#every scene feels so curated and careful

[ramp-it-up]

That Face

Summary: You get drunk and tell Bucky exactly what you want to do to that face.

Pairing: Beefy Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word count: 1.9 K

A/N: You can read this as a companion piece to Red Wings.

Warnings: 18+ Only, Minors DNI. SMUT! Read at your own risk; curate your own experience. More angst on the part of the reader. Sweet Bucky fluff. Jealousy, excessive drinking, intoxication, drunken confessions, face riding, fingering, extreme oral sex (f receiving) anal play, praise kink, allusion to anal sex. Not Beta’d. All errors my own. 

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Bucky was holding you close to him, and it should have been romantic, but it wasn’t.

You were shit faced, and practically falling down with every step.

“Careful Doll, I’m gonna have to carry you home.”

After just six months of dating, you’d moved in with him, your relationship barreling along with breakneck speed, but who wouldn’t fall in love with Bucky?

Who wasn’t still in love with Bucky?

You stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, half a block from your brownstone.

“That sounds hot, Bucky, but I’m pissed…”

“Yeah, I know…”

“No, I’m mad.”

You stomped your foot and wobbled, until Bucky’s hands steadied you again. Bucky bent down and looked you in the eyes.

“You good, Doll?”

His sky blue eyes looked sincere, but jealousy and alcohol wouldn’t let you accept that.

“No! This was supposed to be our night to fuck and have a romantic dinner. You’ve been gone for three weeks. Three weeks, James!”

Bucky looked contrite, but then again there were four of him weaving in front of you right now, so you couldn’t be sure.

“Sorry, Baby. Didn’t know the guys would be in town. It’s my crew.”

“I can take your army buddies, but her. She’s a bitch!”

“Wow. Whoa whoa whoa. You know I don’t like anyone calling women bitches. Even you.”

Bucky straightened up and the stern look he gave you sent a thrill through you, but you weren’t done.

“She still wants you, Bucky. Sharon is a slut. And you always say you love when I’m a slut for your cock.”

Bucky looked around as you started crying and people walking by avoided the scene.

“I don’t want Sharon, Doll. I want you.”

Bucky looked down at you, eyes sparkling with amusement at your jealousy. Even his voice was smiling. It made you madder and you stumbled as you advanced on him, bucking up to the man who was a foot taller than you.

“Look at that fucking face.”

You reached up and took his chin between your fingers.

“No one gets to ride this dimple but me!”

This time Bucky didn’t care about who heard, you’d peaked his interest. His eyebrow shot up.

Even though drunk, you read his expression.

“Yep!”

You nodded and it threw you off balance, but luckily Bucky was there.

“Betcha didn’t know that I touch myself to the memories of the feeling of that chin between my legs. Did it the entire time you were gone. That cock is something else Bucky, but that face. I just want to ride it into the sunset….”

This was new information to Bucky. You seemed to love when he ate you out, but you were always hesitant to ride his face. He licked his lips as he thought of you pleasuring yourself to the thought of his face.

Then he grinned.

You read him again.

“Oh no! No no no. You think you got me. But you said you were mine…”

Bucky leaned down to kiss your forehead.

“I am yours, Doll.”

“So she can’t ride your face?”

Bucky slowly shook his head.

“No, only you.”

You sighed and sagged into his arm.

“Good, because I-“

And that was the last thing you remembered from that night.

You woke up the next morning, head pounding. You looked around, grateful to be in your bed. And grateful for your boyfriend, who’d left a bottle of water and some aspirin on the bedside table.

You could hear Bucky puttering around in the kitchen but you weren’t quite ready to eat.

You eagerly took the pills and drank the bottle down. Then, you turned on the shower as you brushed your teeth.

You reflected on the gathering at The Howling Commando, the neighborhood bar so familiar to you as you met Bucky’s friends. Which included Sharon Carter.

Bucky’s ex.

“Bucky’s just being nice, y’know?”

Steve tried to reassure you as she and Bucky caught up in the corner. You nodded back at Steve, but when Bucky smiled at Sharon was when you ordered your first shot of Jameson’s.

You showered as you tried to remember the rest of the night. But all you could remember was Bucky’s sweet face. You wrapped up in a towel and sat on the bed as you thought of how sweet Bucky was. He was so cute. That face.

That face.

“Shit!”

Your head fell into your hands as you remembered what happened the night before.

“What’s wrong, Doll?”

You looked up and your heart dropped.

Bucky was clad in only sleep pants and you could tell that there was nothing underneath.

You licked your lips, not bothering to hide your stare. Bucky came and sat down on the bed.

“See something you like, Doll?”

“Morning.”

“G’morning Sunshine..”

Bucky leaned down and kissed you on the cheek, chaste, despite the look in his eye. Your eyes fell to his lips. And lower.

Bucky licked his lips and rubbed his chin.

“You didn’t answer my question, Doll.”

Bucky’s mouth was an inch from yours. He reached for your towel and hooked his finger at the makeshift knot, causing his fingernail to brush your nipple.

“Don’t tease me Bucky…”

“I should say the same to you, Doll. You told me all the things you wanted to do to my face and then passed out.”

“James! I was drunk!”

“They say we are the most honest when we’re drunk.”

Bucky kissed you and then looked into your eyes.

“D’you believe that I don’t care about Sharon?”

You liked into his true blue eyes and you knew he wasn’t lying.

“I believe you. I love you, Bucky.”

“I love you too, Doll.”

You reached up and caressed his lips and chin.

“Gotta admit. This face is pretty irresistible.”

Bucky grinned and you leaned in for a kiss and climbed on his lap, grinding as he took your towel off.

“Been so long, Bucky.”

Bucky’s hands caressed you as he leaned back and let you have your way.

You made your way down his body, reacquainting yourself with his form with your lips, tongue, and fingers. He lifted his hips as you pulled down his pajama pants, lightly scratching his thighs on the way down.

“God I missed you so much, Doll. Spent all last night just waiting until we could get home. Wanted to lose myself in you.”

You had Bucky in your hand, sitting on his legs as you stroked his half-hard cock to full life.

“M’sorry Babe. How can I make it up to you?”

You looked up at him, ready to suck his soul out.

“Come up here and ride this irresistible face.”

You gasped as Bucky pulled you up his body until you were kneeling over him.

“There she is.”

Bucky’s fingers helped to separate your lips as he breathed hot breath into your cunt.

“So fucking wet for me.”

And then he went to work on licking into your tangy goodness.

“So good. Such a good girl for me. Such a good pussy.”

Bucky sat you down and suckled your clit, pulling on it like it was gum, stretching it and your soul out for the world (inside your bedroom) to see. He was kneading your breasts and pulling your nipples, serving to make you wetter and him messier.

But it was only just beginning as you started gyrating on his chin.

Bucky smacked your ass and pushed you over on your hands and knees again.

“That’s a girl. Bounce on my tongue.”

You did as you were told, feeling Bucky’s chin in your vagina each time you bounced on his tongue.

“Smear that shit all over my fuckin face Doll. You know you want to.”

Bucky took your ass in his hands and then started moving you back and forth on his face. You were overwhelmed with numerous sensations as his lips, tongue and chin, covered with short facial hair, destroyed your soul.

“Now sit up and fuck this face, Doll. Please. ”

You peered down at his bright blue eyes as his fingertips grazed your stomach. You obeyed him as you pulled his hair and took your throne, his thick, wide tongue spearing into you as you fucked his face.

His chin was now grazing your puckered hole, and you moaned as the scruffy dimpled part of him made you tremble.

“J-James…”

Bucky spread your cheeks and moved his tongue so that it could invade your inmost parts. He licked you from ass to clit and your legs started trembling.

You leaned back over and bounced in his tongue again, holding your breasts with one hand as you braced against the wall with the other.

Bucky’s hand snaked around to flick your clit as you gasped and fully sat on his face as his tongue speared into you, twisting and curling, not as all consuming as his cock, but reaching that special spot inside you nonetheless.

You gasped and sat back, hand on his sternum as you rolled your hips into his face.

“Oh. Ohhhh, oh Jamesssss.”

You whimpered, and your crying-like noises as you moved told him how it felt.

“So… fuck it feels so good…

You were grabbing his hair as he craned his neck upward to look at you.

Bucky growled into your cunt then lifted you upright again, his thumb slipping into your ass. This caused a gush of your fluids into his mouth and he started moaning.

“Mmmmmm. Mmhmmmm!”

“Oahhhh oh ahhh.”

Bucky was still breaching your ass as his tongue sped up impossibly and his lips suckled your clit intermittently.

“More… please!”

You were seeing stars as you reached back and pushed Bucky’s thumb in to the hilt.

Bucky moaned as you started bouncing again. His hand was fucking your ass as you rode his face.

“Please please please…”

“Hmmph… yesssss.”

Bucky spoke into your cunt as you started to reach your crescendo. He could taste your orgasm coming before it happened. Everything sped up.

“Oh! Oh! Oh!”

“Ummmmmm!”

Bucky was in heaven as you continued to gush into his mouth.

You came with a scream as Bucky lapped you all up.

“Unnnnh!”

Bucky pulsed precum on his stomach as you came on his face.

“Unh ahhhh.

“So pretty, Doll. Stay right here.”

Bucky kissed your lips as you quivered in front of him.

“Want this ass. Gonna give it to me?”

“Bucky…”

“She’s ready for me now.”

Bucky’s finger found that hole again.

“Gonna make you feel real good.”

You whimpered as Bucky spit on his fingers and manipulated two of them inside you.

He gave your clit a peck with his lips and you jumped.

“Nice and loose for me.”

You looked down on him adoringly and carded your fingers through his hair, scratching his scalp. He moaned.

“Please Doll. But only if you want that too. I need you. You’re my best girl. My good girl.”

You looked back, his cock jumping on his abs, sticky with his pre cum. You shuddered at his praise and at the thought of him inside that hole. But as Bucky probed and kissed you further, you knew you wanted it.

You didn’t need to look back down to know that Bucky was buried in your cunt again, bringing you to another peak. Instead, your head lolled back on your shoulders as you rode Bucky’s mouth again.

“Anything! Anything you want, Bucky…I want it too! Ah…”

You just couldn’t resist that face.

#Bucky Barnes #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes angst #bucky barnes x black!reader #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky x you #bucky x reader #sharon carter #steve rogers #Bucky Barnes au

[chanshoesunite]

Chan wants to see how you touch yourself

What to expect: smut, Chan telling YN what to do, Chan recording YN, fem!reader, masturbation (f and m), penetration

WORD COUNT: 1.8k

Author’s Note (Co-curator Tortoise): This picture fucked me up. I wanted to write something involving it for a few days, not knowing the exact premise, but then I watched SKZ Code #19 and ... well. You will see. If you enjoyed this, please reblog, leave a message or a like so we can descend into madness together

WARNINGS: rated M (minors do not engage!), condomless sex, use of petnames, use of the word slut

Today the boys are filming a mukbang for SKZ Code and you are allowed to play mouse behind the scenes. It is glorious. You live for the members teasing your boyfriend, and you can always depend on Jeongin to push Chan’s buttons. You try to hold back your laughter as Jeongin instructs Felix to make the delicious food inedible before Chan can have a taste.

“Can you pour some water in the kimchijjim? You should eat all the meat!”, Jeongin says with a wide grin.

“NOOO, no, no, no!”; Chan screams, partly in good humour, partly upset because he really wants to try the tastiness they have rustled up.

Felix, being the sweet angel he is, does not comply with any of the instructions. Not even when you cheekily express the – in your opinion totally innocent – idea of mixing the kimchijjim with a big spoonful of wasabi. Chan shoots you a very dirty look at that.

When it is finally his turn to do the mukbang, Jeongin is right on teasing Chan again, and you are loving every second: “Don’t eat! Dance Maniac for us instead!”

As you silently collapse with laughter, Chan’s eyes slide towards you again with a pout.

“You are so dead! Tell me what to eat!”, he shouts, exasperated but still a smile on his face.

Finally, graciously, the boys allow him to stuff his face which he does happily. You watch him with a soft expression.

After the shoot, you wait for Chan while he changes into his own clothes. You bounce on your heels a little, feeling bubbly from having witnessed the kids having fun. When Chan emerges, he smiles at you and gives you a big hug.

“I won’t even ask if you enjoyed that, I saw you falling off a chair laughing”, he teases. He grabs your hand and you start walking.

“Can you blame me? Jeongin is such a firecracker”, you say, swinging his arm.

Chan nods and grins, but then halts his steps: “Oh damn, I forgot something in the green room – let’s get it real quick, yeah?”

He turns you around, ushering you back inside. You walk down some corridors, and it starts to feel curiously secluded. Before, you came across a few members of the crew, ready to leave or still talking shop. But now, you come across no one.

Suddenly, Chan pushes you up against the wall, kissing you fiercely. His open mouth caresses your lips, then your cheek, before sucking on your throat. With a moan, you let your head fall to the side, allowing him more access. Your hands roam his torso. He is so hot under your touch. Chan’s hands glide from your hips up to your breasts, squeezing them gently before abruptly letting go. You nearly stumble, but he catches you, leading you on again as if nothing had happened.

Not caring where you are headed, you follow along, trusting that Chan knows where he is going. He leads you into a room. It’s empty apart from a little table and a sizeable sofa which looks very comfy. Huh. You wouldn’t say no to staying here and resuming your actions from the corridor. You pull him close, attacking his lips again. He gently walks you back until you drop onto the sofa. Then he rights himself, shrugging out of his jacket.

“Chan? What are we doing?”, you say, enthusiastically shrugging out of your coat too.

He doesn’t reply at first, only picks up a camcorder lying on the table. He calmly turns it on. Then he looks at you with a little smirk: “You got to see me being ordered around, I feel like I should return the favour. So you see what that can feel like. How frustrating and…satisfying. Yeah?”

Your breath hitches. You swallow before whispering: “Oh? I am open to trying with you…”

“That’s my good girl”, he rumbles, “let’s start with you taking off your top, baby. And take your time”, he adds with an amused tone as you start tearing at your shirt.

Chastened, you bite your lip, looking up through your lashes. Slowly you lift your shirt above your head, leaving you in your bra.

“Lovely…now stand up and take off your jeans…turn around so I can see that juicy arse of yours”, his voice is collected, domineering.

You are enjoying his instructions, they make you feel sexy and desired. With a coquettish look behind you, you unbutton your jeans, slowly wiggling them down your legs. When you bend down to take them off entirely, you bend at the waist to give Chan a good view of your ass and pussy, covered in simple underwear. He makes an appreciative sound. Feeling triumphant, you right yourself, rubbing your thighs together – this whole situation is turning you on a lot.

“God, you are sexy… Stroke yourself. Yeah, down your sides. And your butt. Squeeze it and lean forward. Mmh, what a sight…Do your tits feel neglected yet? Take your bra off, princess.”

You trail your hands up from your arse to the clasps, slowly unhooking your bra. You let it gently fall down one arm to the floor. You decide to turn around, so Chan can enjoy the sight of your naked breasts. With a little sigh, you cannot help but let your hands start kneading them.

“I wish you were touching me instead”, you say, looking into Chan’s eyes while you tease your nipples, “your hands feel fucking fantastic on me.”

“That can be arranged”, he says roughly, palming himself through his jeans, not lowering the camcorder for a second, “but first you will give some attention to your pussy. I can see you getting wet from here.”

You bite your lip, flicking your gaze directly into the lens, and then back up to Chan.

“What shall I do then?”

“Touch yourself. Spread your legs so I can see. No, don’t take off your panties yet. Just touch yourself through the fabric.”

When you make an impatient noise, he laughs a little: “I will make it worth your while. Just a little bit more, baby…focus on how good you make yourself feel. You know exactly what you love, don’t you? You know just where to rub and press and tease.”

You close your eyes, relishing his voice and what your fingers do. He knows you just as well as you know yourself, and he gives you time to make yourself writhe from your own administrations. You buck your hips involuntarily the more turned on you get.

“Mhm…do you feel good?”, his voice drops lower and it’s so fucking hot, you cannot hold back the little moans spilling from your lips.

