#can any one spare a pixel?

[frnkiebby]

theres so much going on here~🎃

#can any one spare a pixel? #the dr pepper #the cig #the nail polish #the STUPID CUTE CURL #thank everything holy the best is covering up that fuck ass tie #fucking stupid ass ridiculous wide tie #i love him but pls #just #frnkiebby #frank iero #mcr #frnkiero #mcrmy #frnkie #mcr5 #my chemical romance #my chem #ilhsm

[matrixbearer2024]

Paws and Pixels: VoxPet™️

Tiny!Vox x Reader

A/N: Totally writing this thing because of a cute chat session I had with some wonderful people on a Hazbin discord server, it's a shitposty idea but it was a cute one so I couldn't help but write about it. A continuation to "Get off my Screen!" is in the works alongside some other requests too! I'm just glad it was received so well, thanks y'all!

A/N: Btw, the chibi Vox art isn't mine. I might draw something similar with a Y/N eventually though so message me or request it in my askbox if you wanna see it XD

You wished you could say it was a normal day.

But truth be told-

It was so far off from that.

The Vee tower was complete mess by the time you had arrived.

The place was often busy, you knew that much-

But to fall into complete disarray?

Your beloved would have never even allowed it.

Speaking of your lover, where the hell was he?

His absence left you more than puzzled, this was Vox you were talking about after all.

Mr. I-have-to-keep-an-eye-on-everything-or-it-all-entirely-goes-to-shit-

You couldn't say he was wrong this time however, walking towards the elevator with intent to find the other Vees.

But of course they ended up finding you first.

It was Velvette who abruptly dragged you away from the chaos in the office.

Not that you still quite understood what was going on and the reason for her urgency.

"WhaA- Vel??"

"Sorry darling, we've got a bit of an issue as you can clearly tell- but there's just something I absolutely must show you."

You didn't really even have time to ask questions before you saw Valentino rush past you.

Was he holding a phone in each hand?

He barely even greeted you in his hasty exit, probably too busy with the 4 phone conversations he was having simultaneously.

All this chaos and your boyfriend still hasn't shown up.

You started getting worried that something happened to him.

But what Velvette ended up showing you was definitely not at all what you expected.

Especially since you didn't expect to find Vox here of all places.

That and... he wasn't quite himself.

Not that you were complaining, but it was really weird seeing your boyfriend so tiny.

He was probably plushie-sized to be honest.

You would have found it cute if it weren't for the shock from everything else.

The tiny Vox visibly perked up when he saw you.

Was he beeping or squeaking?

"What... what the fuck even happened???"

"Do you want the whole story or a TLDR?"

While you lightly poked the smaller Vox that stood atop the table, Velvette quickly updated you on what had transpired before your arrival.

Apparently, Vox had gone and gotten himself in trouble with some goons earlier in the day.

It wasn't often Vox would get hurt by anything, he was an overlord after all-

But sometimes people got lucky or they really just ganged up on him in big numbers.

The good news was he won, the bad news was he'd gotten pretty beat up because of it.

Shattered screen, fried motherboard, stray wires, and a whole other myriad of issues to boot.

He'd come back to the tower needing a ton of repairs.

Problem was, he'd run out of the needed spare parts and his backup body wasn't in any good condition to be used either.

So go figure, your creative boyfriend decided to handle his situation in another way after he'd put in the order for said needed parts.

They'd probably arrive in just a few days but seriously-

You could only stare at the tiny version of your lover in bewilderment.

There was absolutely no understanding of what was running through this man's brain.

He was even wearing a miniature version of his typical outfit, coat and all!

"Soooo... has he just been in here the whole time?"

"Pretty much. He doesn't really talk either, Val and I haven't figured out if it's because he can't or won't."

"Oh lord."

You sighed and pinched the bridge of your nose, patting the tiny Vox with your hands.

You honestly wanted to be more mad at the situation-

But Vox really just looked too cute.

You just wanted to freakin squeeze him-

"I'm gonna need a purse to carry him around..."

"Oh wow, you're treatin' 'im like a pet already."

You rolled your eyes at Velvette's comment, looking down at your currently tiny boyfriend to find him staring at you.

He had absolutely no business being this cute-

"I'm taking him home, I'd gather that you and Val can handle things here?"

"For the most part, just be a dear and make sure nothing else happens to 'im until his parts arrive."

You just rolled your eyes again.

Great way of stating the obvious Velvette.

Besides, Vox was still an overlord and the strongest of the Vees.

His powers shouldn't have been affected in this form right??

There was no way your beloved went ahead and made himself as harmless as he looked-

At least that's what you had hoped.

However, you picked him up in both hands- you were starting to doubt that.

Vox merely tilted his monitor head to get a better look at you before beeping, his legs dangled slightly from how you held him.

BEEPING AGAIN.

WHERE ARE YOUR WORDS FOOL-

"Huh, he's never made that sound before."

You were really starting to regret even walking into the building today.

And that was of course when your miniature boyfriend decided it was the perfect time to lightly zap you.

It didn't hurt, but it was enough for your attention to go back to him.

Only to see his face all pink with a bunch of hearts emoticons on it.

This little shit-

You really couldn't stay mad at him for long.

Eventually when you were able to get a grip on yourself, Velvette handed you a purse to put Vox in as requested- and you were on your way home.

What did the other Vees even expect you to do with Vox like this?

Did you accidentally become your boyfriend's babysitter??

Today was just way too tiring for you already.

You practically collapsed on the couch once you got home.

Dropping the purse with tiny lover in it on one of the nearby cushions, you didn't really care about the annoyed squeaking that came from inside the bag from the rough landing.

Vox just crawled out of the small purse with a huff.

He figured you would've liked him being all cute this way.

But judging by your reactions-

He couldn't tell if you liked it or hated it.

He did feel slightly bad seeing how tired you were though.

Practically waddling over towards you, Vox patted your head trying to get your attention.

When that didn't work he started beeping and squeaking until you raised your head and looked at him again.

And you were surprised when he awkwardly moved to hug you.

Well, hug your face rather.

The words: "I'm sorry." flashing on his tiny screen.

You sighed tiredly.

Even if he was a little infuriating at times, you still loved Vox's antics.

This one included.

"It's okay, I'm okay. Everything just happened way too fast."

A heart then appeared on his tiny screen face and you pretty much melted.

He was just too fuckin cute.

A/N: Might write a part 2 for this with other headcanons, this was so friggin adorable AHAHAHAHAHA

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel vox #hazbin vox #hazbin vox x reader #vox #vox x reader #vox x you #hazbin hotel vox x reader #hazbin hotel x reader #x reader

[b1rds3ye]

Hellooo‼️‼️I just stumbled in your blog and I saw the LED mask request thing and I suddenly have brainrot😭😭 it's such a idea idfk i just love it‼️‼️

ANYWAY🤯 reader comes back from a mission, solo or not! Is up to you :] and then they just have a bullet stuck in their mask. Just straight up a bullet stuck, very big cracks on their mask. It can still kind of work, only one side so when they see them reader simply waves while the other half of their LED mask just shows: ':D' as if there wasn't a bullet in their mask.

That's all! I hope you are having a good day, afternoon, or night‼️‼️make sure to stay hydrated because I'm a walking desert☺

THATS SUCH A BITTERSWEET IMAGE THOUGH, I LOVE YOUR BRAIN ANON!!

A part of the operation had to be done solo by you - it needed your specialised skill set and it was too risky sending others with you because stealth was crucial. You succeeded in distracting the enemy. That transmission was half an hour ago.

The 141 never leave their own behind, the extraction point is far enough from enemy territory that they can spare some time to wait for you. Price and Ghost are going through extra logistics, Soap is distracting himself by disassembling and reassembling gear and Gaz is just... watching. Watching for a sign that you are there. And soon enough, amongst the fog of dust kicked up by fallen buildings and bodies, is the silhouette of you. The faint LEDs emanate a light that refract off the dust, creating a halo-like glow where your head should be.

As you approach closer, it is silent. There are no light-hearted quips from you, just the audible crunch of your combat boots against the dry earth. If it weren't for your unmistakable stature and gait, the rest of the 141 would have thought it was an imposter who had stolen your mask.

Johnny only utters a quiet "Jesus..." as the details of your mask come into view. A bullet was now embedded in your mask where the side of your temple would be, a chilling reminder of the clutches of death you narrowly escaped from for now. It shone maliciously against your darkened mask that could only let out the occasional spark and whir of short circuiting.

Every few seconds, there would be a flicker of the LEDs working. It was hard to distinguish with the cracks that splayed across the mask like a web, all stemming from the bullet that had made itself at home millimeters away from your head. An eye was missing, that section of your mask completely disconnected from the software. Broken circuitry had the odd pixel flickering in a false positive in various colours before dying.

But despite the stakes, your mask was smiling.

"You broken?" Gaz asked tentatively.

You pause in comtemplation, perhaps the voice amplifier in your mask was fried or you're just too tired to speak - none of the 141 would blame you for either. Instead, you offer a thumbs up before trudging over to Ghost, his eyes trained on you. You rest your forehead against his shoulder and he responds with a slight grunt, but he surrenders to your tired antics. Tilting your head to the rest of the 141, your broken mask flits to a "z_z".

There's a pat on your back from John, both to comfort and to also make sure you don't fall asleep. His hand settles on your shoulder, strong and ready to haul you to the helicopter.

"Good to have you back, Sergeant. Let's get you - and your mask - patched up."

With some encouragement from Johnny and Kyle, you're coaxed to extraction. As you sit on the ride back on base, you bring a hand to probe the damage of the bullet. The metal is colder than death, so smooth it slipped from your grip like your own life had you conducted in the mission any differently. It seems the rest of the 141 knew exactly what you were thinking as your fingers traced every crack of your visor.

But before they can question you, you retract your hand and sit up straight. You're here and you're alive. Granted a little cracked, your soul a little more jaded than in the few hours prior, but for now the legend of the mask lives on.

Masked Reader Masterlist Call of Duty Masterlist

#cod x reader #call of duty x reader #cod x you #task force 141 x reader #captain price x reader #john price x reader #ghost x reader #simon riley x reader #john mactavish x reader #soap x reader #gaz x reader #kyle garrick x reader #anon mail ❤️ #/*avery checks the mailbox*/ #/*avery actually writes*/ #/*cod x masked reader*/

[nayziiz]

Bridges | CS55

Pairing: Carlos Sainz x reader (you)

Author's note: I'm trying something a little bit different with shorter form fics, so please send through any requests or feedback. These one shots will likely not have a second part unless it really speaks to me to continue with it. Thank you!

Masterlist

Navigating a relationship fraught with distance and conflicting schedules can feel like traversing a rocky terrain, where every step forward is met with an unpredictable stumble. For you and Carlos, the challenges seem insurmountable at times. His perpetual travels, fueled by professional commitments or personal adventures, create chasms of physical separation that no amount of digital connection can bridge. Your own demanding job adds another layer of complexity, leaving scant pockets of time for meaningful interaction.

In this dynamic, the moments of togetherness become precious, almost elusive treasures hidden amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Video calls, once envisioned as lifelines, are reduced to fleeting encounters, struggling to capture the essence of your bond in pixels and sound waves. The warmth of his embrace, the sound of his laughter, the nuances of his expressions—these are distilled into fragmented pixels on a screen, a pale reflection of the real connection you crave.

The minimal time spent together often ended in arguments, particularly about your job. It wasn’t that you couldn’t work remotely—because you could—but rather, it was a matter of principle; sacrificing everything to please a man didn’t sit well with you. Carlos, to his credit, respected your career and never explicitly demanded such sacrifices, but the thought lingered, occasionally slipping out during heated debates. In those moments, you'd shut down, refusing to speak to him for days before mustering the strength to be civil again. You couldn’t help but wonder why he couldn’t consider giving up his job if it were so easy.

The aftermath of Carlos's slip of the tongue left a bitter taste in your mouth, a cocktail of resentment and hurt that soured the air between you. The weight of his words hung heavy in the silence that enveloped your shared space, casting a shadow over the once-intimate moments you cherished. The resentment festered, morphing into a simmering disdain that threatened to consume any remnants of affection.

Sleeping in the spare bedroom became an act of self-preservation, a physical manifestation of the emotional distance you felt compelled to maintain. Meals were solitary affairs, punctuated by the hollow echo of his absence and the gnawing ache of unresolved conflict. You sought refuge in the sanctuary of your bedroom, retreating behind closed doors as a shield against the pain that lingered in the spaces between you.

In hindsight, you couldn't help but question the pettiness of your actions. Was it fair to punish him with your silent reproach, denying him the opportunity to apologise and seek reconciliation? Perhaps not, but in the throes of hurt and indignation, rationality often takes a backseat to raw emotion. The desire for acknowledgment, for validation of your pain, outweighed any semblance of reason.

For Carlos, the silence was deafening, a constant reminder of his transgression and the widening chasm between you. He longed for the chance to express his regret, to extend an olive branch in the hopes of mending the fractured bond. Yet, each attempt was met with a wall of icy silence, leaving him stranded on the shores of remorse with no path to redemption.

In the end, both of you found yourselves trapped in a cycle of resentment and regret, each harbouring grievances left unspoken in the name of pride and stubbornness. The space between you grew wider with each passing day, a gaping void that threatened to swallow any hope of reconciliation. And as the silence stretched on, the echoes of unsaid apologies reverberated in the emptiness, a haunting reminder of the love that lay buried beneath the rubble of unresolved conflict.

