#stood there & looked at the first actual person he's interacted with in years & went ' oh i need her right now '

[vellichorom]

I think Thierry looks a little gay but whatever makes his wife happy

she LOVES his fruitcake looking ass baby !!!! she married that thing !!!!! i can't believe it

[03jyh23]

🌏⌇atlas┆song mingi

│part of goes to waste the series based on my favourite keshi songs

│listen here

rapper!mingi x non-celebrity!reader

│synopsis: in the heart of bustling seoul, you and mingi shared a luxurious penthouse apartment. despite the grandeur, loneliness consumed you as mingi's skyrocketing fame distanced him from the loving boyfriend you once knew.

│genre: lovers to strangers, angst

│trigger warnings:  heartbreak (obviously), mature language, mention of past trauma and pain

│words: 8.9 k

│playlist: empty box an album by song mingi, tracklist: after hours, too late, killing me (english), wait, paranoid, drunk, lonely heart, empty box (english)

│reminder: what you’re about to read is purely fiction, so let’s keep it separate from reality.

!minors do not interact!

— hi there! finally, here's the next part of goes to waste series. i had to take some time off after publishing 2soon (check it if you haven't yet), which was a truly personal piece, but now i'm back! atlas is very loosely inspired by the song; it's more about the vibe the song gave me than the actual lyrics. i also changed the original synopsis quite a bit because i honestly didn't feel like sticking with the first version. same as with 2soon, i spent some time creating a playlist, and if you do decide to listen, i hope you enjoy the songs i've chosen. oh! and if you read through my small author notes, then you're lucky because i can finally reveal that both the reaper (jongho) and right here (yeosang) will be published as a mini-series (but only after finishing finding our way back)!

love, monika ♡

i’d be so grateful for a little love – a tagged reblog or comment would truly make my day!

│taglist: @skittyneos │@kyeos4ng │ @vcutparis │@hoeforalbedo

You were sitting on a bed in the bedroom you shared with Mingi in your very own luxurious penthouse apartment in the bustling center of Seoul. It hasn't been long since you moved in here, but the vastness and elegance of the place made you feel even lonelier than ever. Mingi was out, performing at a sold-out arena show, and the glaring reality was that you weren't there to support him. It wasn't that you didn't want to attend; the painful truth was that he simply forgot to invite you—his girlfriend of the last 4 years, someone who had stood by his side through thick and thin. You looked at the floor, your eyes catching the sight of your suitcases and bags packed meticulously with your belongings, ready to move out of this once cherished home. The thing was, you couldn't quite leave without seeing Mingi one last time. Your heart ached at the thought of parting without a final goodbye, and it didn't let you go. You didn't know life without Mingi, and the prospect left you shit scared. The very thought of navigating through your days without his presence was enough to send shivers down your spine. However, you couldn't pretend any longer that Mingi hasn't changed. The boy you once fell in love with, who was caring, attentive, and always made you feel like the center of his universe, seemed to have vanished. In his place was someone distant, preoccupied, and seemingly indifferent to your feelings. You tried to rationalize his behavior, blaming it on the stress of his career and the constant pressure he was under, but deep down, you knew it was more than that. The connection you once shared felt like a distant memory, and the reality of who he had become was impossible to ignore. 

It all started not even a year ago. Mingi's song went viral on the internet, and he gained a massive following in a span of three days. From being an independent artist playing in clubs for maybe a couple of hundred fans, he went straight to signing a contract with a major company, making huge checks and selling out arenas in a span of minutes. The transformation was almost surreal. One day, you were cheering him on from small, dimly lit venues where you could see the sweat on his brow and the fire in his eyes as he performed. The next, he was being whisked away to luxurious studios and high-profile meetings with industry moguls. It felt like you were living in a dream—or a nightmare, depending on the moment. Suddenly, the simplicity of your shared life was replaced by a whirlwind of glitz and glamour. Mingi's phone never stopped buzzing with calls, texts, and notifications. Invitations to exclusive parties, collaborations with big names, and interviews with top media outlets flooded in. While his career skyrocketed, your relationship seemed to plummet into an abyss of neglect and misunderstanding. As he became more entrenched in his new world, you noticed changes in him. The boy who once couldn't wait to spend a quiet night in, watching movies with you was now constantly on the go, his calendar filled with events that didn't include you. The intimate conversations you used to have, were replaced by strained, hurried phone calls and text messages that felt more like obligations than genuine connections. Despite your best efforts to be supportive and understanding, the growing distance between you became an insurmountable chasm. Mingi's success had come at a steep price, and it felt like you were the one paying for it. The man you had known and loved for years was slowly slipping away, replaced by someone who seemed more like a stranger with each passing day. 

The night was getting later, and there was still no sign of Mingi. Maybe he wasn't planning to come back today; maybe he was too busy with his new rapper friends to even care to come back. You couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment and frustration. You glanced at your phone, hoping for a message or a missed call, but there was nothing. Well, it wouldn't be the first time he had left you waiting, feeling like an afterthought in his increasingly busy life. You tried to occupy yourself, turning on the TV and flipping through channels, but nothing could distract you. The boy who once couldn't stand to be away from you was now someone who seemed to have forgotten you existed.  

With every passing minute, the reality of your situation became clearer. Mingi might not come back tonight, tomorrow, or even the day after that. He was out there, living his life, while you were stuck in a place that no longer felt like home. You still vividly remember your first day in this apartment; it was a momentous occasion. Mingi had received his significant check from the tour ticket sales, as well as the royalties, just a week passed since, and you were moving into the luxurious space. The excitement and anticipation were palpable as you both looked forward to starting this new chapter in your lives together. You left your one-bedroom apartment with a tingle of sadness, each corner filled with cherished memories of the life you had built together. However, the excitement and anticipation of creating a new home in a spacious, luxurious penthouse overshadowed any melancholy you felt. You both dreamed of this moment, envisioning a future filled with endless possibilities and new adventures. The thought of decorating the new place, hosting friends, and building new memories brought a sense of joy and hope. It was a new chapter, a fresh start, and despite the nostalgia for your old apartment, the promise of what lay ahead made the transition feel like the beginning of something wonderful. So, you never thought you would be leaving this place like this. Heartbroken. The walls that once echoed with laughter and joy now felt cold and distant. Every corner of the penthouse, which had been a symbol of Mingi’s dreams and aspirations, now seemed to mock your pain. The spacious rooms that once brought a sense of freedom now felt like a labyrinth of sorrow. You recalled the countless evenings spent planning your future together, the whispered promises of forever, and the dreams you had woven into the very fabric of this home. Now, those dreams lay shattered, scattered like fragile pieces of glass. The weight of your decision to leave pressed heavily on your chest, making it difficult to breathe. You never imagined that the place which once brought you so much happiness would be the same place you'd have to walk away from. 

You promised yourself you wouldn't wait longer than 3 AM, and as the hour approached, you picked up all your belongings and took them to the hallway. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of your decision sinking in deeper with every passing second. You glanced once again across the apartment, taking in the memories etched into every corner of the space that once felt like a loving home. With a heavy heart, you left your keys on the kitchen counter. As you put your shoes on, you paused for a moment, feeling the finality of your actions. You were ready to turn off the lights and walk out of the door, the silence of the apartment echoing your own sense of abandonment. Just as you reached for the switch, the doors opened with a soft creak that seemed to reverberate through the entire space. 

There stood Mingi, his face pale and eyes wide with a mixture of shock and disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost. His presence, so unexpected and surreal in that moment, made your heart skip a beat. The silence between you was deafening, filled with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions. For a split second, neither of you moved, as if frozen in time. 

"What is going on?" he asked, his eyes finding your gaze as he swallowed hard. 

You took a deep breath, feeling a lump form in your throat. "I can't do this anymore," you replied, your voice trembling. 

His expression shifted from confusion to concern. "What do you mean? What are you talking about?" 

"I mean us, Mingi. I'm not even a part of your life anymore," you said, tears welling up in your eyes. "I packed my bags. I'm leaving." 

Mingi's eyes widened in shock, and he took a step closer. "Leaving? No baby, you can't just leave." 

You shook your head, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on you. "I deserve more than this. I'm done. We're done," you said, almost out of breath, your voice trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow. 

Mingi's face contorted with emotion, his eyes pleading as he reached out to you. "Please, let's talk about this," he said, desperation lacing his voice. 

You looked at him, your heart breaking all over again. "It's too late, Mingi," you responded, trying to keep your resolve strong even as tears streamed down your face. "I'm so sick of pretending everything's alright, that you haven't changed," you continued, your frustration bubbling to the surface. 

Mingi stepped closer, his hands reaching for yours, desperation evident in his voice. "What are you talking about? I'm still the same, I’m still your boyfriend who would do anything for you." 

You took a deep breath, your voice trembling as you confronted him. "Are you even aware my birthday was a week ago and you haven't showed up to the party?" 

Mingi's face fell, a look of guilt and realization washing over him. "I... I didn't know. I'm so sorry," he stammered, but the damage was already done. 

"So no, Mingi, you are not the same. My boyfriend would show up to my birthday party, hell he would organize it himself. And you know what you did that night? You were sitting in a fucking club with your fellow rappers doing God knows what," you spat, the pain in your words cutting through the air. "My boyfriend loved me, he wanted to spend time with me, he cherished me, he would never leave without kissing me and telling me he loves me," you said, your voice cracking. "You are not him." 

Mingi's shoulders slumped, the weight of his actions finally seeming to hit him. "I messed up. I know I did, and I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice cracking. 

‘’Sorry is not enough,’ you took a deep breath, your eyes filling with tears. "I'm so sick and tired of justifying your shitty behavior in front of my parents, our friends, and most definitely myself. Every time they ask me where you are or why you're not around, I must come up with excuses. It's exhausting, and honestly, I'm tired of lying for you." 

Mingi's eyes filled with tears, his voice breaking as he whispered, "I never wanted to let you down. I know I've been distant, but I never stopped loving you." 

You shook your head, "You don’t love me, Mingi. Actions speak louder than words, and your actions have clearly shown me where I stand in your life. When was the last time you took me out, huh? When was the last time you asked me how I was doing? When was the last time you made love to me, not just fucked me after your show, huh?" you demanded, each question hitting him like a blow. 

Mingi's face crumpled as he absorbed your words. "I didn't realize... I thought you understood how busy I've been," he mumbled, his voice tinged with regret. 

"Busy? We all have busy lives. But love means making time, no matter what," you said, wiping away your tears. "I can't keep waiting for you to remember that." 

Mingi's tears began to flow freely, his voice barely a whisper. "Please, don't go. I promise I'll change, I'll make things right," he pleaded, but you could see the doubt in his eyes. 

"Since you went viral, you haven't even taken me to your shows, to the afterparties. I don't know your new friends. Do they know about me?" you asked, your voice rising with each word. Mingi's hesitation spoke volumes, and you felt another crack in your already shattered heart. "That's what I thought," you murmured, more to yourself than to him. "If they don't know about me, then maybe you don't want them to. Maybe that's why it's easier for you to forget I exist." 

Mingi's eyes widened, realization dawning on him. "No, it's not like that," he tried to argue, but the conviction in his voice was gone. The silence between you grew heavier, filled with all the things left unsaid over the past months. 

"Tell me honestly, now. You're rapping about fucking bitches and maybe that's really what you're doing in those clubs, huh?" you spat, the accusation hanging heavily in the air. 

Mingi's face paled, his eyes wide with shock and hurt. "How could you even accuse me of that?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and pain. "I would never do something like that to you. You mean everything to me." he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. He took a step closer, desperation in his eyes. "I swear, it's not what you think. Those lyrics, they're just part of the persona. They don't mean anything." 

You let out a bitter laugh, the sound echoing through the silent apartment. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? That it's all just an act? Because it doesn't. It just makes me feel like I don't even know who you are anymore," you retorted, your voice trembling with emotion. "You spend all your time with these people, living this life that I'm not a part of. How am I supposed to believe you when you say it's not real?" 

Mingi's shoulders slumped, the weight of your words pressing down on him. "I know I've made mistakes. I know I've been distant, but I never wanted to hurt you. I thought you understood how much pressure I'm under," he said, his voice cracking. 

"Being under pressure doesn't give you the right to treat me like I don't matter," you shot back, wiping away the tears from your rosy cheeks. "You used to make me feel like I was the most important person in the world. Now, I feel like I'm just another obligation, something you can push aside when it suits you." 

Mingi's eyes lit up with a sudden realization. "Please give me a moment, I know what will make you stay," he said, his voice filled with a newfound sense of urgency. Before you could respond, he turned and rushed towards the bedroom. You stood there, your heart pounding in your chest as you listened to the sounds of Mingi frantically ruffling through drawers and opening cabinets. The noise grew louder, punctuated by the occasional clatter of objects being moved aside. After what felt like an eternity, Mingi emerged from the bedroom, his face flushed and his breath heavy. Clutched tightly in his hand was a small, elegant box. He walked towards you, his eyes never leaving yours, and with shaking hands, he opened the box to reveal a stunning, custom-made Tiffany engagement ring. 

"This... this is what I was waiting for," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I wanted everything to be perfect before I asked you. I know I've messed up, but please, give me one more chance. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Tears welled up in his eyes as he held the ring out to you, his entire being pleading for forgiveness and another chance. You stared at the ring, the weight of the moment pressing down on you as you tried to process everything. Mingi took a deep breath and then, in one fluid motion, he dropped to one knee, holding the ring up towards you. His eyes were filled with desperation and hope, the tears streaming down his face reflecting the sincerity of his words. "Y/N please, marry me," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I know I've been distant, and I know I've hurt you, but I want to make it right. I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you, showing you how much you mean to me. Please, give me another chance." You stood there, your heart pounding in your chest as you looked down at Mingi, the man you had loved for so long, now kneeling before you with a ring in his hand. The future you have always dreamed of was right there in front of you, and you cried harder at the sight. The ring, a symbol of the life you had envisioned together, glittered in the dim light of the penthouse. It was everything you had ever wanted, yet the weight of the disappointments and heartbreaks made it difficult to embrace. The tears streamed down your face, mixing with the raw emotions that had been building up inside you. You couldn't help but think of all the broken promises, the lonely nights, and the feeling of being forgotten. The ring was beautiful, but it couldn't erase the pain that had accumulated over time. 

Mingi kneeled there in front of you, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and desperation, waiting for your response."Now we have enough money to book the beach venue you dreamed of," Mingi started, trying to control his own tears. "I will order you a custom dress from the designer you told me about, inspired by the Disney princess you loved since you were little," he added, his voice trembling with desperation. "And we will go to Belize for our honeymoon," he continued, his words coming out in a rush. "We will rent a whole house by the beach, just like you always wanted. Every morning, we'll wake up to the sound of the waves, and every night, we'll fall asleep under the stars. There won't be a single day when I won't prove to you how much I love you," Mingi's voice cracked, his eyes pleading. "Please, give me another chance. Please marry me. I promise I'll be the man you fell in love with, the one who would move heaven and earth just to see you smile. We’ll make new memories, beautiful ones that will overshadow all the pain I’ve put you through. I swear, I'll spend every moment making it up to you, showing you that my love is real and unwavering. So please, please say yes." The image he painted was truly everything you ever wanted, the plans you made together on countless nights, dreaming of a future filled with love and happiness. The beach venue, the custom dress, the honeymoon in Belize—all of it was exactly what you had envisioned. It was as if he had taken every whispered wish, every secret hope, and turned them into a tangible reality. His words, filled with desperation and promise, tugged at your heartstrings, making you yearn for the life you had once believed was possible. The thought of waking up to the sound of waves, falling asleep under the stars, and creating new, beautiful memories was almost too tempting to resist. In that moment, you saw a glimpse of the life you had always wanted. You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath as you tried to steady your racing heart. The weight of the moment felt almost suffocating, but you knew you had to make a choice. When you opened your eyes again, you looked at Mingi, your voice barely above a whisper, 

"I can't," you choked out, your voice barely above a whisper. The words felt like shards of glass slicing through the air. You saw the hope in Mingi's eyes flicker and fade, replaced by a look of utter devastation. His shoulders slumped as he dropped completely to the floor, the ring slipping from his grasp and falling to the floor with a loud echo. You heard him cry out in agony, and it broke your heart all over again, shattering it completely. For a moment, the silence was deafening, filled only with the sound of your ragged breaths and Mingi's soft sobs. You stood there, frozen, the weight of your decision pressing down on you like a physical force. Every fiber of your being wanted to rush to him, to take back the words and make everything alright, but you knew deep down that it was too late. 

Mingi's tears flowed freely now, his face a portrait of anguish. "Please, don't go," he pleaded, his voice raw with desperation. "I need you. I don't know what I'll do without you." 

"I'm so sorry, Mingi," you said, your voice trembling as you took a step back. "I wish things could be different, but I can't keep living like this." 

Mingi looked up at you, his eyes red and swollen with tears. "Please, don't leave me," he pleaded, his voice cracking with desperation. "I can't lose you. I'll do anything to make it right, I swear." 

You shook your head, "It's not about what you can do, Mingi. It's about what you haven't done." With a heavy heart, you turned towards the door, picking up your bags. Each step felt like a thousand, the weight of your decision making it almost unbearable to move. As you reached the door, you paused, looking back at Mingi one last time. The sight of him, broken and pleading, was almost too much to bear. "Goodbye, Mingi," you whispered, your voice barely audible. "I hope you come across something more than better, something that brings you true happiness and fulfillment. And I’m so sorry it’s not me." With those final words, you turned the knob and stepped out into the hallway, closing the door softly behind you. The echo of the door click reverberated through the empty penthouse, a stark reminder of what you were leaving behind. 

eight months later

It was a Saturday evening, and you were lying in your bed, scrolling through TV channels because apparently your best friend forgot to pay for your Netflix subscription. These past months, you were figuring your life out from the base. With your breakup, everything changed. You were now living in a small apartment, shared with two of your friends to make the rent cheaper. You hadn't saved up much while being with Mingi, mainly taking part-time jobs to be available whenever Mingi needed your help with his career—booking a venue, simply helping around with scanning tickets or delivering merch. You used to spend your days running errands and managing small tasks that kept his career afloat, and in return, he assured you that you didn't need to worry about your own income. Then, when the money came, he simply wouldn’t let you work, claiming what was his was yours, and he had more than enough. His generosity was comforting, but it also left you unprepared for the financial independence you now had to face. So apart from dealing with the heartbreak, you’ve also been struggling a bit with a reality without him. 

Now, as you lay in your small bedroom, you couldn't help but reflect on how drastically your life had shifted. The luxurious apartment you once shared with Mingi was now a distant memory, replaced by this compact space that you now called home. It was filled with laughter and companionship from your two friends, but it also served as a constant reminder of Mingi’s absence. 

The breakup had not only shattered your heart but also forced you to reevaluate your priorities and rebuild your life from scratch. Every day was a struggle to find your footing, to rediscover who you were without Mingi, and to carve out a path for yourself. Despite the challenges, you were slowly learning to embrace this new reality, one step at a time. 

After a long search, you finally stumbled upon a music award show where a band you liked was performing, and you found yourself intrigued. A few other performances passed; the MC announced they would reveal the winner for the Album of the Year in the rap category. Despite trying to ignore all updates about Mingi, you knew he had released a new album earlier this year, so seeing him being nominated didn’t surprise you. You couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as his name was mentioned. You saw him through your TV screen, his hair now cut short and dyed a vibrant pink, a stark contrast to his previous look. His nose was pierced, and you must admit it made him look even hotter. He was wearing a sleek black blazer with nothing underneath, the simplicity of his outfit highlighting his confidence. He looked absolutely gorgeous, his features as handsome as ever, capturing your attention completely. You couldn’t help but smile, a wave of nostalgia and admiration washing over you. Your heart began to beat faster with the excitement and joy of seeing him again. 

And of course, Mingi won. You didn’t know exactly why, but you couldn’t help yourself—you clapped your hands enthusiastically. You were so incredibly proud of him and his achievement. With a wide smile on his face, he stood up from his seat, took a deep breath, and confidently hopped on stage. He walked over to the microphone, adjusted it to his height, and paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "Thank you, everyone," Mingi began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "This album means the world to me, and it wouldn't have been possible without the incredible team behind me and the fans who have supported me through everything." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I want to dedicate this award to someone very special to me, someone who was with me since my early days." Mingi's words hung in the air, and you felt a lump form in your throat. You knew he was talking about you. The memories of your time together, the sacrifices you made, and the dreams you shared all came rushing back. Despite the pain and heartbreak, a part of you was deeply touched by his acknowledgment. He continued, "I know I've made mistakes, and I've hurt the only person I have ever loved. But this album represents a journey of growth and redemption. It's about learning from those mistakes and becoming a better person." The audience applauded, but your mind was elsewhere, lost in the whirlwind of emotions Mingi's speech had stirred within you. You couldn't help but wonder if he truly had changed, if he had finally realized the impact of his actions. As the applause died down, Mingi took a step back, holding the award close to his chest. He looked directly into the camera, his eyes seemingly searching for yours through the screen. "You know," Mingi continues, "this special person told me that since I gained popularity, I’ve been only rapping about fucking bitches, and she hated that." Mingi smiled and looked at the award in his hands. "So, with this album, I came back to my roots, to lyrics that truly mattered and reflect who I am." As the applause echoed around him, Mingi took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words and the emotions they carried. He remembered the countless nights he spent writing, the struggles he faced, and the moments of doubt. "I don’t know where she’s at now, what she’s doing," he paused, running a hand through his hair, his eyes filled with regret "I wanted to be a man and respect her decision to leave me, so I never reached out." His voice cracked, the weight of his words sinking in "Because the truth is she deserves way better than me." He swallowed hard, his eyes glistening with unshed tears "I don’t even know if this will reach her, but if it does, I just want her to know that I still, very much love her." A tear finally escaped, rolling down his cheek "And that life without her is shit." He took a deep breath, his voice barely a whisper. He glanced around, seeing familiar faces of fellow artists and friends who knew his story then he looked straight at the camera. "So, to my ex, to the one I prayed to end up with, thank you for breaking my heart. This one is for you." He raised his award and bowed. As he left the stage, you couldn't help but feel a surge of mixed emotions. The love you once shared was still there, buried beneath the pain and heartbreak, but his words made you wonder if there might still be a chance for redemption and healing. You sat there, stunned and overwhelmed, tears streaming down your face. The raw emotion in Mingi's speech had reopened old wounds, but it also made you question if there was a possibility for a new beginning. 

