#so i wouldn't be tied to it but also in the meantime only have to contribute like 30k ('only') which is <3 years' rent

[trans-cuchulainn]

i just booked to view two flats (to buy) (i'm probably not going to buy them) (i would only be co-buying them even if i did bc i can't afford a mortgage) (they're in a good location though it would be way nearer to useful things even if there's still no bus) and they asked me no questions beyond contact details when i called them about a viewing. is that normal. shouldn't they have tried to check i'm serious. i had all my answers prepared re: the finances and they didn't care

[loggiepj]

To Love A Lannister

chapter 2 | chapter 3

The crowd had gotten louder the moment you opened your eyes, squinting at first against the sun. You wanted to shield your sight but with your hands tied behind your back, all you could do was wiggle your head to the opposite direction. And when you looked to the sides, there Cersei stood, her lips curved into an evil smile, along side her son, King Joffrey. The sound of a man grunting beside you made you turn your head. A masked man was pulling some kind of rope beside you. Your eyes followed where it leads, ending on a machinery located on top of you. It only took you a second to figure out it was a guillotine.

Thwak!

You abruptly woke up, grasping your neck as if on instinct if it was still connected to your body. You weren't scared to die, not for now, anyway. But you'd have a far chance getting killed from drowning rather than execution.

It was only a harmless threat, you thought. Cersei was known for it. And even when you knew what you were getting to in the end, it couldn't hurt you a little less to try, that maybe the endless looks you get from Cersei during dinners and passing meant something other than distaste.

Sleep was hard to get by after that. With nothing else left to do, you decided to wake up for the day.

Oberyn and Ellaria were still fast asleep so you tried to find food for breakfast. And if luck permitted you, you might bumped into the Queen herself.

It was not the Queen you met by the courtyard near the Kitchen's Keep but Tommen, her youngest son. It appeared he was chasing something that scurried further away into the bushes.

When he didn't see you standing behind him, he bumped into your chest. "Apologies My Lady, I was just chasing my cat."

"No worries, My Prince," you greeted back as you bowed. "In fact, I saw him running towards those bushes. I'd help you, if you'd allow it."

"Please, I don't want to bother-"

"Nonsense," you said, then you and Tommen crouched unto the dirt and began looking for his cat. Fortunately, a sliver of gray caught your eye before it jumped to the nearby fence.

"Got you," you said as you caught the furry cat, brushing its fur as you returned it to a smiling Tommen.

"Thank you, My Lady," he said.

"Does it have a name?"

"Ser Pounce."

"An honorable name."

"Do you think so? Joffrey doesn't think so," he said sadly. "He always says he'd kill him and make me eat it."

"I'm sure he's only kidding, My Prince," you said, though you didn't doubt Joffrey wouldn't do it. "If you need any place for him to hide for the meantime, you can always ask me."

Tommen smiled from ear to ear. And that was when you finally noticed you two weren't alone.

"It's time for breakfast, Tommen," Cersei called, her hands tightly clutching against the post. The Queen possessed a kind of beauty no one could compare. And you were completely enamored.

"Your Grace," you greeted, bowing your head.

"Coming, Mother!" Tommen answered before turning back to you. "Would you like to join us for breakfast, My Lady?"

Before you could reply, Cersei added, "I'm sure Y/N has something else to tend to this morning-"

"Of course, I'd like to dine with you," you interrupted, chuckling softly. "I feel famished myself already. Tommen here can tell me more about Ser Pounce and how he became a knight."

Tommen laughed as you walked together towards the dining hall, ignoring Cersei's warning glare she was sending your way.

Luckily, Joffrey wasn't around to join. And that meant Tommen was free to discuss with you about his cat and about the cats in Dorne. You had shared with him how you used to have a pet cat who died due to old age. You mentioned it was your late cousin Elia's cat.

"That's terrible, I don't want that to happen to Ser Pounce," Tommen said as he brushed the furry cat on his lap.

"I'm sure he'll live a long life, My Prince," you assured him. "In fact, Myrcella has also gotten herself a cat in Dorne."

The mention of Cersei's daughter made the Queen drop her spoon.

"Really? I can't wait to meet them. Mother, can we go visit Myrcella in Dorne?" Tommen asked.

Cersei could only force a smile. You didn't mean to put the Queen on the spot so you eventually changed the topic.

When Tommen had excused himself to chase after Ser Pounce, who suddenly jumped from his lap to chase a mouse, the air in the room grew thick.

"You seem to have gotten close to my daughter," Cersei began, after sipping her wine. "I'm glad hospitality is still being practiced in Dorne nowadays."

You smiled at her. "Yes, Your Grace. Myrcella's a bright girl, kind and exceptional. I loved having her around when we're reading scrolls about the night sky and the history of Dorne."

"She doesn't need to know the history of Dorne, when she'll be back to the Capital once she's of age," Cersei said.

"Well, Myrcella always seems curious. And there's no harm seeking more wisdom when there's nothing left to lose."

There was utter silence as you both continued to eat.

"She misses you, Your Grace," you said sincerely. This softened the Queen's stature. It even brought a little smile on her face.

"Mm, we do send each other letters from time to time," Cersei answered.

"You know no words would be tantamount to physical presence-"

"Are you suggesting I should visit Dorne?" Cersei asked, chuckling.

"Why not, Your Grace? I, myself, could give you a tour."

Cersei laughed softly. And it was the kind of laugh that didn't sound evil. It was a genuine one. A soft one. One that's full of longing.

The conversation went on as you both talked about Dorne, about Myrcella, about Cersei's travels when she was young, how being a Queen caged her from exploring and how she once had a dream she had a boat of her own and she'd be the captain.

