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heliads · 2 years

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Hi there, I absolutely love your stories !! The writing is just beautiful <3 I was wondering if I could request a hunger games fic? a finnick x reader, where they're in the arena and the reader got badly injured at the start and finnick has to help them survive through the game and the reader tells finnick to just leave them, but he doesn't want to, he wants them to make it out of the games together and it's all angsty but then they make it out alive to the transport safely and its a nice fluffy ending. I know you have a lot of requests for stories, so don't feel pressured to write this! Thank you for being such an amazing writer I love your work <3

ok so i didn't actually see the part about reader getting injured at the beginning so i simply had it happen at the end. sorry about that rip but i was 2.8k words in (out of 5k!) when i realized and it was too late to change it

masterlist

You only have a few minutes left before your life ends. After that, you have no idea how long you’ll last. Maybe you’ll be able to brave it out a few days. If you’re lucky, you’ll make it a week. Then again, if you don’t manage to survive the bloodbath at the Cornucopia, this could be your last hour alive. That’s how it always is in the Hunger Games, you suppose, the only difference is that this time you’re not watching but one of the tributes.

Your mentor is in front of you, one hand on your shoulder, trying to impart some last minute wisdom. You’re fairly sure that only stylists are meant to be down here right now, but your mentor is particularly known for his impressive bribes and so you’re treated to the final bit of coaching he can offer you.

Your mentor straightens his back, looking you dead in the eyes to inspire you as best he can. “Look, what happens out there is anyone’s game. Don’t let the Careers talk you into thinking differently. Just take it minute by minute.”

You nod mechanically. “Try not to die, basically. I got that part already.”

Your mentor forces a smile, like he’s mentally running through all the money he’s going to lose when you get out on the first day. “Hilarious. If you can, try and find an alliance you trust not to stab you in the back.”

You arch a brow. “Any ideas? Last time I checked, most people other than the tributes from the first three districts were sticking by themselves.”

“Actually,” your mentor comments, “I do. Find Finnick Odair, if you can. He’s someone you want to befriend.”

You choke back a laugh. “Everyone wants to befriend Finnick, the guy’s got all the sponsors practically eating out of his hand. What makes you think he’ll pick me for an ally and not another Career?”

Your mentor just shrugs. “You tell me. The training session in the Capitol was live streamed, as you know. Everyone saw Finnick looking at you. We couldn’t make out exactly what he said, if he said anything at all, but you’ve definitely got his attention.”

Your mentor gives you a questioning look, but if he wants to hear details about what went down during training, he’s going to be left as empty handed as every other watcher in the Capitol. You’re not even sure what happened during training, and you were there. All you know is that you were minding your own business, trying to refine a few skills before your inevitable death in the arena, and glanced up to see Finnick staring at you appraisingly.

He hadn’t given anyone else more than a quick glance, so naturally Caesar Flickerman and the other Games commentators jumped on that moment to speculate about a potential alliance. In truth, you don’t think it meant anything other than Finnick sizing up the competition.

And, even if Finnick had been interested by what he saw, it’s not like it would go anywhere. Finnick’s already popular enough in the Capitol due to his looks and inherent charm, he doesn’t need an ally to survive.

He especially doesn’t need you as an ally. The moment your name came up in the Reaping, you could practically see your death flashing before your eyes. You’re going to try as hard as you can to survive, obviously, but you don’t harbor any secret dreams about winning the Games. You might eke it out longer than a couple of days, but you have no chance of beating the combined forces of the Careers, Finnick, and a few of the other strong-looking tributes from the other districts.

Still, your mentor is only trying to give you hope, so you throw him a bone and nod in agreement. “I’ll see what I can do,” you say, and even though both of you know it means nothing, your mentor can at least walk away from this with a clean conscience. He tried to save you, and now that burden rests on your shoulders instead of his.

An electronic voice sounds out from a speaker embedded somewhere in the ceiling, telling you that you have thirty seconds to enter the circular pod in the back of the room so you can be transported up to the Games. Your mentor nods at you one last time.

“May the odds be ever in your favor,” he mutters.

If he says anything after that, you can’t make out a word of it. Plexiglass walls have shot up around you, blocking out any and all sounds other than the tumultuous beating of your heart. The metal surface of the floor beneath your feet starts to lift, and just like that, you’re entering the arena.

A few seconds later, you’re blinking in bright sunlight. You can see the other twenty-three tributes arranged in a massive circle around the Cornucopia, which seems filled to the brim with all sorts of necessary supplies. The other tribute from your faction is somewhere to your side, and across the circle you see sunlight sparking on golden blond hair. Finnick.

You don’t have much time to stare at him, though. A countdown is echoing through the arena, ten then nine then eight. You have to make a plan quickly, or end up dying in the bloodbath about to ensue. The timer reaches zero, and then you’re off with the rest, charging towards the Cornucopia in the hopes of getting at least something to save your life.

There’s a small bag, gunmetal gray, lying in the tall grass, and although it can’t hold much you race for it anyway. Another boy tries to reach it at the same time, but you get there first. Grabbing the strap of the bag, you swing it at his head. It connects with a heavy thud and he goes down like a stone. Seconds later, a knife thuds into his sternum and he’s gone for good.

The sight makes your panic flare again, and you turn and sprint away from the Cornucopia without another thought. A few older tributes try to follow you, but you’re high on the adrenaline of trying not to die so you’re able to lose them. The tall grass melts into denser brush a few paces away, and you hurry into its protective shade.

After that, the only thing you can do is try to get away. The most dangerous tributes will be commandeering the Cornucopia, and once they tire of that bloodshed, they’ll start searching for individual people in the thickets. Your best shot at survival lies with getting as far away from them as possible while you still have time.

Your feet thud on packed earth, sending up sprays of dust that stick to your shoes. The jacket you’re wearing shines with some sort of reflective material, which makes you wonder if the nights get cold out here and you’ll need the warmth. With the sun shining, it’s plenty hot right now, but that could change once the light leaves.

Everything could change when the light leaves you. Surviving the bloodbath at the Cornucopia was a very important step, but from here, it will only get harder. You’ll have to find food and water, all the while trying not to die from the fists or blades of vengeful tributes.

It seems like an impossible task, and it most likely is, so you distract yourself with survival tasks to keep your mind off of your imminent death. There are plenty of hanging vines and sturdy plants around the area, so you start to make some rope out of carefully knotted stalks and stems. It can help you make a hammock for sleeping, or if worst comes to worst, a tourniquet to stop at least some bleeding.

You manage to find a good position tucked in the hollow roots of a large tree, and keep your hands busy while you watch the surrounding area for any signs of trouble. A few other tributes have come streaking past you, always running off into the distance without catching sight of you. A few times, they’ve been followed by other tributes. Most of those encounters end violently.

By the time the first night comes, you’re feeling fairly proud of yourself. You’ve got a shelter and some basic supplies, thanks to the bag you managed to snag. According to the images projected onto the sky, ten tributes have already died, including the other tribute from your faction. You would mourn, but you never really knew the other tribute all that well. They were just another stranger in this crowd of two dozen that underwent the misfortune of having their names pulled in the reaping.

The goal is to stay out of the melee and thus stay alive, but that only works until noon of the second day. You dared to venture out of your hiding place to get some more water, and a boy from District Seven materialized out of the brush, eyes locked on you. For a fleeting moment, you allow yourself to entertain the hope that he might not want to kill you, but then he grabs a hunting knife from his belt and lunges at you.

You turn and start running as fast as you can. The boy is hot on your heels, and it’s all you can do to not lose any distance between the two of you. You can’t run like this forever, and after a few minutes you can already feel yourself slowing due to the rocky terrain and lack of proper food in the arena.

A sudden idea occurs to you, and you dart past your shelter long enough to grab something from the hollow in the tree roots. It costs you a few seconds, which is enough for the boy to catch up to you once again. He grins, displaying crooked and cracked teeth.

“Hold still,” he says, but you don’t give him enough time to finish the threat.

Instead, you hurl the woven net you’d taken from your shelter at him. The edges are weighted down with stones, and it leaves him stumbling to remove the twisted knots. You grab the net and wrap it more around the boy’s arms, knocking the hunting knife from his grasp.

He flails at you, knocking both of you to the ground. The boy is starting to get the net off, too, and when your hand closes around the hunting knife that had fallen to your side, you start to mentally prepare yourself to use it.

You never get the chance. Just as you start to raise the knife, a spear thuds into the boy’s chest. His head snaps back, and then he’s still. You stare at the dead boy, then slowly raise your gaze until you find your supposed savior.

Of all the people you expected to help you out, you’re surprised to find Finnick Odair standing before you. He yanks the spear from the boy’s chest, wiping the bloodied tip carefully on the ground by his feet, then plants the metal shaft in the ground and leans against it idly.

You remain still, hardly daring to make a move lest he remember that you’re still a tribute and he could spear you just as easily as he had the other boy.

Finnick opens his mouth to speak, but it isn’t to issue a threat. Instead, his voice is thoughtful. “That’s a nice net,” he mentions contemplatively, “Great knots. You whipped that up fast. I think I want to ask for some pointers.”

You stare up at him. “If you’re going to kill me, just get it over with.” A spear to the chest wouldn’t be the worst way to go. Judging by the other boy, it’ll be fast. The other tributes may not give you that sort of blessing.

Finnick refuses to act on this, though. “Kill you? Why would I kill you? I was very clearly talking about this net. I don’t know where you got the idea that we’re killing people.”

You arch a brow. “Perhaps it was the spear still in your hand. You know, the one you just used to kill the other boy.”

Finnick chuckles once, evidently unbothered by this. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’m not trying to kill you, though. I was trying to save you. You’re welcome, by the way.”

You frown. “Why would you want to save me?”

A slow smile spreads across his face. “I want us to be allies.”

With that, he jams the butt of his spear into the ground, using it as a counterbalance to reach down and extend a hand to you. You consider the outstretched palm for a second, then take it. Finnick pulls you up surprisingly easily, and seems pleased that you’ve accepted his offer.

You’re still not entirely sure you want to trust him, however. “Why would you want me as an ally?”

“You seem smart,” Finnick says simply, “I want someone who’s going to make sure we’re not going to run headlong into danger for no reason. Plus, I want more nets.”

The nets thing actually does make sense. You remember hearing that Finnick was from District Four, fishing, so he’s probably been around nets and tridents his whole life. They do quite well for killing people, as the two of you just demonstrated a few minutes ago.

Your mentor’s words flash through your head. Find Finnick Odair. Well, you have now. He’d better be pleased.

At last, you nod. “Alright, then. Allies it is.”

Finnick claps you on the back. “Excellent. We’re going to make a marvelous team.”

As surprising as it sounds, Finnick is right. The two of you actually get along quite well, and you both have different survival tips and tricks that you teach the other. The whole net-and-spear tactic takes out another few tributes during that day.

Even still, you can tell Finnick is itching for more. That night, he leads you towards a flat clearing near the Cornucopia. Setting up a camp there would be suicide for anyone, but the Careers are enough of a threat that they even have a fire going.

Finnick whispers something in your ear. “We need to start getting them out. I’m thinking we do it one by one. It’s stupid to rush all of them at once, so if we get one here and there while they’re alone, that should work.”

You incline your head, studying the camp. “Which one should we kill first?”

Finnick’s brow furrows as he considers the firelit figures. “The leader. Colt Hardhill, the blond one that keeps strutting about like he owns the place.”

You follow his gaze to where Colt, a muscular District Two tribute, regales the other Careers with conversation that may not be particularly insightful but makes up for it in volume.

“Actually,” you counter, “I don’t think Colt is the leader.”

Finnick frowns. “Then who is?”

You jerk your chin towards a smaller boy in Colt’s shadow, literally. You recognize his name from the rankings, Lark Steelgrave. He doesn’t say much, but has a way of sticking to Colt no matter what.

“Look at that one. Colt may be the public figure, but Lark’s pulling all the strings. If we take him out, they’ll all be stumbling like headless chickens without somebody to tell them what choices to make.”

As the two of you watch, Lark says something offhandedly about making sure that they have enough stores of firewood so their clothes stay dry. A few moments later, Colt’s voice booms out across the campfire that they should all get more firewood so their gear doesn’t don’t mold. Lark doesn’t look angry that Colt is stealing his thunder, far from it. In fact, the boy’s teeth flash in a pleased grin.

Finnick whistles under his breath. “He’s been putting ideas in the guy’s head all along. Colt is like Lark’s puppet.” He glances over at you, smiling in earnest this time. “See, what did I tell you? I need you for your genius ideas.”

You roll your eyes, but can’t seem to stop a grin from surfacing. “I’m no genius, Finnick. I love a good compliment, but at least keep them somewhat realistic.”

Finnick laughs. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, that was perfectly realistic to me. Every day, I never cease to be amazed by your intellectual capabilities.”

You snort. “Now you really are being excessive. Anyone could have seen that Lark was up to something.”

Finnick shakes his head. “Not me. I would have taken out the wrong guy, remember?” His face falls for a second as he realizes something. “You still don’t believe that I want you as my ally, do you?”

You sigh. “It’s hard to picture it. You can get that, can’t you? You’re the one with dozens of sponsors raining gifts down on you every day. What is it about me that makes you think you want me as a partner? You could have been with the Careers if you wanted to.”

Finnick’s lips purse. “You really can’t see it? Y/N, I trust you more than anyone else here.”

You stare at him beseechingly. “Why? The only time we’ve ever even seen each other before this was in that training session, and we barely talked at all then.”

Finnick spreads his hands. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Everyone else wanted to win me over in the hopes of getting some of my sponsors, or extracting a partnership that they could use to stab me in the back the first chance they got. You, on the other hand, looked at me once and couldn’t care less. You weren’t bothering with their faux showmanship, so I knew then and there that I wanted you as an ally.”

“And what about the Careers?” You ask, careful to keep your tone neutral even though your heart feels like it’s going to burst out of your chest, “You could have stayed with them and stabbed them in the back before they killed you. My apathy isn’t exactly a strong point in my favor.”

He grins in spite of himself. “Of course it is. You’ve been a friend, Y/N, a real friend during all of this. You think they would make this half as fun? When I’m with you, I don’t feel afraid of the fact that there are twenty-two other tributes all trying to kill us. I just feel normal.”

“And what if I end up stabbing you in the back, just like the rest?” You hazard.

Finnick lifts a shoulder. “I’d rather have it be you than anyone else.”

His tone is light, but his eyes lock onto yours, deadly serious. You realize with a shock that he’s telling the truth.

“Well,” you say cautiously, “I’d rather die by your hands than anyone else. I knew that from when we met for the first time in the arena.”

Finnick smiles, remembering that initial day. “You genuinely thought I was going to kill you. It was funny.”

You swat him in the shoulder, although it only makes his grin broaden. “Of course I did. You had speared somebody ten seconds earlier and you were standing over me with a bloody weapon in your hands. What else could have possibly happened?”

“You mean you don’t look at people pointing weapons at you and think they’ll make good friends?” Finnick asks, teeth flashing in the dark as he laughs.