Too caught up in your thoughts, you didn't notice when the cameras started to broadcast live from backstage. An elegant reporter, dressed in a chic green dress, stood waiting with a microphone in hand. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she spotted Mingi approaching, clutching his award tightly. She greeted him with a warm smile and a nod, gesturing for him to join her on a plush, cream-colored couch set up for the interview. As Mingi took his seat next to her, the reporter's smile widened. "Congratulations, Mingi, on your incredible win tonight!" she began, her voice smooth and professional. "How does it feel to take home the Album of the Year award?" 

Mingi took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. "It feels surreal," he admitted, his voice slightly hoarse from the whirlwind of emotions he had experienced on stage. "This album was a labor of love and a journey of self-discovery. Winning this award means the world to me." 

The reporter nodded; her expression empathetic. "You've mentioned that this album, Empty Box, holds a lot of personal significance. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind it?" 

"The title of the album, Empty Box, symbolizes a metaphorical space where I have placed all the love I couldn’t give, oh god I hate to call her that but, to my ex-girlfriend." Mingi's eyes welled up with tears, and he swallowed hard. "It encompasses not just the love, but also our unfulfilled dreams, the cherished memories we created together, and the mistakes we made along the way." He paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts, his emotions visibly overwhelming him. This album reflects my journey, regrets, and lessons I've learned. Each song is a chapter of that story, a piece of my heart that I hope resonates with those who listen." He took a deep breath, his voice cracking as he continued, "I wanted to create something that speaks to the pain of losing someone you love, the guilt of not being able to give them what they deserve, and the hope that maybe, just maybe, we can all find a way to heal from our past mistakes." Mingi's eyes were filled with a mix of sorrow and determination as he spoke, his words carrying the weight of his emotions. He looked directly into the camera, his eyes searching for a connection with those who might be watching. "To anyone out there who feels like they've messed up, like they've lost their way, I want you to know that you're not alone. We all make mistakes, we all have regrets, but that doesn't mean we can't find a way to move forward. This album is my way of reaching out, of saying that it's okay to feel broken, it's okay to struggle, but it's also okay to hope for a better tomorrow." 

The reporter nodded, her eyes reflecting the depth of Mingi's words. "Thank you for sharing such a personal journey with us, Mingi. Your honesty and vulnerability are truly inspiring." She paused for a moment, letting his words resonate with the audience. "What's next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or plans you'd like to share?" 

Mingi took a deep breath, a small smile breaking through his tear-streaked face. "Right now, I just want to take some time to reflect and reconnect with myself. But I promise, there's more music to come, and I hope to continue growing both as an artist and as a person." 

The reporter's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in slightly. "Is this album some type of closure for you? Are you ready to go out there and find love again? I bet there's plenty of girls, or guys who would die to have a chance with you." 

Mingi took a moment to reflect, his eyes distant. "In many ways, this album has been therapeutic for me. It's allowed me to process my emotions and come to terms with my past. As for finding love again, I think it's important for me to focus on healing and personal growth first. Love is a beautiful thing, but it requires a strong foundation." 

The reporter nodded, her smile warm and understanding. "Thank you for your honesty, Mingi. Your journey is truly inspiring, and I'm sure your fans appreciate your openness." 

Mingi smiled back, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Thank you. I'm grateful for the support." With that, the interview concluded, and Mingi stood up, shaking the reporter's hand before walking away. As the camera panned out, you turned off the TV, your mind racing with thoughts and emotions. And you knew you needed to see him again. You've been staying strong since you left him, but now, the wall crashed down and you couldn't stop your racing heart, you couldn't prioritize your mind screaming at you not to do it. The memories of your time together flooded back with an overwhelming force, each one more vivid than the last. The late-night conversations, the shared dreams, the laughter, and even the fights—they all played in your mind like an old movie reel. Despite the pain and the heartbreak, you couldn't deny the love you still felt for him, a love that had been buried but never truly extinguished. Your emotions were a tangled mess, a mix of longing, fear, hope, and regret. You thought about the life you once envisioned with him, the future that seemed so bright and full of promise. Would it still be possible? Could you find a way to rebuild what was broken, to heal the wounds that had festered for so long? As you sat there, your heart pounding in your chest, you knew that you couldn't ignore these feelings. It was as if something was pushing you towards him, giving you a nudge to take a step towards reconciliation. The thought of seeing him again both terrified and excited you, but you knew that you had to follow your heart. With trembling hands, you picked up your phone and stared at the screen, your mind racing with a thousand thoughts. Should you call him? Text him? Show up at his door? You took a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves, and made your decision. You were going to see him. 

You run to your closet, your heart racing with anticipation and anxiety. You put on a hoodie as the autumn air was getting colder, layered a denim jacket on top for extra warmth, and decided to go. Living on the opposite side of the city now, getting to Mingi's place would take more than an hour, but you didn't mind the long journey. As you left your room, one of your roommates looked at you, her eyes filled with curiosity. 

"So, I guess you heard the speech?" she asked, a knowing smile playing on her lips. You could feel the pride welling up inside you, making you even more determined to reach Mingi and share your feelings with him. 

"Yeah, I did," you replied, your voice trembling with emotion. "I need to see him." 

"Honey, I know you want to, but don't forget why you left him in the first place," she said gently, her eyes filled with concern. "You were heartbroken and exhausted. It took so much strength for you to walk away and start rebuilding your life." She paused, her expression softening. "I understand that his speech stirred up a lot of emotions, but please, think carefully about this. Remember all the nights you cried yourself to sleep, all the broken promises. Just don't lose sight of why you made the decision to leave. You deserve to be happy and to find someone who truly values and respects you." 

You nodded, taking her words to heart. "I know, and I won't forget. But I need to know if things can be different now. It's just, I am so proud of him, and I just wish he knew that" you whispered to your roommate, your voice filled with a mix of hope and determination. Your roommate, who had been silently listening, came closer, her eyes reflecting concern and empathy. "I know we've been through so much, and the pain was unbearable at times. But seeing him up there, pouring his heart out, made me realize that a part of me still cares deeply for him. I can't ignore these feelings. I spent so many nights crying myself to sleep, feeling hurt and abandoned, but maybe he's changed. Maybe he's truly learned from his mistakes. I need to see for myself if there's a chance for us to rebuild what we once had, to heal together and find a way back to each other." 

Your friend reached out, gently squeezing your hand, her touch offering a silent reassurance. Her eyes softened as she spoke, "I understand why you feel this way. It's not easy to let go of someone you love, especially when there's still a part of you that believes in him. But you need to be sure that he's really changed, that he's willing to put in the effort to make things right this time." 

You nodded, feeling a lump form in your throat. "I just wish he understood that despite everything, I don't hold any grudges. I want him to know that I forgive him and that I'm willing to give him another chance if he's ready to make things right." Your voice trembled slightly, the weight of your emotions making it difficult to speak. 

Your roommate gave you a warm, encouraging smile. "You have a big heart, and it's clear that you still care about him deeply. Just make sure you protect yourself too. If he's really changed, he'll show you through his actions, not just words. Take it one step at a time and trust your instincts. You deserve to be happy, and if giving him another chance feels right to you, then follow your heart." Her words offered a sense of comfort and clarity, helping to ease the turmoil inside you. You took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of hope. 

"Thank you," you said, your voice filled with gratitude. "I need to do this for myself, to know if there's still a chance for us." With that, you hugged your best friend and stepped out into the autumn night. 

The journey to Mingi's place felt like an eternity, each passing moment filled with a mixture of anticipation and fear. As the bus drew closer to his building, you couldn't help but feel a surge of doubt. What if this was a mistake? What if you were setting yourself up for more heartache? But the memory of Mingi's heartfelt speech and the love you still felt for him pushed you forward. 

When you finally arrived, you stood outside his door, taking a deep breath to steady your nerves. With a trembling hand, you knocked, the sound echoing through the hallway. To your surprise, the door is opened by an elderly man, dressed in an elegant suit. His eyes widen in surprise as he sees you standing there. "Good evening, sir," you say hesitantly, trying to mask your confusion. "I’m sorry for the late visit but I'm here to see Mingi. Is he already back?" The man's expression shifts from surprise to bewilderment. 

"I'm sorry," he replies, his voice carrying a hint of confusion. "But I believe you have the wrong address. Nobody by the name of Mingi lives here." He looks at you sympathetically, as if trying to help you figure out your mistake. 

Your heart sank, and you felt a wave of confusion wash over you. "But this was his address," you murmured, feeling lost. 

The elderly man gave you a kind smile, "I moved in here few months ago, maybe he was a previous owner of this apartment?" 

Your heart sank even further as you realized that Mingi had moved. "Thank you," you said softly, turning away from the door, feeling a mix of disappointment and confusion. As you walked back to the bus stop, the doubt began to creep in again. Maybe meeting with him would be a mistake? The universe seemed to be throwing obstacles in your path, as if trying to tell you something. Perhaps it was a sign that some things are better left in the past, that moving forward meant leaving certain chapters closed. You couldn't help but think about all the reasons you left in the first place, the pain and the heartbreak that led you to this very moment. Was it worth reopening old wounds for a chance that things might be different? As you boarded the bus, you decided to give it one last shot, you took your phone out. You scrolled through your contacts and found Mingi's number, your finger hovering over the call button. Taking a deep breath, you pressed it and held the phone to your ear, your heart pounding as it began to ring. After a few moments, you heard a familiar message on the other end, "The number you have dialed no longer exists." 

The automated message echoed in your ear, a stark reminder of the distance that now separated you from Mingi. You pulled the phone away, staring at the screen in disbelief. How could it be? You had been so certain that reaching out to him was the right thing to do, but now, it felt like the universe was conspiring against you. You tried calling again, but the same message played, confirming that Mingi's number had indeed been disconnected. A sense of finality washed over you, making the reality of the situation sink in even deeper. It felt as if a door had been firmly closed, leaving you standing on the outside, unable to reach the person you once held so dear. As you sat back on the bus, the city lights blurring past the window, you couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Disappointment, sadness, and a lingering sense of what could have been. The memories of your time together replayed in your mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of the love you had lost. Deep down, you knew that this might be the universe's way of telling you to let go, to move forward with your life. With a heavy heart, you put your phone away and leaned back in your seat, taking a deep breath. As the bus continued its route, you gazed out at the city, the lights flickering like distant stars.  

six months later

You just started your shift; the day was going to be long and tiring. With holidays fast approaching, people were buzzing to buy new goods. You were working as a manager in one of the luxury shopping centers, a position that demanded a great deal of patience and resilience. The opulence of the surroundings was a stark contrast to the stress that came with the job. The elegant displays and high-end brands attracted a clientele that was demanding and often indifferent to the staff's efforts. Managing a team in such an environment was no small feat. You had to ensure that everything ran smoothly, from inventory management to customer service. The rich customers, with their endless requests and high expectations, often tested the limits of your endurance. They seemed to suck the life out of you, leaving you drained by the end of the day. Yet, you couldn't afford to show any signs of fatigue. Your role required you to maintain a calm and composed demeanor, addressing complaints with a smile and ensuring that every shopper left satisfied. The holiday season only amplified the challenges. The influx of customers meant longer hours and heightened pressure. Each day felt like a marathon, with waves of shoppers flooding in, eager to make their purchases. The store was a hive of activity, with sales associates rushing to assist customers, restock shelves, and manage transactions. Amidst the chaos, you had to keep a watchful eye, ready to step in whenever issues arose. 

You were on your way to the staff area to take a break for lunch, feeling exhausted from the busy morning shift. The holiday rush had turned the shopping center into a whirlwind of activity, and you were grateful for a brief break. Just as you were about to reach the staff area, one of your co-workers called out your name. You rolled your eyes, already anticipating another request or issue that needed your immediate attention. With a deep breath, you turned to face her, trying to mask your frustration with a polite smile. 

"I'm really sorry to bother you, but we have a situation that requires your expertise. There's a particularly demanding customer, and the supervisor has tried everything but just can't seem to handle it. She asked me to find you because we really need your help with this. Would you mind stepping in to assist? I know you're on your way to lunch, but it would mean a lot to us." 

You sighed internally, knowing that this was part of the job. "Alright, lead the way," you replied, forcing a reassuring smile. Following your co-worker, you mentally prepared yourself for yet another challenging interaction, hoping that it wouldn't take too long so you could finally enjoy your much-needed break. 

She led you to one of the private dressing rooms. From a distance, you could hear a female voice demanding something from her, you supposed, boyfriend. "Oh baby, what do you think about this one?" you heard as you approached the door. Your heart skipped a beat when you recognized the voice that responded—it was Mingi. You stopped in your tracks, your mind racing. The reality of seeing him again, and with someone new, hit you like a ton of bricks. But you took a deep breath, steadied yourself, and pushed forward, opening the door to the dressing room. Inside, you saw Mingi standing next to a woman who was examining herself in the mirror, holding up an elegant dress. The room was filled with an awkward tension as Mingi's eyes met yours. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the memories of your past flooding back with a vivid intensity. 

Mingi's expression shifted from surprise to a mix of emotions—confusion, regret, and perhaps a hint of longing. The woman, oblivious to the charged atmosphere, continued to admire herself in the mirror, adjusting the dress and waiting for Mingi's opinion. 

You felt like the air was taken out of your lungs. He was here, standing before you, after so much time had passed. Memories of your time together flooded back, each one more vivid and overwhelming than the last. You had to swallow hard and clench your fist to keep the act up, to maintain your composure in front of him and his new girlfriend. The mix of emotions inside you—shock, longing, regret—threatened to break through, but you knew you had to stay professional. This was your job, your life now, and you couldn't let the past disrupt it. "Excuse me madam, I’m a manager here," you said, your voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Is there anything I can assist you with?" 

"Oh yes, we've been looking forward to buying the limited-edition shoes from the new collection," she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. 

You took a deep breath at her words, trying to maintain your professionalism. "I'm really sorry to inform you about this, as my coworker already told you, madam, the shoes I believe you are referring to are only available for special order." 

Her enthusiasm faltered slightly, replaced by a look of disappointment. "Special order? Is there any way we can place one now?" 

"Unfortunately, the special-order period for those shoes has already ended," you explained gently. "They were available for a limited time, and we are currently out of stock. However, we do have a selection of other exclusive items that might interest you." 

You caught Mingi's eyes boring into you, his face pale and expression frozen. He stood still, as if rooted to the spot, and he seemed to not even breathe. The intensity of his gaze sent a wave of emotions crashing over you, each one more overwhelming than the last. You felt your eyes watering, a rush of emotions threatening to spill over. You blinked quickly, trying to get rid of the tears and maintain your composure. This was neither the time nor the place to let your feelings show, but the sight of him, so close yet so distant, made it nearly impossible to hold back the tide of emotions. 

The girl in front of you sighed, clearly disheartened by the news. Mingi, sensing her disappointment, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's all right," he said softly. "Let's take a look at what else they have. I'm sure you can find something you'll love." 

She turned to you with a sharp expression, her tone shifting to one of impatience. "Do you even know who my boyfriend is?’’ 

You swallowed hard, forcing a polite smile despite the tension. "Yes, madam, I'm well aware. Please allow me to show you some other exclusive items that might catch your interest."  

"Baby, won't you do something about it?" She once again turned to Mingi, her voice carrying a hint of frustration, but his eyes never left yours, the unspoken words hanging heavily in the air between you. 

Mingi shifted uncomfortably, his eyes meeting his girlfriend for a brief moment before he turned to you again. "I'll see what I can do," he said softly, trying to soothe her. 

You took a deep breath, gathering your professionalism. "As I mentioned earlier, the special-order period has ended, and we are out of stock for the limited-edition shoes. However, if you'd like, I can take your contact information and notify you if any new limited editions become available in the future." 

The woman sighed, clearly not satisfied, but nodded reluctantly. "Fine, let's do that then." She handed you her information, and you quickly jotted it down, aware of Mingi's gaze still lingering on you. 

"Thank you for your understanding," you said, handing back her details. "Is there anything else I can assist you with today?" 

She shook her head, her disappointment evident. "No, that's all. Come on, baby, let's go." As they turned to leave, Mingi hesitated for a moment, his eyes locking with yours one last time. You could see the unspoken words and the regret in his gaze, you silently hoped he would say something, anything. You gave him a small, professional nod, and without a word, he turned away, following his girlfriend out of the dressing room. Once they were gone, you let out a breath you hadn't realized you were holding. 

You realized that the man you loved was no more. Instead, you met with someone who wore his face, who had his voice. Someone who was a stranger. The warmth that once radiated from his eyes was now replaced by an unfamiliar coldness. It was as if time had reshaped him into a different person, one that you could no longer recognize. The memories of your past seemed like a cruel illusion, a reminder of what once was and what could never be again. You realized with a heavy heart that the essence of the man you fell in love with had faded, leaving behind a mere shadow of who he used to be. 

Don't talk to strangers, they say, or you might fall in love. And when that love fades, those familiar faces turn into strangers once more. The irony of it all stung deeply. The very person who once knew you inside and out had become an enigma, a puzzle with pieces that no longer fit. As you watched him walk away, hand in hand with someone new, you couldn't help but feel a profound sense of loss. The man you once knew, the man you once loved, was gone. And in his place stood a stranger who bore his likeness but none of the familiarity. 

The journey of love had taken you full circle, bringing you back to a place of solitude and reflection. The lessons learned were etched deeply into your soul, a testament to the transient nature of relationships. You couldn't help but wonder if you would ever recognize that familiar face again, or if he would forever remain a stranger, a fleeting memory in the tapestry of your life. 

[gojo-mochi]

“C’mon baby show me that you care.”

CW: Shanks is your dad’s friend in this au. Modern!AU. Fem!Reader. Toxic!Shanks. Age gap (Reader is in first year of College 20s and Shanks is about 40s), Degradation, dubcon, spanking, fingering, P/V, toxic coercion, manipulation. Slight voyeurism. Sex on top of a car. Nicknames (Baby and sweetie)

A/N: I um don't know what to say. Haha - hi? *twirls hair* I was listening to Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo while I posted this hah

WC:4.3k

You first met Shanks at a family barbeque, he was an old friend of your dad but he didn’t really look that old to you. Sure he had some stubble going on but his hair showed no signs of graying or another like that. When your dad began to introduce you to him, you first noticed the scarring over his eye, he catches you staring and winks at you. “Careful, look too long and you might end up falling for me.” Your face turned as red as his hair at that moment, your dad didn’t seem to take it seriously as he laughed and smacked Shanks’s back, “Ah, still up to your old tricks huh, Shanks?” Shanks laughed back, finally saying hello to you properly. You wished that you paid more attention to your dad’s words at that time…

Months passed before you saw Shanks again, this time you found him with a woman wrapped around his arm, walking into the cafe you were already sitting at. You didn’t pay him much attention and focused back on your lecture notes, scribbling down notes after notes, lost in your studying when Shanks plonked down on the seat across from you. He gave you a wide grin and a wave of his hand, “Yo! Y/N, right? Long time no see!” You were a bit startled but pleasantly surprised that he remembered you. You tucked some hair behind your ear as you greeted him, “Ah that’s me. Your name was Shanks?” 

His eyes glinted as he leaned over closer to you, “Aw come on now, don’t tell me you forgot about little ol’ me that quickly?” He got really close to your personal space, placing a hand over your notebook even, making you focus solely on him. He stares at you for a couple of seconds, “Oh wow, you've gotten prettier since the last time I saw you? What’s your secret, hmm, baby?” That pet name he used went straight to your head, making you stutter as you try to think of what to say, Shanks chuckles, bringing his hand to softly pat your blushing cheeks. “Trade secret? I won’t tell if you don’t~” He winked, and his words were not lost on you, as he stood up to take the open seat directly next to you now.

Knocking your thighs together as he absentmindedly picks up your notebook and flips thru your notes. “Wow, smart and pretty, aren't cha?” He casually placed a hand on your thigh, his pinky faintly touching the hem of your skirt. “Hard to find girls like you nowadays…” He murmurs like he was talking to himself, you fidget under his touch, feeling hotness bubble up inside of you. “Um, Mister Shanks, can I have my notes back? I have an exam I need to study for.” He gasps dramatically, “Mister Shanks? I thought we were closer than that, baby.” He squeezes your thigh and lets go of it in the next second, placing your notebook back down, and getting up. You thought he was getting ready to leave but he took your phone from you and put his number in, throwing it back to you with a carefree smile, “If you ever need any help with your notes or anything else. Be sure to call me, ok, baby?” 

He finally leaves you after that, assumingly back to that woman he came in with but you didn’t bother to check as your heart and mind was reeling from that interaction with him. That night you stared at the number saved on your phone under the contact ‘Shanks <3’, you didn’t text him that night. You didn’t text him at all actually, chalking his actions up to it all being some sort of game to him. You were more focused on your studies at the moment, you couldn’t be roped up in some random older guy’s scheme. So more months pass, you did well in your studies and even found yourself a boyfriend! Forgetting all about Shanks during that time. 

Shanks did come over though, more often during this period, he and your dad started hanging out more so he was invited to some family dinners. He didn’t do much except for the occasional touches and multiple winks. He asks you about your studies and stuff you like at the dinner table. You try not to blush a lot when he talks to you, but he makes it hard from how he focuses his attention on you. Giving follow-up questions, remembering things you told him from the previous dinner, and even giving you small gifts from time to time. You were slowly warming up to his charms, falling for all his honeyed words and alluring touches. 

It was supposed to be another nice family dinner with Shanks again this week, something that you look forward to. But tonight as you walked into your home, you slammed the door behind you and walked straight to your room without a word. Your parents came to check up on you, knocking on your door and asking if everything was alright, but you shooed them off saying that everything was fine. But, everything was not fine, you just found out that your boyfriend had been cheating on you for months now, you just confronted him earlier that day and broke up, so all the pain and emotions were crashing down on you. 

You buried your head under your pillow as you wailed and cried your little heart out, you heard the door creak open but mumbled “Go away.” to whoever came in. They didn’t seem to listen though as you felt your bed dip and a soothing hand start to rub at your back. You angrily shot up to yell at them, “I told you to go away!”, tears blurring your vision you could still see that this was not your parents but Shanks who came in to soothe you. His hand is still on your back as you gape at him, “Easy there, sweetie.” You threw your pillow at him, smacking him right in the face, you felt a little bit bad seeing him just take the hit full on without even dodging or taking his hand away. 