It only ended abruptly when Jaime arrived, setting his helmet on the dining table rather loud and harshly, as if he was intentionally interrupting your conversation.

~~~

Later that night, Tywin held a small dinner for the guests. You would have enjoyed it, however, the sight of Cersei and Jaime rather close together only made your stomach churn with spite.

And there was King Joffrey, boastfully showing off the wild boar he had caught earlier that morning. You knew he had ordered a servant to do that for him. You were about to counter his speech but decided against it, remembering how you had promised to control yourself around Cersei's first son.

The only time you couldn't pretend to be happy were the times Cersei was with Jaime. Jaime came back a week ago with a decapitated hand. You felt pity for the man who had suffered being a hostage by the Starks yet you couldn't help feeling bitter whenever he and Cersei had gotten close.

You knew the rumors. Drunk Tyrion even confirmed it one night you accompanied your cousin in certain brothels. That Cersei was truly involved with her twin brother Jaime. That the King was not the true heir. Even Myrcella. Or Tommen.

You decided to ignore them when you could still control yourself. One wrong comment from you would make your nightmare come true.

And then there was Ser Loras Tyrell from Highgarden, brother of the bride to be Lady Margaery, the one Cersei is arranged to be married.

This made you feel more hatred as if you had any right at all.

Cersei was staring outside the window alone with a glass of red wine in her hand when you noticed Loras approached her. She immediately dismissed him the soonest he opened his mouth to talk before she went to watch by the next window instead.

The disappointment on Loras' face brought comfort in yours.

This was the time you finally approached Cersei.

If she'd dismissed you like the way she did to the poor guy, it was probably a sign from the heavens to give up on pursuing after her.

"Your Grace," you greeted, bowing your head before standing beside her by the window. The celebration had spread outside the Red Keep, where you could see a couple of people drinking loudly and yelling outside their houses.

"Parties in Dorne are different," you commented. "It's lively and thrilling."

Cersei snorted before she sipped her wine, her eyes still on the horizon. "And what of the Capital?"

"It's dark and dull, the complete opposite to be honest, but I mean no offense, Your Grace," you replied.

"If it was such a bore to you, why bother come?"

You smiled. "And miss this chance to meet you, Your Grace? I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world."

Cersei's cheeks flushed but your eyes could only be imagining it for the torches inside the castle could be playing tricks on you.

She licked her lips before speaking, "What do you want?"

"What?"

"You've been certainly making it your priority to catch my attention," she went on with disdain in her voice. "Sparing with Joffrey, getting close with Tommen and Myrcella. Is it Tommen you want? I'm sure Dorne won't tolerate such a thing."

It made you laugh. "I believe you're right, Your Grace."

Cersei chuckled darkly. "I'd better be dead before I'd allow your marriage to my youngest boy."

You quickly shook your head, still laughing. "No, Your Grace. It was just to catch your attention."

"To what end?"

And you only stared at her as if you had nothing else to say.

She scoffed, suddenly realizing. "You must be out of your mind. In fact, I believe you want to get yourself killed."

"Dorne is amazing," you reasoned. "In fact, richer and more powerful than Highgarden. And we all know Ser Loras is a pillow biter. And. . . Myrcella already loves it there in Dorne-"

"I don't think you have noticed one wrong physical aspect. How would you even gift an heir to my father?"

You smiled. "Trust me, I have no problems with that, Your Grace. I'm sure the rumors about me have also spread upon my arrival."

Cersei only fell silent as her eyes quickly darted to your crotch back to your face before gazing out the horizon.

"If you think I'd entertain such a ludicrous idea then I suggest you guard your doors at night because I myself will slice off your tongue. You're not even a known Martell. What makes you think degrading myself to your level would even be a fair comparison as to marrying Loras?"

"Forgive me, Your Grace." You bowed, hurt upon the admission. "I didn't mean to offend-"

"Offend? You insulted my family name."

"Cersei, a word?"

Both of you turned to Tywin's voice.

"Apologies My lady Y/n, I have something to discuss with my daughter."

"Of course, Lord Tywin," you said, then you looked at Cersei, avoiding her eyes. "Your Grace."

[agentstarkid]

FOREVER IS THE SWEETEST CON ✦ DR3

✦ DEBRIEF: While isolating in a hotel room, some things can't be ignored any more and, as stars fade in the dawn's light, some bonds were meant to be broken, like whispers carried away by the desert wind.

✦ PAIRING: daniel ricciardo x famous!latina!reader

✦ CHECKERED FLAG: 4.3K words

✦ TRACK LIMITS: female!reader, latina!reader, established relationship, lots of angst, covid-19 & quarantine mentions, there's a nine-year age gap, forced proximity (if you squint), language.

✦ MAY'S RADIO: holis babes! before you all come for me with your pitchforks, I'd like to remind you that english is not my first language so I wanna give a big biiig thank you to Tally (@onceuponaoneshotfanfic) for englishing this baby and for encouraging me to write it when I told her I was thinking about it ❤️ I actually wrote this back in october and I can finally post it!! It is tied to Saudade, if you want more context to their story. This is not the end, okay?... or is it? hehe byeee

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Wednesday, just a day before his scheduled morning session, the symptoms began to show. They knew from the moment he started to complain about his body aching all over. The uncertainty and concern were present from the first moment, intensifying when, as a precaution, he underwent several medical tests to verify whether he suffered from Covid or not. However, the first test came back negative. It was a breath of relief, at least for a moment. But on Friday afternoon the alarms went off, and the Aussie driver's negative became a terrifying positive that further disrupted the false peace that they had tried so hard to preserve in recent weeks.

Practice for the opening race was scheduled for the following Friday, and having to isolate in accordance with local regulations meant that Daniel would go into the new season without having driven the car since last month.

Locked away from the outside world, tension brewed within the confines of a hotel room. This forced proximity only served to accentuate the strains that had long been present. The fraying edges of your relationship were now illuminated under the harsh fluorescent lights, magnified by the claustrophobic confinement of quarantine.

You entered the bedroom and found him lying on the bed, wearing a navy shirt and a pair of sweats, his feet locked at the ankles and his attention focused on his phone.

“How are you feeling?”

“’m fine,” he sighed.

“Do you need anything?” you tried again.

“Nope.”

You went to lay down on your side of the bed. “Heard Lando had problems with the car today.”

“Seems the car is even shittier than last year.” He let out a dry laugh. “But I wouldn’t know because I’m stuck in this fucking hotel room for the rest of the week.”

“Look on the bright side, you’ve got a couple of extra days to relax before the craziness of the season begins.” You gave a half shrug.

“Wouldn’t exactly call this relaxing. But you wouldn’t understand.”

“What does that mean? I know how you’re feeling-”

He shook his head and huffed, dropping his phone on the bed. “No, that’s the thing. You don’t know, sweetheart. How would you know? You didn’t get a fucking positive result and was forced to stay inside these walls, watching how everyone else gets the chance to freely try out their cars before they really have to focus on the season. You’re only stuck here as a precaution. It’s funny, you know…” He snorted. “You’ve been traveling a lot lately. And it’s been fine in the meantime. But as soon as you get here—”

“Are you saying that all of this is my fault?” The tension in the room was palpable as the argument raged on.

He rubbed his forehead as he looked up at the ceiling. He wouldn't even look at you — and somehow that annoyed you even more.

“Oh, I’m sorry for not being considerate enough to also get sick, it’s not like I can actually control that. But that might be my fucking fault, too. I’m too fucking busy being worried about your health. My bad.” You closed your eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm your beating heart. You turned back over to face away from him.

You felt so tired and hurt. In the last few days, these walls have felt like a battleground, waiting for you to engage in combat. And all you keep doing is try to stand tall pretending to be the bravest soldier.

It all began with the relentless hate that had been heaped upon you recently. At first, it was fine, it was expected, and you would laugh about the things they were saying. You must have been blinded by the honeymoon phase, as some people call it, but all things must come to an end. Lately, Daniel's devoted fans had turned into a fierce mob, outraged and blaming you for his performance last year, saying it was all the time he's been spending with you instead of focusing on his career. The hateful comments and messages had started to poison the relationship.

You guessed that it was easier when you were the only target. It was bearable to an extent; you could take it. Wasn't the first time it happened, and you supposed it was all part of the “big show”. But once they started targeting him too – things took a 180-degree turn.

Daniel and you had been inseparable for two years, celebrating your anniversary not too long ago. Now, you both lay silently in your hotel room; the once fiery love now reduced to smoldering embers.

He sighed and turned his head in your direction. “Babe, I—”

“It’s okay.” You mumbled squeezing your eyes shut, trying to keep in the tears that threatened to fall. “Goodnight.”

He covered his eyes with his hands; he didn’t mean to snap at you like that. He could hear you taking deep breaths, and something in his chest felt heavy. This need to bicker, to fight with you had been present for a few weeks, but lately had reached an all-time high.

The 2021 Formula 1 season had brought with it a surge of emotions that Daniel hadn't anticipated. As he settled into his new role with McLaren, the pressure to prove he was the more experienced driver in his first year with the team weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Every race was a chance to show the world that he still had what it took to compete at the highest level of motorsport. The expectations were high, and the scrutiny was relentless. Fans, the media, and fellow drivers all wondered if the Honey Badger could return to his former glory.

The season brought a mix of highs and lows. The highlight, undoubtedly, was the victory in Monza. It was a moment that should have been celebrated longer as a triumph for both Daniel and McLaren. However, amidst the jubilation, there was a bitter undercurrent of frustration. It seemed that the team's focus was already shifting to the next race, their first win in 12 years overshadowed by the relentless march of time.

Daniel's frustration grew as he watched the spotlight turn away from Monza's victory. He yearned for the recognition, the culmination of a year of hard work and perseverance. But as the season continued, the pressure only increased. The wins were non-existent, and the losses weighed heavily on him, each one gnawing at his confidence.

The expectations for the coming season were higher than ever. He knew that he had to perform at his best to silence the critics and prove that he still had that competitive edge. The weight of those expectations seemed to hang over him, a constant reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.

Each race weekend would become a test, a chance to prove himself once again. The roar of the engines, the smell of burning rubber, and the pressure of the competition were all part of the Formula 1 world that he loved, but they also added to the mounting stress.

You couldn’t sleep at all.

Sleep evaded you that night. Your mind was racing a mile a minute, trying to figure out how to fix the fractured parts of the relationship. Where did it go wrong? The question replayed over and over again like a broken record.

You stretched your arm to grab your phone from the nightstand and check the time.

2:30 A.M. Just a little bit less than 4 hours until the sun would come out. And 5 more days until you both would be free to leave this room.

You stood up from the bed and went to Daniel’s bedside table to look for the fingertip pulse oximeter. Once you found it, you knelt down and took his hand, careful not to wake him, and placed the oximeter on the tip of his index finger. After a few seconds of waiting for the values to remain constant, you sighed with relief when a big 98 appeared under the oxygen saturation. Thankfully, his symptoms were not of great concern, and he showed constant improvements. But you didn’t want to risk it, so every few hours you made sure to check his vitals just so you could have a little peace of mind. Especially when he was sleeping.

You couldn’t help but look at him for a moment. He looked to be in a profound state of sleep, so calm and so beautiful. His features, usually animated and lively, rested in a serene calm. You observed the rise and fall of his chest, the tranquil expressions that danced across his face, and the gentle harmony of his breathing. In these hushed moments, it was like nothing had changed, where you were still you and he was still the same Daniel that promised you that you were a team.

As you gazed upon him, your heart was a mix of conflicting emotions. On one hand, there was the undeniable warmth and affection that comes from witnessing his vulnerability in slumber. Yet, a touch of sadness lingered, a bittersweet reminder of the unresolved tension from the previous fight. The serenity of his sleep served as a poignant backdrop to your disagreements, and you desperately longed for the chance to mend the rift and return to the peace you once shared.

It didn’t take long for the tears to appear again and you couldn’t help but curse being so sensitive. You stood up; you knew that going back to bed was useless, so you headed out of the room. You ended up curled up on the couch in the dark living room of your hotel room, the soft glow of your phone screen casting a bright light on your tear-streaked face. You debated whether calling one of the girls or just text them in need of letting all this helplessness out. But you didn't want to bother them with your problems, you knew they already had enough with their owns. So, you gave up on the idea.

Your relationship with Daniel had been a whirlwind of love and excitement, a passionate journey that had weathered ups and downs, but always coming out stronger on the other side. Now, you weren’t so sure you would come out of this unscathed.

Was it time to let it go? You couldn’t help but wonder. You weren’t new to this predicament. It happened before with your last relationship. But with Harry, the revelation that it was over came naturally and gently. You both were on the same page and knew it was inevitable. But with Daniel, your heart told you to continue, begged you to keep fighting while your mind was sending out warning signals that you chose to completely ignore.

The bright Bahraini sun shone through the big windows when Daniel, out of habit, rolled over to pull your body closer and instead felt the coldness of the sheets on your side of the bed. He opened his eyes and searched around the room. The bathroom door was open, and the lights were off, so you couldn’t be there. He stood up and left the room, yawning. He found you in the same place you ended up last night, curled up and holding a pillow to your chest.

The dark bags under your eyes were more prominent this morning. He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt in his chest at the sight of you. He got closer and leaned down to place a tender kiss on your forehead and felt you stir for a moment before slowly opening your eyes. You rubbed your eyes before looking up at him silently.

“Hey.”

“Hi,” you said in a sleepy voice.

“What are you doing here?” he yawned, taking a seat on the couch as you moved back to give him space.

“Couldn’t sleep,” you replied in a muted voice, eyes downcast, fiddling with your fingernails.

And that was the routine after an argument: fight. One of you would try to walk away to calm down (most of the time it was you). Pretend nothing happened and go back to normal – well, whatever normal meant these days. Repeat.

A heavy silence settled between you. He leaned back on the couch, just staring at your face. He knew he should say something. Apologize even. But the words refused to come out. Meanwhile, thoughts swirled in your mind, doubts that had been lingering for a while now. Was it all in your head? Had you been the problem all along?

No.

As the seconds ticked by, the fog began to lift, and with it came a newfound clarity. It wasn't all in your head, and you weren't the sole problem. You had believed for so long it was your responsibility to make things right, to hold everything together. But it had been a shared responsibility, a partnership that had eroded in different ways.

Yes. You had both contributed to this.

You had underestimated the significance of his actions, his choices, and his words. In the process of taking all the blame, you had overlooked how he had let things slip away, how he had failed to communicate, and how he had allowed the distance to grow. You realized that it was a two-way street, and while you had been quick to accept responsibility for your part, it was time for both of you to acknowledge your roles in your shared demise.

Something within you was stirring, a growing realization that you couldn't keep shouldering the blame for everything. It wasn't fair to you, nor was it the path to a healthy and equal relationship.

"I can't do this anymore, Daniel," you murmured, your eyes brimming with sadness.

"No, no no— no we're not doing this—"

“Amor, please,” you pleaded in a whisper. Tears welled up in your eyes, but your resolve held firm. “We've been arguing about everything lately. All of this is hurting us. Your fans—”

Daniel's heart ached, but he lashed out in defense. “You know it's not that simple! I can't control what my fans say—”

Your irritation boiled over. "But you can defend me, Daniel! You can stand up for us!”

Frustration welled up in Daniel, his voice growing sharper. "I'm trying to protect what's left of my career, YN! Last season was awful for me, apart from one win, which was insignificant, apparently. I've got my own fucking problems!” He stood up forcefully and started to pace around the room.

Your anger flared and big angry tears streamed down your face. “You think it's only your career that's on the line? What about us? We're supposed to be a team, supporting each other. ‘Us against everything else’, remember? But you're making it all about you!” you screamed at him, standing up from where you were previously sitting.