“Of course I don’t,” you return, “I’m not crazy.”

“What, and I am?” Finnick pretends to look outraged. “I’m hurt, Y/N. I thought I trusted you, and you’re calling me crazy.”

“Perhaps you are,” you counter, “you chose to be friends with me, didn’t you?”

“Ah, but I don’t regret that in the slightest.” Finnick says.

Your laughter trails off quietly. There’s something about the way he’s looking at you, blond curls turned almost silver in the moonlight, that makes you feel something more than fear. Your heart’s pounding, but for the first time since you entered the Arena, it’s not out of terror that you’re about to die. Far from it.

Finnick takes a half step closer, and just as you’re sure that the two of you are about to do something you’ll regret, his eyes flicker to the side and he freezes in his tracks. You follow his gaze, glancing over his shoulder, and notice a red light blinking steadily in the shade of a tree. A Capitol camera, broadcasting all of this live to the watching masses.

You step back just as quickly as Finnick does. For a moment, you forgot that this is all televised, that there was anyone else in this world except the two of you. Reality comes crashing down as it always must, but for a moment there, you really thought something was going to happen, something that you would welcome just as gladly as Finnick.

Neither you nor Finnick talk about that moment, and soon enough, it fades back into the distant past. The two of you are able to take out Lark when the boy is alone checking the traps, and after that, Colt goes haywire. The Careers fracture for the first time, and thanks to a few well timed kills, you and Finnick are able to eliminate a few more of your enemies.

During the last attack, though, you don’t get away as easily as you should have. Finnick was grimly efficient thanks to the fantastic gift of a trident sent in by one of his sponsors, but even despite all of his success he wasn’t quite fast enough to save you from one of the Careers lodging their knife into your leg.

It hurt like hell, obviously, and you were able to kill the Career and push their body off of you, but the damage is done. Blood is pouring down your leg, and you don’t even dare remove the knife until you’re back at the base you and Finnick set up a few days ago.

Finnick turns to you once the last Career ran off, and you don’t think you’ll ever forget the way he looked once he realized that you were hurt. He has always been this positive, joking boy, but at that moment every drop of happiness left him. Even that familiar spark vanished from his eyes, leaving his stare cold and tormented. It was like he was the one bleeding out, not you.

He’d rushed to you immediately, not bothering to let you even try to put weight on the leg but picking you up bridal style. Finnick raced back to your camp, where the two of you tried to salvage the injury as best you could. It’s bad, that much is obvious, but luckily the two of you have accrued a fair amount of medicine from both sponsors and raiding other tributes’ camps.

Still, it’s a pretty bad injury, which spells out a clear weakness. Finnick is still fussing about trying to tie the bandage just right, but you place your hands on his, stopping him from doing anything more.

“Don’t,” you say quietly, “you know what this means. I’m not really in fighting form anymore.”

Finnick eyes you tentatively. “What does that mean?” His voice is casual, but surely he must know what you’re hinting at, because he’s suddenly gone still.

You sigh. “You know what it means, Finnick. You can’t afford to have me slowing you down, not when you’re so close to winning. There are only a few tributes left, you can take them out if you time it right. Go finish this, Finnick. Leave me here.”

Finnick shakes his head mechanically. “I can’t do that. If anyone finds you here, they’ll kill you. I’m not letting that happen.”

You squeeze his hands. “It was going to happen anyway. I’ve fought it off for a while, especially thanks to you, but my death was inevitable. You’ve still got a shot, though. I always wanted you to win.”

“No,” Finnick says, voice ragged, “I’m not doing this. I’m not leaving you.”

You laugh quietly, the sound so bittersweet that he flinches. “You don’t have a choice. There’s only one Victor, remember? One of us was always going to have to die. If you leave now, at least it means that both of us won’t lose our lives, only me.”

Finnick remains silent, and for a second you think you’ve managed to convince him before a new light of determination flares to life in his eyes. “Not a chance. They can have two Victors, they’ll make it happen for us. I will make it happen.”

You realize what he’s hinting at. Finnick has considerable sway in the Capitol, as evident from his numerous sponsors. If he refused to kill you, there’s a good chance that a lot of the Capitol heirs would stand by him.

You start to shake your head, but Finnick raises a finger to silence any and all opposition. “Don’t even try to argue. I’m not letting you go, sweetheart. Not a chance.”

You scan his face, but find no signs of change. He’s standing by his decision, even if it gets him killed. At last, you just exhale slowly.

“Alright, then. You really are out of your mind, you know that?”

Finnick cracks a grin at last, but there’s a haunted edge to it that wasn’t there before. “Of course I know that. I’m rather proud of it, too.”

Despite Finnick’s best hopes, both of you know that the odds of you making it out aren’t that great anymore. Over the next few hours, Finnick takes trips out of the shelter to take out solitary tributes. You stay back and try to make sure your leg doesn’t fall off, fixing knives and mending nets and doing anything you can to be useful.

At last, there are only three tributes left: you, Finnick, and one of the Careers who’d managed to elude your combined wrath all this time. The Gamemakers must want a showdown, because they arrange for the ground to start cracking and crumbling beneath your feet, forcing the three of you towards the central plains where you’d started the game. You limp as fast as you can, watching the ground where you’d once stood fall away like an avalanche.

Eventually, the three of you are left on the plain, the rest of the ground gone, stranding you as easily as an island. You’re holding a knife in each hand, and Finnick has his trident. The final Career has a sword, but judging by the way his hands are slick with sweat, he’s been injured too.

Still, he puts up a good fight. It takes both you and Finnick giving every drop of your energy to take out the final guy, and when it’s done, the two of you collapse on the ground, breathing so hard you think your ribs might pierce your lungs.

Your wound has reopened, but Finnick pulls you close anyway, heedless of the blood streaking both of your clothes.

“I meant what I said,” he murmurs, “I’m not letting you go. You hear that?” Finnick raises his voice to a shout, staring straight at the nearest camera, “We’re not killing each other! Two victors just this once, alright? You can make an exception this once.”

It must be a testament to Finnick’s popularity in the Capitol that the stunt actually works. A transport appears overhead, the grass nearby bent almost all the way over due to the force of the circling wind. You don’t entirely remember how you got in, only that there was a sharp prick in your arm like a needle and then the entire world fell away from you.

When you wake up, you almost think you’re hallucinating. The bleached white walls and beeping devices beside you make no sense, and then you remember that you actually did it. You and Finnick won the Hunger Games. Glancing around, you realize you’re in a small room holding only you and a few other doctors, although the door to the hall outside has been left ajar.

You can hear shouting from outside. Curious, you leave your hospital bed, padding quietly to the door and pushing it open. You start to limp out of instinct, but you discover that you actually have no pain, and when you lift the edge of your hospital gown to check, your leg appears completely healed.

The commotion in the hall outside grows in volume, so you creep out of the door and follow the sound. Down the hall, you notice that a young man about your age also dressed in a hospital gown appears to have broken out of his own room and is currently trying to fight off a couple of beleaguered doctors. He’s shouting about seeing someone, and then he turns and you recognize him at last.

Finnick catches sight of you at about the same time, and his face lifts with such hope that it makes you smile. He pushes away from the doctors and races to you, wrapping you up in a hug that lifts you off of the ground a few inches.

He whispers something against your temples as he sets you gently back down on the ground. “I was so worried. I woke up and you weren’t there, and I thought–I thought–”

Finnick’s voice trails off, but you know what he means. Finnick was terrified that Snow had taken matters into his own hands and punished him for trying to have two Victors by killing you off the second you were separated.

You’re alive, though, blessedly alive. “I’m here, Finnick,” you reply, “I’m fine. We’re both fine.”

He presses a kiss to the top of your head, then your cheek, then your lips. “Don’t you ever leave me,” he says, and you smile.

“I won’t,” you promise, and it’s an oath that you don’t mind keeping. You and Finnick have a great many years left in store for you, and you intend on living all of them out together.

temp thg tag list: it's the boy i told you about @thatfangirl42

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lewstherintelescope · 8 months

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So, after the interview (see ~17:50) where Lord and Miller confirmed that Beyond the Spider-Verse will feature another "plot-integral" variant of Gwen Stacy based on [he got cut off before he could say what], most people have jumped to Earth-8. That world showing up does seem plausible (though I agree with this thread that it'd be better if it doesn't), but I'd like to toss out another proposal: Earth-617. If you've read the Spider-Gwen comics then you know where I'm going with this, but I'll try to explain it for those that haven't.

This will be kinda long, so strap in.

To make a long story short: Gwen is in a very dark place towards the end of the run. Suddenly she gets sucked into a portal that takes her to Earth-616's past, right after the death of George Stacy, and meets the version of herself from that world. Both Gwens at this point are struggling with finding any meaning in life, but they convince each other that maybe there's hope for the future after all. The timeline splits and Earth-617 is born.

However, there's a second story told in parallel: that of Utaa the Watcher of Earth-8. Because Earth-65 is part of the past of Earth-8's utopian future, he's very concerned as events there begin to differ from what they should be (such as Ben Parker encouraging murderous retribution rather than responsible restraint). When the portal is opened, he forsakes his oath of nonintervention and seeks to correct these divergences, believing that whoever made the portal is behind them.

Turns out he's wrong and the portal was actually made by a future version of Earth-617's Gwen (yes it's a paradox, isn't time travel fun?), who is similarly concerned about the state of Earth-65 but for the opposite reason: Utaa worries it's straying from the path it should be on, Gwen-617 worries it's locking itself down too firmly. She delivers this very meta speech:

"Uncle Ben's path was always possible. You just ignored it because it didn't fit the narrative you wanted. It was easy for you to watch when the outcome was unchallenging. But when it no longer suited your self-interest--what did you do then? You acted. And so did we. "You've watched since the beginning. When others were too blind, or grew too weary... you remained. "To sense the very fabric of what you watched being woven into a new shape--to see the possibilities spread out so fast and far... "I'm sure it makes you feel small. Why wouldn't it? You've heard that story so many times. "The darkest timeline. The villain out to crush all you've known and loved in the palm of her hand... Maybe it disappoints you not to find it here. "But in your hands you hold the power to fold time and space. To return to those moments that defined you any time you need them. So why not join us in trying something new? Something unpredictable. "...I'm the last person to judge someone for caring enough to fight for what they believe in. But maybe it's time to stop expecting--and start appreciating? "Change does not diminish us--it ensures our survival. What lies ahead is our story. And it only becomes more important when we share it."

Need I say more about why this would be relevant?

Now, am I expecting to see a plotline about the Watchers coming out of nowhere? Of course not lol, but I think the basic concept could still be adapted.

(Utaa's half of the story actually takes place on Earth-8—and results in literal children sassing him about their superior knowledge of the multiverse, poor guy—but as mentioned above I'm hoping they leave that world out of things.)

#gwen stacy #atsv #across the spider-verse #across the spiderverse #across the spider verse #oh my god there are so many atsv tags i give up

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ravenya003 · 3 months

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Witch, S01E03

Sorry, this one's a bit late as I had to work Sunday.

The second episode of any long-running series is always interesting to watch, as well as a tricky thing to achieve. The writers are still setting up the character beats, the story-arcs, the rules of the world – basically, the general FEEL of the show. It’s easy to get things wrong, as you can’t take any big swings this early on, but you also don’t want to get so bogged down in set-up that you neglect to tell a story.

Even more so than the pilot, the second episode should clue the viewer in on what exactly they'll be tuning in for very week. If the pilot is the hook, then the sophomore episode has to reel you in; has to be a textbook example of what the show actually is.

(Also, a lot of the money shots will have already been spent on the first episode in order to get everyone’s attention, so you’re probably going to be working with a smaller budget as well).

And yes, I realize this is technically the show’s third episode, but Welcome to the Hellmouth and The Harvest originally aired on the same night and are two halves of a single story. For all intents and purposes, Witch is the show’s sophomore episode.

For what it’s worth, I think Witch nails it. The episode introduces the Monster of the Week format, letting the audience know that Buffy won’t just be fighting vampires. It shows us what exactly Giles’s role as Buffy’s Watcher encompasses, and demonstrates that Willow and Xander are committing themselves to Buffy’s fight against evil – partly because they’re good people who know it’s the right thing to do, and partly because they’re invested in Buffy herself.

It even introduces a fairly important recurring character: Amy Madison, who will appear in almost every season of the show henceforth (season five is the only one she sits out).

Obviously, witches will soon become a huge part of the show’s lore – second only to demons and vampires – and the episode establishes a few key traits about them, from the use of potions and spell books to the fact that the really evil witches get a case of Black Eyes of Evil when they're mad.

(We will see this identical eye-colour on another witch further down the track, and if you can’t guess who it is, just follow the link to the TV Tropes page...)

Most importantly, it cements the central theme of “high school is hell,” with various supernatural threats being elaborate metaphors for the trials and tribulations that teenagers have to go through – in this case, overbearing parents trying to live vicariously through their children. In the real world, Catherine would be a stage mum. In Sunnydale, she’s a witch that can magically switch bodies with her daughter. Such is life on the Hellmouth.

It kicks off with Buffy wanting to join the cheerleading squad and Giles being singularly unimpressed. But Buffy’s reasoning kind of breaks my heart – she used to do it before her calling to vampire-slaying, and she wants to start up again because she just wants something normal and safe in her life. She looks so young and perky! Sarah Michelle Gellar still has baby fat in her cheeks!

Of course, that’s the cue to cut to a witch’s lair filled with bubbling cauldron and Barbie voodoo dolls.

During try-outs, Buffy is introduced to Amy Madison, and it’s established that she and Willow have been friends for a long time. I like that the two of them have this history together, and Willow shares some pertinent details about their friendship – most importantly that the two of them used to sneak brownies when Amy’s calorie-counting mother wasn’t looking.

(This is something that Buffy will use to clock what’s really going on towards the end of the episode, and even though I’ve probably watched Witch a dozen times, I’ve only just realized this detail is deliberately planted early on).

Amy comes across as pretty nice in this scene, so it’s odd to recall that she’s already Catherine.

There’s an amusing moment when Willow states that a cheerleader called “Amber” trained with someone called “Benson.” Later an actual Amber Benson will join the cast. But that’s not nearly as funny as Xander being given the line: “no need to drive it into my head like a railroad spike”. Just... wow.

During try-outs, the star performer Amber spontaneously combusts, and the best part is that Buffy tackles her to the (very hard gym) floor before dousing the flames. Seriously Buffy, was the full-body tackle necessary?

Two good character beats: Giles is extremely chipper about all the fascinating (and deadly) supernatural threats they’re likely to face thanks to living on a Hellmouth, while Willow and Xander eagerly volunteer to help in the investigation. They dub themselves the Slayerettes, a term that I don’t think ever comes up again across the entire course of the show. Perhaps it’s just as well.

