#though I do appreciate the slower build towards madness in the show

[red-akara]

I love the way the diner scene considers what the true nature of mankind is. The social rules we construct to maintain comfort while we dream of something better. Or giving in fully to our deepest desires, no matter how violent, no matter who we might hurt. Or somewhere in between.

Reporting live from the Sandman episode 4 & 5 ;)

[azaleavi]

Baby, show me what it's like - Y.B.

Summary: Dancing with a stranger at a party doesn’t seem like a bad idea. That is until it turns out she is the leader of a motorcycle club.

Word count: 3.1k

Warnings: language, alcohol consumption, kissing, dancing with a stranger

Author’s note: I don’t really have anything to say lol please let me know what you think about this!

Feedback is always appreciated and don’t forget to reblog and like if you enjoyed it and want to see more. Thank you!

Masterlist

The music blasting in the small space shook your whole body as you walked through the crowd following your friends. They dragged you out to party because - in their words - you needed to find someone to take the stress out of your body. College has been hard on you in the last couple of weeks as you had exams after assignments. You were stressed at the time, but since everything has been done you felt fine.

But now you are here at a club that is overstuffed with people. You reach the bar where your friends are already waiting for you. They already ordered way too many shots for you and you feel your stomach turn at the thought of all the alcohol they will make you drink. You want to have fun so you grab the shot glass closest to you and drown it in one shot. They all cheer at your action so you raise the now empty glass to the air before slamming it down the countertop. Another full glass is shoved into your hands and you drink it without hesitation. The alcohol burns as it travels through your body, making you shiver and grimace. You are so going to regret this.

After a few minutes of drinking, they grab your hands and lead you to the dance floor. You roll your eyes as they find a space big enough for you all to fit. You feel the beat course through your body making your hips move. The music and the alcohol combined allow you to let loose. You raise your hands to the air above your head as you sway your hips to the beat.

A few songs come and go and you feel yourself get progressively more carefree and you feel a pair of eyes on your body. If you were sober you might find it creepy but right now you just love the attention. You circle your hips harder and more seductively, hoping that the person staring at you takes his chance. You drag your hands down your body as you lean your head back, baring your neck. Slowly spinning around you show them your full body from every angle, your heart beating rapidly. You have never done this before, but you find it exhilarating.

Biting your lip you close your eyes just as a pair of arms wrap around your waist. A smirk makes its way into your lips as you feel the stranger’s body flush against you. Your eyes are still closed and you don’t want to open them. You want to live in this moment without worrying about who is behind you. The hands splay on your stomach as you lean your head back onto his shoulder. The person behind you is around the same height as you, maybe a little taller. Perfect.

One of the hands leaves your front and it sweeps your hair away from your neck that is closer to his face. Your heart beats at the same time as a soft kiss is left on the skin of your neck. The other hand leads your hips along with his, your mouth opening in a silent moan. The kisses keep being placed on your neck and you turn your head to give him more space. They turn open-mouthed and it makes you grab his hands that are on your stomach. His lips travel up to under your ear and he nips at the skin there. Your hands squeeze his and you hear a low chuckle in your ear, his breath hitting the shell of your ear, making you shiver. You push out your behind to his front which makes his hands squeeze your hips. Two fingers tap on your jaw on the other side of your head and they push you to turn your head towards the person's face whom you still haven't seen.

Your eyes stay closed as you feel him lean over to your lips, but before they can press onto yours, you open your eyes. Your whole body freezes as you realize who is in front of you. A woman. You push her away frantically as you stumble backward, colliding with other people who are unaware of what's happening. You mumble out a sorry which you are sure they don't hear, but you don't care. You almost kissed a woman. And not just any woman. The stranger in front of you is Yelena Belova. The Yelena Belova. Everyone in the city knows her and avoids her as much as they can. She is the leader of the Widow Club. One of the most dangerous people in the area. They all carry guns around, ride motorcycles and wear as much leather as they can. Like she is doing now, as she has a black leather jacket on with leather pants and a simple white t-shirt. It's hot. No, you can't think like that. She is dangerous. And she is looking right at you now.

You gulp as she keeps staring with her eyebrows raised expectantly. She takes a step closer to you and you try to stand your ground on shaky legs. She raises her hand and your eyes warily follow all her movements. The music is still blasting around you, but your ears are ringing as she sweeps your hair out of your face. Your mouth opens slightly and her eyes move down to it from your eyes. You close it quickly when you notice where her attention has shifted.

"What's wrong darling?" her accent surprises you and your body doesn't move as she steps even closer. Her face is a few inches from yours and you can't think of anything else but how gorgeous she is "Hmm?" she makes you feel small even though she is only a few inches taller than you.

"I don't- I can't- I'm not-" you stumble over your words making her smile at your cuteness. You are adorable.

"What is it?" she tilts her head to the side. You know she is talking to you like a baby, but somehow you find yourself liking it.

"I like men" the words fall out of your lips messily and your eyes widen at your own confession. Will she be mad?

"Are you sure?" she squints at you, not quite believing your words. Maybe you don't know yet "Because it seemed to me that you enjoyed yourself a few seconds prior" her smile is kind, but you are having a hard time believing she is being sincere.

"I thought you were a man" you avert your eyes and instead look at the people around you.

"Okay" she swiftly steps back with her hands up in surrender. You look at her in confusion "I don't know how badly you think of me" she begins and you look down on the ground in shame "but I won't push you to do anything" she gives you a small smile and then she is out of your sight, the crowd swallowing her. She is gone just like that. You stand there in shock as you try to process what happened. You spoke to one of the most feared people in the city. What is more, you danced with her and almost kissed her. And it was hot. Wait, no. It wasn't. It's just the alcohol in your system that makes you think like this.

You shake your head to clear your head, but it doesn't help much. Looking around you find your friends a few feet away from you, clearly not knowing what just happened. You walk over to them and tell them that you don't feel too good and you want to go home. You say your goodbyes and leave the place to flag down a taxi to finally go home and spend a sleepless night tossing and turning in your bed with a certain woman on your mind.

-

A whole week passes by and you still haven't forgotten about your almost kiss with Yelena. It's been on your mind every day since it happened and you found yourself fantasizing about what would have happened if you didn't stop. It's been annoying you the whole time, but you refused to dwell on it for too long. Until now.

You can't think of anyone else but her, even when a man is right in front of you. You can't kiss anyone without her face being the one that pops up in your mind. You don't understand what she did to you, but something is not right and you know how you can make it go away. You just have to kiss her and you are good. You don't know what it would be like and that's why you can't think about it. That has to be it. It's the only explanation.

Thus you decided to go to the place normal people wouldn't think of going. The Widow Club's place.

As you reach the old building your stomach contracts, your heart beating rapidly. Sweat coats your palms as you walk through the gate and into the yard that stretches in front of the building. Every head turns to you which makes you stop in your tracks, your fake confidence faltering.

"What do you want?" one of the women shouts at you which makes you slightly vince. They all laugh at your reaction.

"I'm looking for Yelena Belova" you speak back loud enough for them to hear. The woman who spoke to you raises her eyebrows and stands up from where she was sitting fixing her bike. She opens her mouth to speak but a door to her right opens and out walks the woman you are looking for. You unconsciously straighten your spine as she looks you up and down and you see recognition in her eyes. She remembers you.

"Come in" she looks into your eyes and you quickly walk toward her. She lets you walk through the open door first and you find yourself in a small office. Shelves line the wall to your right and a table with two chairs on either side of it is in the middle of the room.

Turning around you find Yelena flipping someone off outside the room before turning to you and closing the door behind her.

"So what do you want?" she sits down on her chair and motions for you to do the same across the table. You follow her and sit down. You inhale deeply and the air leaves your lungs in a long sigh.

"What did you do to me?" you look into her striking eyes and you almost lose yourself in it.

"What?" she leans forward to rest her elbows on the table.

"What did you do to me?" you repeat yourself a little slower.

"No I understood what you said, I just don't know what you mean" she shakes her head with a small smile on her lips. The lips you couldn't stop thinking about the past week. You clear your throat and look away from her face.

"Why can't I stop thinking about you and our almost kiss?" you steel yourself as you let the words fall from your lips. Maybe she has the answer to the question that has been burning you. She stares at you for a few seconds without moving at all and you start to feel uncomfortable.

"Are you serious?" she bursts out laughing out of nowhere. She falls back into her chair and now it's your turn to stare at her. Her laugh. Oh god her laugh is the most wonderful sound you have ever heard. When she quiets down a little she stands up and walks around the table to your side. You lean back as she places her hands on either side of you on the chair. Your gulp is visible to her and she tilts her head to the side in wonder.

"Are you scared of me?" she looks into your wide eyes, her voice is soft.

