#anyway this show is great why haven't i been watching this all along

[princejiu]

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱

𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 | alessia russo x mma!fighter

𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 | Alessia encounters an unwanted attention and tries her best to hide it from you, knowing that you would absolutely do anything to keep her safe.

𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 | blood, assault, violence, ptsd, cursing, maybe attempt of murder

𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 | ik its been two months almost thre-anyways. this is 9 thousand something words and it took a lot of brain capacity.

The night was young, streetlights lit the city as rowdy adults filled London with joyous laughter. It was like any other Saturday night to most but not to Alessia.

She was leaving you home alone to attend Kyra's birthday party along with the other gunners. Usually, you'd be by her side through it all, but you were still healing from your previous fight.

Patched-up cuts and bruises here and there. None that you deemed bed-rest worthy, yet remained home to steer clear of the scolding you would get from your coaches.

So, here you were sitting with a large bucket of popcorn and the latest season of Love Island. It took a great deal to convince Alessia to leave your side for the night, refusing to go firsthand as the urge to smother you with love and care surged as time went on.

After countless reassurances and kisses, Alessia reluctantly switched out joggers for jeans and a pullover for a top. She stood in front of you, twirling to give you the 360. Deep down, you started to regret inducing her to go. While Alessia had a full blowout, you lounged on the loveseat with shorts and a sports bra. "And to think you didn't want to leave."

Alessia grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it, pointing a non-threatening finger at you. "Do not start teasing me. You were the one who was so adamant about me going. It's your fault I'm in this vest instead of my jumper."

"Love, if it makes you feel any better. I prefer you in nothing at all."

Alessia rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in annoyance. You grinned, beckoning her over, even when you managed to annoy her Alessia could never resist you. She trudged to you, pursing her lip when you patted your lap.

You grunted as she plopped down on you, the unexpected force taking you by surprise. It was Alessia's turn to grin, hooking her arms around your neck, yours to her hips. "I take it you didn't like my joke."

You were unfazed by Alessia's evil eye, more than used to it. "You do not get to make jokes like that. You're forcing me to go to a party I don't want to go to and you're watching Love Island without me. You're being mean." You snorted, and with a click, the game show switched to one of your old fights.

Alessia turned her head away, your fights always made her a bit queasy hence why she never watched them. "Yes, how can I be so cruel to my lovely girlfriend? I should be punished for my crimes." Alessia slapped your chest, not a fan of your mockery.

"Quit the sarcasm. Save that for someone else other than the love of your life."

You pecked her cheek, a quick apology. "You're right. The love of my life only deserves respect and devotion." She nodded her head in agreement, her pride growing as she had the big bad fighter everyone knew lay down the treatment she deserves.

"That is correct but don't think this sucking up made me forget what you've done to me."

You groaned, throwing your head back. "Love, you haven't left my side since my fight, normally I wouldn't mind but you've been cooped up all week. And it's Kyra's birthday, imagine the headaches she'll give you for missing it."

Alessia could already see it, Kyra having a kick at her for not showing up. The Australian was known for her little sister energy that never ran out, much to the unlikes of her teammates. Alessia recalled Kyra's recent mischievous act.

A week ago, Steph forgot to grab Kyra's favorite candy when making a store run and a childlike Kyra took it to offense. She hadn't stopped yapping the entire day, Steph departed training with ringing ears that lasted the next day.

Alessia didn't want to have a similar outcome.

"That rascal hid my boots last time because I refused to prank Katie. A nuisance she is." You smiled, Alessia's annoyance that wasn't targeted towards you was amusing to watch. You slipped a hand under her top, rubbing the warm bare skin a contrast to your cold hands.

"So, what I'm hearing is that I'm right."

Alessia gave you no acknowledgment, gasping when she felt your thumb dip below her waistline. You leaned in for a kiss, though you were met with a flat palm to the face. You pulled back, scrunching your nose. Alessia smiled widely, "No messing up my lip gloss, darling."

For the very first, you scowled at Alessia's bright pink lips. The desire to botch Alessia's perfectly applied lipstick grew by the second. You exhaled sharply, leaning back to put some distance between you and her restricted lips. "That's unfair. You look ravishing and you're saying I can't kiss you? Must you tease me?"

Alessia giggled under her breath; she kissed your neck, unapologetic about her teasing. "Oh, my big baby. Have the consequences of your actions come to play?" You frowned at Alessia's mocking pout, the way she spoke as if she were speaking to a child stirred something within you.

You roughly tugged her closer, inches away from her lips. You removed one hand from her hips, gripping her jaw in a tight-loose hold. Your thumb swiped her bottom lip to the corner. Her once-perfect gloss now smudged and not in the way she would have liked.

You brought your thumb to your lips, putting on a little show, humming at the taste of strawberries on your tongue.

Alessia froze, she didn't expect you to turn the tables on her so fast. You grabbed Alessia's phone out of her back pocket, hearing a ping. You opened her phone, purposely ignoring her. "Vic's here. You should get going if you don't want to be late."

Alessia remained unmoved, stuck in a trance you led her into. You chuckled, no emotion behind it, standing up causing Alessia no choice but to do so as well. You took her chin in between your two fingers, "A little quiet, aren't we? What's the matter, Alessia? Have the consequences of your actions come to play?"

Alessia gulped at the bite in your tone, she shouldn't have baited you. It always ended with her pinned to the bed, a position she loved yet a lesson she never intend to learn. Alessia's phone pinged once again, she paid it no mind too focus on your little stare-down. "Better get going before Vic comes up and knocks down our door."

Alessia hesitantly took her phone, squinting as if she was trying to figure out your plan. "Just like that?" You raised a brow, ignoring the pinch of pain as your stitches stretched.

"I can do worse than a smeared gloss, you of all people should know that. I suggest you leave now before you don't at all." Alessia's finger hovered over her lips, she could feel the slight stickiness at the corners of her lips. You hadn't done much to taint them, but Alessia wished you did.

Your eyes began to soften at Alessia's timid stature, tipping her head up with a finger. Wiping away the small mess you created. "Have fun tonight, okay? I love you."

A smile grew on Alessia, puckering her lips for a kiss. "I thought you didn't want to ruin your makeup" She rolled her eyes at your cockiness, pulling you down to finally bring you into a kiss you both craved.

Alessia was the first to separate, "I love you too. Don't wait up." She gave you one last peck, grabbing her purse on her way out. Swaying her hips side to side, mindful of your wandering eyes.

"Not having the time of your life are you, Less?"

Lia winced as Alessia's head snapped to her, "I am. Why do you ask?" Lia didn't believe the young girl and it showed, Alessia stuck herself at their rented-out booth, doing nothing else other than sipping on her club soda.

"You haven't moved since we got here. What? Are you not used to having your little bloodhound with you?"

That got a laugh out of Alessia, Lia grinned cheekily. You were always a topic used to tease Alessia, two total opposites that fit together like a puzzle. She pushed the national captain as she poked fun at her. You were deemed 'The Bloodhound' early in your career by the media after endless fights where you left the cage a bloodbath.

"You can say that. She's still heal-" The boisterous of their teammates cut Alessia off, stumbling and cackling at whatever their drunk minds thought was funny. Leah threw herself next to Lia, pointing to Katie, her finger unsteadied as a result of her tipsiness. "I got it last time, McCard. It's your turn."

The Irish childishly shook her head, throwing up the bird, "No." Leah huffed, her infamous frown appearing.  She turned to the person next to Katie. "Fine. Caitlin, you go."

"She's not going."

The blonde threw her arms up in frustration, so much for being capitan. "Someone had to go, Katie! You've been weaseling your way out of rounds for the last two months!" The said weasel denied it, though the smirk on her lips said otherwise.

Leah's glare intensified, she wasn't a quitter, far from it. Even as a drunk, giving up was never in her dictionary. She stood up, ready to drag the queen of reds to do her go.

Lia, being the only sensible one there, quickly sat the Williamson down, giving her a warning not to start a fight.

"What about our depressed lover over there? She hasn't done anything. No dancing, no drinking. A little mood killer if you ask me." Katie winced as she received slaps from all around, unable to pinpoint who exactly hit her. Alessia cleared her throat, dumbfounded by how she got dragged in.

Lia held out a hand, stopping Katie from going off her rockers and possibly digging her own grave if you were to find out about how she spoke to your fiancé. "Hey, now. Alessia isn't in the mood, we should respect that and be happy she's even here." Alessia squeezed Lia's hand, thanking her for coming to her defense.

However, the people-pleaser side of Alessia won. She moved to stand, but Lia's hand halted her from doing any further. Her concerns made Alessia glad that she had someone in her corner for the wild night. "It's fine. She's sorta right, I've been a killjoy. Maybe this will loosen me up."

"Are you sure?"

Alessia gave Lia the okay, slipping out of her hold, and down to the crowd. Internally gagging at the stench of body odor hitting her unexpectedly. Fresh air welcomed her as she exited the crowd, breathing deeply, the cool air traveled through and around her body.

She rested her arms on the bar, calling the bartender for the round she volunteered to collect. Alessia daydreamed as she waited, snuggling up against you after tonight sounded like the perfect dream to make into a reality.

"Hi."

Alessia didn't flinch at the new voice, too caught up with herself to realize that she was being spoken to. She jumped slightly at the tap on her shoulder, surprised by the close proximity. "Oh, hi." It was small and brief, a simple acknowledgment of him. That's all. At least Alessia thought it was.

"Are you here alone?"

Alessia shook her head uninterested, looking back at the bartender to see if he was preparing her order. He wasn't.

"Who are you here with?"

She sighed, annoyed that he couldn't get the hint. Unbothered to look at him, Alessia answered, hoping the mentioned presence of her team would scare him off. "I'm here with my mates."

"Brilliant. Would your mates mind if I tag along?"

Alessia isn't the type to be easily angered, she grew up with two brothers by force she learned how to have more patience than the average person when it came to men and their small minds.

But something about this stranger irked her. So, she bit her tongue of what she really wanted to say, 'fuck off' and instead said, "They would actually. It's a girl's night and they'll be really upset if it was intruded."

Her saving grave, the bartender came back and he wasn't alone. Alessia quickly picked up the platter, leaving without so much of a goodbye.

There were no cheers or clicking of the shots, as everyone threw their head back to down the hard liquid. Kyra emerged from the crowd, eyes blown and a big smile that stretched cheek to cheek.

She latched onto Alessia's arm, "You're being boring tonight! It's my birthday!" Kyra tugged her to the middle of the room, an area Alessia tried to avoid.

Alessia grabbed onto the nearest person, drawing them along, soon enough a chain of gunners were trailing behind her. Alessia took shot after shot, shortly after, her body relaxed into the rhythmic beats.

She neglected to notice the unexpected hands on her waist as the hands closed around her, squeezing tightly, Alessia instantly knew that these hands weren't a friend of hers.

She roughly pulled away, spinning to see the stranger from the bar. He wore a smirk, smug that he got as close as he did with her. "What the hell are you doing?" He threw his arms to the side, showcasing a little dance of his.

"Dancing, dear. Come back, we were just having some fun."

Alessia shook her head, disgust seeped under her skin. She felt repulsed at some stranger touching her. "No, leave me alone. I am not interested."

"It looked like you were pretty interested. What was that move you did? The one where you were moving your hips side to side. Do you mind doing that again?"

Alessia turned away, thinking it would be best to take her leave rather than speak to him any further. Alas, the stranger couldn't care less. He followed Alessia, shoving bystanders out of his way. "Wait! Do not run off!" She ignored him, scurrying to the booth of gunners.

Just as Alessia was about to reach the table, she was pulled back. She gasped as a huge body engulfed her, Alessia mustered up the strength to push away but the attempt was too futile. "Get off!"

Alessia curled up as much as she could in his hold, his efforts to land a kiss on her neck was challenged by her strong resistance. "I'm a nice lad! Don't be so difficult!" He laughed in disbelief as Alessia struggled, the scene began to gather the attention of nearby clubbers.

"Let me go! Fuckin prick!"

Everything happened in a flash, Alessia was yanked away, bodies meddled between him and her. Mixture of brunettes and blondes filled Alessia's sight.

"You're okay. They're handling it."

Alessia could hardly register Viv's soft voice, the tall Dutch led her out the club, withdrawing from the chaos as the fight got bigger. Viv rubbed circles on her back, trying to calm the shaken girl.

She ignored the security guards that rushed into the building, faint sounds of glass breaking reached her ears. "I'll take you home as soon as Beth is done."

Panic swept through Alessia, red eyes going wide at the thought of returning home. "No! If I go home, she'll know something happened. I can't- I can't-" Viv hushed Alessia, hugging the younger as she spiraled.

Alessia didn't have to specify who she was talking about, only one person was waiting at home for Alessia. That person is you.

"Less, are you scared of yn?"

It was a question Viv didn't want to ask but did. Alessia's reaction to going home wasn't normal especially if it held the person who loved you and you, her. It's a red flag that Viv wasn't so quick to brush off.

Alessia flinched, staring at Viv as if she said the most absurd thing known to man. "What? No! No! Never! I'm scared for her! If she finds out what happened tonight-" Alessia suddenly stopped, she didn't want to believe what happened, happened.

How close he was, how his hands were all around her, how she felt his front pressed up against her. It physically and mentally sickened Alessia to the core.

She collected herself the best she could, staring straight into Viv's eyes. "She'll kill him. Viv, those beatings she does in the cages are nothing. That's her having fun. But this will set her off. You have to promise me that yn wouldn't hear a word about this. Viv promise me."

You couldn't find out, not when Alessia knew the lengths you'd go to protect her. Not when she knew how ill-tempered you were and how easily you got lost in your fit of anger. Alessia was your weakness, she knew that you knew that. Which is why you couldn't know, Alessia had no doubt you'd go on a manhunt to track down whoever harmed her.

Viv gazed into the abyss, unable to comprehend the fear Alessia had for you. You were someone with physical power, that Viv knew, you had the skills and scars to prove it. It was what you trained for, nearly two decades you've been building up your skills to hurt people for a living.

The active terror Alessia showed let Viv know that you were lawless by your own rules. "Okay, okay. I promise. And the others will too." That calmed Alessia down a bit, she leaned into Viv's side watching the passing cars as they waited for the rest.

"Fuck off!"

Katie came out first, followed by the rest of the players and security guards. Yelling and cursing lingered in the air, Viv ignored it, guiding Alessia to the car. "Let's wait in the car. It'll be a while before they quiet down."

The unfortunate events replayed in her mind like a broken record, it kept playing and playing. If she was lucky, sometimes it'd short-circuit. Then, all she could see was you, it felt like a dream. Like you weren't real, and that she was simply imagining someone to protect her to the very end.

But you were real.

You were real and Alessia had a tough time believing that. Believing that you her knight in shining armor. Whispers of promises in her ear at night, how you engraved that into her. But, you were nowhere to be seen when Alessia needed you the most. Instead, you were at home resting.

Part of Alessia wanted to blame you, yet she couldn't, she wouldn't. Not when you were her person, especially not when Alessia understood very well that if you were with her, you'd be in a jail cell by the time the sun rose.

You lost the ability of control when it came to Alessia, if someone were to so much as trip her, you'd return the favor tenfold. The more Alessia thought about you, the more she desired to go home.

"Hungry? We can go to Greggs."

Beth peered over at Alessia, the young striker hadn't made a peep since arriving at the couple's flat and that was hours ago. Beth and Viv stayed up the entire night nurturing Alessia to a certain extent, she allowed. Which wasn't much.

She inhabited the couch corner, not even a slight inch off. She hadn't spoken, eaten, or moved, her brain going haywire, and they couldn't do anything about it.

Beth kneeled, placing a comforting hand on Alessia's knee, gaining her attention without spooking her. "Why don't you take a shower? I imagine sticky sweat isn't the best feeling on the body."

Ease rippled through the couple as Alessia finally moved in the last eight hours, though it was short as Alessia's movements were slow and calculated. Beth patiently waited for her, directing Alessia to the awaiting shower that called her.

The shower did more than just cleanse Alessia of sweat, the overwhelming emotions of the night washed down the drain never to be seen or felt again. Alessia preferred it that way, it was better to believe that it was gone rather than it be stuck on her.

She'd rather be numb than feel what she felt in that dreadful encounter.

Alessia avoided looking into the mirror, squeezing the towel around her tight as she exited the warm steam. The coldness of the early morning greeted her, she walked over to the bed, holding up the Arsenal pull-over Beth set out for her.

She quickly put it on, brushing it down only for her eyes to catch the coloring on her hips. Her fingers lightly grazed the finger-print bruises, her breath hitches as flashbacks of his firm grip on her were physically felt in that second.

Alessia wanted to cry, she didn't want to feel as if someone was standing behind her, she didn't want to feel as if she was being touched like some sort of pet.

Alessia pushed down her tears along with anything else rising to the surface. She walked out the room, the conversation hushed as she came into view, and Alessia didn't care to bring it up knowing fully well it was about her. She sat next to Viv barely returning a smile, "Feel better?" Alessia ignored her, that was the better option.

The truth would raise more questions than she could handle right now. "I'm going home. Yn probably stayed up for me and I don't want to keep her waiting any longer." Understatement of the century. Alessia couldn't grasp the fact that time passed, only assuming, too stuck in her void to feel time's existence.

"Don't fret. I called her and told her you were too tired to make it home. She knows you're here."

Stunned, Alessia sent Beth a nod. "Thanks, but I should really get going." Viv and Beth got the obvious hint that Alessia didn't want to be there anymore, she quickly shoved her phone in her pocket, zipping past them.

The couple hastily followed behind, catching Alessia right at the door. "Let us drive you. We can get Greggs on the way." They didn't give Alessia too much room to argue, Viv grabbed her keys as Beth pushed her out the flat.

"You can ride front seat."

Alessia carefully closed the door, releasing a breath now that she was alone. Beth and Viv had been absolutely sweethearts to Alessia during her stay, but she needed time to herself, time away from eyes that were waiting for her to break.

Slowly and quietly, she shuffled to the kitchen, not a single object out of place since she left. Alessia grabbed a water bottle, the first source of intake she allowed her body to have. The Greggs paper bag perched on the counter, dismissing what Viv had gotten her.