Recognizing the toxicity of the situation, you came to the sobering realisation that the only path forward was to bring closure to the tumultuous chapter of your relationship. Amid the tangled web of hurt feelings and unresolved conflicts, the prospect of an amicable parting seemed like a distant beacon of hope, offering a glimmer of light in the darkness of uncertainty.

It was a decision fraught with emotion, tinged with a bittersweet mixture of sadness and relief. Ending things meant confronting the painful truth that the love you once shared had morphed into something unrecognisable, weighed down by the burden of unspoken grievances and unmet expectations. Yet, it also offered the promise of liberation, a chance to reclaim agency over your own happiness and well-being.

As you walked side by side along the familiar path to the nearby park, the weight of the impending conversation hung heavy in the air, casting a palpable tension over the otherwise serene atmosphere. The chirping of birds and rustling of leaves provided a backdrop to the silence that stretched between you, punctuated only by sporadic attempts at small talk that faltered and died as quickly as they began.

Each step felt like a journey into the unknown, a hesitant march towards a destination fraught with uncertainty and apprehension. You stole glances at Carlos, noting the furrow of his brow and the downturn of his lips, a reflection of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

As you walked together, the weight of the impending conversation still heavy on your mind, Carlos's sudden shift in focus caught you off guard. Following his gaze, you spotted the source of his attention—a young boy, no older than six, standing alone with tears streaming down his cheeks.

Without hesitation, Carlos reached for your hand, his grip firm and reassuring, as he guided you towards the distraught child. There was a sense of urgency in his movements, a silent determination to offer comfort and assistance to someone in need.

As you approached, the boy's cries grew louder, echoing through the quiet surroundings of the park. His eyes widened in surprise as Carlos knelt down beside him, his voice gentle and soothing as he offered words of reassurance.

“Hey there, buddy. What's wrong? Are you lost?” Carlos's voice was calm and steady, a beacon of comfort amidst the storm of the boy's emotions. The boy sniffled, wiping tears from his cheeks as he nodded hesitantly.

“I-I can't find my mom,” he whimpered, his bottom lip quivering with fear.

“It's okay, we're going to help you find her, alright? What's your name?” Carlos's expression softened, his eyes filled with empathy as he reached out to gently pat the boy's shoulder. 

The boy sniffled again, his tears beginning to abate as he whispered, “Nicolas.”

you couldn't help but instinctively pull him closer, enveloping him in a protective embrace as you offered what comfort you could. His small frame felt fragile against your side, a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of youth and the universal need for reassurance in times of distress.

Swallowing hard against the lump that threatened to rise in your throat, you fought to maintain a façade of composure, knowing that your own tears would offer little solace to the frightened child in your arms. Instead, you focused on projecting an aura of calm and reassurance, drawing strength from the warmth of Carlos's presence by your side.

Turning to him, you met his gaze, finding in his eyes a reflection of your own concern and worry. Yet, beneath the surface, there was also a shared determination—a silent pact to weather whatever storm lay ahead, together.

“We'll find his mom, Carlos,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper as you sought to reassure both the boy and yourself. “We won't stop until we do.”

Carlos nodded, his expression a mixture of resolve and compassion as he reached out to gently squeeze your hand.

“We'll do whatever it takes,” he replied, his voice steady despite the hint of emotion that lingered in his tone.

“What does your mom look like? Can you remember what she was wearing?” you asked the young boy.

As Nicolas described his mother's appearance, you listened intently, committing every detail to memory as you scanned the park for any sign of a woman matching his description. Carlos, ever vigilant, was already casting his gaze across the sprawling expanse of greenery, searching for the telltale hint of pink amidst the sea of foliage and fellow park-goers.

Your heart raced with each passing moment, the urgency of the situation driving you forward as you navigated the maze of pathways and shaded groves. Every rustle of leaves, every flash of colour, sent a jolt of anticipation coursing through your veins, heightening your senses as you strained to catch a glimpse of Nicolas's missing mother.

Minutes stretched into eternity as you combed through the park, your determination unwavering despite the mounting sense of unease that gnawed at the edges of your consciousness.

As you lifted Nicolas into your arms, feeling the weight of his small frame against your chest, a surge of maternal instinct washed over you, driving you forward with a sense of purpose and determination. His tear-streaked face nestled against your shoulder, his sobs muffled by the fabric of your shirt, and in that moment, you knew that you would do whatever it took to offer him comfort and reassurance.

Caught up in the whirlwind of emotion, you barely noticed Carlos's approach until he was by your side, his eyes soft with concern and tenderness as he reached out to gently take Nicolas from your arms. His touch was gentle yet firm, his arms cradling the boy with a sense of ease that spoke volumes of his natural empathy and compassion.

“He's too heavy for you to keep carrying,” Carlos remarked, his voice gentle yet firm as he adjusted his grip on Nicolas, offering him a reassuring smile. “Let me take him for a while.”

Reluctantly, you relinquished your hold on Nicolas, watching with a mixture of awe and admiration as Carlos effortlessly carried the boy in his arms. The resentment and anger that had simmered between you for weeks seemed to evaporate in an instant, replaced by a profound sense of gratitude and love.

As you watched Carlos interact with Nicolas, his face alight with warmth and kindness, you couldn't help but feel a swell of pride welling up within you. Here was a man who had faced his own struggles and shortcomings, yet had risen above them with grace and compassion. In that moment, any doubts or misgivings you had harboured seemed trivial in comparison to the depth of love and admiration you felt for him.

And then, just as doubt began to creep in, a flash of pink caught your eye—a figure emerging from behind a cluster of trees, her black hair glinting in the sunlight as she approached.

“There she is!” Nicolas exclaimed, his voice tinged with relief as he pointed towards the approaching figure.

You followed his gaze, your heart soaring with gratitude and relief as you spotted the woman, her pink shirt unmistakable amidst the verdant backdrop of the park. With a sense of urgency, you guided Nicolas towards her, Carlos at your side as you closed the distance between yourselves and the reunited pair.

As Nicolas's mother enveloped him in a tight embrace, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks, you couldn't help but feel a swell of emotion welling up within you. The tension that had gripped your chest began to ebb away, replaced by a profound sense of gratitude and relief as you witnessed the joy of their reunion.

“You've been so kind,” Nicolas’s mother murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

“Of course,” Carlos replied, his voice soft yet resolute as he met Nicolas's mother's gaze with a reassuring smile. “We're just glad we could help.”

Carlos’s eyes reflected the warmth and sincerity of her words. With a nod of acknowledgment, he tightened his arm around your shoulders, drawing you close in a gesture of solidarity and support.

Feeling his embrace, you couldn't help but return the gesture, wrapping your arms around his torso and pulling him closer with a sense of gratitude and affection. In that moment, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the park and the gentle hum of evening, you felt an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment wash over you, enveloping you in a comforting embrace.

Turning back to Carlos, you met his gaze with a soft smile, a silent acknowledgment of the strength and compassion that had drawn you to him in the first place.

“I can't be without you,” you confessed, your voice barely above a breath as you voiced the depth of your need.

As the words tumbled from your lips, carried on a whisper of vulnerability and longing, you felt the weight of their truth settle heavily in the space between you. In response, Carlos's expression softened, his eyes reflecting the sincerity of your words as he reached out to gently cup your face in his hands.

“Me either, my love,” he murmured, his voice a tender echo of your own sentiments as he leaned in to press a gentle kiss against your forehead.

The warmth of his touch sent a shiver of emotion coursing through you, reaffirming the depth of the bond that bound you together. Yet, even as you revelled in the comfort of his embrace, a nagging sense of unease lingered in the recesses of your mind—an unspoken acknowledgment of the challenges that lay ahead.

“I don't know how, but we need to fix this,” you added, your voice tinged with determination as you met Carlos's gaze with a steadfast resolve.

The words hung heavy in the air, a solemn vow to confront the obstacles that threatened to tear you apart and find a path forward, together. Carlos nodded, his grip on your body tightening ever so slightly as he met your gaze with a fierce determination of his own.

“No matter what it takes, we'll find a way to make this work,” he replied, his voice infused with unwavering conviction. 

In that moment, as you stood locked in each other's gaze, you knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainty. Yet, with love as your guiding light and determination as your compass, you were ready to face whatever obstacles lay in your path, hand in hand, united in purpose and resolve.

#f1 fanfic #f1 fic #f1 imagine #formula 1 #cs55 fic #carlos sainz x reader #carlos sainz 55 #carlos sainz imagine #carlos sainz #f1 x reader #carlos #ferrari #f1 2024 #ferrari f1 #formula one #carlos sainz jr #scuderia ferrari #cs55 #cs55 x reader #cs55 imagine #cs55 fluff #forza ferrari #carlos sainz fanfic #carlos sainz smut #carlos sainz fanfiction #f1 imagines #carlos sainz x you

[love-lilly02]

The Challenge- Ch. 7

An- hey. (drops random half edited chapter that’s probably the shortest one i’ve ever written) see ya🚶🏾‍♀️

A total of two months, three and a half weeks and six days. 

That was how long you had been MIA. Each time another day was added to that count, you grew more restless than before. You wanted to go home, to sleep in your bed, eat american food, damnit just to have a different color shirt to wear. 

And yet you were still stuck here. 

Each day started off the same. You would wake up at the ass crack of dawn, eat something akin to breakfast with Nikolai and wait to see if today was the day you were going back. Instead, he would silently place a knife on the table— some days it was different— and walk out of the room. The same routine, every day. for the past two months.

It was enough to drive any normal person insane. and it had almost driven you insane, definitely would have if you weren’t in the military. 

You had managed to work up the courage to ask why he didn’t immediately send you back one day, why he tolerated you staying with him for this long. 

“If i send you back they do things different. Look at you oddly, treat you weirder. Here you can rest, regain your skills.” He had said, not pausing to spare you a glance. 

“I take you back when you ready.”

according to him, you had not been ready in a long time. 

you never really gave up hope. Not actually, you knew logically at some point he had to bring you back to them. And going back on your own was a suicide mission, one even worse than the thing that had gotten you into this mess. So you waited. 

If it took five months or seven years, you would wait. 

Kate Laswell was a woman of action. 

She knew this for a fact, it had been thrown back into her face so many times she lost body parts to count it. Which is why your disappearance bothered her so much. You were a person of action as well, it’s what prompted her to introduce you to the 141. So then why had you been MIA for the past three months? The thought sat there constantly, turning even the best days sour. 

That, and what you were doing to the team.

It didn’t take a genius to figure it out, although you did have to look a bit harder to see the changes. Especially in people like Ghost and Price, whereas Kyle and Soap might as well have worn their emotions on their sleeves. She wished she could do something to help, to find where exactly you were. Or if you were alive, even. 

All given evidence suggested otherwise. 

She had replayed the shitty camera footage of your disappearance, watched it frame by frame, pixel by pixel. Mutiple times, and she couldn’t figure out how there could be a way for you to get out of there. It just wouldn’t have added up. 

But she didn’t give up there, of course she wouldn’t.

She kept searching, looking for any sign of you. As a civilian, one of the russian’s captives, anyone. anything could come into play, you were a smart girl and everyone knew it. 

Unfortunately, that also meant you could cover up your tracks well. 

It took another month for anything good to come up. And that something good came as salvation always does.

In the form of a call. 

John had made an attempt to push the situation out of his mind, to allow you to handle your own business. His thoughts screamed at him to be more active, to do something more, but there was literally nothing for it. 

Or so he thought. 

The call came in while he was walking out of a meeting, silently dreading the mound of paperwork he would now have to do. When he saw the caller ID he had to do a double take, and he rushed to answer the call. 

“Nik?”

“Captain. It’s been a while, no?”

“Damn right it has. Makes me scared.”

His old friend laughed, and Price could imagine the way he was shaking his head.

“Yes, yes. But i have gift—what? okay, okay sheesh. I have… surprise… for you.”

Price just stared. “Is there someone else there? What’s goin on Nik?” 

There was silence on the other end of the line, then a lot of rusting. 

“Um. Hey.” 

Price almost dropped the phone. 

The process of getting you back wasn’t as hard as they thought it would be, but it certainly took a very long time. 

In reality it took two weeks. But to them each day felt like a decade.  

The entire flight took 11 hours, and they weren’t allowed to meet you halfway (something about using military vehicles for non military purposes. all four boys thought that was absolute bull shit but they couldn’t do anything about it) So they did the next best thing. 

wait. 

And they waited. and waited. Each time a chopper landed on the helipad they were rushing to the window, seeing if it was you. It got to the point that they had someone constantly surveying that area of the base, just so they could be immediately notified. 

And finally, finally you were back. 

It was a whole ordeal, theatrics that even soap had to roll his eyes at. The moment you got off the plane you were swamped with people asking questions, doctors trying to assess how you were alive and unharmed, people just staring in awe. 

But you ignored them all, scanning the crowd with a panicked expression. It didn’t disappear till you saw the four of them, standing far, far away from the mob of people surrounding you. 

Nik walked out behind you, placing a steadying hand on your shoulder. The two of you made your way down the ramp to the group, and Price smiled for the first time in a long time when he saw you. 