"No" your answer is quick and it comes out without thinking. Without knowing you ease her worries with just that one word.

"Does your heart beat faster when I'm this close?" she leans in closer and you suck in a breath which answers enough for her "You said you keep thinking about me" she grabs your arms to pull you up into a standing position "Well, I keep thinking about you too" she guides you to lean your back against the table and you let her move you however she wants. Her words leave you speechless, your heart drumming against your ribs in anticipation. She places her hands on either side of you on the table, caging you in.

"What do you want me to do about it?" her face comes closer to yours, her eyes not leaving your lips, and all of your resolves disappear.

"Kiss me" these two words are all she needs before her lips crash into yours. Your arms wrap around her neck to pull her closer as her tongue swipes across your bottom lip and your mouth opens to give her access. She explores your mouth making both of you moan into the fervent kiss. You know she is experienced from the way she moves her lips against yours and it only makes you even more frustrated in the best way.

She pulls away from you after a few seconds, eliciting a groan from you. Your eyes stay closed as you relish the feeling of being kissed by her for the first time. She places her thumb on your lips which makes you open your eyes. Her orbs are full of emotions you can't quite grasp yet, but you want to learn all of them. You lean toward her, but stop before you could kiss her again. Your mind is a mess and you can only think about her and her soft lips right now.

"Again?" the cheeky smile on her face leaves you breathless and you can only nod in response. She lets out a small chuckle before pressing her lips to yours again. Your noses bump against each other as her hands grasp your waist. Your fingers tangle in her blonde hair as she shifts her body flush against yours. Her hands find the back of your thighs to help you sit up onto the desk, knocking over everything in your way. Pencils fall on the ground along with their holder amidst loud clangs, but neither of you cares. She stands between your open legs, her lips not leaving yours for a second. You feel her palms brush the skin of your thighs and your mind goes into a frenzy.

A knock sounds from the door and you immediately pull away from her startled by the sudden interruption. Leaning her forehead against your shoulder she groans which makes you giggle. Pressing one last kiss on your lips she walks to the door and opens it.

"This better be important" her voice is authoritative and you are glad she doesn't see you as you bite your lip and clench your thighs together. God, she is so hot.

"Sorry boss we just heard some loud noises and we wanted to check on you to see if you were okay" you can hear the voice of the woman who spoke to you before, now it's laced with a smile as if she can barely hold back from bursting out laughing. They must be close.

"Fuck off" Yelena scoffs at her and she finally lets out the laugh she has been holding back. She slams the door in the woman's face and she turns back to you while shaking her head with a smile on her face. You lean back onto your hands on the table and tilt your head to the side as you watch her mumble under her breath. You catch a few idiots and I should be more strict which makes you smile. Is this the big, feared leader of the Widow Club? People don't know the real her it seems.

Her eyes find yours and she just looks at you for a few seconds. She has stunning eyes. In a few long strides, she is in front of you again, her hands on your legs.

"So how was that pretty girl?" her nose brushes yours which makes a small whine escape the confines of your lips. You avert your eyes bashfully after the sound you make. You seem way too needy.

"Did you like it?" her thumb brushes your cheek and your heartbeat speeds up at the tender touch "Did it answer your question?"

"Yes" the word comes out breathy "to both of them" your answer makes her chuckle.

"And what is the answer?" she pushes you.

"I want more" you confess while closing your eyes. You are too scared to see her reaction and it seems too real now that you said it out loud. You've never thought of any woman like this before.

"More of what?" her thumb keeps stroking your cheek making it hard to think straight.

"You" you keep your eyes closed because you know you would get lost in her orbs if you freed yours.

"Me?" the surprise in her voice is unmistakable and it makes you open your eyes.

"Yes, you" you nod confidently "I want to get to know you" you decide to tell her how you feel, and the smile that lights up her face is worth embarrassing yourself. She slams her lips onto yours making you grab her arm so you don't fall backward. Her kiss is hurried as she pours all her emotions into it and you feel like the whole room is spinning around you.

Pulling away the adorable smile makes its way back to her face and you feel your insides turn into mush at how endearing she is.

"I can't wait to get to know you" you laugh as she holds out her hand for you to shake.

"Yelena Belova" she introduces herself and you tell her your name in return.

"I think we will have a lot of fun together" her smile turns cheeky and you feel your face heat up at the implication of her words.

You can't wait to learn everything about the person most people know by reputation and you are glad you get the opportunity to be close to her. Who needs men when you have a woman like this next to you?

[ahkaahshi]

our place [fushiguro megumi x reader]

pairing: fushiguro megumi x gn reader

genre: fluff with sprinkles of moments that might make your heart go :’)

warning(s): n/a

word count: 1.7k

overview: you’re not particularly fond of mornings, but you think you could grow to love them if you spent every one of them with megumi

Through bleary eyes threatening to take shelter behind the comforting darkness of your own eyelids and give in to the fatigue weighing heavily in your body, you watch your feet lazily trudge through dewy grass that wets your shoes. Your palms are warm from the fresh cup of coffee you’re nursing, but your knuckles are slightly numb from the brisk air your clothing’s barely able to fend off. There’s a deafening silence in the air aside from the crunching of grass beneath four sets of feet—two of which are a set of four paws—and you ponder the oxymoron that the absence of sound somehow seems louder.

Your foot catching on the root of a large tree when your eyelids flutter shut for a moment brings you to attention and your boyfriend’s hand to your arm. It’s as if he knew in that moment you would stumble, but you figure the connection isn’t hard to make, given you’re a night owl being taken out of a warm nest for an unexpected flight in the cold, early hours of the morning. Your eyes meet for a moment, a subtle flash of gratitude in yours that he acknowledges with a nod before the two of you continue your trek through the forest.

“Megumi,” you sigh, “how is it I’ve downed half this cup of coffee and still don’t feel a thing yet?”

He shrugs. “Maybe because it’s decaf.”

His words have your jaw slackening and a small scoff of disbelief leaving your throat. The way he looks at you over his shoulder, a twinkle of mischief in his deep blue eyes that reflect what little light there is, shows he’s expecting the reaction you give him. “I trusted you.”

“Then why are you so shocked?” he asks, “I didn’t give you caffeine so you wouldn’t be too energized to nap again before classes start.”

Though you’ve felt too tired to show any emotion since you’d been awakened by the man walking by your side, you can’t help but smile and chuckle in response. “Fine. I’ll let it pass since it’s actually considerate of you—even if it’s in an indirect way. I’ll just make my students read or do something quiet while I wait for the caffeine from the next cup of coffee I make to kick in.”

“I’m sure they’ll love that.”

“I really hope you got me out of bed for a reason other than to frown upon my teaching methods.”

Megumi’s lips curl into a small smile and you swear he seems to glow just a bit amongst the silhouettes of the tall trees surrounding you, their branches heavy with leaves and moisture. His happiness is like a breath of fresh air filling your lungs; so much so that you’re reminded to take another deep one in an attempt at keeping yourself awake. His divine dogs—one a shock of white and the other seemingly its shadow—draw your attention when they approach him with a large branch in their mouths they’ve taken a shining to during your walk, and that he launches off into the forest for them to chase down again.

Something about the moment seems so surreal. Maybe it’s because the times the two of you get to spend together in peace outside of your home seem to be so few and far between, or maybe it’s because you normally scoff at the idea of being up and active before the sun rises. But, whatever it is, it creates an undeniable warmth in your chest that prompts you to push away any thoughts of yearning for the coziness of your bed, and reach out towards your partner instead.

“Try not to trip again, alright?” he murmurs, shoving his hands into the pockets of his joggers while you slot an arm between one of his and his torso, “I actually like this sweater and would prefer not to get coffee on it.”

“But it’s decaf!”

His lips pause in their action of forming a rebuttal presumably about how his sweater would stain, regardless of the presence of caffeine, and he simply shakes his head with a sigh upon realizing you’re joking.

The same silence that had once filled the crisp air returns, only interrupted by paws pounding the damp earth, but it feels more peaceful now. It’s calming, given the normally hectic lives you and your boyfriend lead as special grade sorcerers and teachers, and very much appreciated. Megumi’s pace is a bit slower and more relaxed than usual, as if he wants to stay immersed in the quietude with you and his dogs at his side. But you know he has a destination in mind with the definitive nature of his steps.

At the top of a hill whose grassy slopes had been decorated with worn stone steps that would indicate many a visitor had travelled up them, sits a stone bench you’ve never seen before. And, in front of it, a clearing where the leafy spires part just enough for you to see the small flicker of light burning at the edge of the horizon decorated with the distant buildings of Tokyo’s bustling cityscape. Your eyes remain fixated on the gentle colors the sun’s impending arrival starts painting across the dark canvas the sky provides as Megumi leads you over towards the bench so you can take a seat and bear witness to nature’s awakening.

