#howie needs a last name!

[leviackermanscleaningbuddy]

SKZ DRABBLE-BANG CHAN

A loose retelling of Hades and Persephone-modernized and darker than before, but beautiful all the same.

A/N: I'm not happy with this. But you guys can have it anyway.

Tags: SKZ, Stray Kids, Stay, Bang Chan, Chan, Christopher, Christopher Bang, Y/N, Femreader, Chan as Hades, Y/N as Persephone, Underworld, Greek Mythology, Hades and Persephone, Smut, Fluff, Angst, Chan x you, Chan x reader, Chan x y/n, SKZ x you, SKZ x reader, Other members make guest appearances as various Greek gods, Greek Gods

Genre: Fluff, Smut, Angst

Warnings: Underworld Shit, Dark Undertones, Underhanded God and Mortal shit and dealings, Death, Dying, Triggering Themes, Toxic Relationships (not main characters), Chan's fucking in love with reader to the point of obsession.

Playlist:

🌸I’ll Be Damned-Gavn

🌸Seven Nation Army-Stevie Howie

🌸Call Me-ShineDown

🌸Granite-Sleep Token

🌸Say Don't Go (Taylor's Version)-Taylor Swift

Title: Every Last Seed

He goes by many names.

He always has.

Hades.

Ploutos.

King of the Underworld.

God of the Dead.

Bringer of Death.

Lord of Darkness.

But by far, his favorite name is the one that only you are allowed, dripping from your lips, soft and sweet, like honey, like a deadly nectar he's become addicted to-

Mine.

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"Where the fuck is he?" Chan storms through the door to his office, terrifying the wraith he employs as his secretary, her throat jumping with a gulp, as she straightens her glasses, and clasps her clipboard to her opaque chest.

"Ah, sir, I was just asking his Lordship if he'd prefer tea or coffee-"

"No need." Chan growls, not even bothering to look in her direction. "He won't be staying."

Hyunjin grins from his position behind Chan's overly large desk, his feet planted directly in the middle of some important treaties Chan had been working on the day before for some particularly pesky mortals.

"Ah, is that any way to treat your baby brother, Channie?"

His given name. The only ones who dare call him by that name are his brothers and you.

Everyone else just refers to him by the name the mortals gifted him when he became God of the Dead eons ago-Hades.

Chan stalks toward his brother's reclined form and promptly shoves his feet off the desk with a little bit more force than necessary.

"The perfect way, actually. Especially when said brother is impeaching on my very valuable and limited time, uninvited, I might add."

Hyunjin sniffs, straightening the highly expensive baby blue suit he wears, and plants his feet firmly on the ground, swiveling in Chan's chair to face him.

He tucks a strand of his golden hair back behind his ear and levels Chan with a self important look that makes him grind his teeth in agitation.

"Fine. You obviously want me to get straight to the point, so I will."

Chan feels a muscle tick in his jaw as he taps his foot impatiently, motioning with his hand for the man before him to continue.

"Great. What is it?"

Hyunjin sighs, making a show of straightening the crown on his brow, and then he gives Chan a grimace which he tries to soften with a halfhearted smile that Chan sees through immediately.

It makes his clench his fingers into fists at his side.

"How's the new little wife, hm, big brother? Satisfactory, I presume?"

Chan feels himself prickle at the mention of you, but he keeps his expression unreadable, dark, as he stares back at his clearly prodding brother.

"Fine. Anything else? Or did you travel all the way here and risk your wife's wrath just to ask me how my honeymoon was?"

Hyunjin blanches at the mention of Hera, and clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable now in the face of Chan's obvious ire.

"Yes, well-" He stands up, planting his hands flat on Chan's desk and leaning toward him, as if to appear intimidating.

Chan wants to laugh at the pathetic display.

"-there's been a problem. I'm sure you've noticed the influx of extra souls ever since you uh, tied the knot, without her mother's permission?"

He fidgets nervously under Chan's unwavering, blank stare.

Tugging at the collar of his expensive suit once more, Chan watches as his younger brother, the supposed God of the Gods, seems to wilt under his penetrating gaze.

Finally, he sighs heavily, and seems to implore Chan to give him something, anything, he can work with.

"Her mother's fucking pissed with you, Channie, all right? I'll just come out and say it. I need you to fix this."

Chan remains unmoving, stoic, in the face of his brother's obvious plea.

After another moment of silence, Hyunjin throws his hands outward and exclaims with obvious exasperation, "C'mon, help me out here. Lord knows I've helped you in the past when you asked."

Chan arches a brow. "Helped me?"

His voice is flat, cold, deadly, and Hyunjin winces subtly.

"Okay, listen-" He holds up his hands, as if the weak gesture of peace will stop Chan's building fury. "-you know the delicate balance we have between the mortals. We worked decades for that, and if Demeter keeps fucking offing them left and right, just to spite and overwork you, and the Underworld, we're gonna have a much bigger fucking problem on our hands than a petty little feud between you and your recently acquired mother in law."

Chan hates to admit it, but Hyunjin's right, as much as it pains him to agree.

Fucking Demeter and the chip on her shoulder toward him.

God forbid, her perfect, innocent, naive daughter-the goddess of Spring-fall in love with someone as twisted and dark and wicked as Chan-god of the dead and ruler of the Underworld.

No, the Goddess of Harvest was not bound to let this go lightly, and it seemed he needed to put a stop to this before it ever really began.

A few extra mortal souls on his workload was nothing really, but if she even thought about dissuading you-

Chan pinches the bridge of his nose and screws his eyes shut. He can feel a headache building.

"Fine." He grits out, and he can practically hear Hyunjin breathe a sigh of relief. "I'll handle it."

Ignoring his brother and his babbled platitudes of thanks, he steps toward the window and looks down over the city below, flickering to life beneath the coming darkness.

"But know this-" He turns and levels Hyunjin with a dangerous, black gaze. "-if I even hear a whisper of you and Demeter's little foolish escapades putting my wife in danger, I will end you both without a second thought and with one snap of my fingers."

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He still remembered the first time he ever laid eyes on you. How could he forget?

Attending one of his younger brothers garish and old fashioned parties-he'd thought they'd stopped doing these kinds of things centuries ago-he'd been dragged over to rub shoulders with some of the greats, one stiff tuxedo away from going the fuck home where he belonged.

And then, he'd seen you, hidden in Demeter's shadow- though nothing could truly hide your exquisite and rare beauty, not even your mother's sour, pinched expression-and his feet had moved toward you without permission, as if drawn by an invisible thread of fate.

Your mother had looked at him as he approached with such disdain it would've set him on fire had he not been a god, but he'd ignored her, striding boldly forward through the party goers until he stood directly in front of you.

"Hades." Demeter had hissed in greeting, dark hatred flashing in her eyes as she'd put a protective arm out in front of you.

You stared up at him with the biggest, most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen, and extended one slender, soft hand out toward him, breaching the threshold of your mother's protection without a second thought, as if you could feel the tug of the persistent string too.

"Persephone." You had whispered, than blushed, your cheeks going red, as his fingers found yours. "Or Kore. O-or (Y/N). Whatever is to your liking, your highness."

Your hand was like velvet-warm and silky in his own-and his fingers dwarfed yours, making them feel delicate and almost fragile in his grip.

"I know who you are, Goddess of Spring." He had replied, with far more confidence in his low tone than his quivering gut felt in the moment.

Your expression had flashed surprise at his words, and you glanced away under his direct gaze, red, full lips parted, cheeks taking on an even deeper hue of scarlet.

The look of sudden shy demureness on your features intoxicated him, and his dick immediately took notice.

"I am honored that one such as yourself, your highness, has taken notice of me already."

He had cleared his throat, subtly adjusting himself in his too expensive slacks-some high end shit Hyunjin had insisted he wear-at the soft tone of pleasure your voice took on at his attention, and finally, reluctantly released your hand, even as Demeter ushered you back behind her looming form.

"We really must be going." Her expression went from pinched to furious as his eyes lingered on you just a bit longer than necessary. She ushered you away. "Say goodbye, Kore."

"Goodbye." You had murmured, eyes flitting up to his briefly, before you let your mother lead you away and out of his sight.

Chan took his leave shortly after, giving Hyunjin some bullshit excuse of the Underworld not running itself, and had hightailed it home, his skin itching beneath the ridiculous suit he wore, and his hard-on aching for a release.

That night, he came with his cock in hand, and your name on his lips.

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He arrives home to find you in the garden, kneeling in the dirt, fingers dug deep into the soil.

It's a common occurrence, a sight he's grown used to, but he still pauses, watching you silently for a few moments, enjoying the way your hair falls around your face, the way the curves of your body are accentuated against the early evening light.

Cerberus notices him first, raising his giant, blocky head from his paws where he lays beside you next to the garden plot, ears erect. His thick tail thumps the ground-once, twice-at the sight of Chan and you glance up, following the dog's gaze.

Chan steps from the shadows, and the most gorgeous smile he's ever seen graces your features as soon as you catch sight of him.

It takes his breath away, and as you stand, brushing the dirt from the dress you wear, he thinks, not for the first time, that you're the most fucking beautiful thing he's ever had the pleasure of calling his own.

"Channie." You breathe sweetly, throwing your arms around his neck as he draws closer, burying your face in the juncture of his throat. "You're home."

"I am." He agrees, wrapping you tightly in his embrace, taking a moment to let his nose skim your hair, the smell of blossoms and springtime filling his senses.

You pull back, just enough to gaze up at him, and he lets his finger go beneath your chin, holding you there, so he can study and memorize, once again, every single intoxicating line of your features.

Your lips quirk into the start of a smile, as if you know what he's doing, but you don't say anything.

He's grateful for that.

"Did you have a good day?" You ask softly, your breath warm on his fingers, as he traces the part of your full, soft lips.

"Eh." He lifts one shoulder into a shrug and lets it fall back down heavily. "Not as good a day as I would've had staying here with you, little blossom."

You arch a brow, and he sees it, the stubborn expression wash across your face that lets him know you know he's trying to deflect.

You put your hands on your hips and stare him down, and he resists the urge to lean forward and kiss the tip of your nose.

Fuck, you're adorable.

"I heard Zeus came to see you."

"Is that so?" He questions, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, as he watches you hold your ground.

He leans forward, fingering one of the loose strands of hair that frames your face, before he lets his gaze dip to your throat, the golden chain you always wear dipping tantalizingly out of his line of sight where it disappears between the swell of your breasts.

"You're correct." He acquiesces, his fingers itching now to reach up and tug the chain free, so he can dangle the wedding ring he knows lies safely between your breasts between the two of you, just so he can remind himself who you belong to once more.

His dick swells at the thought.

He clears his throat, and brings his gaze reluctantly up to meet yours once more, noting the dark flash of stubbornness that washes across your eyes.

"However." He smirks now, stepping closer, letting his hand gently close around your throat, your pulse thready beneath his palm, like a fluttering bird beating against the bars of a cage. "I don't really want to talk about my brother right now, do you?"

He leans forward, and begins to suck kisses along the column of your throat, and you giggle, batting him away and stepping back before he can distract you further.

"Channie." You whine, putting your hands once again on the swell of your hips, and he thinks, not for the first time, that your delicious curves are going to be the death of him one day. "I'm serious."

He sighs, and tries to ignore the hardness of his eager dick between his thighs, knowing you're not going to let him off the hook-or let him fuck you dumb-until he's told you what Hyunjin wanted.

"Fine." He sighs again, and drops onto one of the many benches he had had installed in the garden solely for the purpose of watching you do what you love most.

You step toward him, and he opens his legs so you can slide between them, putting your hands on his shoulders as his fingers find your hips through the thin material of your dress.

"Tell me." You insist, staring down at him and Chan tilts his head back to look at you, arching a brow at your commanding tone.

"Goddess of Spring, are you really telling the Lord of the Underworld what to do?"

An amused smirk flickers across his lips at the look of exasperation that crosses your features.

You stick your tongue out at him, and he chuckles, tugging you to him. You protest a little, but let him do it anyway, burying his face into your stomach, the soft feel of your dress caressing his skin.

He breathes in your perfume, once, twice, and then leans back, meeting your gaze.

"Your mother is throwing a little temper tantrum it seems."

Your eyes widen minutely, and Chan sees your lips flatten into a determined, serious line.

"Because of our marriage?"

Chan gives a slight nod. "It would seem so."

One of your hands clenches into a tight, white knuckled fist at your side, and your chest stutters with a sharp intake of breath.

Beyond your shoulder, a vine springs to life, fraught with large thorns, curling around a nearby tree, up and up, tight enough to strangle the bark beneath its hold.

Cerberus raises his head, scenting the sudden unease in the air, and lets out a small whine.

You take in a deep breath, and the vine begins to slowly retract its hold on the tree.

"Little blossom." Chan murmurs, tugging you down onto his lap, and encircling you in the safety of his arms, pressing a kiss to the crown of your head. "It's nothing to worry about, I promise you. I'll handle it."

He feels you shake your head beneath his chin.

"You shouldn't have to handle it. She's my mother. I need to stand up to her."

Chan glances beyond you as Cerberus whines again, and sees the vine's thorns growing dangerously long with your distress, piercing through the trunk of the tree, cracking the bark into splinters.

"Pet." Chan warns quietly, nudging your chin in the direction of the destruction. "Take a deep breath."

You gasp, and let the air out on a long, shuddering breath, and the vine halts its upward progress almost instantly as you collapse against Chan, slumping into his chest.

He can hear the tears in your voice when you whisper, "I'm sorry."

His finger finds your chin again, and he raises your watery gaze to his own.

"Never, and I mean never, apologize for the power you hold, my love. For it will bring gods and mortals alike to their knees, and one day, when they all pass beyond this life, you will be known as their queen."

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"You know, it's usually easier to get into the palace through the front door."

The unfamiliar, male voice startled you and you lost your hold on the branch you were currently coaxing toward the palace wall, snatching it up again with a curse just in time to stop yourself from tumbling all the way back to the ground below.

"Fuck." You glared over your shoulder, down to the newcomer, but could only make out a tall, dark silhouette, cloaked in a hood.

The man tilted his head, as if he was looking up at you, and you swore you could feel his smirk even through the darkness.

"Yes, thank you for the advice." You snapped back with a huff, already reaching out for the next branch as your magic grew it down toward your outstretched fingers. "But I think I'll stick with this."

"Suit yourself, little blossom." The mystery man leaned against the thick trunk of the tree, and crossed his arms over his chest, staring out at gods knows what.

You paused, catching your breath, and glared down at him, even though you're sure he can't see you.

"Don't call me that."

You saw his chest rise and fall in a silent laugh. "Why?"

"Because." You huffed, reaching for another branch, out of breath as you work around the gods awful gown your mother had insisted you wear to visit Olympus. "I don't know you."

"Oh, but I think you do."

You paused to consider his words, racking your brain for anyone you knew in Olympus well enough to give you a nickname, and came up with no one. Your mother didn't let you visit often from the mortal realm.

"I don't." You insisted, standing up on your tiptoes to try and reach the top ledge of the wall.

You heard the man chuckle again as you stretched-up, up, up-and just as your fingers had grazed the cool marble, your foot slipped off its hold on the branch below, and you tumbled, shrieking, back down through the tree and toward the hard ground.

You closed your eyes, waiting for the impact, but it never came.

Cracking open one eye, you stared straight into the face of the mystery man, safe in the warm, strong curve of his arms.