He suddenly stopped in front of you. “You're too young and naive to understand the pressure I'm under. It's not just about us. It's about my career, it’s about my life! And that’s very rich coming from you,” he scoffed. “What about your fans, huh? The hate I'm getting from them and other people, it's taking a fucking toll!” he hissed. You stared at him, feeling shocked by his words. He kept going. “And let’s not forget how fucking clingy you’ve been. You suffocate me sometimes. Must be nice to have a job where you can just drop everything anytime you want and take paid vacations to follow me around.”

His words left you feeling as though the ground had been yanked from beneath your feet.

You're too young and naive. How fucking clingy you’ve been — You suffocate me sometimes. His words echoed incessantly in your mind like a stuck playback.

When did the insecurities shared transform into arrows, aimed at your most profound wounds?

You snapped, “You knew what you were getting into when we started dating. And I warned you. I gave you an out so many times, but you decided to stay.” A bitter laugh left your mouth. “You said I was the greatest risk you’ve ever taken and the greatest reward—”

“And I did think that, YN,” he uttered. “We lived inside a bubble for so long, but reality is different. Maybe we rushed into this too soon.”

“Come on, bury my heart deeper, Danielito. If that's what you're trying to do— it's working,” you said with a pained smile, eyes only focused on him.

The room seemed to grow colder, and your voices decreased in volume. But the damage had been done. Daniel realized the pain his words had caused, but his own frustration clouded his judgment. “This wouldn’t even be a problem, if you wouldn’t make one out of it,” he muttered bitterly.

“Please, don’t make this worse than it already is,” you agonized; your voice was shaky. Invisible claws of grief and anguish were tearing at the muscles and tendons in your chest. You never knew that emotions could possess such tangible, physical presence.

“If only we had met on different grounds. Then maybe things would have been different, we would be different.”

You couldn't help but add more fuel to the fire. You lacked the capacity for a graceful exit, and if you were aflame, you'd ensure that he, too, would turn to ashes. “Do you mean what if I was different?” A new wave of anger swept over you.

That question caught him off guard, forcing Daniel to pause and stare at you, honest surprise and confusion coloring his face. “What?”

Your voice trembled with a mix of frustration and hurt as you confronted him. “Heidi's constant presence in the paddock these past few months, the way you've been talking to her, and how people are speculating about you two... It's causing me to doubt myself and my place in your life.”

Daniel's brows furrowed, and his voice carried irritation. “YN, this is ridiculous. Heidi is just a friend. We've been through this countless times.”

You inched forward as you tried to make him understand. “I know she's your friend, but the way you've been spending time with her lately... it's different. I can't shake off the feeling that there might be something more.”

Daniel rolled his eyes, his frustration mounting. “You're being crazy, YN. We're just friends, and it's unfair of you to accuse me, and especially her, like this.” In a further defensive move, he shot back, “You're the one who had those cheating rumors circulating, not me. You should know how destructive and unfounded these accusations can be. And now, you're doing the same thing with Heidi?”

It felt like a hard punch to your gut, you took in a sharp breath, “So, you're bringing this up again? We already cleared the air about those false accusations when they hit us. I would never dare cheat on you!” Your frustration was palpable.

“And why is it so fucking hard to believe I wouldn’t either?” Suddenly, you could clearly see how sadness clouded his features.

The room seemed to close in around you both. Then, all of a sudden, you realized that healing from this and moving forward required a level of understanding and compassion that seemed beyond reach in the heat of this argument.

In that moment, you knew for certain that it was over. The love you had once celebrated, the memories you had shared, now felt like distant echoes of a happier time.

How did you both allow things to spiral into such chaos? This living room had transformed into a battleground, where words cut like knives. Where were the Daniel and YN who were deeply in love? The ones who, for the first time, felt safe to be vulnerable and discuss a future they had envisioned together; one with a couple of tiny little feet running around the farm in a couple of years and joking about how wild a perfect mix of Australian and Latino genes would be. Now, you stood face to face, unrecognizable, refusing to show any sign of surrender.

It wasn’t supposed to end like this.

It wasn’t supposed to end at all.

The silence in the room was suffocating. All the energy and adrenaline left your body at once. You felt emotionally drained, as though a storm had swept through your heart and left it battered and exhausted.

You took a sit back on the couch and ran your hands across your face, squeezing your eyes shut. “We can't go on like this.”

So, this is it, Daniel thought. Dread twisted in his gut; he felt like he might throw up. His shoulders slumped and he raked his fingers through his hair as he took a seat next to you. The vulnerability in your words cut him deeply, but he understood the gravity of the situation. "You're right," he admitted, his voice choked with emotion. “We tried, didn’t we? We gave it our best shot” a sad smile adorned his tired face. “For what it’s worth, I really am sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.” he murmured as tears shone in his eyes.

“I'm sorry, too. I wanted to make it work. I always just wanted to be the one.” Your heart seemed to shatter into even smaller fragments. As you wiped away a single tear that trickled down your cheek, the physical act of brushing it away only served to accentuate the profound pain that had settled within your chest. It felt as though each tear carried with it a piece of your shattered dreams and the love that was now slipping through your fingers like grains of sand. In that fleeting moment, your heartache intensified, and you realized that this breakup was leaving you more broken than you had ever thought possible.

As the final words echoed in the room, you, your tears spent, turned and walked out into the bedroom, leaving Daniel alone with the weight of what had just transpired.

As soon as you left the room, you locked yourself in the bathroom and texted Blake. You asked him if there was any chance, he could talk to the hotel so you could get another room for the remaining time you had to be in quarantine. The request took him by complete surprise, and you explained shortly that Daniel and you had just broken up.

He assured you he was going to do everything in his power to get you a new room. You were sure that as soon as you hung up the phone, he was already texting Daniel asking for a better explanation.

As you sat on the bathroom floor, the pain was all-encompassing, a relentless throb deep within your chest that left you gasping for air. It felt as though a gaping void had taken up residence in your heart, and you weren’t sure how to fill it.

Tears flowed freely down your cheeks. Numbness had started to settle in. A surreal feeling that this couldn't be real, that you would wake up from this nightmare at any moment. You wished that a switch would flip and make it all go away, but the pain persisted.

Bitterness and anger boiled within you. You felt wronged by the universe, by the cruel twist of fate that had torn you both apart. You resented the public scrutiny, the relentless judgment from fans and strangers alike, and the demands of your high-profile careers.

You felt unbearably alone. You longed for Daniel’s presence, for the familiar comfort of his arms, but he was no longer yours to hold. Your heart ached for the man you thought, for a short period, you would spend the rest of your life with, even though you knew that was no longer possible. The pain of heartbreak was, for you, an agonizing and inescapable reality, and you had yet to discover how to heal and move forward.

Turns out Blake went beyond of what you initially asked for. He arranged for you to take the PCR test again to confirm that you had not contracted the virus while sharing a room with Daniel.

After two slow and torturous days, where you spent your time curled up on the couch and Daniel spent his in the bedroom — a decision you made, he was the sick one after all. After two consecutive negative results, you were given the green light to leave. You had already packed your things after your call with Blake a few days ago, hoping you could change rooms. He had asked you if you needed anything else, saying he was willing to facilitate everything for you. He saw you as a fundamental part of this little dysfunctional family and had developed a deep affection for you. You couldn’t thank him enough.

Soon you had a plane waiting to take you back to L.A., to a house, not a home, all alone. You were leaving behind what you've come to realize was your home in the last two years.

You awkwardly said goodbye to Daniel. Your voice sounded tired, while he shifted on his feet on the threshold of the bedroom door. Curls wild, beard a bit longer than the past days and the bags under his eyes looked even more prominent. Despite the visible signs of weariness on both of you, you still couldn't draw any solace from the shared pain.

You knew you had to find your own path, to heal from these wounds, and to rediscover who you were outside of the relationship. As the plane took off, you made a silent promise to yourself to emerge from this ordeal stronger, wiser, and ready to face the world, no matter how unforgiving it might be.

[stilespeters]

SALVATION (series)

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (part 4) (part 5) (part 6)

pairing: colin zabel x reader

words: 3501

A/N: sooo i had this idea in my head and I’ve written it out. I haven't written a lot the past year, but now that i joined the evan train, i thought: why not.

It's a crossover AU of mare of easttown and ahs cult, where Kai Anderson is the bad guy:) The first chapter is more of an introduction so im sorry if it’s a bit boring. Reader will meet Colin in the next chapter. If things go as planned, there will be around 12 chapters. I got 9 chapters planned out already. If the chapter is too long then I'll shorten it, feedback is always appreciated:)

Anyway, lmk if u like it. I have fun things planned. Otherwise it’s also fine. Happy new year btw!

summary: 7 years after the reign of terror caused by Kai Anderson, a detective is called to Brookfield Heights to solve a string of murders. In the meantime, a girl who struggles to find her place in the world, tries her best to move on from an incident that happened years ago.

warnings: description of violence, swearing

Part 1: the ice cream man

“This is the third one in two weeks.” Crime scene investigator Janssen explained to Detective Colin Zabel. They both looked at the crimson smiley face that stared back at them inside of a home in Brookfield Heights, Michigan. It was dark outside, and the red and blue hue of the police cars were lighting the room.

“Next door neighbors recalled hearing commotion at around 11 in the evening. The neighbors tried to call the victim’s cell phone, but there was no answer. They called the police at 12:13 who arrived at the scene at 12:34. They did a welfare check but no one opened the door. After calling for reinforcements and forcing their way in, they found the bodies of Marie Allen and Bernard Allen in the living room,” he explained. “The fibers on the chair indicated that Bernard was tied up before his death, which matches with the marks on his wrists. Marie’s neck was bruised and they both got stabbed in the chest. ”

“Any signs of forced entry?” Colin asked, but Janssen shook his head. “The front door was locked. The window on the second floor was open, but it’s impossible to reach, since there is no way to climb in from the outside. Another window on the first floor bathroom was open as well, but it only opened 10 inches. However, the door that leads to the backyard was ajar, and there were also footprints visible on the mud in the backyard.”

“Has the podiatrist examined it yet?”

“He’s on his way.” Janssen planted his hands on his hips as he analyzed the smiley on the wall again and narrowed his eyes. The nose of the smiley was smeared. “What kind of sick fuck do you have to be to finish what someone else started.” Colin raised his eyebrow.

“Started?”

“In 2016 the terror happened. Councilman Kai Anderson started a group called fear is truth. They wanted to spread fear amongst the residents of Brookfield Heights by leaving a mark; the smiley face. If it appeared in your home, it meant that you were next to be targeted by Kai, which meant you were next to get killed,” He continued. “They began their spree on October 11th. They killed 5 people in 3 months time, and they went on to kill another 4 people after that.”

Colin remembered hearing about it on the news. The man who confessed to 11 murders in total including a few of his own loyal followers, gave him chills along his spine. His charisma and intelligence made him menacing and when Colin saw him speak in a court video, it made him very uneasy. At first glance you wouldn't think he was a dangerous man.

“What stopped him eventually?” He inquired and Janssen stepped aside for a forensics photographer who wanted to get through.

“Kai and his gang targeted the wrong people. A teenager who was smoking upstairs set the house on fire whilst Kai and the others were busy killing her parents. She managed to stab one of Kai’s followers, and as he bled out, Kai left him for dead and shot him, but he managed to survive. After his recovery he demanded immunity if he were to rat out Kai and the rest. Turns out he had physical evidence of the crimes Kai and his group had committed. The surviving girl and the ex-member of Kai’s group testified against him and it was enough to lock him and his followers away for good.”

Colin felt bad for the girl. She must’ve been traumatized. She was only a teen at that time. Losing one parent is already hard enough, but losing both of your parents at the same time is something that must be devastating. Especially when it was at the hands of a sociopathic sadist.

“We did find traces of DNA,” Janssen said. “They’re running it through the database right now but it could take a while to find a match, probably 2 to 3 days.”

“Good,” Colin said and he looked at the smiley face again.

“You really think the people who did this are finishing what Kai started? Like some worshippers? They don’t look like amateurs to me.”

Janssen looked puzzled as he sucked his teeth.

“The man who got immunity for ratting out every one of the group might have left someone out, although that is not most likely. The profiler should be here soon, so he can answer your questions better than me.”

Colin nodded and Janssen looked outside. That’s when he saw a man pull up the crime scene tape. “Speak of the devil. I’ll be right back. The sooner it’s done the earlier I can go home to my wife.” He patted Colin’s back and walked to the front door.

Colin also wanted to go back to his motel room. He awoke 20 minutes prior, and immediately rushed to the crime scene.

He’d be lying if he said he wasn't exhausted, but he knew that this was a huge step up in his career. Plus, he already drunk a cup of coffee on the way to the crime scene, so he’ll manage.

Colin looked at the window and saw that a few people from the neighborhood were gathered at the other side of the pavement. He figured that it was best to see if they witnessed anything. He walked outside and a patrol officer pulled up the tape for him.

He approached an older woman who had a concerned look on her face. Her eyes were red and puffy and her glasses were pushed to the far end of her nose. It was obvious that she had just awoken, due to her bathrobe that was wrapped around her body, and she shivered.

“Hello ma'am, my name is Detective Colin Zabel,” Colin said and the woman frowned in worry.

“Oh lord, do I have to provide a statement or something? You people scare me, my husband used to be one of you. I live over there,” she pointed at the house around the corner. “I just woke up to loud noises outside and saw a bunch of people at Marie’s house.”

“It’s alright, I just want to ask a few questions,” he reassured.

“Did something bad happen to Marie? If there’s this many of you it must be bad, right? Is it the same person who killed a couple and an older couple a few weeks ago? The one who leaves those creepy paintings? I read it on the news.” Her voice was shaky and she pushed her glasses back up her nose bridge.

“We don’t know precisely, but we're doing everything we can to catch the person who did this. He won't get away, we’ll try and make sure no one else gets hurt.” She let out a sigh and she rubbed her forehead.

“I trust your word, youngman.”

She gave a weak smile, to which Colin grabbed a notebook and a pen from his pocket.

After Colin asked the woman several questions, she tried to answer them as best as possible. He tried to write the most useful information on the notepad, but the woman spoke really fast which made it hard for him to keep up.

“I remember hearing a car or something, was it at 10 pm, or was it 11pm? It could be between 10 and 11. I don’t know exactly-”

“-Grandma?” A voice interjected and Colin looked down to see a girl dressed in a pink pajama, rubbing her eyes while holding a teddy bear. Whilst Colin talked to the woman, he hadn't noticed a child coming up to them. “Adelaide honey, go back to bed.” She tried her best to not sound panicked but she couldn't help it. Her granddaughter shouldn't have to see a crime scene unfold.

“Is that the ice cream man?” The girl’s eyes studied Colin’s face and she smiled widely as she pointed at him. Colin couldn't help but smile back. A child's innocence was one of the purist things on earth. He often wished that they would keep their innocence forever and not get stained by the cruel world.

He crouched down to her height and his hands were on his thighs to hold him up.

“I’m a detective,” she frowned and he tried to explain it as best as possible. “My job is to make sure that the world is free of bad guys. I team up with an amazing team of heroes and together we make sure that the bad guys can't hurt anyone else.”

The girl’s frown faded quickly and turned into an even wider smile, and her eyes were filled with adoration. “I want to be a hero too, like you.” His heart melted as she spoke in glee.

The grandma placed her hands on the girl’s shoulders as she stood behind her, and she played with a few of the hairs that stuck out of her short ponytail.

Colin saw her yawn as she brought her teddy bear closer to her chest. He wanted to question other neighbors and he realized that he wasn't gonna get any more useful information from the woman so he wanted to leave them be. “It’s really late, Adelaide. It’s almost half past 2. Maybe it's best if you and your grandma go back to bed.”

The girl immediately shook her head frantically.

