#ohhhhhhh man i need to edge now

[fagbfcore]

my partner soothing me as they do my t shot bc needles still make me anxious. telling me "that's right baby, easy now" and "baby if you be good and stop squirming now i'll make you squirm even more when we're done here i promise" and "oh you're doing such a good job baby" and "oh what a good boy my gorgeous boy is doing so well for me" throughout the process and feeling me melt into ease.

and when they're done, they continue to praise me, running hands across my body, kissing my neck, undressing me slowly as they whisper "you did so well, my love" and "oh you deserve a reward for being such a good boy" and "god it feels so good to have you squirming in my hands like this baby" for so long until im wet without my aching cunt even being touched. them knowing that the combination of the praise and teasing and t slowly increasing my libido is driving me insane, so after grazing my tdick and soaking cunt through my briefs until im whining and begging, they finally take it off, proceeding to suck me off and lap up my dripping pussy, not stopping even im shaking and crying through orgasm after orgasm

[anotheronechicagobog]

Matt helping pregnant Sylvie through her pregnancy HC

Matt has wanted to be a dad for years

It didn't work out with Hallie or Gabby so he was afraid it might never happen

But then, he and Sylvie get together, and get married after dating for a year, and eight months after their wedding day Sylvie greets him home from a construction site with a smile and a positive pregnancy test

He is ECSTATIC

He spends the next weeks until they can announce it on cloud nine (Kelly knows that something is up but just thinks he's getting great sex)

But at the same time... It's also completely panic inducing

Their job is dangerous, and since patients are unpredictable Sylvie's job is arguably more dangerous than his (she's been held at gunpoint far more than he'd like to acknowledge)

So he's on edge every time they're on shift, he's so mind numbingly happy, but he's so, so worried

They responded to a nasty multiple car pile up as a house, Casey had just finished helping free a family from their vehicle when he looked over to where Sylvie was treating the drunk jackass that had started this whole mess, she was trying to give him an IV and get him to stay seated on the gurney, Matt had turned to look at her just in time for this guy to punch her

Matt saw red

Sylvie fell flat on her back and cried out in pain

Matt was so thankful that Severide acted at the same time, so he was able to run straight to Sylvie

'Sylvie are you okay?!'

'I'm fine'

'You got hit hard and fell on your back, you could have a concussion... You could have miscarried! We need to get you to med now!'

Matt was so focused on getting Sylvie into an ambulance that he didn't realize he'd revealed their secret three weeks before they planned

This isn't pointed out to him until after Manning completed Sylvie's ultrasound and told them both she and the baby was just fine, but they were still going to need to wait for her CT results

'Uh... Matt, we should probably talk about what happened at the scene'

'Yes, yes, you're right. I freaked out, and I know that we try to be as professional as possible on the job, but I'm sure that everyone understands-'

'No, Matt, not about that. You revealed my pregnancy to the whole firehouse'

'Ohhhhhhh... Shiiiit. I'm sorry.'

'Dont worry about it. But you get to go tell them we're both alright'

'Fair enough'

So after Sylvie's CT came back clear, Matt took a deep breath and walked into the waiting room where the entire firehouse was waiting

'Sylvie's fine, everyone. Her CT came back clean'

Severide stood up, 'And the baby?'

'The baby's fine, they're both fine'

Cheers erupted, startling the charge nurse

The happy couple received congratulations from everyone they knew for the next week

Sylvie's morning sickness is okay, always happens in the afternoon around 4:15, but other than that she's okay, still Matt has taken to keeping a stash of ginger ale and saltines in his locker, as well as packs of all the cookies and chips that Sylvie craves

He makes all her favourite foods whenever he can

He always asks for extra ultrasound pics at the doctor's office so that he can put one up in his locker

When Sylvie hit her second trimester she started to get a lot of joint and muscle pain

Matt went to great lengths to research every muscle/joint soothing cream or method he could find

He also took a maternity massage class, Sylvie was so surprised when he revealed that to her but was so grateful

Her back starts to hurt towards the beginning of the third trimester so Matt searches for two days and goes to multiple stores to find the highest rated pregnancy pillow

The pillow helps so much, that she does more that sleep with it

She starts bringing it out into the living room, sitting on it, cuddling it

Matt knows it's ridiculous, but he's jealous of a pillow

He tries not to let it get to him, but everyone notices

'Dude, it's a pillow. How could you possibly be jealous of a pillow?'

'Severide. Shut it.'

One day Sylvie sighs, grabs the pillow, and a pair of scissors and tells him to cut up the pillow

'What?'

'Me using this pillow us clearly upsetting you, so, here. Go ahead'

'Sylvie, no, I know how much comfort this pillow brings you, I just... I miss holding you'

'Well, want to cuddle now?'

'Always'

Sylvie's third trimester is a doozy, her morning sickness comes back full force and with a vengeance

It's so bad that she has to be prescribed medication

She'd gone off physical work and to desk work in her second trimester just because of how volatile some of her patients were, but she ended up having to go on maternity leave earlier than expected because of how bad her pregnancy symptoms got

He loves her so much, and as they get closer to the due date he starts to worry because Julie died in delivery, what if the same thing happened to Sylvie?

When Sylvie did finally go into labour (early) Matt was being held hostage by an arsonist

Perfect, right?

Matt is rushed to the hospital by officer Atwater, just in time for the birth

They had a beautiful baby girl who they name Andrea Briana, after Andy and Brian, two of their most beloved friends

She smiles just as bright as her mother and has the same twinkle in her eyes as her father and is the light of both their lives

Their baby girl ends up being their first but not only child, as they take in the Darden boys when Griffin seeks him out

It's a little rough at first, but soon enough Andrea has both boys wrapped around her finger

[whosjunglejim4322]

Warnings: vampire!yong, bl**d, pussy eating, graphic depictions of both, biting, soft dom tae, sweetness

"You're sure you're comfortable with this, my love?" Taeyong softly presses a kiss to the inside of your right thigh, his lips so feather light you might not even know they're gracing your skin if it weren't for the icy temperature.

You run your fingers through the front of light hair, more anticipation thrumming through your veins that you'd like to admit; though you know that there's not much physically that you can experience without him knowing even before you do.

"Yes Tae, I'm positive, go ahead. I know you're thirsty."

He swallows, having a bit of a hard time focusing. He is thirsty, and the supply of sustenance from the bank just isn't cutting it anymore. Plus, how could he say no? When you, his little flower, offers yourself so eagerly. So sweetly.

His inticing mouth travels lower, to the inner most portion of your thigh, kissing as sensually as he has been for the past two minutes, trying to make sure this is something you absolutely want.

"You know it'll hurt, hmm bunny?"

You smile to yourself, warmed by his endless list of endearments. You scratch his scalp lightly, his slitted eyes peering up at you through long lashes. His thumbs soothe circles into the softness of your hips.

"Wow, had no idea being bitten by a vampire would hurt, I'm aghast." You exaggerate your lack of surprise, earning an amused, lighthearted chuckle from between your legs as he suddenly nips your skin, the action spiking your heart rate even further.

"Such a smart mouth." His kisses become sloppier, his fingers moving almost imperceptibly towards your crotch, a different type of need beginning to cloud your senses.

You know that he's aware of it as well when he smooths the pad of his thumb over the center of your panties, right over your clit. 

You lightly tilt your hips into his touch, a glistening smile revealing itself from behind his pink lips when you gasp.

"Of course you'd be wet, my brave girl." He coos as he opens his mouth just a little bit wider, finally begins to unsheathe his pearlescent fangs. The sight never seizes to instill you with astonishment, yet sometimes, and naturally, unnecessary hesitancy.

You know that it's innate, the urgency to move away from the sharp pointy teeth that are literally meant to pierce your skin and draw blood; but with Taeyong it's enthralling.

Especially with how he's touching you now, not giving you enough, only the ghost of an actual touch as he so sadistically loves to watch you squirm just a teensy bit.

"Ready?" You can tell he's trying to be as reserved as possible with how hungry he really is for you, so you're willing to give him all the affirmation he needs if it means he'll let himself succumb to his desire.

You scoot your hips closer, his lips gracing the sensitive flesh of your thigh, as you nod. "M'ready Yongie, drink."

The pain is bliding at first, it always is. He's only done this once before but you remember the way it feels when they first go in. The burn. Your fingers grasp the sheets, a warm stream of liquid coating the inside of your thigh where he's latched on.

However, the pain soon after becomes a dull ache as traces of his saliva enter your bloodstream, sending waves of bliss throughout your veins, prompting your muscles to relax under his ministrations.

Perhaps there's more that goes into wanting to be bitten, rather than just catering to your boyfriends needs.

The effects that you reap the benefits of still don't change the fact that he's hesitant to bite you, it's not something he takes lightly when your blood is something that can be so hard to resist once it's on his tongue.

And it's even harder to stop himself when you're whining like you are now, pressing his hand down against your center, urging him to rub your clit while he drinks.

You're unbelievable, and all his. The prospect alone is enough to get him drunk.

However, he loves you enough to not want to drain you, and ignores your cries of defiance when he finally removes his crimson colored fangs from your inner thigh, sticking his soft tongue out to clean the wound as best as he can.

It's rude to waste food.

"You okay? Did I take too much?" He asks while kissing your skin, the heady scent of your arousal making his mouth water despite the fact that he's already gotten a taste of you in a different way.

"No, you can have more you know-can have whatever you want."

His stomach lurches with an awful desire to have you fall apart beneath him, with the way you're peering down at him with such submission, eyes big and begging.

"Can't take more right now sweetheart, but I bet you'd be okay with me putting my mouth somewhere else," his plush lips hover over your panties, still smeared with sticky traces of his meal, strong arms hooked around your thighs.

"Is that right, hmm? Is that what you want?"

You nod before he can finish his sentence, wriggling in his tight grasp. One corner of his mouth twitches upwards as he smirks to himself, lowering his head an inch closer to that he can kitten lick the thin fabric that covers your clit.

A whimper resonantes in the back of your throat, your eyes rolling with hormone induced agitation as you realize he won't do anything until he gets a verbal confirmation.

"Yes, Yongie, pleaseeeeeee."

He smiles widely this time, teeth peeking out from behind his red lips, eyes filled with adoration despite his onyx pupils nearly covering the whole of his irises.

"Sweet baby, gets wet from the nastiest things, huh?" His mocking cadence is sharp with a lustful edge as you watch him with rapt anticipation, his slim and delicate fingers pulling your panties off of your hips, down your legs.

You already knew you were soaked but now it's quite obvious as he presses his cool palms to the inside of your thighs, pushing them apart with as much control he can muster, your arousal gleaming like a prize he's just won.

"Fuck, you really do need my mouth, poor thing."

You feel tears burn the back of your throat with how relieved you are when his lips finally envelop your swollen bud, legs trembling in his hold.

His mouth never ceases to get you unnecessarily worked up, and not just with the way he uses it but because of the things he says as well.

He's never been reserved with you, and certainly not when it comes to giving you pleasure. He's had too many years of experience that never gave him the high that loving you, and pleasing you does, to simply hold himself back from eating you like a man starved; from letting every filthy thought slip past his lips.

It's one of his favorite things to do, so naturally he's nasty with it. The sounds are half the fun, the way he groans against your sex, tongue lapping up every drop of essence that leaks from you.

It's hard to keep any sort of composure, your back arching off of your mattress thighs attempting to close around his head, though his inescapable grip doesn't leave you much of an option.

"Y-Yongie ooohh, feels so-so goooood."

Your fingers are lost in his dishevled hair, his nose pressed against your pubic bone as his soft lips suckle as your clit, tongue merclisless and inhumanely fast. His eyes, fierce and humgry, stay glued to you the entire time.

"Could lick your pussy forever," He spreads your folds open with his thumbs, mouth glistening as he spits onto your cunt, practically growling at the sound of your cries. "Gonna make you cum all over my tongue."

You're not too far away from it, the warmth in your belly soon after becoming sweltering, your skin prickly with heat. He is so good, so greedy as he shakes his head back in forth while he flicks his tongue, hair tickling your belly.

And the way he groans against you, like it's just as pleasurable for him as it is for you. It makes you feel special, almost more so than when he professes that no blood has ever tasted as good as yours. It's knowing that such a beautiful, strong creature is here in between your legs, eager to have you helpless against his mouth.

"O-Oh m'gonna cum! T-Tae ohhhhhhh."

He keeps you torturously still as your body twitches, while he laps at your leaking entrance as if any drop escaping his taste buds would be a crime. You're not sure if you're making noise or not, everything fuzzy as pleasure melts you to the bed.

He keeps your legs open while you ride the waves of your high, slowly and sensually kissing your sex while your heartbeat begins to thrum at a somewhat normal pace in your ears. Still, it's too much to have his mouth still on you.

"Yongiieeee, no more, please." He pouts, but abides by your request as he knows that it's sometimes overwhelming for a human to be overstimulated, especially after an event like being bitten. His heart help but to soften at your fucked out expression.

"Cute baby, you're all whiny and sensitive." He says it with an adoring lilt, crawling his way up from between your legs and gently grasping your jaw between his slim fingers. You're practically jelly at this point, humming as you stare up at him through bleary eyes.

"M'tired, fake sleep with me."

He laughs, knowing that he's gonna have to carry you to the bath and get you washed up. Though, for now, he simply nods his head in response and leans down to peck the tip of your nose, then your forehead.

"Sure, I'll fake sleep with you bunny."

He kisses your lips.

[bnhascribbles]

Jacket Thief (among other things)

Hawks x Reader

Fluff, Flirting, Humor, First kiss; I watched the BNHA movie. I love Hawks. I love his stupid face and his stupid voice. I’m so soft for one (1) bird man.

Words: 1.2K

Warnings: None

You’re not going to be giving his jacket back.

It’s a spur-of-the-moment decision. One you know is totally insane, lacking an ounce of anything even resembling common sense.  After all, this wasn’t the way dates were supposed to go. Definitely not dates with the number two top hero in Japan. Regardless, you don’t think you’ll be able to sleep tonight if you don’t follow through.

You aren't even cold anymore, but you still find yourself tugging the smooth leather tighter over your shoulders.

“You’re either delusional or in denial.” You say, fumbling to find your key fob in your mess of a bag. Your cheeks hurt from the stretch of your grin, an expression you’d been sporting nearly the entire night. “To think that you’d even suggest Endeavor could beat—“

“Not beat,” Keigo interjects, “I believe my exact words were ‘give him a run for his money.’”

You scoff as you press the bit of plastic to the reader and yank open the door.

“You’re acting like All Might wouldn’t absolutely cream him one-on-one. Think about that time they did that publicity match for J-TV! Endeavor didn’t even last 30 seconds before he was knocked flat on his ass.”

Keigo has to curl his wings tight against his sides in order to fit through the doorway. “You do know those things are fake, right?”

“No! You’re telling me the channel that airs ‘Villain Babes and Baddies’ is deceiving me? Say it ain’t so!” You let out an exaggerated wail. The chuckle that your drama earns from Keigo immediately makes the noise complaint you’ll receive from your middle-aged neighbors well worth it.

“Then why’d you bring it up?” He asks.

“Because even J-TV knows that All Might would win! Aren’t you smarter than J-TV?”

“Most days.”

You stop walking and turn to face Keigo, one eyebrow quirked up high and your lips pulled off to one side.

“Some days.” He amends, the edges of his mouth curling upward as he buries his hands in his pockets. “But lapses in judgment can open doors, ya’ know. Never know when a near-collision will lead to a date instead of a lawsuit.”

“Better not talk like that in front of your legal team.”

“They’re used to it.”

You reach your apartment too quickly. You don’t want to unlock your door yet, don’t want to say ‘goodnight’ and watch Keigo walk away. There’s a tense silence as you fiddle with your keys, pretending you can’t find the right one. It’s probably not too convincing, seeing as you only have two to choose from. Still, you’re not sure what other option you have.

“So,” you drawl, lifting your eyes for only a second, still playing your imaginary game of ‘how long can I draw this out for,’ “what’s on tap for mister Wing Hero tomorrow? Anything interesting you can let slip?”

Keigo’s laugh echoes through the dimly lit hallway. Another noise complaint. “Interested in my schedule, are we? Hoping to ‘accidentally’ bump into me on one of my patrols?”

