#but i can get so much more art out this way. instead of like. 6 drawings a year

[froget-me-nots]

@moookar i am playing dress up with ur ocs >:)

#oak trees are particularly adaptable according to a few very quick google searches #and also their leaves are fun to draw! so theres that #posting sketches still makes me very nervous i used to be a Finished Works Only type of guy #but i can get so much more art out this way. instead of like. 6 drawings a year #anyways me when characters who crumble under the weight of the pressure theyre given <3

[friendshiptothemax]

I was on a plane this weekend, and I was chatting with the woman sitting next to me about an upcoming writer’s strike. “Do you really think you’re mistreated?” she asked me.

That’s not the issue at stake here. Let me tell you a little something about “minirooms.”

Minirooms are a way of television writing that is becoming more common. Basically, the studio will hire a small group of writers, 3-6 or so, and employ them for just a few weeks. In those few weeks (six weeks seem to be common), they have to hurriedly figure out as much about the show as they can -- characters, plots, outlines for episodes. Then at the end of the six weeks, all the writers are fired except for the showrunner, who has to write the entire series themselves based on the outlines.

This is not a widespread practice, but it has become more common over the past couple of years. Studios like it because instead of paying for a full room for the full length of the show, they just pay a handful of writers for a fraction of the show. It’s not a huge problem now, but the WGA only gets the chance to make rules every three years -- if we let this go for another three years and it becomes the norm? That would be DEVASTATING for the tv writing profession.

Do I feel like I’m mistreated? No. I LOVE my job! But in a world of minirooms, there is no place for someone like me -- a mid-level writer who makes a decent living working on someone else’s show (I’d like to be a showrunner someday, but for now I feel like I still have a lot to learn, and my husband and I are trying to start a family so I like not being support rather than the leader for now). In a miniroom, there are only two levels -- the handful of glorified idea people who are already scrambling to find their next show because you can’t make a decent living off of one six-week job (and since there are fewer people per room, there are fewer jobs overall, even at the six-week amount), and the overworked, stressed as fuck showrunner who is going to have to write the entire thing themselves. Besides being bad for me making a living, I also just think it’s plain bad for television as an art form -- what I like about TV is how adaptable it is, how a whole group of people come together to tell a story better than what any of them could do on their own. Plus the showrunner can’t do their best work under all of that pressure, episode after episode, back to back. Minirooms just...fucking suck.

The WGA is proposing two things to fix this -- a rule that writers have to be employed for the entire show, and a rule tying the number of writers in the room to the number of episodes you have per season. I don’t think it’s unreasonable. It’s the way shows have run since the advent of television. It’s only in the last couple of years that this has become a new thing. It’s exploitative. It squeezes out everyone except showrunners and people who have the financial means to work only a few months a year. It makes television worse. And that is the issue in this strike that means everything to me, and that is why I voted yes on the strike authorization vote.

#writer's strike #wga #television writing

[blacktabbygames]

Slay the Princess Concept Art

We shared a bunch of concept art on Twitter today. Sharing it here, too, where you can find it all in one post. Post contains spoilers, so proceed with caution (or just play the game already if you haven't 😉)

Going to start with the first piece of concept art Abby drew for the game.

In the earliest stages of development, we toyed around with the concept of there being multiple "end game" forms of the Princess.

The initial outline, rather than being tied together by an overarching metanarrative, structured a full playthrough as a 5-6 chapter long, self-contained journey down a single route, determined by your decisions in chapter 1. Here's an alternative late-game form:

The idea of deviating end-game forms didn't lost for very long, though. As we explored the game's themes more deeply, it made the most sense for there to be a singular "true" form.

If your reality is shaped by subjectivity and perception, then the "truth" has to be what's left when that subjectivity is swept away. the Shifting Mound's final design feels like that initial truth for the Princess, though there's also another truth if you push back against her and press on into the final cabin.

We really liked this "void" design, and I played around with the idea of it being an intermediary to the final form. The "void" Princess would be what you saw upon encountering the final Princess without understanding your own truth, but once you had that understanding, you would see her as the Shifting Mound, as depicted in the game.

That gave way to the intermediary design of the SM being a sea of disembodied limbs, and we also took parts of both designs and incorporated them into the protagonist (particularly the wings.) You can see the eyes and feathers for this void form in the ending card of the original trailer below:

You can see extremely early concept art for the spectre (top), nightmare (top-right), stranger (left), beast (bottom) and ??? (right) as well!

The eyes became a motif in the Nightmare route (Paranoid's manifestation of the fear of being watched), but I also like to think of them as a part of The Long Quiet's truth. You are space and emptiness, but you're also that which observes those things, and it's your perceptions that give the Shifting Mound shape.

Anyways, on the note of the original original concepts for the game, the Princess was initially going to remain human for several loops before taking on more monstrous forms. Some concepts of that are below. Had to get Abby to tone down some of the more horrifically cartoonish designs because they creeped me out and I didn't want to romance them in a video game.

We had to hold our cards close to our chest in the non-metanarrative early drafts, which is part of why, even in the first demo, the cabin doesn't really change much in chapter 2. More room to subtly play with the concept of transformation over time.

There were a lot of reasons we moved in a different direction for the full release. The branching was unmanageably large to write, and the game felt like a slog to write.

Using an overarching narrative as a framing mechanism in the final version gave us a lot more freedom to explore wildly divergent ideas within routes while still driving the player towards the originally planned finale.

Anyways, now we've got some concept art for individual princesses. There's a lot more than this lying around somewhere, but it's all in sketchbooks, and we'll probably wait until we make an art book to show it off.

First is the tower, who really didn't change much at all. (She got a little thicker, I guess. All of the Princesses did)

Not a lot to say about her, other than the fact that we knew we wanted a set piece where she gets so big that the trees and cabin orbit around her.

The stranger went through many many redesigns over the course of development. Here, she was a "princess skin" filled with a hive of sentient bugs. The script wasn't working for me, though, so instead she became a peak behind the curtains without the necessary context to know her.

A lot of people ask how these earlier drafts of the Stranger route would have played out, and the answer is I can't tell you, because I couldn't figure out something worth writing.

The writing process for individual routes didn't really start with outlines or plot beats. Rather, the routes started from a theme and a relationship dynamic, and I organically found their outcomes by exploring actions within those themes, and then seeing if those passed Abby's editor brain.

Neither of us found actions we wanted to explore with those versions of the Stranger, at least actions that weren't a beat-by-beat retelling of chapter 1, which contained way too much variation to put on a single chapter 2 route.

If each princess examines a relationship formed by perception and first impressions, the Stranger examines one that's fundamentally unknowable. One where you've seen too much, too quickly.

An insect hive-mind pretending to be a person seemed like a good starting point, but it was too difficult to write any interactions that didn't immediately feel knowable, if still strange. So the final version of the Stranger was designed in such a way where her unknowability makes interacting with her on a human level fundamentally impossible, and you don't get to have a real conversation with her unless you satisfy extremely specific criteria.

Anyways next up is the razor's final form. We decided she needed more swords.

Hearts became an accidental motif very quickly in the development process, too. (The fact that it is only strikes to the heart that fell her in the demo was accidental, but it felt poetic so we extended it to the rest of the game.)

So on top of adding more swords, we made her heart visible. This is something we did with the fury as well, as a way of showing their emotional (and physical) vulnerability.

Here's an early version of the Adversary and what would eventually become the Eye of the Needle, back when she was still called the Fury. Originally her hair was going to be fire (as seen on the right), but it didn't feel right in its execution.

She's hit the gym since this concept art. Good for her :)

And we're going to end with the Beast, who at this point was called the Adversary. I think this was before the Witch was added? The Beast was originally designed to be a Questing Beast who lurked in the shadows, where you'd only see glimpses of her, and where each glimpse would make her appear to be a different animal. This was too difficult to execute, though we gave her a more chimera-like appearance in the final game.

This design was from when we still has the Voice of the Obsessed, and the route was going to be a more feral mirror of what eventually became the Adversary, but it felt too thematically similar while being less interesting, so we moved in the direction of making the Beast about consumption as a form of love.

Anyways, that's all we've got for you right now. Hope this was fun!

#slay the princess #interactive fiction #character design

[little-hermit-crab56]

I've been writing for a while so I thought I'd share some writing tips I've learned along the way.

1. Never sacrifice the flow for a quirky line.

That bit of dialogue or flowery paragraph you really like but it kinda disrupts the flow? Scrap it. I know it hurts, but you need to. If you really want to keep it, find somewhere else to put it where it actually fits in.

2. Dialogue is a dance.

Dialogue should go at the pace of an actual conversation, back and forth with little breaks and pauses. Add as little dialogue tags as possible while still making it clear who is speaking. You can also describe what is happening during a pause in the conversation rather than saying they paused, unless the pause is important.

3. Show don't tell is a guideline, not a rule.

Show don't tell is a very useful guideline, but if you're ALWAYS showing it can get exhausting to read. Skip the boring bits and just tell us what happened, then we can get to the good stuff.

4. If it's boring to write, it's probably boring to read.

If you can cut out a whole scene with little consequence to the story, you probably should. As I said before, you don't always have to show us, you can always tell us.

5. Everything needs to have a purpose.

I know there are probably lots of interesting or cute scenes where your characters are just fucking around, but if it doesn't develop character, relations, conflict, or plot, why should we care? Definitely still write them if they make you happy, but if you're gonna add it to your final draft, make sure it matters.

6. You don't need to explain everything all at once.

I know it feels tempting to put all the lore, and all the character's intentions, and reasonings into the first few chapters, but please refrain, you can reserve that for your character and worldbuilding sheets. Instead, take the time to let us get to know the characters, and the world, in the same way we'd get to know a real person. Make your exposition as seamless and natural as possible. It will take practice to know when to reveal information and when to let us wonder, but you'll get there.

7. Write in a way that comes naturally.

I know you probably have an author you wanna write just like, but that is unlikely to happen. Embrace your natural writing style and perfect it, rather than trying to be something you're not. Writing is an art, you need to find your own style and polish it as best you can.

8. Try to make us feel connected by cutting out certain words like "felt".

"Chad felt like a glass of water." Can be replaced with, "Chad was thirsty, so he reached for a glass of water." Both sentences tell us Chad wants a glass of water, but one makes us feel more connected to Chad than the other. Though both sentences have their time and place, you want to make your audience feel as close to their protagonist as possible. Make them feel like they're there, rather than just an onlooker.

9. We don't need to know every physical detail of your character.

I know you probably spent ages creating the perfect characters and you want to give us the perfect image of what they look like, but it can get monotonous and boring, why do we care that your character has brown eyes unless the colour has some sort of significance? Try to list off only the most notable features of your character and put focus only on the relevant details. Sometimes you can even not describe them at all and throw in little bits of information about their appearance for the audience to put together. We read to imagine, not to have a perfect image painted for us when we could be getting to the plot.

10. You're allowed to be vague.

Allow your audience to assume things, with some things you can just be lazy and let your audience's imagination do the work for you. Of course, don't do this with important things, but you can save so much time you might've spent researching an irrelevant topic when you can just be vague about it. You don't have to know everything you're writing about, so long as you know the bits that matter.

11. Writing is a skill that takes practice.

Don't be so hard on yourself if your writing is a bit cringe, we've all been there. The important part is that you research how to get better and keep writing those super cringe chapters. One day you'll reread something from a while ago and realize you're actually not as bad as you thought.

12. Leave your work to rest.

I know you wanna start editing right away, but once you've finished, leave it for at least a month. The longer you leave it the better, but that depends on your attention span. A month to six months is good if you're really impatient but want a good result. If you keep writing in that time your skills will continue to improve, then you'll be editing that draft with fresh eyes and fresh skills.

And if you're a fanfic author, I usually leave my chapters for a week before editing and posting.

Hope this helps anyone struggling, I thought this might be especially relevant now with nanowrimo.

I recently realized how much knowledge I've been accumulating over the years, I definitely have more but this is all I can think of for now.

I'm no writing guru, but if anyone has anything they're struggling with, I can do my best to help you out, so dont hesitate to ask questions.

#writing tips #nanowrimo #story writing #writers on tumblr #writeblr #writerscommunity #writing #writer

[incorrectbatfam]

Tim and stpeh’s top ten patrol fails

——— (10) ———

Tim and Steph: *chained together*

Two-Face: *monologues*

Tim: *picks the lock*

Steph, whispering: Free me first.

Tim: Why?

Steph: Just do it.

Tim: *frees her*

Steph: *sprints past Two-Face to the bathroom*

——— (9) ———

Steph: I'm closing in on the museum. Where are you?

Tim: ETA one minute.

Steph: Alright, I'm doing a quick perimeter check. Doesn't seem like there's much happening here.

Tim: Where are you? I don't see you. And this entire gallery looks deserted.

Steph: I've never heard anyone call a science museum a gallery.

Tim: Science? I'm at the modern art museum.

Steph: Red?

Tim: Yeah?

Steph: We're both at the wrong place, aren't we?

——— (8) ———

Tim and Steph: *tied to chairs*

Ivy: I gave the city ONE REASONABLE DEMAND and they—

Steph: *scoots her chair*

Ivy: —but all they cared about was—

Steph: *scoots her chair*

Ivy: So now I'm going to make them pay for—what are you doing?

Steph, biting an apple: ...

Tim: She gets snacky.

——— (7) ———

[on a stakeout]

Tim, stifling a yawn: What time is it?

Steph: Half past one. Still nothing on the drop site. If you need some shut eye you can tell me.

Tim: Nah, I'll just use my phone.

Steph: *peers over his shoulder*

Steph: You're reading an adopted by Batman AU?

Tim: ...I was hacked. Just right now.

——— (6) ———

Steph: I could use a little backup.

Tim, shooting his grapple: I'm on my way. How many are there?

Steph: Four, though I bet more are hiding.

Tim: In that case, we better get you out of there instead of wasting time.

Tim: *swings by*

Tim: Grab on.

Steph: *grabs his legs and pulls his pants down*

——— (5) ———

Tim: What should I call my next contingency plan?

Steph: Fuck if I know.

[later]

Barbara: Alright, Tim, let's review your plan for...

Barbara: *squints*

Barbara: Everybody leave. I want to talk to Tim alone.

——— (4) ———

Tim: I'm not so sure about my disguise.

Steph, dressed like the 1980s: It's an 80s-themed roller derby. No way you can mess that up.

Tim: *shows up dressed like the 1880s*

Steph: I stand corrected.

——— (3) ———

Steph: You need to put that computer down. Have a Batburger.

Tim: No. I've almost got it. And don't try to distract me 'cause I've seen everything.

Steph, whispering under her breath: You haven't seen Superboy.

Kon: You called?

Tim: Oh for crying out loud.

——— (2) ———

Tim: *driving the Batmobile*

Steph: Hey, what does this button do?

Tim: NO DON'T THAT—

Steph: *hits the button*

Tim: *gets ejected*

——— (1) ———

Steph: Another successful patrol, if I say so myself.

Tim: All in a night's work.

Bruce: Where's Damian?

Tim: Huh?

Bruce: You were supposed to watch him.

Steph: Pfft, we knew that. He's right... uh...

Tim: We're just gonna—

Tim and Steph: *hop in the car and speed away*

——— (Honorable mention) ———

Steph: No sign of Robin at the dog shelter either. Did you locate his tracker?

Tim: It's offline. Best case scenario he just disabled it, but...

Steph: Oh God, we are in so much trouble.

Tim: Any other ideas?

Steph: Nope. I'm gonna get a drink of water real quick.

Steph: *goes into a store*

Steph: *comes back out with Damian*

Steph: Guess who I found trying to buy a butterfly knife?

Tim: I'll update Batman.

Tim, on the phone: Hey B, guess what?

Damian: *snatches the phone*

Damian: They abandoned me in Crime Alley!

Bruce: Red Robin, Spoiler, you're cleaning the lockers when you get back.

Tim: No wait—

Damian: *hangs up*

#tim drake #red robin #stephanie brown #spoiler #bruce wayne #batman #damian wayne #robin #barbara gordon #oracle #conner kent #superboy #two face #poison ivy #batfamily #batfam #batboys #batbros #batgirls #batkids #batsiblings #batman family #young justice #timsteph #incorrect batfamily quotes #incorrect quotes #incorrect dc quotes #dc comics #headcanon #long post

[wildernessuntothemselves]

Jealousy, Jealousy... | Part 6

A/N: don't even have a summary for this. oc is in love with gyu and gyu is in love with another girl but both are virgin losers and gyu is a horndog who would let oc do what she wants to him just as long as he gets to cum.

Word count: 6.2k

Genre: Smut, angst, fluff

Warnings: fem!reader, loss of virginity, PIV sex, fingering, brief pussy licking, sub!reader, dom!yeonjun.

Despite what Beomgyu said, he and Haeun seem to have become an item, just as you and Yeonjun are now. They’re always together, as you are with Yeonjun, and it’s like you and Beomgyu don’t even know each other anymore. He’s always hanging out with her and you’re always hanging out with Yeonjun. You hardly see Beomgyu anymore, which makes it weird the way he’s sitting on your bed, watching you get ready just like old times. 