He grabbed the pillow and placed it by your side, “Feel better?” his hand continued to rub circles on your shoulders, lessening the tension you first felt when he came in. His tone was so soft and sweet, that your walls were melting bit by bit and you threw yourself on to him this time. Clutching at his shirt, bawling your heart out, spilling tears and all the things your ex-boyfriend ever did to you. His shirt was getting wet but he didn’t seem to care, pulling you in closer to sit on his lap as he tucks his chin on your head and envelops his arms around you. His scent invaded your nose, a musky and spicy cologne that he always wore, it made your head spin a bit. 

His hand weaves through your hair, petting it gently as he cooed to you, listening quietly to your woes. As your voice gets more hoarse later on, falling to whimpers and burbles, he leans back, cupping your face in his hands. You shake your head, trying to cover your face from him seeing it. “Aw, come on now, baby. Let me see that pretty face of yours.” He slowly takes your hand into his, and tilt your chin up to face him. You knew you looked like a mess right now, you felt like a mess right now. But as soon as Shanks saw your face, he gave you a long smooch on your forehead, your nose, and your cheeks, lingering on each kiss a bit longer than the last. 

“There’s my girl, that guy doesn’t know what he lost.”  

His stubble tickles you a bit with each kiss he places on you, making you feel almost giddy on the inside. His words and action were stirring something inside of you, making you do something that you wish you could take back. You surge forward, planting your lips on his, even going as far to poke your tongue out at him. “Mmpf!” Shanks was shocked at this sudden intrusion, allowing you to slip your tongue in his mouth sloppily, tasting a strange mixture of mint and something bitter, remembering that he usually likes to sips wine at the table. He pushes you away once your hand goes to paw at his bulge. 

Hands gripping down on your shoulders as he stares at you, wide eyes, lips parted and a bit swollen and shiny with your lipgloss smeared all over it. You teared up again, blubbering out an apology as shame filled your gut. “I-I’m really sorry, oh my fucking god, what’s the hell wrong with me? I-” Shanks holds your tear stricken face in his hands and wipes away the oncoming tears, shushing you gently, “It’s alright, haha, I’m not mad that a cute girl like you decided to come on to me, to be honest. But, tell me, sweetie, is this something you really want?” His tone got deeper, laced with something that made your stomach churn.

Shanks leans in to kiss you on the lips again, tracing your bottom lips with his tongue tenderly. Pulling away and chuckling as you whine, hands clutching on his shirt, eyes begging for more. “Now, now, your parents are still worried, waiting in the kitchen, I don’t think you want them to come in here and find us like this, now would we?” His hands travel down your chest, squeezing at them for a bit, before unbuttoning your jeans, his fingers dancing on the edge of your panties. “Don’t worry though, baby, after all, I did promise your parents that I’d help you. But only if you can beg me for it, can you do that for me?” 

His fingers dip inside your panties, feeling the wetness that was already forming, his tone changed again when he asked, “Can you say ‘Please make me feel good, Shanks?’”  You hiccup the words he wanted out, feeling your mind start to get hazy from his actions already, his other hand leads your head down onto his shoulder. “Good girl, now try to be quiet for me, alright?” He didn’t spare another second after asking that, his fingers moving quickly inside of you, plunging in with such precision that you felt an orgasm building fast already. You bit down on his shoulder as the almost shocking orgasm washed over you, muffle your screams and moans. 

Shanks fingers left you, making you clench around nothing, feeling utterly empty, he laughs outright when you whine. His digits poking at your lips, as you obediently opened your mouth to lick them clean. After you were done, he pats your head and gives you one last kiss, “I have to go now, sweetie. Be a good girl and try not to worry your parents, yeah?” When you tug at his shirt and ask him to stay, his face changes into a disappointed one. “I thought I told you to be a good girl, yeah? You can handle the night without me, can’t you? You’re a big girl, sweetie.” He sighs out, making you drop his shirt and shrinks back into yourself with a soft “Sorry..” escaping your lips.

His mood instantly changes upon seeing you so docile, cupping your chin up and pressing a heated kiss on your lips, with a promise of, “Don’t worry, I’ll come back for you soon, sweetie. I’ll be sure to show you what a real man is.” And with that, he left, closing your bedroom door behind him. You try to strain your ears to catch the words he was saying to your parents but they were too far away for you to make any sense of it. You crawled back in your bed, too tired to clean up or change, opting to just throw away your jeans, rubbing your thighs together as the slick in between started to feel uncomfortable. Sleep that night came fast but it was not peaceful, you tossed and turned, your mind replaying your breakup with your ex and what happened with Shanks in your bedroom. You didn’t know what to feel about it or the words he said to you. 

Shanks disappeared for a couple of weeks after that incident, you asked your dad once when he was coming over for dinner again but your dad just shrugged saying that Shanks seemed to be busy. Bitterness bubbles up in your heart, Shanks was just like those other guys, he didn’t care about you. You pushed down any feelings of attachment or affection for him, that was until, one day after you were done with class and was walking home. A red mustang pulled up right beside you, the window rolled down and Shanks winked at you from the driver seat.  

You didn’t know if you wanted to cry from happiness or anger at this point, you chose anger seeing at how casually he greeted you like nothing happened. “The hell do you want?” You spat out, eyebrows furrowed in, tears pricking at the corner of your eyes. Shanks got out of the car and came to embrace you, strong arms trapping you in his hold. The tears came out as you smack and hit at his chest, venting out your frustrations at him. Your meager attacks barely did any damage to him apart from the sparse grunts. Once you exhausted your strength and your body limped on to Shanks, him rubbing those same damning circles on your back that always seem to calm you down. 

Your cries settled down to barely audible whimpers and Shanks usher you in his car. You slump down in the passenger seat and he buckles you in, getting in the driver seat soon after. You lean your head on the window, watching the scenery pass you by, silently cursing yourself for being so easy. You should be more mad at him, curse him out more, hit him more, but when Shanks’ hand comes to squeeze your thigh and he gives that charming smile, your heart shoves your rational mind out of the way. 

“Why did you leave?”

Shanks turns down the radio, glancing at you, “What was that, baby?” You dry swallowed, feeling your throat burn a bit, he’s still using that nickname on you. “You left, without a word. You left me alone, after what happened, I mean, I thought that…” You trail off, pressing your head against the window, feeling childish for voicing out your feelings to a man almost twice your age. Shanks let out a hum, his hand on your thigh started to trace small circles and a repeating pattern on it. It was almost hypnotic the way he does it, you immediately felt your body calming down from his touch alone. 

“Sorry, something came up for me, and I got super busy. I wanted to contact you, but I don’t have your number, remember? And it’s not like I can contact your dad and be like ‘Hey, can you tell your cute daughter who I fingered bang in your house that I’ll be busy for a couple of weeks?’” 

You swat at his shoulder, with no malice or anger this time, giggling as you do so. “Shanks!” He sticks out his tongue at you as a retort. “I really am sorry, baby. That’s why I’m taking you somewhere special tonight.” You sink back in your seat, fiddling with your hands a bit. “Where are we going?” Shanks turns to look at you for a second, winking, “Somewhere special, I promise you’ll love it.” That ‘somewhere special’ turned out to be on top of a hill, overlooking the city. Far away enough from the light pollution so that the night sky shone like diamonds above the two of you. 

Shanks took your hand and led you out of the car to view the sights, “Pretty, isn’t it?” His hand slid down to your back, you scoff and cross your arms, “If you’re gonna say ‘But it is not as pretty as you’ I’m gonna leave.” Shanks laugh heartily at that, squeezing your waist and pulling you in his side. “Is that what boys your age say?” You chewed on your lips for a bit, thinking of what to say. “Why does that matter to you?” You felt a little bit smug for only a couple of seconds as Shanks pinned your back to the front of his mustang. Easily lifting you up and pushing you back on the hood, forcing his knee to come right in the middle of your skirt. 

He nipped at your neck as his sultry voice murmured out, “Cause I believe that I promised that I would show you what a real man is, isn’t that right?” Your hands clawed at his back, as his knee started to nudge under your skirt, rubbing a wet spot on your panties. “Wait-here? What if someone sees us?” Your nails dig in a bit as he replaces his knee with his hand instead, sucking in a heavy breath at feeling how drench you already gotten. “No one comes up here besides me and I think you like the idea of getting caught, don’t you? Daddy’s precious little girl is a needy slut, isn’t she?”

You liked to think that you were better than this, to let some older man degrade you and fuck you out in the open. Haven’t you learned your lesson from your last ex and hearing all those stories fuck boys and frat boys around campus. Shanks exude the same kind of energy those guys have, confident, arrogant, charming, all wrapped in a hot package with red hair and clean stubble. Speaking of ‘packages’ you wonder if Shanks can back all his talk, as Shanks’ hand expertly began to plunge in and you of you in a swift pace. Your thighs shakes and tense up, as your moans and whimpers fill the night air.

Shanks bit down on your neck hard enough to leave a painful mark on it, you hiss in pain, clawing even deeper on his back. The sudden pain with his increasing pace made you reach your peak hard, legs spasming out, ankles locking in behind his back. His hands roughly pull up your skirt and rip open your blouse, a few buttons breaking off in the action. Tugging down your bra and latching a mouth on your nub. Biting at one and tweaking the other one with his hand, it was painful to say the least, you tried to tell Shanks just as much but he just replied with; “Hah? You can take it, can’t you? You’re a big girl. Smart, pretty, more mature than the other sluts at your campus, right?” 

He wasted no time, sliding your panties to the side, you didn’t even realize that he got his cock out and was already slapping it against your sensitive bud. You flinch and try to crawl away, pushing yourself further back on the hood of the car, but Shanks shakes his head and makes a disappointed noise at you. “You’re really going to do this now? Tch, looks like I was wrong about you after all.” He didn’t make a move to pull you back in, just leaning back and shaking his head once more as he looked down at you with a disapproving glare. “Guess, I’ll just take you back home.” 

Your heart leaped into your throat, your stomach twisted into a pit of anguish, you grabbed Shanks’ wrist and yelled. “Wait! No, I’m ok now! I just-I just was surprised, but I want to do this, I swear-please don’t leave me again.” Your tears welled up again as you blubbered on pleas for Shanks to stay. Shanks yanks you forward, bringing you chest to chest with him, “You really want this?” You nod frantically, Shanks smiles at that, wiping away your fat tears with the back of his hand. “You know what to say then, right? Tell me how much you want my cock, sweetie.” 

You nod again, gulping down shakily, “I want it, I want your cock to fuck me, please, Shanks, please.” Shanks gripped your chin forcefully, applying pressure as his eyes darken over when he stared down at you. “Yeah? Are you going to be a good girl now and listen?” “Yes, yes, please, I’ll be good for you, I’m a good girl for you, Shanks.” Shanks growls, releasing your chin and twisting your body around so your back is now to him, as he bends you over the hood of his car. “Good, but that doesn’t mean you’re not gonna get punished for what you did earlier.” 

You didn’t really know what you did that warrant a punishment but you were too afraid to get on Shanks’ bad side again and make him leave so you complied. Hands scrambling to find purchase on the slippery surface of the car’s hood as you got spanked. You cried in pain, begging for him to go a bit softer but he answered you with another spank, “Take your punishment like a big girl.” Smack! Smack! Your legs barely were able to keep you up at this point, being pushed aside by Shanks’ knees as he positioned himself behind your entrance, his bulbous head gliding over your folds twice. 

Collecting some of your arousal on his tip before he started pushing it in, the stinging pain combined with the pain of being stretched out almost made you pass out but you held on. Shanks lets out a hefty sigh as he fully bottoms out inside of you, hands reaching over to play with your clit to give you some relief as he angles his hips back and slam into you. Over and over again, wet plaps sounded in the air mixed along with his grunts and your soft whimpers and moans. His other hand holds on to your hips firmly, pulling you back on his cock as you bounce off with each smack.

Whether it was because Shanks was a good fuck, the pain and exhaustion of everything before, or a combination of all, you felt another orgasm coming on quick. Your stomach coiled up but your lips couldn’t form any words to let Shanks know that you were about to burst. But he felt it though, from how much your cunt started to tighten up around him. 

“That’s it, baby, take it, take my cock in that slutty pussy of yours.”

He starts to go faster.

Plaps Plaps Plaps

“Not such a fuckin bitch, anymore, aren’t cha? Just needed to get fucked and you’re behaving well, again.”

Plaps Plaps Plaps Plaps

“Nghh, fuck, good girl, such a good pussy for me, fuck, I love you.”

And with that being said, you released the coil in your stomach, squirting all over his cock, as Shanks groaned and pulled out, grabbing your shoulder and pulling you down on your knees in front of him. “Open.” He grasped open your chin, tapping his cock on your cheek until your tongue lolled out, spurts of hot white cum covered your face and mouth. He lets go so you could swallow down the bitter substance. After a few seconds of panting from the both of you, Shanks leaves you for a bit, as you hear the sound of his car door opening and rustling, Shanks comes back with a bag. 

Grabbing some towels and wipes from the bag, he starts to clean you up, gently and lovingly, all the while praising you for your effort. Your mind was in turmoil after this sudden switch, your thoughts went back to what he said before. “I love you.” You wondered if he really did mean that, “There, all cleaned up, you did a great job, baby.” He planted a sweet kiss on your forehead and helped you on your feet, ushering you in the passenger seat once more. You slumped in the chair, inhaling the crisp clean of his air freshener and the leather seats. 

“Now, where do you like to shop for clothes, baby?” You tilt your head at his question, making him chuckle; “What? I can’t let you go back home looking like that, now can I? Don’t worry though, I’ll pay for everything, just let me know what you want and where to go, sweetie.” He started up the car and began heading back down the hill. Turning the radio on on a nice volume, as the two of you rode in silence for most of the time. You look over to him alot, with fear, confusion, admiration, love, lust, and so many other emotions swirling around inside of you. 

You needed answers but you didn’t know what questions you should ask first. Do you really love me? What was that about? Do you do this to other girls too? Why did you hurt me? What am I to you? However the only question that you ended up asking Shanks that night was; “Can I see you again soon?” Shanks looks at you, with that charming smile of his, and brushes his hand on your cheek; “Of course, baby, I’m not letting you go that easily.”

[lixxen]

I'll tear out your heart, it'll always be mine - The Spot x Male!Reader

I have an idea of what Jonathon Ohnn would be like if he'd be in this situation. He is a bit silly and I love him so much. Gonna cross post on AO3 when I get out of work tomorrow (today? It's 3am).

Send me an ask and I'll answer any questions about this small AU and I'll maybe write more!! (I did. This is an alternate version)

Title is from this song.

Warnings: slight obsessive behavior towards the end. Violence (canon typical). SFW

--

"Oh shit-"

The words came tumbling out as limbs flailed and hands grabbed onto said limbs.

Y/n had been sitting at home, minding his own business in his apartment when all of the sudden a giant black hole appeared and a spotted man came falling out.

The man had landed directly on top of Y/n, causing him to yell and flail.

"Hey, hey! Stop m- stop moving!" The strange man almost cried out, grabbing at the stray limbs that were assaulting him.

A closed fist was thrown at the man's face, which made him yelp. Y/n's hand went straight through the giant black spot on the face and came right out next to the man's head. It barely missed him, but Y/n panicked. He yanked his hand back with a small disgruntled noise.

"Who the hell are you?" Y/n tried to grab at the man's face, going for the white part, but the man grabbed his hand this time.

"The Spot!" The man heaved out slightly, as if he was out of breath. Y/n stopped flailing as he gave the man a confused look.

"Like... That dude who people have been talking about on the radio stealing shit?" Y/n squinted at the man in utter confusion.

"YES! I mean. Yes." The Spot nodded quickly and let out a triumphant noise. "That's me!"

Y/n took a good look at the man on top of him.

His limbs were long and awkward, as if he was stretched out ever so slightly. It was disproportionate to his solid trunk of his body. His skin was a pure white, the type that a fresh Tshirt would be, with inky black dots shifting across his skin.

"You seem so much gangly and awkward in person." Y/n's words came out and he couldn't help but grimace at himself.

"You know, that is so rude of you " Y/n bet that if the Spot had a face, he'd look offended. "Has anyone ever told you to never comment on people's looks?"

Y/n let out a snort and the Spot let his arms go.

"Has anyone ever told you that dropping on top of someone in their home, uninvited, is rude?" Y/n responded and moved to push the man off of him.

The Spot moved to get up, letting Y/n push him off practically. The Spot stood above Y/n and watched as he had moved to sit back up.

"It's not like I wanted to be here."

Y/n did recall that the reports had said he seemed to not know how to use his power quite yet, so that made sense.

"Well" Y/n dusted himself off and looked back up to the spotted man. "I would like to ask you to leave. As much as I'd like to chat, I do have things to do."

"Feisty." The Spot grumbled and pulled a spot off of himself. He flinged it against the wall, where it stuck and grew in size. "See you around."

"Yeah." Y/n watched as the Spot climbed through the spot. "Sure."

--

It had been months since their first interaction, and Y/n couldn't seem to shake the spotted bastard.

More and more frequently, the Spot seemed to show up whenever he pleased. He would simply open up a spot in the middle of the living room, walk out to grab a piece of fruit that was kept on the dining room table, then walk back out.

Sometimes, if Y/n was unlucky, he would actually stay a bit and ramble to Y/n.

Y/n learned that his name was Jonathan Ohnn. He was an Alchamex scientist who had been effected by the destruction of Wilson Fisk's tower and other events in the last year.

Apparently the accident had turned him into the being he is today.

Without a job and family, the Spot just seemed lonely and desperate for any interactions and money. He stole small things so he could pay rent from some shady slumlord that had connections to Wilson Fisk. Nobody else would home some spotted lab experiment gone wrong, so he did what he had to.

Y/n almost felt pitty for the guy. It wasn't necessarily his fault that all of this happened. He apparently just wanted to study alternate realities and ended up aiding in the space time continuum being sliced open.

Y/n had given in by now, letting the man crash at his place sometimes. He would let the Spot sleep on his couch, giving him time to watch the spots slowly disappear from his skin as if his powers were connected to his consciousness.

Y/n was now leaning against the Spot as they watched a soap opera on his television. The skin underneath his felt akin to skin, if not more rubbery and smooth. Almost as if it was a giant scar. He was cool to the touch on his limbs, but his head and rest of the body was warm.

"I don't understand why she doesn't go for Daniel." The Spot mumbled as he shoved popcorn into the large hole on his face.

That hole seemed to be the closest he had to a mouth and eye. It consumed food when he wanted it to and would change size like an iris. It was so odd, as the man didn't excrete anything. Y/n made sure to ask about it. The stuff that went in disappeared, as if his body absorbed it as pure energy and matter.

"It's for the drama." Y/n shrugged and pressed his cheek against the Spot's shoulder. "I thought you lived for drama?"

"Not this kind." The Spot would have rolled his eyes if he could.

"I know." Y/n smiled and looked up to the Spot.

Their time together had given Y/n a soft spot for the man. Today was the day he was going to offer him a place to stay. There was a second bedroom he kept as storage. He could buy a futon easily. He wasn't completely broke, and if push comes to shove then the Spot could steal it.

"Hey, Spot." Y/n started.

The man looked down to him and tilted his head.

"You know you can call me Jonathan, right?" That was his only response.

Right.

"Yeah. Totally." Y/n nodded. "Would you want to move in, Jonathan? You're always here and you won't have to do anything drastic anymore. No more stealing."

Jonathan was oddly quiet. He was only like this if he was thinking. It was almost eerie, especially when the spots on him stilled.

"Yes. Sure. I..." Jonathan put a hand on Y/n's arm. "Are you sure? I'm a freak of nature and I don't have a job. I am a liability and a burden."

"You need to get out of your shitty apartment, so I don't see why not." Y/n shrugged. "You can have my extra room."

Jonathan hummed before sighing.

He looked as stressed as someone without a face could.

"I could. Would you genuinely not mind?" Jonathan turned his whole body towards Y/n, who moved to sit up and put his hands on Jonathan's knees.

"I offered, right?" Y/n offered a small smile.

Jonathan looked down towards Y/n's hands and placed one on top of them. Y/n could tell that something was wrong.

"No one has been this nice to me since this happened." Jonathan looked back up.

Y/n brought his free hand up to Jonathan's face, tilting his head slightly.

"I won't abandon you, I promise. I care about you." Y/n rubbed his thumb across Jonathan's cheek, watching as the spot on his face get smaller as if it was closing.

"Promise?" Jonathan asked quietly.

"Of course."

--

Y/n stared in horror as emergency services cleaned up the rubble that was once his job.

Spider-Man and a villain had came blasting through the window and ended up destroying his job. He had gotten bruised and cut up in the process, which wasn't bad.

But it was the fact that the mom & pop restaurant that he helped manage was destroyed beyond repair that was bad.

"Y/n." The owner, Mr. Giovanni, approached.

Y/n felt a pit in his stomach as he looked up from where he sat. The man looked red eyed as he sat down next to Y/n.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think we'll be able to come back from this." Mr. Giovanni spoke quietly, only for Y/n to hear as people rushed by. "I am sorry. I didn't want you to have to loose a job this way."

Y/n looked away, taking a deep breath and pressing his ash covered palms onto his closed eyes. Emotions bubbled up in his chest and he could feel his eyes water.

"Don't cry, dear child." Mr. Giovanni put a hand on Y/n's back. "I can help you get a new one. I have strings I can pull."

"I... I don't know." Y/n dropped his hands from his face. "Would it be soon enough to keep up with rent?"

It had been almost a year since Jonathan had moved in. A year of supporting two people on one income that was better than what most people in his situation would have. This would ruin their financial state.

"I would hope. But no saying if it would." Mr. Giovanni frowned. "That boyfriend of yours still don't have a job?"

"He isn't my boyfriend." Y/n shook his head. "But no. He has a condition that makes it so nobody wants to hire him."

Mr. Giovanni hummed and whispered how it was such a shame.

The two sat in silence before the fire department walked up with an officer.

"My name is Officer Morales. Could we have a minute?" The officer spoke to Mr. Giovanni.

Mr. Giovanni turned to Y/n before handing him his final paycheck and leaving.

Y/n sniffled as he pocketed the money and got up. The walk home was filled with anxiety and self pity. It bubbled with anger the closer and closer he got to his home.

Y/n stomped up the steps of the apartments, going up two at a time. He unlocked his door with more force than needed, pushing himself in harshly. He slammed the door behind him. The apartment rattled at the force.

"Woah!" Y/n heard Jonathan from the depths of the apartment call out.

Y/n took off his jacket, gripping it in front of him with both hands. His bruised and dirty hands shook as his angered bubbled up.