His hood had fallen back in the act of catching you, and your eyes widened as you recognized the handsome face before you.

Fucking. Hades.

Brother of Zeus.

God of the Dead.

He grinned at you, and arched a brow, reiterating softly, "But you do."

Your heart did one sharp staccato against your ribcage, as he set you carefully to your feet, and stepped back, and almost instantly, you missed the warmth of his skin against your own.

"Thank you for saving me." You stuttered out, curtsying deeply, now that you had your wits about you.

He chuckled, staring at you as you straightened back up, and you hoped it was dark enough to hide the blush staining your cheeks.

"Oh, I have no worries that if I wasn't here, little blossom, you would have saved yourself."

He motioned upward with a jut of his chin, and you followed his gaze to the tree, gasping as you saw a thick, dark green vine wrapped around its bulbous trunk, stretching down from the palace wall and to the ground below, curling around your feet.

When you glanced back to the man before you, he was already pulling his hood back up over his face, ready to disappear back into the blackness.

"Wait!" You called out before you could think better of it, and he stopped, cocking his head.

You swallowed hard, and took a step toward him.

"Will I see you again, your highness?"

You swore he smiled beneath the hood.

"Call it what you will, Goddess of Spring-fate, destiny, the will of the gods-but I think you and I will be seeing each other again very soon. Very soon indeed."

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"You can't have her, you know."

Changbin took another long sip of his drink, cheeks already rosy, and followed Chan's hungry gaze across the room to you, standing close by your mother's side.

He simply shrugged when Chan turned to shoot him a glare.

"Her mother would never allow it. She hates your fucking guts. Not to mention-" He leaned over and lowered his voice, as if he was telling Chan a secret. He could smell the liqueur on the younger god's breath. "-the whole 'Underworld Ruling' thing."

Chan is saved from having to respond by the appearance of Minho, flute of champagne in hand, look of annoyed disgust on his face, as he slid past the hulking god beside Chan and took a seat on the duvet across from them.

His brother glanced dismissively at Chanbin, leaning back to take another long swallow of his drink.

"Nephew."

Changbin grinned and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

"Uncle."

Minho arched a brow and his nose wrinkled slightly in open distaste. "Do you ever not wear armor?"

Changbin grinned bigger, and slapped a loud palm to the armor fitted perfectly to his broad chest.

"Of course not! I'm the God of War. Always have to be ready for anything, Uncle. You know how it is."

"I'm sure I don't." Minho sniffed, raising his champagne delicately to his lips, and taking a tiny sip. "The Ocean does not concern itself with the dealings of mortals. Let alone their trivial pursuits of war."

Changbin merely shrugged, and stood, slapping a powerful hand to Chan's shoulder, which sent him jolting forward in his seat, rubbing his offended arm and glaring up once more at the towering figure of his nephew.

"I'm off to find another drink. And maybe a few maidens." Changbin announced, giving Minho a mock salute, as the man stared him down with annoyed disdain. "Take care, uncles."

And with that, he was gone.

Minho's gaze flitted to Chan, and he took another long, slow sip of his drink.

Chan felt his eyes unwittingly pulled back to the other side of the room, but you had disappeared from view, probably dragged off by your mother for more introductions.

"I'm surprised you came."

Chan let his gaze drift back to his brother across from him, and offered him a tilt of his head in acknowledgement, reaching for his own glass of forgotten champagne.

"Yes, well, that makes both of us. I'd hoped to not find myself at another one of these damned archaic, presumptuous affairs for another eon or so."

The corner of Minho's lip flickered with amusement, and his eyes roamed past Chan to the dozens of gods and demi gods currently mingling on the expanse of Hyunjin's vast dance floor.

"Our baby brother is good for very few things, and throwing amusing soirees is indeed not one of them."

Chan felt his own lips quirk into the hint of a smirk, and he raised his glass to Minho in silent salute.

Minho tilts his own champagne in response, and they both take a deep draft of the shimmering, bubbly liquid.

His brothers were hard to tolerate on the best of days, but he'd always felt like Minho understood him just a little bit more than Hyunjin ever had.

Standing, Chan places down the now empty glass and nods to Minho in farewell.

"I've made an appearance. Now it's time to take my leave."

Minho watched him in silence for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face, and then with a flick of his fingers, he filled Chan's empty glass back up with water.

Chan stared at him, and he arched a brow.

"Drink some water before you go, brother. It'll help with the hangover tomorrow."

He sighed, reaching for the glass, and downed the water in one gulp.

"There. Happy?"

Minho's mouth flickered again. "Almost." He cocked his head, and let his gaze roam over Chan's body, as if he could see the way his muscles tensed, the way his mind swirled, already thinking about running into you on his way out.

When Chan went to move past him, Minho put an arm out, stopping him in his tracks.

"Careful, brother." Minho murmured, eyes dark and discerning, trapping him in place. "Interest is a fickle, fleeting thing, but obsession is fatal."

There was a beat of tense, deafening silence, Minho staring at him like he could see right through him.

Chan shook his head, and broke the spell.

"Thanks for the advice." Chan grunted, pushing past him without another glance, stalking toward the exit, not caring as he shouldered past the partygoers, earning himself a round of nasty looks.

The cold night air of Olympus embraced him as he pushed through the double doors and into the opulent garden beyond.

Unlike the swirling colors and lights and noise of the party inside, the garden was deserted at this time of night-dark and quiet and abandoned-just how he liked it.

Taking in a deep breath, holding it as the frigid air seared his lungs, Chan strode deeper into the garden, walking between the towering, shadowy rows of hedges, clearing his head.

The music had almost faded out of ear shot, when he heard it-a small, unfamiliar sound that immediately caught his attention.

He paused, freezing, and listening.

There it was again, just around the next bend, somewhere near the center of the hedge maze, beside the fountain he knew graced the large stone courtyard lined with benches hidden amongst the neatly trimmed foliage.

Taking another quiet step so he could round the corner, he heard it once more.

It almost sounded like-a gasp?

Chan came around the hedge quietly, on full alert, his footsteps silent, and as the fountain came into view, he caught sight of a figure leaning back on one of its edges on the other side, obscured through the haze of the water.

Another creeping step forward, still hidden by the shadows of the bushes, and the person came into view.

It was you-sitting on the marble edge of the fountain, dress hiked up around your knees, leaning forward as you focused on something intently.

Chan narrowed his eyes, trying to see what it was you were doing, and when he realized, as another little breathy moan left your lips and your wrist spasmed, he halted, feet suddenly leaden.

Gods above, you were touching yourself.

He should move, he should announce his presence, he should leave, he shouldn't be watching you in this very private, very vulnerable moment, but he can't seem to get himself to break the spell, watching you silently from the shadows of the hedge as you pleasure yourself.

You let out that sound again-a breathless sort of stifled release of breath-and Chan felt his dick start to swell in response, straining against the fine fabric of the slacks he wore.

You let your head fall back, eyes screwed closed, lips parted, as your fingers continue their work, and Chan's eyes are drawn to the way your chest heaves for breath, the perfect swell of your breasts straining against the corset you wear.

Suddenly, he can move again.

Stepping quietly from the shadows, he approached, moving to stand in front of you, and as if you could sense his sudden presence, his eyes on you, your eyelids fluttered open, your mouth forming a perfect 'o' of surprise as you caught sight of him.

"Y-your highness-" You stuttered out, cheeks immediately blooming pink, and Chan was enthralled by the way the rosy color spread rapidly down your chest.

You made a move to remove your fingers, tugging at your billowing skirts, but Chan held up a hand, his eyes meeting your own.

"No. Don't stop."

You froze, staring at him, wide eyed, like a fawn caught in the daylight, and he made an attempt to soften the gravel of his voice, repeating again, softer this time, "Keep going. Please."

You stared at him for another long moment, and he couldn't breathe, maybe you were going to run, maybe you were going to tell on him, what a pervert he'd been, maybe you were disgusted-

And then, slowly, eyes still holding his own, you let your fingers dip back beneath the folds of your gown.

He could tell the moment you made contact again, because your body stiffened, and that sound-the one that went right to his cock-passed your parted lips once more.

Chan watched you, mesmerized, as you let your fingers do the work, arching your body on the edge of the fountain to find the right angles, all the while, holding his gaze unwaveringly.

You were brave, he'd give you that.

You gasped, mouth falling open, and he saw the way your wrist twisted, picking up pace.

He imagined how wet you were, how easily your fingers slid in and out, and he clenched his hands at his side to keep himself in place, to force himself to let you be.

"What do you think about?" He asked suddenly, licking his lips, his mouth desperately dry.

"What-" You started to question, the words breaking off into a breathy moan that had him painfully hard, even harder than before.

He took a step closer.

"What do you think about? When you're getting yourself off?"

Your eyes had screwed closed as you grew closer to release, but you managed to flutter them back open to meet his gaze, your face twisted into the start pleasure, your fingers never stopping.

"You!" You gasped out desperately, chest heaving, free hand digging into the marble ledge of the fountain, fingers white with the effort of holding back.

Chan watched as you came then, crying out and body vibrating, and when the orgasm had finished ripping through you, you slumped back, breathing hard and cheeks flushed.

Pulling your hand from your skirts, Chan tried not to focus on the way your fingers glistened as you wiped them off on your dress.

He was rooted to the spot, watching you come down, cock aching and leaking down his leg, wishing he was the one who'd undone you so fully, when you finally met his gaze once more.

Your expression was unsure, lips pressed into a thin line, when you repeated softly, defeatedly, "You. I think about you."

You sat up, straightening your skirts with your clean hand, and Chan resisted moving closer to you with what very little willpower he had left.

You were biting your lip, staring at the ground between the two of you, when he conjured a trace of shadow, using it to caress your chin and tilt your gaze back up to meet his.

Your eyes widened slightly in surprise, your skin pebbling into goosebumps beneath the touch of the shadow, but you didn't move, you didn't look afraid.

Chan felt the corner of his mouth lift into the hint of a smile as he let the shadow trace your cheekbone, brushing back a loose strand of damp hair into your elegant braid.

"You know, little blossom, my brothers say you're a problem."

Your eyes widened a little more, and then a flash of indignation crossed your pretty features.

"Why?"

Chan cocked his head, studying you, and you stared right back.

"Because I want you, but I can't have you. And I tend to have a fatal flaw of getting obsessive over things that are kept from my grasp."

He flicked away the shadow with his fingers, burying his hands into the pockets of his slacks as he let the words settle between you.

His dick was still unyieldingly hard.

Your lips parted slightly, as if surprised by his admission, and then a brief, mischievous smile flashed across your lips, catching him off guard.

You tilted your head, and your lips quirked upward into a bigger, sweeter smile.

"Your highness?"

"Yes?"

You hopped down from the ledge of the fountain, and found your shoes, slipping your feet into them as he watched, waiting for you to continue.

When you stepped toward him, closing the distance, he resisted every urge to grab you and slot his mouth hungrily over yours.

You looked up at him curiously, studying his features, your eyes large and dark, framed by the longest eyelashes he had ever seen.

When you finally spoke, your voice was quiet, as if you were telling him a secret only known to the two of you.

"What do you think about when you come?"

He stared at you, trying to put the words with the movement of your lips.

Finally, he swallowed, watching your eyes flit down to follow the movement of his throat.

"You."

"Hm." You hummed beneath your breath, lips twitching, as you finally slipped past him, headed back in the direction of the party.

Chan whirled, watching you go, and as if you could feel his eyes on you, you turned and paused when you reached the hedges, fingers trailing over the dark, emerald leaves, leaving shining pink flowers behind in their wake.

"Interesting." You arched a brow, giving him a half, knowing smile. "And here I was, thinking my little obsession was one sided."

Chan let a shadow slink from the hedge beside you and trail around one of your ankles.

You grinned at him once more, and slipped silently from view.

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Chan steps off the elevator and is immediately met with the largest bouquet of flowers he's ever seen, shoved directly into his face.

He swats them away with annoyance, and the person carrying the atrocity comes into view, panting like they've just carted weighted rocks up the floors of the building and not obnoxiously perfumed flowers.

"Oh, hey boss." Jeongin beams, adjusting the vase of flowers in his arms, so that he can reach up and push the cap he wears back slightly, revealing a sweaty swath of dark hair.

"I got you flowers!" He holds up the arrangement, as if Chan can't see them, and follows him when he stalks past him toward his private office.

Setting the bouquet down on the front desk as they pass, flashing Chan's assistant a winning smile, Jeongin hurries to keep up with Chan's long strides, floating slightly above the floor.

"Well, Persephone did, technically, but you know, she asked me to give them to you so-"

Chan ignores the chattering messenger god beside him, and turns a left down the hall, already silently going over the meetings he has scheduled for today in his head.

Turning another corner, he's just about to push into conference room two, when Jeongin slides in front of him, spreading his arms out to block his way and trying to catch his breath.

"Whoa, boss. You can't go in there."

Chan stares the kid down, expression stoic.

"Jeongin. Get out of my way."

Jeongin doesn't budge, though Chan can see a flicker of fear flash across his dark gaze as he stands in front of Chan's looming, annoyed figure.

He reaches up, scratching at the back of his neck in clear discomfort, and shuffles from one winged foot to another.

"Okay, but here's the thing-" He starts, hemming and hawing, glancing past Chan and to the hallway, then back to the god standing in front of him.

"Jeongin." Chan warns, beginning to think there's something going on that he doesn't know about, and nothing pisses him off more than to be oblivious.

Jeongin clears his throat and gives him a half hearted smile. "Persephone kinda asked me to keep you out of the conference room today because she's kindameetingwithhermomtodiscussthingswithoutyou."

Chan stares blankly at the boy in front of him, wringing his hat now between anxious hands, and then asks quietly, dangerously, "She what?"

Jeongin swallows, the gulp is audible in the tense silence, but still holds his position blocking Chan from the doorway.

It's admirable, he'll give him that.

He gives a little shrug and a sheepish smile. "Sorry, boss?"

Chan growls beneath his breath in frustration, and pinches his nose.

He can feel a headache coming on.

"Fine." He grinds out, the muscles in his jaw popping with his irritation as he clenches his teeth and glances past Jeongin to the waiting conference room. "But you're to come and get me as soon as they're finished." He points a stern finger into the middle of Jeongin's chest. "And Demeter is not, I repeat not, allowed to be alone at any time while she's in the Underworld, understood?"

Jeongin nods and gives him a little salute, even as Chan is already stalking away.

"Yes, sir!" He calls out down the hallway, voice echoing off the walls and exacerbating Chan's growing headache. "I won't let you down, boss! You can count on me!"

Chan mumbles something beneath his breath about hiring new wingmen, and locks himself in his office.

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Chan doesn't get to see you for the rest of the day.

The hours slip by, and he's faced with problem after problem-mortal souls unhappy with their judgement, wraiths he employs needing his every attention and signature, accountants wanting to see him about the toll to cross the Styx ('inflation is happening you know!')-and by the time he finally gets home, well after sunset, his every muscle is tight with irritation.

He walks in to see you in the kitchen, apron tied tightly around your waist, Cerberus at your feet, dozing with his head on his huge paws.

The dog gives a thump of his tail when Chan appears, alerting you to his presence, and you glance up from whatever it is you're chopping, giving him a wide, bright smile.

He's not fooled. It doesn't reach your eyes.