You remember how you and he used to play a game sometimes as you got ready where you’d pick out various outfits and try them out for Beomgyu, giving him a mini-fashion show that he would narrate as if it was a football game, going on about how groundbreaking the designs are and how pretty the model (you) looks. 

He was your main supporter in going into fashion as a major. You don’t think you would’ve had the courage to do it without him. He always believed in you and stood by you even when your parents were upset at you for choosing a career with such an uncertain future. He told you that if one of you succeeds, you’ll just pull the other up too. If his music career takes off, he’ll contract you to be the creative director for the band and if your fashion career takes off, you’ll have to hire him as your model. And if you both fail…well you’ll be strippers together.

You laugh as you remember your promise and turn back towards Beomgyu, who was sitting on your bed watching you. “Hey, remember our backup plan? That we’ll make a two-man stripper show to repay our student debt?” 

But Beomgyu doesn’t share your laughter. Instead he just hums, focusing on your dress. 

“What? You don’t like it?” You ask, insecure. You’re not used to wearing something this extravagant but Yeonjun is taking you to a photography exhibition tonight and he told you it’s gonna be really fancy. 

You’re not sure if being stressed out and sweating as you try not to get judged by all those more talented and influential people is the best idea for a date but Yeonjun insisted that if you wanted to get into fashion, you have to start mingling. 

You didn’t even have a proper dress. You had to wear something you made for a fallen goddess shoot you had in mind, but by the look Beomgyu is giving you, it’s probably trash. 

"Does it matter?" He asks and you frown. "What do you mean?"

"It means that with what you're wearing, I don't even know why you’re bothering going on a date when you can just invite him over and let him fuck you now, skip the formalities." 

"You're unbelievable." You spit out, trying to hide the dread filling your chest and making you struggle to breathe. Yes, the dress was a bit more revealing than you’re used to, but it’s an art event, people wear this stuff there all the time.  

“Where did you even get this dress?” He asks in distaste and you hold your head up high. “I made it.” 

That makes him back down, his eyes visibly softening as regret shows on his face. “Oh… It’s pretty.” 

You snort in disbelief. "Why are you even here, Beomgyu?"

He shrugs. "Just watching this shitshow go down."

“Right.” You mutter bitterly, "I guess it was too much to expect you to act like a friend." 

"I am your friend.” He says as if declaring it is enough to make it true. “I'm your best friend." 

"I wouldn't be so sure."

He jumps off the bed when he hears that, quickly getting in front of you. "What does that mean?” 

"Nothing. I'm going to be late." You try to get past him but he won’t let you. "No. What do you mean by that? You said I'd never lose you."

"Yeah, that was before you transformed into this asshole who accuses me of trying to sabotage his career and calling me a slut for daring to date."

He moves back, stunned at your words, and you almost laugh. Is he really surprised? "I'm just… working through some stuff."

"Stuff? That's your excuse?" You ask incredulously and he looks away. Is “stuff” worth what he’s done to your friendship?

"It's just hard for me to see you with him." He finally admits and you sigh. Not this again. "Beomgyu, I know you’re worried about your band, but Yeonjun and I are adults, even if we break up, that doesn't mean–"

"It's not about that." He shakes his head, cutting you off. 

"Then what is it?" You ask, frustrated. Frankly, you’re at your rope’s end with his weird behavior. 

"You're too good for him."

"What?” You reel back. Now, this is new. “Is it because he sleeps around? Because we’ve talked about it and he insisted that just because he's had many casual relationships before doesn't mean he's gonna cheat on me. We've been together for a while now and he has been nothing but wonderful to me."

He really has. You don't know what's wrong with you. Why can't you love him the way you love your asshole best friend? Maybe it will come with time? You've known Beomgyu for years and your love for him didn't develop overnight. Maybe you just need to give your relationship with Yeonjun more time. 

You hope it doesn't take years to get over Beomgyu and fall in love with Yeonjun though. 

"It's not that. It's not him. You're too good for everyone." 

"Beomgyu…" You walk towards him and hold his hands. "I know you're not used to me going out with guys because, well, I've kind of lead a fairly loser-ish life--you know, you've been there– and maybe me and Yeonjun won't end up working out and maybe I'll end up hurt but I can't just be virginal forever. I have to try to find someone for me."

"But you have someone." He pulls you towards him, resting his forehead against yours as he plays with your hands. "Me." 

That hurt more than any mean thing he has ever said to you and he doesn't even mean to hurt you. He has been terrible to you all this time because he thinks you deserve more? Because he wants things to stay the way they are? That is fucking absurd and so infuriating. Why couldn't he have just told you that instead of acting like an ass? Not wanting to lose you doesn’t mean he gets to order you around. Being worried about you doesn't give him the right to treat you like a stupid slut. 

"Don't be stupid." You say harshly, making him flinch. You try again, softer this time, not letting the anger and pain through as much. "I know I have you but I need more."

"More what? Why can't things just stay the way they are? We have fun together, right? I make you laugh. I'm there for you when you're down. We've even messed around. What can he give you that I can't?" 

Love. You need love and even though Beomgyu loves you very much, it's not in the way you need.

"Beomgyu, you’re being very childish about this. We're not twelve anymore. I know you’re scared that we'll drift apart if I find someone but the only reason we’ve been drifting apart is because of your behavior. I can't keep coddling you. You may not like it because it’s only been you and I until now, but it's time for me to find an actual boyfriend instead of this–this joke I have with you." 

Maybe you’re being too harsh on him but you’re honestly too hurt to sugarcoat it anymore. And you also need to hear it yourself. What you have with Beomgyu isn't real and you need to face the fact that it will never be. "I need someone to actually love and to hold and to be my other half. Us messing around together is just that, messing around, nothing more. I need something real. You do too. I mean you're finally with the woman you've been chasing after for years. Do you really wanna throw that away just because you're scared?"

Still, seeing the way he becomes quiet after your outburst, looking away from you and not responding… maybe you could’ve been nicer about it. 

“Beomgyu…” You sigh, reaching out to turn his face towards you but he pushes your hand away, refusing to meet your gaze. 

"Go. You’re late for your date." He grits out and you look at the time. Crap. You are! 

You look at him again, seeing the tension in his jaw and shoulders, something that resembles pain etched on his features. Should you stay and work this out for him or go on your date? If you stay, you’d be choosing him yet again. If you stay then you’ll just teach him that all he needs to do is act out and you’ll cave and do what he wants. No, you need to make some changes. That’s what you promised Yeonjun when you and him decided to become exclusive. Beomgyu can’t come first anymore. 

"I have to go. Let’s talk about this later." You step back, ignoring the hurt in his eyes as you grab your bag and head for the door. 

____________________

When Yeonjun said the place was fancy, he wasn’t kidding. You’re blown away right now, surrounded by people you’ve only known about through magazine spreads and hours of admiration through the internet. You can’t believe you’re here in the same room with such talented artists and creators. 

You feast your eyes on the multiple displays from different photographers and artists, analyzing their technique, their vision, and their subject, and you’re just in awe. This is exactly where you should be, mingling with the others in your field, making connections, building a network… except you haven’t really gotten the hang of socializing yet. You’re too nervous to talk to anyone. You just stand silently next to Yeonjun as he charms his way through the crowd, joking there, throwing a compliment here or purring a small flirty line that has the other party blushing. 

He can turn it on for anyone. He’s so good you can’t help wondering where his charming nature ends and his actual affection for you begins. How do you know he’s not just charming you the same way he charms everyone else? 

“Do you like it?” Yeonjun asks, and you snap out of your thoughts. You look around to see that everyone around you has left and you’re standing alone with him. “Huh?” 

“You’ve been staring at this particular shot for a long time. Do you like it?” He laughs and you shake your head. “Not really.”

“Really? Why not? It’s well shot, the composition is good, the set design is top-notch and the clothes really complement the atmosphere.” 

“That’s all true.” You agree, and he laughs–his sweet tinkering laugh that makes you smile.  “Then what’s the problem?”

“I don’t like the model. It’s obvious the photographer was going for a femme fatale look but she doesn’t deliver. She’s supposed to have the face of an angel but the aura of the devil. She has to convey the monster within but she’s so afraid of not looking pretty, it just comes across as if she’s putting on an act rather than losing herself in the madness of it.”

“You really don’t like her, huh?” He laughs, and you furrow your eyebrows. “Well, it’s not really her fault so much as it’s the fault of the photographer. They should be directing the model on how to act and correcting them when they’re doing something wrong. This model is obviously gorgeous and she has the potential in her to look fierce, but with a weak direction like this, all you get is what basically amounts to a child dressing in her mother’s clothes.” 

You hear someone huff behind you and turn around to see a very disgruntled man. “And to whom do I owe this very shrewd commentary on my work?” 

Oh, shit. Oh, fuck. 

“I–I am… I’m nobody.” You squeak, wishing the monster from the next picture over would jump out of the frame and swallow you whole right now. 

“That’s right, you are nobody.” The man haughtily agrees. 

“Hey, man, she’s just giving her opinion.” Yeonjun attempts to interject but the man pays him no mind. “I am an award winning photographer. I don’t take the juvenile half-baked opinions of nobodies. Come back when you’ve actually achieved something that could hold a candle to what I’ve done over my career. Oh no wait, you’ll never amount to anything if these are the opinions your artistically challenged brain comes up with.” 

“Hey–Yeonjun protests, a scene starting to form around you, but you quickly cut it short–the humiliation already too much for you to handle. 

“I’m sorry.” You tear up, quickly turning and running away. 

Through your tears, you can see the shocked and confused looks of the other patrons so you quickly keep your gaze to the ground until you’re out of the gallery and near Yeonjun’s car in the quiet parking lot where no one can see you cry. 

No one except Yeonjun who followed closely after you. “Wait up! Baby–Are you okay?” 

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I embarrassed you in front of everyone. I’m sorry I ruined your night.” You babble, tears streaming down your face. “You shouldn’t have taken me to such a nice place. I didn’t deserve it.”

Why the hell did you even think you would ever make it in such a business. The best you’d be able to achieve is etsy store designs and wedding photographs. You’ve just messed up your first chance at making connections AND you fucked up your date with Yeonjun. You’re such a screw up. 

“Woah, calm down. You didn’t do any of those things.” He holds you in his arms and you bury your face in his shirt, seeking comfort and a place to hide from him. “Don’t lie. I ruined everything.” 

Maybe now he’ll even realize that you’re not as cool as he thought you were. That you’re not actually this artistic person he probably imagined you as and lose interest. He’d know you’re a fraud and dump you. Then you’d be left with no Beomgyu and no boyfriend. Just your loser self. 

“You didn’t. But you crying might ruin my shirt.” 

You gasp, pulling away and trying to step back but he holds you by the arms, giving you a mischievous grin. “I’m kidding. You can soak me through with tears and snot all you want.” 

“You’re an asshole.” You smack his chest, pouting. 

“Maybe. But I got you to stop crying.” He says and you frown. He actually did. While you might’ve preferred a more sweet approach to getting you to stop crying, this still worked. 

You sigh, little cries bubbling up in your chest still. “I still am sorry. You wanted to do something nice for me and I ruined it with my big mouth.” 

“No, you didn’t.” He retorts, wiping away the few stray tears still falling. “I loved hearing everything you had to say. I thought you made some really good points. He was just threatened that you could've done a way better job than he did.”

“You really think so?” You peer up at him, hopeful that he’s not just saying that to make you feel better. 

“Yes, but don’t start crying again.” He laughs, kissing the pout you answer him with. “In fact, I’m free if you ever want to try it out. And I want you to know that I take very good direction.”

There goes the flirting again. The one that makes you wonder if he’s sincere or it’s just part of his charm.  

"Yeah, we could do that." You say nervously, letting him prop your chin up to press a proper kiss onto your lips. 

“Do you wanna get something to eat?” He asks but you shake your head. “Not hungry. Too depressed.” 

“Aw, baby, do you wanna head back home with me? I can make you forget all about that asshole.” He brushes your hair out of your face, kissing you again, and you know what he’s really asking. 

You’ve already gone on a few dates with him. It’s not too soon for this. This is what people who like each other do after going on multiple dates. And if you want to get over Beomgyu, you’re going to have to completely give yourself to Yeonjun. You can’t be holding anything back in the hopes that Beomyu might want it someday. 

You put on a brave smile for Yeonjun. “Yes. Let’s head home.” 

____________________________

“Hey, you don’t have to be nervous.” Yeonjun whispers to you, feeling you tense up as he tries to push the straps of your dress down your shoulders. “You’re beautiful."

Does he really think that? You can’t be that beautiful compared to the women he’s been with. 

"Did I tell you how much I love this dress?" He asks, toying with the neckline, and you shake your head. "I love it. Makes you look like a movie star. So beautiful and sexy. Almost makes me not want to take it off."

His lips brush softly over your skin, raising goosebumps in their wake before he pulls back to look you in the eye. "But I wanna see all of you. Will you let me see you, doll?"

You nod, holding your breath as he pulls the dress down your chest, kissing every inch of skin on the way until your breasts are bare and his plush lips are wrapped around your nipple. 

“Yeonjun…” You whine, grabbing onto his hair as he kisses and kneads your breasts, slowly but surely turning you on. 

“Does it feel good, doll?” Yeonjun smirks, one of his hands going between your legs to rub your pussy. 

“Yes. Please.” 

“I got you, baby.” His mouth moves down your body as he pulls your leg apart. 

“Missed this.” He murmurs, reaching your pussy and giving it a wide lick as his finger prods at your opening and pushes through. “Oh, that went in easy.” 

“I… I finger myself.” You admit bashfully, covering your face with your hands, feeling embarrassed for some reason but Yeonjun just laughs and leans up to remove your hands and kiss you. “That’s okay, makes my job easier.” 

You give him a confused look but quickly realize what he means when he presses another finger into you, moving both of them in and out to loosen your pussy. 

“See? All good. I’ll have you fucked open for me in no time.” He drawls, staring you down confidently as he works another finger into you. You tense up on that last one so he uses his thumb to rub your clit to get you to relax a bit. “There you go. Open up for me, doll. Let yourself feel good.” 

You’re trying to, you really are. You’re trying to focus on the moment, the burning feeling moving up your body from your pussy that just needs to be quenched. 

He’s doing it so well, hitting all the right spots, completely confident and self-assured. He knows exactly what he’s doing. No clumsiness. No unchecked lust. No uncontainable eagerness. Just steady, purposeful movements that touch you places you didn’t even know you were sensitive. 

“Feels good.” You slur, pressing your pussy further into his hand, grinding against his palm to seek more of that mind-numbing stimulation. “More.” 

“I know, baby. But let me take it slow for you.” 

You shake your head. You don’t want it slow. You want him to lose himself in you. “No. Want you now.” 

“Doll–”

“Fuck me, Yeonjun. Make me yours.” Please. Please make me yours. Make me stop thinking about him. 

Are you doing this for all the wrong reasons? Maybe, but how else are you supposed to get over Beomgyu? Don't they say the best way to get over a guy is to get under another one? Well, you'll just have to test that theory. 

Yeonjun relents, shushing your needy mewls with kisses as he takes his hand away. “Hush, doll. I’ll fill you up again in a second.” He undoes his pants and pushes them off along with his underwear before grabbing you by the thighs and lining himself up with your pussy. 

“You ready, baby?” He asks and you just stare at his cock. 

Has Beomgyu already fucked her? He must have. He’s so needy to get his dick wet that he’d never miss up the chance. 

You look up at Yeonjun. “Do it. Fuck me.” 

Ok, so maybe you fingering yourself hadn’t fully prepared you for this. Maybe you should’ve taken a page out of Beomgyu’s book and gotten yourself a sex toy–a dildo to practice with before the real thing. 

Thankfully, Yeonjun takes it slow despite your earlier demands, thrusting into you shallowly, letting you get used to his length bit by bit. 

“Relax for me, doll.” He purrs gently, kissing all over your face as his hands massage your thighs, doing his best to get you to loosen up. 

“Yes, Junnie.” You whimper, head falling back as you will your body to relax. You hear a soft chuckle coming from him. “Junnie? That’s cute.” 

You blush as you realize what you’d said. You couldn’t help it. You love giving cute nicknames to your friends. And you guess your boyfriend too. 

Yeah, because Yeonjun is your boyfriend now and boyfriends and girlfriends have sex. You know Yeonjun must have done it with all his previous girlfriends. It would’ve been weird if you didn’t. 

Not that Yeonjun pressured you to do it or anything. But you know he wanted it. You wanted it too. You just couldn’t get Beomgyu out of your head. Which is why it’s good that you’re finally doing this–smothering that last candle you were holding out for him. 

“You’re tensing again, doll.” Yeonjun tells you, kissing your neck. “Not that I don’t enjoy it. It feels like heaven when you squeeze down on my cock like that, but I want this to feel good for you too.” 

Yes, it’s the right thing to do this… right? 

“Okay…” You breathe, trying to relax and focus on the moment, letting your muscles unclench as Yeonjun presses his cock in and out of you. 

Once you’re sufficiently relaxed, you start to actually feel good again, his cock feeling much better than your fingers ever did. It reaches places inside you that you never could by yourself. It’s so thick and long, dragging along your walls and stimulating those sensitive spots inside you that make your toes curl. 

