#and said id try to go get it later but then not even five minutes after that i passed out for almost 2 hours

[sinkdestroyer3000]

Your car broke down in a long stretch of woods while you and your friends, were on a road trip. As everyone was busy freaking out not knowing what to do. You saw a dirt trail. You pointed it out, everyone in the end decided it would be the safest bet. Since you could find a ranger station or maybe a camp site that would be near civilization.

A not so long trek later, and you all find a cabin in the woods you taking the lead, you knock and someone opens the door. They looked as if they had lived in the woods for some time. not bad, just scruffier than normal city folk.

They invite you all in for dinner with a promise of food and directions to a ranger station

Thanking the kind stranger, you all come in being led to the dinner table and being served meat and an assortment of vegetables that looked home-grown the

stranger only put meat on their plate, which was odd but nothing to think too hard about

As you all talked to the stranger, you realized there were many things off about them. their eyes being slightly too big, their teeth more pointy than normal teeth and the oddest thing being how they spoke not the mannerisms though odd could be brushed off as not speaking to many people being in the middle of the woods and all but their voice had an almost painful tone almost like it was unnatural for them to speak that way

As you glance around the house, you to fail to realize how the stranger has been staring at specifically you

You realize how shady this person is the photos on the walls have no photos of them and the photos there are look like driver's licenses and IDs

And the shoe rack near the door is filled with many shoes sizes and styles non seem to match to the person in front of you feeling a bubbling anxiety that felt like it would spill out if you ignored it, you ask you use the restroom

They happily lead you there, pausing you before you go in to ask if you feel alright. You nod, saying you're just anxious from the car braking down. They nod and tell you that they'll see what they could do before you head in

You put your headphones on and put a five-minute timer on so you can calm down, trying to shake the anxious feelings. As the five minutes come to an end, you walk out

You're friends greet you before thanking the stranger again for how kind they were for giving them a hot meal and directions even you already at the front door don't fail to notice how silent the stranger has been until they lash out ripping one of you're friends to shreds as the rest of you scramble out terrified screams coming from different directions you hear it chasing another friend who was close by on all four sounding unnatural when you get a glance its limbs are twisted in ways you've never seen before as you climb a tree to avoid being spotted you notice as you see the last slivers of light dip into the mountains away you see a watch tower in the exact direction the thing said a ranger station would be dread fills you realizing it knew you'd all run. It sent you in the wrong direction for that exact reason

The night was cold. You could hear the thing crunch on your friends and cry out in their voices, but you knew it wasn't them and by some miracle you survived. While in the tree you could vaguely see a trail to a camp so that's where you went when the sun was well and up little did you know you had something following close behind

You got to the station and tried to tell the rangers about what happened, but they said there's someone who owns the land, but they were polite. They said they would ask them questions, but that's all they could do without evidence

They help you get your car fixed, and you drive home, a new feeling of paranoia and grief for your friends and a hatred for the thing that made such both a terrible yet amazing trip so terrible.

Little did you know that you had a new admirer

Something about you felt nice the thing they were eager to know more . It was curiosity at first, but as they continued to watch you they became more enamored with you mannerisms that most would find weird the things that made you happy the things that annoyed you

You were perfect, and they wanted to know more. They wanted you to tell them secrets only they would get to know. They would learn to love like a person if it made you love them back

They took the identity of a new neighbor you never met before introducing themselves and finding opportunities to bump into you. After a year and a half, you finally were able to call them a friend. They were content with whatever you wanted them to be as long as you would stay and keep talking to them with that angelic voice of yours.

As long as you stayed.

#yandere #yandere monster #yandere monster x reader #monster x reader #could be seen as platonic or romantic #my first time writing hope it's alright #gn reader

[theorphicangel]

𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬. | 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐨’𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

Tags: enemies to lovers, college au, smut, 18+, slow burn,

synopsis: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single, brooding man in possession of a good future in genetics, must be in want of a girlfriend.

Or at least a fake one to get his family off his back.

(college au & fake dating trope ft my favourite grumpy man who doesn't fall first but ends up falling harder. ouch.)

taglist: @oharasfilipinawife @palesatan @yougavemeyourheartyouknow @amelialysm @crimin4llyins4ne @strawberryjuice9 @beezusvreeland @faretheeoscar @lunablackcosplay @t4naiis @peachey-pie @mcmiracles @hardlystrictlystarwars @migueloharastruelove @fruityfucker @kingtwhiddleston

series

previous chapter | next chapter

Chapter 5: Crime and Punishment

Miguel would be lying if he said that he’s been able to sleep well lately.

He’s been lucky to get any sleep at all.

He’s managed to fit into the college lifestyle pretty decently. He’s set up a routine that he follows religiously: Wake up, work out, coffee, read up on pre-lecture notes, lectures, eat, work shift, lab work, eat, study, read up on his post-lecture notes, sleep and repeat.

That's all he can do here. Ever since he’s arrived onto campus he’s been successful in maintaining a bubble away from…all of that shit going on at home. It’s been a pretty useful distraction.

But…something that he can’t consciously admit to himself, is that being in a bubble means leaving everything that’s going on at home on a backburner.

Miguel stares up at his ceiling from his bed, his hands behind his head, resting on his pillow. If he stares for long enough then he can just about match up patterns from the wall paint and if he stares for even longer than that, then they start to slowly move. He’s been awake for a few hours now, only managing to make it to around 3am before waking up or rather jolting awake. But he’s used to early mornings. Always was.

Unexpectedly, his phone begins to vibrate on his bedside table. He frowns, his alarm isn’t due to go off for five more minutes. Leaning onto his side, he peers over at whomever is calling him at this hour. His screen brightens up with the caller ID.

‘Gabriel is calling….’

Miguel stares at the phone for what seems like forever until it stops ringing.

A minute later, just when he thought he was in the clear, text messages began to come through. One right after the other.

Gabriel: (sent 6:56am)

- I know you’re awake mig’

- Look, if you’re not going to answer, fair enough, but you’re going have to face it and communicate with us one day.

(sent 6:57am)

- Just talk to mamá por favor. If not now then it’ll be worse at thanksgiving.

- Trust me.

Miguel places the phone down after reading the messages from his home screen. He chews on his bottom lip, a mix of emotions beginning to grow in his gut. He’s not sure what they are exactly but they seem to make up the familiar combination of anxiety, guilt and fear. He curses to himself under his breath, rubbing his hands across his face.

‘Por dios, you’re so pathetic. Tonto, what are you doing?’ [fool]

He can’t help but reflect on his avoidant behavior, he knows what he’s doing but he just can’t seem to muster up the courage to face his problems. He knows that going to college is essentially him avoiding his problems and he knows that he’s in the wrong for leaving his brother to try and pick up the pieces despite Miguel supposing to be the older sibling.

Falling back into his avoidant behavior Miguel pushes his thoughts away with a sigh and forcefully drags his limbs out of bed.

He’s about to head to the bathroom to brush his teeth when another text comes through from Gabriel.

And this one is impossible to ignore.

Gabriel: (sent 6:01am)

- ‘Also…why is your car for sale on Craigslist?’

- ‘For 69 bucks?’

Miguel: (sent 6:01am)

-What?’

/

“Girl, are you okay?”

MJ’s voice snaps you back out from reality and you stumble over your words in giving a reply.

“What? Oh, uh– yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”

It was an obvious lie, but MJ doesn’t get paid enough to deep dive into your problems and judging by your body language you’d rather she not say anything at all anyways.

Telling your mother – or rather — lying to your mother that you had a boyfriend has to be one of the stupidest things that you have ever done. And trust me, you have done many stupid things.

But where the fuck were you going to get a boyfriend? And most importantly, who?

Lyla had suggested Peter at first and you had too but that was before you realized that he had an ever-growing crush on MJ. And like I said, you don’t get paid enough to care but you’re pretty sure that she likes him back. Now more than ever, you’ve been noticing them together, often third wheel to their awkward but cute interactions together. He’s nervous and chatty but she’s a good listener and you figure that they balance each other out.

Now only if you could find someone like that. Someone that your mom would believe that you’re dating. Maybe you should ask Peter if he has any friends who are available. Maybe you could–

Your thoughts are disrupted by the sound of MJ calling your name. You glance over to the counter to where she’s serving a customer and by the looks of it…it’s a very well-known customer.

“Someone wants to see you.”

As she tells you so, you can’t help but notice her tone indicating a tone of flirtation between you and this particular customer but once you see the look on his face, you know that it will never get to that point.

Miguel is the one standing by the counter and a chill runs down your spine when you meet his eyes. He’s staring at you, unblinking, with his jaw forcibly clenched.

Shit, you think, he definitely knows by now.

“Uh, sure.” You say, putting down the towel that you were currently wringing with your hands. As you make your way around the counter you try your best not to look nervous as you approach him.

“Outside.” He murmurs, his tone and face grave.

You follow him without a single word, a hole of anxiety opening up in the pit of your stomach.

The two of you make it outside, the bitter October air nipping at your bare arms. Wrong day to wear a short sleeved shirt, you think to yourself, attempting to distract your mind from the tension of the conversation that you’re about to have. You can feel your cheeks begin to go cold and you cross your arms in a failed attempt to maintain your warmth.

“What the fuck is this?” Miguel shows you his phone screen.

You could tell he was seething, despite him seeming to maintain his calm externally. His phone screen is open on a website browser illustrating an advert for a car and you recognise that it’s his car.

It was your advert.

You squint your eyes, pretending like you’ve never seen it before. “I don’t know what that is.”

“Don’t keep up the bullshit. I know it was you. Who else would do this shit to me for revenge?”

You shug, attempting to seem nonchalant. “Maybe you have a lot of enemies out there Miguel, especially with the way that you treat people.”

Miguel frowns, a crease appearing between his brows. He opens his mouth to speak yet you manage to beat him to it.

“How’d you even know that was me? It’s not nice to throw accusations around y’know?”

Miguel snorts. “And you know what else is not fucking nice? Selling other people’s cars!”

At the sound of his raised voice, you look around to see if there was anyone approaching. It was early morning, the morning lecture coffee rush awaited you in just fifteen minutes. By then you had to get rid of Miguel.

You were infuriating him by the second, it was beginning to grow clear that your innocent trick was not working. That deep pit of anxiety in your stomach began to grow larger and larger, your palms getting sweaty in the process.

“Maybe I wouldn’t have done it if you were a little nicer to people and if you hadn’t posted that review.”

“Oh, so it was you?”

Shit.

Miguel continues on. “It’s illegal to sell other people’s property without permission, you know that right?”

“Of course I do.” you lied. You stammer for a few seconds, searching for an excuse. “You nearly made me lose my job for fuck’s sake.”

“You didn’t lose it.”

“Nearly!”

“But you’re still here aren’t you?”

You groan aloud, not believing the words that are coming out of his mouth. “You’re acting like such a jerk!”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

You cross your arms. “You don’t even have proof that it was me. That’s not my email account.”

He clicks his tongue. “Quit the lying, it doesn’t look good on you. Plus, Peter told me you were looking for my car.”

Remember earlier when you said that lying to your mother about having a boyfriend was the stupidest thing that you had done? Yeah, well scratch that.

“You could get criminally charged for this, do you realize that? Attempted theft or whatnot. And then not only would you lose your job but it’d get you suspended from the university too.”

Your face falls. “I wasn’t actually going to sell it–”

“But it seems like you didn’t think about that did you?” His tone was venomous, sharp enough to cause physical pain to you.. You can’t help but feel as if he was getting some sort of pleasure out of this, out of threatening you. “Not so smart are you? I’m almost glad that I caught you, if Peter didn’t tell me–”

“If you’re going to go to the cops then I’ll take full blame.” You interrupt. “Peter had nothing to do with this.”

Miguel raises a brow. “I didn’t think you’d take full responsibility.”

“Yeah, well I don’t like to do bad things to innocent people.” you spat.

“Innocent?” He repeats. “Wow, tienes sentido del humor.” [ ‘you’re quite the comedian’ / you have a sense of humor’]

You bite down on your lip. “I'll take it down but you promise not to drag Peter into this?”

Miguel nods. “You have till the end of the day to take it down.”

“Okay.”

“Good.”

“You won’t call the cops on me?”

He shrugs. “I can’t promise that I won’t and–” Miguel points a finger at you to stop your interruption. “There’s nothing that you can say that would change my mind if I do.”

Your shoulders defleat. Great. You’ve just somehow managed to make your life a living hell all for the satisfaction of revenge.

“Oh.” He turns around to face you. “And for your information, I deleted the review ages ago.”

It takes a few seconds for his words to sink in.

Oh great.

“You fucking–”

“What? Bastard? Jerk? Go ahead, call me all of the names you want, nena. Don’t you think that you’ve done enough damage for once?”

Ouch. You’re not even sure how to respond to his last comment.

You remain silent as you stand on the curb watching Miguel leave, your fists are curled up by your sides. Your nails dig into your palms until it hurts, trying to distract your mind from the full tsunami of anxiety that paralyzes your body.

What the fuck do you do now?

You don’t think that your life could get any worse than this. Not by a mile. In less than 48 hours you’ve managed to be not only a liar but a criminal.

As you step into the cafe there might as well be a visible gray cloud over your head. MJ knows not to ask any questions as you return back to your station. She gives you a longing look, wordlessly asking if you were okay. Ignoring it, you keep your head down, trying to bite back your tears until the end of the shift.

‘Keep it in until the end of your shift.’ you told yourself. ‘Keep it all in.’

You: still nil*

Miguel: 2

*[point redacted due to illegal activity]

leave a comment to lmk if you would like to join the taglist!

#angel writes #miguel o'hara x reader #miguel x reader #miguel o'hara atsv #atsv miguel #spider man: across the spider verse #miguel spiderman #miguel 2099 #miguel o'hara #under no circumstances fic #miguel x you #miguel o’hara #miguel x reader fluff

[rierice8]

Idk if u still write but id love for the reader to bite and drink vanitas blood while hes pinned down, panting, whimpering, gripping the sheets, getting hard asf… basically what jeanne did.