“Welcome back, kid.”

this was gona be an akward chapter anyways, i had NO idea how to write the reader's return. I'll make it up to you guys next time, pinkie promise

My Masterist

#cod x reader #poly 141 x reader #task force 141 x reader #poly 141 #simon riley x reader #john soap mactavish #john price x reader #kyle gaz garrick #simon ghost x reader

[mspaesthetic]

Tidbit: The "Threshold" Effect of Desaturated Objects Due to Increased Contrast

If you've ever asked how to replicate an effect like this...

...it's likely someone told you to apply the threshold filter, which converts any light colors to pure white, and any dark colors to pure black. And it's perfectly fine to do so. It's simple, straightforward, efficient. But I take issue with the assertion that it's definitively the only conceivable way Hussie did it when the evidence points to the contrary. Scrutinize the following examples under a microscope:

Did you see it? The singular detail that distinguishes these images from ones that have been thresholded? Congratulations if you noticed that these contain not only black and white pixels, but GRAY pixels as well! A threshold filter's conversion is binary; a pixel is either black, or it is white. No in-between. The presence of these gray values rules out its use, then.

One thing is clear, at least: these images are black and white in the traditional sense of the term, i.e. "grayscale", even if it's in drastic form. They've been stripped of any color, hue, chroma. Completely desaturated, in other words.

So from this observation, we can reason that they were converted to be grayscale at some point in the process of editing.

Of course, this is still lacking in the pure black and pure white departments. If only there was a way to adjust the intensity levels and push them both to their extremes... oh wait, THERE IS! Using the Levels adjustment tool!

Pushing the black input levels slider to the right makes all dark colors turn darker, and conversely, pushing the white input levels slider to the left makes any light colors turn lighter. This is a great way of increasing the contrast and adjusting the brightness. Speaking of which, the Brightness/Contrast adjustment tool in Photoshop with "Use Legacy" enabled also accomplishes a nearly identical effect.

This timelapse demonstrates how the Brightness/Contrast adjustment is basically equivalent to using the Levels one when used this way

I say nearly identical because raising the contrast all the way to 100% with Brightness/Contrast makes it actually identical with the Threshold adjustment tool. The black and white input levels sliders can't fully join in the middle because of the gray input level slider occupying the space, hence why there are some stray gray pixels even when pushing them to their limits.

Well, there could be several reasons explaining why there could be gray pixels other than the contrast not being high enough to clip them, but I'll spare you another needlessly complicated and overly technical rambling on how I can tell it's most definitely the Levels adjustment tool always.

This post is getting a little long, so I'll stop here and elaborate a little more on pertinent things under the read more link, like semi-opaque pixels, scaling down, sharpening, and the gamma slider. Also here's the potted plant PSD if you wanna check it out I guess.

ADDENDUM

Semi-opaque pixels

When separating objects from a background, it's usually easiest to do so with a magic wand selection tool, which selects regions of similar colors. There's an option to make the selection anti-aliased, smoothing the edges of whatever you've cropped. Unchecking it will make the pixels hard and jagged. The wine bottle and picnic basket are a good example of each, respectively.

If you've already cropped out something with anti-aliasing enabled, there's still a way to sharpen the edges after the fact. Duplicating the layer multiple times will increase the semi-transparent pixels' opacity. Do it enough times and they'll eventually become completely opaque. An analogy would be stacking multiple panes of tinted glass on top of each other. Stack enough of them and you wouldn't be able to see through anymore.

These semi-opaque black pixels would appear gray on a white background, and so would semi-opaque white pixels on a black one. That's the reason for the gray pixels around the edges on some of these examples.

Scaling down/Sharpening

Suppose you've already gone ahead and went through the whole rigamarole of editing the object to be black and white before deciding firmly on the size of it in your composition, and now you think it could be a little smaller. You could always resize it and scale it down, but with the interpolation method set to none/nearest-neighbor, it's going to look kind of shit, and with it set to something else like bilinear or bicubic, the anti-aliasing is going to make it a bit blurry (introducing these gray values). You could increase the contrast again, or you could use the Sharpen filter to do it.

Not to suggest that this particular example was scaled down after editing, it's just the one that looks closest to it since I'm too lazy to make one.

Sharpening repeatedly will bump up the contrast, plus Photoshop's Sharpen filter has the added benefit of hardening any semi-opaque pixels as well, making the edges sharper.

GIMP's Sharpen filter doesn't do that latter part, unfortunately, but if the layer has an opaque white background, it'll do the same.

Gamma slider

This effect might not be so obvious, but really take a good look at these board games:

Actually, maybe this Problem Sleuth bonus panel shows what I mean better:

The dark values are cranked up very high, and so are the light values a bit, but there's an inordinate amount of midrange values that are on the lighter side than what would be normal. That's because of the midtones input levels slider, the gray slider, the gamma slider, whatever.

I'm toot tired to explain any more than that, so make of that what you will. The end.

#tidbit #edited images #homestuck #problem sleuth #room

[esamastation]

Shizuroth, part twenty-three

Previous parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two

-

Sephiroth has the loveliest flow going. The balance he is maintaining is extremely delicate for all the energy he's working with, but his Qi it's beginning to slowly circulate, he can feel it starting to pool in his lower dantian, there's even the beginnings of a proper spin going on. He's progressing at an incredible speed, really, it's unheard of! This body is really something else - he almost feels like he's getting close to a breakthrough already!

And then something interrupts him.

First comes the sense of danger, of the world around him around changing. The scenery stutters as the hologram breaks, reforming itself around him. Sephiroth, briefly, loses his footing, and the flow is distributed.

Then the hologram forms into the shape of a monster. An enormous cat with horns and blue and red fur, a Behemoth, roars into life and turns to him.

Sephiroth's heart skips a beat and the energy flow stutters, jitters - stalls.

"Now, Sephiroth," comes a voice through the speakers, an unnervingly thrilled sounding, almost giggling. "You have done well - now let's see you maintain that state against an opponent!"

Sephiroth's breath catches and he tastes blood.

The Qi-deviation crashes down on him like a twenty ton boulder, and his still unprepared system has no defence against it.

He burns.

Everything burns.

Cang Qiong Mountain Sect burned in the original text. Luo Binghe wrecked total devastation on the once greatest sect in the world, he killed everyone who fought, he hunted down everyone who fled, and those who knelt before him he spared - to become his servants, his slaves. A deserved retribution for all they'd done and all they failed to do.

Shen Yuan once saw a house fire down the street. An old couple had been cooking, something had gone wrong, the kitchen caught on fire. Before anyone could do anything the whole building was up in flames, and best the firefighters could hope for was to contain the flames. It was an old building, traditional and beautiful. Gone in an instant.

Half of Sephiroth's promotional art is him against a backdrop of flames, as he burns down the protagonist's home town.

He knows, on the inside, what's happening. He knows it intellectually. Though he'd not gone through many Qi deviations as Shen Qingqiu, he studied them, he'd witnessed them. It seemed like not a month went by without one disciple or another crashing down in a fit of Qi-deviation. Plus there was Liu Qingge and his deviation.

You can never really control how a Qi-deviation would go. It could be mental with uncontrollable emotions, it could be physical with sudden incredible changes, or it could be spiritual with any number of side effects. Or it could just be a week-long coma and a fever. Shen Qingqiu once saw a Qi-deviation that made one of his disciples as light as a feather - the mountain winds almost blew her off the peak! And another time, a disciple of his turned into a dog for a month. PIDW really just didn't do logic and reason when it comes to these things.

In Final Fantasy VII you just go mad, it turns out.

"Well done Sephiroth!" The Voice cries out triumphantly as the behemoth shatters into pixels. "Now, let's see you deal with -"

Sephiroth feels like a backseat driver in his own body, as it swings his sword, and in an instant all the speakers in the training room are reduced to scrap. He then follows with a sequence of swipes and swings that leaves the gun-metal grey walls all around him covered in slashes, sparks raining down on him as the hologram projectors join the speakers in their sorry fate.

Then he turned to the window, and the face plastered against it.

"Sephiroth, what are you doing - stop this instant -"

The glass shatters with an intensely gratifying crash, and The Voice squeaks in fright. Sephiroth smiles, and stalks forward.

"SOLDIERs, get in here - stop him! Stop him!"

The Voice is scampering away now, running - while others rush into his place, to stand in front of Sephiroth. 

All dressed identically, all smaller than him, all of them shaking. They hold their swords up to him, but they're shaking. They don't even dare to make a move against him. They're waiting for him to begin.

Sephiroth sees double for a moment, as sparks of green electricity become leaves and the pipes and cables hanging from the ceiling turn into bamboo stalks.

Ah, what cute and obedient disciples they are! 

"Very well, this master shall start. Get ready," he murmurs, smiling, and makes the first move.

The disciple stumbles, barely in time with his guard and Sephiroth has to pull his attack back to keep the disciple's own sword from hurting them.

"Again - don't focus on the blade, read the body!" Sephiroth says. "Start with this master's hands, see how they move - follow them. Then follow the arms, read the movement of the shoulders. Don't worry! By the time the master is done, you will know where your opponent will strike from the placement of their feet alone."

He makes a few attacks against the disciple until he's satisfied with their defence, and then turns to another. They duck to avoid his blade.

"Good! But don't waste this momentum. When you parry, use the momentum of your body to lead you to another attack. Don't waste energy - in a fight, every move should count. Mind your form!"

Then another startled disciple, who takes his sword head on and is knocked off their feet. "Plant your feet, bend your knees. Stand firm," Sephiroth says, pulling them back to their feet. "Everything begins with your footing. Not like that - you're left-handed, so bring your other foot forward, that's it, now, again -"

He corrects their form until he's absolutely certain none of them have any idea what they're doing! His poor disciples, they can't even remember the basic stances.

"There's no use - everyone, form up into lines," Sephiroth orders, tutting slightly. "Quickly now - not like that, leave plenty of space in between, you don't want to accidentally swing at your neighbour once we start…"

The shocked and confused SOLDIERs form into lines in the destroyed training room as Sephiroth stands in front of them like an amused school teacher. 

"Good. Now, follow this master's lead," Sephiroth says, smiling at them fondly. "He will show you how it's done."

Behind him a destroyed camera crashes into the ground.

-

Get Shizun'd.

#fanfiction #ff7 #ffvii #svsss #sephiroth #shen qingqiu #shen yuan

[mistystepmoonbeam]

Reborn Into Baldur's Gate 3 - Chapter 3

You're reborn into BG3 with only the memory of your past life. Now you're Tav's companion on his journey, and must learn about yourself as much as your new reality.

Chapter 3: You seek healing from Nettie for your injury, and you learn that you've forgotten more than you realize.

Word count: 2.1K

A/N: I can't remember if I mentioned this but I'm keeping the reader as gender neutral as possible!

You’re not sure who’s making a bigger fuss; Auntie Ethel or Tav.  While the old woman fretted over you, even after giving you a healing potion and bandaging up your hand, Tav was distraught.  He darted around you with a pout and furrowed brow, as if moving would solve your problems.  Based on the fact that the arrow went right through your hand only so much could be done.  The potion numbed the pain and increased your healing rate, but it was still a hole in your hand.  Auntie Ethel insisted you go to Nettie, and without giving you a choice Tav lifted you into his arms and ran to the bottom of the grove.  

Any pleas you gave about this being unnecessary went unheard as he came upon the three druids blocking the entrance to the circle.  The fact the wound was already bandaged and, you know, on your hand and didn’t affect your walking at all was also ignored by the burly tiefling.  The mother duck, it seemed, was terribly worried about her injured duckling.

“Stand back!” Jeorna orders, hand held out to stop Tav.  You are barely spared a glance from the bear, and gnome, the latter of which pulls Jeorna aside to whisper in her ear.  When she faces Tav again she says, “Kagha wants to see you, but tread carefully. We’re watching.”

This thankfully slows Tav to a quick walk, making a beeline for the stone door on the far right of the grove.  The engraved stone slowly withdrew into the ground and Tav stepped into the cool dark of the underground cavern.

“I can walk,” you say.

When he only takes a few steps down you grab the collar of his leather armour with your left hand and shake.  “Please let me walk.”

He’s hesitant, but lets you down.  Between the potion and the adrenaline you can barely feel your hand at all, let alone the pain.  

“Please, I’m sorry.  I’m sorry!”

Tav’s worry for you is overtaken by the pleas of a child. Arabella.  You’d forgotten all about her in the sudden rush to get to Nettie—even Lae’zel and Astarion had been left behind.  You move down the steps, ignoring the pungent smell of the earth and stagnant water around you.  You find Kagha and her wretched snake exactly as you would in the game, threatening a child scared of losing the first somewhat safe place she’s had since her city fell into a literal Hell.

“She is a thief, and she will remain locked up until the rite is complete.”  Kagha lowers towards Arabella.  “Be careful child, Teela is restless.”

Arabella cries harder but thankfully doesn’t move, even when the snake hisses at her.

“Thief?” Tav questions.  “What’s the girl's actual crime?”

Kagha’s head whips in his direction.  “Girl?  She’s a parasite.  She eats our food, drinks our water—“

You tune out, eyeing the snake and trying to will Arabella to stay still with your mind.  She’s trembling and flinching with every move the snake makes.  You wish you’d thought to pick up your staff so you could smack that hissing beast over the head.  And Kagha, too.