“Yes. But I need you. I want you inside me. Come join me!”, you open your eyes, and you see that he has his hard cock out, slowly stroking himself, “please?”

“In a bit. You are still in your panties aren’t you? Don’t you want to present me with a good view?”

Your knees nearly buckle from his words. “I definitely do!”

“Then hook your fingers in your panties and slowly pull ‘em down – fuck, look how they stick to your lips, you are so wet, aren’t you?”

You keen a little, his words paired with the sensation of your skin slowly releasing the wet fabric surprisingly erotic. Once your panties are around your ankles, you impatiently fling them off your legs. You rake your hands across your torso, needing to be touched, needing to feel more. Your legs are once again rubbing against each other to give yourself friction.

“You are so needy, baby”, Chan groans, clearly enjoying your frustration, keeping up his slow strokes along his dick.

“Needy for your cock”, you whine.

“Do you think your own fingers might help? Sit down. Spread your legs. Wider. Yeah, that’s that view I was talking about. Just look at you. What a pretty picture. Try fucking yourself on your hand.”

Your feet are up on the couch, knees pressed as far apart as you can. Your hand trembles as you let it wander between your lower lips, slipping a finger inside your cunt. You slide it in and out, adding your other hand to stimulate your clit. You have closed your eyes again, head thrown back.

“This just isn’t enough! I need you in me, please.”

Chan pumps his hand quicker at the wanton sight of you.

“Fuck – alright, baby girl”, he finally relents, and you moan your relief. You watch him set down the camcorder to continue filming you on the couch. You admire his broad back and when he turns around, your eyes wander between his throbbing cock and his soft lips. You cannot wait to feel his touch.

Chan does not undress. He gathers you in his arms and sits back down, you on top of him. You cover him with little kisses before showing him how frustrated you were by aggressively biting his lips and licking into his mouth. His roaming hands warm you up, even though you are already burning with desire. He squeezes your arse, and you automatically roll your hips against his length. You moan, lifting yourself up to finally take him in. Chan grabs your jaw lightly and leans his forehead against yours, breaking the kiss and stopping your motion.

“You have to keep giving a good performance, princess”, he grins. “Show them how you take my cock, you sexy little slut.”

He pushes you to your feet and turns you around. He moves your legs either side of his knees, so you are once again obscenely open. Holding your hips tightly, he guides you back down. Chan’s cock nudges at your entrance. You groan, slowly bouncing up and down, taking more and more of him in with each motion. You love the feeling of being filled up.

Once you are flush with his body, you just sit on him for a moment, until he twitches his dick, making you laugh.

“Keep touching your clit, baby, and let me bounce you”, he says, which causes your pussy to clench in turn.

You do as he says and admire his strength helping you move up and down. You ride him with abandon, staring into the camera. You cannot wait to see the finished product.

“Chan, I’m close”, you breathe and he groans.

“I know, baby, so am I – you feel amazing.”

He kneads your flesh, fucking into you with more powerful thrusts. Your orgasm builds and in a delicious wave crashes over you. You nearly go limp, unable to move while you ride your high, but Chan keeps up his pumping, going harder, faster until he too comes inside you. All tension leaves your body and you let yourself fall against him. You both breathe heavily, and he presses a soft kiss to your temple. For a minute, you just luxuriate in your shared afterglow.

“I love you”, you say. “When can we watch the video?”

Chan laughs and replies: “As soon as we get home, if you wish? I am so glad I actually turned it on, you naughty little minx.”

#author tortoise #bang chan smut #bangchan smut #bangchan x reader #bang chan x reader #bangchan imagine #bang chan imagine #skz imagines #skz x reader #stray kids x reader #bangchan and his camcorder is my new sexuality #bang chan fanfiction #bangchan fanfiction #bangchan fanfic #chan smut #stray kids smut #skz smut #bang chan scenarios #chan x reader #stray kids fanfic #bang chan fanfic

[yurimother]

The 2023 Yuri Guide - Visual Novels

Your ultimate guide to the best Yuri content with over 200 curated titles from every genre and medium.

Blackberry Honey

• Shakaijin • Drama • Romance

Forced to work for fourteen hours a day, with little chance to rest, Lorina, the newest maid to the Lennard family, is bullied by the senior maids and the youngest Lennard daughter. One of the only maids who deigns to speak to Lorina is the mysterious Taohua – but Lorina wishes she wouldn’t. Her aloof, almost cat-like personality, coupled with her peculiar complexion, eyes, and name, have inspired more than a few rumors around the Shropshire countryside that she might be a witch. Lorina knows she should keep her distance from Taohua, and she wants to most desperately… but maybe there’s a pinch of truth to all the rumors, because she soon finds herself under the older woman’s spell.

~Developed and Published by ebi-hime~ Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, and Linux

Black Closet

• School • Drama • Romance • Mystery

A noir story that places you in control as the student council president. To protect yourself and the school’s reputation, you must command your minions to solve mysteries by investigating scenes, looking for clues, performing surveillance, and interrogating students. Remember, never let your attention falter, no matter what sweet nothing your minions whisper or sly glances they give you. Because one of them… is a traitor.

~Developed and Published by Hanako Games~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

Butterfly Soup

• School • Slice of Life • Sports

Laugh-out-loud funny and featuring characters that each feels like one of your best friends! This gentle visual novel by Brianna Lei follows a group of four, queer Asian high school students living in California. The girls join an all-female baseball club together and spend their time playing the game, falling in love and memeing. A sequel, Butterfly Soup 2, is available for PC, Mac, and Linux.

~Developed and Published by Brianna Lei~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

The Curse of Kudan

• School • Horror • Mystery • Yuri Harem • Friends to Lovers 

Feelings start to bud between student Sakuya Kudan and culinary instructor Touko Shima after coincidence brings them into one another’s orbit. However, their peaceful lives are abruptly shattered when Touko sees Kudan, the harbinger of calamity. The rumors say that anyone who lays eyes on her is doomed within seven days. The hours tick down as Sakuya rushes find a way to combat the curse, and her search brings her to the academy’s Occult Research Club and its president, Koto Ashinaki. Now she must face off against the unknown in order to protect the people she loves…

~Developed and Published by SukeraSparo~ Available on PC

The Expression Amrilato

• Isekai • Slice of Life • Romance

"...Why is the sky pink...?" Rin should know this area well, but the unreadable letters on the signs and the strange language the people are speaking have made things unrecognizable. Suddenly transported to a parallel world, Rin is saved when Ruka, a girl so cute she could be an idol, appears and extends a helping hand. Now a guest in Ruka’s home, Rin, and by extension the player, must learn Esperanto through interactive lessons to navigate this strange world. This is the story, pure and sometimes frustrating, of two girls intertwined through their fumbling efforts to communicate.

The sequel, Distant Memoraĵo, continues Rin and Ruka’s story and romance and reveals the secrets of Ruka’s past. Two storeis of the struggles that come with attempting to connect with one another across age, language, and even worlds.

~Developed by SukeraSparo, Published by MangaGamer~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

The Fairy's Song

• Romance • Fantasy • Adventure

Marnie is a young goth girl with a less-than-cheery disposition. Her parents are going away for a week of sun and surf in Bordeaux, and Marnie has been palmed off in her grandmother’s care in the backwater English village Fenchapel.

While exploring, Marnie happens upon a young female knight in a glade, clutching a sword. The knight has been sleeping for many centuries, but Marnie (inadvertently) awakes her. The young knight calls herself Leofe. She does not know why she went to sleep, but she knows that the forest itself is plagued by a horrible curse, and she is the only one who can lift it. The sequel, The Fairy’s Secret is also available on PC, Linux and Android.

~Developed and Published by ebi-hime~ Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android, PC, and Linux

Fatal Twelve

• Isekai • Supernatural • Adventure • Mystery

One day, Shishimai Rinka dies in an explosion—yet she finds herself continuing to live her ordinary life as if nothing had happened at all. That is, until a few days later, when she encounters the Goddess Parca in the dream world.

"Good evening, my lovely little slaves to fate." Rinka discovers that she is one of 12 people the Goddess has invited to her game. A game that could undo their deaths. In this maelstrom of life and death, Rinka must face a myriad different emotions, as well as the truth behind her own demise. What will her final decision be...?

~Developed by LYCORYS, Published by Sekai Project & PROTOTYPE~ Available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, and Linux

Flowers (Series)

• School • Adventure • Drama • Romance • Mystery • Multiple Couples • Yuri Harem • Friends to Lovers

In the middle of a forest isolated from the rest of the world lies Saint Angraecum Academy, an all-girls school. This private boarding school is isolated from the rest of the world, allowing the girls who attend the space and freedom to develop into young ladies under the guidance of their teachers. This is where Suoh Shirahane, a painfully shy girl, will begin her first year of high school. Follow her and her classmates in this four-game series as she navigates new friendships and attempts to unravel the many mysteries at the academy, including occult rituals and the mysterious disappearance of fellow students, all while trying to pass her classes. Suoh must learn to overcome her anxieties as she navigates new friendships. These bonds of friendship grow even stronger within the academy's special Amitié program, and Suoh's heart will open for the first time. But is it okay to like a girl?

~Developed by Innocent Grey, Published by JAST~ Available on PC

GOOD LUCK BABY!

• Mystery • Fantasy • Comedy

Japan, 2002. Bad luck is something we all experience - but for high schooler Hifumi Tanaka, it’s become an unwanted way of life.

Broken alarm clocks, lost wallets and bumped elbows; she starts wondering what she did to deserve this unrelenting misfortune. Her luck finally changes for the better upon meeting Kasumi Itou - a sunny delinquent with a heart of gold. But just as their mutual crush begins to bloom, the girls find a surprising sight awaiting them on Kasumi’s doorstep…a baby with wings and a halo!

Hifumi, Kasumi, and their newfound friends embark on the journey of a lifetime to solve the mystery behind this baby; kicking off a chain of events that affects the fate of the world itself. But with the ruthless Empress Metis following their every move, will good luck be enough to save them from the ultimate evil?

~Developed and Published by Noodletub Games~ Available on PC

Heart of the Woods

• Adventure • Drama • Romance • Supernatural • Mystery • Multiple Couples

Maddie Raines has had enough. After years of serving as manager, editor, and general business-handler for her best friend Tara's popular paranormal vlog channel, she's finally ready to move forward with her own life. But when she agrees to take one last trip with Tara to the mysterious village of Eysenfeld, she's suddenly surrounded by wondrous and dangerous supernatural events. One in particular captivates Maddie in a way she’s never been before: the ghost of a young woman, Abigail.

~Developed by Studio Élan, Published by Sekai Project and Sekai Games~ Available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, and Linux

Heaven Will Be Mine

• Sci-fi • Action • Romance

It’s 1981, and the dream of a new home in space for all humanity is dead. After fighting for decades against an intangible and ephemeral existential threat from beyond the solar system, Earth command has declared the war effort a huge waste of time. The honeymoon is over, and a future of glittering cities across the solar system and cosmic battles between giant robots just isn’t going to happen. The outcome is clear: it’s time to come home.

But we don’t care. Giant robots may not make any sense. Celestial cities across the solar system are silly dreams. They are, however, extremely awesome. We, the girls who were raised in space, to be special and incredible and pave the way for a new future, aren’t giving up so easily. We’ve got invincible Ship-Selves for ferrying human bodies through time and space, and we have the weight and power to make a fantasy of the future real.

~Developed and Published by Pillow Fight & Worst Girls Games~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

Letters From a Rainy Day -Oceans and Lace-

• School • Romance • Drama • Mystery • Senapi/Kouhai 

The prestigious private girls’ school, Kikyou Academy, educates young ladies from elementary age to university. With cell phones forbidden on school grounds, letter writing is a pastime for many of the girls… for better or for worse.

Student Mikoto Kurahashi receives a disturbing blackmail letter, forcing her to ask out younger student Shiori Minato to protect her sister. The story switches between the two girls’ viewpoints, displaying both sides of this unconventional romance as Shiori works to discover the reason and the perpetrator behind the blackmail and Mikoto longs to get her new partner to engage with her more.

~Developed by Lily Spinel, Published by Hublots and mirai works~ Available on PC

Lilycle Rainbow Stage!!!

• School • Slice of Life • Comedy • Multiple Couples • Friends to Lovers

Sweet, heartwarming, and bursting with cheerful, colorful illustrations features a swarm of adorable Yuri couples. As every character’s perspective is shown, you could say that they’re all the protagonist! A love triangle between two friends and a recent graduate, a young maid and her precocious mistress, student council rivals, a wallflower and her socialite companion, and more. This Yuri buffet is overflowing with cuteness!

~Developed by PARTICLE, Published by MangaGamer~ Available on PC

Linghua (Series)

• School • Drama • Romance • Multiple Couples • Fated Lovers • Tragedy 

A Yuri visual novel series about young couples bound by fate and tragedy at an all-girls’ private academy. In Melancholy Love, an elite student, born into privilege, and a delinquent who longs to break free of her chains meet amidst the garden of scented dreams. In Symbiotic Love, a devastated Zihua discovers a mysterious diary after the death of her lover, Jisuo. One by one excepts begin to appear, revealing the truth behind the tragedy.

~Developed by White Dew Game, Published by Kikai Digital~ Available on PC and Mac

Lingua Fleur Lily

• Drama

The introvert Yuyi arrives at school every day with a secret deep in her heart, a truth she has kept hidden from everyone, even her beloved old tutor. But when she is paired with the excitable Yile, the eager girl helps Yuyi come out of her shell, confronting the bittersweet memories of her past and coming to terms with her identity. This tender hidden and emotional hidden gem is not a romance story, but a story of healing and accepting oneself, a gift given to Yuyi by an earnest and caring friend. Its gentle illustrations and enchanting soundtrack heighten this simple but poignant story. 

~Developed and published by Narrator and STORIA~ Available on PC

A Little Lily Princess

• School • Drama • Historical • Slice of Life

Sara Crewe was raised like a princess by her doting Papa, always given the best of everything. Now that she is old enough, she must be sent away to boarding school in a foreign land, relying on her love of books and fairytales to help her make friends. But, what would happen to a little princess if she lost everything? This Yuri retelling of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s novel gives players the option to plan Sara’s daily activities and bond with her peers, leading to several potential romances. 

~Developed by Hanabira, Published by Hanako Games~ Available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Mac, and Linux

Mizuchi 白蛇心傳

• Fantasy • Romance • Slice of Life • Mystery

Abruptly finding herself at the bottom of a snake pit, an impoverished girl named Linh is bound and helpless for a crime she did not commit. Left to the mercy of the village snake god, a mysterious entity appears before her, offering to save her in exchange for her soul. Finding herself in a new reality, she is torn between staying with the beautiful temptress, Ai, who had rescued her from death, and the resourceful wanderer, Jinhai, who promises to set her free.

~Developed and Published by Aikasa Collective~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

a new life.

• Romance • Slice of Life • Tragedy • Love at First Sight

A short, simple, and beautiful experience. A classic love story: Meet, marry, grow old. But when your loved one hurts you, what do you do? Is it better to love and be hurt, than never love at all? From their first meeting in college until the bittersweet end, this short visual story is a beautiful and emotional highlight reel of two women in love.

~Developed and Published by Angela He~ Available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Linux

Nurse Love (Series)

• Fantasy • Slice of Life • Horror • Mystery • Yuri Harem • Slow Burn

Surviving a near-death experience as a child left Kaori Sawai with the dream to become a nurse and heal others. And today is finally the day, as she leaves school to join the Yurigahama Hospital, mending injuries with the magical touch of her hands and navigating sweet, strange, and exceptionally disturbing relationships with her quirky coworkers in Nurse Love Syndrom.

Set in the same world, Nurse Love Addiction follows Asuka Osachi, a ditzy and easy-going girl, who graduates from high school and enrolls in Teito Nursing School along with her younger sister, Nao. With their two classmates Itsuki and Sakuya and their instructor Kaede, the girls will experience what it means to be an adult... and a nurse.

