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#I've watched this like 3-4 times now & I keep piecing together more stuff
r0semultiverse · 9 months
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Ablrecht Entrati is the Y2K bug
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Can anyone figure out what the virus text says? I think it's void-related based on the eye imagery, but I'm not 100% certain whats going on with that. 👀
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Look at the clock in the background, literally a minute away from the year 2000.
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saltydkdan · 4 months
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Are the JoJo's icebergs fun to work on? They look like a blast to edit and write! (If a bit of a large workload)
The Jojo Iceberg has been... interesting. On one hand yes! It has been a blast to work on in some senses! It taught me a lot about writing, and research, while also allowing me the freedom to experiment with editing and injecting my humor into scripted stuff in a more organic way. I feel like with each chunk of the series I've posted thus far, I've shown more and more confidence over time.
Plus you are right!! Once the audio editing is done, working on visual edits and gags is a blast. Sure it takes time, but I have a weird love for making smooth video edits for people to watch (even though like 50% of the people that view those videos probably just listen to em like a podcast without looking at it haha).
So that sort of stuff, yes! That's been a blast, and I've learned a TON that I'd never take back for the world!
However on the flipside, logistically this project was a nightmare from day one LOL. And this is the part where I try to dissuade anyone from EVER working on a longer project like this because god damn it's been a pain at times.
Keep in mind, the script (as it stands) is nearly 200 pages. That is the longest scripted work I've ever helped write in my entire life, and when I started I was NOT that experienced as a writer whatsoever. I'm a bit better now, but at times I still struggle.
I made the horrible decision to never put a cap on the script. For every new fact I learned, even if it wasn't a part of the original plans for the video, I would add it to the pile. No matter what it was. I was committed to making it as long as I thought it needed to be, not as long as it probably SHOULD have been to get done in a reasonable amount of time.
I did all this for a deep passion for the source material, and even after the final part comes out early this year, I plan on going back and correcting the very few mistakes or miswordings I had in the original videos when I put them all together in one MEGA video.
But that passion for Jojo is a blessing and a curse, and I hadn't realized how long a project like this would take me amidst all the other big projects like Friendlocke and HYHA.
Full disclosure, the script was first started in December of 2020. That's nearly 3-4 YEARS AGO by now. If I knew that putting all this together would take that long, I probably wouldn't have committed to it in the way that I did. In that time, I probably could have put out a TON of shorter stuff, but I was so committed to this that I just didn't and that very much hurt my channel in the long term.
Though to be real, I haven't worked on it consistently, I tend to jump on and off between projects to avoid burnout. However still, by the time it's all done, the Jojo Iceberg combined together will most likely be the longest piece of content on my channel (yes, potentially longer than Friendlocke Season 3, I estimate that it'll probably come out to around 6 hours in length if I don't cut anything down).
It's because of this that after this is all out there? I plan to NEVER tackle something this long ever again. Friendlocke and Jojo have drained my bones, and all I wanna do these days is work on shorter stuff. Though I guess in that sense, this project has really helped teach me a lot about the sort of stuff I want to make. So in a way, even the negatives have positives! There's always something you can take away with, even if your experience had some downsides.
Looking at such a long script and doing some math, it's made me realize that like... damn. I could DEFINITELY do shorter videos way more consistently in the future. And so that's what I plan to do :)
So yeah! Some positives and negatives. But overall, I learned a lot and that's all I could ever ask for.
Thanks for your question! Have a good one!
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thelioncourts · 2 months
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would love to hear your thoughts on the trailer :) I don't know what thoughts I'm looking for, I guess just general ones, but also the thigns you're excited for and all that
I have to admit, I've only actually watched through the trailer about three times, it makes me feel genuinely insane. we're getting this piece of art this year !!!!
In all seriousness, my thoughts are all over the place (in an overall good way). I'm curious and excited and terrified and crying at all the Louis and Armand things. The part at the beginning where Daniel asks if they're going to finish each other's sentences the whole time, how they've been sitting on the couch in all the clips we've gotten so far, the 'We've been together for 77 years,' the kiss (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), the cheek kiss (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), the strange scene we've seen once or twice where it looks like a kiss might have happened but Louis seems to faint afterward, etc. etc. It's all so much and I have known since s1 ended that Louis and Armand's love story was going to leave me fulfilled and devastated all at once and it feels utterly confirmed in this trailer. I think they're still so in love, in so many ways, and I think it can't, won't, shouldn't work out and it makes me so sad, I can't wait to be heartbroken and destroyed watching it. I will say, though, seeing all the clips of them does make me curious about the future of Loumand. Louis leaves Lestat for Armand again at one point and I have thoughts and ideas on potentiality for that in the future of the show, depending on how long it goes on. Regarding Louis himself, I'm just -- so in awe of Jacob Anderson, as per usual. Louis is the most interesting, beautiful, enrapturing thing on the screen and everything is better when it comes back to him, always. The 'It's you and me' clip, with all the flashes of Louis and other people, all returning to Louis, just !!! it's him. He's everything. It's all so much better when it comes back to him, we're so lucky. In terms of Claudia, Delainey seems to have this grasp/concept of Claudia that has me shaking. Her Claudia is everything to me already. I know lots of people have talked about it, but Claudia's ghost being a part of some later stories feels so much more doable with Delainey and I hope, in some capacity, that comes true. The 1700s stuff scares me a little, but only because it appears we're getting a lot more of it than I was anticipating this season. I expected some, absolutely, and when we got Nicki casting confirmation I was like, "Oh, we're getting the 1700s for real," but the trailer is a lot of 1700s and it scares me for a couple of reasons, namely that -- once again -- we're not getting Lestat's POV of it so there is the toss-up of 'how did he see this play out though' that will somehow have to be addressed in later seasons. It also scares me a little because Gabrielle has to be there, right??? Did they cast Gabrielle and manage to keep it a secret???????????? That's wild. But in reality, it scares me too because I hope we're not living too far in the 1700s this season. I know it's important and I know Armand was there so it makes total sense, but I feel like we're already treading a lot of waters with 1) The life in New Orleans that can only be told by Louis 2) the life in New Orleans after the arrival of Lestat 3) the life in New Orleans once Claudia was brought into the family 4) all the time spent getting to Europe/exploring Eastern Europe (basically, anything pre-Paris) 5) early Paris 6) Paris once Louis and Claudia and the future of their being together starts to play out 7) the trial 6) San Fransisco from what Daniel will inevitably start to remember 7) San Fran from what Louis remembers 8) San Fran from Armand, who might be our most aware of that entire time 9) Dubai pre-Armand knowledge 10) Dubai now. Like, I know a lot of those are paired up (You could categorize it simply as 1) New Orleans 2) Pre-Paris 3) Paris 4) San Fran 5) Dubai) and that cuts it in half, but given all the POV bits we get, that's just not the case. Adding yet another time period in here is just. So much. (It also scares me because I think some fans have expectations of several different things in 1700s that I don't think will happen/can happen/at least definitely not this season happen and I'm readying for the 'WAIT BUT' and the bitching etc.)
The Loustat stuff will utterly ruin me this season. It's going to be gut-wrenching. The hallucinations, the possible reunion that it appears we see, the modern New Orleans skyline, the way that Louis seemingly will talk about Lestat in a way that makes Armand seem to feel not as loved (this is a speculation based solely on the "Lestat, Lestat, Lestat, Lestat, Lestat" scene, I have SO many thoughts on that and of Armand there, god, I'm nauseous with it). I need to find my post about it, but I made a post either during s1 airing or immediately after (definitely by Nov. 2022) about how I think we'll get some kind of complete Loustat confirmation of sorts this season and by s3, they will be back together and will stay together. I have lots of reasons and thoughts on that as well. Anyway, I will cry endlessly about them this season, I know it.
I LOVE the hallucinations. I mean, when we knew that was definitely happening while s2 filming was going on, I was already excited, but seeing it just !!!!!!!!!!! it's so good. I can't even put into words how excited I am about the hallucinations of Lestat. Oh my god. Louis. The theatre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Santiago looks fucking insane, god bless Ben Daniels, and I'm excited to get to actually know some characters from the theatre. It's something that doesn't really happen at all in the movie, and it's definitely not a focus or anything in the IwtV book. But I love side characters, I think they'll fill in some space that the Azalea had in s1 and I love that.
If Justin Kirk is David, that's the one thing that is going to piss me off this season. I honestly, truly 100%, thought we might not get David and I was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo more than okay with that. I hate David so much and don't think he serves any kind of plot purpose and he remains to be a shitty replacement for Louis that never worked out and was completely insignificant by the end of the series. Now, if they don't do some of the wild shit with him and make him solely some kind of tie-in/draw to the new Talamasca show they're doing, then fine. But if they start attempting to make him a love interest, I might legit tap out, I can't stand that man. At least Marius is vital to the stories, we truly can't get Akasha or Lestat or Armand without Marius. David................oh my god, die already. San Fran SCARES ME. It's one of those things that, sure, obviously we know how it goes in the book, but they have flipped it so heavily on its head, I can't predict anything and it's exciting and horrifying. Armand being there, the seemingly-more-than-one-night interview, the interview ending by the time Louis was only halfway done with the story, the brief scene that appears to be Armand looking worried at something (maybe Daniel) while Louis is floating/levitating (!!!!!!!!?) in the back, etc. Oh my god. I think we're in the wildest ride there. Um. Louis and Claudia turning Madeline together........
Louis' men not being shitttttttttttttttttttt. Every time I do see gifs or see clips or something, and I see that quick scene of Lestat walking through the audience (Sam Reid's silhouette is insane, those broad shoulders, that profile????????????? He's so hot I'm feral about him) and Louis is on the stage, next to Claudia and Madeline, and you can see where Lestat's chair is next to Louis, but further away, on the stage.......................bitch, you're really letting them do that to Louis and walking through the crowd, telling your story??? And Armand, bitch?????? You're really letting them do that to Louis, just sitting there watching it play out, having taken Louis and Claudia and Madeline out just before???????????????? They're not SHIT, Louis deserves better, always has. I need to stop rambling, but lastly, the thing I already made a quick post about, but the fact that I do obviously recognize things from the book but none of it is quite how it seems..........I'm obsessed. This show is literally like....okay, like asking someone to summarize the book for you and they say, "The book is about a vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac who tells his life story to a young reporter in 1970s San Fran. His story details how he became a vampire, how he fell in love with his maker, the Vampire Lestat, how they created and took in the child vampire Claudia, how Louis and Claudia killed Lestat, how they went to Paris and met a theatre group of vampires, and Louis fell in love with the leader Armand. It also details the inevitable and tragic death of Claudia at the hands of this theatre, and how that death left Louis utterly changed." And you're like "Oh okay" but the details aren't all there so they just...............filled in their own, and we get this masterpiece of a story that is the bones of the book, and made what it is by time and care. Idk. I love that we're all on an equilibrium.
OH. I'm also holding out, but not anticipating sadly, some Loustat flashbacks. I need them. I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo in need of it, you have no idea.
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iantimony · 3 months
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didn't poast last week so this is a two-week extravaganza post! con: got roped into DMing dnd pro: none of these fools have read mdzs so i can steal plots from there. hope the party is ready to be lead on a quest by a disembodied arm!
listening: oh shit SO many things. i will not be linking to all of them.
depeche mode: basically just their top songs on spotify, not any specific album. strong shoutout to 'shake the disease' and 'wrong' (which featured in my secret samol post!)
disturbed: ditto
franz ferdinand: albums 'hits to the head' and 'tonight'. throwbacks
phoenix: 'wolfgang amadeus phoenix' ditto throwback
inxs: 'x' DITTO throwback. doesn't hit the same as when i first listened to em years ago unfortunately
streetlight manifesto: album 'somewhere in the between'
boy and bear: 'harlequin dream'
sammy rae: 'let's throw a party', 'the good life', and their 'everybody wants to rule the world' cover
hozier: 'wasteland baby' and 'unreal unearth'
paramore: album 'this is why'
grizzly bear: 'veckatimiest' and 'painted ruins'
haken: their newest album 'fauna' because i'm thinking about whether or not to go to one of their shows in feb (leaning towards yes right now)
my SO's pinecore playlist
shosty symphony no 5 (<3)
and, finally, a lot of borodin symphony no. 1 in e flat and the last two movements of rimsky-korsakov golden cockerel because that's what the youth orchestra i'm volunteering with is playing right now haha
for podcasts, i've listened to the new counter/weight prequel eps! i'm so charmed to see these characters again. i still haven't finished millenium break holiday special because i lost my spot when a bunch of an episode played without sound by accident so i finally went and scrubbed back to the beginning of the episode (it's the second to last part) so by next week i will FINALLY be out of holiday special zone.
reading: finished rereading tgcf lol,,, in loving memory of square checkbox: apparently apple is switching to circle ones? hateful wikipedia page for kessler syndrome my friend @celestialtourguide sent me a dm to ask about a few of the characters in this manuscript and i was immediately charmed by it. it's so pretty, i loved the informational blurbs, just really cool stuff. it was already on waybackmachine but i've gone ahead and updated it.
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watching: kurtis conner looksmaxxing. weird little subculture peek. rewatched sideways' why the music in cats 2019 is worse than you thought because my roommate was interested. this led us to the same channel's why avatar has the most ironic soundtrack of all time because roommate misread ironic as iconic and she really likes that movie. no accounting for taste, but aight. much more interesting than i thought it would be. that video then lead us to tony hinnigan's woodwind demos because hell fuckin yes. big-ass panpipes.
i've been keeping up on dunmeshi anime in little watch sessions with my SO, and also am working through kill la kill with him! i've seen it before but he has not so i'm really enjoying that.
playing: fallow.
making: i managed to finish my secret samol gift in time for reveal day!!! comics are fuckin hard dude!!!! i don't know if i'll be doing it again but it was a fun challenge. i decided to use a New App for some reason instead of procreate because procreate has not been hitting right and i wanted comic half tone brushes for this project. app is called sketchbook, it's an orange icon with a pencil on it. shrug! it's fine! i'll probably keep using it for a bit. started working on an english paper piecing project! soliciting tips for that because right now my method is: cut out hexagon using pattern piece i made to be 1/4 in larger all around than the template, gluestick template onto hexagon, baste edges down neatly, whip-stitch right sides together. remove template once all six sides have something attached. i'm sure there's a better way to streamline this process, i'll have to experiment. this will end up as a dice bag i think.
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finally, pottery starts again this week! so next week will have some of that in here
eating: ah beans i did not do a good job keeping track of this. uh. made the ground pork & cabbage thing again because my roommate got SO much napa cabbage for making kimchi and we had a shitload left over. napa cabbage isn't as good as a more standard cabbage for this imo, standard cabbage tends to be a little sweeter i think once it's cooked in? idk. had some stage 5 mental illness moments last week trying to cook dinner on a very short time scale with lots of other shit to do, following a recipe because fucking of course my roommate wanted me to cook with a recipe that night. anyways.
misc: like said at the top, somehow i managed to sign up for Another Activity god damn it. so now every saturday evening i run dnd. tl;dr i'm in a group irl that meets biweekly, someone who i give a lift to for that was complaining in the car that their other online group's dm ragequit after his encounter wasn't well-balanced (skill issue) and before thinking about it i just was like oh well i could probably step in if you need! god damn ittttt lol i have missed dming so it should be fun. i vibe checked them for a session 0 last week and they seem chill and honestly shouldn't be too much work on my end, especially if i yoink plots from mdzs ha ha ha. other than that, all is basically well. i've settled back into a schedule, applied for some summer positions (!), and absolutely hate the amount of busy work in one of my two classes. yippee
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jeonghoneyss · 4 months
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hi honey! i hope the end of the year is treating you well! 4, 5, 23, and 30 for the fic writer's ask game! <3
hi morgan! i've got my exams coming up in early-mid january, so right now i'm just spending a lot of time on maths! i hope to take a brief break afterwards, though. i hope the end of the year is treating you well, too. thanks for the ask! <3
4: What piece of media inspired you the most?
Well! This is a fun question. I'm going to say Disney's Descendants (I don't know if you've watched it?). Completely out of the blue earlier this year, I was struck with an intense bout of love for Descendants that reminded me that I am absolutely obsessed with Descendants, so I then wrote a small fic and rewatched the first move and spent two months being absolutely insane (and also had COVID at the same time). Looking back I think this was brought on by my May-Jun exams, because the same thing is happening now as my Jan exams approach. Such is life, alas.
I'm going to cheat and give you two more answers, too - in the summer, I read Frances Hardinge's Deeplight (an absolutely fantastic book, I definitely recommend it) and then wrote my junhao fic. I also read Garth Nix's Frogkisser! (another brilliant book) and have since been thinking very deeply about my batkisser wip.
5: What fandom(s) did you write for this year?
So! This year I actually wrote for quite a few fandoms! I had to go back and check, but it's actually been quite a good year of writing, and I've managed to post fics for four fandoms in total: I wrote three fics for Stray Kids (one of which Versity and I wrote together), one fic for Miraculous Ladybug, one for Descendants and (finally, as I've been meaning to finish a wip since 2018) one fic for SEVENTEEN.
23: Share the final version of a sentence or paragraph you struggled with. What about it was challenging? Are you happy with how it turned out?
Since I'm in a Descendants mood, I'll share a bit from my Carlos fic - while I was writing this fic, I discovered that all my previous kiss scenes have had a pattern of not saying much about the actual physical kiss itself - it's all stuff like people discovering what other people's smiles feel like against their mouths, which is all well and good, but I wanted to work on that. Originally, this kiss scene was just going to be 'And Carlos discovered that he hadn't read it wrong at all,' which was perfectly serviceable (in fact, I kept it in the fic, in the paragraph right above the following one), but I wanted to write something that wasn't just "and then they maybe kissed." This might be a good time to mention I've never kissed anyone on the lips. Anyway. This paragraph was a bit of a struggle, but I think I did well enough in the end! It was definitely a good start, in any case.