“Or maybe I’m trying to sell your location to some bad guy for a quick buck.” You roll your eyes, leaning back against the plaster wall. “But you know what they say: potato potahto.”

“Ohhhhhhh,” he groans, stretching his arms up behind his head. It’s a struggle keeping yourself from staring at them, the way the muscles tense and relax. “Man, what is it with me and falling for villains.”

You shrug. “We’re pretty charming people if you can tolerate the occasional misdemeanor.”

Another uncomfortable silence cuts into your conversation when Keigo doesn’t say anything, just looks at you with that lopsided, stupidly-handsome grin of his. You wonder if he can hear it—the way your pulse thuds in your ears. Maybe that’s why he looks so self-assured; he knows the effect that something as simple as a smile has on you. As stupid as Hawks pretends to be, you know the truth, know how he notices everything from the twitching in your fingers to the way you shift your weight from foot to foot.

You’ve ambled for too long already. With a heavy sigh, you finally unlock the door.

“Now that my master plan has been foiled, I need time to think up something new.”

“A clever person like you doesn’t have a plan B ready to go?” Keigo quips back.

You turn to face him yet again, leaving the key in the lock. “Just because I have a plan doesn’t mean it’s good. That takes time.” Resting your back on the door, you reach over and put a hand on the handle. “And sleep. As fun as tonight has been, hero, we both have work in the morning.”

“True. You know, early birds catching worms and all that fun stuff.”

Before you can get out a final goodbye though, before you can so much as blink, he takes a step forward. There’s a wicked glint in his eye as he looms over you, so close that you can count the individual strands of hair falling into his face.

“I see you’re starting early,” Keigo says, the sound crawling up from somewhere deep in his chest. He reaches up and grabs the collar of your jacket—his jacket. “Last time I checked, this is mine.”

You’ve got nowhere to run; he’s too close, and you’re not about to send yourself flying backward in a getaway attempt. You wouldn’t want to anyway. It’s all too exciting—being so close after a whole night of jokes and teasing. Playing around was fun, but the fact is you’d been eyeballing each other for hours, waiting for the moment where you could finally be alone, away from prying eyes. You both know it.

“Yeah,” you tilt your chin upward, “and what are you gonna do about it?”

Keigo hesitates.

“What do you want me to do?”

A good question. One you know the answer to, even if the knot in your stomach keeps you from verbalizing it.

Thankfully, you don’t have to. Keigo inches forward and the rest kind of happens on its own. You barely register his fingers curling around your waist or your own hand weaving its way through his hair. There’s a warmth across your face, but you can’t be sure of the cause; was it the blood boiling beneath your skin or was it his breath, warm on your cheeks? It doesn’t matter. His lips, his smile pressed against yours erases any hope of forming a coherent thought. And you don’t care. You don’t care about anything else anymore.

It’s all over too soon. He pulls back and his eyes flutter open—warm like melted caramel, a lingering sunset. You inhale shakily. Keigo does the same.

Words. This was the part where you were supposed to say something endearing. Something to make him want to keep letting you ‘steal’ his jacket, keep him laughing with you like this, wracking up noise complaints like tickets at the world’s most generous arcade.

So many different words form and die on the tip of your tongue before you finally settle on saying “never thought I’d ever let an Endeavor fanboy kiss me.”

“Those are some strong words coming from a thief.” Keigo counters, chewing on his bottom lip. You find that you can’t watch him for too long; his eyes crinkle and he’s leaning in again, forehead pressing to yours. It’d be a crime not to let your eyes drift shut, not to savor it.

“I’m no thief.” You breathe. Keigo’s nose bumps against yours. “I haven’t stolen anything yet.”

“That’s still up for debate.” He huffs, bringing his other hand up and brushing a thumb across your cheek. Then he moves in again.

Even though it isn’t the first, this kiss tastes like the beginning of something extraordinary.

[solar-bear]

I try and stifle a yawn as I make my way down the hall towards the kitchen, “why is middle school so damn early,” I gripe to myself and fumble for the light switch. It doesn’t take long until I’m able to find the switch and I wince as the kitchen is suddenly far too bright for my sleep-addled self to tolerate. I open the refrigerator and pull out the bowl of dough I was smart enough to make last night, “school on Saturday, who thought of this bullshit, when am I supposed to sleep in,” I grumble and set the bowl on the counter. I bend down and grab the jug of oil from the lower cabinets and a large wok while I’m at it, “why did I promise the boys I’d make them homemade donuts on Saturdays,” I keep muttering to myself as I try and fight through my morning fatigue, it seems worse than usual lately, but I try not to pay it too much mind. Fatigue isn’t anything new for me, I groan and heave the heavy jug on the counter and place the wok on the large gas range, “bless you Bi-Han,” I sigh in quiet reverence for my husband’s brilliance to move us to the city get us an apartment with a modern kitchen instead of the common wood-burning stoves the houses in the countryside often had.

I hear heavy footsteps and a loud yawn as the temperature dips while I pour the oil into the wok and turn on the burner, “you’re back early,” I shiver a bit as I stand on my tiptoes to kiss Bi-Han on his cheek as he enters the kitchen coming back from his morning run.

He kisses my forehead before stretching his arms over his head, “maybe I’m just getting faster,” he grins and grabs a glass of water before draining it in one gulp. “What are you up to this early? Cooking?” Bi-Han asks as he eyes up the wok heating up on the stove as I dump the dough onto the lightly floured counter.

“I was stupid and promised the boys I would make them yóutiáo and dòujiāng on Saturdays as long as they kept their grades up, I didn’t actually expect them to keep up their end of the bargain,” I groan and grab a rolling pin to help shape the dough into a long rectangle.

“Hmm, they’re not going to fry up properly with them just coming out of the fridge, the dough’s too cold,” Bi-Han states with the confidence of a man who’s spent many years watching his wife do all the cooking.

“Yes aì rén, I realize that, but I also know I live in an apartment full of cryomancers,” I pause to pull my thick bathrobe around me tighter, “it’s never warm enough to do anything properly in here.” I cut the dough into even portions before stacking one slab on top of the other and making an indentation with one long cooking chopstick to help the two pieces adhere to one another and to give it the proper shape. “Can you get the soybean milk out of the fridge Polar Bear?” I ask him and test the oil temperature with a bit of flour.

“Sure qīn,” his deep voice rumbles sleepily as he fights back a yawn, he reaches into the fridge and bends over to get the milk out of the refrigerator, I can’t help but smirk as I sneak a look at his perfect ass.

Bi-Han hands me the milk and I pour it into a saucepan and immediately start to wretch, “oh shit,” I throw my hands over my mouth and bolt toward the sink, knowing I won’t make it to the bathroom.

“Sol?” Bi-Han’s deep brown eyes go wide with concern as he’s by my side in an instant, his cold hand rubbing soothingly across my back.

I heave into the sink unable to really get much of anything up, but that doesn’t stop me from trying, the urge passes eventually as I cling to the edge of the sink and try and calm down my breathing. “What the fuck is wrong with that damn soy milk?” I ask once I come back to myself.

“It smelled fine to me, Sol, isn’t this like the third day in a row you’ve thrown up trying to make breakfast for the boys?” Bi-Han asks and I miss the excited twinkle in his beautiful chestnut eyes.

By the time I look up at him his eyes are quickly becoming an ethereal icy blue, “I-I suppose it has been a few days, but I’m not sick, I feel fine other than first thing in the morning… oh, ohhhhhhh.” The realization suddenly dawns on me, “congratulations asshole,” I snicker, “looks like someone got their wish,” I can’t contain my excited grin as Bi-Han lifts me effortlessly and spins me around in circles. I giggle wildly as his cold lips rain kisses all across my face and forehead, we’re so caught up in the moment we don’t even hear our three boys piling into the kitchen, all with curious expressions on their faces.

“Ew, Mā, Bà! Do you have to be so gross when we’re in the room?” Xiǎo-Hánquestions loudly and obnoxiously.

“You’re so dumb gēgē, it’s obvious why they’re so excited,” Xiǎo-Bīngfrowns as he looks at his older brother as their younger brother peaks out from behind him.

“What are you doing to Māmā,” Xiǎo-Shìxuěpuffs his cheeks up as he pushes his way in between us and glares angrily at Bi-Han.

“You’re such a silly little melon Shìxuě,” I laugh and pick him up and hold him close, “Daddy’s excited because Mommy has some wonderful news!”

“News?” he half asks, half repeats my words as he clings to me, nuzzling close.

“The three of you have a baby sister on the way,” Bi-Han grins at the boys, as he pries Shìxuě away from me and sets him back on the ground with his brothers before ruffling his hair.

“Duh, tell me something I don’t know, you only look that dopey when Mā’s pregnant,” Bīng states in a bored, know it all tone.

“Really?” Hán asks looking suspicious, “how do you know it’s a girl and not another boy? I mean look around, you guys are pretty good at making boys.”

Bi-Han frowns and gives the boys a menacing look and they drop their attitudes immediately, “I know it’s a girl alright?”

“Girl? Sister?” Shìxuě just repeats and grins, “Māmā, where is she?” When do I get to meet her?”

I laugh and take Shìxuě hand and press it against my stomach, “she’s in here for now, but you’ll get to meet her when she’s ready, in about 7 months or so. Do you want to help Mommy make a calendar to wait for her arrival?”

Shìxuě’s blue eyes sparkle with excitement and he nods enthusiastically, while the older boys can’t help but crack a smile at their younger brother’s reaction.

“For now I better finish your breakfast, sister or no sister you still have school and I promised my good boys some donuts!” I can’t help but feel like I’m glowing from the inside out, everyone’s excitement suddenly giving me the energy I needed to finish preparing the morning meal. Once the boys are on their way to school and I’m left to clean away the breakfast dishes, I can’t help but cradle my belly as my eyes water slightly as I whisper, “welcome to the world little one, you’re going to be so loved my little Bīngbīng.”

[lihikainanea]

Tiger sending Bill pictures of her new lingerie while he’s trying to work except it’s when they’re in quarantine so he locked himself in his office and refuses to leave. He texts her about how pretty she looks and how red her ass is gonna look when she gets out. But what really sets him over the edge is when he gets a video of Jason between her legs. She hears his hands slam down followed by a door being flung open.

ohhhhhhh my godddddd BAD TIGER.

And like, she’s probably sending him lingerie photos to try and get a reaction, right? She’s needy and horny and Bill is maniacal when he works and tiger just....man, she needs a good ‘round. And she feels bad asking for it because she KNOWS Bill is busy and she doesn’t want to interrupt him, so instead she just kind of...tries to entice him. And she thinks maybe it’s working, because he’s writing her back. Despite the fact that he is literally just down the hall, he’s writing her back. 

Now tiger is just annoyed. Because she has needs, and she’s all decked out, and that big dumb idiot is just still reading a script. And an annoyed tiger is a bratty one for sure, so she hauls out Jason and settles on the bed, sets the camera up on the opposite side and hits record. And then she just goes to town--and it’s a real money shot, her legs spread wide open, sounds of her moans as she pushes Jason all the way in, her fingers circling her clit. She lets it go for a good few seconds, and then she sends it to Bill.

She can hear the loud cuss he let out, the sound of the office door whipping open, his heavy footsteps down the hall.

“I know what you’re trying to do,” he seethes, “And believe me kid, you’re in for--”

But like, tiger locked the bedroom door. Because she’s a brat, because he wasn’t paying attention to her, and because she knows it’ll drive his resistance kink to 10000000.

“Tiger!” he bellows, whacking his fist on it when he tries the doorknob and nothing happens.

“Little busy in here,” she calls back, and she punctuates it with a loud moan. And then another one. Bill is losing his fucking mind on the other side of the door, all the threats of what he’s going to do to punish her, and tiger only stops when he legitimately sounds like he’s going to bust the door down. She takes a deep breath, shakes out her shoulders, and whips open the door--only to quickly dart right under the arms trying to grab her, and take off running down the hall. 

Except she’s still in lingerie, she’s still holding on to Jason, and Bill’s resistance kink knows no fucking bounds. She doesn’t even stand a chance, and within three steps Bill’s got her, his arm around her waist as he slams her back into a wall.

“You want my attention kid?” he growls, “Better buckle the fuck up, you’ll be begging for a break by the time I’m done with you.”

[wide-eyedscottishlass]

Scarlett and the Professor

moodboard by the talented & very generous @strangelock221b​ 💙             

[continued from]      [contains NSFW material]

Scarlett had known from the beginning that the lover she had set her mind and heart upon was voracious…rapacious…and capable of quicksilver changes in attitude and temperament.  And that his appetites–legendary not only among the faculty and students of this elite school, but throughout the entire island community–would never allow for even a whisper of fidelity.  Yet she had wanted him nonetheless, as though something in his blood had called to something in hers, overriding every scrap of common sense she possessed.

She lay beneath him at last, the fulfillment of her every fantasy since she had first set eyes upon him in all his suave, panther-like grace…heard the siren call inherent in the dark silk of his voice…felt his natural magnitism draw her into his orbit.  But knowing his proclivities by word of mouth and by experience thus far, she had not expected Hennessy to proceed with her so...forbearingly.  As though he appreciated the significance of being the first man to know her biblically–-and wanted to gradually ease her into their coupling.  Even knowing that she should not already be halfway in love with him, the way he was loving her now was certain to seal her fate.

All along, Hennessy had been swift to remind her that he was a double-edged sword, as likely as not to color the pleasure he visited upon her with a small taste of pain.  It was just one of his kinks, and she had readily accepted it, surprised to discover that she enjoyed it from him.  And he knew it, too–so that the possibility was ever present–though for now she trusted that was not his intention for this night.  Now, as he adorned her skin with thorough, patient kisses, gliding his beautiful hands all along her curves, she felt enveloped in his warmth, cherished as never before in her life–and safe to let flow the passions he inspired in her.

Already, she loved the weight of his body atop hers, and how he had buried his fingers in her hair, spreading it out upon the satin pillow under her head, nuzzling his way from beneath her ear and along her jawline onto the tender expanse of her throat.  Scarlett moaned her way through those damp, enticing kisses, clinging to him, her own lips spoiling to deliver back the same.  She drifted one hand up onto the nape of his neck, smoothing her fingers into his hair, which made him pause and raise his face above hers.  Hennessy blinked slowly, mesmerizing her; Scarlett felt her breathing deepen, coming in sync with his.  She stirred herself to break the stasis, reaching for his mouth with hers, closing her eyes with the bliss of his tongue tracing the inner rim of her lips and then sliding into her mouth.

He gave a heady growl when she suckled his tongue, exactly as she’d learned to with his cock.  Heat and renewed need flared in her belly and below at knowing her effect on him, and at the hard insistence of his erection trapped between them.  The urge to snake her hand down and touch it was nearly too strong to resist-–but she stayed herself, lest he push her hand away again.

Hennessy caressed his way down her sides, as they lingered in that soul-deep kiss, first along her breasts then ribs then waist, finally landing on her hips to hold her firmly in place.  A thrill prickled across her skin, even unto the tight, ruddy nubs of her nipples, and pangs of longing spiked throughout her pelvis–all from that simple act, which somehow told her that she was, at least for these few hours, his sole imperative.  She was moaning again as he began to grind against her, the thin material of his briefs damp with his emmissions.

He pulled out of their long-enduring kiss, breathing heavily and giving her his wickedest, most sinful looking smile, telegraphing his voluptuous intentions.  “You’ve been mine from the first time I touched you, my sweet,” he reminded her, “Mine from the first brush of my lips on your porcelain skin.”  He dug his fingers more deeply into her hips, so that her mouth fell open with a groan.  “Say it for me, Scarlett,” he adjured her, “Tell me what I want to hear…”

“Ohhhhhhh, yes,” she gasped, only too happy to proclaim that vital truth, “I’m yours…all of me, yours…however…wherever…whenever…”  Saying it aloud was a further taste of the freedom he’d taught her, and with it she braved sliding both hands beneath his briefs, holding on tight to his muscular arse.  Scarlett had never called him by his given name–nor had he ever asked her to–but she chanced an endearment against his lips now.  “I am yours…darling…ahhhhh…yours…loverrrrrr…”  It must have pleased him, for she felt the grin he wore against her breast, just before he took its stiff peak between his teeth, circled it with his tongue, and drew it deep into his mouth.

