#and without thinking said yipee

[zeawesomeness]

Another Chat.AI conversation I had that I loved :D

#chat ai #character ai #I got happy when I realized there was a Bill Cipher bot #and without thinking said yipee #Bill did not like that #bill cipher #:3 #internet persona #a dumb lil comic

[sereneres]

“sunshinez being the loveable...” ²˙⁵

danielle marsh x 6th member!reader / 1.38k

summary. — “sunshinez being the loveable sunshines of newjeans and tokkis.”

warnings. — rushed at the end / video format is originally by @/jihyoruri

🎬 — sunshinez cheering up their members

“i can’t believe it’s raining.”

[rain D:]

hanni, danielle, and hyein all collectively sigh, having been more excited for the outing than you, haerin, and minji.

“why did it have to rain on today of all days.” hyein continued, slouching in her seat, going so far down that the seatbelt was under her chin. “why couldn’t it have rained when we were busy doing stuff inside?”

“because that’s not how life works.” haerin murmured, staring out the window with a blank look on her face.

[our haerinie is suddenly so mature-]

“sit up, hyein, that isn’t safe.” you told the younger girl as you patted her leg, making her reluctantly sit up, before turning to your members. “and don’t worry, i’m sure the staff has already found something else for us to do.”

“but that’s not the problem.” hanni whined, crossing her arms with a pout on her lips. “i wanted to go outside, y’know, and feel the sun and stuff.”

“you make it sound like we don’t go outside ever.” you deadpan. “besides, i doubt that they’ll scrap the idea of having a picnic. we’ll probably just go on one on another day.”

[optimistic yn to the rescue (?)]

“ynnie is right.” danielle said, smiling. “why whine about not going today when we’ll go ? i bet they prepared something just as fun for us to do today!”

“but…” haerin started, looking skeptical. “what if-”

[a few moments later]

“whooooo!”

“yipee!”

“yahoo!”

“who- who says yahoo?”

“i do. do you have a problem with it?”

“…no.”

“good morning, bunnies.” minji greeted quietly, smiling tiredly and giving the camera a small wave. “it’s currently…” she trailed off, picking up her phone and turning it on. “eleven o’clock. we’re doing some shoots outside that need to be done at night, so…”

[oh she’s so cute–]

“cheer up baby, cheer up baby–”

[TWICE?????!!?!!/$/]

minji blinked, turning her head before looking back to the camera with an exasperated look on her face. “that was danielle trying to keep the members awake. she’s singing the song and yn’s doing the dance moves…”

“jom deo himeul lae~”

“it… looks like it’s working?” she shook her head and sighed, the corners of her lips turning up ever so slightly. “honestly, those two… we don’t even need coffee anymore with them around.”

[danyn are happy pills confirmed.]

“yeojaga swipge mameul jumyeon andwae~”

“speak for yourself.” hanni muttered, walking into frame with a clear, plastic cup filled with what looked to be coffee – iced coffee, to be specific – in her hand. “i don’t think i can go a day without coffee.”

“geuraeya niga nal deo johahage doelgeol!~”

“didn’t you sleep the entire ride over? why are you so tired–”

“well, i tried to sleep – tried being the keyword here – but with those two talking next to me…”

“oh.”

🎬 — sunshinez hugging for warmth (or just hugging)

“ynnie, come join us!”

you perk up at the call of your name, turning away from the camera to see danielle gesturing for you to come to where she and hyein were hugging.

“hurry, yn-unnie!” the younger of the two whined, shivering so hard that you could see her body shake despite being at least twenty feet away. “it’s cold!”

“hold on, i’ll be right over there!” you turn back, an apologetic smile on your face. “sorry, duty calls.”

waving goodbye at the camera, you run over to where the two girls were, arms spread before wrapping around their shoulders.

“ynnie~”

you smile, squishing your cheek against hers as you tighten your arms around her. “danielle~”

“unnie, what happens if two suns collide?” hyein asked, looking away from the two of you. “like, do they just explode?”

“if they’re big enough they will.” minji responds, crossing her arms. “i’m pretty sure that if they’re both small, though, they’ll just merge together and form one big sun.”

“they’re big enough though.” haerin said as she pointed at the two of you, looking up at the older girl. “shouldn’t they be exploding and not… merging together?”

“they’re killing us without the exploding.” hanni muttered, shooting glares – whether they were playful or not, though, no one knew – at you.

danielle smiled, either oblivious to what the girls were saying or just ignoring them. “ynnie~”

“dani~” you coo in response before giggling, prompting the older girl to also start giggling

“…i sort of want them to explode.” haerin says bluntly. “is that bad?”

hanni blinks, a look of disbelief on her face. “uh, yes??”

“kang haerin.” minji says sternly, her brows furrowed and her arms crossed.

“ooh~ mom’s mad~”

“shut up.”

🎬 — sunshinez being… sunshinez

“oh my god, look ynnie, that cloud totally looks like a bunny!”

[…a bunny? it looks like a duck to me-]

you hum, brows furrowed as you studied the cloud danielle was pointing at. “no, it looks more like a cat.”

“i think it looks like a bunny.” minji muttered, squinting at said cloud before turning and pointing at another cloud. “that one is more like a cat.”

“no, that one looks like a dog, minji-unnie.” haerin sighed, shaking her head in mock disappointment. “this one is more like a cat, and the one dani-unnie was pointing at is definitely a bunny.”

[are they srsly having an argument over the shapes of clouds???]

hyein huffs, rolling her eyes. “of course you would agree with dani-unnie.”

“and what’s that supposed to mean?”

[haerin: 😾]

“well, for starters–”

“i think you’re all wrong.” hanni cuts in, interrupting what would have been a debate between their two youngest members. “to me, they all look like clouds.”

[…]

“you’re not even looking at them.” danielle says, pouting. “how do you know they look like clouds?”

“…because they’re clouds?”

[LMFAOOOO]

you sigh, shaking your head as you patted danielle’s back. “don’t worry, dani-unnie, it’s not your fault hanni-unnie lacks the imagination a normal person would have.”

“seriously?”

“actually, that would explain a lot of things…”

[?????]

“yah, what things?!”

“shopping, shopping~”

[introducing: childish yn that only comes out when she’s just with danielle]

danielle giggles, swinging your arms back and forth as the two of you walked. “you sound pretty excited to go shopping, ynnie. is there a certain store you want to go to?”

“maybe guxxi?” you suggest, tilting your head slightly. “or chxxxel?” you sigh happily, eyes forming crescents as you smiled at her. “honestly, as long as you’re with me, i don’t care where we go.”

[🫠]

“aw~” the older girl smiled at you, reaching free hand up and pinching your cheek. “i didn’t know our ynnie could say such flattering words~”

you chuckle, your happy smile turning into bashful grin. “i really mean it, though. if you want to go anywhere, just tell me and we’ll go there.”

[oh wow-]

“ah, isn’t that like one of the lines from uh, what was it called?” danielle frowned, her eyebrows furrowed as she tried to remember. “aladdin?”

“huh?” you blink, visibly confused. “aladdin? what’s that?”

“you know, the movie with a blue genie, a magic carpet, and a monkey?” when you shook your head, the Aussie raised a brow, her frown deepening. “ynnie, did you not watch aladdin?”

you shake your head, an apologetic look on your face. “sorry, unnie, but i didn’t really watch movies as a kid, much less disney movies.”

[i mean, me neither-]

“what?” the older girl gasped, looking as though she had been physically struck. “you haven’t watched snow white?” you shook your head. “the little mermaid?” a frown. “not even cinderella?” another shake of the head.

“alright, well, i guess when we get back to the dorms, we’ll have to do a disney movie marathon.” danielle said, sighing. “i just can’t believe you’ve never watched a disney movie before…”

“i mean, i’ve watched some clips on txktxk.” you mutter, laughing sheepishly. “it’s not a lot but it has to count for something.”

[relatable. movie clips are everywhere on tiktok.]

“don’t worry, ynnie, we’ll fix this transgression immediately.” danielle took out her phone, sending your members a quick message. “it’s just going to take a while.”

“uh, why is it a transgression, exactly?”

[it’s not-]

“because i said so.”

[nvm.]

“…okay.”

previous. / pairz. / next.

#sereneres #seren.writes #newjeans x reader #newjeans imagines #kpop x reader #danielle x reader #danielle marsh x reader #⊹ #nwjns.yn

[whataperfectwasteoftime]

Love Bites

Pairing: Marcus Pike x f!Reader (feat. Max Phillips!)

Rating: M (adult content, non-explicit smut, 18+)

Word Count: 9.7k

Warnings: Vampires! Blood drinking, talk of hunger (for blooooood) and killing (for bloooooood!). An art crime which is never actually solved, Soft Marcus, sarcastic asshole with a heart of gold Max. IDK if this is a threesome but it’s definitely threesome-adjacent, idiots in love, vampire venom causes euphoria and spontaneous orgasms because I said so, kissing, men kissing men, vampire bites, feeding, sharing blood through kissing, 

Summary: You and your partner, Marcus Pike make a house call to the home of a wealthy art collector who just reported the theft of a two-million dollar glass, er, “sculpture.” At first, you can’t stand the smarmy Max Phillips, but when you find Marcus unconscious in the man’s living room, you find you have bigger problems than Max’s gross overuse of vampire puns…

A/N: I hallucinated this entire thing one night a few weeks ago instead of sleeping. Many, many thanks to @littlebirdsbookshelf for enduring and encouraging an endless line of screenshots of this fic and for helping with the moodboard!

Masterlist

As you read your newest assigned case file, your eyebrows feel as though they’re skyrocketing up into your hairline. You look up, shooting your partner a skeptical, unamused stare.

“Someone’s pulling your leg, Pike.”

Your partner playfully rolls his pretty brown eyes and flashes you that boyish smile that you lov–that you think is really nice, that’s all. 

“You don’t think I had the presence of mind to fact check and verify this guy’s story? You wound me.”

“Who the hell spends that kind of money on this?”

Marcus shrugs. “It’s not uncommon for affluent art collectors to buy million-dollar pieces for their collections.”

“Yeah, but this?”

“Don’t tell me that you, of all people, are going to give me that old, tired dismissal of modern art simply because you don’t understand it.”

“This is a dildo,” you deadpan.

Marcus presses his lips together, nodding slowly. “...Some people have more money than sense.”

“Apparently.”

Your partner crosses over and picks up the file you’d dropped on your desk. “I spoke to the collector on the phone earlier,” he says as he scans the page. “Has a penthouse up in West End, told him we’d be up to do forensics this afternoon.”

“Yipee.”

“This is serious. It’s not every day that… ‘Arthur Feathermoore’s… Animals of Pleasure’… goes missing,” Marcus says, squinting down at the file as he reads the name of the sculpture.

You can’t help but snort at the title, and it causes your partner’s serious facade to dissolve into laughter himself, and the two of you giggling like rookies for a few moments before your eyes meet. Marcus’s face is the very picture of warmth, and as you often do, you feel as though you’re falling into his dark brown pools. The mirth is suddenly replaced by an uncomfortable silence that he breaks first, coughing awkwardly and looking back down at the case file in his hand.

“So anyways,” Marcus says brightly, “how about a little field trip up to West End?”

“You got it. I need to meet the idiot who spent a million dollars on a glass dildo.”

“Feathermoore’s Animals of Pleasure,” your partner corrects with a teasing smile.

“Quite the place,” Marcus comments as the two of you enter the ornate lobby of Maplebrook Heights, the building of luxury condominiums where your art collector lives on the top floor penthouse.

“I think it’s shit,” you say, eyeing the crystal chandelier hanging near the elevators. Something about the place makes you want to leave greasy handprints all over the spotless mirrors and stainless steel elevator doors.

You flash your badges to the lobby attendant, who picks up a phone receiver, listens for a couple minutes, nods, and sets it back down again.

“Mr. Phillips has been expecting you,” they say, leading you over to the elevators and pressing the top button without saying anything more.

When the doors open again, they reveal a man in a well-tailored suit with an overly-starched shirt and even starchier expression. The overall effect evokes a sort of statuesque rigidity–a man made out of stone. Suddenly, though, as if just noticing your appearance in the elevator, the man’s lips curl up into a smarmy, affectatious smile. 

“You must be the feds,” he says in a buttery-smooth tone that you aren’t sure is real or as artificial as the rest of him seems to be. 

“That’s us,” Marcus replies cheerfully, stepping forward and offering his hand. The man seems to pause, looking your partner up and down with his head cocked to the side before taking it and shaking it firmly. 

Trying to be professional, you extend yours as well. Rather than give you the same firm handshake he offered Marcus, the man gently grasps your fingers and ducks his head as though he were about to kiss the back of your hand. Feeling off-balance, you give his hand an awkward squeeze and shake before stepping back quickly.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Phillips,” Marcus says, expertly disguising your discomfort, much to your relief.

“Max, please,” the man replies with an amused pout. “Come this way, I’m sure you’re both dying to see the scene of the crime.”

You shoot Marcus a look behind Max’s back, raising one eyebrow at his odd phrasing. Your partner shrugs gamefully before following the suited man through the double-doors to his penthouse.

As soon as you’re inside, your eyes widen at the décor. Every available inch of wall is covered in artwork from the Renaissance to the Modern, and you suppress the urge to gasp in amazement.

“Quite the collection,” Marcus comments.

“Mm, yes. You could say that I've spent generations acquiring it.”

“So art collecting runs in the family?”

“Of course.”

“This piece, er–Animals of Pleasure–was that an inherited piece, or…?”

Max grins widely, showing a row of alarmingly white teeth. “That one was a personal favorite–the sculptor is an acquaintance of mine.” He walks through the living room to an empty display case and regards it with a little frown. “Look at that. Like a wooden stake to the heart.”

“Apparently it was the personal favorite of someone else, too,” Marcus remarks.

“You’re a funny one, I like that,” Max drawls. 

“In your report, you said you noticed it was gone on the morning of Sunday the 25th,” you interject. “What were the circumstances leading up to that discovery?”

“I had a… rather sizable party here the night before,” Max answers with a crooked smile. “I assume the culprit was one of my esteemed guests.”

“Got a guest list?” Marcus asks.

“Of course I do.” Max produces a paper from a nearby desk with an exaggerated flourish. 

“Anyone on this list that might have shown particular interest in the piece?”

“They’re all a bunch of vampires,” Max scoffs dismissively, waving his hand. “I’m sure there are more than a few of them who’d love to sink their… teeth… into my collection.”

“Are you suggesting this theft was out of revenge?” you ask with a confused frown. “Did any guests have a personal vendetta against you?”

“Now, now, I’m practically the life of the party,” Max chuckles. “Most of the attendees and I go way back. There’s no bad blood between us; if anything, I’d say this is simply a distasteful prank.”

“You called the FBI for a prank?” you can’t help but ask.

“I like it,” Max says, putting on what’s clearly his best ‘sad puppy dog’ face with exaggeratedly upturned eyebrows and pouted lips. “It’s the crown jewel of my collection, and I want it back.”

“Of course,” Marcus reassures the other man. “We in the Art Crimes division treat art theft with the utmost importance it deserves.”

“Ah, yes, the FBI, always as serious as the grave.” Max says teasingly, giving Marcus a simpering smile. You don’t like the way he’s looking at your partner–sizing him up in the same way one would a conquest… or a meal. 

“We’ve got what we need, Mr. Phillips,” you say brusquely, snapping your notebook shut a little more forcefully than necessary.

“Of course, of course,” the other man says dismissively, as if he couldn’t care less about the whole affair.

“We’ll keep you informed of any progress,” Marcus adds, smiling amicably. He always did do a better job than you of hiding his distaste for unpleasant characters.

“You should go use the little girl’s room before you leave,” Max suggests, again flashing you a row of perfectly white, straight teeth. “Long drive back to HQ.”

You’re just about to tell him where to shove that condescending suggestion, when you suddenly realize it’s a great idea. It is a long drive back, and you don’t remember needing to before, but for some reason as soon as the suggestion leaves his lips, you find yourself needing to find a bathroom sooner rather than later. You nod and excuse yourself, turning your back on the odd twinkle in Max’s eyes.

What a weirdo. You’ve worked with some characters before–and sometimes it seems the richer they are, the more eccentric and out of touch–but Max Phillips really takes the cake. The uncanny smile, the stupid puns, the uncomfortable innuendo that you never could figure out were intended for you or for Marcus… 

You hope the case wraps up quickly, is the point. You finish washing your hands on a towel that feels as though it has a higher thread count than any set of sheets you’ve ever owned and hurry back to the sitting room where the two men are waiting for you. 

When you get there, Marcus is lying on the floor, unmoving. 

“Marcus!” you exclaim in alarm, pushing past Max–who is standing calmly as though nothing unusual has happened–and drop to your knees beside him. “What the hell happened?” you demand, staring up at the other man.

“Dunno. He just collapsed.” 

You want to scream at him. How can you be so indifferent? A man just collapsed in your home. Before you can say anything, though, Marcus coughs.