In the safety of her own home, Alessia felt her body ease into itself, the familiarity of these four walls secured her protection and well-being. Something Alessia never thought she'd crave so much.

She went in search of the only person wanted, needed. Weights were lifted off of Alessia's chest when she caught you sleeping in bed, looking ever the most peaceful. A state that she wasn't going to ruin with the truth.

Alessia brushed loose strands out your face, laying on her side, snuggling up in your arms absent from the scary world. Her breath hitches as you pull her closer, "You're back." Your voice husky, eyes still shut half-asleep. Alessia's fingers found your dog tag, turning it over to see the engravement of her name and jersey number. A chain you wore proudly. "I'm back."

"Did you have fun?"

Her fiddling stopped, a small shutter of breath escaped her as the haunting hours came back, this is where Alessia was supposed to spew a little white lie. But she couldn't. Never has Alessia lied to you, never thinking she would need to. This would be a lot harder than she thought.

"Less, is everything okay?"

Your eyes barely opened, the bright light peaked through the curtain nerved your sensitivity. Alessia used her finger to soothe your wrinkles, humming as she tried to lull you back to sleep. "Can't remember much of it. I had too much to drink."

Two lies in one.

Alessia remembered everything and frankly, she didn't drink enough to forget.

You patted her back, comforting, "That's alright. You're home now." Your words brought her more comfort than you can imagine. Alessia was home now; she was home with you, within these four walls. She couldn't be more safer than she is right now.

In your upcoming years as a fighter, you were taught to control your emotions going as far as to eliminate them. The human instinct to feel sympathy for beating another wasn't an option when it came down to winning titles.

By default, you suppressed them to the alternatives outside the cage. Thus, you didn't experience the depths of anxiety or stress like many others did.

But, in recent times it seems as if you're experiencing life in a new manner. You've never been more uneased as you have in the past week. Even minutes before your matches were you never this stressed.

And the main reason for it all is Alessia. The only person in the world to cause you to feel things you normally wouldn't. A blessing and a curse.

Alessia wasn't acting like herself lately, a bit distant something she never was before. Alessia, by nature, was clingy. She clung onto you like a koala does a tree, cuddles, hugs, anything to make your bodies become one, she did. Which is why, her being so distant with you was concerning.

It's been a couple of days since her behavior shifted, at first you thought it was due to the rough start of the week, you were back in camp for your next fight thus your time with Alessia was shorten, she as well was dealing with some tension at work, none she was willing to elaborate.

You figured she needed some alone time to get through.

You tried to be there when she seeked you, yet she hardly did. And you didn't want to push her during a tender time, so you let her be until she was ready. Though, that didn't stop you from actively caring about her, little things such as making her breakfast, washing her uniform, nothing excessive in your mind. Still, Alessia appreciated it all.

Curiosity spiked when she began to wear long sleeves as if it were a second skin, typically you'd brush it off, thinking she hopped on some sort of fashion trend, but the summer heat had her drenched in sweat.

Your attempts to get her into your shirts-which she loved to steal and wear-was useless. Refusing constantly, Alessia stuck to her long-sleeves. You didn't push further, despite your worry each time she went out.

The electricity bill was off the charts that month in turn to keep her cool.

Your agitation heightened when Alessia started to spend more time in the guestroom, it was odd at first considering she rarely stepped foot in the room, in the two years you've lived there.

Guests sleeping over wasn't common therefore your guestroom remained unoccupied most of the time. Not anymore now that Alessia had taken the room for herself.

Aside from the guestroom, it appeared as if you were living alone. You were the only one occupying the common spaces, Alessia nowhere to be seen unless you looked for her. Eventually, your small time together doubled down to nil.

It pained you to see Alessia isolate herself, the last time she acted in such a way was when she was coping with body issues. An unpretty chapter in Alessia's life that none of you spoke about. To prevent a defense lock if confronted, you did whatever you could to build Alessia's self-love without addressing the matter upfront.

It was a bit difficult at first since Alessia's determination to avoid you persisted. You were limited to passing compliments, soft touches, and love letters that you laid in the middle of the bed for her to read when she got home.

Your brief time didn't stop you from showering your girl with the love that she needed and deserved.

The rough week passed and Alessia semi-returned to her normal state. She went back to stealing- your shirts, a more fitting attire for the summer- and her time in the guestroom lessened. She still retreated to the room here and there for an hour or two, nothing you were too worried about now that she seemed better.

Everything was going back to place that is up until, the festival incident.

It happened on a Wednesday afternoon, you and Alessia had gotten caught in the middle of a London festival. One you were aware of too late and thanks to your ignorance, Alessia faced the consequences.

You pushed through the busy festive, pulling Alessia by hand. Bodies pressed up against each other tight spaced, trumpets and cheers blaring in your ears. Rising temper balancing on the cliff's edge as you kept trying to find an escape route, the provoking factors placed you and Alessia on the brink of disaster.

You stood at a whopping six feet using the height advantage to look for an outlet, naive to the shifts in Alessia's breathing. Behind you, Alessia felt her mind and body going haywire.

She could feel her heart beating against her chest, head whipping side to side anxiously seeking for an out. Her throat closed up at the multiple touches on her, she shut her eyes to block out her surroundings but that only made it worse as she instinctively focused on her senses.

Alessia's eyes snapped open, feeling you tug on her. She instantly found your figure, taking her all to concentrate on you. Alessia internally struggled to not think about the prying flashbacks at the back of her mind.

It fought so hard to come forward, to torture her in broad daylight, but Alessia fought harder. She tried to pinpoint the difference between then and now.

The sun was the first she identified, the sun gave her clear view of everyone and everything around her, unlike the colored lights in the dark club. Then there was you. You were the major detail that differed to Alessia, you were there to protect and love her, that's all Alessia needed.

Yet, it didn't stop the strength draining from her body, replaced by what Alessia could distinguish as emptiness. It was in her best efforts to push down the vile feelings, but it was all in vain.

You stumbled back as you felt a cease in Alessia's step. You looked over your shoulder to see her head down, her form shaking like a madman. Without thinking, you closed the distance, calling out to her, but she made no sign that she heard you.

You lifted her head, eyes gaping when Alessia's red teary eyes made contact with yours. Less than a second, you wrapped Alessia in your arms, forcibly pulling her through the crowd, recklessly pushing people out of your way.

You sighed in relief as you and Alessia finally broke free of the bustling street ducking into a small alley. You leaned up against the building, Alessia sobbed into your neck as you settled her. Tears flowed nonstop, you ran your fingers through her hair, humming to tune out the festival's band.

"Can we go home please?"

Alessia looked up at you with her big blue puffy eyes, your heart broke. Your thumb wiped away the lone tear, pecking her forehead. The answer was a no-brainer, you pulled down your hood on Alessia's head, guiding her out the alley and to a taxi, keeping her as close as possible through it all.

For the next few days, you and Alessia isolated yourselves from the world. Alessia didn't want to speak further about it and as much you wanted to, you knew better than to push. You were just glad she wasn't shutting herself in the other room like before.

And Alessia hated it, she hated that you were walking on eggshells with her. She didn't want you to treat her as if she's fragile. Alessia's strong, she knew that she believed it, so why didn't she feel like it?

Instead, she felt suffocated. Alessia began to loathe herself because of it. The constant looks over her shoulder, checking her body as if bruises will appear, it's been two weeks and she can't move on.

A concern started to brew in Alessia's mind, she feared that your relationship may be the cost of her erratic paranoia.

In attempts to salvage or drag out the inevitable, Alessia spent more time with you, she no longer went on your daily walks, but rather to sit on the balcony for her daily fresh air. You didn't mind, she knew that you only went on those walks because Alessia suggested it first, couples' cardio she said.

In all her years, Alessia didn't know what to do, she didn't know how to save herself.

Too stuck in her head to feel Kyra poking her, the Australian entertained herself jabbing the mindless blonde. Giggling when Alessia didn't flinch at the dirty towel thrown at her face.

The younger picked up her water bottle spraying at Alessia, bursting out laughing when she screeched. "Kyra! Go away!" The mischievous player dodged the towel thrown back at her, running away before Alessia could do worse.

Alessia wiped the wetness with her shirt, thankful for Kyra unintentionally pulling her out of her prisoned thoughts. Leah patted the striker's shoulder, pitiful that Alessia had been chosen to be on the end of Kyra's pranks. "So, is the hound coming next week?" Alessia's lip twitched at your alias.

"What's next week?"

"You forgot? The sporting event remember, Jona told us two months ago."

Alessia racked her brain, trying to remember the said event. Then, it hit her, it was a small thing some organization was having to spread the word of football, gain some investors, nothing Alessia wanted to do with. She shook her head, tying up her laces. "I'll skip out. Not in the mood for socializing."

Leah gave her a look, "Mate, it's mandatory. You can't get out of it." Alessia groaned, her plans to laze around with you was a bust. Alessia liked the small bubble, you and her built in your time together, and she wasn't planning on leaving it so soon. But, it looks like she didn't have a choice.

"I'll ask her."

"Is there really a point to? We all know what she's going to say."

Alessia pushed Leah, the captain grinning cheekily at her, a teasing underlining in her words. Everyone who knew you and Alessia's relationship personally knew that you'd do anything she asked.

If Alessia wanted food from a place a town a way, best be known that you're driving all the way there. If she wanted a new car, you're taking her to the dealership within the next hour. In this case, you'd be attending before you were even made aware of it.

"Okay, I'll stop with the teasing...for now. We'll see you there, oh, and it's a white-themed dress code. So, tell the missus, no black. It's not a funeral." Alessia snorted, waving to Leah as she left the locker room. The drive home was about as peaceful as one can be after a long day at work.

Alessia pulled into the lot, funny enough, catching you as you stepped out of your car with a takeaway bag. She kissed you, your favorite way to be greeted by the love of your life.

You swung her gym bag over your shoulder. "What did you get?"

"A protein bowl from that Japanese restaurant down the street and your usual."

Alessia grinned, pecking you on the cheek. "You're the best." You hummed tiredly, holding the door open for her. "I have to speak to you about something." You perked, thinking that she would finally be open about what's happening these few weeks.

"There's this thing, me and the girls are attending. It's obligated that we go but on the bright side, we can bring a plus one. So, darling will you be my plus one?"

You deflated, disappointed but smiled nonetheless. Setting the bag aside, wrapping an arm around her waist, "I would love nothing more. Now, let's eat up. I'm starving."

"It also has an all-white attire. So, no digging deep in your closet for your black suits, darling."

"Son of a bitch!"

"Damn, mami!"

Alessia fought back a smile as you exclaimed loudly, she placed her hand in your reaching one, unable to fight a growing grin any further. She squealed as you spun her, her dress flowing in the air. "You look so good. Are you trying to put me to shame?"

Alessia rolled her eyes, slapping your chest, passing over to the mirror to put on the finishing touches to her outfit. "You flatter me too much." You looked at your girlfriend through the mirror, clearly offended by her words.

"If this is too much, then I'm not doing a good job. Because my girl deserves all the compliments in the world."

You rested on her shoulder, Alessia applied her red lipstick, in your mind she did it too slowly. "You do an excellent job, my love. I can promise you that." Alessia handed you her necklace, beaming at the sight. It wasn't just any necklace, but a 23-karat diamond necklace. One of its kind, personally designed for her.

You gifted to her on your first anniversary, a token that she belonged to you, an object of your love for her.

You clipped it, staring intently as she stroked the diamonds around her neck. Alessia's eyes flickered up to you, blushing, instantly recognizing the emotion swirling in your eyes. You bowed down to kiss upon it, your gloss sticking to her neck painting it with the outline of your lips.

Alessia tilted her head to the side, eyes closing in bliss. You pulled her closer by the waist, your fingertips resting on the zipper. Alessia pulled away when she felt the dress loosen around her, "We can't." You huffed at her breathless words, drooping your forehead on her uncovered back.

"Why? No one will notice us missing."

"Kim will. She'll have me running laps next practice."

You rezip up Alessia's dress, creating some needed distance. "We can't have that now, can we? Let's get going before I rip that dress off." You led her out of the flat, focusing on the numbers as the elevator went.

Internally fighting the urge to drag Alessia back to bed and have your way with her.

You grunted, feeling the hovers of Alessia's fingers dancing across your chest as she played with the buttons on your shirt. You wore a white pantsuit, two out of five unbuttoned, revealing your cleavage and dog-tag.

You looked too good, the longer Alessia studied you, the more regret bubbled in her stomach. She jumped at the elevator chime, you chuckled removing her hand from your chest, intertwining them. 

You opened the car door for her, bending down to match her height as she sat in the passenger seat. The proclaimed passenger princess. "You gone a little quiet, Less." She ignored you, texting whoever was on the other end of the line.

You mockingly pouted, "Don't be bratty with me, love. You're the one who didn't want to take one for the team and run laps." You chuckled at Alessia's silence, walking to the driver side.

You cleared your throat, sipping on a glass of bourbon. Classical music played while businesswomen and men spoke as if they'd do any actual work outside this meaningless gathering. You scanned the room; blinded by the bright white all around. Not an interesting thing in sight.

You concluded that white parties sucked, and parties hosted by old men sucked even more. Them and their greedy ass money, you grimaced as the cheap liquor coated your throat, their inability to buy a good brand irked you.

You hid away in the corner with Alessia and her team, hanging off Alessia's shoulder like a piece of meat. You had no business being there, other than being her eye candy.

Usually, you'd be talking to Katie about her newly collection of red cards that never seemed to stay consistent, but she was too busy sucking up to her girlfriend and there was no way you'll get in the middle of that.

You prepared yourself as your eyes caught Kyra walking over after being shooed off by Leah, the mischievous smirk on her lips let you know that she found her next target, you.

Kyra plopped beside you, instantly ambushing you. You smacked Kyra's prying hands, "Kyra down! Down Kyra!" The little tussle wasn't fair, you refused to remove your arm from Alessia, but even with one hand, you were stronger than Kyra.

The younger girl ignored your demands, continuing her attempts to wrangle your drink out of your possession and into her mouth. "Kyra! I'll buy you a fucking drink! For fuck sakes!" Immediately, like an obedient puppy, Kyra unlatched herself from you, hands intertwined in her lap as she smiled innocently at you.

You whispered your departure to Alessia, well aware that you were doing everyone a favor by taking Kya away. "Follow me, you brat." She trailed behind you, sticking her tongue out at Steph when the older Australian caught her shadowing you to the bar.

As you left with the little troublemaker, the atmosphere in the Arsenal corner became a little calmer. Alessia giggled At Vic's story, the Dutch dodging the slap Alessia delivered, poking fun when she missed.

Vic's laughter died down as her eyes caught on something or someone. Alessia of her own subsided, curiosity knocked on her chest as Vic's body language changed into something Alessia couldn't identify.

"Less, is that the guy from the pub a few weeks back? The one who-"

Vic couldn't bring herself to finish, the effect still remained with Alessia, it was evident to all the girls. Alessia slowly and surely began to act like herself again, but the Arsenal girls knew better. They knew better than what Alessia was leading on.

She squinted as if it would help her see better through the vast crowd, a few bodies shuffled to the side revealing the reason for her all her recent troubles.

London was a big city, the percentage of running into the same people is less than one. The world had to be playing some sick joke on Alessia, as though it wanted blood to be spilled tonight. Something Alessia's been terribly trying to avoid.

Warmth drained out her system, suddenly everything felt chilly yet sweat lingered near her hairline. Alessia struggled to allow oxygen into her lungs, head snapping left and right,desperate to find you.

Vic tried to calm her, speaking in hush tones to get Alessia's attention. But it was useless, Vic called Leah over. Despite yelling for Leah, the entire team heard the urgency in her voice.

They rushed over, huddling over Alessia's shaking figure. Leah kneeled, cupping Alessia's face in her hands, coaching her through her panic. "Less! Alessia! Breath! Mate, breath!"

You shoved Kyra when she blew in your ear, rubbing the ticklish feeling away, never have you met someone so fearless of you. Granted everyone knew you wouldn't hurt Kyra despite her annoying antics. "You little shit, I swear-"

"Are you that MMA fighter? The Bloodhound, right?"

Kyra snickered, you pursed your lips giving her a look, one that meant that you're little fued wasn't over. You turned to the man in suit, he looked like every man in the room...dull. Can no man dress to save their life?

"Yeah, what's up?"

Kyra peeked over your shoulder, wanting a look at who took your attention away from her. Dread, that's all Kyra felt at the sight of him. She couldn't forget him, the bastard that hurt her best friend, someone you didn't know existed until now.

Kyra was aware of Alessia's severe desire to keep what had happened at her birthday celebration a secret.

Steph and Caitlin practically drilled it in her mind, not to slip up when you were around. Kyra didn't expect to see him again, no one did. But, to have him up front and center talking to you freely after what he had done to Alessia, sickened Kyra.

The Aussie searched for her teammates, hoping to catch someone's eye to tell them of the presence of their number one hit list. And Kyra did, however, it wasn't as she had hoped. Laura frenetically waved her over, pointing to you urgently.

"Do you mind if we took a picture?"

Before you could answer, Kyra wasted no time, pulling you away in the direction of her team. You let Kyra do as she pleased, taking in her hurried steps and anxious expression to mind. "Kyra, what-"

"Yn!"

You rushed past those in your way, cupping Alessia's face in your hands. Deja vu hit you like a truck, red teary eyes staring deep into your soul. You placed her on your lap, coaxing her to take deeper breaths. "I'm here, baby. I'm here."

You looked at the Arsenal women for answers, their troubled aura triggered the heap of anger lying underneath your skin. "What the hell happened?"

Some stared at you and Alessia with sorrow, others avoided your eyes, looking at literally anything else.

Out of everyone, the only person who had the galls to look you in the eyes was the captain herself. "Mate, it's not for us to say." Leah glanced over to Alessia, silently telling you that if you wanted answers it would have to come for her.

Leah loved Alessia like her own sister and she couldn't watch her be destroyed by what happened and as your friend, she couldn't allow you to suffer in the dark, clueless.

"Less?"

Alessia's refusal to meet your eyes remained, your jaw clenched. You loved her with all your being, but the anger brewing was too hot to handle. Everyone knew something you didn't, something regarding Alessia, and it didn't take a genius to know that it was serious.