~Developed by Kogado Studio, Published by Degica~ Available on Nintendo Switch and PC

OshiRabu: Waifus Over Husbandos

• Comedy • Slice of Life • Romance • Already a Couple • Love at First Sight

Akuru Hayahoshi is an unlucky otaku office worker who just can't pull her husbando in the gacha game she's obsessed with, no matter how much money she throws at it.

Until one day, she runs into the garishly gorgeous and freakishly lucky Ren Furutachi. A series of misunderstandings causes Ren to full-on pursue Akuru. One thing leads to another, and in order to bring her husbando home, she ends up... bringing Ren home?!

In the sequel ~Love･or･die~ a fit of jealousy and more misunderstandings lead to a Akuru unthinking accepting one of Ren’s many joke proposals… and by the time she realizes what she's done, it's too late. Ren is in bridezilla mode and starting to plan the wedding!

~Developed by SukeraSomero, Published by Hublots and mirai works~ Available on Nintendo Switch and PC, iOS and Android

Perfect Gold: The Alchemy of Happiness

• Fantasy • Romance • Enemies to Lovers

Marion LaRue is not having a fun day at all. What was meant to be a harmless little fire turned into an explosion that has her stuck in detention, missing out on one of the rare opportunities for her to enjoy life outside the academy. And of course, she just had to be stuck with Audrey Clary, of all the high-class LeFay students she could be in detention with.

Determined to not miss out on the long-awaited festival, these former lovers begrudgingly work together to escape detention and find their way to the festival. As they explore the city and celebrate the Sunflower Festival together, an old friendship is rekindled, and new feelings begin to bloom.

~Developed and Published by Yangyang Mobile, Published by Mama Morin (Console/Mobile)~ Available on Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, and Android

Please Be Happy

• Slice of Life • Romance • Fantasy

Born as a fox in the forest of Korea, Miho carries with her the memory of a traveler who showed her kindness and spoke of home. Now more human than fox, Miho has spent a long, long time searching for her person. She arrives by airship to Wellington, one of the jewels of the floating island of New Zealand.

Despite her years spent observing humans, she still has a lot to learn about their culture and society. She's made a living so far as a thief, her heightened senses allowing her to easily take advantage of people. She's also seen a lot of the worst of what mankind has to offer.

It's only after meeting Juliet, the owner of a small library, and Aspen, an aspiring novelist, that Miho starts to understand what kindness is, and that there's more than just the bad stuff when it comes to people.

~Developed by Studio Élan, Published by Sekai Project~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

Salome's Kiss

• Romance • Drama • Historical • Tragedy

Letitia Reed is an unremarkable woman in many aspects. Meek and mild, she prefers to keep her head down, and fears drawing undue attention to herself. As a governess to the wealthy Mortimer family, Letitia devotes her humdrum days in London to the schooling of her pupil, Clara, to better mould her into the image of an ideal lady.

Lurking beneath Letitia’s placid mannerisms, however, lay desires so intense they begin to unnerve her. As Clara matures, Letitia finds her feelings towards her maturing too – until, in the end, she can no longer bear it.

~Developed and Published by ebi-hime~ Available on PC and Linux

SeaBed

• Romance • Drama • Mystery • Tragedy • Slow Burn

A mystery told through the perspectives of three women: Mizuno Sachiko, a designer plagued by hallucinations of her past lover; Narasaki Hibiki, Sachiko's friend and a psychiatrist researching the workings of human memories; and Takako, Sachiko's former lover who has been rapidly forgetting her past, including how or why the two women drifted apart, despite being together since childhood. All three live in different worlds but seek the same goal. To separate truth from illusion. To make sense of their own lives.

~Developed by paleontology, Published by Fruitbat Factory~ Available on Nintendo Switch and PC

A Summer's End - Hong Kong 1986

• Shakaijin • Romance • Drama • Historical • Love at First Sight

Michelle is a young professional working woman living in Hong Kong during the heydays of the 1980s. She meets Sam, a free-spirited woman and an unconventional entrepreneur, by chance after an incident involving a broken heel. They share a mutual attraction. As their relationship progresses, Michelle is forced to make a decision between traditional propriety and her newfound feelings.

Inspired by classic Asian cinema, this beautiful game depicts the intense curiosity, confusion, and desire whirling around this incredible romance. Michelle A Summer’s End is a modern romance. A dazzlingly vibrant and intimate experience that explores identity, family, queerness, and love in a rapidly changing and highly political world.

~Developed and Published by Oracle and Bone~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

Synergia

• Action • Sci-Fi • Mystery

Cila, a veteran cop with a sour outlook and anger issues expects nothing more from life besides the smell of ozone, blinding neon lights and the ever-present manhole steam. At least, until a shady friend replaces her broken-down housedroid as a favor. Advanced, more efficient and remarkably perceptive, unit M.A.R.A. begins to penetrate Cila's toughened exterior and possibly even heal her new owner's old wounds – if Cila can decipher the recurring nightmare the process brings. Soon Cila and Mara forge a unique - if sometimes uneasy - bond. Unbeknownst to Cila, just as her life begins to find its new normal, the technological giant Velta Labs gets wind of Mara's existence and takes a mysterious interest in the android. A war unlike any before it is brewing on the horizon, its players are silently being selected and one android's fate may spell the difference between peace, war, the blossoming of a new religion, or a technological singularity beyond comprehension.

~Developed by Radi Art, Published by Top Hat Studios~ Available on PS4, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, PC, Mac, and Linux

Who Is The Red Queen?

• Horror • Fantasy • Romance

Alice falls down the rabbit hole into a Wonderland not quite right. Meeting an eclectic collection of people, animals, and some things in between, she sets out on an adventure in this odd new place to find the missing Red Queen. Or, more specifically, to find the pieces of the dismembered queen whose body has been strewn across the land.

~Developed by 4noki, Published by Studio Élan~ Available on PC, Mac, and Linux

Yumeutsutsu Re:Master

Slice of Life • Mystery • Slow Burn

Set in the town of Koenji, not far from the imperial capital of Tokyo, where a small game studio called Eureka Soft has set up shop. The heroine Ai, a country girl, joins her sister Kokoro who works there, after receiving a mysterious email from studio head.There she meets the quirky all-girl (and a dog) cast: the big sisterly head of the studio, her sister, giving her a cold shoulder, the maid/voice talent, the "tiny dinosaur" scenarist, the uniformed artist, and Banako, the dog and vice-president. Ai starts learning about game making as she slowly pieces together the mysteries of her colleagues. Ai's world will expand bit by bit, as the game production begins.

~Developed byKogado Studio, Published by Degica~ Available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PC

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[zepskies]

Never Say Goodbye - Epilogue

Pairing: Dean W. x Female Reader 

Summary: The first time you and Dean sensed each other’s thoughts and feelings, you were just kids. It would take years to realize that you both were bonded for life, and even longer to finally meet. [Soulmate AU] (Rated M for eventual scenes – 18+)

AN: Song inspo for this chapter is “Sweet Time” by REO Speedwagon! 

Word Count: 2,200 Warnings: Fluff overload!

Epilogue

Seven months later…

Dean settled his hands on your waist as he sidled up behind you in the kitchen, this time in the apartment you shared with him.

You jolted a bit in surprise, but your spine still tingled pleasantly when he enveloped you from behind.

You had gotten ready so quickly this morning that you hadn’t even greeted him yet. He was reminding you of it now as he pressed a kiss behind your ear. 

“Gooood morning, Vietnam!” he joked. 

He could call you and Sam nerds all he wanted, but Dean loved a classic movie reference.  

You smiled and grabbed one of his hands.

“Hey, baby. How do I look on my first day as Senior Library Curator?” You turned and showcased what you were wearing. 

Dean took in your long black pencil skirt, dark red blouse, and your “I mean serious business” heels with a low whistle, and he twirled you by the hand for effect. Dean himself was already dressed in his work uniform.

“I always like you in red,” he said, briefly focusing on the hint of cleavage, then down the curve of your waist before his gaze fell to your heels. His grin deepened. “I’ma need you to keep those on tonight.” 

You laughed and grabbed onto his arms. “I will cook for you in nothing but these heels, but I just need you to do one thing for me.”

Dean’s brows raised as his grin edged into a suspicious smirk.

“I’m listening,” he said.

“I need someone to come pick out the flowers with me this weekend,” you said. “And the plates at the dinnerware rental place.”

Dean tipped his head back and groaned. That was so not “just one thing.”

You rubbed his arms.

“Please?” you asked. “I’ve already got the silverware picked out. I just need some help deciding on a few things.”

“I’m really not the one you want to take. I’m good with anything, seriously.” 

You pouted at him. “You can’t be serious. You really don’t have any opinion on this stuff? This is our wedding, Dean.” 

He gave you a measured look. 

“Listen,” he said. “I don’t care if you want a Mariachi band with little sombreros on every drink. I just wanna get married.”

You laughed, but the sentiment behind his words made you smile. Your hands slid up to his shoulders as he pulled you in closer. A new silver ring, this time with a small shining stone, glinted on your left hand. 

One of the few things Bobby had saved of Aunt Karen’s had been her wedding bands. He’d seen no better use for her engagement ring than giving it to his almost-son, for his almost-daughter. Dean was grateful, and you were honored to wear it.

“Okay, how about this,” you said. “I’ll ask Ellen and Jo to come with me to pick the flowers and the plates. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is creating a music playlist for the DJ.”

Dean perked up at that. Since the Roadhouse burned down, Ellen and Jo had moved up to Sioux Falls. Last he’d heard (yesterday, from you), Ellen had all but moved in with Bobby. 

“But no ACDC,” you warned him. “And I’ll be approving the list when you’re done.”

Now it was his turn to pout. “Killjoy.”

At the puppy-dog downturn of his eyes, you rolled yours. You knew he was playing you, but somehow you were always weak for it. 

You made a sound of exasperation. 

“Okay, fine. One ACDC song.”

Dean flashed you a grin. “That’s why you’re my favorite.”

“Mhmm.”

“And, just so I know, are we still on for the naked cooking?” he asked. 

You scoffed.

“Oh, no. That’s for men who obey me. You, sir, just welched out of every request I made.” You emphasized this with a finger pressing into his chest. Dean chuckled. 

“Touché,” he said. “Okay, here’s what I can do for you. I will…take you out for dinner on Friday.”

You crossed your arms, waiting expectantly. Knowing he hadn’t hooked you yet, he amended.

“Tomorrow?” he said. “We’ll get sushi. Come on, we never get sushi.”

Mostly because Dean didn’t trust raw fish. But if he must, he could get some fried breaded shrimp if it made you happy. Plus, there were all those dipping sauces.

Dean liked dipping sauces.

“Dancing,” you said. “Tonight. Sushi after. Tomorrow, I promise I’ll cook for you…with the heels, and very little but the heels.”

Dean thought about it with an undecided hum. He wasn’t working late tonight, so he supposed he could go out. He almost grimaced at “dancing,” but you were gentle in pushing him past his comfort zone with stuff like this (and teaching him how to dance, slowly but surely). 

Still, it was worth it to see you get all dressed up. Naked cooking was also very worth it.

“All right, I think I can make that work,” he said. 

You smiled brightly, and he realized it was already worth it.

“Okay, I just have a few minutes before I need to get out of here,” you said, taking a breath. 

You were a bit nervous about your first day in your new position. You had just been promoted after almost a year. While you were comfortable in your job at the museum, overseeing the rare books library, you’d never been a manager before. You would now have two new hires under you, and it was your responsibility to train them as well. 

Dean felt your nervousness. He rubbed your back. “Hey. You’re gonna be great, baby. You know what you’re doing.”

With a grateful look, you braced your hands on his chest and smoothed out his black Sioux Falls PD uniform. He filled it out well.

“Gotten used to having a real uniform yet?” you asked. “Hope my dad’s not driving you too crazy.”

Dean grinned. “Nah. I’ll admit, he kicked my ass a bit in the beginning, but he’s a lot like Bobby. Soft in the middle.”

In fact, Jack was the one who’d recommended that Dean try out the police academy to begin with. 

“You’ve got the instincts,” Jack had told him. It was their first time sharing a beer, about a month after Dean returned to South Dakota permanently. He’d been struggling to find a job that would fit him (and his lack of professional experience).

“What you lack in discipline now, you’ll make up for in knowin’ how to read people,” said Jack. “Being solid under pressure. Good at running down leads. And who knows. Maybe you’ll make detective one day.”

Dean smiled at the idea, but he still cocked his head uncertainly.

“I don’t know. I’m not exactly used to grabbing a warrant before I pick a lock, ya know?”

“Well, I know this.” Jack pointed at him. “You’re a shark, Dean. Sharks can’t stay still, they’ve gotta keep swimming.”

“Okay, meaning?”

“Doing construction, working on cars, fixing people’s houses…after a lifetime of being under fire, are you really gonna be content doing any of those?” Jack asked.

Dean was grateful for that conversation. While there were things he missed about his old life, he was able to build a new one. And he didn’t have to hang up his gun to do it.

Dean let go of you so he could twirl his keys around his finger and clip them to his belt in one smooth motion. “Just you wait. I’ll be runnin’ this town in no time.”

“That’s a scary thought.” You laughed. “Oh hey, has Sam called you? He’s supposed to tell me if he’s bringing a plus one to the wedding.”

Dean smiled, despite a rueful twinge. Sam was halfway through his first year in law school—over in New York. He came home for the weekend whenever he could, but if Dean was honest, it was hard letting Sam run back to school.

What made it easier was that Dean wasn’t alone this time. He had you. You were also understanding, and you insisted that Sam stay here at the apartment whenever he came home. 

“Yeah, he was gonna tell you in person this weekend, but…he found her,” Dean said. 

 You gasped. “No, he did?”

“Yeah, he really found his soulmate. On the subway of all places.”

You laughed. “That must’ve been a fun ride.”

You could only imagine the chaos of starting to hear your soulmate’s thoughts in a New York City subway. You were so happy for Sam. 

You clapped your hands. 

“Oh, I’m so excited to meet her! This is going to be so awesome! Is he bringing her this weekend? What’s her name? Is she going to school too?”

Dean laughed and calmed down your onslaught of questions. That, at least, hadn’t changed.

“Okay, come on. You’re going to be late for work,” he reminded you. “Your first day as head boss lady of dusty books.”

“Excuse me. Rare dusty books,” you corrected with a playful slap to his chest. “But this is too important! Ugh, I’m calling him right now.”

“No, you don’t. He’s in class, and now we both need to get to work. Come on, get those perky buns movin’.”

He ushered you out by lightly spanking your butt. You sighed, but you were still smiling as you grabbed your purse and let him guide you out the front door. You lived on the first floor, so it was a quick walk to where both your cars were parked: the sleek black Impala and a blue Camaro, side by side. 

Before you forgot, you reached out and grabbed Dean by the collar. 

“All right, Officer. Have a good day today,” you said.

Dean smirked and tucked a strand of your hair, freed from your clip, behind your ear. 

“See ya, beautiful. Don’t dust off any suspicious lamps.”

“I thought you said genies weren’t like that in real life,” you quipped. You leaned up on your toes, and he met you there with a kiss that was sweet at first, but then it lingered and deepened. He held you to him close. 

These were the small kinds of moments that he liked to savor with you. Because it reminded him of a time when he never thought he would have this—a life outside of hunting. A life after hunting. 

It wasn’t perfect, but it was a real life with you, where Sam was still an important part of it.

“I love you. You know that?” said Dean. 

And he meant that, deep in his bones. 

When he gave you that ring a few months ago, it finally hit him that what he felt wasn’t just part of the “cosmic bond,” as you’d once called it. The two of you had scraped and fought hard to find each other, and even harder to stay with each other. 

And he hadn’t protected you just because he felt responsible for your safety. He’d done it because the idea of losing you had scared him worse than dying himself. 

So when you smiled and kissed him again, Dean breathed in your perfume and reminded himself that those darker days were in the past. Your airy laugh reminded him.

“Yeah, I do know,” you replied with a wink. “I’ll see you later.”

He tugged you back by the hand. “Uh, uh. If I say it, you gotta say it.”

“Oooh, I see. My bad,” you nodded. You took his hand—the one that wore his mother’s ring—and you kissed his knuckles. “I love you. I love you, and I love you. Be safe out there.”