Pushing aside the monstrous bouquet from earlier that now resides in the middle of the giant, granite island that takes up a majority of the kitchen, he raps his knuckles on the stone, watching you carefully, his head cocked.

"I heard your mother stopped by today."

He watches the way your chopping stalls, but you don't look up at him, chest inflating with a silent breath before you turn, tossing the carrots into the large stew pot on the stove.

"Yes." You finally say, back still to him.

He tries to force the irritation simmering just below the surface down, relaxing his whitened fingers one by one, as he blows out a long, slow breath.

"(Y/N)."

You turn then, at the use of your given name said in his stern tone, and resume cutting, chopping blocks of beef into smaller cubes.

Chan blows out another breath, harsher this time, and rubs at his temple.

The headache from before is still lingering, pounding now that he's finally left the office for the day.

"What did you talk about?"

You flick your eyes briefly up to his, and then back to the meat beneath your knife.

"Her 'temper tantrum' as I believe you put it."

Chan winces slightly. That wording probably didn't go over very well.

"And?" He prods, leaning against the counter, leaning down so he can glance into your face.

You bite your lip, and he sees you blow out a breath, before you look up at him and force that smile back onto your face-the fake, overly saccharine one from before, the one he doesn't buy for a moment.

"Do we really need to talk about this right now? You just got home, and dinner is almost ready-"

Chan flattens his hands, palms down, on the cold granite, and doesn't let you look away.

"Yes."

Your fingers tighten around the knife, and he sees you let out a shuddering breath.

At your feet, Cerberus cocks his head, your obvious display of uncertainty grabbing his attention.

"Channie-" You start to say, and he watches the way your throat bobs with a swallow.

Anger swirls into embers in the pit of his stomach.

He leans forward, dark eyes flashing. "What did she fucking do? If she so much as made you feel bad for any of this, I won't hesitate to pay her a little visit in the mortal realm-"

"No, no." You wave your hands, finally meeting his gaze once more, your bottom lip wobbly and your eyes shiny. "It's nothing like that."

Chan feels his heart immediately sink.

A tear drips down the length of your cheekbone, and he resists the urge to lean across the counter and swipe it away.

You rub at your eyes with your hands, and breath in an unsteady inhale.

Cerberus stands, butting his blocky head into your hand, until you let out a slight, watery chuckle, and begin to pet his dark ears.

"She-" You start to say, then stop, and Chan stares at you, frozen in sudden fear.

The flowers sitting in their vase on the counter begin to wilt and turn brown and brittle, dropping leaves to the granite like snow fall.

Chan ignores them.

You take in another breath, and pick the knife back up, moving to chop again.

"She wants to make a deal. She wants me to spend Spring in the mortal realm, with her, so I can fulfill my duties every year. And then I'll stay here, with you, the rest of the time."

You look up at him, your expression vulnerable, unsure. There's hurt in your eyes.

Chan's thoughts stop. His body goes cold. There's a buzzing in his ears, and he doesn't know if the shadows are lengthening, or if his sudden loss of control is causing everything to creep in.

He turns, and without a word, flicks a shadow out to send the vase of now withered flowers crashing to the ground.

You yelp, jumping at the noise, and Chan stands, back to you, staring at the mess he's made, chest heaving, hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

The mess he always makes.

After a beat of silence, he hears you put down the knife, and then your soft footsteps, as you pad around the counter and kneel on the ground next to the shattered vase.

Slowly, without looking at him, you reach out and begin to pick up the broken pieces.

Chan breathes in, breathes out. His headache is pounding.

"Little blossom, leave it-"

He starts to say, moving to crouch before you, just as you pick up another piece of sharp ceramic and wince, instantly dropping the piece back down with a clatter, as you pull your hand back against your chest.

Chan reaches out and tugs your hand back into view, watching as the cut on your palm starts to slowly leak golden, shining ichor down the line of your wrist, dripping on the floor between the two of you.

His breath stalls as he glances up to your pained expression, all the anger leaving his body in an instant.

"You're bleeding."

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"You're bleeding."

Chan glanced up at the sound of your voice behind him, meeting your concerned gaze in the mirror, where he remained, leaning over the basin, palms on the cool ledge of the sink, watching the water swirl away down the drain.

"Yeah, well-" He gave a little humorless chuckle as he watched the water shimmer with the ichor he washed from his knuckles, before he straightened and dried his hands, glancing once more at you in the reflection of the mirror. His mouth quirked up into the hint of a smirk, and he winced as it pulled at the split skin of his lip, tasting fresh ichor on his tongue. "-luckily for me, my brother hits like a pussy when he's been drinking."

Your eyes widened. "He hit you?"

Chan turned, swiping a hand across his mouth now, tossing the towel to the side. "Yeah, well, I probably deserved it."

He'd no more than finished the admission than you're at his side, taking his hand in yours, your eyes raking across the golden liquid that marked his knuckles, tacky and congealing.

You glanced up at him, curiosity flashing across your pretty features.

"What did you do?" You questioned in a whisper, as if asking him to divulge a dark secret.

Chan almost grinned-you're too fucking adorable-but he leaned in, his forehead brushing yours, expression serious, and lowered his voice to match yours.

"I told him, little blossom, that there's no way in fucking Tartarus that I'm going to another one of his stupid, historic parties, unless of course, it's thrown for us and planned in celebration of our marriage."

You stared up at him for a silent moment, and Chan almost backtracked, wondering if he'd been too bold, when a slight smile curved your lips up mischievously.

"Well." You released his hand and straightened the collar of the suit he wore, before stepping back, eyeing him up and down, head cocked with interest.

The look on your face took his breath away.

"Then I guess you'd better get me a ring, hadn't you?"

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Chan slips your ring carefully from your finger, lying it beside the sink, before he tends to the wound on your palm.

You protest the whole time, claiming it's fine and you're fine and he's being dramatic, but Chan's heart won't stop pounding in his chest until every last drop of your golden blood is wiped clean from your skin.

When he's satisfied with himself, he helps you get down from your position atop the bathroom counter, and pushes you gently toward the waiting shower.

"I'll just be a minute." He says, as you roll your eyes, but strip your clothes anyway, waiting before he hears the water turn on, before he darts back to the kitchen.

He cleans up the mess he made in his anger, and goes back to the bathroom.

He watches you for a moment, through the steamy, hazed glass surrounding the large shower, your perfect outline stretched back beneath the pounding water, and then gets rid of his own clothes, tossing his suit to the side, before he slips into the shower to join you.

You glance at him over your shoulder as he enters, wet hair plastered to your skin, lips pulled into a worried pout.

"Channie-" You start to say, but he steps to you and pulls you flush against his bare chest before you can get any of the other words out.

Your arms go around his waist, fingers tickling the skin of his back, and he lets out a long, slow breath, the exhale rustling your hair, your face buried in the planes of his chest.

"I'm sorry." He apologizes softly, and you pull back to look up at him, eyes wide and soft.

"You don't need to apologize." You say, reaching up to shove some of his thick, dark hair back off his forehead, starting to grow heavy with water.

"I do." He nods, staring down at you, letting his finger go beneath your chin, as he traces the line of your lips with the pad of his thumb.

You're so fucking beautiful.

"You're my wife, yes, but you're also a Goddess, and I need to remember that."

You stare up at him silently, letting him continue, and he lets out another breath, reaching his hand up to cup the side of your face, your skin warm beneath his fingers.

"You have your own duties and responsibilities, and I'm being selfish keeping you here. I can't hide you away forever."

The corner of your mouth wrinkles, as if you're thinking about smiling.

"Are you sure?" You nuzzle into his hand, pressing a kiss to his palm.

"As much as I would like to-" He starts, leaning over to press a kiss to the corner of your lips, moving up along your cheekbone. "-I can't. The mortals-and Demeter-need you."

You sigh, he feels it in the way your chest brushes his, and lay your head on his chest, listening for a moment, to his heartbeat.

He strokes your damp hair, and finally you say quietly, "All right. But I don't have to like it, right?" You pull back, looking up at him with a tremble in your bottom lip.

"No, you don't, little blossom." He gives you a half smile, bending his head to press a kiss to your throat, than to the swell of the start of your breast. His cock twitches at the feel of your soft skin beneath his tongue. "I'm sure as fuck not going to like it."

You give a little laugh, slightly watery, and reach up to swipe the tears from your eyes.

"What will you do?" You ask with a shaky breath, staring up at him in a way that makes Chan's heart squeeze, his insides feel tight with all the love he has for you. "While I'm gone?"

He gives a slight shrug, leaning against the shower wall, as you move to start shampooing your hair into a lather.

"Run the Underworld. Judge the mortals. The usual stuff. I mean, what did I do before I had you?"

"Brood." You reply back instantly, glancing at him cheekily over your shoulder as you turn to rinse your hair.

He leaps forward and pins you to the wall as you shriek, tickling your sides as you wriggle to get away from him, laughing so hard it makes you breathless.

He pulls back, letting you breathe, and you push some wet hair from your face, taking in a couple of calming breaths, before your eyes meet his once more.

The mirth disappears from your pretty features, and Chan feels his chest tighten.

"Seriously though, Channie, I-" You swallow, Chan watches your throat bob, and your eyes grow shiny again. "-I don't know how I lived all those eons without you. And now, to have to leave-"

"Hey, hey." He steps toward you once more, caging you in the protection of his arms beneath the warm spray of water. You bury your face in his chest. "Pet. Look at me."

Finally, you do, raising watery eyes to his, and he gives you what he hopes is a reassuring smile.

"Listen to me, little blossom." He reaches up, stroking your hair behind your ear. "We're talking about months here. Just a few months topside, to soothe your mother, and then you'll be back home with me before you know it."

You sniff, swiping at your nose, and then nod.

"You're right. I know you are."

Chan gives you a half smile, gentle and soft, and leans down to press a kiss to the part of your lips.

The thought of you leaving his side is ripping him apart, but he manages to keep his expression neutral, if only for you.

He presses another, longer kiss against the column of your throat, and takes a moment to breathe you in.

"I love you. I always have, even before I knew you, even before I saw you, and nothing, and no one, will ever change that. You are, and always will be, my obsession, Goddess of Spring."

You look up at him with tear filled eyes, and lean up to press a kiss to his own lips.

"I love you too, God of the Dead. You're the only thing in my entire, immortal days that has ever managed to bring my heart to life, and I thank you for it."

A genuine smile tugs at Chan's lips now.

"Ironic, coming from the Goddess of Rebirth about the Ruler of Souls."

You give a little laugh, eyes sparkling as you look up at him. "I guess so."

Chan tugs you to him and, determined to memorize how you feel, kisses you long and hard beneath the cooling water of the shower.

Inside his chest, his heart flicks out a shadow to meet the flowering vine snaking from your own.

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"Do you think we're all fated to another?"

You ask, lying beside Chan on the grass, the cool night breeze kissing patterns across your bare skin.

He turns his head to look at you, staring up at the stars overhead, fingers twined within his own.

The ring on your finger brushes his knuckle, and a warm sensation washes over him at the thought that you're his now-for eternity.

"Isn't that mortal shit?" He asks teasingly, and you turn to give him a glare, but it only succeeds in making him more endeared, your nose crinkling up and your lips pursing.

"Well, yes, but-" You shrug, turning back to the sky, reaching up your free hand to splay your fingers against the backdrop of the shimmering stars. "-do you?"

Chan considers.

He's never put much stock in fate, or destiny, or anything else the mortals believe in, and he says as much, rolling over to look at you, his hand skimming your bare hip.

"I don't know. But what I do know is this." He props himself up on his elbow, looking down at you, where you lie, watching him, from the grass.

He lets his finger trail over the marks of his teeth blooming on your shoulder, the love bites already turning purple up the column of your throat, soothed by his tongue.

"Fate is fickle, I don't like to rely on it. Fuck, sometimes, I don't even think I can rely on myself, but I do know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you and I, little blossom? We were meant to be. And nobody, not fate or any of that other shit that mortals believe in, made that happen. We did."

He watches you as you pause, considering, and then you give him a smile that steals his breath, sitting up beside him to throw your arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his mouth.

"Fuck fate." You breathe against his lips, and right now, in this moment, with your skin pressed against his, your warmth settled firmly in his lap, his ring on your finger, Chan thinks he has to agree.

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Chan trips over one of Cerberus' toys and gives the big dog a glare, tucked safely away under the kitchen table, his head on his paws.

"I swear to god, your mom is coming home today, and if she sees the state you left this house in-" He threatens vaguely, waving the toy around, before tossing it into the basket in the corner.

"I'll what?"

Chan whirls so fast at the sound of your amused voice that he almost gives himself whiplash, turning to face you in the doorway, a grin on your lips and your suitcase in your hand.

You give him a little wave, suddenly shy, as he continues to stare at you, rooted to the spot.

"Hi?"

He's moving then, crashing into you and sweeping you up into his arms with such force that you lose your breath, dropping your suitcase to the floor, as he pulls you in tight to his chest.

You're laughing and crying, and Chan breathes you in, nose pressed to the top of your head, like he's a starving man seeing food for the first time.

You pull back, just enough to smooth your palms over the side of his face, your eyes still shiny with unshed tears.

"I missed you, Channie."

"Fuck." He breathes out, crushing you back to him again, never letting you go. "I missed you too, little blossom."

You laugh again, a watery sound, and press kisses to every inch of his face you can reach from his embrace.

Chan feels like he can finally breathe properly for the first time in months.

"What did you think about while I was gone?" You ask, your eyes sparkling, as if you already know the answer.

He lets out the breath he's been holding, and leans forward to kiss you breathless.

"You." He breathes back in response, and your lips part with pleasure at his answer. "Always you."

And then he kisses you long enough to make up for all the time missed-past and present.

#skz #stray kids #stay #bang chan #chan #christopher bang #skz chan #persephone #hades #skz fanfic #skz reactions #skz scenarios #skz imagines #skz greek gods #greek gods #skz smut #skz fluff #skz angst #bang chan x you #bang chan x reader #chan x you #chan x reader #femreader #y/n #chan x y/n #hades x persephone #cb97 #skz au

[mamawasatesttube]

a snippet of chapter 2 of androecia, complete with meme accompaniment:

“Coffee sounds great.” Tim hesitates, hovering awkwardly just out of arm’s reach. He hates this. He’s not supposed to feel awkward around Kon. “Need me to do anything?”

“Uh…” Kon glances up, clearly searching for a task to assign Tim. “Well, you could take the coffee over to the table if you want, but I got it, honestly, so you can just go sit down if you want.”

Tim likes to feel useful. He takes the coffee to the table.

Kon follows him with the plate of artfully-glazed cinnamon rolls. He doesn’t bump Tim’s shoulder with his own as he passes him, or playfully nudge his shin under the table once they’ve sat. It’s almost like… he doesn’t want to touch him at all. Guiltily, Tim wonders if Kon did notice how rapidly he pulled his hand away after waking up.

But… the cinnamon rolls. His mouth waters. He’ll worry about that in a minute. First, there’s some beautiful pastries on a plate calling his name. His stomach rumbles again, and he stares as Kon pushes the first one onto his plate.

Shit, they really do smell heavenly, and they look it, too; they’re the perfect golden-brown color, drizzled with a tantalizing vanilla topping. Holy shit, Kon is spoiling him.