“I’ll keep her out of trouble,” Tav says.  You breathe a sigh of relief as Kagha agrees.

“Teela, to me,” she orders.  The snake slithers to its master and once it’s at her heels Arabella runs from the cavern.  You watch her go, lips downturned at the sight of her very not pixelated tears.  

While Rath is reprimanded for mentioning Halsin’s name Tav whispers to you to go find Nettie.  You look between him and Kagha, but nod.  The druids don’t seem to mind you walking past them and into one of the back rooms where Nettie waits.  Your pace is slow and as you step into the mud you notice your boots don’t sink into it.  Instead the surface is hard as rock, and you only make an indent in the mud when you purposely jab the toe of your boot into it.  Magic boots, you wonder.  But there’s no time to think it over as you move to the stone room.  

 Nettie is on the right healing a bird, uncaring or not noticing the commotion just a few feet away.  You wonder why she hadn’t stepped in, but maybe the mindflayer parasites were too much a concern to care about tiefling children and the Rite of Thorns.

Nettie’s hands glow with blue energy that flashes onto the bird, and she lets out a stressed sigh.  “It’s up to you, now.”

The druid startles when she notices you from the corner of her eye.  She doesn’t question why you’re there when she spots the bloodied bandage on your hand.  You introduce yourself, unsure of what else to do.  

“Auntie Ethel gave me a potion and bandaged me up,” you tell her.  “I’m not sure what more can be done.”

“I can stop the bleeding, at least.”  Nettie raises her hands and you hold your injured one out to her.  There’s a tingle on your palm as her hands glow blue, like a spider skittering across the hole.  You shiver as the static wraps around your palm, and gulp down your anxiety when Nettie’s hands return to normal.  “How’s that feel?”

You wiggle your fingers, feeling the tightness of a scab on the wound.  “Amazing, thank you.”

“It’s strange,” Nettie says, observing your body with an inquisitive eye, “why didn’t the magic in your coat take effect and protect you?”

You look down at yourself, noting that nothing was torn in the earlier scuffle.  While you’d felt the gravel and rocks dig into you they hadn’t torn the fabric, let alone cut you.  

“I’m not sure,” you admit.  So maybe Gale was observing you because of the magic in your clothes.  “I reached out to stop the arrow, maybe I have to activate it?”

Nettie quirks a brow.  “You don’t know how?”

You hesitate.  “I…don’t remember anything besides my name and a few locations.”

She frowns, nodding at you.  “I’m sorry I can’t help with that.  Halsin probably could, but he’s not here right now.” 

A darkness overcomes her features.  You say, “I heard he was captured by goblins.”

“We’ll get him back in no time!”  Tav’s cheery voice startles you as he appears beside you.

“Messengers and now hired help?” Astarion complains.  “Is there anything you won’t volunteer us for?”

Tav laughs.  “No.”

Astarion and Lae’zel are in the stone entryway, the druids beyond them watching with apprehension.  Lae’zel’s upper lip curls into a sneer.  “We must find the crèche, the teeth-ling has already marked the location of my kin upon the map.  Our time runs short.”

With that the encounter with Nettie is triggered, and Tav takes over.  Watching the familiar scene gives you some comfort.  You already know that Tav will accept the wyvern poison, so there’s no need to worry about Nettie’s potential attack.  

When Nettie leads you all into the back room, the door descending into the earth, you look at the surrounding books.  The smell of stagnant water isn’t as strong here, instead replaced with a gentle scent of old paper and…dead body.  The drow lays on the stone slab by Halsin’s work desk.  

With all the attention on Tav you take a couple quick steps back to peruse the shelves, curious if they have any scrolls in them.  But as you look over the stone tablets and scattered books you realize something that hadn’t occurred until now.

You can’t read them.  The tablets you expected, but the books?  Surely you could—you grab one from the shelf and flip through the pages, unable to discern the swirls and symbols written within.

“Oh no,” you mutter.

“Forget how to read?” Astarion says over your shoulder.  “Or perhaps you just find The Recipes and Ruminations of One Dradeel of Tethyr truly abhorrent.”

You lift your head, finding him much closer than he’d ever been as you could count his eyelashes when he blinks.  You take a step away, flip through a few more pages before looking at him again.  “I can’t read.”

“Really?”  He’s so amused by this, you think.  “I was merely jesting but to think you can’t read…you could read before the parasite, couldn’t you?”

“I have literally no way of knowing,” you say.  When you don’t elaborate and you find him tilting a head at you, you add, “I…only remember my name.  Nothing else.”

“Well, you dress like an aristocrat,” Astarion muses, pacing a circle around you.  He stops close enough that you can feel his warmth through your coat.  You don’t have time to question why a vampire is suddenly so warm when he holds his right hand over your shoulder and reveals your bag dangling from his fingers.  “And you certainly had enough gold on you to live like one.”

You snap the book shut and place it on a random shelf.  “You got it back!”

When you spin around and reach for it he takes a step back, holding a finger up to your face.  “Ah, ah, ah.  What’s in it for me if I return this?  I could just take it and skip off into the sunset to live like a king.”

Is there really that much there?  No matter.  “Please, hand it over.”

“Oh, so polite.  Hm, let’s say this, you can owe me one.”

“Deal.”  You step forward and snatch the bag from him, nearly spilling the contents as you open the latch and peer inside.  Whatever excitement you’d felt before was gone.  “It’s just gold.”

“Never have I seen anyone so disappointed to look upon a fortune.”

You close the top and unbuckle the metal lock on the strap, wrapping it under your coat and over your shoulder.  Locking the buckle quickly the bag is once again secured at your hip.  You tug the strap to ensure it isn’t going to fall, forcing a twinge in your palm.  “I was hoping there would be something that would enlighten me to my identity.”

“Sometimes it’s a blessing to forget,” Astarion says, his eyes distant.  “To be lost.”

Whatever pain you see on his face is quickly wiped away and replaced with a fake grin.  “Don’t expect me to teach you how to read, that seems more like Gale’s thing.”

“Astarion…”  You can’t help but want to reach out to him.  You almost do but instead lift your left hand to rub at the bandage on your other palm.  You can’t look away from his eyes, the sheer lifelessness in them.  There is nothing you want more than to tell him he can escape Cazador, be free either as an ascended vampire or a spawn, but you can’t.  So you say, “We’ll figure it all out.  Everything.”

“Of course,” he agrees.  His eyes narrow on you.  “But remember what I said.”

“You won’t teach me to read.”  You snicker to yourself, holding your injured hand up to hide your smile.

Astarion huffs.  “You owe me.”

“Yes, yes.”  You wave him away, pretending your debt is no big deal.  “I owe you.  But…thank you for getting my bag back.  I know it’s not your thing to help people and you went out of your way to find it.  I appreciate it.  Truly.”

Astarion clears his throat, shifting his shoulders to straighten his posture.  “I merely thought you would be a good person to have in my debt.  Mind you that was before I learned you can’t read.”

His words are a stab in your gut.  Not only did you not know who you are here, you couldn’t even read anything you might find that could help you!  You’d yet to check the bag on your lower back, but the idea of more disappointment kept you from doing just that.  At least, for a bit, you could live with the hope it contained something about yourself.  

The longer you thought like this…the harder reality hit.  A strange new world, no family, no friends, not even Tav really (but it was nice to know you hadn’t been abandoned yet).  And a tadpole in your head.  And a long road to Baldur's Gate fraught with peril.  “I should go grab that staff…and thank Auntie Ethel.”

A deal with a hag was starting to look tempting right about now…

Up top you’re able to get your staff with little interference.  A tiefling guard asked why you were going into the prison but allowed you entry—Sazza ignored you.

When you go to Auntie Ethel and thank her she assures you it’s no bother.  “You’re still looking a might peaky petal.  You’re sure you're feeling all right?”

You hesitate, shifting on your feet.  The disguised hag steps closer, eyeing you with too much interest.  

“You know I might have something that could help you,” she reveals.  “I marked my home on your friend's map, talk to me there.” 

Auntie Ethel leans in.  “I have a feeling I know what’s got you in a tizzy, child.”

You gulp and nod, unable to do anything else.  That old lady facade was dropped in an instant, and you wonder if she knows more about your problems beyond the tadpole. 

Taglist:

@half-poison-and-half-hope @sanscas @hotmesshobbit @godoffuckedupcats @thequeen-oni @terrenuserinj @straewberrysoda @theomnipotentfox @becksynthetic @quitecontrary-to-mary @furblrwurblr @mega-trash-cringe @fandomsbookclub

#reborn into baldur's gate 3 with no memory and plenty of money #astarion x reader #tav #astarion #lae'zel #bg3 nettie #fanfic #fanfiction #bg3 fanfic #auntie ethel #gender neutral reader

[cobiehill]

Lights Dim While We're Dancing

pairing: wanda maximoff x natasha romanoff x famous!reader

warnings: 18+!!! top!wanda, top!natasha, tiny bit of praise, soft with smut at the end, minors dni!

w/c: 2244

summary: based on this request! sorry it took so long, however this is my longest work yet so hopefully that makes up for the wait

masterlist

a/n i have barely proof read this so i'm sorry for any mistakes :)) i'll go through and delete any i find!

“Hey Nat, come see this” Wanda calls, eyes fixed on the phone screen in front of her. She’d been scrolling through twitter for the past five minutes, giggling to herself when she’d stumbled across a certain corner of the internet. 

“You found more?” Natasha asked, a look of amusement creeping onto her face as she leans over the back of the couch where her girlfriend is sitting. Wanda nods, holding up her phone.

“Has everyone seen these new pictures of Y/N. I need her to rail me so bad.” She reads, her voice completely deadpan causing Wanda to let out another laugh.

“Yeah right. Like she could rail anybody.” Natasha continues, dodging a smack that Wanda had aimed at her. 

“You’ve gotta give her credit Tasha, these pictures are hot” 

“I’m not saying she doesn’t look hot, I’m saying I’ve seen her in bed.” Natasha says with a smirk. 

“You’re terrible” Wanda scoffs, curiosity getting the better of her as she continues to scroll down her feed.

“Hey, I’m not the one publicly tweeting about how much I want our girlfriend to rail me” She shrugs. 

Wanda stops scrolling and her face harderns as she reads another tweet that had captured her attention.

“Hey Y/N are you single?” She reads, sarcasm dripping from her voice “No she is not.” 

Wanda uses one finger to stab at the screen a couple of times. 

“Don’t reply to it!” Nat scorns, attempting and failing to snatch the phone out of Wanda’s hand.

“I’m not replying!” Wanda whines “I’m reporting it.”

“You can’t- You can’t just report her fans because they think she’s hot” Natasha bites back a laugh.

Wanda clearly just missed you, since you’d had to leave them for a couple of weeks to tour with your band, however she could not shake off the jealousy she felt upon discovering your online fanbase. Wanda had trouble sharing. You were theirs.

Although Natasha found your fans wildly entertaining, she couldn’t pretend like all these tweets and posts weren’t getting to her too. She hadn’t felt particularly possessive over the thirst tweets - she knew how fiercely loyal you were. Instead they made her long for you even more. 

The girls were your biggest fans, and had it not been for their missions, they’d have been right beside you on your tour. 

All the pictures and videos were a reminder of what they were missing. They wanted you back and home and back into their arms.

They’d never admit this to you but they’d spent an embarrassing amount of time watching videos of you perform together. Only last week Wanda had given Natasha a very informative lesson on what a fancam was. Every spare minute between missions Wanda had been glued to her phone. If she wasn’t texting you sweet little messages of how proud they were, she would be creeping on your fan tweets and refreshing youtube for new concert videos. 

“You wanna call her?” Nat asked, noticing the subtle switch in her girlfriend's demeanour.

“You don’t think she’ll be busy?”

“If she’s busy she’ll call us back later.”

Wanda hesitates for a couple of moments before switching to the facetime app. Still standing, Natasha leans her elbows on the back of the couch, adjusting herself so her face can be seen on the call.

It only takes three rings for you to pick up, your pixelated face on the screen causing your girlfriend’s to light up. 

“Hi baby!” Wanda says, her face breaking out into a grin. “Where are you?” 

“You caught me at the perfect time, I’ve literally just come offstage” you respond, an equally enthusiastic smile taking over your own features.

Even with the buzz of people in the background, it’s apparent that your voice has become slightly raspy from singing. You always worked hard, but since the tour was nearing a close you’d found yourself pushing even harder, savouring every moment. Both women practically melted at the sound of you. When you were home, you’d usually find yourself losing your voice due to other reasons. It was almost always their doing.

“You look incredible Y/N” Wanda responds, completely mesmerised by how perfectly intact your makeup had remained, despite having just performed for hours. “Tasha certainly thinks so, you should hear how loud her thoughts are right n-“

Wanda is quickly cut off by a soft fist landing on her shoulder. 

“Ignore her, she’s being dirty.” Nat cuts in. “You look beautiful Y/N, we really miss you.”

Your face softens and Natasha quickly regrets her previous words. She wanted you to enjoy your time, not pine over them the way they had for you. 

“I miss you most” you say, having similar thoughts yourself. It wasn’t their fault they couldn’t be there and the last thing you wanted was for them to feel guilty. “I’ll be home soon, I promise.”

“You’d better be. Wanda’s gonna start coming after your fans if you don’t.”