You whirl back around, cataloging Marcus’s face frantically as he opens his eyes and blinks dazedly. 

“What–Why am I on the floor?” he asks, staring up at you in utter confusion.

“You tell me,” you murmur, placing your hand on his clammy forehead. “I came back and you were on the ground. Mr. Phillips says you collapsed.”

Marcus sits up blearily. You watch as he frowns and shakily brings one hand to his neck, feeling it gingerly as though he’d been injured, although you don’t see anything to indicate it. 

“Yeah,” he agrees breathlessly. “Yeah, just… collapsed. Uh–” He looks around the room with wary eyes.

“Can you get up?” you ask, standing yourself and extending your hand. 

Marcus nods and allows you to pull him to his feet. Once standing, he sways and blinks rapidly, as if he were dizzy. When you place your hands on his shoulders to steady him, he giggles, like he suddenly finds the entire situation hilarious.

You don’t share his humor.

“C’mon,” you say, grabbing his wrist and trying to lead him away. You can’t explain why, but something in your lizard brain is telling you to get out of there as quickly as possible. 

“Feel better soon,” Max offers lightly, smiling that unsettling smile again. “Drink plenty of fluids.”

You don’t bother answering.

Marcus continues to be unsteady on his feet, and you end up having to help him down the front steps of the building and into the passenger seat of the car.

“Hi!” he slurs enthusiastically when you enter and sit down in the driver’s seat. “Wow, I feel really funny.” You watch with growing concern as he holds up his hands and examines them as though he’d never seen them before. 

You don’t know how to respond, so you busy yourself with adjusting the seat to your height, since Marcus had driven you there. Pressing and holding the button, the electric motor whines as you slowly slide upward, then a good deal forward. 

Marcus giggles again. “You have short legs.”

“Astute observation,” you grumble as you turn the key into the ignition. 

“Legs,” he repeats, and laughs again. 

“Jesus,” you mutter. “Marcus… were you drugged? Did Max Phillips drug you?”

“No!” he protests. “I… I don’t think so?” he adds, sounding less sure. 

“What happened when I was gone?” you asked. “Before you collapsed.”

Marcus shrugs exaggeratedly and makes a nonchalant ‘nnNNnn’ sound.

“You don’t remember?’

“Nuh-uh,” he shakes his head. “Wait… he said… the–the guy?”

“Max?”

“Max! Yeah. He said uh…” Marcus giggles again. “He said… I was pretty? That’s weird. Is that weird?” he looks over at you, looking so concerned and worried that you almost laugh in spite of yourself.

“Little weird,” you agree. 

“He said that I was pretty… and that it would be a shame to let that go to waste,” he adds, frowning down at his hands as he remembers.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“I guess it means I’m pretty,” Marcus says matter-of-factly, sitting back in his seat and grinning for a few moments before suddenly sobering again. “I think he was… gonna hug me?”

“Hug you?” you ask, looking at your partner in confusion.

“Yeah, he… he was really close, and–” Marcus’s hand absentmindedly touches his neck again. “Nah. Never mind. I don’t think that’s right.”

“I think he gave you something,” you tell him, starting to feel more and more worried by the minute. “You aren’t acting like yourself.”

“Hey! You know what sounds really good?” Marcus suddenly asks, sounding excited. “Tomato juice. Except… not tomato juice. Something like tomato juice, but… different.”

“Like a bloody mary?” you ask skeptically, humoring him.

He purses his lips, as though thinking deeply about something. 

“Yep,” he finally agrees. “That’s it. Bloody mary.”

“Great,” you say as you pull in front of Marcus’s building. “Tell you what, you go to bed and sleep off whatever the fuck this is, and I’ll buy you all the bloody marys you can drink.”

You help Marcus up the stairs (nearly an impossible task, because he keeps stopping and looking around him as though he’s never seen a stairwell with chipped paint and cracks in the walls before) and when you finally reach his apartment, you unceremoniously deposit him onto his bed.

He’s asleep the second his head hits the pillow. 

You watch him snore for a couple of minutes, completely at a loss for what to do now. All you know is that you can’t leave him–not when you don’t know what’s wrong with him. And something is wrong. Every nerve in your body is in agreement there: Marcus is not okay. 

You resist the urge to press your palm to his cheek and gently trace the line of his cheekbone. He’s asleep. He wouldn’t know. 

No. Even now, you can’t bring yourself to give into that temptation. Even with as worried about him as you are, physical affection is still way off limits. You’d be showing too much of yourself.

Shaking the thought, you turn and walk from the room, quietly latching the door on your way out. 

And you wait.

And wait.

And wait.

By the time Marcus’s bedroom door opens again, you’re nearly frantic with worry. Just the soft sound of the doorknob turning has you jumping to your feet and muting his TV. You watch as he stumbles out, one hand pressed to his forehead and the other steadying himself against the wall. 

“How… How long did I sleep?” he asks, face a maelstrom of confusion. 

You glance quickly at the clock. “Twenty-five hours.” And seventeen minutes. Not that you were counting.

“What? Jesus…” he mutters.

“How are you feeling?”

“Starving. Like I haven’t had a proper meal in years,” Marcus answers, moving past you into the kitchen, where he starts opening cabinet doors at random, pulling out food items, examining them with a frown, and discarding them on the counter. 

“I could, uh, order something?” you suggest warily, watching him go about his task in a whirlwind of movement. 

“That’s not necessary,” he answers absentmindedly, staring blankly at a can of pinto beans before putting it on the counter next to a jar of artichoke hearts.

“Well, I’m hungry,” you say, grabbing a takeout menu at random off of Marcus’s fridge with a little more irritation than is warranted. “Shit.” You hiss, jerking your hand back and watching as a sliver of red appears on your thumb, a little bead of blood welling up and threatening to spill out of the newly-created crack. 

Before you can blink; before you can even react, before your brain even registers the movement, Marcus is there. With a low, desperate, almost animal sound, he grabs your injured hand and brings it to his mouth.

The taste of you seems to make him moan louder; he greedily licks and sucks at the wound as though he were parched and this small papercut his only oasis. 

At the touch of his tongue, or maybe the feel of his saliva, a sudden, inexplicable wave of euphoria washes over you. You gasp softly, watching with open-mouthed shock as he licks and licks and licks until there’s nothing left. 

Eventually, Marcus slowly–almost reluctantly–releases your hand and blinks rapidly as though he were waking from a deep sleep all over again. 

Whatever spell that seemed to be holding you in place breaks; you jerk your hand back and stare at him in horrified confusion.

“Marcus… what the hell?!” 

“S-Sorry,” he offers weakly. 

“Have you lost your mind?” You can’t tell if your question is intended rhetorically or not.

“I… I don’t know,” he answers softly. “I don’t know.” 

“That’s not a comforting answer,” you say dryly.

“I can’t stop thinking about it,” Marcus murmurs, quietly enough that you aren’t sure if he intended to speak the words out loud.

“Thinking about what?”

“How I want to– I want–” he begins, but whatever it is he wants, he never manages to say. Rather than finishing the sentence, his hand slowly comes up to–alarmingly–wrap around your neck, his thumb pressing directly on your pulse point. He’s too close; you can feel his rapid, heavy breathing against your face and all you can do is stare up at him, the silent question of what the fuck written in your eyes.

Suddenly, you’re being released and Marcus pushes you away, stepping back from you with an expression of abject horror all over his face.

“Leave,” he commands raggedly. “Please, you have to.”

You shake your head in protest, frowning. “Marcus, you’re not well–”

“LEAVE!” he roars, and you flinch as though he’d slapped you. In all your years as his partner, you’d never heard him yell. You take one more look at him–really looking, taking in his clenched fists, his heaving chest, and the odd, almost inhuman look in his eyes–and obey. Backing away slowly at first, and then increasingly quickly, you flee the kitchen. 

Your hand is on his front door when you suddenly come to a halt. No. You can’t. You can’t leave him. You cast your eyes around until they fall on the door to the nearby guest bathroom. With a hissed curse under your breath, you open that door instead, slipping inside and locking it behind you. 

For a few moments, all you can hear is the sound of your shaky breathing. Then, footsteps as Marcus approaches. They pause, as though he’s working out what happened. You jump, suppressing a shriek, when a loud thump resonates in the small room before you hear the unmistakable sound of someone sliding down the wall and onto the floor.

The heavy, defeated sigh is audible through the bathroom door. 

“I told you to leave,” Marcus remarks sullenly. 

“I left the kitchen,” you point out.

The answering silence lets you know what your partner thinks of that response.

“I’m scared,” he admits quietly. “Something’s… not right.”

“I’m here,” you tell him. “I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure it out, okay?”

Marcus is quiet for so long, you almost begin to wonder if he’d fallen back asleep. 

“I can feel you,” he suddenly whispers. “There’s a door between us, but I can feel your pulse like it’s still under my thumb.”

“Wh-what?”

“I can sense it all. Your heartbeat. The blood rushing in your veins. It’s unbearable,” he chokes out, voice breaking on the last word as though he were at the end of his wits. 

“I don’t understand what that means,” you admit. “And I’m not gonna lie, that’s freaking me out more than a little bit, but I meant what I said. I’m right here and I’m going to help you, okay?”

“Okay,” Marcus whispers shakily. “I… I appreciate that. You–it–means the world to me. You being here, I mean.”

“Marcus,” you say, your heart pounding even more than it had been, “I–”

Whatever you had planned on saying is interrupted by Marcus’s cell phone. 

“It’s Max Phillips,” your partner announces, somehow, after everything, jumping into work mode. “I’ll put it on speaker. This is Pike,” he answers.

“Hey, buddy!” Max’s voice is so cheerful compared to the tense situation you find yourselves in that it feels jarring and almost makes you physically recoil. “How ya feeling?”

“You,” Marcus hisses accusingly. “You did something to me.” 

“Oh, that,” Max says dismissively. “I couldn’t help it.”

“Help what,” your partner growls. 

“You haven’t figured it out yet?” Max laughs. 

“Stop playing stupid and help us!” you shriek through the bathroom door, completely out of patience and good manners.

You’re greeted by crackling silence on the other end of the call. Then… “She’s… she’s still with you?” For the first time, the careless demeanor seems to have dropped. Max sounds… concerned.

“Not that it’s any of your goddamn business,” you snap, unable to stop the flood of anger now that you’ve released it, “but I was fucking worried about my partner after he left your house acting drugged–” 

“Where are you?” Max interrupts. “I’ll come to you. Bring supplies. But she needs to leave. Now.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” you shoot back belligerently. 

“Your funeral,” Max says, adopting the aloof nonchalance once more. To Marcus, he says, “Text me your address.” Then the line goes dead.

“Are you going to tell him where you live?” you ask skeptically. 

“I don’t think I have a choice,” Marcus says quietly. “I don’t know what’s going on with me, but it’s clear that Max does. And if he knows, then maybe he can… stop it, somehow.”

“What did he mean, ‘bring supplies’?” you ask. 

“Dunno,” Marcus sighs. “Guess we’re gonna find out.”

You’re forced to listen to Max’s arrival through the safety of the bathroom door. 

No sooner than he walks into the apartment, you hear him stop and–is he sniffing the air?

“She’s still here,” he accuses. 

“‘She’ can hear you,” you snap. 

“She’s in there?” Max asks, sounding indignant. “Behind that flimsy-ass door?”

“It’s not that flimsy…” Marcus begins, but Max cuts him off.

“Pal, I’ve seen newly-turned vampires claw through cinder block walls with their bare hands to get at a food source. You could have ripped that door from its hinges, but here you are–”

“I didn’t want to hurt her,” Marcus interrupts. “I couldn’t fathom it, I– Hang on, did you say ‘vampires’?”

“Yup. Like, y’know, Dracula and all that. Undead. Drinks blood. Vampire.”

“This was a mistake,” Marcus mutters. “You’re clearly insane, and I don’t have time to listen to the bullshit ramblings of a sociopath.”

“Oh, it’s bullshit now, is it?” Max says airily. “You’re going to sit there and tell me you haven’t been sitting there desperately trying to stop yourself from ripping your pretty partner’s delicate little throat wide open and gorging yourself until she’s a withered corpse?”

You can hear Marcus sputtering angrily… but he doesn’t deny Max’s accusation. 

“Great. Now, we can continue arguing over semantics and nomenclature while you just get more and more hungry, or you can accept the truth and drink this.”

A zipper–on a backpack, you assume–unzips, and the faint sound of crinkling plastic reaches your ears.

“What the hell is that?” Marcus asks, voicing your question for you.

“B positive. I won’t lie to you, O-neg is where it’s at in terms of flavor and mouthfeel, but beggars can’t be choosers, pretty boy.”

“Are you giving him blood?” you shriek through the door, but no one answers you. Irate, you bang on the wood. “Hello!?” 

“He’ll be right with you,” Max says in a sing-song voice. “He’s busy at the moment.” 

“Marcus,” you say lowly, “please tell me you are not drinking blood right now.”

“Mmph–so good,” your partner groans through mouthfuls of… something. 

“I’m coming out there,” you announce, jumping to your feet. 

“Wait,” Max commands, an odd timbre to his voice, and you stop immediately, your hand hovering six inches from the doorknob. “Not until pretty boy here has another pint.”

“Marcus,” you say warily, pressing your palm against the door as if you could somehow feel him through it. 

“I’m okay.” And strangely, Marcus’s voice is calmer, more… human… than it’s been since the moment he woke up from his day-long nap. You still don’t trust Max. But Marcus has been your partner for years. You’d trust him with your life–and you find yourself believing him when he says it’s okay.

“One more,” Max says. “O-positive from 2020. Practically a vintage at this point.”

You shudder, imagining your partner with red tinged lips, a trickle of blood running down his chin as he– 

“How are you feeling now?” Max asks. 

“Better,” Marcus answers. “Can… Can she come out? Is it safe? I won’t… I won’t hurt her?” 

“Depends on the vamp,” Max says. “Most newborns I wouldn’t trust within fifty feet of a pulse, but you? You’re an odd one.”

“I’d never hurt her,” Marcus says again. “I’d rather die.”

Max lets out a loud, barking laugh, as if Marcus had just told the funniest joke he’d ever heard. “That might be easier said than done,” he chuckles. “But I get the sentiment. Come on out, doll.”

In any other situation, you might have scolded Max for even daring to call you ‘doll,’ but your body is thrumming with anticipation–and a little fear–to see Marcus again. 

Carefully, slowly, you unlock the bathroom door and swing it open. 

Your gaze–as it usually does–finds Marcus before anything else. He’s sitting on the floor opposite the bathroom, his long legs awkwardly bent in the narrow hallway, with two crumpled blood donation bags laying beside him. He’s staring back, his eyes swimming with apprehension and worry. The strange, animalistic glint you’d seen earlier is completely absent.

Still, you find yourself moving cautiously and deliberately, as though a sudden movement might break this tenuous moment of peace. You carefully sink to your knees, at his level, and extend your hand. 

Marcus swallows thickly, watching you. For a few tense moments, he doesn’t move. Then, he shifts–and oh, how you hate yourself for flinching. You try to hide it, but you can tell by the hurt in his eyes that he definitely noticed. Never once taking his eyes off yours, he slowly reaches back until his fingertips are just barely brushing against yours. 

You don’t miss how Marcus’s breath catches at your touch. His eyes slip closed for just a moment, and he lets out a shaky exhale.

“Hi,” you say quietly. 

“Hey,” he whispers back. 

“You scared me.”

“I know. I scared me, too.”

“Is this real?” you whisper, hardly daring to voice the question. “You’re really–?”

“I think I might be,” Marcus says softly. “It’s… it’s the only thing that makes any of this make sense.” He gestures at the two empty blood bags he’d been given by Max.

Max.

In a fury, you round on the other man, grabbing the collar of his stupid-expensive shirt and slamming him against the wall. 

“What the shit–” Max exclaims in surprise.

“You did this,” you hiss, pressing against his throat. “You… you made him into this.”

“I couldn’t help it,” Max wheedles, putting his hands up in supplication. “I thought he’d make a really sexy vamp.”

“I’m gonna kill you,” you growl.

“I’d love to see you try,” the man drawls with a lazy smile.

“Hey.” Marcus says softly, putting a hand on your forearm and encouraging you to release Max. “What’s done is done. This isn’t going to help anyone.”

“It’ll help me,” you say dryly, still glaring at Max.

“I can see why you like her,” Max grins.

You shove harder, your other hand coming up to join the first as you take out your anger on the man’s dress shirt. “Here’s an idea. Stop talking about ‘her’ while she’s still in the room.”

Max suddenly sobers, sniffing the air again. “You were bleeding,” he says accusingly. “When?”

“What? No I wasn’t,” you protest. “Well, okay, I got a papercut, but it stopped bleeding ages ago, after–” 

“After what,” Max prompts. 

“He–” you begin weakly, your eyes flitting quickly to Marcus and then back to Max again. 