OMG DOWN BAD FOR VANITAS- and yes I do still write! Sorry I’ve been in Ireland with my marching band! That’s why I answered so late! We won some parades and it was so much fun, shout out to my roommates. I’m now back home though so I’m back to writing my requests!

But anyways ahem ahem, yes, ahem. I love this request-

Word count: 1234 words

(Not me being a little bit of a simp)

Vanitas x male vampire reader

!!Suggestive content but no smut!!

Synopsis: you were feeling jealous from earlier and craving some blood and Vanitas was taking too long to show up…

Thirsty vampire

You were tired. Rather drained, in fact. Vanitas and Noé had dragged you to another raggedy part of Paris to heal another curse bearer. It was a wild chase, they were quiet and stealthy, especially for a curse bearer. After hours of running back and forth, Vanitas finally managed to capture and cure them. Of course, the woman was rather touchy with your boyfriend after he helped her find her true name. You hated it. Noé had questioned if you were alright because you looked and felt very tense, which you were. Though at the time you had just said you were tired. You swore she’d tried to kiss Vanitas and yes, it made you jealous. It’s even an underestimation to say you were jealous, you were fuming. So clearly now that you’re home and Vanitas is off frolicking with Noé instead of being with you, you’re done. By that you ment pissed beyond belief.

You sat on your bed, waiting for him to show up. Just sitting, and waiting, and sitting, and waiting. You bit your lip hard enough to draw blood, tasting the metal of your own blood made you crave a drink.

Almost an hour and a half later, you still sat on the bed, unmoving. You’d sat through sun set and now it was dark outside, yet still, Vanitas was no where to be found. Every minute thst passed you grew more and more upset with him. First he let that curse bearer touch and flirt with him, and then he doesn’t even come back. When the door finally opened at midnight, your eyes were red.

“Oh, wow, it’s already rather late! I hope I didn’t keep you waiting on me and Noé too long,” Vanitas said with his usual catty, carefree voice.

“No, no, not long at all. It’s not as though I waited five hours in this room wondering why you didn’t tell me where you’d gone,” you spat, not even trying to hide the sarcasm in your words.

“And so? Its not like I have to tell you everything I’m doing, when and why. You’re just a jealous boyfriend,” Vanitas laughed annoyingly just to rub in the statement.

“Really? Fine then, I am a jealous boyfriend. I saw that curse bearer drooling over you after you cured her, and you just let her touch you and even try to kiss you. And you didn’t even come back and tell me that you were going off with Noé, nor did you invite me to come,” you began to rant.

“You looked tired,” he shrugged. At that comment you lost it. You grabbed him by the arm and dragged him closer to the bed. You pulled his coat off and undid his collar.

“Slow down, wait! What are you doing?” Vanitas gasped as you trailed your hot tounge over his neck and collarbone. He didn’t do anything to fight you though, so you continued. Finding the perfect place, you bit down. Your fangs penitrating the soft surface of his skin.

“Ah!” He moaned at the feeling. You sucked fervently at his neck, like a man dying of thirst. You pushed him down on the bed one hand gently resting on the back of his neck and the other holding you up. Your knee pushing at his clothed dick.

The motion in itself made Vanitas’ whole body jolt and him to let out a large moan.

“Oh mon dieu- mmmmh!” Vanitas was gasping for air at this point. His long nails were digging into your arms, though not enough that it hurt. You were too overwhelmed with the taste of his amazing blood to care either way. You kept sucking harder and even started to move your knee around.

“Ah! Mmm-mph! Stop— ah! Stop it!” Vanitas moaned into your neck but you couldn’t hear him, you were too focused on drinking from him. You could never get full of his blood, it was yours and only yours. You let your fangs slip out of him and licked up whatever excess blood came from the wound. Vanitas was sweating and panting on the bed sheets. You could feel how hard he was from this alone. He looked at you with his half lidded vibrent blue eyes as though he wanted you to continue. He was undressing you with his eyes.

“If you think that you can pull a stunt like this and then get the relif you crave then you are sorely mistaken. I drank from you for my pleasure and my pleasure only,” you said as you turned around to leave.

“Wait! So you’re just gonna leave then?! Thats not fair,” he said out of breath and in a more whiney tome than normal.

“Yes, I am going to leave. And don’t touch yourself while I’m gone or I’ll ignore you for a month,” you said coldly and walked out of the room. He ran after you and grabbed your arm. You stared back at him emotionlessly. His eyes were so hard to refuse. Vanitas kept eye contact with you before biting off one of his gloves and scratching his neck hard enough it bleed.

“You should probably clean that up, before I have to waste it,” he smirked. Who were you to reject that, it was such a hot display of disregard for his own personal safety. Not even just that, he was too desperate and it was making you feel desperate too. You lent in again and bit him in a new spot now, sucking again as hard as you wanted.

“Mmmmmf— mmf!” he tried to silence his moans with his hand. You let go of his neck and looked at him. You tore his hand from his mouth and instead intertwined your fingers.

“I want to hear everything I make you feel,” you said before gently and slowly unbuttoning his shirt, after it was on the floor, you violently and suddenly bit the other side of his collar. Vanitas’ hair was a mess, just like him. He was panting and moaning so loudly you were sure Noé could hear from the neighbouring room. Vanitas tries to do something, anything, but he fails to even move his hand an inch.

“Nghh- ah!” All that could be heard in the room was a light gulping and Vanitas’ occasional whimpers. When you’d finally decided you’d had your fill, you let go with a sigh. Vanitas was under you panting wildly. His pants had a wet spot, so clearly, he came in his pants.

“Oh? And all I did was bite you,” you laughed. He immediately knew what you were referring to and looked away, still panting.

“Oh shut up, you know you weren’t just biting me,” he said arrogantly, already back to his usual self.

All you did was laugh at his cute disselved state. Blue hair spread all across the bed, three different bite marks adorned his neck and collarbone, his shirt somewhere long forgotten. You trailed your cold hands up his abdomen and watched him shiver with anticipation.

“I can’t stay mad at you, Vanitas,” you whispered.

“Huh, why not? Too pretty, am I?” He said cockily. You laughed,

“Maybe.”

You continued to trail your hands up and down his milky skin.

“What are you doing, mon chérie,” Vanitas asked. You smiled,

“Nothing, just admiring your build,” You whispered. The night ended in a comfortable silence after that.

#the book of vanitas #vanitas #vanitas x reader #vanitas no carte x reader #vanitas no carte #x reader #male reader #case study of vanitas #vanitas smut #sub vanitas #vnc #vnc fanfic #fanfic

[nattikay]

Shoutout to my mom who let me dump a bunch of spoilers on her so I could cry about Neteyam. Finally had the chance to get all that sobbing that dehydration robbed me of yesterday out of my system, and I’m feeling a little better now. I mean, the situation still makes me sad, but I don’t think I’ll continue to have my eyes suddenly start leaking every other hour like they did for most of today. :’)

so uuuhhh now that I’ve more or less gotten over that hurdle, I can finally sit down and make a post about all the other stuff from the movie! So here’s a list of some of the other thoughts and observations I had, not exactly comprehensive cuz this is all coming after 24 hours of grieving so I may not remember every single little thought I had, but here we go anyways (also tagging @tenebrius-excellium cuz you said you wanted to hear my thoughts):

-I just want to watch the first five or so minutes on loop for a while (although maybe without the cuts to Neytiri singing the songcord because 🥲, good golly the moment I saw that shot I, already being familiar with the lore behind songcords, was like oh NOOOOO), just the scenes of those ~14 peaceful years where the kids are growing up and the RDA is gone and everyone is happy together and it’s all just so sweet, this is the content I want, I want more of it, please pretty please, I know it’ll be a while before all the gif-makers are able to get a hold of those scenes but man as soon as they do goodness gracious I’m just gonna stare at it all for hours 😭

-While I was already assuming that the Metkayina didn’t actually know English and that we the audience were only hearing English for convenience, I was expecting that issue not to be directly addressed. So I was pleasantly surprised when it was subtly addressed with Jake’s voiceover about now being familiar enough with the Na’vi language to understand it as easily English as the audio of the kids bickering swapped from Na’vi to English. Theory confirmed!

-Speaking of the Na’vi language, I did feel very excited because I was able to understand some of the unsubtitled lines, which was a goal! so yay!! I mean, I didn’t understand every Na’vi line spoken (some of the longer ones I’ll definitely have to listen to more than once to piece together), but to even understand any of it at all, especially the ones without subtitles, felt very awesome!! dopamine rush babey!!!

-And on that note, the fact that Quaritch of all characters was making an effort to learn the language really surprised me! He struck me as the type of character to not give two craps about that sort of thing but hey. I definitely got a kick of out of Spider absolutely roasting him for his lack of skills hrh (note, I very most certainly do not condone actually mocking new learners making mistakes, obviously, but seeing as this is Quaritch we’re talking about...^^”) Spider’s line here was also a place I even managed to catch a subtitle discrepancy -- iirc, the subtitles read “You sound like a three-year-old!” but the actual line was nga plltxe na ‘eveng ahì’i! you speak like a small child! Which, I mean, y’know, same gist, but it was cool to be able to understand the actual words!! I also greatly enjoyed Spider trying to teach Quaritch the distinction between na and nga, just because man that’s one of those things every learner has been through, idk it was delightful to watch it go down between canon characters hrh

-Speaking of Quaritch and Spider....wow, I was surprised just how early they dropped the “Quartich’s son” bomb. That had been a pretty popular and plausible theory for a while, but I was expecting it to either be left up to interpretation or used as a bombshell later in the film. But nope, from the get-go it’s pretty heavily implied that not only is Quaritch Spider’s biological father, but that they’re both aware of this. So. Yeah, that was certainly a surprise.

-Kiri “I would rather drink acid than have Norm be my biological father” good gracious girl! like I mean yes the idea that Norm and Grace were secretly hookin’ up is obviously preposterous, but what did Norm ever do to you to deserve that reaction ^^; haha

-I mentioned in my High Ground post the three primary theories on Kiri’s origins. Having now seen the movie, I now think the mystical-Eywa-conception theory is by far the most likely. However, canonically it still remains a mystery/up to interpretation. Perhaps we’ll get more answers in movie 3...

-Y’know what, vulgarity is not typically my type of humor, but Lo’ak flippin’ Quaritch the double bird when asked to let him see his fingers did get a chuckle out of me hrh

-hey um yo the Metkayina kids were absolute JERKS, what the heck?? like good golly heckin’ rude. Except for Tsireya she’s chill I like her :)

-Personally I don’t think the story of this movie is a total rehash of the first one overall, but I can very mostly definitely see how people would consider it so. There were several lines in two scenes in particular, the one where the Sullies arrive at the Metkayina clan and the one with the tulkun hunters, that were just soooooo similar to lines from the first movie, not quite verbatim but certainly awkwardly close. I can absolutely see this becoming a common complaint from internet critics.

-Tuk pretty much solely exists to make the audience go d’awwwww!!, and y’know what, that’s ok because boy did she succeed :’)

-unfortunately, Quaritch’s ikran has by far the coolest design of all the ikrans, like bruh that color palette is heckin’ dope. what a shame ur now stuck with this jerk lol. Though I did snicker at Quaritch feeling the need to bond with the ikran “the hard way” solely because he couldn’t stand to be outdone by Jake lol

-I liked Lo’ak and Payakan’s friendship, it was very sweet. Also very interesting design-wise that a tulkun’s queue is in his mouth, and that the mouth has more of those bioluminescent patterns on the inside.

-The fact that the tulkun hunters are 100% aware that the species they’re hunting is fully sapient feels very ick to me. Sir that’s...that’s murder. Good gracious. and um “tulkun brain juice stops human aging” wh...what?? can uh...can we get some more explanation on that??? like is that gonna be somehow relevant to later movies or is it just some arbitrary thing to make the brain juice valuable, valuable enough to attempt to justify murder idk but uh....yyyyyyeah 😬

-minor thing, but I was surprised that the swimming baby from the trailer was, in fact, not Ronal’s. In fact, we never actually meet Ronal’s baby, which, again, surprised me. Why make her pregnant if we don’t get to see the baby, it feels kinda random ^^; to link her to her spirit tulkun who just had a calf I guess?? idk. once again, maybe it’ll become more relevant in movie 3.

-until proven otherwise, I am heretofore declaring that final “a son for a son” line to be Spider’s official adoption into the Sully family 😭😭😭

anyways, I guess that’ll do for now. I’m sure there was other stuff but I’ve been sitting here typing for over an hour already. Perhaps later I’ll come back with more comments, idk. I’ll be seeing the movie again next week with the rest of my family, so maybe I’ll notice different things/remember stuff that got swallowed up in the feels. Will I cry more than I did on my first viewing because I’m gonna try not to go in dehydrated again, or less because by then I’ll have had a week to process and accept everything? I have literally no idea. Guess we’ll have to just wait and see...

#awow spoilers #avatar #avatar 2 #avatar the way of water

[copperbadge]

[ID: A photo of the fountain in the Piazza Della Cinque Scole, featuring a gorgon head on the fountain, water visibly falling, and a bird perched on the rim, bathing and getting a sip of water.]

Okay, well, Piazza Della Cinque Scole is a lot more complex than I anticipated when my dumb ass walked into it looking for a place to eat a macaroon.

I didn't know when I booked my room that I was on the edge of the historic Roman Jewish ghetto, but when I found out later, I did somewhat plan a day around it. The idea was to go to the kosher bakery I'd heard was really good for breakfast, then stroll up to the Great Synagogue of Rome and do the museum and synagogue tour, and I have reservations for a late lunch at a historic local restaurant to try the Jewish fried artichokes (and obviously also now the Grandpa Balls, for those who saw the earlier post). I had wanted to attend Kabbalat Shabbos on Friday, but I got into Rome far too late, unfortunately.

What I didn't expect when I walked into the Museuo Ebraico di Roma this morning was for the first placard I read to explain to me that the Cinque Scole were the five distinct cultures of Judaism that one of the Popes crowded into the ghetto and furthermore that eventually they all were housed in one building, because all the Jews of Rome were only allowed one place of worship. So that's simultaneously even more awesome in re: imagine the shouting, and also an unavoidable and terrible aspect of the persecution of Jews in Europe. But yeah, it turns out the little plaza where I ate breakfast is hugely historically important to Roman Jewish history.