“I’m not tired at all, I can go without sleep just like adults can. Besides, I will not go back unless I get ice cream. Can we please wait a little longer till the ice cream man comes back? Please?” She prolonged the last word as she looked up at her grandma, and she squeezed her shoulders.

Colin however, froze as his smile faded. Ice cream man?

“What did you see, Adelaide?” He asked carefully and the little girl looked up at the sky for a few seconds before answering. “I heard the ice cream song. I looked outside and saw a big car with ice cream on it. A clown was driving it. I love clowns.” She explained before rubbing her eyes. “Were you the ice cream man?”

Colin flipped to the new page of his notebook.

“Can you maybe describe him for me?”

…………

“32… 34… 36… Finally.” You exhaled in glee and relief.

For over thirty minutes you had tried to find the destination of your new psychiatrist. Turns out you had taken the wrong turn a few blocks ago, and it felt like you were in a maze. It didn't help that you had no clue how this car worked, since it was Cordelia’s. You may or may not have crashed yours into a traffic sign while trying to parallel park.

Once you drove in the parking spot next to a BMW, you rushed your way to the front door. You were already late due to sleeping through your alarm clock, and getting lost only made you lose more time.

You pressed on the bell, and after a while a man opened the door with a friendly smile.

“Hi Y/n,” He stepped aside for you to come into the room and as you hung your coat on the coat rack next to the door, you followed the man inside of another room; his office.

“Sorry I’m late, I just never had sessions in the morning and I slept through my alarm clock.” You held out your hand to shake his. You were kinda nervous since you didn’t know how he’d react. Teachers used to despise you for your tardiness in high school, and ever since you had always arrived everywhere on time. Luckily, he didn't show any signs of irritation. “I’m dr. Vincent. And it’s alright.” Vincent had a firm handshake and you took a seat in the armchair that was facing another armchair.

“I was just making tea, do you want some?”

You shook your head politely. After he set his own tea cup on a card on the table he sat down in front of you.

“As you know, Michonne is on maternity leave, so from now on I’ll be taking sessions with you.”

You nodded and he grabbed a notebook with a pen, and wrote something that looked like the date. He folded his hands on his knee.

“So Y/n, how are you?” You cleared your throat and let out a small sigh.

“I’m fine, actually. I feel better than expected at least. Today marks the 5 year anniversary of his death, which feels…” you sighed and rubbed your temple with your fingers. “I don’t really know what to feel about that. It’s surreal. I mean, I’m happy that he got what was coming for him, but I just don’t really feel the satisfaction of his death. I’m not a violent person, not at all. But I just wish he suffered more. Is that a bad thing to feel, or say?”

He shook his head and gave you an understanding look. “What happened to you was traumatic. Of course it’s reasonable that you want justice for yourself, and for your family.” He took a sip of his tea.

“It's just so confusing. Like, I know he felt pain in his last moments, and that is something that really calmed me after everything that had happened. I mean, while he was serving his lifetime prison sentence, his face was bashed in beyond recognition by another cellmate. It’s a cruel way to go. Yet I still don’t feel satisfaction for some reason. It’s like a book suddenly ends in the middle. Like it ends with a cliffhanger and the story doesn't come full circle.” You tried to explain as best as possible, but you didn't understand exactly what you felt so it was hard to explain it to someone else.

He however, nodded and intertwined his fingers into a fist on his lap. “I understand, and it’s totally normal. Your mind has suffered so much that your brain hasn’t accepted it. You haven’t found closure yet, which leaves you with an unsatisfied feeling.”

“And that’s the frustrating part,” you groaned. “There are people who have gone through the same thing I have, and they’re doing much better than I am doing. I don't understand how other people do it.”

“You are a unique person. No one will react the exact same way you do. Everyone deals with it in a different way. Some learn to give it space faster than others. Need I to remind you that you were the only person to survive Kai Anderson? Plus, you were 17 at the time. Your brain was still developing.” he explained. “It’s not nothing, going through something like that at that age.”

You let out a sigh, somehow talking about it was still difficult.

“I just… He is haunting me. Even after his death he is still torturing me,” you pinched your nose bridge while closing your eyes. “I used to see him in my nightmares, but now I see him in physical form. He just watches me from a distance. He doesn't say anything, he just stands there. I know it’s not possible, I know it’s not real. But it looks real, it’s like I can touch him,” you explained and he wrote everything you said in his notebook while listening thoughtfully.

“And what do you feel when you see him?” you shrugged.

“I don’t really feel anything. It’s like my mind is blank, like I’m in a trance. All I know is that everytime I see him, I want to smash the smug expression off his filthy face,” you balled your fists.

“When did this start, how often does this recur?” He inquired and you kissed the back of your teeth while thinking back.

“It actually started recently, I think two weeks ago. After that, I saw him everyday. When I go to work, when I visit a friend, when I stand in my kitchen looking outside,” you shivered when you thought about it. “I remember when I first saw him, that I felt like I was losing my mind. I didn't want to leave my house for a while. When I told people what I saw, everyone looked at me like I was crazy. I really felt like I was.”

Vincent clicked his tongue and cleared his throat.

“Do you have disorganized thinking?”

“No.”

“Abnormal motor behavior?”

“No.”

“Any signs of delusions?”

“I don’t think so.”

He scribbled something down again and you waited in anticipation. The only sound that was in the room was the sounds of his pen on paper, and the clock on the right side of the room that was ticking in a nerve wracking manner.

It was as if you were waiting for the result of a test you didn't study for. It was a gnawing feeling.

“Alright,” he started. “Even after all these years, he still has a hold on you. The mind is a powerful thing. It can’t process everything all at once; the grief, the anger, the pain. It’s too much, which is why your brain is playing tricks on you. Especially after the recent killings that have been tormenting Brookfield Heights. Maybe it triggered something again.” You knew about the recent killings, hell this morning you saw the news where yet another couple was found murdered in their home. But you weren't really afraid. Your house was protected and you weren't alone.

“I just don't understand why I see him, I pushed everything behind me.”

“that's the problem, you’re pushing it away. The harder you push, the stronger it comes back at you.” He interjected.

“What do you want me to do?” you asked.

“Whatever keeps your mind busy. Do you have any hobbies? Anything to take your mind off?”

“I help at my mom’s bar, the Supreme Dominion. She is in France now, so me and my sisters are in charge. It’s really stressful sometimes, but it does keep my mind from wandering.”

“Good. Just try to be as busy as possible, it’s a distraction for your brain,” he kept writing on the notepad, and you noticed he was already on the next page. “I’m prescribing you a different antipsychotic, paliperidone. In the meantime if you see him again, I want you to try and convince yourself that he isn’t real. Now, I know that sounds easier than done, but just try. Slowly take control again, over your mind and your life.” He gave you the receipt of the medical prescription, and you nodded friendly as you walked out of his office.

“I’ll try. Thank you Vincent. See you next week.”

After you left his office, you immediately drove by the pharmacy and got paliperidone. You figured the sooner you got it, the sooner things would finally go back to normal. Because that’s all you wanted, to put everything behind you. You didn’t want to see his face ever again, and you hoped that he was rotting somewhere in hell.

The sooner Kai was out of your mind and life, the sooner you could finally breathe in peace again.

But what you didn't know was this week would be one of the last peaceful moments in your life.

Because as you walked out of the pharmacy, bag in hand, and no clue whatsoever what was happening around you, a certain blue haired man was standing on the other side of the street, watching you intently as you made your way towards your car.

He wanted to jump you, right then and there, but he composed himself and placed his hands in his pockets as he watched you drive away.

He was going to hurt you, both mentally and physically. And oh boy, he had fantasized about it ever since he faked his death.

The murders of Marie and Bernard Allen he committed yesterday evening, and the previous murders in Brookfield Heights were only to feed his rage, but it didn't satisfy him in the slightest. No, he only wanted one thing. And that was satisfaction in watching you suffer. He wanted to watch life leave your eyes as you breathed your last puff of oxygen. He was determined to kill every last person you cared about.

He found joy when he saw the look of fear in your eyes as you and him made eye contact for the first time since 2016 three weeks ago. In fact, he enjoyed it way too much to mess with you. Making you think you were losing your mind hallucinating him was only the beginning.

There was nothing more dangerous than a man who wants revenge.

And he would break you in every way possible, if it’s the last thing he’ll do.

[krnsluvvie]

love at first, love at second, love at last

diecinueve: mi corazón es tuyo (+ wc: 2.3k)

SUMMARY: sae had chosen his career and that was shortly followed by his and y/n's separation. three years pass by and amongst all the lurking and stalking each other's socials, sae is suddenly found back in their hometown. old feelings are resurfaced, current ones are questioned and a whole load of future ones are found in a blur.

dieciocho | masterlist | veinte

upon your proposal, you wait in the park. 

due to your history that ties to this exact place, it's not your usual spot to meet up with your friends–or anyone for that matter. if anything, you see each other in school and that was already enough (and also very convenient).

the reason you suggested it in the first place, however, was just how it made things easier–as it's in the middle of the town–and was accessible to almost everyone.

the past has caught up to you already and there wasn't much of a need to avoid it. despite it all, though, it was still a want. to some extent.

you sit on the swings and use your feet as a leverage to move forward and then backward. you circle your hands around the chains suspending from the top bar.

the bitterness fills your mouth as the memories from the deepest crevices flood your mind. 

you were only fourteen, pushing fifteen, when you met sae.

he was your age, in your grade but in a totally different school. that school happened to be the one across from yours. they had annual football matches at the end of the year–also known as the sports week. 

it was created by the pe teachers with only one purpose in mind: having fun.

when you had heard that, you felt like bursting out laughing as that sounded superfluous more than anything. looking back though, they were unfortunately right.

you were never a sports kid to begin with. your mind wasn't also focusing on studies either; you were just… there throughout the school year.

as the sports week approached, you decided to give it a shot and sign up for the relay team. they were so desperate for the candidates that the second you uttered those words out, your schoolmates pounced on you and yelled 'yes', no second thoughts.

you had smiled then and only hoped you wouldn't disappoint them.

in the meantime, you and your classmates walked around the school field and went to watch other sports and what the other teams were up to. upon changing the track, two kids caught your eye. they were probably your age, if not, then definitely, totally younger.

should you go? should you follow your classmates? they looked really susp–

“you guys, i forgot my phone.”

“but weren't you–”

“alright, see you!” you dashed towards the kids.

“psssst.” you said as you slowly approached them. one had blue-black hair, doe eyes staring at you. the other was hiding behind him with his pink hair and a small braid on one side.

they looked at you weirdly before looking at each other and nodding. “we attend this school.”

you hummed. “really? i haven't seen you around.”

the panic momentarily flashed in their eyes but the blue-eyed boy seemed to think fast of a response. “we're freshmen.”

you raised your eyebrow. “oh? but…” a little bit of suspense, “i'm a freshman here as well.”

“we're a different class.” the words came out all unsure.

you stroked your chin. this kid was bullshitting. “what are you here for? if you don't respond now, i just might have to call a t–”

the pink-braid kid emerged from the other kid's back and put up his hands in defense. “okay, okay, you got us.”

you rolled your eyes, a hand on hip as if you were nagging them. “well?”

“we heard itoshi sae was joining this match so we had to go.”

“who?”

they both gasped. it was so loud the kids around you looked your way. they both lowered their voices as they started explaining things to you.

“the star, the child football prodigy.” 

“i can't believe he's only a year older than us.”

you gave them a look of confusion. “i don't think an itoshi sae is attending this school.” this was the price you had to pay for not being enthusiastic enough for the sports week. this event was open to public and it wasn't only your school that was hosting it.

“he definitely is. oh, look!” the blue-eyed boy turned you around and pointed at the field where they were assembling. what kind of strength is in this kid's body? at this age?

you followed his finger and it was pointing at a fairly tall–among the team anyway–boy. he wore a tracksuit and his pink-brown hair had a very interesting… style. you didn't know much about football but you still watched. the girls from both your school and the one across from yours started cheering once he hit the ball into the goalnet. it felt as if the area had been only filling in ever since the match started.

your curiosity needed to be satiated. “how old is he? or, like, how old are you guys, then?

“we're both thirteen.”

“hm… so middle-schoolers?”

“high school next year, okay?”

“have you decided which one?”

they told you they were choosing between your and itoshi sae's school. only because 'both were close by'.

it didn't matter to them as long as they passed the exams.

“good luck.” you said before a person came running to you. “y/n, the relay starts soon, come with me!”

you widened your eyes and ran down the hill, following them. 

“likewise!” you distantly heard as you turned around the corner. thanks, losers.

it all started smooth but then it was your turn and upon grabbing the item from your classmate's hand, someone with a really strong shoulder bumped into yours, resulting in you tripping and falling on the ground.

“you motherfu–” you grabbed at the hem of their shirt, bringing them down.

the sharpness of the whistle woke you up from the momentary trance you had found yourself in and quickly got back on your feet. you dusted your legs off and outstretched a hand to the… guy whom you had dragged down–though it was deserved.

he looked to the side and got back on his own. he didn't even spare a look of gratitude your way. okay… rude…

“wait.” that fucked up hair–

“GET BACK IN YOUR POSITIONS!”

he put up a hand, silencing you. 

this guy got worse!?

the boiling anger was rushing through your veins at an inexplicable speed but you had to control yourself and focus on the task at hand. you didn't have a motive to win the relay… until now. this guy needed to be crushed.

as the whistle indicated the start, your legs reacted on their own and you almost jumped from where you were standing. the sun was hitting your body from all angles and the sweat was soaking through your clothes. you felt a drop run down your temple. a bit more, more… and then you can stop. you felt a strong presence close behind you. 

a little more…

what the teachers didn't deem serious was just how competitive the kids were. the games were supposed to be fun with a hint of friendly rivalry and, of course, sportsmanship as that made every sport a sport. however, the issue lay in how most of the students took it to heart. it got so bad that well, ending up with a small brawl would have the teachers thanking god. the kids were honestly ruthless in that aspect.

you reached the spot and relayed the item to your teammate. “go, go!”

sae reached not even a second after you.

he was clutching his knees as he tried to regain his breathing.

he looked up but you were already staring. you stuck out your tongue in a mocking manner and then ran towards your teammates and classmates as they announced the victors–your team.

truly, victory had never tasted so sweet.

“did you wait long?” a voice interrupts your thoughts. 

you look up, dazed and confused. “u-uh, oh, yes… no. yes.”

sae takes a seat on the swing next to yours and pushes his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “sorry, i had things to take care of before getting here.”

you ignore him. blatantly so. “it's gotten cold.”

he only hums in response. 

then, a long silence ensues. 

it feels awkward and it's unlike the first time you guys interacted after years of bitterness. 

sae looks into the ground as if there was something interesting in it. but you can't blame him; anyone would find it otherworldly in this situation.

you decide to be a bigger person and speak.

but then–

“i wanted to talk ab–”

“can we resolve our–”

your eyes meet and your head jerks to the side almost instantly, avoiding his gaze. “you start.”

you hear him sigh but he doesn't protest. “i wanted… to apologize. for real now. just, explain myself. my… past self.”

“okay? no one's stopping you.” you hate how sarcastic you sound–especially with the addition of how fast you responded.

it doesn't matter. you shouldn't even be thinking about it.

“can you…” you hear him struggling a bit. “please… look at me?”

your eyes widen at his request. out of all the things itoshi sae would never say–it would be this phrase for sure. 

scowling, you say, “what do you need it for? wasn't lying to my face the first time enough?” you were not going to let it slide. even if it hurt your heart so much. it shouldn't. it shouldn't.

“okay, i will try to make it fast then.”

the guilt is eating at you. and it's nothing like you imagined. shouldn't you feel victorious–just like that one day when you had beat sae– and leave him here, so he can sit alone, enjoy the life of a professional footballer, a prodigy?

your throat shrinks in on itself and there's an almost uncontrollable urge to reach out to him and just… hold him.