They sit in silence for a minute or two while Tim ravenously inhales his first cinnamon roll. It tastes like heaven on his tongue—what little of it he actually tastes in his haste to scarf it down, anyway. He doesn’t even bother with utensils; he just grabs that shit with his bare hands and dives right in. By the time it’s gone, his fingers are sticky with cinnamon-sugar and vanilla icing, and he pauses briefly to lick them before he snatches the next cinnamon roll from the serving plate.

Kon eats at a more sedate pace, chuckling as Tim continues stuffing his face like some kind of feral raccoon. “I take that to mean you like ‘em?” he asks, sipping his coffee.

“Howy fuckin’ shi’bawws, yeff,” Tim says, as best he can manage through a large mouthful of cinnamony-sweet goodness.

Kon laughs. “Ma’s astrally projecting through me to tell you not to talk with your mouth full, bro.”

Tim flips him off with a cinnamon-sticky finger, and Kon grins back at him. This, at least, feels normal.

By the time he’s on the third roll, though, he’s much more sated, and his thoughts start to wander from the realm of holy fucking shitballs, yum, get in my mouth forever. He eats more slowly, watching Kon finishing up his second one; the silence is companionable, but not as easy as it should be.

That’s when Tim finally notices that both his coffee and Kon’s are rapidly stirring themselves in their mugs, sitting on the table. That’s a huge red flag that Kon’s nervous. He’s probably so busy trying to keep himself from fidgeting with his body that he’s not paying attention to the outlet his TTK found, or else he was banking on Tim being too distracted by his brunch to notice.

Tim bites the inside of his lip and stares down at the cinnamon roll in his hands. It’s really, really good. Kon made him a scrumptious breakfast after everything he did for him last night. He’s still taking care of him even now. And he’s nervous.

kon: malewife mode engaged tim:

#timkon #rimi writes #tim losing his MIND over homemade cinnamon rolls is just so important to me you know #tim #kon

[vodika-vibes]

I have a request vod'ika

What about a f!reader and clone of your choice get into an argument about her going on a black-ops mission. He doesn't want her to go because he loves her but she doesn't know. So she leaves believing he doesn't want her to go because he thinks she's incompetent. When she comes back, she's injured and feels he was right. So she avoids him but he's trying to win her over...

Or something like that.

Not You

Summary: When you’re pulled in for a mission due to your skillset as a slicer, you’re thrilled. Howzer, however, is much less so.

Pairing: Captain Howzer x F!Reader

Word Count: 1288

Warnings: None

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni

A/N: Sorry that this took so long, I've been bouncing between clones for days. First this was going to be Rex, then Dogma, then Tup, then Cody. And I'm still not sure about my characterization of Howzer.

Howzer is in a bad mood.

You’re able to ping his mood from half a hanger away, based solely on the way that he’s carrying himself. And you have a pretty good idea as to why he’s in a bad mood.

And true to your suspicions, he makes a line directly for you.

You turn your gaze back to your equipment, internally cringing when he stops only a couple of feet away from you. You can feel his gaze on you, and while, normally, you would be thrilled that the guy you’re crushing on is staring at you, right now you just feel dread.

“So, I hear you’re going on a mission.” For once, there’s no humor in his voice. In fact, he sounds angry.

You look up at him, your gaze skittering away from him in your anxiety. “I…yeah. They needed a talented slicer, and I got tagged in. It seems like someone finally remembered that I was a slicer before being conscripted into the Imperial Army.” You shrug with a lopsided smile. 

A muscle works in Howzer’s jaw, “You can’t go.”

“...I beg your pardon?”

“It’s not safe. Especially with them.” Howzer says, with a pointed look towards the soldiers that pulled you in on the mission. 

You laugh softly, “Come on, Howzer. Don’t be like that. They need me for this mission, so they’re going to protect me.” Your gaze slides over his face. Across the furrow in his brow, and the way his lips are turned down, and your shoulders slump, “You think I’m incapable.”

“...no. Of course not.”

Your shoulders slump a little more, “Right. Of course.”

His name falls from your lips, and then he hesitates, “Come on, Sunshine.” He tries to offer a smile, though it looks more like a grimace, “Don’t be like that, you know that I have absolute faith in you.”

“Now, Howzer, you don’t. Or else you wouldn’t be so bothered with me going on a mission.” You straighten and hoist your bag over your shoulder, “I have to go, Howie.”

His lips turn down even more, “Yeah, guess so.” He folds his arms over his broad chest, “I’ll…see you when you get back, Sunshine.”

You turn away from him without responding, hurt that he has so little faith in your abilities. You’ll just have to prove him wrong, that’s all.

Easy. After all, this mission isn’t even supposed to be a combat mission. It’s an intel gathering mission. 

Even you can’t mess this up. 

You fall into line with the men who are supposed to keep you safe, and you push your hurt over Howzer’s assumptions about you to the back of your mind.

You can deal with the hurt later.

“Captain,” Howzer looks up as one of his brothers hurries into the room, “The Commander’s squad is back.”

The Commander’s mission. His Sunshine’s mission. 

His lips turn down at the memory of the way that his pretty Sunshine’s eyes dimmed when she believed that he believed that she was incapable. He hadn’t meant to hurt her…he just wanted, needed, her to stay safe.

The thought of her getting hurt stars in every single one of his nightmares. But he never meant for his love to make her feel bad about herself. That was the last thing he wanted.

“It’s about time,” He says blandly, “Where’s the Commander?”

His brother hesitates, “Sir, the mission went wrong. The mission details were all wrong. The squad was ambushed.”

Howzer goes cold, and his hand curls into a fist, hidden under the table. “What happened?”

“The Commander is dead, as is most of the squad.” His brother replies, “There was only one survivor.”

“Ah…what about-?” He’s not able to finish the sentence, the very idea of his Sunshine dying too horrifying to put into words.

“Alive.” His brother’s gaze is sympathetic, “She’s the only survivor. But…she’s hurt. She was shot.”

Howzer was on his feet in a matter of seconds, “Where-?”

“She’s in the infirmary.” He holds out his hands to stop Howzer from leaving the room, “She’s going to be fine, vod. You don’t have to worry.”

“I want to see her.” Howzer says as he pushes past his brother. He hurries down the hall to the infirmary. He pushes the door open, his gaze dark as he flicks around the room, looking for his Sunshine.

And there she is, curled up on her side, her gaze locked on her datapad. She has stark bruises on her face, and her hair has been cropped short, much shorter than it was before she left the base.

She’s beautiful.

He loves her so much.

“Knock, knock.” Her pretty eyes lift from the datapad and lock on his face, and then drop back to the database, “How are you feeling, Sunshine?”

She shrugs a single shoulder, “I’m alive…which is more than can be said for my squad.” Her lips twist, “Guess you were right. I am incapable.”

Howzer’s heart breaks, “Oh, Sunshine,” His voice is soft, as he pulls a chair out and sits next to her, “I don’t think you’re incapable. I’ve never thought that.”

“...sure, right.”

“Will you look at me, please?” He asks as he gently pushes her hair out of her face.

She doesn’t move for a moment, and then her gaze lifts to meet his.

“There you are,” He murmurs, “How are you feeling? I was told that you were shot.”

“...I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt anymore, at least.”

“That’s good.” Howzer’s hand rests on your cheek, “I was worried about you.”

“Because you knew I couldn’t do it.” She says glumly.

“Because I didn’t trust the men who were on the Squad with you.” Howzer corrects, as he strokes her cheek with his thumb, “Because I was sure that, if it came down to it, they would abandon you.”

She blinks at him, “I don’t think they would-”

“They would. They absolutely would.” Howzer corrects, “And the idea of losing you…” He trails off, and shakes his head, “I can’t even consider it, Sunshine. Losing you would destroy me.”

“...you’d be okay, Howzer.”

“No. No, I really wouldn’t.” He lightly caresses her cheek, “You mean everything to me, you know that?”

“I…what?”

“And here I thought I was being obvious.” He jokes with a slightly self-deprecating smile, “You really don’t know how much you mean to me?”

She averts her eyes shyly. “I thought you were just being nice to me.”

“No. No, Sunshine. I love you. More than anything. And I want…need…you to stay safe.”

Slowly she reaches up and presses her hand against his, and she curls her fingers around his hand, “I didn’t know.”

“That’s okay.” Howzer leans in and lightly kisses her forehead, “I know this is a bad time,” He murmurs, “But how do you feel about going on a date with me? Once you’re released from the infirmary, of course.”

She glances up at him, “A date?”

“We can go to the club,” Howzer offers, “I’m a fair dancer.”

A small smile lifts her lips, “I have two left feet.” She warns.

“That’s alright, I’m a good enough dancer for the both of us.” Howzer replies.

She laughs, and favors him with the smallest smile, “Alright. I’d like that. So long as you don’t mind me stepping on your feet.”

“My feet are yours to step on.” Howzer says with a warm smile, before he gently pushes his hand through her hair, “Alright, I’ll let you get some rest, sunshine. Comm me if you need anything.”

“Yeah, I will.”

Howzer presses one last kiss to her forehead and then carefully extracts himself from her, a broad grin on his face. He really is the luckiest asshole on the planet.

#star wars #tbb #captain howzer x reader #howzer x reader #star wars fanfiction #x reader fanfiction #f!reader fic #answered asks

[itsanerdlife]

Broken Knight 9

Pairing: Bodyguard!Bucky Barnes x Castle!Reader

Warnings: violence. Language. Stalking. Smut (later on). Pettiness. Lies. Secrets.

Working for my father and uncles, has never been an easy task. When I get attacked one night, it sets them off. My father hires a security team he knows. I’m unwilling, till he steps off the plane.

Now it’s complicated and blurry. James Barnes is more than I bargained for. And far more is happening then my father bargained for. I can’t help myself, only I know nothing is easy, and my father isn’t one to be disobeyed.

Hell’s going to rain down, I’m not sure who is going to survive this time.

“That’s weird.” Peter leans in on the screen.

“What is?” Bucky leans in as well.

“Is that,” he looks to his brother “a Stark ID badge?” They both blink at one another.

“How is that possible?” Sam asks.

“All badges are registered.” Howie shakes his head, pulling up a new screen.

“So we can figure out who’s badge he used?” Bucky looks between the two. Peter stares at the screen trying to figure out who it is, caught on camera, ball cap pulled down low on his face, leaving them with nothing more than what they had started with.

“He doesn’t go anywhere else. Just straight to her office.” Peter mutters.

“Who the fuck is running the front desk?!” Howie shouts suddenly.

Bucky tenses, exchanging a look with Sam.

“What?”

“Ben, Erover.” Howie scoffs at the screen.

“His name is Ben?” Sam blinks confused.

“It’s a fake name, a mash up. Put the two words together.” Peter sighs.

“Ben Her Over.” Howie seethes.

“Bend who over?!” Bucky snaps loudly as he straightens up.

Howie shrugs, “I mean I assume he meant,”

“Shut up.” Sam points a finger at Howie, warning him. Only he’s staring at Bucky, who’s seething with white hot anger.

Why? He couldn’t pinpoint that.

Why was it one girl, who’s just supposed to be a job, was getting to him? How the fuck was that possible.

“If this is about Frank,” Peter speaks up, pulling Bucky’s attention back “why is he coming for her?” He sounds sick to his stomach.

“She is all he has.” Sam explains. “Y/N is his daughter, his everything. Do you know a better way to gut him, to cut him at the knee?”

Howie and Peter exchange a look.

“It wouldn’t just kill Frank.” Howie looks to them.

“She might not be blood, but that’s our little sister. Our dad looks at her as a daughter. Would give up his last breathe for her. Hell we’d give up each other for her.” Peter shrugs.

“Billy’s done, horrific, unspeakable things to men who’ve disrespected her. It would wreck our family, our company.” Howie adds.

“She walks through this building like a God, she tells dangerous men to fuck themselves, she’s a woman with a lot of power and doesn’t shake in front of a man.” Bucky sighs looking over at Sam.

“Now we know why they want her.” Sam nods. “Now we need to know who got fucked over, recently or badly enough to hold out and attack the one person who’s untouchable in this company.”

‘We need to talk to all of you.” Bucky looks to the boys.

“Conference room.” They nod.

-----

Sitting in Tony’s office, with Becca. She watches out the ceiling to floor windows down at the city below, I sat behind his desk, fidgeting.

“You’re a little intimidating.” She chuckles.

I laugh loudly, slapping a hand over my mouth. “I’m sorry, it’s just that’s funny coming from you.” She looks over me with her brow pulled in. “I mean, you’re a kick ass, gun carrying, fight men, bad bitch. I sit behind a desk and tell people to fuck off.” I shrug, spinning around the answer pad on my uncle’s desk.

“That’s funny, is that really all you think you are?” She wonders, turning to look at me. I shrug, not sure how to answer that. “You pave a way for woman, to compete with men. You stand in a field of men, a woman, in heels, middle finger high.” She laughs softly. “You aren’t scared of a damn thing, you throw shoes at Frank Castle, I’m scared to make eye contact with him. You tell men who have woman stoned to death, or beheaded, to fuck themselves. With a smile on your face.” She shakes her head.

“My father is a teddy bear, don’t ever tell anyone I said that, but he is filled with cotton, he just looks mean.” I wink at her. “It’s easy to tell men to fuck themselves, when my father breathes, and men shake in their boots.” I snort, rolling my eyes.

“Yet, my brother, who knows Frank Castle, fears him even. At the least respects him to no end. Shows no fear or sweat for your father when he locks eyes with you. You push his buttons, and he smirks, I’ve seen him shoot someone for less.” She waves her hand. “My brother is not what you call soft, not filled with cotton. He’s scarred, dark and dangerous, specially inside. Yet, I see him with you, quick to protect, to put in place, to fight you.”

The two of us watch the other for a moment.

“Well that’s his job.” I repeat the same line Bucky used on me.

She laughs, nodding.

“You lied, Y/N. You’ve kept things, hidden information important to us.” She smirks looking at me. “If this was anyone else, any other job, he would have walked away. Cut ties and told them they’re on their own.” I swallow hard. “Tell me what you did that has him so intent on staying?” She asks.

I chew my bottom lip.

“His first day here.” I sigh. She smiles. “I didn’t realize there was a trap on the company IM’s, so I took off running, to find my brothers.” I admit, rolling my eyes as she grins. “I caught an elevator just as it was closing, cutting him off. I made it two floors down, only he beat me there, he was waiting for me.” I throw my hands up, shaking my head. She laughs. “So I took off again, managed to get into a secure room before he could catch me. Locked him out, or so I thought.” I nod.

“Didn’t realize he has clearance anywhere you go?” She nods, smiling.

“Yeah he told me, after I was shocked to find him behind me as I’m yelling at the twins.” I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. “We got on the elevator, he stopped it, backed me into the wall, and told me he would never underestimate me again, and the next time I ran off, it wouldn’t be just him following me.”

“Mhm.” She laughs softly. “He is never wrong, and you proved him wrong, I see why you have his attention. You’re very hard to read, until you start to speak.” She explains.

“I may or may not have stopped breathing in that elevator.” I admit quietly.

“He has that affect, you’ll get used to it.” She laughs.

There’s a knock on the door, making the two of us look up. Clint steps into the room, looking from her to me. “Conference room.” He nods.

“Shall we?” She smirks at me.

Laughing I get up, falling into step with her. “You better be good at keeping a secret, you might carry a gun, but I fight dictators and criminals.” I wink at her, stepping out the door, Clint looks confused between the two of us. She laughs, nodding.

