment to eye you cautiously as you approached him, something was different from the last time he'd seen you, you were confident held yourself different spoke louder held your head higher. He gulped that confidence was something you gained through success. And successes for you could mean trouble for them what if one day he wasn't on top? And you were? Tony never liked being second best. "So what did you bring me?~" You asked with a grin coming to a stop beside him but just out of reach. Tony grit his teeth there was so many things he wanted to say, he wanted to hash things out to argue or talk or something! Not just leave things as they ended. The others just watched on as Tony flicked his eyes to the huge artifact behind him.

"We don't know, its heavy thats why we have Steve, vision Thor and myself here t took all of us to lift it." You cast a quick glance to the case holding his suite by his feet and smirked. Diana had made them carry it in? You saw her share a chuckle with Clark. Couple of sneaky bitches! You couldn't kill the grin tilting your head down trying to hide your amusement. God forbid Tony thinks your laughing at him. You hummed It was huge a metallic gun metal grey oval rounded on all sides a decorative molding on the edge. There was a center embossed ring that was mottled like a mosaic lined that looked deep ran  between the smooth surface. It reminded you of a smaller box Clark had brought you back a few weeks ago it had held books mainly that you were slowly deciphering. But it was also different  it didn't have the same design on the sides, no hidden compartments that came out to unlock it was a sealed unit.

"We thought it could be a transportation ship? Like the thing supes rode in" tony admitted locking eyes with your lover and moved his head side to side a little crossing his arms over his chest Ego clashing much like  it did with Steve at first Tony liked to think himself a big man and didn't like bigger men. "How did you get here by the way? Like was it an accident or you know just dropped as a scout and them your planet mysteriously blew to hell?" The bitchiness took you by surprise but honestly Clark was throwing him daggers with his eyes. You gasped and intercepted what ever words where about to be spat at Tony this could get ugly quickly Clark really didn't like the avengers, Tony in particular so you doubt he’d play nice.

"Its not! Tony I've worked on his ship and its not, this is a lock box of some kind, I've opened a few before but not as big" You did a once over walking around it fingers skimming it ,smooth and cool, metal obviously but in this moment. You tapped it hearing a deep short thunk. It was definitely a box hollow but the metal was thick and is the same as the other artifacts. It was when you got to the back you saw it the damage. Clearly the iron man suit. You growled and eyed Tony. "Whats the fuck? What you couldn't figure it out so you decided to try and smash it? Really?" You growled Tony scoffed shifting on his feet. "I didn't know what it was and I wanted to find out!" He argued you shook your head. "So you smash it!? Your a fucking idiot!" You growled and turned looking aroun d the lab. Vision called out to you pulling your attention away from Tony. "Your sure its a box y/n?" It was the question on everyone's mind you looked at it nodding pressing a palm to it letting the metal cool your skin. "Its definitely a type of lock box, a chest- like I said I've opened them before but smaller and not at decorative as this...The others were easy to figure out but this one might not be as straight forward..." you turned to Diana with a grimance. "I've got a feeling its going to be similar to our security system so need to run some tests if it is DNA specific activation then its gonna take a few days to override it and reconfigure...Maybe a week?" "I need it over there, gonna scan it-" "Don’t you think we already did that? can't see through what ever metal that is" To your surprise the snippy reply came from Banner you rolled your eyes god give you strength. It would seem your new position hadn’t just got up Tony's nose. "Let me guess you tried x-ray? And ultrasound? Trying to peek inside?" He nodded pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose looking smug. You growled and gave a sardonic grin.. "Well I'm not trying to look inside, I'm going to figure out what metal it is, depending on the percentage of certain metals i can decipher a date with that date I can figure out what corresponding system would have been used at that time to seal it and what it could possibly be. If thats alright with you Dr Banner" You explained slowly like speaking to a child shutting him up very quickly. "I doubt it, it doesn't match any known elements on ours" you hung your head at Tony's egotistical comment he really thought his lab as the be all and end all, that there wasn’t anyone on earth who could possibly know more then him. "Well your not an expert on it are you Tony? No your not thats why you've come here asking for my help because I am and I have the tools and the knowledge to open it" you said Clark and Diana chuckled as you managed to shoot down the two scientists who were now pouting like children. You spun eyeing the rest of your esteemed guests. "Any other snippy comments? No? Good! Now I need it over there so I can run our database" you nodded to a small platform near your equipment...It might just fit hang off the edge a little but thats fine. The 'hired muscle' all moved to the large heavy object but your Clark beat them to it lifting it with one hand bicep not even bulging as he held it delicately. You smirked shaking your head he was showing off proving his strength to make the others wary. And it was working each of your guests began to pale eyeing on another as Clark set it down onto the platform. He grinned deciding to add insult to injury as when he began inching away he noticed it was crooked and moved it centering it with his foot, barely grazing it with the side of his toe. You sighed sealing a glance at the group now all very aware who was the real muscle in the room. You couldn't help the burst of pride in your chest at how he had showed up the worlds 'mightiest heros' you grinned thats your man! Diana even rolled her eyes at his antics. "And that would be why I love having you around the lab Supes I appreciate your help " he smiled at you over the top of the oval dome and walked around standing beside you. "So I'm just convenient? A useful tool? I'm hurt" he said placing a hand to his heart you rolled your eyes at him as he stepped away from the platform walking to wards you standing beside you looking down with a smirk. Oh he knew what he was doing. "Well you do make yourself useful occasionally~" you teased back a little banter still wary of the multiple eyes he laughed and watched you move to a control panel you cast a glance over the artifact. "Right lets get the show on the road!"