you tentatively look up and find his eyes already on you.

“i'm sorry. you can speak.” your gaze is focused on your hand in your lap. they're cold and slowly turning paler and paler. before you can take any measures, sae grabs your hand and shoves it in his pocket along with his own that is so much warmer. he looks ahead of himself, acting as if this was happening regularly… yet again.

“sae.” you exhale. and it truly felt like a slip of the tongue; something forbidden, something you ought to forget. to your despair, however, his name felt so right on your tongue and you hate just how much you missed calling him simply him–by his given name.

“so you didn't forget my name.” he murmurs under his breath as he softly chuckles.

“hm?” you ask, not really paying attention as your mind was preoccupied with… well, him.

“what is it, y/n?” his voice is a bit cheerier and you wonder just what it was that changed his mood.

“why do you… do all of this?”

“enlighten me.”

you sigh as you run your other hand down your face. “all these weird gestures. man, it's so… weird and unlike you!”

sae's face drops and he's ready to strip your hand from the warmth his hand and his jacket provided you but you stop him. “no one said anything just yet. don't get ahead of yourself.”

he only shakes his head with a laugh. “i'm glad to see you haven't changed.”

the mood changes almost immediately after sae utters that.

at the implication that you knew the other so well before makes your stomach churn and you can't stop yourself from saying, “well, it's not like i knew the old you so i can't judge.”

sae lightly squeezes your hand in his pocket. “i lied.”

you turn to look at him. “about what?”

“about everything.”

“what do you mean?”

the air is tightening with suspense.

“it's–” he takes a breath, “it's when i had to leave. for spain.”

you encourage him with little 'hmms' and 'uh-huhs'.

“when i told you you didn't– you didn't mean anything to me throughout our relationship and that there was no spark anymore. i lied. fuck, i lied.”

you lean down and stare into your lap. what?

you're about to seize your hand back but sae catches onto it quick and rubs it as he starts explaining.

“when i was given the opportunity to– to flesh out my skill and explore the new world of football… i found it hard to say no. i had an internal battle regarding our relationship and–” an intake of breath. “i had to let go of one to have the other.”

“i suggested–”

“yes,” he clasps his hand around yours and pulls them impossibly deeper into the pocket. “but to me, it felt like nothing deserving of you. you deserved so much more than my calls.”

“what are you saying, itoshi?”

he chuckles. “it probably sounds like your typical breaking up story but even if didn't know what i truly wanted, the break up was the first step of me realizing that… that i really need you in my life. in whatever form of bond.

we were both young, just barely started high school. i had high expectations surrounding me and i got lost in them–proving my coaches right, proving the world that i'm the best. it all got to my head and i made myself believe it was all i wanted. i might have come off as a total asshole through the messages but it took me a while to realize what it even was that i tried to say. in no way am i–”

you turn your body towards him and with your free hand bring him into an embrace. you hope the message was relayed.

“let's just… stay like this.”

you feel his hand on your back, little pats as he says, “i am sorry.”

in a position like that, you're aware of his hand in his pocket more than anything. you maneuver with your own to the point that your fingertips brush against his bracelets.

the structure, the material…

“are those–”

“yeah." he exhales, his hot breath brushing your ear.

"yeah, they are.”

a/n not proofread + this took a different turn from what i was planning but...ya... stay safe out there yall! much love <3

tag list: @kiopanxp @funtuki@silly-ez @asteroskoniiii @keijiqahara @pikibee @tamimemo @kaitfae @biaonww @y-sabell-a @kaiserkisser

[evereinefaust]

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞 ࿐ྂ

Pairing: Selever X afab!Reader

Trigger Warning: Character death

Sypnosis: Being in a relationship with the half-demon known as Selever was a paradise for MC. All she could remember were the happy times the two of them bonded over the years. But, no matter how happy their days may be, every good thing must come to an end...

Word Count: 3,545

From the start, it was like they are fated to find each other.

"I'm back!" a certain teen shouted out, opening the front door to his abode.

"Ah, welcome back, Sele—my goodness! Why are you wet?" Sarvente stopped her sentence mid-way, surprised to see her son drenched from head to toe.

Rasazy looked up from the book she was reading, her stoic face examining her older brother's state. Seeing his annoyed face made a small smile appear on her lips. And just behind the boy was another person that caught her attention.

"You're also here, big sis [Name]," she greeted, her smile growing. Putting her book aside, she stood up and walked over to the duo by the front. She ignored her older brother and instead went straight toward the girl. "It's been a while. Do you want to read books with me? Dad bought me new ones."

[Name] can't help but internally squeal at her cute invitation, however, she had to fight her urge to just agree with the younger girl. So, instead, she caressed Rasazy's light colored-hair, eyes apologetic. "Sorry, Razy, maybe later. I need to take care of your older brother or else he'll blow a fuse."

Selever huffed and crossed his arms at her comment. Nevertheless, he remained well-behaved which is very unlike him. Rasazy pouted but still complied with her words. Their mother smiled at the interaction between the children. She trudged over to them and stopped in front of her son.

"So, what had gotten you in this situation this time?" She asked, pinching his cheek. Her hot-pink eyes glanced in [Name]'s direction, awaiting the explanation from the girl.

The [h/c]-haired teen let out a breath before answering. "As usual, Sel was planning trouble in school. He pulled a water-on-door prank and intended to have me soaked. Instead, I outsmarted him and now he fell for his own trick. That's why this guy was annoyed and grumpy and wet."

"Ugh, it's unfair," he groaned, rolling his eyes and slightly glaring at her. "If only your friends weren't snitches then I wouldn't be like this."

"Sucks to be you, then. My friends love me and want me out of harm."

The boy frowned at that, his narrowed eyes fixated on his lover who only put out her tongue at him mockingly. Meanwhile, the light-purple-haired girl frowned upon hearing the older girl's words and glared daggers at the back of her older brother's head. As for Sarvente, she could only shake her head at them.

"Alright, alright. [Name], dear, why won't you assist Selever and wait in his bedroom? I'll prepare snacks for you kids in the meantime," the woman suggested.

"Okay, mum. I'll take good care of your rebellious son," [Name] grinned as she proceeded to push the boy towards the stairs. Although Selever allowed the girl to move him, he still didn't stop cursing every now and then about her treating him like a child.

Once the two older teens were gone from the living room, Sarvente released a contented sigh. Her eyes were half-lidded and her gaze lingered by the staircase. She is truly glad to have someone like [Name] by her son's side.

The door creaked open and a certain silver-haired teen walked out of the bathroom. He was wearing nothing else but a plain white bathrobe loosely tied around his body and a white towel hanging around his neck. His pearlescent locks were still wet and it seems that he wasn't planning on drying them anytime soon.

[Name] glanced up from her phone and spotted Selever. Upon seeing him, however, she dead-panned. "Can't you at least try and dry your hair? What's the purpose of having a towel around your neck then?"

Selever turned in her direction and smirked. Sauntering over to his bed, he flopped himself next to his lover, leaning against her. His locks tickled her skin and droplets of water stained her clothes. The girl grimaced at her lover's actions.

"Sel, what is it that you want?" she sighed.

She knew Selever's behavior all too well—he only acts like this if he wanted something from her as compensation for feeling wronged. Although it was entirely his fault that he ended up like this, [Name] knew better than to argue with the man and instead would just give him to his demands. He acts like a child sometimes. Though, a spoiled one at that.

"Why'd you have to avoid my prank like that?" he asked, his tone sounding hurt.

The girl sighed. Carefully pushing the boy away from her shoulder, she ignored the wetness on her clothes and instead focused on her pouting boyfriend. A slight crease was in between his eyebrows, silver-colored eyes with a hint of pink contained sadness staring back at her, and his lips were downturned. [Name] sported a tender smile, placing both of her hands on his pale cheeks and caressing them with her thumb.

"You know why, Sel. Sometimes your pranks are too much. I had no idea what you had in your mind when you set up that prank so I had to be cautious," she explained. Gently pecking his lips, she continued. "Now, tell me—why do you want me to fall victim to your prank?"

Sleek strands brushed across her face as his head tilted slightly upward so their lips could touch once more. "I bought new clothes for you. I thought that if I drench you with water, you would have no reason to decline my gift as you often do. I really wanted to see you wearing it too."

The silver-haired man trailed off with his gaze drifting downward, a blush covering his cheeks and nose. It looked adorable on him. [Name] chuckled lightly and leaned forward, planting a small kiss on his lips. She pulled away first, a mischievous smirk spreading over her features.

"Well, I guess I can't say no to that now, can I?"

He grinned widely, his eyes sparkling with joy. "No, you can't."

The girl shook her head and chuckled. "Turn around. I'll dry your hair for you."

Selever obediently complied with her words. She took the towel hanging around his neck and began drying his silver locks. She hummed a tune that the boy loved dearly, making him close his lids and savor the moment between them. Her hands moved fluidly around his head, massaging his scalp in the process of drying his tresses. When she finished, she gently combed her fingers through his silky silver locks, making him sigh contently.

"There we go, all done~" she cooed. "Your hair is really soft after you wash it, Sel."

Selever turned around once more. His usual playful smirk emerged on his face once again, along with a pink tint dusting his cheeks. [Name] can't help but be mesmerized by a half-naked Selever in front of her. More so with his silver locks let down to dry more as they framed his lithe neck and his robe only mere inches from being removed from his milk-colored body. In all honesty, Selever right now looked really hot.

She wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him tightly as she kissed his neck and shoulders. He responded by pressing his chest to hers, letting his arms wrap around her petite frame. Their breathing became heavy and they found themselves unable to hold back. A soft moan escaped his lips and he buried his face into her soft [h/c] hair.

"[Name], I love you so much..." he murmured, nuzzling the top of her head.

She giggled softly in response and tightened her grip on his muscular waist, inhaling his fresh scent. "You smell really nice." 

The two lovers stayed together and had nothing left to do but enjoy each other's presence. They spent most of the rest of their time lounging together in Selever’s bed, waiting until his mother calls for them.

Years passed and their relationship grew into that of lovers.

It was a fine afternoon. The sun is hidden behind countless clouds, the midday day breeze paying a certain duo a visit. It really lifts the girl's spirit to have lunch on the school rooftop, wherein no one is there to bother them. She let out a contented sigh, watching the fluffy clouds above pass by her line of sight, her hand fondly caressing her lover's silver locks.

[Name] and Selever are already done with lunch and are now loitering around the school's rooftop and away from the majority of the students. In the case of the girl, she usually spends her free time here unwinding and taking a nap. However, the same can't be said for the tall boy. Despite having his next subject period ongoing, he is instead here, lounging with his lover.

"Sel," the girl called, gazing down at the relaxed boy resting on her lap.

"Hm? What is it, kitten?" he opened one of his eyes and smirked, a mischievous glint appearing in his silver-pink hues.

The girl scrunched her brows and shivered a bit, before lightly slapping his pale cheeks. He yelped in response. "Your next class is already ongoing, why aren't you leaving?"

"But you're comfy~" he whined, pouting as he turned his head towards her stomach and snuggled against her. With his long and slender arms keeping a tight grip around her waist, the girl knew that she won't be able to pry the teen off her. "You are my new pillow, kitty."

Selever nuzzled his nose against her belly button, which made the girl giggle and squirm underneath him. He grinned, pecking the girl's belly, making her let out a squeal. Her hands flew up to cover her belly, trying to protect it. However, the only thing that came from it was another laugh from her, accompanied by Selever's own hearty cackle.

"Fine," she relented, smiling warmly at him. "But you have to promise me no more skipping class. If you do, I'll lend you my legs anytime you want to sleep." 

He leaned up and kissed her cheek, eliciting a few giggles from her before they both stood up. As soon as he stepped onto the concrete, however, he paused. [Name] fixed her clothes before facing Selever who was standing still in front of her. She tilted her head in confusion.

"Sel?"

Without warnings whatsoever, Selever closed the gap between them. Her [e/c] hues were wide at the sudden surprise kiss coming from her lover. A blush bloomed on her cheeks at his act, and when he pulled away, he gave her a cheeky grin, his canine showing.

"See you later, my pillow~"

And with that, the boy exited the rooftop through the stairs, leaving the girl alone. It took [Name] a few minutes to process what just happened.

"What the... that guy really," she let out a sigh, shaking her head.

They found love and happiness with each other.

"Stargazing was a good idea."

A certain pair of lovers stared at the starry skies. There was a moment of peace between them. They watched as the stars twinkled in the night sky, illuminating the dark. It was one of those days when Selever would take his beloved on the roof of his home, sitting by her side as they stargaze. Often, he would just look at the side profile of the girl, admiring her features instead.

"Stargazing with you is always a good idea," [Name] chuckled, glancing at the silverette, and smiled. She inched closer to his body and he instinctively wrapped an arm around her. "I just love being with you, Sel."

"Is that so?"

"Mhm."

Selever once more found himself staring lovingly at the side profile of his little beloved. Her long hair flowed freely through the soft winds, her innocent, [e/c] orbs glimmered while watching the stars, her soft lips parted in awe, and her [s/c] cheeks tinted pink. Her beauty was truly unparalleled. She is truly a masterpiece. 

"You look beautiful in the moonlight," he murmured, pink dusting his cheeks.

Facing her lover, [Name] sported a gentle smile amidst her blushing face. "You look handsome as well."

"Heh, I know that much already~" he tittered, his usual cocky smirk plastered on his lips.

She smiled fondly at her boyfriend. Even with his personality and attitude sometimes, she still loved him dearly. That's just one of his charms. Leaning against his shoulder, [Name] enjoyed the tranquil moment between them. Their hands interlocked as they continued their stargazing.

They shed tears and comforted each other.

"Oof!"

A body plopped itself on the torso of a certain teen as the silverette was taken aback by the force the girl put into the embrace. Her face was undoubtedly buried in his chest, her arms tightly gripping his rose-colored sweater. Selever rose a brow at his lover's sudden gesture, nevertheless, he slowly wrapped his arms around her petite body.

"[Name]? Is something wrong?" Selever asked, worried about her facing any troubles at school. He frowned. "Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right? Is anyone making things hard for you? Just tell me their names and I'll beat them up!"

He tightened his hold on [Name]'s shoulders. [Name]'s cheeks flushed slightly at Selever's warm touch. 

"There is no need to beat anyone up," she mumbled softly against Selever's chest, her voice slightly muffled due to the sweater. "I'm fine."

"[Name], are you sure you're alright?" He asked once more, the tone was genuine concern, one of which had never been heard before from Selever's lips.

In fact, the boy rarely showed that side of himself. It wasn't a bad thing, though — Selever was always the disrespectful and cocky one in school. But when he's with her, he usually revealed a different side. One that wasn't seen often. One that [Name] cherished deeply. The [h/c]-haired girl couldn't help but feel her heart flutter whenever Selever did such a sweet thing.

She raised her head a little so they could look at each other directly and gave a tiny smile as she took the chance to steal a quick kiss on his lips. "I'm really fine... I just feel a bit drained..."

At last, Selever released a sigh of relief. He was glad that nothing major seems to be troubling his beloved. His expression contained a rare tenderness as he glanced down at the [h/c]ette. Cupping her cheeks, he leaned down to place a loving and consoling kiss on her forehead. The girl closed her eyes, relishing the moment.

"Alright. Then tell me why you suddenly hugged me out of nowhere."

"I love your hugs," she responded, smiling innocently. "Is that a plausible reason?"

Selever noticed her playful tone, and he can't help but respond to it. Smirking, he then lifted the girl off the ground and hugged her. His arms wrapped around her thigh and his cheeks rubbed her stomach. [Name] was surprised by the act and emitted a cute squeal.

"Selever!"

"What's the matter? I'm giving you a hug, what more do you want?" Selever teased, planting a few kisses on her tummy. "Do you even realize how adorable you are?"

[Name] let out an embarrassed sound, her face flushed. "Ngh... Please stop saying embarrassing things." 

She didn't have a clue how to react to the praise he just said. In fact, she couldn't quite comprehend what the heck he just did. The taller male let out a chuckle as he leaned up and kissed her again, gently this time. Parting, his silver-pink eyes softened, lips contorted into a gentle smile.

"I love you so much, my princess."

They both believed that they were blessed with such a fate.

"How about a kiss?" [Name]'s eyes danced with mischief and she was grinning like the Cheshire cat himself, her hands clasped in front of her in an act that was as shameless as it was playful. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen from their recent make-out session, and her [h/l] [h/c] hair fell loose around her shoulders.