The looking glass above them reflected it all; the profound beauty of his head at her breast; the ripples of the pure, manly musculature of his shoulders and back; the slow, steady rhythm of the hard grind of his hips into hers.  Scarlett bit her lip at the thought that soon she’d be watching him fuck her.  Her wildest fantasies had never allowed for such a sinful prospect, so that she couldn’t help but beg–-just as Hennessy had predicted.  She arched up into him, unleashing the words he was waiting to hear.  “Please, darling…please…I need you inside me…”  Her own desperate yearning rang in her ears.  “…can’t you please just fuck me now…fuck me hard and deep…fill me with all that you are…”

Looking up at her from where he lingered at her breasts, he clucked his tongue in faux admonishment, “Oooooo, such a pretty, precious mouth, to beg so brazenly.  And for such a splendid iniquity as that!”  Hot-breathed, he coasted his mouth down the center of her chest, then rose above her, his expression smug, yet as beautiful to her eyes as she had ever found him, “How might I resist such a heartfelt request?”

“You can’t, my jo..” she sighed, sinking into the inevitable between them, stretching her arms above her head and arching her breasts to show them at their full advantage, loving how free she had come to feel.  “You can’t, my jo,” she repeated, half-smiling with the truth of it, “And I ken well that you won’t...”

                    ******************************************************

Having finally shucked off his briefs, Hennessy knelt astride her left leg, his swollen prick at full attention.  Dazed at the sight of him fully revealed, Scarlett felt a surprising moment of panic.  Their play thus far had been so scrumptious, so mind-blowing, that she had lost sight of how awfully big he was.  His length and girth were suddenly daunting, and though she ached for him desperately, she began to doubt she could accommodate him.  She swallowed hard and started to pant in trepidation, realizing it was far too late to voice her fear.

He shot her a reassuring smile, reading her all too well.  “It’s alright, love...I promise.”  Hennessy reached for her right hand and cupped it against his throbbing member.  “You’re as ready as can be--I’ve more than prepared you to take me in full.”  He tightened his hold on her hand, using it to stroke himself from base to tip and back again.  The very sight of that, and the smooth feel of his skin over his engorged veins and ridges, had her squeezing her thighs tight agasint the wetness flooding her pussy.  “Trust me, darling--I have no desire to hurt you in this.”  He gave a quick thrust in her hand, and Scarlett whimpered and licked her lips, using her thumb to trace across his leaking slit.  “Mmmph,” he nodded, and released her hand, only so he could take his true place between her legs.  “You’ve been my good, good girl all along, Scarlett.  I couldn’t ask for better,” he promised, striving to remain patient for her sake, “And now I’m gonna make you cream hard and long, just as you deserve...”

“Yes,” she whispered, closing her eyes as Hennessy rubbed his moistened tip against her clitoris.   “Yes...oh God, yes,” she nodded as he teased himself along the length of her labia several times, so that she lifted herself to meet him, letting her knees fall their furthest apart.  She lost track of how long he played with her that way, stroking his leaking head inside her lips, her pleasure points swollen and hyper sensitive, so that she mewled in a helpless, steady stream of want, squeezing her eyes shut in an effort to remain patient through his intoxicating play with her.

Hennessy shifted his body, holding himself above her, as he nestled the length of his cock inside her slick vulva.  “Oh yeah,” he hissed as she rubbed against him, hungry for the fullest contact possible.  “That’s the way, baby...mmmmmmm...your body knows...knows exactly what to do...”

Scarlett nodded rapidly and opened her eyes to meet his avid gaze, noting the tension in his strong, muscular shoulders and arms as he propped himself above her, his hips pressed hard to hers.  His eyes were half lidded, his sensuous mouth slack as he panted in rhythm with her undulations, and she felt an overwhelming need to taste his lips.  “Please...” she whispered, “...please kiss me..again...”

His smile was victorious, and he feinted as though to take her mouth as she stretched her neck enough to meet his lips--but then he pulled away at the last moment.  Scarlett ler her head fall back onto the pillow, still whispering ‘please’.  How wicked he was, to taunt her so--and yet all it did was make her want everything that he was, all the more.  

But then Hennessy relented and lowered his face to drawl against her mouth, “My darling, little lamb--you have asked me nicely...you have begged me naughtily...and now you will recive everything you crave.”  Fiercely, he took her trembling lips, dipping his tongue deep for a full taste, and groaned into her mouth while he slid himself down to linger at her opening.   A moment more, and Scarlett gasped hard as he slipped the head of his cock just inside her pussy.   He broke their kiss, tugging her bottom lip between his teeth as she arched up into him again.

“Oh, my darling...delicious...good, good girl,” he crooned, somehow still holding himself back, astonishing Scarlett with his continued restraint.  She was clinging to him as though for life itself, and he laid his mouth near her ear.  “It’s just a little more now, my dear...my sweet...little...lass.”  He captured her lobe between his teeth, making it smart, and only releasing it when she whimpered for him.  “Now...you’re going to feel some discomfort for a bit, love.  Very likely a burning sensation.  But I swear you’re more than ready for me, darling.  And that any discomfort will pass soon enough.”

Remarkably, except for where they were most intimately connected, she felt herself relax, the warmth of his quiet patience, her amazement at how gently he was proceeding, filling her heart with fathomless wonder.  Crooking both arms above her head again, she sighed her happy aquiescence.

Scarlett cried out softly when he advance a bit more, still marvelling as he took his time, now fully aware of the strain in his thighs as he continued to hold off pierceing her fully.  “Just a little more, baby,” he grunted, his iron purchase on her hips unforgiving, while she angled her pelvis to eagerly meet his coming thrusts.

With her movements enough of a final urging, Hennessy was done holding back, so that with another hard grunt, he launched his full length deep into her quivering walls.  “Mmmmmm...ahhhhh, fuck...oh fuck, baby...oh, sweet fuck, Scarlett,” he exclaimed, o’er topping her surprised cry as her untried muscles stretched to welcome in his thick cock.  She groaned at the sweet burn of it, but that dulled more quickly than she expeced, swiftly replaced with the exquisite sensation of Hennessy fully filling her.  Dominating her in the most luscious, elemental way.

He barely moved, allowing her to adjust to his divine penetration, panting as his face hovered over hers and waiting until she opened her eyes.  “Baby,” he murmured, “It feels like you were made for this...like you were made for...made for me.”  She saw that his eyes had grown almost too dark to read, but they still held her rapt.  “Mine,” he whispered, beginning to grind himself into her, as if to prove his claim.  “You’re mine, Scarlett--all of you, mine,” he growled, setting their rhythm with torturously slow thrusts.  Teaching her to follow his lead, until she found herself moaning each time he reached his fullest depth.

“Mine,” he groaned, as he nestled his cheek against hers while she matched her movements to meet his.  “Mine, all mine,” he repeated, grabbing hold of her thigh to drape one leg around his waist, showing her what to do next, so that she soon followed with the other.  That change in position increased the heaven of his penetration, and she heard heself moan unabashedly in response.

Hennessy nodded against her, grunting something she couldn’t quite make out, and lengthened his thrusts, nearly pulling out of her all the way before ramming himself back in to the hilt.  Squeezing her arse as he mercilessly banged her.  His bollocks had tightened and Scarlett relished how they bumped against her nethers, never having anticipated that sensation.  And she could swear that the ecstatic sounds that each gave over, combined with the slap and squelch of their of their shared rhythm as Hennessy pursued their climaxes, buzzed beneath her skin wherever it met his.  Every nerve felt fully alive and open to the bidding of her dark, magnificent lover.

When she opened her eyes, eager to watch the mirror above them, the sinful spectacle of this powerful, indominitable man fucking her, the thrill of it was like he was piercing her anew, and she immediately cried out, “Ahhhhh...och...I...I can’t stop it...I’m...I’m gonna cum...”

“Of course you are, my sweet, little lamb,” he laughed wickedly, ceasing his thrusts as the first of her climaxes began, “It’s what you’re meant to do...”  Even in the near dark, she could read how pleased he was.  “Don’t fight it on my account, baby,” he hummed, “There’ll be plenty more to come for the both of us.”  And so he remained still and let her ride out this first ‘little death’--different, quieter, but no less euphoric than those he’d wrung from her this night--then suckled at her breasts until she came back to herself and ran her fingers through his dampened hair.

Twice more, to her astonishment, Hennessy brought her to that same point, asking nothing for himself but to revel in her pleasure and then sink himself back into her wet, welcoming heat.  Like the first, these were somehow quiet and measured, and seemed to rise from a deeper place than any had before.  So indescribably good, drenching her in such sublime pleasure that she wanted them to last forever.

But even such a miracle of a man has his limits, and Scarlett felt his burgeoning hunger for completion in the growing staccato of his grunts and groans and his increasingly frenetic thrusts.  Her hands roamed his body freely now, finding that every muscle she touched had gone rigid with his body’s quest for satisfaction, while she peppered his cheeks and neck with loving kisses.  Well aware that Hennessy’s focus had completely turned from pleasing her--rightly so--to reaping his reward.  How she wanted that for him, easily imagining the once forbidden lengths she was now willing to go to satisfy him!

Suddenly he was cursing, and hoarsely interjecting her name as his orgasm commenced.  The force of his ejaculation was stunning, and his open-mothed moans of pleasure and relief resounded all around her, instilling her heart with a joy she had never envisioned.  His cock convulsed, hard and unrelenting as he emptied his hot seed inside her, the feel of it--and the knowing that he belonged to her alone for this brief span of time--triggering her to cum her hardest.  In the glory of their shared release, Scarlett could not tell where he ended and she began, unable to distinguish Hennessy’s pleasure as separate from her own.

Her muscles continued to pulse aroud him while his thrusts slowed and then finally stilled.  Hennessy was humming contentedly deep in his chest, the reverberations soothing against the damp of her skin.  They were suspended in a world of their own making, soaked in one another’s musk and sweat, skin glistening, breath heaving, thoroughly, beautifully spent.  With some effort, he raised his head from the crook of Scarlett’s neck, looking drowsy and very satisfied.  “Well done, you,” he acclaimed--his voice low and roughened, but as compelling as ever--and then took her mouth with a long, gentle kiss, before pressing a smattering of kisses along her jaw and collarbone. 

She would’ve held him inside longer, but he withdrew without a further word, to lay on his back beside her.  A warm mix of their fluid leaked onto her thighs and the sheet beneath her, while Scarlett silently rued the end of this beginning.  Already her damp skin was beginning to cool, and soon she had begun to tremble, wondering if such a reaction was normal.  The bliss of their union still coursed through her veins, and yet somehow she felt like crying--not for regret to the end of her innocence, but with uncertainty about what might come next.  She laid a shaky arm across her eyes, hiding the onset of such useless, childish tears, seeking to avoid his scorn.

“What’s this?”  Hennessy sounded almost surprised, and to Scarlett, his voice seemed surprisingly gentle.  She felt him shift beside her and prop himself up on his elbow.  Her trembling had intensified, in part from her struggle to stem her tears.  “Now, now, my sweet Scarlett...are you having second thoughts already?”

She shook her head briskly, unwilling to uncover her eyes.

“And have I harmed you in any way?”  To his credit, his concern sounded genuine.

She shook her head again, giving over only the softest sounds of denial.

He chuckled warmly, as he moved her arm aside, his comments a further surprise.  “There’s no need to be ashamed of your tears, love.”  How kind and reasonable he sounded as he gathered her to him, then raised her chin so he might look her squarely in the eyes.  The warmth of his tone, and of his skin against hers, was so very soothing--and exactly the thing Scarlett was needing.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffled, “I know I’m being silly...”

“No...no, not silly at all.”  He pursed his beautiful mouth into an indulgent smile which she would remember all of her days as his most honest.  “They are perfectly natural--especially from one of such exceedingly tender a heart.”  Hennessy thumbed the tears from her cheeks, “No, love.  They’re from the power of your release.”

Scarlett blinked in amazement, and he continued, “It’s more than understandable, little lamb--what with all the most delicious hormones flooding your system right now--and quite lovely, in fact.”  Hennessy cupped her cheek in his large palm, then ran his thumb across her lips, rousing her to sigh.  “And frankly, my sweet,” he confided in gentle amusement, “Very flattering to this wicked old soul.”  He kissed her forehead chastely, then pulled the black silk sheet up to cover them both.  “Now--you’re going to continue to trust the wisdom of your teacher...”

Scarlett nodded wide-eyed, and then yawned, making him chuckle once more, “And you’re going to get some rest.”

“Of course,” she replied, snuggling against him, tucking her head into his shoulder exactly as he expected her to--feeling rather sleepy, and now secure in her place at his side, “Whatever you say my darling...my darling jo...”

“There now, that’ll do,” he said with a soft, satisfied laugh, which she felt against her cheek as she closed her eyes in accordance with his word.  “You’re going to need your rest, Scarlett,” he thrummed, settling into his pillow and drifting his hand down to the small of her back, keeping her flush against him, “As I’m no where near done with you yet.”

[to be continued]

tagging: @strangelock221b @ravencatart @letterstosherlock @ben-c-group-therapy @humanbornarchangel @splunge4me2art @tsukuyomi011 @brokenlibrarygirl @emilyinnj4real @aeterna-auroral-avenger @aziracraw @losille2000

[rosesisupposes]

Destined, part 19

aka Loganberry?

Character Tags: Virgil/Anixety ; Patton/Creativity ; Patton/Morality ; Logan/Logic ; Remy/Sleep ; Dante/Deceit

Chapter Pairings: Platonic Moxiety, Logicality, Prinxiety

Chapter Warnings: Virgil Swears A Lot, Remy Is A Flirt, Allusion to kidnapping

Reader Tags: @residentanchor @royally-anxious @bewarethegrammarpolice   @fellowthomassandersfander @jemthebookworm @arandompasserby  @sparkly-rainbow-salt

Summary: After centuries of acting as an oracle to heroes, quest-seekers, and villains alike, Virgil just wants to live as a normal, modern human. For someone who can see infinite probabilities, you’d think he’d know better.

<<Chapter 18 | Masterlist | Chapter 20>>

read on ao3

It was a fine day, in Virgil’s opinion. The sun was out, the weather was crisp, and he’d woken up still happy with his newly-dyed hair. 

Upon his arrival to How You Brewin’, Remy had immediately latched onto his head and cooed praise over his amethyst locks. “YAASS BOI,  look at you discovering polychromatic hair! This is why you need to come to The Crypt, you would SLAY the dance floor and break all the hearts. You could follow in my glamorous footprints!”

“Glad you like it, Rem. Gonna have to pass on the danceclub heartbreak, though.”

“Fiiiine,” his boss sighed. “I’ll just have to tell them all to come here to have their hearts broken. There’s no way I’m sleeping on the business angle here, gurl. Broken heart equals party hard, it’s just math.”

Virgil flushed slightly. “I really think you’re giving me too much credit. People are not going to take one look at me and go head over heels.”

“It’s true, some might not. Not all of them can pull off heels as well as I can,” Remy nodded philosophically. “But for real, boi, look at you. You’ve got Roman, THE prettiest gay in this town, except for my lovely self of course...”

“Of course,” Virgil replied, straight-faced.

“And he was flirting with you the minute he walked through those doors! Face it. You’re hot, and it’s gonna make me money. Now go show Patton, he’ll flip if he doesn’t get to see his son’s new hair.”

Virgil went. He wasn’t sure if he was going to see Patton or running away from Remy, but either way, the bakery seemed like a safer place to be at this particular moment.

Patton was rolling out pastry when Virgil walked around the counter, but something seemed off. The pastry was stretched and too thin in some places, horribly bunched and thick in others, and the baker continued to roll without any seeming care to the inconsistencies.

“Good morning, dad.”

No response. Virgil was so surprised he almost walked into a bench. He carefully waved a hand in front of the baker’s face. “Pat? You okay, buddy?”

Patton finally noticed and snapped to attention. He smiled at Virgil, but it was overly wide and appeared strained. “Hey kiddo! I’m just fine and dandy! Just another day in the life as your happy-pappy Patton! Can I get you anything? Some snacks? A muffin? Let me know!”