Buffy is cautious about their enthusiasm and delivers a basic warning, but then pretty much gives them the green light to get involved. I like that Buffy’s defining attribute as a Slayer (that she has a network of friends that contribute their own skills) is introduced in such a low-key way. Hey civilians, you want to help me fight witches and vampires? Sure, why not!

In hindsight, Amy talking up her mother, trash-talking her dad, and complaining that “I can’t get my body to move like [my mother’s]” are hints as to what’s actually going on here.

There’s a red herring scene with Amy hearing spooky noises in the locker room and then getting threatened by Cordelia, nicely setting her up as a victim and not a culprit.

Neither Buffy or Amy made the squad and the former is genuinely empathetic towards the latter. That’s Buffy’s other great strength – she makes friends easily because she truly cares about people.

Ah, Sunnydale faculty members! I always love seeing glimpses of the high school staff on this show, whether it’s Mr Pole (driving instructor) or Dr Gregory (the biology teacher who gets decapitated in the very next episode). Just imagine having a fulltime job that gives you a front-row seat to all the weird shit the Hellmouth can spit out – and that’s on top of having to teach a bunch of teenagers high school curriculum. It can’t be a coincidence that all of these actors chose to play their characters as So Very Weary.

In this episode alone Mr Pole is nearly killed by Cordelia during driver’s ed, and Dr Gregory is witness to a student having her mouth magically sealed shut. How did Sunnydale Syndrome account for that?

The gang are attempting to concoct a potion in a beaker that will reveal whether or not Amy is a witch, and not doing a particularly subtle job of it as they gather ingredients from biology class – though it is interesting to note that Willow is the one doing most of the brewing. We’re looking at her first brush with witchcraft.

Buffy “accidentally” spills the potion on Amy’s arm and it turns blue, indicating that she is a witch – right at the same time another cheerleader starts panicking because her mouth has disappeared. It's a horrifying thing to witness, but Buffy notices that Amy looks just as freaked out as everyone else.

This is a bit of an odd red herring, as the gang are now working with the hypothesis that Amy is the witch, but unaware of what she’s actually doing – even though the very next scene demonstrates (to the audience at least) that she’s completely in control of events, going home and ordering her cowed “mother” to do her homework for her. I suppose we have to chalk her reaction in biology class down to Catherine’s acting skills.

In any case, she also knows that Buffy is onto her, and reveals that she’s nabbed her bracelet. So Buffy is next on Catherine’s hitlist.

Buffy’s response to the spell is to go hyperactive, then collapse. Giles identifies the “bloodstone vengeance” spell pretty quickly and accurately (which feels like it could be a hint as to the darker proclivities of his past BUT belies his statement later on that he’s never cast a spell before. Hey – it's the second episode. They’re still figuring things out).

While Xander and Willow watch Amy cheer at the basketball game, Buffy and Giles just leave the school grounds for Amy’s house. It’s kind of funny that this happens all the time, and Giles never got in trouble for it. Nobody ever noticed that the school librarian was spending an inordinate amount of time with a student?

As Giles confronts who he thinks is Catherine, Buffy notices a plate of cookies on the floor and realizes that she’s Amy. In doing this, she’s clearly recalling Willow’s story about how they used to eat brownies together, but this is the first time I’ve noticed that link. Until now, I always just assumed that a grown woman curling up with a plate of brownies struck Buffy as more of a teenage girl thing to do.

At the same time, Catherine is stuttering: “dad... her dad left...” and I love her hysterical little laugh when she says: “you know, kids these days!” All this is a tip-off that Catherine has switched bodies with her daughter, and poor Amy soon crumbles. About a month ago she woke up in her mother’s bed and realized her body had been stolen, which is a genuinely terrifying scenario. I’ve always been creeped out by Body Snatching stories.

Giles investigates the attic and finds that it’s a witch’s lair filled with clichés: a cauldron, magical tomes, and the inevitable Cat Scare. I’m pretty sure that last one was included just so they could have a cool clip to use in the opening credits.

While all this is happening, Willow and Xander are keeping eyes on Amy during the basketball game, and there’s a pretty neat pan from the action of the cheerleaders and crowd to the stillness of the Slayerettes. (Okay, I’ll stop calling them that. But they are taking their new role seriously).

Giles, Buffy and Amy-in-Catherine head back to the school and the biology lab, where Giles begins the spell to reverse all of Catherine’s magic (stupidly, they do not tie up Amy despite knowing that the plan is to put Catherine back in this body). Over in the gym, Catherine-in-Amy can feel the spell start to work, and after toppling off the pyramid, she gives the rest of the cheerleaders a pretty lethal death glare and makes a feral run for the door.

Willow and Xander attempt to stall her, and are taken out immediately. Still, I wonder if Willow was a little impressed by Catherine disabling Xander with only a hand gesture. That’s real power right there.

Some tension builds once Amy and Catherine are transported back into their own bodies, but Buffy is also back to full-health and uses the old “use a giant mirror to bounce a witch’s spell back upon her” trick. Why is there a giant mirror hanging from the ceiling of the Sunnydale biology lab? It doesn’t matter.

What matters is that Catherine has disappeared and Giles informs Buffy that this was “his first casting.” LIAR. Okay, so we can head-canon that he’s just trying to keep his past as Ripper from her for as long as possible, but the truth is the writers just hadn’t conceived of that backstory for him yet. And that’s okay. A few little continuity flaws give a show flavour and the fans something to argue about.

In the wrap-up scene we see that Amy is happy living with her father (I would have liked to see him on-screen, especially in later seasons when Amy takes a downward spiral) and she and Buffy gaze for a moment at Catherine’s cheerleader trophy displayed in the hallway cabinet... both missing the fact that its eyes are moving. Yes, Catherine is the cheerleader trophy, now doomed to relive her glory years in perpetuity. Great ending!

Miscellaneous Observations:

Joyce and Buffy are clearly set up as a foil to Catherine and Amy, and it occurs to me that this is a rare show that spotlights a mother/daughter relationship. More than that, a good mother/daughter relationship, especially for this genre. I’m wracking my brains and I can’t think of another one. Adults have to be useless, absent or antagonistic in these types of shows (if they’re targeted towards a slightly younger target audience, you can bet they’ll just make the protagonist an orphan).

In any case, Joyce and Buffy aren’t exactly on the same page, but clearly their rapport involves nothing like the outright abuse inflicted on Amy.

An early scene shows Joyce in the capacity of an art gallery curator, opening crates in the kitchen. It made me realize that we never, ever see Joyce’s place of work. Not once! And it’s a bit strange in a way, as that setting had a lot of potential to be filled with cursed artefacts and paintings, like how Charmed used the Auction House in season one for a similar purpose.

The plotting of the episode interests me, as it comes up with three possible scenarios the writers could have gone with: that Amy is trying to please her mother by making the cheerleading squad and not realizing she’s picking off the other girls with magic, that Amy is deliberately using witchcraft to take out the competition and is terrorizing her mother on top of it, or (the one they went with) that a body-swap between mother and daughter has occurred. It’s such a rich premise that any of these three scenarios could have made for a good story.

That said, they kind of lose the original premise of a child being so pressured to live up to a parent’s exacting standards that she’s driven to desperation, replacing it to one of a parent being envious of a child’s youth and vicariously attempting to relive their glory years through them.

I’ve always wondered a little about Catherine’s backstory. Was she a hereditary witch, or self-taught like Willow? Because we know that Amy will manifest magical abilities as well, and even ends up with a streak of jealousy like her mother (though it’s directed at Willow).

Also, Giles removes Catherine’s spellbook from her house in order to reverse all her witchcraft. What happened to it afterwards? Come to think of it, we never see that Vampyr book from the first episode again either.

This episode establishes that the Sunnydale basketball team is called the Razorbacks and their mascot is a pig. We’ll be seeing more of this later down the track...

Great casting on Elizabeth Anne Allen and Robin Riker as mother/daughter. They looked very similar, and channelled each other’s inflection and body language while they were playing each other’s character.

Also, I love this demon on the gate that leads to Amy's house:

To sum up, I really love this episode, and is possibly my favourite season one episode after The Puppet Show. Maybe a bit too much time was spent on the cheerleaders falling prey to Catherine’s magic (the stuff with the driver’s ed lesson was clearly just to give Charisma Carpenter enough screentime to justify her placement in the opening credits) and it’s a Clueless Mystery in the sense that the audience is given no chance to figure out what’s going on before Buffy does (who gets the clues she needs in the same scene that she realizes what’s actually happening), but I still love it as a concentrated case study of what the show is offering us.

Best Scene: When Buffy drunkenly tells Xander that he’s “one of the girls” and we get this expression on Willow’s face:

Best Line: Freed from the bloodstone vengeance spell, Buffy leaps to her feet behind Catherine and says: “Guess what? I feel better.” It’s more in the delivery than in the words as-written, but is just the perfect blend of menace and perk. Buffy doesn’t doubt that she’s a threat, and subsequently tosses Catherine across the room.

Best Subversion: Amy wasn’t the witch after all, it was her mother using her body all along! What a tweest!

Death Toll: No one died in this episode! I suppose that makes sense, as otherwise Buffy and Amy would have been permanent members of the cheerleading team. Which means...

Grand Total: Four civilians, five villains.

#rav's watching log #buffy the vampire slayer #rav's buffy rewatch #buffy season one

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rainisawriter · 8 months

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Side Story: It’s Gonna Get Bloody! (Jackson ver.) (TMoJ&J)

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Author’s Note: So, I decided to take part in this event called the Writeblr Battle Royale (@writeblrbattleroyale) which basically pits people’s original characters against each other. I supplied two characters – Jen and Jackson! Here is the battle that took place between Jackson and Herschel (created by the lovely @quisyop) I hope you enjoy, make sure you give lots of love to the event and to my partner! Jen’s battle will be posted soon c:

This piece was written together with quisyop!

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Jackson and Herschel appear in the arena, a place roaring with voices that don’t come from vocal chords, all spoken as background chatter as the faceless watcher stares them down.

In their ears they hear a voice, cold and inhuman, whisper to them. It speaks of threats and violence and anger, all coming from the person across the arena.

Jackson’s eyes widened in shock when he heard the voice whispering in his ear. He whipped around, trying to find the source but he was alone inside his dark cell. His fingers curled around the bars, eyes squinting at the brightly lit arena on the other side of it.

‘Where the hell am I?’ He found himself wondering, a frown tugging at his lips. He didn’t know why, but there was a feeling of dread settling in his gut. Wherever he was, he knew it wasn’t good.

If you don’t want your friends to die, you’ll kill him.

Jackson swallowed hard as his friends flashed in his mind. “Kill who?” he questioned, voice trembling at the thought. He wasn’t a killer and, though he had considered murdering his best friend a few times, it’s not something he would ever act upon.

The man on the other side of the arena. Herschel will kill your friends. You have to stop him.

Jackson’s fists clenched at his sides at the words being whispered in his ear. He exhaled shakily, his heart racing against his ribs. He couldn’t let his friends die! They were always protecting him and now it was his turn to protect them.

A horn blared loudly as the sound of scraping metal filled his ears. The gate slowly started to rise, kicking up dirt into the air. The crowd cheered loudly, screaming fight, fight at the top of their lungs.

Jackson was scared. No, he was terrified. This was so much more terrifying than his other adventures. (go read Jackson’s book now >:() It was more terrifying, he realized, because he was alone. His friends weren’t beside him, offering him strength and protection.

‘Keith… Jen… where are you guys?!’

They’re going to die, the voice growled in his ear. Save them, Jackson. Only you can. Kill Herschel and save their lives!

Without a second thought, he darted out from his cell, grabbing the bow that sat on the ground before him. He took a deep breath to steady his shaking hands before raising it, pulling the arrow back and aiming it at the other man.

Hesitation filled him and he swallowed hard. ‘What am I doing? I can’t -‘

Do it! roared the voice angrily, seeming to fill his mind. Do it now before he attacks first!

Jackson released a shaky breath, steeling himself for what was about to come.

On the other side of the arena, Herschel’s mind was racing.

“Ok, ok, what’s going on?”

Herschel, the voice begins to say, he’s going to kill them. Sebastian, Lux, they’re going to die. You have to stop him.

Herschel shook his head. “He’s obviously terrified. I doubt he’d hurt a fly.”

At that moment, Jackson starts to shoot his bow, aiming directly for Herschel’s forehead. “Call me Katniss Everdeen, bitch!”

Herschel can’t help but laugh as Jackson’s arrows fly past him. “You’re a real precision shooter, aren’t ya, pal?”

Herschel continues to duck and weave, trying his best to not get hit by the swarms of arrows that seemingly reappear every time he runs out.

“We shouldn’t be fighting, dumbass! We should be finding out what’s going on!”

Herschel, instinctually, bends down and pulls the gun from his boot. “Slow down, big guy.”

Jackson glares at him and stops in his tracks, aiming the bow directly at Herschel’s forehead.

Herschel returns the favor, his gun aimed at Jackson. “Not planning on hurting you.”

Jackson aimed directly at his opponent, holding his breath to steady the shot. He felt confident that his arrow would hit as it soared through the air. Herschel moved at the last second, however, and the arrowhead embedded itself into a large rock.

There was a loud ticking sound that filled the arena, coming from that very rock. Herschel’s eyes widened and he quickly moved away just as the rock exploded into a ball of fire.

“What the hell?” He breathed out, eyes wide.

“Did… Did I do that?!” questioned Jackson, his own eyes just as wide. For a moment, the men just stared at each other as the flames roared loudly.

“I don’t get paid enough for this…”

“Wait, you’re getting paid?!”

Herschel sent him a deadpan look.

Jackson remembered suddenly why they were fighting, shaking his head. ‘Focus, idiot!’ He lifted the bow again, aiming for the older man once more.

A bullet flies from Herschel’s gun and lands directly on the bow, snapping it in the middle and flying it past Jackson. “Alright, now that you’re unarme–”

In a moment of irrational fury, Jackson charges at Herschel, who starts moving as fast as he can with the help of his cane. He tries to move to the outer ring of the arena but can’t outspeed Jackson. Herschel shoots a warning shot, grazing Jackson’s arm and he flinches.

“This is getting really repetitive!” Herschel shouts out as he thinks over what to do.

“Jokes on you, I don’t like change!”

Herschel can suddenly taste his saliva as he readies his gun, firing it in a swirl of speed into Jackson’s shoulder, who shrieks in pain and collapses.

Herschel, acting as fast as he can, puts away his gun and starts limping towards Jackson.

Jackson clutches his arm, just beneath the bullet wound, whimpers leaving his lips. He had never been one who could withstand pain and this was his first time being shot. Despite how hard he fought against them, tears stung at his eyes, begging to be released.

Herschel kneeled down beside him, brow furrowed as he looked over the boy. When he reached toward him, Jackson flinched away.

“I’m not gonna hurt you, I just wanna see the wound.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Jackson slowly shifted so the man could see the wound better, closing his eyes tightly.

“It’s lodged in pretty deep,” muttered Herschel, more to himself than anything. He tugged the neon yellow boa from around his neck, pressing it against the wound to try and stop the blood flow. “I can try to remove it, but it’s gonna hurt like a bitch.”