You moved about unhurriedly Banner and Peter were helping you stabilize the artifact that had affectionately become known as the pod. You were close to opening it after getting the DNA scanning mechanism off the psycho kill bot that had attacked Barbra you'd identified that to Tony's annoyance you were correct the pod was locked tight using a DNA bio metric system similar to the tower but older. Luckily with the new scanner you were able to see that a sample of kryptonian blood to cross examine and match. Working on the bot you'd finally found a way to change the 'user' as it were. You could give Clark access to it which Bruce had taken care of it in the bat cave drawing blood with a specially designed kryptonite needle that he had to hand for some reason? Konner and Jon had got bloods done to so you had a decent amount on hand the pod held around fifteen milliliters of sample DNA and the security system only ever drew one or two drops so a few vials wouldn't go amiss. The last week had been tense Tony had barely said two words to you. The one time he did try to speak was two days ago he ha cornered you in a quiet corner of the lab. You'd been sitting soldering making a connection to be able to effectively 'plug in' the scanner so you could switch the accepted DNA with Clark's and open the pod.

"So? You really left us to come here...Left me for this?" You stopped soldering he really was determined to do this? You tipped your head to him as he sat next to you.

"Yes Tony, it beats being a secretary or fuck toy" you bit out not trying hide any of your bitterness. He rolled his eyes at that leaning back crossing his arms.

"Oh come on like it was that bad you loved it~"

"Yes Tony every woman like being treated like a whore, fucked and left alone on the bed minuets after.." you grit out at him the anger coming back in waves at his blasé tone. He waved a hand about

"I mean come on it was fun while it lasted" he said offhandedly smirking at you then bit his lip eying your chest, one of the few things he praised you for your bust was a little larger then usual for a woman of your frame. You folded your arms over your breasts crushing them hiding them from him frowning you began to speak. "You have no idea do you? Tony you lied to me, lead me on just to stop me from being better then you! To stop me from proving you wrong and making you look bad! What part of that was fun!?" You asked shaking your head voice slowly raising as you began getting really irritated anger flickering in your eyes. "Don't you miss it? The sex I mean...I doubt you get many offers here but the  again I can spy a little love bite peeking right here, but come on I've been here nearly a week and no boyfriend so obliviously a one night stand" he eyed your shirt collar and you growled at him. He looked around the lab then slowly drew his gaze to your eyes. "Look have you ever thought about coming back? Its not to late, we can try again. This time be in the lab with me we can do great things if we collaborate-" you cut him of with a loud laugh and shook your head at him, he was confused watching as you continued giggling. "Really? That’s gonna be your fucking play? You are un-fucking-belivable you know that? Let me make this clear to you despite what you think Tony you are not that important and you didn't leave that much of an impression on me. I'm not nor will I ever be coming back Tony and I am never ever ever going to sleep with you again" you stated bluntly you carried on chuckling at him, he looked so offended nose scrunching making him look old. You shook your head , how the fuck had you ever thought he was the sexiest man on earth? You wanted to go back and bitch slap some sense into yourself. "Yet your fucking someone here whats the difference? Come back to us, to me I can give you everything you've ever wanted-" he argued getting snippy with you lashing out because he wasn't getting his way, you wasn't falling for the charm and sweet talk. You had gotten stronger without him and he couldn't resent it he had held you down for nearly two years and now here you were better, smarted more confident in only eight months. "Ha! What? For a price? Let me guess my research? My projects and knowledge, it must really get you that I'm here day in day out with tech you'll never get our hands on or ever understand. That I'm here doing it alone without you. Tell me how much does it get you that your not needed by yet another person? That I walked away" you hissed at him leaving him speechless you'd never been like that before. He gulped and tried to find words but couldn't under your intense gaze. "I'm not coming back you played the game and you lost Tony you lost bad now try not to get in my way for the rest of your stay...Oh and for your information Tony these bites? Not a one night stand my boyfriend gave them to me" with that you turned back to your work ignoring him after a few moments he got the message and left you smiled as he sauntered off you'd touched a nerve. Good!