With a loud scream that ripped through his throat like fire, Y/n threw his jacket as hard as he could towards the wall and fell to his knees.

"Y/n?!" Jonathan called out and there was footsteps running through the small apartment.

Y/n's eyes welled up with tears as he started to hard sob. Hands found their way to his shoulders, pulling him up slightly.

"Y/n, what happened to you? Who hurt you?" Jonathan asked, his voice warbling slightly. "Are you okay?"

Y/n let out a hiccuping sob as he opened his eyes again. Jonathan's face spot was blown wide and did the solar flare that happened when he was upset. His spots were shaking and swirling, coming off his body in the way that he'd seen solar flares reach from and back into the run in videos.

The hands moved their way to Y/n's face, holding him in place and inspecting him.

"Y/n, why are you bleeding and bruising?" Jonathan's voice sounded like it was glitching and about to cry himself.

"A fight." Y/n tried to take a deep breath, but it kept catching on the lump in his throat. "Spider-Man and a villain crashed into my job. They destroyed everything. Spider-Man tried to stop him. But I got thrown by the guy."

Jonathan's face spot shrunk at the mention of Spider-Man and the villain.

Y/n knew he held grudges against the poor kid, as much as Y/n tried to tell him that the couldn't have known.

"They did what?" Jonathan rubbed a thumb against a dry patch of blood on Y/n's cheek. "What villain?"

"The one with the wings. Vulture?" Y/n sniffled. "My job though... It's gone."

"Your job is gone?" Jonathan slowly took a hand off of Y/n's face and put it through a spot.

"The place was demolished. Mr. Giovanni told me that he can't afford to fix everything." Y/n explained as he watched Jonathan pull his hand back to them, with a wet cloth in his hand. "He said he'd try to get me a job."

Jonathan was oddly quiet as he slowly wiped Y/n's face. Y/n couldn't tell what he was thinking as he dragged the cloth across the now scabbing cuts. It stung slightly, but Y/n didn't flinch. He was too focused on the pinprick spot on Jonathan's face.

"Jonathan?" Y/n frowned.

Jonathan hummed in response, the spot flicking upwards for a second towards Y/n's face.

"You're quiet." Y/n stared simply.

"It'll be okay. I promise." Jonathan was oddly vague. "I'll make everything okay."

"What do you mean by that?" Y/n frowned.

"Don't worry." Jonathan took the cloth away and tilted his head. "Now, let's go get you food."

--

Jonathan Ohnn was a simple guy.

He normally wasn't one to step up when someone fucked him over. He normally let things brush by. Why would he fight people when he knew that everything was worth it.

It wasn't until Spider-Man ruined everything that he had felt worthless. His life was suddenly ruined; he lost his job, friends, and family. He felt alone and like his spots were eating him alive. He didn't feel human.

That was until he accidentally stumbled upon Y/n.

Y/n had cared for him, even with how he looked. He became friends with Jonathan over months and then took Jonathan in. He felt tied to Y/n. The two were two strings within an interconnecting web; tied together and forever interwoven.

The amount of anger and pain that Jonathan had felt when he saw Y/n crying in their foyer, beaten almost to a pulp, had been the worst he had felt since he had lost his life.

It felt as if he had crumbled again. He never wanted to feel that again.

So there Jonathan was, walking into a bar off of 42nd. It was a known villain bar that no one messed with. Something having to do with the sacred ecosystem of crime.

Or something like that.

Jonathan stepped into the bar and watched as heads turned towards him.

"Holy shit." One man grumbled and turned away. "Someone let the spotted one in."

Jonathan didn't care. He looked around the bar until he saw the Vulture.

The man had cuts across his face, a bruise of two littering his arms from the fight that destroyed Y/n's job.

"Hey! Who invited the D-lister?" Some villain in the back called out and others laughed.

Jonathan felt anxiety spike in his stomach, but walked towards the Vulture. He hated hearing the whispers about him, calling him a shitty villain. A joke.

He was getting tired of being a joke to literally everyone.

Jonathan stopped in front of Vulture, who simply looked up with a raised eyebrow.

"What'd you want, dalmatian?" Vulture mumbled into his beer.

"You destroyed Giovanni's." Jonathan simply stated. "You ruined perfectly good people's lives."

A few men around laughed at that.

"What of it?" Vulture sighed and sat down his beer, fully turning towards Jonathan.

"Someone whose very dear to me worked there. You threw him across the room like a sack of potatoes." Jonathan clenched his fist.

"Shit happens. You know that. We've all heard your story." Vulture cracked his neck and turned away. "Now get lost, you joke."

Jonathan took a deep breath and punched the man.

Quickly, a fight broke out. The flailing of limbs and drawing of fists had ended with Jonathan being thrown out of the bar.

He cursed as he watched the bar owner slam the door behind him.

"Fuck them." Jonathan grumbled.

He stomped away, before seeing an ATM sign across the street.

--

Y/n looked up as Jonathan dropped a wad of cash onto the dining room table.

Y/n blinked and frowned. The cigarette burning between his fingers was getting close to the end.

"Please don't tell me that spat you got in with Spider-Man was to get that money." Y/n was hoping Jonathan wasn't going to fall into this slippery downfall.

"No." Jonathan shook his head quickly then paused. "Well. Actually yes. But that's not the point."

"Then what's the point, Jonathan?" Y/n had an uneasy feeling.

Jonathan had came back late. He was acting irrational, mumbling about God knows what. It almost sounded like tongues by how quickly Jonathan was speaking and waving his hands.

"I thought you quit cigarettes a year ago?" Jonathan deflected, pointing at the now burnt out bud.

Y/n held a sour expression as he rubbed the bud into an old and stained ashtray.

"I told you I have one every whatever when I'm stressed. I did quit." Y/n tossed the bud into the nearby trashcan before looking back to Jonathan. "Now, what'd you do?"

"Nothing!" Jonathan held his hands up in defense. "I was doing a job and I ran into my nemesis!"

Y/n hummed and rubbed his face with one hand.

"Y/n, you look tired. Have you slept? Do I need to fix the fan in your room again?" Jonathan kneeled down to put a hand on Y/n's face.

"I'm just. I can't sleep sometimes. Anxiety." Y/n smiled up at Jonathan. "You know how it is."

"I do." Jonathan nodded before taking his hand away.

Y/n watched Jonathan as he took a few steps away, opening up a cabinet and pulling out random items. He was seemingly collecting them for god knows what.

"I do have something to do tonight!" Jonathan's voice was bubbly like normal. He was seemingly excited for whatever he was doing. "It could help fix everything!"

"Do you want to share?" Y/n asked.

Jonathan shook his head quickly.

"No!" It sounded like he would be smiling. "I will need a lot of power though! I have plans for us. I can fix everything and make sure things will go how they need to be."

Y/n felt worried now.

Jonathan had never been like this.

"What'd you do?" Y/n asked again.

"I found something out about my holes!" Jonathan did a little bounce as he walked. "I can access the multiverse!"

Y/n noticed now that his spots were almost all gone. There was his main one, but that was it.

"Where are your spots?" Y/n frowned.

"Used them up. I'm gonna get more, don't worry. It'll all be okay!" Jonathan sat his items in a little basket and turned to Y/n.

"Are you going somewhere?" Y/n stood up.

Y/n had a horrible feeling. Jonathan's hole was warping and flaring. He looked more skittish than normal. Something was horribly wrong.

"Yes. I'll be back! I promise. At least a few hours!" Jonathan grabbed his stuff and turned to the door.

"Please don't leave me " Y/n stepped towards Jonathan, who paused in the doorway. Y/n held a hand out and hoped he would listen.

"I have to go." Jonathan's tone was soft and low. "I'm going to fix everything. I'll be back."

And with those words, Jonathan left.

--

Two days.

He had been gone for almost two days.

Y/n sat on his couch, watching as the news played. He was hoping that if he watched the news closely, he'd eventually see if Jonathan did anything.

But he hadn't.

Not since a building nearby had holes in it and what was called a mini collider being found. Y/n knew it had to do with him.

Y/n sniffled and lifted up the remote. He was about to change the channel, but the news suddenly shifted.

The bar on 42nd that was known for villains was now being live streamed from a helicopter. The building was on fire and many villains that Y/n vaguely recognized could be seen laying outside of the building.

Then, as if on cue, another was thrown out of the bar. Y/n could only imagine the sound of the body blasting through the wooden door and frame, crashing into the cement as bones broke.

It took Y/n a second to realize it was Vulture.

The others villains slowly started to move, but Vulture didn't move at all. Heads turned to their fallen friend before looking back to the door of the bar.

Y/n could see a rippling on the screen, almost as if it was gliching where the door of the bar was. Then the being stepped out.

It was a pitch black, almost warping, figure. The limbs kept glitching and lagging almost as they move. An arm lifted up and an inky hole appeared above the Vulture. Rubble fell through and crushed the villain.

Y/n covered his mouth and choked on the air in his lungs. It was terrifying to watch as police officers shot at the beings, but it did nothing. Then the being looked at the helicopter.

Y/n could now see a giant white spot on the face and a few on the being's body.

Just like Jonathan.

Then it clicked.

It was Jonathan.

Y/n let out a strangled gasped as he grabbed the remote and clicked the TV off. He moved quickly. Pushing himself up and turning his body to move towards his bedroom.

He needed to leave the apartment. What if Jonathan showed up? What if he hurt Y/n like he did to those villains.

Y/n only made it halfway before he heard a crackling.

In front of him, in a blink of an eye, Jonathan appeared.

He was an inky black that never stopped shifting. His white spots were even worse as they never seemed solid. He had an odd crackling noise to him that almost offended Y/n's ears.

"Y/n." Jonathan spoke first. "I'm back."

"You said a day."

It was the first response that came to Y/n's head and it made Jonathan laugh. His voice was warped and crackling like his body. It sounded almost autotuned. Terrifying.

"I kept getting stopped by annoying little arachnids." Jonathan shrugged. "But I am here now. I have to complete my journey before we can have everything."

Y/n took a step back, his eyes slowly watering.

"What do you mean?" Y/n couldn't stand to see Jonathan like this.

"Y/n, I'm doing this for us." Jonathan sounded like he was frowning. "They take me seriously now and I am getting back at the people who hurt you. Who hurt me."

Y/n shook his head as Jonathan continued.

"Spider-Man created me, ruined my life. He ruined your job. I took care of Vulture already." Jonathan held out his hand. "Please don't step away from me. Please."

His voice was pleading as he realized that Y/n was terrified.

"Y/n, please don't leave me. You promised me you wouldn't." Jonathan started to plead. "I know this isn't what you wanted, but I couldn't just stand around and let them do this. The things they said to me. About me. About you."

"You promised that you wouldn't do something like this." Y/n shook slightly as he backed away again.

Jonathan took a large step towards Y/n, who now realized how much bigger Jonathan had gotten suddenly. He was almost a half foot taller. Must be from a power surge.

"I'm doing this for us." Jonathan's voice whined as he took Y/n's face with his hands. "Look at me! I love you so much and I couldn't watch as you spiralled."

His voice had gotten louder, but Jonathan's hold was gentle. What you would call his skin felt like electricity now. It didn't sting, but felt like touching an old TV screen with your hands.

"You mean so much to me. I'd do anything for you and you know that." Jonathan's voice had quieted back down. "You don't understand the lengths I'd go for us to be together and safe."

"Then why did you have to leave?" Y/n was crying now. "We could have been happy here. I could have gotten another job."

Jonathan was quiet. His face spot had stilled slightly, as if he was debating something.

"I have to do one final thing. Then we will be together." Jonathan nodded. "I promise. Okay? Then you can get a job and I'll make sure no one can find us."

Y/n nodded and put his hands on both of Jonathan's.

Jonathan nodded also and pressed his forehead against Y/n's. The two stood like that for a minute before there was a noise outside.

Jonathan's head snapped up at the noise and his hands dropped from Y/n's face. He seemingly glitched as he phased through different spots to reach the window.

Y/n watched as he stuck a hand through a spot and yanked it back.

In Jonathan's hold was Spider-Man. The kid thrashed within Jonathan's hold and Y/n gasped.

"Jonathan! Don't!" Y/n took a few steps forward.

"I have to deal with this." Jonathan didn't look up. His voice was oddly flat. "I will be back."

A spot appeared next to Jonathan and Spider-Man. Y/n sprinted towards them, but it was too late.

Jonathan and the spider had disappeared into the spot. Leaving Y/n alone, once again.

Y/n let out a scream before he fell to his knees.

Nothing good was going to come out of this.

[strniohoeee]

Dolor Pt. 2

Pairing: Chris Sturniolo X Female Reader

Synopsis: Y/N hasn’t seen Chris in a year and a half, but with the help of her friend she’s surprised by them🤭 Will those feelings still be there for one another?

Warnings⚠️: None, I’m not too sure how I feel about this one, but I had no other idea on how to write it so I hope y’all enjoy 🙃

Song for the imagine: ANGEL- Brent Faiyaz

Read part 1 here🫶🏽

Don’t ever leave my side, baby I’ll die

But from what I know, you’re always here to stay

You’re an angel in disguise

It has been a solid year and half since Chris and I broke up, a solid year and half of never seeing him or his brothers. It was very hard, but it also flew by. I wasn’t sure where a year and half went. It was honestly scary.

We both told each other we’d love to cross paths, and reconnect in a few months to be friends, but life got in the way, and that never happened. I’m honestly glad it didn’t, we were both so busy I believe it helped us move on from one another faster.

We all stood mutuals with each other on instagram and TikTok, but we just didn’t interact with each other. I watched them grow in all aspects, and it was amazing. I thought I’d be there to witness it first hand, but instead I was watching from the sidelines….it hurt me, but it had to be done.

My TikTok was flooded with videos of them from their tour they were just on, and it’s honestly crazy how much people can change in a year and a half. That didn’t even look like Chris. He was much more mature looking, sculpted cheekbones, shorter hair, stubble on his face…..Chris was looking good.

I shook that feeling off because I could not allow myself to fall back in love with Chris. It took me a long time to move on from him. I will always love the kid, but to fall out of love was hard. I hadn’t seen or talked to any other guys since splitting with Chris, and I wasn’t too sure if that was the same with him. Deep down I hoped it was.

I was scrolling on TikTok one day when I saw a clip of the triplets from their recent podcast video, they were doing a Q and A video, and somehow Chris pulled out a question asking about me. I decided to watch the video

“Okay so this person says how’s Y/N, and how have you been since the breakup. I’m currently going through my own break up right now, and I just need some advice” Chris read out

“So uh this is a good question. It’s been a year and a half since I’ve last seen Y/N, and it’s crazy to say it’s been that long, but it has. With the relationship we had and how special it was it took me a full year to finally be able to feel okay, and understand why we split up. It hurt and some part of me still hurts, but we told each other the night we broke up that we both will be okay because we’re strong, and that’s something I’ve been holding on to. I presume that she’s okay, I’ve seen her instagram posts and her TikTok’s, and she looks amazing. I actually really miss the girl. So I hope she’s doing great, and for you going through your break up just know everything happens for a reason and you’ll be okay take your time and work on yourself” he said

Oh god this was making it so hard for me not to call Chris and ask to see him….I missed him so badly

I scrolled some more and another clip popped up

“This person wants to know do you still love Y/N” Nick asked Chris

“Oh 100% that woman is my everything. Like we’ve said in the past we hope to cross paths again” Chris said nodding his head

This has to be a sign? Like this has to be a sign that I have to see him, that Chris and I are meant for each other right? Or am I being delusional……

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to call him, text him or just ignore all this and keep it pushing in life. I felt torn between my decisions

Today I was getting ready to film with Larray and Arrington. I had gotten so close to them within the last year, and we always filmed together. Larray was my biggest supporter in all this, and he was also friends with the triplets which kind of made it hard, but he never got in between anything. Although he hoped and prayed that we’d get back together one day I always told him time will tell.

He had an idea where we all stay in his car for 24 hours with special guests. I wasn’t sure who these guests were, and I wasn’t sure why he wanted us to stay in a car for 24 hours, but I agreed I knew it would be fun.

I had driven over to Larrays house, and let myself in

“YOOOOO” I yelled from the door

“Were in hereeee” Arrington yelled back

Oh god I was the last one here….I hated this, but anyways I walked to Larrays room, and when I walked in my heart sank

“Oh” was all I said as I walked in

“Hiiiii baby” Larray said, causing everybody to turn around with him the triplets face dropping

“What’s? Uh….whats going on” I said looking at Larray

“We’re filming a video, and I brought my friends” he said back

“It’s been so long” Chris said looking at me saddened

“It ummm it has” I said smiling at him

“We have missed you so fucking much….holy shit” Nick said running over and hugging me

“Uhh it’s been so fucking long I missed yall too” I said hugging him

“Matt you look so different now” I said jaw dropping and giving him a hug

“Good different I hope” he said hugging me

“Of course good different” I said laughing at him

I moved to Chris

“You look so different too” I said pulling him in for a hug

“I’ve missed you” he said hugging me tighter

“Missed you too” I said pulling away

After chatting for a bit Larray decided to film his introduction for his channel

“Alright bitches we are filming a 24 hour car video today, and of course I had to bring in my ride or dies Arrington and Y/N” he said and both Arrington and I made an entrance

“And then you know Larray had to stir the pot, so he brought the triplets” Arrington said to the camera causing us to laugh

“As uhhh most of you know there’s uh an elephant in this room between uh two people, but ummm we won’t talk about it” Larray said

And we just laughed at him

“You are so messy” I said to him rolling my eyes playfully

“Alright let’s get to the car bitches” he said and we ran out

I sat in the passenger seat, Chris and Arrington in the back, and then Nick and Matt in the third row

“Alright so right now we’re driving to Target which is 45 minutes away because Larray decided to do this video during rush hour” I said to the camera

“Uh- is that a drag?” He asked me

“It sure is” I said to him

“So Y/N….you said Matt looks different….you already had Chris so will you try another brother” Arrington asked me

I looked back at him jaw on the floor, as Chris and his brothers were laughing

“You weirdo Arrington, I will not fucking get with Matt” I said shaking my head

“Could you believe this kid” I said looking at the camera

“Ouuuu the fans want to know how many boyfriends since Chris” Larray asked me

“Boyfriends plural? Do they think I’m a slut….its only been a year and a half guys, and there’s been zero guys since Chris” I said shrugging my shoulders

“OHHHHHH CHRISSSS” Larray and Arrington yelled at him hyping him up

“She loves me too much to do that” Chris said to the camera

“Uh-“ I said turning around to look at him

“I’m just kidding” he said and touched my face playfully

“SAW THAT” Nick and Matt yelled from the back

We had finally gotten to Target, and Chris and I were paired up to go on the hunt for some things, and we had to vlog it together

“Alright guys I’m here with uh….my ex” I said to the camera

“What a great reunion” he said looking at the camera

“Who would’ve thought a year and a half later we’d be in Target shopping for a video together” I said looking at him

“I honestly thought it would’ve happened sooner, but I mean hey” he said shrugging his shoulders

“Oh whatever” I said rolling my eyes at him

Him and I were doing some shopping and grabbing some stuff, and we had found ourselves in the coloring book aisle

“Look the Disney coloring book, your favorite” he said leaning down to grab it

“You remembered?” I asked him

“Of course I did, and you only get specific coloring pencils cause you’re weird” he said laughing

“Hey don’t be mean” I said laughing at him

“It’s cute” he said smiling at me

“Do you ever think about us?” I asked him

“Pretty often actually” he said looking at me

“Do you think you see a future with me” I asked him

“I’ve thought about this a lot, and every time I picture my future you’re a main character in it” he said looking into my eyes

“This year and a half has been rough, and I so badly wanted nothing more than to cave and call you over, and just hold you tight” I said looking down

“I sat in my room for so many nights wondering if the decision I made was right, and after a while I just became numb to the feeling, but I want this again….I want us” he said

“I think we should start slow first. I want us to truly work out this time no break ups no nothing” I said to him

“I think so too, you should come film with us again we miss you so much, and the fans miss you too” he said

“I’ve seen…all over my tik tok” I said smiling at him

“Yeah they love you and I love you too so much” he said pulling me in for a hug

We finished vlogging some, and headed back to the car with everybody getting back in our original seats

“Okay everybody we are back, we’re going to go eat something and then we’ll be back in the car for the next 24 hours” Larray said

After we ate we went back into Larrays car trying to stick out this challenge and just chatting with each other asking each other questions

“How many girlfriends since Y/N?” Larray asked Chris

“None. I told yall she’s the love of my life” he said looking at the camera

“Awww Chris” I said looking at him

“HEY CITY GIRLS UP. Do not fall for this” Arrington said

“Shut the fuck up” I said laughing at him

“What’s one regret you have” Nick asked us

“I think my biggest regret was completely dropping you guys out of my life. Like no interactions no nothing that hurt the most” I said to them

“We appreciate that” Matt said

“How do you guys feel after seeing each other” Matt asked Chris and I

“Is this a hot seat? What are we doing” Chris said

“Shut the fuck up and answer” Nick said

“I feel at peace, like seeing him was the last piece to my puzzle. I still love Chris of course, and we’re hoping to take things slow, and eventually get together again” I said to them

“Yeah. I love her so much, and seeing her today brought back all those memories. Memories that made my heart flutter, and I knew I couldn’t let her go again” he said looking at me

“Yall cute as shit this has got to stop” Larray said

“So yall heard it here first they are back together” Arrington said to the camera

“WOAH WOAH NO” we both said putting our hands out

“We are taking it slow…we are not dating yet, and trust me you guys will know when we’re back together. It’s a maybe for right now” I said to the camera

“But she will be in our videos again” Chris said

“SHE WILL?” Nick and Matt said

“Yes she will!” He said to them

“FUCK YES FINALLY” Nick said getting excited

We had chatted for a good thirty more minutes before we decided this challenge was not going to happen

“Alright guys we did not make it, but we love you and we’re heading inside now” Larray said

“BYEEEEEE” we all yelled to the camera, Chris pulling me in and kissing my forehead

“Are you guys going to soft launch your comeback before I post this?” Larray asked us

“You know that’s not a bad idea actually” I said looking at Chris

“We could do that. I’d love to do that” he said pulling me in and kissing my cheek

“Yall soft launching but he smoochin on you” Matt said looking at us

“Uhhhh mind your business” Chris said sticking his tongue out at him

“OMG to keep it like private you guys could do like a couples shadow picture” Nick said

“Waittttt I love that let’s do it” I said to Chris

We had snapped the picture, and Chris posted it collabing with me once again so I can post and share it. Nick and Matt also shared it to their story saying the gangs back together and they can’t wait to film with me again. Immediately the love we got was INSANE

❤️nicolassturniolo,matthew.sturniolo,larray, and 450,000 others

christophersturniolo: I told you guys we’d always always find a way back to one another. Although we aren’t dating again we will be thinking about it for our future. I love this girl with my whole fucking heart, and I’m so glad we’re in each others lives again. She was my right person at the wrong time.My number one girl💍. Were back BITCHESSSSS🥳

Sturnioloteam: STFU THEYRE BACK

arringtonallen: mhmmm I was here for this picture so back off everyone

nicolassturniolo: mama and papa🫡

matthew.sturniolo: yall cute or whatever…..

larray: yall can thank me for this reunion MHMM💅🏽

Y/Nusername: my number one guy…love this kid so much💋

sturnioloooooo: I knew mom and dad would find each other again

The immense love we received was insane. Had you told me a year and a half ago today that all that pain would be gone, and we would find each other again I would laugh in your face. I guess I am making it to the end of his story….🥀

The End

I hope you guys liked this one I feel ehhh about it, but I had to have a happy ending🥹 but anywho let me get to writing some more 🖤

-J💅🏽

[racergirl-112]

Push Me Over - Chapter 8: Arms Length

Before Hugh went to set, he went back to his trailer to let off some steam. How had one minute he’d been the happiest he’d been in years to being just as heartbroken when he and his ex had decided to divorce. He knew it would be hard and he’d need to do some things, but by god, he was going to get Dani back. 