Jay’s fingers find their way into his hair — gently, far more gentle than Carlos thought was possible — and Jay’s tongue is trying to find its way into his mouth, hot and persistent against his lips (it’s a bit much for this kiss, Carlos’ first kiss with asking and explanations and kissing-just-for-kissing, so he keeps his mouth firmly shut until Jay gets the hint, but it’s exhilarating all the same), and Jay’s other hand finds its way from his shoulder to the notch at his waist, and Evil, this might be the best thing to ever happen to him.
30: What's something you want to write in 2024?
Oh, what a question. I'd like to say Every WIP I Have, but I'll start with some of my most recent ones: the junhao batkisser one, the hyunho owls one, the hyunho catboys catfight one, the jeongho mommy issues one, the soonhoon fairies one (and the likely junhao sequel), the junhao where jun keeps leaving and also there's magic and baby seungkwan, the hyunho camera one and, finally, i'd like to iron out the details and actually star my junhao call off your dog one. Gosh. What a long list. Good luck to me. Oh! And the fic I'm writing with Versity, which we have both abandoned for the time being as, unfortunately, we are both very busy.
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thestarfishghost · 5 months
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800 before the end of December is looking nearly impossible smh but eyyy! 777~
NGL, I'm movie and ova grinding so hard. I usually manage to watch 100 new things a year, but this year I instead rewatched nearly 40 things. It's been a big year for nostalgia for me, but also for getting a few people into different things with me! Vampy has personally watched so much stuff with me this year? Oh my God??? It's been a blast! I have never felt more human than when Vampy and Kimchi enjoyed Dragon Maid along side me, I swear. I also got Vampy into Enstars by starting the anime together and I am delighted >:3 Made this in celebration actually >:3 @shut-in-magical-girl
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That said, I have actually watched some actual shows too, such as the first season of Oreimo and the first two seasons of Kami Nomi! Those were actually really fun. The first season of Oreimo has some of the most impassioned speeches I've ever heard about the more ""controversial"" sides of anime. I did admittedly have a love-hate relationship with Kirino at first, but honestly, it was just because of the more wildly exaggerated tsundere tropes. They became easier to laugh off after awhile. I really relate to the way she loves the hobby, and I think it really helped me warm up to her more quickly. How she enjoys collecting and getting excited over it... I relate to that in those same ways lol specifically to her Meruru shrine lol (ik no one asked, but aside from Krino, my best girl is actually Saori. I look forward to seeing more of her every time an episode comes on! :3) Also, Idk why I skipped Kami Nomi for so many years, but I legit just left it on my P2W list for a decade lol. I've only had one other person ever recommend it to me as well;; and that was like 4-5 years ago now lol;; I slowed down with playing eroge and bishoujo games around,,, 2015/2016(?), but I used to play them religiously. Keima should probably not be someone I relate to... but here I am. Relating to him. While nowadays my main passion lies in the animation side of things, I still really find relatability and comfort within this specific Reference Humor genre of anime, so I've really enjoyed this series so far. I finished up Irregular Witch too :( First show from the current airing block that I've actually completed. Bittersweet, but I had fun with that one too. I'm going to especially miss seeing Phoenix every week. I find that I usually watch whatever comedies are airing when I do tune into the blocks as they air, and this one was a really nice companion piece for the heavier stuff I've been keeping up with. I watched a few other full series, but this next one is the last I'm mentioning for now. I might make more posts another time; we'll see. Two of my favorites that I got around to during my sick week are these two next mentions; first up is Wotakoi. I am devastated that there isn't more Wotakoi. Help. They covered pretty much all of the manga according to other fans, so it's unlikely more will come out of it. It always hurts a bit when something is fully finished, though. especially when I enjoyed it so much. I might read it just for the sake of wanting more of it. It was really straight forward and was honestly a breath of fresh air. There weren't any real love rivals or anything; just nerds figuring themselves out and their dynamics out. I literally just watched six weirdos make friends and fall in love with fairly no complications involved. I'm thriving. (Or maybe I'm just a lonely, nerdy adult who is tired of drama in my life. Maybe that's the only takeaway here lmao /lh) And then,,,, finally,,, Magical Witch Punie-Chan. I have... No words. It was amazing. I loved it. I haven't laughed that hard in awhile. 4 episode OVA with an additional 4 episode Omake after. Wonderful if you like darker gag-humor series and want a short little trip. This one was weird but delightful, truly. P.S. I kept "Lyrical Tolkarev~ Kill Them All!~" as my discord status for like 3 days lol That theme song is going to live in my head rent free for the rest of my days. As for what I'm most excited for in 2024, there's probably, like, A LOT. But off of the top of my head, I can name the next Given project (PLEASEEEEEEEEECOMEOUTALREADYYESSSSGIVEITTOMEEEE JANUARY27THCANNOT COME FAST ENOUGHHH) and the second season of Bokuyaba (one of the only manga I have bothered with in 15 years, going to be so real right now;; I cherish this story). When these things come out, I know for a fact that my blog is going to briefly implode. Apologies about it ahead of time lol!;; I'll probably be saying more as the currently airing series all come to an end over the coming weeks. There's quite a few I don't want to end TT~TT so talking about them might be nice!
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straykidsworldwild · 2 years
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DUSKWOOD
PhilxMC - Pregnant (part 3/4)
Plot : Phil and MC are going to the store to get stuff for the baby.
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(I don't own the pictures. I only own the collage. Credits go to the owners.)
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~ 3 months later ~
- Hey, you're ready? I hear Phil asking me kindly before he places a kiss on top of my head.
Phil and I have grown closer ever since the day I had my ultrasound. Ever since we saw our baby for the first time. It really all started to grow more and more from there. The feelings for each other were here but with our baby on the way... It's different. I can't put words to explain how different it is, all I can say is that it is a good different.
We haven't moved together yet though. Phil still has his apartment and I still have mine. But he spends most of his nights here. With few exceptions... Whenever he closes the Aurora late... Or early in the morning, he goes back to his apartment to "not disturb my sleep", he says. I think it's a kind thought but I honestly sleep better when he is with me. I grew to be used to have him next to me at night.
- Yes, I'm just counting how much money I can put in the baby's stuff for now, I respond to my boyfriend as he takes a sit next to me. Phil and I have officialized our relationship about a month and a half ago. It surprised more than one person. Some even thought it was a prank or a bad joke that Phil made because he had me in his bed. And I think some still don't believe it. Sadly, I can't do anything about it...
I am staring at the little piece of paper before me and the calculator, hoping we can at least afford for the furniture this month. I just hope we can find the minimum and the essential for now... I pass my hand over my face, feeling tired and a little bit stressed. Phil gets his chair closer to me and places his arm on the back of the chair behind me.
- How much do you have? He asks with a calm voice, looking at the equations I did.
- I can put at the very maximum $600, I answer as I show him what I've done so far. I look up at my boyfriend's fair face, watching a lock of his hair falling free from his messy bun. Phil gently takes the pen from my hand and add a number under the $600.
- That's a start. I also counted and I can put $700 for now, he says as he puts the pen down and looks up at me. He did? When? Our eyes meet one another for a brief moment. His eyes are always so comforting and spreading so much love. I know Phil knows how to charm a girl, but I like to believe those emotions are just for me. Maybe I'm a fool... I can't help but to crack a smile. Phil smiles back before pushing softly my hair behind my shoulder.
- So we have a total of $1.300. That should be enough for now, I say with a positive tone. Despite having a few problems and a minimum of help, I still manage to keep it positive. We're doing this together after all.
- What do you want to look at first? He asks me gently as I feel him playing with the tips of my hair. I smile as I let a small sigh out. There's so much we need to look for...
- Well, I thought we could look for the crib first and for a baby car seat. Oh, and a few clothes, a plush and maybe a pacifier. I think that's what we should look for at first. The next three months, we can buy supplies time to time to finish everything, I answer with the same sweet tone he used as I softly rub my belly. I'm 6 months pregnant now, we really need to start buying the stuff we need. We still don’t know the gender of the baby though. We’ll know it only next week. But I don’t need to know the gender to buy a crib or a car seat. I watch my boyfriend nodding his head up and down as he smiles charmingly. Phil leans in and kisses my cheek sweetly before stealing a tender kiss.
- Let's go? He whispers after pulling away from the kiss. I nod and let Phil help me stand up from the chair. I could have done it by myself, but Phil has been extremely caring and careful with me.
On our way to the store, Phil is driving his car. I am sitting on the passenger seat, listening to the radio and having small talk with Jessi's brother. Jessi... She's been so excited ever since she learned about the pregnancy and even more since we decided to keep the baby and to start a real relationship. Jessi has insisted to give us money to help us financially. I didn't want to accept her money as I think it is Phil and I's matter. But she wouldn't stop insisting, so I told her I will accept the money only to give it for the baby later.
Anyway... Arriving at the store, Phil parks his car. He turns off the engine and steps out fast. I take off my seat belt and start to step out of the car as well when I feel a hand helping me. I smile at Phil as he is holding onto my arm. I let him close the car door for me before we walk up to the store. His hand discretely snakes to mine, interlocking our fingers with a rather firm grip. His thumb is softly rubbing the back of my hand as we step inside the store. Okay, first thing first, the crib...
Phil and I walk up to the crib section and look at all of the furniture they are offering. There's really every style. Some look huge, some are small, high cribs, low cribs... Some look very beautiful though. I could really see it in the baby's bedroom. But the price is way much more than what we can afford.
- They're all so adorable. Look! That one's so cute! I exclaim to Phil as I approach a crib where the head of the bed has the form of a cloud. Phil releases my hand as I approached the furniture to show it to him. My boyfriend smiles amused.
- Isn't it a bit high for you, Gorgeous? You'll need a step to get our baby, he says with that amused smile all while being serious. It's true, it's a bit too high for me. I stare at Phil with a smile, surprised by his words. I've never really heard him say "our baby" before. He did, but not so confidently. And I'm still surprised in how much he invests himself into this. I mean, not that I doubt Phil, but we're talking about a baby... What? He asks me, looking a bit confused. I snap out of my thoughts and look down, shyly.
- No, it's just... You said "our baby", I whisper with a happy tone. It just sounds so right to my ears. Once again, Phil smiles as me as he comes closer. He takes my hand back into his while pushing a lock of my hair behind my ear. He makes me blush... I can feel the heat on my cheek... Flustered, I bite my lower lip and clear my throat as I look at the cribs surrounding us. So, can we not take a white bed. It's too... I suddenly tell him, my eyes daring to meet his gorgeous ones.
- Yeah, I agree, he tells me, nodding positively as he seems to know what I meant. The two of us continue looking around for the perfect crib when Phil gently pulls me with him. Look at this one. It's not white, there's the bed for the baby, a space to change him or her, some drawers to put the stuff. And it's not too expensive, he tells me as he checks the crib he just saw. I approach it and check it as well. It's not too high either which is good. It looks rather stable.
- Yeah, and that way we won't have to buy an extra furniture which we probably won't be able to, I state while looking alternately at the crib and Phil with a happy smile. I'm actually impressed by how Phil is investing himself in this. I mean... I didn't think buying stuff for the baby would have been something he likes... I take the reference to compare it with other beds later. The two of us keep looking a little more at the cribs but we constantly go back to the one we found earlier. It's fits in our budget and it's the best one we've seen. I guess we found our bed so... $-400 which leaves us $900, I tell Phil, scratching the word "crib" out of my list. I smile and look up at my boyfriend.
- Okay, so far so good, he responds with a kind smile, looking just as happy as I am.
- We should look for the baby car seat, what do you think? I suggest him, replacing my smile by a confused frown.
- Yeah, let's go, he agrees before putting his arm around my shoulders. I feel protected and so well with Phil. Honestly, at first, I have to admit I didn't know if being together and keeping the baby was right. I had my doubts... But seeing how protective, careful, and caring Phil is, I couldn't help but to change my mind about him. He changed... He really did. In a good way.
There weren't many car seats in the store. Not as much as the cribs at least. But we still managed to find one that seemed safe and strong. Alright, so $-140, it means we have $760 left. We're doing pretty well to say we don't ask anyone for help and the both of us are new to this. I'm pretty sure we'll actually still have money left for next time we'll want to purchase something for the baby.
- Okay, we have the crib and the car seat. I think we got the most important for now, I inform Phil as I let a small sigh out, relieved to have at least those stuff. Those were really the first things I wanted. I don't want to look for it later because, knowing myself, I already know I'll feel in a rush, and I wasn't going to welcome my baby into a bad environment. We need to be fully prepared.
- What do you want to do now, Gorgeous? He asks me gently as I see him giving a look at the list in my hands. Do you want us to go back home and get some food on our way? Or you'd like to look for something else while we're still here? He questions with the same gentle tone.
- Well, I would like to go get a few stuff for the baby. Just to have at least one or two pyjamas first and maybe a pacifier. And then one of us, or together, we could come back to get more when we'll have our pay next month, I suggest to my boyfriend as I fold the paper and put it in my bag. I won't need it anymore for today.
- Sounds good, he says before grabbing my hand and interlocking our fingers together, one more time. The man takes a step forward and places a kiss on my forehead before turning around and pulling me softly along with him. Clothe section. Awnhhh, those pajamas are so adorable!! I look at the pajamas which seems to be mainly for girls in this section. But I think it is right. I don't know why but I'm pretty sure we're having a girl. I can feel it. Girl section?
- Yep, I say as I unfold a pajama to look at it better.
- What if its a boy? He asks me with a smirk. You can't make him wear a pink pajama, I smile to his reply and give an amused look at Phil.
- It's a girl. Trust me. Woman/mommy instinct, I tell him playfully, yet, with a point of seriousness. Phil laughs amused before putting both his hands up in surrender. I smile and continue looking at the baby clothes. I can feel Phil's eyes staring at each of my moves. I glance time to time at the boy, unable to stop myself from smiling. This really makes me happy!
- Phil? I suddenly hear a woman calling for him. Oh... I keep my head down and just mind my business while he turned around to look at who was calling for him.
- Andy? He calls the girl back. He sounds surprised to see her here...
- What are you doing in a baby store? She asks him, sounding confused. I discretely look up and see her frowning a bit confused before a smirk appears on her face. She looks so fake... Lost my number? Want us to have a little time together like before? She asks as she places her hand on his chest. Wow, back off!!
- No, I didn't lost your number. I deleted it, he answers so calmly as he rejected her hand from his chest. Suddenly, the girl stars giggling and insists, putting her hand back on his chest. She's going to eat one of those pajamas by her bum hole if she doesn't leave him... Hormones, not good.
- Very funny! She says through her idiotic giggling. Seriously, what are you doing here? She asks him a second time as she seems to get even closer to Phil. He is not going to step back?
- I'm going to be a father, Andy, he responds seriously to the girl as he rejects her hand harshly and make her step back from him. How can he keep his cool like this?! Despite feeling upset at the moment, I can’t help but to smile a bit when I heard him saying “father”. And I completely stopped looking at the stuff I wanted to look at for the baby...
- What tells you it was an accident? He suddenly answers. Oh... Maybe I am in a healthy relationship and my partner and I wanted to create our own family, he says to the girl, speaking as if this was the most common thing he would have said. But everyone knows Phil isn't like that... He would have never said those words before... Not even while being drunk.
- Right, she replies, clearly not believing him. Phil, seriously? I'm not buying this bullshit. You're not the kind of man who wants to be in a healthy relationship and who wants to be the perfect father. You like running after women and have them in your bed every night, she states seriously, reminding the past he used to have. Have them in his bed... It's been long since I heard someone say that..
- I've changed... He begins to say.
- Yeah, no, people don't change this much... She interrupts him, clearly not buying his words and not wanting to believe them for a second. I watch the girl shaking her head left to right before she chews her lower lip. Oh come on! I grab the first pajama I was looking at and go stand next to my boyfriend.
- Believe what you want, he tells her, clearly not giving a damn about what she says or thinks.
- Excuse me? She questions, looking at him like she's doubting his words. Though, at the sight of his eyes, she slowly seems to realize that he was actually not joking. And who's the woman you accidentally got pregnant? She continues to ask him. Accidentally... I know that me being pregnant with Phil's baby was an accident, but hearing someone saying it like this... It feels different. It hurts. It hurts because that's nothing that Phil or I planned and I know things could have gone differently in many ways...
- Okay, I found everything we needed so far, I say, not sounding very pleased.
- Okay, let's go, he tells me as he grabs my hand. The moment I came up to him, Phil just completely ignored the girl and smiled at me. Andy looks down at our hands before she frowns upset.
- MC? I hear Andy calling me. I stop and look at her.
- Yes? I answer, arcing one eyebrow in confusion.
- MC LN is the girl you knocked up? She asks Phil with an upset tone, actually completely ignoring me. Great... What a mature reaction...
- Hello, I'm right in front of you, I say with sarcasm. Andy looks at me with such an unpleased look. And maybe a disgust one...
- I don't care, she spats at my face before looking at Phil with disgust. And I'm sorry for you. You're ruining your life twice more than I thought, she tells him which made me frown with sadness. I can't help but to feel a pinch on my heart. Am I ruining his life? Is that really what people think when they see us together?
- Okay, enough! We came here to do our business, if you're not happy, it doesn't matter. It is what it is... Tells, Phil, starting to raise his voice a bit as he speaks with a a harsh tone. Honestly, I've rarely seen Phil angry before. I did see him that way once or twice at the Aurora when people were provokating him or when someone would not respect the rules in his bar. I even saw him fight with a client that was too close to me once... But that's it. I grab his arm and try to make him calm down.
- Phil... I call him softly as I notice a few pairs of eyes looking at the scene.
- I told you, I've changed. We're having a baby. So I'm not going to let you disrespect MC and my child just because it doesn't please you or because I didn't choose you. Now, we'd like to pay for these, should we address to you or should we find another person? He tells her with the same harsh tone as before while giving her the darkest glare ever. Honestly, if I was her, I would feel so intimidated... The darkness in his eyes looks so dangerous. Andy stares at him with surprise because of the way he spoke to her. However, the surprise didn’t stay long on her face.