He grinned and finally released you. You got in your car and watched him leaning against Baby with his arms crossed and his sunglasses on. In his police uniform, he looked like a scene out of Bad Boys. 

You beeped the horn at him twice before you pulled out of the driveway. Dean watched you go with a smirk. When he realized he was pushing it for time himself, he climbed into the Impala. He stroked the leather steering wheel.

What do you know, Baby. We’re respectable.

Jack was definitely going to ride his ass for being late. Today, that was all right.

Dean never thought this would be his life, but he had a feeling that his dad would be proud.

He would be, he heard you say in his mind, through the soul bond. He is.

Dean smiled. 

Focus on the road, he reminded you. He sensed the equivalent of you rolling your eyes. But a few minutes later, he heard you jamming out to REO Speedwagon. Another rock wannabe, in his opinion. Only you would listen to that crap.

Baby, we can take our own sweet tiiiime. And spend it when we want to ‘cause it’s yours and miiiine, you sang, and not always on key. 

Let our love come easy and we fiiiind…~

Dean shook his head, despite a fond smirk. 

…Well, he thought, maybe this one wasn’t that bad.

We can make it. And we’ll take our own sweet time. 

AN: *sniffs* Who's peeling onions?

But seriously, thank you so much to all of you who read and enjoyed this story! It's been one of my favorites to write in a long time.

And I will say, if I do get requests, I will return to this AU and dabble some more. I love early seasons Sam and Dean, and this world is a special one to me!

Keep Reading: Bonus Track #1

What's Coming Next:

My next series will be in The Boys fandom. For those of you who liked "Checkerboard" (Soldier Boy x Reader), get ready. There be a prequel a' comin'...

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[scribbling-dragon]

hello i am utterly obsessed with your mer scott au (as you know) and i heard you were taking requests - maybe something about being kissed to shut someone up?

you look better when you're quiet

summary:

Scott doesn't think. Scott likes to tell himself that he thinks all of his actions through, likes to boast that every plan he’s successfully pulled off has been because of extensive planning, rather than just luck of the draw. Scott is also a filthy liar- because he hardly ever thinks his actions through, and when he does, it’s normally for no more than a few minutes. Thinking any longer than that would put him off of whatever idea he’s had, and normally he only has a few moments to enact it anyway.

He grabs Martyn’s face with his hand, pulling the other man around to face him. Martyn allows himself to be pulled, words trailing off as he meets Scott’s eyes. Martyn smiles at him then, a little nervously, as though just realising that he might have, just maybe, said a little bit more than he meant to.

“You have something on your face, dear.” Scott says.

(ao3 link)

(2,418 words)

i am. almost embarrassed by this im ngl. but i refuse to be really embarrassed! even if the kiss scene made me embarrassed dsjhdj

Scott is rather good at keeping secrets, if he does say so himself. The mysterious personality was specially curated to make him more interesting- everyone loves a guy with a mysterious past, right? And it’s much more fun to watch people try to figure him out than spill all his secrets the moment they show him some basic human decency.

As such, he is used to keeping secrets, and finding out other people’s secrets- those are leagues more valuable than any secrets of his own. A secret, applied in the right place at the right moment can put just enough pressure on someone to sway their decision in his favour. And a few secrets are always bound to crop up around the games.

Point being: Scott is good at keeping secrets. And he is very, very quickly finding out that his teammate is…not.

Case in point, being their current situation.

“You two are looking…pretty green around the gills still.” Joel snickers as he says this, probably rather pleased with his play on words. Really, it’s only a little funny, and only because of the irony of what he’s saying.

Martyn casts a short glance at him from the corner of his eye, lips twitching up. No doubt, he’s thinking the same thing that Scott is.

“Oh, certainly.” Martyn nods sagely, as though he’s imparting some great wisdom onto Joel and Jimmy, and not just stating the obvious. “We’ve both got a pretty decent amount of time left, too, haven't we?”

He feels his jaw tense involuntarily at Martyn’s words, refusing to look at his teammate as Joel raises an eyebrow in question. Jimmy continues to stand a foot behind Joel, arms crossed, as though attempting to make himself look more intimidating. At best, he looks like a ruffled chick- no more intimidating than a bit of tumbleweed.

“Really?” Joel’s sunglasses slip a little further down his face, yellow eyes peering at them from behind the glasses. Really, Scott thinks Jimmy is the only one that knows how to wear sunglasses properly- seeing as Grian refuses to wear them on his face at all, and Joel insists on wearing them far too low. Surely it must be uncomfortable to have them slip so low that they're pinching on your nose, right? 

Joel doesn't seem to care, if that’s the case, bringing a hand up to rest on the arm of his sunglasses, tilting them down further. Really, they're only covering his lips now, eyes fully exposed, glinting an even brighter yellow in the midday sun.

“Your glasses low enough on your face Joel?” He asks, interrupting whatever the other man was about to say. “I can almost see your chin still.”

“Shut up, Scott.” Joel shoots back, though it has no real heat behind it. They're on rather friendly terms with the…bad boys right now, and he doubts that they want to turn a few more people against them- especially as he’s pretty certain they're actually the only people tolerating them right now. He has not missed the way both Tango and Impulse have been staring at them from their base for ten solid minutes now. He doesn't think either of the bad boys have noticed yet, so he doesn't point it out.

“I can kick you off this island right now,” he points out. He takes a step forward, considering how much trouble he would land him and Martyn in if he shoved Joel into the water- the man is practically asking for it, okay! He’s stood right by the edge, staring at him over his dumb sunglasses; he’s basically asking for a dip! “Watch yourself, bad boy.”

“Now, now, Scott,” Martyn pats him on the shoulder. “There’s no need to tease them over their name.”

Scott knows that’s a lie, even without turning to Martyn and seeing the amusement twinkling in his eyes. His eyes are the only giveaway, and it really is a good thing that Scott is good at keeping secrets- good at not spilling everything just for his own amusement, because he can remember several of the iterations of the bad boys’ name that Martyn came up with last night.

“There’s nothing to mock about our name.” Joel crosses his arms, leaving his sunglasses hanging onto his face, just barely. Jimmy nods behind him, sunglasses glinting in the sunlight. “We’re the bad boys.”

Scott is also impressed that all three of them are able to say the name without breaking. Personally, if he had a name like that he would laugh every time he was forced to say it. But each to their own, he supposes.

“Yeah.” Jimmy chimes in. He’s like…the world’s most un-threatening bodyguard. His wings are all puffed up behind him, though it does little to hide how small they are. “We’re not for laughing at.”

“And you two are still green,” Joel points out. “How many hours do you even have?”

Scott should have seen this coming, really, should have seen how easily this conversation could have turned in a bad direction. He should have known that Martyn would open his mouth, and, with all his usual cheeriness that is actually endearing on a normal day, would ruin it all.

“Oh, I haven't got nearly as many hours as Scott has.”

He doesn't give himself whiplash turning to glare at Martyn, but it’s a near thing. He attempts to telepathically communicate to Martyn that he should be shutting the hell up right now. Martyn obviously doesn't hear him, because he opens his mouth again. Scott can hear Joel giggling, obviously finding something absolutely hilarious.

“Oh, really?” Joel asks, still giggling. It sounds like he’s hiccuping when he tries to smother them a moment later.

“Yeah, yeah,” Martyn nods, “he’s got like-”

Scott doesn't think. Scott likes to tell himself that he thinks all of his actions through, likes to boast that every plan he’s successfully pulled off has been because of extensive planning, rather than just luck of the draw. Scott is also a filthy liar- because he hardly ever thinks his actions through, and when he does, it’s normally for no more than a few minutes. Thinking any longer than that would put him off of whatever idea he’s had, and normally he only has a few moments to enact it anyway.

He grabs Martyn’s face with his hand, pulling the other man around to face him. Martyn allows himself to be pulled, words trailing off as he meets Scott’s eyes. Martyn smiles at him then, a little nervously, as though just realising that he might have, just maybe, said a little bit more than he meant to.

“You have something on your face, dear.” Scott says. His brain is running on nothing- it’s sprinting away from him, he thinks, actually. He doesn't pause in his actions though, he’s far too deep to back out now- and his mother didn't raise no bitch. His mother raised someone that saw things through, no matter how ridiculous or convoluted they got. And by god he is not going to let this moment be the one that ruins that for him.

He swipes his thumb over Martyn’s face, watching the way Martyn’s eyes widen. The edge of his thumb brushes against Martyn’s lips- they're close enough now that he could very easily close the distance between them and kiss him. Martyn’s eyes are very obviously asking for it, even as red rises on his cheeks. Scott grins down at him, allowing his touch to linger for a moment before pulling back.

He turns back to Joel and Jimmy. Joel’s sunglasses are moments away from slipping off his nose, and his eyes are rather wide, flicking between him and Martyn. He smiles at them, tilting his head slightly to the side.

“I thought you two were just leaving?” He says.

“I- yeah, yes!” Joel takes a step back, hand reaching out for Jimmy’s arm. “Uh, yeah, we’re just going now! Don't worry, we won't stick around, uh- sorry for intruding?” It’s not often that someone manages to render Joel speechless, so Scott allows himself to enjoy the moment, watching the two bad boys practically sprint back to the mainland, away from their little island.

When he glances over at the TIES base as well, both Tango and Impulse are missing from the tower, no longer watching.

“That was easier than expected.” He muses, watching as the flash of yellow that is Jimmy’s wings disappears into the shadowed forest. “I thought I would actually have to kiss you to make them leave.”

He glances over at Martyn from the corner of his eye, still grinning. Martyn is standing in the position Scott left him, the only difference is that his eyes are now cast to the ground, though they are still wide and staring, and one of his hands is pressed to his cheek.

Scott leaves him there, pushing through the gate and into their small storage area. He had just returned from a small material gathering trip before Jimmy and Joel decided to make an appearance and his bag is still laden down with several different materials.

He occupies himself with putting them away, sorting them neatly so they don't have to rifle through the chests to find whatever it is that they want. Unorganised chest systems are just so inefficient, really. And the time he takes while sorting out the various items gives Martyn just a little bit longer to regain his wits and scrape together whatever shreds of his dignity he has left.

His ears pick up the soft sound of creaking wood, no doubt Martyn is attempting to be as quiet as possible and failing rather unfortunately as he fails to take Scott’s better than average hearing into account.

Scott keeps his back turned to Martyn. Perhaps he should allow him this small win, after embarrassing him in front of both Joel and Jimmy so thoroughly. He hasn't checked his comm recently, but it has been vibrating. And Joel is much worse at keeping secrets than even Martyn, so it’s probably all over the server by now.

Good. Maybe people will stop bothering them now.

Scott turns only when Martyn is directly behind him, leaning back on the chest and grinning up at Martyn. Martyn grins back at him, though it is a little sharper than usual. “You're just going to leave me like that?” Martyn asks, leaning a little closer. Scott can feel his breath on his face. The scales around his eyes are just that little bit more sensitive to it, and he shivers.

“Like what?” He asks. “Standing around, like a gaping, lovesick fool?”

Martyn laughs, eyes squinting shut as he drops his head, shoulders shaking. Scott smiles at him, leaning a little further forward, pressing the both of them a little closer together. Martyn stops laughing a moment later, looking up. His eyes widen as he realises how close they've become.

Martyn’s eyes drift down, to his lips, and Scott grins. “See something you like?” He asks, even though he feels a bit breathless, a bit giddy with anticipation. Martyn’s eyes flick back up to his own, the green almost startling with how bright it is.

Scott stands from the chest, pulling himself up. He steps forward, and Martyn steps back, still grinning. He matches him, step for step, until Martyn’s back hits the wall on the other side of the small room.

He’s grinning, can feel it, and Martyn is grinning too- he can see it, a grin that teases him with a challenge that only his eyes can communicate. He presses Martyn up against the wall, one hand flat against his chest, and he leans in.

Martyn kisses him back eagerly, pressing forward, hands coming up, searching, clinging, pulling at his hair as they tangle themselves into it. Scott allows himself to be pulled forward- to be drawn deeper into the kiss, even as his lungs begin to burn. He doesn't mind, he finds he enjoys the burn.

Martyn pulls back first, lips red as he stares at him, eyes flicking down to Scott’s lips first, then back up to his eyes. One of his hands is still tangled in Scott’s hair, the other one cupped around his neck, keeping him close.

Scott finds himself panting, just slightly, leaning forward to press their heads together, grinning down at Martyn as they both regain their breath. Martyn doesn't say a word, simply staring at Scott, his eyes a little wider than normal and slightly hazed over.

Scott laughs, and Martyn’s eyes narrow a little. “You look better when you're quiet,” he teases. He can feel Martyn’s breaths, the way the heat spreads over his face, the rise and fall of his chest against his own. They're pressed close enough together that they could be one person.

“I guess you better keep me quiet then.” Martyn gasps out, still slightly out of breath.

Scott doesn't need any more permission than that, pressing in again, leaning closer, further in. His hands dig into Martyn’s hips- he can feel the way the other almost shudders against him at the action. He grins into the kiss, feels the way Martyn grumbles- can feel it vibrate through his chest as Martyn’s grip tightens on his hair, threatening to actually pull some of it out.

Martyn bites him a moment later.

He gasps into the kiss, eyes opening as he stares at Martyn. Martyn looks back at him, eyes heavy-lidded as he leans in again. The hand on the back of his neck slides around to cup his jaw, pulling him closer and keeping him there.

Martyn’s tongue swipes over the bite mark, soothing it slightly, before he presses himself deeper into the kiss again, stealing all the oxygen in Scott’s lungs. It’s almost enough to make him weak in the knees, and he grips at Martyn a little tighter, fingers digging into his hipbones as he clings on.

They only separate again when Scott feels as though he’s on the verge of passing out, spots dancing in his vision as he works on regaining his breath.

Martyn huffs out a little laugh, too out of breath to do anything more.

Both of them lean against each other, Martyn’s arms looped around his neck, breath ghosting over Scott’s collarbones.

“I think one of the TIES guys was watching us.” Martyn says, completely ruining the moment.

Scott groans, dropping his head to Martyn’s shoulder. “I liked it better when you weren't talking.”

#shoutout to that one anon i keep getting that really hates majorwood! this is for you!! #asks #wren-pineapples #juno.writes #limited life smp #scott smajor #inthelittlewood #martyn inthelittlewood #majorwood #coral kids #mean gills #trafficshipping #traffic series #traffic smp #trafficverse #trafficblr #limited life scott #limited life martyn #limited life mean gills #mer scott (and fishfucker martyn) #trafficfic

[endlessthedestiny]

okay I read the good omens screen play / shitscript and....... it was something. here are a good idea of what happens there, for those who dosent want to read it

if you don't know what the shitscript is, it's basically a script for a scrapped good omens movie written only by Neil in 1992. it's very different from (I think) any other media/adaptation we had of good omens. apparently neil HAD to make Crowley evil, but I don't know much about it...

tw: abusive crowley

so:

Crowley owns a night club. (yes, Lucifer style)

Aziraphale works as a museum curator.

Also, Crowley cheats in every chess game and wins, making that Aziraphale never won (rather cruel if you ask me) and he hates earth. like really despises.

the plot starts with Satan (here he is more like his sandman/Lucifer2000 counterpart to be honest, even being called Lucifer MORNINGSTAR at some point) gives Crowley the antichrist (Adam).

Crowley is supposed to take care and raise Adam, but when he came back to the club, he put Adam in Madame Tracy's bag to talk to his employee.

Madame Tracy takes Adam home unknowingly. (yes, she will be the one raising him)

Crowley has a fucking panic attack seeing that he lost Adam (also he's fucking pathetic. why didn't he just chase the taxi. stupid).

He drinks alot to calm himself, and then Aziraphale comes into his club and asks what's wrong

Crowley explains (more like spilled) to him what's happening, and Aziraphale decides to help him find Adam. With the condition of being able to make Adam good.

Also theres Anathema. As a child she feels (?) that the antichrist was born.

11 long years of azira and crowley looking for Adam in every city offscreen later............