Luckily, they didn’t need Dani for many of the scenes today. She stood of to the side, watching as they filmed the scenes where Deadpool and Wolverine go to the TVA. Every movement, every line Hugh said, she felt like her heart was racing and breaking simultaneously. 

Once there was a break in a scene, Dani asked her uncle if he needed her for the rest of the day. He looked at the film sheet and saw that she was good. “No kiddo, you’re good to go home if you want.” He saw she didn’t look so good. “You ok?” 

“Fine, just tired,” she lied. She hugged him and walked off set, not knowing Hugh watched her leave, wanting to chase after her. 

She got back to her flat and took a long hot shower. The song on her phone changing to Arm’s Length by Kacey Musgraves. The lyrics flowed through her speakers as she sank down in her shower, pulling her knees to her chest, letting the tears she had held in all day fall freely. She knew she had fallen in love with Hugh, but it was complicated. He had literally just gotten divorced. Maybe it was a rebound thing, never meant to last. Did Dani want it to last? She honestly did. She wiped the tears away and got out of the shower and called the one person who was the voice of reason in her life, her mom. 

“Oh hi Dani!” her mom’s voice on the other end of the phone, a welcome bright spot in her day. 

“Hi mom,” she replied. 

“How are you? How is filming going? I know you said a few days ago you hadn’t had many scenes yet.” 

“I’m fine,” Dani lied. “I actually got to film my first few stand alone scenes and got to kiss Hugh Jackman.” 

“Oh boy, that’s huge,” her mom replied. “He’s been really good friends with your Uncle and Ryan for years. How was that?” 

“Um, it was fine.” As she figured, her mom clocked the tone in her voice and called her out. 

“Danielle Olivia, do you have a thing for your co-star?” 

“Do I have to answer your question?” Dani said through gritted teeth. 

“Yes you do,” her mom demanded. 

“Then yes mom, I do. Are you happy?” 

“Is that what's bothering you? Isn’t Hugh married?” 

“Yes and well, no,” Dani started. “Mom, I met him the night of our cast dinner and then we had a moment during a night out with the cast and crew at karaoke. It’s not like I wanted to fall for him. Also, to answer your question, one of the first days on set together, he told me he and his wife had recently gotten divorced, but it wasn’t public knowledge yet.” 

She heard her mom on the other end of the phone telling her stepdad he could talk to her in a second. 

“Dani, is that the only interaction you two have had?” Dani stayed silent, giving her mom the answer she was expecting. “So, you two slept together?” 

“Yes mom, a few times if need to know. I know he’s old enough to be my dad, but there’s something about him.” 

“Ok, well if he’s divorced and it seems you both feel the same, what’s the problem?” her mom questioned. 

“Oh mom, it’s complicated,” Dani started. 

“Dani, I’ve been through the whole complicated thing and more, what’s the deal? Are you questioning things because of the age difference and the fact he’s been married before?”

“Well, that and the fact that he’s friends with Uncle Shawn and Ryan. I feel like we have had fun, but maybe I was the rebound after the divorce. I mean I can have fun and be friends, but I for some reason want more with him.” 

“Danielle, you know what you just said right?” her mom asked. 

“No mom, that’s why I called you,” she replied. 

“You love him and from the sound of it, he might love you too, but I’m proud of you for being an adult in this situation.” 

“Thanks Mom,” tears began to stream down her face. 

“Also, just so you know your Frank and I are proud of you. I know how hard it was to put your dreams on hold, but you’ve done a phenomenal job. Your dad would have been proud of you too.” 

If she hadn’t already begun to cry before, the comment on her dad sent her over the edge. “Thanks Mom, that means a lot.” 

“Alright sweetheart. Hang in there and call me if you need anything.” 

“Will do. Love you Mom.” 

“Love you too Dani.” 

Dani set the phone down as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She always knew her mom could see through her bullshit even when she couldn’t. Even if she did love Hugh, she needed to give him the space he needed to heal and maybe if it was meant to be, they’d get together again. 

Hugh had gotten back to his flat that night as well, tired and frankly heartbroken. He wanted to talk to Dani, but she had made it very clear that she needed space, or for him to heal. What she didn’t realize as new as the divorce may be, she was the healing he had needed. He wasn’t sure what her thoughts were, but he decided to do something old school and write her a letter. 

Dani, 

I’m not sure what is going on with us right now, but I’m honoring your request of giving you the space you said you needed. With the instant connection we had not only at the dinner, but at the karaoke bar, I feel like we may be missing out on something special. I can honestly say that I haven’t been this happy in a very long time. You were the brightness who brought me out of the darkness I had slowly fallen into. You may not believe me, but it's the truth. Please know I care deeply for you and you’ve made me so happy. 

Love, 

Hugh 

The next morning he got to set early and put the piece of paper in her trailer door. As he walked to his trailer, he sent his ex a text. Hugh: Hey Deb. We need to talk. Are you available later? Need to discuss what we want to say to the press about our divorce. 

@kellyxo1

[arkhamsrevenge]

Water Under the Bridge

Alfred stood next to you smiling at his children. 

“Master Bruce told me if anything should happen to him then call her. She’ll protect you all.” You shift uncomfortably. Bruce had never been your favorite person but he knew your love for his son, Jason out weighed your disdain for him. Still you didn't expect to move into the clock tower Bruce had made for them. You were the daughter of Dr. Thomas Elliot or Hush as he was called. When your father wanted to take over Gotham you didn’t bat an eye but when he went after Bruce Wayne's children that’s when you tracked him down and handed him to Gotham PD. Your father didn’t like that his daughter outsmarted and out matched him but he shouldn’t have been surprised considering he gave you to the Al Ghuls for payment when they gave him his high status as a doctor. You were only returning the favor but of course cause you did one good thing, Batman had to meet you. When he did, he was with Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin who was Jason Todd at the time. You spent the interaction spitting insult after insult towards the bat family to which Jason laughed. However, Jason as Robin threw them right back at you, and even more surprisingly you smiled. It was a small smile and it only lasted a second but it was there. You remember at the time it hurt your face because no one had made you smile before and even funnier, Batman was surprised. After that, it seemed like you couldn’t shake Robin ANYWHERE. If you were watching out for the “lower class” people of Gotham? He was there. If you were getting the drop on some drug dealers selling to kids? He was there and Batman was never far though he tried to recruit you more than once. Oh and Robin had the cutest nickname for you, “Loaner.” because he always saw you alone. You always declined to go with them to clean up afterwards, until the GCPD tried to take you into custody for being on the streets as you were only 16 years old. Before they could get you in the car miraculously Bruce Wayne showed up. Remembering his affiliation with orphans, he took it upon himself to house you until further notice. Of course, everyone fawned over him and how generous he was. You rolled your eyes and got into the car not wanting to make a scene. Yet when you got back to this ENORMOUS manor a kid with black hair and blue eyes came bouncing toward you. 

“I’m Jason!” The boy had said. You started at him, not feeling the need to talk to someone you’d see to maybe a handful of times before Bruce gave you to the first family that would take you. “What’s wrong? Are you still trying to be a loaner?” That’s when your eyes widened to which Jason started laughing uncontrollably. 

“Jason!” Bruce had snapped. Yet the boy continued to laugh. “Could you have waited till she got settled?” You finally blinked and walked inside leaving Jason still laughing. If you thought your shadow was annoying before, living with him was much worse. He spent all his time with you and soon you found yourself liking the company. Still you were not speaking to Bruce or Alfred, only gestures and small noises because you didn't trust the “father figure” type or adults for that matter due to what happened. Jason, however, knew you spoke because you spoke to him and only him. You didn't even speak to Dick Grayson, the golden son, Nightwing. The one all the women fall for. But you? You didn't even spare him a second look. All you did was wave then walk off to the library to study for an upcoming test. Oh yes, and you actually got to go to school with Jason. He’d be glued to your side, as he made sure Bruce put all your classes together. Funny enough there were boys and girls who wanted to ask you out but most of the time didn’t because they thought you were with Jason. Not that you minded. It kept people away. That was until Leon Hops, the “dream boat” of the Sophomore class decided you were pretty enough to be asked out. You remember being at your locker, Jason was talking about the lit paper you guys were doing together when Leon showed up.

“Hey Beautiful. Would you like to go out sometime.” You looked up at him and for the first time spoke.

“No.” With the close of your locker and turned on your heels to see Jason’s mouth dropped. You furrowed your brow because at the time you didn’t know that know one had ever said “no” to Leon.  

“Little bitch.” Leon said with hurt pride and grabbed your waist pulling you back and triggered a reflex. Your elbow made contact with his nose. He screamed as he tried to stop the bleeding. “Fucking psycho!” Leon screamed as a teacher came toward you guys. 

“Ms. Wayne, that is not how we express ourselves.” 

“I will have my father sue you for allowing sexual harassment in the school and trying to blame my reaction.” You said coldly. The teacher swallowed. 

“I-” “I’m going to class, I expect you will be calling his parents? If you don't, I'll talk to a Gotham Gazette and ruin this school forever.” 

“That won’t be necessary. We will handle it.” You turned to see the principal walking up to you. You blinked and nodded then turned again to Jason who couldn’t believe what happened. His jaw still dropped. You tilted your head waiting for him to speak. 

“You talked.” He finally said. You widened your eyes and realize why the teacher was acting so shocked. It was because you spoke for the first time. “Huh.” You said. “Yeah I did.” Once that cat was out of the bag, you spoke all the time. That was until Jason’s death. When Batman told you what happened you reverted back to your quiet, nonverbal self. Bruce was worried you’d go after the Joker and he was right to. You disappeared from the manor the day after Jason was buried. Then, the Joker was found mangled and torn apart after going missing from Arkham for three weeks. You never went back to Wayne Manor again but still made sure to look after Barbra, Dick and the newest member Tim. At first, Tim didn’t believe about the shadow in the night that protects them, he thought Dick was just messing with the new recruit, until he saw you himself. You saved him from a bullet and from that day forward he was a believer. Bruce and yourself never really made up as he couldn’t find any evidence that it was you who killed the Joker which made him suspicious that it was you even more. 

 Babs basically tackled you when she saw you. Tim followed after and then Dick. They all hugged you as if they knew you’d protect them not just physically but emotionally. 

“Why the hell are you guys running-” A gruff voice carried over the room. The three bat family members pulled away to reveal you to Jason. He stopped in his tracks and it felt like time did too. 

“Hi.” You finally said. 

“Come on Jason.” Babs said, reaching her arm out. “We all need a long hug from her.” Jason put his hands in his pockets. 

“Babs.” You say quietly giving her a “physical touch is a no no right now” look. The three understood the signal and gave her one more squeeze before Babs spoke.

“You can stay in my room with me until we figure out what to do for you permanently.” You open your mouth to protest. “Nope. Don’t say a thing. Bruce-trusted- that you’d always show up for us. And you have…every time even at the expense of your own well being.” You swallow roughly. You had many scars underneath your clothing that still hurt from multiple close calls you’ve gotten in between of. Babs takes your hand, you turn to get your bag before you are met with the green eyes of Jason. “I’ll carry your bag.” You nodded as Babs pulled you along to her room. Of course Jason would do that. You have a bad shoulder because of him.

When he came back from the pit, his rage was so chaotic and out of control that Bruce called you which was a bitter pill to swallow. When you saw Jason for the first time in years, you froze as did Jason. He stopped his rampage once his vision fell on you. You reached out to him. 

“Jason?” He slowly, with shaking limbs made his way over to you. You could see his shaking legs wouldn’t keep him up for long. Making sure not to startle him again you made your way to him. He fell on his knees and hugged your waist still shaking. You let him wrap around you and pull you down. You remember holding him for who knows how long. The bat cave was sorta destroyed but nothing money can’t fix. Bruce nodded to you as if to say, ‘thank you’. Then, a cracking noise echoed throughout the cave. Jason raised his head and looked around, finally registering the carnage he had made. His eyes were horrified. “It’s not your fault.” You said. “It’s not.” You kept your voice soft but the cracking noise got louder. Finally, you look up knowing what was about to happen. One of the sharp rocks that hung in the cave had come crashing down towards Jason and you. With all your strength you pushed Jason out of the way, your shoulder making contact with the sharp  point of the rock ripping through. Once the dust settled, you knew you were bleeding bad. Standing up and turning away from Jason, you shouted. 

“Dick!” Dick, seeing everything that happened, had something to stop the bleeding. “I don’t wanna trigger Jason.” You said holding the compression pad to your wound. “Down play it.” Dick nodded and did as he was told, telling Jason to stay where he was until the ruble was clear. Jason did so and you quickly stitched up your wound. Months later, after a night of drinking with Wally West, Dick let it slip what really happened. Jason wasn’t happy at all, and showed up at your doorstep at 3 am. It took hours to calm him down when he saw the large wound still healing on your shoulder. The surrounding skin had bruised over and at that point it really did look worse than it was. 

“I have a pull out couch, you can sleep on that!” Babs said bring you back to reality. You nodded. 

“No.” Jason interrupted. “I’m going to be taking the couch in the living room. You are going to take my bed.” You open your mouth to protest. “You broke your back saving Babs when she was knocked out and thrown off a building remember? Chronic back pain and a pull out don’t mix well.” You closed your mouth. Babs dropped your hand and gasped. 

“I forgot about that. We were all so young…” 

“It’s OK. It’s not chronic.” You say to try and soothe her.

“Yeah not since you finally started going to a chiropractor last year. Let’s not push it.” Jason said, taking your bag to his room. Your blood boils a bit but you wanted to smile as Jason’s mouth continued. “Don’t look at me like that.” Jason rolled his eyes. You stared at him annoyed and wanting to know how he knew you were going to a chiropractor.“I found an appointment card on your desk.” You hummed following Jason into his room, turning back to Barbra who was smiling wider than you’d ever seen. 

A scream woke you from a dead sleep. Stumbling out of the room, you made your way to the sound knowing who was making it. Jason was sweating profusely on the coach, swinging his arms out around nothing. You saw Barbra run in and dashed towards Jason, you grabbed her just in time before Jason struck her. You threw Babs out of Jason’s reach as his half opened eyes glowed green. He’s not conscious but having a nightmare, one that's being enhanced by the pit’s properties. You stood in front of Jason as he towered over you. You stayed still, as if he only could see you if you moved. Jason’s arms shot out but you deflected them and pushed him back, you then saw Tim run in a glass of cold water. He threw it to you, as you caught it Jason was getting back up but was soon hit with the cold water. Finally, Jason gasped and looked around frantically. You signaled for everyone to stand still, then when Jason’s eyes met yours he reached for you. Wanting to see if he was asleep still. You held out your hand and let his huge hands wrap around your wrist, feeling your pulse. 

“Real?” He asked. 

“Like you.” You respond. Jason’s eyes turned soft, he knew you’d only respond with those words when he needed to know he was awake. It was like a code the two of you had but never placed where it started. You pulled him upward, helping him stand as he leaned into you as you led him to this bedroom. Babs, Tim, Dick and Alfred were all amazed how quickly you were able to get Jason up and calm again. Though they shouldn't be surprised, Jason’s always able to calm you and you with him. Once you got Jason onto his bed, you went to his own bathroom to get a cold towel. You started to blot this forehead trying to cool him. “Your sleeping in your room.” You declared. Jason nodded, too tired to argue. “I can stay if you want.” You say softly to which Jason nodded again. You put the cloth back in the bathroom and saw Jason climbing into bed when you turned back. You waited for him to get comfortable before you got in. Once he did, you joined him in bed and rolled onto your back relieving the tension it held. You were drifting off to sleep when you felt a hand on your heart. “If you try to grope me I’ll rip your hand off.” You mumbled. Jason huffed out a laugh. “Relax, I’m just keeping a hand on your heart just so I know what’s real.” Jason grumbled. You hummed and felt yourself drift away. 

The next morning you woke up alone. Jason was not next to you though the indent of his body was still there. You stretched and sat up. “Mornin.” You turned to see Jason with a towel wrapped around his waist. Not wanting to blush, you coolly turn away and take a deep breath. 

“You're eating breakfast.” You say getting up. Jason laughed and your heart sped up. “Do I get a say in what I eat for breakfast?” You shake your head. 

“You need to eat more than a cup of tea and donuts.” Jason rolled his eyes but knew you were actually taking care of him as he doesn’t feel like eating after his episodes. He grabbed his clothes to change into and disappeared behind the bathroom door. You got out some clothes from your bag and with your back towards the door started to change. Mindlessly putting your pants on you weren’t paying attention until you felt rough fingers trace the horizontal scar on your lower back, the one you got when you broke your back saving Barbra…after Jason’s death. You freeze clutching your shirt to your chest. “Make a fucking noise next time.” You say you threw closed teeth. Jason chuckles. 

“Sorry. Shoulda warned you.” You feel him continue to trace the other scars that littered your skin. This is not the first time you have been in a vulnerable position in front of Jason. But the weird safe feeling is something you don’t think you would get used to. Most of the scars he was tracing were ones he wasn’t there for as he was dead. The last scar he traced was the scar on your shoulder. You felt guilt radiate off of him. 

“Can you let me put my shirt on.” You asked, trying to distract him. Jason pulls away. 

“But I’d rather see you without pants.” You shake your head knowing he’d only joke like this when it’s the two of you. You walked into the small kitchen to see Dick already making breakfast. Eggs, bacon and pancakes to be exact. Jason followed after you and nudged you to sit down while he got your food. You got the message still thinking it was funny that you two could communicate with each other without talking. “Seriously, you guys as fucking creepy when you do that.” Dick said. You feel the right side of your lip curl into a small smile. “Never mind you smiling is creepier.” You rolled your eyes as Jason placed a plate of food down in front of you. 

“Thanks.” You mutter. Jason nods and eats his breakfast beside you. 

When you came back from talking to Harley Quinn, who was giving information about where Black Mask has set up shop again. You got wind that the Black Mask was trying to get more traffic on his territory since Batman was dead. Harley told you of one of Joker's hidden hideouts was used as Black Mask's stash of drugs. You had checked it out and long story short, Black Mask knew to keep his nose clean or you’d do more than break his femur. Jason and Dick were in the kitchen cooking when you took off your shoes. 

“Hey your back.” Dick called. You nodded and your eyes fell on Jason who handed you a cup of herbal tea. You took a deep breath and sat at the island, watching the guys make dinner when Dick started to laugh. 

“What?” Jason asked. 

“Remember when we made dinner together? And Tim got tomato sauce all over Bruce and Babs?” Dick asked Jason, continuing to laugh. “I don’t remember that.” Jason grumbled. You sipped your tea and started daggers at Dick. That happened AFTER Jason died. You know because you had been watching over the house outside when that happened. You’d never admit it but you cried when you saw how much fun they were having because Jason wasn’t there. How could they smile after a loss like that? That was when you knew, you were in love with Jason and you always will be. 

“What? You have to, it's the same year that…” Dick trailed off then looked at you finally seeing the look in your eyes. “You what? Never mind. Dumb story anyway.” “I’ve got a story for you. It’s about being dead then coming back to life by a pit of mind altering goo.” Jason sneered. Dick reached for him.

“I didn’t mean to-” “I don’t know what's worse, having a chunk of my life taken from me or coming back to everyone thinking I’m gonna snap.” Jason yelled, stabbing a cutting board with his chef's knife. “Everyone but you.” You looked up from your cup and looked into Jason’s now green eyes, they were blue before but since the pit…they are green now. 

“I’m sorry Jason we should’ve..I should’ve never treated you like an outsider.” Dick apologized then turned to you. “And I’m sorry we-” “Water under the bridge.” You cut him off not wanting to open old wounds. Jason never truly found out what led to you and the family having a brief fall out but he knew you killed the Joker because he died. 

“But-”

“Dick.” You warned.

“Please…just let me…it’s been eating me up for a while.” You slowly inhaled and exhaled. “I’m sorry we abandoned you when Jason died.” You felt like he was cutting into you and ripping you open. You wanted him to stop talking. You don’t like thinking about the past, it hurt too much and you worked so hard to push forward. Your jaw was tight and Dick looked at you with hopeful eyes. 

“What.” You closed your eyes. In Dick’s surrender all thy sins moment, he unleashed something you hadn’t mentioned to Jason about what happened when he died. Shit. 

“Jason…” You started. But he raised his hand to signal you to stop. “You all left a mentally ill sixteen year old to grieve the death of the only person she regularly spoke to alone. Why?” Jason sounded calm but fuming at the same time. Dick swallowed realizing what he did. “Jason…” You heard Babs say as she and Tim enter. Oh this is not gonna go well.

“She disappeared.” Tim said. 

“AND YOU LET HER?” Jason screamed. “ALL TRAINED BY THE WORLD’S GREATEST DETECTIVE AND NO ONE FOUND HER?” Tim shrunk into himself and looked at the floor. 