You laugh, slightly confused while Wanda shoots daggers at Natasha.

“My fans? Have I done something?” you ask, concerned.

“Just the army of people asking you to rail them online” Wanda says with a pout. You refrain from telling her how adorable she looks when she’s sulking. 

“Army”  Natasha mocks “It was one tweet.”

“I can’t help it if I'm so irresistible!” you bite back with a laugh, enjoying how easy it was to wind Wanda up. You knew she’d get you back for it soon enough, and to be honest you were looking forward to it. 

One of your bandmates calls your name and begins to shout some words that your girlfriends can’t make out from over the phone. You groan, returning back to your phone with an apologetic look. 

“I’m in high demand today.” You attempt to joke. The pair smile, trying to hide their disappointment. They knew the call was about to get cut short, but they didn’t complain. Seeing your happy little face had drastically improved both of their days and they’d have felt selfish trying to hold your attention for any longer.

“I’ll call you back tonight, promise. I love you both so much.” 

“I love you more honey, talk to you later.” Wanda says with a wave. Natasha blows you a kiss and you throw in a couple more ‘love you’s’ before disconnecting the call. 

Following the brief facetime with your girlfriends, you struggle to pay any attention to the voices in front of you. Your bandmates discuss a technical mishap from tonight’s show and you nod along, slightly frustrated that the smallest inconvenience had interrupted your precious time with the girls. 

The second that things seem to be wrapping up, you excuse yourself to head back to your hotel room, mind plagued with thoughts of the two women. 

As you flop down on your bed, your heart begins to thump while you play the video call over and over in your head. You only had another week and a half until you’d see them again, but it was a week and a half too long. 

You tried to ignore the heat rising inside of you as you pictured the look on Wanda’s face when she’d spoken about your fans. The hint of jealousy had made her look absolutely hungry for you. You made a mental note to rile her up even more next time you spoke, knowing she’d make you pay for it when you finally returned home. 

You slept easily that night, and the next show went smoother than the last. Your energy had felt particularly good the next day, and you were practically vibrating as you came off the stage. 

You hurried past the crew, keen to get somewhere quiet so you could facetime your girls again. They’d texted you that morning to say they’d been given the weekend off work, and you were more than keen to make the most out of that time.

Eventually, you burst into your dressing room, the phone already dialling before you’d got the chance to sit down.

They didn’t answer. 

After calling Wanda twice, you switched to Natasha’s phone. It was usually easiest to get hold of Wanda, you never usually had to resort to calling Nat. 

You frowned, a little irritated that you’d rushed past everybody with the intent of speaking to them, and neither of the girls had bothered to pick up. 

You tried Natasha once more, groaning loudly when somebody knocked on your door. 

“I’m busy!” you shouted, your tone coming out a lot sharper than you’d intended. You sighed when you realised you’d probably scared the shit out of some poor runner. 

The door opened anyway, and you sat up in your chair, ready to apologise for your rudeness.

“Too busy for us?” a familiar voice responded, and you leapt to your feet as the door cracked open. 

You were in their arms before they had a chance to shut the door, practically jumping at them the second you had registered their presence. 

“What the fuck are you doing here?” You almost shrieked as Wanda took your face in her hands. 

“I missed my baby too much” she responded, peppering kisses over your face. You giggled, the mix of shock and excitement causing your heart to pulsate.

Natasha’s arms snaked around you from behind, squeezing you close to her despite the fact that Wanda’s hold on you wasn’t going to be broken anytime soon. 

You melted into your girlfriends, tears threatening to spill. You had missed them unbearable amounts, and had to stop yourself from begging them to come and visit you the past few weeks. Everything you had wanted was right here in your arms and you were ecstatic.  

“Did you really get the weekend off?” you asked, turning to face Natasha. 

“With a little force” she whispered, lifting your chin so that her lips met your own, which you accepted happily.

You noticed Wanda’s hands begin to wander as you were pressed against Natasha and you jumped at the feeling. It had been weeks since you’d been touched like this. 

“In my dressing room?” You hissed. 

Wanda just chuckled. 

“You kept us waiting” She responded innocently.

“I don’t think I-“ You were silenced by Wanda’s mouth once again reclaiming you, biting down slightly on your bottom lip. 

“She’s been a fucking nightmare” Natasha whispers in your ear, sending a tingle down your spine. You don’t have time to collect yourself as

you feel your back collide with the wall, Nat’s grip gentle yet firm on your shoulders. 

You allow yourself to go limp, eager to comply as Wanda started to undress you. Your body was beyond tired from the constant stop start of performances you’d been giving and you almost cried in relief when Wanda’s mouth latched onto your clit. After spending so long apart, none of you had the patience to wait any longer. You jerked your body towards her, but Wanda forcefully pressed one hand against your hips, holding you somewhat still as she brought her fingers up to your entrance. 

The sensation caused your knees to weaken, and you wrapped your arms around Natasha to steady yourself, her lips connecting firmly to your neck.

 Although she initially hid it better, she’d been left equally as hungry as Wanda. 

“Fuck” you gasped, as she bit down on your pulse point, soothing it immediately with her tongue. You shuddered hard, knowing she’d have left a mark that’d be a bitch to cover, but you didn’t care enough to stop her. 

Your body turned to jelly beneath them, your soft moans growing loudly as Natasha reached under your shirt, goosebumps forming as her nails grazed the skin of your chest, eventually toying with your hardened nipples. 

From below you, Wanda could feel your legs tremble, she pushed her slender fingers deeper inside of you, relaxing the grip on your hips and allowing you to buck against her. You were very quickly approaching your climax, and you’d have been embarrassed if you weren’t so touch starved.

“You’re doing so well baby, you can come for us” She mumbled, barely moving her mouth away from your core as she spoke. You rode her fingers desperately, chasing the friction you’d been craving. She sucked down on your clit with a harder pressure, not slowing down her movements as you came undone.

You whined loudly, feeling overly sensitive from your recent high. You remained limp against the wall, steadying your breathing while Wanda removed her fingers, her tongue still slowly circling your clit, leaving you jolting slightly under her touch. Natasha placed softer kisses across your face, watching you in adoration. She had missed this so much. 

Eventually Wanda freed you from her grasp and stood to face you, smoothing down your hair as you smiled softly, your mind still in a haze. 

“Poor baby” she whispered “You look so tired.”

You nodded, blushing furiously while you struggled to find words. 

Natasha pulled away from you, her eyes still dark. 

“I hope you’re not too tired though, I still haven’t had my turn” Her voice was barely a whisper, sending a surge straight back to your lower stomach. 

You let Natasha pick you up and carry you over to the dressing room couch. As she placed you down on your back you reached up for her, noticing how she kissed you so much more gentle this time. You knew you’d never be able to leave them for this long again.

#wanda maximoff x reader #natasha romanoff x reader #wanda maximoff x natasha romanoff #wanda maximoff x natasha romanoff x reader #wandanat x reader #smut

[donkey-hyuck]

[00:00 a.m.] for our haechan who works too much ♡

~ He doesn’t know when and he doesn’t know how but Lee Donghyuck had grown tired.

Tired of what? Everything.

The year was coming to an end yet he and his members have not. With barely enough time to rest with back-to-back performances and tours with not only 127 but dream as well, he grows tired.

He doesn’t know why he’s feeling like this and he really doesn’t want to come to the conclusion that he’s just tired. Being an idol is everything he wants, everything he’s ever known. Yet he grows more and more fatigued as the days drag by.

Everything he’s been experiencing with tours and movie makings thrills him, excites him. They’re opportunities that happen once and a lifetime. Yet at the same time he feels nothing at all. Just tired.

You’d barely had enough time to see him. And you never call, worried that you may be disrupting Lee Donghyuck who was forever following his passion. He’s an idol, it’s almost like he was born to be one. But he’s also a human being. And human beings can only take so much.

“I don’t know how much longer I can take. I love being there for my fans and being someone they can look up to but it just doesn’t feel the same,” he sighs, shifting around in his bed.

He facetimed you that night. He wanted to come over but you made him stay home. You lived on the other side of town and you convinced him that it’d be too much of a hassle for him to come to your apartment. You knew how hard he worked and you constantly pressured him to just rest. To take advantage of every minute of spare time to relax and just be Lee Donghyuck. Not Lee Haechan.

You don’t know what to say to him. This was the first time you’ve ever heard him feeling dejected. Like everything he’s doing is a chore. You hum, letting him confide in the warmth of you, even through the phone screen.

“I love my fans and I love my members but we’ve all been feeling off this year. We had so many opportunities offered to us since covid and it feels like we’re making up from those years that were stripped from us but, god, I feel so…. lost. I feel so overwhelmed and I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Hyuck has finally opened up to you despite your knowledge of his feelings because of the worrying habits of his members. You recalled the time Jeno called you, saying that your lover was rejecting meals and was cooped up in the practice room. Or the time Mark texted you saying that Hyuck was having an off day and that something was definitely up.

“…. I just… I-I don’t know,” he trailed off. And by no means did you mean to zone out but looking at Donghyuck through the pixelated screen made you want to cry. He’s never felt like this. You have to see him.

“I gotta go now, Hyuck. My moms calling me, I’ll be right back,” you could see the rejection flash in his eyes as he sighed and let you hang up. You felt horrible. But you were going over to see him. And hopefully that would make him feel better. At least a bit.

It was a long twenty minutes of Hyuck scrolling through his phone, waiting for a call back from you and those intrusive thoughts came back.

Were you starting to grow tired of him too? Why were you taking so long?

A knock was heard on the door. First came in Taeyong, and soon after, you. The man audibly gasped and got up from his bed to finally have you in his embrace.

“Are you not tired, my love?” You brushed your fingers through his hair.

“Not really. We have something to do tomorrow so there’s not really any point of me forcing myself to sleep,” he looks over to the digital clock. Just past midnight, “I guess later on.”

The room grows quiet. You’re both laying on your sides with Hyuck’s face hiding in your chest with your fingers running through his locks and your chin rested on the crown of his head.

All goes well until the tears managed to escape the sockets of his eyes. Immediately, you unwrap your arms and look down at the love of your life.

“Hey, hey, hey, what’s wrong, my love?” Almost everything is more gentle now than ever before and you grow even more worried, looking at the idol in front of you.

“I just… I don’t know how long I can do this. I’m so grateful to have these opportunities for my members and I but, god, I’m so sick of feeling like this. I feel more incomplete than I ever have but being apart of the industry is so important to me. It’s all I’ve ever known and I’m completely terrified to think of where I’d be without it but…” He breaks down once more, with you wrapping your arms around him so he can let out all of the tears he’d been so selflessly hiding.

“It’s okay. You’re okay. I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere,” you shush him, which only prompts him to cry even harder.

“You’re completely valid to have those thoughts, angel. I know how hard you work, and although I don’t know really know what you go through, it’s okay to have those thoughts and have those days. It’s so completely unfair for your company to use you for the income, and I don’t even have words to express the disrespect I have for your company to be treating you and your members like that, but I’m right here. Let it all out and I’ll be here waiting for you to cry out all of your emotions at the end of every day.”

You repeat those words over and over again as the sobs coming out of Lee Donghyuck breaks your heart into trillions of pieces. You’ve never seen him this vulnerable before and you’re thankful that he’s opened up to you but every fiber in your being wants to punch every person that’s ever made Hyuck feel like this. Starting with his godforsaken company.

No words are further exchanged as he falls into his well deserved slumber.

You, on the other hand, don’t rest a bit that night, wanting to nurture every hurt that Donghyuck feels and has felt for the past decade.

Strong is too vague of a word to describe Donghyuck pushing through everyone in the industry to get where he is today. With every bit of criticism and drawback, he handles it like a god and doesn’t complain.

Lee Donghyuck is strong. He is the strongest person you know, inside and out and he only deserves the best. You never want him to feel like this again. You’d fight every person who’s ever made Donghyuck feel, in honest words, like shit.

He deserves all the love he puts out into the world.

#nct #nct 127 #nct dream #nct fluff #nct angst #nct scenarios #nct imagines #nct drabbles #nct 127 scenarios #nct 127 angst #nct 127 imagines #nct 127 drabbles #nct dream scenarios #nct dream angst #nct dream imagines #nct dream drabbles #nct haechan #nct donghyuck #haechan x reader #haechan fluff #haechan angst #haechan imagines #haechan scenarios #haechan drabbles

[eldritch-spouse]

what are the lust demons' opinions on ero games that require strategic thinking? example: in hunie pop you have to do lots of connect-three stages in order to complete dates and sleep with women. or in what in hell is bad, you have to complete strategic tower defense stages in order to read the story

personally i think it's annoying and would only play them if i were just a little horny

[Oh, you mean the games I used to play when left alone on the family computer unsupervised? :)) No joke, I really wanted to get that poorly animated redhead to show me her tits. Unfortunately, I was bad at solitaire.]

Nena is the one who has the most amount of patience for this. She can take things slow, or maybe she just likes to tease herself, one of the two. She'll sit there and actually take the time to puzzle things out while her tail grinds over her pussy until she's actually too soaked to form thoughts. The imp does get a great sense of accomplishment when she makes it past the hardest levels and gets her prized ero scenes.