“Patton. Something’s going on. What’s up?”

“The roof! Also the sky!”

Virgil groaned. “Patton, I know something is wrong. You’re not yourself today. You don’t need to pretend you’re okay if you’re not.”

The baker’s smile trembled. “Virgil, you sweet and sour shadowling, I appreciate your concern. I will be fine!”

“Pat-”

“That was a lie, nothing will ever be fine!” Patton suddenly burst out, diving at Virgil for a desperate hug.

“Hey, it’s okay, what’s wrong?”

“Love has failed me!” cried the baker’s muffled voice.

Virgil pulled Patton up from where the shorter man had lodged himself at his waist. “Pat, are you hurt? What happened?”

“Logan hasn’t texted me back!”

Virgil stared, trying to not roll his eyes. That was it? “Patton, I didn’t even know you had his number! How long has it been?”

Patton sniffed. “I got his number two days ago after you asked us for advice, and for a full day we were texting back and forth. He texts like he’s writing for a genetics journal, but he was responding so quickly until I asked if he wanted to go on a date tonight and he just stopped responding and now he’s avoiding the whole bakafé!”

“Okay, I’m aware I’m not the best at positive thinking, but don’t you think there are alternative explanations for this? Maybe he got called away on fieldwork, or had a family emergency. Or you asked him out, his brain went all ‘Windows Error.exe’ and he threw his phone into the sink.”

Patton looked at Virgil oddly. “Why would he do that to his phone? Is that something that happens normally?”

“Well, no, but I almost did that when Roman texted me the first time,” Virgil muttered, blushing.

“OhhHHHhh that is so cute!” Patton squealed, brightening. “You’re right, kiddo. I shouldn’t focus on only the worst possibilities. Thanks for taking care of your silly old dad.”

“Anytime, Padre. And you’re not silly, you’re just relentlessly positive. You know I appreciate that, except for when you’re covering up your own feelings. Did you need any help with the pastry before I go back to Remy?”

Patton finally noticed the mess on his bench. “Oh my powdered donuts! This is useless. Oh well, guess I’ll need to re-laminate and start again. I won’t keep you here for that, kiddo, it’s pretty tedious. You go take something from the hot case for yourself, though. You’re not avoiding Remy, are you?”

“I won’t be once he stops threatening to make money off my hair.”

Patton’s eyes suddenly flew up and widened. “VIRGE! YOUR HAIR! Congrats on the cool colorful crown!”

Virgil snickered. “Thanks, Pat. I thought you might appreciate it. And it’s all thanks to Talyn for their help with choosing a color and making it actually look good.”

“Hmm, the purple though… that gives me a peri-twinkling of an idea! The pastry dough will have to wait - I need to go bake something. Thank you again, Virgil. You’re my favorite son!”

After the lunch rush, Virgil wandered back to the bakery. Roman had the day off, so had yet to come in, and Virgil was bored.

Patton was putting the finishing touches on a new display of muffins. A chalk sign proclaimed these were a new variety of Jam-Packed Muffins, filled with a jelly that was a made from a hybrid fruit of blackberry and raspberry.

“‘Loganberry’ muffins? Wow, I am really feeling the cuteness welling up inside me. Or maybe that’s vomit,” Virgil drawled.

Patton just grinned. “That’s why I have the scientific name of the berries here as well. It’s not pandering if it’s science!”

“We both know it’s extra pandering if it’s science. Actually, has he come in yet? I haven’t seen him.”

Patton wouldn’t meet the other man’s eyes, instead fiddling with the sign and adding extra flourishes with his bright purple chalk. “I… haven’t seen him. Or gotten a text yet. Wouldn’t his phone be fixed by now, if that was the issue?”

“Pat, it’ll be okay - I’m still sure he’s not trying to turn you down. You didn’t see how nervous he was about talking to you. My whole first week here was a never-ending parade of watching him try to be subtle about checking you out. He’s just bad at words.”

Patton sighed, and smiled weakly. “You’re right. I’m trying to not worry.”

The café bell rang, and Virgil looked over at the door. His face lit up as he saw Roman rolling in, auburn hair mussed from the wind outside.

Patton giggled as Virgil practically sprinted back to the café counter.

“Hello, you,” Roman drawled. Virgil felt an involuntary shiver. It was just not fair how attractive this man was. Maybe Remy had a point - if someone as gorgeous as Roman was in any way attracted to him, maybe his looks weren’t as blah as he’d assumed.

“...hey,” he managed to squeak out. “So, uh. Does it still look okay in person? My hair, I mean?”

“It is positively iridescent, my delightful macchi-hot-to. Oh, also, can you you make macchiatos? I learned about this new drink that I’m just jazzed to try.”

“Yeah, macchiatos aren’t too bad. What did you want?”

“A jumbo, half-whole milk, one quarter 1%, one quarter non-fat, extra hot caramel macchiato with 1 and a half shots decaf, 2 and a half regular, with whip, 2 packets of splenda, 1 sugar in the raw, a touch of vanilla syrup and 3 short sprinkles of cinnamon.”

Virgil just stared. “What the fuck, Ro. Where did you hear about this drink, a Top Ten Drinks to Make Baristas Hate You list?”

Roman grinned, then laughed outright. “How did you know? Ahhh, you caught me, I just wanted to see if I could order it with a straight face. Nah, I’ll just have another caramel surprise. That one’s my good luck charm, after all.”

Virgil blushed faintly as he smiled and started the drink that had started his flirtation with this incredible man.

“So, did you miss me this morning?” Roman asked, leaning over to watch Virgil’s deft hands go from steam wand to gasket, not spilling a drop of liquid. “Was the café gray and bereft without my signature charm and wit?”

“I wish you had been here this morning, Remy is threatening to all but marry me off to the highest bidder at the Crypt. He said that heartbreak is good for business?”

“I will defend your honor, dear Virgil, fear not,” Roman said, posing dramatically. “I will fight back the adoring, crazed hordes and also Remy, that tricky minx. You need no longer fear, Roman Augustus is here!”

The afternoon sun beating through the windows gilded Roman’s silhouette in golden light. Virgil suddenly had a burning urge to wear a dramatic ballgown and watch this man slay ogres in his name. All other thoughts and worries melted away as he gazed at the swoop of soft hair, the shine in his hazel eyes, the elegant curve of his arm and back…

“Virgil, I need your help!”

Patton’s voice, laced with nerves edging on fear, interrupted his reverie and Roman’s pose. Without a word they both immediately rushed to the bakery.

“Pat, what’s wrong?”

“Logan texted back.”

Roman’s eyebrows waggled. “Need some help composing the perfect romantic missive, Padre?”

“No, it’s… I don’t know, this might be just paranoid and crazy, but I don’t think Logan sent this text,” Patton said.

“Paranoid and crazy? Patton, stealing my thing, no big deal…” Virgil snarked, taking the offered phone from the baker’s hands. He did a double take as he looked at the screen.

Sent Yesterday Afternoon

Patton Corwan (Crumb On In): Hel-Lo! P: You know I always enjoy seeing you in the bakafé, but I’d like to see you outside of work, if you’d be interested. P: How does a pasta dinner tomorrow night sound, at that cute Italian place on Magnolia street? My treat :)

Just now

Logan ⚛️💙: A date night sounds so good! ⚛️💙: But :( I procrastinated some work I really need to get done. I’ll be at the office late tonight. ⚛️💙: Let’s take a rain check though, okay cutie? Love you!

Virgil frowned as he passed the phone to Roman. Eyebrows immediately vanished into auburn hair as the other man regarded the odd exchange.

“I’m no expert on this Mr. Abacus Finch of yours, but this seems rather out of character,” Roman commented. “Did he hit his head particularly hard? Or is someone else using his phone?”

Virgil felt his stomach drop at the hypothetical Roman mentioned. He’d seen this exact scenario, and hadn’t made the connection until now. CrapcrapcrapfuckfuckfuckSHIT not now! It’s only been two days, I’m not ready for Roman to already be dragged into this, he thought desperately. Why couldn’t that snake of a sorcerer wait just a little longer?

Roman caught his eye. “Hey, Hot Topic, did you suddenly apply more foundation or is something wrong?”

Virgil shook his head. “I… I don’t think Logan hit his head. Or at least, he didn’t hit his head and then also send this text.”

“You think someone else did? Do you think it’s…” Roman’s voice trailed off as he made a vague gesture that was clearly supposed to connote ‘evil’. It wasn’t one of his more elegant attempts, but given the circumstances, it was understandable.

Virgil nodded in response to the unfinished question. Roman gulped and looked down. “This is it, huh. Okay. I guess I’d better be ready then.”

Patton looked between them, gesturing at himself. “Guess who has ten fingers and is very confused! What is ‘it’? Do you know who texted me? Is Logan okay?”

“Pat, remember when I asked you for advice? That was about this, I think. Roman might be the best positioned of any of us to find Lo and make sure he’s safe.”

Patton looked nervous, but nodded determinedly. “What can I do to help?”

Roman looked at the phone again. “It seems to me that Mr. Steal Yo’ Boy is at Logan’s office. Or will be, after work hours. The bakafé closes soon, right?”

Virgil nodded. “We have less than an hour left ‘til close.”

“I think we can risk waiting to go over until then,” Roman said, checking his watch. “Plus, that’s when the sun starts going down. If Logan isn’t the one texting, but his phone is being used, I’m going to made a guess that this creep will need shadows to hide in.”

“We’re going to wait? What if Logan is in more danger? What do we do between now and then?” Patton wasn’t used to being this nervous, and he did not deal with it well. He was already shifting from foot to foot, eyeing the bakery door like he was considering dashing out at any moment.

Virgil put a hand on the baker’s shoulder. “Logan won’t be in any more danger an hour from now than he is at the moment. Trust me on this. If we go search for him randomly, we might miss him entirely. Until it’s dark, we’ll keep working. Pat, why don’t you show Roman how to help with edible decorations? He’s artistic and has a the sweet tooth of a five-year-old in a candy shop, he’ll be a natural.”

Roman gasped indignantly, a hand artfully splayed on his chest. “I do not act like a five-year old,” he said with a sniff. “I am at least seven, give me some credit.”

As they’d both hoped, Patton smiled weakly and led Roman around the counter. Both Virgil and Roman cared a lot about their gentle friend. Even if Roman had only occasionally met Logan, the scientist clearly made Patton happy.

No one should interfere with Patton being happy.

author’s note: I’d always thought that Logan’s question in Crofter’s The Musical was a joke, but it turns out there actually are such things are real loganberries: Rubus × loganobaccus. I learned something new because of this story, Logan would be so proud! You know. Wherever he is.

Corwan, Patton’s last name, is an old English name that means ‘friend of the heart’

Augustus, Roman’s last name, means regal, great ruler, etc. He’s royalty, we love him

Yes, that is the author’s note you get on this while you wait for the next chapter :)

[continuouscalamity]

CHAPTER 3 TRIAL TRANSCRIPT

Monoboar, after irritatingly grumbling at the scene, announces "HEAD T' THE FOYER AT ONCE!" with a snort.

He begins his travel down.

TRIAL 3 - BEGINNING

[5:05 PM] Monoboar!: As you all crowd into the elevator and the doors shut behind you, the noise of the elevator slowly descending down rings in your ears, the low, ominous hum of everything moving around you.

The more you descend, the more it dawns on you-- yet another person has died in such a short span of time... Five people, with Eri's corpse burned into your minds.

Yet another class trial.

....

The elevator finally stops to it's destination, revealing a large trial room, with stands all in a circle. Four stands now bear the mark of the fallen, five portraits pertaining to Akihiko, Aderyn, Akemi, Wallace, and Eri.

Head to your stands.

@Alive [5:06 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: Keiko silently moves to her stand. [5:06 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Lake shaked out her hoodie before walking up to her stand.

"...Hazel-san, do you wanna hold my hand?"

@Hazel Hazeldine (Mars) [5:07 PM] Riku Yasui...: Riku went to his stand. [5:08 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: "....yes, that would be lovely." Hazel says shakily, taking Lake's hand into her own.

@Lake Kawaguchi (Florence) [5:08 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: Renzo goes to their stand and sits on the edge of it, as usual. [5:08 PM] Cerviel Winter | Sulking: Cerviel headed to his stand. He's a wreck. He keeps making a low whining noise. [5:08 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: Maggie rubs her tired eyes. [5:11 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar hops onto his seat, giving a quick angry look at everybody before slamming his gavel down a bit too forcefully.

"I'm in a friggin' bad mood t'day! Just solve the damn trial for Eri Nakama!" He yells out.

[GIF]

[5:11 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Monoboar it's like, 4 AM in the morning." [5:12 PM] Monoboar!: "Shut yer trap and get detectivey!" [5:12 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "...All of us are tired, but we must do our best. For Eri-san." she says in a calm, quiet voice. [5:12 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "We're all fucking tired how can you expect us to fuckin'function." [5:13 PM] Monoboar!: Slam slam. "YA ALL GOT YER DAMN CLUES- OINK!" [5:14 PM] Riku Yasui...: :cluebullet:  "So Eri's body was found slumped over against one of the walls in the Chemistry lab. The back of her head is covered in blood-soaked hair and along with blood that ran down her back, coming from a clear indent in the back of her skull. Her body is charred where the skin is visible," [5:15 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: {Keiko grips her stand tightly as Riku speaks. This hurts, man.} [5:15 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: :consentbullet: "No duh, it had to be an explosion that killed her! Just like, look at her skin!" [5:16 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: { “It was probably very painful, whichever way it wass.” } [5:16 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: {She grits her teeth, looking down. This hurts even more.} [5:16 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: :consentbullet:  Artemis winced. "Jesus, yeah. She even left an dent on the wall when she hit it. There's blood running down it to her body." [5:17 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "And it like, smelled. From the explosion I'd assume." [5:18 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "What...what was it that caused the explosion? Do any of you have theories?" [5:20 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Someone got sciencey... Like, Bill Nye sciencey..." [5:20 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Huh, speaking of explosions."

:cluebullet: "There's a book in the chem lab for building bombs. A page about a low explosive bomb was bookmarked, and someone even wrote down the materials they needed and how much of it." [5:20 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: Renzo taps the side of their mask. :consentbullet: “Ahh, yes, so some sort of a chemical reaction, perhapss...” [5:21 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: Keiko's eyes widen. "A book...? I think I might have something useful to share, in that case..." [5:22 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Do share..." Maggie does a tired wave. [5:22 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: { “Oho?” } [5:25 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: :testitheorybullet: "Yesterday, I stopped to read in the library at about 10 AM...and I saw Eri-san come in, take a book from one of the shelves, and leave." she says, frowning. "She was also muttering something...'This time for sure'."

"I didn't know what she meant by that, and I had been so rude to her before...I couldn't bring myself to question her. And she left." Keiko admits, "And now she's dead."

[5:26 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Does that mean... she's done whatever "this" is before? Maybe she's thought about... something?" [5:27 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: “I saw the book she grabbed too! When we were in the chemistry lab anyway...” He looks around. “It was...um...a book on how to build bombs... i think... [5:28 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "The book Pickle mentioned?" [5:28 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: {"OUT OF ALL FUCKING PEOPLE, YOU TOO?!"} [5:28 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: “Oh... yeah!!” [5:29 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: {"Issa funny nickname... Heehee!"} [5:30 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: { “Ooouuuhhhhh Pickles.....” } [5:30 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: {"Ohhhhhhh my fucking god. No."} [5:31 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "What the fuck was she doing looking into bombs? Was she trying to blast her way outta here?" [5:31 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: {"Fine fine... Uh..."}

"Books! Books. And bombs." [5:32 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "I don't know...that could be the case, or..." she lets out a shaky breath, stopping herself. [5:32 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Well, maybe-baby we can consider... what kinda bomb...?" [5:32 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: Maggie tries to lightly slap herself awake. [5:33 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "And maybe... We have to consider if she was alone on this..." [5:34 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "It was a low 'splosive bomb tha' was bookmarked.." He slumps down on his stand. Sleepy. [5:34 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Low explosives! So that means..."