“We were all still reeling-” “BUT YOU HAD EACH OTHER RIGHT? AFTER ALL SHE’S DONE FOR YOU, AFTER EVERYTHING SHE’S BEEN THROUGH-” “Jason.” You finally said swallowing the lump in your throat. “It’s water under the bridge.” Jason’s angry eyes met yours. You two stared at each other and even though no words were said, you were still having a conversation with him. He finally unclenched his fists and relaxed. 

“Water under the bridge.” He repeated,  as you got up and put your cup in the sink then walked into your shared room with Jason following after. 

[ash5monster01]

Perfect To Love Part 16

Pairing: Steve Harrington x FemReader!PlusSize

Warnings: fluff, mentions of bullying, body image issues, fat shaming, angst, trust issues, language.

Summary: Beth Walker was used to living in the shadows. She had only one friend and anyone else who paid her mind usually bullied her for her size. So she learned to keep her mouth shut, her head down, and her heart closed because she had to accept the fact that she would be nothing more than the fat girl to people. That is until Robin decides Beth needs more in life and that might just include a boy who she never would’ve thought could see her for who she truly was.

word count: 2.1K

Part 15 ←→ Part 17

Masterlist

Beth felt at ease making things right between her and Robin. Like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. She was even interacting with the kids. The only person she had yet to smooth things over with was Steve. Robin had hinted to her that it was absolutely killing him but she still couldn’t comprehend he felt that way for her at all. That wasn’t something she could just get over in one night. That was years worth of abuse and trauma she couldn’t just erase. Fact was Steve had still hurt her, whether it was intentional or not and how can she truly believe he was attracted to her when he was asked to give her a shot in the first place? If Steve couldn’t come to love her on his own was it really love at all?

So because of that Beth had spent the better part of two weeks avoiding him. She was doing a good job to and Steve was keeping his distance. He didn’t want to force her into proximity if she wasn’t ready. He was going to do everything right this time, he just hoped she would want to actually talk to him. Christmas was coming fast, and even faster her birthday, and he was running out of time to make up with her before then. So against his better judgment he came up with a plan, a plan pre-approved by Robin and Nancy which he had both made sure to ask before he ruined things further.

“I have to stop in Mrs. Addams class before I leave, I’ll see you later” Robin suddenly said as her and Beth walked towards the school doors. The final bell before Christmas break had rung and they were on their fast way of escape.

“Oh, okay. I’ll call you tomorrow” Beth said, a bit confused by her friends sudden departure but she pulled her coat close to her and started for the doors. She only realized why Robin had parted so soon when she rounded the corner.

There Steve Harrington stood, back leaned against the wall, his white Nikes scuffed and worn. He wore a heavy red sweater and a black coat draped over his shoulders. Wet snowflakes littered through his fluffy hair, cheeks pink from the cold, and Beth only vaguely wondered what it would be like to kiss him right now.

“Hi” he jumped up, standing at attention now that Beth had appeared. She realized it didn’t really hurt all that much seeing him, in fact it was kinda nice.

“Hi” she offered a smile back and he went to wipe his palms on his jeans, this was the most nervous he had ever been.

“Look, I didn’t mean to corner you. I’m going to leave I just wanted to give you this” and Beth watched as he fumbled with his jacket pocket, pulling a white envelope free from its confinement and holding it over. Beth reached for it, begging her hand not to shake.

“Thanks” she muttered once she had it pulled to her chest and the hand that used to have the envelope ran nervously through his hair, snowflakes now melted away.

“Merry Christmas, and Happy Birthday” he offered and Beth gave him a smile. Steve took this as his cue to leave so he shoved his hands deep in his pockets and headed for the door.

“Merry Christmas to you too Steve” Beth called out and Steve froze before turning back and looking at her. Maybe it was a peace offering, a notion to be civil, but after getting to know her that would never be enough. Only knowing Beth Walker in passing was the worst way to know her, because you would forever have to live with the fact that you missed out.

Beth made her way home, the old escort stuttering to life and working overtime to pump some heat into the vehicle. Beth could feel the envelope burning a hole through her pocket but she kept herself from looking at it the whole way home, even through her house as she removed the scarf from her neck and greeted her mother with a kiss. It wasn’t until she was sat up at the desk in her bedroom, the lamp offering a warm glow, did she looked at the scratched writing on the front. It was Steves, loopy and sharp all at the same time, and her heart fluttered over the fact that he had written her name. He had written this just for her.

Dear Beth,

Absolutely nothing will change the fact that I hurt you. I know that, I accept that. Thing is I can’t accept that you think it was all fake. I’m a good friend, a loyal friend, but a shit actor. So if you think every moment between us was me pretending for the sake of Robin you are mistaken. In high school I got shit grades because I could never keep track of what I was writing in an essay but as I write this I don’t find myself getting off track because you need to know this. That guy in high school that hurt you, he forgot you because he hated himself for how he treated you. What you don’t know is that moments before he had tried to stop his friends, maybe he should have tried harder, but at least it was something. The guy I am now, he’s still new, he’s still getting the hang of things, and that guy wasn’t in high school long enough to meet you.

Yet when you showed up on my doorstep that first night he noticed you immediately. He noticed how big and bright your eyes were, how short you were, how long your curly brown hair swung around your back, and he took all of these things and noticed how beautiful you were. I asked you to that party, I asked you on that date, that was all me. I wanted to do those things with you because damnit Beth, anyone who is around you long enough knows you can’t help but fall in love with you. So Robin may have brought you to my house, asked me to get to know you, but everything else was all me, because falling in love with you has been the easiest thing I’ve done in the last two years. I’d like the opportunity to love you again, so when you’re ready let me know because there is absolutely no way I’m going to be getting over you anytime soon.

Happy Birthday!

Love, Steve

Beth had always wanted a love letter. The idea of it always pulled at her heart strings. It was such a romantic gesture, one she enjoyed in many books and many movies. Thing was she never thought she could ever receive one. Never figured someone would write the fat girl a love letter. Yet here in her hands, in the simplest terms, was a love letter from Steve Harrington. Maybe he couldn’t bring himself to say all those things out loud. He still made sure to write them down and hand deliver it to her. That had to account for something right?

Scrambling for the phone on the corner of her desk she pulled it close, fingers fumbling with the numbers as she hastily typed in Robins house number, and prayed she’d be there to pick up. “Hello”

“Robin, hey!” Beth anxiously spluttered out, dropping the letter on the desk in hopes not to crumple it too much.

“I assume you read the letter” Robin said and Beth anxiously giggled, unsure of what to do.

“I, yeah. I read it” Beth said, her foot tapping nervously unsure really why she called.

“Look Beth he’s not expecting you to chase after him. He just wanted you to know the truth. So don’t get all worked up and freaked out. Take some time to mull it over, read it a few times, bask in the feeling of being desired” Robin told her and Beth instantly remembered this was why she called. Robin knew what she was thinking and calmed her down. She didn’t need much else.

“Do you think he really loves me?” Beth asked, the phone chord coiling around her finger as she played with it. Her eyes glanced over at the letter, the word love written hastily in Steve’s rush to get all his thoughts on paper.

“I do, because you can’t put a timer on love. You’ve known him for three months, spent time with him, got to know him. Sometimes when it’s right, it’s right. Three months is just enough time if not more, to fall in love” Robin told Beth and Beth broke out in a grin, thinking of all those moments with Steve. How for a while there they didn’t go more than a day without seeing each other. They weren’t just dating they were friends and in that time she had become friends with all of his friends too. During that she learned to love all those friends, so it was no wonder she fell in love with Steve too. It made sense especially since it hurt so much when she left him.

“I think I love him too Robin” she whispered into the phone, almost embarrassed to say it out loud because when she first met Steve she promised herself she wasn’t going too.

“I know you do Beth, so enjoy it. I’ll see you Sunday” Robin told her, smiling widely even though the girl couldn’t see it. It was almost Beth’s 18th birthday and she was happy and in love. It was all she ever wanted for Beth.

“See you Sunday” Beth muttered back and Robin hung up the phone with a click. Beth took a moment before dropping the phone and jumping up in celebration. She cheered, she squealed, and then spun around until she had fallen in a heap on her bed.

“What is going on up here?” her mother burst through the door and through excited giggles Beth could only smile at her Mom as she stood to hand her the letter. Anxiously she watched as she read and when she was done she looked up to her daughter with a smile.

“Oh Beth” and then they were hugging and jumping around together. “Are you gonna go see him?”

“I don’t know yet” Beth told her as she stepped away, retrieving the letter from her mothers grasp.

“Why not?!” she asked her and Beth shrugged as she set it back down on her desk.

“I don’t know, I think I just want some time to really let it sink in. Get my thoughts in order” she told her and Allie smiled, walking over to press a kiss to her hair.

“Do I want to ask what he meant by hurting you in high school?” she asked instead and Beth just chuckled as she shook her head.

“No, because I’m over it. Turns out I have been for a while” and Allie could only smile as she hugged her daughter again. All she ever wanted for her was to know she could be loved if she had let people in. Now it was true and a boy loved her daughter the way a boy should. Irrevocably and unapologetically.

“Dinner will be ready in an hour” Allie told her once she let her go and Beth nodded with a smile that just wouldn’t go away. Allie left the room and Beth grabbed the letter again as she laid on her bed, eyes traveling across the words that she was sure to never get sick of.

She spent the better part of the next hour trying to picture Steve writing it. Probably sat at his desk, under that red corvette picture, in his eerily empty house, as he tried to collect his thoughts. Each of those thoughts about her and that image alone warmed her heart over. The image made her long for the boy, wishing she was in that big empty house with him, comforting him, loving him. Everything was a thing of the past now, but if now, after almost three weeks of giving him the cold shoulder, and he still wanted to love her, she would just have to give him a chance. If she didn’t she’d miss out on the chance of being loved and you’d have to be stupid to miss out on that.

Taglist: @kindablackenedsuperhero @rinarecommends @starryeyedpoet17 @crustless-toast @loverofmarsss @dilflover-3 @bethanysnow @middle-of-the-earth @princessadriana4-blog @mochminnie @legendaryhumandiplomatgoop @a-lil-bit-nuts @i-came-as-bostonian @krazyk99 @thunderstomp-and-tequila @cumslutforaemond @futuristicbirdtraveler @unholyhuntress @crushculture03 @jenniferpendragon

Comment if you want to be added to the tag list :))

a/n: the last two chapters have been written my friends, this journey we have taken with Beth and Steve has been so wonderful, and for the first time in three months I no longer have to write a new chapter for this series and in a way I feel empty. Beth was a character created to remind you all you are beautiful the way you are and can be loved by anyone if you put yourself out there and are confident in your being. I’ll get more sappy during the last chapter but thank you all so far for enjoying.

[lizard-shifter-noms]

Still Subject to Change Chapter 8(NEW)

——————————————————————————-

Hello everyone! i decided to repost arc 1 of SSTC

(the chapters were way too long and had a bunch of typos but hopefully this will make reading easier)

this Story contains Vore, Dont like dont read.

if there are still any grammatical errors i’m sorry.

——————————————————————————

A loud voice called out, one I recognized it as the guy with the bushy eyebrows.

“BEAST! STAY WHERE YOU ARE OR YOU WILL BE SHOT! WITH POISON!

AND YOU! ARTHUR SELWYN! CLIMB ONTO THE PLATFORM OR YOU WILL BE SHOT!

Oh I did NOT like this guy! If I had anything to throw at him I would! But I wasn't sure if the consequences would be worth it.

Also the only thing i could throw were my shoes as everything else had been stripped away from me and i did not want to lose my only pair of shoes, finding new ones would be impossible at my new size.

As for Arthur, he waited till the wooden platform was lowered to the ground completely before climbing on and looking back at me one last time, his eyes glazed over with such an intense fear like I had never seen before as he was lifted up again.

As soon as he got up to the level of the balcony at least six guards apprehended him once again and dragged him out of sight.

I heard a door slam shut and assumed that I was alone again, until I heard that awful nasally voice again.

“BEAST! WHY HAVE YOU NOT KILLED THE SON OF THE TRAITOR? I SPECIFICALLY ORDERED IT! I EXPECT THAT THE NEXT TIME HE IS THROWN IN YOU KILL HIM!”

Despite having only had a few interactions with this guy i absolutely Loathed him with all my being and hoped plague would fall upon him.

And why did he think I would do what he said? Just because he had trapped me in this ugly pit didn't mean I would suddenly heed his words.

“Why would I do that? He hasn't done anything to me personally, and besides you're the one keeping my friends captive! How do I know you won't just kill all of us as soon as Arthur is dead?”

The face of the man turned a bit redder in indignancy, but otherwise he didn't dare come closer.

Coward.

“BEAST! HOW ABOUT A DEAL? I WILL LET YOU AND THE OTHER TWO CAPTIVES LEAVE THE KINGDOM AS LONG AS YOU KILL ARTHUR! THAT IS A GOOD DEAL TRUST ME”

I did anything but trust this loud bitch, but maybe i could find a way to get all of us out? This guy expected me to kill Arthur, even threatened me with starvation.

But bushy brows over there didn't know about my strange anatomy, no one aside from Robin did, so maybe I could put Arthur inside and let them think I actually ate him.

This plan was so batshit insane that it might just work! The only problem was that Arthur didn't know either and would think I was going to kill him for real.

I wouldn't even be able to tell him in case someone listened in, Besides he himself had said that he was a terrible actor so i made up my mind, as much as i hated it.

Now I only had to get Bushy brows to actually keep his word.

He didn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed so I hoped it would be easy.

“Alright, fine! But you have to swear on every river of hell AND the God Amesimos that you will let us go! Or that a hundred years of plague shall fall upon yourself! Also you will not tell the others about it EVER!”

I slowly stood up while speaking and watched with glee as his face went pale, probably seeing for the first time how big I actually was.

“BEAST! YOUR DEMANDS WILL BE MET AS LONG AS YOU KILL ARTHUR, THAT I SWEAR BY EVERY RIVER FLOWING THROUGH HELL AND BY THE GLORIOUS GOD AMESIMOS ITSELF! AS LONG AS YOU NEVER RETURN AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN ESCORTED OUT OF COURSE!”

He probably thought he had a gotcha moment with his last addon, but why the fuck would i ever come back here? I knew I would be killed on sight then.

“So we have a deal then? Good you can send Arthur back i guess”

I felt absolutely sick at how his face lit up with a sick sort of glee as I had agreed, and I kind of hoped he would fall over the railing and break his neck.

I was almost relieved when his ugly mug vanished from my sight, but he returned a bit later with about twenty guards and a beaten up Arthur.

It seemed that during the short conversation I had with bushy brows they had had their ‘fun’ with him as I could make out a black eye and a split eyebrow.

At least it didn't seem like they had struck the wound in his side again, rather that they had concentrated on his face as was evident by his broken nose that bled a little onto his shirt staining it even more red.

I winced in sympathy and realized if I had not agreed to this insane plan they would just have beaten him to death.

They threw him roughly onto the platform that they had used to get him up and started to let him down again, at the last fourth however someone cut the rope and made him plummet the last of the way down with a yelp.

He didn't seem to have been further injured as far as i could tell but i still went over to check.

“I'm okay… i think, everything hurts anyway so no difference really”

He got slowly up to face me and in an attempt to seem less intimidating I sat on the ground with my legs crossed as he slowly got up.

“How's your nose? Doesn't look pleasant to be honest”

I tried to stall for some time as I didn't know if I should tell him I was going to ‘eat’ him or not, but the disgusting gaze of the man with the monobrow was still burning into my back.

“It's fine, just a bit of pain, did they want anything from you?”

He wiped the blood off as best as he could and I noticed that he was swaying a bit while standing, did they give him a concussion? I hoped not.

But at least he seemed to have enough brains to ask questions, and I decided to answer as honestly as I could.

“Well obviously they wanted me to kill you, they even offered me a deal”

At my words he went still and looked up at me with a pale face.

“What kind of deal?...”

Oh i was going to hate the next hour i was sure of it, but i would do my best to explain without giving away to the sick fuck on the balcony what was actually going on.

Sadly this meant I couldn't tell Arthur that he would be fine.

“They said that if i killed you they would let me AND the other two go, as long as we don't come back to Maringand”

It was as if someone had tugged a rug from underneath him as he sort of fell down to his knees in slow motion.

“Are you?- I mean, are you going to Take the deal? Because if so i won't fight you”

Of all the things I had thought would be the outcome for this situation it certainly wasn't that he'd just let it happen.

“I mean maybe? Why are you even okay with this? Why would you just let me do that?”

He looked dejectedly to the ground, seemingly trying to put it into words.

“Can you promise me to keep the other two safe? I always knew that one day they would get me, but the others don't deserve to suffer, can you get them back to Kamerasca for me?”

Wait, he'd just let me? As long as I promised to bring the other two back home safely?

I had planned on bringing them back there anyway, and if it meant this entire Bullshit would go over faster I'd gladly do that.

“I can do that, i'll even promise to bring them there myself even if i get shot at again”

He seemed a bit calmer at the prospect of his friends getting back home safely, but he seemed to still have something nagging at him.

“So- uh, how- how are you going to- you know?”

Ah this was the part i had dreaded, explaining that i was going to literally eat him alive was not going to go over well.

And how the fuck would i even start explaining this?

In the end I decided to just be blunt about it, no use beating around the bush after all.

“Im- im going to… eat you? I guess?”

He blanched at the words, gripping one of his upper arms so tight that I worried it would start to bleed, looking at it made me realize that there were some long healed teeth marks on his elbow.

Right Robin has said something about that.

He was sitting on the ground paler than I had ever seen him before, shaking and refusing to look at me.

Finally he spoke in a quiet and softly dejected voice.

"What do you plan to do? Chew me to bits? Or snap my neck first?"

“Neither, I intend to swallow you whole. Alive."

He winced as I told him what I was going to do.

“That's hardly any better, i really don't want to die by melting alive but i can’t stop you”

Oh yeah i forgot about that part, It would be the first thing anyone assumed when told such a thing.

I wracked my brain trying to come up with something to comfort him that wouldn’t give away that he'd be safe to the sick fuck on the balcony.

“Well, not really, you'd suffocate first before anything else happens so it would be more like just going to sleep i guess”

“How the fuck do you know that? Please don't tell me you have done something like this before!”

He was starting to panic again and I tried to find something in my Brain that could help explain it.

“Uhh, no I have not, remember that I've only been a Giant for like a week? And I've spent that time in a stupid ass forest where I got lost?

That aside, well, Biology i guess? You can't tell me you've never thrown up.

And I'm pretty sure humans suffocate after like ten minutes? Well at least people pass out by that point i've seen that outside of bars”

Alcohol did not do kind things to people, made them pretty pissy generally.

At least Arthur seemed to be a bit more at ease now after I told him why I knew such a thing.

Well as at ease as one can be when facing the prospect of being eaten alive at least.

He was however still shaking like a leaf and pale like a corpse, anticipating a death that wouldn't really come.

“We can't stall this forever can we? As much as i'd like to, i think if we take any longer they will just shoot both of us to death”

He shakily nodded, sighing.

“Alright just… get it over with i guess, i won't move”

I put my hand down in front of him so he could climb on.

He stared at it for a good few seconds seemingly not comprehending that he could just climb into my palm before he closed his eyes and stepped on.

Using my other hand to stabilize him I carefully raised him to be level with my face.

I noticed that he had shut his eyes as tight as possible and was breathing hard, trying not to panic and shaking like it was the middle of winter.

“It'll be okay i won't hurt you don't worry”

I tried to reassure him the best I could before I put him in my mouth.

Pushing a finger against him I shoved him to the back of my throat and I shifted my jaw a few times, sighing before I swallowed.

Throughout all of this Arthur had been remarkably calm and I didn't know if he had passed out or not, but a slight shift of his arms proved that he was still conscious.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arthur was shoved head first into Donovan's mouth, past the pearly white teeth and a finger pushed him even further in, dragging him along the weirdly bumpy texture of the tongue to the back of the throat.

He could feel as Donovan opened and closed his jaws a few times, Likely preparing to swallow again.

Arthur could feel the air push against him as Donovan let out a sigh, The air swirling past him out of the mouth he was in.

Then a loud 'GLRK' sounded, taking him down most of the way.

Arthur could feel what he assumed to be Donovan’s hand press in against the throat as he went down.

He could hear the giant’s heart beating loudly as he passed it and it took everything in him not to move.

One last swallow and Arthur flopped out into an open space leaving him the one option it is.

This is not a place he imagined he’d actually end up being in, at least in one piece.

Arthur stayed still, trying his hardest not to move until he curled around himself, shaking.

He could feel the fleshy walls shift around him as the Giant breathed in and out.

He wanted to scream and hit and kick at the slowly rippling walls, but he had said he wouldn't move, so he'd try his best to keep still.

If he could keep his friends safe in exchange for this nightmare he would stay here, even if it meant his own death. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------

After Arthur had slipped away from my hands I could feel him enter my pouch.

I could tell he was shaking really badly and I wished to be able to do nothing more than comfort the trembling form and tell him he wasn't gonna die.

But I couldn't, not with an entire army watching, not to mention the bushy eyebrows guy was leaning over the railing again.

He had a sick sort of elation on his face at seeing me devour Arthur and I wanted nothing more than to punch his face in.

“WELL DONE BEAST! YOU SHALL BE RELEASED TOMORROW! UNTIL THEN YOU SHALL BE WATCHED! TO ENSURE THAT HE IS TRULY DEAD!”

God I hated this prick and wished him an untimely and absolutely stupid death.

Hearing him laugh in his ear paining nasally voice I Punched the wall next to me with a loud Boom that shook the balconies overhead, making him and a few soldiers yelp in alarm.

“Your Majesty! Are you alright?’”

Wait, that was the King??? Oh fuck i was lucky that he had agreed to let me and the other two go tomorrow.

But I hadn't expected the guy with the bushy eyebrows to be the king, he just didn't look like it, but that was probably because he wasn't wearing a crown the times i saw him.

Well aware that I was being watched from who knew where I sat back against the wall near where the sun was shining in.

Drawing my legs up I put my hands over my middle where the still trembling form of Arthur currently resided.

I had to applaud him though, he had been refraining from struggling or screaming this entire time.

He certainly was a brave man, I was pretty sure I would be screaming in such a situation.

Putting my hand directly over my pouch I could even feel him breathe, he was taking slow shaky breaths apparently trying not to cry.

I felt worse than ever and I couldn't even tell him he'd be fine! If word got out to the king I'd be shot dead immediately!

I tried my best to comfort him still, rubbing softly at him through the walls of my pouch where he lay.

I stopped after hearing him let out a quiet sob.