You find yourself lost in it for what feels to be a long stretch of time until his voice brings your gaze to him instead. “Well, this is where I go.” The eyebrow you raise at his statement provided without any context coaxes him to elaborate, “You know, on those mornings I leave for a bit and come back, and you ask me where I went? This is where I go.” His long fingers card through the furry coats of his dogs where they sit on the grass between you.

Nodding slowly, you take another sip of the drink in your hand. “So, why’d you decide to take me here, considering it’s probably the only place where you can get away from the madness of everything?”

As the sun ascends skyward at what feels to be a faster pace than expected, you notice the most beautiful pools of cerulean form in his eyes more brilliant than you think you’ve ever seen them before. His hand finds yours, and your fingers intertwine. “Because I wanted you to be here with me.” There’s a pause, and his gaze shifts away from the sunrise to meet with yours instead. It’s an action that unwittingly reaffirms your importance given the beauty of the scene ahead. “I wanted it to be us here instead of just me.”

Gently, you squeeze his hand, relishing in the comfort of his touch that always brings a smile to your face. “So, what are you saying? That you think I’m actually gonna change my sleep schedule entirely just for you?” is your teasing reply.

“No,” he sighs, narrowing his eyes at your jest, “but maybe every now and then, we could go to sleep at a decent time so we can come here and watch the sunrise.”

Moving your face closer to his shortens the gap between your lips, but you stop before they can meet to answer, “We can do that.” Oftentimes, you find that Megumi’s straightforward manner of speaking doesn’t always match the true intensity of his emotions, but his kisses never betray how he’s feeling. They’re soft and tender, as if his intentions are to give you a few pecks and nothing more, but he’s always quick to chase your lips when they separate from his, even for a moment.

When your eyes flutter open once more, you watch his flit back and forth between each of yours in miniscule movements before pecking his cheek and resting your head on his shoulder. A long expanse of peaceful quietude follows, save for the chirping of newly awakened birds and the secretive whispers of the breeze through the trees.

“Do you think this could be our place?”

The sound of his deep voice reverberating in his chest sends subtle vibrations through your head, and his words bring small prickles of heat to your cheeks. “You want it to be?” A wet nose brushes against your unoccupied fingertips, guiding your hand onto a fuzzy, black snout that you give an affectionate rub.

Megumi nods and his cheek comes to rest against the crown of your head. “Yeah,” he answers, slinging an arm around your shoulders and pulling you closer to him.

“Better make sure none of your nosy students ever find out you’re coming up here, then,” is your warning delivered with a chuckle.

“They’re so desperate to be done with classes for the day that I doubt they’ll want to spend their free time tailing their teacher. Your students are the nosy ones, wanting to follow you on social media, or whatever.”

Each of your laughs permeate the cool air slowly becoming warmer with the sun’s expanding reach—from which you take shelter by burying your face in his neck.

“Megumi?”

“Yeah?”

“Can we just… stay here for a bit?”

You feel his arm move as he checks his phone. “Classes start in an hour.”

“Just a little bit longer?”

A notification appears on his screen, but he turns it off and tucks the device back into his pocket. “Sure,” he murmurs into your hair before pecking your temple.

He says it so nonchalantly, but you know he’s hoping whatever time he’s set in his head to leave doesn’t arrive for an eternity. Because it’s the same hope that settles deeply into your heart as the two of you hold onto one another and watch waves of light slowly wash over the dark sky, doing everything you can to cherish your company rather than agonize over the moment when you’ll have to let go.

In an exhale that tickles your skin, Megumi hums, “I’m glad you came here with me.”

[raichijin]

 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ukiyo; the floating world.  chapter 2. 

━━━━━ 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓.

preface; took me exactly a week to write. possibly the most uneventful, but important in setting up the rest of the story. enjoy ! (also, my first writing post on this account ! awesome.)

word count; 1.6k .

pretty. a pretty boy; with eyes the color of almonds and hair the same shade of rich oaky brown as a morning cup of coffee.

his smile is sweet like creamer, & the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he closes them is cute, too.

a new relationship, perhaps?

you’re so in awe that when you notice his face fall and he’s pulling his hand away, you realize it’s been 15 seconds and you’ve been standing for approximately 30, just staring.

wow, that’s awkward.

“... are you okay?” he asks you again, slower this time.

“i — yeah! totally. i just— i guess i’m just lost?” you look around for anything that could trigger a memory, or even something that looks remotely familiar.

 there’s nothing. “yeah, that must be it...ʲᵘˢᵗ ˡᵒˢᵗ.” he tilts his head at you, then smiles a little thinner, with only his lips and no teeth before gesturing towards the classroom door, other hand digging into his pants pocket.

“then i can show you around!” he hastily offers, giving you his arm before you even know his name, and the scary possibility that the ‘you’ in this world might’ve had a more notable presence starts sounding like a reality when your name falls effortlessly from his bubblegum pink lips, a cutesy ‘chan’ accompanying it.

“ah, you know me?” 

& while his nose crinkles in a way that’s not cute nor pretty, his smile remains steadfast until he turns away. “well, who doesn’t? our school doesn’t get exchange students too often. especially not ones as handsome as yourself~.” there’s that lilt again. as if he’s trying to make you fall in love with his voice alone, and you might’ve (you are).

“oh! uh, thank you, but-” you both step into the hallway, and the image of a highschool is imprinting itself in your brain. the uniform, the students, teachers, each class room and their individual signs, the kanji that somehow makes sense, and the sudden realization that everything around you is being spoken in spitfire japanese.

you’re speaking it, too.

“i don’t think i know you. what’s your name?”

the cute guy blanches, and suddenly everything seems more interesting to him.

his fingernails, a sudden itch on his nose, and random (read: fawning) passerby.

“um — i’m oikawa! the captain of the volleyball team?” oikawa phrases it like a question, as if you know him; and if he was expecting that flexing that kind of achievement would give him some kind of leeway, he couldn’t be more mistaken.

but for politeness sake, you can pretend to be interested, especially if it means he’d divulge more information about the school.

‘seijoh’ was the name, right? you could probably search it up later. you pat your pockets for the outline of a cell phone, and then realize it might still be in your bag — 

fuck, you still haven’t responded. you need to get better with your reaction time.

“oh! that’s cool.” said in a way that does a decent enough job of feigning interest, because his lips quirk back up. “class ended, right? are you gonna go to practice right now?”

“well...” he pretends to ponder the question. “that’s the plan! we should get going, before iwa-chan gets mad at me.”

iwa-chan? 

we?

“i — i mean, i would, but i don’t wanna be a bother —” but he’s already taking your hand and pulling you down the hall and out a door, quickly explaining some things you see that catch your eye along the way. before you know it, he’s guiding you towards a different building entirely, where the entrance is crowded by … students? some boys, some girls, some not even wearing the school’s uniform.

and they’re definitely not in any volleyball uniforms, or in anything in relation to sports. so what could they possibly be here for?

a high pitched squeal very quickly answers your question.

“look! he’s here!” the gaggle of students nearly trample you with how fast they surround oikawa, too busy ogling the captain to pay you much mind. you would’ve gotten swept away in the commotion if not for oikawa’s tightened grip around your wrist.

he tries (and fails) to calm down the small crowd huddled around him, but it makes enough noise that it starts to attract the attention from the players inside the gym. some look jealous, unsurprised, and one, standing out amongst the rest. with his lips pulled back into a sneer, sweat dripping down the side of his face, and —

“SHITTYKAWA!” the noise outside quiets down to a few whispers and just as quickly the crowd came in, they clear out, as the nameless begins to approach.

he carries himself high and fast and even if he comes up to a little under oikawa height wise, whoever he is, he clearly has mr. volleyball captain at least bashful.

… didn’t he mention someone who’d get pissy if he was late to practice?

“is that —” 

“iwa-chaaaaaan!” oikawa waves his hands absently as a means to placate his friend's temper, and he lets go of you in the process, providing you an ample opportunity to slip back into school, but your feet feel stuck to the floor and you can’t bring yourself to look away from the scene unfolding. this iwa-chan talks to oikawa like he’s his mother. stern with sharp features and a look that could actually kill.

oikawa really fucked up, huh? well, he might’ve not even gotten told if you didn’t pop out of the damn closet though. but it’s too late to apologize, because oikawa’s pointing at you, says something about you being the reason he got held up, and iwa-chan is directing that hard stare at you.

you could melt. if oikawa was pretty, then iwa-chan was handsome. a new love interest perhaps? he seemed hot enough to be one. where oikawa’s smile felt accommodating, iwa-chan’s sneer morphing into an expression of indifference and then slight charm feels more real, and is, in turn, more endearing.