Vesper unfortunately has little interest in these games. Sometimes there's one or two that'll catch his attention for a while, but he grows bored because he knows he can have better in the snap of a finger. A bigger challenge, with a more stimulating prize than pixels on a screen. Eh, it's just not worth the investment.

Lacai has too many things going on to dedicate his time to erotic video games. His spare time is already well occupied with other hobbies, primarily his insect fixation. There's one or two visual novels he digs, mostly for the story, which he'll replay every now and then. But that's usually where it ends with him.

Santi is also not too familiar with these games, but he understands the appeal. If you're playing one, he'll definitely watch and comment. Unfortunately, his hot pocket brain doesn't really like the idea of putting any effort into strategically "seducing" someone that won't feed him. He'll roll back around when you unlock the porn and come rub you off to it.

#Santi oc #Vesper oc #Nena oc #Lacai oc

[yahoodarling]

Yandere Thoma/Ayato X Isekaied GN Reader

Warnings: Posted in comments to avoid spoilers, please read them if you wish to avoid potential triggers.

Chapter 2: 6k+- words, Chapter 3

Full Fic option: 20k words

The words Ayato left with you clung to your mind, in all this time interacting with ‘characters’ you haven't once seen anything alter the course of the world yet. Perhaps it's a twisted Butterfly effect and your actions have changed something you cannot see but Teyvat was still intact and no news of a newly declared war has come about (for whatever reasons your actions may potentially had started a war in the first place). Perhaps the time of paranoia can finally come to an end and you can ‘live' a little, truly live here if it means spending the rest of your life in this world. You also owe it to Thoma. You've done everything in your power to avoid him when he's done nothing less but show genuine interest in getting closer to you and with Ayato's words you can confirm that you've hurt him. In your time knowing him, truly knowing him, not as a character reading lines of script, not as a collection of pixels on a screen but as a real person with flesh and feelings, it's really made you appreciate him more than anything one could feel for a fictional character. Thoma is not fictional in this world and in this world he looked to you for a friendship, you lead him on in your weakness and now he has to face the loss because of your choices. Ayato was right, you truly don't have the right to make this decision but the least you can do is make up for your mistakes and keep your promises. Teyvat isn't going to fall apart just because you want a friend, what led you to think you could change the fate of the universe in the first place? Fate is a strong thing, it will not break so easily just because you exist. The rest of the ‘plot’ will go on as normal, the ‘hero’ is most likely still in Sumeru sorting out their issues and that ‘hero’ can go on and change Teyvats fate, you can sit still, live a normal life and they can keep the story going. 

You decide the best way to apologise is to show Thoma you genuinely care and the best way to do that, (other than actually talking to him) is to do what he's already established means a lot to him, make something. Thoma loves to see the effort people put into something much more than the actual execution of it. You are hardly a master baker yet he savours what you bake like it's been done by a professional, so play to your strengths. You finish your work day, inform your boss you will no longer be taking the overtime and rest for the day. Not wanting to rush into things too quickly you wait a few days and in your spare time make a batch of miso butter cookies and a simple fresh loaf of shokupan on the day you decide to meet him. It being a weekend you were off work but that also meant Thoma wouldn't be in the city, he does his trips here only during the week when he needs specific supplies for his upkeep of the clans residence. Taking a walk to the Kamisato Clan is quite the walk but you owe it to him to get this done, he can't be the one to keep chasing after you, you need to show you want to be close as well. 

You arrive midday, the walls of the clan still so daunting, and walk to the entrance where the clans guards await, noticing your presence long before you could actually stand before them. 

“Good day, I am here to deliver something to Thoma.”

The guard eyes you but responds, “He's out. If you have any deliveries you can leave them here where they will be checked before entering the clan.”

Thoma isn't here? Shit. That makes this whole thing a bust. 

“Do you know where he's gone or when he'll come back? I'd prefer to see him in person.”

“No. Please leave any packages here and-” the guard was cut off as the man of the house walked up to the entrance, Ayato offered a slight smile, perhaps to ease your nerves at the guard's menacing stance though that is his job, before turning to said guard.

“They are a guest and are welcome to the clan. Thank you for serving your duties but they are free to enter.”

The guard bowed and uttered a small, “Yes my lord.”

Ayato then stood to the side to allow you in, his arm outstretching the direction in welcoming. 

“Ayaka and I were just having tea in the break of our schedules. Please do join us.”

Well it seems you will be meeting Ayaka (for the second time), not expected, not something you were prepared for but if you are to truly let go of your worries then meeting Ayaka should not be a problem. 

You follow suit and see Ayaka sitting at the table on the outside courtyard , she smiled in greeting as you and Ayato approached. 

“It is a pleasure to meet you, I am Ayaka Kamisato.” she nodded in greeting. It's a little difficult to respond to people such as Ayaka and Ayato whom are so versed in proper Inazumaian etiquette but you've been in Inazuma for long enough to have picked up some things. You bow slightly in turn, “A pleasure as well Lady Ayaka, thank you for welcoming me to your home.” You responded in a similar way when first meeting Ayato though you imagine conversing with him from now on would be a lot more relaxed after your previous meetings. Said man indicated for you to sit beside his sister which you did, form a lot less refined compared to the pair of siblings. 

“Ayaka, this is the person Thoma has been talking about as of late. A new friend to the Kamisato Clan.”

“Oh! It's truly wonderful to put a face to a name. Thoma has spoken only positives about you. What brings you here?”

You look down to the wooden box in your hand, your apology gift. 

“I need to speak with Thoma and give him something.”

You don't even need to look at Ayato to know that he's fully aware of what your meeting with Thoma is all about.

“I see. He's gone out for a walk at the moment but should be back soon. Anyway,” it felt like ice drawn at the blunt way she changed the topic. She quickly turned back to Ayato, more specifically the paper in her hands, with a look of true delight on her face. 

“The travellers' tales of Sumeru are incredible! Such a different place but the stories they are embarking on are memorising.” her eyes had a sheen to them, not the gloss of tears but of something you couldn't exactly tell what it embodied. 

“Their letter details so much, the food, the culture, the people as well as all the situations they've ended up in.” she giggles, lifting her hand to cover her joy but not truly caring about it since she was in such comfortable company which is… odd considering you just met. 

Ayato looks at you with a quick strained smile, almost to say, ‘sorry she's overlooking you’ but quickly returned to paying his attention to Ayaka. 

“I am not surprised they often find themself in trouble haha though it is good to know they are enjoying their time there. Do they mention when they may return to Inazuma?”

Ayaka looks slightly dejected at that, “No. They say they need to stay in Sumeru for now but will come to the next major festival if they can.” she takes a deep breath in and releases it. “I hope it's soon. I want to hear all these stories from their mouth rather than just as words on a page.”

So Ayaka also has that ‘crush’ on the traveller which was very heavily implied in the game. That must be the reason she is so relaxed and open with her emotions here. 

She looked back down at the letter, a soft smile developing. “I hear Yoimiya is planning on taking a trip to Sumeru in the future, perhaps I can ask her to deliver a token from me to the traveller while she is there.”

Ayato's smile remained as always listening to his sister but the small crinkle of the wrinkles by his eyes increased slightly for but a moment before relaxing. His wrinkles… a pity the game models of the characters didn't implement small details such as those. It would have been interesting to see what small features the characters had ‘realistically’ that weren't shown. Would Jean have bags around her eyes? Would Albedos skin have a slight difference of texture than normal? Perhaps Cyno has a more defined tan or Xiangling having slight burn blisters on her hands from cooking and her vision? You've only had a closer look at Thoma and he was so much more ‘real’ than just a 2D image which was slightly unsettling at first but normal now. What interesting things to think about…

“How about you join her?”

Your fascination died instantly. What? No, Ayaka will NOT be joining Yoimiya, that's not how it goes. Ayaka will deny or something will stop her.

“Really? But what of my responsibilities? I don't even know if she'd accept me joining.”

Exactly. 

“Do not fret, I will have your duties covered and Yoiymiya is your friend, I think she'd appreciate getting to share the trip with you. You deserve a break as well and I see no better opportunity than this.”

No, no, no, no you won't because she's not going. 

Ayaka stood up, elation beaming off of her while she clutched the letter closer to her. 

“Thank you brother! Oh I must ask Yoimiya right away!” 

She bowed and made haste out the residence not even sparing you a glance, to her you were a nobody. Her mind was solely on making this trip. 

You sat in shock, in the past her forgetting about you would be amazing, proof of your ‘npcness’ but you only felt stunned. Ayaka doesn't go to Sumeru, only Yoiymiya does for her second story quest, Ayaka is not involved, Ayaka does not show up, Ayaka is not part of that plot!

“I'm glad she can have a chance to experience the world outside the residence though having to cover for her duties will prove tedious.” Ayato shook his head, then chuckled. “But I'm not opposed to it for this.”

Just how- how has your involvement changed this?! It must be your fault, it can only be your fault, the story has gone on exactly as it was shown in the game so why is this different? What could you have done to make Ayaka go? 

“Hmm?” Ayato noticed your silence, “Is something the matter?”

You swallow the spit that had accumulated in your mouth and regained as much composure as possible. “Yes yes I am fine I just- I just need to go have a quick walk by myself. I will be back soon.” It's all you could say. Your mind switched to autodrive in shock and walked you away, neither mind nor eyes truly focusing on anything but your legs walking you a path you've taken many times before yet never once stepped on, into the forests behind the clan house. 

Walking in the tanuki filled forest may not have been the best idea, you recall ingame how Hilichurls and Fatui mages are ‘spawned’ here yet your walk was nothing but peaceful. The sound of the stream was somewhat calming, it helped you to think logically. Just because Ayaka says she's going to go on this trip doesn't mean she actually will, something will happen that will prohibit her from going to Sumeru. She is a very important character, her absence in Inazuma may cause something terrible to happen that didn't ingame. Maybe she helps a person in need ‘canonically’ but because in this existence she leaves for Sumeru she isn't there to save said person, that person dies or many people die which could upset their families which could cause them to lose faith in the (police) which could lead to disrupt in the city which could… which could… leave blood spilt? 

You stopped your rambling thoughts, eyes zoning in on the pools of blood on the moss covered stones. Whatever caused this is nothing you should get involved in, until a sound of a strangled hiss, electro energy popping and fizzing in the air, a shriek of vengeance and then… nothing. The sound came from further ahead to the right behind a large mound, you watch to see the source, feet ready to run away as the slightest threat. Footsteps sounded and around the bend came a semi dirt covered Thoma, looking ahead with a solemn expression, seemingly dazed. His chest huffed out periodic breaths of air to regain himself and latestly wiped off his brow and took out a cloth and dabbed at the specks of blood on his clothes and arms, while doing so he turned and saw you standing motionless, eyes awide and still in semi shock. Almost instantly devastation fell upon his face, his eyes sunk in immediate sadness, he just looked at you for a second, whatever his thoughts were were his own, before quickly putting the cloth away and rushed to step towards you. 

“Please just- i'm just doing my duty, I don't mean-, i'm not…” the more he tried to justify himself the more he seemed to sink into his own hole. 

“I know this looks bad, you are the last person I'd want to see me like this but-” he took a deep breath in, steeled himself to elaborate properly, “it's to protect the clan. Fatui spies, rogue samurai, rival clans, a lot of them come here to spy on the clan or put us at risk, i'm just doing my duty and protecting the people who protect me.” he looked at you earnestly, hoping for your understanding, hoping you don't see him as a murderer, hoping to retrain the image of an amicable person but his soft smile of a plea also held the acceptance that you may not acknowledge his reasonings, that you'd turn your back and leave. 

You do understand, you do know Thoma isn't a harmless friendly face, that he can and will do what must be done for the people he cares about, it's just that… it's a little hard to easily be calmed even with that notion when the very real blood and remains of that dedication is shown spewed across the forests floor, it's not something any ‘average’ person would not react to but still, this is Thoma, he has his reasons, it was done in the name of goodwill and he's trying to explain it to you. 

You take a few steps towards him and offer a hesitant smile, “I get it, I don't see you as any less than before.”

Before you even regain your senses properly you feel his arms around you, tight and secure, his hand cupping the back of your head and hiding his face in your shoulder, so desperate to have the reassurance that it's okay but still hesitant to look at you, like you may change your mind. 

“Thank you… archons above I was worried I've scared you. My word, that's the last thing I'd want…” she shook his head slightly, took one last deep breath and moved back up, his hands grasping your shoulders lightly, you could see his face up close now and he finally allowed himself to look at you, his face held a smile. “I am so happy to see you!” the heavy atmosphere diminished as Thomas usual radiance shone, “Haha, what are you doing here? It's been ages, the last place I thought I'd see you was all the way here.”

“Oh yeah, I actually came to apologise about that, about being distant. It wasn't right of me to just cut you off, I'm sorry.”

He stayed silent, only looking at you, his eyes softened and nose wrinkled in his genuine expression of embrace. “Dont worry about it, I was clingy, I'm just glad to know you are here now. I'm really happy about that.” he chuckled and shifted his weight to point you back up the path to the Kamisato residence. 

“Let's go catch up shall we?”

On the walk back up you explained to Thoma your ‘reason’ for avoiding him (your half lie, half truth reason), the same one you told Ayato. You are shy and get intimidated by how social he is. Thoma nodded at your explanation, expressed his apologies for not noticing your discomfort and promised from now on he'll be more aware when you are together and not encourage meeting with others you aren't comfortable with. The walk was nice, a bit strained because of the topic but after all the knots had been loosened it felt good to be relaxed with him again. 