“Yeah, you like that, baby?” He drawls, taking note of the moans you were now letting out but he still takes it slow. 

You breath hitches, his words too closely resembling what Beomgyu had said to you before, and for a split second you see Beomgyu over you instead of Yeonjun, his long hair tickling your face and his intense gaze burning you up. 

“Yeonjun–” You gasp, digging your fingers into his arms. “Harder, please.” 

Maybe if he fucks you harder, it’ll push Beomgyu out of your brain. Maybe if he fucks you harder, you could mistake his casual affection for the raw passion you crave. 

“Are you sure, doll?” He asks, concerned. 

“Yes, please, Yeonjun. Fuck me hard.” You insist, hoping your eyes convey how much you need it. 

“Your wish is my command, baby.” He grabs your thighs, pressing them against the sides of your body and getting on top of you, driving his dick so deep inside you it makes you throw your head back in a long, choked out moan. 

But he doesn’t let up, fucking into you again and again, bullying his cock into your virgin pussy at a brutal pace until you have no more breath to scream, and then he fucks you more. 

“Baby, you with me?” Yeonjun pants, not letting up. 

“Isss good….” You mumble, brain short-circuiting, caught by the fire spreading from your pussy to set your body alight. “S-so good.” 

You vaguely hear him laugh through his own grunts, “Good girl, just lay back and let me make you feel good.” 

You nod, tears brimming at your eyelashes at the overwhelming feeling. But you love it, the burning pleasure making its way through your body and making you forget about anyone else but Yeonjun. 

“Junnie… soooo good…. Too g-good...” You cry, your pussy fluttering around his cock as it hammers in and out of you, your legs trying to slam together to take a break from the excessive pleasure, but they can’t. Not when Yeonjun’s hold on you is so bruising, his hips keeping at that brutal pace that makes you unable to even string along a full sentence.

“You asked for it, doll. Now be good and take it.” He grunts, bending down to pluck one of your nipples into his mouth, his teeth lightly grazing the sensitive nub. 

“No–no—Junnie!” You scream, unable to take it anymore, your pussy clamping down on his cock as your whole body shudders with a blinding orgasm. 

“Oh, fuck–baby, baby, I’m cumming.” Yeonjun groans, quickly taking his cock out as he cums on your belly, and replacing it with his fingers when you start crying at the emptiness. 

“I got you, doll. I got you.” He murmurs, pumping his fingers in and out of you as he milks his cock of the last drops of his orgasm–letting you both down gently. 

When you start squirming at the overstimulation–the fires retreating from your brain–he pulls his fingers out and bends down to kiss you. “It’s okay, baby. You did really well.” 

You look up at him, the insecurity creeping back in again now that the mind-numbing pleasure is gone. “Did you like it? Did you like m-me?” 

Were you good? Did you live up to his past lovers? Were you supposed to do something more? Be more proactive? Did he enjoy his time?

He chuckles. “Yes. You were great, baby. You felt so good.” He reassures you simply, pressing a kiss against your forehead. 

“Okay.” His answer doesn't really give you the reassurance you needed. You don’t even know what you need him to do or say, but you know he’s not giving it to you. And he notices. 

“You okay, doll?” He asks, giving you a skeptical look and you nod. “Yeah.” 

He doesn’t appear to be convinced by your answer. “Are you sure? Wanna take a shower?” 

You shake your head, getting off the bed and beginning to dress yourself up again. “No, that’s okay. I can take a shower at home.”

“Home? You’re not staying over?” He gives you a look of confusion which you reciprocate. “Oh. I don’t know. Do you want me to?” 

You blink at him, genuinely unsure. You didn’t want to presume anything. You don’t have experience doing this. You don't know if you’re supposed to stay or if it’s too soon. 

“Of course. I’m not just gonna make you go home after we fucked.” He chuckles, pulling you back down to the bed. “You have to stay the night.” 

“I don’t know…” You hesitate.  If you stay, Beomgyu will probably know what you've done. He'll know that you and Yeonjun had sex. But if you leave you'd be choosing Beomgyu again. You need to let go of him. 

“Okay.” 

___________________

You end up having a nice time with Yeonjun once you get over your anxiety and trepidation of losing your virginity to someone other than Beomgyu. It's silly but you suppose on some level you thought you'd have your first time with him. 

And it's not just that. For a second you let the insecurity get to you and you wondered if Yeonjun would act differently now that you had sex. That he'd show his true face and break your heart, but he doesn’t. He is as sweet as ever, giving you some of his clothes and staying up in bed with you, having those precious pillow talks that are so important early in a relationship. 

He is easy to talk to, and when he does that cute thing where he scrunches his nose up and pokes his tongue out as he's teasing you, it makes your heart flutter. 

You find out that singing isn’t his only passion--that dancing is his first love. He even gets up out of the cozy comfort of the bed to show you a few dance moves when you whine and insist he shows you. You watch him with a big smile on your face as he executes them so well even in his bedroom, his movements so fluid yet precise, it’s mesmerizing. And when he’s done he smiles that sweet smile of his and lunges back into bed with you and you take him into your arms as if he could actually belong there. 

It was so unlike how he usually is on stage and in front of others that it tugs in your heartstrings a bit, making you feel special for being allowed to witness this. 

You fall asleep in his arms and wake up in his arms, forgetting about that aching feeling of emptiness in the center of your chest for a few blissful hours. 

And in the morning you even make breakfast together. Or more like he makes you breakfast while you make coffee. 

“Oh, man. I haven’t had a proper breakfast in sooo long.” You moan, digging into the omelet and sausages he made you. 

“You don’t cook?” He asks, smiling as he watches you eat. 

“Nope. Me and Beomgyu are hopeless. We’ve almost burned the kitchen too many times that now we don’t even bother.” 

“Then what do you guys eat?” 

“Frozen goods and slimy take-out. We’re building a formidable gut microbiome. We’re actually part of the country’s biological weapons program.” 

Yeonjun laughs. “Well, sorry for ruining your trajectory by feeding you actual food.” 

“Ah, well, Beomgyu can carry the torch by himself.” You shrug, mouth full of food. 

“You guys are really close, huh?” He asks, and the mood grows a bit gloomy. You chew slowly, thinking your words through before answering. “Yeah, he’s my best friend.”

“He’s more than that though, isn’t he?” He pushes and you hesitate. 

Once again, you know exactly what he's asking, and you’re faced with a decision to make between an uncertain future with Yeonjun, nurturing a candlelight that is so shaky it might get snuffed out at any moment, or live on hopes and dreams with Beomgyu, praying for the sun to break out from behind the clouds after years of waiting for it to no avail. 

“No.” You finally say, looking up at him, trying to be decisive, hoping it will come naturally with time. “No, he’s not. Not anymore. We’ve agreed to be exclusive, you and I, and I’m serious about it.” 

Yeonjun's smile is slow, cautious. “Good to hear.”

Do either of you actually believe it? Do you really think you can move on from Beomgyu? You don’t know but you know that you have to try and you know that you'd like to try with Yeonjun. 

________________________________

Still, heading home you feel uneasy. Like you'd done something wrong you’re going to get punished for, and so to ease the guilt and tension, you grab something on the way with you–just some donuts and coffee, a small token of peace, knowing Beomgyu would be hungry and that the best way to get into his good graces is to offer him junk food. It's not like he was going to make himself breakfast or anything anyway. 

When you step into the apartment, you find him sitting on the couch just as you had expected. 

“Wanna eat? I got you your favorite donuts.” You wave the food next to your head in lieu of a greeting.

He stares at you for a few seconds, not saying anything. Shit, does he know? Can he see it on you? Probably, since you’re still wearing Yeonjun’s clothes. 

But he just says, “Sure.” and makes room for you on the couch. 

You accept it gladly, watching as he takes the donuts out and offers you some. “No, thanks, I already ate.” 

Once again, he pauses, studying you for a second before looking away and taking a bite of his donut.  

“Ugh, I was starving. This is the real stuff.” He groans and you grin. "Yeah. This is food as God intended it, processed and fried until it barely resembles food." You hum in agreement, making him giggle.

For a second you think you're off the hook. For a second you think things can just be normal like he wanted. But then he asks you something that stops you cold.  

"How was the date?"

You study his expression, trying to decipher a hidden agenda in the question. Is this a trick? Is he asking just so he can say something mean about it? Is he going to act vindictive once you tell him how it went?

But he looks genuinely curious to your scrutinizing eyes, and so you decide to just tell him the truth. "Ugh, awful. You know how completely unaware I am of my surroundings? Well, I started criticizing this one photo and the photographer was standing right behind me."

Beomgyu gasps, a piece of food flying out of his mouth at you. "No! What did he say?" 

You brush it off in disgust. "He said I was a nobody." 

Beomgyu's face twists up in anger as he puts the food down. "What the fuck? He said that?"

"Well, I said it and he just confirmed it." You explain sheepishly, still feeling the sting of the humiliation even now. "He said he has all these awards and I have nothing and never will and he won't listen to someone like me." 

"He's a fucking idiot.” Beomgyu rages, immediately jumps to your defense, “What, he thinks just because he has awards that he's the only one who can have an opinion? You know most of these awards are just rich people smelling their own farts, right? Real talent like yours cannot be measured."

Beomgyu is as fiercely defensive of you as he has always been and it brings a small smile to your face. However, the wound that the encounter opened up is still raw and just that isn’t enough to make you feel better. 

"Well, I wish it would be measured a little bit. You know we've both been doing this for years but while your band is getting bigger and bigger–and I'm so happy for you–I seem to be getting nowhere." You tell him glumly. You haven’t gotten any recognition for your work even though you work your ass off, dreaming up concepts, executing them to the best of your ability, and trying to get someone to notice. 

"Hey, hey, you will. I am certain of it. No one this talented can go unseen for long. They will notice you one day and they will be blown away." He scoots closer to you, holding your face in his warm hands and caressing your cheeks lovingly. "And hey, if all else fails, you always have that backup plan of being our main stylist and photographer. Me and Yeonjun will make sure of it. And not as a sympathy job either but because we truly believe in you."

"You would work with Yeonjun again for me?" You ask, touched. Beomgyu has been very stand-offish with Yeonjun ever since you started dating him. He only interacts with him the bare minimum to still allow the band to function. It’s not ideal but at least they’re not fighting anymore. 

"I would do anything for you." He smiles at you, the smile not quite reaching his sad eyes. 

Has his eyes always looked like this? So melancholic? Still, you feel comfort looking into them. You feel love and familiarity. You feel home. 

You do your best not to tear up, knowing if you let that dam crumble you'll end up saying things you'll regret. So you hold it together, despite how much you ache to throw yourself in his arms. You missed this. You missed him. You miss what you wish you could be. 

But then he takes his hand away and asks quietly, “Did you spend the night with him?”

“Yes.” You admit in a small voice, heart hammering against your chest.

“Got it.” He says simply, and it’s somehow worse than him getting angry. There is a sense of loss there that you can’t explain but it aches, deep and inaccessible. 

“Thanks for the food.” He says, getting up and throwing the rest of it in the trash. 

"Wait. Where are you going?” You ask when you see him heading for the door. 

“Out.” He says simply, seeming to be in a hurry to leave but you’re not ready to let him go yet. “Can't you stay for a bit?" 

"I'm sorry. I've got something to get to. But I'll catch up with you later, okay?" He doesn’t even wait for you to answer before he’s out of the door. 

“Okay.” You mumble quietly to yourself, letting the tears fall freely, having no reason to hide them anymore. 

_____________________________

A/N: AHHHH two more chapter left. the end is nigh and only one boy can win. as always feedback gives me the motivation to write and upload faster. also just to let you know i will be giving patreon a try and an alternative ending to this fic will be published with the losing boy there.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming. which boy do you want oc to end up with (voting has no bearing on the final results though i guess now it doesn't matter because we'll have an alternative ending anyway)

Taglist: @blxxsss @sanasour @tinkw1nks @lol6sposts @zuzuhasablog @beomsl @seolis-world @stantxtorurmissingout @wonwooz1@yaorzu-blog@allylikesdabee@rkivezzs@malieno @leviathanlee26 @yomomas-stuff @kurisaiyunobara @girlwholovekpop @zuzuhasablog @viaaasdiary @ho3forkpop @skzvcr @th3-3d3n-g4rd3n @izzyexe @boomfrogg @kpop-cakepops-recs @chronicallygyu @girlwholovekpop

#txt smut #tomorrow x together smut #dom!idol #sub!reader #fem!reader

[kociamieta]

Out of the scale of 1 to 10 which version/interpretations of angels look horrifying or majestic?

1. Bayonetta Angels

2. Evangelion Angels

3. Diablo Angels

4. Legion Angels

5. Classic Bible Accurate Angels

6. Angelerium Angels

8. DOOM angels

7. Ultrakill Angels

8. The Woodsprite and Death from Guillermo Del Toro's Pinnochio

9. Dark Souls Angels

10. Shin Megamei Tensei Angels

anon i'm afraid i'm unfamiliar with like, 70% of these. so i can't "rate" them other than based on their looks. instead of a scale of 1 to 10 you're getting my thoughts on their designs as i am notoriously bad at Ranking Things. and some babbling overall. enjoy

starting off with Bayonetta angels. Holy shit. the range.... monster-looking ones? humanoids? ships??? cars????? the flesh inside those gold and marble shells??? love them, quite horrifying and majestic at once.

Evangelion! cool stuff. always love some strange organic shapes for angels, and the very geometric ones are pretty interesting as well

Diablo. i like the tendril-like wings. the lack of a visible face is pretty cool as well..

i... i'm assuming you're talking about the 2010 movie "Legion". no comment on this one.

i'm not really sure what "Classic Bible Accurate Angels" would entail. if you're pedantic enough, you can argue that the cherubim and ophanim in Ezekiel's vision aren't exactly "angels" in the literal sense of the word. malakim/messengers/angels could appear as pretty much human. either way, the celestial being category is quite fascinating

my jaw dropped when i saw the Angelarium website. the designs?? the drawings themselves???? the writing as well. obsessed with this???? hello....... Definitely quite majestic

DOOM. huh. that's a pretty interesting looking alien behind that armor. i'm assuming the angel comparison works in the game's context

ULTRAKILL! yay! Gabriel and the Council's armor are pretty cool, and i like the virtues too (their concept art is so good!!!). hope we get to see more angels in the future.

ahhhhg they're both so cool. love how Death is a sphynx. i can't tell if they're exactly supposed to be angels (saw the Woodsprite called a "fairy" somewhere?), but the motifs are so good regardless

Dark Souls. ojh wow. i think these are the most disturbing on this list, i love them. taking organic shapes to another level.... they remind me of mycelia.... huge win for horrifying angel nation

i wasn't really sure what to focus on with Shin Megami Tensei. the angel enemy itself (poor thing went through a lot, design wise)? the divine demon class as a whole (a... lot of characters to look at)? so i went with the archangels. their SMT IV versions are great, the ornate and quite organic-looking shapes put them on the majestic end of the spectrum for me

#ask #angel #my art #body horror #<-just in case. thanks dark souls

[burntheedges]

Maintenance Request: Chapter 12

Joel Miller x f!reader | new chapter every Friday 18+ | ao3 | main post & chapter list chapter word count: 8.1k

chapter summary: it's (finally) time for your first date with Joel. a/n: thank you as always to @katareyoudrilling for being the best beta 💕  chapter tags/warnings: fluff, flirting, flirting with intent, touching, kissing, dancing, banter, drink and food mention, reader can wink (author cannot lol), semi-public canoodling, reader sits on Joel’s lap, groping

Chapter 12

Friday, October 25 Ninth week of the semester

On Friday evening you were nervous. Excited, but nervous.

“You’re going to have an amazing time, you know that. He’s so into you and we both know how much you like him.” Beth’s voice came from the shelf where you had your phone propped up with her on FaceTime. You were trying to figure out what to wear for your date. 

“I just want to find the right outfit.” You were standing in your closet in your underwear, which Beth had already teased you for. You held up your black jeans and another top. “What about this?”

“Hmm,” Beth leaned towards the camera to look at it. “That is a great color on you.”

You held it up and sighed. “I’m not feeling it, I think.” You thought for a moment. “Wait!” You dove into the back and pulled out a top you hadn’t worn in ages — you looked amazing in it, but it wasn’t really work appropriate so it had slowly gotten shuffled to the depths of your closet. 

“Yes! I forgot you had that. That’s the one.” 

You smiled, agreeing. “I forgot I had it, too. Ok, I’m going to finish getting ready.”

“Better run! It’s like 6:35.”

“Shit! Ok, love you, talk to you later.” 

You reached to end the call, and before you could, Beth said, “you better text me! If you go home with him, tell me where you are!” You said you would and hung up.

As you moved to put your phone down, you noticed you had a text from Ellie. 

Ellie (6:21 PM): don’t forget to tell him if he fucks up I’m coming for him 🔪 have a nice date 

It made you laugh, which was probably her goal. 

you (6:37 PM): 🫡

Ellie (6:37 PM): and take a video of you dancing 

you (6:38 PM): 🙄

You were mostly ready, just had to throw on your (finally) chosen outfit. That was why you’d called Beth in the first place — you’d almost been ready to go, and had totally stalled out in front of your closet, trying to figure out what to wear.