“No, please!” cried Jackson, sending him a desperate look.

What are you waiting on? He’s vulnerable! Kill him! hissed the voice into his ear but he forced it back, shaking his head frantically.

“One of us…” Jackson swallowed hard, feeling his mouth go dry. “One of us has to go, right? We can’t…” he shifted, wincing in pain. “We can’t both live anyway.”

Herschel knew where this was heading and he shook his head, eyes narrowed. “I won’t do it.”

“Please, Mr. Herschel, I…” Jackson leaned to the side, coughing up blood. The movement aggravated the wound, sending ripples of pain through his body. He was beginning to tremble, afraid of what he knew was coming. “I don’t feel so good…”

Herschel’s brow furrowed in confusion. Was he being dramatic? It was just a shot to the shoulder, not enough to kill him. There wasn’t even that much blood. Why, then – A thought struck him and he reached for his gun, pulling out the clip. The bullets had been replaced. With what, he couldn’t be too sure, but they appeared to be filled with strange liquid. ‘Poison?’

“It hurts,” he whimpered, squeezing his eyes closed. “Make it stop, please!”

Swallowing hard, he tried to think of a way to fix this situation, to make it so that both of them could make it out alive. No matter how hard he thought, his mind couldn’t find a solution. He knew what had to be done, but he didn’t want to do it.

He slowly stood up, raising the gun and aiming it at Jackson’s head. The boy’s eyes were still closed as he curled up into himself, whimpering in pain as tears streamed down his red face. His hand trembled and he had to place his other over it to steady his aim. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself. It did little to prepare him.

“Sorry about this…”

The gun went off, the sound echoing throughout the arena. It was easily swallowed by the cheers and laughter of the crowd, celebrating his actions. Jackson became still and quiet, blood pooling beneath his body.

Herschel had to look away, feeling guilt settle in his gut. He hadn’t wanted this, hadn’t wanted it to end like this. His guilt started to morph into something more feral, more deadly – anger. He glared up at the stands where the gamemaster sat upon his throne, a smirk upon his old lips.

Herschel spoke with a vicious venom in his voice.

“I’m going to kill you.”

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#writeblr #battle royale #writeblr battle royale #writing #oc #oc battle

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pbandjesse · 6 months

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Today was a really busy day! Which felt really good. I am very tired but it was a good day and I feel accomplished.

I didnt sleep amazing. I would wake up a lot. James told me they woke up and were like, wow that was a terrible sleep, and then looked at the clock and it was 1230. So that sums up how not good it was.

It didnt help that it was grey outside. It would storm later on, but would actually be beautiful for most of the day. I had a pretty easy ride into camp. And I arrived around 8.

I struggled this morning though. When I got to camp the plan was to go and spray paint the tables. I got them all dry and clean and started. I got through the first table and started the second when my paint stopped working. That's okay I have a second one. This one worked beautifully for about 30 seconds and then just. Nothing. It was absolutely full but nothing would come out. I was so upset. I didn't know what to do and was having a terrible time.

I decided I would drive up to arts and see if I had another primer and I did! But this one also didn't work despite being full and I was so upset. I texted Heather and she said it was okay and we would come up with a solution later (turns out her husband sells paint and he will bring me primer next week). But I needed a moment to calm down I was so upset and frustrated.

While I was driving around camp trying to sort this out I ran into one of the leaders of the group coming at 10. He was there at 830 because he had something to do in the area so I told him he could hang out in the lodge. But then once I got to the office I realized that his group would actually be in the dodge house. Oops. So after stopping to take 45 pictures of a wooly caterpillar I went to tell him where he could go.

The walk there helped. I felt a little calmer. And would take a different walk back and just enjoyed being in nature and how beautiful it was today. My mood improved greatly.

I had to answer some emails. I accidently replied to the office and not the teacher for my feildtrips on Tuesday so I had to send an apology and get all her questions answered and I felt very stupid for messing that up again. I am just so bad at replying all!! Like I was told not to do it my entire 20s and now I'm supposed to do it all the time. Ugh. Thankfully the teacher got back to me quickly and it was all fine.

Me and Sarah would go to the dodge house and waited for the group. This was funny though because we were expecting 20 middle schoolers but they were actually 8 highschoolers. And honestly that was better.

So instead of breaking into two groups we stayed together. I would have them for team building, then Sarah taught them archy and bbs, and Sarah and Nick would do Zipline. And finally, before lunch, we would go see the horses.

And they were such a great group of boys. First we did team wall and they got everyone up and over in 1 minute and 10 seconds, which is the fastest time I have ever seen a group do that. Very impressed. I kept laughing cause it was hilarious to me that they just basically bounced everyone up.

Next we did A frames. Sarah had gone and set up bbs and archery but once she came back we were able to run both frames with the chaperones. The kids were better at it go early. The adults over thought it, and I like to let people try their ideas without me telling them the solution but the adults were actively not doing what I told them would work so I was like alright, you fail then. Which did end up just hurting me because I was on a rope but it's all good.

We finished up there with whale watcher which they liked. Took them a bit but they had good techniques and it was fun. 2 minutes and 6 seconds was their best time. Which is pretty good! Most groups don't get past a minute.

I passed the lead to Sarah and we walked to archery. I enjoyed talking to everyone. And it was fun watching Sarah explain things. I might get archery certified. Might be fun.

I would leave them to keep working in the office. I wanted to start thinking about the free choice program for next summer. I would tosk to Heather and Alexi about it and made lists and started mapping out those ideas. Which I think will be really fun. I think it will help with the apathy that seems to have settled over camp that makes me a little crazy. I want people to be all in and whatever I can do to help that is important to me.

I had a really nice conversation with Alexi about that and her hopes for next year. It made me feel good that I can help make things happen.

Elizabeth would be working on building the new Ikea desks with Heather. But it was very slow going. Lots of drawers and little parts. She was getting frustrated plus everything was dusty. We would help later.

But in the meantime Joe asked me to drive with him up to the barn, where I would drive him back in the gator. Can do. He had to figure out where his keys were so after we carried all the Ikea boxes (which were very heavy!!) out of the truck bed I waited for him in the truck for a few minutes.

It was fun driving the gator. I also just enjoy talking to Joe. Even when he's grumpy I do really like him and think he's a really nice man. We chatted about camp projects and cars. And after dropped him off at the office I drove back to the dodge house to meet the group.

They were still at horses so I went and met them there. They were very excited to pet the horses and feed them. A few of them kept announcing that that was what they were doing which was very funny. It was a very sweet experience. I'm so glad they had fun. We found out that the reason the group was so small was because everyone else in the group chose to go to Hersey park instead!!! They chose us over a theme park! That's so cool.

And they really did like it. After we left the horses I told them to wash their hands before pizza. And then once we were seated I told them all about camp and encouraged them to apply to be counselors next year and all of them were raising their hands saying they want to apply and had questions but it was great. I really hope they do apply because I loved their energy and I think they would do well to bring that energy to camp. Like they are similar to Tony and Manny. Just cool and young but will still be a little camp cringy and it's perfect. That's what we need.

They would share their pizza with us. Which we appreciated. And then I drove me and Sarah and Nick back to the office.

Where Elizabeth was very much struggling because she realized she put the desk together wrong. It was all upside down and she has stripped all the screws trying to take it apart and she was super upset and stressed about her Halloween costume because she needed grey paper. And so we told her we would handle the desks and I was pretty sure I had grey paper. I would run up to the art building when she said she couldn't find it and I was able to find some large sheets and saved the day. She complimented how tidy the art building was and I wished her luck with her costume (her and her friends are going to be crayons) and told her to have a nice weekend.

When I got back to the office the wedding was starting to use our porch for their gift bags for their guests as they come in. So I put all the recycling away and we brought in all the Ikea.

And then me and Sarah got to work. Heather would help. It was not going well at first be ause I didn't understand the Ikea nuts which are actually cam locks. So after watching a YouTube video I was able to use my pocket tool and it came apart easily. Which felt good. Getting it back together correctly took some thinking. Me and Heather and Sarah struggled through it was we did eventually figure it out. We had to take it apart a little more but we would get it. And soon we had a desk!! Sarah put the top on and started putting the drawers in and building the next set of drawers while I started building the next desk.

And I made the same mistake Elizabeth did!!! I put the top and bottom on backwards. Ugh. Thankfully I knew how to fix it now and it only took a minute. I was so mad at myself though because it was literally the same mistake. And I shd been so careful. Terrible.

Heather was in the main office building a chair while we did our desk building. The uncle of the groom was just talking our ears off through the door. Which was fine but Sarah was like. He needs to go somewhere that is not here. Which was funny. Even the guy's wife was like, maybe we should get moving, mostly because she was really cold. And the storm was coming in. The sky was turning grey.

Once the second desk was done I got my stuff and headed out. Wished everyone a nice weekend. And was on the road.

It was a long drive home. Mostly fine, it did start raining and it was a little heavy for a minute. I would get home at 440. And was really happy to be back.

I put my stuff away and took a shower. I started working on a project with my charm collection and while I was doing that James came home! I was happy to see them but pretty quickly they had to head to get their mom to take her to get their new car.

While they were gone I wouldnt do much. I mostly was just really tired.

And so I got in bed. Which is where I have remained. James would make spaghetti when they got home. We are in bed together. They went and worked on their editing for the podcast and I watched videos and was just a lump in bed.

Now though it is time to sleep. I am very ready. I have a long day tomorrow. With the market and then an event at the museum. I miss being an educator there sometimes but I really love what I'm doing now. It's nice I can pop back in sometimes. Though I am sad to miss dinner with James's cousins tomorrow it's alright. I hope they have fun.

Sleep well everyone. Until next time!

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nellie-elizabeth · 1 year

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The Legend of Vox Machina: Test of Pride (2x09)

Knowing that this batch of episodes contained the Fey Realm stuff, if someone would have told me the Westruun-only episode might be my favorite of the three, I wouldn't have believed them. But... this might be my favorite of the three! The glow-up that Scanlan, Grog, and Pike have all gotten as characters this season, from characters I loved because I already knew them from the stream, to fully realized creations in their own right... it's a beautiful thing to behold.

Cons:

I feel like the way Grog's backstory was framed was the slightest bit confusing, specifically as regarded Pike's knowledge of it. Where we land is that Pike knows how they first took Grog in, but didn't know the full extent of what Grog had been made to do with the herd. What's confusing is that in the flashback, younger Pike thanks Grog for what he did for her grandpa, but when present-day Pike is hearing the story of Grog sparing the old man's life, she says "Grandpa Wilhand?" like she's confused or this is brand new information. The backstory finishes with Pike being like "I never knew..." but yes she did, we just heard Pike thanking Grog for it in the past! I think this is just a small adjustment, where present-day Pike needed to make it clear that while she knew the basics, she never knew how bad things had really been.

I've got to say, I'm not really sure what to make of Ripley's involvement here. Is she going to come into play in some major way in this season? Are we going to get... you know... the culmination of Ripley's story... ahem... in the next three episodes? I kind of don't see how, since we've still gotta do the Kill Box and Umbrasyl. And if Ripley's just here to wave her hand and say "remember me, I'm Ripley and I'm still here", it feels a little odd. I don't know, we'll see. It's not like she's taking up a lot of our time, anyway.

Pros:

Where to start! Despite my slight confusion on how they laid out the flashbacks, I absolutely loved getting this glimpse of Grog's past. Travis is killing it with his performance, imbuing a lot of gravity into Grog's character while never losing sight of the fact that he's a total dumbass (affectionate). This episode has him feeling the shame of his past, and seeing it echoed back at him when the townsfolk are afraid of him because of what his kin have done to Westruun. But we still see his goofy side, when he's acting like a herd member to get him and Pike inside the city to look for Scanlan. And we see how brave he is, to stand up to Kevdak there at the end. This is going to be intense!

One subtle moment I enjoyed is right at the beginning there, when Pike wanted to kill the herd members who murdered the innocent man, but Grog was the one who stopped her. Such a clever and quick way to show us how serious this is, how afraid Grog is and how we should not be underestimating these people as our foes.

The image of Kevdak beating Grog to the point of death is really chilling. Oftentimes the gore on this show is sort of take it or leave it for me, I'm not sure what it's enhancing, but that show of the blood drenching Grog's body and the ground beneath him was haunting and affecting.

Meanwhile, Scanlan sneaks off to do some recon in Westruun, after getting egged on by a particularly flirty Pike, and he meets a group of townsfolk along with a traveling troupe of musicians. Among them is a gnome named Kaylie, who seems to know who Scanlan is and is giving him a really hard time. First off, I have such a blast finding Matt everywhere throughout the show. Dr. Dranzel is so fun, for the brief moments we see him. Second off, Kaylie is PERFECT. I love her hair and her cute little nose and her attitude. I love "one thing I learned in this life, no one comes back to save you." Which. Ouch. And then Scanlan's last words to her as she runs off at the end of the episode are: "take them. We'll catch up. I promise." LIKE. OUCH. I wonder what non-stream-watchers will think of Kaylie. God, this is such a brilliant way of reordering a sequence of events to make an even bigger impact. I am already so obsessed with this.

Pike and Grog do the Wookie Prisoner Trick to find Scanlan, and they all do big hugs when they reunite, which is just the cutest thing! I love how much they were both worried about him. I feel like this show takes the time to show how much these characters all care for each other, how scared they really get when something might be going wrong. It's no small thing, and it captures the energy at the table really well, too.

Gotta shout out the herd members playing boulder, parchment, sheers... that's so fun...

We get to meet Kevdak, and also his son Zanror. I love the distinct look of these two characters, the way you can sense the dynamic between them, and how Grog is going to interface with that dynamic. The herd is in over its head, paying tribute to Umbrasyl, who really is only humoring these people in letting them control Westruun. In the one scene with Umbrasyl, you can sense how everything might turn on a dime at any moment, dependent on the whims of the dragons.

As our episode ends, we have Pike tearfully trying to convince Grog that going after Kevdak is suicide, and they need to stick together. Grog has learned a partial good lesson from his recent trip down memory lane, and that's that he has to stand up for the little folk. It's what sets him apart from the rest of the herd. But he also says "I have to do this on my own," which proves that he doesn't quite have all the pieces of the puzzle to his own self-actualization. They've done a masterful job of teasing out the themes for Grog and packaging them in a way to give themselves a nice build to a really, really cool climactic moment next week. I mean, I assume. Not like I know for sure what's going to happen, or anything.

So yeah! Kaylie is a triumph already, I deeply deeply love her. And Grog's character arc over this season has been a master class in how to adapt from a meandering streaming D&D game to a tightly packed animated series format. Can't wait to see how it all shakes out a week from now!

9.5/10

#review #tlovm #tlovm review #the legend of vox machina #critical role

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team-heavenly · 2 years

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Chapter 11 - Nonsensical Castle

This is a continuation of the Chapter 11 blog post! Today, I present to you... the dungeon from hell.