You two entered the Yashiro court again, Ayato still sat at the table reading through some papers. Thoma turned to you, “Oh sorry, meeting with Ayato was one of the things that made you uncomfortable right? We could go somewhere else to catch up?”

“No it's alright, I met with him earlier when I arrived. I told him I'd return so it would be rude not to haha.”

The noise must have alerted said man, Ayato peaked his head up and greeted the both of you with a smile as you walked towards him and sat down.

“The both of you have returned safely from your walks then, it's good to see. How was it?”

Thoma hesitantly chuckled, “Haha, came across some trouble but nothing I can't iron out. Otherwise we just had a little talk.”

Ayato nodded and hummed.

You remember your carrier box filled with the apology gifts for Thoma and opened it.

“Thoma, I made some more biscuits and bread and wanted to give them to you, to further state my apology.”

“oh? Perfect then, we can have them with tea.” Ayato must have had someone refill the teapot while you were away as Thoma poured you both cups of steamed golden liquid and refilled Ayatos. Thoma took a biscuit and devoured it in delight, did he always over exaggerate when eating the things you baked or was his reaction authentic? 

“Ayato, would you like one? They really are divine.”

“No thank you. It would be wrong of me to strip you of your joy haha.”

It was odd but so welcoming to be able to have a casual conversation with the two. It seemed easy to get lost in Thomas stories, he seemed fully invested in everything he spoke of and when listening he truly captured every word. Ayato, though not as vocal as Thoma when he did speak his words were like a maze you'd have to do a small mental puzzle to understand if they were a wise response or a guileful remark coming from his teasing nature. Though harder to understand, Ayato's words were still a welcoming part of the conversation as the three of you went on to drink and share. 

Ayato shuffled his papers, putting them to the side, even on his supposed break he was reading through documents, Thoma hummed, took a quick look around then returned his gaze on Ayato.

“Where is Lady Ayaka? I thought you two were having this tea break to discuss something.”

Oh wait… Ayaka…

“Yes, she received a letter from the traveller today and was eager to share it, haha she truly is fascinated with that adventurer. She's not here at the moment however, she's gone to speak with Yoimiya. She says Yoimiya will be taking a trip to Sumeru in the future and has gone to ask if she may join.”

“Oh that's wonderful!-” Thoma hesitated, “Oh but doesn't she have some important meetings lined up these coming months with the shrine? There were those exchanges that need to be made, some deliberations about the upcoming festivals… as supportive as I am about her going on a trip, it doesn't seem doable with just how much is installed for these next 3 or 4 months.”

Oh Thoma you are truly a blessing, not only are you a true friend but you reestablished that the ‘plot’ wont change. You mouth a soundless thanks to him. 

Ayato hummed and tapped his quill* rhythmically on the table. “That is true but I want Ayaka to enjoy her years and not only focus herself on clan affairs, this trip is a good first opportunity to see the world outside Inazuma and with Yoiymiya as her travel partner I do not doubt they will have a good time. As for the workload-” Ayato reached over to the paper stack and shifted through them, “I was busying myself with planning and rearranging the meetings and visits she had in the time I expect her departure will be. It is more work but it will be rewarding, you'll see.”

Thoma seemed confused, it seemed from the look on his face he was doing the same as you when it comes to Ayato's words, figuring out the puzzle but if there was an underlying meaning to his words you didn't detect them, Ayato was simply stating facts and expectations yet Thomas silence ment he was looking for more than just that. Whatever mental games Thoma was tackling he must have failed, he chuckled and melted back into his relaxed self. 

“I'm glad then, it will be good for her.”

No… no this isn't right. There will be something, something will stop her from going, there must be. 

“mhm, I only await to hear back from her and her meet with Yoiymiya, I don't see any reason why she would decline.”

Yoiymiya will decline, she will, she must. 

“oh? Are you okay?” Ayato looks at you in concern, he puts his quill* down and gives you his full attention. 

“Is something the matter? Whatever it is, I am sure we can address it.”

“No, no its okay I just realised- I had some serious stuff to do for work which i've forgotten.” 

Ayato's face turns to mock surprise, you know he didn't believe you but he doesn't comment on it, Thoma does the same but you can detect the small quiver of his smile in disappointment that you are leaving so soon.

“Oh dear! Do you need help getting back home?”

“no no, i'll be fine thank you” you rush to stand up and then smile down to the two. “Thank you for today but I must go. Enjoy your afternoon.” you rush pleasantries and are out the gate before the two could press you further on your actions. 

You've done it again, you came here to try to fix things but you've just made a mess. You can try to fix it tomorrow, for now the more pressing thoughts of the potential Sumeru trip Ayaka will go on drowned out any other thoughts. You walk home rushed, the long walk not helping much to ease your nerves, you can only hope fate will prevail and Ayaka will stay in Inazuma. 

Ayato and Thoma sat in silence as you left, mutual understanding of the odd nature of your departure yet not wanting to address it.

“So… your ‘walk’ was fruitful then?”

“Just a few stray Hilichurls and a Fatui mage but it's been sorted.”

“Thoma, you know securing the perimeter is not part of your duties, you needn't lie about the reasoning for going out.”

Thoma did not respond. 

Ayato breathed in deeply, “I am not opposed to you going out to release your emotions but I worry you may get caught up in them only to further feed into your obsessions.”

“I'm not obsessed! I'm just-” he grit his teeth in his own turmoil, “I don't want to label these feelings as ‘obsession’, that wouldn't be right to them. I don't know, I still don't know. When they stopped talking to me it felt like I'd lose them forever, that everyday I don’t see them with my own eyes is a day that they may disappear and I know that sounds obsessive but… but I don't want to call it that. I just don't…”

Ayato soaked up his friend's words like a sponge and as always his responses were either clear or muddled with undertone, this time Thoma could tell instantly Ayato's words were transparent.

“You need not worry yourself about labelling your feelings then, you two are back in contact and there is still a future for you to explore what the emotions you are holding mean. Just do not lose sight of your health and those around you, even obsession can be tamed. “

The next few months were both easier and harder than the times you were avoiding Thoma. Sure, you lessened your workload and your health improved, you stayed in contact with Thoma, not as much as before but still enough to bond over. It was good to have a friend again and the feeling was mutual, every time you did meet he seemed eager to enjoy it to its fullest. You had even met with Ayato a few more times, never to the extent of Thoma but at least it became comfortable to sit and have tea with the both of them in a relaxed manner but that was the positives, the looming threat of Ayaka changing the plot was a heavy cloud always looming. The few occasions she saw you she was cordial and respectful but her interest glossed right over like you didn't even exist. She and Yoimiya made plans, fulfilled the work she could and now here you stand on the beach you woke up on exactly 2 years ago, 2 years since you randomly came to be here in Teyvat, the same day fate was changed and both Yoimiya and Ayaka were set sail for Sumeru. 

In blunt terms, youve fucked up. This was pure proof of your paranoia, this was proof your existence can cause the plot to change and the realisation of just how helpless you are in this situation dawned on you. The very act of your existence, whether you interact with those deemed ‘special’ or not, can and will change the story and you can only wonder if it will end well or if you've led something to doom. 

It's not fair, it's not fair at all. Even though you've been friendly with Thoma recently it's not like you can truly confide in him and he's just a painful reminder of your mistakes. The burden of wearing this responsibility, one you didn't even know how to fulfil, one you failed to fulfil, it's unfair. You are only human, you have needs to fulfil and ‘dying’ isn't one of them…

But 

But is it moral to be so selfish as to care about your own being when putting the risk of others on the line? Ayaka is gone from Inazuma, just how many people was she meant to interact with if she stayed? How will her presence in Sumeru affect the story? If you guess right the ‘hero' should be done with the main quest of Sumeru if it means Yoimiyas story quest can start but what if something happens that prohibits the plot for future stories? What of Ayakas presence delays the ‘hero’, even for a minute, in which that minute was originally meant for something in the greater scheme of things? 

This is awful… this isn't right. Not only has living become so difficult because of the constant nagging of anxieties and worries but you also have the potential to be responsible for disaster simply by existing. 

It isn't right… it isn't right you afflict this world with your existence and the threat it brings. 

Two years ago when you awoke on this beach you hoped to retain a normal life, perhaps find a way back home but at the very least, set up a life for yourself, an npc life but at least something. It's only fitting that you felt you had to come here, to kneel in the sand and watch how its granules slip through your fingers, it's because you exist that this sand is moving… it's only fitting that you finally come to the conclusion that you must die while being here. This is the place of your ‘birth’ into this world, perhaps it can be the place of your death as well. Not ‘death’, not some convoluted meaning of ‘dying' and becoming a new person, no you need to die. You need to die to ensure the people of Teyvat can remain on course. You are the virus here, you are the disease you need… you need to die.

Tears ran down your cheeks at such a resolute statement, sure youve thought about it all but now and truly you've decided that this is it, that you must do this. It's not like you want to die, not on a personal scale, but on a mental and emotional scale all this is too much, too much to bear and too much to live through. 

It's not fair to leave the people you've so selfishly afflicted with your presence without giving them a reason but you are too much of a coward to tell it to their face. It wouldnt go well if you were to stand infront of Thoma and tell him you were going to kill yourself, thats for sure but at the very least he could get some form of an explanation. 

You decide tonight is not the night you die, that would be tomorrow, you stand up from the ground and walk home, the weight of your choice still as raw as the moment you decide it, death is no light matter after all. 

You get home, a small space a person like yourself could afford, only the basics of furniture and 2 rooms. There under your door lay a letter, you pick it up and sit at your table where unblemished paper sat to become future suicide notes. Taking a look at the letter it was sealed in wax, the crest of the Kamisato Clan dug into its mass. 

You open it,

‘Dearist   XXXX

May this letter find you well. Both Thoma and myself wish to invite you for a stay at the Kamisato Clan as both a guest and a friend. The changing season brings a beautiful opportunity to witness it first hand as the trees take on their new hues and the oceans change their tides, you are welcomed to join us. Thoma sends his best wishes but asks for them to properly be said in person rather than in post. We eagerly await your response. 

Signed

Ayato’

Haha… how casual for a man like him… haha… haha here you are preparing to write letters announcing your death to them and yet they think only of including you in their lives. Haha… how horrible, how utterly vile it is to be able to experience emotions such as these. These feelings only prove your point more. You put the letter to the side and stared blankly at the response you are going to reply with, oh of only it were as optimistic and welcoming as theirs was.

You tried to make it easy for both yourself and those intended to read it. You state that the mistakes of your past have lay heavy on you and that death is the only relief, that you are sorry you cannot return the sentiment of friendship and must lay your mistakes to rest.

To Thoma you leave a more personal note, telling him that he made your life here in Inazuma so much better, that it was only in the moments with him you forgot your ‘mistakes’ for even a moment and for that you are grateful. It's true, it's only Thoma who made you forget the fact you don't belong here when you spend time with him. Sending this letter to him is assured to rip his heart, he sees you as a friend and he's going to beat himself at the thought that he did not help you enough to make you feel you'd want to stay, that he wasn't a good friend, which is not true at all but you know there is little you can do to convince him otherwise. In a moment of distressed induced vulnerability, with tears in your eyes you state something so cliche as that perhaps in another life you two may be able to have the friendship you both craved in this life, if only there is a case of reincarnation and you may be born in the same universe as him and live that life with no burdens or guilt of your existence. 

To Ayato you are more cordial, less emotional or descriptive but you tell him that he was right on that day in the rain, that there is a deeper problem than you just being ‘introverted’, otherwise you keep it professional. 

After the hardest two were done it was rather simple, it's not like you have any friends or family to write to and sending a letter to the street vendor you buy from doesnt make sense. You do write a letter and tell your boss that you simply will not be returning to work, you don't say why, and that you thank him for all the opportunities and help he has given you. 

For once it was easy to fall asleep, for the first time in 2 years the moment you lay your head on your pillow you were unconscious. For once you've felt the release of the burden you feel and the comfort that will come when your plague on this world is done. You are so tired and finally you can rest. 

The next day went on simply, it was a weekday and you went to work, in the afternoon you submitted your letters to the post and walked back home, taking in the scenery of Inazuma. This will be the last time you walk these streets. You wait at home quietly, have a decent meal and enjoy the sounds from outside of leaves and people. You felt in an odd state all the way through the day, like your senses were hypersensitive noticing the slightest thing around you which was lovely. You got to focus on the squirrles you passed on your way to work, the smell of baked bread smelled heavenly once again like it had the first day you were in the bakery, the pink and purple blossoms of the trees were so vibrant on your way home. You had given the shop vendor a smile and a wave as you passed her, that day you felt no burden, no grief. You only had one more step to take, the hard part was already over with. 