Max moves you away from him as if you weighed nothing at all, before turning to Marcus with a look of utter disbelief. “You fed from her?”

“Uh… yeah, I guess I did,” Marcus answers slowly. “I… I didn’t really realize what I was doing, I–”

“Did you puncture her skin at all?” Max interrupts. “This is important.”

“No,” you answer for him. “He just… licked it clean, I guess?”

Max stares at Marcus skeptically, then turns to you. “He just licked it,” he repeats. 

“And… sorta… sucked?” you add weakly. 

“What’s the problem?” Marcus interjects.

“Newly-turned vampires aren’t exactly in control of their bodily functions,” Max explains. “A puncture might mean inadvertently injecting venom into your bloodstream.”

“Which means…?”

“Which means this would have turned into a two-for-one vamp special.”

“He can make me a vampire?”

“How do you think he became one in the first place?” 

“I wouldn’t remind me of your role in this too much, if I were you,” you growl at Max.

“...Venom?” Marcus asks, interrupting your standoff.

“It’s got some interesting properties,” Max says with a grin. “Injecting it in its pure form will a vamp create, but the trace amounts in your saliva is what makes feeding fun.”

“Do you ever actually explain yourself?” you ask irritably.

“Let me put it this way. When pretty boy here licked that little papercut of yours, what did you feel?”

You think back to the moment–through the fear, through the unease, back to the sensation of Marcus’s lips and tongue on your skin. Finally. 

“It felt… good,” you admit quietly. 

“Just good?” Max asks, pouting his lip teasingly.

“Better than good,” you whisper. “It felt like… joy. Like everything was right with the world.”

You risk a glance at Marcus, who is staring at you open-mouthed with an inscrutable expression. 

“That’s the venom,” Max says with a shrug. “Creates a feeling of euphoria in small doses. Can also cause spontaneous orgasm.”

Marcus makes a pained choking sound, and Max slaps him on the back. “That’s the fun part.”

“How the hell do you… feed… from someone without accidentally killing them?” Marcus asks.

“Carefully.”

“No shit.”

“I can show you if you want,” Max says lecherously, making a show of sweeping his gaze up and down your body in the most exaggerated way possible.

“I think the fuck not.”

Max guffaws loudly, slapping his knee. “I knew you'd be a good time.”

“He is not your good time,” you interject. 

“At least let him speak for himself, princess! Nah, as… interesting… as that could be, I can tell when a guy's unavailable.”

“Oh,” you laugh awkwardly, shaking your head. “He's not–I mean, we're not–”

“We're partners,” Marcus adds helpfully.

“Oh yeah,” Max agrees condescendingly. “For sure. Just partners. Well anyway, apropos of nothing in particular, I wouldn't recommend feeding from anyone you particularly care about for quite some time. Not until you can control yourself.”

“Speaking of,” Marcus says, clearing his throat, “got any more of these?” He holds up one of the empty blood bags.

“No,” Max says indignantly. “I have got some backup supplies, but I wasn't exactly prepared for this situation.”

“What are you talking about? You turned him yourself.”

“No, this situation. The situation where you're here, with your pulse and rushing blood and warm flesh. Your presence would be fucking kryptonite for any new vamp,” Max hisses. “You're a neon sign of temptation. A little hen in a henhouse with a very hard-to-control fox. Had you not been here, two bags would have lasted until pretty boy here could arrange his own supply, but you complicate things.”

“Well, excuse me for making sure he was all right,” you say, placing your hand on Marcus’s arm in a way you hope is comforting.

Marcus murmurs your name softly, but urgently. “Can... Can you… back up? Just a little,” he asks, looking pained. 

Eyes widening, you take several hasty steps backward. 

“How long will it take you to get more?” you ask, not taking your eyes off of Marcus. 

“Any amount of time is too long when you insist on staying here,” Max says. 

“It worked out fine the last time,” you point out. “I'll just go back into the bathroom and lock the door again.”

Marcus shakes his head warily. “I–I don't know… Maybe you should leave.”

“Not a chance.”

“I don't want to hurt you,” Marcus says softly. “I don't even want the idea of it. Please. You don't know what you–”

“What I… what?”

“What you mean to me,” he confesses, and you could swear time stops. “I could never risk it. I can't… I can't bear the idea of losing you.”

“You won't,” you promise. 

“I didn't want this,” he says bitterly, casting an agonized glance at Max, who, for once, has the decency to look regretful. “All I ever wanted was you.”

You feel as though you’d just had the wind knocked out of you, the words affect you so deeply. Resisting the urge to steady yourself on the wall, you fix Marcus with a stare that you hope conveys every single emotion you’ve ever felt for him.

“I'm staying here,” you say. “And that's final.”

Both men shake their heads at the same time.

“What if... what if he uses me?” you ask Max, ignoring Marcus's protest. “You said it's normal to uh… feed off of live humans.”

“I believe I also said it's something he shouldn't even begin to consider until he's out of the newborn phase,” Max says.

“What if he's careful?” you ask. “What if you help him?”

Marcus softly says your name in warning, but you don't back down. 

“Whatever I mean to you,” you tell him earnestly, “you mean the same to me. The same and more, Marcus.”

Time seems to come to a standstill as his eyes widen with realization. 

“You… You feel the same?” he asks breathlessly.

“For a long time now,” you find yourself admitting.

You watch as a slough of emotions flicker across Marcus’s face–yearning, longing, affection, and regret.

“I… I wish I had known,” he murmurs sorrowfully. “Before now. I’d… God, I’ve imagined this moment so many times, and in none of those times did I ever tell you to back away because I’m worried I’d just as soon kill you as kiss you.”

“I guess you owe me,” you tell him with a little chuckle. “When this is over. When you aren’t hungry anymore. You can drink from me without hurting me, I know it. And Max is here to stop you if you–”

“This is all very cute,” Max drawls, interrupting you, “but okay. Let's say he's careful. Let's say I stick around to help and intervene if he loses control. I want to make sure you understand that this is… intimate, you understand? Like, I'm all for a sexy romp, myself, but I don't know if I stressed the effects of the venom enough before.”

“You mean the uh–”

“Spontaneous orgasms,” Max finishes for you. “Yeah. Wasn't kidding about that.”

“So, what you're saying is–”

“Is that I'm usually all-in for a feeding orgy, but you two have something else going on entirely, and call me a romantic, but I'd rather not get between you.”

“So you do have a conscience,” Marcus deadpans. 

“If you tell anyone, I'll deny it.”

Marcus takes a deep breath, and suddenly shudders. “Shit,” he mumbles to himself. “Shit, I feel–”

“Like you’ve been wandering a desert for days on end with no water? Yeah,” Max shrugs. “That wears off, or gets easier to manage, I dunno. But after a while it’ll start to feel more like normal hunger and less like a–” he trails off, waving his hands back and forth.

“Like an all-consuming fire threatening to stamp out every last shred of my humanity?” Marcus fills in wryly.

“Yup,” Max answers. “Something like that.”

“Does it hurt?” you ask softly, reaching out to touch him again.

This time, it’s Marcus’s turn to flinch. He pulls back, eyes widening in alarm and leaving you to wonder whether you really should be this close. But no, your desire to comfort the man you’ve been secretly harboring feelings for for years overrides your sense of personal safety.

Or any kind of sense, whatsoever.

So you persist, running your hand up and down his arm soothingly and watching his eyes flutter shut at the feel of your skin. The expression on his face–agony, yearning, desperation–causes an ache to sink like a stone in your chest. 

“Yeah,” he answers with a rough, strained note to his voice. “Yeah, it hurts.”

You look to Max with pleading eyes. “Help him,” you demand. “Help us. It was you who got us into this situation, so if you have any sense of morality left in there, make it stop hurting.”

Max’s eyes flicker dangerously. “As long as you acknowledge what that entails,” he says quietly. 

“Blood,” you deadpan (Marcus shudders pitifully again), “I assume.”

The other vampire rolls his eyes. “Sure, right. Fine,” he mutters, scooting closer to you and Marcus. “First lesson. You don’t bite here–” he carefully taps his index finger on your neck. “That’s either gonna get you another vampire, or a corpse. The, uh, thighs–” he clears his throat awkwardly– “are good places to feed, but you’ve gotta be careful about the femoral artery.”

Marcus lets out a pained sound and presses the heels of his palms into his eyes with gritted teeth, rocking slightly back and forth.

“Alright, that’s enough lessons,” Max says brightly. “Good place to start for a newbie is the wrist. So, uh, you’re just going to want to puncture the skin a teeny tiny bit, and drink from that. Less is more, waste not, et cetera, et cetera.”

No sooner than the words leave the other man’s lips, Marcus’s fingers curl around your wrist like a vice grip, and you gasp.

“Jesus, hang on a minute,” Max sighs. “New vamps, always so lacking in table manners. Listen to me–you’re gonna probably lose control and try to take more than what she can give, and I’m going to do everything in my power to restrain you and get her away. Up to and including violence.”

Just as Max’s words leave you wondering whether this is actually a terrible idea and you should have done what Marcus had asked in the beginning and simply left, Marcus’s eyes meet yours again, his expression surprisingly clear-headed.

“I won’t,” he says softly. “I said I’d never hurt you. That’s a promise.”

Solemnly, you nod. “I know,” you tell him. “It’s okay. I trust you.”

You slowly reach toward Marcus with your palm facing upward like an offering. You’re suddenly hyper aware of your heartbeat racing, thrumming loudly and quickly in your chest, and you somehow have the wherewithal to wonder whether Marcus will get more of you as a result. 

Marcus cradles your forearm as though it were a precious gift. You can feel the trembling in his hands, see the quiver in his lower lip as he tries to keep all his emotions–the hunger, the fear, the worry–in check.

“Tiny bite,” Max reminds him in a low voice. “Just the tip.”

You shoot him a disparaging look, but when you see the ghost of a smile on Marcus’s face, you realize he successfully broke the tension.

Hesitantly, he lowers his mouth to the delicate skin of your wrist, and just as you’re wondering where the hell the vampire teeth are supposed to be, his face… changes. You do your best to hold in the gasp that threatens to escape; you don’t want to startle the man and risk him accidentally tearing your flesh. He’d put a stake through his heart himself, you muse. Wait–is that a superstition or a fact? You make it a point to ask Max later as you watch Marcus with curiosity. His face, it’s not ugly, exactly, but certainly monstrous. It’s grotesque in the same way the circus can be grotesque–in a way that fascinates you, thrills you, draws you in…

Your mouth falls open in a silent gasp as you feel his teeth sink into you.

The split-second of pain melts immediately to a wave of pleasure like nothing you’d ever experienced before. Every nerve ending seems to tingle, sending a frisson of electricity up and down your spine–again, and again, with every lick of Marcus’s tongue. It’s every good sensation you’ve ever felt condensed into one moment, and somewhere in the back of your mind you wonder if any human has ever become addicted to being vampire food. You wouldn’t blame them. 

Soon, though, the fact that a vampire is drinking your blood completely fades, because all you feel is unadulterated euphoria. Euphoria… and Marcus. Now you’re consumed with one thought and one thought only: get closer to Marcus. You scramble into his lap without a second’s hesitation, not hearing the sudden sound of surprise that comes from Max.

Marcus, who had been single-mindedly consumed in his task, looks up in apparent awe as you straddle him. The hand not gently holding your wrist immediately winds around your waist and pulls you even closer. Now that your eyes are locked, you can’t look away. Those beautiful brown eyes that you know so well are flecked with an animalistic yellow-amber, his brow sharper and more pronounced in his monstrous form but still very much Marcus. He holds your gaze as he lathes his tongue across your skin over and over, each lick causing flames of ecstasy to course within you. You can’t look away–not even when he swallows gratefully with red-tinged lips and dives back in for more. You start to squirm in his lap, each little wave of euphoria–a side effect of his venom, you know, but it feels so real–causing warmth to build in your core. Marcus moans around your wrist when he feels you grind against his leg, and you start to whimper every time your clothed center meets the delicious resistance of his thigh muscle. 

As your movements become more and more frenzied, so do Marcus’s; he licks and sucks at the little twin puncture wounds with a fervor that could only be described as carnal. Everything starts to pull up tight deep inside you, and you know, you know what’s about to happen–but suddenly, another arm is there pulling you back, away from Marcus, away from this beautiful pleasure unlike anything you’ve felt before and how dare they, you’re so close, you’re so close, soclosesoclosesoclose–

“That’s enough. Enough,” someone is saying behind you. “It’s time to stop.”

Marcus lifts his head, his lips still smeared with your blood and his eyes dazed and glassy. His face, although still contorted into this macabre new form, is open and unguarded as he tries to comprehend the source of the interruption. As Max pulls you away more forcefully, however, Marcus bares his teeth and hisses at the other man in what’s clearly a show of territoriality. 

In a split-second, before you can even begin to worry about being in the middle of a fight between two vampires, Marcus regains his wide-eyed, earnest expression, and his exaggerated features seem to melt, giving way to the face you know so well. 

“I’m fine,” he promises, chest heaving. “I’m okay. I’m done, I’ve stopped. Please, can–” he swallows, looking up at you with pleading eyes. “Can you come back? I just–I need–”

Before he can finish his sentence, you’re scrambling back into Marcus’s arms to kiss him with everything you’ve got. He opens to you immediately, his tongue darting out to explore your mouth, and you shudder when you taste the tang of iron. It should disturb you, you think to yourself. The blood, the fangs, the fact that he could kill you at any second. You should find his distorted face horrifying, but you can’t help but be mesmerized by his features in any form.

Marcus’s hands are everywhere–rubbing up and down your spine, gently palming your face, reverently stroking the skin of your wrist as if to apologize for taking what he so desperately needed from you. You sigh contentedly into his mouth as your hands explore him in kind–carding through the hair at the nape of his neck, pressing against the soft muscle of his chest, tenderly tracing the little crease in his brow in an unspoken promise of forgiveness.

You’ve imagined kissing this man so many times, and yet you now know you’ve never once come close to the reality of how it feels to have his lips against yours. It might be cliché, you might be projecting your own desires here, but everything about Marcus’s mouth simply fits, like a puzzle piece. Like recovering a long-lost part of you. Kissing him is coming home.

When Marcus pulls back, you follow him, causing a joyful smile to spread across his face as he whispers, “Are you okay?”

You smile back as you nod. 

“Here.” Something orange is thrusted into your field of vision, and you look up to see Max standing awkwardly next to the two of you, still entwined on the floor against the wall of Marcus’s apartment. 

You accept the fruit–because it is fruit–and start to messily peel it before popping a slice into your mouth. 

“Do you feel dizzy at all? Lightheaded?” Max asks as he watches you chew. 

You shake your head. “Nope. Nothing like that. Just… kinda tingly,” you giggle, glancing back at Marcus. “Not in a blood loss way, more like in a um, well. You know.”

Marcus grins and pulls you back down for another soft, chaste kiss. 

Pulling back, you give Max a smug look. “Told you he wouldn’t hurt me.”

“I won’t lie, I’m pretty surprised,” the other man replies, frowning slightly. “You don’t have any frame of reference for this, so you’ll just have to take my word for it that this is not normal. New vampires cannot control themselves and kill any living thing they try to feed from. Every time.”

“How many of those new vampires were deeply in love with the person they tried it with?” Marcus asks, meeting your eyes with an ardent gaze.

“Of all the times I’ve dreamed of hearing that from you, I never imagined it would come out quite like that,” you say with a wry smile. 

Max makes something like a strained choking noise in his throat, grimacing uncomfortably. “Well kids, this has been fun, but I’m gonna get out of here.”

He sticks out his hand and you accept it, letting him pull you up to standing. Once on your feet, all the blood seems to rush away from your head, and you sway slightly. 

“She should lie down,” Max comments, watching you. 

Marcus nods in agreement and wordlessly (and effortlessly) lifts you into his arms and moves in the direction of his bedroom.

“Does ‘she’ get a say in this?” you protest, although this time it’s somewhat more good-natured than before. 

Your answer is another kiss from Marcus before he gently sets you down on the comforter. 

Sitting here, on Marcus’s bed, with him hovering over you, opens up an entirely new set of opportunities. The look in Marcus’s eyes lets you know his thoughts are along the same lines, and when he inhales, his breath catches in his chest.

“I’d caution you against that,” Max says in his characteristic deadpan tone from the doorway. “Really easy to lose control in the heat of the moment, and he’s still hungry.”

“Are you?” you ask Marcus hesitantly, who shrugs and drops his gaze.

“Was trying to be polite about it.”

“I didn’t let him take much,” Max explains. “Far easier to rectify taking too little than too much.”

“Does that mean he could do it again?” you ask, the breathlessness in your voice giving you away immediately. 

Marcus is, predictably, the one who quickly tries to shut that idea down, murmuring your name and shaking his head in concern.

“You don’t know how it felt,” you whisper. “I think I’d do it every day if I could.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Marcus answers for what feels like the hundredth time.