I hated this, hated it a lot actually and wanted time to go over faster so we could leave and finally tell him that he's not in danger.

He was still trembling and it made me feel even more worse the more this went on but I didn't dare speak.

Trying to think of something else to calm him down as attempting to rub at him hadn't helped in the least i started holding my own breath.

He got some form of air supply, so if I managed to pinch that off enough he would get drowsy from lack of oxygen and fall asleep.

Perhaps holding my breath as well would work?

It might be mean to do such a thing but being in a constant state of terror couldn't be good for his brain.

I was really glad I could hold my breath for quite some time, about five minutes if I recalled correctly, enough time for Arthur to start slumbering the time he was stuck there away.

And I was right, it only took him three minutes to stop shaking and fall asleep.

So now I was sitting in this stupid pit with only the sleeping form of Arthur to keep me company, which was honestly rather boring.

However I would not try to make smalltalk with one of the Guards that without a doubt would shoot me immediately if they were allowed to do so.

We were leaving as soon as possible anyways so it would be pretty pointless to do such a thing.

Sliding down against the wall slowly so as not to disturb the sleeping Form inside of me I put my back against the wall, lying on my side and tucking my legs up, curling protectively around my middle.

I could feel Arthur slide a little in my pouch and I went dead still, hoping to not wake him up after he had finally calmed down.

As nothing besides slight shifting happened I continued to lay there trying not to think about how having something alive in my pouch felt actually sort of, good?

I shoved such thoughts as far away as possible, this would NOT become a common occurrence, After all, as soon as I got those idiots back to Kamerasca I would dip anyway.

I still couldn't figure out why the thought about them going back without me stung, but I ignored it for now.

Laying like this and watching the sunbeam move over the wall I started holding my breath everytime i thought that Arthur was about to wake up.

Some hours later the light from outside vanished completely leaving me in darkness and with nothing better to do fell asleep myself hoping that Arthur wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night.

I was not woken until the next morning when I heard doors being opened with a bang from one of the balconies startling me enough to sit up abruptly.

Fearing that it might have woken Arthur, I held my breath again as I heard the telltale clack clack of expensive shoes on stone walking to the railing.

Ah, it seems the king has arrived again.

I sincerely hoped that he’d keep his word and let me and the other two free today, but he had sworn to God and all rivers of hell so it should be fine.

I hoped at least.

I was proven right when I heard his Nasally and way too loud voice called down to me.

“BEAST! SINCE THE BOY IS NOW DEAD YOU AND THE OTHER TWO PRISONERS WILL BE ESCORTED OUT OF MARINGAND TODAY! AND REMEMBER TO NEVER RETURN TO MY KINGDOM!”

As if I ever wanted to come back to this hellhole but saying that out loud might not be a good idea.

“Sure, i'm not keen on getting stuck into this pit again, so we will leave for good i can assure you that”

Standing up slowly to make sure Arthur stayed asleep, I stood in the middle of the room as the king called down again.

“BEAST! IF YOU ARE TO STRAY TOO FAR OR ATTACK A CITIZEN YOU WILL BE SHOT! WE HAVE PLANNED A ROUTE OUT OF OUR KINGDOM AND WE WILL LEAD YOU THERE! SO DO NOT WANDER OFF OR YOU WILL BE SHOT!”

Man this guy loved to threaten me with getting shot, and I kinda wished I could shoot him instead.

Ignoring the urge to punch the wall again I heard another set of doors being opened.

Turning around I saw that they were pushing the only door that I could fit through slowly open.

Peering into the dark I saw at least forty guards, all fitted with crossbows in addition to their normal getup standing in front of a slope that seemed to have been carved out of the surrounding stone.

Slowly going up the tunnel surrounded by armed Guards I saw another door that was also being opened the moment we came near it.

Arthur was still unconscious, and currently bunched up like in a hammock at the bottom of my pouch.

I held my breath again to make sure Arthur stayed asleep but made extra sure to not completely suffocate him, just keep the air low enough that he wouldn't wake up.

Watching the Doors swing open I saw both Robin and Rikaad on the other side, both surrounded by Guards like me.

Robin's face lit up at the sight of me and Rikaad looked confusedly behind me and around as if searching for someone, and I knew exactly who he was looking for but I couldn't tell him that Arthur was okay and with me, Within me right now.

And I prayed to Amesimos that he would never find out, he was an enigma as it was and I couldn't predict what he would do if he ever did find out.

It might be okay, or he could just murder me for doing such a thing I couldn't tell with that guy.

I knew as long as I didn't do anything bad he was alright but I didn't know how he would react to something like this.

Robin seemed to have catched up on the fact that Arthur was still missing and was looking around confusedly.

He even tried to get closer to me but was yanked back by a Guard and put next to Rikaad who looked at the offending man with the iciest look i had ever seen him have, and even the guard backed off a bit as Rikaad stood provocatively next to Robin while Squaring up in front of the smaller Guard.

He really was a tall human, if i was still normal sized i’d definitely be scared of him.

I was also a bit scared of him as a Giant to be honest, Those eyes still unnerved me greatly.

As I was being led out of the tower I noticed it was near the edge of the forest next to some houses, and that Robin was right about me being tall like a house, I could see onto the roofs pretty well.

At the command of some higher ranking Guard we were all collectively herded along the line of buildings towards the forest.

If the streets weren't completely empty it would feel like I was being paraded through town, but it looked like they had ‘evacuated’ all citizens for this.

One less thing to worry about I hoped.

They really weren't fast either and I had to slowly drag my feet across the ground to not step out of the line they made.

I really tried to steer closer to Robin and Rikaad but the Guards always switched positions with them so I couldn't get near, and every time I did try they would aim their crossbows at me.

Feeling Arthur move a bit I held my breath again, if he woke up now and made any noise that could be heard on the outside we'd all be dead men.

I felt really bad about doing this to him, but I didn't really have any other options, and besides it was to save his hide as much as mine.

I just hoped he would forgive me for this one day, but it was unlikely.

It was whatever, they would go back home to Kamerasca and I would have to wander the woods as just another monster if I didn't find out how to deal with this curse.

Noticing movement out of the corner of my eye I looked onto a rooftop to see a barefooted boy in tattered clothing standing there, He seemed to be not older than eleven or twelve, and surprisingly had pointed ears just like me.

Another Bastard, I looked at him in sympathy and silently wished him luck.

I knew how hard street life could be as an unwanted halfbreed.

As he saw that I was looking at him he made the thumbs up gesture while pointing to his ears and I gave the tiniest nod back.

He climbed over the roofs out of sight and I doubted that I would ever see this boy again.

But it was nice to know I wasn't the only one.

I noticed that the direction we were going in was towards the mountain and I guessed that they would let us go at roughly the same spot they found us.

Holding my breath again as I felt Arthur move I tried to get closer to Robin and Rikaad once more but stopped when some of the Guards raised their crossbows at me.

There was no doubt in my mind that the tips were coated in poison and I was not keen on getting shot, again.

PREVIOUS / NEXT / OVERSIGHT

[findafight]

I find Nancy and her relationships so interesting because I feel like the show makes everything way too simply mostly in favor for Nancy. Like the narrative automatically sides with her every time.

In s2, Jonathan shouldn't have encouraged her like that when she wanted to expose the lab. In s1, Jancy was on the same page, Jonathan wanted to find his brother, Nancy, her best friend, so they were working towards the same goal. In s2, Jon didn't have the desire to expose the lab. It's Nancy who is trapped in her guilt that turned into revenge that wanted to do something. Jon had positive experiences with the new lab and realistically wouldn't want to risk putting his mom and brother, who go there weekly, in danger. Especially after witnessing the whole problem, the gate and the vines spreading, he should have put a stop to it. Both didn't know about El being alive. The lab literally was the only thing that stood between the demise of Hawkins. They were the only people searching for a cure. Automatically, Jon should have pushed back bc Nancy wasn't thinking straight bc she was too wrapped up in her shit. Jonathan helping her accept Barb's death in a different way would have been more powerful and helpful bc Nancy still struggles with it after everything. Plus, I'm a believer that the lab would have searched her bag before, knowing she had plans to expose them.

I feel like when Nancy is in a relationship or even with friends, people always have to say yes to her with no pushback. If you push back, she just moves onto someone who will say yes. Robin was her yes man in s4 Jon in s2. In s3, he pushed back the slightest, and you see the conflict that came from it (financial struggles) was never truly resolved from Nancy's part. It carried over to s4 where Jon is afraid to tell her truth that he can't afford to go to college with her. Now, the show treats Jonathan as the villain for this without asking what caused him to lie to Nancy in the first place. It's also because the narrative lets Nancy be right. I think Steve was the only person in s4 who was a bit apprehensive with the plan, and yet this is treated as something bad, or he doesn't know what he is talking about. Or within the fandom people use his different opinion as proof he doesn't get Nancy, and look at Robin who just goes along and understands she's the best suited partner for her.

I feel like Nancy doesn't grow much personally throughout the series because she never gets truly challenged. And if she does, it's resolved in a way to her favor. Like, I think she needs someone who isn't a doormat who challenges her in a way that makes her realize she has to change her behavior in certain situations. I will forever mourn the plot s4 could have gotten if they made Robin into the person who would challenge Nancy. Both girls are smart. If Robin was the driving force in the investigation god, that would already set Nancy off.

oh yeah, the show sort of hands Nancy relationships on a silver platter and we never see her actually put in effort towards them? and this prohibits Nancy from growing more than she could! It doesn't let Nancy be wrong let alone admit she's wrong. We see Mike apologize to Will, and Steve apologize to Dustin, we see Robin and Steve have back and forth and Steve trying to get robin a gf, and we see El and Max spend time together talking and getting to know each other. we see them interacting in a way that we see there is a push and pull.

But we see Nancy and Jonathan fall into bed together, Jonathan supporting Nancy's (ill-advised, even if the show won't admit it because that would mean saying Steve was right) plan to expose the lab. I think your point about Jonathan not having a reason to do that is super interesting because you're right! we know the lab is sketchy as hell, but to Jonathan they're the reason Will went missing, but also the reason they got him back. Will's been getting treatment or tests done there for nearly a year by that point, and while Jon may be distrustful of the Lab, wanting to take away the only official support his family has for what they went through doesn't make sense. What were they expecting to happen to the MASSIVE ALTERNATE DIMENSION GATE if the lab shut down? (why did owens show them lmao. why weren't they searched?) it makes no sense and just reinforces the idea that Steve had a point. I think if they had been able to have the library conversation not in public, then maybe he could have worked something out to help Nancy but alas. They didn't and people just point ot it as Steve dismissing Nancy and pretending everything is fine (when Nancy was also doing that!!)

When Jonathan does resist Nancy's idea (which isn't even UD related she just wanted to prove herself to misogynistic jerks) because financially his family needs him to have a job, and him having a job working in a field he likes and enjoys is a best case for him to get better work out of hawkinis/into uni, and honestly Jon had a sweet gig because he didn't mind the work, it was good job experience, and it would look good on a college application.

While Nancy is right that they shouldn't treat her with mockery, I can't help but think it's...incredibly naive of her? She was an intern. She wasn't going to get anything other than interviewing people for fluff pieces if she got anything other than typing/gofering to begin with. It's frustrating because living in a sexist world you do have to pick your battles. She has no power there, because she's an intern and replaceable and a teenager. It's just not realistic to me that she would think she would get anywhere or get away with trying to follow the rabies rat lead. (which is also...a boring story like oooh rat rabies? in a town where whole fields of pumpkins rotted on the vine? Very much an excuse to inset Jonathan and Nancy into the plot [season 3 is a mess and the best thing from it is robin and scoops troop which tbh makes up for it imo]) Like she could be mad and frustrated and insulted and humiliated, let her rant about that!! about her powerlessness! That's interesting and heartbreaking because there really isn't anything to do but quit then. but idk what she thought she was going into in a male dominated field in her podunk town. Not blaming her just think that writing decision should have been thought through more.

Her fight with Jonathan actually kinda made me think jancy was interesting for a second because yes!! those are real conflicting issues and priorities!! That's relationship conflict that's real and natural for the characters to have! and misunderstanding!! and then Nancy's mom (ew) gives her a speech when it's like bro. you're owed an apology but you also owe Jonathan one if you want to repair and strengthen your relationship. So she never apologizes and jon gives a half-assed apology and then they never have to talk about it again because the UD is here and that's more important!! It's another place where Nancy's development stalled and it's frustrating because it also makes Jonathan more of a doormat (sorry Jon you've been done so dirty)

their s4 conflict is so stupid to me. It goes both ways like damn Nancy if you missed your boyfriend whose family is notoriously broke maybe you should go visit him? or talk to him? It's an issue for both of them (I think it's really weird that people bring up steve's RV dream and wanting Nancy beside him to shit on Stancy but barely bring up the fact that Jonathan [admittedly in a catastrophizing spiral, but one might also think Steve, having been half eaten and going into a situation that could kill him, was also not in his most steady of mind] assumed Nancy would drop everything to be with him in California (after saying she's incredibly ambitious) and they'd have kids etc? idk it's just that both mentioned kids but only Steve mentioned his own experience with taking care of kids, wheras Jon is using that as part of his excuse for lying to her...) Jonathan lying is obviously a problem. He's "slow-mo breaking up with Nancy" and that's an issue he's got, but we only see Nancy stressed about it but also not...really do anything about it? idk we don't get to see her fight for her relationship with a boy she supposedly loves! Why not? Why can't we see Nancy's stubbornness and pride and ambition turned in the direction of saving her relationship with Jonathan? Instead of him just coming back to Hawkins and them still being a bit awkward around each other, him lying, her having been flirting with Steve for a week. Like. Why didn't we see her pull him aside and go "okay I love you. We're obviously having issues and it's absolutely not the best time but I can't take not talking to you and feeling like we're drifting!"

With the whole plan at the end of s4...yeah. The narrative/show can't let Nancy be wrong and/or Steve be right. It also needed a plan that would fail. So we get Steve pushing against the plan, treated like he's being irrational for it, and then it failing. As for Nancy needing to be challenged...I mean yeah? but also I think a key part of what she wants from romo relationships is to not be challenged! She doesn't like when her boyfriends push back against her ideas/plans, and ignores them anyways. Which is why it's so frustrating that there have been opportunities for the writers to let Nancy be wrong and learn and grow and they just...don't. They validate her decisions even if they make no sense.

And the thing is...Robin is Thee driving force in their investigation. she gets it right again and again and is the reason the connection to music is even made, But for some reason I feel like the show treats it as another Nancy Investigation Success instead of Nancy being the one that was just kinda there and also a bit mean to robin for no reason other than jealousy. The opportunity for Robin to be a challenge to Nancy's authority was there! It was there and all they would've had to do was have Robin not suck up to Nancy, have the show/narrative acknowledge it was Robin who was the reason the got any information beyond the name Victor Creel, and have Nancy realize that she isn't infallible and right all the time. It would have been so good to see her take stock and reconsider herself and her decisions and her relationships and want to make a friendship with Robin, who wouldn't be co-operative.

[lokislittlesigyn]

This past weekend I had .. A truly lovely experience. One that will stick with me forever, I believe.

Story time.

About a month ago I got an unexpected message that Tom Hiddleston would be at NYCC. I'd never heard of NYCC before - though I live within driving distance of NYC. I visited last year to see a Broadway play and visit the Loki figure at Madame Tussauds. But more, in 2019, my parents surprised me with tickets to see Betrayal on Broadway.

When we went to the show, I hoped to give Tom a letter, thanking him for the impact his work has had on my life, and get some art autographed. After the show - which was breathtaking and fantastic and funny and heartbreaking - I stood outside in the bitter cold and watched as Tom stayed outside for 2 hours talking to and autographing things for his fans. I distinctly remember saying his name and him looking me right in the eye - I asked if he'd take my letter. His response? "Of course I will." those words also stuck with me. spoken surely, as though kindness was deserved without question.

I got an autograph from him that day on my Playbill - they didn't allow non-Betrayal works to be signed. But I wanted, very badly, to see him again. Namely for a hug ... And to get that art signed.

In the spring of 2020 I heard about a drivable convention Tom was slated to be at. Tickets to see him were hundreds of dollars, but I was willing to pay.

Then the pandemic hit. Everything was cancelled.

Fast forward to last month. My birthday is coming up and I have no idea what to ask for, I have a steady job and I'm trying to give myself permission to buy fun things so I actually feel something when I get a paycheck. ive legit been getting money and just feeling nothing when it goes into my account. :')

And I did it. I bought a pass. An autograph pass, since the photo passes only allowed a few seconds with the individual - I wanted to talk even for a moment, not stand awkwardly while I try to make myself give a natural smile.

I'll spare you the details of the convention itself - it was huge, and while it was exciting, that wasn't the main draw. Tom was. I finished an art piece and had it printed, and took it with me to give to him. I also wrote a message on the back of it, so there was no risk of the message being lost (I don't know if he actually got my first letter. There's really no way to tell!). That message is private, but the art is not.

It took over two hours to get through the line. As someone with joint and sensory issues, this was .. Quite an experience. if i hadnt had my compression socks on i honestly dont think i would have made it. also i really need to look into what ADA passes they have because there is an ADA line and i continuously tell myself im not disabled enough for that but maybe i am, idk

But I got through the line and went around the corner where they had a curtained-off area, and there he was.

My first thought? "Oh, you're real."

its always surprising to see him in person.

But as happened before, the nervousness and excitement and heart beating out of my chest gave way to a quiet calm.

He took the piece I brought to be signed, and signed it. And I spoke up.

"I made this for you, if that's okay." And I handed him the above artwork.

He took it. Looked at it. "You're very talented."

I thanked him.

And he looked at me again.

Now, it's relevant to mention I am autistic. Eye contact is extremely difficult for me. It feels unsafe, exposed, scary. I can literally get physically unsettled if I look at someone's eyes too long. This man is the only person - not even my mother and father feel safe to look in the eye - that I can not just stand to look in the eye, but actually feel ... peaceful. i think it's because he has lokis eyes.

"Thank you. Have a good rest of your weekend."

He smiled at me, and I smiled back. I thanked him again.

It's a small interaction. It was in the last event on the last day of the con - this man was probably exhausted, and rightly so. I also want to be clear, I don't have any sort of parasocial feelings toward Tom, or even romantic/etc. feelings. Tom is his own person, with his own life and experiences, and I don't feel anything toward him other than a general fondness and gratitude. More importantly, he is married, a husband and a father, and that is so important to remember.

I'm simply grateful to him. Out of hundreds, possibly thousands of people over the weekend, he took a bit of time to look at the art, and say something kind, and to look at me and smile.

Photos weren't allowed in the area, or I would have wanted one. Likewise, there were tables between the attendees and him - I would've asked for a hug otherwise. But I don't regret the weekend, for all its ups and downs. I got to give Tom a present, and I know I'll see him again someday.

And maybe next time, I'll get that hug.

[charmac]

Okay so, I got high for the first time in awhile and I'm thinking about Sunny just, It's weird that I always do, near obsessively, have since October of 2022. It's just like, my favourite thing to love and to think about, but I have been watching for a lot longer than that. I'm just gonna delve on my pipeline from casual fan of this show to stan, cos I think it's interesting and I'm high so nothing is stopping me:

For over three years I've been watching this show on repeat, whenever I didn't have a scheduled show to watch, I'd pop it on. But I just watched it casually, normally, like haha funny bad people show kind of way (I am sorry). All I did was watch it over and over, sometimes see a funny viral Sunny Tweet and like it, and then the Podcast came out.

And it weirdly made me more into the show, more introspective about the characters. So I would interact on r/IASIP but they just, didn't really get it properly.

And then S15 aired and Reddit really didn't get it and Charlie Kelly was just this massive presence in my mind, and I wrote a silly little kidfic about him because I was just thinking and thinking. And Reddit didn't get it.

So I I tried to come onto Tumblr, but everyone shipped Macdennis and I. Did Not. like Dennis. I saw him how your average r/IASIP commenter sees him. (So sorry.) I thought shipping Macdennis was fun in a, like, asking Mac to get completely used and fucked over kinda way (again, so sorry). Imagine my shock walking into Sunnyblr with that idea. Tumblr liked Dennis.

So I just kinda did the Episodes on repeat/Podcast/Subreddit kinda vibe for awhile. And then I met Meg and talked to her, and I stood two feet away from Rob and I know it's cringey, lmfao, but something shifted further. I was talking obsessively to my bestie @macdennissurvivor and Twitter started showing me Dennis edits. And then I made a silly little Macdennis edit of my own.

Then I went to the live show in Philly. And the audience was miserable and oh my god none of them get it. But there's so much to get . And Glenn, wow, weird, interesting guy. (And he weirdly kinda clarified that Dennis wasn't straight.) The show was fine but the audience was miserable because none of them get it. They throw out lines and references and it's all a joke. But it's not all a joke, there's so much to get. They're not getting it. Please someone else get it.

And so I dipped my toe back on Sunnyblr. And I got more involved with Sunny Twitter and Nat (legal last name Paddysroyco) Tumblr user @boysareouttonight's Dennis edits were like the final nail in the coffin of being a stan.

I think something shifts when you are able to look past Dennis' facade and actually see the person inside, the character they won't let you see unless you really get it.

And the obsession begins, and continues, and is good to me, keeps me happy and everything here just tickles my brain and makes me engage and talk. And like there's real, actually insanely intelligent discussion on here and meta and analysis and theories and then there's the most cracked out post you've ever seen and then there's something that's somehow both and it's just something else.

I'm at an all-you-can-eat buffet after reaching into the depths of my cupboards for a month straight. And we're getting more, and a lot, and whatever it is is more content. Every frame, every title, every crumb we find, there's other people here who get it all and make it fun, in a way that's not tiring or eye-rolling or completely off the mark, in a way that keeps me full-steam rolling ahead and coming back.

This devolved a little, as thoughts do, but I am happy to be here, I guess. I'm looking forward to this fucking season and whatever lies ahead: whether it's dry for Macdennis or overwhelmingly wet, whether we get solid character development or some weird backsliding, a mix of both, if there's strange retcons or really fucking-good ones, any unexplained moments or looks or props, or expressions, I'm experiencing it all with people who get it. Maybe in a completely unhinged way, maybe in a crazy smart way, or a reasonably sober way, but always from a place of getting it.

We're getting Season 16, it's real, more to the story, more to piece together and layout and pick and prod and compare and re-tell (and re-write if you really want). In, like, 18 days. Fuck me up.