- You're a loser, Phil, she tells him before taking the pajama from my hand and going to the checkout.
- Yes, glad to know, he replies as he takes the money out to pay the pajama. She scans the code and gives us the price. Phil gives him the money and asks her to make an order for the crib we saw and the car seat so we can come pick them up later in the week. Reluctantly, Andy takes note of the order we made and gave us a receipt with the number of the order. Phil takes it before grabbing my hand and pulling me gently along with him to leave the store.
That was... Intense. Weird. Upsetting. Awkward. Ugh! I know I'm going to have to face few women that Phil got in his bed, but it always feels like a challenge whenever the moment comes. When I stepped out from the store, it’s like I could breath again. I felt like I was keeping my breathing for so long... 
- You didn't have to... I say to my boyfriend as we reach his car.
- Yes, I did, he responds, sounding upset.
- Phil... I call him calmly. The man faces me as he opens the car door for me. But I don't go in. I just stare at him instead, showing him that I want to talk. Phil lets a small sigh out before taking my hand in his to squeeze it.
- MC, you and I started an adventure together. We agreed, the both of us, to keep this baby. I'm happy with you and I love you, just like I love this baby already. I'm doing everything to change and to prove you that I am going to be here for you both all the time. Protecting you and defending you is part of this change, he says with such a protective and serious tone mixed with love in his voice. I can't stop staring at him. I know he changed. I know he wants to do well because of how his father was with him. He doesn't want to make the same mistakes. But I know he won't. He keeps proving it to me. Today, one more time.
- Thank you, I whisper sincerely as I crack a smile at him. My boyfriend seems to relax as he smiles back at me. Delicately, Phil places two fingers under my chin and brings his face closer to mine as he gently lifts my head. His lips connect with mine, tenderly kissing me. We pull away, still having that smile on our face.
- Let's go home, Gorgeous, he says as he holds the door for me. I get in before he carefully closes the door. Phil gets on the driver's seat and drives us home.
Back home, the only thing I wanted to do was to relax. I just wanted to lay down and think about nothing. Try at least... On our way home, the sky has started to become dark. The sun left, replaced by dark clouds and the rain falling hard. I guess we're having a storm tonight...
I enter the bathroom and start running some water in the bathtub. It’s been a while since I took a warm bath. I usually take a shower to not use too much water. But a bath is sometimes what I need to relax completely.
Sitting in the bathtub, I let the water get higher slowly as the foam is surrounding me. I love the smell that comes from the foam. It always reminds me my childhood somehow. I play with the bubbles, popping them one by one or making some shapes with it. I somehow find it relaxing. And I guess I never stopped doing that ever since I was a child... But what really relaxes me is certainly the pair of hands massaging me.
Right behind me, Phil is sitting in the bathtub, giving me a massage on my back and shoulders. I can feel his lips kissing the back of my neck time to time, making me giggle. His hands give one last squeeze on my shoulders before they slide down my back and come to cover my belly.
- Lay back, he whispers in my ear as he gently pulls me with him. I let him lay me down until my back rests on his chest. I can feel his thumbs softly rubbing my belly. Sometimes, Phil draws some shapes or words on it, tickling me.
- I love you, Phil, I whisper lovingly at him as I cover his right hand with some foam.
- I love you, too, MC. I love you so much, he whispers with the same loving tone before planting a kiss on the back of my head and resting his cheek against it.
For a good half an hour, we stay in the bathtub together, enjoying this moment together. I have to admit, even though it was really relaxing to be in the warm water and to have that back massage, I couldn’t stop thinking about what that Andy girl said about Phil’s life and how I ruin it. I know he has proven to me so many times that he is working hard to change. He said it. He proved it to me. But still... I’m... I guess I’m scared to lose what I've been living those past few months with Phil. He makes me feel safe, loved, and protected. I’m scared to lose that one day...
I am in the living room, I'm scrolling on my phone to change my mind when I suddenly felt the tears coming up. Hormones... I hate it. Why does it always happen when I over think or when the situation involves to much emotions...? I log off my phone and get up from the sofa to go find Phil. I need to ask him... Again. I need to be sure.
I enter the kitchen, finding Phil smoking by the window. Ever since he learned about the pregnancy, Phil has always been careful to always smoke in a room where I am not standing. He is always either by the window or outside, but he insisted on not smoking in the house and especially not while I am in the same room at him. Another thing that proves me he changed...
- So, pretend that I don't have tears rolling down right now because those are actually hormones but, do you really not miss the life you had before? I ask him with a shaky voice as I look at him and the wall alternately. Phil turned around to look at me when he heard the sound of my voice. He looks a bit stunt, seeming surprised of my sudden question and the tears. I can’t maintain the look with his eyes. I can’t stare at him. Phil smashes his cigarette and closes the window. I'm just asking because that girl at the store wasn't all wrong and I know you did a lot to change and I'm really happy and proud of you for changing this much but I think she might have a point and I can't stop thinking about it and worrying that you're not happy and maybe I'm actually keeping you from living the life you always wanted and then I keep saying to myself that it is not be true but what if you... I tell him absolutely every single thought that comes up to my mind in one single breath. I'm just sharing my fear of losing him... and I think Phil saw it. My boyfriend comes up to me and takes my hands in his, stopping me from talking.
- It's alright, breathe, Gorgeous. I don't remember when was the last time you breathe in between all of those words, he says with a chuckle as he stares at me. I nod and look away as I feel new tears streaming down my face. Phil releases one of my hands and gently wipes my tears away. The life I had before is very different from the one I have now, but it doesn't mean I don't like it. Before, I enjoyed my life as a... How did you call me? A womanizer? Yeah, he tells me gently, slightly mocking me with the words I used to use against him. I hear him chuckle which makes me crack a faint smile. but the tears are stronger. Phil continues to wipe my tears off every time one falls down. I was this womanizer loving to flirt with women to then have them in my bed. I wanted nothing less or more from them. Today, I am someone else thanks to you. I have the chance to have a family, to share my child with you, and to just live a life with you. Something I secretly always wanted to be honest. You're giving me more than anyone has ever gave me and I love you more every day for that, he admits with a serious tone before forcing me to look up into his eyes. More tears spill down my face, but they rapidly disappear as Phil wipes them away. He always wanted to be with me in the first place...? I didn't know that... Why never saying it before? So no, I don't regret my old life and no, I don't want to go back to it. I want to stay with you two. Forever. So don't worry, okay? He tells me sincerely, caressing my cheek with his thumb. He does...? I don’t reply to his words. I don't know what to say. Well, I have hundreds of words running in my mind but it's like I don't know how to formulate what I want to tell him. Instead of speaking, I hug Phil, snaking my arms around his back. Phil hugs me back instantly, running his hand up and down my back. You know what? I think we should get some fries and nuggets tonight, he tells me with a suggestive tone. I smile through my last tears as I remember it is the first "meal" we shared together.
- And ice cream with vanilla flavor. Or mango. Or lemon. Or maybe vanilla and caramel, I say, adding some food to the list. Phil chuckles before he pulls away from me.
- I'll try to remember all of them, Gorgeous, he says with an amused smile. He wipes the last tears off my cheks one more time before I get on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Well... That's what I thought I was going to do. Phil turns his head and captures my lips with his, tenderly and passionately kissing them. Our lips move in synch as we share our love for each other. He's really the one for me... I feel it.
- You'll be a good father, Phil, I tell him with a sincere tone after pulling away from the kiss.
- You think? He asks me, sounding unsure about himself. I nod positively. I think you'll be an amazing mom, Gorgeous. He or she will love you so much, he says as he looks down at my belly. Phil places carefully his hand over my stomach, smiling happily. I smile as well as I cover his hand with mine. I hope he’s right... I’m scared to not be a good enough mother for my baby. I guess we’ll discover if we were meant to be parents once this baby will be here. We’ll do everything we can to make our baby happy and for it to grow in a heathly environment. We love it already too much. What will it be once it’ll be born? I can't wait to meet you baby.
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coffee-at-annies · 2 years
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Thanks for your insights, truly appreciate it!! Me too i've only been watching more of the highlights and some full games, but i read a lot of hockey stuff to understand the game even more. the general mood may be down in pensland now and it could be easy to feel that way when it seems that almost every other team besides 2 or 3 is squeaking out wins early in the year while we're doing every no no in a hockey game possible. when you look at the standings it looks like 24 teams have winning records now in the first 10 games vs the pens' 4-5-2 record but honestly half of them will likely not keep up with their current pace. It was infuriating to see read those beat writers from teams with winning records (cough Isles cough) laughing at our struggles and write us off early in the season. it's easy to mock us now but what if at some point in the season the situations are reversed inevitably? I always say to myself, hockey can be a cruel mistress. you can be on top of the league 10 games in then go on to have a historic losing season. the pens can have a bottom 10 record after 10 games but with a few tweaks and a little more puck luck, we will also enjoy the same success the other teams are having to start the season.
besides it's difficult to determine which teams are for real and which teams are just riding lady luck to begin the season. there'll be injuries and cold streaks and poor goaltending and puck luck that will hit every team throughout the season. it's just unfortunate that the pens can't catch a break and are facing a lot of adversity early on. but if we spent the whole time wishing we were as good as this team based off a very small sample size, that's dangerous thinking. plus will we really be better off if we faced little adversity throughout the season? don't think so. i do agree with the general opinion that the league standings are more taken seriously by the 41-game mark.
that's my thoughts for now. i don't think sid and geno will let this slide any further. and in all honesty, i think this is one of the stretches that will make us look back and be glad it happened sooner rather than when it is too late for a turnaround. let all those writers get smug about their early success now - marathon not a sprint. it will be interesting to see how their team responds the second adversity hits them and when their unsustainable winning ways catch up to them. what will they say if their team gets hit by a lengthy losing streak later in the year? the season is early to make sound assumptions about every team and things can change in a snap
People forget (and rightly so it was a long time ago at this point) that we slumped hard all the way into December before turning things around and winning the cup in 2016. Heck last year we looked terrible after the trade deadline and then looked amazing the first couple games of the playoffs. It’s a long season you never know when someone will make a change and the team will get their shit together.
As for reporters being smug, I’m very much a don’t like don’t read fellow in addition to being an unrepentant homer. I only want to read nice things about my team doing good and bad things about my enemies doing badly. We’re in a slump so I simply do not see my athletic subscription because it will only make me upset and sad about things I can’t control. Also I’ve lost a lot of trust for Yohe and Rossi after Geno’s free agency fiasco. They are not going to give me the content I want so I simply have forgotten how to read.
I never read other teams articles/beat reporters unless it’s a player puff piece because they are never going to say nice things about us. It’s literally their job to be critical and smug. Nobody likes to admit that Sidney Crosby is still really good at hockey, that’s why it’s the coldest hot take in the league, but everyone wants to write is he washed up reaction pieces because they cause outrage and get clicks. If they ever say a nice word it will be begrudgingly and at most a backhand compliment. They are also unrepentant homers claiming they don’t have biases because they’re reporters. It’s annoying but that’s the facts.
The only league-wide content I consume is Steve Dangle’s highlights stuff because I appreciate him being an unrepentant leafs fan who also likes good hockey. He’s soft on some teams and harder on others when it comes to what makes the highlights but at least he’s up front with it all. I’ve taken a hiatus from watching that too cause I don’t like when we show up getting scored on or making mistakes. It feels bad and so I simply do not.
This may sound like I’m sticking my head in the sand but all of this stuff is optional and it’s just going to make me upset if I consume it. One of the hardest parts I’ve found is learning to disconnect and not take losses personally. I want the hyperfixation to produce the good chemicals and none of the bad stuff and surely the more I consume the more good chemicals I will get? Except that’s not really the case during slumps it becomes a downward spiral chasing the light at the end of the tunnel and the easiest way to not do that is limit my intake and find joy in other things. I skipped last nights game for those reasons and had a lovely time watching taskmaster with my partner. Hockey is a marathon. It’s important to take breaks and pace yourself. There’s a lot of content. Picking and choosing what to consume (up to and including skipping games) is important.
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elliottpoetry · 5 months
Text
A Christian emo metal band called:
My Fires To Burn These Dirt Buried And Rain Soaked Letters
Album: A Clock Full of Conclusions (Discourse on Diorama)
1. Rumors of an escape in the storm clouds
2. Rewinding thoughts to replay the secret messages
3. Always almost itching for something sour and ever more alive
4. Telepathic transmission of a mystical map
5. A fortress of feathers on fire
6. Midnight merchants and the mystery
7. The storm strikes its lightning
8. A dream of the golden keys of heaven
9. Anticipation of flight
10. The end?
An image of the Tetragrammaton in the lyric book...
Maybe some philosophical diagram images in the lyric book...
The cover is a teenage girl holding a pocket watch and showing the time while looking out the window at storm clouds and on side it's just clouds and on the other it's storming
Rumors of an escape in the storm clouds
Living in the stream created by the television and the storm clouds, I'll tell you the legend of you want to hear it. If you want to feel it. If you believe in the storms that used brew high up above the streets in my city and the secrets written on the pages that flew and fell out of them. There was a fire I was waiting to stoke inside of myself and then and after I climbed up out of the mud of myself I sought to sink back into something familiar, something else, something new just to feel alive again. Deserts whose empty skies dry up our souls until they are just empty bowls. Mountains that blow so cold they freeze out my bones until they are hollow. Did you see that? Did you catch that one? I've been searching and stretching long for a mystery, I've been paying attention in this dream. It's not that I think it's unreal the truth is about what I feel. You go to sell your story and they come back telling you, 'what is it?' and caught surprised and without telling lies I say, 'what is this?' Where all of us are caught in a question the gears go to turn again and I used to watch them disappear when I mentioned them. All of that stuff? I've think I've got enough. I've got them piled up in the second story of my house in my room in a cardboard box where the pages spill out their secrets because I've been dreaming of flying and sometimes at night where I lay there recollecting the day I think I see feathers spinning and sparkling with stars. What, you want a puzzle piece? But I was telling a story and you think you saw the machines. You get what you pay for but what does that have to do with believing? And so I try to drive my clouds to a better sky. My life was okay and I feel alright but I noticed something. C'mon let's try to make a map and figure out where we are at. Bury the pages in the dirt under the storm of this city and try to keep it together. You never knew you could destroy it, you only ever and always figured you could create. Oh, well I was just trying to push all of that away. Oh, well it's time to figure it out... today.
Rewinding thoughts to replay the secret messages
Put your hands out and look at the ground. Did you see that bell? Did you see it's light? It's just an angels lamp, it'll all be alright. Maybe it's only a few of us who can see, maybe you've started to evolve and you can dream. Did you see the pages go to bend the screen? Can you see what I mean? Common where uncommon oh, the irony so take a look around and see that nothing changes but it is a new day and that's where we'll write our play. Take control of your life, try to see it filled with bright lights. Fears can't wash me out, it's not what I'm made of. What is this dream? I know it's real but I feel like there's something else about this place. Seems like it's full of dirt filled and ink written mystery. Can you taste the time? It's almost like some kind of water when you speak of it this way. Are the trees calling? Out to the woods for what to see? I wanted to capture the forest birds, I wanted to know their words. I wanted to write them all out, I want to know them now. There was a fire I was waiting to stoke inside of myself and then and after I climbed up out of the mud of myself I sought to sink back into something familiar just to feel alive again but this time I think I've climbed up to a higher hill, the flowers here are more beautiful. This reminds me of home but how can that be when you've got the getting there to go? Well I think it's real and it's how I feel so I throw the dice and just to break the ice and I find the freezing air feels so nice. It's empty and cold but what the message says here written is that there's something good here to be sold. They're all caught in disbelief and I've a got a pen to write the story so how far can you lay your tongue out low?
Always almost itching for something sour and ever more alive
With his tongue stretched on the ground the mystic prys to pull, he tries to pull on the stage and the script someone wrote. Supposing they were great, supposing they were good, it's been turning out like I hoped it would. Don't give up now, just wait another hour and let's watch the sand stretch while it quickens with us already sunk inside somehow. So try to get out, a long time ago they might try to fly. What is this place if the suspicion is right? Oh, it's just a story book, oh, it's just a play written mystery. With all the bodies caught up in these wheels the lamps are burning for time to steal and make our way ahead to know what He had intended to paint. Is it really that easy? Is it really that way? I think it's something like that if the direction tells us anything about who's up there and how. Would the doors burn one clean until the light was only my everything? I know the blueprint might be projected where full of gold the story as some smoke of a whisper burned out bright goes to be told like you would sing if you found yourself to know. Just like spinning some words around that could lift you off the ground but I search and stretch to dig in that direction right now. What did you find? Is there anything left for me? What are you going to do in this dream? Try to find yourself, try to see so clearly. You want to go on the journey, you're on the floor. You dream of life as a story, so look for more. I can't tell you everything, I'm only a man but I'll tell you what I can and we'll find out our way ever more forwards onto our plans. Plans for what? Plans to fly? Plans to figure this out so we will never die. Oh, it's just like that. Oh, it's got to be something more. How do you know what you don't unless you're longing to remember it from the core? Oh, well it's something about circles drawn up on the wall and I think there are symbols. I try to put them together and light them on fire. I thought about birds and the storm clouds as the inclination is raised higher while the rain starts to pour outside. Catch the lightning on some dramatic word.