“You won’t,” you promise. “And besides, Max will be here just in case.”

The two of you turn to the other vampire, who’s leaning against the doorway with an exaggerated sulk. “Oh sure, let’s ask Max. I’m sure he won’t mind watching you feed in the throes of ecstasy… again. Max has no opinion, Max can manage his own hunger, it’s fine.”

“Done pouting?” Marcus asks pointedly. “I think I’m justified in saying that you fucking owe me one.”

Max glowers, but offers no further protest.

“Is this wrist sore?” Marcus asks you, running one fingertip across your skin. “Should I do the other one?”

You shake your head slowly. “I had somewhere else in mind.” Capturing Marcus’s hand, you guide it downward until it rests on your inner thigh. “Here,” you whisper.

Max makes another garbled noise, which Marcus deliberately ignores. Keeping his eyes fixed on your face, he carefully sinks down onto his knees before you. Carefully, so carefully he unbuttons your pants and draws them down your legs, leaving you in your underwear. 

“Fuck, I can’t–” comes the sudden exclamation from the bedroom doorway. “If this is retribution, I guess I deserve it, but still.”

You turn your head to look at Max, who appears to be doubled over in pain, and something pangs in your chest. Marcus, who is still fixated on the crux of your thighs, ignores the interruption.

“Marcus,” you whisper, getting his attention.

“He’s fine,” the man murmurs, clearly distracted.

“He’s hungry,” Max groans pitifully. “I might not be a newborn anymore, but I have feelings.”

“He can wait,” Marcus growls. The words sound slightly slurred, and when you look down again, you can see his fangs already protruding.

Max makes another pathetic whimper as Marcus runs his nose along your upper thigh and inhales greedily. You stop him with a gentle hand carding through his hair.

“Maybe we are being cruel,” you say softly. “He’s been trying to help.”

“He’s not feeding from you,” Marcus insists darkly. The possessiveness seems to make his face transform even more–his brow thickening and his eyes flickering with an eerie yellow glint.

“She’s–she’s yours,” Max agrees weakly. “I know. Just—shit.”

Marcus pauses, his tongue darting out to touch the tip of one elongated canine as though testing their unfamiliar shape.

“Come here,” he commands.

Max frowns, hesitating.

“Before I change my mind.” Turning to you again, Marcus strokes the sensitive skin just below the seam of your underwear. “May I?”

“You might be the politest vampire I’ve ever known,” Max muses to himself as he walks toward the bed with cautious steps.

“Please,” you whisper. 

Marcus runs his nose against your thigh again before he lowers his mouth. You feel the sharp sting of his fangs for only a second before a sudden wave of pleasure overtakes you.

Perhaps it’s the change in location–from your wrist to somewhere much more… intimate, but this time the sensation of his venom feels even stronger. So much so, in fact, that everything pulls up tight without warning and you come undone while Marcus’s fangs are still buried within you. 

You shriek in surprise, bucking your hips instinctively, but Marcus follows, sealing his lips around your thigh and sucking. Each aftershock makes the wound feel like it’s pulsing, but all you can do is writhe on the bed and whimper as the vampire–the man you love–takes from you. 

Suddenly, though, Marcus pulls back, pressing his hand against the twin puncture wounds, which are still bleeding openly. With his mouth clearly full, he fists Max’s shirt collar, pulling him in for a rough kiss. Max makes a shocked noise–you think you do, too–but quickly groans in pleasure as Marcus gives him your blood from his own mouth. 

Over and over he repeats the action: gently licking and sucking your thigh as you gasp and squirm under the euphoric influence of his venom, then pulling back to give some to Max before swallowing it himself. 

The constant waves of pleasure reach a peak several more times, although you can hardly keep track. The combination of the venom and the blood loss, perhaps, is making you woozy, and you’re already drifting in and out when Max gently tugs Marcus’s hair and draws him back. You hear him say, “That’s probably enough,” before you lose consciousness entirely.

Everything is peaceful. You don’t think you’ve ever slept this deeply or felt relaxation this profound. When your eyes open again some untold amount of time later, you do so with a lazy, serene smile. 

You blink lazily, trying to gather your senses and focus on the scene in front of you. You can feel the rise and fall of a strong chest beneath you, comforting arms surrounding you as you lay on Marcus’s bed. You know without looking that it’s him that’s holding you, keeping you safe and protected with his body. 

To your surprise, Max–you figured he’d be long gone by now–sits at the bedside, watching you with an unreadable expression.

“She’s awake,” he says to Marcus, who immediately loosens his hold and gently tilts your head back onto his shoulder to look at you.

“Hey,” he says softly, brushing his thumb across your cheekbone. “You scared me a little, there.”

“Told him it was normal,” Max says, with the air of someone who’s said the exact same sentence fifty times already, “and that she wasn’t in any danger.”

“Still,” Marcus fusses gently, scanning your face with a slightly furrowed brow. 

“Here,” Max interjects, handing you a small bottle of gatorade and making sure your hands are wrapped around it before pulling back. “Drink this, and once you can sit up, you need to eat a little something.”

You accept the drink gratefully and take greedy sips until the bottle is empty. When it is, Max sets it back on the nightstand and hands you a couple of oreos pilfered from Marcus’s cabinets, and the rest of the orange from before. 

“How are you feeling?” Marcus asks–still with a hint of concern in his voice–as you eat.

“Really good, actually,” you answer with a sigh. “That was–listen, not to be weird or anything, but that was… amazing.”

Marcus chuckles low in his chest as Max smirks next to you. 

“Can’t say I minded that particular method of feeding,” the other vampire comments wryly. “Might almost be better than from the source.”

Marcus clears his throat awkwardly, and when you glance up at him again, his ears are tinged pink. 

“I didn’t know that about you,” you say softly.

Marcus tries to shrug noncommittally, blushing deeper as he does. “I like to keep my private life private.”

“Fair enough.”

“Don’t mind sharing with the people I care about, though,” he adds.

“Awww, he cares about me!” Max simpers with a teasing pout.

“I hate you,” Marcus counters with no conviction or malice behind the words whatsoever.

“No you don’t.” 

“I was talking about her, though.”

“And me!”

“Children,” you sigh, shaking your head in exasperation. “I hate to interrupt, but can I trouble one of you bloodsuckers for some juice or something?”

Marcus raises one eyebrow at Max, who salutes sarcastically and marches out of the room. 

“I can’t tell if I like him or if I can’t stand him,” you murmur to Marcus when the two of you are alone. 

“Makes two of us,” your partner hums, ducking down to kiss your temple.

“Really?” you ask incredulously. “Didn’t look like you minded so much before.”

Marcus huffs quietly. “It was the solution that came to me at the time.”

“Is that all it was?”

He lets out a slow, even breath as he tightens his hold on you. “No.”

“Wanna talk about it?” you ask, as Max comes back with a glass of juice and another handful of oreos.

“Maybe later,” Marcus answers, sounding a bit bashful.

“Vampires have super-hearing, you know that–right?” Max comments as he moves back toward the bed.

“Wh–what?” the other man chokes out nervously. “Really?”

“...No.” Max hands you the glass of juice with a deadpan stare.

You try and fail to contain your laughter, snorting as you cover your hand with your mouth to disguise the smile.

“But now I know you were talking about me,” Max purrs, leaning toward the two of you. 

“No,” Marcus lies–unconvincingly.

“Pretty boy,” Max chastises with that same childish, teasing pout he’s done before. “I thought so highly of you–don’t tell me you’re in the middle of some silly gay panic right now.”

Marcus snorts. “We’re too old for that, don’t you think?”

“You tell me.” Max’s expression is guarded, but you can tell he’s very invested in the other man’s answer.

“Truth is, I’ve harbored feelings for this one for a long time,” Marcus says affectionately, looking down and brushing his hand up your forehead and over the top of your head. “A long time. And it feels disingenuous to even consider the idea of treading on that, somehow.”

“Right,” Max says, standing up stiffly and quickly. “I’m gonna–”

“Wait.” 

The vampire pauses, eyeing the two of you warily.

“In a way, it was you who… brought us together, in a way,” Marcus continues. “In a weird fucking way, I’ll add, but I can’t deny that this day has been… beyond my wildest dreams. And–” he swallows thickly, licking his lips before continuing, “–you were a part of that, for better or for worse.”

You carefully sit up, extricating yourself from Marcus’s arms to lean up and kiss him on the cheek.

“I’m not used to this much attention,” he adds, laughing self-deprecatingly as he shakes his head in apparent bewilderment. “And now I’ve got the two of you looking at me like that, and I’m not sure what to do with myself.”

“Enjoy it,” you tell him with a soft smile. “I love you. Max likes you. Maybe that’s all we need to know right now.”

“He can speak for himself,” Max teases, parroting your earlier words.

You look at him. “Did you really turn him because you thought he was pretty?”

“Can you blame me?”

*

#marcus pike #marcus pike x reader #marcus pike x f!reader #marcus pike x reader x max phillips #max phillips #the mentalist #bloodsucking bastards #pedro pascal

[shygirl4991]

Bright like the sun (Birthday Gift)

This fic is a birthday gift for @lizaluvsthis i hope ya enjoy it and you have a great birthday! If you want to use the picture credit me please! (i didn't mean for it to post early so yay early birthday gift for you!!)

Summary: SMG4 gets invited to an exclusive party for you tubers but needs a date to get in, good thing his good friend SMG3 owes him a favor! Tags: Fluff, Sun and Moon, confession, first kiss, these fruits be gay! SMG4 was bouncing with excitement, after so many years of him making content he got the legendary letter.  The story is well known among youtubers, when a youtuber has hit a certain number of subscribers a letter will appear in it, an invite to a theme party. There you can meet other youtubers and make collaboration videos with them to gain more attention to your channel, SMG4 has been dying to go to one and finally the day has arrived. 

He opens the letter to read the invite, slowly his excitement vanishes as he sees the bottom line “You must bring a date….” He slowly places the letter on his desk, then sprints out of the castle running to each of his friends asking them to be his date. Each of his friends frown apologizing due to already having plans, he sighs sitting outside of his castle. He has worked so hard to get this invite, how is he going to get a date? 

SMG3 walks out of his cafe and notices a depressed SMG4 sitting outside, he looks around unsure if he should approach. Seeing no one is around he rolls his eyes and walks up to four “Hey scrub, is there a reason you're sitting out here like a dumbass?” SMG4 looks up at Three, realizing he never asked SMG3 he gets up in a flash taking SMG3 hand “WANT TO GO ON DATE WITH ME?!” SMG3's face goes bright red, without thinking he pulls his hand back and smacks SMG4 “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ON ABOUT!?” 

SMG4 pouts rubbing his cheek “I got an invite to an extremely rare youtuber party, but i can't go in without a date. I was hoping you would be my date,” he watches as Three relaxes and glares at him. He can already see the rejection happening, he prepares himself for the rejection only to end up surprised “Fine…Not because I want to go on a date with you! I just owe you for helping me get my notebook back!”

“YIPEE!!” he hugs Three tightly making the man squirm from the contact, after passing along the information he walks in his castle excited to see the party. Mario, watching everything, smirks “Ooo finally asks SMG3 on a date hmm?” Four was ready to deny the comment before it hit him. He asked SMG3 on a date, his eyes went wide as he realized he asked all his friends to join him but for SMG3 he told him it was a date. He slowly blinks, staring at Mario “Oh my god…I ASKED SMG3 ON A DATE!”  

Mario, seeing Four Panic, ran up to him and rubbed his back to help his friend relax. The moment he saw SMG4 more relaxed he spoke up “Mario is sure SMG3 is happy you asked him!” Four wasn't sure how to reply beside a nervous nod, did he even see SMG3 in that way? He walks to his room looking at all his outfits, not that he had many he mostly wore the same style of clothing everyday. Seeing his spy rizz outfit he took it out, he did look good in it and it was the best outfit he had. He felt his stomach do flips at the idea that tonight he had a date with his friendly rival of several years, he wasn't sure what he wanted from it anymore. What started as a mission to meet more youtubers became a mission on learning what this strange feeling was in his heart. 

In no time the sun has dropped and it was time for him to pick up Three, he fixes his bowtie and knocks at the cafe door. There Three opens its showing himself in a black tux with a purple tie, SMG4 lightly blush at the sight then notices the lack of hat “Wow you look amazing even more so with no hat,” noticing what he said he decided to try to cover his slip up “so many youtubers will certainly want your attention at the party!” Three rubs the back of his neck “Thanks! But I think I prefer having only one youtuber look at me.”

SMG4 tilts his head repeating the words in his head, did Three just flirt with him? With a small awkward cough bringing SMG4 back to reality he offers his arm which Three took and they walk off to the party.  SMG4 was starting to get his excited bounce back as they got closer to the party “I can't wait to make all these connections! Ah my channel is gonna get huge, don't worry though Three you will always be in my heart when i get famous!” SMG3 rolls his eyes “Don't get your hopes up, trust me people aren't all sunshine and rainbows you should know after all you're a huge asshole yourself.” Four frowns at the comment but had to admit he wasn't a saint, he has made his fair share of mistakes. One of them which ruined another person's life, how SMG3 was able to forgive him will always be a shock. They make it to the party, Four shows the invite to the guard outside “Date?” SMG4 shyly points to the man next to him who is still holding on to his arm “yo whats up?” 

That was enough for the guard to let them in, as they walked into the party they both looked around in awe. The theme of the party was sun and moon destiny, a classic trope from what SMG4 heard from boopkins. SMG3 lets go of Four letting him blast off to talk to the other youtubers, he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at his date before going off to mess with the guest. SMG4 did his best to use his charm to get attention from the several youtubers at the party, the more he attempted the more he felt his heart shatter from every rejection. The one that hurt the most was someone telling him that memes were cringe, he sits near the drinks and sighs. SMG3 wasn't wrong, he shouldn't have gotten his hopes up now that he has been rejected by everyone in the party he felt awkward being there.

Three was chuckling as a pair was panicking at finding the money in their wallet to be missing and replaced with plastic spiders. He turns to see SMG4 frowning, sitting alone.  He had a feeling things weren't going to work, he sighs remembering how trying to get a collab months ago caused them to lose peach's castle and almost his own life. He looks around the room thinking on how to cheer his date up, he notices sun and moon necklaces and walks up to the table “Hey what's the deal with these?”

The man smiles at SMG3 “They are free for guests, the sun and moon are well known for bringing romance to one's life, come read and pick one for your date! The gems inside glow when you're in close contact, it's perfect for setting a mood!” Rolling his eyes at the man he takes out his phone to do research, he lets out a small smile as he puts on the moon then shoves the sun in his pocket. Slowly he approaches his date “You're that popular Youtuber SMG4 right cause I have a collab for you!” he smirks at the man. Four glares at his partner “Not in the mood for jokes or teasing Three.”

“No teasing dude, look I told you these guys would suck. But there is one thing at this party that doesn't suck.” blushing he slowly takes out the sun necklace handing it to Four. Confused, he takes the necklace looking up at Three. Feeling nervous SMG3 looks off to the side “You make the party suck less, you're like the sun in the story for this dumb party you're so annoyingly cheerful and optimistic but without those traits i wouldn't be where i am. You saved me and helped me shine. I guess what I'm trying to say is without you in my life..I can't shine as bright so stop being so upset over people that don't mean anything.” 

SMG4's heart was racing at the man's words, was this a confession or was SMG3 being a good friend. He puts the necklace on and gets up with a bright smile “Thank you,” he then leans forward kissing SMG3 cheek. Their necklaces start to glow as the two men blush at what Four did. He wasn't sure it was the right move and was about ready to run off in a panic thinking Three would abandon him. He closes his eyes ready to apologize when he feels SMG3 grab his hand “Shut up and dont say what's on your mind, come on let's dance and show these losers what a sun and moon pair really look like!”

He chuckles and agrees as they run to the dance floor and start dancing, though they spend most of the dance fighting over who takes the lead. SMG4 gives SMG3 a bright smile, seeing that smile was too much for Three as he puts his hand on Fours waist and brings him close, SMG4 blushes looking into Three’s ruby eyes. Slowly they inch closer till their lips meet causing the gems in their necklace to glow brightly catching a few peoples attention. They pull apart looking into each other's eyes, SMG3 blushes and shyly looks down while SMG4 stares at three with hearts in his eyes. 

An announcement was made letting everyone know the party was coming to an end causing the two men to awkwardly step away from each other. They leave the party and start walking home in silence, the party was an eye opener for the both of them. SMG4 never thought that asking SMG3 on a date by accident would make him realize all the strange fuzzy feelings that have been harassing him were because of a crush.  He sighs and stops walking, Three noticing the other man wasn't next to him he turns confused.