#Marvel #Bucky Barnes x Reader #Avengers #Bucky x Reader #Broken Knight #Marvel Fanfiction #Bucky Barnes Series #Avengers Fanfiction #Bucky Series

[smilingbuckley]

Whumptober day 7: radio silence, "can you hear me?"

Tw: none

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Category: M/M

Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV)

Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Jee-Yun Buckley Han, Evan "Buck" Buckley & Bobby Nash

Characters:

Evan "Buck" Buckley, Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Jee-Yun Buckley Han, Maddie Buckley, Howie "Chimney" Han, Bobby Nash, Henrietta "Hen" Wilson, Athena Grant

Additional Tags:

Getting Together, Whumptober 2023, Love Confessions, Hurt Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Uncle Evan "Buck" Buckley, Eddie Diaz Whump (9-1-1 TV), First Kiss, Phone Calls & Telephones, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fluff, Major Character Injury, Near Death Experiences, Hospitalization, Bobby Nash is Evan "Buck" Buckley's Parent, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort

Summary:

Buck is having a fun day with Maddie and Jee-Yun when he gets the call from Eddie. Eddie is hurt and doesn't think he'll survive, so he spends his last moments confessing his love to Buck.

--

He carefully uses his least colorful finger to answer the phone lying on the table and clicks on the speaker so he doesn’t get nail polish in his hair as he holds the phone to his ear, “Hey, Eds! How’s your shift?”

“Buck.”

Just one word. One name. But Buck can hear everything in his best friend’s voice. Panic. Grief. Exhaustion. Pain.

“Eddie, what’s going on?” Buck asks, sitting on the edge of the couch. He wants to anxiously bite on his thumbnail but stops just in time.

“I…” Eddie pauses and lets out a groan. The reception gets a little spotty, but then his voice is back. “I have to tell you something.”

Buck frowns, “Are you okay? Are you hurt? I can pick you up from the hospital if you need me, no problem. Just tell me where you are.”

“Buck…” Eddie sighs, “I don’t think I have much time.”

#whumptober2023 #no.7 #radio silence #can you hear me #911 #fic #buddie #evan buckley #911 fanfic #buddie fanfiction #eddie diaz #ao3 #fanfiction #emotional hurt/comfort #eddie diaz whump

[jaytoons7]

More of my crack ship, Sven x Howie! (It's funny because both of their first names are in their last names, Sven Svensson/Howie Howitzer) Looks like Sven finally got brave and went in for the smooch.

Reginald is still as chaotic as ever, But add some slight overprotectiveness into the mix and Sven may need to watch his next move very carefully.

Meanwhile, Right's just like,"Reg, He's 21. He can do whatever he wants, Calm down." (The idea of Right kinda being the more easygoing parent is just as hilarious to me as Reg being the chaotic one)

I dub the Sven/Howie ship name, "Howitson" It sounds nice :)

#the henry stickmin collection #thsc #howie howitzer #sven svensson #reginald copperbottom #thsc rhm #howitson #copperright #my doodles

[synergysilhouette]

My Fictif OCs

Despite needing some help with writing, Fictif being bought and ignored by Dorian was a shame and had potential. Here I'd actually like to post about all the MCs I made for each book:

I was inspired by a post where someone was asking for inspiration for their own OC for FTLOG. I make my OCs original depending on the book. While their appearence/background may change, they're always a cis man with a muscular, thicc build. Here's a bit about them, since I don't have the time to give them SUPER detailed backgrounds (especially since I may end up contradicting canon).

Heir to Love and Lies

Cyrus Yehia--a mestizo man of Colombian, Egyptian, and Spanish descent. I picture him with black hair, a nice tan that gets deeper during his time in Columbian, and hazel eyes. I imagine him as being very self-conscious due to not having been in Colombia for years and now having to be there without his abuela. He's a skilled acrobat, and frequently uses it to observe those he's suspicious of. Being of a religious background, he has an affinity with Padre Joya--but that doesn't make him turn a blind eye to suspicious activity. He has a rocky relationship with the three LIs, but admires Val's genuine commitment to her job, Chava's protective nature, and Sergio's cleverness.

Last Legacy

Capricorn Visser--actually his name is Riven, but he was talking about his zodiac sign when he was brought to the world. He's a caucasian man with blonde hair and green eyes, and usually dresses in green or pink (imagine if Barbie and your favorite male lead in a video game had a son). While he's drawn to Saaros, Florian, and Escell, he eventually (thanks to canon) becomes attatched to our LIs. Personality-wise, his self-esteem sucks despite his looks and intellect, and generally bonds with Anissa and Felix due to them being less wild than Sage--but he's still very drawn to him.

Roadkill

Sterling Alenko--In my world, he has a dream of being a screenwriter, and this helps him to bond with Poe. He's also an African-Aborignee-American man known for his cool, stylish fashion that noteably distinguishes him from the casual dress the rest of the LIs wear (though his clothes are still functional). At the end of the show, he wears a romper and tea shades with a bucket hat. He's quite exciteable and thirsts for inspiration, making him somewhat manipulative with people in order to get information. Though downplays his phenomenal skills as an artist due to being indecisive as a child and his parents pressuring him to stay focused on something. He kinda has an existential crisis when finding out supernatural creatures exist and keeps garlic and silver with him at all times (though being the cool guy he is, makes it look fashionable and doesn't arouse any suspicions). I think he tries to undercut Poe's snarkiness and prevent Howie from being objectified when he gets to Hollywood, and recently Tess has taught him how to write songs! Out of laziness, I use the same OC for Snow Falling in Love (unless I change it last minute).

For the Love of Gods

Valens--He's a muscular, curvy man, inspired by Zagreus and Thanatos from the video game Hades. I'd say he has black hair that goes past his shoulders and hot pink eyes. His clothing depends on what aspect of love he embodies: the pure, kind love that everyone wants, as well as the lust, envy, and jealousy that can be caused be love. Currently in my headspace his "love look" has a golden crown headdress (similar to "Ryoma: Supreme Samurai" in "Fire Emblem: Heroes") with a red tunic that has intricate black patterns on it, making it look like moving art, and a black choker on his throat with a picture of Astrellio. He has a silver ring with a moonstone in it and black thighbands on either of his legs. It's beautiful and a little suggestive, but not over the top. He's known for carrying his golden arrows that bring out people's love for each other. In his current "lust" look, his clothes embody a tighter, more exposed look that show off his chest and legs, as well as embodying a pink and purple aesthetic, his pink eyes taking on a glow. His hair takes on a longer, more windswept look. During this time he still uses his gold arrows, but now keeps silver arrows as well--only these ones cause repulsion. It's a reference to the Greek myth of Apollo and Daphne.

Courting the Crown

Avarice Kahale--Ignoring our father's design, I made him an PI-inspired character, explaining the culture as the consequence of colonialism (probably Italian-inspired). He dresses in blues, blacks, and silvers, largely due to still being in his grieving process and still kinda mourning. This distracts him from seeing certain warning signs that occur throughout the story. He's hesitant of Theo's advances given his past, as well as initially being shocked at Maeve's feelings for him. Gwydion's magical world and Rian's mystery makes him drawn to them in particular. There is an instance where Rian seduces him and drugs him to bring him back to Cetros, but when he changes his mind, it makes Avarice jump to his defense whenever anyone speaks ill of him. Before his mourning period, he was very Shikamaru Nara: very smart, but very lazy.

Two Against the World

Florence Chisholm--originally I was gonna name him Florian, but I think Nicky would enjoy the nod to Italy (he's actually of partial Italian descent), which also inspires him to use his grandfather's surname, Angelico. He's an auburn-haired, grey-eyed young man who's the son of lawyers and his fast-talking nature draws Nicky to him. While not into crime like Nicky, he's very charismatic, cheeky, and optimistic like he is, and matches Nicky's passion.

Catch Me in Miami

Arthur Yakushi-Silva--called Arturo by Miguel, his father is an Brazilian immigrant, while his mother is of Japanese heritage (she was born in Brazil, though), he's a quick swimmer and runner, making him a good partner for Miguel. While hesitant of Miguel's criminal activity, his charm and family does eventually convince Arthur to helo get Miguel out of the game, and this sometimes brings out a darker side to his typically bubbly personality.

Hollywoodland

Rudolph Midthunder--A Native American man who I headcanon as going on to being a successful actor (though he occasionally has to get rid of his iconic glasses). He's big on not ruffling feathers, but has developed a passive-aggressive personality as a result of keeping his head down. He originally attempted to pursue a relationship with Liam and Billy, but when he realized how important he was to Celia, he discovered how much he loved her.

Ghosted

Emrys Hye-kyo--a young man and Jesse's crush. Known for his business-chic fashion, no one would've guessed they would've ended up together. Being very reasonable, he's quick to be scared off by Jesse's ghost and solving the mystery, but as his feelings for Jesse grow, he realizes he needs to solve the mystery for both of their pieces of mind.

Monster Manor

Noah Rhineheart--an experienced ghosthunter/investigator who's actually never had relationships before. Known for his distinctive green hair and grey eyes, the residents of the manor at first assume he's a new arrival. He's a quiet listener to Casamir and Rainier's troubles, which makes him worry that they don't really like him for him, so he adapts to make their relationship more equal and conversational in order for their feelings to bloom.

Into the Mist

Galilei--a young elf who falls for Fin. Hmm, there seems to be something missing. Dorian should finish the story to find out more.

Isle of Enchantment

Aeris Tyrian--a young black man yearning for adventure. Due to having several brothers, he bonds with Rogue over trying to find his sister. He is originally intimidated by Serena, but eventually warms up with her following their adventure together. His interest in fair tales makes him jump between awe and eagerness to caution and skepticism, so it was certainly a growing experience.

Lemme know if you have any questions about them!

#fictif #nix hydra #nixhydra #dorian

[whispers-soundtrack-project]

Bagginshield: Collapse

Fanmix Part One

Something a bit different: A fanmix/playlist based on my own Bagginshield-in-the Shire fanfic, Collapse.

Thorin was closed and quiet, bent low under the weight of Fíli and Kíli's memory. For his two weeks in the Shire, he had never spoken of them, never mentioned their names, never told Bilbo how they had died—but the evening before the Dwarves were set to leave, the walls that Thorin had set up around himself began to crumble.

You can find Collapse at AO3. Link to the Spotify Playlist is at the bottom of the post

Stay (Alison Krauss)

Where have you been, * My long lost friend? * It's good to see you again

Collide (Howie Day)

Even the best fall down sometimes * Even the stars refuse to shine * Out of the back you fall in time * I somehow find * You and I collide

Forgive Yourself (Inna Modja)

Don't be scared of your darkness * Wait till tomorrow , it will be gone * Sorrow changes with seasons * Sometimes with no reason * Just let it go

All That I'm Asking For (Lifehouse)

Now we walk together * Knowing where we've been * Knowing the stakes * Of being mistaken again * It's in the past tense * There is no making sense of it now

As the Lights Go Out (Kate Rusby)

Take out your grief, take out your fears, * We’ll tie them up with threads of tears, * Then hang them up on a star so bright, * And send them out into the night

I'll Stand By You (Pretenders)

Oh, why you look so sad? * Tears are in your eyes * Come on and come to me now * Don't be ashamed to cry * Let me see you through * 'Cause I've seen the dark side too

Keeping Your Head Up (Birdy)

Times that I've seen you lose your way * You're not in control and you won't be told * All I can do to keep you safe is hold you close * Hold you close till you can breathe on your own

Breathe In Breathe Out (Mat Kearney)

Hold on hold tight, * From out of your sight, * If everything keeps moving on, moving on, * Hold on hold tight, * Make it through another night, * And everyday there comes a song with the dawn

Keep Us (Peter Bradley Adams)

There's a lesson in the rain that change will always come * Let us ride this wave and then greet the sun * And though the ground may shake and we'll think we've had enough * We must raise our flags for the ones we love

Two (Sleeping At Last)

Sweetheart, you look a little tired * When did you last eat? * Come in and make yourself right at home * Stay as long as you need * Tell me, is something wrong? * If something's wrong you can count on me * You know I'll take my heart clean apart * If it helps yours beat

#bagginshield #bagginshield fanmix #thilbo #bagginshield fanfic #playlist #fanfic #fanmix #Spotify

[friday-iam-in-love]

HSMTMTS: Season 3 - How I Wish It Was.

A while back, after watching the third season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which was a little frustrating for me, I decided to write down how I wish the third season, and honestly the entire series, had been conducted. Here are some loose ideas for Season 3:

First, some important points:

The entire storyline of a Disney+ documentary doesn't exist;

Val and Maddox were made into one character;

Kourtney will have a similar but deeper storyline that is not described below, but involves Howie;

The character Emmy, who appeared in the third season, had her storyline completely changed;

I would still like to write more about Miss Jenn and Nini (in a narrative where Olivia Rodrigo was still part of the main cast of the series).

The timeline is not complete (some scenes like the beginning of the season, before camp, and the day of the presentation are not in this piece)

Hope you like it. And sorry if you find any grammatical errors, English is not my first language.

Ricky is conflicted about which camp activity he should choose. He tells Carlos that he feels he only joined East High's drama club because of Nini and he can't see himself doing a musical without her. Ricky states that he will focus on what he has always loved to do and, on the first day of activities, he chooses to join the campers in the skating club.

EJ introduces the campers to the musical that will be staged that summer: “Camp Rock: The Musical”. Everyone is extremely excited about the announcement and EJ asks everyone to prepare for the next day's auditions. At the end of the first rehearsal, EJ and Val talk and the boy confesses that he is afraid of appearing biased since his girlfriend is in the cast. Val comforts him, saying that EJ is now a camp trainee counselor and must know how to separate his personal life from his professional life.

Seeing the joy in Carlos, Ashlyn, Gina and Kourtney's eyes with the musical, Ricky remembers the good times he spent with that group in the productions of “High School Musical” and “Beauty and the Beast”. He confesses to Carlos that he is afraid of joining a musical without Nini and Carlos says that he needs to do what he wants, regardless of who will be with him.

The next day, the campers are ready to audition for the musical and EJ announces that the group audition will be with the song “We Rock” and then the individual auditions will begin. As per tradition, Ricky, at the last minute, decides to audition, claiming that he remembers seeing "Camp Rock" once.

After the group audition, Ashlyn, Kourtney, Emmy and Gina audition for the role of “Mitchie” while Ricky and Carlos compete for the role of “Shane”. Almost at the end of the auditions, Jet appears and surprises everyone with his voice when he sings “Gotta Find You”.

That night, older campers are taken to a clearing where they will tell traditional camp stories and sleep in tents for the night. Val is the counselor in charge of telling a traditional story through song, but she has a hard time getting everyone's attention when Jet interrupts her with continuous jokes. Embarrassed and frustrated, Val ends her song and asks another counselor to follow up with the activities around the campfire.

At one of the activities, Gina and Ricky are teamed up, which makes EJ uncomfortable. The two seem to be very in tune during the activity and end up developing a friendship that, until then, they thought unlikely. Gina claims that Ricky has changed a lot since the end of the school year and breaking up with Nini.

While everyone else is busy with the campfire, Carlos sneaks into the theater to find out about the cast. He finds Val's clipboard and sees Kourtney as "Mitchie", Ricky as "Shane", Emmy as "Caitlyn", Gina as "Tess", him as "Nate", Jet as "Brown" and Ashlyn as a member of the ensemble. Angered by Ricky being cast as the lead again, he erases the boy's name and swaps his role with his.