Okay so- *cracks knuckles, gulps down a mouthful of Cherri berry soda, briefly screams into a pillow*

I should have known this dungeon was gonna be a nightmare the moment I first loaded and landed directly in a Monster House.

Honestly, the best way to share this story is to read the chat with my partner-in-crime behind the scenes, @tzhaar-rayne! (Thanks for dealing with my insanity hun 😘)

Because honestly... the text really speaks for itself.

(Warning: I try to keep a mostly family friendly blog, but this one includes a lot of swearing.)

(Setting the scene: 5th floor, second attempt)

(I’m stealing “Hello Team Heavenly, how do you do? :)))” as a motto for this playthrough.)

You can’t see it unless you squint, but that semi-transparent form is Mirage Deoxys. You know, from Rescue Team? Which, as far as I know, does not show up in Explorers. That being said...

*3 floors later, still on second attempt*

Here’s where Apollo hit me with the dodge ball:

😐

*2 floors later, same attempt*

Thaaaat’s right, one of the true Time Gear Guardians decides to jump me when Andrea and Teresa are poisoned and on the verge of fainting. But the stairs are right there, right?

Nah man, he knew Flamethrower.

Then I lend away my singular brain cell for two (2) seconds and this happens:

YEAH. THE MIRACLE ITEM FOR TOGEKISS IS GONE 😭💔

Well, in any case... I saw something I’d never seen before: what happens if you are defeated in the Northern Desert.

😂This made me crack a smile, ngl. I appreciate the solidarity everyone.

As if three legends wasn’t enough, this dungeon was also riddled with Monster Houses (gee, what a surprise.) It took me about... three hours? Before I reached 10F again. Because on every. floor. I would run into a MH! Sometimes it was multiple floors in a row!! 😑

Andrea wanted to learn Arm Thrust, but it only has 3 stars for power :\ and frankly her other moves are too useful to let go. I’m so sorry bb.

Seed floating in the abyss? (I was able to snag it, too.)

Anyway, I finally trudge on past the stairs, hoping for the best, but...

(Context: Intimidator kept me from attacking five turns in a row.)

So yeah, eventually I breaked for dinner (and to give my eyes a rest).

*About 2 hours later, attempt I-don’t-freaking-know*

(Btw if a comment seems out of place, it’s because we’re responding to something the other mentioned out of context.)

Yeah that particular MH was chock full of Metagross. They were freaking sicced on us.

I’m probably 4 or 5 hours in at this point. Just when I think I might finally make it... guess what.

Awww, look at me losing my last shreds of sanity. Adorable :’)

Honestly, that was nearly the last straw for me, until @tzhaar-rayne came up with a great idea:

And now, an interlude:

I found the Manaphy Egg for sale during one of my training days. But I couldn’t buy it- the item remained in the red no matter how much money I had.

I checked the Swap Shop every day in the hopes I could find the Togekiss item again. Alas, I did not. Buuuut I basically found it’s equivalent for Andrea! So that’s something.

*2 more hours of grinding through jobs later*

Training montage incoming!!

This is after giving Andrea a Joy Seed drink. She did not learn Slam because having Quick Attack finish off opponents from behind has been too darn useful.

Teresa learned Coin Watcher, Deep Breather, and Self Curer within like three Gummis.

Andrea also didn’t learn Peck, mostly because it’s weak.

This is from another Joy Seed drink. Outrage! Cool in theory! Probably terrible in practice!

As you can see, Andrea learned a Lot during our brief hiatus from the plot. A new move popped up for her basically every other level.

Okay so for reference. This is Team Heavenly before the training-

And after the training.

*sharpens knives* Let’s do this.

After a false start:

One rare fossil = 100 HP. Still wasn’t enough, though it granted me the opportunity to deal a finishing blow.

This was maybe my 2nd or 3rd time on 11F? 🙃

Teresa:

Thankfully, for both your sake and mine, we did, in fact, finally reach the stairs on that last floor.

TL;DR:

Thanks for coming to my freaking TED Talk. (Click here to go back to the Chapter 11 post.)

#*yeets the microphone against the wall*#pokemon mystery dungeon #pmd explorers #randomizer #chapter 11 #nonsensical castle #aka the dungeon from hell

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atherix · 1 year

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I made a choice and read the new chapter during my lunch break and that was a MISTAKE. I had to pull myself out of the trance that your writing puts me in and then be responsible make sure children were doing what they were supposed to.

But now I have another break and I am here to say that you are MEAN and I ADORE you.

The way you describe the crack and the first looks at the city were marvelous. Mumbo being Protective <3 and then I am SO GLAD he was there to bring Scar down so he could stop Grian from being captured by the mimic by himself even though they had to see their DEAD LOVED ONES. THAT WAS MEAN AND I AM SUFFERING!

And when it called Mumbo Alexander and prompted him to play with his daughter, that somehow hurt my heart more than everything else in that scene.

Then Grian blaming himself for this makes me suspicious that he has some prophecy in the back of his mind that this all started the moment he left (and killed the watchers)

Also I am convinced (at this point in the story) that the Alley somehow runs on a different timeline. Like many years can pass there during a single day in boatem or something like that. This may not be true but it is my guess.

And you said mumbo and tubbo get bonding time so does that mean grian drags scar down? If so then they can at least talk to each other through the glyphys right??? Or does that also stop working with the magic backlash???

And those are my ramblings for this chapter. Basically I am very upset, but also so so invested in what is going to happen to them next.

I should have put a disclaimer; "Do Not Read While At Work/School" LMAO

I am DELIGHTED by the suffering, I am so mean and I am loving it <3 Hehehehe <3

I'm so glad you think so <3 I was so worried the description of the city wouldn't live up so I'm glad you enjoyed that <3 I love a good protective Mumbo <3 Hehe yes, it is very good he decided to bring Scar (and Tubbo, though that one will come into play later hehe) down into the Alley with them. Better to all be together if anything happens than separated right? Hm, well that WAS their thought process. LOOK. I TOOK MYSELF OUT WITH THAT SCENE. I WAS CACKLING BUT I WAS SCREAMING AT MYSELF BECAUSE OH MY GOD. I love the Mimic scene so much, and I only wish I knew how to write the absolutely crushing despair of having that hope destroyed. Mind you, my god, if this was from Mumbo's POV instead of Grian's- haha my god. My god. <3

I just realized in my sleepy 3 AM brain I spelled his name wrong, it was supposed to be Alexandre, I was so caught up in the Mimic moment that I didn't realize until this ask that I misspelled his name hjfdjkfkjd BUT GOD YEAH Mumbo's daughter (Lilith <3) that was like the lowest of low blows the Mimics could have taken </3

Hehehe :)

Well I mean there is a reason the Alley looks so long abandoned... of course we'll get into that later :) I can neither confirm nor deny anything here hehe-

:) Hey who remembers the bird glyph. Not that it's important but. Just curious hehe.

fhjdsjkgfdjkgkfhgfjk I have good news AND bad news for you, however I can give you neither <3

#ask #Midnight Series #I am loving the theories #let's see what's right yeah?#hehehe

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oldflyingraven · 2 years

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Day 23: At the end of their rope

Prompt: Forced to kneel.

Grian gains his true wings.

Read it here or on AO3!

@whumptober-archive

These stupid robes really werent his thing. But the Watchers kept reminding him that it was a small price to pay for perfection. Grian Xelqua had only been a part of them for a few weeks. They’d only let him out of his quarters for his basic schooling and that was it. Food was sparse, but he kept being reminded that his body didn’t need as much as he’d thought he’d need when he was a player. It was a small price for perfection. It was a smaller price for saving Evo. And that was what mattered.

What didn’t matter was the constant boredom pressing on his mind. What didn’t matter was the way he constantly felt inferior to his teachers. What didn’t matter was that he felt so, so out of place when standing between his fellow trainees. All short with colourful wings next to tall, beautiful creatures with sleek black wings. Soon they’d go through their ceremony where they’d get their true wings. Xelqua was supposed to excited for it! Those wings would grant them the ability to Watch. Would open up the world to so much more.

But he wasn’t excited. Not at all. The idea of losing his colourful parrot wings broke his heart. The last thing that connected him to his identity as a player. He knew he wasn’t supposed to miss it. Becoming a Watcher in training had granted him powers beyond what he’d ever could’ve had as a player. But he missed Martyn, and Jimmy, and Pearl and Taurus and all his other friends. Missed the comfort of Evo. Missed being able to talk to Mumbo via call. None of them knew what had happened to him. Were they worried about him? After all, the admin of Evo had suddenly disappeared.

He was summoned along with his fellow trainees. They all had a good idea what was going to be happening, and the air was filled with buzzing excitement. Everyone seemed to be ready for this moment except him. Xelqua didn’t want this. He didn’t want to lose the last thing that connected him to the people he loved. So he walked quietly behind the others. At least, until one of them approached him and started walking besides him.

“Excited?” they asked. He had to dig through his memory to remember their name. Andathen. Both of their parents were powerful watchers and they were sure to follow in their footsteps.

Xelqua forced a small smile. “Sure.” he said.

But Andathen seemed to look straight through his facade. “You’re the first player to join us in Void knows how long. How are you not excited? This is a huge honour.” they said. They sounded slightly offended.

Xelqua didn’t respond. He had the feeling that whatever he’d say would just offend Andathen more.

“Don’t make the elders regret this risk Xelqua.” was the last thing Andathen said to him before they left him alone again.

The first trainee writhed on the ground as the white fire burned their wings. It took every bone in Xelqua’s body to not run away right then and there. But he could feel the endless eyes of the elders on his back. And his front. And all around him. He didn’t know how to close himself off yet, and so he tried desperately to not show his discomfort. Andathen was next. They walked up proudly and listened to the speech the elder gave about them. They kneeled and faced the fire with dignity. Even as they flinched in pain the neutral, dignified expression didn’t leave their face.

And then it was Xelqua’s turn. He had to force his body to move forward.

“Xelqua,” the elder, Tetra, said. “The first player in centuries to join us. You have an aptitude for chaos. But you need to learn that interfering is not our way. Today you will gain your proper wings. Now, kneel and accept this gift.” they finished.

But Xelqua didn’t. “I don’t want my wings to change.” he said thinly.

Tetra raised a perfect eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“I said I didn’t-”

“I heard you trainee. When I give you an order you follow it. You have made this commitment to us. You shall follow through with it,” their voice had risen, and small murmerings rolled through the line of trainees. Tetra’s eyes went white. “Kneel!” he commanded.

Xelqua’s body moved outside of his control. His admin training and recent Watcher training allowed him to recognise this as powerful code control. Tetra was messing with his very being to get him to comply. He bowed his head down, not wanting to see their face any longer.

And then the pain started. Horrific, burning pain started at the base of his wings and spread outward like a wildfire. It felt like he was being eaten by acid. Blood was dripping from them, but it was immediately burned away by the white flames. And it burned. He barely caught a glimpse of red and yellow feathers turning a blinding white.

It was the last thing he saw before passing out.

#whumptober2022 #no.23 #forced to kneel #hermitcraft #fic #grian #flyingraven oc

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stilling63mahoney · 2 years

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#gb whatsapp

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poc-movie-supremacy · 4 years

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Watcher AU: Cryptids

A.N.: This is the Shyan perspective on this little Au I wrote. Mothman Ryan is sent to Earth to hunt demons, along the way he picks up Buzzfeed’s resident skeptic Shane. Can Ryan keep Shane safe with all the demons around them? For @mousemadej I hope you like it

A similar fic but standrew perspective will also be written.

Do not tag or @ anyone from Watcher, I highly doubt any of them like rpf and nor do I want them to see this. It was a fun fic to work on, but I don’t need them finding it, please.

---

Jake Bergara deserved to go to heaven. He was the good, the pure one out of the two of them. He shouldn’t be blamed for Ryan’s faults. Heaven didn’t seem to think so though. Just the idea of Jake being like Ryan horrified them, but Ryan was nothing if not stubborn. Fed up, he barged into heaven demanding for them to let his brother in, be a guardian angel, like he’s always dreamed. They agreed, on one condition.

He was to do their dirty work: hunt demons.

Internally Ryan was baffled. That was an easy job, why would that be the one condition needed? Since it was an easy task though, Ryan didn’t verbally question it. Externally his face was neutral bordering on dark and he agreed.

Ryan Bergara, Mothman nicknamed by some real creative guy on earth, is Heaven’s latest demon slayer.

Jake wasn’t extremely happy about this turn of events, and frankly neither was Steven. The two getting a little buddy buddy after Jake earned his white wings and golden halo. Ryan didn’t know if he was entirely okay with it, but Steven was keeping his brother safe and what’s better than that. The night before Ryan’s job, Steven, Adam, and Jake through him a little party. He can tell there’s an underlying tension within the small party, but he ignores it in favour of spending his last moments of normal with some of his favourite people. Jake, with some help from Steven, thought about another way around this mess, but what’s done is done. You can’t exactly break a seal with heaven, so he accepts and gets assigned a human.

Ryan misses his brother, but he knows he’s safer in heaven. One can’t get injured in heaven. On earth he quickly realizes he’s going to need a job to be able to hunt demons inconspicuously. He gets a job at Buzzfeed. With the Try guys a thing, hunting demons can’t be that odd right? Anyways, Steven’s there too on and off to keep an eye on his human, Andrew Ilnyckj. It’s nice to have a friend there.

He means to demon hunt alone, he really does, but there’s this guy. Tall, lanky, white guy who’s a skeptic yet thinks hunting ghosts and demons is a hoot. Ryan bergrudengly takes him along. Jake and Steven think this new development is hilarious and never waste a moment to tease him.

Shane’s... odd. He doesn’t believe any of the ‘BS’ Ryan is trying to convince him. At first it angered Ryan to no end, but then he realized that he could kill demons in secret easier with Buzzfeed’s resident skeptic.

The show’s original intent was just two boys hunting demons, but Shane really loved crime cases. Thus, Buzzfeed Unsolved True Crime was born. Ryan got some help from some coworkers and compiled Theories on unsolved crime cases. This set up was less adrenaline fueled than Supernatural is. Ryan likes it, it’s a pleasant reprise. They sit down in an little makeshift office with a corkboard in the back. It’s filled with future supernatural or true crime cases and updated info on Jake. Viewers like compiling theories what the cork board means. Ryan finds their ideas hilarious.

Ryan finds great enjoyment in riling Shane up so he makes sure to include outrages theories. One of his favourites is a zombie plague that killed the colonists of Roanoke. Shane looked so disappointed in him, it made Ryan laugh. As the years go on, Ryan finds this job more enjoyable. He feels more free when he gets to sit down and tell Shane his stupid theories. He enjoys coming up with bits with Ryan and pretending to be a serial killer. In truth it’s just him letting another side of his personality free, a part that he has to keep hidden lest Heaven smite him. He hears the internet call Shane a demon and he laughs about it with Jake and Steven.