Good start to the day, actually; a lot of my most meaningful encounters with Judaism come from coincidence, which is the kind of chaos I just live in. And then I got to see the Great Synagogue, which certainly is a lot. It's a gorgeous building inside and out, but our tour guide told us that it was designed by gentiles because the Jews had no architects at the time (probably to do with being forbidden to own their own houses) so it's very, uh, unusual. It seems to be (both visually and from the tour guide's speech) that the architects basically said "Let's make a church that's, you know....exotic," and the result is a very pretty synagogue that looks like it's also a basilica and an art deco hotel lobby, all at the same time.

I have a couple of minutes before lunch reservation so I thought I'd come home and drop off the souvenirs I bought; getting to the restaurant should be fairly easy if I take the alleys instead of the main streets as planned. This whole area is basically wide alleys that occasionally open into interesting courtyards, but aside from some areas that are barricaded off from cars, they're also city streets -- cars and motorcycles drive through them all the time, and it will be a miracle if I get out of Rome without getting pasted into a wall by a Fiat. (Most of the cars on these alley-streets are Mini Coopers and I figure if a Mini Cooper tries me I can just kick it onto its side.)

I found a super cool Jewish antique store near the museum, so I bought a lovely almond-blossom brooch for Mum for mother's day and a khamsa bracelet for myself, and also a fidget ring inscribed in Hebrew that I'm pretty sure has the traveler's prayer on it but I'm going to need to check next time I've got Sefaria open.

#sam travels #the cheese tour #rome #jewish rome #jewish history #jumblr

[pinkandpurple360]

I dunno... I'm not saying you don't make good points but fizz during "2 minutes notice", (a number where he was free to say whatever he wanted, act however he wanted, literally ripping off his costume to destroy his perfect brand image) still acted quite raunchy and sexual. Shaking his ass, smacking his ass, sensually stroking his stomach, all with a huge smirk on his face. If the lust act was a total ruse, I don't think he'd be doing any of that?

I mean yeah and that was one of the points though. Did it not come across. It feels like he kept switching between “I don’t like being sexualised” to doing it without even being asked to. Earlier in the episode he’s acting very differently saying he doesn’t like the dolls and he admits to mammon that he doesn’t want fans looking at him in that way. But he loves it at lust? Viv also said the performance at Ozzies isn’t the real him the baby girl persona at Ozzies home is. Even though….we see that he uses charm to hide things from Oz and cute faces to get his way. And with blitzø he’s much less performative because he doesn’t need to be charming, but the other extreme is true, he is putting on his nastiest front to protect himself against someone he thinks is out to get him.

Again this is why I wish we could see him talk to someone from his past who always knew him in the “back stage” someone who he trusts and who he doesn’t try to charm/scare away. But who? 🙁

And then?? When he’s on stage again you’re right, it’s the exact same cheeky persona we’re used to. Thank goodness. The usual Fizz. But he said it’s the last time ? 🥲 is it real or is it fake? There’s even a throw away line against the doll things but at the same time he’s fine with being all lusty on stage which is ok but…aren’t we building towards the fact that he doesn’t want to be sexualised by his audience anymore..?

Then, surprisingly Asmodeus the sin of lust apparently, I keep forgetting that part, makes an unhappy face at that strip part, which he later changes his face again to a smile of adoration, and I can’t figure out what that’s about. Is it supposed to be saying that theyll be very exclusive private and monogamous from now on? Is Ozzie less ok with this image than Fizz is? Because we’re led to believe when fizz is at Ozzies, doing this exact thing he’s truly himself…but Viv just said he isn’t?? Since when has seeing fizz perform that way made Oz uncomfortable can these characters be consistent for five seconds ?

Also I’m sorry but “keep that guy far away from me” way back in Ozzies wasn’t the foreshadowing masterpiece everyone claims it is. A fan having four of the things he just advertised doesn’t mean he hates the product and doesn’t want anyone sexualising him except for Ozzie. That means the stage persona doesn’t have any authenticity behind it. Also, the in universe “fandom” immediately goes from sexualising fizz to sexualising “fizzarozzie” the pairing. The fact these same fans who made him uncomfortable and bought the dolls all knew he was with Oz the whole time isn’t actually wholesome at all? Maybe include fans of the dolls crying or something? There’s always some stans who get upset at a reveal like that, while others are happy. The audience should have at least been a mixed bag.

Also maybe I’m going off topic but the fandom insert was a…strange choice,, the definition of fan-service, unless what they’re maybe trying to do is build up to make commentary on how fans of celebs, shipping real life people that are dating, makes a celebrity couple uncomfortable and pressured to share more of their personal lives than they want to. And to create a “couple persona” just for the cameras. That’s not something I see touched on much and it’s kinda Bojacky sorta. Just imagine the two of them being interviewed by the press then it’s accidentally revealed that they were talking to Oz and a fizzbot, while the actual fizz is in the Bahamas.

Basically fizz is juggling personalities and id like if he could, yknow, pick one. Kinda like Loona, Stolas, and apparently, Millie in that regard.

#helluva boss #helluva boss critical

[triplesilverstar]

Sleeping Beauty except you aren't sure if it's the Dragon or the Beauty

Rating: 18+ Minors DNI 

Pairing: Knives X F!Reader

CW: Dom/Sub undertones, pet names

Word count: Roughly 1.6K

A/N: Chapter five of the series, Getting a call from Nai to try and get Nai to go to sleep. This is going to be interesting.

You’d just finished closing your daytime laptop when your phone began buzzing, a glance at the caller id and you find yourself scowling before answering “What?” 

“He hasn’t left his office in almost 48 hours” you roll your eyes, well aware the blue haired man can’t see it. 

“And that is a me problem how? I thought you were his babysitter slash sidekick?” Even though the words are biting, you are concerned if Legato is taking the time to call you. Pressing the phone between your ear and neck heading for your closet. 

“While I am loath to admit it, I require your assistance in getting him to go home.” You can just hear the disdain in his voice at having to ask for your help. While you’d like to gloat, you keep it to yourself, you can add this to the pile of ‘Legato, you owe me one’ favors, quickly getting dressed in something Nai won’t scowl at you for. 

Barely fifteen minutes later you’re at the front reception for Saverem Inc. waiting for Legato to come escort you up to Nai’s office. This receptionist hadn’t believed you were there to see him. Or at least to see Mr. Bluesummers, because if you said Mr. Saverem you would have been laughed out the door. When Legato shows up, you quirk your eyebrow at him as he calls you by your name. “Ms. Fleur, please be aware moving forward this young lady is to be allowed access to the upper floors. And ensure the information is passed to all the other new hires. My time is not to be wasted collecting visitors I am expecting.” 

Once in the elevator you snicker, must to the man’s ire “At least I know I’m not the only woman you treat like shit.” 

“Do not act so childish, I treat everyone except Master Knives the same.” You keep snickering as the elevator rises, the open glass concept allowing a breathtaking view of the city and at night it is even more dazzling. As the elevator signals it’s at the top and opens you don’t wait for Legato heading right for the polished hardwood double doors that lead into Nai’s office. 

Pausing halfway there “If I barge in there, how likely am I going to be to be in trouble later?” 

“He’s sleep deprived, we’ll be lucky if he remembers any of this. If you can get him to leave, I’ll ensure you don’t suffer any negative consequences this time.” Taking that as it is, stalking forward again and grabbing both handles to pull the doors open, sweeping inside and watching the disheveled blond head shoot upwards from the papers scattered across his desk. 

“Nai.” Pausing just in front of his desk you cross your arms, looking down at him, his tie is crooked, shirt wrinkled, a single button on his vest undone, but it’s his eyes that truly give it away. Clearly able to see the dark bags beneath them, the cerulean orbs unseeing for a moment before snapping into clarity then out again. “You look like shit babe. It’s time to go home. You need to sleep.”

“I have work to do.” His eyes narrow, and his voice is gravelly from the lack of sleep. All you do is uncross your arms and walk behind his desk, noticing him watching you as you come around. Resting your hand on the arm rest, and turning him away from his desk before settling your other hand against the opposite arm rest, essentially caging him in your arms, leaning forward so your mouth is right next to his ear breath fanning out across the shell. 

“If you can tell me the exact document you were working on, I’ll let you keep working.” Voice teasing as you whisper it in his ear, his sharp inhale the only indication he’s paying attention to you, and at the end you nip the bottom of his earlobe. 

“A contract for the new law firm I’m hiring.” Leaning back you look at his desk and the paper his pen was placed across, before turning back to him. 

“The paperwork says it’s for buying out another company. That’s not a law firm babe.” Cupping his face and rubbing your thumbs under his eyes, surprised as he seems to melt under your touch, the furrow in his brow smoothing out, “come on, let's get you home and into bed. What if a client sees you?” Leaning closer to his ear again and whispering so low you aren’t even sure if its audible “or one of your enemies?” That seems to get a reaction out of him, standing quickly enough you almost fall backwards on your ass. 

Taking in his appearance you find your fingers moving quickly to fix the button on his vest and adjusting his tie. While your digits are making the corrections you glance around noticing his jacket draped across one of the chairs of his small conference table, practically jogging to grab it and hand it to him, helping to smooth out the wrinkles of his shirt once he’s slipped it on over his broad shoulders, so the jacket puts in the final piece in his perfect image that he presents to the world. Pretending to take his arm as if he’s the one escorting you out of his office doors, one arm hooked through his while your other hand is resting on his forearm just below. Legato standing just outside the door on the other side, to you looking like it was obvious he was trying to peek through the door to see if you were successful or not. 

Before long, the three of you are in the car garage beneath the building, you and Nai sliding into the backseat of his car while Legato takes the wheel driving you to Nai’s upscale complex. Sitting there still pressed against his side, you watch as his head seems to fall forward for a few moments before snapping up again. Just what had possessed him to keep working for this long? Pulling up to his apartment and parking, Legato catches your gaze in the rear view mirror. "Will you be able to assist him in getting to his apartment?" 

You don't get to answer, Nai snapping at his assistant in your stead. "I am not an invalid. I will recall you choosing to bring my little dove into chastising me into returning home Legato. Come along Pet" While you're used to being referred to as 'Pet' the other one comes at a shock, a name you sure as hell aren't going to ask Nai about directly but Legato? Oh yea. A large warm hand encompasses your own, not quite dragging you but making his insistence that you move along with him known. 

If Legato has any parting words you don't hear them, as the car door is closed and you're hurried inside and into the elevator. Doors closed, you speak, timid after the previous moments "I'm sorry Nai. I was worried" a quick glance at his neutral visage and you're terrified before a thumb is rubbing over the knuckles of the hand clasped in his. 

"You are unaware of the extent of the rules I’ve put in place regarding your persons, Pet. I hold you no ill will in tonight's events" his voice is clipped but you can hear the cracks under the surface. Elevator open, you find your hand taking his keys from him after a failed attempt to open it. Something you've never seen from the blond before, once unlocked he's ushering you inside and you watch the facade crumple away.  

"Come on Nai. Let's get you to bed" cupping his face, you push yourself up onto your tiptoes to press a kiss to the bridge of his nose before you drop back down. Taking one of his hands between both yours as he lets you lead him to his closet toeing your flats off along the way. While it takes time, you don't notice its passage as you help him remove his garments and hang them correctly where his dry cleaning goes. Down to his underwear you freeze when his hand wraps around your wrist pulling you against his body. Mouth pressed against yours, tongue begging for entrance and you let him have what he wants. Moaning as he deepens the kiss, feeling the swell of his dick against your lower stomach. 

Breaking the kiss, he's looking down his sharp nose and you can see how blurred his pupils are. Exhausted. "I want you." You smile up at him, free hand cupping his cheek, hoping your eyes reflect all the tenderness you feel in the moment towards the gruff man. 

"And you have me." He's nodding at your words, pulling you towards his bedroom in an almost drunken stupor. "Let me get changed and I'll join you in bed in a moment" surprised when he acquiesced to your words, releasing your hand. Wasting no time getting changed and grabbing a nightgown to wear once he's done and stepping into his bedroom. 

Freezing at the sight greeting you. Nai is passed out, legs strewn haphazardly across the bed. One foot dangling off the edge, while the other is propped up at a 45 degrees under his knees, and his back pressed against the headboard, head hanging forward. Soft snores escaped him. Gently you adjust him, trying to keep him waking and placing him in a better position. Or as much of him as you can since all the muscle results in weighing far more than you can move by yourself. Draping the fabric of his bedsheets across his body before you join him, moving his head so it's resting against your chest instead of air. Settling a pillow behind your head but leaning against the headboard yourself you smile. He can have you after he catches up on the sleep he'd denied his own body and mind. You'll let this sleep beauty do almost anything to you. 

Back to masterlist

#millions knives smut #millions knives x reader #millions knives x reader smut #modern au #trigun #trigun stampede #tristamp #trigun smut #twink writes #knives smut #millions knives #knives x reader

[undressmewithyoureyes]

Let There Be Light - Thirty Five

**Ghost’s POV**

               “Nik”

               Nikolai was our helicopter pilot and has assisted us on prior missions, but decided he wanted to lay low for a while and take the easy road. At this point, I didn’t care who the fuck they picked to go in there, as long as I could get my girl back. I was getting anxious and the rage that was fueled deep in me was getting harder to maintain. I look over to Soap who is looking at me with heavy eyes. I hate it for him. I know he wants to find Harley as much as I do, and I know that he wont stop until he does.

               Soap gives me a warm smile and I give a slight nod in return – reassuring him that I’m okay and that we will find her soon. Nobody knows anything about the relationship between me, Harley and Soap and Id like to keep it that way. My patience is thin enough, it would take some slick ass opinionated comment and I would send that person to meet whatever maker they came from.

               “Nik should be here within the next few hours,” Price addressed the whole unit.

               “Captain,” Gaz said, “You said they were hosting something tomorrow night. Wont it look a little suspicious that someone is trying to get in at the last minute?”