Anathema goes to tadville (the place where madame Tracy and Adam live) looking for something. she is convinced there is something weird happening.

Madame Tracy's the only one who accepts to rent her a room.

In this version, Madame Tracy's is the "crazy old lady who was hot when she was younger but now she's oooolddddd and craaazy" which is problematic (at my vision)

Adam basically takes care of everything around the house, the bills, breakfast.

Adam resembles more Warlock than Adam from the show... He sometimes is unnecessarily rude towards others, but I think that makes sense with the fact that he had to be so responsible all the time.

He dislikes Anathema at first. But they grow to be friends over time.

theeeen.... Satan calls Crowley again and they talk about the antichrist.

Crowley says that Adam is evil just like him and beautiful blablabla, and then Satan takes a look (using DemonicPowers™) at Adam's face and is very pleased.

Then Crowley comes back at his club and has another panic attack.

Aziraphale visits him again, and again asks what's wrong.

Crowley explains that he met with Satan again, and sarcastically says that he told the truth.

Aziraphale takes his sarcasm seriously and (I think) he was happy that Crowley at least was honest.

Crowley then simply says (and I quote directly) "you are so.... stupid.... you don't deserve to live. I didn't tell him anything. If I had, do you think I'd be here right now?" which is just... damn

azira gets sad and then Crowley basically says that he knows what Adam looks like and azira suggest that they should go to one more town. just one more.

Crowley gets ughhhh fine and they go to Tadville.

Then we get a scene of Adam taking Anathema to his hidden place and showing her his miniature replica of tadville. he says some creepy things about how that in mini tadville everyone does what he says, it's all his.

In the next day, Crowley and Aziraphale go to Tadville. they start looking for a room, but some lady heard Crowley calling Aziraphale "angel" and goes homophobic mode.

Everyone doesn't want to rent a room to them, except Madame Tracy.

Then Adam arrives with the groceries and Crowley immediately recognizes him. Him and Azira take a stroll on the beach, and Crowley says that he's very grateful for Aziraphale.

Aziraphale says he isn't going back to London and Crowley simply says "well, we found him, i don't need you anymore" and Azira reminds him of their agreement of making Adam good.

They invite Adam to go with them for a day in London, and Madame Tracy authorizes much to Adam's content.

They go to London, and in the museum, Azira shows Adam the beauty of humanity and all.

When Adam goes to the car, Crowley tells him that humanity is being above everyone, not caring for anyone (basically, that evil talk etc)

When they get back, Anathema discovers through looking into a crystal ball and seeing Adam's face that he is the antichrist.

Then, Adam goes to talk with her.

Anathema tries to stab him, but she psychologically can't. And she tells him he's the one who is going to end the world.

Adam gets scared for his life and runs away to his hidden place.

Satan transformed his place into a magical scenario full of games and fun and talks with him.

He basically convinces him to enter his side and Adam (who is very fragile because anathema just tried to kill him) agrees.

Basically, the town turns into a huge theater with everyone acting like puppets.

Satan thanks Crowley for raising Adam, and grant his wish of letting him go to Alpha centuri.

As Crowley is waiting for the next comet, Aziraphale goes to him and tries to convince him to help humanity and heaven.

Crowley basically says "hell nah im not helping you"

Aziraphale says "but we are friends."

And Crowley simply replies "Were." :)

Theeen, Aziraphale challenges him to one more checkers game.

They play, and Aziraphale finally wins. But only after cheating.

They find Anathema and she gives them the knife.

Aziraphale enters in full angel form (white clothing and all) and goes to talk with Adam.

Aziraphale basically does "reflect about it" talk to Adam, and Adam seems to not care.

Crowley then goes to Satan and says "I'm not going anymore" and Satan turns him into a snake.

Aziraphale interrupts and points the knife at him. Satan simply desintegrates the knife and hurts aziraphale.

Adam after seeing Madame Tracy's puppet form and reflecting about what Aziraphale said he decides to take a step back and fix things.

He goes to Satan, heals Aziraphale and transforms Crowley back and basically says "I'm not going." and turns everything back to normal

Satan is like ??? and Crowley simply says "wait you didn't rebel to your father too?"

Satan laughs and disappears.

everything ends well

theeee end :3

well, it's not the worst thing in existence but certainly not the best.

good omens but the aziracrow is the most toxic yaoi ever.

#good omens #shitscript #go screenplay #also PLEASE don't ask for a link‚ i don't want the fbi in my house #this is for educational purposes only ok

[idolatrybarbie]

the world tipped on its side

chapter one - a helicopter

series masterlist | read on ao3

pairing: francisco "frankie" morales x f!reader

word count: 5k

rating & summary: mature | you are a stunt coordinator on an action film. frankie's the stunt pilot you need. everything's gonna be airplanes, rainbows, and sunshine…right?

warnings: references to physical injury, chronic pain, prescription medication & medication usage, references to surgery, reader has a disability.

notes: thanks iz for beta'ing this. just occurred to me that some people might find issue with writing about disability but i am #disabled so idk ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You don’t know when you make the smooth transition from sleep to wakefulness. Suddenly your eyes are open—or maybe they’ve been open the entire time. It doesn’t matter, really. You stare up at the ceiling, curtains still drawn, tucked neatly under your duvet. Brain silent, waiting.

It’s almost every day now that you beat your five o’clock alarm. A funny recurrence, like your body knows. Moving your head is slightly painful, cheek brushing against the pillow to turn and look. The neon of the alarm’s display stings, burning the numbers behind your eyelids when you blink. 4:58. Waiting…waiting…

The machine only manages a single pathetic, high pitched squeal before you shut it off with a harsh thwack. You’re up and moving in the dark, closet door folding open with a rumble to reveal your capsule wardrobe of workwear. Everything is organized neatly along their plastic hangers, by clothing item and colour; your small collection of nearly-identical black pants next to the dark teal and navy pencil skirts, followed by a heather grey blouse, plaid ankle pants…it’s all very dressy. No one would guess that these clothes are the fruits of several weeks of careful curation at the thrift store. That’s kind of the point.

Getting ready at dawn is a blur these days. Nothing more than going through the motions. Clothes, then you brush your teeth, styling your hair in the bathroom mirror with the cheap toothbrush between your tongue and palate. Breakfast is a glass of water from the tap of your tiny apartment kitchen; the fridge sits empty, spare a stray tomato and a few expired string cheeses that you toss on your way out the door.

Outside, the sky is still dark, slowly lightening with the rising sun. You’ve come to appreciate the moon like this, waiting for its overbearing big brother to get the day moving. The definition of the clouds up above is enough to have you staring up for hours, if you had the time. It feels like looking at a famous painting—a Van Gogh or something, the edges of each vaporous form crisp against the changing blue.

The twenty minute commute from sleepy Cobb County to metropolitan Atlanta is driven in silence as you organize your thoughts. It’ll be another sixteen hour day of shooting, surely. That’s what you prepare for and are never disappointed. You make a mental note to order groceries while you’re on lunch, hopefully getting the latest time slot this time. Last time, Whole Foods left you with five bags of perishables in the front lobby that sat for six hours before you got home. Half of it was inedible.

The lot is unchanged from yesterday as you drive in, flashing your I.D. badge at the parking gate attendant before he lifts the striped arm up to let you through. Ashton is waiting for you outside of the soundstage, because of course he is.

“Good morning,” he smiles.

You give him a mumbled greeting in return, nodding as you pass him on your way in. He follows you, keeping the brisk pace of your heeled flats.

“I wanted to walk-and-talk,” he says.

Of course he does. “Sure. What’s up?”

“So we got new pages last night,” Ashton says, his dingy sneakers squeaking across the floor beside you.

“Okay,” you say.

“It’s a whole new scene.” You still aren’t sure how this concerns you. “A stunt.”

You stop abruptly. He isn’t expecting it, almost tripping over his own feet to pause. “What?”

“I figured you would have that reaction,” he says.

You close your eyes with a slight huff, ignoring the comment. “What do you mean ‘a stunt’? I thought we had them all outlined in pre-production. I got a list of—”

“The studio wanted some changes to that big arrival scene. They wanted a helicopter.”

“A helicopter,” you repeat.

“A helicopter,” Ashton confirms.

Fuck. “How am I supposed to get a helicopter?”

Ashton shrugs, helpful as always. “You’re the stunt coordinator,” he says.

In your brief Hollywood career, you would have to say he is the most useless functioning part of a production that you have ever worked with. Who the fuck gave this guy a blockbuster?

“A helicopter.” You let the word sit in your mouth, wrapping your brain around the idea a little more. With a sigh, you relent. There is nothing to be done about it now. “Fine. Give me a week.”

“One week,” Ashton agrees. “I want to get that scene out of the way as quickly as possible. It’s all just flashy nonsense.” He nods at you once more before disappearing amidst members of the crew, the area filling up slowly as people arrive on set for the day.

You wonder who’s going to tell him. This whole thing is flashy nonsense. When you first read the script, you could barely parse out the plot beyond the action scenes outlined for you, practically dripping in yellow highlighter. You don’t mind so much, though; every day on set is another day of getting paid. It isn’t your job to worry about the artform of cinema, but to make sure the punches look like they land without anyone losing a tooth. This could be the next Transformers threequel, and you wouldn’t care.

Mia’s shoving a paper cup of something warm into your hands, pulling you from your thoughts.

“You’ve got that glassy look in your eyes, which means I know you’re ready for a caffeine re-up,” she says.

You take a sip. Coffee, black. You savour the acrid taste for a moment, burning your tongue before you swallow. “Did you hear about this?”

“No?” she asks. “What?”

“The helicopter,” you say, and her face immediately falls.

“What helicopter?”

“The studio wants a helicopter stunt.”

“But that wasn’t—” she starts.

“I know,” is all you say. “And of course, Ashton brought it to me instead of, you know, a producer?” You two are walking now, moving past bodies and equipment to the attached office space.

“I’ll talk to Moby,” Mia says.

“It’s not talking to Moby that’s the problem,” you say. “This is the biggest movie that I’ve ever done and…”

“Come on. Don’t get all defeatist on me.”

“Maybe this isn’t for me, is all I’m saying.”

“What?” Mia looks aghast. “You were the greatest stunt actor I’ve ever seen,” she says.

“Were. I had, what? Four good years of doing flips and expertly dodging rubber katanas, and now I can barely fall asleep at night.”

“Even with the new mattress?” Mia asks.

“The new mattress doesn’t do shit,” you say.

Every once in a while you still lose some sense of feeling in your right arm, muscles in your legs spasming uncontrollably, keeping you up at night. On lucky days all you are left with is the unending stiffness in your neck.

“With all this shit… Maybe it’s time for me to move on,” you say.

“Don’t say that. You say that and we’re all screwed,” Mia says. “You’re going to finish this movie, and it’s going to look awesome, and then you’ll get your next one. Okay?” She won’t stop staring at you with those imploring doe eyes until you nod hesitantly. “Great. Good. I’ll call some people, get a beat on this helicopter. You just…do your thing. Make that movie magic.”

You groan. “You know I hate that.” Movie magic. The term oozes nothing but cheese.

Mia’s walking away now, a smile on her face as she calls back, “But you love me!”

And you do. You met Mia back in community college, when you were both aimlessly jogging through life. Your shared love of movies is what brought you together, an unlikely duo; she’d been a star athlete in high school, spanning volleyball, cheer, gymnastics and rugby. You, on the other hand, skipped class to practice parkour at the abandoned strip mall with your friends.

You’d gotten your associate’s degree in digital media arts, dreams of editing bays and Adobe software crowding your future. Mia moved to California and lost contact, until you got a phone call six months later asking if you could catch the next flight down. She had a stunt job she couldn’t take, something she swore you’d be perfect for. You didn’t even know she’d gotten into acting.

It was definitely non-union, and certainly dangerous, but the experience was unlike anything you had ever done before. Now, six years later, you mostly sit on the sidelines and watch other stuntpeople pretend to duke it out in front of greenscreen, or land safely onto crash mats one hundred feet below them. You still love this, still want it. But things aren’t the same. On top of seemingly never-ending demands, the thought of getting into a harness to show an actor how to maneuver around has your stomach churning, the axis vertebrae at the base of your skull flaring with that cushioned stabbing pain.

Life was a lot of that now. Pain, pain management, doctor’s visits and specialist appointments. You are set to make thirty thousand dollars this year, counting every penny to assure that you qualify for health insurance. Pill bottles click and clack in your belt bag, the only thing interfering with your business casual persona. Lyrica twice a day, at noon and night time, and a concoction of Panadol and naproxen throughout the day for when the pain acts up beyond what the anticonvulsant can cover alone.

There are always odd glances, looks exchanged between your crewmates when you pop a pill next to the catering table or trip over yourself simply standing, due to the side effects. The job is already alienating enough, outside of your assembled stunt team, that you can shrug it off in the moment.

Your wristwatch is telling you that it’s almost six, giving you another ten to fifteen before you have to meander back onto set for the first call time of the day. You lean against the chair behind you, not risking a sit down right now, and sip at your coffee.

-

You’re watching, waiting. Mikey Schultz is at the edge of a lime green block, waiting for the call to action. Keeping your knuckles at your lips, you stand next to Ashton, trying to get a view between the wide camera monitors and the real deal in front of you.

“Action!” Ashton yells from beside you.

The cameras are already rolling, panning up to focus on the actor perched at the edge of the greenscreen structure. Without hesitation, he jumps, managing the pseudo-superhero landing you’d revised over thirty times in pre-production flawlessly. His knee digs into the foamy crash mat, surely to be edited away in post and replaced with the jungles of the fictional South American country that’s been created for this movie. Despite your quiet, distant opinions on that matter—on the whole movie really—you can’t help but be proud of this moment.

“Cut!”

The end of the take marks the end of your work day.

“Good job everybody! We’ll be back here tomorrow bright and early.” Ashton nods at you, a motion you politely return before walking off set.

Bright and early is, bless the heavens, not the reality for you tomorrow. Tomorrow is what you like to call a dialogue day. They film all the sappy shit—the emotional core, as Ashton loves calling it—and you don’t have to be there until noon for the hospital fight scene.

You find Mia first, approaching her with a wave. She smiles back, walking to meet you in the middle. She has two bottles of water in her hands, and you already know that one is for you. She knows it’s about time to take your meds again; she’s also known you long enough to be hyper-aware of your aversion to drinking water unless instructed to.

“So how was that?” she asks when you’re close enough.

“Another day, another dollar,” you say, taking one of the bottles from her. “I’m going home to crash, for sure.”

Mia nods. “Same. I think—” A ringtone interrupts her. She reaches for the back pocket of her leggings, whipping out her phone. “Hello?”

There is silence for a moment before Mia’s face lights up; you know exactly who it is on the other end. She doesn’t get that sparkling Eiffel Tower look for just anyone.

“Babe, hey,” she says, and then Mia’s frowning at you, mouthing a sorry as she holds up her pointer finger. Just a sec. “I don’t know, what do you want to do for dinner?” She turns away from you, covering one ear to hear her fiancé over the bustle of people hauling ass off set.

A small knot forms in your throat. Not because you’re jealous, and not because Mia’s a bad friend—quite the opposite. Even amidst all of the commotion on set, this still feels like a moment. You’re here, standing, waiting like a jackass for your friend to hang up on the love of her life. Sam’s up visiting from Texas for a week, so it’s been phone calls like this the whole time. Every private tinge of annoyance makes you feel like an awful person.

“Hey, I’m just going to go. That okay?” you ask Mia, who’s only half listening.

She pauses, holding her hand over the speaker of her phone as she pulls it away from her ear. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”

Mia nods, giving you a thumbs up, and then she’s fully consumed in the phone call.

Your car is too warm, the Georgian sun filling it with heat while it sat on its own in the parking lot. The A/C is blasting on the drive back to Mableton, its hissing thrum the only sound around you other than the open road. You sprinkle a small white capsule pill from its script bottle, putting it in your mouth and swallowing it down with the water.