From then he had avoided talking to you instead he watched eyeing you from his desk and Banner had been the one to mediate the tense conversation's that did take place. The others had left not able to endure the dorms and sharing facilities they were used to the cushy life in their 'golden tower'. So it was just the three stooges Tony, Banner and your replacement Peter. You didn't hate the kid but it stung he was the smartest idiot you knew...Except for Tony Your anxiety was mounting over what was inside the pod you'd been reading through the documents and hings were pointing into a grim direction. This particular pod was from around the forties and you suspected there was a weapon inside. A particular blade has been mentioned in a few books made of a super dense metal that can penetrate kryptonian flesh. Kryptium. And you wasn't sure what to do, if it was it was staying here fuck the avengers that was something that could potentially kill your boyfriend and adoptive sons. You'd kept this to yourself not even mentioning it to Clark or Diana. You wanted to wait and see. Currently you, Peter and Banner were going to move it upright you'd been laying it on it's side all this time! You were pulling out another little bit of tech you'd tweaked from another experiment courtesy of Clark and Bruce. Vaxxium. An anti gravity generator from a kryptonian outpost they'd needed it for the ridiculously heavy gravity on the planet they'd been scouting. Bruce had already tinkered with it before you got here but you'd perfected it you can alter the gravity in the lab or just a specific closed off area. Such as the platform   Tony was watching from the sidelines he was being a child today knowing his time was coming to an end he'd tried to hack into your system and just as you'd asked Victor had piled his system with maleware, adware, worms trojons the lot. It had been a laugh watching him as he realized his phone, tablet, laptop and a suit had all been affected, victore he’d even fucked with FRIDAY and she was glitching the fuck out. Tony couldn't say anything either trying to keep his little espionage silent but Victor had told you through your comms. You looked over to your other guests Jason, Tim and Damien were all here watching the bat boys were always around you when Clark,Konner and Jon wasn't about you couldn't help thinking that wasn't a coincidence. Currently your superboys were saving people from a devastating hurricane the Caribbean they'd been there for a few days hanging around to help even as the storm was dieing down. "Right Peter step back if you could spin us a web and gently pull it to the center" the boy smiled nodding you gave a count down and activated the vaxxium letting the extremely heavy pod now be the weight of a few hundred pounds. Peter pulled it slowly until it was in position. Then you flicked off the anti gravity and the pod creaked with a rattle as it settled standing up right thanks to Peters webs. You smiled thanking him making his face light up in a grin. You could see his appeal it was  just happy to be involved. "Sooo let me get this straight? He gets to go around town throwing his sticky white strings all over the place and its fine, when I do it its InApPrOpRiAtE" you hung your head rubbing the bridge of our nose as Jason's comment caused childish chuckles from his younger brothers even Tony snorted despite his bad mood. "Boys behave or leave- Red hood do not scoff at me young man! you want to be here on cleaning duty tomorrow? No I thought not." You warned making Jason flinch he hated cleaning it was dull and with the likes of Clark about to check his work it was never clean enough. You shook your head and turned pulling out the small vial of Clark's blood you'd kept it on you not letting it off your person since being handed it. You walked to the small camouflaged opening for new samples once you'd connected the scanner a small section had morphed into a tiny funnel type hole. You hesitated getting a bad feeling. Dread heavy in your tummy like a steel weight rolling around a heavy cold sickening feeling. "Whats up? Do it, it wont open till he's back but this way we can see if it takes" Banner added. You faltered technically he was right and the sooner this was done the sooner you were rid of Tony you flicked your eyes to the surveillance camera in the corner you knew Bruce and victor were watching you nodded to them. "Boys out" you said eyeing the bat boys who were still sitting waiting watching and guarding like a couple of guard-pups. They all moved shrugging and complaining. "But Y/n we're here incase-" you held up a hand stopping their protests and pointed to the door giving them a mum look. "No buts out I'm not risking you now go wait outside you to Peter" you announced not giving any room for arguments you hear a few mumbles as they all got up off their asses. "Why me I can just?" You fixed Peter with a look and he quickly flinched. "Now!" you watched as they huffed stomping out of the lab and Bruce quickly locked the room down, the only way to get out was you scanning your palm to pull out of lock down it was protocol you wasn't sure.