[sailorsplatoon]

Chapter 7 is here! I've been looking forward to posting this one, we get to see how a couple of the characters interact with each other!

First (prologue)

Previous

Next

Read it on ao3!

(Fanfic under cut)

Neo walked into the elevator of the apartment building, checking Agent 4’s text again to make sure it had the right address.

Party at my place on Saturday, 4:00

48 Shellendorf Street Apt. 73

(There’s going to be a surprise!)

Neo had only met Agent 4 once, but they seemed like a fun person. It would love to challenge them to a 1v1 sometime. It was arriving ten minutes late, but that wasn’t unusual for it. Neo knocked on the door and it swung open. Four stood there, beaming.

“Hey, Neo! Glad you could make it! Come on in!” They took its arm and pulled it into the apartment.

The other agents were scattered about the room. Captain stood by the counter, taking handfuls of snacks. Eight sat on the couch, bouncing his leg to the beat of the music blaring from the speakers. Agent 1 and Agent 2 leaned against a wall, chatting. Pearl and Marina were there as well, talking with them. Cuttlefish floated around from group to group. And Deep Cut sat on the floor as Big Man tried to teach Shiver and Frye how to play a card game.

“You were invited too? I didn’t know you three knew Agent 4.” Neo walked over to the trio and tried to make conversation. Things had been awkward since it had beaten them in battle and Neo wanted to try and alleviate the tension.

“We don’t, but we heard Boss Marie say something about a party and we wanted to come. It’s kinda boring though,” Frye said before smashing her cards down. “Bam! I win!”

“Ay, ay… (No you don’t, that’s not how this game works…)”

“Okay!” Four stood in the middle of the room, demanding everyone’s attention. “Everyone’s here so it’s time for the surprise!” With that, Four ran into their bedroom, appearing moments later holding an octopus in their arms. They carefully placed the octopus on the ground as they took their humanoid form. The octoling stood next to Four, towering over the inkling beside them. Their tentacles fell over one eye, the other covered with a set of red sunglasses. They wore a black dress that had been torn on one end, held together by a red string. But the most peculiar thing about them, something that Neo had never seen before, was that their skin was green. It was a little bit scared of them, but its curiosity always won out against fear. Who was this strange person? It peered over at Captain for guidance.

“Meet Acht! My amazing partner!” Four squeezed Acht into a hug, the two of them smiling.

Captain felt like they had just been stabbed by a million needles. Four had never said anything about their partner being sanitized. This was not good. Did Four know? Of course they did they weren’t that much of an idiot. But then why would they trust a sanitized octoling, knowing how dangerous they are? Captain looked to Eight. He would get it, he fought those things firsthand. But he was smiling at them. How could he smile at something like that thing? 

“They’re sanitized,” Marie said skeptically. At least she understood. 

“Well, sort of. Not mentally. Anymore.” Four struggled to explain.

“I was partially sanitized years ago. When Marina’s Memverse project went online, I got pulled in. Because it was made to help restore the minds of sanitized octolings, it helped me slowly get better. Due to only being partially sanitized, I didn’t even have to climb the spire to start getting myself back.” Acht finally spoke, helping Four to relay their sanitization status to the group. “While the physical effects will likely never go away, or at the very least take a really long time, my mind is no longer sanitized at all.”

“I don’t understand anything that’s happening right now.” Neo butted in.

“Oh right, I forgot we never filled you in on the whole Deepsea Metro thing, sorry Neo!” Four said. “Actually, Eight you’d probably be better suited to explain this.”

Eight nodded, “The Deepsea Metro is an underground subway system run by Kamabo Co, which was created by Commander Tartar. Tartar was an AI created by humans which decided that cephalopods were not fit to be the new dominant species, and so it decided to try and create a perfect version of us. It put octolings like me through tests, promising that they would go to the ‘Promised Land’ if they gathered four Thangs. Those who did, also like me, were to be blended into an ooze which was used to sanitize other octolings. Sanitization causes them to lose all their memories, personality, sense of self, everything. Acht was only partially sanitized, so it wasn’t so extreme. Captain was also partially sanitized for a short time in Tatar’s attempts to stop me from breaking out of the metro.” 

As Eight said that, Acht looked up at Captain in surprise. There was someone else here who has been controlled by Tartar? Sure enough, there was a large cyan scar over Captain’s eye. I must have been where the ooze touched her skin. But she just looked away from Acht. If she knew what it was like, why did she seem so reluctant to look at them? Eight continued, “Thankfully I was able to save Captain before the sanitization took hold and escape the metro along with putting a stop to Tartar’s plans. Acht escaped later on after their mind was fully returned to normal, though I’m assuming only recently since they never told me that they finally got out. But I figured they would soon since Four asked me for a map. You don’t go to the metro for a vacation.” Eight eyed Acht with a grin along his face. Acht was worried he’d be upset that they’d never told him, but he seemed to just be happy for them.

“Oh so kind of like what Mr. Grizz tried to do. He also wanted to take over the world and control people, but to the best of my knowledge he didn’t blend anyone.”

“He did try to remove Cuttlefish’s brain though,” Shiver spoke calmly despite the gravity to her words.

“If I had a nickel for every time I almost died in the field, I’d be the richest squid here.” Cuttlefish waved a tentacle in emphasis.

“Not by a long shot.” Pearl smirked.

“Wait wait wait wait!” Callie interrupted the conversation with a shout. “Acht you’re a musician, right? I just looked you up on Splatify and it says you recently released a collab with Off the Hook!? Does this mean you’re going to be making music in Splasville now!?”

“Like hell you are!” Frye jumped up. She was paying attention to the conversation now. “The Splatlands are our turf!”

“You think you can waltz in here and try stealing our spotlight? Think again, greenie!” Shiver pointed at Acht accusingly. 

Four shot her a look that said “If you call them that again I will make you feel tremendous pain.” 

“Ay ay ay. (Guys let’s not make this a big thing.)” Big Man tried desperately to calm his bandmates.

“Oh what, so that you can abandon us and do a collab with them too?” Frye shifted her rage to the manta ray.

“Ay ay! (No that’s not what I meant!)”

Acht tried to defuse the situation. “Relax, I’m planning on focusing on Inkopolis Square anyway. I might play a few shows in Splatsville but—”

“Oh good luck with that,” Shiver interrupted. She was very clearly threatening Acht’s shows. Before anyone could try to calm them down further, Shiver and Frye stomped out of the apartment, dragging Big Man behind them.

“They’re going to be a problem.” Four placed a hand on Acht’s shoulder.

“We’ll figure that out when we get there.” Acht smiled down at Four, who quickly stood up on their tip toes to leave a kiss on Acht’s lips.

Captain sighed. Agent 4 did seem happy with Acht, but she couldn’t take any chances. When Tartar had been controlling her, there was nothing she could do to resist it. Would a couple strings of code really be enough to restore Acht’s mind? How could she be so sure that they weren’t still loyal to Tartar’s cause?

“We’ll let them have their fun. As worried as I am about that sanitized octoling, I trust Four’s judgement.” Marie appeared over Captain’s shoulder, yet again knowing exactly what she was thinking.

“Unfortunately, you’re right,” she heaved. “I don’t like the idea of keeping a sanitized octoling around, but Eight seems fine with it and he has more experience with those things than I do. I trust Four. If they’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

[mahoushoujotechsupport]

episode 7 - shall we gundam. probably my 2nd fav episode of the 1st cour right after ep 11

we start off with peil ceos admitting to vim and sarius that yes pharact is a gundam and oh no oops we did something illegal. that call out on vim, i wonder if it's about his initial assassination attempt on delling and like... how is his shit just being broadcast out to everyone?

after showing that perhaps he has a stronger moral compass, sarius seems to be on board with peil and jeturk on something needed to be done with regards to delling

cut to the OP and we finally have our first OP change with the lfrith ur and thorn ominuosly silhouetted behind delling

in sulemio relationship development, we now have suletta actively helping miorine grow tomatoes

cute development only to go straight into suletta being worried about where the hell elan went after he stood her up and of course mio does not want to hear about that

so she defaults to talking about how the only thing she cares about is leaving to earth, which we all know as the audience that she very well could have done that weeks/months ago but didn't. cut to framing of a green tomato along with ripe tomatoes

i wonder if that's something they ever talked about. i feel like post-series sulemio would likely be the type of couple to share everything no matter how uncomfortable so yeah eventually it'd have come to light and we'd just have heart eyes suletta while apologizing or something

mio has a heart of gold looking back on this episode lmao like yeah suletta just wanted to see what the fuck happened but for mio this is someone who in her mind suletta is interested in

she makes it clear when the incubation party invites get sent out that they don't have to go (read: she doesn't want to go) and suletta seizes this as an opportunity to play detective and find out what in the world happened

thank you g witch for not turning this specific scene into stereotypical tsundere gets offended someone subtley said they have small boobs

oh shit lmao i am just now noticing that's the yoasobi collab demi trainer

miorine could've just had suletta go find elan herself, but she's going to help too

also no screenshot because i didnt want to reach the post image limit too soon but i like the scene before this one to really show off how much miorine hates the business world as she's explaining the incubation party to nika. the compliment she gets over being the top business student just completely disgusts her lmao

so like mannnn, how much of a gay baby was she for suletta that she just threw all that out the window and took on a whole ass company just to save suletta and her mobile suit

yeah yeah we know mio's tsun attitude is all a front because of the awful upbringing she's had but seeing it front and center like this is so depressing. like how much shit did she have to deal with from these rich fucks that at this point she can just wave them off like it's no big deal

so we find out here finally that miorine and shaddiq have a history, so to speak. to her, he's still really nothing because lets face it he never stepped up to the plate to so much as help her not deal with all the shit she's had on her plate throughout the years. i'm certain she wouldn't have married him, but i am sure miorine would be much more content with her life at the time suletta showed up if shaddiq had had been the friend he thought of himself as and actually acted as her shield. but *green tomato being snipped imagery* too little, too late

his comment here too is pretty insightful and if you don't know any better and take it as face value you'd think miorine is selfish but nah. who in the world would she have to help when no one's ever seen her as her own person and she's literally a prize to be won. and of course shaddiq as continues to be the case throughout series acknowledges its all thanks to suletta being suletta

at some point miorine must have looked back at this interaction and just absolutely fucking hated the trajectory her life took lmao

we're going to be a family

interesting that even though she's got the mask on, she pretty much immediately went to take a seat to continue their talk

one of the most interesting things to me about the initial meeting between miorine and prospera is prospera literally telling miorine to check her privilege lmao and like while she may be right that miorine is afforded all these things by virtue of being delling's daughter, it doesn't at all make everything he's done go away and it doesn't remove the actual neglect and trauma miorine's gone through

i remember reading posts about this scene and people just going off about evil, manipulative prospera but i think miorine literally had to internalize the fact that she has privilege despite the fact that yes she is also still subjected to forms of abuse. realizing that she can take that privilege and use it to her advantage is what lets the rest of the episode unfold. i'd also like to think that her looking more deeply and meaningfully into the privileges afforded to her as the daughter of the benerit group allowed her to later make an earnest attempt and becoming a true bridge between earthians and spacians

i honestly don't remember if we're supposed to know what he's referring to here or if this is just the introductory scene for the dawn of fold subplot lmao

oh suletta you're falling for it again

interesting to note that as peil ceos start their presentation, the frame pans to sarius clearly keeping an eye on delling for his reaction

evil evil ass shit for the space libertarians to just gang up on a clearly super naive teenager lol

also i'm pretty sure i'm gonna end up going past image limit so will likely need to have a part 2 for this episode

so to be continued in part for episode 7 because there's just too many good things here lol

[eternalwritess]

Hiii <3

Could I get a matchup for JJK?

Pronouns: She/her Sexuality: Bisexual Zodiac/MBTI: Sagittarius, INTJ Appearance: Short curly dark brown hair. Dark skin, freckles on cheeks. I'm 1.65m tall, slim body, small bust and butt and wide waist. Brown eyes, slightly round nose, thin eyebrows and medium-sized lips.

Personality: Introverted, occasionally moody, but when I get confident I'm playful/a bit childish. Short-lived social battery, I prefer to do things on my own rather than ask for help (I only ask for help if I see that I can't solve a problem). I am impulsive when I get stressed. Some people think I'm usually angry, when in reality I'm just serious and I don't like pretending that I find their jokes funny.

Likes and dislikes: I like desserts; watching movies, mainly horror/thriller/romantic comedy; I enjoy interactive stories and otomes; I like watching videos of people putting on/taking off makeup, trying on clothes and giving reviews, about hair and skin care products… Oh, I also like braiding. I like true crime shows

I don't like insects; noisy places; disloyal people, liars, and people who don't value their friends; alcoholic drinks and similar substances; I don't like spicy food.

Hobbies: Listening to music, watching anime, playing cell phone games, lately I'm learning crochet, so I think I'd add that as a hobby too.

Extra information: I am agnostic; I'm not a big fan of physical contact, in any case, I prefer to be the one who initiates the contact and that it doesn't last so long; I think head caresses are very cute (my mom said I looked like a dog LOL); I like to give gifts to my loved ones; I'm somewhat disorganized for some things and organized for others, I think it depends on my mood and motivation how organized I can be; if someone yells at me I get angry easily; I sometimes lose interest in things quickly if they don't seem stimulating enough; I'm used to being alone, so I sometimes get bored of interacting with people; I don't know if it affects the answer in any way, but I'm from Latin America, although I don't fit the stereotype at all, I'll just say that there is no worse dancer than me LOL. I get tired very quickly, I don't like carrying heavy objects.

Thank you very much in advance, kisses and hugs.

i match you with... 𝓜𝓪𝓴𝓲 𝓩𝓮𝓷'𝓲𝓷 ██ 20% _ ████ 60% _ █████ 80% _ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 100% ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ!

♛ You'd meet her at Jujutsu Tech, you're most likely a second year like her and the first time that you met she didn't think that much of you at first, she had a long ways to go at the time and still does to actually achieving her goal. The head of the Zen'in clan but she was the first person Gojo introduced you to. Why? Because you're both girls probably

♛ Before you could even train with your technique Maki demanded to fight you first, wanted to see where you and she stood on when it came to physical combat and it was safe to say that she was better than you. Panda cheered you up though the moment he saw it all go down and told Maki that she should've went easier on you

♛ In response she just said that she would teach you how to fight better next time... yeah you still got your ass kicked, but this time she actually helped you out through it entirely

♛ Soon enough as the two of you began to hang out more she realized just how hard she had fallen for you and soon enough wanted to ask you out. Problem was that she didn't know how and didn't know if you even liked her like that. Not to mention that she was worried that a relationship would affect her training in a negative way

♛ Soon after a long conversation with Panda and Inumaki, which went no where she confronted Yuta who said that she should just go for it, and she did. She asked you out one day when the two of you were in your room watching some sort of movie

♛ When you agreed she thought she had heard wrong

₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎

♛ You bring out a more chill side of her, constantly getting you to relax and not overexert herself on something when it's clear that she's not going to get it for a while and just needs to take a break

♛ Movie nights in your room are a common occurrence and that's just a fact, you guys get all the junk food you can find and then turn on a long movie and then another and another. She likes enjoying your quiet company. She doesn't even really care if the movie itself is bad. She just loves you

♛ Your more 'girly' side definitely balances out her more masculine one. She loves watching you try new outfits and try on new makeup, she finds it entertaining and always wants to see what you come up with next

♛ When she first saw you confident and more childish and playful she got excited, immediately indulging in it and messing around with you. She loves seeing you excited and happy, she thinks its really cute

♛ You try to get her to crochet with you every now and then but it doesn't always work sadly but she does hang out with you while you do it, probably trying to train or something like that

[lcatala]

My top 6 movies discovered in 2023

I watched 52 new-to-me movies in 2023. Not nearly enough , as I could only find 6 movies that stood out sufficiently to be worthy of a personal top, in what was otherwise a pretty meh year — yes I'm a picky watcher — and yeah The Boy and The Heron didn't make the top, you can read the long rambling I wrote about it if you want to know why; I haven't watched Barbie, Oppenheimer or the Super Mario Bros. Movie, and haven't watched any Marvel-related movie since 2015.

6: Nimona (2023)

I didn't really expect to like the animated adaptation of N. D. Stevenson's comic, and I went in reluctantly, only because a lot of people who seemed trustworthy recommended it. Despite having some of the flaws I've come to expect in modern 3D animation, this was a very good surprise. You can read my detailed review here.

5: Suzume (2022)

The plot of Suzume stays very much within the bounds of the "modern artsy anime film", with a rather predictable 3+1 acts structure and an exploration of themes and human interactions which has some subtlety and nuance but overall stays very safe and on-the-surface. Nothing offensive, but nothing truly groundbreaking either.

But.

Suzume had, by far, the best animation of any movie I've seen this year. This movie is an absoluteely beautiful, every-frame-a-painting kind of deal. If I was to rank every animated I've ever seen solely by the quality of their animation, Suzume would easily be in the top 10.

4: Cape Fear (1962)

American cinema achieved maturity during the New Hollywood era that started in the late 1960s, marking a shift toward more naturalistic and more adult filmmaking and themes. But there were a few notable precursors before that.

The most famous of those is of course Psycho (altho tellingly, it was from a British director). But Cape Fear followed close behind, and is another example of an early 60s movie which you don't expect to be this dark and this raw, starring an absolutely get-under-your-skin-terrifying Robert Mitchum — if you thought he was creepy in The Night of the Hunter, you haven't seen nothing yet…

3: The Outwaters (2022)

This was the biggest surprise of the year, watched the same day it was recommended to me, having heard absolutely nothing about it before that (I didn't even know this movie existed). I got treated to a no-budget yet beautifully-shot found-footage horror movie — in fact the best found-footage movie I have ever seen, with a lot of attention put toward making the gimmick plausible, making the characters realistic and likeable, making this look like the kind of actual footage you'd find on a personal camera — while also having amazingly beautiful cinematography — all while slowly building up the tension.

Because that's just the first half.

Oh yeah, it's one of these horror movies in which you think you know where the story is going, and then second half just explodes in your face and becomes completely, utterly batshit insane. This is on par with Men (2022) for how weird and fucked up the climax is. Don't expect any kind of explanation or closure here, the second half of this movie turns into one of the most fucked up and bizzare horror movies you'll ever see.

2: Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Yeah so this one was a surprise late-year hit for everyone, not just me. First live-action Japanese Godzilla film in 7 years, with rather tempered expectations — we all knew that Shin Godzilla was an odd one out, that the average Japanese Godzilla movie is not like that, that we shouldn't expect this kind of quality on a regular basis.

Well we played ourselves.

This was incredibly well made as a blockbuster — Japanese cinema has completely caught up on American cinema, for a fraction of the budgets — one of the best Godzilla movies ever made from an action and visuals point of view, and a reminder that Godzilla, as a character, can also be scary, a terrifying incarnation of destruction and disaster.

But somehow this also managed to be a powerful and well filmed drama — no lazy endless shot/reverse shot dialogues here, a lot effort is put into framing choices, blocking… — a movie that actually touches on difficult questions and goes against the message of many other war or action blockbusters.

When so many stories glorify the idea of sacrifying your life for a greater cause, here's one movie that says "hey maybe expecting people to sacrifice their life for your cause is actually pretty fucked up, and maybe it's actually better to choose to live for the sake of your loved ones than to die for the sake of your own pride". Yeah a Japanese movie is saying that, a Godzilla movie is saying that.

1: Skinamarink (2022)

So, speaking of low-budget independent horror, back in 2022 I had foolishly overlooked Skinamarink. I had vaguely heard that it was good, but no particular detail was mentioned that would have picked my interest, and the poster looked fairly generic, so I skipped it, even tho I should have been more intrigued — 2022 was already shaping up to be a really good year for horror films…

Skinamarink was a tough proposition from the get go, in the "experimental" kind of tough: an entire film made in the analog horror genre — usually short videos made to ressemble old media from the 80s and 90s, advertisements, warning messages, weather channels, documentaries and informercials, with a disturbing twist; a format usually made of short segments. Trying to tell a film-length story in that fashion is an entirely different exercise, but that's fine, I've sat thru Begotten (1989), I can do this.

Right away, this is not framed like a movie: it's more as if someone had negligently left an old camera on the floor — but this is not even found-footage, there is no camera in-story, we just happen to be seeing this world thru stolen, furtive points of view. The image is grainy, the sound is bad quality (subtitles are provided), the frames are often askew, you never even see the actors' faces. We get no narration, no exposition, just a succession of disjointed scenes that slowly form a story.

This shouldn't work. And for many people, this will not work. Most will turn this off not even 5 minutes in. But if you're among the exceptions, then howdy does it work. The format is not a gimmick at all — it's completely in service of the story. The grainy image, the low quality sound prey on your pattern recognition, never quite certain if something is there or not; the framing by a "forgotten" camera contributes to make the atmosphere hyper-real in its intimacy, yet alienating and uncanny.

The director of Skinamarink deals with one very specific topic: nightmares. Not the idea of nightmares, not the heightened nightmares of fiction, but the literal nightmares that real people have; he started by making short videos representing common nightmares that people would tell him about. When it came time to make a full-length feature film, he kept the same approach. Skinamarink doesn't really use any of the classic themes or structures of horror movies; it largely ignores that folklore and instead focuses on deep childhood fears, the kind of stuff your mind used to conjure up long ago and that you have forgotten but not erased from your brain.

If you manage to enter into this very peculiar format, this very unusual and seemingly disjointed way to tell a story, and if you identify with the kind of fear material the movie is drawing on, this is a truly scary experience. Not really in a jump scare or suspense way, more like a deeply haunting and unsettling atmosphere, a strong ambient uncanniness where things are almost normal but just broken enough to give you a constant feeling of unpleasantness, of wanting to run the hell out of here while being trapped, a sense of horrible lurking threat while having nothing concrete to fight against or protect yourself from.

Of course, this isn't exactly a fun experience. This is very, very intense, I'm talking Antichrist-levels of playing with your nerves, and the story, as simple as it is, is tragically harrowing and cruel — you're essentially watching two young children getting psychologically (and eventually physically) tortured by a sadistic, unseen entity for a hundred minutes.

It's hard to recommend, and yet recommendations is how this movie ended up grossing 2 millions on a 15k budget — promotion included ! Most people actually didn't like the movie, but those who liked it liked it so much they can't shut up about it (case in point!) It's one of those horror movies that completely break the boundaries of the genre and do something truly new and unique. It's what horror should be for: imagination gone wild, format-breaking fantasy, and realism thrown out of the window.