You stepped into your kitchen with only minutes to spare. At 6:59pm you were looking at the clock on your microwave when you heard a knock on your front door. You smiled, and grabbed your purse.

When you opened the door, Joel was waiting for you on the other side. He’d forgone another of his flannel shirts, and instead was wearing a dark green dress shirt that hugged his arms and shoulders deliciously. You found yourself slowly trailing your eyes down his torso to where he had it tucked into his dark jeans. His tight dark jeans. You swallowed and darted your gaze back to meet his eyes.

You found him checking you out in the same way, and you smiled again.

“Hey there, hot stuff.” 

His eyes snapped back to yours when you greeted him. He smirked. “You look gorgeous, darlin’.” He stepped forward and revealed a small bouquet of colorful flowers in his left hand. “For you.”

You grinned, and took the flowers from him, noting that none of them would make you sneeze. “These are lovely, thank you.” You moved to step back towards your kitchen and gestured him inside. “Come in while I put them in water.” He followed you over the threshold and you heard him walking slowly behind you as you searched for a vase.

“I like your place, darlin’.” You looked over your shoulder and found him inspecting the art and pictures hung in your entryway. “It’s very you.”

You smiled as you pulled out a vase for the flowers and arranged them inside. “Oh?” You felt more than heard him come up behind you. He touched your waist lightly with both hands and you felt his breath on the right side of your neck. You bit your lip against a grin.

“It feels warm and inviting. It’s cute. Like you.” You leaned back into him and he took it as the invitation it was, wrapping his arms around your waist.

“I’ll have to visit yours and see how much it looks like you.” 

He laughed, and then leaned down and kissed the spot under your ear he had mentioned in his text. Your breath caught. “Our place is mostly Sarah, I think.” His lips moved against your neck as he spoke.

“Hmm,” you tilted your head to give him easier access. “I’ll just have to judge it for myself, then.” You felt him smile into your neck and his arms hugged you tighter.

“We should get going before I decide I’d rather keep you here,” he murmured into your neck. He pressed one final kiss there before stepping away.

You turned to smile at him. “You could probably talk me into it.”

Joel closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and shaking his head at you. “No, darlin’, I’m taking you out. Been looking forward to this for weeks.” He reached down to take your hand and started walking backwards towards your front door. “No gettin’ distracted, now. We have places to be.” He winked.

You followed behind him to your front hall and out the door, turning to lock it behind you. You felt his hand slide into place on your lower back as the two of you walked out of your apartment building to his truck. He handed you into the passenger side before climbing in himself, and you were off.

You took advantage of the opportunity and watched Joel as he drove. “I’m glad we made it to date night.” 

He smiled and glanced at you out of the corner of his eye. “Me too, darlin’.” He reached over and took your hand in his, resting both on the center console. “I think you’ll like the music. The band is really great.” He squeezed your hand. 

“I’m sure I will. I am nervous about the dancing, though.” 

Joel looked at you as he slowed to a stop at a red light. “I’ll be there to guide you, darlin’. They won’t be doing anything too complicated.” You nodded, still a bit nervous, but reassured.

Over the rest of the ride, Joel filled you in on the band you’d be seeing — The Wild Strawberries — since he did know them, and had seen them perform locally many times. It sounded like they were, at the very least, friendly acquaintances. His thumb lightly stroked the back of your hand the whole way there.

The bar was downtown, somewhat close to the university, but tucked onto a side street that you knew students rarely frequented. (Which was a good thing. The last thing you wanted to do was run into your students on a date.) You could see through the front windows that the space inside was large, with a big stage near the back, a dance floor, and tables scattered throughout the room. A long bar made of dark, solid wood stretched along the entire right hand wall. It was busy, but not overcrowded. In neon letters and a fancy font the name The Tipsy Bison stretched over the front facade. 

Joel parked down the street and came around the car to open your door before handing you out of the truck. He kept hold of your hand as you turned to walk back towards the bar. “So you’ve never been to the Bison before, darlin’?” 

You shook your head. “I’ve been to a few other places on this block, but never here. I’m not often downtown in the evenings.” As you approached the door Joel transferred your right hand to his right so he could settle his left low on your back to guide you through the opening.

The Bison, as Joel called it, was warm and inviting inside. On the stage there were a couple of people setting up for the band, and the tables were about half full. You and Joel claimed a table near the dance floor where you could easily see the stage. As you sat, you heard someone call Joel’s name from behind you.

“There you are, you bastard. You said you’d come see us play months ago.” A friendly looking man in a nice button up shirt came over and clapped his hand on Joel’s shoulder. Joel rolled his eyes as the man looked over at you. “Well, hello there! I’m Frank. And who might you be?” Frank held out his hand and you shook it as you introduced yourself. A sly look came over his face when he heard your name, and he turned back to Joel. “Wait, is this the Gorgeous Prof—”

Joel rolled his eyes and sighed. “How many people did Tommy tell about that?” 

Frank laughed, and you grinned. “Wasn’t Tommy, I’m afraid. Tess sold you out this time.” Joel sighed again. 

You took pity on him and cut in, “don’t worry, he had a nickname, too. We were calling him ‘Hot Construction Asshole’ for a while there.” Frank laughed, loudly. When you caught Joel’s eye again you winked, and he gave you that half smile that you loved.

“Well!” Frank clapped his hands. “I’m glad you’re here. Finally. And it’s lovely to meet you. I’ll introduce you to my husband later, he’s not here yet but he’ll be holding down that corner booth eventually.” 

You smiled and nodded, noticing that the booth in question had a “Reserved” sign. “I’d love to meet him.”

Frank wandered off and you turned back to Joel. “So how many people did you talk to about me?” He blushed, and you grinned.

“Just Sarah, Tommy and Tess, darlin’, but Tess and Frank are thick as thieves. No telling who Tommy’s talked to.”

You shrugged. “Well, you know I talked to Beth and Ellie. And my sister, Ellie’s mom, a bit.” You didn’t really want to get into that now so you didn’t pause to let him ask any questions. “Like I said before, we just need new nicknames.” You tilted your head as you considered him. “What do you think, hot stuff?”

He smirked. “Oh, are we stickin’ with that one?”

“I was trying it out.” You smiled at him, unrepentant. “Was also thinking of calling you ‘cowboy.’ Seeing what fits.” 

He eyed you. “Well, darlin’, you can call me that if you like.” He leaned closer so he could speak lowly into your ear. “I know you like it when I call you sweet names, honey, but I’m determined to figure out which one is your favorite.” He leaned back to take in the effect his words had on you, and you assumed he wasn’t disappointed. You felt the heat in your cheeks and the hitch in your breath. Whatever was happening in your body must have been written all over your face.

“Oh?” Your voice was breathy and high pitched. 

He leaned back in to press a kiss to your cheek, soft. “I can tell you like darlin’, and honey, but we’ll just have to keep looking for the right one.”

You turned towards him, and found that your faces were just inches apart. “The right one for what?” You felt a bit dazed, and you realized you were staring at his mouth. You watched as the corners rose into a smirk again.

“The right one, baby, for later. When you let me kiss you again, like you did in your office. And maybe we find out what happens next, when we don’t get interrupted.” You bit your lip and swayed towards him, but you were startled away from his gaze by the arrival of your server.

“Evening, folks! What can I getcha?”

You felt Joel lean away from you as you both glanced down at the drink menus you hadn’t touched. But that was alright — Joel ordered a beer and you ordered your go-to drink.

As your server stepped away, you looked back at Joel and felt a bit off kilter, coming down from your intimate moment that had been interrupted. He regarded you and slid his hand over to rest next to yours. “So what do you think, darlin’? About the Bison?”

You looked around you, and then back at Joel. You slid your hand closer so your fingers were touching. “I like it, Joel. It’s right up my alley.” 

He smiled, and started playing with your fingers. “Good.”

Over drinks you talked about work a bit, and then about your friends, and Sarah and Ellie. Joel told you about Sarah’s soccer games (she was a forward) and how she was thinking about going out for the school varsity team next year.

You told him about Ellie starting the art club at her school and getting in trouble for cursing at one of her teachers, which was really par for the course. He laughed through the story, though, and summed it up with, “she sounds like a real firecracker. Sarah’d like her,” which made you smile and lace your fingers with his on the table.

“She is,” you agreed.

You ordered some food, and the band started getting in place when it arrived. You scooted a bit closer to Joel so you’d have a better angle on the stage and he set his arm along the back of your chair, turning toward you in response. You noticed Frank was holding a bass guitar. 

When the music started, Joel leaned toward you to murmur in your ear, “you want another drink, darlin’? Before we get out on the floor.” You nodded, and he squeezed your hand before standing and heading towards the bar.

Frank’s band had a bit of a folksy sound, mixed with traditional rock and country. Their first few songs were fun and upbeat and you watched as people started to move onto the dance floor. Some couples were doing what looked like a two-step to your untrained eye, while others did the more accessible sway-in-place. A large group of friends was also hovering near the front and dancing together. 

Joel returned with your drinks and pointed out what was, in fact, two people dancing a two-step and named a few of the moves for you. You started to feel overwhelmed at how much you didn’t know about dancing, while he was so knowledgeable.

Joel scooted his chair closer to yours and leaned in. You realized he must have noticed how much you liked it when he spoke right in your ear.

“What do you think, darlin’? Wanna give it a go?” He moved his arm from the back of your chair closer to you, letting his fingers brush against your arm. You shivered, and you could see that he noticed when he smirked.

“Go easy on me?” You could hear the lack of confidence in your voice. His smirk gentled into a smile.

“Darlin’, just follow me. I won’t let you stumble.” He stood and offered you his hand, which you took.

Joel led you to an empty area near the edge of the dance floor and guided you into a stance you noticed was similar to the one the other dancers were using. “Alright, look, we’ll take it slow. Start with the basics.” And he did. He guided you through a simple two-step, and before you knew it you were moving around your corner of the dance floor to the beat. Slowly, but you were doing it. You watched your feet as you tried to keep up with the step. 

Joel cleared his throat. “So? What do you think?”

Your eyes flew from your feet to meet his gaze. You smiled, hesitantly. “Am I doing it?”

He grinned at you. “You are, honey.”

You and Joel kept it up for the rest of the song, moving slowly. After a few minutes you were able to look away from your feet again. 

“How did you learn how to dance?”

He turned you as you approached the tables, to keep you on the dance floor, and you felt his hand move across your back to bring you closer to him. “My mother taught me and my brother. Our family gatherings tend to feature a lot of dancing.”

“With you and your brother?”

“Well, with the whole family. Our cousins, everybody. Sarah, too.” You realized you were a lot closer to Joel than when you started, but you were still managing not to step on his feet. You smiled. “She’s been dancing at family parties since she was just a kid. Everyone on that side loves to dance, with, ah, varying levels of skill.”

You laughed. “Sounds fun.”

“It is,” he agreed. “Never a dull moment.” The song was coming to an end, and Joel slowed you to a stop. “What do you think? Another song?” You smiled and nodded, and Joel winked at you. “Think we can speed it up?”

“Maybe just a little? Not too much?”

He nodded. “Don’t worry, darlin’, I won’t throw anything too complicated at you. We’re just getting started.”

Joel led you through a few more dances, and you felt more and more confident with each one. In the last one before you decided to take a break he even threw in a (successful) spin and dipped you a bit. You laughed, feeling breathless. He slowly pulled you back up, flush with his chest, and you found yourself staring into his eyes from just a few inches away. Without your conscious input your gaze dropped to his lips. He leaned in before you could and kissed you once, softly, before pulling back and resting his forehead against your own.

“I haven’t had that much fun dancing since I can remember, darlin’.” 

You chuckled. “Even though I barely know what I’m doing?”

He shook his head and kissed you again, softly. “You picked it up pretty quick, you know. But it doesn’t matter, I’d rather dance with you than do something fancy. You wanna sit down for a bit?” You nodded, and he pulled away to lead you back to your table. You realized you’d almost started making out with Joel in the middle of the dance floor, but a quick look around revealed that no one was really paying attention to you since the band was still playing.

You noticed as you sat down that Joel had pulled his chair much closer to yours. You could have put your legs over his lap without needing to move any closer. His arm came down around you with his hand at your waist, so you leaned into him to talk. “How well do you know Frank?”

You felt his thumb start to move up and down against your side as he answered. “He’s closer with Tess, but I’ve known him for about 10 years now. Sarah loves him. She would have begged to come tonight if it wasn’t a date.” 

“Oh, that’s too bad! Next time she should come.” It was out of your mouth before you thought about it, but you meant it, so you tried to look confident.

“Next time, hmm?” Joel smiled at you. “I like the sound of that.” He cleared his throat, and looked a bit hesitant. “You, uh, you would be ok with that?”

“With what, Joel?” You tilted your head as you considered him. You weren’t sure why he was suddenly hesitant, after being so confident on the dance floor.

“With Sarah, coming along with us.”

“Joel, of course! Sarah’s great, and besides, I want to date you. That means I want to get to know you. All of you. The whole package, you know? I’d love to get to know Sarah.” You felt suddenly hesitant yourself, even as you watched him relax, smile returning. “If that’s, well. If that’s alright with you. I don’t want to overstep.”

He shook his head. “No, darlin’, Sarah already likes you and I’d love for you two to get to know each other. And get to know your family, too. But I do want to take you on more dates. Just the two of us.” 

You smiled. “Let’s do both, then. I’ll bring Ellie along sometime, too.” You leaned in and let your head rest against his shoulder, despite the slight discomfort of sitting so close in two wooden chairs. “I’m having a good time, Joel, I already know I’d love to do this again.”

You felt him rest his cheek against the top of your head and smiled into his shirt. He squeezed your side with the hand that had been playing idly with your waistband. “Honey, I’d love nothin’ more.”

You sat like that through a few more songs, enjoying the feeling of being under Joel’s arm. It felt like all of your attention was taken by the hand at your waist as his thumb moved slowly back and forth in a soft caress. You closed your eyes to enjoy the sensation and tried to focus on not letting yourself get all worked up in public.

After a while, the band announced a break, and you startled and sat up a bit. The dance floor was clearing out, and you turned and looked at Joel. He was looking at you.

“What do you think, Joel? Do you want to dance some more?”

He hummed in response before pulling you close again to murmur in your ear.  “What do you think about taking this somewhere a little more quiet? Somewhere we can talk, maybe have another drink.” 

You turned your head and found yourself with your lips just inches from his own. “Talk, huh?”

He smiled a bit sheepishly, but winked. “You call the shots here, darlin’.”

“Let’s stick around for one more dance, and then go get that drink. And then maybe head home.” He looked disappointed, and tried to hide it, but you raised your eyebrows at him with a smile and he straightened, surprised. 

“Home?” He asked, with not a little hope. It made you grin. 

“Well, I never said whose home. But we can figure it out.” 

Joel’s eyes narrowed as he took in your teasing tone. “Honey, I’ll go anywhere you’d like.”

You wondered if implying you’d go home with him on the first date was too much, but you shrugged it off. You’d had lunch twice, anyway. That made this like a third date, right? You knew Joel was interested, and so were you. Clearly for more than one night. And you couldn’t stop thinking about his kiss in your office, and what it might have been like to not be interrupted. To hell with it.

“Well then, let’s go back to the dance floor, and then we can go get another drink somewhere, and then head home.” You paused and let it hold for a moment before smirking at him. “Together.” The smile that took over his face was your favorite one yet — wicked and wide.

“Baby, I like the way you think.” You eyed his smile and decided you needed to stand up before “home” became “the bathroom of the Tipsy Bison.” You shook your head and leaned back. 

“Come on, you flirt.” You nudged him with your shoulder.

“You like the way I flirt.” He nudged you right back.

You sighed. “I really, really do, Joel.” Before you could go anywhere, though, Frank reappeared at the side of your table. 

“Hello, lovebirds!” Joel groaned, but you smiled. “Told you I’d introduce my husband so I had to drag him over here. This is Bill.” Frank stepped to the side to reveal a man about his age or a little older with a beard and a stern face. You introduced yourself and noted that Bill might not have a smile for you, but he definitely had one for Frank. Bill nodded at Joel, who nodded back. Frank rolled his eyes. “These two would just sit in silence with the occasional grunts if I left them alone.” You laughed as Joel sighed and Bill just shrugged. 

You chatted with the two of them for a couple of minutes before Frank had to go back on stage, and Bill headed back to his corner booth. You turned back to Joel and smiled. “I like them.” He nodded.

“They’re good people, even if Bill is a bit grumpy.” 

“Hmm,” you tilted your head, considering his words.

He raised an eyebrow at you. “What?”

“Nothing,” you grinned. You wondered how often Joel got told he and Bill were alike. He seemed to pick up on what you were thinking and rolled his eyes before sighing and letting his head fall back. 

“Not you, too, darlin’.”

“Look, I’m just saying, I see a resemblance.” You tried not to laugh. Joel tilted his head back down and looked at you through narrowed eyes.

“Now, honey, when have I ever been grumpy with you, hmm?” He leaned closer and lifted his hand to run his thumb lightly down your jawline. You bit your lip and he tugged gently with his thumb to release it. 