The process didn't take long it was a plug in and play just how you wanted it nice and simple. You fist pumped as your cables fit together connecting the two bits of tech Everything was going smoothly until there was a voice. "El DNA accepted" then a hissing sifting noise followed by a shuck sound. You froze as the pod opened revealing a weapon held center in the pod. Fuck. Tony and Banner eyed you confused it shouldn't had opened without Clark here. "How did it?" You shook your head at Banner cutting off his questioning trying to play it off as a fluke but no. "I don't...Maybe it was because of the change? It assumed he was here?" You wasn't going to say you were the cause. You frowned at the pod in the rush you'd forgot about the tiny fact that this thing could sense Clark's residue. You and Clark had been at it every morning this week. He was a determined to have you overflowing with him as you spent the days around your ex. You looked to the now open pod and your world stopped. No. Please god no. Banner moved from behind the console and Tony turned approaching slowly. Terror gripped at you as you eyed the sword. It was as you'd feared. Kryptium. It was the only thing weapons like that were made of on krypton used for execution's and very rare. Tony began throwing a fit he kicked a chair in rage as he eyed the sword.

"What is it y/n? Your heart spiked you know what it is?" You swallowed dryly and spoke quietly into your comms answering Victor. "Deadly...To Clark the only other thing.." you trailed of in a hushed tone hearing them gasp and panic as they understood Bruce was quick to answer see you begin to freeze panic setting in at the thought of something else deadly to Clark was here in the lab it made your stomach tie in knots. "Open the door Y/n let us in, we wont let them take it I will put it with the kryptonite, we can't get in you need to unlock it!" you nodded slow trying to edge your way to the door but stopped when Banner called out to you. "Hey any ideas? You look a little worried....Should we be?" You stopped your slow walk and placed a smile on your face. And waved then off as you now had their full attention you looked to the sword then Banner and finally your eyes rested on Tony who was about to throw a fit. "No no its- I'm not worried, just surprised I've read about it, these were ceremonial! Like high military badges of honor! That’s all...Highly prized on krypton but pretty useless" you said trying to be convincing. If you could convince them it was nothing of real value, just sentimental to the owner maybe they'd leave it here without a fuss? Tony eyed you and growled getting angry. "A sword? All that for a sword?! Not a gun or laser beam or or some incredible tech...A fucking sword!?" You walked towards it feeling sick. This was not good. And it wasn't leaving this tower. Banner eyed you then Tony. "Its still a weapon Tony, kryptonian maybe a new metal? Could be like vibranium?" He prodded making to move closer to it. You flinched almost lunging for it you fought yourself. They can't know, they cant find out. "...But a sword Banner? What the fuck!? We can't use it or or anything! None of us use fucking shit like that! The most advanced race and they gave us a fucking sword!" Tony shouted as he paced he was pissed this had not been what he wanted. He wanted technology breakthrough's or nuclear grade weapons. "Its a weapon Tony...Deadly the kryptonian's wouldn't have made it or locked it up if it was dangerous" you cursed Banner as you watched the reality hit Tony. It could harm kryptonian's? Could harm him could be his little saving grace, the card up his sleeve for when the Justice League overstepped their boundaries. It was a weakness to the most powerful being on the planet and Tony wanted it, he wanted that power to threaten the strongest thing on the planet. Tony stood tall and smiled suddenly happy he now had leverage.