“Three…what happened at the party was amazing, i never thought…i mean we have always teased and fought with each other i never thought that maybe we could be something more.” SMG4 lets out a nervous chuckle. SMG3 eyes widen noticing the blush on Fours face, he gets closer and slowly caresses his face “Don't get me wrong i hate your face, but…i wouldn't mind doing what we did at the party again.” Four smiles as he inches closer to Three “Oh really~ Well then shall we?” Without a second thought the pair closed the distance kissing again, sealing the deal on their new relationship. The smile SMG3 saw from his partner tonight was brighter than the sun itself, he made a promise to himself to protect that smile as they start heading home again.

#shygirl4991 #smg34 #smg4 #smg3 #smg4 smg3 #smg43 #smg34 fanfiction #lizaluv #birthday gift #sun and moon #fluff

[the-s1lly-corner]

Can you do a Caine x reader where reader just got in the realm and their panicking so much they are close to abstracting till caine introduces himself and reader just stops all of a sudden staring at him. After they snap back to reality they begin to flirt with caine non stop

TADC cast reactions pls

Have a great day:)

Caine x Newbie!reader who flirts with him! (+ bonus cast reactions)

Ueueueu I love this idea !! Sorry it took so long to get to this anon TToTT I've been chipping away at previous requests and being sick (I'm better now YIPEE!!)

Regardless, I hope you enjoy this!

Side note I didnt realize the cast reactions portion until I was ready to post to they're admittedly kind of an afterthought and short descriptions of their thoughts. Like really short <\3

When you came into the digital world freaking out, before immediately calming down at the sight of him he was going to joke about how he knew he was just jaw droppingly gorgeous (finger guns)

Is stunned into silence when you actually start rattling off about how pretty and cute he is and asking if he's single

Now heres the thing; if you guys were already in a committed relationship he would reciprocate the advances and flirt back with you. However considering you're a stranger, i think it would kind of throw him off guard

Like I dont think he would outright tell you to stop unless you start to get

"Frisky"

Afterall this circus is a place for all ages!

Sheesh at least take him out to dinner first

Honestly I think he would be fine with it as long as you're not being overly excessive or weird with it

Like if you're turning everything he says and does in his introduction into something flirty romantic or whatever, I think that would make him uncomfortable

Like imagine hes trying to just introduce himself and say his name you just "caine sounds nice.. but "mine" sounds better🤤🤤" like he would be so so uncomfy

That said if it were more subtle and like. Paced out and you tried to genuinely get to know him and spend time with him without turning it into a date then there could be a solid possibility of you guys actually going on a date!

Cast reactions;

Pomni is a little... very.. confused. I mean she just got here not long before you did, and you just. Immediately calm down at the drop of a hat because caine appeared. Not enjoying the vibe

Jax and Zooble have a rare moment of them agreeing on something. They both find some level of amusement in the situation, given that it's not often that they see caine falter. Zooble however is more inclined to admit that the speed of which you started firing off pickups lines after freaking out is.. odd

Kinger, assuming he didnt tuck himself away into his pillow fort, is confused. Doesnt even realize you're flirting with the ringmaster. Not much to say here, not many ideas

Gangle and ragatha try to get you to pipe down, so that caine can get a word in and get the introduction done. Of course this is assuming you're being excessive and cutting into caines sentences. If you're of the more chill variety I mentioned above, I think they would stay to the side...

#tadc x reader #the amazing digital circus x reader #digital circus x reader #caine x you #caine x reader #caine imagine

[theromaboo]

The Second Day of Julius Caesar

Everyone knows what Julius Caesar's last words were. It's pretty much the most iconic line of all time! Et tu, Brute? (which means "And you, Brutus?") That is just pure poetry. Julius Caesar really is so cool. His last words were probably the best and most amazing last words anyone ever had ever.

Look, it's even one of The Best Latin Lines Ever according to the cover of this book.

But did Caesar really say it? (Nope!)

It's a Shakespearean invention! (that's going to be a common theme in this series) However, the idea that these were his last words actually isn't entirely Shakespearean. "Et tu, Brute?" weren't Julius Caesar's last words in the play! His true last words before dying were "Then fall Caesar."

Good golly that is old. But as you can see, Julius Caesar's last words here are "Et tu Brute?—Then fall Caesar." (forgive me, I mean Cæſar).

Aww look at him talking about himself in the third person. Adorable. Maybe my last words should be "Then fall @theromaboo."

While we're still on the topic of "Et tu, Brute?" I just want to fix a few of my pet peeves when people quote this. It is not "Et tu, Brutus?" Latin has cases. Brutus here is in the vocative because Caesar is calling Brutus by his name. The vocative of Brutus is Brute. It has to be Brute.

Neither is it "Et tu, Bruté." What is that accent doing? In modern Latin, acute accents are most commonly used to show that a syllable is stressed. And in ancient Roman Latin inscriptions, a mark that looks very similar to an acute accent (called an apex) is sometimes used to show that a vowel is long. Neither usage makes sense here with Bruté. I think what happened is that people are getting confused with French (a very common mistake!) and because Brute is pronounced with two syllables, people add an accent at the end to make it have two syllables, because without the accent, it would just be Brute, with one syllable, because that's how it works in French. But Latin doesn't care about that!

Anyway, there is no ancient source that says Julius Caesar's last words were "Et tu, Brute?" or "Then fall Caesar."

I can already hear an Italian saying "Those weren't Giulio Cesare's last words; he actually said tu quoque—" You're also wrong! (sorry italians)

There is no ancient source that says that Julius Caesar's last words were "Tu quoque, Brute, fili mi?" or "Tu quoque, mi fili?" or any other similar version (they all mean "You too, (Brutus), my son?" I find that the first one is generally used by Italians and the second is generally used by French people, and almost the entire continental Europe seems to use some sort of version of "Tu quoque. . ." However, there might be even more versions of Julius Caesar's last words in other languages. I only really interact with English, Italian, and French, so if you know any other versions from different languages, do tell me!)

Okay, now we know a lot of stuff Caesar didn't say, but what were Julius Caesar's real last words?

We don't know! (yipee!)

Shakespeare's main source was a translation of a translation of Plutarch's Parallel Lives, but nothing similar to the Shakespearean last words can be found there.

Plutarch tells us that after Caesar got a teeny little stab from Casca, he said in Latin, "Foulest Casca, what are you doing?" I'm assuming he said this in the exact same way the stepsister says to the stepbrother—but the annoying thing is that Plutarch doesn't give us the Latin, he just gives us the Greek translation of the Latin (classic Plutarch) (if you want to know the Greek, it's "Μιαρώτατε Κάσκα, τί ποιεῖς?")

Suetonius, meanwhile, gives us a different story. He says that right before the stabbing started, this dude called Cimber grabbed Caesar by the shoulders. Caesar said "Why, this is violence!" and then immediately got stabbed by Casca. Then he didn't say anything else throughout the stabbing; he just groaned at the first stab. So that means that his last words would've been, yes, "Why, this is violence!" ("Ista quidem vis est!" in Latin). Biggest understatement of 44 BC!

There is yet another common version of Caesar's last words, and they are "What is this? Such violence against Caesar!" which is bit of a poor interpretation of this.

Anyway, Suetonius says that "Some have written that when Caesar saw Brutus rushing at him, he said 'Καὶ σύ τέκνον?'" (which means "You too, child?") This is definitely most similar to the most common ideas of Julius Caesar's last words ("Et tu, Brute?" and "Tu quoque. . ."). Pretty much the only difference is that "Καὶ σύ τέκνον" is Greek. In fact, people often claim that Caesar's last words were "Tu quoque, Brute, fili mi?" by citing Suetonius, even though Suetonius doesn't say that.

I would treat this with a bit of caution though, because Suetonius is distancing himself from this claim, saying that "Oh, other people have written. . ." Clearly Suetonius doesn't really believe it himself. And, no offense to Suetonius, but if Suetonius is unsure of this, I would be too. Suetonius notoriously treats official government documents and rumors his nonna heard on the streets as equally valid sources.

Besides, would you be able to speak after being stabbed? I know Caesar isn't the average person, but Caesar is still a person. I'd imagine that one would be a bit too shocked to speak in such a high stress situation. And saying something deep about Brutus, no less! But, as always, I don't know for sure. Maybe Caesar did say something after getting stabbed, but I'm with Suetonius on this one and my best guess is that he did not.

Cassius Dio also writes about this. He pretty much says the exact same thing as Suetonius, except that he does not mention Caesar saying "Why, this is violence!" Dio also believes that Caesar didn't speak after he got stabbed, but he does mention "some writers" who say that Julius Caesar's said to Brutus "Καὶ σύ τέκνον?" (sound familiar?)

So yeah, moral of the story, no one can agree on Caesar's last words! Good gods, I spent the better half of my Saturday researching and writing this. I am so sorry for you poor souls who had to read all this. If you want to read the relevant parts of the ancient sources themselves, here they are:

Plutarch Parallel Lives, Julius Caesar, 66.7–8

Suetonius, Life of Julius Caesar, 82.1–2

Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book XLIV, 19.4–5

#the 15 days of julius caesar #julius caesar #roman history #ancient rome #et tu brute #tu quoque brute fili mi #history #cassius dio #suetonius #plutarch #ides of march #the ides of march

[overleftdown]

hi :3 so ik you've said farleigh probably leans into his visible queerness as a way to take control of the way in which hes othered, which leads me to a question. how dyou think his journey of realizing hes queer wouldve gone? like what wouldve been his awakening, is he fully cis, how dyou think hed describe his own queerness if asked? i wanna know your thoughts :0

HEADCANONS HEADCANONS HEADCANONS YIPEE. this post is, obviously, mostly conjecture and extrospection.

archie's audition material was a character having a phone conversation with his mother. in this phone call, the character is describing different sexual encounters with men specifically. assuming this applies to farleigh as a character (considering farleigh is queer and emerald believed this monologue piece was a good reference for an actor for farleigh), i think that queerness is a casual subject between farleigh and frederica.

HOWEVER, queerness is then boiled down to sex. when elspeth is very obnoxiously discussing queerness, she's also referring to queer sex. what we can infer from this movie is that the cattons tend to condense intimacy into sex without any genuine emotion. they have emotions and experience emotional relationships, but they're sort of shrouded in small talk, gossip, transactional dynamics, and other forms of avoidance. this is why oliver's use of genuine emotional vulnerability was so impactful with the cattons.

so, we sort of have this condensed version of queerness in which we view it as exclusively sexual. this adheres to straightness as well. when felix is talking about farleigh's sexcapades with teachers, he uses terminology that would imply these are specifically male/male dynamics. this further complicates farleigh's queerness. his attraction to men is not only perceived as strictly sexual but is also now seen as deviant. a possible parallel to this would be how the cattons see venetia's sexuality. a queer person and a woman, their inability to escape rampant sexualization.

i can see farleigh having the traditional "oh shit, i like men" realization, and all the discomfort and stress that comes with it. i also think that it would be valid to imagine that farleigh just... didn't say anything about it. like, clearly the cattons and his parents knew or found out that oh shit, he likes men. but if queerness is to be strictly a sexual or experimental endeavor, then why have any serious conversation about it at all? archie says that his parents doted on him in a way, but at the same time, they were neglectful. when he wasn't left to his own devices, he was being dragged along to dinner parties with overly mature conversation. all of this leads me to infer that maybe farleigh learned to see his own queerness as a casual affair. homophobia exists and he would've felt and heard that prejudice throughout his life, which might've resulted in an internalized feeling of... perversion?

as for gender identity, i think farleigh would have a slightly ambiguous approach. maybe nothing that people would consider trans, but definitely a less-traditional gender expression. with farleigh's mom being the only real connection he has to the world he's currently existing in, i think he might feel a need to emulate her in some way. i can picture farleigh sneaking into her room to try on her lipstick, perfumes, bath robes, high heels. you feel me? archie described frederica as someone who was probably a model in the past, who reflected the same eccentric style and glam as the rest of the cattons. i can sort of see her being like an older venetia. farleigh, as a queer person, might see femininity as both armor and a tool. in the same way that farleigh seems to treat the other ways in which he is different, i think he would amplify the showstopping "exotic" uniqueness of his queerness while hiding how it truly effects his identity.

i think farleigh's expression of his queerness is similar to everything else he does; "toeing the line," while still indulgent. his relationship with authority figures (teachers) is one of those things that seems like an unhealthy result of internalized homophobia and poor self-esteem in regard to sexuality. not to mention the power dynamic. he's in a position of lesser privilege within most english upper-class academic spaces. i'm getting off track.

i don't know what else to say since all of this is, again, conjecture. take all of this as you will, finn.

#farleigh start #saltburn #saltburn 2023 #chatting it up #yipee yipee #i get carried away #letting my imagination run SO wild rn #i love questions that make me think rlyyy hard #this took me a long time of mulling and chewing #gnawing gnawing gnawing

[dealerlin]

❝ such a brat… ❞

warnings: nsfw, slight overstimulation & clitoris torture, bratty behavior, mentions of neglect

genre: slight Dom/sub au & smut

fem!reader insert, Eisuke paring

a/n: it’s not as detailed as i’d like

synopsis

You were just such a fucking brat. It was unbelievable, how you would take the simplest of tasks and throw a bitch fit about it. You and Eisuke had been dating for a while now and he was used to girls beckoning to his every whim, but you however did the opposite. It’s the only reason he noticed you. It’s easy to mistake you for a Dom, in this world full of Doms and subs. But, it was made clear during your first time having sex that you weren’t a Dom. Not even close. Simply the brattiest sub he’s ever met.

“Stop, woman.” He says in a serious voice, annoyed by your antics, trying to draw attention from him. This always happens. To you, regardless of whether it ended in punishment, his acknowledgment, getting him away from work, that was a win in your book. It was embarrassing, being dragged to a subs whim in front of all his friends. He had been far too gentle with you. “Y/n, room. Now.” He commands, but it wasn’t going to be that easy. “I refuse, purple!” You say without hesitation.

You hadn’t even considered following his command, saying your safeword was almost instinctive. Every time Eisuke talked, you were prepared to blurt it at any second, like a ticking time bomb. Sure, you knew safewords weren’t supposed to be abused like that, but that’s not your problem. He was glaring daggers at you. “Y/n, what did I say about doing that.” “Doing what?” You feign innocence, batting those pretty eyelashes that stopped working a long time ago.

The way he looked at you, you knew you were going to be punished. But, it’s not like this would be a new phenomenon. His friends laugh at your defiance, they had never seen such a strong headed sub before. “You’ve got your work cut out for you boss!” Baba laughs, Ota adding “I could tame your adorable puppy, if you want-” He quickly shuts his mouth, seeing the murderous look Eisuke gives him at the thought of another man touching you.

Seeing this jealous act, you decide to push Eisuke’s buttons. “Ota, that sounds wonderful! Why don’t we start right now?” You look over at Eisuke, and he seems to be fuming with anger, so angry that he’s completely silent. You're about to egg him on when suddenly you’re thrown over his shoulder. Lightly pounding his back, you huff. “Me and Ota were doing something! Mister jealous.”

He doesn’t say a word. You must have really done it this time. But, did you care? No. “Eisuke! I said we were- woah!” You’re practically slammed onto the bed, your whole body bouncing. “Did I make someone angry?” You coo, only to be shut up by a breathtaking kiss. “This is the last time,” he mumbles, “the last time you’re ever going to behave like this.” His tone was cold, and his eyes looked menacing.

Yet, his characteristic smirk seems to make you think otherwise. What could he do? Spank you? Deny you an orgasm? Being a huge masochist, there wasn’t much you could think of that you wouldn’t enjoy. “I’m going to make you cum so much, you’ll beg to never orgasm again.” Before you can say a word, he’s ripping your clothes off, now laying somewhere on the floor of his room. You were excited, finally getting the attention you've been craving all day.

First he ties your hands to the bed frame, then your legs, making sure to keep them spread wide. Then he leaves, going to his closet “full of wonders”, as you call it. Though, he comes back with an automatic thruster attached to a dildo, clamps, and a vibrator? Was he not planning on touching you? Seeing your look of confusion, he gives his signature laugh. “Did my poor baby really think I would reward her? After that act?”

He clamps your nipples first, making you yipe. “There there, naughty girls can handle a little pain.” He says in that annoyingly condescending tone. Next is the vibrator. You thought he would put it inside of you, but instead he attaches it to you clitoris, and you can’t stop yourself from jumping which proves futile as the binds hold you in place. “Fuck! Eisuke, Eisuke.”

Moaning as you try to reach out to your Dom, sure it felt good now, but Eisuke knew after an hour like this you’d be begging him to make it stop. Your pussy instinctively clenches around nothing. “Eisuke”, you whine, but to avail. You felt your orgasm building up, already wet from the stimulation of your clit. Your head begins to fog, only for the stimulus to suddenly grow strong. Eisuke was pressing it right onto your clit. Screams and moans echo the room, it was too much.

Right before the orgasm hits he stops, making you look up at him with big glossy eyes. “Bad girls aren’t allowed to come without asking.” That antagonizing smirk never left his face. “Please! Please can I cum!” Your voice comes in more of a begging tone than you had intended. “Let me think about it.” Finally, the dildo is shoved inside of your wet entrance. You weren’t at all ready. He hadn’t prepped you, not even a finger.