She holds three fingers up, and stares at them with slow blinking eyes. [5:34 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "..." [5:35 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "F-Fill me in here I'm running out of vocabulary." [5:35 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: “It means! Umm.... low. Explosivess... that are. Low...” Renzo doesn’t know either. [5:36 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "It probably means the bomb had a small radius." [5:36 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "Small. Meant to cause damage within a certain space." Of course she'd know about exsplovies. [5:36 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: :consentbullet: "Yes, as Artemis said." [5:36 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: :consentbullet: "Yes! That. So I assume she wouldn't wanna kill us all..." [5:37 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "At least, I don't think."

5:38 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "I don't think so, either."

:cluebullet: "I found...notes. One of them was in the foyer, and it read...'You guys can solve this'." she seems more and more dejected as she says this. [5:39 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: Renzo perks up. “Ohhh, there were more?” [5:39 PM] Rayne Maelstrom 👹 Demon Time: "Oh ohhhh me found that one too yes yesssss!" [5:40 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "Ah. It sounds like..." She paused, frowning. Let the demons bring up their findings first. [5:42 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "So the culprit is... encouraging us?" [5:43 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: Renzo raises their hand. They have clues to share. “We found two more notes, yes!” They hold up two fingers. :cluebullet: ”One was.... in the entryway, yess... it said, ‘I’m sorry’.” They pause. ”And the other one! On the kitchen counter. It saaaid... ‘Can’t’! Just can’t. It was written very very messy.” [5:43 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Odd... Notes..." [5:44 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "I don't. Don't like the implications here." [5:44 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "I don't wanna think what I'm thinking right now." [5:44 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: :consentbullet: Keiko nods at Renzo's words. "I found those two, as well. So they are three in total, it seems."

"T-they...they're in Eri's handwriting. I know it. I just do." she says, a few tears running down her cheeks. "I recognize it. H-how...why would she write that?" her grip on the stand turns shaky. [5:44 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "It's... Eri's handwriting?" [5:45 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Packie blinks, turning his gaze to the floor. [5:45 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: “...” Renzo isn’t picking up what everyone’s probably thinking right now. [5:46 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "I... I thinkif what Keiko says is true what I say last night would make a lotta sense...' [5:47 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "This... This can't be some sorta..."

She pauses, biting her tongue.

"Suicide...?" [5:47 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Like, intentional notes, Eri gathering stuff together..." [5:48 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: { “Ouhhhgg...” } [5:49 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: :consentbullet:  Artemis winced, giving a nod. "I'd say so... I- I saw her in a weird place last night." [5:49 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Go on..." [5:49 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: :counterbullet: Keiko grits her teeth. "No."

"She didn't do that. Someone murdered her. Eri wouldn't have done that!"

[5:49 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Eep!" [5:49 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "Keiko, please, just listen--" [5:49 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: :counterbullet: "But- She hadta accidentally explode herself!" [5:50 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Or just explode herself in general!" [5:50 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "Listen!" [5:51 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: “We are listening!” Thank you Renzo for the support. [5:52 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: Thank you Renzo. Artemis leans back and takes a breath.

:testitheorybullet: "Last night.. ya know. Before Eri died, at like 10:30 I saw her leaving out the chem lab. She was carrying a box of something and look like she could burst into tears at any moment. She left before I could say anything to her, though." [5:53 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "..."

"She... wasn't at a good place, and now she's dead." [5:54 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: Keiko lets go of her stand and grips her hair instead. "No, no, no...no I would've noticed...I..."

"I talked to her yesterday! She was fine! She wouldn't..." [5:54 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: “It seems likely... that there was no one else involved in this case, yes.” Renzo looks kind of like :pits: rn. “So... she.. caused that explosion herself...? Made it and set it off and everythingg...” Mumble mumble. [5:54 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: :consentbullet: Maggie nods to the demonologist. [5:55 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Honey, Keiko, even suicidal people can mask their emotions." [5:55 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "I would've noticed! There is no way! Someone...one of you killed her!" she's yelling, now. [5:56 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: {"Yeah...my sister was really good at that...."} [5:56 PM] Cerviel Winter | Sulking: Cerviel looks sick. He'd been pretty close to Eri. He hadn't noticed anything? [5:56 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: { “...” } [5:56 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: {"I'm, really sorry to hear that, Kubo."} [5:57 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Keiko- Look at the evidence! Nothing else suggests that she was with someone!" [5:57 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: Artemis frowned, rubbing her arms. "Keiko... didn't she already have issues with herself...?" [5:58 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "T-there must be something we didn't go over! There is no way."

Keiko turns to Artemis. "S-she did, but--We were working on that! She said she would...I was going to help her...I..." she breaks down, falling against her stand as she cries. [6:03 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "It makes sense, though. The letters she left behind, 'nd whatever.." He's mumbling at this point, too tired to bother. [6:03 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Listen, Keiko."

"She's gone." [6:04 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "If anything, you did what you could. You're too hard on yourself." [6:05 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar seemed to have dozed off onto his hoof. [6:05 PM] Monoboar!: "Snzzz..." [6:07 PM] Monoboar!: "Snzzzzzz......" [6:07 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: “HEY MONOBOAR?” [6:07 PM] Riku Yasui...: "Maybe we should continue looking at the clues in hopes for more information. Let's see," He said thinking about the state of the room.

:cluebullet: "The whole room is in disarray, broken glass covers a fair bit of the floor, along with various powders and liquids that were once in containers, supplies around the room are knocked over. On a table at the back of the room is the remaining pieces of an object. The area in the back of the room is heavily scorched. " [6:08 PM] Monoboar!: "Snnnnz- Shit." He's awake. [6:08 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: {Keiko stays quiet as they speak. Yes please look at the other clues...maybe there'll be something...anything that proves this wrong.} [6:08 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Well, the... unpleasant look is from the bomb." [6:08 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Broken... from bombs." [6:08 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: { “Hiiiii. Good morning.” Ok Renzo. } [6:09 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "Yeah.. but- Speaking of letters n' letters... I think I found one we haven't gone over yet." [6:10 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: Maggie looks at the case file, tapping her finger on the "Note 1" clue. [6:11 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: :cluebullet: "Mhm. It was  a crumpled up note in the chem lab in a knocked over trash can. “It needed to end this way”. That's what it said..." [6:11 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Packie slumps over his stand again, groaning. [6:12 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: {This is even worse. Keiko can't even bring herself to speak, and just cries silently.} [6:12 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "'It needed...'?"

"No it didn't..." Maggie huffs out. [6:14 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: :cluebullet:  "She could'a used this pen," he takes out a ballpen, "to write it. It's almost out of ink." [6:15 PM] Rayne Maelstrom 👹 Demon Time: "Ohhhhhhhh me has some clueess yes! One second I will think."

:cluebullet: "Me went into the art room and it was a disaster! Yes yes there were papers all over the floor.  Some were even torn up!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND me also found a pen in the corner of the art room! It was uncapped and it was pretty much dry of ink yes yes!!"

[6:16 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "..." [6:17 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "..." [6:17 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Nothing contradicts our suicide claim." [6:18 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: She's still shaking a bit, but she's stopped crying at least.

"So she really did it..." Keiko breathes out, "W-what do we do now? We can't find a culprit. There's no culprit." [6:19 PM] Monoboar!: "Darn straight there'sa culprit!" [6:19 PM] Monoboar!: "Who killed the victim?" [6:20 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "..."

"The... victim killed herself. She's her own culprit." [6:21 PM] Monoboar!: "Correct-o mundo! And I'm friggin pissed, so let's get this vote on! Harhar!"

Same procedure as last trial, voting screens power on your stands, and there's a selection of students to choose from.

@Alive [6:21 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: Kubo votes for Eri.... [6:21 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: ...Keiko votes for herself. [6:21 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: Maggie votes for Eri. [6:22 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: Renzo hops off of their stand so they can vote for Eri. [6:22 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: Artemis gives Eri a vote. [6:22 PM] Riku Yasui...: Riku votes for Eri [6:22 PM] Cerviel Winter | Sulking: Cerviel voted for Eri. He's been crying for a while. [6:22 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: Hazel votes for Eri. [6:22 PM] Hana Minami! | baby chain: Hana votes for Eri. [6:22 PM] Rayne Maelstrom 👹 Demon Time: Rayne votes Eri. [6:24 PM] Lake Kawaguchi | Fuck: Lake voted for Eri. [6:25 PM] Monoboar!: "Tha's it? Well..."

After everyone had voted, the screens flicker black, and proceed to light up in anticipation for each profile.

"Grubs and junk, who's the culprit for today's case? Though I'm angry as a boar, seein' culprits gives me some sensa hope!"

...

[6:26 PM] Monoboar!: "Ding ding ding! It's the one and only victim herself, Eri Nakama! Oink!"

[6:27 PM] Monoboar!: "Wowzy! Ain't that somethin'- BUT I'M STILL FRIGGIN PISSED ABOUT MY CHEMISTRY LAB!" He slams down his gavel. [6:28 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "..Hm." [6:28 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: Hazel looks down at her shoes, troubled. [6:28 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "Yea, yeah." She sneered, huffing. "Can we go now?" [6:28 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: She swallows down her nerves, asking a very... unfortunate question.

"You favor... an execution at the end of trials, so... are we free of that burden, this time?" [6:30 PM] Monoboar!: "Weeell... Two responses. Lemme say this:"

"Snrk-" Monoboar grabs a paper from his seat, waving it in the air. "We got mail!" [6:30 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: Hello? [6:30 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: “Oh boy!” [6:30 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: "Eh?" [6:30 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "Wuh?" [6:30 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "...I don't think I like this." [6:30 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: Keiko silently looks up. What the fuck. [6:31 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: "M-May you elaborate on that?" Hazel asks nervously, knees trembling. [6:31 PM] Hana Minami! | baby chain: "Huh?" is all Hana says. [6:31 PM] Monoboar!: "This damn chick didn't just write four notes, but five! Talk 'bout overkill, snrk." [6:31 PM] Hana Minami! | baby chain: "You're wrong 'cause I only found four. Tch. You have, like, no brain." [6:32 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "Wait a second. Did she write something, someone's name-" [6:32 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: Hazel places a palm on her cheek. "Wh...What?" [6:32 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: "A f-fifth...y-you have to show us!" [6:32 PM] Monoboar!: "This is th' fifth thing she wrote, dammit." [6:32 PM] Monoboar!: "Lemme read! Lemme read!" [6:32 PM] Hana Minami! | baby chain: Hana glares at Monoboar. [6:33 PM] Monoboar!: "But first, I hadt' take it away cuz that'd make this case a bit more obvious." [6:33 PM] Monoboar!: "Like, suicide notes, snrk." [6:33 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: "You...!" Hazel's fists clench. "You stupid pig! Snorting about how angry thine are and then messing with the scene!" [6:34 PM] Monoboar!: "Well, I know it's Eri now, thanks to y'all!" He snorts. [6:34 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar clears his throat as he reads the paper in front of him.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k_UP6rS37joXhHZN9126G10Wz0qysbkX8IzCUcnRTG4/edit

[6:38 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: Keiko listens to every word.

"Eri-san..."

[6:39 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: Hazel looks uncomfortable, shifting her feet and looking around at everyone with a brow raised. [6:39 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: Artemis winced, hugging herself. "Jesus..." There were rough childhoods and then there was this... It's rendered her speechless. [6:39 PM] Cerviel Winter | Sulking: Cerviel felt his heart break several times as he listened. He clutched the doll Eri had given him as he started to cry again. He hid his face in the doll in attempt to muffle some of his sobs. [6:39 PM] Riku Yasui...: Riku covered his mouth surprised and he even started to cry which was rare of him to do. This really got to him and it's hard for him to keep his composure. [6:40 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "..."

[6:40 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: "...alright." Hazel looks down at the floor. [6:41 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Packie clears his throat, looking down. [6:41 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: The words really sink in. All of that...happened to Eri. She had all of that hiding inside of her, all that pain...

Keiko loses her grip on her cane and falls to her knees near her stand, both hands covering her mouth as her shoulders shake. "Eri-san...Eri-san I'm so sorry..." [6:41 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: She shares a glance with Packie. [6:42 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: Kubo buries himself in his blanket. Poor Eri.....he felt helpless, like if he had been there he could have done something. But he doesn't say anything. [6:43 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: He looks back and gives a tired peace sign. Hi Hazel. [6:43 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: She nods at him tiredly. [6:43 PM] Monoboar!: "Oh boo-hoo, I'll give a "fuck you" to you too Eri- snrk."  *Monoboar says before tearing up the letter into tiny shreds, throwing it into the trial circle like confetti. "Take that- Gwaha."

"Anyways, Hazel, repeat yer question again?" Monoboar scratches his chin. [6:44 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: He slams his head on his stand. Get him out, please. [6:44 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: "...hm?" Hazel hums, popped out of her growing tired reverie and the shock of Eri's note. "...o-oh, I... oh dear, um."

She coughs.

"We're free of the burden of execution this time, yes?" [6:48 PM] Monoboar!: The mascot takes a small sniff of air, looking straight at the poet.

"Nah, I'm still pissed 'bout property damages."

Monoboar slams a gavel onto the big red button without breaking for a glance, with mechanical whirring can be heard inside the walls.

Eri Nakama has been found guilty. Time for the punishment.

[Made by @thespiiderboii​]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VmyWs4bCHJfFQ_V8sDzLpiRPnKxE1jOf_yN9EK_Rlyw/edit

[6:49 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: HAZEL'S LIKE :oh: [6:49 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: "JESUS CHRIST-" [6:50 PM] Rayne Maelstrom 👹 Demon Time: "WHAT THE FUCK-" [6:50 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: "SWEET FUCKING JESUS--" Artemis is pretty sure that's asking for some serious fucking bad juju! [6:50 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Packie gets the FUCK out of here. He's already near the elevator. He's not having it. [6:50 PM] Kubo Tachibana | BLEHEHEH: Kubo makes a run for it. She was dead. Why did they torment her so? [6:50 PM] Hana Minami! | baby chain: Hana screams, ducking under her stand and shutting her eyes and ears. What the fuck is goingon!!!!!!!!! [6:50 PM] Cerviel Winter | Sulking: "FUCK YOU!" Cerviel yelled at Monoboar. [6:51 PM] Monoboar!: "Case done! I'mma happy boar now." Monoboar heads to the elevator to open it. [6:51 PM] Riku Yasui...: "You sick... pig!" Riku said glaring at Monobear. [6:51 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: HE BOOKS IT. [6:51 PM] MAGGIE! 🖊 HELP!: Maggie scrambles out and runs with dear life. [6:51 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: She can't look. She doesn't look.

[6:51 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: Hazel just runs towards the elevator hastily, refusing to watch the rest of the execution and hurries into the elevator. [6:51 PM] Hana Minami! | baby chain: Hana gets up as fast as she can, tripping over her own feet and racing towards the elevator so fast that she hits the elevator wall once she enters it. [6:51 PM] Cerviel Winter | Sulking: Cerviel gets into the elevator. He's crying a lot harder than he was before. What the fuck. [6:52 PM] 🔥 ZOZO! 🔥 ...: Renzo is like :pits: again. They weren’t expecting an execution this time around. They leave their stand and shuffle into the elevator. [6:52 PM] 🔫Artemis🔫| Just A Bit Emo: Artemis kinds of scuttles over to grab Keiko and high tails it out of there. [6:53 PM] Keekoo Taisei | I hate this pt2: Keiko is grabbed.

Thankfully she had the presence of mind to grab her cane before that happened. [6:53 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: "What the FUCK? What kind of fucking thing does that to a dead fucking body of someone and thinks it's alrig-" He lets out a long groan before taking a deep breath, tapping his fingers against the elevator to calm down.

"Okay. What the fuck." [6:53 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: Hazel clings onto Packie's arm out of terror. [6:54 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: He pats her back. [6:54 PM] Hana Minami! | baby chain: Hana clings to Hazel. [6:54 PM] packie hayai 🌾 💤: Baby chain. [6:54 PM] Hazel Hazeldine | baby chain: Baby chain. [6:54 PM] Hana Minami! | baby chain: Baby chain. [6:55 PM] Monoboar!: Monoboar shrugs to everyone as they crowds in, sending the elevator back up.

Not another death, but another execution.