“and you’re the new student? you’re the reason why he’s late?” you nod sharply, and explain how you fell out of the closet… and how oikawa helped you up. he flicks oikawa’s forehead just then, and you laugh, worsened by the kicked puppy expression scribbled all over the captain’s face.

“you’re laughing at this? iwa-chan! cut it out — you’re already rubbing off on them!”

“trashykawa! what the hell were you trying to do with the transfer?” he tugs on his ear like a disappointed parent, but shoots you an apologetic smile.

“i’m sorry you had to deal with him.” oh, you beautiful human, you do not have to be sorry for anything — “i can take him from here — just tell me if this dumbass bothers you again.”

“i wasn’t bothering them i —” iwa-chan glares daggers into him and he concedes, letting himself get dragged into the gym building, his teammates laughing at him, and leaving you behind. they all trail inside before the gym doors close, and suddenly, this area feels pointless.

was this the end of the day? 

you go back into the school, backpack slung anxiously over your shoulder. how were you supposed to find the bedroom to save your game if you didn’t even know where your house was? did you miss a cutscene? did you do something wrong?

a distinct buzzing from your backpack halts your train of thought.

you dig through your pack to find your phone, a rectangular brick with a few stickers on it, opening to your fingerprint and showing you text message notifications from one ushiwaka-san.

the third named character you’ve met in a day. 

ushiwaka-san: have you reached home yet?

huh. is he your parent? guardian? you don’t know any kid who’d put their fathers name so informally.

you: uh, not quite, no 

you: how do i get back? i kind of like

you: forgot

you: my bad dad

ushiwaka-san is … typing !

ushiwaka-san: dad?

ushiwaka-san: what do you mean?

ushiwaka-san is … typing !

ushiwaka-san: whatever.

ushiwaka-san: give me a moment.

you cringe at how badly you misread that, but he eventually sends you the address and instructions on how to get to, where you hope is, home, and with a few pointers from some straggler students, you’re off.

the sun is kissing the hills by the time you’ve reached your destination. your legs are burning from the walk, and you feel like you could collapse on the doorstep if you didn’t know your bed was behind it, decidedly more comfortable than the concrete. 

you find some keys in the side pocket of your bag and unlock the door to the house. it looks pretty enough on the inside, but you’re too tired to appreciate the graphics. you just want to save the game and be done with this.

forty dollars for a walking simulator? no wonder your friend didn’t like it. you have to duck into a few rooms before one reminds you of the one they showed you when the game booted up originally. you flop on the bed before you get the sudden urge to look at your phone again.

a notes app has popped up.

you can write your discoveries after a scenario here. useful for remembering important things, like dates, likes and dislikes, etc.

you can access this when not in a scene, occasionally in-between or during class, or when you’re in your room for the night.

it feels like someones projecting their thoughts into your brain, and it kind of hurts, but you keep it in mind for the next time. you can’t even bother to get out of your uniform before it’s like your eyes are shutting themselves, no matter how much you try to force them back open.

the day is ending, and it’s time to save your progress.

you black out.

the void cradles you. a feeling akin to falling asleep yet wide awake, you settle here until the confirmation of a saved game rings vaguely through your head.

then, just as suddenly,

you’re up.

passing the baton to you kat! @letshaikyuu.

𝔱 𝔞 𝔤 𝔩 𝔦 𝔰 𝔱 ;  @kingkageyamathegreat, @sayakaaaaaa, @tobubekida-yo @chigigami, @sugacookiies, @macaronnv, @cadekagi

[stop-breaking-my-heart-telltale]

Finished s1 ep2 again.

Some random thoughts as the episode progressed:

Oh hai Mark

“-I’d probably be food by now.”

Mark be over here spoiling all the key points of the episode sheesh

I will never miss an opportunity to call Larry an old, racist asshole.

Lee’s outfit in this episode is my favorite. I kind of wish we could see him wear this for the rest of the game, but it makes sense why they wouldn’t do that since next episode they’re leaving the motor in and with what happens after that his jacket would’ve gotten in the way... but still. 

Oh hai Ben

Y’know what? For shits and giggles, I’m not gonna cut the dude free. I always chop his leg off- aaaaaand Travis is shot. 

By the way, it’s so fucked up to just leave the teacher there holy shit. It shows him getting eaten and you hear his last screams like... that’s so damn cruel. I just wanted to see what the alternative was because I’ve never watched it but now I just feel bad. 

Shut up Lilly.

“Come over here and see what I drew...” Clementine, you’re so damn sweet I can’t-

SHUT UP LARRY.

“Ration the food out to everyone. Good luck.”

Well, Lilly, I’d be thrilled to do so. Clem, Kenny, Duck, and Mark will be eating while you and your father starve.

“You look like crap, Lee.” Thanks, babe.

Also, that little bit of dialogue with Carley when Lee asks how she’s been sleeping is interesting. It implies that she has nightmares about what happened at the drugstore and to Doug. Interesting, indeed.

Also, Ben was in the school band. Huh. Wonder what he played.

“How’s it going, Lee? From up here, it looks like you’re playing favorites!”

And this surprises you??

SHUT. UP. LARRY.

Travis died and now Ben and his teenage mustache are sad.

Also having Travis die here in place of the teacher because Kenny still goes “You said he wasn’t bitten!” even though, no! Ben never said that about Travis because he was talking about the teacher, like Kenny, you literally saw what happened.  

Clearly, the game didn’t think anyone would leave the teacher like that so they didn’t bother changing the dialogue haha

Now the cannibals St. John’s are here. Hooray. 

I’m gonna fix the shit outta this swing!

God, I wish there was a way to run. It really makes me appreciate the controls and over-the-shoulder camera in s4. 

“Hmm. Pointy.” 😂😂😂😂

Lee pushing Clementine on the swing is such a short, sweet moment, especially when you share hope with her about the world going back to normal one day. And her telling Lee she wants him to stay lucky, too? Too damn cute for my salty heart. 

And y’know, talking to Lilly about why her dad’s such an asshole is supposed to make me go, “Oh, well, okay I guess that makes sense. I shouldn’t judge him.” but then all I can think about is Lilly turning out the way she does in ep4 and I get mad again. It’s sad though. I still think she’s an asshole but I also think she did have good in her until Larry died and I feel bad...

But then I get flashbacks to Lilly killing Mitch and kidnapping my children and stabbing James and I just...

I’m sorry. I hate her. I could try and play nice with her here but it won’t change anything. 

Ugh.

Danny, you super sketchy...

“Did you lick it?”

“...I don’t know.” 😂😂😂

Clementine said “shit” and now Katjaa and her accent think I’m a bad dad.

Playing s4 prior to this has me in collectible mode even though there are no collectibles in this game. I keep trying to find and pick stuff up 

Welp. That’s a murder room if I ever saw one.

Mark really got fucked over. The dude took an arrow to the shoulder, an injury that 100% could’ve been fixed without worry, and as a result, these disgusting fuckers just... cut off his legs and leave him behind a secret door while they COOK SAID LEGS TO FEED TO HIS FRIENDS.

BUT the big reveal of Mark and his “Don’t... eat... dinner....” still gives me chills every time I see it. And the tension as you hear him falling down the stairs and crawling towards you begging for help is just... awful? But wonderfully done? I feel like this episode is pretty slow until you hit this point where it really picks up and all hell breaks loose. 

I just helped Kenny crush Larry’s head in with a salt lick and now we’re best friends for life. In most of my previous playthroughs, I always helped Lilly instead, which causes Kenny to be all “You ain’t done shit for me or my family rawr rawr!” but the jarring difference when you help him finish off Larry is... interesting, to say the least, especially in future episodes. 

And leaving Clementine to take care of Lilly knowing that these two are going to have a face off in eight years [possibly resulting in Lilly’s death] is crazy.

Do you think Clementine ever has nightmares about what happened at the St. John’s? About the slaughter room and crawling through that vent? Shit. 

CARLEY ❤️❤️❤️ 

Yeah, I spared Andy’s life only to let the walkers get him... Course, who knows? Maybe the dude’s still out there, alive and insane, knawing on his mama and brother’s bones. I dunno. 

Now, I’ve said this before, but I wish Jolene hadn’t died this episode. I wish she had been the one to come back and kidnap Clementine in ep4-5. Wouldn’t that make more sense than some dude that isn’t even given a name? The Stranger...? Who comes after you no matter your choice to steal or not?? Like, Jolene wasn’t in her right mind and I could totally see her stalking and somehow following us to Savannah and tricking Clementine into going with her. It would’ve been a hell of a final battle with her, too. Don’t think she would’ve been as civil as the stranger. 

I will say, with the controls being what they are, this episode does drag a bit for me, but it’s all build up to the big reveal of Mark and I can forgive it for the slower moments.