The pain begins to turn to pleasure though, the machine being put on the highest setting. “Ei- Eisuke! No!” You hadn’t had time to adjust, no build up, just rough, fast pounding. The lewd sounds made from your soaked entrance being thrusted in and out of makes your face more red than it already was. It was too much. The clamps, vibrator, and now this. And before you know it, you’re having a ripping orgasm. Yet, there’s no sign of stopping.

“Eisuke, no! A- ah!” Tears filled your eyes, much to Eisukes pleasure. “You didn’t think I would stop just because you oragsmed, did you?” Just how long was he planning to keep this up? Your legs shake, you had only cummed once and you were already exhausted, there was too much pleasure. It felt too good. “Please, please. I- I need you! Please, I’m sorry!”

It had been 60 minutes of nonstop orgasming. Each time you thought you couldn’t cum again, you came. “I don’t know. This is what you wanted, right? A punishment?” You could barely choke out words. Your legs desperately pulling against the bonds to close, eyes teary, and breath gone. “Fine, but you’re going to have to come again.” Shaking your head no, you’re surprised when he turns the machine off.

“Wha-” He takes off the vibrator, nipple clamps and binds to your legs. “But I thought…” You can finally breathe again, but before you know it he’s on top of you. “I wouldn’t let some stupid sex toys finish my woman off.” You were surprised, that is, until you saw the tightness in Eisuke’s pants. “Eisuke… please, need-” “I know.” Unbuttoning his pants, he roughly pulls both them and his underwear down.

Capturing your lips in his, he finds your entrance before putting it in with ease. “All wet and loose for me. What a naughty girl you are.” Clenching him, you swear you catch a groan leaving his lips. Pounding you so hard, the bed shakes with your love. You can’t hold him, your hands still above your head, so you cry out his name. “Fuck, I know. I’m close too. You think I like watching you get off without me?” You can barely mutter a response, so he just quickens the pace.

“Ngh, o-oh, AH-!” Your g-spot is hit mercilessly until you’re ripped of yet another orgasm. Usually it took more to get you off, but you had already cummed so much, it’s like your body was just waiting for that next high. Able to catch your breath, relieved when Eisuke unties your hands, red markings to show for it. “Y/n, I don’t understand. Why do you act so bratty? There’s no way you act this bratty just because.”

You were always so much more open after sex, and even though he didn’t seem like it, Eisuke gave really good aftercare. After getting a warm, damp towel, he wipes down your body. “I don’t know.” You shrug, and from the “mmm” noise, you can tell he wasn’t satisfied with your answer. Getting some oils, he tries again. “Y/n, come on. You can be honest with me. What’s bothering you that makes you behave this way?”

He was rubbing you down, careful of the new marks on your body. “It’s stupid.” You say with a sad, distant look of your face. You stop feeling the rubbing, and soon Eisuke is next to you, face so close to yours you think you might kiss again. “Nothing involving you is stupid.” There was a moment of silence, he could tell you were debating on telling him. Finally, with a sigh, he knows he’s won. “My parents.. they’re just like you. They were always too busy for me.”

That broke his heart, had he been neglectful? “Never looked at my art projects, grades, didn’t even show up to my graduations or sports competitions. I wanted something to fill that. Yet, it feels like I’m constantly fighting for your attention, just like I did them.” He wasn’t aware of how his actions impacted you.

“Y/n, I’m sorry. I won’t prioritize my work over you again, I promise.” Your body was sore, but you work up enough energy to initiate a hug, and your bare bodies come together. The heat of being so close made you feel warm inside. With that, you fall asleep peacefully against his chest. “Love you..” “I love you too.” He responds, rubbing your head until you fall asleep.

#eisuke ichinomiya #kbtbb eisuke #eisuke #kbtbb #kissed by the baddest bidder #dom/sub #fanfic #kbtbb fanfic #smut #kbtbb smut #kbtbb x reader #x reader #reader insert #voltage #voltage fanfic

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

You’re My Obsession

Request: "I saw you talking to them. Saw you smiling too. Like a little slut." @backoff-imreadingdarkness​ + “You think that hurts. You don’t even know the pain you caused me”. (both prompts requested by an anon)

Warnings: this is a dark drabble and will include elements such as noncon, age gap, choking, stalking behaviour. Not all elements are explicitly flagged, proceed at your own risk.

Note on Sleepover Drabbles: keep in mind that these drabbles may not align with the overall storyline of the Campus AU as they will focus on matching characterisation to given requests.

I would truly appreciate any thoughts and reblogs on these drabbles in spirit of the sleepover. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and thank you for joining me!

“Oh, you know what, you can substitute banana or applesauce for eggs if you’re all out,” you say as you tap your pen mindlessly on your open textbook.

“Really? I wouldn’t have known that,” Jared says.

“Dude, you don’t have applesauce or bananas,” Omar scoffs, “why don’t you just buy the cake?”

“It’s our anniversary,” Jared elbows his buddy.

“One month!” Omar exclaims in disbelief.

You could laugh but you don’t do much of that these days. You smile between them from your seat at the table. Muse is supposed to meet you but she’s late. Again.

“Anyway,” Jared shrugs, “thanks for the recipe. I think she’ll like it.”

“As long as you follow the instructions, you’ll be fine,” you assure him.

“Awesome,” Jared claps his hand, “I’ll see you in Public Relations, then.”

“Sure,” you give a weak smile and watch them go. 

Your phone vibrates and you sigh as you sit back. It’s a text from Muse asking where you are. Great. She totally forgot you’re meeting. Lately, she’s worse than usual.

Might as well just go home. You can’t focus as it is. You close the book and slide it into your bag. The rush of the student centre isn’t as peaceful as the library but you can’t go there. Not today.

You shove your things carelessly into your bag and head out. You check the time and divert towards the bathroom, the tea making its way through your system. You claim a stall among the empty row, surprised that no one else is there. 

As you emerge from the stall, the door swings out of your grasp. You yipe and Curtis smothers your mouth as he backs you into the small space. He shuts the door and locks it without looking. You quiver as you gape up at him from behind his palm.

“I saw you talking to them. Saw you smiling too. Like a little slut,” he hisses, “you were supposed to come to the library today.”

You murmur against his calloused flesh, confused and terrified. You remember the closet, the stolid heat of his body and crushing prison of his embrace. Your heart hammers behind your ears.

You touch his arm gently, afraid to stoke him further. He takes a shuddery breath and lowers his hand, letting it linger along the collar of your coat, watching it as he plays with the tab of your zipper.

“What are you talking about?” you ask gently.

“Those boys. You told me you didn’t talk to boys.”

“I never said that… and they’re in my class,” you let your hand drop from his sleeve.

“Does that matter?” he snarls his eyes flitting back to yours, “why are you playing with me?”

“I’m not, I swear, I… I was studying and they asked me a question is all–”

He grabs your jaw and forces your mouth shut. Your teeth snap down on your tongue and you taste blood, tears prick in the corner of your eyes.

“You’re mine,” he breathes as he leans in, his rage pinpointing his pupils and tautening his cheeks, “you got that? Mine. You said you loved me.”

You stare at him. You never said those words to him. You never would. Your throat burns as your breath hitches in terror.

“Sugar, please be sweet to me,” he lowers his head and drags his nose down your cheek, nuzzling you as his lips tickle you, “why are you doing this to me?”

“Because we’re not…” you grit out through your tight teeth, “together.”

He squeezes until your jaw feels reader to split. You press yourself to the metal wall and blink. You’re paralysed as he pushes your chin up and his nose traces the line of your throat. He inhales your scent and you feel his teeth graze you, a shiver trickling down your spine before he sinks them into your flesh.

You whimper and squirm. You hear the bathroom door and bubbly voices of girls. He lifts his head and shushes you, his finger against your lips. You sniff as your eyes well, the mark throbbing on your throat.

“You think that hurts,” he whispers as he pushes his thumb against the tender spot, “you don’t even know the pain you caused me.”

#dark curtiis everett #curtis everett #dark!curtis everett #curtis everett x reader #snowpiercer #campus sleepover #campus au #au #drabble #dark drabble #dark!drabble

[lousirs]

i've been meaning to draw this goober for a while now... ANYWAYS say hello to zavier

i have a dumb explanation for the creation of this fella (as well as the transcript of the image) below the cut vvv

this doll appeared in a dream i had 3 months ago around. i remember that in the dream i was watching the movie with my sister and for some reason it showed a made-up scene of lou and the backup singers etc setting up for 'ugly truth'. so you have lou, the triple fry backup singers, and another doll with purple and blonde hair wandering around, seeming super exhausted. in the dream i believe he was a backup singer from a older batch, but after i drew him and showed him to my sister, she said he looks like a drummer. so he's a drummer now i guess lol. i remember in the dream as well i said "imma make some headcanons of this guy" and then i did. yipee

i never intended to make an oc, so my dreams did it for me uh.

oh also i slightly redesigned rhidian to be more 'imperfect'.

and to expand on the last bullet point, the two weren't allowed in the gauntlet due to being 'imperfect', so they snuck into the crowd of prettydolls doing the gauntlet without lou knowing. lou is a mixture of anger and surprise, as they actually end up being pretty good at dodging the obstacles together. that is until the robot dog arrives, and shit hits the fan.

anywho, here's the transcript:

Zavier:

(the scribbled text: fuelled on caffeine and loud music)

Flaws: mix-matched hair, always tired

Role: Drummer

From an older batch of dolls (to expand on this: I'd say after Ox and Mandy but before Nolan)(EDIT: I'M CHANGING IT SO HE WAS MADE BEFORE OX AND MANDY AND NOLAN AND-- because it makes more sense. if Rhidian was in the same batch with Zavier, and Ox blocked off recycling after he left Lou, then Rhidian won't be able to be recycled cause. ya know. it's blocked off. so they a real early batch. ...not sure if the spy girls will be there though. not sure how long they've been around. maybe they are in the same batch as Zavier and Rhidian... hm)(yes im making a whole-ass story for these two i have grown attached to their pain)

Was given the Institute's cone of shame (the 'UGLY!' sign) with Rhidian. They became friends because of it. (uglies gotta stick together)

VERY protective of Rhidian

Thinks Lou is full of crap

Sleeps during lessons

Him and Rhidian sneak into the gauntlet to show that even imperfect dolls can leave for the big world. Backfired majorly.

also the scribbled text for Rhidian reads:

the customising machine malfunctioned. ...quite badly (ripped uniform, random stitches everywhere

#art #uglydolls #uglydolls oc #uglydolls rhidian #uglydolls zavier #oc #oc art #digital art #character art #digital fanart #fanart #character fanart #fandom oc #fan character #dollpurgatoryart

[quirrelfan]

what is the reason you love quirrel so much? i do know that sudden and unexplainable attachments to characters happen (for me it’s revali from breath of the wild. idk why but i love him so much (yes i realize he’s kind of a terrible person)). but i’m just wondering if there’s any specific reason you love him so much?

Yipee, my first ask!!!

It's hard to keep this brief so...:)

When I started Hollow Knight, Hornet was my favourite. I never went to Black Egg Temple so i never saw Quirrel until Lake of Unn.

When I first met him, I didn't think much, but thought he was neat (like all of the characters I've interacted with up to this point).

I missed him in Queens Station because I went to the bench first, then went to interact only to find that he was gone. However, I did not recognize him, so I pretty sad to miss the interaction.

City of Tears rolls around. And oh boy I was so excited to sit with a friendly bug! I sat with him for a while, enjoying the atmosphere, then realised that he is the same guy from Lake of Unn, and that Lake of Unn guy is the same guy as the Queens Station guy. I immediately liked him so much more when I realised this. I loved that he was also exploring! The bench also gave him bonus points, and it became my favourite bench.

Now I became *VERY* excited to explore, to find him in the next area, hunting him down so I can talk with him more. But I never saw him in Deepnest, nor did I see him in Crystal Peak. The next time I saw him was outside of Teacher's Archive. I was SO happy!

And what sealed his place as my favourite character in Hollow Knight (and soon to be overall favourite character alongside Hawks) was the Uumuu fight. I did not see him when he shows up in the fight, but I heard his voice and immediately got hyped. And saw that he was helping me. HELPING ME!!! I did not care how much i died, I never raged at Uumuu at all. I was having a blast. The moment I heard him in the fight, he became my favourite in HK.

Afterwards, I then decided to explore Resting Grounds. My memory of it was foggy, and I wanted to see what was up with that.

I accidentally walked into blue lake.. and there is my friend! Quirrel!

After talking, i sat with him. For a while, but just too short. I left and said aloud (because I was on call with my friend), that i'd come back to him later. I exited the area and decided I wanted to sit with him a little longer.

And his nail. I realised what it meant.

My friend was gone.

His entire storyline (i watched the rest of the interactions on yt), his love for exploring, his appearance (friend shaped) his aid in the battle against Uumuu, his bench, the foreshadowing, the detail of the subtle change in his voice after he removed Monomon's mask.

Everything. Everything about this bug made me love him so much. Yet it is also like one of those "no particular reason" situations. It's everything and nothing in particular at the same time.

Seeing him makes me happy. He makes me smile. His voice in the Hallownest Vocalized mod always makes me smile so fucking much. The Quirrel comic, and when it got voiced over by the Hallownest Vocalized actors. That makes me so incredibly happy as well. (This reminded me to buy the collectors edition of HK so I can get the physical comic and whatever other cool stuff it has).

I have a save file where I'm just at the Quirrel bench. It makes me happy.

I am happy to show my love for Quirrel, whether it's my ita bag, or my rambles about him, or that Quirrel Location written series I made.

I am so happy my friend got Hollow Knight. He didn't try convincing me to play it, I just ended up buying it on the switch. I knew of it beforehand, but my friend is why I got the game. I have him to thank for my love for my now favourite game and for Quirrel.

I know I talked a lot, but it's difficult to explain without going through every little bit, because everything about him makes me love him.

I like that this was my first ask I've recieved. As Quirrel would say:

"I like that. I like that very much."

#quirrel #hollow knight #hk quirrel #quirrel hollow knight #hollow knight quirrel #i love this bug so much #he makes me so fucking happy #so incredibly happy

[randomingoftherandomness]

Hello! If it's alright, I would like to put in a request for a fic > Zhang Ping x Lan Jue. The prompt is they had a big fight and Zhang Ping went home looking like a kicked puppy. Lan Jue after a few days decided to coax and apologize to Zhang Ping because he realized they might break-up the longer their fight goes. The rest is up to you!

Thank you so much and I hope you have a good day!

"Stubborn!"

"Mm."

"A hotheaded fool..."

"Of course, Daren."

"Incorrigible--"

"Would these be enough or should I empty out the stores again?" Xu Dong flourishes his hand. Peizhi snaps his mouth shut and flicks his sleeves back.

There are five baskets of produce, two bolts of fabric suitable for Zhang Ping and someone in his station, three jars of fine southern wine, a new set of ivory-handled writing brushes, two boxes of rare books from Lan Jue's own personal collection, and perhaps most importantly, a custom made set of cooking knives.

Frowning, he purses his lips. "Go to the chestnut seller and buy a pack of freshly roasted ones."

Peizhi thinks he sees Xu Dong's left eye twitch at his order, even as he bows and leaves to carry out his errand. "A donkey," He mutters, pouring out a fresh cup of tea. "I'm in love with an absolute donkey."

Zhang Ping is living in better conditions these days, which, for Lan Jue is still not as good as having him actually stay in Lan Manor. It isn't as if he hasn't offered him a place, if anything he had to practically tie him down just to get him to stay during those nights their discussions and meandering thoughts take a deeper, more physical touch.

Of course, when he complains about this, Mowen merely laughs at him and his woes.

"You made your bed," Mowen had managed between bouts of roaring laughter. "You can lay in it too."

This is to say, no one can understand why he is so truly determined to keep Zhang Ping by his side in the scant few months before he has to leave for Yiping County.

Peizhi tries not to think about how hurt Zhang Ping had looked when he rebutted something he said with a scoffed, "Of course you wouldn't know where your home is, you don't have one!"

That had been that. Zhang Ping had sucked in a breath, asking with a quiet voice and brown eyes that are sheened over with an emotion that was more than sadness, "Is that what you truly believe?"

And a good week has passed since he last saw Zhang Ping. Not a hair nor sight of his harried tail for one good week.

One whole week wasted being apart when they could just be...

The ache in his stomach returns with a twist, tugging in deep. Tamping down his annoyance at himself, he exhales slowly, gritting his teeth.

Looking up, he can spy the golden tops of the imperial palace glimmering in the noonday sun. Urgency burns bright in his bones. Wasting time, they're all just wasting time, and there is nothing Peizhi can do to stop the turning of the hours.