"Alessia." Your voice stern, you were no longer allowing Alessia's excuses to fly over your head. Alessia shook her head, "Please. Please don't make me." Your heart clenched at her pleading, deep down you didn't want to pressure her, but she left you no choice.

"Alessia, what am I missing? What are they hiding? What are you hiding?"

Alessia looked at her friends for help, at the back of her mind, she knew they couldn't. But it was worth a try. Lia nods in encouragement, something so small but so powerful for Alessia.

She cradled your jaw, leaning in your ear, unwilling to see your murderous anger spiral to what she knows will end in crime scene.

The gunners observed as your face hardened, concern switched to rage in seconds. Your brows deepened, jaw and lip tight, what caught their attention was your clenched fists. Veins popped out from your arms to the back of your hand, knuckles ready to take some action.

Alessia pulled back, caressing your pale knuckles. Her lips moved but nothing was coming out of them. You couldn't hear her begging you to not do anything, you couldn't hear her tell you she loved you. You couldn't hear anything but your blood pumping in your ears.

You abruptly stood up, bringing Alessia up with you. You passed your fiance to the nearest person, Beth. "Get her out of here." You pecked Alessia's forehead, ignoring her calls for you to come back. You head to Katie, the sole person on the team who supported violence. "Where is he?"

Wordlessly, Katie pointed him out and what do you know? It's the same dude that asked you for a photo, you scoffed at the sheer audacity of men. You pushed past Katie, sidestepping Leah's hand.

You expertly navigated through the crowd, stalking up to him. Even at a distance, you could make out his figure, he was lean and scrawny, nowhere near your built physique.

You sized him up as you approached, just in time, he turned to notice you, overlooking the smoke coming out of your ears. "Hey! Back for that pic-" His words cut with a right hook to the cheek, and in no time, he dropped to the floor.

You climbed on top of him, balling his collar in your fist, the other delivering strike after strike.

The feeling of your knuckles connecting with his jaw was exhilarating, with every punch you imagine his bones cracking. You grunted as he fought against you, but he was weak.

The first blow was enough to knock him on his back, the countless you landed after offered multiple hospitalization conditions.

You yelled as you felt hands pulling you off. You shoved the random men off you, glaring them down as they took in your physical state. "Touch me again! I'll fuck all of you up!" You momentarily forgot that this was a sports event, the people surrounding you most likely knew who you were.

You watched recognition hit them now that you were in your true form. They heed your words standing back to let you do what you were trained to do. They couldn't save a man getting beaten, but they can definitely save themselves from you.

Huffing, you quickly grabbed the bleeding man by the throat, slamming him onto the bar. The sound of glass pierced everyone's ears, but you paid it no mind. Holding his upper body against the bar, smashing his face in.

You were aware that even your worst opponents didn't get this type of treatment, he was different. He touched your girl, he hurt her, and he was going to pay for it with his life. "Why did you touch her?! Huh?!" An answerless question, you didn't want an answer.

And it wasn't like you were going to get one, the amount of blood flooding his mouth limited him aside from his faint pleas for you to stop.

That only angered you further. "I'm gonna fucking kill you!" You let him fall to the floor once again, neglecting the slippery coat on your hands.

Alessia watched from afar as you mounted the stagnant body, repeatedly bashing his face. Beth tried to drag her out of the venue, but Alessia's too stubborn.

You did so much critical damage in a short span period, even from where she stood Alessia could see the blood streaks on the bar and floor. Leah took off first, Katie, Stina, and Steph following behind.

They all knew that you weren't going to let up any time soon and if you weren't stopped now. You were actually going to commit homicide.

Leah and Katie hook their arm around you, yanking you off. "That's enough! He's down!" It was a struggle for the two, you were too strong for them. Steph eventually aided in holding you back, and Stina helped push you four towards the exit.

Alessia quickly ran after you, the rest of the gooners chasing behind, unable to fight the curiosity to check the result of your wrath. When they got outside, they were met with you kicking a poor trash can into the road.

The four that dragged you out stood a safe distance away. The street bustling with dim lights and occasionally passing cars.

Alessia joined the four girls, knowing better than to interfere in your fit of rage when it was at its peak. Alessia studied your new appearance, growing breathless.

Hair ruffled; shirt wrinkled...stained with red patched. It was what Alessia was afraid of, you covered in red. You had blood splattered across your face; blood handprints swiped across your neck, your fists being the most coated.

You rubbed your hands together as if you were moisturizing, the blood quickly drying due to the cold night air. You sighed, a bit calmer now, muttering nonsense to yourself as you paced up and down the sidewalk.

Alessia took it as her cue to walk over, none of the gunners tried to stop Alessia. Wise enough to know that you would never hurt Alessia even in a foot of rage. "Baby. Baby." Her voice was soft, not to startle you.

Your wide eyes darted to her, unexpected by her presence. You were too lost in your fury to be conscious of your surroundings.

She tried to reach for you, but you retreated, shaking your head. "I'm okay, darling. You won't hurt me." You swallowed the lump in your throat, Alessia tried once more, pleased when you didn't move away.

She grabbed your hands, inspecting the cuts on your knuckles, it was hard to see but Alessia managed to pick out the open wounds.

She ignored the blood on her hands, roughly pulling you into a hug. The weighing of all these weeks came crashing down on Alessia, relief flooded her. However that relief was cut short by the sound of sirens, "We have to go! Now!"

Alessia balled the bloodied clothes, throwing them in the trash, it consisted of your entire outfit along with her dress. Its beauty gone as soon as another color tainted it.

Alessia didn't want a reminder of what happened tonight, even though it represented the degree you'd go for her. You nearly beat a man to death for her, guilt tormented Alessia.

The last thing she wanted was for you to run into problems because of her, Alessia roused from her mind upon hearing the water ceasing. Alessia walked into the bathroom, leaning against the doorway.

You sat in the tub, steam rising from the water. You held out your hand, silently offering her to join.

Alessia didn't think twice before she began stripping from her undergarments. She hissed at the heat, lowering herself deeper into the water until it reached her collarbones. Alessia rested back into you, your arms wrapped around her nude waist, burying your face in her neck.

You two sat in silence, embraced by the steam and contents of the hot water. There were no words to explain tonight, Alessia wasn't going to scold you and you weren't going to apologize. You both knew that tonight was needed for both your sanity.

When you passed Alessia over to Beth, the separation that you placed between you and her signified that you were going to do something she wouldn't like. Your attempts to get her out were for her sake, not yours. You weren't keen on her seeing the monster you become.

"I love you, you know that?"

Alessia rested her head back as you peppered kisses on her skin, her eyes fluttered open staring right in yours. Eyes that held love, more than she's ever seen in her life. "I know."

Alessia didn't need to say those three magic words back, you knew, you always knew. What you need to know is that if she knew. If she knew that you loved her more than the world could imagine. 

#alessia russo x reader #woso x reader #woso imagine #arsenal x reader #woso fanfics #alessia russo #thehound

[deadsetromance]

IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS OF THE MORNING

(not my gif!)

gerard way x gn!reader

summary: he's your roommate...but maybe he's more than that.

warnings: unedited writing, fluff, no use of [y/n]

note: so sorry i haven't posted in forever! i have a few requests and a few more half-complete drafts, so hopefully those should be up soon <3

you supposed there were worse roommates out there. actually, thinking about it, you realized how lucky you were.

you got along really well with your roommate, gerard. he’d been sharing an apartment for nearly two years now, and you were sure you knew him better than you knew yourself.

you know he forgets to take the coffee pods out of the keurig, and sometimes he leaves the heater running for too long.

you don’t think you’ve ever seen him sleep. sometimes you wonder if he’s a vampire or something, what with the scribbling coming from his room at all hours of the night.

to be fair… you’re hardly any better. you sleep little more than he does, when you do fall asleep it’s usually on the couch, and you leave the television on all the time.

you’re incredibly lucky, you realize. lucky that he’s as sweet as he is, bringing you coffee in the mornings, and stopping by your job on his commute. he’s even slipped a few drawings your way. some are drawings of you, others are silly little doodles he gives you when you’re having a bad day. sometimes, he’ll show you characters for the comics he’s working on, asking for your input.

you realize that you’re lucky that he��s so helpful, that he’s not a creep, that you both get along so well. you’re lucky that you’ve found a friend who will sit and watch television reruns with you when neither of you can fall asleep.

that’s why you slip a record under his door one night. you don’t know if he even likes sinatra, but you give it to him anyway. there’s no special occasion really, you just thought of him when you found in the wee small hours in the record store you visited. you don’t sign your name on the post it you stuck to it. all you write is “from one insomniac to another”. you feel embarrassed for some reason you can’t place, and something slithers in your stomach. maybe you shouldn’t have given it to him…maybe he doesn’t like sinatra. it’s too late now though, it’s already done.

☠︎ ☠︎ ☠︎ ☠︎

it’s late one night…or early, depending on how you look at it. you’re tired, whatever movie you were watching forgotten and on mute. you can hear gerard milling around in the kitchen, you can smell the coffee he’s brewing. you’re tired, but you can’t fall asleep.

“thanks for the record” gerard called from the kitchen. “i really liked it”

you smile, one of those hazy tired smiles, the kind you do when you’re between being awake and asleep. “i didn’t know if you liked sinatra, i hope it’s ok”

you miss the way he grins at you, too busy yawning.

“it’s great i actually…” he walked off in the middle of his sentence, a habit you’d noticed he had, only to come back with the disk in his hands. “do you mind?”

it didn’t matter if you said no, he already turned to put it on, smiling back at you as he dropped the needle to the record.

“what are we watching?” he asked, sitting next to you on the couch. close enough to be touching you, but still far enough to give you space. it’s like a paradox, you think, but then you tell yourself to shut up. you’re too tired to know what you’re talking about.

“i dunno, i stopped paying attention.” your eyes flit to the movie playing on the television, watching the car chase for a moment before turning your attention back to him. “you’re going to keep yourself up all night drinking coffee this late.” you might have frowned at him if you weren’t too busy beaming.

he knew you were teasing, you could tell by the glint in his eye. “i just need a few finishing touches on my project and then i’m done.”

you didn’t say anything more for a while, taking a moment to take everything in. the record playing softly in the background as you curled closer to gerard. his head resting on yours as you listened to his breathing, memorizing the pace of his heart.

it’s quiet…intimate, and you’re tired. tired and happy.

“you tired?” he questions softly.

“a little,” you don’t know why you’re whispering.

“do you work tomorrow?”

“yeah, i open,” you groan, rubbing your eyes. you think you feel him press a kiss to the top of your head, but you don’t want to get your hopes up.

it’s quiet again, though this time it’s too quiet. you’re left with thoughts of gerard running through your head, and you wish that one of you would say something. you should be ashamed, you scold yourself, thinking of him the way you do when he’s sitting right next to you.

“what are you thinking about?” he prods gently. he’s soft with you, the way he always is, careful not to overstep with his questions.

“nothing really,” you lie, because you’d rather not risk what comfort you have now. “what are you thinking about?”

it seems like he didn’t expect the question to be turned back on him. he hesitates, and the silence is thick…too thick. his face is illuminated by the light from the tv, and he looks nervous. you don’t think you’ve ever seen him look quite as terrified as he does now. the lighting shifts, and he’s blanketed in darkness again, but you notice something change in his eyes.

“i think i love you” he whispers against your ear.

you feel like you can’t breathe. you think you heard him wrong. you’re worried this is all a dream, a good dream, the kind that would leave you reeling when you wake up.

you want to hear him say it again.

you lean your head back against his shoulder, and he breathes out with a shudder. you watch the explosions on tv as your hand finds his. “i love you too.”

that’s it then, everything is out in the open. maybe you’re tired, but you sigh gently as he cups your face in his hands. thinking back, you can’t exactly pinpoint when your feelings for him changed, but you suppose it doesn’t matter now. he loves you and you love him. it’s surprisingly simple.

“can i…?” he doesn’t need to finish his question as you lean in closer to him. his breath is warm, and he smells like coffee and sleepless nights, and you’re waiting for him. your eyes are closed as you breathe him in, and they stay that way as he kisses you softly.

he’s…soft, softer than you imagine, and you can’t help but smile.

in the wee small hours of the morning, he is yours, and you are his.

#gerard way x reader #gerard way #reader insert #x reader #my chemical romance #my chem #mcr #mcr fanfiction #mcr fanfic #fanfic #sfw #prtygoth

[fierrochase-falafel]

A 'The Lightning Thief' Musical Appreciation Post (and recommending a documentary-of-sorts)

Message to all you TLT: The Musical fans out there! Just watched the new documentary-of-sorts by Wait in the Wings about the production of TLT and its journey through from small 1-hour play for middle schools to (still underrated) Broadway production, and I cannot recommend it enough! It has interview excerpts from Joe Tracz, Rob Rokicki, Stephen Brackett and Kristin Stokes as well, and both Kristin Stokes and Chris McCarrell have praised it if that helps your expectations.

Always nice to see this musical appreciated online and elsewhere, in all its camp glory. To all the TLT musical fans out there who have also been here and treasured this show and the community surrounding it, perhaps the real lightning thief was the friends we made along the way. Always glad to have found this community :)

Quick message for Percy Jackson fans that haven't seen the musical yet: Well, you might be wondering what to do after you've watched the TV series and boy do I have the content for you. This is a great musical for anyone whose a fan of the books; having borne the brunt of negative expectations after the unspeakable movies came out, this musical still captured people with its fun charm and emotional core for good reason. The soundtrack is out everywhere pretty much, it might not be your kind of media but I'd still give it a shot (particularly if you're into musicals)! I know I haven't gone into much detail here about why this musical works, although I'd like to say more someday; if you want more information, plenty of people on Tumblr have said things about it and the video above does go into why this musical is/was so loved by fans of it. For now I'll just say that it is very genuine and heartwarming, taking the emotional core of the Lightning Thief novel and adapting it for the stage in a way that commemorates and stays true to the novel (even with references to the rest of the novels in there, such as a Bianca di Angelo cameo in the Lotus Casino!).

Anyways, quick post here, just another reminder to always appreciate the TLT musical. Cheers!

#Youtube #this is just an appreciation post man #always willing to give 3 cheers for the lightning thief musical #so many people have forgotten this gem in the run-up to the TV series and I am here to remind everyone whether they like it or not #with PJO getting popular again hopefully this fun musical gets a bit more recognition too amongst Percy Jackson fans #I hope it has/will atleast! #tlt musical #tlt #pjo #percy jackson #pjo tv show #wait in the wings #riordanverse #musicals #musical theatre #pjo adaptation #appreciation post #posts originating from my brain

[seas-storyarchive]

Lens Flair - What if

Note: this has Angel and Alastor friendship; could be seen as Radiorose (if not in one-sided)

[[MORE]]

It started as a taunting gift from Angel.

Hmm.. no, can't kill him. Valentino would call for war. Not to mention Charlie would be angry with him. No, no, that simply wouldn't be do.

He was hesitant, at first. He had his monocle, his vision was leagues better in death than it had been in life. So..

"Angel Dust?"

"Yeah, Smiles?" Angel was sitting with the others, most likely for cover from whatever Alastor would potentially do to him.

"Why on earth did you get me.. these?" He showed the item, they were red glasses with black rims.

So, he didn't sound mad? Well, not yet anyways. "Oh! It's cause yous like ta read, and ya squint a lot when yous confused at somethin', and I thought it'd be a nice way not ta strain yer lookin' at all dhose small prints or gettin' lost in da mental sause or whatevah's up dhere." Angel waved an arm about to illustrate his point. "Gotta keep dhem doe eyes looking wide, afta all. Let me know if dhey work alright, or if ya need a prescription pair, I got a guy dhat owes me a favor."

He looked at the glasses in his hands, feeling conflicted. "Hmm..." Dare he put them on? In front of others? Well, he was no stranger to glasses.. but..

"Here, lemme help ya." When the fuck did Angel get up and come so close!?

"Hmm!?" Alastor was frozen, like a dear in headlights, when Angel pulled the arms of the glasses open and carefully slid them onto Alastor's face.

Despite how having human ears anymore and the constant hair products, Alastor's hair still retained enough thickness to hold the glasses in place along with his nose.

Seeing the world through red lenses? Hm.. wonderful! Oh, if only they had these in his time! What a world of difference it would have made!

"Hey, Smiles." The snapping of fingers in front of him made him blink and his ears twitch.

Alastor looked up to see Angel had backed away a bit, one lower hand holding the elbow of the upper hand that wasn't in his face, trying to decide if he liked the image.

"How you feelin'-!?" A hug. A fucking hug. Initiated, by Alastor. Angel hesitantly hugged him back, as Alastor wasn't known for his hugs and- was that a tail that was brushin' against his lower arms! Holy hell!

"Wonderful, my fine fellow." He pulled back to smile at Angel. "One would even say.. enriched."

"Well, let's see." He turned to the others on the couch and chairs, watching. Al's face mostly blocked by Angel, so they weren't seeing much. "Nifft, can I see the book Al was readin'?"

"Okay!" Niffty grabbed the book and hopped off the couch, making her way over. Her eye widened when she saw Alastor's face, gasping. "Oh, Alastor sir! You look great!" She said as Angel took the book from her.

There was a very soft noise of something brushing against fabric - oh yea, the tail - as Alastor smiled at Niffty. "Why thank you, Niffty! I feel, well, simply nifty."

"Don't count it yet, let's check dhat readin' ah yours." Angel opened to the first page, mindful of the satin bookmark halfway through, holding it up. "Can you read dhis?"

Alastor tried, and found out he could - the noise getting louder as he made a 'happy deer noise' as Charlie and Niffty joked once. "Ho ho! Why, I haven't been able to see this clearly since 1931 when I got a new prescription! I'd venture to say that this is the clearest that everything has ever been!"

"Ignorin' dhat littl' tidbit for now- you ready ta put on a show?" Angel asked with a smirk.

"I suppose..?" Alastor tilted his head, squinting - nope, glasses seemed to only make this funnier. But Angel wisely kept it quiet as he turned around.

"Alright, yous mugs! Get ready fer a surpise.." Angel paused, and turned to Alastor, "wait, Smiles, do the creepy neck thin- yea, that.." creepy eyes on the back of his head bitch. "Oh, wait! Can you strike a pose - oh dhere's da money maker baby!"