“Maybe I’m just special,” you teased him. 

“You are,” he responded, completely serious. You wanted to kiss him again, but before you could, he leaned back and stood, holding out his hand to you. “Now, I believe I was promised another dance.” You laughed and stood as well. He leaned over to press a quick kiss to the corner of your mouth before leading you back onto the dance floor.

Frank’s band had just started up again, and they were playing a slower song. Joel pulled you into his arms again, with his left hand settling in the small of your back and his right holding your left. You let your right hand slide up his shoulder and brushed his neck with your fingertips. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to your hairline before murmuring, “follow me, darlin’.”

Joel led you into the step he’d taught you earlier, but held you closer while he did it. You found yourself with your head resting on his shoulder as he smoothly guided you around your corner of the dance floor. You let your eyes fall closed and sank into his embrace, trusting your memory of the simple step and Joel’s skills to keep you steady.

He was warm, and broad. Whatever aftershave or cologne or maybe even soap he’d used smelled delicious, and you nuzzled into his neck before you realized what you were doing. He hummed and pulled you even closer. “I like dancin’ with you, honey.” 

You could feel his voice rumble in his chest and it made you smile. You moved your head slightly to press a kiss against his neck. He turned his head towards you but you didn’t pull back. “Me too, Joel.” 

Your arm had crept around the back of his neck, and you realized he had slowed your steps to almost just swaying in place. You were pressed against him and the awareness of his body against yours rushed through you. The knowledge that you were in public on a dance floor struck you, but all you wanted was to get as close to Joel as possible. Your breath hitched, and you felt Joel take a deep breath in response. He shifted so his right leg nudged between yours, and you closed your eyes at the sweeping feeling in your stomach — he wasn’t quite touching you there, but the suggestion was enough to send heat tingling up your spine. Almost against your will your hips moved just a little bit closer to his own. You both froze.

Suddenly he tightened his grip around your waist and spun you both around, causing you to fall into him more. “Joel!” You pulled back and found him grinning at you. The look in his eye told you he was right there with you, but you both knew you were still in public. He released your waist and spun you away from him before pulling you back in right as the music picked up.

“What do you think, gorgeous? One more dance?” You nodded, breathless. As he led you once more around your corner of the dance floor, your eyes stayed locked on his. You felt like you were in a whirlwind, but all you could see was Joel. As you danced, it was like the two of you were completely in sync — he moved his leg, and you mirrored the movement. He tightened his grip around your waist to turn you, and you followed like it was easier than breathing. Neither of you spoke as you moved together but it felt like the connection between you grew taut. You felt it pull at you, pull you closer to Joel, draw you towards him like a hook caught behind your heart.

When the music stopped, the two of you did as well, and neither of you moved as the band started to play another song. Joel was looking into your eyes, face intent. He pulled you closer and let go of your left hand, placing his right softly along your jaw. He tilted your head up towards his and pulled you into a soft kiss. 

“I could dance with you all night, gorgeous.” He spoke with his lips barely an inch from your own.

You kissed him again. “Me too, Joel.”

He smiled and used his hand to tilt your face to the side so he could kiss your neck lightly, just in front of your ear. “Should we keep dancin’, baby? Or should we go get that drink?” He punctuated his question with a kiss to the corner of your jaw, and then your cheek, and then your mouth, lingering there. It took you a moment to open your eyes again when he pulled away, and you found him looking at you with so much emotion that it took your breath away.

“Let’s get going, cowboy.” 

He raised his eyebrows. “Cowboy, hmm?”

You shrugged. “Just trying it out, like I said. Take me for a ride, cowboy.”

Joel grinned, wickedly. “Baby, it would be my pleasure.” As he said it he steered you back to your table. He quickly paid your tab — leaving a nice tip, you noticed — and then turned to usher you out the door. You watched as he waved at Frank, who nodded, and Bill, who tipped his glass towards the two of you, and then he took your hand to lead you outside.

As you stepped on to the sidewalk, Joel turned to the right to head to the corner of the block. “There’s a little tiny place right around the corner that has some of the best mixed drinks I’ve ever had,” he told you. 

You perked up. “Oh, you mean Marlene’s?” 

He smiled. “That’s the one. I take it you’ve been?”

You nodded, but added, “I have, but I love it. I think that’s the perfect place to go next.” He squeezed your hand and led you around the corner. 

Marlene’s had a narrow facade — the inside was long, but the width of the whole place was only enough for tables along one wall and the long bar along the other, until you got to the back and it opened up a bit with some larger tables and couches. It was cozy, with string lights and art all over the walls. Marlene’s was known for the cocktail menu, which featured a rotating list of hard-to-source alcohols and interesting mixers, as well as the non-alcoholic options that still tasted amazing. You and Beth often ended up here if you went out for after-work drinks. 

When you stepped inside it was a bit busy, but not so busy that you couldn’t find a table. There was one open in the back in a corner, actually one of your favorites — it was like a tiny round booth, with only enough room for two or three people. It had higher sides on the front like it was from an old saloon, so once you were inside it felt like a cozy nook. It was a bit awkward to get in and out of, though. You wondered where Marlene had found it.

You sat while Joel headed back to the bar to get your drinks — he’d mentioned getting one of the non-alcoholic ones since he would be driving you home, so you asked for the same. He was back quickly and soon the two of you were snuggled into the booth. He had his left arm around your shoulders, and your legs were draped over his left knee as you turned towards him in the small booth.

“Come here often, gorgeous?” He winked at you as he took a sip of his drink.

“Beth and I do, sometimes. I’ve always liked it.”

He nodded. “Me too. Tess and Frank love it. And Tommy, though he usually prefers the Bison.” You smiled. You were really looking forward to meeting Tommy, eventually. 

“So, Joel.” The more official tone you put on had him straightening his shoulders and you tried not to grin. “You’ve told me a bit about you — I know about Sarah, obviously, and now I know your whole — large? — family dances. I know you like live music and plaid shirts.” He smiled shyly and rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand. “And I know the way you kiss knocks the breath right out of me.” His eyebrows raised and he leaned forward a bit, but you placed a hand on his chest and laughed. “Slow down, cowboy. I have some questions.”

“Ah, darlin’—” he started, but you interrupted.

“Nothing bad, Joel. I just want to learn more about you. I want to, well,” your tone shifted and became more hesitant, but he watched you intently all the same. “I want to know you.” 

Joel lifted his right hand and cupped your cheek, gently pulling you forward into a soft kiss. “I want to know you too, honey.” He cleared his throat as he sat back, letting his right hand fall to hold your left in your lap. “Alright, then. Shoot. What do you want to know?”

“Hmmm,” you tapped the fingers of the hand he wasn’t holding against your chin in thought. “Alright, let’s start simple. And I’ll answer the same questions I ask you, ok? And you should ask some, whatever you want.” He smiled and nodded. “Ok. What’s your favorite color?”

Joel laughed and shook his head. “Well, I do like green, but Sarah says it’s blue, on account of how much of it I wear.” 

You smiled. “Those can be different things, you know. My favorite color isn’t the one I wear most often.” 

He ran his thumb over the back of your hand and hummed. “My turn? Ok, where are you from, darlin’?”

The two of you traded questions back and forth. Sometimes you got distracted — Joel mentioned being from a small town outside of Austin, and the two of you compared your hometowns for a while. Then Joel mentioned one of Tommy’s shenanigans from when they were kids, and the story had you laughing so hard you fell against Joel’s chest (but he caught you with both arms wrapped around your waist). 

You touched a bit on more serious topics, but didn’t get into too much detail. Sarah’s mom wasn’t around, but he said he’d tell you the whole story another time. You nodded. You said your sister, Ellie’s mom, had gone through a rough time a few years back, and Ellie had stayed with you for a while. That’s why Ellie was still with you so often. Your sister was doing better but she worked most weekends and a lot of nights. He nodded, understanding. You both quickly changed the subject. You had time, after all.

Joel told you about his summer vacation with Sarah and Tommy, which featured hiking and time at the beach and ended with the three of them a bit sun worn but relaxed and happy. He told you Sarah had requested visiting a city next time, though, and you laughed and told him about Ellie’s inner gremlin and her love of camping. 

Before you knew it, an hour had passed, and you felt like you knew so much more about the man in front of you. You knew his favorite color (“it’s green!” You insisted, “you said so!”), his favorite breakfast food (migas, but only how his grandma made it), how he took his coffee (black), a few of the trials and tribulations of Tommy Miller, Sarah’s soccer highlights, more about what she was doing in school (and how much she (and Joel and Tommy) hated her biology teacher), a bit more about the large extended family that liked to dance, and finally, Joel’s dream career when he was a kid (musician). 

“Wait, really? A singer?” He ducked his head, looking embarrassed, but nodded. “Joel, hey,” you reached out to tilt his chin back up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’m not making fun. That’s amazing. I’d love to hear you sing.” You were leaning close as you said it, almost fully sitting in his lap at this point. He studied you, a serious look on his face. 

“I’ll sing for you whenever you want, gorgeous.” His voice was deeper than it had been even a moment before, and you took a deep breath. 

“Yeah?” He nodded. “Bet you were really something, playing shows. Young Joel Miller with a guitar? God, how many women did you sweep off their feet?” You grinned at him, teasing.

He smirked and rolled his eyes. “Not as many as you’d think.”

“Oh come on, Joel, I would have had the biggest crush on you.” 

He laughed. “Darlin’, I thought you had a crush on me now.” 

You rolled your eyes. “That is neither here nor there, Joel Miller. Ugh, I can almost picture it. Wait, do you have any pictures?” You knew you looked excited and tried to tame it a bit, but he smiled and laughed. 

“I do, but uh, I might also have a recording.”

“What! I have to see it. Please?” 

He studied you again, looking over your wide eyes and pleading smile. “Hmm on the first date?” His voice was teasing, and he pinched your side lightly, making you squirm. “Don’t you think that’s more of a second date activity?” You bit your lip, considering your next words. But you had no reason to doubt yourself, or him. You were pretty sure you were on the same page, here.

“You know, technically, we have had a couple of lunch dates.” He huffed a laugh. “But what about a morning-after activity?” You said it teasingly, but also a little breathlessly. You were sitting so close that you got to watch his reaction take over his face and it mesmerized you. His brows rose as his eyes darkened, and he gave you that wicked half smile that made you melt.

“Well, now,” he started, and his voice was deep. You felt it rumbling in his chest where your hands rested lightly against his shirt. “I reckon you’ll just have to come over and find out.” He used his left arm to pull you up so you were finally sitting fully across his lap. You met his eye and licked across your bottom lip. His own gaze dropped from yours to track the path of your tongue.

“I reckon I will, then,” you agreed. You could feel your heartbeat pick up as he squeezed your side with his left hand and brought his right up to brush his fingertips down your neck. “Can’t miss my chance to hear you sing.”

He shook his head. “Honey, I told you, I’ll sing for you whenever you want.” He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of your mouth, and your breath hitched. “I’d sing for you right now, if you wanted.” He pressed another kiss to your chin, and then under your jaw. You tilted your head up to give him better access. “I don’t think you realize how much I’d do for you, if you asked.” You thought of your maintenance requests, and the plants, and the coffees, and thought maybe you did have some idea.

“Joel,” you whispered, and he hummed in response. “Sing me something.” You tried to make it sound like a teasing demand, but it came out more like a plea.

He nipped your neck. “Anything, honey, or you got something in mind?”

“Whatever you want to sing to me, Joel, that’s what I want to hear.”

He pulled back suddenly and moved his hands to rearrange you on his lap. You found yourself with your back flush against his chest, his arms wrapped around your waist. You placed your hands on top of his. “Close your eyes, gorgeous.” You let your head fall back over his shoulder as you did as he asked.

He hummed, and moved his right hand to your thigh, where he squeezed gently. You squirmed a little in his lap and he chuckled, holding you still with his left arm around your waist. “Shh, honey, just get comfortable. Right here.”

You let yourself sink into his touch, wondering what he would sing for you. He nuzzled against your neck, maybe still deciding, and your legs fell open a bit further without your conscious input. You bit your lip and he kissed your neck as his right hand moved to grip the inside of your thigh. And then he started to sing.

“Take me now, baby, here as I am Hold me close, try and understand Desire is hunger is the fire I breathe Love is a banquet on which we feed”

You gasped at the first word. Joel’s singing voice was beautiful. It was deep and warm and a little gravely. Even as quiet as he was singing you felt like it was lifting you up, floating through the air around you. 

“Come on now try and understand The way I feel when I'm in your hands Take my hand, come undercover”

Joel hummed, maybe the next part of the song. You realized you were holding his left arm in a tight grip and tried to relax your hands. He squeezed the inside of your right thigh reassuringly, and you noticed how high his hand had drifted while he sang. You shifted your weight and let your left leg fall further to the side. His hand inched higher.

“Because the night belongs to lovers Because the night belongs to lust Because the night belongs to lovers Because the night belongs to us”

You knew this song, but hearing Joel sing it was an entirely new experience. You could hardly think about anything but where he was touching you — everywhere — and feel his voice washing over you. Your senses were filled with nothing but him.

He let the last word of the chorus fade, and you came back to yourself only to realize you had started breathing faster, chest heaving with it. “You alright there, darlin’?” His low voice had intrigued you before but now it reminded you of his singing and your breath stuttered in your chest. 

“Yes, Joel, I—”

“You sure?” As he asked again, he slid his hand just a bit higher on your thigh so that his thumb rested right in the inside crease of your hip. He wasn’t quite touching you there, not really, but his proximity drew your sudden attention to how wet you were. You were soaked, just from listening to him sing. Fuck. You squirmed on his lap, but your motion accidentally drew him closer to you, and the side of his thumb brushed against the seam of your pants, right over your core. You gasped, and belatedly realized he had had the same reaction. 

“Oh, honey,” his thumb pressed down, just a little bit, just enough to make you thrust your hips forward without thinking about it. He held you in place with his left arm while running a line of kisses up your neck to your ear. “You’re soaked, honey. I can feel you, right through these pants. Jesus, you must be so fucking wet. And all for me? Goddamn,” he sounded delighted at the prospect. He pressed down again with his thumb, and the noise that came out of you could only be described as a whimper. 

“Shh, don’t worry, honey. I’ll take good care of you.” He whispered in your ear as his hand crept closer to displacing his thumb. You couldn’t catch your breath. “Give you everything you want, sweetheart. Everything.” He emphasized the last word with a sudden grip to your pussy, his whole hand moving over the seam of your pants and cupping you firmly. But in a flash, his hand was gone again, and you were left reeling, breathing hard, eyes flying open.

“Shit,” you whispered, with the belated realizations that you were still at Marlene’s fucking bar, in a booth where technically people could see you. You glanced around, but the high walls of the booth protected you, and Joel had pulled you both to the side, so you were facing away from the room on his lap. Smart.

Joel didn’t respond, and you whipped around to look at him. The hesitant look on his face told you he’d misunderstood your curse. You cursed again. “Fuck, Joel. Get me out of here.” He twitched, but didn’t move. “Joel, you need to take me home. Right now.” You were aroused and sweaty and in public and one of those things was in your power to change right at his moment. You cupped his face in your hands, still breathing hard, but you softened your voice. “Take me home, Joel, together. I want to go home with you.” He finally smiled again, reassured, and nodded. He started to maneuver both of you out of the tiny booth. 

“Well come on then, honey, we got places to be.” Before you knew it he was leading you by the hand out the door, and you barely had a minute to wonder if anyone inside Marlene’s could tell you’d just almost gotten off in that booth back there. Oh well.

Joel was walking fast, and you tugged on his arm to slow him down a bit. “Joel, hey, wait,” he stopped abruptly and turned to look at you, and you saw everything you were feeling painted across his face. You blinked and gathered yourself to keep from kissing him. “I didn’t get a chance to say, Joel, fuck, your voice.” He smiled at you and tugged you closer. “You’re so good. Do you ever– do you ever sing, anymore?” 

He shrugged, a bit sadly. “Just for Sarah, really. And now you.” You squeezed his hand. 

“Well, I loved it, so please, sing for me whenever you’d like.” He nodded, looking a bit bashful. “But, ah, maybe we try that again somewhere a little more private, next time.”

He quirked an eyebrow at you. “Oh yeah?” 

You nodded, stiffly. “I’m just saying, if you’re going to hold me like that, and sing to me like that, I might need a little privacy.” You bit your lip as he stepped closer and leaned in to whisper in your ear. 

“Honey, if you want me to play with your pussy while I sing to you, you only have to ask.” You gasped. When he pulled back he was grinning wickedly, and you laughed. 

“You better keep that promise, Joel Miller.” He swooped in to kiss you again quickly, before pulling back to lead you down the street. 

“Baby, I always keep my promises. Especially promises like that one.” He winked.

After you crossed the street, Joel turned and took both of your hands in his. “I just want to ask again, darlin’, I don’t want to assume anything.” 

You considered him and smiled. “My answer is yes, Joel.” He shook his head and laughed, lowly. 

“Humor me. Say it again?” You untangled your right hand from his and lifted it to cup his cheek. You smoothed your thumb along his cheekbone and he turned to kiss your palm.