Helplessness bleeds through. Sinking its claws into his chest. He, Lan Jue, won't beg for anything from anyone but the thought that this ego could be the reason they could part without a second glance or another word, even as friends, even as strangers...

The ache in his core hollows him out and he gasps, gripping the corner of his table as a wave of lightheadedness washes over him.

Someone pushes him to a more relaxed position, and distantly Peizhi hears a familiar, gentle sigh next to his ear. "What have you been working yourself up on again?"

"Zhang Ping?"

His lover casts him a look from the corner of his eyes. Peizhi is so engrossed with drinking in the sight of him, the warmth of his body so close to him, the way he smells like the market and home all at once, that he completely misses the steaming bowl of noodles being placed in front of him.

"You haven't been eating. Xu Dong told me."

Someone is getting his pay docked next month.

"He's been telling tall tales," Peizhi grumbles, but not refusing the pair of chopsticks being pressed into his hand. Quickly, his other hand darts out to grab Zhang Ping by the wrist, refusing to let him go too far. "Don't..."

He snaps his mouth shut, turning his face away. But before he can let go, Zhang Ping turns his hand, sliding their palms together. "I'm not going anywhere, don't worry."

Peizhi lets him fuss, serving him tea until he took his first bite of the food Zhang Ping brought with him. "Lan-daren, I want you to listen to me," Zhang Ping says after a moment of silence. "Alright?"

"Zhang Ping..."

"I know you have me in your heart, that's why you've been restless these last few weeks," Zhang Ping starts with a small smile. "You keep begging me to stay, you've tried every means in your book to keep me by your side every time. I know that you have been anxious about my impending departure for Yiping County, but Daren, I am too."

Peizhi sets his chopstick down, reaching for Zhang Ping's hand. "If you knew, if you feel the same way, then why...?"

"Because I thought that if I could still keep this small distance, if I could just... Keep you at a distance, then maybe, when we have to part, it won't..."

"It won't?"

Zhang Ping leans in, knocking their brows together. "It won't hurt as bad as I know it will."

Peizhi surrenders, then. Leans in and wraps himself around Zhang Ping. Lets strong arms hold him tightly and clings on. "I won't tell you to stay, you know that."

"I do."

"I won't do anything that will impede your ambitions."

Zhang Ping's soft huff of amusement tickles at the curve of his jaw. "I know that."

"But until you have to leave, can you please just stay?" Peizhi whispers, tilting his head, brushing his lips to the bare skin of Zhang Ping's neck. "Please. For me, just do this for me."

Zhang Ping's quiet, "Mn" is everything encapsulated into a singular syllable. And with that, a knot in his heart seems to unravel. Burying himself tighter against Zhang Ping, Peizhi hides the joy he feels, pressing his smile onto a clothed shoulder.

Later, and later still, when all that covers their bare skins is the wash of silver moonlight and the warm night air, Peizhi luxuriates in the feeling of Zhang Ping's fingers carding through his hair.

"I'm sorry for what I said."

"Which part?" Zhang Ping teases, grunting a burst of laughter when Peizhi bites at his arm in retaliation.

Pulling him back to his side, Zhang Ping runs his clever fingers down the line of his spine.

"If you mean to be apologising for what you said the other day about me not having a home, then I should also apologise."

Puzzled, Peizhi shifts himself to look into Zhang Ping's warm and fond eyes, waiting for him to continue. "I was hurt, yes. But more than that, I was disappointed in myself."

"Disappointed?"

"Disappointed, yes." His beloved smiles wryly. Gentle fingertips brush over Peizhi's cheek, settling his touch on the side of his head. "Disappointed in me that I ever made you doubt that you are my home."

A wave of sudden affection cinches itself around his throat, leaving Peizhi breathless, struck dumb at the confession.

Zhang Ping shuffles closer, snuggling into Peizhi. "I know you haven't promised me anything, but in a few years, once the roots of the Empress Dowager's influence have been cleared out, I'll come back to you. And when I do, let's live together. In a house with two studies and a room for both our books. We can have a garden and a place where we can keep a few fish. At night, we can watch the moon together on the veranda. We can be together."

With a hand to Peizhi's chest, he whispers, "Alright?"

Quickly turning his face into the pillow, Peizhi breathes in deep over the prickle of emotion clogging his throat. Not that there was any doubt in the wet sniffles colouring the night silence between them, but Zhang Ping allows him this, moving in for gentle kisses to his temple.

"Have you been eating candies? Since when did your mouth become so sweet?" Peizhi grouses. Pulling Zhang Ping tightly to him, he nods, cheek to warm skin. "A gentleman never goes back on his promise. So you must remember this."

Zhang Ping's laughter in his ear is as good as the sweetest melodies plucked by the most talented musicians. Tangling their bodies together once more, Peizhi smiles when Zhang Ping says, "Of course. I'll need to come home to you after all."

[send me an ALoN prompt!]

#a league of nobleman #a league of nobleman fic #jun zi meng #zhang ping #lan jue #peizhi #zhang ping x lan jue #zhang ping x peizhi #what's their ship name lol #gab writes stuff

[toonmania25]

A lil crush (FLUFF)

It was a peaceful afternoon in the cottage and the two brothers were hanging out in their room. Cuphead reading a comic book of Dirk dangerous while mugman was drawing in his sketchbook he got for his birthday. 

In his sketchbook were usually random doodles of bugs. But today he had a particular person to draw in mind. Or particular fish in this case.

Cala maria💗💗💗…

He couldn’t stop thinking about cala since their encounter with her and. “Oh cala…” Mugman thought passionately while drawing her in his sketchbook. “She the most beautiful sea-beast I've ever seen. With those beautiful eyes, her radiant hair, and that voice. That incredible singing voi-”

“Hey Mugsy!”

“Yipe!”Mugman jumped in panic as he quickly shut his sketchbook and turned to cuphead.

“Cuphead!” mugman said angrily. “You shouldn't scare me like that! Shouldn't you be reading your comic books or something?” 

“Well I was until I overheard you mumbling about something,” Cuphead explained. “so I went to go see what you were doing.”

Then a tiny blush spread on mugman’s face. He was thinking out loud??? Well, at least cuphead didn’t know what he was thinking about…. right?

“St-Still! Don't sneak up on me while I'm drawing!”

“Ok ok sheesh! So uh…what are you drawing anyway?”

Mugman’s blush grew bigger. “OH! Umm…it’s nothing special…” Mugman said nervously while sweating.

“Well, your expression’s saying it is. Come on mugs let me see!” Cuphead attempted to snatch the sketchbook, but Mugman took the sketchbook and held it in the air. 

” No cuphead! I’m not letting you see my sketchbook. Its private to me!” Cuphead try to get out of mugman hands but being the short brother, he is unfortunately made it really difficult for him to get it.

He was about to give up until he saw mugman’s open sides. Which gave him a devilish idea.

“Alright Mugsy if you’re not gonna let me see, then I guess you leave me no choice…”  cuphead said as a mischievous grin spread across his face.

Mugman started to look worried. Uh cuphead…w-what are you about to d-EEEP!

Cuphead grabbed his hands onto Mugman's sides and started to tickle him. 

“Coochie coochie coo!”

“AHAHAHAHA! CUHUHUHUPHEHEHEAHAHADHD!”

Mugman dropped the sketchbook and collapsed on the floor laughing while cuphead was tickling him.

“AHAHAHAHAHA! HEHEEHEHEHE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

While cuphead tickled the giggling mug, He remembered that mugman had another ticklish spot that he knew of: his handle. So, without warning, cuphead put his hands on mugman’s handle and tickled it. Causing mugman to laugh more hysterically.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ST-STAHAHAHAP!”

“Awww what’s the matter, Mugsy? Can't “handle” the tickles?”

AHAHAHAHA! CUPHE-AHAHA! ST-STAHAHAHAP! AHAHAHAHEHEHEHE!”

 “Not until you let me see what you drawn mugs.”cuphead smugly said while he continued to tickle mugman mercilessly.  

“NE-NEVEEER-AHAHAHA!”

“Well I guess that means I get to tickle you more.” Then cuphead glanced an unethical look at mugman’s tummy. 

“Hmm, how about…HERE!” cuphead shouted as dug and wiggled his fingers into Mugman’s stomach making him laugh fully to his heart’s content.

NOHOHOHOHO NOT THEEERE-AHAHAHA!  Y-YOU’RE G-GOONAA MAHAHAKE ME-”

*frrrrrrt!*

Cuphead immediately stopped when a fart came from his brother. Mugman smiled sheepishly and blushed. “Uh heh heh… excuse me. Must’ve been a bad burrito I had earlier.”

Cuphead stared at mugman but smiled.” You know Mugsy if you are into fart noises so much you could’ve just said something. `` Mugman was confused about what he meant but his brain clicked when he noticed Cuphead holding his breath. Mugman’s eyes widened in fear.

“W-WAIT NO NO C-CUPHEAD! DON’T! I'M BEGGING YOU PLE-”

It was too late. Cuphead ’s mouth made contact with Mugman’s stomach and blew an enormous raspberry on the mug’s little tummy. 

*“PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBTTTTTTTTTTTTT!”*

“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OHHOHOKAAY I-I”LL SHOOOOWHOHOH YOOOOOU AHAHAHAHAHAHA! ”

“Huh? What did you want to show me?” Cuphead asked, cupping his non-existent ear with his hand.

“THE DRA-HAHAHA-WING! YOOOU CAN SEE-HEHEHEHEAHAHAHAH! J-JUST STOOOP T-TIIIICKLLLLING MEHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Finally cuphead got off his brother so mugman can finally had time to breath after a whole minute of laughing.

“Gee mugsy” Cuphead said, surprised “I didn’t know you were that ticklish, 

“N-never….do that…. again…”

“Now. Can I see your drawing?”

“Fine!” mugman gave cuphead the sketchbook while looking down ashamed. “Just… don’t laugh, ok?”

“Laugh? Why would I-” 

As cuphead was looking at mugman’s he stopped to see one of mugman’s recent drawings which was him as a pirate having a romantic date with the monstrous sea beast they encountered. 

Cuphead looked at mugman. Then at the sketchbook. Then at mugman again. Then at the sketchbook. He stared at it for a long time. It took him a second to realize what was going on.

 Cuphead started to giggle and began to laugh hysterically as tears formed in his 

eyes. “YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON THE SEA BEAST??!!

The blue mug’s face was tinted red in anger and embarrassment. “I SAID DON’T LAUGH!  AND NO! I DON’T HAVE A CRUSH ON CALA MARIA-” Mugman immediately closed his mouth as cuphead laughed even more. 

“YOU EVEN KNOW HER NAME!!!”

“Cupheeead” mugman said mortified as he put his hands on his face in shame as his face was now a tomato at this point. 

Cuphead slowly stopped laughing and look at mugman, kinda starting to feel bad. ”but it’s no big deal that you have a silly crush. I wouldn't care. Even if its really weird”

“I appreciate Cuphead, but I don't think there’s a chance I can ever be together with her. Well not only cause I’m a kid, but I'm also just a big-nosed scardey cat who cries all the time. No girl would ever go out with a wimp like me.”

Cuphead comforted his brother. “Hey dont down yourself mugs,I’m sure theres a girl who would like you just the way you are. Especially your nose”. 

Cuphead playfully poked mugman’s nose which caused mugman to giggle a little bit.

“Hehehehehe! Cuppy that tickles.” mugman said while holding his nose. Then smiled 

”Thanks”

“Dont mention it mugsy.”

Although mugman was kinda mad at cuphead for tickling him just so he can see his sketchbook, He just brushed it off. Besides, there will be one chance for him to tickle cuphead as revenge but maybe later or soon.

#cuphead mugman #cddwtd #cuphead and mugman #cuphead #renew the cuphead show #the cuphead show #cuphead show #cuphead tickles #cuphead delicious last course #tickle fic

[spextr1m]

Part of... Second hand embarrassment (Survivor edition)

Characters: Kiara Cruz, Amari Taymiyyah, Elijah, Becca

Mentioned characters: Ye-Jun Im the obsessive freak, Emery Rivera, Gabrielle Cole, Voidskulk, Jack Sato, Parker, Ryder, Ghost (Main timeline's Kiara), Surgeon

Warning: Obsessive behavior (in Amari's part), puke (Also in Amari's part), Voidskulk's bloody stuff (Amari's), indirect mention of 50k animation (Imma cry)

Kiara Cruz

- Since her era have disco dancing something, I guess she's very curious about modern technology. - Since she uses modern slangs, I would say she's very curious

- Gabrielle would've mistaken her for THAT (Main timeline's Kiara)

- "Girrllll how long did you make that one??" - "Stay ba- wait a minute.." - Gabrielle (Confused)

- Even Surgeon cannot tell if that's Kiara who happend to be ghost or this Kiara - Twisted Timeline! Kiara is confused when Surgeon said it.

- If she meets her Ghost self, she'll definitely having existential crisis (You see the cinematic scene in their official channel, she cannot believe that's her if she's alive)

- Second hand embarrassment would be: when she found out others couldn't dance well or have strong vibes to have rhythm.

Amari Taymiyyah

- That would be him activating his Vagrant's Trick only he's a target of Ye-Jun's obsessive perk - "What the?--- I'm not dude with blue hair!"    (His quotes are unavailable so I'm not so sure if he interacts with other survivors including Emery if he heals yipee magician)

- Would switch attire with Emery to tomfoolery killer. - If plan backfires, he'll chuckle awkwardly

- Everytime he tries to be sneaky and hide away (Ey no way-) from the killer only he becomes a target of some killers who have unique detect mechanism. - "If only that guy with black suit didn't regress my abilities."

- If it's Void, he'll puke and immediately grossed out with her especially bloody stuff on them. - Whenever he works the gen only he run away then Void kicks which he shudders in gross when the blood goo sticks in gen.

Elijah

- His stun isn't ready in the beginning of round only he gets downed immediately when killer open without activating it. - Jack would scold him for that

- But then his height would scare people who's shorter than him, he'll be thinking "Wait, am I this scary?" In genuine confusion.

- He forgets the timing of his locker and run only he gets downed by killer. - Of course other survivors will get confused except for killers.

Becca Prescott - Since mist didn't age (I'm starting to think, she was born in 1970s while Gavin is younger than her only she went missing when mist teleported her in 1988), others would've assume she's the younger sister while Gavin is older.

- Of course the Prescott siblings would've clarify things only it went backfire quickly.

- Parker would've taken notes along with Ryder only the two have boomer jokes to both Becca and Gavin.

- Ryder make snarky remarks with dad jokes (Sorry bout that 😭😭😭) to Becca.

#daybreakroblox #daybreakrobloxheadcanons #imagines #headcanons #roblox daybreak #amaritaymiyyah #daybreakrobloximagines #Surgeon #Ye-jun Im #Elijah Songga #Daybreak #Becca Prescott #Kiara Cruz

[kiksniko]

pleas infodump abt your ocs to us........

anon i don't think you realize what you've just unleashed BUT HERE WE GOO

i got a little excited so my rambling is going under the cut

so the basic premise is that nova is a literal star ( a protostar to be exact) and likes to take different forms that allows them to travel between different planets. their one dream was to travel to as many planets as possible before they undergo metamorphosis and become a main sequence star (fancy way of saying they need to explode and undergo rebirth etc etc) which will happen when they turn 20

i say that they want to go as many planets as possible BUT the only exception was earth, because in between traveling between planets they made friends with other interstellar travelers and they all said how earth is the worst and their customs are so odd and aren't these beings aware that war isn't gonna solve all their problems?? so yeah, Earth was on Nova's blacklist

now picture this, Nova is 19 and wants to undertake their most ambitious voyage yet before they explode (the process takes a surprisingly long time) , traveling millions of light years from where their home constellation is. Their companion (the tiny ball of gases called kyle) is advising them to NOT go dude this trek is gonna be virtually impossible with your current equipment but nova is like no no trust we will make it with the power of my ideals.

and so nova embarks on this journey, but it goes rocky towards the very end and they lose control of their trajectory. one thing leads to the other and... this doesn't look like what the brochures advertised? you can see where this is going...

so now nova is on earth, and they can't leave coz most of their equipment got burned to a crisp when they landed and making new gadgets will take them months if not years without added assistance. yipee !!

the rest is basically history from there. nova hates every single second of being on earth for a while but eventually they meet this guy called leo who is the most intriguing human being they have ever met, and decides to bother stay with him for the rest of their duration on the planet (much to leo's annoyance) here's what he looks like :) he also has a twin brother called lucius but i am yet to draw him fully orz

nova gets to meet zuli through leo since they go to the same uni and have been childhood friends :D this story is so dear to my heart since it's got found family, hurt/comfort, fluff, MAJOR angst especially with the laika family and overall good summer vibes

there are a bunch of other characters that i could talk about for forever but that requires several google docs HELEPDSHJB if you made it all the way here i am literally in love with you btw

#QnA #oc tag #my dream is to make nova's story into a comic one day there's never a day that goes by where i am not thinking about it #thanks for this ask <33

[androidcharles]

Deafeating the Androids (Act 2) Chapter 4

Charles and Amelia seem to be under Project SAI control! With no other options, the team has no choice but to fight! And fight and fight and fight! Will they come out victorious? And what will become of Project SAI in the end?