In the late evening you stood by that beach again, the view was incredible. You sat down in the sand and got comfortable leaning against a rock and letting the tide touch the tips of your toes. You were naughty today, you bought enough substances from clinics or herb stands to be sure you felt good in your last moments. You took them quickly and then rested your head back against the rock, letting the sound of waves softly crashing, leaves rustling and the odd animal chirp lull your mind. It took some effort not to fall asleep just yet, you blinked your eyes harshly and woke yourself up a bit. This part was slightly uncomfortable, the beach you woke up on had a slight cliff, nothing you'd die by jumping off of, it was just a little steep incline but it was enough. You took a large rock from nearby and rolled it closer to the edge, tying a rope around and around your ankle. Drowning didn't seem like a peaceful death but at least like this your body can be washed into the sea where it can decay in peace without traumatising a random person strolling the beach. You relaxed and took out the large knife you had brought with you. Bleeding out decreases the time by knocking yourself out and not having enough energy to wake up in the water and struggle. You should be numb enough now. You closed your eyes and cut lengthwise, both arms, a leg… you tried your neck but even drugged up that was beyond doable. You didn't even register when you had stopped, you didn't see the blood flowing or feel the pain as it pooled, slowly your will died out as everything became hazed. It was a feeling, not a good or bad one, you couldn't even think. You felt the weight on your ankle tug, your consciousness dropping and allowing the gravity to pull you away. Black. 

#yahooworks #genshin x gn reader #x gender neutral reader #genshin impact ayato #genshin thoma #yandere male #genshin x reader #yandere thoma x reader #yandere ayato x reader #yandere ayato #yandere thoma #genshin x female reader #genshin x male reader

[sweetlikehoneystingslikeabee]

silly hc idea for the riddlers. What do you think it'd be like if the riddlers who have voice actors/actors met their actors? Do you think they'd be appreciative? Freaked out?

Riddlers meet their actors

Short and sweet but this is way too cute

Tw: fourth wall breaking, meta, unreality/dpdr, surveillance

Gotham

- Considering the canon (that I ignore mostly because it's done so poorly) that hes got a split personality he's talked to, it probably wouldn't go well? Lots of animosity. Like a dog growling at its reflection.

- IGNORING THAT THOUGH. He'd start quizzing him and giving him riddles since this is obviously a fake. A trick someone is playing on him.

- if he found out it was real, he'd be super apologetic and calling him Mr.

- oh god does that mean there's actors for penguin and zsasz as well? They must be more pleasant than the on screen counterparts, at least.

60s

- Between Edward's riddles and puns and Mr. Gorshins stand up, the crime fighting duo is going to be seeing double! But this isn't about them.

- given this riddler is kind of a cinemaphile, there would be so many acting questions. Favorite movie? Who is the most famous person he's worked with (besides him, obviously)? He's quite good at acting and impressions himself, as Frank Gorshin would already know.

Zero year

- Get fucked, Edward, you have no VA or actor. That will however not stop him from harassing the writer and artist. His plan was failproof! How did this GUY beat him? And he can't just read who Batman is because then it'll be like he couldn't figure it out on his own. Ugh!

- He is going to red marker a copy of Zero Year showing every unflattering panel. See that expression where it looks like he has a double chin? That has to go, fellas!

- He tells them to do a better job next time. Because there WILL be a next time. He's simply the best riddler there could be! And no, not with the mohawk, get that out of here.

BTAS

- Civilized conversation after a brief "How strange, you can imitate me- OH-" Well, perhaps you should have pushed for more riddler episodes. His brilliant mind should be on display after all!

- sorry its been...... its been how many years since the show has been on...? Of COURSE he knew that. It was just a surprise hearing it. Right now.

- well. Other than that, he's going to ask about the family, his husband, as is only polite. Then about the other voices. Working with them and-

- sorry, joker is luke skywalker?

Telltale

- It should only make sense that his voice actor should be so skilled with a long variety of credits. Perhaps he has this skill as well and he didn't even realize it!

- German is a surprising accent he didn't know he could do. That will definitely come into play at a later date if he needs to hide his voice.

Arkham

- He can't handle this. The realization he's just pixels in programming- He's so much GRANDER than this! Yes, yes, you've done a great job, whatever, he has much more concerning things to deal with. He'll spare you, Wally, simply because without you his voice wouldn't be.

- this ultimately turns into him becoming the nastiest virus that figures out how to spread to any device that can access wifi. In this new world, there's nothing he can't see or control...

2022

- honestly I think he'd be terrified. Who is this well-adjusted man with his face? He's an ACTOR? People pay to see this face? His worthless, disgusting-

- wait he has fans?

- it all goes downhill from there. Abduction, probably like when Joker abducted Mark Hamil in that one special.

- He will flip when he finds out Paul Dano wrote his origin comics. Someone who knows him so well better than ANYONE else on this wretched world.

#riddler #gotham #btas riddler #arkham riddler #zero year riddler #riddler 2022 #telltale riddler #60s Riddler #foxwriting

[lynzishell]

✨Simblr New Years Resolutions 2024✨

Alright guys! I'm doing it, look at me go!

💖TYSM for tagging me: @igglemouse, @thewoodslegacy, @theosconfessions, @bloomingkyras, @stargazer-sims, @bubblepopsims 💖 (if I missed anyone, I'm sorry, feel free to yell at me lol)

What's your Resolution for your Simblr? Ohhh I have so many!!

Continue to stay consistent with my Star Sign story

I want to create character profiles for each of the main 4 (to start)

And summaries for each Part

Maybe add a little gameplay series (TBA)

And to keep up on all of your amazing stories and creations the best I can cos you all inspire me everyday!

What do you want from the Sims Franchise?

Gonna keep this simple... BANDS. I've gone on this soap box a million times, so I'll spare you... but basically music in general needs a complete overhaul + new instruments + bands and music groups and orchestra etc etc + omg CAS for different genres and BB for venues + a new big city world ... okay okay I wasn't gonna do this, but you get the idea. I just can't believe nothing like this has happened yet.

Any other New Years Resolutions?

I'm really focused on writing... I want to improve and start working on my own story (vs my current one based on legacy rules)... something more plot based. It's not something I'll complete this year, but I want to keep practicing and learning and growing.

Other resolutions I'm going to keep personal, but this year is going to be full of changes for me... I'll just leave it at that.

I'm going to tag: @edylin31, @passionate-pixels, @aheathen-conceivably, @cassandragoth26, @mdshh, @sirianasims, @zosa95

If you've already done it, or don't feel like doing it, then feel free to ignore! And if you haven't done this, but want to, then please do it and say I tagged you 🫶

#simblr resolutions #tag game

[pinkjersey]

to my word now i'll be true

@cycleprompttuesday: "read"

also on ao3.

it should, maybe, be a bit concerning, your inability to say no to him.

attack with me tomorrow, he jokes, as you both catch your breath on the rollers, side by side like always. it’s a mountain stage tomorrow, the last of the tour. there are dark circles under his eye that match yours, but he’s smiling, just a little - and this is the moment, you will think later, when you doomed yourself. you would do anything, for that smile, even push yourself up a mountain on a stage that no longer means anything for you. 

come to my hotel tonight, he asks, one hand wrapped around your wrist and his thumb brushing against your pulse point. he’s pulled you aside, behind the podium, with pollen on the shoulder of his jersey, a flush in his cheeks, and the roaring of the crowd still ringing in your ears. it is no small thing, what tadej's asking of you. it’s no small thing, the answer you will give him. his eyes are big and blue and beautiful, and you are helpless.

don't leave yet, he murmurs into your skin, after your heart rate has returned to normal and his hands have mapped what feels like every square centimeter of your body. your phone beeps insistently, where you flung your bag in the corner earlier, in your impatience. tadej's face is tucked into your shoulder and his lips mouth lazily along the line of your neck. it feels nice, you can admit that to yourself. you want it, and his lips are very insistent.

visit me in monaco, he urges, his voice slightly distorted through the phone speaker and his face pixelated, just a little, through the terrible hotel wifi. it’s not a question, this time. tadej's gotten more confident, more sure of what this is between you. there’s no need to look at your calendar to know you’re booked the entire week he suggests. you think of salty air and french mountains and your hands in his hair. there’s no need to hesitate before you agree anyway.

come to bed, he whines from where he’s huddled under multiple blankets and a mountain of pillows. you turn another page - only four more before the end. shuffling, the rustle of sheets, arms around your neck. three more pages. before him you didn’t understand how good it could sound, your name whispered in your ear. two more pages. hercule poirot is revealing how he solved the murder, and tadej is revealing just how determined he can be. one more page. his tongue brushes the side of your neck. the book slams shut.

race with me, he calls, before he’s flying away from you up another mountain. he says it’s his favorite, but it’s also the fourth time he’s said that this week. he turns back to you, question and challenge and hope all rolled into one. you look at your garmin, where your carefully calculated numbers look balefully back at you, giving neither judgment nor encouragement. none is needed. the burning in your legs is nothing to the sound of his laughter when you catch him.

read to me, he pleads, fisting a hand in your tshirt but not looking at you. it’s been a bad day, you’ve known that much since he turned up on your doorstep with no warning. you haven’t asked any more questions. he will tell you when he’s ready. the book on your nightstand is a mystery, one you’re nearly finished with, but tadej will complain, tomorrow, if you don’t start it from the beginning. his breath is warm on your neck, and he is asleep before the first chapter is over.

let me see you, he begs, over text and phone and video call. it’s almost a surprise to you, that he has not yet booked a flight and turned up unexpectedly. you know tadej's schedule almost as well as your own, and you know he does not have the time. you know he’ll make the time. he’s crying, on the phone and over the video call, and surely uae can spare him for a day or two. you don’t want to be coddled, but it would be nice, to see him.

stay with me, he says, so quietly you almost don't hear it over the rush of the waterfall. his hand is tight in yours and his eyes are bright and he's looking at you like you're something wondrous to behold. you don't point out that he's the one who drove here, so you couldn't leave even if you wanted to. you don't remind him that you have a flight back to switzerland in three days. that's not really what tadej is asking. you don't have the words for him, but he doesn't seem to need them. the way you kiss him is answer enough.

it should, maybe, be a bit concerning, your inability to say no to him. you don't care anymore.

#did i write another second person tadejonas ficlet for the weekly prompt? yes. yes i did. #what if i wrote something

[dustyratt]

Hey I hope you’re doing okay! Ive been stalking your page for a while! I’m in the same process of making a visual novel! I was wondering how you do the AI+Sims 4 without it looking you know jacked up! Would love to know your progress!

Hold your hats everyone, i'll be explaining in details...

I was quite sceptical about AI previously. It felt like I'm being replaced with something monstrous, artificial - the imitation of life that's superior me on every single parameter. The sudden sting of a guilt for years of seemingly vain trials and tribulations. Was it all just for nothing? I believe everyone of us came to that question sooner or later. But here I stand telling you how to make a machine fulfill your demands.

First thing. The machine loves precise. From my personal experience, a better formed human wish grants a better machinery result. A less formed wish gives it a choice. Think beforehand, seek the patterns (keywords) that may help you sustain the artstyle throughout the workflow.

Tell the AI what it needs to do. Give it a reference image and explain how you want it to be changed. For example, I want this alien dude becoming a:

"A visually ominous face of an eyeless humanoid creature. This divine image, resembling a digitally rendered painting, showcases the ancient Egyptian god of chaos in detail: sharp chin and cheekbones, dark gray and beige skin, shimmering with pulsating rainbow hues, blood is visibly circulating under his translucent, cadaverous skin. His mouth with tightened teeth grins menacingly. The overall composition is dynamic and captivating, evoking a sense of fear, malevolent power and impending chaos". That will be my prompt. If you're lacking skills then put your hands on other's results, copy their prompts and reshape according to your needs.

Oh. Not so eyeless. Let's give it less of a free will shall we?

Better now! Sadly the eyes are in place, as you can see it is not perfect even with precise input. Now let's make about 5-10 generations with same settings. It may take time to pass a cooldown after you'll run out of tokens, so be patient. If you have absolutely no spare money to buy a decent amount of generations (or if the transactions themselves are banned in your country 👍) and your enthusiasm is on pathetically vigorous level join me on free trial option almost any of the AI sites provide. That is fair exchange - money or your time.

You get what I mean? It could be anything shaped into another anything. Put here your sim, order a nice shot - here you go! Make something out of nothing with the power of words. Make a human being... some kind of.

Hooray! Not only we have the result we craved for but a whole bunch of reusable high-quality textures of various nature.

Our next step: we go in a deep dark lair of creator's mind. Hm-m, I'd correct here and there, erased that part and attached that one... Now we play "compile your Frankenstein out of everything that is not in its place". Of course a machine is not yet on the level where there wouldn't be a possibility to distinct its presence. So to hide these little (big, actually) inconsistencies we use a power of photo editing. Grab your software. With the power given to you by the sense of vision eliminate the overgrowing fingers and fight back mutilated teeth clumps.

Meet my favourite one hundred percent AI generated method. Generate a simple low quality image free and effortlessly (I use Craiyon, the perfect weapon)

Let another AI add the details for you. Catches the concept just great. Though it does not mean no handiwork after.

You can stylize it even further. Here you can see AI generated monster dudes crispy pixelated after a luxurious tour into pixelart AI. Good thing for a pixel indie gamestyle.

So, that's it. The secret is basically in your own hands. Acknowledge the style of your game, follow it while generating contents and patch up the AI mistakes.

+ zero investments

+ compensation for a lack of skills / hardware

+ easy to use

- even more work than if you would do all the same without AI

- straight dependence on sites / chat-bots, etc.

- time consuming

- many limitations (forget this if you're not on a free subscription... wait a second that abolish the first plus too!)

Hope it was helpful!

#ask box #sims 4 tutorial