"Sure. You've seen my mouth, now kiss it," the boy smirked, his eyes glinting with an equivalent amount of mischief. Licking his lips, he can't help but feel his whole face redden.

It was one of those days that the lovers were to have private intimate time with each other in Selever's room. [Name], as the voice of reason, would always anchor herself and her silver-haired boyfriend from doing naughty things. She acts as his leash that restricts Selever's suggestive advances. However, there are still occasions when she found herself submitting to his desires. And despite her better judgment, she released the leash that contained this beast, allowing herself to be controlled by him.

The girl didn't need to be told twice as she eagerly leaned down to meet her lover's soft lips. Selever was laying on his bed, with his partner on top of him. Both of his hands were caressing her soft skin, while the other was roaming up and down her body. He slowly slipped a hand into her hair to tilt her head down so that they could deepen the kiss. Their tongues met for just a moment before Selever pulled away from her lips, panting lightly.

"Selever. I want more," [Name] was pleading, her [e/c] eyes looking deeply at him.

The [h/c]ette's chest rose rapidly as she tried to catch her breath, and he had trouble suppressing the smile creeping onto his face as he observed his adorable girlfriend struggling so much to regain some control over herself.

"Please," [Name] mumbled after a few seconds, her tone laced with desire, causing Selever to chuckle.

His narrowed silver-pink eyes were glazed over with lust and adoration, yet he remained in the position he was.

"What do you want me to do?" He purred, his voice low and husky. "Do you want to cross over the line?"

[Name]'s face lit up with a blush and she let out a shaky laugh. "I do... but..."

As if sensing that her thoughts were running rampant through her mind and he didn't like it, Selever nuzzled his head against hers. "Hey, princess. No need to feel pressured — you can always say no. You shouldn't blame yourself because I've always been able to get you to do whatever I want. It's not your fault that I'm irresistible."

[Name] chuckled softly. She couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty for being unable to resist his charms. But she also knew that she wouldn't change anything about him. He was perfect the way he was. Seeing her relax, Selever pulled the girl down to him, letting her whole body rest against his. He wrapped his arms around her in a comforting manner, his hands soothing her arms.

"Thank you, Sel. You're such a sweetheart," she said, closing her eyes as his steady heartbeat lulled her to sleep.

[Name] didn't know how long they stayed like that, just cuddling with each other's bodies so close. 

However... all good things must come to an end...

He stayed rigid, standing in the middle of the field. White snowflakes cascaded down around him, piling up snow even more. His blood-stained jacket and pants stood in contrast against the pure blanket of snow. His arm limped by his side, the blood from his pale hands dripping down unto the snow. His gaze fixated on the fresh corpse in front of him, the sickly red hue surrounding it spreading outward and staining more the pure white snow.

"Selever!"

"Brother!"

Rushed footsteps approached the male. As three people arrived a meter away from him, they eventually halted. Sarvente's face paled at the sight, her hot-pink eyes wide as a saucer as she covered her mouth with her hands. Ruv was shocked at what his son did, a crease embedded itself in between his eyebrows as he clenched his fists. And as for Rasazy, a rare expression was plastered on her usually impassive face — fear, disbelief, and anguish.

After all, despite Selever acting like the jerk and rebellious teen that he is, they knew that he would never kill anyone. More so his one and only lover. The one he claimed as his dearly beloved. Yet... It was as if the world was already against him from the start. This only made the family confused and distraught.

"Selever... what have you done?" Ruv asked, taking a step forward.

At his father's call, the boy turned his head to face his family. Lifeless eyes stared at them, no emotion present on his face whatsoever. However, they noticed the evident stream of tears cascading down his blood-splattered cheeks. This made each of their hearts churn in pain.

Selever... was crying.

[mandokero-eboy]

Former country will never stop blowing up i guess

huge things happening in the politics fandom babes. Opposition coalition in Venezuela claiming now that they have secured 75% of the vote count by precinct and that they have won resoundingly with 6 million votes against Maduro's 3 million. This essentially means that there are now two conflicting electoral results. Whether the opposition can leverage this and force the government to, in any way, recognize these results remains to be seen.

I have not seen the paper trail of votes distributed by precinct they claim to have and have not been made aware of plans to make it accessible to the public (which isn't to say such plans don't exist only that I am personally uninformed of if or how they plan to make it available)

I do know something for certain: the government should also have access to those records in a more complete form and if they showed something different they wouldn't currently be so cagey about showing them. The results proclaimed by the government have, as is custom, been broadcast after an opaque process nobody actually has access to. If those results were visible through the paper records they would have shown it already. Instead Maduro has announced he'll be cutting diplomatic ties with multiple South American and Caribbean countries for questioning these results. And as I said before they also claimed The US and a bunch of former presidents who left their governments decades ago were involved in a voter fraud plot. This just doesn't seem like what you'd do if your transparent process for counting votes returned a victory in your favor.

In the meantime, violence is erupting in The Capital. There's rumors that apparently the Argentinian embassy is being attacked and people are defending it for reasons that escape me. That definitely won't blow up into a whole thing. Thankfully for me I'm hours away from Caracas. Also people are protesting really close to the presidential palace (as in, the seat of government, the actual presidential residence is a different building). Don't worry about me I'm chillin, I been here 20 years of my life and I react to the wacky ass politics here like I react to the Game of Thrones season finale.

So yea we're having a normal one don't worry about it, in other news I'm still watching Utena. Nanami laid an egg, isn't that wacky?

[drusilla-carstairs]

oooh i love the clary dying theory but also idk would miss cc really do it? she loves clace i can’t see her killing one of of them and i honestly don’t think she’s going to kill any one the tmi gang just because she tends to avoid major character deaths like that (and also considering the economic factors of killing clary, i don’t think cc will do it because i definitely see her milking tmi gang shorts in the future AND there is that tendency of hers to end each series with a wedding…) REGARDLESS i love your thoughts that was genuinely so interesting!!!

unrelated but i have a theory that kieran will die in TWP. i feel like cc is foreshadowing it with him not loving being king and again, i think she goes for more convenient deaths. kieran’s death would be devastating but mark and christina would have each other and it would be a herongraystairs vibe

i could see one of the tmi gang members getting massively injured though. maybe jace or clary?

in the case that janus does take clary or whatever, i think it would really be interesting for cc to explore some of clary’s trauma there and how she may need some space from jace (considering him and janus look the same) and i think that could achieve the same objective of jace actively choosing to not be like janus because we know that his faith in himself is fully tied to the fact that clary thinks he is good. clary briefly needing space would break that foundation jace has and he would have to actively work on making himself and others believe that he is good

sorry that was complete word vomit!! i’m also searching for any twp crumbs 😭 the kickstarter books need to come asap but in the meantime i’m lurking in the tags and ask boxes! thank you 💗💗

sorry for taking so long to get to this, last week was busy, then I forgot this was in here rip

idk, there is a chance that she could kill Clary and bring her back (a nice symmetry with Jace in City of Glass), but honestly I think if she did kill Clary it would be permanent. I am not entirely sold that this will happen, I don't know Cassie's mind, but I think narratively it could make for good storytelling, you know? Same as when we all thought Matthew would like in The Last Hours. (She could also still end the series with a Sizzy wedding !)

The only thing holding me back from the idea that Kieran could die is that it would be too close to a "bury your gays" trope for CC. Yes, she has other queer characters, so it wouldn't be, but Keiran is 1/3 of the only poly relationship in TSC, and I don't think she would want to break that. Also Cristina and Mark are very different from herongraystairs, in my opinion, because it was never really a 'choice' with those three. I also think that Kieran getting to retire of his own free will would be a great end to his arc--whether this would mean Ash or Kit has to take his place, or Faerie works out a democracy, I don't have the slightest clue, but I do think that with a title like "The Last King of Faerie" Kieran will be stepping down and neither Ash nor Kit will step up.

I also think Janus kidnapping Clary would be interesting because it could so easily parallel her time kidnapped by Sebastian. It is good angst fodder for sure. I don't think this will happen in TWP though, because it is not focused on the TMI gang (something CC keeps reiterating, she does not want us to get our hopes up), and a plot like that would need a lot of time in Clary's POV. It could possibly happen in the last Eldest Curses novel, though, since that comes out between TWP books.

Don't apologize, I love getting asks !!! Even if I forget to answer them from time to time lol.

[internetoverdoses]

cw. trauma, abuse, neglect, and bullying.

rewriting danganronpa's portrayal of a DID system, because whilst I love danganronpa, personally I found it promotes way more harmful DID stereotypes than anything else. so, coming from a system, here's a healthier take on toko's DID and how i think it could have been written better. note that this is only a fan interpretation and personally how i would have liked to have seen it portrayed. toko uses she/her, syo uses she/they/its.

toko was an unwanted child and was raised by her mothers and father. she wasn't looked after properly, and often was forgotten about, which links into her passion for literature; as a child who wasn't fed correctly, and was punished by being forced into a closet for days without food, toko turned to manga as escapism - which her mothers disproved of, and would dispose of any and all manga toko would bring in, berating her for enjoying it (which ties in to why toko has such a strong dislike for manga, she was raised into believing it was cheap literature that she shouldn't have laid eyes on). bringing manga in was punished by also being kept in the closet without food, where she'd be hit by her mothers if she protested or made any noise whilst in there.

due to the abuse and trauma she suffered, toko developed DID (disassociative identity disorder). she wouldn't realise it for many, many years later - though, there were signs that showed throughout her high school life, the first encounter being in third grade when the money was found in her desk that toko was absolutely certain she hadn't stolen.

there were more instances that followed this - her having "outbursts" at her parents that she wouldn't remember, waking up with scratches on her legs, aching and brusies over her body from alleged fights, finding food wrappers from foods she wouldn't even be allowed, and the most disturbing of all, finding diary entries that most definitely weren't from her. these diary entries were confused ramblings from someone who had no idea where they were but often spoke out of anger and frustration. in-depth rants about her mothers were written, alongside how her father should be doing more and was a coward for not intervening. toko didn't recall writing any of this, and knew something was wrong, but couldn't go to her parents with what was going on, nor could she go to her school with what was happening, because it would all go back to her parents. the diary sign offs were from someone who identified as "syo", and all toko could gather was that syo was a lot more violent, and seemed to responsible for all the things she was being blamed for.

this led toko to researching what could have been going on with her - and after much research, she came to the harrowing conclusion that syo was a part of her, and was caused by the horrid upbringing she had. though, toko tried to ignore that - because she was sure plenty of other children had worse childhoods and hadn't turned out like her. so toko ignored it, as best as she could, and tried to ignore the fear that came alongside learning that there could be someone else sharing your body, and that that someone was particularly angry.

however, syo didn't share that same sentiment. syo had found the books toko was reading, and had found answers to questions that they had had. unlike toko, syo was interested in finding out what her other part was really like - and so made an effort to research ways of getting in contact with other alters, learning more and more about system terms so that they weren't so alone and had some company. it wasn't easy, and took several months before any contact was made internally, but in the meantime, syo left notes for toko to find. syo was completely unaware of how scared toko was, however, at learning about syo's existence.

eventually, internal contact was finally made and syo got to "speak" to toko. it made everything incredibly more real, and daunting, and part of toko was convinced she'd made all of it up when reading into it, but syo was there, and seemed to be able to recount memories vividly that toko had no idea even existed, but matched up with everything she had been told about what she had allegedly done in the past, going as far back as to recount when toko had been caught stealing (in all fact, syo had been hungry and figured it would be fine payback for all the times they had been bullied to take the bully's money so they could eat).

it was like that for months, syo sometimes communicating with toko. toko had figured out one main thing that managed to get syo to front without fail - blood. there were other triggers, but toko couldn't figure them out, for they were far too niché or coincidental in timing.

it was only until they were enrolled in hope's peak that toko (and ultimately, syo) were finally given any proper support. toko wanted final, decisive answers and hope's peak was supposed to be a safe place. so in her first year at hope's peak, she explained what was going on to the school board, mainly out of fear that syo may get them both kicked out. to her (albeit, very stunted) joy, she was taken seriously and she was placed in psychology sessions at the academy.

so, with that lengthy backstory written out (which is probably still missing things, it's 5am and i have had no sleep but have been fixated on finishing this for a few days), have some headcanons:

syo is definitely both a persecutor and a protector (some may argue a persecutor is a type of protector, others may not, so for the sake of clarity, she is both here)

toko hates admitting she's a system, because then people either ask her intrusive questions about her disorder or pity her for having a bad childhood

toko doesn't hate syo, per se, however she is deeply scared of their temper, despite knowing syo isn't trying to scare them

syo is eccentric. hyper, excited, the opposite of toko in almost all aspects, except for the fact that they also find it hard to accept friendship and kindness

the class were made aware of syo's existence after she completely snapped at byakuya for making toko cry - leading to a pretty messy situation where byakuya had to go to the infirmary. syo isn't too keen on byakuya. at all.

makoto was one of the few people who took the time to understand toko, and consequently, syo. he didn't understand entirely, and sometimes still messes up with knowing who is who.

syo is also the only one who remembers why toko is afraid of water. they refuse to explain why, however.

toko is worried there are more alters that she's unaware of - if syo has been there for so long, who else may be there?

toko also worries that people prefer syo's more bubbly personality over hers

the most terrifying part of the disorder to toko, is not remembering anything. to syo, it's that people may try to take toko away because of something they did

if anything, toko is grateful for syo being there - though, she would never admit it

they also tend to communicate through letters and notes, typically because it's easier

[furious-haste-of-malice]

❝ You try being quiet, but rest assured I'll make you scream. ❞

⊱ Prompt: Clit torture ⊱ Pairing: Nári x Uinen ⊱ Synopsis: [Valinor falls AU - in which Melkor's forces manage to conquer Valinor and enslave its inhabitants] Nári has managed to catch herself a pretty water spirit and intends to savour such a rare treat. ⊱ Featuring: Bondage, fire restraints, petting ⊱ Warnings: Balrogs are their own warning, sexual content, captive x captor, non-con, forced masturbation, orgasm denial, burns; also the prompt is its own warning

𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: Another one for @tolkienpinupcalendar's Dead Dove December, featuring my Balrog OC and poor Uinen. Enjoy!

"It's not fair that you keep all the pretty ones to yourself." 

Nári lowered her head to look down at Thuringwethil. She was pouting, hunger flashing in her eyes. 

"Do you want to drink or fuck?" she asked bluntly. 

"Both." Thuringwethil licked her lips. "Such treats are hard to come by over in Middle-earth, after all." 

Nári couldn't agree more. Occasionally receiving an Elf as a plaything for her troubles was fun, but it wasn't the same as bedding another Aini – most notably when it came to how beautifully they could scream and how durable they were. Incarnates died too fast and too easily. 

"I have one picked out for tonight," she informed the other Úmaia. "But you can take one of the others." With a wink, she added, "I caught one of Varda's that might suit your taste." 

"Mmh..." Thuringwethil chewed on her bottom lip, smiling as if she was already envisioning warm, sweet blood in her mouth. "That sounds wonderful. I'll take you up on this – thank you kindly, dear." 

"Always, little bat." 

Nári watched her leave, then turned towards her original destination. Indeed, there was a special prize waiting for her in her chambers, and she would be sure to savour the experience. 