Telepathic transmission of a mystical map
Where are you? How much time do we have? I pull on the cords of clouds full of fire to reveal that now it's the righteous who are in control and to guide you home. Is that what you want to hear? Is this reassurance what brings you so near? I'm telling you the light is full of might and you know it so. Oh, look I'm so powerful. One prod and I'm a tongue of fire. Angels circle over my house above and through the ceiling. Just look around and count the cards, we've all heard whispered thoughts we bought and polished the portraits of the rumors of a miraculous escape. Now we find a book is buried in the ground? So let's just try to dig it out. There's nothing written there and so it's thrown up in the air. Fill the pages with dirt and throw all of that around. What will you write now? Like blindfolded I go to read some of the features of the secrets where hidden beyond there like lamp lit whispers and wrestle a piece out of the puzzle I can use to create reality. I find it's all full up in yesterday like there was something greater in me but who could that be? Am I on the right path such that this might be one I am paving? Hey, just reach out and grab my jacket. Can you see what I see? I pull you close with my eyes wide open so that I can be heard within the circle of belief. Okay, I'm just looking at you but is the field real where whatever we sow becomes something new? So what is that function? So what is the operation? Who is the machine who's gears go to reveal the path to the greater world with its greater love? We were traveling and trying to wake up from that one but we always used to drive the compass about our calling to find what's ahead and polish the greatness within. The idea of greatness, sometimes it's throwing me over to figure out how to shine my light brighter.
A fortress of feathers on fire
It's my light! It's my life! My soul hungers and thirsts for more than I had before so I can be what I want to see and it feels so righteous. So I have identified myself with light and I will open my eyes. Burn bright, come up out of the bed made in darkness and feel the fire where so wild it says that it will awaken you inside. What is it you are waiting for? For righteousness it's time to sell and for the soul it's time to buy. When will I take myself for what I'm worth and crush the diamonds of my determination with the fires of my purity burning? My purity, a soul, just one who is a pure being. And so well who are you? Are you making it through? Get yourself into something believable and true. It's so much to push some ideas around and I think I'm okay now but I figured it'd be good to show you the way, to show you the way to your strength when you tell me what you must do. What is worth smiling for? What is worth dying for? A pretty heavy question but I know you love the pressure when I lay it on you because when you answer you write in life that you are worth that which is more than you thought before but what is it that you know of, the potential of your goodness inherent to the core. What are your bones blazing for? From which you cannot turn and you want to see the story change? Just shine your light, everything's gonna be alright. Can God do that? God is more powerful than you'll ever know, you'll ever know. Just wake up, just turn on the lights, just wake up now. At least you were sleeping, at least you were dreaming but now it's time to go. Just pull yourself out of the mud, pull yourself out of this sand. Inside a dream you try to find the staircase and I'm at the top telling you that with enough faith you could fly and be with me here where angels are stationed and I feel safe and your amenities will be arranged, yeah. In the clouds, day dreaming but it's really real. Just fly, wake up tonight. You'll see, you try to wrestle yourself free from a rut and God is looking at you with love. God is the hand to receive you, God is the one to set you free. They say He tends to the rooms way up high like towers of powers in the sky. You want to drive the highway wondering and in His golden place you'll see that God is in control. I feel so safe, it's all okay. So what so you come to a common place looking for what's for sale? Everyone thinks they're so original but some of us are grinding for more, we want to study what's in the store. I put up the name and you know what it means and you watch it shine and you note the time. Where's the water pouring out the hours that I feel taste like paper? and I don't want to get lost in just wasting it all away. So tell me now, what is life about?
Midnight merchants and the mystery
Who will see the signs as they all pass by on the highway telling us to get on forwards and ever more free? As I pulled the roots of a wicked tree that go bleeding off of me into the sky where no one could bury me and noting some sticky blood on my shirt, I shook it off and hoped to fly for a long time. What is up there in the sky? Airplanes and all the afternoons of storms whirling that bring this, my season, into shape so I can focus my lens and capture them watching as the evening and its shadows would roll in again where its tide is the black curtain pulled across the world as nighttime. Light another candle and let's walk further, now light another lamp. Ask another question, determine where you are at. Where are we here? Could we ever make it up higher? I'm climbing, I'm flying, I'm driving to the sky. I can feel it, can you feel it? I must feed it more for the fire of my heart and I wont let this go out. A feast of fire and one golden desire as I suck in the air of these storm clouds and in my lungs wring them right out where every step is upwards met with another one to get. I think it's all planned out. What's up there? Tell me now. Did you get the picture? Go touch the gold. Reach out for God like it's gotta be so much better than you were ever told. So turn on the television and change the channels again. Try to find something to love and look above and you've found the greatest friend. How'd you tell me that? Let the computer's blue light pour on the wall or get yourself inside your blanket, the storm is raining outside and it's gonna storm for a long time. How will this end? How will this end? Just tell me what you know of the truth again. So, how will this end?
The storm strikes its lightning
The lightning strikes and the clock is pulling at its face again. Just tell me how all of this will end. Blagh, the time is stretching. Every so often you'll see an angel come on by with its holy bright liquid amenity for you to drink, tastes like faith and I know what I believe. I'm not strapped to a chair, I was just looking for a long time up there. Do you think I'm a fool? Do you think I'm so out of this picture? I know but just listen again, listen to me my friend and answer me now. How will all of this end? Dragging feet through storm rained dirt in a forest full of mysteries with my suit tie tied tight and a briefcase full of questions. Try to pull the tie loose and get on my way. The wind blows the rain around and I'm tired of lying. Oh God, I needed your help. I needed to escape. But what will they say at the church where I know you'll be? Hopefully and I know I'll find some better company there. But I just want to see you, I just want to call on your name. Through unexpected tears I read the letters I wrote to you drip like bleeding the ink and blurry they stretch and grab me so I will know what to do. I call out to you oh, God. I know that you will save me. Jesus, please save me. Oh, it's such a common thing, I carry this cross. So get me along. Drag me through the rain.
A dream of the golden keys of heaven
In the middle of the night with the midnight black the storms keep throwing it all around while the pages of the story keep on pouring and forced like me of the clock to eat. Consuming moments, gorging myself on the transparent blue tinged liquid time. When will I be complete? Just look at yourself. Determine what's inside and why. It's time to clean, we know what you need. Feed on the feast of fire! Burn brighter! Seeing as I've died this place is like a grave and The Holy Ghost is glowing where I have been saved. Angels in the sky illuminate the lines where it reads eternal life. It's mine. A prize to claim with honor here today. I'm right. This time I will never die. Onwards to heaven! Prepare and beware we've only got to get there. Beware! I'm not scared. Beware! I know I won't be scared.
Anticipation of flight
It's just a test and here we've got to run all the analysis. On to the next step in the sky, this time I will keep high things high. Throw yourself up to the gold, make yourself the image you'd hope to know. The fire flickers as I take flight and blazing bright I find myself burning ever more alive. He will eat you up in a heavenly grave made of holy water to show you the way through resurrection to heaven. What do you know of the brighter side? Don't judge me this time. I hear the golden words of promise and relief shining through like swords to let you know someone up there loves you. Did you want to know? Did you want me to tell you if it was true? He's always ready, now let's bring you up. Keep going, just fly. The grass is always greener on God's side. God has eaten my soul with his heavenly grave made of holy water and regurgitated me in resurrection. Just pour on the holy water and pour the blood of the Messiah on me. Please, oh, Lord Jesus, King of Kings pour out your holy blood on me. Let the holy red flow over my body and drip all over onto the floor. I ask for more. The Holy Ghost is here and moving. I eat the flesh of God and drink of His blood. Jesus, pour your blood all over me.
The end?
In this new place, I throw my hands up on my bedroom wall with the lights off and the television on at midnight to try to remember the past like where I was before. These things so archetypal and iconic, I know that tomorrow the pages will all flip forwards like on fire for the day to move moment by moment as the liquid water monument of the day goes on in normality with like the weather in some way and somewhat strange. Now it's the next day and it's getting heavy up there in clouds. Should be pouring any minute now. Inside I look over papers and I look to you. In between us burns a question that we overlooked last time but I had caught it in periphery and in proximity to a conclusion worth mentioning. Is this kind of like a dream? No one knows and when someone dies all they will find of their life is where photographs will be, the only things left to tell the story. Where are we all when it's time to get going? And I feel like running. It's like I've got to get to somewhere to get some sacred something. If I could escape to some higher place I'd be making my way to controlling the whirlwinds that are coming. Rain falls and here it is again, some questions caught up in the clouds and I want to feel it now. I want to figure it out. The time goes on so long and everything is all the same. Sit in front of television so we can be entertained while we wait so patiently. I find myself wondering what I could do to take control. And so I'll take control. The seconds just feel so paused like drawn on for too long and I find myself trying to deal with this life where the minutes just drag on and pull me along. I'm watching the clock and I know it never stops as the hands of time hold the hours heavy and we're all stuck here in this question. How will all of this end? When will it ever end? When will the Christ come back again? Where is the end of the book where it's all over when you look? How will all of this end? Tell me my friend, when will all of this end?
...
Use lots of delay...
Climb arpeggios over and over again from the beginning and expand and use spaces in time to make it sound like trying to get up higher and then play higher notes as you slide up...
And then mix that style with rounding melodies...
Make it sound dramatic all the time... like caught a glimpse of your eye...
Play it like hotel California...
Ascend with riffs to sours...
Play it like emarosa, building up...
Play it like indian music... periodically...
Involve some dramatic piano like anup sastry...
Play a riff up to it's climatic note and then play notes around it and end on that note and repeat those rounds...
Play the song like family secrets and mix that style with an underoath style...
You can play some dissonant riffs to transition from one thing to another... just play the same type of thing at the end but play it dissonant...
It would be cool if one second it was like underoath and then when the lyrics are kind of about something challenging it becomes like august burns red... to do it like that with all those styles... and then to pause and with piano one word is spoken... and then back to the music...
Play some of the parts like an aggravated underoath chord dillinger with the lyrics...
And to play euphony style riffs but at half time... maybe as transitions...
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meandmyechoes · 1 year
Text
since there's no serial star wars until august and it's a series i'm not sure i can sit through i'm gonna turn this into sentai brainrot.
i like kingoh this much i've watched every episode at least three times and trying to piece together all the information. i love rita so much i'm planning kingoh FLT and dissecting their costume and sewn a plush and possibly will buy a toy during its run
now i'm just racing to finish kingoh brainrot before May 4 so I can concentrate on Visions vol 2. After Sixth debut I probably had to put things on hold for real to do school work. I hope.
it's plot-heavy and serial unlike your typical sentai but almost typically anime/shonen with a heavy fantasy setting and character designs. but do you need more reason than 'rita kanisuka' to watch it. and the tokusatsu action/direction is so good.
practically:
i started a toku sideblog @mofffun anyway so i will be free-r over there. kinda wanna post opinions here and gifs over there lol. maybe polished gifsets here and random gifs over there. my queue is low in the tens but i certainly have many SW stock. i won't remove that completely just, not actively going for it? i'd still do regular tag searches on top of what came on my dashboard, but i might not write/talk about SW for a while? i still have a couple books to read
it feels weird because i became an SW centric blog since I came back 3 years ago. Not to say I didn't have other stuff chimed in but it's been 95% SW running non stop for 3 years. It's weird to have a sudden shift that stays. It's even weirder when you think when i first started this blog in 2012, it's as multifandom as you can get with 5 regular ones. so fuck it. i care about followers and feel a duty to provide? like an editor to a magazine? but probably just overthinking it. i won't force anyone to continue following if they are not into what i'm putting out. it feels weird but i'm just gonna talk about kingohger as much as i want to now. maybe change the blog description in a bit so that i don't feel disconnected. it's MY blog.
Talking about fixating on kingoh. I love the thrill of collecting clues and unraveling its plot. I love thinking again. I love that it gave me a reachable goal to work towards. Though half the time i'm just shouting RITA KAWAII/KAKKOUI i don't really pay attention to what's being said. It's been saccahrine the past 48 hours and i'm exhausted and elated. they got me crawling my ass up sunday at 8 to watch nitiasa live again.
compared with star wars it's just, ₻₻₻ (<- scribble). Mando s3 was a letdown and nobody cares about tbb. i can't stand how hype ppl are for the ahserka series and it feels like a minefield getting to know others with that hanging. sometimes i had to listen to ill-informed forum bros dissing, and when i look at official stuff, i begin to question who's actually keeping the lore.
it's not all negative. i still haven't done a totj!togruta analysis (even though i don't really want to think about totj itself because all it is to me is episode 5). i'm still super excited about SWC2025. i still love ahsoka (yes holding that throne against rita). I know I will be blown away by Visions as well. But I've been letting that define and govern me for too long it's time to let somebody else have a chance.
I'm crazy scared i won't be able to finish work this time. i'd hate that. i'm working the courage to tell my fam i need some space but, every time i actually said that, it's no use anyway. because i'm special. i'm responsible. what i do will never be enough.
i also try not to think to much about the society or where i will be in five years. it's like, some of the things i ultimately want can't happen unless you give it a few years of effort but i don't dare to dream that far. eh
well good thing ko let me think all that. i like thinking. i like writing.
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from-the-clouds · 2 years
Text
Thinking of a Place (Part III) - Kendall Roy x Reader
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gif by @televisionchronicles
Part One | Part Two | Fic Playlist | Masterlist
Summary: You attempt to piece your life back together after your time spent with Kendall, and finding out your job is likely obsolete.
Words: 6.9k.
Warnings: Contains SMUT (minors dni) unprotected sex. Depression. Angst. Kendall Roy existing and being a deeply sad man. Spoilers for seasons 1-3 of Succession.
A/N: So uh, I didn't think I'd continue this but I was kind of itching to write something longer with Kendall, and I really liked these two. So I sat and thought about how to keep this going and have a plan. All the kinks aren't ironed out yet, but I am assuming there will be at least 3-4 more parts, maybe. Hopefully ya'll are interested/excited & down for the ride.
I apologize in advance for any inaccuracies in business procedures or anything like that while I progress through this storyline. I write for fun while still working full time, so don't always have time to deeply research every story I post. But I've been really enjoying writing this. Sorry in advance for allllll the angst. And sorry to my former english teachers for using flashbacks. Also, all flashbacks are in italics
Also please go listen to the playlist I made for this story! Music is such a big part of the writing process for me and I love when writers post what they listen to when writing! Helps me discover new stuff.
Frantically typing on your computer, you were trying to get all your work done before the end of the day. For the first time in years, you had time off for the holiday, and you were spending it alone at a resort in The Bahamas. You were usually alone on the holidays anyways, but at least this year it wouldn’t be spent in your shoddy apartment.
When you heard a knock on your office door, you looked up, to find Kendall poking his head in. “Oh, hey Ken, come in,” you frowned. He rarely came to visit your office, so you wondered if you were in trouble, especially when he shut the door behind him.
“Hey, you’re leaving tonight?” he asked.
“Yeah, I got a flight to catch in a couple hours,” you said, eyeing him as he stepped forward, somewhat awkwardly. Fuck, fuck, fuck. You tried to figure out what you had done wrong recently that might warrant a closed door meeting. During your last one-on-one with him you had gotten rather snippy about an acquisition he wanted to make that you thought was a poor choice, and the conversation ended with him commanding you to leave his office. But honestly, that type of thing had happened before and hadn’t been a big deal. Maybe this time it was, and you hadn’t realized it.
“Uh-huh, I wanted to catch you before you left. Give you this.”
“What?” you sat up straight in your desk chair, leaning forward as he presented you with a very professionally wrapped gift you hadn’t noticed he was holding until now. “What is this?”
“You can open it,” he stood in front of you, waiting, crossing his arms.
“Kendall, seriously?” You asked, looking down at the white box, emblazoned with the Dior logo. But you did as he instructed, undoing the crisp ribbon and lifting off the top of the box. Reaching inside, you pulled out a very intricately designed piece of what felt like…silk.
“Wow this is…” your eyes widened as you pulled the scarf out of the box, admiring the detail, the feeling of the fabric slipping delicately through your fingers. “It’s beautiful.” You shook your head, unable to find anything else to say, unable to express any emotion besides pure shock.
“Uh-huh,” he said, watching you closely. “I’ve been clean for a year now, and uh, I know that uh, you aren’t still…doing the same job you did when we met but uh, I can’t help but think you’re partially responsible for helping me get my shit together, so uhh…I wanted to thank you.”
With a fucking Dior scarf? What were you going to do with a Dior scarf? You didn’t even want to know how much it cost, even though you were absolutely going to look it up when you went home just to see. Probably more than you spent on groceries in a year. You did pretty well for yourself at this point, in fact, you’d been pretty excited when you were able to buy a dress one time at FreePeople that wasn’t in the sale section, but Dior? That didn’t seem attainable, ever.
“If you’ve been clean for a year, you should buy something for yourself, not for me,” you said, wryly, setting down the scarf and offering a smile. You really, really, hated receiving gifts, there was something about it that made you feel guilty, especially when it was unexpected. Because of that, the only thing you could do besides blush and avoid eye contact was crack a joke.
“Uh-huh, well, it’s Christmas, too,” he said, as you continued to inspect the gift. “And…I’ve seen you wear stuff like that. They’re hand painted, you know.”
“Yeah,” you shook your head, taking a deep breath. You already knew that because you’d read it last week in an art magazine. This was, in theory, a very good and considerate gift. But, you wondered if it was even appropriate to wear something like this around the office, if word got out that he’d bought it for you.
Pushing back your chair, you stood, circling around your desk to approach him. “Thank you, Kendall, it’s beautiful. Very thoughtful.”
In some deeper part of your brain, you thought this was a really hot thing for him to do for you. But you were going to pretend like you didn’t.
So you hugged him carefully, and he seemed surprised at first, taking a second to hug you back, embracing you cautiously. As you pulled away, however, he pressed a gentle, well-mannered kiss to your cheek. One of your hands remained on his shoulder as you looked at him.
“You should be really proud of yourself, you know. Staying sober for a year…still in this shitshow?” you chuckled, gesturing around the office, shaking your head. “I’m proud of you. That can’t be easy.”
Squeezing his shoulder, you dropped your hand. He chuckled, looking down, putting his hands in the pockets of his suit jacket. “Uh-huh…fucking, it’s not. But uh, thanks. I should let you get back at it, though. Merry Christmas.”
You smiled. “Merry Christmas, Kendall.”