And looking at my stats, 49% people helped kill Larry. Damn. 

And 51% of people stole the food. Interesting. 

Very interesting, indeed. 

[energonalucard]

A FEM Team of my Own Design (RED Edition)

Usually, I don't like doing this kinda stuff. One: I don't usually share my ideas and I am very nervous. Second: FEM characters are one thing, BUT A WHOLE (TWO) TEAM makes me sweat. The good sweat, but also a nervous sweat. Because I am now sharing a personal part of my brain and my love for woman. Beautiful. Lovely. Yes. 

@medics-secret-shipfic-folder, this is one half of those FEM's I talked about! 

Is this more OC team's then canon gender swap? Yeah, and that's because I don't think that's my endgame here, I didn't make these for a gender bend AU, I made them out of love and from a community of great idea makers. I'd rather make OC's then be another generic half-hearted bending AU maker. <3 <3

Also, this really is just a dumb fact thing as I don't want to give away plot stuff. Fun facts and getting to know them a bit. 

(Yes, I said PLOT) 

═══════❖══════════════❖═══════════

-- RED Team: 

𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘁: The default FEM Scout you see around. Pony-tail, blonde like normal Scout, Bostonian. Has a bit of dimples but I swear, she'll punch you if you call her cute. 

She/Her. Straight, but an Ally. Or so she says. Nobody believes her.

But something you won't know is how many sisters she has! The answer is four. Four sisters and a single dad back in Boston. While lower on the sibling count then most Scout's she is far more likely to NOT talk your ear off in a large group... but will corner you and chat you a blue streak if your like Sniper or Spy and seclude yourself. Since she has less family to push her to run, she's a slower Scout but she can run ALL day pal. Even Medic needs a break but she keeps going, going, going...

Will beat you with heels/pumps (Spy will have loaned them) if you even offer the idea of her wearing them. Sneakers, pal, are Gods gift to feet.

Right handed, and uses left only to throw a ball or clever. Only. ONLY. 

Once drank Mad Milk. No one saw them for three days. Medic had her strapped to a table. She apparently was found in town on a rooftop at 6 AM after vomiting loud enough for neighbors to notice. She got better, but has amnesia from the incident.

Favorite weapon of all time is the Holy Mackerel, because its freaking hilarious and Spy's are disgusted by it. Also reminds her of her dad only being able to cook fish and roast back home in Boston.

𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿: Looks like the canonical Soldier, but her hair is similar to the Battle Bob (https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Battle_Bob) but with no bangs and it barely peaking from her helmet. Blonde, American, and named John Doe respectively. 

She/Her. Bi(romantic/sexual). 

Has a thing for tank tops and will wear them around base when not on duty, because she's a very sweaty person and her clothes suffer (and who ever does laundry as well). This was a compromise. Trust the RED Team on that one (Medic approved).

Helmet 100% of the time though.

Bra comes off = be ready for a fight maggot.

Has more lower body strength, absolutely loves the Manntreads. But don't underestimate her running Original. See her on Battalion? She most likely has Rage ready when she pops out of nowhere.

Has no idea why people tell her walking around naked is weird/distracting/rude or whatnot. She's covered up! In jam (Pyro mourns their jam and preservatives cupboard)!

𝗣𝘆𝗿𝗼: Looks... exactly how a Pyro should. Like a balloon bodied Pyro. Yeah, nothing strange here other then their SASS. Dear heavens.

They/Them. Non-binary.

You've only seen these Pyro's around three or four bases in your entire LIFETIME. This walking bag of fire does not have time for ANY bullshit. Loves doing the windup middle finger when someone does something stupid/rude. Isn't really all that serious as they are made out to be but you get it.

Still loves Balloonicorn and cooking even though they act like any other merc. Has a tea set with crudely melted crayons on its outside.

Wanna get BACK here? BACK into THEIR base? Turn around and head BACK son. Backburner and Thruster Pack predator, all day unless the team suffers.

Covers up Soldier in a towel if she's naked. Sows up Demo's pants if she splits them. Engie loves them when they swing by with anything cinnamon realated. Second most likely to do everyone's laundry.

Arsonist Guardian of the Year Award. 

𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿: Just like Scout, the typical Femgineer model but this time, she's more chubby then her skinny model on Gamebanana. Her overalls like default Engineer helps her self esteem though. Brunette, Texan, and still a shortie. 

She/Her. Bi(romantic/sexual), but leans more towards men.

Ever seen a small volcano of 5'4'' and puffy red cheecks? You've met it, you've angered it. But you ain't staying conscious for long. Not with her weilding a Southern Hospitality just for this occasion.

Has made many comments about making traps and watching unfortunate folk "disappear" from her daddy's old farm. Nobody questions why the cameras in the building have tiny barrels attached to them and a laser sight. 

Has mentioned a husband or at least a male partner once to Sniper. Never elaborated. Never showed a ring or even a smile when talking about him.

Cinnamon and jam enthusiast along with Pyro, and the most flustered when Soldier is covered in it. 

Hair bun is a must unless she ties it flat with pins. Short hair because she don't wanna catch fire. Smells like burnt metal and a dulled oil smell nobody can rinse out of her clothes. Her hardhat is permanently on her head, googles are a go too. Welding smock and overalls in and out of battle.

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆: Like before, like Gamebanana FEM Heavy. Brunette (like two of her sisters), Russian, and actually has scars all across her chest if you can see her shirt peak off-hours.

She/Her. Lesbian (romantically involved with RED Medic). 

You probably think Medic is the one most likely to do laundry since I said Pyro was second right? (I'm not that predictable ;>) Nope, its Heavy. Heavy doesn't like machine washers unless she has to deal with jeans or other thicker fabrics she knows won't dry in under 12 hours correctly (because they fight EVERY day). She washed unmentionables too, and does not make it weird. Until Sniper literally has to answer about why all her underwear is stained yellow, Sniper she just wants you to have nice clean clothes--

You ask Pyro for dinner if you miss a meal or have a diet going on. If Heavy catches anyone not eating, they eat double. Diets? Heavy always grew up with the mentality you ate what you could get, but Heavy is not heartless. Since food types are abundant, she is careful about diets. But she'll still make you eat it double. 

Her girlfriend doesn't eat pork products, so she understands. (Slightly)

Natasha may be her right hand gun but her doctor will always have her heart and soul. Still bought a better bed for Natasha though, but don't tell doctor. 

Once beat a male Scout cause he called her ally Engineer a fatty. Has had to fend off two Scout's from her team's Spy ("Heavy, they had information I needed." / "Intelligence? Bah."). Actually stepped on a drunk Demo's crotch on accident, but did apologise. 

Loves her girlfriends muscles way more then her curves, she has no idea why. But she can appreciation a nice bottom when she sees it. 

Two little sisters, an older brother who's tettering around step-brother, and a mother who's nearly paralyzed from the waist down. But that woman was her light, she did things not many woman do anymore and for that wisdom and learning, Heavy is grateful. Mother also instilled a fear of swatters with a shoe tied to it. Creative, but scary.

𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻: Actually looks like The Demowoman made based on Drew Wolf's own design, but I think a bit more fuller in the cheeks and chin (more square). Scottish, eyes sharp as a sass lass, and a thick as hell skull.

She/Her. Pan(romantic/sexual).

Once cried in a pile of bras while drunk. Not her own. That's how everyone learned about Spy being... more on that later.

Has a father and mother, but both are leaning so far towards insanity she gave up listening a long time ago. Still doesn't back talk them though, she just pacifies them by dividing her money and saying she has many jobs.

Gains weight like crazy, and its not all the alcohols fault. Food is just very heavy in America and since the team is 1/3 American she feels enlarged everytime a meal based around or for the Americans is brought out. And dear god Heavy, bear goes straight to her muffin top. Spy notices her uncomfortable nature when eating and generally tries to swap out their plates (Spy fussing at the chief before dinner saying she needs X on her plate and not Y, just so Demo can keep her ideal self). (Don't tell Demo, she's too drunk to notice it)

Actually will hug Soldier when naked and be like, "Nothing weird about it". Has actually kissed Spy's hand like you'd do royalty as a joke. Has actually spun Medic around in a circle in a bear hug before. 

She's all for makeup, but really, all she can manage normally and steadily is lipstick. At least she can wipe it away if she wants (can't wipe away the pain of stabbing your only good eye with a mascara brush). 

Nobody touches her hair, never. But she likes doing other's hair. She isn't all that good with cutting or styling or maintaining hair, but playing with hair or just running her hands through it is amazing. The body hair on her legs is shaven and so are her underarms, but her arms and "moustache" that Scout notices are well grown out.