Bound to a metal chair with fiery threads resembling her whip was none other than Uinen, her hands tied behind her back and her legs secured on top of the armrests, leaving her exposed. Nári smiled to herself; as difficult as it was to subdue a water spirit when one's form was at risk of being harmed by the accursed element, leaving her like this, so beautifully helpless and ready to be toyed with, had been even more difficult. 

It was rather convenient that Uinen had opted to leave her usual fishtail behind to come on land; it would be a shame if she had no legs to spread. 

Her own tail flicked impatiently when Nári circled her new favourite catch. To see one whose element always sought to snuff out the fire nurturing her and her brothers subjected to the burn of her own was immensely pleasing. Uinen's hair normally dripped with water and her skin used to be sleek, cool and wet, but both had long since dried up, leaving her without its protection. Small whimpers fell from her lips when her fiery restraints mercilessly singed her fána, and the endless, wavy tresses of her hair were losing their lustre. 

"It seems as though your husband hasn't come to save you after all," Nári said, leaning closer from behind the other Maia to purr in her ear. "But don't take it personally – I'm sure he's been captured or slain in the meantime."

The only response Uinen gave was shaking her head vehemently. Nári felt a tiny twinge of irritation; as fun as it was to mock the predictable naivety of her enemies, she had grown tired of the blind faith many of her playthings seemed to have in their spouses and partners. Ossë, admittedly, was an opponent she wouldn't enjoy fighting – but he too would have to face the combined wrath of the Balrogs, and only a Vala could hope to survive that. 

I shall have her instead. I will burn his touch from her skin until nothing is left.

Her patience waning fast, Nári knelt down in front of Uinen and between her legs, a gesture of mocking reverence. 

Water spirit or not, her new toy was beautiful – the blue tint of her skin reminded her of Melkor's fires, her long turquoise hair fell down her slender shoulders and her large, dark blue eyes were adorable, especially when looking down at her with such delicious fear. Whatever clothing Uinen had worn had been burned away a long time ago, and Nári lazily reached out to cup her chest with one hand. It was big enough to nearly cover it, and she gave the soft flesh a few experimental tugs and squeezes. 

Uinen averted her gaze in shame and pressed her lips together to force down any noises of discomfort. Her fána was so wonderfully delicate and pliable, as if it had been made for someone else to toy with, and Nári felt the fire inside her burn hotter with every passing second. This was exactly what she had been desiring for a long time now, a pretty little plaything to call her own... and one that would live long enough to entertain her. 

"You try being quiet, but rest assured I'll make you scream," she laughed and punished Uinen for her silence with a sharp tug on one of her nipples before letting her large hand glide down her torso. Only small hints of muscle, mostly soft flesh to dig her claws into – just the way she liked it. For now, however, another part of the smaller Maia's anatomy demanded her attention. 

Uinen's womanhood was the one part of her fána that retained its wetness, glistening underneath the Balrog's covetous gaze. Normally hidden between her shapely thighs, her current position put it on full display, to be admired... and to be used. 

Nári traced her folds with the tip of her clawed index finger and felt her own arousal flare up when Uinen let out a whimper. 

"You like this, huh?" 

"N-no..." Squeezing her eyes shut, Uinen then muttered one tiny, breathy, "Please..." 

"You're cute when you beg. You should do it more," was all Nári said in response. Her grin put her fangs on display. 

She took in the alluring sight in front of her, briefly contemplating her next step – she could find out how Uinen tasted or how much she could fit inside her or... how many more sweet noises she could make. 

All in due time, Nári reminded herself. For now though, she decided on the latter. 

With surprisingly gentle movements, she pulled up the small hood to reveal the rosy pearl hidden underneath, causing Uinen to shiver from anticipation. Nári drew a few teasing circles with her claw, then pressed the pad of her thumb against it and began rubbing it. The heat and rough texture of her skin brought pain and pleasure alike to her lovely captive, as she intended: It was a form of art, blending these two sensations together and watching her playthings come undone. 

Uinen was soon writhing beautifully, her muscles tense, her limbs fighting against the fiery bonds that held her. From her plump purple lips fell moans, gasps and whines alike, though no more pleas for mercy. She had accepted her fate and was trying to preserve her dignity, something that Nári would delight in taking away from her in time. 

The Balrog was relentless in her pursuit of her unwilling partner's pleasure, increasing the speed and pressure of her movements until Uinen's inability to get away from the sheer onslaught and intensity of the sensations she was subjected to had her sobbing. Her release was approaching fast – the tenseness and twitching of her thighs made it obvious – but Nári was not feeling merciful. She might have considered letting the smaller Maia climax if she had begged for it. 

Keeping a close eye on Uinen, she brought her to the very edge only to withdraw and deny her release by pinching her swollen pearl with two claws. She was rewarded with an ear-splitting scream and uncontrollable sobbing, pain and frustration alike rippling through her captive's bound form. 

Nári had to suppress a groan; the view, the sounds, her own arousal rising within her, it all felt exquisite. 

"You didn't think it would be this easy, did you?" she laughed and leaned forward. Her hot tongue greedily lapped up the wetness threatening to drip out of Uinen and teased her sensitive, abused flesh. Her slightly salty taste was addictive. 

"We'll play this game all night," Nári purred between long, indulgent licks. "And if you beg, I might eventually let you cum."

Thanks for reading! ♡

[belit0]

Izuna x reader praise kink? 🥺👉👈

For some reason, this became a Demon! Izuna x Human Reader AU, I have no explanation but no doubts either.

My mind goes to funny places when it's about my favorite Uchiha.

TW: none (demon x human)

Pairing: Uchiha Izuna / reader

NSFW

You see, being a demon summoned by a human to the earthly plane doesn't mean fun, sex and violence all the time.

Nope, not even close.

Izuna has been in (Y/N)'s house for months, having been called upon to fulfill a contract for her. How did it happen? Neither of them knows.

Apparently, she had gone to a museum, and inadvertently touched one of the exhibits. She craped her finger, leaving a small trail of blood which she thought no one would notice. Hours later and upon arriving home, a beautiful man with black wings and red horns stared at her with bloodshot eyes from her bed.

It took them a long time to understand the nature of their bond, and because (Y/N) summoned him for no apparent reason and completely unintentionally, Izuna was trapped with her until they figured out how to deal with the matter.

Of course, the violent, animalistic and dark part of him chooses to ignore how over the months and having been put into an involuntary cohabitation, the two fell in love and embarked on a relationship without even being aware of it. Izuna couldn't get more than a few good meters away from her, physically tied by the invisible and purposeless contract.

He would accompany her everywhere, whether she wanted him to or not, having to protect the human who invoked him solely by the laws of their contract.

The demon had to learn how to hide his wings and horns, put away his claws and change the color of his eyes to a "humanly acceptable" one. Nor was he allowed to wear his relaxed, half-tied robe, making him look like a "weirdo" if seen on the street in such skimpy clothing. (Y/N) was forced to introduce and mold him into a world completely foreign to him, and make him transform into a "relatively normal person" until they could figure everything out.

In the meantime, and with a demon in her house who feeds on people's arousal, they fell into an unprecedented sex routine. She had never been with anyone other than to exchange a few kisses, never feeling ready to give up something she thought was special. As cliché as it sounded, she would wait for the right one.

Of course, she had no choice when her unexpected roommate started transforming into the literal demon he was just because he couldn't feed. His contract with (Y/N) didn't allow him to sneak off and seek his dinner from some random woman, so they navigated it until running out of alternatives. Izuna suddenly underwent a complete personality change, going from the sarcastic, cocky, friendly demon he was, to a beast without consciousness.

He did a 180-degree turn, and (Y/N) had to react. His eyes turned completely dark, losing the white color of his sclera and also his awareness. His black wings spread wide, knocking down everything in their path, and his claws returned to the end of his fingers. Long fangs grew from his mouth, as the man lost the battle against his savage side bit by bit. The remnants of the Izuna she fell in love with begged her amidst bestial screams and growls to knock him unconscious, to try and make him pass out in order to stop the change.

The only remedy she could find was to smash several plates over his head before he transformed completely, leaving a half turned Izuna lying on the floor. When he awoke, he was the same haughty, idiotic man he was at the beginning, and the two of them had to sit down for a serious talk.

Izuna needed to feed, there was no doubt about that.

It wouldn't be many days before the situation would repeat again, and he wasn't sure he could fight as hard as he did this time to avoid pouncing on her. Because of this, (Y/N) came to the loving conclusion that fate had brought them together for a special reason, and perhaps this was the opportunity she had always been saving herself for. She would give her first time to a being from the underworld.

That very night they set to work, and she allowed Izuna to take care of everything. Having millennia of experience in the sexual realm, she could not have chosen a better man to take her first occasion.

He began preparing her hours before, enlisting her in a romantic candlelit hot bath accompanied by a shoulder massage. When she turned to mush beneath his hands, Izuna served her a special menu straight from hell, several dishes entirely new to her palate.

A starter for dessert.

When he felt (Y/N) completely receptive to his touches, advances and caresses, Izuna knew it was time. He took her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom, where he sat her on the edge of the bed. Surprisingly, it was she who pulled him by the arms and made him kneel in front of her, bringing their lips together in a fervent, initial kiss.

Izuna felt fire and hunger at how her mouth tasted, and his cock was quick to react. "'Such a good girl, (Y/N). You want it so bad... I can smell your arousal from here."

She blushed, trying to generate distance between them as if she was regretting it.

"I'm sorry, I..."

"None of that, my sweet (Y/N). You're doing perfect, just let yourself go."

He shot his essence into the air, using his demonic aura as an aphrodisiac for the human. It was like a bit of cheating, but he knew she would appreciate being able to completely unwind and enjoy the experience unimpeded.

(Y/N)'s eyes narrowed in pleasure, allowing Izuna to lay her down on the bed and drape her legs over his shoulders. He pulled her fully over the edge, and used his sharp fangs to quickly get rid of her underwear.

Putting his tongue to work as he watched her writhe in pleasure, she squeezed the bed sheets tightly in her fists as if she needed to hold on to something. The demon took her hands and placed them in his hair, encouraging her to pull on it and push his face into her heat.

When she understood the signal, she made him swallow every last inch of surface, hearing her moan in pleasure. Before he let her finish, he pulled his mouth away to play with his fingers, using two digits inside her as his thumb drew lazy circles on her clit.

"Very good, my love. Let it out, enjoy it. You're beautiful when you let me eat your pussy like that, you know?"

Before she could complain at his dirty words, he climbed up her body while still moving his hand on her crotch, kissing her fervently. He was surprised when she bit his lip, seeking more contact as if it wasn't enough. "Look at you just trying to take the lead like the pretty slut you are. You almost made me bleed (Y/N), do you want me to fuck you till exhaustion? Are you provoking me?

"Please! I need... I need!"

"What do you need, my pretty girl? For me to move my fingers the way I know will make you come, or use my tongue in your precious cunt again? Hm?"

"Tongue!" (Y/N) she managed to exclaim between kisses, feeling how Izuna's fingers were playing with her boundaries. He never stopped touching her, keeping her on the brink of orgasm, but not allowing her to reach it.

Izuna groaned gutturally at hearing her so loose, as if she had forgotten her shame and was finally allowing her pleasure. He moved swiftly down to the hollow between her legs, working his tongue with a purpose. It took seconds for (Y/N) to finish, having been so stimulated by his hands.

Before she could catch her breath, Izuna carefully slipped into her.

He kept a leisurely pace at first, taking his time and allowing her to adjust to the size of his cock. It was difficult, but the demon made sure to distract her with kisses and caresses, small bites and marks from his nails. "Look how gorgeous you are (Y/N). If only you could see how amazing your breasts look filled with my marks, your little face of pleasure as my dick goes in and out. Tell me how much you love it, scream it for me."

"I love it Izuna! Please, more!"

"Yes ma’am."

His pace increased, finding her insides had already acclimated to his length. He was able to feed seamlessly on all the sexual essence (Y/N) emanated, draining her completely until he brought her to her peak again. Satisfied, Izuna finished inside her, feeling his knot quickly forming at the base of his cock.

"Precious, (Y/N). You did very well, my obedient pretty girl." He exclaimed as he watched her eyes close. She fell into an immediate sleep out of sheer exhaustion, with Izuna having emptied her reserves for feeding. Having to wait for a while before he could pull himself out, his knot was slowly deflating.

Eventually, and being free, he fetched a warm washcloth and cleaned her up, dressing her in her pajamas and laying her properly on the bed. Izuna spent the whole night sitting by the window, thinking about the curious ways life works, and how lucky he was to have found (Y/N).

[leenoracha]

Kinktober day 1 :::

3RACHA

Slight Small dick humiliation, mentions of voyeurism with consent, rough treatment, edging, praise, pet play

Top!han

Power bottom/Switch!changbin

Sub!chan

___________________________

"What are you gonna do with this sorry excuse of a dick huh?"

Chan was lost for words, he knew that jisung was spouting empty words but it made him feel some type of way, this all started when jisung called them both in their shared bedroom for a favor, now they were both on the bed with cockrings on and han calling them out for all the stuff they did.

"Didn't you like the attention that hyunjin was giving you, perhaps we call him in here to watch huh?"

This time he was talking to changbin, and changbin was still distracted from the edging he went through, he only stared at han,

"I asked a question" han said while he came closer and grabbed changbin's jaw hard enough for him to let out a squeak, while making him look at chan

"Look at him, just as ruined as you are, do you wanna make a show for me?" Han said softly, changbin was amused st the change, first minute he was degrading them but next thing you his voice was soft as ever.

Changbin nodded at the request and started climbing up chan's body till he reached his face, Chan was so innocent looking as if he wasn't tied up with a cockring.

Changbin pulled Chan into a kiss and pulled away making a string of saliva connect them both.

"Wanna make a show for hannie pup?"

Chan just nodded not in the headspace to talk yet, changbin brought up 3 fingers up to chan's lips and immediately Chan parted his lips welcoming the digits in his mouth, he started sucking on them while changbin was pushing them in and out also whispering praises to his ear,

"Good boy, such a good pup, handling this all so well, such a good toy."

At the last one he lost it and let out a small moan, changbin then chucked and released his fingers and kneeled on his knees on top of Chan, he started prepping himself. In the meantime Chan was looking for han, curious of what he was doing.

Han was jerking himself off while watching the two, and when he made eye contact Chan felt as small and vulnerable as ever.

"All done pup" changbin finally spoke, Chan looked at changbin with pleading eyes to hurry, Finally changbin grabbed chan's dick and aligned it with his hole, finally he started to sink down while letting out small grunts,

"fuck you're huge-" changbin said.

He stilled on top of chan's dick for 2 minutes to get used to his size but they forgot about another person in this room that's impatient,

"Ride him now, or else you wouldn't cum for another week"

______________________________

Heyyy guys, happy first day of leenoracha's kinktober 2022.

Hope you guys enjoy my posts for these and have a happy October with your family and friends. And I'll be announcing a fan name soon so you better be ready. As for the posts in October I might spice things up a little and add birthday posts for all the boys. Stay health stay happy and I love you. ❤❤

-leenoracha

[batstorm93672]

Do I Know You?

~First (Here)~ Next>>>

Damian sat and sighed as he was tied to a chair. Heaven forbid he decides to go to the Cave and only be able to take off his mask before being bombarded by his family.

"Father, what is the meaning of this?"

Batman looked at Damian and furrowed his brow "Why do you keep calling me that, how did you get in here and why are you dressed like Robin?" "I'm your son, I am Robin" "Don't lie!"

"Alright B how about we lay off the kid? Not gonna get anywhere shouting"

Nightwing walked in and handed Damian a cup of water. "Here, don't mind him. We just want to know what's going on"

"Richard you're a part of this trivial thing too? Also did you put anything in the cup?" Nightwing paused and kneeled down "Okay. We just want some answers, number one. How do you know who I am?"

"Tt. Fine I'll play. I'm Damian Wayne-" Damian jerked his head to Batman "-your son and I'm-" He looked back at Nightwing "-your brother. Alongside with Jason Todd, Timothy Drake, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Duke Thomas and not to mention the million of others father brought in as he is a magnet for taking in children"