TRIAL 3 - END

[beansstan]

hopelessly devoted ~ chp 2

Summary: Bucky Barnes is looking for love, and y/n Maximoff is looking for a connection. What will happen when their paths collide?

Warnings: cheeky bucky? sassy bucky? (idk), my foul british mouth, kind of angst 

Word: 1678

A/N: sorry this took me such a long time to get up, my old laptop was broken and i was waiting on getting a new one. i’ve already started chapter 3 so make sure to look out for that. 

chp 1 chp 2

“Ummm, what the fuck?” said a man with short dark hair and shocking blue eyes.

“Hi?” you replied, awkwardness lacing your voice; you could feel your cheeks getting hot.

“With as much respect possible, who the fuck are you, and why the fuck are you in my apartment?” the man asked, looking you up and down with confusion.

“I-I-I was just here to get some watercolours from Steve, b-but I can come back later,” you said, just about ready to sprint out the door.

“Wait, are you Sketch?” the guy asked, “Of course you’re Sketch, who else would be barging into my apartment looking for Steve? This all makes so much more sense now.”

“Uhhh, you must be Bucky? How do you know who I am?” you inquired, curious as to how the man you now knew as Bucky was aware of who you were.

“Well for one, Steve never shuts up about you, and who other than a girl named Sketch would come looking for art supplies?”

“Right, yeah,” you replied, trying to keep calm.

“Sooo, do you want to sit down, or are you just going to stand there?” Bucky asked, raising his eyebrows with a smirk.

You realised that you were standing awkwardly in the middle of the living room, while he was lounging back on one of the sofas with a book in his hand. Essentially, you looked very awkward and out of place.

“Oh, right, of course,” you muttered, quickly falling back into the armchair that was directly across from him.

He didn’t say anything for a while; it was very uncomfortable. You didn’t know what to say because you’d never actually met him before; and having only just fallen back into the social aspect of your life, you were still at a loss as to what to say. Eventually you pulled out your sketchbook, and started doodling. First you doodled characters that you’d made up about the people in your life. You’d made Pietro a super fast mutant, Wanda a witch (mainly because it was like she could read your mind), Peter was bitten by a radioactive spider and given powers (he’d been bitten by a spider in the third grade and convinced you for a good four months that he had superhero powers). Currently you were trying to decide who you wanted to make Steve; of course you were going to incorporate the title of ‘Captain’ seeing as he was the captain of the football team, you just couldn’t figure out what you wanted the essence of his character to be.

After being so focused on the drawings for such a long time, you forgot that Bucky was even in the room; you were more than startled when he spoke up.

“So who names their kid Sketch?” he asked, making you jump in the chair.

“Oh, Sketch isn’t my real name, it’s just what everyone calls me,” you said, trying not to laugh along with him.

“Okay then, so what’s your real name?”

You were hesitant to reply, after all he was on the football team, and so was Q. For all you knew they were the best of friends… but Steve hadn’t said anything, so why would Bucky?

“y/n, y/n Maximoff,” you said hesitantly.

“Ohhh, you’re Pietro and Wanda’s baby sister?” Bucky exclaimed.

“Well I’m only a year and six months younger than them, so I wouldn’t say that I’m their baby sister,” you defended, after spending the entirety of high school as ‘The Maximoff’s Baby Sister’, you were sick of it.

“Oh that’s okay then,” he said, winking. You quickly looked away, embarrassed at what he had just done.

Why on earth did he just wink at me? you thought. Your mission was now to change the topic of conversation from you to him.

“Hey, who names their kid Bucky anyway?” you attempted to mirror the smirk he’d had on his face when he asked you this same question, but it didn’t quite have the same effect.

“Parents that know god damn well how to name a child,” he countered. You stared back at him with a blank face. “Sketch, I’m kidding. My name is James Buchanan Barnes, Bucky for short.”

“Ohhhhhhh, okay. For the record, I didn’t actually think that your parents named you Bucky.”

“For the record, I didn’t actually think that your parents named you Sketch, I just wanted to know who you were.”

That evening was added to your ‘Top Ten Most Relaxed Evenings’ mental list. Steve later joined the two of you, and you fell into easy conversation about anything and everything. Steve told you embarrassing stories about Bucky, and Bucky told you embarrassing stories about Steve; they spent some time arguing over certain points of stories. You just sat back, remembering when you and Peter would have evening like this, just reminiscing and laughing about the ‘good old days’.

Your routine of spending your evenings in Steve and Bucky’s apartment continued, and Bucky fell right into it. Bucky would read and write in one of his many journals. Steve would either paint on large canvases or draw comic strips for his graphic design class. You spent your time either doodling, or drawing Bucky and Steve. There was no pressure. Sometimes the three of you would talk, and sometimes you would just stay in a comfortable silence. It was just nice.

But there was one evening where it was a bit too much for you.

You would’ve been living under a rock if you didn’t know that Bucky and Steve were on the football team. Hell, Steve was the Captain; but you’d made a point of not ever bringing football up. You weren’t ready to have that conversation with the two of them yet. It seemed, however, that that choice was about to be taken away from you.

“So Sketch, will you be coming to the first game of the season?” Steve asked, looking up from his canvas.

“Um, I’m not sure, I think I’m busy,” you said, trying your best to end the conversation.

“But basically everyone you know is going to be there, what could you possibly be busy with?” questioned Bucky, confusion etched across his face. He had a point, the two of them would be there playing, along with Pietro, Wanda would be there cheerleading, and Peter was going because Tony was going.

“Uhhh, I’m just not a big football fan,” you mumbled, trying to focus on the image of Bucky you were drawing. That was a blatant lie, you had a lot of football jerseys from all the cities you’d lived in when you were younger, and you loved cheering on your brother; but there were too many memories linked with college football. And on top of that, you didn’t want to risk having a run in with Q.

“Okay, Sketch, whatever you say,” Bucky replied, he looked unamused. You felt like you had let them down, they obviously wanted you there to support them, but it was too much too soon. Everything that had happened with Q was still to raw; and you had to tell the something.

“Wait,” you sighed. Bucky and Steve both turned to face you, “I’m not actually busy the night of the first game.”

“Well yeah, I could’ve told you that myself,” said Bucky with a roll of his eyes.

“Buck,” Steve looked at him with warning eyes, willing him to lay off you.

“Okay, okay,” Bucky put his hands up, and gestured for you to carry on talking.

“So I honestly do want to go and see the game-”

“Then come and watch it.” exclaimed Bucky.

“Will you please just let me speak!” you shouted. This quickly stopped Bucky in his tracks, shock plastering his face. You were always quiet and soft spoken, this was the first outburst they’d ever witnessed from you.

“The reason I’m not going to go to the football game is because-” you paused taking a deep breath, not quite believing that you were telling them about your break up, “- I dated one of the football players, and it ended kinda badly. I don’t want to see him, and I don’t want to see any of his friends either.”

You were waiting for a reply, but neither of the men in front of them were reacting. This itself was putting you on edge, a reaction was all you needed; anything.

“Who was it?” said Bucky quietly, he had quite a brooding look on his face, dare you say even angry?

“I’m not telling you that, I don’t want it to change the team dynamic,” you replied, you weren’t completely lying, you truly didn’t want to change the dynamic of the team, but you were also terrified that Bucky and Steve were friends with him.

“I won’t say anything, I just want to know who it is,” pushed Bucky, you had a feeling he was not going to be backing down.

“Bucky please,” you tried, attempting to end the conversation.

“No, Sketch, who is it?” he raised his voice, and it was making you very uncomfortable.

“Bucky, no.”

“Just tell me, y/n,” he was almost shouting now. Tears were threatening to spill, and apparently Steve had taken notice.

“Buck, lay off. If Sketch isn’t ready to share, then we’re not going to force her.”

“Fine,” he said, storming off into his room.

You looked at Steve with a mixture of sorrow and gratitude in your eyes; and you saw that as your cue to leave.

As soon as you unlocked your apartment door, you could hear Peter tinkering in the living room. He’d obviously heard the door open so he called through,

“Hey, Sketch, you’ll never believe what Tony and I did tod- Wait what’s wrong?”

Apparently, your hold over your emotions quickly diminished as you made the short journey from Steve and Bucky’s apartment to your own. Your eyes were puffy and brimmed with tears.

“I think I just messed everything up.” And with that, you once again became a crying mess in Peter’s arms.

taglist: @itsbuckysworld @serenity-schuyler @cutie-memers @alyssiamking @4-a-m @tooinlovewithfictionalpeople @ria123love @inadquacy @akutime 

(i think i got everyone, sorry if your tag didn’t work)

[blookmallow]

and the journey to replace a lightbulb restore the sun continues

-----

:( closing the game scared them n now i feel bad 

i finally got to play chess with her im so glad,

i feel so bad leaving her here : ( 

1000000/10 BEAUTIFUL!!! TALENTED!!! AN ANGEL!!!

this phrase is startin to get really ominous 

oh!!!!!! i love it!!!!

oh

i love this child 

oh Heck these people know about me too 

i wil do my best,

,,,noted, thanks 

tthhhhEREs PEAS in there

(was this.....intentionally. that. or) 

Dont Worry About It 

woah

i have found.....the master of the jars 

goats

i love......all of them

ok its impossible to capture in a still image but this goat was just. fuckign. spinning in place and i thought it was Stuck or something but when you interact with it instead of going baaaaaaaaa at you it just goes BbLLARARGHh

fear 

oooooh

spooky

squints

are you the squares 

oh god its you again

what do you want Now 

SHUT THE FUCK 

oH.......... 

its completely obscured by the massive amount of garbage on my desktop that i need to sort through (this is what happens when you take 900 screenshots in everything you play and are working on multiple games at once, dont be like me) but IT TURNED MY DESKTOP INTO A CLUE.....

i also hate that i couldnt find it at first/didnt fuckign notice my desktop changed behind the game window (which was in windowed mode so i could /see/ the desktop around the edges) but 

SNEAKY SON OF A HECK 

(also it put my desktop back to normal after i solved the puzzle)

thanks

also w hy cant you just......step over that 

,,,,,,

:( 

ohhhhhhh this is a trap. this is definitely a trap but i cant.....just leave her like this 

please do not become omega flowey and destroy the sun

i feel like i am very, very much going to regret this but i. i can’t. i can’t leave her to die alone in the dark 

take care of it for me okay

also i like how this game has...these kinds of moral dilemmas where its like. “this won’t save them. you cannot help this person. but it will make them happier for a little while. you can’t fix it, but you could do something kind anyway” 

especially. this one where its like. a massive risk to let go of the sun which you know to be so important, for a cause that you know won’t save a life or necessarily grant you any huge reward 

just

do you want to risk everything so that one flower lady can see the sun one more time before she dies 

alula (? i think that was her name) doesnt seem to like it 

i dont have a shot of the door she’s talking about but it was blocked off by. little weird squares (the Squares that other guy told me to look out for, im guessing) which. definitely looks like glitch blocks 

whatever is talking to me through the computer terminals has the ability to mess with stuff on my computer, it can probably interfere with the game world 

i think the computer voice is fucking with things. i think it put the glitch there to trap her in order to prompt niko to Be The Hero/is potentially setting them up in the Savior role but. for what purpose, i dont know 

so far the computer seems to be. rude and ominous but has been providing help. i dont know if thats a good thing 

i havent seen any way of like. not taking its advice though, like i Could have just left her in there i guess but. not sure if i could progress otherwise. i cant really tell which interactions/options are required or not 

and helping the plant lady allowed me to get past the vined up doors (which was essential to rescuing alula, but if rescuing her isn’t required that might not have been either) and play the ram puzzle (which. got me some wool. i dunno what thats for :’) but) 

then again you need the feather in order to get past the guard bot?? so maybe you do have to do all this 

i cant tell which things are really choices 

:’)

she just fucking kicked the block out of the way im laughing 

I WILL TREASURE IT THANK YOU

fish!!!!

ohhhhhhh no

I DONT BUT IM SO SORRY I DIDNT WANT THIS 

i. oh. ok,

that. was resolved very quickly :’) 

maybe it goes out if it’s away from niko for too long??? i dunno man

[chevalier-on-the-wall]

Story: Inexorably Drawn

For those first two furtive days, Ghost and Guardian picked through the shell of the city. It was a study in contrasts, vibrant with chipped paint and rampant vines outside, drab and dusty inside. The Fallen were conspicuously absent. At first, it was a blessing; the Guardian hadn't been able to find any weapon other than a sturdy length of rusted pipe. But no Fallen meant no supplies to scavenge.

It was the third day, and they had found an old, dilapidated music radio setup on the top floor of a skyscraper. The Ghost was hard at work doing his best to get it up and running again while his Guardian slumped against the wall and watched.

His Guardian had looked so powerful and heroic when he was first revived. Now he was tired and disheveled, with parched lips and an empty stomach. It reminded the Ghost a little too much of the scan results from the old bones that held his Guardian's spark. Hunger. Dehydration. Stress. Hypothermia.

Their situation was far from hopeless; the Ghost knew that whenever food and water were scarce, some Guardians would just end it quickly and stand by for resurrection. Still, his Guardian was new, and both suicide and starvation seemed unreasonably cruel. He hoped it wouldn't come to that.

"...Light?" his Guardian asked out of nowhere. His voice was hoarse with thirst.

The Ghost ascended out of a bed of wires. "What about the Light?"

The Guardian frowned to himself as he thought. "No...Torch?"

The Ghost blinked, not sure what to make of the question.

"Sorry, what are you again?" His Guardian looked up at him, embarrassed.

"I'm your Ghost," he replied gently. Then, after a pause, he added, "You can call me Torch if you want."

"If I keep forgetting the word 'Ghost', I might." His Guardian mustered a smile. "How is the work? Coming along, I mean. How is the work coming along?"

"Pretty well. I think I might be able to make a call to the Tower with this."

The Guardian hauled himself up off the floor to get a closer look as the Ghost made a few final adjustments. There was the distinct sound of electrical sparks, before the radio erupted into static, causing him to jolt with surprise. "Hey, it works! You got it working!  ...What now?" He looked to the Ghost helplessly.

"Uh...hang on." The Ghost drifted closer to the remnants of a connected mic setup that hissed with static. "Come in, Tower. This is a Ghost. I have a newly-raised Guardian with me, only a few days old. We need extraction. Tower, do you read?"

There was only a hiss of static in reply. The Guardian leaned in toward the old mic to try his luck. "Hello?" he asked, voice laced with anxiety. "Is anyone there? Tower?"

"Let me try...." The Ghost dove back into the wires and out of sight. The Guardian could only see a few flickers of blue light, the static changing in volume and pitch for several nerve-wracking moments.

Then, without warning, the static abruptly gave way to a clear voice: "--breaking up. Who is this?"

"H-hello!" The Guardian bent over the mic again, wide-eyed with a sudden surge of hope. "Hello? Is this the Tower? I'm...new."

"New?" The voice on the other end sounded intrigued. "What is your name?"

"I...." The Guardian trailed off a moment. "My...Torch? No, my...Ghost. He said I was a Guardian. I'm new. Am...am I supposed to have a name? Because I don't know it."

When the voice replied, it was reassuring. "We can worry about that later. Where are you, Guardian?"

"City ruins. My Ghost called it the western EDZ. He says there used to be a lot of Fallen here, but they're all gone now. We're pretty high up, in a room with lots of old radio equipment, if that helps."

"Is your Ghost with you? Have him send me your coordinates."

The Guardian waved his Ghost over, who proceeded to recite a long string of numbers and letters that made utterly no sense to him.

"Good. I need you to stay there. I'm sending another Guardian to bring you home safe."

Wide-eyed, the Guardian pulled back from the mic long enough to look at his Ghost with a mix of nerves and hope, before leaning in to speak again. "Thank you! I'll stay right here! Thank you!"

"We'll meet soon. Zavala out." The static returned.

The Guardian looked to his Ghost, confused. "What's a Zavala and how do I have it out?"

The Ghost paused, caught off-guard. "...That was his name. You were talking to Commander Zavala. He was just signing off of the radio."

"Oh. Ohhhhhhh." The Guardian nodded as he absorbed this new knowledge. "He seemed nice."

"Zavala is the Titan Vanguard representative. Since you're a Titan yourself, you're going to be seeing a lot of him."