--- --- --- --- ---
Sunlight streamed through cracks in the curtains, and it took you a minute upon waking to recognize where you were.
It was warm. Comfortingly, blissfully warm, and you turned your head to find the source of the heat, and the soft sighs next to you.
Kendall.
His head was on your shoulder, your arms wrapped around him, holding him close, while one of his hands splayed across your belly. Snippets of the night before flashed through your mind, his mouth on every part of you, body stretched out over yours.
Now, he looked so peaceful, curled around you, snug, fast asleep. The air in his place was cool, you could feel the goosebumps rising on your exposed skin, but he was like a furnace coiled against you. You didn’t mind.
“What is this?” he had whispered at one point the night before, while you were still trembling in the wake of an orgasm, his arm across your waist, pulling you back against his chest. The two of you had been up nearly all night, you’d let him take you however he wanted, however you begged for him, a pathetic, whiny mess. You obeyed every order he’d given. And he had been so, so good to you.
Your stomach tightened at the thought of it, a dull throb returning between your thighs, as if you hadn’t had enough. It would probably be awhile before you did have enough. And that was the issue.
There wasn’t an answer to his question you felt you could give. It was Kendall, after all, and you liked Kendall. You could feel that this wasn’t a one time thing. But from a practical standpoint, maybe it should be. Or maybe not. Your mind kept batting the possibilities around. Even now, there was a deep impulse to sneak out of his arms, gather your things, and leave the apartment without saying a word.
“Hey,” a low voice interrupted your emotional turmoil, as your eyes locked onto the man who was causing said turmoil. So much for leaving without waking him, you thought, staring into his dark eyes.
“Hey,” you answered, as Kendall shifted his weight, sliding from underneath you. It allowed you to fall deeper into the down pillows, trapped beneath him as he hovered over you, arm around your waist.
“Have you been up for long? You should’ve woken me.”
“I didn’t want to,” you answered. “You needed sleep.”
“Uh-huh,” he murmured, leaning forward to nuzzle his face into your neck. “How sweet.”
You were trying to figure out a way to stay in this bed longer. Leaving meant facing consequences. But unfortunately, you had to pee.
“You sleep okay?” he asked.
You giggled, the vibration of his voice, low and gentle in your ear made you shiver. His lips found a place on your neck, pressing there lazily, absentmindedly. “Yeah, I did.”
Of course you did. It would’ve been nearly impossible not to sleep well after last night, made up of several rounds of intense, passionate sex. It was all fucking, napping, talking, and then fucking again, until you both eventually found your way to sleep.
“Are you hungry? Do you need to shower?”
You thought for a moment. If you said no, made some excuse and dipped out awkwardly, he’d definitely ping it as being weird. Then you’d actually have to talk to him about what you’d both done. Maybe if you pretended like everything was okay, you wouldn’t have to. Also, unrelated, but you knew his bathroom was probably much nicer than yours, and you kind of wanted to experience showering in a billionaire's shower. “A shower might be nice.”
“Go ahead,” he pulled himself away from you, tucking a piece of hair behind your ear tenderly. Why was he being so nice? It was like he could sense your apprehension.
The shower felt nice, an opportunity to wash away the filth of the night before. And while you kind of hoped that Kendall would join you, you were a little thankful that he didn’t, ultimately. It was good to have a little space, an opportunity to clear your mind. Even if that space left room for all the doubts that had been in the back of your mind while you let Kendall have his way with you.
Why did you do that? That was a terrible idea. Everything’s gonna change now. Was it worth it?
Sure yeah, it was. And you needed to stop acting like you hadn’t been in your right mind when you’d made the decision. You had been. You knew exactly what you were doing. You had wanted it.
There were ample towels to dry off with, you wrapped one around your head and one around your torso when you were finished, brushing your teeth with a spare toothbrush you found still in it’s packaging in one of his drawers. After that, you felt a little more human, looking in the mirror and noticing the lovemark Kendall had left on your neck. You knew it’d be a bitch to cover up. A few bruises on your hips left a roadmap of other places he’d touched you. Thinking about it again had your stomach flipping and you could feel yourself getting flushed.
But you couldn’t let your mind wander. You had to focus on your exit strategy.
Leaving the bathroom, you ducked to pick up the dress you’d worn the night before, that had been discarded on the floor, along with your bra and panties. You heard the sink running in the other bathroom - yeah, his fucking master bedroom had two bathrooms – and assumed Kendall was freshening up as well.
Now would’ve been a good time to sneak out. But the idea made less and less sense the more you thought about it. You knew deep down you would’ve never done it to begin with, because it was downright cruel. And you didn’t want to be cruel. You could have your dramatic mental breakdown about this later. You had to keep it together, for him.
“Here, let me help,” you were attempting to zip your dress back up as Kendall’s voice interrupted you, reentering the room. He had changed into a sweater and sweatpants.
Stepping behind you, he helped you zip the dress all the way up, squeezing your shoulder gently, and you turned around to face him. “Do you want breakfast or anything?” he asked.
You shook your head no. Really, you were overcome by the urge to ask him if he’d get back in bed with you just to cuddle. He looked so cozy in that fucking sweater. But that was no good, you figured. “No, I should probably get going, Ken.”
“Uh-huh, okay,” he pulled away from you slightly, looking a little wounded. Something you wouldn’t have noticed if you didn’t know him. “You okay?”
Fuck. You nodded, lying. “I’m fine, sorry. I just feel like I’m imposing.”
“Well, you aren’t,” he smiled lightly, reaching out to pull you closer to him, his hands steady on your hips, touch still igniting a flame within you. “But if you need to leave, let me at least walk you out. You want me to call a car?”
You shook your head no. “I don’t mind walking. But thank you.”
The walk would clear your head, or so you hoped. A smile teased at the corners of your mouth as you made your way down the hall together, pausing to put on your boots and grab your purse.
“So, is this it, then?” Kendall asked, stopping you as you were about to slip out the door, his hand clasped around your bicep, holding you back. You hadn’t hugged him, hadn’t kissed him since you’d gotten out of bed. His eyes were wide, earnestly searching yours. Oh my god, you really couldn’t refuse him. Not just from a physical standpoint but also just…because it was him. You couldn’t forget everything he’d been through. “Will I…can I see you again?”
You tilted your head. “Is that…what you want?”
Kendall nodded. “Uh-huh…I do, I- yeah. I do.”
“Okay then uh, maybe Friday?” It was only a couple days away. Hopefully by then you might have your thoughts sorted out.
“Of course, I’ll call you.”
You smiled, nodded, stepped towards the door but he stopped you again.
“Hold on, come here,” he said, pulling you close, into his arms. He kissed you again, reverently, hand cradling your face and slowly parting your lips with his tongue. Tears bit at the back of your eyes, overwhelmed by emotion - guilt, sadness, uncertainty, affection - spinning through you all at once. All that, and you still couldn’t help but smile against him, as he pulled away slightly, just to wrap you tightly back against him. Returning the hug, you let your fingers graze between his shoulder blades.
“Thank you,” he said into your ear. “For everything.”
“Of course, Ken,” you pressed your lips to his cheek, his eyes fluttered closed. “I’ll see you soon, okay? Take care of yourself.”
He nodded. “I will.”
--- --- --- --- ---
The phone rang several times before the person on the other end finally picked up.
“So let me guess, you’re finally jumping ship?”
You were sitting on your couch wearing sweats, curled up under a blanket, laptop open in front of you. On your TV were reruns of MasterChef, but muted, as you were more occupied with the person on the other line.
“Oh hey Stewy, glad to hear you’re doing well,” you answered, pushing back the cuticle on your ring finger with your thumbnail. “I’m doing great, thanks for asking.”
“Come on, you of all people should appreciate skipping out on general pleasantries,” he answered, clucking his tongue. He paused on the other line, lowering his voice before speaking again. “I know there’s only a handful of reasons you’re calling me.”
“Mhm,” you affirmed. “Care to guess which one?”
“Well, if you really wanted to make my day you can imagine what I’d like this phone call to be about…” he paused, and you rolled your eyes, even if he wasn’t there to see it. “But in light of current events I’d suspect the real reason isn’t fun.”
You chuckled lightly. Stewy was the biggest flirt you’d ever met in your career. It almost would’ve offended you, if he wasn’t equally as suggestive with every other person he met, Kendall included. In fact…maybe even more so with Kendall than anyone else. But that was an analysis for a later time. “Yeah, well I hate to burst your bubble, but it’s not fun.”
“That’s too bad. You know, I always figured you’d reach out. I’m just surprised it wasn’t sooner.”
Throwing the blanket off your lap, you stretched your hands over your head. “How do you mean?”
“Well, Kendall and I used to be friends…and uh, even considering that, I don’t think I’d last long working for him. You held out a lot longer than I expected. But then again, he did seem awfully….protective of you.”
“Kendall’s not the issue,” You said. Kendall was frequently, and currently, an issue, but…in a different way. “He is…was a good boss.”
“How’s he handling this news?”
“I don’t know,” you lied. “I mean, I’m sure he’s not thrilled but uh, hopefully he’ll figure things out.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll see about that. If you’re still on good terms with him, I’m surprised you’re calling me.”
You sighed. This man was kind of exhausting. Sometimes, you felt your brain wasn’t meant to work the same way the people in this world did. To you, there weren't a thousand thinly veiled messages being communicated in this call. Right now, you were just trying to find a job. “Well, you and I have always gotten along. And I trust you-”
“You shouldn’t-”
“Can you let me finish? Damn.” you snipped, sitting up straight and rolling your eyes. “I mean that in the simplest sense of the word.”
“Atta girl.”
It was easy to picture him now, leaning back in his chair with his feet on the desk, maybe strutting down some hallway with one of his hands in his pockets, the other holding his phone to his ear, always in a rush to get somewhere, each conversation he was running off to always more important than the last. Honestly, you were a little surprised he picked up at all.
“You’re a well connected guy, Stewy,” you said, standing up, beginning to pace around your small living area, stepping in between the cracks of your wooden floor absentmindedly. “And I’m looking for work. It kind of makes sense you might help me out. Keep an ear out, if you hear of anything.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. “I mean, I’ll see what I can do. I can give you the number of a good headhunter, for starters.”
“That’d be great.”
“Yeah, I’ll have my assistant send it over. You should send me your resume, too. And uh, don’t go hopping on to anything too quickly. Talk to me, first. And who knows? Ken might still need you.” He started to talk a little faster, which told you you maybe had 30 seconds before his attention was pulled elsewhere.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I don’t know. Logan can’t be the only one to make this decision, selling all of Waystar. There’s other people- hey, sorry, I gotta run to a meeting. But uh, yeah, let’s keep in touch.”
The line went dead before you could say goodbye and you sighed. All things considered, that went better than you were expecting. You just hoped it would pay off.
--- --- --- --- ---
The few days away from Kendall were exactly what you needed. It sounded counterintuitive, considering that he’d been on your mind most of the time. But you’d worked through the kinks.
You’d come to a conclusion, or really, a lack of a conclusion. Logistically, it was a bad idea to sleep with your former boss. Doing this was setting yourself to be hurt. There was no way it would ever work out. So you decided to keep doing it, anyways.
As someone who had spent all their life buttoned up, sacrificing their own happiness to do the right thing, the practical thing, the good thing, you were sick of it. It wasn’t fun. It wasn’t rewarding. It just made you more miserable. You wanted to do the bad thing. It felt good to do the bad thing. And if he needed someone, why couldn’t it be you?
One trembling hand reached out to open the front door of your apartment, finding Kendall on the other side. The last time he’d been here, you’d been unprepared. Hell, the last time you’d seen him, you’d been unprepared. This time, you’d cleaned your place, you’d made dinner, you’d showered, shaved, made sure your underwear was matching, spent the better part of your day just making sure you looked your best. At one point, while you were on your hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor, it dawned on you that Kendall had probably never had to do anything like this, and it sort of pissed you off a little, nearly making you reconsider inviting him over in the first place. But then you immediately changed your mind.
Now, you half wished you hadn’t invited him over here days ago, and that he would’ve just showed up without any plans in place. Because all of the preparation, all the anticipation, had given you too much time to think.
“Hey,” Kendall stepped over the threshold, into your space, looking around. He looked handsome, of course, wearing a fucking sport coat and brown pants. Underneath the blazer was a crisp white t-shirt, unbuttoned just enough so you could see just a peek of his chest hair. Coming into your place looking like a professor who you’d do anything for to pass his class. It kind of pissed you off.
“Hey,” You’d already started drinking before he arrived. Kind of because you didn’t want to be drinking in front of him, since it had seemed like he was trying to stop the last time you were together, but mostly because you were fucking nervous.
“I brought this,” he said, revealing a bottle of wine that had been tucked under his arm.
You let him place it in your hands, looking at the label. You knew very little about wine, but you knew that this particular winery didn’t sell bottles for anything less than $500. “Thank you, this is like….really fucking expensive.”
“Oh? I don’t fucking know. The guy at the place said it was good, so…it probably s.”
“Come on in,” you said. “I just made dinner, if you’re hungry.”
Kendall followed you in. “Maybe in a little bit. Unless you are…”
Shaking your head, you crossed your arms in front of your chest and leaned back against the counter to look at him. Your stomach was just doing constant summersaults, twisting into itself. You didn’t want to eat either. And you were sort of frustrated with yourself for being so on edge, considering that the last time you’d been together he’d been fucking you raw. It had been awhile since you intentionally spent time with someone you actually liked.
Kendall watched you set the bottle down on your countertop, hands trembling. You weren’t easy to read but he had picked up on things over the years, here and there. It was rare, really, for you to show any type of anxiety, uneasiness. In fact, out of most of his employees, he could always rely on you to be composed. Of course, he wasn’t going to call it out and make things worse. There was, in the back of his brain, the very real concern that he was here just so you could tell him you regretted everything. In fact, he sort of wanted you to say it, so then he wouldn’t spoil you any further. Everything he touched got fucked.
Even knowing that, he still reached out, tentative.
“You look beautiful,” Kendall stepped closer to you, one of his arms sliding around your waist. Something about his touch made much of the nervousness dissipate. He leaned into kiss you very slowly, eyes searching for your own, all warmth and sadness before they closed, his lips slotting with yours.
Immediately you wanted more. Wanted him to hoist you up onto the counter, push your dress up over your hips and let him have you however he liked, frantic, desperate. All he had to do was kiss you, it was pathetic. But Kendall hadn’t been into that when you were last together. And maybe you needed to exercise some self-control and let him take off his shoes first, at the very least.
But he seemed different this time, his hands wandering, one of them gripping your ass, the other holding you tightly to his chest. Humming against his mouth, you let him lift your leg to hook over your thigh. His hips pressed forward, pinning you in between him and the counter, gave him space to run his hands underneath the skirt of the dress you’d worn, casual but nice enough for a date.
Two fingers hooked in the waistband of your thong, dragging it down. “Wow, so eager,” you teased.
“I can’t stop thinking about you,” his voice was lower than usual, husky, filled with want. The warmth of his breath hit your neck, fanned out, his tongue grazed over the spot where he’d bitten you, now a fading bruise.
“Me too,” you whimpered when he sucked down on the still tender area, like he still knew it still hurt but wanted you to feel it anyway. You didn’t know how he was so good at guessing what would turn you on, but maybe it made sense, deep down. He’d known you for long enough. Maybe he paid closer attention than you thought.
You rutted your hips against his, desperate for some kind of friction, something to help quell the arousal burning between your legs. Kendall steadied you, holding you back, away from him, and you whined in protest, until he spoke. “I’m gonna take care of you,” he murmured. “Don’t worry.”
And then he dropped to his knees, one hand on each of your hips. Looking you at you, he pressed his chin to your stomach, pulling you flush with him. And he stayed like that for a moment, watching your chest rise and fall, feeling the goosebumps that rose on your skin.
When he finally tore his gaze away, you knew what he was going to do, but that still didn’t prepare you for it. One of his hands lazily dragged down to hook on the soft underside of your knee, lifting it over his shoulder.
Kendall’s head turned to press a kiss against the inside of your thigh. And you were trembling, not from nerves anymore, it was anticipation. He was moving so slowly, smirking at every noise you made, every hitch in your breath. You made fists in the shoulders of his dress shirt, longing for purchase, even though it gave you very little.
And he was nipping, sucking, trailing his mouth lazily, moving closer to where you wanted him. “These dresses you wear…” he chuckled. “You make it so easy for me, don’t you?”
You nodded. Maybe you hadn’t imagined this exactly, but it was part of the reason you’d worn one. “Ken,” you sighed, softly, one final sweet plea before his mouth latched onto your clit. You were so wet already, he sunk two fingers into you with nearly no resistance, all at the same time.
Crying out, you reached behind you to brace yourself against the counter, clinging to anything you could just to keep yourself from collapsing. You’d never met a man so eager to go down on you, so fucking desperate for it. Kendall was fucking moaning into your cunt, the vibration making you shake even harder, even in his steady hands.
He found a rhythm that had your toes curling, sobbing out his name, and he didn’t relent. Not even bothering to offer any dirty talk like before, his mouth was otherwise occupied, and he seemed focused, diligent. You were going to last an embarrassing amount of time, having spent the better part of the week daydreaming about him. Curling his fingers perfectly, over and over again.
You came within minutes, too easily, overexcited, or maybe because he knew how to play you like a fucking instrument. Legs buckling beneath you, you squeezed your eyes shut as he let you ride your orgasm out on his mouth and fingers. And then he was standing again, wrapping you up in your arms.
“Kendall, you really didn’t have to-”
He cut you off with a kiss, tasting yourself on his lips. “Shh,” he pulled away. “Enough of that.”
“Wanna go to my room?” you asked, giggling in between sloppy presses of his lips. He was really horrible, really, in the best possible way.
“Sure,” he said, tugging at the loose end of the scarf in your hair, the one he’d bought you as a gift years ago. You never thought he’d notice you wearing it in this context, trailing behind you to your bedroom where you praying he’d fuck you within an inch of your life.