               He has a point. I look around the room to scan everyone to see their body language, “That’s how these things are done amigo,” Rudy says. His voice to me is like nails on a chalkboard now. I understand that it wasn’t entirely his fault, but the motherfucker could and should have said something. Regardless, a part of me still blames him.

               “Si,” Alejandro agreed. “They like for it to be last minute so that way there are no questions asked. So, this is actually perfect timing.”

               Perfect. Maybe everything is working out for the best since shit has gone south here lately.

               Price clears his throat, “So, Simon you will go in as a bidder and possible buyer. Nik will be on the inside as a guard looking around and giving us updates is he sees Harley. Gaz, Rudy and Alejandro, Soap and I will be outside surrounding the building. Laswell will be our eyes in the sky. Any questions?” he asked.

               Nobody said anything, “Good,” he proceeds, “Simon, once you’re inside, we need you to communicate what you see. If,” he pauses and sighs, “If you see her, you can not take lethal action.” I ball my fists tight and clench my jaw even harder, “If she is being bidded on, be the highest bidder.” Price takes note of my demeanor, “Son, I know its going to be hard, but there are other people, children even who don’t need to get hurt.”

               The fucked up side of me didn’t give a damn. Fuck them other people – I just want her back, but when I signed up for this job years ago, I knew there would be sacrifices that I would have to make. “I’ll do it,” I tell him, “But that doesn’t mean I like it.”

               Price grabs a cigar from his vest and lights it. The greyish white smoke lingering in the air with each puff, “That’s the spirit,” he says as he points the cigar at me. “Soap, cut the lights for me please,” Price asks. Soap gets up and cuts the lights off. For a partial second, we were all surrounded by darkness, the one thing I have always welcomed. Seconds later, the room lit up from the projector as a map appeared on the white wall behind Price.

               “This is the building where the trades will take place,” he says as he circles the building with his fingers holding the cigar. “Soap, you will be at the highest building over here keeping watch. Since Simon is going in, I need you on the sniper.” Soap nods his head. I’ve never minded Price calling me by my name. He was like the father I always wanted, but never had. Anyone else saying my true name never lived long enough to take credit for, except for one other – Harley fucking Traywick. Now when my name gets said, it’s like a shot in the heart.

               “Gaz and I will take this position on top of this building overlooking the entrance. Aejandro and Rudy, you will take your positions on the last two sides. Any movement of recognition of Harley is to be addressed immediately,” Price tells us. “And lastly, if shit goes south, we exfil here,” he says pointing to a wooded area that looks to be about five clicks west of the building. “Any questions?” he asks us.

               We shake our heads, “Good. Now get some rest. We leave tomorrow at 1800.”

------------------

               Nik finally arrived and was more that happy to help. He was like family and would do anything for us. Hes risked his life multiple times to get us out of sticky situations, and each time, he executed perfectly. I trust Nik and I trust that he will be able to get the job done. Price brought him and I into the briefing room before we left to go over the strategies and how this trade works.

               Price threw down Harley’s file and her picture was the first thing that popped up. I swear my heart stopped beating for a second as I looked at her photo.

               “Beautiful girl,” he says in his thick Russian accent looking over the photo. “You must be a lucky guy,” he says looking over at me.

               I look over at him confused on how he knew, “What? I know you Ghost. You never take your mask off, but you will for her,” he pauses, “In public of all places.” He had a point.

               “She’s per-,” I stop myself as the rest of the word wasn’t able to come out. Nik grips my shoulder and squeezes, “No need brother. I know,” he reassures me, “now lets go get her.”

               Nik was dressed in an all-black suit while I had on a black and white suite. I felt like a damn monkey in this thing, and I will never understand how people can wear them every day of the week. Nik left before any of us so he could get there and get into position. Laswell put in his application an hour before the website was shut down and he immediately got accepted. I figured since his background is impressive.

               The black SUV I was riding in came to a stop in front of this building. Tall Russian and German guards surrounded the place. My hands became a little sweaty from the anxiety swirling around inside me. I hope and pray to whoever will listen that she is in there. One of the guards opens my door and I get out. “Right this way Mr. Mercer,” he says to me. I almost didn’t make out what he was saying from his German accent.

               Luckily it was dark outside and from what Alejandro told us, it’s dark inside too. A plus for not too many people seeing my face. I follow this German guard to the entrance and hand the other guard at the door my ticket. Two other guards well over six feet tall start patting me down to make sure I’m not taking in any weapons. Luckily, I was able to strap a few to my thigh knowing no one will find them – also, Nik was told to bring two loaded pistols, so he would hand one off to me once I got in my “room”.

               The guards stopped patting me and nodded to the guard at the entrance. “Enjoy the show Mr. Mercer and happy bidding,” he tells me in a Russian accent. I wanted to knock the teeth down his throat, but immediately thought of my Harley and remained calm. The entrance guard ushered his hand out as I followed through the doors. Alejandro was right, it is dark. The only light you have is the small dimly lit wall lamps.

               “Right this way sir,” a Russian guard said as he came up to me. Nik. I followed him deeper into the building until he ushered me into my ‘room’. The inside was built in a circle. Small rooms with just a chair and a table sat in them and a huge glass window for you to look out of. The rooms came with doors, and I took note that all the knobs didn’t have locks. Easily accessible. I also noticed that the glass had tint on them. I could look out, but nobody could see inside.

               Nik shut the door behind me, and I took my seat in the leather chair. Nik taps me on my shoulder and hands me a piece of paper before exiting out of my room. ‘No sign of her yet. Rooms are tapped’. Fuck. Smart bastard thought of everything.

               “Ghost, you copy?” Soap chimes in through my earpiece. Fuck. A knock on my door sent the hairs on the back of my neck upward. The door slowly opened and a woman who was dressed in a short black dress and heels that she struggled to walk in approached me. I took note of her wrists and the bruising on them. He eyes were hollow and dark circles under her eyes told me she hadn’t slept. Her skin looked clammy, like Harleys did that day Soap brought her to me and I knew she was drugged.

               “Can I get you anything to drink, sir?” she asks.

               “Ghost, you copy?” Soap asks again through my earpiece.

               “Yes,” I reply to Soap, but I made it seem like I was answering this woman’s question.

               Her body swayed back and forth as she tried her best to hold her posture in the heels she was wearing, “What would you like sir?” her words coming out a bit slurred.

               “Scotch,” I told her as I gave her a warm smile. She turns and slowly walks out of the room. The door clicks as she shuts the door.

               “Scotch Lieutenant?” Gaz chimes in.

               “Mhm,” I hum out.

               My earpiece was silent for a few minutes before Price chimed in, “Bugged?”

               “Mhm,” I hum even lower trying to be as quiet as I could.

               Price sighed heavily, “Fuck! This just got a lot harder gentleman.”

               He was right, it did. I grip the ends of the armrest of the leather chair and squeeze. I knew it was going a little too smoothly. In this line of work, don’t ever expect shit to go smoothly – and if it is, expect the worst. A gentle knock from my door echoed again and the door opened up to the same woman who was in here moments later. The glass she was carrying with the amber colored liquid was shaking back and forth.

               She tried her best to set the glass down on the table beside me, but she spilled some of it from her shaky hands. “I’m so sorry,” she said in a whisper as tears filled her eyes. “Please, let me clean this up,” she begged.

               “It’s alright,” I reassure her.

               Tears leak out of her eyes and start rolling down her cheeks, “Are you sure?” she whispers out. I nod and give her a warm smile. She wipes her tears and struggles yet again to walk away. She shuts my doors and I look over at the glass. My stomach turns when I think of what will happen to her just from being drugged and clumsy – then my mind wanders to Harley and what they are doing to her.

               Just before my mind could wander any deeper into the horror of what may be, a light came on in the center of the room that illuminated all the glasses that surrounded the platform. A man dressed in all black walked out and to the end of the platform, “Thank you to everyone who showed up for tonight’s event. Tonight is a special occasion because we have a special person here tonight. She has fire in her spirit and an amazing military background. She’s a weapon to say the least,” he says as he laughs at his last statement.

               The fire in my chest burned bright from the girl he was referring to. My girl and I were here to take her away and make everything better.

               “So, without further ado, as your host Michael Gravely, let the bidding begin.” So that’s what the fucker looks like. He looks arrogant. I watch Michael exit off the platform as a girl dressed in a torn nightgown with a black bag over her head is ushered onto the platform. Her hands are tied behind her back, and she is struggling to walk. Her ankles are bruised from either chains or rope being around them.

               A loud voice boomed through my room from the speaker in the ceiling, “Lets start the night off right with our special guest,”. I grip the arms to my chair hard as my breathing picks up.

               The black bag over her head is lifted and my breathing stops.

               Its not her.

#ao3 fanfic #fanfic #gaz cod #john price #simon ghost riley #price #simon riley x you #captain price #john soap mactavish #simon riley x reader #lettherebelight

[uses-for-fics]

Tactona 420

Anders Holmvik x Reader

Another Monday morning and another boring ass meeting. Alice had been droning on and on about numbers when she finally introduced the new product of the week. Apparently it had been some toy race car that would link with a headset. Just as she caught your interest, she had lost it. She had started up a new rant about some meeting she was going to attend. You really didn’t pay much attention to her squeaky voice. The only good thing that ever came out of these meetings was getting to spend some time with Anders. Not necessarily ‘with’ Anders but hey, getting to sit behind him as he made jokes with his buddies was close enough for you. His laugh was melodic, his hair always looked so soft and fluffy. Don’t even get started on his smile, it’s so perfect. You always got butterflies in your belly whenever he’d pass by your cubicle and gave you a friendly hello. Oh but how could you forget his hands. Sometimes you’d imagine what they could do, so big and yet so gentle. It’s like you could feel them on you right now. Or maybe it’s cause they were, you hadn’t realized you zoned out until you felt Anders poking your shoulder.

“Hey Y/n, you good? I’ve been trying to get your attention for a minute now”. He smiled at you. God if you weren’t sitting down right now, your knees would’ve buckled. Adam butted in. “Yeah dude you should’ve seen your face! You were so spaced out! I was going to stick a pen in your mouth but Anders wouldn’t let me.” You turned to look at Adam as your smile fell. “Thank you Adam.” You said flatly.

“Yeahhhhh. So I actually wanted to ask you, were you thinking on joining the Tactona 420? Blake, Adam and I are making a group but hey wouldn’t hurt to have some friendly competition.”

You smiled back at Anders. “I would love to!”

“Sounds good!” He got up from his seat.

“But.” “But?” He stopped in his spot. You dropped your head. “I can’t, I promised Jillian Id fix her computer today. Apparently she ‘accidentally’ downloaded malware when she was downloading videos of ‘cute cats’, I don’t know why she just doesn’t say she was trying to illegally watch magic mike again, we’ve all seen her ogle face before.”

Adam laughed. “Yeah it’s the same one you make when you’re looking at Ders! Ooooo burn!” He lifted his hand to high five Blake but Blake just shook his head and dropped Adam’s hand down. “Nuh uh.”

Anders chuckled. “Thank you Adam.” He said sarcastically. “Why don’t you go with Blake and start modifying the car?” Adam stood up with Blake. “Oh hell yeah, it’s gonna beat the crap out of all of your guys' cars!” Adam yelled as Blake pushed him out of the meeting room. Anders rolled his eyes. “Well if you finish soon, it’d be great to have you there.” He smiled but quickly covered it up with a cough. “As a cheerleader obviously cause we’d soooo wreck your car up quickly,,,,dude.” He gave your shoulder a light punch.

You awkwardly laughed. “Ha ha. Yeah dude, I’ll so try to be there.” You gave him finger guns. “Guess I’ll see you later dude.” He started walking out of the meeting room backwards not breaking eye contact. You laughed as he gave you a wink and finger guns back. This man was going to be your demise. You decided you should start working on Jillian’s computer cause from all those shady pirating sites she has visited, you could only imagine how fucked it was going to be. A good two or three hours passed before your back had started to feel sore from sitting there for a while. You made calls all day for work but at least then you’d try to distract yourself by drawing at your desk or walking around your cubicle or staring at Anders. It’s not weird! It wasn’t your fault that your cubicle was right across from his and it definitely wasn’t your fault if your eyes occasionally would wander over there and would watch whatever dumb activity him and his friends were doing instead of work. You stretched your back until you felt a crack and stood up.

Maybe you could find something to snack on before having to get back to Jillian’s desk. You walked into the break room to find Adam smashing his toy car’s cover with a hammer and yelling. “I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING!!! Oh hey y/n.” He put down the hammer and toy car cover.

“Heyyy Adam. Um you ok buddy?” You stood by the entrance, not wanting to get closer to him.

“No I’m not ok. Blake killed his rat and Anders doesn’t want to join my team so now I have to mod my own car but I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING!!” You shifted on your feet weighing if you should help him or not. You were basically almost done with Jillian’s computer. Probably a half hour more and you’d be done but, this is Adam. He’s always so moody and he’s always joking about how you like Anders. He wasn’t wrong but you weren’t going to give him that satisfaction, or maybe you could. If you helped him maybe he could help you out. You smiled and walked closer to his car. “Maybe I could help.”

Adam’s head jerked up to look at you. “Are you serious?” You nodded. “For sure! I’m clearing Jillian’s computer right now. I know a thing or two about tech, all I need to do is mod your car into being faster than the rest.”

Adam jumped up. “Fuck yes!! Let’s start building right now so I can wipe Anders stupid smug smile with my dust.” You grabbed Adam by the collar before he could head out of the room. “Woah there! I didn’t even get to say what I get in return.” Adam shook his head. “Uhh doy dude, you get to spend time with me obviously! What else could you want?”

You rolled your eyes. “Gross. Actually, I wanted to see if you could setupadatewithAndersandI.”

Adam’s face twisted. “What?”

You groaned and looked down. “I wanted to see if you could set up a date with Anders and I.” Adam broke into laughter. You huffed. “Fine I won’t help you!” Adam grabbed your arm before you could walk away. “Dude I’m laughing cause that’s so easy. Have you not seen the way he acts around you? ‘Look at me I’m Anders! I can’t walk around y/n because she makes my legs shake! I’m so stupid and tall” Adam’s walked around mocking Anders.