At that moment, Val enters the theater and questions what Carlos is doing with the list. She sees that Carlos tried to swap his and Ricky's roles and says that this situation should be brought up to EJ and Dewey. Dewey leaves it up to EJ and Val to decide whether Carlos should stay in the musical or not. Both argue and EJ has the final say, stating that Carlos must publicly apologize to the cast.

As Val and Carlos leave Dewey's office, the camp manager asks EJ to stay behind to discuss something important. He claims that, at the request of the camp's board of directors, Emmy should be the lead in the play. EJ argues that the cast is already chosen, but without elaborating, Dewey won't budge.

Ricky and Jet end up sleeping in the same tent, but Ricky is uncomfortable after seeing how much Jet has hurt Val. Ricky argues that Val is one of the biggest worshipers of Camp Shallow Lake and that something special to her, like campfire night, was ruined by Jet. Jet claims that he didn't want to be there and that his parents forced him to go. Ricky then says that he shouldn't be there either, but he saw the camp as a place to start over after a troubled year and, like him, Jet should give the new experience a chance.

The next day, EJ and Val are ready to announce the casting and Dewey stands at the back of the theater, watching. EJ swallows hard at the memory of Dewey's order, but decides to go with his intuition. They distribute the roles (with Kourtney playing the lead) and, at the end of the rehearsal, Carlos confesses to everyone that he tried to change his and Ricky's roles and that he feels sorry.

Ricky asks Carlos why he tried to switch roles. Carlos vents, stating that Ricky is not committed to the show, but always ends up being cast as the protagonist while he, who breathes musical theater, ends up being the character with just over three lines. Carlos, in a jealous rage, confesses that he was completely against casting Ricky as "Troy" and "Beast" in past productions. The two are distant for the next few days.

Ashlyn isn't happy with her part either. After having played “Belle” in “Beauty and the Beast” and having won the Alan Menken Award for Best Actress, she hoped that her next work would also be as a leading lady. She tries to hide her displeasure, but lets her heartache show when she arrives at the cabin by not congratulating either Gina or Kourtney on their parts.

When the mail arrives the next morning, Gina receives a letter from her mother letting her know that she is moving to Salt Lake City for good and that Gina won't have to leave East High. The news is received with great joy by Kourtney. EJ also receives a letter from his father where he says that now that EJ is in his last year of high school and has given up a guaranteed place at Duke University, he will have to prove his competence to his father who will no longer help him in any matter from then on. The man still writes harsh lines disapproving of his son's new girlfriend.

EJ confides in Val and shows her his father's letter. He says he doesn't have the heart to tell Gina anything since her father doesn't approve of her.

It's Color War Day, the most traditional activity at the camp, where campers are divided into four teams (blue, yellow, red and green) and compete in different sports. In private, Val asks Jet not to screw up like he did on bonfire day, as this is the most important day for her. Jet, embarrassed, decides to prove to her sister that he has changed.

Jet ends up on the yellow team, with Kourtney and Carlos under the leadership of Val. On the blue team, Ricky, Ashlyn and Gina compete together under EJ's leadership. The entire camp joins singing “It’s On.” On their lunch break, EJ calls Ms. Jenn for theater directing advice, but the teacher senses that something lurks beneath EJ's cheerful facade, and soon the boy opens up. At the end of the conversation, EJ invites Ms. Jenn to see the performance of “Camp Rock: The Musical” at the end of the summer.

Jet guides Ricky to the clearing where they became friends on the first night of camp. Jet picks up his guitar and says he prepared a song for Ricky and sings “Introducing Me”. At the end of the performance, Jet tries to kiss Ricky, but Ricky backs off and, confused, he flies into a rage, humiliating Jet and leaving him alone in the clearing.

Carlos sees Jet crying and sees an angry Ricky running away. Carlos approaches Jet and asks if everything is okay and Jet tells him what just happened. Carlos tries to talk to Ricky, but the boy is rude to Carlos and asks to be left alone.

It's the day of the performance of "Camp Rock: The Musical" and Ricky's 18th birthday.

EJ asks all the actors to get together so he can give them last warnings before the performance. Jet asks for the floor and publicly apologizes to Val, saying that he finally understands why she loves Shallow Lake so much, a place that truly transforms lives. As he says this, he glances at Ricky, who quickly looks away from him.

After the successful performance, Dewey catches up with EJ and congratulates him, but questions why his orders weren't followed. EJ claims that Kourtney deserved to be cast in the role of "Mitchie" and that he doesn't regret his decision. Dewey says casting the lead role was something bigger than EJ and put the camp's future in jeopardy. Dewey claims that Emmy's mother is one of the board directors of Camp Shallow Lake and that it had been a special request from her to cast her daughter in the lead role, which EJ did not comply with. Furthermore, Dewey says that a formal complaint from Mr. and Mrs. Pratt, parents of former camper Emily, reached the board after the family found out that EJ had been hired as an trainee counselor. Emily told her parents about EJ and how he fed her rotten devil eggs to get her out of last summer's musical. Thus, the camp management decided not to promote EJ as a full-time counselor and was dismissing him. EJ argues that his lifelong dream has always been to become camp counselor, but Dewey's hands are tied and he asks EJ to leave camp right after the Farewell Ball.

Carlos finds Ricky sitting on the porch of the cabin and Carlos dryly congratulates him on his performance. Ricky, wanting to seal the peace between the two, asks him to sit next to him and the two talk. Ricky says he's scared to come out as bisexual and Carlos comforts him, stating that everyone has their own story, but that he should apologize to Jet. The two make up with a hug.

So as not to cause too much of a commotion, EJ prepares to quietly leave camp right after the ball. Val is the only one who notices EJ's crestfallen behavior and confronts him. He tells her of Dewey's decision to fire him. The two hug, and for the first time in years, EJ cries. Gina, who was looking for EJ, watches from afar the two hugging and assumes that they are finally together, just as she predicted.

Ricky accepts his feelings for Jet and decides to make a grand gesture of apology.

During Farewell Ball, all the counselors come together to honor another successful season at Shallow Lake with the song "Hasta La Vista." Everyone watches with emotion a retrospective video of the best moments of that vacation with the song “Play My Music (Acoustic)”.

EJ calls Jet onstage, stating that the boy has something to say. Jet says that, like him, his sister also always liked grand gestures. Jet sings "Wouldn't Change A Thing" and Val joins in. The two put their past differences aside and hug under a round of applause.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ricky goes on stage and, with a beautiful self-acceptance speech, sings “This Is Me”. Jet joins the boy in a duet and the two are greeted by applause from all the campers and counselors.

Moved by Ricky's gesture, Gina confronts EJ. She vents about feeling left out all summer. EJ argues that he, as a camp counselor, could not show any romantic relationship with Gina, a camper, as it would be professionally unethical. Gina doesn't want to admit she's wrong and EJ goes back to his cabin to finish packing.

Ricky and Jet walk back to the cabin and Ricky formally apologizes. Ricky says that what he is feeling is something he has never felt before and that for a moment he was in denial, but now he sees clearly what he really wants. Jet accepts the apology and the two share a kiss. They smile and Ricky tells how Camp Shallow Lake really changes lives.

After the Ball, EJ leaves camp without telling anyone. The boys are confused when they return to the cabin and do not find their counselor. Gina bumps into Val, who asks if Gina is okay. Defensive, Gina shares that she saw her and EJ together and Val explains why EJ left. Gina realizes how unfair she has been to EJ over the summer and decides to confront Dewey.

Dewey explains that EJ has suffered the consequences of his actions and nothing can be done, after all, summer vacation ends on the next day.

Summer ends with a bittersweet feeling, everyone transformed by their experiences at camp. Ricky and Jet say goodbye to each other, and the promise of a more serious relationship hangs in the air. The distance, however, is a challenge they must face.

Ricky grows closer to Carlos, who encourages him to come out to his family and to the other students at East High when he's ready and not under pressure. Carlos, on the other hand, is even more ambitious about the winter musical, and as soon as he gets home, he calls Ms. Jenn stating that he will forgo his assignments as an assistant director to focus on being cast in the lead role.

Hearing about the vacancy for an assistant director, Ashlyn offers to fill it.

EJ, arriving home, contemplates his losses: camp, college, and his dad and girlfriend's trust. Later, Gina knocks on her door, but is Mr. Caswell who answers and say EJ doesn't want to see her and suggests the girl stay away for good. Devastated, Gina calls Ricky.

#high school musical: the musical: the series #mine #disney #story ideas #hsmtmts fanfic #hsmtmts #ricky bowen #ricky x nini #joshua bassett #olivia rodrigo #high school musical #high school musical the musical the series #tv shows #fanfic #hsm fanfic #hsm fanfiction #hsm the musical

[darchildre]

Sara Reads an Infuriating Book, part 2

Chapter 2 of W Scott Poole's Wasteland is entitled "Waxworks". This is where I got angry enough to start taking notes in earnest rather than just annotating the ebook, so this is longer and has more actual quotes.

First, a disclaimer: I do not in any way disbelieve that WWI had a huge impact on early 20th century horror. Of course it did; how could it not? What I object to is Poole's assertion that it is the only thing that could possibly have had such an impact and that that impact always and only comes in the form of fear of bodily death and the corpse as an object of horror. Any time anyone gives you a Grand Unified Theory of Horror that claims to explain all of reasons that humans create scary or disturbing art, that theory is never going to be correct. People are more complex than that. And now, bullet points!

Okay, first off, I do have to apologize for ranting about Poole talking about Machen's "The Bowmen" without actually talking about it last chapter, because he talks about the story explicitly in this chapter. This is a structural thing he does repeatedly: he'll mention a writer/director/etc and hint at a work he's going to discuss later without actually naming it. (In this chapter, he does this with Fritz Lang and Metropolis.) This structural choice is not well-signposted and I don't care for it, but at least now I know that's what he's doing.

He also touches on Lovecraft again here, so I apologize as well for accusing him of skipping ol' Howie. Here, we talk briefly about "Herbert West: Re-animator", as it's the only Lovecraft story to a) actually feature WWI explicitly and b) deal much with corpses. There's also this quote about Cthulhu which is...a big fucking stretch: "He raised great Cthulhu, a monster that has haunted the century, a new death’s head spreading wide his black wings of apocalypse, which was clearly recognizable as the Great War and its meaning continued to menace the world."

Like, there is absolutely an argument to be made that WWI was a major influence on the invention of cosmic horror at the beginning of the 20th century. Again, how could it not be? WWI was proof for a lot of people that the universe fundamentally didn't care about them. But that's the thing that I don't think Poole gets - cosmic horror is not about the fear that you are going to die. Cosmic horror doesn't care about your corpse because it doesn't care about you. Cosmic horror is about the fear that no one cares that you exist at all. That is a huge and important difference.

As the chapter title implies, there is a lot of repeated discussion this chapter of waxworks, dolls, puppets, poppets, etc. Poole insists over and over again that a) all of these simulacra can be collapsed symbolically into a single image and that image is of a corpse and b) these objects became horrific after WWI because of the corpse thing. But then he'll go through the history of the fascination with creepy wax figures stretching back to wax images of saints through Madame Tussaud's Chamber of Horrors, or he'll talk about dolls and reference E T A Hoffman's The Sandman (from 1817), which, to my mind, totally undercuts his point. You don't need the Great War to make waxworks creepy, my dude.

(Somewhat relatedly - there is a really interesting book to be written about the prevalence of hypnotism/mind control/sleepwalking in early horror film, but it is not going to be this book because Poole thinks all that's happening there is more corpses.)

Which leads us to the discussion of The Cabinet of Caligari! Poole spends a lot of time rehashing a widely accepted interpretation of the film proposed by Siegfried Kracauer in his 1947 book From Caligari to Hitler: Kracauer reads the film as a warning about the dangers of authoritarianism, with the somnambulist Cesare standing in for the people of Europe who unconsciously do the evil bidding of their authoritarian masters. Not saying that's the only possible reading of the film - I don't believe there's only one possible reading of any film - but it's an interesting and persuasive one. 'Nope!' says Poole. See, his theory is that the filmmakers wanted to get artist Alfred Kubin to design the look of the film (he did not end up working on the film), Kubin's work has a lot of doll-like figures in it, dolls are always corpses, and therefore Caligari is, once again, only about how all those people died in the war. This is the only thing the filmmakers could have meant.

(On the positive side, this did lead me to look up the art of Alfred Kubin, which I was previously unfamiliar with. It's pretty rad.)

"There’s not enough evidence, for example, that the world understood that their somnambulistic obedience helped produce the outrages of the Great War." I don't see that the world as a whole has to see that in order for the film to attempt to convey that meaning - surely what matters is that the filmmaker saw it and made a film about it. It's not necessary for the world to understand the meaning behind a work of art for a person to make that work of art.

(Somewhat ironically, Poole complains that Kracauer is only capable of interpreting German film in the 1920s through the lens of his pet theory. Who does that remind me of? Couldn't say.)

Oh my god this is already so long, I haven't even talked about J'accuse. Poole thinks J'accuse is a zombie movie which I won't argue because I've only read about it and haven't seen it yet - that could be a valid interpretation for all I know. But then he compares it unfavorably to Romero zombie films and complains that the director of J'accuse "did not really know what to do with [his zombies]", just because they rise from their graves, make their point, and then return to their graves. The entire point of the film is to make the viewer bear witness to the dead. Poole even says this: "The film’s theme of marital infidelity, that inescapable trope in the cinema of the Great War, became a symbol for the larger question of whether the nation had been faithful to the cause of its soldiers.  The dead came back to make sure they had." What else did you want the zombies to do???

God, the whole section about Vampyr made me crazy. Poole is all, "Carl Theodore Dreyer had little connection to the war and I’m not going to show any actual evidence that the war had an impact on his work but he made Vampyr in 1932 and it’s weird and scary and full of shadows and creepy imagery, so obviously it’s about WWI." (nb not at all an actual quote.) There's just no acknowledgement that a person might make a horror film that was inspired by something that happened to them that wasn't WWI. Hell, there's no acknowledgement that a person might make a horror film because they like making spooky stuff. I was a monster kid basically from birth - I suffered no trauma to make me that way. I certainly didn't participate in WWI. Explain that, W Scott Poole.

Lastly, he's just factually wrong about The Phantom of the Opera, in that he claims that the 1925 film presents no explanation for Erik's deformity, unlike the novel. This is not correct - there is no reason for his deformity in the novel either. Later films added that. The lack of explanation in the 1925 film is not a response to mutilated war veterans; it's just an accurate adaptation. Poole says, "No one in the Western world could have looked at the visage of Lon Chaney and not thought of what the French called the gueules cassées…" and maybe that's true, but he's just stating a theory based on a mistake and presenting no evidence.

On the plus side, I'm making a very cool list of books I want to read from the works cited, and also some films that I haven't gotten around to seeing yet.