He was palming at the zipper of your dress as you stumbled over the threshold, you turned around to claw at the buttons on his shirt, a bit more confident this time around, and better at unbuttoning them. Before you’d been thrown into this world, very few of your previous flings ever wore button downs, besides on special occasions. They were a little frustrating.
The problem with Ken going down on you was that it seemed to only make things worse, as in – that it only made you more needy for him.
After you’d haphazardly managed to get each other out of your clothes, your back hit the bed, he stepped between your legs and you reached for his cock, hard between you both. His head tilted backwards, eyes closing as you worked him with your hand. You really, really wanted to suck him off but you were also feeling a little bit selfish, so you resisted the urge. In his brief moment of surrender, you watched him carefully in the dim light of the room, his cheeks all pink and flushed, the way his throat worked as he swallowed hard between gasps.
“You’re great, you know that?” you asked him softly, and his chin tilted down, eyes snapping open to look at you. You thought it might’ve made him smile, briefly, something to break the tension. Because he was, and you’d always thought so, even despite seeing his worst parts. But instead, his brows drew together and he shook his head, cupping your jaw with one hand and answering you with a bruising kiss. His teeth trapped your lower lip and he bit down, pulling back until you mewled at him. All of that to avoid just saying that he didn’t believe you. Like if he vocalized it, only then would you realize it, too.
“I want you on top, understand?” he asked, and you nodded, moving to let him join you on the bed, straddling his hips. He sat up, hands squeezing your breasts, pinching your nipples, as you kissed him again, moaning into his mouth.
You lowered yourself onto him, slowly, as he was still above average and not entirely easy to take all at once. But he was patient with you this time, pressing his lips down the column of your throat, down your chest, latching on one of your nipples, groaning at the feeling of you around him.
When you were fully seated on him, tentatively swaying your hips, feeling him deep in the pit of your stomach, he wrapped his arms around your waist.
“You’re so good,” Kendall cooed. “So fucking good for me.”
“Just for you,” you answered, voice a hoarse whisper, gazing down at him through half-lidded eyes as your hips rocked forward.
It felt nice to be so close to him, you’d always wanted to feel this, never imagining how good it might really be, or that you’d be able to do it at all, so you savored every moment. You knew that was the point of all of this, perhaps, but it went deeper than fucking for you.
Kendall felt the same, even though your self-doubt wouldn’t always let you believe such a thing, you knew it to be true just from the look in his eyes, his fingers tangling in your hair while you moved languidly, lips locking. He met each rise and fall of your hips, you felt him deeper than you ever had.
When you came, shuddering and sighing, gripping him tightly, he let out a gasp that sounded pained, and in one swift moment was somehow able to flip you both over pressing down into the cradle of your pelvis. He was on top of you again, pinning your hands over both of your heads. “Ken-” you sighed, still throbbing around him, inhaling sharply as he drew back, fucking into you, determined. After one particularly deep thrust he came undone, filling you up, your name on his lips along with a few choice expletives.
You really were too good, too sweet, too loyal for him, but he couldn’t help himself. He wanted you anyways, he was greedy. He liked that you wanted him back, it almost had him believing maybe he did do something right, somewhere along the way, even if he had a long way to go.
In the afterglow, he held you, tucked under his arm, head resting on his chest, still trying to steady your breathing as his fingers trailed down your arm. Your eyelids were heavy, he was so warm. There was something about him that felt so….safe. And that was wrong, probably. But it wasn’t like you could tell yourself not to feel that way.
“So uh, before we got distracted I did have something exciting I was meaning to tell you,” Kendall’s voice, still husky from lingering arousal, cut through the silence.
“Hmmm?” you asked, looking up at him, mind still hazy and blissed out. “What’s that?”
“I’ve been talking to Roman and Shiv, bouncing around ideas, and uh, we realized there’s still a chance to save the company if we can convince the shareholders that dad’s not acting in their best interest.”
You stared at Kendall a minute, processing the information, what this meant. When it registered, you raised your eyebrows, blinking once and shaking your head. “Okay.”
“What?” Kendall asked. “What’s that face?”
“Nothing,” you lied. “I’m thinking.”
“What’s there to think about?”
So many things. You jerked your head forward, widening your eyes in shock to answer his question. Your lawyer brain started up. “You really want to do this?”
“Yeah, you know, fucking, we’ve gotta start reaching out, talking to people. But uh, if we can pull this off, we can get the company back,” he explained. “And then, get everything back on track.”
“Ken,” you sighed. “I thought you didn’t want to be CEO anymore. I thought you wanted to cash out.”
“Uh-huh, well, if this doesn’t work out then maybe, I just-” he began, and you rolled off of him, onto your back, covering your face with your hands. He stopped talking, and you felt him shift to face you, one of his hands carding through your hair. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I’m trying not to argue with you right now….because you just made me feel really good,” you shook your head. Dread was pooling in the pit of your stomach. This. This was why all of this was a bad idea. “I should’ve fucking known. Fucking Stewy tried to warn me,” you muttered.
“Stewy, what do you mean?” Kendall asked. “Have you been talking to him?”
You shook your head again, rolling your eyes before turning to Kendall. “Yeah, I called him Tuesday about helping me find a job.”
“Alright, what the fuck? What’d you do that for?” he said, irritable. “I told you I’d take care of you. Also like, I’m gonna fucking need you when I do this.”
“Oh, you’re going to need me?” you asked, raising an eyebrow. “Great. I’m so glad I get a choice in the matter.”
“So what, you don’t want this?”
“No, I don’t. I think it’s a poor idea.”
“Nice, cool. Fuckin’ uh, glad to see you’re supportive-” Kendall moved, sitting upwards, making to leave the bed but you grabbed his wrist first. He’d taken you so off guard with this, but now your brain was working a little better.
“Hey, Ken, stay here a second,” you softened your tone slightly, realizing you were coming in awfully strong, forgetting everything that had been going on for him the past few months. Also you weren’t interested in chasing him down through your apartment so scantily clad. He did, looking over at you with a surprisingly bitchy look on his face, one you’d seen probably a thousand times before. “Just let me finish.”
He stared at you, expectant.
You took a deep breath. “First of all, you need to do some soul searching as to why you think any critique of an idea you have is a declaration of hate because that’s not what this is. It’s not…it’s not that it’s a bad idea, okay?” you rescinded your words from earlier, even though you still very much thought it was a bad idea.
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt again,” you continued, pausing to gather the rest of your thoughts. “It’s….it’s been really hard for me to watch over the past few years because I care about you.”
Kendall sighed, expression softening as he lowered himself back down slightly. You continued. “I think you’re so smart and capable, and maybe all that energy could go into something else.”
“Uh-huh,” he turned back to you. “But this means a lot to me.”
“I know it does, I get it,” you sympathized. “But I want you to be happy. And I don’t know if putting yourself through this again is going to help.”
Kendall’s mind was already made up, you already knew. You weren’t going to be able to change it. “I’ve still got to try. Not just for me, but for Shiv and Roman. I can’t leave them hanging.”
“I understand,” you nodded. And you did. He’d caught you so off guard, you weren’t prepared for a conversation like this. Didn’t have the tools to fight him on it without it blowing up. So you backed down.
“And, I do need you,” he said, after a long pause. “I was gonna fly to LA on Monday.” I was hoping you could come along. You’re so good with this stuff.”
You should say no. But you knew you couldn’t. Why couldn’t you?
“After, we can spend a couple days in Acapulco,” was leaning towards you now. “Just the two of us in a private cabana, a hot tub overlooking the ocean, a bed big enough we wouldn’t have to leave it…”
He pulled you closer to him, hand on your waist, slowly trailing down to grip at your ass, squeezing roughly. Your eyes closed and you sighed, too pliant under his influence. But you knew if you were going to do this, you had to draw a line. I mean hell, it had been important to you, when deciding if you wanted to follow through with whatever the fuck this was between you both – that he was your former boss. Not your current one. And if you were back under his wing, well, that changed everything.
“Kendall that sounds lovely,” you said. Because it did. “But uh, if we’re going to be working together maybe this-” you gestured between the two of you. “Isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?”
You scoffed. “Uh….so many reasons? Morally, ethically, spiritually. Obviously, it’s an HR nightmare, and a huge potential scandal. And just…you know…boundaries. Like, we’re talking about work right now and I’m in bed with you. That’s not fun. I don’t want to do that.”
Kendall pursed his lips together, confidence in his eyes that rarely surfaced, and you liked, but in this situation found annoying. “Uh-huh well, I think you should reconsider.”
“Okay,” And if he was getting to play this game, then so were you. Because if you took it in any other direction you’d end up arguing. You paused for a minute, furrowing your brows and looking around the room, pretending to be deep in thought, before focusing back on him and nodding. “Yeah, I just did, and I still think it’s a bad idea.”
“Well, I shouldn’t be here, then.” Kendall sighed, removing his hands from you, which was unfortunate, and you realized, you did not want. At least not now. You didn’t want him to leave you like this. In a salty kind of way.
“Wait Kendall-” you hooked your leg over his hip, dragging him back towards you.“This doesn’t change that I like you. You can’t leave yet. I just need some time to think it over. We should enjoy tonight, at the very least.”
He glanced back at you, unamused. “Plus, you haven’t even had dinner yet, and, not to brag or anything, but I am a culinary school dropout.”
“Oh wow, you’re so impressive,” he said sarcastically, and then added after a moment, fondly. “I didn’t know that about you.”
“It was a long time ago,” you explained, climbing on top of him, knees on either side of his waist, you pressed your palms against his chest. He tried to look irritated, but the facade slipped when you tilted your head, running your finger down the bridge of his nose, over his lips, before giving him a cheeky grin. He wasn’t going to change the subject, distract you from getting what you wanted. “Please?”
He looked at you, the affection in his eyes betraying him before he could even give his answer. “Okay.”
Part IV
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Text
Whacky Gotham, Goofy New York, and Chaotic Paris
(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7)
Chapter 3: Kindred Spirits Always Find A Way To Assemble
•—–—–†–—–—•
Time: 5:30am
location: Louvre
Ladybug, Abeille, Bunnyx, Trickster, and Chat Noir are fighting an akuma, not anything major, just Mr. Pigeon and his pigeons trying to melt the Louvre with deadly acidic bird dropings, so yeah, nothing major. Just another early bird gets the akuma kinda day...
"Looks like the early bird is trying to melt the Louvre, what say you M'lady, shall we make this swift and- *Loud sneeze* Let me now *sneeze* when I'm *sneeze* needed" - Chat Noir
"For to long our kind has been oppressed, they feed us miserable seeds, when we beg for bread, we shall show them no mercy, as our justice shall be swift!" picks up two pigeons, holds them by their legs and aims the rear cannons "Surrender your Miraculous and your justice shall be swift and painless!!" with an evil villain laugh at the end bla bla bla.
" Anyone else getting Pigeon (French) Revolution vibes? No? just me? Cause I swear he said seeds instead of cake."
"Not the time Bunnyx." - Abeille
"Oh it so Is The Time." - Bunnyx
"Off with Mr. Pigeon Antoinette's Akumatized object!" - Chat Noir from a distance.
"Viva La Revolution!!!" - Trickster
"Dear Kwami, how did it come to a frickin Pigeon Revolution?!" - Ladybug
As the last line is said, Mr. Pigeon fires the -ehem- cannons at the heroes, only for them to be an illusion. In the confusion Bunnyx pops out of her burrow and wacks Mr. Pigeon on the head, effectively knocking him out.
"The Pigeon Revolution is over, we have taken back our home, and shall continue to defend it from the creepy Man of MOTH!!!!" - Bunnyx
and with that Bunnyx brakes the Akumatized object, and Ladybug purifies the akuma.
"Ok, I will admit that last speach was funny, now lets hurry back before hells bells go off." - Ladybug
•~—~—~—~—~—~—~•
" Bla bla bla, nothing important, bla bla bla bla, yada yada yada bla yada." - Mrs. Bustier
"'Viva La Revolution', that was perfect." - Whispering Alix
"It just came to me, but Chats 'Off with Mr. Pigeon Antoinette's Akumatized object' line and your 'Man of Moth' speech were really well timed !" -whispering Peter
"well of course, I'm always punctual with any time sensitive joke/pun." -whispering Alix
"Will you to zip it! we can't have these simpletons finding anything out!" -whispering Chloé
"Please, they all share a broken defective regect of a brain cell, I doubt they could ever put two and two together." -whispering Alix
"Hey, do you think we should start a protest in our classroom?" -whispering Peter
"... Viva.La.Revolution!" - whispering Chloé with a mischievous grin
"No." - Maria
•~—~—~—~ Later when Mrs. Bustier is out of class ~—~—~—~•
"I just don't know what to do." - Lie-la
" You think she finally realized how horrible that hair style is?" - Alix
"After visiting Gotham a few months ago I met Damian Wayne, you might've heard about him, he's just so amazing, kind-hearted, and brave. We had a wonderful time, but then he asked me out! And I don't want to hurt Parkers feelings, I care for both of them!" - Lie-la
"Man, she must be extremely full of it to keep pulling that sh-t out of her @ss every hour or so." - Alix
"Wow Peter, didn't know your cared for Ms. Rossi like that" - Chloé said in a sarcastic tone.
" I'd rather strap her to a supersonic rocket heading for a black hole, and I'm pretty sure this Damian Wayne would do the same... he probably has the money for it actually." - Peter
" Enough plotting, we still need to get enough money, if we want that summer trip, we've already crossed off: Baking sales, becoming a mime, jobs are out unless they're fine with you leaving right after joining, and we can't just ask for donations." - Maria
" I can use my MDC mon-" - Maria
"Oh hell no you won't! You worked your butt off to get that money, you said it yourself! That money is for when you apply to college! I refuse to let you waste your money on our ignoramus classmates!" - Chloé
Thankfully by now everyone was out of the classroom.
" Oh Kwami she's serious, she never uses her big words!" - Adrien
" Then what do you suggest Chloé?" - Maria
" I'll ask daddy to pay!" - Chloé
" I can also ask my father, he'll probably do it if Mr. Bourgeois puts in a donation." - Adrien
" But- " - Maria
" No! The decision is final all in agreement say aye!" - Chloé
"Aye!" - Everyone
"You've watched to many movies Chloé, fine, but please don't drastically overdo it." - Maria
" When have I ever drastically overdone something? Name one time." - Chloé
"Well, there was the time you over did it, by not sleeping for almost three weeks." - Maria
" and after that you got so fed up with one akuma that you kicked him with the force of a thousand suns down unda, you may have scared him for life after that honestly. " - Adrien
" Oh! or the time you went overboard with Peters B-day, and the cake landed on his face! - Alix
"Well in her defense, the cake was great, but it was kinda a mouthful." -Peter
"... I said name one time. (ー_ー)" - Chloé
•~—~—~—~—~—~—~•
Sooo, after all that happened Mr. Bourgeois, Fallowed by Gabriel Agreste, gave a very generous donation, so that solves that problem.And since I'm sure you don't want to see (More Lies) boring stuff, lets skip to two days before the trip begins.
〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜time skip " You're welcome, I'm here all eternity." - Bunnyx〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜
•—–· At Chloés Hotel ·–—•
"Ok are we sure we have everything?" - Maria
" Yes now can we please watch something already, we've triple, and even quadruple checked everything, we're good." - Alix
" I have to go out and inform Tempête and Vipère, before anything else, be back soon." - Maria then heads out calling upon the other heroes.
" So what do you need?" - Vipère
" Do you have a top secret mission for us?" - Tempête
" For the summer Abeille, Bunnyx, Trickster, and Chat Noir will be unavailable, unless they are truly needed, I however will be able to travel back and forth via portals for fights. Paris will be in your care while we aren't here." - Ladybug
"It is our honor, we shall defend Paris with our lives." - Tempête
" Agreed, enjoy your summer." - Vipère
"Thank you, stay safe."  and with that Maria headed back to the hotel prepared to watch movies, only to be bombarded with questions as soon as she got back.
" HOLD UP! You know MAGIC?!" - Alix
" When were you going to tell us?!" - Chloé
"So cool, how does it work?" - Peter
" Can you teach us?!" - Adrien
" Spots-Off, yes I know magic, I swear I've told you before. Do you want a demonstration?" - Maria
They all shook their heads excitedly.
" Ok well, I'm able to Heal myself if I get hurt, but I don't wish to hurt myself just for that, I can also increase my Luck with magic, as well as Communicate/ Manipulate plants, and see peoples Souls, thanks to Tikki. I learned Protection magic thanks to Wayzz, and Illusion magic thank  to Trixx. I'm also learning Teleportation from Kaalki, which I've almost completed, and Mutitude from Mullo, which still needs work." - Maria
" If you can really talk to plants, what did we do earlier while you where out, hmmmmm?" - Alix
Maria then walks over to the roses near the couch and whispers to them, after a moment she turns back to her friends, and calmly says "Traitors."
" What do you mean?" - Peter
" You continued watching Star Wars: Clone Wars Without me!" - Maria
" Ok we believe you, but does this mean we can also use magic?" - Adrien
"Hmmm, let me see" as she says this her eyes start to glow an almost ethereal icy blue.
" Why are you eyes glowing?" - Chloé
"Looking at you souls... ok" she then claps her hands and her eyes go back to normal "Adrien, you can use slight Destruction magic on objects, if you use it on a person it would just cause them extreme pain, you can also cast Bad Luck on someone, so I guess thats good, and you can also learn slight Jubilation magic. Peter you can learn Illusion, and Protection magic. Chloé you can Learn Subjection, and Multiplication magic. And Alix, you can learn Evolution, Intuition, and Teleportation magic." As Maria finished, she saw the star struck looks in their eyes at the thought of learning magic became obtainable for them.
"Teach us!" they all bowed only to get a laugh from Maria in response.
"You would have to ask the Kwamis that, I only know what I know thanks to them." - Maria
And for most of the night they all started practicing magic. And when they woke up, they continued to practice, they had fun and were really enjoying it.