"Right then, well thank you Y/n for opening it but we best be on our way- l want this sword wrapped up and we can go home" you ran in front of Tony stopping him in his tracks glaring. You could hear the panic in the other leagues voice as they shouted for you to get to the door and let them deal with it but it was to late. "No! Tony your not taking it!" Tony scoffed and moved to walk around you but you blocked him he folded his arms scowling down at you his eyes sharp and stern. He didn't like being told no. "Y/n come on out the way-" you shook your head remaining still in front of him eyes fixed on him. You were serious trying to act tough but inside you were cowering shaking you had to keep this here, you had to protect them, protect your boys. "No! Your not having it, the sword stays here" you retorted arguing you were not letting Tony have it, if he had it he'd use it on a whim or whenever the government told him to. It only needed one paranoid person To give the order and if Clark killed Tony defending himself? It would be chaos! Superman killing Iron man it would be a battle of the century Avengers vs the League. "Get out of the way...Why do you?- you know what it really is! Your holding out on us!" you stood your ground Tony gained on you smirking and grabbed your arms making you yelp and wince. "What is it? Huh come on love don't go all shy now~ It can hurt him cant it? Can kill him!?" You yipped and kicked at him as he shook you. Trying to get answers but you wasn't going to take the bait you vaguely saw Banner look lost he was unsure whether to intervene. You struggled against his hold hissing as he dug his fingers into your arms. "I don't know what your talking about!" You spat at him making him angry he growled in his throat then pushing you back trying to get you out of his way. "You don't have to say it sweetheart Your an open book you forget I know you, Fucked you! You can't hid from me it will kill him and I'm having it" you jumped up roaring at him hitting out in rage and lunged forward pressing him back a step. "No your fucking not!" It soon became a scuffle as you tried to match him trying to use your weight to knock him back. Tony may not be a super solider or type of meta-human but he was a strong man and much larger than you. He outmatched you quickly shoving you harshly out of the way. But in doing so you fell over your scrabbled back your hand clawing at the pod willing it to close praying that it recognized you again. It worked by some miracle the pod locked it again. Once it was shut you rolled away into a run but Tony turned on you sneering chasing and capturing you.

He hoisted you up off the floor and turned dragging you back you kicked a failed about shouting at him. But he continued dragging you back to it. "Why do you have to fuck around so much open it!- Open it...Open the fucking thing!" You grunted as he pushed you towards it clearly losing his patience you hissed catching yourself palms touching either side of the opening of the pod you willed it to remain shut. After a few seconds you realized somehow it knew what you wanted and you shook your head turning to face him. "No fuck you" you growled moved a few steps back from the pod it was closed and it was staying shut. Tony panted glaring and pointed to it moving forward threateningly. "We brought it here its ours! Now just- look sweetheart we can do this all day or you can be reasonable and open it either way I'm taking it" he said still stepping towards you. You laughed at him "You really think your gonna get out of here with that? That the league is gonna let you just waltz right out the door with it? Fuck no! Tony we can't trust you with something like that! Your reckless!" He scoffed and pointed to himself "Oh I cant be trusted? Yet you can clearly bias if you had to use it you fucking wouldn’t do it! At least we would, I would!" He admonished trying to justify his need for the sword trying to twist this with the whole 'its for the greater good' an excuse he'd come to use often to cover up his own selfish desires. "Why? Fame the glory of killing him!? Haven't you killed enough!? For fuck sake for a man who doesn't make military weapons anymore you still manage to kill thousands each year!" You screamed at him finally letting it your true thoughts. It was time someone had the guts to tell him some home truths. He growled standing almost chest to chest with you shouting back down at you now in a full blown screaming match with you. "Collateral! The numbers never out weigh the good we do!! The fucking lives I save!!" His words were clear. He didn't give a shit it was about the payoff, the glory and the publicity nothing more if people died to bad! He liked being the big guy! All powerful ironman! It made you sick to your stomach that he could be so black and white over this, so very blunt and callous over lives effectively sacrificed  for his ego. "The numbers are lives Tony! Human lives with families and jobs ambitions! And they die needlessly because you want to prove yourself a hero?! To et and ego boost whilst looking like the good guy?!" Tony twitched at your comment shoulder tensing as you dint back down he didn't like it. He never liked being challenged least of all buy a woman. "Oh and fucking the league don't?" You scoffed at him stepping closer getting in his face you wasn't scared of Tony, you couldn't let him think you were. You spoke in a lower tone still firm but no longer shouting "No they don't need to prove it Tony...They aren't like you, you think your a hero? No! Your just a war monger who doesn’t want to share anymore" that seemed to be the last straw as Tony without thinking struck you across your cheek. You yelped going down the impact was hard enough to knock you off your feet tumbling down the few steps of the platform. There was a beat of silence then all hell broke loose you barely heard the screams of 'Clark don't!' In your ear piece that was luckily in your other ear. Before you could even register the pain in your cheek there was a huge deafening sound coupled with a roar of outrage and Tony was no longer standing in front of you. Or behind you in fact you couldn't see him. All you could see was red, the famous red cape flowing in front of you.