Sam and Mia have been engaged for a year, dating for three. You remember their first meet cute, in some new artsy Los Angeles coffee shop that closed the following year. He’d bought both of your coffees for the morning, and she’d asked for his number. He’s cute, in a nerdy way. You remember the handful of guys Mia was involved with while you two were in college. Sam is definitely an upgrade.

It was an odd occurrence; going through the motions of mourning your health as time neared the anniversary of what happened, only to see happy, smiling engagement photos all over your socials. Mia called you not long after, gushing over the phone. You’d done the part of the good best friend, sharing in her excitement and all of the beautiful potential of the future. After sending her one last peppy text, though, you went radio silent for about three weeks.

You weren’t upset, and if you were, it certainly wasn’t with Mia. The way you liked to think about it was this: it’s very hard to feel good about being miserable when everyone around you is terminally thrilled. You needed space to be despondent. Mia needed space to be elated. Ultimately, you’re still unsure if she ever noticed the intention behind it.

The wedding is planned for next spring. When this shoot ends, it’ll be August, and Mia’s made you promise to block out a few chunks of time here and there to help her out with the specific bridal party details. It’s a part of the job of maid of honour, after all.

Anybody else, anybody normal, would be thrilled. You aren’t. You’d been secretly hoping that Mia would choose her little sister to take on the title. No dice. You’ve told her a million times that you haven’t ever been to a wedding, only funerals, but she wasn’t having any of it.

The things that make the role usually undesirable aren’t even what it is that you’re dreading—picking out a spring colour for yourself and two other women to wear that looks both cohesive and flattering across everyone isn’t that hard. It’s moreso all of the questions, the whispers from the old bitties about the distinctly solo bridesmaid—oh god.

Working in film and television doesn’t really afford you the luxury of a relationship. Up until two years ago, you’d lived the life of a creative nomad. You’ve had five apartments since you graduated college, bouncing around the continent with no station to go back to after your father sold your childhood home. There’s a map in your front hall now, charting all the places you’ve lived with thumbtacks and red string: Montreal, North Hollywood, Calgary, Culver City, and now Mableton, Georgia. It’s your own personal serial killer wall.

You had the apartment just outside of Los Angeles when the accident had happened. When you finally got home, everything felt…wrong. The person who’d lived there before wasn’t you, or you weren’t her, everything haunted in the places she’d last left them. So you dumped half of your shit in a Beverly Hills storage locker, bringing the rest with you in boxes down south.

Everyone in California expected you to bounce back right away, like a cervical spine injury was something you could pull yourself up from to walk it off. The doctor forced six months of bed rest on you after the surgery, at minimum. She didn’t know at the time that your life is defined by minimums: minimal pay, minimal oversight, minimal time. You had a job lined up four months in, spending the rest of the other two wondering how many ways you could craft the same placating email to the production company.

You park at the side of the road, looking up at the windows of your apartment. The windows are dark, the curtains drawn. No one is waiting for you up there.

Sometimes, you long for something like that. Wish for the windows to hold light, the shadow of another human being in the light cooking you dinner, watching television. Your mind wanders to the sets of the epically corny love stories you worked on at the very beginning of your career, hauling around lighting equipment and taking coffee orders from the talent. Most of the time, though, you want exactly what you have now. 

You take the elevator up in silence, checking your emails and clearing them as you go. When the sleek metal doors slide open before you, you stroll to the end of the tiled hall and wiggle your key into the lock, letting the door squeal open. You toe off your flats at the entryway, leaving them to sit on the floor as the door closes behind you. The light comes on in your kitchen automatically, sensing your presence. It’s only then that you remember the groceries you were supposed to order, jamming the heel of your hand into the middle of your forehead.

“Shit,” you mutter, the shadows on the walls surely berating you silently.

There’s nothing more to do than sigh and scour the cupboards. You find bread tucked away in one of them, one last decent slice and the heel waiting for you in the crinkly plastic.

You stick them both in the toaster Mia got you last Christmas, stacking them onto a plate when they're done. Walking to the couch a mere few feet away, you turn the TV on to the fireplace channel, the one reserved in most households for snowfall and holidays. The toast feels dry in your mouth, wood crackling through the television speakers. Your bones are too tired to do anything else.

Somewhere between ten and eleven, you realize you aren’t going to make it to bed tonight. Your feet feel too wobbly beneath you, eyelids heavy as your vision blurs. So you make yourself comfortable, laying your head on one of your throw pillows, the fabric gritty against your cheek. A last notification lights up your phone, slowly but surely sapping itself of battery beside you. An email. You can just make out the subject line and email addresses; your own CC’ed onto the exchange, and two others.

[email protected]

[email protected]

Stunt Pilot - Urgent Inquiry

-

It’s just after noon. You sit in a folding chair, watching the scene play out before you. They did all of the blocking before you even got here, a rare occurrence, letting you walk on set ready to watch Mia in action. She performs a wall flip over a stray hospital bed effortlessly, like she was born mid-air. When she kicks Andy square in the padding at his chest, you stifle a bit of a chuckle.

They cut, Mia staying on her mark as her and the actress starring in the film—you’re blanking on her name—swap places. Mia has worked with her on a couple projects now. For a while, you were picking her up for lunch over at the Warner Brothers’ lot when she was doing a couple seasons of some teen superhero soap.

Ashton calls action again, and everyone watches as the actress stalks down the hall with her nostrils flaring, splattered in drying blood. Mia sidles up beside you to watch, too, her chest heaving silently as she chugs a bottle of water. They do several takes of this scene, definitely more than necessary. Ashton says that she isn’t capturing enough ennui and your eyes almost roll to the back of your skull.

The break for lunch cannot come any sooner. Hailey from makeup hands Mia a baby wipe to clean up the smear of stage blood on her face.

“I have a surprise for you,” she says, trying to remove the waxy, fire engine red lipstick that tints her mouth.

“Is it a pony?” you ask, injecting the enthusiasm of a preschooler on Christmas morning into your voice.

“No,” Mia says. “For you, it’s more like a unicorn.”

You arch a brow at her, barely noticing that she’s guiding you away from the catering hall in the direction of the side doors. You realize too late, shielding your eyes to the blazing sun when Mia pushes them open. You mutter a curse at the blinding light, eyes downcast for a brief moment as you still follow her out into the parking lot.

“Are we going to lunch? Or do you just need help getting something out of your car?” you ask, looking at her again.

She meets your eyes, and you watch as her gaze shifts to something in front of you. Following her eyes, you see an unfamiliar pickup truck in the spot to the left of you. It looks a little old, beaten up. You can’t tell what the colour of the body really is, a thin spray of dirt coating most of the hard surface.

You give Mia a strange look. “Did you get me a carpenter?”

“Better,” she says.

You both watch as someone—he—gets out of the driver’s side, muscles in his back flexing against the grey shirt that stretches across his shoulders. The truck door closes with a firm toss, and then he’s turning to face the both of you. He’s tall, dark and one might caution to say, handsome. Not you. Mia, probably, if he weren’t standing right there.

Mia’s unicorn lifts his baseball cap off, pushing long hair away from his face before returning it to the crown of his head. A beard, more like scruff, lines his jaw and a bit of his cheeks. If Bass Pro Shops had a Man of the Month calendar, he would be Mr. March.

“Francisco!” Mia calls out to the man, waving him over with a smile. He saunters over, bootcut jeans tinged with dirt at the bottom hems.

When he meets you at the sidewalk, he shakes Mia’s hand and then yours.

“Frankie’s fine,” he says, a small smile breaking out across his face.

“I’m seeing a distinct lack of a rainbow horn here,” you say, mostly to Mia. Frankie’s smile morphs into confusion, your words pulling a light laugh out of his chest.

“You’re her unicorn,” Mia clarifies. Then, to you, “This is Frankie Morales. He’s a stunt pilot.”

“Think Art Scholl without the tragic plane crash,” he says.

It’s your turn to laugh, a small, brief thing punched from your lungs. “And he’s got jokes.”

“And he’s going to fly your helicopter,” Mia says.

“Really?” you ask, looking at Frankie now.

“You need a chopper flown, I’m your guy,” he nods.

A chopper.

“I guess…you should meet Ashton, then,” you say.

“Oh, yeah. Totally,” Mia agrees.

As the three of you walk back into the studio, you notice how Frankie looks at everything. Not a simple scan, a glimpse over the walls. Looks, like he’s noting every security camera along the walls, every exit sign, the handle on each closed door. That’s definitely something.

Ashton is forking greek pasta salad into his mouth everso gracefully when you find him at lunch. You wonder what Frankie thinks of him upon first glance, taking in the designer polo shirt and the beady-lensed sunglasses drooping off the bridge of his nose as he laughs too hard at Gwen’s bad joke. Everyone knows he’s trying to get into the script supervisor’s pants.

“Ashton!” Mia calls for him, interrupting their surely riveting conversation. He frowns at the sight of the three of you.

“Mia,” he says, wiping at his mouth with a napkin.

“We’ve got good news for you.”

“About the helicopter,” you say.

“This is Frankie. He’s going to fly the thing,” Mia says.

You’re expecting Ashton to stand, hold out his hand and greet the man—you know, the polite thing to do with someone you’re about to work with. Instead, Ashton stays seated, pinching his fingers along the left arm of his sunglasses to pull them further down his nose. He gives Frankie a onceover, his mouth settling into a line of a smile. Thoroughly unimpressed.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Ashton says.

Immediately, the mood between the four of you shifts. It’s awkward, not because this has to be but because Ashton is making it that way. You can see Frankie tense, visibly drawing a blank as to how he’s supposed to respond.

He opts for, “You too,” raising his eyebrows as he says it. He shoves his hands into the back pockets of his jeans.

“Great,” Mia says, the end of the word tipping up into a question. She steers Frankie away from the interaction. You stay put, gaping a bit incredulously before shaking your head, turning to follow them.

Mia is standing near a catering table, already stammering out a string of sorrys.

Frankie shakes his head. “No need to apologize,” he says. “Not you’re fault that was…whatever that was.”

“Jesus Christ,” you say.

“He’s not usually like that,” Mia says, which is a lie. “Since you’re here, though, you might as well stay. Grab a sandwich?”

You nod. “You can sign the contract after lunch.” Which means you’ll be spending the hour drafting it.

Frankie appears hesitant, looking between Mia and yourself. You’re not much of a persuader, but Mia can put on these giant sulking doe eyes when she wants to. It’s crippling, shattering any viewer’s ability to not bend to her present wish. With that look, you’re fairly sure she could bring about world peace.

“Okay, sure. Why not?” Frankie asks.

Mia smiles, mission accomplished, and wonders off to raid at the salad bar on the other side of the room. You watch her go, shaking your head.

“She always like that?” Frankie asks, still standing behind you.

“Mia? More or less,” you say.

Frankie walks to the end of the table you both stand beside, grabbing a plate. He offers it to you, and you take it. Then he grabs one for himself, shoveling tuna macaroni salad onto the porcelain.

“She’s a good kid, though.”

“Aren’t you two the same age?” he asks.

“Yeah. Kind of feels like I’m her older sister, in a way,” you say.

“In a way?” He watches you grab a set of tongs, a bunch of salad landing on your plate.

“We’ve known each other for a long time. I was usually the more protective one, when we were younger.”

“Not now?”

“Well now she doesn’t really need it. And even if she did, not like I could do it,” you say. On your worst mornings, you can barely make it out of bed.

A question dances across Frankie’s eyes, but whatever it is, he keeps it to himself.

“Where did she find you anyway?” you ask, changing the subject.

“She emailed me. Just last night, actually, but I’m always in the business for work. Summer’s usually pretty busy, but I’ve got more time on my hands than I’d like this year.”

“So, a stunt pilot. Air shows, then?”

“Air shows, state fairs, military celebrations,” Frankie says. He uses a giant metal spoon to scoop cooked legumes on his plate.

“And you always dreamed of a life in aerobatics, or…?”

“I was in the military for while, as a pilot. Couple tours. When I came home, I still had that itch, y’know? Now that I’ve done it I can’t stop doing it.”

“Oh. I guess that makes sense.” You cringe internally at the lame response.

“What about you?” Frankie asks.

“Went to school for video stuff, did some stunts for a while. Now I do this. Make sure no one loses a limb,” you shrug. The walls are starting to feel a little too close, the scattered conversation of the voices around you peaking in your ears. He opens his mouth to ask another question, but you interrupt. “I hate to leave you stranded but I should probably get back to work.”

“Right, yeah,” Frankie says.

“I’ll have Mia give you the contract when everything’s wrapped up in here.” You smile, hoping it looks more grateful than grimacing.

Throwing a baked potato onto your plate to join the salad, you ditch Frankie at the other end of the table and make a beeline for the doorway. Your stomach twists in your gut, guilt settling before you’re even finished being rude. Someone should tape a sticky note to your back: Hi, I’m an asshole.

#frankie morales #triple frontier #frankie morales x reader #frankie morales fanfiction #pedro pascal #i am so nervy omg why it's fanfic i've been doing this for years #hello people of pedroland please like me smiley face #pedrostories #fic: the world tipped on its side

[chiriwritesstuff]

The Girl in IT - Behind the Music! (Behind the Scenes, Pt. 1)

The LIST │ Series Masterlist

Hi. Hello!  

As I've mentioned before: I want to thank each and every one of you who has liked, loved, and shown support to 'The Girl in IT' - it's been a crazy, wild ride! To show my thanks, I wanted to release a series of behind-the-scenes looks at the lore of the series, my motivations, headcannons, and inspirations that have taken part in the development of the series - down to things like music, imagery, and the little bits that embody 'The Girl in IT'. I hope you all find it insightful!

Let me preface this by stating that music holds a significant—if not the most substantial—role as inspiration in my life. I don't know what I'll do without it. I grew up listening to the music my dad was into - a lot of The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and Led Zeppelin. I remember as a kid begging my parents for a boombox every birthday. I used to help my friend (a radio DJ at our college radio) come up with playlists back in college, and it was probably the first time I ever felt like I was a part of something creatively that I felt like I was good at, on my own terms.  

With that said, I definitely make and compile playlists for every single fic / series that I've ever released.  

Are you ready?

The Music (aka the most important part):

Creating a playlist for 'The Girl in IT' was definitely on the easier side- I know for a fact that Sugar, as an IT girlie, has playlists for every single aspect of her life: playlists for every single mood, for the shower, to hang out with Sir Bubbles, and of course, one when she thinks about Joel. When she's in her office, hard at work on every single one of Joel's requests, she's "locked in", listening to the playlist that corresponds to her mood.  

The Playlist:

'The Girl in IT' General Playlist

The general playlist is one that I curated for the present moment - It's a combination of Joel and Sugar, sure, but it encompasses a few emotions for the series - it's sexy, full of yearning and hope. I wanted it to be somewhat playful - it's definitely more Joel influenced than Sugar. When I think of an artist who embodies 'The Girl in IT', I think of Cannons. 'Heartbeat Highway' plays a prominent role with my inspiration for the series - especially 'Desire', 'Loving You' and 'Crush'. I wrote a lot of the chapters with this album playing in the background. Give the album a listen, it's so good!

Highlights in the general playlist:

'Crush' - Cannons (Sugar)  

It's feeling like déjà vu when I'm standing next to you And all these years of running, they led me straight to you I feel my heart exploding, my blood begins to rush This feeling, I can't ignore it, this can't be just a crush

'Come on Closer' - Jem (Joel - Chapter 3 - The Dressing Room Scene !!!!!)

Come on closer I want to show you What I'd like to do You sit back now Just relax now I'll take care of you

'Golden Hour' - Jvke (Joel - aka the song he forced Ellie to put on his playlist after hearing it in the car)

I was all alone with the love of my life She's got glitter for skin My radiant beam in the night I don't need no light to see you

Sugar:

'The Girl in IT' Sugar's Playlist

I will admit: Sugar's playlist was a bit harder to develop than Joel's. We know as a whole that she likes him, that she's pined for him, but his "rejection" - when he "didn't show" to her birthday party all those years ago - it broke her, and a lot of the music in her playlist reflects her emotions from that time. She's inexperienced in love and is a loner - I reckon she has a close group of friends, but she doesn't put herself out there. There's a lot of yearning, longing, and regret in her.  