Shane isn’t a demon. Sure he dissociates from his emotions, but he still has them. Also if he were a demon, then Ryan would have to kill him, and that’s the last thing Ryan wants to do. It’s terrifying, but Ryan’s starting to care for him. It’s an odd feeling in his chest, caring for someone. It feels different from how he cares about Jake and Steven.

Being able to work with Steven is always amusing. He has a different personality at work, so Ryan loves to poke holes in that persona. Andrew looks at them oddly at them when Ryan alludes to something from Steven’s childhood that makes him blush all over. Andrew thinks it’s a nice color, that blush, but he doesn’t think he could ever say that out loud though. (Ryan knows Andrew likes Steven and Steven likes Andrew. He has a running bet with Adam when they’ll finally get together. In the meantime Ryan finds great enjoyment in teasing Steven about said crush.)

On off times, they tell their co-workers that they go to play basketball when in reality they drive to a large empty field and stretch their wings. Usually it’s a competition on who can fly the highest. Ryan’s black and blue wings stretch out wide behind him. Steven joins him, unfurling his white and gold wings. It feels nice to use their wings after days of keeping them tucked away. They do play basketball sometimes, but not often. Steven loves to take this time to tease the hell out of Ryan. It shouldn’t be as effective, but when they get back to the office, Steven loves to almost flirt with Shane. Ryan and Andrew get jealous for different reason and Shane is a mix between baffled and curious. It’s utter chaos. Adam loves it.

On some level Ryan knew he had romantic attraction to Shane, but he was... wrong. He was at the very best a genetic disorder at the worst a monster. Heaven’s told him so despite Steven and Jake’s attempts to change his mind. He doesn’t- he can’t bear to see Shane’s disgust when he finds out the truth. So he lets his walls down, but not enough to form any romantic relationship with Shane. This job, their relationship, it’s good where it is. Ryan’s fine where they are, he has him like this, and that’s enough.

Today they were filming an episode for Unsolved Supernatural. They were ‘investigating’ a haunted house (killing a demon). It didn’t seem as bad at first. Ryan just needed to catch a lone shoe-stealing demon. Low stakes right?

ha.

Ryan did his solo investigation and couldn’t find the little demon. Unhappily, he sent Shane in next and continued to try and find the demon. His ears turned towards Shane, but he just heard the usual taunting. That was one thing Ryan wished he’d stop doing. One day Ryan won’t be enough to stop the demons and they’d come for him.

That day was today, go figure.

Ryan was listening to Shane laugh, easing his worries until the laughter turned to screams.

“Shane, Shane?”

Nothing but absolute utter silence from Shane, yet there was noise. Grunting, slobbering, heavy breathing filled Ryan’s senses. He dropped his camera, possibly breaking it, and sprinted. Cold dread filled his heart at first but was soon replaced with hot anger. His wings sprouted from his shoulder, fingers turning to claws, and eyes glowed blood red.

Easily bursting through the doors, Ryan tackled the ugly demon to the ground. He cursed his stupidity, the demon was a lot worse than he thought. It put up a good fight, but nothing could stop and angry Bergara, even Heaven bent to his will.

Ryan sunk his claws into the demon’s ‘heart’ and it fell down dead. Ryan let the adrenaline dwindle from his as he caught his breath. Slowly like he was walking through water, Ryan turned towards Shane. Then everything speed up. Using his wings, he knelt by Shane and checked him for wounds. There was a burn on his left side from his shoulder to his navel. Over his right chest was a big bleeding cut. Ryan took off his shirt and did his best to dress Shane’s wounds. Then he gathered him up and flew.

~~~~

Ryan sat quietly in Steven’s living room. Shane lay sleeping in Steven’s bed. They had gotten here a little over two hours ago, but the shook still clung to him. The sofa dipped and Steven’s forever warmth clung to him.

“He’s going to be okay.”

“He’s turning into a demon.”

Steven didn’t know what to say to that.

“I’m supposed to be hunting demons, my job is to kill them. I can’t- how can I kill him? This is, this was to keep Jake in job. Can you even break a promise with heaven?” Ryan’s voice brooke with unshed tears.

“If one could, I’m not surprised it would be you,” Steven commented.

“I- I he’s mine. He’s so good, and he doesn’t believe in demons and now he is one. How am I supposed to explain this to him?”

“He’ll probably figure it out on his own, you know, when he starts growing horns, a tail, and gigantic scaly wings.” Steven points out matter of factly.

Ryan would’ve laughed at the absurdity of it, but one thought kept bugging him. “What happens when Heaven sends me to kill him? I can’t kill him Ste, I just- I can’t live without him. He’s confident and he’s caring and he makes me laugh and he gets my sense of humor. And now he’s going to be disgusted and dead.” With that Ryan just let’s himself sobb. Instinctively Steven curls himself around Ryan to console him. He just holds him as he cries and rubs out a soothing pattern on his arm.

“Heaven won’t get him. Just as you promised to protect Andrew, we’ll protect Shane. He’s head over heels for you. Even if he was disgusted with you, he’s not worth it. You’re great Ryan, you deserve someone who knows that.”

It makes sense to Ryan on some base level, but it’s hard to wrap his head around. Ryan busied himself with helping Steven clean their feathers before passing out on the couch.

~~~~~

Shane woke up to absolute darkness, yet he could vaguely make out the objects in the room. Possibly a bedroom he thinks. For the life of him, he can’t remember how he got there. He remembers an old decrepit house, someone screaming and fighting sounds before passing out. Maybe someone was fighting him because his upper back is sore and he thinks he might have a fever. Gingerly, he gets out of bad and stretches to his full height. Then he promptly fell over.

Shane screamed in pain when his upper back collided with the floor. His weight distribution is all off for some reason now. The door burst open to one of the most confusing sights in his life. Ryan with hands for claws, glowing red eyes and ginormous black and blue wings. Next to him is Steven, literally glowing with a halo over his head, floating with the help of white and gold wings. Lastly pale as a sheet of paper Andrew, muscles tense and fangs out. Shane thinks he should’ve just stayed in bed, asleep, cause clearly he’s sleep deprived.

“Shane. What’s wrong? ARe you hurt.” Ryan’s voice was an octave lower than usual and vibrating. Steven swept a white light over the room only pocketing it when he looked satisfied. Shane was not satisfied.

“Ryan, the room’s empty.” “What the hell-” Steven promptly got cut off.

“How- Then why was he- why were you screaming?” Ryan focused his sharp almost angry gaze at Shane. It wasn’t angry, well not angry at Shane, it was anger at the situation, anger at whatever tried to hurt Shane. Not that he had any idea.

“I fell on my back trying to get up. Felt lightheaded,” Shane explained. Steven folded up his wings and slowly approached Shane who was struggling to get off the floor. He shied away from Steven’s touch, wary, afraid.

“We’re not here to hurt you, Shane. It’s okay,” Steven tried to say as soothingly as possible.

“People aren’t supposed to have wings. Their voices can’t vibrate. And they definitely don’t have fangs.” Shane spit out.

“Some can. Those from other wordly places can.” Steven’s voice doesn’t break away from it’s soothing calmness. He sounds like he’s talking to a spooked client. Ryan’s face is a deadly storm, all emotions trying to show on his face at once. His arms are crossed barring his large biceps. Shane doesn’t know wether to be scared or feel... safe. Even with the inhuman appearance, he’s still Ryan.

“Like cryptids? The one’s Ryan’s always ya-talking about?”

“Sort of like Cryptids... think more of cultural myths that you could have heard.” Shane finally stops shying away from Steven’s touch, and stills long enough for Steven to place an hand on his arm.

“But- they’re not real.” Shane tries to rebut weakly.

Ryan’s facial expressions tightens and he just barely bites back a sigh. “I’ve heard a lot of things about me, but after seeing my true appearance, questioning my reality isn’t one of them. Yelling in fear is one though. I knew you were stubborn Big guy, but I didn’t think it was this bad.”

Shane likes that nickname. It warms his already sweltering heart. He could call anyone that, they happen to know a lot of tall men, but Shane got that nickname. No one else, him.

He gaped at Ryan, unable to say anything.

“Hey, Shane, let’s get you onto the bed. I need to give you a check up.”

“You’re a doctor?” Shane asks Steven as he lays out on Steven’s bed.

“I’m going to go finish the food. Feel better Shane.” Andrew the possible vampire nodded at Shane and exited the room. That left Steven and Ryan still in the room.

Finally calm, Ryan sheathed his feathers but didn’t dare to step any closer. Shane didn’t know if he was okay with that. It was Ryan, but also a completely different Ryan than the one he knew for years. He hated it. They had a connection, they had a relationship whatever it was, and in one night it was broken.

The room was still and almost silent while Steven gave Shane a checkup. Small noises of displeasure were heard here and there, but Ryan didn’t think, well he hoped everything was okay.

He never gets what he want does he?

“You’re symptoms are perfectly normal under the circumstances. The pain will be bad for a while, but eventually it’ll pass.” Steven stood up. “I’m going to go get you some medicine. Stay with him Ryan.” Steven tried to communicate that they should also talk while Ryan was cursing him out for not letting him stew longer.

Slowly, Ryan inched closer to Shane. “What does he mean: under the circumstances?”

Ryan knew what was going on, but he didn’t have the heart to tell Shane. “Just get some rest big guy.” Ryan hoped that was said as soothing as possible. The last time he had to be this gentle was when he had to take care of Jake after a bad day. It’s been years since that.

“No.” Shane groaned in pain. Ryan gingerly placed a hand on his upper arm and shushed him.

“Rest, Big Guy.”

“What’s going on? Ryan, what’s happening to me?” Shane pleaded with Ryan to help him understand. He didn’t want to tell him, telling him would mean having to accept what happened, that he wasn’t enough to save him, but Ryan couldn’t say no to those eyes.

“You were hoping to cause a ruckus in the demon’s lair while I planned on exorcising the thing during the solo investigation. I didn’t think it would be that bad.” Ryan swallowed composing himself before continuing. “I couldn’t do it during the solo investigation, so I sent you in while I searched the rest of the house. I kept an ear out for you, teasing demons... anyways, I kept an ear out for you and I heard you scream. It was the scariest sound in my life. You never scream Shane, and then you do, and it. It was blood-curling. Busting down the door, I caught the middle of a fight between you and the demon, you lost.” Pausing, Shane laid trembling fingers on Ryan’s thigh. Sometime during the story, Ryan ended up sitting on the other side of Shane on the bed. To feel Shane on him felt like both a blessing and a curse. “I tackled the demon and we fought until it died. You weren’t, you weren’t breathing Shane, so in a panic, I took you to Steven’s house.”

“And now I’m here. But what was Steven talking about, under the circumstances? Is something happening to me Ry?” Shane’s voice shook as his mind ran with possibilities. If vampires and angels were real, what could have happened to him?

“It burned you from the arm down to the navel and a big claw cut over you right chest. Because of it, Shane you’re turning into a demon.”

Shane wheezed, agitating Ryan further. “I’m not joking Shane. This isn’t the time for jokes. Heaven hunts demons, my job is to hunt demons, and now you’re one and I can’t kill you or see you die at all...”

At that moment, for better or for worse, Steven entered the room carrying medicine. He paused halfway through seeing Ryan worked up, and Shane a mix of pain, confusion, and... delight? He held the tray with one hand and walked over to Ryan. “You okay man?”

“He doesn’t believe me, I know he wouldn’t but it’s so fucking frustrating.” Ryan’s feathers were literally starting to get ruffled, so Steven tried to diffuse the situation before something bad happened.

“Hey, He’s Buzzfeed’s biggest skeptic, you know this is going to take a minute especially with him in pain. Patience, we got this.” Steven gave Ryan’s arm a squeeze before heading over to Shane.

“Hey Shane, I need you to take this. Here’s some water and food. Eat. Andrew made it just for you.” Steven silently asked Ryan if he wanted to stay with Shane. Ryan nodded a little forcefully to convince Steven, and didn’t leave the room when Steven did.

“Is this safe?”

“Yes you big baby eat it or die.” Ryan paused at his words but didn’t take them back. Shane stared at him, neither of them saying a word for a while.

“I’m turning into a demon?” It was phrased as a half question half statement. Slowly he ate the food Steven gave him. Shane usually wasn’t a picky eater, but after finding out the truth about the supernatural, a new hesitense came over him.

“Yup, the fever will subside into slightly reddish skin and horns will poke out of your skull. Wings, scaly, skin like wings will protrude from your shoulder blades. Etc.” Ryan tried to keep his voice as even-toned as he could to mask his panic.

“Etcetera? What else will happen to me?” Shane did not try and mask his panic.

“I’m not sure! Every demon turns out slightly different! You could get hooves, you could get a tail maybe red eyes like mine or solid black eyes. I don’t know!” Ryan almost shouted exasperated.

Shane looked at him slightly terrified and Ryan realized his voice took on the buzzing quality. He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry, ok. It’s just, when Andrew got turned into a vampire it was fine. Heaven doesn’t hate vampires just finds them annoying. You’re a demon now, and heaven wants to kill you and that’s worse.”

Shane wanted to tell Ryan that of course it was worse, but the little guy was already worked up so he kept it to himself. “Breath Ry, I’m going to be fine.”

Ryan scoffed. “Easier said than done.” He looked over at him really looked at him and frowned. “Finish your food. Mother hen Steven wouldn’t be happy if you don’t.”

Shane grumbled quietly, “Are you sure the mother hen is Steven?”

“What was that big guy?”

Shane changed the subject, “Tell me about yourself, about this supernatural part of you. Are you also a demon? Or an angel?”

Ryan took a seat on the edge of the end of Steven’s bed. “I’m an angel with a genetic disorder. Instead of... being born like Steven, white wings with a halo, I got red eyes, black wings and no halo. We’ve been friends since we were kids. He found me and was the first person to offer to play with me, never left me afterwards, even when people didn’t take to kindly to me and my deformities. My brother Jake, also an angel sans genetic deformities, wanted to be like Steven. Heaven told him no though, because of me. Thought it something in the genes. I knew that excuse was shit so I fought tooth and nail to get him in. After a while they relented on the condition that I do their dirty work, hunt demons. Jake, Steven and Adam weren’t happy about this-”

“Adam’s an angel? That’s the least surprising thing I’ve heard.”

Ryan chuckled. “No Adam’s a merman.”

“Mermen can’t be real.”

“Oh they’re real big guy. Why do you think Steven and Adam live near the beach?”

“Because it’s California!”

“Not all of, nevermind. Anyways, they weren’t happy about my new job, but they were too late to do anything about it. I was sent to earth and got a job at Buzzfeed to hunt demons easier. Funnily enough, Steven’s newest charge, Andrew, also happened to work at Buzzfeed, so he could keep an eye on the both of us."

Shane mulled over Ryan's words as he finished his food. "He really is a mother hen. Also I don't think you're a deformity. You're Ryan, Wings or not."

"These," Ryan stood up and unfolded his wings and went full Mothman, "Don't scare you?"

"Not at all, although now I get why Mothman has the reputation he has, egoist."