“Yes, Joel. I want to go home with you. I’ve got a video to watch in the morning, after all.” He grinned into your hand and bit it lightly. You gasped and laughed as he reached out to pull you into another kiss. 

“Let’s get out of here, gorgeous.”

…

you (10:42 PM): going home with Joel 😳

bestie  (10:43 PM): GET IT!!! (10:43 PM): 🍆 (10:43 PM): and send me his address

you (10:44 PM): 🫡

...

a/n: see you next Friday when we finally earn that explicit rating (aka, the smut arrives) 😌😏

These are the covers of Because the Night (the song Joel sings) that inspired me: Bruce cover | Bruce live | 10,000 Maniacs cover live | and the OG prev | next

tag list: @jupiter-soups @ilovepedro @auteurdelabre @anoverwhelmingdin @myloveistoolittle @iknowisoundcrazy @beezusvreeland @screechingphantommaker @bigboiseason123 @joelalorian @untamedheart81 @ashleyfilm @jessthebaker @jeewrites @fluffygoffpanda @paleidiot

#joel miller x reader #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x you #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fic #x reader #tlou fic #maintenance request fic #JHCGBDM

[insanely-lovely-and-random]

Alrightyy saw Challengers for numero uno tonight and these are some thoughts/things that really got me the second time round!

*Thess are just my opinions the film can be read however anyone else wants

Okay so hear me out.. Tashi is such a dom, Art is such a sub and Patrick is such a switch and oooh it got me how at the beginning it felt like he was Arts dom, then he finds this girl he thinks is fantastic and maybe he thinks she could be the glue to bring him and Art and her all together BUT then it totally fricken backfires and instead he loses both. Art the little puppy he is starts wagging his tail in Zendayas direction and next thing ya know he's got a new owner and Patricks a thing of the past much to his palable distress. I mean christ boyos living in his car and starving, boys a mess since his lost his dom and sub poor boyo, so now various things I noticed some of which I feel back up my argument haha

Gosh theres so many little moments, Patricks thing for Art seems so obvious yet Art seems totally clueless.

1) Patrick is defos bi, not just because he just so is but also cause he matches with a guy on his dating app during his swiping.

2) The doubles match they play in the past? Gosh they're all over eachother! And Pats clearly in charge of that relationship and Art seems totally cool with that (for then anyways..)

3) When him and Art are watching Tashis game at the vert beginning Patrick grabs Arts leg in exhilaration. I mean he always seems to be touching or in the space of his boy for christs sake.

4) When Tashi mentions the fact Arts going to Stamford Patrick noticeably makes a face, you could say its because shes paying attention to Art instead of him or that hes upset because shes going to college instead of going profesh BUT I really didnt read it that way. To me it looked like he was upset Art was going to college, they've been together for years after all and now their splitting up, poor boyo.

5) When Zendaya asks if theres anything going on between then, Art laughs and says no BUT Patrick??? Science and he looks down, hell he wishes there was summat.

6) He taught Art to jerk off. Fucking hell.

7) There kiss man, all three of then and then just Art and Pat, just soo much chemistry.

8) When he reveals he slwpt with Zendaya to Art, and Arts smile drops. I think he's heartbroke at him sleeping with the girl he likes but I also see it as pain at being left out. These two people he's entwined with and now he's outside looking in. I also think If Patrick had seen that reaction he'd have seen a looot sooner that his relationship with Tashi might backfire greatly.

9) Patrick vsiting Stamford, first person he goes to see, his girlfriend maybe..? NOPE hes too busy chasing Art around the tennis court 😭

10) There's a ton of hot moments in this film. And the hottest? To me? That bloody stool grab with his foot. He wants Art close, he always bloody does! And the churros christ! And once again showing Art who's top so to speak, eating his churro, and telling him hes proud of his snakey behaviour. And that it makes his relationship with Zendaya hotter (I bloody bet it does) He never ever seems to show jealousy about Arts feelings for Zendaya, he points out thay he doesn't see him as competition to her not long after and I BET his doesn't. Cause I think he'd love it if Art was with him and Zendaya.

11) My God this bit gets be cause it gets echoed later. Him and Zendaya are making out and this girl who he's with and cares about is just talking bout his tennis game. And tbf what does he say?? "Weren't you gonna tell me bout Art" hells bells could you be more obvious?? And then the fight, he asks her if she's talking about tennis and her reply "I'm always talking about tennis" and I mention this cause it's gonna be relevant later.

12) The injury happens and everyone loses something. Zendaya has lost her career and ability to play tennis to her full potential. Art loses his best friend and Poor pathetic Patrick lost his bestfriend(and secret love) and his actual girlfriend all in one day!

From here on I cant guarantee my numbered points are in timeline order as the timline stated getting more out of sequence🤣

13) Zendaya and Art in the diner and after hearing Art and Pat dont talk no more saying she's a homewrecker after all. And what does Art say?? Zip. Nada. No denial just silence.

14) Okay lets talk that sauna scene. It was gloriously tragic. Patrick is clearly unaware why Art is THAT hostile towards him. I mean thinking of it from his point of view he'd have more reason to be angry considering the snakey girlfriend behaviour. But he never is angry at Art, not once no matter what he did. Of course we then discover Art is SO pissed cause he knows about Atlanta. Christ I bet pur stupid idiot boy Patrick thinks hes just being cleverly smug with that "when we were teenagers" line but idiot boyo your rubbing salt in the wounds 😭

15) still about the sauna, the naked trying to be top dog like old times but no no no, not anymore. Arts not his to be in charge of anymore. And the camera shows Art as higher while Patrick slouches nearby. Patrick asks him when he's so mad but doesn't get an answer. This scene was tragic to me, Patrick just seems hurt by Arts attitude. Art points out that they're no longer peers and I love this because thats the difference between the Zendaya/boys relationship and Arts and Pats. Pat may have been the dom so to speak with Art but he still saw them as peers. Zendaya doesn't. Thats the main difference in their relationships. Respect.

16) One of my fave damn parts of dialogue in the movie. (I really can't remember exact phrasing but this is how I rememeber it) Art is so sus of Pat, Pat asks him if he misses it, Art says he doesnt. And when Pat says he wasn't talking about tennis, Art says "Your always talking to me about tennis" and oof the punch to my gut that was. And it seemed to Patricks too! His face, this poor boy has twice been talking to the people he cares about, abou their relationship and they just say their talking about tennis, he cant catch a break😭

17) Pats reaction to Zendaya asking him to throw the game, is he offended for himself? Nopeee he's mad that she'd do that to Art. He says something along the lines of fucking him was one thing but to have Arts victory be a lie?? Gross, too far, too much of a betrayal.

18) For the third time, having just fucked Zendaya in the car and she just immediately brings up him throwing the match, like crimeny man this boy is probs sick of this game getting in the way of his relationships haha

19) Ooh that match point is glorious glorious cinema my friends. Patrick is so interesting in this whole match. Him deliberating on if he's gonna tell Art? So juicy and the way he did was fucking hilarious. That unspoken signal? Beauty.

20) Arts reaction? Wow oh wowww. The lad went through the five fricken stages of grief! The denial "fuck off!" the rage, throwing his racket, the bargaining, looking at Zendaya as if to say its not true (when she has no fucking clue what just happened). The depression, those sad sweaty tears 🥲 and then? That gorgeous smile, that acceptance. I think he felt catharsis, his marraige was clearly dysfunctional at this point and maybe knowing she cheated, knowing she'd threatened to leave if he lost, maybe that helped him let go of it. Ripped off the bandage, turned off life support, finally shake the pedestal he'd put his wife on( he compared her to jesus for christs sake). He made it through to the otherside and Patrick was there waiting for him with open arms ()iterally lol)

21) When Pat sees Arts smile? His own blossoms, clearly in relief and exaltation. I truly think he told him not to throw his game but to spur Art on. To finally unlock his potential. And to get the old Art he knew back and it bloody worked. That final back and forth, the pure energy, those sexual grunts all building up to a crescendo of a climax. Hooo boy

22) That goddamn brilliant leap in the air. Art is freed and flying, and Patrick doesn't hesitate he flings his racket to the floor because the thing that mattered to him most was never tennis. And he catches his boy with arms wide and then that embrace. They have finally come back together. It was beautiful. What does losing the match matter to Pat when he finally has his arms all over Art again just like he did in the beginning. We have come full circle.

Hahaha this is purely my own read into the movie and obvs mostly about the Patrick character and how I saw his actions. Now a few little bonus notes I noticed.

Nearly everything the boys eat/drink seems phallic, hotdogs, bananas, churros, even those drink bottles and cigarettes. Boyos are obsessed!

Zendaya on the rock at the beach was very little mermaid. Also in that scene when she said she wouldn't wanna get between em. Art said they didn't love together but Pat says "It's an open relationship" hecks you too obvious boy.

This movies so chock full of foreshadowing too, the story about Cat who got injured a week later. Patrick at Tashis party saying she'd have deals and a foundation which she does but via her relationship with Art instead just really cool script tbh

(Will probs add more when I remember em/see it for third time cause I am planning on that🤣🤣)

#challengers #challengers spoilers #challengers 2024 #challengers movie #movie list #zendaya #josh o'connor #mike faist #bisexual #the bi energy is strong #film #it's so long and such nonsense I just got a brain firing on cylinders for this film lmao

[majorbaby]

it takes a conscious effort to break your patterns of consumption and unlearn the notion beauty, interiority, diverse ways of existence aren't exclusive to whiteness or maleness. part of that isn't your fault. certain music is played on the radio, certain shows survive cancellation no matter what, certain people seem to be able to commit the worst possible acts against other human beings and are excused on account of their creative genius. others are selectively punished, with good reason sure, but still, selectively.

now more than ever it's easier to immerse yourself in art made by people outside of the mainstream. reading lists, free resources, playlists... all this stuff is more accessible than ever, but you've got to make an effort to give it a try. it's black history month, the recs are pouring in, go have a look. or take a chance on something absolutely no one has recommended anywhere and if you find something you like, rec it to someone else because the likelihood is they haven't heard of it.

tracy chapman's "fast car" is one of eleven songs that appears on her self-titled debut album. can you name the second hit single from it? if you're american and you fell anywhere left of center as of the 2016 election, it should be on the tip of your tongue if you were engaged in your country's politics at the time, regardless of your level of actual investment in the system. if not, the next time you're doing a task you need both hands with, washing the dishes, having dinner, doing your makeup, put that album on.

there's a post with over 100K notes on here that i see all the time of bruce springsteen and clarence clemons kissing. there's a part of that that is immediately meaningful to many if you're lgbtq, and a part that is harder for non-black lgbtq people to feel the weight of. but it is worth trying to do and was part of the reason why they kissed so often in the first place. clarence clemons was from norfolk, virginia. he released multiple albums outside of his work with the e street band. they may not be for you, but give them a try.

give enough music, or movies, or books that aren't a part of the approved canon a try, and there's no way you won't find something you don't feel as passionate about as you do about springsteen, siken, the beatles, what have you.

james baldwin was a prolific artist. see if you can't find something of his you like more than giovanni's room.

immerse yourself in ringo sheena, who mitski cites as one of her influences.

if you have difficulty paying attention to music you don't recognize, (i get it) make a playlist that alternates tracks you know and love with brand new tracks. start small. 5 faves of all time, 5 you're going to try out. you won't like everything, but you might find yourself looking forward to 6 songs instead of 5 eventually.

for movies, pick an actor whose performance you loved in something and explore their work. last year i picked whoopi goldberg, also a prolific artist, with a vast body of work that's pretty accessible as a result of her constant, intentional effort.

if you're an artist yourself, you can only stand to improve by getting to know your fellow artists better. so expand your notion of what art is. you can do it for free in lots of cases, and you're spending that time listening to music or reading or watching movies or series anyway, what have you got to lose?

anti-racism sometimes means engaging in real-world narratives of pain endured by brown and black people. that pain permeates much of our art, but we're just as three-dimensional as everybody else, and every aspect of our experiences come through in our work. you know that already, because what else is happening when you indulge in various genres. for everything you love or enjoy, there's a brown or black person who's doing something along those lines, in many cases, those genres wouldn't exist in their current form without the influence of our communities, some more than others, depending on where you're from. you can actually keep one foot inside your comfort zone and dip your toe into something else. that choice is both a joy and a luxury.

#im saying this with generosity #the best time to start was ten years ago the next best time is today #hope i don't regret this. lol.

[lucabyte]

i am looking at nohats au 👀 please share more

So! NoHats! I'm going to grab you and use this to ramble. A Lot.

The NoHats AU is @samhainian's it's just that I'm the strange little freak who takes the words said unto me and executes on them. But I can still do a little explainer on what our overall thoughts and vibes are. (And, that we are in fact propping up a little box with some cheese under it here. 🪤 Please (PLEASE) feel free to pick up what we're putting down.)

We're far from the only ones exploring a "what if siffrin fucking died" AU, though the main difference with NoHats is the placement of the death in the timeline. Instead of being 'Mal Du Pays Wins' or 'Act 6 encounter goes horribly wrong', the death is… Just after the (literal) falling action.

(This placement is because Sam is a comic book fan who thus has become used to characters being ripped away at the cruelest times by shitty writers. THANK FUCKING GOD adrienne is not that and isat is delightful yippieee, but, back on topic.)

Giving the party the full understanding of What Happened that you get by putting the death after black hole siffrin, but before the A6 encounter leaves an interesting gap to be filled. See, making Siffrin's death very much not Loop's fault means that… this once again reads (when not read as simply a tragedy...) as the universe doing what it sees fit to fulfull Loop's wish… Thus making Siffrin's death Loop's fault again, but only in their eyes. And only in a way they could express if they were honest about who they were…

And this is where having had excuse to waffle about my general Postcanon Loop thoughts the other day comes in handy, because Sam and I have that as our canon-compliant reading to begin with, NoHats plays off of a lot of the same readings of Loop's character. Namely: Uh Oh Somebody's Lying By Fucking Omission Again. (BECAUSE TO BE FAIR THIS TIME… HOW THE FUCK WOULD YOU HANDLE THAT?)

Now, neither Sam nor I are fanfic writers, so this has been a little bit trapped in our heads and DMs (and my unfinished art but,)

But our thoughts on how NoHats like… Goes.

Siffrin's death is peaceful, but that does not mean the aftermath of it is. I can't imagine the party takes it well, especially after understanding the circumstances of the Loops. (And, of note, in A5 where nobody had the discussion on what to do with each other's bodies should something happen…) But I'd imagine it traumabonds them somewhat (understatement of the century) and now knowing how the rest of the party feels, they resolve to travel together for the forseeable future.

The party track down Loop to deliver the terrible news, since they were clearly Siffrin's friend too, and invite Loop along to travel at least long enough to (let them grieve) get the burial over with. Loop, here, can be helpful in knowing what Siffrin would've wanted where the party would be at a loss. Loop, I think, takes a bit of a lead on the funerary aspects of it all, because, um. (Performing rites on your own body, huh?)

Then, as things are after a death, life just… Kind of has to continue on as normal. The party travel, pick up Nille, and get to know Loop as this mysterious new person. Maybe in this situation they might stay in Bambouche for a while to give Bonnie more stability since. They are probably taking it the worst. It would've come out of absolutely nowhere for everyone in the party obviously but god, for a kid? For A Kid?

It should be stated NoHats is not intended to be grimdark, just y'know. An exploration of grief. This is also why it's got a bit of a lopsided focus on Bonnie vs the rest of the party because hhrrhghghhghghhhghhghhh <- incoherent

Now, a crossroads.

How does the party discover Loop to be Siffrin? How long does it take. How much have the party embraced them as part of the family (especially with something as intense to bond over as this)?

There's the Odile option. Have her put it together and have to bring it up somehow. This could also be done by Isabeau, perhaps. He's smart. (which. God. If anything's the real Isabeau Torment Nexus it's this)

Then there's the other option batted around by Sam and I. The: The Universe Dislikes Duplicates option.

The items in the house that fzzt away when inspected. The Universe doesn't like there to be two of something, at least not when they're acknowledged. But one of something is just fine…?

Which is to say. I'm not a personal proponent of 'Loop getting their body back'. EXCEPT …… except this one time.

There's only one Siffrin now, so they don't need to be obfuscated to exist.

Consider, if you will. Loop swallowing their guilt for long enough to be comfortable. Falling back into old habits. Without another Siffrin around to compete for the niche of, they actually begin to act like Siffrin again. Not intentionally, it's just… The party is as welcoming as they've always been. And the party swears they keep catching glimpses of a face under all the light.

Then, one day, while still not fully human again, the resemblence becomes undeniable. Loop having not even noticed until everyone looks at them like they've seen a ghost.

Has it been months? How long have they kept up this lie? Is it even a lie, to them? They're Loop. But they were, once, Siffrin.

Even after explaining it, does that make it better or worse?

Bonnie cuts through the betrayed, struck-nerve reactions with a sobering "I missed you."

… Anyway !

Yeah so that's the vibe for NoHats. As for LoopLoops? That's more nebulous. I think it can go anywhere really in the NoHats timeline. I err personally toward the "Loop continuously replays the last 10 minutes before Siffrin's death almost immediately after they find out and have to parkour their ass up the House in the most distressing situation possible to try and get them to hold on, just please hold on." (Remember! Siffrin can remember the contents of Loop's loop backs in the A6 fight!)