Highlights in Sugar's playlist:

'What do you go home to?' - Explosions in the Sky 

When I was in college, I listened to a lot of Explosions in the Sky. Something about the composition of their music always hit me deeply - it always was able to capture my feelings of longing and yearning, without any pretty poetic lyrics. When we first start off in the series, Sugar is down and out. She lives alone in a shoebox of an apartment she can barely afford and hasn't had any significant relationships. She's in her late 30s - so she's given up on trying to put herself out there, mostly to protect her heart from rejection. I feel this song encapsulates Sugar as a whole, and this song still makes me cry til this day.

'Fantasy' - Mariah Carey

Oh, when you walk by every night Talking sweet and looking fine I get kinda hectic inside Mmm, baby I'm so into you Darling, if you only knew All the things that flow through my mind But it's just a sweet sweet fantasy baby When I close my eyes You come and you take me It's so deep in my daydreams But it's just a sweet, sweet fantasy baby

This is very on the nose - it perfectly captures how Sugar felt when she first met Joel. It's all very innocent- she's been in love with him since day one. There's a forbiddenness to her affection - Joel's closer to her parent's age than her own, so she sees her infatuation as a fantasy. She doesn't think she has a chance with him, not then, not now.  

'The Trick is to Keep Breathing' - Garbage

She's not the kind of girl Who likes to tell the world About the way she feels about herself She takes a little time In making up her mind She doesn't want to fight against the tide Lately I'm not the only one I say never trust anyone Always the one who has to drag her down Maybe you'll get what you want this time around

Sugar is the kind of girl to hide herself. I also imagine due to her IT background, she listens to a lot of Garbage (the band, not garbage music, LOL). She's the kind of girl to talk to herself in her mind, to remind herself to take it day by day, to just keep breathing. She doesn't trust people and their motivations, especially if they are positive and good-natured. I know that it's frustrating to see since Joel has always been forthcoming with his feelings for her, but we must remember: I always intended for Sugar to be messy, to be relatable, and mostly, to be complex in her emotions. She's not going to make it easy on him, but Joel - he's up for a challenge, he's been ready. Sugar honestly doesn't know what's coming.

Joel:

'The Girl in IT' Joel's Playlist

Joel's playlist was a no-brainer. He knows exactly what he wants – and that's Sugar. He sees her in such a way that it takes his breath away. Joel also loves music, but he's the kind of guy who is stuck in a certain era, so there are a lot of classics in this. I also will die on the hill that Ellie also influences his music tastes - she always connects her iPhone to Bluetooth when they're in the car together, and Joel would be the type to hear a song that reminds him of Sugar and demand that Ellie puts it in his playlist (i.e. - 'Golden Hour' by Jvke).

Highlights in Joel's Playlist:

'And I Love Her' - The Beatles

A love like ours Could never die As long as I Have you near me

I have this headcannon where Joel knows exactly how Sugar sees herself - and I think he wants to help her see that she is more than the girl she believes to be. He sees a girl who works her ass off and wants to break the mold of being in her parent's expectations for her - and he's drawn to that spirit. He loves her for who she is, no other explanation needed. 

'Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You)' - Aqualung

Ok, I know what you're thinking. This song is stalkerish. It's gotten a bad rap - but do I care? No, not really. Do I think that Joel has felt this way about Sugar all this time? ABSOLUTELY. This song definitely shows that Joel has been waiting and biding his time - he's worked his ass off for TEN YEARS trying to be worthy of Sugar. This is Joel, yearning. This is also a look into how he sees Sugar as she interacts in the world, that she's this beautiful creature who hides herself and her beauty, how she has the ability to turn heads but she just doesn't see it. Let's take a look at the lyrics, because I think it speaks for itself:

I've been watching your world from afar I've been trying to be where you are And I've been secretly falling apart Unseen To me, you're strange and you're beautiful You'd be so perfect with me But you just can't see You turn every head but you don't see me

'Waiting for a Girl Like You' - Foreigner

When you love someone When you love someone It feels so right, so warm and true I need to know if you feel it too Maybe I'm wrong Won't you tell me if I'm coming on too strong? This heart of mine has been hurt before This time I want to be sure

In this series, Joel has only been in one significant relationship: the one that he had with Sarah's mom. Now, we can sit and deliberate the nature of their relationship and how it ended, but honestly, I don't have the attention span nor the energy to do so. I think that after that relationship ended, Joel kind of gave up on love. He buried himself in his work and focused on being a good father, which, I think he has done a tremendous job at. When he first meets Sugar, Sarah is already an adult and is about to leave the nest. Joel is lonely. He's been ready to find love again, and I think when he first meets Sugar, this is the song that he immediately plays in his truck after that fateful day at the mall. He has been waiting for a girl like her, all this time.

'Here with Me' - Dido

And I won't go, I won't sleep I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me And I won't leave and I can't hide I cannot be, until you're resting here with me

If I am not mistaken, in the first episode of 'The Last of Us', in the kitchen scene, Dido was playing in the background. I've loved Dido forever - ever since my teen heart heard 'Here with Me' on 'Roswell' (on the WB!!! Older Geriatric Millenials RISE!). This is the song I think Joel has in mind after his confrontation with Sugar's dad, telling him to leave the birthday party and saying that he's not good enough to be with her. Joel in 'The Girl in IT' is a devoted Joel, and has always wanted Sugar to be by his side, even back then. This song also plays with his determination to be with her, to pay his dues, and to work his ass off to be the best version of himself for her. He's always been there and hasn't left her - and I think he would always be there if things didn't work out.  

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes looks at 'The Girl in IT', coming soon!

#The Girl in IT #pedro pascal #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x reader #joel miller x you #joel miller #pedro pascal fanfiction #joel miller x female reader #The Girl in IT BTS #joel tlou #joel the last of us #pedro pascal characters fanfiction #pedro pascal fandom #pedro pascal characters #joel miller imagine #joel miller fanfic #joel miller fic #joel miller tlou #the last of us hbo #the last of us fanfiction #the last of us fic #the last of us fanfic #the last of us #Spotify

[foxes-that-run]

Music for a Sushi Restaurant

To me, in Music for a Sushi Restaurant Harry says the music industry is fickle and Harry and his muse should not shelve a real romantic partnership for fame. The music video shows Harry is a squid siren who becomes a star attraction in a restaurant as long as he can sing. When his voice fails the industry turns on him and he becomes sushi.

Harry told NPR:

"I was in a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles with my producer and one of our songs came on from the last album, and kind of said like this is really strange music for a sushi restaurant. And then I was like – that would be a really fun album title, but then as the song started being made I kind of just set on Music for a Sushi Restaurant."

To Zane Lowe Harry said that

You put so much love into an industry that is so fickle, that if you're doing well it loves you back, but if you aren't then you're just out. It's understandable for it to be really scary to go away and have no one talking about me, no one cares, I have to go onto social media and remind people I am alive.

He spoke thinking about who he is without fame, needing to find something else to make you happy. He said the best people, 'the unicorns of music' do it and then they are gone, when they come back it matters.

Lyrics

Ba, ba-ba Ba-ba, ba-ba Green eyes, fried rice I could cook an egg on you Late night, game time Coffee on the stove, yeah You're sweet ice cream But you could use a Flake or two Blue bubblegum twisted 'round your tongue

The first verse mixes food references and innuendo. Harry comments his green eyes seeing that this muse is hot.

They have a late night game time is late night making out. Along with a reference to late night coffee, similar to You are in Love, "Coffee at midnight."

To me, the last 3 lines are innuendo for... 'watermelon sugar'. A flake is a chocolate bar that is served in soft serve ice cream. Ahem... 'this is a family blog post'.

I don't want you to get lost I don't want you to go broke I want you It's 'cause I love you, babe In every kind of way Just a little taste Know I love you, babe Ba, ba-ba Ba-ba, ba-ba (You know I love you, babe) Ba, ba-ba Ba-ba, ba-ba

Music for a sushi restaurant explores Harry's relationships in the context of his and his muses Music careers. The muse is someone who's livelihood (going broke) is at risk by dating Harry. Something Taylor has also sung about in Suburban Legends and Slut! In Now that we don't talk "I cannot be your friend, so I pay the price of what I lost"

In line with the theme of “pay for it” suburban legends says Taylor didn’t come for love and it cost her reputation and bullying from fans and media. Harry is saying he cares more about being together, he doesn’t think they have to choose between career and love.

He asks if they can live with just a taste of their love, can they get by with only small doses of time together.

Excuse me, green tea Music for a sushi restaurant From ice on rice Scuba-duba-do-boo-boo Music for a sushi restaurant Music for a sushi restaurant Music for whatever you want Scuba-duba-do-boo-boo

The line 'Music for whatever you want' to me is a comment that Harry's music has commodified his innermost feelings and in the end they are not treated with care. When talking about the song Harry has said the title came from hearing one of his songs in a Sushi restaurant, implying it was the wrong song/setting pairing. Harry curates his tight discography carefully. To me, verse is sets a chaotic scene of the sushi restaurant where something from Fine Line being used as background music.

I'm not going to get lost I'm not going to go broke Staying cool

In the first pre-chorus he didn't want his love to go broke, (who is seemingly also in the music industry) presumably as he was entertaining giving up his own career to be with his partner, as he has in past songs like "If I could Fly". But now in the second pre-chorus he also won't give up on his love, or go broke himself. Harry is saying they can stay cool and chose both.

He's also cool in Suburban Legends "Flush with the currency of cool" and Gorgeous: "You’re so cool, it makes me hate you so much"

If the stars were edible And our hearts were never full Could we live with just a taste? Just a taste

In 'If I could fly' and Taylors 'The Lakes' they have both sung about giving up their careers to be with their muse. To me the bridge in Sushi is saying, what if they never had enough of being famous, can they just have both? Can they live with just a taste of real love.

#harry styles #haylor #harry’s house

[decoding-narcissism]

The Ego Show: Unmasking the Narcissistic Game

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to 'The Ego Show'! Today, we delve into the mysterious realm of narcissistic personality disorder through a thrilling gameshow format. Buckle up, because we're about to take you on a wild ride through the labyrinthine minds of narcissists! Our first contestant is Alex, a charismatic entrepreneur who never misses an opportunity to remind others of their inferiority. Alex's narcissistic trait, known as 'grandiosity,' is like a peacock flaunting its feathers. Just like Alex, individuals with this trait believe they are truly exceptional - the crème de la crème of the human race. They demand constant admiration and seek out situations where they can be the center of attention. To illustrate this, let's move to our second contestant, Emma, the social media influencer extraordinaire. Emma's social media feed is a masterclass in self-promotion. Every post oozes with meticulously curated selfies and boasts about her seemingly perfect life. Behind the scenes, however, lies a fragile self-esteem that requires constant validation. Can you say #InstaNarcissism? Now, let's introduce our final contestant, Mark, a master of manipulation. Mark simply loves to put others down to elevate himself. This trait, known as 'lack of empathy,' is a key characteristic of narcissism. Mark wields his words like a weapon, crushing anyone who dares to challenge him. He lacks the ability to truly understand or care about the feelings of others. It's a real-life version of 'Who Wants to Be Crushed by a Narcissist?' So, what have we learned today, dear audience? Narcissism is not just an abstract concept but a real-life game that some people love to play. The Ego Show has given us a glimpse into the twisted world of narcissistic personality disorder, showcasing traits like grandiosity, constant need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Remember, folks, empathy, humility, and genuine connections are essential in the game of life. It's time to turn the spotlight away from the narcissistic game and focus on building authentic relationships and nurturing our inner selves. Until next time, stay humble, stay kind, and let's leave the narcissistic games for reality TV!

#Narcissism #Excess #Science #Studies #Psychology #Sociopathy

[robyn-goodfellowe]

Hi uhh idk how to say it but any tips on writing in general? I really wanna write my story I have stored in my doc but I don’t know where to start.

hello!! i am very honored that you came to ME to ask because i love to talk about writing, so thank you :) with that being said this might get a little long so ill put everything under a readmore, but all of my advice can be summarized like this

tl;dr: just start!!!

i KNOW. in my soul. that there's genuinely nothing more every aspiring writer hates to hear than "just start" lol but it really does come down to that. just start. whatever you put on the page doesnt have to be PERFECT, it just has to be there. my first drafts for anything are never solid. my initial drafts are NEVER the quality of the final

and its through careful, consistent rewriting that it becomes something more palatable and fun/easy to read. what ive noticed a lot of new writers do (and i used to be very prone to this as well) is that they go into their drafts expecting to drop their final product there, and aim for perfection. i cannot stress enough that perfection is THE ENEMY in literature. you can rewrite things thousands of times for it to turn out imperfect in the end, and thats OKAY. you'll end up with a draft you like eventually, but don't expect yourself to find it right away. it takes me a lot of consistent writing sessions to have a paragraph that im satisfied with. itll come to you naturally

but the best advice i can offer is really just ... START. open google docs and just write down your thought process, whatever that looks like for you. maybe its the summarisation of a few scenes you like, maybe its a chunk of an out of context paragraph. whatevers in your head, put it on paper and see where you can go from there. thats really the only way you can start

outside of that some of my big things are being consistent and READING. i write for at minimum half an hour every day (not always fic lol! i am a creative writing major, am working on my manuscript and also trying to get published in some small-scale literary magazines and sites. so im always working on something, basically) and its probably the only thing in my life i am super consistent about. maintaining a habit and making yourself write even when you dont "feel like it" or cant find motivation is the best way to keep writing long term. and reading, well, how i like to put it to my friends is that creativity is like a well. you cant keep drawing from it without filling it up eventually. you need good writing and good words to inspire you so you can keep drawing from your creative well. when im not writing im reading and you should be too. you really cant have one habit without the other

are really immersing myself in the world that i've created for my silly little guys. i am, at all times of the day, immersed into my stories one way or another. im almost constantly curating pinterest boards, or making playlists, or sharing it with my friends (the last one is highly important. the best way to stay encouraged is to have someone to share with) and so theres not really a day when im not thinking about what i want to write to some extent

but yeah basically thats all of the advice i can offer. write, write, write and don't be afraid for it to be not perfect. nobody is perfect, you are human. so just have fun with it

hope this can help ssomewhat! :)

#answered #writing #tql spoilers #<- used a scene from it as an example! #im not a professional though (YET) so please take all of my advice with a grain of salt #use what works and ignore the rest #also that doodle is very old but i think its still fitting

[reygwenwrites2]

I Love Ard1n, and You Should Too With Ard1n

By Rey Gwen

February 6th, 2024

Photo above taken by @666.pastel on Instagram

If I were to describe Ard1n in a word, the word I’d choose in a heartbeat is vibrant. The unique style that they’ve orchestrated turns music into a captivating encounter with Ard1n’s craft, with their upbeat energy seeping into everything that they do. Their dynamic presence on stage parallels the powerful energy reflected in their music. Ard1n turns music into not only art that is full of life, but also an unforgettable experience.

REY GWEN: Could you walk me through your process on curating your sets?

ARD1N: Well, the sound of my set fully depends on the party and what crowd I can expect to be there. I play parties for some pretty different scenes so I need to know my audience, but once I decide on what sound I'm looking for I go straight to Soundcloud and begin digging. Song selection can take up to a week because I want to be 100% happy with the songs I pick.

GWEN: How does your mindset change when working on a singular song versus an hour(+)-long set?

ARD1N: When working on a set, my head is very production heavy. I’m more focused on the texture and sound design in the songs I select as I feel that is what I pay attention to when I'm hearing other people dj. However when making my own music, of course the production is still a huge factor but what matters most to me is if my voice is compatible with the beat. Sometimes people have voices that are better used with certain sounds or genres and that is what i try to get right when making my own music.

GWEN: What role does audience feedback play in curating your sets?

ARD1N: I like to play what I want. Yes, audience feedback can decide what song I play next, but usually I have a setlist I want to get through before I begin freestyling. I think I always have more fun freestyling though. Oh and I DONT TAKE REQUESTS. That shit will irk me. What I consider audience feedback is their reaction and movement to the current song playing or what sounds/beats gets the people to move. That is what will decide what comes next.