Then came the day Maria and her friends were to head for Gotham, and it was hectic, but everyone made it in one piece after an 8 hour flight, which at this point Maria was glad she sent all of her important luggage ahead of time, because somehow her luggage with only her toiletries and pyjamas was stolen, so all she had now was her back pack on her and the Miracle box in a Pocket dimension (thanks to the training from Fluff and Kaalki)
Lila was annoyed, when Maria didn't even care that she lost her bag with all her stuff (jokes on you she sent that one to the hotel 2 days ago HA!) they ended up checking into the hotel, everyone was with someone, Peter was with Adrien, Chloé was with Alix, and Maria... just had the Kwamis, yup that's right, apparently Lila has a condition that prevents her from being in any room below a quality vip room, so now she was upgrade and without a roommate, good for Lila, and Lucky for Maira, because now she doesn't have to worry about someone noticing her climbing out the window to go free-running across rooftops as Multimouce.
Around 7:30 pm. everyone heads out for lunch... and they leave Maria behind.
"Of course this happens." and with that she asked the receptionist for the directions to where her class went, afterwards she went out and proceeded to get lost, after trying to retrace her steps, she just got lost quicker, and her phone was at 20% what luck.
After walking for a little bit, she had decided to take a break, and as she leaned up against a wall, she closed her eyes.
'Maybe if I search for the receptionists Soul I can find my way back.' as she was doing this, she saw souls of all colors walking by, she even noticed a dark emerald green soul, and a dark blue soul across the street on a rooftop... and then she felt her hair stand on end, a few feet to her right was a bloody rust looking soul, she could tell it was a male, late 20s, average build, and 5'11, he was targeting her. As she opened her eyes  she did a quick scan of her seroundings, noticing an alley, she started to walk again. Sensing the slight increase in speed from the man now behind her, as he got closer, she made a sharp left into the alley, she made it a few feet in before the man started laughing and walking closer, she saw the disgusting look in his eyes, and the outline of a gun in his front left pocket.
"Come on now girlie,  I just wanna talk."
" I am good thankz." she made sure to add an accent to make him feel like he had an upper hand, which seemed to work, if his sickening smile was anything to go off of.
He stepped closer and Maria (the little genius she was) decided to act nervous, which only lowered the guys gaurd even more, once he reached to grab her in a quick motion she proceeded to do this.
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She held the guy in a lock until he fell unconscious. As she stood up, she noticed a hand reaching for her, she then grabbed the hand and flipped the figure over her shoulder hard, hearing a yelp from the man as she did so.
When she realized who she had flipped over, her face turned bright red
"Mon dieu, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you are you ok Monsieur Nightwing?!"
"Yeah I'm fine and don't apologize, reflexes like that are key to survival here in Gotham, isn't that right Robin.... Robin?"
When Nightwing didn't get any sound from Robin he looked over to see the boy a blushing mess, then Robin snaped out of it, cuffing the mugger, and turning his attention to the girl.
" Ehem. Mam it's dangerous to be out here at this time alone, please allow us to take you wherever you need to go." - Robin
"Oh thank you um, do you know where Wayne Hotel is? I was supposed to go with my class to dinner, but they... “forgot” me, I decided to try and meet up with them, but I failed horribly." - Maria
"Wait they just left you? and in Gothan of all cities?! What kind of teacher does that?!" - Nightwing
" An instegator." - Maria said under her breath in French, she didn't notice the slight shock on both their faces from what she said.
"Anyway lets get you to your hotel before it gets any later." - Nightwing
"Thank you again." - Maria
She arrived safely, thanks to Nightwing and Robin, she thanked them one more time and went inside, when she got to her room she found her friends pacing back and forth in the room, Chloé and Peter looking like they would soon become two people on a mission to find her, but thankfully she was back, she of course had to answer alot of questions, but that was no big deal. After answering all their questions, everyone went to their rooms, and fell asleep, they had a big day tomorrow afterall... ... and then Marias' Akuma alert went off, ok so it took about thirty minutes to defeated the akuma 2 more before she could cure anything and another 5 minutes before she could head back to her room, and it was now 2am, but she could still wake up early right? hehe (・–・;) right?
No, the answer was no she couldn't, well technically she was up on time for when the bus "should" have started getting ready to leave, BUT turns out Lila SOMEHOW, managed to get everyone on board without even thinking of her an hour early! Maria asked for directions once again, and the receptionist had a worried and apologetic look on her face, Maria thanked her again, and headed out, this time however, she made it without getting lost and without getting mugged, Yay! She even had enough time to get a coffe (Tim special was a wierd name but oh well it did the job pretty well) from a shop near by (double yay!) before entering the WE building.
" You have to start the tour! we've been here for an hour and thirty minutes already!" - Ms. Bustier
"Like I said before, I will not start the tour until your student gets back, and if they don't get back, then we better hope nothing happened to them, or else it's your fault for your negligence." - Tour guide
"Sorry I'm late, the bus left earlier than what we scheduled, why didn't you inform me about the change?" - Maira
"Lila said you were the one who made the changes and that you were just trying to get attention, I am VERY disappointed in you Maria, now apologize to your class for delaying the tour!" - Ms Bustier
"I think you mean “I'm sorry we left you behind in a city where murder happens to young kids on a daily basis” now you apologize to Your student that is Your responsibility." - Tour Guide with a glare that could kill a thousand armys
Ms. Bustier proceeded to apologise to half the class's disbelief.
"Alright then, now that thats all taken care of, Hello and welcome to Wayne Enterprise, where we focus on making Gotham and the world a better place. I'm Dick Grayson, and I'll be you tour guide for today."
As the tour went on Maria stood at the front with her friends, she took notes of everything that was said, and she ignored whatever nonsense Lila was spouting, somthing about saving or dating Damian Wayne, she didn't really care.
When the lunch break came, she sat with her friends until she needed a long overdo refill on her coffee, she walked over to the coffee machine and started figuring what combination will keep her brain working for the rest of the day.
"Press button 3 followed by 5, 6, 8, 1, 2, 4, 9, and 7, that is the ultimate coffee mixture, if your mortal self is up for the challenge." - Sleep deprived guy
"I accepte." she presses the buttons in the exact order and then " Wait none of the cups are big enough."
"Here, secrect cup, from beyond the mortal realm." - Sleep deprived guy
" Thanks" she grapped the very large cup, and filled it with coffee till it was almost to the rim, she put the lid on and instantly took a big sip from the scolding hot coffee (she can heal, her tongue's fiiiiiiine)
"... Not bad, taste similar to the Tim Special I had earlier, but maybe a bit stronger." - Maria
" Kindred Spirit, let us be friends, you have drank the sacred coffee and are now immortal, congrats." - Sleep deprived guy
"It was not easy, but I have come this far, and I shall go the distance with nothing but coffee in my veins." Maria said in a serious tone as they shook hands "I am Maria, keeper of all nighters, and who might you be, my kindred spirit."
"I am Tim, the keeper of sacred coffee and all that is unholy."
"It was an honor to meet you Sacred Tim, may the coffee gods guide you in your journey, sadly we must part ways, for the lunch break is over, farewell..." and with that Maria left to rejoin the group.
"Dear god where the hell did you get that much coffee?!" - Chloé
"Kindred Spirits always find a way to assemble." - Maria
"Huh, so there is someone out there who is also a sleep deprived child." - Alix
The tour continued, and Maria noticed their tour guide kept looking at her with growing concern as she slowly made her way through the lovely coffee, she finished the cup within 1 hour and 30 minutes, and most of the staff kept looking at her as she now held the empty unholy cup, that was said to put people (that weren't chosen by the coffee gods) into caffeine induced commas, but she was fine, if anything she was more awake than yesterday and today combined. So yeah Today had a rocky start, but I'd say things are only just beginning.
•—–—–†–—–—•
〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜 Bonus Art 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜
This is what it looks like from Marias' normal vision, to her Soul Vision (~‾▿‾)~
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Chapter 3 completed, hope you're all having a wonderful day, and staying positive BUG-OUT 🐞💮🐞
〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜 Tag List 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜
1st Place★: @animegirlweeb ☕
2nd Place★: @jumpingjoy82
3rd Place★: @zalladane
4th Place★: @jayjayspixiepop
5th Place★: @arty-shadow-morningstar
6th Place★: @smol-book-nerd
7th Place★: @irontimetravelflower
8th Place★: @fandom-trapped-03
9th Place★: @meme991001
10th Place★: @buginetye
11th Place★: @blackroserelina
12th Place★: @jessigurl-design
13th Place★: @adrestar
14th Place★: @moon5608
15th Place★: @little-bluestar
16th Place★: @batgirljr72
17th Place★: @myazael
18th Place★: @our-preciousss
19th Place★: @wolf2118
20th Place★: @nyx-in-line
21st Place★: @kking13
22nd Place★: @lunerlover2024
23rd Place★: @moonlightstar64
24th Place★: @corporeal-terrestrial
25th Place★: @kashlyn
26th Place★: @tbehartoo
27th Place★: @heart-charming
28th Place★: @solangelo252
29th Place★: @t1dwarrior-of-earth
30th Place★: @lady-phoenix-of-tardis
@lupagrimm
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sagemusesoutloud · 3 years
Text
Anti-Romantic, Part 2
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(credit to the original owner of the image)
Character | Jaehyun x reader
Genre | nonidol!au, Mutual Pining, Slowburn, Fluff
WordCount | 2 K (bitesized for your convenience lol)
Author'sNote | I know this is kinda short, but I've decided not to rush the ending. I'm for sure not drag it out too much, but the slowburn reaaaally got to me and I ended up liking more than I orginially thought, so! I'll be back to post Part 3 tomorrow!
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
I know that you love me, It makes me deeply drunk
You’re like champagne, I shouldn’t do this
You’re at the base of the stairs to your apartment complex when he pulls up. The window on the passenger side rolls down.
“Hurry! I think they’re about to wash the machines at the ice cream shop!” he reaches over and opens your door while you grab your two bags and your pillow. You loved him, you really did, but he had the flattest, most uncomfortable pillows in the world in his guestroom.
“What? Why didn’t you stop there before picking me up? It’s not like you don’t know what I like.” You’re trying to move all your stuff to the backseat as he pulls away.
He sighs, “Thank you Jae, you’re so nice to pick me up,” he mutters. You’d be a bit apologetic if it wasn’t for the grin he was trying to hide. “I’ve already spent most of my ‘special’ day alone, thanks to someone who had to bail on me. I wanna spend the rest with you.”
“I knew it, it bothered you didn’t it?” You accused while fastening your seatbelt. “Next time, just tell me, I know it seems as if I know everything but I actually can’t read minds.” You knew he was just messing with you but for some reason his words cut at the guilty feeling you were trying to push away. “I actually got you something this time around, it’s why I wanted to see you before the day ended.”
Jae parks the car outside the shop before turning to you, “wait, did you really get me something?” You sigh, offended, “well, if you don’t want it or don’t like the idea of it, then I can still return it.”
“I just thought of you when I saw it…” crap, it’s too soon for you to go anywhere near that subject.
“That’s not what I meant,” he shakes his head, “It’s just been a while since we shared birthday gifts.” You look away from him. If he kept this up, you’ll start to regret calling him. Your hands were slightly shaking with the effort of not reaching over and pouring all your feelings into him. Unlike what you’re used to, he was dressed down with a simple t-shirt and grey sweats. He looked so soft, and domestic. You hated how much you loved it. At least for work, you had both always been professionally dressed, which was a nice barrier for your thoughts. If you dressed professional, you felt professional. This helped control your thoughts. But now that you were here with him, it was definitely harder to keep track of your thoughts.
Today was a day for him, not for you. You took in a deep breath as you turn to look at the shop. It looked like they were getting ready to start closing duties. Even if you weren’t looking at him, you could feel your heart race with acute awareness to his proximity in the small car. He was waiting for a response.
You open your door, “yeah well…if we don’t hurry, we won’t get those diabetes-inducing bombs you’re so fond of. And this all would have been for naught.” You needed to get a grip, fast.
I can clearly see the end, Worse than a hangover
It will be hard, Now, Just end it somewhere here
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“I can’t believe you told them it was my birthday,” he groaned, pushing off his shoes at the door. You followed suit.
“Of course I did, it meant free goodies!” You raise the plastic bag with macarons. “It just sucks that they’re all valentine’s themed.” You make your way to the kitchen to put away the snacks you brought, dumping your overnight bag at the door of the guestroom. Maybe if you kept the heart-shaped gift out of sight, it won’t make you as nervous with him.
“I brought your fave by the way, chocolate covered almonds and gummy bears,” you call out. He appears in the kitchen, hair out of his way with a headband. Be still my heart, you thought. You decide to hyper-focus on placing some snacks on a plate to bring to the living room.
“So, what’s the plan?” He reaches over you to grab a water bottle from the fridge, brushing your hip with his front. No no no no no no no!
Was he teasing you? You knew that your face would give you away, you could feel how warm your ears and cheeks were. You hated how honest your face was, and it didn’t help that Jae knew you like the back of his hand. Maybe this is how he is nowadays? Flirty and confident? You’d be lying if you didn’t find it attractive, but not when his attention was only directed at you. You felt like you were slowly suffocating but even that wouldn’t stop the warm light that seemed to burst from your chest.
It seemed so easy to pretend you were closer to him, to pretend this happened all the time. That you were close enough to reciprocate his flirty actions.
“uh, em,” you clear your throat, “actually, I remembered you wanting to see that movie last time we hung out. I have it ready in my apple tv account.” You back away with the tray, “can you also grab me a water?” your throat was suddenly parched.
You settle in the couch, grabbing the throw blanket behind you. Any physical barrier you could place between you, you’d take it gratefully. “You remembered? That was almost three months ago, when the trailer came out.” He handed you your water and grabbed at the corner of the blanket nearest to him, covering himself with it and moving closer to you so that you both could fit under it.
“Jae, there’s another blanket on your side of the couch,” you wanted to feel embarrassed but you just felt an unexpected giddy feeling at him wanting to be near you. “Yeah but it’s my birthday and this blanket is my favorite,” he says as he pulls you closer and wraps his arm behind you on the couch.
“here, put in your credentials so we can start the movie,” he hands you the remote.
You suddenly thank your lucky stars that the movie was an action packed one and not a romantic one. You couldn’t help but sink further into his side, wanting to be comfortable. As the movie starts, he takes the remote from your hand and wraps your arm around him. “I’m cold, keep me warm,” he mutters. Oh sweet Jesus.
Back in the day, this wouldn’t have been something new. Your friends knew you were very heavy with the affectionate touches. A hug, sharing seats, even holding hands. You never shied away from it because it was part of how you showed your friends that you loved them. Some of your friends were also this way, so it was never weird. But now that you’re older, and now that it’s been a long long time since you’ve been close to someone else, the once innocent touches Jae was giving you felt like hot brands across your shoulders and under your arm. If you focused enough, you could feel his hard work at the gym in the way your softness gave way to the hard contours of his leg that pressed against yours and how your shoulder leaned against his chest.
This was going to be a long movie.
You prayed that Jae wouldn’t ask you what the movie was about, you only had enough sanity to pay attention to the first fifteen minutes. It was all a blur after Jae pulled you half over on his lap, “you’re hogging the blanket, move over,” was the only excuse he gave.
Now, your legs were tangled with his and you sat almost on his lap, his arms encircling you from behind. He felt so soft and every little movement made your skin break out in goosebumps. You felt like a live wire about to explode.
“D-did you like it?” you started shifting to the side so you could face him but he held you tighter in place, resting his chin on your shoulder. “yeah, it was pretty good, we have to wait for the end credits though. I heard that they’re starting to give hints about The Eternals.”
“Did you like it?” he squeezes your middle.
Did you? You’re not sure, but you sure as hell loved the attention you were getting for the past two and half hours. “Yeah, all Marvel movies are great,” you finally concede.
“Wanna watch another one? You can pick this time,” his hand started tracing through your arm as you waited for the stupid end scene that was taking too long to start. Is it getting hot in here?
“Sure, whatever you want,” you mutter. He could have asked you for the most ridiculous thing and you would have still agreed to it.
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Jae wakes with a start, the room was dark, the only light came from the still on TV. A show was playing softly, the clock under the tv read 3:45 am. He felt pretty hot, was the A/C not working?
He begins to shift when he realizes the position you both are in. Your legs were still tangled together, as if unconsciously refusing to let go of the proximity. You gripped his shoulder, your breath hitting his neck as you slept soundly on top of him. God, if this is a dream, let me never wake up, he thinks.
He usually hates being too close to someone, any sort of intimacy was bad news to Jaehyun. Either emotionally or physically, he kept everyone at a distance because he had seen it too often. How people settled for something they weren’t sure of and hurting those involved. He was aware he was too logical sometimes, but it’s what he knew to protect himself. Moments like these, they only lead to expectations and empty feelings, leaving behind only pain that even time couldn’t heal sometimes.
But why was he finding it so hard to untangle himself from your embrace? He should go to his bed and sleep comfortably, but at the same time, having you in his arms felt just right. Like two pieces of a puzzle finally coming together.
He could smell the light scent that was you and it almost made him squeeze you closer, as if it was possible. You smelled of spring, a light floral scent that reminded him of better days.
He was glad he woke up, he was going to enjoy every second of peace this brought him. He would store it in a little box and hold on tightly when the cold reality came back. As he fought with his drowsiness, he felt you nestle closer. He kissed the crown of your head as he finally gave in to sleep. I hope I dream of you… If this was love, he finally understood why sometimes the pain was worth a shot.
So stupid, sweet love song, extravagant rom-com
As much as I was happy, on the receipt there’s a red line
EndNote | I know this chapter was pretty short. In all honesty, I had written something else before deleting it entirely and starting again, but I really like the direction the story is going now. Hopefully I can update Part 3 tomorrow, but I'm really excited about it!