You grabbed the stuff for his car. “Shut up that’s not true. Now let’s go fix up your car.” Adam continued mocking Anders all the way to your desk. You had been fixing up the car for a couple minutes now occasionally slapping Adam’s hand away before he could fuck something up. He’d finally gotten distracted by something. He gasped loudly making you jump in your seat. “Adam! What the fuck!” You turned to him noticing the book in his hands. He was looking through your sketchbook. “Adam! Give that back!” You tried to reach out for the book but he scooted back. “No way dude! You’re so down bad for Anders!!! I knew you liked him but there’s no way you actually have drawings of him!” “Adam that’s not funny. Please give it back.” You kept trying to reach for it but Adam kept scooting away from you. “They’re not half bad, maybe if you showed them to him he could overlook the whole stalker thing and ask you out.” You groaned. “I have no idea why I ever decided to help you! You’re such an idiot!” Adam stopped. “Hey! I may be an idiot but I am not stupid! At least I try to go for a date when I like a girl and I mean really try! You haven’t even tried to make a single attempt at asking out Anders the whole time that you’ve worked here. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from me.” With that, Adam turned to walk out of your cubicle but bumped into the side wall.

You giggled. “Maybe you’re right Adam. I should try. How about we go win this race and after we’ve wiped Anders, I ask him out.” Adam smiled. “HELL YEAH! LETS KICK ASS!”

He ran out of the cubicle fist pumping. “I’m not done with the car yet!” You yelled but he was too far already. You turned back to the car, you had to fix this car like if your life depended on it.

You managed to finish fixing up the car not long after, finally arriving to where the races were being held. Adam turned to look at you. “Dude! Took you long enough! I’ve been waiting for you for hourssssss!!!”

“It hasn’t even been 30 minutes!” You yelled back as you walked to him.

Anders turned to face you from his spot next to Adam. “Hey! You made it Y/n!”

“Hey Ders.” You stand next to him and smile.

Anders face started to turn a bit red. “Ders? You’ve never called me Ders before.” Your smile fell. He quickly went to speak. “I like it! You make it sound nice.” You got bashful. “Ha thanks I guess. Just thought we’re close enough to use it.” You looked up at him. “There’s actually something I wanted to tell you.” You placed your hand on his hoodies zipper.

He looked down at you and gulped. “What’s up.” You smirked and then zipped up his hoodie. “After the race.” You winked and went to go stand next Adam.

You handed Adam the updated controller and started explaining the buttons. Just as you finished up explaining them, Jillian got into position to start up the new race. “Start your engines!” She put the flag up in the air. You handed Adam the headset. “Good luck.” You walked away and went off to the sidelines. Anders winked at you and put on his headset. You face heated up. At least he couldn’t see you right now. “Go!” Jillian yelled as she threw the flag down. Just as the race started, it ended. Blake had ran in a few laps left, Adam had blocked the tunnel causing a blockage on the track. Anders flipped his car making it a ramp so Blake could jump it and win. They all hugged and jumped together as they cheered.

After they had their little celebration, Anders stepped away and walked over to you. “Hey.” You looked at him. “Hey.” He bumped his shoulder with yours. “Soooo what did you want to talk about?”

You got bashful. “I wanted to ask if you’d like to go out sometime.” You turned away from him.

“Like on a date?”

“Yeah. Like on a date.” You started getting nervous. Maybe Adam had been punking you this whole time and wanted you to embarrass yourself. Before you could freak out more, Anders had answered.

“Sure.” Your eyes widen. “I’m so glad you asked actually, I’ve been so nervous to ask to be honest.”

“Really?” You smiled up at him. “Yeah I actually didn’t think you felt anything for me and just thought I was a boring ass coworker until I saw your drawings”Your face turned beet red. “Oh no.” You covered your face with your hands. “Oh no no no. You’re gonna think I’m a creep!”

He grabbed your wrists and moved your hands from your face. “No! Not at all. I was confused at first to be honest. I noticed you kept staring at me and jotting something down so when you left to the bathroom one day I scoped your cubicle and found your open sketchbook to a drawing of me. By the way I got to say you’re really good at catching my handsome face. I’d love to pose for you anytime.” He smirked.

You laughed. Your face could physically not get any redder. “Yeah, maybe you should. There’s actually this pretty cool art museum I like to visit.”

Anders beamed. “I love museums! There’s currently a Scandinavian exhibit I’ve been wanting to check out!”

You slapped his shoulder. “No way! I’ve heard of it! I’ve been wanting to check it out on my days off!”

Anders intertwined his hands with yours. “How about we go together?”

You inched closer to him. “I would definitely not say no to that.” Just as you guys inched closer, Adam yelled.

“I did that you guys! That was all me!” Blake grabbed Adam. “Dude shut up.” Blake pushed Adam to the elevator and everyone started heading out too. “Well.” Anders cleared his throat. “I guess we should head back to work.”

You let go of his hand. “I guess so.” You got on your tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss. “Last one there is a rotten egg.” You gave him a light shove and ran towards the elevator. He smiled and ran after you. “Just wait til I catch up to you!”

#i’m so tired #my fic #x reader #workaholics fic #workaholics #anders holmvik fic #anders holmvik x reader #anders holmvik #anders holm #fiction #my fic writing #my fanfiction

[thekimspoblog]

One-Shot "I'm really starting to hate the Simpsons"

She felt like a monster, her shadow looming large over the sleeping cherub. Kim’s daughter was five years old now. The mop of auburn curls, the ruby red lips, the dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks; the last thing Kim wanted to do was disturb this peace. But she had to. She perched herself on the edge of the twin bed and, gently as possible, started to rouse her.

“Iris?” she whispered, “Iris, baby, wake up”

Reluctantly, the dark blue eyes opened. Already, a bewildered scowl was on her face.

“Sweetheart, we need to leave home. I…”

“Again?”

“... Yes.” Kim replied flatly. Iris only sounded moderately frustrated, but it was still a knife in Kim’s heart. “Take some time to wake up, but in thirty minutes, I need you downstairs with your suitcase. Dad and I will worry about your clothes and toothbrush, but pick out four toys you want to take with you. No more than four, okay? The rest have to stay here”

“I want daddy,” she whined.

“He’s downstairs. Come on, get dressed”

Iris pouted and Kim couldn’t help but feel judged. Sometimes it felt like it was written in the stars, that things between them always had to be just that little bit difficult. And it wasn’t for lack of understanding one another.

She jogged back downstairs, almost out of breath; the day had already been long enough and now night seemed insurmountable.

“How many changes of clothes do you have?” she shouted to Jimmy from across the kitchen.

“Four. Two pairs of jeans and two pairs of sweatpants”

“Do you think you could get by with only two outfits? We can buy more once we figure out where we’re going”

“No, we can’t”

“What?!” Kim hollered back while sweeping the contents of the downstairs medicine cabinet into a plastic bag.

“We’ve been frozen out of our accounts!”

“Son of a bitch!” she slammed the cabinet door closed.

“It’s fine. This is what the rainy day fund is for'' The three year old had already fallen back asleep on Jimmy’s shoulder. He passed Fille to his wife, then scurried down to the basement. He pulled back the fiberglass insulation to reveal bundles of cash stacked like bricks.

Kim anxiously bounced the toddler on her shoulder while trying to rifle through the fridge with her free hand. Where were the snacks? There were never any snacks in this house! She went shopping constantly and still whenever she was hungry, the fridge was empty. All she could find was a large glass jar of applesauce, a jar of peanut butter, a bag of shredded three-cheese, and the leftover pepperoni from a pizza kit; it would have to do.

“How much is there?” she interrogated her husband when he returned to the kitchen.

“A little over five thousand? I didn’t have time to count it”

“Then we’re better off than I thought. Ok: Your clothes? Check. My clothes? Check. Iris’s clothes?”

“They’re in my suitcase” Jimmy shot back.

“Fille’s clothes?”

“They’re in your suitcase”

“Ok. Meds? Check. Cash? Check. Jewelry? Electronics?”

“If the FBI is involved, I’m probably going to have to throw my laptop in the next river we drive past”

“We’ll worry about that later,” Kim yelled up the stairs, “Iris! Ten minutes!”

“What about IDs? We don’t even have any paperwork for Fille yet”

“Good thing she doesn’t make much noise then”

Still no reply from upstairs.

“I’ll go check on her,” Jimmy offered.

“No. I’ll do it. Please finish loading things into the car,” Kim said, taking off before he could answer.

Iris was pathetically fishing her stubby arm down the crevice between her bed and the wall.

“What’s the hold up?” her mother asked.

“Chirin fell down and I can’t reach him,” she explained.

Without skipping a beat, Kim dropped to the floor and crawled under the bed. She fumbled around in the dark until her fingers found something fluffy. She shoved the stuffed lamb in Iris’s hands and exasperatedly asked, “There. You have your lamb. Anything else? Think hard; once we leave this house, we can’t come back”

Iris shook her head. Clearly, the level of worry her parents were showing was not lost on her.

“Good. Then we need to go”

When the two came outside into the driveway, Jimmy was strapping Fille into the back seat of the sedan. Kim hoisted Iris into the car, the five year old still clutching her toy with both hands. Kim heard the trunk slam closed and as Jimmy buckled himself into the passenger’s seat, she heard him mutter something under his breath.

“If this ends with us singing B-I-N-G-O in the woods, I’m going to blow my brains out”

“What was that?” she asked her husband.

“Nothing”

They were a mile down the road. The clock on the dashboard read 2:13 am. Kim stole a glance in the rearview mirror into the passengers seats. The sisters had already fallen asleep again, their heads slumped together. That ratty little lamb. If Kim had lost any childhood toys in this way, she must have been too young to remember. But she remembered the one science project that she had been forced to abandon during a move. It was on solar power; it would have been an A! But on the morning it was time to throw everything in a cardboard box and flee the landlord, she couldn’t find it in time. Kim’s mother never would have dropped everything to help look for it. If Kim had even been stupid enough to ask, she knew her mother would have told her to leave it; it didn’t matter. It did though! That stupid little stuffed sheep mattered. Kim would just have to take some meager reassurance in the fact that she had gotten down on her knees to look for it.

“Iris, you know that I love you, right?” she confessed, waking the girl up.

Iris didn’t respond. She just glared back into the mirror skeptically.

“And I’m sorry, if stability isn’t something I can give you. But you know, a lot of kids’ parents have to move around for work. It’s the hand they’ve been dealt, and they just have to deal with it”

Still no reply.

“But I tried. We both tried. Your father and I have both tried so many times to be people other than ourselves. But we can’t. The masks always slip eventually. And I don’t know if it’s exactly a bright side, but look at it this way: if I was any good at pretending, you wouldn’t be here. I wish I could give you the perfect life. But I have to trust that this is still better than nothing”

Another awkward pause.

“I’m rambling. I guess my point is… sometimes, being yourself comes at the expense of other people. And I want you to know that wherever you go in life, all I want is for you to be yourself. And if it hurts me? Fair’s fair; I’ll owe you that much”

Jimmy put his hand on her leg. The squeeze he gave her was enough to communicate, “Kim, that’s enough. Please stop”

@richeeduvie @2entangledworms @mcwexlerscigarette @chainsawsangel

#mcwexler #blue irises #kim's bad mom character arc #jimmy x kim #better call saul fanfiction #one shot

[stranger-marauders]

shattered

fifteen: grocery shopping

chapter summary: After a sobering episode, Kate faces her biggest task yet, which involves Steve and the grocery store.

chapter warnings: language, canon-typical violence

word count: 3.0k

series masterlist | masterlist

STEVE HAD WOKEN up before Kate, just like he normally did.

For about a minute, Steve had been absolute bliss. Before his eyes had even fluttered open, he could smell her perfume. She always sprayed it after she got out of the shower, her reasoning being it stuck better if she did it then. Her head was rested on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her back. She was perfectly fine now, seemingly snuggled up against him. That feeling of Kate in his arms again, that feeling of their legs intertwined, that feeling of her hand in his made everything shadow in comparison—she was the only thing in the world as far as he was concerned.

That was when he remembered once again that Kate wasn't truly his, even if it had felt that way for a fraction of a second.

He had carefully untangled himself from her whenever he'd finally decided to get out of bed, careful not to make too many sudden moves. Once he'd pulled himself out from underneath her, he placed a pillow under her head, trying to keep as close to her former position as possible. He didn't want to wake her up right now: he had to take a shower, make his hair more presentable than it had looked in the past couple of days.

Nancy wouldn't be at his house to pick them up for at least another hour or two anyway, so she definitely had time to sleep a bit more. He had no idea when she had finally fallen asleep, but he assumed it had taken her a while to relax enough to where she could after the night she'd had. He owed her the opportunity to get a couple more hours, and he was going to cash in on that now rather than later.

He hesitated to leave her alone in his room. It didn't matter if it was just long enough for him to take a shower and get his hair right—it was still too long without being able to keep an eye on her. He didn't think anything would happen to her in her sleep. Not after last night. Besides, she hadn't had nightmares in months. The only reason they'd start now is if Vecna were trying to take her, too, but she hadn't had a nosebleed since they were in eighth grade. He would've noticed if she spontaneously had a nosebleed, and considering how many her sister used to get, she definitely would've said something to him if he didn't notice it himself. If she'd had any nightmares, they hadn't been bad enough to where she'd woken up; he would've heard her, felt her shift against him.

Steve knew the longer he debated with himself the more likely she would be to wake up and find him staring at her, which would definitely come off as more creepy than endearing. It didn't matter the context—he would still seem like a weirdo.

He knew that for now, he needed to let her sleep: he didn't know how much more of that she would get.

By the time Nancy had picked Steve and Kate up at his house, they were quickly banished to the trunk with Dustin.

Nancy and Robin gave Steve and Kate the rundown of what their next task was. They, including the kids, had already worked up a list of things Eddie wanted from the grocery store, and that also included a six-pack of beer. The group of five had no idea how they were going to get such a thing until Robin conveniently remembered that Steve and Kate both had fake IDs which they'd used to buy alcohol many times from the grocery store in Cartersville, the town next over from Hawkins. They both protested for only a minute before Nancy pulled the "you both would want a six-pack too if you were being hunted by the police" card, so they obliged (even though Kate was definitely more of a hard liquor girl, in Eddie's position, she would have taken anything).