Clark. He had heard Tony slap you, seen it from above the room and had tore through the building to get to you. And he was seeing red literally the glow showed his absolute fury his frame was rigid and trembling. His breath was heavy pants growls in his throat echoed throughout the room with each exhale. He was a predator watching his chosen prey, gaze locking onto the human who'd struck his woman. "Put your hands on my woman again I dare you" you blinked up at Clark you'd never heard him like this before it was actually quite frightening. You took a shaky breath and sat up slowly tucking your leg to the side leaning on one hand the other smoothing over your smarting cheek you pulled away seeing blood from your mouth and dabbing again you realized it was from your nose and mouth. You whined drawing Clark’s attention his red gaze appraised you looking for damage. His eyes spotted the blood and he snarled looking to Tony who you'd realized had been punted across the lab and was winded and hurt wheezing as he got up off the floor. "Your woman? What he's your boyfriend?! You could of fucking warned me!" You looked from Tony to Clark and back again feeling much better yet much much worse as Clark began gaining on a clearly injured Tony. "What?! you mean you wouldn't have fucking hit me if you knew?! you fucking coward!!" Tony growled at you angrily and moved trying to call a suit gearing up for a fight he had been hankering for. But Clark was faster swooping across the room collecting it and crushing it with his bare hands. It was only then that Tony realized how fucked he was. The man loved to believe that he was invincible with his suit and Clark had just crushed it with his bare hands. "Y/n call him off- just stop him ugh!-" Clark sped to Tony clutching him by the throat hoisting him off the floor to eye level. The red glow dimmed to an orange then brighter he was warning him, Clark wouldn't really do it...You think? Honestly you wasn't sure no one had ever hit you before in front of him you knew he was protective and a gentle man he was dead set against hitting women at any level so seeing another man put his hands on you in anger had really triggered him...Clark was a good few inches taller, another thing that had irritated Tony. The billionaire was terrified legs flailing about trying to get away from the enraged kryptonian. "You made her bleed...Should I return the favor?" You gasped that did not sound like your Clark it was then you started to panic yourself and slowly began dragging yourself from the floor. "So high and mighty an ego of which I've never seen before...Full of yourself and you believe that you are untouchable...Unbreakable and indestructible but without the suit you are weak...With the suit? Still weak pathetic" You gasped this was going to end badly. Clark would regret anything he did Tony in the long run. You managed to quickly stagger beside him pressing your hands to his chest. Clark offered you a glance and his gaze softened then he focused n your cheek. It was pink and beginning to swell. With a growl he turned back to Tony who was still hanging there his hands trying to claw at the grip on his neck eyes wide and panicked. You moved ducking under the arm holding Tony smoothing your hands up Clark's abdomen and chest pleading with him as you did trying to Calm him down. "No! No please don't you'll regret it please....Please Clark look at me...Please just put him down-" your pleading was cut off as Clark's lips tore back in a snarl and his chest vibrated under a spine chilling growl. A truly deep primal sound that you felt more the  heard he spoke in the same angry voice eyes still blazing locked onto his target. "He hit you I cant let him get away with it!" You faltered feeling a little put on the spot. But shook your head and slid your hands to rest at his shoulders trying to massage the muscle wanting to ease him out of his temper as quickly as possible but you didn't know how, this hadn't happened before. "And you've terrified him! Please love...Please drop him its offer he will go- let them go, it's done please for me don't do it!" Clark halted moving to cup your injured face taking a few breaths you nuzzled into his palm releasing a sigh. Trying desperately to calm him but he was still shaking with rage. Then there was a thud Clark had dropped Tony into a heap on the floor. Just as you were swept up one arm around your waist and twisted followed by another loud smash and a deep groan. You blinked catching up with what happened Clark had one palm lightly extended and the hulk was now in the hall having been 'gently' pushed into the door tearing right through it. You moved pressing a kiss to Clark's cheek making him take a deep breath. "Leave take your friends and go back to new york Tony stay there and stay out of the Leagues way or you'll answer to me and Y/n wont be there to save you" you trembled at Clark's voice it was cold and made you shiver in dread. Clark would kill him, he was going to kill Tony because of a slap? It was a lot to take in. Tony slowly and carefully got up and with one last frightened look he slowly walked to the crater keeping his eyes on the man of steel who was wrapped around you shooting daggers at him. Tony had lost the game but this time he admitted defeat Clark hadn't even hit him but Tony knew, he could see it in his eyes he wanted to the only thing that kept him alive was you. Because if Superman had hit him he would have been dead. There’s no two ways about it and it scared him. His suit couldn't save him this time, he tech was nowhere to be found. And for the first time in a long time he was just a regular man, not a billionaire or a hero or even a genius. He was a human who'd angered a god, a true god not an asgaurdian. A living breathing, planet throwing, sun destroying god and the realization terrified him.