Quickiebomb Launcher Quickiebomb Launcher Quickiebomb Launcher Quickiebomb Launcher Quickiebomb Laun--

Hair always under a beany, nobody sees her hair until much later. She had it all in one wide french braid. Wait, doesn't she normally fail at braids? How did she get that? 

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰: (Okay, this is where similarities in the FEM models stops. To me, I don't really like the FEM Medic model as much as I should for OC's so I'll explain Medic as best I can.) Just like any male Medic counterpart and she has a square-ish chin, with curves almost as boxy as some of her cosmetics. But its a good boxy, she's wide with muscle and shoulders to carry injured teammates. Black hair, German, and the creepiest white teeth you've ever seen.

She/Her. Lesbian (romantically involve with the Heavy). Gay Energy™.

Thicc thighs saves lives. Like, no joke. She is mostly muscles in her legs and torso so everyone assumed she was good at running. Even Scout. Once lifted Demo with ease in her arms and gave Pyro a piggyback ride all at once. It did strain her back and she was slower, but she was fine after dropping Demo in a safer spot to sleep.

Her posture is shit, but she does form corrections regularly, and uses a pillow to cheat the system if she's grumpy enough.

Her teeth. God, her teeth anywhere in blue lighting make weaker mercs a bit dizzy. You've never seen teeth have a blue-green tint like hers, it feels like watching a horror movie permanently set in a blue shaded tint.

Does not eat pork products, and won't elaborate. Will eat beef, but not pork. Maybe she just hates it? Maybe. A diet? Even Heavy shrugs it off now when it happens.

Medic gives the thumbs up for Soldier walking around in tanktops. Naked Soldier is also a thumbs up. All those bras Demo collected once had Medic sorting through them happily. Actually figured out Spy's real cup size. 

Medic has banned Sniper's ace bandage bras. Not in this house, not under her roof. She fits Sniper for personally made bras, Spy bought and tailored. 

Loyal girlfriend. But gayer. Heavy is fine with it, and actually partakes in showing everyone love sometimes too. Since Demo is also affectionate, it can't be too bad.

Push-up queen, but will drop in the dirt in exhaustion afterwards. She only beats Soldier by a few points and mostly runs on spite. 

Has actually stollen all her team's uterus'. What?! She gave them all back later! Just... someone else needed them first. And in a Female vs Female war zone her teammates weren't planning on using them. But they are back now! Well... not all.

Has actually tried to make a Spyper out of an old male Spy and Sniper she used to fight. Both just despawned and targeted her the next day. Sadly. 

BLU Demo's line about shagging Medic's husband always makes her go into a laughing fit. 

Has a ring ready for Heavy, because Heavy is best wife material and loves her dearly.

𝗦𝗻𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗿: (Changed a bit too.) Taller then her Gamebanana model, and god is her face longer and more like regular Sniper. You've heard of laugh lines but the Sniper has frown lines, and the dip in her cheeks has wrinkles from the sun. She has a unibrow growing almost as fast as you can wax it, she leaves it be. So much arm hair. Brunette, Australian (New Zealand), and her hands are big for her size.

She/Her. Bi(romantic), Asexual. 

Never shaves. Never.

She has a mom, a dad, and a big brother. Her brother snipe's as well for RED Team and they have secret mail chains going between them (not so secret, Administrator knows). Her parents don't know she's Bi and after what they said to her brother about him being Trans, she never wanted to figure out. 

Her brother is actually fully transitioned with the help of a Medic who seemed pro-Trans. Of course the doctor waved that off but he had been careful about the procedure enough that they could tell he was a good doctor about all this.

Her brother is the reason she wears ace bandages for bras. So he wouldn't feel bad. She just never STOPPED wearing them after that, and she always reasoned it was because of her broken family and wanting to hold on a little longer. A "little longer" was nearly nineteen years of wearing it to help her brother mentally. Until Medic banned it. Then, she had tailored bras that were strapless but wouldn't fall down. Sometimes goes without the bra onto the battlefield and will tie her shirt off as a makeshift support. She doesn't feel she betrayed him, just... cloth is real itchy sometimes.

Jarate. Isn't... entirely enthusiastic about hygiene outside of basic shower stuff, brushing her teeth, and trimming her nails. Her underwear is clean but since jarate is... yeah, it stains her clothes. Jarate is a lot harder for females to make with how pants work.

Yes, has mooned the enemy Spy before. Not on purpose. Many times. Yes, her pride is shattered every time it happens.

Had long hair upon arrival to this war. She refused to cut it even as her team warned her about what long hair can cause. She changed her mind after the male enemy Spy yanked her around by it and smashed her head in a windowsill. She had her ally Spy cut it after she could stomach letting it be tugged, even for a cut. Spy was gentle, and asked her questions on what she prefers: suits or dresses. 

Suits mate.

(And that BLU Spy was never seen again on the battlefield after a week.)

𝗦𝗽𝘆: (Different from the model ENTIRELY, I really do not like the Spy FEM model at all. But I have grown more warm towards it lately, probably from my BLU team ideas *wink* *wink*) Wears a suit like all other Spy's, and a balaclava as well. Her shoes are as Italian as they come and could take out a man's eye they are so sharp. Blue eyes, sharp chin and nose, and she is NOT a mother.

She/Her. Pan(romantic/sexual)/Polygamous.

Is not the mother to any children at all. She does not need nor want any. Still gets all the men thought. And ladies. 

She actually does not have a uterus at all, she caught wind the doctor had taken something out of her (what Medic doesn't) and didn't want it back. Turns out, she really does not care for the missing body part. Oh well, a Spy's lose is a Medic's fortune.

Has her breasts restricted a bit by a special SpyTech bra that distributes muscle instead of pressing it all against her lungs. She looks like a D cup for her bust size. Is a E cup naturally. Medic drools when she sees the tag on the bra for the first time. Sometimes wears buisness casual around base, without her SpyTech bra and using a normal one for comfort. Attracts Demo and Soldier like flies when she does. 

Cuts and manages everyone's hair. Sniper was her first job, and that was easy. Next was Medic coming in it get a half fade. Next was Soldier to keep her hair barely peaking from the helmet. Demoman was the hardest to convince and she can only touch her hair if she "uses those leather fancy gloves" she always wears at all times while braiding Demo's hair.

That BLU Spy from before? Gutted multiple times over the course of games throughout a week. His score suffered and he was moved to a team of lesser skill. A temporary "fix" to the problem. She still wants to gut him but can't do it outside of work hours as he's employeed to BLU (costing her a contract). But did find him in a seedy city with the mother of his child, and casually reminded him of his deeds out of spite while in disguise. He apologized, but she refused to take it. She wasn't the victim. They parted ways after that and promised to never see each other again. 

Will actually hit Scout on the head. Hand open, palm ready. Right in the back of her head. Stupid American loudmouth...

Likes the Dead Ringer with the stock revolver a lot, and likes being active. Really good at acting like Pyro, its kinda scary. It's probably the sassy movements they mastered.

Third least shameful having no top on. Proven.

Has secret meetings with BLU Spy outside both base ranges. For some reason, even though the ritual of enemy teams Spy's meeting and exchanging whatever they have for whatever they need is long over they both still come out here. Probably to get away from the base and at least smoke in peace, or at least she hopes so.

-- BLU Team... (soon)

[winchestersandsuperheroes]

Just My Luck (Leonard Snart x Reader): Chapter Two

Pairing: (Eventual) Leonard Snart x Reader

Words: 2254

Summary: Chapter two of Just My Luck. Chapter One left off with the reader trying to call Joe, only to be followed. This picks up there.

A/N: I do not own the gif. I found it on google, so credit to whomever made it. Thanks for reading!

“Well this isn’t the gift shop,” I heard a voice behind me. I froze, stuffing my phone in my pocket before turning to see who was behind me. I really shouldn’t have been surprised; this was just how my luck worked.

I turned to meet a pair piercing blue eyes. Snart. I tried not to look phased; I could tell he was the kind of person that was constantly calculating everything around him. I would not let him see me startled.

“Can I help you?” I said in a sweet voice, playing the innocent thing up. “Well that depends,” He drawled. “Excuse me?” I was legitimately confused. “You’re good, I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t been paying close enough attention to you,” he somewhat explained.

“I’m sorry? I’m not sure what you’re implying.” I was using what I referred to as my retail voice, you know the one; the one retail employees use with their customers to sound nicer than they actually are. “You’re a cop,” He said outright.

“I am not a cop,” I assured him, dropping the retail voice. “What are you then, reporter? Private investigator?” I thought I was concealing my facial impressions well, but he must’ve seen something. “Private investigator, yep. That must work well for you. No one suspects the pretty young thing at the end of the bar of being the one his wife hired to take dirty pictures of him and his mistress,” he sneered. This is the point in which I should have continued to deny being a PI, but I have a little bit of a temper, and he was kind of insulting my line of work.