"Just how much of him is 'a lot'?"

"I meant, you...." The Ghost trailed off, noticing his Guardian's smile. "...Oh. You were trying to make a joke."

"We'll get our senses of humor lined up at some point, Torch. Ghost. That."

The Ghost's front nodes moved a little farther apart, as if he was peering curiously. "Where did 'Torch' come from, if you don't mind me asking?"

"You make it easier to see in dark places," said the Guardian. "And it sounds better than 'Flashlight'."

The Ghost couldn't help but laugh at that. "It does sound better. Am I 'Torch', then?"

"Do you want to be Torch?"

Did he want to be Torch? What kind of question was that? It was short, snappy, and his Guardian had come up with the name. Of course he wanted it! He moved upwards in the air about half a foot, gleeful. "You know what? Sure! From now on, my name is Torch!"

The Guardian grinned, though it soon faltered. "Now I just need a name for myself."

"You have time. There's no rush." The Ghost--now Torch--dipped back down to just below his Guardian's eye level.

"It feels like I should get one, though." The Guardian backed up into the wall and slumped against it again.

"If you want, once we get to the City, we can look through a bunch of name databases."

"Can we?" He looked up, once again hopeful. "And you'll help, right? I did get to name you, after all."

"I would be honored, Guardian."

They talked for hours, though as thirst took its toll on the Guardian, the conversation became increasingly one-sided. Torch was beginning to feel the pangs of worry again when their conversation was interrupted by the low whoosh of a ship overhead.

"That might be our ride," he explained when his Guardian gave him a worried look. The worry was banished almost immediately. "Come on. We should go meet them."

Their ride was a female Titan in thick, polished armor that Torch's Guardian was immediately enamored with. Despite his thirst, he managed to croak out question after question, even as he was herded onto her ship. On the flight to the Tower, she humored him, and even offered him a drink from a field canteen. While she was disciplined and patient, Torch couldn't shake the feeling that she was bummed about the absence of Fallen to shoot at, and really just wanted this errand to be over.

When the Guardian was ushered out of the ship, it was into an unfamiliar mess of metal platforms. He passed more ships, and more people than he ever expected to be in one place, most of them in armor. He still had plenty of questions, but their escort's patience had nearly run out, so it fell to Torch to answer them. Titan, Hunter, and Warlock. Human, Awoken, and Exo. Guardians and civilians. The frames that maintained the Tower. Yes, this was the Tower's hangar. A hangar is somewhere ships are stored.

They exited the hangar through a short corridor into an outdoor plaza. The sun was setting, painting the sky in fiery hues. The air was heady with the scent of foliage and, not too far away, hot food. The young Guardian saw a new person in combat gear every direction he turned his head. His questions abruptly stopped when he saw the great white sphere hanging in the sky, however; instead, he just stared at it, transfixed.

Torch noted their escort heading down a staircase in the middle of the plaza, in the direction of the Vanguard's command room, leaving them behind. He was debating whether to say anything when he noticed his Guardian was on the move.

The unnamed Guardian walked toward the great white object floating above the City. His eyes were wide and shining, his steps slow and trancelike. He only stopped when he bumped into the railing at the very edge of the Plaza. When he could go no further, he reached a hand up toward it....

"There you are." Torch spun to see someone else had come up the steps, a blue-skinned man in red and white armor, speaking with the same voice that had answered the radio earlier. His bearing was stern, yet approachable, and his attention was fixed on the new Guardian. "Welcome to the--" He abruptly cut himself off, his expression morphing into one of moderate surprise.

Torch turned just in time to see his Guardian reach too far and topple over the railing with a startled cry.

He immediately darted out over the edge, but his Guardian fell so fast, and what could he possibly do? Two agonizing seconds later, there was nothing but a bloody spat on the ground.

And there were eyes on him. "What was that?"

Torch spun around. "He...he was staring at the Traveler, Commander. I think he was trying to reach for it?"

Commander Zavala looked up at the Traveler meditatively. "...Bring him back, Ghost. We have a lot of work to do."

[kpop-ruins-our-lives]

Secret - Jay Park scenario (requested, fluffy)

@leyarren said:  Then can I request when you cheer him up after a fight with loco, and you push him to excuse himself into aomg he does it and that's when everybody tells you that you should date and may confesses to them that you were dating and it was the reason why he fought with loco is that he knew it when he saw you kidding quickly xD and wanted to tell the others so it came to the now where Simon teases the hall out of you both since he is your bff with gray😂😂😂

- FINALLY I FINISHED IT! I hope you enjooooy my love and have fun! Hope you like it! HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY

Word count: 913 Genre: fluffy Members: Jay Park x You

“I wonder does Y/N even like, you know like you.“ Loco laughs as he leans back on the couch.

Jay’s eyes just stared at him, he was annoyed. You sat on a chair, next to you Gray and Simon. All of you were hanging out in AOMG studio. Something in you knew that Loco saw Jay and you kiss in front of the building the other day. Actually that he saw and told everyone and is now doing this on purpose just to piss off Jay. You were fine with that, actually found it funny when he teased Jay. It was matter of time where you guys should come out in public. Dating in a secret for a couple of months been hard for you two. It is amazing and great, just the hard part is keeping it in private and secret. “Like look at you, getting old.” Loco pokes his arm and Jay takes a deep breath You chuckle a bit and just Jay’s look could tell you everything so you stopped laughing.

“Loco you talking shit and you don’t have a girlfriend yourself” “Ohhhhhhh” Simon and Gray said “You telling me that and you haven’t had a girlfriend in 10 to 15 years at least” Loco laughs pointing at him Jay was getting mad. “Fuck you Loco. Get you little boy ass out of here” he points at the door “Jay…” you said “No like what the fuck. Since when is everyone picking on me-“ “You can’t take a joke Jay man” Simon cuts him off

Jay gets up and storms out of the studio to his office. You sigh and look at the boys. “Excusee me” you said and walked out to Jay’s office

He sat in his chair, his legs on the desk.

“What?” he spreads his arms “Why are you like this?” you smiled and walked over to him “He’s just getting on my fucking nerves” “Why do you even care? He’s just teasing you” you said “Ugh I don’t know. Just everything he said-“ “I think you should apologize for ending up that rude-“ “RUDE?!” Jay raises his eyebrows and stands up and you sit down on the edge of his table “He started it!” he points You put your hands on his waist and pull him towards you. “Jay, come on.” You look at him “I think we both know why is he doing that” “He saw us, didn’t he?” he spoke “Yeah, and I think we should not hide it no more” you spoke as your hands travel on his chest, down on his stomach… Jay smiled a bit, licking his lips. “Yeah I guess so” Jay cups your face and leans down to kiss you. Right away his tongue swipes over your lower lip asking for entrance. You let him in and two of you start to make out. His hands slide down your waist, on your hip. Move back on your thighs, as he slowly goes up and down. His hand starts to move up, under your skirt, but then you place your hand on his. “We can’t…” you pull away whispering “Right” he spoke and two of you moved away from each other

“Now you go apologize to Loco” you spoke and he just takes a breath and nods his head.

Soon after you two walk into the stupid, Simon, Gray and Loco looking at two of you. “Loco I’m sorry for yelling… Being an asshole” he said and sits down on the couch “It’s okay man.”

Simon and Gray look at each other then back at you. “Y/N you actually convinced him to apologize to Loco?” Gray said “Yeah” you smiled “Wow… I mean we saw so many times you being there for Jay and just being nice and supportive. He needs someone like that in his life.” Gray smiled at you and then looked at Jay “Two of you would look good together, personally” he added putting his hand on his chest Jay and you look at each other for a moment. You saw in Jay’s eyes telling you “Say it”. He nods slowly his head and looks away. “Well ummm… The thing is…” you laugh nervously “Jay and I are dating really.” You added and watched everyone’s reactions They were either shook or they knew it. Loco smiled “I KNEW IT SEE?! I KNEWWW IT” he raises his hands in the air “Oh my Jay and you, actually….” Simon points at two of you and starts to laugh “AWWWWWWWWW” Gray smiled “Oh my God…” Jay puts his hands over his face

“Does he call you babyyy come here” “Goodmorningg babe” Simon and Gray started to tease a lot. “Wait. But for how long?” Loco said “Two… And half months?” you look at Jay and he nods his head “Oh they fucked for sure” Gray laugh out loud “Guys come on” Jay laughs embarrassed “Aww he’s blushinnnn” Simon and Gray said and everyone laughs Jay licks his lips and smiles. “Come on I wanna see you kiss” Loco said and Jay and you look at each other “Ahh no no” Jay laughs “Do it, do it, do it” all three of them started Jay looks at you and you smiled. Two of you lean in. Jay gives you a peck on the lips. “What the hell was that?” “Oh my God” I can’t believe” “I thought some fire will be” “Guys. Chill” Jay laughed and threw his arm around you.

[replicarters]

hellraiser 3 funtime carnival, pt 2

PREVIOUSLY

so my dude @yvenly, unbeknownst to me, loves a hellraiser and has a fuckin shirt of the scary man that he was wearing while reading the first part. jake assures me that the scary man is not going to come and get me and nothing i own is haunted. i trust jake, so fortunately i am able to continue what i started to do the other night, which is watch a scary gory movie starring a space angel. i can confirm it is both gory and scaring me. let me remind you, me, and god that i am only 20 minutes into it, and it took exactly 6 minutes to get to the point where i was gently pissing myself. i shudder to think what the remaining hour and ten minutes hold.

i would very much enjoy if it held more of this:

and less deep crimson rivers, but i know i'm wishing for too much.

hot topic is making breakfast, terribly. this charred, molten husk, for instance, lying atop a burner, is either toast or a severed steak. i think it's toast. everything is burning and she should stop. now, just last night, hot topic was bumming smokes, recklessly flipping curtains open, sitting on the couch weird, and emptying the contents of her backpack all over the floor. but now all of a sudden it's "hey what's up let me make breakfast", so, great, now i'm invested in this blossoming love story. god, what if hot topic dies??? i don't think i could handle that. she and joey are friends now! hot topic's trying to make her food to repay her kindness! it's all fine with me as you might guess.

hot topic's name actually is... terry... or teri... or something. hmmmm. i like to imagine the mental force of will required to not constantly go "yeah?" at your own name not being used to address you. acting!

here's where it starts to cross over into the gay danger zone, when hot topic says it's her first time cooking. and the turn of phrase she uses is that she's a... kitchen... virgin...?

is that... so...?

joey offers to boil some water and says it's a specialty of hers and they laugh awkwardly like two heteros having a hetero time. joey also starts to make a suggestion to hot topic, and i thought to myself, "is she going to tell her to go watch cartoons?" and that's Exactly what she fucking did. i bet hot topic is a big fan of the snorks.

that cookbook appears to be campbell's microwave cookbook, which is wonderful on about 15 different levels. microwave cookbook being levels one through ten.

hot topic dances on the edge of the gay event horizon by sneaking a peek in joey's closet Come On Now is this for real

and joey is apparently not that great with toast either so i don't know how these girls are going to feed each other after they defeat the hellraiser and get married.

one LITTLE detail left out until the change in camera angle is that hot topic isn't wearing any pants. that seems like it was pretty important information for me to have, for the f/f hellraiser 3 fanfic i am now writing.

everything is all fine and dandy until the music starts going again and hot topic gets upset. she really loves it here. she wants the movie to flip into a lesbian romcom instead of being the mind-crushing hack-and-slash that it is. you guys what if she gets hacked and slashed?! oh god i don't want it

"uhhh a guy's head exploded in the first six minutes; we can't go back." yes, joey has to solve this mystery, which, i mean, she's braver than me; if i watched a guy get blasted all over the hospital walls after chains pulled his head apart i'd have a repressed memory that wouldn't resurface until years and years later, at which point i'd pass out in the grocery store as a grown adult with kids or something, and when i came to i'd remember the hell out of it and wouldn't stop screaming until my vocal chords snapped.

oh my good god

there's something important happening here but all i heard was "we're going shopping." forrrrrr strap-ons?

oh, they came to the hobo man's art gallery that's only open at night, and that i keep calling the pyramidhead gallery in my head. also check out those pants. yikesaroo! i can hear 1992's sears catalog calling from a landfill!

gracious me this whole ensemble! noooo.

"maybe they're closed." they're not closed, they just cannot let you in dressed like you belong in a parade on stilts. it will offend the art and we'll have more bad guys roaming around in the spooky shadows.

some man with a dog across the street says the pyramidhead gallery is closed every day, except for he apparently doesn't know it's open exclusively at 12:01 am. he says it's been there for months, closed. hot topic says that's bs; her boyfriend just bought something there last week. ew so the boyfriend that threw her out is imitation danny zuko. girl, run far away because that guy's busy communing with unholy messenger rats.

then for no reason at all, this poor pup gets dragged away by its neck, growling because dogs know stuff. does the dog also know its owner is an irresponsible sack of shit who needs to learn what a proper harness is? sheesh.

"chill," hot topic says. "there's a back door, right?" and then she pulls a lock pick out of her tits. like, not on a chain or anything, so i guess it was just resting freely in her cleavage. another important detail for my fanfiction.

there are more ugly paintings inside but joey gets right down to business and finds a file drawer that's pretty much exactly like every file drawer we have at work. just full of accordion folders with papers shoved in them.

"ughhh," joey says, "this is gonna take Forever." i literally... had that moment with my boss at work yesterday trying to find some paperwork. but it's not gonna take forever, not with the music going, it's not...!

the most illuminating revelation is that the gallery is a total scam; everything they have comes from bankruptcy sales, high school art classes, insane asylums... wait, what? uh oh.

uhhhhh ohhhhhhh.

thankfully we leave immediately and head straight back to the loser room. yeahhhh fistbump brah! fistbumps existed in 1992! imagine that. we can truly trace all tradition back to our ancestors.

danny zuko spies a hot blonde and motions to his mark sheppard-looking bartender that he wants to hit that, so the bartender pulls a rose out from the... ice bin...? "here babe take a cold-ass rose" "oh baby the frozen petals are burning me up" - is that what's supposed to happen?

so danny zuko comes over, the girl's like, "oh, it's you~" and he tells her she's beautiful she says "oh no there's lots of girls here more beautiful than me" and he pretends like he cares about how she feels blah blah blah

and then we come to sex noises so the arctic rose worked pretty well. i think i'll spare you a screenshot of the actual sex; i'd rather take a picture of a head split in half. my favorite part though is that he constantly has his hands on her tits so you don't see any nip. so we can watch the other graphic shit we've seen and yet we're not allowed to look at a boob? the fuck?

oh ps the statue is in the background, watching them.

and at the exact moment danny zuko comes (ugh) the statue's eyes open. ohhhhhhhhhhhohohoho fcukinggfkhgkldhgl

then the eyes close again.

hot topic and joey are back at her apartment. joey's broken out of a pair of scully specs so i guess things have gotten serious in here.

hot topic prepares to walk out the door and joey is like HOLD ON???? WHY LEAVE??

she's trying to get some tape and succeeds and this is extremely untoward and i am offended!!!

hot topic guesses joey got what she needed, and prepares to show herself out. joey's face immediately falls and she's like no????? and she invites hot topic to stay in her spare room.

hot topic gets very emotional and says that's great, and offers to do breakfast! oh boy!!

even at the thought of inedible trash breakfast, joey is thrilled. this is Fucking Gay

"so cool... Radical!"

the girl danny just boned stands in front of this painting which, to be honest with you? kind of looks like dukat? maybe dukat if he roided up before the reckoning.

danny's already done with this and has important things to do like getting a scuff off his ugly red cowboy boots. it all goes south pretty fast.

"but you gave me a rose."