But there is the possibility that this happens months, or worse years down the road. One last Loop back. Throw it all away for the chance to just get that one thing you didn't know you even wanted but now know you NEED.

Misc:

Okay miscellaneous time.

This is where I admit that I have a bunch of unfinished NoHats art that I haven't gotten around to yet because I feel like a right tool being so obviously Loop-Centric with my fancontent (I AM . . I REALISE I AM NOT DOING MUCH TO BEAT THE ALLEGATIONS.) So like if people want to see that please say because euaghghghhfh <- the nervous.

this is like the most fucked up place to do isaloop fr. anyway.

one of Sam's mid-game observations that I'm just going to share for no particular reason is that Bonnie's hair shares a bunch of shapes with Siffrin's. The flick up at the top, the 3 pronged shape of the fringe… just something to think about.

Without 2 Siffrins around to compare each other to it'd likely be a lot harder to notice Loop's similarities. Doesn't mean that those similarities don't sting more in this context though.

If you do NoHats without LoopLoops. The concept of this all fading into memory years down the line while they just have slightly-glowy but otherwise regular Siffrin hanging out is fucked up to think about. Just like real grief. Augh

6. a peek into the original dms as a treat from us

#LONG POST....! #be free our ideas. go forth into the wild. and by that i mean neither of us are fic writers so please HUNT US FOR SPORT #isat spoilers #looploops au #nohats au #isat au #isat loop #isat act 6 spoilers #not giving it more tags than that since feels rude to tag the rest of the party lol #lucabytetalks #but yes! to be extra clear: nohats is a 'please play in the space' invitation. because neither of us are big fanwork people! um! #it feels a little bit neglectful of us to not make more stuff for this AU ourselves but... we aren't practiced at that kind of thing. so. #open invitation! we know we won't make anything MASSIVE with this so.. don't hold your breath. and feel free to take the reigns. #we aren't like. the arbiters of 'sif fuckin dies' aus in general obviously but if you want to play with our specific ideas please do! #think of this post like prompts if you want to. go nuts #and @ a certain someone who said in the tags theyd maybe write something inspired. kisses you so sweetly. thank u for even considering it #also hi kaun i was thinking about your little snippet when typing 'act 6 encounter goes horribly wrong' 👋

[thezombieprostitute]

Hummingbird - Part 5

Summary: You didn't want to break into someone's party but you were desperate to see the art at the gallery before it was gone. You're so busy trying to make sure no one sees you that you miss the ever present gaze of Steve Rogers who is wondering why you crashed his party.

Word Count: ~1500

A/N: Reader is AFAB. Only physical descriptors are that her hands are smaller than Steve's.

Warnings: Smut. All the smut. Oh dear god, just smut. No plot here, only smut.

Part 4 -- Part 6

Series Masterlist

You wake up as the credits roll. Somehow you and Steve ended up laying flat on the couch. You're on your back, head resting on his arm, and he's wrapped around you as much as he can. You tilt your head to look at him and you find he's awake. His eyes seem darker than you remember.

"Didn't want to wake you," he whispers. "I probably should've warned you that I'm a cuddler."

"A teddy bear, more like," you smile. "Coupled with the comfort and warmth of a weighted blanket." You start to turn in his arms and he hisses a bit as your body brushes against him. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

You try to pull away but he holds you tight. "No, no," he assures. "You haven't hurt me. I'm just...a bit sensitive at the moment."

As your sleepiness fades you realize what he's talking about and you feel his hardness between your bodies. "Oh," your breath hitches.

"We don't have to do anything," Steve says. "It'll go away on its own if you're not--" His words turn into a moan as firmly rub your against his crotch.

"Do you have a condom?"

"Yeah," he groans. "In my wallet."

"Then let's take this to the bedroom?"

"After you, Hummingbird," he smiles, pupils blown with lust.

He lets you up and you lead him to your bedroom. He starts slowly, firmly, kissing along your neck as he undresses you. Part of you had expected a flurry of clothes and kissing but Steve was taking his time. Not out of hesitation, either.

His hands are sure in their exploration of your now naked form. His touches and kisses eliciting soft moans from you. One of his hands roams to your mound and you whimper.

"So wet for me already," he whispers into your ear.

"Only for you, Sir," you reply before you stop yourself.

Steve freezes for a moment before gently grabbing your chin and turning your face to look at him. "Be careful with that, "Sir" sweet Hummingbird," his voice is stern but that spurs you on.

"Why's that, Sir?"

"Because I won't be able to hold back," he growls, making you whimper as you rub your thighs together. He rubs his fingers along your folds, "but I get the feeling that's what you want."

"Yes, please," you whine. "Want you to take me, Sir."

"Traffic light system?"

"Green, go. Yellow, pause. Red, stop."

"So perfect for me," he groans into your ear as his fingers play with your clit. Your hips start grinding against him and he stops. He chuckles at your whine, "lay down on your back, Hummingbird."

You immediately obey and lay on your bed with legs open, looking up at him, pleadingly. His eyes hungrily take in your naked form, watching your breasts rise and fall with each breath.

He kneels on the bed in between your legs and lowers himself over you, keeping his weight on his arms. His kisses are deep and commanding. You try to arch your body into his but he lets some of his weight onto you, pinning you to the bed. You start to whine in protest but he moves his, still clothed, crotch against your bud and you end up moaning instead.

He moves his kisses lower until he reaches your chest and starts lavishing one of your nipples with his tongue. Again you try to move, looking for some friction, and again he pins you in such a way that you can't move.

"Please, Sir," you whimper. "Please. Need more."

He gently bites your nipple, eliciting another long moan from you. He moves to the other nipple and to give it the same treatment.

"Please, Sir! Please, I need more!"

He gives you a stern look, "you don't need more than I'm giving. You want more. I would never deny you anything you need, Hummingbird." He goes back to your breasts and you feel the frustration building.

"Please, Sir, please I want more," you cry out. "I want you to let me cum, Sir, please!"

He lifts himself off of you, smug smile on his face. "You learn fast," he praises. "For that, you don't have to ask my permission to cum."

He brings his hand to your pussy, wrist rubbing against your clit as he pushes two fingers inside of you. He expertly plays with you, going faster and faster until you cum so hard you see stars. He keeps going, working you through your orgasm. You can barely hear his guttural, "good girl. So beautiful," but they add to your pleasure and you squeeze his fingers even tighter.

“Oh,” he smirks, “does my girl like to be praised?”

“Y-yes, S-sir,” you stammer, still a little dazed from your orgasm. You whine as he removes his fingers from sopping wet cunt but are silenced as he puts them into your mouth. You eagerly lick his fingers, reveling in the taste of yourself. 

“Fuck,” he moans. “I wanted to take my time but I don’t think I can wait any longer.” He removes his shirt and you’re in awe at how muscly he is. “You like,” he asks. You can only nod in response. He leans in for a kiss, his chest hair rubbing against your nipples, “it’s all yours, Hummingbird.” You try to wrap your arms around him but he pulls away too quickly. “Play with yourself while I get the condom on,” he orders as he removes the rest of his clothes. 

You’re quick to oblige but find yourself frustrated. Your fingers usually do the job but they’re nothing in comparison to his. His much bigger hands, backed by skill and muscle, seem to have already ruined you. But you keep playing as he undresses, not wanting to disobey. You only pause for a second when you get a sight of how big his erection is. Your jaw drops a little and you fight the urge to crawl over to him for a taste. 

He sees your pause and asks, “nervous?”

“No, Sir,” you shake your head and stare into his eyes. “I’m eager.”

“Oh, Hummingbird,” he coos, “you really are meant for me.”

“Yes, Sir. So please take me,” your words are soft but your tone makes it an order and Steve is happy to obey.

He moves your hands away from your pussy and licks them as kneels between your legs. He pins your hands above your head and kisses along your neck as he lines himself up with your entrance. He starts pushing into you and you drop your head back and moan loudly with pleasure. You’ve never been stretched so much before and you’re already enjoying the sensation. He keeps pushing until he’s fully sheathed inside of you and you’re keening from how good it feels. You try rolling your hips or wrapping your legs around him but he’s angled himself so that you can’t move so easily. 

You start whimpering and he asks, “color?”

“Green, Sir,” you’re quick to confirm. “Just ne–want you to move. Feels so good already.”

“You want me to move? Like this?” he rolls his hips and moan appreciatively. “Or like this?” He pulls out about halfway and slams into your pussy making you cry out with pleasure. “Mmmm. I think we have an answer.” He adjusts himself, releasing your hands, before plowing into you at a harsh pace. You start chanting “yes” as you feel your next orgasm building. “Hummingbird likes it rough, huh?”

“Only with you, Sir!”

“That’s right, Hummingbird,” he grunts. “You’re mine. I’m the only one who makes you feel this good.” He starts playing with your bud and your eyes roll back as he works you through another orgasm. “So fucking beautiful,” he sighs. His fingers stay on your clit while his eyes watch you writhe in pleasure. 

“Thank you, Sir! Thank you for making me feel so good!” Your voice gets louder as you speak until you’re keening as you cum again on his cock. 

His thrusts increase in intensity and you hear him grumble, “almost. So close. So fucking tight. Gonna give you everything.” He cums with a hoarse roar and he slows.

You wrap your arms around him and gently kiss him wherever you can. He’s slow to recover but your touch, your kisses, help him. He gently pulls out of you and you wince at the empty feeling. He throws away the condom and gets in the bed to cuddle with you. He pulls you on top of him, your head resting on his chest. 

You nuzzle his chest hair and whisper, “thank you, Steve. I really needed that.”

He chuckles, “me too, Hummingbird. Me too.”

“It wasn’t the dessert I had in mind, but it was definitely sweet and enjoyable. When I can walk again, we should try the dessert I had made for tonight.”

He laughs at that. A hearty, deep laugh that leaves him feeling confident in his choosing you as his future queen.

Part 4 -- Part 6

Series Masterlist

Tags:

@alicedopey; @aryhyuuga; @cynic-spirit; @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory; @ktficworld; @rayofdawnworld; @rebekahdawkins; @texmexdarling

If you'd like to be tagged, please let me know.

#mob boss!steve rogers #mob!steve rogers #mafia!steve rogers #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x female reader #mob!steve rogers x reader

[signed-sapphire]

Okayyyy rewatched Wish

Here are my notes

Valentino wasn’t as annoying as people say. Sure, he did nothing for the plot and could’ve been removed entirely, but he didn’t make near as many butt jokes as people say he did

The lead-ins for all the songs were great. Certain media (Hazbin, for example) just jump into the songs

Magnifico??? Didn’t touch the pages??? So why would he be corrupted? Why does Amaya know of obsidian oil? Don’t you just skim the pages to release the evil?

Dahlia was amazing

“At the very least break the hold it has on him” Amaya? Didn’t you found this kingdom with thin? Wouldn’t you know?

Also Amaya was very sidelined. Where’s her backstory?

Asha’s magic wand mishaps were… corny at best

Why did they make Dario high all the time? He’s not stupid. I feel like they made him try to be like Fred from Big Hero 6 but failed

“Nine zillyboo, twenty alphabet!” Val, buddy. No.

DAHLIA. MATE. TRUE LOVE’S KISS CAN BRUNG HIM BACK I swear, it feels like the directors were switched

The spider-carriage thing. I feel like that could’ve been a Disney reference instead

Gabo was still my favorite out of the teens. Bazeema was sweet too

Also. Halzeema moments were actually in canon.

Sabino did not act 100 at all.

Crushing wishes did nothing to people except make them sad for .2 seconds

Asha’s drawing, her magic wand, none of that was important to the actual plot

I feel like the horses could’ve been Disney references too

Why did the roof open? That was never explained

Mag’s hair needed to be messier. Evil Magnifico? Crazy hair

How did he hear them from all the way down there

Mag’s really out there beating up a minor

The curse rope green things were not scary at all

Was Simon just in the forest the entire time?

The Magnifico getting sucked inside his staff… I feel that could’ve been a play to Dr. Facilier somehow

The stars raining down were beautiful

Was Star’s nose tap a reference to something?

The people’s talking… idk how I felt about that

WE 👏 SHOULD’VE 👏 SEEN 👏 SAKINA’S 👏 WISH

Another half-assed apology. First Namaari, now you. At least Simon’s was an actual apology. Wait. More of it goes on.

Ok his apology isn’t too bad

How did the staff get all the way down there?

Changed my opinion, Amaya deserved to tell Mag off

Did Mag’s curse break once he was in the mirror? Why did he act sad all of a sudden?

I’ve heard Asha’s movements weren’t finalized until later, but her movements seem pretty fluent

Clumsy and energetic, sure, but besides from the mouth drooping part, she wasn’t that quirky

Which. Could be a bad thing. She didn’t really have much of a personality

I like the Peter Pan building a flying machine idea

Zootopia ref

DARIO. SHUT UP

Why does everyone suddenly understand Star

But off-topic they were so cute

“It” I guess

Why refer to Star as an it

“They” was too woke for the Disney execs? Why, you had a one-second offhand comment about a water cousin who’s nonbinary!

That Cinderella-reference thing… wasn’t slow enough to be a dress transformation. So I’m fine with her not having a different dress. I mean obviously I would’ve loved it but idk

SHOW DON’T TELL, DISNEY

STOP TELLING

“I understand you well enough” I DON’T! HOW ARE THEY TELLING YOU

Some of Valentino’s jokes were funny. Sue me

I liked the Tinkerbell and Mikey Mouse reference at the end

The storybook was a nice callback

The credits should’ve been moving. Also CHOOSE BAYMAX TO REPRESENT BIG HERO 6. WHY HAVE VILLAINS LIKE MALEFICENT THERE

Overall. Not as bad as people are making it out to be. But definitely not worthy to be Disney’s 100

I’d say… 7/10. The backgrounds did look watercolor, but the shading seemed off in places. Especially Sakina. There was major improvement to be done, but with the hell the execs were giving (and the proven creativity of the concept art) I feel this movie is getting too much hate. Critiques and criticism are fine. But don’t blame the writers for getting rid of Starboy. Yes, it could’ve been better. But it’s Disney. And the creators tried their best to pour their love into a movie that they didn’t have a full say in.

#disney wish #wish 2023 #asha #star wish #wish movie #wish disney #wish review

[thebottomfromhell]

can i please request the upper moons +muzan falling for a human female reader please? i kinda wanna see how they treat reader different ( cause akaza don’t hurt women)

Ok, female version of this post, then. Again, it won't be pretty, Reader being a woman instead of a man won't make most of these guys act much different, since the reaction was more focused on Reader's humanity than the gender/sex. But they would feel it very differently, considering that this guys would be sexist AF (reminder that being sexist is more than hitting women).

For this time I will not be adding Muzan for tha sake of making something more abour him later (Sexism is an important topic for this prompt, and I am still figuring out how to make traist of his) sorry for that. :''/

Uppermoons reaction of falling in love with Human Female Reader

Warnings: Manga spoilers, Reader's death, Cannibalism, Yandere behavior, Mentioned torture, Non-consented body modifications (becoming a demon), Implied non-con sexual content, Predatory-animalistic behavior, Münchausen syndrome, Vore elements (not in a kinky way), Implied child abuse, Typical sexism of the time period, Mentions of menstrual period, And Each of these is a warning on their own.

Gyutaro (ft. Daki):

First things first, Daki loathes you. She sees you as hag trying to steal her big brother away from her. Good luck so she doesn't kill you.

"I have my eyes on you, you whore! I'm watching!" .... brats.

Meanwhile, Gyutaro knows he likes you but he doesn't want to acccept it. Liking a human? It's acary, a weakness against other demons and slayers.

Also, he is sure you won't want him, an ugly freak with a lady, what a laugh! He can't trust you, specially if you say you want him back. It's a lie.

He doesn't know how to behave with you, the only person he ever loved was his sister, and he was never able to tell her "no", and he is sure he won't be able to say it to you too. That is scary.

You have a lot of power over him, he protects you, takes care of you, obeys you when you tell him something, but he stays away most of the time.

He looks at you, yearning, to the point it's obssesive. You never leave his head.

Daki, because she has been also looking, knows if you do something, threats and destroys your things, protective over Gyutaro.

"Daki, ne... cut it off." "BUT ONII-CHAN!"

Make a move yourself, or this will continue until you die, since Gyutaro will also protect you from his sister, but won't be able to stop her completely. She hates you.

He won't force you to anything, respect you, understand you have it hard as a woman without him, so he won't hold it against you id you want to leave. Or at least he will try not to.

Still, against him? You will always be free.

Gyokko:

Gyokko is fast to figure put what he wants you to do, that he wants you to stay, even if it takes a bit more time to figure out how he feels about you.

You fill his taste, there is no mistake, and his tastes are the best. So he makes sure to praise you almost as much as his ability to choose.

"You are beautiful, no canvas can compare to you. Look at yourself and tell me I am right, that you don't deserve my praise and attention."

He will teach you a bit of his arts, even if he doesn't really expects you to learn in the same "profesional" way he does. Art for women is a hobby, and if it gets as far to be a job then they must abandon the idea of having husband and children.