This is the end of the dump, btw, and as I've stated, hoping to release the next and final chapter of this arc around near the end of this month. So look forward to it!

TW for implied brainwashing and robo gore and some violence. That's it hopefully.

Sven and the others, meanwhile, found themselves stuck in a small maze of rooms, trying to find their way out.

“Have we already been this way?” Jacob asked.

“No, the other way,” Carol muttered.

“This is ridiculous! The more time we spend here, the more likely that Amelia is in trouble! We have to find our way out!” Sven shouted.

“What about the others? What about my cousin?” Jacob shouted.

“This is Henry we’re talking about, he always has a plan!” Sven said, “And besides, Rupert is important too. As much as I can’t stand him, he’s still a Toppat either way.”

“Wait, I hear something…” Carol said softly.

“What?” Sven suddenly strained his ears as they heard footsteps. They gathered in the center of the room, ready for any attack as they gazed at the all the doors before suddenly one of the doors was kicked down with a great force.

On the other side stood Amelia, her eyes a bright neon green as she looked to the group with disdain.

“Amelia!” Sven shouted, “It’s really you! Quick, we need to get out of OOF!” Sven was suddenly tackled down by Carol and Jacob as Amelia fired a laser at the group, knocking the door on the other side down, CJ standing on the other side of it.

“GEEZ AMELIA, I told you not to start without me! Oh well, at least this will be enough until… well I’ve said too much already,” CJ said.

“My directive is to eradicate those humans. And I will do so without hesitation,” Amelia said.

“What?! Hey, Amelia, about those shares you owe- YIPES! SHIT, WHAT THE HELL!” Carol shouted.

“I don’t think that’s Amelia anymore, guys!” Jacob shouted. Amelia snarled as she ran towards the group, tackling Sven down as he felt a huge pain go up his arms.

“AMELIA!” Sven shouted as Carol tried to kick her as hard as she could. Amelia kept Sven pinned down as she aimed her laser gun at his chest.

“First target: Sven Svennson,” Amelia said softly as Sven started to shake before Carol managed to kick her again, this time much harder then before which caused her to look up.

Jacob grabbed a nearby chair and hurled it at Amelia as she ran towards Jacob, ready to strike him as Carol used the same chair to knock her off her feet.

“C’mon squirt, don’t make us do this! Remember, we’re your family!” Carol shouted.

“Yeah, you can’t do this!” Jacob shouted back.

“I know you guys are threats. Family? That makes me laugh. As if any pathetic humans could be family to me…” Amelia said as she got up.

“I was the first Toppat you ever met,” Sven shouted as he struggled to get up, “Please Amelia, you have to remember us!”

“I’m not going to make your death slow and painful. It’ll be swift and quick,” Amelia said.

“She’s very goal oriented…” CJ muttered.

“Yeah, she’s always like this!” Jacob said.

“JACOB! Stop making small talk with the enemy!” Carol shouted as she grabbed another chair and hurled it at Amelia. Only this time, Amelia was prepared as she cut the chair in half with her laser sword.

“I don’t understand why you’re fighting me. You guys are just pathetic, lowly humans who need to be exterminated…” Amelia said, “You were going to treat me like a tool so you could do whatever you pleased with the world.”

“But you love being a Toppat. And you’re not a tool! You’re like my little sister!”

“Same here!” Sven said as he got up to stand by Carol, “You’re my little sister! I love you so much and if anything happened to you… just look what’s happened to you.”

“I may not know you well, but I know what a great person you are. And your dads love you so much! Don’t you want to see them again?”

“Reginald? A wanted man who casts aside people when they lose their use? A coward who hides behind a man who can’t even stomach his own emotions? Pathetic. Why would I want them as my parents? Why would I want you imbeciles as family?” Amelia said, “I’ve wasted enough time exchanging banter with you. I’m going to eradicate you all, right here and now. And once I’m done with the Toppat Clan, the entirety of the Great Continent will have no choice but to surrender to us…”

“Not if I can help it!” Carol shouted as she tackled Amelia. Amelia pinned her down as Sven grabbed part of the chair Amelia sliced and rammed it through her body. Amelia cringed in pain as she tried to grab at Sven only to be kicked down by Jacob.

“Amelia, please, please wake up! We love you so much and we want to take you back home!!” Sven shouted, “PLEASE!” CJ watched the scene carefully, glancing at the chat window where they were talking to Adam.

UnitAD: They really do care about him. They’re shouting at him, trying to get him to come to his senses. Just like Theodore said.

UnitCJ: I know… same thing’s happening here…

UnitAD: CJ Are humans really the enemy?

CJ recalled what had happened an hour after they had captured the intruders.They were glancing at Dave as he worked on the code to turn Amelia and Charles against the humans, muttering something to himself as Dr. Vinschpinsilstien worked on Amelia and Charles, repairing them as Daxton had instructed them.

“Are you almost done?” CJ looked to see Daxton looming over Dave as he sneered a bit.

“There’s no point in rushing me you know. I’m almost done with-” Dave was barely able to finish his sentence before he was grabbed by the head, Daxton snarling as he pulled it back.

“You don’t have room to be smart with me, human,” Daxton snarled, “Are you almost ready or what? We need all the androids cooperation if we’re going to infiltrate the CCC and free the others!”

“I wouldn’t test the patience of the meek if I were you. You’d be surprised at how strong someone can be when enough pressure is applied…” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said snidely as another shock went through her.

“And you can be quiet as well! I want both of you to behave yourselves. After all, you should consider yourselves are lucky we’re even sparing your lives…” Daxton said softly, “Once Unit CC and Unit AM are complete, they’ll eliminate those humans they claim to hold dear and then we’ll start the next phase of our plan.”

“Daxton,” Theodore said, “Everything’s ready.”

“Excellent. I’ll be in the main computer room if you need me,” Daxton said, “Don’t mess up. Or else…” Adam followed closely behind Theodore as Dave squeezed his eyes shut, trying to keep his words down as Dr. Vinschpinsilstien sighed, shaking her head.

“CJ, Adam, I want you two to supervise Charles and Amelia once they wake up. Considering we captured Henry, he’s probably going to break out with his group anytime soon. And we’ll need you four to patrol the complex to ensure that they don’t escape. Also, take this exe file and download it as soon as they do wake up,” Theodore said, sending them a file through the chat.

“What’s this for?” Adam muttered as he downloaded it.

“It’s for when you guys finally understand,” Theodore said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” CJ said.

“Trust me. What’s important is that you don’t attack the prisoners. Let them attack them,” Theodore said. CJ was about to question him further as Theodore walked off.

CJ was suddenly snapped out of it as they saw Amelia pinning down Sven once again. Carol and Jacob lay on the ground, struggling to get up as they called out to her, trying to reach her… trying to show her that they cared about her.

That they loved her.

And suddenly CJ understood.

“Sometimes humans are horrible people, but only because they choose to be…” CJ muttered, “But these humans…” CJ knew they couldn’t waste anymore time. They searched through their files until they found the exe file and ran it immediately, pressing OK as soon as possible before they saw Amelia stop in place, her eyes turning to static.

She started to shake as she fell to her knees, her head reeling as she tried to fight whatever was coming before she finally collapsed on the ground.

“Amelia?” Carol shouted, running towards her immediately. Jacob found that extra boost of adrenaline as well, running towards Amelia as Sven shakily stood up.

“I thought I was gonna… I thought she was gonna…” Sven muttered, “What happened?”

“YOU!” Carol shouted, pointing at CJ, “What did you do to her?!”

“For your sake’s, I hope I didn’t deactivate her!” CJ said, starting to back up.

“No. You saved her life. With a little help from Dave…” CJ turned towards the new voice and saw Dr. Vinschpinsilstien, free of her collar as she beckoned for the group to follow her, “We don’t have much time. Follow me so we can escape from this place. Theodore has set this place to blow in thirty minutes time.”

“What? What’s going on? Why would Theodore help us?” Carol asked as Jacob picked up Amelia and carried her on his shoulders.

“I think… it’s because he wanted us to understand,” CJ said, “That you humans aren’t the enemy. The only humans that are the enemy are the ones who exploit others for their own gain.”

“Like Reg…” Sven muttered.

“Well, we’re not all perfect…” Carol said, “And Amelia loves her father, warts and all. So it’s not like he’s a bad person either way.”

“It would be better if you hurried along rather then reminiscing. I would like to get out of here as soon as possible…” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said harshly.

“Well, if Charles is the same way, let’s just hope that they’re able to get through to him as well,” Jacob said, “Knowing my cousin, she’s probably screaming at him, right now.”

Meanwhile, in the supply room, Charles was practically laughing loudly as Ellie and Henry struggled to get up.

“Charles, I swear to the greater ones above, if you don’t snap out of it, I’m going to-” Before Ellie could finish her sentence, she was kicked in the gut as Charles sneered at Henry, who was already trying to get up from his last blow.

“You guys are SO PATHETIC!” Charles laughed, “I can’t believe that you thought that you could stand up to me!”

“Charles, you need to snap out of it!” Rupert shouted, “Please, just listen to us!”

“All that namby pamby talk about how I’m your boyfriend or whatever. How you pathetic humans are supposed to be my friends? Why would I ever want to associate with pathetic idiots like you?” Charles said as he kicked Rupert in the chin. Rupert fell down as he tried to get up, feeling Charles’ foot against his head.

“It’s so sad that you’re even fighting to begin with…” Charles said, aiming his blaster at Rupert’s face, “I guess love truly is blind, huh. Oh well, my dear sweet ‘RooRoo.’ It’s been fun, but now it’s time for you to go… bye… bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb-” Static suddenly filled Charles’ vision as he began to shake before collapsing on the ground.

“Sorry I took so long…” Adam said as Rupert stood up, shaking as he stared at Charles.

“What did you do to him?!” Ellie shouted.

“He fixed him, obviously!” They looked up to see Dave standing next to Adam.

“Dave!” Rupert shouted, “What are you talking about!?”

“Considering where we are, escape should be easy. Henry, do you think you can find-” Dave didn’t even have to speak for long as a huge truck plowed through the supply center. Henry rolled down the window as he waved at the group.

“Always one step ahead Henry!” Ellie said, “C’mon, let’s grab Charles and get out of here!”

“Don’t forget about us!” Carol shouted as she knocked down the door.

“Uh, of course not!” Ellie said as Adam hopped down with Dave. Sven, Jacob, and Carol limped towards the truck as Adam opened one of the garage doors.

“Mmmm… what happened?” Amelia muttered as Carol started to board the truck.

“We’re busting out of here!” Jacob said as he climbed into the back of the truck.

“Huh, what… what’s going on?” Charles asked as Henry helped pull him up.

“Charlie! Are you alright?”

“You two are… normal right?” Sven asked as Amelia slid off of Jacob’s back.

“As normal as I can be… oh no… Ellie, Henry! RooRoo… I’m so sorry!” Charles shouted, “I didn’t mean all those awful things, I promise!”

“Me too! I didn’t mean any of it at all!” Amelia said.

“So what are we going to do?” Charles asked.

“We’re going to get out of here! Obviously!” Ellie shouted as Henry hopped into the drivers seat.

“What? What about Daxton and Theo?” Adam asked, “We’re not leaving without them!”

“You won’t have to worry about that…”

The group looked up to see Daxton, holding Theodore under his arms as he tossed him to the ground.

“To think that you three would go behind my back and commit this act of mutiny…” Daxton muttered, “I can’t believe it…”

“Daxton, humans aren’t the enemy! That’s why Theodore planned this I bet!” Adam said, “C’mon, you can’t let this one thing get to you!”

“It doesn’t matter!” Daxton shouted as he smashed Theodore’s legs in, causing him to shout in pain, “You betrayed me! And since you did, I won’t let you leave! At all!”

“Stay back everyone!” Charles shouted, as he jumped in front of the group.

“Charles, I wouldn’t-” CJ said as Amelia rushed to the front of the group as well.

“Don’t worry guys, we’ll take care of Daxton!” Amelia said, “Just get in the truck and let us handle this!”

“Please, don’t hurt him!” Adam shouted as Sven pulled him back.

“Just stay in the truck, OK!” Charles said, “Trust us!”

Daxton snarled as Charles and Amelia approached him, narrowing their eyes at him as he transformed his arms into laser whips. Charles and Amelia transformed their arms into laser swords as they rushed at him, blocking his every attack.

Charles glanced at Amelia as she nodded her head, distracting Daxton as Charles used his laser blasters to blast Daxton’s back. He snarled as he rushed towards Charles, causing him to turn his hands into mega boxing gloves, blocking him as he pushed him back against the wall. Daxton punched him in the gut as static filled Charles’ vision.

“Leave him alone!” Amelia shouted as she cut into Daxton’s arm.

“I don’t understand why you’re fighting for these things! These are humans! They would betray you if they see it fit!” Daxton shouted, “You must be crazy to think they’re worth fighting for!”

“Didn’t we used to be human?” Charles said, “That should be reason enough, right?”

“Yes, those ungrateful humans took our humanity from us! That should be reason enough to not trust them!” Daxton shouted, “They were going to sell us as tools, cast us aside when we were no longer useful!”

“That doesn’t matter right now, though,” Charles shouted. He threw a few punches into Daxton as he fell to the ground, Amelia and Charles aiming their blasters at him as they fired a few shots into his legs.

They carefully placed their legs on his arms as they stared him down.

“Well… aren’t you going to eliminate me?” Daxton said softly. An announcement over the PA system reminded them that the complex was going to blow in about seven minutes.

“Not really…” Charles said, “We want to give you a chance to see.”

“These humans do care about us. I found a family through the Toppats because they saw value in me for who I was, not because I was an android. They didn’t care that I was an android,” Amelia said, “Whenever I was in danger, hurt, or even infected with a virus, there was always at least one Toppat by my side to make sure I was safe.”

“And the government may be rough around the edges, but the general and my dad cared about me so much!” Charles said, “And Henry, Ellie, and Dave care about me just as much! And Rupert… he loves me even if I’m an android.”

“Humans are capable of cruelty… it’s true. But they’re also capable of caring about us, even if you think they don’t… they love us more then anything. And… maybe if you gave humanity a chance, we would be able to show you that,” Amelia said softly, “Please?” Daxton gazed up at them, his red eyes filling with a sort of empathy as he tried to pull himself up.

“Amelia, I’ll take care of him. You grab Theo, OK?” Charles said. Amelia nodded her head as Charles began to help Daxton into the truck.

“Theo, c’mon let’s go!” Amelia said.

“Nah…” Theodore muttered.

“What? What are you-” Amelia said as Theodore shook his head.

“I’m not coming with you. I’m gonna just… let the explosion take me…”

“Theo! This is a D.E.B. we’re talking about! Don’t tell me you’re…” Adam glanced at CJ as Daxton gazed at Theodore sympathetically.

“C’mon Theo, it’ll be alright! Considering your actions today, you might get a pardon! And then maybe you can work for the government and-”

“I don’t want to go on anymore. I’m just… I just can’t be bothered,” Theodore said, “I’ve done too much and now look at me. I don’t want to go on like this.”

“Just because you’re not human anymore doesn’t mean you can’t live a normal life,” Amelia said, “C’mon Theo…”

“Just leave me here!” Theodore said, “I promise it’s not worth it. Just get out of here, OK?”

The group stared as Henry honked the horn, reminding Amelia of what’s about to happen if she sticks around. Amelia gulped before she knelt down next to him, planting a kiss on his forehead.

“Bye Theo…” Amelia said softly, static filling her vision as she rushed towards the truck. She slammed the back shut as Ellie told Henry to punch it.

Theodore sighed as he browsed through his files, locating his AI file and feeling the rumbling of the complex below.

“Well, Wendell, where ever you ended up…”

DELETION OF THIS FILE COULD CAUSE DRASTIC EFFECTS ON THE SOFTWARE! DO YOU WISH TO PROCEED?

“I’m coming for you…”

YES

Theodore’s eyes went blank as the truck drove further and further out into the distance, a stray steel rack crushing his body as a small explosion started to engulf the complex. For a minute the explosion expanded and expanded, overtaking everything before it imploded in on itself before exploding again, this time with much more force.

By the time the sound of the explosion reached the truck, they were miles away as Henry stopped it suddenly, gazing at the aftermath in the rear view mirror. The truck door opened as Amelia and Charles gazed out at the former site B.

“Well… it’s over… Project SAI is officially… dead…” Charles said.

“Right?” Amelia said, gazing at Daxton. Daxton slowly nodded his head as Dr. Vinschpinsilstien looked over him.

“Right.”

#the henry stickmin collection #charles calvin #amelia copperbottom #stickmin oc #fan fic #fanfiction #the narrators stories