Angel turned back to the crowd, clearing his throat. "Now, please give a round ah applause fer Smiles and his new eyewear!" He stepped away from Alastor.

They saw the back of his head, nothing new, while his body was in a performative pose.

"And- turn, baby! Show off dhat money maker!" Angel encouraged, his hands held up to form a square to 'focus' on Alastor.

Turn Alastor did, a wide and friendly smile on his face, to show off his new eyewear.

Husk spat out his drink. Vaggie's mouth dropped open. Lucifer cut himself while carving a duck. Charlie and Rosie - she'd helped Angel pick out the glasses, of course she was there - were silent.

Charlie was the first to speak, seeing the slow deflation of Alastor's face. "Oh Al! You look amazing!" She stood up with a smile, walking towards him and taking his hands.

"Y- you really think so?" Alastor asked, with a stutter, embarrassed. "I uh.. I have a face meant for radio and all, so I never truly considered getting a new prescription in death.."

"Uh, yeah! You look amazing!" Charlie turned to the room. "Right, everyone?" She squinted her eyes a bit in warning.

"Uh, yeah.. nice eyewear." Husk said, in fear of his life, before quickly starting to chug his beer.

"Not bad, Antlers." Lucifer said, finally mentally saying 'fuck it' and summoning a first aid kit.

"It suits you, truly." Ah, Vagatha.. always so curt with him.

And now, always time for the honest opinion of-

"Why I must say!" Rosie was fanning her face and - was she blushing!? "I wasn't expecting those to be such a perfect fit."

Oh.. oh, Alastor could work with this.

"Really? How so?" Alastor grinned at he moved away from Charlie to prance about - also testing his spacial awareness with the glasses.

"Oh, you know! I just.. glasses, and you, and your.. your immaculate image! I didn't want to up end-"

Alastor was suddenly in her face - nose to nose, for lack of a comparison, good ol' Alastor and ignoring boundaries - and all words died in Rosie's mouth. Oh, oh no - he's hot!

"Up end, how?" Alastor grinned as he asked her - breath of death be damned. "I think these make me look more, hm, articulate with my facial expressions." He batted his doe eye lashes at her. "Don't you think?"

Fuck! Fucking fuck! Rosie had trapped herself, the sound of sharp nails gripping and tearing into upholstery was heard.

And then - this little moment was ruined.

"Yeah! Get it, babies!" Angel whistled and started to whoop.

Alastor pulled away too quick for Rosie's liking, but at the same time she was also relieved.

"Well! If you'll all excuse me," Alastor backed up from Rosie, a smile of - oh, so triumph was what he was going for.. that bitch, "I must prepare for a radio broadcast!" And then, he vanished into shadows.

"Um, Rosie?" Charlie's voice made Rosie snap her head towards her. "Are.. are you okay?" Was she.. smiling?

"Y- yes. I'm.. I'm fine." No, she was not. She stood up, retracting her nails from the chair. "I, have some business to tend to in Cannibal Town! Fair well for the day, all!"

And, she was gone. After a minute..

"Damn, Smiles got a way wit' da ladies!" Angel said with a grin as he laughed. "Did you see dah way dhat chick looked at Smiles? Looked like she was ready for some bow-chicka-wow-wow!"

"Angel Dust, please!" Charlie scolded.

"What? You heard how she grippped Smiles' chair!" Angel laughed. "Oh! Oh man! At least now, I don't gotta teach Smiles how to charm someone! Kid's doing fine on his own!" He was now doubled over.

"Didn't think he had it in him." Husk said, before going to down another drink to get rid of the images the first one disgustingly left him with.

"Guys.." Charlie was trying to get them to stop.

"Seriously. Stop it." Vaggie had to agree with Charlie.

Angel kept laughing. "Hey- hey Luci? What you think? Smiles on top?"

Lucifer gave an ungodly snort. "Guy is definitely a power bottom with her."

Angel was now on the floor. "That's even funnier holy shit!"

Niffty's eye widened. "New lore.." She then rushed off to go write her stories.

"Charlie, let's just leave them be." Vaggie said, guiding Charlie out of the room.

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel what if #radiorose #could be #one sided radiorose #also could be #hazbin alastor #hazbin rosie

[one-piece-one-shots]

Sabo X CisFem Reader - Song fic

"How could you do this to me Marco?" You whined clutching the entertainment schedule.

"Do what to you yoi?" The blond asked calmly not looking up from his phone.

"This!" You waved the crumpled paper, "You have me performing tonight."

"So?" Another calm response.

"It's Tuesday... I don't do Tuesdays."

"Is it the Sabo thing yoi?" He asked finally glancing up to watch you flush wildly.

"N-no. Shut up." You dropped the schedule.

"Look, Kid's band canceled because they got a better gig. And honestly, you're much better than them yoi." He stood, "Sabo would have heard you sooner or later anyway. Now get out of my office."

You dramatically dropped your arms at your sides and turned to make your exit.

The stage was one of the few sacred places you had to escape your anxiety and self-loathing. You could bare your soul in the lyrics of a song. Most of the time you couldn't see passed the bright lights pointed at you so it didn't matter if people stared. Being the center of attention up there was better than being invisible off stage with everyone else.

Since puberty, your weight yo-yoed, which resulted in teasing and lots of left-handed compliments. Not to mention someone always being concerned for your health. You were always one of the guys because you were 'so funny' and had such a great personality. They always wondered why they couldn't find a girl like you.

When you got up to sing you shocked everyone. Such a smooth sultry alto tone emitting from a portly girl. It was as if people believed only thin people could have a flashy talent. You always felt like you were sticking it to them somehow, proving they were wrong.

Straight out of high school you fronted a band only to be kicked out because the boys felt no one would come to a show where a girl like you was leading. Since then you taught yourself to play guitar and frequented open mics all over The East Blue until Thatch and Marco found you.

The brothers owned a pub called The Blue Bird that featured live local performances, and the performers were also the staff. You had a weekly waiting and entertainment schedule. You'd made a deal with Marco to not put you on stage Tuesday nights when his younger brother Sabo worked. You harbored a ridiculous crush for the younger blond and refused to sing in front of him. Your stage nights happened to be his nights off.

"F/N?" Sabo called making his way across the room.

"What's up?" you shook your head and flushed making eye contact with his hazel gaze.

"Everything ok? I saw you're playing tonight!" he nudged your shoulder as he came to stand next to you, "Nervous?"

"Me? Never." you smirked hoping he couldn't see through your false bravado, "You should be nervous. I'm gonna show you boys how it's done."

"Oh, well then, I'm glad Ace and I don't play tonight. It would suck to be shown up." he played along, "I'm glad I get to see you play for the first time."

"Yeah," you rubbed your nape, "I guess you haven't been here my nights."

Little did you know, Sabo had been to every one of your performances. He, Ace, Thatch, Marco and the youngest Luffy are all brothers, adopted by Edward Newgate. The open mic night when the two eldest discovered you had been recorded and played for all of the brothers to make the decision to offer you a job. From that very moment he knew he needed to get closer to you and offered to do all of your training.

He was so calm and polite, unlike the other Newgate boys. You also had great banter, he just seemed to get you. If you made an off-putting joke or downed yourself in any way he was always there to stop you and somehow spin them into positive traits.

He tried countless times to get you to play with he and Ace or to even get you to practice with them, but you always refused. So, he snuck into the crowd whenever you sang just to get his fix.

Marco was the only person aware of your nerves and insecurities where Sabo was concerned, he was also the only one who knew Sabo's addiction to you. He moved Kid's band's gig just to see what might happen.

You forced your gaze down trying to swallow and remedy the dryness in your mouth. Knots twisted their way through your stomach just thinking about your performance time approaching.

"F/N~" Ace sang squeezing his way between you and his brother, "Are you nervous? I hear someone you're crushing on is here."

You dropped the ketchup bottle you were already struggling to fill, "W-hat? Who said that?"

"Marco told me." the raven laughed wiping up your mess.

"He doesn't know what he's talking about." you scoffed.

"That reaction says otherwise." Ace continued to tease.

"Go away." you swatted at him.

"Ok ok - geez!" he whined backing out of your reach.

Sabo had stood quietly gauging your reaction, his stomach dropping with the shade of red staining your cheeks. Of course, you had someone you liked he just wanted so badly for it to be him.

"I didn't know you had a crush on someone." the blond commented feeling a little bitter.

"It's hopeless." you should sighed.

"What makes it hopeless?"

You glanced up at him briefly, "I mean, nobody wants this."

"F/N, any guy would seriously be lucky to have you." he soothed, "You're intelligent, incredibly talented and - "

"Have a charming personality, but I'm a buddy, one of the guys, a sister." you interrupted.

Sabo frowned, "Ah..no I - "

"F/N!" Marco called rounding the corner from the main room, "Time to get your guitar yoi."

The younger blond let out a frustrated growl.

"Sorry Sabo." you gave a diminutive smile running your hand down his arm before following Marco to the door.

"Break a leg!" he called after you.

After changing and touching up your makeup you stood in the wings of the stage waiting to be announced. This was the worst. You didn't want him to see you sing because of how vulnerable it felt to have all of your feelings laid out around you. Seeing him made you nervous in a normal setting, having to play knowing that beautiful man was somewhere in the room was damn near crippling.

"We have a special set tonight...she's one of our favorites, please give it up for F/N." Thatch introduced you and exited the opposite side of the stage as you took a deep breath and approached the microphone.

Plucking your Epiphone from its stand, you slung it across your torso and leaned toward the mic, "Thank you all for coming," You cleared your throat, "it'll be a short set tonight because I didn't know I was performing. Tables 18 and 24, I'll have your drinks out when I'm done." the small crowd chuckled as you winked and strummed the teal semi-hallow.

"I don't want to talk about it to you

I'm not an open book that you can rifle through

The cold hard truth that you'll see right to

I'm just a basket case without you

He's not a magic man or a perfect fit

But had a steady hand and I got used to it

And a glass cage heart and invited me in

And now I'm just a basket case without him."

This was a song Sabo hadn't heard before. He stopped wiping down the bar and found himself drifting through the crowd.

"You're begging for the truth

So I'm saying it to you"

You searched the front of the crowd nervously through the stage lights, unexpectedly feeling your nerves melt as you met his hazel gaze.

"I've been saving your place

And what good does it do?

Now I'm just a basket case

Now I'm just a basket case

I don't say much and it'll stay that way

You got a steel train touch and I'm just a track you lay

So I'll stay right here underneath you

I'm just a basket case that's what we do."

You felt a surge of confidence watching a wide smile play upon his lips.

"Won't somebody come on in and tug at my seams?

Oh, send your armies in of robbers and thieves

To steal the state I'm in, I don't want it anymore

You're begging for the truth

So I'm saying it to you

I've been saving your place

And what good does it do?

Now I'm just a basket case"

Fading into the end of the song you realized you hadn't broken eye contact with Sabo. Flushing madly, you tugged at your blouse and averted your gaze back to the cheering crowd.

You played longer than you'd planned with encouragement from Marco and the crowd, which grew the longer you were on stage. An hour later you finally thanked everyone for coming and glanced down to see the empty space Sabo had left. A small frown tugged at your lips while you reminded yourself that he was actually supposed to be working the entire time.

Thatch crossed the stage handing you a hand towel and a bottle of water on his way to announce Luffy's band. Toweling the sweat from your brow and neck you took a seat on the steps backstage getting high fives from The Straw Hats as they passed instruments in hand.

"Uh hey." Sabo voiced sheepishly, approaching as boisterous noises erupted from the stage behind you.

"Hey." You nearly had to shout.

"Can - uh - we talk in a quieter place?" the blond asked offering you a hand.

Heat invaded your face," S-sure."

Your mind completely blanked while Sabo guided you to the breakroom shutting the door behind you. He seemed tense and nervous, making you feel like you might've done something wrong. Maybe you made too much eye contact and he felt like you were singing to him? Were you? Probably, thinking back on it.

Damnit. You knew it was a bad idea to perform while he was there.

"I uh - I know you have someone you like," He started, eyes darting around the room while you tried to distract yourself by putting your guitar away.

"Ah, no what Ace was saying earlier," you murmured, "you can ignore it."

"Good." He breathed sounding relieved.

Good?

"What?"

Sabo's face, neck, and ears began turning shades of red and pink as he kept his eyes fixed on your fidgeting hands.

"The thing is...I've seen you sing before. Actually, every time." He rubbed his nape, "Marco showed us all the video from when he found you and..." he trailed off losing his words while your heart began to race.

"Sabo?" you whispered after a few seconds causing his eyes to snap up to your beautiful heart shaped face.

"You know all that stuff you say about yourself - it isn't true. Y-you're amazing F/N." he moved forward closing in the space between you, "It isn't just your voice or your face or that you're smarter and funnier than all of us."

You stared up at him, caught in the unbelievable surge of emotions flooding your senses. The world around you fell away as he gently tapped his forehead on yours.

"It's you." you blurted, "Th-the crush... I mean."

"Good." He chuckled placing a chaste kiss on your nose, "I really like you. All of you."

Song - Basket Case - Sara Bareilles

#Just Sing #sabo #sabo x reader #lyndsyh24 #mdni #one piece #one piece oneshots #x reader #song fic #Youtube

[barbiecrocs]

The blonde bastard

Laurent Thierry

tags! teasing, begging, switching, oral(male receiving), blow job, hand job, edging, sex so good it got Laurent speaking French, alcohol consumption, low key sadistic reader, "I wanna break him"

WC. 3450

Barbie's note... Hey yall🧍‍♀️... So I know I haven't posted in a while and that yall are fed up with not having material, but I've been going through the craziest writer's block ever. Then this idea came to mind after I watched Great Pretender and everything just came out because this show has been my personality for a while😭😭. Anyway, that's all, enjoy the new year!!

You gulp as you turn your back on the consequence of making a deal with a confidence man. “The clock started ten minutes ago, mon amour. Time is ticking.” You look over your shoulder to where the voice is coming from, only to be met with Laurent entirely at your mercy, his wrists tied together behind the chair, ankles tied to the legs, and his long, heated length standing proudly by itself. A sigh leaves your mouth as you think, ‘How did I get here?’

—

“Cynthia, stop laughing! We’re being serious!” You and Edamura pout as you stop drinking the half-full glass of wine he poured for you. “Oh, I know, and I feel you. Wouldn’t we all like to make the blonde bastard fall to his knees one day? But I just can’t stop myself from laughing. Your plan is too simple. Don’t you think he’ll see right through it?” Your mouth opens to combat her, but Edamura takes the words from your mouth. “How is it simple? We’d turn on him mid-heist, take the money for ourselves, get paid by his enemies to rat out his location, and turn on them by sending them to a location with fake police and get paid off there because they don’t want to go to jail. If that doesn’t scream intricate and complicated, then I don’t know what does.” He slams on the table with each sentence to emphasize the deceitfulness of your scheme as you nod along, but none of it phases Cynthia as she sighs. “I’m only going to tell you guys this once because I don’t even like the idea, but the only plausible way to get him on his knees is sexually. Which will already be hard to do, but I don’t see him swallowing his pride otherwise.” Your breath hitches with her response, and your hands fly to hide the hot blush creeping onto your cheeks. The way that she says it without blushing or getting shy has you feeling like such a dork compared to her.

 “This is where I leave the conversation, but mark my words, we’ll get him.” Edamura finishes his drink and sets it back on the table, leaving the cleaning to you. You don’t notice it, but Cynthia watches you like a hawk as you bid Edamura goodnight and down the rest of your wine. “Would you like another one?” She asks, and you nod yes, “Don’t think I could have this conversation any other way. So another glass it is.” You smile, already feeling the buzzing and heat flutter to your face. When she’s finished pouring, your lips immediately make contact with the rim of the glass as an inquiry floats into your head. Feeling bold off of liquid courage, you pop the question. “Why would you know that about him anyway?” She’s halfway through refilling her glass when you catch her by surprise. She tilts her head in confusion, still not catching on before her eyes go wide with realization, “Oh god! If you’re implying what I think you’re implying, then you’d be wrong. Trust me, we haven’t done anything like that. You have him all to yourself, hun.” You’re unsure if the heat dusting your cheeks is a blush or a drunk buzz, but you cover your face in embarrassment. “I mean, you do want him, yes?” A warm silence passes through as you think long and hard about what you really want from him. “I want to break him, his pride, wipe that playful smirk off his face, and make him genuinely beg for something. Show him that he’s not so high and mighty and knows everything just because he always acts like it. I just want to knock him down a couple of notches. The satisfaction I would have if I could do that.” You snap out of your trance when your rambling stops, only to see Cynthia looking at you as if she saw a ghost. Her mouth’s agape, her eyes wide open, and her brows almost touching her forehead. “Oh… Never in a million years would I have imagined that somebody like you would go into so much detail about something like that.” You immediately cover your mouth and begin to sink into your seat on the couch, scared that you overshared or said something completely out of pocket for even a cons man. Just then, she eagerly leans in like a nosey little kid, hands on her knees to keep herself from falling forward. “How do you plan on doing that, though?” As if to save you from the question, the man in consideration walks in unbeknownst to your attention. Cynthia begins to chug the rest of her drink before leaving the glass for you to clean up and gracefully gets up from her seat on the other side of the glass coffee table. Before you can ask where she’s going, the voice least you expected to hear at the moment makes itself known.

 “A little get-together, and I wasn’t invited. How cruel. Let me guess. Edamame was here, huh? I can understand why he wouldn’t tell me, but you? I thought we were closer than that, bavarde.” He scans the area, seeing only two empty glasses before sitting half a foot away from you and pouring some wine into the glass that Edamura used. A stiff calmness passes through the air as you watch him take a refreshing swig of the expensive wine Cynthia bought. You don’t notice it, but you end up staring so hard that he catches on, watching your eyes drink in the sight of him piece by piece. Staring at his lips as they turn a slight shade of the deep red wine, his fingers as they firmly but delicately hold the glass to his mouth, and lastly, his eyes, which you only just now noticed were watching you back, causing him to smirk. The glass clinks onto the table as he turns his body towards you, laying an arm around the back of the couch. “So, you want to break me, huh?” You choke on your wine before finally finding your grounding, “I- I’m going to hit the hay-” You shoot up from your seat, but he grabs onto your wrist and pulls you down on his lap, “Oh no, don’t do that because I’d actually like to take you up on your interest.” He slides an arm around your waist, and a hand comes under your thigh to spread your legs. “I’d love to see what you can do, but I have one condition.”