Nightwing nodded and took off his mask "Are you a speedster from the future?" "What? Ew, no. I'm Robin" "Listen, you might be getting something confused. There are no more Robins, the last one was Tim. So where did you get the costume?" "Okay hasn't this gone on long enough? Where is Titus or Alfred the cat? Do you need them to help recognize me or something"

Dick raised a brow "I have no idea who those are"

"Tt. This is tiring"

Damian stood up, untied hands and ankles, he rubbed his wrists. "I untied myself about a minute after you tied me, I know your tricks father, you've taught everyone how to escape knots like yours. Try to get a better tactic. As for you Richard, hasn't this gone on long enough?"

Bruce took off his cowl and studied Damian carefully "He may be telling some truth. It's hard to tell, who is your parent?" "Other than you? Talia Al Ghul is my mother"

The two adults looked at each other with wide eyes. "She doesn't have a child. She told me she had a miscarriage" "Do I look like a miscarriage?"

"Dick. Call for Tim and Cass, they may be able to figure out if he's lying. In the meantime I'll look into this kid"

Damian groaned and sat back down. "Can Pennyworth at least come down? I'd enjoy his company"

"N-" "Yeah I'll get him"

Bruce narrowed his eyes making eye contact with Dick, the two had their private conversation internally and while Damian could decipher the gist of it. He didn't want to right now. This is dragging on long enough.

Bruce sighed for like the fifth time "Fine, let him come. He stays here and under surveillance. Understood?" "Hear you clear"

Bruce left and Damian eyed Dick, wouldn't they have stopped by now?

"Richard... are you still joking with me? Hasn't this gone on long enough?"

Dick looked guilty and sad "I'm sorry, but we really don't know you"

Damian looked down, recounting what he just went through moments before showing.

Someone approached him, a lady with a crystal ball typical isn't it.

"Young boy, won't you indulge this old lady?"

"I'm sorry, I can't-"

"Oh please? This is all I ask of you"

Robin nodded and came over, she was an elder and he respects them. Not to mention she would probably insist and Damian would rather not have to do that.

"Come child" Her wrinkled yet soft hands went over his gloves and she closed her eyes, she was wearing a shawl and attire of stars and eyes decorated on the cloth. "I see... you are of a great destiny. Yet though this is apparent, you are deeply troubled with choices. Leading to terrible consequences. Not to mention the loneliness you are faced with, a great destiny yet an even greater shadow. Tell me, the family you surround yourself with, do they truly see you? You have so many doubts and fears, that you will be alone and forgotten by them"

"...That sounds correct, my fears tend to obscure my view of the path ahead. I feel like one day, they will forget me. And that I'll be alone. Sometimes I wish I was forgotten so I could avoid the pain and move on with my choice without feelings" He... didn't mean to say that much, what is happening?

"Then it will be"

"Wha-"

A flash of light, recovering his vision to see no one. The lady was gone.

...Curious, it may be time I go back before they worry.

Damian kept his gaze away from Dick who was talking on the phone.

They... forgot me. They don't know me. It's like I never existed...

[simnostalgia]

I'll admit I haven't done that much research into this so sorry if this is a stupid question but how would an EA controlled modding platform be different than a Sims Store or more Add-Ons? I'm sure the mods will be free to start but in a couple years? :/

It would be pretty different, but it really depends on which way they take it. Let me explain.

So on one hand, the way that it's getting introduced makes it seem optional and for The Sims 4 it's likely going to stay that way. Think of it as a soft launch. They likely know that telling us about the concept wouldn't go over well so they'll make it as painless as possible.

The truth is, it's likely a way to get us used to the concept so that when TS5 comes out and it's required many players will go "Oh we're required to use it but we've already known about this, what's the big deal"

... or at least, that's what they're hoping for. I doubt that's going to happen because not enough people are going to use the platform of their own accord for it to seem like a seamless transition and not an overreach of corporate desire to clamp down on the modding community.

The truth is I'm guessing that it'll be a lot like many online gaming stores. I'd say "think SecondLife" but maybe the more common digital store front would be something like Roblox.

You'll get things for free. Probably a lot of things will be free. However, they'll allow people to charge which will legitimize the practice. While these may seem good to many Patreon creators. I bet this will come with EA skimming some off the top.

More than that, however, the entire modding community will be at the whims of TOU of Overwolf. That means anything they don't like gets taken down. That means only "trusted" creators GET to create. Who knows what trusted means in this context.

It's pretty much a slap in the face to the entire community but it makes sense they would do this. I've been saying for a while that while they tend to use us whenever they're trying to make the game's community look good

"Our AMAZING, TALENTED creators create AMAZING creations."

They've made in clear that they don't want us doing certain things. When one of the TS2 devs went on Twitter and explained that they didn't give us certain tools to mod TS2 because they didn't want us creating "anything to rival Maxis made content" I pretty much got the answer to my suspicion that I've been holding for a while.

The modding community to them is good but only if we're doing what they want, and we rarely are, they need us to sell the game but the minute they're done they'll delete everything we've made without a second thought.

Take the TS2 exchange. I know it was shit but that's not the point. Will Wright made a whole GDC discussion about the heartfelt stories people wrote using TS1.

Specifically he loved to bring up this one real life story about a girl who used the sims to tell the real life story about her sister experiencing domestic abuse.

But the minute they didn't need that shit to sell TS1 copies? Deleted. All the AMAZING CONTENT from our AMAZING CREATORS?? Gone. Of course, since Sims games were tied to one service we kept creating elsewhere, which is a problem.

Our content is bad for them if we aren't being used to sell game copies.

This way, when The Sims 5 is all said and done. They can delete the exchange (or whatever it will be called) and make us move to the next thing. And in the meantime, they can make sure we don't make anything that isn't "good for the brand." It also helps that they'll use the official modding platform to likely try and make pirates pay. No registration? Sorry, no mods for you.

People can call me cynical, but we've already seen this happen on smaller scales since the earliest games. This is just a way to make sure that we make enough AMAZING content to sell their game. But just nothing TOO amazing and they don't want us to have control over the content we make.

If this goes down how I suspect it will, it's going to be pretty much one of the most evil things they've done. Hopefully I'm wrong but I'm not holding my breath.

[remidyal]

Lunacy Cut Material - Aelwyn's Arrest

Aelwyn Abernant came back to herself on a cold tile floor, feeling like her teeth had melted into the back of her throat and she had been beaten over every inch of her body. It was far worse than the normal hangovers she'd grown used to, even after the most exuberant of Durden parties.

"Daughter, you're awake." came the cold voice of her father above her, fury radiating off him. "You've made a great deal of trouble for us."

Was she dead and in Elf Hell or alive? Surely Hell wouldn't have such a horrific and specific punishment for her. A flash of memory; Adaine being stabbed, the strike force coming to take her… A blur, past that.

She schooled her expression as best she could. "Father." Should she apologize? Would it help? She'd never been in this level of trouble before. She didn't see Kalina around; maybe the Shadowcat had just given up on her.

That made two of them, if so.

"You've started a war between Solace and Fallinel, and you've gotten yourself infected by that creature, as well. We will be pursuing a cure, but it will be some time. In the meantime, we will be storing you somewhere safe. I'm sure you will be grateful for the mercy and effort we are going to for you."

Aelwyn swallowed. "Well. Yes. Of course I am grateful." She was also measuring her own remaining spell slots at the moment. Not nearly enough, even if this place wasn't warded against teleport; Father would probably try to counter her.

"Then stand up, and hold still."

Aelwyn staggered to her feet, and obeyed, and held still, and defied her father only where he could not see her, just like always. In this case, where he could not see her was in her own head, stuffing everything she could in a hasty package in her head. Father was not going to help her, and wherever mother had gone she wouldn't either. There was nobody who would.

…Maybe one person. If she was even still alive, if she could forgive, if, if…

It was better than zero people, though she probably would have been better off if Penelope or Kalvaxus had just had her killed instead.

She mentally tied the package of memories and mind she no longer held on her surface level, scrabbling to think of a message that was as much a prayer as anything on the outside of it, giving a hiss out as other members of the Court of Stars placed silver shackles around her wrists. Maybe a subtle test, but from what she remembered, a clear sign that the curse had taken fully, that the afflicted had transformed, and thus the curse had become nearly impossible to remove. More likely, just additional punishment.

I know things have not been the best between us, but if you are willing to use this properly, I will owe you more than the one drink, little sister. If not, please just kill me.

Her internal magic finished locking into place, her access to those memories blurry at best and already on their way to being erased entirely, the purer copies being the protected ones.

"Should we cover those?" Another member of the Court asked. "No need. The orb's magic will keep it from killing her." Her ankles were similarly bound in silver, a burning sensation making it hard to even stay on her feet and not start just screaming. But that would do her no good, would make her look like the animal they might think her as a transparent orb of pure force formed around her and lifted her into the air.

She looked over to father, and much of her memory of what had led her here was lacking now, but.. this seemed so unnecessarily humiliating, being raised up above everyone. She hesitated to protest, even the slightest amount, but… "I could just be locked into a normal cell, father. I won't resist."

"That is true, Aelwyn, you will not. Because you will not be allowed to regain the spells that could make you a danger. We cannot risk a werewolf getting to the population at large, you understand."

The orb started to rotate underneath her feet, the shackles causing her to lose her footing and have to wriggle, roll, and slide almost right away.

It was a very long time before she was able to stop again.

[gmanwhore]

I. Finally wrote Breams. I finally wrote content for them. Gay old men.

Dr. Wallace Breen adjusted the papers on his clipboard and took a deep breath. Today was the day. He strode over to where one of the members of his science team, a rather large mathematician named Dr. Harold Reams, poured over the tape spewing out of the machine he was seated in front of. Dr. Reams was an odd one, he was built to be the kind of man you would notice anywhere due to his height but he was so quiet he melted into crowds. Breen was intrigued by him in a way few others piqued his curiosity and dare he say respect.

Reams was so absorbed in his work that he jumped when Breen put his hand on his shoulder. The administrator had to suppress a laugh.

"Sorry to startle you, that wasn't what I meant to do."

Reams adjusted his glasses and looked up.

"It's alright. What do you need?"

Breen showed Reams the clipboard he was carrying.

"I need someone with a good grasp on numbers to look over these values. I can't make heads or tails out of them."

"Of course. Just one second."

Reams took the clipboard. Once his eyes widened slightly Breen knew he had gotten down to the special note left at the bottom.

"I…I didn't realize you wanted to get to know me better, Dr. Breen. Not that I'm not flattered of course."

Breen looked down at the now flustered man, a small smile on his face.

"So, would you?"

"Oh, yes, of course! I should have answered first, my apologies. I've never been asked out for drinks before…and are you sure you want it at your quarters?"

Breen's smile only grew.

"Well, we don't have many options now do we? One of the downsides of working at such a prestigious organization, but one we live with."

Reams smiled up at him, feeling comfortable enough to.

"I guess you're right."

"Yes, yes. Now, does right after work sound good? I can also provide dinner."

Reams shook his head hard, still obviously flustered.

"Oh, no, let me cook and bring something over. At…six thirty?"

"That works. I'll see you then, Dr. Reams."

Breen walked off to continue his duties as administrator, feeling satisfied at the results of their conversation. Reams had to take a minute to sort through his emotions before he could start work again.

-

That night Harold made his way to Wallace's quarters. His stomach was tied up in knots, terrified of both messing up this very important interaction and that maybe this was all a sick joke. Something told him that Wallace wasn't that kind of person, though. Harold stood in front of the door of the small apartment. It didn't seem to be much bigger then the one the rest of the staff were given. Harold sighed, straightened up, then knocked. Wallace answered almost immediately.

"Harold! I'm glad you came! Come in, make yourself comfortable."

Harold entered, trying to not be awkward.

"Thank you for the invitation. I made us some pasta, I hope that's alright."

"Sounds splendid. Here, how about you rest it by the stove then we can have it in a minute. Can I get you a drink in the meantime? Wine? Beer? I can get you some tea if you don't want alcohol."

Harold set down the container of pasta by the stove, thinking.

"I wouldn't mind some wine, thank you."

Wallace poured them both a glass.

"There you are. Will you join me on the couch?"

Harold nodded, sitting next to Wallace, but not too close. He realized he was holding him wine glass pretty tightly, and tried to relax his fingers. The two men sat in awkward silence before Wallace spoke up.

"So, how do you usually spend your evenings?"

"Well, I usually get home and cook myself dinner before reading or watching TV for a bit before heading to bed. Nothing exciting. What about you?"

"Mostly the same, though I was never one for cooking. I do my best though. I never bring work in here, a personal rule of mine, even if it means I stay late at work. It's enough we live here, I need a bit of a break from running everything at some point."

Harold chuckled a bit.

"I can imagine dealing with the demands of the outer world as well as whatever goes on in Black Mesa must be stressful. I don't envy your job at all!"

"I don't envy yours either! You are a marvel, sir. I've never seen someone so efficient."

Harold wanted to hide in his sweater from embarrassment.

"Oh, don't flatter me please. I just do the job I have trained for. Numbers have always been a passion of mine. They are so much easier to deal with than words."

Wallace leaned back, taking a leisurely sip of his wine.

"I figured as much. From the time you arrived for your first day you can't have said more than ten words to any one person."

Harold gulped slightly.

"You've noticed me for that long? That's...a first. I'm usually quiet enough for people to forget I'm there. You are right, I really don't talk much to others. This is probably the longest conversation I've had with a co worker."

Wallace's face broke into something akin to a grin.

"I hope I'm more than a co worker to you. I hope to be at least your friend! You really are quite the interesting man, Harold. So brilliant, yet you seem so nervous. What is there to fear? You have more than earned your position here."

"It's not really intimidation, it's actually just…natural anxiety. I've never been someone overflowing with confidence. It's actually part of the reason I'm drawn to you, I think. You radiate confidence. Had it always been like that for you?"

He nodded, a look of rumination settling on his face.

"I think so. I've always been a very…I won't say loud, but commanding person I suppose? It all comes fairly easily to me."

"I can tell. If you were faking it I don't think you'd look this relaxed."

"Maybe I am a good actor."

The two men chuckled.

"Maybe! I don't mind the act though."

The silence this time was much less strained.

"Shall we eat now? I can't wait to taste what you cooked up."

"Of course! It will probably need to be heated up first, should I handle that?"

Wallace got up.

"Don't even think about it. You are my guest, and you have done plenty by cooking us both a meal. Go sit at the table, I'll join you in a second."

"Alright. I am taking your glass, though. Do you want it refilled?"

"Yes, I wouldn't mind that."

Harold went off and poured them both some more wine while Wallace reheated the pasta and plated it up. Soon they were not tucking into a nice meal.

"You are a wonderful chef Harold."

"Really? I honestly just threw this together, I had a bit of a mishap in the kitchen at first."

"That just shows your talent!"

"You need to stop flattering me. I might think you're buttering me up for something."

Wallace put a hand to his chest.

"Me? Never."

Harold laughed a bit, finishing up his plate. He then took it to the sink, then sat back down.

"I am very grateful that you invited me over. This evening has been quite enjoyable."

"It's my pleasure! I'm glad I had the opportunity to get to know you better."

Harold fiddled awkwardly with his collar and Wallace finished his meal and cleaned up his dishes.

"Are you ready for dessert?"

Harold looked up.

"Oh? Yes, I am. What is it?"

"Just some chocolate cake. I have some leftover from a small event I hosted."

Wallace cut them both a slice and brought it over. It was quite a good cake.

"Did you bake this?"

Wallace chuckled a bit, shaking his head.

"It would not taste nearly as good if I did. No, this was store bought."

"It's still a good cake."

"It is. Cake always puts me in mind of birthdays. Of course, when I was little I would have vanilla cake for every birthday. Chocolate is good but there's nothing like vanilla."

"I agree! I was the same, but it was always vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. It mellowed it all out."

"That does sound wonderful. I'll have to keep that in mind for next time I need to bring dessert for something."

"I could help you bake it, if you'd like."

"I would be honoured."

The ice fully broken now, the two men chatted for a while longer as they finished their drinks. Much later Harold left Wallace's quarters, his face glowing with happiness.