#i left out the bit where he talks for several paragraphs about the first italian horror film: 'il mostro di frankenstein' #before revealing that this is a completely lost film #to the point that what remains of it is some promotional materials a photo one still and a single contemporary review #but he's sure that it supports his thesis #and also the bit where i'm sad every day that i don't have a time machine that would allow me to attend performances at the grand guignol #sara reads an infuriating book

[underscore-jude]

I loved what you said about kourtney and how you’ll change her plot in s3! do you know what you would like to see for her in s4 + her relationship with jet?

sure, but only if you guys start telling T*m he needs to hire me or that he owes me royalties! I mean, I’ve been saying as much for *quite* some time now. Note those timestamps there 🥰

I fully endorse the harrassment of T*m Federle for whatever reason. Until he can come forward and address and disprove the allegations that have been sitting against him since 2020 (!!!!), I have no problem sending my tiny ass legion of tumblr followers against him. Now, on with the show.

So I'd like to preface this by saying that I do enjoy Kowie. Like, so much that sometime last year I earned myself a special "CEO of Kowie" role in the Wildcats discord. but i think with how much i also love jetney it's just that i love Kourtney Greene and i love when people give her love.

I think a lot of people don't like Roman for whatever reason, I didn't have twitter until far after s2 had finished airing so if there was drama I wasn't present for it. But his IICLH is magical and I do think that Howie genuinely wanted to be with Kourtney- he made mistakes, as a sixteen-year-old boy is wont to do, and he was caught up in the fiery hell of Zacky Roy and Lily Whatsername's Brigade of Evil, and his shadiness in the s2 finale could lend itself to some suspicion on his part.

However, I also really enjoy Jetney. The thing is I also enjoy Jetwen. There is room for all of these things in my perfect HSMTMTS. I just think that brooding, emo Jet is so full of love that he has not let himself share for so long, that when he finally opens up to himself he realizes oopsie, he kinda likes both Ricky and Kourtney! even better, it's right around the time when Ricky and Kourtney have reconciled and become besties again! that's a whole thing with jet. but it bleeds into kourtney's s4 arc, so i thought i'd mention it.

So when we left Kourtney at the end of MY s3, she was full of confusion upon seeing Howie for the first time since she left for camp. I haven't decided yet whether or not the documentary would've been released to the general public yet, but the trailer certainly had, so no matter what she knows that Howie has watched another man profess their love for his girlfriend on national television.

And Howie is... weirdly not bothered by it. He says it scared him a little at first, but he trusts her- and reality TV is all too keen to force things and feed actors lines, so he's not really worried. Kourtney, however, is, because as much as she'd like to agree that it was all for the cameras, there's a very real part of her that does like Jet, and as much as she wants to get rid of it she can't.

So another thing- Nini doesn't move to California. I know this was done in the show because Olivia's schedule didn't work for her to keep being main cast, but this is my perfect fantasy world and I get to keep my ninikins, okay? She left camp early due to her growing lesbianism to record some demos with Jamie in LA, and as s4 starts she's back in Salt Lake waiting for something to come of them.

Sometime in the first episode, Nini and Kourtney are hanging out and Nini reveals that she's written a song inspired by the whole documentary situation, mainly about how she knows her friends hearts despite the editing making them look like entirely different people. They sing it as a duet. Kourtney talks about her Boy ProblemsTM. There's a funny comment about how this time last year the roles were completely reversed. Nini insists that there's lots of other things to worry about and at least Howie is at North and Jet is all the way in Texas, so she won't have to worry about them during their Best Senior Year Ever.

Cut to the first day of school, and Kourtney, Nini, Ricky, and Big Red are all united as a front, and guess who's sitting in Miss Jenn's sixth period Drama II class? Our good buddy, Jet Lastname (i gave them the last name Grey). Kourtney and Ricky are both red in the face all throughout class. Nini and Big Red find this hilarious.

So in my world, HSMTMTS lasts five seasons, ending with the older four graduating. And with that, I want to save HSM3 for the last season. So, s4 will be The Little Mermaid! I really wanted them to be building up to Kourtney and Carlos as Ariel and Eric with Kourtney having her TLM playbill and Carlos wanting to play a human character and if this is my hsmtmts, that means i get what i want, and what i want is Carlos and Kourtney front and center like they deserve. i also want to include songs that didn’t get used from the other shows they’ve done. I feel like I deserve that.

I think that Jet would meet Howie randomly when he and Maddox go to Slices or something, and eventually realizes that he's Kourtney's boyfriend and has a moment.

the Kowie breakup would hurt me unless it was completely amicable. a few episodes into the season, they realize that they're just not working as a romantic couple and would prefer to just be friends. I can't handle a angsty kowie breakup that would devastate Kourtney or destroy Howie's character, I'm sorry. Maybe Howie can get with Big Red idk if i want to keep redlyn or go with madlyn or not!!!

So there's not really a Jet-Kourtney-Ricky love triangle because there's not anger or people being really aware of it- in fact, Jet's a little bit clueless, but Ricky and Kourtney both think that the other likes Jet so they're like "ok i'll keep quiet cause I don't want to make the other person angry" and then eventually they're acting so weird around each other that the four seniors are all in big red's basement late at night and they're super high loopy from lack of sleep and they admit to each other what they've been doing and they all laugh about it and Nini and Big Red are like "wow you guys are not very smart".

The east high friend group is very fruity

But over the course of the season I think Ricky would get over Jet or decide to be single for a considerable amount of time or whatever and actively encourage Kourtney to go after Jet as a contrast to like. Pained helping others to ignore his own problems like he's done before, y'know? Carlos is like "ricky is this another in a heartbeat" but it's not, it's genuine growth and finding happiness in himself before trying to get it from a partner. Ricky and Kourtney also become therapy buddies btw

And if Jetney gets together in s4 it would be closer to the end. I envision Gina (who is Sebastian) leading the kids in a dream sequence-esque performance of "Kiss the Girl" and everyone is like, goading them together, but they decide to take things on their own terms without any meddling from their friends.

So beyond the Jetney of it all, Kourtney tells her mom that she wants a proper therapist and we see her actually getting that in s4, talking about her anxieties and why she always situates herself behind her friends rather than letting herself come into her own. Someone asks her if she's seen all of the support she's been getting online since the doc came out, and she hasn't because she's forced herself to not go on Twitter. Her Youtube channel has blown up and people are wanting to see more and more stuff, but she's too afraid of hate that she doesn't want to risk it at all. She eventually starts uploading more casual makeup videos, and building more confidence in herself.

Eventually, Nini asks if Kourtney wants to do a duet with her on her EP, and Kourtney nearly dies. On one hand, yes she does, but it's after the initial viral boom of the doc has worn off and things are returning more to normal and she doesn't know if she wants to be quite as nerve-wracked as she was before. I think later, sometime in s5, Nini makes a second record and Kourtney happily agrees to do a song with her.

Nini, Big Red, and Ricky are super supportive, and she also allows herself to get closer to Carlos, Gina, Seb, and Ashlyn, and eventually the drama club is on it's way to being a big loving support system.

Plus, not to mention, I cast Kourtney as Ariel in the musical. I wonder if there's a version of If Only that's just an Ariel and Eric duet, cause that would fit Carlos and Kourtney much better than the quartet. Looking dramatically offstage at Seb and Jet during rehearsal and whatnot. She'd be nervous about playing Ariel, sure, but it's about more than that. There's something more innocent, with more ingenuity about Ariel than there is about Elsa, and that's what scares her the most. Performance-wise, she definitely does Beyond My Wildest Dreams as part of the performance and impresses the hell out of everyone. If Only, like I said, would be in rehearsal, and I think Part of Your World too, I think it could parallel the Monster scene I envisioned for s3, where it shows that she's having issues cause the performance is just Too Real, so her friends support her after the fact, just that this time Big Red and Nini are there as well as Ricky and all of the other kids are making it very clear that they're there to support her through it all.

As for her college-related anxieties, well... i suppose i'll just have to write up my ideal season 5 :shrug:

#hahahaha sorry this got so long lmao #i just live and breathe ricky kourtney besties you know #and the idea of them thinking they're fighting over a boy and then just being like 'wait that's dumb' is immaculate #hsmtmts #kourtney greene #jetney #jet hsmtmts #jude's work #asks

[turtlethon]

“Rebel Without a Fin”

Season 4, Episode 25 First US Airdate: October 13, 1990

A scientist creates a half-man, half-fish, and plans to mutate April.

The ninetieth episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is titled “Rebel Without a Fin”. Making his return as credited writer here is Michael Reaves, one of the best and most prolific contributors to the series during seasons two and three. The last episode written by Reaves prior to this one was “The Big Rip-Off" in December 1989.

We open with the Turtles making shifty faces at each other in the Lair, and it immediately becomes apparent that this show will also mark another return: Murakami-Wolf Dublin, the studio behind some of the most visually... remarkable episodes of TMNT handled most of this year’s syndicated run and are back at the helm here. A few crumbs of nice character work can at least be found as Splinter reprimands the Turtles for practicing their ninja moves in the living room, ordering them to go to the training area instead. This is easily the angriest he’s been all year, which is somewhat entertaining.

Remember Unbridled Technologies from “Bebop and Rocksteady Conquer the Universe"? That location makes an unlikely return here as probably the three hundredth evil scientist to debut this season crows about his “evolution accelerator”. This is Dr. Polidorius, a man who congratulates himself on his own intellect as a hatch opens up. From inside a green half-man, half-fish in a red speedo emerges. Polidorius informs the mutant that his name will be Ray – just “Ray” - and to his credit the fish-man immediately shoots this down. 

Dr. Polidorius uses a comically oversized computer/monitor setup to illustrate his plan. For some bizarre reason he has a stick up his butt about the fact that humanity emerged from the sea millions of years ago, and now he’s looking to undo that. The scientist intends to set off a series of explosions beneath New York, providing the perfect home for his new race of fish people. Ray agrees to go along with this despite feeling completely indifferent to the entire thing.

April struggles to find a strong enough news story to appease Burne Thompson, so she decides to check in with the Turtles to see if they know of anything interesting going on. During her conversation with Leonardo, footage is seen from “Raphael Knocks ‘em Dead” of the Turtles wandering through the sewers. It’s an odd choice to crib from, given that said scene had its own weird editing problems and that Leo clearly isn’t holding a Turtlecom the entire time. It doesn’t help, also, that it’s obviously from a much more aesthetically pleasing episode than this one.

With the Turtles unable to find much of interest going on beyond a pizza coupon that’s washed up in the sewers, April is left to her own devices. She adopts her model sheet pose as she informs Irma that she’s off to cover the only thing in town that’s halfway newsworthy, the opening of Donald J. Lofty’s new condo building. (Irma says nothing, having been effectively benched for this entire season beyond the two episodes with Howie.)

Ray checks in via his smart watch with Dr. Polidorius, informing him that the first set of underground explosives have been put in place. Meanwhile April is at her most socially conscious – and scathing – as she vents while on location at Lofty’s new building, pointing out that the last thing New York needs is “another high-priced yuppie reservation”. Vernon actually agrees with her for once, condemning the place as tacky and declaring that he wouldn’t live there even if he was paid to.

April catches a glimpse of Ray emerging from beneath a manhole and mistakes him for one of the Turtles. Realising this is someone else entirely she heads underground to investigate, informing our heroes of her find before almost instantly being caught by Ray. The Turtles break into a seriously janky-ass run cycle for all of about ten seconds before finding April’s Turtlecom lying on the ground.

Act two opens with Ray carrying April and saying nothing. The show then cuts to a repurposed shot of some water running through the sewers. Raphael is seen talking before the reused animation of Leonardo guiding the other Turtles around appears again. We eventually pan to a lingering shot of the bombs set up by Ray, and MW Dublin make a point of squeezing a few extra seconds out of this as it means they don’t have to actually animate anything appearing on-screen.

Ray dumps April on the floor of the lab at Unbridled Technologies. Dr. Polidorius decides to use this to his advantage, declaring that April will look lovely after her “genetic code has been combined with that of a TUNA’S!” Down in the sewers, the Turtles search for their friend and make some frankly horrific faces. Once again though there are a few brief moments where the characters become expressive and fun to look at, with Raphael attempting to wisecrack while Leonardo has clearly had enough of his shit.

April tries to make an escape, but is intercepted by a still-nonchalant Ray and placed into the evolution accelerator. Cut to... that same sewer water animation from earlier for a second time. What the hell?

Ray sets up more explosives and again checks in with Dr. Polidorius. The mutant tells his creator that after thinking about it, he doesn’t want to have to live in a city with other fish people as he likes his privacy. Polidorius is angered by this and, in an odd animation choice, props himself up atop the back of a desk chair. He rants and raves for a bit. Ray, however, couldn’t care less, and having finished up the job, returns to the lab.

The sewer water animation then appears for a third time. This is followed by the Leonardo leading the others through the sewer animation AGAIN. Okay, this is actually getting pathetic now.  Things don’t improve a great deal as the Turtles encounter Ray, and having figured out he’s responsible for April’s kidnapping, a battle ensues. The new mutant hits Michaelangelo with an electric bolt – a power he was granted from the electric eel – before hitting Leonardo with the quills of a scorpion fish. He uses his tail to hurl Donatello into a wall and turns Raphael’s own sai blades against him before making his escape, swimming off into the waters of the sewers.

Our heroes pursue Ray in an underwater sequence that’s surely right up MW Dublin’s alley, as it means they don’t have to worry about mouth movements or walk cycles. The Turtles eventually find the water filled with ink (“just like a squid!”), preventing them from pursuing the indifferent mutant any further.

Vernon checks in from the news van with Burne, informing him that Donald J. Lofty is arriving in his helicopter for the opening ceremony of his new building and April is nowhere to be found. Burne is distraught, declaring that even his ulcers have ulcers.

A technical hiccup leads to April briefly being escorted out of the evolution accelerator. This provides her with an opportunity to send a distress signal to the Turtlecoms before again attempting to escape. Dr. Polidorius catches her, however, and pulls out a gun – presumably a laser weapon of some sort. He marches her back into the chamber, but the signal has now reached the Turtles, who almost instantly arrive in the lab and confront the villain. Raphael speaks for us all as he expresses his disappointment at having to battle “another mad scientist!” That’s how played out this trope has become this season: it’s a crutch that even the writers are sick of.

The Turtles demand Dr. Polidorius free April, none of them able to correctly say his name. The stand-off is interrupted by the arrival of Ray, who again zaps our heroes, knocking them into a wall. Somehow in the next shot the team are standing again, and the scientist traps them in an energy cage before activating the evolution accelerator.

Normally this is where someone would step in to get April out of trouble at the last second – perhaps one of the Turtles would hurl their weapon at a control panel and blow it up. Today, however, things play out differently, with April emerging from the machine as a half-woman, half-fish mutant. The initial reveal is handled poorly, as we barely get a glimpse of her before the show fades to black for the final commercial break.

The concluding act opens with April furious at Dr. Polidorius, who insists his changes are an improvement and that she’ll “be getting fan mail from dolphins in no time!” He goes through his plan to sink New York for a second time for the benefit of the Turtles – and for any viewers only now tuning in. Raphael finally gets around to hurling his sai at a nearby fuse box, disabling the energy cell and setting the team free.

Dr. Polidorius is able to escape via a trap door. Racing against time, the Turtles set about going through the sewers and disabling his explosives. The team learn that the last set are placed beneath the new Lofty building and use April’s new-found Sonar powers to confront Polidorius and Ray, both of whom are hunkering down in a secret hideout. They’re not fast enough to stop the detonation of the last set of explosives, however, and as Vernon and a new cameraman report on the opening of the Lofty complex, it’s seen sinking into the water.