That was the last you heard from any of the avengers, you had expected them to come back but it would seem Clark really had shook Tony with his display so they stayed away. They didn't even fly the quin jet's over 'League territory' anymore Clark had warned them and they had listened and you were glad. The sword was now locked up tight with the kryptonite which was a relief. It was a few days later Clark sat you down to talk and what he had to say was...Sweet he said he was sorry for making two holes in your lab and he would help with any repairs which you waved off. Honestly you didn't really care it was a temporary lab, if it had been the one upstairs? Well you'd be kicking ass. He also got upset he was worried that he'd lost control like that. He admitted he wanted to kill Tony, for the first time in his life his temper had gotten the best of him and it frightened him. He nearly killed out of vengeance. An eye for an eye, you carve out mine? I'll carve out yours. That wasn't usually him and it got to him. He said he just couldn't get past the rage, you'd been hit and he just saw red. You'd managed to talk him down help him through the nasty guilt and all the 'could have been’s' explaining that it was normal to be angry about it but nothing had happened so there wasn't nothing to feel guilty about. After a few days of reassurance from the whole team you were happy to announce he seemed to let it go. You did to it was weird but after everything that happened you felt better for it. Like the week with Tony and final argument had been closure? Everything you'd wanted to say had finally been said and you were right thats why he hit you. It was to close to home, to raw. The truth hurts. You laid back on the bed Clark wrapped around you he was sleeping soundly for once tucking you tight against him.  You moved stretching eyeing your new ring. It was just over a month after the incident Clark had popped the question apparently the week with you working with Tony had incited fears of you leaving, he thought you'd run of with Tony. Idiot. He couldn't stop them so had decided to take the plunge. Apparently the League all knew and were asking him each time they saw him if he found the ring yet after two solid weeks of excitement and Barry nearly blabbing twice.  Bruce put his foot down and had Clark and the two boys go see a jewellery. They wasn't allowed to talk numbers just design a ring. Konner and Jon had helped him find a design it and three weeks later It was done a white gold diamond Cartier custom engagement ring. And to tell the truth Clark hadn't been that romantic he asked during sex. Oh yes your boyfriend had asked you to marry him in the middle of rawing you ,he'd done the unthinkable growling out through his brutal thrusts that 'for once I want to be selfish and take what I want' you didn't understand what he meant...You couldn't really think past the cock you were being impaled on he had crouched over your withering form for head on yours and asked...Well not really he just panted 'be mine!' You grunted and must have answered him during another orgasm because next thing you know you'd come down from your high panting and there was a Stunning ring on your finger. Apparently that was his round about way of asking you to marry him. He was unbelievable in the best way you wasn't even mad at him you couldn't when he had explained blushing it was his way of making sure you said yes and there was no take back's. The wedding was in a few months Bruce was adamant that you have everything you want a fairy tale wedding surprisingly the Big bad bat of Gotham was a soft touch. You giggled snuggling deeper into Clark's chest taking a deep breath as he pulled you tighter cradleing you to him in his sleep. You were finally happy and free to be yourself. Your life had changed dramatically but you wouldn't have it any other way. You thought getting your job here was the start of your life. But no this was right here in the arms of your fiancé looking to the future. This was your new beginning.