So instead of denying it further I said, “I don’t just take dirty pictures.” I must have looked like a deer in the headlights. I should have kept my mouth shut, I knew it, he knew it. “So why is a little PI like yourself tailing a hardened criminal like myself?” he asked getting closer than I was comfortable with.

“I have no idea who you are. Yes I am a PI, but I was just enjoying the new museum exhibit like everyone else. Everyone has their hobbies right?” I smiled, trying to find my escape route. I looked around. Then I looked up and saw the museum guy talking to Joe on the second floor, thank god. “You’re a pretty good liar, I’ll give you that,” he said and then he looked up. Shit. He saw Joe. I tried to dart away from him, but he grabbed my wrist. “Son of a bitch,” I mumbled under my breathe.

  Joe

“Hey, isn’t that the nice private eye you sent?” The museum curator told Joe. Joe looked down to spot Y/N, talking to Snart. How did she always seem to find herself in these situations? Joe didn’t have too long to think about it though, because Snart spotted him and grabbed Y/N before pulling out a strange looking gun and smiling.

  Back to Y/N

 “Sorry Sweetheart can’t let you go. I need some bait, and you’ll do just fine.” He dragged me out of the museum and down the street. A cop car started toward us. Snart shot at it with is weird looking gun. A layer of ice appeared on the road as the car slid over it and crashed. My eyes were wide. Barry better show up soon.

Snart dragged me into a theater. And that’s when Barry decided to show up. Snart shot Barry and he fell. I took this as my chance to get out. I used some of the self-defense moves Oliver taught me to break free from Snart and land a punch on his jaw. He looked taken aback and then smirked. “Kitty’s got claws,” he said. I looked over to Barry who was still on the ground. I couldn’t really call out to him to make sure he was okay, considering the whole secret identity thing.

“Y/N!” Barry shouted, warning me of the blow to face I was about to receive if I didn’t duck. I ducked, landing a blow to the blue eyed man’s stomach in the process. “Y/N, cute name,” he smirked. Damn you Barry, I mean I was thankful for the warning, but I did not need Snart knowing my name. “Let’s skip the chit chat,” I spoke while trying to figure a way out, Snart had me cornered, and some back help would have been very much appreciated. Barry was recovering from getting hit by Snart’s gun, so I guess I was on my own at this point. “Straight to the point, I like it,” Snart winked at me. I rolled my eyes going for another punch. He caught my wrist before I could, twisting it around so my back was to him. He leaned in and whispered in my ear, “I don’t want to hurt you, sweetheart.”

He pushed me away from him and Barry grabbed me and took me to where he had moved Joe behind one of the large pillars. “How’s it going, Detective?” I smiled. “What happened to ‘no dangerous situations’?” Joe quoted me. “You know me, I just can’t seem to stay out of trouble,” I said catching my breath.  

  Star Labs

“It’s still numb,” Barry said looking at the large black spot on his abdomen. “It’s presenting itself like third degree frost bite,” Caitlyn explained. “I thought he had hyper-healing?” Felicity questioned. “It’s been slowed. If your cells weren’t regenerating at the rate they are your blood vessels would have frozen solid and the nerve damage would have been permanent. You’re lucky to be alive.” Caitlyn finished. I was torn between shocked and relieved, I mean that gun that Snart had could do some serious damage to Barry. This was not good, but at least Barry was okay.

“Snart wasn’t another meta-human. He had some kind of gun, it froze things” Barry explained. “Yeah I saw him freeze the street to stop a cop car,” I added. Felicity gave a worried look in my direction, clearly still worried about my getting myself taken hostage, even though I had assured her that I was fine over the phone the whole way back to Star Labs. “It slowed me down,” Barry continued, “Enough that I wasn’t in time to save someone.”

“According to his records, Snart didn’t even bother to finish high school, so how did he build a handheld high tech snow machine?” Felicity asked the group. “Star Labs built the cold gun,” Dr. Wells spoke up. “Dr. Wells and Caitlyn had nothing to do with this,” Cisco paused. “I built the cold gun,” I stood there in shock. How could Cisco have made something that caused so much destruction? “You did? Why?” Barry asks. “Because speed and cold are opposites. Temperature is measured by how quickly the atoms of something are oscillating, the faster they are the hotter it is. And when things are cold, they are slower on the atomic level. When there’s no movement at all it’s called-” Barry cut him off “Absolute zero.”

“Yeah. I designed a compact crio-engine to achieve absolute zero. I built it to stop you. I-I-I didn’t know who you were then, Barry, I mean what if you turned out to be some psycho? Like Martin or Nymbus?” “But, I didn’t, did I?!” Barry was clearly angry. My heart broke for both Cisco and Barry. “We built the entire structure you’re standing in to do good, and it blew up. In the wake of that, you can understand why Cisco would want to be prepared for the worst,” Caitlyn stepped in.

“I can understand that, but what I can’t understand is why you didn’t tell me what you did. I mean, after all we’ve been through, I thought you trusted me. I thought we were friends,” Barry looked betrayed. “We are Barry,” Cisco stepped towards him. “I mean if you had just told me, I could’ve been prepared,” Barry backed up further “But instead someone died tonight.”

“And I have to live with that,” Cisco said. “Cisco,” I said in a sad voice. “No, Cisco, we all do,” Barry said before walking away. I walked towards Cisco, not entirely certain of what I was going to say, but he was my friend and I wanted to comfort him.

  The Apartment

With the whole fiasco of a day I had, it was late by the time I made it home. Claire was already settled in. She was sitting in the kitchen with a bottle of wine. “So how did your day go?” she asked me. I looked at her with suspicion. “Pretty boring, you know, the usual surveillance stuff. Did you get settled in okay?” I ask trying to steer the conversation away from my day.

“Hmm… the usual surveillance stuff, huh? Nothing interesting happened?” She was using what I refer to as her mom voice, uh oh, I was in trouble. “Nope, super boring,” I said going for the bottle of moscato sitting next to her. She snatched it before I could get it.

I eyed her. “So I turned on the TV earlier and the news was on,” she paused, I was pretty sure I knew where this was going. “They played a very interesting video clip,” she continued. “Well it is Central City, it’s a very interesting place,” I still wasn’t letting up.

 “Well it was certainly interesting, because I could swear I watched a video of my best friend being pulled through the street by a psychopath,” I had definitely been caught. “Ah, that video clip,” I tried to act casual; there was no use in denying it further.

“Yeah, that- Why are you acting so casual? Are you in shock?” She had concern written on her face. “No, it’s just that it’s kind of a normal day at the office for me,” I replied. “Being taken hostage by a mad man with some sort of freeze ray gun is a normal day at the office for you?” She looked at me like I was insane.

“Like I said, Central City is a very interesting place,” I repeated.

“That’s a bit of an understatement,”

“I may have left some stuff out when telling you about my time here,” I admitted.

“You don’t say? How about we start with this apartment. How do you afford this place?” She questioned looking around. It was a fair question, these were definitely nicer digs than a normal PI could afford. “I have a rich client that foots the bill,” I answered. I mean it wasn’t a complete lie. I was technically working for Oliver, by helping Barry.  

 Before she had time to say anything in response my phone started to ring. I looked at it, it was Cisco. “What’s up?” I answered it. “We found a way to track Captain Cold,” Cisco said before I’d even finished my greeting. “Captain Cold? You mean Snart. Dude you need to cool it with the nicknames. Haha, cool it, you get it? Sorry, continue.”

“We found a way to track him, and Barry went after him alone and turned his comms off,” Cisco continued. “He did what now?!” How could Barry be so reckless? “We are going after him, we’re gonna swing by your place on the way, so be ready. We’re only a couple minutes out.” He explained. “I’ll be right down,” I said in return hanging up the phone.

��Duty calls,” I told Claire. She shook her head, “Try to stay out of any hostage situations this time will ya,” she joked. “I make no promises,” I retorted with a laugh before running out the door. I knew I’d eventually have to tell her the reason I got into all these dangerous situations, but I was glad that I didn’t have to worry about it at the moment. Besides, I had bigger fish to fry at the moment.

  I walked up to the train crash with Cisco, Caitlyn and Felicity. “Thank you,” I heard Snart’s voice. “For what?” I heard Barry ask. “You forced me to up my game, not only with this gun, but with how I think about the job. It’s been educational,” now we could see them. Barry was on the ground, and Snart had his gun pointed at him.

“Drop it,” Cisco commanded him, while starting up his fake cold gun. Snart turned his head to look. “This is a prototype cold gun, four times the size, four times the power,” Cisco bluffed. “I was wondering who you were talking to,” Snart said to Barry. He then noticed me there. “Y/N, how lovely to see you again.” He winked. “Hey. Unless you want a taste of your own medicine I’d back the hell up,” Cisco warned.