That also meant that Kate had to deal with Steve in the grocery store alone, and that was something she didn't want to do.

It wasn't like he was annoying or anything; in fact, it was quite the opposite. She needed the exact opposite of whatever they were about to get themselves into, especially after falling asleep next to him again the night before.

The whole thing made her brain feel fuzzy. She didn't like thinking about what she was feeling, and she certainly didn't have the time to unpackage all of her emotions right now while he was standing next to her. She couldn't begin to tell herself how stupid she was being: she couldn't love him. Everything about the night before made her feel like she was crazy for feeling that way, especially after he'd told her she'd broken his heart. That wasn't something you could simply get over, and somehow Steve had pushed past all of it just to make sure she was okay.

That was why it made her feel fuzzy. She couldn't begin to try to unravel what he must've been thinking. Steve must've thought she was absolutely insane considering all he'd seen of her now, but he hadn't acted that way. She couldn't stop thinking about how he'd said he still cared about her: how could he still care about her after what she'd done to him? All of the thoughts were seemingly stuck in her head. Her brain felt so congested that she could barely read the list Dustin had given her.

"All right, let's see," Steve said after grabbing a cart, peering over Kate's shoulder to look at the list in her hands. "Jesus, Henderson put a lotta shit on there. Does he think I'm made of money or something?"

"You waste money on him all the time."

"I don't waste it," he shot back. "I know Dustin. I've met Munson, like, once or twice, and now I'm gonna have to give away an entire paycheck just for his grocery bill."

"I mean, we don't want him to starve, now do we?" Kate asked, still scanning over the list. She couldn't believe this was a grocery list for Eddie Munson—she hadn't thought he would like Kraft macaroni and cheese.

Kate had never had the pleasure of meeting Eddie. She didn't know much about Eddie Munson, only the bits and pieces that seemingly everyone else knew about him. She knew he was one of the more successful pot dealers at school, even though he overcharged people for weed (as everyone did at the high school,). She knew almost everyone at the high school knew he was a bit crazy, especially because he seemingly loved antagonizing the athletes, especially the basketball players. Most importantly, she knew he loved Dungeons & Dragons, and that was how the boys knew him. She couldn't help but be curious about him, mostly because she'd never really heard too much about him up until now.

"So, what's he like?" Kate finally asked.

Steve gave her a confused look. "Who?"

"Eddie."

He scoffed. "Yeah, you're not gonna like him."

Her eyebrows furrowed together. "What's that supposed to mean? Also, that's not what I asked."

"I don't know, he just..." He sighed, shrugging. "He's just a little off, that's all. He held a beer bottle to my throat the other day."

"What?"

"Yeah, see? Look," he said, pointing to a spot on his neck where there was, admittedly, no mark at all.

Her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "Steve, there's nothing there."

He ran his hand down his neck, confused. "What?"

She sighed. "Look, I just... there's no way he's terrible. If Dustin's friends with him, then he can't be that bad, right?"

"Oh, Jesus, don't even get me started on Henderson's obsession with him," Steve said bitterly, starting to rant. "It's always 'Munson this, Munson that.' 'Steve! Come play D&D with us tonight, because we need someone to fill in for Lucas!' As if I'd play that nerdy shit with him and Eddie. I mean, seriously, all I hear about anymore is how cool Eddie's music taste is, and how cool his hair is, and—"

"Jesus, never mind. Forget I asked," she said, shaking her head. "If you feel so passionately about him, why don't you just marry him?"

He gave her an annoyed look. "Seriously?"

She only shrugged in response.

Steve leaned against the cart, reluctantly following her as she moved to the next aisle—cereal. He remembered when they used to go grocery shopping for him when his parents weren't ever home, especially last summer. Going to the grocery store together was something they'd done since sophomore year, but going to that grocery store, in particular, was something they'd been doing since they were seniors in high school. It was simple things like this that he missed so much about Kate, something so simple that he could seemingly go without it. Now that he was with her again, though, he didn't want to do anything like go to the grocery store without her ever again.

"Do you know what type of cereal he likes?" she finally asked, grabbing his attention again. "Dustin literally just wrote cereal down."

"I don't know, just get some Frosted Flakes or something."

"No, that's what I like."

He shrugged. "Exactly! If he doesn't like them, we can eat them for breakfast tomorrow morning."

Her eyebrows furrowed together as she pressed her lips together. "Talk about a one-track mind."

"I'm just thinking ahead."

"Sure."

Moving through aisles slowly became less of an annoyance and more of a privilege. Kate had forgotten about the way that he would sneak the most random things into the cart, even if they weren't on the list. For example, Eddie had specifically asked for the Original flavored Pringles, but Steve had also thrown a sour cream and onion flavored can—Kate liked those ones much more than any of the other ones. She liked that side of him, the passively affectionate side. While she did love the flippant, overly-loving side of him, too, it was the smallest gestures like that that made her melt on the insides.

She tried to shut them out, those feelings. She really did. She couldn't help it, however, when he would pick some random thing off the shelf, talking passionately about whatever it was ("this is the only acceptable brand of popcorn, Kathy") that he had picked up. She thought it was absolutely adorable, and she could barely focus on what he was saying.

"Jesus, this'll be hard," Steve said somewhat sarcastically whenever they got into the alcohol section. "I wonder what beer he likes."

Kate beelined straight for the Schlitz six pack in the corner when Steve started yelling at her, grabbing her arm. "Kathy, what are you doing! Are you insane?"

"Jesus Christ, Steve!" she said, pulling his hand off of her. "I'm just grabbing the beers like we're supposed to so we can get out of here."

"No, not that, I'm talking about the brand."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"The brand, Kathy!" he said, his voice a hushed whisper. "What are you thinking trying to bring him a pack of Schlitz? You're out of your goddamn mind."

She scoffed. "I'm sorry, Schlitz is extremely cheap and easy to get wasted on. Perfect for our needs."

"Tell me you didn't give yourself a beer hangover on Schlitz," Steve said, giving her a concerned look. Whenever she didn't answer and only avoided eye contact, he sighed. "Seriously? Kathy, that's just sad."

"Yeah, well, I was sad and it reminded me of my dad, so get over it."

He shook his head—he'd forgotten that her dad drank Schlitz. He turned his head, seeing another six-pack next to him out of the corner of his eye. "See, now this is what I'm talking about."

Kate tilted her head in response. "Miller?"

"This is the best of the best, all right?" he said, putting it in the cart. "When things get normal again, I'll re-refine your palette, because it obviously needs cleansing."

"Oh, whatever."

He stifled a laugh, pushing the cart again. "Yeah, this'll be perfect. Munson's gonna love this."

It hadn't taken them long to get through the checkout line. The lady that had cashiered for them had been older, seemingly unsuspicious of them as Steve displayed the fake ID they'd made together last year to replace his old one. She didn't think about it anymore whenever Steve had taken as many bags as he could in one go, only letting Kate carry one of them. Nancy had pulled the car around whenever she'd seen them again, quickly letting them throw all the grocery bags in the back before they got comfortable next to Dustin again and drove off back toward Hawkins.

When they'd gotten back inside of city limits, Robin broke the silence that hung over the front part of the car.

"Not to be a wimp, but can I sit in the car for this visit? 'Cause this is gonna totally and royally suck."

"It'll be fine."

"I just can't stand to see those dull eyes of Eddie's break again. I really, really can't."

"At least he can drink himself into feeling better," Steve said, holding up the case of Miller Genuine Draft before putting it back down again, still stuffing his face with Pringles.

"That's what my mom does," Max said, her tone somewhat forced.

"Hey, my dad used to do it, too," Kate said, shrugging as she stole a Pringle from Steve.

"Hey, I got you some of your own! Stop stealing mine!" Steve said to her, giving her a displeased look when she put the chip in her mouth anyway with an absent shrug.

"Why don't we just give it a trial?" Robin asked, prepping what she would say to him. "'Hey, Eddie. Uh, good news first this time. We got you some Dustin-approved junk food and that six-pack you requested. Oh yeah, and we found Vecna. Only the bad news is that he's in that other, darker, much scarier dimension that we told you about, and the gate's closed, so we have no way of getting to him, like he's entirely shut off to us, so basically you're screwed. And, no, I know that you were already screwed, but now you're doubly, triply screwed!"

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Maybe we don't put it like that," Lucas said, cutting off Robin's speech.

"We're one step closer to finding Vecna," Nancy suggested instead. "That's what we say. That's what's important."

"See, Robin? Positive spin can make all the difference," Steve said, eating another Pringle.

"Uh-huh," Robin replied, seemingly unimpressed.

Before anyone else in the car could contribute to more conversation, Nancy mumbled, "Oh shit."

Everyone stopped what they were doing, only looking ahead to see what Nancy saw: Reefer Rick's house had been rendered a crime scene. Once she parked the car, everyone jumped out, mostly to watch the press conference that was about to take place.

"Come on, this way," Kate said, taking Steve by the hand and walking behind one of the news vans, leading the rest of the group to follow her. As they took their place out of sight to watch Chief Powell talk to the group of reporters, the message became more and more clear.

"As many of you may know by now," Powel started, "the Roane County line received a call a little after midnight... reporting a homicide out here on the lake. Officer Callahan here and myself arrived first on the scene. We made our way to the shore of Lover's Lake, about ten yards from that house you see behind me. It was there that we found the victim, an eighteen-year-old senior from Hawkins High, Patrick McKinney. His limbs... his body, uh... it was disfigured similarly to the other victims. There was an eyewitness to the scene, but we will not be releasing the name of this individual. We have also identified a person of interest." Powell stopped, holding up a picture, one of an all too familiar face. "Eddie Munson. We encourage anyone with information to please come forward."

"Oh shit," Kate whispered.

He matched her worried expression. "Yeah, this is not good. This is really not good."

Before anyone could say anything else, Dustin's radio went off loudly. "Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?"

Dustin pulled the antennae out, turning down the volume and replying to him. "Eddie, holy shit, are you okay?"

"Nah, man. Pretty... Pretty goddamn far from okay."

"Where is he?" Robin asked.

"Where are you?" Dustin called into the walkie urgently.

"Skull Rock. Do you know it?"

"Uh, yeah, that's near Cornwallis and—"

"Garrett, yeah. I know where that is," Steve said, looking to Kate for half a second before running back to Nancy's car. She knew where it was, too.

"Hold tight, we're coming. We're coming," Dustin said as he signed off, getting into the car with the rest of the group.

next chapter

taglist:

@thatsonezesty13 @cece5298 @thepowerstoner @alovelytardis @coolchick333 @stand-tall-pineapple @littlet-holmes @guichu @cinderellacauseshebroke @blackbirddaredevil23 @mads-weasley @ilovemarauders @pearlstiare @liableperfections @khaylin27 @girlwiththerubyslippers @cyarikaaa

#steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x hopper!reader #stranger things 4 #steve harrington headcanon #steve harrington x oc #steve harrington series #steve harrington stranger things

[nyamadermont]

#FFF168 Sleepless Nights

@flashfictionfridayofficial

Avatar: Legend of Korra

439 words

[Image ID: a light grey background with white sparkles and darker grey wrinkles. The text “#FFF168: Sleepless Nights” is in white, centered in the foreground. /End ID]

Kya stiff-armed her way into the administration suite on the top floor of police headquarters. The receptionist looked up with one expression of surprise, only to find himself caught up short.

“Master Kya! Is something wrong? No one told me to watch out for you.” His confusion was written all over his face.

Kya chuckled. “Hi, Gao. The only thing wrong is that Beifong didn’t make it to dinner like she said she would.”

Relief washed over Gao’s face. “Oh, that didn’t even cross my mind. I’ve only been here for two hours, so I figured she’d be here another two at least. If I had known she had plans, I would have gotten her out.”

They shared a smirk. They both refrained from adding “or tried to” to his declaration. He returned to his work as she let herself past his desk to go knock on the chief’s door.

Five minutes later, the two women said good night to Gao.

Kya spent the first hour watching Lin feed herself for the first time since breakfast.

Kya spent the second hour walking Lin to her apartment and supervising her transformation into civilian clothes.

Kya spent the third hour cajoling Lin into turning around and going back out with the intention of having a good time.

Kya spent the fourth hour trying to keep Lin from turning heel and going home while finding just the right night spot.

Kya spent the fifth hour plying Lin with the weakest drinks she could get the bartender to make.

Kya spent the sixth hour dancing where Lin could see her.

Kya spent the seventh hour dancing with Lin in her arms.

Kya spent the eighth hour with her shoes in one hand and Lin’s hand in the other, dangling their feet over the edge of the roof.

Kya spent the ninth hour on a bench outside an all-hours noodle bar, stuffing noodles into Lin’s face.

Kya spent the tenth hour sitting in Avatar Korra park, waiting beside Lin for the sun to come up.

Kya spent the eleventh hour surreptitiously directing Lin to her favorite morning bakery.

Twelve hours after extracting Lin Beifong from her office, Kya ushered the tired woman into her own apartment.

As they washed their feet and their faces, Lin gave Kya a puzzled look.

“What was that all about? I enjoyed every minute. I’ll always remember tonight. But why?”

Kya reached her left hand to cup Lin’s scarred cheek, and smiled softly.

“You watched over me for so many sleepless nights after I got hurt. I wanted to spend a night with you when I was awake, too.”

#flash fiction friday #fff168 #sleepless nights #kyalin #lin beifong #kya ii #nyama’s short fics

[dragonmuse]

Hey, that YAILY ask you answered a few anons back, how you mentioned you were trying to figure out how Izzy finds Read. "greasepaint is a bitch to get out of fabric" - what about Izzy tries taking it to dry cleaners, but "hmm, that kid on the other side of the street looks like they’re about to keel over-oh, never mind they did, welp, guess its hospital time. Hey eddy, I'm in the ER, no, no allergies, someone got stabbed. No, not me. anyway, how do feel about having a guest for dinner tonight?"