"Oh says, you." Ryan paused and took a deep breath. "Thanks, for not being disgusted with me or anything."

"Ryan, you're my friend, other things about you disgust me, not this.” Ryan let out a wheeze making Shane smile.

~~~~~

The rest of the year and change was a flurry of events. Jake came down from Heaven to warn them of God’s wrath. They decided to pack up their jobs at Worth it and Unsolved and head out on the run until God’s bloodlust calmed down. They stayed close to the coast so that Adam didn’t have to follow them in a bathtub. Jake offered to stay behind and delay God’s army. Ryan wasn’t happy about it and outright refused until Jake promised that they would keep semi-constant contact, and immediately once it was safe, Jake would join them.

Shane’s transition into demonhood went as smoothly as one could hope. His wings were similar to Ryan’s black, blue, and even some green just more scale-y instead of feather-y. Being six-four and now adding six inch horns was something to get used to. He didn’t end up getting hooves or glowing eyes, but he did end up getting a tail.

Shane and Ryan’s relationship didn’t suffer much after the initial argument. There also might’ve been a kiss when Ryan was helping manicure Shane’s claws and horns. Shane initiated it. Ryan didn’t think he ever smiled that wide. (For a second he thought he was dying until he realized there weren’t actual butterflies in his stomach. Shane had a good laugh at that) Steven gave Andrew money, saddened slightly that he lost the bet.

Living on the run wasn’t easy. They missed their family and friends. It hurt to cut contact from them completely. But off-roading together made it bearable, made it okay. Listening to Shane’s odd songs to pass the time, eating Andrew concoctions that always ended up a little too raw if he wasn’t careful, giggling when Ryan and Jake get into arguments, it almost felt... domestic.

They mainly worked odd jobs to get some pay, never in the same place for over a year. Ryan, Steven and Jake never could stop helping people even if Heaven renounced their status, and would help helpless cryptids like themselves whenever they could. They almost adopted a fairy and had a run in with elmo’s know-it-all blue cousin (who really didn’t like Ryan) but that’s a story for another time.

Life wasn’t easy, not by a long shot, not by a mile, but it was there and they had each other, was that not enough?

#shyan #standrew #a little bit I guess #there are some ot5 moments but 1 there isn't a tag for it and 2 i don't think there's enough moments to tag it #I don't know someone read this and tell me how many ship moments I accidentally wrote into this #ella's worth it fics #ella's watcher fics #ella's unsolved fics #we're all fic writers here #the moment they go on the run is basically when they start watcher #in the original timeline ryan shane and steven just decided to give heaven the middle finger and help people on their own terms but once wri #ting the fic I realized that that timeline the events wouldn't play out in the way that we could get to that point #cause Andrew was supposed to be like a stay at home wife like a prarie wife with adam the merman to keep him company #then I write it and it's just like ha this can't go this way #so now there's more angst #and jake bergara #I didn't intended to have him in here so much but oh well #I hope yall like this #especially you Max #I would not have enough confidence to write this fic without you

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angryschnauzer · 3 years

Text

Undercover Honeymoon

Summary; Having survived a helicopter crash that killed off the gang you and your senior agent had infiltrated, you hide out from the storm that brought the aircraft down by pretending to be Honeymooners at a boutique hotel... but what will 24 hours with August Walker bring you? Trouble, that’s what, and the best possible kind.

Pairing: August Walker x Female Reader (no race or body type specified)

Warnings: NSFW, 18+, Smut, honestly this is entirely smut, its a crack fic too. Sigh, here goes: face slap, murder, August in a hoodie and grey sweatpants, oral sex (female recieving), blowjob, drunken antics, impared judgement, titty fucking, fingering, unprotected sex, anal sex, inappropriate lube, multiple orgasms, dubious consent, choking, dom-vibes, Sugar Daddy arrangement (but no Daddy kink).

I do not run a tag list, but if you go and follow @angryschnauzerwrites and hit notifications, you’ll get an alert to any new stories i post. All previous fics can be found on there or on my Ao3

Undercover Honeymoon

The helicopter spiralled out of control, the tall pines looming through the storm of the century rain, screaming filled your ears, unsure if it was the sound of the engines failing or coming from your own lungs. The aircraft made contact with the trees and everything went black.

“Agent… AGENT!” a slap across your face sprang you from your unconscious state, your vision blurred and you winced at the sharp pain that shot through your temple as the face before you came into focus.

“Walker?” you muttered; “Can’t blow our cover…”

Strong arms gripped your shoulders;

“Wake UP! Everyone else is dead”

The next hour was surreal. Agent Walker - your superior officer - had pulled you from the wreckage of the helicopter, past the lifeless bodies of the gang you’d infiltrated, some of which had injuries that looked suspiciously like gunshot wounds. Either way you were alive and so was the other undercover agent, and having spent the last four days running bank robberies you were relieved to be rid of the brutal gang.

Agent Walker had half dragged half carried you through the forest, and even though it was the middle of the day, the torrential rain and dark storm clouds above made the way feel like you were travelling at twilight. When you stumbled on some roots he caught you, his arm firmly around your waist;

“C’mon Agent, not much further now…” his voice softer than usual, reassuring even.

“Where’re we going?”

“Out of season ski lodge… should be quiet this time of year, just a couple of wildlife watchers no doubt”

What you’d been expecting was a cute little place with checkered curtains and cutesy decor, what you’d arrived at was a luxury boutique hotel. Agent Walker had managed to spin a very convincing tale of your car leaving the highway due to the weather and he’d arrange to get it recovered after the storm so you could continue your ‘honeymoon’. The receptionist had smiled warmly and offered the pair of you the luxury suite, August merrily peeling $100 bills off a stack he’d produced from his pocket, the paper band that held them together from the robbery slyly crumpled up and you quietly picked it up from the floor, a tiny smirk on the corner of his face when he spotted you covering his rare mistake.

Ten minutes later you were settled in your shared room, starting to peel yourself out of your soaked boots and clothing as you eyed the enormous bathroom and ultra fluffy robes that were provided.

“I’m going to go to the gift shop…” he announced, breaking the silence; “They do hoodies and stuff, i’ll grab some dry things to change into…”

“Thanks Agent Walker… I’m going to take a bath…”

He nodded quietly, standing at the door;

“It’s August… call me August”

You must have fallen asleep in the bath, as the next thing you know there is an insistent knocking on the bathroom door;

“Honey? Honey, everything ok in there?”

“Y-yes, Sorry, fell asleep…”

“Ok Honey, just got room service here delivering some lunch”

“Thanks Aug… Augie…”

Augie? Where the hell did that come from? You mentally chastised yourself. An hour ago he was your senior agent and all round grumpy supervisor, now he was ‘Augie’? You actually facepalmed yourself before taking a deep breath and climbing out of the bath. A few moments later once you were dry, wearing the fluffy robe you stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, your breath catching in your throat;

“Augie… we have company?”

Agent Walker was standing in the middle of the room in his shirt, underwear and socks, talking to the room service attendant as he tipped the young man;

“Darling, lunch is here, you must be famished” he let a warm smile spread over his face as he turned to the staff member; “We must have a bite to eat… expending lots of energy, it is our honeymoon after all…”

Once he’d ushered the man out of the room he cleared his throat and his expression dropped, his face serious again;

“I got your new attire… it fits more with the location” he motioned for you to follow him to the bed where there were a number of things laid out, however your feet were rooted to the floor; “What?”

“You’re… you’re in your underwear…”

He looked down, almost in shock to discover he was without his cargo pants;

“Yes? And you’re completely naked beneath that fetching white robe” he motioned to a side of the bed where a bunch of things were sat on the pristine white duvet; “So unless you wish to eat lunch having me know you are naked save for a glorified towel with sleeves - and that would be a delightful thought - you may want to get changed whilst i shower”

Without another word he smirked, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief and grabbed a pile of clothing on the bed, before sauntering into the bathroom, leaving you open jawed at both his sassiness and his tight ass in snug jersey boxers.

Turning back to what was laid on the bed you looked over what he’d managed to get in the hotel’s boutique; a daringly short floral summer dress, a hoodie with the Hotel’s logo on, a pack of novelty thong panties also with bears on, and the highest heeled wedge sandals you’d ever seen. Although none of this surprised you, it was after all the kind of hotel where in good weather, the rich and famous could have cocktails on the deck as they overlooked the Rocky mountains, the fact he’d managed to find your exact size in everything was impressive.

Leaving the heels off for now, you pull the panties and dress on, throwing the hoodie on unzipped to cover up a little, before going to investigate the food, realising that you probably hadn’t eaten for close to 24 hours. You were bent over the service trolley scrutinising the various dishes that had been delivered when you heard his voice;

“Huh, didn’t need to buy you a wallet, those tiny panties show off your silken purse beautifully Princess”

Spinning around you gasped, about to give him a piece of your mind but your train of thought stopped like a record scratch. There before you stood Agent August Walker, grey sweats hanging dangerously low on his hips, chest bare as he pulled a khaki green hoodie over his still damp curls. You noticed how his beard was a little beyond stubble, his mustache curling as a small smile tugged as his lips. Your gaze unashamedly ran down the length of his entire body, emphasis on length as it was clear he was without any underwear, and those rumours that were quietly whispered in the ladies room at the Pentagon were looking to be true as to exactly why they called him ‘The Hammer’.

Still holding a cooling French Fry he sauntered over to you before grabbing a sandwich from the platter;

“My apologies… that was inappropriate” he took a bite, before talking with his mouth full; “Been a crazy 24 hours huh?”

“Y-yeah, you could say that… so, what’s the plan?”

Just at that moment an incredible gust of wind rattled the windows to the point you thought they would blow in, the lights overhead flickered before settling back to bright as he answered;

“Eat, Drink, Sleep. We’re stuck here at least overnight. We don’t have any cells or electronics people can trace, and having checked the map this is not the closest civilisation to the crash site so even if people did come looking for us, this isn’t the first place they’d think of… however in this weather the roads are impassable, at least two rivers have breached their banks, we’re basically cut off from the rest of the world here in our own little bubble” he took a bite of sandwich before grinning at you; “So eat up, the bar downstairs is well stocked, dinner is apparently served in about 4 hours, and there’s a game room if you’re up for a round or two of pool…”

Giggling you both tumbled into your suite, August flicking the light switch up and down before realising the power had gone out at the exact moment he’d unlocked the door;

“Oooh dark… are you afraid of the dark Princess?”

The pair of you stumbled and turned, pushing the door shut and you found yourself pressed between it and August’s body, his lips finding your neck as he pressed kisses along your jugular, his facial hair leaving behind a trail of tingling skin in its wake;

“Depends who i’m in the dark with…”

He was so close, in the faint last traces of daylight as the storm took hold of the night you could see the outline of his face, how his long eyelashes rested against his cheeks as he closed his eyes, his breath warm on your skin as you were surrounded by his scent, pine soap and single malt whiskey;

“A monster…”

“I was never afraid of monsters…”

He dropped to his knees in front of you, pressing a kiss to your clothed stomach before his hands were beneath the skirt and pulling your novelty panties down;

“Hold your dress up Princess, show me that pretty pussy”

Doing as he told you, you gripped the pretty fabric in your hands as he hooked one of your legs over his shoulder, pressing kisses to your inner thighs before his thick fingers parted your folds and he dived in. His mustache and light beard pricked at your sensitive skin, but his tongue and lips soothed your aching core, desperate for attention and dripping with need as he went to town on you. He quickly brought you to orgasm before pushing you on for the next, his fingers now knuckle deep in your velvet walls, curling just right to find that spot that had you dripping, his tongue working against your clit to the point where you had to steady yourself by curling one hand through his soft chestnut curls, riding his face as you cried out his name.

Now over sensitive, you pulled his curls to get him to relent, a grunt of frustration coming from between your thighs;

“Augie… please… too sensitive…”

He quickly stood, lifting you to kiss you roughly, his tongue pushing into your mouth and you could taste yourself on his tongue as he gripped your ass as he carried you across the room before unceremoniously dropping you on the bed;

“Strip” he commanded as he staggered to the bathroom.

You ignored his request, instead reaching for a bottle of water at the side of the bed, taking a drink from he as he returned holding a bottle;

“August… what’s that?”

He looked down at the bottle, almost surprised he was holding something and blinked a few times before looking back at you;

“Baby oil. Its... Baby oil”

“Why do you have Baby oil?” you asked, already knowing the answer but with a sly streak wanting to get him to admit it

“Because they didn’t sell condoms in the gift shop so i cant fuck your pussy because i can’t check to see if you’re on birth control” he blurted out quickly.

Whatever you had been expecting, it hadn’t been that, and as you coughed on the water you had been about to drink, August got distracted and moved to light the candles that sat on the table in the centre of the room now that the only available light was the tiny light over the sink in the bathroom that was battery operated. You watched as he somehow managed to strike the matches and light the candles even though he was visibly drunk, before returning back to the bed and standing over you;

“Why aren’t you naked?” he frowned at you; “Don’t make me rip that pretty little dress off of you Princess”

Shimmying out of your dress you bit your lip as you watched him watching you, the low light dancing over your body and enough for you to see the obscene bulge barely contained by his sweatpants. He stood at the edge of the bed, towering over you before he took hold of your ankles and roughly pulled you to the edge of the bed before he pulled the grey sweats down and you finally got sight of his legendary hammer;

“Fuck…”

“We’ll get to that Princess, but first, suck”

Taking him in your hands he was hot and throbbing at your touch, his thick shaft patterned with veins, heavy and virile. You pumped your fist, your fingers unable to meet as you worked his uncut dick. You felt his hand on the back of your head, pulling you closer until you had no choice but to open your mouth and take him as deep as you could, gagging as he immediately hit the back of your throat and started to fuck your mouth.

Holding your head in place with both hands he rocked his hips back and forth, groaning as he stretched your lips almost uncomfortably. Soon you had spit running down your chin as he rained down a stream of degrading compliments;

“Cock hungry slut, look at you with my dick in your mouth… does it taste good, Jesus christ your tongue is perfect, yeah do that thing again, fuck, i can feel your throat tight around me…” with a gasp he pulled out, a trail of spittle hanging from your lips to his angry red tip, before he grabbed the baby oil and pushed you back until you were laying flat on the bed;

“Push your tits together, i’m gonna fuck them and cum all over your pretty face”

He climbed on the bed, straddling your lower torso as you found yourself pushing your breasts together. The click of a bottle of baby oil and it was being poured in the valley of your chest, before he settled his dick against the slick skin. He dropped the bottle and with a grunt pulled his hoodie over his head, revealing his glorious chest, covered in dark hair and thicker than you had realised.

His dick was heavy against your chest as he took your hands in his and showed you how he wanted you to hold your titties for him, rocking his hips bath and forth as his hot flesh slipped through your soft pillows, the angry tip poking out at your neck with each thrust;

“So fucking pretty, gonna cum all over that face… you wanna taste my cum you little slut? Yeah? Cock hungry slut, can’t get enough of my dick, can you?”

You didn’t answer, the lust in his eyes making you drunk with desire, instead you tipped your head to your chest and opened your mouth, letting August’s dick slide into your mouth, the salty tang of his precum hitting your senses.