“Your hands are shaking, you’ve never killed anyone,” Snart said gun still pointed at Barry. “There’s a first time for everything, Captain Cold,” Snart smirk at the nickname. “I will shoot you,” Cisco repeated.

“You win kid. I’ll see you around,” Snart started to back away. “Hey, leave the diamond,” Cisco spoke up. “Don’t push your luck,” Snart continued to walk away. Once he was far enough away, Cisco turned off his ‘cold gun’.

“Couldn’t shoot him if I wanted to, this is actually the Star Labs vacuum cleaner,” he laughed before adding, “With a lot of LEDs,” I smiled and shook my head.

The team headed back to Star Labs, but I had them drop me back at my apartment. I was completely exhausted.

[skrskrskr]

2015 Third Quarter Results

School's begun and summer is over, so it's time to take a look back at the best albums from July, August, and September. I felt that just after our second quarter wrapped up, there was huge outburst of great albums. It was, however, nothing compared to the stuffed September that just ended. Even in just the last week it was hard to keep up with all the absolutely fantastic music released. As always the summer months were dominated with light, airy anthems, and salt covered ballads. With most albums from expert veterans in the field, it's obvious why it was such a strong 3 months. In no particular order, here are my favorite albums from the third quarter of 2015:

Chvrches - Every Open Eye

Artists with such established direction on their debut often find themselves under a lot of pressure on their second album. But Chvrches feed off that fame and steer right towards it, delivering a spectacular synth-pop album. It's easy to see the steps the band took from Bones, but sometimes it's bit too nostalgic. Every Open Eye isn't as bouncy or sporadic and definitely leaves a some personality at the door. The video for Leave A Trace shows it off well: where's the rest of the band? Still, I've never complained about pop before, and the tracks here are delicious anthems of empowerment. I'll definitely be blasting this in the same situations I blasted their last.

Favorite Songs: Leave a Trace, Clearest Blue, High Enough To Carry You Over, Bury It

Empress Of - Me

The songs on Me are, as you'd might imagine, quite intimate to singer-songwriter Lorely Rodriguez. Each touches a personal story or hardship and, to the privileged white male listen I am, it's all often in a way that's quite startling. She matches it musically too, freely shifting pitches and tempos. I have to say most of the album isn't filled only with oddities though, often it is an album filled with a danceable EDM with catchy riffs and vocal melodies. It feels somewhat immaturely pasted together, like Twenty One Pilots, but that gives the disorientation and personal stories a credibility, which is what makes this album not just great, but important. As much as Lorely Rodriguez's stories are horrifying, they are true and as much as listeners like me may not experience them, they are quite common.

Favorite Tracks: Standard, Kitty Kat, Make Up, Threat

Youth Lagoon - Savage Hills Ballroom

Trevor Powers, the brainchild of Youth Lagoon, disappointed me on his sophomore release after I fell completely in love with his debut. Wonderous Bughouse just didn't give off the same tone that his mesmerizing debut did and his sense of melody seemed gone. But Savage Hills Ballroom is, for the most part, follow-up to Year of Hibernation that I feel it deserves. Many of his old elements are here, like the slow-builds that explode at their apex, the odd instrumentation production that always feels more natural than I'd expect, and the mystical lyrics that seem to know exactly what I'm thinking. Still, for as many great songs like Highway Patrol Stun Gun and Kerry, there are a few that never deliver. Powers, doesn't have the musicality to enthrall during the instrumentals between those absolutely magnificent moments. Still, the songs that hit do the same thing that Youth Lagoon's debut did. They says so much in some of the most simple and relatable ways.

Favorite Songs: Highway Patrol Stun Gun, No One Can Tell, Kerry

The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness

I've known The Weeknd since he showed off his Thursday mixtape years ago. His newest effort is a bit different than the dark, drugged out RnB he set out with on those three mixtapes, but I still remain a fan and can certainly appreciate the more pop approach has blown him up to levels I've always thought he deserved. Because of that though I see a lot of people accusing Abel Tesfaye of softening his act. I think they're way exaggerating it though. The first half of the album obviously pulls influence from his the nocturnal RnB and then even in the faster, Michael-Jackson-esque songs later in the album, the Weeknd still uses similar tricks as his old days (the bass line lament on Can't Feel My Face harks back to Wicked Games). Though I'm not a fan of some of the collaborations, Beauty Behind the Madness is a fantastic, pop rendition of The Weeknd's established self, and that includes as always his eye-opening imagery, great musicality, and knack for fire melodies.

Favorite Songs: Real Life, The Hills, Tell Your Friends, In the Night

Julia Holter - Have You In My Wilderness

Julia Holter's new album puts a lot of emphasis on her voice, but it's less about her singing than it is her storytelling. Lavished by airy instrumentals, Holter sometimes simply speaks her stories about little moments in life. These aren't insignificant events, but events that we don't typically talk about. Take How Long, which worries over asking someone to spend the cold winters with them, or Night Song's which focuses on the speeds which time passes during a relationship. A lot of Have You In My Wilderness's enjoyment comes from deciphering these ambiguous meanings while the vibrating strings and the swelling ambiances slowly embrace you. That pairing, between Julia's introspective stories and instrumentals that evoke beach imagery, makes for an album that feels so natural and personal that you can't help but empathize.

Favorite Songs: Feel You, Sihouette, Betsy On The Roof

Shy Kids - Lofty!

Mix together Animal Collective, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and maybe a little Local Natives and you'll end up with Shy Kids. Obviously, since I'm comparing them to a few other bands, Shy Kids are very small. Regardless that they have less than 2000 monthly listeners on Spotify, I'd easily consider them my favorite Bandcamp discovery since Snowmine. Like those bands I mentioned before though, you'll find a lot of almost everything here on Lofty! Faster songs feel a strong influence from afro-pop, with echoing drums and chanted vocals, while slower songs feel an authenticity that comes with an honest voice. Meanwhile bells ring, synths boom and sparkle, acoustic guitars strum, and gentle pianos sing. The myriad of sounds even brings a song filled with iPhone samples. They've completely committed to the throw-everything-at-the-wall strategy that Alt-J had with their debut and succeeded in the same way. Lofty! feels like what everyone dreams of when they start a band in a empty high school summer.

Favorite Songs: Baldwin, Forest Fires, Rockets

Beach House - Depression Cherry

Oddly enough one of the heavier albums on this list comes from the band you'd most expect to match the light summery mood. That was, honestly, one of the reason's I first found it hard to dive into Beach House's fifth album. Despite the usual glistening guitars and arpeggiated pianos, Depression Cherry obeys its name and shows the duo Alex Scally and Victoria Legrande crossing the line between melancholy and gloom they usual tread so lightly. I can't say this is their best simply because it is so depressing, but I have to commend the great imagery here. I can only imagine trying to mend a hardship by going to my favorite spot on the beach. Once upon a time I sat there completely content, but now though it doesn't help at all. Why should it help? The tide comes in, and I know I should move, but I don't and it swallows me whole.

Favorite Songs: Levitation, Beyond Love, Wildflower

Helios - Yume

It's been a long time since I've been as mesmerized with something from Helios as I am with his newest release. Here, Keith Kenniff, the mastermind of so many great projects, has crafted an electronic ambient album that could perfectly soundtrack a day of sitting out in the sun and marveling at the surrounding scenery. Throughout Yume, soft synths and lightly plucked guitars are enveloped by a warming static, a crackle that makes even what could be a sterile electronic album feel natural. As lackadaisical as that may sound, there's a movement to the music. Like Youth Lagoon's work, the seemingly obvious sense of construction instills an ability to accomplish. Yume could accompany both a day of rest, or a day of work.

Favorite Tracks: It Was Warmer Then, Pearls, Skies Minus

Tame Impala - Currents

Because Tame Impala's last two albums were weighed down by a lack of any strong melody and horrendous production, I didn't think I'd enjoy this new one. Somehow though I found myself not just listening to it, but entertained by it. And I say entertained because I enjoy Current's music and lyrics in the same vein that I enjoy vaporwave. Edited nostalgia is great, and I love it's heavy compression and familiar pop melodies, but there's a trepidation whether to call that ironic or sincere. Is it particularly skillful to make an album that simply associates with the listener's cherished memories? Should the amount of skill crafting something affect how much we like it? Either way, I can see why some take Currents at it's face value and label it immature, but I can also see the album accepted as a deeper meta commentary on, well, meta commentary. As you dig into the great pop here, Currents reveals a commentary on the how society is beginning to accept pop and see the depth in what many consider shallow.

Favorite Tracks: Let It Happen, Eventually, The Less I Know The Better, Disciplines