Previous: Part 1 | Next: Part 3
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transxfiles · 3 years
Note
top 10 scooby doo media tell me all about it
This was so hard but uhhhh
(btw these are not rated objectively they're rated by how much i like them so keep that in mind sometimes i do have bad/questionable taste)
1. Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost
this is hands down my favorite scooby-doo movie of all time it's so wonderful... the animators writers hell even the voice actors were clearly riding the high from zombie island this movie has all the charm and mystery of zombie island but a bit more lighthearted and now velma-centric which is all i need in a piece of scooby-doo media. 100% perfect comfort movie also shoutout to the writers for coming up with the hex girls for this film that's right this film is where the hex girls originated its all coming together best lesbian movie of all time for sure.
2. A Scooby-Doo Valentine (What's New, Scooby-Doo?)
without a doubt the best episode of the best scooby doo tv show what's new scooby doo is so good on its own but the valentine's day special goes HARD. epic chase scene dopplegangers trope AND velma and daphne are living together while fred and shaggy are roommates? fun concept fun execution surprisingly lgbt if yknow what i mean and it's also just a lgiht and fluffy + creepy valentine's day ep that holds a special place in my heart <3 PLUS daphne meta humor :D
3. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island
objectively one of the best scooby doo films (AND animated films) of all time. fucked me up as a child. was one of the most expensive direct-to-video vhs tapes the year it was released. the animation and writing went SO HARD the daphne arc is epic the mystery gang's dynamic is all i want and more the french lady is evil AND there's like 4 different mysteries stacked on top of each other and NONE of them ever get solved fuck yeah FUCK YEAH!! + the soundtrack by skycycle fucks SO HARD i listen to "it's terror time again" once a week i know all the words and did i mention "the ghost is here"??? ph my god oh my god
4. What a Night for a Knight! (Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?)
the first scooby doo episode EVER to air on tv and you watch it and you know why it was an immediate hit the opening lines are literally hilarious like [scooby and shaggy are walking down an abandoned road at night] [they notice a car on the side of the road with a suit of armor in the driver's seat] and shaggy's first reaction is to say "well it looks like he was out for a KNIGHT!!" and scooby and shaggy loose their shit laughing except the animation budget was like 1 cent exactly so its really choppy and SO GOOD also shoutout to the o.g. mystery machine for being the MOST DISORGANIZED VEHICLE i've ever seen in my LIFE i love it i love it so much
5. The Scooby-Doo Project
scooby doo went ape making a blair witch spoof and it's highly implied that all the weird events are caused by scrappy just fucking with them all what can i say it's a masterpiece. the animation is so so cheap but so so fun and the idea of the gang doing a bunch of dumbass stuff bc they're teenagers and having shaggy video it on a camcorder bc they're teenagers is beautiful immaculate showstopping and incredibly in-character shoutout to cartoon network for understanding the assignment for once.
6. Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders
shaggy gets an ALIEN GF and like aliens are real but they're KIND and they just want to GET TO KNOW US A LIL BETTER and the animation is so pretty and i love the setting but points off for having the scientists be evil that never sat right with me as a child and also POINTS OFF FOR TAKING SHAGGYS ALIEN GF AWAY WHAT WERE YOU THINKING YOU SICK FU- [i am dragged away from the hanna-barbera department of warner brothers two ppl in 'security' uniforms]
7. Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo
so so fun you can tell this was made moments before warner brothers decided to kill the entire scooby-doo wing's animation budget the story's cute the art is pretty (it's not AMAZING mind you but it's sweet and fun to look at and the chase scenes are well animated) scooby isn't over-anthropomorphized i LOVE velma's sister she's so much fun, the magic school setting is epic the mystery is superb the GRYPHON as the villain is fantastic i would watch this movie on repeat as a kid and tbh i still do 10/10 perfect for a rainy day :)
8. Scooby-Doo (2002)
i know this is a somewhat controversial opinion in the scoobysphere but this movie fucks hard. its super fun to watch the characters are just over the top enough without it being completely weird i can tell the actors did their homework, sarah michelle geller as daphne is impeccable casting and matthew lillard was so good at shaggy in this film that he's still doing shaggy's voice on-and-off for scooby doo media. i love the way the movie looks, the plot and setting are super fun, and scrappy as the villain healed so many wounds left in my soul by the scooby doo and scrappy doo show.
9. Mystery 101 (Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!)
okay so i was reluctant going into be cool scooby doo but it's hilarious the daphne characterization is on point (they make her weird she's a weirdo you see these puppets she never takes them off her hands) and OF COURSE velma would have the dewey decimal system memorized. be cool scooby doo isn't my favorite of the incarnations of the mystery gang but this episode is so funny and definitely worth a rewatch every now and then!!
10. The Caped Crusader Caper (The New Scooby-Doo Movies)
this episode is literally so so dumb (affectionate) but it's hilarious and very fun i love watching batman and robin run around with the mystery gang i truly cannot say if this piece of scooby media was actually good or if i just loved it bc it was like one of the 3 scooby doo dvds i actually owned (the dvd itself was the brave and the bold crossover collection with 3ish eps on it) but it still holds a special place in my heart :D
so yeah that's about it!! a lot of these replies are very biased and i'm sure my opinions will change soon but this is it for now. also side note but there definitely would be at least 1 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo episode on here but it's been so long since i've rewatched that series that i can't remember exact episodes. the one where shaggy's bike gets stolen / the counterfeit money one is really good!! 10/10 understood the assignment.
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inessencedevided · 3 years
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(You can find the set that this gif belongs to here 💙)
From planning to posting, share your process for making creative content!
To continue supporting content makers, this tag game is meant to show the entire process of making creative content: this can be for any creation.
RULES: When your work is tagged, show the process of its creation from planning to posting, then tag 5 people with a specific link to one of their creative works you’d like to see the process of. Use the tag #showyourprocess so we can find yours
I was tagged by @aheartfullofjolllly. thank you so much Pat! it was really fun to reflect about my own process 💗 You can find her post here and @lan-xichens' post that started it all here :)
Also thank you @huigusu 🥰 (who tagged me for my nie brothers set) I'll get to that one in a few days!
Now Pat gave me two sets to chose from to show my process, so obviously I chose the more complicated one :P
I only work in Photoshop CC 2018. I know that there are programs out there for easier cutting and sharpening but I have only just figured out how to do that in PS and I am too lazy to figure out any other programs right now xD
1. Idea and Planning
This set, like most of my sets with lyrics started with me reading the poem, clutching my heart and going "oh shit this fits my favourite characters!!". The idea actually started with me thinking that the first stanza of the poem would go really well with wwx during the burial mounds arc. Then I realized that the last stanza fits lwj better than him and from there came the idea to contrast the both of them next to each other. This is when I realized I wanted to do a dark-light contrast set, though I did not know that I would go with red and blue at that time. My idea in the beginning was just to do a black and white set
I was really impressed by how Pat said that she plans her sets around exact timestamps. Because I don't do that at all ^^ I just get ideas for which scenes would fit (in this case the wwx burial mounds scenes and lwj's kneeling and punishments scene) and then I watch the scenes to narrow them down.
Back when I made this set, I still used a screenrecorder (AceThinker Screen Grabber Pro to be precise. They have a test version that allows you to record up to 3 minutes) and recorded the scenes I needed from Netflix. This worked well enough but now I have the entire show saved on an external drive and it makes a world of difference when it comes to gif sharpness
Now, in this case I had to repeat this step once because when I was almost finished, I realized that I wanted a gif for the lwj corner but let's pretend I didn't do that and that's the way this gif was always going to look because otherwise this post will be way too long ^^
2. Creation
Short disclaimer: The creation process for this gifset was anything but linear. Multiple effects I used here were things I had never tried before. I just had a vague idea and tried to realize it through trial and error. So whenever I say "then I did xyz", it is implied that I ultimately went back to that step several times and changed stuff ^^
I started with the Wei Wuxian part of the gif. I usually use a frame rate of 0,06 (with some variation depending on gif length and size). I work in timeline so I converted all the layers to a smart layer. Then I resized the gif into a square, leaving big chunks of the gif empty (as can be seen below.) I flipped the gif horizontally, so he is looking inwards. This was simple because I felt it fitted the composition better. Then I imported the Lan Wangji part of the gif, again with a frame rate of 0,06. (Image 2)
After that I created a layer for masking in a separate PS document by rotating a square until it was point down (is that a rhombus?). I sized it to match my gif (540x540 pxl) and copied it over. (Image 3) a bit of masking magic and ta da! There's the basic layout (Image 4)
I put a layer of solid black behind wwx to get rid of the transparent bits (Image 5) and then started adding more white and black to both sides by adding solid whit and black layers that i put masks on and changed the opacity as i needed (Image 6)
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("reading" direction: from the upper left to the lower right corner)
Then I fiddled with the colours a bit. The first thing I always do is using the curves layer to get more contrast. Then I use the colour balance tool and the selective colouring tool to get rid of that cql-typical cyan tint after that it's just trying to have it look "natural" while the colours still fit the overall scheme. This was difficult here because wei Wuxian’s side of the gif was very dark and when i turned up the saturation to see which colour dominated it was a very weird mixture of multiple colours. That's when i decided that I'd just go with red on his side, since lwj's side was already so blue and those to look great as contrasts.
After that just came a lot of fiddling with selective colour layers and brightness and contrast unti I has happy. There really wasn't much to it ^^. (Image 1)
After that I added the text. I knew I wanted the two lines to for a square of some kind. So I tried different fonds until I arrived at the one below. The two lines are in seperate layers so I could move them around and change the spacing between the letters until I was happy with the layout. I also changed the layer mode for the text to "difference" (is that what it's called in english? my PS is set to german sorry ^^), keeping their colour white. (Image 2)
I originally hadn't planned adding anything else but I felt like the gifs (plural because I switched between the gifs of this set) was still kind of empty and lacking, so I added the tear down the middle (a tutorial for that is either coming up later or already posted. I recently got an ask for this :)) (Image 3)
It still felt empty after that, so I tried different overlays. Okay no, first I wasted a lot of time on different free image sides but then I tried out different ones until I chose the one you can see in the finished gif. I liked that one because a) I felt the round shape was a nice contrast to all the straight lines already there and b) because once I applied a black and white filter to it and switched the layer setting to "difference" (again, i hope this is the correct translation) it looked a bit like a moon. (Gif at the top)
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("reading" direction: from left to right)
And that's it! :)
Although in general, these gifs took so much fiddling! I went back and forth between them a lot and sometimes almost redid the entire thing because I had no idea what I was doing in the beginning and by the time I noticed an error, the only way to fix it was ti redo everything. So yeah, this set definitely is the the one that took me the longest out of all the ones I've posted so far.
3. Posting
I save all my gifs to my drafts first to see what they look like put together and to check if they look any different on mobile. Usually i do this several times and change stuff until I'm happd enough with it to hit post. Once i am happy enough, i can't hold back. Doesn't matter if it's at a time when nobody is online, i hit post 😅
And that's it!
Tagging:
@lanwuxiann for this gifset (I adore it so much. I've looked at it and read it severat times since you posted it and the poem just kills me every time!)
@suibianjie for this gifset (The combination of static images and gifs in your gifs is always absolutely perfect! This one is only my favourite of yours because the light coming from behind wwx is just so pretty!!! ^^)
@sweetlittlevampire for this piece (It was soooo hard to pick a piece of yours because I have so many favourites! But this one is just so out if this world, I want to know how you worked that magic :D)
@wei-gege for this set (sparkling shijie! 😭 that set is so incredibly beautiful! I love how you matched the colour of the overlay with her dress!)
@purplexedhuman for this set (your gifs are always incredible! I chise this one because it showcases both your colouring skills and some really intricate effects)
If any of you have already been tagged or don't have the time or energy for this, obviously no pressure to do this at all! 🥰
(btw, I originally tried to place the actual text of this under a "read more" cut but somehow it always messed with the order of the images, so this ended up as a rather long post. sorry!)
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stardestroyer81 · 3 years
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On September 11th, 2020, I posted this, a teaser for a 'faux Earthbound-inspired project' featuring four brightly colored silhouettes of its four main characters. The concept and characters were shrouded in mystery up until April 7th of the following year, where I posted yet another teaser in the form of an in-game screenshot, revealing the character of Lauren Henley and the project's placeholder title, Project 2000.
In that post, I mentioned that Project 2000 isn't the project's final name, and that I would be unveiling its true name later on down the line. The truth of the matter was that I could have gone and revealed the true name as early as... well, 2020 if I wanted to. But a lot of the project was still being figured out at that time (Including the designs of its main characters!), and I wanted to hold off on revealing anything more until I knew I was 100% ready to explain what this 'Project 2000' even is.
Now, nearing a year after I posted the initial first teaser, I feel as though it's about time to introduce a few more original characters of mine to this blog, and with that being said...
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Let's talk about Override!
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Shigesato Itoi's 1994 cult classic Earthbound (Known as MOTHER 2 in Japan) flopped due to misleading marketing when it came around to being released in the states, but its witty humor, nonstandard JRPG setting and its colorful visual presentation proved to be a hit to the American audience in due time.
This, of course, led to creators opting to shape games around a similar basis to Earthbound, whether its in terms of graphical style, humor, battle tactics, and much more. I think the most popular example when the phrase "Earthbound-Inspired RPG" comes to mind is undoubtedly Toby Fox's Undertale, which shared a lot of the same humor as its inspiration as well as a similar graphical style.
Some fans liked the MOTHER series so much that they wanted to take the franchise into their own hands and create the next installment after Shigesato Itoi stated that MOTHER 3 was the last game in the franchise, and MOTHER 4 began production by fans. Many Winter 2014s later, it was unsure if the game was still in production, though the project was officially rebranded as its own entity as Oddity in 2020.
Override is, essentially, my kind of Undertale/Oddity, mixing elements from Earthbound, MOTHER 3, the Y2K bug and the general 2000s aesthetic together into one. By that first part, I mean it's an Earthbound-Inspired RPG crafted by my own hand (Dating as far back as mid-2019); it, of course, isn't an actual game, but rather a collection of conceptual art pieces and faux in-game screenshots I've made detailing what it would look like as a real game (Like Mega Man Ultimate).
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Oh, right, the plot! Bear in mind that a lot of the finer details of Override's story haven't quite been figured out yet, but I can say that I at least have enough to finally get around to talking about it.
Charles Feldman, CEO of Synergon Robotics, longs to spearhead a dystopian world with an invincible army of technologic law-enforcers, though finds it almost impossible to in his current time, the year 2095, where such technology is commonplace.
For years, he has meticulously shaped a plan where he, a team of subordinates and all the robo-security he could need would time travel back just before the year 2000, wherein he would corrupt all technology at that point with a 'Y2K Bug' and force the denizens of the world to live a lifestyle not unlike the events of the novel 1984, wherein humanity's every move is closely observed, and if someone steps out of line, they fall to the wrath of the Synergon Police.
His plan, for the most part, is successful. He travels back to the date November 18th, 1997 to have enough time to prepare for his eventual world-ruling plan on midnight, January 1st, 2000. The aforementioned Synergon police are armed with powerful devices called 'Psiometers', which are watch-like gadgets which connect to the user's neural network to unlock the powers of the mind.
Psiometers alongside other tech necessary for Feldman's ploy are transferred base-to-base in the middle of the night via drones, which are equipped with cameras and can hold up to twenty pounds of equipment. However, on the night of December 30th, 1999, a flaw in the wrap-up of Feldman's ultimate plan occurs, when a last minute drone delivery of two Psiometer units results in a crash.
The drone lands in the yard of the Henley residence. Nine and a half year old Lauren Henley overhears the crash and goes outside to investigate, finding the busted drone amidst the snow. After another brief malfunction, it shuts itself down, and Lauren, vowing to figure out its origins, drags it into the garage and goes back to bed...
December 31st, 1999. Lauren brings the Synergon drone to her neighbor's house, and shows it to her best friend, nine year old Casey Treverton. The two shortly discover the drone's contents, and Lauren instantly suspects there's more to the Synergon story. They ultimately are short on answers for the time being, and keep the whole thing a secret from their parents until later that night...
One minute until the new year. Casey and Lauren hurry to the downstairs of the Treverton residence to catch the ball drop for the new millennium. Whatever weirdness happened earlier is put on the backburner as the two flop down in front of the TV, eagerly counting down the seconds left of 1999.
"5... 4... 3... 2..."
Then, a nationwide power shortage. Nobody has any clue what's going on. Eventually, the TV flickers back on, and instead of the new year festivities they had been watching prior, the picture depicts a grizzled although finely dressed man in front of a white backdrop; Charles Feldman.
He states that his message is being broadcast across every television in the country, and reveals his lengthy plan to create a highly technical dystopian society overseen by Synergon Robotics, threatening to rewire any technology he pleases for the worst should anyone oppose him.
Casey and Lauren grimace at each other.
Three months pass. Not a lot has changed this early on in, though the citizens of Maywood are under close surveillance by various automatons to make sure nobody tries anything funny. Lauren decides that she has had enough of this 'Synergon Business' and asks Casey if he's interested in figuring out how the Psiometers work and using them against Synergon to ultimately take them down.
At first, Casey is unsure, true to his nervous personality. There isn't any rational way two children could lead to the downfall of an entity which has taken over the world, but Lauren is sure of their success, and with enough coercing the two embark on a mission to take back what's theirs. Who do they meet along the way? Just how deep does the Synergon plan run? And will they reign victorious? Only time will tell...
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Well, now that we have the lengthy scene-setting out of the way, let's check out the good stuff; checking out the four heroes of Override which were teased last year! It's a good thing I chose to wait to show their designs off, because the silhouettes shown in the teaser weren't the same designs as what I have now. So, let's get right into it!
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It may have taken much longer than I expected to show Override off, but at the very least that means I can now get around to posting/writing about what I've come up for it! I have a lot of Override-related content on the way, though I find that this is an excellent way to introduce its world! A LOT of work was put into this, so I hope you've enjoyed everything this post has to offer!
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