(ANON ANON YOU ARE A GENIUS! And anon who initially requested this, I hope this at last scratches the itch)

Fridays, Izzy picked up and dropped off the dry cleaning. He was so regular that they usually had it ready for him. The prices was generally astronomical thanks to a million kinds of fabric pressed against his work uniforms, but he paid it unthinkingly. Such was the way of his world.

"Sorry!" Marcus behind the counter called when he came in that day. "We've been overloaded this week, yours is ready, just buried. Give me five?"

Izzy nodded, turning to head back outside. It was a decent day and the smell of the dry cleaners was not a favorite. He cased the street idly. The kid that lingered by the convenience store was there again today. They'd appeared a week or two ago, not quite panhandling, but not refusing the few dollars that Izzy offered as he walked by either.

They were big, for all they folded down small. Smaller than last week. Hm. They were listing a little.

....and there they went. Shit. Izzy pushed off the wall, checked traffic, then hustled across the street.

He squatted down to their side,

"Hey," he said sharply, clearly. "You alive?"

No answer. Shit. He touched them gently, got a pulse and could hear them breathing. There was blood, he realized, soaking through the arm of their shirt at an astounding rate. Clinically, he took out his cell, punched numbers, jammed it between his shoulder and ear even as he got out his knife and started cutting away at their sleeve.

"What's your emergency?" A calm voice asked him,

"Hey, Barb, it's Izzy. I've got a fainter on Broadway, in front of the Sip and Go. Looks like blood loss I'm trying to get at the wound now."

"Why are you calling me?" Barb asked.

"It's my day off. Can I get a bus?"

"Lucky you, huh? Okay, I'm sending someone to your location. Do you know anything about them?"

He glanced at the face, broken nose definitely, along with a split lip.

"No, looks young, white. Underfed." He got the sleeve open and found a wicked, ragged wound. "Cut inflicted by something dull or went in dirty. They're going to need stitches, tetanus shot and probably a blood bag. Who's on duty?"

"Deb and Skunk are on their way to you."

"Great, thanks."

The cops always showed to scenes, but Deb and Skunk were a good smokescreen. They showed, got the kid on a stretcher and in the bus, Izzy still putting pressure on the wound until Skunk took over. The cops would get a bare bones statement later.

They didn't come to on the way to the hospital and being unconscious got you some privileges. They were whipped away past the waiting room. An hour later, one of the nurses that he knew well let him into the room.

"No ID," the nurse told him solemnly. "They've been sleeping rough, if I had to guess. There's a shelter that we can direct them too when they're up and about."

"Yeah, good," Izzy nodded.

Eddy: where'd you go to get the dry cleaning? Russia?

Izzy: in the er. not for me. kid passed out on the sidewalk. blood loss. must've been in a hell of a fight.

Eddy: you took them in?

Izzy: wasn't going to just leave them.

Eddy: ok. no dry cleaning?

Izzy: going to stay until they wake up at least.

That wasn't too long a wait. Eyelids fluttered open a few minutes later followed by a bone deep groan. Izzy waited until they'd sat up a little, oriented themselves.

"Am I in the fucking hospital?" they groaned.

"Yeah, that's what happens when you free bleed everywhere like a dipshit," Izzy leaned back in the chair, relieved that they seemed with it. "Who beat your face in?"

"I beat their face in," they said, a vicious undercurrent in their voice that he appreciated vastly.

"Got learn how to duck then."

"Who are you?" they asked warily.

"Lucky you, a bystander who moonlights as an EMT. Izzy Hands. You?"

"Read."

"You got somewhere to go home to, Read? Because the nurses are going to come back with pamphlets, tissues and questions."

They shifted, looked away.

"Sure I do."

"Uh huh."

He stayed while the nurses came in, then the doctors. Then the cops. He didn't say much. All he learned was her pronouns, and that she did not, in fact, have an address to provide. She gave nothing away about the fight and stonewalled them at every turn.

Izzy: she's homeless

Eddy: fuck, fine. I'll make the guest bed. where was all this sainthood in our twenties?

Izzy: drowned by the booze probably

Eddy: pickled. I'm leaving for the bar in an hour.

Izzy: probably miss you entirely then. see you on monday.

Read argued about going home with him right up until the nurse asked about calling a family member and then all of a sudden, Izzy was a dear family friend as it turned out. He had to leave to get the car and she was waiting in the parking lot when he got back.

"Grabbed your bag," he pointed in the backseat and relief passed over her face.

The further out they got, the tenser she went, but there wasn't much he could do for that. It was warm out, and the garden was in full bloom as he pulled up the drive. The sight of that seemed to ease her a little.

"This your work?"

"Nah, that's Eddy."

"Eddy is your..."

"Spouse. But they're with their boyfriend this weekend," he could generally say that in a neutral tone these days. Practice made mediocrity or something.

"Oh," Read settled on and followed him inside.

He got her set up in the guest room, pointed out the bathroom then made himself scarce. She falls asleep before he can get dinner into her.

Read haunted the house that weekend. He left food out for her, lets her maintain her space. He spent a lot of time outside. On Sunday, Lucius called and Izzy caught him up.

"You took in a stray?"

"Seemed like the thing to do," he meandered through the vegetable patch.

"Did it? Look at you. Very cute. What will you do with her?"

"Dunno if she'll let me do jack shit, but she needs help."

"She's staying, that means something."

Eddy came home on Monday morning in a great mood. She was singing to herself, and came to find him right away.

"Where's the girl?" Eddy wound an arm around Izzy's waist.

"In the guest room, probably," he stepped in closer.

Eddy kissed him, other hand sinking into his hair and Izzy just managed to switch off the burner before losing himself in it.

"Oh, shit, sorry," someone said and Eddy broke off with a soft sigh, turning.

"No worries," she shoved off Izzy, and held out a hand. "Eddy."

"Read," Read said tightly. "I was um. I'm going to-"

And she was gone.

"What the fuck?" Eddy glanced back at Izzy.

"No idea. She's skittish."

Skittish enough that Izzy caught her headed for the door later that night.

"You going to walk to town?" He asked from the couch and watched her jump about a foot in the air.

"Shit," she muttered.

"If you've got somewhere, I'll give you a ride," he offered mildly. "But otherwise that's a long fucking stumble in the dark."

"I can't stay," she lifted her pack a little.

"Why not?" Her eyes flicked up the stairs. "Eddy?"

Read looked at him miserably, not saying a word.

"Iz?" Eddy called down the stairs, "Where's the- oh! Never mind, found it."

"What about them?"

Read only shook her head, moved closer to the door.

"Shit, fine, hold on," Izzy got out his phone.

Group Text: THEM

Izzy: one twenty-something idiot needs temporary housing asap

Lucius: re-homing already?

Izzy: she doesn't want to stay, but it's us or the street so someone better pony the fuck up

Jim: she can stay on our futon

Roach: that's cruel and unusual punishment.

Jim: what about your place then?

Roach: fuck no.

Stede: It's not very large, but I have Alma's room if she'd like it.

Izzy hesitated, watched the way Read stood in the moonlight, ready to bolt. Not the fucking time.

Izzy: fine. we'll be there in an hour.

"Your lucky day," he told her, getting up. "Give me five. You've got a bed in the city."

"That's where I was headed," she said quietly. "I can get work there."

"Stede'll give you a job. And anything else your want if you turn those big blues on him. He's a fucking soft touch."

He went upstairs. Eddy was in their closet, putting away laundry.

"I saw the texts," they said, not looking up. "It's me, huh?"

"She's scared shitless of you," he agreed.

"Smart girl," she smoothed down the folds of a t-shirt, voice tight.

"Hey," Izzy stepped in closer. "Not like you did anything."

"No, I know," Eddy brushed hair back from her forehead. "Honestly, I didn't want her here anyway. But...still. Doesn't feel great."

"You'll win her over," Izzy said with certainty. "Everyone always winds up liking you better than me."

"That's cause you're an incurable asshole," she smiled at him touched his wrist. "But I think maybe not this time."

"Every time," he countered and kissed her cheek. "I'll drive her in."

Stede was waiting and Izzy could practically taste Read's relief at the sight of the man, about as threatening as a loofah. Izzy didn't bother telling her how dangerous Stede was in his own right. She needed to believe she was safe and she was. Good enough.

"You're not headed straight back home?" Stede frowned as Izzy lingered in the door, watching Read run a hand over the velvet couch.

"Yeah," he said readily. "I am."

"But-"

"Eddy," Izzy shrugged.

"Oh. Yes. I suppose..."

They stared helplessly at each other. It wasn't a bridge Izzy could bring himself to build, but once and a great long while, he appreciated looking over the valley anyway. To see someone else that had a general idea of the circumstance,

"Night, Bonnet. Night, Read."

"Good night," Read stepped towards him then stopped. "Thanks. For everything."

Izzy went home to crawl into bed with Eddy. He knew he was a living reminder of the past, but he could kiss her the way they did now. Be a reminder of the now too.

And he was right, of course. Eddy won Read over though it took months and a red head and the kind of night Izzy thought he'd never see again.

Read technically had a terrible little room that she would tell everyone was her home address, but after that, she lived scattershot between Bonnet's studio, Izzy and Eddy's house and sometimes even on Jim's terrible futon. It was only when Anne and her started both making a reasonable living that she genuinely had her own place. Even then, often she'd drive out on Izzy's bike (her bike now really, Izzy never needed it) and invade the kitchen for supper.

"Your kid is eating my leftovers," Eddy would inform him tartly when he got off a late shift.

"Uh huh," Izzy would laugh at her. "And you could've stopped her at literally any point."

"She was hungry," Eddy would grumble.

Read would make it up to them in the morning, weeding down rows of flowers tirelessly at Eddy's side. Izzy would watch them idly from the porch, Lucius sometimes there too, feet in Izzy's lap. The world was a strange and wonderful place some days.

#leda house and the kraken verse #ficlet #you're awful i love you #au of the au #izzy hands #mary read #eddy teach bonnet

[youre-in-big-trouble]

[part 1!]

within an hour, i had to go again. and within two hours, RIIIGHT before i had to get ready for work... i was bursting again.

i laid on my stomach, feeling the sore ache of my overstretched bladder... i sipped another water... had a little snack... once i hit that two hour mark, i took off for the bathroom again.

i couldnt cross my legs, or use my hands. my poor, refilled bladder was whining as i squatted down to set my bucket back up... i got the feeling i was going to leak a lot faster this time. it got so much worse when i was sipping hot water...

but, it just kept... drip, drip, drip... for almost five full minutes, i was stuck fighting off drips, with no actual Relief in sight!! finally, we got tired of this. i had to stand up (no crossing my legs!) and refill my bottle one more time (no hands, dont make mess!) and then pour some warm water between my legs (ohgodohgodohgod...!)

finally! my body gave in. a slow dribble turned into a gush, and then a spray that i couldnt have stopped for love, money, power, anything... peed for a full minute and a half at full force.

my bladder was so sore after, and when i saw that i had to get ready for work?? oh, man... i wish i could have stayed home and enjoyed myself more.

ended up HAVING to pee every hour i was at work. ... well. okay. maybe a couple of those bathroom breaks were more for pleasure than business. but dont judge! i held until my muscles gave out TWICE that day! you should be impressed that i didnt leak at work or something...

um. speaking of which...

one of our closing tasks is mopping the store. we start an hour before close, and we try not to walk over wet areas, so we don't leave footprints. ... sooo, after i mopped the bathrooms, i realized i couldnt go anymore that night. thats fine! i could hold it for a whole hour and a half. besides, my urges to go had gotten a lot less intense...

so, we closed up, no problems there. well, the other guy DID take a long while to go mop HIS area of the store... but, no biggie, i just finished my soda and chilled.

finally, ten minutes after close, we got out to our cars. i wished him a good night, and-- oh. he has a story to tell about a customer who came in. okay!

and then another. and those reminded him of something else, and--

twenty minutes later, i reminded him that i gotta get home soon. ... it wasnt the first time id reminded him, either. THAT was when i got in my car and felt my seatbelt dig into my bladder.

so, thirty minutes after the store closed, and a whole HOUR AND A HALF after my last potty break, i finally left the parking lot and headed for home.

by the time i got there, i could feel tired pressure in my worn-out bladder. walked up the steps (oof), unlocked the door (mmmaybe my snack should wait,), said hi to my partner (hihihiokaybye), and then had to speedwalk to the bathroom.

as soon as i had the door shut, my bladder panged angrily. i gasped, shuffling forward and ripping my pants down. i hadn't even sat down before i started peeing...

but!! it all made it into the toilet! no mess, no spills...

after that, i took a hot shower, ate a meal, drank some juice, and fell right asleep.

... kinda wanna go for round two today. or, would this be round three? four??

#omorashi #bathroom control #bladder control #pee holding #full bladder #nsft #live hold #hold

[lumpofwhump]

The Scavenger and the Forgotten, Part 1: The Rescue

Whumpay 2022, Day 1: "I'm not leaving you."

Summary: A survivor of a societal collapse finds the last surviving subject held captive in an abandoned government laboratory.

Content: Lab whump, captivity whump, non-human whumpee, conditioned whumpee, older whumpee, non-human caretaker, reluctant caretaker

Radu yelped at the muffled cheer from the other side of the thick cell wall. It was the first voice he'd heard since he'd been unceremoniously dumped in Room 4236. He couldn't have said when that had been; the only measure of time that made sense in this most restrictive form of captivity was Before and During.

For all intents and purposes, the cell had become an oubliette for the Ganymedean Ministry of Science's last genetically modified subject. The guards, deprived of the entertainment of seeing the now old and useless labby get violently scrapped by his younger, stronger counterparts by a last minute reprieve, had left him in here until they could think of something better… or worse, from his perspective. Now weakened by starvation, he doubted whether he could make it through the door five feet in front of him even if they'd left it unlocked.

His breath caught in his throat at the sound of approaching footsteps. Slower, more cautious, than staff had generally been. Still, he nearly jumped out of his skin at the loud beep of an ID badge opening the door.

There was no way the person who entered a moment later was a labtech, at least, as she was wearing a threadbare brown coat rather than a uniform. Besides, it was rare to see a xeno on staff, and the young woman's jade skin, long pointy ears, and antennae poking out of her mess of curly hair immediately identified her as a Girn. Still, he slammed his back against the wall with force he wouldn't have thought he could still manage, his eyes going wide at the gun trained on his head.