—

If you can’t make me completely submit in thirty minutes, then I get to show you what I can do.

Of course, you pushed for forty minutes since you said it was unfair that he was way more experienced than you. So you might have just fucked yourself before he could with this deal. Still, you fight the urge to leave him tied up and run so you don’t go down without a fight.

 After briefly giving it some thought, you finally make your move by slowly stripping everything but your underwear and straddling a very bored Laurent’s hips. You make sure not to slide his length inside but leave its aching self behind your butt. “Finally, something is happening. You know, you’ve wasted a mighty fine ten minutes sitting there-” You interrupt him, wasting no more time on thoughts and words, and begin leaving kisses along his jawline. “Oooooh. Spicy first move.”

 “Shut up.” You say and begin putting your hands to work. One squeezes his cheeks together to prevent him from speaking, and the other sneaks behind you and gently rubs circles on his tip. He jerks up into your hand, and you nip his jaw as punishment, which isn’t the last time that happens. Precum begins to bead on his tip, and you gather some on your finger before putting it in your mouth while maintaining the finest eye contact. Laurent’s head falls back before you feel him buck under you. “Mhm!” You hear him bite back in his most tranquil voice. You smirk and pause your actions, “Hm? What was that?” He looks at you in muted shock from the way that you almost don’t sound like yourself. Then he sees the cloudiness in your eyes and puts two and two together that you’re tipsy. “Who are you?” You snicker at the genuineness in his voice, “The person who is going to break you.” With that answer, you slide off his lap, leaving a wet spot on one of his thighs, before dropping to your knees in front of him. You gulp before looking up at him, wondering if this is a good idea, only for him to give you a smug smile that boosts your confidence. Taking his dick into your hands, you spit on the tip as both of you watch the thin stream of warm liquid slide down to his balls, “That tickles!” You ignore his complaint and start stroking at a slow pace after spitting a couple more times regarding his pleasing length. You hum in arousal as your mouth entertains itself with his inner thighs, pressing soft kisses onto them before surprising him with a couple of nips.

 “Nice try, but easing your way into this at snail speed isn’t going to break me how you want it to.” You refuse to look his way, already knowing the expression he’ll be wearing if you do, the same shit-eating grin he always has. Viewing what he said, you have no problem brewing another idea.

 Feeling bolder than the last time, you don’t hesitate to start phase two of your plan. You stop nipping Laurent’s thigh and begin kissing your way to the tip of his shaft. Only then do you tease the tip gently with your teeth before finally taking it between your lips. And your lips are the only thing it touches. You focus on not bobbing your head and strictly kitten-licking the tip. He jerks up into you only to run into your teeth like a brick wall preventing him access. “If you want my mouth so bad, ask for it.” You glance at him and see his head tilted back as if the decision put his life on the line. But in reality, he was just trying to give himself time to cool down and let time fly by with his pride still intact. 

The knee-jerk reaction to look at you when you lick a line up his shaft for his attention wins, and he almost gives you a facial immediately. ‘What a sight for sore eyes.’ He thinks to himself. His eyes start at the bottom, where your legs are gathered neatly under you, then your ass which you poked out for him so generously before finally moving up to your lips that glistened with spit and precum. ‘Fuuuuuck!’ He thought to himself. He wasn’t sure if it was the liquid courage in your veins or if you were just a different person when you were horny, but he was confident that you were not the same shy tsundere he was talking to in the hotel’s living room. That shy person would never touch him like this. That tsundere wouldn’t have even admitted to wanting to break him. But he’s here now, so there is something that he undoubtedly doesn’t know or have right about you. 

You grab his attention by tapping his thigh since the licking wasn’t making him decide any faster. He redirects his eye line from your lips to your eyes, only to be met with the beautiful stare that captured him the first time you met him in a casino where you single-handedly scammed some rich guy for all he was worth. He clears his throat, trying to sound like he wasn’t about to pop if you breathed on him too hard. “Please, Y/n.” He asks. You frown, knowing you should be satisfied with what he gave you, but deep down, it feels like it’s not enough. Sure, he said please, but he still has that damn smug smile on his face, and he couldn’t even throw in the extra neediness you wanted. You want him to beg like it’s going to save his life, like if you don’t touch him, he’s going to die of yearning and blue balls. You need to rip that smile off his face and fast.

“I know you can do better than that, Laurent. Otherwise, I’d have to leave you high and dry. And you wouldn’t want that, would you?” You egg him on by sucking his tip harder than usual as you watch his stomach dip and do flips. He pushes out a heavy sigh of relief before you put his pleasure on hold once again and start kissing around where he needs you the most. Just when you start kissing up his length again, “Fuck, please don’t leave me hanging, bavarde.” You freeze from hearing the genuineness in his voice, and your head snaps up at him, expecting to see Laurent torn to shreds with his hair sticking to his forehead and panting faster than his ability to get a word out. But you’re met with a slightly different-looking smile. His brows furrow together while his lips shake up a tiny storm, and his teeth that you can barely see through his almost closed mouth grind together, ‘This is the hottest he’s ever looked.’

You smile at him and spit on his tip before gulping him down inch by inch until your nose reaches his pubic area. Trying your best not to gag, you move slowly while your fingers work magic that you didn’t even know you had on his balls, smiling when you hear his nails claw on the end of the armrest. “Thaf fewl gud?” You tease. Only to feel another heartbeat deep inside once you see his chest rise and fall quickly with his teeth encasing his bottom lip to suppress his heavy, serene groans, “C'est tellement bon, bébé.” He pants out, finding himself physically incapable of breaking eye contact with you even though he knows that’ll only make him finish faster. It’s just the euphoric way his cock slides down your warm, wet, and tight throat with ease that makes him want to explode a thousand times.

 ‘Not experienced my ass!’ He complains, regretting that he chose to go easy on you and allow you extra time. Now, he’s dangerously close to cumming down your throat as you suck all his pride away. And him cumming isn’t even the problem. It’s the matter that he held his head up so high, thinking that you wouldn’t even know what to do if you got near his dick. Then he was going to make you scream all night long once your little forty minutes were up, and you’d just keep on coming back to him when you were sexually frustrated because, in his head, there’s no way or anyone that can fuck better than him. And he was the best of all the girls he's fucked, but that other part. Oh, he is so wrong. And you’re only going to make it harder for him.

You start bobbing faster once you get comfortable with his size, even going as far as to take the opportunity to try out some stuff that you heard makes it more pleasurable for guys. You try moaning around him to produce vibrations, give him the salt and pepper to create friction when your mouth gets tired, and even ever so slightly rake your teeth along his shaft, which he wasn’t a big fan of, so you go back to the first two. “Are you close?” You ask after feeling his leg tense multiple times. “Je suis si proche.” He nods with his answer, knowing that you still aren’t as fluent as Cynthia in French, only to regret being so kind when you pull off of him. “Beg me to cum. You can’t cum otherwise.” You say, laying your head on his thigh while letting your fingers ghost up and down his very sensitive shaft. His head tilts back for the first time in a while, but you already know he’s trying to stall and let time run out. So you take it a step further and give your sore knees a rest by sitting on the end of his legs so his dick is in front of you. “No stalling. I need an answer now.” He takes no shame in staring when you start rubbing your panty-clad cunt against his erection, listening to each moan you throw in when the friction against your bundle of nerves becomes too much. “Come on, Laurent.” Words that sound like a siren’s song when said in this scenario, and he’s praying to god that he doesn’t give in when you move your panties to the side, exposing your glistening clit to the cold air. You lean forward, laying your head on his shoulder while gently grinding into and stroking his length, letting any shlick that oozes from your pussy melt onto him. “I’m waiting, Laurent.” You hear his breath hitch, and thinking you are getting a response out of him, you pop up. Only to realize that it was just him shying away from you with his eyes shut tight. Frustration begins to cloud your mind, and you grab him by his jaw, forcefully turning his head back over to you. “Laurent, you’re cheating. Honestly, I should win by default-”

 “Fuck!” He stiffly shoots out. “My… My answer is no!” Your teeth begin to grind until you feel his cock twitch with need in your hand. Realization and confidence paint a smile across your face, “Are you sure? Because your mind is trying desperately to resist my touch, but your body is falling victim to it so hard.” He shakes out of your grip and looks away once more, “I am sure.” You groan, “Then you leave me no choice.” You stroke him a couple of times before lining his dick up at your entrance, taking three fingers to transfer your shlick to the tip of his cock for easier access. The sensation is mythical in he has to clench every muscle in his body to not jerk into you, knowing that he’s going to explode during penetration. “Say goodbye to your pride. There is no way in hell you can come back after cumming on the first up and down.” You probe him at the entrance a few times, getting ready to sink onto him, but before you can. ‘Bloob, bloob, bloob, bloob, bloob.’ rings three times on the Apple watch Laurent is wearing. A heavy sigh is exiled from his mouth as all you can think is how close you were while untying him.

 But it’s hard to feel bummed when you catch a hot glimpse of Laurent greedily finishing himself off. His head lolling back onto the back of the chair with his bangs sticking to his forehead due to the sweat. Both of his hands double-fisted his length as fast but gently as possible before deciding that one was enough and started tweaking his nipples with the free hand. Then, his long legs stretch out, taking up more room than needed as they twitch with each jerk. And lastly, the string of curses that you swore you’ve heard your name floating around once or twice, which you certainly did. 

He delivers his last thrusts into his hand before cumming and collapsing back into the chair with a more fucked out expression than before. You roll your eyes and start gathering your clothes, “What are you doing?” He asks, immediately hopping out of his chair as if he didn’t just have the most insane and unhinged-looking orgasm ever. “I’m getting dressed to head back to my room, obviously. Why else would I be getting dressed? To sit around here? No.” You retort, prepping your shirt to put it on.“You must not remember the other half of the deal.” 

“Nope, I remember it just fine. I just figured that since you orgasmed right now, you’d be all done for the night.” You’d think he saw you as a clown or comedian because before you got the last word out, he was hysterical while rolling on the floor laughing. “No, no, no, no, no. That isn’t how this is going to play out because I have stamina and libido for days, and I haven’t had sex for a while, but I do have you here. Ready to play. And I'd be the dumbest man alive to watch you walk out of here after the torture you just put me through. So I think it’s time that I show you what I can do.”

Should I post part two?😵‍💫😋

#smut #laurent thierry smut #laurent smut #thierry smut #laurent thierry x reader smut #laurent thierry #great pretender smut

[areislol]

UH so i had a great idea. the streamer!AU x online reader with xiao… reader and xiao have been dating for a couple months but haven’t told their fans yet. they are at a sports event like football or something, and they get on the kiss cam. they kiss, and that’s how everyone finds out they’re dating ヾ(｡>﹏<｡)ﾉﾞ✧*。

streamer! xiao x reader

ft— xiao warnings— crazy fans(harassment, invasion of privacy, etc), kissing(duh) a/n— this idea has my whole heart, im really hoping that i can make parts of this! you guys can request me it doesn't really matter because i feel i should def make a part 2 + more of this :) i have no idea how a football starts so please dont judge, never been to any sports game too. please enjoy!

recommend listening to: bang bang - k'naan ft. adam levine(sped up)

streamer! xiao x reader

now you and xiao have been dating for a few months, and you both agreed to not tell anybody about your relationship as you both knew about how crazy xiao's fans were.

there are/were situations where fans would come over to their "idols" home to do stalk them or break in, harassment basically.

you and xiao did not want that to happen at all.

neither of you guys wanted to be hurt or have the other be in danger so it was best to not tell anyone about your relationship

it was quite hard to conceal your relationship, xiao really wanted to take you outside, to show and tell the word that your his but he couldn't, and you know why.

also since xiao always streamed on a daily basis with you, that meant you two had to refrain yourselves from flirting, teasing (to an extent) and hints. oh and pda.

this went on for about a few months, but that all changed, for the better and worse.

one day, you were eating lunch at your house along with xiao, he was sitting next to you munching on his meal

you were scrolling on tiktok, just watching whatever was on your fyp when you stumbled upon a tiktoker talking about how in a few weeks a football game would be playing in a ground/stadium that was just a few hours away from your home

you stopped scrolling, you checked the comments, everyone seemed hyped and excited for this event.

for a few minutes you contemplated whether or not you and xiao could go, as these past few days you two haven't gone anywhere, well you couldn't really anyways.

but still!! it's good to go out once in a while...

while thinking, you forgot that a special someone was also in the same room with you, and with the same person talking over and over again from the tiktok video, xiao turned his head to look at you, quirking his eyebrow.

you were staring at your phone, watching the video and scrolling on your phone (checking the comments), your head resting on your palm

"y/n? you good?" xiao asks, no reply. "y/nnnnnnnnnn?" he asks again, this time waving his hands to catch your attention

and it works, you snap out of whatever your doing and look over, only to see xiao staring at you, looking at you with confusion and he looked, concerned.

your mouth opens but nothing comes out, your throat felt dry. why. but anyways, after a few seconds you could finally talk.

"yea, im fine." you state before looking down at your phone, the tiktok was still playing. "i was just uh, thinking, do you want to go to the football event? it's only maybe a few hours away from here.. plus! fresh air.."

xiao doesn't say anything, his face droops. he only gives you a devastated look on his face. you pout, wanting a response. "yes or no?" you question

xiao gets up from his seat and walks over towards you while sighing, you're watching him, wondering why he's going over to you

his hands are behind his back, once he's right in front of you he sighs, again. you raise your eyebrows and with that he reveals to you what he was hiding, two tickets.

two tickets to... a football game? your eyes widen in surprise but that doesn't last very long when he speaks, "i was going to ask you today.... but you asked already so, here." he murmurs before handing you the ticket, you take it from him, looking at the ticket you smiled.

you two were finally going to spend some time together!! in.... a very crowded space, it's going to be noisy and smelly, and that's for sure.

but you and xiao are finally going to go out so i guess no complaining.

also when did he buy that ticket.

fast forward to the day of the football game, you have your phone out, checking the time there and then to make sure you two weren't going to be late

xiao packed the tickets into a small shoulder bag along with some water and sunscreen. what? it was going to be a hot and sunny day.

after packing everything, xiao went up into your shared room to start changing into his clothes for the day, upon opening the door he sees you in your clothes already, you were wearing a short sleeved t-shirt with shorts.

you held a zip up jacket just incase the weather forecast was wrong.

getting up from the bed, you went over to xiao and gave him a kiss on his cheek before getting out of the room

xiao was smiling like a mad man when you kissed him, oh the things you make xiao feel.

closing the door behind him, he quickly changed into your picked clothing. once seeing the clothes he was going to wear made him... want to cry.

it was a t-shirt with the photo of you and him kissing with the sentence "CHOOSE ME FOR THE KISS CAM" under it.

he felt his cheeks burn, slapping his face he sighed, he didn't want to let you down so...

other than that he wore cargo pants and of course, a jacket just incase the weather turned hot.

exiting the room, he walked down the hallway and standing at the end of the hallway was you, you had your phone out, it was as if you were waiting for him to come out in that position from the very start to end.

xiao's eye widened when he saw the phone and ran into the room next to him but it was already too late. by the time he saw the camera and ran you already took a picture of him.

two.

one of him standing still, moments before he ran, the picture of him running was the second picture.

after the pictures were taken you clicked onto the little picture at the bottom, you chuckled when you saw how the second photo turned out. it looked like it was taking just as a ghost started to run.

when xiao heard your giggles and fits of laughter he stepped out of the room, being cautious. don't want you to be taking pictures of him again.

but you didnt, not this time anyways.

he skipped over to you, leaning over to see how the pictures turned out, the first one? oh yea, he looked like a model. no matter how silly the clothes may look, but the second? god damn😭

xiao laughs a bit before stopping. he squints at your phone, your eyes follow his and you see that he's looking at the time.

the football game started at 1:30 pm, it's 11 am now. you and xiao turn to look at each other, your eyes both scream "WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE."

both you and xiao run out the door, not before grabbing your bag of course.

where the football game took place at was about 2 hours away from your place.

you and xiao were going to be SUPER late if you went any later then 11 am, you and xiao wanted to be on point.

rushing out the door, xiao went over to his car and clicked the key, he opened his door but after opening it, he stops and runs over to your side, your about to open it when your lightly pushed away by him

"ladies first" he states, opening the door he stood on the side so you could have space to go in, you roll your eyes playfully and get in, xiao closes the door and runs over to his side.

getting into the car and driving was maybe the most stressful thing that ever happened to you, ever.

there was not a lot of cars but your car wasn't the first in line, maybe the first 3 or more.

you really didn't want to miss this football game, it was going to be the first outing for this week with xiao, you didn't want to miss it, at all.

xiao sensed how you felt uneasy, and to ease the uneasiness he puts on some music, xiao connects his car with his phone's bluetooth

while the red light's on, he passed you his phone, "you can pick the songs :)" he mentions before getting back to driving when the green lights turn on.

you smile and nod and put on your favourite song, at this point you didnt care if the volume was loud or not, you wanted any of your negative thoughts gone.

after the drive, xiao parks the car and you two hop out of the car, there was other people walking towards the stadium where the football game was going to be played at.

xiao held your hand as you two walked over to where the door was that lead into the stadium

you two had to line up as well. and the line was LONG. you and xiao had to literally RUN to get to line before anyone else did, because if they did that’s just even more people to wait before it’s your turn.

and once you two started to run, so did the others. but luckily xiao is fast so you and xiao get to line before others did.

where you stood wasn’t so far to where to security guards were, after waiting for around 20 minutes it was finally your turn and you opened your bag, grabbed the tickets and handed it to the security guard who looked at your ticket, flipping it front and back before giving it back to you and nodding

you and xiao said your thanks and walked into the ground and was it large. bigger than you thought.