Then again, he is not a husband, and having him gatting you away from human standards and society might give you the chance to be a true artist.

He eats parts of you as punishment id he thinks you crossed the line, but he is more lenient he would be if you were a man. "Woman are more fragile and hysterical, of course you I need to be understanding."

3 strikes is a foot in his mouthes, 6 to the knee, 9 all the leg. You can only have so many strikes before becoming more a burden than you are worth, without limbs.

You can beg for him to turn you or die, neither way he will make a piece of art of your body before your death. You will be sublime no matter what, but life will only come with begging.

He will make you stay awake through the pain, he will open you up a hole in your stomach, mold it into a form that represents the new birth. He will take away your organs, use your blood as make-up, dress you up nicely in red and white.

He won't even take a bite off as he pours his blood in the new hole, making you his forever.

Hantengu:

He cowers away at the slightlest chance of falling in love.

He disappeared, almost from thin air. Hiding... from a human... Upper 4 for you, ladies...

He comes back to cry about it, sobbing and sometimes hurting you with his clwas by accident as he grabs you.

He had several wives in his life as human, he knows how to treat them, or at least he should know, feeling pressured.

Why can't he just treat you like he treated them? Why is he so scared? He knows he is not doing it right but he can't bring himself to be charming and behave as a gentleman.

He is aware of his flaws, and id terrified with the idea you will leave him for it, even if he is not around most of the time, coming back and forward, comes to cry and then leaves.

Are you food? Are you beloved? Are you useless? Are you beautiful? Are you conforting? Are you nice? Are you about to die because of him? Are you going to reject him?

He will stab you in your sleep, or in an argument, he killed wives during those before. All with a knife instead of his abilities as a demon.

He didn't have to be a demon to kill women and children, and he is really sorry, but you had to die for his sake.

Sekido:

Ok, you have three seconds before shit explodes, so if you run you might save yourself.

3... 2... 1... "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO ME YOU PIECE OF SHIT?!" There it is, that is all it took him.

A few days he kept think of you and he knew... you fucked up. You must scape until he calms down.

The fact that a fragile human, a defenceless woman, can make his heart beat faster and his face blush is simoly embarrasing. He hates it, it makes him angry, it makes him feel vulnerable.

The other clones are your best bet to get it this far, go for Karaku, he will keep you alive only for the sake of teasing Sekido.

Both of you know you will die, the more the likes you, the worse he will feel, and he will take it out of you.

You are just a human, you won't be able to survive him unless you become a demon, but he will not accept your refusal. He won't even tell you.

The relationship becomes stable in your new form, he just bites your neck and opens his wrist with his nails to transform you.

"Don't you dare trying to get away from me, woman."

Karaku:

"Gonna rock your body all night, it's lust at first sight" - probably Karaku if he knew Chris Crocker.

That is your chance for survival, and you take it, making him chose lust over gluttony.

He does threat of getting rid of you, but he makes sure to get you money, besides the flirting and gifts, considering he is aware he basically ruined your chance of a married life. He teases you about it when he feels cruel.

He makes sure to pleasure you, even if you don't want to, you don't get to make that choice.

It does take him more years than if you were a man to realize this is not normal lust, but that he is romantically attected to you.

He decides to transform you into a demon, doesn't warn or ask, when he realizes it.

He does it during sex, he bites you, moaning against your new wounds and the taste of blood. He will open his neck for you.

He will offer yourself to you once you wake up as a demon, memories lost and replaced with hunger and thirst. Not remembering the cold feeling of losing blood against his skin.

"Hey love~. Spend the night with me, will ya? I am all yours now, show me what you can do with it~."

Urogi:

Good news, Urogi doesn't want to hurt you.

Bad news, Urogi will hurt you anyway.

It's not even on purpose, he just gets carried away when he plays with you. He is not the most aware of the clones, so playful scratches and bites become dangerous.

He chases you sometimes, always wants attention, to play with you.

He likes to stay with you while you sleep, cuddling against you, sometimes you find him smelling around your scrotch when you are in your period, keeping his face around the area like a dog...

He gets bored of your limitations rather easily, so he decides to try to turn you i to a demon, consecuences be damned.

The last straw is a night when you have your period, the bited part of your legs your thighs, excited in different ways by the scent of ruined blood and vagubal fluids.

Then he will bleed into you, biting his own wrist off, feeding you chunks of his arms after spreading the blood over you.

He will chew and feed you mouth to mouth if it troubles you, only wanting to play with you, the new demon you.

Aizetsu:

His priority is that you are human.... and again, he is rude and hurtful about it.

"It's so sad for both of us. You can't be enough for me just like I can't be what you need. Pathetic." This bit-

Just a heartbeat put of place and knots in the throat were enough for Aizetsu to figure it out, and he didn't like it.

Humans are meant to die, besides, he can't be the husband you would need.

Still, he takes the chance of comfort, to pretend for both of you. He manipulates you into feeling pity for him, and that is how the relationship is formed.

He does kill you, painless and softly conforting you first, the second it becomes a problem.

He will also let you have your last words and wishes, will tell you that he wishes he could have been husband material for you.

He makes a memorial, kisses your corpse goodbye before leaving you behind.

"This is so sad."

Nakime:

Truth be told, she is not surprised.

She can see the appeal in you, she has always prefered women over men, Muzan being the exception, even if he is the exception of many things.

Nakime is very lenient with you, she understands that, as a human, you are more fragile than her, so she must treat you carefully.

She would not put you above Muzan, but she takes care of you, gives you gifts, spends time with you, praises you. You are a lovely lady to her.

Still, unless he approves she will not be transforming you. If he does, she will without any second thought or opinion.

The breaking deal is the next one, she kidnaps you for a while and the leaves you safely at your home. She controls all the interactions.

Why should she listen to you? She adores you, but you are still a human, nothing worth her obedience.

She would not kill you, no matter what. The only way you could die like this is suicide, age or ilness.

Then again, at the end Muzan decides to let her turn you, so he bleeds into a cup and feeds you ger blood, not letting you out until you do.

Akaza:

It starts when Akaza accidently calls you "Koyuki..." the first time you met. He fell hard and fast, and in a painful way.

He begged you to stay, not really knowing why. He cried, grabbed your legs as his knees stayed on the floor.

He needs you, craves for you, to the point of obsession. It takes him a while for him to realize he could turn you into a demon, because part of him venerates the image of a human girl with pink eyes and cheeks.

He can't hurt you when you deny him, but he wants to. He needs to, you have to understand why you should want to be a demon. Why you should want to be forever young, strong and healthy, to stay in the way things were before the poison in the well.

At the same time, he wants to take care of you, and he starts inviting himself to your house, doing the chores and watching you sleep.

He doesn't understand why he is always cheking your temperature and if you are breathing correctly, there is something relieving but also off putting when you always are ok. As if you should be sick.

Maybe part of him wants you to be sick so he can take care of you, but he can't hurt you.

You can't get rid of him, no matter how much you try, he always ends tucking you to bed and forcing you to stay in there until you sleep. He never listens, always treat you as if you were fragile and sick.

He learns how to make your favorites, cleans the house and laundry, starts getting money and pretends to nurse you, even if you don't have anything.

He doesn't know how to feel when you die of age, it's the only way you could die like this, but he breaks. Again.

Sometimes he still calls you Koyuki.

Douma:

Douma starts comparing you with Kotoha and his mother, he is quite vocal about it.

He tells you how silly you are, that his mom and Kotoha were the same, but each of you had your charm.

Yes, "had". He mostly talks about you in past tense, ge is planning to eat you soon. Kotoha almost scaped him and his mother became "too irrational, killed my father with a knife but poisoned herself" with time, so he wants to spare you the chase.

He talks about your face, your eyes, your hair and skin, mostly, he does things he did with Kotoha, hoping to make you laugh. Simple pleasures, not meant to last.

Both women left him, he is 100% sure you would if he gave you the chance, so he doesn't. He kept you by his side for some months, at most.

You are fun to be with, and he is sure he is fun to be around with too... maybe. Not that it matters, you don't really have a choice. Your words against his.

Also, turning you into a demon would give you the chance to run away while he is in a meeting with the other moons. How silly and stupid would it be from him!

He has made his mind to eat you the second he notices that, whatever he is feeling, this lust hunger, this craving, is like Kotoha's.

Because of his experience with her, he will make sure it's in his room, to make it right this time. Also, he will break your leg first, so you can run, coveribg your mouth and cooing you as you try to scream.

He will eat your tongue and lips first, complimenting the taste and texture, in a soft kiss, not really caring if you want it or not. That way you won't be able to formulate your screams for help.

He starts eating you from below, wanting to finish with your head and eyes since he had to blow Kotoha's. He doesn't want to repreat the regret of ruining such a pretty face.

Douma takes his time with you, talking softly and gently, praising you you taste and feel in his mouth, praising how you look.

He is more than satisfied after he finished, stomach full and you forever inside of him. Lovely.

Kokushibou:

This is the first time in his life that he wants the attention of a woman that isn't his mother.

He never felt attracted to women (or anyone, even if he always felt more in place sharing his life with other men), his wife included, he married her as his duty of producing heirs.

Having a woman by his side has always been a responsibility at best, a chore at worst.

But he wants you, and he can't understand it. It's new and confusing, that is the only reason he notices a few days after he catched feelings. Because loving women, wanting women, it's not normal for him.

He watches you, even yearns for you, but his pride and confusion don't make him do anything.

He blames you, resents you, calls you "a temptress" in his mind. What have you done to him? At least he doesn't conpare you to his his brother, but his other relationship with women don't let him relate you to a pleasure.

You are also human, meant to die like his mother and wife did, meant to be remember just as someone's husband and mother. Why are you stealing his attention, then? There is nothings special about you.

But this way it's easier to pretend he doesn't care the moment you die, easier than with Yoriich.

You are lovely, he keeps you around, but besides that? You are just a woman. A pause from his life as a samurai demon at best, a distraction at worst.

He will resent you after you die, but he will also forget you the same way he forgot about the other women in his life. There are only two people in his life with any importance, one was a boy to a man, the other is his King and Master. Women were never important in his life.

#demon slayer #kny #upper moons #kny x reader #karaku #urogi #aizetsu #sekido #gyutaro #hantengu #daki #gyokko #nakime #akaza #douma #kokushibou #female reader #this is royally fucked up #x2

[loosethreadstitchery]

Hi I just started embroidering two weeks ago but I’m also interested in cross stitching. Can you explain the difference between the two (if there is any)?

I can try! Bear in mind that I'm self-taught in a "keep stabbing it til it looks right and turn to books/YouTube only if I'm really stuck" way, so people who were actually trained could probably do this better, and I'm open to being corrected.

Cross stitch is a type of embroidery where each stitch forms an X. It's often, but not always, done on Aida cloth, which looks like this:

Each X covers a square of the cloth, so the result is a bit like pixel art:

If you have a line of stitches of the same colour, a lot of people will do a line of half-stitches, then work their way back (called the Danish method):

That's really down to preference. Personally I switch between Danish and English (where you complete each X before moving on to the next one) depending on the geometry of the pattern I'm working on. The main thing is that the top arm of each X should be facing the same way to keep the piece looking tidy.

That's the basic idea, and there are plenty of patterns out there that only use cross stitches. Some patterns will also use back-stitching for outlines or details. Generally you do the cross stitching first, then back-stitch over top.

The majority of what I do is actually blackwork, which is related to cross stitch in that it's a type of counted work (each stitch covers a set number of threads of the fabric). I mostly use Aida cloth, but any evenweave fabric would work. There are a number of different styles of blackwork, but the one I do most often involves back-stitching geometric motifs to fill a section of a larger design. The pattern will show lines on a grid corresponding to the grid of the cloth:

A few things that might help if you're getting into cross stitch:

Aida cloth comes in different sizes. You'll see it labeled as 11-count, 14-count, 18-count, etc. That tells you how many squares/stitches there are per inch, so your stitches on 18-count will be much smaller than on 11-count.

If you buy 6-strand embroidery floss, you'll want to separate it into individual strands. If you're cross stitching, then usually the lower the count of your fabric, the more strands you'll need to make each X form a solid square and avoid having fabric show between your stitches. I use fewer strands with blackwork, because it keeps the lines sharp and makes the motifs stand out better. The pictures above are on 18-count. I used 2 strands for the cross stitch, and 1 strand for the blackwork (note that varying the number of strands can also be a method of shading in blackwork, but I haven't really used that technique before).

Some stitchers will tell you that the back of your work should look as neat as the front. If you want to aim for that, go for it. I'm really only careful about the back of my work if I know it's going to be visible in the finished piece; other than that, my backs are chaos and I'm fine with that.

This was at best a really basic overview of cross stitch. Some patterns use things like half-stitches and three-quarter-stitches to get different effects or smoother shapes. Some patterns will call for higher count cloth (like 28-count or more) and have each stitch cover two threads instead of one (called working "over 2"). There are all sorts of YouTube videos and tutorials that cover these things better than I can, but feel free to ask any questions you have, and I'll do my best.

Above all, have fun with it, and I hope it becomes something you enjoy!

#ask #cross stitch #embroidery #fiber art #fibre arts #crafting

[canmom]

so hades 2 huh

it's fun! i am more convinced after actually playing it than i was in the runup to it. the green colour palette looked a little drab in the videos but it works better for me fullscreen in game, and I really like the second zone's design. the major aesthetic change does go a little way towards making this feel like 'new Supergiant game' instead of just a rehash of the first game.

the difficulty floor is higher than the first game. i think it's well-tuned to go into if you've beaten that one. so far i've played 6 runs, seen the first boss in 5, and and beaten her in 2 of them; yet to get more than about halfway through the second zone after that tho!

the new mana mechanic is kinda interesting, lots of tradeoffs to make. it's a bit more granular than the cast in the first game; you use it to do powered up versions of your attacks, and spending it also charges up the Call-equivalent.

i'm increasingly intrigued by the setting, and i really like some of the side characters like arachne. i think the time skip was a good decision - the story of Zagreus et al. was definitely done. the epilogue ending of the first game was way too neat.

still, starting a revenge plot in media res is curious. especially when Nemesis lampshades the lack of personal motivation. compared to Zagreus's very pressing and relatable motivation (run away from my abusive dad), Melinoë's motivation is a little more abstract - this seems to be deliberate. but it does a fair bit to sell the sort of 'desperate resistance base' setting. it definitely seems rather like they're setting up a twist down the line. but it lacks the immediate emotional hook of the overbearing patriarch in the first game. curious to see how it will work once I've seen more of the story.

as far as the new gods, I'm fascinated by the decision to make Hephaestus and Hestia both be Northern - probably Yorkshire. it's always fun hearing regional UK accents in games. they do also both feel like responses to the criticism that Jen Z never designs fat characters lmao. still, they are good designs. both have satisfying mechanics. Selene also has a really good design I think.

the other gods' mechanics have naturally been redesigned to fit the new game. still broadly the same themes, e.g. Zeus will still be lightning based, but different interpretations of what that means, so for example you have 'hitting an enemy produces a lightning blast behind them' as the primary Zeus mechanic instead of chain lightning. which definitely keeps things fresh. Melinoë's kit has a lot of directional attacks and, with the Cast now being an AOE which slows/freezes enemies, there's a lot more emphasis now on positioning enemies to set up AOE attacks which is interesting.

the witch stuff is quite fun in an admittedly slightly cheesy way. it's definitely pull on aesthetic currents which aren't at all Ancient Greek, like the pointed hats. but hey! I can get into it, it's not like the game's aesthetic has ever been all that strictly historical. even if I am still scratching my head at 'so mote it be'. apparently it's an archaic word meaning 'may', i.e. 'may it be so'.

of course the main thing is, the actual moment to moment gameplay is fun. it flows just as the first game did, and it's just as addictive with the way it spreads out story breadcrumbs. the vfx and such look great, the movement is already super tightly tuned (tbf it's basically the same as the first game with the addition of a new 'hold dash to sprint'), and there's a already good variety of enemy mechanics.

there's some obvious placeholders for some of the UI art and character portraits (notably none of the keepsakes have been drawn yet), but overall it's surprisingly polished for an early-access build. all the voice acting is already there - it's fun seeing the Supergiant voice cast return in new roles.

the meta progression element... there's some neat ideas, like an upgrade system with a limited set of slots that very much calls to mind NieR Automata's chip system. so there are some stronger tradeoffs to make; it's not as simple as 'spend resource, get better' as it was in the first game. and it's clearly possible to advance quite far even without a lot of meta resource investment. so far it definitely feels like my main limit is skill, and I'll progress further once I learn more of the enemy patterns and figure out what builds I like to play.

(though I guess the idea with this kind of game is that the power ups quietly boost you and make it feel like you're getting better a lot faster than you are just learning the game lmao)

overall, it's just really fun to have another Supergiant game to sink my teeth into haha. I still wish they'd continued their streak of coming up with new IPs each time, because they'd come up with fantastic settings, but there's plenty of interest here still.

also the more I work in game dev the more I can appreciate just what a ludicrous amount of polish there is in Supergiant's games. I can only imagine the amount of work it must have taken to tune the feel of everything this tight.

#computer games #hades 2