"Please, please, don't… don't shoot! Don't hurt me," he rasped, his shoulders hunched as he raised trembling hands to shield his face. "I've been wiped… I can't... I won't try anything! I've been wiped!"

--

Clee had picked her way through the last of the debris leading up to the gates of Satellite Office 43. The building was as bland and institutional as its name, its importance suggested only by the coils of barbed wire atop the fences. Or what remained of them, at least. From the look of things, the rumors were true: this last, lonely laboratory had fallen, just like the government running it had done a few months ago. Liberated by a roving gang of escaped genmods if the subjects were lucky. Raided for captives or cleared out with gunfire if they weren't.

Whoever had done it, they'd been helpful enough to also smash open the checkpoint gate so a scavenger like her didn't have to navigate the jagged edges of cut fence. The palm scanner - its screen cracked but otherwise apparently functional - beeped in ineffectual protest as she passed through without authorization. The place seemed abandoned now, thankfully. There was no one to pressgang her into joining this or that militia, or shoot her on sight for being an offworlder (as if she'd had a choice in that). No one to compete for whatever valuable equipment, information, or better yet, medication might still be there. If she could find even a few vials of the stuff the labs kept their subjects hooked on, she'd have enough to leave Ganymede within a day.

She found an abandoned staff badge almost immediately - only a little bloodstained, nice - but after that her luck seemed to run out. She picked up a few guns, but precious little ammunition. Most of the equipment still there had evidently been too heavy for even the most modded-out escapee to carry off. She'd almost given up when she reached the top floor several hours of mostly fruitless searching later.

But then… score. A room with several medication freezers, miraculously untouched. The sealed bags of human blood were a nice find, but it was nothing compared to the pack of twenty four vials, each of them labeled "LYCADONE 4.O ML.: GOVERNMENT USE ONLY."

She couldn't contain a loud whoop of triumph. Forget traveling in a smuggler's cargo hold, this would get her the kind of money she could buy a passport with, and have enough left over to hop on a fucking yacht out of Jovian space if she felt like it.

Her brief daydreaming was cut short, though, by a startled cry from the next room over.

Nice job, Clee, she thought, grabbing for one of the guns that still had a couple of rounds in it and looking for cover. But after a couple long, tense minutes, all she could hear - and only if she listened closely through the thick walls - was quiet whimpering. She crept over to the next door over, pausing again before she opened it with the pilfered staff ID.

The creature on the other side - and that was the only word to describe the sorry sight she was now looking at - immediately yelped and cowered as the door slid open. "Please, please, don't… don't shoot! Don't hurt me! I've been wiped… I can't... I won't try anything! I've been wiped!" he begged in a voice so hoarse she could barely understand him.

The guy was nothing like the nightmarish images of murderous genmod mercenaries who destroyed entire villages in the occupied territories back home. In fact, he looked absolutely decrepit. He had pale, wrinkled skin drenched with panicked sweat. His body was short and heavyset, though bits of sagging skin suggested he hadn't eaten anytime recently. Battered bits of exoskeleton framed long, chipped ears. His hair was patchy in places, but what remained was long, stringy, and filthy to the point that she couldn't quite make out what color it would've otherwise been. The fingers he held out were webbed, but the thin membranes of skin between them were almost ragged, littered with holes and tears. The one yellow eye she could see may at one point have been described as striking, but now it was bleary and wide with terror.

She lowered her weapon. "…The fuck?!"

--

Radu breathed out shakily as the stranger pointed the gun at the ground, but his body didn't relax. He flinched at her sharp tone.

Had she believed him? Would it matter if she did?

"P-please, miss," he repeated, moving his hands away from his face in a gesture of surrender.

"It's been a while since anyone's called me 'Miss,'" the Girn replied, sounding amused, almost. He gave her a nervous smile, hoping it was the right response, but his face fell when she recoiled. “Shit, someone really did a number on your teeth, huh?" she asked. Not exactly warmly, but just hearing someone talk about him without cruelty in their voice was an immense relief.

He nodded sheepishly, looking down and away such that greasy strands of hair fell over his face. "Miss -- I mean my…" He swallowed. She'd never been his, even if he had been hers. "The staff. Said I needed to… I. I didn't listen," he finished in a small voice.

"Ooookayyyy," the woman in front of him said, still looking immensely uncomfortable, but added flippantly, "Well, whoever she is, she's gone."

Radu felt his stomach drop. "G-gone?!" he squeaked out.

"Ah - ! How… long have you been in here now?"

He shook his head and gave a hopeless shrug.

"Alright then. So. I've got some news," she said, her tone not putting him at ease at all.

--

Great, Clee thought five minutes later, after she'd told him what had happened in the last little while. She'd gone and broken whatever was left of this poor bastard's mind. She'd thought he would've been happy -- this meant he was free, right? Instead, he'd slumped over onto the floor, head pressed against the ground, letting out a long whine of what sounded like despair.

"Hey! Hey," she said, using her most comforting tone. Unfortunately, as she knew from experience, she was never very good at being comforting. "It's… it's alright." It wasn't entirely a lie, at least.

The subject sniffled, not looking up.

"You're out of here. No more Miss Staff Whatsherface, no more cells, nothing," she tried. "You can go wherever you want."

This was apparently the very worst thing she could have said. He looked up at her with a confused, tearful, desperate expression, grabbing and tugging at his hair as he let out a sound that somehow managed to be more pathetic than the last. Clee shifted with discomfort, wondering if this was what being "wiped" did to a person… whatever that meant. In any case, this helpless blob of a person was as good as dead if he stayed here.

Really?! she silently demanded of the Wanderer, the Sacrifice, or whatever other supernatural force might be responsible for putting her in this position. As always, though, no one was there to get her out of the mess she'd landed in.

She sighed, put her gun away, and approached slowly, keeping her hands visible. Still, at the sound of her footsteps, he shrank away from her, letting out a weak cry of surprise as his butt hit the wall. She crouched a few feet away, trying not to think about what was on the floor beneath her. "Look, I'm sorry, but we've gotta go. We'll figure things out along the way, just, I can't leave you here. What's your name, by the way?" When the only response she got was another terrified stare, she added, "I'm Clee, by the way."

He nodded, not looking at her. "Radu," he mumbled finally. Then, if struggling to remember, "E22… 18… R7."

"I'll just stick with Radu," Clee said. "So second question. Can you get up and walk on your own?" She really, really hoped the answer would be yes, but she had the sinking feeling that she wouldn't be so lucky.

--

Radu tried his best to do as Clee had asked of him, he really did. But he stumbled, his weak, aching legs barely able to support the rest of him. And it was abundantly clear that Clee didn't want to touch him if she could at all avoid it, grimacing as she gripped even the parts of him still covered by the tattered remains of his lab-issue uniform to help keep him on his feet.

She didn't let go though, and just like she'd promised, she didn't leave him. For that, he was immensely grateful. Together, they slowly, carefully, made it down to the ground floor.

And then they were out into the open, past the checkpoint and into the darkened domed city he barely remembered. He nearly tripped over some of the debris littering the street as he took it all in. The city he knew, before he'd been sent back, was gone. The only familiar thing was the giant orb of Jupiter looming over them in the night sky.

"Welp, we're not making it back to Xenotown tonight," Clee cut in, interrupting his thoughts. "If we're lucky, we can find a working shower in one of these places." She gestured to the concrete apartment buildings around them, some of them still mostly intact.

His eyes shot open in fear. "The curfew, though," he protested weakly. "Genmods aren't allowed in places like this…!"

"Yeah, and who's enforcing that anymore?" Clee answered, her ears flicking in a dismissive gesture. "Besides, everyone who could has left. There'll barely be enough people to notice, and we'll have our pick of places."

She once again made good on her promise, finding them an abandoned one-room apartment on the eighth floor of the first building they found with a working elevator. Radu stood in the middle of the room with overwhelmed amazement at everything that had been left here - a vid screen, an old recliner, and best of all an actual bed - while Clee rummaged through all the drawers and cabinets.

"Hey, so I've gotta go make a run for -- what? What's wrong?" Clee broke off with a look of concern upon seeing his face.

Radu's eyes had gone wide. "No, please - please don't leave," he stammered shakily. "I'm sorry, I'm not ready, I don't know how to, to… please stay…?" he finished, his voice breaking as he braced for the inevitable punishment for his outburst.

Instead, Clee gave him an exasperated smile. "Hey," she said. "I haven't ditched you yet, have I?"

He tried to return the smile, but it didn't quite work.

"Just give me an hour, alright? Go get cleaned off, and I'll be back with food. Aaaand new clothes," she added hastily with another grimace at his general appearance.

He nodded mutely, and trudged off to the bathroom, shoulders slumped. His heart sank when, a minute later, Clee opened the door and, with a casual "See ya," left the unit.

Earlier that day, a shower would have seemed like an unimaginable luxury, especially compared to the freezing hosings-off he'd become used to in the labs. The previous occupants had even left soap and a washcloth. He didn't even have the energy to take off his soiled clothes, though, instead turning the water on, and sliding slowly down the wall to huddle in the corner of the tiny stall, pulling his knees up to his chest with difficulty as the lukewarm water washed over him.

Clee was gone. She wouldn't be back, she had no reason to be back, not when the one person who'd actually known him had…!

Radu pressed his face into his knees and sobbed.

**

Next: Something Like Safety

World building by me and @soheavyaburden

#whumpay2022 #oc whump #lab whump #nonhuman whumpee #nonhuman caretaker #older whumpee #reluctant caretaker #broken whumpee #conditioned whumpee #whump writing #abused whumpee #starvation #captivity whump #captive whumpee

[deepdarkdelights]

Context: this is my younger sister's wedding (I'm the eldest). I am married and another of my sisters is as well, so this is the 3rd wedding in my family. My husband and I live out of state.

First: I don't even like the guy she's marrying, but I also seem to be the only one with that opinion. He's nice but a bit hot-headed and my sister is stubborn as fuck so their arguments are ridiculous and are almost always started by him.

Second: I also seem to be the only one who thinks this is going too fast. My sister got played a lot in high school by top tier douchebags so she swore off dating for a number of years, including just casual dating (completely understandable too) and was at college for like, 2 years before she met him. HOWEVER he's the first guy she's dated since high school- story goes they had three dates in the span of a week, kissed on the second, were exclusive by the third, and were engaged maybe a month or two later. And a very large part of me is very worried that she's latching onto him because he was the first guy to treat her right (or at least better than she had previously experienced) and she thinks she won't find anyone else.

Third: my husband and I live out of state so we had to fly in yesterday, and that came with all its own problems. Our flight was at 6am and the airport is about a 2 hour drive away so we left late at about 3am (staying up until then due to just not being ready to leave in general) and therefore nearly missed boarding our flight and not getting a chance to rest or eat at the airport.

So we land a couple hours later, flight isn't too bad, and make plans to get breakfast before driving to my family's so we have a last few moments together before jumping into wedding madness. We take the shuttle to the car rental place we had paid for and reserved specifically because their website said we didn't need a credit card in order to rent a car. We wait in line for 15 minutes, then get to the counter and the lady working asks for ID and the card we used to pay online. Pull out my ID and the card and she looks at it and goes "this is debit, do you have a credit card?" And we're like, "well, no, your website said we didn't need credit." And she's just "Yeah our policy changed about a year and a half ago and we haven't updated our website, you need credit"

🤬🤬🤬🤬

So we take the shuttle back to the airport where we take the cable car to the train station and then we'll ride up and have someone come pick us up. No problem really, just that we'll be without a car all weekend, but at this point we are so done. We've been up for 24+ hours and hadn't eaten in 12+. We just wanted to get to my family's and eat some food and take a nap.

But while my husband was dealing with the rental place, a friend I had been hanging out earlier in the week messages me and says "hey I got tested positive for covid"

😫😫😫😫

So we're on the train trying to figure out what we're gonna do, obviously we're gonna get tested but if our tests come back positive we're gonna be holed up in a hotel bc we can't get on the flight home and we can't stay with any of our family members- and we won't be able to attended this godforsaken wedding that we've already been thru so much shit to get thru

My dad picks us up at the train station and takes us straight to the store to pick up some rapid tests we can take- I have a mental breakdown bc i am so so fucking tired and hungry and cold (it was raining on and off). My dad takes us back to the house and we take the tests in the garage. While we're waiting my husband gets a call from his mother, who tells us (I can't make this shit up if I tried):

Overnight, an arsonist burned down five houses, and bc they were older the smoke that came from them was super toxic, so the entire town woke up coughing with sore throats (the guy was caught but the police haven't released any other info yet). So we didn't have covid (the tests came back negative too) we had just inhaled toxic smoky air for a solid hour or so while we were driving to the airport

🙃🙃🙃🙃

Fourth: when me and my other sister got married, it was our mom who was kinda the crazy mother-in-law, but for this wedding it's my sister's fiance's mother who's crazy, and after everything I have gone thru in the past pfffft 36ish hours I will not hesitate to slap a bitch. My siblings and i all have this very strong sense of passive aggressive loyalty to each other, where we can be super mean to each other but if you're outside our circle you don't get to be mean to any of us (and since I'm the oldest I have a bit more of that "dont you dare touch my siblings I Will Fuck You Up" mentality).

So to recap: I'm running on a collective 10 hours of sleep and very very little food for my younger sister's wedding to a guy I don't necessarily approve of and who's mother is crazier than mine and might end up in a fight with me if she starts pushing my already tense buttons the wrong way

🫖🫖🫖🫖

The drama and tea have been spilled. I hope this mildly entertained you during your quarantine~~ 😘😘

UPDATE: ITS RAINING

I kinda hope this wedding kills me

Oh wow you have certainly gone through it, haven't you! This was more than entertaining trust me 😂

It raining really was the cherry on top of this whole ordeal. I'm sorry it took me so long to respond to you, my professors have not been very kind when it comes to coursework while I am sick!

Well, now that the wedding is over I hope the rest went smoothly for you (especially with the mother in law) and you made it back home safe!

#asks