In an unusually hands-on move, April manhandles Dr. Polidorius, knocking him against a control panel that opens the emergency floodgate controls. The Turtles head to the surface, with April dragging the scientist along for the ride. Ray witnesses all this and opts to stay behind, preferring not to be involved. On the way up, the team spot Donald J. Lofty and Vernon sinking into the water and rescue them, heading up into the building and shutting the water out.

Lofty laments that he’s “ruined” now that his condominiums are filled with water. Raphael jokingly suggests that they’d make great aquariums, an idea that the property developer is thrilled about. He commends the Turtles, declaring they’ve “done it again”. When he asks how he could repay them, the team respond that he could get them to the Unbridled Technologies building so they can make Polidorius change April back to her normal self.

Wait, THAT’S what they want, just that? The Turtles already own multiple forms of transportation - wouldn’t it have been better to ask for a share in the profits or royalties from this new venture Raphael thought up? As long as we’re asking questions, what happened to the crowd of people who were present with Lofty and Vernon at the opening? Did they somehow get to safety, or have they all drowned and we’re just going to gloss over it?

Ray is briefly seen swimming around one last time. He attempts in vain to have a conversation with some fish, asking them where he can find the nearest sea bed. None of them want anything to do with him, but he’s happy to be in a place he can call his home. (By which I mean... I dunno, just the sea in general?)

The Turtles do their standard loose ends wrap-up in the living room of the Lair. Leonardo declares that he has a feeling they’ll run into Ray again, which given the staggering number of characters introduced this season who have been immediately abandoned seems wildly optimistic. On TV, Donald J.  Lofty is shown to have converted the sunken condominiums into the Lofty Depths Aquarium - and all of this is said to have happened over the course of a single day. The now human-again April sings Lofty’s praises, calling him a “clever financier” even though she knows it was really Raphael’s idea. This is a hell of an about-face from her given that she was clearly hostile toward Lofty and his developments early in the episode.

The Turtles console themselves about not getting credit. Michaelangelo makes some half-hearted quip about how Lofty is just “a big fish in a little pond” to see us out.

This is the final appearance of Donald J. Lofty in broadcast order, and presumably was intended to be either the second or third of his three showings as he tells the Turtles they’ve “done it again” at the end. He made a similar remark indicating his prior history with the team in “Slash - The Evil Turtle from Dimension X”, so it seems “The Big Zipp Attack” was intended to air before either of these episodes.

Lofty’s presence here also suggests some heavy lifting was being done by David Wise in his capacity as one of the show’s Executive Story Editors, given that Wise was the credited writer for the character’s other appearances. The simplest explanation would be that Wise had the bones for this concept in place and assigned the script to Michael Reaves, and given the... contentious development of this adventure I can see why he might have wanted to offload it to a trusted set of hands.

Like Mona Lisa before him, Ray is the end result of the then-ongoing power struggles between Murakami Wolf Swenson and Mirage Studios. Originally MWS intended to introduce the character of Man Ray (AKA Ray Fillet), who had made his debut in the Archie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures comics in October of 1989 as a heroic ally of the Turtles. The animated version was planned to be a villain, which led to objections from his creator Ryan Brown, as well as from writer of the Archie series Stephen Murphy. This apparently stemmed in part from the prior introduction of Leatherhead, whose depiction in the TV series differed greatly from that character’s prior comic characterisation.

The replacement character we got – known simply as “Ray” - seems to have been the end result of this tug-of-war, his blasé attitude to the villainous antics of Dr. Polidorius perhaps stemming from concessions made through rewrites in unsuccessful attempts to appease Brown and Murphy. What we end up with is this fascinating quasi-antagonist, a guy who’s unique amongst TMNT characters in that he doesn’t even want to be there. Despite Leonardo’s remarks, it’s clear that any hopes on the parts of MWS that Ray would be a recurring character were quickly abandoned, and that he turned out to be more trouble than he was worth.

Dr. Polidorius is yet another worthless mad scientist villain, a concept that even the show itself is now acknowledging has been run into the ground. His design is goofy, his motives are ridiculous and no amount of lampshading will make his name any less awful. Alan Oppenheimer (Skeletor from “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe”, Seaspray from “Transformers”) does his best to elevate the material given to him here in what would sadly be the veteran voice actor’s only TMNT appearance, and inevitably, the only one for the character of Polidorius.

There’s no getting around the fact that the fourth season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles suddenly becomes much more fun to watch once you get past the long stretch of syndicated episodes cobbled together haphazardly by MW Dublin. Now they’re back, and while this is far from their ugliest offering - “The Turtle Terminator” looked much worse – it’s clear that serious issues affected the production of this episode that presumably weren’t related to the scuffles over the Ray character. To try and patch things over using the same pre-existing piece of footage three times in the same episode is unbelievable, to then take a second old animation sequence and use it three times over as well is worse still. Even small children watching the show would surely notice Leonardo walking through the same tunnel again and again.

I really want to see the animators working on these episodes improve, and will continue to point out the moments where they actually excel – Leonardo and Raphael’s interactions here being a clear example. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the next episode, “Rhino-man” - also handled by the Dublin team – will be a step up.

#Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #TMNT #TMNT 1987 #Ninja Turtles #1990 #Ray Fillet #Turtlethon #Rebel Without a Fin

[she-ismysun]

Starting 9-1-1 6x10 live blog thread (literally updating and editing the post as I watch)

I heard it’s gonna be a doozy :’) crazy start already.. bro got struck by lightning on the beach and then the sand turned into glass

Last episode, I usually don’t like the Halloween gimmick but the rest of the plot was great. Love how chimney and lucy get a house/apt the same way. After a supposed crime happened haha

Hen struggling with Denny’s curiosity about his bio parents. Him hitting them with the “I don’t need another mom” which seems like a nice wrap up and then he goes and finds his bio dad (who knows what kind of issues are gonna come up now)

Also Bobby is plotting something. I’m nervous. He is. Scheming.

—

OKAY 6x09 recap done. Onto new ep

Holy shit?? The Buckley parents AND Albert :D this is gonna be so awesome (dramatic and tense)

—

hdjdksk Evan!!! HOWIE. THE first name calling is CRAZY - shout out to Jee-yun for bringing the peace

THE SCREAMNI JUST ACRUMPT. HOWARD’S PARENTS??? Oh Albert you can’t just DO that. I literally didn’t know how tf they were gonna shake it up this family reunion

—

Does.. does hen not know that Denny went to see his dad?

Albert!!! Better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission tch

—

DHJDSN. ATHENA AND MAY SCHEMING WITH BOBBY!!!

—

Oh my GOD?. WHAT IS UP WITH THE BUCKLEY PARENTS. being so eerily optimistic and nice?? Not just with Maddie but not with BUCK?

Baby Jee Yun is just the magic juice .. she makes everyone happy

—

God this rain is making me REALLY nervous

—

FUCK OF COURSE. OF COURSE BUCK GETS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. Now it’s EDDIE’S TURN to scream for buck’s lifeless body desperately.

someone needs to stitch together these parallels for me. Every time Buck screams and runs after Eddie desperately thinking he’s dead

Eddie being the driver to take him to the hospital is correct . Onto 6x11!

#911 abc #911 6x10 #live blogging #evan buck buckely #buck buckley #eddie diaz #henrietta wilson #chimney han #bobby nash #karen wilson #maddie buckley

[kikiikoko]

The Wicker Man

So from now on I will probably only post about more obscure and or viral movies beacause I love to ramble about witchy pagan movies but no one will listen to me. And I will also keep the summary short, sweet and spoiler free mostly for my sake and for anyone that wants to watch the film, but I can't guarantee that the review will be spoiler free because again I like to ramble about films that I like

Summary:

An Irish cop named Neil Howie travels to an Irish island to investigate a case of a missing girl named Rowan. But as a devout christian Neil find the people on the island disturbing due to their pagan celtic practices and their claims that the girl never existed.

My review:

Ok, this is going to be long so I'm going to kind of split my review to different categories. First thing I want to comment, no warn you DO NOT I repeat DO NOT WATCH THE 2006 FILM WICKER MAN WITH NICK CAGE IT IS BORING NOT WITCHY AND BEEEESSSS. Ahem, so next I will comment first on the production/casting/costume design and then the actual movie. The casting, OMG THEY HAVE CHRISTOPHER LEE AS A CULT LEADER, so yeah if you needed any more convincing to go watch this movie Christopher Lee, Saruman himself plays an evil cult leader with a weird hairstyle. I also loved the actress that played Willow (Britt Ekland) firstly shes gorgeous and she really nailed the witchy temptress vibe (drink everytime I say witchy), but also the star Edward Woodward who plays Sergeant Howie really sells the conservative Christian cop with a power complex, but who also cares and wants to find this little girl. The costumes are AMAZING they give the perfect 80s hippie in a cult vibe but also subverts your expectations because most of the people living in the island dress very normally so you kind of think, well they look normall they can't be that bad. And later the animal mask give off the perfect we are a cult and we will kill you unsettiling vibe. Next the production I'm going to creadit it more to it's time, the unsettling vibe goes to 100 just because it's an old film, but the director does a perfect job making you uneasy and not trusting of these people even though we haven't seen anything sketchy going on. And the fact that the protagonist is a conservative christian makes you feel that he is just paranoid of these people but even you don't trust the 100%. Now to the movie itself, the plot is very interesting because, just like the main character, you don't suspect anything in the begining. But when the sergeant questions Rowans mother and she acts like she doesen't know her you, like the sergeant want to get to the bottom of this. Something that I also liked is that I didn't always agree with the sergeants actions or thoughts, for example because of his very strong faith he always acts superior to the people of the island yelling at them to literally find Jesus. But I think that's why he was the perfect victum. Spoiler alert the whole Rowan situation was fake and made up for the cult to have a sacrifice for their deitie to have better crops because their crops last year where a failure. And because the sergeant is so strong wielded both in religion and in duty he refuses to leave and expects the people to follow his beliefs. Also the songs and carefree vibes from the people of the island doeasn't immediantly make you suspicious of them. And I liked that the leader at the end tool advantage of all of the characteristics of the sergeant to reel him into their trap but not make it obvious and also completely roast him by calling him a virgin at the end. All in all I loved this film, it's visualy stunnung and strange in a good way and also never making me bored. It has a great story, acting and directing. It makes a perfect thriller without any uneccessery jumpscares that I absolutely hate. So yea go watch it!!!

#film #movies #movie review #the wicker man #christopher lee #thriller #witchy #horror #mystery #old films #pagan #celtic paganism

[smilingbuckley]

Whumptober day 31: setbacks, "take it easy"

Can't believe it's already the last day!

Rating: Mature

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Category: M/M

Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV)

Relationship: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV)

Characters: Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley, Christopher Diaz (9-1-1 TV), May Grant (9-1-1 TV), Bobby Nash, Athena Grant, Henrietta "Hen" Wilson, Howie "Chimney" Han, Shannon Diaz, Josephina "Pepa" Diaz, Maddie Buckley, Isabel Diaz (9-1-1 TV)

Additional Tags:

Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops & Cafés, Barista Evan "Buck" Buckley, Evan "Buck" Buckley Is Not A Firefighter, Fluff, Bobby Nash is Evan "Buck" Buckley's Parent, Athena Grant Is Not A Sergeant, Christopher Diaz is a National Treasure, Evan "Buck" Buckley Has ADHD, Light Angst, Slow Burn, Getting Together, First Kiss, First Dates, Married Maddie Buckley/Howie "Chimney" Han, Crushes, Implied Sexual Content, Fire, Whumptober 2023, Hurt Evan "Buck" Buckley, Family Fluff, Happy Ending, Making Out, Athena Grant is Evan "Buck" Buckley's Parent, Evan "Buck" Buckley & May Grant are Siblings

Summary:

New to Los Angeles, Eddie meets a cute barista at a coffee shop recommended to him by Chimney. Even though he embarrasses himself by being flustered by Buck, he keeps coming back and starts a friendship with him.

--

Once Eddie paid, he stays there for a moment. He doesn't want to leave yet, but he has to. Christopher needs to be picked up soon and he also really needs a nap. "Thanks, Buck."

Buck’s eyes widen a little, "How do you…"

This time it's Eddie’s turn to grin, "Your name tag."

Buck glances down. "Oh. Right. Yes. Uh, you're welcome…. Eddie. You're Eddie."

"You remember my name?" Eddie asks, surprised.

Buck’s smile turns flirty, "I always remember the pretty ones."

"Buck, stop flirting with the customers!" A woman yells out from the kitchen.

Both their cheeks turn red, but Buck still grins and even winks at him. Eddie opens his mouth to say something, but he's speechless. "Uh… see you around?"

"I hope so," Buck answers.

#whumptober2023 #no.31 #setbacks #take it easy #911 #fic #ao3 #buddie #evan buckley #911 fanfic #buddie fanfiction #eddie diaz #fanfiction #alternate universe #buddie au

[musicaltheatreblog20]

HSMTMS Final Goodbye

Next Week The final Season of high school Musical the Musical the series will I miss cast saying the full title yess but anyways in honor of that let’s talk about my favorite moment of each season

Season one

Season one was so iconic but it was also the introduction to all the characters so it’s not a lot

I loved truth Justice and songs in our key when they was trying to save Mrs Jenn literally a iconic moment

This one is Kind of Messy but the thanksgiving episode when Ricky is wearing his hat and the cupcakes

The Chocolates Like I love how that is just a thing now like Gina thought Ricky gave her to them

My last favorite moment is the Prom episode cause born to be brave is just a bop

Season Two

Season two wasn’t everyone’s favorite it was mine until season three came out and that become my favorite but seaosn two definitely had some iconic scenes this season is BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Seaon

Something in the Air really made me laugh for some reason cause the first episode and it just starts with a whole Music video

Auditions was definitely my favorite scene belle iconic

When everyone thought that they was doing hsm 2 and they did the melody

I loved when Ashlyn got the Role of Belle not just Hera but every person was just casted so good

The quinceanero Was the most Iconic thing of the season and in the same episode Carlos Epione outfit just Everything 😂

Spring Break Episode “Ain’t seen nothing” challenge love and Jack being played by Asher Angel and Gina who played by Sofia Wylie best thing ever the Andimack reunion we needed (I’ll be doing a post of Andimack soon)

Any scene with howie (Roman bank) in it 🥵

And the Actual Musial loved it Ashlyn and Ricky as belle and beast is everything

When the girl who shall not be named stole the harness I was mad and Confused cause how did she still it she was sitting in the Audience the whole time

Season three 😭

Season three had all the drama the wildcats are at camp and the show this Season is frozen and Gina and Ej are dating this season but that want last long and it didn’t

The first thing I loved is the Camp rock/Hsms 2 mashup

I loved that Corbin blue was in this season as him self and not Chad cause that would be weird

In real campers of Shallow lake I love how Carlos was Me honestly that whole episode

I loved the Character Jet and Maddox and how People didn’t know they was Siblings Especially Carlos if you know you know

The songs was better this season

Emmy and Alex characters were my favorites

THE RINA KISS in the Final !!!!!!!

Side not i didn’t really like EJ character in this season which is not his fault it’s Tims fault

Season Four

There’s really not a lot to say about season 4 it comes out Next week but the Trailers and the pictures are Everything and I’m so excited!!!!

#hsm the series #season 4 #season 2 #season 3 #season 1 #RINA #goodbye #familia