GWEN: How do you know when a set is ready to be performed?

ARD1N: I’m never 100% ready 🤣 you can ask anyone of my irl friends and they will tell you that before I go on stage I’m always shitting my pants and worried what I have prepared won’t be good enough. I do think having more songs prepared for the set makes me more comfortable though.

GWEN: What has been your favorite experience thus far in your music career?

ARD1N: This is a hard question to answer! I’ve had so many really cool experiences and opportunities come from music. I think one of the coolest things i was asked to do was play Boiler Room in December of 2022. My good friends at Subculture Party invited me to play one of their Boiler room stages since they were working in collaboration together. It was a great weekend filled with great music and friends. The next best thing would probably have to have been the Halloween party I threw last year. I co-organize a party called Dancing For Heaven with my best friend, HVN, and we worked together with other Toronto party series ‘Body2Body’ and ‘Bambeeno’ to throw a mega Halloween warehouse rave we called ‘House of Skin’. It was absolute insanity and we want to throw another one again next Halloween 🤭🤭

GWEN: What/who are your inspirations? How do they influence how you work on music?

ARD1N: I'm inspired by any new artist I find with fresh ideas. They inspire me to look outside of the box and try stuff I've never thought of before, and explore sounds I didn’t think would fit in music. I’m also so inspired by my friends. When I see the people I care about doing cool things it makes me so happy and makes me want to do cool things as well!

GWEN: How do you mentally prepare yourself for performing?

ARD1N: I’m freaking out every second until I’m on stage. It’s only once I’m already djing or performing that my nerves go away and I fall into the groove of what I’m doing and I lock the fuck in. It’s like I forget the crowd is there and I’m djing for myself like how I would in my bedroom.

Ard1n on Soundcloud

Ard1n on Instagram

Ard1n on Twitter

#reygwen #ard1n #interview #music

[the-king-andthe-lionheart]

I find it deeply ironic and hypocritical how so much of the fandom is pearl clutching because Aemond was “bullied” and how Lucerys deserves to die for laughing about the roast pig.  1) there is literally no evidence that that pig joke was long running.  2) that joke was actually a prank, not a long running course of bullying specifically curated by Lucerys.  3)  Aegon was the oldest and the ringleader.  And 4) Lucerys was maybe 7 in that scene?  Now I’m not going to deny that Aemond’s feelings were hurt, nor I’m not going to deny that Lucerys legitimately disfigured him in that fight when they were children and that was wrong.  Now if Lucerys had been over there making fun of Aemond’s eye I could understand the anger from Aemond and the fandom, but he wasn’t, he chuckled at an old joke he probably doesn’t even register was more than just a prank to Aemond.

Anyway, what I find super hilarious is how everyone is going “oh poor sweet Aemond, he was bullied so relentlessly!” and writing things like this:

while many of the same people are Sansa stans and apologists.  Many of these same people like to brush Sansa’s bullying of Arya under the rug, either saying it never happened because of “unreliable narrators” even though an outside POV of Theon confirmed this bullying, or they say it was mutual when there is no evidence this bullying was ever reciprocated (and no Arya losing her cool while cold, dirty, grieving, hungry, stressed and tired is not bullying, nor is Arya throwing a smushed orange at Sansa when Sansa was gaslighting her bullying either).  Arya was relentlessly bullied for years by Sansa and Jeyne Poole, Sansa also didn’t care that an older boy was legitimately going to kill Arya all because he was handsome.  Arya has legitimate self-esteem issues from this bullying, so where is this sort of vigor when it comes to Arya actually being bullied in the books by her older sister?  Where are all these cries for justice?  But no, you all will just turn around and make excuses because Sansa was only a small child and naive and didn’t know better, but on the flipside you are all ready to condemn a 7-8 year old boy for playing a prank, being amused by it years later, and trying to protect his family when Aemond was saying that he was going to feed them all to Vhagar, that they will all die screaming, breaking Lucerys’ nose, bashing Jacaerys in the head with a rock and still wielding said rock.  

Now I’m not saying Lucerys’ actions should be excused, and Aemond has every right not to ever forgive him for the eye, but frankly Aemond getting upset over a prank a 7 year old participated in, when his own brother was the ringleader, is frankly ridiculous.  You all like to proclaim that Arya just needs to get over her legitimate bullying and become Sansa’s bootlicker, but here you all are crying Fire, Blood, Vengeance, and Justice over Aemond a legitimate adult not being able to get over a prank.  The hypocrisy and double standards in this fandom knows no bounds.  But I suppose the fact that Aemond is a man, while Arya is a non-conforming little girl, while Sansa is a conformist tradfem who loves the status quo doesn’t make a difference in this, right?

#arya stark #canonarya #asoiaf

[adammbakri]

On “Art” (Conversations with Izz #1)

Me: I want to re-create some of the paintings I did between the ages of four and six! I still have them all! I want to select 8-10 pieces and recreate them, sticking as much as I can to the original color choices, composition, and subjects portrayed. The idea excites me so much!

Izz: Nice, but what does that mean?

Me: What do you mean, 'what does that mean'? Just recreating my visions as a child in light of my vision now.

Izz: But under what theme?

Me: I don't know specifically yet. Maybe childhood? But I honestly don't care about that now.

Izz: You have to! Because in order to reach out to people who might be interested in showcasing your art, it has to be contained within a certain theme, a frame of some sort.

Me: Explain more…

Izz: For example, how can you make it connected to Palestine?

Me: Why does it have to be connected to Palestine? Why can't I create art for the sake of sharing my vision of the world with the world? Things that move me, colors that speak to me… why can't I just create art in order to please the eyes and share beauty?

Izz: Because art is about creating something that can start a discussion, challenge the intellect… That is what the people in the art world are interested in. For instance, what you are creating right now is a "state of being" or an "expression of a state of being". It's not what is "hot" in the art movement nowadays.

Me: Is it not "hot" because it can't be categorized under "discussion worthy" or is it not "hot" because I am a brown artist who paints something broader than his ethnicity or his national identity? Why is it that white artists can paint whatever they want? Why do we have to be "ethnic" even in our art in order to be "hot" and "make sense"?

Izz: You certainly can create whatever you want. And I think in H’ai there is something very profound and unique that I believe has a place. I find it much more interesting than your portraits of Fairuz, for example.

Me: But Fairuz is more than just a colorful "expression of some sort"! Her impact is far more profound. She's not merely beautiful music; Fairuz is a tapestry of memories, locations, individuals, and emotions. Her musical legacy is a significant cornerstone in my life. Her music has been a constant companion since I was four years old! She has journeyed with me everywhere, on trains, cars, and planes, to diverse lands and destinations. Her songs are deeply woven into my emotional fabric, intertwined with scenes of joyous moments and past traumas. In a way, she represents a part of me! She is not just a face of a woman I paint! Yes, I do set certain technical challenges for myself every time I choose to paint something - that's how I grow technically as an artist - but there's a reason why I choose Fairuz. There is so much meaning behind what I choose to paint or draw. So much.

Izz: Beautiful! Did you write about that when you published the painting?

Me: I don’t need to write about why I paint what I paint and what it means to me every time I create something. Can I leave something to the gazer? Can I make her/him feel something without stuffing their minds with words? Are colors sufficient? Can colors convey something as profound as words?

Izz: Yes they can. I think what’s at the core of this discussion is not what you can and cannot do as an artist. You shared your ideas for an upcoming project and I just relayed to you some challenges that you might face. Curation is a big part of my studies at the moment.  Yes it is frustrating at times, and there is so much hypocrisy, and deceit. But at the end of the day part of what we study at art schools is how to preserve the value of art as an integral part of history and culture. A big part of our learning involves preserving art's inherent value as a critical component of history, culture, and the evolution of the human intellect. Art's fundamental value lies in its capacity to make the world a better place by inciting change and fostering connections between diverse races and peoples. Through art, we share the narratives of our histories and cultures. So again you can do whatever you want! As long as your art doesn’t turn into a commodity.  When an artist turns his work into commodity it just stops being art! 

Me: give me an example

Izz: like for example: (he names an artist) he started out beautifully and now all his art is printed on mugs and T-shirts and calendars. It just cheapens it. It’s not art anymore! It’s commerce! A tool for making more money. 

Me: what’s wrong with having your art printed on mugs? Isn’t a mug a valuable object that you use to drink water and coffee every morning?  

Izz: because it’s ugly! Because it’s capitalism at its worse! Mass production… produce produce produce in order to make more profit!

Me: I think the question here is in the intention and not the act itself. Meaning I have to ask myself before I decide to sell my art as prints “why do I want to do that? Is it only for profit? Do I appreciate seeing my art on tshirts and calendars? Does it make me happy? Or is it just for making money.”

Izz: regardless of the intention. The act of mass production cheapens the art. It becomes a “tool” 

Me: but art can be used as a tool!

Izz: I meant function.

Me: and function too… is pleasing the eye a function?

Izz: I see where you are going but turning art into a mere function in my opinion cheapens it. It’s not art anymore.  

Me: I disagree. 

Izz: when you enter a hotel, and see replicas of paintings hung everywhere to fill up space, that’s art? 

Me: I see what you’re getting at but again it depends on the intention.  It is much more complex than you make it sound.  Because there is the intention, and the act, and there is the whole question of money for artists living in the 21st century.   

Izz: I wouldn’t put something in my house produced in millions of copies and used by people everywhere. 

Me: I would if I happen to love that specific object. Do you wear jeans ? Did you paint the walls of your house white?

Izz: It’s not the same thing.

Me: It is!  The color white is both a function and a creative choice for decorating your house. My apartment in NY for examples has only two white walls. The rest are turquoise, light blue, orange& yellow.  Why? Because they aesthetically please me and my wife.  And they sit perfectly with the furniture. They mean something to me. 

Izz: we will agree to disagree 

Me: Indeed! We're in perfect agreement about our disagreement. Now, that's progress! (:

[mysteriouslybluepirate]

Kisses In the Dark-A PodPlay- Kinda. Day 6 of Exploring Con Content

Spoilers for Kisses in The Dark

Warnings up to chapter 5: Abuse, stalking, murder, eating/slurping up humans, nonconsensual kissing(it's how he kills people), cheating, implied/brief sex scenes, brief mentions of a past abortion. 

I HAD SO MANY ISSUES TRYING TO LISTEN TO THIS. Chapters 1-4 worked fine. However, with chapter 5 I could not listen past the 5:46 minute mark. 'All right' I thought, after trying to find other sites streaming it and getting the same error 'I'll just skip the chapter'. So I did, and at 5:21 of chapter 6, it also flashed that error.

So what I have below is essentially judging chapters 1-4. I had complaints about the narrative and romance progression, but since I can't see their whole arc, this will be about vibes.

So for this 8ish hour multi voiced audio series, the main love interest is voiced by Con O'Niell, named John. Opposite to the love interest voiced by Rhiannon Clements, Kate. 

My favorite things before we get deeper is the notable roles for Con O'Neill listed on the summary is Chernobyl(fair, as you'd likely recognize his voice) and The Batman. This came out Nov. 2020. The Batman came out 2022. So whoever wrote up this summary for the book Googled Cons IMDB, saw that he was in this movie, prayed that someone would care, and just slapped that on. Not knowing Con was mostly in the background and had less than 20 lines of dialogue. But can you imagine your only reference for the romantic lead of this story being the asshole from Chernobyl. Funniest shit ever. He had so many other roles to choose from guys! Maybe they didn't want his more queer roles to be listed for a straight romance? 

Now, I have a bias to favor Queer stories; I know this about myself and often try to stay to my own lane. Not out of hatred but so much of the media that I consume isn't queer. Be it movies or day time television. So what I read/listen to is one of the easiest spaces to curate exactly what I want.

So when I read the title/synopsis I was skeptical, but willing to give it a shot. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am here for Con. I likely would not have listened to this project if not for him. In fact, I found John much more charming than I would have if John had been played by a different voice actor. Considering I was essentially just imagining a more pissed-off Izzy Hands being our protagonist. It's a real'if I didn't find this man hot, this would be creepy' situation.

This story is about a broken old Lovecraftian monster of a man who falls for the lady next door who's stuck in an abusive relationship. I realize that if either party swapped gender, or our male protagonist showed interest in men(beyond wanting to eat them), I know that I would have enjoyed this more. Because this is a standard romantic horror book, almost every cliché is touched and I predicted the twist that some people post online about. Yet there is something inherently queer in monster stories. Creatures that feel othered by society; that need to hide to be safe. So while yeah, it's a romantic novel, it still has some othered element to it. 

Overall I didn't hate it as much as I'd expected. I admire how each murder was described and Con adds a fun disassociated element to the character in his narration. Like he's been killing for so long, nothing phases him. The chapter where he kills five guys at the amusement park, Bloody Minds, was a highlight.

The romantic moments were sweet(that I could hear). The dancing and trying to show her the fun parts of life were very much trying to relate to the target audience. 

Again, I don't know exactly how it ends but see the story beats. If anyone below wants to summaries the story that tells me where these two end up in the end (together, dead, separate), I'd be grateful. I did enjoy this, I just can't find a way to listen to it, and I'd rather mentally close off this series than wait just in case.This is the only website I see anyone talking about this pod series.

I know it gets more cliché, but I was starting to care about where they go as a couple. Mainly cause I see it as a doomed love situation.

AS FOR CON!

Yes. Con either needed a better mic, and/or a pop filter. I got used to the static effect, and the editors did their best to cover it up with background sound. There are only a few points where it was noticeable. Con does a soft narrator voice that's easy to listen to, with some difficulty with enunciation and the fact I don't hear his accent all too often.

Yes. He is the most enjoyable part of this project. The lady doing the performance for Kate does a good job and I did grow to enjoy the performance, but she's just doing the role. Classic vampire craving humanity again storyline, with some fantastic imagery thrown in. I thought the age gap between the voice actors would bother me, but he's literally a century-old creature. So, eh.

Lovecraftian Izzy is a tag I keep an eye out for on AO3, so to see essentially that here was great. It was fun seeing him portray the souls trapped inside of John. Some more 'cringe' bits out of context, but if you listen to how his voice acts Mohg from Elden Ring, it gives off the same vibe. He portrayed desperate-sad-lonely falling in 'Love' very well.

The few sex scenes so far were non intrusive and fade to black in nature, besides her first fantasy.

It bugs me that we don't get a clear understanding on how The Kiss works. Cause he can kiss her skin, but it won't kill her? Is it an orifice thing? Cause he killed a guy sticking his tongue down his ear, so...

Highly recommend it if you already read these sort of stories or are on the fence and just want to hear Con and have some time to put it on in the background.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Performance: 8/10 for everyone all around. A few duds in side characters with a few speaking lines, but overall good stuff from everyone. All the scenes between Kate and John are fun and well acted.

Editing: 8/10 Fun background music and sound effect stuff going on. Super nonintrusive, and when it is, it's too point.

Story/Writing: 6-7/10; you've seen it before. From what I've seen people complain online, the story gets worse at the very end. Don't really know why, but yeah. Sadly, I guessed that there was a god interfering here. I'm glad John didn't just immediately kill her abusive boyfriend, but god, I'm mad I couldn't hear about it. I read an Izzy Hands/John fic out of curiosity and it really pointed out how melodramatic and gothic the writing here is. The way this world is described is very fun, and something that could be fun to emulate in my own writing.

Pacing for an audio medium 7/10: The first chapter is a bit slow, but after a few murders, it picks up well.

Overall 7-8/10. Fun if you go in with low expectations. Again, this might go down if I ever finish Hard Shadows, True Stories, and Sacrifice. But I just can't find a way, sadly.

If you've read this and want somewhere to talk about it down below, don't be afraid to spoil! I love all the comments and likes I get for doing this.

Have an amazing day y'all!

@ivegotnonameidea thanks again for the rec!

Next, who knows? We'll see, probably a movie, and knock through some of everyone's suggestions.

#Kisses in the Dark #con oniell #con o'neill #Rhiannon Clements #Kisses In The Dark PodPlay #Con's Conography