(lmao that’s what she said)

there were already hundreds of people sitting down at their designated seats, xiao grabbed the ticket from your hold and stared at it, he squinted his eyes while walking forward and pointed at the seats a few feet away from where you two were

“how can you see that far?” “shhh my sweet lamb, do not speak” he says, shushing you with a finger on your lip.

it was a little thing only you and him could understand, others wouldn’t but you two sure did.

you giggled before tightening your grip on xiao’s hand, he walks over to where your seats are and you two sit down.

it was 1:26.

more people started to pour into the stadium and sooner or later all the seats were filled.

1:31 now, suddenly the speakers turn on, a man speaks, saying that the game will start in a few minutes and that there are food and drinks coming around

fast forward to the game, everyone’s screaming, yelling, some are even crying.

some screaming from happiness or rage, some crying from sadness or happiness.

and honestly, you two started to scream and shout as well.

you two don’t even know any of the teams, except for their names as it was on the big tv.

you just asked someone next to you who was winning as said it was the red team and you told xiao, and now you two are screaming for the red team.

xiao was obviously getting annoyed when the red players kicked the ball but missed the goal. totally understandable but to him, it was outrageous, how could you just let down your fans!?!?

after hours of yelling your throat started to feel dry, but xiao was still fine, and still screaming.

then the players got their break and then the tv changed screens, it was a red screen with the word “kiss cam” on it, you and xiao knew this well.

it is, as it says, a kiss cam. the camera randomly picks two people, strangers or not and if they’re in the heart or just in the middle of the screen they have to kiss.

you smirked at xiao and pointed at his shirt, he looks down. he almost forgot. he looks back up and rolls his eyes

you crossed your fingers. please work!

a few people got selected, and once they kissed the whole crowd laughed or awed.

then, to xiao’s horror and to your excitement you two got on the screen!! you and xiao were in the heart, the people around you two shook you and xiao, some were cheering and there, somehow, was some people saying “wait...” as if they knew.... us.

you smiled at the camera before looking at xiao, xiao was in shock at first, but seeing how smug you were getting he loved hated it.

he smirked at you and pulled you in for a very, very deep kiss.

you could hear the claps of everybody, everybody around you and far away from you. you and xiao smiled in your kiss and that made many people awe.

after letting go a few people that were like 5-9 seats away from you called out xiao’s name. xiao and you froze.

xiao slinked back with you following his move, “shit.” was all you could hear from xiao before he grabbed your hand.

“we have to go now, i know today was meant to be a good day but we don’t know if those fans are nice, leave now?” he asks, holding onto your hand, waiting for your answer

you didn’t want to leave, really. but for the sake of your and his safety you complied and you both stood up and walked out of the stadium.

you could hear the voices of both girls and boys screaming xiao’s name, and your name occasionally.

when other people heard your and xiao’s name they all stood up to look if xiao and you was really there, and you two were!! instead, running to the entrance(exit??)

the fans pulled out their phones and started to take pictures of you two, without your permission.

some started to even get out of their seats and run towards you, that makes xiao run even more faster, you were stumbling there and then from how fast xiao was running

you could still hear the people screaming out your names.

it scared you honestly. once you two reached the entrance, the security asked why you two were leaving, you and xiao told them your situation and the security actually felt bad. they let you two go and stopped the fans reach you and xiao.

your heart was racing, so was xiao’s. everybody now knows that you two are dating, what will happen to you and xiao now?

you two now needed to give out a official “we’re dating!!” message to everybody now.

what about the fans? are they going to break into our house? stalk us? dox us? send us threats? try to sabotage our relationship?

all those thoughts scared you and xiao.

you both reached your car and drove off.

adrenaline was still in your body, you were breathing heavily, sweat beads sliding down your forehead from all the running and the stuffiness in the podium.

reaching your home, you immediately went to the couch and flopped down, too tired to deal with everything. xiao followed you and patted your head.

he sits right beside you and kisses your temple, “i’ll handle it” he whispers before getting up and walking up the stairs, presumably going to his streaming room to do whatever he was going to do.

while you slept, xiao was furiously typing away on his laptop

xiao stated, on every platform he has (twitter, discord, instagram, youtube, tiktok, etc), to not harass you or him and to not take pictures without permission and if they do, there would be consequences.

he even makes a full on youtube video about it. how it can really affect the lives of the people who are being stalked. how it must be scary to be doxxed, to not be safe.

how he is disappointed to call his fan, “fans”. how they are nothing like fans if they do those, and to the real, nice and respecting fans, thank you.

xiao is absolutely devastated. how this date was meant to be cute and all, but ended up with you feeling terrified of your and xiao’s safety.

in the end, xiao makes sure to make up for this terrible outing, maybe going to a more, secluded places. a picnic maybe? cinema? crocheting class?

well, xiao will make sure that this will never happen again, plus, if anyone ever did try to do anything to harm you or him he knows that karma and consequences will be coming their way.

note: if you would like to be added to the genshin taglist pls just ask me!! dont be shy <3

taglist: @tomansimp @one-offmind @miitchiji @dainsleif-when-playable @momoewn @stygianoir @irethepotato   @v4an @imetsk(couldn’t find ur main acc xiaxiao) @fiannee @sunnyf4lls

there were others but i couldn’t find your account : @kuaenyx @mobiuskiss, dm me if this was one of your accs!!

liking + following + reblogs are very much appreciated!!

another note: this seems so short lmao, also i wrote this in like 2-3 hours. first time in like weeks that i wrote in one day without taking long breaks and procrastinating, so proud of myself, also pls send in transformers requests im in neeeeddd, i’ll put out information about it soon!!

REQUESTS ARE OPEN!!

#genshin impact x reader #xiao x reader #streamer! au

[willowmosby]

Listen I told my self that I wasn't going to get invested enough in Person of Interest to talk about here but here I am anyway. It was chugging along being a good background show with Some really fun, if a little trope-y, cop characters and watching Harold Finch and John Reese act kinda gay and stop crime. I'm a big Amy Acker fan ( that's actually why I even started the show) so I wasn't upset about the shift in focus towards Root and Shaw a little bit as I entered season 3.

The problem I have actually run into is fucking season 3 episode 9: The Crossing. It just made me angry at a show's choices in a way I haven't felt in a while - please note I haven't watched past that episode as of writing this but I will eventually do so.

An the assumption that she really is dead( that looked pretty fucking fatal) I will miss Joss Carter a lot but that's not necessarily what made me angry. It seemed to me that the writers knew that the actor wanted out of the show from the start of the season as the whole season 3 arc was a seemingly slow moving suicide. It wasn't poorly written but it was obvious that this was a different type of Joss Carter than season 1 & 2.

No my problem wasn't necessarily her death. It's the "romantic" declarations of the episode. Now before you look back at the start of this and post and think I'm just mad because it wasn't my very unlikely to ever be a cannon ship that got confirmed, well you're only partially right.

Yes I'm a Rinch shipper( if follow my blog at all you've probably put together that I often root if the queer ships) but I genuinely would have been fine resigning myself to fanfiction while they get hopelessly paired up with some unsuspecting women. I understand that's how crime drama TV operates. And you know I actually like John and Zoe as a ship, if they were developed a bit more I think they could've been a lot of fun.

My problem is not that the whole you "saved me from commiting suicide" speech John gives Carter is equally, if not more, applicable to his relationship with Finch. Well, okay my problem is not only that. My problem is where was any of the romantic build up between Carter and John, like literally anything? They work great as narrative foils when Carter was still on the "the law is the only law" train. And they work great as friends as Carter steps more into the "some minor crime for the greater good is okay" camp. But not once did I think " oh these two are about to fall in love". Not even when Shaw asked about it earlier in season 3 did I think the show was going to actually pair them up like this. Now I hear you when you say that there are examples of characters with less chemistry have become couples. It's just, I'm not sure what the narrative gain is here. They had to know they were killing off Carter that same episode and this "revelation" doesn't add anything to the character. If anything it doesn't make sense with the revenge for Cal Becher (Beacher? Beecher?- You know who I'm talking about) angle that the writers have been using all season. And if it's about furthering John's character that's just dumb. I wouldn't consider it fridgeing as I'm pretty sure this is an actor who wants an out of contract situation(feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), but that doesn't excuse it as a narrative choice. John unequivocally cares about Carter and would be upset about her death regardless or romantic inclinations, as would Lionel and Finch. They already have an in on the revenge story line (which is where I assume they are going with this). Why bother with the romance especially when John already has the lost love story in his background. Like what Jessica isn't enough of a dead romance they needed to shoe in Joss as well.

Anyway I also wish this was like a mid season finale not episode like 9. Like bro why are you putting away one of your biggest villains so far and this is only a third of the way in the season.

And I wish that Lionel wasn't just suddenly back in the plot, like I know you have a bigger cast now and I m glad he's here but build the guy up a little bit better please.

I also think the Root in a cage thing is a little weird like I know all of these people are chugging the " the ends justify the means" juice but it still seems like there are other options Finch would choose. ( that being said Root and Finch's conversation about the machine somehow come off like " I had sex with your daughter, and I don't care if you know” which was hilarious to me)

Anyway sorry for the rant thanks for listening and I do hope the show gets back into a groove.

#Tldr: R.I.P Joss Carter; I would you stayed the cop propaganda you were meant to be #instead of dying mid a shoe in romance plot. #person of interest #POI #person of interest season 3 #person of interest spoilers #Harold Finch #john reese #Joss Carter #lionel fusco #Root #sameen shaw #zoe morgan #rinch #anti joss x john

[fluffypotatey]

Hello again! I hope you don't mind. What's your opinion on Azure Lion, and the Brotherhood? You said they were a toxic group, can you explain how and why? I am very dense. Also have you watched the newest Monkey King movie? What do you think of it? Are there any part of JTTW or Sun Wukong's story you'd like to see be made into a movie that doesn't get much attention? Not LMK verse of course. I'd like to see Ao Lie, the White Dragon Horse's story get expanded on, especially when the group encounter the Dragon family during their journey. What about you? What's your opnion on LBD's host, or Bai He as the fans are calling her? Would you like an interaction between her and SWK? Have a good month!

ok imma save your brotherhood question for last because once i start with them and swk's relationship with them, i will not stop.

anyway,

no, i haven't seen the new Monkey King movie yet T^T i hope to see it soon when i have free time, but uni's began, so i will be busy with assignments T^T goodbye summer vacation :'(

as for what jttw story i'd like to see more of? hmmmmm, idk, though tbh i am very new with any jttw interpretation (my introduction to this story was through OSP, and after seeing the sun&moon poll i decided to check out lmk), so my personal information is still small compared to the people who grew up with the many stories and variations of Journey to the West and its characters.

however, i kind of wanna say Sha Wujing/Sandy? mostly because he does seem like an interesting character (2nd strongest out of the companions if i'm remembering right), and is fairly clever with his fighting (which might be why he gets along with swk a lot). idk, it would be fun to get some background on how he acquired his skull necklace (pretty sure they were enemies of his???? or something idk) and his own motivations for redemption, not to mention he does become a Bodhisattva just like swk and Tripitaka (pretty Pigsy/Zhu Baije doesn't???), so that would be fun to touch on!

moving on now....i actually do like how the fandom just adopted :BD's host and we all affectionately call her Bai He! it's sweet and i like that we all kind of want to see her own recovery of being possessed for like months (or a year idk lmk timeline is weird and funky and no i am not annoyed-) i am a big fan of the "Macky adopts previously possessed child out of solidarity but also she latched onto him first and wouldn't let go so he's kind of stuck with her now :)" it's very fanon but, eh, i'm a sucker for "reluctant dad to protect the smol" characters (prob another reason why i love Pigsy and swk so much lmao).

ALSO, i think her interactions with swk would be so funny (for me) and awkward (for swk) because she's like "thanks for saving the world and me!" and swk like "MHM! uh yeah, sure, np kiddo" bc he did almost kill her (tho he really did try to find a way to not do that) but also Bai He might not even be mad at him for that. (maybe i want her to attempt to befriend him, but swk is just so nervous and feeling a tad guilty so he avoids her but she's a persistent little fucker, maybe i want to a lot, sue me)

idk what her role is now in the show tbh. she could be sidelined now, and we only get cameos of her (s3 ending & s4 special) for the time being just showing her slow recovery (lmk has been doing a "minor/background character development happening behind the scenes" for awhile (DBK fam) so i wouldn't be surprised if we see that with her). but it's possible that she could grow to have some role in s5 or s6 (maybe she's got some leftover LBD powers bc post-possession symptoms, maybe Mr. Hoodie Man wants to use her too bc she was such a great host for LBD, maybe she saw something plot relevant while possessed concerning MK and wants to warn him or his friend??? WHO KNOWS???)

ok.....Brotherhood™️ what are my thoughts on them......

this post is already long as is, and i have class in 30 minutes, oh boy let's go >:3

sO, let try and summarize my thoughts of them before delving in: i think that narratively, the Brotherhood are a great way for establishing who Sun Wukong was pre-jttw as well as giving us access to his history with Macky (THANK FUCKING GOD I WAS SO DESPERATE FOR THEIR BACKSTORY).

the Brotherhood is also a great way to showcase MK's growing similarities with swk and the narrative parallels the two characters have for each other. we already knew swk was trying to mentor MK is a way that was different from how swk lived his life before because, we he's shown, he really does regret his past actions, and wants MK to be a better version, believes MK can be this better version of him. and you can see him trying, but also he fails to really explain WHY his teaching methods are slow and vague sooooooo, uh oh :)

anyway, character-wise.....the Brotherhood is written to be both sympathetic and dislikable. the sympathetic aspect comes with Azure and his Cause™️ because that shows you that "wait a minute...he really did want to do good, but lost sight of it and the harm he was doing along the way." you're supposed to sympathize with him, you're supposed to feel confused about his shaky relationship with swk because "Azure only wanted to do good, yet swk ruined it" <- this is some excellent unreliable narrator shit i love about this show btw

HOWEVER! Azure is not an archetype character (lmk doesn't really do archetypes. okay, they do, BUT it's more of deconstruction of the archetype than really using an archetype, you feel me?) he is a character who is deeply flawed. he is idealistic and vain (yes, yes he is vain bc have you seen this lion????) Azure built up swk on a pedestal of what a true role model king should look like (nevermind that swk's kingdom was on a island and his subjects were just monkeys, meaning his reign was fairly small compared to Heaven, therefore more manageable BUT I DIGRESS)

basically, Azure placed so much admiration and all his ideal onto swk, who was frankly a lot younger than the celestial lion being that he would have only recently met him post-Havoc & he was only about 500-600 years old by then (maybe????), and saw the monkey more as a perfect weapon to use to defeat the Jade Emperor and start a new, "more compassionate" era.

ok, and this is just me speaking, but, Azure, honey, if you really wanted to help restart Heaven into helping out the poor humans, instead of the very flawed bureaucracy you argued against.....maybe, don't continue on with a monarchy????? idk, maybe it's the Western influence talking but Azure, if you hate the celestial lords and emperor so much, maybe create a system that DOESN'T favor the lords and emperor????? break the whole system apart and create something new???? course you didn't think that far (which was eloquently shown in the special) so i'm honestly not surprised that your mission failed so many times

anyway, the dislikable aspect! Peng is a wonderful character for this section! so, when meeting Azure, you may come to a couple conclusions: wow a pretty lion! is he trustworthy? well, he seems to really want to help out.....damn he's got quite the silvertongue there, very convincing and great orator....you seem very upset about whatever swk did to you, huh? but meeting Peng you get: ooooh pretty bird man! oh, they're kind of a bitch, aren't they? yeah, still a bitch (and depending on the viewer, bitch can be affectionate or derogatory)

but yeah, so Peng, one of Azure's brother trio who worked with him in the Celestial Court and views him as the leader of the Brotherhood rather than swk (actually, none of the brotherhood members even consider swk their leader, except Azure and maybe Macky (but that might be bc Macky does not fucking care about the brotherhood member BUT swk) bc the rest view swk as their prized weapon)

Peng is really the character that starts to make you reconsider Azure's trustworthiness because my god is this bird the most condescending and bitchiest of friends. they are that toxic friend, okay? it was because of Peng that i clocked in "oh, ok, this is high school toxicity 101, got it" lol

anyway, Peng does not really seem to care that much for...the Cause™️ like Azure and Yellow Tusk do. rather, they seem to just stick around mostly because Azure and Yellow Tusk are their brothers and that's it. i guess props for staying loyal??? but still, Peng is the character that gives us the first crack into Azure's worthy crusade because their character will resort to violence first, turns on anyone who slightly disagrees with Azure's methods (*cough cough* Mac *cough cough*) or, hm, let's say....surrenders to the Jade Emperor, is missing for 500 years, then miraculously is freed and is working with a Buddhist monk?

so yeah, uh running out of time but to sum up: Azure and the brotherhood were never really "friends" they were colleagues who though they all had a common goal to defeat Heaven but their loyalty was built on ideals and pedestals and flaky attitudes which was why Mac was never comfortable around them, why DBK stopped interacting with them after the war, and WHY swk was so easily pointed as a traitor and a villain by the Camelhead Trio.

*jazz hands* and there you go, i would say more but i have class!

#lmk #lmk analysis #lmk brotherhood #lmk sun wukong #lmk six eared macaque #lego monkie kid #asks #I HAVE 5 MINUTES FUCK #long post

[skz-stay13]

Your Eyes - Bang Chan X Female Reader

AN: This is part 2 to Here Always if you haven't read it, you can find it here. I hope you all like this one I know Here Always was kind of short. It's been a while since I've written oneshots and other stories like this so please be patient with me. I'm currently in school and working on a bunch of longer works for you guys. Anyway enjoy this fluffy Channie fic!

Idol! Chan X Female Reader

Requested: Yes

Established Long Distance Relationship

Requested: Yes

Genre: Soft and Fluffy

Summary: Y/N graduates earlier than she thought and teams up with the other members to surprise Chan while they're on tour.

Y/N sent Chan a text a few hours before his show wishing him good luck like she usually did when she was away at school. She giggled before sending a text to the group chat with the other members, "Hey guys, good luck tonight! I'll see you when it's time for the surprise" The other members thanked her, and Felix sent, "Remember to lay low during the show until it's time" Y/N smiled, "Don't worry, I'll lay low, Lixie. See you later" She put her phone down and dressed for the show. She grabbed her favorite hoodie, which happened to be one of Chan's SKZ hoodies that she had taken the last time they had seen each other in person. Then she put on her ripped jeans before doing her hair and makeup nicely. Y/N was beyond excited to see Chan. It had been almost three years since they had seen each other last, and she couldn't wait to see Chan.