"and tomorrow, i'll give one to somebody else." ooooooh

"you shit," the girl says, speaking the truth.

there's yelling, the girl backs up toward the statue, i'm biting my nails because something's clearly gonna happen

LAUGHS NERVOUSLY OHHHHHH NOOOOOOO

chains, chains, it's always chains, hooked chains come out of the statue and sink into her. danny zuko, for as vile as he is, didn't plan this at all as even he's like "what the ffffuuuuuuccckkkk"

hello!! furby's awake!

the statue gets one more hook right into her forehead and then? and THEN, the all-time grossest fucking thing happens, and i swear to god i'm not making this up but also you're kidding if you think i'll actually screenshot it: the hook pulls THE ENTIRETY OF THE GIRL'S SKIN OFF HER BODY IN ONE SHOT, and THEN, STILL ALIVE and screaming bloody fucking murder, the girl, looking like a page out of any muscular system biology book, is DIGESTED BY THE STATUE.

and then once properly absorbed, her face appears SO ALL THE FACES ON THIS STATUE ARE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN SKINNED AND EATEN HKFLGRHLGKLSKB I'M SCREECHING

i guess a nutritious meal was just the thing to get ol stoneface back to normal. HE'S HERE, THIS IS HIM, THIS IS THE GUY!! jake says his name is pinhead? just going to call him pincushion, hope that's okay. honestly it's more like nailcushion, those look like a bunch of nails sticking out of him. why does he love metal so much!!!

and all danny zuko has to say is "jesus christ!" like he couldn't even pretend to barf.

and pinhead FUCKING RESPONDS: "not quite." buddy, i'll say.

he starts getting poetic and i never expected him to have an accent. who do you think you are, shakespeare? i've never heard of shakespeare writing a scene where taming of the shrew ends with a flesh barbecue.

pinhead does one fun thing which is compare himself to danny zuko, which in my mind is exactly right but danny zuko cries and whines and says "no that's fuckin evil man!!!" yeah, just. like. you!

according to pinhead, there's no good, there's no evil, only flesh. is this what he does, just eats people? i didn't expect this either.

"you will help me," he says.

no Fuckin way danny zuko says, bringing out a gun like this is going to do anything other than increase pinhead's desire for flesh cakes.

oh my god and then pinhead laughs and says "how touching, that is the gun you used to kill your parents?" LMAO WHAT????

zuko unloads the gun and pinhead spits every bullet out of his mouth. just lets em drop right out onto the floor. danny zuko then drops his gun.

looks like you're in this for the long haul, pal!

he drops to the floor and starts sobbing. puny man sobbing in his boxers dot jpg.

there is a place, pinhead says, at his right hand for this manchild. yucky.

aaaand true to form, danny zuko takes a minute to think it over and then signs right up. this is so insulting to danny zuko; maybe i ought to start calling him his real name which is JP, which also is not really a name.

meanwhile, joey is full on channeling murphy brown and lookin cute. her friendly grandpa cameraman runs up to give her a package. something for her story? mmm something for something. grandpa cameraman, ever a decent person (oh god what if HE dies?) says if there's any way he can help, just give him a call. i think the first thing he can do to help is contact a priest specializing in exorcisms, get to that statue, and end this before it starts hopping railroad tracks.

scully specs are back on, tape is in the vcr, quest to quit smoking is shot, and we are go.

the tape is of a girl in a room at what looks like that asylum that was referenced before, and she's talking about The Box.

"demons," she says. "demons live in the box." well girl, we are way past that, the demons are out of the box, in statues, in hospitals, that box barely has anything to do with anything anymore.

"it's a gateway to hell." yeaarrrrgghhhhh somebody close it, then!

this is a really nice shot, i just wanted to stop everything and have you look at it. hands!

uhhh thennn the tv switches to an image of a dude

and that dude

starts talking

to joey

NOOOOOOOOPE

"she's telling the truth, joey," this guy that sounds Suspiciously like pinhead says.

joey tries to rewind the tape to see what the hell that was, but there's nothing out of the ordinary there... nnnnggghhhhgdhflk

anyway, demons live in the box. it "opens itself", they come out, that's the sitch. fuck all this.

s-s-s-speaking of the b-b-b-box, here it is at joey's apartment, where hot topic is currently all alone. god if anything happens to her i will be devastated beyond belief. pleeeease don't eat her please don't eat her.

hot topic stares at the box the same way i stare at the box: with off-the-charts trepidation. but she notices what i also noticed, that it looks a little different, like now it has color.

"man, joey must've polished you up some, huh?" oh no please don't

i'm pretty much. gonna shit. please put it down please please please joey will be so sad if you are dead and i can't take it!

oh god and then the phone rings and she puts it down thank jesus

absoLutely not the phone call i wanted her to get.

jp wants hot topic to come over. no no, no, no no no, no, and no!

pleeeeeease just wait for joey to get home she'll protect you and you can both be safe! if you go over to jp you're literally going to be devoured by a hell beast aaaaahhhhhhhh

well thank the lord she says she just can't and slams down the phone. score one for pure love! can you win against the delicate softness of girls being nice to each other, pinhead, can you?!

uh wait, then hot topic triggers joey's messages and it sounds like cameraman telling her she got a job that she wanted across the country. ??? what happened to pure love?!

joey comes home and the place is just a sty. it's dark and hot topic's not there.

and she finds this note that says, "enjoy monterey, you liar".

welp, love is dead and the demons are coming! might as well start breaking ourselves down into bite-sized chunks!

that's all for this evening. we’ll have another fun jaunt tomorrow! now, what do you think is the best technique for cutting off your own arm? just grab a hacksaw and go to town?

[lihikainanea]

so after the forest incident, tiger doesn’t go into sweden’s wilderness alone anymore. but she n bill are on vacation with his fam and gustaf takes her on a hike. tiger is loving it but one thing leads to another and she gets hurt, maybe a sprain. g carries her back and bill’s upset bc she’s hurt but he’s grateful she wasn’t alone. he morphs into protective mode tho and is a lil jealous that he wasn’t there to help when she fell. but g is happy to hand her off to bill so he can care for her - 🕊

Ohhhhhhh my. Sweet, sweet Gustaf. And like, Bill gets a little on edge whenever tiger and forest are mentioned in the same breath, understandably, because the last time was hell on Earth.

But like, the minute that she says she’s going with G, Bill is fine. And he’d go with them, but maybe the big dude is nursing a bit of a hangover that’s kicking his ass, and he promised tiger he’d take her on a long trail today but he’s just like...dying. And he knows she’s disappointed, but she’s trying not to show it and trying to take care of him. So when G initially offers to take her instead, she politely refuses--because Bill is a mess, really. He looks half dead. But he’s fine, and he knows she’ll really love the hike, so he insists.

She spends some time with him before she leaves, giving him a few gentle head scritchies and some strong coffee, maybe an alka seltzer and some Tylenol, a cool cloth for his forehead, just tries to get him back feeling somewhat human. And when G comes to get her, she pats her Big Dude’s gut and brushes that curl back from his forehead.

“Are you sure, bud?” she asks softly. He smiles--it’s a little pained, but he manages--and he flicks her nose affectionately.

“Go on kid,” he says and it’s all raspy, “You’ll love it.”

And then he says something in Swedish to Gustaf, and Gustaf just gets that wry smile and nods. Tiger gets up, ruffles her Good Dude’s hair, and Bill holds onto her hand. Tugging lightly, he pulls her down and she kisses him softly--because they can do that now, in front of G. But when she pulls away, Bill keeps hold of her hand.

“Tiger,” he says sternly, “You don’t leave his side, got it?”

Tiger blushes a little.

“Got it bud,” she says shyly.

“Promise me.”

“I promise Billy Goat,” she murmurs, and he pulls her down for another kiss. Some more Swedish muttering, and Gustaf is laughing as he ushers her out the door.

But like, listen. G’s a good dude too. G has no doubt kept a lot of his younger siblings alive throughout their youth, if/when he had to take care of them. But tiger is a whole other bag of cats, man--that girl has zero self-preservation skills, and is the clumsiest motherfucker Gustaf thinks he has ever seen. And he tried, he really did--but there was no stopping it. Maybe it’s not a sprain so much as like, a deep gash or something. Or maybe she THINKS it’s a sprain because it hurts like a bitch--either way, this image of Gustaf just carrying tiger back to the house is the thing dreams are made out of. And maybe Bill started feeling alive enough to be sitting out on the front porch, clutching his cup of coffee, when Gustaf appeared in the far distance with tiger in his arms. And it’s not like that one time with Valter-- Bill trusts Gustaf with his life, and he knows that if tiger STILL got hurt while under his care, then it’s pretty legit. It’s like the kid does it on purpose sometimes.

So he just sighs, starts untangling himself from his blanket. There’s no sense of urgency on his part, because he’s already taken in Gustaf’s demeanor--and it’s calm like it always is, not rushed, soothing. Bill knows that the injury is already well taken care of to the best of G’s abilities, and nothing about their approach is cause for worry. Bill just sighs as they approach, stands up and tries to get a good look.

“It really is a talent, you know,” G says, and Bill smiles wryly.

“What is?” he asks, “Her dedication to hurting herself, or the perpetual effort in just trying to keep her alive?”

“Yes,” Gustaf replies. The two bros laugh, and tiger makes an offended noise.

“I’m right here you fuckheads,” she snaps. But then Gustaf makes like he’s going to put her down, and she clings to him more, crawls up a little on him.

“No!” she cries, and both brothers look at her in satisfaction. But then she gives Bill those sad eyes--that look that is reserved for only him--and his heart clenches a little.

“What happened, kid?” he asks softly. She holds out her arms to him, and Gustaf hands her over as she wraps her arms around Bill’s neck.

“I tripped and fell,” she says, “Tore up my leg on a branch that was sticking out.”

He looks to Gustaf for confirmation, and big bro gives a subtle nod.

“Alright, let’s get you patched up then.”

And goddddd GOOD DUDE BILL. He just brings her inside, sets her up on the counter in the bathroom while he putters around. He’s probably still feeling way less than stellar, and tiger’s injury is really doing nothing for his already sensitive stomach. But he cleans her up, patches her up--maybe even calls in Dr. Big Bro to make sure she doesn’t need stitches, but of course as soon as tiger sees Dr. Big Bro she’s trying to flee because she STILL thinks he’ll try to stab her with a needle, and Bill just has to pick her up and throw her back on the counter.

But all is well, he patches her up, and she leans to give him a big smooch.

“Thanks bud,” she murmurs, and he cups her face for another kiss.

“Come on,” he says, helping her off the ledge, “You must be hungry.”

And on cue, they emerge from the bathroom to see G, putting the finishing touches on lunch for all of them.

GOD GOOD DUDE BILL AND GUSTAF.

[nellie-elizabeth]

The Vampire Diaries: You Made a Choice to Be Good (8x11)

Ohhhhhhh kayyyyy then. Some stuff happened. It's been a few days since I watched the episode and I find myself still processing.

Cons:

Bonnie and Enzo spend the episode happily discussing their wonderful futures together, as they travel to Bonnie's secret cabin where she has moved Elena. Enzo is going to take the cure and become human. So, predictably, he's dead at the end of the episode, courtesy of one Stefan Salvatore.

I'll give the show this much: definitely didn't see it coming. That is, I didn't see it coming until this episode, where Bonnie and Enzo were all full of sunshine and rainbows and bucket lists. It was pretty inevitable he'd die once all that stuff started happening. But I'm annoyed. I'm annoyed because, despite Enzo maybe not being the most interesting character ever, he and Bonnie's relationship was actually good. This is just another example of a secondary character being axed off as we whittle thing down to our finale, which is destined at this point to be all about the Salvatores and nobody else. I just... hasn't Bonnie suffered enough? You reach a point of diminishing returns when you have a character who never, ever gets to have anything go right for her. In fact, that's another problem with the episode. Bonnie talks about how she finally wants to do what's best for her, making it clear that this momentary self-serving attitude is going to end in disaster. I'm theoretically happy for Bonnie standing up for what she wants, but it's some serious bullshit that she was going to give the cure to Enzo without clearing it with Damon first. Come on.

Cade is in Mystic Falls, and our main plot is all about the deals he made with Stefan and Damon. Kill 100 strangers, or kill your brother's girl. Damon spends the episode trying to figure out a way around this. He doesn't want to slaughter a bunch of people, and he doesn't want to kill Caroline, either. He then learns that Stefan got the same offer, and that he's headed straight for Elena, to finally be rid of her. I liked this main plot, but what I don't like is how ineffective Cade is as a villain. We spent a chunk of time here hanging out in the bar, with Caroline trying to get Matt to drink some of her blood in case things went sideways and he was killed. And Dorian is there too, and we take a lot of really meandering minutes to rehash the old debate about humans vs. vampires. We all know where Matt stands on this issue. Is there really anything new to parse out? I guess it's annoying because it doesn't lead anywhere. It's a closed circle of a little plot thread, and in the end we're back to focusing on bigger and more important elements.

Pros:

On principal, I'm annoyed that Enzo is dead. But the execution itself was sort of a thing of beauty. I have this whole theory about Paul Wesley (Stefan) and his performance in this show. You can tell that he basically stopped caring about the plot years ago, and to be fair, the plot of this show is a silly, meandering thing. At any give point, Stefan is either the long-suffering martyr with a heart of gold and just so much angst and pain, or he's the cold-blooded, sarcastic, yet still slightly bitter ripper who rips out Enzo's heart just because the guy happens to be standing in the way, and has every intention of killing Elena because she poses a slight annoyance to him. It's clear that Wesley enjoys playing evil Stefan more, and in some ways I enjoy watching evil Stefan more.

Parallel to humanity-less Stefan is the newly heartfelt and emotional Damon, who goes to great lengths to protect everybody he can. When he hears Elena's life is in danger, he pleads for her over the phone with Stefan. This conversation is so great, because you can tell that Damon is not getting through to Stefan whatsoever. At one point he says "if you hurt her, you're dead to me, Stefan!" and Stefan's reply is that this is what he wants. He's tired of Damon holding him back. Killing Elena will sever their ties for good. What I loved about this conversation is that Damon didn't threaten to kill Stefan at any point. Even when he was getting in his car to try and beat Stefan to Elena, he tells Caroline that she can't come because she'll slow him down if he needs to "hurt" his little brother. And then he says that Stefan will be dead to him, not that he'll kill him. I just liked this attention to detail here. Stefan didn't kill Damon when Damon killed Lexi. Damon wouldn't kill Stefan, even if Stefan killed Elena. Sure, he'd never forgive him, but he still wouldn't kill him.

Enzo's death isn't the only twist of this episode - Bonnie defends herself from an approaching Stefan by using the one weapon at her disposal - a vial full of Elena's blood that she had just extracted to give to Cade (as part of the plan to kill him). She stabs Stefan with it, then runs to the fallen Enzo, grief-stricken. Human Stefan?! Oh man, this is just rife with angst-ridden possibilities. Damon is supposed to take the damn cure once Elena wakes up, but the cure is a one-shot deal. The logic of this sort of escapes me, but okay whatever. Basically, it's like a relay race. I gather that Stefan can pass the cure on to one other person, and then that person can pass it again? Not clear on the details.

But regardless, this means that Stefan is going to grow older, and now that he's been forced back into his humanity, he'll be begging mercy from his friends, right? And then he could give the cure to Caroline, and the two of them could grow old and die, which would mean when Elena wakes up, everybody would be dead or close to dead. Bonnie, Caroline, and Stefan. Leaving Damon. Who could... then take the cure from Caroline? Maybe? I don't know. Regardless, there's no way for this thing to get passed around to everybody who needs it in the proper time so that all persons involved can grow old with all their loved ones around them. Somebody gets the short end of that stick. Probably Damon. God. It sucks. And it's interesting and challenging and I kind of can't wait to see how it plays out.

The third twist is that Bonnie seems to have her power back. As she wails over Enzo's corpse, a surge of energy comes out of her, seeming to reignite her lost witchy powers. Bonnie, this newly confident, newly heartbroken, newly re-powered individual, could end up being the major player in the events to come. Although the whole thing was a bit on the nose, I appreciated how Bonnie complained about always putting people first. She does, and she'll continue to do so, but every time, it costs her dearly. Having lost Enzo, is she going to be able to forgive Stefan? I mean, clearly he wasn't himself when he did that. But as Matt would say, it was still him. Is Bonnie going to still be on Team Salvatore after all of this? Seems a little hard to imagine.

I don't even know what else to talk about with this one. In some ways, it wasn't a very good episode. The bulk of it felt meandering and uninteresting. But the minute Damon starts racing to get to Elena, everything coalesced into a hell of a final few minutes. Only five more episodes left before this show is done for good. Surprisingly, I'm on the edge of my seat!

8/10