His thrusts were becoming rough and violent, his hips squeezing your ribcage as he fought back against the urge to cum, but you wanted it, needed it;

“August, will you cum on my face, pretty please?” you batted your eyelashes at him innocently and it was the final straw, and you watched as he threw his head back and thick ropes of his creamy seed spurted over your mouth and cheeks as he groaned so deliciously. On the last spurt you leaned forwards and took his tip into your mouth, gently laving your tongue over the leaking slit, before releasing him softly. August had eased his gasp on your tits, and using his thick finger he scooped the cum from your cheek;

“Open wide Princess”

Sticking your tongue out you sucked the bitter treat from his finger, before he repeated it with the other cheek. Finally swallowing you grinned at him;

“Thank you August”

His hand paused on your cheek, softly cupping it;

“Anything for you Princess… now scoot up the bed, i wanna eat that pussy again whilst i get you ready for my dick”

He swung his leg over so you could wriggle up the bed, and immediately he was laying between your legs, both of your thighs over his shoulders as he started to sloppily eat you out again, except this time his lubed fingers strayed to your asshole and he already had one knuckle deep in your back entrance. You were writhing against his tongue, and although not as accurate with his targets this time now that the alcohol in his system was taking hold, that wide tongue was driving you to heaven as his fingers pulled you down into the dark pits of depravity that hell could only contain. You were uttering almost incomprehensible gibberish, begging for more which he eagerly gave, a second and soon a third finger stretching your ass as he prepared you for what was yet to come. You came with a scream as his wide tongue tormented your pussy until you had to physically pull him by his curls to stop, breathless as you watched him kneel on the bed and grab the baby oil, pouring some onto his hand to lube his dick before smoothing a considerable amount over your asshole and lined up his now raging hard on with your stretched hole. He paused, looking down at you;

“Final chance to back out… do you want me to fuck your ass?”

“Yes… please August, i want your dick in my ass, i want you to cum in my ass, treat me like a dirty anal slut”

With a groan he pushed forwards, slowly breaching your body and you felt the uncomfortable stretch of having a dick slide into your ass. Even with the prep and the oil it still took a while for your body to relax enough for him to push in, but when he eventually was balls deep in your ass you felt so full you were sure you would burst;

“Oh my god… You’re so big…”

“Taking me like a champ Princess, even with the oil your ass is so fucking tight i’m struggling not to blow my load right here and now”

“Fuck my ass August, do it hard, i wanna feel it in the morning…”

With a roar he started to fuck into you, holding himself up on his massive arms as his hips pistoned into you, filling your barren depths as his pubic bone rubbed against your empty pussy and your juices flooded his crotch;

“So fucking wet Princess, leaking all down your ass, its only adding to the lube so i can fuck you harder. Your poor little battered asshole, you’re barely gonna be able to sit tomorrow… apart from back on my dick as we have breakfast, don’t think this is the only time i’m gonna fuck your ass, i’m gonna use this hole until you’re loose and stretched, so i can just bend you over and slide my dick into your ass. Gonna hide those stupid panties i bought you, i want you walking around bare, my cum dripping down your legs where there’s so much inside you, you can barely keep it inside… shame the gift shop didn’t sell plugs, i woulda’ filled you with my load and have you plugged and ready lubed for me to use whenever i pleased…”

August’s dirty talk had you cumming hard, squeezing him tight and yet he fucked you straight through it. Laying limp as he continued to fill your ass he slowed and moved, kneeling on the bed as he moved your legs from either side of his lips until both your feet were over one of his shoulders, pushing and pulling you until he had one arm firmly wrapped around your knees and he could fuck into your ass as he held you like a rag doll. The new position was tighter, deeper, and as you started to pant out with lust his free hand rested on your throat, squeezing carefully but firmly;

“Harder…” you panted out, your head swimming as your airway was restricted, and as he pounded into your ass you were both getting close.

“Gonna cum in your ass, fill you up with a massive load, you want that Princess?”

You tried to say yes, but all that came out was a tiny croak as his massive hand gripped your throat. Before you could even try again your orgasm hit, your eyes rolling back in their sockets as you squirted, your body gripping him so tight he reached his peak, pushing in as deep as he could as he pumped your ass full of his cum.

August released his grip on your neck, pulling out gently as he softly lay your legs on the bed;

“Did so well Princess, such a good little slut…”

You could only hum out a response, your mind as used as your body was.

You woke to the sound of soft rain falling against the window, peering out from beneath the duvet you could see that the grey light of morning was filling the room, the storm seemingly blown mostly through with just a persistent rain now dampening the earth. Shifting on the bed you winced, everything was sore, but especially your ass. But then a warm body pressed to your back, a large hand smoothed over your stomach and a familiar voice spoke softly in your ear as stubble brushed against your bare shoulders;

“Rise and shine…”

“Hmmmmm no, i don’t wanna get up” you grumbled

“But…”

“Noooo. If we get up then we’ve got to think about things going back to normal, i just wanna pretend i’m able to stay in a hotel as nice as this when i’m not trying to escape a dangerous gang… too many responsibilities, too much stress… i just want another half hour of being treated like a Princess” you grumbled.

A quiet chuckle came from behind you;

“There’s no reason why we can’t do this again”

Turning in his arms, you looked at August;

“How? You’re my superior Agent, the CIA pushes and pushes and pushes, I never get enough time off to do something like this, If i had known i was literally signing my life away i would never have signed up for the academy. What’s the fucking use of earning a good wage if i can never enjoy it… and its not even that good of a wage to be honest…” you paused and narrowed your gaze; “Have you showered?”

“Yes. And i have a proposition for you…”

“Keep talking…”

August started to move, slowly climbing between your legs and you felt his hard dick resting against your folds, your pussy instinctively growing wet, slowly rubbing against you as he smiled down at you;

“As a senior agent i get a considerably better wage than you do, but i don’t have anyone to share it with, anyone to treat like a Princess and spoil with gifts that they deserve… but i also want someone that will be agreeable to my darkest desires…” he rocked his hips back before slowly parting his thighs, and you felt the nudge of his tip at your soaked pussy; “... someone, a woman i can treat like a Princess but will let me fuck them like a whore… can i fuck your pussy like a whore?”

The gentle nudge of his dick just stretching the ring of muscle that granted access to the heaven between your legs had you begging, pleading to be August’s Whore. He let out a sigh of pleasure as he slowly sank into your pussy, bare and unprotected filling you with his virile shaft;

“You’re my Slutty Princess…taking my dick like a pro”

In that hotel room August Walker became your sugar Daddy, and over room service breakfast you agreed the details of your arrangement as you sat on his lap, his dick in your ass as he fed you strawberries, before he grew impatient and bounced you on his dick until he came in your barren depths. Resting back against his chest, his softening dick still inside you he played with your pussy as he discussed the next step, trying to decide if a trip to an adult store or a jewellery store should be the first stop after returning to DC;

“How about a jewelled plug?” you suggested; “That’s the best of both worlds”

Holding your jaw he turned your head so he could kiss you, pulling away and grinning;

“See, that’s why you’re the perfect Princess, smart and sexy…”

You felt him start to harden in your ass again, wriggling and letting out a giggle as you felt him stretch your insides;

“Over the table or out on the balcony in the rain?” you asked

“Oooh lets do the balcony… its check out time so a few other guests will be able to see my little slut have her battered asshole filled with another load”

There on the balcony that overlooked the serene mountains August filled your ass again, your naked bodies soaked with the rain as he gripped your breasts whilst he fucked you from behind.

You couldn’t wait to be August’s play thing.

#august walker #august walker x reader #august walker smut #henry cavill

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neopolpleb · 3 years

Text

Curiosity Saved The Cat | a Micheal Myers x GN!Reader

warnings: none! Just a sweet ol thingy bout you and ol mikey meeting

A/N: Aye babies this isn’t my first rodeo on this hellsite but you’ve probably never seen my work unless you have the memory of an elephant and an obsession with Karl Heisenberg!

But! New user new me y’know. So this is my first fic as Neopleb and I hope you stick around and maybe send in some requests!

——————————

His favorite activity was to watch you. Sometimes you didn’t know. Sometimes he knew you knew, but your favorite was when he didn’t know that you knew.

You were used to the iconic Micheal stare. I mean, dating this seven foot hunk of a killer for a few years meant you had to get used to it or it just wouldn’t be pleasant for you. Thankfully, you were able to take his glares and glances but you also learned how to tell them apart.

Of course, theres the stare that fills even the strongest of men with fright as they realize their death is soon nearing when they look into the emotionless gaze that hid the truest form of evil. The Shape.

You’re grateful you’ve never experienced the full force of that gaze. You had seen it be fought off the night you two met. It was replaced with the next stare; curiosity.

The day you two met is a memory you cherish, but of course your logical side always is ringing in the back of your head “HOW THE FUCK DID I SURVIVE EVIL FUCKING PERSONIFIED???” or something along those lines.

The answer was simple, you intrigued him. Micheal had never seen anything like you. He couldn’t understand it. The shape was banging in his skull telling him to kill you right now. Finish the job. But Micheal for once didn’t listen. For once in over many decades, he let his more human side take over and he just left.

Imagine the look on your face when Micheal Myers, who was five seconds away from killing you just up and walks away. You didn’t know how to react. You sat in the corner of your silent bedroom praying to whatever was out there that he wouldn’t change his mind about sparing you.

You didn’t want to provoke him in anyway so you cast logic to the wind and didn’t contact the police. In the weeks following the encounter you thought you had just been a miracle and would never have a run in with the masked fellow again…

Until you started noticing things. Things like, windows being open that you were sure to have closed the night before. Locks suddenly broken no matter how many times you would replace them. You tried your best to calm your thoughts but the obvious answer was basically hitting you in the face. He never let you be. He had been watching you the whole time.

Of course you freaked out, but then came the confusion. Why hadn’t he killed you? You had lived in Haddonfield long enough to hear the stories, and from what you gathered, Micheal didn’t really keep victims. Of course if they ran he’d find them again, but it was usually a quick job. So why are you still here?

That was a question even Micheal couldn’t answer. It felt like everyday was “the day he is definitely going to do it” but it never was. He just watched you. Almost as if you were a science project that he had to observe.

He couldn’t wrap his head around you. To the naked eye you were just a normal person. You moved from the city to live a quiet life, a fresh start, in a small town in Illinois. You kept to yourself. The only person who knew you by name was the usual cashier at the local supermarket. You minded your business. Yet some how you caught the eye of god’s most terrifying creation.

After a few weeks of trying fix the locks, even going as far to super glue a few windows shut, you gave up. They always found themselves open again, you came to the thought that “if he hasn’t killed me yet, why am I to be so worried?” Which on your part isn’t the smartest, but no one ever said you were the sharpest knife in the drawer.

It was a silent night it February. You had fallen asleep on your couch after a long day of studying for your exams. You hadn’t slept in over 20 hours, and you were out cold, so you didn’t hear the creak of the back door opening.

Micheal stalked in, as silent as ever. Hiding in the shadows as he mapped out his plan to finally end you tonight. He headed towards your bedroom, expecting you to be there asleep in bed as you usually were. He stopped as he spotted you passed out on the couch. Half your body was hanging off the side and there was a pencil stuck in your hair.

He stared at you again, the curious gaze returning as his plan slowly faded from his mind. You were an enigma. How did you capture his gaze like this, why did he push everything aside just to watch you. You were just another victim. Another body. Another object to him. Why is his mind seeing you as something more.

The thing that pulled him from his thoughts was your body slamming to the ground after just a bit too much of you came off the couch. He quickly hid in the shadows of the hallway, planning his escape as you tried to get your bearings after your rude awakening.

You rubbed your head, groaning as you slowly stood. You waddled over to the kitchen to get a glass of water before chasing the lingering sleep to your bed. You felt his gaze, you had become more aware of it once you had given up on shutting the monster out. You grabbed a cup from the cupboard and filled it was tap water. The stream filling the glass was the only sound that could be heard throughout the house.

You leaned back against the counter as you sipped the water. Glancing around the room hoping to spot your watcher but you as always, you never could. You sighed shaking off the gaze and setting the cup in the sink before heading towards your bedroom.

You made it halfway towards your hallway before you spotted the silhouette in the shadows. Your brain was yanking at the reigns of your body to run, hide, call someone, ANYTHING. Yet you just… stood there. Not as if you were frozen in fear, but as if you were having a staring contest with your intruder.

You took a deep inhale and let it out in a sigh before you continued your walk to your room. You knew that this could possibly be your final moment, but it was almost 4 am and you were still incredibly tired. So with logic to the wind, you walked past Micheal who kept his gaze on you the entire time.

You couldn’t see his face, but it was contorted in pure confusion- Why weren’t you running? Why weren’t you cowering in fear. He stared in shock as you reached your bedroom door at the end of the hallway.

Your hand grabbed the knob turning it gently, before glancing back at the man who now stood on the opposite side of the hallway, still watching. You opened the door slowly, turning back to face him.

“… Theres uh- Theres leftovers in the fridge. Spaghetti. You can have some if you want, just put the plate in the sink when your done please.” You spoke quietly, before quickly closing the door to your room. Immediately jumping under your covers as if you were a child hiding from the monster in your closet, but you knew even a child wouldn’t be dumb enough to offer a monster DINNER.

You squeezed your eyes shut and cut out the world as you let sleep take over, hoping to awake the next morning.

You did in fact wake up the next morning, your bedroom door was left open, which you let go quickly considering the fact that you were still alive. You slowly crept out to the living room, glancing around to make sure your visitor hadn’t stuck around. You didn’t see anyone, or feel any gaze so you walked to your kitchen feeling more safe.

There was a bowl left on the counter, you furrowed your eyebrows at it. “Dude breaks into my house, eats my food, and I ask him ONE thing and he can’t even do it? Unbelievable.” You fake being dramatic to yourself, as you set the bowl in the sink and begin making yourself breakfast.

You begin cracking eggs into a bowl when you hear the creak of your back door opening. You pause momentarily, before continuing your cooking. A few silent seconds later and you feel the familiar gaze resting on the back of your head.

You continue your cooking and point to the table,

“If you want breakfast sit down and it’ll be done soon” it came out more confident than your offer last night and you hope that you didn’t anger him. Thankfully, you hear a chair being pulled out and you take a glance to see Micheal sitting, his gaze still locked on you.

Sometimes you still wonder why he hadn’t killed you. He doesn’t talk much but in his more talkative moments he joked that he only kept you around for your food. Though in truth sometimes he doesn’t really know the answer. He doesn’t believe in love at first sight. Hell he didn’t even believe in love period before he started hanging around you. Yet something about you stuck out to him, but he has a lifetime with you to figure it out.

#micheal myers #oneshots #micheal myers x reader #slashers #slasher #slasher x reader #fluff #micheal myers fluff #slasher fluff #halloween #slasher films

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