While she sat in her boyfriend's hotel room waiting for her ride to the show courtesy of the boys and their manager, Chan was sitting getting his makeup done, reading her text with a sad smile. Knowing why their leader was down, the boys winked at each other before proceeding to cheer up the older male. Changbin wrapped his arm around Chan's shoulder while they sat around before the show, "Don't worry, Hyung, it's only two more weeks. Then Y/N will be home for good, and you won't have to miss her so much" Chan gave him a sad smile, "Yeah, I know, but we still have six more shows to do before we go home." Felix and Changbin made eye contact across the room, smiling at each other.

Y/N arrived at the show and found her seat for the show. There were just ten minutes until the show started. She sat in her seat, bouncing her leg excitedly she couldn't wait. She had waited three years to see Chan and was just ten minutes from seeing him face-to-face. Soon the show started, and Y/N enjoyed watching her boyfriend and friends perform happily. She sang along and danced with the other stays in the crowd. When it was time for the boys to give their closing statements before the last song, Y/N was quickly brought to the back and led to Chan's dressing room to wait for him.

Chan sighed tiredly as he made his way off stage. Although he had a lot of fun performing for STAY, he still missed Y/N very much. He went to his dressing room to change into comfy clothes, so he could go back to the hotel and sleep. Y/N sat in the dressing room smiling softly when the door opened, and Chan walked in tiredly. She let him change and watched him plop down on the couch. Y/N walked up behind him and rubbed his tense shoulders softly, "Are you ready to sleep, my love?" Chan jumped up when he heard her voice turning around with a shocked expression. "Y/N? How are you here right now?" He asked, pulling her into a tight hug. "Well, I graduated earlier than expected, and the boys thought it would be a great early birthday gift if they could get me here to finish the rest of the tour with you," Y/N said happily, hugging him. Chan continued to hold her tightly while the boys came in to watch the reunion. "Suprise!" they shouted chaotically. Y/N chuckled as she pulled away to greet the boys happily. Chan whined cutely as she pulled away, "Oh hush, Channie, you'll get plenty of cuddles when we get back to the hotel. Let me give the boys their hugs too." Y/N gave the boys their hugs before their manager rushed the nine of them to the cars so they could return to the hotel.

When they reached the hotel, Chan brought Y/N to the room they'd be sharing. Chan smiled happily as he pulled her close and kissed her passionately, "God, you don't know how much I missed you" "I missed you just as much, Channie," Y/N said, kissing him back. The two pulled away to take a shower and get ready for bed. Once the two settled into bed for the night, they cuddled closely, talking awhile before falling asleep in each other's arms.

#bang chan imagines #bang chan fluff #stray kids fanfic #stray kids fluff #skz fluff #skz imagines #stray kids x reader #bang chan fanfic #stray kids #skz fanfic #Youtube

[seahdalune]

template under read more + musings

TF2: so. TF2 huh. got into it last year. i kinda lost interest because of a tf2 discord server that i ended up leaving in bad terms + no content updates + i didn't do jackshit in the fandom. i made my robot oc blog but unfortunately that one died along with my fixation! oops.

Papa Louie: the ultimate killer of my tf2 fixation. the increasing amount of "Papa Louie lore is CRAZY!" videos in my recommended feed and the eventual release of Freezeria Deluxe drawing in streamers, and then Jerma, was what finally got me to crack and give the games a go. i don't regret it, because i finally joined a fandom that i actively (? the fandom's kiiiiinda dead aha;;) participate it, after like 2 years of wandering around! it kinda faltered around July~August, but after downloading Flashpoint, it came back double the force.

Scott Pilgrim: got the books for my birthday. read them. the graphic novels haunted me for a while because it was so.... different! from what i've read up to that point. i buried it into my subconciousness but the show dug it up again. i'm not thaaaat into it though. it's a background thought thing.

Good Omens: season 2 babyyyyyy, i wasn't as into it as i was in like.... 2021? i mean, back then i read like, a shitton of GO fanfics. i think that fandom is still my most bookmarked fandom within my fic folder. season 2 was great! heartbreaking even. but as i said, i already blew my steam back in like, 2021. i didn't really have Good Omens people to talk with anyways, not that i'm confident enough to find any.

Madness Combat: was around for the 2021 boom, but my fixation came back because of the Makeship plushie thing, fight meh ok. i wonder a little if they were worth it over the Papa Louie plushie when my fixation didn't last as long (it kiiiinda does sting i had to give him up? it would be nice to own official Papa Louie merch ;;) but whateves. they're in my arms. they're very cuddly. i'm getting off-point, anyways i love these freaks, love the action in the animations, i wanna play the game but at the same time i'm not sure how well i'm gonna be able to handle the guns and the killing. eh, i'll manage, i'll live. i guess i kinda stopped being fixated because like i said, nobody to talk to since i'm a little wary about the fandom... uh, i'm sure there are a lot of nice people, but i've had peeks at what arguments people have been having and that made me decide to just lurk.

AVA/AVM: my friend was watching it and they got into it, so i got curious and i looked into it as well. they're cute little ibbly babbles, those sticks. big fan of the Animator vs Animation series especially because awoo.... it advances so much in style in each episode. V and VI especially blow shit out of the water. love it. love it. didn't really bother to get into the fandom though. i didn't see a place to sit down, so i just walked through the merchant hall and moved on. i stare at the wares every now and then though.

HLVRAI: watched it recently. it's nice. not.... really enjoyable enough for me to be a full-blown fan, but whateves. i kinda don't know why that happened to be the thing that all my mutuals were obsessed with throughout 2021 but the only reason i didn't get into it either was because i didn't finish Hal-Life 1 and i wanted to get into the game blind due to hearing that it was "the best game ever that influenced the gaming industry forever". i wonder, that if i wasn't such a wuss, would i have watched HLVRAI earlier and enjoyed it more? we'll have to see with HL2VRAI. i haven't finished HL2 either btw... sigh.

#shitpostdalune #fandom timeline

[munchboxart]

Yayy I watched Sonic Prime season 3, spoilers below for my thoughts

I think it was fun, though there were some pacing issues to be honest. Dread suddenly joining in the fight when he was sitting Shinji style the ep before. Shadow just sitting in a trench for like 4 episodes, I know they gave an explanation why, though I guess I can't say much since I don't think he could've done much anyways if he was free. And I think the battle kind of went on a little long and kept repeating the same point too much but whatever, it's fun!

I don't think we got a linear Sonic show in like, forever. Or maybe at all because all of the shows I watched (Sonic X, Sonic Boom) was partly/mostly episodic, though for Sonic Xs case it moved to being serial (I don't know if I liked it though since the story seemed convoluted/forgettable, but I haven't watched it in years).

It's kind of a nice change having a simple storyline rather than Sonic doing some fuck ass thing for the 20th time. If S3 is the last season then that's fine, though if it goes into Season 4 where they defeat the Eggmans then sure??? I guess because they'll still look for the gem and repeat the whole thing etc etc.

I do have 1 concern from this though, and that's the change in Sonic's team dynamic for future Sonic things. I think they're trying to make Rouge part of Sonic's team thing, which is a little strange. I shrugged it off since I figured it was a one time thing though they did it for Sonic Dream Team last year (I did not play it, I am busy I have like 3 zines up my ass right now and comms). I think that's a little weird, because Rouge's main team is with team Dark, that's been like... Their thing since the beginning (kind of). And rouge doesn't really tag along unless there's something in it for her or if it's the end of the world etc etc. Although, I'm guessing they just wanna try something new, I don't know if it hurts it too much but I'm down I guess.

Regardless, I think this is a great new beginning for future Sonic shows if they make any more! Although the bar is already in hell so we don't really have an option LOL but I think this is one of the better ones we could've gotten and I had fun with watching it

#the sonadowisms tho kinda makes me lol HADHAFHSJFHS #like shadow is there doing something with sonic every beginning and end of the season excluding the start of s1 #im not saying its canon ofc not bc all of them can be ruled as coincidences #but the one for the start of this season makes my eyebrow raised LMFAOOOOO but thats besides the point #it makes me lol tho u know LMFAOGDJFKHGKDJFH #etc

[angstmachine-rw]

Disconnected - Chapter 2: Spitfire

No Significant Harassment sat in his chamber, watching his overseers' feeds anxiously. It had been a good few cycles since Suns' messenger had been redirected to his can, and he could only hope that they made it in one piece.

Suddenly, he heard one of his transport pipes spring to life. Looking up, he saw a little pink head staring back at him.

"Oh, hello, little spitfire!" He said, lowering the creature to the floor gently. "How are you faring?"

The creature stared at Sig blankly in return. They scratched at their back for a moment, before walking towards the puppet.

"Here, do you want me to pet you?"

The creature's ears perked up, and soon enough they found themself on his lap… where they barely fit.

Sig couldn't help but chuckle. "Such a strange creature, you are. Just several cycles ago, you were wandering around my can, as wild as any other creature. Now, you practically beg for attention from me.

The creature made a low, grumbling noise, as if to say, 'Get on with it, would you?'

"Alright, alright." Sig began to pet the creature's back. He seemed to relax a bit with the motion. "I will be keeping an eye out for your new friend in the meantime. Please be nice to them when they come, they haven't really met any creatures like you before."

Sig paused for a moment. Huh, that's strange. He glanced down at the creature, rubbing his hand over the spot. The creature seemed to wince as he felt it. It was hard, lumpy.

"Oh… is this why you wanted me to scratch your back?"

They only responded with a quiet "wa".

"Poor guy… don't worry, I can help. We probably have a bit of time until your friend gets here. You'll be good as new!~"

The creature seemed to melt into Sig's puppet, making a deep, vibratory noise as it dozed off into sleep.

"I'll miss you, little spitfire," Sig muttered, before pulling up a message box alongside his overseers' views. ---

[DIRECT BROADCAST] - PRIVATE No Significant Harassment, Seven Red Suns NSH: There is a bit of a problem with my messenger. SRS: I knew using the local wildlife would be a bad idea. NSH: No! I mean. Not really. NSH: Spitfire just has a lump on their back, is all. It's hard to tell if it's malignant or not, but it's at minimum making them uncomfortable. SRS: ... SRS: You named it. NSH: Of course I did. They are quite charming creatures, you know. NSH: Maybe they deserve more attention from iterators, although you'd probably know a thing or two about that. SRS: You know the world outside our cans is dangerous, right? What if it doesn't come back? NSH: It wouldn't be the first time. But that's beside the point. NSH: How far along is your messenger, anyways? SRS: They're almost there. Do you have the slag keys? NSH: Oh, really? And yes, I've had them ready for a while. I even showed them to Spitfire, although I think the intricacies went over their head. SRS: Please stop using that name with them. They aren't a pet, they have a job to do. NSH: And so do we. And yet we fret about with nicknames and rescue missions instead of the Great Problem. NSH: Besides, I don't want to treat them as tools. Stars know that's how our administrators treated us. SRS: ... SRS: You're right, I suppose. I'm *not* naming my messenger, though NSH: Suit yourself.

Previous | First | Next | AO3 (most updated)

#rain world #rw spoilers #no significant harassment #seven red suns #rw downpour #rw disconnected #rain world au

[nakanotamu]

I'm watching Fight in the Top 2022 rn and it's your fault

What non-Meltear Stardom should I check out next?

First of all, anon, I am so, so happy, thank you for checking them out and thank you for telling me.

Second of all, anon, you have come to maybe the worst person you could ask with your question. I'm not, like... a wrestling "greatest hits" person. When people say they want to watch wrestling with me and ask what I want to watch I'm always like well I'm like a month behind so, the next show I haven't seen? I agree with Hiromu Takahashi when he said it's not necessary to go back and catch up on old wrestling, because wrestling is something that's happening right now. I seriously almost never rewatch old matches.

BUT because you came to me I can still try and rec some matches anyway. I'm really bad with dates so unfortunately you'll have to do a little bit of work to find them.

Tam vs Arisa Hoshiki for the white belt is maybe my favourite match ever, if I had to pick one? Tam felt like she had to challenge Arisa for the white belt because she had been chasing it so ardently, but it was also at the exact point she was realizing how she felt about her and didn't actually want to fight Arisa at all. It still makes me cry just to think about it. It made Mayu cry.

Both Tam vs Unagi Sayaka singles matches are incredible and heartbreaking. The first one is Tam confirming to Unagi that yeah, the way she cares about her is special, but she can't put her feelings above her role as champion right now. (I'm like for real to this day so insane about the fact they actually told a story of Unagi saying I know you love me, I know we could be something special, why won't you admit it.) The second one is just, about their entire relationship, as Unagi was on her way out of the company, begging Tam to take her seriously as a competitor and Tam telling her she already did. They also referenced spots from Tam vs Unagi 1 in the recent Tam vs Mina double title match, with Tam cementing that she did not feel the same way towards Mina as she did towards Unagi, something that was always sort of... the gorilla in the room when they were factionmates.

Hazuki vs Momo Watanabe from... March? Last year I remember really enjoying, Momo is trying to bring out the anger that used to define Hazuki while Hazuki tries to prove she just doesn't need to be that person any more.

Momo Kohgo vs Saki Kashima from the 5 Star GP last year isn't super long or serious, but I love both of them and the story around it was so fun. Saki told Momo she could either win their match, or she would give her a signed copy of her photobook. Momo said she'd take the photobook, no question, and then beat her anyway.

Momo Kohgo vs Maika from last October (NOT their 5 Star match, though that one I also enjoy a lot), specifically the rematch with Maika determined to absolutely crush Momo for beating her in the 5 Star, is short and light and feels like seeing two people going through a BDSM tutorial in the most incredible way.

Pretty much, like, any Syuri or Utami singles match? Like their ones together or just with anyone. I love them both so much and they miss so so rarely.

Also I still haven't watched the recent QQ vs Oedo Tai cagematch but I know the story was great and incredibly emotional, though maybe it won't hit the same if you didn't follow along with the drama between Utami and Kamitani.

Which brings me back to my evergreen biggest recommendation, just anything recent that seems interesting to you. I am always up for talking about stories and stuff to the best of my ability to get people caught up too.

#Stardom #long post #sorry I am incapable of a short answer to a wrestling question

[fizzingwizard]

sad girl rambling

It started out really interesting to read about Tove Jansson's life, then it got personal.

She seems to have really loved her family and they stayed close their whole lives. They included each other in their hobbies and supported each other. I'm sure they weren't perfect. I watched "Tove" and a lot of it was about her feelings of inadequacy especially when compared to her father. Dunno how accurate it was but it would be a natural thing to feel. The point is that even jealousy, as long as it isn't resentful, is about connection.

Meanwhile I tend to feel like I have no idea what a close family is like. I remember going to a college dinner with a friend's family and seeing them all joking and laughing and getting along and I sat there thinking "My family is nothing like this." Not that we never joked or didn't like each other, we did. But no, it wasn't like that. It wasn't full of energy and fondness. It was mostly four people sitting dutifully at the dinner table "How are you?" "Fine"-ing each other for thirty minutes. It was better when I was a kid, but once we got old enough to have differences of opinion, things changed.

But I thought it wouldn't last. I thought it was growing pains. Of course teens are hard, of course it's difficult for a parent to adjust to no longer being their kid's infallible hero. There was mental illness; of course we'll weather that too.

Then the divorce happened. It was my dad's fault by far, but my mom even tried to patch things up afterward and he didn't even try, despite complaining to me every time he talked that he missed her and our family. I don't know when the last time my dad talked to my brother was. They have been on the outs pretty much since the minute my brother hit puberty. Who knows, he might even say it started earlier. I haven't even heard from him in years, since he went off Facebook. Only my mom hears from all of us.

No one wants to "get the family together." I mean, I do, but first of all I live across the world from them. My brother probably wouldn't go if my dad will be there. My mom would tolerate my dad being there, but won't because she has a new partner and is nervous about making him doubt she's over her husband of 20+ years. (Which is why he wasn't invited for Christmas. I didn't feel like I could complain since I was spending three weeks in my mom's house with her partner. But I did think about my cousin's parents who divorced when she was a kid and who were pretty nasty to each other [and not great to her either], and how they still somehow all showed up together every New Year's, even after my uncle got a new partner. Maybe we'll get there in the future.)

When I look back, I think I had a mostly happy childhood. My brother would say haha no. My mom would say it was a mix. I don't know about my dad, but tbh I think he was pretty happy, because he had kids who thought he was cool until we became surly teens, and a wife who sometimes was mad at him but who kept everything going while still letting him be the "head of the house." Everything crumbled when my dad lost his job and my mom started working 12-14 hour days to make ends meet. He couldn't deny that she was doing everything then. She couldn't deny that he wasn't (and hadn't been) doing anywhere near enough. And we kids weren't wise enough or smart enough or kind enough to be supports. My brother was dealing with mental illness by himself without knowing it. Why I think I was happy anyway either amounts to I'm naturally happy or just stupid. Or some combo of both.

I told my boyfriend at the time that I felt pressured to be okay no matter what, because things with my brother were so hard and things between my parents weren't great either. I felt, and still tend to feel, like I didn't have a right to be upset or make mistakes. I'm lucky to be healthy, so I should be on top of things. It felt like the parable of the prodigal brother. I always kind of felt bad for the "good" brother. The takeaway is supposed to be that he whined for selfish reasons, wanting recognition for doing just what was expected of him, and not acknowledging the hardship his brother went through and how much it took for him to come home. I do understand and appreciate that reading. But I guess I'm a character-person and I create backstories in my head. I imagined the "good" brother's been keeping his own hardships to himself so he wouldn't bother his father who was worried about his other son, and working hard and just wanting to feel a connection with his family. It doesn't change the joy of the prodigal's return, but the good brother feels less self-centered that way.

And it could be argued that if you're healthy and not going through hardship, then you should suck it up. I think there's some truth in that. I think it more now that I'm older, though, and my college-age self was still too soft. And I can't really blame myself for that. I can't have a life's worth of wisdom at twenty, I can only look back in hindsight later. Anyway. The point is back then I already felt that connections were unraveling, but I still thought they would heal eventually.

When I graduated college, my family surprised me by driving out all together. I expected my parents but not my brother. But he actually decided to come. I feel like it's the last time my family really tried to do something together. My mom thought it would be fun, like a family vacation, and maybe it would help patch things up. Instead, on the way to my school my dad was grumpy the whole time, which provoked my brother, and made my mom have to carry a huge emotional load. So by the time they reached me, they were exhausted, hadn't had any fun at all, and pretty much hated each other. I'm like "I graduated!" and they're like "nice." I'm the first one to graduate college. It was a ten-hour drive. They literally just wanted to get back in the car and go home. Show off the campus? Who cares. Meet my friends of four years? Ehhh. Visit my favorite off-campus spots? Really, we're not interested. On my graduation day, I felt like I had spent four years doing absolutely NOTHING. To them it was just another day, a chore. I was really upset. And I felt seflish again. What did I expect, they would give me a car? (I hate driving.) No, I just expected they'd be happy for me. "And they are," I repeated many times to guilt myself into believing it. "They are, they're just happier to be going home." Yeah but going home to WHAT?

Looking back, that should have been the clearest sign. Big event, everyone did their duty and showed up, no one actually cares. (My mom does. But she can't carry so much on her own.) There's no family there, obviously.

I thought I'd write about my own happy childhood memories one day. The best friend who was my entire world for several years, our make-believe games, trespassing in the neighbors' yards, making silly movies with beanie babies, my dad's music, going to Fourth of July fireworks. I thought my family would be happy to know these were treasured memories.

Instead it's like, "oh. I don't remember that" or blank stares. My dad doesn't do much with music anymore. My brother and my mom's lives have changed completely. It feels like they're all strangers. And that would be fine, we could get to know each other again, but no one seems to want to, and that's what hurts me. That when they told me about the divorce they were surprised I was upset???? still shocks me. Why wouldn't you want your kid to feel something when you announce that you're separating. You really wanted me to say "Oh that's cool, how's the weather up there?" My family is just apathy. No connection. If they're not apathetic, they're resentful and blaming everyone else. They're happy to make new memories in their new lives. The old ones aren't important anymore I guess. But they're what made us a family, so without them, are we still one?

So I don't want to write about my happy childhood memories because they don't feel real anymore. They feel like I was a deluded kid who had no idea how messed up things were, and the one thing that would have saved it would be if after all the mess my family didn't just ignore the past two decades. I feel silly for remembering things and silly for getting sentimental. No one else is! They don't care at all. They're just happy it's over.

So I am not close with my brother and I just listen to my dad talk at me and I try not to be a burden on my mom. That's my "connection" with my family members. No wonder I prefer to be alone. I don't even know how to be close to someone. I think "ten years from now you'll probably hate me anyway." That's being a little darker than is necessary - it's my blog so I'm just venting. I'm not actually that far gone. But I do feel that way sometimes.

When I read about Tove and her family inspiring the Moomin stories, I'm partly jealous, and partly sad that I can't relate. But on the other hand, it also makes me feel good to know that some people actually like their family and their family like them back. Some people write about their childhood and their family members say "ahh the good old days." No family is perfect. But that is a nice thing.

#personal

[tapwrites]

How to Satisfy Mystery (Severance, Season 1)

For a little while now, I've been planning on writing in-depth reviews of media. Talking about how the show or movie was written, and what effect that has on a viewer so that we can learn from it as writers.

This aspect works the same regardless of the medium--TV, movie, manga, script, or novel. If there's writing involved, that translates to a reader's (or viewer's) response through the same mechanisms. The "text"--the final form of what happens in the story--gives us a certain experience.

So, hot off the heels of watching season 1 of Severance for the first time, I wanted to give a review.

First, the spoiler-free version:

The show is intriguing from the start. Are they going to escape? What's really going on? How are their selves going to clash, or otherwise affect each other?

The episodes are well written, and well directed. The core "mechanic" is explored in interesting ways each episode. There's a few twists, but mainly it's focused on the quirks of how the world works for them, and how Severance affects their lives.

The suspense rises to a fever pitch, crescendoing to great heights in the final episode of the season... and then it stops. The season ends on quite a dramatic moment for all our protagonists.

The thing is, that dramatic moment does not satisfy any of the questions raised. The tension that's been building over 9 hours does not get released. So it did not give me any satisfaction by getting to the end of the season.

We are not left wondering "What will happen next?" We're left wondering "What will happen... now? What even did happen? This scene that the whole show was ramping up to... what was it ramping up to?"

It ramped up to whatever happens right after the end of the season. Not what happened at the end of the season. So... nothing happened? It built to nothing?!

And that's my review of Severance, Season 1. But the article doesn't stop here. I'm going to spoil the whole thing, and talk about how the "text" of the show got this reaction out of me. And discuss what we can learn from it.

This is an all-spoilers, no-context kind of article. If you haven't seen the show, this article will both spoil the whole thing and not make much sense. But if you have seen it, it will give you a look into how the writing affects viewers (at least one viewer, anyway), and you can learn some things along the way.

[MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD]

We start with Helly, a female protagonist who doesn't understand the world of Lumon. Because she can't remember anything. As far as she knows, nothing has happened in her life up to this moment. She doesn't know who she is, or what she is doing here... all she knows is she wants out!

This does a number of things:

1) We're in the same shoes. We don't know what's going on, just as she doesn't know what's going on. The viewer identifies with her. So they care about her story.

Interestingly, she is not the equivalent of the "viewpoint" or "main" character of this story, Mark is. But she still serves as a stand-in for the viewer, someone who needs to learn about this place, and so the viewer can listen in and learn with her.

Through Helly, a mystery is presented: Where is she? Why? What is this place?

So, we have a lack of understanding instilled in the viewer... you could call it confusion. That's what mystery is, for the viewer--seeing something they cannot understand.

The reason any mystery is compelling is not the feeling of confusion. Confusion is easy. Put in random words that mean nothing and you've confused the reader. You can keep throwing random things that mean nothing in there, and never answer it, and keep that confusion rolling as long you want. Good job. They've stopped reading.

It is the expectation of revelation that draws in people. Of finding out where she is, why she's there, and what this place actually is.

A mystery is not a story. A story is made when the mystery is solved.

This thread is developed over the season using various arcs.

Helly is taught how to do her job, which at least appears to be wholly pointless busywork--though this is left open to interpretation. It also seems the management do need their quotas to be met for some reason.

Optics & Design is another department who seem to do equally useless busywork. Ideas of a war between them are stoked by management--though it's indicated that this is to manipulate them and keep them apart.

There are maze-like corridors for no good reason, beyond perhaps making it more difficult for the Severed employees to move around freely.

Punishment comes in the form of the Break Room, where lines are repeated until an observer decides they are genuinely sorry. Likely some level of brainwashing, or "recalibration" going on here.

There's a "Testing Floor." Nothing more to that so far, but the corridor that leads to the elevator for the Testing Floor looks scary, so... there's that.

Goats. There are baby goats. They're not ready yet. Goats.

Each time a new little thing is added to the mystery, it intrigues us more. Why? Because again, we have the assumption that there is an explanation, an answer that makes all of these disparate elements make sense. There is more riding on that revelation. More and more we think "How are they going to pull this off?!"

2) Also she wants out, which is totally understandable. She woke up laying on a conference table--a bizarre situation that grabs your attention from the start. And she is unable to leave. The viewer sympathises with her. They can imagine feeling the same way in that situation. They want her to escape just as much as she does.

While the mystery of what Lumon really is runs in the background... Escape is the main driving force of the show scene to scene.

Helly wants to quit, on her first day, when she finds out that her job is just nonsense. She sends a request to her Outy/original self to resign. This is denied in a way that puts Outys as real people and Innys as very separate but lesser beings entirely.

She tries to get revenge on her Outy self by having her wake up hanging in the elevator, which fails. This is where she gets the Break Room treatment, if memory serves.

She never gives up, but plays along for now.

In the meantime, the others don't want to escape. Dyllan enjoys his work. Irving is effectively a zealous follower of Kier--the founder of Lumon. And Mark is just chill and unbothered. And if anything, enjoying his new role as manager of their little team.

Right near the start, the old manager has left. And meets with Mark on the outside. He's even scaped the Severance, reintegrating his Inny and Outy memories--but with complications.

This is what starts Outy Mark on the path to learn more, and perhaps leave Lumon entirely.

Between those characters and situations, we have more questions presented and explored over the season. Why escape? Should we escape? What do we risk if we fail to escape?

People reason about why to stay, why to go. They talk about the obstacles in the way of escape. New things are discovered about how it might be possible. Attempts are made and fail in various ways.

Petey is someone who... has escaped? In some way? Maybe? Only Outy Mark knows about this, but it dangles that carrot in front of the viewer in yet another way.

This isn't a mystery based on not understanding what we've seen, but a different kind of thread. A... geographical thread? They want to be somewhere else (or they don't want to be here at any rate). And the arc is about how they try to do that and if they make it to the other place.

It's engaging because we want to know what happens next. So we keep watching to find out what happens next.

All in all, great stuff! We get new terms we don't understand, which is fun and mysterious, and then makes us feel smart when we learn what they mean. We become "in on it." These act as tiny little mysteries that are solved easily.

We're presented with new ways of seeing the core mechanic of the show--Severance itself. Is it slavery? Are Outys bad people? Why does Lumon do this? What was the true goal of the founder and his descendants? Which keeps us engaged and intrigued with the idea.

We have drama between Innys and management, and between Mark and... just his own life stuff which is affected by Severance in different ways.

The show stays focused on the core concept. It doesn't lull into just straight drama for too long, and what drama is there is humorous and enjoyable anyway. Severance affects everything, every scene. There's not really any fluff where we just have a scene that writers write to fill out some time in an episode.

And then we come the ending, the last episode of the season, the finale.

They eventually cook up a plan to switch themselves--three of them at least--into Inny mode, while their bodies are on the outside. Not so they can learn about themselves, but to find someone and tell them what is going on inside Lumon. About the hell it is for the Innys, and the weird goings on.

They all agree to focus on their mission. No wandering about or checking out their Outy lives because it's interesting. They need to focus and get the word out.

Inside, Dyllan does the computer things. As he does that, we get some establishing of what the Outys are up to. This builds tension. Particularly with Mark, at the reading party, where we find out Cobel is attending in her "nice old lady" form.

We're thinking, "When are they going to wake up? What's going to happen? Will anyone notice?" The suspense is handled really well.

One thing I'd say is, he has to not just turn a switch. Not just turn 2 switches that are an awkward distance apart. But keep them on. Which in-world sorta seems like a weird design choice on the part of Lumon if they want to be able to turn an Inny on for a while, but also they're not that far apart for an average-sized guy to turn them both anyway, as far as I could see.

(Dyllan is a shorter man, which adds to the tension of this situation as he strains to reach between the switches. If Irving had this role, it would've been a piece of cake, pretty sure.)

I did think, though, that such an enterprising man as Dyllan would've grabbed a pencil, a stick... something to cram into one or both of the switches to make the whole thing easier.

Though he did hold out until one of the management, the main hands-on antagonist, rugby-tackled him to the ground and the switches turned off at the end. So in theory the switches would've turned off at that point either way.

It did feel a bit contrived, but you've got to have something going on with Dylan, right? And it does make the other scenes on the outside that much more tense. So fair enough.

Meanwhile, what does Irving do? He checks out his own life for a while--exactly what they agreed not to do. 🤦 He finds out his dad was in the navy. 🤷 He finds out that Outy Irving has been looking into the Severed employees for some reason. Okay. And he sees he's been painting the corridor to the Testing Floor elevator--which we already knew.

(I think they could have held the painting revelation to this moment, and it would've had much more impact. Though they probably wanted that little reveal where they had it, to keep us going through the quieter episodes.)

Anyway, he decides to go find Burt. Knocks on his door. Then Inny Irving is turned off. That's the only thing that happens. He knocks on a door. Which is to say... nothing happens at all.

What does Helly do? She's at a gala where Outty Helly is the star. She's going to give her story of becoming Severed and how great it is, as marketing for the company and the process.

She meets her father, CEO of the company--effectively the big-bad of the show. This is a great revelation, and really pushes that "Innys and Outys are two completely separate people who want different things" concept they developed through the season. Good job!

The man speaks in this odd creepy way. Almost distorted like through a machine? And he mentions his "Revolving" is soon.

I'd like to pause here, to do a bit of theory-crafting... "Severance" is step 1: literally sever the host's mind from their body. Grow the Inny, cleanse it of Tempers (perhaps this is what MDR does) and develop the Qualities through the rules and lore of the company. Perhaps this is the reason for the almost religious indoctrination measures Lumon puts on within the Severed floor. (The Inny is like a larvae growing inside their body that will eventually replace them--by the original never being woken up again--hinted at in one scene.) And "Revolving" is step 2: insert their own mind into the chip, or swap chips, or whatever. Gaining a form of immortality. Maybe this is the master plan, and why they're really there? Anyway...

Helly calms herself down with the "Forgive Me" mantra from the Break Room, which is a pretty chilling moment. And is determined to spill the beans at her speech. Cobel confronts her and threatens her, but Helly starts her speech talking about the hell that is: being Severed at Lumon.

Again, no real hurrying to tell someone. Though she's in a difficult situation--it's clear there is no one she can trust here. So while I felt a little frustrated watching it, it's more understandable here.

What does Mark do? He wanders a bit--but figures out who his sister Devon is and speaks to her. There's some bait-and-switch stuff with going to talk, then not able to talk. Going to see Gemma's face and realise she's in Lumon, then not. Where's the baby? Oh it's there.

...Stringing us along between scenes of the other Innys. Effectively padding out the episode, but also letting the tension build over time as Dyllan is at risk.

Ricken has a dodgy throat (unclear if this is to become "a thing," or just Ricken being his sensitive self and not used to speaking for so long). Mark speaks to him, gushing about how the book changed his life.

I liked this thread. The idea that platitudes that barely make sense and "you can do it if you believe" encouragement actually can help people. The Innys have never heard such platitudes and pun-based encouragement, and it opens up a whole new way of looking at the world for them. That was pretty cool!

Anyway... Mark finally gets to speak to Devon and--off-screen--tells her everything.

This went the best out of the 3. He had the most focus on the task at hand, and actually did it completely. He wasn't rushing as hard as the tension from Dyllan suggested they all should be, which was frustrating. But something (presumably) will actually happen from this that they wanted to happen from this whole plan in the first place. Because he actually said something.

He does finally discover a photo with him and Gemma in it, realises she's still alive and in Lumon. Which actually we already knew from a couple of episodes earlier. So that didn't change anything for the viewer. And Mark never knew her, hasn't been dealing with the grief over her death for years. So... didn't change a whole lot for him either? All he knows is that his Outy's wife is thought to be dead, but is not.

(I can't remember when or how he found out about Gemma's death, but I'm pretty sure it happened at some point somehow.)

And he blurts it out to the room in this pained scream. (I'm not sure if Inny Mark would react so strongly, but Outy Mark would. ANd it's the end of the finale so I guess that's fine just to ramp up the drama if nothing else.)

And... cut to black. That's where the season ends.

Wait... that's where the season ends?!

What happened to the mystery of what is going on at Lumon? The reason we're enjoying the show so much is because of the promise of some sort of reveal to that core mystery.

Even if they didn't answer the whole thing, something was needed. Something was promised.

Remember how a story is a mystery solved? Severance is currently not a story! We did not get a story, or even a chapter of a story, in Severance so far. Nothing was completed, nothing even worked towards answering anything.

There wasn't even a twist at the end with some new mystery!

(Which would have been annoying, but could have been made to answer things and ask things at the same time if they did it right.)

They didn't even escape. They took one step towards getting "outside." One step towards maybe escaping or being freed later on.

Now, this thread didn't bother me so much. I guess you could say the promise made by "We want to escape" is something like... we see them and the outside in the same shot.

Whether that's because they escaped fully, or realise it's a much bigger undertaking (for season 2) to actually escape, or it's within reach but they fail or die or something. Even a "from the frying pan into the fire" twist where it turns out that the place they want to be is bad in its own cruelly ironic way.

Any of those would close off (to some degree) the promise of "escape." You know, something big that the characters have accomplished or made progress on.

I'd say that them at least seeing the outside fulfills that well enough for me personally. Though I could see it frustrating some viewers--that's fair enough.

The fact is, I have no idea if the makers of the series know how to end a story. How to solve a mystery satisfactorily. That's the problem.

There are a lot of serialised shows (meaning stories chopped into many sections and shown as episodes) that are also mystery shows... that go nowhere, because they just keep throwing in new weird mysteries and never definitively answering any of them, and never tie them all together so it all makes sense to the viewer.

It's actually pretty easy to do that. It's just one step up from confusing the reader. If you don't need anything to make sense, you can say whatever you want and it's just fine. You can keep that going for years, stringing people along with the promise and implication that there are answers that satisfy all of your questions, and they will come... and then just not giving those at all.

(I'm looking at you, Lost.)

A story can be about many things. It can be about the characters, the drama, the relationships. It can be about the plot, the big-bad, the plans and how things-don't-go-according-to-them. It can be about escape or return, about grand ideas, about slavery, democracy, truth, love... your story can be about anything you can imagine.

Whatever it's about, you tell the reader or the viewer what it's about by how it starts, and what you focus on as it continues. If your first episodes starts with a big mystery, if your show continues to add new mysteries to the pile... you are promising that these mysteries are worth being part of the story; you are saying to those that engage in your story that it's worth thinking about that thing.

If you choose your story to be about mystery, the only way it's worth them thinking about a made-up mystery about a fictional world is... that they will enjoy solving the mystery. That all will be revealed, and their theories will be proven right, or they will be enlightened by the answers. That they will savour the satisfaction of understanding what once seemed impossible to explain.

Remember to actually do that, though. It's your responsibility to let them actually learn new things about the mystery, to help them understand what they've been pondering on for weeks or even years. And it's to your benefit to show that you know how to do that in a satisfying and reasonable way.

If you don't, then while you're having fun throwing in weirder and weirder stuff to your mystery box... you're risking people giving up on it entirely and walking away. Especially those that have been let down by other writers who promised the same things you have.

#mystery #office #severance #apple tv #escape #Youtube